}

Friday, December 31, 2010

LOC Moving Forward

It is New Years Eve, a time where we all consider the year(s) that have passed and think about what lies ahead....for Faith Art Friday at Layers of Color, I wanted to encourage you with this scripture that brings such promise for every day and is so timely for the New Year


Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.
 Behold, I will do a new thing;
now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it?
I will even make a way in the wilderness,
and rivers in the desert
 Isa 43:18 - 19


So many of us are aware of goals we have set and  have not completed, of things we have hoped to achieve and did not.....of relationships we meant to work on and somehow the year just got away with us and here we are facing the next  New Year - it seems no matter what goals we set - we never seem to achieve all of them......


I encourage each of you to leave the things of yesterday, there is nothing we can do to change them, but set your eyes and your hearts on the new things that are about to be birthed; with the New Year - new beginnings.  I love the working - it is going to 'SPRING forth' - that speaks to me of action and motion....


Keep your eyes ahead - don't look behind as you may trip up, but lift up your head and see the NEW THINGS that God is going doing !!

This card is for:
Flourishes Timesless Tuesday Challenge #98 - Pearls
Marks Finest Papers - Use Something Die - Lacy Circle DieCut
You can see more of my projects in my Layers of Color Gallery, while you are there make sure you check out the other Design Team galleries there is so much inspiration waiting to be discovered, we are thrilled that Layers of Color is a Spellbinders Preferred Stamp Company

We would love you to join Layers of Color Art Stamps on our FACEBOOK GROUP where you can connect with many more LOC friends - You're invited to join the fun...and...Layers of Color Art Stamps FLICKR GROUP where you can upload your LOC artwork and be inspired by hundreds of fabulous LOC creations! You are going to LOVE it!!

Making your creative world more colorful with Layers of Color!

Thank you for your comments and all of the encouragement you leave me here, it is appreciated!!!  I love seeing that you have visited - it makes my day! 

Happy New Year to your and your family!!God bless you!
{{{hugs}}}

Award Time

I have received this wonderful Award from three different friends and have been slow to post it - I so apologise for that to these wonderful ladies.

  The first one is Jóna,  the second being my friend Charlene and I received it again yesterday from my dear friend Maxine - thank you ladies, I know they would love a visit from you too - these ladies are inspiring!


By accepting this Award I have to do the following:
1). Thank and link back to the person who awarded me
2). Share 8 things about myself
3). Pay it forward to 8 bloggers that I have recently discovered
4). Contact those bloggers and tell them about their awards

8 things about my self:

1).I am past 'addiction' with my papercarft - it is an obsession and I am NOT looking for a cure!
2).I was born in Wellington, New Zealand and am still a New Zealand citizen
3).I love coffee - it has to be percolated!
4).I have a fabulous husband and three great kids, well teenagers!!
5).I love birds - their sound is music to my ears!
6).I have been card making for nearly 3 years now
7). I am claustrophobic!
8 ).I am a Christian and love combining my passion for God and paper
 - Faith Art is my favourite creative genre!

8 people to pass this into....


Why don't you get yourself a coffee or a cold drink and make yourself comfortable while you pay these ladies a visit - they are UBER inspiring and you are going to LOVE IT!

I will be back later today (for me) with a Layers of Color post - my final for 2010, but I have PLENTY to show you in 2011.  Layers of Color has an amazing New Release happening, showing off new stamps sets from our new illustrator - you will have to keep watching this space for some SNEAK PEEKS that will be coming soon.

The Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge has announced it's New Design Team for 2011 along with the Priscilla Styles Design Team - there is plenty happening in 2011 with these ladies as well - always something new and exciting from Priscilla and her Teams

The Stampin' Sister in Christ Challenge will be back January 9 with another year of inspiration and fellowship....

Along with this I have been asked to teach Card Design at the local Art Centre - starting with one class per week and building up from there as the numbers grow and have just been asked to teach a Card Class at our local Craft Shop, which is exciting for me - so I am going to have plenty to show you in 2011!

Thank you all for your friendship and visits in 2010 - I have loved getting to know you and appreciate your support - I want to wish you all a .....

.....very happy New Year
God bless you
{{{hugs}}}


Thursday, December 30, 2010

LOC VIntage Album

I don't know about you, but I have so many projects that I have started and am slowly working on but as yet are not finished - today I thought I would show you one of them - it is one of my favourite projects to make - any guesses what it is.....


.....as the title of this posts tells you it is an Album - in this case a Paper Bag Album - I fell in love with theses albums when I created one for my Mum for Mother's Day - you can see it here. This one started our as a Christmas one, using some retired DP from Stampin' Up, but I decided to make it general...


