Eight more Christmas Cards..........

Hello Blogger's,

Yesterday was a mad busy day but the Christmas cake is made so another job to tick off my list.   I took some photos of more of my 'batch' made cards..... I actually made the four 'Concord Crush' ornament cards to add to my stash as well!!!

Let's start with the the Kraft and Dessert Sand cards.

I'd cut a couple of Christmas Ornaments  for some tags,  using my P.I. a couple of weeks back and kept the background for this round one.   Perfect for some sponging.......in fact I like it this way more than the cut ornament!  I used SU close to cocoa to stamp a GKD sentiment and the pretty snowflakes from Annabelle Stamps 'Christmas Wish'.

Some ribbon across the top and a couple of Annabelle 'Sultana Sprinkles complete the front of the card.  With a layer of SU Kraft over my pre-folded card it was super quick to produce 4 cards.

My second set of four came about after I read a  post from Donna which referred to her tutorial on sponging with a stencil.  It was a great tutorial and as sponging is something I avoid mostly, I thought I'd try the way Donna does it.

Wow ..... so much easier and look at the lovely edge....I'm hooked!  I won't show you my first try though it's dreadful!

I ended up cutting the same ornaments again on the P.I. only this time I cut them for the background and I cut them from Acetate.  Much, much better and they will keep.  Even the swirl is a little stencil I cut........how cool .....I love my die cutter.

A pre-folded card with a layer of SU Concord Crush for the base of this one. Sponged in the same colour ink with some satin ribbon across the top,  six  Kaisercraft gems to complete. These four cards probably look me an hour to make, which is good for me....... the the first four took much longer!

Thanks for calling back again today, not too sure when my next post will be, I have a heap of jobs to catch up on, including writing a few of these cards!

See you soon................

How many more days?????

Hello,

Just a quick post today with some of the 'batch' made cards......... thirteen here in total!  It was so good to have Annabelle Stamps 'Christmas Wish' for these cards, they came together quite quickly.  I wish you could have seen my work space with lines of tied ribbon, punched and embossed card the dew drops all ready to be added to my ready folded card.  I have some more slightly different but need to photograph them, so another time.

The Christmas Cake is in the oven cooking away slowly so the house house smells wonderful........thankfully it's a cooler day today........perfect.

OK off to get on with my Christmas round-up letter ........... all go today.......chat soon..........

The Roses Challenge .....Connie's Bookmark

Hello,

It's very quite in blogland........I think all my American friends are relaxing after Thanksgiving festivities and Black Friday shopping!  Did you have a great time and did you bag any bargains??

We seem to have sales all year round these days I remember when it used to be January only, in the UK that is. I've stood in cues and been pushed and shoved by crazy women snatching anything in site........not anymore...... I like to think about what I'm buying these days and lets face it the Internet has changed how we shop too.


It's the last Sunday of the month so that means it's time for The Roses challenge and this month Connie asked us to make a bookmark.   I've seen these pretty corner bookmarks around the blogs and thought it was about time I tried one.  So here it is.....

I used one of the stamps from Annabelle Stamps Santa's Star along with another Annabelle Stamp for the sentiment. As these are clear stamps you can bend them slightly which is what I did for the sentiment.

I've added some sewing some white ric rac and tied a bow in seam binding.  It works too ......think I might add one of these for each of the craft girls this year.

Thanks Connie, I loved making this corner bookmark and can't wait to see what the girls came up with.  You can check them all by following the links in the side bar.  But remember here in Australia we're a day ahead!!!!

I've been busy in any spare time this week end  making my Christmas cards and I've  almost got enough but I have to admit to making batch made cards.  I'll share some with you soon.

Thanks to all those girls on Facebook I sent the 'Getting To Know You' tag too. You know chain mail letters and awards are not really me! However.......it's been great reading some of the answers given and I do feel I know you better . I've had some laughs too, so thanks girls for taking the time.

Walshie and I are off to watch the Soccer this afternoon........hope the rain holds off it's looking very cloudy out there!

See you soon......

Annabelle Stamps Sketch with Bling Challenge 32

Hello Blogger's,

It's SALE time at Annabelle Stamps - this week end only .... time to stock up ready for the New Year Fun.

It's the end of the week, you have the whole week-end ahead of you.......does it feel good?  Thanksgiving in the US so I'm guessing lots of cooking, eating, chatting generally having a great time......well I hope so.

Friday here means Annabelle Stamps weekly challenge and as it's sketch time there should be a winner for  last months entered cards.  Don't forget to check the blog if you entered cards this month.

Andrea has another great sketch for us to play with and as I'm trying to get all my Christmas cards ready for mailing you won't be surprised to see my take on this one.

