ABSC004 AnnaBelle Sketch 4

Hello friends... hope you're all having a splendid start to the week.  I'm counting the days until I go on leave - 2 weeks to go!   Rene of Stamping in Sunny SA and fellow South African crafter left a comment on my previous post and has tempted (or should I say challenged ;)) me to join the AnnaBelle Sketch 4 this week.  And... I'm up for the challenge ! It's the first time I've had to work off a sketch and I hope I've stuck to the rules, you'll just have to correct me if I haven't.  Here's the sketch from Andrea.

And here is my entry. All I had to do was to follow the sketch, use any image and add some bling.  I think I've managed to do that. 

I furthermore carried the theme through for the inside of the card.

I really hope I qualify as there's a lovely prize of $20.00 to spend on some AnnaBelle stamps.  This would really be a lovely prize to win, seeing that I don't own any AnnaBelle stamps at present.  Hope you like my card and if you do, please leave a comment. I appreciate you taking the time to do so and so enjoy reading them.  Enjoy the rest of the week... happy crafting everyone! Smiles Sharon x

Quixotic Paperie Challenge #4

Good Evening friends, here's my entry for the QP Challenge # 4 which required one to use Tearing on your project. Can't say I enjoyed tearing my lovely paper, but that was the requirement for the challenge this week.  I went for the primary colours red and blue, with a small dash of cream as the background for my image. She's a cutie isn't she?  All the way from Holland. Used red shimmery cardstock as the base for my card and matted with striped blue and red paper which I tore all the way around and inked.  Added a lovely dotted ribbon on the right with a super heart charm. Thought it would be nice to add some flowers for a change.

This little image was received sitting on a bench, which I cut away and placed her on a flower which I cut in half. Seen someone else do something similar and thought I would try it out.

This pic came out slightly blurry, apologies for that. Keeping to the theme, I cut out my lovely striped paper and glued onto the red cardstock, then I tore a piece of white paper and matted that onto the striped paper. Not sure if you can pick it up, but I chalked around the white paper so that it doesn't look so stark white.

Well, that's my little creation for this week folks.  If you like it, please leave a comment as I so enjoy reading them.  So pleased some of you have enjoyed the little tour of our Peninsula. Yes, I am very fortunate to be living in such a picturesque city. Take care until next time, hugs Sharon x

Tour of the Peninsula (Cape Town)

Greetings friends...  another lovely day in Cape Town.  Am changing the look of my blog for a short spell, seeing that we're entering the height of our Summer season. Just seems appropriate to go for this look, instead of the beautiful winter wonderlands some of you have changed to ;)

As so many of you liked the photograph I posted the other day of Table Mountain from my home, I thought I would take a few more pics of the mountain from my place of work. Today seemed the best day to do so.  Here they are... hope you enjoy looking at them. 

If you look to the left, the cluster of buildings with the red roof is the University of Cape Town.  Please click on the link to view a close up pic of the front of UCT. It really is spectacular... don't you agree?  What an awesome setting for a University campus!

The pic above is taken more to the right iro the first pic. The middle forefront peak is Devil's Peak and the tiny one just sticking out is Signal Hill. Click on the link to read the story about our Noon Day Gun.  I am sure you'll find it interesting reading.  That's the route to our Atlantic seaboard suburbs of Green Point (Green Point is the home of our new soccer stadium for the 2010 World Cup Soccer which South Africa is hosting next year. If you click on the link, you'll see an artist's impression of the new stadium. I haven't been that side for quite a while now because of all the construction, etc. but I believe it is near completion and looks spectacular! Will take a drive out that way when I'm on leave), Sea Point (read about our fantastic olympic size swimming pool which overlooks the Atlantic sea) and then the gorgeous beaches of Camps Bay, Clifton and Llandudno (click on the link and take a moment to view the video footage on the right hand side of your screen). In my younger days (hehe) I used to be a major sea-bunny and spent many hours soaking up the sun, but let me tell you the water is freezing cold.  Nice for a quick dip to relieve you from the heat of the sun, but definitely not for staying in long. Ahh, the memories! 

Well, I hope you've enjoyed my little tour of just a small part of our Peninsula.  There is just so much to share with you.  Let me know if you've enjoyed this insert, so that I know to include one again sometime.

I will be taking time off from the wedding invitations (which I'm hoping to complete this weekend) to make a card for the QP challenge, so keep a look out for my entry. Wishing you all a fabulous crafting weekend.  Take care, hugs Sharon x

Quixotic Challenge # 3 - Kraft & Red

 

Greetings friends, whatever you are doing this lovely Saturday afternoon, I hope you're having FUN.  It has been one of those hot days today, but Capetonians love their sun, beach and braai's (barbeque's), so we're not complaining.

