Ode to Sushi

April 30th 2011

Here is my "Sushi Shrine" made for the latest Colour Challenge at Gingersnap Creations - RED & GOLD.
I have made a shrine card dedicated to Sushi (which incidentally I love!!).

I made the background myself using gold and red paint and dragging it across the cardboard with a credit card. To add a little bit more gold definition I also 'dropped' blobs of gold paint onto the background. I then printed a "definition" of Sushi on the left hand side and a little saying "that's how I roll" on the right hand side. I then used a Shrine Template from Mirkwood Designs to cut the shape. And after cutting out the shape I sponged the edges with gold paint and stamped all over the shrine card with a little asian text stamp I have - to give it an more 'Asian Flavour"!

This picture shows the little Japanese sticker of a little cooking pot which I thought suited the theme of my shrine as well.



The "sushi" woman is a great little digi stamp from Karber Digital Images which I couldn't resist using on this project as I still wanted the project to be FUN! She has been paper pieced using my wonderful 'stash' of Japanese papers. Her face and hair and the sushi rolls and tray were coloured with Copics. To add more gold to this I also used Kindyglitz for her 'obi' (sash) and the 'sticks' in her hair and she has been attached to the shrine with mounting tape.

Here is the complete card which I am really happy with! I've really enjoyed the "Asian Theme" that Gingersnap Creations have had this month!

I have also entered "Ode to Sushi" at the Allsorts Challenge Blog as they have an Oriental Theme this week! And Wee Memories have a paper piecing challenge!

Hildie and her BIG Flower!

April 30th 2011

Here's my latest "Hildie" card from CS Designs. She's such a cutie I just love colouring her and making cards! I've used orange Copics to colour her dress, shoes and BIG flower! The patterned papers from BasicGrey match in really well and I've based the card on the latest Sketch Challenge from the Stampin Royalty Challenge Blog (sketch below).

I've also used my Spellbinder Die Cuts to cut the various ahpes on this card as well as some little punchie flowers and leaves. I've used Stickles on Hildie's wings and the flower centres for a bit of sparkle! The great "Thinking of You" sentiment is also from CS Designs - and make sure you visit regularly for some great new designs being released in May - I can't wait!!!

Here's the sketch I have used for this card:



Also Crafts 4 Eternity have an anything goes challenge so Hildie has been entered at their blog! Fashionista Friday have a "things with wings' challenge and Hildie is a cute little faerie I've entered her here too!

Michelle Perkett Studio's "Grace"

April 30th 2011
This is a "quilt" pieced card I made using instructions from the Splitcoast Stampers Site. Although this was fiddly to lay out and adhere the pieces I think the overall effect is great and it really does look like quilting!
This weeks challenge at Michelle Perkett Studios Blog is Brown & Turquoise so make sure you visit the blog to get some inpsiration and make your own entry! But remember you must use a Michelle Perkett Image to enter!

The little butterfly is a Spellbinder Die Cut and is one of my favourites! Grace has been coloured with copics to match the brown and blue themed paper and card.

By Royal Appointment!!??!!

April 29th 2011
Pussy cat, pussy cat where have you been? I've been to London to visit the Queen!
This is my card for the new Daring Cardmakers Challenge - "By Royal Appointment"!!
I've had a fairly 'quirky' card making week this week so I thought I would finish the week as I began LOL!

Here is my take on 'By Royal Appointment':

I've used a 'queen' looking image from June at Dezinaworld and printed it out in grayscale so it's more like a ghosted image in the background and I have over typed the image with the Pussy Cat Nursery Rhyme. I've added a 'royal' cat, from Lisa's Altered Art, with it's crown and added some jewels around pussy's neck!

The little mouse is from the Microsoft Clipart range which I printed in red and then I have rubber stamped some little red paw prints to show the mouse being chased under the Queen's chair!!! And see the little inky paws on pussy??

I hope you have enjoyed my quirky week - perhaps I'd better get serious next week!! Or perhaps not LOL!

Desert Islands Crafters Challenge

April 28th 2011
The latest 'itinerary' for this Desert Islands Crafters Challenge is based on the upcoming Royal Wedding! Here's the card that I have made using at least 3 items from the itinerary:

The items I have chosen are:

1. Princess Bride - I've used a gorgeous image from Karber Digital Images - "Deny" - and I have paper pieced her dress and gloves to make her look like a 'princess'!!!

