Flowers and more..midway challenge #72 at DS4J

Good morning all,
Wow...the last day of July. It also means that the end of winter is fast approaching. Not that it has been a very cold winter, but I will be happy to see the green on the trees and some rain, and warmer evenings...but I am sure we will still have a number of rather cold days in August.

On to today's card. The challenge at Digistamps4Joy this week is hosted by DT member Asmah, and she has asked for a fancy fold card with handmade flowers. Here is what I came up with...a T-bar card.

Paper...Pad from Wilson & Maclagen
Image....Brushstroke frame, coloured with Distress inks, cut out and mounted on cardstock with punched out corners
Flowers are from the Ds4J flower set, printed on patterned paper, cut out and spritzed with water, then shaped. The flower set and brushstroke frame can be found at the  STORE 
Sentiment is a stamp from a local company.
Leaves...Marianne dies
Added glitter and pearls

These are the challenges I am entering.
Die Cuttin Divas #126...Anything goes
Party Time Tuesdays #131...Anything goes
Through the Craftroom Door...Anything goes
Shopping your Stash...Use your oldest punch....one of the first corner punches I bought
Card Mania challenges #26...Summer blooms
Make it Monday #151...Anything goes
Tammy's Scrappin Corner ...Use a digi
Crafting by Designs...Anything goes
Pile it on #30...Anything goes
Crafting when we can #49...Floral
Robyn's Fetish challenge #170...Friendship card with sentiment on the front
613 Avenue Create #30...Anything goes with friendship day
I hope you all have a great day, enjoy whatever you are doing. Thanks for popping in, I do love it when you leave a comment. Take care,

Love, Ursula

Colour and dimension at The Outlaws

Good morning friends,

Once again the colour challenge at The Outlawz is inviting us to come up with something special. Penny has chosen the inspirational photo and colour palette this week and the twist is to add dimension.

This is the last challenge for July and you  still have a chance to win a lovely prize from our sponsors this month.  Three "R" Girls Scrap
 is offering a $15 gift certificate for 7 Kids College fund, together with some great prizes from other sponsors.

If you are enjoying the warm summer weather in the northern hemisphere, you might want to take a breather and join in with this challenge.

Here is my card, "looking through the window".
I saw something like this on the internet which reminded me that I do have this lovely Memory box die, so dug it out and had fun.

Paper...Joy crafts paper block - Bricks
Dies used:
Window...Memory Box - Small Madison window 816
Flower box...Memory box - small flower box 823
Cat... Poppy stamps - Sitting cat 860
Curtain...Marianne designs -Creatable LR 0161
Flowers and leaves...punches
Label...Marianne Design - Craftable CR1212
Sentiment...Hero arts
Bling, pearls, brads from stash.

Will look for some challenges that my card will fit
Challenges 4 Everybody #25...Anything goes
One Stitch at a Time#174...Anything goes
Crafting when I can #49...Floral
Eclectic Ellapu...Anything goes
Pile it on...Anything goes...enter more than one challenge
Sister Act Card challenge #17...Anything goes
Paper Crafting Journey...Punches/diecuts
Crafts 4 Eternity #134...Anything goes
Chocolate, Coffee and Cards #44...Animals
A.R.T. Card challenge #7...Anything goes
Crafts and Me challenge #139...Anything goes.
Divas by Design...Anything goes.
Inklings and Yarns..Linky 24
Penny's challenges #137...Bling it on
Eureka Stamps challenge #50...Anything goes
Make it Monday #151...Anything goes
My Craft Creations...Die cuts shapes
Paper Playtime challenge #15...Use patterned paper
The Paper Nest Dolls challenge #9...Die cuts

Wishing you all great creative week heading into August...can't believe just 5 months of the year left.

Take care and have fun.

Love Ursula

In the summertime....

Good afternoon friends,
Wednesday is almost done and then the weekend isn't far away, not that I am wishing the week away.  I hope it has been a good week so far and that the excessive heat in some places has maybe made way for more bearable summer days. We have had a lovely day today with mild temps of 21 deg.

The card I have for you could be a lovely summertime one.
I saw this particular card on the internet and tracked it down to a tutorial at Splitcoaststampers with Bibiana showing the perfect way to create this card, and it is not difficult.