I thought it was perfect for one of the Annabelle Stamps tags, the lovely red ribbon and my favourite Christmas sentiment this year from Christmas Wish.  Card is SU, American Craft and Basic Grey DP.  The holly leaves decorated with cherry sprinkles represent the small circle element and I added 3 artichoke  sprinkles too.  

I'll give you a peek at the inside  too, look I even stamped the envelope for this one......well it's Christmas right!!

Hope you'll join in with the sketch this month Andrea is offering a shopping voucher for the ABS store to one lucky person.  You can enter any of the challenges from now until the next sketch 033 to be in the running.

Why not pop in to the designing divas blogs and see how they played with this sketch.  The links are in the left side bar.  Teresa isn't posting this week though, she's on a break.

Thanks for dropping by, see you soon.


CHECK OUT ANNABELLE STAMPS SALE THIS WEEK END ONLY!!! TIME TO STOCK UP ON STAMPS AND SPRINKLES  -----  READY FOR THE NEW YEAR FUN!!!

Follow Your Dreams......

Hello Blogger's.

How the week going for you?  It's been quite busy here, desperately trying to get all the Christmas cards ready for mailing!

Here's one of the little cards I made over the week end using another of LOTV boys images.  Don't you just love the look on this little cuties face........How clever, three dots and an dash can make such a difference.

I coloured the image with Copic markers. The DP is from Webster's Pages with navy and blue American Crafts paper.  I stitched around the DP, added some jute and a navy button...... all done!  I love this little card hope you like it too.

 General chat:

I asked my Mum at the week end if there was anything she would really like for Christmas.  I'm sending back to the UK so much prefer if she tells me a few things that she would like.  I have to tell you she has baskets and bags full of toiletries, stashed in cupboards ......... my five brothers always go for the 'safe' option.  Anyway there was a slight pause before she said ......well I'd really like an Apron!  Seriously!

I'd made one of my brother's a cooks Apron some years ago and it seems she really liked it.  

So today, I set up my long neglected sewing machine and I made Mum her cooks apron and whilst I was at it a frilly one for good measure!  I was smiling all the time the sewing machine was stitching away, such a simple thing to ask for!     Now I just need to think of something to go with them............

My Mum's name is Betty and she' left handed!

OLW # 29 -Classic Beauties Challenge

Susan's One Layer Wednesday Challenge this week was to make a card using a recent post here for inspiration.  I encourage you to go take a look at the link........I oohed and ahhed (?) at all the sweet goodness a few times before I sat down to make my card.

I chose the first picture, because I loved the colour for one and also all the scalloped lace work........so clever.  I used some masks and sponged with white chalk ink to get a couple of rows of scallop's.  Leaving space between to emboss my sentiment.  I embossed a further row of lace using Victorian Frippery from Waltzingmouse Stamps.  Four little white hearts to complete.

Susan's one layer challenges are always fun but this one was a real challenge for me.......I enjoyed it too.

Thanks for dropping by, I'll see you soon..............

Love is Like a Butterfly.......

Hello all,

How was your week end?  Ours was lovely and warm ...........could summer be here at last?

I have made a couple of cards over the week end and I'll share them soon but I spent quite a while playing around with computer software.   Ergh so frustrating but at least I now have the latest Windows on the Mac which means when I use the PI, I can design and cut from the Mac instead of having to revert to my laptop PC.  Yeah!

Onto today's card, which was made for round 2 of the SCS CAS winter challenge......how amazed am I!!!  The theme for round 2 was Crazy Relations  and my card is for a 'fluttery sister'!

The butterflies are fussy punched using a Martha Stewart punch, two have been stuck down but two are popped up on foam. The bodies are little pearl tear drops from Annabelle Stamps.  They mostly sit inside the Waltzingmouse "Frame It" frame ........ only one has escaped! 

 Sister (the sentiment) is from WMS Roses in Bloom and along with the frame is stamped in SU close to cocoa on SU card stock. The orange card is also SU.   I've used more of this lovely Twinery twine, threaded with a button from my stash to complete the front of the card.

Inside is very simple.......... with the Birthday sentiment from "Frame It" and one stray butterfly.

Oh well that's round two.....what fun, can't wait to see all the other entries.

Thanks for dropping by, let me know what you think of this one.......will you?

Bye.............

End of week round-up....

Hello Blogger's

I hope you enjoyed the November preview from Annabelle Stamps.  A Christmas Wish and Borders By Design No. 1 are available from the Annabelle On-line Store now.

There is no challenge for this week as it's a preview week but you can still enter in any of the running challenges for a chance to win a $20 shopping voucher for the store, just check all the details here.



