}

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

MMSC47 Beaded Beauties

A big THANK YOU to all of you who have visited me during the past week.  I am thrilled today to be bringing you the Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge, which is an event in itself, but this week is special for me as I got to use some of Pricilla's very own digi's and aren't they divine!!


 Even better as Priscilla is the Bonus Weekly Sponsor for this week and we used her Envelope Kits - these are fabulous and so-o-o easy to use!  I love working with digi's - these ones inparticular were so easy to use and worked beautifully with this weeks sketch!  I photocopied the Beaded Floursih directly onto my DP and added some Nail Bling.


The birds were also photocopied onto the same DP!  I then shaded them with Chalks and added some Kindy Glitz for that little bit 'o Shimmer!!  Once agin I made an easel card - they are just gorgeous and so easy to make - have you guessed, I am into 'easy' my DH says I say that about everything! LOL!


Now it is your turn - here is this weeks sketch - I can't wait to see what you do with it - there is a CAS version over that the Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge - remember, it is as 'easy as 1-2-3'


CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Our MMSC46 Gold Star Award goes to...
#70 Susan Killiman

Our Remarkables Award this week goes to...

#24 Guro
#34 Chelsea
A BIG Thank you to our Monthly Sponsor

who also happens to be our MMSC47 Weekly Bonus Sponsor.  Make sure you check out the Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge for details of Priscilla's great STORE giveway - there are so many opportunities to win on the MMSC - what are you waiting for!?!? LOL!

Design Team Update

As you may have read on the MMSC two of our lovely ladies will be leaving the group to peruse other avenues. Sue and Jane, and I would have to agree with Priscilla, it has been such an honour getting to know you, I would have said working together, but we do so much more than that - you girls are FABULOUS and it is with very mixed feelings for the whole DT that this is your last challenge as one of our MMDT members. You will always be one of the “Original” Midnight Madness Team members and a huge part in its development.  We wish you all the best and know that you are just a 'comment' away - we...brace yourselves girls, I can feel the 'L' word coming on...we love you girls and will be keeping an eye on you!!  God bless you my Blogging Sistah's - you are the best!   We don't say goodbye in our house, we say 'I'll see you when I'm looking at you!!

Now that being said, we have been working hard picking out our newest DT members. Thank you to all of you who sent in applications. Next week we will reveal the first two of our New Design Team members. We plan on adding a few more “3 month termers” over the next few weeks and we are very excited about bringing some new talent to our challenges. A BIG thank you to our March Diva, Sue Drees. She is just awesome and we really loved having you as part of the Team - you are a blessing Sue!.

Don't forget to check out the 'Madness on the High Seas' Cruise - what an opportunity to meet some of the Design Team and have some FUN!!  Check it out here.


I am linking this card to:
By the cute and Girly - Spring is in the Air
The Corrosive Challenge - Spring/Easter
Cute Card Thursday - Dimension
Gingersnap Creations - Reasons to Celebrate in April - Spring
Hand Full of Stamps - You're so Sweet - Birds are so-o-o sweet!
If the Shoe Fits - Recycled - my DP is recycled
Magical Craft Challenge - Spring/Easter
Little Red Wagon - Inspiration Photo - The blue inspired me
Pile It On - Animal Riffic
Crafty Ann's - For someone who is special
Your Next Stamp - Distressing
Charisma Cards - Spring has Sprung
Sisterhood of Scrap - Use your Scraps
The Pink Elephant - Add Green to your Colours - touches of green on the birds wings

Thank you for staying with me through this longer post - I do appreciate it - there is so much happening at the moment and I don't want you to miss ANY of it!  Make sure you pop on over to the Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge and play along!  I would love to come and see your creations!!!  God bless you all!
{{{hugs}}}

Monday, March 29, 2010

LOC SSCC Christ is Risen

It doesn't get much better than this for me with Faith Based cards - this one of for the Stampin' Sisters in Christ Challenge and I am using Layers of Color!!


This weeks Stampin' Sisters in Christ Challenge is brought to us by a very special Stampin' Sistah, Kristine Breach who not only happens to be one of the Hostesses for this challenge but also one of the Design Team for Layers of Color - so it is a double pleasure for me today!

