Hello bloggies!
We have had a lovely day out today … even though it was a little cool and wet! Gav asked me before the weekend started if there was anything in particular that I would like to do … and I said I would love to have a family picnic! 😀 We haven’t had one in ages … and I felt like I was in desperate need of some fresh air! So … we packed up the picnic basket … and headed up the coast a little way to Thirroul. There is a lovely park right near the surf club … and overlooking the beach. Yes! It was breezy … and a little wet … but we took shelter under the shelter shed … and we had a lovely time. We had taken mum up to see dad first … then took her to the picnic with us … and met Gav’s mum & dad there, too! I was hoping it would be all the family … but sadly Jono had woken up with a migraine this morning and wasn’t doing too well. It would have been Bree’s first “outing”! And … Sheree & (boyfriend) Murray … also got side-tracked with some stuff they needed to do … and didn’t end up making it. But … even though a smaller group than we first thought … it was just lovely to get out … watch the waves … play some footy, cricket, & “over the shed” (the boys & Skye). “Over the shed” is one of those made up games that I am sure every family has! 😉 We munched on fried chicken, rolls, salad … and of course … being Easter weekend … some choccie goodies. Ree makes the BEST choc slice that is soooooo decadent! 😀 And … we enjoyed warming up with some hot coffee. 😀
I have been having stamping withdrawals … but yesterday managed to do a little stamping. Only two cards … but it was soooo therapeutic! I enjoyed the quiet time! I have missed playing along with my favourite challenges lately … so I popped over to the Just Add Ink site to see what was happening. And … what a great challenge they had for us this week! As a tribute to ANZAC day … we have to add a little “mateship” or “friendship” to our card. Make sure you pop over to JAI to read about our ANZAC tradition & to see the gorgeous DT designs. Thanks girls for a fun challenge. Here is my submission …
I’m not sure if I have followed the challenge properly … but in thinking of ANZAC … I chose the phrase FIRST … as a tribute to our Aussie Diggers. “Impressed, Amazed, Inspired”. This describes our brave & selfless soldiers to a “tee”! I think this phrase is also a great way to recognise a wonderful friend. (Friendship element of the challenge!) I went with an Aussie theme … you can’t get much more Aussie than surfing!!!??? Can you??? Anyway, I hope the girls over at JAI like it … because I felt a little “rusty” after my time out from stamping … and all the stress of the last few weeks.
Anyway … it is time to think about dinner. Sandy has his last day of holidays tomorrow. Where did that time go??? (As if I didn’t know!!!) Dad should be transferred to the nursing home in the next few days … so if I am MIA again … you will know why!!! Thanks for popping by! Hugs xxaxx
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I love the colours in this card – the surf looks very welcoming! The string is also pretty cool, and I love the waves behind the text. There is lots to look at on this card – attention to detail!
Glad you could get out today – the sun came out for a short time, hope you saw it!
Enjoy tomorrow – last day of the holidays before Term 2 starts!
Hope all goes well with your dad settling in to a new room again – praying for peace and comfort for you all – it will be another hectic week!
Love Gabbi
Andrea adds: Thanks Gabbi for keeping up so well with all that is going on in my life. If only you had a blog and I could return the favour! I was happy with this card … and the colours are lovely together! Hope your last day of hols is a special one, too! Sandy is hoping to go to golf with his big brother (if the rain holds out) … and Skye, Ree & I are popping up to the shops for a few things. Oh … and yes … I did see that sunshine! 😀 Hugs xxaxx
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I so love this Andrea…and if this shows ‘rust’ then heaven help up when the cobwebs go!! hee hee hee. I am such a chicken when it comes to using a brayer (I have had one for a LONG time but it has not seen the light of day!!). The effect is so beautiful!! I love this card and the sentiment is perfect. Will write re your comment on the last reply. ooxx
PS so glad you had a ball at the picnic. Family is a great tonic for when ur on a low ebb. ooxx
Andrea adds: Oh Lynda! Your brayer needs a workout … so here is a promise! Once life quietens down a little … I hope you can come down for a play day and we will do some brayering! There is a fab website with heaps and heaps of tutorials … you probably know it … Michelle Zindorf. But … if these seem a little daunting … then you can wait until I can show you … and we can do something a little easier (like my sample here!) Thanks for your email re Dad’s medications. I don’t think Mum wants to make a “fuss” … but she does want to follow it up with the staff now that the holiday weekend is over. She plans to talk to the NUM today. Thanks for your advice … I will ask Gav what he thinks about following it up some more! Hugs xxaxx
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Your card is fabulous Andrea, love the colours and the surfer silhouetted by the moon.
Glad you had nice family day despite missing a few family members. I had nice day with my Aunt and cousins yesterday, yummy turkey breast cooked in a camp oven, hard to beat!
