Greetings for the season and the New Year

I would just like to wish you all out there a safe and happy silly season- there are a lot of bloggers and readers that do not celebrate Christmas as such but I wish you all the best and hope that you stay safe and healthy. For those that do celebrate Christmas may you have an enjoyable day and celebrate this special time in the best way you can. May you and your families and friends all enjoy good health and may you get whatever you wish for. May your New Year be filled with happiness, laughter and good cheer.

To all those that have to work or serve to keep us safe either in Australia or overseas I wish you all a very big thank you for your work and if it means that you can't celebrate with your families and friends My thoughts are with you for your efforts THANK YOU again and MERRY CHRISTMAS and a very HAPPY NEW YEAR.

 

I am hoping to post more regular entries for 2011. To those that follow me thank you, for those that come to visit sometimes thank you. I am still trying to get used to this world of blogging and I thank all who have helped me out this year in my first year of blogging.

Catch you later

Regards

Kathy S

 

New Bombshell stamps blog

Bombshell stamps have a new blog and too celebrate they are giving away 2 stamp sets(1 rubber and 1 digital)

pop on over to the blog and check it out- they have some great stamp sets Bombshell Stamps Blog or for the contest/giveaway entry http://bombshellstamps.blogspot.com/2010/11/enter-our-follow-this-blog-contest.html

regards

Catch you later

Kathy s

Blue Christmas wishes

"It's going to be a blue Christmas with out you"- For some reason this song kept going through my head as I was creating this card -other than having blue in it I can't understand it. Anyway Three cards in one day after three months no blogging. I was actually trying to get one or two of these cards posted yesterday but Murphy's law - didn't get there - so now you have three in one day -sorry.

 JustRite Friday Challenge 044- Color, Sponsored by Spellbinders is challenging you to use Navy,Rust and Gold in your project- I didn't really have a Rust coloured anything so I got what was as close as possible from my stash- hope they accept it as rust. This card sort of came together by itself in about two hours-which for me is quick, I usually take ages trying to find just the right papers or layout but not this time. The sketch is 2S4Y Kazan's Sketch 66 current challenge and I think that fact and the colours picked by JustRite helped heaps because it took away a lot of the procrastination I usually go through when creating.

I made another Christmas card because I still have heaps -like about 50 or so- to do before the end of the month or Christmas anyway and had better get a move on with them.

I love Just Rite stamps and because at the moment I only have their original stamps (I bought this set for that particular stamp-I just love it) -I will use them. They are a bit difficult to get here unless you buy online(which I don't) but thanks to their blog hop I won a set of their new ones- check out their blog to see all the cool new designs and for those without the original system these ones are on cling so will work on normal cling blocks. The new set I won was "Quiet Moments" - such a sweet little set with pretty little fairies and some gorgeous sayings on it I am sure you will be sick of fairies when I get it in the mail and have a play. The last 7 sets have all been illustrated by the lovely Elizabeth O.Dulemba- a great illustrator and author in her own right. Thanks Sharon.

I could also possibly enter this into the Caardvarks Holiday Die Cuts challenge of using die cuts although they are not from Creative Cuts and More as I don't have any of their dies and they are not actually a holiday die cut but they are around a holiday stamp so maybe that counts - but would love to own some one day- they look so neat. I think it might be a bit late for the deadline for that challenge though so anyway I'll try.

I would like to explain something here as you may all be wondering,or not, why I keep referring to things from my stash - Before I started making cards for blogs and I really haven't sold any. I bought lots of supplies and unfortunately threw away a majority of the packaging so I have no recollection as to the origin/manufacturer of a lot of my stuff in my craft space especially regarding makers and where they came from. I am sorry but that's the way it is, I have heaps of papers off cuts and bits and pieces which is one of the reasons I started blogging so I had the incentive to use it.I only use a small amount when I take my card class and those cards are kept for examples. I gift most of my work or use it-like the Christmas cards I make. Hope that explains a bit about me and my creativity. If anybody sees something they recognize from a particular manufacturer please let me know and I will give them credit

This card is a tent card and is a 4.5"x6" card. The brown has been stamped with the snowflake from the Original Merry Little Christmas set with versamark- to give it a watermark effect then I stamped it with the bronze ink and then I was happy with that effect so I stamped again with versamark watermark and embodded with a bronze EP. although you can't really see the other layers in the picture they are visible IRL. The gold paper behind the main image has a glow to it as well and the ribbon I bought from a local quilt shop when it was shutting down- neither had labels so I don't know the manufacturers-the brown is a velvet. hope you can see it a bit better in this shot.I mounted the central image onto foam tape to give it a bit more dimension.

Recipe-Card base- Navy cut and folded to the above size. Papers-stash, Stamps- Just Rite 3 1/4" stamps Christmas Treasures and Merry Little Christmas Set Originals; Inks- Versamark watermark,Grant-Bronze; Dies-Spellbinders Nestabilities Classic Circle and Classic Scalloped circle; Helmar tacky Craft Glue; Scor-it Scoring tool. Other- (From stash)Embossing Powder- Bronze and Blue;Gem; Ribbon; Double sided tape and foam tape.

I am sorry this was such a long post hope I didn't bore you all

Hope you enjoy, thanks for visiting and any comments greatly appreciated.

Catch you later

Regards

Kathy s

Lets shake and skate

This card is for the Unscripted Sketches #81 when I saw this sketch I first thought to make a card looking like a gift and then when I started creating I somehow came out with a shaker card-don't really know how that happened but I hope you like it anyway I thought it turned out sort of ok but I haven't made a shaker card for a Long time and had to think about what I was doing a lot.

I love Penny black stamps although I only have a couple of sets so they get used in bits and bots- not nearly enough for my liking but I think the hedgehogs are so cute. I think it still sort of looks like a gift in a round about way don't you?  It's very relaxing colouring and the watercolour crayons -Lyra Aquacolor crayons- I've been using are so good and will last me forever. 

 

Here is a closer shot of the little hedgehog- so darling.

