About Me

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Okanagan, BC, Canada
Welcome to my crafting blog. After retirement, my husband and I moved to a beautiful location in the Okanagan area of British Columbia. I love all paper crafts including mixed media, journaling and cards. I also dabble in papermaking, photography, fibre art, and altered books. I am an active member of several card and mixed media groups and on the design team of several challenge blog. I love the world of blogging, it has opened many doors for me. My favourite quote is by Maya Angelou. “You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.” I hope you join me in my search for my creative side. Thanks for stopping by!

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Saturday, December 17, 2016

Let there be Peace on Earth


The year is ending and Christmas is nearly here.  It is time for a Christmas challenge at Come and Get It Challenges. I have  made this Christmas theme card for our final challenge using an image from one of our great sponsors we had this year, Lemon Shortbread called Angel Praying



I coloured my image with my Copic markers and added some gems, a sentiment and ribbon to complete the card.   

It has been a wonderful year at Come and Get It Challenges.  Remember to pop over to our challenge blog to see the creations of our design team and join in this challenge. 

Hope you have a wonderful holiday and that you join us again for more great challenges in 2107. 

Winter Canvas


This month at Come and Get It Challenges we have a card challenge and a anything but a card challenge.  This canvas using a image from Sandra Caldwell, one of our great sponsors this year.  She has many great Christmas images and you can check them out here

I painted my canvas with acrylic paints and Copics.  I added snow to the canvas using a mixture of Styrofoam and glitter. To complete my canvas I added a couple of birds and a fence.

It has been a wonderful year at Come and Get It Challenges.  Remember to pop over to our challenge blog to see the creations of our design team and join in this challenge. 

Hope you have a wonderful holiday and that you join us again for more great challenges in 2107. 

Monday, December 12, 2016

Christmas Altered Coffee Tin


The year is coming to the end at Holly Jolly Christmas Challenges and this one of my last projects for 2017.  It is a two part  challenge over the next month with lots of great prizes from our sponsors that have sponsored us this year.   For this part of the challenge I chose to do an anything but a card portion of the challenge using a really cute image from Bugaboo Digital Stamps called Snow Couple.


To make my cookie tin I altered a large coffee tin by painting it first with Gesso and then with turquoise chalk paint. I added some matching designer paper and some snowflakes that I die cut.  For the lid of my cookie tin I added designer paper and a large snowflake.  The image was coloured with a glitter pen and Copics.  The snow is Styrofoam that I graded and glued to the image. 

Closer look



Thank you for stopping by and have a creative day.  Pop over to our challenge blog to view the projects that our design team has created to to inspire you.  Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and your family.   


There is snow place like home



Time for another great challenge at Crafty Cardmakers this week.  The theme is Christmas with a twist, anything quirky or non traditional. You can also play along with an traditional Christmas card.

Our great sponsor this challenge is Woodware Craft Collection


"There is snow place like home for the holidays"  is the sentiment on my  card this week.  The digital image is by From the Heart Digital stamps and coloured the image with my Caran D'Ache water colour crayons, metallic pen, gelli pen and Posca pens. 

The trees are part of a set of rubber stamps by Stampers Anonymous - Tim Holtz collection. I used Stampin Up Ink on the trees and filled in some areas with my water colour brush. I also used glitter on the snow.  

Thank you for stopping by and have a creative day. This is the last challenge of the year at Crafty Cardmakers hope you will join in this challenge.  Happy Holidays to you and your families and we will see you in 2017.  

Saturday, December 3, 2016

Christmas Polar Family Canvas


The year is ending and Christmas is nearly here.  It is time for a Christmas challenge at Come and Get It Challenges. I have  made this Christmas theme canvas for our final challenge using an image from one of our great sponsors we had this year, Polkadoodles.  The image is called Polar Family - Octavia Frosted Winter.

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My canvas is 8 x 8 and I glued a piece of watercolour paper to the top on the canvas with the image I had chosen.  I coloured the image with my new watercolours by Mungyo. Love their bright colours.   The trees in the background are Tim Holtz and were stamped with Stampin' Up Mossy Meadow.   The snow is graded Styrofoam and glitter mixed.  

It has been a wonderful year at Come and Get It Challenges.  Remember to pop over to our challenge blog to see the creations of our design team and join in this challenge. 

Hope you have a wonderful holiday and that you join us again for more great challenges in 2107.

