Some People Feel the Rain

Hello friends - thanks so much for stopping by - it is always lovely to know that you have been.  Today I am sharing a piece I have created something  little out of the norm for me (or is it!?!)

I have used a stamped image I was given a long time ago and stamped a Close to My Heart Sentiment (borrowed from a friend) using Imagine Memento Ink in Tuxedo Black.  I have sponged the background using Memento Inks in Desert Sand, Summer Sky and a light touch of Espresso Truffle. The sponged background has been splashed with stamp cleaner to get this effect - I usually use water, but am loving the depth of the 'spritz' using Stamp cleaner.  

I am not sure if I am going to turn this into a card, journal or add it to a canvas - or even a layout  - but there is lots of time for that - what do you think?

This project is linked to the following challenges:

WordArt Wednesdays - Anything Goes

City Crafter Challenge - Where Did You Get That Hat?

Retarte - Anything Goes 

Artistic Inspirations - ANYTHING GOES +  OPTIONAL THEME unspecified

Stamps & Fun = Creativity - BLUE-SILVER

Addicted to Stamps - Monochrome

Glitter n Sparkle - Anything Goes

heARTful Stamping Challenge - Anything Goes + a Stamp

A Inky Mess - Anything Goes with Mixed Media

Altered Eclectics - Always Anything Goes

Monochrome Magic - Anything Monochrome Goes + option of Blue

Paradise of Stamps - 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 crafting

Rain Man

Hello friends - I am sharing a card that has been inspired by a tag I created for one of my Workshops a few years ago.  I used it as the centre feature for this card.  

I have used the Stampers Anonymous Umbrella Man embossing folder and coloured/sponged it using Imagine Crafts Memento Inks.  The sentiment is from a Close to my Heart set.

The embossing folder is the Spellbinders Picnic by Licensed Designer Tammy Tutterow.  I have sponged it using Memento Ink in Teal Zeal.  The tag has been adhered using Scrapbook Adhesives E-Z Adhesive Runner,  Twine is tied around the card front and a ticket stub popped in, secured with a little glue.

At this point it is a card but I am contemplating taking it further and adding it to a canvas - what do you think?

This card is for the following challenges:

A Vintage Journey - Words That Are Special

Colour Crazy Challenge - Anything Goes

Crafty Catz - Anything Goes with a twist: Male Cards

Jo's Scrap Shack - Anything Goes

Simply Papercraft -  Anything Goes

Aud Sentiments Challenge - Masculine (with a sentiment)

Inspiration Destination - Anything Goes

Crafting With An Attitude Challenge - Anything Goes

Word Art Wednesday Challenge Weeks - Anything Goes

Creates and Makes - Anything Goes with a twist: Winter Blues

Lemon Shortbread - Always Anything Goes

Sunny Day Crafting - Always Anything Goes 

Artistic Inspirations - Always Anything Goes

We Love 2 Create - Always Anything Creative/Mixed Media 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 crafting

Make It Count

A big change of pace for me today - a CAS card - I can't believe I have made one - and so quickly too!

I have had this idea in my head for some time and finally managed to get it onto paper for last weeks Card Design Class.  We usually create one complex and one simple card - thankfully this one came together so quickly...as I was running out of time.

The clock is an image from Tattered Angels - and is stamped onto some Basic Grey paper in Tsukineko Versafine - Onyx Black.

The sentiment and numbers are from Close to My Heart - I have had this set for such a long time and have hardly used it - inspite of loving it *head hung in shame!*

Not much layering happening here - what do you think?  I admire those who can do CAS so easily - it is not my first 'love' but definitely something I will be working on.....

This card is for the following challenges:

Come and Get It Challenges - masculine

Great Impressions - anything goes

PanPastel UK Challenge - anything goes

That Craft Place - One for the Boys

2 Sisters - Anything goes

Catch The Bug - Anything goes

Poodles Parlour - 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}}}

SSIC You Only Live Once

It is time for this weeks Stampin' Sisters in Christ Challenge and our hostess  this week is the ever lovely MariLynn, who has chosen a scripture from Hebrews.

  Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen. (KJV)

Hebrews 11:1

Make a card that you doodle on - now is that a challenge or what!  It certainly was for me! I decided I would revamp a card I had started a long time ago - and  brought it back to life from the 'to throw out or not to throw out' pile!  LOL!

I added some Spellbinders cogs that I was sent in a RAK - I am loving this Die and it is high on my Wish List - I can think of so many ways I can use it.  The Cogs were cut out with the Spellbinders Grand Calibur - I love this machine and use it nearly every day! 

I borrowed my DD2's Hannah Montana Glitter Pens and followed the swirls from the Divine Swirls Embossing Folder - I also added some gold touches to the clock face - I am hoping these count as doodling - what do you think!? 

This card is for the following challenges:
Challenge Up Your Life - Circles
2 Sisters - For a Guy
Creations by Gill M - Use Circle Shapes
Little Claire's - Cards for Men
Paper Creator's Crafts - For the Men
Bloggers Challenge - Masculine Card or Project
Fashionista Friday - For Men
Glitter Geeks - Male/ Father's Day
Totally Papercraft - Dies Cuts and Punches
Delightful Challenges - Anything Goes
Just for Fun - Doodle
Paper Creations Ink - Doodle

You can read MariLynns inspiring devotional at the Stampin' Sisters in Christ Blog.

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 * Kristine * MariLynn * Peggysue * Randi  (on break)* Miejse * Rebekka * Sabrina*

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!  Before I go I would like to wish a Happy Father's Day to all of the Fathers in the Northen Hemisphere - we celebrate in September here in Australia, but we celebrate Father's everyday!!  God bless you!!

{{{hugs}}}

LOC Angelic' Sneak Peek 9

I could not resist showing you this layout I did on Wednesday Night at my Scrapbooking Night....I went with no motivation, infact had to force myself to go as it was COLD and I am happy just to potter at home, colouring, cutting...where ever the urge takes me....but I made myself go, even if it was just a social night for me!

Would it surprise you to know that this is never the case when I am surrounded by supplies! LOL!  Our theme was Flourishes - so naturally being in an ART STENCIL frame of mind lately, I went for the Layers of Color Natures Flourish Art Stencil.

I do have to add that the outcome of this layout was a mystery to me at the beginning, especially as I was well outside my comfort zone of Distressing Inks and surrounded by Stampin' Up' stash, thanks to my demo and friend Ann!!  I sponged in a pink - perhaps Rose Pink and added touches of Old Olive (I love this colour)

Ann is well used to me starting something at the Group and them coming home and changing it - this time I only added - I added the floral corners using the Merci Bouquet art stamp set, colouring it with SU Chalks and adding some Kindy Glitz (gotta have the shimmer)

I also added some flowers - these ones I won in a Blog Candy for Carrie are perfect.  Brads have been added to the centres of each!!  The bracket is made using the Nestibilities Labels 1 - I was surprised how much difference this little embellishment could make!

The sentiment speaks for itself! LOL!  This is a RubOn from Kaiser!

I am linking this it the following Challenges:

Busy Beauties - Anything Goes

Spoon Full of Sugar - Floral Delight

Belli Challenge - Rub Ons

Crafty Creations - Child Play

Cupcake Craft Challenge - Dazzle Us

Die cut Dreams - Angels

Our Creative Corner - Gotcha Cornered

The Secret Crafter - Include a Quote

The Sisterhood of Crafters - Celebrating Children

Feel free to share this pretty announcement on your blog!! Go ahead a grab it here

Talented designers will be sharing new art stencil sneak peeks on their blogs for the next week.

 So much unique inspiration here!…

 

Grace

Kristine

Laura

Nina

And at the party we’ll debut new tutorials and art galleries full of inspiring projects! See you at the party, JUNE 14th!

