Happy New Year!

Just popping on to wish you all a wonderful evening and Best Wishes for 2009! Sorry for my long absence in posting but I have had the awful flu virus. Luckily it didn't ruin Christmas day but came on early hours Boxing Day morning. My energy is returning slowly but this virus really knocked me on my butt!! (Ha ha.. I loved that one Kel!)

Hope to be back with you in the next couple of days... If not i'll be back Sunday for the first High Hopes Challenge of the year.

Hugs,

Thank You!

Thank you so much to everyone who sent Zoe, Danni and I gorgeous Christmas cards and gifts. We are so lucky! We adore them all and have them displayed for everyone to admire in our living room and some on the Christmas Tree too. I would also like to thank TJ, Samara and Shaleise for the beautiful folders and yummy chocolate they made for my girls. Sending lots of love to you all and wishing TJ and Samara a speedy recovery after their operation.

I have set up the below slide show as I thought you would like to see all the beautiful creations.

Our weekend away at Butlin's Christmas Fantasy was fun but unfortunately poor Danni didn't enjoy it too much and is very run down. I took her to the doctors this morning and my poor baby has a virus. I was surprised that the below picture with Santa turned out this good as she was very pale and had red rings under her eyes.

Well we're almost organised for Christmas.. presents wrapped just need to go grocery shopping tomorrow.

Hugs,

Tilda with Rose - Friday Sketchers

For my card today I have used the gorgeous Tilda with Rose Magnolia image which was sent to me from Jakki - thank you! My friend Kelly currently has 10% off her Magnolia stamps in her store and also free shipping when buying these stamps in January! This offer only applies to my US and Canadian visitors as unfortunatley she cannot ship worldwide.

I have used the fabulous sketch designed by Heidi for Friday Sketchers. I so want to win the cute Alota stamp this week as I just adore the little girl with the sweet kitty. The papers I have used are Cloud 9 - Mint Swirl and Climbing Flowers which were sent to me from Agnes - thank you!. I just love the wire words and a great variety of these can be purchased from Silly Monkey Crafts. My image is coloured with Prismacolor pencils with sansodor and paper stumps to blend.

I would like to thank Kim for passing the above award to me a couple of days ago.

This will be my last post before Christmas and will be back posting again on January 1st when I will show a gorgeous set for the High Hopes Project of the Month. We are going away Friday for a long weekend and you may be thinking that i'm having a break from crafting but I will be working on lots of projects to show you at the beginning of January ;-)

I would like to Wish all my friends and visitors a....

Hugs,

Riley waiting for Santa!

I have been admiring Riley stamps on Cindy's Haffner's blog for a while now and i've finally got some of my own to play with. If you haven't come across Cindy's blog you are in for a treat!

Isn't this little guy just the cutest and I hope he has been a good moose! Thank you to my friend Jakki for sending me the window and sentiment which were just perfect for my little scene - I believe these are both by Magnolia. I created a little pelmet for the window and added some gems. The papers are again K&Co Brenda Walton Peppermint Twist and the idea for my card came about from seeing the left overs of one of the designs which had santa in his sleigh. I've coloured the image with a mixture of copic sketch markers and Prismacolour pencils with sansodor and paper stumps to blend. I have now switched inks and Momento is just perfect for combining these two mediums.
I hope to get round to visit all your blogs today and am sorry for being such a bad blogger the last couple of days! The Christmas panto was brilliant on Saturday night and I laughed so hard my cheeks hurt. I know i'm sad but the Chuckle Brothers were hilarious!

Have a great Monday!
Hugs,

Just a little fun!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Exciting news... and a card!!!

I am super excited to share this news with you today.. I have been chosen to join the Pink Cat Studio Design Team for 2009! My new stamps are already on their way and I can't wait to share with you the new Kiki Kitty and Lily & Billy Sweethearts stamps that will be released in January!

Here is a list of all the talented ladies who were chosen:

Becky Carafa http://www.lakeshorestamper.com/
Janna Hull http://www.stampspaperglitterohmy.blogspot.com/
Jodi Ann Lee http://www.inkedinspirations.blogspot.com/
Lauren Meader http://laurenm.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/
Lise Roy http://liseroy.blogspot.com/
Maria Bell http://stampininspirations.blogspot.com/
Mariska van der Veer http://www.sendingyoualittlesmile.blogspot.com/
Nikki Fairbairn http://www.bunny-zoes.blogspot.com//
Sarah Anderson http://scrampinmama.blogspot.com/
Vicki Garret http://www.summerthymestudio.blogspot.com/

Ok.. I am a just a little excited ;-) but you have to see what Melissa created for me! Cool or what! Even more so as I just love cats!

Thanks again Melissa for choosing me and I look forward to getting to know you and the rest of the team and working with your fabulous stamps!

