Not Too Many Sleeps Left Now...

Just wanted to pop in with a couple of cards I managed to put together towards this holiday season.  Nothing too flash but passable.  LOL

At the moment, I am trying to come up with some clever craft ideas for the kids.  We always love to have a couple of mega craft days before Christmas just to make something decorative for our home.  I sure wouldn't mind hearing any fab ideas you might have suitable for the kids including the wee ones (ages 3 to 12).  I am seriously drawing up blanks at the moment.  Rock on January!

Thanks for stopping by, I appreciate it tremendously! x

Slowly, Slowly Is The Way...

The title of this post must be my (not so) closet motto for this festive season which is fast approaching.  I have only made a handful of Christmas cards this month!  Eek gads! I am not so convinced that even if I were to get a wriggle on, I would have made and mailed all the cards that need doing to meet my holiday requirements.  But seeing that there are still nearly a fortnight left of sleeps before the Big Fella arrives, I might not throw in the towel just yet. *wink* 

This is just a quick little number I whipped up using mainly Papertrey Ink's holiday bits and bobs circa 2012 with the sentiment frame being the exception.  The sentiment frame stamp is a good'un from Waltzingmouse Stamps' Vintage Labels No. 18.

So best leave this a short and sweet post and get back to crafting.  Thanks a bunch for looking.  Catch ya soon!

Almost A One Layered Wonder...Maybe?

Do you think this card will count as a one layered wonder if I tell you that it is really a one layered card hiding beneath the two thoroughly glued down slopey hills?  Didn't thinks so.  Hehe.  I was trying my darnedest to do a one layered card but when the thought of those darling wee gingham and graph paper hills came to mind it was stuck there and wasn't gonna budge until I crafted them.  D'oh!

This card was crafted with Papertrey Ink goodies from across the years.  I must say, it is rather satisfying to create using some older items, and still feel they are rather current (albeit it possibly so, only within my own lunchbox).  I am entering this card into Papertrey Ink's Make It Monday challenge.  I am fairly certain it has been well over a year, if not more, since I participated in one... so I thought why not?  The challenge was to create using glitter detail.  Although, I am not a stranger to glitter, I don't use it too, too often, but enjoy it when I do.  I used some Prisma Glitter across the wire the birds have precariously perched upon and a few squirts on the petals of the flower at the base of the one tree.  C'est Tout.

Thanks a big bunch for stopping by.  Here's to a love-filled day for us all!

Just A Joy!

I know I don't have to explain to any of you about the joys of paper crafting, because I know you totally get it. This post is just me momentarily thinking out loud about the simple joy crafting can be.  Hectic days, chores galore, but nothing beats the stress release of spell of wee card making.  Nice.  I was blissfully spurred on by the current inspiration photo currently on offer at The Shabby Tea Room full of yummy neutrals and perfect pewters.  Just dreamy.  Not much time to spare today, so please accept this card as a small tribute to that which brings us joy.

Looking forward to seeing you anon. x

Papertrey Ink Blog Hop November 2012

I am just going to cut straight to the chase and let you know that the theme of this month's blog hop might as well have been from Mars as I certainly found it to be a bit off the planet and pushed me out of my comfort zone.  The theme was to make a card or project inspired by book covers/sleeves.  You're probably best to check out the link directly as I am sure my understanding of it is, more than likely, clear as mud.  But I was intrigued.  So, after a bit of head scratching, the image that came screaming to mind was the ribbon stickers that are often seen adhered to book covers to state that a book is a prize winner of some description or a finalist in some book list or awards category.  Fingers crossed you have some idea what I am rabbiting on about or I really must sound/read like a crafty loon.  Ah well, it wouldn't be the first time and more than likely not the last.  LOL  I was also in need of a birthday card for a gorgeous man in my life that we all reckon is a bit of a prize favourite to say the least, so I set out on the challenge.  Luckily, it didn't end up being as painful as I had imagined.  *wink*

So, without further ado, may I please present to you my (rather obscure) entry for this month's PTI Blog Hop:

Many thanks for hopping by.  It's always such a treat when you do.   :-)

*All supplies used in making the card are Papertrey Ink's except for the papers.  

But, But, But...

