Blue Butterflies

 

Hello to all in 'blogland'

Recently I entered a challenge over at I Spy With My Little Eye, and was thrilled

when my card was chosen as one of the Top 2. I was even more thrilled when I

was invited to be a guest designer for their current challenge (# 12), the theme 

of which is "...Something Beginning With 'B'.

This is the card I designed using 3 B's...blue, butterflies and birthday.

I believe the design fold is called a 'box-seat' fold.

This is the back of the card showing the centre panel, where I will write

my personal message to the recipient.

A view from the top of the card, which shows fairly clearly

how the card has been constructed.

This view is of the card lying flat.

Challenges I would like to enter :-

A Place To Start - Monochrome 

Craft Rocket #111 - Birthday

Crafty Animals #80 - Anything Goes (must feature an animal) (2nd entry)

Critter Crazy #83 - Anything Goes (must feature a critter) (2nd entry)

Time Out #257 - Birthday

Triple B - Anything Goes, but must feature either Birds, Butterflies or Blooms

Dies - Cheery Lynn and Sweet Stamps (butterflies); Cuttlebug (21)

DSP - Bella 'Ever After'

Ink for sponging - Distress Ink 'Tumbled Glass'

Glitter cardstock - unnamed

Peel-off sticker is from my junk stash

Embossing Folder - Craft Concepts 'Wings'

Why not pop over to I Spy With My Little Eye and see Ellie and Pauline's gorgeous cards, and the fabulous male card by my fellow guest 'teamie', Pia, then enter your own creation.

Until next time, thank you again to Ellie and Pauline for the invitation.

Hugs,

Jennifer. x

 

Happy Easter

Good afternoon. In my previous post I showed you one of the 5 chocolate

box/cards I made for an order. That one was in pinks, and this afternoon

I have 2 more to show you...1 is in purple tones, and the other is in green,

yellow and orange tones.

While all 5 box/cards are in various colours, the actual boxes are all

exactly the same size and design. I bought a large block of chocolate,

and experimented with scraps of cardstock until I had a perfect size

for that particular chocolate block which is probably the most common

one in Australia.

A closer look at the floral arrangement.

Inside the box/card, showing the little pocket with its tag

on which to write a personal message; and the large pocket

that holds the block of chocolate.

This is the 'green' box/card.

A close-up look at the pretty flowers and foliage.

Challenges I would like to Enter:-

Craft Rocket #102 - 'Layer It Up'

Fab 'n' Funky #570 - 'Use Die Cuts'

Make My Monday #197 - 'P' is for... (purple, pocket) (2nd entry)

My Time To Craft #505 - 'Easter or Spring Flowers'

The Paper Funday #52 - 'Anything Goes; with optional twist, Flower Power'

Through the Purple Haze #203 -'For Girls'

DSP - Stampin' up; First Edition Spring Drop

Sentiments - LOTV; Peel-off sticker

Dies - Stampin' Up; Spellbinders; Creative Expressions; Cheery Lynn; Dies R Us

Flowers, ribbons, brads, pearls are from my junk stash

Until next time, thank you for visiting,

Hugs, Jennifer. xx

P.S. If you are wondering what happened to the block of chocolate I used to create the template for my box/card.....you'll have to keep wondering, 'cause that's my secret 😁😁😄.

 

Quilted Winter Wishes

 

Good afternoon. 

Despite my stern warning to myself that I could not 

purchase any more new dies, I could not resist this wonderful quilt

die. It is so easy to create cards which look very different for the same 

occasion e.g. Christmas, and also for other various occasions.

I used very traditional colours for this card which is for a dear friend in England.

Inside the card showing the lovely verse and the punched corner.

Dies - My Favourite Things Die-namics Square Quilt Cover-up; Cheery Lynn Poinsettia Strip; Tim Holtz Holiday Greenery

Papers - Kaisercraft; Graphic 45 (both from old collections)

Verse - Creative Expressions Holly Jolly Sentiments 

Punch - Martha Stewart Aspen Snowflake corner punch; unnamed office circle punch

Peel-off sticker and gold washi tape are from my junk stash

I hope I can 'keep the ball rolling' with regular posts, so until next time thank you for visiting.

Stay safe,

Jennifer.  xx

Joy and Peace

 

I know I said in my last post that I would be back in a few days, but once again

life and health issues have intervened...grrrrrr, so I have had my 'head down

and tail up' in a frenzy to create all my Christmas cards. They are all now 

finished and in the mail, so I may be able to show you some in 

the next weeks leading up to Christmas.

