National Treasures...

No card today as it as we headed off to do the 'Tourist' thing at Gold Creek Village and saw Cockington Green, which is a miniature English and International Village - so much to see!! My sister Debbie took the traditional tourist photos, but I thought I would share the treasures that I found....starting with the Kangaroo and Emu - and those 'gorgeous gals' of course (me, Mum (Lesley) and my sister, Debbie. ) Just as a matter of interested - do you know why the Kangaroo and Emu are the National birds for Australia - they can't go backwards....they have to move forwards all of the time!

Melinda (aka Melinda80) was also with us, so we had to do the 'Tourist Thing' and get our photos taken with these two as well! Melinda was so patient...I know she was busting to get to the Craft Shop....thank you Melinda - You are such a patient person and so thoughtful!

I could not believe my eyes the first time I came here, so just had to find these gorgeous 'sights' to show you - am I the only one who notices these things!?!? This 'flasher' was right next to a Church where a Wedding was about to start - how funny!!

There was so much to see - especially at the Craft Shop we went to afterwards -'Wrapped', where we banged into Michelle (happylittlestamper on SCS) We had to buy a few 'essentials' of course , but we won't go there!!?! LOL We did have to have a chuckle at this photo...a professional shopper in training if I ever saw one!! I did actually put this photo in, so you could see the scale of the buildings - they are incredible!

So there you have it - a few highlights from our day...I will be back tomorrow with a post for you...I do appreciate you stopping by - have a great day! God bless you!

Good Friends

I love this High Hopes Image that I was sent many months ago by my Twisted Sister Darla Ryan. He was just so 'squeezable!' I have used this weeks Sketch from Crazy 4 Challenges...as my inspiration. It is only new and if you haven't been there yet - you can check it out here!

I used DP that I won in a Blog Candy from Tracey, cut it onto the squares, although on my card shape it is rectangles. I layered it onto black CS, which in turn has been layered onto the green card. The image is coloured with chalks and backed with back CS. I have added a circular sentiment, which has also been coloured with chalks and had Dimensional Magic added to the centre. Photo corners have been added and the card finished off with little black button brads.

Thank you for looking and for your comments, you are always so lovely, I love to see that you have been! It has been busy here...DH and I went shopping today with Mum and Deb...funnily enough we left the Factory Outlets without buying too much and found a gorgeous housewares boutique called '1825' - outside the boutique DH whispered in my ear 'we're only window shopping aren't we!?' to which I agreed...we walk out with a number of bargains...none brought by me!! Why?!? I am saving up for Thursday when we do to the other side of Canberra and on the way stop by a gorgeous Craft and Stamping store - yay!! I hope you are all having a great week! God bless you!

Old Fashioned Love

I am just squeezing in with this week's Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge. I have my family here from New Zealand and am doing a bit here and a bit here, trying to keep up with everything, so this may not be the only challenge I am just making it for.

I have used my newest Layers of Color Set Renaissance Hearts. I embossed the image with black and coloured with SU Chalks/Pastels and a Blender Pen then cut it out with the large Oval and Scalloped Oval and sponged around the edges of the oval with distressing ink. The edges of the DP has also been sponged around, embossed with the Cuttlebug Embossing Folder - Stylised Flowers, and layered into the CS, torn inked corners have been added to opposite corners.

I added eyelets down each side of the image and threaded through some chiffon ribbon, corset style, adding an eyelet to the top of the image and adding a lock and chiffon ribbon. Finally I cut a sponged punched tag in two, adding it to each end of the image and added 3 copper pearls to each and there you have it!

I love the Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge and look forward to it each week, it always brings something that makes me think 'outside the square' and that is always a good thing!!

Thank you for looking and for you encouraging comments - I love knowing that you have visited!! I am relieved to have this finished, tomorrow we are heading out to 'shop 'til we drop' going to the Direct Factory Outlets...I don't know about you, but I am not a great shopper, I just like to 'get in there' get what I want and GET OUT - unless of course it is a Craft Shop...then I could spend hours - I guess it comes down to priorities. I am happy to be taking my Mum and sister though....when I have had enough, just point me to a Coffee Shop and met me there after you've finished! I will see you soon - God bless you!

