Time for Myself...

Something I don't get very often being a single mum... but today my boys aged 5 and 7 told me to sit down and relax and they would do the dishes and clean the house because I never get a break! It made me so proud, that I have bought up these two gorgeous, caring boys and makes me forget the times when I think I'm not doing such a great job!! Now I didn't really egt any time to myself cos there is always things to do but it really was the thought that counted!!! I love my boys to bits!!!
Today I have a card to share with you that wasn't for a DT!! Now I really love the DT's that I am on but sometimes it's nice to create something without a theme or a set image!! A boy I used to Nanny about 10 years ago turned 21 last week so I made this card for him.. mind you I still haven't sent it - hey it's the thought that counts!!

 I used last weeks Sketch saturday Sketch but because it's taken me so long to post this card on my blog I now can't enter it... I used Groove Dude from Kenny K and coloured him in with Tria markers and glitter pens. All the papers are from my scrap stash. The little guitars are from Tickled Pink stamps and to finish off the card I added punched out stars, buttons, raffia, and painted some chipboard numbers with black paint and covered them with crystal effects!! Hopefully Yai likes it - when he eventually gets it!!!
I am entering this card into the following challenges:
* Chocolate, Coffee and Cards - Anything Goes
* Charisma Cardz - Anything Goes
* Moving Along with the Times - Happy Birthday
* Crafts and Me - Birthdays
* Stamps and Fun = CREATIVITY - Happy Birthday Blog Hop
* Celebrate the Occasion - Happy Birthday
* The Cutie Pie Challenge - One for the Boys

School's Out at the 4 Crafty Chicks

Well sadly today is my last post as GDT over at the 4 Crafty Chicks. I have really loved designing for them over the last 4 weeks using images that haven't seen ink before or for awhile!!! The girls have been very welcoming and helpful and patient when I've been a bit late with cards! I will definitely be  joining in on the challenges each week if time allows!!!
So for my last challenge the theme is School's Out!! We are just about to start our school holidays here but they are only mid year break as our schooling is different to overseas!! Anyway, I know when the boys aren't at school they enjoy going to the park!! So with that in mind I created this card!!

Yes I know there are no boys in sight on this card but it inspired me to create this tent card!! My friend Sam has an addiction with Magnolia stamps, so I am lucky enough to be able to stamp out a lot of maggie images when we get  together for a craft session which is never regular enough. Anyway, I hadn't used this swing yet and this is my favourite Tilda so took the opportunity to create with it!! I made a tent card so I could utilise the swing in a realistic fashion. I recently won some blog Candy from Sue at Sue's Spot. and I won a MME Madison Ave paper pad so I used those papers. to complete the card I added the Magnolia dog which has been coloured for ages, added the flowers and rhinestones and then using my new Tim Holtz stamp set that I won on the weekend, I made some butterfly shrinky dink charms. I felt the card was missing something when I had finished it so I distressed around the edges with Walnut Distress Stain! I really love the way it turned out!!
 I am enetring this card into the following challenges:
* Pile it On - Make your own Embellishments
* Crafty Creations - Embellish It
* My Mum's Craft Shop - Favourite Stamp
* The Paper Shelter - Punches and/or Dies
* Scrapbook Sisters - Anything Goes
* Craft Your passion - Things with Wings
* Let's Ink it Up - Favourite Embellishments
* Magnolia Stamp Lovers - Distressing
* Frosted Designs - Make your own Embellishments

Red, Blue and White at Elisabeth Bell's World

Hello and welcome to another challenge at Elisabeth Bell's World!! We had some beautiful creations last month... Were you a winner?? Well head on over to The Elisabeth Bell's World Challenge Blog to find out!! This motnh our challenge is Red White and Blue.. I have been hanging out to colour Cinnamon Sugar since I bought her and a few of her Cottage Cutie Friends from Whimsy Stamps and thought these colours were perfect for her.

I coloured Cinnamon Sugar in with Tria markers and glitter pens. I also coloured the cupcakes in with tria markers and added a little glitter and smooch. I used some paper from a pirate paper pad which I bought from a local craft store. I then added all the embellishments - flowers, rhinestones and ribbon. It looks like a pretty simple card but took me forever to put it together!! I had to think for myself cos I didn't follow a sketch!! LOL!

Well if you haven't already come from the Elisabeth Bell's World Challenge blog, then head on over there now to see what the rest of the DT have created!! You won't be disappointed!!

I am entering this card into the following challenges:
* Totally Stampalicious - Red, White and one other colour
* Gingerloft - Red, White and Blue
* Card Makin Mama's - Red, White and Blue
* The Poodles Parlour - Red, White and Blue
* Inky Impressions - Red, White and Blue

New Sketch at Seems a Little Sketchy!!

