Crafty Friends First Challenge

Hello, I am excited to be sharing this post with you - it is the first post for the Crafty Friends Challenge, created by every stampers friend Beate and I am honoured to have been invited to join the amazingly talented Design Team for some fun.

Our first challenge is VINTAGE - not a hard one for me or YOU!  Vintage is my favourite style.

I have chosen this darling Easter image fromMagic Moonlight Free Images  - these chicks are just adorable. (I have a little story for you further down my post about chicks....) I have used the Spellbinders Floral Ovals Nestibilities to cut out my image,it created such a beautiful frame, almost giving the image dimension.

The sentiment has been computer generated and cut out using the Spellbinders Fancy Tags Shapeabilities.  All of my Dies have been cut out using the Spellbinders Grand Calibur® Machine

The patterned paper is some retired Basic Grey, from the Fruitcake Range...pearls and braid finish off this vintage card.

This card is for the following challenges:

Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes

Divas by Design - Stamp something

Stampin' Royalty - Spring Things

Creative Card Crew - Spring

Ribbon Carousel - Anything Goes
Card Crafter's Circle - Easter
Catch A Bug - Easter

Now, the little story I was telling you about - Chicks and I go 'hand in hand' in my family, the following story comes up at family events without fail....when I was around three years old I was at my Nana's house and came into her with one of the day old chicks in my hand, saying, 'Look Nana, chickie sleeping' My Nana realised very quickly that the poor little chick was infact dead - it was discovered, after coming in with more than one chick like this that I was holding them in my hand and vigorously patting them with my other hand - saying 'Nice Chicky, Nice Chicky - sleep'.....I 'loved them to death!' Awwww.....it is something I have never been allowed to forget and even as the family gathered around my Nana's deathbed, my Uncle brought it up.....we smile now, but I am sure Nana was not laughing at the time! LOL!

We would love you to join in with our first challenge, pop over and check out the Design Team - you are sure to be inspired at every stop!

Beate Johns * Charmaine Ikach  *  Heather Jensen * Jen Balcer * Linda Lucas * Nina Brackett

Thank you for stopping by and taking the time to leave a comment, I read each one and appreciate your support and encouragement!  I do look forward to seeing you play along with this new Bi-weekly challenge - there is so much fun ahead and you are going to want to be part of it!

{{{hugs}}}

Filigree Cross

It was 'Love at First Sight' for me when I saw the Spellbinders Crosses Two  Shapeabilities

so much detail and gorgeous filigree - it was definitely 'calling my name,' especially when I am creating Easter cards at the moment.

I have layered it onto the Spellbinders Floral Ovals Nestibilities - can you tell I am loving this new Die too - the paper piercing around the oval is such a gorgeous touch.

The sentiment is computer generated and has been cut using the Fancy Tags Shapeabilities.  All of my Dies have been cut using the Spellbinders Grand Calibur® Machine - it certainly makes it easier because you can cut so many Dies at once!  The patterned paper has been embossed using the 'B' sandwich from the Enchanted M-bossabilities Embossing Folder

One again another quick card, but not lacking any details, thanks to my lovely Spellbinders Die Templates - what did I ever do without them? LOL!

This card is for the following challenges:

Alphabet Challenge - D for Dry Embossing

Card Crafter's Circle - Easter

Crafts 4 Eternity Recipe Challenge - 3 of a kind  (3 Dies used)

Inspire Me Fridays - Anything goes

Just Add Ink - Easter

Stampin' For The Weekend - Anything Goes

Totally Papercrafts - Easter

4 Crafty Chicks - Easter

Crafty Purple Frog - Anything goes

Paper Shelter Challenge - Easter

Simon Says Stamp - Anything goes

Sisterhood of Crafters - Easter

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}}}

LOC Vintage Medallion

I am feeling like showing you something 'PURTY' today - and I can always reply on the Layers of Color butterflies for that!

