New Stash....

Good morning dear crafters

If you're a regular follower, you MUST know that I just LOVE paper... and ribbon... and lots of other goodies, but PAPER must be top of the list, as I am sure it is with all of you...LOL

I just had to share my new purchase with you which has safely arrived from the LOTV store... yes, it's the new NITWIT papers which I have been admiring for sooooooo long, but as they only came in digi format, I did not purchase any.  Am so hoping that they or any other company, will do the same with Donna's gorgeous digi paper over at Bearly Mine Papers... (hint hint)...lol

As you can see, I purchased 4 out of the 6 designs available... naughty naughty.  Just could not bring myself to get all 6 right now.  That's for another purchase.... I bet my friend Sandra has fallen off her chair...hahaha!  We have such fun teasing each other with our excessive shopping habits...lol

And as if that weren't enough, this also arrived in the post from Paola's shop.  A new Tilda and some carnations.

Can't wait to use them!!!  Hope this has inspired (tempted) you to go do some shopping of your own.  Now I must dash.  Take care, happy crafting!

hugs Sharon x

First Christmas Hand-crafted Gift

Hello friends

Thanks so much for all the visits and comments you've left on my previous posts. I so appreciate you taking the time to pop around.

I have had such a productive crafting day... I quickly sped to the Post Office this morning to mail an envelope to the UK, one to the USA and one locally.  Then I dashed back home to make the most of the few hours left of the weekend.  My To Do list has only 1 more item to tick off and then I'm done.... woohooo!  I've made some gifts for a few blogfriends but can not display this on my blog until they have received them, so it'll be a while before you can view them...

However... I would like to share a little notepad I made as a Christmas gift.  The pads I purchased from a local craft store.  They come minus a cover, to keep the cost down.  I then made my own cover and decorated this one in a Christmassy theme, using one of Elisabeth Bell's images, Merry Sledding, I think it is.  Hope you like it !

The gorgeous papers are Bo Bunny's Alora Collection.  It is not a Christmas pad, but this paper sure looked Christmassy to me.

I found some gorgeous embossed organza mint green ribbon in my stash.  There's a thin silver thread running along the edges...beautiful!  Gives it a nice sparkle.

I kept this very simple and just stamped Merry Christmas in the corner right onto the patterned paper.

This pic shows the ribbon off to perfection...see, I told you it was lovely!   I'll be making quite a few of these to give away as gifts at Christmastime.


Whilst we in the Cape are still freezing our butts off, my friend in Johannesburg (during our skype session) was just sitting in her shoestring nightie showing off that it was "hot" today !  Oh my goodness me... I am so not looking forward to our summer.

Take care everyone, here's wishing you a fabulous week ahead.

hugs Sharon x

Simply Magnolia (DT) - Colour Combo

Hello friends

Welcome to another challenge with the Simply Magnolia team.  Tracy has given us a lovely photograph to work from... here it is...

And here is my little card...

The gorgeous paper is Country Rose from Cart-Us, a 6x6 paper pad from Dies To Die For.  I decided to haul out the embossing folders again, as I thought this one would go so well with the floral theme.

Here is a peek at the inside.  I will keeping this one in my collection for use later on in the year.

This gorgeous Tilda can be purchased from our generous sponsors Tilda's Town.  She is from the Sweet Rainbox collection, Tilda Celebrates mid-Summer.  Note: Tilda's Town offer sweet discounts if you spend a certain amount or more and they ship FREE WORLDWIDE. 

Thanks for popping by once again.  I hope you feel inspired to take part in our challenges.  We so love viewing your awesome creations. Do visit the rest of the SM DT for further inspiration.

hugs Sharon x

Totally Gorjuss (DT) - Baby...Baby

Hello friends and Totally Gorjuss fans

We have a super easy challenge for you on the Totally Gorjuss blog this week... It's Baby...Baby.... so let your imagination run wild. I had to make a card for someone in Kendall's office whose wife is expecting a baby boy, so this challenge came at the right time.

I don't have any baby stamps, except this gorgeous one from Sugar Nellie, called Cute and Cuddly.  I have used it on more than one occasion and it comes in so handy, especially for those parents who have elected not to know what gender their baby is.

The image was coloured using a combination of chalks and pencil crayons.  The paper is a mixture of K&Company and one of my other 6x6 paper pads in my stash.  The ribbon I bought ages ago... one of those that you want it as you know you're going to need it at some stage.   The sentiment is one of Annette's (Netty's Cards) freebies.  Note:  If you use any of Annette's freebies, please make sure you are a Follower of her blog and that you give her credit.  Thanks Annette, this is a lovely sentiment.

