Mojo's Silver Lining

Good morning folks :) 

I've been fortunate to get a moment to myself of late, 

so I took the opportunity to play along with some of my favorite challenges! 

The Shabby Tea Room has a gor-gor-gorgeous inspiration picture this week and the challenge is Aqua, Brown and a touch of silver.  When I saw this pop up on my blog roll on Monday I just could not resist and had to play along....

So I played :)

 

 

Ohh I had so much fun making this, so much so, that I crafted way past my curfew and I did not want to get out of bed this morning lol But ... It was sooooo worth it! :)

I am absolutely in love with the square lattice embossing folder from Stampin Up at the moment (I don't know why? I just am!) and I am also going through a craze of inking my embossing folders so I had to do that too with Versa Mark Sky Blue ink.  The sentiment along with the dies are from of the Amazing Paper Grace kits that I have again stamped in the Sky Blue and also heat clear embossed and distressed the edges with TH Tea Stain.

I really had no plan of attack with this card, I kind of just crafted and let things go where ever they went.  So for the silver lining of the challenge, I first decided to add some metallic silver stitching around the edges and as the card came together the silver butterfly charm made its way into the card and then the glittered silver sprigs in the flower embellishments.  

I am not sure why, but I had the brain wave to grab a bobbin and decorate it as well in the same style.  And for the little dust collector it is, I think it is a perfect trinket to go with the card.  Mojo seems to have found his groove again so hopefully I will be back soon with something else new to share :)

Fair winds and following seas till then xx
And thank you for sailing in to see me today!

Recipe -

Stamp(s)- Sentiment - Amazing Paper Grace Kit

Paper(s) - White Cardstock

Tools - Spellbinders - Amazing Paper Grace Kit, Stampin Up Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Versa Mark Sky Blue Ink, TH Tea Stain Distress Ink.

 Embellishment(s) – Flowers / bling / metallic thread / Ribbon / Butterfly all from stash. 

  
Challenges this creation is entering with the help of the Feline Playful Girls:
Addicted To Stamps and More - Vintage Wed E1/- C10
Inky Chicks - Mother's Day or Birthday Tues E1/3
Deep Ocean Challenge - Letter "B" - Birthday, blue, brown, bling, butterfly,  bobbin, bow, blooms Tues
ABC Challenges - All Stitched Up Mon E1/3 C10
Simon Says Stamp and Show - Metal Mon E1/-
The Shabby Tea Room - A Silver Lining Mon E1/-
Sugar Creek Hollow - Metal Mania Sat  E1/3
Allsorts Challenge Blog - Things with wings Sat 
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Quick Christmas Gifts @ Inspired Stamps

Mornings all :)

Wow!  Christmas is now under a week away!
Are you ready for the mad season ?
Well if you still have a few gifts to grab, let

Inspired Stamps 

help you out with some cute and quick gifts to make!

Yeppers!
This week we are sharing with you some quick gift ideas that you can whip up in a few minutes and also help the budget by not having to go out spending or face the all the crazy people at the shops!

I needed to top up my mums stocking
so I took this opportunity to make her a corner bookmark.

My mum loves scripture and I love this scripture from the Vintage Christmas set. 

I also could not dare to part with my Fifty Shades of Grey set:( and if I posted her mine, they would most likely end up in her bookshelf, so throughout the year when I have seen them on special I have brought mum her own set :)    The bookmark compliments the set of books perfectly!

Making one of these has been on my to do list for a long while and I am so glad I finally took the time to make one!  This was so quick and easy to make, and best of all, I had all the supplies on hand (mostly all in my scraps basket for an added bonus!).

The girls have all come up with some amazing creations too!
If you are finding yourself in the pickle with a few presents short, then head on over to the blog for a peak.  And if you are all set to rock the festive season, why not pop over and see if a few ideas strike you for the list next year!

 Inspired Stamps Blog 

I will be back on Friday to share with you my Inspired Stamps tutorial on how to make your own Christmas Bon bons! I hope to see you then :)

Happy Crafting ! 

Recipe -

Stamp(s) - Inspired Stamps - Vintage Christmas

Paper(s) -   Scraps

Embellishment(s) -Ribbon, lace, flower, Tim Holtz Distress Inks.

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Real life Gingerbread House!

Marvelous Monday all :) 

I am sailing in toady with a very different creation than normal for me!

Today I am sharing my Gingerbread house!

 

 I made this on Saturday night at this years Gingerbread Extravaganza held by one of the local churches down the road.  This is the 2nd year I have attended and it was just a much fun as last year, if not better!

