Cynthia's Card Creations

PBSC Week 184 Anything Goes

2012-01-18T22:27:00.002+13:00

Well here's something different from the cards I usually post. I was asked to make a 100th card for a friend of a friend and this is what I came up with. It was nice to make a floral card for a change and this stamp sure looks good for so many occassions.

Had a few dramas this week, Mum had a fall, no breaks thank goodness but a lot of pain which I now hope is under control by medication. Monty was crook on Sunday and required a vet visit but he's bounced back yet again.

Here's one of the vireya's in the garden which is in full bloom just at the moment she's called: Kisses and Tess wanted in on the photo shoot.

Cheers for now

Penny Black Saturday Challenge- Week 181

2011-12-16T12:51:00.000+13:00

Kath have I suprised you with a mini Buddy image card for this week's challenge? I love doing sketches and hope I did justice to Domi's lovely sketch.

Life is pretty hectic and it was my birthday this week, I managed to buy some craft goodies, a new Spellbinders star circles die set, a MS punch, some more distress inks and then another store close to us had Copics 30% off. Well tell me who could resist that??

Cheers & Happy Christmas to one and all

PBSC Week 178 Green & Trees

2011-11-25T20:11:00.001+13:00

Hope I've just managed to get this loaded and published in the nick of time for this week's challenge which is for Green & Trees. This is the original rubber stamp so she takes up nearly the whole card so no room for being ultra creative.

What week we've had, an Aunt's funeral on Monday, flea bomb the house Tuesday, and later on a storm passed through and broke off a huge branch on our tree, had to get up on a ladder to do some quick tree pruning.

Been busy creating another one of my mini scrapbooks for an ex player so it's got to be finished this week as Lance leaves to play for St Helen's in the Super League.

Cheers for now, happy crafting

Penny Black Saturday Challenge - Gold & Presents

2011-11-17T21:01:00.001+13:00

Here I am back in bloggyland with a card for this weeks Penny Black Saturday Challenge which is Gold and Presents and this cutie fits the bill that's for sure. Managed to get in a bit of crafty shopping done recently and found 2 lovely Xmas embossing folders which this is one and a nice MS holly punch and another holly die which has already been put to good use.

I've just got into the 21st century with my 1st laptop, so it's a bit of a challenge using Windows 7 and nagivating around, there's not enough time in the day to learn everything and be computer savy when I'd much rather be crafting.

Cheers for now

I'm back!!

2011-10-12T11:12:00.005+13:00

We'll it's been a long time between posts, anyone miss me?

We're in our new house now so it's taken all my time packing and unpacking and getting things in ship shape order. Tess has coped really well with the move but it's been harder for Monty with his lack of mobility but he has been out & about sniffing around the garden. The first night here they were like bloodhounds attracted no doubt by the scent of the previous cats that lived here.

I have got a crafting space downstairs but it will take awhile to get everything organised properly that's for sure. Decided to join in this weeks Penny Black Saturday Challenge Age is just a number with this new PB stamp, how could I resist this?

Cheers for now

Penny Black Bunting

2011-07-21T18:57:00.001+12:00

Brrr... it's decidely chilly here tonight so will do this quickly and get back into the lounge where it's nice and warm. I decided to give this weeks Penny Black Saturday Challenge a go where we use Bunting on our card. Quite pleased with the way it's turned out I have used Kaiser Craft papers, some ribbon form my stash. Added Glossy Accent to the cupcake case and flower soft for the icing for a bit of texture.

Cheers for now

Desert Island Stamps

2011-07-07T14:40:00.001+12:00

It's decidely chilly down under, wish we had some warmer weather to look forward to but that's a few months away. So have to keep using my nice afghan square rug my Mum crocheted for me to keep nice and warm even sitting at the computer is oh so cold these days.

Having 2 beautiful persians my Desert Island stamp would have to have 2 cats on it so I chose this delighful image as my favourite I couldn't do without.

Cheers

Lemon and Lavender

2011-07-05T10:53:00.002+12:00

I thought I would take up the challenge on the Simon Says Stamp Challenge this week which is a colour combo of Lemon and Lavendar. Not colours I would normally choose and the pawprint paper I must have had for years so it was good to use it.

This cutie from Penny Black is exactly what I should be doing, pruning the roses but got another dose of a cold, 2nd time so I'd rather stay warm and dry. We felt an earthquake on Friday which was 2.9 and it makes me feel for those people in Christchurch who have had them so much worse for a longtime now. New Zealand is living up to it's reputation as the Shakey Isles that's for sure.

Cheers

Stitch it Up

2011-07-01T15:51:00.001+12:00

Whew just got this loaded in time for this week's PBSC challenge. which is to use stitching on your card. Thank goodness it can be of the faux variety, me & sewing machines just don't go together that's for sure.

Last Friday I managed to get some time away from home and went to Senz which is our biggest scrapbooking and stamping expo which was way over the other side of Auckland. It was great to see my old crafting friends and have a quick catch up and have a look at all the yummy goodies on display. I brought this fab lace edging that I used here along with lots of new flowers, a new set of nesties and of course a new Penny Black stamp which my Mum brought for me. We hired a wheelchair that weekend and it was so easy to get around, then we went to the footie on Sunday at age 90 the walking around the stadium was getting too hard for Mum. Unfortunately that day we lost and now our coach has announced he's leaving but thank goodness there are several capable people who will be after his job.

Cheers for now

PBSC 3rd Birthday

2011-06-19T17:02:00.002+12:00

I started this card last week which was meant to be for the One for the Guys challenge but I've been laid low with a nasty cold this week so have only just got it finished.

Just as well I can use it this week as a Pesky Critter. Congrats to all at PBSC for the 3 yr milestone. You do an awesome job of sharing your love of Penny Black stamps with us all and I have enjoyed all the weekly challenges you give us and especially love it when I read your comments on my blog.

I'm feeling at a very low ebb at the moment having had to deal with the house sale, still haven't found a new place yet and that's stressful, Mum with her medical problems I just feel in emotional overload at the moment and wish I had a good friend to lean on.

Cheers & off to blog hop and maybe be in to win something, now wouldn't that be nice!

You're my favourite

2011-06-11T10:14:00.000+12:00

Gidday on a wet and soggy Auckland winter's day. I hope to be able to do some more crafting later on, as I have just got some new Cling Penny Black stamps and now I've found I need a larger acrylic block to use them. Great excuse to go to the craft shop I reckon.

What a week I have had, not one I am keen to repeat that's for sure. We had a party for my Mum's 90th birthday which she had a fabulous time and couldn't stop talking about it, then the next Sunday she ended up in hospital and we now know she had a heart attack. That really scared me you never want to lose your Mum so I'm glad she is now on better medication, pain free and at home and is back to her normal self.

Onto this month's challenge at Penny Black at Allsorts which is to use your favourite stamp. To me they are all my favourites or else I wouldn't have brought them right? So I've decided to show my current favourite an Easel card that I have just finished for an order.

Cheers

Penny Black Saturday Challenge...Week 152

2011-05-27T18:03:00.003+12:00

I haven't had time to sneeze let alone any craft time as our house has been on the market for 9 days and we had 6 offers to consider this week. Thankfully things went smoothly and now it's all done and dusted thank goodness. Now onto the next stage of finding a good home for all of us.

So I'd like to enter this card I made last week for the PBSC which is Fussy & Fancy, right up my alley!. See I've induldged myself with these sweet sentiment stamps from Lily of the Valley. They will be so useful for my cards.Hope to be back in action soon, on my wish list for a new place is a proper craft room all for moi!

