Just Sharing

Morning everyone... hope you are all well ?  Welcome to my new followers, always nice to see new faces.  I have just realised that my hits have reached the over 20 000 mark.  Thanks so much to everyone who has visited and still visits my blog... I find this so amazing!   I appreciate each and every visit, so hope you'll still hang around with me for as long as I keep this blog going...

I just have to share these lovely Gift Card holders that my super-talented blogfriend Christine has made. Pop on over to take a peek... these would make awesome Christmas gifts.  They are so cute.  Thanks for sharing Christine, I will have to try making some of these.

I thought I'd also just share a Christmas card I made using paper which I bought at Scrap Delight.  I made a pocket for the front of the card and inside the pocket I placed the sentiment (from Happy Daze), which was matted onto patterned paper, using a Nellie Snellen die. I also added 2 little tags to make it look a bit fuller... hope you like it.  The lace gives is a sort of vintagey look, I hope. I can't remember if this was one of my purchases or what my dear blogfriend Amelia sent me. Isn't that lace just too beautiful! Finished it off with a rose and some ribbon.

And a close up...

Thanks for popping by, I really appreciate the visits. Wishing you all a lovely day further. hugs Sharon

Looking for assistance

Hi Girlies... oops, and Guys... a blogfriend is struggling to browse my blog and keeps getting this message Internet Explorer cannot open the Internet site http://..............  (my blog's name) 

Is there someone out there who has come across something similar?  No one else has complained about viewing my blog, so I am assuming it's a problem on her side.  Any suggestions as to what she should do?  Apparently, she only has this problem viewing MY blog... sniff sniff

Much appreciated. Sharon

New Christmas Card Challenge Blog starting January 2011

Happy Monday all you lovely people... I've just visited my friend Debbie's blog and found out that Hazel will be launching a new Christmas Card Challenge Blog in the new year, starting January 2011.

She has some yummy candy on offer, which ends on 30 November, so you'd better hurry and enter. I just love the MME Christmas paper and am hoping they'll find their way to sunny SA, so that I can play with them all year long...lol

From the look of things, I am sure this blog is going to be very popular.  Wishing you all a beautiful day.  hugs Sharon

Wow... check out these new Kenny K Krash Kittenz

Morning everyone, here's wishing you all a blessed Sunday.  Well, the day has finally arrived to share Kenny K's new Krash Kittenz with you all and today I am showcasing Mae Western... She's a real doll alright!  After visting me, you'd better hurry on over to the challenge blog to view the other design team's creations... they are sure to inspire you to purchase some of these beauties from Kenny's shop...

And here's a close up. There are super prizes to be won. All details are on the challenge blog and if you don't already know, Kenny K's are having a DT call, so hurry on over to Donna's blog for further details.

Catch up with you all later.  Thanks for visiting and for leaving a comment, they sure make my day... mwah! hugs Sharon

Scrap Delight... Launch

Hiya blogfriends... earlier this evening I attended the launch of a new craft shop in our area.  I met Maryke through blogland... Her dream was to open her own shop and in only 6 or 7 months, her dream has became a reality and here are a few pics for your enjoyment...

Front of Shop

Front and inside of shop



Santa's Box

Yours truly's cards on display ~ spelling of surname is incorrect, but what the heck ;)

Cardstock

Caio's, MS & EK Success Punches

Back of the shop where classes will be held

I wish her all the very best and hope that she has lots of SALES!  Thanks for visiting, Sharon

Happy Thanksgiving...

No card today, I'm afraid, but I just wanted to say a huge hello to all my wonderful blogfriends who are celebrating Thanksgiving today.  What a wonderful tradition to have... a special day to reflect on everything we need to be thankful for.

Wherever you are, I hope you have plenty to be thankful for viz. good health, enough to eat, a warm place to live in and family who love you.  I hope you're safe and warm in the company of your dear ones...   Happy Thanksgiving!

Tons of hugs, Sharon

A little bit of This and That...

