Butterflies In A Garden

Good afternoon from a cloudy, sunny day here in Queensland.  Yep, the weather can't make up it's mind.  It's cloudy for a while then the sun comes out, then the clouds are back.  I do hope it rains in the places that are dry and drought stricken.

Onto my card today.  A friend of mine loves butterflies and this was the basis for me making this card for her class this morning.

I chose Meg's Garden papers and fussy cut the butterflies as well as the extra flowers to add dimension. This layer was then added to my base card which is Stampin Up Primrose Petals card stock which was a very good match. On the fence line, Petaloo velvet flowers have been randomly attached to have them peeking out of the fence.  In the top left hand corner, a white pearl flourish covers an otherwise blank space.  A couple of Petaloo velvet leaves, a pretty pink silk bow and another flower nestle in the bottom left corner.  I felt the card needed something else and Jean suggested, a pearl pin with the greeting attached on a Tim Holtz memo pin.  Then over the some of the flowers and butterflies, I spread some Clear Rock Candy distress stickles which gives a lovely subtle sparkle.

Thanks for visiting today and hope you like my card.

 

Baby Girl Baptism

A couple of months ago, one of my class ladies asked me to make her a Baptism card.  I said yep, no worries,  then got home and started to have a worry because I didn't really have anything remotely suitable.  So I decided to go through some of my favourite card designers and found this one by Tina which is the one that inspired one of my previous cards on here.  I've since edited the post to reflect this.

I really, really wanted to make this card a lot more vintagey and to use some of that wonderful Stampendous Frantage Shabby Embossing Enamel on the image but I resisted.  Some people don't like the edges distresses and inked so I left this alone.  I just added different elements to the card.  The main feature is the zipper pull which is gorgeous.   The papers are Kaisercraft and the image is from Inkido.  The hand dyed Venise Lace heart, tri bud, and dyed seam binding are from Linda at The Funkie Junkie.  The rest of the embellishments are out of my stash. The sentiment I printed out on the computer and then positioned the stamp around it.

I've since been told that the card was a great success and very well received by the parents.

Thanks once again for visiting, 

 

Birthday Glitz

My friend Jan, has two twin sisters.  This card is one of the two Jan ordered for their birthdays.

I have followed the same sketch as previous cards I've made, it's so easy but very effective.  The bluey coloured roses match the dots in the background of the designer paper I've used and I feel really makes the bouquet pop.  Jan loved the card which was great.

Have a wonderful day and thanks for visiting my blog.

 

Tea Thyme For Birthday

This card is for another very special friend of mine who loves pretty things.  I used lace, feathers, pearls, burlap and flowers to create lots of texture and interest.  The red rose was added to give the colour palette a lift and it ties in with the red border on my tag.  This card was inspired by Warm Winter Wishes by Kathy. 

We've had some very rainy weather and I think it means to continue for another day or so.  

Thanks for visiting my blog.

Keep well.

 

A Special Birthday Card

All of my school girl friends are turning 50 this year.  The first party was last night.  All four of us bought a present together and it was my job to make the card.  This is what I came up with for Lindy's birthday card.

It did the rounds at the party and everyone including Lindy loved it so I was pretty chuffed. 

The idea came from this card made by Andrea Ewen.  

I used the same series of papers but different colours and embellishments.

Thanks once again for taking the time to visit my blog.

 

Howdy Doody Sympathy

 Mmmmm well if I have any followers left, I hope you are all well and enjoyed your Christmas and New Year celebrations.

October, November and December were outrageously busy for me.  October was spent making items for the November Artist of Month display at the Tourist Centre.  November disappeared at a great rate and December flew by too with Christmas preparations.

Now it's January and I've spent most of it crocheting with a couple of cards here and there.  Now January is nearly finished and I thought I really should update my blog.

A friend of mine recently lost her mother so this is the sympathy card I made.  Actually I made two, one for Desley and one for the Tourist Centre.  The only thing different on each one is the style of flower used.