I used the Layers of Color Nature Walk art stamp set to create the gorgeous layered flower.  I have added this to a large Prima flower and love the effect - IRL it is very LUSH!  this has been attached with a brad to some cardstock that has been inked before being embossed with Stampin' Ups gorgeous Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder and then cut with Spellbinders Labels 1.


The bound edge has been created using large brads, I then threaded through some ribbon and gold cord, creating a bow and adding a button to tie it through - this is very secure and keeps that romantic feel.


One this page I have used an image from the Touch of Elegance art stamp set - these are so versatile


It is cut out with a SU Circle Punch and has a smaller image layered onto it with a gem added - it is amazing what a difference these small touches make.


I have used another image from the Touch of Elegance art stamp set.  The punches on this page are from Stampin' Up - thanks to my friend Ann for being so available to my constant...'Ann, can I borrow......'


The SU Scalloped Square works perfectly with this image and adds a 'touch of elegance!'

I still have quite a few pages in the 'being created process' and will show them to you when they are completed!

These pages are for the following challenges:
Gingerloft - Distressing
Southern Girls - Anything Goes

You can see more of my projects in my Layers of Color Gallery, while you are there make sure you check out the other Design Team galleries there is so much inspiration waiting to be discovered, we are thrilled that Layers of Color is a Spellbinders Preferred Stamp Company

We would love you to join Layers of Color Art Stamps on our FACEBOOK GROUP where you can connect with many more LOC friends - You're invited to join the fun...and...Layers of Color Art Stamps FLICKR GROUP where you can upload your LOC artwork and be inspired by hundreds of fabulous LOC creations! You are going to LOVE it!!

Making your creative world more colorful with Layers of Color!

Thank you for your comments and all of the encouragement you leave me here, it is appreciated!!!  I love seeing that you have visited - it makes my day!  God bless you!
{{{hugs}}}
, Vintage Wall

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

LOC Wild Grass Frame

We are all counting down until the New Year - if you are anything like me, you are wondering where did the time go!?  I have been busy working on some projects that I will be able to show you in 2011  - Layers of Color has got a New Release happening then and you are going to LOVE IT!! 


I was tidying up my Blog - and realised I had not shown you this card that I created using the Wild Grass Frame from the current New Releases - don't you just LOVE it!


I stamped it in black and added one of the gorgeous flowers I won from Wild Orchid Flowers, popping it up onto some glossy card stock cut with Spellbinders Labels 16 - this cling art stamp coordinates with this DieCut - making it so easy to create a quick and easy card!


This card is for the following challenges::
For Fun Challenges - Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes
Crafts and Me - Anything Goes
Digistamps4Joy - Anything Goes
Aud Senitments - Anything Goes
Aly's Sunday Challenge - Anything Goes
Crafty Anns - Anything Goes
OSAAT - Anything Goes
Allsorts - Anything Goes
Stamps R Us - Anything Goes
Crafty Sentiments - Anything Goes
Crafty Emmas - Anything Goes
Moving Along with the Times - Anything Goes ('cept Christmas!)
Digi Doodle Shops Best - Anything Goes
Creative Crafts - Anything Goes
Fab n Funky - Quick n Easy
Craft your Days Away - Punches/Diecuts (diecuts)
You can see more of my projects in my Layers of Color Gallery, while you are there make sure you check out the other Design Team galleries there is so much inspiration waiting to be discovered, we are thrilled that Layers of Color is a Spellbinders Preferred Stamp Company

We would love you to join Layers of Color Art Stamps on our FACEBOOK GROUP where you can connect with many more LOC friends - You're invited to join the fun...and...Layers of Color Art Stamps FLICKR GROUP where you can upload your LOC artwork and be inspired by hundreds of fabulous LOC creations! You are going to LOVE it!!

Making your creative world more colorful with Layers of Color!

Thank you for your comments and all of the encouragement you leave me here, it is appreciated!!!  I love seeing that you have visited - it makes my day!  God bless you!
{{{hugs}}}

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

MMDT and PSDT Announced

It is an exciting day for me as not only is it my 600th post - can you believe that!?!


