Five Favourite Cards

Hello fellow crafters,

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas with families and friends.

When I began this post about 2 hours ago, it was still my birthday, but a phone call from our son in London means that it is now my 'unbirthday'.

I had a lovely day out with John. We drove down to the Central Coast (about 2 hours from here), had a light lunch, then a scrumptious afternoon tea, followed by a visit to a scrapbooking store (30% discount for birthday gals!). We then drove up the coast a little way, and sat at the water's edge with fish and chips. When we arrived home just after dark there were several lovely messages from friends on our answering machine, and some other lovely friends had left a GORGEOUS bunch of 20 pink roses and a bottle of perfume sitting on our verandah.

Over Christmas I have had very little time to devote to my blog - I had so wanted to visit each follower individually to wish them happy Christmas, but time and some very unexpected circumstances prevented this. However, I did notice that some bloggers had posted their 5 favourite cards for 2012, so thought I would do the same to celebrate my birthday - oh well, I guess now it will have to be for my 'unbirthday'.

'Scarlette's 2nd Birthday' - 21st September 2012 

'Pink, Pink and More Pink' - 20th August 2012

'Kittens and Butterflies' - 10th April 2012

'Demonstration Rose' - 16th September 2012

'Merry Bear' - 19th December 2012

'Little Fairy' - 7th May 2012

'Daisy Chain' - 25th April 2012

For the very observant among you, you will have noticed that 'my favourite 5' are actually 'my favourite 7'. I was going to eliminate 2, but due to the fact that it is now 1.30am, and I have visitors arriving in the morning so must get some sleep, I just decided to leave all 7.

In case I am unable to post again in the next few days, I would like to wish you all a very happy and safe New Year, and thank each and every one of you for your visits, and for your kind and encouraging comments. You have all made my first year of blogging a wonderful experience.

Big New Year Hugs,

Jennifer. x

'Twas The Night Before Christmas...

...and all through the house,
not a creature was stirring,
not even a mouse..."                    

Well certainly not this little mouse, all tucked up and waiting for Santa.

I was hoping to publish this post while it was still Christmas Eve, but here we are a 1am on Christmas morning, and we have not long been home from visiting our lovely friends - our little Russell's family.

I made this card for them, and they loved it. It is very similar to the blue one I posted last week.

A close-up of the little guy, coloured with my Promarkers.

I took many photos of this poinsettia, but they all looked a dirty grey - it is actually a very sparkly silver.

Stamp - Stamp-it 'Merry Chrismouse'
Colouring - Promarkers
Paper - Kaisercraft
Dies - Spellbinders 'Classic' and 'Scalloped' Circles, 'Poinsettia'; Cheery Lynn 'Holly Leaves' and 'Wreath Strip'
Punch - Martha Stewart 'Aspen Snowflake' PATP
Beads, Stickles, and peel-off stickers from my stash.

We have visitors arriving at 8am for breakfast, so I will have a quick tidy up, then my 3rd cold shower for the day, and try to catch a couple of hours sleep. However, before I do that,

I WOULD LIKE TO WISH EVERYONE A VERY HAPPY AND SAFE CHRISTMAS!

Hugs,

Jennifer. x

"I Taut I Taw A Tuddy Tat..."

...you did, you did! (again)

However, before I tell you about "dat tuddy tat", I can now tell you the good news that I promised to tell last night...

I have been invited to join the Penny's Paper Crafty Challenge design team!!!!!

While I am so excited and honoured to be asked to join the lovely friendly ladies, I am just a tad (maybe a bit more than a tad) scared, as I am venturing into new territory. However, the ladies have all been so welcoming, and offered to help me with any queries, so I guess I will settle in very quickly. I had no idea what went on behind the scenes, or how much work there is for the leader of a challenge blog. Our team leader, Julie, appears to be soooo organised, and has been extremely helpful with all my questions.

I would also like to welcome Bunny, my newest follower, who is one of my teamies.

Yes, I know I have used this 'tuddy tat' image on several of my cards, but I love this little guy so much. The card is for our vets, with whom we have a fair bit of contact each year, with us being owned by lots of pets.

Because the image is quite large, I used the 'off the edge' technique with my Spellbinders circle die.

This is the first time I have used 'Icicles' Stickles, and I have to say that I love the effect 

it gives on the red cardstock I used for the poinsettia die-cut.