If you love Pink Cat stamps or have never heard of them check out the Pink Cat Studio blog for lots of inspiration from the Team and customers.

Before I go I also want to show you this card/hanging I made for Zoe. As I have used my Martha Steward Doily Punch I can also enter for this weeks Cute Card Thursday challenge who are asking you to use Punches.

The Paper is K&Co Brenda Walton's Peppermint Twist. It was an off cut from another project but the wording was just perfect! I jazzed up the paper a little more with lots of stickles, gems and also added a Fimo star (thanks Stephanie!). I have been dying to use one of my new Hanglars and this one was just perfect because if you've seen pictures of Zoe you know she has dark hair and always wears plaits. The little gift in her hand is a sticker which was stuck on one of Danni's Christmas card envelopes from one of her little nursery friends. I knew it was perfect when I saw it.. I don't think Danni has noticed ;-)
I won't be posting much now before Christmas as we're taking the girls to a Christmas Panto (Aladdin) tomorrow.. starring The Chuckle Brothers.. Zoe loves them! On Sunday my Dad is visiting for the day. I have a busy week lined up with the kids Christmas activities so will be back and forth to the school and then Friday we go away for a long weekend. I still need to make Gary's Christmas card so will be back sometime.

EDIT: My friend Jill has some yummy blog candy to celebrate her 40th Birthday on 16th December.. If i'm not on my blog before...



Well have a great weekend and hope your Christmas preparations are going smoothly. I will also get round to visiting some of your blogs today!

Hugs,

A Spoon Full of Sugar Challenge 29 - Happy New Year!

For our challenge this week at A Spoon Full of Sugar we would like you to create a New Years card. Always handy to have when you receive that unexpected Christmas card!

We would like to welcome our new sponsors Colette and Katie from Nutcrafters. They have given us a fantastic prize this week which includes: High Hopes - Sunday's Best, High Hopes - Daniel, Prima Center Kisses (Jade) & Prima Sandi's Favourites - Jealoussea (Green).

For my card today I have used High Hopes stamp Father Time and Happy New Year sentiment. Isn't this little baby just the cutest! Papers used are by Basic Grey. My image is coloured with Prismacolor pencils with Sansodor and paper stumps for blending. Sorry this is such a short post so if you need more details please ask away!

We would like to thank you all for joining in our challenges in 2008 and helping making our challenge blog such a huge success!!

Thank you also to our wonderful sponsors for your continued support and for the wonderful prizes you have donated!!

Our last thank you is to our wonderful team who produce the most gorgeous and inspiring cards week after week. Thank you girls ... we love you all!

This will be our last challenge now before Christmas and we will be returning on 6th January.

Have a great week!
Hugs,

High Hopes Challenge 11 - Flower Power!

For our challenge this week over at the High Hopes blog we would like to see flowers on your card. This doesn't have to be just blooms.. maybe flowery paper or flower embellishments.

For my card today I have used the stamps from this months Project of the Month. The stamp combo this month features some of our feathered friends, accessories and a wonderful sentiment just in time for Valentine's Day!!!

Edit: Ha ha.. I can see from my comments that some of my visitors think i'm crazy working on Valentines.... but hey.. it's only 9 weeks away!! Don't forget these POTM stamps would also be perfect for Anniversary cards by swapping out the Happy Valentines for Happy Anniversary!!

The December POTM is:

M-042 Branch 10.70
F-155 Nest 6.70
E-150 Perched Birdie 6.00
H-186 Landing Birdie 8.00
H-185 Love Nest Valentine 8.00

The regular price for this set would be $39.40 Canadian mounted but for the month of December you can purchase them on sale for $29.55 CDN mounted, $14.80 unmounted or $22.15 on cling foam - which is 25% off!!! What a bargain!!

My 8 year old daughter Zoe has also made a Christmas card for her teacher for this challenge. You can see her card here on her blog.

Hope you get some time to play and this will be our last challenge now before Christmas. We will be returning on 4th January.

Have a great Sunday!

Hugs,

Lulu's Sweet Delights!

I have made this card for 1 year old twins. I stamped the cute CC Design's Lulu stamp twice. Don't they just look so sweet? I love these little itzie inkies and they come in a metal tin and have a good variety of stamps. I've used the pom pom ribbon to add a little fun and texture to the card. The punch is one of my favourites and is Martha Stewart's Dolly Lace. Links to products from Silly Monkey Crafts can be found below.

I would like to thank dear Akkina for passing the Butterfly award to me.

I'm sorry i've been such a bad blogger the last couple of days but my hubbie has been off for a few days so we've been busy preparing for Christmas...

See you Sunday for the High Hopes Challenge.