Family Time!!

Finally, after 6 long months of waiting my birthday present arrived - yes....in the form of my Mother (front right) and my younger sister (third from the left) at 11 :30 this morning. It has been 5 years since the kids saw their Nana and 9 years since they have seen their Auntie - so today is exciting on so many levels.

DD2 had made a sign welcoming them and we anxiously awaited their flights arrival - the minute the board flashed 'LANDED' I was nose to nose with the glass door they were going to be coming through....anxious to catch a glimpse of them amidst the other passengers. As they walked through the doors I could feel the emotion building up and promptly burst into tears...my sister Debbie, turned to me and said in her 'matter of fact' voice, 'What are you crying for!!' to which I answered...'cause you're so ugly!! What do you think - I'm so happy to see you!' We laughed and hugged and reunited and heard about their turbulent flight from Sydney to Canberra!!

They are here for 2 weeks and we are going to make the most of every minute...and yes, they are going to venture into the world of stamping...so you will still be seeing come posts here, but please know, if they are not so frequent and I don't get to make all of the comments I usually so - it is because I am being selfish and indulging in the sheer pleasure of having my family here - such a fabulous feeling!! We lost 4 family members in 6 months and value what we have together when we have it!

Thanks for stopping by, I just wanted to share this special moment with you!! Those of you who have family near by, please take the time to enjoy them and spend time with them - these moments for us are so few and far between...God bless you!

Fall Flight

I love the Twisted Sisters Challenge each week and this week's is to make a Thanksgiving card. As we don't celebrate Thanksgiving officially I thought I would let myself be inspired by the colours of the season - fall or autumn as we say here! I love the rich warm colours of this season and always find inspiration in the leaves on the trees - what an array of beauty for the eyes!!

I have embossed the butterfly image onto white CS and sponged around the edges. The background DP is from a book that has fallen apart and I have had it sitting there for ages to throw out, but decided that I have a much better use for it....using it on cards. I embossed the page with Divine Swirls to add more texture and to also give the impression of movement. I then tore one edge and sponged around all edges, backing it with rust CS, and adhered it to the card. Ribbon was attached across the card and knotted, the main image adhered to it and then 4 moon drops added as a final touch!

Thanksgiving - we all have so much to be thankful for don't we!! I thought when I turned 50 that it was the worst thing - but since then I have seen that I am blessed to be able to get older, many don't have that chance - for that, I am so thankful!! Thank YOU for stopping by and for your encouraging comments - you bless me! Enjoy your weekend - God bless you!

Dwelling Place

I have been strolling through blogs looking at what is around and was thrilled to find this new challenge called Crazy 4 Challenges.....it is a must...wait until you see who are on the Design Team - it can't help but be a success. I have had this post ready for a few days and realised I had better post it today...or I might be too late!

They are starting with a Sketch Challenge and I love it. I have made a card with a raised circle or the such like....and really like the look of it! I have used the Layers of Colors set Garden Borders, it added just the right touch for this simple yet pretty card.



The sentiment and scalloped circle was very kindly sent to me by my friend Kathy (aka Wattle on SCS) Thanks Kathy, I love the scripture stamps and amazingly, I have none -so I do appreciate your generous gesture! The Garden Borders was coloured with SU Chalks/Pastels and has Kindy Glitz lightly added, I am always careful not to swamp the images with simmer. but just enough to highlight and add some interest! The other thing of interest is the gold paper - recycled from inside a chocolate box....you know I love to recycle and this was a find - of course the family were more than keen to assist me getting material for this card! LOL! It embossed so well and holds the texture beautifully....must buy some more of that brand...if only I could remember what ones they were - they were gone pretty quickly!!

So there you have it, this is pretty CAS for me....thank you for stopping by and for your lovely comments, you always encourage me and make my day!! It is Saturday morning here and going to be a beautiful day...I am posting early as I have a few things to get ready today for my Mother's and Sisters arrival tomorrow - I can't wait!!! Will see you a bit later with another card - I can't help myself!! LOL! God bless you!

