Dress Blogs Up For Christmas

Hello friends... welcome to my new follower, always nice seeing a new face.  Thanks so much for joining!  As most of my regulars will know, I love dressing up my blog for Christmas and I found the perfect background for this year.  Hope you like it!  If you haven't dressed your Blog up for Christmas yet, why not get into the spirit of the Season.

I haven't been idle this evening.  I made a card for a friend, but I cannot share it with you yet, as I still need to post it to her. Once she's received it, I'll post it on my blog.  It's a LOTV stamp that I haven't used for a while, but which is so appropriate for her right now.

Thanks for popping by. hugs Sharon

Anything Goes (DT) - Cutting Corners

Hi Everyone and welcome to another challenge at the Anything Goes Challenge blog.  It seems like ages since we had a challenge when in fact it's only been 2 weeks ago... Wow, were we blown away by all the entries?  Gosh you girls have been busy!  Stunning, stunning creations. 

This fortnight our challenge is Cutting Corners... you can alter and/or decorate your corners.  We'd love to see what you come up with. Please visit our challenge blog where our DT have created stunning projects for your inspiration.

As you can see I've really cut corners here by using some snowflakes for mine.  Just adds to the overall christmas look of this card.  The stamp was stamped for me by a friend and I just love this little one.  She's one of Dawn's Stamps.  I've also given you a peek of the inside of the card, where I have stamped a snowflake in each corner and left enough space to write my christmas message.

Just had to include this pic too so that you could see all that lovely Star Dust stickles that I've used on her clothing and the stars.  The Christmas Tree charm was a purchase from my RSA blogging friend, Debbie Harris of DKH Designs.

Please visit our sponsor, the Craft Den, for all your crafty needs.

Thanks for popping by. We look forward to seeing what you're going to come up with for this challenge.  hugs Sharon x

Another Altered Notebook

It is Saturday evening and I have just completed altering a notebook Linda gave me.  She uses it for taking notes at classes she attends at church.  Seeing that she loved the notebook that I had altered for her daughter, she clearly wanted her plain, black notebook covered as well.  This post is scheduled to be posted only after she's seen it.

I thought I'd leave a nice thin black border around the book as it creates a lovely frame and definition.  I was really going to go for turquoise and brown, but somehow the pink and red caught my eye again. I really hope she likes it.  (Edited 28 Nov - Linda LOVES her book... one very happy client... yay!)

The background paper was a gift from my friend Sandra and I've been keeping it for something special.  The rest just followed from there.  This is my newest Tilda which arrived on Friday.  She is Ribbon Tilda and was purchased from 7 Kids College Fund.

Here's a pic of the front and the back.  As you can see the black book creates a  nice border around it.

I added some Star Dust stickles to those little hearts and around the oval nestie for a bit of glitz and glam.  Tilda has been coloured with Copics... I am really trying to get those folds right, so be kind... After reading the interview they had with Zoe, the Queen of Colouring in the new Magnolia magazine, I'm encouraged to follow her advice... practice.. practice.. practice and don't compare yourself to anyone else !

Altering a notebook is such a lovely gift to give someone, especially now at Christmastime, don't you think? So... why not give it a go yourself.

Can you believe it, 26 days to go until Christmas!.... I will definitely be burning the midnight oil this week to get some more Christmas cards made for my own stash, as these will need to be posted soon.  If you've seen any Quick and Simple ones in blogland, send me the link for inspiration please.

Thanks so much for popping by.  Always a pleasure reading your comments and a very warm welcome to a new follower.  It's always nice seeing a new face, as it makes blogging so worthwhile.

Happy crafting to you all, hugs Sharon x

Simply Magnolia (DT) - A Sketch

Welcome to another challenge at Simply Magnolia.   Tracy has given us a wonderful sketch to work with. I'll be sure to use this one again soon.

Seeing that I am way behind making Christmas cards, I've decided to make one using this sketch.  Hope you like it.

I am not sure of this Tilda's name. She was a very welcome gift which I received last Friday from Inge.  Ain't she a cutie pie?  I've added some snowflakes around her.  I guess she is holding Christmas Flowers. 

I added some Star Dust glitter on the flourish and dimension glaze on the flowers.

Our wonderful sponsor for this challenge is Scrapbooking Allsorts.  Do visit them for all your crafty needs.



Please join in the fun, as you can see, after visiting the Scrapbooking Allsorts Online Store, there are some wonderful goodies to win.

Happy crafting, hugs Sharon x

Totally Gorjuss (DT) - Sparkle

Hello again and welcome to another challenge at Totally Gorjuss.  What beautiful creations for our last challenge. Congratulations to the winner.