Enter the drawing today to WIN ALL 7 LAYERS OF COLOR ART STENCILS! Random drawing winner announced at the party June 14th on the Layers of Color blog. No purchase necessary to enter or to win. One entry per person only. Enter by adding your name here

Thank you for coming to back to visit, It makes my day to see that you have stopped in - your comments are so encouraging and make my day!  I will be back with another Sneak Peek tomorrow - it may be my last one before the Release Party, as you will see, I have been super inspired by these Art Stencils and I hope you are too - I have something special to show you the day of the Release Party!  I will be giving away some of the Stencils here as well - so keep watching - are you excited now!?!?  God bless you!

{{{hugs}}} 

MMSC23 Sunset Shimmer

Yay it is Tuesday and hasn't it come around fast!!  You know that means - it is the Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge - you can check it out here, for all the fun happenings that are going on this month. You won't want to miss it!!! At this time, I would like to thank our sponsor for the month of October, Gurlee Girls - how adorable and these girls, the DT just keeps bringing the gorgeous cards and inspiration with them!!  Here is what you have been ' hanging' for - this week's Challenge!!

The Monthly Sponsor for October is:

Gurlee Girl Designs images Our Monthly sponsor that has donated a huge prize to our month end winner. Be sure to click on them to find out all the details of each one.

THE WEEKLY BONUS SPONSOR THIS WEEK IS.....

http://www.innovativestampcreations.com/

ISC is a one woman business http://www.innovativestampcreations.com/ They offer realistic-unique deeply etched rubber stamp sheets. With a focus on nature elements and faces of women. ISC carries various products from Ranger to Spellbinders and more. They offer a flat $5.95 shipping fee for any size order. We also ship to International countries. ISC has an amazing talented group of Creative Architects, be sure to visit their blog as well. We would like to thank Betsy for her most generous prize for this week’s Bonus Winner (MMSC23) $50 worth of Stamp sheets of your choice…WOW!!!

Want an extra entry to win this

                                                                     $50 voucher ???

For an extra entry to win this $50 voucher cick here and find out how!

This week I have done something so completely different for me,  using a Kaiser Set..I have coloured the image wuth SU Chalks (my favourite technique) and cut it out with an Oval Nestibilitie, also cutting a Large Scalloped Nestie from a paint chip (I love these!)

I was inspired by the fabulous DCWV 'The Endless Summer' Stack of Papers - which is bold and bright, normally I steer away from these BUT in this case I could not resist.  The DP I chose for my card is shimmery and embossed - irresistible, it went perfectly with this tropical image.  I cut the palm trees out and layered them onto the side of the oval on dimensionals.  I then added a strip of lace trim, having inked it with distressing inks and then added the pink nail bling along it - this added so much to the card - another one of those small touches that just brings it alive!

A layered flower was then added on top of a Nestibilitie from 'Doodle Parts' and a pearl brad attached to the centre.....finishing off with Nail Bling on some of the corners!

 I had actually sent the card to Priscilla before I added the Nail Bling and the Scalloped Nestie, but wasn't 100 percent happy with it SO I played around with it and added thoses extra touches and am much happier with it - you have gotta stay true to yourself with your cards - near enough is NOT good enough...a good lesson for me!!

There is so much happening over the the Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge this week - it is the BLOG HOP that starts on October 16. Click on the Logo to find out all about it!

http://priscillastyles.blogspot.com/

COMING THIS FRIDAY!!!

Prowling at the 1st Midnight Madness Blog Hop!!

The count down Is on!!! Just a few more days till the Prowling at the 1st Midnight Madness Blog Hop!! We hope you are getting excited about our blog hop. As a special way to thank our players and welcome new ones, we will be hosting our very 1st Halloween/Fall themed Midnight Madness Blog Hop.....Beginning October 16th at 8 a.m. EST and ending October 20th at 12 a.m. Midnight. AND OH WILL THERE BE PRIZES.....