Cheers for now

Week 151 Clean and Simple

2011-05-17T21:43:00.001+12:00

This weeks challenge over at PBSC is sure is out of my comfort zone to make a clean and simple card.

Everyone has there own style and reckon you all know by now mine is cute. So I had to restrain myself from adding more layers and flowers of course. I suppose my left handness shows here the way the ribbon is tied, pity I'm not ambidextrious it would have looked nicer.

I admire all my fellow bloggers who can do this style so easily and make fab cards.

Cheers for now

Milestones

2011-05-03T20:32:00.000+12:00

You wouldn't believe it but we had a tornado close by today, it has wrecked havoc at a big shopping mall in Albany about half and hr away from home & unfortunately the loss of one life and about 20 other people have been injured. It took out power around a lot of the Shore but we were lucky in that regard or else I wouldn't be posting tonight.

This week's challenge had just the right theme for me as I was asked to create a 100th birthday card . I decided to use the basis of an older PBSC sketch again, I changed the circle to an oval and it was just right don't you think?

Sure hope my friend's friend will like what I came up with, not the traditional flowery style but it goes to show how versatile our Penny Black stamps can be..

I took another photo of the whole Easel card, here it is.The sentiment says: It's not how old you are, it's how loved you are that counts. At 100 not out there sure has been lots of love I reckon.

Cheers for now

PBSC Happily Ever After

2011-04-28T08:25:00.001+12:00

Well only 1 day to go before the Royal Wedding of Prince William & Kate.They are such a lovely couple I hope that they will continue to be happy in their future together. I'll be watching out to see what beautful wedding gown she will be wearing, it sure has been a very well kept secret. The is nothing like watching the pagentry that a Royal Wedding will entail.

Here's my card for this weeks Penny Black Saturday Challenge which is all things love related. This is actually an Easel card which I put a nice message on the bottom part.

Cheers for now

PBSC Week 145 a sketch

2011-04-08T09:51:00.002+12:00

This week over at Penny Black Saturday Challenge Domi has done a lovely sketch for us to use. You can tell straight away that I've used artistic license to swap the position of the sentiment. The words just fitted the image so it had to be included didn't it?

Done the washing and it's hanging out to dry and washed the bathroom floor now off to do the kitchen before hopefully I can get cracking on some more cards. Took Monty to the vet yesterday and he's on the improve which is great news. Fingers, toes and paws crossed that he will continue and he needs to regain some of the weight he lost when he was sick.

Cheers and have a good weekend

Penny Black at Allsorts April Challenge

2011-04-07T17:38:00.001+12:00

Wow I sure was suprised to see that I had won the prize I'd been hoping to win for ages and ages the 15% lifetime discount in the last month's challenge. Thanks to the lovely team at Penny Black at Allsorts for continuing your great blog and all the gorgeous cards. Everyone has such a different style it's great checking them all out.

The weather here has cooled down considerably and wind and rain is on the horizon. Got wet today helping to deliver leaflets with my brother. Oh by the way pop on over and check out his new website and tell me what you think Custom Framers. He does great work but then I'm bound to be biased!.

Here's my entry for this month Black & White and one other colour. I love working with black and white and my favourite other colour is red. There sure was a lot of cutting out with this beautiful Penny Black stamp Bountiful.

Cheers for now

Welcome Spring

2011-03-28T22:12:00.003+13:00

Ok so who knows first aid? I was stung by a wasp tonight while trying to remove dead flowers off one of my vireya bushes, ouch that hurt! My first thought was to use baking soda and vinegar, I was partly on the right track it should have been a paste of baking soda and water. Whatever it seems to have helped along with the ice although there is swelling there. Don't think I'll have any lasting effects thank goodness.

I have just finished this in time for the Penny Black at Allsorts challenge which is to make a Welcome Spring card. Love these Cosmo Cricket papers so much so that I need to buy some more, lovely and vibrant colours for a spring card. Can you spy my new wee flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts they only arrived this morning. I used Distress Ink Scattered Straw to add a touch of colour.

This card fits the bill for this weeks Penny Black Saturday Challenge the theme is Recycled. The gold ribbon has in a previous life been on a Christmas present, that's the best I could come up with.

Cheers

Going Green

2011-03-17T16:47:00.002+13:00

I hope this is OK for the colour challenge on PBSC which is green.. I spied this lovely Kaisercraft paper recently which is appropriately called Toffee Apples. Sorry for the crooked photo

Been a stressful time again with Monty as he had 2 surgical procedures last week and they had side effects which meant he was hooked up to a drip for 2 days/nights. So glad to have him back home now, even though it was only a short time you miss them so much. He has shown me so much strength to get through his umpteen vet visits, I'm constantly amazed. Just makes me love him even more if that's at all possible !!

Cheers for now

Just an update

2011-03-13T09:50:00.000+13:00

Just a quick update, life is stessful at the moment, as Monty has had further multiple vet treatments this week. He needs my constant care and attention so I'll be missing from any card challenges for a wee bit.

Cheers
Cynthia

Lace and Pearls

2011-03-03T18:51:00.000+13:00

I have managed to do another card which will fit in with this week's Penny Black Saturday Challenge. decided to make the sentiment the focal point and added in 2 of the hedgie ballerina's. This time I did manage to use real lace. I must say it's huge thanks to my buddy Ian in Bristol who secured this and another hedgie stamp for me from E Bay UK. This stamp has been on my wish list for a very very long time.

Thanks for stopping by and love to read your feedback.

Cheers & happy crafting

Coffee & Cream

2011-02-28T21:53:00.000+13:00

I think I'll just manage to squeeze this card into two challenges. Have just found the challenge over at Simon Says Stamp is Coffee and Cream so what could be more apt than this cute Penny Black stamp called Cany Time. This is the first card I've done with it and not entirely happy with my colouring. Maybe next time I'll 3D something.

Also it fits the bill with this week's Penny Black Saturday Challenge which is to incorporate Lace & Pearls. Give me some artistic license it's not real lace but a lacey trim. Just been to the dentist today for the last treatment of a root canal and am sure glad that's over except for the large bill of course!

Cheers for now

PBSC Week 139 Men's Cards

2011-02-22T12:22:00.002+13:00

Another week and so it must be onto the next challenge card for PBSC which is for a Men's card. I resisted the tempation to add flowers or bling. So it's just plain and simple. Can you see the froth on his cappucino, he's all set for a lazy day I reckon. I added one of my new sentiment stamps from Stamp It. The papers are Kaisercraft and the dotty one is Paper Chic.

The weather here is still hot, great if you're a summer lover but I don't like the high humidity that goes with it. Bring on some cooler days of Autumn, Guess wherever in the world we live we're not 100 % happy with the weather gods. We've got a trial match on Saturday and will go and see the team training on Friday. It's been a long off season and really keen to see some footie again.

Cheers for now

Say it with Flowers

2011-02-18T21:11:00.003+13:00

Whew I finally managed to squeeze in some me time to make this card for the Penny Black at Allsorts blog were the challenge is to Say it with Flowers. I've had this clear set for awhile and don't know why I don't use it more often, it's fiddly with the small flowers but all part of the challenge of cardmaking . Sentiment is also Penny Black of course!

I also entered a similar card except done with purples in the Penny Black readers blog challenge.

