Try Stampin on Tuedsay #52

Hello fellow crafters

Well once again it has been a while between posts.

I have so much going on in my personal life right now, some things are good and some things are well i have to wait for an outcome before i decided if it is a good thing or not.

I will revel more when i know, until then i will post as i get the chance to do a bit of crafting.

Todays post is a card that looks very much like the last card i posted. 

This unfinished card has been sitting on my desk for a few weeks now, i had fully intended to do two of the last card i made, but after seeing this weeks challenge over at Try Stamping on Tuesday, i decided to change it a little bit to fit the sketch.

Here is my card, the photo doesn't show up the light hint of glitter i used around the edge of the flowers.

This is my most favourite colour combination to use, it suits every ocassion,

Well i had better run as i have a yet another busy day ahead, i just hope this on coming cold/flu keeps away, well for a few more days at least

Try stampin on Tuesday #40

Morning Stampers,

It is once again that time of week, 

Try Stampin on Tuesday 

has released a new sketch, and it is a good one

Yesterday was my Brother-in-laws birthday, so i used this sketch to do a male themed card, i also got to ink up a new stamp, well it is not new i have had it for a while but it was yet to see ink.

This one isn't one of my finest pieces, there are many boo boo's

Next time i will have to lock the cat out of my office, as he always insists on a pat or cuddle just as sit down to create.

So go on over and have paly with this weeks new sketch

Try Stampin on Tuesday #38

Afternoon Crafters,

It is that time of the week again, it is time for a new challenge over at

Try Stampin on Tuesday

And as usual it is a great sketch.

My mind is else where at the moment so i made a pretty simple card, but i am happy with the results.

When i first saw this sketch i had a much better card in mind, but i have so much happening on the home front that i went simple

Here is my card

(sorry for the photo quality)

I have used an older retired stamp set, which i seem to go to quite often, Bud Basics

To finish it off i have done a bit of spritizing with the early espresso pen, which i think finishes it off nicely

Now back to my home front.

 my daughter has had very long and hard road these past few years, with hassles from school and other outside issues, she had been asking since we came back to live here(NZ), if she could return to Australia, so after one low(almost depressive mood) too many, my hubby and i made the big decision to send her back to live with her Grandmother and attend school over there.

As a mum this has been a very hard decision to come to, there have been many tears already, and many more to come, as she is leaving on Tuesday next week, we need to get her settled into school as much as possible before the holidays so come next year it will be better for her.

On the bright side she will be coming home at Christmas time as her grandmother is also coming back for a holiday. 

Try Stampin on Tuesday #26

Afternoon Crafters...

I have not blogged in a while in fact i even broke my own personal challenge of doing each and every challenge put up for the talented ladies over at

Try Stampin on Tuesday

i have had a very busy time of late, combined with a lack of mojo.

But i have been doing the odd thing, so i will post those over the next week or so.

My mojo has been so low i have taken to re-creating past favorite cards for the few birthdays i have had to do.

I have also done a couple of pages for my family's scrapbook's that i have just started to do

 This week there is a great challenge over at Try Stampin on Tuesday.

Here is their sketch

Here is my attempt,

Here is a close up of the background i used, it was done with just using a stamp versamark

 i used a digi art image from the fantastic site

Beccy's Place

anyway i must be off i have lots more to do, i will fill you all in soon, and the happenings in my life that is keeping me away from my blog and craft room

Try Stampin on Tuesday #24

Morning Stampers,

Well there is another great sketch this week over at

Try Stampin on Tuesday

When i first saw it, again i saw a scrapbook page, in fact im glad i did, if i had not had a page in mind, i would have trouble with this one, it would have really tested me.

 I even had the perfect photo for this sketch.

But first here is the sketch.

Now here is my page, this one took alot of doing as i just couldn't finish it off right, but i think i got there in the end

This has always been a favorite photo of mine of my son and his best mate - his cousin Ace.

