A Duo of Challenges

The current color challenge over at Dynamic Duos and the latest sketch at Unscripted Sketches is where I found inspiration for the card I have to share this morning.

  

I searched my paper scraps knowing I would have at least one piece of Sahara Sand Cardstock left from my Stampin' Up! Days as well as the Pink Pirouette.

I also used a sentiment stamp from my first ever brought Stampin' Up Sets along with one I have just recently received as part of a prize from Unity Stamp Co to create my stamped background on the Pink Cardstock.

My dies (Spellbinders Labels and Sizzix Tattered Flowers) along with my embossing folders weren't neglected for this one either and I finished with a touch of bling for my flower centres which are from Alacraft Online Craft Store.

This card would also have been perfect for today's upcoming new challenge at Cards In Envy however I will be back a little later on today to share a different card for this with you.

Cards In Envy March Sketch Challenge

Hi Everyone, it's time for another sketch challenge over at Cards in Envy Challenge Blog.  We have been having so much fun with these challenges and seeing all the wonderful entries.  It makes voting very hard let me tell you.

Anyhow here's is my take on this fortnight's sketch.  I love the CAS Design of this sketch because it so very versatile and allows you to show off all those pretty papers you have sitting in your stash.  All the design team have interpreted it so differently.

This paper I have chosen has been sitting in my stash for such a long time and has a wonderful Spring Feel to it which I have teamed with coordinating colors of card stock to bring out the colors further.

I can see this sketch being one you can go to time and time again when in need of a quick card especially for Thank You, Thinking of You and Get Well Greetings, don't you?

Be sure to pop over and lay your eyes on all the wonderful inspiration from the DT too and I do hope you will join in the fun with us also.

Cards in Envy - Challenge 1

Hi Everyone!  Today sees the start of a wonderful new Challenge Site and Design Team which I am so pleased to be a new member of.  Cards in Envy is a Challenge Blog dedicated to creating cards suitable for mailing in other words that fit in envelopes.

The rules are pretty simple ...

• Create a card that can be sent in a regular, postage paid envelope 
• You are free to use any images, stamps, cut outs, die cuts and embellishments that are no thicker than a penny 
• Please link back to your post and not your blog 
• Please no back linking 
• Please post a link on your blog to Cards in Envy 

The very first challenge is a Sketch Challenge using the following sketch:-

Here is my card using it!

Stamps:  Unity Stamp Co
Paper/Cardstock:  Basic Grey and Stampin' Up!
Ink:  Stampin' Up - Not Quite Navy
Other:  The Robin's Nest Pearl Dew Drops, Stampin' Up! Eyelet Border Punch, 
Scallop Circle Punch and 11/2 Inch Circle Punch

The Basic Grey Paper with the Rose Design was my starting point for this card, which then influenced my other choices, such as the Sympathy Card Sentiment, Fussy Cut Butterflies and Colors.

This is such a versatile sketch, so be sure to visit the Cards in Envy Blog and welcome the New DT and see all their wonderful creations for inspiration and I do hope you will join in all the fun and play along with us.

SWAT - November Sketch

Hi Everyone and a very big welcome to my new followers!

Boy what a few weeks it has been.  Some months back hubby and I commenced the process of becoming Foster Carers and about a fortnight ago we were asked to consider taking in a young boy who needed to find a new carer.  The only thing was we hadn't completed our final assessment which wasn't due to be done until later this month.  So things you could say got a bit crazy around here.  In the past two weeks we have completed 10 hours of the final interview process/assessment, met with A, sorted rooms out, had a huge clean out, brought new furniture, linen etc all in preparation for A's arrival for a few days respite so that we could all see if we would be happy to be living with one another permanently.  Hence why I have been a bit slack on the commenting front lately.  It's been a very exciting and scary time for us but I am pleased to report so far so good!

Anyway back to the main reason for my post!

The new sketch is up over at Sketches with A Twist for November so be sure to pop over and check out all the wonderful scrapping inspiration the rest of the DT have provided for you, they are all beautiful and so very different.

And here is my card, my papers are from the K & Company Citronella Collection and Stamps are from Unity Stamp Co.  I have used a Yellow Gelato Pen from Faber Castell and some orange ink to ink the edges and also color over the embossed heart which is in the background.  A punched star, two ribbons layered together and some Crystallina Kindy Glitz embellish to finish this off.

Thanks for looking and I do hope you will take up the challenge and play along with us this month.

