Fresh Cuts Sympathy

Hello … just a quickie … I have 7 house guests arriving tonight … and so I am trying to get the house in some order after Chrissy. I want to get all the decorations packed away … and the tree out of the house … so I can vacuum up all the pine needles. Need to organise beds … and then tonight we have a farewell picnic for Gav’s sister & family … who are heading off to Vanuatu soon. But … thankfully, Sheree helped me organise a menu & did the groceries for me yesterday … so all meals are organised for the next 2 1/2 weeks … until my guests leave to go home. (They are all down the coast at Beach Mission for 1 week in the middle of their visit.) But … effectively … I am going to be very busy for the next two weeks! Especially with Skye’s musical performances right bang smack in the middle of it all!!! Phew! I feel like I typed that HUGE sentence in ONE SINGLE BREATH!!! LOL!!!!!!!!!

I sooooo need to find some time to stamp … seriously!!! I am running out of projects to show you!!! Anyway … I checked my pic files … and found another sympathy card that I hadn’t shared, yet! (I think this is the last!) And … I thought … YEP! … let’s get rid of the sympathy cards … before the end of the year. And … hopefully next year will not be such a sad one! I actually do really like this one, though. (If ever you can “like” a sympathy card!? )

So … this is one of my favourite sets – “Fresh Cuts”. You know the ones … a set that always seems to work perfectly for you!!! And … don’t you love the colours??? Almost Amethyst & Basic Black. The little silver half pearls finish this off beautifully … pity that they aren’t SU!

So … off to get those jobs done! Will be back asap! Hope you are having a great day!

Love Always

Hello my friends!

I feel a little out of touch with everyone … but I am sure that is just because we have all been pre-occupied with Christmas and the holidays! So … please pop by and say hi!

I am also feeling a little frustrated … cos I am “itching” to do some stamping challenges … and would be happy just to do some stamping with my new stamp sets … but I still have a “to do” list that is beckoning!!! Does that “to do” list ever go away??? I need to pack away the Christmas decorations & tidy the house … do the minutes from the School Fair Committee meeting (that I just haven’t been able to get to yet) … plan my menu … do my shopping list … and get the groceries done … because I have 6 young people arriving from Queensland tomorrow. They are on their way down the south coast for our church’s beach mission … but will be staying here until Saturday … and then will be back the following Saturday … and staying for another 5 or 6 days! (3 of them are my nephews & niece!) My lovely friend, Robyn (we went to her son’s wedding on the 12th) is also here to stay on Wednesday … it will be wonderful to see her! BUT … that does mean that I really do have to focus on my house guests … and what to feed them … rather than stamping!

Thankfully, I do have a few recent projects that I haven’t shared with you all yet … so hopefully by the end of the week I will find time to do some stamping and show you some new creations! In the meantime … here is a card I made using the NEW “I {heart} hearts” stamp set from the Summer Mini catty …

Sorry … this pic is a bit dark … but the colours are Pink Pirouette & Elegant Eggplant! And … you can see I have used two of the heart stamps … the “flourish” one … inside the “dotted outline” one! I did use my stamp-a-ma-jig to position these perfectly inside each other. (That stamp-a-ma-jig really is VERY HANDY!!! ) Some of the pretty heart stamps from this set fit perfectly into the “Full Heart” punch … how excitement!!!  I’m not sure if you can see them … perhaps in the close-up pic you can … but I have added a lavender rhinestone brad to each of the hearts … a different spot on each image. And … the “Love Always” phrase is from the “Chit Chat” rub-ons … and fabulous pack of phrases … and available now in the Summer Mini!

The Chit Chat Rub-Ons have one sheet of white & one sheet of chocolate phrases. You will have endless uses for these super quick phrases!  So … like I have said before … HEAPS of goodies in the mini catty. If you would like a copy … email me at giggles08@three.com.au … and I will send one out to you … or you can view an online copy via my SU! web-site!

Oooohhh … I just had to share another of Lynda’s creations! She decided to try out the Gift Card Holder that I showed you recently … and sent me a couple of pics to show me what she had done!!

Super effort, Lynda! I’m so glad your FIL was impressed … and it always makes me happy to think I have helped with some inspiration! I really didn’t use my “Season of Joy” set much this year … due to having a few new Chrissy sets … but it really is a gorgeous set! Anyway … I think I have rabbited on far too much … ooops … not even the New Year yet … and my NY resolution is out the window!!! Have a great day, everyone!!!

It’s Good to Dream

Hi everyone!

Hope your Christmas was as wonderfully special as mine! It was lovely to have Stace & Jono sleep over Christmas Eve … and then share Christmas Day with Gav’s family … and Boxing Day with mine! I feel very spoilt … and really enjoyed the special effort that went into all the delicious goodies … that we indulged in for 2 1/2 days!!! I hope you also found time to think about the real significance of Christmas … and the wonderful gift of our Saviour! I am so very thankful that I am able to acknowledge all of God’s blessings on our “not so little” family and know that He will continue to comfort, strengthen, teach, guide and care for us in the year ahead. I am looking forward to a quieter 2010! Do you think that is possible???

