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Thursday, December 29, 2011

All I want for Christmas...

I did this layout of the kids with Santa today.  A nice new clean studio is so inspirational!

I love these photos of the kids with Santa - Cameron looks so grown up and Erin is just stunning!  We did a couple of funny ones too - they're the smaller ones, Santa was a real sport!




Ingredients:
Tim Holtz Craft Core
Kaiser Paper
Twiddleybitz All I want for Christmas (WORXMAS02)
Twiddleybitz Christmas Presents 8 (XMAS012)
Twiddleybitz Christmas Flourish n Stars (XMAS033)
Flourish with a Bling Adhesive Pearls - Red
Flourish with a Bling Adhesive Pearls - Antique Gold
Flourish with a Bling Adhesive Rhinestones - Silver
Dienamics Tab Die
Assorted Mists
Assorted Stamps
Green Tara Bow

I used the core cardstock and embossed a Christmas tree in the corner and sanded over it.
I sprayed the baubles and presents - let them dry and then stamped them with stazon.

Thanks for stopping by!!
Jen

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

I scrapped - Me!!

I did this layout while complaining I had no mojo LOL.

I don't mind it at all, even if it is a photo of me!  The photo is from Disneyland in 2007 when I was there with Alison Ellis Design for CHA.


Ingredients:
Cardstock
The Crafter's Workshop - Bricks page stencil
Distress inks
Tattered Angels Mists
Twiddleybitz: chicken wire
Twiddleybitz  flourish
Twiddleybitz frame (packaging)
Twiddleybitz  Letters M,E
Twiddleybitz  Itty Bitty in nero J,U,S,T,2,0,0,7
Crochet by Kim crochet flowers
Ribbon
Gold Thick Embossing Enamel
Flourish With a Bling: Chloe Pearl Flourish - Antique Gold!
Flourish With a Bling: Pearls - Antique Gold!
All other embellishments are from My2Angels.net
Charming Chains
Stemmed Star Flowers
Brown Resin Cabochon

Thanks for stopping by!
Jen

Monday, December 26, 2011

Dreams

I love this card - not sure if I've shown you yet...
It's sketch no 24 from Twisted Sketches - and the twist is "Tiny"

My twist was the Diamond dust as it's Tiny ground up shards of glass!!


Kaiser Paper and Tag
feathers from a $2 shop
Charming leaf pin from My2Angels.net
large paper rose also from My2Angels.net
Diamond Dust

Sunday, December 18, 2011

I'm a Twisted Sister!!

I'm so excited to announce I have been accepted onto the Twisted Sketches Design Team for Cards!!

The girls on the team have such amazing talent and I am honoured to be working among them!  The creator of the sketches - Anam, is so bloody amazing!

Heres the LINK to the announcement...

And here's a sneak peak of my card that features in the announcement:

you can see in this pic the wonderful double bubbles from Crochet by Kim, used with a charm and bead pin from My2Angels.net

Thanks for dropping in!

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Tick Tock!!

YAY!!  I am finally able to share with you something I made so very long ago - back in June!!  Scrapbooking Memories snapped up my Steampunk Stamped Twiddleybitz Clock for publication and Volume 14 no 2 is finally published (and apparently has been for a few weeks!).

On page 89 in some beautiful shots (better than these :-) you will find....





I have a powerpoint presentation on how I made the clock as I took photos all the way through.  It's quite a fun project and I have been dying to share it with you.  I will see if I can figure out how to upload it here to show you.  I'll also put a complete products list in for you too.

Thanks for stopping by :-)

Saturday, December 3, 2011

Another ATC Cupboard

I was asked to make this one as a Christmas Gift for someone - quite girly and pretty...

I love these Twiddleybitz ATC Cupboards - in case you didn't already know!!


Thanks for stopping by :-)
Jen

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

A Baby Girl...

Since I have recently laid new carpet in the studio (bargain of the century - but that's another blogpost!!) I just had to Christen it - you know how hard it is to resist things like that!!

A friend is expecting her first grandchild any day now - she's actually overdue - and Lily is taking her sweet time!! So I made this little frame with her in mind....




