Pumpkin's Creative Patch

For Cath - Blog Hop

2012-01-31T06:53:00.002+02:00

There is a surprise blog hop today for Cath Edvalson. If you would like to join in the fun please link your post here or here.
Hey Cath! Thanks for everything you do to keep us all up to date with the latest and greatest relating to our wonderful hobby. Here's wishing you a speedy recovery.

CFC #36

2012-01-25T12:35:00.003+02:00

This week's challenge is to Create a Clean And Simple Project that is only black and white.

CFC #34 - Chipboard

2012-01-10T09:35:00.002+02:00

This week's challenge is to create a clean and simple project using chipboard.
I found the chipboard aeroplane in my stash and decided to make a card for my sister who has just moved 1500km away from me. We are very close and this is going to be a huge adjustment for the family.
I covered the plane with black ink and added a tiny heart die cut which, I felt, went well with the sentiment.

RIC #3 and Tuesday Trigger - By the Numbers

2012-01-07T13:45:00.007+02:00

I used both challenges for my inspiration. My card was also hugely inspired by this card by Debby Hughes.

Love the boldness of the black and white from the RIC image and the numbers from the Tuesday Trigger immediately made me think of the star stamp I used on my card.

Party Rock

2011-12-31T14:48:00.005+02:00

I love scrapbooking and my New Year's resolution is to spend more time on my scrapping and make more LO's in 2012. On the Papertrey Ink forum there are quite a few ladies that scrapbook and for inspiration Leigh sets two challenges each month. The first challenge is theme/product based and the second is a sketch challenge. I have managed to get the sketch challenge done in time this month.

I also challenged myself to use what I had in my stash. So this LO was made with papers, stamps etc that I already had.

Tuesday Trigger - Stripe-tastic

2011-12-30T12:01:00.004+02:00

Here is this week's inspiration picture for Tuesday Trigger on Moxie Fab World.
I used the colours and of course the stripes for my inspiration. Then I embossed the white flourish over the striped heart as the white 'flowers' on the collar appear to be embossed on the material.

A Year In Review

2011-12-30T07:51:00.002+02:00

Karin is hosting 'A Year in Review' Blog Hop. I have chosen to highlight my Top Ten cards for the year. It's fun looking back although it makes one realise just how quickly the year has gone by.

Papertrey Ink Blog Hop - December 2011

2011-12-26T12:50:00.003+02:00

Your challenge is to use some type of leftover materials to create a project. And if you really want to challenge yourself even further, you can try to create a non-holiday card from your leftovers.

I made quite a few gift bags using the edgers #3 die, so I had some leftovers from those. I then cut out the crown image from one of our Christmas cards to use on my project.

We have quite a few family birthdays coming up soon so I now have a gift bag to use for one of those.

Papertrey Princess' Challenge - Mini Album & PDCC#112

2011-12-22T11:54:00.004+02:00

I love everything about Christmas...it really is my favourite time of the year. I also love the idea of the December Daily Album, however that's too overwhelming for me. I started one in 2008 and it's still unfinished.
I still want to document the special Christmas memories, so I decided to make a mini album called a maze album. I will only use photos from Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in this teeny little album. The beautiful colours in this week's Play Date Cafe challenge were the inspiration for my little Christmas project.

My challenge for you is to make a mini album for any occasion.
There are so many different types of mini albums. Go ahead and have fun.

Tuesday Trigger - Partridge in a Pear Tree

2011-12-16T11:58:00.004+02:00

Love this week's trigger on Moxie Fab World. Such beautiful colours and textures. I embossed silver on white and gold on kraft. I used PTI's Background Basics: Tin Types for the patterns.

PTI Blog Hop - November & CFC #29

2011-11-25T14:07:00.004+02:00

What a beautiful inspiration photo. I loved the arrangement in the silver bucket/pot so I took my lead from that. I used a few stamp sets on this card. I used the topiary image from Everyday Button Bits for the pot, the branches were from Iconic Images and the berries from Harvest Berries. The sentiment is from Wonderful Words: Holiday.
I used the sketch from the challenge on CAS-ual Fridays blog for some added inspiration.

Christmas Poinsettia

2011-11-23T12:58:00.002+02:00

I absolutely adore poinsettias. The minute I saw this PTI stamp set, Christmas Poinsettia, I fell in love with it. The challenge over at A Passion for Papertrey is to create a project with Christmas/the holiday season in mind, so this is my entry for that challenge.

