Happy 90th

Hello to all of you in blogland. 

It is exactly 3 months since I last posted anything on my blog, so here I

am at last. There are several reason for my absence (healthwise), but I

will not bore you with the details, as I know that so many people are 

in an infinitely more dire situation than me. We are certainly in 

awful times aren't we, and I fear there is worse to come.

On a happier note, one of our neighbours celebrated a major milestone

last week, turning 90 years of age. Anne is so sweet (and quite a character).

This is the card I made for her.

The flowers were cut with a 'strip die', and hand-coloured with distress inks

and an aqua brush. The whole process was quite time-consuming and

fiddly, but as Anne is such a cutie, I was happy to create the card for her.

The 'With Love' die-cut is tiny. I cut around it

with my deckle-edge scissors.

I had one flower left over, so I adhered it 

inside the card.

Inside the card. As I prepared to take this photo, the sun 

was suddenly obscured by dark clouds and seconds

later the rain pelted down.

Challenges I Would like to enter

C.R.A.F.T. #550 - 'Spring/Easter' 

The Paper Players #484 - 'Tic Tac Toe' (die cut, spring, birthday)

Crafty Friends #132 -'Spring'

Dies - Cheery Lynn Miniature Rose Strip, Flourish Leaf Strip; Crafts 4U With Love

Colouring - Tim Holtz Distress Inks

Embossing - Crafters Companion Flower Garden

Stamp - Stampin' Up Cling Set Peaceful Moments

Seed Pearls are from my junk stash

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

Hugs,

Jennifer.  x

Cutie Mouse in a Cup

Finally, I have another card for you. It is so long since I posted anything

on my blog I have almost forgotten how to do so...

However, as it is now the second Wednesday of the month it is time for

a new challenge at Words 2 Craft By, and our quote this month is

"When asked if my cup is half-full or half-empty my only response

is that I am thankful I have a cup." by Sam Lefkowitz

What a profound thought which reminds us that others may not be

as fortunate as ourselves.

I would normally be horrified if I found a mouse in one of my tea cups, but I

 think I could make an exception for this happy little guy with his spring flowers.

This is the first time I have used this ever-so-cute image, although I have had it

for several years (MY BAD!). Of course I coloured it with my Promarkers.

The sentiment and its border is silver, although it looks grey. The

tag is from a sheet of birthday greetings in different fonts.

Image - Stampavie (Tina Wenke) Mouse in Tea Cup

Colouring - Promarkers

Dies - Cheery Lynn Lace Light Deco Border; Spellbinders Floral Ovals: Cuttlebug Vintage Corners

Embossing Folder - Crafter's Companion Flower Garden

Sentiment - Art Stamps Australia

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

Although I have not blogged for ages, I have not been idle. I will be back soon with something VERY different, so...

Until then, happy crafting,

Hugs,

Jennifer.  xx

Bunnies In Love

Gosh, can you believe it is already almost halfway through February, and

as it is the second Wednesday of the month it is time for another challenge

at Words 2 Craft By. This month's quote, by A. A. Milne is so sweet...

Piglet sidled up to Pooh from behind. "Pooh" he whispered. "Yes

Piglet?". "Nothing" said Piglet, taking Pooh's paw, "I just wanted

to be sure of you".

How often have we just wanted the reassuring touch of a

loved one's hand? It can mean so much, can't it.

I do not have a Piglet or Pooh image, but have used this pair of little bunnies.  The

butterflies were cut with a punch set, then coloured with Promarkers. I die-cut the 

mushroom border twice and layered them slightly off-set to create a shadow effect.

A closer look at the sentiment tags, one of the butterflies, the 

'shadowed' mushrooms, and the lightly sponged die-cut leaves.

Aren't they the cutest little bunnies in love.

Some of the floral embellishments.

Image - Lili Of The Valley Toadstool For Two

Colouring - Promarkers

Dies - Joy Crafts 6002/0317 (Mushroom Border); Cheery Lynn Flourish Leaf Strip, Olive Branches; Elizabeth Craft Curvy Leaves 730; Sweet Stamps Daisy Centre Medallion; Crafts 4U Stitched Rectangle

Embossing Folder - Crafters Companion Flower Garden

Inks for sponging - Tim Holtz Distress Inks (various greens)

Sentiment Tags - Lili Of The Valley Sentiment Tags Set 24

Punch - Martha Stewart Butterfly Trio

Flowers are from my junk stash

Challenges I would like to enter

Crafting By Designs - 'Love Is In The Air'

Crafty Sentiments Designs - 'Flowers'

Die Cut Divas - 'Anything Goes, With Love'

Die Cuttin' Divas #407 - 'Love'

Dream Valley #195 - 'Love and Kisses'

I Love Promarkers #377 - 'Anything Goes, with optional die-cut or punch'  TOP 3

Mod Squad - 'Floral'

Passion For Promarkers #480 - 'Something Beginning With 'L' (Leaves, and Love) TOP 5

Penny Black and More - 'Anything Goes, with optional Twist = Tags'

As tomorrow is Valentine's Day, I will give this card to my dear husband of almost 47 years.

