A Gift

Yeah almost there with my gifts. This is for the Challenge at Magnolia Down Under 77.
My Son's girlfriend will be receiving this little bag on Christmas day.

 

If I don't post any thing in the mean time I want to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Safe New Year

and thank you for dropping by and visiting looking forward to next years crafty fun

Hugs

Denise

A laugh

Just had to share this as I was looking for a verse for a special friend to put in her card I stumbled upon this ohhhh it makes us sound crazy but it all is true

She learned to stamp on Monday
her embossing was quite fine.
She forgot to set out dinner....
so away out we went to dine.

She brayered backgrounds Tuesday
she says they are a must....
they really are quite lovely
but there was no time to dust.

On Wednesday it was birthday cards
she claims that chalking's fun
shading, blending and water-colouring
but the laundry wasn't done.

Her card swap was on Thursday
she had to use green, blue and red,
it was obvious she was really engrossed
when she failed to make the bed.

It was Shaker cards on Friday
using techniques that she just adores,
what a pity she then failed to notice
the crumbs dropped all over the floors.

I found a maid on Saturday!
My week is now complete
my wife can stamp her hours away
and the house will still be neat.

Well, already it is Sunday
and my forehead's feeling damp
cos I've cursed, and raved and ranted
for the Maid has learned to stamp!!

Submitted by Jane
 Here is a link to the site its a chuckle with some nice verses as well verses for cards

No Cards

Whilst I should of been making cards I was naughty and got very side tracked some times when you see something you say I got to give that a go and I did the next day I raced out to get supplies.
Now before I go on I want to acknowledge where this came from and you must go and check it out for these girls amaze me Janiel is always creating something knew http://scrappyjandesigns.blogspot.com/ and from Janiel's blog the link to check out is http://keepsakesbymelissa.blogspot.com/  Melissa's blog, how wide the blog world is you know you only skimming the surface of it all.
Because I saw Janiel's I just had to do Thanks Janiel for the inspiration.

 before dome got attached

 Tilda's dress is coloured with my new earth tone Copic's had to add a hint of red not much thou
and the tree is made with EK's leaf punch

My children who are young adults said what are you doing and they are very used to me doing some crazy things when I told them I was going to make a big snow dome they asked if I was going to put water in there, they were serious don't think Tilda will survive I told them .....LOL
I have kept some pictures back for Sundays post drop by, for have some more to share as my dome is sitting with Sundays challenge for Magnolia Down Under
The fun is not just in the creating I have fun in the photography side of it as well, have a lot to learn about my camera

My Wish

I wish that every year, one week before Christmas I would not feel this way EXHAUSTED. Constantly pushing ourselves to get this and that down, is it more mentally or physical, for only  one day.

No not for one day for one month as soon it hits December it becomes frantic, for one month its time to tell all those who are something special to us, that we care and thank you for being a part of our lives. 

Then its time to reflect on those who are no longer with us in which ever way, those who we miss and the friendships that we have let slide through our fingers because of our busy lives.

I have noticed that Christmas cards are fewer this year may be, as sometimes our modern technology that I marvel in has changed things, many a Christmas message will be sent electronically. Is that a good thing or a bad thing, but it is a stress less message of goodwill and cheer and still out there that we do care. 

On Christmas day as we all celebrate old and new tradition  the message is still the same.

I was worried that I was becoming Baaa Humbug, no its more like give me calm as I race to Christmas Day.

My tags

Were a gift to those special friends who come to class regularly for they have become a part of my life 

my way of saying thank you, something different instead of a card 

 

Finish what you Started

Magnolia Down Under Challenge 75
this was a challenge and I know I say that a lot I had big ideas with this one was going to sew all the squares but the sewing machine had other ideas, lesson was learnt as well don't put double sided tape where the needle is going to penetrate through, lots of broken thread and a broken needle and I was lucky to get as much stitching done as I did. For thous, who sew your cards regularly who probably think I am an idiot yeah me too, from that point on I really lost interest in the poor card.
But finish what you started ! 

and I got there in the end and the result I am happy with

 

just don't look too closely  LOL 

 

 

 with its friends

Burnt out feeling

should be making some cards but feeling a little burnt out so I thought would do one more post today

 

more cards using paper doily lace

Some cards

  Doing some projects using Doilies on Cards

Just a quick post have spent too long on the Computer this morning time to get up  from the couch and do some house work ohhhh how I would love to be lazy on my day off but lots to do and some more Christmas cards to make  thought I had a lot more than what I have

and some Tilda

 

Inks

Basic knowledge
Things everyone thinks you should know but forgets to tell anyone to start with and you are afraid to ask for the fear of seeming  dumb.
 So I have put together a little explanation to try and help, of course there are variations out there which will contradict, but this is a simple guide.

