Sunday, February 28, 2010

Feminine Card



I love this card - soft, pretty and simple too!

I had a small scrap of designer paper left from a layout that kicked off the colour scheme. This lovely flower stamp is Hero Arts I think I stamped the bottom flower on cream card stock using Sepia ink and used the plain flower image stamped onto velum for the top layer of the flower, with a Paola pearl in the middle. Simple greeting layered on die cut squares and gorgeous polka dot organza ribbon finished it off. Hope your like it.

Flutterbeary Queen

Isn't she adorable? Flutterbeary Queen is one of Monica Spicer's designs. I have been making Monica's bears for a long time and am her biggest fan. She comes up with the most amazing designs and her instructions are so clear and precise, there is no confusion following them. Flutterbeary Queen is 17cm tall was quite a challenge to make. You have to join and sew the fabric into different colour blocks before you layout the pattern and cut. The wings are hand painted. All my card making equipment came in handy! The eye shading is airbrushed and note the eyelashes, lol!! She is made out of hand dyed Sassy fabric, with beautiful amber glass eyes. Would you believe that Paola had a hand in this creation as well? I emailed for help with the 'crown' and, voila, a selection of 'crowns' duly arrived in the post for me to choose from. Now, that is service! Flutterbeary Queen is for sale if she steals your heart! Leave a comment with contact details if you are interested and I will get back to you!
As a matter of interest, I have Monica's permission to make and sell her designs, as long as I acknowledge her. To me this is so important, as artists like her put an enormous amount of time and expertise into designs like this and it is not fair to claim their work as your own! Can you tell that I have very strong feelings regarding copyrights??
Thanks for visiting!

Saturday, February 27, 2010

Cuttlebug Card


This card was made using the Cuttlebug Bow Frame. My idea was to place a photograph of the new born babe in the frame, but as the photo did not arrive in time, I substituted a scrapping page instead. It looks gorgeous with the baby picture in it - I have used it fairly often. I used Paola's fabulous glue on the embossing and sprinkled with fine glitter. Stamped the sentiment and cut with Nesties and the card was ready in a blink!

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Coloured Pencil Painting


My son Neil and his fiance Carolyn.
I presented them with this coloured pencil painting on Christmas morning. Drawing people is so difficult compared to pets and plant life. I do believe that every person sees what they want to see in a painting. I thought I had captured the image from a photograph quite well - had a battle with the eyes, but generally I was quite happy with it. My man stressed about the eyes a lot, but, I hope the happy couple likes it. One always knows how much a painting is appreciated by where it is displayed - so kids, best move them before I visit!! LOL

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Easel Card



I really like easel cards - as if you haven't noticed ?? LOL

I made for a mans 60th birthday and I tried to keep it understated, hence the colours. I just love my Nesties and somehow they seem to glam up the plainest card!!

Hope you like it.

Hugz

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

More Luv..............




Another card I made for the Teddy Stampers Love challenge. I thought these colours would be suitable to send to man (no pink!). I used Copics to colour the bear, my Cuttlebug and corner punches, heart punch and Nesties - lovely pearls from Paola and the 'rose' - a symbol of love!

Monday, February 22, 2010

Luv Bear

I have made this card with the intention of submitting it to the Teddy Stampers challenge this week - their theme being Love! This bear is my very favorite! I love to stamp him onto cork, cut him out and he looks fabulous. However, here I used my Copics to colour him. I mounted him onto lovely freebie digi paper I downloaded and I trimmed it with plain white paper lace I punched out with a Martha Stewart punch and trimmed it with ribbon and a bow. I added a couple of pearls from my stash from Paola's shop. Oh! don't forget the red rose!





Sunday, February 21, 2010

Oh Sweetpea.....


