Tea anyone ?

I just love it when my blog buddies are online the same time as I and this is what happened a few minutes ago. My blogfriend Christine from Canada, posted a divine pic on her blog of a super Carmel Cinnamon Coffee Cake she had made today. When I left a comment, I mentioned that Kendall had just put some muffins in the oven and that our place was smelling so good.  She popped me an email telling me I'll need to post a piccie, so here it is... tea poured just for you Christine.  The muffins are Bran ones as we're trying to following a healthy lifestyle, but I don't suppose it helps if you add raisins and almonds to it hey ?!?!?!  Nevertheless, they were buttered as they came out the oven and were delicious!

If you haven't paid Christine a visit yet, you're in for a real treat.  Her cards are breathtakingly stunning!  I loved the one card she made as it had such a colourful sentiment and she kindly offered to send me a few stamped images thereof, which is what you see in the pic.  She sent me the actual card she had made too  - a real treat, I was so touched. I haven't had the time to colour the sentiment in yet, but I will one of these days, promise. Waiting for the right occasion.  Enough chatting from me for now, I'm going to sign off as my battery has just died and hope to get some crafting done... hugs to you all, Sharon xoxo

Just sharing... my Belles 'n Whistles stamps have arrived - woohooooo!

Sorry girls, but I just have to share... I ordered 2 stamps from Belles n Whistles about 2 weeks ago and they just arrived in my postbox today.  I had to take them out of their nice packaging and ink to show you.  I'm so excited and can't wait to use them?  Am still awaiting 1 more package from them and placed my first order with Cuddly Buddly.  Will share these with you as well when they arrive.

It's the start of the weekend, I hope you've got something nice planned and whatever you'll be doing, I hope you'll have loads of fun!  My sister Karen is still here and we'll be spending the whole weekend together.  Have a few DT cards to create so I can't sit and chat for long dear friends, but I'll catch up with you later...  Toodles for now, Sharon xoxo

Anything Goes at Magnolia...

Wow, what an exciting day it has been. Thank you to everyone who has visited and left a message of congratulations re the DT call at Isabella's Sketchbook. I appreciate each and every one of them and hope that the cards I'll be making for Isabella's will inspire you to join our Challenges. 

Well... about time I enter another challenge I think!  With my sister Karen having arrived on Saturday, I haven't had any time to craft. Thank goodness I did some stamping and colouring a while ago, so all I had to do was pick up my already coloured image and choose my DP for this card.  It took me 30 minutes to make, I kid you not!

I would really like to master the shabby chic look, so if anyone knows of any tutorials out there, let me know. 

Same card taken from a different angle, as I wanted to share that gorgeous Rose and Cherry Blossoms with you, the latter coming from Paola's shop (for details see Where I like to Shop).  The sentiment is part of the prize I won from Simon Says Stamps on the Whiff of Joy blog a week or so ago. My lovely Tilda was coloured in with Copics. 

I hope you feel inspired to join the Magnolia Challenge today.  Take care, I'm off to bed now.  Will catch up with you later, it's almost weekend again, hugs Sharon

Isabella Sketchbook new Design Team member !

A very warm welcome to you all... I hope the SA girls had a fabulous long weekend.  I notice that a lot of crafting was done as I was browsing through my Google Reader... some stunning creations, well done girls!

Right... here is the NEWS I have been waiting to share with you since Monday.  I have been selected as a member of the new Design Team at Isabella Sketchbook.  As you can imagine, things have been hectic since I received the email informing me thereof and my head has been buzzing getting to know all my stunning new design teamies. I am sure we are going to have loads of FUN and I encourage all my visitors to pay Isabella's Sketchbook a visit, if you have not already done so.  I am sure you will love her creations and I look forward to sharing my new cards, using her stunning digi designs, with you. 

Isn't the new DT badge just awesome?  You'll find it in my sidebar with a list of my new Teamies. 

Here is the card I made for the DT Introduction announcement. The stamp is one of Isabella's and can be found at her Digi Store. 