The scripture Kristine has chosen is:
Isaiah 40:31 "But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."


and she has challenged us to "mount up" parts of your image, aka. Paper Tole technique. This is not simply paper piecing an image, but rather restamping your image 2 or more times and cutting out parts of that image to pop it up and make it 3-dimensional.

I have used the Layers of Color new release set Acanthus Leaves, stamping it directly onto the DP and chalkiing it.  I then added light touches of Kindy Glitz - I LUV the shimmer with these images, just a little, not too much!  The cross from Gothic Crosses has also been coloured with Chalks and popped up on dimensionals in the centre of the Acanthus Leaves.  The final layer if the crown from the Regal Wings art stamp set, this has been stamped in red Distressing Ink, this is also popped up on dimensionals.



The sentiment is from the Cornish Heritage Farms set 'Glory to God!' and really declares the Easter message so clearly!!  He is risen - He is risen indeed!!


I finished off with the Cuttlebug Vintage Corner Dies (Thanks Mum - you are the best!!)  and some green bling, both on these and the crown!!

As I made this card I could not help but reflect on Easter and all of the meaning it has for us as Christians....I popped the cross up because I wanted to convey the fact that He rose, to show that He is no longer on the cross, but instead, rose and conquered it, hence the crown!!    I love the Easter Story in the Gospel of Mark in chapter 16:7 where it is discovered that Jesus is no longer in the tomb and the Angel of the Lord appeard to them and said, '.....tell his disciples and Peter '  these words bring me such comfort and hope - Jesus especially wanted Peter to know, can you imagine how Peter must have felt after denying Him not once, but three times and then to hear that Jesus had risen - he must have been devastated at his own shortcomings and thrilled to know that Jesus had risen just as He said He would!  '...and Peter'  God sees our shortcomings, He loves us 'warts and all'  and says '...go tell my disciples....and Linda!'  PHEW!!!!   I love it that the Word of God can speak so directly to our hearts and is so personal to each of us!!

Thank you for visiting today and for the lovely comments you leave me, I love seeing that you have called in and taken the time to comment - you make my day!! 

I will be back tomorrow with my card this week's Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge, you still have time to get your card made and play aloong, there is fun to be had and prizes to be won - it could be you!!  There is  alot happening over the the MMSC this week, so make sure you check in - you all know how it goes 'you gotta be in it - it win it!  God bless you
{{{hugs}}}

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Baby Love

I am happy to be able to play along with this weeks Inspiration Challenge on SCS
. I love this challenge but lately I don't ever seem to get there!  I am also feeling pretty pleased as I managed to recycle a card that has been sitting on my desk forEVA - so rather than just file in away to be lost until who knows when, I decided to made a card, inspired by the colour in this scene.    
I love the soft mix of blues and browns they work for any occassions. 


What really made me happy was the corners on this - I used the Labels 4 Nestie and then used the Cuttlebug Vintage Corner Die - there is one in there that I wasn't that fussed on, the one with the loops all the way around and then I had a 'relevation' and cut it diagonally and slipped it under each corner - and this is the result - I love it - makes me feel like I have one of those gorgeous Pendant Nesties that is on my 'elusive dreams' Wish List! LOL!  I then added a brad - what do you think - I LOVE it and was telling the whole household, which gave me the 'oh yeah, it;s nice' but underneath had the 'what-ev-er' kind of thing happening!  LOL!


The sentiment is from PTI, I won the set in a Blog Candy - speaking of which, I was thrilled to find I had won Carrie's Blog Candy this morning - nice way to start the day!!   Thanks Carrie - onehappt stamper here!!

I am also linking this to:
Saturday Spotlight - Inspiration - the colours in the photo

Thank you for coming by today, it is always so nice to see you have been, thank you for your lovely comments and the encouragement you always give - I tell my family, this is my other 'happy plac' here with your all!!  I hope you are having a great weekend - see you soon with another creation from my feeble attempts at cleaning my desk....we all know I am dreaming here don't we, but what fun trying!! LOL!  God bless you! 
{{{hugs}}}

Friday, March 26, 2010

LOC SSCC It Nearly Killed me....

