Christmas Bells

Recently I spent 4 lovely days at my annual Retreat, or Stamp Camp...

mind you, it is no 'roughing it' type of camp...one could become very 

accustomed to 3 yummy meals per day, no washing up, bottomless

cups of tea, and hours of uninterrupted crafting time. Of course, 

it is also nice to catch up with 'old' crafting buddies.

The retreat was a great opportunity to make some headway

with my Christmas card making.

A closer look at the dear little couple and their tiny tree. I think I

need to add a little more Star Dust Stickles to her hat...that will

teach me not to do anything to my cards without my glasses!

Inside my card matches the front. Here I have used the complete

mistletoe and bells die-cut. On the front of the card I removed

a small piece of the mistletoe to shorten the die-cut.

Challenges I would like to enter

Alphabet - 'R for Round or Rectangle'

An Oldie But A Goodie - 'Christmas' (everything except the bells die is at least 12 months old)

Delicious Doodles #105 - 'Christmas in October'

Little Claire's #50 - 'Christmas'

Penny Black and More - 'Get Ahead For Christmas'

Image - Lili Of The Valley Oh Christmas Tree

Colouring - Promarkers

Paper - First Edition Christmas Village; gold mirror card

Dies - Spellbinders Classic and Scalloped Rectangles; Impression Obssession Mistletoe and Bells

Sentiment - Recycled from old Christmas card

I will be back in a few days with another of the cards I made at the retreat, so until then I wish you "Happy Crafting".

Hugs, 

Jennifer. x

Little Blue Fairy

Towards the end of August, I posted a card that I had made for a friend

at the Fort. She loved it so much, she asked me to make one exactly the

same to give to another of her 'long-time' friends. She was disappointed

when I told her that I never make 2 cards the same, so we came up with

a compromise...I used the same image, and same design, but used blues

(instead of pinks), and a different sentiment.

I must say that by using the same design and embellishments, the card

was relatively easy and quick to create.

A closer look at the cute little fairy with her dandelion clock wand.

Inside the card matches the front.

Challenges

Crafty Calendar - 'Bingo' (sparkle, die-cuts, blue)

Cutie Pie - 'Three of Something' (2 butterflies on front, 1 inside) WINNER

Whoppsi Daisy - 'Things With Wings'

Image - Lili Of The Valley Time Flies

Colouring - Promarkers

Paper - Bella

Sentiment - Computer Generated 

Dies - Spellbinders Classic and Scalloped Circles, Decorative Labels Eight

Punch - Martha Stewart Butterfly Trio

Flower bead 'ribbon' from my junk stash

I must go and attend to some domestic tasks (boring!!!!). I was in a muddle all day yesterday, as I was so exhausted and sore from the frantically busy week and weekend at the Fort. My duty hours were much longer than usual due to some very special events, and the temps were in the unpleasant mid 30s C. We are only 5 weeks into spring here in Australia, so goodness only knows what sort of summer we are in for. Completely opposite to most arthritis sufferers, I feel much better in the cold weather, and dread the summer because my joints swell significantly, with pain levels and stiffness rising accordingly.

Thank you for visiting, and until next time I wish you "Happy Crafting".

Hugs, 

Jennifer. x

50 Happy Years!

Do any of you have the feeling that we are hurtling at warp-speed

 towards Christmas and the end of 2014?          I do!!!!

Since our last challenge at Crafty Little Fairies, the weeks have just flown by,

and once again it is the first Thursday of the month...October...eek!

The theme of our new challenge is a nice easy one:-

USE ONLY ONE DP

We have 5 lovely sponsors this month, so "thank you" to 

In my previous post, I mentioned that John and I came out of 'performing

retirement' to play at the 50th Wedding anniversary celebration of a lovely

couple we have known for about 25 years. We have performed at every

one of their family celebrations over those years. We had a wonderful 

night, seeing all the family again, and performing all their (and our) 

favourite songs. One thing I had forgotten though, was how painful

 it is to stand, singing, for many hours in high heels!

