WORLD CARDMAKING DAY BLOG HOP 5th OCT (5 DAYS) DAY 4

Hello crafters and welcome to The World Cardmaking day blog hop DAY 4 on this the 5th October.
This is a 5 day blog hop with 10 different participants each day.

I have to admit, my post is not the post I wanted it to be when I signed up for this blog hop. A lot has happened in my life the past few months, hence the lack of entries over the past 3 and a half months.... I can hardly believe its been that long since my last post.

I nearly cancelled this blog hop, as I had to with others, but stood with it... even though I may not be able to post a few cards as I originally intended, I can at least do one... I cannot offer any blog candy with this, but I am donating my card to a charitable cause...and hopefully I'll be able to make a few more to add to it... So this was a personal challenge for me, too.... I had to force myself to take a few moments out of my busy day and create...

But ... back to the blog hop... If you have arrived from Lisa G's blog (http://lisagarrow.blogspot.com) you are on the right track... if you have just happened on my post, but would like to see what the hop is all about, as well as all the great candy on offer, please go to Gill's blog (http://creationsbygillm.blogspot.com). Gill is the wonderful person who has organized this blog hop, and I know she has been working around the clock to make it a success...

Todays bloggers are:
Gill http://creationsbygillm.blogspot.com
Tami - http://www.tamboscreations.blogspot.com
Theresa www.thescrapbookingqueen.com
April http://www.curlsandgrins.blogspot.com
Lisa G http://lisagarrow.blogspot.com
Melanie http://melaniespapercraft.blogspot.com - YOU ARE HERE
Jennifer www.craftycardgallery.blogspot.com
Gina http://californiascrappin-gcinderella21.blogspot.com
Kari http://purplefuntastickcreations.wordpress.com

Now on to my card....

One of my latest favourite things to do is make tear bears... I could not decide if I wanted a sentiment on the card or not, so I've left it blank for now.

I made the tear bear entirely purple except for its muzzle and inner ears. I also chose to make the card all purple too, with just a dash of pink.


The eyes were made entirely by hand. I drew them onto card, cut them out and stuck them in place. I drew the lashes on, and with a white gel pen added some detail to the nose and a few freckles on the cheeks.I hope you enjoy the hop.... and hope its not too long before my next post....

Your next stop is Jennifer (www.craftycardgallery.blogspot.com)

Love Mel <3

summer inspiration

Wow, I can't believe it's been so long since my last pohttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifst... Life happened and has rudely interrupted my crafting time... oh well, I have to earn a salary some how, and I'd rather continue doing what I'm doing, as it still allows me to be creative...

Anyway ... this week at Patties Challenge the theme is summer...

We were given this picture as inspiration. These are Pattie's granddaughters in the pic...



I chose to bring out the blue and the orange from the picture, and as the theme is summer, I used an image from Patties store called Watering Can with Daisies.


I found a great paper I had in my stash... it's a Queen of Hearts paper, and the pattern is in shades of orange and the pattern reminded me of waves, so I had to use it.... I added a few orange flowers with buttons in the centre, and a little stitching along the side.

Please go over and join in the fun at Patties blog....

Thanks for popping by...

x Mel x

Welcome to the very first Birthday Bash Blog Hop.

If you have arrived here from Sheri's blog you’re on the right track. If not, and just lucked up on this blog, you can go back to the beginning HERE and hop along with us.

We're so excited to being doing this hop, and we have a fabulous line up with some very talented folks. There will be lots of fun projects, along with some great blog candy, and an AMAZING grand prize for this hop.

This hop runs all day on May 23, so you have plenty of time to make it all the way through the hop. Check out each blog and see what BLOG CANDY you could possibly WIN!!