...to do a CAS card for this week's Stampin' Sisters in Christ Challenge - CAS is so NOT ME and although I have added an extra layer, which I have done under the banner of 'artistic licence' I did keep to the CAs rules of the white background, even though it is embossed - but if you know me, you know this is about as CAS as I get! LOL!


This card is also for Faith Art Friday over at Layers of Color, I love combining these two faith based posts - they go hand in hand for me!  I used this gorgeous heart from the Fleur Hearts art stamp set, nothing CAS about this ornate heart, it is a delight to work with and a favourite of mine.  This has been coloured with SU Chalks and a Blender Pen.  I would normally cut it out and pop it up on dimensionals, but for the sake of the Stampin' Sisters in Christ Challenge I abided by the rules (SIGH!)

I was about to leave it at that, but I could not so it and be true to myself so had the idea that I would keep the background white and add to the heart, thus controlling my 'rule breaking' LOL!  I used the cross from the Layers of Color Gothic Crosses art stamp set, stamping to light brown card and chalking with red - (this is...shhh...popped on on foam tape!)  I finished off white three black brads - I always like to add three brads, symbolic of the Trinity!!

As I was making this card and battling with the simplicity of a CAS card, I couldn't help but think about how we can battle with the simplicity of the Love of God.  We tend to over think and get lost in trying to explain and reason with the theology, to look for deeper meaning while all the time the gospel message is so simple and so clear

I love the symbolism of the Fleur Heart on this card, it speaks to me of the depth of God's love and beauty within, I added the cross to symbolise the message of the salvation that conveys the heart of God so very well!  I have heard many a sermon on the Love of God but nothing explained it to clearly as my dear friend Lyn, who befriended me at school and loved her God enough to dare to live her faith and share with me, she told me that inspite of everything I do, that God still loves me with an unconditional love - I said in my heart 'if there's love like that in this world, then I want it!!  I am so grateful for my friend Lyn, who 35 years ago showed me the Love of God by living it!! I accepted His love that day and have lived in the knowledge and security of it ever since!

Thank you for taking the time to come and visit, I am always so encouraged by your comments and love knowing that you have visted.  We would love to see you pop in for a visit at Layers of Color for Faith Art Friday, where the goal is not to show you product and talk 'sales' but to share from the heart and encourage us all in the faith - Faith Art Friday comes from the HEART!  God bless you!
{{{hugs}}}

Thursday, March 25, 2010

LOC Vintage Rose

I was so inspired by this amazing Blog and found the cutest challenge from Margaret from Alice & Camilla I could not resist making another dress (and will probably definitely do more! LOL) How adorable are they, it is like playing 'dress ups' but in a more 'grown up' way! LOL


Once again I have used Layers of Color images, this time using the Vintage Rose art stamp set.  I have stamped the roses directly onto the DP with Distressing Ink to create a soft floral look.


I added some recycled lace around the neckline and secured it with a gorgerous rose, that was part of a Blog Candy I love these gorgeous little roses and use them sparingly.  Cream chiffon ribbon is tied in a bow around the waist!  This is wrapped around the front of the card, so that the card can still open - a seperate piece is added sround the waist of the back of the card!


You can see how the roses are not bold but soft and subtle with the Distressing ink, this is just perfect for the look I am hoping to achieve!


I added a strip of ribbon around the back of the card as well, along with some pink lace around the hem!  This is actually a card that opens, being joined at the shoulder seams.  I added a small strip of ribbon to the inside of each should to strengthen them - just incase! 

I am hoping to make a few of these as we are goign to have a stall at the Local Homestead Markets agin next month and I am thinking these would be perfect for Mother's Day - what do you think!?!?  It will be fun making them all different in some way - I am sure you will get to see them!!  If you are interested you can find the template here at Gina Owen's Blog.

I am linking this to:
Allsorts Challenge - Spring is ins the Air
By the Cute and Girly - Spring is in the Air
Crafty Catz - Spring
Incy Wincy Designs - Spring/Easter
Tanda Teaser - Spring
Crafty Calendar - Flower Power
Frosted Designs - Think Spring
Magical Crafts - Spring or Easter
 Thank you for visiting, I love seeing that you have been and would hate to have missed you!  Your comments always make my day - you are so very kind - thank you!  I hope you are all having a great day and I look forward to seeing you soon!  God bless you!
{{{HUGS}}}

LOC Dressing Up

I came across this amazing Blog and found the cutest challenge and could not resist playing along !  Margaret from Alice & Camilla has invited us to play along with her
'Dress Up'  challenge!  Anyone can play and she is aiming to complete a dress by the end of each month. How adorable is that - it appeals to the 'little girl' in all of us!! 