Hi Girlies... hope you are all well?  Gosh... but time is flying by so quickly now.  Before we blink, Christmas will be here... I just love reading Suzanne Dean's Scrap Bitz.  She recently shared that she will be dressing up her home for Christmas one of these days... she has 10 Christmas trees to decorate in her home... oh my goodness... that must be some huge home... I can't wait to see the pics... 

What's for Dinner?
My friend Deidre shared this link with me and I just find it so interesting and useful, that I had to share.  It's especially designed for those of us (smile), who have no idea what to cook in the evenings.  This website is sponsored by Knorr and even has a weekly Meal Planner for you to download. The meals are so easy to put together. It's called What's for Dinner?, click here for further details.


New Scrap Shop in the Northern Suburbs
I met Maryke Nel through blogland earlier in the year.  We started communicating via email and finally met each other over a lovely cup of coffee.  What a wonderful, warm and confident person she is. She shared with me this dream she had of opening up her own craft shop.  After all these months of plotting and planning, I am very pleased to announce that this dream has now become a reality and her shop opens this Saturday, 27 November. 

The shop's name is SCRAP DELIGHT and I am hoping the local girls will pop around to show her some love and support.  I was there last night to check it out and let me tell you, the colour scheme is absolutely awesome!  There is still a lot of work to be done before Saturday, but I for one will definitely be there.

She will stock a variety of paper brands like Bo Bunny, Making Memories, Kaiser Craft, Bazzil and American Cardstock, to name a few.  There will be plenty embellishments to match and all the tools you require for that perfect creation.  The popular Cricut and a wide variety of Cricut cartridges, along with the very cute Cuttlebug and its accessories will also be in the store.  Sounds good huh??  If you spend R200 or more, you will qualify for the draw to win 1 of 2 hampers in December.  Nice Christmas prezzie for yourself. Trading hours are: Monday-Saturday 09h00-18h00, Sundays and Public Holidays 09h00-14h00.

Where can you find SCRAP DELIGHT ?  The address is: Shop G15, Burgundy Square, Burgundy Estate, Plattekloof.   From Plattekloof Road, you drive towards Bothasig. At the traffic circle, take the exit towards Durbanville. Continue with Tygervalley Road and turn right at Burgundy Drive.  SCRAP DELIGHT is in the shopping centre on your left.  There is plenty parking.  Pop along and join other scrappers for a cup of coffee while you experience SCRAP DELIGHT.  Maryke will also offer cardmaking and scrapbooking classes.  But, you need to visit the store to get all the details.  See you there!

That's all the news I have to share with you today.  It's midweek, almost weekend...yay... I hope you're having FUN wherever you are. Take care, hugs Sharon

Design Team Call at Teddy Stampers...

Greetings everyone... We are having a DT Call over at Teddy Stampers and would love for you to apply.  Please visit the blog for further details.

This is such a lovely, relaxed group of people to work with.  So... even if you have never been on a DT before, don't be shy in applying... this could be your first one, like it was for me. 

Good luck and take care, hugs Sharon x

For Sale...

Hi there all you wonderful bloggers... I hope this day finds you all well... I have a few very well-read overseas craft magazines viz. Papercraft, Quick Cards, etc. taking up some space at home that are still in excellent condition... should you be interested in purchasing some of these at a very reasonable price, please read here for further details. 

I cannot remember the dates of the mags off-hand, but it really makes no difference to me how old they are, as the information inside is still very current.  With that being said, I don't think some of my mags are older than 2 years.

This offer is unfortunately only for the local SA girls, thanks.  Kindly pop me an email if you're interested.

hugs Sharon

Christmas with Sarah Kay

Happy Monday everyone... hope you have a good week.  It's busy at work and as we wind down towards the holidays, things are getting busier... not too long now and then I'll also be on leave - 3 weeks to unwind and relax... hmmm, can't wait!

As mentioned in a previous post, my prize from Belles n Whistles arrived... the whole Changeabelles Collection... gosh, I didn't realise it was so many stamps. Thanks so much to Summer for putting up these wonderful Elisabeth Bell prizes.  I can't believe my luck... sorry the pic is so poor... due to the plastic covering...