Hugs,

Card details:
Stamps: CC Designs "Lulu's Sweet Delights
Ink: Momento & Versamagic Jumbo Java
Papers: Rusty Pickle - Snowflakes & Mittens, Various Bazzill card stock, image stamped on Concord card
Technique: Prismacolor Premier Pencils with Sansodor and paper stumps for blending.
Embellishments: Candy Cane, Pom Pom ribbon, half pearls (thank you Heidi! x)
Equipment: Martha Stewart Dolly Lace Punch

A Spoon Full of Sugar Challenge 29 - "Thank You"!

Our challenge this week over at "A Spoon Full of Sugar" is to make a "Thank You" card.

We have a fabulous prize this week of the below Sarah Kay stamp - "Country Girl". She has very kindly been donated by Bryony from Silly Monkey Crafts. They have all the new Sarah Kay's currently in stock. They are disappearing fast but don't worry they have more arriving very soon! My fellow DT member and chum Marlene has made the most gorgeous card with this stamp which you can see here.
We would also like to welcome Jodi as our Guest Designer this week. If you have not visited Jodi's blog before your in for a treat! I would also like to thank Jodi for passing the Butterfly award to me!

For my card this week I have used another adorable stamp from the Pink cat Lily and Tweet set. You remember my christmas gift box below?.. well I told you there was a great variety of stamps in this set! I have also used my new Spellbinder flower shapeabilities - which I love! You'll be seeing these lots.


Have a great week and hope your Christmas preparations are going smoothly. This week I am trying to organize all the children's toys to make room for the tree.. oh and more toys!

Hugs,

card details:
Stamps: Pink Cat Lily and Tweet set
Ink: Momento & Versamagic Jumbo Java
Papers: Daisy Bucket and Bazzill card stock
Technique: Prismacolor Premier Pencils with Sansodor and paper stumps for blending.
Embellishments: Handmade button - thank you Stephanie!, pearls - thank you Heidi!, buttons and coloured string
Equipment: Wizard and shapeabilities

High Hopes Challenge 10 - Metal Madness

Our challenge this week over at the High Hopes blog is "Metal Madness". We would like to see some metal somewhere on your card or project.. It can be using brads, hardware or charms like on my gift box below.. Whatever you can think of. Also one person will again be randomly picked for a yummy stamp prize.

I bought an item of Jewelry for a Christmas gift and as you can see from the above photo the gift box was very plain and boring.. Below you can see my decorated version.
I also added my handmade stamp to the bottom of the box to hide the ribbon join.


This is my favourite kitty stamp from High Hopes "Meowy Christmas" with "Meowy Christmas" sentiment. The papers are Daisy bucket. I have used the labels 2, circle and scalloped circle nestabilities. The hardware and rhinestone brad are SU. Coloured with my Prismacolour pencils with Sansodor and paper stumps for blending and again I had to finish with a little stickles on kitties hat. The flowers are Prima and the little Christmas tree charm is from Jenaca beads.

Blog Candy Alert: Ila has an amazing blog candy to celebrate over 100,000 hits and had two fantastic prizes! No surprise as her creations are always stunning!

Have a great Sunday!
Hugs,

Thank You!

I just had to pop on to share this gorgeous creation with you which I received yesterday from my friend and fellow High Hopes Diva Crissy. Her colouring just blows me away! Thank you so much Crissy, I will cherish your card!

See you in the morning for the new High Hopes challenge.

Have a great evening!
Hugs

Pink Cat "Lily"

I made this little gift box for one of Zoe's friends for Christmas. It's going to be stuffed with craft goodies! This was created using my trusty Scor-pal. It is so easy to make and you can find the details here.

I have also used my cute new Pink cat stamps and the Lily stamp I have used is from the set Lily and Tweet. I love this set as it has a variety of stamps for different occasions not just Christmas. I received an excellent service and these arrived to my home within 5 days of ordering.

The image is coloured with my Primsacolor pencils using Sansodor and paper stumps to blend. I have then given the snowman a glisten by colouring my Sakura stardust pen onto an acrylic block and then lifting the stardust with a damp brush. You need to keep the brush moving quickly and in circular movement so not to be left with any grey dark spots or streaks. I have then finished with Stickles. The prima holly leaf was also covered with lots of stickles too..

I wanted to add a fun element to the box so this pom pom ribbon was a great find at the Ali Pali show.
I received the above award from my blog friend Pati. Thank you so much for thinking of me and I hope you and hubbie continue to have fun with you voluntary work in Australia.

Wishing all my US friends a Happy Thanksgiving and hope you all have a great holiday with your family and friends.

Gift box details:
Stamps: Pink Cat Lily and Tweet set
Ink: Momento
Papers: K&Company Brenda Walton Peppermint Twist deluxe Paper Pad
Technique: Prismacolor Premier Pencils with Sansodor and paper stumps for blending. Stickles and Sakura Stardust
Embellishments: pom pom ribbon, Making Memories Polo button brads, Prima holly leaf and dew drops
Equipment: Wizard and nestabilities - labels 2, Scor-Pal