I know I have been AWOL this last fortnight, but for good reason.  I have been working furiously towards the November Mind, Body Spirit Festival in Sydney that I am a part of twice a year for four days a festival (well five if you count the day we move in).  Well, now that it is done and dusted, I can take a bit of a breather and get back to more of the paper crafting that I love.  But, I just wanted to pop in to show you what I have been working towards over the last fortnight that I have been MIA from my blog now that it has come to a close.  Here are my Before and After snaps...talk about a transformation:

Before

After

My stand was only 2 meters x 2 meters, which wasn't even enough room to swing a cat in.  And you guessed it, our entry and exit was from under the table!  What a hoot!  So between trying my best not to cop a knee to the side of the head on exiting the stand or one to the backside on entering, good fun was had by all.   

Looking forward to getting back to my regular scheduled program quick smart though, that's for sure.  Thanks for sticking with me and popping by.  I appreciate it so.  Here's to a glorious day for us all! Hugs~   

Getting Merry!

I cannot ever remember the last time I participated in a Papertrey Ink Blog Hop.  I am certain it's been donkey's years!  Even though I am not quite ready to take the leap into full steam ahead Christmas crafting just yet, I was happy enough to get a few tags on the go.  I made three, but the following wine bottle tag was the only one that fit the bill as far as being directly inspired by a specific group of colours for the blog hop, which is all about non-traditional holiday color schemes.

I suspect I have one of those wacky Papertrey Ink Sweet Blush ink pads that many folks have been talking about, as it is looking a lot less Sweet Blush/pink than advertised.  Oh well.  Lucky it still matches, I guess.  This bottle tag was further inspired by a tag I once spied ages ago from Betsy Veldman, I am pretty sure.  I am certainly having a vague moment on typing this post so forgive me if I got it wrong.  It was just one of those many offerings from the PTI DT that stuck in my mind and got me itching to craft not to mention part with a bit of my hard earned cash.  LOL

So,  that's it for me today.  Happy hopping!  

Celebrate Today In A Magnificent Rustic, Shabby-licious Way!

I've been a bit cranky of late, because I haven't had as much crafty time as I would like. Too busy with the not so fun chores of everyday life, I guess. So I had to quietly sneak in a few therapeutic and very precious moments to make a card, with the sole purpose of getting a wee crafty hit to see me through my seemingly hectic days.  I created this card inspired form the colors of the current CR84FN Color Challenge showcasing Light Pink, Tan, and Cream coupled with the gorgeous photo inspiration from The Shabby Tea Room.  Just what I needed to kick start a short, nurturing but much appreciated crafting session.  Ahhh!

My card ended up being a melange of shabby and rather rustic textures, textiles and tones.   I just aged, stamped, trussed, threaded, stained, clipped and snipped to my crafty heart's content.  Bliss.

Now back to the grindstone for me.  Thanks for stopping by.  Here's to more joyous times in our crafty havens!  

You've Got To Bloom Where You Are Planted.

Lord knows, I am all about making the most of whatever hand of cards I am dealt and trying my very best to metaphorically bloom where I am planted.  So much so, in fact, that with all the lemons life's given me, I most certainly now have honed a kick butt recipe for a mean batch of lemonade. When I first came across this sentiment from Papertrey Ink some time ago, I wondered what it would best be used for?  But now, I see it as the perfect sentiment for making the most of any situation and striving to be your best despite the odds perceived before you.  I could be reading more into it than is meant (more than likely), but to me, it's a great reminder to stand tall, take a deep breath or three, summon my best and Go For It!

So with this mantra ever in mind, I decided to take a little stroll over to The Shabby Tea Room and see what's doing over there, as it's been a terribly long time since I've participated in their challenges. This week's inspiration photo of a gorgeously laid table setting complete with crisp white embroidered linen and the prettiest roses and lisianthus  delightfully placed just so, called this sentiment to the fore.  The challenge was to create a project inspired by the image while using the colours Pink, Green and White and lace.  You and I both know that I cannot do proper "white" in all it's pristine glory to save my soul, but I did create using the typical Jen's Jacked-Up version of white in it's more aged, stained form. When it came to using pink and green, I squealed with glee as I adore this combination tremendously.  And the flowers...Oh Happy Day! 

