Peace, love and Joy.

This beautiful snowflake image downloaded ages ago nedded very little else. So I kept the card cas (clean and simple).
Just glittered the edges and added some bling. Cuttlebug swiss dots folder as background with a very simple sentiment. Now I know that snowflakes aren't exactly appropriate in our warm climate, but it was just so pretty that I couldn't resist.
I have a shocking headache this morning. Not feeling quite with it.....think I'll take a rest for an hour or so.

Sweet enough to eat

Hello there on this beautiful Spring day. What a stunning time of the year! Today's card is so sweet... I think it's good enough to eat...what with all the 'ice-cream'  colours. Such fun to make too. The scan is a bit blurry, but in real life this little beauty has glittered background paper. Sentiment was computer generated, also used Martha Stewart punch to make tree, to which I added the daintiest little buttons. Tree mounted on a Nestie circle. Talking about ice-cream.....mmmh that would go down very well!

Another Christmas card



What a stunningly glorious day! Spring has arrived. My garden is a delight with all the new life stating to show. Today another card with a festive flavour. Used Nesties for frame, Cuttlebug alphabet for sentiment, some flat-back pearls, a bit of lace and ribbon and voila!

Christmas crafting begins

Well for me its countdown to Christmas.....and my studio is full of everything that smacks of Christmas. So you won't get much else from me for the next months. I just love creating for Christmas.....it brings out the child in me. Thought I'd start off with a festive card. Used the 'Lace Tree' Cuttlebug folder (with a lot of tweeking to make it fit!), some VERY old sheet music, a computer generated sentiment, some nesties, Martha Stewart punch for the greenery, and some Christmas flowers. As you know, I love anything with a vintage feel.....and I think this card turned out rather nicely. Lots more to follow over the days and weeks......so keep visiting.

Thursday threesome

Not such a great day for me today. Tweaked my back stretching for something.....leaving me pretty immobile. Frustrating, because I have SO much to do! But I've found if I just sit relatively still it is not too bad, so here goes........
Three cards today, using the same range of papers, but very different layouts. Hope you like them.

Sunday Scraps

I always try and clear my desk on a Sunday, so that I can start the new week with a clean space. Masde this card in under 10 minutes, using a scrap of 7 Gypseys paper a couple of stamps that were lying around and a scrap of ribbon. Thank You cards are always so useful.....always have something to be grateful for. I have a friend who laughs at me for saving all my tiny paper scraps ( and hers!). But look what you can do with those small pieces.

Have a great Sunday. The sun is actually shining on the East Coast!

It's COLD....Brrrrrr....but think on SPRING!

Yes, okay, I know it is freezing...and dark...and WET! AGAIN! And I know we are in the depths of winter. Iwas so cold this morning that I decided to make a card which would take my thoughts to Spring, and the beautiful, fresh, sunny, flowery days to come. Doesn't it just make your heart sing?

The paper used  was an oldie from FABSCRAPS from the Sweet Shop range. Embellishments came from my stash.

I don't usually make tall cards like this one, but at times the design just calls for a long card. I rather like it!

Forever friends

People pass through our lives at various times, they come and go, and then we have the ones that enter our lives and just never leave. They seem to be there for all the milestones that we experience through our lives. It is for just those kinds of friends that I created this card. It is so special to be able to let those people know how precious they are.

Rainy day cards

What a day! The weather is just awful! Rain, wind ,snow and COLD! Definately weather to be indoors. I have been in my workroom all day.....music, milo, and plenty of inspiration. Cats are curled up by my feet and life is good...VERY good. The cards I have posted today all have backgrounds made with a technique called FAUX FRESCO TILING. This very clever technique uses embossed watercolour paper to achieve a textured effect much like worn plastered tiles. Artists Gesso and Versemark ink, embossed, tend to leave a shine on the paper similar to a tile. It's a bit messy, but certainly worth the effort.



Saturdays cards

I am trying so hard to get my mojo back......it got up and left last week already and I really need it back soon! So, if anyone has seen it.......please let me have it back!! LOL. It was the ideal weather today to get into the workroom and do something creative. Nice steamy cup of coffee, good music (today it was the Eagles). I had the difficult task of having to make a sympathy card for the family of one of my moms friends who passed away last week. Not the easiest kind of card to make, but I think it came out ok.