I attended again this year with my friend Judy and Anita (both Navy wife's) and as this is our 2nd year in a row, we have pinky promised to attend every year for the next 10 years! You all know me, I have habit of falling in love with anything and everything I make so I don't actually let the kids eat my gingerbread houses!  They actually go on display around the house, get backed away and then pulled out again the next Christmas!  So the girls think in about 10 years I should have a wonderful little Gingerbread village!

The gingerbread house is supplied to us in pieces, we are given as much royal icing as our hearts desire and a selection of lollies to decorate.  As I had a pink and white theme in mind, I did a little shopping in the candy isle and supplied my own.  I think I brought every pink and white lolly I could find lol

 This is the back of the house. 

I used marshmallows to try and make a brick look, some musk sticks on the end.  The snowflake(s), Santa and tree I brought from the local cake shop.

 A side view. 

White chocolate buds make the roof with some pink cachous ball highlights and edible glitter sprinkled all over. Sour apple strips make the wall, and pink nerds for rocks on the bottom with some sanding sugar.

 Licorice for the door with a pink tic tac door handle and some more store brought snowflakes. 

 Along with the sprinkle of edible glitter all over, store brought snowflakes are along the peak of the roof with the store brought Santa.

 Close up of the roof and edible glitter.

 All wrapped up with matching pink ribbon and white bow!  I know, I am such a fuss for the details lol!

The church offers 3 sizes of houses to make, last year I made a shack (middle house) and this year opted for the cottage witch is the largest in the houses.  This kit was $30 and I am really impressed with the price and the size of the house.  They also have gingerbread trees with little gingerbread dancing men that go around the tree, a tree of stars layered ontop of each other and the smallest of the house called the mini, so there is a great selection to play with if you choose! 

The girls and I left the night brainstorming of what we are all going to do next year!  I am thinking maybe the min but stacking them on top of each other to make a town house and I might go with blue and white next year! 

Anyways, I have a year to think about it! 

Thanks for letting me share this with you all :) 

And thank you for calling past to see me xx

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

Anything But A Card - Seasonal Holiday Sun
The Stamp Man - In the bleak mid winter Fri P1/1
In The Pink - Pink Christmas C6 E1/3 - Not sure if only cards :(
MilkCoffee Challenge - Christmas Decorations E1/3
Paperminutes - Decoration Tues
Tuesday Alchemy - Anything but a card Tues
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Spellbinders Explore Beyond Challenge! - Home Decor - Fairy Wand

Hi Folks :)

I am super excited about the

Spellbinders Explore Beyond : 

Craft to Win competition?

So much so,
 that I have been having great fun tinkering in my craft-room playing

around with Mojo and have made another creation!

This magical fairy wand is for the
Home Decor Category!

I am going to say ...
This piece was a labor of LOVE! 
But oh my! It was heaven to tinker with and put together!

I used 2 Spellbinders - The Floral Flourishes for the white glitter delicate leaves around the center of the flower. And all the flower layers are made from some fussy scoring and folding of Fleur De Lis Squares.

A close up of side 1-
I used glittered card from Bella! Glitz - White & Blush.
The piece is embellished with ribbon from my stash, Blossoms by
Vivaldi, handmade pins, wooden fibers & glitter for the center flower. 

A side view - Yes! Both sides of the wand have the
same layered flower feature!
Again ... Labor of LOVE!

Close up of side 2 -
I have certainly captured the image I had in my head for this piece, would even say it has turned out way more brilliant than I expected it to!  I love the pink and white color combo and that I still managed to catch the shabby beauty of it with some light TH Distress inking and the embellishments.
I don't think you want to know how long this took to put all together lol 

 

I will have to say I have seriously fallen in love with this piece!  The wand looks stunning as it it, but I have had a brainwave to make more and use as Christmas tree decorations - So I am challenging my self to next year, making one a month to have have a set of 12 by Christmas next year!   I would also love to play with the colors more and try a white & blue one, a brown & pink and a blue & brown!  MMM I can see the tree now with 3 of each of the color combo on it and I think it would look just magical!  Ohhh could you image a tree filled with just these! Oh My!  I need to stop thinking NOW lol!

I can say it has certainly been a hit with the girls too!  All morning they have constantly been walking in and out of my room to look at it as they oh and ah over it!  I have promised them if it doesn't make the finals and get posted off that they will get it for their dress up box so they can play with it.  Will certainly have to make another one as I don't think they will like sharing just the one though :$

Well, I am off to tinker again!
Thanks for calling past to see me today :)

Thanks for calling past to see me :)

Recipe -

Paper(s) -   Bella! Glitz - White & Blush
Tools -  Spellbinders - Fleur De Lis Squares, Large and Small Squares and the Floral Flourish

Embellishment(s) -All from stash - ribbon, Blossoms by Vivaldi, handmade pins, wooden fibers, glitter & wooden dowel. 