Another of my many loves (yes, I have eyes for more than just roses) are vintage table linens.  I have quite a collection, certainly more than I have tables or opportunities to ever use them, but...  I do admire a beautifully laid table and should the occasion arise, I'll be ready.  *wink*  The circular scalloped shape of my card is a nod to the lovely place setting pictured specifically as the other elements of my card more loosely follow on from the other aspects in the inspiration photo.

Many thanks for stopping by and for allowing me to share with you just another of my many musings.  I appreciate your visit so.  Here's to a beautiful, bloom-filled day!   

Baby Boy Blue.

I always delight in making baby cards and revelling in the joy of a new birth.  There is something about  a new life that always reminds me how very blessed I am on so many levels.  The funny or rather quirky "me-like" aspect of this current paper crafting creation is that I actually don't have a current birth to celebrate, but felt like a little fanciful yet jubilant hit that only a new baby can bring.

This card was born out of the current CR84FN Color Challenge showcasing Light Blue, Yellow and Green.  I also wanted to take the opportunity to submit once again for the current call for DTs for this esteemed challenge.  I think that my last two submissions are all that are required, but I thought, why not...just to be sure to be sure that they know what a keen bean I am.  Overkill perhaps.

This card afforded me the opportunity to use the cutest Onesie die from Papertrey Ink.  This is such a fun die that can be used to make Onesie shaped cards or can be utilised as I have done as a Onesie shaped focal embellishment.   The Onesie was cut from a sheet of the sweetest 6x6 paper pack from Crate Paper called Little Boy Blue.  I highly recommend this pack if you are after delight after delight when it comes to delectable patterned paper 100% suited to wee boy bairn.  After cutting out the die and staining the edges, I glued a few snippets of the softest pale blue vintage lace I could find in my stash.  The die cut ovals with Waltzingmouse Stamps' "Wee Little Baby" sentiment is also from Papertrey Ink and is part of their Limitless Layers Oval set which is also a handy little set to have in one's stamping arsenal.

Lastly, I wanted to mention the cool knit textured background stamp from Impression Obsession that I stamped with Sky Blue ink from Memento.  It is one of those nifty, photorealistic, red-rubber Cover-A-Card stamps that I am so fond of.  I have a few dozen of them and would not want to be without them. Ever. 100% worth a look-see.

Thank you so much for popping by.  I enjoy each of your visits so.  Here's to a delightful day filled with the heavenly fragrance or thoughts thereof a new baby.  What joy!

Celebrate With Primitive Pizza!...Or Maybe Not.

Perhaps an oddly named post, but perfect for an oddly made card.  This is my second offering put up for consideration for CR84FN Color Challenge's DT call on now.  I have participated in many, many CR84FN Color Challenges before, that's for sure, but I think this might well be the first time I have ever attempted a card with a pennant that freakishly resembles a slice of primitive patterned pizza. Oh well, let's hope they don't think this too outlandish an offering for consideration, but like most other "out there" creations that I make, it's me down to the ground.  100% quirky and ever so slightly mad.  The colors this time around are Denim, Tan, and Brown. 

This card was made from a compilation of crafting goodies from Hero Arts (the denim colored diamond shaped background), Waltzingmouse Stamps (the pennant stamp), and Papertrey Ink (the sentiment).  The die cut flower is a little mock up made using all of the dies in the Tim Holtz Alterations die called Tattered Florals.  Lastly, the pennant and the sentiment label are all from the same Spellbinders' Lacey Banners set.  After spritzing (or rather sogging) the card base (PTI's Fine Linen C/S) within an inch of it's life with Glimmer Mists in both Coffee Shop and Denim, I nibbled at all of the corners with my pink/mauve handled Corner Chomper's Cloud side.  Ta da!  Well that's this offer done.

Thank you ever so much for stopping by.  Here's to a glorious day for us all!     

Just A Note With Roses.

