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

Silent Night

 

Good afternoon fellow bloggers. Don't you all, like me, find it hard

to believe that we are now in the month of October...EEK!

I know now why so many of you are complaining about the new and

'improved' (NOT!!!) blogger😖. I have always been an "if it ain't broke,

don't fix it" gal.

Enough of my whinging, and onto the first card in my fairly substantial

box of Christmas cards.

It is a fairly simple card, but I think the gorgeous Silent Night die-cut

turns it into an elegant card.

I backed some gold paper with double-sided JAC paper before

cutting the beautiful greeting, thus making it easier to attach to the card.

I have had the dies for these baubles for many years,

and they have been much loved and often used.

Challenges I would like to enter

Crimbo Crackers #216 - 'Anything Christmas Goes'

Merry Little Christmas #26 - 'Anything Christmas Goes'

The Holly and the Ivy Christmas Challenge #80 - 'Anything Christmas Goes'

Dies - Creative Expressions Sue Wilson Swirled Silent Night; Memory Box Snowflake, & Swirl Ornaments

Punch - EK Success Mini Dots

Peel-off border sticker is from my ancient junk stash

On this slightly cool spring afternoon, I am off to have a short Nana Nap with Peter May...NO, NO, not the man himself, just one of his murder mysteries 😁.

Until next time, thank you for visiting,

Hugs,

Jennifer.  x

Kitties

Over the past few weeks we have had a worrying time (in addition to this

horrific pandemic), as our darling kitty, who is 15 1/2, has had several trips

to our vet, including for a general anaesthetic. Our wonderful vet has

 discovered what is wrong, and has prescribed treatments which will

most likely have to continue for the remainder of Cookie's life.

This is the card I have made for Cookie to give to Karleigha when he has to visit

her again later this week (along with a box of choccies). As well as Cookie writing

a "thank you" in the card, he will include an apology for being such a naughty boy

for her. "Co-operation" is not a word in Cookie's dictionary!! At home he is the 

cutest little boy, but for sweet, gentle Karleigha he morphs into a hissing,

growling, biting Cujo...he is so embarrassing!

This is a much loved stamp I have had and used for many years.

As always I have used Promarkers to colour the cute image.

A closer look at my hand-made paper flowers, and their tiny

bead centres.

I have only had the set of cling stamps that this greeting is from

for a few months, but it is becoming a favourite.

Challenges I would like to enter

2 Crafty Critter Crazies - 'Anything Goes' (must include a critter)

Alphabet - ' 'E' is for earth-bound animals'

Crafty Animals #39 - 'Anything Goes' (must include an animal) TOP PICK

Creations in Pink #22 - 'Anything Goes mainly in pink'

Cute Card Thursday #637 - 'Anything Goes'

Penny Black and More - 'Favourite Stamps'

Show Us Your Pussies #55 - 'Furrything Goes'

Sweet Stampers #44 - 'Animals/Birds'

Image - All Night Media 418G

Colouring - Promarkers

Die Cuts - Marianne LR 0116; Cheery Lynn Medium Rose, & Flourish Leaf Strip; Spellbinders Scalloped Rectangle (Long) (cut several times to reduce size and shape)

Punches - Martha Stewart Butterfly Trio; EK Success Scalloped Corner 

Sentiment - Stampin' Up Peaceful Moments (cling set)

Ink (sponging) - Distress Ink Spun Sugar, & Peeled Paint

Tiny beads are from my junk stash

As I have been writing this post (and earlier) I have been entranced by the music of Beethoven. Since 2001 the ABC Classical Radio Station have held a 'Top 100' each year. Listeners are invited to list their favourite classical music, each year having a different theme (movies, dance, opera, 'swoon' etc., or other famous composers). The ABC then play a 'countdown' over an entire weekend, then release the Top 100 as a boxed set of CDs.

Until next time, thank you for visiting,

Hugs (virtual of course),

Jennifer.  xx

Just For You

Here in Australia, today was Mother's Day, so to all the Mums of

human, or fur babies I hope you all had a happy Mother's Day. 

My dear John took me to lunch which I thoroughly enjoyed.