Recipe: In no particular order sorry -

Card-Blue base card from some sets I purchased at a discount store to make your own cards- They were too cheap to go past -something like $5 for 10 cards and envelopes and embellishments as well or something like that -I have only a few left as I have had them for a while now they are about 4.5" square; Papers- All the papers were from my stock I have a HUGE supply of bits and pieces I am trying to use up; Stamps- Penny black Transparent Christmas Critters Set; Inks- Versamark Watermark; Embossing Powder-Gold and Silver-sorry had for ages don't know brand.; Colouring- Lyra Aquacolor watercolour crayons;   Other- Flower soft- Polar White for the snow and I actually stuck it to his hat rim and pompom (mixed with glitter);Glitter two types-Darico White and again don't know brand -rainbow white/pink;Acetate;Stickers-Border stickers-I think they're Renoir; Ribbon and silver cord-Stash; Punches- Fiskars tag your it-1.5" and 2";Dies- Spellbinders Classic Scalloped Circles large and small and Classic  Circles large and small(sorry again put them away before writing down which ones);Sequins- Stars and Snowflakes- stash; Foam tape, double sided tape and Helmar Tacky Craft Glue.

Hope you enjoyed your visit, thanks for coming. Comments greatly appreciated.

Catch You later

Regards

Kathy s

 

The true Spirit of Christmas

This is a long entry and probably very boring to you but I feel that I must give a mild explanation as to my absence over the past few months. You don't have to read this if you don't want to you can just skip to the card - I will not be offended I promise.

I am back at the moment- I am sorry to have been away from my blog so long- several things have been going on around here that needed to be dealt with and they took priority. Firstly as I have stated in previous blogs- I soooo admire all of you out there that can work full time, raise a family and create and blog at the same time. Unfortunately I am not one of those people and even though my family are all grown they are still in need of my support at various times either as a Taxi, babysitter, moral supporter or other things. This not only implies my immediate family but my In Laws, nieces, nephews and others as well. I am also the calling person for several friends in times of need- Which don't get me wrong I love and feel honoured that they think they can call on me for these things but it means my creativity time is diminished and at times non existent, therefore I have had little time and actually lost the incentive to create anything worth blogging about for such a long time but hopefully things are getting back to normal(whatever that is). I also had a rotten cold that would not go away and took several weeks for me to even feel like doing anything- I am now catching up on housework and gardening as well as slipping in a bit of crafting-yay!.

Sorry to go on but I felt I had to explain a little bit about my absence. I have been still stalking many blogs and leaving the occasional comment etc. I am going to have to look at the amount of blogs I subscribe to - there are so many and I must spend ages on them admiring everyone else's work so If I unsubscribe to your blog it is not that I am no longer interested in your work but that I am trying to get back some of my time for me to create so PLEASE understand. I will try to peek in sometimes to see where you are at and I thank you all for the inspiration you have given me.

Now my card:-  This was made to go with the Card patterns  Sketch 90

  as soon as I saw this sketch I knew I wanted to use my Kaisercraft set-Be Merry Collection-I love the sentiment and those little oval words they look so classic but I wanted to do a card that was not traditional colours-I like the challenge of getting away from red and green sometimes.

Sorry if the pictures are dark but it is very overcast here today and although it's near the end of spring we are having a very wet and very cold one- summer will probably be the same.

The second picture sort of shows the little jewels on this card -they change colour if you look at them in different light. It looks like the white layer is on foam tape but it's not it's just very thick card(matt board actually) but I put the greetings and words on foam tape .

Here is the list of things I used

Cardstock- Black Impress Hessian finish; Papers- Bits from my stash; Inks-Versamark watermark, Staz-on Jet Black; Other- JudiKins Detail Black Embossing Powder; Ribbon-It's Magic; Gems- stash; Dies-Spellbinders Nestabilities Classic Ovals and Classic Scalloped ovals-Sorry I always seem to put them away before I write down which sized ones I use; Photo corners; Foam mounting tape, Double sided tape, Helmar Tacky Craft Glue.

Comments always appreciated.

Thanks for visiting

Regards

Kathy s

My Tribute and feelings for the 9-11 Disaster.

To all those not in Australia this may appear a day early but in Australia it is now Saturday 11th September.

You don't have to read this if you wish it's up to you but it was the way I felt and feel at this tragic time and had to express it with these words.  They may not make sense to some but each time I read it I feel shivers in my body because it brings back the feelings I had that were so strong then and still are today-I admire all who have gotten on with their lives and tried to put this way behind them but there are some that will never get over it and my heart really goes out to them.

Like most others I was deeply touched by the happenings on September 11 2001. I remember waking on that morning our time to hear the news and see the footage over and over on the T.V. - not being able to believe what was happening and even though we where seeing it could not fully accept it for quite a while. My 11 year old son just could not understand and I had a hard time trying to help him when I didn't understand either- how could someone do this?.

Being a  volunteer member of the Country Fire Authority in Victoria, Australia (one of the fire services of our state) I am fully aware of the dangers that are encountered by those who also serve the community no matter where they live or the role in which they do it - whether they are like me a fire person or a police or ambulance officer or one of the rescue team members-  when they go out to help.

I know of many that also risked their lives to assist in the devastating fires we had in Victoria in February 2009 - I helped in that campaign for two weeks doing communications for aircraft- including working with some lovely Canadian, New Zealand, American and Australian crews who were actually in the aircraft-(helicopters) doing the work from up above. Thank you guys your work was greatly appreciated. (Communications is what I normally do and it is a reasonably safe position but you just never know what is going to happen or when)

This poem was written in the memory of ALL THOSE lost in 9-11 and dedicated to them and all Emergency Service Personnel and their families -either paid or volunteers - who risk or risked their lives everyday trying to help others. I also would like to express my thoughts to those who were not involved in the emergency services who also assisted and those that lost their lives as innocent victims of this event.

We don't always get thanked but we don't expect it either- we are here to help when needed and get on with the job at hand. I wrote this just after that fateful day and even though we are miles away it touched our hearts very deeply- we held and still hold memorial services and prayers for all those involved.

 

America Attacked

“America attacked” that’s what they said

ALL the papers when they were read

A plane, no two have hit a building in New York

Both full of innocent passengers and civilians at work

Not just any building it was discovered

But the World Trade Centre, the Twin Towers,

No goodbyes or I love you

So unexpected for all involved

Except the ones who planned this deed

Fire everywhere – the heat intense it’s melting steel all around

Even more news comes across

The Pentagon has been hit too - another plane

More people dead

Confusion is all around

Not only for Americans but for the world

WHY?

