Bobbing On By

Hello fellow crafters,

I said yesterday that the weather conditions are bad...well today they have been horrendous,

with 36C and winds of up to 100kph. Throughout NSW, there are more than 50 major 

bushfires, with many out of control. Several major highways are blocked both ways. I think

we are in for a really frightening summer!

Tonight (or this morning for many of you) we have a new challenge for you at

Crafty Little Fairies, and our theme this week is:-

'AUTUMN COLOURS'

We would like to thank this week's lovely generous sponsor:-

I have used LOTV's cute Bobbing On By.

I have always loved the colours of autumn, so creating this card was very enjoyable.

A closer look at the sweet little bear. He is coloured with Promarkers.

This the first time I have used this lovely corner die. I coated the 2 corner

die-cuts, the tree die-cut and the punched leaves with Versamark, then

sprinkled them with several different coloured embossing powders, before 

setting them with my heat tool.

The inside of my card co-ordinates with the front. 

I did not emboss this corner die-cut.

Challenges

An Oldie But a Goodie - 'Dies and Punches' (leaf punch=8 years old)

Through The Purple Haze - 'Inspired by Song/Book/Film/Cartoon)

(Song-Row, Row, Row Your Boat) TOP 3

Tammy's Scrappin Corner #81 - 'Happy Birthday'

Penny Black and More - 'Sketch and/or Autumn'

The Squirrel and the Fox #53 - 'Happy Birthday'

The Crafter's Cafe #30 - 'Dies and Punches'

Created With Love #59 - 'Fall Colours'

Lexi's Creations - 'Autumn Colours'

LEJ Designs #72 - 'Lots of Layers'

Image - LOTV Bobbing On By

Colouring - Promarkers 

Paper - First Edition Spring Feast

Dies - Spellbinders; Joy Craft; Cottage Cutz

Punch - Carl

Ribbon, charm, and sentiment tag from my junk stash

For a chance to win a lovely prize, why not visit us at Crafty Little Fairies, and enter our 'Autumn Colours' challenge.

"Happy Crafting"
Hugs,
Jennifer. x

Butterfly Waterfall

Good evening fellow crafters,

Hot, hot, hot!! We are only 3 weeks into spring here in Australia, and already we have temperatures in the mid 30sC. The grass is dead, brown and tinder-dry, and there are constant hot, dry westerly winds. There are widespread Total Fire Bans, but there have been major bushfires in many parts of NSW already, so we are dreading what sort of summer we are in for!

Australia is certainly a continent of extremes, as expressed in Dorothea Mackeller's famous poem 'My Country'..."...of droughts and flooding rains...her beauty and her terror, the wide brown land for me". The poet was English, but grew to love Australia, and wrote the poem while living just a few kilometres from where I live.

At Penny's Paper Crafty we have a new challenge for you.

Our theme for this week is

'Waterfall Cards' 

There are lots of tutorials on the internet on how to make a

Waterfall card. However, if you don't wish to try this technique,

you may make an

'Easel Card'.

Our challenge is kindly sponsored this week by

and

I was given Polka Dot Pals Daisy digi stamp, by Little Miss Muffet Stamps, 

and this is what I created with her.

My 'waterfall' is straight IRL. I added Crystal Stickles to every

butterfly on the designer paper.

A closer look at Daisy with her bag and balloons.

I coloured her with my Promarkers.

Rather than stamp images on my 'waterfall', I cut out

butterflies from the designer paper.

Inside my card with more cut-out butterflies, this time in profile.

Challenges

LEJ Designs #72 - 'Lots of Layers'

Crafty Cardmakers -'Winged Things'

Crafter's Cafe #30 - 'Dies and Punches'

The Squirrel and the Fox #53 - 'Happy Birthday'

Tammy's Scrappin Corner #81 -'Happy Birthday'

Image - Little Miss Muffet Stamps digi Polka Dot Pals Daisy

Colouring - Promarkers

Paper - Crafters Choice Princess

Sentiment - Wild Rose Studio

Dies - Spellbinders 

Ribbon, brads from my junk stash

For a chance to win great prizes, why not visit Penny's Paper Crafty
and enter our 'Waterfall Card/Easel Card challenge.

Until tomorrow night when I will be back with another card,
"Happy Crafting".
Hugs,
Jennifer. x

Patchwork Warren

Last Thursday it was my neighbour, Rosalie's birthday. Rosalie is also one of my closest friends. She loves the colour blue, so of course the card I made her was predominantly blue. 

Early this year I bought some Spellbinders Hexagonal Dies, and I am ashamed to admit that this is the first time I have used them. I used the smallest die in the set to cut the pretty papers, that were free with a magazine. When I attached them to the cardstock, I added faux stitching. 

