I'm not a fish killer any more!!!

Hi everyone,

Remember this post I did on James the fish?  Well guess what he's still alive!  I know I even surprised myself.  Well on Wednesday (after all the craziness of the public hols & Easter) I got my water tested in the new (30 litre) tank & it was perfect for fish.  So not only has James moved up in the world, but now he has a brand new tank mate called Finn. 

Wonder why we have two fish with such names?  Welllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll in our mothers' group we have two boys called............................wait for it...............................James & Finn.  So of course Emsy decided (even before we got the fish) that they where going to be called James & Finn.  Not sure why, but hey it could have been worse I'm sure.  I am going to attempt to keep a Siamese Fighting fish in the smaller tank, but will have to buy a heater first.  So wish me luck with that one ;). 
Have a great weekend & happy crafting everyone 

Mojo Monday on a Friday.

Hi all,

How are you this fine Friday night?  After watching a little bit of the Royal Wedding (after saying I wouldn't ;P), I decided to make a card or two in the piece & quiet (a very rare thing of late).  This is my card & the Mojo Monday sketch I used.

I know not much stamping on this one.  I used up some stickers I brought from when Lils' was born.  I thought they suited the papers I've used.  I must admit I forgot two elements of the sketch, but was lucky enough to be able to add them at the last minute (phew).  This is yet another one of my many thank you cards from when Lilly was born.  I think I'm now about half way through my list :). 

Have a great weekend & happy crafting everyone xoxoxoxoxo

Supplies:
Cuttlebug
Nestibilities - Tags, Lacy Cirlces & Cirlces (not sure which one)
Paper - scraps
Twine, Lace
Stickers (unknown)
Kaisercraft Pearls
Hero Arts - Cl342

A Mother's Day card for Grandie

Hi everyone,

I thought I would share a card that I made for my Stepmum Ginny.  This is her Mother's Day (here Mother's Day is on Sunday the 8th of May) card from my two girls.  I used the latest Card Patterns sketch:

I used a freebie Digi stamp from Tiddly Inks called "For You".  The sentiment is by Hero Arts & is one of my most used sets Cl342.  The rest is from my stash of scrap ;).  Happy crafting everyone xoxoxoxoxo

Supplies:
Stamp: Tiddly Inks For You
Ink: Versamark Onyx Black
Copics:
Bear: E31, E33, E 35, E11, C3, C5, C7
Flowers: G20, G21, RV11, R85
Paper: Bazzil, Imaginisce (For peep's sake?) scrap
Nestibilities: Fancy Tags, Label Four
Cuttlebug
Assorted Buttons
Pop Dots
Scrap Ribbon. 

ANZAC Day

Hi everyone,

Today is a very special day here in Australia & in New Zealand.  It's our day of rememberance of those who fought at Gallipoli & in all wars since then.  To all our servicemen & women I thank you as does my family - God bless you all & keep you safe from harm. 

This morning was a special one in our house.  Em went to her first Dawn service, with her Dad & Pa Pa.  She had to get up about 4am to get ready & was really well behaved at the service.  Lilly & I stayed at home. We decided that Lilly is a bit too young to attend this service.

I thought I would include an Australian icon here.  The humble ANZAC biscuit.  This biscuit was made by the mothers, sisters, wives for the troops serving over seas.  I don't think the recipe has changed that much since they where first made.   

Have a great safe day where ever you are xoxoxoxoxoxo

Easter cards

Hi everyone,

Here are two easter cards I made with this free digi stamp from The Greeting Farm.  Which I managed to get through two very lovely friends Dawn & Helen (thanks so much ladies). 

This first card is Emsy's & to be honest didn't turn out as well as I'd hoped.  I love the colouring I did.  It's the rest of the card that isn't that flash (if you ask me).  Hey Emsy loves it so I guess I didn't do too bad ;P.  I used up lots of scraps of Basic Grey's Porcelian range (phew more scraps gone!) on this card & embossed the lower part of the card with the Swiss Dot embossing folder.

This card on the other hand I adore!  I just love the overall look of this card.  Pitty I don't have a little boy here now to give it too.  I'm sure it will find a home soon enough :D.  I again used more of Basic Grey's Porcelain scraps for this card. 

