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}}}

LOC Paper Bag Album Part 2

I wanted to share the final pages of the Paper Bag Album I showed you back near Mother's Day - it has been so much fun to create using Layers of Color clear art stamps

This is the album I have made this for my Mum and am taking it home with me - I put a lot of time into this because it is for someone special and I am really happy with the end result.  There are a few photos so will just let you know the stamp sets I used as I go and once again will try and keep the chatter to a minimum .

I have used the Flutterescent art stamp set, colouring the butterfly with SU Chalks/Pastels and a Blender Pen, popping the wings up on foam dots

Recycled lace is a regular feature in this album, some with pearls added

Royal Birds art stamp set is featured on a number of pages

More of the lace has a crochet flower, recycled form a doily and attached with a sparkling brad

This time I have used a large Kaiser flower and added a stamped centre from the Layers of Color art stamp set Granny's Jewelry - this set was designed with bling in mind....I love it!

The flower has been coloured with chalks

Then final page features one of my favourite LOC images - without looking do you know what it is....

Royal Birds art stamp set - that little bird just adds so much to this album, I like to repeat the times, it adds to the feel and gives a continuity without being formal!

So there you have it - thank you for looking through these posts, I know they are long - one of the things with eclectic/vintage is that there is so much to see.

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!

Your Next Stamp - Cut It Out and Pop It Up

ABC - U = Unused Stash - Lace and DP

Cute Daisy May - As You Like It

If the Shoe Fits - Rain or Shine

 Practical Scrappers - Patterned Paper

The Crazy Challenge - Something New - the Prima's are from Sabrina (okimom2girlz)

Pollycraft - Summer Blooms - on the DP

Hand Full of Stamps - Get Your Shine On - Gems/Bling

Ohh La-La - Bright and Cheery

A Spoon Full of Sugar - Cute & Girly

Thank you for coming by today and for taking the time to leave your lovely comments - you are always so kind and make my day!  God bless you!
{{{hugs}}}

LOC Paper Bag Album Part 1

I wanted to share the Paper Bag Album I showed you back near Mother's Day (you can see it here), I had started it and am happy to be able to show you the finished product!  It is always fun for me to create using Layers of Color clear art stamps, this time was no exception - I love the journey they take me on as I use each one of them - it makes each project a pleasure!!

I have to let you in on a little secret - I have made this for my Mum and am taking it home with me (in 7 sleeps - wahoo!) - so Mum, if you are looking at this - please shut your eyes...LOL! I did out some extra work into it because it is for someone special and I am really happy with the end result. There are a few photos so will just jet you know the stamp sets I used as I go and keep the chatter to a minimum (well, I will try! LOL!)

The sentiment is a SU Rubon from a RAK and the image is from the Vintage Rose art stamp which had been coloured with SU Chalks/Pastels and a Blender Pen

The tags in this album are very eclectic, the back one has lace down each side and the front one has a RubOn and those adorable flowers are from the Merci Bouquet art stamp set, I have chalked them and added a small pearl to the centre.

I have tried to leave some bigger spaces for photos or journaling, I love this particular lace/braid and added half pearls to the centre of each .  The words cut from the DP read. 'Mon Amie' meaning 'my friend' in french - so true of my Mum who has a french background!

I have used the Butterfly Collector art stamp set colouring them with the Chalks and adding Kindy Glitz for that shimmer these images work so well with.

and again on the inside I have used the butterfly from the Butterfly Collector art stamp set and also the ouch from SU and added mini pearls  and some chiffon ribbon to the tag!

I have decided to do this in two stages, so I do not overwhelm you with the length of this post - another reason is I just realised I have not photographed a couple of the pages - typical!  I will do that today and have part 2 to show you tomorrow - then I will wrap it and pack it.....exciting, I am looking forward to seeing  her face when she gets it - you're not peeking are you Mum!??!  Seriously it doesn't matter if she is - these things always look so much better in real life and it will still be a surprise!!

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!

Your Next Stamp - Cut It Out and Pop It Up

Papertake Weekly - Shiny, Sparkly and Special

ABC - U = Unused Stash - Lace and DP
Cute Daisy May - As You Like It

If the Shoe Fits - Rain or Shine

Little Red Wagon - Brads

 Practical Scrappers - Patterned Paper

Stampin' Royalty - Family

Secret Crafter Saturday - Metal - on the Bling

The Crazy Challenge - Something New - the Pirima's are from Sabrina (okimom2girlz)

Pollycraft - Summer Blooms - on the DP

Hand Full of Stamps - Get Your Shine On - Gems/Bling

Crafty Ann's - Anything Goes

Crafty Catz - Petal & Pearls

Ohh La-La - Bright and Cheery

A Spoon Full of Sugar - Cute & Girly

Thank you for stopping my today and for the lovely comments you leave for me, you are always so encouraging - you make my day!  God bless you!
{{{hugs}}}

SSIC It's Peggy Sue's Birthday!!