Where did the last two weeks go? I am still trying to figure out time differences for all the challenges  but I think I have finally figured it out!!! So I have it written on my DT calendar so I don't forget!!
It is time for a new Sketch at Seems a Little Sketchy and I made two cards with this sketch!!

We are being Sponsored by Whoopsi Daisy for this challenge

and I chose to play with the following images!!

I coloured this image in with tria markers and glitter pens!! All the papers are from my scrap stash ( think these papers are kaisercraft). I added the ribbons, flowers and rhinestones and made some butterfly shrinkies!! And to finish it off added the magnolia crystals.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

* Craft Your Passion - Things with Wings

* Dream Valley challenges - Things with Wings
* Pan Pastel UK - Anything Goes
* 2 Sisters - Anything Goes
* Stampavie and More - Something with Wings

This one is a Joy Fold card!I coloured this image in with tria markers and glitter pens also!! I embossed the background paper, used the last of my orange floral paper then added the ribbon that ties to close the card!! i teh added the flower, button, rhinestones and corner adornment which I got my from my local Reject Shop!!

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

* Bearly Mine - Flowers

* Shelly's Images - Anything Goes

Hope you can join us at Seems a Little Sketchy and show us what you can do with this fabulous sketch!!

 

I love Apple Pie!!

I mean that literally, it's my favourite dessert in the world especially may Nan's apple pie which no-one has ever been able to replicate. I'm getting off the track though aren't I!! You are not here to read about apple pie and how much I love it but I'm sure you would love to see the gorgeous new "Apple Bake" that the ever so talented Elisabeth Bell has designed for us!!  As this is the Digi Bell's monthly Blog Hop you should have arrived here from Pami's blog  where I'm sure she dazzled you with her creation! If not then make your way back to The Digi Bell's Blog where you need to start and where you will find a full list for the hop!!!

 

 As soon as I saw this I thought of my nan and  one of the last times I spent with her before her health deteriorated when she was in the kitchen making her apple pie and I just watched her, taking it all in!! She never looked at a recipe or measured any ingredients... I've tried to make that apple pie so many times but it just never tastes as good as Nan's :(
So with Nan in mind, I made this card, obviously I can't give it to my Nan but I do think of her everyday!!

I used the sketch from The Sweetest Thing. I coloured Apple Bake in with Tria markers.. I went with pastel colours but you may notice that the rim of the pie dish is dark blue... That is beceause my nan had a tin pie dish that was white with a dark blue rim - so I had to colour it the exact same!! I used scraps from my stash so not sure where the spotty paper is from. I loved this sketch cos I was able to use all my favourite embellishments, ribbon, buttons, flowers and rhinestones. The sentiment is from Stampin Up. To finish off the card  did some fauz stitching on the  pink CS cos it was missing something but it finished off the card just perfect!!    Well there you have it, it's now time to hop over to see the talented  Rose to see what she has created for you!! If you get lost at any stage then just head back to The Digi Bell's Blog where you will find all the info you need including how you can win this gorgeous image!! Or if you can't wait that long you can purchase Apple Bake now from Elisabeth Bell's Digital collection.
I will be away from my blog for a couple of days as I'm heading down to my mum's for the weekend and I have a date with Tim Holtz on Sunday!! I have two posts due on MOnday so will be able to tell you all about it then.. I am so EXCITED!!

I am entering this card into the following challenges:
* The Sweetest Thing - Sketch and DT Call
* Crafty Catz - Pastel colours
* Stampin for the Weekend - Show us your style
* Di's Digi Designs - Spotty and Dotty
* Fab'n'Funky - Polka Dots

New beginnings and a new challenge at PCJ

Well as the title suggests there is heaps happening at PCJ! As you are aware Lisa recently stood down as Blog owner and DT co-ordinator and handed the reigns to Wendy!! We are very happy that Lisa is staying on as DT but we have lost a few members due to family committments!! So we wish them well!! That means that we are looking for some new DT members to join our little family!! Head on over to the new look PCJ blog to find out all the details.
And of course this week sees a new challenge at PCJ which is Feeling Krafty!! We would like to see some Kraft card stock on your creation somewhere!!!
We are being sponsored by Digi doodles this fortnight and they kindly let us play with some of their images and are also donating a $10 gift certificate.

I chose to use this gorgeous little image "All Better". As soon as I saw her I knew she was the one I wanted to create with her.