Thanks for stopping by & happy crafting everyone xoxoxoxoxo

Supplies:

Both:

Papers: Basic Grey's Porcelain, Bazzil
Cuttlebug
Nestibilities: Lacy Circle, Tags
Scrappers' Floss

Copics:

Girl: 

Rabbit suit: C1, C3, C5, E000, E00, E50

Hair: YR20, Y21, Y23

Face: E50, E00, YR00, E04

Basket: E31, E33, E35, E25, E27

Ribbon: BV00, BV02, BV04

Shadding: BG000, B00

Boy:

Rabbit suit: C1, C3, C5, E000, E00, E50

Hair: B00, B01, B02

Face: E50, E00, YR00

Basket: E08, E25, E27, E29, E31, E33, E35,

Ribbon: B00, B01, B02

Dino-mite Day

Hi everyone,

Here is a card I have made for the latest sketch challenge at CPS-Card sketches.
Here is the sketch & my card.

As soon as I saw the sketch I knew I wanted to use this Greeting Farm stamp with these papers.  I coloured the dinosaurs simular to the pp.  The sentiment was computer generated.

Happy Crafting everyone xoxoxoxoxoxo

Supplies:
Paper: Scraps from the stash
Stamp: The Greeting Farm O & A Happy Day
Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black
Distress Inks: Tumbled Glass, Bundled Sage & Rusty Hinge,
Copics:
Hair: E25, E27, E29
Skin: R00, E95
Shirt: E35, E25, E27, YG17, G07
Dinosaurs: YR04, YR68, R05, G02, YG09, G07, BG000, B00, B01, B02
Pants: B95, B97
Shoes: E35, E25, E27,
 

A new challenge :D

Hi everyone,

I am back with another card for a new challenge.  This time Lily Pad Cards is having a challenge.  You can get all the details here.  Here is my card

I wanted to keep to the simple lines of the sketch so came up with this.  As per usual this is another scrappy card.  I added a bit of sparkle to the balloons with Diamond Glaze & raised the oval up with pop dots.  I hope you enjoy :).

Supplies
scrap paper
twine
Penny Black 30-012 Bubbly
Copics:
Cat: W1, C1, C3, C5, RV02, E000
Balloons: BG000, BG10, G00, R17, R46, R59, B00, B01, B02, BV00, BV02, BV04, YR04, YR68, R05, G02, YG09, G07
Distress Ink - Tumbled Glass
Diamond Glaze
Nestibilities Ovals
Cuttlebug
Pop Dots

A quick boy's birthday card.

Hi everyone,

Hope everything is going well for you all.  I've just spent the better part of an hour arguing with my computer trying to upload the following card. 

I used the sketch from this weeks challenge at CPS here.  Again I used up some more scraps of paper.  I fussy cut the two dino's out of pp, punched three squares from grey bazzil & went around the edge with a white gel pen.  I then used Hero Arts clear stamp CL272 & white embossing powder for the senitment.  I wanted to keep this clean & simple.
Happy crafting every one 

Hoppy Easter every bunny!!

Hi everyone,

Firstly I just want to wish you all a very Happy Easter :D.  I hope that you have a wonderful relaxing time with family & friends over this special time.  Plus I hope that E.B. is very good to you all ;P.  We are spending our time at home (due to dh's work) so will be a nice quiet family time. 

Well our computer went to the computer shop & $200 later came back just as bad as it went in.  So I'm hoping that I can manage to get this blog post done without too much trouble.  I am now going to do what I probably should have done in the first place & take the rotten thing to my friend's hubby & hope & pray he can do the impossible.

So whilst I've been computerless you'd think I would have been inking up those gorgeous stamps & using my newest nesties, but no I haven't.  (Well I did have a very small play with them for about 5 minutes.)  Instead I have cleaned up my crafting space.  I got so sick of weaving my way around stuff to work on about 5 inches of my desk top!  I cleaned for two whole days! Yup you read right two days, that's how messy my area had gotten.  I still have a mountain of "leftover paper scraps", I don't know what to do about that, or how to store them so that I do use them up.  If anyone has a way of storing paper scraps & use them PLEASE let me know.  Here are some after shots (I am not going to share the distasterous before shots!).

My desk it's really there!!!  Woo Hoo

Just a few flowers, buttons & inks.

This is a photo tree which is now a ribbon tree (um must stop buying ribbons!)

The peg board was a birthday gift from my parents (the calandar Em did at pre-prep).

 See a clear run to my desk - wonder how long it'll stay like that ;P. 
I have also made one card since this photo was taken & guess what it still looks this good (woo hoo for me).  If you want to see the card I made go here.

