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.