I used this template from Gini Owen and of course had to use the Layers of Color art stamp set - Merci Bouquet, the small flowers are perfect for this darling dress!  They have been coloured lightly with SU Chalks and had Kindy Glitz added to the centers.



For the bodice I used some leftover embossed CS, using Divine Swirls embossing folder!  I have sponged around the edges (LIGHTLY) of  the whole dress, it helped define the lines,  I also used some spotted chiffon ribbon as a belt and knotted it through a pearl buckle/slider


How cute is this - it is perfect for my DD2's birthday next month - she is my 'girly girl' and saw it on my desk this morning and cried out with delight 'Awww Mum - this is adorable!!'  She is my greatest encouragement, God bless her!!  I will be back tomorrow with another one to show you, it is very vintage - I am having fun with these!! LOL!

I am linking this to:
and will be back tomorrow to link it to more - it is after midnight here....ZZZzzzz! LOL!

Thank you for coming by and for all the lovely comments you leave me - I am a 'comment junky' and they make my day!  I hope your day is one of your GREAT ones!  God bless you!!
 {{{HUGS}}}

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

MMSC46 Sweet Dreams

Hello everyone, are you ready for this weeks  Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge!?!  We have been loving having so many of you playing and being able to visit your blogs, you are all amazing!!   How about all of the 'goings on' last week - well, stay tuned as there is never a dull moment here, but first, my card!


I am using this adorable image 'Jenna' from D'Amour Allure, this weeks sponsor.- Janna has been such a delight to work with.  As I coloured her I could see it was going to be an easy card to make - you know how it is - some just come together almost by themselves.  I decided on a pink, black and white colour combination, keeping it feminine and incorporating the black with the night sky!  The image  is popped up on foam dots.     
                                                  

This gorgeous pearl swirl is also from D'Amour Allure- it is the first time I have used them and love how they look, a little bit fiddly but I am sure it gets easier the more you use them.  I attached the pearl across the various layers and they bring it all together in that corner!


Of course I had to make an easel card - I am right into them at the moment and love the way they for beautifully into the envelopes made with Priscilla's envelope kit!. 


I love using the kit from 'priscillastyles' STORE, and feel that they take the card to another level, it has been a pleasure giving my cards to friends when they come in these gorgeous envelopes - thank you Priscilla for letting us showcase them this month - I have loved you being the monthly sponsor, it has been so much fun - and YOU can win an amazing March Monthly PRIZE from "priscillasytles" STORE just by playing along with the MMSC this month!!


As you can see you can decorate these envelopes anyway you like and you can see from the photo that they have depth and hold those gorgeous 3D 'works of the heart,' you have worked so hard on, so beautifully - no crushed cards now!! LOL!
Now for this weeks sketch - you can check here for our CAS version - it is as easy as 1-2-3


Thanks to our weekly sponsor:


and to our bonus sponsor:


CONGRATULATIONS!!!'

Our MMSC45 Gold Star Award goes to...
#62. Anne Ryan
Our Remarkables Award this week goes to...
#9. Linda W.
#18. Anne2411

Please grab your awards logos from the side bar and display them proudly!!
Midnight Madness on the High Seas
September 9 to 13

Yes it is 'full steam ahead' with the Midnight Madness of the High Seas Cruise - you can find out all of the details HERE - don't miss out!!

I am linking this to:
Your Next Stamp - Distressing
Totally Gorjuss - Ribbons
Stamp Something - Distressing
Saturday Spotlight - Birthday Card - This was my DD1's birthday card
S2G Challenges - Spring with pastels - I have used pink (black is a neutral)
Practical Scrappers - Use Something you have had for over 1yr - the brad
My Time to Craft - Lovely Lace
Magical Crafts - Spring
Hand Full of Stamps - Remove the dust - brad
Dutch Dare Card Challenge - Colour Inspiration
Creative Card Crew - Going Dotty
Crafty Catz - Spring
Challenge Up Your Life - Flower - on envelope

Thank you for visiting today - I love knowing that you have been, your comments are always so encouraging, you make blogging such a fun thing to do - you are 'feeding my addiction' and I am LOVING IT!!  LOL!  God bless you!!
{{{hugs}}}

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Long May She Reign!!

