Monday 31 October 2011

Monday Feature at MyGrafico ~ Build Your Little Farm

Our feature this week is Build Your Little Farm by Revidevi.  This set comes with 27 fun elements to play with. You can create unlimited designs, so much fun to do! These elements are perfect for any craft and creative projects (stationery, cards, & much more possibilities). Look at the inspiration our design team came up with this week.

I decided to make a shadow box card.  These are quite fun to make 


Here is a tutorial on how to make one.  I used a Spellbinders scallop die to cut out my aperture and printed out a few of the elements from the set and cut them out to make my scene.  I used Hero Arts Envelope Pattern for the front of the car. 
Hop over to Mygrafico to see what the rest of the Design Team  have come up with....and don't forget there is still time to enter our Come Out of the Box Challenge.  Entries will be accepted until Midnight, November 4th.
Had a very relaxing weekend away... even managed to make 7 cards on Saturday and had a walk along the beach on Sunday.  I'll share some of the photos and card during the coming week.  

Thanks for stopping by.

Dawn

Thursday 27 October 2011

Cards for the School Gala

The school where my children went for their primary years has a Gala every November.  My husband donates the use of a Container for storage every year and this year I am donating a pile of my cards for them to sell.  I have been making a few Christmas cards from a Magazine Kitset I bought recently.  There is enough card, embellishments, die cuts, ribbon etc to make 15 cards... so far I've managed 3...

Merry and Bright


Christmas Ornaments.


Reindeer Greetings


I will be taking all the kitset with me this weekend up to the Beach.... we are heading up to Mangawhai on Friday night and our friends will be there on Saturday morning.  I did have stamping at Sandie's house, but I really felt like a break away with hubby and my friends... just chilling out.    So I won't be around for a few days....  I have been busy doing some special stuff ~ more later..... and trying to get ahead again with Mygrafico design work.  Plus back at work full time is more tiring than I thought.... I nearly fell asleep sitting on the couch watching some TV at about 5.30pm this evening...

Take care and hope your weekend is going to be as much fun as mine.

Cheers

Dawn

Tuesday 25 October 2011

Mygrafico challenge ~Come out of the Box ~

It’s time for a new challenge again.

The theme for our challenge is Come out of the Box. Enter for a chance to win this SVG & Printable Favor Gift Box by Sherry K. Designs. Entries will be accepted until November 4th, midnight. Our design team came up with some wonderful inspiration using this set. Check it out here
I used the small box with the scalloped edge to make a Wedding Favour box.  The set has SVG and JPEG versions so you can hand cut if you don't have a Cricut or Silhouette 

Wedding favour

I also adapted the template and also made another box

Choccie Pakage

Do try something "out of the box" and join us at Mygrafico

Thanks for visiting.... 
Cheers
Dawn

Monday 24 October 2011

WE WON THE WORLD CUP!!!!!!!!!!!

Wow - what an exciting night last night.......... a very stressful game.  The French took the game to the All Blacks and it was so tense.  The final score was 8 to 7 - talk about close.  I tell you our household was on tenterhooks all game.  Right up to the last moment it could have gone either way.... so it was lucky for us.

Much happiness in NZ then today over 250,000 people lined the street in Central Auckland as the team had a parade.  I watched on the TV as I'm not fussed on crowds.  I sat at the dinning table watching it and colouring in another little Mimi to make a little tag for Penny Black Blog Tag Challenge.  Here's how it finished up

Mimi Tag


I used a Spellbinders Label die for my tag and coloured Mimi in with watercolour pencils.  I cut her out and stuck her onto the tag which I'd coloured with Milled Lavender and Aged Mahogany distress inks.  The little sentiment is from a Sparkle Clear set by Hero Art.   I think I'll be making a few more of this one.  It was such fun.

Thanks for bearing with me today.... I am so HAPPY we won the Cup...

Cheers

Dawn

Sunday 23 October 2011

Peace Love and Joy



Peace Love and Joy

When I was out with my niece yesterday I saw this Mimi stamp ~ and it somehow leapt into the basket~ Such a cute one. The Hero Arts sentiment set also jumped into my basket ~ bad stamp! Didn't see it till too late~ but don't they combine well together.  Quite a match 
I stamped twice so I could add Mimi with dimensionals. Coloured with Copics and distress inks, Embossed the sentiment in silver.  Added some ribbon. The late afternoon sun is shining while taking my photos so not the best. 

