LSHD day 6

Hi there everyone. So sorry, but I don't have my project ready. Things went oopsie daisie and everything went wrong. My layout is sitting on desk, almost completed...
My bird did not make it, and she went to birdie heaven, and then I got a phone call from my children's dad last night to say that his dog had gone to doggy heaven... so we've had a few tears and trials going on here - my daughter and Brandy (the dog) grew up together (Brandy was 15). But tomorrow I will have my layout ready for you.
Thank you so much for stopping by and for the great support.

LSHD Blog Hop day Five and 100 follower candy

Wow! This hop has been great. I've enjoyed popping over to all the blogs and seeing what everyone has made.

Sorry for taking so long to announce my winner from day 3, but I have hardly been around my PC, or even my home over the last 2 days. I've used my own random generator (terence. org... I called out "choose any number from 1 to 27", the first answer was 15. I counted down the list of comment, and my winner is Lisa from http://handmadewithlove-lisa.blogspot.com

"Lisa said...Love the calendar. Great job. TFS"... Congratulations Lisa! Please contact me with your address and I'll send your goodies to you... :) (Just remember it's coming all the way from South Africa so it may take a little while...)

Unfortunately my little birdie did not make it, but at least her suffering is over and she'll be free to fly in that big birdie heaven in the sky.

I don't have a fully completed item for today, so I'm going to share a paper piecing I've done from Little Scraps of Heaven (and for my South African followers, available from my online shop)
I adore this bear. It's so cute, as are many of the other patterns available from LSHD.

Well, as I'm typing this blog, my followers are standing at 99, so perhaps by the time this post goes "live" I'll be at 100 (or more) ... woohoo!!!

My friend Theresa, has sponsored a goodie bag for this blog hop, so I decided to coincide it with my 100 follower milestone.
The candy consists of a few sponge stamps, some a4 sheets acetate, some stickers, bling, u&l/c stencil, a heart shaped chipboard album, black sequins and an assortment of satin ribbon.

And to this candy, I will add a paper pieced bear holding heart balloons (as above).

See you again tomorrow (Inga's blog is next)

LSHD Blog Hop Day 4

Welcome to day 4 of our blog hop.
I will post the winner of yesterday's candy in a little while (I had to schedule my post as I'm leaving now and will not be back until tomorrow morning (which will be during the middle of the night where most of you are). So please join me again soon to see who the winner is.

Today's project is using the fireman digi stamp. I've coloured the image using watercolour pencils and white spirits.


Just a few little embellishments, and a very clean and simple card was produced.
I decided after I'd taken the picture to add some black stickles to the fireman's clothes... (oh our firemen do actually wear black and yellow uniforms)...
Till tomorrow... (once again hop over to Inga)

LSHD Blog Hop day 3

This hop has certainly kept me on my toes.... a new project each day... guess I really should stop leaving things for the last minute.
I planned to finish the layout I started this morning, but one of my pet birdies was injured yesterday and every time she tried to fly in her aviary, she hurt herself. So I had to go out and get a small cage for her, and she's now in my office/ craft room where I can keep an eye on her.
I didn't get the layout finished, but luckily I had quite a few LSHD paper pieced items ready-made.
I decided to make a calendar using the Panda bear pattern. I changed the arm so it looks like he's holding it.

I added a blue and white polka dot ribbon that I tied, punched the corners of the blue cardstock with a Fiskars corner punch. The striped blue patterned paper is glittery, and I added some flat backed rhinestones and pearls to the side to finish it off nicely.

Now, I think it's time for a little bit of blog candy...
I'll be giving away 2 of my Doodle stencils, 2 large flower sets (each consists of 3 different sized flowers), some bling, and a few other flat flowers
Just leave you comment below, and I'll pick a winner in time to announce with tomorrow's post.

Off to Inga now.... and I'll see you back here tomorrow :)

LSHD Blog Hop Day 2

In true "me" style, I'm fashionably late... I only got yesterday's post up yesterday (after I finished yesterday's project yesterday morning!!)...
Well, I can't say I'm late, because I'm still on time... my post is getting scheduled (one and a half hours before time, and I've just finished my project for today).

