Chips Ahoy!!

I thought we could all do with a bit of humour today after a busy few weeks...so what better way to do it than those adorable Emerson gals...how could you not love them!  I was inspired by the 2RedBananas Challenge which was a sketch this week - phew!! Also the Stamp Something Challenges which is all about BLING, along with the If the Shoe Fits which is also about BLING!!  I must say at this point that I was also motivated by the fact that it dawned on me this morning as I was getting organised for the day, that I was meant to have made 10 cards for one of the boutiques that sells my card - OOPS - my bad!!

This particular one always makes me laugh - if only it was just the chocolate chips! LOL!  I guess a lot of us can relate to it in one way or another!

I really like this particular sketch, it worked well for using up those bits of DP that we collect (and have them ALL over the place) so I feel that I can justify the time spent by deluding myself  that I have cleaned my desk - but it would seem that no-one else in may house hold is fooled! LOL!

I used the Labels 1 Nestibilitie to cut out the image, coloured them with chalks and added highlights with a Glitter pen....and you know me - I sponged every edge in sight.  The layers are all backed with black CS.  I have popped the image up on dimensionals and added a layered flower to the side.  The top flower is actually foam - I wasn't sure about these at first, but I love the way they 'pop' up when a brad is used....the final touch is the Kaiser strip of gems - quick and easy - I managed to get three of these made in a couple of hours, which is pretty quick for me, usually I agonise for-ev-a!!

Thank you for stopping by and for your comments - you are so very kind!!  I love seeing that you have been AND you can be pretty sure I will be back soon as I have 7 more cards to make for Thursday as well as a few general ones....it is a hard job but somebodies got to do it!  LOL!  God bless you!

LOC Let Your Love Shine

It is our Wedding Anniversary tomorrow 18 years on October 18 and I have made this card for my DH...I have had to post it late in the evening after he has gone to bed as I didn't want him to see it.

 I used the Layers of Color sets Fleur Heart and Gothic Crosses.  The Fleur Heart was embossed with white embossing powder onto DP, the then sponged it with three different colour inks ranging from a mustard to dark brown.  I tore round the edges in a square and then sponged them until they were quite dark.

The top DP has been embossed with the Victoria EF and sponged around the edges with Distressing Ink.  The lower DP has been torn along the top edge and sponged.  These have been mounted onto creme CS.  The crosses from Gothic Crosses have been cut out with a circle punch and then coloured with chalks, adding some highlights with a Gold Gel Pen and then Kindy Glitz is lightly added to the leaves and circle - it has also been added to the emboss resist Fleur heart.  The circles have been popped up on Dimensionals.  Dew Drops have finished off the card.

This card is for the Stampin' for the Weekend Challenge which is now back after having to take a break for unexpected reasons - so hop on over there are show them some support - they are a great group of girls who bring us a fabulous challenge each week!!

I am excited to be able to share with you that Layers of Color is releasing 9 new sets of stamps very soon - and they are having their first Release Party - get your diaries out and mark it in - November 14 and 15.  It is so exciting - You know I love their stamps and find them such a pleasure to work with - these new sets will compliment the already exisiting ones, which is even better - so...keep watching this space and check back at Layers of Color between now and then!!

I am going to be working hard on cards for the Release Party, along with the other DT's, (it's a tough job but somebodies got to do it! LOL!) so please bear with me if my posts are not quite as regular...I will be doing my best to do work you can see, but may not be able to post each day - we will see - you know me - complusive!! LOL!

Thank you for stopping by and for your lovely comments - I love reading them and knowing that you have visited me.  God bless you!

All White

This card is for the Twisted Sister Challenge on SCS - these gals are such a special group of ladies and have become like a family to me - I love Fridays and look forward to our challenges.  We travel on a thread called 'The Old Broken Bus' and have a lot of laughs along the way, we have been known to shed a few tears, what a blessing these gals are...and we are not exclusive...anyone is welcome to play!!

This week our challenge is to make a card that is all white - NO SPONGING!!  NO COLOUR!!  The only exception is that we could have gold, silver or black on our sentiment......I am feeling pretty smug right now as I didn't even do that - no colour for me girls - it is ALL WHITE....except for one thing - the brads have a small bit of silver on them...which I supppose keeps me at the back of the bus for breaking the rulz - never mind I think I am being joined by a few others this week - I have caught glimpses of colour on some of the cards - not going to be lonely back there this week! LOL!

