MMSC37 A 'Little' Something....

Are you ready for this weeks Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge - I look forward to the new sketch each week. I thought I would do something different this week and made a MASCULINE card - I am always short of these and this weeks sketch seemed to work well with the 'dreaded' man card!  I love this image that I received in a RAK from my Australian Stamping Friend Jocelyn (JoBear2) - my kids would all like a car like this - very K-O-O-L!!

The image is coloured with Chalks and a Blender Pen, I have added Dimensional Magic to the windows and headlights to make them look like glass.  The corners of the image have been paper pierced and layered into blue CS. The embellishments on the left side of the card are two screw brads with silver cord running between them - this little 'look' took forever, that silver cord is fiddly stuff - has anyone else found this or is it just me!?!  I love the finish and that is what counts isn't it - 'no pain no gain' - or so they say! LOL!

 The silver panels are recycled crossiant trays and I would like to thank my lovely family for providing these so willingly for me - if only they are that keep when it comes to other household activities - LOL!  They have been run through the Cuttblebug (the crossiant trays NOT the family! LOL) using the Distressed Stripes embossing folder, again I have used paper piercing on these panels.

Now, enough about me - here is what you are really waiting for, this weeks fabulous sketch!

Our Gold Star Winner for MMSC36 is:

#40 Nancy Brown

and the Remarkables Awards go to:

#2 Jakester

 #18 Iris

#65 Mary Lou

I would like to take this opportunity to thank our very generous sponsors, if you get a minute make sure you use it wisely and pop over to their sites and have a look at all they have available!

Our Monthly Sponsor:

D'Amour Allure

and our Weekly Sponsor

Sweet Scrap Deal.com

Thank you for visiting with me and for all of your encouraging comments and support - you make blogging suc a pleasure.  I love your company and look forward to more friendships and time spent together through blogging - where would we be without the Internet - ahhhh - perish the thought!! LOL!  Don't forget to call over to the Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge this week it is as Easy as 1-2-3 to play along  and this week Priscilla is offering 'Your Choice' with the sketch this week, make sure you check it out!! !!  I look forward to looking at all of the cards that are made for our sketches - you inspire me!!

I am linking this to the Die cuts Dreams Challenge - Recycle It

Crafty Creations Challenge - Texture

Have a great day - God bless you!!

LOC Blue Bird

Hello to you all - this is one very quick post tonight, which is quite something for me! LOL!  I have been up late every night this past week, getting to bed around 1am and back up around 6:30am and I am feeling it tonight - so I am quickly linking this card to the Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge where we are using a sketch designed by the lovely Silke Ledlow.  This is my second card with this sketch - I really enjoyed using it - thanks Silke for the inspiration!

I have used one of the Layers of Color New Release sets Backyard Birds, colouring it with Chalks and a blender pen - adding Kindy Glitz lightly to the wings and tail...you ca see the shimmer better in the close up photo, which has been taken inside tonight - not such a good photo, but still gives you an idea of what is 'going on' with this card!

I used the embossing folder Forest Branches for the panels and sponged then with Distressing Ink and then popped up on 3D foam Dots for that added dimension.  The background DP  along with the underneath strip, is flocked and gorgeous - it is part of a bundle of amazng textured DP's I got for Christmas from a dear stamping friend and sister.  I paper pireced around the circle and added a small layered flower and punched branches to the top of the circle and some small black gems to the botton,

Crochet lace from  my stash has been added to the sides of the embossed panels and I have finished off with a bow using my Bow-Easy and added a black jewelled stud in the the centre.

It is now morning and I am linking this card to the following challenges - I may have linked it worinlgt last night! LOL!

Charisma Cards - Anything New - a New Release stamp and my DP is new

Crafty Cardmakers - What's New?

2 RedBanana's Challenge - Think Round

Crafty Creations - Texture - Flocked DP, lace and 3d Bird with Kindy Glitz

Our Creative Corner - Colour Challenge

Die cut Dreams - Recycle It - the Lace is recycled

Well that is it from me today - I told you it would be quick - BUT just to prepare you - I will be back tomorrow with this week's Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge - be sure to check it you tomorrow, the Design Team always have something amazing to inspire you!

I hope you have had a great weekend and are refreshed and ready to 'LIVE OUT LOUD' this week!  God bless you!

LOC Butterfly Pendant

Another late night post for me today - I have been wanting to get this project posted much earlier but you know how it is one thing leads to another and before you know it - time has gone and it is another late night - not that I am complaining - tonight one of our friends, Jack, called in and had a CARTON of things for me - he has been sorting through some things and thought I would like them for card makiing - some of them being some very old Hymnals, one of them as old as 1902 - I gave that one back to him as it was in such great condition I could not have used pages from it..this pendant is sitting on one of them this one is from 1931!