Greeting me this morning was a cute multi-coloured email from our

son and little Granddaughter in London, along with them both singing

"Happy Mum & Grandmama's Day" to the tune of  "Happy Birthday", ending 

with a rousing, and giggly triple Hip Hip Hooray! It set me up for the day.

I would like to say welcome to my newest 'Follower', Stephanie S., and 

hope you enjoy your visits here.

This is another of the many cards I have made for Fat Cats Card Corner.

I always love the colour combo of pink and green.

The 'Just For You' die is so versatile. I cut 2 and layered them

for added dimension.

A closer look at the floral arrangement. 

Dies - Find It Trading Floral Hexagon; Creative Expressions Sue Wilson Passion Flower, Isobel: Marianne Creatables Design Folding Lace Square

Punch - EK Success Scalloped Corner

Ink (sponging) - Tim Holtz Distress Ink Tattered Rose

Paper - Lemoncraft Just Love Me

Pearls and ribbon are from my junk stash

This next week is going to be incredibly busy, so I will say "goodnight" and try to get a good night's sleep.

Until next time, thank you for visiting,

Hugs,

Jennifer.  xx

Purple Irises

I know, I know, I am becoming an increasingly bad blogger...I have

so many cards in my 'drafts', and I never seem to catch up. Most of

them have been made for Fat Cats Card Corner, and tonight's 

offering is one of those.

This card was made using a lovely die set by Marianne Creatables Design. It is such

a versatile die set, as you can see in some of my recent posts. The pretty image is

from a sheet of stickers I have had for so many years I had a lovely surprise

when I found them while looking for something else.

I cut two of the sentiment die and adhered them together

so it was a tad more dimensional.

Dies - Marianne Creatables Design Folding Lace Square; Creative Expression Sue Wilson Frames & Tags - Isobel; 

Image - Penny Black Stickeroo

Punch - EK Success Mini Hole

It is now after midnight, so I am off to bed, as I have a very busy week ahead.

Until next time, thank you for visiting,

Hugs,

Jennifer.  xx

Birthday Bouquet

Hello to all the lovely crafters out there in blogland.

Recently our wonderful GP celebrated her birthday, so as I have done

for the past couple of years (since John became so ill), I made 

her a card. She has such a bright and friendly personality, 

so I wanted my card to reflect those traits.

I bought the gorgeous 'Happy Birthday' die just before John became ill,

so I haven't had the opportunity to use it until now. However, I'm sure 

it will get a lot of use from now on...I love it.

A closer look at my flower arrangement. I handmade the large pink 

flower using punches, and the 3 tiny yellow buds from tissue paper.

Challenges I would like to enter:-

Card Mania #90 - 'Pastel Colours'

Crafts and Me - 'Springtime' 

Crafty Calendar - 'Mum's Day/ or Special Female'

Creative Knockouts #185 - 'Bordertime'

Daisy Chain #6 - 'Make It Feminine'
Dies R Us #69 - 'Borders and/or Edges'  WINNER

Do-Al(l) Kreatives #3 - 'Spring'

Fussy and Fancy #183 - 'Springtime'

Squirrel's Not So Random #4 - 'Spring Fever' (2nd entry)

Dies - Memory Box Happy Birthday Extravaganza; Cheery Lynn Flourish Leaf Strip, Mini Butterflies.

Punches - EK Success Retro Flowers large and medium; Martha Stewart PATP Butterflies

Glitter on Butterflies - Stickles Star Dust

Pearl stems are from my junk stash

A friend remarked a few months ago that with all the bad luck we have had in recent years, we must have driven a tractor through a mirror factory, with not one mirror surviving. John had his 5th surgery last week, but is experiencing complications. The day after he came out of hospital he almost stepped on a Red-bellied Black Snake on our front porch, then the next day, while stationary, we were 'rear-ended' at speed by a driver who admitted that he was not concentrating, but reading a large billboard advertisement. Our car has been severely damaged, and may have to be written-off.

Surely our luck has to change soon, so on that optimistic note, I will say "thank you for visiting", and until next time,

Hugs,

Jennifer. x

How Charming

Our UK visitors left yesterday to return home, and although I am completely

exhausted, it was very sad to see them go. I shall miss them immensely.

Naturally, I did not get a chance to 'play' in my craft room, except for 

fulfilling my DT commitments......almost.......

