Twice on Saturday!

Well I wasn't sure if I was going to manage to make something for the Wednesday Stamper challenge (Purple) this week, but I found this gorgeous purple fabric this morning and got all inspired!!!

The apricot fabric has been stamped with a flower by Penny Black and the transparency image is ARTchix.

Had He Not...

I'm really enjoying the Make A Moo Or Two challenges each week. The theme for this week is Text. It's such a fun way to use the little bits 'n pieces I always have lying around the place, but can't bear to throw away.

The stamp is by Collections and the image is ARTchix Studio.

Mixed Media Monday

This is my first contribution to the Mixed Media Monday challenge - the theme this week is Bright Colours. When I saw Debbi Baker's gorgeous orange and pink pieces yesterday, I was inspired to have a go too. I've been tidying up my 'studio' (aka the kitchen) a bit today and these bright fabrics just seemed to fall together. The floral and pink pieces cost me 10c each (and there's still some left over) - what a bargain!!! I've added a bit of sparkle with sequins and gemstones. The image is by Paperbag Studios - 'Happiness does not depend on outward things, but on the way we see them'.

Easter Bunnies

I had the loveliest of days yesterday - our trip to Denmark was great. We ended up at the Alpaca Farm... and got to cuddle some real live Easter Bunnies!!! There is quite a menagerie of animals at the farm and my friend Sue's grandkids loved seeing all of the animals. We ended up that the markets later in the day and I thoroughly enjoyed looking at the art works of some very creative people - very inspiring! I was particularly tempted by the wonderful hand knitted beanies and tea cosies from Peaceful Bay, but somehow managed to walk away empty handed.

Here's my first attempt at a Skinny. I took up this weeks Skinny Saturday challenge - Women At Work. The stamped images are both by Collections.

Spring!

Here's my Moo for this weeks theme 'Spring' at Make A Moo Or Two.

Over in my part of the world we are beginning to experience the coolness of Autumn, but I'm sure before I know it, it will be Spring again.

It's a quick post, I'm off to the Easter markets at Denmark with some friends.

May you have a blessed and safe Easter!

My First 'Make A Moo Or Two' (Or Three)!

Okay, so I now realise that I didn't have a full appreciation of moo cards, until I set about making some of my own, and read the dimensions (and re-read and re-read)! I did wonder if I would be able to work on such a small scale, so these were a little experimental! The current theme for 'Make A Moo Or Two' is 'Children'. Somehow I think I will be making more of these in the future and I'll thank Jo Capper Sandon for getting me hooked.

Obviously the pics are of Sean Alexander and paper is Daisy D's - Saltwater Taffy

I also now have an even greater appreciation for the wonderful inchie art works I've been seeing lately. Check out some of Debbi Baker's inchies. I think they're incredible!!!

Think Monday Think ATC - Triptych

The theme for Think Monday Think ATC is currently Triptych. (But not for long - I've completed this work just in time!)

I've used photo's from last weekends photo shoot of my sweet nephew, Sean Alexander. I've titled the set of three ATC's, 'Sweet Baby'. I used lots of little scraps and a perfect piece of giraffe print fabric. There's a tinsy bit of stamping with Hero Arts.

SALT and Light

The current SALT challenge theme is - Inspiring Women Of Faith I've been longing to participate in these challenges for a while.

I've made a hanging called 'Friends'. As I was making this piece, I couldn't help but reflect on the incredible gift of friendship. It is indeed a gracious gift from God. Faithful friends are an awesome blessing in our lives and I am very thankful to have some wonderful friends that have supported me through tough times and celebrated with me in good. I lost my mother many years ago now, just as we were becoming very good friends, and so friendships have been extra special to me.

Thank you my dear friends for... caring enough to listen to me, speaking words of wisdom, taking time to keep in touch, your prayers, challenging me, speaking truth in love, making me laugh out loud, giving me hope and joy and peace, sharing from your heart and allowing me to do the same, helping me to realise that I'm never alone, telling me to be brave, believing in me...

Thank you, Father for doing all of the above and so much more.

