Grand Opening of The Craft's Meow

My gorgeous friend Lisa Hjulberg is launching her dream today - The Craft's Meow - her very own online store selling papercrafting kits from companies such as Crate Paper and Graphic 45. She's also introducing her very own stamp line featuring this little cutie! Her name is Frieda and there's a lovely story behind her name! Lisa's mother's name was Frieda and she was hoping Lisa would name one of her children after her - but Lisa had 4 boys! So now Frieda is remembered and honoured in ink. This image is "Little Frieda's Flowers". There are 2 other cute Frieda images to check out too. 

There are several of Lisa's friends who have jumped on board to help her out - and most of us are celebrating today with previews - you can check out who else is playing along today at The Craft's Meow Store blog HERE. I can't tell you how honoured I am to play a part today - especially amongst such talented crafters.

In honour of Lisa's kits I used Crate Paper DP - these are from the Restoration paper pad. I'm not sure yet if it's one being used in the kits. I also coloured Frieda's dress in green - Lisa's favourite colour (and mine)! The flowers and wreath have a little sparkle on them from my clear Spica pen. The sentiment comes with Frieda.

I used this week's sketch from Friday Sketchers for inspiration.

Good Luck with your new adventure Lisa!!!

xXx

Playing with Wee Stamps and Friday Sketchers

When I was on the DT for Spesch Stamps I was rapt when owner Tracey found a wonderful new artist to design for her called Sylvia Zet - her images are super cute and I loved working with them. Recently Sylvia has ventured out on her own and started up Wee Stamps. This is the first one I've coloured up and popped onto a card - but I do have others waiting patiently for their turn - LOL. This cutie is called Sweet Blossom - isn't it ADORABLE!!!

I've used this week's Friday Sketchers sketch and my DP is from Stampin' Up - but it's probably retired by now - I found it at the bottom of the drawer - LOL.

xXx

Happy Birthday with Cherrie and Friday Sketchers

I just loved this week's sketch over at Friday Sketchers so decided to have a play. I've used the gorgeous Birthday Cherrie from Tickled Pink Stamps - available HERE.

For anyone interested in finding out HOW I cut Cherrie with her balloons outside the edge of the nestie I've done a tutorial over on the Tickled Pink Stamps Blog HERE.

The DPs are from Pink Paislee and the sentiment is from Magnolia.

Hope everyone is having a FABULOUS weekend - I just wish they were longer!!!

And don't forget to enter for a chance to win my blog candy HERE - I'm drawing it on Monday!!!

xXx

Mo Meets Friday Sketchers

As always when I get stuck putting a card together I head over to the sketch challenge blogs looking for inspiration. I've used this week's fabulous sketch from Friday Sketchers here but I've skewed one of the layers - you all know I'm a little twisted right - LOL.

This gorgeous image is Mo Manning's "I Wuv U" and you can find it HERE. There's also a curly haired version if you prefer.

I used a  mix of DP's from October Afternoon and Cosmo Cricket, they worked so well together. And if you're wondering how I did the frame around my image - I cut my CS using the same size nestie as I used on the image. I then spliced it in 2 halves on the diagonal and glued it in place - easy! The sentiment is from Tickled Pink Stamps.

xXx

Tickled Pink Stamps Challenge #2

This week's challenge over at Tickled Pink Stamps Challenges is the theme

I {Heart} You

I may have taken the whole theme a little too literally but I thought the new Cherrie with Heart that was just released yesterday would work perfectly along with a chipboard alpha I had in my stash. The alpha was already glittered up - but was white and didn't stand out enough - so I used my copics to colour them to match! And of course I had to glitter up the heart too!

And as Tickled Pink Stamps is sponsoring this week's Friday Sketcher's Challenge I worked with their new sketch. My DP is Material Girl by Cosmo Cricket and was a gift from a dear cyber friend!

And just to let you know Kellie is currently having a

School Holiday CRAZY SALE instore

- check it out HERE

xXx

Mo Meets Friday Sketchers #101

As soon as I saw this fabulous new image from Mo Manning I knew it was for me - what am I saying - it IS me - LOL. Most mornings I sit in my bathrobe and hop on my green laptop to blog and check emails - and if I'm really lucky my DH makes me a cappucino - BLISS. Even my son asked "Where do you want me to put you?" as he held my coloured image up to clear the table - LOL.

For the layout I've used this week's Friday Sketchers sketch #101 for inspiration and computer generated a sentiment to fit the way I feel - LOL! The DP is Basic Grey. The flowers also make this card eligible for this week's challenge over at Mo's Challenges where thay are asking you to use flowers.

If you love this image as much as I do - pop on over to Mo's store and grab it for yourself!

xXx

Mo's Challenge #28 - A Recipe

This week Mo's Challenge DT have a recipe for us, one of the non -fattening types. We need to use 1 Ribbon, 2 Buttons or Brads and 3 Designer Papers on our creation.