I am really a sucker for all things roses as any semi-regular visitor to my wee blog would have gleaned. So it never took any amount of arm twisting for me to use a rose crafting item or three.  This card is my attempt to use my mists and sprays in a more controlled fashion as is currently being taught in the now running Online Card Classes called Kick Start.  The day's theme was all about organizing your ideas, but I am hopelessly disorganized and it would seem attention deficit disordered as well when it comes to following along patiently.  Yes, I was mesmerised by the pretty pictures and just got stuck into creating in my trademark will-nilly fashion.  Incorrigible, I know.  The lesson was also around water coloring with sprays and mists from an embossed watercolour paper base.  You, will have no doubt guessed that all I heard was blah, blah, blah, blah, blah from having looked at my card.  (No slight intended to those who skillfully and lovingly prepared this top notch lesson, by the way) Needless to say I didn't follow instruction one and have ended up with this card.  I know it will never be a poster child for the lesson, but it was devilishly fun going rogue and free-styling a bit. Let's be honest, that's me down to the ground though, isn't it?  Never follows the instructions and wonders why I end up with a sparkly dog's breakfast?  LOL  That's okay, I'm happy to be one of the black sheep of the papercrafting world. Hehe.

Thanks so much for visiting and allowing me to share with you just a little bit of the quasi-controlled chaos that's in this crafty, addled brain of mine. Here's to an inspired and joyous day for us all!

Wishing You Peace.

...And wishing a bit for me too, while I'm at it.  Talk about crazy days!  Life has been totally cramping my style as of late. So busy, busy, busy with chores, family, work and other nefarious, pain in the butt people that things have been beyond chaotic and I could sure use an injection of peace and serenity.  So really, this card is meant for anyone that can relate with myself included in that.

I wanted to throw this card into the ring for this fortnight's CR84FN Color Challenge showcasing Lavender, Peach, and Neutral.  This and the following challenge are also an opportunity for any DT-wannabees to let the current team know of your desire to sign on for the next 6 month term. I know that "me and my rather unorthodox style" have probably got a snowflake's chance... of being on a DT (any DT, really), but I am feeling game at this very moment in time and might as well strike while the iron's hot and try my luck.  *Gulp*

So, before I wake up to myself and realize what I have done, I am going to quickly post this and race over to CR84FN and link up this card declaring my intentions to be in the running for their DT. *Gulps again*  Thanks for stopping by and here's to an inspired and rather peaceful day for us all.  Hugs.


Edited to add:  Today is the sad anniversary of 9/11.  Lest we forget. RIP

Celebrate Today And Every Day.

Still gently working towards gaining some semblance of crafting mojo.  Not really winning, but kind of enjoying the process.  This is an attempt at a one layered card.  I did have fun quietly building the landscape with some subtle background stamping first done with a favorite Hero Arts Woodblock stamp called Old Letter Writing.  I lightly tissued off sections of the distress inked rubber stamp which led to the rather worn and faded background text layer.  After that, I built up my garden scene with stamps from across a few Papertrey Ink sets using a selection of Memento inks. At the time of writing this, I was having a massive brain fade and cannot recall the exact names of the sets used, and more to the fact, I felt too lazy to go and look.  Forgive me.  I am sure though, that being the doyens of craft that you all are, you'll recognise the exact set employed, straight away.  The bird and its little wafty trail are from Papertrey Ink's Happy Trails set I recall. The uneven scalloped card bottom was made by using one of Tim Holtz's On The Edge Alterations Dies called, just simply, Scallops.  As per my custom, I stained the edges of the card, stuck on several Copic colored rhinestones and...Tada! That's my one layer card done.

Thanks so much for stopping by.  Here's to a day full of dazzling sunshine and flowers for us all!

Nearly 25 Years of Treading The Boards...

I am trying to lift my game in regards to posting my cards a little more frequently.  But really, I need to lift my game, more to the point, in terms of card making period (full stop for my Aussie comrades).  I have been in the slow lane when it comes to crafty mojo, that is for sure.  Luckily, when I saw this fortnight's CR84FN Color Challenge, it most certainly whet my whistle in wanting to give papercrafting a go.  I do adore the colors Aqua, Tan, and Cream when combined. Yum. 

So my masculine card for my husband's 25th anniversary of being a part of a particular acting fraternity came together rather effortlessly due to my fondness for the current color combo, which was a tremendous relief judging from my markedly decreased crafting energy levels.  Oh, if you're wondering why the title of this post starts with the word "nearly" is because, as it turned out, the fellas had only been acting together for just on 24 years. LOL  I guess, to my poor love, it must have seemed like a quarter century...of fun of course. *wink*  Incredibly nice to say that, that's this card done then.

Thanks so very much for stopping by.  Your visits are appreciated so.  Have a beautiful day!

A Sweet Belief.