Today it is Peggysue's birthday, and we at Stampin' Sisters in Christ Challenges are throwing her a virtual birthday party, each of us is going to bring something special - some of Peggysue's favourite things infact!  You will see what I am bringing further down this post....but in the meantime.....

Often floral cards are inspired by my DH's photography - and as I am bringing something YUMBLY to the party I thought I would show you something with BOLD colours - using Layers of Color art stamp set Merci Bouquet.  I have used some gorgeous textured DP that Laura sent me in a RAK - it is a shame you cannot feel the texture here - I am very much a 'hands on and inky fingered' type person and this appeals to me greatly!

I am inspired by this lovely photo taken by my DH - he is a photographer and often his photos are of our flowers and backyard, or local scenes - you can see some of these here.

 So naturally, I am bringing CHOCOLATES and not just any chocolates - calorie fee chocolates!!  Is there such a thing - well yes, and here they are!!

They look yummy don't they, but don't be fooled, they are calories free because they are candles and can you believe that someone actually tried to bite them - arghhhh!  While I was taking the photo I asked my DD1 if she knew which one had the bite marks and before I knew it, she bit this one - what is with that!!?!?  She says she was helping me.....hell-o-o-o!!!

Now, I did offer to being drinks, but just as well Kathy had that covered - look what happens to them in our house...LOL!  Just as well really, as I believe Peggysue drinks Diet Pepsi!!

If you arrived here from Randi's Blog, then you're in the right place! If not, please start this short hop at SSCC blog.  If you happen to get lost along the way, the blog hop order is:

Candace
Kathy
Miesje
Lisa
Randi
Linda (that's me!)
Kristine

Grace

Chris

♫ Happy Birthday to you Peggysue - hope your day is 'SWEET' lovely! ♫  Corny I know - but I could not help myself!  LOL!  Don't forget to stop by and wish Peggysue a Happy Birthday!  The next stop on the Hop is the very lovely Kristine

Thanks for coming by today and for your fabulous comments, you are always so kind!!  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)))

SSCC Happy Birthday Candace

Who doesn't love a BIRTHDAY and today it is Candace's Birthday, and we at Stampin' Sisters in Christ Challenges are throwing her a virtual birthday party, each of us is going to bring something special - some of Candace's favourite things infact!  You will see what I am bringing further down this post....but in the meantime.

I have created this card inspired by my party contribution - using Layers of Color art stamp set Merci Bouquet.  I have embossed the DP with the Stylised Flowers Embossing Folder and edged it with the SU Scalloped Border Punch.

I am inspired by this lovely photo taken by my DH - he is a photographer and often his photos are of our flowers and backyard, or local scenes - you can see some of these here.

 So naturally, I am bringing PINK ROSES!  I love roses and some of my absolute favourite ones are pink, as you can see in this photo - these are our lovely Pierre de Ronsards and they grow on the verandah outside our window- just gorgeous!

In our house birthdays are done BIG TIME - when you wake in the morning the table is decorated and covered with balloons, cards and of course presents - it is so exciting to see your chair with a HUGE gold and purple bow on it and is affectionately known as the 'Birthday Chair,' it just adds to that special feeling.  We all sit down and the presents are given and opened and the place is 'buzzing' with excitement.  Your favourite birthday breakfast is cooked - for most of the family this is hotcakes with bacon and Maple Syrup - me, I am more civilized and love bagels with cream cheese and blueberries, a glass of tomato juice and a coffee chaser - percolated coffee of course!  YUMBLY!  So it is only fitting that I also bring decorations.

I do have to add that this photo is four years old and it is no longer these colours - it is now creams and whites, I have more recent photos but cannot find where I put them for 'safe keeping!' LOL!

and just for good measure I am bringing a YUMBLY cake....white chocolate cake with pink & white marshmellows drizzled with dark chocolate!! 

If you arrived here from Kristine's Blog then you're in the right place! If not, please start this short hop at SSCC blog.  If you happen to get lost along the way, the blog hop order is:

Chris

Grace

Kathy

Kristine

Linda (that's me!)

Lisa

PeggySue

Randi

♫ Happy Birthday to you Candace - hope your day is 'blooming' lovely! ♫  I know - but I could not help myself!  LOL!  Don't forget to stop by and wish Candace a Happy Birthday!  The next stop on the Hop is the very lovely Lisa

Thanks for coming by today and for your fabulous comments, you are always so kind!!  God bless you!!