The inside of my card co-ordinates with the front. Some people think that I am a bit of a problem when it comes to discarding USEFUL waste. My friends all laugh at my crafting recycling habits ("give that scrap to Jennifer - she'll do SOMETHING with it"). The white 'pointy' strip on the front, and inside my card are the offcuts from when I cut a Cheery Lynn Lace Light Deco Border for another project. Often, border offcuts are too pretty to discard. The silver dots on the 2 white strips are negatives from an old peel-off sticker sheet.

Stamp - Penny Black 'Jolly Xmas Kitty'

Colouring - Promarkers

Paper - Graphic 45 'Tis The Season'

Dies - Spellbinders 'Poinsettia',  'Snowflakes', and 'Classic and Scalloped Circles'; Cheery Lynn 'Deco Corner', 'Holly Flourish', 'Holly Leaves Strip', 'Wreath Strip', 'Lace Light Deco Border' (offcut)

Stickles - 'Icicles' and 'Star Dust'

I am off now to colour the images I need for my first DT cards for the challenges beginning in January. Thank you for visiting at this extremely busy time of the year. I will be back with my second last Christmas card tomorrow night. I am looking forward to making and posting some new cards that are not for Christmas.

Hugs,

Jennifer. x

Ornaments and Holly

Hello fellow crafters, and welcome to my newest follower, Bunny.

3 more sleeps to go - believe it or not!

For several days I have had some very exciting news to share with you all, but with great difficulty, I will hold off until tomorrow, when all will be revealed.

These 2 cards are very similar, but they are for friends who live in different states, do not know of the other's existence, and do not know I have a blog. I removed the negative pieces from the ornament die-cut, and attached burgundy cardstock underneath.

This ornament looks as if it is damaged, but those dark marks are reflections. I left the 

negative pieces in the die-cut, securing them with double-sided tape. 

I enjoy this effect sometimes.

I made the inside of the cards the same, leaving them very plain. 

The message area is quite large, as I wanted enough room to 

write a few snippets of news.

Paper - Bo Bunny 'Holly Rejoice'

Dies - Cottage Cuts 'Ornaments', 'Celebrate'; Memory Box 'Crisp Bows'; Spellbinders 'Classic, and Scalloped Long Rectangles'

Embossing Folder - 'Snowflakes' (I don't know the brand)

Braid, gold cord, peel-off stickers - from my junk stash

Hope you are all finished with your preparations for Christmas, or very close to being there, so you can relax and enjoy it.

Until tomorrow,

Hugs,

Jennifer. x

Merry Bear

Hello fellow crafters, and I would like to welcome my newest followers, Audrey and Dawn.

I can finally show you this card, as I know my bloggy friend, Pauline, who lives in England has received it. Pauline is on several design teams, and her cards are always beautiful.

This card is similar to "Here Kitty, Kitty" which I made for another friend, Di. (No prizes for guessing it features a kitty cat, instead of a bear).

The image is 'Merry Bear' by Stampavie, coloured with Promarkers. I added 3D Glossy Accents to the holly berries, and put a touch of Stickles on the gold-coloured ribbon on the gift. I bought the Laser Glitter 'snow' and the brass holly from a local craft shop.

The large gold snowflake is actually a Christmas tree decoration, the berries are from a large spray of gold and burgundy decorations, and I made the 'pins' from beads in my stash. I added a little 'Star Dust' Stickles to the flowers and leaves.

'Merry Christmas' is gold mirror card, cut with a Cheery Lynn die, and I used Martha Stewart's 'Aspen Snowflake' PATP punch for the red strip.

Once again, I have used the beautiful 'Floral Ovals' by Spellbinders for our personal message inside, and my contact details on the back of the card. Corners are Cheery Lynn. Holly paper is Bo Bunny's 'Rejoice Holly'.

Challenges I would like to enter are-:

Crafting for all Seasons #42- 'Red/Green/Glitter/Sparkle

Cute Card Thursday #247 - 'So Charming'

Cheery Lynn #59 - 'Lots of Layers'

Cutie Pie #33 - 'Cute Christmas'

I hope you are all progressing with your Christmas preparations, and not getting to stressed. Thank you all so much for visiting and leaving all your encouraging comments.

Hugs,
Jennifer. x

Shhhh...

Hello fellow crafters, and welcome to my newest follower, Alison.

Can you believe it is only just over a week until the big day!

My card tonight uses one of the first rubber stamps I bought, more years ago than I can remember. 

Isn't this the sweetest little mouse you've ever seen? Even if you have a phobia about mice, I don't think you could be scared of him. Unfortunately the 3D Glossy Accent on the berries does not show up.

A close-up of the poinsettia, holly and conifer leaves, cut from white cardstock and silver gift wrap. 

Inside the card, decorated to match the front.

