Fairies, Blossoms and Butterflies

Good evening my blogfriends... as mentioned in one of my earlier posts, my LOTV fairies arrived and I coloured them during the week.  After a busy morning shopping for my elderly folks, we got home in time to watch the Bulls thrash the Stormers.  This was one of our biggest matches ever, the Super 14.  Both home teams got into the final and unfortunately my team, the Stormers lost. But they didn't deserve to win today. Looked as if they had lead in their shoes.  Well done to the Bulls supporters, enjoy the celebration. The Cape is very quiet at the moment, we're drowning our sorrows - sniff, sniff!

I've decided to enter this gorgeous fairy in the LOTV challenge.  All you need to do is follow their sketch and use a LOTV image. Here is my creation, I hope they like it and I hope you do too.

And here is a close up as per usual.

The DP is new, a sheet of 12x12 paper which I saw in a little shop at the N1 Shopping Centre this morning. Just had to use it as it matched the colours used in my fairy image so perfectly.  Coloured in my fairy with copics and used the blender pen a lot.The tips from the LOTV Inspiration Blog helped tremendously.  I was so thrilled with the final result of this image. 

Thank you for all your lovely visits and comments. Don't forget I have a Chat Box now, so if you're online, would love to hear from you.

I'm off to watch a movie now, so toodles until later.  Cheerio Sharon xoxox

Chat with Sharon / Gesels met Sharon

Hello friends... I've added a chatbox to my blog. If you just want to pop by to say hello, I'd love to hear from you.

Hello vriendinne... ek het 'n geselsboksie op my blog.  As julle net wil groet, sal dit lekker wees om van julle te hoor.

Greetings Sharon / Groete Sharon

Isabella Sketchbook Challenge

Howdy friends... welcome to another Wednesday challenge at Isabella Sketchbook where we are celebrating the USA's Memorial Day. I confess, this one really had me stumped.  Apparently this day celebrates the start of their Summer and is usually spent with family and friends at picnics and barbeque's.

I really didn't know what to come up with for this challenge, so please forgive my lack of creativity... but you can't win them all the time!  I decided to make a card using Isabella's P.S. I Love You image, which I absolutely love.   My thought was to send a "letter" to my American blogfriends wishing them a "Happy Celebratory Day". 

I've used kraft cardstock as the base of my card for a change.  Embossed white card with my cuttlebug and matted that onto red cardstock. Punched out a gorgeous butterfly with my new MS punch and also used new gingham ribbon.  Went with the whole red, white and blue theme this week in honour of our American friends.

As usual, a nice close up pic. That butterfly really looks as if it wants to take flight...lol   I hope you feel challenged to take part this week.  Remember, there are super prizes to be won... 2 free digi images from Isabella's shop and the I Won badge.

The DT and I look forward to paying you a visit to see what you've managed to come up with.  Good luck...take care, Sharon x

Where have YOU gone to.....

Hello friends... I've just been blog hopping and you girls are really busy crafting away, whilst I'm at work (sad face) - oh roll on weekend ;)   I do love my job, but when I see how much FUN you girls are having right now, it makes me wanna go home and play, especially after I sat colouring in my 3 new stamps which I received from Lily of the Valley yesterday. 

My friend Paola and I sat chatting for 2 hours last night, me in Cape Town and she in Johannesburg (I have this service where I can chat free for up to an hour at a time). There we sit in our respective craft rooms, chatting about all sorts of things including what we're currently busy with for our respective DT's and challenges and before you know it, the time has just flown by.  It was midnight by the time we finished working and chatting.  Now I can't wait to get home to see what I can create to share those cute little images with you.

I have some news to share... I am now officially a member of the Rubber Stamping in South Africa Association.  You need to be nominated by an existing member and approved and I received confirmation yesterday that this is now official. I look forward to meeting up with the local girls and have already received quite a few emails welcoming me to the group. 

Before I leave you... if you're wondering what has happened to your beautiful faces, which has now disappeared from my side-bar, don't fret, you're still here.  The group has now grown to 104 (I can't believe it, thank you so MUCH for your support!). I want to see each and every one of you, so the space just above my Guest Book seemed like a good place to move you to. Hope you agree.

