Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Curiosity killed the cat ....almost

The other day I was taking photos of the Christmas tree and our cat decided. to check out the presents....one in particular caught her eye and she pushed her head through the handles of the gift bag.


 
What happened next was not caught on film as the camera got flung to the side as I went flying after her....with bag still around her neck, she tried to get out the cat flap but was foiled by the fact that the present in the bag was a parasol and would not fit. She (and I) came flying back through the house and she tried to get under my bed - her "safe" place. I managed to pick her up and remove the bag and eventually calm her racing heart. The present had to be rewrapped after checking for damage and was moved to the back of the tree, where hopefully it will remain  unmolested until tomorrow.

Beware of presents that leap out and attack you when snooping under the tree!

Saturday, December 17, 2011

'tis the Season

Hi all.......as the silly season picks up speed hurtling towards Christmas and a brand new year, I thought while I had the chance I would do what is possibly my last post for the year.

It has been a funny old year full of lot of challenges and opportunities for personal growth and not a great deal of scrapbooking. So I truly hope that next year has a more positive vibe with a lot more craft.

The year does seem to be ending with a few more highs - The Landings Christmas Festival was a huge success - congrats Tracey! The school raised quite a bit to go towards the band tour to New Zealand next year (yay), the ballet concert went off without a hitch (if you ignore the hail incident), the Christmas concert was a lot of fun, school reports are not to shabby, braces are off two mouths (which means we have finished paying for the oorthodontist's Caribbean holiday- sorry Peter, great work) and school has finished for another year.

I wish you and yours a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and leave you with this wish...

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Busy, busy, busy

Wow...have been so busy lately with end of school stuff that I haven't had a chance to blog. I have been madly making up Christmas hampers for fundraising to help the band and choir go to Rhapsody Rotarua next year. We had the school's Christmas concert last week and raised over $3,500 and have been invited to attend The Landings Christmas Festival at North Turramurra this week and use the event to do some more fundraising- hence the hampers.


The girls were away this weekend, so I took the opportunity to wrap pressies and write cards (and clean house). They are back home now and normality has been resumed.

Friday, December 2, 2011

Reindeer games

Time is snowballing towards Christmas now and though I love living in Australia and it being summertime, I love the look of a northern Christmas.So in keeping with that I thought I would share with you some more Christmas cards. I don't feel guilty now as it is December.

Last night I taught another Christmas card class, this time using Bo Bunny's Blitzen range. It has all the things that I love, the colours and images especially (not to mention the name).



Scrapbooking Australia has all the ingredients for these cards in stock.

Friday, November 18, 2011

3 in one day

That's right it's a feast or famine.....do you realise it has been 6 1/2 months since I last posted about a layout....well I didn't until just now when I went back to see my last one here.


I have actually done a few layouts since, but they went straight to Leanne for classes and I never did post about them, so will try & rectify that over the weekend. I am still churning out the cards, but think I will have to do more layouts.

25 Days of Christmas

No, it's not quite that time yet...but I did teach a class  for Scrapbooking Australia (formerly Joyful Scraps) the other day using Simple Stories 25 Days of Christmas range and Darkroom Door stamps. We made 7 vintage looking cards using glitter embossing with a difference. It is the first class I've taught in a long time and the ladies were lovely - it was so nice to see them again after all this time.



I hate to say it ...... but Christmas really is just around the corner, so get ready for more Christmas cards.


With affection

I am spoilt by the kindness of my friends and yesterday was no exception. I got to hang out with some lovely ladies that I hadn't seen for a while and was given this special gift by my mate Deb. Isn't she beautiful and has the cutest kitty..... Deb and I are both cat people and I love that she found this to add to my collection. She also made the sweetest card to match - 'cos she's just that clever. Thank you Deb, I love my newest angel  and I love you too.

with affection

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Movember is here

I am always on board with women's health issues, but equally important is men's health and my boss every year shaves off his facial hair on the last day of October and grows his mo back during November. He does this to raise money and awareness, so if there's a special guy (or maybe more) in your life, please read this after you finish ogling Tom Selleck and consider donating:



Hi,
It's Movember and time to focus on men's health. To show my commitment, I'm donating my face to the cause by growing another moustache for the month of November, and need your support. The lack of facial hair has sparked conversations, and no doubt generate some laughs; all in the name of raising vital awareness and funds for prostate cancer and male depression.
Why am I so passionate about men's health?
*1 in 9 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime
*This year 20,000 new cases of the disease will be diagnosed
*1 in 8 men will experience depression in their lifetime
I'm asking you to support my Movember campaign by making a donation by either:
*Donating online at: http://mobro.co/betwo
*Writing a cheque payable to 'Movember', referencing my Registration ID: 30321 and mailing it to: Movember, PO Box 60, East Melbourne, VIC, 8002
If you'd like to find out more about the type of work you'd be helping to fund by supporting Movember, take a look at the Programs We Fund section on the Movember website: http://au.movember.com/about
Thank you in advance for supporting my efforts to change the face of men's health.
Barry Thompson

