INKspirations 4U! – Project #2

Tags

A Word for You, French Filigree Background, Gift Box, Priceless

Hi bloggies!

Wow! I have some great gift / gift packaging ideas since joining in the fun at INK4U. And … I am enjoying the lovely comments and feedback on the site. It is a lovely interractive group of gals! Here is a sweet gift box with matching gift card … designed by Holly.

The idea with INK4U is to get the project tutorials (full colour PDF instructions) … and make them your own. But … I have got to say … while I did change the colour combination & stamp images … the design is EXACTLY as the original. I just felt that Holly’s was perfect … and I wanted to CASE it completely. Isn’t it just the sweetest! I love that little gift card! Sooooo adorable! Now … it is not too late to access these gorgeous tutorials. Even though the INK4U! session is drawing to a close … the site will be open for some time. You can still register and have access to all the tutorials PLUS great ideas & samples for each via the photo gallery. So … click on the pic below to register. You still have time to play with these lovely projects before the new session starts! A new session of INKspirations 4U! will be starting again in March.

Today is the 2nd last day of school holidays … and tomorrow we are off to Sydney to see Shane off on his Borneo Adventure! Did I tell you he is off to Borneo with a couple of mates … to work in an orphanage for about 3 weeks??? The boys will be labouring – installing tanks, building fences etc and they are also going to have the opportunity to do some Bible classes with the kids. It is going to be stinkin’ hot and humid … but Shane doesn’t seem to be worried about that! Of course … his mum is a little apprehensive about the trip … particularly after his recent “accident“. But … I have to learn to trust that God is watching over him. I’m sure there will be some amazing & funny stories to tell on his return. He arrives home the weekend before he starts uni again! I will miss him HEAPS! It is always nice to have him around the house. (Well … most of the time … anyway!!! ) Take care … I am off to do some pressie shopping! We have a 21st party tonight. C U all soon! Hugs xxaxx

Makeesha’s Inkspirations Challenges X2

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Makeesha’s Inkspirations Challenges, Sale-A-Bration, Very Vintage Jumbo Wheel, Vintage Vogue

Hi there bloggies!

I managed to find some time to pop by my fav blogs yesterday … but no stamping … again! I was getting withdrawals … and so when Sandy asked if Skye could take he & his mate down to the tennis courts today … I thought YIPPEE! Stamping time!!! Then I got distracted looking for a gift online for my b-i-l’s b’day … and after an hour I gave up! My stamps were calling me!

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I have been over on a couple of the Inkspirations DT blogs … and just loved the last two challenges that Makeesha had given us … and even though I have missed the deadline for BOTH … I thought I would combine the two together and make a card for a special friend.

I am keen to get over to the INKspirations 4U! website (It is hard not to confuse Madeline’s group with Keesh’s Inkspirations challenges … but … these are two totally different groups! ) I can’t wait to work on a few of the new projects that have been posted … there are some wonderful ideas over at INK4U! So … I do hope to be back tomorrow with a project to show you!

And … I just wanted to remind you all … SALE-A-BRATION is here!

My workshops are “on hold” at the moment … due to some family commitments & responsibilities that are occupying much of my time …  BUT … I am happy to take orders or talk to you about joining SU! Make sure you click on the pic above to see the adorable FREE stamp sets that are available with a $100 order. Have a great day! Hugs xxaxx

Hello … here I am!

Tags

Australia Day, Bliss, Lap of Luxury DSP

Hi there everyone!

Did you miss me? : We have been “on holidays” for the last 3 days … and although we didn’t get away anywhere … we did have some lovely family time … and it was soooooo relaxing! On Monday we had a day at our local “theme” park – Jamberoo Rec Park. This is basically a water park … but on a much smaller scale than the big theme parks on the Gold Coast. There is enough to keep you happy and wet and cool, though! We had a great day!

Gav & I commented that we noticed a difference this time … the “older” kids all enjoyed the outing … but there wasn’t that impatient excitement that Sandy (still only 12) was exhibiting! It was a lovely family day … and we did all enjoy sharing the time … and doing something a little special … but it was much more “low key” than past visits to Jamberoo. We realise that soon it will be the grandkids that are the excited & enthusiastic participants! But … I have to say … I am so thankful that our kids still enjoy “hanging out” with us! I am very blessed.