The image is a favourite of mine by Paperbag Studios and paper is Daisy D's.

Oh, yes 'light'. I had quite a bit of trouble getting a decent photo of 'Friends' because my light fuse keeps blowing at home and my lighting consists of two lamps and candles - I wish I had an electrician for a friend!

Wednesday Stamper - A Pair Of Glasses

'People only see what they are prepared to see.'

I've finally managed to put something together for Wednesday Stamper again! I'm hoping to participate more regularly this year, but it is surprising how fast Wednesday's come 'round.

Stamps are from Paperbag Studios, Stampington, Hero Arts and Inkadinkado and circle word by Collections. I've even 'stamped' with bubble wrap! I found these spectacles at a local second hand store a number of years ago. Aren't they sweet?

Yuletide Joy!

As seen in Stamping & Papercraft Vol 13 No 2

Okay, so how many sleeps is it 'til Christmas???

I thought I'd start to upload some pics of work I've had published in Stamping & Papercraft in the recent past, just in case you're interested (until I've got some new work to show).

I've used a gorgeous plate by Stampington called Yuletide Elements and scrummy papers from the 'Perhaps' range by Basic Grey.

Maybe I should get started on this years Christmas cards now!

Sean's Photo Shoot

I spent a little time with my nephew Sean, my brother Graeme and SIL Trevlyn yesterday. Here's one of the pictures I took - a peaceful little 'jungle man'!

They've been clearing out a garden bed around their house because they've had a tiger snake hanging around. Graeme nearly trod on it the other day when he was getting the washing. Yikes!!!!

Speaking of snakes - one of my friends picked up a very large (dead) dugite on the golf course on Sunday and wondered why I wouldn't go anywhere near him! That's enough snake stories to last a life time!!!!

Have a sssssssuper day everyone!

Last Minute Journey

Ohhhh, it's sooooo nice to make it to the weekend - and it's a looooonnnnngggg weekend at that! I've worked quite a bit the last few weekends, and I haven't been able to find much creative time at all - except for making things for school. I've had a creatively productive Saturday so far and have made my ORANGE ATC's to swap with my friends Melinda and Robyn. I've titled mine 'Last Minute Journey' because my ATC's are late (only by one day mind you), so I've also dated them 30th February just to be a bit cheeky! The butterfly is ARTchix Studio, Collections word cirlce along with fabric and ribbon.

'ORANGE' ATC's by Melinda Goad, Robyn Bumbak and myself

I've also managed to make two additional cards that will go with a set I made a while back for Take Ten. They contacted me recently to see if I could possibly make another two cards to go with the ones they already have - now I just hope they reach the US in time!

Some other very exciting news... it looks like I have a piece going into the gallery section of the next issue of Sew Somerset. I am sew excited about that!

I Can't Not Help But...

add this gorgeous Christmas picture of my super sweet nephew 'Sean Alexander' to my blog. He is just the most delightful little fella - full of smiles that simply melt your heart. The words on his Christmas tshirt say, "Mum's dreaming of a QUIET Christmas, just like the ones she used to know"!!!

I've been busy working on magazine projects over the school holidays, so can't show you pics of them yet :) But will get some artwork on the blog soon!

Finally I'm Back In the Land Of BLOG

Oh dear, it's been sooooo long since I've blogged! I hope at least some one out there has missed me just a wee bit ;)

I don't have any really good excuses for not blogging, except that firstly I was busy getting ready for Christmas - I managed to make quite a number of gifts for friends when school holidays began... it kept me VERY busy, but I really enjoyed being able to give handmade gifts to some of the extra special people in my life. Next it was Christmas and then I just went into complete holiday mode. Before I knew it, I was getting things ready for school and, well like I said, there's no great excuses!

I've missed checking out what all of my blogging friends have been up to, so I'm planning to have a good catch up in the next week or so.


Sephi has blessed me with a 'You Make My Day' Award. This is really special to me because it's my first blogging award. Thanks so much Sephi! Sephi really makes my day too, most days I come into work early to visit my favourite blogs and I always (when I'm in blogging land that is) check out what creative wonders Sephi has been working on.