This sentiment has to be amongst my very favorites from Waltzingmouse stamps.  It is from a set called Roses In Bloom.  Of course this sentiment gets an airing on Mothers Day, but on many other instances throughout the year as well.  This sentiment just rings so true and is such a sweet belief to hold on to.

Thank you for stopping by and allowing me to share with you another of my many musings in papercraft. Here's to an inspired day for us all!

Mon Amie!

I just had to pop into the blog to say,"Hello!"  Its been a while between drinks and I wanted to let you know that I have been thinking of my beautiful, ever so crafty friends, but life has somehow managed to edge in the way of things.  I suspect that my crafting has fallen foul of Five Ring Fatigue.  Too much bleary eyed watching and enjoying of the Olympics.  Lucky though it's nearly over for another 4 years and I can look forward to getting back into some semblance of normalcy until it's time to get my Samba on in Rio.  Bit too early to start counting sleeps, hey? Fingers crossed I will be back wielding my scissors and Corner Chompers like nobody's business come next week. *prays*  So until then, my friends, keep well and have fun!

Congrats Man!

I was a bit light on the masculine cards so I thought it high time I made a concerted effort to remedy that.  Inspired by the fortnightly C84FN Color Challenge offering up Coral, Brown, and Tan, I set my sights on making a few fun "Manly" cards. The colour coral doesn't generally conjure up the most manly of images to me, but the colour Tan most certainly does.  So, I fossicked through my papers, embellishments and inks and chose the most butch of these colour offerings as I could find.

The stamps are a melange from across Stampers Anonymous and Papertrey Ink stamps.  The stamp of the gent with the cane is a cool image from Wendy Vecchi's/Stampers Anonymous Studio 490 from a set called Art for Men.  The congratulatory sentiment is from Papertrey Ink's Masculine Motifs (I do love that font).  The other stamps used to complete the background are from several sets from Tim Holtz for Stampers Anonymous as well.  I must say, I really do enjoy making my stamped background paper, complete with lots of distressed inking and splotches galore.  Good fun.

The shapes used on the card are a few assorted Spellbinders labels dies. From memory, I used Grand Labels 11 and Grommet Tags.  I textured the card base with a Tim Holtz Texture Folder in Checkerboard and nibbled at the edges with my Yellow corner Chomper.  And of course, I couldn't resist the lure of a few debonair lashings of coral coloured waxed string. Each layer was then propped up on loads of dimensional adhesive.  So there ya go:  My attempt at a masculine Congratulatory card. Fun

Thank you so much for stopping by to visit.  I enjoy each of our meetings so.  Enjoy the day!

Friendship, Coffee & Hairspray!

I must say that every time I come across this fabulous "say it like it is" sentiment from Crafty Secrets it brings a smile to my face.  I just love its fun, no nonsense approach to life.  I created this card based on The Play Date Cafe's colour combination this week showcasing Mint, Soft Yellow, Coral, and Tulip.  These colours are most probably used best in the hands of a less grubbier crafter than mine, but I couldn't resist the lure of this pretty as a picture pastel palette.  It's only that I understand my crafty shortcomings all too well when it comes to doing "pretty and unspoilt"'.   That's why I added that wee pearl earring as a nod to all things pristine and prepossessing.  Maybe one day, I'll clean up my crafting act...just maybe.  *wink*

Thanks a mega bunch for visiting and here's to a beautiful day for us all!  See you anon.

Believe In Yourself!

This card is a quasi-Asian inspired offering for this fortnight's CR84FN Color Challenge showcasing Yellow, Red and Neutral.  Not a particularly difficult combination for me to work with, so I thought I'd use it as a stepping stone for a card with a multicultural themed influence which is more of a stretch for me.  Not sure how the Papertrey Ink sentiment fits in with my Eastern theme, but I am sure Confucius would have had something snazzy to say mirroring some sentiment nearly the same.  Bit of a stretch perhaps, but hey...it seemed a good idea at the time.  The nifty Bonsai tree and decorative strip below are from a cool set from Waltzingmouse Stamps called Asian Gardens.  It's a delightful set with additions that I believe add a lovely difference to my collection.  The barely visible background stamp used on the mustard colored decorative rectangular die cut (Spellbinders) is an Impression Obsession red rubber goodie called Wallpaper.  

