Santa Again

I had a lovely day today, my birthday. John took me to a beautiful

restaurant only about 5 minutes drive away. It is on the waterfront,

literally. It is built over the water, and has its own mini-marina, so

boat owners actually moor right alongside, then just walk a few

metres into the restaurant. 

Our darling kitty also celebrated his birthday today - 15 years old, 

and still very active. We don't know his actual birthdate, but it was

around Christmas, so I decided to let him share my birthday.

This is another of the cards I made using purchased Christmas cards which I 

then cut down (see previous post). The originals were very large cards, so 

I just used a portion of the image.

I sponged the poinsettias with Aged Mahogany distress ink, and the

foliage, twigs, and the DSP with Gathered Twigs distress ink. The

stamens are coloured with alcohol ink. I created the veins in the 

leaves with a small ball tool.

The greeting was on the inside of the original card.

Image - Cut from a purchased Christmas card

Paper - First Edition Christmas Village (I think)

Dies - Memory Box Woodland Branch; Marianne Poinsettia; X-Cut Leaf Strip; Tim Holtz Holiday Greens

There is less than half an hour of my birthday left, so I will bid you all good night.

Until next time, thank you for visiting,

Hugs,

Jennifer.  xx

Santa With His Lamp

Hello fellow crafters. I hope you all enjoyed your Christmas day.

This is the card I made for my husband, John.

In the 'bargain' stores this year there have been some lovely packets of 

inexpensive cards with somewhat retro images. I bought a few packs

of each, and they can be die-cut in different ways to make such 

pretty 'toppers'. This Santa image was part of a fairly large card.

The sentiment here was part of the sentiment on the original card. 

A closer look at my floral and foliage arrangement.

Berry stem, deep red balls and gold twiglets are recycled Christmas decorations.

Mini pine cones are from trees on the farm we lived on until a few years ago. 

I collected heaps of them.

Image - Bought Christmas card

Dies - Tim Holtz Tattered Poinsettia (embossed with matching folder); Sizzix Tim Holtz Alterations Holiday Greens; Cheery Lynn Cutie Fringe ll; Memory Box Woodland Branch; Spellbinders Classic, and Scalloped Circles

Punch - Martha Stewart Fern

'Snow' - Cadence Icy Snow Paste

Until next time, thank you for visiting.

Hugs,

Jennifer.  xx

'Tis The Season

As the big day draws closer, I have a card for you that has interesting origins.

I thought I had finished making all my cards and had put away most of my

 'Christmassy stash'. However, I realised I needed a card in a hurry. I 

inwardly groaned at the thought of dragging everything out of my 

cupboard, then I had a 'lightbulb moment'...within easy reach I

had a little box of bits and pieces I had prepared, but not used!

Even the card base was in the box, so it was amazing how quickly,

and easily the card came together. Even more amazing is the fact that

every element was prepared over a period of about four years.

I love this die cut. It was cut from shimmer card, but unfortunately

the lovely shimmer does not show in the photo.

I made about a dozen of these poinsettias, but did not use them all.

Dies - Cheery Lynn Santa's Sleigh and Reindeer, Poinsettia Strip B324; Creative Expressions Sue Wilson Festive Collection Winter Trees; QuicKutz Scallops

Inks - Distress Inks Bundled Sage, Peeled Paint, Aged Mahogany

Embossing Folder - 'freebie' with Cardmaking Australia magazine

Sentiment - Tim Holtz Ideology Christmas

Please spare a thought for the many people who are affected by the unprecedented bushfires throughout Australia...several people have died, including 2 young, brave volunteer firemen a few days ago, many have been injured, about 1000 homes have been destroyed, many thousands of animals, both domestic and wildlife have perished. Many of the blazes are huge, and out of control, with no end in sight. This is on top of probably the worst drought ever, again with no relief in sight.

On that very sad note, I will bid you good evening, and say "thank you" for visiting.

Hugs,

Jennifer.  xx

Glittered Baubles

Gosh, there are less than six days left until the big day.

Where have the days gone?

Hello, and thank you to my new followers.

I hope you enjoy your visits to my blog.