I was actually working on scrapbook layout, but that kind of fell apart when I just could not get it together... "scrappers block" I guess...
So onto the plan... I had the ballet shoes cut out, so quickly put a pair together and soon after that I had a card finished.


Today's project is using another paper pieced embellishment, made from a pattern from from Little Scraps of Heaven's store ($1 patterns), or go to the blog, where you can find the free digi image, along with many other cute images.

I used a technique I love doing on the corner of the card. The Patterned paper is double sided, so it works well - I tore off a corner and rolled the edges, revealing the pattern on the other side, then I stuck the torn off piece underneath. Neat hey....


A few little extra embellishments - roses, stamens, pearls (which are already on the clear thread), a border done with a Fiskars punch and finished off with chiffon ribbon, then finally a little bit of stitching over the ribbon (repeating the idea of the ballet shoes).
It's time to hop over to Inga again... enjoy the rest of the hop and hope to see you back here tomorrow.
x Mel x

LSHD Blog Hop Day 1

Here's my project for today... (click the image to see a bigger picture).


I made a clock from a chipboard blank. I've used the Angel bear with scissors.
I covered the chipboard blank with scrapbooking paper, and embellished it. The top part is embellished with flat-backed rhinestones and pearls, and I've used one of the stencils I created for use with rhinestones, pearls, or just ink or paint....



I chose funky clock hands to make it fun. My daughter pointed out to me there's no numbers on the clock... my answer, "I know... that's because it doesn't matter what time it is, it's Time to Scrap"... there was a method behind my madness there...

Be sure to check back tomorrow to see what I have created for tomorrow... every day there will be something new...

Now hop on over to Inga's blog ..

My first layout this year

I cannot believe that this is my first layout of the year. And the first in months, truth be told.

I've been battling to come up with an idea for this layout, and became so fixated on this one that I couldn't work on any others...

There was not much plan behind this layout. No, that's a lie. I had an idea and put together a spread in my journal with ideas. I didn't stick to any of it. Most likely because once I'd printed the photo's the blue from the kid's uniforms was rather bright... sort of overpowering.
I decided to mat the pictures on natural colours to tone them down, and ended up choosing very toned down natural backing papers.
Having no idea where to really go, I just went with what "came to me". I had the photo's all matted and the papers chosen and nothing else planned. Sat down at a scrap and chat with friends and just allowed things to progress.

I tore the paper and then added some stitches to that (one of my friends from the scrap and chat phoned me today asking if I mind if she uses my idea for one of her kits she's busy with).

The journalling was computer generated. I cut it into strips and matted that and stuck it randomly along the layout. I added the little school boy and pencil (I make the embellishments - which I sell here - from patterns I buy from Treasure Box Designs) to the first page. I then added some yellow rick-rack that I inked with brown ink. While looking for lettering for the title I came across the little "ABC" and thought that would be a cute touch.


I used the 2 circles from the scissors (also a pattern from Treasure Box Designs), and made them look like little buttons. The photo's have all been distressed a little with sandpaper, then inked and matted on textured cardstock.
The final addition to the layout was the title. I played with 2 ideas, but liked the playfulness of these chipboard letters so went with this.
I like the way it turned out. I was worried it was becoming too natural and "old" instead of young like the first day at school should be.

Thanks for stopping by.

x Mel x

Pets.... but what defines a pet?

Pattie's Design Challenge no. 15

This week's challenge at Patties is to use an image that most people would consider a pet... but how do you really define that? I guess you don't... I own several birds (budgies), I've been looking into getting a ringneck, but recently changed my mind about that after spending some time around African Grey parrots... the only problem there is they live a very long life (50 years - and do I really want to be caring for an old parrot when I'm heading up to my 90's? You never know, by then my kids would long since have left home and I'll have grandchildren).
I also have 2 dogs - they are brother and sister (cross pitbull / Sharpei and really adorable), and 3 cats (if nobody stopped me, the number of cats would be more...)

I decided to use Patties Parrot image for my card, and did a card very different to what I usually do. Once again I had no idea where I was going with this card, until it was finished. I took it step by step and waited to see what I was going to add next. I think it turned out kinda cute...