One "Grand Prize Crafters Care Package" random drawing
(WORTH WELL OVER $100)
350th Brand New Sketch Player SPECIAL Prize
(WORTH OVER $70)
"Cards from the Crypt" (picked by our very own DT members from the MMSC archives)
Plus a number of Random Package winners

The Midnight Madness DT has been working on making this blog hop extra special for everyone. We are hoping you will join us for all the fun, exciting projects with tons of inspiration and prizes. So mark your calendar and join us for MM's first ever blog hop.

Thank you for stopping by and for all of your encouraging comments - you make my day and I appreciate it so-o-o much!! Now, what are you waiting for...check out the Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge for this week - we would love to see you play along!! God bless you!

Move Over Madonna!!

How many sets of stamps do you have sitting in your cupboard that have never seen ink? This fabulous set of stamps, 'For the Girls' by Crafty Secrets, was the first Blog Candy I won and I have never got around to using it - until today...I have been inspired by the Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge for this week....if you are one of the few people who haven't checked it out yet - you need to, the sketches are fabulous and there are amazing prizes - PLUS - it is so much fun!! It is also my first entry ever for the 'A Spoon Full of Sugar' where it is all about the Distressed look!

I inked the image twice and cut one out, using dimensionals to give it a 'lift!' (sorry I couldn't help myself!) Coloured it with Chalks/Pastels and stamped the sentiment below. All edges have been inked with Distressing Ink, the image layered into black CS, tan CS and then onto embossed and sponged CS - using the Textiles Embossing Folder. I also used the same embossing folder on black CS, layered it onto tan CS and attached across the middle of the card and added a row of crotchet lace.

Vintage CB corners were sponged with Distressing Ink and attached to the corners of the fabulously vintage DP from Graphic 45, torn and sponged corners were added to opposite corners of the image and small gems added to some corners!

That is about it for me tonight, I am hoping for an early night, I have had a busy day cooking for Father's Day. In our house you get to choose what you would like to eat for the day (within reason) and my DH loves my homemade Crusty Cheese Scones...so the day started with cooking the scones accompanied by a percolated coffee (yumbly) lunch was a roast lamb and pork with all of the accompliments, followed by a HUGE and WICKED Lemon Meringue Pie...and of course ...coffee. We did have a friend over to celebrate the day with us....he laughed at the sentiment on the card and wholeheartedly agreed - I think he had a male perspective though!!

Thanks for visiting and for the lovely comments you leave - I love knowing that you have been here!! I hope you weekend is relaxing and fun! God bless you!

Casting all Your Care

As you would have noticed I get a lot of cards made, part of this being that I sell a lot of them, which helps 'feed my habit' and I have a fairly constant supply going out, so I need to keep up with that. The other reason being that I got sick towards the end of last year and was told that I had to relax and literally threw myself into cardmaking...it became therapy for me and still is today - I tell my DH that I save him heaps of money by cardmaking as therapy is around $150 per hour!!! LOL!!! I don't like to be making the same thing over again so I am always looking for new ideas and inspiration and was happy to come across 2RedBananas....this weeks challenge is a.Sketch Challenge, you should check it out!!

I have a friend who orders scripture cards, she is one of my regular customers, buying at least 200 cards in the past year...I try and give her as many different ones as possible - not that it matters to her, but it does to me....I am not a great fan of repetition - especially when she orders 20 at one time!! This scripture is a favourite of mine, it is such a comfort...but as we know, it can be the hardest thing to do...how often do we take it all onboard and try to solve everything in our own strength and end up making things so-o-o much worse!! I have to laugh when I hear it said that Christians don't worry - yeah right - we just get 'concerned' - it is the Christian word for worry!! LOL!! Don't you just love 'Christian-ese!!!'

These are my first cards for this challenge, you can get the recipe from my SCS Gallery if you are interested. I do appreciate you stopping by and leaving your encouraging comments, you are the best!!! God bless you!