Who Knew...

I did end up doing one last LO for the August CC over at SBT50, & uploaded it just in the nick of time, nothing like working under pressure LOL

The challenge was to use paint, use light blue colour, & to have a "feeling" word in the title...Wonderful is a feeling, right ; )

This is the quote I used, which I just love:

"I`ve travelled the world twice over,

Met the famous: saints and sinners,

Poets and artists, kings and queens,

Old stars and hopeful beginners,

I`ve been where no-one`s been before,

Learned secrets from writers and cooks

All with one library ticket

To the wonderful world of books"

~ Janice James~

& below is the card I made with the left-overs, that`s one of the oldest stamps in my stash (one of my first purchases from TSQ) & also one of my favourites, the sentiment is from another favourite DRD set (FULL BLOOM Vol 1)

& speaking of DRD, these are my entries to the black, white & red competition they ran on their FLICKR GROUP, if you get the chance, go & have a look, lots of yummy projects to look at.

On another note, the new theme for INKURABLE STAMPERS this month has been picked, & guess whose idea (in a round-about kind of way LOL) Sarah picked? She asked for some ideas, so we all thought up different themes, & my contribution was mermaids...which in turn gave Sarah the idea for the theme of "Down by the Sea". Go check out her gorgeous sample HERE, & thanks Sarah for the RAK : )

Now to prove that you should stay away from places with sick people, I went last week to get my stitches out (from my injured thumb) & came home with a case of tonsolitis, & have been on antibiotics for the last week, I`ve lost my voice (which DH thought was too funny, as I could only whisper, he thought it was sexy LOL) & have had a horrid cough that`s just now starting to ease.

But the antibiotics have just made me feel soooo lethargic, like I just want to curl up & sleep : ( But sleep is such a waste of time LOL

I am feeling much better now, so it`s on with the show...thank you for popping in, & now go forth & create something : )

Spring Has Sprung...

There`s nothing like the first sight of cherry blossoms to let you know that Spring is around the corner...(as well as a drippy nose, if you happen to suffer from hay fever LOL)

& here is a photo of my CLEAN craft table...it didn`t last long, but I thought I would put it here so I can remind myself of what it can look like when I actually put things away :)

I`ve tried to take part in SBT50 CC this month, & I know I`m a little late, but I`ve managed to do 2 of the challenges (4 if you count the 2 cards we had to make with the left-overs from the LOs)

I started with challenge #3, where at least a third of the LO had to be "white space". So here`s my entry (& I`ve used the beautiful SR pp which was included in the card kit I won last month at SBT50, thanks Victoria)

I think this is the first LO I`ve done with so much blank space... We also had to make a card using our left-over scraps:

I didn`t really have any left-over scraps except for the SR pp & the bit of yellow wc paper, but I did dig into my scrap stash for the cream & blue cs, so I guess that still counts :)

I also did challenge #4, which was a LO about yourself, using a photo of you & using 5 words to describe you! Scary stuff LOL, but as I usually scrap about DD & DH I thought this would make a nice change for the scrapbooks. I asked DD for help as I felt a little silly coming up with the 5 words myself, but then I realised it would be more fun to do the LO from not only my own perspective, but DDs & DHs as well. So here is the finished LO:

As for the card using up scraps from this LO, I used the DCWV pp as the background, & added the cream cs, & the red cs (which was the scrap I tried out my stitching on!) The sentiment stamp is from a Hero Arts clear stamp set, the flower was a punchie, with another bit of DCWV pp, and a brad thrown in for good measure. I don`t know if I`ll have a chance to attempt any more challenges, but we have until midnight Aug 28 to upload to the gallery...so here`s hoping :)

On another note, I`ve just finished my ATCs for the DARKROOM DOOR Wilderness swap in the DRD blog. I won`t show the ATCs just yet, but I wanted to try something new...so I`ll share that:

GM plus sand paper = a pretty nifty background :)

& just in case you have the time, DRD & GODELIEVE are giving away some rubber stamps...go check it out HERE

& there`s still some time left to enter this month`s music themed challenge over at INKURABLE STAMPERS, lots of crafty goodies up for grabs :)

As always, thank you for visiting my blog, I hope it inspires you to do something creative & fun...