Who would do this terrible thing?

What is going to happen now?

Questions lots of them to be answered

Who will solve this puzzle?

Another plane has gone down

This time the passengers have reported to say goodbye

Or I love you knowing they were going to die

It’s crashed into a forest all on board dead

Reports keep coming back of despair

Of Death Destruction EVERYWHERE

People try to help, some in vain

No one believes or gives up hope

Police, Fire fighters, Paramedics too

All do their job and march straight in

Get people out their only thought

Help as many as you can

Then more Despair the buildings just crumble

Like a pack of cards

Get out, Get out

We can’t leave them there

We have to help it’s what we do

Regardless of what WE are going through

HOPE is what keeps us going

We pray and work and keep on trying

Just one more trip and one more life

But no it’s too late – we are gone – goodbye

The dust it settles, the people stare

Tears and words just don’t come

We can’t believe it, it can’t be true

It’s some bad movie – it’s just not real

But yes it’s true – we must go on.

We hope the world will stay at peace

No more attacks – no more devastation

We just need to get on, clean up the mess

Maybe someone is still alive

We must check, we hope, we pray

We’ll never forget this tragic day

World war 3 – is this start?

Somewhere down inside our hearts

We hope it’s not - we try to think

Another’s life - we must care

Find out who has done this thing

And punish him / her - and only them

Families, friends we must unite

Think of all those who died - they must help us too

Keep positive and hope the best

Don’t let them all have died in vain

Thousands of innocent lives gone .

Women, children, men all are parts of families

Genes may not relate us

But we are part of the human race

Think of the survivors - those who have lost

We may not want to but we must

Are they to die too- for Revenge

It can’t happen – not again

Remember Gallipoli

Remember France and London

DON’T let Evil win

Give GOOD a winning chance

Peace is what it has to be

But How?

A week has gone by – still no answers

No one else found alive – we can’t give up

People offering – insisting on helping

Clear the rubble – search, search

Dogs, Police, Fire-fighters hard at work

The heat still there- we must go on we cannot rest

Maybe the next piece of rubble may uncover a friend

A loved one – We all hope and pray

Masks must be worn there may be asbestos or worse

We can’t rest

On the other side of the world

We watch this on TV

Our brothers’, sisters’ in the emergency services

Have died or disappeared doing their jobs

We bow our heads and hold our hands

We hug and pray for their families

For them

And all the ones they were trying to save

It could be us we‘re volunteers

Just like some of those who died.

We see a problem we go to help

We know what it’s all about

Our families know it’s what we train to do

But things like this bring the reality home, a family all together

Disaster, Sadness Everywhere – we can’t believe it

We see it over and over again

That plane- those crumbling towers

People running – trying to escape

Those fire trucks, ambulances

Police cars, Buildings – all crumbled like toys

Cranes are lifting; trucks are carrying it all away

To be sifted through in hope to find the answers

None are coming – only more questions

News time comes and goes- more tragedy

Australia, the World is in mourning

Will the world ever be right again?

Children cannot understand- we’re saying sorry

But why? - We did nothing wrong

Explanations just can’t justify any reason

Hope is coming it has to be

We can’t live in fear and sadness

We will remember September 11^th 2001

FOREVER.

By Kathleen Smullen 2001

Thanks for visiting and I hope I haven't upset or offended anyone with this post. I had to post it just so others know it is not only America that feel for people who suffered with this event but it spread all around the world.

Catch you later

Regards

Kathy S

How Sweet

  Gee am I happy three days three posts- this post was such fun to do -I've had this set of stamps for ages like about 12 months or more and have never really used it but I thought of it as soon as I decided to play in a couple of this weeks challenges.

The finished card is  just has I had planned which is unusual for me I usually start one way and finish in a completely different direction.

The colours are so cheerful- I think I'm looking forward to spring because I've started using brighter colours. This is for a couple of challenges CPS challenge- CPS 181 Part 1-this is the sketch; Flourishes-  Permanent Link to Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge(FTTC81)! - this one required lace and wee Memories Challenge #19 - Sponsored by May Arts- which required something sweet - I think I missed the time frame for one or two but will post it anyway LOL.

Sorry there are lots of pictures but I wasn't sure which to post and I wanted to show all the different parts of it - so here goes

  

the first two show the front looking straight on-the second showing a bit of the flap and the next two show behind the flap which I made the hinges from  lace stickers 

       then the inside of the flap and the last shows the inside of the card

Thank you for visiting and hope you enjoyed my card and my interpretation of the sketch.

    I was trying to get these done so I'm sorry if the pictures aren't very clear- I think I'll have to take photography lessons-or get a better camera and make a photo box. :)

Card info:- Cardstock- is some green card I've had for ages think it's Quell, Papers- K&Company-and bits from my stash; Stamps- Flourishes set- Cakes- not sure of the actual name of the set- It's quite an old one. Inks- several generic stamp pads from Kmart including- red,green,yellow,light blue and purple; and Whispers Brush markers-brown,red,olive and bottle green. Other Bits- Gold embossing powder, Zing Clear embossing powder; Stickers- The paper mill (lace) and from stash; Lace- from my stash its a short piece I purchased with a heap at the local charity shop; Micro beads- various colours and brands- had them fpr ages and thought they looked like sprinkles.;Kindy Glitz-Crystalina,Faber Castell -Glitter Glue-to add a touch of sparkle;

 

Thanks for visiting

Catch you later

Kathy S

 

Just for you

 

Wow two posts in two days- I think I'm getting back in the groovel - lets hope it stays that way Hehehehe ;} - does that sound very 70's  'cause that's a bit of how I feel with this card-

I just couldn't go past this cute unscripted sketch- I had so many ideas running through my head when I saw it I didn't know where to start- thanks for helping me get my mojo back-Although I'm not totally happy with it I think it would be a cute card just to give someone just to say hi or something for everyday use not a special occasion like a  birthday.   I had fun doing the background for it as I used all sorts of jar/bottle bottoms and lids dipped in ink pads and stamped onto the card stock I think it sort of looks funky but that's just my opinion.

