Curtain Call # 45

Take a look at this colour combination....... isn't it great!  Definitely not one I would go to without prompting but .... it's good to try different things. These are Stampin Up colours, clearly and probably not available here in Australia yet but when they are I'm putting in an order for sure.  

I spent quite some time picking papers for my card and still not happy with my version of Concord Crush which to me looks closer to purple than blue.  However, here's my card using some 'navy blue' from the scraps box.

I played with a piece of equipment that hasn't seen the light of day for a while too.  My Silent Setter was one of those gadgets I had to have, I really like the addition of eyelets and seldom do.  Some jute threaded and tied in a bow through an eyelet seemed right for this design.

This is my entry to this weeks Curtain Call #45 challenge.

Till next time.............

Edit:   So sorry! I messed up the link for this entry..... 

Stamps: Annabelle Stamps, Thoughtful Stems, Sentimental Bluebells (sentiment). Card: American Crafts tan from Autumn Selection, GKD PL pure white, DP Websters Pages. Ink: SU Not Quite Navy. Embellishments: Annabelle Stamps sprinkles in blackcurrant,copper eyelet, jute. Equipment: Spellbinders Labels 1 Die, QuicKutz scalloped die, Provocraft Silent Setter, Cuttlebug embossing folder Swiss dots.

Good Morning.......

Welcome to my new look blog, what do you think?

I have to thank Marcia of Marcia Jane Designs who read my rambling likes and dislikes and came up with just what I wanted.   Marcia is an Australian designer over in Western Australia.  You might know her from her blog White With One or her on-line shop, The Stamp Spot.  Go pay her a visit, especially if you 're in the market for a new look!

I'm so pleased with my new blog layout Marcia, thank you!

It's almost 1am so I'm off to bed, but I'll be back after a few hours sleep with a card.

Till then..... Goodnight

Mon Amie........

I've made a card to enter into a couple of challenges today.  I've turned to Waltzingmouse stamps again, love these borders and the sentiments too. The first set, Picnic Patterns was used  to  stamp the background cross hatch pattern onto American Craft pink card.  Distressed edges were then lightly sponged and sewn onto some sponged white card.  Soft pink ribbon has been ruffled down the centre of the card. 

The sentiment and swirl were  stamped 3 times in Rangers tattered rose ink onto white card before cutting with a Spellbinders die.  While the sentiment was still in the die I sponged lightly with more tattered rose.  The same die cut the tan mat which I  cut through the centre so that it extends either end of the sentiment.

To complete the card I added the bow and a pink and lemon blossom.

This card is my entry to the following challenges:

Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge #12 - go check this out there are always great entries.

Lollipop Ladies #2  - a sweet challenge with ruffles.

Lets Ink It Up #1 - anything goes with a touch of yellow.  OK I know this is a stretch but time is running out!!!!

Till next time.........

Stamps: Waltzingmouse Picnic Patterns, Fancy Phrases. Ink: Rangers Tattered Rose. Card: American Craft, pink and tan.GKD PL pure white. Embellishments: Blossom.Ribbon. Equipment: Spellbinder Label 4 die, Sewing Machine. Scissors for distressing.

The Roses Challenge......

Last Sunday of the month is The Roses Challenge and this month it was my turn to pick the theme.

I sent out plain white bags as well as paper, felt, ribbon a tag and some clear dew drops. 

Betty, Olga, Connie, Kym and Kerrie are the other 5 members of this little group. The brief was to decorated the white bag using some stamping, the felt and ribbon plus anything else in the parcel or whatever embellishments they wanted to add.

I decided to make a Christmas gift bag with mine.  The felt has been cut using a scallop die from QuicKutz. I stamped a few images from ABS Holly stamps over the mid section and coloured with Prisma's. 

Here's a close up of the tag. I've used the ribbon to attach the tag  and tied a couple of bells

on the ends of the ribbon. Click on the links if you want to see what the Roses have done to decorate their bags.

See you soon I hope.......

Edit:   I've added the links to the girls blogs but don't forget we in Australia are ahead of the US.... sorry girls!!!

Stamps: Annabelle Stamps, Holly. Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Antique Linen, Prisma Pencils and OMS. White Gift bag, Green Felt and matching ribbon, 2 bells, red stars (Spotlight). DP Christmas check (sorry old stock). Gift Tag (Wardrobe Dept. !) Dew Drops WRAK.

Two for Saturday......

Two cards to share today...... I had coloured Jolinne using Copics some time back and she sat on the shelf waiting for a card background.  I've used blue card for the base and some pretty polka dot dp. Very simple card with a button and linen bow. 

The second card is a digital image from Pure Innocence.  I didn't realise you could purchase them in digital but this and a couple more came direct from the illustrator heatherroc@yahoo.co.uk.