2. Crown Jewels - she's wearing a beaded tiara and a little brooch on her dress!!!!!

3. Castle - the background picture is a castle of sorts - it certainly looks impressive!!!!

4. Lace/Ribbon - I've use some fancy fringing which I figure passes as this element!!

The patterned papers are from BasicGrey (or course - they are my favourites at the moment) and the stamped "Best Wishes" sentiment is from Kaszazz (my wonderful friend Wendy is a consultant).

A Spoonful of Sugar Challenge Blog are having "A Right Royal Knees Up" Challenge currently so I have entered Deny there too!
Cheers!!!!!!

"Underwear"??????

April 27th 2011
Okay today has been an intersting crafting day - my silly sense of humour has been running wild!!!! LOL if you have seen my Police Woman card from my earlier post today you will understand!
This card has been made especially for the new challenge at the Three Muses Challenge Blog which has the theme of "Underwear" and I couldn't resist putting my 'weird' style to it!!

As you can see this is a bit of a collage card with lots of images - they all come from various "places"! The woman standing in her petticoat is from Lisa's Altered Art, the 'King' is from Lisa Vollrath's 'Go Make Something' fabulous freebies and the flowers and phone (dog & bone) are from Dezinaworld (June has great collage sheets). And I made the sentiment myself - I love this old typewriter font - great for vintage style and collage projects!

Stick 'Em Up!

April 27th 2011

This new card has been made with a relatively new image from the Bugaboo range of digis! This 'sassy' policewoman is out on the 'beat'!!!

I've made this card for the latest challenge at the Daring Cardmakers Challenge Blog - theme "Speaking Professionally" - so a card which showcases a profession. I wanted to make it a bit "arty" so I've actually used a vintage image of an old car and used earthy type papers from BasicGrey. Everything has been sewn onto the card and I've added my own 'sentiment' for a bit of fun and a little handcuff key!! And I'm happy with how it has turned out!

I have some relatives that I will be able to 'share' this card with!!!

MPS "Earth" Design Card

April 26th 2011

This card features Michelle's "Earth" image which you can purchase from Michelle's Etsy Store. I meant to get this card made in time for "Earth Day" which was last Friday but I didn't get time but better late than never so here it is!! When I saw this image I knew that I wanted to make a card in real earthy tones so I've used lots of layers of brown earthy papers. I've added a cute little birdie from a collage sheet I have from Dezinaworld and I've added a little bit of earthy bling!

I've based this card on the latest Sketch Challenge at the Sunday Sketch and Stamp Blog and have also used lost of 'layers' to enter this card in the new Stamptacular Sunday Challenge. And the Sparkles Forum Challenge Blog have an anything goes theme this week! The Creative Inspirations Challenge Blog require the use of a digi image this week so this card has also been entered in their new challenge!

Don't forget to pop over to the Michelle Perkett Studio Challenge Blog as there is a brand new challenge theme today!!

Simply Scrapping Blog Hop!

April 25th 2011

Welcome to the Simply Scrapping Monthly Blog Hop! This is the first of a new monthly blog hop for the Simply Scrapping Group. This months 'theme' is "Spring" or "Autumn" depending what part of the world you live in!!! As I'm in Australia it's Autumn here but I wish it was Spring as I'm not a big fan of Winter and being cold!! So my card is a bit of Autumn and Spring - I've used Autumn leaf colouring as the background paper to the CS Designs Floral Sun Montage image but I've added some bright spring flowers! I found the saying at the Quote Garden Site and thought it suited the digi image.

The background paper has been made by dragging various coloured paints across the paper with a credit card. Once it dried I stamped some flower images on it and then I put it through the printer to add the Floral Sun Montage image which was then cut out and layered on Bazzil cardstock. I cut out flower stems from some patterend paper I had and added them to the sides of the image and added a little quote which I thought was fitting for the image.

It would be great if you could become a follower of my blog - so please consider clicking that "follower" button before you leave - I would love to have you keep up with my new creations!

Tag De L'Amour!

April 25th 2011
I've made this "love" tag using the avatar from the Bella Creations "Oh La La" Group. I cut a tag from marble look pink card and layered the little inchies over some torn pale lemon textured paper then added the couples image as well as the sentiment cut with a scallop edged die cut and added a little heart charm with a brad plus some fibres at the top. This would make a great bookmark!

The little "inchie" love images are from Lisa's Altered Art, the couples image is from the Bella Creations Group and the wonderful sentiment is from CS Designs!