I used the following:
Paper...Patterned papers, from Country Crafts, a local supplier.  Inked it with distress inks.

Image....Snoesje from Marianne Design, coloured with distress inks.
Tree and grass diecuts ...Marianne Design
Label ...Marianne Design
Flower border...Memory box.
Birds..Memory box
Butterflies...assorted punches
Sentiment..from a local stamping company..Country Crafts, which I cut up to place in various positions.

I think itfits in with the following challenges:

Anything goes challenge #97...Anything goes
Cuttlebug Mania challenge...Shaped card
C is for Challenge #2...Summer
Through the Craftroom Door...Anything goes
Craftin Desert Divas... Birthdays
Craft Your Passion challenge #172
Creative Stamp Friends #82...Summer-fun-Holidays
Eureka Stamps challenge #49...Happy Birthday
Kaboodle Doodles challenge...Anything goes
Paper Playtime challenge #15...Use patterned paper
Make it Monday # 150...Anything goes
Crafty Cardmakers challenge #96 Birthday
The Paper Nest dolls challenge #9...Die cuts
Whoopsi Daisy challenge...Use 2 or more diecuts
Cards and Scrap challenge #177...In de Tuin

Wishing you all a happy week and thanks for visiting. Take care and see you soon.

Love Ursula

Is it Christmas already?

Good morning friends,
So pleased that it is only a Christmas challenge and not the real thing, so if you are feeling a bit like Christmas, then head on over to The Outlawz colour challenge

The colour palette was chosen by Ina, with these gorgeous colours and the twist to add glitter.

The lovely prize this month is a $15 gift certificate for 7 Kids College Fund, sponsored by Three "R" Girls Scrap. So please come and join in the fun. It is a good time to get started on your cards, as Christmas will be here before you know it.

Here is what I came up with

 

Paper...Purple shimmer, matted with 'Merry Christmas' paper. It was a freebie in a magazine.

The stars were cut with a Marianne Design craftable in a green shimmer, then embossed and a gold for the star outline. The large star was cut from a Christmas paper bloc, and here I 'cheated' a little as the stars were all glittered, but it doesn't show up that well on the photo. Maybe I should have just added my own glitter.

 

Finished off with a star bead and gold thread. 

 

I think it will fit these challenges:

 Robin's Fetish challenge #169...Christmas in July

The Squirrel and the Fox #48...Use something spooled

2 Sister's challenge #153...Stars

Great Impressions...Anything goes

Cut it up challenge #23...Christmas in July

Brown Sugar challenge #51...Anything goes

A little bit Crafty...Die-ing for it

Kaboodle Doodles challenge #181...Anything goes

 Make it Monday...Anything goes

The Paper Nest Dolls challenge #9...Die cuts

My Craft Creations challenge...Die Ccuts

 

Have a great week everyone. I have just heard the news of the new Royal baby. Congratulations to the happy couple and I am sure there will be lots of celebrations in the UK.

Take care and see you soon,

Love, Ursula



Another Mistri at DS4J

Good morning everybody. (Good eveing...We had a 16hr power outage..so this is only being posted Sunday evening..sorry about that)
I hope you are enjoying a good weekend. Sunday morning here, rather cool but at least sunny.
Today there are some great new releases at Digistamps4Joy. Remember there is a points reward system for each purchase, but before you go and do your shopping, have a look HERE at the gorgeous cards made by the DT

For my card I used the image..'Misti- I care'.

This is what I used:

Paper...Pretty Please - Spring Papers from My Mind's Eye
White cardstock embossed with Swiss Dots CB folder, and inked with Distress inks
Image coloured with Distress Inks and cut out with a Nellie Snellen MFD
Corner flourishes...Cuttlebug  die
Image...Country Crafts and Stamps
Pearls and bling.

Will enter some challenges:
Brown Sugar challenge...Anything goes
Creative fingers challenge ...Anything goes
.Inspire me Fridays #112...Anything goes
Sister Act Card challenge...Anything goes
In the Pink challenge #24...Pink and Pearly
Milk, Coffee challenge...Emboss it
Sweet Stamps challenge #126...Anything goes
Tuesday Throwdown #156...Anything goes
Lady Anne's challenge #10...Stamp challenge

Hope you all have a wonderful Sunday, ready for a good week ahead. Take care and see you soon.

