Tis the Season ...

I have been AWOL for awhile and being back here feels a little strange. We have been doing some renovations to our home and it has consumed me.  Who can believe that it is this time of the year again.

Before I head off to work this morning (which I am actually looking forward to as it is a welcome relief from being in the house at the moment) I thought I would share today's class with you.  Today we are doing Christmas Cards.  The card classes are always very relaxed and social.  My sister and I make a set of cards and then pre-pack everything into a kit.  We used the Kaisercraft Tis the Season collection to make up our cards.

We just added a few vintage Christmas images, some glitter die cuts and a little bling and they came together with a lovely vintage feel to them. Happy Saturday and enjoy your weekend.

Just Us Girl's Template Challenge #48

It feels good to be back on here.  It is like visiting an old friend!  I have been feeling less than creative lately and most of my energy has been focused on work and our home renovation which I am finding a little overwhelming (all the decisions).  Anyway, I could not resist this weeks challenge over at JUGS.  It is template week and this weeks challenge has been sponsored by Clear & Simple Stamps.  Just pop onto their blog and find the FREE templates in their sidebar.  I picked the Apple Basket designed by Sue Berker.  It will make a great year end teacher gift.  I just wish I could find those sweet little wooden handles locally! 

Since I had no suitable stamps or embellishments, I went in search of the perfect apple.  I found a template for a card designed by Imprintables for Real Living Magazine.  I just downsized it and covered it with my patterned paper.  

I have to say though that those little Riesen chocolates were a very bad idea.  I have single handedly polished off every single one of them.  

At last ...

... Martha Stewart punches are being distributed in South Africa.  You girls are probably having a giggle as these must be old news for you already but I am excited!  There were so many to choose from that it was a really tough decision.  Normally, I make really safe choices when purchasing tools and punches.  I think long and hard about how many times I am going to use it, how pratical the design is, etc but it all went out the window as I purchased my first "Around the Page" set.  Since I have a thing for birds (not live ones) I decided on the Woodland Branch.  

I had a moment to play today and have been wanting to make some cards with this gorgeous image so here it is.  I wanted to add a sentiment but as luck would have it, one of my ink cartridges ran out. Of course!  

Let's get digital - JUGS 37 Technique Challenge

I love lazy Sundays.  It is 11:23 and I am lazing around in my PJ's cutting paper and enjoying my 3rd cuppa.  Hopefully, you are doing the same.  This week the challenge over at Just Us Girls is to use a digital stamp, image or even paper on your project.  If you have never tried digi before you will find loads of freebies out there to get you started.  It is great if you do not have loads of stamps for card making.  Go to the JUGS website for more information on this challenge.  There is also a direct link to some free goodies from Lauren Meader over at  My Time Made Easy.  So, I headed straight there and downloaded her free digital stamp.  You can find these adorable little sea creatures over here. 

Thanks for stopping by.  Hopefully, you are also enjoying a lazy day. Cutting up paper or watching the soccer?  Ayoba!  It is great to be South African at this moment in time.  Even though I am not a soccer fan (my man is) I cannot explain the atmosphere in Africa right now.  It is awesome!

Just Us Girls Challenge #36

This card is for the JUGS Challenge #36.  Pop on over here and see what it's about.  Every Saturday they post a new challenge.  It is great fun and a good way to play with something new.  I very often end up making cards with colors, designs or digital images that I would never have thought to use or which are not exactly my thing.  This weeks sponsor is a company called *Wink *Wink Ink and they are offering a free image to play with.  This sweet image immediately made me think of this piece of patterned paper and I made my card in record time.  

Thank for stopping by to take a look.  I have to run ...  We have wine club tonight and the hosts have decided it will be fun to dress for the occassion so I need to go and find something black and white with a hint of fabulosity (I think it would be easier to make a card)!

Thinking of You

I cannot believe how awesome these colors are together.  Really, I am not a fan of yellow but this Color Q challenge, #33, is stunning.  Go on over and take a look at the beautiful cards the design team put together as well as all the other fabulous creations submitted.  I have just made it in time to post mine.  I actually finished the card about an hour ago but have been fiddling with ribbon ever since!  I just could not find the right one and would have loved to have used some of that gorgeous vintage seam binding I am seeing everywhere.  Unfortunately, I have none so this rather large satin bow will have to do.  The sweet image is from The Graphics Fairy, of course and I used this great sketch from 2S4Y.

