Welcome back with a cup of coffee!

OK so don't die of shock, but I'm back posting after a brief (2-and-a-half-year) hiatus.

I have been doing a little crafting on the side, mostly as an excuse to go away for weekends with the girls and chat and catch up, and throw a little paint and wine around on the side lol.

A bit of a shock to realise how many of the stamping companies and challenges I used to frequent are no longer with us!

Here's my offering for this week's combined Masculine and Coffee Christmas Challenges with the fabulous Stephanie & Lauren at Jingle Belles and the Caffeinated Christmas Card Challenge (which I missed thedeadline for!) and playing along with Less is More CAS Challenge.

This little beauty of a stamp set from Stamping Bella, coloured using Born markers (from Kaisercraft I think!) with patterned papers from Kaisercraft and die cuts from Avery Elle.

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Challenge Me A Christmas Card with Michelle Lupton...

 

So thrilled to join in this year with the fabulous Challenge me a Christmas Card with Michelle Lupton. My challenge was for her to create a card with Alcohol Inks and Die Cuts, although looking at some of her gorgeous recent posts I don't know how challenging it actually was lol. You can check out Michelle's gorgeous creation here.

As Yupo paper can be a tad on the expensive side, I created a themed set of 4 gift cards from one A5 sheet of Yupo paper. The Alcohol ink background was created by randomly dripping combination of Alcohol inks in a variety of shades of greens, mine include Pinata Rainforest Green, Arto Teal, Tim Holtz Limeade and Turquoise with a touch of Pinata Mantilla Black. While the ink was still wet I moved it around the A5 sheet of Yupo paper by tilting the paper in the direction I wanted the inks to run, and the Yupo paper was then blotted with a scrunched up sheet of A4 copy paper in a diagonal pattern. Once the inks were dry, the sheet of Yupo paper was cut in half. One half of the Yupo sheet was used to make the first two cards. 

Onto the second half of the Yupo sheet I also added some Pinata Claro Extender, to reactivate the base layer of inks, together with Tim Holtz Pearl Mixative and Pinata Old Gold. This layer was also blotted with some scrunched up A4 copy paper to create the background of cards three and four.

The first three cards feature the Merry Christmas Holiday Frames photo frame die by Simon Says Stamp, paired with one of the Deer Trio by Simply Dies. The final card once again features one of the Deer Trio by Simply Dies, together with Memory Makers Countryside Circle, and Avery Elle Seasons Greetings sentiment. The American Crafts glitter paper in gold helps to add a little festive sparkle.

I hope you are inspired to challenge yourself and join in the fun of creating with Alcohol inks and die cuts!

Card #1

 Card #2

Card #3

Card #4

Perfect set of gift cards for playing along with Simon Says Stamp & Show

and Simon Says Anything Goes 

Also joining in the fun at Muse Christmas Visions

and the Jingle Belles Christmas

FUSION Falling for Christmas...

Inspired by this fortnights FUSION to get a wriggle on with Christmas card making! Combined the super versatile sketch with the Autumn wood tones, wreath and candles from this fortnights FUSION inspiration photo. Featuring die cuts from Avery Elle Seasons Greetings, MFT Dienamics Winter Wreath and Memory Box Glowing Candles.

Head on over to the FUSION blog for some more super inspiration from our fabulous Design Team...

Betty J. - Jeanne Jachna - Jen Mitchell

Karren Johnson - Linda Callahan - Michelle Leone

Michelle Lupton - Michelle Williams - Wanda Cullen

Hope you can join in the fun this fortnight @ FUSION.

Can't wait to see what you create!

Also playing along with this fabulous colour combo from Color Throwdown

Floral FUSION Cupcakes...

I've gone for a more vintage vibe for the fabulous FUSION challenge this fortnight. Inspired by both the super versatile FUSION sketch and super cute cupcakes, this birthday card was created using Distress Ink Ground Espresso to stamp Avery Elle Cupcakes stamp, paired with the Avery Elle Cupcakes die cuts and sentiment, added Distress Ink Spun Sugar to stamp Your Next Stamp Mini Flower Splatter and added a sprinkling of buttons from my stash and distressed the edges with Gathered Twigs Distress Oxide.

To play along you can take inspiration from either the FUSION sketch or inspiration photo - or combine the two as I have!

Hop on over to the FUSION blog for some more super sized inspiration from our fabulous Design Team...

Becca Cruger - Betty J. - Jeanne Jachna - Jen Mitchell - Karren Johnson

Linda Callahan - Michelle Leone - Michelle Lupton - Michelle Williams

Hope you can join in the fun this fortnight @ FUSION.

Can't wait to see what you create!

Also playing along with
Seize the Birthday
City Crafter Challenge Bake it Pretty

Happiest of Mother's Days...

Wishing all mothers, the most wonderful of Mother's Days.

Created using pink, red and purple alcohol inks on Yupo paper. Poppy from Unity Stamps and sentiment from Avery Elle, fishtail flag and stitched frame from MFT.

Playing along with

Creative Artiste Mixed Media

FUSION Surf's Up!

