Welcome

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Hello and welcome to my blog. Here I will be showcasing all my design team work, general crafting and digital scrap booking.I hope you enjoy seeing my creations and listening to my ramblings. If you leave a comment I'll know you've been and be able to visit you in return. I read and appreciate all comments which are left - good or bad! Thank you for taking the time to visit me. Pop back soon. Carol xx

Tuesday 26 January 2016

It's Your Birthday

Good morning all.

Headed to Dunedin today for a two night stay in Portobello, hoping to see some penguins.

Yesterday my Aunt was 93, this is the card I made her.


Dies from Wplus9, Spellbinders and Memory Box. Stamps from Imagination Crafts. Ribbon and bow from my stash. Background is a second pull from one of my Distress Paint smooshing sessions.


Monday 25 January 2016

Rudolph Day 1

Good morning all.

We should have arrived in Gore for an overnight stay after our boat trip in Milford Sound  this morning. Update...Milford was very very wet, averaging about 8-10 inches of rain a day over the last few days! We got drenched...on the upside the warterfalls were fantastic but we couldn't see much else because of the cloud cover. 

Meanwhile we've got the first Rudolph Day of the year to celebrate, here's my card.


Another of the Joanna Sheen decoupage sheets...this one had matching background paper and as the sentiment was cut off the image I used one of the matching tags and a sentiment from Clearly Besotted. Dies from Wplus9 and Spellbinders.

Sunday 24 January 2016

Christmas Card Club "Sleigh"

Good morning all.

Headed to Milford Sound today for an overnight stay and a boat trip tomorrow morning before all the day trippers arrive.

Maureen has set the 2nd challenge of the year for our little Christmas Card Club and asked to see a "Sleigh", here is my card:


Decoupage from Joanna Sheen cut with a Spellbinders die. Fancy mat die from Wplus9 and card from Kanban.

I have a pile of these vintage Christmas decoupage sheets from Joanna Sheen which are sized to fit A5 cards or larger which I have used for family in the past...I've decided they had to be put to good use this year along with the Kanban cardstock so I've been cutting them down to fit this Wplus9 die...I cut out all the pieces and layered them up with reusable tape before die cutting so all the layers were the correct size. Also managed to use up half a sheet of Kanban card on this one too so making headway...but there is some way to go yet before the box empties!!

You'll find links for all the girls in my sidebar if you'd like to see what they've been up to.

Wednesday 20 January 2016

New Zealand

Good  evening all from New Zealand.
Apologies the photos won't upload, I'll try again tomorrow!

We arrived safely and are having a fabulous time. The weather has been mixed thanks to El NiƱo but it's much warmer! We stayed in Auckland for three nights, visiting the Sky Tower and taking a boat trip dolphin and whale watching...lots of dolphins but no whales on the day.


Our flight down to Queenstown was very scenic and the weather was perfect.


We've had great fun in Queenstown between the showers...although for a couple of days it rained between the showers! Our little motel apartment is perfect with stunning views...everywhere here is just stunning.


We've been up the gondola, came down the luge and walked for miles around the lake.


Sunday was glorious so we went jet boating which was great fun. Afterwards we visited Arrowtown which was a lovely place.


Monday was a bit wet so we went to Cromwell via the Wakarau Gorge...more stunning scenery. On the way home we stopped off at a roadside fruit stall with a beautiful rose garden.


Today we've had a beautiful drive up to Glenorchy, the scenery here was even more stunning...and so like the Scottish Highlands. Tomorrow we're going to Wanaka and Friday we start our road journey heading first for Te Anau, then Milford Sound...so looking forward to that.

Well it's bedtime here, hope you've enjoyed a little taste of New Zealand. Thank you for all the comments being left on my scheduled posts. Got through some DT commenting tonight so will endeavour to visit you all soon.

Sunday 17 January 2016

Stencil Sunday #29

Good evening all.