Cards, LOs & even an ATC!!!

Hello people, I have a few bits & pieces to share: Firstly, a card & a lay-out for the CC over at SBT50. See the 2 gorgeous crowns? They were kindly donated by the sponsor for this months`CC, Tracy, at my2angels. We were actually given 4 crowns, & were asked to use them for 2 of the challenges (Thanks Tracy)

:

Next, a card & an ATC made for this month`s theme over at INKURABLE STAMPERS (thanks Sarah for the prompt, it`s nice to be wanted LOL)

For the card I`ve used one of DRD`s beautiful images, stamping first with bleach, & then with black Versamark ink & clear EP. For the ATC, I used another of my favourite Stampotique images, & "painted" the face & fingers with bleach, & yes, I had the sewing machine out, so I added some stitching to both projects...

Next, 3 cards for Marie, over at PERNICKETY`s for her Card Bootcamp...The first one is a tri-fold card, then there`s the "royal" card with lots of bling, followed by a shaped card (a house card for my nephew`s 2nd birthday)

I have been tagged by both SANDIE & MARIE, so here are my answers...

Question 1 --- 8 things I look forward to :
1. Spring (I get hayfever, but I LOVE all the flowers just the same)

2. Finishing my current LO

3. Finishing the current book I`ve just started reading (Rumi`s Daughter)

4. School holidays (less scrapping, but more creating with DD)

5. Sleeping-in (see above LOL)

6. Spending my G/Vs (B`day presents from DH & DD, & mum & dad)

7. Finishing DH`s project (Shhhhh!)

8. Sundays spent together, just the 3 of us :)

Question 2 --- 8 things I did yesterday :

1. Went to the post office

2. Started reading a book

3. Did some ironing

4. Did my entries for Inkurable Stampers

5. Read some blogs

6. Made some scones

7. Did a load of washing

8. Watched TGYH with DD

Question 3--- 8 things I wish I could do :

1. Play the piano...

2. Play guitar

3. Type faster

4. Keep a tidy craft area

5. Print my own money!!!!!!

6. Speed reading

7. Speed cleaning

8. Travel

Question 4--- 8 things or shows I have watched lately :
1. Thank God You`re Here

2. Spooks

3. Night at the Museum 2

4. DD doing ballet

5. Dr Who (new series)

6. "The Cure" on Youtube

7. Videos of DD as a toddler

8. Ghost Whisperer (not scary enough for me, but DD enjoys it)

Now, if you`ve read my answers & would like to join in, consider yourself tagged!!! Thanks for visiting, & I hope you have a creative day :)

Looking For Something To Do?

If you have some time & want to do something with it, why not try some bleach stamping? That`s this month`s theme over at INKURABLE STAMPERS, & if you`re scratching your head, & thinking "what is she talking about?" Sarah has put up a great TUTORIAL with lots of photos & tips, & she`s done some gorgeous samples using some of my favourite images from Stampotique..& when you`re done reading the tutorial, you can have a go yourself & enter your project for a chance to win some FABULOUS PRIZES... I tried to make a start today, but the bleach didn`t make it all the way to my craft table...it had to take a detour to the laundry first...& then I got stuck LOL, but I`ll try again tomorrow :)

If that challenge is not enough, how about joining in all the fun of this months` CC over at SBT50, lots of challenges to get you inspired, & lots of games too. Speaking of SBT50, the Stars of Scrap competition came to a close, but due to a disappointing turn-out the actual competition was cancelled...I did get a prize for taking part (thank you so much Victoria, I`ll put all those goodies to great use) Still, I`m able to share the LOs & card here now...

The first LO is part of a double page LO, lots of texture, & I just love those tiny Collection houses, I have so many scraps in my stash & I think they are a great way to use them up...The second LO is of my beautiful daughter...& see those flowers? I punched some, & stamped some & painted them & teamed them up with some Prima flowers & some MM crystals, I`m very happy with how they turned out. As for the card, I just HAD to use that Tim Holtz image again (thanks CUCHY) Doesn`t she look cute? While you`re still here reading, did you know that Rachel has a new ATC swap happening as we speak? Visit her HERE for all the info...& don`t forget to take a look at the gallery while you`re there.

