Cool Britainnia @ Moving Along With The Times - Red, White & Blue

Good morning all!

It is the lovely Designer Diva Laurie's turn to host the challenge this week at 

Moving Along With The Times 

and she has picked a great one!

Cool Britannia - Red, White and Blue

Lucky for me with Britain being our Mother Country, we have the same flag, just with the great addition of the amazing Southern Cross :)) So being an Aussie; I interpreted this challenge slightly different and as

Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi!!!  

*insert cheeky grin here* :P

Being a Navy Wife and military proud, I thought I would fly the flag for one of our Aussie Navy Sailors and made a start on a Christmas Card & Gift Bag for a dear friend who will be on a tour in the Gulf this Christmas.  The bag has loads of goodies, some chocolate, coffee (the real stuff), DVD's, the kids school photos, plum pudding in a can and some party hats, party blowers, water guns and other novelty toys to amuse the boys on Christmas day.

Card and front of bag

Bag and tag

Back of back

Close up of tag

Card front

Sneak peak at the inside of the card. 

Digi My World

 is our lovely sponsor this week!

I used Brave Tin Soldier Colored from Digi My World  as I knew I wanted to use my Graphic 45 papers from my stash and the image just goes so will with him.

I also want to share with you the poem that is printed on the bag and therefore making this a rather long post now :#  *So Sorry*  This poem also hangs proudly in our house every Christmas and it is so heart warming that I think it should be shared. 

A Soldiers Christmas

‘Twas the night before Christmas, he lived all alone,

In a one bedroom house made of plaster and stone.

I had come down the chimney, with presents to give,

and to see just who in this home did live.

I looked all about, a strange sight I did see,

No tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.

No stocking by the mantle, just boots filled with sand

On the wall hung pictures of far distant lands.

With medals and badges, awards of all kinds,

A sober thought came through my mind.

For this house was different, it was dark and dreary

I found the home of a soldier, once I could see clearly.

The soldier lay sleeping, silent, alone,

Curled up on the floor in this one bedroom home.

The face was so gentle, the room in such disorder

Not how I pictured a Aussie soldier.

Was this the hero of whom I’d just read,

Curled up on a poncho, the floor for a bed?

I realized the families that I saw this night,

Owed their lives to these soldiers who were willing to fight.

Soon round the world the children would play,

And grownups would celebrate a bright Christmas Day.

They all enjoyed freedom each month of the year,

Because of the soldiers like the one lying here.

I couldn't help wonder, how many lay alone,

On a cold Christmas Eve in a land far from home.

The very thought brought a tear to my eye,

I dropped to my knees and started to cry.

The soldier awakened, and I heard a rough voice,

‘Santa, don’t cry, this life is my choice.

I fight for freedom, I don’t ask for more,

My life is my God, my country, my corps.’

The soldier rolled over and drifted to sleep,

And I couldn't control it, I continued to weep.

I kept watch for hours, so silent and still,

And we both shivered from the cold night’s chill.

I didn't want to leave on that cold, dark night,

This guardian of honor so willing to fight.

Then the soldier rolled over, with a voice soft and pure,

Whispered, ‘Carry on, Santa, It’s Christmas Day, all is secure.’

One look at my watch, and I knew he was right,

‘Merry Christmas, my friend, and to all a good night!’

-Author Unknown-

Adorable poem isn't it ?
Thanks for dropping into see me today :))
And I hope you join us in the challenge this week at
Moving Along With The Times 

 

Challenges this creation is entering with the help of the Feline Playful Girls -
Coffee, Chocolate & Cards - #13 For the Boys Fri E1/3
Crafty Catz - #134 Card for a man Fri E1/1 NTS
Craftymess Challenges - #9 Christmas in no traditional colors Fri E1/- GDT
Fairy Tale Challenge Blog - #41 Boys & Men Fri E1/2 NTS
2 Sisters Challenge - Bring On The Boys Sat E1/-
Craft Your Days Away - Red, White & Blue Sat E1/-
One Stop Craft Challenge - One for the Boys Sat E NTS
One Stitch At A Time - #115 Red White & Blue Sun E1/- NTS
Tammy's Scrappin Corner - Anything Goes Sun E1/-
Simon Says Stamp and Show - One for the boys Mon E1/- NTS
Lexi's Creations - For the boys Mon E1/-
Tuesday Throwdown - Masculine Tues E1/
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Good morning all! 

