The Life in Your Years

Hello Blog Friends, I have a number of companies whose stamps I love to use - and one of those is Our Daily Bread Designs - not only are they faith based but their sentiments are always lovely and uplifting - there are some for every occasion - I know I am not alone in my opinion., their fan base is HUGE!

I have stamped white cardstock using the one of the ODBD Grunge Butterfly Background stamps and Imagine Crafts 'featuring' Tsukineko: Memento Ink in Danube Blue.  Once Dry, this has been cut/embossed using the  A2 Modern Stationery Spellbinders® Nestabilities® Card Creator,

The sentiment is also from Our Daily Bread Designs Bicycle stamp set and has been cut using the 5 x 7 Modern Stationery Spellbinders® Nestabilities® Card Creator.  The beautiful lace and flowers are from my stash and the divine pearl swirl is from Want2Scrap.  I have used Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L Crafty Foam Tape and E-Z Adhesive Runner.

This card is linked to the following challenges:

Not Just Cards - Always Anything Goes

The Crazy Challenge - Shabby Chic

Lil' Patch of Crafty Friends Challenge - Anything Goes

Whoopsi Daisy - Add Embellishments

Fashionable Stamping Challenge - WORDS

Amusing -  Anything Goes

Dragonfly Dreams Challenge - Go Feminine

The Stamping Boutique - No Design Paper

Come and Get It Challenge - Clear it Out, Use a Stash Item (Flowers and lace)

Card and Scrap - Use Dies

Addicted to Stamps Challenge - Butterflies

Thank you for your comments and all of the support you give me - you make blogging such an amazing place to be!! Your encouragement is such a blessing for me - it makes my day! God bless you!

{{{Hugs}}}

A Reason to Smile

Hello Blog Friends, I have a fun card to share with you - using an image I picked up at a sale - there are a lot of different adorable cats in this set and I look forward to using them on some cards.  I also picked up the band-aid tin on sale because it was printed upside down - but love it as a prop - and yes - it has band-aids in it with cats on them - awwww!! 

The image has been trimmed and popped behind a frame, which is from my stash - if you know who it is by - please let me know and I will add it to my post.  The pink/coral paper is from Graphic 45, the striped paper is by My Minds Eye and the plain paper from Authentique Paper - quite a mix there!  My layers have all been cut/embossed using A2 Curved Matting Basics and the Grand Calibur Die Cutting and Embossing Machine.

The embellishments are from DEEP down in my stash - I believe they are from Stampin' Up! and definitely retired - but perfect for this card, especially when they are coated using Imagine Crafts ‘featuring’ Tsukineko irRESISTibles in Shimmer.   Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L 3D Foam Squares and E-Z Adhesive Runner have also been used on this card.

This card is linked to the following Challenges:

Crafty Friends Challenge - pick a tune (Whats new Pussycat?!)

Di's Digis Designs - animals acting like humans 

Sweet Stampin - use a non-white base

Aliciabel Challenge Blog - September - Anything Goes or Shabby Chic

QKR Stampede - Cats Or Dogs

Quick Quotes - September - Anything Goes

Simply Papercraft -  Always Anything Goes

2 Creative Chicks - Anything Goes 

Card and Scrap - Use Dies

Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper - Anything goes with Patterned Paper

Crafting with an Attitude -  Anything Goes

Sassy Studio Designs - Just Do It (anything goes)

Crafting for all Seasons - Layering It Up

Fresh Brewed Designs - 3 or More Patterned Papers

WordArt Wednesdays - Anything Goes

Thank you for your comments and all of the support you give me - you make blogging such an amazing place to be!! Your encouragement is such a blessing for me - it makes my day! God bless you!

{{{Hugs}}} and happy creating!

Coffee with a Friend

Hello there - you may, or may not now that I am a coffee lover - I just may be addicted to the stuff but cut down from drinking the whole pot of peculated coffee to one cup (one veeerrrry large cup) a day - two at the most of I am catching up with a friend!

I saw this stamp  at Joann's while I was at the Spellbinders Retreat in Phoenix last year and just had to have it.  It has been stamped using  Imagine Crafts ‘featuring’ Tsukineko  Memento Ink in Espresso Truffle and coloured using Memento Markers.    This has been cut/embossed using A2 Modern Stationery Spellbinders® Nestabilities® Card Creator, the Die has been used a stencil, sponging the inside edges using Delicata Golden Glitz and a sponge dauber.

The coffee logo is cut from Canvas Corp patterned paper and has been popped up using  Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L 3D Foam Squares.  The patterned paper is from Spellbinders®Celebra'tions Line by Richard Garay and the ribbon was gifted to me by a Stampin' Up! friend.