I`ve tried to keep up with Sandie`s Alphabet soup & Marie`s Card Bootcamp, but I`m running a bit behind, does anyone know where I could buy some TIME!!!! Oh & while I was getting the links I read that I`ve been tagged by Sandie...Well, the old saying is true, "time flies when you`re having fun" Thank you for your visit, & I hope to see you again soon. Until then, create something, it`s good for the soul :)

Yes, I`m Still Here...

Wow, I didn`t realise I hadn`t updated my blog in quite a while...I`ve been very busy with real life (yes, I DO have one LOL). My apologies to my blog friends, I haven`t had time to visit...& I`m still trying to get all the "Stars of Scraps" challenges finished on time (nothing like working to a deadline LOL) as well as doing other bits & pieces.

I received the cutest gift as a surprise a couple of weeks ago from my cyberfriend

CUCHY, whom I swapped ATCs with...

The pendant is just gorgeous, Thank you CUCHY (& the ATC is not bad either LOL)

I also went along to the Paper 2 Page show, & caught up with a few of my cyberfriends there. I got to catch up with Helen, JUDITH, LYN & SANDIE, it was great to see you ladies :) Not so great was the fact that not one shop had TimHoltz stamps, but I did manage to get lots of other goodies, mainly chipboard, foam stamps (at a bargain price!) watercolour paints, a set of DRD stamps (Artist), lots of double-sided tape, DM, paints, some Fancy pants clear stamps & a beautiful ballerina stamp from Eclectic Images, all in all I had a great time...& I`m so glad I took my lunch from home, as I didn`t really fancy what they had there, & they had run out of a few things as well! But the coffee was yum :)

Some LOs I`ve completed for the Mother`s Day Weekend CC over at SBT50

For this chalenge we had to include the quote "A mother is she who can take the place of all others, but whose place no one else can take"...& on reading the quote I tried to think of all the little things we as mothers do, & when I showed the list to DD (expecting her to delete some) she said that I had forgotten one: Personal Bank!!!! Out of the mouths of babes...LOL

This challenge was a colour challenge...& they were colours I don`t normally scrap with, but I really like how it turned out, I hope you do too. Thank you for visiting, & I hope you come back soon, I promise it wont be such a long time between updates LOL TTFN

M.I.A.

I`ve had a couple of sickly weeks, nothing major, but just sick enough to make me feel blah!!! Got some swaps finished (but forgot to scan LOL) & there`s my LO for week # 10 of the 45 WEEK CHALLENGE over at SBT50, & I got a chance to do this month`s theme over at INKURABLE STAMPERS...

For week # 10 the challenge was to use only the colours pink,lilac,white & purple, as well as to use some swirls/flourishes... Now, I`m not a big fan of pink, but the other colours were not so tough, & I like the way it turned out...

This next project has been in my idea file for a while now...I found this cute little house-shaped box in an charity shop, a bargain for 50 cents, but I didn`t like the colours, so this month`s theme of black, white & orange over at INKURABLE STAMPERS was a perfect excuse to get my fingers dirty LOL.

Firstly, I lightly sanded it, then I painted the inside using MM acrylic paint (Eat Your Carrots) & the outside I covered with black MM paint(Asphalt) I then used various stamp images (DRD lace & script, Cherry Pie bricks & face, AL flourish, Non Sequitor clockface, Victoria`s Secret alphabet, Stampotique girl, MyStamps face, & a set of alphas from Studio Astarte) & white EP. I then painted some old book pages, tearing them & sticking them in place, & used 3 different leaf punches (Carl) & some cs painted with Twinks H2O ( a combination of Ginger Peach & Cinnamon Brown). The arched door is from Collections, & the "inside door has been put through the CB with an embossing folder. (& My DH kindly put in 20 cents to start off my fund for the coming P2P show LOL) I think it`s the first time I`ve used that colour combination, & I think it looks great :)

I`m just working on an ATC for SANDIE`s blog, a weekly challenge where you get to create anything you choose, be it a card, ATC, LO etc, using the set letter, it sounds easy enough, so I hope I get the time to join in LOL...If I get it finished in time, I`ll be back to share.