All being well I'll be enjoying myself in Queenstown when this goes live! We're here until Friday whence we start our 2,500 mile roadtrip back to Auckland...of course we'll be taking the scenic route!
Update...we're having a fabulous time, weather has been mixed but it was glorious today.

My turn to provide some Stencil Sunday inspiration over at STAMPlorations today. I've got a 5" x 7" canvas to inspire you with.


I started with a layered gelli plate piece made using the Foiled Again and Leaf Bliss stencils and acrylic paint which I stamped with various stamps from the Mixed Media Elements set. I painted the canvas using the darkest colour then attached the gelli piece.

I used texture paste through part of the Flutters and Splatters stencil and once dry I over stamped the butterflies with the matching stamps from the Trendy Butterflies set with versamark and heat embossed with various EPs. Sentiments are from the same stamp set. Gilding wax was used around the edges to finish.


I love how this turned out.....


And the January Mixed Media Challenge runs until the end of the month! If you want to play, you still have a few days left to get messy and share your non-card mixed media projects. It's anything mixed media goes except a card...and you must use a stencil (any brand or even a homemade one!) in your project(s). For the complete challenge info + prizes, click here.


Challenges entered:
Craft Stamper - TIMI stamp

Thursday 14 January 2016

Happy Birthday to you

Good morning all.

We should be in Queenstown if all has gone to plan, we have 8 nights here so lots of time to relax before we start the long drive north....arrived safely, the scenery here is stunning, totally gobsmacked by the beauty of the place.

One of my nephews is 30 today, here is the card I made him.


Stitched square die is from Lawn Fawn...a Christmas present from one of the kids. Stencil is from Suzicraft, happy die and stamps are from Whimsy Stamps. Sequins from my stash.

Sunday 10 January 2016

Christmas Card Club "Festive Food and Drink"

Good morning all.

Hopefully I'm 30,000 feet up in the air as you read this enroute to New Zealand...very excited for the trip ahead but no doubt a little anxious at leaving the kids behind!

Our first meet of the year at the Christmas Card Club and the lovely Margaret has asked to see some "Festive Food and Drink" on our creations. If you're like me you'll be all festive food and drinked out by now and happy to see it on a card rather than your plate!


Topper and sentiment tags from LOTV; dies from Spellbinders; backing card from Kanban and silver thread from my stash. A very simple card to make but this year I'm determined to make a dent in the Kanban cardstock pile I have!

If you'd like to see what the other girls have made you'll find the links in my sidebar.

Challenges entered:
CHNC - red
CHNC Extra - anything Christmas
ABC Christmas - A for anything goes

Saturday 9 January 2016

Au Revoir!

Good morning all.

Well today's the day! Suitcases all packed, house cleaned, freezers filled...New Zealand here we come!!

We don't get picked up until about 4pm for our overnight flight to Dubai so some last minute laundry to do. I think a long walk with the dog to get some fresh air, is in order too. Excited and panic stricken in equal measures at the moment and wondering what we've forgotten...we'll remember as soon as we get on the plane lol.

I'm hoping the wifi on the plane will cope with a bit of commenting, if so I'll catch up with you all at about 30,000 feet. Lots of posts scheduled for whilst I'm away...all my regular commitments and a few extras...look out for some blog candy too - I'll be celebrating 5 years blogging in March!

Hugs to all those in need and the rest of you be good...and you know how it goes...if you can't be careful!

Bye for now :) 

Friday 8 January 2016

Texture Pastes and Gels

Good evening all.

It's my turn to share a tutorial over at ARTplorations today and I've done what I hope is a useful guide to some of the many texture pastes and gels available.

Here is a sneak peek of what you'll find.


Wednesday 6 January 2016

HLS Mixed Media Challenge January "Stencil"

Good evening all.

Time once again to inspire you for this month's Mixed Media Challenge at Happy Little Stampers. Our theme for January is:


This challenge is sponsored by


Winner will receive one stamp set from HLS.

