For Fun

Good Mor-ning everyone

Another year and day older today... hoo boy!  Will have to start counting backwards from now on.

I had a fabulous birthday yesterday. Was thoroughly spoilt by my lovely daughter.

Thanks for all the lovely wishes, I really appreciate them.

As you know, I've been dying to colour in my new Saturated Canary image.

She is called Saturday Birthday Party.

There are plenty stores that stock these images, so do pay them a visit. 

SC has a lot of digital images too, if that is your preference (I prefer RUBBER), so pop around to her blog.

Excuse the picture overload...lol

 I decided to use kraft cardstock for the base of my card this time and created a lovely

pink and white border for the patterned paper, which matched the colours just perfectly!

 I've used minimal embellishment, as I did not want to detract from the image.

3 card candy dots and a tiny ribbon is all you need.

The sentiment is a local one from Merrypak.

 Had to take this pic to give you a peek of the inside.

Used Docraft's xcut die to create a space for the message and then cut a pink border

for the top and bottom using my MS Vintage Doily border punch.

 This pic highlights the balloon which I filled with Dimensional Magic. Love the effect!

I then sprinkled some pink and white glitter to make the balloon look a bit more festive.

And here is an final pic of this image which I am sure to use aLOT!!!

Thanks for popping by.  I have a few cards to make today, so you'll be hearing from me again.

Have a Blessed Sunday !

Just for Fun...

Hello friends

What a wonderful day this has been (public holiday in SA).  I've had the handyman around to put up a few pics and things in our home and it is starting to look a lot more homely now.

I've also managed to get some crafting done this long weekend and here is a card I made for fun, but I think I have a home in mind to send it to (wink wink)...   It is another one of my beloved Magnolia images.  I've used very soft pink, green and blue colours today.  Hope you like her.

 

The fence is also a Magnolia die and the corners are from Whimsy stamps.  The gorgeous paper is a 6x6 paper pad from Wilson & Maclagan purchased from Merrypak in Cape Town.

 

 

And one final pic ...

 





I hope you've found time to play this weekend.  I have really enjoyed reacquainting myself with my stash.  Am just loving my little space as well.... Now I must dash as Grey's Anatomy will be coming on soon.

Cheerio
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

Get Well Card

Now that my dear DT sister, Hazel, from TG has received her Get Well card, I can display it on my blog.  I just loved making this one and hope you like it too. 

I just adore this image from LOTV... it is such a cute one, don't you agree?  The image was coloured in with my Pebbles Pearlescent Pastel Chalks again, except for our cute Nurse's hair and skin, which was coloured with Copics.

The pink DP with the daisies on it was the last piece from a sheet that I had.  (Correction: I've just found a few more pieces the same size...woohooo!)  Am actually sorry it's the last piece, as it makes such a pretty picture.  The Get Well Soon stamp is from a local supplier, Great Impressions, purchased from Merrypak.

As I said, I just loved making this one, it just came together so nicely and from the peek you can see I went all out to decorate the inside too.

Only 4 more days until Christmas... we're very relaxed here in SA.  Everything is just about done, just to get some fresh veggies on Friday morning.  Friday afternoon I'll take Mom to our hairdresser for a "tune up" and then we'll start our cooking on Saturday.  Hope you're just as relaxed wherever you are and looking forward to Christmas on Sunday.

Thanks for popping by.  If you'd like to leave a comment that would be great! 

hugs Sharon x

Totally Gorjuss (DT) - Birds of a Feather

Welcome to another challenge at the Totally Gorjuss blog.

It's Birds of a Feather this week.  You can use anything birdy or feathers or both on your creations this week.  I don't really own any birdy stamps, but managed to find this gorgeous postbox with 2 birdies perched on top of it, amongst my stamps.  It's from Great Impressions, a local stamp company, purchased from Merrypak.

My image has been coloured in with Copics and I hope you can see the CLOUDS that I've made...woohooo!  I am so thrilled with the result that I want to add clouds to all my stamped images...hahaha!!!  Just love this gorgeous wide satin ribbon too, which I think I'm using for the first time since I purchased it!

Added some Dimensional Magic glaze to some flowers, leaves, butterflies and the birdies to make them pop !