I hope you`ve had a great weekend, I as always I thank you for stopping by, I hope you`ll come back soon to visit again...in the meantime, go forth & create something :)

Two Cards to Share...

Yep, two cards to share, & a layout as well. The first card I made a while back, but forgot to share it here...it was for our wedding anniversary (DHs & mine), it`s hard to see in the scan, but I stamped a COLLECTIONS flourish with red ink & clear EP, the wings were stamped with Stazon ink onto holographic paper, & the cb heart is a COLLECTIONS chipboard shape (which you can get from SAID SIMPLY) painted with acrylic paint, stamped with flourish & covered with DM. I`ve used a bit of scrap watercoloured paper as a b`ground (after taking forever to find a "suitable" bit of pp, I saw this bit just sitting there on my craft table, left-over from a previous project LOL) & I think it looks great, don`t you? I`ve used a rub-on (treasure) which was part of a prize from SBT50...

DD has been away with her school camp this week, so it`s given me extra time to play...The second project is a birthday card made for a good friend of ours (Hi Jason) When I saw this stamp over at TSQ, I knew it would be perfect for his card LOL. I`ve layered 3 diff cs pieces, the bottom one has been dry embossed using a CB folder, & the top one has been stamped with Versafine onyx ink, & heat embossed using clear EP. The letters are a mix of COLLECTIONS ( u r )cb, BELLA (h), & COLLECTIONS letter tiles (o w, OLD)

& lastly, here`s my LO for WEEK 9 of the 45 WEEK CHALLENGE over at SBT50 It`s very hard to tell from the scan, but I`ve used the CB swirl embossing folder on the pp, & have gone over the grooves with DM adding some clear beads to the pp. I also used a BELLA cb corner flourish, which I painted & I added some beads to the voids (try sayng that 3 times in a row LOL) These are two of the last photos DH took of our little Cuddles, before she passed away...I thought I would feel sad doing this LO, but it actually made me feel happy, as this was her favourite pose, with her tongue hanging out, & wanting to lick us :) I hope you`re keeping out of mischief, & are busy creating... & If you get a chance, head over to INKURABLE STAMPERS this weekend, it`s their very first year Birthday, & Sarah has lots of FUN STUFF planned, as well as a new theme for the month...Hmmm, better get busy b4 DD comes back from camp LOL. & as always, thank you for stopping by.

1st Lay-Out For The Year & Some ATCs

Well, after the last few days being 43ºC +, it`s a relief to have a somewhat cooler 30ºC day LOL. I know the Northern hemisphere is freezing ATM, but it is so much nicer to craft during Winter :)

As the weather was much more agreeable yesterday, & DD started back at school, I had a bit of time to scrap...I`m embarrassed to say it`s my very first LO for the year, but I`ve had the photos for a while & the actual LO was in my "to do" list, so I headed over to SBT50 where Victoria has a 45 week challenge happening (I missed the 1st week, but want to do the actual challenge, so I may come back to it if I have time)

The actual challenge was to use either a red, orange & dark purple colour combo, or a dark green, black & blue one...& work with 3 photos, I chose the brighter option, & I`m very happy with the results :)

I`ll have to add another page, as there are a couple of other photos I wanted to add, but I ran out of time...
Last week I swapped ATCs with Barb (TSQ herself) & made these little beauties for her...

The last one has dangly legs LOL, I hope Barb liked them :)

& here are the gorgeous ones I received in return...lots of texture, & great colour too, thank you Barb ( notice how I USED my sewing machine for my LO above??? LOL) & while you`re visiting Barb, don`t forget to enter her giveaway! She`s taking part in the One World, One Heart blogging extravaganza (I don`t know how else to describe it LOL), & what a great idea this is...I would have loved to have joined in the fun, but I just don`t have the time : ( There`s not much time left to join, so go & have a look quickly & see if you`d like to give it a go...it`s a great way to put yourself out there in blog world, & a fantastic way to "meet" other like-minded bloggers :)

I just LOVE those Stampotique images...they are so quirky & grungy, don`t you think? I know they may not be everyones cup of tea, but they are a favourite of mine ATM. Speaking of quirky, Sarah over at Inkurable Stampers, has the new theme up for this month, & it`s SOOT (!) Now, I`d never heard of this technique (I know, I live in a very sheltered world LOL) but she has a fab tutorial with very clear step-by-step instructions, AND she has used some Stampotique images in her gorgeous samples...So go check it out, you know you want to : )

Meanwhile there`s another ATC/Card swap happening over at the Darkroom Door blog , visit their blog & get the details... I`ll be joining the ATC swap, will you?