As mentioned in a previous post, I also received some new stash from 7 Kids College Fund and I just had to purchase this beautiful Sarah Kay stamp called Noel Joy...

The image has been coloured in with Copics. The DP is from my christmas selection of W&M paper. The sentiment is new from Happy Daze.  Flowers and ribbon from my stash.

Gosh... I have been trying for ages to load 2 more pics of this card taken from different angles, but they are taking forEVER to load... anyone else experiencing the same problem ?  As we pay per second that we're online, I thought I'd rather cancel, than try for the umpteenth time with no luck.

Enjoy the rest of your week. hugs Sharon

Making hay whilst the Mojo's here...

Slightly overcast in Cape Town today, with a few sun rays breaking through the clouds every now and again, but I love this type of weather.  Had some rain earlier this morning and it's really cleared the air... hope your day is just as beautiful.

Whilst my mojo is alive and well, I thought I would make hay whilst the sun is shining and put together this little card yesterday... I hope you like it as much as I enjoyed making it.  This is another of my new Tilda's, she's called Cherry Tilda and I purchased her from 7 Kids College Fund.  She was an absolute delight to colour with my Copic Sketch Markers, which I also purchased from 7 Kids College Fund.

Instead of letting her sit on a piece of ribbon, I thought I'd make use of this fence which I think was stamped ages ago for me by Paola, so it came in real handy now. I may have to invest in some of these additional items myself.  The puppy is from the Belles and Whistles Changeabelles collection (yes, it finally arrived!). I thought she looked too lonely sitting on the fence by herself, so the puppy was a very welcome addition...lol

I've decorated the inside of my card as well, which I love doing when I have the time for it. Just finishes the cards off beautifully.  I've used very few embellies on the front of the card, as the DP was so lovely, I didn't want to cover it too much, so just added a ribbon and some flowers. The sentiment was a gift from my dear blogfriend, Amelia.

And here's a close up of Tilda, for you to enjoy.  Like her?  Go buy her now, she's adorable.

Thanks for popping by, have a wonderful Sunday.  I'll catch up with you later. I have some more new images to share with you.

hugs Sharon x

Kenny K's Krafty Girlz Challenge - TAG it!

Morning, here's wishing you all a blessed Sunday.  There's a new challenge over at Kenny K's today - you need to create a TAG or a card with a tag in it... let your imagination run away with you. Our Team B area showcasing today and have made some wonderful creations for your inpiration, so do pop around and pay them a visit.

Are you aware that Kenny K's are having a DT Call... yes, that's right!  Pop on over to the Challenge blog to read all about it.  Our 6-month term comes to an end in December and I have indicated that I would not be up for consideration to stay on, as I feel it is time to move on and try something new. 

I have enjoyed my stay at Kenny K's and must tell you that this was one of the nicest groups to belong to... each and every teamie is a warm and loving person and you will feel so at home with them... so, if you did not try out the first time around, here's your chance to do so NOW... you will not be sorry!  Good luck to all of you !

hugs Sharon x

The Mojo is back...HOORAY!!!

Happy Saturday dear blogfriends... what a flippin' relief... my Mojo has made an appearance after a long absence... it's like enjoying the rain after a long drought.... yippeeee!  Thanks for hanging in there with me... you girls are the best!

I collected some of my new stash from the PO last night and started stamping away this morning. Amazing how some new goodies can get those creative juices flowing again.

I made this Birthday Card for my Mom, whose birthday is next month on the 21st.  She doesn't visit my blog, so I can share this one with you all without fear of her seeing it...  I am entering it into Party Time Tuesdays DT call... hold thumbs for me !

The paper is from W&M, which I still have so much of... yay!  The sentiment is new from Happy Daze.  Tilda is also new from 7 Kids College Fund. Rest of embellies from my current stash.  I am still awaiting another order from 7 Kids and can't WAIT for it to arrive.  Keep watching this space, as I have a few more new Tilda's to share with you all...