The papers are Howdy Doody by My Mind's Eye.  Card stock and seam binding are Stampin' Up and the sentiment is a Just Rite stamp.  The lace is some given to me by a dear friend and the flower is Prima.

Thank you for visiting my blog and keep cool or warm as the case may be.
 

Ladies Diary.

I follow a blog called In My Little Korner and this lady makes absolutely stunning cards.  I love them.  So after seeing this post by Kathy, I cased it and made the four cards you see below, using dies, lace, seam binding, cheesecloth and doilies.
I didn't change a lot because I loved Kathy's version so much but had to improvise due to the different card sizes...eg metric and imperial.

Thanks for visiting today,
 

Meg's Garden - Pretty Green

This is another card based on one that was in an issue of Australian Simply Cards.  As I've said in previous posts, this issue was absolutely fantastic.  If you can get hold of it...I would. lol  Issue 42.

The papers of course are from Meg's Garden here in Australia.  The vintage picture is from the same place.  I can't remember where the butterflies came from...maybe a stamp?  Sorry, this card was made back in May.  Once again, it's since been sold. lol  The card stock I used is from Stampin' Up, it's the one card stock that I always reach for first for matching up colours.  I then go on to my other card stock supplies if I don't have success with Stampin' Up which isn't often. 

I'm still trying to get over this horrible 'flu bug.  I think I'm beating it.   Sunday night I had a small issue to deal with.....a mouse!!!!  Just a little bush mouse, not the rodent kind, BUT was he a nuisance!!  I got him yesterday, managed to catch him in a towel and take him back to the bush.  Thank goodness.

Last night I managed to get some sleep to make up for all the lost hours on Sunday night.

Today I intend to finish a couple of baby cards I started yesterday and hopefully get a couple more cards done.

Enjoy your day everyone and take care. 

 

Pretty Pixie Glen.

 Good morning everyone.

Today I'm showing two cards that I made after reading a magazine called Australian Simply Cards.  The particular issue in question was absolutely jam packed with fabulous inspiration and beautiful cards.

I used Prima Pixie Glen papers for both cards and matching SU Blushing Bride card stock and ribbon.  I had a play with a couple of new Tim Holtz dies also corners from Linda Coughlin.  The pins were a lot of fun to make and I must do more of them.

Thank you for visiting my blog yesterday and taking the time to comment and welcome me back.  Very much appreciated.

Today is a waiting day.....my son had a car accident two and a half weeks ago.  We are waiting for the insurance company to come to a decision as to whether they will pay for the repairs to the vehicle or not.

I'm not good at waiting for these sorts of decisions....I like the know and know NOW!!!  lol

Meanwhile I hope I can settle enough to get some more cards made as I have more orders to finish.

The stocks at the Tourist Centre and my friend's coffee shop are very low so will have to get something accomplished soon.

Enjoy the day and take care.
 

Red And Black.

First of all, apologies for the lousy photo.  I took this picture early this morning and it has been an overcast day.

I had a request from a friend of mine for an engagement card, the stipulation....red and black.

Here is the result.

The base card is black with a layer of very vanilla.  The dp is from a pad of Kaisercraft called, I think, After Five.

I've use some cream pleated satin with a strip of black velvet ribbon along the bottom of the card.  The 'bouquet' has been arranged from the bottom up and involved lots of matte multi-medium.  Love this stuff...dries matt not shiny...excellent.  Thanks Linda for putting me on to this.

The greeting has been stamped in black with barn door distress ink sponged around it.  The frame is from Tattered Angels.

Thanks for visiting my blog today.

Hope everyone is well.

 

Pretty Everyday Enchantment.

For a long time now I've been an admirer of Joanne Leddy's work.  I think the way Joanne creates cards using bits and pieces of different papers is amazing.  These particular cards were cased from a  Valentine's card Joanne made.  I've used the same sort of elements and sketch but did change the sentiments and added an extra layer of card stock.  Thank Joanne for your inspiration.

