Blue Butterflies

 

Hello to all in 'blogland'

Recently I entered a challenge over at I Spy With My Little Eye, and was thrilled

when my card was chosen as one of the Top 2. I was even more thrilled when I

was invited to be a guest designer for their current challenge (# 12), the theme 

of which is "...Something Beginning With 'B'.

This is the card I designed using 3 B's...blue, butterflies and birthday.

I believe the design fold is called a 'box-seat' fold.

This is the back of the card showing the centre panel, where I will write

my personal message to the recipient.

A view from the top of the card, which shows fairly clearly

how the card has been constructed.

This view is of the card lying flat.

Challenges I would like to enter :-

A Place To Start - Monochrome 

Craft Rocket #111 - Birthday

Crafty Animals #80 - Anything Goes (must feature an animal) (2nd entry)

Critter Crazy #83 - Anything Goes (must feature a critter) (2nd entry)

Time Out #257 - Birthday

Triple B - Anything Goes, but must feature either Birds, Butterflies or Blooms

Dies - Cheery Lynn and Sweet Stamps (butterflies); Cuttlebug (21)

DSP - Bella 'Ever After'

Ink for sponging - Distress Ink 'Tumbled Glass'

Glitter cardstock - unnamed

Peel-off sticker is from my junk stash

Embossing Folder - Craft Concepts 'Wings'

Why not pop over to I Spy With My Little Eye and see Ellie and Pauline's gorgeous cards, and the fabulous male card by my fellow guest 'teamie', Pia, then enter your own creation.

Until next time, thank you again to Ellie and Pauline for the invitation.

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

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

First Foamiran Flowers

After seeing lots of beautiful flowers made with foamiran on the internet, 

I decided to acquire some for myself and see what I could create with it. 

This card is to congratulate a beautiful young lady (we have 

known her since she was a little girl) and her fiance, 

on the occasion of their engagement.

The 2 large roses on the left and the small apricot open one on the left are my

very first attempts using Foamiran. They are nowhere near the standard of 

ones I have seen on pinterest, youtube and many blogs, but if I practice

a lot I hope to improve. The foliage and doily are cut with my lovely

new dies, with which I treated myself just before Christmas.

I coloured the white foamiran with various distress inks.

The small rose at the top was made from some tiny scraps of foamiran.

Edit I must apologise for the hot glue strings on the rose...I did not 

see them until I was about to hit 'publish'.

I used a tiny 'Congratulations' peel-off sticker from my huge collection. Lovely

Maddy began piano lessons from John when she was a little girl, and continued

weekly lessons until John became ill in 2015. That is why I included some 

 'music' paper on the card. Maddy is now a very proficient pianist and 

has visited us since we moved from our farm.

Challenges I would like to enter

As You Like It - 'Favourite Die, & Why' I have many favourite dies, but the Spellbinder Rose Creations would have to be #1, as it is so versatile, cuts natural looking petals, and cuts cleanly.

Cardz 4 Galz #63 - 'Anything But Square'

Crafty Friends #75 - 'New Beginnings'

Daisy Chain #15 - 'Something New'

Die-Cut Divas - 'Do or Use Something New'

Fab 'n' Funky #377 - 'Girly'

Fussy and Fancy #203 - 'Distress It'

My Time To Craft #362 - 'Something New'

Paper - Bella Wedding Adore

Dies - Cuttlebug Hearts; Spellbinder Rose Creations; Sweet Stamps Daisy Centre Medallion; Elizabeth Craft Curvy Leaves; Die-Namites Budding Branch 

Flowers - White Foamiran, coloured with various distress inks; stamens, cream rose and tiny apricot rose are from my junk stash

Lace and peel-off sticker are from my junk stash

I hope you have all recovered from the festive season, and are getting back 'into the swing' of regular life. I am finding it very difficult to believe that January will soon be over.

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

Hugs,

Jennifer. x

Playful Kitty

Good evening to my crafting buddies. I hope you all had a lovely Easter.

All the regular readers of my blog will know that I LOVE cats. I have been 'owned'

by 25 or 26 of them throughout my life, and I think every one of them have all 

had individual personalities. 

Penny Black kitties are especially cute, and I have  

had this stamp (in a clear set) for 'yonks'.

I bought this gorgeous edging die on sale several months ago, and this  

is the first time I have used it.

A closer look at the happy kitty (coloured with Promarkers), 

playing with his butterfly friends.

Inside my card, which is a 'modified' gatefold card.

Challenges I would like to enter

Addicted to Stamps and More #237 - 'Make Your Mark'

Crafty Catz #366 - 'Anything Goes with Animals'

Crafty Gals Corner #118 - 'Pastels'

Fairytale #166 - 'More Than One Fold'

In The Pink #117 - 'Pearls'

Fussy and Fancy #185 - 'Fancy Folds or Shaped Cards'

Passion For Promarkers #390 - 'Flower Power'

Penny Black Saturday - 'Spring or Easter'

Shopping Our Stash #298 - 'Punches or Dies' (image, paper, pearls many years old)

Sweet Stampers #6 - 'Animals'

Image - From Penny Black Clear Set Critter Party

Colouring - Promarkers

Paper - Francheville Pastel Basics

Dies - Spellbinder Classic and Scalloped Circles; Sweet Stamps Flutterby #2; Kaisercraft Lace Borders; 

Pearls - (single) Kaisercraft; (string) Maria George

Glitter glue - Stickles Star Dust

Until next time, thank you for visiting, and "Happy Crafting".

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

Krafty Creations

My goodness, can you believe we are already in the 2nd half of February?

Because it is a Friday, it is time for another Winter Wonderland challenge.

This week our theme is 'CRAFTY CREATIONS'.

Don't forget, we are still in our 'non-Christmas' period, so you can enter

our challenge with any style/image, as long as we can see some kraft.

Our generous sponsors for this challenge are 

and

Other than my base card and part of the insert, I have used kraft for every

other element of my card and matching envelope.

As in my previous post, this card is also quite different from

my usual style. However, I really enjoyed making both of them.

A closer look at the flowers, sponged with Adirondack Raison,

 and the leaves, sponged lightly with Bundled Sage D.I. This is 

the first time I have used the pretty flower dies, which I won

in a challenge last year.

Inside my card co-ordinates with the front.

Challenges

Crafting for all Seasons #96 - 'Die and/or Punches'

Cute Card Thursday #361 - 'Floral Delight'

Just Inspirational - 'Handmade Flowers'

Papertake Weekly - 'Bingo' (die-cut, free, glitter)

Party Time Tuesdays #195 - Anything Goes

Dies - Cheery Lynn Leaf Flourish; Sweet Stamps Mini Flowers

Punch - Martha Stewart Floral Strip; EK Success Scalloped Corner Rounder

Stamp - The Creative Stamp Collection P/L E238

Inks - Adirondack Raison; Tim Holtz Bundled Sage

Stickles - Ranger Platinum

For a chance to win one of the fab prizes, why not pop over to Winter Wonderland, be inspired by my teamies gorgeous creations, then enter our 'Krafty Creations' challenge.

Until next time,

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