Flourishes Galore

I have finished my cards for the Flourishes Challenges, the first being the Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge, there we had a Sketch Challenge this week by Cindy Haffner. I used the Limited Edition Set that I was sent from Flourishes as part of their Royal Court - Beauty in Nature, and so rightly named too! I embossed the images and layered them onto Memory Box paper, running a strip of torn embossing behind it. I added a sentiment from PTI and some mini pearls to finish off - so very easy!

My next card is for the September Release - The Feel of Fall - where we able to play for the four new sets that are being released - wouldn't that be amazing to win!! I love the Flourishes images and was happy to be able to ink these ones up for the first time today! I embossed the main image and used a small circle punch to do the ticketed corners, sponging around the edges and layering onto Truly Thyme Card Stock! The main CS is from Memory Box, as is the DP strip...the scalloped edge is embossed . All edges have seen sponged because I LOVE TO SPONGE!! LOL! I added the punch at the top and used a large eyelet, which I attached with my Crop-a-dile.

So there you have it, these cards were very easy and came together so quickly...it just goes to show that you don't have to spend hours to get a great result - in saying that, I usually do spend hours on a card and I like doing that - it is all part of the process for me!

Thanks for stopping by and for leaving a comment, I know it all takes time but you bring this gal from 'Down Under' a lot of pleasure when you do!! I am off to get a few things done as my Mum and sister arrive on Sunday - only 2 sleeps for us...it is getting so exciting...the most important job is done -getting my hair decent! LOL! See you soon - you know I won't stay away too long - I am addicted! LOL! God bless you!

ODB Pocket Card

Our Daily Bread have got 3 new releases this month and to celebrate they are hosting a Challenge called 'Three for Thee' This is my submission...

Here is what they say:

'Why the title Three for Thee? Well, this month Our Daily Bread designs released THREE new sets and they are fabulous! So beginning on September THIRD, we’re issuing a Design Team Challenge and we want YOU to play along! It’s a sweet deal for you because Kelley, Our Daily Bread design’s owner, has generously offered THREE great prizes! You guessed it… One of each of the THREE newly released sets!

Simply make a pocket card… it can be any style, any number of pockets! Anyone can play along.To be eligible to win you must use Our Daily Bread designs’ images and sentiments. The winners will be announced here on the Our Daily Bread Designs Blog on Sat. Sept. 19th, so be sure to check back to see who won!

I didn't think I would be able to play for these new sets, but looked through some RAK's I had been sent and found an image from Kathy (aka Wattle) and a Scripture from Lesley (aka Marleygo) so thank you girls. These two images aren't from the same sets, but don't you love how they work together here!

I have to say I am happy with the outcome, I am loving the embossing and the border punch together....I love texture and depth on a card, along with those gorgeous copper pearls - I can see that I am going to be making quite a few pocket cards in the near future!

If you haven't checked it out, you can do here - there is still time to enter - who wouldn't love to win a set of Our Daily Bread stamps - I love being able to combine my love for this wonderful craft of ours with my love for HIM - what could be more fulfilling!! If you, like me, have no images, then check through your stash, you don't know what it hiding in there - you might be surprised - you can play along with any stamps, you just need ODB images to play for the new sets!

Thank you for looking and for your encouraging comments - I love knowing you have visited! you can find the recipe for this pocket card on my SCS gallery. God bless you!

Oh What a Day!!

I held my first Workshop this week, this was something I have held off doing, the whole idea was a bit daunting for me...I still battle with the concept of wondering why people would want to buy my cards when I sell them and the thought of something like holding a class was just beyond me! But thanks to Amber (in the green jacket) and the two Kylie's who brought some of my card at the Craft Show, I 'bit the bullet' and went ahead with the assurance from Amber that these gals were 'pretty laid back' infact if they were anymore laid back, their hearts would stop beating!!' What is more - she was right!!

We had a great time and actually got three cards made...using Layers of Colors stamps - what fun to be part of a 'first.' this is the first Layers of Colors Workshop in Australia - so girls...party on - we are Trail Blazers!! Everyone went home with their cards in hand, happy with the fact that they had made something special and unique - especially those who stuck their torn embossed panel upside down - don't look too carefully!

