Mothers' Day

 Hi Lovelies,

I thought today I would do a share of some Mothers' day cards I have made.  I made the first card today when I went to my LSS for some "me time" away from the house.  You know there are just some days you don't want to do the same old stuff.  I have stamped some very different images than I am use to, in an effort to challenge myself.  Although this image is similar to some of my stamps I really liked how it turned out.  Especially that gorgeous ribbon.

 

 This is a close up of another card that I made for Doug's mum.  I was inspired by this card by Alice.  I used watercolour pencils on watercolour paper, then used my Aqua-brush to blend out the colours.  I then used some of the butterflies from this post to the paper after I stamped it with a HA background stamp.  

This card I made with the same paper, just different stamps.  I really like the effect of the colours on the background.

Well I'm off to wrangle the snakes kids.

Have a wonderful week & happy crafting xoxoxo

Rainy Days & happy thoughts.

Hi Lovelies,

Today's card was inspired by Lily Pad Cards' latest challenge.  I think it was meant to be, as I had this cute Bugaboo Digi image already printed & waiting to be coloured in.  Plus it is raining yet again here.  We almost had a drought......................four days of no rain (well maybe a little longer)!

I enjoyed making this card, although I'm not sure on the sentiment.  I figured that this could be a get well card or a pick-me-up kind of card.  I have added Diamond Glaze to the puddle & raindrops, but I didn't get a really got shot of it.  

Well I had better be off - kids to wrangle & all that........................I swear it's like trying to wrangle snakes sometimes.  Happy crafting everyone

Digi Image: Buegaboo Digi Stamps
Hero Arts: CL305 Sending Happy Thoughts
Copics: B24, R29, R59, E08, E25, E29,, E31, E33, E35, E37, Y15, Y35, Y38, 
Distress Inks: Tumbled Glass, Broken China, Faded Jeans,
Diamond Glaze,
Dew Drop Brilliance ink: Mediterranean Blue,
Paper: Bazzil, Stella & Rose by My Mind's Eye.
Cuttlebug,
Xcut Nesting Dies- Ornate Frame

A Wedding redo

 Hi Lovelies,

Are you sick of my wedding cards yet?  Ok so today I showed my friend the cards I made & she really liked them but loved the colour of this card above.  I have always thought that this card needed to be redone.  It was one of my earlier cards & I've struggled with the how to's of changing it.  Between the two of us we came up with the design below.

It looks so much better now, don't you think?  I incorporated the papers from the other cards into this one.  I think because the background paper is so busy that the strips of neutrals help to balance it out.  I think the simple bow, ribbon rose & the two pins are just the right amount of embellishments as well.

Well my youngest is not having her afternoon nap, plus Emsy is home from school.  So I had better go do the mum thing.  Maybe I can squeeze in some crafting time tonight?

Happy crafting everyone

Butterfly Love & another Wedding card

Hi Lovelies,

Today I have two cards to share with you.  I was inspired by the lovely Dawn to to try a new challenge, over at Moxie Fab World.  I'm with Dawn I don't usually do their challenges as I too am daunted by so many fabulous stampers.  But any way here is my card.  

This one is using Echo Park Paper - Hello Spring.  Don't you just love the butterflies?  I know I do, so much so I just had to fussy cut them all out of the paper.  Not sure if you can see it (my photography isn't that good) but I've used Hero Arts Fabulous Flourish behind the butterflies with Versa mark ink.  The sentiment is by Kaisercraft & stamped with Versa Magic chalk ink in Turquoise Gem.  I made it as a potential "wedding card", but really it could be used for many other reasons.

This next card I made for my friend (yes I think I've officially gone overboard) to give her some more choices.  I've really enjoyed making these cards after such a long time of not making anything.  I used the latest Try Stamping on Tuesdays sketch.  Like all the wedding cards I've used the same papers, Twinkling H2Os, pears & ribbons.  I did add some different ribbon to the bottom of this card - just don't look to closely at it as it's so crooked!  I do have to thank the very lovely Jo from Dotty Pudding's Place, as the stamp I've used I won from a blog give away Jo had.

