A Crafty Fox

Happy Birdie

2012-02-05T09:45:00.001+11:00

It's Sunday and the sun is out. Sydney-siders will understand that at the moment, that's some kind of miracle. It has been raining steadily for the whole summer, I think I've been in the pool only twice this year and given it's February already that's some sort of (sad) record.

Right now Doodle Pantry are giving away the most fabulous digi stamp set for everyone who enters their current challenge using a Doodle Pantry image. The image I have is their Happy Bird freebie, that you can get here. Here is the little card I created.

For something a little different I followed the latest sketch by The Sweet Stop. I'm not normally a sketch follower so this was a little daunting, but I am happy with how it turned out.

Brace yourselves though people - for I have big crafty news. I bought a sewing maching so I could attemp that gorgeous stitching I see on other cards. I haven't touched a sewing machine since I failed home economics when I was 13 years old and switched to metalwork, so trust me when I say this is big news. :) It might take a while before I can stitch anything worth sharing, but today is the day I get it out of the box.

This little card is entered into the following challenges:
The Sweet Stop - Sketch
Doodle Pantry - Use a Doodle Pantry image

Until next time,
Tracey

Little Monster

2012-02-04T18:41:00.001+11:00

Happy Weekend Everyone!

I hope you are all making the most of your weekend. I managed to do only minimal housework in favour of an early morning Zumba class and a bike ride today. I'll pay for it tomorrow but right now I am feeling lovely and refreshed after a horrendous week at work.

Today I am sharing with you the card I made for a colleague at work. She requested a birthday card for her little nephew who she fondly calls "Little Monster".

I was fortunate enough to find that adorable little monster as a freebie online from Torico Gallery. Click here to get him for yourself. The sentiment was another freebie I lost the details for (I'm writing them all down now I promise!). Button, ribbon, twine etc all from my stash.

Entered into the following challenges:
Frosted Designs - Ribbon and/or Twine
Crafty Ribbons - For the men or the boys
Cute Card Thursdays - Buttons and bows
Digistamps 4 Joy - One For The Boys
Fab 'n' Funky Challenges - Use a digi

Until next time,
Tracey
x

Flowers with Sparkle

2012-02-01T21:01:00.000+11:00

Hello All,

Can you believe it's February already? What exactly happened to January, and more importantly why didn't Summer bother to turn up this year? It's been the most miserable cold and wet Summer in Sydney I can remember.

It's time for another challenge at Ruby's Rainbow and this time the theme is:

FLOWERS WITH SPARKLE

It took me a while to figure out how to tackle this one for my DT work, I like the occasional sparkles but my cards aren't very floral at the best of times. Fortunately I found some lovely paper flowers that I could pair with my new Magnolia Doohickey leaf die, a bit of KindyGlitz glitter glue and ta-da - sparky flowers. I also attempted my first very easel card and I'm pretty chuffed that it turned out how it was supposed to!

I made this card for my friend Amanda, who had her gall-bladder removed yesterday. Poor little kitten. She is only 34 and this is a life changing operation for her. A naturally petite person who never has to watch what she eats (insert chorus of "that's so unfair"!!!!) - her diet consists of lots of the wrong foods. I think she is in mourning for many of her favourite dishes which she will now have to eat rarely, if at all.

This gorgeous image is Sick Lily from Pink Cat Studios. This is my second PCS digi stamp and I think I will have to add plenty more to my collection. They are so cute! She has been coloured with copics and die cut with my Spellbinders lacy squares.

I chose my DPs to best represent a living room, with swirly beige carpet and pink and white wallpapered walls. All papers are from Sassafrass Lass. Ribbons, flower brads and blue half pearls are from my stash.

To see what my teammates have created, and to add your own sparkly flowers creation, please visit us at Ruby's Rainbow.

Entered into the following challenges:
Hooked On Craft - Something Bright
Shopping Our Stash - People who need people
Kaboodle Doodles - It's all about the girls

and shared on Make it Monday - Always Anything Goes

Until next time,
Tracey
x

I love a sunburnt country

2012-01-29T10:01:00.000+11:00

It was Australia Day this week, and a time for all Aussies to reflect on how blessed we truly are to live in such an amazing country. It's a time to celebrate what's great about living in the lucky country - a time for parties, for BBQs with mates and permission for that inner yobbo to stand tall - so that's why the theme for the new challenge at The Squirrel and The Fox is

AUSTRALIAN AND/OR PARTY

I love Australia. The lyrics to "I Still Call Australia Home" by Peter Allen move me to tears as does the welcome home message from a Qantas pilot, even if I have only been 'next door' to New Zealand for 2 days! The beauty of this country astounds me. I spend a lot of time trying to capture the beauty both above and below the water with my camera.

I think Dorothea McKellar said it best in her poem My Country:

I love a sunburnt country
A land of sweeping plains
Of rugged mountain ranges
Of droughts and flooding rains
I love her far horizons
I love her jewel-sea
Her beauty and her terror
The wide brown land for me!

The DT at The Squirrel and The Fox were lucky enough to have brand new Aussie images from Make It Crafty to play with for this challenge. I merged three of the images to create a truly Aussie scene.

I thought this lovely Jillaroo looked deep in thought so I paired her with a 'Thinking of You" sentiment. I love the way this scene came together. I was careful to scale the wombats to true size - did you realise they were that big? The average wombat weighs about 27kg (that's approximately 60lbs).

The image was coloured with copics, and edges sponged with Distress Ink in Antique Linen. Cardstock, ribbon and rivets were from my stash.

I hope you'll join us with your Australian or Party inspired creation this fortnight.

Entered into the following challenges:
Crafty Boots - Inspired by a song
Chocolate, Coffee and Cards - Thinking of you/Missing you
CCEE Stampers - Aussie
Stamp n Doodle - Animal

Until next time,
Tracey
x

A Ridiculous Valentine

2012-01-26T13:53:00.002+11:00

Hello to all my blogland friends!

Today, as the title of my post suggests, I am posting the ridiculous Valentine's card I made for my husband. This card needs a little explanation - to look at it you would probably be left wondering "What??".

Okay, so have you ever heard that saying "Don't let the truth get in the way of a good story"? Well I am a firm believer in the saying "Don't let the real lyrics get in the way of singing along".

I am sure most of you will be familiar with Bruno Mars and his song "Grenade". When this song was first released I was merrily singing along to it in the car when my husband heard me sing "I'd jump in front of a tree for love". He stopped me mid-song, asked me to repeat what I'd just said, and then pointed out that the true lyrics were "I'd jump in front of a train for ya".

Right. Actually that made a lot more sense. Far braver to jump in front of a train than a tree.

However, "Jump in front of a tree for love" has stuck. I now often declare my love for Andrew with reference to throwing myself in front of trees and shrubbery. Here's the link to the song on YouTube. Am I the only person who thinks Bruno needs to work on his pronunciation?

So there you have it - a ridiculous Valentine's Day card that tells you a lot about how silly my husband and I can be. The images are "Zoe Celebrates" and "Big Tree", both from Make It Crafty - coloured with copics. The sentiment was computer generated on top of an old ticket freebie I lost the details for. I have added some silver and green ribbons from my stash. The DP (sadly hardly visible) is Fancy Pants Design "Love" with love hearts made from words on it.

I hope my equally ridiculous hubby will be very happy with his unconventional Valentine.

Entered into the following challenges:
Ribbon Carousel - Non-Traditional colours
MyGrafico - Tickets anywhere for someone special
The Cutie Pie Challenge - Favourite song (Grenade of course!)
Hooked On Craft - Something Bright to represent Aussie Summer - that bright blue sky and green tree
Poodles Parlour - Valentine/Love

and shared on Make It Monday.

Until next time,
Tracey
x

She's Sexy And She Knows It

2012-01-22T20:44:00.000+11:00

Hello All,

I trust you are all having a wonderful weekend. It's 8pm here and I am starting to slip into that "I don't want to go to work tomorrow" feeling - intensified by the fact that I thought the new episodes of Modern Family started at 8pm, so I turn on the TV at 7.58 to see the final two minutes of it. 7.30pm start. Bummer!

I was asked to make a few more Valentine's cards for work colleagues' husbands. There was a request to use Kenny K's Sexy Cupid again, so here she is.

When looking for inspiration for my colours this time, I looked at the current challenge at Cupcake Inspirations - look at all the gorgeous pinks, creams and blues in their picture:

I want to eat one so badly! Actually that just makes it sound like I want to eat one, badly, as in missing my mouth, making a mess, crumbs everywhere... let's say I want to eat one very much instead.

I tried something new for this card. Flower Soft. Oh so pretty. Her wings are now like wings should be - fluffy, feathery and soft. I also got myself an eyelet punch, so they are a new technique too. The DP is from Bo Bunny, button brads and pearls are from my stash.

Entered into the following challenges:
Cupcake Inspirations - Picture inspiration
Moving Along With The Times - Things with Wings
Crafty Creations Challenges - Valentines
Scrapbook Sisters - My Sweet Valentine
The Crafty Pad - Let's see something for the boys

Until next time,
Tracey
x

A Sexy Valentine and a DT call

2012-01-18T21:51:00.001+11:00

Hello All,

It is so nice to be writing to you all tonight, for every minute spent here is one less minute I am logged on to the work laptop.

It's time for a new challenge at Ruby's Rainbow and our theme is

Valentine's Day OR Red or Black

We are also having a DT call, as the lovely Angel has stepped down. If you want to join us on the Design Team, please visit the challenge blog to find out how.

For my DT card I chose to make a Valentine's Day card using my brand new (and very sexy) digi stamp from Kenny K. This is "Sexy Cupid" and isn't she just?

She was coloured with copics and then the edges were sponged with Versa Colour "Sky Blue" ink. I've glitzed up her wings with some KindyGlitz glitter glue. The sentiment was a freebie (and as usual I have no idea where I got it). My DP is "Crazy Love Fudge and Flowers" from Bo Bunny and the ribbon and jewels are from my stash. The swirl is once again from my Magnolia Doohickey die - this die is going to get a workout!

I made this card for a colleague for her husband. I expect I might be making a few more like it before Valentine's Day arrives. My DH and I don't celebrate Valentine's Day, but this year I am making him a goofy card that suits us to a tee. Expect to see it in the next week or so.

Make sure you visit Ruby's Rainbow and see what my teammates have created for you. There's such a lovely array of inspiration awaiting you. :)

Also entered into the following challenges:

Just Tracy's Craft - Love is in the air (I love entering these challenges because I'm a Tracey too!)
Pretty Little Ribbon Shop - Be My Valentine
The Crafty Pad - New Year's Sparkle Gems and Glitter

and shared on Make It Monday.

Until next time,
Tracey
x

New Crafty Goodies at Sparkles

2012-01-15T20:22:00.000+11:00

Two posts in one day! I had better keep an eye on that, before I know it I will be a fully-fledged more than once weekly contributor to blogland.

It's time for the first challenge for the year at Sparkles Challenges, and this time we want to see what you have made with your

NEW CRAFTY GOODIES

Now if Santa was good to you, or you decided to treat yourself over the holidays (like I did!), then you hopefully have some new goodies you are dying to try out and show off.

For my DT card I took the opportunity to make a card for a friend of mine that just had a baby boy. I used a brand new Pink Gem Designs digi stamp that I was lucky enough to win recently at A Gem of a Challenge.