I've coloured mine for a cute Christmas card and used a SU sentiment as well and some cherry sprinkles with gold card to back the image. 

That's me for Saturday....... I'll be back tomorrow with the Roses Challenge project, hope you'll pop past for that.  Till then........

Annabelle Stamps Sketch Challenge 029

Hello Blogger's,

Are you ready to play along with the Annabelle Stamps Bling Sketch Challenge #29?   Here is the sketch, and remember one randomly picked entry will win a prize.  This week Andrea will be sending the lucky winner ABS 'Diva'.

Hope you'll take the challenge and play along with us  this week, lets see how many different cards can be made with this great sketch.

This is another of those sketches that would make a great scrapbook page so all you scrapbookers can play along with us too.

I made a card this week and I wanted another Male one so have used three stamps from ABS 'Take The Cake'.   I've used one of the parcels for the round element with the sentiment in the centre adding a cut and popped up balloon.  This week I coloured the white dots on some of ABS tuftan and white spot satin ribbon to match the polka dot dp I used.  I've used the pretty turquoise sprinkles from ABS 6mm Gypsy Sprinkles for the added bling.

Have you ever tried cutting felt with your Spellbinder dies?  It works so well ...... The scalloped border on the sentiment square was made using one of the scalloped square dies and I used a small scalloped circle die to cut more felt to use behind the parcel.    Go on give it a try..........

Till next time.............

Card: American Craft brown, white card and Kaisercraft Up, up and away dp. Stamps: ABS Take The Cake. Ink  SU chocolate chip, Copic markers and glitter pen. Embellishments: ABS taftan/white dot ribbon, Gypsy 6mm Sprinkles and Tan felt. Equipment: Spellbinder dies Scalloped and plain squares. Small circle and scalloped circle dies.

Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge 11 - Bonjour!!

Not a card today!  I thought I'd use the WMS sketch#11 and alter a tin.  It was really hard to get a photo without the flash firing, so I cheated it  which makes the back left hand side slightly out of focus......ergh!

I stamped the band and petals around the base of the tin in tattered rose distress ink, using one of the border patterns from Picnic Patterns.

The lid features one of the Faux Fun Circle stamps with a sentiment and heart from Fancy Phrases. The Mushroom layer is also stamped with one of the Picnic Patterns border stamps (hard to see in my photo!).

Gathered lace, silk ribbon, heart shaped buttons, pin, pearl hearts and pink gems complete the tin. 

I was thinking I might add some circles concertina style and add some journaling and photos ..........what do you think?   If you have any ideas leave me a comment and let me know will you?   Thanks. x

Ian's news.

The news from the hospital for Ian was good and bad yesterday. The good news was that they were happy with the plate they inserted to mend the arm and the 8"wound is healing well. The bad news is that he has limited movement in his hand, as a result of some nerve damage.  It could repair itself, in time......months, but if not he would have to go back for surgery.  We're off to Physio tomorrow and he's now able to take the splint off so they can start working on the arm properly.   The ribs are still the most painful thing for Ian to deal with but they've suggested anti inflammatory tablets will help so we'll give these a try.

I'm hoping he won't have to have further surgery but we'll have to wait and see. In the meantime he will see a nerve specialist who can monitor the progress.

Ladies..........don't let your husbands climb ladder's........it's not worth it!!

WMS - Shabby - Together Always

Hello Blogger's,

As promised this is the card I finished at 1am Sunday!! 

Once again repeat stamping with the gorgeous border stamp from WMS Victorian Frippery for my background. 

Don't you just love these stamps that coordinate with Spellbinder dies? I do, this one is just perfect to dress up a sentiment.   I've added the jute tape and another button from my stash to keep this card  suitable for a Male.

Talking of males, mine has an appointment with the Surgeon today. We're hoping the plaster resting splint can be removed or replaced with something a little easier.  The physio's want to start working the arm more which the present splint hampers.  Fingers crossed!

Till next time.........                     

                 

                                              

Card: SU Kraft, cream card, American Crafts green. Stamps: WMS Victorian Frippery, Fancy Phrases. Embellishments: 5 KaiserCraft chocolate pearls, GKD Jute tape and twine, button from my stash. Equipment: Spellbinder label 2 die.

Waltzingmouse - Shabby/Vintage.......

After a busy day yesterday I was determined to sit and make a card.......I sat till 1am and made two!!!

This  card is made using Waltzingmouse stamps. I missed the 17th August blog hop which was to make a Shabby/Vintage card ....... well better late than never!

I've used some vintage lace (from my Grandma), a really old button  and distressed some ribbon with Antique linen ink.

The bottom section of this card is stamped with a border stamp...... soooo nice!

Not sure I would call this 'Shabby' more 'Vintage' ...... maybe.