First thing I thought of when I saw this fortnight's FUSION inspiration was this fabulous VW Kombi stamp - just perfect for this fortnight's FUSION photo! Inspired by a combination of this gorgeous sketch and super photo I created this fun birthday card by pairing Avery Elle stamps and Pinked Edges die cuts.

Hop along and see the fabulous Design Team for more gorgeous inspiration!

You can find some more fabulous inspiration from the Design Team blogs:

Becca Cruger - Betty J. - Carol Mayne - Jeanne Jachna - Karren Johnson

Linda Callahan - Michelle Leone - Michelle Lupton - Michelle Williams

Hope you can join in the fun this fortnight @ FUSION. 

Can not wait to see what you create! 

You're my cup of tea @ FUSION!

Back from a family wedding in New Zealand to join in this fortnights FUSION.
Thought it only apt to add a photo from my niece's wedding to add to the Valentine's celebrations.

Simple Valentines card created using Winnie and Walter die cuts, Avery Elle stamped sentiment, and some gorgeous American Crafts patterned paper. 

You can find some more fabulous inspiration from the Design Team blogs:

Becca Cruger - Betty J. - Carol Mayne - Jeanne Jachna - Karren Johnson

Linda Callahan - Michelle Leone - Michelle Lupton - Michelle Williams

Hope you can join in the fun this fortnight @ FUSION. 

Can not wait to see how you are inspired! 

Also playing along with:
Winnie and Walter's 3rd Birthday Challenge with Shay's 3 Challenge
 using three Winnie and Walter diecuts. 
CASology Romance

Cupcake Fusion...

Time for this fortnights FUSION inspiration, and just look at that luscious lemon icing! Inspired by the colours and subject of the FUSION inspiration photo, together with this very versatile sketch (albeit stretched to fit a square card!). Created using a trio of Avery Elle stamp sets, Brushed for the Momento Luxe Dandelion background stripes, Cupcakes for the cupcake (stamped onto vellum), and NBUS Cake & Candles sentiment, and Kaisercraft pearls for a bit of added bling!

The FUSION Design Team have some more 

FABULOUS creations to inspire you

Amy Tsura - Betty J - Deepti 

Jeanne Jachna - Julia Aston - Katie Brooks

Kelly Griglione - Kimberly Wiener - Lynn Mangan

Michelle Folland - Michelle Lupton - Stephanie Severin

Hope to see you playing along, can't wait to see what you create! 

Remember you can play along by being inspired by 

the photo, the sketch or BOTH.

Please check the linky for the days left to play with us.

 

Also playing along with the fabulous Darnell at NBUS #4 Anything Goes!, 

AEI{heart}U Stripes (missed the deadline!),  Seize the Birthday
and The Card Concept Cupcakes, Clean & Layered

Spring into Mixed Media Card Challenge...

Mixed Media Card Challenge

Today is the first of Spring in the Northern Hemisphere, so this months Mixed Media Card Challenge Spring theme with optional bird, brings a whole lotta Spring colours. I wanted to try and get a little messy this month, so got creating using Gelato watercolours and salt for the background (spread rock salt over the watercolour background to concentrate the colour where the rock salt crystals are resting as it dries), together with Gelato watercolours for this gorgeous Neat & Tangled songbird. Paired with the Avery Elle sentiment.

There's some more fabulous inspiration from the design team over on 

the Mixed Media Card Challenge blog.

Looking forward to seeing your fabulous SPRING creations!

Also playing along with The Paper Players Think Spring, 
AAA Cards Watercolour Rain and Mixed Media Monthly Birds of a Feather

 

FUSION - Silver Stars

I had such fun with this fortnights FUSION inspiration! Re-discovered these gorgeous mini bells from the $2 shop in my stash, and threaded them onto some silver cord, knotting the little bells in place at random intervals. Die-cut the circle window opening and adhered the silver cord and bells in a "wreath" around the edge of the circle. In the meantime stamped and silver embossed these gorgeous Avery Elle Look Up freehand stars, perfect non-Christmas stamps for a Christmas card! Fussy cut the stars and adhered at random intervals around my silver "wreath". Die cut Avery Elle Seasons Greetings from a reinforced (added cardstock backing) sheet of American Crafts Silver Glitter paper, and adhered across the circle window opening. Lined the inside of the card with red Making Memories patterned paper.

The Design Team have some FABULOUS creations to inspire you!

Amy Tsura - Betty J - Deepti 

Jeanne Jachna - Julia Aston - Katie Brooks

Kelly Griglione - Kimberly Wiener - Lynn Mangan

Michelle Folland - Michelle Lupton - Stephanie Severin

Please check the linky for the days left to play with us.

Hope to see you playing along, can't wait to see what you create!

Remember you can play along by being inspired by the photo, the sketch or BOTH (like me!)

So happy to be playing along as Catered Crop Anything Goes Guest Designer this fortnight too - please join in the last ever Catered Crop to celebrate Linda's fabulous challenge!

Reminder Mixed Media Card Challenge Christmas (Bells Optional).