You're so Sweet

Whenever I post a card on my blog and I get all these sweet comments from people all over the world that I have never met it really makes me happy. So thank you for stopping by and for taking the time to comment on my cards. You're so sweet!

This card almost ended up in my scrap bin.  I am not sure why, but it has lay around on my desk unfinished for the better part of this week. Initially, I was inspired to make the card based on last weeks Pals Paper Arts Color Challenge and this cute digi stamp from Tiffany Doodles.  Anyhow, I missed the PPA challenge but this morning I was determined to finish it.  So, here it is and I am going to submit it to the Cards Blog as they posted a challenge looking for cards with berries on them.  The sketch is from Card Positioning Systems and it is this weeks sketch (#167).

Ahoy

Today I am sharing this Sail Boat shaped card which I will enter into this weeks Just Us Girls Color Challenge #33.  Although I will not be celebrating Memorial Day I loved the color combination and immediately thought I would go with something nautical.  I have been itching to try one of these shaped cards from The Cutting Cafe and loved this adorable Sail Boat.  My card also qualifies for Challenge #3 over at Sentimental Sundays. The theme is "New Beginnings" and you will also find a free set of digital stamps over at Whimsy Stamps.  This weeks stamp set is designed by Raindrop Echo Designs. 

Thank You So Much

Just a quick one for the Color Q Challenge #32.  I used a sketch from Card Positioning Systems.  It came together quickly and I was loving the leaves which I have seen on so many cards.  Since I do not have that punch (I think it must be a punch), I cut my own.  I also had to use some initiative on those colors.  Stampin Up is not available in South Africa and I really wish they were.  Anyway, here is what I came up with:

PS:  I have to admit to actually cutting up a full sheet of 12 x 12" last night to make this so I guess I will no longer be able to insist that I am not really a "card maker"!

Thanks, Owl Owe you One ...

I really enjoyed putting this card together for the Caardvarks May Challenge.  They provided a choice of two sketches designed by one their crew, Heidi van Laar to work with.  This month prize is sponsored by Tiffany Richards over at Tiffany Doodles.  Pop on over and take a look.  She very generously offers a freebie every Thursday so there is no excuse not to try out her awesome stamps.  I have personally never used a digital stamp but found it very convenient and will definitely be going back for more.  I used the Tree Set on this card.  

Three Cheers for Chairs

This card has been created for the Three Cheers for Chairs Challenge over at The Moxie Fab World.  It was quick and easy to put together and I incorporated a great technique using a Memento ink pad and a Cuttlebug embossing folder.  If you haven't tried this before then you may want to give it a go.  Just ink up your embossing folder (most inks will wash off no problem after), sandwich your card stock in between and run it through your machine.  Viola, super simple but very effective.  

Right, I have some time so I think I will finish off another card.  My gorgeous man has taken the wee ones with him to the football club and I am cutting paper as fast as I can.  

Happy Mother's Day

I made this card for the Pals Paper Arts PPA40-Monochromatic-Blues Challenge and I have to say it really was a bit of a challenge.  I wanted to added a "Happy Mother's Day" sentiment but just could not seem to find the right space for it.  I used a quilting technique, which I keep seeing amongst all of your fabulous creations, to piece the background paper together.

I would have liked to have used a piece of blue ribbon but unfortunately I did not have any on hand.  This was a shock to the system since I have just about every other color under the sun.  Funny how you never have what you need on hand.  Anyway, a very happy Mother's Day to all of you on Sunday.  Personally, I think everyday should be Mother's Day!

Bless this Nest

Wow.  Three posts in one day.  I cannot believe how much I have managed not to do this week and yet I have indulged in not one but two challenges.  The joy!  Here is a card I made for the Color Q Challenge #30 and for the 2 Sketches 4 You Challenge.  I would never have picked this color combination but I really love the end result.  I kept it very simple using only cardstock and a stunning image I found at The Graphics Fairy.  To be honest there are so many layers of cardstock on this one that I don't think I could have got much more on it.  Well, maybe a few pearls.  

Moody Make-Up Mom

That's me!  My gorgeous daughter is studying special effects make up and did her first "shoot" earlier this week.  Unfortunately she ended up in a state this afternoon because her photographs did not come out so ... she had to do an emergency re-do this afternoon and I was the only available canvas.  The thing is it took some serious persuasion as there is one small problem.  I am camera phobic if there is such a thing.  My face takes on an instantly frozen look of something which resembles shock and I start to feel physically ill.  Ridiculous I know but never the less true.  She begged and pleaded while I found every excuse under the sun but I am proud to say that I managed to get through it and now have a photo of grumpy old me looking almost like me.