I am entering my project in the following challenges

Polkadoodles Crafting - Anything Goes
Crafty Hazelnuts Christmas - Christmas
My Time to Craft - Christmas Animals
Brown Sugar - Anything Goes
Crafting with Attitude - Anything Goes
Stamps and Stencils - Mixed Media Christmas
Time O Challenges - Christmas with a Twist
Crafting by Designs - Anything Goes
Crafty Creations - Christmas

Friday, December 2, 2016

What's Your Number?


I made this altered filing box (shoe box size) for the upcoming anything goes challenge at Creative Artiste.  Scrapmatts is our sponsor this month.  Scrapmatts has a wide variety of paper craft supplies including stencils, inks, chipboard and paper tole accessories. I used several of their products in my project. 
I made this box to hold my collection of wooden and metal numbers.


I painted my box with gesso then stenciled my box with a couple of different number stencils and modelling paste.  I also added some rubber stamp numbers.  I then painted the box with turquoise and yellow ochre acrylic paint and highlighted the numbers with a wash of burnt umber paint. 

I coloured a wooden ball in the same colours of the box to use on the lid, added some old bone coloured dominoes for the feet and a few wooded numbers for the top of the box. 

Here is a closer look. 

Side of the box


Top of box


Some of my numbers in side the box



This was a fun project.  Thank you for stopping by and remember to pop over to the Creative Artiste Challenge blog to see the beautiful creations of the design team. Hope you will join us this month. 

I am entering this project in the following challenges

SanDee & amelie's Steampunk Challenges - Steampunk/Industrial 
Rhedd's Creative Spirit - Altered/Mix Media Art
613 Avenue Create - Anything Goes
Altered Eclectics - Altered/Mixed Media
Crafting with Friends - Anything Goes
Not Just Cards - Anything Goes
Creative Fingers - Anything Mixed Media

Thursday, December 1, 2016

Vintage Altered Christmas Clock


Time for another challenge at Altered Eclectics and since the holiday season is quickly approaching I decided that I would layer a old clock from my stash of crafting supplies.  I found this free clip art Santa Claus on the internet  that I coloured with my Copics and glitter then added a crackle stamp to age the picture.  My flowers and glass balls are from a thrift store and appear to be very old.  

I sprayed a craft tree I found at a dollar store green and added some pearls to decorate it.

Closer look



I added some other embellishments from my stash including some ribbon and cheese cloth that I dyed with distressed inks. 

Thank you for stopping by and have a creative week.  Pop over to our challenge blog to see the inspiring creations of our design team.  This is our last challenge of 2016 and we will not be back until February, 2017.  Happy holidays everyone.

I am entering this project in the following challenges

SanDee & amelie's Steampunk Challenges - Steampunk/Industrial 
Rhedd's Creative Spirit - Altered/Mix Media Art
613 Avenue Create - Anything Goes
Altered Eclectics - Altered/Mixed Media
Crafting with Friends - Anything Goes
Not Just Cards - Anything Goes
Creative Fingers - Anything Mixed Media
Brown Sugar - Anything Goes
Creative Corner - Vintage/Retro Christmas
PDE Link Party - Anything Goes
Mixed Media Mojo - Winter Holidays 

Altered Christmas Themed Kleenex Box


The purple team at Eclectic Ellapu this month has a Jingle Bell theme for their challenge and I created this mixed media altered Kleenex box.  

This is the acrylic Kleenex box I started with that I found at a thrift store.   


I painted my box with gesso then collages a Christmas bell napkin to the box and stamped the box with a Christmas musical stamp. To complete the project I added gold leaf to the edges of the box, gems, bells and a trumpet. 


Pop over to our challenge blog to see the inspiring creations of the talented design team.  The pink team also have a challenge this month and their theme is anything Christmas albeit a card or a gift for someone in your life. 

Thank you for stopping by.  Have a creative month.  Wishing you and your family a Happy Holidays and we will see you back here in February.  

Monday, November 28, 2016

Christmas Challenge at Holly Jolly Christmas Challenges



2016 is coming to an end and we are having our last challenge of the year at Holly Jolly Christmas Challenges.  The challenge is a 2 part challenge.  You can make either an anything but a card or a Christmas cards.  Why not make both? This is my card I made for the challenge using an image from one of our great sponsors this year, A Day for a Daisies.  The image is called Candy Elf B


I saw a video by Sandra Allnock on you tube and decided to try her background using Copic markers to create the allusion of a Christmas tree.  You can find  her video here.   I coloured my image with my Copics and added a sentiment die by Tim Holtz.   

Hope you will join in the Christmas challenge.  We have many great prizes from our wonderful sponsors. Pop over to our challenge blog to see the inspiring creations of our talented design team. 
Happy holidays everyone.

