Just cards again

My neglected blog has had very little  attention from me for months.  Here's few more cards from 2022

 Thanks for calling in to say G'Day.  I hope you found something to inspire you.

A few cards made during 2022

I've been MIA on my blog for some time due to illness and other life complications.  Have not created a layout for over a year, but have made a few cards and uploaded them on Facebook.  I'll save a few here from 2022.

Thanks for calling in to say G'Day, I hope you found something to inspire you.

Happy Easter Card

Hello crafty friends, I've been MIA for a variety of reasons, but couldn't resist playing along with the Card Concept Challenge. 

The Card Concept #172 {Easter Blessings}- There's Still Time!

I have a few Grand children who are small enough to enjoy 

the Easter Bunny, so I've made a few cards featuring Bunnies.

I've also used alcohol inks with a die from Paper Rose called Ella's Garden Rose Circle Frame.

and a clean and simple one with a wreath die from Charlie and Paulchen.

Thanks for calling in. Keep safe. 

Two cards

 Hello crafty friends, I have a couple of cards to share with you today.

The first is for Clean and Simple. I made a similar card recently, using all gold and brown colours. This time, I tried to achieve the look of the leaves as they are "on the turn".

This card is for any occasion. It could be for a male, sympathy or get well. The leaves were cut with Tim Holtz die, "Leaf Fragments". I used various alcohol inks to colour them. Mostly Tim Holtz, such as Butterscotch, Terra Cotta and also Pinata, Golden Yellow and Copper. The brown viney thingo, yes, that's a word, is from a friend's stash.

and the second is for the Freshly made Sketch challenge #522

Apart from The Bohemian plate from SSS, 

all the other elements are scraps.

Thanks for calling in, stay safe.

A heart shaped stitched file by Paige Taylor Evans

Hello crafty friends, today I'm sharing a page which took me a few weeks to stitch, but I love the result and would happily to it all again for another little Grand Girl.

This pattern is found in Paige Taylor Evans, 20 days of stitching files  https://bit.ly/stitchingcutfiles

This is what the file looks like when it's purchased from Paige, then it's a matter of choosing threads which work well with your photo/s.

I used DMC variegated threads of various pink/magenta and green tones and worked in chain stitch. 

The embellishments and the title are from Paige's "Wonders" collection.

When my little three year old saw this page recently she said, "What do these words say Granny?"  When I told her she said "Yes, it is wonderful to come to your house!"  Awwh - she knows how to melt a heart! 

I was inspired by Audrey Mutschall; an Artist who's creativity I admire.

Thank you Audrey.

Stay safe and keep well. 

 

Entering two card challenges. The Sisterhood of crafters and FMS # 519

Today I'm sharing a card which I'm entering in two challenges,

something I've not done before.

The Sisterhood of Crafters asked us to use the colour Blue,  my favourite colour.

I also used the sketch from Freshly Made Sketches #519.

The base of my card was made with an embossing folder from Simon Says Stamps, "Kaleidoscope".

The popped up square is from Spellbinders, "Pierced squares".

I stamped the flowers by Stampin' Up, "Flower Up" onto Yupo and colored them with Tim Holtz Alcohol Ink, "Stonewashed".  The lighter tones were achieved by added more fixative.

I added Prima, "Say it with crystals" to the centre of the flowers for a bit of sparkle.

Unfortunately I don't know the name of the silver leaves, as they were a gift from a scrappy friend.

Thanks for calling in to say G'Day.

Keep safe and stay well.

A trio of cards

 Hello creative friends.  Today I'm sharing three cards with you.

The first is for the Clean and simple Card Challenge on FB.

This style is not something I attempt often, but I do love the look and thought I'd give it a try.

I used pale gold card stock for the die cut hearts which are from Impression Obsession.  The quote is from Tim Holtz Small talk.

I'm really happy with the way it turned out.

The second is for Freshly Made Sketches #518

The Happy Birthday die is from My favourite Things

and the little bloom was a gift from a Scrappy friend.