I'll catch up with you later in the week, for now enjoy your Tuesday... cheerio, Sharon x

Friday Sketchers Challenge #103

Good Evening friends... it's a lovely evening in Cape Town. I think the whole of SA are glued in front of their TV sets watching a very important Super 14 rugby test between the Stormers (my home team) and the Waratahs (Australian team).  It was so weird going to my local supermarket this afternoon at 2pm.  It was empty!  Well... not quite, but it was so noticeable, as it's usually packed, but everyone had done their shopping early... whilst Mom and I were at the hairdressers... and by the time I managed to get there I had the whole stop to myself... w-o-n-d-e-r-f-u-l!    YAY!  The Stormers are going through to the FINAL in the Super 14 Challenge.  Score was 25-6 in our favour.  (Hope my Aussie friends aren't too upset...lol).

Well, enough chit-chat, but you know how I love that too, right?  This is the second challenge I am taking part in at Friday Sketchers.  They have a lovely sketch for you to follow, makes it easy huh!   Simon Says Stamps are the sponsors, now how tempting is that?  Here's my little entry, hope the folk at Friday Sketchers like it.

Another Elisabeth Bell image, this time it's a digistamp called A Tasty Read. Isn't she just adorable?  You can purchase her here.  Such a pleasure to colour. The base of my card is navy Bazzill cardstock and the DP is from Basic Grey.  The pearls and cherry blossoms are from Paola's shop, the red blossoms from my own stash.

A close up to show the glaze on her delicious apple.  She really seems to be enjoying herself.

That's it for this evening I think.  Hope you're having fun wherever you are. Enjoy the rest of your weekend. Take care, Sharon x

Just Magnolia - A Sketch

Morning friends, as you can see it's weekend and so I get to craft, as I don't have much time to do so during the week.   I received some new Martha Stewart punches from Scrap-a-Doodles. They are reasonably priced, so pop around and pay them a visit.  I couldn't wait to use them.

Just Magnolia also have a sketch for you to follow.  I had an adorable Tilda to use which was stamped for me by my friend Paola.  Paola has really blessed me with a lot of Tilda images and I am very grateful.

I have used a pale blue AC cardstock as the base for this card. Matted soft pink card onto that and then I used my new (almost finished) gingham blue paper. The other DP is soft pink with butterflies on it, from the Wilson & Maclagan range bought at Merrypak.  The doilie was sent to me by Paola and made a nice background for Tilda and her fence to rest on. I used foam dots to mount them onto the doilie. Tilda and her fence were coloured in with copics. The flowers and pearls are from my stash. Notice the new MS stamps please... first the huge Monarch Butterfly - I really didn't expect it to be quite so large but I still love it. The other is a border punch, Traditional Eyelet.

This pic highlights the glaze used on Tilda's flowers and also to show you the dimensional butterfly I made with the new MS punch!

By the time you read this I'll be at the hairdressers with my Mom. We're both going for a "tune up"... lol  Well, at least I am, Mom's hair is white as snow and we love it that way, so no colouring for her, just a trim!

Enjoy the rest of your Saturday, I'll catch up with you later.  Tons of hugs, Sharon x

Blog Award for me AND for you....

Hello again... such a surprise to receive this Award from Patrice in Canberra, Australia. Thanks so much Patrice, I really appreciate you thinking of me.

I need to pass this on to 10 people and as this is such a difficult decision to make, I hope Patrice won't mind if I extend this to all my followers and regular visitors.  Please take this from me, with my compliments. You girls are awesome with your visits and your comments and I really want each one of you to have this Beautiful Blogger Award displayed on your blog.  I'll be popping around to check up on you, so don't be shy now!

Huge hugs to you all, enjoy this Award, you ALL deserve it.  Sharon xoxoxox

AnnaBelle Stamps Challenge - A Sketch

Evening...er almost Morning friends... as I'm typing this post it's just hitting midnight... I was busy this evening and have 2 cards to share with you.  But first, a very warm welcome to my new followers, so nice to see new faces.  Welcome, I hope you'll enjoy browsing around.

Right, back to the cards... the first one is an entry for AnnaBelle Stamps Challenge.  They have a super sketch for you to follow.  And here is another new girly stamp of mine, which I've used for the first time.  She's called Emma and is another Elisabeth Bell creation and you can purchase her here.  I just loved her to bits when I first set eyes on her and now I own her... isn't she an absolute doll!?

I've used a pink AC cardstock for the base of my card. Matted a gorgeous piece of DP which is new from the Merrypak store. It's a pad of 50, 6x6 inch sheets, 10 different designs (5 sheets of each design) by Wilson & Maclagan for only R29-95. Now is that a bargain or what?  Emma was coloured in with copics and I added a bit of glaze, which you'll see better in the pic below. Further embellies are AnnaBelle's gorgeous sprinkles, they are to die for and come in a wonderful variety of colours, so visit their shop here.  Roses and cherry blossom are from my stash.

