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!

LOC Pink Paradise

Don't you love pink and brown - it would have to be one of my favourite colour combinations - mind you I have many favourites, they vary from time to time!!

I have used the Layers of Colors set Regal Birds for this card - I love birds, they are one of my favourite animals, we have an aviary with budgies/parakeets and cockatiels, I have a great view of it from my desk and love hearing the sound of their chirping - we have babies just coming out of the nest too - they are so cute....I will show you some photos one of them ...be warned - you will want one!!  It takes all of my self control to leave them in the aviary and not being them into the house and tame them....I am hopeless!!

The DP has been embossed with the Victoria embossing folder, I love the texture and dimension this gives a card.  It also qualifies it for the ABC Challenge  where E is for embossing!  I have cut three panels and sponged around the edges, layering each panel onto brown CS.  I then added a scalloped strip with paper piercing and then some sheer ribbon that has been threaded through a circular pearl buckle. 

The image has been coloured with chalks and highlighted with light touches of Kindy Glitz and layered into brown CS.  This qualifies it for the Creative Card Crew Challenge which is all about Sparkle this week!  A smaller bird has been cut out, chalked and sponged, this is attached with foam dots (more dimension!)  Flowers have been added along the lower edge of the image, these flowers are still part of the Blog Candy that I won from Abby - thanks Abby, these flowers are gorgeous and I use them sparingly!!  It is also the for Gingersnaps Creations Challenge which is also all about BLING.

Before I finish this post I have some photos of our new babies to share with you....be prepared to be

'wowed!'

This is our 6 week old baby - isn't he gorgeous!

The green one is another baby due out any day now, Mum has already laid more eggs!

We have called this little one Sunshine (the pale yellow one) - one morning we found it had been attacked and has feathers missing off the back of it's neck - it is always so upsetting to see these babies hurt, but is now fabulous and so cute - cuddles up here with Mum!

Thank you for visiting with me - I love knowing you have stopped by!  It is Sunday evening here and we are all relaxing, it is still the school holiday here and also a public holiday...Labour Day...

Bees

Nature is so inspiring. My DH got a new camera a few weeks ago and is photographing EVERYTHING that moves - which is a good thing as you can see by this photo. As soon as I saw it I knew I wanted to make a card with the Layers of Color images - they even have a beautiful little bee in them!!  I then saw these Bee Push Pins on today's Inspiration Challenge on SCS....more than enough inpiration for me and what's more it is the 200th Inspiration - wow, that is a lot of inspiration you have sent our way Stef - thank you so much!!

I started with the gorgeous DP from K&C Company, running it through the Cuttlebug using the Stylised Flowers folder.  The edges were sponged around with distressing inks!  I then cut an oval with Nesties from the same DP and sponged around the edges.  Using the flowers from Layers of Color  set Nature walk, I cut around them and lightly chalked, adding soft pink centres. The flowers were attached to the oval, most flowers were popped up on dimensionals, with just a couple attached with double sided tape.  The bee is from the Dotted Delights set and as the name would suggest had polks dots on it, so I lightly coloured it's body black and added some gold stripes across the body.  The bee is also mounted on dimensionals!

I finished off with pink tulle being threaded through the pearl buckles, I love this look.  I have to say at this stage, the finished product looks nothing like I pictured in my head - but hey, isn't that often the way!!  I have lost count of the times I have planned something and then have it turn out so differently, but I love that...just go where it takes you - laughing!!

Thank you for stopping by and for your lovely comments....I love knowing you have called in.  It is Saturday evening and very quiet here - the weather is cool and wet - LOVELY!  I am happy to have the opportunity to finish off some projects that I have had half done....I hope you have an amazing weekend...God bless you!

EDIT: I forgot to mention that this is also for the Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge where Francie G. is the Guest Challenge Hostess and challenged us to go 'outside the frame!'  This definitely qualifies!!

LOC Fruit Friends

It is Friday here and that means it is time for the Twisted Sister Challenge - I love this bunch of Sistahs and always look forward to this challenge and this week I AM ON TIME! Yahoo!

I have used my Layer of Color images, this 'berry' cute mouse (sorry I couldn't resist that!) is from the Polka Dot Parade set.  I have chalked him and then used Dimensional Magic on the strawberries to give them that 'lush' and YUMBLY look!  These have then been cut out with the SU Square Punch and layered onto black CS.  I have added a Cuttlebug Die Cut  to each square and secured it with a black brad.