Now it's my turn to present the 'You Make My Day' Award to 10 people who bring inspiration, encouragement and joy into my daily life. Some of these amazing ladies don't even know of my existance let alone have any idea of the creative impact they have on my life. So a BIG thanks to Sephi, Debbi, Audrey, Gillian, Jo, Julie, Sharon, Kelly Rae, Nina and Lesley some truly amazing women that inspire me on a daily basis.



Now I'm off to play the front 9 at my local golf course. The picture above and at the top of the post were both taken last year on one of my many visits to the course. I have a set of hot pink clubs and a hot pink buggy... so I really look the part, until I start playing, that is!

The Last Two Envelopes AND...

... my copy of Dec/Jan Stampers Sampler finally arrived yesterday. A couple weeks back Audrey mentioned that I had a set of cards being published in the Different Point of View section - which was a lovely surprise... so I've been waiting and waiting for a copy of the mag to make its way to me! Audrey has some absolutely gorgeous work in there, as does Sephi and Jo. So congratulations to you all!



Congratulations, Rachel! It's wonderful to have seen your musical talents develop over the years! Image by Stampington & Co.


Congratulations, Sam! A well earned reward and so nice to see it continuing to run in the family!
If you're wondering what 'Buccinator' means... look it up in the dictionary and then you'll understand! Image by Paperbag Studios.

Envelopes... Take Two

Congratulations to Amanda for winning the Performing Arts Award. I taught her way back when she was in Year One. Now she's all grown and ready to take on the world!
The image is ARTchix and Lazar Studiowerx stamp.


A well deserved award for Bethany. Image is Paperbag Studios and Chatterbox papers.

Envelopes

So finally, here is the first installment! This is one of the envelopes I made for Presentation Night. This is for Liam, Year 8 DUX! Congratulations to all the students that received prizes last night - a lovely reward for all your hard work! Thanks to my dear friends, Jhodi, Elle, Jaci and Susan who also made fabulous envelopes for other awards. Will post more pics during the week.

This envelope may look a little familiar as it's based on a set of cards published this year, in Stamping & Papercraft called 'Rustic Charm'

It's Monday already!

It was a creative weekend for me! The card above is the piece I'm submitting for this weeks Wednesday Stamper challenge. The theme is 'diamonds'. The image is by ARTchix and the diamond stamp is Penny Black. It's also a birthday card for a special 'second mum', so she's going to get a nice surprise in the mail pretty soon!



It seems that I still have a number of birthday cards to make before I even contemplate my Christmas ones. Image is also ARTchix and Basic Grey papers with bits of fabric and buttons.

I've also managed to complete the envelopes I've been designing for my school's Presentation Night. You'll get to see them next week.

Happy Birthday Dad!!!!

'Grandpa with Sean'



Hope you have a wonderful day. See you tonight! xox

I've used an ARTchix Studio image and old text with vintage car. The background papers are by Basic Grey and other bits 'n pieces.

Look!

So the extra special thing about Abigail's birthday is that she was born on my birthday and we also share a common name 'Susan' - her's is in the middle and obviously mine isn't 8-D

The flowers are from one of my students. They are absolutely gorgeous, just like him. He wrote me a sweet birthday card too! I love that the flowers are orange - it's become a fav colour of mine this year, ever since I took part in a Stamping & Papercraft '12 Colours of Christmas' feature (more about this at a later date). Another cute little lad gave me a shell braclet - which I wore all day - and he kept looking to check it was still there.




















from Amanda

from Tania

Other highlights... my principal (and friend) bought me a special lunch, flowers from a secret admirer (more on that tomorrow *grin*!) and the most delicious birthday dinner at AJ's with her mum, dad and another friend Tania! They gave me some wonderful handmade cards too - thanks gals! The leaves are real 'pin oak' from AJ's family property. I love both images the girls have used - gorgeous! AJ (Amanda Jane) cooked her first roast ever - it was amazing! So was a lovely, lovely day! And all topped off with white chocolate mudcake and rockyroad (my absolute fav)!!!