I hope you're having fun crafting now that the weekend has arrived. Thanks for popping around, I really enjoy your visits. Take care, hugs Sharon

Teddy Stampers Challenge - Bedtime Bears

Hello friends... I hope you'll join in the Teddy Stampers challenge this week.  We have a delightful challenge for you.... so get out those little Bedtime Bears and join in the FUN!

Our Design Team have produced some wonderful creations to inspire you... and the prize this week is sponsored by Whimsey Stamps.

I've used Bedtime Bear from the Care Bears... remember them?  The nice thing about them is that you can colour them in to suit your DP, which is exactly what I've done.  Kendall berated me for colouring Bedtime Bear green, "he's supposed to be blue Mom" she said, shaking her head.  Oh well!  She should know better, as this was one of her favourite programmes to watch on TV when she was younger...lol  So... apologies to all the die-hard Care Bear fans, for today Bedtime Bear is green!

Take care, wishing you lots of teddy hugs Sharon x

Sharing this wonderful Hobby of ours...

Hello lovely people... As you know, I started cardmaking 2 years ago and blogging just over a year ago.  As I've been having such FUN, I wanted to share this wonderful hobby of ours with our local readership in South Africa.

I contacted a local craft magazine, Craftwise, twice and am still waiting for a response. Obviously this type of hobby/craft is not artistic enough for them or they just don't have any manners.  So... I tried another magazine and to my delight, they responded immediately indicating that they would be very interested for me to share my hobby with their readership... so 3 months later, an article was published in our local Ideas Magazine, which went on sale today!  Turn to page 10.

For my international friends, here is a copy of the cover of the mag and the article which was published.  I am hoping it will spark an interest amongst our local people.

It's midweek and almost weekend. Take care, thanks for popping around once again, hugs Sharon

Isabella Sketchbook - Birthday Wishes

Welcome friends... do we have a super challenge for you at Isabella Sketchbook this week.  Using an Isabella image, we'd like you to create a birthday card.  Now, how easy is that ? 

Our DT have put together some super cards for your inspiration, so pop along to Isabella's right now... hang on... better get that cuppa tea or coffee ready first, as you're in for a real treat.  We hope you'll join in the fun and look forward to visiting you soon...

My card is rich with the colours of Autumn. You can purchase it here.  The picture below highlights the glaze which I've added to those peaches. Now, don't they look yummy enough to eat ?

Isabella has some new images which she has added to her store, so please check them out here.  The prizes this week are:

• 2 digi stamps for the winner of this challenge, plus
• You get the "I Won" badge to display on your blog and in addition
• You receive the Cuttlebug Embossing Folder "Lace Tree"

See you soon, hugs Sharon x

Cute Card Thursday Challenge... hello SUSAN

Good Evening friends... it's almost midnight as I'm typing this post.  I managed to get one challenge card done as we start the weekend.  I notice in my Google Reader that a few of you are busy too, so I don't feel so lonely. I'm a block of ice... it's freezing cold in Cape Town, so spare us a thought as you enjoy your Spring weather.  Was I really complaining about the heatwaves we were experiencing about two months or so ago????!

I received a whole lot of new stamps in the post about a week ago and as my EazyMount arrived today (thanks Paola for the speedy service), I could cut them out and mount them. I couldn't wait to stamp little Susan, an Elisabeth Bell creation, which can be bought here.  I really thought I'd introduce Emma to you first, but I'll leave her for another day.  Susan just captured my heart this evening... so here she is... I ADORE her, ain't she a cutie?

I am entering this card into the Cute Card Thursday Challenge. Their challenge is for you to make a card for Someone Special , so I've decided that this card is dedicated to ALL my lovely crafty friends who visit regularly and leave such nice comments... thank you Ladies. Also, to the few who send me little packages in the post, thanks so much. What a thrill it is to open the postbox and see an envelope from a local or overseas friend!  You know who you are, thanks so much, I really appreciate your kindness. 

For this card I chose a pale pink AC cardstock, purchased from our local Scrapbook Shop. Matted freebie MME's papers onto that (I love buying the overseas Cardmaking and Papercraft magazines, you always get something free that's worthwhile). Found a role of lace which I forgot that I have and my stunning flowers matched the DP perfectly. A few pearls for some class.  The sentiment is from Simon Says Stamps.  Little Susan was coloured in with my Copics and I was very pleased with the result. Added some glaze to the flowers and patches on her jeans, which you can see better on the pic below...

