LOC TCR#3 Once Upon a Time

Hellll-o-o-o!!!  I have been having some time 'in the zone' today and I can't beleive the time has flown by so quickly - but I do have something to show you  - This layour for The Color Room Challenge - I am loving this challenge and the way they do a lot of the thinking for you by giving us a colour palette each week - mind you, in saying that - these colours are not in my 'comfort zone' but I am happy with the outcome!

I used Layers of Color flowers from the Nature Walk art stamp set and the butterflies from the Butterfly Collector art stamp set - you can see a close up in the photo below.  I know I have said it before, but I am constantly amazed at how much diffence one image can make to the total look of a project - this is the case with this layout - once I had added these, it all just lifted and I know it had finished...no more fiddling - quite a 'fete' for me! LOL!

The DP is from Die Cuts With a View - the 'Once Upon a Time' series.  I loved this window and knew as soon as I saw this photo my DH had 'quietly' taken of me, that I would use it on this DP.  I used the second sheet to cut out the window frame and sponge the edges, then attached it with foam tape, giving it dimension, but not too much!!  I have tried to get the right angle with the photo below so you can get an idea of the dimension.  My Scrapbook Albums are pretty thick by the time I fill them up - are you surprised!?!? LOL!

This gorgeous Prima flower vine was part of a RAK from Priscilla - thank you Priscilla - I have been waiting for the right time to use it and it fitted perfectly on this layout - it is the perfect colours for The Color Room Challenge.

I then added the strips to the window frame, I wanted to blend the photo into the spce more, but also wanted to add something else - these worked wekk and I added a Layers of Color butterfly from the Butterfly Collector art stamp set!

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You can find more of my Layouts on my Layers of Color gallery , while you are there you can share in the excitement as Laura has opened a brand new  gallery - Scrapbook News & Review (SNR) is an online scrapbook magazine with a community forum that includes Layers of Color (LOC) fan club. It’s a great place to connect with other LOC fans and designers, share artwork, find inspiration, learn the latest LOC news and special announcements, get LOC discounts, participate in challenges, and make friends from around the world who have common interests.  you can join us here

The lovely ladies in the group are having a blast creating with Layers of Color art stamps! In fact, so much fabulous artwork has been generated that Laura decided to create an art gallery so all LOC visitors can be inspired! Enjoy strolling through over 70 creative stamped paperarts in our new SNR Gallery!

I will be back later to link this to some challenges - the kids afternoon tea is the first priority here, or you will hear the commotion from there!  LOL!

I am linking this to:

One Stitch at a Time - Flowers

Allsorts - Photo Inspiration - Butterflies

Stamp, Scrap & Doodle - Girly

Magical Crafts - Something for the Girls

Flourishes Timeless Tuesday  - Vintage

Sew many Cards - Anything Goes

The Pink Elephant - Aqua

Thank you for looking and for all of the 'love' you leave me - I love knowing you have been and appreciate each and every comment!  Thank you, you make my day!  I hope you are having a great day - our kids started back at school this week after two weeks off and are LESS than impressed with the whole concept!  LOL!  God bless you!

{{{HUGS}}} 

MMSC51 Sitting Pretty

Can you believe it is Midnight Madness Sketch Challenges 51st Sketch - that means that next week it is our Anniversary!!!!!  Would it surprise you to know we have BIG plans....you will have to come back next week and find out how to be part of it!!  You are not going to want to miss this!!

This week I am thilled to be using an image from D'Amour Allure, by the name of Sasha how adorable is this image.  I coloured her with SU Chalks/Pastels and a Blender Pen.  I also added Kindy Glitz lightly around the hem of her dress and the umbrella, but typically it doesn't show up in the photo.

Sasha has been cut out and popped her up on foam dots onto the Olive CS.  I have included a couple of photos to give you an idea of dimension.  The Olive CS is layered onto white and onto another layer of Olive CS.  I used some lovely old lace down the right side of the image, rather than DP, the SU Eyelet Border Punch was so close to the lace, so added that rather than the scalloped one down each side, sponged - of course!

