'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

Warren and His Giant Easter Egg

Can you believe we are almost at the end of March, and Easter is looming

large and strong. I thought we had 2 1/2 weeks until the bunny comes

a'visiting, but was in a panic when I realised we only have 10 days.

This card has to wing its way to the UK (from Australia), so I made

it yesterday, albeit in great haste. Thereby hangs a tale of woe......

because I had rushed my colouring, I wasn't completely happy, so

thought I would try to draw viewers' eyes from the image with some

sponging around the image. That will teach me not to rush...the 

sponging was very uneven, and looked terrible. The more I tried

to fix it, it looked worse. I didn't have time to colour another

image, so decided to 'fussy-cut' Warren and his giant egg.

Fussy-cutting is not a technique I enjoy, as you can probably see.

A closer look at poor Warren, who I think looks as if he is in 

shock at what I have done with him.

The inside of my card co-ordinates with the front. The photo just doesn't

do justice to the oh so gorgeous paper, which is super glittery.

Challenges I Would Like To Enter

Animal Friends #23 - 'Easter'

Corrosive #220 - 'Our Animal Friends'

Crafty Sentiments - 'Inspired By A Song' (Here Comes Peter Cottontail)

Creative Card Crew #83 - 'Easter Critters'

Cute Card Thursday #365 - 'Spring Fever'

Deep Ocean #100 - 'Easter'

Dream Valley #102 - 'Easter' TOP 3

Fantastic Tuesday #78 - 'Easter Card'

(PIN)spirational #136 - See photo (I was inspired by the soft pastel colours)

Simply Create Too #81 - 'Easter or Bunnies'

Image - Craftwork Cards Warren

Colouring - Promarkers

Sentiment - Easter set from $2 shop

Paper - First Edition Spring Drop

Dies - Spellbinders Classic and Scalloped Circles; QuickKutz Scalloped Border

Punches - Carl Sakura (mini); Martha Stewart Butterfly Trio

Card Candi - Craftwork Cards

Ribbon is from my junk stash

I must go and pretend that I love housework (Urghhhh), so until next time, thank you for visiting.

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

Bear, Butterflies and Roses

Hello Friends,

The theme of this week's challenge at Penny's Paper Crafty is one I'm sure all of you will love. I know I did! 

'THINK PINK'

There, see, I knew you'd love it. Not only did I get to go wild with my equal favourite colour (the other is burgundy), I was also asked to use one of my Lili Of The Valley stamps. 

Our lovely sponsors this week are

and

I used LOTV's 'Thinking of You' , one of the 3 gorgeous ones that 

my dear friend, Pauline, in England sent me last Christmas.

To create the background, I sponged the edges with Versacube Petal Pink,

then scored it with my Scorpal.

A closer look at this cute little guy, which I coloured with Promarkers.

My flowers and buds are all roses, and all pink.

As usual, I have made the inside of my card to co-ordinate with the front.

All the tiny little butterflies are the negatives (which I coated with Star Dust Stickles), 

from my Spellbinders Butterfly Circle die (from another project) - 

see, I told you before I don't throw anything away!

Challenges:-

Allsorts #214 - 'My Favourite Things' (pink, Promarkers, flowers, butterflies)

Clear It Out - 'Make Someone's Day & Use Something Sparkly'

A Gem Of A Challenge #87 - 'Lots Of Layers'

Addicted To Stamps #60 - 'Lots Of Layers'

Paper Creators Crafts #11 - 'Think Pink'

That Craft Place - 'Ribbons and/or Lace'

Sweet Stampin' - 'Butterflies and Bows'

Bunny Zoe's Crafts - 'Pink and White'

Cutie Pie #48 - 'Cute and Cuddly'

Ladybug Crafts Ink - 'Birthdays'

Lili Of The Valley - 'Think Pink'

Stamp - Lili Of The Valley Thinking Of You

Colouring - Promarkers

Dies - Spellbinders Classic and Scalloped Circles; QuicKutz Lace; Cheery Lynn English Tea Doily; Memory Box Honeysuckle Border

Ink - Versacube Petal Pink

Lattice Embossing - Scorpal

Flowers, stamens, ribbon, pearl, charm, peel-off sticker are all from my junk stash

For a chance to win great prizes, why not visit Penny's Paper Crafty and enter our 'Think Pink' challenge.
Hugs,
Jennifer. x

Birthday Penguin

Good evening fellow crafters, and "Welcome Aboard" to my newest follower, Fiona. I hope you enjoy your visits.

Can you believe that it is June already!! I am already beginning to stress out about the fact that I only have 2 Christmas cards made.

It is yet again time for another challenge at Pennys Paper Crafty. This week we have one that we are sure you will love, and we expect lots of entries, with plenty of freedom to unlease your creativity. Our theme is

'BIRTHDAYS'

Thank you to our 3 generous sponsors this week

From a selection of fun Bugaboo images, I chose this cute image, 

'Birthday Penguin - candle' to play with.

