An Easter Bunny

Hello my friends! Having a good day? Hope so. My tail is mending and by that I mean the pain isn't affecting my sunny disposition as much as it did last week. Everybody is happy about that, especially my dear Conan.

This is a quick post because Rosie is starting her first cycle of chemo today and I need time to fret and worry, as I always do before such sessions. Of course Rosie has chosen to assuage her anxiety with a 4-hour nap. Ignorance is indeed bliss!

Now on to today's card. I found myself making another Easter card and this one's for Zara, our god-child. Since the beginning of the year she's taken to dressing and hopping like a bunny. (Last Christmas, she was a songstress. You can read about that ear-piercing story HERE). In a couple of months Zara will be hoppin' about with this bunny:

The patterned papers are from First Edition's Spring Feast 8x8 pad and the image is a digi stamp called Babette the Bunny by Robyn's Fetish. 

I coloured Babette with my SN markers, then cut and layered her using Spellbinders Classic Ovals and Lacy Ovals dies. Some sheer ribbon and a bow to finish. 

Here's a close-up of the Babette. Isn't she adorable?!

On the inside I stuck a little flower...She is only three and will appreciate being able to yank something off the card without upsetting her Mama!  

The sketch is from Tuesday Morning Sketches #183 and the colours are from Colour Throwdown #227. (I had to add a little red and turquoise in the image...hope that's ok.) Other challenges: Inkspirational #5, Tuesday Alchemy #49 and Die Cutting Divas #100 - "Anything Goes"; Melonheadz Friends #1 "Use a Digi" ; Sparkles Forum #40 "Die Cuts and Flowers"; Flutterby Wednesday #225 "Butterfly or Fairy" and My Time to Craft "Things with Wings".

A final piece of news to share.... Manuela, winner of my blog candy, received her stash and she is over the moon about it. Read all about it HERE. She's a fab crafter and her wood work is beyond amazing!

That's all from me today. Thanks for stopping by. I'm off to wake up the sleeping cutie and take her to the vet. Ta for now!

Beijinhos!


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Banana walnut muffin, coffee and

Easter Mojo

Hellooo, my crafty friends! It's Monday and the start of the last week of January. It has been a jam-packed month of mostly downs for me - all neatly chronicled on my crafting blog. Yep, it's the most appropriate forum to announce personal and mechanical tragedies.  I have been informed that bad luck comes in threes but I, being a lucky so-and-so, bagged the bonus calamity as well. We still have a few more days. I wonder what exciting treats the Universe has in store for me.

In the meantime, I'm going to play my much loved Mojo Monday and, fingers crossed, I won't break anything. This week's Sketch #278 is all about choice: round or square. I'm in a square mood. I'm also living dangerously by playing with The Squirrel and The Fox #36 "Something New": my new CB stamp; Joanna Sheen "3-2-1"; Sweet Stamping "Ribbon"; A Gem of a Challenge #64 "Holidays": Easter; Sugar Creek #46 "Lots of Layers"; Word Play Saturday "Anything" and Come and Get It "TicTacToe": Glitter-Free-Riccon. My card looks like this:

My card measures 5"x5" and I'm using papers from Basic Grey's Sweet Threads 6x6 pad.  The sentiment reads : "Easter spells out beauty, the rare beauty of new life". ... love it!

Here's the stamped image from my latest acquisition: Chocolate Baroque "Easter Traditions" stamp set. I coloured it with SN markers and traced along the tendrils with a Sakura Glitter pen which, sadly, is not showing up in the pic. IRL the effect is actually quite pretty. 

Then I layered the image on Nestabilities Fleur de Lis Square. To finish, some ribbon and 2 pink blings on either corner  of the sentiment.

On the inside I  stamped a greeting from WMS Spring Baskets set.

So that's it from me today. I'm late posting because I had to take Rosie to the vet this evening. We're starting chemo on Wednesday and need a check-up and blood-work to make sure she's fit to start the treatment. The mass removed form her ear just before Christmas last year turned out to be malignant - just our luck! But we're soldiering on....

Before I sign off, here's a warm welcome to my newest followers:

Anne (Wicked Witch) of Wicked Designs
Susan Dube of Susan's Crafting Beach Hut
Leeanne M of Paper Doll's Creations
Sally Dube of Sally's Window of Scraps
Carol Gill of Crafty-Stamper

Thanks for stopping by and we'll catch up again real soon. TTFN!

Beijinhos!

