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)!!!

Celebrations!

This card is off to England today... it's a shame that I can't hand it over personally to the happy couple. Congratulations go out to Eric and Claire, hope everything goes smoothly on 1st December and you have a very special wedding day!

Clean, simple lines, the image is by Stampington & Co.



Now to another extra special celebration... Abigail turns 5 today! I'm going to tell you why it's an extra special birthday tomorrow. Happy birthday, Abby!

I've used Paperbag Studios , Hero Arts and A Muse Artstamps rubber.

'Oh, Baby!' Fabric Postcards

I've recently started swapping fabric postcards with two terrifically talented and wonderful friends Debbi Baker and Jhodi Bennett. I got to chose the first theme and as my nephew Sean Alexander was filling my world with cuddles (and some dirty nappies), I came up with 'Oh, Baby!' So guess who's photo I've used in the above postcard! It was my first ever attempt at printing onto fabric. I had a few hiccups... have a lot to learn, but was quite happy with it in the end. Especially for a first attempt.


by Debbi Baker
I love the vintage image Debbi has used in her piece. She's embellished her postcard so beautifully. The pink varigated thread Debbi used for some machine embroidery is exquisite!


By Jhodi Bennett
Jhodi's postcard also has a very vintage look. The image is so sweet and I love the combination of fabrics and embellishments she's used. The blue and cream trim is divine!

It's so exciting to receive such lovely art work in the mail. I started working on the next postcard for our swap on the weekend. I haven't quite got it just right yet. I love the theme we are doing now, I've found it a little challenging than I expected and I can't wait to see what Debbi and Jhodi do with theirs.


Susie

Classic Christmas ATC Swap

My local scrapbooking store Scrapbook Designs hosts ATC swaps each month and I've finally managed to be organised enough to participate. This months theme is 'Classic Christmas'. The image is by Stampington.

First Contribution to Wednesday Stamper

Here's my first ever submission to Wednesday Stamper. This weeks theme is 'Chairs'. The chair image is by Paperbag Studios. I've also used Hero Arts alphabet, Stampington clock and Imprint text.

I was thinking about my friend Vicki as I created this card. Her mum has had an unexpected health issue crop-up recently and all of her family's world has been turned up-side-down. Yet Vicki's faith is shining through and I just wanted to remind her to keep resting, trusting and hoping in Him. Her faith has been a great inspiration to me and she is a treasured friend!

Yesterday I started decorating some envelopes for my school's Presentation Night. The students receive gift vouchers as awards, which are enclosed in lovely decorated envelopes. Jhodi, Elle, Susan and Jackie generously donate their time to contribute one-of-a-kind envelopes which many of the students keep as a memento. I'll post pictures of these once Presentation Night is over... it's all secret squirrel until then!

Susie

Charming Angels

Charming Angels can be found in Stamping & Papercraft Vol. 13 No.1

These cards were so much fun to make and everything just seemed to fall into place effortlessly as I was creating them. Don't you just love it when that happens? They each have a name, but I'll allow you to decide where they best fit. Katrina, Isabelle and Stella (actually, her name was changed to 'Gloria' in the mag) bid you joy and peace as the Christmas Season draws near and we remember the birth of a precious baby, Jesus.

Blessings,

Susie

Circle of Friends

Time 'Circles' by Trish

In the past few months I've become involved in three different swap groups. I've never been involved in swaps before, I'm loving it and have at this stage managed to keep up-to-date - amazing for me! Two of the groups are swapping ATC's and the third is swapping fabric postcards.

'Circle of Friends' by Shelley

These ATC's have been created by Trish, Shelley and myself. We've chosen random themes for the next few months and this months theme is 'Circles'. Somehow we all interpreted the theme into 'Circle of Friends' which I thought was rather special. We are all fairly inexperienced in the ATC world, but I think each of us is rather enjoying getting some little art treasures in the mail each month.

'Circle of Friends' by 'me'

Here's to a lovely Friday and a creative weekend.

It's sports day at school for me. Go Blue!

The Man In My Life

I thought I'd introduce you to the most gorgeous little man in my life, Sean Alexander. I'm a very proud and very new Aunty to Sean. He is nearly two months old and delectable! I had the opportunity to babysit him last Thursday. We both managed quite well, considering my lack of experience in the baby department, and we even went shopping (with a little help from my friends - thank you guys!). You're sure to see more of him in the future.

Susie

Maureen's Birthday

Okay, well I think it's time to put some artwork on the blog. Not the greatest photo ever, but nevertheless...

I made this card a few weeks ago for an old school friend's Mum. Maureen loves all things vintage, especially sewing machines and dolls! So here's to turning 60 Maureen! May you enjoy the next...60!

As you can see I've used a number of buttons, all hand stitched on. I've finally used some muslin that's been stashed away for a few years and gorgeous Daisy D's paper. It's been whizzed through the sewing machine and has a dash of lace and velvet ribbon to finish it off.

Blues At Bridgetown 07

How was your weekend? Mine was fabulous!

I had the most wonderful time at the Bridgetown Blues Festival. We (My friends AJ, Ben & I) arrived in Bridgetown just in time for lunch and then meandered our way along the main street of Bridgetown for a few hours. We discovered many treasures in a wonderful little shop called 'Vintage Vibes', but I restricted my purchases to some lovely vintage sheet music, an old wooden measuring stick, a game of lotto and two pianola rolls.

Andrew Winton Duo

The music all weekend was a real treat. I particularly enjoyed performances by Andrew Winton Duo, Paul Gioia Trio, Kyla Brox , Toby and Wiley Reed.

We decided to do a little more meandering on the way home with Joy and Sally - we went the long way - stopped off at a sweet little spot called Fernhook Falls.


And finally home.... to sleep.... a lot!

A Long Weekend...

Well, I'm off to the Bridgetown Blues festival for the weekend. I can't wait to get there!

See you when I get back!


Susie

With Fear and Trembling...

Wow, here I am, starting a blog. I certainly didn't imagine that today would be the day that I'd finally start sharing pieces of myself in the blogging world. In fact, it has been low on the priority list... why? Fears... Will I be a consistant blogger? Have I got anything of interest to share? I'm not clever with words? How much time will it take? I could go on...

Anyway, I've started and no one knows about my little spot in cyberspace yet ( hey Debbi - you will be the first to know), so I suppose I'm still feeling safe. I have soooooo much to learn, so bear with me.

Welcome to my world, it's nice to have you visit!

Joyful Always,

Susie