Here are a few pics to give you a peek at the inside.  No matter WHAT I do... whe I take a pic of the inside of the card, it is always blurry, so a peek will just have to do I'm afraid!  I've used the ribbon inside as well.

Our wonderful sponsor for this challenge is Lili of the Valley.  I know they have some super Baby images and sentiments in their store, so do pop around and visit them.

Do visit the rest of the TG design team will you.  They have some awesome cards for your inspiration.

Thanks for popping by.  Do leave a comment if you have the chance, as I so enjoy reading them.

hugs Sharon x

A Gift Notepad

Hello friends

Firstly, a very warm welcome to some new Followers.  So pleased you found something here that you like.  I'll be around to visit you soon.

These little gift notepads are proving to be quite popular amongst my readers and I have received so many compliments... thanks so very much. I really appreciate it.

I made this one for one of my bloggy friends who is also a member of the Rubber Stamping group I belong to.  Now that she has received it, I can display the one I made her on my blog.  Excuse all the pics please...

Here it is with the ribbon untied.

Here is a pic of the inside flap once the cover has been lifted.

A nice inspirational message for the day!

A side view so that you can actually see the little notepad in place.

A final pic with the ribbon tied.

These are so lovely to make.  I bought the little notepads from a local craftshop and design the rest of it myself. The backing is a bit thicker than cardboard.... and forms a nice base for the notepad to sit on.

I will be making quite a few of these as Christmas gifts this year.  For the local girls:  If you'd like to order any, please email me privately.  There is a basic cost and then naturally postage and packaging will be for your account too.  Am happy to post internationally, but the cost of postage and packaging will be higher.

Thanks for popping by.  All comments are read and appreciated!

hugs Sharon x

Perfect weather for crafting....

Hello friends

Well it has been cold and damp in Cape Town today, the perfect weather for staying indoors and catching up with some crafting, after the usual household chores have been taken care of...lol

It is a colleague's birthday on Tuesday and I decided to make her some cards as a gift.  Hope she'll like them.

The stamps are a new purchase from Merrypak.  I just fell in love with them when I saw them.  Decided to use various shades of my VersaMagic chalk ink for a soft matte look... looks as if they have been coloured with water-coloured paints, son't you think?

They were so easy to make.  Think I'll make a few more and donate them to the home Mom is staying in for their year-end bazaar!

brrrrr......I'm off to warm my beanbag for the umpteenth time and then it's movie-time... Not sure which DVD Kendall has set out for us... may just be War Horse.

Stay warm or cool, which part of the world you're from. Thanks for taking time to pop around.

hugs Sharon x

Totally Gorjuss (DT) - Strings the Thing

Well, if String is your Thing, then this challenge is for you...lol  Please join us at the Totally Gorjuss blog for some fun. 

The image is an Elisabeth Bell stamp, not sure of her name. She was stamped for me by a friend ages ago.  She's a real cutie, don't you think?  I don't have any string, so hope the baker's twine is an acceptable substitute.

Our wonderful sponsor this week is Heather's Hobbie Haven.  Do visit their online store for all your crafty needs.

Please visit the Totally Gorjuss blog to see what the rest of the Design Team have made for your inspiration.

Thanks so much for popping by.

hugs Sharon x

More cards from my crafty friends to share...

The nice thing about birthdays is that you keep celebrating long after that day has passed.  I received these beautiful hand-crafted cards in the post and thought I would share them with you all, as they are far too lovely to keep all to myself...

This beautiful pink embossed card was made by Rosemary, a member of our RSA stamping group.

Thanks so much Rosemary, your card is absolutely stunning! You can't see it in the pic, but the teacup and saucer is beautifully embossed too. Not sure if she has a blog.

This gorgeous card comes all the way from Belgium. A beautiful design by my longtime blogfriend Lins.  We met on the Teddy Stampers DT and now serve on the Simply Magnolia DT.  Thanks so much Lins. The image was coloured in with Prisma pencils and is fabulous.

This card was sent to me by my friend Paola, our Copic Diva in South Africa.  Her colouring is

superb.  She lives in Johannesburg and gives colouring workshops. Paola also sells crafty products, so email her if you need anything nice ;)

This little beauty was sent to me by my other blogfriend Catherine.  Catherine has the most

beautiful style you can imagine. Her cards are so dainty and precise. I can imagine that she must be an incredibly neat person. Thanks so much honey, I love my little Magnolia card.