Ingredients:
Twiddleybitz winged heart frame
Pink crackle paint - Tim Holtz Distress
Milled Lavender Distress ink
Twiddleybitz Butterfly
Opals Embossing Enamels by Pipe Dreamink
Old lace
Alison Ellis Design Glitter - Pink Sherbert
Heart buckle from My 2 Angels
Flowers from Green Tara
Bead chain from Green Tara
Rose Buds from Lynda's Craft Haven
Beaded ribbon (pink) from Lynda's Craft Haven
Kindy Glitz
Bazzil Cardstock
Random rub on quote
My favourite tool - my Hot Glue Gun!!!

I hope you like it - thanks for stopping by....
jen

Monday, November 21, 2011

Joy (card)

I don't think I have shared this card with you yet!! how slack!

I made this card a little while ago and look at it a number of times every day as it's displayed in the hallway.  It's getting me into the Christmas Spirit!

Twiddleybitz single letters and a Christmas Bauble, some Flourish with a Bling, some ribbon and distress stains....



I hope you're just a little bit more "Spirited" now too :-)
Thanks for stopping by!

Wishing Well...

Here she is in all her glory - love her to bits.  Pink and girly and not usually me, but I think I'm getting used to it :-)




It was a great class.  I had a ball teaching again!  thank you so much to Lynda for having me, and to Penny and Ann-Marie for coming along.
All products were from Lynda's Craft haven - the new shop on the Gold Coast at Merrimac.

Monday, November 14, 2011

A wishing well and a class!

Hello Everyone!

I am very pleased to announce my first class teaching at Lynda's Craft Haven at Merrimac on the Gold Coast will be this coming Saturday - 20/11/2011 at 10am-12pm!!!


A Magic Wishing Well, for you or for a gift!
Using many of the gorgeous new products in store we will paint, cover, and decorate a Twiddleybitz Chipboard Wishing Well.  Pink and Girly with beads, glitter ribbon, lace, flowers, and butterflies, you will love your finished product so much you may not be able to part with it!  Sunday 20/11/11 10-2pm.  Bring your basic tools and supplies - class kit provided.
** Please call to book your place now by phoning 07 5559 1017. Lynda's Craft Haven - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lyndas-Craft-Haven/232505753472308
Here's a little sneak peak...

Thank you so much for stopping by - I hope to see you at the class!!
Jen

Sunday, November 6, 2011

At the Hop...

Hello and welcome to my leg of the Twiddleybitz Blog Hop.  Thank you so much for joining us - if you happened upon this hop by mistake, stick around, you’ll be blown away by the fantastic work the Design Team Angels have been creating, I certainly have been!  You can find the schedule here, and then first up with the wonderful Mel Forbes :-)
Thanks to Nic and Andy from Twiddleybitz for having such fabulous CHIPBOARD  products to work with and for developing new products constantly - it’s a pleasure and privilege to work with you and for you.
Throughout the hop you should have been collecting the secret words - usually highlighted (not exactly subtle in the process either!) or bolded...  When you have them all, you need to head back to the NING to send the phrase to the lovely Sandra Wallace by private message.  You will go into the draw to win a Fantastic Twiddleybitz CHIPBOARD prize pack of your very own!!
Each of the Design Team Angels have also been offering Twiddleybitz CHIPBOARD RAKs for people who comment on their blog hop posts - some with conditions - like you have to use their secret word in your comments - I must say we have some very creative people joining us in the blog hop!!
I have been addicted lately to creating the gorgeous ATC Cupboards that were released a little while ago.  I have now made four!!  This last one I made, I experimented and have created a technique I have been playing with for a while now.  

I am a wood girl - The furniture in my home is wood and I love the natural tones of nature... After making 2 black and 1 white cupboards I was “champing at the bit” to create this one.  I  will go through it step by step for you,  I am so excited to share this!!


step 1 - use a eyelet punch to form the 'knots' in the wood - you need to do this to both sides of each piece as you will see front and back of most of them.  Don't do too many!
step 2 - Use a brown marvy marker or similar to create the grain - work in one direction - the direction you think the wood would be cut in - on a real piece of furniture.
Step 3 - create shadows and depth by using black soot distress ink and an empty squash pen(you could use a fine paint brush as an alternative).
Step 4 - blend and colour using vintage photo distress ink and a sponge.