Challenges this creation is entering with the help of the Feline Playful Girls:
Spellbinders Explore Beyond Challenge - Home Decor Entry

Make It Monday - Anything Goes Mon
Anything But a Card Challenge - Anything but a card Sun
Amusing Challenges - Die Cut Sun E1/2
Crafty-Emblies - Vintage / Shabby Chic Monthly E3
Glitter & Sparkle - Flowers
Joanna Sheen - Anything but Christmas Mon
PanPastel Uk - Gift Time Mon
Sugar Creek Hollow - Distressing Mon
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Spellbinders Explore Beyond Challenge!

Good Mornings all :) 

Waiting for me in my inbox this morning was a lovely newsletter from the gorgeous folks at Spellbinders!  I always get a little excited when I get their emails. And wow!  Am I excited! 

Have you checked out the 

Spellbinders Explore Beyond : 

Craft to Win competition?

No ??? My goodness, this just will not do!

Get your gorgeous booty over there and check this out {HERE}!

Still here ? 

Maybe this will get your tail moving .... 

There is a $5,000 Grand Prize Package 

from Spellbinders and cross promotional partners!

Oh yeah! .... There you go! lol 

 Anyways, Guess you can tell what got me and Mojo inspired today :)

So photos ... here we go!

 Okies,  I got side tracked again! 

This started as a card and then I had this bright brainwave to throw in a matching box as well :$  *hey you know me, this stuff happens lol* 

 Close up the card! - Yummy Graphic 45 papers from the Playtimes Past Collection.

*Yes I raided my stash of precious papers*

 Side view - All the layers have been popped up on pop dots.

And I went the distance and did the inside the same too!

 The train charm I pulled from my stash and I used the Spellbinders Floral Flourish with some tricky cutting to make the smoke from the trains chimney.  I used Core'dinations and with some sanding, tried for a black / white smokey look.

 Close up of the box. - I followed the same layout design as the card. 

Inside is a little chocolate nestled among some fluffy wool.

 Box - Side view.

Okies, being honest, 

I don't think I stand a chance in a blue moon of winning this competition 

but I had to give it a try as without an entry, 

well, I really don't stand a chance at all then! 

My Spellbinders stash has been growing of late and for this set I pulled out my new Fleur De Lis Squares, Large and Small Squares and the Floral Flourish.  The Graphic 45- Playtimes past papers matched beautifully with the ribbon I got from my Really Reasonable Ribbon - ribbon club and the train charm has been sitting in the draw for a long while now that I should stop hording it!  The pearls are from Flourish With a Bling. 

 I really enjoyed today just sitting and creating , 

so much so, that I think I might just be able to squeeze 

in another creation this afternoon! 

Thanks for calling past to see me :)

Recipe -

Paper(s) -   Graphic 45 - Playtimes past collection
Tools -  Spellbinders - Fleur De Lis Squares, Large and Small Squares and the Floral Flourish

Embellishment(s) -Really Reasonable Ribbon - ribbon club, Flourish with a bling pearls, Stampin' Up Antique brads, Train Charm from stash. 

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

Card Crafter's Circle - Bearing Gifts Fri  E1/3 C10

 Crafts And Me - Ribbon / trim Wed

Creative Moments - Anything Goes Wed 

Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes  Wed

 Papertake Weekly - Free For All Tues

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Christmas 'BELIEVE' Banner Tutorial @ Inspired Stamps

Good Mornings beautiful peoples :)
Don't worry :) I know it is Friday and not Tuesday!
So what am I doing here sharing a creation with
Inspired Stamps

I am sure you all know about the special posts happening over at
Inspired Stamps
The 12 weeks of Christmas ones!
Every Friday one of the girls are sharing with you a Christmas tutorial!

Well this week it is my turn to share :)
And I would love to share my Christmas "Believe" Banner with you.


(it's a rather long banner so please click on the photo to get a larger, clearer better view of it)

I am sure you are itching to make one of these :)
So let's get on with the show!

You will need -
Elegant Dotty Alphabet Stamp Set available from Inspired Stamps
Vintage Christmas Stamp Set available from Inspired Stamps (Tree sentiment used for background on lettering sentiments)
Sing for Joy Stamp Set  available from Inspired Stamps (music staff used)
Heart Shaped Dies – Nellie’s Multi Fame’s used MFD022
1 inch Circle punch / die – Nellie’s Muliti Frame’s used MFD 020
Black Embossing powder – Ranger Super Fine Detail Powder used
Heat gun
Rangers Archival Ink – Sepia
Distressing Inks – Tim Holtz Vintage Photo and Walnut Stain used
Versamark ink pad
Kraft card-stock
White card-stock
Rhinestones in red and clear - Stash
Lace - Stash
Twin / Ribbon - Stash
Bell x 2 – small – Stash

Techniques used -
Second Generation Stamping
Emboss Resist
Heat Embossing

The Good Part - The How To!