This is another of the cards I made using the technique I demonstrated at a

craft show a few months ago...peel off stickers, ultra fine glitter and

alcohol pens. I really enjoy doing these, and for very little

effort, the results are so effective.

Unfortunately the amazing sparkle of the glitter

does not photograph well.

Image - Peel off stickers 

Colouring - Promarkers

Paper - Lili of the Valley

Dies - 'Snowflakes' cut from Crafts 4U white glitter card using various brand dies

Sentiment - From a recycled Christmas card

Glitter - Crafts 4U Glitter Dust

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

Hugs,

Jennifer.  xx

Post Box Bunnies

At the moment I'm like a bus, aren't I...no easel cards for ages, then two in a row!

I made this card for the wonderful couple at our little local Post Office. 

I am sure, without a doubt, we have the happiest P.O. in Australia. 

No matter what the situation, Monica and Russell always have time 

for a laugh, they remember customers' names, and regularly go

'above and beyond' for excellent service.

A close-up of the cutest little bunnies posting their Christmas cards. 

Some of you may wonder why I coloured the post box green?? well...

Monica is from Ireland, and post boxes there are green.

The mini pine cones are from our farm from which we sadly moved almost

four years ago. I made the 'pine branches' from a fringe die twisted around

florists' wire. The red beads are recycled from a strand of Christmas 

decorations, and the 'snowballs' are from an old lap dinner tray.

This is how the card looks when fully opened. The sentiment is 

quite thick, so it was a perfect choice for the 'stopper'.

Image - Lili of the Valley Bunnies Post Box
Colouring - Promarkers
Paper - Kaisercraft (very old)
Dies - Spellbinders Classic and Scalloped Rectangles; Cheery Lynn Cutie Fringe II; Joy Crafts Snowflakes 6002/2019 & 6002/2018; Marianne Design Tiny's Trees CR 1287
Punch - Martha Stewart Fern
Sentiment - Tim Holtz ideology Christmas
Snow Paste - Cadence Icy Snow Paste
Gold cord, mini pine cones, mini 'snowballs', sequin, berry clusters, and beads are from my junk stash

Challenges I would like to enter
Christmas at Sweet Stampin' - 'Critters'
Creative Fingers - 'Anything Goes'
Passion For Promarkers - 'Anything Goes'

Apparently this coming week we are going to experience an unprecedented heat wave. That prediction is pretty scary, because already our spring and the first two weeks of summer have been unbelievably hot. It is only mid-morning, but I am off to close the house up, and turn on the air conditioning.

Until next time, thank you for visiting,
Hugs,
Jennifer.  xx

Gifts Galore

Once again it is the second Wednesday of the month (December can you believe)

 and therefore it is time for another challenge at Words 2 Craft By. However, it is

a rather sad challenge, as it will be our last. After quite a few years we have 

decided that "all good things must come to an end", as the old adage goes.

The quote for our last challenge is appropriate for the season...

"For it is in giving that we receive" 

from the beautiful prayer by Saint Francis of Assisi.

(I am sorry for the poor quality of the photographs, but for many weeks

much of eastern New South Wales has been choked by dense smoke

from the deadly bushfires we are still experiencing, with no end in sight).

I decided to create an easel card. They are such fun to make,

but notoriously difficult to photograph effectively.

A close-up look at the cute little 'meeces' preparing their Christmas

gifts. Don't you just love the end view of the mouse on the lower left.

A side-on view of my card. I cut two of the icicles strip from 

glitter card, and adhered them together to create the 'stopper'.

The inside of the card when it is opened. The blank area is where

I wrote our personal Christmas message.

This is how the card looks when it is removed from the envelope,

before it becomes an easel card. The greeting is cut from a bought

Christmas card. It is French, because the card is for our little 

Granddaughter who is half French, but lives in London.

 She speaks both French and English beautifully.