I cut a couple of tiny hearts in half to make the leaves for the flowers and used some ribbon for the stems not that you can really tell in this picture but this was the best one I took and because it is so dark and gloomy here at the moment-we are expecting another big rain/thunder storm any time.

This card is actually for two challenges the UNSCRIPTED SKETCHES #69 – WITH A PIGGYBACK CHALLENGE - I tried several ideas for the flowers and decided on hearts and I may even do another with something else I'm thinking of but it won't be in time for the challenge I don't think and the JUGS #47 - A Color Challenge 

Cardstock- a generic card packet I bought from somewhere ages ago- sorry can't remember where or the brand but it was just one of those multiple card packets that are reasonably cheap- I seem to use a lot of them and they are great for when I need a card in a hurry.

Papers-Kaiser craft Utopia Collection and Hey Birdie Collection-which is sort of appropriate as I used a bird for the card although I didn't realize it at the time I was choosing my papers.

Stamp- Grace Taylor; Sentiment- I'm unsure where this came from I think it was a clear set that I got from a discount store a while ago but I like it and you will probably see it used a lot.

Inks-Archival Ink -Jet Black;  I have some generic stamp pads I bought when I was first starting my card making many many years ago and they have so many colours and don't seem to dry out that much either -I have put a drop of water in a couple just to regenerate them and they work ok now. I don't know who made them but I think I bought them from K Mart there were so many colours I think I bought about 15 of them and they are sort of like Versa Inks in size but not them just a cheap version. I used Aqua,Light green and Hot Pink-these are my names for them they didn't actually come with colours written on them.

Other- Embossing Powder-Judi Kins- Black Detail; Colours-Whispers Brush Markers,Ribbon-Sullivans Double sided satin; Punch- Fiskars 1" squueze punch circle, Hearts- three different sizes- unsure of brand; Jewels-stash; Glue- Helmar 450; Double sided tape and mounting tape.

Hope you enjoyed

 

 Thanks for visiting

Catch you later

Kathy S

 

Non traditional Christmas

I thought I'd make a non traditional Christmas gift card using colours in the Just Rite challenge and step out of my comfort zone of reds and greens I hope you like it- I made this for a couple of reasons-

I only have a few Just Rite stamps and the main ones are Christmas because I love this time of year and wanted to participate in their challenges both the Just Rite Friday Challenge 032- Color-I don't have these colours in copic markers-I only have a few earth colours and non of them matched these and this challenge Christmas Tags & Minis with JustRite Stampers   you can go directly to the Caardvark site by clicking on this link -I thought I'd better start making more Christmas cards and gift cards now we are nearly into September so it's not that far away-I don't have any appropriate caardvarks papers (I only have one pink and one blue piece) or I would have used them and because I thought I could use it for the challenge for me to help me get inspired- I am not totally happy with it but I think the colours came together really well even if it is for Christmas. I think I might tie some orange and green ribbon around the top somewhere just to finish it off- I just feel it's missing something and hopefully that might fix it. :)

Merry Christmas-

Card- size is 5 14/16th" x 3" (15x27.5cm)- This came from my stash that I have had for ages and kept because I liked the embossing on it.

Paper-Monte Marte watercolour paper,green and orange from my stash

Stamps Just Rite Christmas set 1 5/8"

Other: Embossing powder Judi Kins Black Detail; Ink-Distress Vintage photo; Colours- Whispers brush markers;Stickers-(the dark brown bits)-stash;Jewels- Kaiser craft and stash;Ribbon-Creative corner;Glitter-stash;Embossing folder- Cuttlebug -Argyle

 Thanks for visiting

catch you later

Kathy S

 

It's been soooo long between posts

Sorry I have been away so long but I don't seem to have had any time to myself lately- this is the first time I've had to even think about a post- I have so many emails left unread- I will gradually catch up on everyone else's news and blogs, I missed all the news and excitement from CHA and all the blog giveaways- I have been working flat out every day and again I take my hat off to all of you out there that can work full time raise a family do things with them and still have time to create and post things on blogs- by the time I get home of a night I have just wanted to relax but have still had meals to prepare and work to be done- I also have been babysitting my darling grandchildren and have also have been studying and preparing for the requirement of what is called "minimum skills" in the CFA -even though I have been doing communications for well over 20 years now I now have to have the requirement that any active fire fighter has when going into a fire area- even though I will not be any where near the fire because I do communications - but since we have had some bad seasons and incidents involving deaths in the fire service all personal are now required to have theses skills- I still have the practical side of the assessment to go through in a week or so but have done all the theory and things I hope. On top of all that I have this horrible cold that just won't go away- my head feels heavy and aching and I am tired continually-I have very little enthusiasm to even craft at the moment so have been catching up on what is going on in blog world- You guys are amazing and there are so many great new releases around I wish I could have all of them.

One blog I have caught up on is  Andrea's- another Australian and Victorian and also the owner of AnnaBelle Stamps she is celebrating 3 years blogging and has the following candy up for grabs but you'll have to be quick it finishes on the 14th of August- visit her blog http://www.stampinmoments.com/ to find out all the details but its a great lot of goodies - she is giving away 3 stamp sets some ribbon, some pearls and some sprinkles.

Sorry to bore you with all my whining I just feel so drained at the moment and wish I had the energy and enthusiasm to get up and do something but the weather here has been so cold and wet- which is good because we desperately need the rain but please let us get some spring weather soon- I am so glad we don't get snow where I live but the wind and the temperatures have been so cold it may as well have been snowing

Anyway that's it for this post hope I haven't bored you too much thanks for visiting and check out Andrea's blog for the candy- I hope you will call back again sometime

Catch you later

Kathy s

Christmas Just Rite

This card is using some adorable ribbon I discovered last year when I visited Costco- we had our first store open in Melbourne toward the end of last year so hubby and I decided to check it out- wow it's big and so many things- I did half my Christmas shopping in one day there but I fell in love with this ribbon even though I had to buy a whole roll of 50 yards it was only about $10 so I couldn't go past it- I was going to use it last year but I had most of my Christmas things already organized so this year it will feature a lot in decorations,cards and just about everything else.

   

Isn't this gold and maroon ribbon gorgeous the maroon is actually flock its just beautiful IRL. it sort of has a shimmer to the gold too which is not showing in the pictures.

