Long Post Ahead...

I have lots to share, so on with the show. (I`d say grab yourself a drink, but if you grab a vodka, you`ll have trouble clicking on the links!!! LOL)

Firstly, I`d like to say a big thank you to those of you who have chosen to follow me, I don`t feel like I`m talking to myself so much LOL. Secondly, did you know that DRD is having 10 Days Of Giveaways to celebrate the release of their NEW COLLECTION?

Speaking of DRD, I took part in the latest "Viva La Flora" ATC swap, organized by the ever diligent Rachel, & I`ve just scanned my beautiful returns: In the first row is mine (Hidden Nature), followed by Sarah`s (All Things Grow...) & Damaris (Flowers).

On the second row we have Emi`s (Adopt the Pace...) then Rina`s (Earth Laughs..) then Mari Mari`s (Adopt...).

Third row we have Helen`s (Blue..) followed by Yukiko`s (Sending Sunshine) & Judith`s (Moments).

My second lot of returns are as follows: In the top row again is mine (Moments) then Jenene`s (Bloom), followed by Robyn`s (Smile).

Second row & we have Atsuko`s (With Love), Teresa`s (Memories), & Teraton (Enjoy...)

Third row we have Damaris (All Things...), followed by Yumiko`s (Moments) & Rachel C`s (From Small Beginnings...)

I know I say this every time, but I love taking part in these swaps, it`s so great to see how each participant interprets the theme, & how differently they all turn out, even though we may sometimes use the same images & even similar colours. Believe me when I say that the scans don`t do them justice, but I will come back & add the link to the DRD GALLERY once RACHEL has finished with the 10 DAY GIVEAWAY & sets up the ATC gallery for this swap. Needless to say, I`m most grateful to all those who took part, each ATC is a mini work of ART & just beautiful to look at, & of course a big thak you too, to Rachel for organizing this great swap. I`m already looking forward to the next one LOL :) This next ATC was my TY ATC for Rachel, I used one of my cuttlebug embossing folders & some DCWV cs, with the white core (great stuff IMO) I used two of the stamps from the Viva La Flora DRD plate, stamped with black Versafine ink & coated with clear EP, lots of distressing, some glass beads & sheer ribbon, I`m rather pleased with the way it turned out : )

On another note, I received a lovely B`day card from my friend LYN, (as well as some great stamped images, thank you Lyn) & if you visit her blog you will see lots of beautiful creations, but in the meantime here is one she prepared earlier ; )

& here`s my entry to this MONTH`S THEME over at INKURABLE STAMPERS, we had to use playing cards in our project, so I chose the queen of hearts to do my Queen of ART :)

I`ve used the playing card as a frame, cutting out the middle section, adding some pewter EP to the edges & adding a b`ground made by stamping bubble wrap with acrylic paints (lime, metallic purple & gold paints on wc paper)
I stamped my "Art doll" twice with Stazon ink (Blazing Red) onto white cs, carefully cutting it out, adding one image to the b`ground (under the frame)& layering the second image using foam tape (over the frame) I added the paper flowers, clock hands (punched) & a green gem to finish... I`m sorry I don`t know the stamp manufacturer as I got her in a grab bag...I tried to look, but life`s too short LOL. I really like the way she turned out, so I may make a few more so she`s not lonely : ) OK, that`s it for me, I hope you`re having a nice time wherever you happen to be right now, & I hope you can find some time to smell the flowers...Until next time, go forth & create...& thanks for visiting

It`s Just a Game....

There`s lots going on at our house at the moment...& although it`s all creative stuff, it`s not something I can share right now. I will however, share some beautiful things I have received in the mail in the last couple of weeks. I was lucky enough to win a G/V from Tarisota for my entry to Inkurable Stampers May theme, & Tamar was kind enough to send me ALL of these beautiful packs...

I also received 3 gorgeous ATCs all the way from Spain from my cyber-friend Cuchy (Muchisimas gracias Cuchy, te mandare algunas ATCs mias esta semana, te lo prometo!!!)

& this beautiful card was sent to me by another cyber-friend, Margaret A. isn`t it lovely? & in one of my favourite colours too, Thank you Margaret.