Don't you just love the shimmer paper I've used to stamp and colour her on? Works lovely with the Copics. Bought it from Charmaine's, one of the stores I visit regularly in my area.

I really enjoyed making this card tonight and hope the folk at Cute Card Thursday like it too.  Thanks so much for popping by, always nice hearing from you.  Wishing you a super weekend, hugs Sharon 

p.s. Don't forget to visit Elisabeth Bell's blog, there's a new digistamp being released 6pm Arizona time, around 3am SA time. Not sure I'll be awake then, but I'll check it out around 6am our time.  Can't wait!

Sugar and Party Cupcake meet

Hello again... here's my second card for today, which I hadn't really planned to make this evening, but I had a few minutes to spare inbetween some TV shows.  I have a huge amount of stamped and coloured images lying around and this cutie pie is Party Cupcake from AnnaBelle Stamps.  You can purchase her here.  I decided to use her for the challenge over at a Spoonful of Sugar. They have a recipe for you to follow viz. 3 Designer Papers and 3 Buttons.

Base of card: Plain white cardstock; DP - 3 different designs which I've had for a while; Image: Party Cupcake from AnnaBelle Stamps, coloured in with Copics. I have glazed the strawberries, but you can't see it here unfortunately.  Buttons and ribbon from my stash.

I hope they like this one over at a Spoonful of Sugar...  Thanks for all your visits and  lovely comments, they really make my day.  Happy crafting! Hugs Sharon x

Isabella Sketchbook Challenge - a Colour Scheme

It's Wednesday and that means there is another Isabella Sketchbook challenge for you to enter. I am so thrilled that the local SA girls are supporting Isabella's challenges.  You've made me very proud and I wish you all the best with the challenges. 

The challenge this week is... to make a card/project using as many colours as you like in the Isabella Sketchbook Challenge blog's header (see below).  You must agree, these are fabulous colours to work with and the DT and I can't wait to see what you come up with this week. 

As usual, please visit the Isabella Sketchbook blog to view the DT's creations which we hope will inspire you.  There are 2 free Isabella Sketchbook digi stamps up for grabs and the I WON Badge for you to display on your blog, if you are the winner... so what are you waiting for ?  Here's my submission for this week... Plain and simple, but the DP was so gorgeous, I didn't want to hide it.

Base of card: Black AC cardstock;  Lilac card matted onto the black cardstock. Lilac and White DP matted onto that. I've used the gorgeous Monique Ballerina from Isabella's range and coloured her with colours from the header. Other embellies: a shimmery multi-coloured organza ribbon, green organza rose, a few pearls and mini pearl hatpins. Sentiment: Simon Says Stamps.

I'll catch up with you later. Take care, hugs Sharon x

Challenge Time

Happy Tuesday everyone... firstly, a very warm welcome to my new crafting friends, always nice to see new faces there!  Thanks for joining, I hope we'll be visiting each other a lot *smile*.

I didn't think I would be making a card this evening, but here I am typing this post.  Mojo Monday had such a lovely simple sketch for you to follow this week, that I just couldn't resist entering their challenge for a change and Cupcake Craft want you to use buttons on your cards, so I've added a few for their benefit too.

This image is one of my new one's from Belles 'n Whistles, called Tea Time. Isn't that hat just too cute for words?  I've coloured her in with Copics. The DP is new from Fab Scraps a South African company. The nesties were kindy cut for me by Paola. The base of my card is from AC.

I've made such wonderful friends through my blog and we're always saying we'd like to have a cuppa tea together, so this one is for YOU girls!!! Hope you like it?

Enjoy the rest of your week... it's almost weekend...lol   Thanks for popping by, I so enjoy your visits.  Hugs Sharon x

Happy Mother's Day...

Hi Everyone... it's been a long day...  Firstly, Happy Mother's Day to all you beautiful Ladies.  I hope you are being spoilt as you deserve to be!  Just got home now from taking my sister Karen to the Airport this morning.  At least she could spend the rest of Mother's Day with her girls.  Thought I would post a quick piccie which I took of her at the Airport this morning, drinking a cup of coffee.  She won't see this as she doesn't browse the 'Net like we do...lol, so no fear of her reprimanding me for doing so.

It was really fun having her here.  As mentioned, I saw her last 5 years ago.  It's far too long and I will have to make a plan to go visit her sometime next year.  My Mom is going to miss her terribly, as they've been spending a lot of time together.

Take care, catch up with you later, happy crafting, hugs Sharon x

DT Call at Belles 'n Whistles - My Submission!