CFC #28 - Tag You're It.

2011-11-15T15:37:00.002+02:00

This week's challenge at CAS-ual Fridays blog is to create a clean and simple tag or a project that has a tag on it.
I used the PTI Button Card die for the base of my tag.

Moxie Fab Medallions Challenge

2011-11-12T16:23:00.001+02:00

One of the challenges over at Moxie Fab World is to create a paper crafted project (card, gift bag, tag, layout, home decor item, mini-book cover, etc.) that incorporates a three-dimensional medallion or award medallion in an innovative way.
I love using these medallions on my projects.

WMS CASE Competition

2011-11-06T14:52:00.002+02:00

Time to CASE a project from one of the DT members from Waltzingmouse Stamps. I just love these projects from Mona and Jennifer. They both made projects which encorporated 'petal' enclosures. I was going to make a CD cover using this design but then I remembered I had saved a tutorial for a petal box a couple of years ago. To my greatest surprise this was a tutorial posted by Katie Renz. This brought tears to my eyes as I thought of the inspiration Katie has given me in my crafting over the years. So I dedicate this post to beautiful, brave Katie and her wonderful family. They are in my thoughts and prayers constantly. This box is filled with love and wishes for health and happiness to each and everyone of you. God bless.

CFC #26

2011-10-29T12:43:00.002+02:00

This week's challenge on the CAS-ual Fridays blog is to create a CAS card using the sketch.
I have been so inspired by all the Christmas projects in blogland that I made a Christmas card to add to my steadily growing stash.

Sensational Silhouettes Challenge

2011-10-27T19:21:00.002+02:00

The challenge at A Passion for Papertrey is to use a silhouette on your project. I always picture a silhouette as a dark outline against a sunset sky. Well I did not use those colours on this card. I was inspired by Nichole's colours on this card

PTI Blog Hop - October

2011-10-25T16:01:00.005+02:00

Lovely colours to work with. We are in the middle of a heatwave right now, so no Autumn/Fall themed cards from me.

Colour Q #105

2011-10-06T12:48:00.004+02:00

Here is my take on this week's CQC #105. This card looks so bland on the blog. It's so much better IRL ... more dimension.

Papertrey Princesses Challenge - Using Red

2011-10-05T15:34:00.002+02:00

Dianne challenged our blogging group to use red on our projects.

MIM #34 and a Tag

2011-10-03T09:13:00.002+02:00

Posting for two challenges and hopefully just in time.

Made the card for MIM #34. The little truck is my thick chipboard accent.

The matching tag is for the challenge on A Passion for Papertrey blog. Ran out of time so unfortunately the truck on the tag is just popped up with pop dots.

Embellish Challenge and Happy WCMD

2011-10-01T15:50:00.003+02:00

Happy World Card Making Day to you all. I chose to work on the Embellish Challenge for my WMCD card today.

CFC #21 - Monochromatic

2011-09-26T17:50:00.003+02:00

This week's challenge was to create a clean and simple project using at least 3 shades of a monochromatic color (your choice) PLUS Brown.

PTI Blog Hop - September

2011-09-25T10:18:00.004+02:00

This month's blog hop is based on another inspirational photo.

This was a tough one for me but I was determined to come up with something ... well, I suppose that's what a challenge is all about.

Papertrey Princesses Challenge - Patterned Paper

2011-09-24T13:05:00.003+02:00

Leigh's challenge was to create a card using at least two patterned papers. I so seldom use purple but these papers seemed to go together very nicely.

Fruit of the Spirit Journal

2011-09-18T13:36:00.004+02:00

I was first inspired to make this journal a couple of years ago when I saw these Fruit of the Spirit folders on Janelle's blog. Then I saw Nichole's Gratitude journal during last month's PTI release and I knew just what I wanted to do. Each Fruit of the Spirit has its own pocket and a tag to jot down appropriate bible verses.
The latest challenge on A Passion for Papertrey blog is to create a project inspired by one of the PTI DT members. This journal is so appropriate for that challenge...thanks Nichole!

CR84FN #38 and a PTI Princess Challenge

2011-09-12T16:54:00.003+02:00

Mara challenged our blogging group to make and use a banner on a card. I opted to use the double ended banner on my card.
I also used the colours from this week's CR84FN challenge. The bg stamping is much lighter IRL.

Inspiration Challenge

2011-09-11T14:34:00.003+02:00

Mariah posed the question "what inspires you?" There are so many challenges in blogland that I turn to for inspiration but my biggest inspiration comes from all the talented bloggers out there.
My card was inspired by Joy Taylor. (This is almost a complete CASE of her card.)
Thanks to all my fellow bloggers for all the inspiration

CFC #18

2011-09-04T14:40:00.004+02:00

This week's challenge is to create a project inspired by a book and use the colours black, white and red.
My inspiration comes from the book, "The Kissing Hand" by Audrey Penn. Just love the message in this delightful children's book.

PTI Blog Hop - August

2011-08-25T18:24:00.007+02:00

Such a beautiful inspiration photo. I took my inspiration from the background pattern
in the suitcase, the colours and the flowers. I used the following stamp sets:
Vintage Labels, Ad Sense and Turning a New Leaf.

PTI Princesses Challenge - Warm/Cold

2011-08-17T19:40:00.002+02:00

Vannessa challenged us to use only hot colours or only cold colours on a card. I chose to use hot colours on my card. The inspiration for my card came from this card by Andrea Walford.

PTI Princesses Challenge

2011-07-28T17:25:00.002+02:00

Leah issued a challenge to create a card or other project that you will actually give to someone within the next week.
I made my card a couple of days ago and mailed it yesterday. The card is for a 'friend' I have met online and it would be my greatest joy to meet in real life.

WMS Blog Waltz - July

2011-07-17T13:12:00.003+02:00

I was inspired by a Maile Belles card and this week's CR84FN Colour Challenge.

I used stamps from Off Beat Backgrounds and Fancy Phrases.

MIM #23 - Pockets with Edger Dies

2011-07-14T12:33:00.002+02:00

I don't have any PTI Edger Dies yet so I used my Spellbinders Labels 4 to make the fancy edge on the pocket. I then decided to include 'the gift' on the tag in the pocket.
In the first photo you can see the tag in the pocket and the second photo shows the tag out of the pocket.

Colour Q Challenge #93

2011-07-13T11:17:00.003+02:00

Here is my card for this week's Colour Q Challenge. Completely different to what I first had in mind but I had fun along the way and that's what matters.

Colour Q #92 and PTI Princesses Challenges

2011-07-09T10:06:00.003+02:00

Our blogging group, PTI Princesses, keep each other motivated and inspired by hosting challenges every fortnight. The challenge from Diane was to use just the outline of flowers. This was a perfect challenge for me as I really don't enjoy colouring in and don't often buy outline images that require colouring.

I used the colours from this week's Colour Q challenge for some added inspiration.

CAS-ual Friday Challenge - Shaped Cards

2011-07-08T11:21:00.005+02:00

I have loved all the challenges on the CAS-ual Friday Challenge Blog, however this is the first one I'm participating in. This week's challenge(CFC#10) is to create a shaped card.

It is my nephew's birthday next week so I made this dinosaur card for him. I used my Cricut Paper Doll Dress Up cartridge to cut the dinosaur shape. I then used PTI dies for the party hat and number 2.

CR84FN #33 and CARDS Challenges

2011-07-05T15:35:00.002+02:00

Such beautiful colours to play with this week for the colour challenge.
I am also playing along with the CARDS challenge this week which is to make a card with an accordion paper flower... just happens to be one of my favourite embellishments.

Embellish Challenge - Rainbows

2011-06-30T14:42:00.004+02:00

This week's Embellish challenge is to use "Rainbows" on your project

I have been seeing gorgeous rainbow and cloud dies from Lil Inker Designs on so many blogs. Unfortunately they are not readily available in SA. However, they gave me the idea to use my Spellbinder circle dies to create a similar effect. I used a PTI die for my clouds.

PTI Blog Hop - June

2011-06-25T15:50:00.000+02:00

This month we were given a photo as inspiration. Well, I was stumped! It took quite some time for me to come up with any ideas. So eventually I chose just a small section of the background colours. I also got the idea for my squares from the shelves at the bottom of the photo and the butterflies were inspired by the clothing hooks.

WMS Blog Waltz - June

2011-06-17T18:45:00.002+02:00

This month's WMS blog waltz theme is 4th July/Americana.
Who can resist red, white and blue? Always a great colour combo in my book.

Tuesday Trigger - Cosmopolitan Neapolitan

2011-06-08T15:23:00.004+02:00

Just got to love the Moxie Fab inspiration.

Inspired by the layers of those lovely colours and as we're experiencing some really wet and cold weather in the southern hemisphere, a warm cup of coffee seemed more appropriate than ice-lollies. LOL.