Entering this into :
Wee Memories ~ Anything goes
Lily Pad Blog~ Nina B's sketch ( flipped the sketch)


We have been having fun this weekend with family here, but not too much crafting... I took Lisa (13) out yesterday to a couple of stamp shops and then she had a play

Made by Lisa...


Didn't she do well.  I got her three kits ~ with all the bits and pieces in them.. stickers, brads etc as well as the card stock and some matting papers.

In the afternoon we all went into the city via the Ferry, to visit the Waterfront which is all geared up as a Fanzone and Events Centre for watching the Rugby.  It was my first visit to "The Cloud" and the surrounding area.  Tonight is the BIG FINAL..  New Zealand versus France.   60,000 people at the game and thousands at the Fanzones around Auckland.  A BIG night ahead.  The games starts at 9.00pm NZ time - to accommodate the Northern Hemisphere times.  Luckily tomorrow is a holiday in NZ so we can have a sleep in.

Thanks for stopping by.  I appreciated each and every comment I get.

Cheers

Dawn

Thursday 20 October 2011

Butterfly Life

Finally time to blog.... this week has been so busy at work, I've been shattered in the evening and haven't done much other than looking at a few blogs and commenting.  I've done a whole heap of driving over the last 4 days.... over 380 kilometres (about 240 miles)  All over the south of Auckland.  So as you can imagine, my back was a bit achy and I was rather tired.

Anyway, tonight I am sharing a couple of cards I made on Saturday at Stamp Group.  I did two butterfly cards.


Butterfly Life


This first one started with some white card stock onto which I added a small circle as a mask for the sun...I then sponged some Broken China and Scattered Straw distress ink onto the card.  I then stamped the butterfly stamp (from Stamp-It) once on the background and once on a scrap piece of card.  I sponged some distress ink over the scrap piece and cut it out to layer onto the main piece.   The sentiment is from Kaisercraft.

Card number two also used a Stamp-It butterfly stamp

Faux Tile butterfly


Our tutorial at group was Faux Tiling.  I used this technique to make my centre panel.  I distressed with some Antique Linen distress and used a white gel pen to "grout" my tile. The gold embossed background  is a Hero Arts stamp.  The base card was white till I sponged on some Antique Linen distress.  The chocolate and aqua card is Bazzill. 

Thanks for stopping by.  I'm off to visit some more blogs.

Cheers

Dawn

Monday 17 October 2011

Monday Feature at MyGrafico ~ Halloween Monsters

Welcome to Monday.  It seems to me that October is flying by!  This week our feature is Little Monsters by DreAmLoft. These monsters are so cute and work great for Halloween. This set comes in SVG and JPG format.

I have my great nephew's birthday is coming up... They are going to be 5.  I made them Lil' Monster cards

Little Monster Twins


 I used some free papers from Mygrafico for my background and used the computer to generate the sentiments.

Although the boy's party theme is Cowboys, I'm sure they will love these

Pop over to Mygrafico and see what the rest of the DT came up with.  Some awesome projects! And don’t forget about our challenge. The theme is Baby Shower.  Entries will be accepted until October 21st at midnight.  We can’t wait to see what you come up with.  Rules can be found here.

Well the first day back at work is done and I'm shattered!!!  I had to drive 35 kms to the other side of town for a training session.... and then again tomorrow to work on a special project...

Thanks for stopping by


Dawn

Sunday 16 October 2011

Happy Birthday Peter....

Today is my Hubby's birthday..   55 yrs old.... boy that means I'm getting old as I'm only 8 months younger~
Any hoo... HAPPY BIRTHDAY PETER!!!!  I made him this card....

Textured to Perfection....


He liked it.