Our wonderful sponsor this week is Lily of the Valley, so I'd like to encourage all my stamping friends from South Africa and overseas to join in the FUN !

Thanks for popping by and if you'd like to leave a comment, that would be appreciated.  hugs Sharon x

One for Fun...

TGIF... the weekend is only a few hours away, I can just taste it! woohoooo.... such a lot to do in the 2 days, just ain't fair is it ?  Weekends should be 3 days long, don't you agree ?

Our very sweet Financial Accountant at the office will be exchanging his wonderful, free, single life (hehehe) for the ball and chainess of married life (just joking okay?? hehe) next weekend, so I was asked to make him a card from the team and this is what I came up with.

As the invitations were silver and lilac, I was asked to stick with the same sort of colours....  Hope the 'soon-to-be-newlyweds' will like this one...

The image is from Great Impressions (H1154), purchased from Merrypak. I just had to buy it when I saw it!  The DP is from a paper pad by Wild Rose Studio, Lilac Rose.  Flowers and ribbon from my current stash.

I received a surprise email this evening from a loyal follower of my blog. She had a question to ask.  It was wonderful hearing from her and I hope by mentioning this, it will inspire many other followers to do the same.  I really am very easy to 'talk' to.  If you have any questions about any of the products I use, etc. just pop me an email.  I will respond.

That's it for me.  My bed beckons... zzzzzz  Take care, hugs Sharon x

Anything Goes Challenge #49 (DT) - Shabby Chic/Vintage

Welcome to a new challenge on the Anything Goes Challenge Blog.  This is my first DT card.  I hope you'll find some inspiration, so that you can join in the fun this fortnight.  Our challenge is Shabby Chic/Vintage, so let those creative juices flow.  The Top 3 get a lovely badge to display on their blogs.  How cool is that?

This stamp was kindly stamped for me by a friend and I think it's the first time I am using her on my blog. She's called Tilda with Spring Bundle.  Wish I could own most of the Maggies I like...hehehe

The printed paper I've used is from the stunning 6x6 paper stack Lilac Mist by Wild Rose Studio. You can find them at The Craft Den.  The darker purple is from a 6x6 paper pack from W&M, purchased from Merrypak.  I stamped Whimsy Stamps vintage postcard and popped it behind our gorgeous Tilda.  The fence was a gift from a friend and this is the last bit that's over.  The beautiful leaves were also punched for me by another friend. The rest of the embellishments are from my stash.

Please visit The Craft Den for all your crafting needs.

Thanks for popping by. I'd love for you to leave a message, as I so enjoy reading them, hugs Sharon x

Totally Gorjuss (GDT) - A Sketch

It's Saturday... welcome to another challenge at Totally Gorjuss... gosh, I am totally a-m-a-z-e-d at the amount of entries we had this past week.... you girls have been so busy!  What stunning creations, thanks so much for the support, we love visiting you!

It's a Sketch this week.  As I mentioned to my fellow DT sisters, thank goodness for sketches, as my mojo seems to be on a walkabout again.  Here's the sketch for the week and our wonderful sponsor is Joanna Sheen...

I hope my little card will inspire you to take part in this challenge...

This little beauty, called Sweet Tilda, arrived in the post on Tuesday evening and I just had to ink and colour her in. Ain't she a sweetie indeed?  Papers are from my favourite range of Wilson and McLaghan purchased from Merrypak.  The punch is MS's Cherish Hearts, a purchase from Tracy Kendall's shop, Dies to Die For.  The rest of the embellishments are from my stash. Tilda coloured in with Copics and stamped with Momento Rich Cocoa.  The leaves were a gift from a friend.

Thanks so much for popping by.  I'd love for you to leave a comment if you have the time.

hugs Sharon x

Get Well Card No. 1

Hi friends... just heard yesterday that an ex-colleague of mine, whom I've known for many years, went in for an open-heart operation yesterday.  She is doing well and the pipes were removed today and she managed a smile.  Although we haven't seen each other for a few years, it is times like this that I feel it's nice to be remembered by people you once spent lots of time with in the workplace.  I therefore made this Get Well card for Anita, sticking with the clean and simple look I'm so enjoying doing right now.  Hope you like it.

The sentiment stamp was purchased from a local supplier, Merrypak, but there is no mention of the company that produced it. 