Inks

Inks
Pigment ink
Pigment ink is a slow drying ink commonly used for  wet embossing, is acid free and fade resistant. Pigment ink can be used without embossing as long it is given adequate time to dry, can be improved using a heat gun to set the ink
Momento- is a pigment Ink that is recommended to use with your Copic Markers.
Dye ink
Dye ink pads are a water based quick drying ink they are acid free permanent and sometimes waterproof if indicated on label. Dye ink cannot embossed unless you add a clear embossing ink to it. Dye ink is used for distressing with distressing blocks also combined with blender pens or aqua painters is great for colouring instead of markers.
Chalk inks
Chalk inks are a fast drying ink which provides a rich saturated opaque result, chalk cannot be wet embossed. Acid free is resistant to smearing, bleeding and fading. Works well on dark card stock.
Stazz on ink
Stazz on ink is a solvent based ink that can be stamped on most surfaces the result is a permanent waterproof stamped image. Use on outlined stamped images if using aqua painter or blender pens, cannot be embossed or distressed as the ink will dry on the stamp if not used immediately. To remove ink from the stamps a special cleaner needs to be used
In conclusion:
There are many different types of inks around and with different names I have only covered the basics when looking at purchasing ink all you really want to know is what type is it a Dye, pigment, chalk or permanent and of course if Scrapbooking acid free. For years most of my inks I used were pigment or chalk, but now I have a large collection of dye which I use all the time, the only problem I have found with dye is they do not work well with my clear polymer stamps or stamp well on vellum, so then I have to switch to pigment or chalk. I think it’s about what colour result you are looking for what stamp and where are you stamping, which will determine what ink is best for the job.
 When distressing with a block I mostly use dye ink but there are occasions when chalk or pigment may need to be used the result maybe slightly different but it is perfectly fine to do so the same applies for when painting with my aqua painters.
Happy crafting

Dreaming of a White Christmas

Can only dream
Down here in Aussie its starting to warm up as Summer has finally come, we had a lovely warm day today spent all weekend out in the Garden pruning the over grown Lavender Bush's and hanging shade cloth up to protect the plants from the harsh sun that is coming our way.
 So why do we make snowy Christmas cards I think its the Romantic side of it, I cant think of much else. It is very hard to find something to use that suits our warm Christmas
 My Childhood memories of Christmas involves a tree full of ripe Apricots and Peaches for a few weeks Mum would be making Jam and preserving peaches and nectarines.
Check out my Christmas Papers over at Megs Garden did some Fruity Christmas papers.
Okay to get to the card and I thought I would post something different this time what we do to make out creations

In the throws of creativity

 

 now finished my bag

 

 with its card

 I would like to enter my bag in the Just Magnolia Challenge White plus one

Challenge 73

After receiving the latest Magnolia Magazine I was inspired by all the lovely creations but Rianna's  tree caught my eye, so I did my own version of a 3D tree. Stuffed up on the background nearly binned it, but kept on playing with my markers until it looked passable, very pleased with my red flowers I made them from scratch.

well this is the Sketch from Magnolia Down Under drop by and check out the challenge and every one's lovely cards

scrapbooking with Tilda

 Both of these pages I have used Webster Paper I am very fond of them, and this time I used my Distress inks

 

  

I have started Scrapbooking again. and Tilda is just perfect for the photos of my daughter when she was little

 

 am going to do a matching page but with baby Tilda asleep in the strawberry patch

Very excited

I am very excited because this week we are Sponsoring Magnolia Down Under Challenge we are offering two packs of  the "French Garden Collection" - perfect for cards and Magnolia stamps! Each pack contains 8 sheets measuring 14.5 x 14.5 cm (5 3/4 inches).
These papers are available at Megs Garden, so drop by at Magnolia and at Megs and have a look and why not enter the challenge if you don't have a blog you know you can email a pic of your card and still have the chance to win
Well must go and try and put some of this excitement towards the house work

Embelish it

Make your own Embelishment
Magnolia Down Under Challenge 71

Well had lots of fun creating this easel card it was a true challenge for me so I thought I would revisit something I did a couple of years ago  on a scrappy page I have just recently posted it. The papers I used are in the Ann-Rose Collection from Megs Garden, the little flowers are from Stampin up. the transperancy are my own
This has got me thinking how far can I take this, my journey will have to go to a scrappy page, I am sure this will evolve from here.