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, July 31, 2012

TUESDAY'S COLOUR CHALLENGE AT THE OUTLAWZ

Today's challenge at The Outlawz calls for the use of these colours:

 
... and the Christmas in July Twist is  ... 
Add a Charm

Here is my card, made entirely from my scraps box, even the embellishments are recycled :


 The gem is one that I cut off a pair of earring (one of the had lost a stone so I could no longer wear them)

The button is salvaged from a sweater I tossed out last winter and the little angel charm is from a Christmas gift tag I received last Christmas (tossed out the tag and kept the charm .... LOL!)

Unfortunately I won't be able to enter the card into today's challenge at the Outlawz because their inlinkz for July has closed already, but I would like to add it to the following challenges:



luv'n huggz
Jen Leeflang
DURBAN
SOUTH AFRICA




Sunday, July 29, 2012

A 'BERRY' SWEET CAS CHALLENGE AT THE OUTLAWZ

Today's CAS challenge is 'berry' sweet - "It's nearing the later part of summer here in the Northeast US and that means it's yummy berry season...Blackberry, raspberry, blueberry...The CAS challenge this week is to create a card using something "berry".  Think image, colors, sentiment ("you're berry sweet"). 

Here is the card I made for the challenge:


The images are free colouring pages connected to tootsiegrace.blogspot.com and I coloured them using alcohol markers and a white gel pen.  

Here is a better look at the images, showing the Glossy Accents added to the fruit:




The sentiment is my own, created in MS Word.  I would like to add this card to the following challenges:



luv'n huggz
Jen Leeflang
DURBAN
SOUTH AFRICA
 


STELLA SAYS SKETCH AT BUGABOO'S CATCH THE BUG BLOG

Today (Sunday) is time for another STELLA SAYS SKETCH challenge:

Here is the sketch we have for you:



and this is the card I made for your inspiration :



The image I used for my card is UNICORN from the Bugaboo Stamps store.  The colouring medium is alcohol markers and a white gel pen.  I cut the image using a Marianne's Creatables die and sewed on some flower gems using little pearls.  The rest of the card is made up of offcuts of DP and satin ribbon.  The little square embellishments in the bottom right had corner are mini glass mosaic tiles.


Here is a better look at the image, and you'll see the lovely glitter on the unicorn's mane and tail: 



To be in line to win a fabulous prize of Bugaboo images all you need to do is to create a papercraft project according to the sketch and link it to the challenge here.

I would like to add this card to the following challenges too:

luv'n huggz
Jen Leeflang
DURBAN
SOUTH AFRICA

DiGiSTAMPS 4 JOY :: NEW RELEASES :: 'MY BUNNY SLIPPERS'

The new releases are really varied today, and quite a number are definitely not in the ‘cute’ category.  Click HERE  to link to the blog to see all today’s new release and the gorgeous cards made with some of them!

 This CAS card features one of the new images called "MY BUNNY SLIPPERS" which I coloured using alcohol markers and a white gel pen for the highlights.


Here is a better look at the image:

I used an offcut of DP printed with a washing line of laundry, and the sentiment is firstly a stick-on and the rest is what I made in MS Word.  I matted onto a bright pink CS and added two pink gems as embellishments.

I would like to add this card to the following challenges:
FAT PAGES AND CARDS WITH ATTITUDE, ‘ANYTHING GOES’

luv'n huggz
Jen Leeflang
DURBAN
SOUTH AFRICA

DIGISTAMPS 4 JOY :: NEW RELEASES :: 'BUMBLEBEE WITH FRUIT'


It’s Sunday, and time for some more NEW RELEASES in the Digistamps for Joy store today!

The new releases are really varied today, and quite a number are definitely not in the ‘cute’ category.  Click HERE  to link to the blog to see all today’s new release and the gorgeous cards made with some of them!

 This CAS card features one of the new images called "BUMBLEBEEWITH FRUIT" which I coloured using alcohol markers and a white gel pen for the highlights.   