I would like to enter the following challenges -

Inky Impressions #89 - 'Use Something Old' (Stamp, Lace, Peel-off Sticker)

Paper Craft Junkies #6 - 'Bingo Board' (Flowers/Die Cuts/Glitter'

Nutcrafters #33 - 'Lots of Layers and Sparkle/Bling'

Christmas at Sweet Stampin' #1 - 'Anything Goes'

Holly Jolly Christmas - 'Metallic Christmas'

Charisma Cardz #49 - 'Christmas Makes'

Songbird #10 - 'Christmas'

Image - Stamp-it  'Merry Chrismouse'

Colouring - Promarkers
Paper - Kaisercraft Mint Twist Collection - 'Trimmings'
Dies - Spellbinders 'Floral Doily Motifs', 'Poinsettia', 'Floral Ovals', 'Snowflakes'; Cheery Lynn 'Wreath Strip', 'Holly Leaves'.
Lace, gems, Stickles, peel-off greetings sticker, all from my junk stash.

I'm off to wrap some pressies I bought for John yesterday, then I will try to get some sleep. It has been dreadfully hot here today (still is), and 'they' have predicted 38 C for us tomorrow.

Happy crafting and thank you for visiting
Hugs,
Jennifer. x

"Here Kitty, Kitty..."

Hello fellow crafters,
Last month I won tickets in a radio competition to an advance screening in Newcastle today of 'Quartet', starring Maggie Smith, Billy Connelly, Tom Courtnay and Pauline Collins, and several other well known actors. It was brilliant, and I highly recommend it, especially if you are fond of music (particularly Classical).

This card is for a close crafting friend, and features one of my favourite animal stamps by Penny Black - 'Jolly Xmas Kitty'.

The white edge and red strip are punched with Martha Stewart's 'Aspen Snowflake' PATP(my new favourite punch). The 'Merry Christmas' greeting was cut from gold mirror card with a Cheery Lynn die. I triple mounted the image, over Bo Bunny 'Rejoice Holly' DP. 

I coloured the image with my Promarkers, and glittered the fur on the hat.

The gold 'snowflake' under the flowers is a new Christmas tree decoration, the berries are from an old decoration. I made the pins from beads in my stash. Holly leaves and ferny leaves are both Cheery Lynn.

Corners are cut with Cheery Lynn 'Deco' dies, and the white message panel is from a Spellbinders die, 'Floral Ovals' (This seems to be my favourite die at the moment, along with the Cheery Lynn holly, and ferny leaves dies).

I would like to enter the following challenges - 

Crafty Sentiments - 'Snowflakes'

Sweet Stampin' - 'Dies and Punches' (2nd entry)

ABC Christmas - 'Y is For Your Favourite Die/punch'

Penny Black Saturday - 'Glitter & Sparkle' (2nd entry)

Penny Black & More @ Allsorts - 'It's Your Choice' (2nd entry)

You may have read on Monday that I had to have an X-ray and Ultrasound on my shoulder yesterday, followed by a cortisone injection into the joint...well, I didn't have the injection because I have to have a shoulder re-construction instead!...there is more damage than anyone suspected. No wonder I have been in constant pain for about 12 months. I have to say I was shocked when the radiologist told me the news, and I now have to see my GP on New Year's Eve to organise the surgery.

I really must go to bed, as I need to be refreshed tomorrow because dear little Russell is spending the day with us, while his mummy does some Christmas shopping.

Until next time,

Hugs,

Jennifer. x

Roses, Pinecones, Poinsettias, and Bows

Hello fellow crafters,
Tonight's card is a rather traditional one, with some of my favourite flora; namely roses, poinsettias, holly, and pinecones. Since I was a child I have always loved pinecones.

I actually made 2 of these cards with a few slight variations to maintain my policy of never making 2 cards the same. This one is for Rosalie and Charles, our wonderful neighbours who have become close friends, and the other one is for our musical and crafting friend, Margaret.

The image is by the long gone stamp company PSX, and is coloured with my Promarkers. I used a Spellbinders Label die to cut it out (I'm not sure of the Label number). The greeting peel-off sticker is holographic.

The poinsettia is vellum, cut from the 2 smallest Spellbinders 'Poinsettia' dies set. I used Distress Inks, 'Fired Brick' and 'Spiced Marigold' to colour it, then when dry I created 'veins' with my Pergamano 'ball tool', and layered them with a flower gem in the centre (created similarly to my large rose here). The holly and conifer leaves are Cheery Lynn, and the gold, glittery sprigs are cut from an old Christmas decoration.

