Hello Crafty Friends! I'm so happy to be hosting the current challenge at Seize the Birthday.  I've chosen 'Embossing' as the Topping. Any type is ok - Dry, Heat or Paste. If you are not in to our "toppings" option, you can make any kind of  Birthday Card.

I used a sweet stamp from Penny Black, called Vivid.

I initially stamped with Distress Ink Antique Linen and then coloured with FB Polychromo pencils.

I have been non-weight bearing for 3 months, so I've spent some time practising my colouring techniques. It wasn't the correct paper for this, but I was patient and kept adding layers and blending. However, I decided to re-stamp it and Gold Emboss, because it wasn't as good as I'd like. 

In the background of the window I have used some precious paper, my Daughter brought for me from Japan. 

We have a new Surprise Party Guest Johanna Rundell, joining us for the rest of the year and Rachel Ball Guest Designing for this challenge.  You can see their beautiful cards  and our own talented team at  Seize the Birthday Challenge blog.

I hope you'll find time to join us. Remember, the topping is optional, so if you prefer Anything Goes, that's fine,  so long as it's birthday themed. 

   Thanks for taking the time to visit my blog! I love to read your comments:)

                                                                

Time Out Challenge #297 inspired by ... Your Favourite Season

 Hi there Crafty Friends. It's time for another  Time Out Challenge.  We want you to make a card Inspired By ... Your Favourite Season. 

It was a difficult choice, but Autumn won my vote, although I do love Spring too.

I used a gorgeous Embossing folder from Honey Bee Stamps and coloured with Altenew Metallic Watercolour paints. 

I used glitter paper for the border and sentiment. 

This Challenge we are kindly sponsored by   .

We are thrilled to have the incredibly talented Darnell Knauss of djkardcreations,  joining us as Guest Designer for this challenge. You can see Darnells’s gorgeous card and more inspiration from our  fabulous DT at the TIME OUT CHALLENGES blog. 

I hope you'll  have the opportunity to join in the fun and enter our challenge.

I'm also sharing my card at the following challenges:-

Inspiration Station Challenge

Four Seasons Challenge

Rectangle, 3 or more colours, Embossing

Thanks for taking the time to visit my blog! I love to read your comments:)

PENNY BLACK SATURDAY CHALLENGE SEP'25

 Hey there Crafty Friends! It's the first Saturday of the month, so we have a new Penny Black Saturday Challenge up on the blog. 

Our theme this month is 'ANYTHING GOES or the optional twist 'SPOTS/& or STRIPES'.

I used the same stamp as last month, but created a different look with looser watercolour and designer paper. 

Stamp: Penny Black Spring Blossom Cling

If you'd like to be considered for a guest designer spot for a future challenge, please add 'GDT' after your name on the link-up...and remember to check back to see if you've been chosen!

You can see more inspiration from our talented DT at our blog. I hope you have the opportunity to join in our challenge.

                               Thanks for taking the time to visit my blog! I love to read your comments:)

                                                                

Seize the Birthday #312 Black & White

 Hi there Crafty Friends! It's time for another Seize The Birthday Challenge.  

Linda is our host for this challenge and she has chosen  'BLACK & WHITE' as her Topping.  If you are not in to our 'toppings' option, you can make any kind of  Birthday Card.

The Panda is a freebie from Scrapbook.com and I thought he was perfect for a Black & White themed card.

The window die and sentiment are from MFT.

You can see more from our talented Surprise Party Guest, Karen Letchworth and the rest of the team at  Seize the Birthday Challenge blog.

We also have a talented new Designer joining our team - Nancy Salkeld joining our team.  Welcome Nance!

I hope you'll find time to join us. Remember, the topping is optional, so if you prefer Anything Goes, that's fine,  so long as it's birthday themed. 

   Thanks for taking the time to visit my blog! I love to read your comments:)

                                                                

Time Out Challenge #296 THEME CHALLENGE

Hi there Crafty Friends. It's time for another  Time Out Challenge. This week we have a Theme Challenge - 'Friendship, Encouragement, Support'.

I stamped This adorable Image from Stamping Bella on Cold Pressed Watercolour Paper and coloured with Karin Markers. The die is from MFT and the paper from Kaisercraft. 