Here is my card, made for a nephew who has a birthday this month.


Background made with 2 stencils from Memory Box inked with blueprint sketch and hickory smoke DI. Backing card from Kanban. Happy die from Whimsy Stamps. Birthday (heat embossed with EP), dots and circles from Mix Mash stamp set.

Do pop over to the challenge blog to see the inspiration from the other girls, you won't be disappointed.

Challenges entered:
Where the HeART is - anything goes
ABC Challenge - Y for your choice
The Sisters of Craft - anything goes
Seize the Birthday - anything goes




Monday 4 January 2016

HLS Christmas Challenge January "Jingle"

Good evening all.

Sorry for being a bad blogger but packing and leaving the house in order is taking priority at the moment. I have lots of posts scheduled whilst I'm away and I'll try to pop in from time to time and maybe show you some of the sights of New Zealand we're visiting. I'm trying to fit some commenting in when I can this week to catch up with you all before I leave on Saturday.

Another month has passed and it's time for the first Christmas challenge of the year at Happy Little Stampers. We do hope you'll join us getting those pesky Christmas makes out of the way early this year. The theme this month is:


Winner will receive one stamp set from HLS.


Here is my card:


Image from Crafty Impressions, coloured with promarkers and highlighted with a gelly roll pen and some glossy accents. Sentiment is from the Mixed Christmas Sentiments set. Bells and paper are both magazine freebies. Die from Wplus9.

Do pop over to the challenge blog to see the inspiration from the rest of the team, I'm sure you won't be disappointed. 

Challenges entered:
CHNC - vintage or anything goes
CHNC Extra - anything goes
Crimbo Crackers - anything goes
My Sheri Crafts - let's build a snowman


Sunday 3 January 2016

Stencil Sunday January Challenge

Good evening all.
Yesterday was spent scurrying around in a mad dervish all day trying to get the Christmas decorations put away...New Year's Day our holiday plans changed and we're now leaving on Saturday instead of Sunday and it was panic stations here trying to get everything done!  Then I realised about 2pm it was still only Saturday (not Sunday as my head was telling me!) so I've gained 24 hours again phew! I'm sure when we get to relaxing on the extra day in Auckland we'll think it was all worth while!

Time for our first Stencil Sunday challenge of 2016 at STAMPlorations. We loved seeing your projects last month and hope you'll join us again this month.


I managed to give Rudolph a makeover in time for the festive season. I first coated him with gesso then a coat of ash brown Pebeo. Once dry I covered him with festive tissue paper. I used embossing paste through the Holly Background stencil and once dry covered with more tissue then painted with Twinkling H2O's.  I used gilding wax around all the edges and added googly eyes and a ribbon and bell from my stash. His nose was made to shine with glossy accents. The sign was painted and a die cut sentiment from Tattered Lace added.

Here is how he looked last year:


I really wasn't happy with him as the crackle effect I'd created all ran when I gave him a top coat! I loved the little snow couple though and I can't find them anywhere...think they must have eloped last New Year!!


The theme is always anything mixed media goes except a card and you must use at least one stencil (any brand) in your project. Linky closes at the end of the month. I hope you can join us!
Prizes: $15 gift certificate OR choice of any 2 small or 1 large ARTplorations stencils to the winner
choice of 1 small ARTplorations stencil to the top picks

Do pop over to the challenge blog to see the other girls mixed media designs, you won't be disappointed.

Challenges entered:
Rhedd's Creative Spirit - anything goes (Mixed Media/Altered Art)
Altered Eclectics - anything goes
We Love 2 Create - anything creative/MM goes
That Craft Place - anything goes
That's Crafty - anything goes

Friday 1 January 2016

Favourite Five of 2015

Good morning and a very Happy New Year to you all, hope you're not too hungover.

Debby is once again hosting her Favourite Five of 2015....it's good to look back over the year to remind yourself what you've achieved.

After much deliberation here are my five favourite cards from 2015: