3 Trees

 

How's this for a scary thought...this time next week 

Christmas 2021 will just be a memory...my bad

for saying that, aren't I.😁

I am a self-confessed paper addict, and although I have enough DSP to

open my own store, I just could not resist the gorgeous Bella Carta pad

Home For Christmas. In addition to the 6" x 6" sheets there are 2 pages 

of co-ordinating cut-aparts, many with their own matting. These make

a lovely focal point for a relatively quick card, such as the one above.

The peel-off stickers (dots and borders) are negatives.

This is probably the shortest post I have ever written, but the card more or less "speaks" for itself.

Until next time, I thank you for visiting, and I hope all your preparations are coming together nicely.

Stay safe,

Jennifer.  xx

Sassy Heels

 

Good afternoon.

I have a little detour from showing you Christmas cards. There have been quite

a few birthdays recently for which I had to make cards, and this is one of those.

We have known the recipient of this card since before she was born. She is from

a beautiful family, and has grown from a sweet bubbly little girl into a lovely 

young women. (where have those 21 years gone?!).

Isn't it frustrating when sparkly papers do not photograph well...the shoe, '21', and solid

black matting were all cut from glittered cardstock, and the gorgeous backing paper 

has lots of sparkle on it.

This shoe is a totally glamorous fashion accessory, but I really

can't imagine wearing it for a whole evening of dancing. 😬

Dies - Tonic Studios Sassy Heels; Cuttlebug Olivia

Paper - has been in my stash for 'yonks' - it could be Christina Re?

Peel-off sticker is from my junk stash

I will be back, hopefully tomorrow, with another Christmas card, so until then thank you for visiting.

Stay safe,

Jennifer.  xx

Quilted Winter Wishes

 

Good afternoon. 

Despite my stern warning to myself that I could not 

purchase any more new dies, I could not resist this wonderful quilt

die. It is so easy to create cards which look very different for the same 

occasion e.g. Christmas, and also for other various occasions.

I used very traditional colours for this card which is for a dear friend in England.

Inside the card showing the lovely verse and the punched corner.

Dies - My Favourite Things Die-namics Square Quilt Cover-up; Cheery Lynn Poinsettia Strip; Tim Holtz Holiday Greenery

Papers - Kaisercraft; Graphic 45 (both from old collections)

Verse - Creative Expressions Holly Jolly Sentiments 

Punch - Martha Stewart Aspen Snowflake corner punch; unnamed office circle punch

Peel-off sticker and gold washi tape are from my junk stash

I hope I can 'keep the ball rolling' with regular posts, so until next time thank you for visiting.

Stay safe,

Jennifer.  xx

Black and Silver Snowflakes

 

Hello fellow crafters. I guess you didn't expect 2 posts in 2 days, 

especially after such a long break.

As I have said in previous posts, I have a personal rule being that I

never make any 2 cards the same. However, at times like Christmas when

when I, like so many other card-makers, need to make many cards, I 

will create 2 or even occasionally 3 similar cards...such is the 

case with the following 2 cards.

These 2 cards were sent to friends who do not know each other, and both

of whom do not know I have a blog, so will not see this.

The grey-looking plain paper on both cards is actually a beautiful

shimmery pearlised silver, a pack of which I have had for many

years. I put a tiny dot of glitter glue in the centre of each

snowflake on the black paper, but as usual with

most glitter it does not photograph well.

Papers - Papermania A Christmas Carol; Echo Park A Gingerbread Christmas; 

Sentiment banners - Craft Creations Ltd 

Glitter glue - Ranger Stickles Diamond Dust

Peel-off sticker snowflakes are from my junk stash

Hopefully I will be back soon with some more cards, so until then thank you for visiting.

Stay safe,

Jennifer.  xx

Joy and Peace

 

I know I said in my last post that I would be back in a few days, but once again

life and health issues have intervened...grrrrrr, so I have had my 'head down

and tail up' in a frenzy to create all my Christmas cards. They are all now 

finished and in the mail, so I may be able to show you some in 

the next weeks leading up to Christmas.

 

 I absolutely love the gorgeous papers in the Bella Carta paper pad I bought

earlier this year. The green DSP has a lattice design, and but because it is

very subtle, it is rather difficult to see.

Inside the card, with punched corners.

Paper - Carta Bella Home For Christmas 6 x 6 mega pad

Sentiment on front of card - Paper Rose Crisp Christmas sentiment sheets

Greeting inside card - Creative Expressions Christmas Sayings clear set CEC389

Dies - Cheery Lynn Poinsettia Strip B324; Dees Distinctively Ponderosa Pine Sprig; Build-A-Wreath (free with Australian Simply Cards magazine)

Punch - Martha Stewart Aspen Snowflake corner punch

Peel-off stickers are from my junk stash

I hope your Christmas preparations are 'on track', and you all keep safe in these uncertain times.

Until next time,

Jennifer.  xx

006.9

Good afternoon.

I'll bet the title of this post had you confused. I created this card greatly

influenced by a certain spy, very well known in a series of movies, but I

thought "there is really only one 00..., so 006.9 will have to suffice."😉

In my last post, I used this same new die-set, and as I mentioned I made quite

a few cards of very different styles. I have decided that for this, and my next

several posts, I will show you some of those cards to illustrate the

incredible versatility of the die-set.

I didn't put a sentiment on the card front, thinking that the 

card could be used for a number of occasions. The stamped

greeting inside the card, likewise.

Challenges I would like to enter:-

Die Cut Divas - 'Anything Goes' (2nd entry)

NBUS #31 - 'Anything Goes' (2nd entry)

The Male Room #155 - 'Black and White' (hope the off-white card stock is okay)

Die Set - Stampin' Up Suit and Tie

Sentiment - Stampin' Up Peaceful Moments cling stamp set

Colouring - Promarker Almond (for neck)

Black heat-set gems are from my junk stash

Off-white pearlised texured cardstock, and black glitter card - from my scraps/offcuts box

That all for today...I am now off to the supermarket to do our weekly shopping. Does anyone else hate this task?

I will be back in a day or two with another card, so until then thank you for visiting.

Jennifer.  xx

 

Brown Suit

 

Hello to all the bloggers out there. I hope you are still staying safe

in these uncertain times.

Earlier this year, I saw a die-set in a Stampin' Up catalogue but completely 

dismissed it with "I'd never use that set"......how wrong can one be??? 

 

When I saw some cards recently on Pinterest using the dies I purchased the set 

from a Stampin' Up demonstrator who lives in our retirement village, and 

became instantly 'hooked'.  It is such a versatile set, so I made quite a few

cards of various styles...some for men and boys, and some for ladies.

Challenges I would like to enter:-

Die Cut Divas - 'Anything Goes'

NBUS #31 - 'Anything Goes'

Pixie's Snippets Playground #414 - 'Ruby's Memory'

The Sisterhood of Crafters - 'Happy Birthday'

Die Set - Stampin' Up Suit and Tie Dies

Punches - Stampin' Up Oval Plain and Scalloped Duo; EK Success Small Circle

Colouring - Promarker Almond (for neck)

Sentiment - Stampin' Up Peaceful Moments stamp set

Cardstock, striped paper, and glitter card (tie-pin) - from my large box of snippets and off cuts

Just a quick post on this cool and overcast day.

Until next time,

Hugs,

Jennifer.  xx

 

Daisy Thanks

 

Hello fellow bloggers. After a 3 month absence I am hoping to post more

regularly. Both John and I have had health issues, but during the long break

 I have not been completely idle...I have made many of my Christmas cards

as well as creating a large mixed media art work for a wedding gift (which

sadly has had to be postponed for a second time due to this awful virus).

Several months ago I drove 7 hours north to a reunion for those of us who began

our secondary schooling in 1963😲...yes, that long ago! I had a wonderful week-

end, catching up with old friends and reliving many memories. A pleasant surprise 

was that three of our teachers attended. The reunion, almost 2 years in the planning

 was so well organised, mostly by one lady living approximately 1,500 kms (1,000 miles) 

away from the reunion. To thank Jenny for her mammoth effort, 

I gave her this card (with a box of choccies).

I thought the stamped sentiment inside the card was perfect for 

the occasion.

A closer look at my handmade daisies and the die-cut greeting.

Challenges I would like to enter:-

Ally's Angels #51 - 'Anything Goes'

Creative Fingers #217 - 'Anything Goes'

Happy Little Stampers (dies) - 'Anything Goes with Dies'

The Flower Challenge #61 - 'Use A Shape' (square) (must use handmade flowers) (5th birthday)

Dies - Spellbinders Oval; Tonic Studios Daisy Lace Square; Sue Wilson Creative Expressions Isobel; Memory Box Fauntleroy Crest

Punches - Carl Daisy; Martha Stewart Fern; Stampin' Up Scalloped Oval

Colouring - Promarkers  (Yellow and Vanilla) to colour pearls and daisy centres

Sentiment - Stampin' Up Peaceful Moments cling stamp set

Pearls and border sticker - from my junk stash

Please all stay safe in these uncertain and scary times.

