Peek a boo!

One of my favourite blogs to visit is Jeanie's, the Spotted Chick. Whenever I visit her blog I am so inspired to go make a card, and that's exactly what happened when I visited her blog on Friday evening. I just loved all her new creations, and as you may pick up I even followed her sketch from this post.

Of course that is also her That's Krafty Thursday post, and seeing that I used kraft paper, what a coincidence, lol, I will be entering my card. If you don't have kraft paper just use an old brown envelope it is the exact same thing.

If my card looks skew it's not, it's the photo, I promise :-) So this image is from Bugaboo stamps, and I coloured it probably 6 months ago. It was a good thing I have not used it cause now I had it available at short notice, lol! I coloured it with prismacolor pencils and blended it with sansador (gamsol). The image was cut out with circle nestabilities, and yes I am very proud of myself I still remembered how to do that, woohoo.

We have had a lot of rain here in Jo'burg and although it saves me watering my garden it is getting a bit much now. I like sunshine and warm sunny days! Does anyone have that weather, let me know, I'm coming to visit!

Bye for now

Meahni

Suggestions please

I'm somewhat brain dead today, I cannot think of a header for this post. Maybe it's because I'm struggling with my internet connection, it's frustrating me so that I cannot think straight, lol. It took about 10 attempts to get my images uploaded, and now they finally are, I've had to try a different setting, so hopefully my post looks okay in the end.

What I wanted to ask was what would you have called this post!? I'm sure there's some great ideas out there, better than my 'suggestions' one, hehehe.

This image is from Bugaboo Stamps and again I was lucky to get it as a free download, and No I did not get all my images as freebies, I've bought plenty too.

I coloured my image with my prismacolor pencils then blended it with sansador (gamsol), and cut it out with a rectangle nestie. Now, in case you're wondering about my little clouds I added in, I did that from following Paula's cloud tutorial here. Please no comparisons, I'm still a learner, woohoo.

The border was done with the Die-namics border from My Favorite Things, and I love it, I want to use it all the time.

I added a little butterfly in the top right corner, but I'm not sure it's visible on the photo, not serious if you can't see it, just trust me that it's there. Lastly, I used the Taylored Expressions sketch number 122. Great sketch, I and might just use it again.



This weekend I am starting my photography course, I can't wait. I sure hope it's not too complicated, I just want to learn how to take great pictures. Then again I think that's like making great cards, you either have the talent or you don't, but I'm about to find out. I sure hope there's a huge big secret they're all keeping and I am finally going to find out what it is. ROFL!

Have a good rest of the week.

Meahni

Who likes mornings?

Definitely not me, lol!!! I am so not a morning person, don't ask me what it is, but I do know if mornings started at around 10, or better yet 11, I would definitely be one.

Here's someone who agrees with me. Margaret from Bugaboo is definitely not a morning person either.

I printed Margaret on a laser printer then left the image to 'dry' for about a day. I coloured her with my prismacolor pencils and blended it with Sansador (gamsol), cut it out with a nestie die, in this case the long rectangle. I added a crocheted flower my mom made me ages ago and of course the button and twine on top to finish it off nicely. That's about it I think, oh the paper is from Basic Grey the 6x6 pad.

I took some pictures of my children while we were outside playing in the garden yesterday. I always talk about them and thought it would be nice to introduce them to you all. It is so difficult to get a good picture of Jingle and Misty. Misty literally turns her head away from the camera and just stands there, I can call and whistle and try what I like, she will not look at the camera. Some times she even ran inside to get away from me, lol!

So here's my little Jingle, not so little anymore, with his pretty pink nose. See it's going to need sun block soon.

Here is her royal highness, Simby, aka as Princess. She sure acts like one, thus the reason for the nickname.

And my little camera shy Misty. Luckily I have a good zoom lens so I could sneak this picture in without her knowing. Although that face does look a little like it's saying "stop taking my picture, ppppplease".

and Jingle again smelling the grass, or something.

No pictures of Pepi (African Grey) and Roxy (Green Cheek Conure). I will try get them another time. Pepi is not too difficult as he comes out of his cage, but Roxy does not leave her little place of safety, so the only pictures I get of her are through the bars which are not very nice. I'm booked to do a photographic course in September, can't wait, maybe they can teach me how to get a picture without the bars, lol.

Have a great week, I know I will cause we have a public holiday tomorrow, and it's Women's Day, yay!

Meahni

One Cool Cat

This is exactly what my little Jingle would look like if I were to dress him, loads of attitude and oh so cool. He is just so full of it, lol! But don't we just love them the more for it. (ps: I would never dress him though, don't like animals to be dressed, it's so not natural for them.)

