Stuck on You!

Tags

Bees & Blossoms Build A Wheel, Bliss, CAS-ual Fridays Challenge, Delight in Gladness Build A Wheel, Just Add Ink Challenge

Hi there bloggies!

Well … I have something completely different for you today … because the CAS-ual Friday challenge had me rummaging around in my pre-SU! stash to find my stickers!!! Yes … I have a mountain of them … but have hardly touched them in the last 4 years! But … this week’s CAS-ual Friday challenge is called “Stuck on You” and we have to use some stickers. Here is what I created …

So … new stuff???? Yep! I am sooo loving this “Pool Party” colour … and have NEVER worked out how to use last year’s in-colour “Poppy Parade”. That is until NOW!!! Isn’t this a fabulous colour combo!!! You might have also noticed the wheel stamps at the bottom … these are two of the new “build a wheel” type stamps … the top one is “Bees & Blossoms” and the bottom one is from the current (for 2 more days) mini catty and it is called “Delight in Gladness”! I managed to use my Crop-a-dile to punch some tiny circles from the sticker strips to add to the centre of the stamped flowers. I think this was the perfect “finish” to the card! MMMmmm … I am quite satisfied with this one … and I do think it is true to the CAS style for the challenge. What do you think???

Oh … and while I am here … I also noticed that the Just Add Ink Challenge for this week is to “Just Add … Something from your Stash” … so I do think this qualifies for that challenge too! How fab!!! Off to do some Father’s Day shopping & some nephew birthday shopping … and … of course … pop in on mum & hang her washing & check she is okay! Good report from the infectious diseases doc yesterday … so things are finally starting to look up! See you all soon! Hugs xxaxx

Soften the Edges!

Tags

Pals Paper Arts Challenge, Punched Posies, Well Scripted

Hi Bloggies!

I was visiting someone’s (can’t remember who) blog on Saturday … and they had done the recent Pals Paper Arts challenge … and it prompted me to pop over to the site. I couldn’t remember the last time I did a PPA challenge … so I did a search and found my last entry was way back in April 2010! It has been far too long!!! So … I knew that I really wanted to play along this week. The challenge this week is to “Soften the Edges” and the girls have suggested a CAS card with rounded corners. So … I went with that suggestion PLUS I thought I would “soften the images” and used my Stampin’ Pastels to dust the Versamark images to just add some soft colour …

So … you can see that the images are really soft and pretty! I finally got around to using my Ice Cream Parlour buttons and ribbon on this card! I have been itching to use them for ages! Aren’t they just the sweetest!!!

I actually had this card ready to post yesterday afternoon … but I ended up with a really bad headache … and didn’t get back to my computer! I am okay today … though … so I think I was just really tired … because a long nap did seem to help! So … now I have to do this really quickly to meet the deadline … and before I run down to mum’s & take her to a doc appt. So … I had better keep moving! See you all soon! (I will do that draw for the free passes for INK4U! asap!) Hugs xxaxx

Fan Favourite entry

Tags

For Everything, The Friday Mashup! Challenge

Hello bloggies!

I got up a little early this morning (not super early) so I could get an entry together for the latest Friday Mashup “Fan Favourite” challenge contest. I had an idea that came together so quickly and easily … so I thought I would quickly get this posted before my busy day begins!

Because (in our part of the world) Spring is just around the corner … I chose a special Spring theme!

I would title my Mashup Challlenge … “If Friends Were Flowers …”

My Mashup Challenge, would be to:

1. Create a “ Friendship” project.
2. Create a project using “Flowers“.
3. Or “Mash it Up!” and create a “ Friendship” project that uses “ Flowers“!

Here is my card …

It is a beautiful almost spring day … and Sandy has his semi-finals for soccer this morning. I am going to watch … which is very brave of me considering how stressful it is! I am a big sook!!! But … Sandy’s coach is not very pleasant … and I seem to take everything so personally! It is the mother-hen instinct … I guess!!! I am determined just to go and enjoy it … and ignore the coach! I think all the family will be there so … that will be nice. Then this afternoon the ‘big boys’ have their last match (they won’t make the finals) … and then we have a picnic late lunch/afternoon tea on at Kiama. In between all that … I will pop by and have lunch with my mum … and take Sandy to a birthday party! Phew! Even Saturdays are busy!!! But … today is ‘happy busy’! Hope you all have a great weekend! Hugs xxaxx

Stamping 411 – Finally!