I am entering this card in the following challenges:
My Sheri Crafts  - Winter, Christmas ....
Artistic Inspirations - Anything Goes
Color Inspirations Monday- Hand Colored
Crafting with the Heart - Anything Goes
The Merry Christmas Challenge - Christmas Elf

Stationary Set


We have a great challenge this week at Crafty Cardmakers. The theme is anything but a card and I decided to make a Stationary Set.  I was inspired bu a set I found in an old Stamp It magazine (Spring 2006).The set is going to be a gift for a friend. 

This is the inside of the set. 


The set consists of a folder, stationery sheets, tags, cards, and matching envelops.  I used Stampin Up inks, stamps from Hero Arts and Stampin  Up.  To complete the set I used some brown lace and ribbons.

Thank you for stopping by.  Remember to pop over to the  Crafty Cardmakers Challenge blog to be inspired by the creative design team  

Saturday, November 26, 2016

Baby It is Cold Outside


I decided to make a globe card for this weeks challenge at Come and Get It Challenges.  The theme of the challenge is baby it is cold outside. I have used an image from one of our great sponsors QKR Stampede

QKR


The image I used is called Bundle Up.  I thought he was perfect for the theme of the challenge. I coloured him with my copics and a white gelly pen then added a sentiment with a rubber stamp from my stash. 

Thank you for stopping by and have a creative day.  Remember to  stop by our challenge blog to see the creations of our talented design team.  Hope you will join in this challenge.  

Saturday, November 19, 2016

Sending You Hugs, Kisses and Feel Better Wishes


This week the challenge at Come and Get It Challenges is a Get Well card.  I have used an an image from Time for Tea called Bubbles

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The image was coloured with Copics, Gel Pen and A Wink of Stella.   The sentiment was create on my computer.  I added a butterfly brad and a layer of background hearts to complete the card. 

Thank you for stopping by and have  creative day.  Hope you will join our challenge this week.  

Monday, November 14, 2016

Ribbon or Lace Challenge at Holly Jolly Christmas Challenges


 I made this Christmas tag for this weeks challenge at Holly Jolly Christmas Challenges. The theme of the challenge is ribbon or lace. Aurora Wings is the sponsor of this challenge and I used one of her cute images called Christmas Tree Sprite Gingerbread Man

Picture

I coloured the image is my Copics and glitter pens.  I added the image to some lined Christmas paper then added a sentiment, gold stars and of course a ribbon.  Hope you will join in this challenge.  Pop over to our challenge blog to view the inspiring cards of our talented design team.  Thank you for stopping by. 

Dry or Wet Embossing Challenge


Crafty Cardmakers this week has an embossing challenge,   You can use a dry or heat technique on your project.  I decided to make a Christmas card since the season is quickly coming upon us.  

The snowflake background was embossed on a shimmer paper with a Cuttlebug embossing folder that I have had for many years.  The sentiment I love and is by Quiet Fire Designs.  The sentiment and the snowflake were embossed using a Platinum embossing powder. To complete the card I added a white and sliver ribbon.  

Hope you will join us this week in this challenge.  Remember to pop over to our challenge blog to be inspired by the creations of the design team. 





Saturday, November 12, 2016

Meowy Christmas


Come and Get It Challenges this week has a great challenge.  The challenge is just to use a ribbon and/or twine on your project.  I used an image called Christmas Cat Toppers by one of my favourite sponsors Bugaboo.  The images makes me smile .


I coloured my image with my Copics , white gel pen and a glitter pen.  The background of the card was stamped with a flourish stamp and coloured with turquoise metallic marker. 
The sentiment is a stamp from my stash and I added some twine  and a gold bell to complete the card. Thank you for stopping by and I hope you will pop over to the Come and Get It Challenge blog to see the inspiring creations of the design team. 

Friday, November 4, 2016

Christmas Altered Art Journal Page




I made this altered art journal page for Creative Artiste this month.  It is an anything goes challenge  and Foil Play is our great sponsor this month. 

I thought I would make a Christmas collage using a combination of paper napkins, dies, stencils, acrylic paints, scrapbook paper, rubber stamps and Washi tapes.  

Here are some closer view of the page.





I hope you will join this challenge this month.  Remember to pop over to our challenge blog to see the inspiring creations of our design team. 


Tuesday, November 1, 2016

Let Sparks Fly


It is time for another great challenge at Eclectic Ellapu this month for the purple team.. The theme of this challenge is "let sparks fly" (use anything sparkly, glitter, gems, glitter flakes). 