Until next time (hopefully soon),

Hugs (virtual of course)

Jennifer.  xx

 

Scarlette is Eleven

 

Hello to all those out in blogland. I hope you are all keeping safe from 

this horrendous virus that has changed the world for countless people.

It is two and a half months since I last put anything on my blog, but

I felt I really must rectify that situation, as today is a very special day for

a very special young lady. Yes, it is our dear granddaughter, Scarlette's

11th birthday today. We really can't believe those 11 years have flown

by so fast. After the summer holidays (she lives in London) she will 

be starting high school😲...she is growing up too fast.

This is the card I made for her...a very 'girly' card for a very 'girly' girl. 

It took many hours, but it was a labour of love. She always opens her

card and gift from us on Skype, and her reaction is worth it. We were

amazed when she panned around her bedroom, as she has all of the 

cards I have made her out on display, as part of her 'decor'.

A close-up of the panel with the sentiment, and the 

number 11.

Another panel where we wrote our personal

message to Scarlette.

More panels.

One final view of the card showing the concertina effect.

Challenges I would like to enter:-

To be updated

Dies - Spellbinders Scalloped Circle; Cheery Lynn Light Lace Deco Border, Exotic Butterfly; X Cut Delicate Flower and Border; Sweet Stamps Flutterby #2; Cuttlebug 2"x2" Hippy Chick

Paper - First Edition 12"x12" Sweet Owl

Sentiment - Lili Of The Valley

Flowers - most from my stash, but some are created by me

On this cold, wintery night I will be off to bed now to snuggle under the doona.

Stay safe

Hugs,

Jennifer.  xx

Four

 

I know I have been a bad, bad blogger these past months, but

I'm not even going to offer up a reason or excuse...that's

how bad I am😁

This is a card I made for a dear little boy who recently turned four.

The cute image is a digital stamp from a 'numerical' set I purchased

ages ago, then promptly forgot I had it. Of course it is coloured with

Promarkers.

I made a 'tent-fold' card, and this is the inside.

Image - Lili of the Valley digital stamp set Numbears

Colouring - Promarkers

Greeting - clear stamp set, free with Cardmaking & Papercraft magazine Day at the Seaside

Paper - Unknown

Punch - EK Success Scalloped Corner

Challenges I would like to enter:-

Allsorts #621- 'Any 3 Colours of the Rainbow' (blue, red, yellow)

Passion For Markers #589 - 'Sentimental' (must have sentiment)

In these continuing uncertain and dangerous times, please stay safe, and until next time, thank you for visiting.

Hugs,

Jennifer.  xx

Beaded Ribbon

Hello fellow bloggers.

Today I return with my card for the mid-challenge reminder over at  

Christmas Craft Creations where I was thrilled to be invited to join 

the very talented design team as Guest Designer for January. 

The theme this month is Ribbon or Twine.

 

I have had this technique idea somewhere in the back of my mind for several

years, and the theme of ribbon or twine was the perfect opportunity to work

out how to achieve it. 

I am definitely not adept with a needle and thread, so perhaps I was a tad  

ambitious. It took me ages to 'fluff' and sew the ribbon to the die-cut, adding 

each pearl bead with the stitching. Eventually though, I was finished, and

considering my struggle, including some stabbed fingers (and some

 naughty words😮), I was fairly happy with the end result.

Back within my comfort zone, I really enjoyed colouring this

sweet image with my Promarkers.

The greeting is recycled from a store-bought card, and I

shaped the ends of the tag with a very old corner punch.

Challenges I would like to enter:-

Addicted To Stamps and More #397 - 'Christmas'

Dragonfly Dreams - 'Pearls and/or Gems'

Merry Little Christmas #29 - 'Anything Christmas Goes'

Passion For Markers #576 - 'Buttons and/or Bows'

Let's Squash It!! #4 - 'Embossing Folder and an Animal' (2nd entry) (must show logo)

Image - Magenta Holly Branch

Colouring - Promarkers

Dies - Spellbinders Floral Doily Motifs

Dry Embossing - Stampin' Up Embossing Folder  Softly Falling

Punch - EK Success Corner Punch (I think)

Ribbon and Pearls are from my junk stash

I would like to once again send a big thank you to Charlotte (aka Lady Joyful) and the rest of the Design Team at Christmas Craft Creations for inviting me to join them for the month of January. For the chance to win a lovely stamp set, why not pop over to be inspired by the team, then enter your own 'Ribbon or Twine' creation.

Until next time, thank you for visiting, and stay safe,

Sending virtual hugs,

Jennifer.   xx

Birthday Thank You

 

Good afternoon.

It was my birthday a couple of days after Christmas, and 2020 saw a

milestone...70! HOW did that happen???