I am fairly sure the digi sentiment was a freebie, but I have lost all details of when and where I got it. I really need to start organising my files! The DP is Imagininsce "Boy Oh Boy". All cardstock has been distressed with my Tim Holtz Distressing tool. The remaining DP, ribbon and blue pearl stick-ons are from my stash. I sponged the background to my image with Versa Magic ink in Aspen Mist.

Our challenge this month is sponsored by Crafty Emma. Please check out the challenge blog for all the details and to see what fabulous creations have been made by my teammates.

Also entered into the following challenges:
Card Makin Mamas - Happy New Year
Crafty Ribbons - New Beginnings
Divas By Design - New Beginnings
Crafty Boots - New Beginnings
Crafty Card Makers - No floral Embellishments

Until next time,
Tracey
x

Critters at The Squirrel and The Fox

2012-01-15T10:01:00.000+11:00

It's Challenge time again at The Squirrel and The Fox, and what's a more fitting challenge for a blog named after two woodland creatures than..

CRITTERS

That's right, this fortnight we want to see your furry or feathered critter creations. Our challenge is sponsored by Robyn's Fetish, and Robyn is offering our challenge winner five free digis.

For my DT card I was lucky enough to use Robyn's Digi "Sailing, Sailing" and here's what I did with it.

I think blue and brown is one of my favourite combinations right now. I tried something a little different for colouring my image this time, and attempted a sepia toned image. To keep with the vintage feel I sponged all the edges with Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Antique Linen. The sentiment is from Whimsy Stamps. I am absolutely besotted with this paper, and love the fact that it's covered in compasses - just perfect for a travelling duck! This card also uses my brand new and much anticipated Magnolia Doohickey die - Leaf & Swirl. It was so good, I had to use it twice. :)

I hope you'll join us at The Squirrel and The Fox for our challenge.

See you there!

Also entered into the following challenges:
Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge Blog - Birds
Stamp, Scrap & Doodle - Winter Birds
Sentimental Sundays - Ribbon
Crafty Card Makers - No floral embellishments
Hooked on Craft Challenges - Try something new (sepia colouring)
Robyn's Fetish - Animals (how could I not, given it's Robyn's very own ducky image!)

Tracey
x

Something Old, Something New

2012-01-08T15:56:00.001+11:00

Ever had one of those card making experiences where you seem to do nothing but push paper and cardstock around waiting for inspiration to strike... and it continues to allude you?

I had one of those days yesterday, trying to make a card for the friend of a friend. The brief was simple - something with a dog or a cat and nothing over the top girly. Finally, after a lot of umming and ahhing, trying all sorts of combinations... result!

The image is Wild Rose Studio's Toby With Roses and he is coloured with copics. The background DP and green DP are both from my new "Homemade Collection" from Kaisercraft, the script paper is from Kaisercraft's Timeless Collection. The lace is once again from the old lace I rescued from my grandmother's house and the pearls and metal paperclip embellishments are from my stash. Everything was distressed and inked up with Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Antique Linen.

After all that angst, I think it's one of the nicest cards I've made. :)

Entered into the following challenges:
Jellypark Challenges - Something old & something new
Aud Sentiments Challenge Blog - Sentiment + use your scraps
Shelly's Images - Out with the old & In with the new
Card Makin' Mamas - Happy NEW Year
Digi Stamps 4 Joy - Something old & something new

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
Tracey
x

A Card for a Child

2012-01-02T17:33:00.000+11:00

Hello All, with an extra special hello to my new followers. I am so happy you've joined me. I hope you'll find something here to inspire you, or at least give you a smile.

It's challenge time again at Ruby's Rainbow and the theme this fortnight is

SOMETHING FOR A BABY OR A CHILD

and here's what I came up with:

This gorgeous little clown is from The Digi Garden. I have coloured him with copics and glittered him up with Kindy Glitz glitter glue. All the card stock is bits and pieces left over from my Christmas card creations and the paper is Imagininsce "Boy Oh Boy". I even got out my little Memory Keepers sewing tool and handstitched the red card stock with some lovely blue thread successfully (this tool and I were on non-speaking terms for a while after I lost any ability to use it without destroying the cardstock).

I actually intended for the embossed bit of blue cardstock to go under the DP - but got caught up with the double-sided tape and before I knew it the DP was firmly stuck down and I had no alternative but to stick it on top. Oh well, could have been far worse - I was heavily distracted by the final episode of Family Ties and Michael J Fox was in tears.. it was gripping stuff.

Please head over to Ruby's Rainbow and see the fabulous creations my teammates have done.

Also entered into the following challenges:
The Crazy Challenge - Party
Fussy and Fancy Challenge - Happy Birthday
CES Challenges - Party, Party, Party
Totally Papercrafts - Time to Party
Make It Monday - Anything Goes

Until next time,
Tracey

Sweet Little Donkey

2012-01-01T10:01:00.000+11:00

Happy New Year everyone! It's time for the first challenge of 2012 at The Squirrel and The Fox and the theme is

"SOMETHING NEW"

My "Something New" is a freebie digi from Meljen's Designs called "Sweet Little Donkey". He was used on a card for good friends of ours, who welcomed their own "Someone New" into their household a week ago, a beautiful baby boy.

This is the card I made for them:

The image was coloured with copics, and I added some Kindy Glitz glitter glue and blue jewels to make it sparkle. The DP is Imagininsce "Boy Oh Boy" and I have distressed all the card stock with my Tim Holtz distressing tool. The ribbon was from my stash and after many attempts at tying a bow with the polka dots showing on both loops, I found this fabulous tutorial on YouTube for tying bows with patterned ribbon - success! Who knew you had to turn one part of the ribbon over like that?

To get your own Meljen's freebie Sweet Little Donkey, you can find him here.

I really hope you'll join us at The Squirrel and The Fox for our "Something New" challenge. Maybe Santa brought you some new crafty supplies you are just busting to use. Our challenge this fortnight is proudly sponsored by Jen's Digis - check out the challenge blog for all the details.

I've entered this card into the following challenges:
Meljen's Designs - Blue
Frosted Designs - Something New
4 Crafty Chicks - Something New
Little Red Wagon - Something New

Until next time,
Tracey
x

So glad we're friends

2011-12-28T23:50:00.003+11:00

Every now and then you get the opportunity to make a card for someone really special. The card I made today is for my very closest friend, the sister I never had, Amanda.

I bought this Wild Rose Studio "Girl With Dog" stamp about 6 months ago, knowing I would be using it for Amanda's card, for it reminds me of her so much. I resisted using it for other creations, wanting its debut to be for her birthday.

I used my Stampin' Up Sentiment "So Glad We're Friends" for it says everything I think of Amanda and more. I coloured in this gorgeous girl using copics, sponged the edges with Momento "Summer Sky" and used my Spellbinders "Reverse Wonky Rectangles" die. I then hunted high and low for some paper to compliment her. Just when I was about to give up and go home, I found this beautiful paper from Sassafras called "Lots O' Luck". I was actually carrying some blue cardstock to go with a card I will be making tomorrow when I realised the blue was a very nice addition. I love it when I come across a combination by chance like that!

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Totally Gorjuss - For Someone Special
Little Miss Muffet challenges - Anything Goes
Paper Creations Ink - Something Old (image stamp) Something new (DP)
Ladybug Crafts Ink TLT Challenge - Bingo (flowers, ribbon, die cut)
Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge - Anything Goes
Make It Monday - Anything Goes

Until next time,
Tracey
x

Pretty Ballerina

2011-12-27T12:03:00.001+11:00

Oh it's so refreshing to make a card that's not Christmas related. I don't know about you, but I left my Christmas card making way too late, so it was a frantic race to the finish.

I had coloured a beautiful La La Land image for the last Sparkles Forum challenge of the year, but unfortunately didn't get a chance to finish it due to family dramas. I couldn't leave this little ballerina merely coloured, so this morning I spent some time turning her into a card.

A couple of weekends ago, my best friend's husband Josh and I got very carried away remembering the Hans Christian Anderson song "Thumbelina" as sung by Danny Kaye. Now I know this isn't a 'thumbelina' but a real ballerina, but I simply couldn't stop singing that song while making her.

This card was pulled together using leftover scraps from three different DPs, a teeny bit of lace that is part of the stash I got from my grandmother, and some pearl and jewel stick-ons for bling. The butterfly is a lovely feathery, jewelled glittery creation that I bought once upon a time and never used.

To walk down memory lane with Josh and I - here's a link to the Thumbelina song from the movie here.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

The Crafty Pad - Anything but Christmas
Flutterby Wednesdays - Butterfly, Fairy or Angel
The Paper Shelter - The Look of Lace
Pixie Dust Studio Pixie Challenge - 3 different papers
Make It Monday - Anything Goes
That Craft Place - Sweet Treats in Pastels
The Poodles Parlour - Inspired by a song

and added of course to the La-La Land Customer Gallery for December.

Until next time,
Tracey
x

Blog Candy Winner

2011-12-27T00:14:00.002+11:00

Hello All,

I hope you survived the festivities. It was a very quiet one at this end. My husband's grandfather passed away just 2 weeks ago, and everyone is still feeling very subdued. My job has been pretty crappy and causing lots of new stresses and I've been working extra long hours.

For the first time, I didn't even put the tree up and without my tree I really didn't feel like it was Christmas. Lesson learned. Next time the tree goes up, regardless of whatever dramas are going on in life at the time. I feel sad that Christmas seems to have been 'missed' this year.

Anyway, I am happy to announce that I have the winner of my first ever blog candy! The winner of the $10 Mystery Digi pack from Make It Crafty is....

Carla S!!!

Congrats Carla - email me at fox_tracey@yahoo.com.au and I will get your prize sent to you soonest.

Tracey
x

It's a Holiday Havoc Blog Hop!

2011-12-17T17:01:00.000+11:00

It's an exciting day today and an unusual post from me - for it's my very first blog hop!

For my first ever hopping experience, what better hop to join than Craft Your Passion Challenges "Holiday Havoc 2011" Blog Hop!

If you have hopped over from Sue's blog "Confessions of a Paper Hoarder", then you are in the right place. If you just happened to stop by and would like to join the hop from the beginning, please go to Craft Your Passion Challenges and follow along for a chance to win some AMAZING blog candy along the way and PRIZES at the end.

Trust me, these are fab prizes so if you did just stop by, quick - go get started!

Right, let's assume you've done that and you're back. That means you know all about the blog hop, how the Craft Your Passion DT members are all playing in the hop with a crowd of us (myself included) - all hopping along together (why do I keep picturing the Easter Bunny here? Must change mental image to hopping reindeer or similar).

Each designer is featuring a project showcasing a digital image from one of the amazing Blog Hop Sponsors. Some of the designers are giving away blog candy too - make sure you read the posts on how to win. As well as the individual blog candy from the designers, there are some fabulous prizes to be won at Craft Your Passion Challenges. All you have to do are these few simple steps:

1. Hop all the way through the Hop, leaving a comment for each designer as you go.

2. Sit back and marvel at the amazing fun you've had along the way (those talented and experienced hoppers can possibly do steps 1 & 2 simultaneously)

3. Create a holiday project using at least 1 digital stamp and enter it at Craft Your Passion Challenges using the linky tool by Midnight CST December 23 to be eligible for the prizes. Winners will be announced on the CYP Monday, December 26th Challenge post.

Got all that? Okay, so here's the card I created using a gorgeous digi supplied from Crafty Sentiments.