Love Ursula.

Happy Friday

Good morning friends,
It is a lovely sunny day with blue skies, but a freezing wind that feels like it has come straight from the South Pole.   BRRRR!!!!.

The message on my card today says it all...that is my wish  for you.
I saw the watercolour technique on a card by Jennifer McGuire and really loved it, so decided to use her idea for my card.

 
 






For my sentiment I used words from various stamps, embossed with white EP, and then did the watercolouring technique.

 The butterfly is from Joy crafts, cut twice. Coloured the bottom one and put some glitter on the top.

The pearls were coloured with  copics. Didn't have green pearls. I don't really colour with them, but they are great for colouring pearls etc.







On the inside I decided to make a pop out flower. I used a Marianne Design Collectable die and cut 6 of the medium flowers. Stamped a design on them, folded and glued together. The flourishes are from Joy crafts









I will enter the following challenges:
Incy Wincy Design challenge...Things with wings
Milk, Coffee challenge...Emboss it.
Crafting by Designs...Anything goes
Inklings and Yarns...Anything goes
Paper Pretties challenge #267...Toung Tied?..Sentiment must be focal point
Rhedd and Rosies challenge #11...Anything goes
LEJ Designs challenge #62...Anything goes
Through the Craftroom Door...Anything goes
Tuesday Throwdown #156...Anything goes
Kaboodle Doodles challenge...Any embossed work
Melonheadz Friends challenge...Emboss it
Squigglefly...Emboss me
Daring Cardmakers ..
Paint effectsCreative Fingers challenge...Anything goes
Bloggers challenge...Things with wings

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. I will be watching the last days of the Toure de France..the weather is ideal for being snug in front of the TV. Thanks for popping in and hope to see you soon.

take care.

Love Ursula

A celebration for a special lady.

Good morning friends,
I hope you will forgive me for posting something non craft related. Today is a very special day in our family. Some of my friends that have been following this blog for a while, may recall that last year we celebrated the 100th birthday of my MIL..Annie Uphof.

It really was a special occasion. Our son Anthony from New Zealand together with his eldest daughter Mirabella, and another son Steven from The Netherlands came over specially to join the rest of the family and to be part of this celebration. And it was a celebration. This was the photo taken on that day, with the banner specially made up in The Netherlands for the occasion.



 My MIL had played piano for most of her life and Mirabella had been playing for 4 years, and this was an opportunity for Mirabella to play for her great grandmother, who in turn played for her great granddaughter.

Sadly, shortly after this Annie, became more frail and she has been in a care centre for the last 10 months, still healthy considering her age. She still makes her bed some mornings...with the help of the nursing staff it is tidied up, and walks without a walker, but with a helping hand to steady her. She does spend a fair bit of the day sleeping, but we still have the pleasure of being able to visit and chat on a regular basis.

Well today we celebrate her 101st birthday. Not a big function, just a simple coffee morning with her family, a friend or two and the residents of the care centre and the staff.

We, here in South Africa will join with the rest of our family across the world and give thanks for this wonderful lady who has been the centre of the family for so many years.

I wish you all a wonderful day. I will hopefully be back with a card tomorrow. Take care.

Love Ursula

A summer wedding at The Outlawz

Good afternoon friends.
I said I would be back again today with my card for the colour challenge at The Outlawz.
This week the colour palette and inspirational photo was chosen by Roxann, with the twist being "A summer wedding".
 I found it a little bit of a challenge, in fact a big challenge, as these are not really traditional wedding colours, but I certainly am happy with the way it turned out.

This is what I used.
Paper...white shiny with a pattern, embossed with a Darice folder and then coloured with Pan Pastels, matted onto the darker blue card.
The die is a Marianne Design Creatable, also coloured with Pan Pastels.
Finished with a bow and some pearls.
It is fairly plain, but I think quite lovely and could be an anniversary or engagement card

 

Will enter the following challenges.