All Anita's current and ex-colleagues have been invited to make a card or tag with a small gift, so I decided to make a card, as I can then write a nice lengthy message therein. I'm sending it with some nice smelly goodies and of course something sweet to make her feel better !

Here's a peek at the inside.  It kinda looks a bit bare, but keep in mind that I'll be filling the white space with a message. 

I made an envelope over the weekend and it will suit this card perfectly.

Right, that's Get Well card No. 1 completed and now I need to start on Get Well card No. 2, which will be for a colleague whom I currently work with.  She has been hospitalised with pneumonia and we wish her all the very best.  I'll showcase her card once it's completed.

Thanks for visiting and leaving a comment.  Happy crafting! hugs Sharon x

It's raining pancakes...

Morning friends... I was hoping the title of this post would catch your attention...hehehe   It was cold and wet in Cape Town yesterday. Just the perfect weather for staying indoors and catching up on some crafting... My favourite kind of day.

I made some of my lovely Vegetable and Bacon soup, which Kendall loves so much and we had that for lunch.  For supper, she whipped up some pancakes and brought it to my craft-table whilst I was busy skyping and crafting with a friend...

Now doesn't that look yummy.... no wonder I can't lose any weight!!!   Only joking, it's not like this is a daily or weekly occurrence!

Inbetween eating, crafting and chatting I managed to come up with some more Clean and Simple cards, which I thought I would share with you all.  Hope you like them.  Thanks so much for those who visit and leave such sweet and encouraging comments, I really appreciate them all!

The polka dot paper is a very old favourite which I purchased from Paola ages ago and I think it is the last or second last piece that I have. I've teamed it up with the stunning ribbon I received from Gail for my birthday.  Underneath that I've added some paper lace, using one of Martha Stewart's punches. Added a flower and stamp and Bob's your Uncle!  The stamp is a local product from Great Impressions, purchased at Merrypak.  I thought I could use this a lot!

I have had this piece piece of butterfly designer paper what seems like for EVER!  As it is much too pretty to cover with all sorts of embellishments, I thought it would make a perfect C&S card.  Just used a simple polka dot ribbon to run beneath the classic sentiment and voila!  Love it!

Hope you have a wonderful day... I'll be catching up with you all later.  Take care, hugs Sharon x

So many Challenges to choose from...

Good morning from a wet and rainy Cape Town.  We have had such a mild winter in terms of rainfall, that it is really a blessing to have some this morning.  Halleluyah! 

I managed to put this little card together last night (a birthday card for my daughter Kendall who is celebrating her birthday in September)... I've also just found a few challenges that I can enter it into as well.   This is one of my newer stamps, which I am showcasing here for the first time.

I think she's Tilda and her Bunny.  Thought I would try a different colour scheme for a change (note girls.... NO PINK!!!).  This was soooooo difficult for me. I kept reaching for the pink stuff...lol

The gorgeous patterned paper is from my W&M range of papers, purchased from Merrypak.  I LOVE my flat-backed pearls, purchased from Paola.  [Paola has some amazing goodies, you may want to email her to find out what she's got for you - especially for our local up-country gals who aren't as fortunate as their city sisters to have all the craftshops on hand. ] Ribbon and flowers from my stash.  Sentiment from LOTV.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Anything Goes Challenge - Pick of the Bunch (Flowers)
Deep Ocean Challenge - Ribbons
Stamps R Us Challenge -  Birthday celebration (they are celebrating their First one)
Magnolia Stamp Lovers - Summer Colours

I think that's enough for now, don't you ?  Thanks for popping by, hope you're having a good crafty week. hugs Sharon x

Totally Gorjuss (GDT) - Strings the Thing

Happy Saturday and welcome to another challenge at Totally Gorjuss.  The challenge is Strings the Thing, so put on your thinking caps and get those creative juices flowing.  Initially I was a bit stumped with this one, but then the ideas just started flowing and I hope you'll be inspired to join us this week.

I've had this little bag lying around for a while now and it came in so handy for this challenge. I've altered it into a little Thank You bag by cutting a piece of lilac cardstock for the front.  Onto that I adhered some patterned paper and used a doily behind my gorgeous new Molly Bloom image, which is being showcased for the first time on my blog.  Don't you just LOVE her ?  She and a few of her other friends are newbies purchased from Which Craft in the UK.  I was so impressed with the service I received that I'll be ordering some more Molly Blooms from Paula in future.