I also tried my hand at using some Tim Holtz Distress Embossing Powder that I had kicking around my stash.  It's a funky alternative to traditional or more slick and glossy embossing powders.  It embosses rather sand papery and crumbles off in patchy sections which is very cool.  I don't use it very much, but its fun texture is worth considering from time to time for another crafting point of difference.   After lassoing the card with a few rounds of wax string and cornering the edges, that seemed enough for my stained paper offering.  

Thanks a big bunch for visiting my blog.  It means a lot knowing you've taken the time to stop by.  Cheers!

Hogs & Kisses!

I know, I know!  Hogs & Kisses.  I just thought that sentiment from Papertrey Ink's reasonably new farm set was too adorable not to use.  Not sure that I will get much mileage out of it being that it really doesn't work without the hogs does it?  ...And I certainly don't get much call for hogs in my papercrafting, but hey.  I was just mucking around with this set and the fab Chicken Wire Impression Plate (also from Papertrey Ink) and jumped at the chance to throw this card together using these fun elements.  The chicken wire stamp is from Waltzingmouse Stamps however, and it's a good'un.  If your after a nifty, easy as pie, chicken wire stamp to line up then I can, wholeheartedly, recommend this one.  That smudgy bit of acrylic  paint behind the stamped ATC from Tim Holtz Alterations is lick of Old Paper Distress Crackle Paint.  I cannot say that I have absolutely gotten a  firm hold on how to best use this paint, but I don't half mind it as I have tried it here.  It adds the requisite "pig sty" feel to this puny card I think (well, that was the plan in any case).  I am looking forward to creating a bit more with this collection of farm inspired goodies soon, that's for sure.

Many thanks for stopping by for a wee look-see.  Your visits are appreciated so.  Here's to an inspired day for us all! Oink!

Happy Mail!

This is a quick little number I made for Papertrey Ink's June Blog Hop.  I haven't hopped for a big bit and despite my best (albeit rather unsuccessful) efforts to move away from my color crush on all things yellow, I thought this card might be a semi-suitable candidate to post.  In making this card, I used two Papertrey Ink dies (among others) rather deliberately that I think are rather sweet, but not often used by me.  In fact, more than anything, the inspiration picture conjured up thoughts of the wee envelope die and the fancy schmancy doily die.  Don't ask why, because I don't really know how I managed to arrive at those two dies specifically from the inspiration photo supplied.  But I did.  The mind boggles, ay? And to satisfy the ruffle requirement, I stuck on that fun little pearl centered ruffled flower.  Not sure what this card, with its Tiny Tag, would be in aid of, but I wonder if it wouldn't be a different sort of birth announcement, with a picture of the precious new arrival in the envelope perhaps?  

Well, that's me done for this Blog Hop.  Here's hoping it won't be so long between drinks before I participate in another.  Thanks for stopping by.  Have a glorious day!

Just A Note.

I seem to find myself in color ruts sometimes.  When I am in the throws of a color rut, I seem to craft the same color combos for like 10 or 15 cards in a row.  That's a bit much isn't it?  Well, my latest color rut or color crush if you like, is all about yellows.  I guess I am really channeling the often said phrase, "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade!"  Might as well make it a mantra then.  What's the other apt saying..."Go hard or go home!?" So I went a bit harder and made this note card for the current CR84FN Color Challenge showcasing Yellow, Gray, and Neutral.  Seeing that I have only had eyes for yellow for the last little while, the introduction of gray to complement was rather refreshing.

The card was shaped with Spellbinders Label 23 Grand Nesties die.  Love the curviness of this die and find that it adds such an interesting shaped variety to the often used rectangular card.  The lemony plaid DP is from October Afternoon and I embossed it with a Tim Holtz for Sizzix Texture Fade with miscellaneous sewing odds and sods on it.  The tag is just a standard Manila swing tag that had been stamped with some fun doodads from across Waltzingmouse Stamps, Stampers Anonymous (Tim Holtz), and Papertrey Ink.  The Bright yellow ink smudges on the card and the tag are from the Spring Collection of Distress Inks which is such a sunshiny and uplifting collection. I did attempt to trace the Bliss element in the dress form with fine glitter, but it was being a bit coy while being photographed.  The gray ribbon is just a bit of organza I had kicking around in my stash.