Cheers for now

Pretty in Pink

2011-02-14T13:44:00.002+13:00

This is hot off the press, I have only just finished it. Reckon this is the quickest challenge card I have ever made. Ha Ha
I picked my two papers yesterday, I paper pieced the bra it's quite subtle, & did the Martha Stewart punched layers. Shall I let you into a tip I picked up recently , make the second layer the same size, cut it on the diagonal then the join is covered with the flower at the top left. See if you can see the join at the bottom?

Cheers for now

Two Penny Black challenges

2011-02-10T14:35:00.006+13:00

Wow I'm amazed at myself. I've managed to combine not one but two Penny Black challenges together. My favourite weekly challenge is over at PBSC and this week our card is to incorporate the words Love is ... and then we could finish it off. So I used my Cupid at Work stamp seeing it's coming up to Valentine's Day and he's floating on a cloud of love and happiness!!

I spied this gorgeous heart double sided paper at Spotlight just recently and decided to put it to good use, not traditional Valentines Day colours but heck that's my creative license at work. Ha Ha.

This also fits the bill over at the Penny Black blog to use "Winter white" in your card. It took awhile but think I've cracked it. Wouldn't it be lovely to win something and buy some new goodies from the Spring catalogue.

Cheers for now & Happy crafting

PBSC Week 136

2011-02-01T20:18:00.008+13:00

Happy 2011 to everyone

Sorry I've been missing for so long from challenges. I've been doing a lot of de-cluttering at home & trying to clean up the garden. Subsquently I haven't had the time or inclination to get back crafting before now. However on seeing Pauline's fab sketch I knew I had to give it a go this week.

This is my first card using my new Guess What stamp, I love this image. I have used Glossy Accent on the toadstool along with Flower Soft to accent the white spots. It makes me smile so that's why I used this Penny Black saying to go with it.

This card fits the bill for 2 Challenges

Penny Black Saturday Challenge - Sketch

Simon Says Stamps- Animal Antics

Cheers

Fab Five Christmas Cards 2010

2010-12-25T20:41:00.000+13:00

First off I wish everyone A Happy Christmas, hope that Santa has been kind to you & left lot's of crafty goodies.

On her awesome blog Debby has given us a challenge to join her in listing our Top Five Christmas cards for this year. Well of course all mine are made with my Penny Black stamps, I still didn't get to use them all as I had intended. Oh well there's always next year. By my reckoning I think I made over 50 and now I'm all carded out.

The first one is Wonderful Christmas, all but one card I made were done using reds & greens. I liked using the largest nestie cut in half making a good background shape. Looking at in now I should have added some texture to it, too much haste and not enough attention to detail.

No 2 is Penny Black Under the Mistletoe such a cute image, this one was made for Birgit her cat Tango hugging my Monty.

Number Three, this image is so cute I couldn't resist adding it to my Favourites. It is of course Penny Black Tree Top friends, the sentiment is from Inkadinkado.

Number Four was made using Penny Black Stocking Treat. I made good use of my Polar White Flower soft. I hope the sentiment also looks like a bauble, it has been layered to add dimension..

I made this one for the PBSC recently and loved it so much it's still on display in my bedroom. I used real gold leaf on the bauble and just loved the design layout we were given by Pauline that I used it over and over again..

Bye for now & thanks so much for taking the time to leave me a comment, you don't know how much I really appreciate them.

Cheers

PBSC Week 131

2010-12-16T16:05:00.000+13:00

Here I am again back with a 2nd entry for this week's challenge. Whew glad Christmas trees are allowed. I've used dimensional magic on the baubles and it looks lovely and glossy in real life. With all this card making I haven't even had a chance to get our tree up, not that ours is a real tree with that beaut pine scent.

Back to the dining room table which resembles a bomb sight that's for sure.

Cheers

Week 131 The Holly and the Ivy

2010-12-13T20:02:00.001+13:00

Sorry I missed last week's challenge, but have been flat out doing cards for other folk. Still got my own Christmas cards to make yet, wish me luck.. Even being in the height of summer and parts of the country are in drought already, it's the same the world over that there are not enough hours in the day to get everything just right for Christmas.

Onto this weeks challenge to use holly/ivy in our creations. Well that's an easy peasy one for me. I loved this sketch we had recently from Pauline and used it again. The holly leaves are a stamp I've had for ages. I used some dimensional magic on the berries.

It's my birthday today , I absolutely hate having it so close to Christmas. I'd love to be able to change the date by deed poll. Ha Ha.

My present to myself was a couple of new Penny Blacks and some Sir Timmy Distress inks, loving the colours which Squirrel suggested for the meeces and they work well on my cats.

Cheers for now

PBSC Week 129 Monochromatic

2010-11-29T18:59:00.000+13:00

Ok so I'm not purrfect. I decided to use this lovely Paper Chic red paper for this week's challenge. So as it's double sided it gave me the two colour combo's to work with. Hope the DT girls will let me off with the hint of silver!

Bet you all wish you were down under right about now, it's a balmy 26 degrees here at the moment, the down side for me is the garden needs rain and I need more time in the day to get everything done. Having a friend over for dinner tomorrow, on the menu my spicy pork fillet and kumara mash & asparagus. Chocolate brownie and strawberries for desert. Anyone else coming?

Cheers for now & happy crafting

Penny Black Challenges

2010-11-25T09:46:00.003+13:00

This week over at PBSC we have a great sketch from Pauline. This was easy to adapt size wise and is definitely a keeper! I am on my 2nd creation using the sketch already.

I'll enter it also into the challenge over at Penny Black at Allsorts challenge blog which is It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, thanks to Ellie for the heads up.

I have used real gold leaf on the bauble, it was a bit fiddly but it looks good and some glossy accents on the spaces. My sentiment stamp is a new one from Stamp It I love these small one line stamps they work in well with the ribbon tags.

Monty had to have another operation this week and we go back for a vet for a check up on Friday, so fingers, toes and all paws crossed here for my darling boy. He's a real fighter with all he has had to endure, it makes me love him even more.

Cheers & happy crafting

Penny Black at Allsorts It's Looking a lot like Christmas

2010-11-16T21:01:00.002+13:00

Another card today this time for Penny Black at Allsorts for their Christmas challenge. Scary stuff thinking of Christmas already. I brought this stamp second hand and it's come up looking like new with a bit of TLC and I've used some of new new Flower Soft on his beard, hope it looks ok.

Cheers for now

Penny Black Saturday Challenge Week 127

2010-11-16T09:36:00.005+13:00

Two photo's today the first of course is for this week's Penny Black Saturday Challenge which is All My Favourite Things. So I have used my Diamonds are Forever stamp. Managed to get my favourite elements of flowers, ribbon and rhinestones into this card. The layout is one I saw on Splitcoast Stampers a long time ago and find it very useful. Can't decide whether to add a sentiment to it or leave it alone?

Here's little Tess in the kitchen on Saturday night. We are trying to decide on a paint colour and Tess jumped up on the stool and was bobbing her head watching each stroke of the paintbrush going up and down the wall. It's was so funny watching my little apprentice.

Cheers for now

Penny Black Saturday Challenge Week 125

2010-11-02T16:04:00.000+13:00

My trusty french hen came to mind to use for this week's challenge using Zig Zag or Triangles, reckon I've managed to get both elements in.

Had a really rough week and it's been taking a toll on my health, everyone says to forget what is stressing me but I want to fight for something I believe is right and I don't like the feeling of being ridden rough shod over.