I am really enjoying the Altered Art side of things with Layers of Color, infact if you check out the Layers of Color Blog here you will see that 'Grand Opening' of my Altered Art Gallery - how amazing it was for me to wake up to this post - thank you Laura...for this great opportunity - I look at these projects and am amazed that I am 'going there' with my art...who would have thought!!  I am pleasantly surprised at the way this passion of mine is evolving and fine tuning....I remain totally addicted!

I used a glass circle that Laura sent to me along with some other COOL supplies, I had admired her work with them in her Layers of Color gallery...I used the Butterfly Collector art stamp set and coloured it with chalks addng some shimmer with glitter pens and Kindy glitz. 

I used glue to attach the image to the glass and then added some braid that I have had collected along the way, I think it had been used for upholstery,  I glued this around the edge of the glass and then added some fine silver ribbon, that I have glued and then stitched at the top, threading it through a silver bead.

I then added some beads and stitched them to the bottom of the pendant to finish it off.  The only thing left to do is find the perefct place for it - that will not be a problem!!

I am linking this project to the Flutter by Wednesday Challenge which must have a butterfly, angle or fairy.

Also the Inspiration Challenge on SCS this week, I was inspired by these Botanical Prints.

I also had a great time today when my SCS friend Michelle (aka happylittlestamper) rang and said she was coming over today - we spent a few hours together and had a great time - even managed to get a bit of 'stamping off' done!!  Thanks Michelle for making the time - don't you love it when you can get together with friends - a perfect day!!

Thank you for taking the time to visit today and for those lovely comments - you are always so encouraging, I love seeing that you have been!  My Saturday is coming to an end and it is just starting for many of you - have a great day!  God bless you!

LOC Heart of Love...

Today's post is for a number of challenges, each of the significant in themselves the first being the Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge which is a sketch from every stamper's friend, Silke Ledlow...I have used 'artistic licence' and used the Fleur Heart from Layers of Color in place of the circle in Silke's Sketch.  It is also for the Flourishes 'Feel the Love' Challenge to win their New Release sets - and they are fabulous!

Over at Stampin' Sisters in Christ Challenge the scripture for this week is:

Hosea 6:1 "Come, let us return to the Lord. He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us; he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds."

The challenge is to make the broken look beautiful...create a mosaic, or tear apart and stitch back together. In some way have your image look broken and repaired, hence the torn mosaic looking panels on the sketch!

Last but definitely not least the Twisted Sisters Challenge is to make a card for a significant holiday.  I could not resist World Reglion Day...As I was making this card I was thinking about all of the religions and how each one feels that they serve the ONE TRUE god, but you know the thing that defines Christianity is that every other religion is man's search for God, Christianity is the only religion that God reaches down to man - how amazing is that - I love that about our God - I am so grateful that He reached down to me!  He certainly took the broken pieces of my life and made something beautiful (in His eyes) out of them!

I felt it was only fitting to combine all of these challenges as the are all interlinked - LOVE being the common thread - the love of God - the most POWERFUL thread!

Once again it is 1am and I am still sitting here, way too late, so I had better finish here and make my way to bed, especially as I get up early - sleep - who needs it - it is totally underated! LOL!!

Thank you for taking the time to come by and for those lovely comments you leave me - they mean so much to me, I love knowing that you have been - thank you!  God bless YOU!  {{{hugs}}}

Altered Art

Today I thought I would show you a something that I have made other than a card - you know I love making the cards, but have been dabbling a bit at the 'Altered Art' side of things.  This journal that I covered for my eldest daughter.  She loves her music and loves to draw, so we though a journal would be a good thing to put in her stocking at Christmas.  After hours of looking for something appropriate, I had the 'revelation' that I could cover one - sounds easy - well it is NOT.  My DD! ia not at all a 'girly girl' and makes it very known.  When I said to her that I was going to work on something special her reponse is 'Oh, is it hand made!?"  So I have gathered that 'handmade' is not her 'thing' which is fair enough...but I was determined that I could do something she would like!

So out come the Tim Hotlz Grungeboard and the Glimmer Mist. Don't you LOVE Grungeboard, it is the most amazing stuff.  I love the way the Glimmer Mist looks on it too - perfect for this 'non girlie' feminine journal!  Along with some tearing and sponging it was all coming together nicely!