I have placed Tilda on top of a little trellice fence which my dear SA blogfriend Amelia kindly sent me.  Thanks Amelia, it compliments this card perfectly!  I have coloured her in with my Copic Sketch Markers.

Well that's it for now... Kendall and I are off to the shops in her new little car to get a few things before the rugby comes on this afternoon.  South Africa are playing against Scotland in Edinburgh and we just love watching it on the telly.  For my SA blogfriends, enjoy the match this afternoon!

Tons of hugs to you all, Sharon xx  

It's a Sketch and Bling over at Teddy Stampers...

Thanks so much to everyone who joined in our Birthday Blog Hop over at Teddy Stampers... we had such fun reading your comments and viewing your stunning creations...  Now that the dust is off those teddy stamps, we hope you'll become regular visitors at our challenges...

Please visit the Teddy Stampers blog to view all the winners in our Birthday Hop.  Well done to all of you... enjoy your prizes.


The winner of my Blog Candy is Lyn S of Arty Aspirations. Lyn hails from Australia...woohoo!  Thanks for your lovely comment Lyn and for joining in the fun at Teddy Stampers too. Your card is just adorable. Please email me your addy so that I can post your surprise Candy off to you. 

And now it's on to another challenge at Teddy Stampers.  This time we'd like you to follow a Sketch and add some Bling along the way...  Our sponsor this time is AnnaBelle Stamps. Here's the sketch to follow

 And here is my creation for your inspiration...

This teddy was kindly given to me by Gail, a fellow South African blogger. I just adore him.  The flowers were a gift from my other blogfriend Amelia.  Ribbon, cardstock and bling from my current stash. Both their blogs are in my right hand sidebar, if you'd like to pay them a visit.  You won't be disappointed as they create the most beautiful work.

I hope I've managed to inspire you today and look forward to viewing your creations. Thanks for playing along with us, hugs Sharon x

A welcome surprise...

I've been waiting for over a month now for my prize from Belles n Whistles to arrive and still nothing... I just hope it still makes it's way safely to SA...  I'm also awaiting 2 orders from 7 Kids College Fund which I'm hoping will arrive soon...

So, as you can imagine, I can't wait to open my post box when I get home from work in the evenings.  At least this evening there was a wonderful surprise for me.  As mentioned on many occasions, I have met so many lovely, talented people in blogland and René, a fellow South African blogger is one of them.  I recently sent her some images to play with and received this lovely card by return mail...  I really hope she doesn't mind me showcasing it, but I just love all that embossing... something I have never done myself and wouldn't know how to, actually...duh!

Thanks so much René, what a thrill it was to receive your beautiful card today and the lovely message inside.  It's a pleasure visiting your blog (Stamping in Sunny SA), as you are so talented. 

I've put my back out again, and I haven't picked up anything heavy (promise...lol).  It's just one of those things I suffer from occasionally.  I can just wake up one morning or just sit wrong or put my foot down incorrectly and then my back is out. Drat!  I just hate it!  I felt a twinge last night and quickly sprayed some Deep Heat onto it but it's just got worse during the day.  Had a nice warm bath, sprayed some more Deep Heat onto the area and have taken some painkillers.  I'm hoping it will feel better by morning...  Enough complaining. My poor blogfriend Sandra is suffering more than I, as her pain is far worse than mine... we're a real pair of old crocks, aren't we honey?

Hope the rest of your week is bright and beautiful.  Hugs to each and everyone of you. Thanks for still popping by, even though I have not been crafting much lately.  I am hoping the dry spell will end soon... Sharon x

Last of my Calendar pages...

Happy Sunday folks... I've been without airtime for a week, but managed to get some again this morning.  Here are the last pages of the Calendar project I was invited to participate in.  The stamps are from LOTV and Magnolia.  As you can see, very plain.  The Magnolia images were kindly stamped for me by Paola.  Copics were used for colouring.

