Ahoy, Matey!

Wow, these months are flying by at an alarmingly fast rate, aren't they!

I was informed this morning that we have only 15 weeks until

Christmas Day (I thought if I wrote the words in tiny print the time

would go a bit slower...no, you don't think so??...eeeek!).

Once again it is the second Wednesday of  the month, and therefore

that means it is time for a new challenge at Words 2 Craft By.

Our theme this month is such a fun one, inspired by 

National 'Talk Like a Pirate' Day in the US on 19 September...

'Ahoy, Matey!' 

Our challenge theme has popped up at a perfect time, because I am sending the card

to a dear little boy who lived near us when we lived back on our farm. He loves 

pirates! We have known him since he was born...where has that time gone????

A close-up look at this ever-so-cute little pirate 'encouraging' his

rather reluctant puppy to walk the plank.

 I printed the sentiment on my computer. 

One of the many 'piratey' images on the fabulous

scrapbook paper I have had for ages, and never used.

Image - Lili Of The Valley digi Walk The Plank

Colouring - Promarkers

Dies - Spellbinder Scalloped Squares and Scalloped Circle; Cuttlebug Alphabet Olivia 

Paper - Art Stamps Australia

Sentiment - Computer generated Kristen ITC font

For a chance to win a fab prize of an e-voucher for a retailer of your choice, why not check out my teamies' creations for inspiration, then enter your own interpretation of our challenge at Words 2 Craft By.

Until next time, thank you for visiting,

Hugs,

Jennifer.  x 

Classical Piano

Just over a week ago it was Fathers' Day, here in Australia. 

This is the card I made for my dear husband, John.

For those of you who have read my blog in the past you would probably know

that John and I were professional musicians, working as a duo for over 40 years.

John originally trained as a classical pianist, and the first time he played 

Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata for me, he made me cry...he played

it so beautifully.

This image is from one of several A4 sheets of musical

images I bought many years at a craft show in Esher, 

in the U.K. I had forgotten about them until recently, 

and thought this one would be perfect for John's card.

Image - Unnamed topper

Paper - Peppercorn Petites

Sentiment - Peel-off sticker

I will be back again on Wednesday with my card for the Word 2 Craft By challenge, so until then thank you for visiting.

Hugs,

Jennifer.  x

'S' is for Scarlette

In my last post I mentioned that we had had some very special visitors from 

London staying with us for a few weeks...our son, Craig and our

granddaughter, Scarlette. We only see them on alternate years, so 

the time with them is quite precious.

Scarlette celebrated her 9th birthday a week before she arrived here, and like many 

little girls she enjoys crafty activities, so prior to her visit I bought the wooden 'S'.

I 'let her loose' in my craft room, and here she is proudly displaying her creation.

A close-up look at her rather brilliant work. She chose the colours, and placement

of the embellishments herself. My only contribution was wiring the pearl sprays.

Scarlette was entranced by the magical way the Prima Opal Magic Blue Violet 

paint (blue in the jar) turned purple when painted onto the black gesso.

Back home in London, Scarlette was so excited to attach her

lovely creation to her bedroom door. 

Both John and I miss our darling family, and as an avid crafter, I am VERY proud of Scarlette's creativity. Don't you agree she did a lovely job??? She is also very excited to know that I am including her on my blog.

Until next time,

Hugs,

Jennifer.  x

Picnic

It's almost 2 months since I last added anything to my blog, but I think

I have a pretty good excuse reason...despite having a flu jab in April,

I 'crashed' with a dreadful lurgy that lasted many weeks, and turned

into pneumonia. Then 3 weeks ago our son and granddaughter arrived

from London for a holiday with us, returning home last weekend.

As it is the second Wednesday of the month, it is time for a new

challenge at Words 2 Craft By, where our quote this month is -

"I don't know why, but the meals we have on picnics always

taste so much nicer than the ones we have indoors" 

These words were written by Enid Blyton in one of her many

childrens' novels, Five Go Off In A Caravan.

Enid Blyton's  novels were some of my favourites when I was a child.

Quite a few years ago I won this stamp in a challenge, and I am ashamed to

admit that I have never used it...My very, very bad!! However, when I saw

our quote for this month, I knew the image could not have been more perfect.