Well I'm off to make some more cards, hopefully........................

Hugs to you all & happy crafting

ANZAC Day.

Hi Lovelies,

Today here in Australia & New Zealand it's ANZAC Day.  Today is the day we celebrate our brave Soldiers or "Diggers" as we like to call them.  Each day we celebrate ANZAC Day on the 25th April each year.  Today is one day that I am so glad to be an Aussie.  I am so grateful to all the soldiers past & present for their sacrifices.  War shouldn't be celebrated, but what our brave soldiers have done & are doing to help keep people safe should.  

Each year there is a Dawn Service held just as the sun rises & this year is the first time since I've known Doug he hasn't gone.  Usually Doug, John (Doug's dad) & Emsy go, this year unfortunately they couldn't.  Emsy was so disappointed, but as my DH says there is always next year.  Who knows maybe next year Lils' will be able to go as well.  I really do think it's something we should encourage our children to do.  My Grandfather & Doug's Uncles where all soldiers in the last World War.  So it holds special meaning to our families.  As I write this my father is in Thailand attending ceremonies on their holiday (they went on a holiday specifically for this) as well as visiting other well known places from the war.

One of the good things to come from the war (if any good can) is a biscuit called an Anzac Biscuit.  There are many different versions out there, but the one thing they all have in common is oats & golden syrup.

Here is a recipe:

Anzac Biscuits


1 Cup rolled oats
1 Cup plain flour
1 Cup sugar
3/4 Cup coconut
125g (4oz) butter
2 tblspn golden syrup
1/2 tspn bicarb soda
1 tblspn boiling water

Combine oats, sifted flour, sugar & coconut.  Combine the butter & golden syrup in a pot & stir over low heat until melted.  Mix soda with boiling water & add to melted butter mixture.  Then stir into dry ingredients.  Place tablespoons of mixture on lightly greased trays (allow room for spreading).  Cook in a slow oven for 20 minutes.  Makes about 35.

I'd make sure that the trays are well greased or use baking paper or silicon baking sheets.  Because the biscuits will stick.

Well we are off to visit Doug's dad now.  Have a great day & happy crafting xoxoxoxo

More Wedding Bells.......

 Hi Lovelies,

I've been asked to make a wedding card for a friend.  So I decided to make a few, just so she has a choice.  I would hate for her to not like one & not have any more choices for her.  I'm really pleased with these two cards.  The top one I based on the latest Simon Says Stamp challenge here.  I used one of my "older" Hero Arts stamps from the Whimsical Weddings set.  The sentiment is also from Hero Arts.  I added the ribbon as an extra touch.  I also have been using my Twinkling H2O's to colour in these images.  I am really enjoying using them to create the "soft" look on these cards.  They are so shimmery irl.
 

For this card I used this sketch from Sparkle Creations, which I found through Alice's Blog.  I'm not actually entering it in the challenge as I don't have any of their (yummy) stamps.  

Well lovelies, I'm in the middle of cooking tea, then getting the dh & dd organised for ANZAC Day tomorrow.  I'm thinking tomorrow I will make some Anzac Biscuits, I hope to post a copy of the recipe & a picture of the biscuits.

Have a great week & happy crafting xoxoxoxo

Wedding Bells

Hi Lovelies,

Firstly I just want to thank you all for your wonderful suggestions on my crafting drought.  I'm feeling much better about it all.   I figure I'll just potter around home for awhile.  Try to get on top of the fleas - just sprayed my carpet square, my feet & vaccuumed (now I know how the cat feels), tidy my stuff & do a little colouring each day & just let my creativity do what ever.  Not force it.

Now having said all of that, I got an email the other day asking for a Wedding card.  So what do you think?  Is this a card I can sell?  I wanted to keep it simple, elegant & clean.  I also deviated from my beloved Copics & coloured this image with my Twinkling H2O's.  It actually turned out a lot better than I thought it would.  I also trimmed around the rose ribbon to give them a more organic feel.  