Now isn't that a gorgeous floral image ?  It was such a pleasure to colour with my Copics. The DP is brand new. I couldn't wait to use it!  Used my new oval scalloped nestie for the first time.  I've discovered that I now need some new designs to add to my collection...lol  Is there no end to our shopping?  I've kept this card simple and elegant and have just added a few pearls, ribbon, a hat pin and beads to round off the look.  

Please take a minute to pop over to the Isabella Challenge Blog and show some support to my fellow DT members. They have produced some stunning cards for your inspiration and I hope you'll join the challenge this week.

Thanks for popping by, I'll catch up with you again at Isabella's.  Tons of hugs, Sharon x

Hello... just checking in!

Just in case you thought I'd gone AWOL... you can imagine how busy I've been with my sister having arrived yesterday.  It's been one big emotional get-together since yesterday afternoon. I took her to all my favourite Craft Shops today and she was so impressed by all the stash and goodies, just ooh'd and aah'd.  It's been wonderful sharing this hobby of mine with her in person, as she's heard such a lot about it over the phone.  She's impressed with my Blog (yay!) and says to Kendall "It's no wonder your Mother spends all her time blogging.. (smile)". She's staying with my folks, so I'll pick her up again tomorrow so that she can spend the day with me and then I'll show her what stash I have... hope she doesn't faint on the spot...lol

I just have to share my new additions to my Teddy family with you all... aren't they just ADORABLE ?  2 of the most gorgeous Me To You bears and I had to take both of them home with me... I haven't given them names yet, so any suggestions are most welcome.

Can you believe it, the grey Teddy has a blingy stud in his nose!!!  The cream one just has a spot... Maybe I should glue a stud to his nose too...lol  They are so soft and fluffy.  There's a new shipment of Teddy's arriving at the shop I bought them in a month's time... I think Kendall had better chain me to my crafting chair or else these 2 lovelies may just get some new brothers/sisters or cousins...lol

And another lovely surprise when I checked the mailbox on returning home this evening... I received this lovely card from my dear friend Sandra, with some stamped images.  Thanks so much Sandra, your card is delightful and I can't wait to colour in my new images. You're a real honey!

Well, before I leave you, I have some very exciting news to share with you on Wednesday, so watch this space...

Enjoy the rest of your week and for the SA girls, enjoy the public holiday tomorrow. Thanks for your visits and comments, always appreciated. Hugs Sharon x

Cards... and more cards...

Hi fellow boggettes... thought I would share this card which I made at a class I attended this afternoon.  Lots and lots of glitter was used for this Ferris Wheel and the first time that I've used flocking... which is on the candy floss.  I quite like this (smile).

Then I came home and started working on some cards I've been commissioned to make for a friend of mine. She's a plain Jane and so I'm trying to keep her cards as simple as possible, trying out a new look.  Hope you like them...

And the other one...

Don't you just love that floral stamp.  It's a local South African one which I found at Charmaine's and I just love the simplicity thereof. Will be using this a lot.  I've used some glaze on the flowers which you unfortunately can not pick up on these pic's.  The flowers were punched out and made by myself.  Cuttle bugged a few sheets of white paper using the Swiss Dots, which I love so much.

Would love to hear your comments, thanks for popping by, you really make my DAY when you do! 

I'm off to collect my sister from the Airport tomorrow, she's coming to visit for 2 weeks and will be spending her birthday here which is on 6th May.  Haven't seen her in about 5 years, so we've a lot of catching up to do.  Not sure how much crafting I'll get done... but I'll make a plan somehow.

Happy crafting everyone... hugs Sharon x

It's all Red and White at Teddy Stampers

[Edit, I erroneously scheduled this post for the 26th instead of the 24th.  Nevertheless, here it is now.  Just as well, as I'd like to welcome a new member to the DT at Teddy Stampers, Desiree Havenga a fellow South African. I'm so pleased. Please visit her blog and show her lots of love.]

