Sunday, January 29, 2012

I love a sunburnt country

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


Thursday, January 26, 2012

A Ridiculous Valentine


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

Sunday, January 22, 2012

She's Sexy And She Knows It

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

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

A Sexy Valentine and a DT call

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

Sunday, January 15, 2012

New Crafty Goodies at Sparkles

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

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




Sunday, January 8, 2012

Something Old, Something New

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

Monday, January 2, 2012

A Card for a Child

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

Sunday, January 1, 2012

Sweet Little Donkey

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