After I coloured up my image I found this week's Friday Sketchers layout would work perfectly for 3 DPs. I used some Basic Grey papers and some build-a-brads from Stampin' Up as 2 of my "ingredients". The ribbon is left over from a present my daughter got - she knows to save ALL ribbons for her hoarding mum - LOL.

You can't see it in this picture but I've used my clear spica pen to add some shimmer to Little Lee's outfit and to the frosting on the cake. Lee's wings are even more glittery - with a good coating of dazzling diamonds.

xXx

Introducing Tickled Pink Stamps!

WHO is Tickled Pink Stamps????

Well if you haven't already seen the news on one of the other DT girls' blogs let me tell you! Kellie has revamped her Magnolia Down Under Online Store and is now TICKLED PINK STAMPS!!!! Wooohooooooo - I can't tell you HOW excited the DT gals are - we are now the "Pink Ladies" and have a whole new world of stamps to play with! There's also a brand new Tickled Pink Stamps Blog where we'll be having some fun challenges and tutorials along the way. Exciting news releases and updates will be on the blog too - so make sure you follow so you don't miss a THING! Kellie is stocking some fabulous new images from some other stamp companies and I created this beauty with one of them - Babette is from Kraftin' Kimmie.

To celebrate the name change and new adventure Kellie asked her DT to use pink in our creations so I've gone with hot pink which suits this saucy lass perfectly. Teamed with sensual black and heaps of sparkle Babette is ready to entertain. The sentiment is included with the stamp.

And don't forget the "new" store still has the personalised stamps - mine is only one of several gorgeous designs! They really finish off a card so beautifully - especially when you've put soo much into it! Kellie is having 15% off all stamps and with a HUGE 25% OFF the Magnolia Easter Collection as an OPENING SPECIAL (personalised stamps are not included in this). Kellie will also be re-introducing overseas postage for stamps only - so you gals from other countries will be able to order these personalised stamps soon too - wooohooo - you asked, Kellie answered!

I know you'll all be just as excited as we are with the change - so pop over and check out both the store and the blog - we'd love to see you!

I've used sketch #96 from this week's Friday Sketechers.

xXx

Magnolia Down Under Challenge #36 - A Recipe

This week over at Magnolia Down Under Challenges we have a recipe for you to follow - unfortunately you won't end up with a batch of cupcakes at the end but you should end up with a wonderful card - LOL! What's in this recipe you ask....

3 Papers, 3 Flowers, 2 Buttons and a Bow... And of course a Magnolia stamp!

I used 3 of the papers from my Basic Grey Nook and Pantry Paper Pad that I got from Kristy! I hope she gets her store open soon so you guys can get one too - these paper pads make it foolproof to co-ordinate your card! The flowers are from Kellie's Magnolia Down Under Store and from Bizzy Becs. I've used one of my older Tildas this week - poor thing needed some love!

I've used last week's layout from Friday Sketchers - I didn't get a chance to play last week so I figured why waste a fabulous sketch and used it anyway!

Now don't forget that MDUC has moved - my links in this post and on my sidebar are to the new blog! And while you're there check out the other wonderful inspiration from the rest of this week's DT - and also check out the wonderful prize up for grabs too. Hope to see your challenge entry soon...

WARNING WARNING - WE HAVE SOME EXCITING NEWS!!!!! Next week MDUC is turning ONE!!!!! WOW!!! And to celebrate we are having a Birthday Blog Hop with prizes galore - so make sure you set your alarms and mark your diaries for NEXT Sunday (14th March)

xXx

Mo's Challenge #21 - A Colour Combo

This week Mo's Challenge is a colour combo - can you guess what it is - Blue, Brown and a Neutral. I've chosen to use Mo's Cinderella this week - I have quite a few of Mo's fabulous images and am trying to make sure I use them all - at least once - LOL. Poor Cinderella - I wonder if she's seen the large spiderweb in the corner she has to sweep up - hmmmm - can see a few of those at my place now I'm looking!!!

My layout is thanx to this week's sketch from Friday Sketchers. My DP is from my Figgy Basic Grey paper pad - this was a Christmas pad so I'm not sure if it's still available! My gorgeous roses are from Bizzy Bec's. The sentiment is from Stampin' Up and just seemed to be right for this gal!

Have a WONDERFUL weekend everyone - we have a 3 day weekend here in Melbourne and I'm off to the Paperific show tomorrow too - so it's going to be a GREAT one for me.

xXx

Friday Sketchers #89

Well the Friday Sketcher's crew have another fabulous sketch to play along with. I took the opportunity to ink up one of my sadly neglected Gorjuss Girl stamps. The colour combo was dictated by the striped DP from Kaiser.

I found it really hard to get motivated to create this weekend - I think I needed some down time after last week! A great sketch was just the medicine I needed to get back to it! And guess what - the last minute rush to send DH off to the east coast of America resulting in his forgetting to take any jumpers/sweaters with him - hmmmmmm - I think he may be hitting the malls when he can - LOL.