Step 5 - re-define any areas where the grain is unclear.
Step 6 - coat every surface with an even layer of mod podge or similar - allow to dry and repeat for 3 coats for best results.  When applying - use  a thin brush and the brush strokes to emphasise the grain of the wood.
step 7 - use the instructions enclosed with the cupboard for assembly - don't worry, it's easier than the IKEA flat packs!
step 8 - attach the inside paneling of the doors (I have used a printed transparency from Kaiser, making sure the pattern is the right way up and the clocks on either side meet up correctly), and then repeat for the inside panels for the sides of the cupboards (I have used the Kaiser transparency again).  I used dimensional magic to adhere the transparency as it dries clear.
Step 9 - Use a hot glue gun to add the beads as door knobs.
Step 10 - Fill your cupboard with ephemera or Twiddleybitz CHIPBOARD of your choice, attach bling and decorations on the outside if you wish.
Step 11 - use the hot glue gun again to attach the music box mechanism to the lower back of the cupboard.  (Mine plays “Happy Birthday”)
Step 12 - Counter weights will be needed as the mechanism is heavy.  Use 2 size 6 sinkers - underneath in the front corners, adhere them using the hot glue gun again.
I do so hope I have inspired you today.  Please share your creations with us in the NING gallery and join us shortly in the forum for the closing of the Twiddleybitz Hop.  I will be ‘hopping’ over there shortly because I have a surprise for you all!
I have a number of questions for you - all related to the Hop.  Find the answers and send them to me via a private message in the NING forum and you will go into the draw for a Twiddleybitz RAK from me!!!  Also - in case you didn't know, you can chat to us via the heading "Twiddley Chat" on the Ning whenever we're online!!  hint hint - NOW!!!!!

Please be sure to leave me a comment and use that secret word!  All those who do and are 'followers' of my blog will go into the draw to win another secret RAK from me!!!!
Thank you so very much for stopping by - it’s been fantastic!!


Saturday, November 5, 2011

For the Twiddleybitz Shoppers...

Twiddleybitz
(To the tune of Jingle Bells") 
Adapted by Jennifer Hodge
from Paul Johnson’s “Rubber Stamp”

Dashing to the Show,
grab my girlfriends on the way
To Twiddleybitz I go.
I must get there today!
So, things will have to wait,
Like washing & dishes.
I'm driving through such traffic now
To purchase Twiddley pieces!

OH!
Twiddleybitz, Twiddleybitz,
You are so good to me!
Jump into my basket now!
The specials I must see!
Oh!
Twiddleybitz, Twiddleybitz,
Your designs they are the bomb!
Chipboard accents, off the page
Fun for everyone!

So now, with money spent,
And bagfulls in my hand
I must go home to scrap them now
You’ve got to understand!
Ink them nice & bright,
Add Mod Podge here & there
Add some more with colourspray
I’m glued but I don’t care!

OH!
Twiddleybitz, Twiddleybitz,
You are so good to me!
Jump into my basket now!
The specials I must see!
Oh!
Twiddleybitz, Twiddleybitz,
Your designs they are the bomb!
Chipboard accents, off the page
Fun for everyone!

Thursday, November 3, 2011

My Scratch n Sniff Tutorial...

It's over at Twiddleybitz in the Tutorial Section now!!! Or go straight to it HERE!!

I am so excited about this tutorial - pardon the pun but it's been "on the cards" since the September Papercraft Festival in Brisbane!!  Just for you Nic and Louise, it's amazing what can come about when you laugh and muck around!!

here's a sneak peak...


Hope you enjoy it as much as I have!  Thanks for stopping by
Jen
:-)

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Twiddleybitz, blog hops, competitions, inspiration, RAKs, the list goes on!

RAKAMANIA HAS HIT TWIDDLEYBITZ!!

Something super exciting is happening next weekend!!
 