I used an embossed background, which I distressed and layered onto white CS, which I also distressed - if you can't have sponging you have to have texture and distressing!!  I added a strip of gorgeous whote lace which was given to me in a RAK from a dear sistah Sabrina (aka okimom2girlz) I save this for special cards, the layered flowers were also from Sabrina - she filled Craft Central with white - how blessed am I!!  I added butterflies which have been punched from embossed CS, these have been glued on and had small pearls added to their bodies - you would be surprised how these pearls made it 'pop!' 

The final touches were added with paper piercing around the word 'YOU' that I chose to use as a sentiment and pearls added to the right hand corners....very easy and not as challenging as I thought it would be for me - I think I am starting to get a bit used to working outside of my comfort zone!!

This card also fits the ABC Challenge where 'F is for flying!'
Flutter by Wednesday is open as long as it has a butterfly or fairy.
Thank you for stopping by, I am so appreciative of your comments - you bless me!!  It is Saturday night here and cool - we are all cosy inside...I am hoping to get another card or two done tonight once everyone goes to bed - I am a late night crafter...it is our 18th Wedding Anniversary tomorrow, I have made a card for DH but daren't post it until he is in bed as he drops by sometimes ('Hi Love!) and I do't want to spoil the surprise - so I will see you a little bit later!!  God bless you!

LOC Ornamental Reindeer

I have enjoyed making this Christmas Ornament card with the Layers of Color  set Reindeer Waltz

I used a Circle Cutter to cut the CS for both the ornament and the inside image of the reindeer. DP was also cut with the cutter and adhered to the large circle, with the embossed half being added to the bottom.  Trim was added across the join and a punched top was added ,with an eyelet and gold cord, so it could either be stood up as a card or hung as an ornament.

I embossed the reindeer with black Embossing Powder and sponged around the edges with Tim Holtz Distressing Ink and popped it up on dimensionals.

 

The circle are from the Fleur Heart set, coloured it with chalks and then used a small circle punch and made large faux brads with it.  I added Kaiser Half Bling and popped the faux brads up on dimensionals as well.

I love the vintage feel that has happened here and will definitely make some more of these.  The reindeer is perfect for making a quick project as the filagree look of it is enough on it's own without having to do much more - you have to love that!  If you haven't seen them already you can check out the gorgeous sets from Layers of Color here.

I have used the rich tones of autumn for inspiration for this card, keeping it monochromatic and using many tones of brown from golden to rustic this qualifies this card for two challenges:
The Pink Elephant and the Cuttlebug Spot

Thank you for stopping by and for your lovely comments, you make my day and I appreciate you taking the time - you are so very encouraging!  I love seeing that you have been.  God bless you!

Come and see...

 I could not resist showing you another beautiful animal that we saw at our children's school this week...this beautiful cockatoo was just sitting there eating, not at all phased by us being so close...he was eating and he was going to finish it!!  These birds are so beautiful and are regular visitors in our area....they can be seen by the dozen eating the native bush and greenery.  I just love seeing them.....birds bring me such pleasure!

 We have got bird feeders and bird baths in our yard as well as planting native bush to help feed the native birds that so freely come to visit - it beats seeing them on the television! LOL!  A visit from a colourful winged guest brings our house to a stand still, we all quietly make our way across to the window and watch and enjoy the spendor of it all, filled with wonder and delight!

Another local beauty - a Rosella, these come and feed from the native trees in our garden and sit in pairs in the trees around our yard - how beautiful are they.  They fill the air with their beautiful song - what a pleasure!!

My DH loves photography and has been taking the most amazing photos - I have found such inspiration there and will be using them as my inspiartion for cards along the way.  He has captured the beauty and 'heart' of where we live, I would love you to share in this beauty - you can find it here, his Blog is called Imagery of the Soul and will take your breath away!  This kind of  beauty cannot be reproduced, try as we may!!  No wonder artists look to nature for inspiration.

When my DD2 was 6, she came home from school and said rather profoundly one day, 'Mummy, some people believe that we came from monkeys and other people believe we came from a 'BIG BANG'...it takes more faith to believe that, than it does to believe in God - doesn't it!!?'  How true - out of the mouths of babes!!