This Challenge we are kindly sponsored by  Claire Brennan Designs.

We are so happy to have the incredibly talented LeAnne Pugliese of weeinklings, joining us as Guest Designer for this challenge. You can see LeAnne's’s gorgeous card and more inspiration from our  fabulous DT at the TIME OUT CHALLENGES blog. 

I hope you'll  have the opportunity to join in the fun and enter our challenge.

Thanks for taking the time to visit my blog! I love to read your comments:)

Seize the Birthday #311 No Flowers

 Hi there Crafty Friends! It's time for another Seize The Birthday Challenge.  

Jules is our host for this challenge and she wants us to make a Birthday card with  'No Flowers' as her  Topping.   If you are not in to our 'toppings' option, you can make any kind of  Birthday Card.

I really enjoyed making this card with bold colours - very different from my normal white background.

The dies are from Tim Holtz (Sizzix) - Happy Hour. I used Distress Inks for the blending.

Here is another bonus card...

You can see more from our talented Surprise Party Guest, Karen Letchworth, as well as Cassandra our Guest Designer and the rest of the team at  Seize the Birthday Challenge blog.

I hope you'll find time to join us. Remember, the topping is optional, so if you prefer Anything Goes, that's fine,  so long as it's birthday themed. 

   Thanks for taking the time to visit my blog! I love to read your comments:)

                                                                

Time Out Challenge #295 Photo Inspiration

 Hi there Crafty Friends! It's time for a new challenge at Time Out. I hope you like the photo chosen for this challenge. I took it at my 'Happy Place' - Queenscliff Harbour, where we have a Beach House. I love walking my dogs in the morning and enjoying a Cafe Latte with this view. 

I used dies from Penny Black, Distress Inks and Karin Markers to create this framed scene.

Our wonderful sponsor, lawn fawn, is generously offering a $25 store credit as a prize to our Challenge Winner as chosen by the Design Team.  Our winner will also get invited to join us as Guest Designer for a future challenge.

We are joined by Kathy Schweinfurth of Stamps at Play, as Guest Designer. You can see her gorgeous card 

and more inspiration from our fabulous DT at the TIME OUT CHALLENGE blog. 

Here's a closer look...

                               Thanks for taking the time to visit my blog! I love to read your comments:)

                                                                

PENNY BLACK SATURDAY CHALLENGE AUG'25

  Hey there Crafty Friends! It's the first Saturday of the month, so we have a new Penny Black Saturday Challenge up on the blog. 

Our theme this month is 'ANYTHING GOES or the optional twist 'EMBOSSING'.

I've used an old background from my unfinished stash. The tree was stamped with black and clear embossed. I then stamped Penny Black Confident and fussy cut the birds to place on my background. 

If you'd like to be considered for a guest designer spot for a future challenge, please add 'GDT' after your name on the link-up...and remember to check back to see if you've been chosen!

 We have Jules from Always with a Heart, joining us this month as Guest Designer. You can Jules gorgeous card and more inspiration from our talented DT at our blog. I hope you have the opportunity to join in our challenge.

                               Thanks for taking the time to visit my blog! I love to read your comments:)

                                                                

Time Out Challenge #294 Pick Two

 Hi there Crafty Friends! It's time for a new challenge at Time Out. We've changed up our challenge themes this year and for this challenge we want you to Pick (at least) Two from the following:- Torn, Transport, Star, Stripes, Rainbow, Book.

I have chosen Star and Stripes

I used some striped Patterned Paper for the background. The flower and bee images are from Gina K and were coloured with Karin Markers. I added some tiny star sequins for bling.

 Newton's Nook is our wonderful sponsor, generously offering a $25.00 Newton's Nook Store Credit as a prize for our Challenge Winner.  Our winner will also be invited to join us as Guest Designer for a future challenge.

Our Guest Designer this week is the lovely  Bonnie Klass of Stamping With Klass,

You can see Bonnie's's fabulous card and more inspiration from our  wonderful DT at the Time Out Challenge blog. 

Now it's your turn - I hope you have the opportunity to join in our challenge.