This card is for the JUGS sketch A Just Rite Sketch Day! 40 using Just Rite stamps on the inside and the front -I used a bits and pieces from my stash I am slowly using all my little bits but they don't seem to get any less in volume-is that because I keep getting more off cuts from friends do you think.  Hope you like it.

This may be my last post for a while as I start work again on Monday-in Australia school goes back Monday from the mid year holidays and I am working all day for the next four weeks and with everything else I do blog entries have become lower on the priority list unfortunately. Thank you to all who visit and I hope you will call back occasionally to visit and leave a comment. I also have a couple of cards featured on Erin's blog- Inky Smiles for her Scrap My Scraps Challenge III Reveal- Kathy Smullen I thought this would be great fun to participate in and what a ball I had Erin is such great fun to work with and very patient for a novice blogger like me- Thanks for the chance Erin I had a blast. Although I was getting a bit concerned because my envelope hadn't arrived and the deadline was the 25th June and I only got my stuff the week before- It seemed like it took forever to arrive but I think I did ok- let me know what you think by visiting Erin's blog-just click on the link above -hopefully it should take you to her blog.

Info regarding the Christmas card above-

Card Base- Maroon Card stock; Papers- all of these were bits from my stash;

Ribbon-Kirkland signature(Costco), Lace- one piece from stash the other bits a St.Louis Trimming-Trimtex co.; Stamps-     Just Rite's Christmas Treasures Borders and Centres

Dies- Standard Classic Circle#4 and Scalloped Classic Circle#4; Ink Brilliance Rocket Red and Versamark watermark; Jewels-discount store; Embossing Powder-Zing Gold glitter finish, Alisonellisdesign-Firecracker Spark, Plain Gold-stash.

 

Thanks for visiting

Catch You Later

 

Kathy s

Apron card and bookmark.

   I finally got to spend 3 hours in my craft room last Friday morning because I needed a card to wish one of the teachers at school all the best because she was leaving- as I work in the food technology (or Home Economics as it used to be called) area and so did she I tried to think of something appropriate to make for her as well as include something small as a gift -I thought of a gift card but as she doesn't live in my area a gift card would probably have been a waste so I thought I would try something else. So I started checking my emails and other blogs for inspiration and came across the JustRite Inspiration Blog and they had a challenge for bookmarks a week or so ago-which gave me the idea of a gift- I know she reads and also enjoys cooking  then scrolling down I saw an entry from Jennifer Mitten who had designed her card in the shape of an apron and a bookmark as a circle so of course I just had neon lights flashing in my head and thought this was perfect for the gift and the card - you can find all the details at Jennifer's blog -Another JustRite Stampers Challenge and then I check my emails I can't believe that JUGS  ("Just us Girls") are having a challenge Jugs 39 - Template Challenge - I didn't use the template they provided but check it out it's a great one.

Sorry the pictures are a bit blurry as I really had to rush to get the card and bookmark made and then take the pictures as well as make something to eat for a small party they were giving her after school finished.  I hope you like these and thanks Jennifer for the inspiration. I tried to make the bookmark to look like a recipe book - I put magnets inside the folded cardstock and then covered them with paper so you couldn't see them and then thought I'd just write a small note inside saying" Let me keep your place" so they sort of clip over the top of the page and magnetize to each other holding the page on the spot. I put the bookmark in the pocket as in the photo            

Recipe: Pale Green Cardstock- Office works;Papers-DCWV-Endless Summer Matstack and The Glitter Stack;Brown Handmade paper- unsure of origin it was one of the first papers I bought years ago and have just resurrected from the bottom of my stash of browns, pink scraps from stash; Stamps -Just Rite stamps; Punch- Martha Stewart Doily Hearts; Other-Lace- from stash- dyed with Vintage Photo Distress Ink. Ink for stamp- Cre8tiv Gold; Glues and Tapes-double sided tape and foam mounting Tape and Helmar 450 Quick drying adhesive; Ribbon-Value Craft.

When I gave it to her she loved it and I had tied the ribbons at the back to make it look realistic- she didn't realize it was also a card LOL until I suggested she untie the ribbons- she was delighted and so were all the other staff there.

 

Thanks for visiting. Please feel free to leave a comment.

Catch You Later

 

Kathy S

It's the journey that matters

I am trying to post this for the third day now- for some reason it keeps timing out- I am so fed up with my computer at the moment and feel so frustrated GRHHHHHH!

Thank you to all the loyal visitors who have visited and left a comment in the past. They are greatly appreciated and if you wish to leave one please do at the end of the post. I was hoping to have more regular posts but that is not likely to happen at the moment sorry.

Just thought I'd better post another card to let you all know I am still here on this earth. I am sooooooo sorry to those who visit to not have been posting but my life is like a roller coaster at the moment and I have no idea when it's going to settle down. I thought I was in a sort of routine Hah! what a joke- I haven't even been near my crafting things since my last post- except for this past weekend which was spasmodic at its best. I finally got in there on Monday to finish a commitment for someone but will tell more about that at a later date hopefully.

This card I made months ago and never posted, but I think it's kind of sweet. I love this sentiment and the meaning behind it. It could be used for so many things but a sympathy or thinking of you card comes to mind.

 

Recipe :- Card Base- Local Office supply store A4 200 gem card cut in half -Size 10.5cm x 15 cm

( 5 7/8”x 4 ¼” approx)

Papers:- Craftworks design papers- from a local discount and glossy card stock for butterfly, normal A4 printer paper coloured with alcohol inks for the stamped image.

Stamps- Just Rite Harmony Classic Circle Stamper III 3 ¼” set ( Sentiment); Grace Taylor Nature Girl set-(Butterfly )

Other:- Inks- Memento Tuxedo Black and Versa mark; Embossing Powders –Zing Green Metallic Finish; Adirondack Alcohol Inks- Sunset Orange, Sunshine Yellow and Raspberry; Ribbon- off cut of selvage of taffeta material pleated; Jewels- Kaiser craft

Thanks for visiting

Catch you Later

Kathy S.

 

Christmas wishes

Two posts in one day wow- but I'll be away for the rest of the week with a friend so thought I'd try to post these today I should be back on Friday sometime.