A charming member of RSA Stampers kindly sent me some stamped images of Sweetpeas that I so admired on her blog! Amanda dJ, thank you so much. She stamped them onto watercolour paper with Versafine ink and heat embossed with clear powder. I was not sure how the Copic's would work on this paper - whether it would bleed or just get sucked in, but was very pleasently surprised how it turned out! Decided to keep it simple with just a hint of contrast. This is a 12cm x 12cm top fold card that I Cuttlebuged using the Swiss Dots folder and cut out the picture with oval Nesties. I sponged the inside rim of the picture with a very soft pink chalk ink, just to break the white. I added some lovely white flat backed pearls from Paola's shop - you need it, she's got it!
I hope you like it.
Hugz

Friday, February 19, 2010

Rosebud Fairy Bear




Rosebud is a tiny little fairy bear. She is only 6cm tall and is made out of shimmery mini bear velvet. She has 'petal' wings and is wearing beautiful hand made silk ribbon rosebuds. I was awarded a Special Prize for her at the Royal Show. sorry, not the best photo - still very much a learning curve for me!

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Special Award!

I received this questionnaire from a lovely lady, Amanda dJ - check out her blog here
http://amandascraftspace.blogspot.com

This is the list of questions that comes with it:
Your cell phone? Sony Ericson
Your hair? Brown with lots of grey !
Your mother? Deceased - breast cancer 10 years ago - miss her more every day!
Your father? Fantastic man - still playing 18 holes of golf every week-wish I lived closer to him.
Your favourite food ? Fresh, home cooked everything!
Your dream last night? Knocked out - dream???
Your favorite drink? Water
Your dream/goal? Happily creating in my retirement - when it get here!
What room are you in? My craft room.
Your hobby? Singular? - most everything.
Your fear? My health prevents me from living my last years to the hilt!
Where do you want to be in 6 years? Wherever God's plan takes me
Where were you last night? Home.
Something that you aren't? Rich...lol.(was my maiden name, believe it or not!)
Muffins? Carrot and Pecan
Wish list item? time??
Where did you grow up? All over Africa - 15 schools!!
Last thing you did? Made a cuppa tea.
What are you wearing? Cotton slax and t-shirt
Your TV? always on whilst I craft, but seldom lock into a programme.
Your Pets? 2 very old lady codgers (Miniature Schnauzer and Miniature Poodle-both over 15 years) & a Black Lady Lab - very special, all of them
Friends? A couple of really precious life long ones.
Your life? Busy & stressed on the work front - serene and happy at home
Your mood? Tired - long week..
Missing someone? Always my sons in Cape Town and my friend Ron who moved to the UK 10 years ago - still miss her everyday -and my Mom!
Vehicle? Ford Fiesta.
Something you're not wearing? Earrings - forgot to put them on this morning.
Your favorite store? Mostly craft stores, but love foodie places.
Your favorite color? Muted antique colours.
When was the last time you laughed? When I came home this evening.
Last time you cried? Last week
Your best friend? Ron.
One place that you go to over and over? My craft room.
Facebook? Yes, but never visit - only signed up to access some crafty stuff.
Favorite place to eat? Homely restaurants .
Now passing something like this on is rather difficult because most of my blogging friends have received it - so for now, enjoy a glimpse into 'me' and I will think who to pass onto!

Welcome Rachel


I made this card to welcome Rachel! A gorgeous little girl was born to a colleague and his wife. She is their second daughter and third child. I was lucky to receive a photo of her taken shortly after the birth so incorporated it into the layout by adhering it to the back of a blank photo slide. I had some cute pink buttons and could not resist stitching, ribbon and pearls!

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Easter Bunny


Lent starts today and soon it will be time for the bunnies to start hopping in the gardens! This darling 7cm Bunny, made out of pink tipped long pile Schulte Mohair sporting a gorgeous pink suede nose, was obviously having a "bad hair day!" He really was so cute, that he did not battle to find a new home and departed, basket full of eggs to a new owner who did not pass rude comments about her hair! Oh well, guess I will have to make myself another bunny to love!

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

"Bug" Card


This was an engagement card for my son Neil and his fiance Carolyn. I used my 'bug' for all the embossing and die cuts. It was made using a lovely shimmery cardstock - and look! no stamping!
A very simple but classy card - I think!

