Sharon's Showcase

Alice said: "I'm tired of being only 3 inches high"

2012-03-08T19:30:00.001+10:30

March 8th 2012

A fun challenge at The Octopode Factory Friday Challenge Blog - "Mushrooms"!!! I've made this fun gate fold card with a quote from Alice in Wonderland and great Alice & mushroom images from Lily's range of quirky designs!!

To make this card I used watercolour paints (some very cheap kids paints!!!) and painted both sides of the card all over then put both sides through the printer to print the mushrooms on the card. Then I "coloured" the mushrooms "messily" LOL with paints. I printed Alice on white paper, coloured her and fussy cut her out then stuck her to the inside of the card. I quite like the effect!!

Over the Rainbow

2012-03-07T23:59:00.001+10:30

March 7th 2012

"Somewhere over the Rainbow Skies are Blue..."

Our great new challenge at Wicked Wednesday this week! I couldn't resist making something a bit 'different'!!! I used chalks to make the 'rainbow' background and a gorgeous little baby from Lisa's Altered Art riding a fish over the rainbow!!!

This week we are sponsored by A Day for Daisies and as always you have the opportunity to win one of their designs!

Lawrence of Lawn

2012-03-07T15:47:00.000+10:30

March 7th 2012

This month I am lucky enough to be a Guest Designer at the Dude Time Doodles Challenge Blog and what a great lot of Digis they have for those hard to make for group of people!!!

Now the first challenge for this month is a colour inspiration challenge (you can find all the details at the challenge blog) and for those of you who know my "occupation" which is generally a "male" job you will know that this picture is just perfect for me and so is "Lawrence" and the card I have made!!!! This card will actually be my husband's birthday card as this is "his" motto that I have printed on it!!

I am really going to have a lot of fun with these fantastic "manly" designs this month and can't wait to see what everyone creates!!!

Shades of Black & Green

2012-03-07T05:58:00.000+10:30

March 7th 2012

A colour challenge this week at the Dilly Beans Challenge Blog and I've used another design I purchased recently - "Frida's Sugar Skull" - to make this card using the current sketch from Mojo Monday and because the sewing machine was still sitting out I decided to sew all the elements onto the card! The patterned papers are all from a Basic Grey 6 x 6 pad "Origins" - perfect for this colour challenge!

I really want to purchase some of the most recent Dilly Beans Designs but I am making myself use the images I recently bought and haven't used LOL I am being hard on myself!!!!

Fashionista!

2012-03-06T06:07:00.001+10:30

March 6th 2012

Our new challenge theme for this fortnight at Art With No Boundaries - "Fashionista" - we want you to make a fashion creation using something from your sewing box - buttons, zips, thread etc!!

I've created this "sewn" card with some brand new designs from CS Designs including a new dancer "Arabesque", a great new original sentiment and a round coil border. As you can see I have sewn on all the elements and added a button to Arabesque - I left all the thread hanging out for effect.

Remember for our challenges you can use any designs/images you like - we would love to see what creative things you can come up with for this new challenge!

I am also entering this card in the current Sentimental Sundays Challenge - Theme: Words of Encouragement - I think Arabesque and her "Attitude" statement is perfect for this!!

"Coral" the Mermaid

2012-03-05T19:16:00.000+10:30

March 5th 2012
A reminder post for the current challenge at The Cheerful Stamp Pad - "Land of Fantasy" - still a week to get your creation in!!

I've used a brand new design from Michelle Perkett Studio (our sponsor this week) - "Coral" the mermaid - isn't she gorgeous. And I just love the Cuttlebug "He Loves Me" embossing folder. All the card and paper for this is metallic - I love the shimmer and it's great to colour with Copics as they come out looking softer! I've added some little diamantis to the embossed flowers and some silver stickles to the mermaid image!

Tea Leaves, Tea Loves....

2012-03-03T13:34:00.002+10:30

March 3rd 2012
A quick reminder post for the "Time for Tea" Challenge at the So Artful Blog - you still have a week left to add your inspiration!! Personally I would drink tea all day if I could!!

I've made this little Tea Bag Gift Folder using a gorgeous Eclectic Cat Teapot from Clear Dollar Stamps. I made the "Tea Time" words with a "Scramble" Font and I found the quote inside at the Quote Garden.

I'm also linking this up to Pink Saturday this week - so "Happy Pink Saturday"!!!!

Anyone for Cake?

2012-03-01T20:24:00.000+10:30

March 1st 2012

Here's a birthday card I've made for the current Octopode Factory Challenge using Lily's "Marie" image - love all that hair she has LOL! Marie has been coloured with Copics and I've added a little die cut birthday cake!!

Uncage my Heart...

2012-02-29T21:55:00.000+10:30

February 29th 2012
As it's the last day of the month it's time for a new recycle challenge at Art With No Boundaries - "Recycled Valentines" - the theme of this challenge (which runs until the 30th March) is to recycle something from Valentine's Day like a chocolate box, a foil wrapper, some paper, a valentine's card, ribbon and so on!

I've recycled this wire heart which had sweets in it and added a gorgeous Expressive Heart Digi Stamp from CS Designs along with a tassle and a bow from a box of chocolates!! I haven't make a hanging ornament for some time so this was the perfect opportunity!!

We would love to see what you can come up with so please link up at the challenge blog and tell su what you have recycled!!http://artwithnoboundaries.blogspot.com.au/

Celebrate Art

2012-02-29T20:00:00.002+10:30

February 29th 2012
A great challenge theme this week at Wicked Wednesday - "Celebrate Art" - and our sponsor is The Greeting Farm who have provided "Toby the Painter" design for us to use on our ATC's! Remember you have the chance to win this image just by entering our challenge!!

I've made the background card using paints and a roller and I have coloured "Toby" in shades of grey and only added "bright colours" to his paint pallette, brush & splotches. I've stamped an "Art" quote I have onto the card & image.

Art is not what you see but

what you make others see.

[Degas]

I'm also linking this up to the new challenge at "Creavil Blog" after suggestion from a blogging friend "Silvia" for their "Colour It" Challenge!!

Land of Fantasy

2012-02-27T17:09:00.001+10:30

February 27th 2012

A brand new challenge today at The Cheerful Stamp Pad - Land of Fantasy and this week the sponsor is Michelle Perkett Studio - I love Michelle's designs and they are just perfect for this themed challenge.

I've made my card using Lilly the Fairy of Enchantment and I tried covering the whole image with fine glitter to make her look sparkly!!! The colours haven't quite come out as they really are. I used the latest sketch from Tuesday Morning Sketches to put this card together!

We hope you can join us this forntight!

Framed Frida!!

2012-02-26T20:29:00.000+10:30

February 26th 2012

This week I'm organised early for the new Dilly Beans Challenge which has the theme "All Sewn Up"!!! And some of you know that I just love to get my sewing machine out and sew whether it be fabric or paper so I couldn't resist this challenge! As well as that I still have a couple of new Dilly Beans images which I haven't used yet so for this card I've coloured "Framed Frida" and also a little Butterfly from the range. I just love the orange and pink colours of this card - nice & vibrant and perfect for the Colour me Creative Copics Challenge which has a gorgeous bright coloured inspiration picture! I've sewn all the elements onto this card which is layed out using the new sketch from the Sketch Saturday Blog. Lately I've been using colours I don't normally use so it's been great to step outside the "comfort zone"!!

A Storm in a Tea Cup!!!

2012-02-25T19:35:00.000+10:30

February 25th 2012
A brand new challenge at So Artful today - "Time for Tea" with the option of "Pastel Colours".

I've made this little ATC using a very cute Lisa's Altered Art image - by the look on her face there could well be a storm coming LOL!!! I made the background using the Baby Wipe Method and have added thin ribbon to enhance the "plaid" look.

Make sure you check out the challenge blog for the great inspiration pictures and DT creations for you!!

Good Luck!

2012-02-25T14:53:00.000+10:30

February 25th 2012
A reminder post for our Wicked Wednesday "St Pat's Day" Challenge! I've made another green ATC using a cute little St Pat's themed image from Michelle Perkett. We would love to see your green St Patrick's Day ATC creations!

Seeing RED!

2012-02-23T08:45:00.000+10:30

February 23rd 2012

A wonderful colour challenge at the Dilly Beans Challenge Blog - red is not a colour I use a lot but this was a lot of fun to create with and also a good excuse to go shopping for some paper LOL!!

I've used a great new image I purchased recently from Dilly Beans "Day of the Dead Frida" - isn't she great? She has been coloured with Copic Markers and layered on a range of plain red card and red patterned papers and I used the new sketch from Mojo Monday to layout the card. I love the look of this card.

Happy Birthday!

2012-02-22T22:14:00.001+10:30

February 22nd 2012

The new challenge for this fortnight at the Friendship's Garden Challenge Blog is "Birthday" - no excuses for not entering this challenge as we always need birthday cards on hand!! I've used images from a "Deco Girls" collage sheet from Art Tea Life - the colours were perfect for this challenge. The "Happy Birthday" is 2 EZ Cut die cuts - also perfect for this challenge!

Here is the Photo Inspiration for this challenge (great colours!!):

The Luck of The Irish!

2012-02-22T19:30:00.000+10:30

February 22nd 2012
We are getting in early for St Pat's Day at the Wicked Wednesday ATC Challenge Blog this week and we are lucky to have Bugaboo Stamps as our sponsor so you have the chance to win an image from them just by entering our challenge!!

My green watercolour background ATC uses the "March Fanny" image. I printed her (and the quote) directly onto my background card and added some Gold Smooch to her little clovers on her dress & shoes!!

Peek a Boo Geisha

2012-02-22T15:00:00.009+10:30

February 23rd 2012

I've used the February Sketch at the Bombshell Stamps Blog to make this card with one of the new Geisha Digitals I purchased from Bombshell Stamps recently.

I've coloured the Geishas with Copic Markers and used some new Japanese paper I recently received from a relative who has just returned from Japan - lucky me!!

Mastering the Art of Dancing...

2012-02-21T07:59:00.000+10:30

February 21st 2012
Some more "inspiration" to encourage you to enter our current Art With No Boundaries Challenge - "Let the Dancer in You Escape"!!!

I've used a gorgeous new dancer "Plie" from CS Designs to make this step fold card - you can find the template here - I work in Metric so I did a search for measurements and it led me to that blog post!!!
The dotty border, diamond background and original sentiment are all from Chris' "Express Yourself" series of images. I just love all the elements to mix & match on my cards.

Images are coloured with Copic Markers and I've added some little jewels to the "dots" on the diamond background for a bit of sparkle. I'm really happy with this card - I've had some fun this last week making different "fold" cards!

I would love to see your "dancing" creations so please link up to our new challenge!!

Anyone for a Pot of Tea?

2012-02-20T16:42:00.000+10:30

February 20th 2012

A reminder that you still have another week to enter the "Happy Birthday" Challenge at The Cheerful Stamp Pad. I've used another of the Eclectic Tea Pots from this weeks sponsor - Clear Dollar Stamps - and I've made a "Joy Fold Card" - tutorial can be found at Splitcoast Stampers. Happy Birthday stamp is from Kaszazz and teapot has been coloured with Copic Markers.

Above is the card opening - inside is space to write on! All the patterend paper has been machine sewn onto the backing card.

The little die cut flower keeps the card closed until you want to open it - clever!!

More Kraft, Red, White & Pink

2012-02-18T18:56:00.002+10:30

February 18th 2012

This is a reminder post that you still have a week to show us your Kraft, Red, White & Pink Creation at the So Artful Challenge Blog!!

I've used some more images from Art Tea Life and created this tag using the theme colours for this fortnight.

I'm also linking this to Pink Saturday this week - so Happy Pink Saturday everyone!

Friends are Flowers

2012-02-18T13:39:00.000+10:30

February 18th 2012
A quick reminder post for our Wicked Wednesday ATC Challenge "Quotes & Words" - you still have a few days left to enter!!

Here's a colourful ATC made using digi images from Chris at CS Designs - they are from her Summer Garden Collection - I thought the Friends Quote was perfect for this challenge!

Flowerful

2012-02-16T08:03:00.000+10:30

February 16th 2012
It's again time for a new challenge at the Wicked Wednesday ATC Challenge Blog - "Quotes & Words". And this week we are sponsored by Michelle Perkett Studio - both the sentiment and gorgeous Marie image on my ATC are from Michelle. Can't wait to see what you all come up with for this week's challenge!

Let the Dancer in You Escape!

2012-02-14T12:06:00.000+10:30

February 14th 2012
This is our great new Challenge Theme at Art With No Boundaries for the next fortnight and we can't wait to see what you create for this challenge!

I have some great new images & original sentiments from CS Designs to "play" with for this challenge - they are more designs from Chris' "Express Yourself" Series. My Tri Shutter Card features the little dancer "Minuet" along with original sentiments from Chris Stern. I've made this Tri Shutter Card with co-ordinating papers, punchies, die cuts & brads.

Now we can't wait to see what you can create for this great new challenge so get creating & link up at the challenge blog!! Remember to take the time to read our simple rules too!!!

Note: Please respect the creative copyrights of those that create the wonderful designs you enjoy using in your projects. Only original designs that were obtained legally from the Artists and Designers themselves should be used in submissions to our challenges. Please no Pirated or Traced Facsimiles. Any entry found abusing anyone's creative copyrights will be removed. We want everyone to have fun but we also want everyone to play fair and respect the creative work of others.

Have a Beau-TEA-ful Day!

2012-02-13T17:54:00.000+10:30

February 12th 2012
Vicki's new Challenge at The Cheerful Stamp Pad is "It's Your Birthday" - perfect for anytime of the year!!

This challenge is being sponsored by Clear Dollar Stamps and this great Eclectic Cat Teapot is one of their fantastic digi stamps - I couldn't resist it when I saw it! I made the "splotchy" background with crayon shavings & greaseproof paper - I thought it matched the quirky cat teapot and the bright coloured card I decided to use. The image has been coloured with Copics and I printed the matching sentiment on yellow cardstock.

Make sure you check out the blog for the other DT creations and we look forward to seeing your birthday creations too!

Old Fashioned ATC's

2012-02-13T10:06:00.000+10:30

February 13th 2012
This week's Take a Word theme is Old Fashioned ATC's. I made these 2 little ATC's using some great images from Art Tea Life.

My first ATC is an "old fashioned" beach goer complete with life saving ring!!

And my second ATC is a lady doing some "old fashioned" knitting!!

Warrior Pose!

2012-02-12T21:41:00.001+10:30

February 12th 2012
Dude Time Doodles have this great "Zeke Zorro" image for their Guest Designer / Freebie Challenge. LOL when I read that they wanted to see a humorous creation I couldn't resist!! I think the Dude Time Doodle images are just perfect for the "men" in your life - I was lucky enough to win some images last year and have had some fun with them: click here to see my "mechanic" xmas card and here for my "fisherman" card.