I've used some yellow string which I've threaded through a lovely purple button and have further decorated my bag with some flowers, ribbon and pearls. The border die is one of my new one's from Marianne Designs.  The Thank You sentiment is a Fokus stamp, purchased from our local Merrypak store.

Our sponsor this week is Horseshoe Crafts.  As I hadn't heard of them before, I went for a browse and you've just got to pay them a visit.  Happy shopping!

Thanks for popping by for a visit. I'd love for you to leave a comment as I so enjoy reading them. Take care, hugs Sharon x

p.s. Not sure what the heck is going on with Blogger, but I am getting so annoyed, as I am unable to leave comments on the blogs I've been visiting. To the regulars I visit, please don't think I've been ignoring you... I've tried at least 3x on each blog, with NO succcess!!  I hope Blogger gets his act together soon.... grrrr!   [Edit 30 May : If you follow the instructions left by Lynn (Jimlynn) and Jennifer, you'll be sorted. Thanks ladies... I am able to leave comments now... shew!)

Totally Gorjuss (GDT) - Not Square

Hi there friends and family, hope you're all well?  Welcome to another challenge at Totally Gorjuss. Our challenge is for you to make something other than a square card.  Our DT have come up with some wonderful creations for your inspiration, so do pop around and have a look.  Our sponsor this week is Crafter's Companion. Thanks so much to those who took part in our Sketch challenge last week. Your creations were absolutely stunning!

I've chosen one of the pre-cut cards I bought from Crafty Emma's Store.  I just took this beautiful Annalee paper, also from Emma's store, layered it over the card and cut around it by hand (I don't have one of those grand machines unfortunately).  The paper was too beautiful to cover with loads of embellishments, so I've kept them to a minimum by just adding a few flowers and some pearls. 

The beautiful dragonfly stamp is from a local company, Great Impressions (no. M1565), bought from Merrypak. I stamped it with Tim Holtz's Distress Ink, Vintage Photo and smudged it to create a vintagey look.  Took some coppery glitter to highlight a few of the images on the stamp. 

Our Tilda with Hawaii Flower is a newbie from 7 Kids College Fund.  My order arrived in SA but was sitting at Customs for ever and a day. I thought it had got lost in the post.  Now that they are here, I can't wait to play with my new girlies.  I also received 2 new Magnolia magazines, the Easter and Valentine collections and I just loved looking at all the beautiful creations therein... wow!

Thanks for popping by and apologies that I haven't posted last week, but work and life outside of blogland, has kept me busy.  Take care, hugs Sharon xx

Tilda with Bunch of Roses...

This is the first time I am showcasing Tilda with Bunch of Roses.  She was stamped for me by a friend and I think she is such a cutie that I will have to add her to my Wish List.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

7 Kids College Fund Challenge - April Showers/May Flowers (I've used floral paper and punched flowers)
Making it Monday Challenge - Anything Goes
Wags n Whiskers Challenge - Use a Die or Punch (I've used quite a few punches)

My Tilda is coloured with Copics. I've used a Peach and Purple coloured cardstock mounted onto a plain white card (just love this colour combo). The DP is from my range of W&M papers, purchased from Merrypak.  Love my Upikit flower punch, purchased from a local vendor, Paperchain. The card candy, another favourite was purchased from Crafty Emma's Store.  The border punch was a gift from Debbie, but is already on order as I just LOVE it!

Thanks so much for popping by, always a pleasure reading your lovely comments. hugs Sharon x

Tilda with Heart...

Hello friends... not a long post this time... Just thought I would share the card I'm entering into 3 challenges... it's our cute little Miss Tilda with Heart...

The 3 challenges I am entering this card into are:
Magnolia-licious Challenge - Colour Challenge (Pink & Green)
Magnolia Down Under Challenge - Sketch by Kylie
Magnolia Stamp Lovers Challenge - Flowers

I enjoy decorating the inside of my cards as well, here's a sneak peek.  And then I thought I would show a close up of the bow made using Rose Pink binding, which was a very welcome gift from Amelia.  Thanks so much, I love this binding.  The punched borders you see were punched for me by another crafty friend, Debbie.  Thanks so much, I cannot wait to get my own set.

