"No Spring Skips Its Turn"

It is the second Wednesday of the month and that means it is time

for a new challenge at Words 2 Craft By.

Our quote this month is by Hal Borland...

"No winter lasts forever, no spring skips its turn,

April is a promise that May is bound to keep,

and we know it."

You may interpret it any way you wish.

                    

What could represent Spring more than a daffodil, a chick, and a bunny?

Perhaps lots of beautiful flowers?!?!?

I have had this sweet image for several years, and am ashamed to

admit that it has never seen ink before now. 

I have so many lovely stamps, dies, and papers that have never

been used, so with (I hope) unwavering conviction, I will attempt

to resist all temptation to buy any more supplies until I 

employ much of my existing collection.

Last year I popped into a Spotlight store for some new bathroom linen, but

it would have been rude of me don't you think, to not pay a visit to the art 

and craft department also. There was a huge box of 12x12 paper that

was discontinued, priced at 10 cents/sheet! Much of it was 'yucky'  

or damaged, but on the very bottom there were 6 sheets of this 

lovely, heavy quality paper, all in pristine condition. I

bought all 6 sheets, plus several other very pretty 

sheets. Who doesn't love a bargain!

A close up look at my floral arrangement. I made the large orange

flower from white crepe paper which I coloured with Distress Inks.

The mushrooms are cut with dies from a set of 3, and coloured

with Promarkers.

Challenges I would like to enter

2 Crafty Critter Crazies #13 - 'Anything Goes' (must have a critter)

A Gem Of A Challenge #216 - 'Female Birthday with a Sentiment'

Always Fun #53 - 'Anything Goes'

Crafty Animals #13 - 'Anything Goes'

Crazy #272 - 'Spring'

Fab 'n' Funky #389 - 'Cute Critters'

Fussy and Fancy #209 - 'Add A Sentiment'

Incy Wincy Designs - 'Nature and All of Its Beauty'

Make My Monday #68 - 'Things With Wings'

Papercraft Business #5 - 'Anything Goes' (option 'Birthday')

Passion For Promarkers #439 - 'Blooming Days' 

Rubber Buggy - 'Springtime and/or Flowers'

Sunny Day Crafting #15 - 'Bunnies'

The Sisterhood of Crafters - 'Bunny Rabbits'

Wednesday's Creative Inspirations - 'Springtime'

Image - Stampavie - Penny Johnson Clear Stamp Sweet Spring (retired, I think)

Colouring - Promarkers

Paper - American Craft Blossom Boulevard

Dies - Spellbinder Labels Eight and Decorative Labels Eight, Classic and Scalloped Circles; Cheery Lynn Flourish Leaf Strip, Olive Branches, Faerie Mushrooms; Marianne LR 0192 

Scissors - Fiskars Deckle Edged

Flowers, pearl sprays, peel-off stickers are all from my junk stash.

For a chance to win a fab prize, pop over to Words 2 Craft By, check out my teamies lovely creations, and enter your own project which is inspired by Hal Borland's quote.

Until next time, thank you for visiting,

Hugs,

Jennifer. xx

Happy Easter

This year has been rushing by so fast, I seem to be permanently behind.

With our son, granddaughter, and most friends either living overseas or 

many miles away, I have to make cards, and sent them well in advance

of any special occassion. This Easter has caught me by surprise!

Early last week I realised that I needed to make a card (in a BIG hurry) for our 

little granddaughter in London. I have had this pretty paper for ages, and because

I didn't have time to find and colour an Easter image, I decided to use some of

the cute stickers that were included in the paper pad.

Inside the card, again using paper and a sticker from the paper pad.

I didn't have a die that suited the shape of the larger sticker, so I 

hand-cut a matt for it with scallop-edged scissors.

The sticker that I placed in the inside of the card.

Challenges I would like to enter

Crafty Cardmakers #208 - 'Bunnies, Chicks or Eggs'

Cutie Pie #121 - 'Spring Cuties'

Deep Ocean #178 - 'Easter/Spring'

Images - Stickers from First Edition 12x12 pad Spring Drop

Papers - First Edition Spring Drop

Die - Crafts 4U Stitched Circle

Scissors - Fiskers Scallop Edge

Punch - EK Success Corner Punch

This morning, I washed our doonas and towels, so with the shadows lengthening, I had best go and take them off the clothes line.  

I will be on duty at the Fort tomorrow, as there is a very large cruise ship coming into harbour for the day. The 'boss' has asked for as many guides as possible, as we often have up to 1,000 people visit the Fort when these large ships come in. More unseasonally hot weather is predicted tomorrow (today is 30oC), so I will be in bed early tomorrow night, as I do not handle hot weather well, and I will be on my feet all day. Having said that, I find it ever so interesting meeting people from all over the world.