Gingersnap "Fan" Challenge

April 24th 2011
Lucky me - I received a parcel from my relative who is living in Japan for this year with some gorgeous papers and stickers to create with!!! So here's my fan just made for the 'fan'challenge at Gingersnap Creations.
I have covered some card with a sheet of the gorgeous paper I received - see the close up picture to see the detail of the paper - and then I have cut 8 "fan" pieces from the card using a template from Mirkwood Designs. I have decorated the fan with some gorgeous stickers received in the parcel along with the paper - some lovely Geishas and some little flowers and cherry blossoms. I have used a gold tassell to attach all the fan pieces. I'm really happy with how this has turned out and it really is an "Asian" piece!

Michelle Perkett Studio - Spotlight Saturday

April 23rd 2011
Here is a new card I have made using "Angelica" which is a recent image from Michelle. I love colouring the hair of this image LOL I think that is why I keep printing her off, colouring her and making cards!

For this card I used some gorgeous colours - turquoise, aqua & pink and I've used a rub on sentiment "girly girl". And I've used basic square and circle shaped card to layer with the image.

Make sure you visit the Michelle Perkett Studio Blog to see some other great cards by the DT members!

Male Themed Card for "The Cheerful Stamp Pad" Challenge

April 23rd 2011
This is my card for Vicki's new challenge on her blog "The Cheerful Stamp Pad" which is entitled "There is a Man in my Life"! We all know how hard it can be to make cards for men and boys so this is a great challenge to get the thinking caps on!!!

This card is made with some 'serendipity' squares in earthy brown tonings and layered on marble look brown and cream paper and card for the base. The photo image is from the Collections range which I have had for quite some time. This card could be for a birthday or father's day!

Can you find "Nikita"???

YOU'VE FOUND ME!!
Welcome to the CS Designs Easter Blog Hop!

If you are reading this then you have "found" my post from "Down Under"(Australia) and are on your way to being able to enter this great Easter 'Babushka' Hunt! CS Designs would have to be my favourite Digital Stamp Company because of the great range of digis! The little Babushkas Chris has released for Easter are just gorgeous - make sure you take advantage of her special from now until April 30th - BUY 2 BABUSHKAS GET ONE FREE!

Here is the list of Blogs you need to HOP to!

Sharon Rogers - that's me!

Melissa Oeters

Melissa Sackman

Chrissie Tobas

Dana Seymour

Theresa Gerber
Hazel Parr
CS Designs

Okay you need to find answers for the following questions so you can "report" them to Chris and go in the running to win!

1. Name the post where you have found my little hidden Babushka?

2. Where do I live?
3. Why is CS Designs my favourite Digital Stamp Company?

And don't forget to become a follower of my blog (that's part of the rules of joining!) - I'd love to have you!

As well as the Hunt - CS Designs is having an Easter Parade -

can you make your float the most decorated????

All you need to do is "adorn" your blog with posts which

include creations using images from CS Designs - EASY!

Continue the Babushka hunt at Melissa's "Needful Things".

Remember to visit all 8 blogs, answer the questions for each then

email all your answers to Chris to go in the draw to win!!

So get started and we can't wait to see your creations! 

"CLICK HERE" to get all the rules and regulations

so you don't miss out!

CS Designs Easter Hunt Blog Hop & Easter Parade

April 22nd 2011

NOTE THIS POST WILL REMAIN AT THE TOP OF MY BLOG UNTIL

THE EASTER HUNT IS OVER - NEW POSTS WILL BE BELOW!

Okay today - Monday 11th April -  is the day for the start of the Easter Blog Hop!
The "hop" runs from April 11th to April 22nd

so you have plenty of time to join in and search for the little Babushkas.

The CS Designs Design Team has been hard at work helping Mr. Easter Bunny this year. Instead of the usual Easter Eggs, Mr. Bunny and the CS Design Team have been hiding little Babushka Dolls all over our blogs and just like a real Easter egg hunt you are going to have to search high and low to find them.Chris has created a special little Babushka facsimile and you will find one hidden somewhere on each of our sites.

Here are the details:

The Rules for the Babushka Hunt:
1.) Find all 8 little Babushkas. Don't forget to search the CS Designs site at the end!!!!

2.) Answer correctly all the fun questions in the Designer quiz for each blog participating in the Hunt.

3.) Don’t tell anyone else the answers or where you found your Babushkas.

4.) Become a follower of each blog/site where you found a Babushka.

5.) Leave a nice comment on each blog/site so each designer will know you came to visit.

6.) Email Chris / CS Designs your answers to the Designer Quiz.

Winner will be announce on the 26th of April.

The winner will be selected by random draw and it will be up to you to check to see if you have won. If you are the winner, you must notify Chris / CS Designs to

claim your prize no later than the 30th of April.

