Hi All,
Christmas trees rate highly in the cards I have been making for Christmas so far this year. That wasn’t intentional but just how it has turned out.
The first card uses a set of stamps from JustRite Clear “O Christmas Tree”. This is a set I have had for many years so it was well over due to be used. Actually the final result was far from how I first imagined it but I am still pleased with the result.
The background paper is from Kaisercraft “Mint Wishes Collection”. The tree was embossed with white embossing power and the sentiment was stamped using Ranger Archival Ink “Tree Branch” which I thought went well with the kraft card (you can’t really see the actual colour in the photo).
Next up is a card which I spotted by a MFT Design Team member, Donna Mikasa. The stamp set is “Oh Christmas Tree”. The sentiment is also from MFT “Hand Lettered Christmas”.
I have only changed the frame which Donna used and matted the front panel with a lovely green coloured cardstock which I also used for the trees.
I am pleased with my progress on my Christmas cards this year (not even December and I have 7 completed). I might even get them posted by the end of the week – MIGHT 🙂
I’ll be back soon with another sample of Christmas cards.
Lorraine
Had to travel to Geelong this year to see the works of art from the Archibald Prize. Previously it was shown in Ballarat which was wonderful for us. Still Geelong isn’t far and I could meet my sister there.
Winner – 
Well it’s all in the eyes of the beholder isn’t it and who am I to even comment.
Here are some which I liked –
Ahn Do’s entry – To my very naive eyes I thought it was wonderful
This was so beautiful we thought. The woman is 102, that for a start is amazing and the talent of the artist radiated strength, serenity and beauty to me. She was once a ballet dancer. Can you see that?
And you might recognise this subject – 
Bye for now,
Lorraine
Well I have recovered from our busy weekend and now I realise that I hadn’t posted these tiny tags which I made last week.
They are little sweeties but I won’t be making them again because they are just to fiddly for my old fingers. 🙂 I have seen quite a few variations on the www and made my own variety using a die set I have had for years by Memory Box “Beard Set”. The variations I noticed on the web just used scalloped circles etc so you could easily make them with basic tools.
It is possible to put ‘to and from’ on the back but that would be all, they are TINY. They seemed to all have their own special personality depending on how low I glued the hat, how close the eyes and which beard. CUTE!
Well that is all for today.
Lorraine
Today I have some photos of a friend’s display of our Christmas paper crafting. Many hours of work went into the day and we are both a little weary now. My friend worked especially hard but unfortunately I don’t have photos of all of her beautiful work. I wish I could show you some of the beautiful Angels are wreaths she made but unfortunately (or fortunately) they were given new homes.
We are thinking about doing it all again next year but it is only a thought at this stage because, like giving birth, it all seems too much work so close to the event, but I guess the memory fades after time. 🙂
Bye for now,
Lorraine
I made these little nail polish holders a couple of weeks ago but forgot to show you the photos.
As you can see, I made quite a few. The colours of the nail polish coordinated very well with card stock which I had in my stash. With the addition of punched glitter snowflakes they turned out to be quite cute. At the back of the bottles I added ½ an emery board. A full one was far too tall and looked unbalanced.
I must practice my cellophane wrapping skills, very poor, but luckily someone has volunteered to re-wrap them for me.
Here is the site where I found the idea – CLICK. I had to adjust the size because of the shape of the bottles but the original idea was from here (thank you).
Why don’t you try to make some. They are quite easy and quick and most importantly fun.
Bye for now,
Lorraine
Today’s project was to “gussy up” some Toblerone bars. Does anyone else think that these delicious chocolate bars are smaller than they used to be? I do! Despite this I made some covers (without eating a single piece – well done me 🙂 ).
The theme is Christmas of course. Love Christmas projects.
I can’t choose a favourite, well perhaps the blue bauble one.
I have made about 10 in total so I have had enough of this project and now onto the next. You will see a theme emerging I’m sure. lol
Bye for now,
Lorraine
This project was quick and cute, 2 things which I enjoy. 🙂 I’ve made some little boxes into hanging ornaments for a Christmas Tree. They are only approx. 3 cm square (1″). I think you could probably fit a Ferrero Rocher in each but in mine I’ve placed some lip gloss in the form of cupcakes.
The colours aren’t typically Christmas but I’m a bit keen on this combination for the moment and am making several items with the black and white with a touch of red theme.
The lip gloss is adorable and fits in so well. An adorable little gift and/or tree ornament in the shape of a teeny handbag.
This was such fun.
Bye for now,
Lorraine
I have been playing with this cute stamp set “Hugs” from Concord & 9th.
I made 3 similar cards using the cute bear from the set.
I was using scraps of paper and card from my stash and it was all I needed for these cuties, well I think so anyway. 🙂
So today I’m sending you all “bear hugs”.
Lorraine
Hi friends, First of all I must apologize for my lack of attention to my blog. I am recovering well from a broken hip (surely I’m not that old 🙂 ). Apart from that I was just uninspired, but I’m feeling more upbeat now. So here is my first post for several months.
Today I am entering the Scrapbook Boutique July 2017 Challenge for which the inspiration is this gorgeous mood board –
This is my card –
A little closer look –
I am going to use this card for a friend’s birthday. I would attach it to the gift, but unfortunately I have put it in a safe place (duh). I’ve searched high and low and no sign of it. Guess it will turn up.