& A Happy New Year

I wanted to share what I think will be my last LO for the year...I finally cleared up my craft table & did a quick tidy up of my craft room (found a couple of interesting things as well LOL). It`s been hard to get motivated to do anything crafty with both DD & DH home all day, it`s just too easy to go out all day, or sit & watch DVDs LOL. If anyone out there in cyberworld is a bigger fan of the new Doctor Who series, put your hand up now & go play with your inflatable cyberman... DD & I have been playing the DVDs at any chance I get (Thank you Santa! :) David Tennant has been a great Doctor, & I`ll be sad to see him go next year; BTW, if you ARE a fan, the ABC will have the Christmas Special on January 25th, so save the date!

Anyway, getting back to the LO, DD turned 11 yo. & I wanted to do the LO b4 she turns 12 (& don`t laugh, I only scrapped the photos from her 10th B`day a couple of months ago : O So here it is, using DCWV pps, ribbons, flowers (the lovely chocolate brown velvet flower with the silver center is from a CI pack courtesy of Victoria at SBT50, thanks V) There is a second page to this LO, & here it is....

P.S. DD wanted to make sure I mention that the plate of cupcakes was to be shared, not just for her, & I that she`s wearing her PJs (the purple top) so excuse her dress sense... (Now you all know WHY the "Birthday Diva" title LOL)

Before I forget, I`d like to thank you all for taking the time to visit my blog, & whether you leave me a comment or not, I`m still grateful for your visit :) I hope you all have a beautiful, happy & safe New Year, & if you have any traditions that you follow, don`t forget to document them...Mum always made us eat lentils as our first meal for the new year, & we also had to walk around the outside of our house (I still don`t know why LOL) I just remember how much fun it was...So Happy New Year, & my best wishes for you & yours :)

Week # 4 at SBT50

This is the LO I did for week # 4 (of the 8 week challenge) over at SBT50. The criteria was to use fabric/ ribbon, rub-ons (graphic, not words or alphas), 5 of something (flowers, brads etc.), 10 eyelets (any shape). The only trouble I had with this LO was in finding rub-ons in my stash to fit, as I don`t normally use rub-ons, especially graphic ones (that`s what my stamps are for, right?). Any way, I managed to unearth a baby-themed "Fontwerks" pack from the depths of my stash, I`ve had these forever! It`s been great to have a go with these challenges, as I`ve been using/finding things that were long forgotten, & I was so happy with my scalloped edge (all hand drawn using a 20 cents coin, & hand-cut with scissors) & I got to use my crop-a-dile, one of the best tools ever.

On another note, lovely Marie from Said Simply has given me an award, this is for inspirational blogs...As I was just a recipient for a "Kreative" award, I will just say a big THANK YOU to Marie, & leave it at that, as my circle of blog friends is not that big, & I don`t want to scare them off LOL, but just know that for a newbie like me, it`s certainly gratifying to be thought of as inspirational...especially seeing as I probably don`t post as often as I should. I create because I enjoy the process, & because it gives me an excuse to add to my ever-growing stash LOL. As always, thank you for dropping by, & don`t forget to enjoy every day : )

Time Flies ...

...When you`re having fun. I only got to do 2 of the 3 set challenges for last weekend`s CC over at SBT50, but I was quick off the mark for the scavenger hunt LOL. Challenge #1 had to have a beach theme, & there had to be sand (or rather, something to represent sand), I used beads on my alphas. I used BB cs, MME pp(orange pp), 7 Gypsies pps, chipboard letters painted with acrylic paint, & covered with DM (& if you squint you can see the beads on "fun"LOL). I added a UL rub-on, & the 3 flowers (2 of which were a very timely gift from Barb, of TSQ, thanks Barb).