While you are still here I thought I would sneak in this photo - this is our dog Molly - how adorable is she...when we got Molly she fitted into my hand, she is 9 years old and just gorgeous and does not fit into my hand anymore!!.  Animals are a big part of our lives - we have so many - and love each one of them...I will share some more another time!!

I will 'love you and leave you' - thank you for visiting today - I will be back later to post a card, but just wanted to share,  but just wanted to stop and 'share the moment' with you!  God bless you!!

LOC Beautiful Baby

I took great pleasure in making this card as it is Baby Loss Awareness Week and there are so many people who have had their lives changed by such a terrible loss - our family included, and it is in celebtration of those little lives that I made this card....I cannot take credit for the layout, I was inspired by this weeks Featured Stamper on SCS the lovely Chris Olsen (aka Glowbug) and what a pleasure it is to look through her gallery!  I cased this card.

What better set to use than the Layers of Color Flower Child set, I stamped the image into a Labels 1 Nestibilitie and coloured it with chalks, adding Kindy Glitz for that shimmer.  The edges have been sponged around with Distressing Ink. The frame was stamped in black and them sponged with Walnut Stain Distressing Ink (my favourite colour for sponging) and the sentiment, from PTI, is stamped in the Distressing Ink.  I cut a slot in each end of the frame and threaded the ribbon through.

The hearts are also from the Layers of Color Flower Child set, they have been stamped, cut out, coloured with chalks and layered into the Labels 1 Nestie which has been popped up on Dimensionals, as a result I have popped up the right hand side of the hearts with HALF a dimensional, a fiddly job BUT well worth the effort - I really like the result!

All DP's have been sponged (yes - with distressing ink!)  the lower panel has a row of lace added underneath where Chris has the border punch (thanks to Maxine aka Kiwime for the lace) with the final touch of Nail Bling.

This card is also for the Die cut Dreams Challenge which is focusing on Baby Loss Awareness Week - thank you Susie for the reminder!!  It is also for the Stampin' Sister s in Christ Challenge where we to be inspired by the scripture Jeremiah 1:5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you..." (NIV) and make a card with a Baby theme. 

What a perfect scripture for this week...God knows about every little life, whether we get to hold them or not - I so look forward to the day I see our little 'Tyler Aaron' who never heard with his ears that we loved him but certainly knew in his heart!  I thank God for the knowledge that he has gone from being my child to HIS child!!  I am so grateful for the three beautiful children we have been blessed with and celebrate them...every life is precious!

Thank you for coming by today and for your beautiful comments....today my heart is with those who are going through so much sadness and loss, whether it be recent or  in past years and I do pray that your hearts will find peace!  God bless you!

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!

LOC Fear Not!

I have always enjoyed combinging my faith and cardmaking, infact they are my favourite card to make.  I have a 'Faith Art' Gallery over at Layers of Color and try to add to it weekly.  This week I was having a number of 'flat days' and was feeling like nothing much was coming together when my DH advised me to go back to my beginnings and what I loved - so a faith based VINTAGE card soon took to back to card making with ideas flowing through my head at an alarming rate!

I used the Gothic Crosses set and Royal Birds, chalking them both and adding Kindy Glitz lightly to the wings of the dove.

This has been popped up on Dimensionals and attached to the left hand side of that fabulous scripture from Kathy (aka Wattle on SCS), which has been sponged around the edges and layered onto black CS.  Crochet lace fom Maxine (aka Kiwime on SCS)  is attached under the lower edge of the sentiment!  This is all adhere to a Scalloped Oval Nestie, which has had a light spray with Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist.

The DP has been emossed through the Cuttlebug and the edges sponged around with Distressing Ink and layered onto Black CS, leaving only a very fine border of black.  I stamped a Layers of Color image from the Old World Flourish set onto the Photo Corners and have decided I really like that look, it adds so much to the corners!  I also did some very light gold highlights with a Glitter Pen.

                        

Isn't it amazing what creating something can do for you - I felt so much better after making this card and taking onboard the truth in this scripture!  This passion of ours does wonders for one's heart - on so many levels!