We went out last night to celebrate with our son and his partner... we went to a restaurant called Pasti.  This is a French restaurant in the City and last night it was amazing ~ packed to the gunnel's as last night was the Rugby World Cup Semi Final between France and Wales.  The tables were all placed together and you were sitting beside people you didn't know... the whole atmosphere was fabulous... and it really went off when the final whistle blew and France were the winners 9-8.  Here's some photos

My "Frenchman"

My "Frenchman" in his beret from Paris last year

The two of us
The two of us
Kieran and Isobel

Kieran and Isobel



At Pastis....the atmosphere.

We had a fabulous evening... for me after a great day stamping at Stamp Group... what a day. 

Tonight it's the All Blacks against the Wallabies (Australia)  for the spot in the final.  Could go either way!  But hope it is us... GO ALL BLACKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hope your weekend has been good.  

Cheers 
Dawn

Thursday 13 October 2011

Witching you a Happy Halloween

I am supposed to be doing a purge out in my craft room.  I've started at the door and am working my way round the room.... sorting out my scraps ~ turfing the tiny bits and going through the bigger bits to donate to the local kindy~ and generally cleaning up.... but of course, got waylaid with a couple of Halloween challenges.... one over at Wee Memories  and one over at Simon Says Stamp....Witching you a Happy Halloween


I started by printing out this adorable image from The Greeting Farm and colouring with Copics.  I made her a little green eyed witch..... The background papers are from this set from Mygrafico.  I used a Word Document to insert two different backgrounds so I could print them out as one sheet.  I added some orange ribbon across where they joined.  I cut out the little witch and popped her on dimensionals.  The sentiment was also printed on the computer using Chiller font.   I had fun making this card.  It will be heading off somewhere special as I have entered this into this month's  CCC swap over at Lily Pad Cards

Was chuffed to make the Honorable Hoots for one of my Christmas cards ( this one)  Thanks to Jenny and the team for picking me for a mention.

Another busy morning as I had my weekly blood test and then had to have a ultrasound as my doctor thought I might have gallstones.  Which I do... no symptoms though.  Then it was off to the beauty parlour for a leg wax and eyebrow shape.   Had a great 3 km walk in the afternoon.   And got a bit more of the craft room tidied.  Half done now.   Got to get organised tomorrow as it's Stamp Group on Saturday and I need to decided what am going to make so I can get the supplies ready.

Thanks for visiting..

Dawn

Wednesday 12 October 2011

Final Sept Challenge over at Simply Scrapping Crafts ( only a little late!)

Poor Clare has been poorly with a sore throat and fever, so is only a Tad Late for posting the final challenge over at SSC for September....  Yeap it is the final challenge...
Our sponsor for September was EAD Designs.   And our theme is "Baby Cards"

My card is a Hybrid today....

New Baby


 I started by printing the Lion image ( from  Meljen's Designs about 18 months ago.) I coloured him with Grey tone Copics and cut him with a Nellie Snellen die.  My PP was some digital gingham ( not sure where I got it though) I used a Fiskars stamp set for the sentiment and finished with a big dark blue bow.  One of my younger friends is expected her second child any time now, so if it's a boy .... this is for Heidi.... but if she has another girl.... well I'll have to get busy.

Had the all clear at the surgeon's yesterday!  He is pleased how the back is doing.  Today I called into work to have a morning tea for my retiring boss.   It's her last day today.  I made the card that everyone signed for her... a bigger one than I usually make.....

Retirement card for my boss


So it's back full time on Monday.... the first three days are on training..... over the other side of town... 35kms away!!!  Will mean a 3/4 hr car trip after I get to work...  That's a bit of a bummer... but I'll cope!

BTW- the carrot cake was a success....  All that was left were 3 small pieces that I bought home for hubby~

Cheers

Dawn

Tuesday 11 October 2011

Baby Shower... MyGrafico's Challenge Monday #113

It’s new week and time for a new challenge.The theme for our challenge is Baby Shower. Enter for a chance to win this Mom to Be set by Olillia. Entries will be accepted until October 21st, midnight. Our design team came up with some wonderful inspiration using this set. Check it out.
 I chose to make an invitation card...

Baby Shower

I have used this as sample to show my friend, who has a daughter expecting twins early next year.  She is thinking of having a shower at her place.   Her daughter is a paraplegic ~ so will have her hands full with two babies.  I wish her all the best. 