Wishing you all a truly WONDERFUL week ahead!!!

xXx

A Heartfelt Thanx

Last Sunday marked the first anniversary of the devastating Black Saturday bushfires we had here in Victoria. The fires brought back many memories for me - both good and bad  - of another time. When I was a teenager my whole family moved to the nearby Dandenong Ranges and joined our local fire brigade. I fought many fires with the CFA but the one I remember most was the Ash Wednesday fires - the most devastating Victorian fires until Black Saturday.

My father had not long passed away - my sister was expecting her first child and we were all struggling emotionally - then came the fires!! My mum drove the fire trucks - we never did get her a truckie tattoo!!! We were all at the fire station - or out on the trucks - and we had no idea if our house was still standing! All the memories and photos of my dad were there - the rest was unimportant as long as we were together!

When I saw this image from Sunshine's Stamps I knew I wanted - no needed - to make a Thank-You card for all of our wonderful volunteer fire fighters. I've been in your boots and know you deserve it. Every time you head to the station for training - or drag yourself out of bed when the alarm sounds - you deserve our thanks.My family all live in fire prone areas and knowing the CFA are out there is a comfort!

My heart also goes out to those directly affected by the fires - especially as this anniversary has come around!

I'm sorry this isn't more upbeat - but I needed to say it, one year on and there is still sooo much emotion. Thanx to Sunshine's Stamps for helping out with this adorable guy!

BTW - I've used the Friday Sketcher's sketch for this card - it's a wonderful sketch by Tanja and I'm sure I'll use it again!

xXx

Mo's Challenge #16 and Friday Sketchers #87

This week's challenge over at Mo's Digital Pencil Challenges is "Shades of Grey" and I was a little unsure how this cute baby would come up in greys but I guess Mo's images are fabulous enough to be done in any colour scheme! I'm also entering this into this week's Friday Sketchers - using a wonderful sketch from Jeanette.

My card is fairly self explanatory - I've used Mo's "Kai in the Snow" and paired him with the snowflakes cuttlebug folder and a fabulous free DP download from Jak Heath. I also took the opportunity to use my new icicles Martha Stewart border punch. The ticket sentiment is from Bizzy Bec's Digital Store and the snowflake is a mix of nesties (black) and MS punches (white) which have been drenched in Dazzling Diamonds and layered up with a rhinestone centre.

Now it's a bit hard to see but I've also used a silver glitter pen on parts of Kai's outfit - you can just see the shine off his zippers, cuffs and stars in this photo - as always it looks soo much better IRL! This card came together sooo easily - compared to another one I've seem to have been working on for days and just can't seem to get right! Even my hubby asked why the other card was causing me soo much grief when this one was easy!!! I guess it's because these fabulous images are soo easy to work with. If I EVER get the other card finished I'll show you - maybe you can tell me what's wrong!

xXx

TGF Relay #3 - Toby Cub

This is my second post for the day - scroll down to see my Stamp Spot DT card! I just realised that the colours and distressing are similar - even though I made these several days apart. I am obviously in a blue, distressed mood - maybe it's the thought of going back to work tomorrow  - LOL.

There were TWO problems playing with this little guy - getting him printed off as my DD17 is sleeping in the office while we re-do her room!! And we ALL know how WELL teenagers sleep in!!! I was getting REALLY close to trying to sneak in!!! I had Toby sitting there on my laptop just waiting to be printed off for what seemed like AGES - probably because it was...

 The other problem - DS11 who is HATING being teased about how this cute guy in a nappy is - why you ask??? My son's name is Toby too - LOL.

I used an old Friday Sketchers sketch for inspiration - this "speed stamping" as my friend Lisa puts it - is a challenge - so I needed a little help! I think I need to do some "training" if I decide to play along in future relays - LOL

I've used a favourite colour combo - kraft, blue and white. And this time I went with a more conventional sentiment - a digi ticket from Bizzy Bec's. The DP and CS is from Stampin' Up

Tomorrow's relay card will be a REAL challenge! I'm out this afternoon so will miss the preview and it's back to work tomorrow. I am SERIOUSLY thinking it might be the PERFECT night for takeaway for dinner so I can get it done - LOL

xXx

She's Cracking Up!

This week with my Rachelle Anne Miller stamp I decided to try a new technique - cracked glass - you can find the tutorial HERE. I've been wanting to try this for some time and Marcia's challenge for her Stamp Spot DT to use the same stamp for a month was the perfect opportunity. I figured the cracked glass made the image look more antique so decided to complete the look by colouring her in in sepia tones and sponging the edges before I embossed and cracked her. I kept the theme going by dragging out my poor neglected distressing tool to age the edges of all the layers. I do love the look of distressing and just don't use it enough - must be my neat freak streak!!! It certainly doesn't appear where my crafting space is concerned - LOL

I've used the fabulous Friday Sketchers sketch #86 for inspiration for the layout of my card.

The DP I've used is from Bo Bunny - Flutter Butter - and is available from The Stamp Spot Online Store. And don't forget Marcia's fabulous moving sale over at TSS store too - there are still some wonderful bargains to be had before February 19th, 2010.

I must say this has been a fascinating challenge to be given - and the other DT girls seem to have been having a great time with it too!
xXx