Here is the complete line up

Lisa - http://handmadewithlove-lisa.blogspot.com/

Lisa - http://honeybearzdesigns2011.blogspot.com/

Shawnee - http://quiverofangels.blogspot.com/

Creativek Kuts - http://www.creativekuts.blogspot.com/

Deb - http://www.scrappingmamma.net/

Corrine - http://celebratingordinarymoments.blogspot.com/

Tristan - http://tristans-time-4-craftin.blogspot.com/

Mickie - http://littlescrapcorner.blogspot.com/

Rachelle – http://rachelle-rachellesplace.blogspot.com/

Sheri - http://highland-eyes.blogspot.com/

Melanie - http://melaniespapercraft.blogspot.com/- YOU ARE HERE

Christine - http://crabbycakescrafts.blogspot.com/

Bobbi – http://rockgirlcustomdesigns.blogspot.com/

Debbie - http://craftydeb-ddscrafts.blogspot.com/

Leila - http://mypapergrowsontrees.blogspot.com/

Emily - http://www.createserendipity.net/

Jennifer - www.craftycardgallery.blogspot.

April - http://www.curlsngrins.blogspot.com/

Jennifer - http://scrapaholicjen.blogspot.com/

Ashley - http://scrappinpinkpiglet.blogspot.com/

Donna - http://comopark1886.blogspot.com/

Elsa - http://www.justafewdesigns.blogspot.com/

Shannon - http://www.purplelionpaper.com/blog

Ashley - http://www.theglamoroussideofscrapping.blogspot.com/

Monica - http://scraps2treasure.blogspot.com/

Lisa - http://handmadewithlove-lisa.blogspot.com/

Scrapping With Lisa on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Scrapping-with-Lisa/130882060268842

There is also going to be an overall grand prize, which is being sponsored by Lisa from Scrapping with Lisa and she will be the first and last blog on the hop. In order to be eligible for the grand prize you must leave a comment on every blog in the hop, as well as become a fan of Lisa's and of Scrapping with Lisa on Facebook. If you don’t do facebook, this won’t count against you for the grand prize, just let me know that in a comment. You must do all this, it is mandatory in order to be eligible for the overall grand prize.

I wasn't sure what to do for this hop, as it was a case of "anything goes" as long as it's birthday. hmmm... do I do a card with a digi, or paper piecing (which I'm really enjoying), so I decided to do a birthday themed scrapbooking layout. I popped off a mail to Heather from PaperyAnne to see if she had any birthday themed paper piecing patterns. She didn't but she rustled up something in no time at all for me... and this was the result.

This is the full double page layout

Page 1 - I love stitching at the moment, so I just HAD to add some stitching to the banner. I found some buttons that went perfectly with the page and colours, so had to add them too (and I stitched them into place)

Page 2 - I've used a border punch for the heart border and then just matched up some plain and patterned paper. The hearts that were punched out were used on the cupcakes (and I just punched some extra from other scraps). I used one of my stencils for the circular pearl pattern.

Close-up of the banner and buttons

Close-up of the pearls

And finally another close-up of the banner.

One lucky winner will be entitled to this gift voucher:

Just leave a comment below and I'll select a random winner once the hop is over.

PaperyAnne is looking for some new DT members to join our team. If you enjoy working with paper piecing patterns or Digi Stamps, then email Susanne with your application (include a little about yourself, what you do, and your blog address)

Thank you for hopping by, and I hope you've gained some inspiration from my blog.

Your next blog is Christine - http://crabbycakescrafts.blogspot.com/

Have a GREAT day!!

NO NO NO Cards!!

This week's challenge at Patties is to create anything but a card.

You can see my life has been rather busy - I haven't blogged for the last 2 weeks!! Yikes...

My idea with these little tags, was to actually use them on a scrapbook layout... I didn't quite manage that, but at least they're now ready for when I do decide to do it.

I coloured each baby (I love this image) in a different colour, but kept them in the yellow/orange/brown range - I'd like to create a vintage look page.