Hello friends, Belles 'n Whistles are providing the rare opportunity for you and I to answer their DT call.  Not sure about you, but I'm certainly going to try my luck. I have been a fan of Elisabeth Bell's images since I started this craft and my first purchased image of hers was PenPal, which is still a favourite.  Since then, I've purchased quite a few more from the Belles 'n Whistles shop and only recently received this little cutie, she's called Beary Big Hugs. This is the first time you're seeing her on a card on my blog.  To even be considered as a DT member would be an extreme honour.  Without any further ado, here is my submission. I hope you like my creation as much as I enjoyed making it.  If you are going to answer the DT call... I wish you all the best as well!

Base of card: Chocolate brown AC.  The striped and spotted DP is from a South African company this time, www.paperexplosion.co.za - I just love these 2 pieces (you know me, love my Pinks and Browns). They are new, also being used for the first time here. The pink flowers are also new, bought this morning from the Scrapbook Shop. I placed bronzy brown roses in the centre. Further embellies are a satin spotted ribbon over a brown and silver organza one, fitted my trademark pearlised hatpin through that with a couple of pearlised beads and 2 additional pearls in the corner to complete.

This is the opportunity of a lifetime... wish me luck!  Take care, hugs Sharon xoxox

Teddy Stampers Challenge - Sketch & Colour Theme

We have a double challenge for you this week at Teddy Stampers, set by yours truly (that's me).   Here is the sketch we'd like you to follow and in addition, we would also like you to use the following colours: Pink, Yellow, Brown and Blue...  Now how easy is that?  The sponsor this week at Teddy Stampers is Sheena Douglass.

I hope this little number will inspire you to join in the FUN this week.  Our DT have also put some stunning creations together, so please pay them a visit.

The base of my card is a lovely cream shimmer cardstock.  Matted onto that is brown card and the lovely DP is from MME.  I've finally used some buttons again and added a few pearls around my nestie. The image is a digistamp. The gorgeous border was punched out for me by Sandra.  Thanks so much Sandra, it really added the final touch to this card for me.

Looking forward to seeing your creations, hugs Sharon

Isabella's Sketchbook Challenge - Mothering

We have a special challenge for you this week at Isabella's Sketchbook. With Mother's Day being celebrated on Sunday, 9th May (in SA), we challenge you to make that Special Person in your life, a card to remember. Please visit the Isabella's Sketchbook to view the rest of the DT's cards.  I am sure you will be greatly inspired.  Remember, you have to use an Isabella Sketchbook image to take part in these challanges, they can be purchased from her store here.

The winner of this challenge will be selected by Random Org and will win 2 free digi stamps, now isn't that incentive enough to enter?  In addition, the winner will also get the Winner's Badge to display on their blog. If you're like me, you want to collect as many of these as you can, so pop around and join in the FUN!

Base of card: Grey AC cardstock; DP: Can't remember;  Image: Isabella's Watering Can Garden, coloured with copics; Embellies: Pink Satin Ribbon, with my trademark pearlised hatpin; a Cherry Blossom, Roses and a few Pearls to finish off the look.

I'll be giving this card to my dear Mom.  I hope YOU will enjoy your Mother's Day this Sunday and that besides being spoilt yourself, you'll be able to spoil that Special Person in your life.

Thanks for popping by and feel free to leave a comment, as I so enjoy reading them.  Tons of hugs, Sharon

Annabelle Stamps Challenge... Pearls

It has unfortunately been far too long since I've entered an Annabelle Stamps challenge. Andrea's products are amazing, so it's really worthwhile visiting her Shop whilst you're about it too.  The challenge this week is for you to use Pearls on your card and as I have plenty of those in stock, I thought I would enter.  Here is my creation... hope you like it!

The digistamp is a very special one and brand new from Elisabeth Bell's range. Read all about it here.  She's a digi stamp and I was fortunate enough to purchase her for the low low price if 8 South African Cents!  She is absolutely adorable and I can see that I'll be using her a lot!  I've coloured her in with my Copics and added some glitter to her fairy wings.  The DP is from Making Memories, Maddi Paisley and was so stunning that I kept this card very simple.  At times I feel we overload the cards with layers and we lose sight of the stunning DP underneath. Further embellies are 2 satin ribbons which I just criss-crossed and added some new flowers for effect. And... for the challenge I've added a few Pearls, different sizes and colours to compliment the card.

I hope you'll feel inspired to visit Annabelle Stamps today. Thanks for all the lovely comments, they really make it all worthwhile... It's almost 1am Sunday morning, so I'd better get some shut-eye, nitety nite... hugs Sharon xoxo