The background is created using the Layers of Color Vintage Medallion art stencil, sponged with Peeled Paint Distressing Ink

The butterflies are from the Flutterescent and Butterfly Collector art stamp sets

and the sentiment from the Sent With Love art stamp set, this has been cut with the Spellbinders Fancy Tags Die, using the Grand Calibur.

How easy is that - I love the sense of movement and the summery feel.

This card is for the following challenges:

I Did It Creations - Anything Goes

Let`s Ink It Up - Think Pink 

One Stitch At A Time - Anything Goes

Paper Sundaes - Your Favorite Colour Combination

 Sentimental Sundays - Anything Goes

The Crafty Pad - Vintage

My Sheri Crafts - Think Pink

One Stop Craft - Anything goes

Secret Crafter - Anything goes as long as it sparkles

Fairy Fun Fridays - girly

Just Add Ink - add a die cut

Mami Doodles - "Mother Nature"

Delightful Challenges - Make It Dimensional

Paper Crafting Journey - Die cuts and/or a punches

 Flutterby Wednesdays - anything goes

My Mum's Craft shop - all creatures great and small

Penny's Paper-Crafty - Anything goes

You are invited to the

Make sure you mark the date in your diary - there is so much inspiration to be found from the design Team plus some very talented Guest Designers - you are not going to want to miss this!!

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 Product Partner.

You can also check out Layers of Color Art Stamps on our FACEBOOK GROUP and have a look at the 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 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}}}

LOC Vintage Bouquet

I am popping in with a quick card to show you as I am busy working on some New Release projects and some other exciting things that I cannot show you YET, but you know I will when I can - in the meantime...........

I can show you this card I created using the Layers of Color Gifts of Love art stamp set, illustrated by the lovely Nina Brackett.

If you know me at all you would know I LOVE layers, dimension and texture - but there are time when you just need a quick and easy card - well this is the set for you!!  The images are divine and only require the slighest colour, if any...

add a sentiment, using the Spellbinders Fancy Tags One, along with the Labels Ten for the image, all being cut with the Spellbinders Grand Calibur (so-o-o smooth!)

add some recycled lace and embossed DP and you have one very quick and elegant card. 

This card is for the following challenges:

Fashionable Stamping Challenges - Ribbon or Lace

One Stitch At A Time - Halloween or Autumn (Fall) - the colours remond me of autumn

Marks Finest Papers - Use lace on your card
Sweet Stampin - Strawberry Chocolate and Cream

Totally Gorjuss -  As you like it

Card Makin' Mamas - pink

Jellypark Challenges - punches and/or die cuts

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 Product Partner.

You can also check out Layers of Color Art Stamps on our FACEBOOK GROUP and have a look at the 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 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}}}

LOC Gifts of Love in Mauve

This last new release from Layers of Color has got the most amazing stamps - I am loving both the Clear Art Stamps and the Cling Art Stamps.  I have much more to show you - this card is using am image from the Gifts of Love art stamp set illustrated by the very talented Nina Brackett.

As you can see this divine image  co-ordinates with the Spellbinders Labels 18 - I love that - it makes card making so easy with lovely results!  I have cut out my Nesitibilitie with the Spellbinders Grand Calibur.

The image has been lightly, and very quickly, coloured with SU Chalks/Pastels using a Blender Pen.

The scrolls on each side of the Image are from the Spellbinders Fancy Tags and the flowers are form Wild Orchid - they have the yumbliest flowers!

The DP has been embossed with the Tim Holtz Flourish and the Vintage Corners are from Cuttlebug.

This card is for the following challenges:

Blogger's Challenge - embossing

Mami Doodles - flowers

Sew Many Cards - anything goes

Digi Doodle Shop's Best - anything goes

Paper Play – in the garden

7 Kids College Fund - texture 

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 Product Partner. 

You can also check out Layers of Color Art Stamps on our FACEBOOK GROUP  and  have a look at the 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 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}}}

Missing You

It is such a great feeling to create for creatings sake - I have done just that with this card.