So for this card with "Zeke" I immediatley thought he looked like he was doing some yoga or if he wasn't doing yoga he needed to so he could RELAX and celebrate his birthday!!!! Notice he has a "mask" on?? Well if this was an "Aussie" Bloke doing Yoga he would probably be trying to hide the fact LOL!!!!!

I printed a yoga "definition" on cardstock along with the Warrior Pose sign and Birthday greeting!! Zeke has been coloured with Copic Markers and I've layered all the co-ordinating card & papers to put the card together. I hope you get a laugh from this - I just couldn't resist having some fun with this image!

Queen Bee!

2012-02-12T17:15:00.000+10:30

February 12th 2012
A new challenge at So Artful this week - as usual we have some inspiration photos and some colour theme options so make sure you have a look at the challenge blog and get creating! You have 2 weeks to link up and we love to see all sorts of inspiration.

I've used some images from a great new collage sheet I just purchased from one of my favourite Etsy Stores - "Art Tea Life" - a huge range of sheets available. I've added embellishments and papers for the colour theme Kraft, Red, White & Pink.

This is also being linked up to Beverley's Pink Saturday "Party" too - always wonderful pink creations and items to see!!

Dare to be Different!

2012-02-11T16:28:00.000+10:30

February 11th 2012
This is my new card for the Gingersnap Creations Current Colour Challenge: Glorious Greens!!

I've used some great new digis by CS Designs and made the background paper, "Pirouette" Dancer and sentiment - all in green including embellishments!! I wear green everyday but I don't usually create with green so this was a fun challenge for me!

Zombie Love!

2012-02-10T22:06:00.000+10:30

Feburary 10th 2012

I didn't think I would get this card posted in time for the Dilly Beans "Zombie Love" Challenge this week as my internet connection has been down for 24 hours and I have been "not happy"!!! But I've just scraped in with a few hours to spare!!

I've used this cute little Heart Monster from Dilly Bean Stamps and have used the latest Inspirational Card Sketches "sketch" and some new papers from So Sophie to make this little card along with some new flower die cuts.

It's a Love Thing - Blog Hop!!

2012-02-08T19:15:00.002+10:30

February 8th 2012

FRIENDSHIP'S GARDEN BLOG HOP!!!

We are having a Blog Hop at Friendship's Garden for our new challenge this fortnight and we are being sponsored by Designs on Cloud 9 and the DT are all using some great collage images from their store!!

Here's my creation using one of the images from the "Bee Mine" Collage Sheet from our sponsor and part of the challenge this week is to use at least 3 embellishments on your creation - I've used a heart brad some striped ribbon and some hot pink sheer ribbon:

I'm the starting point for the "Hop" so once you've finished here you need to visit Sam's Blog and below is the order for if you get lost!! And remember just by leaving a comment at each "Garden Girl's" Blog you have the chance to win a $20 Gift Certificate from Cloud 9!!!! Also remember to make a "Love Thing" creation and enter our challenge (link at the main blog) for your chance to win a prize from Altered Angel our regular sponsor - can't wait to see what you come up with - remember you must use at least 3 embellishments on your card!

Sharon (that's me!!)

and Becky

Remember to leave a comment at each blog you visit and also at the Friendship's Garden Blog plus become a follower - we would love to have you and we have some great challenges!!!

It Must Be Love!

2012-02-08T16:59:00.000+10:30

February 8th 2012

A new Valentine / Love Challenge at Wicked Wednesday this week - perfect for February!! And our sponsor for this new challenge is Dilly Bean Stamps - Megan just released some new designs which of course I just had to have so make sure you visit her store like I did and join the fun of our challenge!! Remember too that you have the chance of winning a Dilly Beans design just by entering.

Ragdoll Ruby is the image the Design Team have used this week and I've coloured her with Copics and mounted her on some great playing card background paper along with some hearts torn from some paper and little letters to spell the word "love"!!

Hugs & Kisses

2012-02-07T04:38:00.005+10:30

February 7th 2012

Some more inspiration for our "All You Need is Love" Challenge at Art With No Boundaries!! For this card I've used a great new "Expressive Heart" design from CS Designs along with a new Valentine Sentiment also from Chris. LOL it's a very "pink" card but I love pink!!!!

We would love you to join the challenge - a great time of the year for "love" themed creations!!!

Try it on Tuesday have a great new theme "a Lurve t'ing" and I'm also entering this card at The Pink Elephant "Pink" themed challenge and the Come and Get It Challenge Blog have a "Love" theme and The Secret Crafter Blog has a "Hugs & Kisses" challenge which is perfect for this card!!!

A Romantic Love Tag

2012-02-06T15:27:00.001+10:30

February 6th 2012

Some more "romantic" inspiration for you to remind everyone to join in with Vicki's "Romance" themed challenge at The Cheerful Stamp Pad. I've made this colourful tag with a great bright coloured vintage "couple" image I had. I added co-ordinating embellishments and some fibres.

I'm also linking this vintage tag to Cindy Adkins I't a Woman Thing: Link "Party"!!!

Love & Happiness

2012-02-04T17:58:00.001+10:30

February 4th 2012

A quick reminder post for our Wicked Wednesday ATC Challenge Blog - you still have time to enter our "Mermaid" challenge!! And for some inspiration I'm sharing another "Mermaid" themed ATC using a fantastic image from Michelle Perkett Studio "Peace Love Harmony". I started by printing the whole image onto some patterned paper and then reprinting it onto white card. I coloured just the mermaid on the white card and cut out and mounted onto the patterned paper image & to finish it off I added some little pink gems!

I'm also linking this to Pink Saturday as I specifically coloured the mermaid "pink" to join the pink fun this week!

Shot Through The Heart!

2012-02-02T17:23:00.000+10:30

February 2nd 2012

A great new theme for the Macabre Monday Challenge at the Haunted Design House Blog. Requirements this week were to have at least one heart and a hole somewhere on your creation. I have 2 hearts - new Deco Heart Design from Chris at CS Designs along with 5 little holes made with the eyelets I attached. The Poison Bottle and Haunting Apparition Face are also from CS Designs along with the "He loves me he loves me not" sentiment. And I made the painted paper I printed the designs on. I had a great time putting this together!

New Discoveries

2012-02-02T08:01:00.000+10:30

February 2nd 2012
Can you believe it's already February??? Our new challenge at the Wicked Wednesday ATC Challenge Blog is Mermaids. Our sponsor for this week is Just Some Lines and as always you have the chance to win this great design just by linking your themed ATC to our challenge blog!

I've tried to use "ocean" type colours for my ATC and I've added some jewels to the little mermaid image along with a starfish and some "fishing line". I thought the little sentiment sticker "New Discoveries" was a perfect match for this!

Don't Waste It!!!!!

2012-02-01T10:00:00.000+10:30

Feburary 1st 2012
Over at Art With No Boundaries we are starting up a monthly challenge along with our fortnightly challenges just for a bit of fun!! The challenges will start on the last day of the month and run until the last day of the following month. The aim of this challenge is to recycle and reuse things you haven't used for awhile including digis, rubber stamps, collage sheets etc. along with any other bits & pieces you have been "hoarding" and just can't to bear to part with!!!! Each month we will have a different theme so you will know what you need to use!!! Check out the blog for a "heads up" on the 29th February Challenge!!