This is the card I made for them.

Unfortunately, the gold roses on the rich burgundy paper do not show 

up very well, Also, the sparkly ribbon is a rich gold, not silver 

(as it appears to be).

A closer look at the sweet couple. I love the little lady's coy stance.

I am quite happy with how my first attempt at making these flowers

turned out. In fact, I have become a bit addicted to them...while at my

annual stamp camp 2 weeks ago, I made a large batch of them, in lots

of different colours. They are made by using 2 Retro flower punches

and Tim Holtz distress inks.

Inside my card matches the front. Once again, I have used my favourite

corner die, by Cuttlebug, one of the first die sets I bought.

Challenges

Crafter's Cafe #84 - 'Punches/die cuts'

Deep Ocean #87 - 'At Least One Flower'

Passion For Promarkers #267 - 'Make It Feminine'

The Crafting Cafe - 'Think Pink'

Image - Lili Of The Valley Aniversary Surprise

Colouring - Promarkers

Sentiment - Lili Of The Valley

Paper - Un-named (single sheet bought at craft show)

Dies - Spellbinders Classic and Scalloped Circles; Cuttlebug Heart, Heritage Corners, Olivia Alphabet (50); Cheery Lynn Wreath Foliage

Punches - EK Success Large and Small Retro Flowers

Flowers - Made by me, and from my junk stash

Ribbon - from my junk stash

For a chance to win one of the lovely prizes, why not visit us at Crafty Little Fairies,

 and enter our 'Use Only 1 DP' challenge, and while you are there be inspired by the 

gorgeous creations by all my 'Fairy' team mates.

Hugs, 

Jennifer. x

Sparkly Butterflies

Well, haven't I been a bad blogger......it is almost a month since I last posted a 

card! However, I think I have a pretty good excuse,....life! Okay, it's not really

an excuse because I know all of you are in the same situation. 

There have been extra activities at the Fort, with some other exciting events

as well. One of the largest papercraft stores in Australia, Catchy Crafts,

asked me to work for them for the annual craft show in Newcastle. I was

their demonstartor for the 4 days...exhausting, but great fun. On the Staurday

night of that weekend, John and I came out of performing retirement for the 

50th wedding anniversary of a couple we have known for about 25 years...

we have played for every one of their families' celebrations (weddings, 

21sts etc) for all those years. We had a lovely night seeing them again.

The following weekend, I went to my annual 'Stamp Camp', and spent 4

fabulous days, catching up with old friends, and getting a good start on my

Christmas card making. I will show you some of my efforts in the

 coming weeks.

Last week, my dear friend and neighbour, Rosalie, celebrated her

 birthday. She LOVES blue and flowers, so I was happy to incorporate

those elements on the card I made for her.

Inside my card matches the front. The four butterflies are all smothered

generously with Star Dust Stickles, but as usual the lovely sparkle

does not show up well in the photos.

Challenges I would like to enter :-

Alphabet - 'Q' for Quadruple (3 butterflies on front, 1 inside)

Crafty Catz #248 - 'Birthday Celebrations'

The Squirrel and the Fox #78 - 'Happy Birthday'

Dies - Spellbinders Classic and Scalloped Circles; Cheery Lynn Butterfly Trio Large and Small

Sentiment - Lili Of The Valley

Paper - Unknown (from my stash)

Gems from my stash

Domesticity calls...I must go and hang the washing on the line. It will dry quickly as the temperature is in the low 30s C today, yet 3 weeks ago it was snowing nearby???

I will be back on Thursday with a new challenge at Crafty Little Fairies, so until then, thank you for visiting.

Hugs, 

Jennifer. x

Father's Day

Yesterday in Australia it was Father's Day. Poor John, he had to stay at

home by himself, as I was on duty at the Fort all day. Not only did 

he have to get his own breakfast (I leave quite early in the 

morning) and lunch, he also had a delicious dinner

ready for me when I arrived home last night.

