A “Sweet” Surprise!

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The Sweet Stop Challenge

Hello bloggies!

Sorry I have been MIA for a couple of days. The weekend just seemed to disappear … I won’t bore you with all the details! And … today I have been down in Nowra (1 hour drive) with Sandy for his zone swimming carnival. So … it has been difficult to get to my computer. I need to do some stamping … so I have something to show you!!! But … before I squeeze some stamping time in before dinner … I just wanted to say a BIG thank you to the lovely girls at “The Sweet Stop” … for the wonderful surprise that I discovered today! (Thank you to a couple of blog friends who let me know!) I won a gorgeous stamp set for my challenge card. This was a  random draw … so I can’t take any credit … but it was exciting to win … just the same! This was my entry…

Sandy was very cooperative today … he got a couple of 3rds … a couple of 4ths … and managed to avoid the state carnival that he has attended every year for the past 5 years — much to the relief of his mother who was not keen to go to the state carnival next week! Yes … I am a little tired of doing the 3 hour return drive for a couple of races … that take a total of about 2 mins!!! Am I a slack mum???

Well … I do have a little “catch up” to do now … but fingers crossed … I might find some time to stamp! There are so many fantabulous challenges happening this week … and I just don’t want to miss out on them all again!!! Take care … c u soon! Hugs xxaxx

 

I love Punch Potpourri!

Tags

Picture Perfect Creations Challenge, Punch Potpourri - Level 1 hostess

Hi there my blogging buddies!!!

Yes! Don’t fall over in a dead faint … but I am back with a 2nd post for today! I just had to pop by to let you all know that Shane is home safe and sound … 7kg lighter … and I am so thankful that God was with him in his travels … and brought him home safely to us! He says he had an “awesome time” … and is keen to experience it all again sometime. He would love to go to India next time … to visit the Christian orphanage where our sponsor child is living. But … his sister has other plans for him! She wants to go on uni exchange for 6 months to Canada with him! She feels it would be safe to go with her brother! But … we will see what God has in mind … and enjoy having Shane at home for a little while before he starts talking about leaving again! I … for one … will be soooooo sad to have 2 kids overseas for 6 months … but I also realise that I can’t live their lives for them.

 

Click this pic to visit challenge blog!

I have discovered a new challenge site … thanks to the help of a lovely blog friend! (Thanks Kerin!) I was really keen to do the latest challenge and have a go at “auditioning” for the DT spot that is available. So … the card I posted earlier today was my 1st attempt … but … unfortunately (I am such a “goober” ) … I didn’t read the “fine print” and totally missed the bit that said to theme it “Anniversary”.  So … with a little  time this afternoon (while Shane was sleeping) … I put another together … and I have to say … I am quite happy with this one! Fingers crossed the DT girls over at Picture Perfect Creations will like it too!

So … I have a technical question for those photographic geniuses out in cyberland! How is it that the ribbon, twine & embossing dots are in focus … but the flowers aren’t??? You can see the tiny bit of Basic Grey … added to the heart background. Just a touch … … but it is there!

Anyway … it has been a long day … so I am going to say goodnight! I have some lovely comments waiting for responses … but they are going to have to wait until tomorrow morning! C U then! Hugs xxaxx

Spring Butterflies

Tags

Bow Maker, En Francais, Flight of the Butterfly, Picture Perfect Creations Challenge, Sweet Stems, The Sweet Stop Challenge

Hi there bloggies!

I am in a bit of a hurry … as we are off to the airport to pick up Shane. I wanted to get this post done last night … but … alas … my camera wasn’t behaving … so I had to wait until this morning to take these pics and get them uploaded! Yes … this is gonna be quick! I was really keen to enter a colour challenge that Kerin mentioned to me … and I do have until Monday to get that entry in … BUT … I decided to team it with another sketch challenge … and that deadline is … well … TODAY! Nothing like “last minute man”! (That’s one of Shane’s family nick-names!) Here are the two FAB challenges … click on challenge pics to view some gorgeous design team samples!

 

 

 

And … here is my “spin”.