So our first Don't Waste It Challenge is to use your "scraps" - any bits & pieces that have been sitting around for awhile - I know I can't bear to part with any piece of paper no matter how small so I've covered this little gift box template with scraps of Japanese papers and added a little Asian Square CS Designs digi coloured tag in co-ordinating colours!!

Now what can you come up with?????? Make sure you link up so we can all share "recycling & reusing" ideas!!!!

All You Need is Love - New Challenge at Art With No Boundaries

2012-01-31T07:24:00.001+10:30

January 31st 2012
Our second challenge for 2012 has a "Love" theme ready for Valentine's Day or if you have Wedding or Engagement cards or creations to make these all suit the theme this fortnight as well!!

I've made a little corner bookmark using some brand new designs from Chris at CS Designs - a great Deco Heart and Little Valentine's Sentiment. This is perfect for those of you who like romantic novels!!! Instructions for this bookmark were from Splitcoast Stampers.

We would love to see what creations you can come up with for this challenge - show us your romantic side!!!

Romance is in the Air...

2012-01-30T18:34:00.000+10:30

January 30th 2012

Valentine's Day is coming so this is a perfect theme for the new challenge at The Cheerful Stamp Pad and a great theme for me as I should have made this engagement card a few months ago!!!
I recently purchased a new 6 x 6 paper pad which is a BoBunny "et cetera" collection - what great pages in this little pad -and they were perfect for the "look" I wanted to achieve with this card which I also have to tell you was "inspired" by a card I saw at Lynne's Blog (those of you who know Lynne's creations know how stunning & inspirational they are!!!)

I distressed the edges of the papers with my little edge distresser tool, I added some old lace, text flowers, skeleton leaves, Tim Holtz tickets, hearts brads and a great romantic picture which I cannot recall where I got it from so if anyone can enlighten me please do!!!
We can't wait to see your "Romance" creations for this challenge.

A Royal Pain!!

2012-01-30T06:34:00.000+10:30

January 30th 2012
This weeks theme at the Take a Word Challenge Blog is "Regal" and as you can see I couldn't help having a bit of fun with this!

I've made a set of two altered coasters - for the backgrounds I "smooshed" lots of paint around and whilst the paint was wet I dusted some Pearlex Powders over them. I've used two "regal" looking royals and added the wording, some pearls and braid and little tulle flowers.

Hope you get a laugh - LOL I hope you "get it"!!

Get Lost!

2012-01-29T18:10:00.000+10:30

January 29th 2012
This is my entry for the new Haunted Design House Macabre Monday "Get Lost" themed challenge. You had to use a map on your creation this week.

I've used the "Paranormal Medium Agency Advert" from CS Designs and if you read the advert it says:

Want to find out what lies in the great beyond

Want to make contact with your dearly departed

So I thought with the "map" requirement it was perfect for the Get Lost theme - I printed the image at different angles all over the background then added a little clipart treasure map along with an olde worlde compass and added some shredded paper, muslin and skull charm to finish my card off!

I'm having a great time getting out my "Halloween" type images and joining the fun of Macabre Monday for something a bit "different"!!

Georgia O'Keeffe

2012-01-29T06:31:00.000+10:30

January 29th 2012

Our new challenge at So Artful is Georgia O'Keeffe or the colours ????????????? We have some great "inspirational" pictures on the blog so pop over and have a look and join us!! We don't mind if you use the inspiration pictures or some of your own!!

This week I've chosen to combine the 2 images and add a quote by Georgia O'Keeffe and make a simple card - I added a flower embellishment of course as O'Keeffe was well known for her "flower" paintings!

Fairy Tale Reminder!!

2012-01-28T20:53:00.000+10:30

January 28th 2012
Aquick reminder that you have until Tuesday Night to get your entry in for our Fairy Tale / Nursery Rhyme themed ATC challenge this week at Wicked Wednesday!!!

I made the background myself with watercolour pencils & watercolour papers and have mounted it on black card and added a great "Alice" image from an Art Tea Life collage sheet.

Remember you have the chance to win a Saturated Canary image when you enter!

Pink Ribbon Saturday!

2012-01-28T09:08:00.000+10:30

January 28th 2012

This week for Pink Saturday I am sharing a "Pink Ribbon" Card I made for a friend who was recently diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Bugaboo Stamps have a great little range of Pink Ribbon Ladies - I have several!!! The background of the card was made by repeating a Clip Art image. "Vivian" has been coloured with Copic Markers. The sentiment is also from Bugaboo. It's just a simple little card but was made with love!!

Happy Pink Saturday to everyone!!

He Loves Me He Loves Me Not!

2012-01-26T07:26:00.001+10:30

January 26th 2012

Valentine's Day is drawing near so we have a great new challenge at the Friendship's Garden Challenge Blog to make a card or tag using this sketch:

I couldn't resist having some fun and using images form a fantastic collage sheet I purchased from Art Tea Life. I love Sandy's collage sheets - so much fun to create with!!

We look forward to seeing what you can come up with using this sketch!!

Once Upon A Time....

2012-01-25T20:32:00.000+10:30

January 25th 2012
A Fairy Tale theme for this week's Wicked Wednesday ATC Challenge!! And as you can see our sponsor is Krista from Saturated Canary. Krista has such gorgeous images and it's always fun to be able to create with her designs so thank you Krista!! And remember by entering our challenge you have the opportunity to win a great Saturated Canary image for yourself!

I've used a gorgeous Snow White image and have made the image the focal point of my ATC - she's so cute just on her own!!

Keep Expressing Yourself!!!!

2012-01-24T13:10:00.001+10:30

January 24th 2012
We are into the second week of our "Express Yourself" Challenge at Art With No Boundaries and would love you to link up your "expressive" creation!!

This week I've used the new designs again from Chris at CS Designs and made these tiny "affirmation" magnets - I have them "stuck" to the side of my big guillotine so I can read the little sentiment everyday whilst I am crafting!! I got the pack of magnets from Ikea and thought they would be perfect for these creations. Images are printed directly onto some paper I "decorated" with paint - I love making my own patterned paper - no better way to express yourself!!!! The little image "windows" on the magnet frames are approx 1.5 inches square just so you can get an idea of the size I was working with.

SPECIAL NOTE: Please take the time to visit Chris' Blog to read her latest post about design theft - we have all recently come across several designers images which have been "stolen" and we feel it's important to raise this issue with everyone - Chris has written a great little "article" and we would appreciate your time to read it and make yourselves "aware". Thank you!!

More Birds of a Feather....

2012-01-23T20:06:00.000+10:30

January 23rd 2012

Vicki's "Birds of a Feather" Challenge continues this week at The Cheerful Stamp Pad so I've made another bird themed tag. This tag was very simple as I printed a Lisa's Altered Art collage sheet directly onto my tag then printed the quote and added some fibres to the top!

Vintage "Moos"!!!

2012-01-23T13:43:00.000+10:30

January 23rd 2012

What a fantastic theme for this week's Take a Word!!! I had a great time with these fiddly little moos and some Dezinaworld images and a few embellishments!

Chic Freak!!!

2012-01-22T19:02:00.001+10:30

January 22nd 2012
I just love the Haunted Design House "Macabre Monday" Challenges - I love getting out my "darker" images and creating something a little bit different and "out there" LOL!!!

This fantastic design is "Dementia" from CS Designs and the "Dare to be Different" wording is also from Chris - although this sentiment is a new design from Chris' "Express Yourself" range of digis I thought it was a perfect fit for this card.

