Gold Stars

Good evening, I hope you all had a happy festive season.

It is almost 9 months since I posted anything on my blog, because 2023 was a year like no other.

I have had multiple ambulance trips to hospital for herniated discs in my neck and lower spine; a malignant melanoma removed; plus liver, kidney and thyroid problems. Worst of all, my beloved husband of more than 51 years became so frail, requiring 24 hour care that we had no choice but to move him into a nursing home. Although extremely weak physically, he is mentally as 'sharp' as he always has been (passing all cognitive tests with 100%), so it breaks my heart that I am no longer able to physically care for him, and that we cannot spend our final years living together.

I did however manage to make all our Christmas cards, plus many birthday (and sadly) sympathy cards throughout the year. The card below uses a die I bought in a sale, and this is its first time in use.

I saved all the star centres, and used them as embellishments on other cards.

Challenges I would like to enter:-

ABC Christmas - 'Y' (your choice) or 'Z' (is for zebra)

Christmas Kickstart #82 - The Midas Touch

The Holly and the Ivy #153 - Anything (Christmas) Goes

Merry Little Christmas #54 - Anything (Christmas) Goes

Dies - Uniquely Creative Star Wreath; Stampin' Up 

DSP - First Edition Christmas Village (very old)

Gold Mirror Card - from my junk stash

Sentiment - Stampin' Up Stars Are Shining

I will try to blog more regularly, so until next time, thank you for visiting.

Hugs,

Jennifer. x

Happy Easter

Good afternoon. In my previous post I showed you one of the 5 chocolate

box/cards I made for an order. That one was in pinks, and this afternoon

I have 2 more to show you...1 is in purple tones, and the other is in green,

yellow and orange tones.

While all 5 box/cards are in various colours, the actual boxes are all

exactly the same size and design. I bought a large block of chocolate,

and experimented with scraps of cardstock until I had a perfect size

for that particular chocolate block which is probably the most common

one in Australia.

A closer look at the floral arrangement.

Inside the box/card, showing the little pocket with its tag

on which to write a personal message; and the large pocket

that holds the block of chocolate.

This is the 'green' box/card.

A close-up look at the pretty flowers and foliage.

Challenges I would like to Enter:-

Craft Rocket #102 - 'Layer It Up'

Fab 'n' Funky #570 - 'Use Die Cuts'

Make My Monday #197 - 'P' is for... (purple, pocket) (2nd entry)

My Time To Craft #505 - 'Easter or Spring Flowers'

The Paper Funday #52 - 'Anything Goes; with optional twist, Flower Power'

Through the Purple Haze #203 -'For Girls'

DSP - Stampin' up; First Edition Spring Drop

Sentiments - LOTV; Peel-off sticker

Dies - Stampin' Up; Spellbinders; Creative Expressions; Cheery Lynn; Dies R Us

Flowers, ribbons, brads, pearls are from my junk stash

Until next time, thank you for visiting,

Hugs, Jennifer. xx

P.S. If you are wondering what happened to the block of chocolate I used to create the template for my box/card.....you'll have to keep wondering, 'cause that's my secret 😁😁😄.

 

Pink Easter Blessings

Good evening. Last Christmas a lovely lady here at our retirement village

bought 2 of my chocolate box/cards. Early in the new year she said the 

recipients loved them, and I was thrilled when she asked me to make 

5 more with an Easter theme. 

I made all 5 box/cards in different base colours, with different DSPs, and  

very different designs. My 'customer' loved them. This is the pink-themed

one. This DSP has the most gorgeous, all-over sparkle, but unfortunately

it does not show at all in the photos.

A closer look at my floral arrangement with those cute

little die-cut eggs.

This is the inside, showing on the right the 'box' which fits a large

block of chocolate, and on the left is a 'pocket' with the tag

on which a personal message can be written.