Because this image was so very sweet, I didn't want to overshadow him with lots of tricky embellishments or lots of papers. Instead, he was very simply coloured with copics, glittered up with Kindy Glitz glitter glue, and glammed up with some ice blue jewel stick ons from Kaisercraft added to the snow globe base. The DPs were Hobby Fun Co. Ltd, and I added some red ribbon from my stash. I wish I knew where I got that little digi sentiment - it was a freebie I collected once upon a time and lost the details for. To celebrate the occasion I even bought a new Spellbinders die - Lacy Squares.

Now I couldn't participate in my very first blog hop and not offer any candy of my own could I?

So ta-da - blog candy! I am offering one lucky winner something very special from one of my all time favourite digi stores - Make it Crafty.

$10

That's right, if you win my blog candy you win a Secret Santa digi stamp pack to the value of $10. Oh the excitement, the intrigue, the mystery - you won't know what stamps you will recieve - but I know they will be wonderful!!

To be eligible to win, all you have to do is leave a comment here (which you are doing anyway to be eligible for the Craft Your Passion prizes), and become a follower. I will enlist the help of random.org to pick one winner - easy! The winner will be drawn and posted here on 26th December.

Right, next stop is Paper and Scrap Creations by Julia - have fun!

Tracey
x

Oh Christmas Tree

2011-12-11T17:48:00.001+11:00

No, your eyes do not deceive you lovely followers - I really am posting two cards in one day. All week I have been singing the Christmas Carol "Oh Christmas Tree" and seeing I'm not putting my tree up this year this is the next best thing.

It's been a very stressful weekend, for my husband's grandfather is critically ill and expected to pass away within days. Yesterday we spent the day by his bedside. He said his goodbyes to us all, telling me to look after his Grandson. It was one of the most heart wrenching things I have ever had to experience.

Today I wanted to do nothing more taxing than to colour in, glue things to other things and to play with paper. My husband is doing similar mind-numbing activities, he is esconced in front of his X-box.

I created this card after seeing a design using a freebie image from Bird's Cards many months ago. You can find the digi & the button idea here. I then forgot all about it until Shaz did a similar creation.

This card will be for my grandmother, as it uses both buttons and lace that were salvaged from her house before it was sold recently.

The DP is a lovely soft green but hasn't shown up as well as I would have liked in the photo. I used my Cuttlebug snowflake embossing folder for the white card. I have added silver and white ribbon, as well as the white lace for embellishments. The 'ornaments' are both buttons and pearl stick ons. The sentiment was a freebie but I have lost the details of where I got it.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Little Miss Muffet Challenge - Buttons & Ribbons
The Paper Variety - Inspired by a Chrsitmas song.

Until next time,
Tracey

It's Christmas Time at The Squirrel and The Fox

2011-12-11T10:00:00.000+11:00

It's time for another challenge at The Squirrel and The Fox. Of course we couldn't miss the opportunity to join the festivities of this time of year, so our challenge theme is

CHRISTMAS

This challenge is an extra special one, for it will run for 3 weeks instead of the normal two. There's plenty of time to get your entries in to be in the running for our fabulous prize from Make it Crafty, who are once again sponsoring our challenge.

I have created this card for my DT work, using one of Make It Crafty's fabulous images. I think this Aussie Santa captures the very spirit of Christmas in Australia.

Isn't he awesome?? This is exactly what Santa would look like on the Aussie leg of his journey I am sure - it's too hot for any red fur-trimmed suit here!

I have coloured him with copics, and in typical Aussie summer style have even given him a sunburnt nose. The sentiment was a freebie digi (still can't remember who from), and the papers were Simple Stories. The bits of ribbons were cut offs from previous card making endeavours and all the white edges were sponged with Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Antique Linen. I also distressed the edges with my new Tim Holtz distress tool - now my favourite little toy.

I hope you like my creation and will join us with all your festive creations at The Squirrel and The Fox. My teammates have all done a fabulous job with their creations, make sure you check them out.

Also entered into the following challenges:

Catch the Bug - Santa Baby
Card Makin' Mamas - Christmas
Crafty Ribbons Challenge - Traditional Colours for Christmas
Inky Impressions - Ribbon
Sassy Cheryl's Challenge Blog - It's Santa!

Until next time,
Tracey

Ruby's Rainbow - Monochrome

2011-12-04T09:58:00.001+11:00

Hello All,

Can you believe it's December already?? How quickly this year has gone. It's time for another challenge at Ruby's Rainbow. This fortnight our challenge is

MONOCHROME

For my DT card I created a very blue card for one of my colleagues:

It was nice to make a birthday card after all the Christmas cards I have been making the past few weeks. This digi was from the Digi Garden and he's called "Sammy". He's so cute, I can see me using him a lot in future!

I wanted to buy a new blue ink pad to edge my image and sentiment so I merrily took myself to the crafty shop to buy Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Tumbled Glass. Of course they didn't have it, so I went to the next crafty shop, and they didn't have it either. In the end I deliberated long and hard about which blue Momento ink to get, knowing I had one at home already, chose Summer Sky, came home and found it was the one I already had. D'oh! This is so typical of me. I have been known to spend hours looking for a lipstick or nail polish after getting tired of the same shade, to purchase one triumphantly and then realise it's the same one. Does anyone else do that or is it just me?

I hope you'll join us at Ruby's Rainbow this fortnight. I can't wait to see the monochrome creations!

Also entered into the following challenges:
A Gem of a Challenge - Monochrome, not Christmas, with sentiment

Until next time,
Tracey
x

Sparkles Forum - One You Love at Christmas

2011-12-03T16:02:00.001+11:00

It's a lovely theme for this fortnight's challenge at Sparkles Forum-

FOR THE ONE YOU LOVE AT CHRISTMAS

My husband and I don't normally exchange cards, so for this challenge I tried to make a card he'd really appreciate. I didn't want to overdose on sentimentality, so I searched high and low for an image he'd like. Needless to say I found Kenny K, with his gorgeous girl digis and after a big debate between digi Mrs Claus and Mistletoe - chose Mistletoe for my DT card.

Isn't she fabulous?

I paired this image with a stack of presents digi and a fantastic "Naughy or Nice" sentiment digi, both freebies I found online and lost the details for. If you happen to recognise them please let me know so I can give credit to the artists. I will be ticking "naughty" or "nice" before giving my hubby the card, I am just monitoring his behaviour. :)

I am thrilled to bits with this card. I have tried to keep it as masculine as possible, so have used simple embellishments of metal snowflake charms, silver stars and ribbons. Colouring her was a dream, I happily spent hours on her hair and her dress, and love how she turned out. I hadn't done black hair before and was a bit daunted, but think it doesn't look too bad.

My teammates have all come up with gorgeous cards for their 'other halves'. I hope you'll visit the Sparkles Forum challenge blog and check them out, and of course join us for the challenge. Crafty Emma is generously offering our winner this fabulous Dove Craft Paperpack prize:

I hope to see you there!

Also entered into the following challenges:

Cupcake Craftroom - Christmas Tradition (Mistletoe)
Southern Girls Challenge - Ribbon (three types, silver mesh style, red ribbon and blue feather ribbon)
Here Come The Boys - Masculine
kenny k kraftygirlz challenges - Texture (my blue feather ribbon and silver mesh ribbon, plus the embossed card)
Tuesday Throwdown - Masculine Holiday Card
Fab n Funky Challenges - Anything Goes

Until next time,
Tracey
x

Christmas card time

2011-11-27T16:38:00.001+11:00

I am sure that everyone out in blogland has been far more productive than I have been, and has a lovely stack of Christmas cards already made. I have been putting it off for ages, and almost gave myself heart failure yesterday when I realised it's December at the end of this week!

So I've started. Here's my card for this afternoon using lots of bright colours-

I've once again used my Wild Rose Studio stamp - Milton with Sleigh. He's been coloured with copics and I've used some baker's twine and red wool to tie a silver Christmas tree charm to the card. A few blue crystals, some Kindy Glitz glue glitter to add some sparkle and ta-da!

Entered into the following challenges:

Frosted Designs - Metal
Poodles Parlour - Christmas
Sew Many Cards - Twine
Crazy 4 Challenges - Snow
Meljen's Designs - Twine
Cupcake Inspirations - photo inspiration
(I used all the colours (brown, blue, red, pink & green), used a snowy image, and added the Christmas tree shaped charm)

Until next time,
Tracey
x

The Squirrel and The Fox - DT card

2011-11-27T10:30:00.000+11:00

It's time for another challenge at The Squirrel and The Fox, and this time we are hoping to inspire you all with this photo:

These stunning trees are Jacarandas, and they bloom every year around this time in many places in Australia. I love them, for their blossoms paint the landscape a most brilliant purple. Seeing their vibrant blossoms truly lifts my spirits every time - they are so pretty.

There's another reason to love Jacaranda trees - for in the words of a famous Aussie bush Christmas carol

"when the bloom of the Jacaranda tree is here
Christmas time is near"

and I love Christmas!

Our challenge this fortnight is sponsored by Jen's Digis. Jen supplied us with a darling little digi, and this is my take on it with my DT card.

We hope you can join us with your purple, tree or blossom inspired creation at The Squirrel and The Fox this fortnight. Jen's Digis are offering a prize to our lucky winner - check out the blog for all the details.

Until next time,

Tracey
x

DT for Ruby's Rainbow - Music

2011-11-24T21:21:00.001+11:00

It's time for another challenge at Ruby's Rainbow and this fortnight the theme is

MUSIC

What a fantastic theme huh? This theme makes me want to sing just like Agnetha (or was it Frida) -

Thank you for the music
The songs I'm singing
Thanks for all the joy they're bringing
Who can live without it ..

Who indeed? Not me. I love music, and musical theatre in particular. Thankfully I have a fellow fan for a best mate and she and I go to every musical that comes our way. In six months we have seen everything from Jersey Boys to Love Never Dies, Hairspray to Dr Zhivago.

So for my DT this week I wanted to bring the theatre to a card. Here's what I created:

Recipe

Copics used:

Hair: E25, E35

Skin: E000, E00, E11

Dress & Hat: R17, R27, R29, YG63, YG67

Gloves and Boots: C3, C5, C9, BV29

Digi Stamp: Make It Crafty - Antoinette

Buckle and choker - Gelly Pen "metallic"

Paperclip brad and ribbon from my stash.

I love this gorgeous stamp - the beautiful Antoinette from Make It Crafty. She reminds me of a Moulin Rouge girl -

pausing to remember the amazing version of "El Tango de Roxanne" in the movie and Ewan McGregor singing "why does my heart cry.." Awww. As far as musicals go it's not brilliant, but that song redeems it.

This was such a fun challenge and I loved seeing what my teammates came up with. I hope you'll join us at Ruby's Rainbow this fortnight for our music challenge.

Also entered into the following challenges:

Crafty Sentiments - Metal

The Shabby Tea Room - Photo inspiration

Challenge Up Your Life - Music

Bearly-Mine - My favourite things (ribbon, copics and DP)

Until next time,

Tracey

It's Summer at The Squirrel and The Fox

2011-11-13T14:32:00.001+11:00

"sniff, sniff" Can you smell it? Freshly cut grass and onions frying on a BBQ - that, coupled with temperatures that are starting to soar, must mean Summer is fast approaching!