I managed to load this card onto the Winter Wonderland blog for our 'How

Charming' challenge (which ended last Thursday), but I did not get a

chance to post it into my blog until today.

Michelle from MR Designs sponsored the challenge, and she kindly

gave us a generous selection of her lovely digital papers 

to use on our creations.

I cut the sentiment out by hand, and sponged the edges with Vintage Photo 

distress ink. Without reinking the sponge, I folded it over and pulled the 

stark white twine through it several times, thus using the remainder of  

the distress ink. The holly charm had raised edges, so I applied 

copper and red Stickles to it.

The flowers were cut with punches, sponged with Distress ink,

shaped with McGill tools, and when assembled, I applied

copper Stickles to the centres.

My deer was made with four layers of cardstock and one of shimmery

copper paper. To create even more dimension, I mounted him with

tiny pieces of 3D tape.

Inside the card. 

Paper - MR Designs digital

Sentiment - Crafts 4 Eternity

Dies - Spellbinders Classic Ovals; Sizzix Tim Holtz Alterations Holiday Greens; Marianne Deer LR 0179

Punches - EK Success Retro Flowers Large and Medium

Charm and twine are from my junk stash

Challenges I Would like To Enter

ABC - 'O Is For Open' (Anything Goes) 

A Gem Of A Challenge #150 - 'Animals or Birds'

Animal Friends #29 - 'At The Zoo'

Brown Sugar # 157 - 'Animals'

Crafting For All Seasons #106 - 'Christmas In July'

Through The Purple Haze - 'Flowers'

'Art' is a wonderful journey, don't you think. For me personally I feel I am

evolving all the time. Why I say this is because even just a year ago, I 

would have intensely disliked this style of card, and I have always 

'hated' the colour combination of blue and brown...now I love it...

along with shabby chic, distressed, and mixed media.

Now I have finished my self "psycho-analysis", I will come back to 

earth with a bump to attend to the massive pile of linen that is 

lurking in my laundry. 

Until next time, thank you for visiting,

Hugs

Jennifer. x

Churchyard Garden

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I feel I am becoming increasingly interested in 

mixed media creations, and have just begun to experiment in this field. This is 

my 3rd mixed media creation. I know it is fairly 'straight', but hopefully with 

time, and experience, my work will become 'looser' and 'freer'.

When I was a little girl (soooo long ago!) people used to say I was a 'very strange

child'. This was for many reasons, one of which was that I loved churchyards, and 

that love still remains today. Churchyards to some people are disturbing places, 

but I find them peaceful and beautiful, and some of the older ones have wild 

flowers, ferns, and other pretty vegetation growing in them, not to mention 

the occasional bunnies, birds, and insects.

My card has been greatly influenced by the countless times I have sat quietly

in old churchyards, not only in Australia, but in other countries too.

I distressed the edges of the kraft base, but it doesn't really show up, then

I die-cut the church window and painted the die-cut with Distress Stain

'Brushed Pewter'. To give the impression of light behind the window, I

sponged 2 yellow distress inks onto a scrap of card, covered that with

Tim Holtz' Frosty Film, then attached the window to that. 

For the brickwork, I applied homemade texture paste through a stencil.

The paste was made using the recipe by the wonderful Pamellia, who has

become a major inspiration to me...she has just started her own mixed 

media challenge blog, in addition to her personal blog. When the paste

was dry, I sprayed and sponged it with several distress sprays and inks.

After fitting the window into the aperture, I arranged my handmade

flowers and die-cut foliage, all of which were sponged, painted or 

sprayed with various inks.

All the foliage was finished with a light spritzing of liquid acrylic

pearlescent ink, but unfortunately it barely shows up in the photos...

nor does the lovely shimmer of the Frosty Film in the window.

I have had the dove die for years, and can't believe I have never used it.

It was among the many items I found when I transferred my outside  

studio to our spare bedroom. After cutting it, I roughly painted it 

with silver paint, then applied 2 light coats of 'Abalone' Opals.  

While the Opals was still molten, I carefully placed 1 tiny piece 

of  'Champagne' Glass Glitter (using a toothpick) to represent 

the dove's eye.