Thank You

Good morning to all.  This is just a quick post to share a small card I made.  I used the Mojo Monday sketch and the Curtain Call Color Challenge which you can find at Stacey's Stamping Stage.  I loved the colors and, while I should have been finishing a class layout that I have been procrastinating over forever, the idea of a quick challenge was too appealing.

Rock-a-Bye

It's time for the Just Us Girls template challenge again.  Something I can't resist!  I am so happy to have had some time today to do a little bit of paper crafting.  Life has been a little hectic lately.  I stumbled on this sweet Rock-a-Bye template over at Clear & Simple Stamps.  

The rocking horse template was designed by Sue Berker and is really easy to put together.  The box was a little too small for my purpose so I just printed the rocking horses as large as my printer would allow and made my own simple folded box from a 12 x 12" piece of cardstock.

Baskets & Bunnies

I am a woman who lives life with intention.  That is, I intend to do lots of things but somehow it never really grows into more than intention. Sound familiar?  So, I am very happy when I manage to get half way through an intention or even just start one for that matter.  I intend to make another dozen of these cute baskets!  

The JUGS (Just Us Girls) Challenge blog puts out a new challenge every Saturday.  This weeks challenge was to create a project using a template.  I never need too much encouragement when it comes to playing along with a template challenge and with Easter around the corner the choice was simple.  I remember coming across this sweet basket designed by Lauren Meader and could not wait to put them together.  You can find Lauren's templates in her store, My Time Made Easy.  They are so easy to use and such a fun way to wrap a gift.  She has a free template on offer too if you would like to try one.  Be warned though that there will be no turning back.  This Basket Basics template is one of her Timeless Templates and can be purchased through Papertrey Ink.

Thanks for stopping by.  I intend to get on here a little more often ....

Spinner Card Fun

I came across a spinner card on the internet at some point and have not been able to stop thinking about it so I googled "instructions for spinner card" and browsed through a variety of blogs and websites to get the general idea of how to put it together.  It is the cutest thing ever and I can not believe how easy it is to make.  If you haven't tried this yet you really must give it a go.  

My card design was completely inspired (or is the correct word lifted?) by this Nichole Heady card which is so adorable.  When I found this sweet Kaisercraft stamp I could not get Nichole's card out of my head.  

Of course you have to see this card in action to fully appreciate it but it is sure to delight the recipient.

PS:  I just want to say thanks for stopping by and for taking the time to comment if you have.  I cannot believe that I have not had a moment to post much this month but was encouraged tonight by some really sweet comments from Teri.

A Touch of Hot Pink

My sister and I have been so busy packing product and preparing for lessons at the shop but managed to stop for a hour of fun to create these simple cards.  The combination of black and white with a touch of color tends to be a winner every time.  Don't you love it when you get a great result with so little effort.

The silhoutte image of the girl was from The Graphics Fairy.  There is a whole family of them.  I love them.  I think they have a modern victorian feel.

Hope you get an opportunity to play with paper this weekend.  

You Rock / Color Q Challenge #20

I have been thinking about this all day.  Not what to do but the actual sitting down to do!  I have not done a Color Q challenge for awhile and I always love the color combinations.  This one was bright and fun. When I saw it I immediately thought about a Crate paper line called Orbit.  The colors were perfect which left very little challenge to this card.  My turquoise is a little muted but it was all I had.  

 

Quick and simple.  In fact, I feel a little robbed of the whole experience.  Thanks for dropping in to take a look. 

Love is ...

... an opportunity to play with paper over the weekend.  Life has been a little busy over the past two weeks so it has been good to finally get around to doing something fun.  I am on a template "buzz" at the moment and today I am sharing my milk cartons purchased from Papertrey Ink of course.

My sister and I also managed to almost scrapbook a layout for our store's class schedule.  Almost being the key word here.  Well, at least we planned it.  Tomorrow is another day!

I hope you have all had a wonderful weekend filled with love and creativity. Happy Valentines Day.

Color Q Challenge #16

Okay, I am not going to lie, I really struggled with these colors.  I have been keeping tabs of this Color Q challenge for the past few days.  Once or twice I have sat down and pulled some papers out of my scraps bin only to throw it all back in and move onto something else.