Cheers for now

Elsa album

2010-10-20T09:49:00.082+13:00


Album cover

Young Elsa


Says it all


Clever girl

Tiptoe though the tulips

Must be my bedtime

Time to smell the roses


Favourite pastime Bird watching


Sweet Lady in Black


Sleeping Beauty


Music to my ears

Sweet repose


I'm not fat I'm fluffy


All you need is love, love, love


Christmas is coming


Is dinner ready yet?


I may be difficult but I'm cute

Persian of the week winner- Sally Bowles


Simply the best

This is the mini scrapbook album I made for my very special persian cat friend Birgit who lives in Frankfurt, so this has travelled many miles to be with her. Hopefully to be a treasured keepsake of her memories of her dearest Elsa who touched many people and will be forever in our hearts.

PBSC Week 123 Sketch

2010-10-18T09:40:00.006+13:00

This week we have a fab sketch from Debby which I loved using and will definitely use again.I have rotated mine but all the elements are there. I was asked to do a feminine hedge word card and this is the result.. I tried all sorts of different papers and the one's that looked best were the black and white, so once I added in the red it all came together.

Cheers for now

Penny Black Saturday Challenge Week 122

2010-10-15T18:10:00.003+13:00

Wow I was so surprised to have won in last week's Penny Black Saturday Challenge. I could have used that card in this week's challenge as it is to use 2 or more Penny Black images, instead I've kept it to a KISS ( Keep it Simple Stupid) card today as Mr Mojo has just about disappeared. I've just finished doing 18 6 x 6 scrapbook pages, plus covers so ideas and inspiration are a bit lacking at the moment.

I've used Lazy Days combined with 2 different Penny Black butterflies, and it's nice they are both facing different ways.Why not pop over to Kathy's blog and check out her lovely Penny Black candy, oh to be so lucky!

Cheers & happy crafting

Penny Black Challenge Week 121 Don't be Square

2010-10-08T18:17:00.002+13:00

Here's my card for this week's challenge of Don't be square, it's a stair step card and I like it as you can use multiple Penny Black images and have some fun. Great idea for a kid's card, don't you think?

I'm busy working on another mini scrapbook album at the moment and hopefully will finish it this weekend only 4 pages to go.

Cheers for now

Wild Orchid Challenge- Ribbon & Bows

2010-10-01T19:51:00.002+13:00

If I can get this posted quickly I might just sneak into this Wild Orchid challenge using ribbons and bows and of course the cherry blossom flower is from Wild Orchid.

This is easy peasy for me as those are two of my favourite embellishments I have a whole tackle box filled with ribbon, just another addiction of my crafty stuff. I've tried to keep it organised in little plastic bags, but it is still bursting out. Memo to self stop buying anymore. Ha Ha not a chance!!

Cheers for now

Penny Black Week 102 Indian Summer

2010-09-27T14:30:00.000+13:00

Here's my take on this weeks theme of Indian Summer. It seems like quite a few of us have used the same PB stamp this week, looks like we've all got good taste and every card is so different!

Well the winds have died down thank goodness and today is a lovely spring day, off to do some weeding later if my knees will hold out.

Cheers & happy crafting

PBSC Week 119- Sketch

2010-09-24T10:05:00.001+12:00

Spring has sprung, the grass has rise and my so have the weeds! We've now had the spring equinox yesterday but it still seems like winter. For more than a week now we've had howling westerly winds and rain and more rain which upsets the cats and they have been taking refuge hiding out under the bed.

My lovely bed of freesias was looking superb but by now they will probably be all mush, these one's are red and gold and have the most beautiful fragrance.

Back to card making and this is my entry for this weeks lovely sketch by Joey, as usual I've down sized it and think I got it right. I decided to go for a Christmas card, as many of you have already got a production line going thought it was about time for me to start.

The Poinsettia paper is a new one out from Making Memories called Noel and think it worked in well here.

Cheers for now

Penny Black Men's/Boy's card

2010-09-13T10:01:00.003+12:00

This weeks challenge is to create a Men's/Boys card so I decided to use my new Hedge word stamp. I think you can still use the cute Penny Black images for Masculine cards it just depends on your choice of colours

It was a bit fiddly cutting out around the hedgies but in the end worth the effort.

Cheers & have a crafty week

PBSC Week 117

2010-09-09T11:41:00.000+12:00

I like to save my sketches anytime I see them on PBSC as the girls always have one's you can use over and over again. So this week I've used a favourite one from Beth with my Penny Black Pink toes or should that be purple as this week's challenge is to use Cream, Purple and Brown.

I couldn't find any purple paper in my stash so decided to use a couple of cream and brown Kaiser papers and use the purple in the embellishments. Not a colour I'd normally pick but it's good to get out of your comfort zone and try something different.

Cheers for now

Summer Lovin Two

2010-09-02T10:47:00.000+12:00

Just made this card from some leftovers and it fits this week's challenge too. If I remember the background was brayed with a Brilliance Aurora pad which gives the impression of a summer night's sunset for my lovey dovey mice.

Cheers

Week 116 Summer Lovin'

2010-08-29T20:55:00.000+12:00

This will be a short post tonight as my hands will be turning blue sitting here any tick of the clock. Love the theme this week so here's my entry for some Summer Lovin. I also used Penny Black's stamp penmanship next to the MS heart punch.

Cheers

Penny Black Week 114 Feeling Fruity

2010-08-18T20:59:00.004+12:00

Well I'm back after a week's leave of absence. The real reason is that I've had more problems with Monty's heath again and he had to undergo another minor op under anaesthesia to remove a lump in his mouth. How these things form I do not know but the vet removed it and sent it to the lab for a biopsy. After an anxious few days wait was very pleased to learn that the results were all clear and the vet doesn't think it will come back.

Here's my take on this weeks theme of Feeling Fruity I don't think I have ever seen fruit designer papers here, or maybe I should keep my eyes open more. So I decided the use this Penny Black Break for Cake stamp.

Cheers for now & happy crafting

Penny Black Week 112

2010-08-05T10:21:00.003+12:00

Here's my 2nd entry for this week's recipe challenge of one circle, two papers and three flowers. I have used Toot the Flute and a MS doily punch. Do you think my coloring of the cat is too bright?

Life is pretty tough at the moment what with looking after Mum, and just had to take Monty for yet another vet visit for a new problem, he's still on a heavy duty pain killer also, my heart goes out to him all the things he has to endure and now more medication, oh joy I'm sure that will not go down well with my feisty red boy!.

Cheers for now

Penny Black Saturday Challenge- Ready Steady Cook

2010-08-02T10:06:00.004+12:00

This week's challenge reminded me of the BBC show with Ainsley Harriott which we still get on the Food channel. It was lovely to use this recipe for this card using a circle , 2 papers, and 3 flowers. I put glossy accents on the bath rim but it might not show up in the photo.

Bye for now

PBSC Week 111 It's Christmas in July

2010-07-28T20:25:00.000+12:00

Nothing really newsy this week as staying close to home to look after Monty. I've got a huge bill to pay for his treatment that's for sure!

My dearest cat friend Birgit from Germany had the agonizing decision to let her 13 yr old persian Elsa go to Rainbow Bridge last week and I know how heart breaking that is to do so I have been making her a special Easel card and hope to get it in the post tomorrow, she's had to endure this only a few weeks after losing her Mother too.

But I did manage a quick trip to a local scrapbook store to pick up some more card for my mini scrapbook project and the girls think what I have done so far is looking great. Here's a couple of pics would welcome any more feedback. It sure is hard to do pages in a masculine theme and I'm trying to keep in to 4 main colour combo's being, black, red, white, and silver.