31 Day Card Challenge - Days 4 - 8

Hi Everyone!  Because of everything going on both here on my blog and elsewhere over the weekend I didn't post my cards for days 4 - 7  so as promised I am back now to share with you the cards I have made over the past few days playing along with the 31 Day Card Challenge.

Day 5 - Color Aqua

I only had one piece of Aqua paper in my stash so this is what I came up with playing along also with the latest Sketch Challenge at Sketches by Carly.

The Butterflies Stamp is from the Dream Big Itty Bitty Stamp by Unity.  I have stamped in Tempting Turquoise Ink and used a similar color in my Gelato Pens to ink/smooch around the edges.

Day 6 - Technique - Paper Piecing

For this Card I am also playing along with the latest Color Combination Challenge of Tangerine Tango and Old Olive from Dynamic Duos and the Sketchbook Saturday Sketch.

For this card I am using up some of my old Stampin' Up! Papers in the two required colors.  The Pear Stamp and Sentiment are both from one of my Unity Stamp Company KOTM's.  A polka dot flower and some gem stones to finish.

Day 7 - Technique - Embossing

For this Card I started with Sketch #69 from the Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge and decided to have a bit more of a play with my new Gelatos.

I clear embossed my butterfly and colored over it with a selection of Gelatos.  These same Gelatos were then used to create the dry embossed watercolor look background which my cut out butterfly was mounted to.  I mounted this on my card following the sketch and adding some rhinestones and dew drops to finish.

I am also entering this card into the Stamp Man October Butterflies, Birds and Bees Challenge.

Day 8 - Technique - Spotlight

This is one technique I haven't tried before, I have seen it around, so it was fun to try this one.  I have used one of the ladies from the Darkroom Door Stamp Set Just My Style and colored the spotlight in with my Tria Markers.  I have used an Echo Park Paper and SU Cardstock and Ribbon.

I will be back tomorrow with Day 9 and 10's Cards, until then happy stamping!

SWAT - October Sketch

Another fun sketch can be found this month over at Sketches with A Twist.  I think each one is getting more challenging for me to turn into a card but it's always fun to do!

There are lots of details on this sketch and the twist this month is to incorporate Stars into your project. 

So here is my card doing just that, but I am still not sure how I feel about this one:-

For my stars I have used a sentiment from Unity Stamp Co which includes the word stars, I have stamped some stars (also a Unity Stamp Co Stamp) used star washi tape and cut some of the ones I stamped out to use as embellishments which I have added some Crystallina Kindy Glitz to make them shine.

So if you have stars in your eyes, on your mind or in your stash we'd love to see you play along! 

S.W.A.T September Sketch

Happy September Everyone!  Spring has sprung and it's also Father's Day and my Sister's Birthday today which all signifies a busy month ahead for us here!  The past few days we have seen some beautiful fine weather but there is still a touch of winter in the air.  I am eagerly awaiting for the first of our Spring orchids to flower and have been checking on them each day to no avail.  But it won't be long now and when they do I will be sure to take some photos.  Our garden is a hub of activity at present with all the birds busily preparing for the mating season, new lambs and goats are all around us on the neighboring properties and today I spotted two baby pelican's following their mother across the pond on the way into town.

Being the beginning of a new month, it means that its time for a new Challenge over at Sketches with a Twist.  It was my turn to decide on the twist this month so I have chosen embossing either dry or heat embossing to be included on your layouts/cards this month.

Here's my card using some lovely Autumn Themed Papers from Stampin' Up! and sentiment from Unity Stamp Co!  The butterfly is also a Stampin' Up! Stamp whilst the flowers are all from my stash.  I used a woodgrain embossing folder to include the twist on this card!

This month we are also teaming up with Outback Scrapping which means you have a chance to win a $50 Voucher to spend at OutBack Scrapping.  So for all the details on how to be in the running please see here.

Also my lovely fellow DT Members have once again outdone themselves with an array of wonderful layouts for your inspiration using the sketch and twist so be sure to pop over and check them all out and I do hope to see you playing along with us this month.

SWAT August Sketch

Hi Everyone, and welcome to my new followers and thank you to everyone who has been visiting me and leaving comments.  I've had a rather busy week this week catching up with some now overdue swap commitments.  We've still got tradesman working at our old house doing a few touch ups inside and painting the exterior.  Yesterday we had a Nurse from the Aged Care Assessment Team visit to check up and follow up on mum and how we are all managing with her Alzhiemer's which was great as we now have a support person we can contact if we have any questions or problems.  And last night Hubby and I had dinner out with a close friend.