In fact i have so many that shows their mate ship that i think a collage page is in order.

I hid the journaling behind the photo.

Well i must dash off, i have one of those days ahead, where i have to be everywhere at once, and not enough hours to have it all done.

i am heading away for the night to go join my sister Narelle and her best friend in a scrap night, so you never know i might have lots to show if the wine and chatting don't get in the way.

Anyway try and stay warm where ever you are

TST #23..... Let it Snow

Afternoon stampers,

Over at Try Stampin on Tuesday this week is another great sketch, this sketch is very different from all challenges so far to date.

Here is their sketch.

As soon as i saw it...it screamed scrapbook page, so that is what i did.

As i'm new to scrapbooking, i was very nervous about doing this page. but i am very happy with the out come. 

Here is my page

The Bashful blue doesn't show up the detail of the snowflake background, stamped with versamark.

The bottom right hand corner needs something, i might add a bit of journaling there, but i just want to work out a way of doing it without ruining it with visible words

Oh no..... im hooked, i have even gone through all of our photos and sorted a whole lot out to be done.

i loved these photos, i am so happy to have a great way to show them off, this was our first ever day in the snow, up to this date, the kids (including me) had never seen snow, we all had a great day.

TST #22 Because i care

Morning Stampers,

First the first time in a long time i had an idea come to me as soon as i saw a sketch.

This is one challenge blog everybody should go and have a go at.

You don't need a blog to play along, you can upload your photos to your album over at Splitcoasterstampers and then link back to the challenge

CherylAnn's sketches are brilliant.

This week over at 

Try Stampin on Tuesday

Here is this weeks sketch.

i turned the sketch on it's side to match the stamp i used.

I didn't have ribbon to put down the middle, so instead i used the extra piece i tore off from the bottom layer.

This was the first time i had inked up this stamp.

The photo doesn't show you the shimmer paint i daubered over the flower to give it a bit of depth.

Also this week i am the first not the last as i have been in the past few weeks.

Have a great day

TST #21... TAKE 2.......

Hello Again,

  Oh boy......two post in one day,

As i said in my last post i really didn't like my card, so i couldn't rest, i had to give it another go.

This time i'm almost happy with the outcome.

Click here to go and have a play, i'm sure you can do better than me

Try Stampin on Tuesday

Here my second attempt.... a bit better this time around

but still not 100% happy with it.

TST #21... What was i thinking.......

Morning Stampers.

Today's card is done yet again just in time for the Try Stampin On Tuesday Challenge

Here is this weeks sketch

i have had a huge and stressful past couple of weeks, with no real end in sight for a while....Family issues and this cards show it.

i don't have much to say except it is not a good one....in fact i struggled with even blogging it.

WARNING!!!!!   

Bad card ahead

You have been warned........

Sorry girls i haven't done your sketch any justice.

It needs something, but with my head not in it's correct gear i can't think how to finish it, it sat on my desk in a un-glued state for the past 3 days...in the end i just had to stick it together...and yes i was right ...yuck!

I might have to put the creative things on hold until i can get my head in to the correct gear.

But on a brighter note i was again lucky enough to make the top 3 picks over at Try Stampin on Tuesday last week

Here is my badge

Have a great day

Try Stampin on Tuesday #20

Morning Stampers,

Phew that was close as i nearly missed the deadline to enter this.
then i would have let myself down with my personal challenge, to enter every challenge over at 

Try Stampin on Tuesday

Here is this weeks fantastic sketch

Don't forget to go and have a look at the new sketch due up sometime today.

I didn't think i was going to get around to putting in an entry this week, due to some serious problems with one of my children, and with all of this happening, i haven't been in the creative mood,

But after making a late (as usual) card for my sister Narelle, who's birthday it was yesterday,
ha ha she is getting old now, yes yes i know i'm still older.

 I was inspired to go ahead and create a card to submit.

I used the color coach and came up with these dynamic colours.

it isn't the best of work, as with other things on the mind it is hard to do a clean and tidy job.