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Francophile

I am a self confessed Francophile, I love the country, the culture and the language but the icon that sums it up best for me is the Eiffel Tower. It makes me smile and feel good inside, just seeing images of it. I was given an Eiffel Tower charm as a very young child to go on my first charm bracelet (which I still have)....so this an homage (gotta love Graphic 45, Tim Holtz and Hero Arts).


vive la france

Monday, October 31, 2011

Just for Laughs

This is just a bit of fun...

A friend told me a while back that my Facebook avatar should be this:


but somehow reality is slightly more like this (sorta):




Happy Halloween !

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Tagged

I mentioned in the last post that I had a mojo moment recently and showed one lot of cards that I made...they were the pretty ones....these are the more masculine ones. I am back to vintage at the moment and two of the brands that I love that do this look so well are Graphic 45 and Tim Holtz, so these were made using the Playful Journey range of clear stamps, Collections kraft tags.





Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Birthday Mojo

Mojo has been waxing & waning of late, which means that I either make a stack of cards or none at all....but I was inspired to create recently as it is my friend Jo's birthday today and I always like to make her something special. I was so inspired that I couldn't stop at just one.....






I made the tags on each of these first - using Collections tags, Kaiser tags, Tim Holtz tissue tape, Kaiser stickers, Heidi Swapp stamp, assorted ribbon/twine with elements glossed with diamond glaze.

The last card shown is the one I made for Jo - Happy Birthday!!!!!!

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Jingle etc

as promised, here are a few more Christmas cards (forgive me)

using DaisyD paper, MME Tag & grosgrain ribbon.

using MME paper, blue cardstock with Fiskars border punched edge & misc embellishments

and lastly: LYB paper and sticker embellishment with ribbon.

Monday, October 10, 2011

If you can't beat 'em, join 'em

One of my pet peeves is how the shops seem to have Christmas happening earlier & earlier each year (I sound like a grumpy old woman)...for goodness sakes it was middle of September this year and the tinsel as going up.

Now to be fair, as a card teacher I often taught Christmas card classes well before December (sometimes even in July), I also quite often start making my cards in October and have even been known to do some Christmas shopping in the January or June sales, but the main thing is nothing gets wrapped or sent and our tree doesn't go up until December.

So I caved.. here are some Christmas cards I made recently with more to come.....and I apologise to others who would rather wait a bit longer for the Christmas spirit to start.




all made with (last year's Christmas) Pink Paislee papers and clear sticker borders. I am liking the rusty colours with the blue & black.

Sunday, October 9, 2011

The circle of life

What a day...I found out that a family friend's husband passed away in an accident last weekend which was incredibly sad and within an hour got the news that another family friend has just had a new baby boy (after 4 girls I might add). So a day full of mixed emotions....especially while making these cards.

This one made with Pink Paislee paper & small red flowers

and this one with Making Memories paper and misc letters & onesie.

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Just sayin'

visited my mum yesterday and while I love her dearly......


it takes days to recover from the trip!

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Here's to absent friends

This weekend was kinda poignant for a few reasons....one: I couldn't go to the Joyful Scraps weekend away :-( . I miss teaching and would have loved to have been a part of it this year, but my voice is still MIA (it comes and goes in volume and wears out real quick) and

two: A small group of Lyn's card making pals got together at her place and hung out with her partner and daughter and some other mates. It was strange not having her there, but we knew she was with us and it was nice to remember the great times we had with her. I think it was also important for her daughter to be in a familiar place with familiar faces doing familiar things after the turmoil her life has been in recently. She is a great kid and I am sure will eventually find some peace.

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

This brings back memories

Perrier Jouet - This is what I drank with my bridesmaids before I went off to get married 20 years ago (and I still have the bottle). and what an interesting time it has been. I think we went through all of the vows- richer, poorer, sickness, health, better, worse, good times and bad and for all that we have two gorgeous girls who I am very grateful for... who make it all worthwhile.



Thanks to all the family & friends who shared that day with us and who have remained close all these years, and thanks to our newer friends for sharing in the times in between. Pity the damn stuff is so expensive or I would have cracked open another to raise a glass today to the last 20 years and see what the next 20 hold.

