Thursday, January 2, 2020

Soak Up The Sun


Hi Crafty Friends,

It's challenge time with my friends over on the CCEE Stampers challenge blog, we are all ready for another year for fun challenges. Being a brand new month (and year) it's time to introduce our challenge hostess for the month which is Lynn McAuley.

For our challenge this week, Lynn has given us the theme .... It's June in January. 
Some of our fans may not realise that two of our CCEE Stampers Design Team Members are living down under in Australia. Their seasons are the exact opposite of ours. They have always gone with the flow and designed cards to conform to our climate. Let's turn the tables this week and make some  summery cards they can put to use right now! Bring on the heat!

Well Lynn asked for it .... and we got it. Maryann and I both live in Queensland, just outside Brisbane. This year we have have the hottest weather with a lot of westerly winds, the winds are very uncommon for this time of year. As I am making this card the week before Christmas ... we are experience our hottest day in a long time ... 40 degrees celsius which converts to approximately 102 degrees fahrenheit. Where Maryann lives, it is probably 1 or 2 degrees hotter for her, she is only about 30 mins away for me,  but it sure gets hot where  she lives. 

 Our state, Queensland and also New South Wales have also been burning for at least 2 months, we are safe where we are, but it has been very sad to see so much damage and thank the hard work of all the wonderful fire fighters and emergency service. I know we have to thank some who have come from other countries too and given up Christmas with their families to help with the fires.

Since writing up this blog post prior to Christmas, the fires seem to have been controlled for the most part in Queensland. However the fires are still burning out of control in NSW, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and Western Australia to my knowledge. The photos shown on the tv and social media are heartbreaking. So many have lost their homes, lives lost and over 1/2 billion animals have died. 


Anyway back to the challenge, when I was sorting out some stamps and dies on my desk, I found Lawn Fawn's Tropical Backdrop die set which was released last May I think and I hadn't gotten to use yet, so I pulled that out to use for this challenge. I decided to create a Easel Card.

I added another sand hill to my tropical backdrop panel, by using one of the borders from Lawn Fawn's Stitched Hillside Borders die set, which I colored using Distress Oxide inks and blending brushes.

To decorate my card I used stamps from MFT Stamps Sunshine & Friendship, and also Drink Up The Sunshine stamp sets.

I added sand to the base of my card and added a sentiment to a strip also sand colored to hold the easel part of the card in place.

Along the edge of the card I added the "sea" using cardstock and the waves border die from Karen Burniston's Tropical Scene die set.


Here is a look at my card when it is closed ready to be placed in an envelope.


Don't forget to check out the CCEE Stampers blog (goes live 12 AM EST) to see the rest of the creations the CCEE Stampers created this week. You can also see more details of their creations on their individual blogs:

Supplies:
For your shopping convenience, all products are linked below. Compensated affiliate links are used where possible with no extra cost to you. This helps me to continue to share all the projects I include on my blog. For the benefit of my Australia readers, I have started to include some links to Australian stores when available. Please note I only use and share products I love.







6 comments:

Vicky Gould said...

This card is just such fun....bright and cheery!!!
I am so sorry to hear of your fires...that must be scary and devastating. Saying prayers for you and all of your fabulous country!!!

Lois said...

Such fun in the sun!!! I too have been feeling bad about the fires in Australia. Hope you get some rain to help the situation. Happy new year!

Lynn McAuley said...

My heart aches for the loss of life and property in your beautiful Australia. I am praying for rain and wisdom and strength for those fighting the fires!

I love all these fabulous critters enjoying your beautiful beach!! Sensational card, Frances!

Liz Williams said...

These sweet little creatures on your card have found a place to cool off. I am so saddened to hear of all the fires and those western winds that fan them. Praying for things to calm down for your beautiful country and praying courage and strength for those who have had severe losses. God bless those who have risked their lives while out saving and rescuing the lives of others.

Karen Aicken said...

Fun challenge and super cute card. So sad about the fires there - it's on the news nightly here in Canada. Thinking of you!

jdmommy - Anne Harmon said...

Those critters enjoying summer are really cute. I hope you and your family are safe..........we are worried with all the fires!!