Supplies:
- Darkroom Door – Butterfly Postal stamp
- Distress Ink – Tumbled Glass, Broken China and Salty Ocean
- VersaMark Ink
- White Embossing Powder
- White Card base
- White cardstock
- Black cardstock
- Winnie & Water die – The Big, the Bold and Friends
Enjoy your weekend,
Lorraine
To commemorate ANZAC day (tomorrow) I have posted some photos of Ballarat’s Arch of Victory and Avenue of Honour with my Grandfather in mind.
“Anzac Day, 25 April, is one of Australia’s most important national occasions. It marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War.
ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. The soldiers in those forces quickly became known as Anzacs, and the pride they took in that name endures to this day.” from https://www.awm.gov.au/
I think I will just let you scroll down through the photos I have taken in Ballarat. Most of it will be self explanatory.
My Grandpa was an ANZAC and we are very proud of him.
I’m not sure if you can see the plaques under each tree. Each tree in the 22 k. Avenue of Honour is in memory of a soldier in the Ballarat district who served in the First WW.
My Grandpa’s tree.
Lest we forget…….
Lorraine
As many of you will already know, Ballarat is famous for its ‘gold’ discoveries (see here for a brief outline of Ballarat). But that isn’t what I would like to show you today. The streets here are looking spectacular at the moment with beautiful autumn colour. It seems to me that the golden trees are “leafing” up more quickly than the deep maroons and reds. If you would like to see some of the beauty look below at the slide show.
I took these photos while on my travels around town last week.
While thinking about the changing colours of the trees I thought I would do a bit of research (just web surfing really 🙂 ) and this SITE explained fairly simply some of the facts.
Well that is it for today,
Bye for now,
Lorraine
Hello friends,
Quite a while ago a friend gave me a beautiful gift in a gorgeous box. She suggested that I might be able to make something similar. Well I have finally decided to attempt it. Here is my interpretation.
The papers and stickers are from Kaisercraft “Dream Big Collection”.
I wish I had taken a photo of the original box for comparison …. no it’s probably better that I didn’t 😀 Mine would definitely come off second best. I’m still pleased with how this turned out though.
Above is the first layer of the box which closes with a magnetic catch.
When you open the first layer there is another box revealed. I used a different but coordinating paper on the inner box.
Inside the second box I added some soap. Unfortunately this block of soap has a piece cracked off the side. This piece will end up in our bathroom and I will replace it. I wanted to show you now (very impatient) and couldn’t wait to get another block for the photos.
What do you think? Should I prepare a template and tutorial to share? I’ll wait and see what the response is I think. Hope you let me know.
Bye for now,
Lorraine
Hello all, Yesterday I was lucky enough to go along to the Melbourne International Flower Show. We had a lovely day despite the weather that much of Australia is experiencing our day was very cool in the morning but as the day progressed it was perfect for wandering around looking at all the beautiful displays.
No explanations necessary, let’s just take a look at a few of the gorgeous things we saw.
Yes chillies!
Metal elephants!
The Diggers Club display. This is a quote about the Diggers Club – “The Diggers Club works to preserve the best plants and garden traditions to help Australian’s become better gardeners. Our independence allows us to speak out against climate change, genetically modified seeds and food, industrial agriculture and the corporatisation of our food supply”.
Hope you enjoyed the photos and that you get a chance to go along.
Lorraine
Hello friends. I’m back today with some Scottish themed cards I’ve made for my S-I-L. Late last year I made some note cards with wee kilts on them and gave them to S-I-L to sell at the Highland Gatherings she goes to in Victoria, Australia, where she sells knitted tartan berets (or did until someone thought they should have the pattern and stole it from her stall – I thought crafty folks were kind and honest, but apparently not all). She has asked me to make some more “kilt” cards but I thought I would do some different designs, I get bored easily and don’t particularly like making multiples. So here is what I came up with –
I made this Scotty dog card using a die from Tonic Studios UK- “Rococo Pampered Pets – Scotty Dog”.
I die-cut one dog in black and another in red then placed the small red pieces into the black die cut to make his wee coat stand out.
The next card was made using the stamp from Stampendous House Mouse “Cling Sing a Song”. Gorgeous stamp I think. Coloured with Zig Clean Markers and then fussy cut the image.
I hope she likes them ……… well either way I had fun making them.
Bye for now,
Lorraine
Hello all, I am enjoying myself making little albums at the moment. Here are a couple of very easy Zig Zag Mini Albums which I’m loving.
The first album is for my youngest grandchild. I’ve used papers from Graphic 45 “Mother Goose”. Love the papers and stickers which come in this collection. The papers aren’t new but now is the time to stop collecting and start using. It is so easy to store them because they are too pretty to use 🙂
Each page measures 10 x 12 cm so it was fun adding little 8 x 10 cm photos to each page. I’ve only completed one side and his mum can fill the other side with more photos of his first year.
Here is the back, or is it the front, depends which way you open it I guess.
The next zig zag album is for a dear friend who’s dear pet has passed away. “Albie” was a great companion, chatting away, for many years and his company is missed. I thought that photos in this mini album might be a nice way to remember him.
I made the album and decorated it before I knew what colour Albie was. Apparently he had a yellow head, black beads around his neck and his body was green/blue/yellow. I hope something like the photo I put on the front of the album. I was hoping he was a blue budgie, that would have matched the papers much better, but you can’t help that. 🙂
He was truly loved and much missed.
That’s all for today, so bye for now,
Cards & Co
Cards & Co 