These tags were really easy to put together - I just cut some rectangles from textured cardstock, then cut 2 rectangles from patterned paper and tore them across (giving me 4 pieces). I used a rounded corner punch on just the one edge. Then just a little ric-rac ribbon down the side, a brown flower with a flower brad in the centre and finally an eyelet with some raffia tied through.

Hope to be back with some more... oh yes I will on Monday...


but maybe I'll share a little more with you before that (I have a few projects to share)

x Mel x

The theme for this week's challenge at Patties Creations Design Challenge is Mother's Day.

I chose Pattie's new image "Mother and Baby 2". Isn't it adorable.

I went with deep colours and naturals, and I really love how it came out.

My embellishments used: 2 flowers, 2 flower pearl headed pins, a green feather, 2 punched out leaves and a few pearls

Pop over to take advantage of Pattie's 20% sale- be quick... sale ends on the 23rd April

x Mel x

More sales.... More discount....

Patties Creations has decided to extend the 20% off sale until the 23rd of April - there are some really lovely digi's in her store...
Some samples of the digi's you could get...
And then a whopping 60% off all purchases at Paperyanne... Heather has some wonderful new digistamps and paper piecing files
There's some cute digi's available...

And some sweet paper piecing files.... here's the new Bronto Family...
And the tooth fairy....
And here's a project I made with the tooth fairy... This was my DT project for Paperyanne's second challenge - the theme was "BLING"... I think I did a good job... :)

Take advantage while you can....

x Mel x

Sale at Patties

Go check out Pattie's 20% sale APRIL 15TH TO THE 18TH (USE COUPON CODE ALLIE).

And once you've taken advantage of the sale, head over to her blog and join the challenge - the theme this week is Easter / Spring.

x Mel x

What have I been doing....

.... or should it be, "what haven't I been doing?"... (warning ... long post)

It's been a while since I've actually posted anything, but with good reason... life has been hectic and I haven't really had a chance to do much crafting...

But let me catch you up on a few recent happenings...

Firstly, about 2 weeks ago, I "by the way" applied for a DT position at a new paper piecings company... The Saturday morning I woke up to new news that I had the position, and I was already added as an admin on the Facebook group... I was so excited that I put 2 sugars in my coffee instead of 1 (ugh, that woke me up!!)

Please go and have a look at their website. They have also just added digistamps to their range...

Our first project for the DT was "anything"... so I chose Skye's shoes from the store and started on my project.

As it was also my mom's birthday coming up, I decided to combine my DT project with the layout I was already in the process of making for my mom (and her twin sister)... I was making them each a Scrapbook layout. I'd already ordered a custom digi stamp from A Day For Daisies. I sent Tammy a photo of my mom and her twin as babies, and she made a custom image - it's adorable!

I then printed some photo's from copies we had made from my Gran's box of photo's of all the "Smith" kids.

I presented my mom with her page at her 60th Birthday Party, and she was so happy with it. She was showing it to everyone who walked in.
When my aunt arrived I handed her her page (in an album) and I don't think any of us expected her reaction. She burst into tears, which triggered my mom and my sister! It was so nice to see her reaction. My mom is always appreciative of everything I make her, but my aunt has never received anything like it. The layouts are almost exactly the same... as my aunt said to my mom while opening their gift: "you would think we're twins"...

Their younger sister commissioned my to make them each a very special birthday card. In my usual manner, I thought about it, but left it to do a few days before the event... Not expecting the world to turn upside down...
Last week Tuesday, I got a phone call that my uncle had passed away. It was such terrible news, but at the same time, I almost breathed a sigh of relief... He's been battling cancer for quite a few months and had spread throughout his body and he was in a lot of agony. We'll miss him dearly - our hippie uncle - but knowing he is no longer in pain, does give me sense of comfort. We said our final goodbyes on friday, April 1st - and I'm sure he was looking down from Heaven having a good chuckle about it - always had a sense of humour...

So back to the cards... cutting it fine (again) I finished the cards on the Saturday morning - the party was on Saturday afternoon. But I'm glad I spent the hours on the cards that I did, because everyone - the giver and the receivers were ecstatic (and so was I).

