News of me being kidnapped and taken to outer space have been greatly exaggerated!

Oh Wow! I can't believe it's been 6 months since I last posted. I have been having problems with my health and other family issues and not had the extra energy to spend on making many cards etc. (I have made some though...which I will show you over the next while.) When Chronic Fatigue Syndrome flares up, along with my other ailments, it makes it hard to do anything much at all (mostly only the essentials). Hopefully I'll be able to keep posting in a timely manner for you to share in my journey.

I made the card above for a lovely lady my mum and I were friends with at her retirement centre who died earlier this year. I wasn't sure what to do for it, but went with some paper etc that I had been working with for something else, and added what flowers I thought were pretty. I also made a co=ordinating card box for it. As it turned out, the flowers and feathers matched perfectly the theme of the memorial luncheon we attended for her. Joan is sorely missed and we always think fondly of her.

Anyway, it's time I got going on what I NEED to do, so all of my love and I'll see you soon.

Bye for now,

I Forgot........Sorry!!!

It seems at the moment that if I don't do something when I first think of it, I'll forget to do it. It sounds like the onset of dementia; but my GP tells me it's because of the meds I'm on for my Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and peripheral neuropathy. The reason I'm admitting this is because I forgot to post my card from my last challenge for Simply Create Too. It's now time for the new challenge to start, so head on over and see the creations on show and join in to win a great badge to put on your blog site. The theme is to use green.

Getting back to my card, I had to use my favourite colour combo; which, if you were to look in my wardrobe, is a combination of blue, green and purple (and all of the variations in between).

I used some Couture Creations Anna Griffin Mix & Match Pigment Powders and smooshed, and layered the background and then hand-painted the sentiment onto a heat embossed image. If you haven't tired these powders, you really should. They have a glorious sheen and the colours are vibrant and so pretty. Very similar to Tim Holtz Perfect Pearls, but the colours are much more vibrant and you only have to use a smidge to get great depth. They can also be used mixed with any liquid media, such as embossing paste, liquid glue, white gesso, etc to get it coloured to match perfectly the colours of your layouts or cards.

Anyway, a simple card, but, oh, so pretty!  (Big smile)

Don't forget to check out the latest Challenge at Simply Create Too.

Bye for now.

Love,

A new challenge for Get Creative Challenges

I'm back with the second of my February challenges. Challenge #66 from Get Creative Challenges has a theme of "Use Ribbon or Washi Tape". The sponsors for this month are Rick St Dennis, Twinkle Lane Designs and Knitty Kitty Digis and you could win images, etc from their shops.

 

I used a digistamp from Rick St Dennis called "Pavanne 2017 Fashion" and coloured her up using Copic marker colours that matched the washi tape rainbow background. The die cut sentiment was cut from a panel of cardstock that I covered with strips of glittered washi tape. I really love how this turned out.

Anyway, head on over to Get Creative Challenges and join in the fun by adding a washi tape creation of your own (or you can use ribbon if you really must. hahaha)

P.S. I bought the pastel washi tape from KMart. It came in a tube of 14 rolls; and I knew it would be perfect for this card.

Bye for now.

Love,

Oh oh!!!

I went AWOL for many weeks earlier in October/November, due to my mum tripping and dislocating and breaking her left shoulder. UGH! I happened to be away in Sydney/Melbourne on holidays at the time; but once we got back, Mum came to stay with us and I had to look after her, doing everything for her. The resulting stress caused my Chronic fatigue to flare.

The great news is that both of us are continuing to heal. Mum's back in her little place and I'm back doing some cardmaking and housework. Yay!!????

Some of the things I missed posting about included:

Angie's Digital Stamps had its last challenge for the year with a "Happy Holidays" theme.

I used Angie's Little Lila with Musical Instrument digi stamp for my card and coloured her in the reds and greens of Christmas. Some distressing and edge inking gave the card a slight vintage feel; but I just had to add a touch of glitz with the gold die cut "greetings". Nuvo Ebony Black Crystal Drops completed the card.