Hello everyone and welcome to another challenge at Teddy Stampers.  Today's challenge is in celebration of St George's Day, which is a holiday celebrated in the UK.  Since so many of us do not celebrate this holiday, we'd like to keep it more international and invite you to make a colour challenge card, using Red & White.  So, pop over to the Teddy Stampers blog, our challenge is being sponsored by Regina at the Cutting Cafe.  We hope you will be inspired today to join us.

Isn't this a cute little Teddy?  Thanks so much to my friend Catherine for sharing him with me.  The DP is so bold, that this card needed very few embellishments. I've used my new tag cutter again, you'll probably see me using this alot and the sentiment was a rub-on which I received from Paola as part of my Grab Bag I ordered from her.  For the SA girls, you can select to order a R100 or R150 Grab Bag from Paola and it's filled with all sorts of crafty goodies.  As I'm greedy, I chose the R150 bag and it was filled with some awesome DP, ribbons, rub on sentiments and all sorts of other goodies.  It all comes beautifully packaged, so there is no damage to any of your stash. 

Happy crafting everyone, hugs Sharon

Wedding Cards

Hello friends... I'm not sure what's happening in SA, but it seems as if there's a wedding every weekend these days!  Heck... I'm not complaining as it's business for me. I've been asked to make a few Best Wishes cards for the happy couples.  I thought I would share one I made last night with you.

I was told to use lots of bling, so I decided on lots of glitter which I don't use that often on my cards.  Boy... I forgot how fine that glitter is and was practically covered in the stuff!  The card turned out OK and Sherlene was happy with it.  Hope you like it too....

Then I was asked to make a card for everyone to sign, for a colleague of ours who is getting married at the end of this month.  Thought I would use the Top Hat and Veil pic again and the Best Wishes stamp and this is what I came up with.  My friend Deidre was very happy with it and we'll be getting everyone to sign it tomorrow.  Hope you like it as much as we do... lol

Don't you just love the corner punch ? You use it twice... on the one side it cuts your corner and if you put it in on the other side, it embosses over it.  One of the tools I've taken OUT of my drawer so that I know it's there and I can use it more often!

Here's a closer look at the top of the card, which folds beautifully and to finish off is tied with a silver ribbon and rose.

Well this is what kept me busy last night!  It's a public holiday in SA on Tuesday and I've put in for a day's leave on Monday, so it's going to be a long weekend - which means I get to play with my paper and tools which I so love doing, but have so little time for during the week!   

Will catch up with you all later in the week, so for now it's good night!  Thanks for the visits and your lovely comments, always nice hearing from you.  Take care, Sharon x

I made it to the Cupcake Top 5! Yay!

Sorry girls, but I am too excited to keep this bit of news to myself.  I made the Weekly Top 5 on the Cupcake Craft Challenge blog - yippee!!!  Now I can display their lovely blinkie on my blog with great pride.  I think I must have clicked on my name about 5 times to make sure it was ME...lol.  Congratulations to Beverley for winning the challenge and the other 4 ladies for making the Top 5!

Just Magnolia Challenge...

Hi friends... here's my entry for the Just Magnolia challenge this week.  Here's the sketch

And here is my little number, which I hope Random Org finds delightful this week...

The base of my card is a deep redish colour and the gorgeous DP is from Upikit International - loads of embossing which you probably can't pick up on the photograph, which is a pity. The lovely redish flowers are new from Charmaine's shop, very reasonably priced.  Further embellies are pearls from my stash. The lovely Tilda was a gift and coloured in with my Copics to match the DP I chose.

I hope you've all had a wonderful crafty weekend. I've been busy catching up on my Teddy Stampers DT cards and ran out of airtime on Thursday, so I quickly had to purchase some today!

A very warm welcome to my new followers, always a pleasure seeing new faces. Thanks so much to everyone for their support and lovely comments, I so enjoy reading them. Will pop around to visit you later. Toodles... Sharon

Cupcake Craft Challenge...