I'm just posting a bit of a round up today, so no chat from me just the cards........

This was my entry to the SCS Winter CAS Challenge.  'Paper Joy'.

This is a little Card and gift bag, quickly made for my neighbours granddaughter who loves Tinkerbell!

The last card is another quick Christmas card and uses some Red Kamoi Tape, Kraft and gold (not black as it looks in the photo) card.  I really like this tall skinny Christmas Tree!!!!

Well that's it, the week end is upon us once again and we have a few things planned, weather permitting!
Have a great week end all...........thanks for dropping by.......see you soon.

36 Days To Christmas.......

Oh yes ........I'm counting now!  I have until 11 December to get the Airmail cards away and I've still got lots to do!

Here's one I made for a little mini challenge we have going on at the moment between The Roses.  The stems have increased ....... did I tell you? We now have Patti and Mary-Anne in 'the bunch'......What fun, as well as a new location for our on-line get togethers. Still ironing out a few glitches but getting there.

Sorry back to the card, it's a little 4 x 4 inch Christmas Card, what do you think?

I was quite pleased with this for a small card, the Reindeer was cut with the PI.......then I showed it to 'Walshie' who said

"hmmm depending how I look at this.... I can see a woman's face and she's wearing a strange hat"!!!

You know what I could too....... after he mentioned it!

Thanks for dropping by today, see you soon..........

PS  Congratulations William and Kate!!! I hope the Press give you a break......but I doubt it!

Annabelle Stamps - Borders By Design Preview Day 2

Hello Blogger's,

Let's start with an apology....
There was a little hiccup on the blog hop for Day 1 A Christmas Wish.  Sorry about that, Teresa's post is up now so if you get a chance check out both.

Here is the order of our blog hop and all the links are in my left hand side bar.

Annabelle Stamps Blog

Andrea

Kylie

Teresa

Sue  (me)

Ida

Rene'

Jerusha

Tiffany

Iwona (Chupa)

Annabelle Stamps Blog

Leave a comment at each of the stops along the way for your chance to win today's set, which is another of the Borders By Design - No1.

For my first project I've made a 4 x 4 inch card and what I call a Twist and Turn Box, perfect for small gifts or to fill with lollies.

I wanted a real country style gift set which Kraft, red check and a few hearts gives me.  I did reach for the fancy sentiment border from 'A Christmas Gift' though......it's so sweet!

Wish I could tell you where this pattern came from! I think I watched a You Tube tutorial.....sadly didn't book mark it.

On the box I stamped the polka dot border then embossed the first layer.  The gingham has had one of the small accent stamps added and the green spray is the same as used on the card. I've just used a continuous line to wrap around the box, with a couple more of the pretty accent stamps for good measure.

There's that sentiment again.....oops can't help myself! Attached with some red twine with the smallest bells I could find tied to the ends.

Have you checked the Annabelle shop lately? Andrea has put together a card kit, it's a great buy and perfect for a stocking filler or that crafty friend.  I mention this right now because my second project features some of the goodies from the kit. More about that at the end of my post.

 For this card I've stamped another of the borders in Close to Cocoa on some red card.  Just to dress up the red card really, rather than embossing.  I love these borders for that alone.   The label (part of the Card Set)  has been stamped with the elegant sentiment from A Christmas Wish......ooh and there's the fancy scroll at the bottom LOL!  I've also sponged around the tag for an aged look.  Love this ribbon (also part of the card kit) and 5 sultana sprinkles along the bottom.

Here's the inside.....The Jolly Santa paper used on this card is from the Kaisercraft 6 x 6 set 'Tis The Season Collection'.  My P.I. helped with today's projects cutting the gold bauble and the white inside piece.  It also cut the large scallops and the V shaped cut-out on this card.  I used the piece left behind for the red section on the inside page

Just before you leave to see Ida's project today, here's a sneak peek at the card set, you can order yours here.  

Kit includes :     

5 x white pre-cut and scored 10cm cards 

5 x kraft pre-cut and scored 10cm cards 

5 x white envelopes

5 x kraft envelopes

5 x white tags

5 x kraft tags

2m Red Cotton Twine

2m Red striped ribbon

2m Red with white stitching ribbon

1 x Brilliance Rocket Red Dew Drop 

That's it, if you made it to the end of this post give yourselves a pat on the back!!!!  Enjoy the rest of the hop and thanks for stopping by today.  See you soon...................



Check out the Annabelle Stamps On-line store for all the goodies featured here today.

Annabelle Stamps - A Christmas Wish

Hello Blogger's ,

Hope you're ready to Hop around with us again this month.   Andrea's blog should be your first stop. Remember to leave a comment on each blog as you hop past for your chance to win the set previewed. Your last comment should be on the Annabelle Stamps Blog.   If you came here from Theresa's Blog you're on the right track.

