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

"No Spring Skips Its Turn"

It is the second Wednesday of the month and that means it is time

for a new challenge at Words 2 Craft By.

Our quote this month is by Hal Borland...

"No winter lasts forever, no spring skips its turn,

April is a promise that May is bound to keep,

and we know it."

You may interpret it any way you wish.

                    

What could represent Spring more than a daffodil, a chick, and a bunny?

Perhaps lots of beautiful flowers?!?!?

I have had this sweet image for several years, and am ashamed to

admit that it has never seen ink before now. 

I have so many lovely stamps, dies, and papers that have never

been used, so with (I hope) unwavering conviction, I will attempt

to resist all temptation to buy any more supplies until I 

employ much of my existing collection.

Last year I popped into a Spotlight store for some new bathroom linen, but

it would have been rude of me don't you think, to not pay a visit to the art 

and craft department also. There was a huge box of 12x12 paper that

was discontinued, priced at 10 cents/sheet! Much of it was 'yucky'  

or damaged, but on the very bottom there were 6 sheets of this 

lovely, heavy quality paper, all in pristine condition. I

bought all 6 sheets, plus several other very pretty 

sheets. Who doesn't love a bargain!

A close up look at my floral arrangement. I made the large orange

flower from white crepe paper which I coloured with Distress Inks.

The mushrooms are cut with dies from a set of 3, and coloured

with Promarkers.

Challenges I would like to enter

2 Crafty Critter Crazies #13 - 'Anything Goes' (must have a critter)  WINNER

A Gem Of A Challenge #216 - 'Female Birthday with a Sentiment'

Always Fun #53 - 'Anything Goes'

Crafty Animals #13 - 'Anything Goes'

Crazy #272 - 'Spring'

Fab 'n' Funky #389 - 'Cute Critters'

Fussy and Fancy #209 - 'Add A Sentiment'

Incy Wincy Designs - 'Nature and All of Its Beauty'

Make My Monday #68 - 'Things With Wings'

Papercraft Business #5 - 'Anything Goes' (option 'Birthday')  WINNER

Passion For Promarkers #439 - 'Blooming Days'  TOP 5

Rubber Buggy - 'Springtime and/or Flowers'  TOP 3

Sunny Day Crafting #15 - 'Bunnies'

The Sisterhood of Crafters - 'Bunny Rabbits'

Wednesday's Creative Inspirations - 'Springtime'

Image - Stampavie - Penny Johnson Clear Stamp Sweet Spring (retired, I think)

Colouring - Promarkers

Paper - American Craft Blossom Boulevard

Dies - Spellbinder Labels Eight and Decorative Labels Eight, Classic and Scalloped Circles; Cheery Lynn Flourish Leaf Strip, Olive Branches, Faerie Mushrooms; Marianne LR 0192 

Scissors - Fiskars Deckle Edged

Flowers, pearl sprays, peel-off stickers are all from my junk stash.

For a chance to win a fab prize, pop over to Words 2 Craft By, check out my teamies lovely creations, and enter your own project which is inspired by Hal Borland's quote.

Until next time, thank you for visiting,

Hugs,

Jennifer. xx

Handyman Bear

In my last post I mentioned that July is a busy month for me as far as birthdays go...

Well, today is yet another friend's birthday. He is another guide at the Fort where I

volunteer. Last Monday, I posted a card for another fellow-guide, and you may

notice that I used almost virtually the same design, albeit with a different image 

and papers. Each did not see the other's card, and they don't look at my blog,

so I did not feel guilty about not designing a different sketch.

I was on duty at the Fort yesterday, so I needed to have the card finished by Saturday.

However, there was a slight "incident" on Friday, whereby I didn't start the card until

Saturday evening....Now don't any of you laugh, as most people have done, but after

a routine checkup with my doctor late on Friday morning, John and I decided to drive

to a nearby small beachside village to have lunch by the water. While I was enjoying

my lunch, 2 pelicans stood right in front of us, with the most soulful eyes. Being the

softie I am about animals, I went to give them a chip each. Before I could blink, one

snatched at my hand, engulfing it past my wrist. As I pulled my hand away, the razor-

sharp hook on its beak tore a deep gash in my thumb, and a smaller one on my hand.

 I went to the little ambulance station nearby, where they patched me up, and advised

me to go to our hospital's E.D. for a tetanus injection...I'm not sure which hurts 

more...the wounds, my injected arm, or my pride.

STOP LAUGHING!!!!!