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Apple Turnover and 

Christmas Card Club #1: No Patterned Papers

Welcome to my 2nd post for today. When my sweet friend Clare asked me if I'd like to join the Christmas Card Club (CCC) my heart skipped a beat. 40 years on I still get excited when someone says "come play with us". So off I gambolled (yes...I gambol, don't you?!)  to the CCC play pen to meet the rest of the gang. I'll say this - it's an honour to be crafting with such talented and dedicated ladies. Every fortnight each member will take turns to set a theme for our Christmas makes. This week's challenge is set by Carol, who wants us to create a card without patterned papers. Oh boy! That's a tough one for me!  Here's what I've come up with... my first Christmas card for the year:

I might as well kick off Christmas 2013 with traditional colours.  I did some background stamping, instead of  using patterned papers. The Holly and Mistletoe design is a stamp from Chocolate Baroque's Pears and Baubles set.

I embossed a piece of red CS using the Swiss Dots folder and adhered it across my stamped background.  The focal image is from CB's Christmas Cheer set, stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black and coloured with SN pens. For cutting and layering I used Spellbinders Classic Circle and Scalloped Circle dies. The greeting is also from the same stamp set. For embellies: sheer green bow and 3 red blings. 

For dimension, I popped the focal image on some foam tape.

Continuing the winter foliage theme on the inside, I stamped  another sentiment from the Christmas Cheer set.

Ideas and inspiration for this card came from: Christmas Card Challenge #8 - sketch; Stamping for Pleasure "Rudolph Day Jan 25"; Christmas Card All Year 'Round "Christmas" and ABC Christmas Challenge "B for Bow".

Take a look at what the rest of the Christmas Card Clubbies have made: Clare, Carol, Lizzie, Margaret, Hazel, Sylvie, Pinky, Kerry, Lorraine, Dawn, Sue C, Deb, Zoe, Sue W and Karen.   (clubbie? if it's not a real word it should be!)

Thanks for stopping by. Have a blessed Sunday, y'all!



Beijinhos!


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Carrot cake and

Black, White & Read All Over

Welcome to another Eclectic Ellapu challenge, my friends. The talented Dawn from the Pink Team (go Pinkies!) has come up with a very interesting test for you. Apparently, she's a firm believer that challenge is only fun if it pushes you into doing something outside of your comfort zone. So, drop your knitting needles and create something "Black & White and Read All Over". 

Ooooh... she's a crafty one, our Dawn! Instead of leaving it at "Black and White" (easy peasy), she wants you to bring it home with TEXT. Are you up for it? I don't see why not. Use a script background, or make your own with small sentiments, or use newspaper, or pages from a book ...anything a bunch of letters. We can all do monochromatic, but let's take it a little further and make it...well, challenging!

If you're stuck, take a spin around the rest of the DT's blog and be inspired. Here's my simple creation:

I'm using bits of scrap patterned paper from Papermania's Liquorice and Sherbet collection.  I made the text background by stamping repeatedly 2 little sentiments from WMS Say It Loud set: "my friend" and "you make all the difference". 

The greeting is from WMS Fancy Phrases, stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black, then cut and layered with the aid of Spellbinders dies. Then I popped it up with foam tape.  I cut and layered the corner quarter circle with Spellbinders Standard Circle and Heart Circle dies. Finally, I adhered 3 pearls on top left hand corner and tied it all up with some Black and White Doodlebug twine.  

On the inside, I stamped a little sentiment from WMS Say It Loud... and I'm done! 

I'm linking up with My Heart Pieces "Thinking of You"; Shelly's Images "1 word sentiment - 2 patterned papers - 3 embellishments (pearls)", Inky Chicks #2 "Bingo - Die cuts, Bow and Pearls" and Papertake Weekly "Tie Up Your Loose Ends".  And why not swing by Make It Monday #125 for an inspiration overload!

Are you ready to play? Go on..you know you want to. I'm looking forward to visiting your blogs, so ink up your stamps!

Thanks for stopping and I'll see you soon...real soon! ;-)

Beijinhos!

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Chocolate walnut brownie... oh yum ... and

Friday Confessional and a song

Woohoo! It's Friday! I'm soooo glad the week is over. It's been quite a painful week for me. It began with the demise of my BigShot on Monday and it was downhill all the way.