Image - Lili of the Valley Happy Christmouse digi stamp

Colouring - Promarkers, and Distress Ink Gathered Twigs and white gesso to colour deer

Dies - Spellbinders Labels Eight, Decorative Labels Eight, Classic Rectangles, Scalloped Rectangles; Impression Obsession Fir Trees 084-V,  Mini Snowflakes 100-F; Memory Box Deer Trio (large deer only); Joy Crafts Icicles; 

Paper - I think it is Imaginise (several years old)

Sentiment - Cut from bought Christmas card

Peel-off border sticker is from my junk stash

Challenges I would like to enter

Christmas At Sweet Stampin' - 'Critters'

Because this is our final challenge, we have three prizes for challenge entrants, AND three prizes for W2CB followers!..so why not pop over to Words 2 Craft By, be inspired by my teamies' creations, then enter your own interpretation of our last quote. 

Thank you to all of you who have supported us over the years with your wonderful challenge entries, and also to our many Guest Designers. 

In closing, I would like to thank our lovely Sybrina, and Bobbi for all their dedication and hard work over the years as our co-ordinators. they have been an absolute joy to work with.

Until next time, thank you for visiting, and also welcome to my new followers.

Hugs,

Jennifer.  xx

Bird and Holly

I just heard on the radio that there are only 17 days 'til

the big day...EEK, I'm not ready!!

Back in September I demo'd for a major scrapbooking/craft shop

(based in Sydney), at the big 4 day craft show in Newcastle. I have

been their demonstrator for about 5 years. One of the techniques

they asked me to demo, was an oldie (for some people), but a 'goodie'...

I decided to make a few of my Christmas cards using that technique -

peel-off stickers, ultra-fine glitter, and alcohol pens. 

This is one of those cards. 

Cards made this way are always well received by my friends.

A close-up look at the lovely image. Sadly, as always, the incredible

sparkle of the glitter does not show up in the photos.

Image - Peel-off sticker, Starform 8546

Colouring - Promarkers

Paper - Simple Stories Vintage Christmas-Tis The Season

Glitter - Crafts 4 U Glitter Dust (clear)

Die - Cuttlebug Vintage Corners (very old!) negative

Sentiment - Tim Holtz ideology Quote Chips Christmas

Peel-off border sticker

As I am writing this, I am listening to a recording of 'Carols From Kings'...the soaring voices are the best way I can think of to put one in the Christmas spirit. John and I went to Evensong at Kings (in Cambridge) in 1998, and we both remember that experience with great fondness.

Until next time, thank you for visiting and I hope your Christmas preparations are better advanced than mine.

Hugs, 

Jennifer.  x

Lost and Found

Hello all my crafting friends out there. In case you hadn't noticed,

it is now December, and we are in the countdown to the big day.

In my last post, I hinted that I would have something VERY different

to show you...Well, here it is......

'LOST AND FOUND'

I have become very interested in this form of mixed media, using 'found

objects', or what some people may call 'junk'. It is quite a departure from

my usual style, don't you think? My base canvas is quite large,

76cm x 52cm (30inches x 20inches).

You may want to make yourself a cup of tea or coffee, as my

post is quite photo heavy.

I used the fan from a computer, as well as 

many other electronic components.

When he stayed with us in July, our son gave me a big bag

of small-value coins he has collected over many years

on his travels around the world.

A lightening strike nearby 'killed' our phone recently,

so I dismantled it for useful bits and pieces.

Aluminium pie cases, and coffee pod filters are useful.

I cut lots of chipboard die-cuts and layered them for dimension.

Old belts with interesting buckles cannot escape!

There are approximately 20 items I made using silicone

molds, and paper clay. The large rose, the heart frame

and the little bird are just a few.

For added interest on the centre of my work, I used 

texture paste and stencils.

Media used :- Prima - Heavy Gesso Black

                       Prima - Art Alchemy Metallique Acrylic Paint Deep Water

                       Prima - Art Alchemy Opal Magic Wax Turquoise Satin

                       Jacquard - Lumiere Metallic Rust

                       Jacquard - Lumiere Metallic Bronze

                       Helmar - 450 Quick Dry Adhesive

This piece took about 6 weeks to create, as I am on an almost vertical learning curve, but in it's creation I learned so much. I have also decorated a couple of bottles and small canvases in a similar style...I will show them to you at a later date.

I have a very busy week ahead, as do probably most of you, so I will say "goodnight" and "thank you" for visiting.

Until next time,

Hugs,

Jennifer.  x