Hope you're enjoying a good week end with fine weather.  I'll post the second card I made soon.

Till next time..........

                         

                               

Stamps: WMS Victorian Frippery, Fancy Phrases, Asian Gardens. Card: SU Kraft, American Craft green, cream card, KaiserCraft Up up and away Collection. Ink: VersaFine vintage sepia, Rangers Antique Linen. Embellishments: Lace, Ribbon and Button from stash. ABS artichoke Sprinkles. Equip. Spellbinders Dies circle and blossom.

AnnaBelle Stamps - Say it with a Bow

Hello and welcome to Friday's AnnaBelle Stamps Challenge.  This week we are challenged to 'Say it with a Bow'...........can't wait to see all those pretty bows!

My card is a little four inch square one and I've used one of the sweet images from Party Animals 2.

Cutting the image out and  exchanging the stamped bow for a ribbon one, then just popping the image up on foam tape.

AnnaBelle  ribbon and sprinkles ....... naturally. The base card and the green layer are pearlized  with the green one stamped using VersaMark and the small bow image from the Party Animals 2 set. 

That's it for this week..... my little card has a couple of Chupa Chops lollies to go to a youngster who really will be more interested in them than the card....... ah well never mind!

Hope you'll take the challenge again this week ...... it's not much fun if you don't!!

Catch you soon.......

AnnaBelle Stamps - August Preview - Hold A Candle

Last day of the August previews....... hope you've enjoyed what you've seen so far.

Today the design team are showing projects made with 'Hold A Candle'.   I've a couple of cards to show, the first is a card I made with a male in mind.

I've used Kraft and black card with some gold for the embossed image and sentiment.

ABS gold embossing powder was used for the candle and I've wrapped some gold thread around the Swiss dots embossed black card.  ABS gems from the Brown Petals Kit also feature on this card.

My second card uses the balloons image  to make a colourful Birthday card.  I stamped one 'wayward'  t balloon a second time, cut it out and popped it up on foam over a strip of dp.

Silver metallic sprinkles from ABS add the necessary bling to this card.

That's it for August ..... you can place your orders from today. Don't forget the deal this month will be 'Purchase all three new sets and receive a Petals Kit (your choice of colour)"  This offer will run from the last preview day - 19th August (today) through to Sunday 22nd August.

Would you like to win your own copy of Hold A Candle?  

All you need to do is visit each of the design teams blogs, listed below.

 Comment on their Hold A Candle post to be in the running.

One lucky comment will be randomly picked to win the set.

This is the last of  three sets previewing for August so that means one last chance to join the  winners, but you must leave a comment on each blog to be eligible. You have 2 days to add your comment.  Good Luck!

Andrea

Kylie

Teresa

                    Sue      (that's me)

Ida

Jerusha

Rene'

Tiffany

Tomorrow is AnnaBelle Stamps Challenge Friday, so I'll be back with a card to share.

Ian has his first post op physio today so we're off to the hospital again!!  He's getting better at managing with one arm out of action but is so looking forward to being able to lie down to sleep.  

Till Friday.........

AnnaBelle Stamps - August Previews - Party Animals 2

Hello all,

It was  good to read such great comments on the first of the AnnaBelle Stamp sets being previewed for August.  Thoughtful Stems looks like being a favourite with you too.  Were you the lucky person to win a copy???  Andrea is giving one copy of each set we preview this month read on for the details.

Today the design team have the second on the Party Animals sets to play with 'Party Animals 2'.  I had lots of fun with the first set, stamping onto fabric and making gift boxes. For this second set I've carried on with the Birthday theme making an easel card for little girl and decorating a jar filled with chocolate smarties.

I really enjoy making these mini easels and making for a little girl pearlized pink with lemon makes a good colour scheme.  I've stamped the image and coloured with a mixture of Copic markers and Prisma's, adding a little sparkle with a gel pen.   Spellbinder dies were used to cut the circles  with the balloons and party whistle extending outside the circle. Annabelle metallic sprinkles have been added around the card and beneath the birthday sentiment with some double faced ribbon in a matching soft pink tied in a bow to hold the card open.  Purrfect!!!

The little glass jar is from a set of four from Ikea!  Very inexpensive and just the right size to fill with smarties.  When they've disappeared what a great little storage jar for all those precious girlie 'bits and bobs'! Copic markers were used to colour this cheeky mouse! AnnaBelle gems from the  pink petals kit along with the dotty ribbon  used to embellish.  

If you have littlies in your life both the Party Animals sets would be such a great addition to your stamp stash........ Cute images and great sentiments, you'd have the class Birthdays organised no worries!!!!

Would you like to win your own copy of Party Animals 2?  

All you need to do is visit each of the design teams blogs, listed below.