We were also joined by my dear friend Nancy (sitting on the left) I met Nancy through Church and found we had more then stamping in common - we share our faith. I loved having Nancy there and we all had a little laugh as Nancy had just had her nails done and was finding it hard using the tape and working with the 'bling.' Last night at dinner, we kept finding bling that had either fallen off the table or had gone flying and stuck in the most amazing places...Nancy, I think we may have to register your nails as 'lethal weapons' prior to the next class OR all wear safety gear! LOL! I am only joking!!

Thank you ladies for making my first Workshop such fun...you girls ROCK!! I look forward to our next one and already have ideas ticking over in my head!

Thank you for visiting and for your comments. you know I love to know when you have been - I would hate to miss you! God bless you!

LOC Sweet and Beautiful...

It is so very exciting for me and I just HAVE to share my news with you. As of yesterday I am officially posted on an online site called scrapbook.com...you can check it out here. Layers of Color are featured in an article on Colour by Patter.


I wasn't too sure about the colours we had to use but really enjoyed doing this page featuring my youngest daughter. These photos were taken by a friends daughter many years ago, for an assignment and I have always loved them. It brings me great pleasure getting these much loved memories into some form of order. I used Layers of Color sets Nature Walk and Garden Borders. The flourishes have been embossed in black and the images coloured with Chalks, with Kindy Glitz lightly added.

This second page was made to go opposite the first one, I like my opposite pages to flow together, but don't have the same colour them through the album.

This page is a bit different for me, they are not my 'comfort zone' colours and that made it harder, but I am happy with the end result, although the photo does not show it as it really is - isn't that so typical! The images are from Layers of Color, I have used the Fleur Heart set which I have cut down the centre and placed either side of the photos, the flourish is also from this set as well as the decoration in the corner!. I am amazed at how many different ways this one set can be used. I like to find more than one way to use any of my stamping supplies!

The sentiment is from Kaiser, as soon as I saw it at the Craft Fair I knew it would be perfect for DD2, she is totally vivacious and 'Lives Out Loud!' At birthdays we sit around the table after dinner and each one of us says something that we love about the person whose birthday it is and then one funny thing. Last year when it was DD2's birthday our DS said that he loved her, she was not just beautiful on the outside, but on the inside as well.....and it is so true....so you can see why I used this saying!

The banner at the bottom of the photo is from the Garden Borders set, I love the way it comes up when it is coloured! This is one of three images, I am looking forward to trying them all!

Thank you for looking and for your comments, I value each one of them and love knowing that you have stopped by! I hope your day has been a good one! God bless you!

LOC Something Fishy!

How cute is this little fish from the Layers of Colors set Under the Sea! I just had to make him at home in this fish bowl - we have our goldfish in a bowl in the centre of our table and we all love to see him there each day...he gets so excited to see us each day - so cute!

The bowl has been made by embossing CS with the Spots and Dots EF and cutting a circle, removing a small portion of the top. I made the lip if the bowl with some spare CS and rounded the corners and used Dimensional magic to give it a gloss, just like a fish bowl. The shells and seaweed are also from the Under the Sea set, they have been coloured with chalks, on the smaller round one I have used touches of Liquid Pearls to add some texture, this qualifies it for Kelly's (aka Schrimcat on SCS) new challenge WOW Wednesday (Word of the Week) - this is actually last week's word, but I wanted to play anyway!! The longer shell has had Kindy Glitz added to add some shimmer. The seaweed has been inked with Distressing Ink. They have been attached to the bowl with DS tape and the fish mounted on 3D tape. The fish is also coloured with chalks and has Kindy Glitz added to add some shimmer to his 'gills'?!

The frame around the sentiment is from the Layers of Color set Flower Child, you would not believe the difference this brown frame made to this card of it added so much depth, I was surprised! It never ceases to amaze me how one thing added can bring everything else to life!