Annabelle Stamps have two sets for November and the first one previews today.  I love this little set Andrea designed for us, it's the perfect set for those last minute Christmas cards.  I've made a few bits and think the majority of my cards this year will feature this set.

Take a look at 'A Christmas Wish'.

here's my first card:

These pretty hanging snowflakes are so fine.......they really do look pretty embossed in ABS Opaque Vanilla. I've added some green Stickles for a little sparkle and the punched circle is popped up on foam dots.  My sentiment label is also embossed and decorated with ABS Stars and one of the tiny white petals set with an Artichoke Sprinkle.  I love this gorgeous new ribbon Andrea is stocking in the shop....such a lovely shade of green.   I've added a little decoration to the inside of this one too.

This  set is perfect for those of us who love the CAS style. My second card is very CAS, using a combination of Kraft with red and white .......perfect for Christmas.

I flipped the background for this card and stamped the pretty sentiment flourish in Pear Pizzaz, with the sentiment the same as the background in VersaColor Crimson.

Here's more of the striped ribbon, this time in red and white. I've also added some white linen thread and a red button. The large Scalloped red border was cut with my PI.

One more little project to share with you today....... I've decorated a little treat box which was cut from some dp on the PI.  It's the cutest little box perfect for two or three chocolate slices. Which is what I intend to pop inside.  I like to have little things on the tree or in a dish for people calling in at Christmas, so I've cut a few of these ready to fill.

Now, it's time to go visit with Ida, thanks for calling past I'll be back with November's second set on Wednesday 17th, see you then.....................

Annabelle Stamps - Say It In Gold.

Hello .......how's your week going.  It's been a frustrating week here, one way and another...... but the week end is upon us so all will improve I feel sure!

Annabelle Stamps challenge us to 'Say It In Gold' this week so it's gold embossing for my card.

I've used two Christmas sets for my card all embossed in ABS Gold embossing powder.  The star is from this year's 'Santa's Star' and the sentiment is from one of last years Christmas Sets Holly Branch.

Using gold card behind both the stamped pieces and adding the organza ribbon gives this card an elegant look......I think.

Will you be taking the challenge this week.......I hope so, I'd love to see how you say it in gold!

Check out the rest of the design team I'm sure you'll find some great ideas to try for yourself.

Thanks for popping by. We start the previews for Annabelle Stamps November release on the 15th  with just two sets this month.  Hope you'll mark this date to come and see what Andrea has in store for November.

See you soon............

LOTV - Take It Easy

Hello..........

It's been a mad week here in the Walsh house!!! I have the guys working outside (ladder work!) in between rain storms. Ian was working from home Monday this week which makes a difference to how much I do around the house!!!  Finally I get to share the second little image i coloured at the week end..... This little LOTV cutie was coloured with Inkadinks onto watercolour paper. Don't you just love the idea of snoozing in the sunshine.......oh roll on the day!

I've used dp from Basic Grey's Origins Paper Pad over some American Craft card, with a base of SU Kraft.

This is a card for a male so no ribbon.....instead I've used some leather cord and threaded a couple of heart shapes, punched out of leather that I had in my sewing stash.

Hope you like this one............

This little card is entered into the following challenges:

Stampin' Sisters in Christ - anything weather related
Paper Romance - lots of whatever you want     (leather on my card)

Sending Christmas Cheer with LOTV

After a week of miserable wet weather followed by a day of solid rain on Saturday here in Sydney, the sun came out on Sunday to dry everywhere up! Walshie and I went down to the beach for a walk and an ice cream, it was so good to get out and walk in the sun.  I hope wherever you are you enjoyed a good weekend and managed some you time!!!

Saturday was the perfect day to sit and colour, so I broke out the Copic markers  and Inkadinks.  Today I thought I'd share this little Christmas card  coloured with Copics.

It's one of the LOTV Christmas images...so sweet and when you look... not too much colouring really.  I remember a time when I would reach for Prisma's to colour such a large area of red!  I've used stickles for the falling snow and IRL it's so pretty.  

I'm enjoying adding some of the pieces I've cut using the PI and this card has the large scallop, I actually designed this cutting file (get a load of me!!!).  The snowflake was also cut on the PI and when cut I coated it with glitter ....yum!

I'm entering this card in the following challenges this week:

A Spoon Full of Sugar - Relish To Embellish

Catch The Bug - Anything goes
Charisma Card - With Love @ Christmas
Fairy Tale (2 weeks) - anything goes
Bizzy Becs OnLine Store Challenge - Cute & Sweet




See you soon.......