 Comment on their Party Animals 2 post to be in the running.

One lucky comment will be randomly picked to win the set.

There are three sets previewing for August so that means three lucky winners, but you must leave a comment on each blog to be eligible. You have 2 days to add your comment.  Good Luck!

Andrea

Kylie

Teresa

                    Sue      (that's me)

Ida

Jerusha

Rene'

Tiffany

One more set to preview hope you can join me on Thursday........then you can place your orders and remember.......the deal this month will be 'Purchase all three new sets and receive a Petals Kit (your choice of colour)"  This offer will run from the last preview day - 19th August through to Sunday 22nd August.

Thanks for dropping by.............

AnnaBelle Stamps - August Preview - Thoughtful Stems

Time to preview the new sets from AnnaBelle Stamps and during the next few days we will be showing you three new sets.  The deal this month will be 'Purchase all three new sets and receive a Petals Kit (your choice of colour)"  This offer will run from the last preview day - 19th August through to Sunday 22nd August.

Today Andrea's design team have some projects using 'Thoughtful Stems'. 
Andrea is giving away one copy of this set during our previews - Details below.

At first glance you would pick this set for all the Sympathy cards you might need to make, but my first card was made to send love!  A CAS style card using one of the images from the set along with two of the sentiment words. The ribbons are from AnnaBelle too...... The   lime with a tuftan flower is a favourite of mine.  I coloured six small ABS pearls with a Copic marker to match my card to complete this card.

I did make a Sympathy card for the second project today.  Using another of the images I've stamped in Tuxedo Black but because I wanted a softer shade I stamped first onto a scrap of paper then onto the white card.  A touch of colour on the petals to bring in the Mulberry paper edge of this card.  A Spellbinder die was used to cut and emboss the label and some AnnaBelle Pearls added to finish off.  The base card is a white hammered card and I've used a fancy border punch to cut the lace edge and added the stamped label with some foam dots.    

Would you like to win your own copy of Thoughtful Stems?  

All you need to do is visit each of the design teams blogs, listed below.

 Comment on their Thoughtful Stems post to be in the running.

One lucky comment will be randomly picked to win the set.

There are three sets previewing for August so that means three lucky winners, but you must leave a comment on each blog to be eligible. You have 2 days to add your comment.  Good Luck!

Andrea

Kylie

Teresa

                    Sue      (that's me)

Ida

Jerusha

Rene'

Tiffany

Back in a couple of days with the second fun set for August see you then........                                               

AnnaBelle Sketch Challenge 28

Hello Blogger's,

I can't quite believe it's Friday again so soon.  It's been quite a week, but I'm pleased to say I was able to bring Ian home from hospital Thursday afternoon.  So I'm Nurse Sue now.......poor Ian!

Friday means AnnaBelle's Sketch with bling challenge.  Here's this weeks sketch from Andrea:

Nice and easy.......but don't forget the bling!!  You have two weeks to get your card posted to be in with a chance of a prize.

My card uses one of the June release sets called Tree-MEN-dous. The gems and the brown ribbon are also Annabelle products  see them here as part of the Brown Petal Kit.

Andrea's celebrating a Blogoversary on her blog Here with some Candy........ go check out all the details and spread the word!

Just a reminder 15th of the month is the start of AnnaBelle's new stamp previews...... we'd love for you to check out the new sets.

See you soon........my patient is ready for a cup of tea!!!

Update!!!

Thank you so much for all your good wishes I'll pass them on to Ian when I go to the hospital later this morning.   It's been a horrid few days but not life threatening so we really can't complain.

The Surgeon operated on his arm on Sunday afternoon.  Yesterday, for the first time I got to speak to the Doctors so I'm feeling a little better now. I know what they've done for him and where we go from here.  The fracture to his left humorous was not straight forward and required a plate with 8 pins!!! There was some concern about nerve damage as he was unable to move the fingers on his left hand but they are reasonably sure this will improve as the days go by, so we're watching this.

His ribs will take a few weeks but they do nothing these days for broken/cracked ribs.  Now that Ian's arm is under control and he's off all drips and tubes I think it's the ribs that are giving him trouble!  

How did he manage all this .......... Cleaning outside windows.  He was stepping off the ladder onto the top of the Pergola and the ladder slipped.  He fell about 3 metres onto brick pathers.  He had the good sense to tuck his head which turned him towards his left side and we think his left arm went out to break his fall.

The terrible thing is that Ian was unable to move after the fall because of his arm and I was out........He lay for an hour  unable to attract attention until I got home.  I feel sick just writing this down.

Not sure at this stage how much longer Ian will be in hospital, probably until they are happy he can move his fingers properly.  I will post a card on Friday for the Annabelle challenge all being well.

Till then thank you all again.