The Cupcake Craft Challenge this week is Childhood Memories... boy, does this conjure up a load of memories.  I am sure you all had a Teddy to sleep with at night. When Mom and Dad kissed you goodnight and you were left on your own to fall asleep, you'd probably pull him closer towards your chest like I did for comfort just before sleep took over.  And he'd be pulled even closer if you heard any strange noises, thinking that the boogey man was under your bed! You'd shut your eyes tight wishing that the morning light would appear through the curtains.... yes, childhood memories can be a wonderful thing and I certainly hope yours were pleasant ones, as were mine!

I chose this cute little image, which was a freebie I found on one of those free colouring pages on the 'Net. She looks as if she's on her way to bed with her little Teddy.  I've kept my card very plain, using a lovely Pink AC cardstock for the base of my card. I really can't recall the DP I've used, as it's bits and pieces that are left over from the original 12x12's. I used sticky dots to raise my image onto a cuttlebugged piece of cream card.  The only embellies are my gorgeous pearls, the lovely  cherry blossom and roses in the corner, all from Paola's shop.

I really hope you like this one and I hope the team at Cupcake Craft like it too.  Happy crafting friends... hugs Sharon x

Just Magnolia want you to Punch It Out!

Hello friends... I hope you've all had a good Saturday.  Mine was busy.  Left home early this morning and only returned at 3pm.  Managed to get some shopping in though - bought some more delish paper - yayyyy (one can never have too much hey...lol). Can't wait to share these with you all.  And...2  new stamps and some Dimensional Magic which I've used on this card.   A very warm welcome to my new followers, always lovely seeing the membership growing, thanks so much for  your support. I do however like to return the visit, so always remember to let me have a link to your blog too (smile).


Just Magnolia really set a challenge for me this week.  They want you to Punch It Out and boy, did I do just that.  As you can see, I have embellished this card with 3 layers of flowers which I punched out and some butterflies.  In addition, I punched out my new Iron Gate MS border, which suits this card perfectly.  I hope you like it as much as I enjoyed making it.  The DP is brand new, bought today.  To keep with the colour theme, I coloured Tilda's blueberries in red, so for this card they are cherries and I covered them with a coat of dimensional magic to give them that glazed look.  It's my first time using this product and I'll know I'll be using it a lot more.  Took a closer pic for you to get the effect - sorry it's a bit blurry!

Thanks so much to everyone for popping around and for leaving such lovely comments, I so appreciate them. They really make me smile.  There's some very generous Blog Candy on offer, please check out my side-bar for details.  Remember, if you snooze you loose.  We all like winning some of the good stuff... so good luck girls.  Tons of hugs, Sharon x

The Sugar Bowl challenge....

Happy weekend everyone... it's been a very tough week for me as I had to do my work as well as someone else's, which is no joke!  And then you don't even get a thank you when they return to work! (whinge whinge...lol)  But at least the weekend has arrived and we can get some more crafting done to relieve us of the stress.

Here's my little number for the Sugar Bowl challenge this week, which consists of following a sketch.  You need to use a Sugar Nellie stamp and this adorable one which was kindly stamped for me by my friend Paola is called Fingers Crossed.  I just adore her, don't you?  I managed to use some of my new papers too.


The base of my card is a powder blue from AC. The check DP is Day Dream from Sassafraslass (first I hear of them, but the paper is gorgeous). The centre piece of DP is from Upikit and the lovely pink is from a pad of paper purchased from our local CNA. My lovely cherry blossoms and pearls are from Paola's shop and the roses from my own stash. And finally, the border was punched for me by my friend Sandra in the UK. I am really enjoying using these Sandra, thanks so much.

I am so thrilled with the outcome of this card and hope the team at the Sugar Bowl think so too. 

Enjoy what's left of the evening and I'll catch up with you again tomorrow.  Thanks so much for visiting and your kind comments. Take care, hugs Sharon x

Spring Day Card

Hi Folks... and welcome to another Teddy Stampers challenge.  Today we'd like you to make a Spring Card in celebration of Spring!  That would be for our northern hemisphere friends, as the southern hemisphere are getting ready for a wonderful Autumn.