With all the extra days over the Christmas & New Year break … I hope you might find some time to stamp??? What a lovely way to relax after a busy family time! And … I wanted to show you something from the Summer Mini Catalogue and … this time … I am going to show you the FULL set of stamps for this yummy stamp set!!! (Remember I only had scanned 2 stamps out of 5 last time!) So … this is my NEW favourite stamp set … called Razzle Dazzle …

And here is a sample I made for our Summer Mini Launch night. Hhhhmmm … not such pyschadellic colours as last time … but isn’t the monochromatic quite eye catching!!!

And … you can also see that I have added some chocolate supernova glitter as sparkly highlights here and there on the flowers in the circle. But … did you also notice … I have used my BRAND NEW … SUPER EXCITING … Circle  Scissors! This is also just available in the Summer Mini Catalogue … but I am sure it will make it’s way into our IB&C in 2010!

Now the secret to using this cutter is … use some Dotto to secure it to your glass mat & DON’T LEAN TOO HEAVILY on it … just let it glide around on the cardstock. If you can remember that … you will just love using this cutter. It is soooooooo much better than my old cutter! Much easier to use! If you would like to see a video tutorial for the Circle Scissors … here is a great one to look at -> Sunny Stampin’ … and … if you would like a great idea about cutting some templates to help you decide sizing … then here is another great video tutorial -> Patty’s Stamping Spot. Aren’t I good to you!!! I have done the “google-ing” for you!!!

So … if you would like to see all the lovely goodies on offer in the Summer Mini Catalogue … then click on this catty pic to view the online catalogue. There are so many gorgeous new products to drool over. Start preparing your wish list … so you can take advantage of Sale-A-Bration which begins on Jan 25! Earn a FREE stamp set with every $100 you spend! All the details for this great promo will be on my SU! demo website from Jan 25!

Ok … so I will leave you alone … now … in the hope that you can “chill-ax” a little. I will be back asap with another treat from this gorgeous Summer Mini! And … I can’t wait to get back to some of the challenges I sooooo love to do! Just need to find a little time! Happy Stamping!

Christmas Day Hello!

 

Hello to all my special blog friends! Just popping by to say hi and HAPPY CHRISTMAS. I hope Santa is good to you … and I hope your time with family and friends is a wonderful time of sharing and happy memories! Praying that you will all be blessed this Christmas and throughout the New Year! Thanks so much for all your support, encouragement, friendship and care … I really appreciate the blessings you bring to my life! Enjoy your day … and I will see you soon!

Razzle Dazzle Christmas Blessings!

Jingle Bells … Christmas Eve … and just one more Chrissy Card!!!

At least this is a BRAND NEW STAMP SET … that I have used for this one! It is the border stamp from the Summer Mini Set called “Razzle Dazzle”! I really love this set … and am dying to have more of a play with it! So … it probably is best to use your Stamp-a-ma-jig if you want to match up the lines on this stamp! (I have stamped two images side by side!)

If you would like to see a PDF file of the Summer Mini Catalogue then click here -> Summer Mini. You will want to start making your wish list … ready for when Sale-a-bration starts on Jan 25!!! Only a month to go!!! (Earn a FREE stamp set for every $100 you spend!) 

So … I have been up early this morning to do last minute baking … sweet potato casserole … Ham & Egg bake (for Christmas Brekkie) … Spinach Cob Dip … and finishing off my two different ice cream cassattas … cutting up the fudge & hedgehog & coconut ice … Oh … and the pork is in the oven as I write! Smells delicious! And … even better … I am now off to have lunch with my very very special friend, Tania! (Yep! Christmas Eve baby … that’s why I like to make sure someone notices her birthday!!!) Well … have to run … and must get Sandy to put out the cookies & milk for Santa! Hope you all have a wonderful day tomorrow!

Another lovely surprise!

Hi again!

I JUST HAD to share another lovely surprise … that arrived at my front door by courier yesterday morning! I was so excited to open up the carefully packed box to find this …

My very special friend Lee-Anne (who I have never met – except through our blog friendship) sent this gorgeous parcel to me! Isn’t it all just so beautifully coordinated! I love the pretty pink Christmas Paper!!! (I wonder who’s it is??? ) The verse image on the card is one I haven’t seen before … but it is just perfect! (And the personal message inside was even more perfect!!!) Look at that gorgeous punched border! (Another I haven’t seen before!!!) And … even the envelope has some elegant dry embossing. The detail in these precious gifts is just lovely, Lee-Anne! Thank you so much for this really thoughtful and beautiful gift!

The box has some “yummies” inside … and the tin holds a lovely candle! Both things I am rather taken with … how did Lee-Anne know that I even have a candle sitting on my craft desk … that I love to light … just to enjoy the fragrance! I can’t describe how pretty this candle fragrance is … but it is something different to my usual vanilla or frangipani … and it is just lovely! Big hugs to Lee-Anne! 