Get Creative Challenges also had its last challenge for 2017. Challenge #64 had a theme of "Holidays".

My card used a digistamp by one of the sponsors, Rick St Dennis called "Winter 2017". I coloured the image using my Copics and combined patterned paper, white paper roses,

organza red ribbon, some silver flower centres, leaves and a stacked red die cut sentiment. I have always admired Tracy Wray and her distressed and layered cards; and wanted to have a go at it.

Simply Create Too's last challenge for the year had the theme of CAS and I had fun creating a card using a Santoro Gorjuss "Fly Away With Me" stamp set. Did you know that Nuvo Crystal Drops will flatten? I stacked it along with some other cards (after it had been sitting out drying for several days) and when I later looked at it, the drops had flattened.

Anyway, off to have some more adventures (disasters???) in my life. I'll be back soon.

Bye for now,

Love,

I'm sorry about this...

I apologise to all about this, but since I had a very bad cold/flu/whatever over a month ago, I've been behind in everything in my life. It's only now, as I sit in a nice hotel room in Sydney, that I can post things that I should have over a fortnight ago.

One of these things is a card for Get Creative Challenges Challenge #62, that has a theme of Autumn/Fall.

I hope you can see the background design I tried to achieve with a stencil, double-sided tape and various containers of gilding flakes. The stencil is a gorgeous one by (forget the name but I'll fix up when I get home) with a leaf pattern over it. I lay some wide double-sided  tape over some white cardstock, positioned the stencil over top and then tried filling in the leaf patterns with a bronzy mixture of gilding flakes. There are some areas that represent the sky/void space, which I covered with silver; and then after removing the stencil, I filled in the leaf outlines with a greeny mixture. One thing with gilding flakes is that when you drop a piece on double-sided tape, there is NO chance of picking it up to try again. Anyway, that's it for the background. The image is AliciaBel's Felicity that was coloured using my Copic markers to tie in with the autumnal theme. You should be able to see the other accoutrements I used to finish the card.

This challenge is sponsored by Angie's Digital Stamps, AliciaBel and Fred, She Said Designs. Winners of this challenge can win 2 digistamps from Angie's Digital Stamps or a $10 voucher to spend at AliciaBel or Fred, She Said Designs.

Join us at Get Creative and see what Autumn goodness has been created. Make a card and join in the fun.

Bye for now.

Love,

A card for a friend

I was proud to be asked by a friend of my mum to make a birthday card for her grand-daughter. This is the card I came up with. IRL the middle layer of the card was a pale pinky-apricot pearlescent cardstock, but in this photo it just looks white. 

I also had to make an envelope to fit the card (one of the downfalls of using flowers). I successfully used my WeR Memory Keepers Envelope Punch board. To be honest, I've not had a great deal of success using this previously, but on this occasion, it worked perfectly. I was even able to do a 3D step-up version to accommodate the flowers more easily.

Other resources I used included: Kaisercraft Oval Vintage Frame Decorative dies (small), Catherine Pooler Stamp of Approval Happy Birthday dies, Memory Box Distressed Windham Collage Cutting die, assorted paper flowers, leaves and some Glimmer Mist in Gold Iridescent.

I'm glad to say that Joan (my mum's friend) loved the card and was pleased with the verse I included inside.

Bye for now.

Love,

A wedding card

Recently one of my nieces got married and I wanted to share the wedding card I made for them. I wanted to go all out with it and nothing says "hi" like foiling, so I got out my mini MINC and got busy.

I foiled the silver as an underlayer for a diecut panel that had been cut using the Spellbinders Card creator: A2 Devine Eloquence cutting die set. I also used the silver foiling on another tag and to foil the sentiment that I printed using my laser printer. The middle die cut panel was also dry embossed with my new Calvin's Quatrefoil embossing folder from the Oh La La Collection by Ultimate Crafts. White ribbons, flowers and leaves completed my card. 

