Welcome to my blog and thanks soso much for spending a little while peeping into my world

ARTS, BELLYDANCING, CRAFTS
BELLYDANCING, ARTS, CRAFTS
CRAFTS, BELLYDANCING, ARTS

whichever order I put them in, these are my passion!

... all from my little home studio in Durban, on the east coast of sunny South Africa!

"I used to think that anyone doing anything weird was weird. I suddenly realized that anyone doing anything weird wasn't weird at all and it was the people saying they were weird that were weird." -- Paul McCartney









Tuesday, June 28, 2011

MIDNIGHT MADNESS SKETCH CHALLENGE #110



 We are so very happy to announce today that we have two New DT members joining the Midnight Madness DT.. Please help me in welcoming......
  Darlene


Linda S.

This weeks sketch...it's "YOUR PICK" Make it fancy, clean and simple, or somewhere in-between. Remember to click on the sneak peek button on the side bar for the following weeks sketch each Friday.
"YOUR CHOICE"
 Enter one style or both this week.
Just have fun and come play with us :)
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Our MMSC111 Weekly Bonus Sponsor is...
http://priscillastyles-store.blogspot.com/ 
The MMSC106 Weekly Bonus winner will win a 
$10 Gift Voucher redeemable for any digi images in the "priscillastyles" Store
Stop by and check out all the new images!!
GC redeemable for digis only
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Our June Monthly sponsors are....
Petaloo
Petaloo International, your source for floral & specialty embellishments. With exclusive factories in China, India & Thailand, along with over 20 years experience in floral & craft products, we offer our customers fun & innovative products at factory direct pricing.   See our all new Petaloo Premier line of beautiful flowers; our Flora doodles Value pack embellishments, our Color-me-crazy Coloring surfaces or our Dazzler’s Glittered embellishments. Let your Imagination Bloom with Petaloo..
We are sooooo luck to have one of the largest floral manufacturing companies in the crafting world sponsoring us for the month of July!! Their grand prize will be awarded at the end of the month to one very lucky person who will receive floral products worth over $100..Wow how awesome is that? Check out all the wonderful creation the Midnight Madness Team has created using products from the Color Me Crazy line from Petaloo this month. Petaloo is also having a challenge of their on and the deadline to enter is July 15th. Thank you Petaloo for your generosity to our team and through yours sponsorship this month.

Monday, June 27, 2011

SHELLY'S IMAGES : M ARVELOUS MONDAY

Today's Marvelous Monday at Shelly's Images is a showcase for the hummingbird image Here is what I made:

Click on this link to go to the blog, and to check out the other Design Team's creations. Unfortunately you wont see mine there as I missed the deadline :(

Thanks for looking, and before I allow you to leave my page, I'd like to share some useful links with you :

To check out this and many other fabulous images in Shelly's store, click HERE
To join Shelly's group on CDAC, click HERE
To visit Shelly's blog where you can find lots of new techniques, and view the fabulous inspiration of my fellow D-Teamies, click HERE

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

MIDNIGHT MADNESS SKETCH CHALLENGE #109 : KENNY K


This week’s sketch...it's "YOUR PICK" Make it fancy, clean and simple, or somewhere in-between. Remember to click on the sneak peek button on the side bar for the following week’s sketch each Friday.
"YOUR CHOICE"
 Enter one style or both this week.
Just have fun and come play with us :)
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Our MMSC109 Weekly Bonus Sponsor is...
D'Amour Allure was formed as a result of a love for papercrafting and rubber stamps. Our stamps include vintage styles to character art. Please browse the collections at our exclusive retailer, http://www.mcmahonfivedesign.com/.
Check out the awesome MMSC109 Bonus Prize!
Prize details
Laura’s Love Stamp
Sophia’s Stroll Stamp
50 Kaisercraft Pink Flowers
10 Offray Ribbon Rosettes
What a great prize..thank you so much Jeni :)
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Our June Monthly sponsors are....
 KennyK Collection & Whimsy Stamps
View their awesome monthly Grand prize worth over $100!!
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Here is this week's Sketch and my creation:

My initial reaction when I saw this sketch was chest of drawers + oval mirror = GIRLY!!!
My Kenny K image was coloured using Copics and I seated her on a chest of drawers, sitting in front of a mirror. Some acrylic jewellery rings were used as the drawers pulls. I sewed on some beads to look like there were some trinkets spilling out of the drawers. I used a scrap of organza ribbon to resemble a silk scarf hanging over the bottom drawer. Some flowers, a little organza bow in her hair and a luxurious organza bow complete the embellishments.