Of course I coloured Dementia with Copic Markers and layered some black & red tulle on the card along with some black lace edging and 3 little rhinestones for a little bit of bling!! She really is a "Chic Freak"!!

Shades of Blue!

2012-01-22T13:11:00.001+10:30

January 22nd 2012

A quick reminder email to let you know you still have another week to enter the colour challenge at the So Artful Blog - Carla has some great inspiration pictures on the blog which you can use for your creation or you can use any other designs you have yourself. I've made this very blue card using images and backgrounds from June at Dezinaworld. The little flowers and leaves are from a new die cut I recently purchased.

Dress Form Challenge Reminder

2012-01-21T20:44:00.001+10:30

January 21st 2012
A reminder that there is still time to join the Wicked Wednesday ATC Challenge for this week - we have a great theme "Dresses/Dress Forms" and we would love to see what you can create!!

I made this little blue coloured ATC with a Vintage Dress From from a Dezinaworld Collage Sheet.

Get Dressed!

2012-01-19T05:49:00.000+10:30

January 19th 2012
The new challenge at the Wicked Wednesday ATC Blog is "Dresses and Dress Forms". This week Michelle Perkett is the sponsor which means you get the chance to win the great "dress" design I have used on my ATC!!!

When I can across the quote by Bill Blass I just couldn't resist colouring this dress in RED - perfect for the challenge!! I've used a metallic gold card to mount the dress on and added some gold jewels to the dress - going for a "classy" look!!!

Hope you can join in the fun this week!!

Express Yourself!!!

2012-01-17T21:22:00.002+10:30

January 17th 2012
Welcome to our very first challenge for 2012 at Art With No Boundaries!!!!!

This year I've taken over running the challenge blog so I would love you all to get creative and "Express Yourself" for this new challenge. This challenge is all about creating something that shows your creativitiy and why you create and what you love to create with and we would love you to give us a bit of a "blurb" with your submission about your creativity!!!

I've created this cute little altered matchbox using some amazing new designs just released by CS Designs which are aptly named "Express Yourself" and I've expressed myself by creating with colours and papers that I love to work with as well as creating my own painted paper which I printed all the designs onto. I love the sentiment that come with these new "sets" of designs it is an original saying by Chris herself - perfect for this creation and for each of us being "unique"!!!

Embrace that which makes you unique

some of us are just not destined to be boring.

My matchbox is like a little "wardrobe" with a latched little door and it stands on little feet which are actually metal sewing machine bobbins which I found going out cheap awhile ago. All the images were printed on some paper I spread pearl paint colours over - LOL I used my fingers to do this - what fun!!! All the other gorgeous textured papers and the pink paper I covered the box with were purchased in Japan - I just love Japanese paper!!!!

Hope you can join our new challenge - it runs for 2 weeks so you have plenty of time to join in!!!! And make sure you check out Chris' Blog & the CS Designs store for her fantastic SPECIAL for this great challenge!!!

Birds of a Feather!

2012-01-16T21:03:00.000+10:30

January 16th 2012
A great theme for Vicki's new challenge at The Cheerful Stamp Pad!

I've made a tag for this new challenge which uses great "bird" images from June at Dezinaworld. The tag background is very simple - Distress Ink Stamp Pads direct to the card - I used five different colours. To finish off the tag I've added some textured fibres to the top!

We hope you can join in and look forward to seeing your creations of "Birds of a Feather"!

Gold Star for Tea Making!

2012-01-15T17:41:00.000+10:30

January 15th 2012

I've made this fun little card for the new challenge at The Octopode Factory which has a theme of "Stars"!!

I've used Lily's "Alice" image and coloured her with Copic Markers. The blue background has the Alice image repeated to fill the background plus the little wording I made up to add some humour. I addeda "Gold Star" to Alice to fit the theme this week and a little teapot charm and fibres at the spine!

New So Artful Colour Challenge!

2012-01-14T21:03:00.000+10:30

January 14th 2012
A great new challenge at the So Artful Blog for this fortnight - two colour choices with some great "pictorial" inspiration so make sure you head over and check it out and get creating! We always love to see what you can come up with using wither the colours stipulated or the inspiration photos!

This fortnight I've chosen to use the "blue" theme - not a colour I usually created with but the gorgeous woman on my tag was from a brand new sheet from Dezinaworld and I couldn't resist finding some blue papers, braid, embellishments and fibres!

In the Pink!

2012-01-14T08:11:00.000+10:30

January14th 2012
Happy Pink Saturday!

I haven't joined the Pink Saturday "procession" for a few weeks so decided to join in this week as well as linking my card to the new challenge at Do You Stack Up which has a "Pink" theme. I really do love to create with pink!!

This card uses a great lady in her "pink" attire from a new sheet I purchased recently from June at Dezinaworld. The "doily" patterned paper for the background comes from an amazing pack of papers I recently got from a relative who has been in Japan. I've used various die cuts - frames, flowers, wording & butterfly and some fibres and torn hot pink paper to finish it all off!

I've Been Framed in Metal Mania!

2012-01-13T06:16:00.000+10:30

January 13th 2012

I've made this card for 2 challenges this week - one is the Forever Night Challenge - "Framed" and the second is for the Haunted Design House - Macabre Monday "Metal Mania" Challenge. I've used a great designs from the CS Designs "Solitaire" range of digis - Steampunk Solitaire.

Because this Steampunk designs is "Framed" I thought it was perfect for the Forever Night "I've Been Framed" Challenge and because the Macabre Monday had a "metal" theme I used metallic silver card, embossed alfoil (embossed with a Cuttlebug "clockworks" folder), silver brads and some little metal tool charms to finish it off. I used a "steampunk" font to print the quote.

Is There Something Fishy Going On ??

2012-01-12T14:29:00.000+10:30

January 12th 2012

We have a fantastic sponsor this week at the Wicked Wednesday ATC Challenge Blog - Chris from CS Designs. And as you can see our theme is anything Aquatic or to do with the Ocean - we would love to see what you can create for this challenge! And remember you have the chance to win one of these great images from CS Designs!!

I've made a set of 2 ATC's this week using 2 designs from this great range of digis from Chris - Loreley Zig Zags and Curls and Loreley Stars and Fish - I love these designs and they look amazing in these bright colours! I added some tea stained muslin to look like fishing net and added a starfish to each and "wrapped" each ATC with string to look like fishing line!

Clean and Simple

2012-01-11T20:48:00.000+10:30

January 11th 2012

Our new challenge at the Friendship's Garden Blog is a CAS Card featuring a sentiment. For my card I have printed an image from Dezinaworld and a great sentiment from CS Designs directly onto my base card. To finish it off I added a satin ribbon and "mask" charm to the top of the card.

We hope you can join us for this new challenge! And don't forget to check out what the other DT members have made.

More "Let it Snow"

2012-01-10T08:51:00.000+10:30

January 10th 2012
Here's another card made using the great "Winter Warmers" collage sheet from Dezinaworld for the current challenge at The Cheerful Stamp Pad.

The patterned background is also from a Dezinaworld collage sheet and I have layered it on textured purple paper and a white card. To finish off I have sponged worn white paint over the entire card and added a little bow!

You still have a week to make a creation and join this great challenge that Vicki has going!

More New Year/Dragon Inspiration

2012-01-08T11:21:00.001+10:30

January 8th 2012

We are halfway through our new challenge at the So Artful Blog - so you still have time to share your creations with us - at the challenge blog are some great "inspiration" pictures for you.