On Tuesday evening, I slipped on some ice just outside our front door and fell flat on my bony "#*$ .... behind. At the time I was a lot more descriptive about the location and the ensuing agony, but since this is a family channel I'll just say this: "Ouch!" However, I was more concerned that someone might have seen my failed triple Salchow, so pretending all was fine I hobbled back inside and hoped the next day I'd be nimble and graceful again.  No such luck, so off we went to the doctor for a couple of x-rays, pain meds and a donut pillow. (The medicine man called it a coccyx cushion, I prefer donut, glazed with sprinkles). Life is now considerably more comfortable for me ... the husband ... the dogs ... and everyone within yelling distance.

So what does any of this got to do with today's card? Absolutely nothing! But it makes a good reason story excuse for missing my friend's birthday. Worth a try, no?

The papers are from Papermania's Capsule Collection Aqua and Verde.

Not too much dimension on the card: just some foam tape on the greeting and some purple bling at 2 opposite corners.

I used all but the smallest the die in the Spellbinders Labels 4 set for layering. The greeting is from WMS Fancy Phrases, stamped with Brilliance  Cottage Ivy. I inked the edges with TH Peeled Paint and applied Crystal Stickles. Some flat flowers and twine by Doodlebug.

Plenty of space to spin my yarn about why I missed her birthday!

The sketch is from Tuesday Morning Sketches #182  and the colours are from Colour Throwdown #226. Also playing with Tip Top Tuesday #94 "Lavishly Luscious Layers"; Moving Along with the Times "Bling It On"; Aud Sentiments Challenge "Imspirational Bingo": Die cut- "Happy"- Flowers; and Papertake Weekly "Tie Up Your Loose Ends".

Before I go, just want to share with you with a YouTube video my dear Conan (not-such-a-Barbarian-today) showed me as I lay in bed with a painful posterior and grumpy from my hair-line fracture. "It's good to remember how blessed we really are and to think about what we can and should do for the less fortunate", he says. (Why doesn't he show me these "reminders" when I'm not so cranky?!)

Thanks for dropping in and enjoy your Friday, my friends!

Beijinhos!

Leeland and Brandon Heath - "Follow You"

Love birds

Happy Thursday, my friends! Just popping in to share with you a card I made for a sweet young couple who announced their engagement last week. (When I say young... I mean relative to, say, someone in the wrong side of 40). I wanted to make a card for them but I just could not find the perfect image or sentiment...until yesterday. And suddenly, it all came together in way that describes their love for each other, their hopes and dreams for their future and their steadfast faith in God. He delivers every time... Amen!

I'm using papers from Papermania's Rose Garden 6x6 pad... it's pre-historic.  Didn't want to clutter the card so I added the embellishments, sparingly: sheer pink bow, pink twine, some pearls and cream lace.

I just LOVE this digi by Sweet and Sassy. It's called Birds and Roses and what a joy to colour with my SN markers. (I've included a link for you to take a peek). 

I cut and layered the image with the aid of Spellbinders Standard Circles and Heart Circles dies.

And on the inside - the perfect sentiment and blessing to start a new life together.  I'm not their Mama and I've giddy with excitement!  

The sentiment is from WordArt Wednesday #64 "Anything Goes" and for inspiration I turned to The Shabby Tea Room #150 "Just Pretty". I'm playing with Sugar Hollow Creek #45 "Tic Tac Toe":Lace-Ribbon-Pearls, Digi Stamps 4 Joy #59 "Anything Goes" and Digital Tuesday Challenge #194 "Favourite Colour Combo".

That's all for today. Thanks for stopping by and I'm so glad I could share this with you. Have  great day and we'll catch up later!

Beijinhos!


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Chocolate eclairs...2.  (oops!)

Helloooo!

Gooood morning, dear friends! Yesterday, I mentioned that I had some good news....well here it is! I'm on the Tuesday Throwdown Design Team... I can scarcely believe it myself, but it's true. These über- talented ladies have admitted lil' ol' me into their fold. And today I get to show you my very first project for the Tuesday Throwdown Challenge. I'm so excited I'm doing cartwheels... in my head. It's the safest way for someone like me. Following a series of January misfortunes (camera, Turtle Joe and most recently my BigShot), any sudden movements and I might inadvertently kill my computer too!

Over at Tuesday Throwdown, the theme for the week is "Furry Friends" - and that is right up my alley!  I'm showcasing a darling tubby tabby by MelJen's Designs,  purrfect for a dear friend's birthday!   

I made a square card measuring 5-1/2".  The patterned papers are by My Mind's Eye "Pretty Please".  I just love the big blooms ... so very spring, makes my heart sing!