So of course, for our new challenge at The Squirrel and The Fox our theme is

SUMMER

Our challenge is proudly sponsored by The Paper Shelter this fortnight. For my DT work I used their fabulous digi "Beautiful Mermaid" and here's what I came up with.

Recipe

Copics used:

Hair: E31, E35
Skin: E000, E00, R20 (lips)

Tail: G000, G00, G02

DP: Kaisercraft - Best Creation Inc "Bella"

Digi Stamp: The Paper Shelter "Beautiful Mermaid"
Kindy Glitz for sparkles on tail and starfish hair piece

Flowers, ribbon and pearl brads from my stash

I wish that sparkles would show better in photographs for this is a very sparkly mermaid. I used Kindy Glitz glitter glue on her tail and her starfish hair piece and the DP has beautiful sparkly swirls.

I chose this image because one of my favourite summer memories is of me at the bottom of our swimming pool pretending to be a mermaid. I pictured myself with long blonde hair and a glittery green tail (I was heavily influenced by the movie "Splash" and saw myself as a little Darryl Hannah). I wanted to be a mermaid when I grew up, so I could live under the sea with the fishes. Sebastion from The Little Mermaid had it right when he sang

"Under the sea
Darling it's better
Down where it's wetter
Take it from me
Up on the shore they work all day
Out in the sun they slave away
While we devotin'
Full time to floatin'
Under the sea"

So I took up scuba diving - is that close enough?

All day long I am reminded of being underwater, for my desktop pics at work and home are both photos I took diving, like this one.

*sigh* That Little Mermaid had a lot to answer for wanting to be on land. I guess the grass IS always greener.

The Paper Shelter is offering our lucky winner a fabulous prize - visit The Squirrel and The Fox blog for details. I hope you'll join us, I look forward to seeing all your Summery creations. For inspiration, make sure you check out what our DT have created, they continually amaze me with their work.

Also added to the following challenges:

Copic Challenge Group - Colours of the sea
Alphabet Challenge - U is for Under the Sea
The Poodles Parlour - When I grow Up
The Ribbon Reel - Colour Combination
Craft Your Days Away - Embellishment bingo (pearls, flowers, ribbon)
The Lollipop Ladies - Sour worms (colours and sparkle)
Southern Girls Challenge - Song "under the Sea"

See you again soon!
Tracey
x

Things with Wings

2011-11-09T21:14:00.000+11:00

Today I am envious of those that live on the other side of the world, for as I write this it is 9.30pm and still 35C. The humidity is the killer, today was 90% humidity. Not pleasant, and a little excessive for Spring - what on earth will Summer be like.

Anyway, it's Ruby's Rainbow challenge time again, and this time it's

THINGS WITH WINGS

For my DT work I took the opportunity to create a card for a colleague. The lovely Karen is a fantastic breath of fresh air at my workplace and we spend far more time than we should do laughing and joking. She also makes the best coffees using the company's intimidating coffee machine (I haven't done my barista training yet, and if it means Karen will stop making my coffee then I'm not rushing!). It was her birthday recently and as I was away I missed making her a card. I hope she's happy to have one a little late.

Recipe

Copics used:

Hair: E31, E35
Skin: E000, E00, R20 (lips)
Sash: RV10, RV13
Dress: BG000, BG00

DP: Kaisercraft - Bonjour Collection
Stamp: La La Land Fancy Marci
Sentiment: Stampin' Up
Butterflies using Martha Stewart Punch

As you can see, my card features lots of wings. The DP has butterflies and dragonflies, and I added two little punched butterflies too. Wings galore!

This card also features some big flowery lace from my Nan, found hidden in a box when I was helping to clean her house last weekend. My Nan has moved into a retirement home and needed to have her house sold, and thankfully it sold quickly - so quick we had to all pitch in to pack everything away, to either donate to charity or sell. Turns out my Nan was a bit of a packrat when it came to threads, lace and cotton and I am now the proud owner of a collection that must have taken years to put together. I am sure my Nan wished I was a sewing type so I could use her lace how she intended, but at least it's getting a new life on my card creations.

I hope you'll join us at Ruby's Rainbow this fortnight with all your winged creations.

Also entered into the following challenges:
Craft Your Passion - Anything Goes plus Brown
Crazy Challenge - Something with Wings
My Partner in Crafting Crime - Freebie (lace)
Sugar Creek Hollow - Trash to Vintage Treasure (lace)

and also entered into the La-La Land Customer Gallery

Tracey

It's Autumn at Sparkles Forum

2011-11-06T21:23:00.000+11:00

Thank goodness for weekends! This week was a horrendous one at work, with lots of late nights glued to a computer. It was a week of research groups, presentations, resignations, hysterical laughing and tears, and I am exhausted.

Right now I type this from my study, where I can hear the pool filter humming and the birds chirping and I can look out the window and see the cloudless blue sky. I am so thankful that Winter has gone and here in Australia it's officially Springtime.

However in the UK, Sparkles Forum's stomping ground, everything is upside down (or right way up if you believe us Aussies have it backwards). So that's why the theme for their challenge this fortnight is

AUTUMN

For my DT card I wanted to create something very simple, and to have a chance to use one of my Scrap Matrix steam punk embellishments. I have been holding on to this one for a while, for it's quite large and will dominate any card it goes on.

I found some DPs that featured leaves and lovely rich greens and browns and really gave me the feeling of Autumn. I added the very last of my antique style lace and some fantastic green ribbon that tied the two papers together. I debated whether to add a sentiment, but really wanted this fabulous charm to be the focus of the card so I left it plain.

I hope you'll join us at Sparkles Forum this fortnight. Please head over to see what my teammates created in answer to the challenge - they are such a talented bunch!

Di's Digis is offering another wonderful prize to the winner, see the challenge blog for all the details.

Also entered into the following challenge:

Craft Your Days Away - Autumn

Friendships Garden Challenge (discovered today and now a fan!) - Autumn

Die Cut Dreams - So Charming

Crafty Catz - Anything Goes

Come and Get It - Autumn

Tracey

Ruby's Rainbow - Metal

2011-10-26T21:39:00.005+11:00

Hello again,

It's time for another challenge at Ruby's Rainbow, and because I am still on holidays, I have all fingers and toes crossed that this post goes live as scheduled.

This fortnight's challenge is:

Metal

I love using charms on cards, so it's not hard to imagine what I did for something metal on my card. Here is the card I created for my DT work

The little metal charm says "Made with Love". This card was absolutely made with love, for it's for a dear friend of mine who lives in Canada. Deanna and I met over the internet about 10 years ago, and in 2007 I travelled to Canada to meet her - quite a scary prospect to travel so far to stay with a stranger for 3 weeks, what would have happened if we'd hated each other on sight?? Fortuntately we hit it off and spend our time together solidifying our friendship. In 2009 she returned the favour, travelling to Australia to stay with my husband and me. I am forever wishing she lived closer so I could see her often, emails are just not the same!

This charm was bought online from a store here in Australia called Scrap Matrix. To say they are fuelling my addiction to online shopping may be an understatement. :)

I hope you'll join us at Ruby's Rainbow this fortnight - I can't wait to see everyone's creativity when it comes to adding some metal.

Also entered into the following challenges:
Die Cut Dreams - So Charming
Cards 4 Eternity - One Metal Embellishment
Crafty Catz - Happy Birthday

Tracey
x

Remembrance Day

2011-10-25T08:08:00.002+11:00

I am still on holidays - so hopefully Blogger is behaving and this post is going live as expected.

November 11th marks Remembrance Day, a day for all the countries of the Commonwealth to remember those members of the armed forces that have died in the line of duty since World War I.

This fortnight Sparkles Forum Challenges have Remembrance Day as their challenge theme. Here is the card I created as my DT work:

Recipe

Copics used:

Poppies: R22, R27, R29, YG03
Paper: Floral Chic - Fancy Pants Desigs

I have used poppies for the image - the flower that has become the symbol for Remembrance Day. This came about because of a poem written during the war called "In Flanders Fields". Poppies grew across the worst of the battlefields in Flanders and the bright red colour was an appropriate symbol for the blood that was shed there.

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
      Between the crosses, row on row,
   That mark our place; and in the sky
   The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
   Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
         In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
   The torch; be yours to hold it high.
   If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
         In Flanders fields.

If your creation this fortnight fits the "Remembrance Day" theme, we'd love to see you at Sparkles Forum. Once again Stitchy Bear is offering a fabulous prize to the lucky winner. Visit the challenge blog to find out all the details.

Also entered into the following challenge:
Stamps R Us Challenges - Nature's Gifts
Tracey
x

One for the girls AND a diving holiday!

2011-10-16T10:00:00.021+11:00

An exciting post today!! I apologise in advance for any excessive use of exclamation marks.

It's time for our third challenge at The Squirrel and The Fox and it's time for my holidays to finally start! That's right, if Blogger is my friend and has posted this on time, at this very minute I am on a plane and on my way to Cairns- the doorway to The Great Barrier Reef.

My husband AJ and I, and two of our very best friends, Amanda and Josh, have planned a two week holiday in Cairns and Port Douglas, starting with a 3 day liveaboard trip on a boat out on the reef. I have my brand new underwater camera and hope to spend a LOT of time getting photos like this one - taken at the Great Barrier Reef in 2009.

This is Wally. He is a Maori Wrasse. Isn't he divine? Oh and I'm the one that's not the fish. :)

My holidays have been a long time coming and it's been a whole 12 months since I've been diving - to say I am looking forward to this trip is a BIG understatement.

So for my DT work for this fortnight's challenge I thought I would celebrate my imminent holidays - here's my DT work for our "ONE FOR THE GIRLS" challenge:

I bought this little digi stamp online - after lots of searching for a diving related image. She's Lily in Snorkel Gear from Pink Cat Studios. I hope to look just like her for most of my holiday - with beach hair, fins on my feet (for you aren't allowed to call them flippers when you are a diver, it's like an unwritten rule) and a nice big grin!

I think I used almost every copic pen I owned creating this card. It's the first time I have coloured a background image as well as the main image.

To create the sky background I sponged it with Sky Blue Versa Colour, and the sand was created with Antique Linen Distress Ink. Everything else was coloured with copics. I cut out the cute little digi stamped girl and gave her some depth by sticking her on with dimensionals.

Anyway, I hope you all will join us with our "ONE FOR THE GIRLS" at The Squirrel & The Fox.

You behave yourself while I'm gone.

Also entered into the following challenge:
The Paper Variety - Ocean/Sea/Nautical
I Brake For Challenges - Wee Girl & Power
Little Miss Muffet Challenges - Girly Girl

Tracey
x

Cute & Cuddly

2011-10-12T21:40:00.000+11:00

Is it Friday yet? After a whirlwind work trip to New Zealand I feel like I have easily done a week's worth of work. So tired, damn time difference. Still, only 2 days until holidays!

It's time for another challenge at Ruby's Rainbow and this time the theme was chosen by me:

CUTE & CUDDLY

I love cards with all sorts of cute and cuddly images - puppies, bears, even blue toy giraffes with sparkly spots.

This was my DT card, a card created for a friend of ours that just had a baby boy - hence all the blue. The image was a free little digi - but I have lost the details of where it came from. If you know, let me know, so I can give the author the credit they deserve. A very simple card, coloured with only two copics - B00 and B02, and the white spots with just a touch of Kindy Glitz to add some sparkle. The card was finished off with some blue stick on 'jewels' for a little 'bling'.