My little cool cat is from Bugaboo and I was the luckiest person ever, cause I got it when it was a freebie. Bugaboo have a freebie every Friday, don't miss it cause they're very good. Oh and should you be keen to get some images the 50% off sale is still on, ends 10 August.

I coloured my image with my prisma pencils and blended it with Sansador (gamsol), then cut it with my circle nestie and chalked the edges while it was still in the nestie die. Oh no nasty comments about his big pink nose, cause that is exactly what Jinlge's looks like. I can see in summer time I'm going to have to put sun block on it.

In my previous post I mentioned that I'll be joining Ladybug Crafts Ink as a guest designer, well in case anyone is keen to be a full time designer, then go see Kerry's blog she is doing a DT call. Come on I know you want to, besides who doesn't wanna work with her cute images. I can't wait, my parcel is on it's way, woohoo.

I noticed I got some new followers, welcome ladies, I'm always so pleased to see that there are people who like to see what I get up to in my spare time. It's so great to meet so many people around the world.

....till next time

Meahni

The end has arrived

No not of me blogging, don't get all excited, only of this series of clown cards! I am now posting the last of the ones I made, and unless someone specifically asks for one, there won't be another one posted in the too near future, lol!

So my last set of clown numbers are a few sixes, a five and a seven, some for girls and some for boys. I tried to do a variety of shapes even though I used the same paper more than once. It does make it a lot easier to stick to the same paper when you have to do a few of something.

The nestabilities dies are ideal for getting cute shaped cards. You just have to find a way for the oddly shaped ones to stand. Otherwise I think they are pretty neat.

These were all coloured with prisma pencils and blended with sansador. I did not add much to them as they are small cards and I didn't want to overdo this little card with a huge big embellishment. I could maybe have included a happy birthday sentiment to some, but I actually clean forgot, oops!

These have now all gone to my friend, and I sure hope she is happy with them. Not sure the 5 or 6 year old who will receive them will ever know how much time I spent on it, but it was all worth it :-)

I need to get going, Jingle is on the table again and acting just like a spoilt kitten playing with everything, standing in front of my screen, throwing things off the table *sigh*.

See you soon.

Meahni

A home-made facelift?

Another Stella did I hear you say, lol. Now can I help it that I love Stella, and that she is just ideal for the birthday cards I have been needing lately. Luckily this is not me, or at least not yet, woohoo! This one is also for my mom for her 70th, and I think it is JUST perfect. So if you are tired of Stella already, sorry, and I have to warn you there's another one coming. My mom's friend asked me to make her a card as well so it will definitely be Stella again. My mother might change her hair style to this after all these Stella cards, rofl.

I coloured her with my prisma pencils and blended it with sansador (gamsol). Then cut the image out with my long rectangle nesties and layered it on a scalloped rectangle. I added a bit of glaze pen to her glasses, as usual not visible in the photo, and no glitter. I didn't think it called for glitter, hopefully I was right.

I have finished my clown numbers cards, I just have to take a picture of the last one and then they'll be up here. There are 4 of them, but don't worry, I will post them all together. They are all cute, and I hope my friend is happy with them. You never know if you really manage to do what people request, but I guess if not they won't come back hey.

That's that for today. I hope you all have a wonderful Sunday, it's at least a lovely sunny day here, but it's still winter, it's not going to fool me, hehehe.
Meahni

Another 1 and 2 fours

Oh to be that young again! I have come to a point in my life where I have to colour my hair once a month or I am so grey my mother wouldn't recognise me! What's with that!!

Anyhow, these are additional cards that my friend asked for. She actually asked for 4 and 6, but I was having such fun with these, I wanted to try them all. So be warned, there are more to come, rofl!! Sorry!!! At least you can all see that I have been busy, I just haven't been posting much, it is too cold in my study. Okay I can turn a heater on, but it's usually such a mission and I am probably just too lazy, who knows!

These were all coloured with prismacolor pencils and blended with sansador. I cut them out with my nesties and layered the image on a nestie mat. I tried to get a bit of a circus tent look with the striped ones, not sure I achieved that, but seeing there's a clown I thought it would be perfect.

I really do like these images for kids' cards, they are so easy to colour and simply great for those who want the number on the card! That is always a HUGE challenge for me.

Now I have to go and see where my irrigation system is leaking. I found the spot yesterday, but I got to go and test it, so I can see exactly without having a muddy dam of water to try and see through, lol, it wasn't a whole dam, but close.

That's that for today! Hope you have a great day!

