It's all over for another year!

Phew! Christmas 2008 is done and dusted. Our Christmas day was lovely. Even the night shift I had to work was not a tough one! Hopefully now, our lives will settle into a peaceful, laid back routine as we cruise our way through January. We will spend most of our days at the pool I think, as January is our hottest month.

Here are a couple of cards that I made the other day. Nothing special, just quick and easy little numbers

Merry Christmas to all

Hello! Once again I must apologise for my absence. I did actually make a couple of cards last night, but I haven't got around to photographing them. I have been working like a woman possesed.

Merry Christmas!!!! It's almost Christmas here, about 20 mins to go, so surely Santa will put in an appearance soon, and we can all go to bed!!

I think this is the last year that Lara (nearly 10) will believe in Santa. She kept pestering me in Target the other day, asking if Santa was real. I fobbed her off for as long as I could. Finally I said that it was like God (God help me...), some people believe and some don't, but you have to believe to receive...

We are going across to my Mum and Dad's tomorrow. I have to work a night shift on Christmas night, so we will have an easy "out" if things get too heavy tomorrow. I love them dearly, but can only handle them in small doses. I have long ago come to terms with the fact that, if my mother and sister were work colleagues, I would want nothing to do with them, alas they are family, and I am stuck with them. LOL That sounds terrible, but this is the way it is. My Dad however, him and I are very alike and I would gladly spend time in his company every day of my life. So... wish me luck as I spend some time with them all tomorrow. Next year I want to go away with some friends for Xmas. Quiet, non stress time, at a beach. Bliss.

Whatever you are doing for Christmas Day, I wish you a fantastic day, filled with good company, good friends, good food and drinks, and above all, LOVE.

See you soon!

Naughty or nice??? I'm naughty...

I'm naughty because I'm a shocking blogger... November was the last time I blogged, and I was on quite a roll there for a while. I am so sorry. It's just that when I am not creating stuff, I forget to blog. I have been busy with domestic goddess duties, Christmas activities, and work. I don't think I've made a card for 2 weeks now. I am missing it like crazy, but sometimes the real life gets in the way.

I have been working a lot since my annual leave. Christmas and school holidays are looming, and I'd love some extra cash, so I've been working a lot. I am hankering for some family time away somewhere nice, and so I have been offerring myself for extra shifts to squirrel away some money for the same. Dunno where we'll go yet, or when, but it will be just divine when we get there. With all the news of horrific things happening to families and children lately, I am feeling the need to gather my darlings close. Even the Hubster, who has been an angel lately. LOL

Okay, I promise to be back real soon with some cards to share. I am keen to get creative with my camera, thanks to Renee from RW Blog. She inspires me beyond belief. If I get some great shots, I may even scrap a layout or two. OMG!!! There I said it!!!

See you soon.

Making lists

I saw this on another blog today, and thought it was a bit of fun.

This is the Aussie version of this list. The idea is that you copy the list and bold all the things you've done - and of course unbold those that you haven't. I have chosen to colour the things I haven't done in RED, for the sake of clarity.

