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

Bunnies In Love

 

Good evening to all out there in 'Blogland'. This is my first post for 2021.

We can only hope that this year will be kinder to everyone.

Do you find that while some months contain no, or very few occasions

for which we need to make a card, other months are totally opposite?

Other than for Christmas, January and July are the months where I

need to frantically have my creative juices not flowing, but gushing.😰

I have a couple of very long-term friendships, and this card is for dear friends'

50th wedding anniversary. I met Lyn in 1967 when she started working at

an office where I had worked for a year. We became firm friends, and in

mid 1969, we both commenced our nursing training, during which she met

her lovely John. Graduating in 1972, Lyn and I went our separate ways 

geographically, but have always maintained our close friendship, 

via emails, snail-mail, and phone calls. 

This oh-so-cute image was a doddle to colour, as always with my

Promarkers. I really am so naughty, as I have had this stamp for

several years, and this is the first time it has seen ink!

Challenges I would like to enter:-

2 Crafty Critter Crazies #46 - 'Anything Goes' (must have animal/s)

Addicted To Stamps and More #396 - 'Make Your Mark'

Crafty Calendar - 'Make It Cute'

Cute Card Thursday #668 - 'Anything Goes'

The Library #74 - 'Pick A Previous Book' (Watership Down)

Image - Lili Of The Valley Bunnies In Love (unmounted rubber)

Colouring - Promarkers

Dies - Spellbinder Classic and Scalloped Rectangles

Punch - Martha Stewart P.A.T.P. set. 

Gold foil board - Crafter's Choice

I will be back in a few days with another of the many cards, I have created since New Year. Also, next week I can tell you some exciting news.

Until then, thank you for visiting,

Hugs (socially distanced of course),

Jennifer.  xx

Lazy Daisy

Good morning, I hope you are all still safe and well, and keeping

busy with your crafting.

Gosh, don't the years rush by so fast. On Monday, my dear friend, Diane,

celebrates a milestone birthday. I won't say which one, but let's just say we

met in January, 1963, during our 1st week in High School. I sometimes

tease her about being the 'old lady' as my birthday is not until December.

It was our love of horses (and music too) that bonded Diane and

me, so when I saw this cute digi stamp, I had to buy it.

Challenges I Would Like To Enter

2 Crafty Critter Crazies #38 - 'Anything Goes' (must have critter)

Addicted to Stamps and More #387 - 'Make Your Mark'

Crafty Animals #38 - 'Anything Goes'

Crafty Sentiments - 'For Girl'

Cute Card Thursday #632 - 'Feminine'

Cut It Up #199 - 'Friends'

I Love Promarkers #409 - 'Anything Goes' with option of use 3 of a kind (3 clouds)

Passion For Promarkers #540 - 'Animals'  TOP 5

Image - Lili Of The Valley Lazy Daisy 

Colouring - Promarkers

Sentiment - Stampin' Up

Dies - Memory Box Puffy Clouds; Crafts 4U Stitched Ovals, Stitched Squares

Paper - unnamed, from a packet of pearlised paper at a closing down sale years ago

On this cold and very windy day, thank you for visiting.

Hugs (virtual of course),

Jennifer.  xx 

Glittered Baubles

Gosh, there are less than six days left until the big day.

Where have the days gone?

Hello, and thank you to my new followers.

I hope you enjoy your visits to my blog.

This is another of the cards I made using the technique I demonstrated at a

craft show a few months ago...peel off stickers, ultra fine glitter and

alcohol pens. I really enjoy doing these, and for very little

effort, the results are so effective.

Unfortunately the amazing sparkle of the glitter

does not photograph well.

Image - Peel off stickers 

Colouring - Promarkers

Paper - Lili of the Valley

Dies - 'Snowflakes' cut from Crafts 4U white glitter card using various brand dies

Sentiment - From a recycled Christmas card

Glitter - Crafts 4U Glitter Dust

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

Hugs,

Jennifer.  xx

Post Box Bunnies

At the moment I'm like a bus, aren't I...no easel cards for ages, then two in a row!

I made this card for the wonderful couple at our little local Post Office. 

I am sure, without a doubt, we have the happiest P.O. in Australia. 

No matter what the situation, Monica and Russell always have time 

for a laugh, they remember customers' names, and regularly go

'above and beyond' for excellent service.

A close-up of the cutest little bunnies posting their Christmas cards. 

Some of you may wonder why I coloured the post box green?? well...

Monica is from Ireland, and post boxes there are green.