Moxie Fab - Tuesday Trigger - Pyrex

2011-05-28T10:47:00.003+02:00

Here is this week's Tuesday Trigger over at Moxie Fab World.
Loved these colours and did a literal interpretation of the photo with the layering of the colours and images...and I got to use some of my new PTI stamps too.

PTI Blog Hop - May

2011-05-25T14:41:00.002+02:00

This month's theme is FLOWERS.

I have used Background Basics: Text Style and the sentiment is from All-Star Team Additions.

I saw this tutorial on the CARDS blog and decided it was time to give it a go. I am also entering this card in this week's CARD challenge which is to use denim on your card.

CARDS Challenge - Denim

2011-05-23T17:27:00.003+02:00

The CARDS challenge this week, is to use DENIM on your card. I used the PTI Signature Series: Dress Form die to cut out my piece of denim. I also used Fillable Frames #10 and the sentiment is from Simple Sentiments.

WMS 2nd Birthday Celebration - Tea Party Challenge

2011-05-21T15:06:00.002+02:00

Congratulations, Claire on 2 successful years. It has been so heartwarming to see the growth and success of your dream, WMS. Wishing you many more wonderful years.
To celebrate, Claire is hosting a fabulous competition. Here is my entry...I'm bringing the cookies along to the party. LOL!

WMS Blog Waltz - May

2011-05-17T13:39:00.002+02:00

This month's theme was to create a masculine project. I still don't have any 'image' sets from WMS so I used stamps from Off Beat Backgrounds and the sentiment from Little Box Labels.

PTI Princesses Challenge

2011-05-11T16:05:00.002+02:00

It is my turn to host our blogging group's challenge. I so seldom make baby cards that I decided it was time to ink up Bitty Baby Blessings. So my challenge is to make a baby themed card or project.

Shabby Tea Room - Butterfly Wishes

2011-04-28T12:23:00.003+02:00

The first thing I noticed on the inspiration photo was the butterflies cascading in the colours of the rainbow. I then cut strips of CS in the colours of the rainbow to make my background. I embossed a white flourish on the background. I punched out the 3 butterflies using scor-tape adhered to CS so that I could then adhere the glitter.

Ren-Yi challenged our blogging group, Papertrey Princesses, to use stripes on a project. My 'rainbow' background forms the stripes on my card.

PTI Blog Hop - April

2011-04-25T13:26:00.017+02:00

This month's blog hop is dedicated to all the boys and men in our lives!

I can't wait to get my new 'masculine' stamps from the April release...hope they arrive soon. So for today's blog hop I had to make do with what I had in my stash. I used stamps from three sets on this card, A Little Argyle, Men of Life and Father Knows Best.

Tuesday Trigger - Porch Play

2011-04-18T17:32:00.006+02:00

I really enjoy the Moxie Fab Tuesday Trigger challenge. Haven't played in a while but I really love the colours in this trigger photo, so that was my biggest inspiration. But I can also envision sitting on that beautiful porch relaxing and 'watching the world go by'.

WMS Blog Waltz - Easter

2011-04-17T12:04:00.006+02:00

I really wanted to waltz along and sadly my Easter stash is very limited. So I found this very cute, vintage Easter image at The Vintage Workshop blog. I decided to make a tag. I cut the tag using Spellbinders Labels 4. I stamped the fame using Vintage Circles and the sentiment is from Little Box Labels.

Embellish Challenge - Crochet Trim

2011-04-16T13:22:00.006+02:00

Great colours again this week. I found the vintage image at The Vintage Workshop and have been wanting to use it so I incorporated it with this week's Embellish colour challenge...think it works! Found this trim in my stash. Looks like a very fine crochet trim.

Totally Hues Challenge #5 and FTL135

2011-04-13T15:26:00.012+02:00

I just love the colours Heather chooses for these challenges and at last have managed to play along. I have also used sketch FTL135 from Clean and Simple Stamping blog.

Moxie Fab - Gift Card Holder

2011-04-07T16:50:00.003+02:00

The second challenge in the '350 Gifts and Cards' week is to create a paper crafted gift card holder to give to someone dear.

I first saw these GC holders on Heather Nichols' blog. So glad I got the opportunity to make one. So happens it's my brother's birthday and he'll be getting a GC for a local bookstore.