As I was sitting having my morning cup of tea and having a quiet look at what had gone on in 'Cardville' while I slept - the phone rang and who should be on the other end, but my dear friend Peggy (aka Marilyn Preston on SCS) calling all the way from Canada.  What a lovely way to start the day!!


Even moreso because there is a fun game on SCS called 'Queen for the Day' and stampers who encourage other stampers with their comments and are very involved on SCS are being honoured - fittingly it is our very own Peggy this week - and I made this card in her honour...you can play along too just by casing Peggy and adding QFTD02 to KEYWORDS.


I used an image sent to me by the lovely Celisa on SCS - I saw one of her Emersons and commented on it, you know how much I LOVE these gals and Celisa offered to send me some more - and she did - I  will be amusing myself with them FOREVA!! Thank you Celisa, you blessed me!!

I have also used the Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge - the CAS sketch, I am so not a CAS person, although I love other peoples but I have to say these gal's with the 'atty-tude' just don't need too much more - now you may wonder if I am talking about the Emersons or the MMSC gals - LOL!  I won't even go THERE!! LOL!  Seriously girls, I am just joking!!  I did case this card of Peggy's for MMSC45 - I changed everything but the sketch, but hey, the thought was there! LOL!

So Peggy, this card is in your honour - it is so perfect that you are Queen for a Day on SCS, you are such a gorgeous gal and have befriended so many of us, bringing sunshine into our lives and lighting up our world with your comments and all the love you give in so many ways!  You have won your way into my home and are reffered to as 'Aunty Giggles', we all love you!  Long may you reign my dear friend and TWISTED SISTER!!!

I just have to add that HRH Peggy ended our call with 'you may bow now!!'  Oh Peggy - what can we say to that!!

I am linking this to Cute Daisy May - Anything Goes
Hand Full of Stamps - Remove the Dust - had the DCWV 4eva!
One Powerful Hour - Sisterhood - this is for one of my TWISTED SISTAH'S!!
One Stop Craft Challenge - Let It Shine - Kindy Glitz on Glass & Crown 
Ooh-la-la - Anything Goes
Paper Cutz Challenge - Anything Goes

Thank you for visiting and for your lovely comments, I love your visits!! Don't forget to check out the Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge this week - there are some great things happening and I would hate you to miss out - don't be shy!   

LOC Just a Note

The Bookmarks I have been making have been popular and I thought it was time I made a few more using the Layers of Color Joyful Noise art stamp set!  I love this G-clef and it is the perfect size for this project.


These bookmarks are great to use up those scraps of card stock, I no longer think 'what can I do with these scraps,' but look forward to making the bookmarks - they are so quick!  My DH and I had a stall at the Markets at the local Homestead last Sunday and I sold a few of these...along with some cards.

I cut the image out and attached it to some embossed CS, I love the texture this gives and the way it automatically dresses something up.  The top corners of the bookmark have been punched with the 'Sunburst' Fiskar Border Punch, I love finding more than one use for things - these corners are so pretty!


Some narrow gingham ribbon has been knotted over some lace and wrapped around the bookmark and three brads that are part of a RAK finished it off nicely.  I added a panel of the embossed CS to the back of the bookmark...I have found that 3-4 layers (in total) of CS make it strong - and that is a good thing!!  LOL! Ribbon has been threaded through an eyelet at the top of the bookmark and secured through a bead.


This bookmark did not make it to the markets, a neighbour saw it and bought it straight away - I think I had better make a few more!!