Step 1 – Making the Circular Letter Sentiment ‘BELIEVE’


1. Using the Elegant Dotty Alphabet stamp from Inspired Stamp, Versamark ink, black embossing powder and white card-stock – Stamp out the individual letters of your sentiment and heat set the embossing powder. For this tutorial I am using the word “Believe”. Allow room around each of the letters to cut / punch them out. I stamp first and then cut – allowing me to centre the image more accurately.
2. With you ‘alphabet letter’ now stamped and cut out, ink distress the edges. Next take the tree shaped sentiment from the Vintage Christmas set from Inspired Stamps – I have used this as a second generate stamp for the background. Using the seina ink, ink up the Vintage Christmas sentiment tree, on a scrap piece of paper, stamp once and then stamp over your ‘alphabet letter’ circle sentiment. This gives a softer look and the appearance your letter is floating above the background.
3. Turn your ‘alphabet letter’ over and place lace behind. I run a strip of double sided tape around the edges and then tape down my lace.
4. Turn your ‘alphabet letter’ back over to the front, embellish the dots with rhinestones and place aside.

Step 2 – White ‘Music Staff’ Heart


1. From white card-stock ,cut the smaller of the die-cut heart(s) (9 used for this tutorial) and ink distress the edges. Using the ‘Music Staff’ from the Inspired Stamps Sing for Joy set, Versamark and black embossing powder, stamp the ‘music staff’ repeatedly down and across the heart. Sprinkle with the black embossing powder and heat set.
2. Turn the heart over and adhere the lace to the back – Again, I run a strip of double sided tape around the edges and then tape down my lace.
3. Place hearts aside.

Step 3 – Background Heart

1. From Kraft card-stock, cut the larger of the die-cut heart(s) (9 used for this tutorial) and ink distress the edges.
2. Attach the twine/ ribbon used to hang your banner – I run a stripe of tape up the middle of the heart and place my twine on the tape and then cover again with another strip of tape.
3. Place hearts aside.

Step 4- Assembly of the individual hearts


1. Take one of the background hearts and layer ontop one of the ‘Music Staff’ hearts – I just use double sided tape to stick them together, liquid glue or a glue gun would also work.
2. Next, centre and layer one of your 'letters' on top of the ‘Music Staff’ heart.
3. Repeat the above until all hearts have been assembled.
3.a- For the end hearts, take one of the bells and some twine and tie in a bow. Center and stick down in place of an ‘alphabet letter’.

Lastly - Full Assembly


1. Attach your individual hearts onto a long piece of ribbon/ twine ... and hang :)
I have used little wooden pegs to hold mine in place as I am forever changing things around each year & I hate untie-ing knots and bows. This also doesn't take up as much room in the Christmas closet :)

I hope you have enjoyed this tutorial 

& that I possibly have inspired you to try this too!

I would love to see your creations if you do give this a try 

so please come back & leave me some love so I can come & have a peak!

Don't forget to check out the other amazing tutorials
the girls have shared over the weeks,

and keep your eye on the
Inspired Stamps Blog {here}
As each Friday until the 21st of December
we will be sharing a tutorial with you!

And lucky duckies you! 

You get 2 tutorials from me!
My next is scheduled for the 21st of December
I look forward to you calling past then!

Thank you for dropping in to see me & happy crafting :)

Recipe -

Stamp(s) - Inspired Stamps - Elegant Dotty Alphabet Stamp Set, Vintage Christmas Set & Sing for Joy Set
Paper(s) - Kraft Cardstock, white cardstock

Tools - Heart Shaped Dies – Nellie’s Multi Fame’s used MFD022  & 1 inch Circle punch / die – Nellie’s Muliti Frame’s used MFD 020
Embellishment(s) -TH distress inks, Ranger's Archivael Sepia ink. black embossing powder, Versamrak ink, Stash - twine, lace, rhinestones, bells

Challenges this creation is entering with the help of the Feline Playful Girls:
Wordart Wednesday - Encouraging or Uplifting Sentiment Wed E1/5
Paperminutes - Pennants Tues
Tuesday Alchemy - Anything But A card Tues
Paper Pretties Monday Challenge - PPPMC66 Anything But A Card Mon
Totally Stampalicious - Christmas Non Traditional Colors Mon 
Stamptacular Sunday - Recipe - Ribbon / Twine, Pearls or Gems & Dies or Punches Sat
Crafty-Emblies - Vintage / Shabby Chic Monthly ( I think this fits as it's not a card - let me know if not thanks) Monthly Entry 2
Craft My Life - Anything But A Card Monthly
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Christmas @ The Crafty Pad

Mornings beautiful peoples :)

It is time for a new challenge at .... 