I decided to go to my LSS & buy some more papers.  Yeah I broke "the no new papers rule" big time.  I spent $16 on 1 pattern paper, 6 bazzil paper, 2 pins, 2 ribbons & 1 stamp.  I want to make a few more wedding cards, just so my client (boy that felt strange to write) has a choice.  I would hate to have only one card for them to choose from & not like it.  Well I had better be going..............

Have a great week & happy crafting my friends xoxoxoxo

Keepin' it simple yet again

Hi Lovelies,

Today's card is not for any challenge, just me trying to get my mojo moving in the right direction.  I started out thinking of a blue/yellow colour scheme.  But as usual it morphed into a different colour scheme.  I had this piece of striped paper sitting on my desk & decided it would be a good background.  I'm still trying to get rid of my scraps.  It seems like a never ending battle, my ice cream bucket overflow"ths" & never seems to get any emptier *sigh* one day I hope it does.

I have a question for you all - What do you do when you get really stuck & your Mojo isn't flowing?  I've been is such a slump, I had lost my spark for crafting.  Do you do go to classes?  Or do you spend time at your LSS & let the creativity flow over you?  I'm still deciding if I want to do the latter, not classes - just spending some time in the shop.  What would you take?  I'm thinking of keeping it simple & taking just taking one black ink & some white paper.  Plus a select number of Copics.  At my LSS your pay $5 & then you can use their stamps & punches.  Is there anything else you'd take?  I really do need ideas, so any of your thoughts would be appreciated.  I figured I just had to go & "potter" around in my arty spaces.  I'm currently "Label Happy" at the moment.  I figure that I should name all my stuff, just in case I ever do a class.

Well I had better be going, kids to wash, dishes to do.................
Happy crafting everyone xoxoxoxoxo
 

Keepin' it simple (& organised)

 Hi Lovelies,

How are you all going?  I hope that all is well where ever you are.

I've made this card for the latest CAS-ual Fridays challenge here.  I know this isn't an original idea, but I've just brought a new set of stamps & couldn't resist.

Today I decided to try & get back into my crafting.  I vacuumed the downstairs area, cleaned my tables both sewing & scrapping.  Before lunch even!  Then once Lils' was a nappin' I went to my LSS & brought one piece of paper & this set of stamps from Kaiser Craft.  I know I broke my no new paper rule.  I just couldn't resist, I'm hoping some ideas will come to me.

 But before all of that I decided to re-organise my Copics & label them.  Thanks to Pinterest  I have covered a number of food cans with papers & added images coloured with my Copics to the front.  All my colours are now grouped together again & I even got my Labeler out & discovered how to shrink the font size so I can name my Copics.  I also got smart & labeled the chisel end of my Copics so now I know which end is which.

Well that's all for me today.  Have a great weekend where ever you are & happy crafting xoxoxo

Movie Date

Hi Lovelies,

I have yet another non crafty post today.

Emsy & I met up with one of the Mums' & her two boys, from our group today.  We went to the movies, this is the second movie we've seen together.  I'm trying to take Emsy to a movie each holiday, sort a tradition just for her & me.  As I don't get to spend one on one time with Em as much as I would like.  

We saw The Lorax.  What a hoot of a movie, both Emsy & I loved it, although it was a little bit scary in one spot for Emsy (she always finds something scary - funny girl).  I thought it was going to be a ho-hum okay sort of kid flick.  Boy was I pleasantly surprised!  I found it to be extremely funny & enjoyed it just as much (probably more) than Emsy.

I really think that if you don't have kids that you go beg/borrow somebody's kid (preferable someone you know) & go see it.  If no kids are available, just go anyway & tell them it's for "research" lol.

Well that's all from me for today.  I'm off to check out Flickr & who know maybe even get a few comments in, before the Lils Monsta wakes up.

Have a happy week every one xoxoxoxo

Hi Lovelies,

I just want to thank you all for your kind comments on my last post.  It was totally unexpected & I do appreciate them.  I just thought I should explain why I hadn't been posting.