Monday, February 15, 2010

2" Cutie

This little cutie is only 2" tall. She has a Cotter pin neck joint and limbs are thread jointed. She is made out of mini bear velvet and is wearing a hand knitted variegated cotton sweater. I keep going back to these small bears, but my arthritic hands and not as co-operative as they used to be, but for me, there is no such word as 'can't', and I will keep on making little bears. Cutie fits into a specially prepared and decorated matchbox when she is tired and needs a nap!



Sunday, February 14, 2010

Valentine's Card/box


Wishing everyone out there someone to love and share this special day with. May you be showered with kisses and kindness all day/year long.
A few chocolates in an easel card topped box would add to the enjoyment of the day!
This one is for my man.
Enjoy the day!

Saturday, February 13, 2010

My Girls

I made this card for my Dad a few years ago. I inserted an accordion card with photo's of his 'girls'. He loves it and proudly shows it to all. Special cards like this mean so much to the recipient and I just love making them! Please excuse the back drops - I am improving!

Friday, February 12, 2010

CD Calender



I have made a page a month for my CD holder calender, and this keeps me company on my desk at work. I bought the download on the net. For once, I kept what I had made!

My Grandchildren


Meet my precious grandchildren! The darling in the lower centre of the picture is no longer with us, sadly. She was an epileptic and took a fit in the early hours of the morning, whilst doing what she loved the most - swimming, and drowned. We were devastated! The other two are now grown up and happily residing with their 'pets' Alan and Deanne, in Cape Town. I composed this picture from 2 different photographs and used Faber-Castell Polychromos Pencils on Bristol board. These pencils are amazing to work with. You can build up layers of colour which give your work the depth so often lacking in our colouring mediums. I had been attending art lessons for 5 months especially to do this picture for my kids for Christmas. It was tearfully received by Deanne and I knew the minute she opened it, I had got it right!




Thursday, February 11, 2010

Decoupaged Teddy Clock


I colour copied a picture from a teddy book I had and decoupaged it onto a blank, added numbers and hands and another gorgeous gift, I gave as Christmas presents!

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Stitched Kraft Card


For this card. I used a manilla folder I bought at the stationers ( the closest we get to Kraft cardstock I guess, and cheaper too, I'm sure). I then embossed the front with my Cuttlebug and swiped a Cloud White chalk pad over the embossing. I used left over scrapping paper from an ATC swap and the rest is easy to work out. I have become a big fan of the "Kraft" look and I must say, I do like the stitching effect - my Bernina dealer would have a fit knowing I stitched cardstock!! LOL

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Teddy & Chocs


I made this for a very special friend who turned 60 in January. I used the same box with easel card idea from a previous post, but personalised it with a special message and inside was the sweetest miniature bear. After all, you are never to old to receive a teddy bear!

Monday, February 8, 2010

Sassy Bear


This delightful lady was made using Pink Sassy Cashmere fabric and Monica Spicers pattern "Olsen" as a starting point. I have practised and perfected these lovely leather noses - they just seem to add something to the bears.
The silk roses are all hand made.










I was asked to host a workshop at Abby's Bears in Pietermaritzburg and these are some pictures from this workshop. The photo's are of the ladies who participated. They are on a magnetic picture board/frame that I made. The beauty of this board/frame is that you can change the photos in a blink because you use magnets to hold them down!
















And here are some of the bears the ladies made! They were so chuffed with their little ladies and I got such a kick out of seeing their excitement when they finished their little creations! They are all so very special.


Sunday, February 7, 2010

Easel Card & Box of Chocs



This box of chocolates is topped with an easel card which is so easy to make. Close the drawer, flatten the card and tie with beautiful bow and it makes a lovely gift for someone special.

By now, you may have picked up that making beautiful things to give away is what makes me happy!

Mimi Pincushion Bear


A delightful 9cm bear that will hold pride of place on any crafter's table. I have made many of these over the years, mostly gifts for special people and they are so well received.

Blogsphere here I come!

Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally used up and worn out, shouting '....man, what a ride!'



So..... I have capitulated and joined blogsphere!

I have delayed this happening because I was not/am not sure that I can fit anything else into my otherwise overloaded day. But, it is something new to learn and me walk away????

Hop on board and let's enjoy the ride together............