 

 I absolutely love the gorgeous papers in the Bella Carta paper pad I bought

earlier this year. The green DSP has a lattice design, and but because it is

very subtle, it is rather difficult to see.

Inside the card, with punched corners.

Paper - Carta Bella Home For Christmas 6 x 6 mega pad

Sentiment on front of card - Paper Rose Crisp Christmas sentiment sheets

Greeting inside card - Creative Expressions Christmas Sayings clear set CEC389

Dies - Cheery Lynn Poinsettia Strip B324; Dees Distinctively Ponderosa Pine Sprig; Build-A-Wreath (free with Australian Simply Cards magazine)

Punch - Martha Stewart Aspen Snowflake corner punch

Peel-off stickers are from my junk stash

I hope your Christmas preparations are 'on track', and you all keep safe in these uncertain times.

Until next time,

Jennifer.  xx

Scarlette is Eleven

 

Hello to all those out in blogland. I hope you are all keeping safe from 

this horrendous virus that has changed the world for countless people.

It is two and a half months since I last put anything on my blog, but

I felt I really must rectify that situation, as today is a very special day for

a very special young lady. Yes, it is our dear granddaughter, Scarlette's

11th birthday today. We really can't believe those 11 years have flown

by so fast. After the summer holidays (she lives in London) she will 

be starting high school😲...she is growing up too fast.

This is the card I made for her...a very 'girly' card for a very 'girly' girl. 

It took many hours, but it was a labour of love. She always opens her

card and gift from us on Skype, and her reaction is worth it. We were

amazed when she panned around her bedroom, as she has all of the 

cards I have made her out on display, as part of her 'decor'.

A close-up of the panel with the sentiment, and the 

number 11.

Another panel where we wrote our personal

message to Scarlette.

More panels.

One final view of the card showing the concertina effect.

Challenges I would like to enter:-

To be updated

Dies - Spellbinders Scalloped Circle; Cheery Lynn Light Lace Deco Border, Exotic Butterfly; X Cut Delicate Flower and Border; Sweet Stamps Flutterby #2; Cuttlebug 2"x2" Hippy Chick

Paper - First Edition 12"x12" Sweet Owl

Sentiment - Lili Of The Valley

Flowers - most from my stash, but some are created by me

On this cold, wintery night I will be off to bed now to snuggle under the doona.

Stay safe

Hugs,

Jennifer.  xx

Bluebell and Friend

 

Hello lovely people. Recently I hinted that I would have some exciting news

this week........well today's the day to 'spill the beans',.....

Last month I won a challenge at Christmas Craft Creations with one of my

chocolate card/boxes, and as a result I was invited to be the Guest Designer

for the month of January. I was thrilled to accept!! The theme this month is

'RIBBON OR TWINE'

Below is my first card for the challenge.

I used the 'out-of-the-box' technique to die-cut around the image, as it

is a fairly large stamp.

Coloured with Promarkers, is the incredibly cute image

by Wild Rose Studio.

A closer look at my poinsettia, die-cut foliage, and bead sprays.

The centre of the poinsettia is Prills mixed with clear craft glue.

Challenges I would like to enter:-

Crafty Calendar - 'Make It Cute' (2nd entry)

Crafty Hazelnuts Christmas #524 - 'Anything Christmas Goes (optional Feature a Creature)'

Christmas Kickstart #46 - 'Such A Deer!'

Let's Squash It! #4 - 'Use Embossing Folder AND an Animal'

The Holly and the Ivy #85 - 'Anything Christmas Goes'  TOP 5

Image - Wild Rose Studio Bluebell With Presents

Colouring - Promarkers

Dies - Spellbinders Scalloped Circle; Craft4U Stitched Circle; Memory Box Holly Branch; Sizzix Tim Holtz Alterations Holiday Greens; Creative Expressions Pine Cone and Greenery; Cheery Lynn Poinsettia Strip.

Embossing Folder - Unnamed, free with Cardmaking Australia magazine

Sentiment - Craftwork Cards

Ribbon - Vandoros grosgrain

Prills, gold twine, and tiny red beads are from my junk stash

Tiny gold 'foliage' accents are cut from an old Christmas decoration

For more inspiration from the very talented regular design team, why not pop over to Christmas Craft Creations then enter your own 'Ribbon or Twine' creation.

Until next time, thank you for visiting,

Cheers,

Jennifer.  xx

Green Chocolate Card/Box

Good Evening.

Recently I showed you a chocolate card/box I made using pink blue, and 

silvers. I made 6 of these in all, and while they were all made using the

same template, all are in different colours.