I've made 2 more cards to share using some more of the "Asian Squares" from Chris at CS Designs - perfect images for our challenge theme this fortnight. Both cards are made with earthy coloured card and papers and coloured with complimentary Copic Markers. I've sponged Gold Lumiere over them as well.

We would love you to link up your creations!

Veiled!!!

2012-01-07T11:18:00.001+10:30

January 7th 2012
A great new "Got Goth?" Theme at the Haunted Design House this week and here's my creation:

I've used one of my favourite "Solitaire" designs from Chris at CS Designs and have printed her on a white metallic paper so the grey toned Copic Markers came out very "soft" looking. I added some red pearls and added a black tulle "veil". I thought the patterned red and black background paper was just perfect for my card. She has a real "mystery" to her!

Vintage Children ATC Challenge!

2012-01-04T20:07:00.001+10:30

January 4th 2012
This is my first post as a "new" DT Member of a great challenge blog - Friendship's Garden! This challenge blog is all about using items other than stamps!!

I've made 3 ATC's for this new challenge using gorgeous vintage style images from Lisa's Altered Art - there is a fantastic and huge range of collage sheets at this site - you won't be able to resist LOL I never can!!! I've made collage backgrounds with scraps of textured and patterned papers and added some little letters to make words. I love vintage style anything!!!

We would love to see your vintage children so make sure you join in the fun!!

The 60's at Wicked Wednesday!!

2012-01-04T19:37:00.000+10:30

January 4th 2011
What a great theme for this new ATC Challenge at Wicked Wednesday!! Our sponsor for this week is Jelly Park and we have this cute little "flower" girl as the prize for this week so make sure you link up your 60's ATC's to our blog.

The background and other collage images on my ATC are from a 60's Collage sheet from Gecko Galz - they have some great images available and these were perfect for my ATC this week! We would love to see your 60's style - I was born near the end of the 60's!!

Let it Snow!!!

2012-01-02T22:45:00.000+10:30

January 2nd 2012

LOL I must tell you it's far from snowing here!!! This is the new challenge theme from Vicki at The Cheerful Stamp Pad and our sponsor for this challenge is June from Dezinaworld (I just love June's wonderful collage sheets). And this challenge is my first as a new DT member for Vicki - I've been a follower of Vicki for awhile now so am really thrilled she asked me to join the team this year!!

The gorgeous image on my little altered coaster is from a new "Winter Warmers" collage sheet from Dezinaworld - I've also used a little "Winter Wonderland" label from another of June's sheets "Winter White" - perfect for this theme. My coaster has been painted with gesso and stippled with blue paint plus some glitter glue in silver and clear as well as some torn pink paper and a cute little pink fringe.

We would love to see your "snowy" creations - especially me as it's HOT here!!!!

Esmerelda's New Year is not off to a good start!!!

2012-01-01T12:31:00.000+10:30

January 1st 2012
Firstly - HAPPY NEW YEAR to all my blogging friends!!!!! I started my blog 1 year ago on January 1st 2011 so this is also my First Blogversary!!! I think I'd better organise some Blog Candy for my followers!!

My first post for the new year is for the new Gingersnap Creations Colour Challenge - Soft Yellows & White. I've made this cute little card with a gorgeous collage image from one of my favourite Etsy Stores - Art Tea Life. I used a Kaszazz Chandelier stamp for the background card and I typed the little "saying" on my computer. I added a star brad to her wand and some little "diamantis" to look like "bits" of the broken chandelier LOL!!!

I called her "Esmerelda" because I thought of the character from the Bewitched TV Show - Esmerelda was the witch who's spells never worked properly!!!! And my little Esmerelda is looking like she might have a lot of explaining to do!!!!

All the best for 2012!!!!

The Dragon Leaves Wealth & Prosperity in his Path

2011-12-31T17:22:00.000+10:30

December 31st 2011

The new challenge at So Artful is "Dragon" or "New Year" and Carla has two great photo inspirations for you! I have chosen to make a "Dragon" themed card for this challenge - my FIRST challenge as a So Artful DT Member!!!! I hope you can join us by linking up with your creation this fortnight!

My card uses a metallic gold base card with some real Japanese paper glued to it (a relative of mine recently returned from having spent a year over there and I have the most amazing collection of Japanese papers/stickers/fibre/beads etc. to use on my creations!!!!). The "Asian Square - Sakura" Digital Design is from Chris at CS Designs and was perfect for my card - the image has been coloured with Copics and I sponged Gold Lumiere paint around the edge. I found the free dragon clipart here - it was just what I was looking for and I used a "Karate" Font to make the "Best Wishes" sentiment. To finish off I added a Japanese bead and some fibres to the spine.

Shades of Red & Black

2011-12-31T14:09:00.003+10:30

December 31st 2011

I made this card up last night for the new Dilly Beans Colour Challenge - Red & Black!

I've used the 2 Hearts Girl Digi and coloured her with Copics before fussy cutting her out. I had the great heart background paper - perfect in reds & blacks and I've added som heart brads and a little plastic "sentiment" plaque.

A New Year

2011-12-28T21:45:00.000+10:30

December 28th 2011
Isn't it scary - it's nearly 2012!!!!! So this week for our theme at Wicked Wednesday our theme is "New Year"! Megan from Dilly Beans is our sponsor this week so you have the opportunity to win this great image from her just by entering our challenge!!!

"Lollipop Partie Girlie" is the perfect image for this challenge - she's celebrating the new year! I've coloured her with Copic Markers and mounted her on silver card and embossed purple paper. The "Celebrate" wording I made using a free "scramble" font and it was printed on silver card and cut out.

I hope everyone has a wonderful new year!!

Merry Xmas!!

2011-12-25T08:08:00.000+10:30

December 25th 2011
Merry Xmas to all my blogging friends - here in Australia it's Xmas Day!!! I'm sharing a card I made for the latest Dilly Beans Challenge today as I made it with a Xmas theme!!

This week's theme was to use 3 Dilly Beans stamps on your creation and as you can see I've used the little lollipop girl, the xmas trees and a great checkered frame. They have all been coloured in xmas colours and I've 'highlighted' parts of each image with Dimensional Magic.

I hope you all have a wonderful day!!

No Peeking!!

2011-12-24T12:10:00.000+10:30

December 24th 2011

This little ATC has a "Steampunk" theme but I've coloured the CS Design "Steampunk Solitarie" Image in Xmas colors and used a Xmas Sentiment also from CS Designs so I can use it for today's Pink Saturday post and also to remind you all to enter our Wicked Wednesday Challenge this week!!

Christmas Wishes

2011-12-23T20:10:00.000+10:30

December 23rd 2011

Another Festive themed challenge at The Octopode Factory Challenge Blog - Christmas.
For this card I've used "Rapunzel" and added a little santa hat and coloured her in traditional green/red. I've added dimensional magic to her hat, dress & hair ties.

The background is an embossing folder from Tim Holtz (one of my favourites!!) and I have embossed the whole background with polysparkle embsossing powder to give it a real shine!

Here's another picture I took with the flash to try to show the sparkly background:

Get Steampunked!

2011-12-21T20:57:00.001+10:30

December 21st 2011
As you can see from the title our theme for this week's Wicked Wednesday ATC Challenge is "Steampunk".