This gorgeous bling is was a RAK from my DT Sister Jeni, whose image I am using today, by the way - thank Jeni - it is perfect with your divine image.   I found it a bit easier to use it this time than my first try.

I really enjoyed this particular skletch - thank you Priscilla for providing us with the constant inpiration - not just one but two choices - here is this weeks sketch, let's see what you can do with it!!

You can find 'Your Choice' here - remember it is 'easy as 1-2-3'

Congratulations to our MMSC50 Gold star winner

#18. Sue Dress

and

 our Remarkables Award

#2 Valarie F

#25 Leigh

#35 Charlene

#37 Risa

#39 Holly

#43 America

Make sure you grab your badge and pop it on your Blogs!!

A Special thank you to our generous Monthly Sponsor - these images are delightful, thank you for your generosity!!

Sunflower & Dragonflies

and our weekly sponsor - I have loed using this image this week - make sure you pop over and see the large variety of images avilable

D'Amour Allure

you can check out the prize details here

Working on this Design Team is such a pleasure for me and I value each one of these fabulous girls, in saying this it is never easy when one of them is moving on - today is one of 'those days' and it is with sad hearts that Carolyn is moving on.  Carolyn is one of those people in life that just quietly makes her way into your heart and before you realise it, she is a permanent resident - Carolyn, these friendship are not by chance my friend, I will miss you on the Team but am grateful that it is not good bye, I heard a saying...'friendships can be for a reason, a season or for life!!'  I know too that some have eternal value - so with that knowledge tucked securely away, I will say 'I will see you when I am looking at you sistah! {{{hugs}}}' 

I am linking this to:

Raise the Bar - Colour me Happy

Our Creative Corner - Blossom

Penny's Challenge - Anything Goes

The Secret Crafter - Distressing

Other Lovelies - Use a Punch - SU Eyelet Punch

By the Cute and Girly - Fairytales

Crafty Angel - Summer

Crafty Creations Challenge - Distressing

Stamp, Scrap & Doodle - Girlie

S2G Challenge - Flowers

Flourishes Timeless Tuesday - Vintage

Creative Card Crew - May Flowers

Thank you for looking and for your fabulous comments - you are always so encouraging!! We would love you to play along this week - I love to come and visit your blogs and see where inspiration takes you...it is so much fun!!

(((HUGS)))

LOC You Had Me at Hello

I have discovered two FABULOUS Scrapbooking Challenges this week, I am on a scrapbooking run so this works for me.  This layout is for both of them!!  The first is the Scrap it With a Song  Challenge where each week there will be a new song posted and we are to lbe inspired by the lyrics.

 We can choose a particular lyric for the title, journaling or overall theme of the layout. You are also welcome to create something besides a layout!!  I am late for this week's challenge, but just had to play anyway - I can't wait until the new challenge this week - I love the concept!  This weeks song is 'Your Song' by Elton John - I love that song and chose the line...

'I hope you don't mind that I put down in words

How wonderful life is, now your're in the world...'

My colours are inspired by the other fabulous Challenge The Color Room where each week we are given a different color palette - these colours are from last week, but I just loved them - I am yet to start this weeks!!   I have used the Layers of Color art stamp set 'Joyful Noise' - perfect for this page.

This photo was taken when we first met - how could I resist him - he's adorable!!  The title of this layout is so appropriate as we have said 'Hello' and have talked for nearly 22 years and still haven't run out of things to say!! 

The hinges are Tim Holtz Grungeboard and are perfect here - I have painted them with Acrylic paint and sponged the little circles with a dark ink to look like brads - that way they fit perfectly!!  It worked well, I thought!

This photo always makes me smile - it was taken at the local mall where the Church band was playing.  My DH had only been a Christian for 6 months and had lived a rather 'colourful life' (that is a whole 'nother post!!)  He used to hang with a well known and notoriuos group of bikies and while playing at the Mall a couple of them walked past, is his excitement DH called out to them (while drumming)  Here is a comentary  from his Blog:

'...Six months after coming to know the Lord Jesus as my saviour I joined the local outreach team and played drums for the music team. One Saturday morning we went out on an outreach into the heart of Blacktown and sang songs of praise to the Lord and witnessed to His Resurrection power, love and saving grace. I had a smile from ear to ear whilst playing those drums and was caught up in the pure joy I was experiencing as a new Christian.