The Quixotic Challenge this week is to use the colour combo of Kraft & Red and if you don't have Kraft you can use any brown cardstock.  I have therefore used a fab chocolate brown as the base of my card.  I then matted a lovely piece of the Merry Day of Christmas Gingerbread Lane paper onto some red cardstock, in keeping with the theme.  Further embellished with a poinsettia flower which I glued onto a creamy coloured leaf which is edged in gold. In the centre I adorned with a pearl (can't remember what the lovely silver centrepiece is called, help me Paola?)  A great opportunity to use the calendar stamp I won recently. I placed that in the left hand corner.  The lovely Tilda was a gift from my blog buddy in Holland and I coloured her in using the trusted Copics (am I improving of what??)  Dankie Marijke, hoop jy hou van my stempeltjie :) )

I am really enjoying giving my cards a more polished look by decorating the inside as well.  Just cut a strip from the Gingerbread Lane paper and pasted onto the chocolate brown cardstock. Then I took one of those brown manilla envelopes most people have in a cupboard somewhere and cut that to size using one of my fancy scissors to give it a lovely edge. I then cut white paper to place on top of that for one to write one's message.  In each corner I finished off with a little red rhinestone.

I really hope you like my entry for this week and if you do, please leave a comment as I so enjoy reading them!   It encourages me to step up my pace and move to the next level.  I am really getting into this now and enjoying it...lol, hope you are too.  Thanks to everyone who does take the time to leave a message, I have such fun reading them -MWAH to all of you! 

Good luck to all my crafting buddies, with whatever challenge you may be taking part in this week.   I look forward to seeing what you've come up with.  That's it for now folks, back to the wedding invitations.  Enjoy your weekend further, take care, hugs Sharon x

A Glorious Morning in Cape Town

Good Morning friends and what a glorious morning it is in Cape Town today!  It is already 22 degrees celsius and the expectation is that it will reach 29.  This is the view I woke up to this morning when I went to make myself breakfast.  I just had to share it with you. Apologies if the image is a bit blurry.  This is Table Mountain and the peaked mountain on the right hand side is called Devil's Peak.  I've been busy with wedding invitations, hence no cards this week. Am hoping to take some time off to take part in the QP challenge, as I am really enjoying those.  I have been blog hopping and leaving comments, as most of you have been producing some lovely creations. Well done to all of you.  Well, I must dash... have been working late most evenings this week, as my leave date is drawing closer and closer and there's still such a lot to do!  Wishing you all a wonderful day further and a super crafting weekend ahead. Blessings, Sharon

Thank you Celia

Celia has kindly blessed me with not 1, but 3 Awards. Thank you so much Celia. I have placed them in the right hand column of my blog for all to see.  This is really an honour. I will be passing them on to others in due course. Tons of hugs, Sharon

And the Oscar... sorry, Blog Award Goes To...

It's my day for giving out Awards today and what a pleasure it is. In October I received this award from dear Hettie, but forgot to pass it on (old age, I tell you!).  Well... the criteria is that you must mention 10 honest things about yourself and then pass it on to 4 or 5 friends (you can choose). I have decided to bless the following friends with this award, Marijke, Vera, Elly, Jenny and Amanda. They are all deserving winners and I hope they enjoy the award. I look forward to visiting your blogs to read all about you. Tons of hugs Sharon x

Blog Award

Received this lovely award from Angela - thanks so much Angela, I am truly honoured.  As a recipient I need to answer a few questions though, so here goes:

1. Where is your cellphone? On my pedestal
2. Your hair? Curly
3. Your dream last night? None
4. Your mother? Marlene
5. Your father? Rudolph
6. Your favourite food? Italian (pasta, yummy)
7. Your favourite drink? Banana milkshake
8. Your dream/goal? To be successful in whatever I do
9. What room are you in? Bedroom
10. Your hobby? Cardmaking
11. Your fear? Of not reaching my full potential
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years time? Still alive ;)
13. Where were you last night? Home
14. Something you aren't? A hypocrite
15. Muffins? YUMMY! Love them
16. Wish list items? What else - more stash to keep on doing what I love
17. Where did I grow up? Cape Town, England,Transvaal
18. Last thing you did? Typing this
19. What are you wearing? Jeans & T-shirt
20. Your pets? Maltese poodle, stays with my Mom
21. Your life? Content
22. Your mood? Happy
23. Missing someone? Nope
24. Vehicle? Toyota Corolla
25. Something you're not wearing? Jersey
26. Your favourite store? Charmaine's... for now
27. Your favourite colour? I gravitate towards Pink, but have many favourites
28. When was the last time you laughed? Last night, watching SA's Got Talent
29. Your best friend? My daughter, Kendall
30. One place I go to over and over? Have 2 - Charmaine's & The Scrapbook Shop
31. Facebook? Yes, but rarely go on
32. Favourite place to eat? Don't laugh - the Wimpy ;)