I will post the other one i made in a few days once it arrives at it's destination.

I was lucky enough again to make last weeks top 3 pick

Here is my badge

Try and stay dry, 

Have a good day.

TST # 18...one for the men

Morning Stampers,

How are we all today.

Today i started by doing a little blog surfing as normal, and popped over to my favorite challenge site

Try Stampin on Tuesday

And yet again they are yet to disappoint me with their sketch, for the first time in a long time i had a sketch come to mind as soon as i saw it.

Here is the sketch

This time i went for a card designed for the men in our lives

I turned the sketch on it's side as it fitted my chosen stamp better

I am really happy with this one, i must say it is one of my better ones lately. 

I might even put this away for my Husbands birthday or maybe Fathers day.

I have done a two tone edge sponging, and marker to stamp inking, i used three colors on the stamps.

The DSP is an oldy but a goody, i love this one for male cards, it is Windsor Knot.

With the second half of the year starting i now have a very busy time coming up with birthdays.

The first half of the year is a slow one for me, then once June hits it is all go until December, i should think ahead and start doing xmas cards now, as i always run out of time at the end of the year, with all of the birthdays, oh well maybe next year i will be better organised

Have a great day, Take care :)  

TST #17... Lets play a game.......

Hello Again,

I have gone from no posts to two posts in one day,

this is a very quick post, as i have left it to the very very last minute to put up my card for this weeks challenge over at

Try Stampin on Tuesday

Here is the sketch this week

And here is my attempt at it,

This is where the game comes into play, as i did this card in such a hurry, lets play spot the boo boo's.

i have to say this is one i would rather not blog, but i did challenge myself to do each and every challenge over at this fantastic site.

i had an idea earlier in the week, but it completely has gone, so i had to wing it.

As for the last card i posted, it won me a prize...yay me, it won the colour challenge that i had created it for.

thanks so much to CherylAnn for her brilliant new site, i am having a blast...

if you do not want to miss out on the fun please click here to sign up....

Try Stampin on Tuesday #16

Afternoon Stampers,

Over at Try Stampin on Tuesday this week, their sketch is another great one.

I am short on time this week.

i have been busy running around in circles thanks to the teenagers, and it wont end until Sunday, in fact the rest of the week is only going to get busier.

Here is the sketch over at 

Try Stampin on Tuesday

As i said i have been busy, but i did manage to sit down and complete a card for the sketch

albeit a simple card.

But i did give a new technique a go, i have done the spotlight technique. I have added Crystal Effects to the blossoms on the colour part, to make them pop a bit more.

One i have seen many time but have never gotten around to trying.

I do not know what i think of this one, i am hoping to get a bit more time soon to sit down and give it another go, as it is a great workable sketch.

Anyway i must fly, i have another errand i must go and do.

Try Stampin on Tuesday #15

Afternoon stampers,

Well the weather has turned....cold that is, i knew the warmth couldn't last much longer...so out comes the thermals. I am sitting here in my office with a small oil fin heater between my knees under my desk, trying to stay warm.

Todays creation is one i have done for the sketch over at 

Try Stampin on Tuesday

Here is this weeks Sketch

I had a great time doing this one, i had just the person in mind when making it.

I turned this weeks sketch on it's side, the sketch also has a piece of ribbon in it, but i think if i added one it would be too much, so i left it off.

Here is a photo of the inside as well as the little butterfly

I have added Crystal Effects to all of the dots on the the card, i started with the dots below the message, as i wanted the effect of brads, but i couldn't stop there, and the little butterfly also has Crystal Effects on it, with a dash of Dazzling Diamonds before it dried.

I have a yet again busy weekend ahead, tomorrow i have a stamp day, one i am really looking forward to as i have not been to a class in a long time now, so it will be great to catch up with the wonderful ladies i have met through this class.

I hope you all have a great weekend ahead,and try to stay warm.