Moxie Fab - Card Set & WMS Sketch Challenge

2011-04-07T16:18:00.004+02:00

Moxie Fab World is showcasing "350 Cards and Gifts" this week. The first challenge is to create a paper crafted card set and container to give to someone dear.

The WMS sketch challenge this week is for mini cards...these are really mini. LOL. I used the sentiment and little flower from 'Say it with Style' stamp set.

I made a set of 4 little cards using PTI's notecard die. (Got this idea from Amy). As I did not have envelopes in the correct size, I just used small glassine bags.

My "container" is a simple little plastic bag onto which I added a CS flap. It stays closed with a bit of velcro.

Embellish Challenge - Decorative Trim

2011-04-03T14:21:00.004+02:00

The Embellish challenge this week requires you to create a paper craft project using the colour challenge and decorative trim. I so seldom even use ribbon on my cards, so it was fun to go through my stash and use some of this lace on my card. I also wove some thin green ric-rac ribbon through the lace. The butterfly is the negative of the die cut with the card base showing through.

Colour Throwdown Challenge #135

2011-04-01T15:20:00.008+02:00

I really love the colours for this week's Colour Throwdown challenge. I made this flower last year to use on this LO, but I couldn't make it 'work'. So, when I saw these colours they immediately reminded me of this flower and I knew I had to use it on a card.

Background Blending and a Grid Card

2011-03-31T08:22:00.003+02:00

This card is for 2 challenges.

1.The first challenge is for PTI's Make it Monday challenge which was to use ink blending techniques.

I took a piece of white CS and then used Distress Inks (Antique Linen, Peeled Paint and Worn Lipstick) to colour the background. I then stamped with Text Style and Sheet Music bg stamps. I also embossed a flourish in white. Next step was to cut my squares. I used the Take Three die.

2.The second challenge was for the Cards challenge on the Create blog. This week the challenge was for grid cards. I had no idea where to start so I did some Googling and wow, there was such incredible inspiration, in particular, Jacqueline. Check out her Flickr pool, you will be inspired.

PTI Princesses Challenges

2011-03-25T15:24:00.005+02:00

Time to play 'catch up' on some of of our blogging groups' challenges.

Mara's challenge was to use punches on our projects. I used 3 punches on this card...circle, large star and small star.

Leah challenged us to use a frame without a sentiment. PTI has so many beautiful frame stamps and co-ordinating dies available and I just love using them! I used the Mat Stack 1 frame on this card...numbers aren't sentiments, right? Well I hope this meets the requirements for the challenge. I made it for my daughter's birthday on Wednesday. I CASEd Nichole's "Celebrate' card, here.

Sue's challenge was to make a Spring/Easter project. Living in the southern hemisphere, we are heading towards Autumn, so I opted to make an Easter project. I just love making 3D projects and I first saw this little Easter Egg Box on Julia's blog and have been meaning to make this ever since. Here is the link to the template.

Embellish Challenge - Masculine Cards

2011-03-21T16:01:00.005+02:00

This is a two-in-one post. LOL.

Part 1:

The Embellish challenge this week is to create a masculine paper craft project using the colour challenge. I am in a CAS mode at the moment. I am finding layering and embellishments overwhelming and prefer a clean look with lots of "white space". I took out my PTI Argyle stamp set for this challenge.

Part 2:

Joy is one of the cardmakers/crafters whose blogs I visit for my daily dose of inspiration. She is hosting a challenge at the moment where you must create a project that honours someone in the crafty world that has inspired you.
There are so many amazing crafters who inspire me each and every day. However, today I am going to be giving a HUGE thanks to Aimes for inspiring me. I love everything about Aimes' work. She has such a knack for putting colours together and her work is clean and elegant. I feel she achieves the perfect balance. I CASEd this card, using the colours from the Embellish challenge.

WMS Blog Waltz - March

2011-03-17T06:59:00.003+02:00

This month's theme is St Patrick's Day. I made the shamrock using a heart punch. I then stamped each 'leaf' with the small heart from Say it with Style and the sentiment is from Fancy Phrases.

Colour Trends Challenge with Music

2011-03-10T19:33:00.004+02:00

Have been in such a creative slump lately so I used this challenge to help get the mojo flowing. I really battled with this colour combo and I opted to go for a really CAS card.

Make it Mondays #3

2011-02-26T07:35:00.002+02:00

This weeks challenge is to make glitter strips using Scor-Tape. Check it out on Nichole's blog. This is my favourite technique. Such a great way of adding some bling to a project.