Have a fab week, Fi x
Andrea adds: Mmmmm turkey breast in a camp oven … I can believe that it was simply delicious. Hope your 🙂 face is starting to appear again … after a tough week. Hugs xxaxx
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You little beauty, that’s a bonza card you did there! LOL Love the aussie theme you did, now if you’d just altered the sentiment to have a New Zealand accent Empressed, Amazed, Enspired, you’d have cracked it. *grin* Cheers, Kasey ~ in Oz
Andrea adds: LOL … you crack me up, Kasey! 😀 Love the NZ accent! 🙂 Hugs xxaxx
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FABULOUS Andrea – I can almost hear the waves! And this sort of freedom we enjoy is because of the ANZACS so I think it’s a fitting tribute!
xxx
Andrea adds: Yes … when my dh started complaining about the “overkill” of media on ANZAC day … I said to him … I think it is perfectly okay to have a day saturated with ANZAC moments & history. We NEED to remember the freedoms that we have because of our diggers. He was suitably apologetic! 😉 Thanks for the reminder! Hugs xxaxx
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Beautiful card, Andrea – and I’m so glad you got out in the fresh air for a picnic today. What a great idea!
Andrea adds: After so many days sitting in hospital wards … it was exactly what we needed! 😀 It was cool and breezy … but we did enjoy getting out! Hugs xxaxx
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Wow Andrea, this is so cool, love your brayering.
Andrea adds: Thanks Karen. It was just simple brayering … but quite effective! Hugs xxaxx
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This is awesome – I love how all the elements have come together. Chantell (JAI)
Andrea adds: Thanks Chantell … it was a FABBO challenge! I loved the theme! 😀 Hugs xxaxx
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Such a cool card Andrea! Love the colors and the cool surfer image! The sponging is awesome. :o)
Andrea adds: Thanks Monika! It was a fun one to make! I enjoyed getting back to my stamps and ink. Hugs xxaxx
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Fantastic masculine card Andrea and great job on the brayering.
Andrea adds: Thanks Delys! The challenge was inspirational! Thanks heaps! Hugs xxaxx
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Love your card Andrea. The sentiment is just perfect for the theme at JAI this week. I love your brayering too, those greens and blues look gorgeous together.
Andrea adds: Yes … the perfect sentiment … for our ANZACs! Thanks for popping by to say hi! Hugs xxaxx
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This is one amazing card. I just love the silhouette image combined with the surf boards from another stamp set. This card is so Aussie! Love it.
Andrea adds: Thanks Bronwyn! It was a fun challenge … and so therapeutic to be stamping again! Hugs xxaxx
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This looks fantastic, Andrea. Will definitely be having a go at it. Sounds like you had a nice couple of days. Back to ‘hecticness’ today.
Julie
Andrea adds: Yes … it was lovely! Throw in a couple of hospital visits … but … apart from that it was a little quieter. We aren’t back at school until tomorrow … so I am enjoying the last day of freedom! (Freedom??? Was there any of that happening during these holidays???) Dad is being transferred this afternoon! So … will be running around tomorrow … I imagine … getting meds written up and making sure he is settled. Hugs xxaxx
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Fabulous card Andrea. Love the brayered background – it just sets the silhouette of the surfer off so well. Great use of the senitments too! Thanks for playing along at JAI this week.
ps. Glad that my blog hop card was able to provided you with some inspiration 🙂
Andrea adds: Yes! It was such a help! And … I enjoyed this challenge … it was a good one! xxaxx
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I think you nailed this challenge, Andrea! Love the sentiment and that awesome brayering. I’m glad you had an enjoyable Easter picnic, & hope your Dad’s transfer went smoothly.
Andrea adds: The picnic was a much needed break in what has been a super busy month! Thanks for popping by! Hugs xxaxx
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That is a wonderful card, Andrea! I really like the what you have done here. The water water effect is awesome!
Andrea adds: Thanks Colin! I happened to be visiting some of the JAI samples earlier … and loved the detail in your card! Amazing! And … then I pop by here to answer my comments … and here you are! Thanks for popping by! Hugs xxaxx
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I really love your card. The colours remind me of the beach and the silhouette is just perfect. I also love the way you have shared the recipe.
Andrea adds: Thanks Di! It is so nice to have you visit. I did enjoy having a stamp after so long! Hugs xxaxx
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Congrats on your Top 3 Pick at JAI Andrea! What a cool card! I need to learn how to brayer as this effect is fantastic. Cheers Narelle xx
Andrea adds: Hi Narelle … I was super thrilled to get a TOP 3 PICK for this one! You just HAVE to try brayering! I am always pleased with the result when I use my brayer! It is quite surprising how easy it is to do some “simple” brayering (like this sample) … so don’t be afraid to try it … it gives very satisfying results. 😀 Hugs xxaxx
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Such a lovely card!
Andrea adds: Thanks heaps Christine! I love getting feedback from my blog buddies! Hugs xxaxx
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Awesomely cool card, Andrea!! I love it and so would any fella…whether they surf or not 🙂
Andrea adds: It is a great “male” design … and came together quite quickly. I do love this Extreme Surfboard stamp … especially for male cards! 😀 Hugs xxaxx
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Gosh Andrea I can see why you were picked – absolutely fabulous – congratulations. I do love blues & greens together xxx
Andrea adds: Thanks Karen! You are so sweet! Hugs xxaxx
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Awesome card Andrea – definitely a Top Pick. The whole design is brilliant, but that background is just amazing. 🙂
Andrea adds: Thanks for your vote, Helen! 🙂 Lovely to have the thumbs up! Hugs xxaxx
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