Challenges I would like to enter:-

Beautiful Blossoms #3 - Anything Goes (flowers must be the focus)

Cardz 4 Galz #195 - Spring Flowers

Creations In Pink #56 - Anything Goes, Mainly Pink

Double 'D' - Easter

Make My Monday #197 - ' 'P' is for... (Pink, Paper, 'Pocket')

Wednesday's Creative Inspirations - Spring Blooms

Ingredients

DSP - First Edition Spring Drop

Dies - Creative Expressions Easter, assorted foliage dies

Sentiment - from a VERY old childrens' Easter set from bargain store

Flowers, ribbon, twine and gem from my junk stash

Until next time, thank you for visiting,

Hugs,

Jennifer. x

 

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

Green Chocolate Card/Box

Good Evening.

Recently I showed you a chocolate card/box I made using pink blue, and 

silvers. I made 6 of these in all, and while they were all made using the

same template, all are in different colours.

This one is made using a luxurious linen-like paper.

A closer look at my handmade poinsettias, and mixed foliage.

Inside my card/box with the message tag, and a yummy chocolate in situ.

Another close up look at the flowers, and the tiny die-cut sentiment.

Challenges I would like to enter:-

Allsorts #600 - Christmas Flowers, Wreaths, and Trees

Beccy's Place - Day 30 'Do what you love' (Anything Goes)

Dies - Cheery Lynn Poinsettia Strip; Tim Holtz Holiday Greens; Stampin' Up Sweetest Border; Spellbinders Holiday Sentiments, Scalloped Ovals; Creative Expessions Pine Cones and Greenery

Paper - First Edition Christmas Village

Ink for sponging - Distress ink Aged Mahogany, Peeled Paint, Iced Spruce, Forest Moss

Ribbon, 'berries', gold cord, eyelets are all from my junk stash

Goodness, we are less than an hour until December...how did that happen??????

Until next time, Thank you for visiting,

Hugs,

Jennifer.  x

Chocolate Box

 

Good afternoon all. I know I've once again been M.I.A., but I will not bore

you with the details of why.

My offering today is something I have not created before...I'm not sure what

is the correct name, so I will just call it a Chocolate Box. 

I saw some examples on Pinterest, but none contained a brand of chocolate

that I wanted to use, so I experimented with scraps of cardstock til I had the

correct dimensions. Once I had 'mastered' the technique, it was quite 

quick to produce, so I made several using various patterned papers.

Inside the box showing the large 'pocket' for the chocolate, 

and the smaller 'pocket' for the gift tag, on which I will write

our personal Christmas greeting.

A closer look at my festive floral arrangement. The other boxes

I made use more traditional Christmas colours, but I did enjoy 

creating this one using the blue, pink and silver combination.

Challenges I would like to enter:-

Beccy's Place - "Day 12 Try Something New"

Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas #516 - "Anything Christmas Goes"

Fezziwigs Festive Frolics  - "Anything But A Card"

Little Red Wagon #575 - 'Non Traditional Colours"

Moving Along With The Times #124 - "Christmas Flowers"

The Holly and The Ivy #83 - "Anything Christmas Goes"

Christmas Craft Creations (must show logo) - "Anything But A Card" DT Favourite

Dies - Spellbinders Layered Poinsettia; Sizzix Tim Holtz Alterations Holiday Greens; Stampin' Up Sweetest Borders: Elizabeth Craft Designs Season's Greetings

Paper - First Edition Christmas Village 

Ink - (sponging) - Distress Ink Tumbled Glass

Pearl, ribbon, and fine silver cord are from my stash

I must go and water my pot plants, as an extremely hot day is predicted for tomorrow, so until next time, thank you for visiting.

Hugs,

Jennifer.  

Santa Again

I had a lovely day today, my birthday. John took me to a beautiful

restaurant only about 5 minutes drive away. It is on the waterfront,

literally. It is built over the water, and has its own mini-marina, so

boat owners actually moor right alongside, then just walk a few

metres into the restaurant. 