Meahni

The World Cup

I have to be really honest and admit that I never in a million years thought I would be watching this much soccer! Hopefully those of you outside of South Africa are all aware of the fact that the Fifa Football World Cup is held in South Africa this year, and are we all enjoying it. I never watch soccer, really never, but I have watched almost every game in this cup, AND best of all I went to see Bafana Bafana (South Africa) live against France on Tuesday night! AND we won, yay!!!!

Here I am all geared up with my vuvuzela, and I included a pic of the one section of the stadium just to show how many South African supporters there were. I had an absolute ball even though it was a 4-5 hour drive there and back, it was worth it. I doubt I will go to another game, but I am very glad I did attend one live and best of all my country.

As for my card today, this is one I made for my sister. Her birthday was on Tuesday, yip the same day I went to watch the match, needless to say I have not yet given it to her, lol!! She has a teenage daughter and although my niece is the model daughter anyone could ask for (that figures, everyone says she's just like me, rofl!!!), she has her teenage moments so I thought this card would be perfect for my sister.

I printed Stella from Bugaboo stamps on a laser printer, left it for a day to 'dry' really well and then coloured it with my prismacolor pencils, and blended with sansador. I cut the image with an oval nestie and layered it on an oval mat. The scalloped border was done with a fiskars border punch, one of my favourites (do I say that a lot!!??). I added some glaze to her glasses with my sakura glaze pen, it makes them look so good, but sadly the photos never show that kind of detail.

That's it for today, not much more I can add and I have already made this post longer than it should be. Do people read them all. I know I try when I visit other blogs, but it is often just impossible to keep up.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend, my next post will be some more Clown Numbers! MORE!!??? I hear you all say, lol! They're really cute, you'll not want to miss then, honest, hehehe.

Meahni

When I grow up

A friend of mine (Colleen's), niece is turning 21, the theme for her party is 'When I grow up'. That is where the sentiment for this card came from... and NO, it was not my idea, but Colleen's herself. I didn't put up much of an argument though, lol! Colleen, I hope you like it!!

The image is another from Bugaboo Stamps (note they only do digital images :-)). I must say I love the images that Jodie, she's Bugaboo herself, comes up with. One thing I have come to love with digital images is that you can make them any size that you may need, unlike rubber stamps. For this card, I wanted to make something a bit bigger than usual and it was great that I could resize the image and not have this tiny little image lost on my card. That was the same for the invites I made for my mom's 70th. I wanted smaller cards and it was just perfect that I could make Stella smaller. If any of you are still uncertain go to the Bugaboo freebie page and try the freebies for this week. (There are new freebies every Friday!) This week there are 3 freebies and they are too cute.

I printed the image with a laser printer, then left it for a day to dry properly. I coloured it with my prismacolor pencils and blended it with sansador (gamsol). This time I could not use a nestie, because the image was a bit too big for any of the nesties I have. I cut it with my craft knife and layered it on some DP made locally. The border was done with a Martha Stewart punch. I love that punch!!!

I also decorated the inside of the card, just cause it is for a special occasion. I was specifically asked to put '21' on it, but I just did not think it would fit on the front, so doing the inside of the card was a perfect solution!

I hope to make at least one more post this week, it is almost 3 weeks since I posted anything. I did finish this card a while back, but I just hadn't posted it. It's winter here, and it's cold, and it makes me not want to do anything but sit in front of the heater, lol.

I hope some of you are watching the soccer (football) world cup, hosted here in South Africa. I never, I mean NEVER, watch soccer, but I was glued to the TV watching Bafana Bafana (that means The Boys), play Mexico yesterday. I am so pleased we did not lose. Can't wait for our next game on Wednesday, and we have a public holiday, so the whole country will be watching. Although I think the country already came to a stand still with yesterday's game.

I'm done for today. See you soon.

Meahni

A clown and a number

A friend of mine asked me to make her some small cards, as in smaller sizes, not as is smaller ages, lol! She asked me last year already, I'm so fast aren't I. Anyhow, I was browsing Bugaboo stamps the other day and came across this clown with his numbers. There is 1 - 0, which I thought would be perfect for what she wanted. Usually everyone wants the child's age on a card and with these images I can make that the focal point and make the card smaller. Isn't that clever!? I thought it was, woohoo. (I just hope she likes it.)

I have only coloured 1 & 4 so far, don't ask me why those numbers, and I coloured one girly themed one and one boy-ish themed one. These are for the boys, the girls' ones are pink and seeing I have had so much pink on here lately I thought I'd go with the boys cards for today.

I am also trying to make a few which are similar cause that helps speed things up. A small card is the same amount of work as a big one, and as I've said already, I am SO slow, I thought this way I could save a bit of time.