Tag and Frame Challenge

2011-02-11T15:22:00.002+02:00

The anniversary fun continues over at PTI. The challenge today is to create a tag that incorporates a frame of some kind! Cut the base of the tag with Nesties Labels 4. Then layered it with Fillable Frames #4.

PTI Tag Download Challenge

2011-02-06T20:25:00.002+02:00

Here is Contest #2: Download and print the FREE images that we have provided. Print them out from your computer and use one of them on a project. Check out Nichole's blog to join in the fun.

I chose the image from Heather Nichols.

PTI Favourites

2011-02-06T08:35:00.003+02:00

It is PTI's 4th anniversary and they are celebrating in style. Great prizes to be won. The first contest is called Customer Favourites where you must go through YOUR Papertrey projects from the last year and choose your very favorite of the bunch.

This is a project I never got round to posting but it is definitely one of my favourites. It is a scrapbook LO of my daughter all dressed up and supporting Spain during the soccer World Cup final that was hosted in South Africa last year. What a special time that was for all South Africans.

I have used many PTI products on this page...Just the Ticket and Eyelet Lace border dies, Have a Ball stamp set and Bitty Box paper.

WMS - Case It

2011-01-28T07:15:00.005+02:00

The moment I saw Belinda's gorgeous card I knew I wanted to make a card like it. So here is my CASE of her card.

PTI Blog Hop - January

2011-01-25T16:42:00.004+02:00

So glad to ink up my Turning a New Leaf set at last. Have had it a while but the mojo has been missing. Used another of my new sets, Take Three:Summer, for the sentiment and little flower image. Still have so many sets that haven't seen ink yet and another PTI parcel is on the way.

WMS Blog Waltz - January

2011-01-17T13:36:00.008+02:00

Found a tutorial for this project here. Had to adjust the measurements to fit the little jars I had.

I still need to fill the jars with pink and white sweets to complete the ensemble.

First Card and Challenge for 2011 - OTWC#39

2011-01-03T10:32:00.004+02:00

Read about this challenge on Amy's blog and loved the colours so I decided to play along. I used PTI's Wreath for all Seasons and embossed silver stars around the wreath. Added some bling to the stars and a strip of glitter for added sparkle. Wishing you all a bright and beautiful 2011.

Top Ten Cards - 2010

2011-01-01T18:51:00.010+02:00

Here are my Top 10 cards from 2010 in no particular order. It was fun going back through the year. In fact, I was pleasantly surprised at some of my creations. LOL.

Embellish Scrapbook LO and Colour Challenge

2010-12-16T13:13:00.003+02:00

This challenge requires you to create a scrapbook layout using the color challenge...brown, cream and a colour of your choice.

This is a photo of my nephew's first Christmas last year. Can't believe how a year has gone by so quickly.

WMS Blog Waltz - November

2010-11-17T15:56:00.003+02:00

Christmas is my favourite time of the year. What a wonderful celebration of the greatest gift of all, our precious Lord Jesus Christ...so I had to waltz along. I just love these little paper bag pouches that I have seen all over blogland and was keen to make one of my own. I used a really small paper bag so it's just the right size to hold a gift card. Quite a pretty way to package a gift!

WMS - Tag You're It

2010-10-20T18:10:00.002+02:00

Used the Seasons of Love stamp set to make this tag. Love the font used for the sentiments in this set. Cut the base of the tag using Spellbinders Nesties Label 4. Made an 'accordion' flower for the centre of the stamped star. Popped a glittered star on top of that to finish it off.

Waltzingmouse Blog Waltz - October

2010-10-17T07:00:00.003+02:00

The theme for this month is Autumn/Harvest. Oh well it's already hot and summery here in South Africa, so I made this card to send to my friend in Canada.

I stamped the plaid background using the plaid stamp from the Off Beat Backgrounds set. The sentiment is from the Fancy Phrases set.

A Holiday Card Challenge

2010-10-01T11:29:00.007+02:00

Betsy Veldman has a challenge going on over at her blog. The challenge is to choose a non-holiday card from the pages of Card Creations vol 8 and create a holiday card based on that design.

I chose this card by Renee Morris-Dezember

Here is my card based on Renee's card. Basically kept the card the same just a few minor changes. I changed the text bg for music notes and used Christmas trees instead.

Pearls and Pastels

2010-09-30T18:48:00.003+02:00

Decided to play along with the challenge over at The Shabby Tea Room. Such a beautiful inspiration photo. So many Christmas themed cards all over blogland at the moment...so I used PTI's Vintage Ornaments for this card.