The card inside is decorated to match the front. Once again, I have used my favourite 'Snowflake' embossing folder to emboss the red panels on the front and inside. The card is fairly large, so although the emb. folder is 5" x 7", I had to emboss 2 pieces of red card - the strips of holly DP cover the joins. The corners are punched with Martha Stewart's 'Aspen Snowflake' PATP (corner punch). For the message panel, I have used the second largest die in Spellbinders 'Floral Ovals'. The pretty delicately embossed gold backing paper is actually from a roll of Christmas wrap, and the holly DP is Graphic 45 ' 'Tis the Season'.

Challenges I would like to enter are -

Sparkles Christmas #23 - 'A Button or Bow' (2nd entry)

Papercraft Junkies #5 - 'Embellish It' (2nd entry) '2nd Prize'

Paper Crafting Journey - 'Christmas Projects'

Sweet Stampin' - 'Dies and Punches'

Cheery Lynn #58 - ' 'Tis the Season' 

Our show last night was a great success, and it felt soooooooo good to be performing again. The 90 guests were lovely and our music was warmly received. Many of them sang along with us, which of course we love, as it shows that an audience is enjoying our choices.

I hope I will be able to show you another card tomorrow night, but if not, the reason will be that I have to have an X-ray and ultrasound of my left shoulder at 11am, when a doctor will inject cortisone into the joint. I have had a 'Frozen Shoulder' for about 12 months, and although the procedure sounds uncomfortable, I hope it will give me some relief from the pain, and allow me a little more movement of my arm and shoulder.

Until next time,
Hugs,
Jennifer. x

Presents Under the Tree

Hello fellow crafters,
Tonight's card is for some friends who live in a nearby village, and have already received it. I worked with Kathy when I was a Registered Nurse (Nursing Sister) in a Doctor's surgery in the early 1980s, and we have remained friends ever since.

The card looks blue, but IRL is pure white, and the tree is actually a lovely soft mint green Mi Teintes paper. I really don't know why some colours look so different when reproduced on the computer. I have 4 embossing folders called 'Snowflakes', but I don't know the brand name of this one. I think it is my favourite. The 'Celebrate' die-cut is by Cheery Lynn.

I have had the Memory Box 'Crisp Bows' dies for many months, and this is the first time I have used them. They are beautiful aren't they. The gifts have been cut with Spellbinders Classic Squares and Rectangles.

The tree die is also new - Cottage Cutz 'Partridge and a Pear Tree'. There are several pears and birds included in this set.

Inside the card - a Spellbinders Classic Circle is layered onto a Spellbinders Lacey Circle, and the corner die-cuts are by Cheery Lynn.

It is still sweltering here at 9.45pm, so I am off to have a cold shower and slip into bed, and try to sleep. John and I have been rehearsing all day, because tomorrow evening we are donating our music for a Christmas party for 90 people at historic Fort Scratchley, at the entrance to Newcastle Harbour. The party is for all the volunteers at the Fort, where I am training to become a Tour Guide. We are both looking forward to 'coming out of performing retirement' temporarily...they are a wonderful, very dedicated group of people. If you click onto the link above, the photo shows the beautiful building where we will be performing.

Until next time, happy crafting and thank you for visiting.

Hugs,
Jennifer. x

Tattered Poinsettias

Hello fellow crafters,
How are you all going with your Christmas preparations? Everyone I know seems to be in shock about how fast the big day is approaching.

Over the past few months I have seen several cards featuring Tim Holtz's Tattered Poinsettia, and so recently I succumbed to temptation, and bought the dies. These cards are the result.

Both cards are almost identical, with a just few variations.  

I used a Pergamano 'ball tool' (don't know if it has a proper name) and a pricking mat to mark veins in the leaves and petals, before sponging the edges with Distress Ink.

      The base card is dark green.

The inside of the card matches the front, however it never ceases to amaze me how various reds do not photograph accurately - the cardstock for the flowers, and the holly on the DP are fairly true, but the red scalloped rectangle layered under the white message card is not the bright red IRL as it appears here, nor is the narrower ribbon. 