I coloured these two with my prismacolor pencils then blended it with sansador (gamsol), cut them out with a nestie and layered it on a nestie mat. I added a button and a bit of twine, some glamour dust on the flames and of course I had to highlight his bright red nose with my sakura glaze pen. That's it!

These cards will be entered into That's Krafty Thursday, Jeanie's krafty challenge. I hope some of you join me, look at the fun chicken badge on my sidebar which you could win. It's really easy, you can use any stamp, any sketch, any colour, ANYTHING, as long as you use kraft paper. I recently bought some from Elzybells, and I am so happy that I did, I love it. If you want to see stamping on kraft paper go check the Elzybells blog, it's beautiful. Maybe one day I too will try it.

I can't believe the weekend is over, well almost. I am very pleased though that I have almost finished my mom's invitations. I need to finish colouring 4 images, they are half done, then stick them on and voila, ready to go to their new home. It was quite a task to do them all, but it was such fun. Pity it doesn't pay really really well, I could give up my day job, oh no wait, it has given me up already, lol!!!

Enjoy your week and take care.

Meahni

70th Invitations

I can hardly believe it myself, my mom is turning 70 this year. To me it feels like she's only 50. Although there are days where she acts 90, rofl! (Lucky for me she NEVER reads my blog.)

My sister and I are organising my mom's birthday party, and I for once, am getting in early. I usually postpone till the last minute. Believe it or not but her birthday is only in July, yet I am already on the invitations and had to finish 4 of them for the past weekend, as they have to be hand delivered. Which they were, woohoo.

I made a little box with my crafter's companion and cut a window with the circle nestability. Then I put a piece of transparency as the window. We have loads, I mean loads of transparencies which we no longer use at the office. I could make these boxes until I am 70 and still have some left, lol. I have however, decided to put the lid through the swiss dot cuttlebug embossing folder before gluing it, it just looks so much better, but I had already made this one before deciding that. Sorry, you get to see the plain one.

The image is from bugaboo stamps, and I had to have it for the invites. It is exactly how my mom sits with her fan in summer time. I changed the sentiment, as it seems the Americans and Canadians speak of hot flashes, but that is just totally wrong. It is flushes, Right!!!?? Well no-one here would know what I'm saying if I had hot flashes.

Anyhow, Stella here was coloured with my prismacolor pencils, blended with sansador and then cut out with a nestie. The card base is also a nestie, the biggest circle scalloped one I have.

I have to share the pain I went through. I had finished the 4 cards and then picked up that I had spelt celebration wrong, I had celebartion. I am sure you can all imagine my joy when I realised that. Luckily I could reprint it, but of course my ink was running VERY low and my PC had to crash before I could do that. Murphy, I am sure.

I hope the invitees like their invitations. There's 10 more to be made, lots of work and I think I am going to be so tired of colouring this poor Stella when I'm done. Hopefully she won't hold it against me if I don't use again her for some time to come.

Now I am off to bed. It's late and I can hear my bed calling my name, poor thing must be missing me.

Meahni

Pushing my luck!

I may not be as old as Stella over here, but this sentiment is so true when it comes to me, cause this is exactly how I exercise, lol!

This is one of the digital images I bought recently from Bugaboo Stamps (thanks Jeanie for introducing me), and her name is Stella Push my Luck. I love these images, and as mentioned before I had to take some out of my basket when I was shopping for her. I do prefer to have rubber when it comes to images, don't ask me why cause the digis work perfectly. Maybe it's just that you can feel what you got for your money, I don't know. BUT, if anyone has not tried a digital image and have been thinking about it, then I can only say go and try it, there is nothing to be afraid of, lol.

I have decided to enter this card in the Catch The Bug Challenge. The theme is April Showers, and you have to use the sketch, which was the easy part, but the April Shower part not quite that easy. I decided to apply my image this way, Stella is avoiding a sweaty 'April shower' by not doing any exercise. Does that count, rofl!!! See I'm pushing my luck, aren't I!?

Nothing new to tell you about the making of this card. I coloured it with my prisma pencils, blended it with Sansador (gamsol), speaking of which, I bought a new bottle today and was it expensive, man alive. I better not knock this one over, twice!, like the last one. I cut the image with a nestie long rectangle die and layered it on a scalloped mat. I added some glaze with my sakura glaze pen to her glasses. (The photos never show that though, but it makes the glasses look so good in real life.)

Lastly, this card is going to my mom for mother's day. Either from my sister or myself, I am still making another, but not with a Stella. I will let my sister chose which card she wants to give my mom, but I have a feeling it's going to be this one. Who can avoid Stella's charm.....

Till next time then.

Meahni