Thank you for stopping by today and for the fabulous comments you leave me.  I get such a 'buzz' out of knowing you have been - if only we could be here at the same time IRL!!  I hope your day is filled with peace!!  God bless you!

EDIT: This card fits the Stamp Something Challenge Blog where you are to use brown and the Dirty Dozen Challenge this month for 'Winged Things'

Vintage Paris

I have felt like I am chasing my tail all day but somehow I have managed to catch up and even get the Inspiration Challenge on SCS done.  I love this site and was inspired by one of the small images that Stef chose -the one on the right!

This is a one layer card - very strange for me.  I started with patterned DP and stamped the Eiffel Tower in Distressing ink, followed that with embossing the floral image across it in bronze.  I then stamped the word 'Paris' and stamped off some french script onto it along with a couple of birds - it is very faint!!

The edge of the DP is torn and sponged with a strip of gold embossing underneath the torn edge...I finished off with a SU Die Cut Corner and three black half gems and some sponging in blue disressting ink.  This would have to be one of the quickest cards I have ever made and so different - I am not sure if I will get used to only one layer!!

Thank you for visiting and for the comments you leave - you are always so encouraging!!  I love knowing you have been!  It is Monday night here and everyone is winding down, I might even get some more crafting done - wahoo!  I hope you are having a great day!  God bless you!

For Shania!!

It is sheer joy to be able to make this card for our dear little friend and neighbour Shania who turns 4 tomorrow.  Some of you have heard me share Shania's story - she has had 4 Open Heart surgeries already in her little life and has sewn herself securley into the hearts of each member of our family!!  This is the first birthday she has had where she hasn't had a surgery - so is a big event!!

I haven't done a Magnolia for a while and this one is perfect as she is having  a 'Fairy Party', not to mention that Shania's Mum, Nat loves Magnolias!  I used the Our Creative Corner Sketch  for inspiration.  It also qualifies for the Creative Card Crew Challenge which is about Celebration AND for the Flutter by Wednesday which is only requiring a butterfly this week!  

I have chalked the image and added Kindy Glitz on the wings to give them that extra sparke.  The edges have been sponged and lace has been added along the left edge of the image.  Both the DP and the panel have been embossed and sponged and layered onto black CS.  Nail bling has been added , along with a sentiment and flower,  The sentiment is from PTI, the final touch is the added butterflies, with Nail Bling added.

Thank you for stopping by and for the very kind comments you leave - I look forward to seeing that you have been!  It is raining here and the kids first day back at school after a three week break - I am trying to catch up with a few things.....I hope your day is both relaxing and productive!!  God bless you!

Happy Birthday Julie!!

Today is our very dear friend Julie's birthday and I made this card JUST for her!!  I have personalised it in littleways and she will get a KICK out of it - or give me one! !

I dont know about you, but I love a good Sketch Challenge, it inspires me in different ways and helps define what I am going to do.  I was inspired by the Get Sketchy  Challenge this week - it worked so well with this Emerson gal!!  I love this image sent me me by the lovely Sharon (aka *Doris* on SCS)  Sharon stamped off quite a few different images for me and I am loving them - thanks Sharon!!

I used the DCWV paper La Creme - it is gorgeous and flocked.  I used a red water colour pencil to add the red to the flowers, so that it was that much brighter.  NOW, Julie is not one for BRIGHT and BOLD...she loves 'dirty' colours...so I have used these tones rather than the crisp back and white.  She IS a red girl ...hence the red.  The flowers have been layered and popped up on a Dimensional, with red bling added to the centre - just for Julie I added a 'dirty' red/pink flower! LOL! 

You can't have an Emerson without BLING 'coz they just scream attitude!!  So I have used Kindy Glitz on her eyelids - that was a challenge...can you see how small those things are!  Also coloured her earring and flower on her hat with a red Glitter Pen, along with the coffee mug - which has Dimensional Magic added - nice and glossy!  Now I know you are thinking - 'what was she thinking,  she messed up the lipstick' - well that is deliberate...not that Julie's is like that BUT how many of these older ladies do we see all blinged up and looking 'gawguss' with lipstick everywhere but on the lips - I fear it is a sign of getting older (or putting your makeup on while you are driving! LOL!)

Everything else is pretty self explanatory....I love the sentiment which is from a clear set my DD1 got me for my birthday last year - it is one of the sets I use the most....perfect with these Emersons!!