This week we want you to **SPARKLE** up those cards.  Our wonderful sponsor this week is Wee Stamps and the stunning digi image I've used is Angie, by artist Sylvia Zet.  Sylvia's images are very popular in Blogland, so do pay her Store a visit.

As the theme is **SPARKLE**, I just had to take another pic from a different angle so that you could see the Star Dust stickles I've used on the stars, clouds, her wings and around the sentiment.

Just peeking our beneath the nestie is my new Divine Bakers Twine which I collected from the PO this past week.  I purchased a few other goodies which I'll share on my blog soon. The nice thing is that I received a Sew Sweet business card and a few felt snowflakes as a small gift with my purchase. Now isn't that a sweet (excuse the pun) thought?  Makes one want to shop there again....soon!

Thanks for popping by. I'd love you to leave a comment if you have the time and do visit the Totally Gorjuss blog to view the other Gorjusettes creations. You're going to be so inspired to join us again this week.

Happy crafting!  hugs Sharon xx

An Altered Notebook

Good Evening or Morning to you, whichever part of the world you're from... It is  late Tuesday evening in South Africa and I have just completed altering a notebook for a colleague who asked me to make one for her daughter.  As usual there is always a time limit and she needs this by Friday, so inbetween DT commitments and other orders, I managed to put this together.  Hope Mom and Daughter like it!

The brief was that I use pink and red.  We aim to please and I was fortunate to find this last piece of pink designer paper with cherries on them...shew!  The rest just followed.  It's the first time I'm using King Tilda... she's actually adorable, thanks so much to my dear friend for stamping her for me!  Not quite sure what the notebook is going to be used for i.e. Notes or a Diary, hence the stamped sentiments.  I quite like using the little wooden stamps, lends a little bit of grunginess to the whole shabby look... even if you smudge it a bit or the letters are not quite straight, it just adds to the uniqueness of the handmade project.

Tilda has been coloured with Copics and her crown was coloured in with Pebbles Pearlescent Chalks. They have a beautiful shimmer to them. I used a glittery gold gel pen to ink around the crown just to add some definition.

I had some beautiful red stars in a small jar and these came in quite handy. Love the Martha Stewart Garden Trellis border punch, which I use far too seldom.

That's it for me.  Must hit the sack to catch a few zzzzzzzz's before work tomorrow.  Thanks so much for popping by, your visits and comments really make my day ;)..... hugs Sharon x

Bookmark for Sir

Good morning friends... wow, it's slightly cooler today, but still incredibly humid.  Going to be another stinker!

I was commissioned to make another bookmark and this one is for the Guidance Teacher. Hope Sir likes it. 

Inbetween making the bookmarks I have been busy with DT work and most of them will probably be Christmas themed, seeing that I've left my Christmas card making until the last minute, so I'm panicking a bit here!

Enjoy your Monday, hope the week turns out to be a good one for you.  We have Board meetings the whole week and our product partner year-end function to arrange for next week, so it's busy busy busy on the work-front!   ...roll on holidays ;)

Happy crafting, hugs Sharon x

Totally Gorjuss (DT) - Swirly Wirly

Oh happy days....  It is going to be a scorcher today, with some cooler weather on Sunday, I believe.  Spare a thought for me please. Summer is not my favourite month as I get older...

Well, weather issues aside.... Welcome to another challenge at the Totally Gorjuss blog.  We have a super one for you this week... It's Swirly Wirly time.  The Gorjusettes have created some stunning creations for your inspiration, so do pop around to view them.

Here's my little effort... hope you like it...

I have never regretted purchasing this gorgeous Marianne Die.  It is just so beautiful.  The swirl and snowflake are additional dies with the large one.  The paper is from my favourite W&M range of papers purchased from Merrypak, a local store.  The pearlised flat backed pearls were purchased from Paola.

And here's another peek from a different angle which I hope will have picked up the Star Dust glitter on Tilda's wings.  She has been coloured in with Copics.

I haven't entered a challenge in a while, so let's try a few...
    Magnolia Stamp Lovers - Christmas challenge
    Magnolia-licious - Colour challenge
    7 Kids College Fund - A photo inspiration (Edit:  Woohooooo, this card made the Top 3!)

Our wonderful sponsors this week are Simon Says Stamp.  Please visit them for all your crafty needs.

Enjoy your weekend, happy crafting!  hugs Sharon x

2 Bookmarks to Share

Hello friends... it's midweek...yay!!!!  In just over a month,  I go on leave...woohoooo!  I've been doing some shop..ping and am anxiously awaiting my purchases from overseas.  Nice Christmas prezzies from Me to Me... ;)

OK, so here we go with another 2 bookmarks I was asked to make and this evening before leaving the office, I was asked to make another one for a friend.... Can you please make me one, she asked, the holidays are almost here and I plan to read a lot you know !! hahaha  Now how can one say No to that !