On that note have a great easter & Hoppy crafting every bunny xoxoxoxoxoxo

Major Relapse!

Hi everyone,

I just wanted to do a quick post tonight, because I fear the computer is having a hissy fit (& hopefully not starting to die).  I'm taking it to get looked at on Monday, so hopefully it wont be anything too major.  The poor thing is practically a dinosaur, it's really slow at the moment & keeps freezing up :(. 

I also have a share.  I had a major "relapse" the other week & ordered a LOT  of stuff.  I asked if I could start paying it off before it arrived (otherwise I wouldn't have ordered it) & luckily my LSS owner agreed to this (thanks so much Barbie :D).  So below is just a little of what I've ordered.  Do you want to see what you get for $92.00?

Yup two stamps & one lot of Nesties.  I still have a heap of Copic refills, another lot of Nesties & some more Hero Arts stamps comming.  So all up I guess I'm up for at least another $200 to pay out.  Told you I had a major relapse!  But I'm so looking forward to playing with all of these gorgeous things.  I'm blaming you lot in part for my momentary lapse, Alice gets the blame for the nesties (so love what you do with yours).  Dawn gets the blame for the three leaves stamp & the envie stamp (still comming) & well the copics I'll cop the blame for them ;P.  Just kidding, what can I say you ladies are such an inspiration to me. 

On that note I'm outa here while the computer is playing nice, happy crafting everyone xoxoxoxoxo

Bugaboo stamps are gorgeous!

Hi everyone,

How are you all this week?  I hope all is well with you :D.  I'm feeling much better & would like to thank you for your support.  I have even made a card, done some commenting on flickr & some blogs (Yay for me). 
Here is the card I made:

I am so pleased with the way this card turned out.  Yes I'm still using up my scraps, are you getting bored seeing the same colours & papers?  I'm not (at the moment), I just love this pp with the tiny hearts on it - wish I'd remember who made it, so I can share it with you all.  The image was a freebie from Bugaboo Stamps, when I saw it I had to get it.  Only because everytime I see something with Ladybugs I'm reminded of  Lilly'bug'. 

I used Copics to colour the main image & then Tumbled Glass & Bundled Sage distress inks around the edges.  The flowers are mostly left untouched with a hint of colour close to the centres.  I used E0000 & E000 just for a hint of colour. 

In case you are wondering why I seam to be doing mainly Thankyou & Christmas cards, it's because I am trying to catch up on all the beautiful cards that where sent to us when Lilly was born (the Thankyous) & last year I didn't make one Christmas card so this year I'm getting in early :D.

Well enough dribble from me, I'm off to make a b'day card for the nephew.  Happy crafting everyone xoxoxoxoxoxo

Suffering withdrawls!!! :(

Hi everyone,

Sorry I've been quiet again!  I am suffering!!!!  I have given up a certain brand of soft drink & it damn near killed me (& some times still is killing me).  That's where the mirgraines have come from.  I've had the DT's (& not the good cardmaking kind either!) & could/would have killed for this drink at one stage earlier this week.  Why do we do these things to ourselves?  Start doing stuff that isn't good for us I mean. 

So this slightly crazy person hasn't been much fun to be around & has started to scare the natives (ie the family).  Plus I haven't been that creative 'coz I felt like crap.  I am hoping to get some crafting done tonight once the girls are in bed. 

Thanks for stopping by & happy crafting everyone xoxoxoxoxoxo

Where's the time gone..............?

Hi everyone,

It seems like yesterday (or at least last week ;P) that Lilly was born.  I can't believe that she was 10 months old yesterday.  My chubba bubba is growing up so fast :(.  The little brat is so close to walking it's not funny & has four words, dad (the first word of course) mum, dat (cat) & bub-bub & bah (which really isn't a word).

I know she's probably going to DIE of embarassment when she discovers I've blogged about this when she's 15 (guess who's goin' to tell her mwhaaa mwhaaa).  I have a simular photo of Emsy at this age just like this.  I scrapped that pic so will have to do the same with this one.  Maybe I will extract a digit (in other words pull my finger out!) & do some more scrapbooking hmmmmmm.

Well it's nearly tea time so Happy 10 month birthday sweetie monsta!
Happy crafting everyone xoxoxoxoxoxoxo

One card for two challenges.