I actually had no Kraft cardstok so had to ask my friend Angela if she had any.. Thankfully she did and she also gave me a back of her scraps which I just love so I have used them on my card!! I decided to try my hand at colouring on Kraft and I think I it turned out ok but you can be the judge! I coloured this sweet image in with Tria markers, distress around the edge of everything with walnut distress ink, I 3D'd her bandana,bag the cat and te bandage!! I then just added the ribbon, buttons, star at the stampin up sentiment!!

Well that's it from me but please head on over to PCJ to check out our new look blog and to see if you were a winner from our last challenge!!

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

* Crafts and Me - Anything Goes

* Little Red wagon - Kraft

* Cutie Pie challenge - Stitching Real or Faux

By the Sea at 4 Crafty Chicks - GDT!!

Well it's definitely not beach weather here in Sunbury, it's 9 Degrees and raining!! A great day to be indoors. Would have been an awesome day to spend in my PJ's but don't think my kids would have appreciated me taking them to school and kinder in them..LOL
Anyway, it's my third week (already) as a GDT at the 4 Crafty Chicks and it's a summer theme of By the Sea... I enjoyed making this card but it was a card that kept changing as I got different ideas and decided to do a bit of recycling!!

Doesn't this just scream summer!!! I have had cards and LO's lying around for a long time gathering dust so I decided to pull some apart for this card!! The sand was from a card that someone had made as part of a swap... it was sand stuck on double sided sticker paper and the sentiment which is from Kaszazz was from a LO . I just tore some blue CS for the sea and scrunched it up then added my Tickled Pink Stamp Li'l Lad Stefan which is coloured in with Tria markers, added the dolphin which is also coloured with tria markers and a bit of shimmer chalk brushed over it!!  To finish the card I added the button and ribbon to make the sun!! Looking at the card now I could have possibly added some clouds but still happy with it!! Thanks to the 4 Crafty Chicks for helping me make the decision of whether to have the dolphin or not!!
So now it's your turn to join in the fun and see what the 4 Crafty Chicks have created so head on over to the 4CC blog now!!
I am entering this card into the following challenges:
* The House that Stamps Built - Head for the Beach
* The Paper Shelter - The Great Outdoors
* Scrapalicious - Summertime
* LEJ Designs - Recycle Something or Use Household Items
* Love to Create - Summertime Fun
* Craft a Scene - Beach Scenes
* Pan Pastel UK - Summertime
* Sweet Stampin - Summer Fun
* Polka Doodles - Summer Scene
* Raise the Bar - Summer

Logan's DT post for CYPK

I am writing this on behalf of Logan who is sound asleep!! I mentioned the other day that Logan was on the Craft Your Passion Kids DT - well today is his first post and he made this fabulous card for the Summertime Fun challenge!!

Logan chose Crab Boat from Bugaboo stamps (who is the sponsor this month) to use on his card which he coloured in with copics and whisper markers!! He used a blue card stock then added all the other SB papers which were from my stash!! I cut out his image and the other two boats and he stuck them down!! He added the button as the sun which I thought was very clever! He was quite pleased with his card as was I!!
Head on over to the Craft your Passion Kids Challenge blog to see what the other kids created!!

 

Li'l Lillian - Painting the Town.. err Green!!

Wow, three posts in one day.. Must be something wrong with me!! LOL!! Today it's my turn to post on The Digi Bell's Blog and it seems like ages since I posted last!! i think it was nearly two weeks ago and because our blog hop was postponed it does seem like forever!!
So last night I whipped up this cute little card using Li'l Lillian which you can get from Elisabeth Bell's digital collection! I wasn't really sure what colours to go with but I had already coloured her in red so decided to go with Red! My friend Angela gave me some of her paper scraps the other day (cos I needed some kraft card stock) and found this perfect SB paper.

I coloured Li'l Lillian in with Tria markers and coloured the flowers on her dress in with a glitter pen!! I thought I'd join in the Elphine House challenge this week (Distressing or tearing) so did a bit of that then added, the twine, flowers, rhinestones and magnolia gems!! You just gotta love when a card turns out better than you had envisioned!!
Don't forget that The Digi Bell's Blog Hop is on this Friday the 22nd June, so come back then to see what gorgeousness Elisabeth has in store for you this month..:)
I am entering this card into the following challenges:
* Elphine House - Distressing or paper Tearing
* Stampin with the Dragon - Anything Goes
* The Paper Shelter - Anything Goes
* Truly Scrumptious - Flower Power