Cute is a style that I find harder to do. I love them but they are not always the first style of card I reach for, but I am endeavouring to use some of the Layers of Colors stamps sets to create a varying style of cards, and have been pleasantly surprised just how easy that is!

Thank you for looking and for your comments, they always make my day! Speaking of which, the weather here is so changeable, sunny and looking warm UNTIL you for outside and it is freezing - now it has clouded over and looks like we could get a bit of rain - lovely! I hope your day is full is love and laughter today! God bless you!

'Breakfast is on the Table'

'Breakfast is on the table'...takes on a whole new meaning in our house!! DD2 was setting the table and serving up her 'nutritious' breakfast (NOT!!) and this was the result!!




Some days you have to wonder why you bother! LOL! The upside is that she had not put any milk not yet - that would have been a 'moment' wouldn't it! We might not be laughing so hard then....or am I the only parent who would NOT BE AMUSED!! LOL!

If you think this is funny - you should see how we do dinner!! Hope you day is as exciting as mine! LOL! I am off to finish off some cards I have half done - know the feeling - I had better keep my eyes open for stray cereal...if you see any strange embellishments on my next posts later today, you will know a few were missed in the cleaning!! LOL! God bless you!

LOC Piece of Cake

I am feeling pretty happy with myself today - I have finished the three cards for my first

Workshop and have the kits made up ready = just as well, the Workshop is tomorrow!! This card fite the requirements for the Pile It On Challenge where birthdays is the theme! I need to get some more birthday cards made - you can never have too many!

I have used the Layers of Color set Birdday Party and Beaded Frames. I stamped the frame first and the stamped one cake image in the centre of the frame, the cut out another and added it on dimensionals. Both the Beaded Frame and the image have been coloured with chalks and then light touches of Kindy Glitz have been added to the beads and the bird. I have then cut this out this a large scalloped circle punch...the edges have been lightly sponged. The sentiment has also been lightly sponged and backed with brown CS.

The DP has been lightly sponged around the edges and paper pierced on the corners, then attached to the CS. Pink CS has been embossed with the Textiles EF, torn and inked, then mounted into torn brown CS and attached to the DP, through the middle of the card with a row of lace added. The scalloped circle attached with dimensionals to 'pop it up.' The swirls have been punched from an EK punch, borrowed from my SU (thanks Ann) they have been inked with distressing ink and attached under the scalloped circle. Small pink pearls on each side of the sentiment are the finishing touch....so what do you think!?!? Although there seems to be a lot on this card, it is an easy one to do - I have cut all of the DP and CS to size, as this will give us more time for the 'fun' stuff - got to have the priorities right!!

Thank you for looking and for your comments - I will be 'hanging' to hear your opinion....God bless you!!

Move Over Madonna!!

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

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

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

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

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

LOC Bird Song

Here is another card for my first Workshop....what do you think!?!? I have used the Layers of Color set Polka Dot Love and Dotted Delights to create this card. Having done a Christmas card (which you can see in the posts below this one!) and a birthday card that I am yet to post, I thought this one would be a general one, I do try and do that with some of my cards, especially when they are for the boutiques that buy my cards, it doesn't limit them to one occasion.

I stamped the bird image on the Nestibilities 1 Label, which belongs to the neighbour - I am happy to say that I have some Nesties winging their way to me now, thanks to Laura of Layers of Color organising them for me - thank you Laura, I can hardly wait to use them...look out Postman! LOL! Ooops, back to business...I sponged around the edges and layered it onto a bigger Nestie.

I have used a double sided DP, cutting it two thirds of the way down and using both side - don't you just love that - the colours match perfectly. I have decided on a monochromatic card with this one and I L-O-V-E this green DP. I adhered some green ribbon which is part of my gorgeous RAK from Sabrina (aka okimom2girlz) to a strip of CS and taped this across the join of the DPs. The Nestie is attached into the CS then I have added some 'Polka Dot' flowers, which I have stamped and cut out layering and pinching the petals to make them 3D. The middle of the flowers are also stamped, punched and added with a dimensional....now you may have noticed that the flower in the middle is not stamped...LOL...I have added a butterfly embellishment and finished off with those gorgeous swirls from the EL punch.