The interpretation of the sketch came easily as I immediately visualised what I wanted to do. Do it do that for you too?

Why not enter this week's challenge - as you can see there are some FABULOUS prizes to be won. Click on the MIDNIGHT MADNESS SKETCH CHALLENGE badge in my sidebar.

Luv n huggz
Jen

Monday, June 20, 2011

NETTIE G'S PROGRESSIVE PAPER DOLL CHALLENGE #2

For the next couple of weeks, we will be doing a progressive challenge. We have done this in the past and we all had so much fun.

Here is my paper doll for your inspiration:

I coloured my paper doll using my Copics, and made a Twisted easel card. The embellishments are double layer flowers with rhinestone centres and I added a luxurious blue satin bow decorated with a stickpin that I made especially for this card.

Those of you who entered last week should already have received your new image.

Post your project and we will send you the third image FREE.

To join this challenge, click HERE


luv n huggz
Jen

MARVELOUS MONDAY AT SHELLY'S IMAGES

Today I'd like to share with you another of Shelly's fabulous images called "A Bad Day Fishing" ...
(Isn't it just so funny?)
This is what I created using the image :
I coloured the image, using Copics, to match the DP's and used an eyelet fancy edge die, through which some twine was threaded. A button embellishment on the corner of the sentiment block completes the card.

Thanks for looking, and before I allow you to leave my page, I'd like to share some useful links with you :

To check out this and many other fabulous images in Shelly's store, click HERE
To join Shelly's group on CDAC, click HERE
To visit Shelly's blog where you can find lots of new techniques, and view the fabulous inspiration of my fellow D-Teamies, click HERE

luv n huggz
Jen

Friday, June 17, 2011

A NEW CHALLENGE AT PATTIE'S CREATIONS DESIGN CHALLENGE BLOG!

Challenge #24, where our theme is SUMMERTIME - PHOTO INSPIRATION!

JUST REMEMBER, if you use an image from Pattie's Creations, you will get an extra entry to win! Stop over at her Etsy Store and browse around. There are FREEBIES too.
We have a photo of Pattie's granddaughters for you to get some inspiration from. You can use it for color inspiration, summer playtime, water scenes, or however it means to you. Make sure you let us know how you interpreted it.


... and I chose to use the colours and the water theme as my inspiration :


The Pattie's creations images I used are PATTIEBOOP WITH SUNGLASSES and one of the BIRDHOUSES that I used to make a beach hut, which was paper-pieced using bleached wood DP. Pattieboop was coloured using my Copics, and the background was a digital freebie I picked up a while ago. The single embellie, a deckchair button, completes the card.

Here are some useful links :

To enter This challenge ... click HERE
To go to Pattie's Store .... click HERE
To join the Pattie's Creations group on CDAC ... click HERE

luv n huggz
Jen

MY PALACE ON LAND - A Day for Daisies

This week's new releases at A Day for Daisies features images from one of my all time favourite fairy tales, The Little Mermaid'.
I chose to use "My Palace on Land" from this set:
and this is my creation:

I coloured the image using Copics, and the highlights were made using pastel gel pens. I added some multi-green glitter glue that I have had in my stash for yonks, that was just perfect for the tail! A few little flower sequins were sewn directly onto the card using invisible thread, and then the card was popped into a frame.

IRL this image, once coloured, has such depth and looks as if it is layered, and I think it has finished up being one of my favourite ADFD creations EVER!

These beautiful images are not the only ones in the set - there are LOADS more! Click HERE to see them all.