Since then I've been busy.  So busy this is going to be a long winded post, so you might want to go & get a cuppa.  You will probably need it by the end.


Emsy & I have made cupcakes, a cake, some Easter baskets (mini ones) & I've spruced up Emsy's Easter basket & I've made "Easter" themed biscuits.  Plus I've finally given in to my dh & we are starting to Potty train Lil's.  So far this morning we've gone through three pairs of undies (all big sissy's of course).  We've had one success & two little accidents.  Not bad really....................

Well enough potty talk, so here are a few random photos (all taken on my phone) of the things we've been doing of late.

These cupcakes where for our Mothers' Group's kids.  I then had to make a cake for the mums as well.  Emsy was quiet insistent on that.  Emsy put all the Easter eggs on the top & had loads of fun doing (& eating) it.

This "cheeky monkey" insists on feeding herself.  So I've wised up & bath/shower/hose her down after a meal.  It helps keep the peace that way.  I just love the look on her face, it's sooooooooo Lilly!

These are the baskets we made for all of Emsy's Mothers' Group kids.  We ended up having some leftovers, so we have given them to friends & family as well.

 This sign cracks me up!  I love it.  It is outside our local shops on the Notice board.  Gotta love a Cranky Dinosaur.

 This is Lilly's Tiger face.  I brought some face paints the other day & then googled/you tubed how to face paint.  I found Lisa Joy Young's You tube channel the easiest to follow.

 Emsy wanted to be an Easter Bunny on Friday so I sat her down next to my laptop & we stop started the video so I could do this.  Not bad for a first effort, even if I say so myself ;o)

 I did this unicorn on my arm so I could practice it.  I knew Emsy would want one as soon as she saw it.

Lastly here are my "Easter" themed biscuits.  I find The Sweet Adventures of Sugarbelle a great blog for tips, tricks & ideas.  I also used her biscuit recipe & it makes the nicest biscuits.

Well thanks for stopping by & getting to the end of this post.  I do hope that your Easter break was a wonderful time of celebration, peace & love with your family & friends.

My life - today.

Oh, hello. I'm depression. You were probably expecting me. (Sandra Ranja illustration.)

Hi there lovelies,

Do you like my visitor?  I certainly don't, he's the reason the I've been absent lately.  I don't normally write about my feelings here, but thought I should explain myself.  I have been feeling blah for the longest time & only since the sun has come out have I started to feel like doing anything, anything at all. I haven't touched my craft stuff for the longest time.  I managed to make an apron the other day, but forgot to take a picture.  I made it for my dd's primary school tuck shop.  I'll try to get a photo of it next time I do tuck shop.

I have even stopped taking a photo a day for my grateful/365 project (something just for me).  Although I did take a picture of the blue sky (with a few clouds) the other day, as it's been so very long since we've seen the sunshine.

I thought I would share with you a few photos from the last week or so.  Emsy finally had her hat parade, & of course there where loads of great hats, easter eggs & the parents each brought a plate for the lunch.  Then we all went home early as it was the last day of school for term one.  Boy hasn't the time just flown by.  It seems like the other day since Emsy had her first day at school.

Here is Emsy (& Lils) sitting in line waiting to "parade" their hats.

Just thought I show a close up of my Emsy. 

This is Lils' after eating spaghetti meatballs.  She has to feed herself nowadays.

I have also taken Lils to her first "rock concert" Elmo's World Tour.  She's still a bit little to really appreciate it, but had a great time any way.  Occasionally she would join in, but the fold up chair, the other kid's food (they had chips) & falling off seats where far more exciting.  But still I am glad that I took her.  It was a good Lils' & Mummy time.

Well I had better go.  As my new laptop is having issues with it's hard drive & I have to go see if I can get it repaired under warranty (the company we brought it from has since gone into liquidation).

Also before I forget I am hosting a challenge on the Die Cut Diva's flickr site here.

Thanks for stopping by & happy crafting everyone.  Hugs to you all xoxoxoxo