Hi everyone,

I was having so much fun making "funny" christmas cards I decided to do another.  This time I have combined challenges, I am using the latest sketch from CPS & the Jingle Belles "Funny" challlenge.

Sorry about the blurry photo.  I had to scan this in today as it's been raining (yet again!).  I so love Gus I think he's a hoot.

Thanks for stoppin' by & happy crafting everyone :} xoxoxoxo

Jingle Belles - Batman smells (Happy April Fools' Day)

Hi everyone,

Yes this is another Christmas card.  I am determind not to repeat last year's disaster!  This week's challenge is to "make a humorous card for the holidays".  I used Gus from Bugaboo Stamps for this card.  My loving dh let me buy a few digi stamps today & boy did I have a hard time trying to limit myself to three of them.  Hmmm maybe next week I can get a few more? ;P

I have a saying that I use a lot sometimes.  "I'm not evil - just misunderstood" (what does that tell you about me mwhaaaaaaa!).  I changed it just a tad just for this card. 

Supplies:
Bazzil, 
Bugaboo - Gus digi stamp
Copics: Fur Trim W-1,
Boots C-5, C-7,
Skin 100, E000, E00,
Santa Suit & Hat R46, RV29, R59,
Chair E31, E33,E35,E 29,
Background BG000, B00
Distress Inks: Tumbled Glass, Broken China & Faded Jeans
Sentiment computer generated using Comic Sans script
Heidi Swap chipboard stars
Cuttlebug & cirlce Nestibilities

I've gone on a "walkabout" :D

Hi everyone,

Please pop over to the Die Cut Diva's today to see my latest card.  Trying to get some more interest in our group.  I know I'm shameless ;P!!!

Happy crafting everyone xoxoxoxoxo

Die Cut Divas Winner & a new Challenge

Hi everyone,

Well Last month over on our Die Cut Diva flickr pool we where challenged to make Shaped Cards.  The very lovely Dawn was the Judge & gave out a wonderful prize to Greta.  You can see the three cards that Greta entered here.

This month I am in charge of the Challenge & prize.  So if you would like to join in the fun you can go to our Flickr group here & check out our little blog here.  Or if you look over to my righthand side bar you can click on either the prize or the DCD button & they will magically take you there :D.

Have a great weekend & happy crafting xoxoxoxoxo

Hi everyone,

This is just a share, today.  Not for anything in particular.  A while ago the very lovely Kathy shared with everyone this amazing colour chart.  Which I thought was such a fantastic idea.  I loved the idea of seeing at a glance what a particular colour was & to top it off I think it makes great wall art.  So here is my version of Kathy's  colour chart using Hero Arts digi Flutterbies found here.  I have also used my Cuttlebug & Nestibilities Label Four & Nestibilities Tags.  I wanted to be able to see what the colours would look like stamped, coloured & brushed around the edges.  Since I am a visual person.  I also needed to have the names put on each butterfly so I could just grab it at a glance.  So I decided to do a "Specimen Board" with my butterflies. 

I took this into my LSS to show them as they helped me with a few little issues I had.  Like how to "glue" the labels to the canvas & what I could use for pins.  I was really honoured & surprised when they asked me to make one for them :D.  So of course I did (it looks exactly like this one).  Any way thanks for taking a peek.

Happy crafting everyone

Supplies:
Canvas 45cm x 45 cm
Tim Holtz Distress Inks
Nestibilities Label Four & Tags
Cuttlebug
Kaiser craft Paint: Sea Breeze
Kaiser craft Dewdrops
Modpodge
Hero Arts Digi kit Flutterbies
 

Deborah's CCC for March

Hi everyone,

By now you would know (& probably partook in one or two) of Deborah's CCC challenges.  Well this month my partner was the very lovely Anette.  So here is what I've made for her :D.

I tried to stick to the colours that Deborah gave as this month's options as well as the sketch for the card.  The pad I made because, well don't tell anyone but I ran out ideas & mojo.  This was the best I could come up with.  Usually I like to make a few cards to send to my partner.  I am hoping that Anette likes these.

I want to show you what a gorgeous card I got from Vera as well. I just love everything about it. So simple (something I love, but can't seem to do) & beautifully done. Plus I also got some gorgeous lace as well. Thank you so much Vera :D I smile every time I see this card, which is a lot. :D xoxoxo

Thanks for stopping by & happy crafting everyone.
PS Am feeling much better today, thanks for the kind words :D xoxoxoxoxoxo