It's time for a new challenge at 

Moving Along With The Times!

This week it is the gorgeous Kim who has picked the challenge of 

Celebrate - Anything but Birthday! 

I took the challenge and made a welcome to your new home card for my brother.

I love the DP on this! They are a FREEBIE from Astrid's Artistic Efforts.

Our lovely sponsor this week is the gorgeous 

Crafty Emma Store! 

with a voucher to her online shop! 

As always the MAWWT girls have done some fabby creations too so please do stop by and share some love with them and come and play along with us this week :) 

Thanks for dropping into see me today :))

 

Challenges this creation is entering with the help of the Feline Playful Girls -
Just Some Lines - Show us those birds (mine is only small but it is all about the 'nest') Sat 

Di's Digi Designs - Show Us that Bling! Sat E2/3
Fab 'n' Funky - New Beginnings Wed E1/1 C10
The Paper Shelter - Bling Wed E1/3
Whimsy Stamps Challenge - Vintage/Shabby Chic  Wed E1/3
City Crafter - A rose is a rose - use a Rose(s) Tues

The Shabby Tea Room - Garden Party - Inspiration Pic  Mon
Do You Stack Up - A little Birdie told me Thurs

Recipe - 

Designer Papers are Freebie from Astrid's Artistic Efforts

Cardstock - Kaiser Card

Sentiment - Computer generated

Other - Ribbon - stash, Prima flower and vine squiggly - left over stash, pins - stash, TH distress inks & Kaisercraft Pearls. 

#171 Bingo @ The Crafty Pad

It's time to play ....
BINGO!

At
The Crafty Pad Challenge Blog!

I love a good game of Bingo and this week it is the challenge for you all :)
Make a line of 3 in any direction you can.
Across, Down, Diagonal or try going all the way with a full card!

 I've gone bottom line - Ribbon, Flowers and Bling!
or Middle line down - Glitter, A Crafty Pad Designs Image (namely Mr Just Ted with Heart) and Flowers!

 Forgive the blank out :$
 But the intended recipient I know peaks in on me here :$

Forgive me in saying so but I never want to see a piece of red thread EVER again!  But wow doesn't it look fantastic against the browns and tans and therefore was well worth the hours sewing it lol.  The flowers are handmade, as are all the blingy thingies (had some time to kill and what better way than fiddling).  I have to say that this card turned out way better than what I had originally planned in my head and I am hugely in love with it.  
 
We have a super fabby sponsor this week too!
 Crafty Ribbons!

 And they have very generously given us
these adorable ribbons for one lucky winner!

 TCP Team B are all playing Bingo this week and would love you to play with us so pop on over and play with us at

The Crafty Pad Challenge Blog 

Thanks for dropping bye!

Challenges this creation is entering with the help of the Feline Playful Girls:

Craft Your Days Away - #45 All creatures great and small Sat

Di's Digi Designs - Show us your bling Sat E1/3
Crafty Ribbons Challenge - Flowers Thurs

Paper Play - Destruction (ink distressed everything) Thurs E1/2
Shelly's Images - Anything Goes Thurs
Willow Sketchie Challenge - Sketch or 3 different papers (I went papers) Thurs E1/3
The Sisterhood Of Crafters - use 1 or more flowers Wed E1/3
Creative Craft Challenges - Distress Tues E2/3
LEJ Designs Challenge - 3 layers Tues
Creative Mondays - Stitching Mon
Paper pretties - Glitter Mon
Tammy's Scrapin' Corner - Show Us Your Flowers Mon
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Keeping It Real @ MAWTT

Let's face the facts! It's Thursday and time for a new challenge at

 Moving Along With The Times

Judith is in the hostess with the mostest this week and she picked the challenge 

Keep it REAL! 
no fantasy images!
no angels, fairies, non living things or untruths!

Now this is not at all a hard challenge, but for the life of me I sat at my desk for hours going through all my images and just could not think of anything to do or what I thought appropriate :#  So in the end I thought to 'play it safe' and make a baby card with this too cute little giraffe.

Hmm... looking at my photos now I release that the base DP is upside down (oops  never noticed while putting it together lol) The image is from my random stash so I do not know who or where it is from, but he is colored with Spectrum Noirs.  The DP is Prima and the ribbon, bow and pearls are all from my stash. I love the bright and cheery yellow in this and it has mixed great with the distress touch too I think.