An Eastern influence

I was busy preparing to scrap a layout using mainly Eastern papers and embellishments when I decided to use the scraps to make two quick cards along the same lines. I always love the impact created by using the red/black/white combination and the bold eastern symbols.

Baby cards

Thought I'd show you three cards I made for a baby boy, using the clean and simple (CAS) style. This means cards that are made with just a single layer and very few embellishments. I just loved the soft colours on these cards, and the green, blue and yellow work so well together. This style of card is ideal to use when making a large number of the same card eg. birth announcements, christening etc. Also very nice for baby shower invites.

Made use of punched circles of patterned patterned paper for these next two cards. The possibilities are endless. The buttons are a very cute finishing touch. 

 

Recycling fun

There is such a drive worldwide to get people thinking RECYCLE! I prefer to call it REPURPOSING. That's exactly what it is......using throw-away things for something other than what they were made for. I find it such a challenge and it is such fun.  Yesterday in one of the magazines I opened there was an insert advertisment for CONSOL GLASS. The beautiful shades of thexblue glass instantly caught my eye, as did the layout and design of the page. I knew that I wanted to make a card using all the elements on the page and this is the result. The blues seemed to say 'rest' and 'relaxation' so I added the appropriate wording. Inside the card I stamped the word 'RELAX'.

The only elements not from the advertisment were the cardstock base, the buttons and the stamped sentiments.

See what you can do from throwaways?



Some blog candy

Another South African stamper, Paola Levi is offering a really great blog candy, but only til the end of
May. Go to her blog and take a look. You'll find her at    http://paolaspaperhaven.blogspot/ .com
It's well worth it!

Another Inspirational card

This is one of my favourite scriptures. It is so encouraging to know that our lives are being steered by a greater power, and that we have great things in store for us, no matter how grim things might look in the moment.

Another baby card.

I was comissioned to make two baby cards, one for a boy and one for a girl. So, being in a very conventional mood, out came the blue and pink. I posted the boy's card  yesterday on my fb page. Here is my little girl's card, all pink and lacy and just sweet enough to eat!



It has been on my heart for a while now to make cards that are inspirational and 'from the Word'. I have at last started working on just such a range, which will be known as the FROM THE WORD Collection. This is the first card.

Faux Pewter Card

Pewter has become so popular again, and is being included in a variety of craft projects. I love the aged look of pewter, but I found the pewter sheets were very expensive, and when you craft as much as I do, you have to go for the most cost effective options. So I decided to go with a technique that very closely resembles pewter but is actually just done on card, using embossing and embossing powder. This card is an example of what the end product looks like. I was actually quite chuffed with the result! This card would make a very elegant wedding invitation, or wedding card.

Have a great Monday guys!



Shaped cards: The series

No long 'spieel' from me tonight. I am really bushed! Had a very busy day. Claire and I hit the ground running this morning! Then we took in a movie.....then all sorts! So I thought I would just post these cards that I did yesterday. They are so nice to make, they just seem to put themselves together. All cards available for purchase at HEARTS AND CRAFTS gift shop, 22 Rockview Road. See you again!

Shaped card series: Pink Baby

I am having such fun with these smaller shaped cards. I think they are so precious. And this little teddy in the pink pram just smacks of cuteness! Ideal to use as a tag to accomany a gift for a new baby girl.

Talking of baby girls.......my 'baby' girl is arriving tomorrow for a few days, and I can barely contain myself. She has to be back on Sunday to begin prac teaching next week, but 5 days is enough hey. So, you might not hear from me quite as often this week. Will be out having fun! Hope to get a bit of scrapping in though.....Claire is such a innovative, out-of-the box scrapper and she usually teaches me so much! So....'til next time...ciao!



Sneak peak

Just had to give you a sneak peak ! I am making a new range of the cutest shaped cards. They will be smaller than my usual cards, but are really precious, and are ideal to use either as a card, or as a gift tag. There will be lots more to follow. Watch this space.

All my cards are available for purchase at HEARTS AND CRAFTS GIFT SHOP at 22 Rockview Road Doonside. This obviously only applies to my local followers.

Hope you are having a fabulous Saturday evening.