I hope to see you at Ruby's Rainbow this fortnight - we need lots of entries so the lovely Shaz will let me choose the theme another time. :)

Also entered into the following challenge:
Ribbon Carousel Challenges- Sparkles and Bling
Tracey
x

It's Halloween at Sparkles Forum!

2011-10-09T22:44:00.000+11:00

It's time for another challenge at Sparkles Forum and this fortnight the challenge is

Halloween!

Now as an Aussie, Halloween isn't something I celebrated growing up. But I did spend much of my teenage years engrossed in American novels like Sweet Valley High, and was so very envious of all the trick or treating and costume parties that American kids grew up with. It sounded like so much fun.

For my DT work, I created this card:

Recipe

Copics used:

Witch 's hat: YR02, YR04, YR07

Witch's Hair: C3, C5, C7; Dress: Spica 01

Pumpkin: YR15, YR16

DP: Bella Blvd. Itsy Bitsy Spider

Frog: G00, G02

Digi Stamp: Pink Cat Studio

Ribbon, brads and flowers from my stash of goodies

How adorable is this little witch from Pink Cat Studio? She is my very first digi stamp!

The challenge this fortnight is sponsored by Crafty Emma - check out the fantastic prize on offer.

I hope you'll pop over to Sparkles Forum to see what the rest of the DT have created and to enter your own Halloween themed creation.

Also entered into the following challenges:

Fussy and Fancy Challenges - Fall or Halloween

Crafty Ribbon Challenges - "BOO-tiful Halloween Projects--Pretty Spooky"

Tracey

A new blog!

2011-10-08T14:29:00.000+11:00

Hello All,

Originally when I started this blog, A Crafty Fox, it was for me to showcase whichever crafty endeavour had taken my fancy at that point in time - for I have a horrible habit of starting one hobby and then quickly abandoning it to start something new.

However as I have fallen in love with card making and taken to it with gusto - even starting my own challenge blog with my friend Linda and joining the DT of two others - A Crafty Fox has become a all about cards and card making. To try and incorporate my other love, photography, won't have the cross appeal for all my card making followers.

So I started a new blog today - One Little Fox Photography. Anyone who is interested can see my latest photographs, including the when, where and how. Anyone not interested can just stay here and see my cards.

A sneak peak of what you will find in my first blog post:

To visit One Little Fox, clicky here.

Happy weekend everyone!

Tracey
x

Make It Sporty!

2011-10-02T10:13:00.000+11:00

Hello again. Please forgive me if I sound a little bleary-eyed, for Daylight Savings started today and I lost an hour of sleep. But if anything could get me springing out of bed this morning, it's announcing that it's time for our second challenge at The Squirrel and The Fox!

(okay, so I didn't exactly spring - but I did get up and make coffee and turn the computer on with a minimum of grumbling.)

As mentioned earlier, this Challenge blog aims to not only inspire you, but also take you on a bit of a journey of typical Aussie life. So as the highlight on most sport fans' agendas this weekend is the Rugby League Grand Final, the theme for our challenge this fortnight is:

MAKE IT SPORTY

Now I hunted high and low for a stamp to suit this challenge - and finally settled on 'Rugby Justin' from The Stamping Boutique, and here he is in all his glory on my card.

Recipe

Copics used:

Uniform: R22, R27, R29, YG63, YG67, C3, C5

Skin: E000, E00, E11

Hair: E31, E35

Ball: E25 Grass: YG03

Digi Stamp: The Stamping Boutique "Rugby Justin"

Now I have to say that as my two favourite Copic colours at the moment are red and green, I coloured Justin in without realising that he is now actually dressed in the uniform of the South Sydney Rabbitohs, the team co-owned by actor Russell Crowe. Now I am not a bunnies fan (boo! hiss!), so this was not intentional - nor was the striking resemblance to a young Freddie Krugur of Nightmare On Elm Street fame - as my husband pointed out to me afterwards.

I really hope you are able to join us in Challenge #2 at The Squirrel & The Fox and to welcome our new DT members. We have a full team now (hoorah!) and the ladies have done a fabulous job on their first challenge task.

Also entered into the following challenges:
One Stop Craft Challenges - Just for Men
Cards for Men - Sports

Until next time,
Tracey
x

PS - Go The Warriors!!!

One for the Boys

2011-09-28T20:33:00.000+10:00

It's Wednesday evening here and feels like it should be Friday. Why is it that the weeks just fly by so fast - UNTIL you are counting down to holiday. Only three weeks to go until I'm back at the Great Barrier Reef scuba diving with the fishies.

Anyways, it's Ruby's Rainbow Challenge Time! The challenge this fortnight is:

ONE FOR THE BOYS

Now making boys cards is always a bit more of a challenge for me, I mean what can you do if you can't add pearls and lace?? However La La Land have the cutest little boy stamps, and with stamps like those you don't actually need many other embellishments. For my DT work for Ruby's Rainbow, I have used Fireman Luca.

My exciting achievement is the creation of a background paper using Tim Holtz distress ink. I hadn't tried it before and really wasn't at all confident, but I love how it turned out. Now a whole host of distress ink pads are on my wish list!

I hope you'll join us with your own "for the boys" creation at Ruby's Rainbow.

Also entered into the following challenges:
Fussy and Fancy - try a new technique
Southern Girls Challenge - anything goes

Until next time,
Tracey
x

Sparkles!

2011-09-25T20:43:00.000+10:00

It's time for another challenge at Sparkles Forum, and the theme couldn't be more appropriate:

Something that Sparkles!

Now I've added the odd sparkly ribbon or rhinestone to a card in the past, but I felt this challenge called for a little more creativity from me. So off I went to the local crafty store - I found one 10 mins from work! - and discovered Kindyglitz glitter glue. Oh so cool - and so easy, even I can't stuff it up.

I was looking forward to using my very first Christmas stamp - Wild Rose Studio's Milton and his sledge. Little Milton will feature heavily in my Christmas cards this year, I just love how cute he is!

Here's my sparkly creation:

As you can see I have glue glittered all over this little guy's santa suit, and also stuck a bit onto the sentiment. I then added some sparkly crystals to add some extra bling, and a silver ribbon with sparkly snowflakes. To continue the snowflake theme, I added the cutest little snowflake charm.

I wish the photo would show just how sparkly this card is. I am quite chuffed with it! I did take about eight photos to try and show off the sparkles - hopefully you can see them.

The Sparkles Forum Challenge this month is proudly sponsored by Stitchy Bear:

I hope you'll join us with your own sparkly creation.

Also entered into the following challenge:
Jingle Belles - Suzy Snowflake

Tracey
x

A birthday dragon

2011-09-24T11:31:00.000+10:00

Well it's one week into our first Challenge at The Squirrel and The Fox, and I am absolutely stunned to see how well it's going. To date we have over 150 entries, plus a bunch of wonderful comments and 48 followers. It is all very exciting, and I am spending FAR too much time visiting the blog when I should be doing other things. Case in point, it's Saturday morning and I should be doing housework.

I just wanted to share my other creation I made for the first challenge. This card was made for a good friend of mine, who celebrated her birthday a week or so ago. Renee and I worked together for years, and I count myself very lucky that our 'work' friendship has translated into a 'real' friendship and we continue to stay in touch now that I am working elsewhere. I chose this little dragon from Wild Rose Studios as the stamp for RB's card, as I thought he was super cute, and who doesn't like cake for their birthday??

Recipe

Copics used:

Dragon:YG00,YG03,E11, RV13,RV10

Cake: RV10, E25

Stamp: Wild Rose Studio - Party Fergus

Sentiment - Stampin' Up

Anyway, if you haven't yet entered your creation into The Squirrel & The Fox, please make sure you visit us soon!

Entered into the following challenges:
Ribbon Girls - Colour challenge - greens & browns

Tracey
x

We're LIVE - and Anything Goes

2011-09-18T17:59:00.000+10:00

Drumroll.....

At last, the long anticipated Challenge Blog The Squirrel and The Fox is live! Okay, so it's probably only been long anticipated by Linda and I, the creators, but still, this is big news! Linda and I have been very excitedly putting this blog together, and we hope that soon there will be a whole bunch of you joining in for our fortnightly challenges.

To kick things off there is a really easy theme for the first challenge:

Anything Goes

Here is one of my creations for this challenge:

Recipe

Copics used:

Toby's fur: E35, E31

Flowers: R20, VG00, G00

Paper: Kaisercraft Homemade Collection

Stamp: Wild Rose Studio, Toby With Roses

Sentiment: Wild Rose Studio

This card was requested by a wonderful friend of mine, Renee, who needed a card for a friend of hers who is now expecting a baby. I was very happy to have another chance to use "Toby With Roses", one of my favourite Wild Rose Studio stamps.

So no matter what your creation is this fortnight, I really hope you will pop over to visit The Squirrel & The Fox Challenge Blog and enter it into our very first challenge.

Also entered into the following Challenges:
Stamptacular Sunday challenge - Just Sayin'
The Paper Players - Animals or Plants

Tracey
x

For the girls

2011-09-14T22:14:00.000+10:00

It's time for another challenge at Ruby's Rainbow (seriously how is time flying by, and yet my holidays don't seem to be getting any closer? One of life's perpetual mysteries). This time it is one of my favourite themes -

"One For the Girls"

I'm not much of a girly girl - I am opposed to the colour pink, anything sparkly or frilly - unless it's on a card. So usually a girl's card is my excuse to get out the pink papers and pens, however this time I thought I would try a different colour combination. Here's what I came up with for my DT work:

Recipe

Copics used:

Hair: E35, E31,

Shoes, shirt outline: B02

Demin dress: B93, B97

Skin; E000, E00, E11, R20

Hearts: R22, R27, R29

Stamp: La La Land - Sweetheart Marci

Sentiment - Stampin' Up

Isn't she cute? Of course this is another La-La Land stamp - Sweetheart Marci. Don't you just love those pigtails? She reminds me so much of my friend Linda's daughter, Millie, who is just as gorgeous.

To see what the rest of the DT have created and to enter your creation - visit us at Ruby's Rainbow.

Also entered into the following challenges:
City Crafter - I "heart" you
Crafts and Me Challenges - add a heart

And the La La Land Crafts Customer Gallery

White with one

2011-09-11T21:55:00.000+10:00

Sounds like the answer to 'How do you have your coffee?' I know, but today White With One is the challenge at Sparkles Forum. The challenge is to use white + one other colour on your creation. You can colour your image with whatever colours you like, but your card needs to be just white and one other colour. Here is my DT work for the challenge:

Recipe

Copics used:

Fox: YR02, YR04, YR07

Grass: G02
Embossing: Sizzix Flowers

Stamp: Fox from Woodland Folk "Home Sweet Home" set
DP: Sassafrass "Woo + Woo"
Ribbon, brads and flowers from my stash of goodies

I think it's fairly obvious what my one other colour is!

Sadly I made this card for a friend of mine who had to put her beloved cat to sleep last week. As an animal lover who lost a dog a couple of years ago, I know exactly how it feels to lose such a beloved family member. I wanted her to know I understood, and that my thoughts were with her. People give sympathy cards when people die, but it's not often animals are perceived as highly. I will forever treasure the card I received from my good friend Linda when my Lady passed away, hopefully Bethany feels the same about this one.

I've never actually made a card using such few colours, but I really like the look of it. I might have to do more like this one - and I do love using this little fox so any excuse will do.