I've made 2 ATC's for today's post - the first uses a cute little Tiddly Inks image "Priscilla" and a fantastic background from Dezinworld - perfect for this theme and I just love the purple and green colours!!

My second ATC uses the same background and I've made a little "paper doll" from a great collage sheet from Art Tea Life - Sandy has a fantastic range of collage sheets in her Etsy store.

We would love to see what fantastic ATC's you can come up with for this challenge. And remember you have the chance to win the cute little Priscilla image!

A little birdie told me...

2011-12-20T06:53:00.001+10:30

December 20th 2011

This card has been made for my last week as a Guest Designer at Paper Cupcakes "There's Magic in the Air" Challenge Blog. Nina has realeased a new freebie "Welcome Winter" image and I've used the little bird from that image on my card along with the great festive cupcake image!

We would love to see what you can create for this new challenge - remember to use a "bird" on your creation!

I'm sure I must have captured your Heart by now?????????

2011-12-19T12:25:00.000+10:30

December 19th 2011

The new challenge this week at Take a Word is "Sepia" so I printed out a great collage sheet from Art Tea Life (great collage sheets avaialable here!!) in "sepia" colours and have made this cute little paper art doll. I added a little bit of "pink" to her as well and some old lace!! She's stuck up on my wall at my craft desk along with a few of my other favourite creations!

Here's a close up of my "doll" with a pink background:

Don't Blow a Gasket!!

2011-12-17T17:58:00.001+10:30

December 17th 2011
I had a great time making this "special" Xmas card for some very good friends - isn't it a perfect "male" card??

The Mechanic image is from Dude Time Doodles - they have some great "male" images and this was just perfect for our "mechanic". I made the sentiment especially for this card and I've used the new Deconstructed Sketch to do the card layout.

I'm also linking this to Pink Saturday which has a "holiday" theme for the festive season. So HAPPY PINK SATURDAY everyone!!

A cut above the rest...

2011-12-17T07:06:00.002+10:30

December 17th 2011
"Winter" is the theme of the new challenge at The Octopode Factory this week. I don't have a lot of "wintery" images but I did have this cute little snowman on one of Lily's Xmas Collage Sheets so I thought he was perfect for this challenge.

I used chalks to make the tag background then popped it through the printer to add the clipart snowflakes and the humourous"wording". I added real buttons to the snowman's eyes and a little pair of scissors with the fibres!

Something a little bit different!!

2011-12-16T05:38:00.000+10:30

December 16th 2011
Our Art With No Boundaries "Christmas Sentiment" Challenge is still running so make sure you link up your Xmas creations!!

For your inspiration this week I've made 2 "non traditional xmas image" cards - LOL I've used traditional green & red colours but have had some fun with 2 of my favourite CS Designs images - Solitaire Mummyified & Solitaire Steampunk!! And the sentiments "December 25th" & "No Peeking" are also from Chris' new sentiment collections.

Here's a few more pictures of each card:

All the images have been coloured with Copic Markers and I've used some great new xmas patterned papers I bought over the weekend!!

Hope you like them and can appreciate what I was trying to achieve with these cards!!

A Twisted Xmas?

2011-12-15T20:35:00.000+10:30

December 15th 2011

What a fun challenge at the Dilly Beans Challenge Blog!!

I've used the Zombie Christmas Elf to make this fun & bright coloured xmas card. The background is one of Tim Holtz's Embossing Folders and I've "ringed" the "25" for Xmas!! I made the sentiment myself using a Dilly Beans border and I do hope you all have a "Wonderfully Gruesome Xmas!!!!!"

Bugaboo Twelve Days of Xmas - Day 5

2011-12-15T04:25:00.000+10:30

December 15th 2011

Well I've missed a few days and I don't think I will get any more done by the due date but here's my Day 5 card for the Bugaboo Challenge which required the use of "gold".

I've used a metallic gold card as the base as well as some gold on the card and the holly punched leaves. I've paper pieced the Bugaboo image so she has a metallic gold dress and boots!!! I've added white liquid applique to her dress to give that "fluffy/textured" look and pieced everything together using the current Mojo Monday Sketch!

Christmas is Coming!!

2011-12-14T22:05:00.000+10:30

December 14th 2011
Our new challenge at the Wicked Wednesday ATC Challenge Blog this week is of course "Christmas or Winter Holiday"!!! And this week's sponsor is Just Some Lines - remember you have the chance to win an image from Just Some Lines if you link your Christmas ATC to our challenge!

I've used a gorgeous Christmas Fairy image from Just Some Lines to create my ATC - she's been coloured with Copic Markers and I added white liquid applique to her hat rim to make it look "fluffy"!!! I rubber stamped a "Merry Christmas" sentiment all over the background in different coloured ink and added a little stick pin embellishment to finish it off!

We would love to see your Chrismtas ATC's - no excuse for not joining in at this time of the year as I'm sure you all have Xmas images sitting around!!!

Paper Cupcakes Winter Fun with BLING!

2011-12-12T22:01:00.000+10:30

December 12th 2011

A great challenge for this week at the Paper Cupcakes Challenge Blog - There's Magic in the Air! This is my second week as Guest Designer for the month of December.

I've used made this card in a similar colour scheme and style to the last ones I made. I've used a cute reindeer image and another of Nina's Xmas tickets. I've added lots of little sparkly gems to add some great bling to this card and some great complimentary fibres!

Bugaboo Twelve Days of Xmas - Day 1

2011-12-11T21:38:00.000+10:30

December 11th 2011

Bugaboo are having a 12 Days of Xmas Challenge and as I hadn't used any of my Bugaboo images for awhile I decided to see how many days I could get done!!! LOL I don't think I will have time to get all 12 done but I'll try to make a few!!

The first day required a "tree" so I've used the "DeDe Present" digi stamp as she's dressed in a tree costume! I used the current sketch from the Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge.

Feeling Sentimental

2011-12-08T20:25:00.001+10:30

December 8th 2011

Another great Xmas Challenge at Art With No Boundaries this week - Sentimental Christmas Winter!!
Chris from CS Designs has released some great "sentiment collections" so the Design Team have been having some fun with these great designs.

I've made a simple card using the "Merry Christmas" sentiment and Priscilla. The sentiment has been printed directly onto a metallic red card and then I have fussy cut Priscilla and adhered her to the side. I added some "bling" just to finish it all off!

We would love to see what you can do with a Christmas Sentiment so be sure to link up to our blog so we can visit and get some inspiration!!

I've also linked thisd up to Vicki's new challenge at The Cheerful Stamp Pad which has a theme of a Christmas Greeting!

Dilly Beans Stripes!

2011-12-08T16:04:00.000+10:30

December 8th 2011

Megan from Dilly Beans Stamps has a great new challenge blog and the current theme is "Stripes" so here's my card using one of the Dilly Beans stamps "Framed Rosie":

I made the "striped" background paper using my chalks which I haven't had out for absolutely ages!!! The images are coloured with Copic Markers and I have used Dimensional Magic on the flowers in Rosie's hair and the three single flowers.

Winter Fun at Wicked Wednesday!

2011-12-07T20:48:00.001+10:30

December 7th 2011

A great Winter Fun Challenge at our Wicked Wednesday ATC Challenge Blog this week. And this week we are kindly sponsored by Saturated Canary so you have the chance to win this gorgeous "Maddie" image which the DT were given to use!!

I've used a Tim Holtz Embossing Folder to make the background and Maddie has been coloured with Copics and cut out and adhered to the front of the ATC.

We would love to see your ATC creations so make sure you link up at our blog!