This card is linked to the

Fall Coffee Lovers Blog Hop

This card is also linked to the following challenges:

Artbymiran Challenge - Anything Goes

Jo's Scrap Shack - Anything Goes

Simply Papercraft - Always Anything Goes

Stempelsonnen Challenge - Always Anything Goes

2 Creative Chicks - Anything Goes 

Card and Scrap - Use Dies

Let's Craft & Create Challenge - Dies or Punches

SLS Lines Challenge - Monochrome

The Sisters of Craft - Anything Goes

In the Pink - For A Friend (in pink of course)

Inspiration Destination - Always Anything Goes

WordArt Wednesdays - Anything Goes

Crafty Boots - Monochrome

Eureka Stamps - Monochrome

Thank you for your comments and all of the support you give me - you make blogging such an amazing place to be!! Your encouragement is such a blessing for me - it makes my day! God bless you!

{{{Hugs}}} and happy creating!

In Sympathy

Hello Blog Friends, it is nice to be back sharing a card with you - I think I am finally getting control of my new laptop - I am not I-T savvy but am pleased that I have managed to work a few things out myself, along with creating some new watermarks - and this is one of them - it was fun working out all of the details - what do you think!?!

I have also managed a little time in The Studio and created this Sympathy card.  It is not always easy to create this kind of card, so I like to do them before I need one and want it to be pretty and make the recipient smile - if that is at all possible!

I have stamped the Stampers Anonymous image onto the Fleur de Elegance Spellbinders® Nestabilities® Decorative Accents using Imagine Crafts ‘featuring’ Tsukineko VersaMagic Multi-surface chalk ink in Aegean Blue.  The Die has also been used as a stencil, sponging around the inside edges, and the filigree edge using Aegean Blue and a Sponge Dauber.

The beautiful Mulberry Roses are from my stash and the divine pearl swirl is from Want2Scrap.  The sentiment is from SRM Stickers.  I have used Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L Crafty Foam Tape and E-Z Adhesive Runner.

This card is linked to the following challenges:

Fashionable Stamping Challenge - Words

DoubleClick Skittles - In The Sky  

Through The Craft room Door - Anything Goes

Inspiration Destination - Always Anything Goes 

Not Just Cards Challenge - Anything Goes

WordArt Wednesdays - Anything Goes

Love To Scrap Challenge - Anything Goes

Card Mania - Pastel Colors

Crafting From the Heart Challenge - Anything Goes

Crafty Boots - Monochrome

Craft Your Passion Challenge - Anything Goes

Eureka Stamps - Monochrome

Oh La La Creations Challenge - Feminine

Where the HeART is -  Add some text

Sweet Stamps September Challenge - Anything Goes

Card Mania Challenge - Pastel colours

Thank you for your comments and all of the support you give me - you make blogging such an amazing place to be!! Your encouragement is such a blessing for me - it makes my day! God bless you!

{{{Hugs}}} and happy creating!

Spellbinders New Platinum Machine

Spellbinders® brand new, highly anticipated, die cutting and embossing Platinum™ machine launches in the next few days - are you excited - you should be!! I have to say that I have been 'testing' one for a few weeks now and love it - wondering what makes it so special?

• 'Platinum™... Offers unsurpassed power and cutting pressure
• Cuts up to 8 layers in one pass
• Easily cuts a wide range of materials of varying thicknesses
• Is compatible with most steel rule dies, etched dies and embossing folders'.

You will love the platform that has all the sandwich information on it - no confusion there!  You can also use M-Bossabilities in the Platinum, they do not require an adapter plate, but the 3D Folders do, it will be available to purchase separately.

The Platinum comes with two plates, measuring 22cm x 15.5 cm.  larger plates will be available to use with the larger Contour Steel Rule Dies and also the Grand Dies. 

'The Spellbinders Platinum Machine cuts many materials:-  Paper, Craft metal, Cardstock, Chipboard, Vellum, Cotton, Burlap, Leather, Wool, Denim, Balsa Wood, Grunge board, Thin acrylic/plastic, Cork, Magnetic sheets, Foil, Aluminium' - The Craft Channel

The Platinum is just over 8 kilos/ 18.5lbs - not 18.5kg as International Ambassador Christine Emberson was heard to comment on The Craft Channel LOL - and yes, she did correct that!!  It is pretty similar in size, when closed to the Grand Calibur Machine - love that!!

The Platinum also cuts both wafer and Steel Dies - what is not to love about that - and....Spellbinders are bringing out their own range of Steel Dies - and believe me - you are going to want them all

Make sure you stay tuned to the Spellbinders Blog - you can share the excitement as it happens!!

Thank you for your comments and all of the support you give me - you make blogging such an amazing place to be!! Your encouragement is such a blessing for me - it makes my day! God bless you!

{{{Hugs}}} and happy creating!

Hello Dolly....

Hello Blog Friends - I don't have a card to share with you today, although I do have many I am yet to share; instead I am sharing this adorable little vintage doll - there is something about her that just appeals to me greatly.

She came into my 'care' at the Art-Is-You Mixed Media Australian Roadshow last year - each Retreat has an Art Trunk - it is an amazing Event - so much to look at - not to mention to buy - something for everyone!  Each artist has so many wonderful treasures that are for sale, quite a mixture of amazing work and also a divine range of trinkets that have been picked up from Flea Markets - quite novel for me and I have to be honest - I would love to visit some Flea Markets in the USA....