I'm a massive fan of the MINC and I especially love how it foils on pearlised cardstock. It looks so luxurious. I'm intending on doing a video featuring foiling, so look out for it (but don't hold your breath waiting for it...I'll get it done once I'm feeling up to it.) 

Anyway, that's all for me tonight. I'll be back again soon.

Love,

Janelle

XXX

Challenge #10 Angie's Digital Stamps Challenge blog

Before I show you my card for the latest challenge, I will just blow my own trumpet and say "Yay! This is my 150th post."

Considering my 5th blogversary will be celebrated on 30th June, I'm the first to admit I'm not a dedicated or a prolific blogger. All too often, life gets in the way. (Which is nothing new to anyone who blogs.) This was supposed to be the year I got my act into gear and do all of the things I want to do with my crafting life. Not happening yet!!!

Anyway, on with my challenge which is Challenge #10 For Angie's Digital Stamps Challenge Blog. My card used one of Angie's cutie digis called Daisy May with Honey, and I added her to a shabby chic background (which I haven't done in soooo long.) I used a range of older Kaisercraft papers and a wooden bird, a Prima metal charm and various flowers etc. The sentiment used a The Crafters Workshop metal die cut from gold foiled cardstock.

Pop on over to Angie's blog to see the other lovely cards that have been created by the rest of the design team and our followers. Perhaps you could win some digi images by adding a card of your own creation. Best of luck.

Bye for now.

Love,
Janelle
XXX

Returning to you after the flu...

For the past month, I've been recuperating after having a bout of the flu. It's only now that I realise that I hadn't finished my trifecta show-and-tell. And apologies to Angie, those challenges are now finished.

It's always hard for me to bounce back after getting any infection or virus because of my Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. I have to get over the illness and then recover from the side effects from the CFS. If it wasn't for the frequent periods of shaking, extreme tiredness, scrambled thinking, swollen glands, aching ears, aching muscles and hands not working properly that are the CFS physical effects on my body, I could handle having the flu. My husband stepped up and took over the cooking and organisation of the household over that time, but I can't ask him to post for me as well.

Anyway, I'll quickly show these last two cards to you. (I can't just be making cards for my own benefit - I must inflict them on you as well.)

My first card here used the "Brinley" digistamp from The Fantasy Art of Nikki Burnette. We had to use buttons and bows for Challenge #58 for Get Creative Challenges. The background for this card used some tissue paper I used to mop up watercolouring on another card. It was too pretty to throw away; so I dried it out and then stuck to some cardstock with a thin layer of Multi Medium Matte. You can't really see it well in the photo, but the texture I achieved was interesting. I also added a little more colour (not much as I wanted to keep it pastel.) Go check out the Get Creative Challenges blog and see what great cards there are for Challenge #59 where the theme is to use a doily. 

My second card here was for Challenge #127 for Simply Create Too Challenge blog. It used the Fairy Swing digistamp from All Dressed Up. I have to admit this started life as a colouring exercise, but when the theme is use a digistamp and you've got one hanging around, well you make do. I enjoyed colouring this image and loved how it turned out. I'm not sure about the torn edges on the coloured layer, though. I wanted to use the mulberry paper and I always think that it looks most effective when torn, but the tear line on the coloured layer was way wider than I wanted. I have since given this card to my niece. I hope she liked it. For some current fun, hop along to Challenge #128 where the theme is Summer Fun.

I'll be back with some more cards in a tick.

Bye for now.

Love,

Janelle

XXX

Starting the new year with Simply Create Too Challenge #123

Challenge #123 for Simply Create Too has the theme of "New Beginnings". I made a card for my step-daughter's wedding, coming up in February. (I hope she doesn't see this before then).

This card was made using the Spellbinders Nestabilities Majestic Elements - Majestic Labels 25; as well as Elizabeth Craft Designs Curvy Leaves and Memory Box Small Marianna Vine Outline cutting dies. I used some Arctic White and Purple Crystal Perle cardstock, some silver glitter cardstock and white vellum. The flowers were Kaisercraft Coconut paper blooms. In the background you can see some Swiss Dot embossed white vellum; while inside the frame I cut out an oval of the vellum and stamped in purple ink and heat embossed with clear embossing powder..