Be sure to enter the challenge on the blog by clicking here to show us what you can come up with.

luv n huggz
Jen

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

MIDNIGHT MADNESS SKETCH CHALLENGE #108 : KENNY K

This weeks sketch...it's "YOUR PICK" Make it fancy, clean and simple, or somewhere in-between. Remember to click on the sneak peek button on the side bar for the following weeks sketch each Friday.
"YOUR CHOICE"
 Enter one style or both this week.
Just have fun and come play with us :)
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Our MMSC108 Weekly Bonus Sponsor is...
Photobucket
 This week's sponsor is Simon Says Stamp. One random winner will win a $20 Gift voucher to their fabulous store. Be sure to stop by and check out all their wonderful crafting products.
Thank you so much for your wonderful prizes this week.!
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Our June Monthly sponsors are....
 KennyK Collection & Whimsy Stamps
View their awesome monthly Grand prize worth over $100!!
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Here is this week's Sketch and my card using a Kenny K image:


I coloured my image using Copics, and used a thrift store set of matching Backing Papers, six buttons from my stash of buttons, and my card was made! Well it wasn't that simple cos this was the third attempt, as I just couldn't get the card to look 'right".

SO come on over to the Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge this week - there are fabulous prizes you could win!

Monday, June 13, 2011

MARVELOUS MONDAY AT SHELLY'S IMAGES

Happy Monday everyone and welcome to MARVELOUS MONDAY at the Shelly's Images blog! Today I are happy to share my creation with you showcasing Shelly's (perfect for that formal June wedding) fabulous digi image called TOP HAT. Remember, you can get this awesome image at a reduced rate TODAY ONLY at Shelly's Images Store. While you're there, be sure to check out all the fun images Shelly has to satisfy your card making needs!
I used the TOP HAT image from Shelly's Images store, added another of Shelly's image called Peter Rabbit, and made my card in a "Magic" theme. I added an image of some playing cards and embellished with corner die cuts. The image was coloured using Copics, and the background paper comes from my stash.


Thanks for looking, and before I allow you to leave my page, I'd like to share some useful links with you :

To check out this and many other fabulous images in Shelly's store, click HERE
To join Shelly's group on CDAC, click HERE
To visit Shelly's blog where you can find lots of new techniques, and view the fabulous inspiration of my fellow D-Teamies, click HERE

luv n huggz
Jen

Sunday, June 12, 2011

A SKETCH CHALLENGE AT SHANNON'S SENTIMENTS

This week's challenge at Shannon's Sentiments is a sketch challenge.


This sketch, although really simple, provides great opportunities for a CAS card, as I have made below :



I have used the beautifully serene lotus image, and the sentiment from Shannon's Sentiment's Store, and followed the sketch, well sort-of cos my circular element is much larger. But it's still the sketch! The image is coloured using Copics and coloured pencils and OMS, and all the BP's are from my stash.

Come over and join us on the challenge. There are fabulous prizes to b e won, and we'd love to share them with you! Click here to see the rest of the DT's inspiring creations and to enter the challenge.

love n huggz
Jen

Friday, June 10, 2011

FRIDAYS mean .... A DAY FOR DAISIES NEW RELEASES!!!!

One of the fabulous sets released today is ...

This weeks new releases "It's A New Day"! What a great time of year, the sun is out and the bees are busy...its the perfect time get inspired! The New Blog challenge for this round is to try something bran new. The Design Team has been hard at work trying something we have never tried before using this week's new images! We hope you all get inspired and try something new too!

and this is the card I made :

I used the image called "New Hat" and the new technique I tried was to embroider the hat onto the card, using a needle and raffia. I have used this technique before but on much easier square baskets, so to try this on irregular shapes was a challenge. But it worked! The image was coloured using monochromatics, just a two Copics were used, as I wanted to highlight the hat and the technique.

These beautiful images are not the only ones in the set - there are LOADS more! Click HERE to see them all.

Be sure to enter the challenge on the blog by clicking here to show us what you can come up with.

luv n huggz
jen

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

MIDNIGHT MADNESS SKETCH CHALLENGE #107

This weeks sketch...it's "YOUR PICK" Make it fancy, clean and simple, or somewhere in-between. Remember to click on the sneak peek button on the side bar for the following weeks sketch each Friday.
"YOUR CHOICE"
 Enter one style or both this week.
Just have fun and come play with us :)
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Our MMSC107 Weekly Bonus Sponsor is...
Stamp and Create and is offering a $25.00 gift certificate.
Stamp and Create is an on-line store carrying many popular brands of stamps, paper, and embellishments including: Wags ‘n Whiskers Rubber Stamps, High Hopes Stamps, Sweet Pea, CC Designs, Kraftin’ Kimmie Stamps, Whiff of Joy, Stampavie, Penny Black, The Greeting Farm, Basic Grey, 7 Gypsies, Shimmerz, Nestabilities (always 20% off!!), charms and more!! Lacey is always adding new items to the store…so check it out at www.stampandcreate.com
Thanks Lacey for your wonderful prize this week!
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Our June Monthly sponsors are....
The KennyK Collection exclusively for Whimsy Stamps and KennyKDownloads digi stamps will add the perfect dose of attitude and style to all of your creations!
   Prize itemized list:
*  10 Rubber stamps from the KennyK Collection at Whimsy.  Theses stamps are deeply etched rubber mounted on cling cushion foam, untrimmed.
*  3  Digi stamps - Let's Party, Tori Famous and Super Hero.