I wish you all a happy and safe Easter.

Hugs,

Jennifer. x

Effie and Friend

Recently the sweet daughter of our lovely receptionist here at The Grange

celebrated her 12th birthday. She LOVES elephants, and when she spent a

day visiting us during the January holidays, she saw Effie in my collection

of 'coloured-ready-to-use' images. She oohed and aahed at length, so when

she went home, I of course put it aside for her birthday card.

My card is definitely a rectangle, but because I photographed it at an angle

in an attempt to reduce the glare, it looks quite uneven.

I printed Effie on pearlised cardstock, which coloured beautifully with

my Promarkers. However, it was very difficult to photograph. Effie

was an image in one of our son's colouring books, so it must be about

40 years old! I found the book about 12 years ago, when I was having

a big 'clean-out', loved the image, so traced it and stored it in my digi

images in my computer. I have used it several times since.

Challenges I would like to enter

2 Crafty Critter Crazies #12 - 'Anything Goes' (must use critter)

CCC Digi Creations #90 - 'For The Girls'

Crafty Friends #79 - 'For A Special Lady'

Creative Craft Cottage #105 - 'Make It Feminine'

Cut It Up #143 - 'Digitally Yours'

Unicorn #30 - 'Make It Girly'

Image - very old image from child's colouring book (now digitalised)

Colouring - Promarkers

Paper - First Edition Spring Drop

Die - Spellbinder Scalloped Rectangle

Peel-off stickers - from my junk stash

After some very unusual, extremely hot (40oC) autumn weather, with very high humidity during the past week, today is a tad chilly with torrential (desperately needed) rain.....LOVING IT!!!!

Thank you for visiting and your kind comments, and until next time,

Hugs,

Jennifer. xx

"Phenomenal Woman..."

As it is the second Wednesday of the month, we have a new challenge for you at

Words 2 Craft By  Our themes are always a quote, and with International 

Women's Day occurring last week on March 8th, our theme for this 

month is by a hugely inspirational woman, Dr. Maya Angelou......

"I am a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That's Me"

Although Maya's poem suggests that women should be strong and courageous, 

I believe that in addition to those attributes, a women can also be feminine, 

so that is how I created my card. 

Unfortunately, as per usual, barely any glitter shows in the photo...it is on 

my lady's umbrella, her bouquet, and my flower sprays, as well as on

the die-cut  'With Love'.

My floral spray on the left side of the card.

This image is one of the very first rubber stamps I ever bought

and I have coloured it with Promarkers.

The floral spray that is along the bottom of the card.

Inside my card...I love those corner dies so much, I decided

to add a pair on the left-hand side.

A closer look at the inside.

Challenges I would like to enter

As You Like It - 'Single or Multi-layers' (I prefer multi-layers as there are so many lovely papers, I love texture, and I feel the matting "ties" everything together)

Brown Sugar #276 - 'Spring or Easter'

Crafty Catz #407 - 'Layer It Up'

Creative Craft Cottage #105 - 'Make It Feminine'

Dream Valley #174 - 'Vintage'

I Love Promarkers #354 - 'For A Girl'

Passion For Promarkers #435 - 'Spring'

Try Stampin' on Tuesday - 'Tic Tac Tuesday #2'- ' (purple/flowers/glitter & scallops/flowers/colouring)

Unicorn #30 - 'Make It Girly,

Image - Stamp-it Australia Elegant Lady With Flowers

Colouring - Promarkers

Paper - Prima Meadow Lark (6" x 6" pad)

Dies - Joy Crafts 6002/0356; Spellbinder Scalloped Circle; Crafts 4U With Love, Stitched Oval, Stitched Circle; Marianne LR0106; Elizabeth Craft Curvy Leaves

Glitter - Kindyglitz Chrystallina

Flowers - from my junk stash

For a chance to win a lovely prize, why not pop over to Words 2 Craft By, check out my teamie's wonderful creations, then enter your own interpretation of Maya Angelou's quote.

Thank you for visiting, and until next time,

Hugs,

Jennifer. x

Slam Dunk

For my birthday (a few days after Christmas), John gave me a new computer.

I had had my previous computer for many years, and it was telling me that 

it was "on its last legs". However, although my new one one was the latest

model and quite 'pricey', it frequently played up in several different ways.

We had to take it back to the store about 5 times (1hr. 20 mins. away). The 

computer manager was brilliant, spending up to an hour each time trying

to fix the problems. Eventually he replaced the computer with a new one.

On each occasion, Luke was always friendly, very patient and apologetic

about us having to travel the long distance. Over the course of our visits

we discovered that he was an avid basketball fan, so I made him a card

with a basketball theme to say "thank you". 