I have used a free digital image from Cuddlebug Cuties for my card.   The image is Stella and was created for a New Years theme by Anna. 

For my sparkle on my card I used a Wink of Stella, gem,sparkly designer paper and some glitter stars. The card was coloured with Copics and some Distressed Inks. 

Remember at Eclectic Ellapu there is also a pink team and they also have a challenge happening. the Pink's team challenge is anything with a bow. 

Hope you will join us this month.  Thank you for stopping by.  



Altered Canvas - Contact Paper Transfer Technique



I used a contact paper transfer technique to create this mixed media canvas for this month's Altered Electrics' challenge. 

To create my canvas I collaged different designer papers, napkins, and dictionary papers on my canvas along with postage stamps.  I also added some stamped sentiments and spots acrylic paint.   

A collection of magazine images and photographs and contact paper  were used to create the top layer. I photocopied my images then added then to my contact paper.  Once I had my images attached to my contact paper I soaked  the backs of of the images to remove the backing of the images leaving just the outline and added the images to my canvas. 

I used the following sites for inspiration and directions how to do the transfer technique. 

http://graciawassink.com/blog/tag/image-transfer-using-contact-paper/
http://thegraphicsfairy.com/clear-contact-paper-transfers/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47uNtwn6jSY

I hope you will join us this month at Altered Eclectics.  Remember to pop over to our challenge blog to see the inspiring projects of our talented design team.  


Monday, October 31, 2016

Magic is in the Air



Holly Jolly Christmas Challenges this week has another great Christmas challenge.  The theme of the challenge is Christmas Trees and I have used a lovely Santa carrying a tree by QKR Stampede.  The image is called Bring a Tree Digi

QKR 

I think this Santa and the Christmas tree makes such a cute card, The image is coloured with Copics, metallic pen and glitter. I used glitter for the falling snow and graded Styrofoam for the snow on the ground.  
  
Thank you for stopping by and have a creative day.  Remember to pop over to our challenge blog to see the inspiring creations of the Design team. 

Explosion of Colour


Time for another challenge art Crafty Cardmakers this week and the theme of the challenge is an explosion of colour. 

I used an image from Eureka stamps for this card. The image is called Lady Throwing Leaves.  I love how the autumn leaves are being thrown around.  I coloured my image with watercolour crayons.  I chose watercolour crayons because of their strong bright colours.  I also added some Distressed Ink, a wooden leaf, and added a faux stitches. 

Thank you for stopping by.  Have a creative day.  Remember to pop over to our challenge blog to view the inspiring creations of the design team. 

Saturday, October 29, 2016

Purple, Green and Orange Challenge


Time for another great challenge at Come and Get It this week.  The theme of the challenge is purple, green and orange, perfect colours for a Halloween card.  Our sponsor this month is Nikki Burnette's  and I used this great digital image of Nikki's called Steampunk Stamp - Telsa 


I coloured my image with Copic markers, collaged the background with several Halloween designer paper then added a sentiment, bat and spider. Thank you for stopping by and have a creative day.  Remember to pop over the challenge blog to see the inspiring projects of the design team. 

Saturday, October 22, 2016

Humorous Card Challenge at Come and Get It Challenges



I just love this humorous image from Bugaboo Digital Stamps.  The image is called Frame it Buckle  Up.  The stamp is just prefect for this humorous challenge at Come and Get It this week. 


Hope you will join us this week with this humorous challenge. Just create your card and enter it here.  

Monday, October 17, 2016

Snow/Snowman Challenge at Holly Jolly Christmas Challenges


This week at Holly Jolly Christmas Challenges it is a Snow.Snowman Challenge and I have maDe a card using this image from our sponsor, Dr. Digi's House of Stamps.  


The image is called  Selfie Santa and I coloured the image with Copics and a glitter pen.  I also added some snow made from grating some Styrofoam and some Diamond Glaze on the cellphone.  I love Dr. Digi's images especially the Christmas ones.  They are perfect for the men in my life. 

Thank you for stopping by and have a creative day.  Remember to pop over to our challenge blog to see the projects of our talented design team. 

Things that go Bump in the Night



Craft CardMakers challenge this week is things that go bump in the night.  Fitting theme for a challenge in October with Halloween just around the corner.  We are delighted to be sponsored by Woodware Craft Collection



This card was made with a Stampendous rubber stamp called Raven  Skull. I used Distressed Inks and glitter to colour my image and pattern paper then added a sentiment and a die cut bat.  

Pop over to our challenge blog to see the projects that our design team have create to inspire you.  Hope you will join in this challenge. Thank you for stopping by and have a creative day.