I now need to pass this award on to 5 people. This is a very difficult task for me as I would love to give all my regular visitors an award as I value and appreciate their comments so much. But for now it must be for these people whose blogs for me are truly Over The Top. Kendra (whose blog was the first blog I stumbled across when I entered blogland), Bev, Tab and Michele (for the truly beautiful work they produce which inspires me so much) and to Paola, my blogbuddy, who not only shares her invaluable advice with me, but produces amazing work as well.  Enjoy your award ladies.

Hello friends, a plain little card this evening in my favourite colours, pink and brown. Used some of the new stash which I received recently. Thank you ladies!  Hope you like my little creation.  Sorry the message is short this evening. Am feeling rather tired, should get myself some vitamins I think!  Today, in exactly a month's time, I will be going on leave for a month - am so looking forward to it!  Hope you'll be doing the same. Take care, thanks for popping by. Hugs Sharon

Thank You

I really feel as if Christmas has come early to my household and feel terribly blessed.  When I arrived home this evening, a notification that an envelope had arrived for me. Well I hopped, skipped and jumped to make it to be post office before closing time and what a lovely surprise to receive these lovely gifts from my blogfriend Marijke in Holland.  I was thrilled that she included one of her handcrafted cards that I admire so much on her blog. Marijke hand-embroiders her cards and it is absolutely beautiful viewing it in person. Thanks so much Marijke for all the goodies you sent me. I look forward to colouring them in and creating a card for you to view. Sharon xx

Marijke's beautiful creation

My Blog Candy has Arrived!

This is a yummy cupcake cookie and Hazelnut coffee.  Please pull up a chair and spend some time with me, I have to share the contents of the lovely Blog Candy I won from Paola of Paola's Paper Haven with you.

I placed everything in a little basket I have and then I removed the contents to spread them out for you to look at. Feast your eyes on this...

As you can see there are flowers in just about every colour you can imagine, pearls and rhinestones, stamps, stacks of charms, beautiful pieces of ribbon, roses and a huge variety of Tilda and Edwin stamps and to crown it all... nesties!!!! Paola very kindly cut out a variety of nesties for me from the paper I had won.  I can't wait to make my first card with these nesties!!  This is such a huge gift, I cannot thank her enough for her kind and generous spirit.  A thank you card is in the post for you Paola.   Tons of hugs, Sharon x

No Card Today - Rainy Day in Cape Town

We are experiencing one of those wet days in Cape Town today.  It started raining from about midday and it hasn't stopped. My Mom decided to make some crunchies and as she was about to put it in the oven, the fuse blew and she called me in desperation to collect her still raw crunchies to place in my oven or else she'd have to throw her mixture away. I was in the middle of straightening out my stash, as I had purchased some lovely new boxes to place them in and had to quickly don a raincoat and dash to assist.  When I returned home, her dish wouldn't fit in my oven, so I had to lift all the crunchies out one by one and place them in my ovenproof dish.  It took about 4 times of following this process before all the crunchies were finally baked and here's the result.  There's nothing nicer than the smell of home baking on a cold, wintry, wet day!  I'm sure you'll agree.  Wherever you are, I hope you're having fun this Saturday.  Take care, Sharon

My first Challenge with Quixotic Paperie!

Okay... before my courage fails me completely, I have decided not to add anything more to this little creation.  This is my first ever challenge that I will be entering and it coincides beautifully with Quixotic Paperie's first ever challenge that they are offering. The theme is Birthdays, which is in honour of Elaine's birthday - Happy Birthday Elaine! Good luck to all the other entrants.  I am adding a close up of Tilda for you to enjoy.