For challenge #2 we had to do a LO all about what summer means to us, using bright summer colours & includind some journaling...




Again, BB cs, white & green acrylic paint, MM cb alphas, ribbons (one of the ribbons was the daisy-chain one which I cut apart to use as bullets for the journaling), brads, Signo gel pen, & another UL rub-on.
Just in case you`re curious, the journaling reads: Stifling Heat, Lakes Entrance,Long late-night walks on the beach, Washing is dry within a few minutes..., There`s always sand in the car, Smell of sunscreen in the air, Peppermint & choc-chip icecream, yum!
Well, I`m happy to report that I was one of the lucky winners of the scavenger hunt (who knew I`d be a good hunter? ), AND I also won a prize for my "Summer" LO, so thank you Victoria over at SBT50 for the awesome challenges, & thank you Diane over at Scrapbook Savvy for sponsoring our play-time...
There`s lots of new competitions happening over at SBT50, so if you`re looking for a friendly place to hang out, or want some inspiration, go check it out...
Now I`ll try to catch up on some Blurfing, thanks for stopping by, & I hope all`s well in your neck of the woods, B4N

8 Weeks to Christmas

SBT50 are having a great competition which I forgot all about last week, but which I remembered today when I was visiting the site...here`s my entry for this week. Doesn`t she look sweet...? The criteria was to use felt, chipboard & ribbon, & either cs or pp for the background...I went for the K&Co pp, which is a challenge for me as I usually go for plain cs. I got to use lots of chipboard, & I SCRAPPED !!! So I`m most pleased about that...I`ve still got a few more photos of our (not-so-recent) trip to Sydney, so this challenge was a great excuse to scrap a couple of those...You have until Monday November 3, midnight to upload your entry to the gallery :)

First LO for the Competition

After a couple of frustrating hours spent swearing profusely under my breath, I finally got the scanner to play nice & scan the LO I`ve just submitted to the SYTYCS competition. They wanted to see hand-cutting of pp, edge distressing, layering, use of white/negative space, texture, non-standard size photos, & clustering. I think I`ve achieved all of the criteria...the only bit I found difficult was the negative space, but I`m happy with how the LO turned out, so if nothing else comes of me taking part in the comp, at least I have one more LO to add to our albums. I almost forgot that SBT50 has their CC on this weekend. Check out their challenges if you`re looking for some inspiration & a bit of fun, thanks for stopping by, & I wish you a great weekend, & a happy father`s day to the father/s in your life. Adios amigos e amigas

First Day of Spring

It`s the first day of spring in our part of the world...I love spring, with all it`s newly formed blooms, lots of chirping birds, cool sunny (if blowy)weather. I had hoped for a more productive/creative weekend, but we had some family commitments to take care of...still, I did try to take part in Scraptacuar`s CC, but our computer did not let me do the live chat thing. Still, I`m happy to report that I did get one of the challenges done...Challenge #2, to do an LO (Lay-out)using the colours blue & green + one other colour (I used red) The photos were taken by DH during our stay in Sydney a couple of weeks back, & they are some of my favoutite photos...There was also a sketch challenge, as well as a challenge to use something from your stash that was really old & daggy (I would have used some flower die cuts or some Sesame street paper that I bought 5 years ago LOL) The intentions were good, but I think the deadline of Sunday night just wasn`t long enough for me. I`m happy I got at least one challenge done...now I better get back to tidying up our wardrobe (I was only going to do my woollens, but one thing led to another, & now I have most of my clothes & ALL of DH`s in a big pile on the floor!) I hope everyone else had an enjoyable weekend, thanks for visiting, & don`t forget to take your Zyrtec LOL

A Busy Weekend

A very busy weekend in our household...but I still managed to do a couple of LOs & a card for the SBT50 CC (CC stands for CyberCrop for those of you who don`t know) There was one more challenge, but I ran out of time & didn`t have the photos required, but it was such a great idea, that I`ve decided to go ahead & do it as soon as I get the right photos. In the meantime here are my 2 LOs & card. I have been busy creating other bits & pieces, but can`t share just yet...