Starting on Friday the 4th of November the Twiddleybitz DT are having a bloghop.And not just any ol' run of the mill bloghop.....
oh no...
uh uh!!
We are having a  RAKAMANIA BLOG HOP!!
Each  of the DT members are putting up a RAK  for   you to win and also showing you some gorgeous work on their blogs in the process.
It all starts on Friday November the 4th  at 5pm (AEST)
So keep an eye out on the Ning for more details and the schedule, because that is where the
RAKamania Blog Hop will start!!
And not only will there be prizes from the DT members on the actual Hop,  but there will also be prizes to be won on the Ning during the weekend and also on Facebook.
Like our page  on Facebook to keep up to date with what is happening on the hop!!
Twiddleybitz on FaceBook
We also have prizes on offer for those of you going to the Paper Crafts Festival in Penrith on Sunday of  that same weekend. Make sure to pop into the NIng to see how you can win some Twiddleybitz  just for  stopping by the Twiddleybitz booth at the Show and saying hello. :-)

We do hope you will join us for what we are sure will be a fun and inspiring and prize packed RAKamania Blog Hop...!

More details on the Ning soon!!

A Wedding Card

For Rochelle's Sifu (My colleague's Kung Fu Instructor) whom is getting married soon.  In order for everyone at Kung Fu to sign it - it's a 12x 12 inch piece of cardstock folded in half :-)

I've used more Alison Ellis Design Papers from the Eastern Elements range; Dienamics dies - rosette and open scalloped doily; Twiddleybitz "Love", Heart, and Long Flourish - no tail; and a random stamp I found on my desk!!


I do hope you like it - thanks for stopping by!!

Jennifer

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Anther ATC Cupboard!!

Yep - I've made another one!!  This time for a young lady's 18th birthday.  
The brief was: Black, Red, Silver, "a bit gothy'.

I coloured the cupboard in black stazon - painted from the re-inker, it's SO much easier than painting everything!

I used the organza ribbon instead of the transparency on the front doors for something different and managed to bow each door and they sit nicely when the doors are closed...

Inside some Flourish with a Bling, a Tim Holtz rosette die and part of the MFT Die-namics dies with the ever gorgeous red roses from Green Tara...

And another wonderful Flourish in the back of the cupboard, topped off of course with some AED glitter!

a pin from My2Angels, add a rose, glitter and some feathers - makes the door a bit of an eye-catcher...

If you haven't tried these little cupboards - you simply must. Twiddleybitz have really thought of everything with regard to the design, they come with assembly instructions and photos too so it makes it even easier to use!  I have done a number of these now and have orders for two more!!

As part of the annual Christmas Blog Hop for Twiddleybitz this coming weekend (held in conjunction with the Australian Papercraft Festival in Sydney) I will have a SUPER project to show you, with a fantastic new technique - and some blog candy!!  All the action starts in the Twiddleybitz NING Friday - 4th of November 2011.

Thanks for stopping by - I hope you enjoyed this project, I look forward to seeing you again soon!

Saturday, October 29, 2011

"TWAS THE WEEK BEFORE CHRISTMAS"

I don't know Sherri Campbell, but I swear she's been looking in the window at my place late at night - ahem, i mean morning!!!!
"TWAS THE WEEK BEFORE CHRISTMAS"
by Sherri Campbell 
'Twas the week before Christmas
and the house was a hush. 
Save the stamping of rubber
in a last minute rush. 

The cardstock was cut
with precision and care, 
In hopes that a greeting
would soon be stamped there.

The children were tucked in 
their beds around eight, 
but now it's 10:30--
How'd it get so late? 

And I in my PJs
with bleary red eyes, 
had finally arranged
all the stamping supplies. 

It started out simple
(it does every year) 
just make a few cards 
for friends who are dear. 

Nothing too fancy--
just an elegant touch
A gold embossed image, 
some ribbon and such. 

I pressed ink to paper 
(it looked crisp and clean) 
a sprinkle of powder, 
then heat for a sheen. 

When what on my green Christmas
cards should appear? 
Why a tiny gold Santa, 
with sleigh and reindeer! 

But with little stray flecks, 
and some missing spots, too, 
I knew in a moment
this one wouldn't do. 

Then I tried it again, 
once more, and another. 
"I will get this right!" 
I said to no other. 

On pigment! On powder! 
On heat from a gun! 
Now ribbon! And envie! 
Can I make fifty-one? 

"I can do it!" I said
with all of my might. 
And looked at the clock--
'twas well past midnight. 

I went straight to stamping
out card after card. 
"This might take all night, 
but at least it's not hard." 

But after I finished, 
they looked a bit lame. 
I didn't want fancy, 
but these were too plain. 