This card is such a departure from what I've been doing lately, but I was inspired by a card by Olga Direktorenko.(click on the link to see the card). I CASEd her card also for a 90th birthday card for one of my mum's friends.

It's hard to photograph white cards. Any suggestions, anyone?

This post is sooo late. I've been frantically trying to get the house back into order after getting the inside repainted at the end of last year, but because I'm reorganising, adding new household fixtures, cleaning and culling all at the same time, it's taking forever. Our garage is out of action with all of the household goods in it, which is sooo bad as we'
re having heat waves in Queensland at the moment and getting into a hot car is not my idea of a happy situation.

Hope you're all keeping well and having a crafting good time.

Bye for now.

Love,
Janelle

My second and third Christmas card for the season

Hi to all, and best wishes for the upcoming Christmas season.

Today I'm presenting my second/third card for the 2016 Christmas season. This card is for the 4th Challenge for Angie's Digital Stamps Blog. The theme for this is "Anything Goes with an optional twist of Christmas".

The reason I've called this my second/third Christmas card of the season is that I made one (that disappeared into the dark recesses of our garage overnight, after being packed up by my ever helpful, but lovely husband.) Consequently I had to repeat it so it could be posted for Angie. I've also had to photograph everything on my phone as my camera has also been packed up. The reason for all of this packing up will be explained in a later post. 

This card uses a digistamp by Angie called "Little Lila with a Candy Cane" and was coloured using Copic markers. The silver edging around the oval image is a doily die cut called Bongani Doily from the Wild & Free Collection by Couture Creations. After it was die cut from silver foiled cardstock I quartered it and then arranged it around the edges of the oval shape. (I think perhaps a black or really dark green cardstock would have been better and stand out more.)

The sentiment was die cut from red foiled cardstock using some Decorative Dies from Kaisercraft's Christmas Words pack. Some Spectrum Noir clear glitter pen and Glossy Accents completed the card.

Pop on over to Angie's Digital Stamps Blog and see what everyone has been up to. Maybe you could join in for a chance to win digital stamps from Angie herself.  :)

Bye for now.

Love,

Janelle

Celebrating Get Creative's 2nd Blogversary

Get Creative Challenges is turning 2 and we are celebrating this occasion with the 52nd challenge that has the theme of Happy Birthday. We have two sponsors for this challenge - AliciaBel and Dr Digi.

My card used a digistamp called Alice & The Cake from AliciaBel. I did, though, change it a little by adding two candles on the slice of cake.

                                  

The gorgeous pink and foiled spot background is a vellum panel from The Craft Stall, bought from my local discount shop. (Look at my previous card to also see another of the panels from the packet.) The digistamp was coloured using Copic Markers and fussy cut, then mounted on an oval of white cardstock. The sentiment is a layered die cut using pink cardstock and Tim Holtz Alterations/Sizzix Celebrate cutting die set. You may be aware already that I love this set and his other, Friendship cutting die set. I use them so much.

Anyway. To complete the look I painted some pink Wink of Stella over the die cut and some clear Wink of Stella over the girl's bow. The faux stitching was also written using the pink WOS.

I'm doing more "simple" cards these days. Maybe it's a sign my style is changing or maybe it's because they're faster to do. What do you think??? Let me know what you think about my change in direction.

I'm off now. Pop on over to Get Creative Challenges, enjoy the party celebrations over there, and maybe you can enter a birthday card or two. (You can never have too many on hand.)

Bye for now.

Love,

Janelle

Using a Digital Stamp to Make a Background

Hi to all.

I'm back again with the third challenge from Angie's Digital Stamps. This month's challenge is "Anything Goes". I used one of Angie's digistamps of a cute little cupcake and thought it would be fun to create a background paper with it instead of making it the focus of the card (like I usually do).