The front views of the cards:
I made this one with my mom in mind, and it's the one she got...


This one screamed my aunt's name and it's the one that went to her... Funny how things turn out (I had no say in it - it was up to their sister who got what)...
Tri fold cards always get such a great reaction from everyone, and I love making them.

Well, now that I've kept you busy for the last while, I let you get on with your own things... I hope you can leave here with some inspiration, and thanks for stopping by...

x Mel x

Spring has Sprung?

Not in South Africa, it hasn't - winter is well and truly on it's way here... but on the other side of the world, everyone is getting ready for Spring... and by the sounds of the winter they've been having (snow... snow... snow...) they well and truly deserve it...

At Patties Challenge this week, the theme is Easter or Spring... I chose to go with something along the Spring line... and I used Phoebe the Fairy Pig...


I went with pink as my accent colour, and I like how it turned out... I found a really cute spring poem, which was originally supposed to go on the card, but I didn't have space for it, so turned it into a book mark.

Hope you can join us for some digi stamping fun and show us your Easter or Spring projects...
Have fun :)

x Mel x

March Candy @ Shoestring Scrapbooking

Not much time left.... even I somehow missed this candy.

Winner will be announced tomorrow so best be quick.

This is what you can win:

8 x Patterned Papers 12 x 12

1 x Large Wooden Tea Cup

3 x Chipboard Butterflies

1 x Lettering Pack 260 pcs

1 x Wooden Heart

1 x Lace Border

1 x Wooden Strip

Assorted Embellishments

Go to Shoestring Scrapbooking's blog for more details on how to win...

Blog award from Margy

It's always so nice to receive something unexpected. I got a message a few weeks ago from Margaret to tell me she had something on her blog for me.
It was a really nice surprise for me.
Now all, I need to do, to accept this award, is list 8 things about myself, and give this award to 8 other stylish bloggers.

8 things I know about myself...
1. I am stubborn, hard-headed and strong willed. Due to those traits, I sometimes come across as rude, but if you take the time to get to know me, I'm really not all that bad...
2. I love being a mother. It's often difficult and very trying, but also very rewarding.
3. I'm a very messy crafter (my tables will be heaped with stuff), but my work is always neat.
4. I have tried almost every craft, and my first attempt at scrapbooking 7 years ago, I hated. Tried it again about a year or 2 later, and loved it. I've been papercrafting since.
5. I studied art at college, and I think my art background helps me with my crafting to a great extent.
6. I love animals, and I'm especially fascinated with birds. I have 3 cats, 2 dogs, and a small aviary with some budgies.
7. I tend to cut myself too thin, I take on too many things and often end up doing things at the last minute (but even if I do, I do the best job I can, or not at all).
8. I sometimes bite my nails...

Now onto 8 people who I would like to pass this award on to...

1. http://handmadebygem.blogspot.com
2. http://paperpiecingmemoriesbybabs.blogspot.com
3. http://scrapbookingbyleann.blogspot.com
4. http://homespunscrap.blogspot.com
5. http://paolaspaperhaven.blogspot.com
6. http://scraptasticalkreations.blogspot.com
7. http://sharonskardzkorner.blogspot.com
8. http://diannesscrappycreations.blogspot.com

Well done Ladies, you're some of my favourite bloggers :)

I've also received another blog award... I'll announce that soon :)

x Mel x

Flowers and Pearls at Patties

Today's challenge at Patties Creations challenge is Flowers and Pearls... of course I'm in my element because those are my 2 favourite things to create with (along with a hand coloured image of course).

I chose Mother and Child 1 available in Patties Shop HERE

I printed the image smaller than I usually did, because I thought it would stand out better - and I think I'm right...

I coloured, as usual, with watercolour pencils blended with spirits.