The green card stock has been in my stash for at least ten years!

The third is for a colour challenge with Color Throwdown #675

I used a Spellbinder die, "Romantic Rectangle"

 and a stamp from Carabelle Studio, ""Mini Fleurettes"

Thanks for calling in to say G'Day, keep safe and stay well.

CSI Tenth Birthday Challenge - Christmas Wishes

 Hello again creative friends, two scrapbooking challenges in two weeks! 

 I was invited to contribute to the tenth Birthday celebrations for CSI, during January, this is Case File 379.

I was part of the Design Team at CSI during 2012, through to 2015, a time when I learnt so much and met talented artists from around the world.  Debbi Tehrani, who owns and runs the challenge was the first to offer me a place on a design team and I will be forever grateful for the opportunity.

  The challenge has a Case File with scene, evidence, topic and color scheme. Then you make a scrapbooking layout using the Case File as your inspiration.

This Christmas, after months and months of not seeing are smallest Grand Girls, we were lucky that they came from Melbourne to sleep over on Christmas Eve and be with us for all the hoopla and parcel opening in the morning.

It really did feel like Christmas to see the joy on their faces and hear their gratitude for the gifts they received.

I began by cutting the Christmas trees on my Silhouette Cameo, it's from Paige Taylor Evans and is called Christmas tree border.

The collection I used to back the cut file is from Cocoa Vanilla, "Merry and Bright"

The title was cut three times on my Silhouette and then triple hot embossed with ultra thick embossing powder. 

I used the colour palette suggested and added a tiny bit of salmon pink (under the 10%) allowed.

Evidence

Dots, wood, trees, heat embossing, yarn, chevron, triangles, die cuts, ink in the background (the stars), sprinkle something (ink on the journalling)

Testimony

I used a prompt from Daydreaming on Paper about what I wish/hope for the next generation.

Thanks for calling in to say G'Day.

Keep well and stay safe.

You got this

Towards the end of last year Paige Taylor Evans had a group of 20 stitch files available for purchase.  I've often done stitching on my pages but her files took stitching to the next level. 

When I saw "You got this" file stitched by Kelly Daye, I was so impressed that I bought the set of files, thinking I might only use one or two!  Ha!  It's addictive; stitching in front of the TV.

I must confess to making a hot mess the first time I tried the chain stitch, but determined to succeed, I unpicked it all several times, until I was happy with the result.

I used Paige Taylor Evans "Bungalow Lane" collection, because it suited her Tutu perfectly. The threads are all from DMC.

 It's not the world's greatest photo, but about the sense of achievement this little four year old felt, when she learnt to swing across the monkey bars.

Thanks for calling in to say G'day and take care.

CSI Tenth Birthday Challenge

Christmas Card for Mod Squad Challenge Blog

 Another day, another post!   I know, really unusual for me but I wanted to try another new die and make my very first Christmas card for 2021

Modsquad Challenge Blog

The challenge was to use a Poinsettia on the card.

I love these flowers as they remind me of my Mother.

I used a Bazzil Basics card stock for the background. 

The Poinsettia was created with a Sizzix Thinlits die 665342

and DCWV Very Merry Mat Stack.

The words dies are from The Craft Barn.

How are your Christmas Cards coming along?

Two cards

 Hello Crafty Friends

Today I'm sharing a couple of cards the first of which is for

Color Thrown Down #668

I was keen to experiment with a new die: Tim Holtz thinlits, 

"Leaf Fragments"

I decorated the leaves with a mixture of Tim Holtz alcohol inks and Tim Holtz Distress Embossing glazes.

This could be for any occasion, so I've left it free of a sentiment. 

The second card was also for a challenge, this time at

Freshly made Sketches #511

A quick and simple card using some older Kaisercraft papers.

Thanks for dropping in, keep safe.

Freshly Made Sketches #510

Hello gentle people, today I'm sharing a quick card I created for the 

Freshly Made Sketches Challenge #510

Sketches really kick start my Mojo and I enjoyed using this one.