I had a surprise visit from a special friend on Tuesday morning! Sonia was visiting her sister who has just had a beautiful baby boy … and managed to squeeze in a couple of hours to pop down and see me! She brought her gorgeous two girls with her … and they had fun playing with our dogs. It was so nice to catch up again … after meeting at the last SU! Convention. We have been blog buddies for some time … and this visit reminded me again how blessed I am … that SU! & blogging has introduced me to some very special blog friends. Some I have never met … and others (like Sonia) … very little … but we share a special bond. This is the gorgeous gift that Sonia brought for me! She is such a sweetie! And … believe it … or not … I don’t have a decorated tissue box!!! So … this will take “pride of place” on my desk!

Yesterday was Australia Day … (for our overseas friends … our National Day Public Holiday). We decided … because it was going to be a hot day … and the crowds were predicted to be even bigger than last year … to spend a day at home. We set up the pool area with lounges & umbrellas … a pool volleyball game … and had a scrummy BBQ lunch. (Lamb Chops & Lamb Rissoles … of course!) We also had lamingtons & pavlova (both Aussie traditions). Dinner was much more “low key” … no one was hungry after the BIG lunch … so we just did a FAB cheese platter … crackers, grapes, plums, 4 cheeses, dip … plus ice creams.

We even had the cricket playing on the outdoor speakers … and Gav managed to move the big TV onto my craft desk … face it out the window … and we could see the cricket from the pool! (How decadent!!!!!) But … what an “Aussie” day we had! We watched a DVD … played some cards … and just had some lovely family time. Stace & Jono managed to get here early afternoon (just in time for lunch) … after braving the beach with Jono’s family earlier that morning. They said that cars were parked 5km from Wattamolla Beach … and families were walking that far with kids / eskies / beach gear to get to the beach! Insane!!!!! So … our plan … to stay at home was a good one!

Well … I am trying to catch up on some blogging … blurfing … and replying to my comments. I do have to check on my mum today … so I might not get all this done … but that is my goal for today! Thanks for sticking with me! I do hope all my Aussie friends had a lovely Australia Day … and I hope those affected by floods … managed to take a few moments to relax and share some family time. (We haven’t forgotten you all!) Take care … I will be back soon! Hugs xxaxx

Holiday fun!

Tags

Baby Steps, SU-Only Challenge

Hi again!

Gav has decided to take a couple of days off from work … seeing we didn’t manage to get away on holidays. It will be nice to relax a little together! Play cards … swim in the pool … go to Jamberoo Rec Park (water park) … watch the tennis etc etc. With the Australia Day public holiday on Wednesday … that means we have 5 lovely days to look forward to. BUT … it will probably mean less stamping & less blogging time! So … I do hope you all will “stick with me” even if I am MIA for a few days! I will try to post as I am able!

I thought I would share a few happy snaps from the fun that the kids had yesterday … instead of going to Jump Rock! The boys spent hours putting this home made waterslide up … and sliding / surfing down it! It was a perfectly beautiful sunshiny day … and in the afternoon they all went off happily to the beach! So … no Jump Rock … but happiness reigned supreme!

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I just wanted to quickly post a card that I created for a friend … but also for the Stamping Up Only Challenge “Welcome  Baby” before the deadline!

Take care everyone! I will be back when I can. Scroll down for my other newsy post for today! Hugs xxaxx

Super dooper thrilled!

Tags

Challenge Winner, Just Add Ink Challenge, Stamping 411 Sketch Challenge

Hi there bloggies!

It has been a rollercoaster week … lots of happy & scared emotions … lots of mothering & encouraging to do … but I wanted to share a tiny bit of excitement that has encouraged and surprised me at the end of this “different” week! I would like to thank the JUST ADD INK girls … and the STAMPING 411 girls for their lovely acknowledgements this week. I won a “Top Pick” spot at JAI … and a “Stampers Showcase” spot at Stamping 411 for this card …

So … I realise in the whole scheme of life … that card challenge “wins” are not high on the list of priorities. BUT … they still are greatly appreciated and can bring so much joy to someone! Truly … I will never lose that excitement of discovering that my card has been chosen out of so many gorgeously stunning entries! I am surprised … but I am thrilled! So … thank you to those who chose my creation. This acknowledgement was perfect in it’s timing! A great lift … after an exhausting week! I am still doing a little happy dance! I wanted to thank everyone who left a beautiful comment on this card post. You have been such a wonderful encouragement & support … THANK YOU! Hugs xxaxx

Here is the promised “frame & card”!

Tags

Big Shot, Bigz Die - SU! Top Note, Embosslits Die - Beautiful Wings, Short & Sweet

Hello everyone!