Here's my very simplistic card.  The image is courtesy of my lovely friend Catherine and has been coloured in with my Copics.  The DP is new, didn't take note of the name, sorry!  Just added a flower, ribbon and sentiment.  I hope you will feel inspired to make something simple and sweet.

Please visit the Teddy Stampers blog to see what the rest of our DT have created for your inspiration today.  Take care, hugs Sharon

The LUVVVV BUG...

Hi friends... Just before I left the office this evening I was asked to make a card for a friend who is attending a wedding on Saturday.  As you all know, the mojo doesn't always flow on demand, as it should, and I was a bit worried that I may not be able to deliver, but I'm quite happy with this little number and I hope she will be too.

The base of the card is white. I have a couple of these glossy frames which I just pasted onto a piece of silver card and then pasted the whole lot onto the base of the card (shew, what a mouthful!...lol)  I coloured in my little Volkswagen with copics and jazzed it up with silver and bronze glitter. Cut out some gold hearts (this is a little LUV BUG remember, these guys will be going on their honeymoon).  Added some pearls for class, a super gold and cream ribbon and a rose.

I've been blog hopping and you are all producing some amazing work - well done!  Can't wait for the weekend... take care and thanks for visiting. I'd love for you to leave a comment... hugs Sharon

Thank You Sandra...

Evening friends... hope you're back safe and sound after the Easter weekend.  When I got home from work this evening, there was a lovely package for me from one of my dear blogfriends, Sandra from the UK.  She sent me one of her beautiful cards, so nice to be able to view it in person and she was kind enough to punch me some borders from a variety of DP.  I just HAD to make her a Thank You card to show off one of the new borders and couldn't wait to post it.  Thank you so much Sandra, you're a real honey!  Your kindness and thoughtfulness is much appreciated!

Tilda was coloured in with Copics and the striped and spotted paper were freebies from the Cardmaking magazine.  The border was punched for me by Sandra.  Further embellies are buttons, a rose, a heart and a sentiment.

Happy crafting... tons of hugs, Sharon x

Whiff of Joy Challenge # 73

Hi Ladies

As you know, I regularly enter the Whiff of Joy Challenge (I want that blinkie...lol) and this week they have a lovely recipe for you to follow. It is 3 Papers, 2 Buttons and 1 Ribbon.  Here's my little number which I've just created for your enjoyment....  Hope you like it as much as I enjoyed making it.

The lovely DP is from the Watercolour Rainbow Collection "Whimsy".  Isn't it fabulous?  This was my inspiration for colouring in Shopping Willow with copics - matches perfectly don't you think?  I used both sides of this DP and as my third paper I've mattered the DP onto navy card.  I received a wonderful gift from Sandra in the UK... a Martha Stewart border punch (iron gate), which I collected from the post office today.  Just had to use it to show my appreciation once again for this lovely gift.  Thanks so much Sandra, you're a real honey!  Now I too have a MS punch!  Addtional embellies for a bit of class are my lovely pearls which I are from Paola's shop, as well as the cherry blossom and ribbon.

Hope you've been having a super crafting weekend so far. I'll be popping around to visit you soon.  Take care, hugs Sharon x

I'm a Winner!

Oh my goodness me, had to catch my breath before typing this post.  The lovely Kim has informed me that I won the Accessories and Sentiments prize for the Whiff of Joy challenge last week.  I am so thrilled and have emailed Bev with my addy, so can't wait to receive my prize.  Perseverance pays, so hang in there girls !   Thanks to Simon Says Stamp for the sponsoring of this prize.  Hugs Sharon

Sugar Bowl here I come....

My first entry for the Sugar Bowl challenge and I'm sure it won't be my last. All they require is that you use a Sugar Nellie image and I'm using Demure for the first time which was kindly stamped by my friend Paola.