*  1 Pad Basic Grey Olivia Paper
*  1 Package of Mixed Flowers
*  1 Package of Mixed Charms
*  1 Package of Jump Rings
*  1 Package of Lace Ribbon
*  1 Whimsy Ticket Die
What an awesome monthly Grand prize worth over $100!!
WOW! WOW! WOW!!  Thank you so much!
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Here is this week's Sketch and my creation:


I have used the fabulous Kenny K image called "Bling Baby" and coloured her using Copics. The image was matted onto a die cut from holographic card, and all the embellishments are bits and bobs from my belly dance costume stash - how much more bling can you get! Doesn't she look fabulous?

This week's sketch is just perfect to showcase one of the many fabulous images in the Kenny K store - so why not head there, pick up a few for yourself and enter the challenge. Who knows, you may even be the winner of some more, and the fabulous other goodies in that prizes hamper!

luv n huggz
Jen

Monday, June 6, 2011

NettieG's Paper Doll - Progressive Challenge

For the next couple of weeks, we will be doing a progressive challenge. We have done this in the past and we all had so much fun.

Here is my paper doll for your inspiration:

For the challenge, you must use NettieG's featured image.
We will give you the first one free.
Visit NettieG's Store, pick which of the 2 images you want and then use the Email Me form, and we will email it to you.

Post your project and we will send you the next image FREE.

To join this challenge, click HERE


luv n huggz
Jen

MARVELOUS MONDAY : 6 JUNE 2011 : SHELLY'S IMAGES

Id like to show you a calendar I made with a Shelly's Images image called "Duck Pond"

This very life;like image of the duck is a digi available from the Shelly's store and I coloured using colour pencils and OMS
I printed the calendar myself, using MS word, and embellished using a couple of feathers from my stash, and a little mosaic tile.

To check out this and many other fabulous images in Shelly's store, click HERE
To join Shelly's group on CDAC, click HERE
To visit Shelly's blog where you can find lots of new techniques, and view the fabulous inspiration of my fellow D-Teamies, click HERE

SHANNON'S SENTIMENTS SATURDAY CHALLENGE #28 : GRADUATION


The card above is my card for the Shannon 's Sentiments Saturday Challenge, where you are asked to make a GRADUATION CARD, and to use the paper tearing technique. I have used the sentiment from Shannon's store and make the little embellishments myself. The sewing is also real machine sewing, not faux stitching, and the printed paper is torn instead of cut.

This is the time of year for graduations (in the US) and graduation cards are such fun to make. Why not create one, and add it to our challenge on the blog?! Click here to see the rest of the DT's fabulous creations and to enter the challenge.

luv n huggz
Jen

Friday, June 3, 2011

A DAY FOR DAISIES : I HAVE TWO CREATIONS TO SHOW YOU TODAY!

This week my card, featuring the image called "Tall Tower", comes from this group in the new set:


I printed the image onto white card and coloured using Copics. The flowers were embellished using nail art stick-on gems. Marianne Dies (flourishes) were used to cut out the flourishes, and I attached some deep orange cardstock to the back. stick on gems for nails were also used to embellish the flourishes.

A grouping of orange flowers was used at the top of the card. Cuttlebug corner dies were used for the base of the card.


The images you see above are not the only new releases today, there are a few more sets, just as beautiful as this one! Click HERE to see them all.


My second card features an image which will be part of the June Club kit, and is one of the plump fairies - ain't she cute?


I coloured the image with Copics, just two colours, and added the frog from another set (Snow White), a sprinkling of glitter, a shiny ribbon and bow, an a little bit of embossing - and there you go - a pretty enchanted card, if I may say so myself!