I am really not complaining as it keeps me out of mischief and I'm doing something I love to do... It's giving me the opportunity to try new styles, so I really hope the people who ordered these (and YOU my lovely bloggy friends) are happy with the new designs.

Just loved using Willow writing Recipies again.  Haven't used her in while!  She really is a beautiful stamp by Elisabeth Bell. You can purchase her from Whiff of Joy.

And here's another Elisabeth Bell image, called Flower Power.  You can purchase her from Susanna's Custom Art and Design.  Another one that hasn't seen the light of day for quite some time.  These EB girlies are very popular with my small circle of bookmark addicts! (smile)

OK and now for a final pic of the back of each bookmark.

The plain white is for a message which still needs to be written and the other one was just covered with nice designer paper to match the front.

Thanks so much for popping by my blog today.  As always, I'd love for you to leave a comment as it really makes this blogging all the more worthwhile.  Just knowing that someone took the time to pop by is so very special.


Before I go, I must just share this cute little story... It just goes to show that if you're not a crafter, you really have no idea how much work is involved in putting these cards/bookmarks/projects, which we love to do, together.  A colleague bought one of my cards for her Granny and when she returned the box of cards which she'd chosen hers from, she said "Your cards are so beautiful, do you print those pictures from the internet? "  Uhhh, helloooo....that stopped me in my tracks a bit.  My initial reaction was "Hell NO!", but then I realised, how the heck is she supposed to know when she's not a crafter. To her it's just a pretty card with a nicely coloured picture.  Then I went on to explain that the images are stamps which you ink and stamp, then colour with VERY EXPENSIVE copic pens.  Everything is imported from overseas... blah blah blah, you know the drill.  Then the eyes widened as I heard the penny drop and I could see a hint of respect shine through her beautiful eyes.  It must be hard work then, she said... bless her!  hahaha, now isn't that a lovely story!  I am sure you have plenty of your own, feel free to share.

Now I really have taken up enough of your time... I am going to bed...  sleep tight.  Happy crafting, hugs Sharon x

Anything Goes (DT) - A Real Sweetie

Welcome to another challenge on the Anything Goes challenge blog.  Do we have a sweet one for you... We'd love for you to create a card/project with the theme A Real Sweetie - think cupcakes, christmas pies, etc.  Let your imagination run wild!

As most of my regular followers will know I just love my Molly Blooms, designed by Clare Rowlands.  Sadly I have not used them much, but I intend rectifying that asap.  Here's Molly the Chef.  She's adorable, don't you think ?  I thought she'd fit this challenge perfectly.

Just love the paper I used.  Not much left over though, which saddens me.  I've tucked a recipe card behind Molly and wrote out the ingredients for a Cupcake recipe thereon.  Just sponged it a bit (too much) to give it a vintagey look.

You can place anything in Molly's hand. I decided to stamp a little cupcake.  Gave it a good dose of dimension glaze to make it look yummy and using double sided spongy tape placed it in Molly's hand.

Please join in the fun at Anything Goes this fortnight. We love viewing your stunning creations.  As always please visit the Craft Den for all your crafty needs.

Happy crafting, hugs Sharon x



Winner of my little Bookmark

Good Morning Friends.... what a stunning morning it is in Cape Town. It's just gone 5.30am and the sun is sitting high already, although it's still a bit coolish, but it looks as if we're going to have a fabulous day.

Thanks to those who entered my little 'competition'.  It was so sweet of you to take part.  I had a little bookmark of mine on offer as a giveaway and the winner is....... ta-raaaaa

Ursula Uphof from My Crafty Corner

I'll be sending this little bookmark to you shortly Ursula.  Wishing you all a super week ahead... hugs Sharon x

Simply Magnolia (DT) - Anything Goes

Welcome to another challenge at Simply Magnolia... we are sure you're going to enjoy this one.  It's Anything Goes, so let your creativity flow.

But before we begin, a very warm welcome to our new DT sister at Simply Magnolia, Lins.  I've known Lins for a few years now and am thrilled that we'll be working together again.  She is super talented.  I am sure you will love her creations. Please pop over to her blog, Crealin, and shower her with some love!  Welkom Lins, ek is so bly ons het die geleentheid om weer saam te werk. Ek is seker dat ons kykers sommer baie van jou kreatiewe werk gaan hou ;)

I've decided to go very simple this time and have made my first magnetic bookmark, using one of our gorgeous Miss Tilda's of course.  Hope you like it.