 Here is a better look at the image, (can you see the Glossy Accents on the watermelon slice?)
The only embellishments on this card are the two vintage buttons from my granny's button box (I have a large cake tin full of the most wonderful buttons!!!)  I have always thought that these buttons look like the outside of a watermelon, do you agree?

I would like to add this card to the following challenges:

 

luv'n huggz
Jen Leeflang
Durban
South Africa

DIGISTAMPS 4 JOY :: NEW RELEASES :: 'VESPERS'


It’s Sunday, and time for some more NEW RELEASES in the Digistamps for Joy store today!

The new releases are really varied today, and quite a number are definitely not in the ‘cute’ category.  Click HERE to link to the blog to see all today’s new release and the gorgeous cards made with some of them!

 This card features one of the new images I drew for the store, called "VESPERS" which I coloured using alcohol markers and a white gel pen for the highlights. 


To construct the CAS card I punched the top edge with a Martha Stewart punch and added only a little child's prayer to it.   

Here is a better look at the image:
I would like to add this card to the following challenges:

INKY IMPRESSIONS, ‘DIES OR PUNCHES’

luv'n huggz
Jen Leeflang
DURBAN
SOUTH AFRICA


DIGISTAMPS 4 JOY :: NEW RELEASES :: HANDBAG


It’s Sunday, and time for some more NEW RELEASES in the Digistamps for Joy store today!

The new releases are really varied today, and quite a number are definitely not in the ‘cute’ category.  Click HERE to link to the blog to see all today’s new release and the gorgeous cards made with some of them!

 This card features one of the new images I drew for the store, called "HANDBAG"  which I teamed up with another digistamps 4 Joy image released earlier this month, called 'Furry Boots" as I thought they would look great together.  I coloured the images using alcohol markers and a white gel pen for the highlights.  


Here is a better look at the images:


To construct the card I matted brown velvet embossed DP onto brown CS.  The embellishments are a leather button and diecut flower, and three Card Candi legless brads.

I would like to add this card to the following challenges:
 


luv'n huggz
jen leeflang
durban
south africa

DIGISTAMPS 4 JOY : NEW RELEASES : 'NAP TIME'


It’s Sunday, and time for some more NEW RELEASES in the Digistamps for Joy store today!

The new releases are really varied today, and quite a number are definitely not in the ‘cute’ category.  Click HERE to link to the blog to see all today’s new releases and the gorgeous cards made with some of them!

 This card features one of the new images I drew for the store, called "NAPTIME" which I coloured using alcohol markers and a white gel pen for the highlights.  I really enjoyed the ‘white on white’ colour palette and think it works perfectly for a baby card.


Here is a better look at the image:

I used a Marianne's Creatables die to cut out the image, and sewed on some pearls.  It is matted onto an embossed mat (Swiss Dots) and tied with a white organza ribbon and bow.  There is a transparent acrylic flower and pearl sewn onto the bow.

I would like to add this card to the following challenges too:


Friday, July 27, 2012

FRIDAY'S ANYTHING GOES AT THE OUTLAWZ

Today there is an 'Anything Goes' theme at the Copics and other Alcohol Marker group at The Outlawz, and this is my entry:

The featured image is one from Jackson's Digital Expressions, called Lil Miss Thang that I coloured using alcohol markers.  Here is a better look at the incredibly cute image that was such fun to colour:

I fussy cut the image and layered it onto blue cardstock that was punched and then onto blue/white floral DO has I embellished by sewing on pearls and red seed beads.  The gems are stick-ons.  

the final touch was to add a red rose and a red satin ribbon.