 Deep Ocean challenge #56...Blue

 Crafts and me challenges #138...Anything goes

 Rhed and Rosies challenge #11...Anything goes.

 LEJ Designs challenge #62...Anything goes

Songbird challenges #24...Ribbon

 Anything Goes challenge #97...Anything goes

Sweet Stamps challenge #126...Anything goes

Craft-dee Bowz challenge...Use a handmade bow

Created with love #50...Anything goes

 Kaboodle Doodles challenge #180...Any embossed work

Make it Monday...Anything goes

Melonheads Friends...Emboss it

My Craft Creations...Anything goes

Squigglefly challenge #28...Emboss me

Incy Wincy challenge...Things with wings

 

I will be back tomorrow as we celebrate a milestone event in our family, but more about that in the morning.

Enjoy the day/evening, wherever you may be. Take care.

Love Ursula

 

DS4J midway challenge reminder

Good morning all,
Greetings to you all on a beautiful 'winters day' from South Africa. The sun is shining, the temps for today are going to be 22deg, so nothing to complain about.

The current challenge # 71 at Digistamps4Joy is "Button it up shapely" and is presented by DT member Jackie. Any shaped card with a button or 2 will qualify....very easy I  think.

The DT have made some really stunning cards for your inspiration, and a great prize awaits the winner. Even if you don't have a DS4J image, you are welcome to join in and even stand a chance for a prize. The challenge ends on 23 July, but get your entries in soon.

For my card I used the image 'Mistri my guitar', which can be found  HERE

 

This is what I used:
I used a Crealies ..In shape die to cut the shape of the card.
Paper....Vintage paper pad..no name
Image coloured with distress inks, and added 3 buttons.


Will enter the following challenges:
Anything goes challenge">#97...Anything goes
Papertake Weekly challenge...Buttons and bows
Through the Craftroom Door...Anything goes
Tuesday Throwdown challenge#156...Anything goes
Make it Monday #149...Anything goes
Created with love challenge #50...Anything goes
613 Avenue Create...Anything goes
Challenges 4 Everybody #24...Anything goes
Lacy Sunshine challenge #12...Anything goes..Use hand coloured image
One Stitch at a Time challenge #172...Use a digi
Corrosive challenge #178...Shape up
Catered Crop challenge...Button up

Have a wonderful day, I will be back later with another card, that I should have shown you yesterday, but things just got a bit behind. Take care.

Love Ursula

DS4J great new releases

Hi friends and a happy Sunday.
I do hope you are enjoying the good weather if you are having some, or the indoor cosy crafting time if that is what your weather is calling for. We are having a bit of both. Winter here, but the days are quite good as we do have sunshine and if the wind doesn't blow it can be lovely out, but when the chilly wind comes up, then indoors is the best place to be.

Today there are some lovely images being released again at Digistamps4Joy
and the one I have used is "feeling flat"

Recipe:
Paper...Digi design from Funky Hand
Image..."Feeling flat" printed on watercolour paper coloured with Derwent pencils.
Sentiment...Country crafts a local company

Have a look HERE to see what lovely creations the DT have made for your inspiration. While you are there, don't forget to look at the current challenge ...A shaped card with buttons. Any shape with a button or two.

I will enter this in the following challenges:
Digitally Sweet challenges...Anything goes with bright colours.
The SweetPea Stampers...For the Men/boys
Annabelles Stamps challenge #167...Polka dots
Inspire me Fridays #111...Anything goes
Sister Act Card challenge #15...Anything goes
The Southern girls challenge #73...No spoolin..no ribbon, twine, thread
Paper Minutes #277...Anything goes

Enjoy the rest of the weekend, and hope to see you back soon. Take care.

Love Ursula

Butterflies and roses

Happy Wednesday everyone,
The time does march on at quite a pace as the first week of July is behind us. I had a workshop yesterday at Country Crafts.
This was one of the cards, will show the second one later this week.

The image is one of the new  stamps from Noor designs, which I was lucky enough to get while on holiday recently, but Joan has them in her shop.