This card is to play with a couple of challenges - the Justrite Christmas challenge JustRite Friday Challenge 019- Christmas in May & A BIG Announcement! and Sparkle creations Christmas Card Challenge Week #25 - Sentiment Only

 

Recipe and How I made this card: Base:-Yellow card stock, Focal - White cardstock embossed using the Cuttlebug snow dots embossing folder and various scraps from my stash.- the Red shiny is actually part of a decoration that was being thrown away because it was broken and when I saw it I thought I might be able to use it somewhere -thank goodness I kept it I've used it heaps-It's great to die cut and emboss and if you sand it you get another dimension again. I die cut Nestabilities dies the classic circles and scalloped circles sets -sorry not sure which sizes I used but they fit the JustRite stamps perfectly. Stamps- Just Rite Christmas Treasures  Borders and centres Round 3 1/4 stamps set. I stamped these and embossed using Zing Gold glitter for the border stamp and Red glitter for the sentiment. Just to add a bit of bling I placed an heart over the O in Wonderful. Ribbon: red velvet ribbon I bought at KMart after Christmas- It's not the best for cards as it's a bit thick- I think it was meant for a wreath but at 10cents a roll I wasn't complaining and I think it just adds that extra touch.

If you really wanted to you could remove the focal point and attach the ribbon to it and use it as an ornament or gift tag.

Hope you like this card feel free to leave a comment

Thanks for visiting

Regards

Catch you Later

Kathy S

white,white,white

This card is for the Annabelle stamps blog challenge Say It In...White

I thought I wouldn't be able to do this because I just LOVE colour - it seemed like a real challenge for me but once I got going I had a great time -good enough that I produced two cards.  They were actually pretty quick to make and assemble so I will be making more monochromatic cards I think. Both these cards could be used for many occasions. sorry about the photos- I am a terrible photographer and it was very overcast outside today and really cold so I took these inside.

 

Recipe:Card 1:- Base: White Cardstock , Main Focal handmade paper that actually has plant life through it but most of it fell out once I cut it.- Pendant Nestabilities  - the large section and the two smaller sections - the one that looks like a wreath and the one that looks like a cross -I cut 2 of each of all of these shapes and stacked them. Flower bead- this came in a bag of beads and things I bought at a craft show recently- it was full of really interesting beads and gems I will be using them a lot in the future-sorry can't remember the name of the company I got them from. Ribbon this  is one from my stash it's designed to be gathered because it has a thin thread running along the edges (I had never noticed it before this card so I will try it out at a later date)but I didn't use them I just tied a bow. There is also a sentiment on this card which I stamped in white chalk ink and embossed using white embossing powder- it just says "thinking of you" can't remember where I got this stamp from either sorry.

  This card is really pretty IRL and if you look closely the corners have actually got the little bits left from the die of the large cross centres on them - I thought they were too quaint to just throw away so I thought I'd use them as corners. The gems are sort of multicoloured but not coloured if you can understand that-they seem to reflect and pick up the colours around them. I used the crosses because I think they are so pretty- they are such a great set to own.

Recipe Card 2:- Base-White cardstock; Background paper is actually just copy paper which I scored on an angle to give the diamond shapes then I used my Labels Four Nestabilities 3, 4and 5 - I cut 2 of the 4's -one for under the crosses and one for under the sentiment. Papers used are handmade paper, pearl vellum and various scraps from my stash. I cut the crosses using the Cross collection shapeabilities - I used the largest and the third cross and then embossed both by running through my machine again. I added Kindyglitz to the front of the smaller cross to give it a bit of sparkle.  I layered these together and then mounted them on top of the labels cut outs using dimensional tape. Ink- I stamped the sentiment using versamark watermark ink and embossed using a Zing silver embossing powder and heat set it. These I attached to the card using double sided adhesive. I thought it needed something else so I added 3 gems in the top right corner and one in the centre of the cross and I don't know if you can see it but there is one as the dot on the letter i as well.

 

I love the way both of these cards turned out and will definitely be trying other cards in the future. Hope you like them both too-

Please feel free to leave a comment or suggestion -thank you for visiting

Regards

Catch you Later

Kathy S

Puppy this is for you

I made  this card on the weekend for one of the teachers at school who lost one of her adorable "family" members last week. She was very sad so I thought this card may help to cheer her up. I got this set of stamps and a cat one about a month ago for this particular reason - most of my friends have either a dog or cat or both and the inevitable is going to happen sooner or later so I thought these would be a great set to own (besides the images were all so darn cute I just fell in love with them).

 

The layout is actually for "the Diedrich Dare - Whimsical Wednesday" challenge DDSC35! and this is the first chance I've had to post it. It is a great sketch done by one of the DT's children and makes you think outside the box a bit. Hope you visit the DT members and see their amazing creations.

Recipe:-Card size- A6 white base card; Papers-Heidi Grace Love Blossoms Jersey Stripes; Paw prints (sorry can't remember who made this paper it was in a set of animal designs I got from KMart a while ago) the black is just scraps from my stash. Stamps- Just for you-Crafty Bitz,  Dog- Birch Exchangable- Small Dogs set. Ribbon- A touch of class-this was a wide ribbon so I just cut it down to my requirements-it's like a florist ribbon. Rhinestones-Black-Basics by Kaisercraft. Embossing Powder- Judi Kins Black Detail. Ink - Stazon Timber Brown, Versamark Watermark. Colours- Lyra Aqua Color crayons.

Thanks for visiting and hopefully will be able to have more frequent posts soon.

Catch you Later

Kathy S

Baby

 

This is a card I made a while ago for another challenge but never posted it so thought it was to pretty to not share- I think I'll be giving this one to my daughter because it isn't really pink- she doesn't like pink that much -which is funny because now she has 2 daughters and EVERYONE gives you pink for babies - Big LOL!!!.

This baby picture is one I bought back before my daughter was born -30ish years ago- it was a sort of decoupage picture on a sheet with a heap of other baby and children pictures and I just fell in love with it but never used them all I still have several sheets so I have decided my cards would be the perfect place to use some of them. The papers are some K&Company I bought a few years ago and haven't used in ages- something else I'll be sorry when it runs out- I might just keep some and look at it it's gorgeous.