There was nothing I could do about it, but I'll just pretend it didn't happen.😁

Each Boxing Day some beautiful friends always have us to their home, and we

always have a lovely time. After the beautiful meal, I received a BIG surprise.

They had made a yummy cake with candles, THEN presented me with two 

very beautiful and extravagant gifts. I shed a few tears of joy, as I have 

only ever had three birthday cakes in my 70 years.

This is the card I made to thank our friends for such a wonderful

birthday/Christmas evening. 

A close up look at the tiny hand-made flowers, and the stamped "Thank You".

Challenges I would like to enter:-

As You Like It - Favourite Colour Duo and Why. (Soft pinks and greens as they remind me of spring, which I love)

Little Red Wagon #585 - 'Die-ing To Get Crafty'

My Time To Craft #448 - 'Thank You'

Simply Create Too #166 - 'Fave Colour Combo (soft pinks and greens)

The Funkie Junkie Boutique - 'Something Delicate'

Dies - Creative Expressions Scarlet; Tim Holtz Alterations Sizzix Thinlets 661806 (mini florals); Cuttlebug Vintage Corners (negatives used in corners)

Ink for sponging - Tim Holtz Distress Inks Aged Mahogany, Scattered Straw, Peeled Paint

Paper - DCWV The Lace and Linen Stack

Sentiment - Stampin' Up Cling Set Peaceful Moments

Tiny beads are from my junk stash

It's time to bring the washing in from the clothesline, and feed our fur baby kitty (who turned 16 at Christmas), so until next time "thank you" for visiting.

(Socially distanced) Hugs

Jennifer.  x 

Birthday Stars

Good evening all. I hope you are all staying safe wherever you

are in this troubled world.

Do any of you find that there are one or two months during the year

where you have an overload of birthdays or other celebrations where

you are constantly in a flurry of card-making?? January and July are

those months for me.

I had not even begun to pack away my Christmas crafting items when I

needed to put my head down and tail up (not a sight for the faint-hearted!)

This card is for a young lad who lived near us before we moved into

this Retirement Village. He has had to overcome a long list of health

issues, so we think he is a little 'star'.

Dies - EZ Cut Stars; Sweet Story Stars; Memory Box Night Sky Border

Main Sentiment - Unnamed Happy Birthday peel-off sticker

Punch - Carl Alphabet Set (I punched Hayden's name from around the unwanted edges of the sticker sheet)

Challenges I would like to enter:-

Craft Rocket #77 - 'For the Boys/Men'

Daisy Chain #48 - 'Happy Birthday'

I hope to be back in a day or 2 with another of the many cards I have made since Christmas, so until then, happy crafting.

Thank you for visiting, 

Jennifer. xx

 

Bluebell and Friend

 

Hello lovely people. Recently I hinted that I would have some exciting news

this week........well today's the day to 'spill the beans',.....

Last month I won a challenge at Christmas Craft Creations with one of my

chocolate card/boxes, and as a result I was invited to be the Guest Designer

for the month of January. I was thrilled to accept!! The theme this month is

'RIBBON OR TWINE'

Below is my first card for the challenge.

I used the 'out-of-the-box' technique to die-cut around the image, as it

is a fairly large stamp.

Coloured with Promarkers, is the incredibly cute image

by Wild Rose Studio.

A closer look at my poinsettia, die-cut foliage, and bead sprays.

The centre of the poinsettia is Prills mixed with clear craft glue.

Challenges I would like to enter:-

Crafty Calendar - 'Make It Cute' (2nd entry)

Crafty Hazelnuts Christmas #524 - 'Anything Christmas Goes (optional Feature a Creature)'

Christmas Kickstart #46 - 'Such A Deer!'

Let's Squash It! #4 - 'Use Embossing Folder AND an Animal'

The Holly and the Ivy #85 - 'Anything Christmas Goes'  TOP 5

Image - Wild Rose Studio Bluebell With Presents

Colouring - Promarkers

Dies - Spellbinders Scalloped Circle; Craft4U Stitched Circle; Memory Box Holly Branch; Sizzix Tim Holtz Alterations Holiday Greens; Creative Expressions Pine Cone and Greenery; Cheery Lynn Poinsettia Strip.

Embossing Folder - Unnamed, free with Cardmaking Australia magazine

Sentiment - Craftwork Cards

Ribbon - Vandoros grosgrain

Prills, gold twine, and tiny red beads are from my junk stash

Tiny gold 'foliage' accents are cut from an old Christmas decoration

For more inspiration from the very talented regular design team, why not pop over to Christmas Craft Creations then enter your own 'Ribbon or Twine' creation.

Until next time, thank you for visiting,

Cheers,

Jennifer.  xx