This challenge is proudly sponsored by Di at Di's Digis

The winner will recieve 5 digital images of their choice. Fabulous prize huh?

To enter, visit us at Sparkles Forum Challenges. Good Luck!

Also entered into the following Challenges:

Crafty Catz - Ribbon
Shopping Our Stash - Birds, Bugs or Beasts
Ribbon Carousel - Anything Goes

New Challenge Blog!

2011-09-09T11:29:00.000+10:00

Very exciting news to share with you today - one of my closest friends (and fellow card making obsessive) Linda and I have created our very own challenge blog.

We thought it would be nice to have a local challenge blog, one that could inspire people to create their papercrafts and enter our challenges, but also teach them a little bit about living Down Under, about our culture and the fun of things like Christmas in a hot climate.

As Linda's blog is "Squirrel Snippets" and mine is "The Crafty Fox" - "The Squirrel & The Fox" was born.

We are very proud of our little blog and are counting down the days until our first challenge goes live on the 18th of September. To take a sneak peak, or enquire about being part of our Design Team click on the little "The Squirrel & The Fox" pic below.

I hope you'll join us for our very first challenge on the 18th of September.

Tracey

Father's Day

2011-09-04T20:38:00.000+10:00

Well it's Father's Day here in Australia, and for the last couple of weeks I have been making Father's Day cards for friends, my own Dad's card being made a few weeks prior (and posted for the Ruby's Rainbow Stitching Challenge). I loved this "Dad" paper, and loved using all my 'manly' stamps for the cards.

I've been itching to use my Wild Rose Studio stamp - Gone Fishing. Lucky for me, a work colleague has a fishing Dad, so I got to create this card:

I hope he liked it!

Entered into the following challenges:
Challenge Up Your Life - Something for Men
Fab N Funky Challenges - Go mad with embossing

Ruby's Rainbow - Recipe Challenge

2011-08-31T22:14:00.000+10:00

I can't believe it's already time for another challenge at Ruby's Rainbow - time is just flying by so fast. It feels like an extra celebration is in order - for today is the last day of winter here in Australia! I do not like the cold, so I am always happy to see the end of the winter months.

The challenge this fortnight is a recipe. We want to see 3 designer papers, 2 buttons or brads, and one flower on your creations this time. Here is what I came up with for the challenge :

I am really disappointed with how this photo turned out. Completely my own fault, I photographed this card and didn't realise I had accidently left my camera set to a white balance setting that gives everything a lovely yellow hue. You can't see the lovely browns and greens on the gorgeous papers. As I had made this card for a friend, I then gave it to her for her birthday before I got the photo off the camera. Oh well, hopefully you get the idea anyway. Serves me right for not checking my camera before using it.

This card gave me a chance to use my very first flower die - Tim Holtz Tattered Florals. I think the one big flower makes a nice statement without overwhelming the card.

To see what the rest of the DT created and to enter your own creation, please head over to Ruby's Rainbow. I hope to see you there.

As always, thank you for your lovely comments and for visiting this little blog. I hope you have a fabulous week.

Also entered into the folllowing challenges:

Die Cuttin Divas - Fall Colours
Hooked on Craft Challenges - Things with Wings

x

SFC - now featuring me!

2011-08-28T22:17:00.000+10:00

I am thrilled to say I have been invited to join another Design Team, this time for one of my favourite challenge blogs - Sparkles Forum Challenges. I would like to thank the lovely Angel for inviting me, and for her very sweet welcome. I am thrilled to be part of the team and can't wait to check out all the fabulous entries into each challenge.

This fortnight's challenge at Sparkles Forum Challenge is Punch It.

I have to admit that since acquiring my very first punch - a Martha Stewart butterfly one - I have been sticking butterflies on lots of cards! I love the added dimension they give to cards, not to mention the added 'girlyness'. Here is the card I created for the challenge:

Recipe

Copics used:

Hair: E35, E31

Skin; E000, E00, E11, R20

Dress, Shoes, Hat: E02, E04, G000

Stamp: La La Land Marci with Rose

I recently purchased some gorgeous little antique style charms online from a store here in Australia called Scrap Matrix, and was excited to try one out on this little card. As I love photography I found it hard to resist the gorgeous little vintage looking camera charm. Coupled with some vintage style lace and La La Land's Marci with Rose, I've tried to create this card to have an 'olde world' look about it. Hopefully I've succeeded!

To see how the other DT members tackled the challenge, and to add your own creations of course, please visit us at Sparkles Forum Challenges - Punch It. The sponsor for this challenge is Stitchy Bear, and they are offering this fabulous prize:

I hope to see you there!

Also entered into the following challenges:
Crafts and Me Challenges- Lace
Crafty Catz - Metal & Lace
The Crafty Pad - Distressing and Tearing

Sweet Friend

2011-08-28T10:37:00.000+10:00

Happy weekend everyone! It's a super quiet weekend at the Fox household. My husband AJ had a wisdom tooth out on Friday and is feeling less than fantastic, and I had a huge week at work and want to just spend some time recharging my batteries. So yesterday I made cards, avoided housework and watched crappy daytime TV. Bliss.

Here's my latest creation - another gorgeous La-La Land Craft stamp - "Chef Marci". My great friend Linda kindly stamped this for me onto some Copic paper as this stamp's not yet part of my burgeoning stamp collection. I finished it with the tiny Wild Rose Studio sentiment stamp "Sweet Friend". I found this Kaisercraft paper at my local crafty store - I loved the cooking images.

The card was inspired by the Cute Card Thursday sketch.

Recipe

Copics used:

Hair: E31, E35

Skin: E000, E00, E11, R20

Shoes: E21

Cake: Y000, G00, R20

Piping bag: R20

Stamp: La La Land - Chef Marci

Sentiment - Wild Rose Studio

Paper - Kaisercraft "Nan's Favourites Collection"

Entered into the following challenges:
Cute Card Thursday - Sketch
City Crafter Challenge - Best Friends

And added to the La La Land Crafts Customer Gallery

More thanks

2011-08-21T20:20:00.000+10:00

This weekend has been a card making marathon! I had a few orders from friends for cards in the lead-up to Father's Day, and I was also asked to make a "Thank you" card for a colleague. I ordered a new stamp specially for the occasion - let's pretend I needed an excuse - and pulled out the last of some of my favourite papers. This is Toby with Roses, another fabulous Wild Rose Studio Stamp.

Apologies for the slight angle, I was trying to take this pic in low light and as the shutter speed was reduced I was leaning on my elbows to reduce camera shake. I was favouring one elbow (currently missing skin due to a dog induced injury) and I obviously held the camera accordingly!

I will update you on some of my other creations as the week goes on. For now, it's back to colouring. Have a great week everyone and thanks as always for your kind comments.

Entered into the following challenges:
Totally Gorjuss -cute and cuddly
Stamp Something - Thank you

A stitchy card

2011-08-17T21:55:00.000+10:00

Exciting news to share this week - I was selected to form part of the new Design Team at Ruby's Rainbow Challenges! It's my first stint as a DT member and it has been an exciting few days submitting my answer to the upcoming challenge and then waiting for the challenge to go live so everyone can enter.

The first challenge I designed for is "stitching" and here's my little creation using Laurence Collection Stamps "Mr Fix It" stamp.

Recipe

Copics used:

Bear fur: E35, E31, R20 (nose)

Jeans: B93, B97

Wood: E21

Assorted tools: C3, YR15,R27

Stamp: Laurence Collection "Mr Fix It"

Now anyone who knows me knows that I am not at all talented in anything sewing related. My husband is in charge of sewing buttons back on and anything more challenging than that goes straight to a dress-maker for repairs. I will not buy pants if the hems are too long and the idea of having to use a sewing machine is enough to make me break out in a rash.

I thought of doing faux stitches like I have done on a previous card, but the idea of actual stitching really appealed to me. So you can imagine how excited I was to discover a neat little stitching tool called the We R Memory Keepers - Sew Easy Stitch Piercer that you just run across your cardboard and it makes perfectly spaced little holes you can then just run your needle and thread through. You can buy different heads for different stitches, but I thought I would try the easiest one first. I am so happy with how it turned out - such a nice embellishment for a male card.

Now the rest of the DT team did a far more professional job of stitching than I did - so to see how they do it, and to add your own entry - visit us at Ruby's Rainbow - Stitching Challenge.

Also entered into the following challenges:
Here come the boys - Critters
Fab N Funky Challenges - A Stitch in Time
Cards For Men - Anything Goes
The Pink Elephant Challenge - Stitching
Sparkles Forum Challenges - One for the boys
The Paper Variety - Threads

As always thank you for visiting and for your lovely comments. I can't tell you how nice it is to read them.

xx

Thank you card

2011-08-11T13:39:00.000+10:00

Last week my manager asked me to make a thank you card. I created this using my new Wild Rose Studio stamp - Fergus with Bouquet. Fergus is just adorable - I can see myself making a lot of cards with him. This card is still sitting on my manager's desk - she says she doesn't want to give it away. Awww, what a nice compliment for my work. :)

Recipe

Copics used:

Dragon:YG00,YG03,E11, RV13,RV10

Flowers: RV10, RV13, YG03, B02

Stamp: Wild Rose Studio - Fergus with Bouquet

This card is to thank the lovely people at Taste.com.au for taking our team out to the Chef's Gallery restauarant in Sydney and teaching us the art of noodle making and decorating black sesame dumplings to look like little piggies. Here's a pic of the little piggy I decorated - he was so cute it was a shame to eat him... although he was delicious.

Entered into the following challenges:
My Time To Craft - Fairy Tales
Ruby's Rainbow - Gems
Delightful Challenges - Things with Wings

As always thanks for looking, and for your kind comments.

Friends to the end

2011-07-31T21:47:00.000+10:00

A week or so ago I was asked to make a quick card for Amanda to send to one of her best friends who lives in France. Amanda and Laetitia were pen-friends long before email, and even now send letters via snail mail to each other every few months. I have had the pleasure of meeting Laetitia a few times, once when she was here for Amanda's wedding and second when she joined us all on a holiday last year.

I recently purchase the Wild Rose Studio Stamp - Best Friends, and thought it suited them perfectly. I added the little sentiment "Friends to the end" from C.C Designs, as I truly think these two will be friends forever. As this was a quick card I didn't have time to buy any new paper, but I loved using up the last of my purple stash. I added lace and some ribbon with purple hearts, and some tiny pearl embellishments - which are very difficult to see in the photo!

Recipe

Copics used:

Hair: E35, E31, 25

Skin; E000, E00,

Dresses & Shoes: BG10, BG15, & V12, V15

Stamp: Wild Rose Studio - Best Friends

Entered into the following challenges:
Top Tip Tuesday - Make it Girlie
Crafts And Me - Ribbon
Little Darlings Challenges - Girly
Sparkles Forum Challenges - One for the girls

Thank you for looking and for your kind comments as always. I hope your week is fabulous!

Swedish Princess Cake

2011-07-23T16:48:00.000+10:00

I personally had never heard of a Swedish Princess Cake (or Prinsesstårta as it's called in Sweden) until the The Lollipop Ladies posted one as inspiration for their latest challenge:

But how yummy does that look? I love the beautiful pale coloured marzipan icing with the dusting of icing sugar and the sweet looking sponge inside. I was very intrigued as to what made this cake so special that it is commonly made for Swedish celebrations so I did some reading and found a recipe on Baking Obession that shows just how complex it really is. I can image some serious overdosing on cream eating that cake!