The 'birthday boy', Carl, is a bit of a handyman at home, and at the Fort,

so I used one of my favourite 'male card' images, Mr. Fix-it, by Stampavie.

A closer look at Mr. Fix-it, coloured with Promarkers.

Inside the card.

(Sorry for the poor lighting on the photos-I took them very early before I left home

for the Fort yesterday morning).

Challenges

Brown Sugar #104 - 'For The Boys'

Crafter's Cafe #73 - 'Anything Goes'

Fab 'n' Funky #224 - 'Walk On The Wildside'

Milk Coffee - 'Birthdays'

Penny's Paper Crafty #187 - 'Anything Goes'

Pile It On #30 - 'Embossing'

Simon Says Stamp - 'Emboss It'

Image - Stampavie (Laurence Collection)  Mr. Fix-it 

Colouring - Promarkers

Paper - 3 Bugs In A Rug Tool Time

Embossing - Crafts Too Tools

Hammer Brad, plastic Drill and Nails, peel-off stickers from my junk stash.

I must go and start preparing dinner...any 'wet' tasks take longer because of my hand. 

John has music students until 9pm, otherwise he would have cooked. He had a lovely 

dinner waiting for me last evening, when I returned home from the Fort

(he cooks most Sunday nights).

Thank you for visiting,

Hugs, 

Jennifer. x

42nd Anniversary

On Tuesday, my darling John and I celebrated our 42nd wedding anniversary.

Our lovely neighbours offered to look after our pets so we could have a few

days away. We went to a beachside town about 2 hours drive away, and 

stayed 3 nights at a motel right on the shore. This was our 4th stay there, 

and it is wonderful to go to sleep, then wake in the morning, to the sound

of the waves crashing on the beach just metres away from our room.

This is the card I made for my beautiful man. It is A5 size.

I fell in love with this adorable image when I first saw it several years ago, as it

is so relevant to our careers. John and I have performed professionally as a 

piano and vocal duo for most of our marriage. While I have never actually 

found myself lying on top of the piano, I have often 'draped myself' over 

part of it, while singing 'torch songs', or jazz standards. Mind you,

 unlike these cuties, John has always worn trousers, and I have

worn a little more than a bow and gem in my hair!!

The inside of my card required very little embellishment due to the

design on the DP. I wrote my 'love message' to John in the

white area in the bottom RH corner.

In place of my usual contact details sticker on the back of the card

(after all John knows how to contact me, te he), I used this 

fabulous grand piano die that I bought last month.

Challenges

4 Crafty Chicks #202 - 'Inspired By A Song' (Makin' Whooppee from The Fabulous Baker Boys)

Craft Room - 'Wedding or Anniversary'

Die Cuttin' Divas #173 - 'Wedding or Anniversary'

Penny's Paper Crafty #185 - 'Anything Goes'

Image - Stampavie (Penny Johnson) Love Song 

Colouring - Promarkers

Sentiment - Stampin' Up

Paper - Cre8ive Move To The Beat

Dies - Spellbinder Classic Rectangle, Cuttlebug Music Note #1 and #2, Die-Versions Piano

Stickles and gems are from my junk stash

I'm off to prepare dinner, so thank you for visiting, and until next time, "happy crafting".

Hugs, 

Jennifer. x

Shopping With Rosie Rabbit

Hello to all my crafting friends.

I know this post is late, but with our sad loss on Wednesday (see 

previous post), I felt too emotionally drained to write it up.

The Pink Fairies at Crafty Little Fairies have a new challenge for you,

and the theme this time is 

'SHOPPING'

Our lovely sponsor this week is

If you want to be eligible for their fab prize, you must use 

a stamped or digital image.

In an attempt to increase my supply of Christmas cards throughout the year,

to avoid that frantic and frenzied panic of last-minute card-making, I have 

created a Christmas card using Stampavie's A Rosie Rabbit Gift.

A closer look at Rosie in her shopping bag, coloured with Promarkers.

The inside of my card matches the front.

Challenges

ABC Christmas - ' 'D' for Die-Cut'

Animal Friends #11 - 'Points/Dots'
Cutie Pie #63 - 'Cute With Dots and Spots'
Divas By Design - 'Make It Sparkle'
Fab 'N' Funky #205 - 'Christmas'
The Paper Shelter #147 - 'Animal Magic'

Image - Stampavie A Rosie Rabbit Gift

Colouring - Promarkers

Paper - Imaginisce Let It Snow; Art Stamps Australia Gold Glitter Card

Dies - Spellbinders Classic and Scalloped Circles and Rectangles; Joy! Crafts 

Winter Wishes Snowflake Border 2021; Elizabeth Craft Designs Seasons Greetings

Punches - Carl Snowflake; Martha Stewart PATP Snowflakes (negatives); Creative 

Memories Corner 

Ranger Stickles - Platinum

For a chance to win a lovely prize, why not visit us at Crafty Little Fairies,
and enter our 'Shopping' Challenge.