Today being Friday we are off to do some shopping and running of errands and hubby has to have another blood test as we still haven't got to the bottom of his health concerns.  We are both hoping the weather remains fine for the weekend, as there is lots to do around the place both here and at the old house in the garden.

This is the first of two DT Posts I will be sharing with you today.  This one is for the monthly sketch challenge over at Sketches with a Twist.  The sketch is predominately for a scrap layout but we do accept card entries and my challenge is to use this sketch to make a card as an example.

So firstly here is the sketch.

And the twist this month is to use paint or misting.

Here is my card!

I have made my own Glimmer mist by mixing a little bit of my Stampin' Up! Old Olive Reinker Dye with water and adding some Gold Perfect Pearls Powder.  I used the mist last and sprayed over all the elements of my card.  You can see its more heavily concentrated on the right hand side.  The cardstock, most of the punches my butterfly stamp and sentiment are also from Stampin' Up!  Whilst the patterned papers are from the Citronella Paper Collection from K&Company and lastly some rhinestones and pearls to finish.

The punches I have used are 1 3/8 Circle, 1 1/2 Circle, 1/2 Inch Circle, Scallop Circle, Scallop Border,  XL 2 Step Bird Punch (for leaves) all from Stampin' Up! and the Fiskars Small Daisy and EK Success 1 inch Circle Punch.

There is loads more inspiration from the DT using this sketch and the twist to be admired over at the Sketches with a Twist Blog so be sure to pop over and take a look and we would love it if you joined the fun and played along with us too!

Other Challenges I am entering this card in are:

Crazy Amigo Challenge - Dies and Punches
Try it on Tuesday - Anything Goes for July
Twisted Tuesday Challenge - 2TC17 Fifth Tuesday Free for All
Scrapbook Sisters Card Challenges - #93 Things with Wings

Magical Mondays - Cocktails, Cupcakes and Cheer

By the title of my post I may have you all thinking I am indulging a bit too much for a Monday Morning, but alas no I haven't even had a cup of coffee yet this morning.  It is simply the sentiment I have used on my Birthday Card for the latest challenge over at There is Magic in the Air!

This week the DT got to play with the fabulous new Margarita Cupcake Image from Paper Cupcakes and Nina is kindly offering this image as a freebie for you this week. So you can use it to play along with our challenge this fortnight which is to use one of the two provided sketches to create your card.

For my card today, I have used the first sketch shown above and some yummy papers from a Carolyn Gavin Designer Mat Pad that I brought some time ago.  Using my Tria Markers and Kindy Glitz I have colored in the cupcake and paper pieced for some extra dimension.  Buttons and a strip of ric rac punched cardstock along with my computer generated sentiment finish it off. 

Be sure to pop over and take a peek at all the fabulous inspiration by the DT this fortnight including our July GD using the Margarita Cupcake.  There is lots of yummy cards for you to view and get you in the creating mood, so you can play along with us.

We are still in the middle of a winter here so this card now has me thinking of summer, and how we always tend to entertain in the warmer months with a BBQ and a few drinks.  It also has me wondering just what a Margarita Cupcake would taste like........would you be able to eat and drive?

Anyway enough of my daydreams I'd best be off.  I hope you all have a wonderful day full of cheer at the very least if it can't be full of Cocktails and Cupcakes too.

This week I am also entering this card into the following Challenges:-

The Crafty Bloggers Network - Anything Goes Challenge

S.W.A.T July Sketch

Happy 1st of July everyone!  A quick shout out this morning to all my friends in the States, I've been thinking of them all and hoping that they and their families have not been caught up in the devastating fires in Colorado this week.  I have relations in Colorado and my dad spoke with some of them this morning and thankfully they are all safe.   Also a big hello and welcome to all my new followers too!  Your comments really do brighten my day so thank you.

Today is the start of another month which means its also time for another Sketch Challenge over at Sketches with a Twist.  This month we are joined by our New Sketch Designer Julianne and 3 new DT Members Jodi, Peg and Rachelle so be sure to pop over and visit their blogs and leave some love.

Here's the card I made based on the sketch.  Using that wonderful honeycomb paper from The Robin's Nest (this time the distressed side).  It went perfectly with the flower images from Crafty Individuals.  The nature quote is a Dark Room Door Stamp.  