We have an adorable prize this week from the good folks at
Wild Orchid Crafts! 
They have supplied us with a $15 Gift Certificate!
Wow! Thank you!!

As always the MAWTT girls have some amazing inspiration 

and would love you to pay them a visit so please hop over to see them at

The Moving Along With The Times Challenge Blog!

Thanks for dropping into see me today :))

 

Challenges this creation is entering with the help of the Feline Playful Girls -
Creative Belli Blog - #143 New Baby Wed  Old stash used - Ribbon, bling and threads.
Creative Craft Challenges - Distressing Tuesday E1/3
Creative Mondays - Stitching Mon E
Oh La La Creations - Ribbon or Twine Mon
Bloggers - Oh Baby Wed JFF
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Nautical at MWATT

Good Morning all :) 

It is time for a new challenge at 

Moving Along With The Times! 

This week it was my turn to pick the challenge and I have picked.... 

Nautical! 

We would love you to think, boats, mermaids, sea shells, pirates, anything to do with the water. 

I thought a mermaid would be fitting for the occasion so this is my card for the week :) 

The mermaid image is a wallpaper that I snagged from here, the papers are from Raspberry Road, the paper and bead spray from my old stash of Prima goodies and the seashell charms, button lace and ribbon from my stash of bits and pieces. 

This week we have a super prize up for grabs from the good folks at

Sir Stampalot

As always the MAWTT girls have some gorgeous inspiration for you all 

and would love you to pay them a visit so please hop over to see them at

The Moving Along With The Times Challenge Blog!

Thanks for dropping into see me today :))

 

Challenges this creation is entering with the help of the Feline Playful Girls -

Digital Tuesday - Ribbons and buttons Tues

The Stamping Boutique - Bling Tues

Try It On Tuesday - On the Beach Tues C5

Lexi's Creations - Lace and Ribbon Mon

My Mum's Craft Shop - Fairytales Wed

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Win the Crafty Pad Designs New Release Image(s)

There is a party at 

The Crafty Pad this week!

Over the coming four days (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday) The Crafty Pad Designs are releasing FOUR adorable new images! They are also giving all their lovely followers a chance to WIN one of these 4 images and or the entire set! Wow HOW COOL is that??? Read on to find out all the deets!

Today we would like you all to meet the latest little critter to join the 

Crafty Pad Designs Shop....

Hedgehog Harry & Hilly on Toadstool 

I was very lucky and got to a play with this little fellow and this is where he took me!

Not a lot to tell with this one, all the Card Stock if from my scraps stash, blingy mushroom I brought over a year ago and have never used them :$ and the ribbon is recycled from a present.

So ...
For your chance to win this guy! Head on over to
The Crafty Pad Challenge Blog 
and leave a comment OVER THERE (not here)

All the details are listed on the site and here.

Well, for your chance to win this image and the entire 4 new images in this set all you have to do is ....  Leave a comment on today's post and your name will go into the draw! It is that easy! 

For another chance of winning, become a follower of The Crafty Pad Challenge Blog and leave us another comment saying you are a follower (new / old / and or existing) and get a 2nd chance into the draw. 

For a 3rd chance in the draw - comment on ALL 4 of the release days (today Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday) and go into a separate draw to win the complete set of 4 images!

*note* you can have 3 chances with each daily release! 

Just follow the above and leave us a comment each day and each day leave us another comment telling us you are a follower.  On Thursday (the last day) call back on each release day and leave us another comment saying you have commented on each day, and there you go, 3 chances each day into the draw and 12 chances in the draw to win the set! That is some great odds of winning these fabby little fellows!

Comments will close at 12pm BST on Monday the 14th of May (so you have just over a week to play along). The winners will be drawn and announced on Thursday the 10th of May :) 

Thanks for dropping bye and we hope you play along to win this cute guy and the other new releases :)

Challenges this creation is entering with the help of the Feline Playful Girls:

Great Impressions - #3 Anything goes Sun E1/3

Tiffany Doodles - Any Digital Stamp Sun
Crazy 4 Challenges - Gardening / Great Outdoors Sat
Inspire Me Fridays - Anything Goes Fri
Creative Belle - #140 Animals Wed
Little Red Wagon - Stitching Wed
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