                    Thanks for taking the time to visit my blog! I love to read your comments:)

                                                                

PENNY BLACK SATURDAY CHALLENGE JUL'25 Reminder

 It's the 3rd Saturday of the month, so it's time to remind you about  Penny Black Saturday Challenge.  This month our theme is 'ANYTHING GOES' or Optional: 'On or In the Water'.

I'm going wit Anything Goes...

I used Karin Markers and blended with water on the stamp.

Stamp: penny Black Spring Blossom Cling

If you'd like to be considered for a guest designer spot for a future challenge, please add 'GDT' after your name on the link-up...and remember to check back to see if you've been chosen!

 You can see more inspiration from our talented DT at our blog. I hope you have the opportunity to join in our challenge.

                               Thanks for taking the time to visit my blog! I love to read your comments:)

                                                                

My YEAR SO FAR...

 Hi there Crafty Friends. It hasn't been a very Crafty year for me. Here's an update for those who don't know what I've been up to. 

At the start of the year I was very preoccupied planning a 6 week trip to Europe. In my working life I was a Travel Agent, so I really enjoy researching every little detail and finding the perfect places to stay. 

Then I was a good Mum and flew to Queensland to mind my Daughter's cats for a few weeks whilst she went to Japan. 

I travelled with a very good friend to Greece, France and Belgium. I also spent 4 days in Helsinki and spent time with two wonderful Crafty Friends - Shirley (Shirley-Bee's Stamping Stuff) and Nonni (Nonni's Handmade Cards) on the way over and visited Family in Scotland. My last sop was Copenhagen. 

The holiday was absolutely fantastic, with one exception - I had a fall, when my case got stuck on something and took me with it! I visited an Orthopaedic Doctor who confirmed a fracture, but despite the Xray she didn't see the extent of the damage. So with a boot, walking stick, lots of encouragement and sheer determination I continued my journey with lots of stops to elevate my foot. I amazed myself at what I managed to do. Hey, it's a long way from Australia and I'm not getting any younger!!!

Arriving at station in Athens and you're immediately struck by the incredible History!

Breathtaking Meteora Monastries

Stunning Hydra ( felt sorry for donkeys!)

Atmospheric Antibes

I did it!!! Stunning gardens and view from Eze

No explanation needed

Beautiful Bruges

Colourful Copenhagen

The pain did get worse by the end of the trip. When I got back I had more Xrays and a CT Scan and visited a Surgeon. So now I'm recovering from a Mid-foot Fusion surgery. I'll be non weight-bearing for minimum 6 weeks and then 50% weight bearing for another month or so. 

This means I won't be getting back to card-making for awhile yet. You'll still see some DT cards, that I made earlier in the year and I may post some cards that have been sitting in my un-shared stash. 

I have also been slack at visiting blogs and leaving comments, so I apologise and hope to get back to visiting you all soon. 

   Thanks for taking the time to visit my blog! I love to read your comments:)

                                                                

TIME OUT CHALLENGE #293 INSPIRED BY ....

 Hi there Crafty Friends!  It's time for a new Time Out Challenge and this week we want you to be Inspired by: Your Favourite Song.

Two of my favourite Australian Singer/Song Writers are Missy Higgins and Nick Cave, so I've made a card inspired by a song from each artist.

Missy Higgins - Sound of White

Nick Cave - Fifteen Feet of Pure White Snow

The only times I've experienced falling snow, it seemed to be almost silent, but when I looked for videos, it sounded like heavy rain. Maybe my Northern friends can enlighten me.

Anyway these songs inspired me to make a White on White card.

I've used an Embossing Folders from Stampin Up and Simon Says Stamp. The dies are from Memory Box Co, Papertrey Ink and Alexandra Renke.  I can't remember the origin of the sentiment. 

The winner of our challenge will win a $25 credit from our wonderful sponsor -Lawn Fawn and also have the chance to be Guest Designer in a future challenge.

You can see more inspiration from our fabulous DT at the TIME OUT CHALLENGE blog. 

I hope you have the opportunity to join in our challenge.

 Thanks for taking the time to visit my blog! I love to read your comments:)