I searched the internet for ages until I found this image...perfect for what I wanted to say!

The basketball-textured background was created by embossing with a very old Cuttlebug

folder, and I covered the join with a die-cut strip from a Cuttlebug alphabet die set.

The image was a freebie, but I had to register to download it. 

I multi-layered it to raise it and to increase its visual impact.

The inside of the card is quite simple. Unfortunately I see that the

die-cut "Thank You" words are not parallel. Also, the white square 

is rather 'patchy', as I had written my message on it before I took

the photographs, and so had to photoshop them out.

Challenges I would like to enter

Card Mania #102- 'Embossing'

Crafty Catz #407 - 'Layer It Up'

Pause Dream Enjoy #10 - 'Emboss'

Try Stampin'-Or Not-On Tuesday, Embossing, Tic Tac Toe #2 - (purple, flowers, glitter)

Image - Unknown (USA site, found via Pinterest, had to register)

Dies - Spellbinder Classic and Scalloped Squares; Crafts 4U Thank You; Cuttlebug Baby Face Alphabet set

Embossing - Cuttlebug Tiny Bubbles

I must close now to prepare dinner, so until next time thank you for visiting,

Hugs,

Jennifer. x

Golden Snowflakes

I now have another card to add to my "I am going to have all my Christmas

cards finished before December" collection.

This card was fairly quick to make just using die-cuts and gorgeous gold

glittered cardstock which I backed with double-sided adhesive paper. It

is also flat, so will only attract basic postage costs.

A closer look at the stunning die-cut sentiment. I fell in love with this

die the first time I saw it. My photos do not do the glittered cardstock

justice...IRL the sparkle is almost blinding!

Challenges I would like to enter.

ABC Christmas - 'C. and D. are for? (I choose C. for Clean)

A Snowflakes Promise #48 - 'Anything Goes'

Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas #374 - 'Anything Christmas Goes (opt. use some gold)'

Di's Digi Designs - 'Die Cuts'

Happy Little Stampers DIES - 'Anything Goes, but must use dies'

Mix It Up #10 - 'Anything Goes (opt.CAS)'

My Time To Craft #365 - 'Monochromatic'

Sparkles Forum #101 - 'CAS'

The Holly and the Ivy #23 - 'Anything Christmas Goes'

Winter Wonderland - 'Anything Christmas Goes'

Items Used

Dies - Sue Wilson Season's Greetings; Impression Obssession Mini Snowflakes

Glittered Cardstock - Crafts 4U Champagne

Just a short post today, but before I sign off I would like to remind you that we have a challenge over at Words 2 Craft By, with this month's theme "If snowflakes were kisses, I'd send you a blizzard".

Thank you for visiting, and until next time, I wish you "Happy Crafting",

Hugs,

Jennifer. x

A Trio of Trees

I'm still on my "I must not be rushing to get my Christmas cards finished this year" 

fixation, but how long that will last remains to be seen.

I am trying to make more flat cards this year, as the cost of postage in Australia is

exorbitant for anything other than a standard-sized flat article. This card was

fairly quick to make, but I don't think I like the silver glitter that I sprinkled 

liberally onto touches of glue. It is a shame that the ribbon photographed

as it did, because it is the most beautiful shimmery burgundy satin.

A closer look at the die-cut trees from a set of six. This is the first

time I have used the dies although I bought them about 

12 months ago......Me bad girl!!!!!

Challenges I would like to enter

Craftaholics R Us #7 - 'Use Some Red'

Crafty Catz #404 - 'Anything Goes' (with a twist - 'Use Some Pretty Ribbon')

Get Creative #66 - 'Use Ribbon or Washi Tape'

The Holly and the Ivy #23 - 'Anything Christmas Goes' (2nd entry)

Unstampabelles #76 - 'Anything Goes (with a twist-Use Something New)

Winter Wonderland - 'Anything Christmas Goes'

Dies - Sue Wilson 'Festive Collection' Winter Trees

Inks - Tim Holtz Distress Inks Peeled Paint, Olive Green

Ribbon - Kaisercraft 

Peel-off Sticker and glitter - from my junk stash

This morning, I had to take my kitty cat to the vet, as he has been 'flicking' his ear for a few days. The vet has diagnosed a severe bacterial infection, and as a result John and I are in for some "FUN" over the next week administering antibiotic drops...Cookie does not have the word "co-operation" in his vocabulary. In fact our vet, and the vet nurse are scared of him, and when John and I have to give him any medication or treatment, there is a fair amount of blood involved...and none of it belongs to Cookie!

I'm now off to pretend I am a domestic goddess, and attend to some much needed ironing and dusting, so until next time, I wish you "happy crafting".

Hugs,

Jennifer. xx