{{{hugs}}}

LOC Love Life

It is a gorgeous WET day here in sunny Australia! LOL and I am loving it!!  I realised this morning, much to my surprise that I had made this card the other night and had not even photographed it - it went in the 'I will get to that - nearly finished' pile' - do you have one of those!?!?  Mine varies from day to day - depending on what needs doing in the house - and as my DD1 says 'coz that's the way I roll!'

I have used the flower from the Layers of Color art stamp set Nature Walk - This is a classic set and one that I have used often and in many colours.   It just seemed to work beautifully with this gorgeous Kaiser DP, which is part of a RAK from Priscilla - thanks Priscilla - I love these colours together!!  I also added some gorgeous lace with some Kasier half pearls added to the centre of each pattern.  A Vintage Corner is added to the flower and a pearll added to the 'tulip' part of the corner, I have also added one to the top left hand corner!

I have finished off with a sentiment from the Stampin' Up set Dreams du Jour, I love this sentiment and will be using it a lot, funny how you seem to go on 'runs' of things - or is that just me!?!? LOL! Oh...and I have to add I did distress the top DO only, not the striped section at the bottom - 'coz, that's the way I roll!' LOL!  I am having a chuckle as I write this - I can hear my DD1's cry of 'Awww MUM!!!!!'  when she hears I used this saying on my post, she is such a funny girl and has so many sayings that have us in hysterics - she brings a lot of laughter to our household....and noise...but I won't go THERE.....

I have made this card for NinaB's Blogaversary Challenge - if you have not been over to Crafting in Croatia you are missing out BIG TIME, she is amazing and always so inspiring - this is one of my favourite places to stroll through, not only for the inspiration but Nina is just so lovely herself and such a pleasure to visit!

You can see this card and more of my LOC creations over at my LOC Gallery and while you are there be sure to check out the Layers of Color Blog and see the owner and artist Laura and her daughter Jessica in action at the Boston Show - fabulous photos!

Thank you for dropping in and seeing me today, I love it when you come - if only you were really at my house, we could have coffee and I would have definitely made a cake in honour of your visit....your comments are always so encouraging - you always make my day that much better!!  God bless you!

{{{hugs}}}

Her Royal Highness - Sistah Pat!!

Hello everyone - this is a quick post today with one very late card in honour of my very dear friend and Sistah Pat Smethers.  Pat has been chosen to be "Queen for a Day' on SCS, this is a fun challenge that has been started by the lovely Anne Ryan and it is honouring stampers who encourage with their comments and are generally lovely - we know that is almost every stamper on SCS, but they can only be showcased one at a time! LOL!

I love Pat's cards and am blessed to have a number of them in my home, they are gorgeous and so hard to case - I finally chose this one... I love the elegance of  Pat's card and all that gorgeous white embossing - I am not sure what happens when I do it but - I don't like it - the white calls me and calls me until I have to obey it's call of 'fill me...'

I did stay true to your card Pat, although I used a Layers of Color art stamp set - Merci Bouquet  I coloured with SU Chalks and then painted on some Pearl Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist, on the leaves - spraying would have been too much - I do love the Glimmer Mists and need to use them more!  These flowers are divine and so easy to colour - they certainly make a quick card is that is what you are wanting!

The only thing I changed was the fact that I added the Vintage Corners - I could not help myself, I was tempted to photograph it and then add them, but I thought no - I will do the right thing and show you the proper card!

Pat, what a fitting choice you are for Queen for a Day - you are such a darling to us all. Your big heart just brings you alongside the new ones in the galleries and you make us all feel so loved! I love your 'Ai Yi Yi's' and your 'Oh Sistah's' you are a loving heart and such a shining light with your faith - you Pat, are one of those people who don't just 'talk the talk' but you 'walk the walk!' When I grow up I want to be Pat Smethers, stamper, sister, Twisted Sister and friend!!

Pat, if we don't meet in this lifetime, we certainly will in the next - now...remember I will be the one with the Cuttlebug - you bring the folders and the Dies!! LOL! I hope I am sitting at the same table as you at the 'Banquet!' Love you my friend and sistah, I am so blessed that you linked arms with me! LYMIMIMIMIMI IRL!!! {{{hugs}}}

Thank you for looking and taking the time to comment - you always make my day!  I hope you are having a great day, it is Thursday afternoon here and we are getting ready to celebrate Easter - such an important time in the history of mankind!  I will be back tomorrow with an Easter card to share and ....ssshhh...come closer...a little but of news to share with you...got you wondering - well....make sure you come back - you know I would love to see you!  God bless you!

{{{hugs}}}