Salt Blog Challenge - Priorities & Embellish BG Challenge

2010-09-27T08:26:00.006+02:00

I came across this challenge on the Salt Blog and it really made me think about my priorities. I spend so much time browsing the web for all the latest and greatest crafting ideas, participating in challenges, blogging etc. This has become my main priority...oh dear! Then I quickly try to read my daily devotional for the day...got my priorities in the wrong order most definitely. Well I am going to start my day with my devotional and then let the rest follow. The message from my devotional today was "a godly parent is a child's best guide to God". I really want to be a good example for my children. God comes first!

I made this 'scrapling', magnetic bookmark to keep in my bible to remind me to "Delight in the Lord". I used colours from the Embellish Background Challenge, PTI's Damask Designs for the BG stamping and the bible verse is one of Verve's Plain Janes.

PTI Blog Hop - September

2010-09-25T08:31:00.005+02:00

I love adding a bit of sparkle to my projects. I always found using glitter such a messy job until I saw Nichole using score tape and prisma glitter to add borders to her projects. This has become my favourite way of embellishing my cards and scrapbook LO's. For this blog hop project I used the score tape sheets, which I learnt about from Natasha over here. I don't have a Xyron sticker machine so I cut a piece of score tape from the sheet and placed it on a piece of CS then I ran it through my cuttlebug to die cut the butterfly shape. It is then so easy to add the glitter and the coverage is so even! Thanks Nichole and Natasha for this awesome tip.

WMSC #14

2010-09-13T16:34:00.003+02:00

Haven't played along in a while. Really enjoyed trying a 'different' sized card than usual. Flipped the sketch....just worked better for me that way. LOL. Not too much stamping on this card. Used Fancy Phrases, Very Vintage Labels 5 and Vintage Circles from Waltzingmouse stamps. Also added the flourishes from Papertrey Ink.

Embellish Challenge - Squares

2010-09-06T07:01:00.003+02:00

This challenge requires you to create a project using the color challenge and squares.

I used PTI's Sign Language stamps and Signature Greetings for this card. I really love Sign Language but don't use it nearly enough...this challenge was perfect for it! I used a really simple LO for this card but I like how it turned out and plan on making a few more cards like this and just changing the colours.

Papertrey Princesses Challenge

2010-09-05T08:51:00.002+02:00

Well here it is at last...sorry for the delay.

One of the latest trends in the papercrafting world seems to be the use of "banners". Have been wanting to use one on a card or LO for some time and this challenge was the perfect time. So, as you have no doubt already guessed, my challenge to you is to use a banner on your project OR even make a banner as a decoration. Hope you enjoy this challenge.

A Special Thank You Blog Hop

2010-08-31T01:00:00.000+02:00

This blog hop was organised by some of our wonderful friends on the PTI forum. This blog hop is in honour of a very special lady, Nichole Heady. We are all so thankful for all Nichole's hard work and her ability to constantly inspire each and everyone of us with her amazing talent. Nichole, thank you for sharing your wonderful gift with us.

WMS Blog Waltz - August

2010-08-17T05:42:00.006+02:00

This month we had to create a Vintage/Shabby chic project. Now, although I absolutely love this style on everyone else's projects, I don't have the knack for it. I really don't like bulky cards so I don't do too much layering on my cards....but I so love embellishing srapbook LO's. Used the Vintage Labels 4 stamp set on the scallop and the label on the accordion flower. Got these ideas from Ingrid Danvers, here and Maggie Holmes, here.

Four Challenges

2010-08-03T04:01:00.008+02:00

Betsy Veldman issued a challenge here, to complete four challenges. So here we go.....
#1
The Card Style challenges
I tried my hand at Shabby and Vintage
#2
Signs of Peace
Found a digi download of a peace sign at My Grafico #3

Tuesday Trigger - Dancing Lanterns

The Go-to Sketch Challenge

Embellish Colour Challenge With Ric Rac

2010-07-28T07:05:00.006+02:00

Gorgeous colours once again. Did some paper piecing on this card. Cut the ric rac from felt. Used FTL99 sketch for the card layout.

Papertrey Blog Hop - July

2010-07-25T14:38:00.004+02:00

For this month's Blog Hop we are focusing on office supplies! We want to see you incorporate all of those fun desk drawer fillers into your paper crafting projects.