 

Inkspirational Shine, Avery Elle Holiday, Merry Monday Christmas Bells, 52{Christmas} Card Throwdown Christmas Window, Craft Stamper Take It Make It Challenge Christmas card from non-Christmas stamps
Time Out Embossing (sparkle optional) - Thanks Sandie!!

A Blog Hop with a Difference...

First up my card for the day:

Created to play along with AEI{heart}U Clean & Simple Challenge, Color Throwdown, Seize the Birthday and CAS(E) this Sketch. Using Distress Inks in my favourite combination of Squeezed Lemon, Spiced Marmalade and Picked Raspberry (believe it or not!), double die cut with Paper Smooches fishtail flag and Memory Box Dahlia butterfly, combined with this cute birthday sentiment from Avery Elle.

I'm also participating in A Blog Hop with a Difference, where you answer a few questions about yourself, then nominate others who inspire you to do the same. I was nominated by the lovely Jenny Martin at My Paper Epiphany, my Mixed Media Card Challenge teamie, and lucky for me, she lives just five minutes away!

What project am I working on right now?
I'm currently working on projects for my next Winnie and Walter Leading Lady post, and my next FUSION post, and getting easily distracted with challenge inspiration from the blogsphere, as you can see from today's card!

How long does it take you to create a project? 
I am generally a slow creator. I challenged myself to improve by joining the Design Team for the 10 Minute Craft Dash - but the only way I made the deadline was to have all my supplies ready and EVERYTHING planned out in my head before the timer began. I could NEVER create that quickly from scratch - it would take me at least that long to think about picking the papers LOL!

What are my fave things I like to create with at the moment?
I must admit have been enjoying working with Add A Little Dazzle metal sheets lately, and am trying to source a local supplier!

How does my creative process work?
I overthink it! I usually find I need a combination of Challenges to narrow down my options, and I like to add a little unexpected twist. 

How do I become inspired and stay inspired?
I let my fingers do the walking! With so many challenges out there, looking at everyone's fabulous creations, I can't help but be inspired. If I'm running low on creative energy I just go wandering through blogland or pinterest til inspiration hits - and if that doesn't work I'll look for a technique I'd like to try and just have a play :)

What is my signature style?
I love colour, I love die cuts / fussy cutting, I love combining challenges, and I love experimenting. Just wondering, is "Clean, Colour & Cut" a style, or a trip to the hairdressers LOL!

One random fact about me
Both my kiddies were born on repeating dates - the days and the months are the same numbers.

Now it's time to nominate 2 people who inspire me. I have cheated a little and chosen just one as my other nominee was unavailable. 

In case you haven't already had the pleasure, I'd like to introduce you to Kasia, who can be found at "The Nature of Crafty Things".  I first discovered Kasia when she was working her magic with Paper Smooches stamps, I just LOVE her style. She was one of the founding Design Team members of one of my very favourite sketch challenges, Retro Sketches, and is on the Design Team of two of my favourite companies, The Alley Way Stamps and Avery Elle. Kasia works magic with their images, and makes CAS look easy, which is a very difficult thing to do!!! I'm also inspired by her non-crafting pursuits as she has recently participated in her first Spartan race - how AWESOME is that!

See what I mean!!! Kasia works MAGIC!

 

 

A-very Moxie Fab Clicking Cameras Challenge...

Today's card brings together the two trends that are currently shooting for the stars - 

Cameras, and arrows LOL!

Playing along with Avery Elle's AEI{heart}U Kraft Challenge, together with 

Moxie Fab World Clicking Cameras Challenge, Seize the Birthday, 

and a reminder that there is still time to join in the fun @ KIS Arrows.

Created using Amy Tangerine's Plus One Edition Project Life cards, together with Avery Elle #Smile and Oh Happy Day stamps. The Avery Elle #Smile camera icon is paper pieced and Oh Happy Day "Oh Shoot" sentiment stamped on some very old Basic Grey paper from my stash.

Hope you are having a fabulously krafty weekend too! 

Avery Elle AEI{heart}U Kraft Challenge

Moxie Fab World Clicking Cameras Challenge

Seize the Birthday

A Floral FUSION...

As soon as I saw this weeks FUSION photo, I immediately thought of these gorgeous Honey papers by My Minds Eye, and paired them with Avery Elle All Squared Up sentiment stamped in Momento Luxe Olive and Pistachio. 

Will you be inspired by the stunning summery colours, the floral fantasy, gorgeous gift-tag and ravishing ribbons in the inspiration photo, or this super versatile sketch, or both!

How to join in the fun...

1. Play with just the sketch challenge.

2. Play with just the inspiration photo challenge.

3. Or you can create FUSION by combining BOTH challenges into one card.

4. Use the challenge graphic and link back to Fusion in your post.

5. Please read the other considerations on the Our Rules Page before playing along.

Can't wait to see how you will be inspired by this fortnight's FUSION!

The Design Team have some FABULOUS creations to inspire you!

Betty J - Dannielle Robeson - Deepti 
Jeanne Jachna - Julia Aston - Katie Brooks

Kelly Griglione - Kimberly Wiener - Lynn Mangan

Michelle Folland - Michelle Lupton - Stephanie Severin

Please check the linky for the days left to play with us.