ISSC04 - SewNifty Happy Birthday

WOW was last week extraordinarily busy!  Time just flew by and I was so sad I missed the cut off for posting to the iSpy sketch challenge for sketch no 3.  This week is different though!  I stayed up late last night to make sure I didn't miss the fun of playing along with sketch No 4.  This weeks sketch was based on a card by the talented Heather Klump - thanks Heather and the iSpy Secret Agents for the inspiration -

When I saw the sketch I immediately thought of my favourite MFT die-namics dies that I have not played with for a while.  The lovely SewNifty set.

I am still so in love with the gorgeous October Afternoon Farmhouse Collection of papers that I grabbed them back out again too.  So here is the card I made -

The dress form skirt was made from scrunched seam binding which I gathered, then I added pearls and a flower to finish it off.

 The sentiment was a Bazzil Basics rub on.

I added some of the dies to the bow for an added touch!  The buttons were from my stash, some are vintage that I have recycled from op - shops and some from MME lost and found collections.

Thanks for stopping by!



Mojo 229 - Congratulations!

It's Mojo Monday time again (although I am posting this on Friday - LOL!).  This week the sketch had an extra special theme behind it. The mojo  makers, and some of the supportive friends of Julee Tilman (the talented lady behind Mojo Monday and Verve Stamps) got together for a hop to honor her and to celebrate the forthcoming arrival of the new baby boy twins she is expecting!  So here is the sketch -

For my card I decided to follow on with the theme of "congratulations".  So best wishes to Julee and here is my card -

You will notice that I have moved some elements on the sketch (just wanted to allow the chipboard heart to stand out a little bit more).  The papers were from Basic Grey's Piccadilly collection and I once again added my shabby touch to the design by distressing, mixing up the patterns on the background papers, sanding and of course inking. 

The Chipboard Element was from "Words or Whatever - WOW!   Initially I inked the heart with Versa Magic Ink (wheat) then applied Distress Stickles (clear rock candy) once it was dry I distressed it, added two different size pearls to the flourishes and a flower with punched leaves to the centre. 

I then used foam tape to raise it off the card and attached the banner to the side.  The banner was cut from an MFT die-namics die.

Thanks for stopping by!

Mojo Monday 228 - Thank you

Time to share another Mojo Monday sketch.  This week I wanted to move away from flowers and my usual pinks and reds to make this card.  Flipping through my paper pad stash my all time favourite MME Stella and Rose papers caught my eye.

So here is the sketch:

And here is my card:

Papers - MME Stella and Rose, Coordinations, Bazzil

Dies - MFT die-namics Notched Tag and Butterflies, Spellbinders Lacey Circles, Go-kreate Pointy Frame #1

Ink - Tim Holtz Distress ink tea dye and faded denim

Pearls - Absolutely Something for Everybody medium pearls

Rub ons - Bazzil

Thanks for stopping by

Engagement Card and Gift Box

My husband and I were lucky enough to share a special night with "J&J" as they celebrated their engagement.  Just thought I would share some pics of the card and gift box I made for them both. 

This is the top of the gift box........

And the card...........

  

Thanks again for stopping by!



2012 Card Classes Off and Running

I am feeling very overwhelmed and extremely excited.  The interest in my cards classes for 2012 has been amazing!!!!!  My Feb class booked out before Christmas and now my March classes are also totally booked out.  Thank you to everyone for their support.  I love teaching and its great that so many people are enjoying the classes.

This week my first class for 2012 ran at Scrappy Hollow.  It was great to catch up with my regular ladies from last year and also to welcome some new card makers.  This is what we made.

March's classes have totally booked out too!  We will be making cards featuring the Kaisercraft Sweet Nothings range.  Here is a sneak peak.

Once again, thank you for your support.  Now it's back to the craft room for some more creating!!!

Thanks for stopping by.

So Excited!!!!

I am so excited I just had to share the news.  Guess who is a




??????????????????????????????????

Yes ME!!!!!!!!  You can see the announcement here  Thank you Mojo Monday for selecting my card as one of the champions - It's a great honour!

ISSC02 - Happy Birthday!

The team over at iSpy have another amazing sketch to play with this week. The sketch was inspired from a card made by Beate Johns, an amazingly creative lady.  Check out her blog!