Friends or Buddies at CYPK and a DT call

Sorry I have been MIA for the past few days!! My youngest son had eye surgery on Friday to have his eyes straightened so it was an early visit to the hospital and a long, tiring day!! He had the outer muscles tightened this time as he had the inner muscles done three years ago and it wasn't successful! Everything went well, although with him being a bit older, found it harder to console him when he was so hungry and tired and not being able to tell him when he could eat made it harder! Thankfully the new Royal Children's Hospital here in Melbourne has a lot of things to occupy the kids including the Meerkats, a huge fish tank and a very big interactive touch screen with games to play. Of course there are shops too and lifts to ride in..LOL!! His eyes are healing well, he is back to his active self, just have the battle of getting two lots of eye drops in his eyes four times a day for the next two weeks!! Lots of bribery has come into play and he is getting better with each lot that goes in!!! He knows he's getting one of his favourite dinosaur train dinosaurs at the end of the two weeks so that helps!! :)

This is Logan beside the big fish tank before surgery

Logan playing on the huge Interactive screen before surgery

Logan  just after surgery - once he'd woken up properly he wanted to do some colouring in.

Logan today, being cheeky as always :)

We go back to the hospital again in a month for a check up so will know then what happens next!! There is a chance of needing a third surgery but we are not really going to know that for about a year after more visits and eye checks...

I do have a couple of cards to share today but will have to show in two separate posts. Craft your Passion Kids is currently having a DT call and both the boys wanted to apply so I thought I better get my act together and get their cards posted.

So this is Logan's Card

He used Buggin Drummer from Kenny k for his card!! He went a little bit overboard with the green and has made much better cards but he was happy with it so who am I to say otherwise.. It's his creation after all!!..

 Logan is entering this into the following challenge:

* Craft Your Passion Kids - Friends and Buddies

Craft Your Passion Kids - Friends and Buddies Challenge and DT Call

Just took me forever to get this posted.. Blogger is not playing nice today :(

I recently joined the Seems a Little Sketchy Design Team and as many of you would know, the Blog owner Jenn runs a number of other challenge blogs including Craft Your Passion Kids challenge Blog!! When I saw there was a DT call i thought Logan would love it so jenn asked if he would like to join them for June and of course he was so excited!! But when I told Liam he was a bit disappointed and wanted to join too so I told him to make a card and enter it.. (The reason I hadn't initially told him about it is because i didn't think he'd be interested as he doesn't craft as much as Logan.. But i shouldn't have assumed .. bad mother.. :)

Anyway, he got creating and this is what he came up with:

 

We recently went to the Picture to Page show in Burwood and these are the papers Liam bought and the stickers too!! He used the Tickled Pink Image and the Magnolia Barrel and coloured them in with Copics and whisper markers

Liam is entering this card in the following challenge:

* Craft Your Passion Kids - Friends and Buddies

It's a sketch at 4 Craft Chicks - GDT

The weeks seem to be flying by and we are nearing the middle of June already!!  But let's not think about that.. it's time for a new challenge at the 4 Crafty Chicks.. And this week we have a sketch for you!

I had fun playing with this sketch!! A few weeks ago I went to the Picture to Page Craft show and took my boys and they both bought a La La Land Crafts stamp each!! My oldest bought King Luka so I decided to colour him up.

 I wasn't too sure what papers to use to go with him but remembered that I'd bought this paper awhile ago and thought it would work perfect with the sketch and the image!! I coloured Prince Luka in with Tria markers and used a glitter pen on his belt, buttons (on his cape) and his crown.The card just came together perfectly and I was very happy with it and my boys loved it!!!

Why don't you head on over to see what the 4 Crafty Chicks created with this sketch!! They will wow you!!

I am entering this card into the following challenges:
* Shopping our Stash - Double your Ribbon
* Lexi's Creations - Happy Birthday
* Tammy's Scrapin Corner - For the Boys
* The Pink Elephant - Masculine

Seems a Little Sketchy Challenge #15

It's time for sketch #15 at Seems a Little Sketchy and my first sketch as part of the SALS DT!! I have had a lot of fun creating with the sketches before becoming a DT member but now get to inspire you with what you can do with them!!!
We are being sponsored by Digi Doodles shop and we were lucky enough to choose an image to create with!! I used Louis, Butterflies and Buttercups!!

Here is my card:

I coloured Louis is with Tria markers and added perfect pearls around the image!! All the papers were from my stash as were the ribbon and raffia!! i then made the butterfly shrinky dinks!! I had lots of fun creating this card and my son loves it (but he loves all my cards) :)
So why not have a go with this sketch and show us your creation over at Seems a Little Sketchy!!

I am entering this card into the following challenges:
* Craft Your Passion - Anything Goes
* Creative Inspirations Paint - Butterflies
* Pile it On - Let's Get Outdoors
* Stampin' for the Weekend - Bugs and Butterflies
* Crafty Ribbons - Butterflies and Bows
* Southern Girls Challenge - Things with Wings

PCJ Colour it Up challenge with some changes on the way!!!

