They learned how to make these greeting cards….

Just done with basic shapes and stickers.

Last night I also made these cards….

I used the flower stickers to enhance the background and alter the original patterned paper. Can you tell I’m having fun?

I also went on a mini spending spree at Card and Scrapbook supplies. I bought these….

Bella/Ruby rocket cardstock, stickers, flowers, double sided tape, flowersoft wires, DCWV mariposa mini stack and some watch parts!

Can’t wait to start using these items on my projects… This is thrilling!

**** off skipping through the cardstock and flowers*****
La lala la la….

In case you noticed I am going slightly nuts

The stickers…

The card…

By mounting the stickers on some plain card stock and then putting them on the card with foam popups (or dimensionals).

Catalogues only last a wee while and then they are renewed six monthly or yearly… And often with stamping ones they cost us money so why not start using the images inside them when a new catalogue comes out?

Usually the images are clear and you can colour them in like normal stamped images….

Here is my card….

So with some added embellishments you can make those stickers that non crafty family members give you and the old catalogues are NOT to be thrown out!

Have a great time crafting!

Thanks for looking.

Thanks for looking.

This time its the Bird “Tui” and the plant “flax”

I ended up carving myself a stamp:

I found that heating the art lino it was easier to carve.

This is the finished stamp:

After testing it I then got to making the card. I ripped the top printed side of a cruskit box.

Then this is what I ended up with….

I used Stampin Up! ink pads and a water brush to colour the stamped image.
And an additional stamp from Montarga stamps – flax mat – for the background.

Tui – New Zealand Native Bird
Also known as the Pastoral Bird as it is the first of the wild life back to the bush when it starts regenerating after a fire. And also sings in the new day.

Wikipedia says: The English name, Parson Bird, has fallen into disuse but came about because at first glance the bird appears completely black except for a small tuft of white feathers at its neck and a small white wing patch, causing it to resemble a parson in clerical attire.

Image via Wikipedia

 
Tūī are common throughout New Zealand in forests, towns and on off-shore islands. They are adaptable and are found not only in native forests, bush reserves and bush remnants but also in suburban areas, particularly in winter if there is a flowering gum about. More info here

Personal note: in the last place I rented near town 3 years ago we had a Tui visit our place with its beautiful song when the Kowhai tree flowered…. (that tree will be featured in future post)

Listen to the beautiful Tui song here…. http://www.squidoo.com/new-zealand-native-bird-the-tui#module67665621

I think the Ancient Maori people used the Tui feathers for decorating their cloaks and they also ate them. (they are no longer used this way)

Flax – A long leaf bush
The Maori people used this plant for weaving baskets and mats. It is still used today for the same purpose and also graces many New Zealand gardens. It flowers with a long flower that the Tui loves eating the nectar from.

Image via Wikipedia

New Zealand flax is not a true flax like linen flax (Linum usitatissimum), but related to the day lily. It belongs to the Hemerocallidaceae family and the Phormium genus. It grows naturally only in New Zealand and Norfolk Island – no other country has produced a plant quite like it. There are two confirmed species in New Zealand: Phormium tenax and Phormium cookianum. to learn more click here

Wikipedia also has some great info on the flax and how the Maori people use it. Click here

I hope you enjoyed learning about the Tui and the Flax bush as much as I did….
I’m sure I will continue with this study I am finding heap of info and loving it.

see you again soon!

Here are a few sneek peeks and links to those posts I’ve been posting…. (click on pictures to go to the post.)

Double layout and sketch…. (with bonus colour chart)

The sew along is in full swing! (sewing tutorial series) This picture is from part 3 but click here for all posts to do with it.

My post about the incredible Fiskars Interchangable boarder punch with two of my layouts in the article….

Card sketch and example:

Night owl punch tutorial on how to make all these cute characters with it….

Want to see more I posted this year or previous years on Fiskars Craft? Click here

Well better go I am currently working on the NZ flora and fauna project number 2

Till then see ya later!

I am also entering this into the word art Wednesday challenge blog which has now been bought to my attention.

This is one thing I really need to do is stand on Gods promises he has said to me in prophesy and his word. As when I don’t pay any attention to his promises and keep them close to me I tend to spiral downward into depression. That happened to me more often than not last year.

This Year HAS to be different for me in every way. Stuff the constant earthshaking. I have to ignore it now and just live life and get out of my self pity and wallowing…. after-all I haven’t got as much to worry about like others in this shaken city I live in. But of course it isn’t just the quakes that affect me but not ready to tell the rest just yet.

Here is the page I did….

The bird “cameo” was made by me out of Creative Paperclay.
I used Fiskars interchangeable boarder punch cartridge “noteworthy”
corner punch used below is Fiskars 3 in 1 “Summer Fun” squeeze corner punch.

And the page opened up….

The base of this page is the cardboard from the back of an art pad and the flap is packaging from a set of embellishments.
Scripture pictures where printed from 365 Promises a great blog telling you a promise from God every day. Worth visiting in the morning and thinking about the daily scripture for the rest of the day.

Well better go I have a few things I need to do today and its mid afternoon already! EEEKKKK where has the day done?

Oh also working on my next NZ flora and fauna project…… so keep an eye out for that one… see ya later!

Here is the link to my page.

http://www.favecrafts.com/Craft-Designers/Debbie-Buckland

I’m very excited about it…
They also want to post future tutorials I do… Yippee!

This song is very beautiful…. Wow, having something like that express the wonders of God is just precious.
I look at my surroundings a lot here in New Zealand and I cannot denigh what a marvellous Artist God is…. Every time I create something I know that God would have done amazingly better than I by adding all the hidden things like sinew and muscle or the ability to grow. I mean how cool is that right?

Well see you later… It seams I have caught up with these studies now.

My page:

And a close up:

I answered the study questions on cards that are slotted in the pocket.

I used:
Fiskars interchangeable boarder punch and Noteworthy cartridge.
Fiskars micro tip scissors.
We r memories sew easy with needle and DMC thread.
Maya road printed twill.
Montarga stamps notes stamp.
Scenic Route Paper Co. rock land Trinity Street (old stock from my stash)

The scripture I chose to go with it was Philippians 4:13
“I can do all things that strengthens me.”

It is more relevant to me at the moment…. I struggle with a lot of things with my faith at the moment and this study helped me be honest about where I am at. I have a few changes to make in my life and I know God will give me the strength to do it. I am also scared…. Bit I’m sure I can do this with Gods help. No one else knows my heart like he does.

Thanks for dropping by… See you again soon.