Here's a closer look at the digi by MelJen's Design. Kitty-Kitty is sooo cute, I had to give her rosy cheeks. I coloured the digi with SN markers. The greeting is from WaltzingMouse's Compact Sentiments set, stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black.

I cut and layered the digi  and the greeting using Spellbinders Classic Circles and Scallop Circle dies, popped them up with foam tape and tied a bow with some baker's twine. Wanted to keep the embellies to a minimum because the star of the show is Miss Tabby!

 This is going to be a birthday card and so when I send it off I'll add "....on your birthday". I think my sweet friend will love it!

All you have to do now is link up your furry friend over at Tuesday Throwdown Challenge #131 and show us what cuddly creature makes your heart melt. Swing by the rest of the design team and be inspired by their cuddly creations. I'm looking forward to visiting your blogs. 

If you are looking for FREE (yay!) kitty fonts and sentiments for your feline projects, then look no further because Lisa of Decosse's Dynamite Doodles will having purring with pleasure with what she's created. Head on over to Decosse's Dynamite Doodles Follower Freebies 26 &27: Cat Sentiments and have fun with some adorable kitty chatter.   

You'll find me playing here: Bunny Zoe's Monthly Challenge "Anything Goes"; Created With Love #25 "Anything Goes"; Challenges 4 Everybody #12 "Anything Goes"; My Heart Pieces "Thinking of You";  Creative Creations #2 "Keep It Simple"and Whoopsidaisy Challenge "Use a Digi".

Thanks for stopping by and we'll catch up real soon!

Beijinhos! 

Eggs for Easter

Hello, my friends. This is going to be a short post... a very short one because I am in mourning...again. This time it's my BigShot. He died. I killed him... I think. He creaked, groaned and then he expired. Just like that. I don't understand. He was young, not too overworked... maybe some overtime during Christmas but no where near the hours I was putting in. And today, without so much as a goodbye, he stopped.

I'm going to take a moment and reflect on our happy times together. I'll leave you with this week's Mojo offering:

No patterned papers today. I embossed the blue CS using the  "Daisies" folder with my BigShot (RIP). It was his last assignment.

The basket, egg filling and greeting are from WMS "Spring Basket" set. The 3 eggs came from Chocolate Baroque's Butterfly Egg set. To stamp I used Memento Rich Cocoa. I tied a bow with some white and blue twine. 

And popped the entire panel up on foam tape. There's not a stitch on my card.... I couldn't do it, not today. 

The sentiment is by WMS. Could bear to throw away the spare egg that I stamped so I found a place for it inside. 

The sketch is from MojoMonday #277 and the colours are from 2 Sisters #127 "Brown, White and Blue". I'm also playing with Gem of a Challenge #63 "Emboss It".

I hope your day is better than mine. Thanks for stopping by and I'll see you tomorrow with some special news! Woohoo! (I'm a silver lining kinda gal!)

Beijinhos!

A New Love Pad

That's what they're calling their new place. The racy couple in question are both in their 60s, retired and  have traded in their 4 bedroom empty nest for a swanky new apartment with a sea view.

Before I ramble on about this card, can I just say: Welcome to another PolkaDoodles challenge. I hope you had fun with our blog hop last week. If you haven't played yet, there's still time . The challenge and blog hop end on Sunday Jan 20, so hurry. This week we have another challenge for you: Stitching (Faux or Real) and Lace. 

I made a new home card for my footloose and fancy-free friends who will be moving into their new pad next month. Her faveourite colour is purple and he is partial to green - so this card should please both of them, hopefully. (I must apologise for the quality of the pictures... still learning how to use my new camera.) 

Both the patterned papers - the floral design and green gingham - are from PolkaDoodles Cherryblossom Lane CD.

The is from PolkaDoodles In the Garden CD.  I coloured it with alcohol markers did some stencilling with distress ink. and layered it on a die-cut.

I did some stitching all around, adhered some white crochet lace and tied a couple of teeny tiny bows with some twine.  

On the inside I added a sentiment label from the In The Garden CD....and some lace.

Now it's your turn. Show us your project; use lace and do some stitching - real or faux. And if you need a little inspiration, take a look at what the rest of the design team have come up with - that will have you rushing off to your craft room, for sure.

I'm playing along in these challenges: Crafting for All Season #43 "Something New"; Crafts Me #116 "Something New"; Unique Crafter Challenge "New Beginnings".

Thanks for stopping by today and I wish you a creative day. I'm looking forward to visiting your blogs...so what are you waiting for? Get cracking with those projects!  :-)

Beijinhos!

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Peanut Brittles