Then I found this sweet vintage image and I was inspired to put it all together.

Happy Sunday!

It is so good to finally have a opportunity to get on here and share a quick project!  I ended up in hospital on Monday and have not had a chance to do very much.  Nothing serious but after I was discharged some bed rest was required (not that I am complaining).  

So, my boys have all gone off fishing for the morning and I get to do whatever I want, whatever I want, whatever I want, whatever ...  Sorry, I am repeating myself but it sounds so lovely!
Have you visited the "Just us Girls" Challenge blog?  Well, their latest challenge was to create a project using a template.  Tough choice.  I am a huge fan of Lauren Meader's templates which you will find in her new store My Time Made Easy.  However, since I was already all geared up to make these little boxes I am using them to enter this challenge.

It is my cousins baby shower next weekend and I have been itching to use Nicole Heady's new Back to Basics Box Template.  It was a little smaller than I imagined once I had made them up but it really was very simple and I will definitely use them again.  

Now to decide what to do next.  Mmmm.  Really need to prepare a project for a class at the shop next week but am swinging towards a color challenge or another cute little template from Papertrey.  I so need to justify why I keep purchasing those templates.

Bon Voyage!

This is the first time I have participated in a Card Positioning Systems (CPS) Sketch Challenge.  Every week they post a new sketch for our enjoyment.  This is this weeks sketch.

I chose to turn the sketch around for my card.  The vintage Eiffel Tower image is from The Graphics Fairy.

Color Q Challenge #15

So much for staying away from the card challenges.  I feel like an addict!  Color Q puts the most awesome color challenges out there.  These colors are so clean and fresh.  If you are here looking then you probably could not resist the challenge either.  If you just happened to stumble upon this post then do yourself a favor -  get your hands on some pretty paper and a scissors and create.  It is such a wonderful place to lose yourself for an hour (or six)!  Here is the gorgeous color combination from Color Q ...

... and here is my card.  I tried to keep this card as simple as possible with straight lines and clean colors.

Thanks for stopping by.  I am going to finish up my card for this week's CPS sketch.

Home Sweet Home

This is my last card challenge post.  Well, for at least the next day or so. It is way too much fun but I need a little more sleep and my work is being neglected!  I am sure this familiar to most of you.  It is just so hard to resist the challenges especially when the colors are so tempting.

I love this one from Color Q:

Here is my take on it.  I now know for a fact that I do not own a piece of purple paper.  I do have to ask myself how that is possible when I look at my paper stash.
You may have noticed that I have a thing for vintage.  So, I spend a lot of time looking for vintage or vintage inspired images to use on my projects.  One of my favorite sites is The Graphic's Fairy.  The beautiful Bird with Banner can be found on her site as well as the image of the Birds Eggs.
The design for my card is from Page Maps.  This site is awesome for scrapbook page layouts too.

I am sure I will be back sooner than I intend.

Caardvarks Challenge

I am seriously enjoying these challenges.  It is fun to just sit down and create.  All the work has been done for you.  This card was created for a sketch challenge over at Caardvarks.  Go and join in the fun.  This is the sketch:

This is my card:

Moxie Fab World Color Play Challenge.

I so enjoyed the color challenge on Dawn's blog that I went in search of another one and came across this awesome site, Moxie Fab World.  They have a challenge called Color Play.  These were the colors:

This is my interpretation:

I have to say I would never ever pick this color combination and I did find it a bit of a challenge.  It was good fun to play outside of my normal zone though.

Raspberry Suite Color Challenge

This card was created for the Raspberry Color Suite Challenge.  If you have not yet come across Dawn's blog (www.dawnmcvey.typepad.com) go and have a look.  She is inspirational.  This is the first time I have taken up a challenge and it was fun.  The colors were irresistible!  

Tissue Paper Flowers

I am finally entering the world of technology so here goes with my first post ...
This project was so simple and took about 20 minutes to complete. The Internet is a marvelous thing! Even better is the generosity of other scrapbookers and crafters. This cute little box was downloaded for FREE from Lauren Meader's new store, My Time Made Easy. Find it in her shop under the Pretty Packaging templates. It is called Cutesy Cover.

You can find the instructions for the tissue paper flowers here: The Scrap Studio. Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog. I would love to see your projects and hear your comments.