Well ...who should pass us by in the mall, but three of the gang! They slowed their walk down to a steady pace and did a double take and stood with unbelief upon their faces as they saw "Puss" formerly me, playing in a Christian band with an unrecognisable smile on my face which they had seldom seen....I yelled to them "I've been born again, I now follow Jesus and it's the best ever....you can too"


They started to walk off quickly but then looked back several times with slight grins of recognition and amazement to my new found life.....my eyes followed them till they were out of sight. It was the last time I ever saw them, I wonder what the news was that travelled that grapevine and what was ever spoken of me, probably that the drugs overtook me or that I'd gone completely mad.  I know what happened.....the truth happened!...'

I am linking this to:

The Pink Elephant - Chipboard & Paint - I have Grundgeboard & Paint
My Time to Craft - Quick Quotes
Charisma cardz - Quotes

So there you have it!  One layout, I have a few more in the making, so you can expect to be seeing them soon.  Thanks for coming by and for the lovely comments you leave me.  It always makes me smile to know you have been!   If you get the chance - check out the new challenges - they are so inspiring!!  God bless you!

{{{hugs}}}

LOC SSIC I am Glad There is You...

It is time for this weeks Stampin' Sister in Christ Challenge - so many of you played along last week and what a treat it was visiting your blogs and seeing your gorgeous work - it is always so inspiring for us - thank you for playing along!  This week;s challenge is one that we can all identify with ......

Randi has chosen this well known scripture from Exodus:

Honor your father and your Mother, that your days may be prolonged in the land which the Lord your God gives you. Ex. 20:12

Our Challenge is to make a Mother's Day Card for your Mum or someone special you would like to honor this Mother's Day.

I have created something special for my Mum and I am giving you a sneak peek, Mum may even see this and I hope it leaves you wanting to see more....

I have created a Paper Bag Album and what a lot of fun I have had doing it, I never considered myself an 'off the page person' but call it 'Altered Art' and I am off and running with it! LOL!  This album is full of images from Layers of Color  (but you know that would be the case - didn't you!) they are just perfect for something like this album, as you can see from this gorgeous bird, ( my favourite image) from the Regal Wings art stamp set

I have cut it out and coloured lightly with SU Chalks and a Blender Pen, I always sponge around the edges of anything I have cut out, so I don't get the white edges, it gives a much nicer look!

I love these clips at the side of the album but sisn't want to have them as the only thing holding it together as there are 10 pages, plus a number of tags - imagine it falling apart!!!  So I punched some holes and threaded some lace through and then knotted some lace and ribbon to each clip.  I added a charm with thin gingham ribbon.  They finished off beautifully.

The frame on the fron is part of a fabulous RAK from Laura of Layers of Color, thanks Laura, that frame got the whole album happening.  The sentiment inside is a Rubon from a Blog Candy and is on a gift tag, I was given a number of them and they are gorgrous for projects like this - I have also used them on some of the tabs!

As you can see there is much more on the inside and I will show this all between now and Mother's Day - imagine if I showed it all now!!! 

Mother's Day - this is one day that we can all relate to, whether we are a Mum or not - we all have one.  My Mum is an amazing woman who has been a fabulous role model for me!  As a parent I appreciate her even more, understanding now those things I had no idea of as a child.  I always knew she was an amazing lady but I did not always understand her reasoning - now, I find myself sounding just like her!  LOL!

Mum was  raised her own children and then fostered 14 others.  We were not affluent, infact it would not be exaggerating to say we were at the other end of the spectrum, I have so many memories of the sacrifices Mum made, without a word of complaint, so that we would not be without - when asked why she took on all of those extra children Mum just commented, 'We have each other and they have no-one!'   How amazing, especially when although she was not a single parent during my childhood, she certainly bore the weight of doing it single handed. 

With Mother's Day approaching I find myself reflecting on what a Mother is and I keep coming back to the example that I have been blessed with in my life, my Mum.  I am so grateful for not only having her as a Mother, but also for the friend she is to me...I don't need a special day to celebrate my Mum...I celebrate her everyday - but I always honour her on this Day....Love you Mum, how blessed I am to have you!!

I am blessed to be a Mum of three fabulous people - it has been a role that I LOVE, I have always been passionate about my family.  Being a mother is a role that can take us to the heights of joy, but it can also challenge us far more than we ever anticipated.  How can it be possible to feel every emotion known to mankind in the short space on one day!  As I watch my children grow and are now becoming young adults, my prayer is that as they mature they will forget the times that are not of any value and those things that are valuable will be etched deeply into their hearts.  My hope is that they will remember this one thing, that is so powerful in any life - they are loved - so very deeply.

A big thank you to our sponsor this week for their generous prize to a random winner!

I am linking this to:

Stamp Something - Charmed Something

Our Daily Bread Designs - Mothers Day

Stamp with Fun - Animals

Our Creative Corner - Blossoms

My Time to Craft - Quotes

One Stop Craft Challenge - Metal - White Frame

S2G - Spring has Sprung with a Twist - Flowers

Creatilicious - Flowers and Wings

Charisma Cardz - Quotes

Alota - Mother's Day

Clearly I Stamp - All Tied Up - Lace & Ribbon

ABC - Sparkle

Simon Says - Things with Wings

DCRU - Earth day - Flowers

Paper Cutz Challenge - Mother's Day

Corrosive Card Challenge - Charms

Sentimental Sundays - Flowers and Sentiment

Thank you Randi, for this challenge today, I have loved 'where this has taken me' in my heart.  Make sure you stop by my Design Sisters Blogs and see how they have been inspired:

*Lisa * Kristine * Kathy * Chris * Candace * Grace * PeggySue * Randi *

We would love for you to join us this week at Stampin' Sisters in Christ, honouring our Mums. I look forward to visiting you and seeing your 'works of the heart' in honour of Mother's Day.

God bless you

TSC0423 What Happened!/ QFTD06/ Anzac Day

This card for this weeks Twisted Sister Challenge says it all really - I ask myself this question on a regular basis! LOL!

 The fabulous image comes from the fabulous RAK I received from Celisa on SCS, she knows how much I love these Emerson Gals - they are full of atty-tude!! LOL!  I am also honouring this weeks Queen for the Day on SCS, Cathleen (aka ctorina) - I cased this card here.  I was inspired by her humerous image, the red and white and of course the gingham bow!  Congratulatons Cathleen - enjoy this well deserved honour!

Our challenge was to make a humorous card for a female, using red and white with one neutral colour as well as a punch, I used black.  I have found with the Emerson Gals to keep the layout simple but BLING for all you are worth..funnily enough I didn't so the 'bling thing' this week but instead went for the bow...

...using this gorgeous ribbon from one of my Twisted Sisters, Sue aka Coffeestamper aka Perk.  Thanks Sue, you always send the most fabulous RAK's!!  I used my SU Scalloped Border Punch along the edges of the second DP and also on the corners of the image - I love finding more then one use for the tools I have - if only I could find one that would iron as well - sigh! LOL!

I finished off with a button brad through the bow.....I did add distressing but not inking, I was going for a more 'retro vintage' I nearly got there but didn't quite as it kept things fairly CAS - sometimes it just would be 'wrong' to add more!! LOL!

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It is Anzac Day here in Australia and New Zealand, a day we remember those who fought for freedom on our countries, costng so many of them there lives on the beaches in Galipoli, Borneo and the Pacific.  The Australian Troops have so many untold stories, these men were so vital in so many smaller battles, our Light Horsemen are a 'League in themselves' and are HERO's not only here in Australia but worldwide!   It is very moving to see the Dawn Servies and the Marches with the last of the 'Diggers' walking through the streets, chests full of medals and faces that tell their story.  Today, we not only remember theses brave men and their commrades, but we honour them.  I am so glad we take the time to do this as a Nation - Lest we forget.  This photo, taken by my DH at the Australian War Memorial, tells it's own story - you can find it and more on 'Imagery of the Soul' 

Thank you for looking and for your lovely comments, your visits make my day!  I will be back later today with the Stampin' Sisters in Christ Challenge and would love to see you, we have a special challenge today - they are all special but this one is something that touches each of our lives - have I got you wondering - make sure you come back and check!!  God bless you!