I used a navy cardstock for the base of this card.  The DP is new and purchased from Charmaine's. I just loved the colours when I saw it and bought 2 sheets. The big flower is also new, purchased from The Scrapbook Factory shop in Salt River which I visited for the first time last weekend. Further embellished with a satin pink ribon, rhinestones and pearls.

This is my last card for the day.  Hope you've been having just as much fun.  I'm off to watch Transporter II on the telly. Will catch up with you again soon.  Hugs Sharon

Say It With Flowers...@ Annabelle Stamps

Hi Everyone... I hope you're all enjoying your Good Friday.   It is a lovely sunny day in Cape Town and the roads are quiet, which is a good thing!  Had lunch with my folks before trekking all the way back home again, as I want to get some crafting done. Tomorrow is going to be a hectic day again... taking Mom to the hairdresser and then doing their shopping, taking Kendall to the Bargain Book store (she can open her own store with all the books she has accumulated...lol)... so my time is not really my own over the weekends, that's why I value it so much ;) 

Why not pop over to the Annabelle Stamps Blog to take part in their challenge for this week which is Say It With Flowers.  Here's my little creation, hope you like it as much as I do!

The base of this card is black and the lovely DP is from the Stacy Claire Boyd collection. My last piece I think.  Onto that I matted a lovely lilac cuttlebugged paper, having used the Swiss Dots, which I like so much.  The image is a new stamp from a local SA company. Had to use some glitter to give it a bit of pizzaz! Finally, some ribbon and a bow to soften the whole look and of course for elegance, some pearls.

Take care until next time, hugs Sharon

In2Stamps Blog Candy - closes in May

In2Stamps is 6 months old and are giving away THIS blog candy in celebration thereof. You must enter. 

One lucky winner will win this:

1 x Martha Stewart edge punch embossed zigzag

1 x Webster's Pages Petite Paper Collection triple pack (contains the collection: Seaside retreat, Garden Gala & Nature's Storybook)
1 x Jenni Bowlin Superior stick pins antique
1 x Blue Moon charms Heart Leaf
1 x Blue Moon charms Made with love
1 x Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels Five
1 x In2stamps unmounted deeply etched red rubber stamp Yummy for my Tummy
1 x In2stamps unmounted deeply etched red rubber stamp Mommy's Caring
1 x In2stamps unmounted deeply etched red rubber stamp Pirate B-Day Party
1 x In2stamps unmounted deeply etched red rubber stamp Flower Bunny
1 x In2stamps unmounted deeply etched red rubber stamp Littlebell in flowerpot
1 x In2stamps unmounted deeply etched red rubber stamp Getting Spoiled
1 x In2stamps unmounted deeply etched red rubber stamp Birthday Ornaments

Bow-ma-gig Tutorial (Bow Maker South African style)

Greetings friends and hope you're all looking forward to the Easter weekend. If you're travelling, please do so safely.  If you're staying at home (like us), enjoy this blessed time with your loved ones.

I thought I would try my hand at posting a tutorial on how to use the Bow-ma-gig which is a bow-maker a la South African style!  Not sure if my fellow SA crafters also use this gadget, but it works for me and I purchased this one for Wendy (Chillipip) as she is struggling with her bows.  We girls are here to help each other, aren't we, so I thought I would introduce her to this little gadget, which is very easy to use.

Click on Image to get a better view

Here goes... working from left to right, are the instructions:

1. Place your ribbon around the 2 poles

2. Place left over right

3. Then run the short piece under the poles

4. Bringing it all round towards you again

5. Thread the short piece through the loop you've created

6. Pull both ends to close

7. Then tighten

8. Remove your bow from the pegs

9. Adjust and straighten

10.Cut ends with a scissors

There you have your bow!   If you use a broader ribbon, you move the pegs further apart and follow the same steps. This will create a beautiful bow.  

Thanks for taking the time to read this post.  Hope you enjoyed it! Hugs Sharon