With a bit of luck, this card will end my spate of yellow dominated cards.  I have a bit of time to craft today and I am kind of excited to see what my next color crush will be.  Thanks so much for visiting.  Here's to a beautiful day for us all!  

Sending Oodles Of Love and Hugs On Your 100th!

No, no, not birthday.  I don't actually know of any centenarians come to think of it?   It's Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge's "100th sketch challenge" challenge.  Just as well I don't have to say that three times fast.

This card is another of my rather unorthodox takes on their sketches.  I had originally intended to play the sketch straight, but it looked rather snoozey my hands.  So, I decided to cut out a tag from the columnar layer and stamp it with Waltzingmouse Stamps' Faux Fun set.  I adore the natty knitted pattern this background stamp makes.  I then embossed the tag with Provocraft/Cuttlebug embossing folder Gauchi Script. Love that folder.  The cool sentiment is from Waltzingmouse Stamps' newly released Compact Sentiments.  It also is a good'un.  The other elements placed on the card are more literal takes on the sketch, except for that I just had to adhere it akimbo.  What can I say?  I just felt it in my waters.

So here's my celebratory card, sentiment and all, marking this auspicious occasion at Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge.  Many, many happy returns, WMSC.  Cheers! 

I Miss Your Smile.

Here's a pocket card I made for this week's Make It Monday Challenge by Papertrey Ink.  I cannot even begin to say how long it's been since I last threw a card into the MIM ring.  I'm sure it's been donkey's.

I used my favorite (darn near instant) pocket card maker which is PTI's Front & Centre Die #1 die.  Mind you, I haven't ever used it for anything else, not even as it was originally intended, which was to tjuz up bags (too much muss and fuss for this here crafter...It's just a bag ain't it? Kidding.  Kidding).  My only possibly useful tip to you in regards to using these dies for pocket cards, is to go for some fairly robust sookwang tape.  Trust me, the cheap and cheerful brands don't cut the mustard in regards to staying stuck.  I used 1/8" Scor-tape here.  And yes, I learned this the hard (read: embarrassing) way.

I also delighted in getting out my favorite wee gigham patterned full sized red rubber stamp from the fab Aussie company Darkroom Door.  Even though I do have a fair swag of gigham stamps, I always seem to need different ones for different tasks.  This beauty is perfect for that quality impression you need without any of that "lining up" business, which always seems to end badly where I am concerned. That dear sentiment is from Papertrey Ink's Healing Touch stamp set, which is so handy for that perfect, non-run of the mill, well-wish that is ever so handy.  Those juicy vitamin C packed oranges are from Hero Arts.  They are part of set of clear stamps packed with mega cool engraved fruits. Love.  I stamped them with Memento Inks in both Tangelo and Cantaloupe.

After rounding the corners and lassoing the pocket with three different strands of citrus colored string, that is pretty much this Pocket card done.

Thank you so much for stopping by.  Here's to an inspired day for us all!

Sew Stylish!

I am not one for an intentional pun in papercraft for the most part, but this one is kind of sweet.  I have a soft spot for sewing themed stamping goodness though, that's for sure.  (Which is kind of funny considering that I have never sewn on a single card in all of my crafty life.)  So the sentiment used was the obvious choice for when one is letting their punny guard down on this heralded haberdashery inspired occasion.  This card was crafted with tons of sewing themed goodies from across Tim Holtz, Hero Arts, Waltzingmouse Stamps and Papertrey Ink product lines.  The color choices were born from the most current The Play Date Cafe challenge.  Lucky for you, I am going to keep this post brief as I have only a few precious hours to craft today, so I better get a wriggle on.  I am making my own chalkboards...well that's the plan anyways.

Keep well.  I shall look forward to seeing you anon. Hugs.

Grunge Lite?

While I am still sorting out my photo-editing software conundrum, I thought I'd share with you another oldie but goodie.  Thanks by the way for your ever so helpful suggestions left in your sweet comments in my last post.  I am hopeful I'll be back, cooking with gas, soon.

This was a fun little felt rolled rose number that I made when I first got my wee Rolled Rose die from My Favorite Things early last year.  These cuties are so easy to make and a real textural treat if you ask me.  You've got to get stuck in, if you haven't already.  The stamps used were largely Tim Holtz's for Stampers Anonymous save the tiny tag (from a stamp set of the same name) by Papertrey Ink.  The tags are so lovely looking, but a tad tricky for my old eyes to get lined up perfectly and threaded, that's for sure, hence the "interesting" alignment choices.