Hugs, 

Jennifer. x

Mr. Fix-it, & Cookie Update

Regular visitors to my blog will know that our kitty cat, Cookie, recently went missing for 3 weeks, then returned home a week ago in a terrible state. All week he has been wolfing down every bit of food we put in front of him, and has been gradually gaining back the almost 2kgs he lost, and has seemed to be his 'old' cheeky self again. 

However, late last night I noticed a small wound on his cheek, so early this morning took him straight to our vet. Upon investigation under Cookie's fur, the vet found a large wound. Cookie had to have immediate surgery, so he now has a large 'crater' on his face. The vet had to cut away a huge amount of dead tissue, and there was not enough tissue left to suture after it had all been removed. Our vet is almost certain that the cause is SNAKE BITE!! He believes Cookie became disorientated as the venom took effect, and he wandered further, and further from home, then was so weak he had difficulty finding his way home. He only survived because he was in such good health and condition, and fairly young when it happened.

At the end of this post there is a photo of our Cookie, back home, recovering from the anaesthetic. However, it is QUITE GRAPHIC, so unless you have a strong constitution, I would recommend that you avoid reading to the end of the post. I just wanted to show people what damage a snake can do, IF the victim survives.

Let's move on to more pleasant topics...here in Australia, yesterday was Father's Day. Poor John was all by himself all day, as I was on duty at the Fort. (I am a volunteer guide at Fort Scratchley, at the entrance to Newcastle Harbour.) I did cook him a lamb roast on Saturday night, and then brought home a Chinese takeaway last night, so he said that made up (almost) for my absence.

John is extremely handy around the home. Although it took him several years, he gutted our kitchen down to bare floorboards, then rebuilt a completely new kitchen. He did a wonderful job, and seems to be able to 'turn his hand' to any 'fix-it' tasks.

It seemed so appropriate that I used this oh so cute Stampavie stamp titled Mr. Fix-it, 

for the card I made for my darling husband of 41 (and a bit) years.

The papers are First Edition Hideaway. I bought a packet of these brads

several years ago, and can't remember what their brand is, or where I bought 

them. They look so real, don't they. 

I coloured Mr. Fix-it with Promarkers.

Inside the card matches the front.

I would like to enter the following challenges:-

Sassy Studio Designs #192 - 'Labour Day-Profession/Type of Work'

The Male Room #3 - 'The Great Outdoors' (builders work outdoors)

Penny Black and More - 'Sketch and/or Autumn Colours'

Crafting With Dragonflies #9 - 'Masculine/Father's Day'

A Gem of a Challenge #95 - '2 Backing Papers'

Card Crafter's Circle #90 - 'For The Boys'

Inky Impressions #123 - 'Animals'

Great Impressions - 'Fall Colours'

Thank you for visiting, and until next time,

Hugs,

Jennifer. x

WARNING  - The following photo is graphic, and may disturb some readers, so if you experience queasiness, please leave this post now!!! The image is the result of surgery following snake bite.

* * * * * * *

* * * * * *

* * * * *

* * * * 

* * *

* *

*

Poor Cookie - still 'woozy' several hours after the anaesthetic.

The vet says he will make a full recovery, albeit with a nasty scar.

Happy New Year!!!!

Hello fellow crafters, and may I wish each and everyone of you, and your families a very

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

Here I am again, adding to my blog at almost 2am! We have not long been home from the most wonderful party at Fort Scratchley, in Newcastle. The Fort was open only to members of the F. S. Historical Society.

We had what must have been the best vantage point in all of Newcastle. The Fort sits atop a high headland at the entrance to Newcastle Harbour, and has 360 degree views. We looked out over the top of the city, and the parks of the beautifully maintained foreshore. The fireworks were spectacular, and set off only about half a kilometre from us.

The weather could not have been more perfect, with a lovely sea breeze, and the just waning full moon above us. Because we live more than an hour inland, it was a bit of a shock when we arrived home. It is still 29C, and very humid. Apparently tomorrow we are in for 39C!!! YUK!