 

If you would like to be in the chance to win a great prize of a $10 e-certificate

for the retailer of your choice, pop over to Words 2 Craft By, be inspired

by my teamies fab creations, then enter your own interpretation of our quote.

Image - Little Claire Designs clear stamp 'Silhouette Picnic'

Ink - Versafine Onyx Black; Tim Holtz Distress Ink Peeled Paint, & Tumbled Glass

Paper - DCWV Nana's Nursery 12x12 stack

Dies - Memory Box 'Puffy Clouds'; Cheery Lynn 'Hello'; Tim Holtz 'Holiday Greens'

Until next time,

Hugs,

Jennifer.   xx

Floral Birthday Wishes

A few weeks ago, my dear friend Diane celebrated another birthday.

We met during our first week in high school in January 1962. 

Despite living long distances apart (geographically) we 

have remained close friends.

Earlier this year she sent me a DVD, accompanied by a lovely note-card.

The card was so pretty, I decided to cut it down to make her birthday card.

I searched my stash of flowers, and found these which I thought 

matched perfectly. I added the stamens and a tiny touch of glitter 

glue. A selection of die-cut foliage...'job done'.

For the panel on which I wrote my note to Diane, I fussy-cut 

one of the flowers from the original card.

Diane loved her card, and was impressed that I found a way to extend the life of her card.

Image - recycled gift card

Paper - Kaisercraft Letters To Santa 12x12 stack

Dies - assorted Marianne 

I must be off to prepare for a very early departure tomorrow morning, as I am off to Sydney for my annual excursion to the big craft show at Darling Harbour in the city centre. The journey takes about 4-5 hours (almost 2 hours driving, then 2 hours by train, then a 15 minute light rail trip). The long trip home is tiring, so I think I will sleep well tomorrow night. I always say I will not buy any new 'goodies', but you all know what happens, don't you. lol

Until next time, thank you for visiting,

Hugs,

Jennifer.  xx

Barefoot Bunny

It's the second Wednesday of the month, and of course that means we have

a new challenge for you at Words 2 Craft By. 

Our quote this month is by Leslie Grumutter...

"My own prescription for health is less paperwork and more

running barefoot through the grass"

I couldn't agree more with this philosophy.

Perhaps I should have made the title of this post 'Barefoot paw Bunny'. 

He looks so happy, doesn't he? The flowers were die-cut with a 'strip' die, their 

centres coloured with Promarkers, shaped, then attached to the card. I mixed

Platinum and yellow Stickles together for the centres. I applied yellow 

Stickles to the 'Celebrate' die-cut with a toothpick.

I have had this ever-so-cute digi image for ages, and have never used 

it...yes, I have given myself a slap on the wrist for being so 

neglectful. As always I have used my Promarkers 

to colour the little bunny and daffodils.

Image - Lili Of The Valley Spring Bunny With Daffodils

Colouring - Promarkers

Dies - Spellbinders Classic and Scalloped Rectangles; Cheery Lynn Celebrate, Medium Rose Strip

Paper - First Edition Hideaway 12x12 stack

For a chance to win a great prize pop over to Words 2 Craft By, check out my teamies fab creations, then enter your own interpretation of our lovely quote.

Until next time, thank you for visiting,

Hugs,

Jennifer.  x

Ball Games

Hello out there in blogland. 

I keep saying I will be more regular with my posts, but I

 never seem to have enough hours in the day...

since retirement, I am so disorganised!

Back when we lived on our farm we had many lovely neighbours, 

many of whom remain good friends. One family adopted two

dear little special-needs boys, and recently one of them 

celebrated his 12th birthday. He loves anything to do with

balls of any kind, so this is the card I made for him.

I downloaded the background paper from a free site on the internet,

but muggins here forgot to make note of the site, and try as I might,

I cannot find it again. So, if this is your design, "thank you". I printed

both the colours offered, cut them to size, then covered the join with

a gold border sticker.

The assorted balls are from a sheet of puffy stickers I bought at a 

London tube station many years ago (perhaps W H Smith?). 

For the '12' I used my very old Fancy Pants Cuttlebug dies and

glittered cardstock, and the black rectangle and squares were

cut with Cuttlebug Scalloped Rectangles, and Squares.  

On this Public Holiday Monday afternoon, here in Oz, I must collect the washing off the line as the shadows are lengthening.

Until next time, thank you for visiting,

Hugs,

Jennifer.   x