Guest Designer at Paper Cupcakes Challenge Blog this Month!

2011-12-05T21:34:00.000+10:30

December 5th 2011

This month I'm a Guest Designer for Paper Cupcakes so I've been having some fun with Nina's images!
The first challenge of the month is a Sketch Challenge which you can find at the Challenge Blog.

I've made a set of 3 Christmas Cards using this sketch and 2 great "Reindeer" images from Paper Cupcakes.
I wanted to achieve a more rustic/vintage type look so I've used vintage style patterned paper, craft coloured paper and green, red and black card and some mesh type ribbon and other embellishments. I've also used some fantastic "Bingo Card" background images from Nina and some great sentiment tickets. I'm really happy with the effect of these cards.

Silence!

2011-12-03T21:24:00.000+10:30

December 3rd 2011
The new theme at The Octopode Factory Challenge Blog is "Movies/Films" so this was a great opportunity to make something with "Charlie"!

Of course my printer has run out of most of the colours and so he's feeling a bit "green" but I think he actually fits in well with the black/red & purple colours I've used. As you can see I've used a "Numbers" embossing folder for the tag background - to symbolise being at the movies and the old films had the "countdown" before the movie started LOL might be showing my age here!!! I've used little letter stickers to make the wording.

Black & White Challenge

2011-12-01T19:10:00.000+10:30

December 1st 2011

Doesn't black & white look effective? This week at the Wicked Wednesday ATC Blog our challenge is to create a black & white ATC!

My ATC has been made using several images and designs from CS Designs - firstly the "Spirelli" shape is from the great little Spirelli Kit that Chris sells and I've also used a new "Priscilla" image with a great "Snowflake" sentiment!

We would love to see what stunning creations you can come up with for this great colour challenge so make sure you get creating and link up to our blog!!

Xmas Coloured Boxes!

2011-11-30T21:07:00.001+10:30

November 30th 2011

This week I am a Guest Designer at the Friendship's Garden Challenge Blog and they have a great photo inspiration for you to base your entry on so make sure you visit the site to "check it out"!

I've created 3 little handmade boxes using the colours from the photo - I used a box I already had to make the template but there are lots of little box templates around!

I've used patterned paper, textured paper, hessian type ribbon, some braid, other embellishments, a cute little collage image and some great Spellbinder flower die cuts!

These little boxes are perfect for that special "little" xmas gift!!

I can't wait to see what everyone creates! But remember this new challenge blog does NOT allow the use of stamps!!!

Six White Boomers, Snow White Boomers.......

2011-11-29T22:05:00.000+10:30

November 29th 2011

What a great new theme at the Fashionable Stamping Challenge Blog - "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas". Now as you all know I live in Australia and you would think the only way I would get a White Christmas is by dreaming it BUT what you wouldn't know is we have a great Australian Christmas Carol "Six White Boomers" ("boomers" meaning KANGAROOS!!!!) soooooo I made my Christmas card using a fantastic Kangaroo Rubber Stamp I purchased a very long time ago and I stamped out "6 boomers" on metallic white paper and fussy cut them and arranged on my card front.

I've used Copic Markers to colour just the "Kangaroo Paw" Flowers they are holding and I've added a Merry Christmas Sentiment to finish it off. It was a bit hard to photograph the metallic white finish of the card but hopefully you can still see what I was trying to achieve.

Below is the chorus of the song and if you click here you can see the rest of the words:

Six white boomers, snow white boomers,

Racing Santa Claus through the blazing sun.

Six white boomers, snow white boomers,

On his Australian run.

I hope you all appreciate my "interpretation" of the Fashionable Stamping Theme created to suit my Christmas "Climate"!!

It's Tea Time!

2011-11-26T22:22:00.000+10:30

November 26th 2011
What a great new theme at The Octopode Factory Challenge Blog this week - Anyone For Tea??

I've used one of the first and favourite images I purchased from Lily - "Steampunk Violet" - I just love her hairful of clocks LOL!!

The collage background uses images from some great freebie sheets from Freubels Freebies - these little tea cups and jugs and plates were just perfect for the effect I wanted on this card - thanks Rian (she has a great blog with all sorts of goodies)!

And you know at my house it is always tea time!!

A Traditional Red & Green Challenge!

2011-11-24T06:25:00.000+10:30

November 24th 2011
Our new challenge at Art With No Boundaries is a colour challenge! Perfect for Xmas BUT you don't have to make a Xmas creation - it can be anything as long as it's red & green!!

I've made this card with a brand new CS Designs image "Priscilla's Winter Play Time" - Isn't she gorgeous?? And although here in Australia it's HOT at Xmas I still loved making this "wintery" image Xmas card.

I used the November Challenge Sketch from the CLP Challenge Blog to "arrange" the elements on the card. I wanted to achieve a bit of a vintage type look hence the patterned papers with an aged look. I embossed a piece of green card with a Tim Holtz embossing folder and "wiped" it with a white ink pad.

New Wicked Wednesday ATC Challenge

2011-11-23T21:45:00.000+10:30

November 23rd 2011
Our new challenge at Wicked Wednesday is "Books & Reading" and our sponsor is Michelle Perkett Studio.

I've had a bit of fun with this image and have added a quirky sentiment and poked fun at E-books which are all the rage at the moment. LOL I don't have one - I prefer to read a real book!! I've also used a text patterned background from my 6 x 6 Basic Grey "Out of Print" pad. I've coloured the image with Copic Markers.

We would love to see your creations for this theme so get creating and link up to our blog. Remember you can win this great image from Michelle.

Another Flower-ful ATC!

2011-11-20T14:10:00.001+10:30

20th November 2011

I'm just sharing another little "Flower-ful" ATC to remind everyone there is still time to enter our ATC Challenge at the Wicked Wednesday blog!!

This ATC uses another of Megan's Dilly Beans digital stamps. This little angel has been coloured with Copic Markers and mounted on some embossed vellum and the little "Priceles Moments" ribbon added to the bottom!

We would love to see your creations!!

Things with Wings

2011-11-19T09:20:00.002+10:30

November 19th 2011
As you can see this is the new theme for The Octopode Factory Challenge Blog for this week and guess what???? I'm a Guest Designer for this week!!! I'm so excited Lily asked me.

Here's what I made for this challenge - a little fabric wall hanging using "Tinkerbell" and some Butterflied from Lily's range of digi stamps. I made the sentiment myself. Everything has been printed onto fabric and coloured with Copic Markers and then I've hand sewn all the bits and pieces together!

I just love to make fabric creations!

Hope you can join in this week's fun challenge - make sure you check out The Octopode Factory Etsy Store if you don't have any images!

I'm also linking this up to the new Soartful Challenge which has a "Sew Pretty" theme and as this is all fabric and "sewn" together it fits the new sewing theme perfectly!

Flower-ful ATC

2011-11-16T21:06:00.000+10:30

November 16th 2011
Our new theme this week at the Wicked Wednesday ATC Challenge Blog is "Flower-ful" and our sponsor is Megan from Dilly Beans. If you haven't seen any Dilly Beans stamps make sure you have a peek - there's a great range available!

I've made my ATC from Fabric and have coloured the image with Copic Markers and edged it with embroidery thread.

We would love to see what you can create so make sure you link up to our blog before next Tuesday. And make sure you check out what the rest of the DT have done with this Dilly Beans image.

Remember by entering you have a chance to win this gorgeous "Framed Rosie" image from Dilly Beans!