Challenges I would like to enter

Allsorts #310 - 'Use At Least 3 Die-cuts'

Anything But Cute #1 - 'Vintage Garden' DT Favourite

City Crafter #261 - 'Focus On Flowers'

Country View Crafts - 'Simply Scenic'

Crafty Cardmakers and More #138 - 'Make Your Own Background'

Fab 'n' Funky #258 - 'May Flowers' TOP 3

Fan-Tastic Tuesday - 'Add Some Flowers'

Inspiration Journal - 'Embossing Paste'

Little Red Wagon #288 - 'Distress It'

Mixed Media World #3 - 'Vintage'

Our Creative Corner - 'April Showers Bring May Flowers'

Suzy Bee's Bloomin' #79 - 'Anything Goes With A Twist...Add Flowers'

The Mixed Media Monthly #12 - 'May Flowers'

Dies - Sweet Stamps Elegant Leaves; Marianne LR 0106, LR 0150, Bosskut Dove

Punch - EK Success Retro Flower Medium

Stencil - Crafter's Workshop Mini Bricks

Embossing Powder - Opals Abalone

White Ink - Colour Box Frost White

Distress Stains - Tim Holtz Brushed Pewter, Festive Berries, Tea Dye

Distress Inks - Tim Holtz Peacock Feathers, Bundled Sage, Peeled Paint, Iced Spruce, Spiced Marmalade, Scattered Straw, Squeezed Lemonade, Mustard Seed, Gathered Twigs, Walnut Stain, Aged Mahogany, Spun Sugar.

Liquid Watercolour - Winsor and Newton Chartreuse

Silver Spray - Daler Rowney Liquid Acrylic Pearlescent

Glass Glitter - Stampendous Frantage Champagne

Frosty Film and Distress Edging Tool - Tim Holtz

Stamens are from my junk stash

It's so good to be back in blogland...thank you for visiting me, and until next time,

Hugs

Jennifer. x

Inky Fingers

'Inky Fingers' was the only title I could use for this post, as that was well and

 truly what I had at the end of the making of this card. However, I seem to be

overcoming my aversion to having messy fingers and hands, as I loved 

getting 'down and dirty', and can't wait to repeat the fun. Before I began

'playing', every single element was stark white, including the card base.

I created puddles of various D.I.s, dragged my cardstock through them several

times, drying with a heat tool each time. Then from a height, I sprayed with

Picket Fence distress stain. When that was dry I sprayed with a little

Pearlescent Liquid Acylic diluted with water, creating a stunning 

shimmery effect, which unfortunately barely shows in the photos. 

When the base was completely dry, I softly stencilled swirls all over, using

portions of butterfly wings on a 12x12 stencil, then sponged around the

edges. 

The flowers are made using EK Success punches and D.I.s, and the

seam binding was stained with several D.I.s.

The bird in flight (as with the little birdhouse) was embossed with Chunky

Blue Frantage, and a tiny sprinkling of lavender Opals. The stamped bird

and sentiment are from a set of clear stamps I have had for about 5 or 6 

years, and never used. I found them (along with quite a few other sets, and

many other items) when I moved my craft room from the old stable to the

 house. Shame on me! The good thing is though, it's like having new stash.

At this stage I have not decorated the inside of my card, as per usual, but

if I decide to do so, I will edit this post.

Challenges I would like to enter:-

Artistic Inspirations #128 - 'Anything Goes With A Twist of Flowers'

Craft For The Craic - 'Bingo' (flowers, ribbon, die-cuts)

Creative Card Crew #84 - 'Handmade Flowers'

Frilly and Funky - 'Put A Ribbon On It'

Fussy and Fancy #135 - 'Girly'

Inspiration Journal - 'Spring Blooms'

Mixed Media World #1 - 'Anything Goes'

That Craft Place - 'Easter/Spring'

The Crafter's Cafe #109 - 'Spring Flowers'

The Shabby Tea Room #248 - 'Beautiful Blooms' (photo inspiration)

Dies - Spellbinders Grand Classical Lace Border; Memory Box Woodland Branch; Sweet Stamps Elegant Leaves; Couture Creations Baby Dove; Marianne LR025, LR0106, LR0107