The second element of the challenge is to add pearls to your creation.

Here is the card I created in answer to this challenge:

Recipe

Copics used:

Hair: E35, E31

Skin; E000, E00,

Dress: BG10, BG15

Shoes & bag: C03

Stamp: Wild Rose Studio - Night Out

I added the pearls to her hair to replicate a jewelled comb holding up those gorgeous curls. This is my second Wild Rose Studio stamp and my first more 'grown' up girl stamp. The pale yellow flower brads are metal, with a sparkling crystal in the centre - sadly they just don't photograph well.

Entered into the Lollipop Ladies challenge of course!

A Wintery Card for a Wintery Day

2011-07-23T15:07:00.000+10:00

How do you fill another rainy weekend? With more card making of course!

I found this red vintage style paper at my favourite crafty shop, and it gave me another excuse to play with my favourite green coloured copics. If you look closely you can see the paper says "Vintage Fashionista" and I'm sure you'll agree that's just what this little darling looks like. To keep with the vintage look I added some ivory coloured lace and green ribbon and some old-style buttons for embellishments. I'm really happy with the wintery look and feel of this card - perfect for this weather.

Recipe

Copics used:

Hair: E35, E31

Skin; E000, E00, E11, R20

Dress: VG63, VG67

Hat: VG63, VG67, E31

Shoes, E35, E25

Stamp: La La Land Winter Marci

Entered into the following challenges:

Craft Your Passion - Text It
Aud Sentiments - a sentiment to make someone smile
Stamp Something - something embellished
Fabulous Friday Challenge - buttons

Man Card!

2011-07-17T09:25:00.000+10:00

A week or so ago I attempted a guy card for my hubby with limited success. I decided stamps for men needed to be added to my collection immediately and was thrilled to find Wild Rose Studio Stamps for Men. There are some fabulous men stamps in the range, and I promptly bought two... and then a bunch of their girly ones too (I am able to always justify additional stamps because if you're paying for postage you should order all in one go - or so I tell myself).

It's my Dad's birthday on the 28th. My Dad loves his beer and the Wild Rose Studio Stamp "Time for a Pint" was perfect!

I bought new copics especially for the occasion - as I really wanted it to look like he was wearing jeans, and a red shirt goes perfect with denim. I was a little daunted by the dark colours, but I am very happy with how it turned out. Some denim and checked paper and bold red and blue card and ta-ta - Man card!

Copics used:

Hair: E35

Skin; E000, E00, E11

Jeans: B93, B97

Shirt: R22, R27, R29, B93

Shoes, Table: E31,E35,0

Paper used:

October Afternoon - Blast Off

Flourish - Jeans

Entered into the following challenges:

Sweet Stampin Challenge - One for the boys
Crafty Creations Challenges - Boyz to Men

Let them eat cake!

2011-07-16T19:56:00.000+10:00

I recently made a card for a little girl (another order from Amanda - thank you!). I was asked to use the C.C Designs Cupcake Kiki stamp and to colour her pink. I found some lovely paper with cakes & ice creams on it, embossed some yellow card, added some gingham covered buttons and a cute little sentiment - and this is how it turned out:

Copics used:

Hair: E31, E35

Skin; E000, E00

Jacket, Shoes & Ribbon: RV10, RV13, RV14

Skirt: B00, B02

Entered into the following challenges:

Lollipop Ladies - Fairy Floss
Fab N Funky Challenges - Bakers' Dozen

A very purple card

2011-07-11T20:08:00.000+10:00

My friend Amanda asked me to make a card for her Mum this weekend. The only requirements? Use the C.C Design stamp "Coffee Kiki La Rue" to celebrate her Mum's love of hair rollers and coffee.. and make it purple! Kaylene LOVES the colour purple.

I fell in love with this beautiful butterfly paper and purple card combination - I see a lot of purple cards in my future! I also tried out a faux stitching technique I've admired on other cards but I think I need a lot more practice to make it look real.

Copics used:

Hair: E31, E35

Skin; E000, E00

Slippers & Gown: V12, V15, V17

Coffee Cup & Flowers: G00

Entered into the following challenges:
Craft Your Passion - Just For You
Fab N Funky Challenges - Purple Haze

A card for hubby

2011-07-04T20:01:00.000+10:00

I have now discovered I am not good at making cards for guys. I think it comes from the fact that my stamps are either very girly or a bit childish, and I haven't figured out how to use digi stamps with copics (I have heard I have to heat seal them so they don't run - and that's all a bit complicated!). I attempted a card for my husband AJ's birthday today - hoping I could go with a cute image and funny message and somehow pull off masculine... I think you'll agree there's nothing masculine about this card though!

Oh well, at least I now have a design that would work for a kid's card and will be spending some serious time looking for men stamps before Dad's birthday in a few weeks!

Entered into the following challenges:

Southern Girls Challenge - Bring out your inner child

Crafts and Me - Birthdays

Mum's Birthday

2011-06-20T19:37:00.000+10:00

Today is my Mum's 60th birthday. In order to make her a wonderful card, I spent at least an hour in my favourite crafty place picking out gorgeous papers & card, and sadly the photo hasn't come out with those colours shown in their true glory. Still, you can see my latest La-la Land Craft stamp. Marci with Rose. I think I may have a slight addiction to these beautiful stamps - they colour so beautifully.

For Mum's birthday I gave her a ticket to see Mary Poppins with me. I saw it a few weeks ago and Mum said she would have liked to see it too - so I'll see it again with her in three weeks. It's definitely one that's okay to see more than once! I made a little cardboard ticket holder that matched the card - far nicer than the standard Ticketek one advertising Amercian Express cards!

Here is the card:

and here is the matching ticket folder:

Entered into the following challenges:

Southern Girls Challenge - Anything goes

Totally Papercrafts - Die cuts & Punches

Stamp Something - Something with Pretty Papers

A Fuzzy Wuzzy Card

2011-06-13T16:52:00.000+10:00

Yup, it's still raining! I've taken advantage of the rain to create another card today - this one specifically in answer to the The Fuzzy Wuzzy Challenges current challenge - a recipe. This is the first time I've followed a recipe - and this one goes like this:

Three papers, 2 buttons and use the colour BLUE somewhere on your creation!

Of course as always you have to feature a furry critter of some kind.

So here it is.

The stamp is Kiki Puppy by C.C Designs and the buttons are from my stash of random spare buttons that you often find pinned or sewn into your new clothes. I figure I've never used one yet, so they are now relegated to the crafty supplies drawer instead of the "I'll pretend I could reattach the button if it fell off" drawer.

Long live the Queen!

2011-06-13T11:48:00.000+10:00

Who doesn't love a day off? Even if it is cold and miserable outside, it's infinitely more fun than going to work - so I'd like to thank the Queen for allowing us to celebrate her birthday with a public holiday today. Which I've always wondered about, given that the Queen was actually born in April. So being the Google fan that I am, this morning I did some reading and found out the following:

It has long been customary to celebrate the Sovereign’s birthday publicly on a day during the summer, when better weather is more likely.

Since 1805, the Sovereign’s 'official' summer birthday has been marked by the Trooping the Colour ceremony, normally held on the second Saturday in June.

So, because the weather in the UK is better in June, Aussies get to celebrate in Winter. Still, I'm not complaining - Happy official birthday Queen Liz!

To thank the Queen for all her inspiration to little girls everywhere, who put on their 'pearls' and fancy hats and dream of growing up to be a princess - here is my card for today.

This card used my other new La-La Land Crafts stamp - Dress Up Marci. Isn't she divine? I coloured her with copics, using the green and purple from the pack as inspiration, and embellished with ribbon, lace and pearls. I bought the yellow butterfly paper a while ago and I think it goes lovely with the two different pink papers. These colours were inspired by the Lollipop Ladies Challenge - Rainbow Paddlepop Swirls.

Entered into the following challenges:
Crafts and Me Challenges - Stamp Something
Paper Sundaes - Girly Girl
Totally Papercrafts - Summer
The Lollipop Ladies - Rainbow Paddlepop Swirls
The Crafty Pad - Just because you can

A card for Deanna

2011-05-29T16:28:00.000+10:00

Once upon a time, a long time ago, I was supposed to mail a Christmas present to my friend in Canada. Given it's now May, I thought I had better get my butt into gear and post it. My excuse for the delay, she needs a handmade card and I needed to make one that was good enough. It's taken me until May to get good enough. :)

So here it is, a card for Deanna (Deanna, if you read my blog look away now!).

This is my brand new La-La Land Crafts stamp and I absolutely adore her. I have been looking forward to using these darling pink and white gingham buttons, and lace is now my favourite embellishment. This paper is some of my favourite - It's making an appearance for the second week in a row.

This card is entered into the following challenges:
Totally Papercrafts - Pink & Girly
Stamp Something - Something Sentimental

A card for Nan

2011-05-22T18:50:00.000+10:00

Sadly last weekend my very elderly Nan had a fall. She lay unconscious in her house alone until, prompted by the fact she did not answer the phone, my Dad drove to her house and found her. She has fractured her pelvis, is dazed and confused and was suffering some hypothermia after being on the cold floor overnight.

Nan has always been fiercely determined to stay at home until she died, and being 90 years of age she's done very well so far, but this is the second fall she's had so there are grave doubts that she will be allowed to return home after she recovers.

I saw her in hospital today, she is looking much better and was less confused than she has been all week. Fingers crossed she continues to recover well. Tomorrow we find out where she will be moved to for her rehabilitation.

I made this little Get Well card to take to her today. As a typical Nan, she's very proud of my card making efforts. :)

I've entered this card into the following challenges:
Stamp With Fun - Green/Pink
Easy Craft Projects- Pretty pastels

What a week!

2011-05-21T10:46:00.000+10:00

I made it! A race to the finish but my new TVC will be on air this Sunday. All eyes peeled for 'the lonely boat' ad - a 30 sec Gravox TVC - this Sunday. Voiceover was recorded yesterday morning, colour grading completed by lunchtime, a last minute substantiation letter to CAD - and we were done. Phew!

I can't wait to see this one on the small screen. I am so proud of it. Given the multitude of food ads on TV every day, the challenge was to get cut-through in a cluttered environment. I think the creative is brilliant (not often I am so excited when an agency presents a creative concept) and the music is fantastic. You may not squeal with excitement when you see it like I will, but hopefully you'll notice it! Now let's just hope it does great things for the sales of Gravox.

So last night, too keyed up to sleep after such a huge day, I visited my favourite Challenge blog - The Lollipop Ladies- and took a look at their latest challenge. The inspiration was a photo of a bowl of fruit salad.

I had been looking for a chance to use my little fox stamp again, and to colour him with my orange copics (I find it difficult to use orange on anything else!) so the rockmelon in the pic inspired me. I love the orange and green combination of the rockmelon and kiwi fruit together, so here's my answer to the challenge -

I added the yellow pearl brads to the flowers to match the banana. An additional component of the challenge was 'round' or 'square' - and as you can see I went square.

I tried something a little different for this card - I coloured my Y04 onto an acrylic block and then used a babywipe to pick up the colour. I then swiped the babywipe across the sentiment, taking it from bright white so a lovely subtle orange. I then coloured the edges with Y04 and Y07, two of the colours used in the fox. I think it adds a bit more to the card than leaving it plain white although I will have to work on drawing straighter lines freehand.