How to get two your name submitted twice for another chance to win in the random draw.
Advertise the Babushka Hunt by posting our Babushka Banner on a prominent spot

of your main page for the duration of the Babushka Hunt so others will see it and join in the fun.

It must remain on the front page or be the first post on your blog until the Hunt is over.

If you don’t know how to do this you can email Chris for help.

Babushka Easter Parade

A along with an Easter egg hunt, there is usually a Parade.

Every parade needs colorful floats so you will have to decorate one of your very own to participate. Your blog will be your float and the decorations will be your art work and projects

such as cards, tag art, ATCs etc you submit.

The Rules Are Simple:

1. You must use only digital designs from CS Designs

2. You may enter as many times as you wish

3. Become a follower of my Doodle Pieces blog

4 Each project must be new, no back dating

5. Give credit for the design used in your project/post and link each project

back to my CS Designs site

How to Win: There will only be 1 winner for each category.
Your float will be judged on the following:

Category 1:

Projects using only designs purchased from my CS Designs online store or won in other contests or challenges. If you mix my regular designs with freebies they will not be considered for this category.

The Prize: If you win you will get to join the CS Design Team for an entire month. If working with these talented ladies is not enough, then you will also be happy to know that just like them you will receive one free design a week for the entire month as well as the gift design I give my new Designers for joining my Design Team. If You choose not to accept the option to work with our Design Team, you will receive 3 designs of your choice from the online store.

Category 2:

Will be selected only from those projects that use a combination of my store designs and my freebies. The Prize: The choice of 2 designs from the CS Designs online store

Category 3:

Will be selected only from those projects that use only free designs from CS Designs.

The Prize: The choice of 1 Babushka design from the CS Designs online store!

WHAT FUN!  SO GET STARTED !
YOU NEED TO SEARCH MY BLOG FOR THE "SPECIAL" POST WITH THE
HIDDEN BABUSHKA AND QUESTIONS FOR YOU
AND THEN YOU CAN USE THE LINK AND HOP OVER TO THE NEXT BLOG!!!!

CS Designs Monochromatic Chloe

April 20th 2011

This is my latest card using the cute little Chloe with a String of Stars from the great range of digis from CS Designs. I've made this card with a monochromatic theme for the new challenge at the Magical Monday Challenge Blog and the sketch I used to lay out the card is from the new challenge at the Sweet Stop Sketch Challenge Blog which also had a 'twist' of incorporating a 'winged thing'!

I've used patterened papers from a 6 x 6 Basic Grey Pad 'Origins' and I really like the colourings in this pad. The 'image' behind Chloe is from a 12 x 12 sheet of vintage style photos which I cut to fit with the image. Chloe has been coloured with Copic Markers. The 'Best Wishes' stamp is from Kaszazz and I've punched little flowers and added some 'stickles' to the centres for some sparkle as well as the wings.

The new challenge at Digital Tuesday Challenge Blog is 'pretty punches' and I've used some little flower punches in the corners of this card. Tip Top Tuesday Challenge Blog have a 'open theme' this week.

New "Anything Goes" Challenge at Michelle Perkett Studio

April 19th 2011
Print out your favourite Michelle Perkett image and get creating to enter the "Anything Goes" Challenge this week! What a great opportunity to make whatever you like!

I've used the mermaid "Harmony" (available at Michelle's Etsy Store) to make this bright coloured card. I've coloured the image with Copic Markers and layered textured card and added some die cut flowers.

Make sure you check the Challenge Blog for more gorgeous creations from the Design Team and to get some inspiration! So get creating and link your entry to the blog before next Tuesday for your chance to win!

Anastasia Babushka by CS Designs

April 18th 2011
Here is my new Babushka creation using "Anastasia" from the new range of Babushkas at CS Designs. These little Babushkas are extremely versatile and are great not oly for Easter but any occasion!

This card is similar to the last one I made on April 7th using my sewing machine and earthy tones papers from my 6 x 6 BasicGrey pad. This one has been made using the sketch from the Gingersnap Creations Yahoo Group Challenge for April. I've paper pieced the Babushka image and "framed" it with a scallop edged Spellbinder die cut. The little "Thinking of You" sentiment is also from CS Designs. Everything has been machine edged on the card.

