Sketch Saturday challenge and some.

Hello again. Today I have been to a Thermomix party. What is a Thermomix do you ask? Well it is a kitchen gadget that does absolutely everything I went in very skeptical but came out very impressed. We enjoyed lots of wonderful dishes prepared in the Thermomix but with a price tag of nearly $2,000 I will be holding off on ordering one.

Today I am bringing you my card for the Sketch Saturday challenge blog:

 



I actually made a mistake on this card can you pick it? Anyhow it was a good excuse to play and I loved making a card with the Manga Girl that came a few weeks ago. I have used DS paper from Stampin Up and Pink Pirouette and Basic Grey Cardstock also from Stampin Up. The image has been colored using my copics and the flowers and rhinestones are from kaisercraft. All the stitching has been done by hand.

The second card I have to show you today is a humorous card, something that I have not done before now.  I saw this stamp at the Picture to Page show but held off on buying it. The other week though I was in need of some fun so I ended up heading down to Deb’s at getting it.

 

The card is very basic as the image and saying is quite big. I have used kraft, tangerine tango and basic black cardstock from Stampin Up. The black button looking things are droplets by kaisercraft and the black ribbon is also from the new range of grosgrain ribbon by Kaisercraft. The image and sentiment as I said can be brought from Deb’s and is made by “I brake for stamps”.

So there you have it I hope the card made you giggle it certainly did for me.

I will hopefully be back tomorrow with some more cards for you.

Until next time xoxo

Anya Ink Challenge #4 & Mojo Monday 110

Hello everyone and welcome back if you are a regular reader and if you are a first time visitor then welcome to my blog.

 

Today the kids had their first dentist visit. I was not sure what to expect from the kids but they were very brave and well behaved. After the dental visit Elizabeth went to school and Robbie went to a friends house for a play so I had some time to play.

 

There are some many wonderful challenges this week that I did not know where to start. I ended up going with the Anya Ink challenge (as this is one of my fav challenge blogs) and incorporated it with this weeks Mojo Monday Sketch, as I loved the sketch as soon as I saw it. This is my third week of participating with the Anya Ink Blog. I love the fact that this blog is Australian it feels good to be part of something from here. The ladies over at Anya Ink have only just started this blog and will be choosing their third DT member from the entrants over the last month. I hope that I have made a good enough impression as it would be a dream to be part of something so wonderful.

 

This week the challenge was to use any number of circles, two ribbons and staples. So I set off this afternoon with this in mind and this is what I have come up with:

 

 

 

I love this Edward stamp from the Wild Sprouts collection but for some reason I keep sidetracking it when it comes time to make a card.  I have stapled the image circle to the scallop circle, requirement 1 & 2 checked off, and used a black and red ribbon together, last requirement checked off. Phew! The cardstock is real red, old olive, basic black from Stampin Up. I have used my copics for colouring the image and used my Uni-ball pens for stitching oh and for the outside stitching on the red cardstock I have also used my paper piercer. I also distressed all the edges of coloured cardstock. I really like the way this card has come out. As I have used contrasting colours and different directions I wanted to keep it simple and not over embellish the card.

 

So there it is my last chance too impress, keep your fingers crossed for me.

 

I also made some more cards last night which I will be back to show you soon.

 

Until next time xoxo

The Sugar Bowl Challenge #22

Good morning everyone. I hope you all had a wonderful weekend. My weekend was very busy but I did manage to get time to make one card for a very special person this weekend, my mum. It was mums birthday yesterday so I had to really pull out all stops and come up with something special.

 

I have based my card using the latest The Sugar Bowl Sketch challenge:

 

 

I used the stamp Daisy which is created by Elisabeth Bell for part of the Sugar Nellie Stamps range and can be purchased through Funky Kits. I have used my forever wonderful copic markers for colouring her in. I faux stitched around her image and added some smudge of brown ink. The patterned paper is called So Charming from the Bella Sarah-Jane Paperz range I just loved these colours. The one requirement of the sketch this fortnight was to use lace, so I have created some lace using my paper punch from Fiskars. The flowers are from kaisercraft and I added some kaisercraft pearls for the centre of the pollen. The sentiment is from the Stampin Up set Great Friend and as always the cardstock is all Stampin Up.  Phew I think I mentioned everything I have used!!

 

I have to say that I was not sure about the card when I first finished it but as I sat at Mum and Dads last night looking at it it grew on me more and more to the point now where I can actually say that I really like it.

