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

"Phenomenal Woman..."

As it is the second Wednesday of the month, we have a new challenge for you at

Words 2 Craft By  Our themes are always a quote, and with International 

Women's Day occurring last week on March 8th, our theme for this 

month is by a hugely inspirational woman, Dr. Maya Angelou......

"I am a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That's Me"

Although Maya's poem suggests that women should be strong and courageous, 

I believe that in addition to those attributes, a women can also be feminine, 

so that is how I created my card. 

Unfortunately, as per usual, barely any glitter shows in the photo...it is on 

my lady's umbrella, her bouquet, and my flower sprays, as well as on

the die-cut  'With Love'.

My floral spray on the left side of the card.

This image is one of the very first rubber stamps I ever bought

and I have coloured it with Promarkers.

The floral spray that is along the bottom of the card.

Inside my card...I love those corner dies so much, I decided

to add a pair on the left-hand side.

A closer look at the inside.

Challenges I would like to enter

As You Like It - 'Single or Multi-layers' (I prefer multi-layers as there are so many lovely papers, I love texture, and I feel the matting "ties" everything together)

Brown Sugar #276 - 'Spring or Easter'

Crafty Catz #407 - 'Layer It Up'

Creative Craft Cottage #105 - 'Make It Feminine'

Dream Valley #174 - 'Vintage'

I Love Promarkers #354 - 'For A Girl'

Passion For Promarkers #435 - 'Spring'

Try Stampin' on Tuesday - 'Tic Tac Tuesday #2'- ' (purple/flowers/glitter & scallops/flowers/colouring)

Unicorn #30 - 'Make It Girly,

Image - Stamp-it Australia Elegant Lady With Flowers

Colouring - Promarkers

Paper - Prima Meadow Lark (6" x 6" pad)

Dies - Joy Crafts 6002/0356; Spellbinder Scalloped Circle; Crafts 4U With Love, Stitched Oval, Stitched Circle; Marianne LR0106; Elizabeth Craft Curvy Leaves

Glitter - Kindyglitz Chrystallina

Flowers - from my junk stash

For a chance to win a lovely prize, why not pop over to Words 2 Craft By, check out my teamie's wonderful creations, then enter your own interpretation of Maya Angelou's quote.

Thank you for visiting, and until next time,

Hugs,

Jennifer. x

"Surprise!"

Today, in New Zealand and here in Australia, it was ANZAC Day, when we remember all the brave men and women who have given their lives in war time so we can enjoy our wonderful freedom and lifestyle.

'LEST WE FORGET'

As many of you know, I am a volunteer guide at Fort Scratchley, in Newcastle, and yesterday I was at the Fort all day. We were incredibly busy (it is school holidays and also a long weekend), and I only managed to sit down for about 6 seconds! The Fort is almost 1 1/2 hours drive from home, so the 2 or 3 days I volunteer are very long. I didn't get home until 6.30pm last night, then this morning I had to get up at 2am so I could drive down to the Fort to attend our Anzac Day Dawn Service (and then volunteer all day). It is always so moving, especially when the Last Post is played, and the hymn, 'God of Our Fathers' is sung...I have to confess I get a lump in my throat and a bit misty-eyed. Of course we are also extremely busy on Anzac Day, and today was no exception, with hundreds of visitors to the Fort.

As I write this, I have been awake now for 20 hours, and only managed to sit for about 1 hour in total all day. My feet are aching more than I can describe, so I will get on with showing you the card I made for our new challenge at Crafty Little Fairies. I am very naughty, because the challenge began last night, so I am a day late...however, I think (or hope) you will forgive me.

Our new challenge theme is one I know you will all love -:

'FURRY FRIENDS'

Don't forget, that as from next week, the Crafty Little Fairies challenge
will be a monthly challenge, beginning on the first Thursday of each month.

This cute image is one of the 1st rubber stamps I ever bought. I often use

it either on a Christmas card, or a birthday card, such as this one.