I actually think this was a pretty good attempt considering I was also trying to handle a “romance crisis” with one of my girls … (I won’t say any more!!!) at the same time! And … yes … I was giving her my full attention … which is why this was such a late night completion!!! Well … gotta fly! Just for the record … the Basic Grey is the background “En Francais” ink colour … which was “stamped off” on scrap paper before inking the card to give a softer colour. Just a small touch of all the colours for this combo! Not sure that I am entirely happy with it … but I was in a bit of a hurry!

I also wanted to show you this NEAT Bow Maker that my lovely demo friend Kathleen’s hubby made for her. She brought a few along to SU! team training to sell a few months ago. I have gotta tell you … this is just THE BEST!!! If you ever get frustrated tying bows … and especially those really small ones … then this is the tool for you!  A “MUST HAVE”! The tiny white bow on this card was tied using the bow maker. If you are interested in one for yourself … then you can email Kathleen at rethan@dodo.com.au. She is happy to sell to YOU!  Gotta fly … Take care … Stampin’ Hugs xxaxx

A Sketch Challenge!

Tags

Occasional Quotes

Hi there bloggies!

I am so grateful for the lovely messages you have all sent recently … especially those who have written to sympathise with my internet probs. I just thought I would stop for a moment to add a little comment to my previous “apology post“. Here is a copy of what I added …

Well … it did help to “vent” a little … thank you for allowing me a moment of total self-indulgence! But … after watching the TV coverage of the New Zealand earthquake … I have realised how trivial this problem is! So … thank you for your lovely sympathetic messages … but next time … can you just give me a good kick up the butt & remind me that I have nothing to complain about!!!

So … time for a card … this was a sketch challenge from the last session of INKspirations 4U! (Have you signed up yet for the Easter/Spring classes yet???) This was a Q&E sketch … and I think Madeline might have “borrowed” this one from the Clean & Simple blog. But … that is what they are there for!!!

Did you notice the “no tie” brad bow? I love using this technique … cos it gives such a flat, neat bow. I can’t take credit … I found it in cyberspace … but it was so long ago … I can’t remember where! (Happy to give credit where credit is due! ) This ended up being my Valentine’s card for Gav! Not too “soppy” … I hope! In return … I got 3 e-cards. The first he sent via a US site … and realised with the time difference the card wouldn’t be delivered the card. The 2nd was humourous … I am not going to say more except that Sandy thought it was hilarious … so you can imagine how “mature” it was!!! So … Gav thought he shouled still send a “meaningful” card, too! So … I scored 3! Overkill??? Nope!

Since joining the gym 2 weeks ago … I am finding my gym time is definitely interfering with my stamping time. I often used to do a quick card each morning … and now … once I get home from gym I have to get into the day’s activities and so stamping is just not happening. Hopefully I will have something new for you tomorrow. Until then … stay safe … sleep well … I am off to bed! Hugs xxaxx

Paula’s Card Folder

Tags

Elements of Style, Sincere Salutations

Hi there bloggies!

I have had this project in my file ready to show you for aaaaggggeeesss! It is one of the amazing projects from the last UStamp class! This was designed by Paula Dobson … one of my special blog friends from New Zealand.

Paula is the QUEEN of sponging … and she is just as good with a brayer in hand! There is a little of both on this project. The main image on the front of the folder is brayered … and the soft colour on the cards inside is done with sponges.

Now … do yourself a favour and pop by Paula’s blog … to see some of her other amazing creations. She is now a “Creative Crew Girl” over at UStamp … and thoroughly deserves the gig! Well … I am in the middle of helping do a power point of photos for Sheree’s 21st party … and I had better get back to it! (Not that I really know what I am doing … but I am very good at scanning old photos!!!) Have a great day! Hugs xxaxx

A 21st Birthday

Tags

21st Birthday Card, Priceless

Hi again my blog friends!

I was in the middle of making this card on Saturday morning for Makeesha’s latest colour challenge … when Ree came and asked if I had any 21st birthday cards??? Nothing like “last minute”! She had a party to attend that night! Anway … I was having trouble filling the space at the bottom corner … and realised with a couple of hand cut numbers and a bit of bling … I could make this card a suitable one for Sheree’s friend!

Now … I thought I had nailed this colour challenge … but I must admit … I think it does need a bit more balance with some more white. Somehow there is a little too much colour. But … it is a yummy colour combo … and I just love the samples that the DT girls have done. You can view these over on the Inkspirations challenge blog. Make sure you have a look. These pics are always a good start for inspiration … the girls do a fab job!