It is very simple, using this wonderful birdcage image, cutting it out and popping it up onto a Spellbinders Classic Oval Nestibilitie using foam tape.

With this sentiment from Layers of Color - I just loved the two together, for something different.

The sentiment is from the Sent With Love art stamp set and has been cut with a Spellbiinders Fancy Tags using my Grand Calibur.

The DP is DCWV, the La Creme Collection - I love the texture on this DP.  Crochet lace has been added, along with some Kaiser pearls to finish the card.

I told you it was very simple, I do hope it brings a smile to the recipient!

This card is for the following challenges:

Simon Says -  Anything Goes

Tuesday Throwdown - Use Your Scraps

My Time to Craft - Use Jewels - pearls

Craft Your Passion - Anything Goes

Paper Playtime - Anything Goes with a Digi

Sentimental Sundays - Sentiment, Pearls and Lace

Craft Your Days Away - Black and White

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 can also check out Layers of Color Art Stamps on our FACEBOOK GROUP  and  have a look at the 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 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}}}

LOC Morning Fresh and an Award

Don't you just love getting together with friends to create and have a laugh - I had a day like that and this card was the result.

I was inspired by the sketch at the jac-inks Papercraft Challenge and the YUMBLY palette from CR84FN Colour Challenge

I have used some leftovers that have been lying on my desk for some time - I am trying to use these up on my cards - you know to justify any new pieces I might get!  LOL!  I embossed some cream card stock after swiping the embossing folder with some Rangers Scattered Straw Distressing Ink - don't you love that effect!

and added a gorgeous Butterfly from the Layers of Color Butterfly Collector art stamp set.  This has been stamped with Tsukineko Versafine Spanish Moss Ink - such a YUMBLY shade of green.  I have popped the butterflies wings up on foam tape and added some 3D Kindy Glitz - I wish you could feel this stuff - it is amazing - my latest favourite Bling - there is such a great feel - so much texture - great for someone who is tactile - like me! 

The sentiment is from the Layers of Color Sent with Love art stamp set and cut out with the Spellbinders Fancy Tags Shapibilities, using my Grand Calibur.

The rose is from Wild Orchid - I won these - one happy stamper here!  The flourish is a Tim Holt DieCut. Here you can see the added colour to the embossing folder - this is such an easy technique and so effective!

This card is for the also for the following challenges:

4 Crafty Chicks - Angel.Fairy/Butterfly

Charisma Cardz - Spring has Sprung

Cute Card Thursday - Shiny, Happy cards

Delightful Challenges - Animals

Some Odd Girl - Scallops Galore

My Grafico - Anything Goes

Crafts and Me - Anything with Wings, especially Angels/Fairies

Forgotten Scraps - Spring or Flowers

PaperTake Weekly - Glitter/Sparkle/Gems

Scrap Creations - Spring Fever

I am honoured to receive this award from the lovely Tracy from I wanna Build a Memory - thank you Tracy for this - it means so much to me!  We are to add 8 facts about ourselves (groan! LOL) and pass it onto 8 others

Well first the facts.....hmmm.....thinking, thinking...

1. I am about to have a birthday in 2 weeks - and it is not my 21st - sigh!!

2. I am the second eldest of four children

3. My DH can still make me laugh everyday and is my 'True North!'

4.  I was a Nanny before I came to Australia

5. I came to Australia for a six week holiday and have been here for 30 years!

6. I have just taught my first Card Making Class at the local Craft Shop - wahoo!

7. I was a knitter until I discovered a passion for paper...and are you ready for this one...

8. When someone asked me to a Stamping Workshop - I thought 'how boring!!' LOL Can you believe that - so I have to add a 9th fact

9. I am sometimes WRONG!  LOL!

and now for eight artists who inspire me with their wonderful works of art and of the heart

Ann

Gunn aka Ms Plum

Charlotte

Peggy

Lori

Dawn

Janelle

Sabrina

I have given the names of eight ladies I visit regularly - sometimes I sneak onto their blogs without leaving a comment (head hung in shame!  LOL) These ladies inspire me with every visit - and so do you!!  There has not been a Blog I have visited that has not inspired me in one way or another - I love to see the way you are inspired and create - thank you for being so amazing!!