 I found these great DP's that were given to me by my stamping friend Hannah (aka bubblefrog) and the colours were perfect.  I stamped the music onto some of the DP - the music stamp was given to me by another dear stamping friend, Melinda (aka Melinda80).

The name was stamped and cut out using a punch and then sponged around and added in half circle to finish it off.  So there you have it - what do you think!?  Well more importantly I should tell you that my DD2 opened it and had a good look before saying anything and then turned to me and and asked "Did you make this Mum?' When I told her I did, she answered 'KOOL!!' Phew!!

This is for the Creative Inspirations Challenge - Distressing - it is everywhere on this - not to mention how distressed I was at my DD's comment about HANDMADE!! LOL!
Creative Card Crew Challenge - Distressing
Cupcake Craft Challenges - Going Girly.  Now, this is still girly don't you think, just not 'Girly Girl' HUGE difference in my house!
Crafty Angels Challenge  - Can you feel it!?!?  Grungeboard - texture galore!!
Cute Card Thursday - All New - this journal has a whole new look - so it qualifies for sure!
The Corrosive Challenge Blog - Distressing

Thanks for stopping in and for your lovely comment, you know it makes me day to see you have visited with me!!  God bless you!

MMSC36 Victorian Style

Hello everyone - I am excited that it is the Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge today - I hope you have been enjoying these sketches as much as I have...this week is especially good for me as our sponsor is one of our own DT Jeni of  D'Amour Allure.  Jeni sent me this gorgeous stamp, Estella and I have to say she is a pleasure to work with!

I embossed the image with black embossing powder and coloured her with my 'trusty' chalks and blender pen.  After cutting her out I popped her up on foam dots and attached her to the distressed and sponged DP, which is backed with white CS.  The background panels are all distressed and sponged to add to the vintage feel of the card.  Black brads and the layered sponged flowers are added and the finishing touches are the gorgeous vintage corners which are part of a RAK sent to me by my Mum - Lesley (aka SuperNan) They were just thr right colour - so thanks Mum

So let's see the sketch and what YOU can do with it.  Some of you may have noticed that Priscilla is giving  you all a 'Sneak Peak' of the following weeks challenge on the Friday beforehand, to make it easier for all of you busy stampers - so c'mon let's get moving and show us your cards - I love to visit you and see your 'works of the heart' you inspire me so much!!  Thank you!.

Our Gold Star Winner is:

#86 Iris

Our Remarkables Awards go to:

#59 Jennifer

#81 Rosette

A BIG thank you to our Sponsors for this month:

D'Amour Allure

and

Our Weekly Sponsor:

Bunny Zoe Crafts

Thanks for taking the time to stop by today and for all of the support and encouragement you give me - YOU ARE THE BEST!!  I love seeing that you have been and am trying to get across to your Blogs more frequently and see your creations too!  Have a great day and don't for get to check out this week's Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge!!  God bless you!

Edit:  I am adding a link to my tutorial on Chalking,  I have had a number of comments and questions about it both here and on SCS -  you can find the tutorial by clicking here -  don't forget to let me know when you use it, I would love to come and see your work!!  Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions and I will do my best to help you!!  Thank you, you so have been so encouraging!  

FTTC48 Sweet Flourishes

Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge is among my favourite Challenges and sadly I have missed a few lately BUT am happy to have been able to play along this week, even if it was after midnight last night.  For some reason it was hard to sleep - perhaps the heat or maybe the caffiene a bit late at night - who knows but I used the time for this card.

I used one of the images I won at from the Flourishes New Releases last year.  These Sweet Peas are gorgeous and I love colouring them.  We have been challenged by Makita to use yellow and black, along with one other colour - can you guess what my 'other colour' is - yes - you guess it - GREEN!  I coloured this image with Watercolour pens and could not get the depth of colour in the yellow so I had no choice to reach for...my chalks - and what a difference they have made - the yellow is so much brighter!

The image has been cut out and layered onto black CS.  An embossed panel has also been sponged and backed with black CS, a strip of black and white gingham ribbon and a sentiment added, finishing off with black gems.  I think the colouring took longer than the rest of the card, but who doesn't love colouring - so therpeutic!!

This is also for the Crazy 4 Challenges which is all about birthdays this week - the sentiment on the inside says '...on your birthday'
Also Stamping Royalty which is birthday themed.

Thank you for coming by and for taking the time to make your encouraging comments - you make my day - you know I love seeing that you have been.  This is not my only post today, I will be back later with my Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge card for this week - I would love to see you play along, pop over and check it out - it is as 'Easy as 1-2-3' to play along and we are even giving SNEAK PEEKS of the next challenge - to make it easier for busy stampers to play.  God bless you! 