This one is made using a luxurious linen-like paper.

A closer look at my handmade poinsettias, and mixed foliage.

Inside my card/box with the message tag, and a yummy chocolate in situ.

Another close up look at the flowers, and the tiny die-cut sentiment.

Challenges I would like to enter:-

Allsorts #600 - Christmas Flowers, Wreaths, and Trees

Beccy's Place - Day 30 'Do what you love' (Anything Goes)

Dies - Cheery Lynn Poinsettia Strip; Tim Holtz Holiday Greens; Stampin' Up Sweetest Border; Spellbinders Holiday Sentiments, Scalloped Ovals; Creative Expessions Pine Cones and Greenery

Paper - First Edition Christmas Village

Ink for sponging - Distress ink Aged Mahogany, Peeled Paint, Iced Spruce, Forest Moss

Ribbon, 'berries', gold cord, eyelets are all from my junk stash

Goodness, we are less than an hour until December...how did that happen??????

Until next time, Thank you for visiting,

Hugs,

Jennifer.  x

Silver Trees

 

Good afternoon.

At the beginning of this year I made a promise to myself that I would

limit my urge to add lots of goodies to my junk stash. I managed to

keep my promise fairly well, but when I saw this gorgeous 3D

Embossing Folder, my resolve mega-melted!

The E.F. is large, and because it is 3D, the naturalistic layered look of the forest is

fabulous. I LOVE it! I bought that lovely snowflake ribbon about 3 years ago at

a craft show, and decided that it was time to use it.

For my greeting, I used dies from 2 different sets.

The insert of the card has snowflakes punched in each corner, and 

I used this rather large peel-off sticker I have had for 'yonks'.

As I'm sure you all know, gold and silver are really difficult to photograph (as is

glitter). I took almost 20 photos from all different positions, but none were fully

successful, so please forgive the quality of my photos.

Challenges I would like to enter:-

Allsorts #600  - Christmas Flowers, Wreaths, Trees

Beccy's Place - Day 23  'T' (Trees)

Cute Card Thursday #662 - Silver or Gold

Double D - Winter Blues   TOP 3

Fezziwigs Festive Frolics - Decorate The Tree

Embossing Folder - Stampin' Up 3D Evergreen Forest

Dies - Cottage Cutz Rustic Scene and Trees; Cheery Lynn Merry Christmas Set; Spellbinders Holiday Sentiments

Ribbon - Craft Queen

Peel-off sticker is from my junk stash

On this boiling hot, record-breaking day I will go outside, and try not to melt while I take my washing off the clothesline.

Until next time, stay safe, and thank you for visiting,

Hugs,

Jennifer.  x

Kitties

Over the past few weeks we have had a worrying time (in addition to this

horrific pandemic), as our darling kitty, who is 15 1/2, has had several trips

to our vet, including for a general anaesthetic. Our wonderful vet has

 discovered what is wrong, and has prescribed treatments which will

most likely have to continue for the remainder of Cookie's life.

This is the card I have made for Cookie to give to Karleigha when he has to visit

her again later this week (along with a box of choccies). As well as Cookie writing

a "thank you" in the card, he will include an apology for being such a naughty boy

for her. "Co-operation" is not a word in Cookie's dictionary!! At home he is the 

cutest little boy, but for sweet, gentle Karleigha he morphs into a hissing,

growling, biting Cujo...he is so embarrassing!

This is a much loved stamp I have had and used for many years.

As always I have used Promarkers to colour the cute image.

A closer look at my hand-made paper flowers, and their tiny

bead centres.

I have only had the set of cling stamps that this greeting is from

for a few months, but it is becoming a favourite.

Challenges I would like to enter

2 Crafty Critter Crazies - 'Anything Goes' (must include a critter)

Alphabet - ' 'E' is for earth-bound animals'

Crafty Animals #39 - 'Anything Goes' (must include an animal) TOP PICK

Creations in Pink #22 - 'Anything Goes mainly in pink'

Cute Card Thursday #637 - 'Anything Goes'

Penny Black and More - 'Favourite Stamps'

Show Us Your Pussies #55 - 'Furrything Goes'

Sweet Stampers #44 - 'Animals/Birds'

Image - All Night Media 418G

Colouring - Promarkers

Die Cuts - Marianne LR 0116; Cheery Lynn Medium Rose, & Flourish Leaf Strip; Spellbinders Scalloped Rectangle (Long) (cut several times to reduce size and shape)

Punches - Martha Stewart Butterfly Trio; EK Success Scalloped Corner 

Sentiment - Stampin' Up Peaceful Moments (cling set)

Ink (sponging) - Distress Ink Spun Sugar, & Peeled Paint

Tiny beads are from my junk stash

As I have been writing this post (and earlier) I have been entranced by the music of Beethoven. Since 2001 the ABC Classical Radio Station have held a 'Top 100' each year. Listeners are invited to list their favourite classical music, each year having a different theme (movies, dance, opera, 'swoon' etc., or other famous composers). The ABC then play a 'countdown' over an entire weekend, then release the Top 100 as a boxed set of CDs.