This week's theme from PBSC is Christmas in July. Well it sure is cold enough here to be considered Christmas, brrr it is freezing sitting her at the computer. Heard that Penny Black will release their 2010 Christmas catalog later this week can't wait to see what they will have to tempt us.

Cheers for now, off into the lounge to try and warm fingers and toes

Cynthia

Anything but a card

2010-07-20T11:58:00.006+12:00

This week's challenge from PBSC is anything but a card. Hard I know for us card addicts out in bloggy land.

These two pages are from a mini scrapbook album I made for a dear persian cat friend who lost Raoul. He sent me the photos and I went to work and used quite a few Penny Black stamps, papers and stickers through his album. He absolutely loved everything I did and I was so pleased to be able to do it for him as a treasured keepsake. I also used the hedgehogs growing roses in a pot as Greg planted a rose in memory of his beloved Raoul.

Cheers for now

Penny Black Saturday Challenge....Week 109

2010-07-16T16:49:00.001+12:00

Amazing how a week can change things so dramatically. On Sunday Monty my beautiful red boy was very, very sick and of course I couldn't get him to a vet till Monday. He has pre existing medical condition and now he had a blocked bladder which necessitated emergency surgery. He stayed at the vets for 4 days and now thankfully is resting comfortably at home.

I've got to give him pain meds, antibiotics and his usual heart tablet. Poor fella it's left him a bit incontinent so hopefully that will settle down in the next few days. I sure do hope so as I love him so, so much it would devastate me to lose him that I know for sure.

Anyway we had a lovely sketch from Beth this week to work from and I used Kaiser papers which I think suited my Penny Black Ballerina.

Cheers

A Burst of Summer Colour & Say it with Flowers

2010-07-10T10:40:00.018+12:00

It's great to see the first challenge up on the Penny Black at Allsorts blog. The garden is what first came to mind when the challenge of a Burst of Summer colour was the theme and what better way to show it off than use the lovely Bee costume Penny Black stamp.

This is also fits the bill in the first Wild Orchid challenge Say it with Flowers. I do so love using their products and have seen nothing like it in the shops here, so mine have made a very long journey across the world to get here.

Even though we are in the middle of winter down under right now it is a sunny day and instead of going out shopping I should be out there pruning the roses. Can only do it in short burst because I get a sore back so easily these days, not as young as I used to be that's for sure!

Cheers

Penny Black Challenge Week 108

2010-07-06T09:53:00.001+12:00

Gidday from a wet and soggy Auckland, don't know how I am going to get the washing dry today. I still like hanging them outside to dry naturally rather than putting the drier on, that's a last resort for me. Saving the cost of electricity which of course is always on an upwards spiral.

I woke up yesterday with a very painful shoulder, put thankfully my home remedies of lot's of heat packs, Anti flamme rub and massage have done the trick and it feels ok today

I really had to hunt through my papers this week to come up with the red, white and blue combo. Finally found these Penny Black papers tucked away in a folder so it was the right time to use them..Ran out of space to put the Happy Birthday in so will do that as an insert later on.

Cheerio for now

Penny Black Week 107 Paper Patch

2010-06-29T14:49:00.002+12:00

Loved the DT cards and this weeks challenge to make a paper patch card a great way to make me use up scraps that are too good to chuck out. I've used these papers so much that I only had a few little scraps left just enough to get this card done.

Now I see it on the blog just wish I had put some more texture on the right hand side instead of leaving the card untouched, what you you think?

Off to Sky City tonight not for gambling but to see some of my team, the guys who have recently won player of the day will be there so an opportunity to mix and mingle. Am also doing a mini scrapbook project for one of the players who will be leaving this year, he's been great with Mum so thought I'd do it for as a special thank you.

Cheers for now, keep on crafting

Penny Black Week 106 Travel/Holidays

2010-06-25T17:22:00.000+12:00

Tough challenge theme this week over at PBSC asking us to use Travel/Holiday as our theme. Mulled this over for quite awhile and finally took inspiration from Kath's blog that she was off to Wimbledon to see Roger Federer . Anyway there sure was a long marathon of one of the games. Think I heard it was over 11 hours or more, hope they gave away a free ticket to come back the following days. Kath did you see the Queen?

Well and what has all this waffle got to do with my card, well here goes Wimbledon is famous for strawberries and cream so my mates packed a huge hamper, strawberries included and went out on the back courts for a spot of refreshment.. Nice to think of someone having some sunshine as it's really chilly here, just put on another layer on and off to start the fire. Bless him Monty will lie on his blankets when we are all in the lounge later tonight.

Anyway cheers for now

Week 105 Sketch Challenge

2010-06-16T20:09:00.002+12:00

What a great way to start the day, New Zealand getting a 1-1 result against Slovakia in the World Cup in South Africa today. the whole country seems to be celebrating, great for us down under. I'm a soccer fan from way back so will enjoy the competition that's for sure.

Back to the cards, we are back this week into sketch mode with Janneke's lovely sketch. As per usual I've down sized it and couldn't quite fit the sentiment on the left, so hope I am forgiven. Found this lovely green Martha Stewart ribbon in a sale and thought it worked in nicely with the Kaiser papers.

Cheers & Go The All Whites !!!!

Penny Black Saturday Challenge Week 104 Swirls

2010-06-07T21:52:00.000+12:00

I found some old Penny Black embossed paper that fits in nicely with this weeks challenge of Swirls. I inked up one of my new stamps and didn't have any preconceived idea of what to do . The Cuttlebug vintage dies I covered with real gold leaf.

I was fortunate to find out how to use the Martha Stewart punch as a doily from Debby recently so this was my 1st time trying it out, think it came out really good. Nice to have a change from the Nesties.

Patiently waiting for Mr Postman to bring me a nice new MS punch set, now I've just found the MS leave punch on Squirrel's blog that I would love to have too. None of the NZ suppliers have it yet. Damn and blast!!

We've got rain and more bad weather forecast with thunderstorms for later tonight, don't tell Tess she hates the rotten weather.

Cheers & happy crafting

Penny Black Hedgies

2010-05-30T16:27:00.001+12:00

I've manged to make this card to enter two challenges this week, over at Simon Says Stamps it a lovely colour combo and I have chosen to use pink, green and brown. I knew I had a piece of the background DP and just went from there.

Managed to fit in some of my new roses from Wild Orchids, they just arrived on Friday. It's hard to choose a size when you can only see them on the computer, so reckon this will be one of many purchases from the awesome range of flowers.

Of course this was made to fit in with this weeks Penny Black Challenge which has the theme of In the Garden. It's a lovely stamp but hard to fit in with my card size, so I hope I have done it justice.

Went to Devonport and had Subway for lunch today, nice in the sunshine and seeing all the yachts on the harbour. Some sun finally after a miserable week of rain.

Cheers and happy crafting

Penny Black Week 102 Lots of Dots

2010-05-25T12:20:00.002+12:00

Hi, it's been quite chilly and wet here this last week, so a good time to get more crafting done. Here's my card for this week's challenge for Lot's of Dots. This is a sketch from Splitcoast Stamper's age's ago I print them out with the sketch and a card sample to inspire me sometimes.

This is with Penny Black Frequent Flyer, by the way I found my missing stamp in the linen cupboard of all places. I definitely must be losing the plot!

Cheers and have a good week, send me some sunshine please

PBSC Week 101

2010-05-21T20:04:00.001+12:00

Over at PBSC we've got an easy week with the challenge being to use Flowers. So this is my creation using Penny Black Picked For You. I have foiled the Cuttlebug Flowers background. Hope it's not over the top.