ODBDC0110 Grace Abounds

It is HOT here again today - 38 degrees Celsuis - quite a contrast to the weather some of you are experiencing!  I hope you are all staying snug and warm, while I try and cool off with the 'air conditioning' on!  How exciting to be able to play along with Our Daily Bread Designs first Challenge as a Member of Splitcoast...this week we are to use brown and punches - or Nesties!!  How easy is that!!  I have used these ODBD images that have been sent to me in a RAK and how I love them, you know how it is you always see them on other peoples cards and think how lovely they look, but I have to tell you, I am a ODBD convert now - I loved using them. 

The image was coloured with Chalks and a Blender Pen, cut out and popped up onto the embossed DP with foam dots.  I added a little bit of Kindy Glitz to give the waterlily a bit of sparkle, but in true form it is hard to capture on camera - this close up shows it better.

I have used for Bow-Easy for the second time and if it was up to me after today's experience, I would call it the Bow-Not-So-Easy, but this is because of me NOT this great product! LOL!  I used this gorgeous ribbon that is part of a RAK from Sabrina (aka okimom2girlz) and stitched a button through the centre, then stuck a pearl to the centre.  Now I have to tell you that I LOVE bows on cards but am not really a 'bows' girl - but am slowly making the transition...so look at this one through 'squinty eyes' so you don't see the faults with it! LOL!

You know I love the faith based challenges and this is no exception!  To be able to share our passion for God with our passion for paper is so inspiring and motivating for me.  I love it that sentiments are readily available through companies such as Our Daily Bread Designs - what a blessing to be able to share our 'works of the heart' with just the right scripture or sentiment!

I used the Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge for this card....how could I resist! (hello girlz!! LOL!)!  This weeks sketch was a good one for cards like this - you still have time to play along, Priscilla is even giving 'Sneak Peeks' for next weeks challenge - does it get any better than that - more time to play - wahoo!

The Ways to Use It Challenge over on SCS is all about using new things - well, these images are new to me, as is the ribbon - oh and the gorgeous button was part of a RAK from me dear friend Pam (aka pam124)  Lots of new things for me!!

The Kitchen Sink Challenge  - A Stitch in Time....hey, I sewed that button on pretty securely - that is the most sewing I have done in ages! LOL!

Thanks for coming by and for those encouraging comments you leave me - you know I LOVE to know that you have been!   God bless you!!

LOC Birdsong Box

This weeks Twisted Sister Challenge was to make a box - not something I do too often. I have actually had this box sitting around for a while and have not been happy with the way it looked (B-O-R-I-N-G!) so decided that it was time to do something about it. I was also inspired by this weeks Inspiration Challenge on SCS, by this canvas:

I added lace around the lower edges of the lid and then a strip of ribbon and a bow. The layered Kaiser flowers have been sponged around the edges and popped up on foam dots to give them a bit of dimension, they are held together by a large brad.

The MS Branches have been added under the flowers and one of the Layers of Color bird from the Royal Birds art stamp set sponged and popped up on top of the box. Now I am happy with this box and am even happier to have it out of the UFO (unfinished objects) pile!!

I am linking this to the Our Creative Corner Challenge where it is all about 3D.

Thank you for looking and for your encouraging comments - you always make my day! I love knowing that you have been.  Now to find a use for this box - I realise now why I don't make too many of these things...LOL!  I am sure I will find something - even use it as a gift box - what do you think!?  God Bless You! ,

Love is in the Air

Hello everyone.  I have been trying to get this card finished for a few days now and you know how it is, something always comes up (like midnight!! LOL!)  that keeps me from finishing it - but today I just let everything else slide and completed it!  It has been ages since I have made a Magnolia card, I am just slipping into the Magnolia Down Under Challenge and MojoMonday.

The MojoMonday sketch was perfect to use with Tilda, I love all of the layers involved.  The Magnolia Down Under Challenge are asking us to use our stamps differently - this Tilda had a Merry Christmas banner, so I used heart brads over the banner and now it would be great as a Valentine card or to send someone and let them know they are loved.

Tilda has been coloured with Chalks (no surprises there, you know I LOVE my chalks) using a blender pen and popped up onto the DP with foam dots.  All edges on the card have been sponged (of course! LOL)  The beautiful lace is part of a RAK I was sent from my friend Maxine (aka Kiwime) and fits perfectly with this themed card.  I finished off with black gems. 