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Update

Just so you don't think I've fallen off the face of the earth, I haven't blogged for a bit due to the girls being sick...they of course are now well and it is my turn - how can you burn up and be freezing cold at the same time + vomiting & headache....slightly better today - no upchucking at least....back to bed. See you soon.

Saturday, September 3, 2011

I'm being stalked

In the nicest possible way. I had a visit the other day from the 17 year old daughter of one of my friends, who handed me a Willow Tree figurine and stated "you are now being stalked...every time you look at her, know that we are ALL thinking of you (all, being her mum, dad, sister & brother) ". I think I like that idea of stalking, so much friendlier and safer than any other. My thanks (and love) to them for thinking of me and of knowing the perfect way to say it.

Thinking of You

Friday, September 2, 2011

Can't believe it's been a year

That's right, it has been a whole year since I started this little blog documenting the bits and pieces that I do. I took the time to reflect on all the posts that I have done here and also on the Joyful Scraps blog(s) prior (check them out here & here). I have really made a lot of layouts and cards and had a lot of fun along the way.

I have had a really trying, stressful time for a great part of it and yet papercrafting has made it bearable. I have had some truly lovely comments from some truly lovely ladies along the way which have actually meant a lot to me....more than they could possibly know.

I hope that the adventure continues and you continue to enjoy it with me.


made at SIA 2010 with the Gypsie Girls using Darkroom Door and Delish Designs

Oh and Just Remember to Breathe!!!

Monday, August 29, 2011

but wait there's more

I seem to be on a bit of a roll here:



K&Co paper on black card, Thank you stamp with a red brad, red button and gorgeous red & white twine from Kikki K (another one of my weaknesses)


This card uses lots of bits & bobs - K&Co paper, MME sticker borders, Green Tara red mesh and a chipboard letter.


It's funny how sometimes you buy things because they remind you of your childhood and that was exactly the reason behind the purchase of the K&Co embellishment pack that contained this card with the two girls on it. (I had those dresses!) and they reminded me of the AA Milne illustrations.

Ok, enough reminiscing...the paper was Daisy Bucket and the embellishments as already pointed out K&Co, with a die cut tag and Hero Arts stamp.

Saturday, August 27, 2011

fast & furious

no not the movie, the amount of cards I seem to be posting about, 'cos here's some more:


This card uses Bo Bunny paper, a tag which I can't remember the company, a Graphic 45 embellishment and Hero Arts stamp (I think).


The base for this card is double sided cardstock - one side is dark green the other light green. Matted on top is Crate Paper and a Pink Paislee tag.

This one uses Jillibean Soup paper, Prima stamp (ornamental label), Daisy Bucket stamp (words) and some felt flowers.

Thursday, August 25, 2011

more oldies but goodies

I have always been a fan of paper companies that put out co-ordinating ranges as I always like it when some of the hard work has already been done, but one of the joys of going through my stash and using old stuff is that I can mix it up and not be so matchy matchy.


This card is made with K&Co paper (from eon's ago) with a journal tag from Pink Paislee and Hero Arts Flowers and some shiny ribbon thrown in for good measure. The stamp is from Kaisercraft.


 Now this one uses Basic Grey paper with a Pink Paislee cardstock embellishment and a Hero Arts stamp. Too easy.


I seem to be loving the Autumn tones at the moment even though we are fast approaching spring and this card seems to epitomise that. MME paper with a Pink Paislee Journal tag, a Hero Arts flower and stamp and a Basic Grey brad.


And lastly (well for this post anyway), using Pink Paislee paper and journal tag, a die cut tag, Basic Grey brad and Studio G stamp (it actually is more red in real life, my colour balance seems to be a bit off).

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

More goodies

Here are a few more cards using my stash. I really don't feel like I'm making much of a dent in it to be honest. It's kind of like Mary Poppins bag....you can't quite see the bottom and yet it looks so normal.

Well the products used in this one are not that old...Darkroom Door stamps, glimmer mists, Tim Holtz ticket and Green Tara mesh.


Ok, this one takes me back... I had (still do) a fondness for MME papers, I loved the texture and colours, so ended up with a stash just because I thought they were pretty. Come on you've been there too, be honest. I topped it off with Kaisercraft bling and a butterfly sticker (don't know what company).


Yet another company that I couldn't resist - Basic Grey. The paper was leftover from a layout I did of my daughter in a flamenco costume for ballet. Topped off with MME tag & paper border and white grosgrain ribbon. The stamp is Heidi Swapp.


and lastly, but by no means least...MME paper (I really have a thing for gingham and twill (Foofala)), topped with a Chatterbox (bet that takes you back some) envelope and red button.

Does any of this inspire you to use your oldie but goodies and put them to use?