 

That is all I have for you today. After my busy weekend I am now having an easy day and hoping to get some stamping done.

 

Until next time xoxo

Anya Ink Challenge #3

Michael got some free tickets for us to go see the Silvers Circus from work so off we went last night. It was a great night and there were some incredible tricks and acts too. The ending is just amazing with a huge steel ball that motorcycles ride around. The kids had an absolute ball. Silvers Circus is fairly expensive to go too so previously I had not really wanted to but after seeing it last night I can say that it if I had of paid I would have felt satisfied and that it was money well spent. Be sure to check them out if you live in Melbourne and take the kids you will not be disappointed.

 

So needless to say it was a rather late night for the kids and we have all been a bit sluggish this morning. Thankfully though I made a card yesterday afternoon for this weeks Anya Ink challenge. This weeks requirement was hand stitching, real or faux. Now as I don’t really like sewing for real I went for the faux option! I have gone out of my comfort zone this week and used a boy stamp, not something I do too often as I have to admit I just find it too hard to come up with a design/layout for them. As the sun was shining yesterday and it was feeling a bit summery I decided to use my “surfer Ian” stamp. I also wanted to use bright colours so I dug deep into my paper collection and came out with Taken by Teal and Summer Sun from Stampin Up.

 

 

 

 

The card is pretty basic but I thought as the colours were so bright that it did not really call for much else. I have used my copics for colouring Ian and I have cut him out and stuck him on top of the waves to make it look like he is “riding a wave”. I have also distressed all the edges of the card and put some twine on to give it a bit of a rustic feel.

 

I am off with my mum soon to go for a walk around Lilydale Lake and for Robbie to have a play. I have to say that since I have finished working I am loving my Fridays and spending some time with mum. I am very lucky that my mum and dad live just around the corner from me so I can always drop in when I want, they are a great support to me as my husband works weekends so they help out a lot with the kids. They are the best parents one could ask for and I would be lost without them. So to my Mummy and Daddy if you are reading this mwah I love you!

 

Until next time xoxo

Taylored Expressions Sketch Challenge

Well another beautiful day in Melbourne today. The sun is shining and once again everyone is more pleasant to deal with.

 

I have had a rather quite week and have not been doing too much creating. I have however got a card to show you that I made on the weekend. Last week I was blog surfing when I stumbled across the Taylored Expressions. I have to say that I am very fond of the stamps and was pleased to discover another place that posts sketch challenges. I have been a bit low on Mojo lately so the sketch challenges are great. Anyhow here is a copy of the sketch:

 

 

 

And here is a copy of the card:

 

 

This card looked so much better in my head!!!!!! Whilst I don’t hate it I don’t love it either. I did however get to play with the stamp I got from Deb’s being the santa hat. Deb has designed and had this stamp made so we can use our favorite stamps for Christmas too.  You can see that I have used it on my favorite Manga Girl. The Cardstock is Stampin Up, old olive and red riding hood. The patterned paper is by Making Memories and the colouring has been done using my copics. Circles cut using my trust cuttlebug and Nestabilities.

 

So anyhow that is what I have for you today. I hope, if you live in Melbourne, that you enjoy this beautiful weather and I will be back hopefully tomorrow with another card.

 

Until next time xoxo

A bit of this and that.

We have had the best weather here in Melbourne today. The sun has been shining and everywhere you go there is people out and about. It is very motivating.

 

This morning I caught up with Kirsty and Dee for a coffee at the Soda House. As always it was great to catch up and have a good old yarn.

 

So my offerings today meet two challenges. The first being this weeks Mojo Monday sketch:

 

 

 

 

 

 

The second challenge it incorporates is the very first challenge at the new Totally Gorjuss blog. This weeks challenge was to use pink and of course one of the wonderful Gorjuss Girls stamps. As I have previously told you I am in love with these little girls so making a ccard with them is never a challenge.

 

 

 

I have used the Bumble Bee Gorjuss Girl stamp which you can purchase through Funky Kits, Pretty in Pink & Wild Wasabi Stampin Up cardstock. I have used my copics for colouring and some ribbon I had laying around. The sentiment is my trustworthy stamp from Impression Obsession, Inc and the flower rhinestones are Kasiercraft. 