1. Started your own blog.
2. Slept under the stars.
3. Played in a band.
4. Visited The Great Barrier Reef.
5. Stood under the stars in the outback, the real outback – think Uluru.
6. Given more than you can afford to charity.
7. Been to the Gold Coast’s theme parks – anyone, you take your pick.
8. Climbed a mountain.
9. Held a praying mantis.
10. Sung a solo.
11. Bungee jumped, jumped out of plane, been paragliding or hang-gliding, hot air ballooning – you get the idea, you’ve been hundreds of metres about earth in a seemingly flimsy contraption.
12. Visited Melbourne.
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea.
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch.
15. Had a child. Raised a child. Worked with children.
16. Had food poisoning.
17. Been to the Snowy Mountains. (Note: For those of you reading this who aren't Aussies, yes, we do actually have some mountains which have very imaginatively been named 'The Snowy Mountains'... probably because there are so few places in Australia where it snows)
18. Grown your own vegetables.
19. Visited the Brett Whitely studio in Surry Hills, Sydney.
20. Slept on an overnight train or bus.
21. Had a pillow fight.
22. Been backpacking.
23. Taken a mental health day.
24. Been buried in sand with just your head and toes sticking out.
25. Held a possum, kangaroo or koala – or any other native Australian animal.
26. Gone skinny dipping.
27. Been in a fun run.
28. Been on the Blue Mountain cableway.
29. Seen a total eclipse.
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset.
31. Played, or watched, summer cricket.
32. Sailed, kayaked or canoed our beautiful waterways.
33. Seen the Daintree.
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors.
35. Visited an Aboriginal settlement or mission.
36. Learned a new language.
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied.
38. Toured the Sydney Opera House.
39. Tried rock climbing (indoor or outdoor), abseiling or just simple bushwalking.
40. Visit Queensland’s Gallery of Modern Art.
41. Been to the Tamworth Country Music Festival.
42. Sunbaked at Bondi.
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant.
44. Visited Broome.
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight.
46. Been transported in an ambulance.
47. Had your portrait painted.
48. Gone fishing.
49. Seen Tasmania’s old growth forests.
50. Been to the top of Q1, on the Gold Coast.
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkelling.
52. Kissed in the rain.
53. Played in the mud.
54. Gone to a drive-in theatre.
55. Been in a movie.
56. Driven the Great Ocean Road.
57. Started a business.
58. Taken a martial arts class.
59. Visited Norfolk Island.
60. Served in a soup kitchen.
61 Sold Girl Guide biscuits.
62. Gone whale watching.
63. Got flowers for no reason.
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma.
65. Gone jet boating.
66. Visited Port Arthur.
67. Bounced a cheque.
68. Flown in a helicopter.
69. Saved a favourite childhood toy.
70. Visited the Australian War Memorial.
71. Eaten Caviar.
72. Pieced a quilt.
73. Stood in Federation Square.
74. Been on the Murray River.
75. Been fired from a job.
76. Travelled, or climbed, over the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
77. Broken a bone.
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle.
79. Seen the Three Sisters at Echo Point, Katoomba.
80. Published a book.
81. Visited St Mary’s Cathedral, in Sydney.
82. Bought a brand new car.
83. Been to Hermannsburg.
84. Had your picture in the newspaper.
85. Read the entire Bible.
86. Visited Parliament House.
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating. (EEEEEEEW)
88. Had chickenpox.
89. Saved someone’s life.
90. Sat on a jury.
91. Met someone famous.
92. Joined a book club.
93. Lost a loved one.
94. Saved a pet.
95. Been to the site of the Eureka Stockade.
96. Swum in The Whitsundays.
97. Been involved in a lawsuit.
98. Owned a mobile phone.
99. Been stung by a bee.
100. Read an entire book in one day.


I guess I have done more than I thought!

2S4Y - Kazan's sketch #14

Good morning! Time is flying by so fast at the moment. I think the kids have only 3 or 4 weeks of school left until they finish for the year. Where has the year gone??

I got busy yesterday and made a card based on Kazan's sketch #14 over at 2 Sketches 4 you. I was a bit hesitant as I started, as I had the feeling that my mojo was going to desert me, but I'm happy with how the card turned out, so I think the mojo is still in the building! The card uses new MME Christmas papers. I'm so OVER Christmas cards that I couldn't bring myself to turn this into yet another one, so it's just a generic "hi"!


My two weeks of annual leave are nearly over. I haven't done anything special, just been a homebody, and enjoyed not having to think about work. It's always a bit stressful, as Steve and I juggle our rosters to ensure that one of us is always home with the kids (apart from school hours of course). We often have some clashes that require a bit of creative rostering, so it's been lovely to have a couple of weeks break. I'm not back to work until Wednesday, so I still have a few days ahead of me.