Tags

Always Elegant, Stamping 411 Sketch Challenge, Tiny Tags

Hi bloggies!

I am so happy because … I love the Stamping 411 challenges … and finally I have found some time to play along with one. It has been a little while … so I am quite excited! This week … there is a choice of two sketches! And … this is the one that I chose …

Just went to pop the link on Stamping 411 … and wouldn’t you know it … MISSED IT!!!  But … here is my card anyway …

Ooooh! Don’t you just love that colour!!! My sis, Christine, is going to find this new “Pool Party” hard to resist … she is such a “blue girl”! I have teamed it with two of the other new In-Colours “Island Indigo” and “Lucky Limeade”. Mmmmm … I think I am going to like these new colour combos! I went for a CAS card … for this one. Or perhaps you could call it a “KISS” (Keep it Simple Stupid) card!!?? But … it goes with the territory of a busy life at the moment! It satisfies my stamping withdrawals … without taking up too much time! Speaking of time … I had better fly … off to mum’s! Hugs xxaxx

Pretty New Paper!

Tags

Eat Chocolate, Lynda Shrimpton, Paper Players Challenge

Hello again bloggies!

Guess what I did today! I only spent 3 1/2 hours at mum’s!!! It was so nice not to rush down … and even nicer to get her settled for a nap … and leave this afternoon and be home before the kids!!! So … after putting some groceries away … I thought I would make a card! And … tonight … I plan to take my puter to bed … and do some blog hopping … to visit all my wonderful blog friends who have been popping by so faithfully to say hi … even though I haven’t been able to return the favour over the last few weeks. Anyway … enough rabbiting … I have a card for you … and this is inspired by the latest sketch challenge from the Paper Players (#60) …

So … what do you think of this pretty paper??? This is from the new “hostess ONLY” DSP in the new 2011/2012 catalogue! I love the colours and there are some really sweet designs for this “Cheerful Treat” DSP. I use the Framed Tulips embossing folder to emboss the edge … then I scrubbed over the embossing with my sanding block … to take some of the colour out so the embossing would stand out a little more! It’s a nice effect … don’t you think??? The silver pearls are a non SU! touch … and yes, Lynda … these are the ones you got me from Singapore!!! I am such a fan … and had a little stash sent to me by a friend in the US … that I was hoarding furiously … until Lynda managed to find some when she went to visit a friend in Singapore! Thanks hunny … for being such a lovely, obliging friend. It must have been such torture for you to go to the craft markets (twice) … just to look for these for me!!! Speaking of Lynda … look at the sweet little card she sent with the silver pearls. I just love getting happy mail like this!!!

And … just so Lynda can breathe more easily … and … because I always like to do the right thing … we would both like to acknowledge the original designer of this card … Trish Hughes. I know Lynda went searching for a blog … but wasn’t able to find Trish anywhere. I am happy to add a link if anyone knows who Trish is???

Well … off to organise tea … clean up my desk … and hopefully have an early night with my computer! My back is aching … and longing for a good rest. What better way to spend an evening! Hugs xxaxx

PS: WORDPRESS JUST LET ME KNOW THAT THIS IS MY 1,100TH POST! WOW!!! I do know how to rabbit on … don’t I!!! xxx 

Happy Dancing!

Tags

Challenge Winner, Right Angle Punching, Simply Stampin' Challenge, Thanks for Caring

ADDED: WED 31ST AUG – I am doing ANOTHER happy dance! This card won a “Top 3″ pick over at Simply Stampin’ Challenge! What a thrill!  Thank you so much to the team over at SSC! 

Hi bloggies!

It has been a GOOD DAY today … good all around!!! Skye was freaking out last night about 2 presentations she had at uni today … and both went really well. Sheree has been applying for jobs for next year as she finishes her teaching degree at the end of this year. Two positions were advertised today at our own school (a small Christian school) and she is so excited at those opportunities. Stace popped into her work today to discuss her maternity leave and has the ok for another 6 months … so she is happy! And … BIG NEWS!!! My mum saw the orthopaedic specialist today … and got a really good report. Infection markers are reducing … haemoglobin levels are back over normal … fracture is healing well … and she can “ditch” the walker and start to manage on a stick … full weight bearing & beginning physio to get her strength back! So … this means … we can start to “wean” her off the 24 hour care … and begin to have our own lives back again!!! So … here is a visual for you all … of me doing a “happy dance” around the house!!!  