So there you have it - I an thinking that this would be one of my favourite colour combinations, it always seems to work so well, no matter what the card!

I am also linking this card to the ABC Challenge where L is for  layering.

Everybody Art Challenge - favourite colour combo.

Roses on Paper - favourite medium - Chalks & Distressing Ink

  Thanks for coming by and for your encouraging comments - you know I love to see that you have called in!  It is Saturday afternoon here and HOT - we are all 'chilling out' inside with the air conditioner on...much nicer! LOL!  I hope you are having a great day and manage to 'chill out' too!  God bless you!

LOC Say It With Flowers

I have been playing around with images that I have not used as much as I have wanted to and this gorgeous Renaissance Heart from Layers of Colors is one of them.  This gorgeous heart is so pretty and is great to use for a quick card.

 I have stamped it onto white CS and coloured with chalks, using a Blender and added some Kindy Glitz lightly to the top of the flowers, you can just see it in the photos.  The image has been cut around and popped up on foam dots onto embossed panels, that have been layered onto black CS.  I really like the Argyle folder for this card, normally I would use something more decorative but wanted to make it a bit more ;formal.'

I have used swirls that I have had cut for at least a year and have sat on my desk in a 'click bag.'  I am slowly getting the desk clear (phew!) A red rose has been added, I won this rose in Blog Candy and love the dimension it has!

Finally I stamped the sentiment and cut it out with my Oval and Scalloped Nesties.  I was wishing I had an oval and scalloped oval punch and then the 'penny dropped' - I do have them - Nesties...I need to think on a broader scale!! LOL!  Three small black pearls have been placed on either side of the sentiment, as usual all edges have been sponged with distressing ink!

I am linking ths to the ABC Challenge - L is for Layering

Tracey Hanshaw's Card Challenge

Pile It On #30 - Crystal Clear

Corrosive card Challenge - Use 2 Favourite Things - Chalks & Embossing

Crafty Angel - Recycle - The embossing CS is recycled

One Stop Card Challenge - Something beginning with B - Bling -Gems and Kindy Glitz

So what do you think - I am happy with the end result, I am definitely going to have to use this image more often - bring on the challenges with hearts on them!! LOL!  Thank you for stopping in and for your lovely comments.  you KNOW I love to see you have been - it makes my day!  I hope you are having a great day, even managing to have some 'YOU' time!  God bless you!!

MMTPT75 Flown Economy Lately!?!

Who doesn't love a good Western!?! Well all the gals at this weeks MotherMark's TeaParty have got their 'boots on' and scooted over there pretty quick - . We're off to Dodge City as Miss Kitty is having a little 'man trouble ' and we aim to bring her a new man - Matt Dillon has taken way too long to make an 'honest woman' of her.

Being partial to the odd western I eagerly got out my images and DP (compliments of sistah Pat Smethers) and started on my journey - well let me ask you - have you travelled economy lately - I don't care how many 'horse power' they say those engines have, but in the economy section, sitting in one of their 'streamlined' seats is equivalent to riding in a rodeo - in my opinion....just like the one on this card - what is with that!?! LOL!

I could not resist using this image - my eyes have been inundated with the sight of the WWW Man and 'cowboy butts' but I have to say that none of them compare with the 'Part'n'er' that I have right here at home with me...so I wasn't even going to go there...instead I just plodded along chalking, distressing and embellishing, slowly making my way to the scene of this week's TeaParty.....I have to tell you,  I nearly tripped myself up with 'that there twine' and hardware - with so many distractions I had to stay really focused with this one!

Now girls....keep your eyes on the task at hand - it is Miss Kitty that we are finding a man for....although personally I thnk Matt Dillon is worth hanging in there for - he is 'da Man'  so honey...a little more 'powder and paint' and maybe a bit more of the 'home cooking' to fatten him up so he can't even get onto his horse and you are half way there!! LOL!

This is also for the Creative Card Crew Challenge for distressing.
Also the ABC Challenge for layering
One Stop Craft Challenge  - Something beginning with B - Bronco of course!
Craftycard Makers - our favourite things - chalks of course - love them for colouring everything and have used them on this image to highlight the horse and swirls!!  They are a very 'kind' medium...love them!!

Thanks for looking and for your encouraging comments - you make my day....oh and my hint of the day - put away a few dollars each week so you can go First Class when you travel - this economy thing is over rated - I certainly never met my 'Mat Dillon' on any flight, but sure did come across plenty of 'Festus Haggin' and 'Drunken Dan' types - skeery!!  LOL!  Keep a look out for me girls - I am on my way - yeehaa!!  God bless you!