As mentioned previously on my blog, I have met so many wonderful people and today I collected a parcel from my dear blogfriend Amelia.  She makes the most stunning cards,  you'll just have to pay her a visit.  Hmmm... I received the most gorgeous pieces of lace, flowers, images and punched borders. I can't wait to use them!!!

It was lovely catching up with another old friend of mine, Marlene, on the telephone last night. She's just returned from a 3 week holiday to her friend in Israel and by the sounds of it, she had an awesome holiday.  I really enjoyed hearing about the old cities.  Nice having her back again.

Please remember to pop around to the Kenny K's Kraft Girlz challenge blog, as Group B have designed the most gorgeous cards for your inspiration. Pop along and play in the challenge, there are super prizes to be won.

Catch up with you later, hugs Sharon x

Highlight : Elisabeth Dulemba, Children's Author & Illustrator

Greetings friends... I've just received a notification in my mailbox with some wonderful news regarding the very talented Elisabeth Dulemba, Children's Author & Illustrator.  As my regular followers will know, I have on occasion used Elisabeth's free digi images on my  cards and I am thrilled to read that her stamps will now be available in rubber !  Read all about it here.  For those who are not familiar with her work, you are in for a real treat... her fairies are just the cutest little things.

Enjoy the read, hugs Sharon x

Calendar pages...

Hello friends... I think I have shared about 6 calendar pages with you so far.. here are a few more... thanks for the lovely comments I've been receiving.  I will have to take pics of the completed gorgeous 2011 Calendar I have received once all the pages were collated, but I'll share that with you in the new year...

Our gorgeous Tilda was used again (above) and (below) the stunning little bear from LOTV.

As I love my Whiff of Joy stamps too, I had to use one of them for this project as well (below).

Thanks for popping by and for leaving a comment, so kind of you. hugs Sharon

Kenny K - Anything but Square... and a Competition

Morning everyone... it's Anything but Square or Don't be Square at Kenny K's this week.  I decided to go for something totally different, due to my lack of creativity right now...  I took a glass jar, decorated it and popped in a few of my new Copic Sketches, which was purchased from 7 Kids College Fund... hope you'll be inspired to make one of your own...

I can't believe how quickly it took me. I had this gorgeous Diva already coloured, so it was a quick little job for me....

First I took a piece of kraft card and then tied some pieces of ribbon around it, popped in a few flowers all round and added some lovely pink cherry blossoms behind our little Diva.

And to end, here's a close up of her... isn't she a doll.  I must admit, I still love these Glam Girlz of Kenny's...

There are super prizes to be won at Kenny K's again, so do pop around for further details. Our Team A have made some awesome creations for your enjoyment and inspiration.

Donna is running a competition from 7-21 November to assist Kenny is promoting his new Kittenz range of gals and he'd YOU to help name them... is that cool or what ??? They are seriously sexy. He's looking for cool, playful names... so get those thinking caps on... or better still, I am sure your 'better half' will have no problem helping you...lol   Further details are to be found over at Kenny K's and Donna's blog, but to whet the appetite, this is what they look like... VA VA VOOOOOMM  I can see that these are going to be so popular.

Thanks for popping by and leaving a comment. hugs Sharon x

...and more Calendar pages

For those who have been visiting me lately, you'll know that I am showcasing some Calendar pages which I made as part of a project which I was invited to take part in.  Here are 2 more pages I made, which I'd like to share with you.  This first one is with little Tilda opening her Christmas presents... isn't she adorable ?

And secondly, here's a cute little Angel from the Cuddly Buddly ranges of stamps... I've only used her this once, but am sure to use her again on some Christmas cards for this year...

Thanks for popping by... and for leaving a comment, they really make my day. hugs Sharon x

Teddy Stampers Birthday Bash!

Happy Friday everyone and welcome to Teddy Stamper's Birthday Bash!  Wooohooo... can you believe it, we've been stamping with our teddies for over a YEAR now and Teddy Stampers is turning ONE !!! 