She is very small in real life but makes a perfect prop for some projects,  In this photo she takes pride of place on a Upcycled jar that I created for a Want2Scrap project - perfectly suited don't you think; pearls and lave such an ambient mix! 

I am always on the look out for special treasures, things that I can use in The Studio for staging photos - and also things that just make me smile - I will be back with a post showing The Studio - we are just working on one thing and then I will give you a 'tour' - it is my Happy Place and I would love you to join me there...soon! 

Thank you for your comments and all of the support you give me - you make blogging such an amazing place to be!! Your encouragement is such a blessing for me - it makes my day! God bless you!

{{{Hugs}}}

Baby Blue

Hello Blog Friends - it makes my day to know that you have been stopping by - thank you to those who take the time to leave a comment - each one is read and appreciated {{{hugs}}}

Baby cards are ever too far from my desk over the past few months - well, 4 1/2 to be exact - with the arrival of our beautiful grandson - instead of going into the Studio as often as I want, I am having to go for quality time not quantity as there are cuddles to be had and there is no getting in the way of those - as some of you know these moments are precious and they grow so quickly - so I am making the most of it - especially while the happy family are staying with us!

For my card I have used the following supplies:

• Spellbinders: S4-489 Labels Forty-Seven Nestabilities®;Grand  Calibur Die Cutting and Embossing Machine  
•  Want2Scrap©: 72 Count – White Pearls – Self Adhesive
• Imagine Crafts ‘featuring’ Tsukineko: VersaMagic  Multi-surface chalk ink in Aegean Blue
• Darkroom Door – Plaid Texture Stamp
• Graphic 45 - Baby Stamp set
• Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L: E-Z Runner; 3D Foam Squares
• Seam Binding;White and blue cardstock; Kindy Glitz/Stickles; recycled button

This card is linked to the following challenges:

A Gem of a Challenge - boys, boys, boys

 Crafty Calendar - anything goes 

Crafty Friends Challenge - something beginning with B 

Crafting-With-Friends - Anything Goes

Cut it Up - Oh, Brother (make something for your sibling, or somebody who is like your sibling)

Simply Papercraft - Anything Goes

Stempelsonnen Challenge - Anything Goes

Aud Sentiments Challenge - Anything Goes (+ a sentiment) 

Crafting with an Attitude - Anything Goes 

2 Creative Chicks - Anything Goes

Card and Scrap - Use Dies

Card Mania - Pastel Colours

Let's Craft & Create Challenge - Dies or Punches

SLS Lines Challenge - Monochrome

Thank you for your comments and all of the support you give me - you make blogging such an amazing place to be!! Your encouragement is such a blessing for me - it makes my day! God bless you!

{{{Hugs}}} and happy crafting!!

Spellbinders 'Create-A-Flower' Camellia Tutorial

Hello Blog Friends - the weeks seem to fly by so quickly and the weekends even quicker - do you find it that way - or its it just me! LOL!  It is Sunday evening and I can't think of all I have done this week - or maybe it is a sign of getting older - but we won't go there! LOL!

I thought I would share a quick tutorial using one of the Create-a-Flower Dies Camellia Spellbinders® Shapeabilities® Die D-Lites.  Don't you just love how realistic they can look - and believe me, they are not as complicated as you might think to create. 

Spellbinders Products:

• S2-167 Camellia
• S4-488 Labels Forty-Six
• S4-494 Labels Forty-six Decorative Elements
• SCP-003 Captivating Coral Cardstock
• SCP-008 Pixie Play Cardstock
• SCP-013 Whirl White Cardstock
• T-001 Tool 'n One™ 
• T-003 Stylus
• GC-200 Grand Calibur Die Cutting and Embossing Machine

Preferred Partners Products:

•  Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L:  E-Z Adhesive Runner; 3D Foam Squares
• Want2Scrap: 72 Count - Pink Pearls - Self Adhesive

Other: Black Cardstock; liquid glue; patterned paper

1. Cut the row of three petals nine (9) times using Captivating Coral cardstock and the Grand Calibur Die Cutting and Embossing Machine.

2. Using the Tool'n One and Stylus tip shape each petal.

 Note: it is best to use the Stylus on a foam mat.

3. Starting with the largest petal, glue five to the points on the Disc Floret Base,  Create a second layer with the next four.

4. Repeat using the medium petals followed by the small.

5. Cut/emboss two leaves using Pixie Play cardstock, along with one Disc Floret in green.

6. Adhere the leaves to the underneath of the flower using liquid glue

7. Adhere the Disc Floret over the base of the flower and leaves; using liquid glue.

8. Adhere to project as desired

Designer Tip: The leaves can be curved inwards to form a bud or partially open flower or curved outwards, leaving a few petals on the inside forward to create a more realistic flower.

You can see the Create-A Flower Range HERE.  For a visual tutorial, click How to Make a Paper Camellia Flower video.

Thank you for your comments and all of the support you give me - you make blogging such an amazing place to be!! Your encouragement is such a blessing for me - it makes my day! God bless you!

{{{Hugs}}}