It's raining here today (YAY), so I'm planning a day of making cards and perhaps a bit of daytime TV. Kazzy, what have you done to me?? My dear friend Karen and I often chat via msn during the day, and she'll often let me know what Oprah is up to! I tuned in the other day, and then the next day... I'm really not a fan of daytime TV, so I hope it doesn't become a habit...

Thanks for stopping by!

Scraps

I decided to force myself away from new papers this weekend, and challenged myself NOT to cut into any whole pieces. Instead, I worked from my scraps drawer. I find this challenging, as I have become quite lazy and usually use matching papers from the same range on my cards. It's been so much fun to mix and match all these papers that don't belong together. I've made quite a few cards, but alas, haven't made much of a dent on my scraps pile.

Wanna see what I've done??

Do you see our lovely grass? Today was the first day we have been allowed to walk on it. It's 2 weeks old now, so we reckon another week and the kids can be set free on it. They can't wait. They had a quick run and a roll on it today!

Thanks for stopping by!

2S4Y Bonus Sketch

Look at these papers, aren't they scrumptious?? You'll be seeing a lot more of them. They are the gorgeous embossed "Laundry Line" series from My Mind's Eye. I can't get enough of them. The little owl is from RW Lasercuts. He's very sweet, isn't he?

This card is based on the bonus Sketch by Kristen over at 2S4Y. Thanks Kristen, this was fun!!

Makeover!

I thought it was time to give my sad old blog a makeover. I fiddled around with photoshop for a while, until the frustration grew to the point of tears (I exaggerate, but it was close). So, I made a new header the old fashioned way, the way that suits me best: with paper. I decided to make it festive. This will ensure that I change it regularly. However, don't say I didn't warn you that you may still be looking at my little Christmas tree in May!! LOL


Let's see, what do I have to show you today?? I'll drag up some more cards that I made at the Getaway.





These cards feature two items that I borrowed from others, and have since been coveting. The first card used Wendy's Fiskar's Threading Water punch. It was in demand, let me tell you, and more than one of us tried to take it home with us. Alas, Wendy kept it. I have been looking everywhere for one, but haven't found one yet. :-( The second card features Mette's Swiss Dots embossing folder for the Cuttlebug. I have decided that I LOVE this folder, and I have actually purchased one of my own since I came home.

That's all folks, see you tomorrow!

Laura's sketch #13

It was such a happy mail day for me today. A bundle full of MME papers arrived!
This card is based upon Laura's sketch #13 over at 2S4Y. Each time a new sketch comes out, I can hardly wait to try it out!

I think I am done with Christmas cards. I have SO many now. I think, over the next few days, I will sit down and write them out. Too early to send them just yet, but very soon. Especially for my international friends.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

CPS #91

Wow, can you believe we are up to sketch #91 over at CPS??? And they just keep getting better and better. I keep referring back to the sketches, whenever inspiration leaves me. This was a quick and easy card based on sketch #91. Easy because the main feature is the beautiful embossed MME papers, and the die cut sentiment.

I'm watching last night's Hamish and Andy special. Those guys make me laugh so much. Completely silly, which is completely funny in my book! And there's just something about Hamish... hehe

Trivia night

I'm popping back in tonight to share a couple of pics from the Trivia Night. You can see the stark contrast between the girls and the boys. It was Bendigo Cup Eve, so we dressed up, the boys did not. We took a nice photo, the boys did not...

The school fair was awful. The kids had fun, but there were flies everywhere, and my hayfever was out of control. I'm glad to be home

Yay!

If you scroll back to my two previous posts, you'll see... well, you won't see cards anymore. The cards I had featured have been accepted by Cardmaking, Stamping and Papercraft magazine for an upcoming issue! As a bonus, in the accepting email, the editor asked me to make a card for their Mother's Day gallery too! All very humbling and exciting stuff.