The image with matching greeting is Warren by Craftwork Cards. I bought several packs of assorted images of Warren several years ago, at a craft show at 'Ally Pally' in London. He can be coloured with most media. As I write this, some of you will be at the same show at 'Ally Pally'. (How I wish I could join you!!).

The inside of my card is fairly basic with a large area on which I wrote my birthday Message to Rosalie.

Challenges

Anything Goes #100 - 'In The Garden-Add Some Butterflies'

An Oldie But A Goodie - 'Dies and Punches'

Bunny Zoe's Craft - 'Something Blue'

Image - Craftwork Cards Warren

Colouring - Promarkers

Paper - Jennifer Ellory - free with Quick Cards magazine

Dies - Spellbinders Hexagons, Classic and Scalloped Circles

Punches - Martha Stewart Butterfly Trio; EK Success Scalloped Corner

Card Candi - Craftwork Cards

Thank you all so much for visiting...until next time...

Hugs,

Jennifer. x

Friendship Bear

Good evening all, and welcome to my newest followers, 

Karen, Susan, Sue, Jill, Vania, Kat and Stephanie.

We have a new challenge at Penny's Paper Crafty,

and the theme of this one is

'2 OR MORE PATTERNED PAPERS'

Thank you to our generous sponsors. 

This week we have 3, and they are

I was given Little Garden Bear Delight to use, a digi stamp

by StampArt Design by Kathryne. Thank you Kathryne.

A closer look at the cute little bear and his friend, coloured

with my Promarkers.

Inside my card matches the front.

Challenge:

Use It Tuesday #63 - 'Friendship' 

(Card Candi, Spellbinders dies, paper, all 2-5 years old)

Image - StampArt Design by Kathryne digi stamp Little Garden Bear Delight 
Colouring - Promarkers
Paper - First Edition Hideaway
Dies - Spellbinders Classic and Scalloped Rectangles; Cheery Lynn
Card Candi - Craftwork Cards

For a chance to win great prizes, why not visit Penny's Paper Crafty and enter our '2 or More Patterned Paper' challenge.

Hugs, and thank you for visiting,
Jennifer. x

Bear with Roses

Good evening to all my crafting friends. 

Once again it is Thursday (where do the weeks go??!!), so we have our second

challenge for you at Crafty Little Fairies. We were thrilled at the number of entries

we had last week for our first ever challenge when we changed our name and opened

the challenge to allow any brand of stamps.

This week it is the turn of the pink fairies to showcase their creations, and challenge

you all to join us in the theme of :-

'NEW BABY'

Our lovely sponsor this week is:-

I decided to create a card for a new baby girl.

I used one of my first ever stamp purchases for this card. It was in a set of 3,

by Stamp-it, but I don't know the name of the stamps themselves. I imagine

they would have been discontinued long ago. This is the first time I have used

that gorgeous corner die, but I don't think it will be the last.

I adore this little bear. It looks so cute in what ever colour I use. 

As usual I used my Promarkers.

Inside my card co-ordinates with the front.

Challenges 

A.R.T. #14 - 'Baby Girl'

Delightful - 'New Beginnings'

An Inky Situation #8 - 'Teddy Bears'

Crafter's Cafe #28 - 'No Designer Papers'

I Love Promarkers #185 - '3 Different Shapes' (squares, circles, diamond)

Image - Stamp-it

Colouring - Promarkers

Sentiment - Netty's Cards Freebie (Thank you Annette)

Dies - Spellbinders Lacey Circles, Classic and Scalloped Circles; Nellie Snellen Corner MFD031

Punches - EK Success Scalloped Corners; Carl ?Sakura; Creative Memories Corner Rounder

Pearls and Liquid Pearls from my junk stash

For a chance to win a lovely prize, why not visit us at Crafty Little Fairies, and enter our 'New Baby' challenge.

I really appreciate your visits, and hope you enjoy reading my posts as much as I enjoy writing them.

Until next time, "happy crafting",
Hugs,
Jennifer. x

Penelope Puppy

What is the weather doing???? Two weeks ago we had the fire blazing, two doonas on the bed, and multiple layers of clothing. However, although we are only in the second week of spring, we are already experiencing temperatures in the low 30s. We hate to think what sort of summer we are going to have. We have been warned that it will be HOT! The whole district, and beyond, is a dust bowl and we desperately need rain. It's hard to believe that we have had 2 major floods earlier this year.

Enough of my 'waffling on'...it is Wednesday, and that means it is time 

for another challenge at Penny's Paper Crafty.