I chose to use blues and naturals on my card, and I'm really happy with the result. Kind of vintage, but also modern... can be used for a boy or a girl...

A little tearing on the patterned paper, to add some interest. I matted another patterned paper and tied some ribbon around that and off-set it - mainly because I don't always like the "rigidity" of cards that are always "perfect" - this makes it interesting.

Hope you can join in our challenge at Patties... see you there

x Mel x

Kelly's 100 Follower Blog Candy

Kelly has some really great candy up for grabs. She's heading up to 100 followers. Awesome Candy!!! Go see her blog HERE to see what she's got.. I wouldn't mind sinking my teeth (um... paws) into it.

Luck of the Irish... Day 2 - Something Different

Welcome to DAY 2 of the "Luck of the Irish 2 day Blog Hop".

If you have come from Inga's blog, you are on the right track. If not, and just lucked up on this blog, you can go back to the beginning HERE and hop along with us.

We have a fabulous line up with some very talented folks. There will be lots of fun projects, along with some great blog candy, and an AMAZING grand prize for this hop.

This hop runs from Mar. 17 - Mar 18, so you have plenty of time to make it all the way through the hop. Check out each blog and see what BLOG CANDY you could possibly WIN!! Come back both days to see some new projects.

Here is the complete line up

Lisa - http://handmadewithlove-lisa.blogspot.com/
Lisa - http://honeybearzdesigns2011.blogspot.com/
Shawnee - http://quiverofangels.blogspot.com/
Shelly - http://kccroppers.blogspot.com/
Misty – http://www.abusyplace.blogspot.com/
Creative Kuts - http://www.creativekuts.blogspot.com/
Deb - http://www.scrappingmamma.net/
Corrine - http://celebratingordinarymoments.blogspot.com/
Suzanne - http://cricutcraftingrammy.blogspot.com/
Tristan - http://tristans-time-4-craftin.blogspot.com/
Mickie - http://littlescrapcorner.blogspot.com/
Rachelle – http://rachelle-rachellesplace.blogspot.com/
Sheri - http://highland-eyes.blogspot.com/
Inga - http://mommahobbit.blogspot.com/
Melanie - http://melaniespapercraft.blogspot.com/ YOU ARE HERE !!!
Christine - http://crabbycakescrafts.blogspot.com/
Bobbi – http://rockgirlcustomdesigns.blogspot.com/
Angie – http://luvs2scrapbook75.blogspot.com/
Debbie - http://craftydeb-ddscrafts.blogspot.com/
Lisa - http://handmadewithlove-lisa.blogspot.com/
Scrapping With Lisa on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Scrapping-with-Lisa/130882060268842

There is also going to be an overall grand prize, which is being sponsored by Lisa from Scrapping with Lisa and she will be the first and last blog on the hop. See full details about her prize on her blog.

Today's project turned out to be something completely different to what I originally planned. I even bought a paper piecing pattern, but then didn't have anything to do with it - no photo's to scrap.... nothing...
Luckily I chanced upon this digi image from A day for Daisies. She is the good luck pixie. I really felt like doing something pretty, so this was perfect!

The first image is the front view of (yet another) joy fold card. I've put the peg there to hold it closed while I take the picture...


This is the view of the card left to stand on it's own... (I did put glitter on the wings, but it's not showing up...)

This is the view of the opened joy fold card, with the front flap still slightly "closed"(or open ... ?)...

Here is a close-up of my colouring... I used watercolour pencils and artist spirits (my favourite colouring technique, and ever so easy to do)...
Like the swirl? I've used one my stencils (that I make, and available through my store... although currently only South Africa) with 2 different shades of pink coloured flat backed pearls...
I'll be giving one lucky person 2 stencils - all you need to do to win is leave a comment...

I hope you enjoyed the hop... now it's off to see what Christine has to show us today...

Luck of the Irish Blog Hop Day 1

Happy St Paddy's Day... May the luck o' the Irish be wit' you...