I would like to enter the following challenges - 

                                                   Try It On Tuesday - 'Let's Get Inky'

                                            Crafting For All Seasons #41 - 'Use Flowers' (winner)

Paper - October Afternoon 'Deck The Halls'
Cardstock - Bazzill
Dies - Tim Holtz 'Tattered Poinsettia'; Cheery Lynn 'Holly Flourish'
Punch - Carl 'Holly Leaves'
Ink - Tim Holtz Distress Inks 'Antique Linen' & 'Walnut Stain'
Ribbon, Peel-off sticker, spacer & brad from my junk stash

Until next time, happy crafting and thank you for visiting.
Hugs,
Jennifer. x

Beep Beep

Hello fellow crafters,
It is safe to show you this card, as our friends (who follow my blog) received it yesterday. We have known Katie since she was a sweet toddler, and we have watched her grow into a lovely young woman with 3 lovely children of her own. Her husband Bill and my John have become good mates.

I love this image of the little mouse looking so excited about delivering his gifts. I couldn't guess how long I have had this paper hiding in my Christmas junk stash...at least 6 years...yes, I am hanging my head in shame! (makes it a bit hard to keep typing though - lol).

Close-up view of my cute friend and the punched border.

Inside the card, decorated to match the front. The 3 snowflakes are the negatives of the punched corners.

Close-up look at the pretty ribbon, the bow tied with my bow-easy, and the die-cut snowflake. I added Stickles 'Star Dust' to the snowflakes on the ribbon and the paper, and also to the gifts and car.

I would like to enter the following challenges -

Papercraft Junkies #5 - 'Embellish It'
I Love Promarkers - 'Anything Goes'

Perfect Sentiment #58 - 'Let It Snow'
ABC - 'C for Clear It Out' (2nd entry)

Penny's Paper Crafty - 'Anything Goes' (winner)

Sparkles Christmas - 'A Button or Bow'

Sweet Stampin' - 'Ribbon and Snowflakes'

Penny Black and More - 'It's Your Choice'

Penny Black Saturday - 'Glitter and Sparkle'

Hooked On Craft #27 - 'Christmas' (2nd entry)

Fussy and Fancy #77 - 'I Love Christmas' (2nd entry)

Sparkles Monthly #38 - 'Christmas Is Coming' (3rd entry)

Image - Penny Black 'Gifts Sedan'

Colouring - Promarkers

Paper - unknown

Die - Spellbinders 'Snowflakes'

Punch - Martha Stewart PATP 'Aspen Snowflake'

Ribbon, gems, Stickles from my junk stash

Well folks, I'm on a roll...I have finished several other cards, so will show you another one tomorrow night...mind you, our house is beginning to look like... NO, NOT Christmas...I know that song......a derelict squat! I almost looking forward to reacquainting myself with the duster and vacuum cleaner...who am I trying to kid????!!!! I once saw a poster somewhere that read "housework never killed anyone...but why take the risk!" LOVE it.

I know I have been rather lax lately about visiting your blogs, and commenting on your beautiful creations, but I am going to try to remedy that situation later tonight. Thank you all for your visits here, and the encouraging comments you leave.

Hugs,

Jennifer. x

Gift Tag Toppers

Hello fellow crafters, and welcome to Judith, my newest follower,

This little 'night-owl' hit her pillow at 9.30 last night! Can't remember the last time I went to bed before midnight, but I was 'done-in' after our big day yesterday.

John sailed through his Gastroscopy, and although the surgeon took biopsies of some 'funny' areas, he stressed that he is sure there is no need for concern. BIG relief!

The John Hunter Hospital is the 2nd largest hospital in the state, and a lovely touch is that every afternoon, they have someone playing a Baby Grand Piano in the huge foyer. While I was waiting for John, I sat and listened to a pianist, Wai Ching (a young doctor). She was playing various classical pieces (my 1st love), and after I quietly applauded several times, she asked me if I played piano. When I told her I had been a professional singer, she invited me to join her. We had a ball, performing a variety of songs; semi-classical to  'show-stoppers' from popular stage musicals and films.

These 2 cards were very easy and quick to put together. I had a bundle of gift tags (2 designs) left over from about 4 or 5 Christmas' ago, so I have used several of them as 'toppers', trimming them down with a Spellbinders Scalloped Square die, then layering them onto left-over gold gift wrap and Bazzill cardstock.

I cut four large squares of white card, then embossed them with Cuttlebug folders, 'Swiss Dots, and 'Ornaments'. The joins, and edges are covered with Anita's Glitteration border peel-off stickers, which have been lurking in my stash for 2 or 3 years.

Finally, I applied gold Stickles to the embossed ornaments, but regret doing so - I should have left them plain.

Challenges I would like to enter are -

Crafty Catz #161 - 'Recycle/Upcycle'

ABC - 'C for Clear It Out'

Must go and attend to some domestic duties, then it's off to my 'hidey-hole' to make more Christmas cards.

Thank you for visiting,

Hugs,

Jennifer. x