And here is a peek at the inside, so you can see the magnetic strip.

Our wonderful sponsors this fortnight is De Egel.  Please visit them for all your crafting needs. Isn't this paper pad just too gorgeous?  Wow!

Thanks for popping by.  Happy crafting, hugs Sharon x

Totally Gorjuss (DT) - Christmas Traditions

What a wonderful challenge we have for you this week at the Totally Gorjuss challenge blog.  With Christmas just a few short weeks away, we'd love to see your Christmas Traditions... My DT sisters and I have hopefully come up with a few ideas which will inspire you to take part... so do pop along to the challenge blog after you've visited me.

I've made a Gift Tag which is traditionally adhered to every gift, but mine is a wee bit different...  Here's the front...

I've used the gorgeous Vintage Tilda with her Christmas bauble for this Tag.  Ain't she a honey, check those little freckles... sweeeeet!  The papers are from last year.  Ribbons, flower and sentiment from my stash.

Now when you turn it around... you can see that this Gift Tag serves as a Gift Tag Holder too...  You just undo the ribbons on the side and the back flops open to reveal some...money!!!  You can also place a Gift Card inside as well.

Hope you don't mind me sharing another view of this Gift Tag with you... I added some dimensional glaze to that lovely Christmas bauble.

These are such lovely, rich, Christmassy colours. Can't wait to see your creations.  Thanks for popping by and if you'd like to leave a comment that would be fabulous, as I so enjoy reading them.

Happy crafting, hugs Sharon x

Little Bookmark up for Grabs...

Howdy friends... If you've been watching the cricket between South Africa and Australia today, do NOT be fooled by the clear skies and sunshine... it was flippin' cold!!!  Whilst the rest of our country is sweltering in the heat (it's our Spring), we poor folk in the Western Cape were freezing today.  There was a biting cold and my sandalled toes were turning blue...  Couldn't wait to get home for a nice warm bath!

Enough chit chat!  I made this cute little bookmark this evening just for fun and if you'd like it, I'll be happy to post it to you.  When leaving a comment, just put a number next to your name and I'll put all the numbers in a hat and will get Kendall.org to select one. (Edit - OK, just realised that this'll be difficult seering that all comments need to be approved first, so just enter your email addy if you want to take part). If your email address is not on your blog, please leave it next to your name so that I can contact you if your number has been drawn. I'll keep this offer open until this Sunday evening. The only requirement is that you must be a Follower of this Blog.

They are really very popular right now.  I've been asked to make some For Sale, so guess what I'll be doing this weekend coming.  Thank goodness all my DT commitments are up to date for now, so that I can concentrate on making a few to place on my blog.

And now for a view of the back of the bookmark...

Thanks so much for popping by. Your visits and comments really make my day... hugs Sharon x

[Updated 14 November ~ Thanks to all who entered... the winner has already been chosen].

Willow Dancing

It is ages since I've used Elisabeth Bell's gorgeous Willow Dancing...  Alicia chose this image for the bookmark I was asked to make for Demi's Dance Teacher.  Hope she likes it !  She wanted nice bright colours and I thought Willow would look stunning in red...

And it fits so snugly over the corner of the page.  I am so enjoying making these... quick and easy. They are turning out to be such practical gifts!

Thanks for popping by and thanks to everyone who has been leaving such lovely, sweet comments. I appreciate each and every one.

Earlier this evening I made my DT project for the Totally Gorjuss challenge on Saturday, so please pop around to see it.  I had such FUN making it and can't wait to share it with you all !

hugs Sharon x

Margeaux is Painting...

Hello friends... It's been ages since I've used Sarah Kay's Margeaux is Painting.  She's a real sweetie. Once again, I've been commissioned to make 2 more bookmarks, but have only completed one this evening, which I thought I'd share with you all.  Demi liked her Clowning Around one so much, that she's asked me to make 2 for her teachers.  This one I believe is for the Art Teacher.

Here's a side view pic so that you can see the opening, which fits perfectly over the page of a book.

The designs are my own, as I don't have time to look for any on the internet.  Wendy, if you're visiting, I promise to post a brief tutorial soon.

And this is what it looks like when fitted over the corner of the page.  As you can see it fits snugly and will not fall off.

Hope these bookmarks aren't boring you, but they are such fun to make and it fills the page of my blog.

Take care, hugs Sharon x

Get Well Card

Good morning friends... here's wishing you all a blessed Sunday!  It is a glorious day in Cape Town this morning. The sun is shining through the clouds and it's a wee bit coolish, but perfect weather for me!

