Seize the Birthday #331- Square Card + Non-white base

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

Glenda is our host for this challenge and her chosen "Topping" option this time is...make a square card (any size) with a non white base.  If you are not in to our "toppings" option, you can make any kind of  Birthday Card. 

I decided to use up some pretty patterned paper from my stash and pair it with a stamped flower.

Stamp: Simon Says Stamp Wild & Free

Paper: Kaisercraft

You can see more from our talented Surprise Party Guest Lynda from Loopy-Loo Cards and the rest of the Design Team at  the 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 #318 INSPIRED by ... Mother Nature

 Hi there Crafty Friends! A new challenge has begun at Time Out. We want you to make a card 'Inspired by Mother Nature'.

I used stamps from a few different companies to create my Mother Nature inspired card.

The Honey Jar and Bee stamps are from the Greetery.

The gingham background was made with a stamp from Hello Bluebird.

The Blossoms and Berries stamps are from Pinkfresh Studio

You can see more inspiration from our talented Guest Designer, ................,  and the rest of our fabulous DT at the TIME OUT CHALLENGES 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:)

                                                                

CAS Mix Up reminder - Eclipse Card

 Hi there Crafty Friends. Did you see that the CAS Mix Up Challenge has started up again after a 4 year break. Our theme this month is 'ECLIPSE Cards'  (Mixed Media, nclude stamping & CAS).

This time I  used a very old stamp from Hero Arts (Dogwood Flower) and number dies from Spellbinders to create my eclipse. The sentiment is from Penny Black Stamps.

I stamped the flowers using karin Markers direct to stamp and blended. Then I die cut the '70' a couple of times, once from the stamped card and from scrap, to create dimension. 

This time I  used a very old stamp from Hero Arts (Dogwood Flower) and number dies from Spellbinders to create my eclipse. The sentiment is from Penny Black Stamps.

I stamped the flowers using karin Markers direct to stamp and blended. Then I die cut the '70' a couple of times, once from the stamped card and from scrap, to create dimension. 

There are links to some videos on the CAS Mix Up blog, which explain how to do this technique. 

Our Design Team have

some wonderful inspiration for you.

I hope you'll check us out and join in at

CAS Mix Up Challenge.

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

                                                                

PENNY BLACK SATURDAY CHALLENGE JUL'26 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 the Move'

My card falls under the 'Anything Goes' category...

I used snippets from my stash to create this card. 

I coloured the vase with Prismacolor Pencils and the flowers have been water-coloured. 

Stamps: Penny Black Garden Trio and Handpicked

You can see more inspiration from our talented Design Team 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 #330 One or More Numbers

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

Cathy is our host for this challenge and her chosen Theme is to use 'One or More Numbers' on our cards.   If you are not in to our "toppings" option, you can make any kind of  Birthday Card. 

This year I turn 67 and when I was asked how old I would be, people would laugh. So that's how I learnt about the  '6 7 Meme'. Look it up if you don't know what I'm talking about (or don't). 

I thought I would have some fun with my card and the Panda from The Ton Stamps was the perfect stamp, paired withe the numbers from an old There She Goes stamp set.

We have a new Surprise Party Guest joining us for the next couple of months - Lynda-Loopy Loo Cards.

Also joining us this challenge is Fran from Fran Made in Oregon.

You can see Lynda and Fran's fantastic cards and  more from the Design Team at  the 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 #317 Theme Challenge

 Hi there Crafty Friends! A new challenge has begun at Time Out and it's a Theme Challenge. 

The theme is 'WATER' - there are so many possibilities. It's winter in Australia, so I went with rain. 

I used the gorgeous Coverplate and Dies from Poppystamps and the cute bear from The Ton Stamps.

We don't have an official sponsor this month so Jaydee, our lovely teamie, has generously donated Pinkfresh Studios Berries & Blossoms Stamp, Die & Stencil Bundle (brand new) for our Top Pick.

You can see more inspiration from our talented Guest Designer, Kathy Asper of myasperations,  and the rest of our fabulous DT at the TIME OUT CHALLENGES 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:)

                                                                

CAS MIX UP...Yes, It's Back

 Hi there Crafty Friends! I'm  excited to let you know that Loll Thompson has resurrected CAS Mix Up Challenge after a 4 year break and I'm so happy to be back on the team. 

It will be a monthly challenge, starting on the 3rd of the month. There will be a rotation of techniques - Mixed Media,(must include stamping), Stencil, Watercolour. This is a Clean & Simple challenge, so remember to keep your cards CAS. 

So today we begin the  challenge with Mixed Media. Loll is our Host and she has chosen 'Eclipse' as the theme. 