I must say I love Tim Holtz's stamps but even though I do like a bit of the grunge aesthetic, I find that most of his more orthodox inspirations are a bit dark and wait for it...grungy for my taste.  I do though feel the vintage golden lace ribbon threaded with the chirpy red and white gingham used and the bright red blooms lighten the mood, which is good and more my cup of tea.  I also love the challenge of bucking the trend (somewhat) with his stamps.  It gives me a bit of a crafting workout which is very cool.

Well, that's me done for today. I'm off to make a few more goodies that I shall look forward to posting very soon.  Thanks for taking a peek.   I hope your day is a beautiful one.  

One Step Forward And Two Steps Back...

Sigh.  I treated myself to an iPad this week after being finally convinced by my kids that "I" (read: they) needed one.  I have to admit that it is "way cool" and a delight to read on, as I generally do much of my surfing on my iPhone because the family computer is pretty much occupied by everyone else in the house (sometimes it seems like the whole neighborhood and their dogs as well) during waking hours.  That suits me, save times when I want to update by blog or my website (and as we all know that isn't often done with any neck breaking urgency now is it?  Oh the shame!).  Well, everything was going along swimmingly in Adcock computer land until I decided to pimp my iPad out a bit and upgrade my iMac in order to get it fully functional...and there lies the rub.  I upgraded my iMac to Lion and poof went my ability to use Dreamweaver and Photoshop.  Ugh!  Admittedly my purchased software was as old as dirt, but it did the job nicely.  With my upgrade to Lion, I got an error message stating that my versions of Dreamweaver and Photoshop were no longer supporting my PowerPC!  What nerve.  *sob* And of course my iPad purchase had already thrown out the budget...so to make a long story even longer, I am without use of those requisite items to post my latest creations to my blog. *snort*

So, until I can figure out an Adcock budget-friendly way to edit my photos, the bench warmers from my draft folder will finally get a spin (fingers crossed they haven't be posted before. *prays*).  What can you do?  Please let me know if you have any bright ideas or suggestions for a half decent photo-editing software for me: one that won't break the bank (any further than I have already broken it that is).  I sure would appreciate that so.

Thanks so much for swinging by.  {{{SqUisHy HuGs}}}

When Mojoless Monday Morphs Into Tuesdays And Wednesdays...

I have been so off my game of late that it ain't even funny.  I tidied up my craft space (that alone should have been the first sign that something was rotten in Denmark), virtually trawled some of the most crafty places in the known world, and willfully indulged in a little craft retail therapy.  I even, out of utter desperation, went on to Pinterest and I still had nothing...zip, zilch, nada, not even a rat's.  Crazy, huh?  I can painfully conclude that my mojo has officially left the building, hence the reason I have been AWOL from my blog for so long.  Yesterday (that would be my "Monday" Down Under) I decided to put my back into it and see if I could get out of this fugue of non-creativity.  After many hours of faffing about, this is the card that I came up with.  Not much to show really, but I finally feel inspired to get crafty moving forward.  Phew!

The colors used are inspired from this fortnight's CR84FN Color Challenge showcasing Pink, Aqua, and Neutral.  To me, the colors are wonderfully soft and ethereal and totally well suited to some of the Melissa Francis DP I have been hoarding and tjuzed up with the Provocraft Flourish embossing folder. I also went to my "Go To" shaped card for further assistance in escaping this period of seemingly prolonged unproductivity.  Spellbinders Grand Labels 4 is a goodie for occasions such as this.  It has such a regal shape if you ask me and perfectly suited for a quick card base with a difference, especially when stamped first with a Cover-A-Card from Impression Obsession.  I also fished around in my die-cuts-in-waiting accordion folder to find this bookplate previously cut from the large Tim Holtz Alterations Shipping Tag die.  With a few licks of iridescent acrylic paint, a strip of embroidered roses and a tussle or two with the bow and that was this card done.   I am not quite back fighting fit just yet, but at least I am feeling more like having a go...and that's a good thing.

Thank you so much for stopping by.  Have a brilliant day!