I'm also on a mission to use up scraps of older paper; 

these scraps are from KaiserCraft "Cherry Blossom."

The circle was cut with a Silhouette die.

The flower is from Simon Says Stamp, "Etched Layered Daisy Stem"

The Hello die is from Heffy Doodle.

Thanks for calling in, take care and keep safe.

  

Card Challenge - Color Throw Down #665

Hello creative friends, today I'm sharing a card for

CTD #665 challenge

I loved these soft pastels and was keen to try out a new stamp set,

so experimented with Ranger Distress Inks,

Spun Sugar, Shaded Lilac and Salvaged Patina.

It was tricky to get all the individual stamp pieces lined up

 and they are not perfect, but I do love the finished card.

Thanks for calling in.

Keep safe.

Color Throw Down Card Challenge #659

 Hello creative friends, it's been bitterly cold in South Australia today,

so I spent the afternoon designing a card for the Color Throw Down Challenge.

 

I have not combined these colours previously, 

so I challenged myself to step out of my comfort zone and give it a go.

I cut some water colour card stock with a Pink Fresh Die, "Hello with a bouquet"

I used LuminArt watercolor paints to colour all the details.

Despite my hesitancy, I quite like the finished product 

and may use this combination again. 

Thanks for looking and for any comments you care to leave.

Keep safe.

Challenge Yourself #92 - Celebration

 Hello creative friends, it's been ages since I took part in a challenge, as I've been in hospital having back surgery.

I couldn't resist this challenge as I had the perfect photo for it. 

Challenge Yourself 

We were encouraged to scrap a photo of ourselves and explain how we take care of ourselves.  I adore spending time with my Grand children; I'm charmed by their personalities, the way they love to learn and the numerous snuggles they give out. My heart fills up when I'm with them.

I used Paige Evans "Wonders" papers and was inspired by Missey Whidden.

We don't get to see this little kidlet very often as she lives 800 kms away.  We were celebrating her third Birthday.

Thanks for looking and for any comments you care to leave.

Stay safe.

TTC 118 -Challenge 22 June 2021

I noticed a lovely card made by my friend Greta, for this challenge; 

She was the Guest Designer for:-

TTTC-18 

I chose Friendship. free (lace hat netting and a flower) Any Shape Die.

I used Spellbinders Emmelin Treillage over a scrap of Maja paper.

The lace is by Prima.

I hope you find something to inspire you. 

Torn paper challenge for Paige Taylor Evans

 Hey Ho, two posts in one week, now that's a surprise!

I was inspired to use some scraps of paper from the Paige Taylor Evans, "Take the Scenic Route" collection. I think they enhance the less than perfect photo of my smallest Grand Girl.

Because she loved these windmills in our garden so much, I wanted to record her enjoyment of them on a page for her album.

The cut file is also from Paige Taylor Evans and it's called Pin Wheel.

Thanks for calling in and for any message you may care to leave.

Keep safe and Happy Easter.

Butterfly Card - for the Card Concept Competition 151

Hello Crafty Friends

It's been so long since I blogged anything that I'm feeling a little ashamed of myself.   I have created and uploaded pages to various sites, but just haven't managed the blogging.

The card today is for a lovely competition over at 

The Card Concept

I was inspired by the pink and purple colours and the green background.

I chose to work in the mixed media style.

I love butterflies and am thrilled that we've been able to attract some Monarchs back into our garden by planting Buddleia bushes.

 I used a Sizzix thinlits die #665201 to cut the butterfly.

 I used Distress Oxides in Spun Sugar, Kitsch Flamingo, Picked Raspberry, Wilted Violet and Shaded Lilac to colour the butterfly and some gold embossing powder to highlight the wing tips.

The water colour base was first stamped in Versamark with Pink Fresh, "Lush Vines" stamp.   When totally dry, I applied Distress Inks in Tumbled Glass, Speckled Egg, Broken China and Shabby Shutters.

Thanks for calling in today, I hope your creating is going well.