The last few days here have been busy, busy, busy.  We have managed to find someone for my son to board with in town (Mackay).  While he has been living here at home, the kilometres and petrol that have been going on his car whilst going back and forth to work in Mackay is unmanageable for his wage.  So to lessen the load for him, I've been cooking up a storm!!!!   On Friday I did a total of 18 meals, spaghetti bolognese, curried mince and rice and curried sausages and rice.  They are now in the freezer.  I still have to make fish cakes with a sweet and sour sauce and rissoles.  

In addition to all that, my cards are selling really well and my stocks are low. So have been frantically trying to get cards made as well as the normal everyday household jobs.

Last week my Big Shot died.  What a disaster!!! lol  The bearings in the handle collapsed.   Charlie pulled it all apart to try and fix it but unfortunately it was not to be.  So I ordered another one and thankfully it arrived Thursday.  I had pulled out for the emergency my old 'critter' (cuttlebug) but it's amazing how used you get to using one sort of tool.  Anyway it did the job very well.

OK, that's it from me.  I'll have another coffee, finished my blog reader and get on with my jobs for today.

Keep well everyone.
 

Baby Girl!!

A friend of mine wanted a special baby card for a first time mother.  The parents know they are having a girl so here is the result.  I will say that when I delivered this card today, Anne was really happy with it, which is very gratifying.

Kaisercraft Lullaby collection papers  matched with pink and white card stock formed the basis for my card. I stitched around the card stock so I could tie in the cheesecloth which was added under the tag.  Some absolutely gorgeous lace and a strip of pearl ribbon went along the bottom with a pretty lace heart and a bud trio adorning the left hand corner.  I finished off with a double bow and a white velvet flower.

 I'm trying to do some sewing at the moment so my cards have taken a back seat.  My aim is to sort my days into sewing days and card making days.

Hope you like my card and thanks for visiting my blog today.

                                   

Authentique Uncommon Case.

I saw this card on Andrea Ewen's blog and absolutely loved it.  I just had to case it.  Thank you Andrea.  Nowadays I'm tending to make two cards to keep my supply up.  I've changed the trims to lace and braid with different leaves and more of them.  The flowers and silver cord are the same as what Andrea used.  I really like the tag punch I used which is one I bought on sale at Robyn and Sue's shop before they closed down.  The leaves are the Stampin Up sizzlet die which I've used many, many times.  What a good investment that little die has been.

Thanks for visiting my blog today.

Card Patterns Sketch 148

I was lying in bed last night designing this card in my head after I saw the Card Patterns sketch.  So this morning I had to sit down and make it.  I'm absolutely stoked with the way this has turned out.

  The card stock colours are vanilla, Going Grey (retired), Riding Hood Red.  I also added lots of lace, velvet ribbon and a Websters vintage button with a black pearl in the centre.  The round panel is inked with Groovy Guava and layered on a scalloped nestie circle.  I felt the black leaves and black tipped corsage pin just added that bit of something to the card.  Prima flowers and black pearls finished it all off.

Thanks for visiting my blog today.

Mojo Monday Challenge 222

I was looking through my collection of sketches and found this Mojo Monday 222 sketch which was perfect for the Authentique Uncommon dp that I hadn't touched.  Do you believe that I was saving it???  lol  I used a few different nesties on these cards.  Riding Hood Red and black are a fabulous match for these papers.  I must admit, that pennant cuts are not my favourite thing to do.  The ends don't seem to work out evenly.  I think these will pass with a push. Pearls, prima flowers and some black leaf trimming finished them off.

It was overcast today but not raining.  When Dean was home, he and I had a clean out of his cupboards, consequently there is a mountain of washing waiting in the laundry for the first sunny day.  Linen etc that I want to freshen up before being put away again.

Thanks for visiting my blog and hope everyone is well.

Beautiful Chanteuse!!

Thursday was a very productive day for me.  I finished four cards!!!  This is one of them.  I used Kaisercraft's Chanteuse dp.  It's gorgeous.  The sketch is similar to many cards that I've made, Sharon cards, Jean and I call them.  Sharon makes these cards which are stunning and very simple with gorgeous embellishments.  Thanks Sharon.

