Cardz 4 Guyz and daring cardmakers

 This time at Cardz 4 guyz they want a thank you card. I've made a Christmas thank you for my gardener/lawn man. He is very generous and usually undercharges me. I usually make him take the extra but he needs a special thank you anyway.

And at Daring Cardmakers they want a song . I've chosen "O Holy night" for this card.

2 crafty critters

 At 2 crafty critters they have anything goes with a critter.

I have chosen hedgehogs.

More cards

 

I made these 4 yesterday as well as those entered in contests previous to this post.

I just saw that I received an honorable mention for this card on Christmas card throwdown.

Daring cardmakers and CHristmas card throwdown

 At Daring cardmakers the word is SPARKLE.

I had some white and silver glittery paper, so I used that for the background. I added a white flower that has a "diamond" in the centre. 

I'm also entering it at Christmas card throwdown

Time out challenges and Just us girls.

 Time out challenges has a quote

I decided you can't get much for festive than Santa.

As I'm in the middle of making Christmas cards this is appropriate. 

                                                              **********************

Just us girls has this mood board.

So, we need a winter scene or theme.

I've just finished this mixed media Christmas card with 2 circular pictures featuring a snowy cottage and 2 reindeers in a snowy scene. I think it will be suitable

Shopping our stash

 My next card is for Shopping our stash where they want a masculine card.

With a certain male in mind I made this traditional looking Christmas card.

Tuesday morning sketches

 I'm back on the Christmas card making.

My first one is for Tuesday morning sketches.

I used a cute archway featuring Santa bringing the presents and added 3 hearts at jaunty angles to complete my sketch.

I can see this one working well for children.

Christmas cards.

 This morning I have made several Christmas cards. I sell these for $1 each and donate all money to Medical Research. 

Here's my efforts

This first one is for Simply Ellibelle where they want something for Christmas.

This reindeer is for Christmas cards all year round. I used texture paste and a comb to get the fur look.

Atlantic Hearts

 

Here is the sketch at Atlantic hearts challenge

While on the subject of elephants for my layout I did earlier today I made an elephant card.

It is simple yet I think will get a smile.

I didn't worry about the double trouble challenges. 

Challenege YOUrself

 The theme at Challenge YOUrself is to use a GRID pattern

I used 2 photos (one of me) plus other pieces of geometric paper and a journal card to create a grid pattern.

I placed this in the centre of a diagonal striped paper.

Lasting Memories -art inspiration

 

WE are asked to be inspired by this artwork. Nathaniel Mather. 

I started with the elephant!  

A few years ago, a baby elephant was born at Taronga zoo in Sydney. He walked by shuffling until his legs became stronger. He was nicknamed "Mr Shuffles"

On my layout I featured yellow as my background colour. I added a bird embellishment next to a flower I made (top right)

Jumpstart challenge at The Scraproom.

 

Here is my layout for the Jumpstart sketch at The scraproom.. I only had 2 photos but otherwise followed the sketch closely. I chose black, white and red because it went with the photos.

My papers are from a paper pad named Vintage Escape. The 2 paisley shapes on mulberry paper have been in my stash for a long time as have the red brads.The title was from a travel themed paper set. The red banner says "Together is my favourite place to be"

AS you like it challenge.

 My favourite thing to use on Christmas cards are tags, usually paired with a brad or ribbon.

On this card I have layered 3 tags then popped a chipboard shape in the front. I think they look classy or if arranged well "balanced".

I'm entering this at As you like it challenge.

Crafty Gals corner and Farmquest.

 This morning I rebirthed a Christmas card for 2challenges.

Firstly, at Crafty Gals corner they want 3 layers. I have double matted my picture then added a sentiment on top. This makes a total of 4 layers.

Next at Farmquest they wanted a frozen pond or creek. The penguins are having a lovely time ice skating.

 

A whale of a time.

 Yesterday I created a new layout purely for myself. I chose a black and white theme.

About a month ago I went to Cape Solander. We were whale watching and over the course of an hour saw these 2 photos.

The Basic Grey paper named bow ties was suitable for my base paper as it has waves on it. I tore some stone patterned paper along the bottom of the layout then 2 rows of torn white paper to create the waves or splash from the whales. I added my title lower to show off the wave paper. 

Tuesday morning sketches and Aud sentiments

 Here is the sketch for Tuesday morning sketches

I'm using up scraps of Christmas papers a friend gave me.

So, here's my card.

My second card is for Aud sentiments where they want glitter or Christmas.

There's no glitter but the paper ribbon is shiny!  However, it is Christmas. 

November Mini kit and items I made.

Our kit this month is based around this 

Goldenrod Fall & End Of Summer Printable Scrapbook Collection — Traci Reed Designs

 I thought I'd try another paper bag album as I enjoy making those...instructions are here.

Julene By Design: A paper bag mini album

I started with 4 bags from a chemist shop (drug store). I trimmed so they're exactly the same length.

My theme is Halloween so chose this mini kit.

There are 5 papers plus 2 cardstock and my embellishments. That should be plenty.

I started with 4 paper bags of a similar size

I covered each bag both sides with patterned paper from my kit. 

SIDE A

SIDE B

Next, I carefully folded each bag in half.

I noticed on my instructions from before that I now decorated the pages. This time I have decided to pierce the holes and sew the spine first.

Using a darning needle, I sewed the twine through the holes to secure my pages together.

I intend to tie ribbon around the fold later.

I had 5 photos so matted them on cardstock and placed them on various pages through the book.

I added embellishments from my mini kit also.

The back cover is plain, but matches the front cover's paper.

There are spaces on some pages for future photos or journalling.

Here's the tags