So, I am working on a little card and an accompanying tutorial to pop onto the RW blog on Monday, and as a result I have precious little to show you today. I'll fall back onto a couple of cards I made at the RW Getaway.

It's the School Twilight Fair tonight. The kids are beside themselves with excitement. It's overcast right now, so I'm hoping it rains soon, then clears up for tonight. I'm off to bake some cupcakes for the Parent Club cake stall. Have a great day!

CPS #90

This card is based on Sketch #90 over at CPS blog. It took a bit of fiddling, re arranging etc but I finally turned it into something that I like! I'm still working with the Sass Lass papers and Heidi Swapp transparencies, I am loving them at the moment. Here's another card using the same ingredients:

The Trivia Night that was a fundraiser for the school was loads of fun. I believe our table was the noisiest, the most alcoholic, but also the smartest, as we won!!! We decided to walk home afterward (well, not much choice there really, as we couldn't drive). Steve and Rich were like two little school boys, up to no good, while Ali and I just giggled ourselves sick. The next day us girls got frocked up and went to the Bendigo Cup. Gosh it was hot. We kept ourselves nice and didn't drink too much at all, apart from copious amounts of water. We were home, tucked up in bed by 9pm, so it was a lovely day. I haven't uploaded my pics yet, but will get around to it very soon.

Kazan's sketch #13

I sat down today and made a card. I hadn't made any since the Getaway, so it felt great to be "back in the saddle" again. This card is based on Kazan's sketch #13 at 2Sketches4you blog. The sentiment and butterfly are transparancies from Heidi Swapp. I've had them for ages but just haven't used them. What was I waiting for? They are so nice.
Thanks for stopping by!

A big week!

I can tell that the countdown to Christmas has started. Our social lives have become super busy all of a sudden. Lots of little activities planned, as the weather warms up and us Aussies do what we do best - outdoor entertaining and fun! On Tuesday night we are going to a Trivia night to raise funds for the kids school, and then on Wednesday, Ali and I are off to the Bendigo Cup. Al is the Copy Editor at the Bendigo Magazine, and they have a Marquee at the Cup every year. She kindly invited me along, and so we have purchased frocks, hats etc. We are even booked in to have spray tans on Tuesday. I am ever so frightened about it. It's at another friend's beauty salon, but thankfully she isn't the one doing the tan. I couldn't face her ever again if she had seen me in nothing but a disposable G string. My lord!!! On Saturday we are attending a wedding. I will not know a soul there, which makes me a bit uncomfortable, and I will probably just drink to get over my shyness. Recipe for disaster if you ask me!!! The bride is a girl that Steve used to work with. It's Black Tie, so gives us an excuse to get all tarted up.

Sorry, got carried away! You are probably here to see some cards. I have plenty up my sleeve, thanks to the RW Getaway. Here are some for you!

Next time I will share before and after pics of our back yard. I can't tell you how much I love our turf. Grass is a luxury here in Bendigo. You can only water your lawn if you have a tank or use recycled water. When I was a kid, running through the sprinkler on a hot day was common. To my kids, it's something they can only dream about. They have made a chart on the wall, counting down to the day when they can run and roll on our own grass. Who would have thunk it??? Okay, I'm off to water the turf, with our tank water. I'm waiting for someone to see me watering and to "dob" us in, thinking we are using town water for it. If you have the audacity to water in Bendigo, people usually erect a sign saying "Tank and recycled water in use". I tend to think that it's none of their business, so we don't have a sign.

Have a great week. I will share pics of my bronzed skin and pics from all our events this week.

Finally...

While I was away, I finally inked up a set of stamps that I have loved, but failed to use yet. I hate to admit it, but this is the case with a few of my stamp sets...

It's been raining ALL day here today. This never happens here in Bendigo. The Turf Gods must be smiling on us!