The greeting has been stamped twice, with just a smidgen of movement to make it stand out a touch more.  Card stock is Stampin Up and the greeting panel is from the 6 x 6 paper pad.

Thanks for visiting my blog and taking the time to comment.  Very much appreciated.

It's still raining here, not as much as it was but with light showers.  I do hope to do some more card making today...I have several orders to fill.  Also hope to crumb the steak I bought on Friday so a busy day ahead for me.
Take care everyone.

Prima Botanical Sympathy cards

I needed a sympathy card so I cased Sharon's card but added layers and inked the nesties labels. I hope she takes it as a compliment.  I did put a different sentiment on one of them.  I've kept the other one in my supply of cards because unfortunately just lately I seem to need sympathy cards.

Baja breeze went perfectly with these particular papers from the Prima Botanical collection.

The weather broke and it's been raining for the past day and a half.  We needed it though.  Looks like there is more on the way.  Don't mind the rain so long as there isn't any cyclones to go with it. lol
My son is coming to visit me this morning before he goes back to Toowoomba this afternoon on the plane.  I hope to get a card done for the Merry Monday challenge today as well.
Thanks for visiting.

Red Hat Birthday.

A friend of mine, who is a member of the Red Hats here in this area, asked me to make her a Red Hat birthday card to send to another Red Hat lady.  So here is the result.  I actually made this card twice, well nearly anyway.  Three quarters of the way through the first one, I decided it wasn't right and it went in the bin.  I salvaged a few bits, the image and the two nesties and used them for the second effort of which I'm quite proud.

Now for details...the image is a digi by Priscilla Heaton which fitted the bill perfectly. If you would like the link please email me.  I then coloured it with copics..I still need a lot of practice in this area.  I cut a mask and then air brushed, yes that's right, air brushed the background with my copics to take away the starkness of the white background.  I paper pieced the mannequin's head and very slightly moulded the hat and 3d'd it onto the base image to give it a touch of dimension.  I think I managed to get it just right.  The flower and feathers finished off the hat.  I was really pleased to find the exact colour feathers in my stash.  The sketch is based very loosely on a Mojo Monday one...185.  To add a bit more texture I embossed the purple panel and also added the white lace.  A greeting and silk ribbon finished it off.  I hope my friend likes it.

Enjoy this very sunny hot Tuesday everyone.

Stay safe!!

Music Christmas Cards

I saw on Carla Suto's blog these Heartfelt Creations stamps used in conjunction with the matching nesties and just loved the concept. 

I then saw on another blog the idea of using flourishes and poinsettias as embellishments.  I can't remember whose blog...sorry.

I was very happy with the way these cards turned out and the recipients have loved them.

Thanks for visiting today.

Yes, I've been missing in action....BUT....all my Christmas cards were done and sent two weeks ago.  Christmas presents posted two weeks ago.  Christmas lollies....rum balls, apricot balls, rocky road, Russian caramel and coconut ice all made last Tuesday with some extra batches of rum balls and apricot balls finished yesterday. 
Local gifts all delivered, last one done yesterday morning. 
All the grocery shopping is done.

The rest of the presents are bought and just have to be wrapped today.  I run the vacuum cleaner over the floors this afternoon then that will be done too.

    The trifle is to be made today and I'll do the stuffing for the chickens.   Then on to preparing my cauliflower/broccoli dish and potato bake, all ready for cooking tomorrow.

My problem is I have run out of fridge room so it'll be out to the shed with the extras. lol 

Have a wonderfully productive Christmas Eve everyone.

 

Gabrielle Engagement Card

A friend of mine asked me to make her an engagement card.  So I used the pretty Bo Bunny Gabrielle papers and a sketch from Mojo Monday.  I'm so happy with the way this card has turned out.  Card stock used is the matching Bo Bunny card stock.  Embellishments are some Prima roses with lace and braid.  The oval around the sentiment is the one of the Designer Frames Embossing Folders from Stampin Up.  The sentiment is from Flourishes and fits perfectly into the extra large oval punch by Stampin Up.  Pearls around the Lacey Circle finished the card off.

Thanks for visiting my blog today.