Well, there is nothing left to say except Happy Birthday Julie - may your day be as special as you are and may your lipstick always be on your lips!! LOL!  You ROCK Julie and make 100 look great!! LOL!  (Now I am in trouble!!)

Thanks for coming by and for the fabulous comments you leave me - I love seeing that you have been - I would miss you if you didn't come!!  It is Sunday morning here are Julie is coming for lunch...so I had better get it organised and serve it along with a good dose of 'HUMBLE PIE!!'  I hope you are having a great weekend!  God bless you!

A Child is Born

It is Saturday here and once again I am late for the Twisted Sister Challenge!  I tried to get this card done on time, but things just came up - this may come as a shock to you  BUT there is life outside card making - yes, take a deep breath - it is a hard concept to grasp, but every once and a while life needs our attention!! LOL!

Our challenge this week was to make a card that was a different shape, anything BUT a square or rectangle...so I came up with this...

I do have to add at this point that when I checked the TSC gallery this morning my dear sistah and friend Pat Smethers had already created this beauty...I nearly didn't continue but...who better than Pat to case!!  The reality is that Pat has been so generous to me and sent me RAK's that would 'blow your mind' - I probably own half her supplies anyway!! LOL!

I love this darling image sent to me by another SCS friend Jocelyn (aka JoBear2) I chalked it and added Kindy Glitz to the wings, also adding some gold highlights with a glitter pen, but as usual...they don't show up well.  The image has been popped up on Dimensionals.

I have taken these photos at night (as it is here!) and the colour isn't the best...close but not as vibrant as it should be BUT I didn't want to be any later...I don't want to break the rulz - they have already made me sit at the back of  'The Bus' and I don't want to be moved to the top with the 'naughty girls' - I don't like heights! LOL!

This card is also for the Pile It On Challenge with Three Dimensional being the theme!
Also Gingersnaps Creations where 'Bling is the Thing!'

Thanks for stopping by - and for your lovely comments, you make my day!!  I would hate to miss your visit!!  Have a great weekend!!  God bless you!

HHN09 Word

I am once again trying to catch up with the His Holy Name Challenge - where does the time go - it is just flying by at a scarey speed - a sign of the times I guess!  The Attribute of God for this challenge is The WORD.

Symbolism plays a big part in these cards for me...the DP represents The Word of God, although it is NOT from my Bible, there was no way I was ripping a page out of that...it is a Christian book that was falling apart so I am using it for DP.  I tore it and inked it with distressing ink.  Those gorgeous keys and lock are from Spellbinders - aren't they great...they too have been sponged with Distressing Ink.  The keys, to me, symbolise how Key the Word is...the book of John tells us that...'In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through Him, and nothing was created except through Him. ' John 1:1-3

How 'key' is His Word...God is in His Word - the Living Word...I just want to learn it and lock it securely in my heart, that I would know it and live it, therefore living a life honouring Him!!  What an ongoing challenge!!  John then goes on to tell us 'So the Word became human and made His home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen His glory, the glory of the Father's one and only Son.' 

How reassuring is this, it makes me sigh with relief with the knowledge that Jesus dwells among us as the Living Word of God, full of unfailing love and faithfulness, we can see Him in God's Word and know Him in our hearts.....safe with the knowledge that He is the same yesterday, today and forever...I am relieved  and so grateful that God has made a way for us! He has thought of everything! PHEW!  With this knowledge comes a responsibility to live

I have layered these onto embossed CS which was been distressed and sponged and layered into another Nestie from Kathy (aka Wattle)  this too has been sponged.  Three brads have been added and these always symbolise the Trinity on these cards...this scripture in John helps us understand the Trinity and the simplicity and complexity it has, it also reveals the power of it just that much more too!

I have also been inspired by Mercy's Tuesday Sketch Challenge for this card - this is the second card I have made for this challenge, I love the layout and it works so well for this.
As my keys and lock are 3D it also qualifies it for the Pile it On Challenge this week!

Thank you for stopping by and for your encouraging comments.  I love knowing that you have been - it makes my day.  God bless you!