The mini pine cones are from our farm from which we sadly moved almost

four years ago. I made the 'pine branches' from a fringe die twisted around

florists' wire. The red beads are recycled from a strand of Christmas 

decorations, and the 'snowballs' are from an old lap dinner tray.

This is how the card looks when fully opened. The sentiment is 

quite thick, so it was a perfect choice for the 'stopper'.

Image - Lili of the Valley Bunnies Post Box
Colouring - Promarkers
Paper - Kaisercraft (very old)
Dies - Spellbinders Classic and Scalloped Rectangles; Cheery Lynn Cutie Fringe II; Joy Crafts Snowflakes 6002/2019 & 6002/2018; Marianne Design Tiny's Trees CR 1287
Punch - Martha Stewart Fern
Sentiment - Tim Holtz ideology Christmas
Snow Paste - Cadence Icy Snow Paste
Gold cord, mini pine cones, mini 'snowballs', sequin, berry clusters, and beads are from my junk stash

Challenges I would like to enter
Christmas at Sweet Stampin' - 'Critters'
Creative Fingers - 'Anything Goes'
Passion For Promarkers - 'Anything Goes'

Apparently this coming week we are going to experience an unprecedented heat wave. That prediction is pretty scary, because already our spring and the first two weeks of summer have been unbelievably hot. It is only mid-morning, but I am off to close the house up, and turn on the air conditioning.

Until next time, thank you for visiting,
Hugs,
Jennifer.  xx

Gifts Galore

Once again it is the second Wednesday of the month (December can you believe)

 and therefore it is time for another challenge at Words 2 Craft By. However, it is

a rather sad challenge, as it will be our last. After quite a few years we have 

decided that "all good things must come to an end", as the old adage goes.

The quote for our last challenge is appropriate for the season...

"For it is in giving that we receive" 

from the beautiful prayer by Saint Francis of Assisi.

(I am sorry for the poor quality of the photographs, but for many weeks

much of eastern New South Wales has been choked by dense smoke

from the deadly bushfires we are still experiencing, with no end in sight).

I decided to create an easel card. They are such fun to make,

but notoriously difficult to photograph effectively.

A close-up look at the cute little 'meeces' preparing their Christmas

gifts. Don't you just love the end view of the mouse on the lower left.

A side-on view of my card. I cut two of the icicles strip from 

glitter card, and adhered them together to create the 'stopper'.

The inside of the card when it is opened. The blank area is where

I wrote our personal Christmas message.

This is how the card looks when it is removed from the envelope,

before it becomes an easel card. The greeting is cut from a bought

Christmas card. It is French, because the card is for our little 

Granddaughter who is half French, but lives in London.

 She speaks both French and English beautifully.

Image - Lili of the Valley Happy Christmouse digi stamp

Colouring - Promarkers, and Distress Ink Gathered Twigs and white gesso to colour deer

Dies - Spellbinders Labels Eight, Decorative Labels Eight, Classic Rectangles, Scalloped Rectangles; Impression Obsession Fir Trees 084-V,  Mini Snowflakes 100-F; Memory Box Deer Trio (large deer only); Joy Crafts Icicles; 

Paper - I think it is Imaginise (several years old)

Sentiment - Cut from bought Christmas card

Peel-off border sticker is from my junk stash

Challenges I would like to enter

Christmas At Sweet Stampin' - 'Critters'

Because this is our final challenge, we have three prizes for challenge entrants, AND three prizes for W2CB followers!..so why not pop over to Words 2 Craft By, be inspired by my teamies' creations, then enter your own interpretation of our last quote. 

Thank you to all of you who have supported us over the years with your wonderful challenge entries, and also to our many Guest Designers. 

In closing, I would like to thank our lovely Sybrina, and Bobbi for all their dedication and hard work over the years as our co-ordinators. they have been an absolute joy to work with.

Until next time, thank you for visiting, and also welcome to my new followers.

Hugs,

Jennifer.  xx

Ahoy, Matey!

Wow, these months are flying by at an alarmingly fast rate, aren't they!

I was informed this morning that we have only 15 weeks until

Christmas Day (I thought if I wrote the words in tiny print the time

would go a bit slower...no, you don't think so??...eeeek!).

Once again it is the second Wednesday of  the month, and therefore

that means it is time for a new challenge at Words 2 Craft By.

Our theme this month is such a fun one, inspired by 

National 'Talk Like a Pirate' Day in the US on 19 September...

'Ahoy, Matey!' 

Our challenge theme has popped up at a perfect time, because I am sending the card

to a dear little boy who lived near us when we lived back on our farm. He loves 

pirates! We have known him since he was born...where has that time gone????