Welcome to the very first Luck of the Irish 2 day Blog Hop.

If you have come from Inga's blog, you are on the right track. If not, and just lucked up on this blog, you can go back to the beginning HERE and hop along with us.

We're so excited to being doing this hop, and we have a fabulous line up with some very talented folks. There will be lots of fun projects, along with some great blog candy, and an AMAZING grand prize for this hop.

This hop runs from Mar. 17 - Mar 18, so you have plenty of time to make it all the way through the hop. Check out each blog and see what BLOG CANDY you could possibly WIN!! Come back both days to see some new projects.

Here is the complete line up

Lisa - http://handmadewithlove-lisa.blogspot.com/
Lisa - http://honeybearzdesigns2011.blogspot.com/
Shawnee - http://quiverofangels.blogspot.com/
Shelly - http://kccroppers.blogspot.com/
Misty – http://www.abusyplace.blogspot.com/
Creative Kuts - http://www.creativekuts.blogspot.com/
Deb - http://www.scrappingmamma.net/
Corrine - http://celebratingordinarymoments.blogspot.com/
Suzanne - http://cricutcraftingrammy.blogspot.com/
Tristan - http://tristans-time-4-craftin.blogspot.com/
Mickie - http://littlescrapcorner.blogspot.com/
Rachelle – http://rachelle-rachellesplace.blogspot.com/
Sheri - http://highland-eyes.blogspot.com/
Inga - http://mommahobbit.blogspot.com/
Melanie - http://melaniespapercraft.blogspot.com/ YOU ARE HERE !!!
Christine - http://crabbycakescrafts.blogspot.com/
Bobbi – http://rockgirlcustomdesigns.blogspot.com/
Angie – http://luvs2scrapbook75.blogspot.com/
Debbie - http://craftydeb-ddscrafts.blogspot.com/
Lisa - http://handmadewithlove-lisa.blogspot.com/
Scrapping With Lisa on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Scrapping-with-Lisa/130882060268842

There is also going to be an overall grand prize, which is being sponsored by Lisa from Scrapping with Lisa and she will be the first and last blog on the hop. See full details about her prize on her blog.

My project for today, wasn't quite what I expected... I started cutting the Bear in the Hat (a paper piecing patter from Little Scraps of Heaven) and decided half way through to make the hat green and white... I then found myself putting together one on Saturday afternoon, only to start thinking about a friend (Bridget - who happens to be part Irish). So I made it for her, wrote a note on the back and gave it to her on Saturday... I'm so glad I did because it just so happened she was feeling really down that day, and that made her feel much better... she has since had a bit more luck come her way... and so did I. So it worked :)

This is the bear I made for Bridget

And then I made another and made a "good luck" card with it:
(sorry the lighting is not so great, I'm not sure why I couldn't get it right - neither of the bears photographed that nicely).
I put a shamrock in his hand, and I wrote "good luck" on another shamrock with a white gel pen.

Your next stop : Christine. Enjoy the rest of the hop today, and see you back here tomorrow (and there may be a little something extra tomorrow....)

Luck of the Irish 2 day Blog Hop

Come join us for a 2 day Luck of the Irish blog hop ; 17th to 18th March 2011.

There will be lots of fun going on with plenty of inspiration and prizes

The grand prize for the Luck of the Irish 2 day Blog Hop is as follows:

Nine sets of 2 page layouts with pre-made pages, just add your pictures.
One Halloween mini album with background paper included.
One blank calendar tent with a set of calendar pieces stickers.
One premade Halloween chipboard album.
9 Disney stickers, one book of Disney 8.5 x 11 papers and a Minnie mini album.
One brand new Christmas Mini Album which you put together.
One perfect pages kit.
2 fall photo albums, blank.
One beautiful finished light denim blue album with 20 pre-made pages, all you have to do is put pictures in it and you have a completed album.
Last will be a gift certificate to a secret store.

The total for this grand prize is valued at approximately $212.00