Don't you just love those cute faces!!

Inside my card matches the front.

Challenges

Incy Wincy - 'Furry Friends'

Penny Black - 'Cats and Dogs' WINNER

Image - Penny Black Funny Present
Colouring - Promarkers
Paper - Prima Meadow Lark
Greeting - Stampworld
Dies - Spellbinders Classic and Scalloped Ovals; QuicKutz Lace
Gems and flowers from my junk stash

For a chance to win a lovely prize, why not visit us at Crafty Little Fairies, and enter our 'Furry Friends' challenge. Don't forget, you must use a stamped or digi image on your creation.

I'm off to bed, so until next time "Happy Crafting",
Hugs,
Jennifer. x

"Thank You" Kittens

Good evening to all my fellow crafters out there in blogland.

All too fast the past week has disappeared...today is Thursday, 

therefore it is once again time for another challenge at 

Crafty Little Fairies! 

This week, the theme chosen by the Pink Fairies is quite an easy one...

'ADD A TAG'

you can create anything you like, but please remember to use a

stamped or digi image to be eligible for the prize from our lovely

sponsor, who this week is Crafty Ribbons.

Thank you Crafty Ribbons. 

Those of you who read my blog regularly will know that a few weeks ago,

John and I had to make the heart-breaking decision to have our beloved

kitty cat, Pagliacci (Pally) put to sleep. I am still grieving for him, as for

15 years he had been such a gentle and loving companion, and now

there is a huge emptiness about our home. Of course we love  

Cookie, our remaining kitty, but he is not an affectionate cat, 

so I miss the big 'cuddle sessions' I had with dear Pally.

Our vet, Sarah, had grown to love Pally...he was her first feline patient after

moving to our area, and sadly for her, her own kitty, Ninja, died as a result

of snake bite just 2 days before Pally's passing. Sarah spent an hour

with us that morning and was very compassionate, so I made this 

card  for her to say "thank you", and also to write a few

words of comfort for her loss of Ninja. 

Our Pally was white and ginger, and Ninja was a grey, 

striped tabby, so they are both on my card.

A close-up look at my flower embellishment over a punched border.

Inside my card where I wrote a note of "thank you", and also of

condolences to Sarah. (sorry the photo is blurry).

Challenges 

Crafty Calendar - 'Animal Antics'

Creative Card Crew #58 - 'Animals'

Lexi's Creations #112 - 'Use Your Punches and Dies'

Penny's Paper Crafty #170 - 'Use Your Favourite Colour Combination' (Pink and Green)

Simply Create Too #57 - 'Animals'

Sweet Stamps #162 - 'Swirls' WINNER

Through The Purple Haze #34 - 'Bingo' (flower, image, punch)

Image - All Night Media 418G

Colouring - Promarkers

Paper - Paper Pleasure Plus

Sentiment - Lili Of The Valley

Dies - Cheery Lynn Wreath Strip, Flourish Leaf Strip; Marianne LRO116

Punches - Martha Stewart PATP Pansies; EK Success Scalloped Corner

Flowers - Prima

Ribbon, liquid pearls, baker's twine, and Peel-off sticker negatives from my junk stash

For a chance to win a lovely prize, and to see the beautiful creations by my teamies, why not visit us at Crafty Little Fairies, and enter our 'Add A Tag' challenge.

Thank you for visiting, and until next time "Happy Crafting",

Hugs, 

Jennifer. x

Lavender and Lace

Can you believe we are almost into February. At this rate, we'd better start

Christmas shopping, and dragging out the decorations for the house!!!

No??...you're not too keen on that idea, I hear you cry. I agree! lol.

 Speaking of how fast the days are speeding by, it is once again Thursday, and

you know what that means...it's time for another challenge at Crafty Little Fairies.