Oh I am so late with this post!! I have been busy doing bookwork for my sister all week, there was a teachers strike at school yesterday so kids were home and today I had to work.. I really need to learn to pre schedule my posts as I have been super organised with getting my cards made just not posting them!!!
 Anyway, yesterday saw the start of a new challenge at Paper Crafting Journey and the challenge is to Colour it Up! Yep nice and easy.. we want to see your wonderful colouring skills this time around!!
We are being sponsored by Inked Treasures and the lucky winner will win 4 digis of their choice!!!
I finally coloured up a Saturated Canary image Ellies' Party for my card!!

I made a side easel card and for a change didn't follow a sketch - yep I used my own creative brain this time!!I coloured Ellie's party in with Tria markers and used kindy glitz on her hat and glitter pen on parts of Ellie's clothing!!All the SB paper and sentiments are from the happy Days paper pad from Simple Stories!! To finish off the card I added the ribbon (that was tied around a packet of tea towels :) ) and buttons then added kindyglitz here and there!!
Now before I go I did mention some changes were on the way!! Well the lovely Lisa - Blog owner and DT co-ordinator of PCJ has decided to step down as the joy of running the blog is no longer with her so .... Wendy put up her hand to keep the challenge blog going and has taken over ownership!! Lisa is staying on as a DT member so that is wonderful. We have also had a few DT members leave us - Suzie, Jessie, Hilde and Laura. I am going to miss them as three of the girls have been a part of PCJ for as long as I have and we have become a little family!!  I wish all you girls well  and will see you in blog land I'm sure!!
So as of next challenge our challenge blog will be back on blogger and in the coming months there will be a few more changes!! So stick with us cos there's lots more fun to be had!!!
I am entering this card into the following challenges:
* Saturated Canary - Anything Goes
* Pixie Dust Studio - Use 3 or more patterned papers
* Pretty Little Ribbon Shop - Lots of Layers
* Crafting for all Seasons - Many Layers
* The Paper Shelter - Going Dottie
* Stampavie and More - For a Girl
* LEJ Designs - Button It
* Ooh La La Creations - Make it Girly

Monochromatic at the 4 Crafty Chicks

Hello, it's my first challenge as June Guest designer at 4 Crafty Chicks and my post is late!!! I'm so very sorry.. my son had a day off school today due to a Teachers strike so I didn't have the spare time I usually have!!
So I'll stop rambling and get this post posted!!
The challenge this week at 4 Crafty Chicks is monochromatic!! Not something I do a lot of so was a bit of a challenge for me but I think my card turned out ok!!

I used the ever so cute Lily Rose from Magnolia which I got for my birthday from my ever so wonderful friend Sam!! I coloured Lily Rose in with Tria markers and colured all her scales and spikes in with H20's just for a bit of sparkle!! I embossed some flourishes in the corner added some ribbon, flowers and rhinestones to pull the card together!! And of course at kindyglitz to the embossed oval!!
Well that's it from me, I'll be back with another post in awhile but don't forget to head on over to the 4 Crafty Chicks blog to see their gorgeous creations!! Thanks for having this month!!

Rachel, Little Angel

Wow, where has the last week gone? The year is just disappearing before my very eyes!!! I actually have been creating a lot of cards while I've been gone but they are all for upcoming DT posts so I am unable to share most of them just yet. Besides making cards I have been doing some bookwork for my sister, took the boys to the footy (Aussie Rules) saturday night and yesterday went and picked my mum up from hospital and take her home. I am really looking forward to this long weekend coming up and more importantly the school holidays in 4 weeks as we are going away and will love not having to get up early and get ready in time for school!!
So I am here today to share my card I have made for my Digi Bell's Post and I have used Rachel, Little Angel designed  by the talented Elisabeth Bell!! You can get her from Elisabeth's digital collection HERE along with all of her other adorable images:

I followed the Elphine House Sketch to make this card!! I coloured Rachel, Little Angel in with Tria markers and H20's. All the papers are from my scrap stash, then I added all the embellishments!!
I am entering this card into the following challenges:
* Elphine House - Sketch
* The Crafty Pad - Ribbons
* The Ribbon Girl - Use Ribbon or Lace
* Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge -Anything Goes
* Crafting for All Seasons - Many Layers
* Crafts and Me - Add Ribbon
* Divas by Design - Anything Goes
* Ruby's Rainbow - Things with Wings
* Stampavie and More - For a Girl
* Party Time Tuesdays - Anything Goes

I'll be back in a couple of days with some more new cards!!