Our darling kitty also celebrated his birthday today - 15 years old, 

and still very active. We don't know his actual birthdate, but it was

around Christmas, so I decided to let him share my birthday.

This is another of the cards I made using purchased Christmas cards which I 

then cut down (see previous post). The originals were very large cards, so 

I just used a portion of the image.

I sponged the poinsettias with Aged Mahogany distress ink, and the

foliage, twigs, and the DSP with Gathered Twigs distress ink. The

stamens are coloured with alcohol ink. I created the veins in the 

leaves with a small ball tool.

The greeting was on the inside of the original card.

Image - Cut from a purchased Christmas card

Paper - First Edition Christmas Village (I think)

Dies - Memory Box Woodland Branch; Marianne Poinsettia; X-Cut Leaf Strip; Tim Holtz Holiday Greens

There is less than half an hour of my birthday left, so I will bid you all good night.

Until next time, thank you for visiting,

Hugs,

Jennifer.  xx

Barefoot Bunny

It's the second Wednesday of the month, and of course that means we have

a new challenge for you at Words 2 Craft By. 

Our quote this month is by Leslie Grumutter...

"My own prescription for health is less paperwork and more

running barefoot through the grass"

I couldn't agree more with this philosophy.

Perhaps I should have made the title of this post 'Barefoot paw Bunny'. 

He looks so happy, doesn't he? The flowers were die-cut with a 'strip' die, their 

centres coloured with Promarkers, shaped, then attached to the card. I mixed

Platinum and yellow Stickles together for the centres. I applied yellow 

Stickles to the 'Celebrate' die-cut with a toothpick.

I have had this ever-so-cute digi image for ages, and have never used 

it...yes, I have given myself a slap on the wrist for being so 

neglectful. As always I have used my Promarkers 

to colour the little bunny and daffodils.

Image - Lili Of The Valley Spring Bunny With Daffodils

Colouring - Promarkers

Dies - Spellbinders Classic and Scalloped Rectangles; Cheery Lynn Celebrate, Medium Rose Strip

Paper - First Edition Hideaway 12x12 stack

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

Until next time, thank you for visiting,

Hugs,

Jennifer.  x

Olde World Pink Roses

Good afternoon fellow crafters. 

We are all still in the grip of this hideous heat wave which seem to be 

never-ending...40oC +!! What would we do without airconditioning??

While I have been trying to keep cool I have made some more cards for

Fat Cats Card Corner. One of the dies Kaaren sent me was the gorgeous

Folding Lace Square set by Marianne...it is so versatile in the many 

ways that it can be incorporated into a design.

Due to the design of the lovely die this was a fairly quick card to make, but I think

is so pretty and feminine. It could be used for so many different occasions.

A closer look at the focal point roses, and one of the die-cuts

from the set.

Dies - Marianne Folding Lace Square; Spellbinders Classic Square

Image - First Edition Floral Pavillion 12 x 12 stack

Challenges I would like to enter

Back To Basics & Beyond #19 - 'Shaped Card'

Crafting By Designs - 'Corners, Borders and Frames'

As per usual for this time of the afternoon our kitty is pestering me for his dinner, so until next time, thank you for visiting.

Hugs,

Jennifer.  xx

Olde World Santa

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas, are now preparing for

New Year celebrations. Although Christmas is over for another year,

I have a few Christmas cards in my 'drafts', and this is one of those.

I am on the design team for Fat Cats Card Corner, and this card was actually made 

to demonstrate a new die which was in the latest batch of dies that Kaaren sent me.

The jolly old Santa is from a 12x12 paper stack I have had for several

years. He reminds me so much of the Christmas cards from my 

childhood, many, many years.

Dies - Find It Trading-Janine's Art Floral Hexagon; Marianne Creatables Design Folding Lace Square (foliage); Cheery Lynn Holly Leaves; Spellbinders Layered Poinsettia

Paper - First Edition Christmas Village

Image - First Edition Christmas Village

Ink (sponging) - Distress Inks Aged Mahogany; Peeled Paint

Gold brads are from my junk stash

I must go and take the washing off the clothesline, then begin pampering myself in a vain attempt to look glamerous...John is taking me out to dinner as it is my birthday today.

Until next time, thank you for visiting,

Hugs,

Jennifer.  xx

Any Worms For Me, Mr. Bear?

Good evening all. Today has been the most perfect autumn day, weatherwise...

the only thing that could make it even more perfect would be if we lived in a

part of the world where the trees changed into their beautiful autumn 

colours. Oh well, we can't have everything, can we.

My card is for no-one in particular. I just felt like having a session of colouring for fun,

and what could be more fun than colouring this wonderful PSX image. This is one of 

my favourite bear stamps, and it has lived for me for many, many years. Sadly, PSX

disappeared from the scene many years ago...such a shame, as the quality of their

stamps was A1.

A close up look at this cute bear with his little friend begging for

a worm or two for breakfast. Don't you just love 

Mr. Bear's huge feet! 

Inside my card co-ordinates with the front. The flowers on the

background paper are heavily glittered, but as almost always

I just couldn't pick up the shimmer with the camera.

Challenges I would Like To Enter

Hannah and Friends #272 - 'Glitter'

Kitty Bee #93 - 'In The Garden'

Passion For Promarkers #393 - 'Make It Bloom'

Sweet Stampers #6 - 'Animals' (2nd entry)

Through The Purple Haze #124 - 'Glitter'

Image - PSX GO521

Colouring - Promarkers

Paper - First Edition Blank Canvas

Dies - Spellbinder Classic and Scalloped Squares; Marianne LR0106, CR1253, LR0205; Cheery Lynn Stacker Flower #1 Leaf

Distress Ink - Gathered Twigs

Micro beads and peel-off sticker are from my junk stash

Later this evening I will have another card to show you, so until then thank you for visiting.

Hugs,

Jennifer. x

Farewell Doctor Rosie

Good evening to all my fellow bloggers. 

You are all probably wondering about the strange title of my post...

Previously I have shown you birthday/Christmas cards that I have made for our

wonderful G.P. She is only in her early 30's, and told us to call her Rosie. However,

because we are of an older generation, and I as an ex Registered Nurse (Sister), wished 

to show her the respect of using her correct title, we came to the compromise of calling

her "Doctor Rosie", which she loved. About 6 weeks ago her secretary phoned us to 

say that she was leaving the Family Practice, and wanted to see us before she left. 

We were bereft at the prospect as she has been much more than 'just' our G.P. over

these past few difficult years. We realised that she felt likewise because she asked

her secretary to book us as her last patients and just spent some time sitting and

chatting with us. At the end of our 'appointment', she hugged us both, and she

and I shared quite a few tissues. We wish her much success...she deserves it!

This is the card I made her to say "Thank You".

A closer look at the main floral arrangement.

A closer look at the gorgeous pearl flourish, and smaller floral arrangement.

Inside my card where I wrote our heartfelt message of gratitude

and good luck.

Challenges I would like to enter

Card Mania #91 - 'April Showers Bring May Flowers'

Daisy Chain # 7 - 'Spring is in the Air'

Eclectic Ellapu - 'Shabby Chic/Vintage'

Fussy and Fancy #184 - 'Embellish It!'  TOP 5

International Art and Soul #5 -' Distressing'  DT FAVOURITE

In the Pink #116 - 'Flower Power'  PERFECT PINKIE

Making Memories Crafting #3 - 'Add Some Layers'

Through The Purple Haze #121 - 'Springtime'

Try It On Tuesday - 'Botanical'

Paper - First Edition Desert Blooms

Distress Ink - Vintage Photo
Promarker for colouring of flower stamens - Vanilla
Pearl Flourish - Bella! Bling Frame
Flowers, leaves and peel-off sticker are from my junk stash

Until next time, thank you for visiting,
Hugs,
Jennifer x