For a chance to win a wonderful prize, why not pop over to Words 2 Craft By, check out my teamies great inspiration, then enter your own interpretation of this month's challenge.

Until next time, thank you for visiting.

Hugs, Jennifer.   xx

Glitter Galore

Hello to my crafting buddies. I hope you are all enjoying your weekend.

My card today is the result of experimenting with a new (to me) technique, 

using dies, D/sided tape and ultrafine glitter. I stumbled upon a youtube

tutorial by Els van de Burgt from Elizabeth Craft Designs.

A close-up look at the glittered die-cut.

A close-up of the greeting, which was on an A4 sheet that I bought many

years ago at one of the first ever craft shows I attended (in Esher, UK). I

coated the butterflies with Chrystallina Kindyglitz, then while they were

wet I sprinkled them with the same Ruby glitter as is on the flowers.

Inside the card with plenty of space on which I wrote a 

birthday message to my S.I.L.

Challenges I would like to enter

4 Crafty Chicks #347 - 'Butterflies'

Brown Sugar #247 - 'Use A Die-Cut'

Crafty Card Makers #186 - 'Things With Wings'

Crafty Gals Corner #119 - 'Embellish It'

International Art and Soul #6 - 'Wings'

Make My Monday #44 - 'Embossing, Wet or Dry'

Dies - Sweet Cuts Flower Oval; Cheery Lynn Exotic Butterflies, Mini Dimensional Butterflies

Embossing Folder - Crafter's Companion Flower Garden

Glitters - Martha Stewart

Greeting - Un-named A4 sheet

Corner Punch - Zutter

Thank you for your visit, and until next time "happy crafting".

Hugs,

Jennifer. x

Flower Arranging

As promised in my previous posts, I have some very exciting news to

share with you. I have been almost bursting at the seams, keeping my

little secret to myself...the one bright spot in my awful January was that

during the first week, lovely Deborah and Lynsey from the Winter Wonderland

challenge asked me if I would like to join the wonderfully talented Design 

Team!!!! After I started breathing again, and stopped doing a happy 

dance around the house, I replied with  "YES PLEASE!!!"

The theme for my first challenge with Winter Wonderland is

KISS (keep it sweet and simple)

Our lovely sponsor this week is Di's Digi Designs, who are offering

a $12 voucher as the winner's prize.

I don't think you could get much sweeter than this little bunny, busily

arranging flowers in a vase.

This is the first time I have inked up this very cute image. 

Inside my card co-ordinates with the front. It is also the first time

I have used this rather pretty embossing folder.

Challenges

4 Crafty Chicks #232 - 'Use A Hand-Coloured Image'

Hanna and Friends #215 - 'Embossing'

Moving Along With The Times - 'Pastels' TOP 3

Penny's Paper Crafty #213 - 'Favourite Fold or Technique' (colouring, die-cuts & embossing)TOP 3

Ruby's Rainbow #97 - 'Soon Be Spring'

Top Tip Tuesday - 'Favourite Colour Combo' (pink, white & green)

Image - LOTV Flower Arranging

Colouring - Promarkers

Dies - Spellbinders Classic Circle, Lacey Circle

Embossing Folder - Crafter's Companion Flower Garden

Greetings Tag - Craftwork Cards

Punch - Martha Stewart Butterfly Trio

Ribbon, eyelet and brads are from my junk stash

I would like to thank my fellow teamies at Winter Wonderland for the invitation to join them, and also for their warm words of welcome. Why not pop over to the challenge blog and have a look at their beautiful cards, then enter your own KISS creation for a chance to win a lovely prize.

Until next time, happy crafting, and thank you for visiting,

Hugs

Jennifer. x

O Come All Ye Faithful

"What a relief", I hear you sigh, "not a poinsettia in sight"!

This card is for a lovely friend who lives in England, and is a very talented

lady, whose watercolouring of stamped images is second to none. In fact

the gorgeous guru himself, Tim Holtz, has given her a mighty "thumbs 

up" for her colouring. Many of you will know her by the name, 

Squirrel, and her favourite style is CAS.

The first time I saw this little cutie, I fell in love, and just had to bring

him home with me. This is the first time he has seen ink. He comes 

with an assortment of Christmas greetings.

Inside the card with a large area on which I wrote my personal message.

Image - Crafter's Companion Makey Bakey Mice Christmas Carols

Colouring - Promarkers

Sentiment - Crafter's Companion Makey Bakey Mice Christmas Carols

Die - Memory Box Virtuoso Music

Punches - Martha Stewart Aspen Snowflake; Making Memories Corner Rounder

Challenges

Alphabet - 'W For Whiskers'

CAS on Sunday #49 - 'Christmas'

I Love Promarkers #250 - 'Anything Goes'

The Dream Factory #15 - 'A Christmas Carol' (O Come All Ye Faithful)

I made this card several weeks ago, and because of the image and the included sentiment (O Come All Ye Faithful, [which is my favourite Christmas hymn]), I used my music die which I have only used once before. 

