July's CCC...

It's that time of the month again.... I've received some wonderful cards from Betty ... and the cards I sent to Barb have arrived....

These were what Betty sent to me....  aren't they just lovely.  In the package she sent them in were also included a pile of lovely old book pages, some of the die cut leaves ( like on her birthday card), some lovely old sewing pattern tissue, a sheet of the film for masking... such a lot of lovely goodies... most appreciated Betty.

Now I had to send a card to Barb - ( who by the way sent me a card in June's challenge)
I really didn't know what to do.... the sketch stumped me so I went with the theme... but couldn't choose which one.... so yes I did two ....

The first one is the Friendship theme.... I made the background purple in Alcohol inks and then embossed the Poppies in white over the top.
For the beach theme, I used Joy's technique with the distress inks, water and stamping with it.  I used Tea Dye and Wild Honey inks to make the strip and then did some masking to put all the shells together.

All in all, I really enjoy these monthly challenges... head over to Deborah's blog around the last Friday of the month and join in.... so much fun.

Off to do some blog surfing..... and to get some inspiration!!!

Take care and thanks for stopping by...

I got to meet Lilly "Bug".....

and of course her wonderful mum, Paula and her big sis Em....  It was very exciting to go and visit Paula and her two girls when I was over in Australia over the weekend.  I got a couple of photos..... nice one of Lilly ( but not of me!!!) and one of Paula and I together on her deck.  Plus the card I made for Paula and Doug to celebrate Lilly's birth

We had a very enjoyable afternoon visiting.  Saw Paula's lovely crafting area and got a few tips and hints from her as well as a lovely bag of goodies.... stamps, papers, some stickles amongst other stuff....  Thank you heaps Paula.  It was so cool to meet up with an "e-friend".  Paula also gave me directions to a couple of scrapbook/stamping stores... only got to visit one as the other was closed for stocktake!!!  I could have taken some stock of their hands!!!!!  Still did manage a wee spend up....

I totally enjoyed the break away...and catching up with my parents was a bonus.  The weather was nice- two of the days were very warm- managed to sunbathe at the beach and got a touch of colour!!!   Swam in the pool each day ( not as brave as hubby who swam in the sea)  The five days just flew by - now two days later feels like it was an eternity ago.  However 8 weeks and I'll be in England.... that's something to look forward to...

thanks for visiting.  Time to craft now....

April CCC - card for Arlene

My partner for Deborah's CCC this month was Arlene.

When I first "meet" Arlene ( almost as soon as I joined the HA Group) these Asian Dolls were the rage.... so to celebrate our friendship via this medium, I chose to make a card that covered two to Deborah's themes... Asian influence and Friendship.

The pattered paper on the card base was given to me by my son and his girlfriend for Christmas.. it is a handmade paper from the Trade Aid shop, I stamped a blossom tree and then made the little Asian girl.... I used some Washi paper for her dress and added glossy accents to her hair to make it shine.

I had made a few cards for the challenge as I really didn't know what I wanted to do, so Arlene got another one as well....

This one started as a scrapling... using up a piece of card cut off a larger one to make a square card... I stamped the image and used Tombow markers to colour in the flower and frame. I coloured the ribbon with a Copic marker ( but it wasn't quite the right pink).  I embossed the pink background with a cuttlebug folder.

To see the lovely card I got pop back to this post.  Corey sent me this card all the way from Illinois.  So far during the monthly challenge, I have received cards from Pia in Denmark, Deirdre in Ireland, Nancy in California USA, Deborah in Indianapolis USA, Sanne in Denmark and Corey in Illinois USA.  Isn't that just amazing!!!!   I am so lucky to have the most amazing card from all round the world gracing the windowsill in my craft room.

Thanks for stopping by and visiting my part of the world.  Enjoy your day and have fun!!!