 

 

Card recipe:

 

Paper...Craft cardstock, core'dinations cardstock

Noor design butterfly border 6002/0251

Image...Noor design 6410/0043

buttons, cord...have had in my stash for so long

 

I inked the craft card, sanded and distressed the core'dinations card. Matted all onto the base card.

Stamped the image onto watercolour paper and coloured it with distress inkpads. Tore around the edges and distressed.

The butterfly border I also coloured with distress inkpads.

Added, buttons, cord and a flourish.

 

Will enter it in the following challenges:

Loves Rubber Stamps challenge #60...Use a hoarded item...buttons have so many from long ago.

Oldie but Goodie challenge...In the garden....buttons have had for many, many months

Papertake Weekly...Old, new, borrowed or blue...old, are buttons, new are image stamp and border die.

Through the Craftroom Door...Anything goes

 Ladybug Crafts Ink challenge...Birthdays

Make it Monday...Anything goes.

Craft Creations ...Anything goes

An Inky Situation...Linky Party #1

 The Crafter's Café challenge #19...Anything goes

 My Craft Creations...Anything goes

 

I hope the rest of the week goes well for you all, have fun in the warm weather, enjoy the holidays if you are lucky to be away. See you soon and thanks for popping in.

Love Ursula



A twist with leaves at The Outlawz today

Good morning friends,
Today there is a new colour challenge at The Outlawz.
 Laurian chose this lovely inspirational photo and the colours, with a twist to add leaves.

The DT have made some lovely cards for inspiration, so I hope you will join in and show us your creations, and there are some lovely prizes from our generous sponsors, so please pay us a visit.













For my card I used the following:
Paper...DoCrafts..Picnic Patch
Punched out daisies
Sentiment from Whiff of Joy
Ribbon, glass leaves and lots of bling.











I think my card matches these challenges:
Paper Creator's Crafts #11...Think Pink
One Stop Craft challenge #233...Anything goes
Krafty Hands challenge...Pretty in pink
Dream Valley challenges...Make your own flowers
C is for Challenge #1...Flowers
Love to create #73...Ribbon and bling
Artistic Inspirations challenge #79...Bling
Make it Monday...Anything goes
Paper Minutes challenge #277...Anything goes
Clear it Out challenge...Use something sparkly.

Wishing you all a great week, will be back soon. Take care.

Love

Ursula

Another' Misteri' at Digistamps4Joy

Good morning friends,
I hope you are all having a lovely weekend...So far a rather busy one...tennis to watch, Tour de France and even some crafting to get done.....at least the weather has played with.It has been cold and cloudy so definitely indoors is the place to be.

Today there are some new releases at Digistamps4Joy  and Jen has again produced some lovely images in her "Misteri" range, so head on over and see all the gorgeous creations made by the DT.

My card is made with "Misteri all dressed up" coloured with Distress inkpads.
I used the Marianne Creatables CR1241 die to cut the frame.
Paper is from a Vintage bloc ..no name
Sentiment..Hero Arts..I think

Will enter the following challenges:
Creative Fingers challenge...Anything goes
Inspire me Fridays challenge #110...Anything goes
Sister Act challenge #14...Anything goes
Stampin for the Weekend...Pink and green
Crafting for all Seasons #55...Make it Girly
Crafts and Me challenge#138...Anything goes
Lady Anne"s challenge #10...Anything goes
Scrapper's Delight challenges...Die cuts and punches

Have a great weekend, and enjoy the week ahead. See you soon and take care.

Love, Ursula

Back with my card...A-la-pram

Good afternoon blogging friends,
As I had said earlier I will try and get a card made with the new freebie image from Digistamps4Joy called A-la-pram. I had a bit of a difficulty as I am using a new paper and colouring with the distress inks didn't seem to go as smoothly, but I haven't time to redo it.....
The image is available till Sunday, so hurry over to the SHOP
and grab it before it's too late.
I used the sketch from The Outlawz
Paper is from Docrafts..Especially for you
Ribbon and safety pins..my stash

I will enter these challenges:
Crafty Creations challenges #229...Babies
Paper Minutes challenge...Diecuts
Try it on Tuesday...Show us your metal..I used safety pins
ABC challenges #35...Anything goes
Crafty Bloggers Network...Metal magic...safety pins.
Make it Monday...Anything goes
Ooh-la-la Creations challenge...Welcome little one

Have a great weekend everyone and hope to see you back here soon.