 It is also a HUGE day over at the Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge where Priscilla is announcing the 2011 Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge Design Team - there are some familiar faces and some new additions - this group of gals is are overflowing with creativeness and inspiration - you can click on their Blogs and see their gorgeous work. 
* Priscilla - Blog Owner * Charlotte - Senior DT * Darsie - Senior DT * Denise - Senior DT *
Gunn - Senior DT * Linda (me) - Senior DT * Phyllis - Voting Coordinator
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
* Bonnie * Dawn * Guro * Jen - Sponsorship Coordinator * Lorie *
Marsha * Rebecca * Renee *


As if that is not enough Priscilla is also announcing her Design Team for 2011 - again you can check on their Blogs and be inspired by their work using the gorgeous images from ''priscillastyles" Stores.

Team A
* Agnieszka * Diana * Linda  (me) * Marcy * Marsha * Peggy * Valerie *

Team B
* Aletha * Clare * Darlene * Denise * Donna * Linda S *  Pat *
I am thrilled to be continuing on with both of these Design Teams - having been a player from the first Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge, then a Guest Diva in October 2009 when I was asked to stay on as a permanent Designer (as if they had a chance of getting rid me me!! LOL)  I have loved working with each Design Team Member and look forward to working alongside these new ladies on both Design Teams.  Together we offer a variety of styles and I know there is HEAPS of inspiration to unfold!!

The new Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge starts on Tuesday 4 January and we would love to see you play along!!  Don't be shy! 

Fasten your seat belts - you are in for one amazing ride!!


 I would like to add that some of the MMSC Designers from last year have not been able to continue on die to life and family commitments - there are different seasons in life, as well all know too well - I would like to say to these wonderful ladies - thank you for being so amazing - you have made the MMSC a wonderful place to be and I have had so much fun - I am grateful that I have worked with you and count you as friends! 

Fasten your seat belts - you are in for one amazing ride!!
{{{hugs}}}

Sunday, December 26, 2010

Life is Grand.....

...Grand Calibur that is!  What a blessing to receive a Grand Calibur from Spellbinders last week - Christmas came early for me!!  Wahoo!
You know I just had to give it a try the day it arrived - and what a pleasure it is to use!  I love the plates they have - and of course they are so much larger and fabulous, fitting an A4 sheet of card through in one piece - how good is that!?!?
Cutting with a Spellbinders Die is so easy - the sandwich is very straight forward 

  from the bottom:
- Grey A Plate
- Then your die
- Paper/Cardstock
- White C Plate

How easy is that!  Embossing is just as easy....

To emboss the edges of your shape, leave the paper/card stock in your die (it cuts so well that your paper comes out easily -  beautiful clean cutting!!!)


 and follow this sandwich...
-

-  Grey A Plate
-  Die with paper still inside
-  Tan Embossing Mat (it comes with the Grand Calibur)
-  Pink B Plate

Ensure that the plates are even and sitting straight and wind away - you will love how easy it is to wind!!

The Grand Calibur cuts with such a crisp edge and embosses so deeply - it almost has a 3D effect - this is one of my favourite features.


The image I have used here is the Garden Wall cling art stamp from Layers of Color - Layers of Color is a Spellbinders Preferred Company.  This gorgeous frame was created to be used with Spellbinders Labels 14,  You can see the LOC gallery for the Garden Wall cling art stamp here - it is overflowing with inspiration!

I would like to thank Spellbinders for their generosity and gifting me with the amazing Grand Calibur - I am going to have a lot of fun with it - watch this spot!  God bless you
{{{hugs}}}


Saturday, December 25, 2010

SSIC LOC Merry Christmas

It is now Christmas Eve here in Australia and Christmas is almost here!  The Stampin' Sisters in Christ Design Team have all created a special card for you to wish you a Merry Christmas and to thank you for your support over the year.


I have created by card using the Layers of Color Reindeer Waltz art stamp set - I adore these filigree Reindeer - and I am sure you can see why!


I also used the Vintage Medallion art stencil as a background layer for the reindeer


adding some bling - we all love bling at Christmas - don't we!!


Finishing off with the Belle Brocade art stencil along the edge and yes...more bling!

Christmas is a special time of the year for everyone, we gather together with friends and family, sharing gifts and memories - what a wonderful feeling.  The house is filled with laughter (mostly - LOL) and the smell of cooking, those wonderful aroma's that only fill the house on special occasions.

For me it is not complete until I hear the Christmas Carols - they take me straight back to the reason we celebrate Christmas - the birth of our Saviour and King.  Our home is filled with excitement as we live in a street that  for many years has been decorated and had hundreds of cars coming down each night in December to see the Christmas Lights.  We have had Open House and had literally hundreds of people calling in and celebrating....nothing was so moving to me as the Year we had the Church Band in the driveway singing Christmas Carols and worship songs - it brought the street to a stand still, as we wandered through the crowd people turned to us and thanked us for doing this - we quietly told them that we were just pointing people back to Jesus at Christmas - it was so moving and such a special time.

This year I am hearing people greet each other with both Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays - sadly the trend seems to be to remove Christ from CHRISTmas - well, the fact is without Christ there would be no Christmas at all - so forget about the 'Happy Holiday' and 'Merry Xmas' and greet people with Merry CHRISTmas - in this you are bringing them good news - a promise of a future and a hope - what better gift can we give!

This is for the
Belli Challenge - Christmas

Make sure you stop by the Design Team Blogs and see that gorgeous 'works of the heart' they have created for you!!

*Lisa Chris Grace * Patti J * Peggysue * Randi * Miejse * Rebekka *

Have a blessed Christmas everyone and enjoy being with those you love - thank you for all of your support and encouragement. You all inspire me with your gorgeous creations and I love knowing you have visited - you are a blessing!!

CHRISTmas blessings!!
{{{hugs}}}

Thursday, December 23, 2010

LOC Christmas Blessings

Today is a very heartfelt post - together with my Design Team sisters at Layers of Color, I am wishing you a very happy Christmas!!  This card has been made for each of you, thanking you for your support and encouragement over the year.


The Layers of Color Flower Child art stamp set was my obvious choice for this Christmas Card - I was wanting to focus on the 'Christ Child''  as it is HIM we celebrate each CHRISTmas


It is so easy to get caught up with the festivities, and we all LOVE everything about Christmas, if you are anything like me, you love the count down and touching the presents under the Christmas Tree,{ although I would not really like to guess what is in them - I just love to try and guess) marvelling at the beauty of the Christmas lights and excited at the thought of giving your heartfelt gifts.


I am also so aware of the ultimate Christmas gift that has been given - born in a Manger, dwelling among us and dying that we might live - my heart and my mind cannot comprehend  such love, but my spirit rejoices - yes a baby was born in the Manger that day....he grew as a man of stature and became our King...


As we celebrate Christmas - we take the time to say

Happy Birthday Jesus!!


I would like to thank you all for your love and support - you have made blogging and amazing experience for me and I am so grateful!  I pray that your Christmas will be a blessed one, filled with love and laughter, health and happiness, friends and family!  I also encourage you to make an opportunity amongst all of the festivities and 'buzz' and be grateful for the ultimate gift - thanking the Giver of the Gift!

This card is for the following Challenges:
Order of the Opus Gleui - Show us What You've Done
Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes

Happy, happy Christmas dear friends!


Make sure you check out the  Design Team Blogs and prepared to be inspired and blessed  by their Christmas cards - they are in appreciation of YOU!

 * Diana * Janice * Jennie  *  Linda * MelisaLOC

Grace and Nina - Friends of Layers of Color

you can see all of the Design Team cards and read the Christmas poist over at Layers of Color
God bless you!
{{{hugs}}}

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

LOC Framed in Gold

Hello everyone!!  I realised that I have not shown you this card made with the Layers of Color Poinsettia Frame cling art stamp.


 I love the fact that these wonderful stamps coordinate with the Spellbinder Labels 16

I have coloured the frame with SU Chalks and a Blender Pen adding a layered flower from the Nature Walk art stamp set


One of the things I love about these cling art stamps is how easy they make creating a card!  I have used some embellishments from my stash, including an old doily...it amazes me how much stuff I keep finding and using, yet the 'stash' on my desk just keeps growing!  LOL!

This card is for the following challenges:
Crafty Sentiments - Anything Goes
Allsorts - Anything Goes
Craft Your Days Away - Punch it Out
CraftyCatz - Your Choice - I chose 60 Christmas
Order of the Opus Gleui - Show us What You Made
Corrrosive Challenges - Non Traditional Christmas
You can see more of my projects in my Layers of Color Gallery, while you are there make sure you check out the other Design Team galleries there is so much inspiration waiting to be discovered, we are thrilled that Layers of Color is a Spellbinders Preferred Stamp Company

 You are invited to join the Layers of Color Art Stamps FACEBOOK GROUP where you can connect with many more LOC friends - we would love you to join the fun...and...join us on our FLICKR GROUP where you can upload your LOC artwork and be inspired by hundreds of fabulous LOC creations! You are going to LOVE it!!

Making your creative world more colorful with Layers of Color!

Thank you for your comments and all of the encouragement you leave me here, it is appreciated!!!  I love seeing that you have visited - it makes my day!  God bless you!
{{{hugs}}}

Sunday, December 19, 2010

SSIC LOC Small Wonders

Sunday comes around quickly doesn't it - but who doesn't love Sunday - it is our day of rest and also the Stampin' Sisters in Christ Challenge - what a sweet place to meet with so many of you!

This weeks Challenge is brought to us by our lovely Peggysue, who has chosen the following scripture:

"But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel, whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting,"   NKJV Micah 5:2


Peggysue has challenged us to make a card using inchies - I had these gorgeous butterflies from the Layers of Colour Butterfly Collector art stamp set already stamped, so punched them out with a SU Square punch - they are perfect for this challenge!


The background flocked DP is actually wallpaper - isn't it fabulous stuff - some inking with Tsukineko Versafine in Spanish Moss and it is ready 'to go!'


I added some lavendar rose and lace - finishing off with some Kaiser pearls.



This card is for the following Challenges:
Craft Your Days Away - Punch It Out
One Stitch at a Time - Anything Goes
Crafty Emma - Anything Goes
Creative Card Crew - Anything Goes
Sugar Sweet Paper Treats - Anything Goes
Order of the Opus Gleui - Show Anything You have Made
Shirley2Girls - Use Flocking - on wallpaper
Flutterby Wednesday - Open Challenge
Crafty Catz - Your Choice

Thank you to our Sponsor


You can find  devotional at Stampin' Sisters in Christ Challenge.....Make sure you check out the Design Teams Blogs - there is so much inspiration on many levels !!

*Lisa Chris Grace * Patti J * Peggysue * Randi * Miejse * Rebekka *

You can see more of my projects in my Layers of Color Gallery, while you are there make sure you check out the other Design Team galleries there is so much inspiration waiting to be discovered, we are thrilled that Layers of Color is a Spellbinders Preferred Stamp Company

We would love you to come and visit Layers of Color Art Stamps on their FACEBOOK GROUP where you can connect with many more LOC friends - You're invited to join the fun!..and...Layers of Color Art Stamps has a new FLICKR GROUP where you can upload your LOC artwork and be inspired by hundreds of fabulous LOC creations! You are going to LOVE it!!

Making your creative world more colorful with Layers of Color!

Thank you for your comments and all of the encouragement you leave me here, it is appreciated!!!  I love seeing that you have visited - it makes my day!  God bless you!
{{{hugs}}}

Saturday, December 18, 2010

PSDT Gift Bags

It is  a quick post from me today as I have spent the last two days looking after a table at the local Shopping Centre with my DH's photographs and my cards while he does the Santa photos - today is our last day (just quietly, I am relieved as we are there 8 hours - arghhh!) LOL!  I am heading out the door as soon as I have shown you these.....


....adorable gift bags that I created using the newest images from "priscillastyles" Store.  I am loving both the gift bag that my friend Ann, the SU Demo showed us at our Scrapbooking night and the gorgeous new image's from Priscilla. 


I love this Heart Wreath image - it can be used for so many occasions.....especially with Valentines Day on the horizon - can you believe I am mention Valentine's Day when Christmas is not here yet!!??

You can see the depth of this bag - it has two pockets - and is perfect for a gift card or itunes card - I have also created a tag for inside ....


This one is more cutesy, it is called Be Mine Kitty and just called to be girlie.....how adorable is this kitten....it was so much fun to colour.  This digi comes with the option of having the sentiment 'Be Mine' or no sentiment on the heart, so is very versatile.


After colouring, I cut her out and popped her up on foam tape- the sentiment is a RubOn from Kaiser....


These little bags are easy to make, I have shown them over at CDAC and have been asked to do a tutorial, I will work on one over the Christmas break and show it here too - but be warned - they are also addictive - I made 3 the next night and am sure to be making more....I have some vintage ones planned, I cant wait to make those.

These bags are for the following challenges:
Craft Away Your Days - Punch It Out - both bags
Little Red Wagon - RubOns - bag 2
Creative Card Crew - Anything Goes - both bags
Card Makin' Mama's - Anything Goes - both bags
Sugar Sweet Paper Treats - Anything Goes - both bags
Cutie Sunday - Everthing But No Christmas - both bags

I will be back soon with a post showing you the bag I made at Scrapbooking with Ann, plus another gorgeous project we made on the same night - but in the meantime I better not keep Santa waiting....LOL!

Thank you for visiting today and for all of the lovely comments you leave me - I always love to see that you have been - imagine if we could visit in person - what fun!  I do hope that you are enjoying the preparation for Christmas - I love this time of the year !  God bless you all
{{{hugs}}}