Happy 60th Birthday

Morning Stampers,

What i have to share today is a card i did for my dad's upcoming 60th birthday.

My younger sister turned 21 last month and my dad is turning 60 next month so on the 14th of this month  they held a combined party.

I gave my sister her card on her actual birthday, and i gave dad his card when i saw him, as with him living in another town, i don't see him that often at all.

I had a blast at the party catching up with a few family members who i haven't seen since my kids were babies, they are now both in their mid to late teens, so it has been a long time between visits.

Also i learn't a very important thing, don't send the men out to get you your wine...

Well it did taste a whole lot better with a little bit of juice added.....

Here is the card i made for dad

Over at try Stampin on Tuesday, i again made the top three this week. Congrats also go to Helen Williams and Sarah for their top three picks as well.

 I urge everybody to go on over and have a play, CherylAnn's weekly challenges are fantastic.

Here is my badge

The card i did for last weeks challenge was done with a new friend in mind.

i have been part of this round of U Stamp with Dawn and Friends.

And through this site i have been chatting to some amazing people, from Australia, America and of course right here in NZ.

I wanted to send a hello to Helen Williams, a demonstrator from Timaru, NZ, also to thank her for her kind words when you ask those silly questions all newbies ask.

So i made the card with her in mind.

here is the card

Anyway i am sitting here writing this and trying to figure out what i am going to do for this weeks challenge,

Again i have a another special new friend in mind, this one is going to go further abroad though.

But i am not going to say who in case she pops in and sees her name, then it won't be a surprise

Till then take care all of you out there in blogger land

TST #14 & Butterflies, bugs and Blooms

Morning Stampers,

I hope everybody had great weekend.

My weekend was a busy one, between work, a funeral and two big birthday celebrations, it was full on.

But last night i found a bit of quiet time to sit down and think about this weeks challenge over at

Try Stampin on Tuesday 

This weeks challenge stumped me, it took quite a while for this one to come together, but once i got started it just flowed.

Here is the sketch

Once again i have gone with a favorite colour combination, i have real trouble going past these colours. i just love the way they gel together.

Here is my card

So go on over to Try Stampin on Tuesday and have a go.

They release a new challenge/sketch every Tuesday.

 The host of the site CherylAnn is creating great new challenges every week.

Cheryl Ann is also about to launch a great new and exciting site for all creators out there to get even more inspiration.

She has put together a list of fantastic designers to share projects with us.

Tracey Old

Kristen Conant

Amy Fleming

Laurie Gibson

Tanya Bell

Maria Vanderform

Narelle Hoggard

Paula Reid

Click here to go on over to learn more about this new site

To those of you travelling home from Melbourne in the next day or so, have a safe journey, and everyone who is freshly home, i am really looking forward to the photos and stories.

Sounds like you all had a blast as expected.

Try Stampin on Tuesday #13

Morning Stampers,

This is a quick post this morning, i have lots to do , and i am in the middle of creating again.

This week over at Try Stampin on Tuesday, they have a another great sketch.

As i have been really busy this week, i have gone for completely simple, in fact i started this sketch with one of my Twin nieces in mind, it is their 2nd birthday this Saturday.

 but i found it is not girly at all so it was back to the drawing board.

Anyway here is my creation

if time allows i might give this sketch another go, as i have a another card or so i have to come up with.

In the mean time i am busy creating a couple of cards for my twin nieces for this weekend which i will showcase later on.

Take care and if you are in the wet zone stay dry, (and Aucklanders ...stay safe).

Have a great weekend ahead

Try Stampin on Tuesday #12

Evening Stampers,

Wow what a night last night is was all happening,

The NZ Breakers won the NBL grand final, and of course there was the royal wedding.

It was a daydreamers fantasy, to see an everyday girl marrying her prince.

I watched it from the beginning to the end, well i tried to, i managed to watch all of the wedding, then waited for the balcony appearance, but i must have fallen asleep as the next thing i knew was the reporters talking about the happy couple and their time on the balcony.

i was really annoyed with myself as i (like all others) was waiting for that first kiss, well public one anyway.