Stamping, Die-cutting, Karin Markers, Sequins

I used a new to me die from Craft Addiction UK and a Penny Black stamp to create my Eclipse card. I figured it would be easier to get 2 identical images by using a Brushstroke stamp and it definitely did. 

Stamps:  Penny Black 'The Unfolding'

Dies: Craft Addiction UK  Stitched Lattice Circles; Altenew Sweet Sentiments

There are links to some videos on the CAS Mix Up blog, which explain how to do this technique. 

Our Design Team have

some wonderful inspiration for you.

I hope you'll check us out and join in at

CAS Mix Up Challenge.

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

                                                                

STB #329-June 25th-Barb-Blue, Pink, Yellow

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

Barb is our host for this challenge and she wants us to use 'BLUE, PINK & YELLOW' on our Birthday Card.   If you are not in to our "toppings" option, you can make any kind of  Birthday Card.

I used Stencils with masks and Distress Oxide Inks, which have a lovely muted look. The butterflies from Stamplorations and the Penny Black sentiment were stamped. Then I embossed the panel to get the ripple effect with an Altenew EF. 

You can see more from our own talented Surprise Party Guest, Kathy, from Stamps At Play 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 #316 Photo Inspiration

 Hi there Crafty Friends! It's time for a new challenge at Time Out. We want you to make a card inspired by our Inspiration Photo. 

I love this photo taken by our teamie Carol and took my inspiration from the patterns and colours in the photo.

I used a fabulous die from Craft Addiction UK to make the stripes and the leaf dies are from Kaisercraft.  The Flamingo stamp is an oldie from The Ton Stamps.

Our wonderful sponsor, Lawn Fawn, is generously offering a $25.00 store credit as a prize for our Challenge Winner, who will also get an invitation to join us as Guest Designer for a future challenge.

 You can see more beautiful cards from our Design Team at Time Out Challenges 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 JUN'26 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: 'USE PATTERNED PAPER'.

The postage stamp and Bunny were stamped on to patterned paper and fussy cut. I added some more colour to the Bunny with Prismacolor Pencils.

You can see more inspiration from our talented Design Team 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 #328 Use Vellum or Acetate

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

Ashwini is our host for this challenge and her chosen Topping is for us to use 'VELLUM OR ACETATE' on our card.    
If however you are not in to our 'toppings' option, you can omake any kind of  Birthday Card.

I used some coloured vellum that's been sitting in my stash for years. I layered 3 colours and your can see the other colours under the white polka dots. The butterfly is from Memory Box and the Embossing Folder is from Stampin Up. The paper is from Daiso. 

You can see more from our talented Surprise Party Guest Kathy, from Stamps at Play as well as our wonderful  GD, Kerry, from  Kerry's Papercraft 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 #315 Pick Two

 Hi there Crafty Friends! It's time for a new challenge at Time Out. We want you to Pick (at least) Two from the following prompts:- Vacation, Summer, Water, Camping, Sun, Ice Cream.

I chose Summer, Sun and Ice Cream.

By now, you might be getting the idea that I love Ice Cream and you are right! 

I used a fantastic die set from Simon Says Stamp and the sentiment is from Concord & 9th.

Unfortunately, I can't remember the EF, but think it might be We R Memory Keepers. 

I used Distress Inks for colouring.

Our wonderful sponsor, Newton's Nook, is generously offering a $25.00 store credit as a prize for our Challenge Winner, who will also get an invitation to join us as Guest Designer for a future challenge.

We have the wonderful Sherri joining us as Guest Designer.  She posts her work on Flickr as Sherrisonline. You can see Sherri's beautiful card and more from our Design Team at Time Out Challenges 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 JUN '26

 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 'USE PATTERNED PAPER'.

I love patterned paper with co-ordinating colours and pretty patterns and I thought this elegant Tulip would look perfect in Monochrome pink.

Die: PB Tulip

EF: Altenew

PP: Craft Consortium (I think)

You can see more inspiration from .....and the rest of the Design Team 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 #327 Sweet Treats

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

Shirley is our host for this challenge and her chosen Topping is 'SWEET TREATS'.    

If however you are not in to our 'toppings' option, you can omake any kind of  Birthday Card.

I used the Pretty Pink Posh Big Valentine Cupcake  die to create my yummy card. I chose warm colours because it's still Autumn in Australia. I think it might be a Coffee Butterscotch cake 😍.

The embossing folder is from Altenew and the sentiment an oldie from W & W. 

The embossed panel card stock is not Kraft, but actually a metallic card from Curious Metallics called Nude  - it is so pretty IRL.

You can see more from our talented Surprise Party Guest Kathy, from Stamps at Play as well as Stef our GD our wonderful 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. 

I'm also sharing at the following:-

 Anything Goes with a Twist of EMBELLISHMENTS

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