The background DP has had the edges sponged and then been embossed with the 'Houndstooth' Embossing Folder.  I am really liking the added texture it gives a card when you emboss DP.  The lower image is from the Layers of Color Garden Borders set...this has also been chalked and had Dimensional magic added to to strawberries PLUS a light touch of Kindy Glitz to the leaves, which is not showing up very well in the photos - you know how it goes!!  This border image has been layered onto black CS and torn olive green CS.

There you have it - one card, the Twisted Sister Challenge theme was 'Food Fight' - any kind of food goes.  As cute as this little image looks - how horrified would we be to see this running across our kitchen floor! LOL!

Thank you for stopping by - you know I love to see that you have been and to read your encouraging comments - you are so encouraging !  Thank you!!  It is Friday night here and raining with thunder rolling around the hills - lovely!!  We don't get a lot of rain in Canberra, which gets hit pretty hard by the drought...so it is FABULOUS!!!  I hope you have a great weekend - spent with those you love - or at least like! LOL!  God bless you!

Our Strength

I am so happy to be making a card for the Stamping Sisters in Christ Challenge.  I have missed a few weeks which is frustrating for me as I LOVE the faith based Challenges....this week we are encouraged to focus on Psalm 19:14: 'Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in your sight Oh, Lord, my strength and my redeemer' and to create a card with someone in mind (Thinking of You or Praying for you) and keep this scripture in mind while creating it, to help with inspiration!

I have two friends who have had tragic losses over the past few years, both friends have lost a child and it is coming up to the anniversary of that day for both them -I am well aware that words are never enough to bring comfort but pray that the heart behind it will!  We have all experienced loss in one way or another, but I just couldn't imagine it at this level - I don't know how these friends take their next breath and I admire them so much - they are living every parents nightmare.  I know God did not intend for this to happen to their child and the pain will never go away completely, but He can certainly take the 'sting' out of it for them and bring comfort to their hurting hearts, knowing this was my inspiration for using this scripture.

I have used this fabulous DP from SU...beautiful in it's own right, added a Nestie which I have embossed and sponged with Distressing Ink and layered this fabulous scripture in a scalloped circle onto the Nestie.  The embossed Nestie is from my dear friend Sabrina (aka okimom2girlz on SCS) and the scripture on the scalloped circe are from Kathy (aka Wattle on SCS)..thank you girls...oh and that gorgeous flower, which I have sponged with distressing inks, is also from Sabrina - I just love these flowers!!

The ribbon has been threaded through the pearl buckle - I made little slits in the flower to be able to thread it through the centre of the flower, it is added to the card and a row of lace from my dear friend from my homeland, Maxine (aka Kiwime on SCS)  That gorgeous old gold locket is symbolic of God's Word being in our hearts and soothing our sometimes battered hearts...I get these embellishments from the jewellery aisle in craft shops - they are so inexpensive that way!

Torn and sponged corners have been added and the finishing touch is those YUMBLY chocolate half pearls!!  This was a very quick card to make....having Nestie and the friends that send them certainly makes card making easier!!  I have been blessed by so many people - thank you all!!

Thanks you for visiting today, I love reading your comments - it makes my day!!  It is Friday midday here and overcast - I love this weather...not too hot - not too cold!!  I hope you are having a good day...God bless you!

It's Magic You Know!

This is just a quick post for me today (yes, I know - impossible for me! LOL) I am posting this card that I made at my SU Workshop a week ago. I am happy as it fits in with the 'Mother Mark Missing You' Challenge - Marilynn has taken on the 'task' of keeping us inspired while our beloved Mothermark has a well earned break. You can see Marilynn's inspiration here!

Back to the Workshop....my friend and Demo, Ann showed us how to do this technique called BLACK MAGIC - owwww!!! It is so much fun and so easy - using white craft ink and water colour pencils and of course one of my favourite Stampin' Up sets 'Upsy Daisy.' I love these colours and will definitely be using this technique again - just gotta 'get me some' Water Colour Pencils!!

I love doing classes with Ann...she is just a wealth of creativity and I always come away inspired with my mind full of ideas....no mucking around with this Demo - she gets us all happening and it is so-o-o worth it! Thank you Ann - you are one of my mentors...I am so grateful our paths have crossed and our friendship is growing!!

Thanks you for stopping by - I have been busy with quite a few projects but none I can post here at the moment - but you will see them shortly!! On top of that we were out today and I was asked if I was interested in selling my cards in a bigger boutique, as well as the other two - which is great...in a while....I am going to have to sit and work out just how busy I want to be - I mean I could do it all day every day, but don't want it to become a chore - I always want to have a 'love for it' otherwise there is no point- and I do want to see my family more than once a week!!  Just as well my DH is so supportive - I think it is because I am quiet when I am creative...LOL!  What do you think - how much is okay and what is too much!?!  God bless you