This week our theme is a very easy one -

'ANYTHING GOES'

Our generous sponsors this week are -

and

I was given Robyn's Fetish digi Penelope Puppy to play with, and this is the 

card I created with her.

No matter what angle I worked from, my reflection showed on the little

vinyl spots. Because the paper is so 'busy', I kept the embellishments to 

a minimum, and layered the image onto kraft paper so it wouldn't be 'lost'.

Penelope Puppy was very easy and quick to colour, 

with my Promarkers (of course).

Inside the card matches the front.

Challenge

Eclectic Ellapu - 'And They Call It Puppy Love'

(Top 5)

Image - Robyn's Fetish Penelope Puppy

Colouring - Promarkers

Paper - First Edition Desert Blooms

Dies - Spellbinders Classic and Scalloped Circles

For a chance to win great prizes, why not visit Penny's Paper Crafty and enter our 'Anything Goes' challenge.

Until tomorrow night, thank you for visiting.
"Happy Crafting"
Hugs,
Jennifer. x

Bubble Bath

Cookie and I would like to thank all of you who have sent lovely get-well wishes

to our dear little Cookie, after all his woes. He is recovering

well, and yesterday, our vet was very pleased with his progress.

Today is a very special occassion. Lili's Little Fairies is now officially 

Crafty Little Fairies!!! We have a beautiful new, fresh and colourful look, 

thanks to lots of 'candle-burning-long-into-the-night' hours by Squirrel and Angie.

We have opened up our challenge to any stamps, not just LOTV. Digis are

okay too, so there is no excuse for not entering our first (and future)

challenges. We would love to see what you create. 

Previously, the DT was divided into 'A' Team and 'B' Team, but NOW 

we are Blue Fairies and Pink Fairies. I am 'tickled' that I am a Pink Fairy,

'cos pink is my favourite colour. Each team usually alternates each week,  

but to celebrate our new beginnings, Fairies from both teams have created

cards for you, so pop over to Crafty Little Fairies, and see all the scrummy

creations by my fairy teamies.

Our first challenge at Crafty Little Fairies is one I am sure you will all love...

I know all of us on the DT do.

'CUTE 'N' CUDDLY CRITTERS'

We have 2 lovely, generous sponsors

and

but you have to work a little bit harder for this one - the winner will be selected 

randomly from all the blogs who display our new logo...

Old habits are hard to break, so although I could have used any image, I chose to

use this this sweet LOTV stamp 'Bubble Bath'.

As usual, I coloured the image with Promarkers. I also added Stickles Crystal 

to the bubbles. I think perhaps there may be a little bit of 'toesies' going on

in the tub......what do you think?

A closer look at the lovely flowers. I put Stickles all over them, but the photo

hardly shows it. The pins are just pearl-head sewing pins, with some recycled

'pearls' from old necklaces of mine.

Inside my card matches the front. I really must use that lovely

Spellbinder die more often...it is so pretty, as are the others

in that set.

Challenges:-

The Perfect Sentiment #90 - 'Ribbon, Baker's Twine, 

Seam Binding, or use all 3'

Passion For Promarkers #214 - 'Pink and Pearly'

Tuesday Throwdown #163 - 'Best Friends'

Rhedd and Rosie's #14 - 'For Ladies'

Lili Of The Valley - 'Ribbon or Lace'

Image - LOTV Bubble Bath

Colouring - Promarkers

Sentiment - LOTV

Paper - First Edition Spring Drop

Dies - Spellbinders; Cheery Lynn

Flowers, ribbon, pearl heart, pins, Stickles, all from my junk stash 

Early tomorrow morning I will set out to travel to the beautiful Watagan Mountains for a stamp camp. I have lost count of the years I have been going to this one...I think it is 13 years. It is held twice each year, and sometimes I go to one, but if the finances can withstand the shock, I attend both. 

It is lovely to catch up with old friends where we laugh, chatter, sleep way too little, and eat way too much. Oh...and sometimes we get some crafting done! During last year's camp, I demonstrated how to create my parchment roses, and this year I have been asked to do so again.

If I don't put my 'skates' on soon, I will not be packed in time, so I will bid you "good evening", and wish you "happy crafting". 

For a chance to win a lovely prize, why not visit us at Crafty Little Fairies, and enter our very first challenge, 'Cute 'n' Cuddly Critters'.

Hugs,

Jennifer. x 

Butterflies and Poppies

Gosh, all day I have been thinking it is Tuesday, but no.....it is Wednesday. 

Where are the weeks disappearing to?????

I would like to welcome to some lovely ladies who have become new followers. 

Thank you for doing so, and I hope you enjoy your visits.