I would like to add this card to the following challenges too:


luv'n huggz
Jen Leeflang
Durban
South Africa

Thursday, July 26, 2012

A DAY AT THE BEACH :: TODAY'S CHALLENGE AT THE OUTLAWZ

Yes, that's today challenge in the Twisted Thursday Group  at the Outlawz where anything goes ... A DAY AT THE BEACH ... and it gave me the opportunity to work with this Nana Vic's Digitals digistamp again:


Here is a better look at the image


I coloured it using alcohol markers and a white gel pen, and what is particularly enjoyable for me is to create the clouds in the sky, the shades of the sea, and the difference in colour in wet and dry seasand.  Sometimes I like to use colours to show that it's a bright and hot sunny day, and on others I like to give the impression that it's a little cloudy, a little windy, and how  the lack of bright sunshine dilutes the colours a little.

Isn't it amazing how some images 'speak' to your creative soul ... and this is one of them.    Another is Guylou's Fahra, but I digress ...

The rest of my card is pretty simple so as not to detract from the image ... Striped DP, a chippie sentiment and some pearls and wooden beads strung onto raffia.  There is a real shell attached to the sentiment.


I would like to add this card to the following challenges too:

365 CARDS, DAY 147, 'PLAYING THE ODDS' (1 sentiment, 1 shell, 3 beads in a set, 1 DP, 1 image, ...)

luv'n huggz
Jen Leeflang
DURBAN
SOUTH AFRICA

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

THE OUTLAWZ WEDNESDAY SKETCH CHALLENGE

The Outlawz Wednesday Sketch challenge has given this sketch to use:
 
and this is my MONOCHROME CAS card entered into the challenge:


I knew as soon as I saw the sketch that I had a die cut Fleur de Lis and matching paper that I just needed to use for this.  I hand cut a tag in the same shape as the sketch that I had already printed the Thomas Edison quote onto.  All the edges were inked/distressed, and I added a heart shaped gem and four round gems, and my card was complete.

I would like to add this card to the following challenges too:

luv'n huggz
Jen Leeflang
DURBAN 
SOUTH AFRICA

DIGISTAMPS 4 JOY :: CHALLENGE #47 :: POLKA DOTS AND STRIPES

The challenge at Digistamps 4 Joy starting today is to add polka dots and stripes to your creation.

Here is my easel card for your inspiration:


The image I have used is one of my own drawings for Digistamps 4 Joy called "Pensive, which I coloured using alcohol markers and a white gel pen.

Here is a better look at the image:

As embellishments I used a spray of flowers, sewn on using invisible thread (the kind I use to bead the belly dance costumes I make), some satin ribbon, sewn on flower sequins and beads for a bit of bling, and I made two stickpins to add to the flower spray.  There is a little metal charm hanging from the ribbon.

The striped component is in the DP from Fabscraps, and the polka dots can be seen in the mini swiss dots embossing behind the image (on the orange mat).

I added the children's poem "Monday's Child" as the sentiment, and a large gem, a flower and a leaf are the 'stop' for the easel:

Click HERE to link to the challenge to add your entry!
 
I would like to add this card to the following challenges:

luv'n huggz
Jen Leeflang
DURBAN
SOUTH AFRICA





Tuesday, July 24, 2012

THE OUTLAWZ COLOUR CHALLENGE, TUESDAY, 24 JULY


 









The colour challenge today at The Outlawz is one using these colours, and to add a flower.  This is the card I made, using  APHRODITE, an image I drew for the DIGISTAMPS 4 JOY store.



Here is a better look at the image which I coloured using alcohol markers and a white gel pen:


The background is created by using two different DP, the one torn and pasted over the other, and I added a spray of flowers and buds,which were sewn on using invisible thread.  I also drew some flourishes by hand and sewed on the orange acrylic beads in that shape.