I promise this is my last Christmas card - I have a hide don't I, showing you a Christmas card for the first day of a New Year, but the only non-Christmas card I have is my first DT card for Penny's Paper Crafty Challenge Blog. The new challenge begins on Wednesday morning (UK time), so I can't show you 'til then.

Yes this is that bear again (Stampavie's Merry Bear). I adore him, and be honest, I did warn you 2 months ago that you would be seeing a lot of him this Christmas. The card was for my Dr's Family Practice.

A close-up of Merry Bear, coloured with my Promarkers.

This is the first time I have used the gorgeous Anastasia border die, by Cheery Lynn.

I am off to have a cold shower, and try to sleep. The tree and all the decorations come down tomorrow, and the house is l.o.n.g overdue for a good clean. All the rich party food is lovely, but I will be glad to get back to ordinary meals - I think I have gained several dress sizes in the last few weeks!

It will also be great making cards other than for Christmas.

Once again, thank you for your visits and comments - I promise I will get back to visiting you in the next few days.

Hugs,

Jennifer. x

Merry Bear

Hello fellow crafters, and I would like to welcome my newest followers, Audrey and Dawn.

I can finally show you this card, as I know my bloggy friend, Pauline, who lives in England has received it. Pauline is on several design teams, and her cards are always beautiful.

This card is similar to "Here Kitty, Kitty" which I made for another friend, Di. (No prizes for guessing it features a kitty cat, instead of a bear).

The image is 'Merry Bear' by Stampavie, coloured with Promarkers. I added 3D Glossy Accents to the holly berries, and put a touch of Stickles on the gold-coloured ribbon on the gift. I bought the Laser Glitter 'snow' and the brass holly from a local craft shop.

The large gold snowflake is actually a Christmas tree decoration, the berries are from a large spray of gold and burgundy decorations, and I made the 'pins' from beads in my stash. I added a little 'Star Dust' Stickles to the flowers and leaves.

'Merry Christmas' is gold mirror card, cut with a Cheery Lynn die, and I used Martha Stewart's 'Aspen Snowflake' PATP punch for the red strip.

Once again, I have used the beautiful 'Floral Ovals' by Spellbinders for our personal message inside, and my contact details on the back of the card. Corners are Cheery Lynn. Holly paper is Bo Bunny's 'Rejoice Holly'.

Challenges I would like to enter are-:

Crafting for all Seasons #42- 'Red/Green/Glitter/Sparkle

Cute Card Thursday #247 - 'So Charming'

Cheery Lynn #59 - 'Lots of Layers'

Cutie Pie #33 - 'Cute Christmas'

I hope you are all progressing with your Christmas preparations, and not getting to stressed. Thank you all so much for visiting and leaving all your encouraging comments.

Hugs,
Jennifer. x

Scarlette's Christmas Bear

Hello fellow crafters,
Well here we are, yet another day closer to Christmas, and tonight  I have a card in one of my favourite colour combos - pink and green. It is for our little granddaughter, Scarlette, in London. This will be her 3rd Christmas...where did that time fly???

I told you that you would be seeing a lot of this little bear this Christmas - he is so adorable.

I usually colour bears in soft browns, creams, or fawn, but this time I chose greys, as I also love pink and grey together. I applied Glossy Accents to the holly berries to give them some dimension.

The gorgeous pink glittered cardstock is great to work with - no matter how much it is handled, it does not shed its glitter. It comes in a vast array of yummy colours, of which I have several.

As usual, I have decorated inside the card, to co-ordinate with the front. I hate to waste anything, so I used the negative of the die cut border on the front of the card, vertically on the inside panel.

On the back of the card, I used some leftover snowflakes from an MS 'Aspen Snowflake' border punch.

Challenges I would like to enter are -

Crafts and Me #110 - 'Non Traditional Christmas Colours'

Sparkles Christmas #22 - 'Contemporary Colour Combo'

Penny Black and More - 'Any Die Will Do' (2nd entry)

Fab and Funky #147 - 'Let's See Those Bears' (Top 3)

Sparkles Monthly #38 - 'Christmas Is Coming'

Crafty Sentiments - 'Christmas' (3rd entry)

In The Pink #8 - 'Punches and/or Dies'

Bearly Mine #61 - 'Pink Christmas' (Top 3)

Image - Stampavie 'Merry Bear'

Colouring - Promarkers

Sentiment - Computer generated 'Beachman Script'

Paper - Kaisercraft (several years old)

Glittered card - Art Stamps Australia

Paper for holly leaves and flourish - handmade from my stash

Dies - Cheery Lynn 'Holly Flourish'; Marianne 'Snowflakes'; Spellbinders 'Poinsettia', 'Fleur de Lis Border', 'Floral Ovals', 'Scalloped, and Classic Ovals', 'Classic Rectangles'

Punches - Martha Stewart 'Aspen Snowflake' PATP, Carl

Bells, pearls, silver cord, Stickles, Glossy Accents - from my junk stash

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

Hugs,

Jennifer. x

Rosie Rabbit

Hello fellow crafters,

In a big contrast to the card I last posted, this one is rather bright, isn't it. It is for a friend who lives overseas.