Thanks for looking and those lovely comments you leave me, you make my heart smile!!  It is Saturday night here and I am just chilling out, our kids have been out at various events and slowly returning home - I do enjoy this time on Friday nights, it is not that I can't craft any other time, I am blessed to be able to create whenever I want, within reason, I guess it is just knowing that tomorrow there is no rush to get out the door by a certain time, we can 'ease' into the day - beautiful!!  I hope you have a great weekend!!  God bless you!
{{{HUGS}}}

Friday, March 19, 2010

LOC Pure Heart

This card is for Faith Art Friday over at Layers of Color, Faith Art is a passion of mine, I love it that we can combine our passion for paper with our passion for HIM!  I was inspired by this fabulous scripture that was sent to me by my dear friend Sabrina (okimom2girlz), we share a passion for using scripture on cards.


The heart die was sent ot me by one of my Twisted Sisters, Denna (aka Moonrise) and was perfect to stamp the image from 'Renassiance Hearts'.  The edges of the heart have been sponged around and popped up with foam dots, onto the chalked wings from the 'Regal Wings' art stamp set.  These have had Kindy Glitz added - I love the shimmer with Layers of Color images!


The sentiment is also from the Renassiance Heart set, I have stamped it with Distressing Ink and cut it our with the Nestibilities Labels.  Gold cord has been threaded through.


Then there is the scripture, by Vevre,  that has been sent to me from my dear friend Sabrina (aka okimom2girlz) - I cannot see this scripture without singing the Keith Green song with these words- I learnt many scriptures through song and can still remember them even now!  We have had many a conversation in our house about having a right heart - it is something we strive after and can only ever achieve it for fleeting moments - so it seems!  God's word is very clear that He looks on the heart - what a complex thing - the heart of a man!


I personally endeavour to 'love my neighbour' and treat peope as I would like to be treated, desiring to make a difference in people's lives - all of this is done with great intent of the heart, people that know me would say I had a 'good heart' and this is always pleasing to the ear  - but the real truth is that God is not looking for just a 'good heart' but for a RIGHT HEART!

What is the difference we ask - well, they both love, give and beat with others in mind, but the defining factor is that a right heart is just that, 'right before God.'  We can live our lives as good people, loving our fellowman and being law abiding, but what goes on beneath the surface is what defines the 'state of our heart' - my heart can be good and my actions loving, but if my heart isn't right before God  (note I am not saying if I am not perfect), but if underneath the 'doing good'  I have 'attitude' and unforgiveness, if I have resentment towards anyone, then I am having myself on - my heart is anything but right!!  I am so challenged by this - as for me - I just want a lovely heart for God to live in!! 

Thank you for looking and for your comments, you are so encouraging!!  I love to see that you have visited!!  God bless you!
{{{hugs}}} 

LOC Perfectly Framed

Hello everyone - it is Friday here and I am loving the fact that the weekend is nearly here - time to wind down - infact my DH 'skeered' me yesterday and told me the kids have only 2 weeks left of this term - that can't be right - can it - where did the time go!?!?  well, just quietly I know a lot of it has been spent at this computer and card making, but...shhhh...! LOL!


Today I am showing you another card I made with the Layers of Color art stamp set Vintage Roses.  I thought I would work with softer colours for this card.

I have used some K&Company DP, which is so soft and feminine, it worked so well with these gorgeous roses, which have been coloured with SU Chalks and a Blender Pen, cut out and popped up on foam dots and layered into both CS and embossed CS cut with the Nestibilities Labels 4, I love the framing effect this has created.


The leaves from the Acanthus Leaves art stamp set have also been coloured with SU Chalks and a Blender Pen, then cut out and attached underneath the main image.  I am loving these leaves for adding to images and framing - they are gorgeous!!  Than of course those lovely Kaiser pearls have been added.


I have finished off with the vintage corners and added a single pearl to each!  I am pleased with the different styles of card I am able to maker using these sets, lets face it, we want to be able to use a stamp more than once don't we - I know I do!!! 

There is plenty of inspiration to be found on the Designer Galleries over at Layers of Color - you can see my Gallery here - I would love to see you!!

I am linking this card to:
Cute Daisy May - Anything Goes
Ooh-la-la Creations - Anything Goes
Paper Cutz Challenge - Anything Goes
Challenge Up Your Life - Bouquet/Flower
The Crazy Challenge - Simple & Elegant

Thanks for looking and for your lovely comments, you know you make my day!!  Have a fabulous weekend and make sure you take the time to do something you enjoy - like ironing - NOT!! LOL!  God bless you!!
{{{hugs}}}