Stamps:  Dark Room Door Viva La Flora Vol 2 and Unity KOTM

Images:  Crafty Individuals Miniatures 'Flowers and Butterflies'

Inks:  Black Memento and SU Marina Mist and Baja Breeze

Paper/Cardstock Stampin' Up and The Robin's Nest

Other:  Photo Corner and Scallop Circle Punches, Dew Drops and Black Tria Marker

The twist this month is to add some doodling to your layout.  So I have done some faux stitching around the edges, and scallops and then done a bit of a doodling from the side into my flower images, and of course couldn't resist using some Dew Drops also from the Robin's Nest to finish along with a couple of handmade flowers.

We are yet to have anyone join us by entering a card into this challenge, will you be the first!  I'd love it if you were!  For some further inspiration be sure to head over to the S.W.A.T Blog and see what the rest of the DT Designed this month and don't forget to say hello to the new DT members too!

Your'e Tie-rific Dad!

This is my second post today!  Please scroll down for Party Time Tuesdays #71

On Monday I purchased 7 Sets of Digital Images and Cutting Files which were part of the Cyber Monday Sale at The Cutting Cafe.  These sets were all Father's Day and Masculine related given in the USA they celebrate Father's Day this month.  I couldn't resist using them to create a card today simply for fun and playing along with a few different challenges.

Digi Image and Sentiment :  The Cutting Cafe For My Tie-rific Dad Set

Paper/Cardstock:  Stampin' Up!, Time to Create, Ink/Colour:  Tria Markers

Other:  Swiss Dots Embossing Folder, Circle Punches, Circle Spellbinders Die and Button

The sentiment and tie image is from the set called For My Tie-rific Dad.  The tie image in the set is actually of 8 ties, but I cut this down to suit my design and used only four.

I am entering this card into the following challenges.

Sentimental Sundays:   Challenge #105 Show Me Your Spots (& Bonus Sketch)

Dynamic Duos:      Challenge #5 Bold & Sassy Colours (Real Red & Island Indigo)

Cards for Men:  Challenge #12 Fathers Day

Love to Create:  Challenge #18 Fathers Day or a Special Guy in your Life

Here Come the Boys:     Challenge #28 Anything Goes

Pile it On:     Challenge # Put a Button on Father's Day

SWAT June Sketch

We have another fabulous sketch to inspire you this month.  Sadly this is the last sketch you will see from Janice as she finishes up her term with Sketches with a Twist we wish her all the best for her future endeavors.  This means S.W.A.T. is on the hunt for a New Sketch Designer, could it be you?  For all the details head here.

Janice's sketch this month is focusing on a popular scrapping trend while the twist this month is to incorporate fabric into your design.

Here's my card.

The Geisha is the Sakura Image from Platypus Creek Digitals.  I have covered her kimino in with some red and yellow polyester fabric which I had some old swatches from.  I also used a red swatch layered behind my sentiment which I punched out with my square punch.  The sentiment and the flower on the geisha's dress is a rub on from American Crafts.  The Felt Flowers are From Stamping Up and the Background Papers are from Echo Park.  To create the background design to match the sketch, I punched out circles from two of my patterned papers and laid them in a grid pattern I then simply took a ruler and drew the lines connecting the circles.  If you wanted to these lines could have been sewn.  But every one knows I so don't sew! 

I can't wait to see what everyone both on the DT and our participants create this month.  To link up your entry simply follow Linky Instructions under the June Entries heading on the Side Bar of the Sketches with a Twist Blog.

I am also entering this card into the following challenges:

Frosted Designs - Fabulous Fridays Challenge - Punches

Card Makin Mamas - #46 Feeling Punchy

Inspire Me Fridays - #61 Anything Goes

What's Black, White & Yellow, has lots of Polka Dots and High Heels?

I asked you yesterday 'What is Black, White & Yellow, has lots of Polka Dots and High Heels?

The answer is my card I am sharing today.....hehe,  which I have made combining a couple of Challenges together.

Firstly I have used the current Card Sketch over at Frosted Designs

Card Sketch #19 to be exact which I turned and twisted.

The Dynamic Duos - #3 Black Tie Week with Desert Option  

The Paper Players & Glitter Geeks both want to see Polka Dots

and lastly being a card which every girl can relate to I am also entering the Crafty Catz - #133 Girlie Time and Simply Create Too - #13 Mother's Day or Feminine Card Challenges.