A close-up look at this ever-so-cute little pirate 'encouraging' his

rather reluctant puppy to walk the plank.

 I printed the sentiment on my computer. 

One of the many 'piratey' images on the fabulous

scrapbook paper I have had for ages, and never used.

Image - Lili Of The Valley digi Walk The Plank

Colouring - Promarkers

Dies - Spellbinder Scalloped Squares and Scalloped Circle; Cuttlebug Alphabet Olivia 

Paper - Art Stamps Australia

Sentiment - Computer generated Kristen ITC font

For a chance to win a fab prize of an e-voucher for a retailer of your choice, why not check out my teamies' creations for inspiration, then enter your own interpretation of our challenge at Words 2 Craft By.

Until next time, thank you for visiting,

Hugs,

Jennifer.  x 

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

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

If Snowflakes Were Kisses

Back in December I won a challenge with this card, and, 

finally the day has arrived to reveal my exciting news at which I hinted last week...

As a result of my win, I have been invited to join the design team at 

WORDS 2 CRAFT BY!

When the lovely Sybrina invited me to join the DT, I was not sure if I was ready to

begin 'DTing' again, but Words 2 Craft By is such an organised challenge,

I was thrilled to say "yes thank you".

(While I have previously been on several Design Teams, I had to resign because of

John's serious health problems resulting in the sale of our farm and moving 

into a retirement village.)

Words 2 Craft By is a monthly challenge, beginning on the second Wednesday of the

month, finishing on the first Wednesday of the following month. There is a slight

variation to usual challenge blog themes in that they consist of a quote. These

quotes, sometimes quite well known and often by famous people, can be 

interpreted in any way you wish.

The theme for this month is 

"If snowflakes were kisses, I'd send you a blizzard" 

so my first DT card was a joy to create. I immediately knew what image I 

would use...a cute one from Lili Of The Valley.

I used the challenge theme as the sentiment on my card.

A closer look at the lovely image, which I coloured with Promarkers. I

haven't hand-coloured any stamped images for ages, but I enjoyed

colouring this one so much, I will be doing more in the future.

Inside my card is very simple, with plenty of room to write

a personal message.

Challenges I would like to enter

52 Christmas Card Throwdown - 'Shades of Blue'  HONOURABLE MENTION

A Passion For Promarkers #431 - 'Add An Embellishment'

A Snowflakes Promise #48 - 'Anything Goes'

Hanna and Friends #290 - 'Winter'

Happy Little Stampers Christmas - 'Anything Goes' (with optional hearts)

Kreativeinkauf #59 - 'Winter'

The Holly and the Ivy #23 - 'Anything Christmas Goes' TOP 5

Image - Lili Of The Valley Festive Post

Colouring - Promarkers

Paper - Lili Of The Valley (discontinued)

Dies - Joy Crafts 6002; Impression Obssession Mini Snowflakes; Crafts 4 U Stitched Circles; Spellbinder Butterflies Circles

Punches - Martha Stewart PATP Aspen Snowflakes 

Sentiment - Computer generated (I cannot remember the font I used)

Glitter - Stickles Stardust; Tim Holtz Rock Candy

Pearls and peel-off stickers are from my junk stash

If you would like to enter a slightly different challenge, with a chance to win a lovely prize, pop over to Words 2 Craft By and let us see your creation (it does not have to be a card).  You may want to also visit my teamies' blogs.

Until next time, "happy crafting" and

Hugs from

Jennifer. xx

Touchdown

My goodness, we are already almost half way through 

January. Where do the days go??

Yesterday, a dear little boy who lives near where used to live on the farm, 

turned 11. It seems such a short time ago that he was excited about 

starting 'big school'. Like most little boys he loves ball sports, 

so this is the card I made for him.

I have had this cute rubber stamp for several years, and am very ashamed

to admit that it has never seen ink before. The image is coloured with 

promarkers, which I have not used for a long time.

Inside the card co-ordinates with the front.

I created the greeting with my computer, but cannot remember

which font I used. The stars were silver, but I coloured them

with promarkers to match the paper.

Challenges I would like to enter

Brown Sugar #274 - 'Birthday'

Little Red Wagon #428 - 'Boy Oh Boy'

Passion For Promarkers #426 - 'Masculine'

Image - Lili Of The Valley Rugby Mad

Colouring - Promarkers

Paper - Die Cuts With A View The Glitter Stack

Sentiment - Computer generated

Stars - Peel-off stickers are from my junk stash

I hope you are all beginning to settle nicely into your 'normal' routines after a probably hectic festive season.

Until next time, thank you for your visit.

Hugs,

Jennifer. x