Are there any physic's out there because now I can't find the stamp, have searched high and low and it's damn annoying. I only used it on the dining room table a.k.a my craft space, then cleaned the stamp in the kitchen. How can a small wooden block just disappear, voom............it's vanished.

Cheers

Week 100 Blog Hop

2010-05-09T14:21:00.005+12:00

We've got a real treat with this weeks challenge a Blog Hop and this great sketch from Penny Black Saturday Challenge to celebrate reaching 100 not out!

I've downsized everything as usual but hope I have retained the concept of the sketch. I coloured the cute hedgie image first then the choice of papers and embellishments all came together. My 2nd circle is a background paper I made using tissue paper, inks and pearl ex. It has a lovely shimmer to it.

Cheers for now, off to see all the DT ladies creations

Week 99- Lets get punchy

2010-05-07T20:56:00.001+12:00

No you're not seeing things, yup it is the same DP paper as last week, just a different stamp. Yikes it's ages since I hauled out any punch.. I do like this Sakura flower punch and pleased with how it turned out. I did the layout then had to hunt around for a stamp small enough to fit.

I've been in the wars this week taking a tumble. Was trying to take a short cut back to a car over some loose stones in a garden, caught my foot on the concrete edging and next thing I was horizontal on the ground. You feel a real fool at times like these eh! Went to A& E and x rays show like a hairline fracture but no major break so will be hobbling for a bit, my left foot is a nice shade of purple at the moment. So no craft funds for awhile till I recover from the shock of having to pay out, ACC pay for diddly squat these days that's for sure.

Cheers for now

Week 98 Recipe Challenge

2010-04-30T20:56:00.002+12:00

Had to get creative this week as I don't keep buttons in my craft stash, so once I decided to use a couple of punches to create my own the rest of the card came together quite quickly. I recently spied this gorgeous Yellow Bicycle paper and knew it would fit in with a couple of my Penny Black stamps

Hope my heart buttons are ok, they even have pink thread to make them look more realistic.My flowers are are 3 in one combo as I thought placing them around would overwhelm the card.

Cheers for now

Week 97- Monochromatic Brown

2010-04-17T20:52:00.005+12:00

I just finished this last night and must have been physic to do it in all browns for this weeks challenge. Hope I can get away with the touch of blue it's not all that much eh!

Love these new Kaisercraft papers I brought recently from Spotlight. I find browns are easy for me to work with as I have always liked the colour, not everyone's cup of tea I know.

Wish me luck I have my beady eye on a couple of Trade Me auctions of two Penny Black stamps I would love to add to my collection, one being Toot the Flute which would make my orchestra complete. Ha Ha

Have been out doing a bit of weeding this afternoon, stopped before my back got too sore, how come even though it's been so dry the weeds still keep on coming.

Cheers

Week 95 Check it out

2010-04-09T17:49:00.003+12:00

Did I go overboard this week with the double bow? I thought I'd keep it simple this week to highlight the beautiful MME papers and look what's happened. Oh well that's crafting for you. Ha Ha

Little Tess has had a huge week, she came out to the Easter show on Sat and Monday, we were selling the raffle tickets, it was great to see people's reaction to a cat sitting with me on a leash of course, she sure got lots of attention and petting. Then on Thursday she went to the vets to have her teeth cleaned, not bad for an 8 yr old.

Cheers for now

Week 94- Butterflies & Bees

2010-04-02T18:36:00.003+13:00

Couldn't resist putting this one onto my blog. I painted the wings with Lumiere Pearl and it gave me the effect I wanted just added a bit of Kindy Glitz on the wings and on the jumper stripes, voila another off the production line.

Cheers

Week 94 Butterflies and Bees

2010-03-30T17:05:00.001+13:00

Don't you just love the challenge the DT girls have set us this week. I am spoiled for choice with stamps with either butterflies or bees but how could I not resist breaking out one of the new PB spring 2010 stamps. I should use the Lazy Daises stamp more often as I love the look it gives. Just a clean and simple card this week

My team had an awesome game last Sunday and won away 48-16. No mean feat flying to Australia to play and we've got a home game on Sunday, tough turn around and we have lost two of our best players to hamstring injuries. Oh well time for the young one's to step up.

Hope to go to the Easter show this weekend, they have a large area set aside for crafts, mainly photography, painting, ceramics and woodwork. It's lovely to admire their works of art

Happy Easter to everyone

Cheers

Week 93- Sketch

2010-03-24T09:51:00.009+13:00

We've got a lovely sketch from Carole this week, so as usual here is my scaled down version of it. I enjoyed the challenge of getting everything to fit.

Had a great day on Saturday, the league season has kicked off and we had our first home game and we won 30-16 yeah!

We used a combo of the wheelchair and crutches and Mum did just great, it was awesome when one of the players who is injured at the moment gave her a hug & said that she had made his day. That worked both ways for sure She's now got some more photos to add to her brag books.

Cheers and have a great week

Penny Black Week 92- Spring

2010-03-15T13:44:00.002+13:00

Looks like I've finished a little earlier than usual this week. Hey you guy's are all upside down, it's not Spring here so I should be doing an autumn card right now. The temperatures are cooling after a long hot & very dry summer.

Anyway when I think of spring it means the garden coming to life again, fresh green grass, my lovely freesias in bloom and fresh growth on the roses which are looking pretty sad right now!

So I picked out my Penny Black Tulip Jungle for a hint of spring in a card. It's very hard to find yellow scrapbook papers so pleased when I recently spied this one. You never know how you will use them when you buy them, or at least I don't. Picked up a roll of the lemon wired ribbon for 50c so that sure was a bargain.

Cheers and have a crafty week

Cards for Men- Paper Piecing

2010-03-10T15:12:00.001+13:00

I was blog hopping and happened on my mate Squirrel's blog where this week she had done a paper piecing challenge. Geez I thought that was right up my alley with my latest card I have just finished. These papers come from a company called Stamp It from Australia and I brought both these co-ordinating papers which I thought made a good colour combo for a man.

Cheers an have a crafty week

Week 91 Easel Card

2010-03-07T12:47:00.002+13:00

This weeks challenge was easy as last week I made this card for my neighbour's sister . Loved all the DT challenge cards this week, this type of card lends itself to any image and every blog you see it on there is so many different ways to embellish them..

Off to a friend's this arvo (afternoon) have made some spicy pineapple muffins to take with me and another Easel card which I'm in a hurry to finish.

Cheers for now

Week 90

2010-03-03T17:48:00.004+13:00

We've got a lovely sketch from Carole this week and I decided to use it for a Christmas card, never to early to get a production line going. Not sure you can tell but I embossed the cream texture paper with D'Vine swirls just for a subtle effect.

Mum's had another fall this time a hairline fracture, but she was lucky not to have broken her hip so for that we are grateful. Another speed bump on the road to recovery. Needs to be more mobile when footie starts next month.

On a brighter note I received 2 new Penny Black's yesterday from the new catalogue so looking forward to using them a great excuse to go out and buy some new papers eh?

Cheers

Week 89- Colour Challenge

2010-02-21T20:14:00.001+13:00

This week is a colour challenge of PINK GREEN & YELLOW.

I have used pink and green as a colour combo many times but had to think how to introduce the yellow into this design.The ribbon has been looped 5 times, not sure it shows up in the scan.