Hearts and Crafts Gift Shop

Just wanted to give a shout-out for a new venture which opened this week at 22 Rockview Road Doonside. Pop in and visit a smaller version of the delectable COFFEE CUP coffee shop, PLUM PERFECT DECOR, and a very special little treasure called HEARTS AND CRAFTS GIFT SHOP.

All the cards on this blog, plus a large selection of other cards and papercrafts of mine can be purchased at this little shop. Do yourself a favour and pay these enterprising ladies a visit.

Congratulations

I think there must be something wrong with my internal clock! Been making a whole bunch of cards that look way more appropriate for Spring than for Autumn. I might add that I am looking very forward to the cooler weather, so I think I will really have to think about my colours with the next lot of cards!

 Blue cardstock background run through cuttlebug. (Bloom dots folder).

Heart cut freehand and then edges inked.

This card could be used as a wedding card, or for an anniversary, or any other occasion that requires congratulations!

Indulge

This morning I had to go to one of our government departments to renew my drivers licence. Thank goodness it only has to be done every 5 years! It's enough to drive one to drink....to drink tea and eat cupcakes! You can see where my mind was when I made these cards. Enjoy.

Cupcake Monday

Yes ok..it's Monday again! Sometimes when I think of all the chores that need doing on a Moday I could do with a bit of sustenance, so bring on the tea and cupcakes!! Who doesn't love those gorgeous little cakes?!

Dance...Sing...Live

Hi there. Today I have another card in the

PURPLE PASSION COLLECTION to share with you.

I have used one of my favourite sentiments. The three background papers have all been embossed with the Cuttlebug. It adds depth to the card. The right edge of the card has been edged with a fancy lace punch from Martha Stewart. The flourishes were die cuts using the Cricket. I love flourishes! Or twirly-wirlies as I sometimes call them! The flower embellishment in the top left-hand corner was handmade using paper cut-outs. Thanks for looking.

Enjoy the weekend.

LOVE

What is Love? This passage from the Word is so often used as a reading at weddings, but I often wonder if people really listen to the words......they are so amazing, and really give us an instruction manual for relationships. Decided to make this card as a wedding card, but it needed to be posted so I made it as flat as possible. I think it speaks for itself.
Have a great day. Nearly weekend again. Be blessed!

Dance in the rain

Talk about wishful thinking! It has been ridiculously hot here over the last month or so, and what makes you think my mind is on rain?!
This card has quite a bit of stamping on it. The green background and the red hearts have been repeatedly stamped to form a background. Circles cut with a circle punch. Sentiment (one of my favourites) was generated on the computer. The thin ribbon across the top just finishes the card off nicely.

Joy

Sunday morning......always laid back but today especially as in South Africa we have a long weekend,so we can be laid back all over again tomorrow. I think that's every reason to entitle my post today JOY.
Please excuse the 'skew' photo, but I was working with it in the early hours of this morning.
We are, hopefully moving into Autumn, and this card does look suspiciously 'Springy', but I love using all the greens and bright colours of Spring on my cards. What do you think?

Supplies:

Cream precut card
Background patterned piece (from the cover of a paper pack!)
Purple paper scraps
Organza ribbon, bling
Martha Stewart border punch
Chipboard flower embellishment

This card is very versatile because you could use it for various occasions.

Enjoy your time relaxing!

Welcome Baby Boy

Usually baby cards are very clean and fresh. I decided to go with a more vintagey, aged look for my card. Colours are subtle rather than bright. I think it worked pretty well.

Blue cardstock tent-fold card blank
Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder
Circle die
Brown ink to distress
Sentiment rub on
Appropriate baby sticker
Ribbon and button
linen thread
Martha Stewart border punch

Anyone for coffee?

What a way to start a Saturday morning.....a steamy, aromatic cup of coffee. Thought this card would be great to use as an invite to a friend to join you.

Paper: Tan cardstock, strip of wrapping paper. Coffee cut-out from wrapping paper
Rub-ons for sentiment
Martha Stewart punch.

Have a great Saturday. Have a great long weekend.

Beginning at the beginning

Something on my list of things to do in 2011 was to start a blog which could chronicle my creative journey. Well, hopefully this is it. I am rather computer challenged, so bear with me please. This is very much a case of hit and miss to begin. I'll be back with more exciting posts (hopefully!) as well as  photos,ideas and tips, and tutorials relevant to crafting.