Stamps - Inkadinkadoo
Punches - EK Success Retro Flowers Medium and Large
Stencil - Crafter's Workshop Butterflies 
Frantage - Stampendous Shabby Blue
Opals - Lavender
Inks and Stains - Versamark; Brilliance Archival Pearlescent Lavender, and Jade; Adirondack Denim; Daler Rowney Pearlescent Liquid Acrylic; Tim Holtz Distress Spray Stain Picket Fence; Tim Holtz Distress Inks Scattered Straw, Antique Linen, Gathered Twigs, Bundled Sage, Dusty Concord, Milled Lavender, Tumbled Glass
Seam Binding and Stamens are from my junk stash

Me thinks I had better go and attend to boring tasks like housework, so thank you for visiting. I have some very exciting news to tell you soon, but at this stage I have to 'zip my lips', so in the meantime, I wish you "Happy Crafting".

******

I would like to mention too that at Winter Wonderland we have a DT Call. We are looking for 2 new teamies who are enthusiastic about making Christmas cards. For full details, pop over to our challenge blog, and if you are interested in joining us you have until 10th April to apply.

******

Hugs
Jennifer. x

Animal Antics

Good evening everyone, and welcome to my newest followers. Thank you

for visiting, and I hope you find something of interest while here.

It's Friday once again, and therefore it is time for another challenge at

Winter Wonderland, and the theme this week is 'ANIMAL ANTICS'.

During January and February your creations could be for any occasion,

but for the remainder of the year, you MUST create 

something for Christmas.

Our generous sponsor this week is 

I love creating Christmas cards, and I had great fun with this one.

This oh, so cute image is by our sponsor, and is coloured

with Promarkers. I have been trying to get my hands on Frantage

for a long time, but here in Australia, it is VERY difficult to find.

However, I remembered a store a few hours drive from here, and found 

that they actually stock it...so thank you Tracey, at Pages 2 Scrap.

Another product I purchased from Tracey was a huge jar of Tim Holtz's

Clear Rock Candy glitter. I used heaps of it on my 'snow', but sadly I

could not capture the amazing effect it creates, in my photographs. I

 created that pine branch (on the right) by using a Cheery Lynn Fringe

die, after seeing a tutorial by the incredibly talented Pamellia.

Inside my card is decorated to co-ordinate with the front.

Image - Wild Rose Studio Bluebell and Presents

Colouring - Promarkers

Paper - Wild Rose Studio Annabelle's Christmas

Dies - Spellbinders Labels Eight, Decorative Labels Eight; Impression Obsession Pine Branch; Cherry Lynn Cutie Fringe 2; Couture Creations Mistletoe

Punches - EK Success Scalloped Corner Rounder; Martha Stewart Branch, PATP Aspen Snowflake (negative)

Embossing - (Brand Unknown) Snowflakes 

Sentiment - Craftwork Cards

Frantage - Stampendous Shabby White

Glitter - Tim Holtz Clear Rock Candy

Mini 'pine cones' are from my garden

Lace and gold cord are from my junk stash

CHALLENGES

52 (Christmas) Card Throwdown - 'Markers' (HONOURABLE MENTION)

Christmas Cards #13 - 'Winter Hues' (photo inspiration) (WINNER)

Christmas Cards All Year Round - 'Cute Critters' (TOP 3)

Completely Christmas #52 - 'Anything Goes with Twist - add some texture (WINNER)

Crafty Catz #269 - 'Song Title To Match Your Image' (That's What Friends Are For) (TOP 3)

Deep Ocean #98 - 'Our Furry Friends'

Fussy and Fancy #133 - 'Tic Tac Toe (lace/ribbon/sentiment) (ribbon on deer & gifts/gold cord?)

Holly Jolly Christmas - 'Dies and Punches' (TOP 3)

Jingle Belles - 'A Very Vibrant Christmas' (photo inspiration) (I used reindeer)

Sparkle 'n' Sprinkle - 'Anything Goes with loose glitter, EP,, and/or flocking

For a chance to win a lovely prize, pop over to Winter Wonderland to see the wonderful inspiration by my very talented teamies, then enter our 'Animal Antics' challenge.

Until next time, "happy crafting",

Hugs

Jennifer. x