Here I am … finally with the frame & card post that I promised … was it Monday??? I don’t have any amusing or spectacular stories to tell today … except that Skye nearly knocked herself out at touch footy last night. Talk about being too enthuisastic about getting the “tap”. She has a graze down the whole of her left leg … and arm … and her head went “bang” on the ground … and she burst into tears! I think I need to wrap my kids up in cotton wool … for … maybe … 10 years??? Sandy has a friend here today … and they want to go to “Jump Rock”. Do you think it is understandable that I am feeling pretty negative about this idea? Jump Rock … is at the base of the escarpment about 10 mins drive + 20 mins walk through the rain forest … to a gorgeous water hole. There are a couple of rocks to jump off into the waterhole … one is about 5m … and one is 10m!!!!! I am not feeling confident about this idea at all! For some reason I am not wanting this responsibility … especially with another kid! I wonder why I am feeling a little “jumpy” about this idea????? I think the answer will be “no”! (Although Gav doesn’t seem to have a prob with it!) Go figure! Men just do not comprehend the risks … do they???

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So … this is one of the stunning projects on offer at INKspirations 4U! The PDF tutorial has all the picture instructions on how to create this photo frame … from ‘scratch’! It is a fun project … and really easy. The Top Note off cut can then be used to make a matching photo frame.

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You should see the samples on the INK4U! site … so many different ideas for this project. Madeline’s original design was a kid’s frame using the cute robot set! If you would like access to all these FAB ideas … then click on link below to register. I am off to do a sketch challenge for INK4U … now … and then I might try and finish a couple of the projects that I have started!

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>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>C you all soon! Have a happy day!

Another FAB project!

Tags

Chocolate Box & Card, Curly Cute, Priceless, Printed Petals, So Swirly Jumbo Wheel

Hi there bloggies!:D

 

Me & Shane @ Ree's 21st dinner

I have to make this quick … I am so chasing my tail at the moment … and I noticed that I have 12 comments to reply to … and projects to download from INK4U & UStamp. I need to comment on some lovely samples over at INK4U … and try and complete 2 half projects for INK4U. It has been a busy few days … with lots of distractions! But … all is good. Shane is well and truly on the mend … and has stopped repeating things to us. He still seems to be forgetting recent conversations … but we can see him more and more “with it”! The blurred vision has settled … and his headaches are also improving. So … a very big hug to all my blog friends who showed me such support and concern … and have been praying for Shane after his recent accident. Thanks you so much! You are all wonderful friends!

Here is another FABULOUS project from UStamp … it is a great gift idea to package some ‘yummies’ … and has a “built in” card! Two for 1!!!

And … isn’t this a fab colour combo??? I would never have thought to put these colours together … but they work sooooo beautifully! (The Really Rust card – that I have used – is meant to be Riding Hood Red … but I didn’t have a 12″ x 12″ piece … so I substituted with Really Rust.) Either would be just as yummy! This card/box is super quick and easy to make. If you would like a full PDF tutorial for this project … then click on this UStamp Button to register at UStamp with Dawn & Friends! You will get access to 40+ gorgeous tutorials.

Note: The card is a top fold card … and opens just above the choc box where the Baja Breeze ribbon is placed. Sorry … the photo doesn’t show this too well. It is a super idea for a thank you gift.

 

Murray & Sheree

We had a wonderful time last night … celebrating Sheree’s 21st b’day … at a lovely Italian restuarant. It was a special time  and it was so nice to share this time with family & friends. We are looking forward to her party in early March. We are very thankful to God for the very special young lady that she has become … and are very proud of her! Also …  I have just returned home from a lovely day at Julie’s (my good friend … my son-in-law’s mum … and my 1st SU! recruit!) Julie & I have known each other since before Jono was born! I am constantly amazed at God’s plans working out in our lives. Who would have known all those years ago … that our two “firstborns” would be married!!!! We managed to do a little stamping … and lots of chatting … and had some yummy lunch. It was a shame that I had to get back for Sandy’s soccer training … or we would still be there … for sure! Thanks Julie for a wonderful friendship day. So … I’m sure you can understand why I have been a little distracted lately. But … tomorrow is another day … and hopefully I will catch up on some blurfing … and some INK4U projects! C U tomorrow! Hugs xxaxx

 

Back this afternoon … with a post!

Hi everyone!
Thanks for your patience with me over the last few days! So much going on here! No time this morning to post. I am off to Sydney in 1/2 hour. But … I am planning to put a new post up this afternoon. So … I hope you can pop back later! Have a nice day! Hugs xxaxx