 * * * * *

Thanks to YOU for popping by to visit me today.  I hope you've enjoyed viewing my friends' creations.  Please pop by their blogs to see their other work.  You will not be disappointed.

It is pouring with rain in Cape Town and the cold just will not go away... I am NOT complaining though, as I cannot stand the heat in our Summer (which at its peak can go over 40 degrees celsius).

Some of you may know that in some parts of South Africa a week or so ago, we had some SNOW... Well... it didn't quite make it to Cape Town... which has left me very unhappy indeed... as I so much wanted my daughter to experience it too.  When I was 3 years old we moved to the UK and lived there for 3 years, so I know what it is like.  My dear Mom used to pull me to school on a sleigh!

In any case... here are 2 pics of the snow which fell in KwaZulu Natal, one of our provinces in South Africa.  This was sent to me by our Regional Manager.

You must realise  this was a HUGE event for us, as we usually do not get snow!





Here are some of our staff enjoying the scenery

Now I must dash, as I have kept you busy with this long post. Wherever you are, hope you're wrapped up warmly.

hugs Sharon x





2 More Challenges...

Hello

I am back again, with a card for 2 more challenges.  My oh my... my hands are absolutely frozen.  My electricity bill was so high last month, that we've decided to only put the heater on later this evening. For now I am wearing warm clothes, but I can't work with my fingerless gloves, so the fingers are a beautiful shade of blue and purple right now... lol

Ok, enough drivel.... here's a card I made with another cute Magnolia stamp.  I am entering this one into 2 challenges viz.

Dies To Die For - They have a wonderful sketch for you to work with, here it is...

Ribbon Girls - They have a bingo board for their challenge, here it is...  I have chosen the first row viz. Ribbon, Pearls and Image

Here is my little creation... hope you like it !

The floral paper is a purchase from Dies To Die For.  This pad is Bazzill Basics - Avalon.  I absolutely love this one.  If you haven't purchased from Tracy before, you will not be disappointed. I've always been happy with her service.

The gorgeous ribbon is a product from The Ribbon Girl.  This is their Ivory-Red Grosgrain ribbon.  Lovely and thick and cuts so beautifully!  I've purchased from The Ribbon Girl quite a few times already and am just as happy with their service.

Here's a peek of the inside...

I may just have time to find another challenge before the sun sets over Cape Town.

Thanks so much for taking the time to pop around.  I really appreciate it.  Where's that tea now ??

Stay warm, hugs Sharon x

A Challenge card...

Hi everyone

Hope you're well?  We are still in the throes of Winter in South Africa, the perfect weather for staying indoors and crafting.

I have found a few challenges to enter.  Sketch Saturday have this wonderful sketch for you to work with.  I am so behind with my Thank You cards.  Thank goodness for challenges blogs like SS, it makes life soooo much easier when working off a sketch !  I'll be keeping this one on file for sure.

And here is my little entry for this challenge... excuse the picture overload...

I am also entering this card into It's A Magnolia challenge #38 - where they'd like you to make a Summer Magnolia card and this one definitely is summery.

The gorgeous floral paper was a purchase from Paola's shop. The rest are from various papercraft shops I visit locally.  The cute little Magnolia can be purchased from Simon Says Stamps. They have an awesome range.  The sentiment and ribbon are from my stash.

Here's a little peek at the inside... It just finishes a card off when you decorate the inside as well, don't you think ?

And one last pic, which I hope will highlight the glaze I've added to those flowers...

Tilda has been coloured with Copics, my preferred choice of colouring tools.  The cute little bows in the corner is a purchase from a local store, Merrypak.

Thank you to my new Followers for joining.  I am so pleased you found my blog interesting enough to join. I'll pop by and visit you soon.

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday.

hugs Sharon x

Simply Magnolia (DT) - Gingham and Stitching

Hello lovely people

Thank you for popping by.  This fortnight the Simply Magnolia team have produced some fabulous creations for your inspiration... do come and play along with us.  You need to use a Magnolia stamp though.  The challenge is Gingham and Stitching (be it real or faux).  I have decided to make a Christmas card... yep, I am feeling a bit guilty after seen all the stunning Christmas cards out there and I sure don't want to get left behind...lol

The snowflake paper is Sweet Flurry Christmas from Magnolia.  The Christmas tree is also from Magnolia, purchased from the Magnolia-licious store and the Tilda is Tilda Holding Gift which I purchased from Paola.  The sentiment is from our local Merrypak store.  A similar type of gingham ribbon can be purchased from our wonderful sponsors for this challenge, Pretty Little Ribbon Shop.