I don't know about you, but whenever I'm manipulating images like this, I always go to a Windows Word page and find that I can manoeuver the images however I like. Probably it's because I started doing this back in 1980 something when we first got computers in the staffrooms in QLD schools. I used to make up my own class handouts and was forever trying to make them look interesting and professional-looking. 

This technique is for those of you who do not own/have access to editing programs such as Photo Shop.

HOW TO CREATE A BACKGROUND WITH A DIGISTAMP AND WINDOWS WORD PROGRAM.

1. Start by opening your image in a photo editing program like Photo Manager; and crop it to remove any excess white space. Make sure it's saved as a jpeg file.



2. Open the Word program, create a new page document and insert a rectangle the size of your intended background panel. You can position the images where you want them to be. Insert the cropped image. Reduce the size of the image to suit the size of the intended panel. It's important to now edit the image by changing the "Wrap Text" to "Tight". Also edit the order by bringing this image forward.

3.  The image is now ready to copy and paste. 

4.  Move the images and rotate to suit your design. The little green-ended handle is used to achieved this manipulation. Make sure some of the images fade off the edge of the panel to make it more natural looking.

5. Once you've placed all of the images where you want them, save the page and then print. Leave the rectangle in place as this will show you where to cut out.

I hope you can easily understand these instructions. If there's anything you need help with, please leave a comment and I'll get back to you.

To finish my card I painted around the edges of the card blank with some gold Wink of Stella ink, coloured the image using Copic Markers and secured a foiled and printed vellum panel; before completing by adding some pink enamel dots.

Anyway, head on over to Angie's Digital Stamps; see the amzing designs on display and enter your own design for a chance to win.

Bye for now.

Love,
Janelle

Looking Forward to ...

Check out the next issue of Australian Simply Cards. It will be their 100th edition and some of my cards are featured as "Fabulous ideas for milestone birthdays".

I used a variety of techniques to make a collection of 6 cards covering birthdays from 16 to 80. That's my box card just under the word 'Simply". Unfortunately I can't show you any photos of them - you'll just have to buy a copy and see for yourself.  (cheeky smile inserted here)

Bye for now.

Love,

Janelle

A Quick Share

Today I'm sharing a card I made for one of my design teams; but I got confused (not that difficult at the moment) and I didn't get it posted in time. OOOPS! I'm grateful I was forgiven. Am trying not to have it happen again.

Anyway, this card was to use black and one other colour (which was....guess...yes it was PINK!) I used a digi image I got from the internet by Carolyn Boettner. (Click on the link to go directly to the page.)

It was interesting colouring the background black and then colouring the rest in shades of pink and grey. I think the pink really stands out. I also didn't know I had so many Copic Marker pinks (and I've only got a small number of those available.) With Copic markers I definitely do not have "full set"-itis. hahahaha!

That's it for now. Bye!

Love,
Janelle

Get Creative Challenge #48

I'm back again with a new challenge for Get Creative Challenges blog. The challenge this time was to use embossing, either heat or dry. I went the full hog and used both. hahahaha!

  











This challenge was sponsored by Star Stampz and the Winner's Prize is 3 images of the winner's choice. 

For my card I used an embossing folder on some white cardstock, that was then inked over with some distress ink. To finish off, I went berserk with some water sprinkled very liberally over it and then mopped up. I love the way the swirls are really pronounced across the top, but gradually fade to match the background around the girl. I thought this embossing folder sort of looked like wind swirling in the sky.

The image was from Sarah at Star Stampz and is called "Autumn Fall Girl Reading". She was coloured with Copic markers and fussy cut around. The sentiment was heat embossed with white EP. To complete the card, I applied Spectrum Noir Glitter Brush over her hat, pumpkins and cat. The matt is some bronze glimmer cardstock - mmmmmm - yummy!

Anyway, head over to Get Creative and see the lovely designs posted and perhaps join in the fun.

Bye for now.

Love,

Janelle