Because it is Wednesday, we have a new challenge for you at Penny's Paper Crafty,

and our theme this week is

'SPOOLED ITEMS'

(ribbon, trim, twine, lace, etc)

Thank you to our 2 lovely sponsors this week. They are:-

and

I was given this pretty tag, For You Butterfly Tag from Bugaboo.

I coloured it with my Promarkers (that took all of 5 minutes),

and.........

this is what I created with it.

Two of the die-cuts are from dies that my lovely English blogging 

friend, Pauline, sent me. They are the large butterfly by Joy Craft, and the

tulips by Memory Box. The smaller butterfly is Cheery Lynn. I smothered

all 3 die-cuts to within an inch of their lives with Star Dust Stickles.

A closer look at the 3 die-cuts, and the lace and white ribbon border.

Inside my card matches the front. The gorgeous paper is New Arrival,

by Forever Friends. It is heavily glittered. My layering of the Spellbinders 

Classic and Scalloped Ovals looks uneven here but is not in reality.

Challenges:

Flourishes Timeless Tuesday #236 - 'Double the Ribbon-2 Types of Ribbon' 

Flutterby Wednesday #251 - 'Anything Goes With A Butterfly or Fairy'

Anything Goes #100 - 'In The Garden...add Butterflies'

Creative Card Crew #144 - 'Things With Wings'

Lacy Sunshine #16 - 'Dies and/or Punches'

Sweet Stamps #133 - 'Butterflies'

For a chance to win great prizes, why not visit Penny's Paper Crafty and enter our 'Spooled Items' challenge.

Happy Crafting!
Hugs,
Jennifer. x

Mr. Fix-it, & Cookie Update

Regular visitors to my blog will know that our kitty cat, Cookie, recently went missing for 3 weeks, then returned home a week ago in a terrible state. All week he has been wolfing down every bit of food we put in front of him, and has been gradually gaining back the almost 2kgs he lost, and has seemed to be his 'old' cheeky self again. 

However, late last night I noticed a small wound on his cheek, so early this morning took him straight to our vet. Upon investigation under Cookie's fur, the vet found a large wound. Cookie had to have immediate surgery, so he now has a large 'crater' on his face. The vet had to cut away a huge amount of dead tissue, and there was not enough tissue left to suture after it had all been removed. Our vet is almost certain that the cause is SNAKE BITE!! He believes Cookie became disorientated as the venom took effect, and he wandered further, and further from home, then was so weak he had difficulty finding his way home. He only survived because he was in such good health and condition, and fairly young when it happened.

At the end of this post there is a photo of our Cookie, back home, recovering from the anaesthetic. However, it is QUITE GRAPHIC, so unless you have a strong constitution, I would recommend that you avoid reading to the end of the post. I just wanted to show people what damage a snake can do, IF the victim survives.

Let's move on to more pleasant topics...here in Australia, yesterday was Father's Day. Poor John was all by himself all day, as I was on duty at the Fort. (I am a volunteer guide at Fort Scratchley, at the entrance to Newcastle Harbour.) I did cook him a lamb roast on Saturday night, and then brought home a Chinese takeaway last night, so he said that made up (almost) for my absence.

John is extremely handy around the home. Although it took him several years, he gutted our kitchen down to bare floorboards, then rebuilt a completely new kitchen. He did a wonderful job, and seems to be able to 'turn his hand' to any 'fix-it' tasks.

It seemed so appropriate that I used this oh so cute Stampavie stamp titled Mr. Fix-it, 

for the card I made for my darling husband of 41 (and a bit) years.

The papers are First Edition Hideaway. I bought a packet of these brads

several years ago, and can't remember what their brand is, or where I bought 

them. They look so real, don't they. 

I coloured Mr. Fix-it with Promarkers.

Inside the card matches the front.

I would like to enter the following challenges:-

Sassy Studio Designs #192 - 'Labour Day-Profession/Type of Work'

The Male Room #3 - 'The Great Outdoors' (builders work outdoors)

Penny Black and More - 'Sketch and/or Autumn Colours'

Crafting With Dragonflies #9 - 'Masculine/Father's Day'

A Gem of a Challenge #95 - '2 Backing Papers'

Card Crafter's Circle #90 - 'For The Boys'

Inky Impressions #123 - 'Animals'

Great Impressions - 'Fall Colours'

Thank you for visiting, and until next time,

Hugs,

Jennifer. x

WARNING  - The following photo is graphic, and may disturb some readers, so if you experience queasiness, please leave this post now!!! The image is the result of surgery following snake bite.

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Poor Cookie - still 'woozy' several hours after the anaesthetic.

The vet says he will make a full recovery, albeit with a nasty scar.