Well … I am off to try some blurfing! I don’t know how long I will be able to put up with the drop outs … but perhaps I will find that window! And … then … tonight is a picnic at the beach for Gav’s dad’s birthday … and … of course … it is ‘yucky’ weather. Sigh! Not sure what we will do instead!?  Hugs xxaxx

An Apology!

Hi bloggies!

I am so thankful for all those who have stopped by to visit lately … and for all the sweet comments you have left. I need to apologise that I haven’t been able to return the favour as much as I would like lately … and wanted to explain … so you would understand! I was telling Lynda the sad story by email this morning … and thought I should let you all know why I have been MIA lately from your blogs! One of the greatest pleasures for me is to pop by my blog buddies’ blogs … and see what creative things are happening … and to say hi! But … unfortunately my internet has been infuriatingly frustrating of late … and there are times that I begin my blurfing … only to give up in frustration. Long story short … (Lynda got the novel … you are going to get the reader’s digest version) … Optus has told us they can do nothing because the closest tower is “too congested”. So … after countless phone calls … trialling several providers … new equipment … NOTHING CAN BE DONE!!! So … the endless “drop outs” will continue indefinitely!!! (And … this can be as many as 20  – 30 per hour!!!) Then we have to “wait in a queue” to be reconnected!!! Sometimes this takes several attempts … and several minutes! So … you can imagine how frustrating it is for me to do blog hopping! And … even to do a post can take over an hour … instead of maybe 20 mins!   And … replying to your lovely comments is a priority … but even this is difficult at times. Sometimes there are little windows … which I try and take advantage of … but mostly … I just give up! So … please accept my apology for being a bit neglectful lately … and know that I will visit as soon as I can! I do try EVERY day … to do some blurfing! This problem has no end in sight … so I do thank you for your patience with me! Thanks  for keeping the lovely comments coming … even though I can’t return the favour as easily! I do love hearing from my blog friends!

Added Tues 22nd: Well … it did help to “vent” a little … thank you for allowing me a moment of total self-indulgence! But … after watching the TV coverage of the New Zealand earthquake … I have realised how trivial this problem is! So … thank you for your lovely sympathetic messages … but next time … can you just give me a good kick up the butt & remind me that I have nothing to complain about!!!

Thanks Sparkle

Tags

Afterthoughts (Lv1 hostess), Silhouette Sentiments (Lv1 hostess)

Hello my bloggie friends!

It is a quiet Saturday morning … Sandy & Gav are down the beach at Christian Surfers … Skye is still up the coast with family & friends … Shane is in Kuching, having finished his time at the orphanage … Sheree is a little slow getting going this morning and so I am taking the opportunity to do a quick post … before life gets busy again! Isn’t it interesting how something just catches your eye … and instantly appeals to you. And … what appeals to one … may not even be noticed by someone else??? That is what makes card making so exciting … the fact that we are all different … all have different styles … and can share our inspiration with others! This card caught my eye yesterday. It was one of the entries for the “Less is More” #2 … and for some reason I just LOVE IT!!! You can find the original card at “Beth’s Littel Card Blog“.

Beth had used markers straight to rubber and then spritzed the stamp image with water before stamping to give a watercoloured look. So … I tried to mimic her technique … but because the images are quite a bit smaller on my card … it just wasn’t working. So … I reverted to normal stamping and voila! The Confetti White card gives it a kinda “smudgy” … less precise image because the card isn’t as smooth as the Whisper White … but that was exactly what I was trying for! So I am really happy with the final result. And … yes … the design is different … I just wanted to put my own spin on Beth’s design!

Did you notice the FABBO fringe on the ribbon! Another CASED idea from Kay’s blog “Stamping to Share” … and she even has a video tutorial to show you how to do this! It  is such a great look … and a great new idea for adding ribbons!! Thanks Kay for sharing! Well … not sure what is on the agenda today. Gav has a trial “friendly” soccer game … just to give the boys a warm up before the soccer season begins … and we are going out for dinner with friends tonight. So … maybe I will find some time for stamping! But … first … I need to go do some vacuuming & fold some washing! Have a happy weekend … everyone! Hugs xxaxx