Please leave a comment, as I so enjoy reading them. Hugs and blessings, Sharon x

Little Wonders

Morning friends, it is a beautiful rainy day in Cape Town today.  Isn't it wonderful how the rains just seems to clear the air, smells nice and fresh outside. A bit coolish, but then I love this type of weather.  Last night I made 2 cards and thought I would share the first one with you. It's one of the images I received from my blogfriend Sammi.  I just love Little Wonders designed by Elisabeth Bell.  She is so adorable. Coloured her in with my Copics. The patterned paper is from Making Memories (hope my memory serves me correctly LOL).  The ribbon is a lovely blue organiza which I purchased from one of the shops I frequent in the suburb of Bellville. Added a rose and leaf, some brads and a bit of glitter to finish it off.  Hope you like this one?  I am adding a close up of her too.

The other card is not 100% complete and I am thinking of entering it into the Quixotic Challenge (this is a bold step for me friends!), so I won't post it just yet.  Wishing you all a super day filled with lots of crafting. Thanks for popping by. I love reading your comments, so don't be shy!  LOL  Hugs Sharon x

Digi Stamp from Heartland Creek Graphics

Before I retire for the evening, thought I'd post one more card for you to look at.  The ribbon is new, I've been dying to use it and the stamp is a digital one from Heartland Creek Graphics.  Hope you like it!  Nitety nite, Sharon

I've won Blog Candy!!!!!!!

This is what happens when you are niks gewoond nie and bursting with excitement.  I've finally won some Blog Candy from Paola's Paper Haven and just HAD to share it with you, my faithful blog buddies.  Paola's lovely children drew my name out of all the entries.  Wow, I feel so blessed, this usually happens to other people, not to me!  Thanks Paola for your generous Candy, I will email you details shortly and I look forward to receiving all the goodies. YAY!!!

Summer is Here in Sunny SA!

Whilst many of my blogging friends are experiencing cool weather overseas, we in South Africa are looking forward to our Summer season.  I was busy washing off some lovely ripe strawberries and hairless peaches, which we call kaalgat perskes in Afrikaans, earlier this evening and it looked so colourful and appetising, that I placed it on one of my trays and took a pic for you all to see.  Isn't that a huge strawberry on top?  Needless to say, it does not exist anymore, as I sliced up a few pieces of the fruit and covered with a few dollops of yoghurt for Kendall and I to enjoy after supper.  Hmmmm... delish!

Thanks for popping by and hope you like these pics, something different for you to look at.  Hugs, Sharon

Thank you so much... SAMMI

Christmas came early today.  When I arrived home this evening there was an envelope from one of my followers, sweet Sammi, who lives in Australia.  I received an email from her last week where she informed me that she had sent me something in the post.  Well, I just want her to know that it has ARRIVED and here is a photograph of the beautiful Tilda card she sent me, taken in my kitchen.  Included in the envelope are a whole lot of Tilda's, Anya's, Edwin's (I think that's his name, forgive me if I am wrong) and some Elisabeth Bell images (see below).  You are a honey Sammi, thank you so very much. I really don't know where to start and may just do so with the little French Madam Tilda (smiles).  This is what the winners of Blog Candy's must feel like!  I am over the moon with my gift.  I'm going to be quite busy colouring in and will share my creations with you  all once they are ready for showcasing.  Lotsaluv and hugs, Sharon

Digital Stamp from Heartland Creek Graphics!

Don't you just love Vera's (Heartland Creek Graphics) digital stamps?  Here is one of her adorable Teddy's sitting in the snow. I just had to print, colour and create a card before I go to sleep tonight. The paper is from American Crafts - rich and vibrant. The silver hologram snowflake is from Charmaine's shop - I'm really enjoying using them.  Hope you all like this one as much as I enjoyed creating it.

Here's a closer pic of the card, taken from a different angle. You can see that I also used glitter for a snowy effect.  Chat soon, sleep tight. Wishing you all a good working week for tomorrow.  Thanks so much for popping by. Hugs Sharon

Lazy Sunday!

Wishing you all a wonderful Sunday, what's left of it! I was busy with the wedding invitations earlier today, which takes a lot of concentration. After lunch I quickly coloured in this lovely digital Gingerbread girl with my copics and created this card.  The striped paper is from Making Memories... Be Inspired.  Just added a little bit of glue glitter to jazz up  her outfit a bit, then added a bit of bling flowers and some christmassy spotted ribbon, which I love.  A lot of the ladies whose blogs I visit regularly have been very quiet lately... I hope this little card inspires you to get out the crafty tools and start crafting (lol).  I really miss seeing your beautiful creations.  Thanks to those who have visited mine, always a pleasure reading your comments. Thank you. Hugs, Sharon xx