I have received several beautifully hand made Christmas Cards … but just haven’t had the time to  photograph or post them all here. Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to create something special for me this Christmas … I am truly touched by all your thoughtful expressions of friendship! I just wanted to share one more cute card made by my sis … my no. 1 supporter! Again, not a SU! image … but very cute and sparkly! (She has used the “Dazzling Diamonds Dust” technique to cover the whole of the background of the main image – you can see this on her blog -> Christine’s Creations.)

Don’t forget to check out my Christmas Card for today! (Scroll down to next post!) So … one more Chrissy Card to share tomorrow … before Christmas … I am about to prepare that post and then get back to my Chrissy baking!!! Still lots to do! But at least I feel like I am getting there! Keep smiling … even though it is busy … remember … it is “happy busy”!

A Very Merry Christmas

Hi friends!

Are you bored with Christmas Cards yet? Well … I just have two more to share … and then I will show you something brand new from the Summer Mini Catalogue! So … thanks for being patient and interested!!! Hey … it has gone very quiet again! Don’t forget to say hi if you stop by!

So … this was created using more of the Ski Slope DSP (from the Spring Mini) … and this sweet tree is from the “Christmas Classics” stamp set. The phrase is from “Punches Three” … which is a gorgeous level 1 Hostess set which is FREE with any order over $300! Why don’t you get a couple of friends to place an order with you … and you could earn this hostess set. It really is a “classic” set … and one that creates the most elegant cards! I love the way it is perfect for a multi-colour image.

I hope you can see the pretty sparkle on the tree … and the layering as well??? This is really effective … and I hope you can see the detail in this photo??? So … on the countdown … only 2 sleeps until Christmas! All my gifts are wrapped … and my tree looks beautiful. My shopping is done … my baking is well on the way to being finished. Just need to do some more today! Hope your day is a happy one, too!

 

 

 

Surprise!

Hi again … just a quickie! Isn’t it just so exciting to open the mail and find a surprise!!! This is what arrived for me yesterday …

What a lovely surprise from Lynda! A sweet little journal / art book … hhhmmm … it almost seems too nice to use … but I’m sure I will find a good use for it. I have to admit … yep … I am a stationery (& journal) junkie!!! Can’t resist pretty journals. My last one from Tanya I have almost finished … it has all my draft card recipes written in it. (I write down measurements & details as I make my cards … so it is easier to prepare a card recipe when I have the time!) So … perhaps Lynda’s can be used for this too … once I have finished the one from Tanya! Or … it would make a lovely prayer journal … or a birthday shopping record book …  Like I said … I’m sure I will find a good use for it! Thanks so much Lynda, for taking the time to send me something so special. I will treasure it! Lynda also sent me a stunningly elegant Chrissy Card …

And … in the same delivery … I received this fun & funky Christmas Card from Debbie P …

And … another gorgeous embossed creation from Leonie S! Aren’t I just soooooooooooo spoilt!!!

I am so thankful for all the wonderfully sweet and supportive and encouraging friends I have made through SU! and blogging. Thank you everyone for your special thoughts for me this Christmas! I am truly touched!

Anyway … I have given you another Chrissy Card to CASE below … so just scroll down for that post!

Simple but nice!

Hello again!

You may have noticed that I am keeping my rabbiting on under control at the moment. I am trying to spare you having to read a lot of drivvle … cos I know you are all probably frantically busy at the moment! I am still trying to keep up with a post a day … but obviously that may not happen over Christmas … but in the meantime … here is another Simple but Nice Christmas Card …

There is that scrummy polka dot ribbon again. Just love it! And … it really dresses a card up … don’t you think? Punches make it so easy … add a little bling & voila … simple but nice! By the way … the gorgeously beautiful Chunky Sprinkles are one of the items ON SALE at the moment! Now is the time to buy yours!!! Usually $31.95 for 4 big huge pots that last forever … they are ONLY $23.96 – that’s a discount of 25%!!! Yay! Here is the link to view details for this sale -> SU! promotions – Inventory Clearance Sale

Hope you are well on top of things for Christmas … I will get out of your hair so you can get organised!!! LOL!!! Groceries for Chrissy is on my “to do ” list today!!! C U soon!

LOL … Still laughing!

Hi everyone … just a quick post to show you the fun time the youth group had at their Christmas break up at our place! They hired this fantastic 10m Giant Waterslide from Fun for Hire … and for 3 hours … we laughed and laughed!!! So much fun! It was a beautiful sunny day … although the wind did get up a bit towards the end. But … the kids had a fantastic time! It was lovely to watch them have such good clean fun! (Although … our pool is not so clean now … all the mud & grass they picked up from around the slide … went into our pool! ) Oh … and scroll down … I have posted another Christmas Card for you today!

Stace & Skye on waterslide

Stace & Ree on waterslide

Sheree & Sandy on the waterslide