Love Ursula

July freebie A-la-pram at DS4J

Happy Friday everyone,
It is again the first Friday of the month so a freebie from Digistamps4Joy for you all.

I ran out of time yesterday, but will try and get a card up here in the next day, in the meantime have a look at the lovely cards made for inspiration by the DT and hurry over to the SHOP to collect your free image. It is only available for 2 days, so don't delay.

Hope you have an amazing day, we are in for another cold spell this weekend. 

See you soon, take care.

Love Ursula

Paper folded embellishments at DS4J

Good morning friends,
Wednesday already, weekend around the corner. I would like to wish all my American friends a very happy day tomorrow 4th July. I hope you have a wonderful day with family and friends and enjoy the weekend.

Now on to our challenge at Digistamps4Joy this week. Make your own paper embellishments, folded, quilled, rolled...whatever!! just come and join us. On the blog our talented DT member  Desire even has a tutorial on how to make pinwheels...so no excuse.

Here is my card.

This is what I used.
I made my card using the sketch from Sunday sketch and stamp
Image..."Owl always love you" coloured with distress inks
Folded corners, using a heart punch
Border with ribbon...Marianne Design die
Ribbon, pearls, and peel off ...my stash

Will enter the following challenges:

 

Sunday Sketch and Stamp #163...Sketch

Bearly-Mine challenges #93...Anything goes

LadyBug Crafts Ink Challenge...Birthdays

Paper Minutes challenge...Diecuts

Inky Chicks #9...Anything goes

Papertake Weekly...Anything goes/option use animals.
Through the Craftroom Door...Anything goes
Card Crafter's Circle #81 Happy Birthday
Polka Doodle challenge #27 Animals
 Sister Act Card challenge #13...Anything goes





Wishing you all a wonderful week further, have fun but take care.

Love Ursula

 

 

A girly twist to the colour challenge today

Good morning friends,
 I missed wishing my Canadian followers a happy Canada Day. Hope you all enjoyed the day with family and friends.



Today is colour challenge day again at The Outlawz, and I had the honour of choosing the inspiration, twist, add a girly image and colours for the challenge.

The prize this week is a $15 gift certificate from 7 Kids College Fund, and the sponsor is Roxann.

The cards made by the DT are awesome and all so different, so come and join in the fun.


My card recipe is:

Paper ..burgundy and light pink cardstock.
Image...Marianne designs, coloured with distress inks and I used flower soft for the flowers in her hair, cut out with an oval die and mounted on a scalloped.diecut.
Die cut...Anja design from Marianne Design Creatables
Flowers...Marianne design flower dies. Added lace, seam binding, pearls from my stash

Added some glitter to the dress.

I am entering the following challenges:
ABC Challenge #35...Anything goes.
Created with Love challenge #48...For the girls
Craft-dee Bowz challenge...Anything goes with a handmade bow
Make it Monday #147...Anything goes
Whoopsi Daisy Challenge...Let's get girly
 An Inky Situation Linky Party #1...Anything goes
Scrapbook Stamp Society #8...Anything goes
Challenges 4 Everybody #23...Anything goes.
Dream Valley challenges...Make your own flowers or embellishments.
Lacy Sunshine challenge #11...Anything goes.

Enjoy the rest of the week and hope to see you again soon. Thanks for visiting and I love reading your comments.

Take care, love, Ursula

Panic about Google....????

Hello friends,
All the panic the last few weeks about Google reader carrying on/disappearing?  I just thought I would share this with you. I translated it from the following blog which is in Dutch. http://www.cardsandscrap.nl/

Only when you actually use Google Reader to read messages you will have to search for an alternative.

If you follow blogs and they follow your blog via Google Friend Connect and you read your messages through the reading list of blogger is nothing to worry about.

Our message of last Saturday was therefore not necessary, our apologies.

Hope so the panic among bloggers and followers to have assuaged.

Sincerely, Aletta

So I think it was all for nothing...

Have a great day,

Love Ursula