John loves his TV, and when I first saw this wonderful image, I knew

I had to buy it...it is John personified...shoes off, socked feet on

a footstool, a cup of coffee close by, and remote in hand.

The card base and matting look as if they are black,

but they are actually dark blue.

A close up look at John's 'twin'.

Inside my card matches the front.

Challenges

Corrosive #207 - 'Let's Hear It For The Boys'

Crafty Catz #245 - 'One For The Boys'

Delicious Doodles #100 - 'Colours Of Autumn'

Image - Lili Of The Valley Put Your Feet Up

Colouring - Promarkers

Papers - Papermania Persimmon Collection

Panel for writing message - Papermania Persimmon Collection Notelets

Wooden hearts - prize from Little Claire's

Peel-off sentiment sticker and string are from my junk stash

Until next time, thank you for visiting.

Hugs, 

Jennifer. x

Emma

Wow, I don't want to scare you all too much, but just 16 weeks from today,

it will Christmas Day. I tried to whisper the words very softly, so as to not put

you all in a panic. Mind you, I am starting to feel that way myself...

and September is shaping up to be frantically busy for me, 

with no time for Christmas cardmaking.

Most difficult to believe is the fact that it is once again the first Thursday of the 

month, therefore at Crafty Little Fairies, we have a new challenge for you. 

The theme this month is 'SPARKLE AND BLING'...so you can let

all your 'girlie' creativity loose.

We say "thank you" to 4 lovely sponsors this month, and they are:-

This is the first time this stamp (bought 8 months ago!) has seen ink.

A closer look at little Emma. That bling flourish looks as if it is dull metal, but

in reality, it is made from very sparkly rhinestones.

Inside the card matches the front. I so LOVE this gorgeous paper.

I have had a bag of these pink roses in my stash for about 2 years,

and the white flowers are about 3 or 4 years old.

Challenges

Clear It Out - 'Anything Goes'

Dream Valley #89 - 'Flowers'

Lexi's Creations #124 - 'Sparkle and Shine'

Try It On Tuesday - 'How Does Your Garden Grow?'

Image - Lili Of The Valley Emma Rose Garden

Colouring - Promarkers

Paper - First Edition Floral Pavilion

Sentiment - Lili Of The Valley

Dies - Spellbinders Classic and Scalloped Circles, Flourish; Cheery Lynn Butterflies; Sweet Stamps Elegant Leaves

Punches - EK Success Vinca; Martha Stewart Branch

Flowers, rhinestone flourish, from my junk stash

For a chance to win a lovely prize, why not visit us at Crafty Little Fairies, have a look at the lovely inspiration by my Fairy teamies, then enter our Sparkle and Bling challenge.

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

Hugs, 

Jennifer. x

Goodbye Winter, Hello Spring!

Today is the first day of spring, so to welcome spring I have a 'flowery' card.

Recently I made a card using this oh-so-cute image by Lili of the Valley.

I actually stamped 2 images, and the first was such a joy to colour, 

I decided to create another card, this time using mainly blues.

The papers were free with a magazine.

A close-up view of little Teddy and his over-sized bouquet.

Inside the card is decorated to match the front.

Challenges

Crafts 4 Eternity #191 - 'Tic Tac Toe' (punch, blue, die-cuts)

Crafty Ribbons #100 - 'Birthday'

Cute Card Thursday #336 - 'Anything Goes'

Delightful - 'Layer It!'

Lili Of The Valley - 'Pretty Papers'

Image - Lili Of The Valley Teddy Bouquet

Colouring - Promarkers

Sentiment - Lili Of The Valley 

Paper - LOTV/Nitwit Bonnets and Bows

Dies - Spellbinders Classic Circles, Lacey Circles, Cheery Lynn Butterfly, Sweetstamps Elegant Leaves 

Punches - Martha Stewart PATP Pansies, EK Success Retro Flower-Large and Medium

Ribbon, gems, brad, peel-off border sticker all from my junk stash

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

Hugs, 

Jennifer. x