The Crafty Pad 

This week the challenge is one of my favorites!

Christmas is coming!

Well it is folks!  I hate to say it !

I have kind of been telling you all this for nearly the past year lol

So, if you have not made a start on those Christmas cards yet, well what better excuse than this weeks challenge to get in your craft room and play along with us!

We all know 'me' - the girl who loves and lives Christmas all year round! 

So I had a ball with this challenge! 

I love the Merry Christmas Sentiments Debbie has in the Crafty Pad Designs Shop, and I have yet to print or play with any of them yet... so today I picked the 1st one on the sheet - Snowflake- and got creative with a card and some crackers (bonbons). 

Here we go! few photos today - It's a double kinda project! 

I also have a tip for you today! - Have you noticed that the Graphic 45 paper on the front of the card is not as vibrant as what the paper actually is or should be?  It is kind of tamed down a little!  This is such a gorgeous print, and I wanted the print! but found it a little too vibrant and was somewhat distracting from the whole card.  I painted on some modge podge and stuck down a sheet of white tissue paper and it took the sharpness off the original paper, still leaving the yummy design and it has given the piece a real 'handmade' quality like vintage feel to it to!  

Close up of the sentiment. 

Close up of the embellishment goodness!

Side view - You can just see inside the card how bright the original print is.

And 2 homemade crackers / bonbons to go with the card as a set. 

Oh la la licious? 

I dipped into my new Grahphic 45 papers, love the nutcracker range!  And I have been playing with a new die from the September Amazing Paper Grace set.  I love this die! It looks just like an old fasfioned sweet to me and it goes adoringly beautiful with the G45 papers!   There is some more of that purple ribbon!  Oh My! But that is the last of it and I am kind of disappointed I ran out of it before I got to the bonbons :(  But the set still all matches so I am happy :) 

I love this color combo but I do not know what is going on with me and this purple craze!  Anyways, I could not resist adding the stitching, the wood fibers, flower and pins.  It all came together so perfectly and I just love the sentiment and how it carried through all the pieces.  The bonbons have some yummy goodie inside and are filled with a hat, joke, some chocolates and of-course a 'snap' so it can go 'snap'.

We have a super duper sponsor this week for you all to play along for! 

Crafty Ribbons

Crafty Ribbons has put together this yummy prize pack!
*Pic to follow soon*

For your chance to win this delicious prize you have to play along with us though!
So come along!  Pop over to

The Crafty Pad Challenge! 

take in the amazing inspiration the girls have on offer,
go get crafty and link up with us!

Looking forward to seeing your creations!
Thanks for sailing in to see me today :)

Recipe -

Stamp(s) - The Crafty Pad -Merry Christmas Sentiments

Paper(s) -  Kraft Cardstock, G45 Papers
Tool(s) - Amazing Paper Grace Dies (September Kit)

Embellishment(s) -   TH distress inks, Ribbon - September Kit Club @Really Reasonable Ribbons, Stash - flower, jewels, lace, ribbon, wood fibers.

Challenges this creation is entering with the help of the Feline Playful Girls:
Crafty Sentiments - Christmas Wed E1/1
Craft-room Challenge - Punches and Die-cuts Wed E2/3

Crafty Cardmakers - More than 1 punch / die cut Wed C14 E2/-
Sugar Creek Hollow - Kraft Sat  E1/3

The Ribbon Girl - Purples E1/-
CR84FN Challenges - #67 Color Inspiration - Plum, gold & Tan Sun 
Robyn's Fetish - Make it Vintage Sun 
Crafty-embelies - Vintage Shabby Chic Mon
A Gem of A Challenge - Ribbon & Lace Sat
Top Tip Tuesday - TIP ONLY - I also have a tip for you today! - Have you noticed that the Graphic 45 paper on the front of the card is not as vibrant as what the paper actually is or should be?  It is kind of tamed down a little!  This is such a gorgeous print, and I wanted the print! but found it a little too vibrant and was somewhat distracting from the whole card.  I painted on some modge podge and stuck down a sheet of white tissue paper and it took the sharpness off the original paper, still leaving the yummy design and it has given the piece a real 'handmade' quality like vintage feel to it to! 

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