   

 

Here is a closer look at this beautiful little picture and the paper for the background- so pretty

 

 

 

 

This is for The Shabby Tea Room for their Week #9 - Chipboard Challenge - the "baby" is chipboard and painted purple and then glittered so I thought it fit. Hope you like it I think it is one of my favourite cards at the moment.

Card Recipe  (as best as it can be -I'm not very good at this part of blogging)

Card Base is white card stock-finished size 14cm x 15cm (5 1/2" x 5 3/4") approx.

Papers- K and Company and scraps from my stash

Picture- decoupage picture, OTHER:- chipboard letters -Bella! chipz; Ribbon- creative Corner; Lumiere Paint pearlescent Violet; Glitter; Helmar 450 Glue; lace -stash

I think that's all I used

Thanks for visiting

Catch you Later

Regards

Kathy S

Welcome little one

This is the second post for today-  and part of the reason I haven't been posting recently as I have been waiting for this news and haven't wanted to start any projects until things settled- as well as several other things happening and me working every day(my body is still not used to that) so I don't know when I'll get another one in but thought I'd let you all know I AM A GRANDMA AGAIN whoooohoo! - no really my grandchildren range from the age of 3 3/4 -he'll be 4 in July, then there is a 2 1/2 year old granddaughter and a 2 1/4 year old grandson and then Olivia who is 18 months then another granddaughter who is nearly 1 then another grandson 5 months old and then Vanessa who is 5 days - all 7 of them. Considering  I have 3 children I don't think that's bad going-although I have told them to stop for a while.

I don't normally post pictures of my family but my daughter has said its ok this time so here is my latest darling granddaughter Vanessa Elizabeth she was due two weeks ago so we were waiting patiently because good things come to those who wait -right?

Vanessa was born at 12.16 am on Tuesday morning and weighed 3.150kg. I spent the night looking after her big sister Olivia Kate pictured below who is also the spitting image of her mum when she was this age and just as cheeky- but oh so adorable.

I have also included a picture of the whole happy family

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Catch you later

Regards

Kathy s

 

Just for you

 

my internet is giving me a hard time so I hope this eventually loads because I've tried three times already and it just drops out

This card is the first I've had a chance to make for what seems like ages- well it is really-my poor craft area hasn't seen me for Oh so long and I was starting to get scared it wouldn't see me for longer yet but I snuck down and had a couple hours play time and this is what I created- it's for the "The Shabby Tearoom"  challenge Week #8 - Get Your Bling On - it's finishing today so I thought I'd better get this one posted I hope I'm not too late for it.(then hopefully I'm sneaking back to my room for some more fun for another hour before dinner.) and then who knows when it will see me again.LOL- or cry if you feel like me!

Here's a closer look at the teapot and cups. I used the double sided sticky and lace and glitter technique to do this and am quite happy how it turned out

First I die cut the tea pot and cups and saucers out of double sided sticky paper although I didn't use the sticky on the back for this card and then I found some lace that I liked the pattern on and after removing the backing stuck the lace to the shapes then I covered it all in the blue glitter (don't know what colour or where this either of these glitters came from it's been in my stash for years and never seems to run out- thank goodness I love this colour. Then I tapped the excess glitter off and put it away then I removed the lace and covered the rest of the sticky with a white holographic glitter to finish it off. The rest of the things used in this card are Spellbinders Blossom dies 1,2 5 and 6; Martha Stewart Doily heart border punch; some gold powder for the saucers -can't remember who made this one; gold stickers from my stash and all the papers are odds and ends from my stash too as is the blue base card the finished card size is approximately 5 3/4" square  OR 14.5 cm. Not even sure where the stamp came from but I use it heaps- it's a clear acrylic one I probably bought on sale somewhere and the ribbon is from a local discount store.

Hope you have had a good Mothers day wherever you may be!

catch you later

regards

Kathy s

 

Lest We Forget

    Today the 25th April we in Australia celebrate ANZAC day. For those of you who do not know -ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. 

It was initially named for all those soldiers from Australia and New Zealand who fought and died at Gallipoli, Turkey in WW1.

With the coming of the Second World War, ANZAC Day also served to commemorate the lives of Australians who died in that war. In subsequent years the meaning of the day has been further broadened to include Australians killed in all the military operations in which Australia has been involved. It also helps us remember all those who are currently serving our country in many ways.

We give thanks, remember and show respect towards all those who have given their time and even that supreme sacrifice- their lives- to help keep us safe.

I would like to give thanks to all these men and women who not only left their families but left their country to protect us and to those families - Thank you for giving us your sons and daughters to help us stay safe.

I would like to say to all -no matter where you live- give a silent prayer to all those in any service who may be representing your country to help others live in a safe environment. May All wars and Military Actions end with no more blood shed and lives lost.

The following is an extract from a poem Laurence Binyon named "For the Fallen"- It is read at services to show the significance of what was given for their country.

"Ode of Remembrance"

They went with songs to the battle, they were young.

Straight of limb, true of eyes, steady and aglow.

They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,

They fell with their faces to the foe.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning,

We will remember them.

Regards

Catch you later

Kathy S.

No card but check out this sweet stuff at Jacque's Joie de vivre Blog

 

Jacque is celebrating her blogaversary so hope you pop by and visit her she is such a lovely lady and so very generous with candy ALL the time and has a HUGE giveaway right now.

Hopefully the links work to take you to her blog

The deadline for this SWEET STUFF will be Thursday, April 29 at midnight DST.

Here's a list and a picture of the candy...