 

The next card I have to show you is one that I made last week using one of my new Christmas stamps. I love this snowman and I can not wait to make some more cards with him soon. I made the card just for fun and not following any challenges. When I first finished the card I was not too sure on it but it has grown on me as the week has passed hence why I am now happy to share it with you. The snowman is from the Homegrown category of Sugar Nellie range which you can purchase from Funky Kits and the cardstock as always is Stampin Up, Always Artichoke. The paper I got from Maxine’s last week and is from the Belle Collection by Kaisercraft. I used my Stampin Up watercolors for the colouring of the image.

 

 

 

I will be back tomorrow to show you some more stuff I have been playing with.

 

Until next time xoxo

Mojo Monday 108

Well another weekend has nearly gone by. Where does the time go? If anyone knows can you please tell me.

 

I did not end up going to Kirsty’s on Friday night. It is such a treat for Michael to be home on a Friday night that I felt too guilty leaving him alone so stayed and cuddled up on the couch and watched Shawshank Redemption. I forgot how much I enjoyed that movie. Being the sweet man that he is though he did say I could go but I could see the disappointment on his face hence the decision was made.

 

Yesterday Elizabeth had her netball and is great watching them each week slowly improving. They are all trying so hard and having lots of fun so that is all that matters. They did lose by two but they were down one player so all considering I did not think it was  too bad. After that we slowly made our way home where I sat down and made some cards, very slowly I must add.

 

Today I got up rather late (8:30am) as I was still wide awake at 3:30am this morning. I got stuck right into the cleaning and finished about 1pm. I love when the sun is shining and you can open the windows and smell the fresh air, makes cleaning much more enjoyable, if that is possible. So figured now that I had finished that I would sit down and finish the card I started last night.

 

I have made this card for my sister Sarah for one of her work colleagues, Mel. It is not the butterflies she requested so hope it is ok. I have based that card on this weeks Mojo Monday sketch:

 

 

 

What do you think? I am really happy with this card and as always looks so much better in real life. The little girl is called Heidi among the flowers by C.C. Designs Stamps and I brought her from Funky Kits. The cardstock is all from Stampin Up, Kraft, basic black, pretty in pink and white. I have used my copics to colour the image and cut her out and mounted her on foam ( I really need to find a better way of expressing that as it just sounds wrong LOL!) The circles have been cut using my spellbinders Nestabilities and cuttlebug. The sentiment stamp is from Impression Obession, Inc.

 

So I have been doing my blog for nearly two months now and have had just over 700 hits. I am wanting to know is anyone actually following me, other than my wonderful family and friends? If so please leave me a comment I would love to hear what you have to say.

 

So I will be posting again soon with some more cards I have been playing with over the last few days.

 

Until next time xoxo

Anyone for Anya

I have had a great day today. Robbie had a school session this morning, only for a hour, but I love seeing the enjoyment he gets from it. I also brought him some of his school uniform and he is so proud of it. He has put it to show everyone that has come to the house today. Following his school session this morning mum, Robbie and I went to see my Oma (Dutch for grandma). Although Oma does not know who I am anymore she does know that my face is familiar and after a while she will warm to me. It is however very hard seeing someone you love in this position but as long as you go to visit with no expectations then it is generally ok.

 

After I am came home I started on my card for this weeks Anyone for Anya challenge.  This week the requirement was to use paper piercing. As I have previously mentioned this is not a problem for me as I tend to have a slight addiction to pp but for some reason this week I kept putting this challenge off. The card started off as something completely different in my mind from how it turned out but I actually really like it. I am loving the basic grey at the moment. So without boring you any further here it is:

 

 

 

The cardstock and DS Paper is Stampin Up as per normal. The scalloping is done using my Stampin Up Scallop Punch. The stamp is a Miss Anya Stamp from The Greeting Farm. flowers and rhinestones from Kaisercraft. I have distressed the edges by running my scissors down the edge of the paper and colored my image in using my Copic Markers.

 

The exciting news I mentioned yesterday is that there is now a Gorjuss Challenge Blog. It launches it first challenge tonight so be sure to pop by and check it out.

 

If I am allowed out I will be out to Kirsty’s for a good natter with her and Dee and a little bit of stamping. If not I will be back with some more cards that I have made over the last couple of days.

 

Until next time xoxo

Magnolia Down Under STORE Guest DT Call

Just a quick post today. I was flicking through some blogs today and stumbled accross and few exciting things. The first being that the Magnolia Down Under Store are looking for a guest DT for 3 months. I was so excited when I saw this that I nearly wet myself LOL!.  Be sure to look at the requirements here if you are interested in looking.  So here are the cards that I am showcasing:



 



 



 



 



 



 



I have tried to show a variety of my stuff. Lets hope it is good enough. It would be a dream come true if I was picked as a guest DT member. Having said that though I know that the competition is stiff. Anyhow you never know. Keep your fingers crossed for me

I will be back tomorrow with some more exciting news.