Besides entering this card into the challenge at the Outlawz, I would like to enter the following challenges too:
365 CARDS, DAY 145, 'OVERLAPPED' (the beaded flourish overlaps the image, and the one DP overlaps the other)
SIMON SAYS STAMPS AND SHOW, 'HEY GIRL' (the ultimate in historic femininity - Aphrodite)

luv'n huggz
Jen Leeflang
Durban
South Africa

Monday, July 23, 2012

THE OUTLAWZ :: MONDAY GREETING CARD CHALLENGE :: FOR GRAN

Today's challenge at The Outlawz is to make a greeting card for gran ...

and here is my card:


The image featured is "Pucker Up" from the Jackson's Digital Expressions store that I coloured using my alcohol markers and a white gel pen for the accents.  

Here is a better view of the image:

I added some crystal glitter glue and Glossy Accents to emphasize those luscious lips and she now has a pearl necklace and silver hoop earrings.

I would like to add this card to the following challenges:

luv'n huggz
jen leeflang
DURBAN
SOUTH AFRICA



Sunday, July 22, 2012

THE OUTLAWZ SUNDAY CAS CHALLENGE

Today's CAS challenge at The Outlawz is to make a summer themed card for any event that takes place in Summer.

here in South Africa, people seem to move house more than in Winter - why is that? It's not as if they're snowed in and have to wait for the bog thaw, is it? LOL!

I made a card for someone who has moved into a new home ... it will go into my collection for the Charity Box at our Card Guild.



Here is a better look at the image from Bugaboo Stamps called Birdhouse - Beehive, which I coloured using alcohol markets and a white gel pen 

I would like to add this card to the following challenges too:

LUV'N HUGGZ
JEN LEEFLANG
DURBAN
SOUTH AFRICA


DIGISTAMPS 4 JOY :: NEW RELEASES :: 'BACK TO COLLEGE COLLEEN'

It’s Sunday, and time for some more NEW RELEASES in the Digistamps for Joy store today!


The new releases are a mixed bag of themes, and quite a number of BACK TO SCHOOL images too.  Click HERE  to link to the blog to see all today’s new release and the gorgeous cards made with some of them!
 This card features one of the new images I drew for the store, called "BACK TO COLLEGE COLLEEN" which I coloured using alcohol markers and a white gel pen for the highlights.  


Here is a better look at the image:


To put this card together I used:
4 offcuts of checked DP matted onto red CS
2 buttons tied with baker's twine
a length of satin ribbon tie, necktie-style.

I would like to add this card to the following challenges:
HIDING IN MY CRAFT ROOM, HIMCR#55, 'LET'S SEE THOSE LAYERS' - there are 9 layers at one point on my card) 

luv'n huggz
Jen Leeflang
DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA




DIGISTAMPS 4 JOY :: NEW RELEASES :: SCHOOL BUS

It’s Sunday, and time for some more NEW RELEASES in the Digistamps for Joy store today!  
The new releases are a mixed bag of themes, and quite a number of BACK TO SCHOOL images too.  Click HERE  to link to the blog to see all today’s new release and the gorgeous cards made with some of them!

This card features  the new image  called "School Bus" which I coloured using alcohol markers and a white gel pen for the highlights.
 
 
Here is a better look at that cute little bus:
 
 I added a border of some fun trees and a little flag with the word "school" on it to be part of the sentiment which I made in WordArt in MS Word.

I would like to add this card to the following challenge:


luv'n huggz
jen leeflang
DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA

DIGISTAMPS 4 JOY :: NEW RELEASE SUNDAY :: BACK TO SCHOOL!


It’s Sunday, and time for some more NEW RELEASES in the Digistamps for Joy store today!

 
The new releases are a mixed bag of themes, and quite a number of BACK TO SCHOOL images too.  Click HERE  to link to the blog to see all today’s new release and the gorgeous cards made with some of them!

This card features two of the new images I drew for the store, called "Back Pack Bro" and "Back PackBernie" which I coloured using alcohol markers and a white gel pen for the highlights.

Here is a close-up of the images:


 I felt that the DP was busy enough without adding extra embellishments, other than the buttons tie with bakers twine.

I would like to add this card to the following challenges:


luv'n huggz
Jen Leeflang 
Durban
South Africa