Considering I used a lot of handmade / mulberry paper, I decided that these little mulberry flowers would go really nicely. I loaded a few into certain areas, tore the paper and allowed the card to finish itself..
till next time...
x Mel x

Theresa's Birthday Candy

It's my friend Theresa's birthday next month, and to celebrate this, she is giving away some birthday candy. Best part. She'll post internationally AND because it's the big 50 she'll be giving away candy to 5 winners!!!

Here's what the candy consists of:
3 Bunches of flowers
Assortment of Flatback Pearls ( my fav )
Assortment of Gems
Pearl Stems
Buckles
Brads
Crystal Headpins
Glitter x 2
Craft Wire
Miniature stars
"Happy Birthday" Embossing board
Background Posy Stamp
Large buckles
Flower Soft

And here's a pic:

All you need to do is... 1) Become a follower 2) Grab the candy pic and post to your blog and do a write up of the candy 3) Leave some love on her blog
So hop on over to Crafts/Angels/Friends now for your chance to win

x Mel x

Smarties ATC's

It's been a while since I've participated in any ATC swaps. I joined this one because I found the boxes of Smarties and just had to eat then... um I mean... join in...

The 2 limited edition Smarties were Pink and Golden, and I did one of each.

The first one, Pink, went to Colleen. She has received hers and loves it.
I used a pink and white spot paper for the background, that just so happens to match perfectly. I cut a lot of elements from the box. What started out as going to say "art" ended up being "smart" because the little girl is just so smart :) I added some ribbon and pearls arranged all the elements.

The Golden smarties ATC went to Anda. I'm not sure if she has received it, but I certainly hope so.
This time I used the box as the background for the ATC, but I played around with the wording (removed the R, but added the strip below it to continue the pattern), so it says "maties". I cut out a few elements from around the box (the fish), added some gold ribbon, yellow/orange rhinestones, a gold coin embellie and a lock to finish of the treasure chest theme.


I have received my Gold ATC from Colleen, and Marika should be getting to hers soon (she landed up in hospital, but will do hers while she is recovering - get better soon Marika).

Here's a pic of Col's ATC
I also participated in a Valentine ATC swap. I'm looking forward to getting my parcel this week - there's ATC's from all over the world in that swap - 10 participants, and we made enough for each participant and one extra for Craftwise magazine for possible publication. Pics will follow as soon as everyone has received theirs.

Till later.... Mel

Little Scraps of Heaven Blog Hop coming soon

Stay tuned for the Little Scraps of Heaven Blog Hop. Feb 23 - Mar 2nd.
Lots of talented crafters (or scrafters as Kristy called them) will be posting different projects using Little Scraps of Heaven paper piecing patters and digi stamps... I'm part of the hop and I'm excited to be participating.

Card for Mom

This week's challenge at Patties Creations is to create a birthday card for a mother.

Although I did not create this with a sentiment, the idea behind it was "what would a mother like".
I chose to colour with pink and green, and repeated the colours throughout the card.

I used the daisies in watering can again, as it's such a lovely image and thought it would be very fitting...

I also decided to keep a lot of white in this card - it gives it quite a nice clean effect.

Once again this was one of those cards that turned out totally different to my initial idea... but I like the end result.

Till next time...

I have been given a lovely award by Pattie ,thank you Pattie for thinking of me.
The aim of this award is to give it to 3 -5 blogs you have visited that are relatively unknown and bring them to light [not with thousands of followers already]
so here are the terms for accepting the award:
1-create a blog post showing your award and say you accept it - check
2-say who gave the award and link back to them - check
3-link to 3-5 of your fave blogs and let them know about the award - check (and to be done)


so here are the blogs i have chosen
1 - Theresa (fellow South African who recently started blogging, and hasn't stopped... Lol)
2- Margeret (another fellow South African, digi stamp designer and crafter)
3- Jen (another South African who I admire a lot - I don't know if she ever actually sleeps!!)
4- Tertia (I often have a good giggle at Tertia's posts, also South African)
5- Kelly (the only non-South African blogger on my list - new DT member for Digistamps 4 Joy)

Happy Crafting to y'all...