Until next time xox

The Sugar Bowl Sketch #21

Hello I hope you are all well. Not much has been happening in my household since I last posted except that my new stamps arrived from Scotland!! This was very exciting for me as I had been watching the mail box in anticipation for the last few days. The stamps appeared to have come at the right time as this week The Sugar Bowl Sketch requires a Christmas theme. Here is a copy of the sketch:

 

 

When I first looked at the sketch I was thrown and thought it looked harder than what it was. I was almost not going to do it, but as the abovementioned stamps arrived, and I wanted to play with them, I decided to give it a whirl. Now all I can say is that I am so happy that I pushed myself to do this challenge as this would be one of my most favorite cards I have made in a long time.

 

 

The Santa was on my maybe list to purchase but after showing my mum and sister Sarah, I don’t think I had any choice. They both fell in love with the stamps and I think for the first time could understand my obsession!

 

Now for details of the card. The Section with the image has been mounted on foam tape but you do not get the gist of that with the photo. The Merry Christmas sentiment and flowers are also at the same height as the Santa panel. The Cardstock is all Stampin Up of course as well as the Christmas sentiment which came from one of this years level 1 hostess sets. The Santa himself is from the Homegrown category from the Sugar Nellie Range which you can purchase from Funky Kits. The flowers I picked up from Maxine’s (picture2page) yesterday and were one of those purchases that you say to yourself “I absolutely love them and have to have them even though I have no idea when I will actually use them”! The patterned paper is from the Figgy Pudding range by BasicGrey which I have had laying around since last Christmas, being one of those such purchases just mentioned!!

 

So there you have it I hope you have enjoyed looking and I will be back again soon with some more for you.

 

Until next time xoxo

Anya Ink: Challenge #2

Well I have certainly neglected my page over the last week. Last time I left you I was excited to be going off to Kirsty’s to catch up with her and Dee to make some cards which I would be able to show you. Well lets just say that we had very good intentions, but after some in depth conversations about Twilight, looking at pictures of Robert Pattinson and some talking we only managed to color one image.

 

The week as flown by and I have only just managed this afternoon to sit down and make a card.

 

When I was blog surfing last week I came across a new Aussie blog called Anya Ink. As you know I love the stamps from The Greeting Farm and of course being an Aussie myself felt compelled to participate in the challenge and support the new site.

 

I had great intentions of joining in last weeks challenge but I only managed to get the image stamped off. This weeks challenge is to use DS Paper somewhere on the card. As this is something that I have been trying to do a lot of lately I enjoyed this challenge.

 

The DS Paper is some that I had laying around and thought would go well with the image. The rest of the cardstock is Stampin Up of course.

 

The card is actually a lot softer in life but photography does not appear to be my forte!  If anyone can give me some tips it would be very much appreciated. The hair band also sparkles but once again the photo does not show this.  You may notice that I cut out the shopping bags and 3D them to the card. Here is a closer look.

 

 

I am reasonably happy with this card, not my normal colours or paper but I enjoyed stepping out of my comfort zone.

 

I will leave you here for now, I have 3 more sketch challenges that I really want to do as I like the look of them.

 

Hopefully I will be back very soon to show you more.

 

Until next time xoxo

Mojo Madness - 107

Just a quick post today. I have had a great day. Robbie had kinder this morning and then after kinder we went to Chrissie’s house for coffee and Robbie ended up staying for a play with Paige & Ewan and was deposited back to me at school drop off this afternoon. As a consequence I managed to get the Mojo Monday challenge done before the end of the week, one day I might just manage to get it done on a Monday LOL!

 

 

I really like this sketch and I think I will be using this one again. I used my recently acquired stamp from Stampavie by Gillian Roberts. From the minute I saw this stamp I had to have it! I also used my spellbinders for the scallop and circle. I got out my forgotten about cuttlebug embossing folders and remembered just how much I like them. I also used some ribbon I had laying around, my copics, kaisercraft droplets and of course Stampin Up cardstock.

 

 

 

 

So there you have it my first Christmas card for 2009. I am off to Kirsty’s tonight so hopefully may make some more Christmas cards which I can  show you soon.