Today’s card is for the current “Simply Stampin’” Challenge … PUNCH IT UP! I have been itching to try this idea for weeks after discovering a tutorial online for some FABULOUS punched frames. Check this punched frame out … isn’t it sensational!!!??? ……

This Elegant Eggplant punched frame is punched using ONLY a Pinking Hearts CORNER punch! It is all ONE piece! Yes … I can see you all frowning … wondering how on earth it is done??? Well … you will be amazed at this great tutorial … “Amazing Paper Grace” – Right Angle Punching (no. 2).  Becca also has 2 other tutorials showing smaller and bigger frames. Did you also notice the NEW “Wisteria Wonder” card??? I have been missing our lavender colours since SU! did their colour review … so it is nice to have a new purple to play with! And … it is here for 2 years … so that is super fab!!! (Avail: Sept 1)

Mum’s care will still be ongoing in the sense that after losing Dad so recently, she will still need company. She is still unable to do some tasks that involve “reaching” or “bending” … so I will still be popping down for 2 – 3 hours each day … but at least it won’t be 8 – 9 hour shifts like I have been doing for the last 10 days. Hopefully that will mean I can find some time to visit YOU!!! Thanks for all your ongoing support, encouragement and prayers … it feels like there finally is “light at the end of the tunnel”! See you all soon … Hugs xxaxx

Stamping Frenzy!

Tags

Elements of Style, Just Add Ink Challenge

Hi bloggies!

I had a rare morning to myself this morning!!! Yayaya! My lovely m-i-l offered to visit my mum this morning … and spent a few hours there to give me a break! Isn’t she just the best!!! So … with all that was needing doing around the place … my mission was housework / cooking etc … BUT … something just “came over me” … and I found myself sitting at my desk stamping!!! (How did that happen???) And … I was rather pleased with what I achieved! 5 cards in total! A couple for INK4U! that I will share with you once the session begins … but I did manage to do 3 challenge cards! My fingers were humming!!!

So … a tricky colour combo for the Just Add Ink #81 colour challenge … I had to think a little about this one! Here is what I came up with! …

Did you notice my new toy??? My “Lace Ribbon Border Punch” … which I have actually punched and cut horizontally through the centre to make the borders on this centre panel. I was a little “iffey” about this combo … but am quite tickled with how this one turned out. Particularly when I am a little “rusty”  with the stamping … and particularly when I had such a limited time. I saw a similar design to this one (without the new punch) at one of Ness’ training nights a few months ago … and tucked it in my little brain … but managed to forget who designed it. Feel free to let me know if it was you!?  :D

Well … I have to fly! Packed to the Rafters is BACK TONIGHT … and has already started … and I really want to catch it! See you all soon … I hope! Hugs xxaxx

INKspirations 4U! Fall 2011 Edition

Sticky Post Alert!!! This post will remain at the top … so scroll down for the latest posts! 

Hi there bloggies!

I do have a card to share … but wanted to get this post done first! How exciting … the next session of INKspirations 4U! is about to begin. The “Fall 2011″ session is going to be lotsa fun … and Madeline has organised some fabulous projects (20) for you to download. I am looking forward to seeing all my INK4U! friends again … and catching up in the forum. There are some great challenges to join in … and lotsa “bonus stuff” along the way. So … why not join in the fun … meet some new stamping friends … get some fantastic INKspiration … and share your ideas and creations! Click on the banner above to view all the details … and to register NOW!  

The EARLY FALL 2011 session begins on Sept 11th. 

2 FREE PASSES ON OFFER … Leave a comment on this post to go into the draw! I will be doing the “random pick” on Monday 29th August!  (Aus EST)

Discounted Early Bird registration of $20.00 is available until Sept 1st!

Feel free to add this side bar pic to your blog when you join!

ADDED: TUESDAY 30TH SEPT … HERE IS THE RESULT OF THE RANDOM DRAW FOR THE FREE PASSES! 

Lynda was the 1st pick … but she had already let me know that she obtained a free pass from another design team member. So … I did a 3rd draw. 

CONGRATS TO JUDY & LAURA! I am looking forward to sharing some fun with you over at INK4U! Madeline will be sending an email closer to the start date (Sept 11) with details for your FREE rego! 

There is still time to register for the EARLY BIRD price (by Sept 1) … or you can register at any time over the next couple of months to access all the projects & challenges!