This next card is one of my favourites from the Getaway. The preggers lady Laser Cut can be purchased from RW Lasercuts. I just love her, although she lacks the swollen ankles and massive boobs that were a feature of all of my own pregnancies!

Guess what? I am feeling a bit inspired to scrap! This is massive news, as I have done a mere three layouts in the past 12 months. I am so in love with cardmaking, that scrapping photos has taken a back seat. Don't hold your breath, it may not happen... just warning you that a layout may pop up on this blog when you least expect it!

MIA

Hi everyone. Remember me?? I just realised that it's been almost one month since I've blogged. I have been so caught up with renovations, kids, and extra shifts to fund the renovations. I have just been away on a Getway with Remember When Paper Company. It was such fun! I got over 30 cards made, and made some lovely new friends as well.

I'll share some pics from the Getaway, and then later tonight I'll begin the upload process, showing you some of the cards I made.

In other breaking news, we got turf today!!! Bendigo is dry and brown, as we are on Stage 4 water restrictions. We installed 2 tanks some weeks ago, and Steve has been working hard to install a sub-soil irrigation system. Today, the beautiful Sir Walter turf arrived. With some help from one of our gorgeous friends, Steve and I got it layed this morning. It's so nice to look out and see lush green grass.

Anyway, here are some of the pics:

Everyone hard at work!

Annie, Andrea and Kaz.

Our personalised wine glasses - mine in the middle.

It appears that Wendy just can't handle her drink... LMAO. She actually was sleeping very innocently and we took pics with the empty bottles laying around. NEVER let down your guard around us!

Hmmmm, I'll let you work this one out!

I promise to blog more regularly now, I'm back baby!!!

2S4Y - Laura's sketch #10

This little card is based on Laura's Sketch #10 over at 2S4Y. Another fab sketch that is just so versatile.
The papers are Basic Grey Euphoria, RW Lasercut butterfly (soon to be released) and Melissa Frances Stamp.

I have been very busy making up cards featuring RW Lasercuts. They have a whole load of new Lasercuts that will be released at Paperific next weekend. I am so totally in love with them, they are perfect for cardmakers. Keep an eye out for them. I will be posting more cards that feature the new releases in coming weeks. I am just busting to show you all!

Time flies when the kids are on school holidays...

Thank goodness the school holidays are almost over... There is just not enough time in each day to achieve much, apart from ferrying the kids from one entertaining venue to another. However, yesterday I had a chance to sit down and make some cards, so I'm feeling a whole lot more relaxed now.

Kathy and Rach from RWLasercuts sent me a mammoth pile of new goodies to play with. Thanks ladies, I love, love, lurve them all and they have inspired me beyond belief!

Here are a couple I did yesterday. The rocket ships are not a new item, but I haven't used them in a while...

Oh dear....

Hot on the heels of the last post where I accused myself of being a bad blogger... here I am a couple of weeks later..

I have done precious little in the way of cardmaking over the school holidays. Life has been busy, to say the least. However, I have managed to make some cards, despite the tardiness in meeting any of these challenges!


Here is my effort for Laura's sketch #9 over at 2S4U.








And, following in a similar pattern here is more from Pink Paislee vintage moon...

Bad blogger...

Wow, I haven't updated here since 8th September... What a bad, bad blogger! Ah well, I have been busy. Have done precious little in the way of crafting and card making, but have made a lot of headway on painting the house. The kids are home on school holidays at the moment, so I'm not sure how much crafting I'll get done in the next two weeks, but I'll be trying.

We are taking it slowly these holidays. No trips away planned. The kids all had birthday parties to go to on the weekend, and Lara had her intensive weekend of gymnastics. Friday night, all day Saturday and all day Sunday. She was one tired little poppet by Monday! We are doing a spot of mini golf tomorrow, then ice skating on Thursday. Friday will be a "me" day, as I'm going to get a new "do" and banish the grey hairs again. It's footy grand final day on Saturday, we we'll have a BBQ with friends and neighbours. None of us barrack for the teams in the final, so we'll be cool, calm and collected!