 

Until next time xoxo

Magnolia Down Under Challenge

Well school holidays have finished here. We had wonderful holidays and I am petrified to think that the next set of school holidays are the Christmas/Summer Holidays. Were has this year gone? This morning I took a big step and after 12 years of working with my employer I resigned. Unfortunately the atmosphere in the office became very unpleasant and I made the decision to get out. Whilst I am scared of the prospect of now being unemployed I am going to relish in the fact that there are new opportunities out there for me now. I am hoping that I can get a job in a scrapbooking store selling what I love. I will keep you posted.

 

So the card I have to show you today is my card for the Magnolia Down Under Challenges  For the current challenge we had to use buttons and of course a magnolia stamp.

 

 

I set out with one idea in my mind and of course came out with something very different. I have once again surprised myself and not used any sketches to help with the layout. I was wrapped about this card as I always struggle with male cards and I love the way my colouring came out, can I just say I am in loooooove with my copics. The cardstock as usual is Stampin Up and the DS Paper is Kaisercraft. The buttons are just some that I had laying around in my draw and the rest was done by hand.

 

Tomorrow night I am off to Kirsty’s house to catch up with her and Dee. We intend to make some cards but has we have not all caught up for a while together I think we will be doing a lot of talking. Anyhow if I do manage to make anything I will show you and be sure to check out Kirsty's blog to see what she has to show you from the night. I am now going to enjoy my freedom and make some more cards. LOL!

 

 Until next time xoxo

Sugar bowl sketch #20

Today I am bringing you my attempt of the latest Sugar Bowl Sketch Challenge. Here is a picture of the sketch:

 

 

When I saw that I had to use flowers I broke into a sweat! Although I love flowers as embellishments for scrapbook pages I have always struggled to use them on a card and have been known to walk away from challenges if a flower is needed. Today however I decided that it was time to face my fear and use them. I am pleased with my result. The other requirement of the sketch was to use paper piercing. Now unlike the flowers this requirement I relished as I love paper piercing.  So that is enough waffling and here is my card:

 

 

I wanted to use the Manga Girl as I have not actually used her for a Sugar Bowl Sketch yet. I am happy with this card I think I actually managed to get the flowers right and balanced on my card.

 

Supplies:Manga Gi.rl, SU cardstock and DS Paper, ribbon. miscellaneous flowers, Copic markers.

 

I am now sitting down to start my Christmas cards. I know it is scary but if I start slowly now then I will enjoy it and not be rushing at the end. Well this is the plan but ask me in 6 weeks time and it may be a different story LOL!

 

I hope you all have a great weekend.

 

Until next time xoxo

A bit of this and that.

Today is the last “weekday’ of the school holidays as tomorrow I am off to work. I have had such a great week with the kids. Monday as you know we went to the movies. Tuesday Kirsty and I braced ourselves and took the kids into the city by train (we had the incentive of a shop in town that sells copics cheap LOL!). This is about a 50 minute train ride, with 4 children, hence the reason why we have never undertook this adventure before. Thank goodness that they all behaved. Once we got into town we had some lunch, listened to a band playing on Bourke Street, walked through the city, played at the park near federation square and then braved a tram back to where we started and hoped back on the train to home. It was a great day out with all the kids. What Kirsty and I liked the most that other than lunch and train fare (and maybe the purchase of a few copics) the day was pretty cheap but very enjoyable.

 

Yesterday Michael and I took the kids to Sovereign Hill. I have to say this was far the best day out we have had as a family. The kids were old enough to walk around all day without whining and to really appreciate everything. There was no arguments or tears just smiles and laughter.

 

Anyhow that is enough about my week and here are some cards. The first one I did today for my sister, Sarah, who asked me to make a card for her friends who have just moved into together. Now this is an area that I am not too good with so after much procrastination I came up with this:

 

 

You will notice that I 3D the butterflies to make it look like they are in flight. Here is a closer look:



Supplies: SU – Great Friend stamp set, SU DS Paper& cardstock, gemstones, SU So Saffron ribbon.

 

I was happy with the way this card turned out in the end. Sarah came and picked it up this afternoon and she loved it so to me it was a winner.

 

 

The other card I want to show you is the card I made for my niece’s birthday. This card just came about by playing and was not based on any sketches. Once again I was pleased how it came out.

 

Supplies: Stamp from Gorjuss Girls Range, DS Paper, SU Cardstock, SU Watercolour crayons.

 

 

Anyhow I will be back tomorrow with my post showing the card for the current Sugar Bowl Challenge.

 

Till then xoxo