Do pop over and have a look at the wonderful samples the others made and join us in the challenge. Please review the rules as some rules have changed – rules can be read here.
To be considered, entries must use a Baby Shower theme. 
Good luck!
Thanks for stopping by... I'm off to visit the surgeon this afternoon for my 6 week checkup - but am going to bake a carrot cake ( first time ever) first for morning tea tomorrow at work!  Hope it turns out okay :)  
Dawn

Sunday 9 October 2011

No stamps were "inked" in making this card.........

that's right... a card with NO STAMPING!.  I had the intention of adding some... but in the end it didn't need any....   So here's my Vintage Christmas card...

Front view
Vintage Christmas
Side view

I saw the card design in an Australian Papercraft Essentials  magazine and liked the idea.  Sort of an easel card... I started with an image from The Graphics Fairy ~ of a Victorian Santa.  I printed it and cut with a Spellbinders die and inked the edges with Tea Dye distress ink.  The rest of the card was made with patterned papers from My Minds Eye  "Lost and Found Christmas", DCWV " The Christmas Combo" and Hot off the Press " Forever Christmas Cards" ~a freebie with a magazine.   Some gems to finish and as the stopper.  I decided to use the Happy Holidays part of the PP along the base instead of adding some stamping.... Hubby commented on this one as being a favourite... normally don't get much in the way of comments from him :(   ~ maybe this will be for him this Christmas!

Had a nice lunch today.... my neighbour turned 60 this week and invited me to join her and some of her friends for a Girls Luncheon.  When I asked her there was anything I could bring she said..." well as a matter of fact, those little Pecan Pies you make would be nice"  ~ so made some yesterday afternoon....  For anyone who loves mini pies ~ this is the best and easiest recipe ever...
Thanks for stopping by....

Cheers

Dawn

Saturday 8 October 2011

Oops ~ a card for 2 Peas Stamptoberfest

Over at 2 Peas October is "Stamptoberfest" with lots of challenges ( here is the Master List) I did a card that I was able to enter into two of the challenges
Water and Ink ~ to use ink as a colouring medium and
Distress - don't stress ~ to use distress inks on your card.

Oops...


I started with the Magenta stamp and  coloured with various distress inks then spritzed it with Tsukineko Sheer Shimmer Spritz.  When it dried I put it through my printer to print the Oops.  But it didn't go through straight... so the oops is on an angle... adds to the card I think...

Also entered into  Cute Card Thursday's  ~Animal Crackers.  I think I might try and find a frame and use this for a piece of artwork.

Just finishing this off and off to enjoy a beautiful Spring day here in Auckland.  A bit breezy, but the sun is shinning and the umbrella is now up on the deck table... so summer is on it's way.

Hope your weekend is going well....

Cheers
Dawn

Friday 7 October 2011

Textured to Perfection..~ Moxie Fab World challenge


Today when I was out, I came across a packet of circle adhesive Cork protectors for $1 ~ looking at them I immediately thought of Hero Arts sketch challenge
 
Here's what I did:
Textured to Perfection....

I left the cork circles on their back sheet and inked up Three Ferns stamp with Weathered Wood distress ink and spritzed it with Sheer Shimmer Spritz before stamping it onto the cork.   I added a few bits of the stamp on the edge circles.  I then took some paper form DCWV Linen Closet Matstack and cut it to size and adhered the cork onto it.  All that then matted onto the white textured card base.  Added some We Are Memory Keepers Seweasy Floss in dark cocoa and a little CB tag stamped in the distress ink.  I am also entering this into the Moxie Fab World ~ Textured to Perfection.   I think adding the cork circles is an innovative way to add texture.  This card is for my hubby's birthday on the 16th.   Now I wish I'd bought more of these circles at that price.  Maybe I'll have to head back to Ike's.  It is a clearance store... has masses of ribbons, material, craft stuff, hardware, costumes ~ just about anything where there is a end of line sale out...they buy it up and on-sell.  
Thanks for stopping by.  Having a nice easy day today after yesterday's big outing.... the back is a tad sore.  

Cheers
Dawn