  {{{hugs}}}

LOC Welcomes Grace

There is great excitement over at  Layers of Color today as we announce our newest Designer, Grace Nywening!!

Grace is the most amazing artist and I love her elegant style.  I am doubly excited as I have the privilege of having known Grace as a friend long before working with her...Grace and I are Twisted Sisters (wahoo!)and are fellow designers on the Stampin' Sisters for Christ challenge and share our faith - what a blessing she is!

You can see Grace's gorgeous creations over at Layers of Color  in her new gallery, while you are there you can also check out the other Designers albums - be prepared to be inspired!

Thanks you for visiting today and make sure you leave Grace some 'LOVE' - you are so good at that!  I will be back a bit later with a card that I have created today for a special occassion!  See you then!  God bless you!

{{{hugs}}}

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I wanted to thank Carrie of Carries Creative Cards  - I won her Blog Candy and received it the other day - I have been meaning to post about it ever since I got it - and I knew Grace wouldn't ming sharing the 'limelight' with this YUMBLY stuff!!

 - it is gorgeous - thanks Carrie I can't wait to use it. that image is adorable and I am enjoying a touch of 'whimsey!'  Carrie, you were so quick to get it to me - thanks!!  If you want to see some adorable cards, make sure you pay Carrie a visit !!!  I might see you there!
See you soon!
{{{hugs}}}

LOC For Phoebe

Today my family lost a very special person - Aunty Phoebe, who is infact my great aunt.  I come from a family that is steeped in heritage and grew up as a close and loving family, we are many and have been blessed to know what it means to be loved deeply by those we call 'family!'  Today, we are all feeling a deep sadness, that is only softened by the knowledge that Aunty has indeed gone home!

Creating this card has been like therapy for me, a balm for my sad heart as I thought about Aunty Phoebe,  my beautiful Nana's sister and along with the other Great Aunties and Uncles filled our childhood with love and laughter.  Being the oldest grandchildren, my Mother's siblings were only slightly older than us and it was more like growing up with lots of brothers and sisters, the great aunties and uncles were just aunties and uncles to us, people were amazed at how young they all were....and the love that freely flowed, not just to family but to all that dared enter the open doors of the family home!

Today as the news slowly registered, I started to make a card  for a special family member, I reflect back on the childhood I have been blessed with, and am so grateful to these beautiful ladies who  have been such treasures in our lives!  I am also so grateful that these dear ones have been 'pillars' of the faith and always there with an encouraging word to help guide us on the right path - so it is only fitting that I include this fabulous scripture from Isaiah 61:3 - "Give unto them Beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, a garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness!'

A great sadness sweeps over my heart when I think of the loss that our family is feeling today, but part of me is rejoicing knowing that Aunty is now 'home', with her God and reunited with some of her loved ones - what rejoicing there is in Heaven today....yes, my heart is sad, but not grieved, for I know it is not goodbye, but 'see you when I am looking at you!'

This is my card, it is only simple, but it is all my heart could muster today, where else would I go to create, for much needed therpy, but to my Layers of Color images, I don't have to try with these images, it all just comes together so easily the images just seem to create for themselves - I am grateful for that today - I wanted to create a card that was feminine yet showed strength, one that did not just show mourning but gave hope!

Thank you for stopping my today and for the love and support you give me - I appreciate each and every comment and each and every one of you!!  Thank you too, to those who have emailed and sent your love and prayers - you make my heart smile and I am so glad that we have ;linked arms - I {{{heart}}} you!!

{{{hugs}}}

LOC Double Delight

Who doesn't love butterflies - I just love to see them fluttering around our garden!  I can not resist these gorgeous butterflies from the Layers of Color Flutterescent art stamp set, it is just gorgeous! 