I did some retail therapy yesterday and purchased a lovely book titled Simply Cards by Sally Traidman from Bargain Books. It was marked down from R150 to R99 - a whole R50 saving!

I'm forever looking and purchasing Stamping/Papercraft books (when they're on a special) as there is ALWAYS something new to learn.  Thought I'd share this with you - it may be "old hat" to some of the more seasoned crafters out there, but for me it's a new technique I've just learnt and oh sooooo simple.

Right... I took out some of my little inkpads and very lightly stamped them onto white cardstock to create a lovely row of coloured blocks...  Then I inked my Get Well Soon sentiment stamp in black and stamped it over the coloured blocks. Another Tip for the Day: Let the coloured block dry first before to stamp the sentiment over it !

How pretty does that look, don't you agree?  And here is the card I made as requested by Kendall for her Granny Keanly (my ex-mom-in-law) who is not feeling too well.

I've kept this very clean and simple.  Doesn't that sentiment just look fabulous ?

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday... I'm off to do some more retail therapy... saw something yesterday, that I "uhhm'd and ahhh'd" about and now I just gotta go buy it !  (Stop giggling Sandra)

hugs Sharon x

Totally Gorjuss (DT) - A Sketch

Welcome to another challenge at Totally Gorjuss.  We have a super Sketch for you this week.

Thanks for the wonderful sketch Net.  Here's my interpretation friends...  I decided it was time to ink up some unused stamps and this one is from Kraftin' Kimmie called Bench Friends... Now ain't they sweet?

Here's a little Tip for the Day:  I chose the lovely spotted paper for my card and then I struggled to find a contrasting paper for the side panel... I searched and search until finally... "ping" pops the idea into my head to stamp sentiments instead.  The words matched my little image perfectly. Saved me having to start all over again... shew!  So next time you're in a bind, there's no rule that says you have to use contrasting designer paper, stamp a few sentiments onto white card instead.  I quite like it!

Our wonderful sponsor is Joanna Sheen. Do visit her Online shop for all your crafty needs. Remember, she offers FREE postage and packaging worldwide! I've purchased from Joanna and the service is excellent!

Hope to see you in the challenge... my DT sisters have made some wonderful creations for your inspiration, so do pop around and show them some love!

Hugs Sharon x

Clowning Around....

Yesterday I gave you a sneak peak of another bookmark which I was commissioned to do... It's for Alicia's daughter, Demi, who is writing Matric exams this year.  For my international friends, Matric is our final year of schooling.  After passing, our kids decide what career path they'd like to follow and then go on to a College or University to further their studies in that particular field.  We really have excellent Universities in our country.

So, without any further delay, here is the bookmark for Demi, I really hope she likes it!  Her Mom says she loves clowns and bold, bright colours.  Elisabeth Bell's clown was thus the perfect choice for her bookmark!

I've gone for the straight cut again and added a border with MS's Zig Zag border punch.  The ribbon is new, purchased today.

Here is a view from the back. I was asked to stamp Matric 2011 somewhere on the bookmark, as well as Good Luck Demi, which I've placed on the front.

Doesn't it amaze you how time flies when you're having fun ? As you know, I stamped and coloured the image yesterday and made the bookmark this evening... It's taken me 2 hours to do, but it's so enjoyable.  I'm sure my crafty friends will agree.

Tomorrow's Friday and the weekend is in sight.  Hope you've got something exciting planned for the weekend!  hugs Sharon x

Another Bookmark to share...

Hi friends... My bookmarks are proving so popular that I thought I'd better try my hand at designing another style and this is what I came up with.  This one was commissioned by one of the lovely ladies that I work with... Her order was very specific: pinks, purples and must have Happy Birthday to her dear Sister.... Ok, so we're sitting with a small bookmark here, but hey.... we gotta make a plan to accommodate, right ? Riiiiight!!!!

But firstly, I thought I'd share a pic of the stamped image not quite completely coloured and blended... and then the completed coloured pic next to it, so that my non-crafty friends at work and in blogland can get an idea of how this 'colouring an image process' works.... They say a picture paints a thousand words...

And here is the bookmark, which I hope is exactly what Alicia was hoping for...  She chose the image herself. It's one of Elisabeth Bell's.

And to accommodate the wording, here's a view of the back of the bookmark... It also gives you an idea of how the bookmark is made to fit snugly over the corner of the page.

And... I have another one in the making, which I will be showcasing later... here's a sneak-peak...  Hope you'll be back to see the completed one... ;)  It's another image of Elisabeth Bell's.

That's it from me... gotta hit the sack now, it's late!  Happy crafting, hugs Sharon x