Miss Tilda was coloured a while ago using Copics and I thought she'd suit the colour challenge perfectly, so brought her out to play...lol   The flowers, cardstock and pearls are from my stash.  The grass under Miss Tilda's feet is a stamp bought from Merrypak. The patterned paper is new, a purchase from Crafty Emma's Store, the Annalee 6x6 paper pack by Prima.

Thanks for popping by and a very warm welcome to the new faces amongst my Creative Friends on top.   All comments are most appreciated, hugs Sharon x

Tilda on the Loose...

Happy Saturday everyone... I hope you're all having a wonderful weekend.  Last night I made this card for the challenge over at Just Magnolia, which is a Sketch Challenge.  I hope you like it.

Kendall asked me to make this card for a colleague who is leaving their company and she particularly wanted me to use Tilda on the Loose.  I've tried using my new learnt technique on her dress and shoes, but I somehow think I've still got a lot of practising to do.  But, that's what's so nice about this hobby... you're never too old to learn new tricks and I'm learning something new each day...  Thank you so much for the lovely compliments I receive, they are so very much appreciated.  YOU inspire me to progress to the next level...

April Sketch at Just Magnolia

Here's my entry for the challenge.  You will notice that I've flipped the sketch.  This was such an easy one to work with. I will definitely be using it again.  I do most of my crafting and photographing at night, so it was very different taking a pic in the natural light for a change. I just popped the card onto my craft table and clicked away...

The patterned paper is from a local company Wilson and MacLaghan (I just love their paper packs), purchased from Merrypak.  I got the sentiment from them too.  The plain coloured cardstock was purchased from the Scrapbook shop in Bellville.  Our gorgeous Tilda on the Loose is from the Bon Voyage collection and was purchased from 7 Kids College Fund, as well as the Magnolia Sign which is from the Chasing Butterflies collection of stamps.

The stunning card candy and the white-shaped card was a purchase from Crafty Emma's Store, as well as the tiny heart-shaped lilac pearl.  I can't remember where I purchased the lovely organiza ribbon from, but it's so soft and pretty.  Bought some more ribbon today, which I'll be sharing on other cards later this weekend.

That's it for now friends.  Thank you for popping by, your visit really makes my day. All comments are most appreciated.  Now I'm off to do some hopping of my own to return the favour.

Hugs Sharon x

Another Wedding Card

Good evening friends... gosh, it is way past my bedtime, but I am frantically trying to catch up on some orders.  As I only have the evenings and weekends to craft, I'm kinda being a bit anti-social right now and just putting my head down and crafting like mad.... so to the regular friends that I chat with... I'll catch up with you over the weekend... still love ya...!!!

I was commissioned to make a Blue & Silver/Grey wedding card before my dad was rushed to hospital, and you know how long ago that was.  Kendall kindly reminded me that the wedding is taking place next weekend, so I'd better move it... and this is what I've been busy with this evening... hope you like it, but most of all, I hope that the person who ordered it is happy with it...

Once again, like in the Pink & White wedding card, I've used this gorgeous couple from Lili of the Valley.  He looks so eager, doesn't he?  I just love this cute couple.  The sentiment is also a Lili of the Valley one... just love these!  A gift from a crafty friend, thanks so very much. They arrived just in time for me to use.

I love decorating the inside of the card as well and have used a nestie inside where the message will be written.  The nesties were a gift from one of my crafty friends, thanks so much.  Added a little butterfly too and the spotted blue paper was also used.  I did take a photograph but it came out too blurry to use... sorry!  I just can't seem to take them properly, which is very frustrating!

Added a bit of glitter to her dress and flowers (one of my crafty friends would say "that's not ENOUGH glittah Shazi"...LOL).  The flowers and ribbon were purchased from one of our local stores in Cape Town, Merrypak.

That's it for now... thank goodness it's Friday tomorrow and then it's weekend... Thanks for popping by.  I am so enjoying reading all the lovely comments you've been leaving, they make this all so worthwhile.   Until the weekend, sleep tight...  g'night Sharon x