This was the sketch over at iSpy




And here is my take on the sketch:

I decided to make a square card and incorporated MFT die-namics, Green Tara flowers, a Martha Stewart punched butterfly and my own little bit of shabby chicness (distressing,tearing and inking) to the card.  Where I tore the background paper I inserted a little piece of lace to add to the look.  It was loads of fun creating a card with a pennant on it.  Something I have not done before!  Thanks to the designers at iSpy and Beate for the inspiration.  I am so looking forward to next weeks challenge too.

Thank you for stopping by - please leave a comment as I'd love to hear from you.

Mojo Monday 227 - For You!

Welcome to the first of my Mojo posts for February.  I was worried that I wouldn't get this card finished in time as I have had a busy week getting ready for classes to begin at Scrappy Hollow next week. Looking forward to catching up with all the regular ladies and meeting some new card makers.

But back to Mojo Monday - This month the sketch is by the talented Debbie Carriere  The sketch was so much fun to work with - thanks Mojo and Debbie!!!

Here is my take on the sketch:

For the greeting on the card I wanted it to be in keeping with "shabby chic" style so I stamped it on patterned cardstock in an attempt to get a softer and less "perfect" image.  I also switched the bow to the left which I think works well with the placement of the stamped image and hand rolled roses.

Paper: Simple Stories, October Afternoon and Basic Grey

Stamps: MFT Stamps Tag You're It set

Dies: MFT Die-namics mini rolled roses and oval decorative doily duo

Punch: Martha Stewart Glassene Butterfly and Punch Bunch medium leaves

Extras: Kaiser pearls, Tim Holtz Tea dye distress ink, foam tape, button, Birch ribbon and glue dots.

Thanks for stopping by!

I Spy a New Discovery - ISSC01

I have discovered a fun new sketch challenge blog for cards!!!! - iSpy Sketches   Some of the design team (Christyne and Jessie) are on my list of favorite blogs to visit and drool over so when I saw them introducing the new challenge site I thought I just had to join in the fun.  For more info on how the challenge works stop by here.  For me I am excited because the sketch allows you to stamp or just simply play with paper and embellishments which is what I love to do the most.

So here is the first sketch:

And here is my take on the sketch:

The paper came from the new Basic Grey Kissing Booth range and the cardstock was Bazzil.  The dies and felt were from My Favorite Things.  The ribbon and lace came from my stash and the flowers were from Green Tara. I opted for a distressed shabby chic look and used my Multi Distressor from Ingvild Bolmes Comfy Craft Tool collection.  I love the faux stitched technique she taught us at her workshop back in November 2011 and adapted it slightly for this card.  I also chose not to ink all the sanded areas to create a little bit of variation and contrast too.

Thanks to the girls at iSpy and to the featured designer Loretta Lock for the inspiration and thank you to you for stopping by!!!!

Mojo 226

I am very excited to share my Mojo post this week.  This week the challenge was designed to mix things up and focus on non-traditional sized cards.  Julee's sketch gave you two options - Round or Square. 
Here is the Mojo 226 sketch:





I decided to try a round card.  So I have made my very first round card!  We also welcomed a new baby into the family this week.  Jon's nephew and his wife became parents for the first time to the gorgeous Olivia Michaela, so this card will make the trip up to Sydney with her gift.  It is so lovely to have a new baby to love and spoil.  I just wish we lived a little closer to them.  Thank heavens for email and facebook - love all the photos we are seeing of our new Great Niece.

So here is my take on the sketch:

The scalloped circle card base was made from 51/2" scallop circle notes from the Yours Truly range.  I actually got these from Achiver's when we lived in Ohio USA and just hadn't got around to using them.  The patterned paper was another US purchase that I bought back home from DCWV's Nana's Nursery range. 

The outer edge of the card was hand punched and stitched and the lace and seam binding added after that.

I stamped on this card with my MFT Stamps using Tim Holtz Victorian Velvet distress ink.  I love the muted effect the ink gives.

I used a range of punches and MFT die-namics to create the accents on the card.  The MFT dies came from the homespun birdhouse, hearts a plenty and notched tag die sets. 

Thanks for dropping by!