I saw this tutorial for a shipping label box ages ago and I merrily went and bought the shipping labels. Needless to say, they have been lying under a pile of "to do" projects. So, thanks to the theme of this blog hop, I have finally got to use my shipping labels. I also used eyelets and plain string on this little box.

Papertrey Pages - July Challenge

2010-07-24T12:19:00.004+02:00

The challenge for this month's scrapbook LO was to use kraft, and make at least one of your own embellishments.
The inspiration for this LO came from this gorgeous page by the talented Sarah Martina.

Here is a close up of my little cupcake embellishment. That glittery button is really cute IRL.

Waltzingmouse Blog Waltz - July

2010-07-17T10:49:00.004+02:00

I have used Enchanted Evening and Spring Moss for my colours. Used three WM stamp sets on this card ie. Off Beat Backgrounds, Fancy Phrases and Very Vintage Labels 4. The middle section of the card has been embossed using the Argyle CB folder.
ETA: Poor card looked so bland...decided to give it a bit more love!

Finding Inspiration in a Layout

2010-07-10T17:48:00.008+02:00

Such a beautiful layout and so much inspiration. Lots of ideas floating around in my head. Still planning another card using this LO as inspiration .

I created this project for the Finding Inspiration in a Layout Challenge in the Moxie Fab World. I used a blue background and encorporated the other colours from the LO in the circles on my card...using the circles on the LO as inspiration. I also added a button to my card as there are buttons on the LO.

A Sketch and a Colour Challenge

2010-07-09T18:29:00.004+02:00

Read about the Colour Throwdown challenge on Amy's blog and combined this with sketch FTL98 on Clean and Simple Stamping blog.

Trigger Tuesday - Poppin' off the Page

2010-07-08T18:32:00.003+02:00

Oh my word! Really got a shock when I saw this week's photo for Trigger Tuesday. Didn't think I would even try, but then what are challenges for? So I chose a few elements to work with. I stamped a black and white background, then I stamped the flower and leaves on colour CS in black ink as all the flowers in the trigger photo had black outlines. Kept my card simple as "too busy" just doesn't appeal to me. So I think the bit of colour on my card "pops" off the black and white background.

Play Date Cafe Challenge

2010-07-07T17:10:00.002+02:00

Read about The Play Date Cafe challenge on Nerina's blog and loved these colours and her awesome card, so I decided to play along. Really enjoying all these colour challenges at the moment. Thanks to everyone for all the inspiration.

Tuesday Trigger - A Pleasing Palette

2010-07-05T16:10:00.003+02:00

This is my take on the Trigger Tuesday challenge on Moxie Fab World. Loved the teacup in the photo - stamped with Versamark and embossed with white EP on the yellow cardstock.

Embellish Colour Challenge

2010-07-04T12:07:00.006+02:00

Embellish Magazine has the most stunning colour challenges. Besides providing great colour combos, there is always a little twist to the challenge in that you are told what type of card to make. This week the challenge was to make an invitation using the colours provided. The minute I saw these colours, I knew I had to play along.....love them. I made a little criss-cross pocket card to hold the invitation.

Up in the Air

2010-07-01T19:14:00.003+02:00

It was Mara's turn to issue our blogging group with the next challenge, which was to create a card with something IN THE AIR on it. I was so glad for the opportunity to use my Fly Away stamp set, which had not seen any ink yet!.

WMSC #4

2010-06-29T09:23:00.003+02:00

Finally got to participate in a Waltzingmouse sketch challenge. Used quite a bit of stitching and distressing on this card.

PTI June Blog Hop - Box of Blessings

2010-06-26T11:30:00.004+02:00

My favourite colour combo at the moment is red, kraft and white. Missed the PTI blog hop last night which was all about colour. The challenge was to use your favourite Papertrey colour combinations!

I love using templates so I used Lauren Meader's Cutesy Cover for the little box. Then I made cards to go in the box. I stamped bible verses on the cards, using Verve's 'Plain Jane' stamps and I stamped the borders using Waltzingmouse stamps. Only a few PTI products used on this project ie. Polka Dot Basics stamps, Bitty Box Basics paper, Pure Poppy ink and the kraft cardstock.

JUGS Colour Challenge

2010-06-21T09:40:00.002+02:00

I loved making this card for Father's Day so I just changed the colours and made a girly version. Used the colours for the Jugs Colour Challenge this week. Although I check out the JUGS blog every week, this is the first time I have taken part in one of their challenges.