And then in a twinkling
a thought came to mind. 
"I'll just dress them up
and then they'll be fine." 

So I went in my craftroom
and looked all around. 
Then back to the table
with all that I'd found. 

My Fiskars I brandished
(I wasn't a quitter). 
And soon I was covered
in EP and glitter. 

A bundle of papers
I spread on the table
to find the right background
(quite sure I was able). 

With fibers that sparkled, 
a mulberry sheet
was just the right choice, 
my card to complete. 

I started to smile
when the cuckoo came out. 
"It's now 3am!" 
That bird left no doubt. 

The cap of a marker
I held in my teeth. 
I'd lay in some color, 
or maybe gold leaf. 

My broad little face 
was all beaded with sweat. 
But I wouldn't give up! 
Well, not at least yet. 

There was glue on the table
and ink on the floor. 
I laughed at the site, 
though my fingers were sore. 

I did not complain, 
just kept up my work. 
When more things went wrong, 
I did not go berserk. 

When I finally finished, 
one card, around six, 
it looked pretty good
after all of my tricks. 

"I'm keeping this one. 
My work on it shows." 
So clutching my card, 
up the staircase I rose. 

I crawled into bed
at the first crack of dawn. 
Creativity spent, 
motivation all gone. 

But make no mistake! 
I promise one thing--
"You'll all get your cards! 
But you'll get them next Spring!" 

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Cards with Flourish

Another couple of projects for my Design Stint at Flourish With A Bling.

My favourite first - this card is for Cameron (turning 11) for his Birthday.  I used the Flourish as a mask on white cardstock using 3 different blue distress inks, then wiped the flourish clean and added it to the card - wrapped some string around it and added the ticket sentiment by MFT!

On to Christmas - a funny folded card with some embossing on a Twiddley tree and stamping, using the FWAB pearls as tree decorations among other things!


 Last but not least... 1 of a kind, I'm not sure I like this one yet - it still feels unfinished but I am hesitant about doing anything more to it because I have a bad habit of not knowing when to stop!!  I used the vine flourish which is beautiful and shiny - the most gorgeous green, and one of mum's 5 petal flowers in the variegated blue. I stamped the sentiment on a large brad with Stazon.

Hope you enjoyed this cards, I enjoyed making them!  Thanks for stopping by!

Friday, October 14, 2011

For Sheridan

This is the ATC cupboard I made for Vicki to give her BFF Sheridan for her birthday.  It was one of my projects for my Guest Design Team spot at Flourish With a Bling. I hope you like it - I had heaps of fun making it!  I have included the 'ingredients' list below.






Ingredients:
Twiddleybitz ATC cupboard and heart
Stazon white re-inker
Flourish With a Bling Clear Diamonte's
Green Tara Roses, jewelled flowers, silver bow
Alison Ellis Design Glitter - midnight
 Kaiser Transparency
White C/Stock
Birthday Stamp by Stamp It
Black Stazon ink
Black Soot Distress Ink
Spellbinders Die
Glossy Accents
PVA glue
Hot Glue Gun
Musical Wind-up

I will blog more info on the other items in my Flourish Guest Design Team Member Post tomorrow :-)
I also have some great news to share with you - there's a blog hop on the horizon..... and of course - prizes and competitions too!  So excited!

Thanks for visiting!

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Flourish With a Bling!!!

I am so very excited today to let you know I have been the 
Guest Design Team Member at Flourish With A Bling for October.

I have met the lovely ladies at FWAB a number of times at shows and they are always so great to see and speak with.  They are full of passion for the industry and fabulous to work with and for.

Here's a sneak peak...


For all the details please visit here... 
I will go into detail for my projects here on my blog over the next few days :-)

Sunday, October 9, 2011

A Well-overdue update!

Now that Blogger is finally letting me update...

Here's a few things I've been up to: oops - I cannot show you - they are all for secret DT things.. sorry!

HAhahaahaaaa

but I will say I've been pinning... Here

I will update with pictures and projects soon, I promise!

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Another Music Box - Happy Birthday Vicki!

After the other music box - Ian commissioned this piece as a birthday 'card' for his sister.. She loved it so much she has now commissioned me to make one for her BFF!!.

I hope you like it - The Twiddleybitz ATC cupboard was the perfect fit...