OLW99

This week's One Layer Wednesday challenge is to be inspired by a picture on Susan's Pure Inspiration Board on Pinterest. I was inspired by many things, and this is what happened...

Stamps: Eastern Blooms, Bring on the Cake

Card: Baja Breeze, Whisper White (on inside)

Ink: Soft Suede, Versa Mark

Other: White embossing powder

I made this card for a friend who had a birthday on Monday! Eastern Blooms happens to be a stamp set she really likes, so it was a good choice :) And it didn't involve any candles like the card I made her last year for her big '0' birthday!

Three of something

It was such a surprise today to find the card from my last post showcased at Less is More. Thanks Mandi and Chrissie, it is such an honour! 
The challenge at Less is More this week is to make a one layer card with three of something. I have chosen three techniques in applying ink, stamping, sponging, and colouring!

This card is for my Mum. She has taken my kids home to her house , to give them a holiday, and to give me some time to get work done for uni. I miss them terribly, but I'm so grateful for the time — I wouldn't have been able to do what I have this week if they were here. They are all having a wonderful time.

Less is More 74

This week the challenge over at Less is More is to use their header for inspiration. I was inspired...

Stamps: Baroque Motifs, Music Notes (wheel)

Card: Whisper White

Ink: Soft Suede, Basic Black

I can't remember the name of the stamp set the sentiment belongs to, sorry! It is floating around out of it's original package, but it is definitely SU. I think it may have been in a mini catalogue, but I can't find it. There was another one in the set with a bee (bee happy), and one with an owl — does anyone remember?

I have been working hard on an assignment for uni today, in between doing washing and other such things, looking after my kiddywinkles and baking scones for brekky! So I felt that a little creative therapy would be good tonight...  and it was! :D

A 40th Birthday

Just popping in to share a card I made for a friend's 40th birthday. A group of us gathered at the Hyatt on Sunday to celebrate — we had a lovely morning sipping coffee & eating (far too much) delicious food. It was really nice to take time out of the busyness of life and spend it together. 

Stamps: Just Believe, En Français

Card: Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler, Night of Navy, Silver Shimmer Paper

Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Riding Hood Red, Night of Navy

Other: Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Timeless Type Junior Alphabet Sizzlits Dies

And now I have to get on with some work for uni!

Have a great week.

Something more to say & Something shiny

To start with I just want to add to what I said in my last post. In fear of saying too much about my separation, I didn't say all I wanted to, and I don't feel I spoke with my true voice. I just wrote it as "matter of fact" without much about the journey of it. So I would like to share a little more with you. It is difficult to say much about what happened because it is something you don't usually share with the world, but what I do want to say is that the decision was not made lightly. It was years of dealing with some very deep hurt and trying to hold it together (my marriage that is), and months of wrestling with the idea of separation and the ramifications for the children and myself. It truly has been a journey, one that has been difficult, but one that has grown me as a person, and for that I am grateful! The same can be said for my experience with cancer last year. It was hard to face, but I have come out of it a stronger person, with a greater appreciation of life, family and friends, and with a greater desire to live with passion! So there you have it... something more, now said!

And now for something shiny :) It has been some time since I entered a challenge! This one is for the Less is More "something shiny" challenge. What shines is the glitter I have added to the leaves — hopefully that counts as something shiny...

Stamps: Watercolour Vine (wheel), So Happy For You 

Card: Pear Pizzazz, Not Quite Navy

Ink: Not Quite Navy
Other: Dazzling Diamonds Glitter 

The inspiration for this card came when I was at Uni last week. I was sitting behind a fellow student who was wearing this beautiful cardigan, pictured below. I was so distracted by it and couldn't help but (during class) run away with ideas of how I might turn the design of the cardigan into a card!

I do learn in class too!! Just so you know :)

A Journey

Life is a journey that sometimes goes where you would never have expected or planned. That has been the case for me, and is partly the reason I haven't blogged for so long. In September last year my husband and I separated. It has been a long and difficult road, both in the months leading up to that point, and since. I am doing okay though, trying to take one day at a time, and am blessed to have a wonderful network of family and friends who are loving and supportive.

At the end of last year I also made a decision to go back to Uni. It is busy, but I am loving what I'm doing (Bachelor of Midwifery at the University of Canberra).  It seems to be working in with my circumstances fairly well and I feel it is the right thing for me at this point.

And now for some cards...

I thought it appropriate to share these few as the first blog entry since last year. 

Stamps: The Open Sea (Summer Mini Catalogue), Life Definitions, French Foliage

Card: Soft Suede, Early Espresso, Very Vanilla

Ink: Soft Suede, Early Espresso

Other: Linen Thread

The next card I made for this One-Layer-Wednesday challenge, "Dudes Rule", but I didn't get it uplaoded in time to enter it. Oh well, the whole point is to inspire creativity, which it did.

Stamps: The Open Sea (Summer Mini Catalogue), Bring on the cake, French Foliage

Card: Shimmery White

Ink: Soft Suede, Early Espresso

Other: Linen Thread

Here is a multi-layer version, which I prefer!

Stamps: The Open Sea (Summer Mini Catalogue), Bring on the cake, French Foliage

Card: Soft Suede, Early Espresso, Shimmery White

Ink: Soft Suede, Early Espresso

Other: Linen Thread

I have made many more cards over the months, and hope to share some of them with you before another ten months pass by!!! 


It's so good to be back :)