I photographed my card, put the photos in my 'draft folder', then mailed the card to England. Imagine my surprise when 2 days later, I was browsing through various challenge blogs, and when I opened 'Animal Friends' there was a lovely card (posted that day) by Dreja (DT), using the same image and die. I'm definitely not a gambler, but in this case I would have liked to have had a large bet on a co-incidence like that occuring......truly amazing....we must have telepathic powers!

John and I are now off to battle the Christmas Eve supermarket crowds. We are also driving down to Newcastle to the Seafood Co-op where the seafood is always super-fresh. I just heard on the local radio that the queue outside the co-op is l.o.n.g!! In Australia, we tend to have seafood at Christmas, because the weather is usually scorching (often in the 40sC).

In case I do not get a chance to do so tonight or tomorrow, I would like to wish you all a very

 Happy Christmas.

Hugs, 

Jennifer. x

Another One!

Yes, friends, as I have confessed in the title of this post, I have another

card which features a poinsettia. I made this one for a friend, Maree,

who is a volunteer in the shop at the Fort.

Unfortunately the embossing on the layered panel does not show up well in

the photo...it has curved "Merry Christmas" all over it, and I positioned the

folder so as to show a "Merry Christmas" in the bottom right-hand corner

instead of a stamped greeting.

 

A closer look at the poinsettia. To say that I LOVE this die and the matching

embossing folder is a major understatement. The die alone is lovely, but the

embossing adds so much more texture. Before embossing the die-cut, I

sponged all the edges with Distress Ink. Once again, I made the bead

sprays with some of the glass beads I bought in Paris several years ago.

Inside the card. I also LOVE my Aspen Snowflakes corner and border punches, 

and they have certainly 'earned their keep' this Christmas.

Dies - Tim Holtz (Sizzix) Tattered Poinsettia; Impression Obssesson Pine Branches; Memory Box Holly Branch

Embossing - Tim Holtz (Sizzix) Texture Fades Textured Poinsettia Pattern Set; Crafter's Companion Christmas Merriment

Punches - Martha Stewart PATP Aspen Snowflakes

Sponging - Distress Inks Aged Mahogany

Sparklet - Kaisercraft

Gold cord and red glass beads are from my junk stash

Challenges

Brown Sugar #124 - 'Red, White and Green'

Challenge Up Your Life #4 - 'Christmas Without Christmas Stamps'

Crafts 4 Eternity #206 - 'Christmas'

That Craft Place - 'Christmas'

Wags 'n' Whiskers #144 - 'Merry Christmas'

As I am on duty at the Fort all day tomorrow, I have to be up very early in the morning, so I will bid you all goodnight.

Until next time, thank you for visiting,

Hugs, 

Jennifer. x

Popcorn and Friend

My goodness, how quickly do the months go by!! It is the first Thursday of June,

and therefore it is time for a new challenge at Crafty Little Fairies. Our theme 

this month is usually always a popular one.......

'SPOTS AND STRIPES'

To qualify for a prize, you must use spots and stripes on your project, and as

always, you must use a stamped or digi image, not a pre-coloured 'topper'.

Speaking of prizes, this month we have five wonderful sponsors...

Thank you so much to each of  them.

You may remember that recently I 'catalogued' all my dies, so (it's a bit like

renovating a house - once you start, you can't stop) I am doing the same

with my embarrassingly vast collection of stamps. What is even more 

embarrassing, is that I am finding so many that have never seen ink!!

This is one of them. I don't know why, as it is so cute.

It is a very large image, so I had to cut around it by hand. I then used Stickles

to hide my 'wonky' cutting. (I think I should have done the same with the 

matting layer, cut with deckle-edged scissors).

A closer look at Popcorn, and his little friend, coloured with Promarkers.

Inside my card. Those pretty leaves are part of a prize I won recently in a 

challenge. I think I will be using them a lot more.

Challenges

A Little Bit Crafty - 'Child's Play'

Crafty Cardmakers and More #116 - 'Use 1 or More Flourishes'

Cute Card Thursday #324 - 'Perfectly Pink'

Little Claire's #45 - 'Spots and Stripes' WINNER

Paper Crafting Journey - 'Perfect in Pink' 

Penny's Paper Crafty #180 - 'Bears or Mice' WINNER

Image - Crafter's Companion Popcorn the Bear Birthday Hugs

Colouring - Promarkers

Paper - First Edition Spring Drop

Dies - Spellbinders Standard and Scalloped Circles, Decorative Labels Eight, Floral Flourishes, Pendants Eyelets; Sweet Stamps Elegant Leaves; Cheery Lynn Mini Dimentional Butterflies

Punch - EK Success Retro Flower (Lge); Carl Vinca (Mini)

Scissors - Fiskars Deckle Edge

Stickles - Star Dust

Ink for Sponging - Versacube Petal Pink

Ribbon and pink flower bead are from my junk stash

For a chance to win one of our lovely sponsors' prizes, why not visit us at Crafty Little Fairies, have a look at the beautiful creations by my fairy teamies, and enter our 'Spots and Stripes' challenge.

Until next time, thank you for looking,

Hugs, 

Jennifer. x