Here's a little card I made the other day. This owl is so very cute, and available soon from RW Lasercuts.

CPS #81

I had a very happy mail day yesterday. In my package of goodies was some beautiful papers from Prima, some K&Co Berry Sweet die cut shapes, and ... ahem... some gorgeous acrylic stamps. I need more stamps like I need another hole in my head, and yet I am drawn to them. Love them to pieces! I got some great Autumn Leaves stamps, and some Hero Arts.

So, this little card is based on Sketch #81 over at CPS blog. I used my new stuff. Prima papers, K&Co die cut flower and flourish, and the sentiment is from the Hero Arts stamp set.

Today I finally have some "me" time again. All last week was spent with Jacob home from school. He ended up with a nasty ear infection. He had the entire week home from school, but he's all better now and I sent him back today.

We have three guinea pig babies!!! On Saturday Lara and I went to check on the expectant Mum. Lara walked over to the hutch and said, "no, she hasn't popped... MUM! She's POPPED, she's POPPED". It was sooo funny. There in the hutch was one little baby, as clean as a whistle. A short time later we had two more. One girl and two boy piglets. They are too stinkin' cute. The kids want to hold them 24/7 and I keep telling them that they have to realise how little they are and that they need their mum. Truth be told, I want to hold them all the time too!!

2S4Y - Kazan's sketch #8

TGIF! This week has been exhausting for us. The kids had their school production over two nights and are thoroughly worn out. Poor Jacob got sick on Monday night and he completely missed taking part in the production! He had high temperatures, nausea, and then on Thursday complained of a sore ear. I took him along to the Dr yesterday and it turns out that he does have an ear infection on top of the virus he already had. So, he's been my constant companion this week. He's much better now.

Here's a card I made based on Kazan's sketch #8 over at 2 Sketches 4 You blog. The cute little deer is from RW Lasercuts, and he should be available in the next couple of weeks. Basic Grey "Offbeat" used here.

This next card also uses a new little cutie from RW Lasercuts. I used more Basic Grey, this time the Ambrosia line. This card is for the coach of the girl's netball team. I hope she will like it!

That's all I have today. Hope you have a great weekend. Ours will be quiet. Oh, and no baby guinea pigs yet!!!

CPS #80

The sketch challenge over at CPS blog this week was a little different. We were challenged to choose any one of the previous 79 sketches and base a card on this. I have to admit that I went a little crazy and couldn't pick just one. I also hooked into some of my BG that I'd been "hoarding". Remember, I am not "saving" my favourite papers anymore. They are there to be used!

This first one is based on Sketch #59. The die cut stickers that BG produce make it super easy to embellish a card!!

This next card, still using the Sugared collection from Basic Grey, is based on Sketch #60. Why haven't I used these papers before, they are soooooo very pretty!

It's Father's Day this Sunday here in Australia. I made the next card using the Boxer range from Basic Grey, and this one is for my gorgeous old Dad! He doesn't read my blog, so it will remain a surprise! This is based upon Sketch #74.

The kids are eagerly anticipating the arrival of baby guinea pigs! We have had 3 boys for about a year now, and a couple of months ago we purchased two little girls. We have kept them apart at all times, as the girls are a bit young at the moment. However, one of the little girls started to get fatter and fatter, and now you can clearly feel little babies squirming around in her tummy. She's ready to pop anyday. We were perplexed as to how this happened, as all the kids have sworn that they never put the boys in with them. Then, I did a bit of research. Looked up the gestation period for a guinea pig (9 - 10 weeks). We did the math and worked out that she must have been "just" pregnant when we bought her. She was obviously in the cage with some boys at the pet store. I worry that she's a bit young, but I guess, in the wild, she would have been pregnant by now anyway. Ah well, stay tuned for the big announcement and the inevitable pics!!!