Until next time, thank you for visiting,

Hugs (virtual of course),

Jennifer.  xx

Cherry Blossom

Happy Mothers Day to all the Mums. I hope you are all enjoying

your special day, despite the social distancing and lockdown restrictions.

Globally our lives have been drastically altered because of this

awful COVID-19, and we have all had to adapt to the major changes.

Of course one of the 'victims' have been our regular Craft Shows, so the 

organisers of one of the series here in 'Oz' decided to hold the shows online.

Many of the exhibitors offered 'show specials', just like during the real shows. 

Many of you may recognise the name Beccy's Place, as Beccy offers lovely

prizes for many challenge blogs. Beccy lives here in Australia, in Queensland,

and throughout the 1st virtual show, she offered fab 'Beat The Clock' specials.

One of Beccy's deals was this gorgeous stamp and die set which she offered

as a bundle. There are quite a few other stamps and dies in the 

Cherry Blossom set.

A closer look at the beautiful blossoms, coloured of course with

my trusty Promarkers. That ribbon looks a 'peachy' pink, but

IRL it is exactly the same pink as the background paper.

Challenges I would like to enter

Beccy's Place - 'Anything Goes' must use Beccy's image
Cardz 4 Galz #121 - 'Birthday'
Crafty Friends #135 - 'Flowers'
Creations In Pink #21 - 'Anything Goes with Mainly Pink'
Moving Along With The Times #118 - 'Flowers'
Passion For Promarkers #541 - 'In The Pink'  TOP 5
The Crafting Challenge - 'Flowers'
The Flower Challenge #44 - 'Monochrome'

Image - Beccy's Place Cherry Blossom
Colouring - Promarkers
Dies - Beccy's Place Cherry Blossom; Cheery Lynn Anastasia Border; Spellbinders Scalloped Rectangle
Sentiment - Stampin' Up
Ribbon is from my junk stash

I must go and take the washing off the line, and feed our fur-baby...Mothers Day or not, the chores do not wait, do they.

Until next time, thank you for visiting,
Hugs (no contact, of course),
Jennifer.  xx

Birthday Cake

Good morning all. I hope you are all staying safe in this sad and

scary time. At least as crafters we can keep ourselves busy.

Next week my sister-in-law will celebrate another birthday, and

this is the card I made for her. It is safe to show you as she

does not look at my blog. 

The lovely stamp set was a 'freebie' during the recent Stampin' Up 

Sale-a-bration. I have rarely bought any S.U. products, but as I was

tired of battling with my very old paper trimmer, I decided to buy a

S.U. trimmer from a demonstrator who lives in our retirement

village. The trimmer is fabulous, and I also bought a few other

products which I love.

A closer look at the pretty image, coloured of course with my

Promarkers. The tiny punched flower covers where I accidently

damaged the corner. I bet there is not one of you who has not

covered a mishap with a butterfly, flower, gem, etc. 😉

No, this butterfly does not hide a blemish - I just wanted to embellish 

inside the card. The matt layer was plain white, coloured with a narrow

border of pink Promarker used in the colouring of the flowers and butterfly.

Challenges I would like to enter

Ally's Angels  #33 - 'Anything Goes'

Alphabet - ' 'A' is for Anything Goes

Daisy Chain #40 - 'Birthday'

Dragonfly Dreams - 'Add a Flower/Flowers'

Passion for Promarkers #538 - 'Clean and Simple'

Sparkles Monthly #127 - 'Spring Is In The Air'

Image - Stampin' Up Happy Birthday To You rubber stamp set

Colouring - Promarkers

Sentiment - Stampin' Up Happy Birthday To You rubber stamp set

Dies - Spellbinders Classical and Scalloped Rectangles; Cheery Lynn Flourish Leaf Strip

Punches - Carl Sakura, large and small

Glitter glue - Ranger Stickles Star Dust

Until next time, thank you for visiting,

Hugs,

Jennifer.  x