I love yellow and black together however I don't use this combination often and there is definitely lots and lots of Polka Dots from the 'If the Shoe Fits' Itty Bitty Stamp by Unity, to the Echo Park Paper and even my flower.  I have used my Tria Markers to color the shoe.  Its quite a sunny yellow which I am wishing for in the sky today given I have just done a couple of loads of washing.  Why is it I always seem to choose the worst day of the week weather wise to do it?

I hope you don't have too much housework holding you back from your crafting today!

Colorful Dreaming

Do you Dream in Colour?  I have a good friend who has the most vivid dreams, she is able to recall them the next day down to the finest detail, they are always of the most strangest things and her recollection of them and trying to decipher what they meant always make us laugh.

Of late I have been dreaming a lot, however as I don't record them the minute I awaken I soon forget what they were about other than who may have been in them.  I am also finding that I am going to bed thinking of lots of creative things that I want to try, and idea pops into my head and then it elaborately evolves and so I am kept awake as my mind is full of color and craft.  So this morning on waking and after feeding the cats (who otherwise would have driven me crazy by their demands) and whilst Rod was still asleep I ventured into my craft room.  I tidied up a little and found myself staring at the Dream Big Itty Bitty Stamp from Unity which was sitting on my desk.  This stamp has the sentiment Dream Big and an image of three butterflies in flight.

Stamps:  Dream Big Itty Bitty by Unity Stamp Co, Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black

Cardstock/Papers:  Stampin' Up, Echo Park Summer Days Collection

Other:  SU Punches, Flowers, Bling and Tria Markers to add the slightest of colour to the Butterflies.

Seeing this immediately had me thinking of all that kept me awake the night before and my dreams which were all soon forgotten this morning,.  I created this card thinking about colorful dreams and letting them take flight to destinations unknown, whilst playing along with the current sketch challenge over at Chocolate, Coffee and Cards Challenge Blog and also with the current challenge theme of Butterfly Kisses at Stamptacular Sundays.  I have also entered this card into the current Paper Sundaes and Cute Card Thursdays Challenges also.

Challenges Entered
Chocolate, Coffee and Cards - Challenge 12 Sketch
Stamptacular Sundays - Challenge #163 Butterfly Kisses
Paper Sundaes - Challenge #120 Things with Wings
Cute Card Thursday - Challenge #217 A Touch of Sparkle.

Usually when I dream alot, it is when I am needing to make a decision about what direction to take in my life or path to go down.  I think I know where this is all heading but I am sure I have a few more dreams to have before I know for sure.  I will let you know.

The Last Photo Together

I decided to scrap one of the last photos taken of Rod's Dad with his Mum today, little did we know at the time (Christmas 2011) it would be one of the last photos ever taken of him.  The 26th of this Month would have been their 50th Wedding Anniversary, so I have been thinking of both of them a lot this week.  I chose to play along with The Robin's Nest Page Map Challenge over on the Chattering Robins Blog.  This is the first A4 Scrap Page I have ever made, but I liked the sketch and thought that if I wanted to I could mount this onto a backing board and it would make a nice gift with a stand to give to Rod's Mum.

I pretty much stuck to the sketch other than adding some extra stamping and flowers to the bottom of the layout.  The Robin's Nest is one of the regular sponsors of the Party Time Tuesdays Challenge Blog so I have received a lot of their lovely glitter papers and embellishments to use for creating my Party Time Projects, so I thought would use some of their left over products on my layout today.

The floral patterned paper is called Glitter Mocha Daisy and the Orange Dew Drops (love these things) are both from The Robin's Nest Online Store.  The Black, Grey, Silver and Brown Cardstocks are all from Stamping Up as are the flourish stamps (Scribble This Stamp Set).  The Golden Yellow Ribbon (Seam Binding) is from 3 Girl Jam.  Both punches and dies have been used for the flowers.

I am hoping to tidy up my craft room tomorrow as it is in a bit of a mess, also I need to make sure nothing has gone astray or been taken by my kleptomaniac cat who has been taking off with anything she can get her hands on if she gets a chance to get into my room.  I will be spending a bit of time creating over the weekend with swap commitments and some orders all needing to be done, so I will have to keep my door shut.  It's not just my craft room she has been stealing items from, she has a fascination with the plugs from both bathroom basins, sticky tape and pens.  The upside is that she is taking everything to the one hide-y hole, which is under our bed .