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

Bird and Holly

I just heard on the radio that there are only 17 days 'til

the big day...EEK, I'm not ready!!

Back in September I demo'd for a major scrapbooking/craft shop

(based in Sydney), at the big 4 day craft show in Newcastle. I have

been their demonstrator for about 5 years. One of the techniques

they asked me to demo, was an oldie (for some people), but a 'goodie'...

I decided to make a few of my Christmas cards using that technique -

peel-off stickers, ultra-fine glitter, and alcohol pens. 

This is one of those cards. 

Cards made this way are always well received by my friends.

A close-up look at the lovely image. Sadly, as always, the incredible

sparkle of the glitter does not show up in the photos.

Image - Peel-off sticker, Starform 8546

Colouring - Promarkers

Paper - Simple Stories Vintage Christmas-Tis The Season

Glitter - Crafts 4 U Glitter Dust (clear)

Die - Cuttlebug Vintage Corners (very old!) negative

Sentiment - Tim Holtz ideology Quote Chips Christmas

Peel-off border sticker

As I am writing this, I am listening to a recording of 'Carols From Kings'...the soaring voices are the best way I can think of to put one in the Christmas spirit. John and I went to Evensong at Kings (in Cambridge) in 1998, and we both remember that experience with great fondness.

Until next time, thank you for visiting and I hope your Christmas preparations are better advanced than mine.

Hugs, 

Jennifer.  x

Lost and Found

Hello all my crafting friends out there. In case you hadn't noticed,

it is now December, and we are in the countdown to the big day.

In my last post, I hinted that I would have something VERY different

to show you...Well, here it is......

'LOST AND FOUND'

I have become very interested in this form of mixed media, using 'found

objects', or what some people may call 'junk'. It is quite a departure from

my usual style, don't you think? My base canvas is quite large,

76cm x 52cm (30inches x 20inches).

You may want to make yourself a cup of tea or coffee, as my

post is quite photo heavy.

I used the fan from a computer, as well as 

many other electronic components.

When he stayed with us in July, our son gave me a big bag

of small-value coins he has collected over many years

on his travels around the world.

A lightening strike nearby 'killed' our phone recently,

so I dismantled it for useful bits and pieces.

Aluminium pie cases, and coffee pod filters are useful.

I cut lots of chipboard die-cuts and layered them for dimension.

Old belts with interesting buckles cannot escape!

There are approximately 20 items I made using silicone

molds, and paper clay. The large rose, the heart frame

and the little bird are just a few.

For added interest on the centre of my work, I used 

texture paste and stencils.

Media used :- Prima - Heavy Gesso Black

                       Prima - Art Alchemy Metallique Acrylic Paint Deep Water

                       Prima - Art Alchemy Opal Magic Wax Turquoise Satin

                       Jacquard - Lumiere Metallic Rust

                       Jacquard - Lumiere Metallic Bronze

                       Helmar - 450 Quick Dry Adhesive

This piece took about 6 weeks to create, as I am on an almost vertical learning curve, but in it's creation I learned so much. I have also decorated a couple of bottles and small canvases in a similar style...I will show them to you at a later date.

I have a very busy week ahead, as do probably most of you, so I will say "goodnight" and "thank you" for visiting.

Until next time,

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

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 

Classical Piano

Just over a week ago it was Fathers' Day, here in Australia. 

This is the card I made for my dear husband, John.

For those of you who have read my blog in the past you would probably know

that John and I were professional musicians, working as a duo for over 40 years.

John originally trained as a classical pianist, and the first time he played 

Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata for me, he made me cry...he played

it so beautifully.

This image is from one of several A4 sheets of musical

images I bought many years at a craft show in Esher, 

in the U.K. I had forgotten about them until recently, 

and thought this one would be perfect for John's card.

Image - Unnamed topper

Paper - Peppercorn Petites

Sentiment - Peel-off sticker

I will be back again on Wednesday with my card for the Word 2 Craft By challenge, so until then thank you for visiting.

Hugs,

Jennifer.  x

'S' is for Scarlette

In my last post I mentioned that we had had some very special visitors from 

London staying with us for a few weeks...our son, Craig and our

granddaughter, Scarlette. We only see them on alternate years, so 

the time with them is quite precious.

Scarlette celebrated her 9th birthday a week before she arrived here, and like many 

little girls she enjoys crafty activities, so prior to her visit I bought the wooden 'S'.

I 'let her loose' in my craft room, and here she is proudly displaying her creation.

A close-up look at her rather brilliant work. She chose the colours, and placement

of the embellishments herself. My only contribution was wiring the pearl sprays.

Scarlette was entranced by the magical way the Prima Opal Magic Blue Violet 

paint (blue in the jar) turned purple when painted onto the black gesso.

Back home in London, Scarlette was so excited to attach her

lovely creation to her bedroom door. 

Both John and I miss our darling family, and as an avid crafter, I am VERY proud of Scarlette's creativity. Don't you agree she did a lovely job??? She is also very excited to know that I am including her on my blog.

Until next time,

Hugs,

Jennifer.  x