Please spread the news, as we'd love you and your buddies to join us for a Blog Hop as there are some super prizes to be won... We are so grateful to our awesome sponsors - thank you Sponsors ;)))

Digital Delights by Louby Lou
Dragon Lair Designs
The Cutting Cafe
Doodle Dragon Studios
Deedee's Digi's and
Simon Says Stamp

In addition, a few of our own designers have added some gifts for one lucky hopper.  I may just be one of them, so you have to leave a comment, just in case...lol

Right, with that being said...here is how the Blog Hop will work.  You need to start at the Teddy Stampers blog and follow the links to each designer's blog in the proper sequence... naturally leaving some *love* (comments) along the way. Then you need to go back to the Teddy Stampers blog to upload a celebratory card/project of your own.  From my blog you now need to hop over to the very talented Angelique... Now... how easy is that ??? 

For your inspiration, here is my little Birthday Card which I've made in celebration of Teddy Stampers 1st Birthday...

I thought this was such a super image to use of Popcorn Bear with all those gorgeous balloons...  I'm using my new ribbon punch for the first time here and am just so pleased I bought it... I have been wanting one for ages now... The sentiment is from Cuddly Buddly.

The ribbon is also new, purchased from the Scrapbook Shop at Belvedere Square in Claremont last Friday. I liked it so much that I got the pink, green, red and brown.  I've added a bit of dimension glaze to make those balloons pop a bit. 

I hope I've managed to inspire you... so, what are you waiting for... happy hopping ;)

To all our regular teddy stampers, thanks for all your support this past year. To any new friends that may have popped by today... we hope you'll become regulars too... the more the merrier...

sending you loads of teddy hugs Sharon xx

More Calendar pages and other things to Share

As mentioned a day ago, I recently took part in a Calendar swap and here are 2 more pages to share with you... I hope you like them.  Here's gorgeous Tilda with her Christmas gift in her hand...

And here's another page, using one of my LOTV stamps. I'm a bit disappointed at the size of the images, and am unable to retake a pic, seeing that I don't have these pages anymore.  I hope you don't mind me sharing !

And now for something non-crafty related

A while ago I mentioned that my father's health was not so good... nothing has changed.. in fact, his health is deteriorating slowly...  He hasn't been able to drive for a while now  and last night he finally sold his car.  He and Mom cried when the new owner pulled it out the driveway... the car had served all of us very well for many years and was an antique, compared to the modern cars of today.   A very sad occasion, but I also feel a sense of relief, as he can be very stubborn at times. If I take too long to get him something from the shops, he threatens to jump into his car to go get it himself... oooh boy!  It's not easy, I tell you.   Sadly, it also makes me realise that my once very strong and athletic father, my rock of Gibraltar, is now entering another phase in his life.  He now needs our help more than we need his.  Does this make sense ?  I sometimes sit and cry, as I am now, when I think of the person he used to be and how frail he has become.  At times he really struggles to breathe, due to his bad heart and lungs, but he will not hear of going to the doctor or hospital.  He keeps telling my Mom that he just wants to stay in his own home. 

I thought I'd post 2 pics to show you all what an incredibly handsome man he was in his younger days. 

This pic is of him and my Mom. I think she was 19 and he was 20. They were walking down Adderley Street in Cape Town and in those days a photographer would just snap your pic and give it to you, as you walked on the sidewalk.

This pic is of him in his Gardens Rugby Club blazer. As mentioned in earlier posts, he turned professional and went to play rugby in England for 3 years.  Being 6ft 4 in tall, his position was Lock Forward.

Here are a few more pics taken of my dad which were taken in the UK, where he played
for Bradford Northerns and later Wakefield Trinity.

I hope you don't mind me sharing these pics down memory lane with you of my folks, but when I initially started blogging, I wanted to share, not only my crafty bits and pieces, but a little bit of personal things too.   Please bear with me if I don't have much cards to share, but I am going through a very emotional time right now...

Thanks so much for popping by and for leaving a comment. hugs Sharon x