I have stamped the images, cut them out and coloured them using SU Chalks and a Blender Pen, you know I am going to say that I had to add Kindy Glitz to the wings, it just brings those wings to life!  This is one of the few times that the camera picked it up properly - yes, there is plenty of shimmer!

The wings have been popped up with foam dots, I love the dimension that this gives the card.

I have distressed the edges of the DP with scissors, as I am afraid that my Distressing Tool has not turned up anywhere...sigh...I am going through 'cold turkey' but will make do with the scissors for now!  That gorgeous flower is actually material and is from a Blog Candy I won from Abby - thanks Abby, I am savouring these!!  I finished off with Vintage Corners and Silver Pearls...to the corners and the body of the butterflies!

I am linking this to the

Crafty Creations Challenge - Distressing

Simon Says Stamp - Things with Wings

Our Creative Corner - Butterflies

Pile It On - Spring

ABC - S is for Sparkle

KL Stampin' and Scrappin' - Bling it On

That is it for me today, the evening is coming to a close for me and the day starting for some of you, so whatever stage you day is at, I hope it is a great one!  If you like what you see, feel free to take a stroll through my LOC Gallery and the other Designers galleries   Thank you for coming by and for those lovely comments you leave for me - each one of them is appreciated!  I love knowing that you have visited!  God bless you!

{{{hugs}}}

MMSC50 Sweet Thing

Hello everyone - it is time for this weeks Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge - who enjoyed last weeks sketch - wasn't it fun - I loved coming and seeing all of your cards - there was such a variety - you are all so creative. 

This week I have used an image from our monthly sponsor Sunflowers & Dragonflies - haven't the cupcakes that the girls are doing YUMBLY - I love the way we all create so differently - I have decided to make this sketch a fun one and went for this gorgeous Basic Grey DP that I won in a Blog Candy - it is so delish!

The cupcake is coloured with....yes...Chalks and a Blender Pen, with the roses popped up on foam dots and Kindy Glitz added for a touch of shimmer!  It is layered onto an embossed circle....I ran off some of these when I borrowed my friend Hannah's (aka bubblefrog) embossing folders while she was away - thanks Hannah -  I embossed for hours at a time  - my hands have never been the same!  LOL!   Instead of a circle at the side I used the SU punch (not sure of the name of it) and added a row of mini pearls and some paper piercing.

I used buttons and circles, it all seemed to work well with the DP....I really had to think about these circles I wanted to stay true to the sketch but using just circles made it look so crowded with the busy DP - at one stage I nearly stopped and started again, but the buttons brought it all together - in my opinion. 

For the lower embellishments I used more buttons and a SU sentiment which is layered onto CS circles and has a button in the middle - I love buttons on cards - don't use them much but LOVE them!

Now here is what you have been waiting for - this weeks sketch

don't forget we are now offering a CAS sketch as well - you can check it out here - it is as 'easy as 1-2-3'

Before we go any further I would like to take this opportunity to welcome 2 fabulous new Guest Designers to the Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge Team and they are:

Gunn Thelin Knutsen

and

Jessica George

We are excited to be working with both of these ladies and know that you are going to be both amazed and inspired by their creativity!!

A big thank you to our monthy sponsor

Sunflowers & Dragonflies

and

 our weekly Bonus Sponsor

Gurlee Girl

Congratulations to our MMSC49 Gold Star winner

#28 America

and the MMSC49 Remarkables

#1 Loz

#26 pam124

#29 Jorunn

#36 Holly Miller

Make sure you grab those blinkies and post them on your Blogs

I am linking this to:

Papertake Weekly - Cutie Pie
Creative Card Crew -Happy Birthday

Stamp Something - Something Layered

Other Lovelies - Embellishments

Cute Card Thursday - Touch Feely

Meljens Designs  - 3D Touches

Little Red Wagon - Dry Embossing

Penny's Challenges - Anything Goes

Belli Challenge - Die Cut Shapes

Pile It On - Spring is Finally here

The Crazy Challenge - Don't Call me Flat

Simple Doodles - Inspire Others

Thank you for coming by and for your comments, I really enjoy reading them, you make may day!  I hope you are having a great week, especially as it has just started! LOL!  God bless you!

{{{hugs}}}