The Basic Grey Challenge Blog have a challenge with a theme of Spring/Easter. Over at Do You Stack Up they have a theme of "Scallops" so my little Babushka is going to be entered in their challenge this week as the oval cut out has a "scallop" edging! The Catered Crop Challenge has a requirement to use items from their 'recipe' and for this card I have used their - Pattern Papers (stripes & mini prints), Tools (sewing machine and die cuts) and Techniques (sewing). The Secret Crafters Saturday Challenge Blog also have "stitching" theme and with all the stitiching on this card I have entered it there as well! The Playdate Cafe Challenge is to use the following colours:

Michelle Perkett Studio "Easter Blog Hop"

April 16th & 17th 2011
Welcome to our Easter Blog Hop! There are lots of prizes to be won so make sure you follow the instructions which can be found on Michelle's Blog (this is the starting point for the hop)!

Four lucky people will win 4 Easter Digis - so make sure you leave a comment on each blog you visit and make sure you visit every blog on the hop! AND there will be 4 Easter Trivia Questions somewhere along the way which you will need to answer! FUN!!

I have a little prize of some Easter digis to give away to a "hopper" this weekend so to be eligible to go in the draw to win my prize you need to leave me a comment with your blog address or email so I can contact you if you are the winner AND you need to become a follower of my blog! Easy!

I've made this gorgeous little Easter Egg Bag and Decorated Eggs using Michelle's gorgeous new image "Harvey the Easter Bunny"! You can purchase him at Michelle's Etsy Store. I repeated the image and printed onto Bazzill Cardstock and then 'folded' it into a bag for little easter eggs and attached a sheer gold bow. With the eggs I wrapped a piece og gold ribbon lengthwise around the egg and cut out a rabbit image and adhered to the ribbon!

Here’s the blog hop order:
Michelle’s personal blog http://www.michelleperkett.blogspot.com/

Karen: http://karensdigi.blogspot.com/

Michelle http://scrapweaver.blogspot.com/

Abby http://abbyscreations.blogspot.com/

Rhonda http://bluepoohbear753.blogspot.com/

Brenda http://www.imsumbunie.blogspot.com/

Shelley http://www.shelleyscreations.blogspot.com/

Ali http://aqualeigasescape.blogspot.com/

Andrea http://andreasscraps.com/

 Amber http://www.amberscraftsandstuff.com/

Sharon http://sharonshowcase.blogspot.com/

Irene http://itsallinthecards.blogspot.com/

Jenn http://stampinangeljenn.blogspot.com/

Wendy http://wendypslittlecorneroftheworld.blogspot.com/

Lydia http://scrappenbylydia.blogspot.com/

Mari http://trailsofpaper.blogspot.com/

Theresa http://craftsfriendsangels.blogspot.com/

Claire http://clairescraftycreations.blogspot.com/

Mootseeka http://cropchick.blogspot.com/

Pauline http://paulineguttrey.blogspot.com/

Skye http://ramblingsofacreativemum.blogspot.com/

Marion http://cardsbymarione.blogspot.com/
Elenor http://ellispysselochdittadatt.blogspot.com/
Michelle Perkett Studio http://michelleperkettstudio.blogspot.com/

Have Fun!

I've entered my little Easter creations in the new challenge at the C.R.A.F.T Blog which has an "Easter" theme. Our Creative Corner Blog have a "no cards" Easter Theme challenge so my little gift bag and bunny decorations have been entered at their challenge!

Send a Smile 4 Kids Challenge - April Showers

April 16th 2011
The new challenge at the Send A Smile 4 Kids Challenge Blog is themed "April Showers" and Sassy Studio Designs are the kind sponsors again this week so make sure you visit their blog and show your support and get your entry in to win some of their wonderful digis! The winner will receive 4 Sassy Studio Designs Images!

I've use a cute little image named "Mary Poppins" - obviously as she certainly looks like Mary Poppins!

I have 'paper pieced' this image and I'm really happy with how it has come out. It is a bit fiddly to cut out and then stick together but I think it's certainly worth it!

Don't forget to visit the other DT Members Blogs and get your entry in at the Send a Smile 4 Kids Challenge Blog!

Some Non Traditional Xmas Cards

April 15th 2011
I made these 3 cards for a card challenge last month at the Bella Creations Site which stipulated that no green or red was to be used! I really enjoy making non traditional Xmas Cards so this was no trouble for me! The images on these cards are all from Lisa's Altered Art - aren't they great? They are not xmas images but I have adapted them for these cards! LOL I've also used non traditional sentiments on two of the cards!

All cards have been made with metallic crush paper, embossed card, batik paper, Lisa's Altered Art images and various embellishments.

The Alphabet Challenge Blog have a "X" Xmas Theme this week so I've entered my cards there!