I also remembered to post a new challenge over at ARTILICIOUS, you can check it out HERE. & I`ll be working on my "orange"inchies today, and sending them off asap, thanks Marie :)

I was also the lucky recipient of a prize pack from SBT50 for my entry to the card challenge at last month`s CC ( we had to make a card using the left-over scraps from the 1st LO challenge)

This month`s CC has already started, & you have until July 28th to upload your entries to the gallery, you can check it all out HERE
And if you`re wondering what the title of this post refers to, it`s all to do with this month`s SBT50 CC game, "Blog Hop with a Twist"... (shhh, don`t tell anyone else, but this is your last stop) so if you want to find out more, Begin Now! ; )

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

A Quick Share...

There`s a CC happenning right now over at SBT50, with lots of fun challenges & some great inspiration for scrappers...It actually started on wednesday, & most (but not all) of the challenges are related to mother`s day (gee, I wonder why LOL) Anyway, I`ve completed 2 of the challenges so far & here they are:

For the first LO, we had to scraplift a LO...In all my years scrapping I`ve never scraplifted a LO before, so for me this was a great (& scary) challenge, but I`m very happy with the results.

For the next challenge (which is actually challenge #3 in the forum) I had to use rub-ons (not something I normally use LOL) flowers, & stamps. Now stamps I use all the time, but for some reason I don`t use them as much as I should on my LOs, & I nearly forgot to use them for this challenge LOL. Can you see the beautiful rub-ons? They were part of a prize I got from SBT50 for one of my LOs, & the chipboard letters are also a gift (just for being a newsletter recipient, how cool is that!) The big plus with this CC is that we have until May 20th to upload the finished LOs to the gallery...& there`s heaps of great prizes up for grabs, & if nothing else, you`ll at least end up with some great LOs to add to your albums, so go check it out HERE.

I`m also trying to take part in Sandie`s Alphabet Soup challenge, & did this card using one of her fab daisies (thanks Sandie), & I know it`s a bit hard to see, but I`ve also used some tiny little rhinestones which were given to me by MARIE (thanks muchly) Speaking of Marie, she`s running a great Card Bootcamp, & you can be in the running to win a $50 gift voucher if you complete all the tasks set by Marie, go & check it out HERE, you know you want to LOL...

Ooh, & one more for the road...this LO is for the 30 Weeks to Christmas challege over at SBT50...For week #1 we had to use "spots, dots & doodling", so I used the photos we took at COMO House & Garden in April.

One more thing before I go, a big Thank you to the ladies who took part in last months`challenge over at INKURABLE STAMPERS & who voted for my little house (There were so many beautiful entries, I didn`t think I stood a chance!) But there were 6 winning entries, & mine was one of them, thank you ladies & thank you Sarah, for running such an inspirational blog.

Now this is for one of Marie`s challenges over at PERNICKETY:

"With each passing birthday

& amid new urges,

They are not called hot flashes

They are now power surges..."

& on that note I thank you for sticking around, & I wish you a lovely & happy mother`s day on sunday, & if you`re not a mum, you can still practice ; )

Away With The Birds...

Well, I knew I would be busy, but I`m still playing catch-up LOL. Here`s a card I came up with for PERNICKETY`S Bootcamp Card Challenge, using the "puzzle" pieces provided by MARIE...

& Then there`s SANDIE`s Alphabet Soup challenge, I was a bit late with "B", so I did both "B" & "C" together...

"B" is for Bird on a branch, & "C" is for cuttlebug b`ground. See the "metal" bit behind the heart in the card? I stuck some aluminium foil to some stiff card, & ran it through a cb embossing folder, & I think it looks fav! I used the same technique for the b`ground of my "Altered" ATC... (Thanks RONI for the idea)

I also managed to finish my puzzle pieces for the ARTILICIOUS swap, but can`t share that until we all get them back :)

There`s lots happening over at ScrapbookingTop50, so if you`re looking for some inspiration, head on over there & try some of the great challenges, there`s even some prizes up for grabs... & I just read that INKURABLE STAMPERS has posted the NEW THEME for this month...proving that old saying that there is no rest for the wicked LOL. I wish you a creative day, & thanks for stopping & saying HI.