Happy weekend everyone. :)

Linda's Card

2011-05-20T23:01:00.000+10:00

Earlier this month was Linda's birthday. I can't believe that Lin and I have been friends for over 25 years - it hardly seems possible we met in Year 7 when we were only 11 years old. In that first year of High School we struck up a friendship that has stood the test of time. I can not only say that Lin is one of my oldest friends, I can truly say she is one of the best - and I think that says a lot after all this time.

Our lives are really different now - Lin is a Mum to two gorgeous girls, and I am childfree - we live in different states.. but this friendship survives, actually thrives, because it's real. In a time when 'friends' are counted by the hundreds on Facebook - I'm happy to say there are people like Lin in my life. A true friend.

This is the card I made for her.

Mother's Day Card

2011-05-15T12:55:00.000+10:00

I am sure everyone is thinking I need to start using another stamp. This CC Design stamp had a real work-out for Mother's Day - I made three cards using her. It's too hard to resist the dressing gown and slippers in this image for the official day Mums are supposed to be spoilt - after all, hanging out in your pyjamas is the height of luxury!

This was the card I made for my own special Mum, I didn't get a chance to photograph the others as I was hurrying to get them into the mail.

Josh's card

2011-05-05T17:44:00.000+10:00

I went on a card making frenzy this week - 4 Mother's Day cards, two birthday cards and an anniversary card. Sadly I was in such a rush to mail the cards before they all needed to arrive, I forgot to photograph all but the one I finished last night - A card for Josh.

This was my first boy's card. As you can see, Josh is 37 this week, but he's still as big a kid as me, so the kiddy pic is appropriate. :)

I think that now my copic collection is growing, I should start recording which I use on each card.
The little lion was coloured with E35, E31, E25, box was coloured with B00 and B02, stars and ribbon in Y02. I learnt a trick last week that I used on the wedding dress on my previous card and the tissue paper on this one. Using the B00 I make an outline and then use the colourless blender over the blue to soften and blur. It makes the line so much softer and more subtle.

This little guy is entered into the following challenges this week:
My Partner in Crafting Crime - Incorporate numbers
Crafts and Me - Swirls

Papercraft Festival & A Wedding Card

2011-05-01T15:43:00.000+10:00

The Papercraft Festival. Who knew? Thanks to one of my best mates Linda - who has thrown herself into card making in a far more technical way and does a LOT more than just colour in! - yesterday was my first excursion to a 'craft' show. Lin came up from Canberra Friday night, and Saturday morning we were off to Canterbury Racecourse to spend far more money than we ever anticipated.

As usual I have thrown myself into this hobby with wild abandon - and simply have to have all the necessary tools and fun gadgets that go with it. This is very typical of me, I am the person that owns an indoor climbing harness and who then went twice.

Anyway, I bought stamps, ink, paper, dies, embossing folders.. and of course then stopped to show Lin my local crafty shops and bought even more there. But now I am equipped!

Below is my first card using my new stuff. This card has die cutting, embossing, and the colouring of a new CC Design stamp all courtesy of my visit to the Papercraft Fair. I even did my first layering of the image with the flowers.

Lin and I had a great weekend, spending Friday night watching the Royal Wedding, drinking champagne and talking card making. The wedding of Wills & Kate seems to have sparked a bunch of challenges so my little wedding card is entered into the following challenges:

Stamping Vacation Occasion Oasis Wedding Challenge
Fab n Funky Callenges Here Comes The Bride
Stampin for the Weekend Wedding Challenge

More Stripes

2011-04-26T11:05:00.000+10:00

What is it with it always raining over Easter? Five days off work this year and the weather is miserable. Cold and raining, I guess this really does mean Winter is just around the corner. Case in point, I have my ugg boots on today.

Normally I would be snuggled up on the couch avoiding housework and reading a book. I am attempting to read the book Wicked, as I LOVED the musical so very much, but sadly the book is absolutely NOTHING like the theatre production. I am struggling to get through it. I have been reading it for weeks, which is very slow going for me. So given how uninterested I am in reading, it's good that I can avoid housework a different way now - by making cards!

This first one is like deja vu - exactly the same as the first striped card, but with a different CC Design stamped image. This is my new favourite colour combination - pale blue and pink. I am not thrilled with the colouring of her hair, but I figure I'm learning so I am allowed to make mistakes.

I've entered this one into the Crafts and Me Pink & Sweet Challenge
This next card was my attempt to do a landscape card, and not to simply replicate the above design for the third time running. :)

A teeny Easter Card

2011-04-22T13:02:00.000+10:00

As it is Good Friday today and I am heading to the Easter Show today, I'm full of happy Easter thoughts - or that could just be the chocolate talking.

I thought I'd make a quick little Easter card for a friend working at the Show today. She's had a rough few weeks and I thought this little fellow, accompanied by a bunny of the Cadbury kind, might cheer her up. I'd coloured in this bunny a while ago, and thought he'd be perfect.

As he was inspired by the Lollipop Ladies Easter Egg challenge, I've entered him in. Just for kicks I've also entered him in Stamp n Doodle Easter Challenge & the Creatalicious Easter Challenge

Blog This - Challenge 72

2011-04-22T11:28:00.000+10:00

I stumbled across this Challenge through the blog of a friend. Her post was incredibly moving and prompted me to write my own. After all, this blog is about more than just my crafty endeavours - because given they are often short lived, this blog may not survive if that was the case!

So, the Blog This Challenge is to blog - "If you were the boss of the world, what is one thing you would change?"

There are so many things that I would like to change - I would like to end the stigma that is associated with being childfree, for people to stop saying I am selfish because I don't want children of my own. I would like for the sale of pets through petshops to be banned to prevent impulse purchases of puppies and kittens who often then end up in shelters and destroyed because they simply weren't thought through. I would like to see more funding for the mentally and physically handicapped. The list goes on.

However this week something stands out for me more than any of the others. For this week I have been the victim of bullying. Through no fault of my own I have been blamed for something I did not do, and have been publically slandered on Facebook and have been the subject of many rumours. All this nastiness has propelled me straight back to High School, where the fact I had a handicapped sister made me the victim of many cruel taunts. Being bullied in High School defined me. I know it played a role in my decision not to have kids of my own, and it made me very insecure for a very long time.

For years I struggled with what I had been through, and I am incredibly proud of myself to have overcome it. I am now a successful person, both personally and professionally, and it is a rare thing for me to feel bad about myself (apart from wishing I was thinner, had nicer skin and all the other typical girl stuff!). Yet all that good stuff was forgotten instantly when faced with the bullying of some former colleagues. All week I felt tortured. Why would they blame me? Would it have an affect on my career if people were to hear it? Would I lose friends who chose to believe it?

It amazed me that almost 20 years out of High School all that insecurity was just sitting below the surface. My good, kind and confident friends told me to shrug it off. That of course I didn't do anything and not to worry about them, but I couldn't let it go. I never expected to be the victim of bullying at 36.

I am almost over it now. As I sit back, gain perspective and surround myself with genuine people, I know I have nothing to fear from these keyboard cowards. But I know that all it will take is another Facebook post and I will be right back to where I started. It makes me feel so bad for the kids being bullied at school nowadays. At least I was born in the 70s, when I could be bullied at school but then go home and feel safe. I could forget about it until the next day. The victims of bullies now have it so much worse in this technologically advanced world. It's online, it's public and it's 24/7.

Let me be the boss of the world for one day, and I would dedicate every resource I could throw at it to find some way to put an end to bullying.

Oh, and if you see those bitches, give them a kick, just for me.

Pretty In Stripes

2011-04-22T09:33:00.000+10:00

My Sizzix Big Shot arrived in the mail this week, but of course I didn't order any dies or embossing plates to go with it so it sat, unopened, on the loungeroom floor for 2 days. Last night I went to my favourite crafty place on the way home from work, anxious to get the Spellbinder Nestabilities I saw there, only to find it's not open for Thursday last night shopping. Boo!

As I have a couple of cards to make this weekend for good friends of mine, I have had to plough on sans Big Shot. I made this card last night, using a gorgeous CC Design stamp. I love the colours - which if you knew me you may find strange - I am not much of a girly girl, you'd be hard pressed to find anything pink anywhere in my entire house. I guess cards are the exception!

I have entered this card in Pile it On - Smells like rubber Challenge.

And it was all going so well!

2011-04-10T07:54:00.000+10:00

Here are the results of yesterday's card making efforts. I loved this card as it was coming together, but sadly I fell at the final hurdle and stuck it down crooked with some very hardy glue (it would not come back off!). So I tried to make it look intentional, and deliberately roughed up the edges, but that had limited success. I need to take things a bit slower - or at least think things through before doing them. Case in point - last night I dropped my ereader in the bath. I saw him sink to the bottom and bubble before I snatched him back out.. and thankfully my very handy husband pulled him to pieces, dried him off and we woke up this morning to see him almost recovered.

Anyway, I love this Woodland Folk stamp - and yes, the fact that it's a fox is one of the reasons why. I also love autumn colours. This was my first card with ribbon and a border punch, and of course, using my beloved copics.

Let's try this again shall we?

2011-04-09T00:40:00.000+10:00

Have you ever done the Hermmann Whole Brain study?

This system says that there are four parts of your brain, and people have a preferred side of the brain (left or right). Each part is classified by a colour, and if you're surrounded by people who've done this study, you'll often hear them asking "What colour are you?".

I found this handy link that gives a brief overview of each colour: http://psychicwannabe.wetpaint.com/page/Brain+Types

Blue Brain
Very Analytical and often makes decisions based on Facts. not feelings
Usually good at maths. (Note: I said Usually)
Likes to know the facts.
Likes to know how things work
Has a logical reasoning with problems

This Person would always think things through before making a decision. These people like to know what is happening and how. Most scientists are Blue-brained.

Green Brain Very organized
Pays attention to the details
Step-by-step problem Solving.
Always Plan ahead
Good at safekeeping

This Person would have a Daily planner that they would use regularly. They are always ready with all the things that they need for the day. They would be good Managers because of their good organization and reliability.

Red Brain Usually Kinesthetic (Emotional)
Spiritual
Always relates everything to himself/herself
This Person is a "People Smart" person.
He/She would be good with customers and other people.
These people are very emotional-based and will often make decisions based on what they feel. These people often relate things they hear to themselves.

Yellow Brain Visual
Inventive
Imaginative
Looking at the big Picture
Takes Challenges
Metaphoric thinking
Long term Thinking

Most Yellow brained people are creative and imaginative. You like to take challenges and create a new way to do things. Some Yellow brained people could be 'artistic' while others might like to invent new ideas. However, depending on organization (green) you might not get it done!

I am right brained. I am red and yellow, and I am definitely not blue.

So the point? I love to be creative. I love to take on new hobbies with great enthusiasm and flit from one thing to another with great speed. I love to do many, many things at once and get bored if I do the same thing for too long.

This is why I haven't managed to blog successfully (despite a few failed attempts) because who wants to start a blog that may not last past a fleeting hobby? So my lovely friend Renee suggested that instead of focussing on one hobby, I just throw them all in one blog and see where it takes me. So here we are. A Crafty Fox. A blog that will take you on my journey of hobby enthusiasm. Right now it's card making, photography and scuba diving, but in 12 months.. who knows! We'll add blog writing to the list for a start. :)