Both the groom and the bride looked stunning.

I had a few tears when i saw Prince Harry and Prince William together thinking of how proud Diana would have been of her two men on this special day.

Well enough of the daydreaming back to crafting,

 After been very very stumped by this weeks sketch challenge over at

Try Stampin on Tuesday

I managed to came up with a second attempt at the sketch.

See the previous post for the sketch challenge.

This one is very much like the sketch itself.

Here is a photo of the insert

This is my original card i started with, but it was one of those that i didn't know how to finished it off.

So it sat on my desk for a few days until i could come up with something, in the end instead of another scallop in the opp corner i settled with a bow, using twine.

But i did know i wanted to do a criss cross card, so i made a smaller one on the card, 

The bigger criss cross idea came later on

Again no sentiment, i will add this later as i decided on it's use.

Well im off to bed to catch up on the late night i had last night.

Take care

Try Stampin on Tuesday #12 & JAI #66

Afternoon Stampers.

How is everybody today, i have had a very busy day. 

One of those days in which there is not enough hours to get every thing done even working at full speed.

Todays creation was created for the TST (Try stampin on Tuesday) weekly challenge.

The sketch this week has me a bit worried, as this weeks sketch is out of my normal scope of cards i do.

Here is the Sketch

I decided on doing a card i have wanted to have a go at for a while.

A criss cross card.

As i was about to blog this i thought i might do a bit of blurfing first, im glad i did as over at Just Add Ink, their weekly challenge was

Just Add Flowers

As mothers day is approaching fast.

And my card fits their challenge perfectly

Here is my master piece

i absolutely love how this turned out

Here is a picture of the insert

This is perfect as my sisters and i got our mother a voucher for a complete relaxation massage for mother's day, and this will fit nicely in the pocket as well.

Well i had better go and complete the rest of the items on my every extending list

take care

Try Stampin on Tuesday #10 & JAI #64

Afternoon Crafters,

This weeks is TST's (Try stampin on Tuesday) 10th challenge week, and so far i have lived up to my personal challenge of trying to complete every challenge put forward by CherylAnn who run this amazing blog/challenge.

She has just announced that if 8 more people join in this week she will have a prize for the entrants.

So please go on over and see what you come up with.

Click here to go and give it a go

Here is the sketch

Also over at Just Add Ink, their weekly challenge this week is

Chocolate Wrapper Colour Combo

And one ( i stress One) of my Favourite Chocolate bars is a hard (in NZ) to find Cherry Ripe bar.

Which is Red, yellow and green.

 So with this card i just sat down and played with my tools and stamps, i must say i'm not sure what i think of this one.

I like it but then again i don't,

You decide......

 i wanted to do a bit more to the base card but with so much already happening in the foreground, i didn't want to make it too busy, so i just gave up and left it plain.

What do you think,

 what could i have done to the background. 

Every now and then i am blank and feel like a newbie when it comes to techniques, a bit like writers block.

here is a side view of the dimensions i used

I used Crystal Effects in the center of the 3-D flower.

I could draw/sketch no worries but for someone who has always has trouble with adding colour i always ruined my art work, but now that i have mastered ( well i think i have) the art of water colouring i am really happy with my attempts of adding colour to projects.

I an earlier post i said that i would post a few cards i have made lately, but i have to re-create one of them as i didn't take a photo before i gave it out, so as soon as i get that done i will post it.

Have a really great weekend ahead.

I have a busy one planned, in Hamilton starting today we have the ITM Hamilton 400 V'8 street race on, and we are going along tomorrow so we can see ZZ Top in Concert, oh and the racing.

 Sunday is a day in the bush, on a trek with our Venture group.

Bring on Monday.....sleep in (hear that Narelle, ha ha) no routine for the next two weeks, the kids are on holidays, so anything goes with the teens.