This week it is the turn of the Pink Fairies to invite you to join us in the theme of

'LAVENDER AND LACE'

I'm sure many of you will love this challenge, where you can unleash all your

girly creativity.

Our lovely sponsor this week is Stamp and Create, who are offering a 

generous prize in the form of a gift voucher.

Remember, you must use a stamped or digi image on your creation to be

eligible for this great prize.

I am ashamed to admit that early last year I bought several gorgeous Wild Rose Studio 

stamps, featuring this oh so cute little elephant, and none have seen ink until now.

Oh dear, methinks I just heard a very loud collective gasp of horror from you all!

A closer look at Wild Rose Studio's Bella With Flowers, 

coloured as usual with my Promarkers.

Inside my card matches the front.

Challenges

Animal Friends#10 - 'Dies/Punches'

Brown Sugar #78 - 'Embossing'

Craft-Dee Bowz - 'Anything Goes With A Handmade Bow'

Crafter's Cafe #48 - 'Use Ribbon or Lace'

Fan-Tastic Tuesday #20 - 'Make It Cute or Sweet'

Flourishes Timeless Tuesday #256 - 'Purple'

Incy Wincy Designs - 'Ribbons and Pearls'

Inky Chicks #21 - 'Bingo' (Lace, Swirls, Butterflies, Ribbon)

Loves Rubber Stamps #88 - 'Use Lace'

Pile It On #4 - 'Animals'

Vintage Stamping/Flonz Craft - 'Lavender and Lace'

Image - Wild Rose Studio Bella With Flowers

Colouring - Promarkers

Paper - Prima Meadow Lark

Sentiment - free with a magazine

Embossing - Couture Creations Trellis

Dies - Spellbinders Classic, Scalloped, and Lacey Circles

Punch - Martha Stewart corner punch Butterflies

Scissors - Fiskars Victorian (to cut around sentiment)

Viva Perlea Pen - Creme

Lace and Ribbon from my junk stash

For a chance to win a lovely prize, why not visit us at Crafty Little Fairies, 

and enter our 'Lavender and Lace' challenge.

Hugs,

Jennifer. x

Scarlette's 2nd Birthday

Hello Fellow Crafters,

Last Saturday, our beautiful little Granddaughter, Scarlette (in London) celebrated her 2nd birthday. It seems  like just a few months ago we received the wonderful phone call announcing her safe arrival. She is a 'girlie' girl, so Grandma made her a 'girlie' card.

The image is 'Abbie' by Connie Fong (Sweet Pea Stamps) - so utterly cute, isn't she, and I coloured her with my Promarkers.

Inside the easel card, showing the pocket and tag, on which Grandma and Grandpa wrote their birthday greetings.

I would like to enter this card in the following challenges -
  I love Promarkers - 'Sparkle'
 ABC Challenge - 'T for Two by Two' (No. 2, 2 butterflies, 2 balloons, 2 die cut, & glittered hearts).
 An Oldie But A Goodie - 'Flower Power' (I've had the Spellbinder Heart Dies 3-4 years).
 Papertake Weekly - 'All Things Girlie'
 J. & C. Creations - 'Anything Goes'
 Paper Pretties - 'Bling It On'
 Paper Crafting Journey - 'Pearls and Swirls'

Stamped image - Sweet Pea Stamps -'Abbie' by Connie Fong
Colouring - Promarkers
Sentiment - computer generated 'Balsam'
Cardstock - Bazzill
Paper - First Edition 'Spring Feast'; Prima 'Meadow Lark' Collection; Forever Friends 'New Arrival'
Dies - Spellbinder Scalloped Hearts; Marianne leaves and flourishes; Cheery Lynn butterfly, & light deco
          border; Cuttlebug corners
Punches - Martha Stewart; Carl
Pearls - Kaisercraft
Stickles - Ranger 'Star Dust'
Flowers, charm, chain, brad - assorted brands from my stash

Thank you for looking...until next time,
Hugs,
Jennifer x