1 Once Upon A Time Pink Scrap Tote
1 Stampology Layered Clear Stamp Set-Invitation and Party
1 Pastel Paper Pack from Crafty Secrets
1 Classic Paper Pack from Crafty Secrets
1 Making Memories Whimsy Embellishment Kit
2 packs of Metallic Adornments
1 pack of K&Co Paper Flower Brads
1 Pack of K&Co Flower Dimensionals
1 Tin of Making Memories Flower Shop Collection
1 Tin of Making Memories Butterfly Collection
7 bunches of assorted mulberry roses
2 packs of MS clear gems
1 Fiskars Tool Taxi
1 Pack of Making Memories Velvet Brads
A handful of miscellaneous charms
Stamps from the companies I represent:
1 Belles 'n Whistles Scarecrow & Little Wizard
1 Magnolia Wrapped Tilda
1 D'Amour Allure Flirty Valentine
1 Flower Soft Moments in Time Purr-fect
LOTS of Ribbon from my stash
1 MS Cornice Edge punch
1 MS Cosmos Garden punch

and a few more she's forgotten :)

 

Now, all you have to do is leave her a comment and some love here
Good luck if you want to enter and that's it for today

thanks for visiting

Catch you later

Kathy S

A 2fer Whimsical Room

       Sorry I haven't posted for a while but my life has taken some really weird turns lately- I just don't seem to have enough hours in the day -it still amazes me how other bloggers can work full time and still do a post every day with beautiful creations - I love them but what am I doing wrong- I'm lucky to get a couple of hours just to myself (which is spent in my craft area)- but still doesn't seem to produce a great deal and I don't have school kids anymore -I had more time when they were at school- how does this happen. I now have grandchildren though with another one due anytime now so as soon as it's arrived I will let you know but that's not the problem either.

Last week I was looking at the Whimsical Wednesday -The Diedrich Dare blog and saw a really interesting challenge unfortunately I don't have any Greeting farm stamps or I would have used them

Some Pink and Pink, and Pink, and Oh Yes that dreaded color (well by me anyway) Brown Inspiration

so thought I would have a go- I've had these stamps for a little while but haven't really had the inspiration to use them so when I saw this room I knew exactly how I could play along - I loved the way the walls are dark with the white and pink -Not necessarily my colour for walls but loved the principle - so I used the white frame as my cardstock and added to it I hope you like my creations- I actually did 2 cards because I loved the colours- I think I used to colour just about everyone's clothes and things in brown and pink when I was little so it bought back memories too

 

1.  Thinking of You     

With this first card I stamped the the chandelier onto brown linen weave I think it is paper (-this was in a bunch of papers I bought at Kmart ages ago and I think these are my last two pieces-I love the colour and the look of it-) using my Brilliance - Moonlight White stamp pad and then embossed it using Zing -opaque white embossing powder.- I wasn't really happy with the finish so I added Kindy Glitz to the "light" areas of the chandelier although it's hard to see in the picture but looks all sparkly IRL.  Then I stamped the lamp on some gloss cardstock using Whispers -Port Wine ink and cut it out- I thought it needed something to balance so I stamped three of the little hibiscus flowers that came with the set to represent the pictures on the wall but when I put them on the brown they didn't look right so I edged them with the Port Wine ink pad and they looked a bit better then I just stamped the sentiment on some gloss card and cut it out - I added the ribbon just as a final touch. Hope you like it.

The next card didn't really stick to the layout of the room like the first one

    Hugs

  This card is a very simple one and I just used the inspiration of the frames on the wall and went with that - I love these stamps - I bought them at KMart last week and thought they would get a lot of use as there were quite a few nature type images on them so you will probably see quite a bit using them.

I went through my stash and grabbed some different tones of pink and stamped the images on them then I cut them into squares and mounted them on white card then put some dimensional tape behind to make them stand out a bit then I used the same ribbon as I did in the last card and added the brown to go with it- The 'Hugs' stamp is from a different set that I've had for ages and when I stamped it -it is a negative type stamp and the white looked to stark so I got out my Aqualip pen in pink and coloured it in which sort gave it a glazed effect-cute-then I mounted it on pink paper and added dimensional tape to the back I thought it needed something else so I did some faux stitching around each of the images and added a bit of bling to the final card.

 

Recipe;

Card one - Thinking of you

Cardstock- white generic; Papers from my stash, Stamps- Papermania Chatsworth Collection; Accessories:-Ribbon - Value Craft; Kindy Glitz-Crystalina;Ink- Whispers Port Wine,Brilliance-Moonlight White; Embossing Powder-Zing Opaque white; dimensional tape and double sided tape.

Card Two - Hugs

Cardstock- White generic; Stamps Cre8tiv- Life series, See D's; Ink- Stazon Timber Brown; Accessories:- Ribbon-Value Craft; Uniball signo pen- white; Sakura Aqualip pen pink; Gems- discount store,dimensional tape and double sided tape.

 

Thanks for visiting come back again sometime. Any and all comments greatly appreciated

 

Catch you later

Kathy S.

Happy Birthday

I know I'm posting another card but this will be my last one for this week I think - I have soooooo much to do before Easter it's not funny  -we are having all our kids and partners -with their kids over on Saturday- they all seem to have other commitments for Sunday so Saturday will be our Easter get together and a very full house- 3 adult children of our own and their partners and 6 grandchildren the eldest being 3 and a half and the youngest 4 months and an asthmatic - yikes- and I am waiting for number 7- it is due in April -my gosh that's this month-so a very pregnant daughter will also be here. But I am looking forward to it all of course- there is nothing better than a family get together whatever the reason. 

This card is another birthday card- I have had this idea in my head for a while and just couldn't formulate it until  saw the Taylored Expressions Sketch Challenge #106 sketch and thought that was how I wanted it laid out although I had to turn it on it's side - so here it is I hope you like it.

          

I thought I would make it bright and cheery we are getting into Autumn here and everyone else in blog world is talking about spring so I thought these colours sort of combine both worlds. You can't really see it in the picture but the background to the blue/green squares is actually an orange glitter cardstock that I just had to have before Christmas and have only know started to use it- it is just so pretty.The stamp I used for the feature is a Craft Stamper Magazine freebie from a couple of years ago -I love magazines that attach free stamps to the front- as you will tell as I start putting up more cards -because I have and use a lot of them.

The front was pretty I thought I would carry it through to the inside -which is something I don't usually do. Anyway I have talked enough - here is the ingredients to my Card:- generic A5 white base cardstock; Papers:- DCWV-the glitter cardstock pack,Inque Boutique-Cabana-mini papers,DCWV-the All Dressed Up matstack, and gloss paper for the stamps. Ink- Versa mark - watermark, Whispers -Savoy Green, Green Leaf,Sunshine Yellow dye inks; Stamp freebie from Craft Stamper Magazine, SU- Happy Birthday; Other-ribbon Uni Trim, Embossing Powder-yellow and lime green,Punch -Fiskars rope Border, dimensional tape and double sided tape.

Thanks for visiting

Catch you later

Kathy s