So there you have it - thank you for looking and I would really appreciate your feedback on these cards for the Workshop...be honest with me now!!

I nearly forgot to mention that this card is for the Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge - with no colouring , I have found this easier than I first thought I would!

Thank you for stopping by and for the sweet comments you leave me - you know I love knowing when you have been (I am that kinda gal!) It is Saturday night here and tomorrow is Father's Day here- so I have a bit of preparation to do - gotta make the man his favourite Lemon Meringue Pie - YUMBLY as he would say! LOL! God bless you!

LOC Rock of Ages

Who doesn't know this old hymn - 'Rock of Ages cleft for me, let me hide myself in Thee.' I can still hear it resounding through the Presbyterian Church when I used to go with my Nana when I was a child. Surrounded by staunch, God fearing believers singing passionately to their God, my Nana, along with two of her sisters, singing as loud as anyone - I do have to add that my Nana believed that everyone could sing - it made no difference to her that some voices had a rougher passage on the way out! As soon as I saw the attribute for this weeks His Holy Name Challenge, this scene from my childhood came flooding back!

Rock of Ages - so many different things came to mind - the scripture in Psalm 61 that says...'when my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the Rock that is Higher than I' - I have based my card on that verse...the beautiful Fleur Heart from Layers of Color is perfect for this - it is so complex and beautiful, so like the human heart. I have added the Regal Wings to symbolise our hearts being lifted by God....the background DP is inspired by that wonderful old hymn Rock of Ages. I just love that....so solid, so strong, so reassuring. The three brads are symbolic of the Trinity!

Although I have been inspired by the above scripture, the one I have chosen for this attribute of God is Psalm 18:31 For who is God except the LORD? Who but our God is a solid rock? What more can we say but AMEN!!!

Thank you for looking and for all of your encouraging comments, you make my day and have encouraged me so much! I appreciate each one of you!! God bless you!

LOC Royal Reindeer

I have been asked to host my first Workshop by some lovely ladies I met while working on the Stampin' Up Stall at the recent Craft Fair - this is the first of three cards that I am making, it is also for the Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge this week which requires no colouring on cards - eeek!! Let's see how I go on that!! LOL!

It is also for this weeks Twisted Sister Challenge, where we were to case another Twisted Sisters Christmas card and see if anyone can guess who it it - well, can you tell - there is a reason this girl is one of the 'Twisted Sisters' and we have some HISTORY, although you might have to check previous TSC's to find it! LOL!

I have used the Layers of Color set Reindeer Waltz. You have to love these majestic reindeer, they are such a feature in a card, I had to try hard NOT to do too much to them, otherwise it ,might distract the eye from this image! There is a fine line with vintage that takes you from a lovely warm look to cluttered...in my opinion!!

Both reindeer have been embossed, the smaller one cut out and layered on a Dimensional. The edges around the main image have been lightly sponged and layered onto black CS. The top panel of DP had been embossed with a snowflake embossing folder - I love the effect embossing has on DP,it adds so much texture and dimension. All sides of the DPs have been sponged and adhered to the black CS. Silver ribbon it attached between the DPs and a button with silver thread is attached in the middle of the ribbon.

The sentiment is from the SU set 'A Wish for Peace,' it too is lightly sponged and layered onto black CS with black bling attached to each corner as well as to the top right corner of the image. I have also used the insides of a Cuttlebug Die cut as fancy corners,

So there you have it...thank you for stopping in, I would love you to tell me what you think - is it okay for a Workshop - remember this is my first one and I need your advice!! God bless you!

LOC My Girl

I was inspired with Layouts this week, which is great for me getting the family photos in order...and this is my first page in my second album - yay!!! This layout is a bit if a different flavour than I usually do, I do try and do a page that reflects the person I am doing it about. This is my DD1 and she proudly boasts that she is not a 'girlie girl' although she is still feminine....so the biggest challenge was to make a page she would be happy with.