Please pop around to the Simply Magnolia challenge blog to see what the other DT girls have come up with. You will be wow'd.

Thanks for popping by and all comments are welcome.

hugs Sharon x

Totally Gorjuss (DT) - Lacey Lace

Hello everyone

Welcome to my little blog.  Thanks for joining me again as I showcase my DT creation for the Totally Gorjuss challenge .. it's all LACEY LACE this week !

I have used one of the older LOTV fairy stamps, which I still find so adorable. You can use her for any occasion... birthday or Christmas.  The papers are from Quixotic Paperie's range of 6x6 paper pads, Echo Park.

The lovely lace and fairy dust was a gift from a friend. Thanks so much Hazel, that glitter has a wonderful sparkle!  The sentiment is a product from SnS, purchased locally.  Seam binding, ribbon and pearls from my stash.

Our wonderful sponsors for this challenge is Crafter's Companion.  You will receive a gift voucher from them to spend as you please!  Do visit their online store, they have some FA-BU-LOUS products on show !

This is Christmas card number 2 which I am adding to my collection.  I have finally started...woohooo!  Thanks for popping by. I would love to hear what you think of this card.

hugs Sharon x

TGIF

Hello friends

TGIF !!!! We had a public holiday yesterday and I've taken a day's leave to make it a long weekend.  I love them.  For me it is an extra day I get to catch up on some crafting.  This morning I woke up at 6am, made myself a cuppa tea and set to work at my craftdesk whilst it was still quiet and dark outside.

I decided to use some of those scraps of paper we have piling up in our drawers to make a few very simple cards for my Mom to keep on hand.

Thought I would share the 3 I made this morning with you all. 

The card itself is 10,5 x 15cm.  I plan to make quite a few and will be sharing them on my blog.  I hope this will inspire you to get hold of those scraps you have piling up.  Why not make a few for the folks in an old aged home near to you.  They will be so appreciative.  I think I'll be making packs of 5 or 10 for the ladies that live in the same house as my Mom... for Christmas.

For the local working girls, if you have a day's leave today.... ENJOY IT!  The weekend is here.  I may just go visit Super Floral in Paarden Eiland.  If you have not yet visited this warehouse, you are in for a HUGE surprise.  When you see all their ribbon, you will feel as if you've just stepped into crafty heaven.  You can buy them as whole reels, very inexpensive!  If you're looking for baskets, teddies, silk flowers, dried flowers, oasis, tapes, packaging, christmas decorations, whatever.... you'll find it there!  Just don't blame me if you spend too much money now!!! lol

hugs Sharon x

My Gift Notebook Tutorial

Hello friends

A few short posts ago, I shared a little gift notebook I made as a birthday gift for one of my dear bloggy friends.  I mentioned that I was putting a tutorial together and now that it is complete, I thought I would share it with you all.  I feel embarrassed sharing it, as you will now be able to see how very simple a task it is... and here you thought I was being so clever...lol !  Listen, if I can do it, then so can you.

You may need to click on the pics to enlarge.

We celebrated Women's Day in South Africa today. I am not sure if it is celebrated worldwide.  So... if YOU have celebrated Women's Day today, then I hope it was a lovely one, shared with friends and family who LOVE you dearly and who APPRECIATE how much you mean to them. Remember, YOU are SPECIAL !

Thanks for popping by.  All comments are welcome, so do leave one will you.

Love and hugs Sharon x



Altered Notebook to share...

Hello friends

Here's wishing you all a blessed Sunday.  I haven't taken part in any challenges for quite some time and thought I'd find some where Anything Goes.  The search was not as easy as I thought!  So I'll just share my little Altered Notebook which I made last night with you all, for now.  If you have a list of challenge sites on your blog, just let me know when you leave a comment, so that I can pop around to check them out.  I may just need to revamp my own list!

The notebook is one of those shorthand notebooks you can get at your local store.  I have used a Sugar Nellie stamp for this project. She is such a cutie, don't you think?  The papers are bits and pieces left over from 12x12's I've had in my stash. The lace was a gift from a friend. The gingham ribbon is a new purchase.  The tiny sentiments are my own but the larger sentiment purchased from Merrypak.

Just a close up of each corner of the book.

Welcome to some new faces that have joined my blog.  I was sad to see that someone decided to leave, but that's how it goes in blogland I suppose ;)

Thanks to all the regulars who keep on visiting... I love reading your comments, so if you'd like to leave one that would make my day!

hugs Sharon x