LOC And I Love You

today it would have been my Father's 70 th birthday...and I am celebrtating his life!  The theme for this weeks Creative Card Crew is CELEBRATION, so in a different kind of way, this fits.  This year it was the ninth anniversary of my Father's passing away and I wanted to do something special in his memory. this photo is of him when he was 18 years old and he was dating my Mum. I have always loved this photo and decided to use it for a Layout.

I have discovered I like using DP for Layouts rather than start with a blank page. I chose this Stampin' Up one and went from there! I used the Layers of Color  Garden Borders stamp to made a border panel, I stamped this three times and coloured it with chalks and lightly added Kindy Glitz (I bet you knew I was going to say that!! LOL) It was then sponged around the edges and layered it on to torn black CS. I then added some Tim Holtz Grunge Board which had been inked with Tim Holtz Distressing Inks - I have to say, I am a Tim Holtz fan, his stuff is amazing!! I used old gold brads to attach these hinges.

The photo is layered onto white CS and sponged around the edges with Distressing Ink, I have used the top part of a spiral water colour pad to give a vintage look and feel - I love this effect and will be keeping my eyes open for more! The sentiment is typed on the computer, cut around and then inked with the distressing ink. The crosses are from the Layers of Color Gothic Crosses set.

There was something lacking but I didn't want to fill the page up anymore, I wanted it to reflect my Dad as well and he was not all about frills and 'fancy smancy', he was a 'mans man' so I decided to tear the DP in a couple of places and ink the torn edges, adding another DP underneath! I love this effect. The underneath DP has also been stamped with an image from the Layers of Color set Happy Birdday

It has been with mixed feelings that I made this page - we have talked about Dad a lot this year, especially with my Mum and sister being here. You know, even as adults we just don't think we will ever lose a parent, but no one is bullet proof and we do lose loved ones - so make sure you tell those you love that you love them - how sad would it be to have regrets! The last time I talked with my Dad was Fathers Day - which is the first Sunday in September here - and the last words I said to him were 'I love you Dad!' AND I DO - always!!

Thank you for looking and for the fabulous comments you leave me - I appreciate each one and love knowing that you have been - it makes my day! Don't forget - spread a little love around, especially to your 'nearest and dearest! God bless you!

For the Girls

How could I resist combining these two sketches this week....the Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge which is all in pink for the great cause of Breast Cancer Awareness and Mercy's Tuesday Sketch Challenge for this week....amazingly enough both of these sketches are hosted by the lovely Silke Ledlow - and don't we just love Silke!!  Silke has become such a dear crafting friend to so many of us and is always encouraging in her comments and totally inspiring with her work - congratulations Silke on hosting both of these challenges this week - I have had so much fun combining them!

It is also for the Crafty Creations Challenge this week, the theme being 'All Shades of Pale." and the Pile it On Challenge where it is all Three Dimensional!

I have used this gorgeous set from Crafty Secrets, it was the first Blog Candy that I won, from none other than Judy (Joy in a Jar) I love this set and am so happy to have a chance to ink it up!  I have stuck to the pink theme with just the tinest bit of sponging (I couldn't help myself - I am a self confessed sponging addict! LOL!)

The embossed layer is done with the paisley embossing folder (thank you Hannah aka bubblefrog!) and has been distressed and sponged with distressing ink.  The circular DP is from some DP I won from Steph - who is always giving away 'stash!' I cut the pink ribbon out and used 3D foam tape to 'pop it up' All of the edges have been sponged (of course)

Both the image and the sentiment sqaure have been layered onto pink CS and popped up on foam dots then adhere to white embossed CS which has been distressed and sponged.  The word 'HOPE' has been stamped a second time and cut out, raised up on the foam dots and coloured with pink, to empasise the word HOPE!  I have changed one thing - the pearls are at the oppposite end of the image than in the sketch - just ran out of room!!

Thank you for looking and for your very kind comments.  It is always moving for me to make a card with this Cause in mind - our lives have all been 'touched' in one way or another by knowing someone close who has been touched by this disease!!  Public Awareness is a HUGE step forward!!  God bless you!

MMSC22 Gurlee Girl

Yay it is Tuesday  and you know what 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 - my stamps arrived at the end of last week and I have just loved using them!  Here is this weeks sketch for the challenge.