One of my crafty sayings is : It is not a mistake but just a creative option, when something goes wrong and that is what happened here. My colouring of the costume didn't look good so decided to paper piece in a complementary colour. Maybe she's just practising for the next ballet exams and didn't need her flashiest tutu on.

Cheers for now

Week 88 Valentines

2010-02-14T17:18:00.001+13:00

Here's to a Happy Valentine's which of course is this week's challenge. I have given my mice an outing this week. Don't they make the cutest couple.It was a toss up whether to use this image or my new cat stamp How do I love thee which is great for any love themed cards too. Think I might just go and add some bling with a few rhinestones, what do you think?

Not much on the news front so will sign off and wish you all a good week and keep on crafting.

Cheers

Penny Black Week 87

2010-02-08T17:46:00.002+13:00

Geez I thought when reading this week's challenge I haven't got anything that would be like a pin as shown in the beautiful DT cards. Ah so in comes Kiwi ingenuity, found some left over coloured pearls from one of my beading projects which are put on headpins. Ahh that should cover all the bases even if you can't see them.!

Once I had painted the box it made it fairly easy to pick out the coordinating papers and I just had to find room for the Penny Black sentiment.

Thanks for looking, see you next week I hope.

Cheers

Two Challenges in one

2010-02-01T11:16:00.006+13:00

For the first time I have found 2 challenges that fit the bill for my card. Here's my take on the theme Someone Special over at PBSC. I knew when I saw this Penny Black saying stamp it would be perfect or should that be purrfect for my Clothesline Cat. Wow what a great prize up for grabs this week there will sure be lot's of entries.

Also from my blog hopping I found this fab challenge Cupcake Craft Challenge which is Four legged and furry and we definitely fit that description. I'm amazed at folk who manage to get 6 or more challenges into one card, how do they do it? I used my new Sizzix die so you are bound to see more in future creations.

Today is Auckland Anniversary Day and last night there was a lovely fireworks display over the harbour. We are lucky we just go over across the road and have a superb view of it.

Cheers and have a good week

Week 85 Something Sweet

2010-01-24T15:10:00.002+13:00

Here's my take on this week theme of Something Sweet. I have admired these cute mice for quite awhile so thought it was time to add it to my collection. The saying is an old stamp I think it was PSX which I have had forever but it just fitted in here .The pink and green colour combo is kind of sweet too I hope.

We have been out to a cafe for a Sunday lunch and I shared a whitebait omelet with Mum, whitebait is a NZ fish delicacy and we both love them. Finished off with a little orange gem cake. Then off to Spotlight to stock up on supplies. Well there had to be a reason for lunch didn't there?

Cheers

Week 84 Blue Cream and Gold

2010-01-20T10:45:00.005+13:00

Hi
This weeks challenge is colours combining Blue Gold and Cream. I don't have a lot of blue papers so had to think outside the square. I ended up using a Penny Black blue paper, with a nice textured cream paper, then cut it out using Nesties Labels Eight and finished it with a gold bow. Quite appropriate that the Penny Black stamp is Burst of Blue don't you think.
My Mum needs a card for her friend so this will do nicely and her favourite colour is wait for it ..... blue.

Cheers & be good till next week

PBSC Week 83 Sketch Challenge

2010-01-12T15:21:00.003+13:00

Gidday from a wet & sunny Auckland, we've had some nice rain this morning but now it's sunny and the washing should all be dry. Oh great that means ironing tomorrow

Anyway this weeks challenge was the choice of 2 sketches by Nat. I chose the 2nd one and just managed to fit all the elements onto my A5 card. I could have done a 6 x 6 but it isn't the standard size for posting here so that's why I try and keep to the smaller sizes.

Wondering if the Budster has a down-under buddy?

I got this stamp 2nd hand from Trade Me and this it's first outing.Perhaps I should have had dog- goone around the Happy Birthday sentiment. Anyway enough of my rambling

Cheers

Week 82 Happy New Year

2010-01-07T20:45:00.001+13:00

Happy 2010 to one and all, thought these girls sure look like they are out on the town celebrating. Who cares if it's a week or so later. The bubbles are flowing and they are out for a good time I'm sure!

Cheers

PBSC Week 80 Christmas Charms

2009-12-20T20:06:00.003+13:00

Christmas greetings from down under!

Here's my entry for this weeks theme of Christmas Charms, my cute Christmas Stocking Hedgehog. As per usual coloured with Twinkling H20's. I read with envy all those of you using copics or pro markers but we don't get as much variety to chose from so I will stick to my fav's for now.

Christmas will be very quite here, I don't even know what we will eat for dinner yet although have reserved a half of a baked chocolate marble cheesecake for a decadent dessert treat will go nicely with some fresh strawberries.

Enjoy whatever Christmas brings your way, and time spent with family and friends. Hope Santa is good to you all

Cheers

PBSC WEek 79 Red & Gold

2009-12-13T17:15:00.003+13:00

I love this week's challenge theme Red and Gold . Maybe there is a touch too much white but I just wanted to try out my new Snowflake folder which I scored as a bargain. Have been watching a Trade Me( NZ version of E-bay) of a flash 5 x 7 snowflake folder which is lovely, but it will probably go too far in the bidding for me, so think I'll settle with this one.

This has been made for a neighbour she wanted 8 to start with, now needs another 3. They are lovely to do but I need more time to make cards for my own friends . It's never ending

Had a lovely birthday, we went out to a place called Butterfly Creek where you walk amongst a humid environment with the butterflies fluttering overhead, then we saw some saltwater & freshwater crocodiles and even touched a baby one which 3 yrs old that the keepers had out of the cages for feeding them.

Cheers for now & have a good week

Christmas for the girls

2009-12-07T12:51:00.002+13:00

PBSC Week 78- Christmas for the Girls

This week's challenge was a card already completed,just added some more bling to it. This is from the 12 days of Christmas set and have just used paper and embellishments from my stash. I've enjoyed doing this years cards in pinks, greens and reds. I think it looks quite refreshing and combines well with other Penny Black stamps. It's my birthday on Sunday and think I'll have to give myself one of my own cards or otherwise I end up with a store brought card which aren't to my tastes. Tess & Monty share a December birthday they both turned 8 on Dec 4th, my how time flies can still remember when I first brought them home and they are still playful in their own way.

Cheers for now, off to sweep and wash the kitchen floor and maybe I'll get some card making in later if I'm lucky

Winter Wonderland

2009-11-26T09:58:00.002+13:00

Yikeswas my first thought when I read this weeks challenge. I won't be able to enter and all those lovely goodies on offer too. You see Christmas to me is summer, beaches, bbq's and pohutakawa trees in bloom.

So I really had to think outside the square on this one as I have no snowmen, penguins or any winter themed stamps. So my trusty sheep come back to the rescue, with some liquid applique and glitter I hope my attempts at snow look good enough to pass muster. Ha Ha

Thank goodness I found a snowflake paper in my stash so that was the basis of getting this together, I even had to buy the snowflake charm online and it only arrived yesterday hence my late entry this week. I used shrink plastic for the sentiment as I knew it was too large for the card, it worked out well.

Thanks for looking and as always appreciate your comments

Penny Black Week 75 Christmas for the guys

2009-11-16T09:39:00.004+13:00

My first idea for this weeks challenge had already been used so had to have a re-think. I'm trying to do a card with each of the 12 days of Christmas set, so it was either going to be 3 French hens or the drummer. Both are great for making cards for guys.

My rule of thumb for guy's cards, is KISS = keep it simple stupid and to get the colour of the background papers right, then things usually fall into place.