I have used the Layers of Colour sets Creative Flourish and Birdday Party to create this layout. I have also used the Triple the Sketch Challenge this week for my inspiration for this page. It also fits the Pile It On Challenge where the theme is Circles!! Originally I started with green and purple which are DD1's favourite colours but ended up with these colours - and she is happy with that! These birds have been chalked and had Kindy Glitz lightly added, then have been popped up on dimensionals.

The flourishes are embossed in white, this was quite a 'treat' to do as it is on a number of layers of CS. I used some different size dinner plates to get the various size circles, I cut them out by hand and then sponged them. Under the flowers I added embossed flourishes from the Creative Flourishes set and layered flowers on them.

The flowers are from RAKS from my friend Sabrina (aka okimom2girlz) and one of my Twisted Sisters, Deena (aka Moonrise) - I added brads that my DH went out and got me amongst other things, when I was asked to me on the Design Team for Layers of Color. The butterfly is part of a Blog Candy that I won - you gotta love those Blog Candies!!


The sentiment MY GIRL is computer generated and has been layered on some Die Cuts that Sabrina (aka okimom2girlz) sent me in her gorgeous RAK, I didn't want to use them up as there was one of each, so I drew around them, cut them out and inked them, adding a couple of those brads from DH! The sentiment on the side of the page are Rub Ons from kaiser, they are so perfect for DD1 who is unique and special - I think she got her Dad's smile...it lights up those 'twinkling eyes!' I also added a smaller flourish in the corners to finish off the page!

Thank you for taking the time to look, I love your visits and enjoy reading your comments - you make my day - I love knowing you have been!! It is a gorgeous spring day here....I should be doing other things, especially as my Mum and sister arrive from New Zealand in 10 sleeps - I can hardly wait - but I have realised this - the housework is not going anywhere...you can always count on it still being there! LOL! I hope you are having a great day!! God bless you!

LOC How Do I Love Thee...

How do I Love Thee...the perfect theme for the Stamping Sisters in Christ Challenge this week, where we are to create something for the one we love and NOT wait for a special occasion to give it to them...it has to be given before we link it to Stamping Sisters in Christ! It is Father's day here on Sunday and I wanted to have a special page done for my DH...so this is it...and he hasn't had to wait until Sunday...

I love this page, I hunted through photos to find ones of my DH at different ages and the thing I noticed most is that lovely smile of his, it lights up our house. Those who know him, know how he LOVES to laugh...I just love that smile, it comes from the heart and show in his eyes - wins me every time!

I have used Layers of Color Stamps, starting with the border images which are from the Birdday Party set,which I have stamped with Distressing Ink and lightly chalked the leaves with a darker blue to enhance it and compliment the blue in the photo. I love brown and blue together, particularly on a masculine page.

The border along the photos is from the Architectural Blocks set, I have chalked it and added Kindly Glitz to areas - it is so hard to get this to show up properly - I can see I am going to have to invest in some Daylight Lamps for photographing! The photo, which is my DH on our Wedding Day, is layered onto brown CS which has been distressed and then Architectural Borders added on the side. I cannot imagine a page without layers, it adds so much dimension for me.

The Birdday Party set has been used for this border as well, it has also been chalked. The sentiment is computer generated. I have torn the edge and inked it with distressing ink, this is a favourite technique of one, I love the texture it can add!

Thank you for looking and for your comments, you always brighten my day!! God bless you!

Blessings from the Royal Court!!

What a lovely surprise to get this parcel from Flourishes today...it is a token of their appreciation as a loyal customer....how cool is this - I should be sending them something!!! LOL. I was honoured and surprised, to become a member of their Royal Court - you can see the story here .

They have sent their classic papers in white and cream, some May Arts ribbon and limited edition non release set called Beauty in Nature...I love the stamps and look forward to inking them!! The ribbon colours are truly Regal and rich - lovely!!

Thank you to the ladies at Flourishes, I love this gorgeous surprise - it looks like I have no excuse for missing any of the Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenges now - LOL! I do love this challenge and appreciate all of the comments and encouragement that the Design Team and Friends of Flourishes ladies leave on my cards!! If you haven't played along with the Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge, be sure to check it out here!