The Monthly Sponsor for October is:

Gurlee Girl Designs

THE WEEKLY BONUS SPONSOR THIS WEEK IS.....
 the wonderful Simon Says Stamp sponsoring us for our weekly Bonus prize for MMSC22

www.SimonSaysStamp.com

Want an extra entry to win a $25 voucher from Simon Says Stamp???

For an extra entry to win a $25 voucher here is what you have to do....For the MMSC22 "PLAYERS" this week, all you have to do is add the "BLOG HOP LOGO" (seen above and on the top of the MMSC side bar) to your side bar. When you add your project to Mr Linky this week enter two times….ONE with a direct link to your card and the OTHER ONE to either your main blog address or a Special Post about our upcoming Blog Hop. BUT in order to qualify with the second entry on Mr. Linky, the logo HAS to be on the SIDE BAR with a link back to the MM blog. Reminder....(a "direct" link normally starts with http and ends with html) If you have any questions about this just shoot Priscilla an email at heatonup@verizon.net We are hoping you will help us spread the word about our blog hop and in return you will get an extra entry for this weeks Bonus prize.... Sweeeeet Deal!!!!

This week is my first week using the gorgeous Gurlee Girl Stamps by Chelsea - how cute are they, it just makes me want to SQUEEZE these girls, they remind me so much of my girls when they were little!!  I chose 'Lexi' and coloured her with chalks, cutting her out and popping her up on 3D foam dots onto an embossed panel, which has been sponged with Tim Holtz Distressing Ink.

My second layer is a paint chip from the local hardware - don't you just love recycling!!  I have distressed the edges of this.  My DP is from a fabulous DCWV Pad....all fun, funky and bright!!  It actually has heaps of shimmer but this is always lost when photographed!  The angled photo shows it a bit better!

I thought you might like to see all of the dimension going on here - hence the close up!  I have sponged around the DP and adhered it to white CS, which in turn has been layered onto pink CS!  I have used sponged embossed photo corners as embellishments and added nail bling to them.

 Butterflies have been sponged and added, again Nail Bling is used.  The larger butterfly has some gold chalked onto it for some variation in colour - my DH suggested it and I nearly reeled in horror, but he has a great eye for colours so I tried it - and it looks great - adds so much warmth!!  Amazing what such a little touch can add!

Flowers have been sponged and layered, with a silver centre added, finishing off the card nicely!!  So what do you think - aren't these Gurlee Girls gorgeous - I can't wait to get another one done!!

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

http://priscillastyles.blogspot.com/

The count down Is on!!! Just a couple more weeks till the Prowling at the 1st Midnight Madness Blog Hop!! We hope you are getting excited about our blog hop. Exciting times are ahead for all of us. 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....... 25 prizes to be exact.

One Grand Prize random drawing

350th Brand New Sketch Player SPECIAL Prize

13 "Cards from the Crypt" (picked by our very own DT members from the MMSC archives)

10 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 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!

LOC All Creatures Great & Small

How could I go past this gorgeous happy elephant when creating a card for the Stampin' Sisters in Christ challenge for this week, which is all about rejoicing!!   I love this Layers of Color elephant, you can find him here along with some other gorgeous images in the Polka Dot Parade set.  He has been coloured with chalks and had silver glitter pen added to the spots.

The edges of the image have been sponged around with distressing ink and layered onto black CS.  I added flourishes from the Layers of Color Old World Flourishes set to two corners.  The gorgeous Stampin' Up DP has been embossed and also inked with Distressing Ink, layered into black textured DP. 

These gorgeous flowers are the perfect shade of red for this card.  I have layered the centre one and added a button from my stash.  The red ones have those beautiful sparkling centres that came in a very generous RAK from Sabrina (aka okimom2girlz) The sentiment is from a Hostess set from Stampin' Up, 'So Many Sayings' and is cut out with the Slot Window Punch and layered onto the same textured black CS.  Nail Bling is the final touch!

Being a Christmas Card it also qualifies for the Creative Inspiration Challenge and the Winter Wonderland Challenge - don't you just love it when you can combine challenges!!  I also love using non traditional images, the Word of God tells us that ALL CREATION will praise Him - what better time than when we celebrate the birth of our King!!

Thank you for looking and for your wonderful comments, you bless me - you know I love seeing that you have been!!  Don't forget to check out Layers of Color to see their gorgeous stamps!  God bless you!