As usual, I coloured the image with Promarkers.

I have had this paper for about 5 years, and decided it was time I used some of it.

Inside my card is decorated to match the front.

Challenges I would like to enter are:-

Sandy's Crafty Creations - 'Anything Goes With Embossed Background'

Songbird #21 - 'All Creatures Great and Small'

Kaboodle Doodles #174 - 'For The Kids'

Creative Card Crew #37 - 'Punches/Dies'

Tuesday Throwdown #150 - 'Embossing'

That Craft Place - 'Dies and Punches'

Gingerloft - 'Critters of the Sea'

Image - Bugaboo digi Birthday Penguin - candle
Colouring - Promarkers
Paper - Postscript Rainbow Balloons
Sentiment - Stampworld
Dies - Spellbinders Classic and Scalloped Circles; Cuttlebug Birthday; QuicKutz Scallops; Star (freebie)
Embossing - Fiskars Texture Plate Party

For a chance to win great prizes, why not visit Penny's Paper Crafty and enter our challenge.

"Happy Crafting"
Hugs,
Jennifer. x

Rupert's Bathtime

Hello fellow crafter's and welcome to my newest follower, Lindsay. I hope you enjoy your visits.
Where did last week go?????  Here we all are, ready for a new challenge at Penny's Paper Crafty, where our theme this week is -

'STEP CARD OR EASEL CARD'

Our lovely 2 sponsors this time are

and

My card is a very simple '2-step card'.

I have made several cards before using the cutest little dragon, Rupert, by Stampin' Dragon. This time he is having a bath with his duckie friend, and the digi image is called (no prizes for guessing), 

Rupert's Bathtime.

As usual, I coloured the image with Promarkers. I also added Star Dust Stickles

to the bubbles, but it does not show up in the photos.

A side-on view to show the folds of the card.

Inside the card. 

As the paper is so pale I thought the message could be with directly on it.

Challenges I would like to enter are:-

An Oldie But A Goodie - 'Inspired By A Song' (Splish Splash I was Takin' A Bath). 

Everything I have used, except the image, is 1-10 yrs old.

No Matter Which #9 - 'Things With Wings' (2nd entry)

A Gem of a Challenge #79 - 'Things With Wings'

Natalie and Amy's #9 - 'Things With Wings'

Rhedd and Rosie's #6 - 'Fantasy/Mythical'

Get Inky! #4 - 'Show Us Some Die Cuts'

Creative Creations #10 - 'For A Child'

Incy Wincy Designs - 'Animal Antics'

Image - Stampin' Dragon Digi Rupert's Bathtime
Colouring - Promarkers
Sentiment - Stamp-it
Paper - First Edition Spring Drop
Embossing - Cuttlebug Tiny Bubbles
Dies - Spellbinders Scalloped Circles, Labels One; QuicKutz Scalloped Border,  Ducky
Craftwork Cards - Card Candi

For a chance to win great prizes, why not visit Penny's Paper Crafty and enter our challenge.
Until next time, "Happy Crafting"
Hugs,
Jennifer. x

Special Delivery

Hello fellow crafters and welcome to my new followers, Mags and Melanie, who are DT mates over at Penny's Paper Crafty, where we have a new challenge. This week the theme is one that many of you love.

'ANYTHING GOES'

This week's lovely sponsors are

and

Here is my DT card for this challenge, an easel card using Stamp Art Design's 

'Special Delivery'. 

I have used 3 new dies on this card. I bought the die for the scalloped border, 

the die for the greeting, and the die for the banner at a craft show in November,

but (hanging my head) I only opened the packets a few days ago. I love them

and think I will be using them often.

A close-up look of the cute image which I have coloured with my Promarkers.

The little white hearts are negatives from the greeting die cut below, and of

 course I had to cut another 2 greeting dies in order to have enough.

The inside of my card, viewed from above.

The old items I have used are a scalloped corner punch for the message panel,

a Spellbinders Label behind the greetings die cut, and the buttons.

Challenges I would like to enter are:-

Totally Papercrafts #148 - 'Something New'

Ready-Teddy-Go #18 - 'Something New'

Whoopsi Daisy - 'Die Cuts and Punches'

Incy Wincy Designs - 'Something New'

Jellypark - 'Old and New'

Digi Stamp - Stamp Art Design Special Delivery

Greetings Stamp - Wild Rose Studio - Cute Greetings

Colouring - Promarkers

Paper - Kaisercraft 6x6 Fine and Sunny

Dies - Cheery Lynn Sentiment Frame; Poppy Stamps Banner; Spellbinders Labels; Quickcutz Scalloped Border 

Punch - EK Success 'Scalloped Corner'

Why don't you pop over to Penny's Paper Crafty Challenge, and join us in the challenge.

Until next time, thank you for visiting,

Hugs,

Jennifer. x