Before I go I want to remind you about the Layer of Color Cake Decorating Party

 - the Chefs have been whipping up some Culinary Delights in their Creative Kitchens and we are not counting calories!  We are just waiting for the right time to tempt you and inspire you with  tasty morsels - it is going to be so much fun and we would love to see you there!  the Layers of Color Design Team will be there along with some amazing guest Chefs  - we would love to see you there!!

Thank you for visiting today and for the lovely comments you leave me - I do appreciate it and love to see that you have been!  Have a great weekend - I hope you get to craft at some stage!  God bless you!

{{{hugs}}}

Gunns'n Roses

How do you like this image - isn't it divine!  I received it in a RAK from my very dear Midnight Madness Design Team Member and friend, Gunn - it has been sitting on my desk for ages waiting for some colour to hit it!!

 

I saw this image used on one of Gunn's cards and fell in love with it, so it was a extra blessing when I saw it was included amongst the other items in the RAK!!  Thank you Gunn - I hope I did it justice!!

I played with the idea of cutting the rose and popping it up but decided to colour it and try to add dimension that way - I used SU Chalks and a Blender Pen - I love the depth that you can achieve with this method.  The collage background has had light touches of chalks added!

The DP is from the box of offcuts and is DCWV La Creme - it is a favourite of mine, although I don't seem to get to it enough - I added a tag from one of my new Spellbinders Fancy Labels - I LOVE this set!!  Some braid was threaded through and the finishing touches of those gorgeous copper Kaiser half pearls - how can you go wrong.  !?!?

This card is for the following Challenges:

Stamp Insanity - Lace

Some Odd Girl - Girlie

Creative Belli Challenge - 'R' Embellishments
My Time to Craft - Vintage

Crafty Little Place - Anything Goes

Scrap Creations - Anything Goes

Thank you for stopping by and visiting with me today, I love knowing you have been and appreciate you lovely comments!  I will be back later today with a special post - it is a busy week on my Blog this week and I would love to see you here again!!  God bless you!

{{{hugs}}}

LOC Defining Moments

Everyone's life has moments that define our lives and who we are.  I have had a number of them and I have made this card to celebrate a special defining moment!  On December 2, 1994 at 3:33pm my world was changed dramatically, never to be the same again - by the birth of our firstborn - our son!!  I cannot believe that he is turning 16!!!

How was I to know that this little man could bring such an amazing change to my world - from the very first time I knew he was there he won my heart and sealed the deal on his arrival - it was love at first sight!

I am still amazed that one person can arrive and with him bring such an overwhelming sense of love and such a strong bond that would grow deeper throughout  the years.  This little man successfully destroyed all preconceived ideas and logic, that special bond that is there at  the arrival of your child just blows logic and reasoning out of the window - never to be seen again!

I realised as I created this card for his birthday tomorrow that he is no longer a child and my card had to be more mature - gone are the says on Batman, Super Heroes and Lego - this card had to be suitable for a young man but still be fun - after all, he is still a teenager and I am in no way rushing him to grow up!

I could not go past the Layers of Color Wild Grass Frame cling art stamp - it is so much fun.  Other products used are Spellbinders - Labels 16 and Fancy Tags, Stampin' Up Punch.

I am blessed to have many defining moments in my life and my son, Jacob was followed by two daughters, both of them unique and fill our home and hearts with love and laughter - parenting is the most amazing experience and I am blessed to be sharing it with my fabulous DH who loves us all!  It can take us through such an array of emotions in moments - but there is nothing that compares with it!!  I am blessed with my three children - they have taught me and continue to teach me so much about myself, life and love!!  They make my life wonderful!!!