Lucy colour challenge #1

This week I has some sad news.... a very dear friend has just found out she has more cancer... last year she had a breast removed due to cancer, but now has some tumours in her brain.... I really wanted to make her a card to say I care.
I loved the colours that Lucy had chosen for her very first colour challenge ( kraft, aqua and pale pink- very Lucy colours!!)- but didn't have any aqua card.... then I remember I had seen her earlier post that showed some pale blue digi papers from Jen Allyson available at 2peas. I had downloaded it so found it on my computer and printed it off to use as background. I inked the edge in Faded Jeans distress ink and used my fingernail to distress further. The flower is the new cling I won from Hero Arts. I stamped in on the blue card and then onto pink and the blue again to get the layers. I added Kindyglitz to the centre and some Liquid Pearls in white opal to the tips of the flower and as dots along the bottom. The sentiment is from Stamp It.
For those of you who can, please say a few prayers for Sue... I certainly am...
Thanks for stopping by

MeMe Award

While I was on holiday the lovely Paula sent me this award. . It's called the "MeMe award" & the rules are very simple. I have to divulge 7 secrets about myself and pass this award on to 7 others. Well I don't really have any secrets, so I guess I will do what some of the others have done & tell you 7 things about me (yes you probably really don't need to know).

1. I live at home with my husband of 31 years ( 32 come Jan 21st) and our almost 21 year old son ( plus his girlfriend several evenings a week)

2. I am trying to lose weight (aren't we all ) - have mild diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholestrol

3. If I could, I would give up work and do crafty things all day

4. I really love my computer and the internet.  Am on it hours a night

5. I spend way too much money on my card marking stuff ( again, don't we all!!)

6. I have 25 teddies ( most of which I handmade) sitting on my dressing table in my bedroom

7. I am messy....... as my DH will attest.  He is always nagging me to tidy my side of the room, the crafting space, even the inside of my car.... ( and you should see my desk at work.... organised chaos!!)

"Whew" glad that's over with as painful as that was ;). I would love to give this award to the following in no particular order:

Tomo
Anita
Vanessa
JJ ( also know as Joshua Jiraffe)
StamperSuzz
Kelly
Joy ( aka Dustypenny)

Please visit their blogs for tons of fun and inspiration. and also the lovely Paula's super blog as well.
Thanks for looking.  I'll have some more ATC's posted tomorrow - made 3 this evening... just need to get the photos taken,.....
thanks for stopping by.

Saturday stamping.

What a great day I had yesterday - stamping with some lovely ladies. I went to Lei's place and meet with Sandie, Helen and Glenda. We started with a cuppa and a chat, then it was down to work... Helen and Sandie are working on making some cards to sell at Helen's work. They have a craft afternoon where staff are allow to sell their stuff - a portion of the proceeds goes to charity. What a great employer. We had a great day of sharing ideas, stamps, templates etc, stopping for a wonderful shared lunch. Finally packed up just on 4.15. I completed 2 cards but got bits and bobs done for quite a few more. Stamped off some images, used Lei's CB to try out my new dies. Helen had some new Stampin' Up! sets and ink pads so we all made a similar card but in different colours. I did mine in greens. The stamps are very delicate looking. They are from a set called Pocket Shilhouttes. Inside of the card I put a white piece with some of the same green as the bottom of the outside. I loved the little sayings " Friend to Friend" and " thinking of you" I think I'll be getting this set as it is so lovely.
I also managed to finally finish off the cityscape card above. I started this at a class using the Jumbo Roller. I had stamped the image but not got round to colouring or putting it all together. Was pleased with the results. Nice and bright looking.

I also got a template from the ladies on how to make a gift box for putting a set of cards in. So last night had a go. ( forgive the photos - not enough light - but it gives the idea) I used some patterned paper on the front of the box and stamped " spread sushine" on it. For the cards inside I used the same paper in both the yellow and a green to make two of each card. Very simple cards but nice to give as a gift set for someone. This set will be for my friend Sue - just because I know she'll like them. I also will make some generic birthday card sets to sell at my work.

Today I haven't done any cards as we went to help Emma with some more painting... well I supervised anyway.... The house is really coming along. Emma also presented me with a beautifully decorated folder for helping to plan for the wedding. It has different tabs for things like guest lists, timetable for the planning. Sept next year I can start looking for my outfit!!!! ( this has been organised by a Planner!!! - that is her profession -l Town Planner - )
Well this is a long post so thanks for stopping by and enjoy your week