Cheers and have a good week

p.s. Here's a little visitor on our back lawn today. Love the PB hedgie stamps so put out some cat food for this little one.

Penny Black Week 74- Song Title/Lyrics

2009-11-10T16:05:00.001+13:00

Well I had a great selection of stamps to use for this week's challenge, you could say I was spoiled for choice. Hmm I love Jimmy Nail but Blue Roses or Crocodile Shoes didn't seem quite right somehow. So in the end decided to use my cute Angel stamp. The songs I thought of that goes with her could be either Robbie Williams Angels or the song by Sarah McLachan titled Angel. Both are such lovely songs and have beautiful lyrics. There are probably thousands of Angel songs out there that I haven't even thought of.

My mum came home from hospital yesterday, so I will be kept busy with her for weeks. I love my Penny Black challenge so will try to keep up with it.

Cheers for now

Penny Black Week 73- White on White

2009-11-05T13:26:00.005+13:00

Well I'm back, anyone miss me? Had a drama this week my Mum had a fall and broke her leg. We've always been so careful but it happens to the best of us, thankfully she is on the mend and hoping she will be back home next week.

So this week's challenge took awhile to complete as I didn't have much in the way of white supplies. So I hope you can see what I have done.
Background was embossed with the large Holly Cuttlebug Folder
Used Cuttlebug Dots folder together with a Penny Black Hollies and Berry vellum cut with Martha Stewart border punch.Finally I 3D my Penny Black stamp Tree Top Friends.

Cheers and sure hope you week was better than mine.

Penny Black Challenge Week 71

2009-10-19T12:53:00.004+13:00

This week's challenge came together quickly once I decided what stamp to use. Love this new Anna Griffith striped Christmas paper. I can see me using this for lot's of Christmas cards too.

In New Zealand we have more sheep than the 4 million people living here, so here's another 3 to add in. Ha Ha

Cheers

Penny Black Week 70 Buttons and Bows

2009-10-14T11:23:00.003+13:00

This card has sure proved to be a big challenge for me. I decided to combine two challenges and try a new technique from Splitcoast Stampers to create your own buttons, check this out here . So I managed to do my buttons first, then did the layout and finally added my Penny Black image. Boy was it fiddly getting the ribbon threaded through my buttons. This is the first ever Penny Black stamp I brought years ago.
Cheers

Penny Black Saturday Challenge Week 69 Autumn Breezes

2009-10-08T16:45:00.000+13:00

Well I thought I'd never get this weeks challenge complete, but finally made it.
I love all autumn colours, but I had so many different ideas of what to do and my first 2 takes didn't come together. I ended up using a combination of alcohol and re-inkers to make my background which I put through the new Victoria CB folder. I punched out the leaves from the leftovers adding a touch more colour. Hope you like it

Cheers for now

Week 68- Colour challenge

2009-09-27T20:19:00.009+13:00

Well it's Spring down under now so decided this image fitted perfectly with this week's colour challenge of Chocolate, Lemon and Pink.

I have used chocolate and pink before but wouldn't have thought of adding the lemon. It works in very well I think. I couldn't resist this new Martha Stewart border punch, they are expensive here but it is so much easier to use. Hope I haven't gone overboard!

Finishing touch was the three colour ribbons and flower to match and voila another card off the production line.

Cheers and have a great week

Penny Black Challenge- Lace and Pearls

2009-09-22T19:56:00.005+12:00

A change of direction from cute cards this week. I decided to use my lovely Penny Black Love Blush. Today I got my new set of Nesties and thought I'd combine the two and here's the result. I seem to be doing a lot of cards with black and white at the moment and the touch of gold worked out well. Had to go out and buy some lace and it was great to be able to thread my ribbon though.

Have raised the rose image on foam to give it that depth, added Penny Black vellum from my stash and the pearls just were the finishing touch. Now I'm inspired to use lace in more cards for sure.

Love these ideas we keep on getting from the Design team at PBSC.

Cheers & have a great week

Penny Black Saturday Challenge Week 66

2009-09-15T16:32:00.007+12:00

This weeks challenge is this lovely sketch by Domi.. I brought this lovely Imaginisce Christmas paper recently and it's great when you can use both the double sided designs in one card. When I saw the Eggnog Christmas stamp just knew I had to add it to my stash.

Thanks as always for leaving your comments, reading them is a highlight of my day.

Cheers for now

Must away to toss Tess of my bed, she's been sleeping long enough!

Penny Black- Week 65- Heart's Desire

2009-09-09T11:31:00.002+12:00

Well this week's challenge came fairly easily with another one of my favourite PB stamps.But then again they are all favourites !

Instead of adding any words I'm letting the image tell the story. The green vine is from a company called Green Tara and this is the first time I've used it on a challenge card, thought it fits in ok. The cat's paw's have been stamped again and raised on foam for a 3 d effect.

Cheers

Penny Black- Week 64- Christmas Challenge

2009-09-01T17:08:00.002+12:00

Well this has been hard trying to decide what to use for this week's challenge. Just goes to prove I must have too many Penny Black stamps. No I say you can never have enough, cause they keep bringing out new designs to tempt us all the time.

I decided to use my cute owl but not in the traditional Christmas colours . This is a great way to use up those scraps of paper that are left overs. Tried it with my new set of Spellbinders Labels four and pleased with them. the owl has liquid applique and glitter to jazz him up a bit. See no flowers or rhinestones this week, what's up?

Had a nice night on Friday at our local scrap booking shop when they had demo using Memento inks, All purpose Inks to make shimmering paints, and a few different techniques. Even though you may know a lot of it, you still get to learn something new or see how different people use their craft products.

Have a lovely week.

Cheers

Penny Black Saturday Challenge Week 63

2009-08-23T20:51:00.003+12:00

I already had this image stamped and coloured when I saw this week's challenge. So it had to be faux stitches for me as I don't have a sewing machine, hope you can see them in this scanned image. Check out the website these lovely ladies give us all lots of inspiration with their creativity.

http://pennybfriendssaturdaychallenge.blogspot.com/

Cheers & have a good week

Penny Black Saturday Challenge Week 62

2009-08-20T20:54:00.002+12:00

Well this has been a tough week so kept to a KISS( Keep it simple stupid) card this week. I had to go out and buy paper as had nothing in my stash in blues. So this week's challenge has taken me out of my comfort zone . I love this strolling hedgie he can be used for so many occassions. I was going to add some words then decided it didn't really need them.

There was Kindy Glitz on the small flowers but looks like I may have to do it again. Image Coloured with Twinkling H20's.

Have a great week

Cheers

Penny Black Saturday Challenge Week 61

2009-08-12T09:16:00.002+12:00

Here's my card for this weeks Penny Black Saturday Challenge Week 61 which is based on a sketch. I had to re size mine down as our standard card size is smaller but hope it still fits the challenge.

Thought I would have a change from cat's this week and decided you use my cheeky French hen, it took ages to decide upon the right colour combinations but pleased with the results. The sentiment just fits nicely.

Cheers

Penny Black Saturday Challenge Week 60

2009-08-06T20:20:00.002+12:00

Well this is my 1st attempt at putting a card on my blog to link to the PBSC. This weeks theme is Summer and thought this Penny Black cat depicts a summer mood for me.

We are still in winter mode down under so it's nice thinking and looking forward to sunny days.

The card has been embossed and coloured with Twinkling H20's, have added the quilling flower as a different embellishment.

Thanks for looking, have a great day.
Cheers
Cynthia