Happy, happy Birthday Jacob

This card is for the following Challenges:

Creative Belli - R embellishments

Fab 'n' Funky - Birthdays

A Crafty Little Place - Anything Goes

Artful Inkibles - Punches and Dies

Scrap Creations - 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. 

Layers of Color Art Stamps has a 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 stopping by today, be sure to visit with the Layers of Color Design Team and see their tributes to Grace, you can find Grace's Layers of Color gallery here

God bless you!

{{{hugs}}}

SSIC LOC Just Because

Doesn't the week go past so quickly - it is Sunday and that means it is time for the Stampin' Sisters in Christ Challenge!!  This week Lisa is sharing the scripture with us and she has chosen...

 "Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus" Philippians 3:13-14

Lisa has challenged us to make a card of apology or one reaching out to someone and encouraging them to put the past behind them and move forward .

I have used the Layers of Color Clear Art Stamp Acanthus Leaves and embossed it with Gold Embossing Powder. I am recycling some old Christmas cards and using the back of them on some of my cards - some of these have fabulous texture, like the one I used here!  I cut it out with the Nestibilities Labels 1 and sponged the edges while it was still in the Die!!  I have seen this done before and love the effect - there is always something to learn each day!!

I stamped and coloured the flower from the Nature Walk Clear Art Stamps with chalks, cut it out and secured it with a large gold brad - these are not just any brad, but were given to me by our friend Jack, who has given me many gorgeous vintage finds along the way - these brads are from an old bank and used to be used - they are have now been updated and made their way to the sanctuary of my Craft Central!!

I embossed a sentiment from Stampin' Up in Gold Embossing Powder and but it out using the Ribbon Tags Nestibilitie and attached it with gold brads.

I have thought about the scripture for this week and 'forgetting about what lies behind' and today was reminded of it again today as we had a surprise visit from a very dear friend, we met him and his family when they came across from Hawaii to be Missionaries at the Church we were attending, after two years they went back and took part of our hearts with them.  Over the past six years we have missed them terribly - you can imagine our delight when we saw him walking along our veranda this morning - we could not get to the door quick enough to hug him, we were all falling over ourselves!

The Church we had attended together had some issues come up and things took a bad turn and needless to say people were badly hurt and sadly there were causalities.....Many people were so hurt and are still recovering today.  I look at this scripture and thank God that He gives us the ability to make the choice to forget what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus

When we get hurt we can tend to stop where we are and let that hurt take hold of our hearts, making it almost impossible to move forward - I love way it says 'straining' toward what is ahead - sometimes it is an effort to move forward - we tend to say back at that ;point 'selling souvineers' of our experience and not moving past it, reliving those events over and over....but we need to leave that place and move forward if we are to reach the goal, win the prize. The Bibles tells us to separate the precious from the worthless - and I am challenged to do this - to leave those things which really, in the big picture are not important at all and move on to that which has value!!

Thank you to our Sponsor

Simon Says Stamp

For more inspiration make sure you visit each of the Design Team:

*Lisa * Chris * Cindy * Grace * Peggysue * Randi * Miejse * Rebekkah *

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.  You are invited to join us on our SNR Group where there is lots of fun and chatter (No surprises there I know! LOL)  There are also discounts and previews that are exclusive for the Group Members - come and join us!!

This card is for:

Creative Inspirations Challenge - Recycling

Our Daily Bread Designs - Three of Something - layers - DP, Nestie, Flower

Cute Card Thursday - Whateva!

Alphabet Challenge - Nature 

Double Dare Card Challenges - Anything Goes

Penny's Paper Crafty Challenge - Anything Goes
Alota Rubber Stamps - Distressing
Cupcake Craft Challenge - Distressing
Delightful Sketches - Distressing
Stars and Stamps - Use Patterned Papers

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

{{{hugs}}}