I have used another Stampavie clear stamp called 'A Rosie Rabbit Gift' and it has been coloured with my Promarkers.

A close-up of super cute 'Rosie' and her Christmas shopping.

The poinsettia was made using Spellbinders Poinsettia die set. I "umed and ahhed" about acquiring the dies last Christmas, and after seeing so many beautiful cards using them, on blogs, I succumbed to temptation recently. I LOVE them! I have used the 3 smaller of the 4 petal dies in the set. My other new goodies are the Cheery Lynn 'Holly Leaves" - the die is a strip which has 2 sizes of leaves. I also LOVE this die. I bought it at Di's Scrapbooking Shop (her blinkie is on my sidebar). The gold 'twigs' are cut from a large branch that was a Christmas decoration, bought at an after Christmas sale several years ago.

Inside the card co-ordinates with the front. I used my new Martha Stewart 'Aspen Snowflake' PATP punch down the side of the Kaisercraft 'Mint Twist' DP. My faithful old Spellbinders were used to cut the scalloped square and rectangle.

Challenges I would like to enter are -

Passion for Promarkers #174 - 'In the Garden' (Poinsettias, holly, branches)

Penny's Paper Crafty #101 - 'Lots of Layers'

ABC Christmas - 'V is for Vibrant Colours'

Until next time, thank you for visiting,

Hugs,

Jennifer. x

Merry Bear

Hello fellow crafters,

Welcome to my newest followers, Aqualega, Chrissy and Solitary Star.

I can't believe it has been a week since my last post...where did that week go???? I heard yesterday on the radio that there are only 50 days remaining until Christmas. Between appointments, a birthday lunch for little Russell (Tiger) and his sister, Connie, and a trip to Sydney to the Paper Crafts Festival, I only managed to make another 4 Christmas cards.

This adorable little cutie is 'Merry Bear' by Stampavie. This is the first time he has seen ink, but I can guarantee it won't be the last - I love him. His neck ribbon appears to be a brighter red than IRL...it is more burgundy. There's yet another gold peel-off greeting sticker...I am trying to use up some of the large collection of them in my stash.

A close-up of  'Merry' and his gift, coloured with Promarkers.

Inside the card.

I photographed the card on a black background, but should have used white. I mentioned in a previous post that I had found lots of stash I had 'squirreled away' several years ago, then forgotten... this card is using some of it. At an 'after-Christmas' sale about 5 or 6 years ago I bought 4 packets of  blank cards & envelopes with tree apertures (2 burgundy, 2 dark green), and a damaged Christmas tree decoration (50 cents) which had about 2 metres of the fine burgundy nylon tinsel wound around it. It took ages to unravel it from the damaged wire frame which I binned. The script and striped DPs are I think, Bo Bunny, and the music paper is Kaisercraft (all several years old). The 3 dots are adhesive Nails, bought in London 2 years ago. This is also the first time I have used the lovely Cheery Lynn 'Holly Flourish' die.

Challenges I would like to enter are -

                          An Oldie But A Goodie - 'Spots and Stripes' (the stripes are obvious, but my dots are the 3 'nails'and on the music).

Penny Black and More - 'Any Die Will Do'

Penny Black Saturday - 'Cute Christmas'

I Love Promarkers #141 - 'Cute'

After hanging out some washing (it is so hot, it will be dry in an hour), I am off to make a few more Christmas cards, using a mixture of my 'un-hidden' stash, and some of the lovely dies I bought at the Paper Craft Festival on Friday. I also bought a 'Big Shot', as I think my dear little Cuttlebug is on the way out...I have had it for many years, so it doesn't owe me anything, but I will miss it. Do any of you become attached to a particular crafting tool??? I hadn't intended to buy the 'Big Shot', but the 'show special' price was ridiculously low - and they added a free embossing folder (my choice) to further sweeten the deal. I wonder if I will become attached to my Big Shot?

Happy crafting, and thank you for visiting,

Hugs,

Jennifer. x