Day Four

Day Four reveals my quirky angel of joy!

It's the last day of school for my students today! We're having a party! I can't believe another school year is almost complete. It has been a fabulous and enjoyable one!

Sew Somerset and Day Three

The Winter '09 issue of Somerset Studio is now in print and I was really excited to see two pieces of my work in there! And it was 'extra special' because I am sharing each of the pages with two very creative friends of mine. 'Be Still' is a banner I made for my friend Joy, and it I'm sharing the lime light with a stunning piece created by Heather Wombacher. I also have a collaged card, 'Seamlessly Mode' which features some gorgeous Oxford Impressions stamps and on the same page is a wonderful mixed media piece by my lovely creative friend Debbi Baker! I think I may have taken photo's of these (for a change), so I'll hunt them down and post asap!

Now to Day Three!



Here's a Creative Crone made by the talented Ruth Kelly. I can't help but refer to this definition of a crone! By the end of a school year I'm feeling like a withered old woman, LOL! But having said that, one of my students mum's thought I looked about 10 years younger than I actually am today! So that made my day :)

Day Two...

As you can imagine, it's really lovely to wake up in the morning knowing that there is a gift of art waiting to be revealed!!!

This little piece of gorgeousness has been lovingly made by Dot Chrisitan. I've been admiring Dot's lovely dolls for quite some time, so I feel very blessed to have one which will now reside with me at home!

This sweet little angel was tenderly wrapped in a bed of shredded copper foil. There is so much detail included... from the perfectly stitched bird, or the rich velvet wings, to the tinsy hand stitched beading!

Thank you so much Dot!

An Exciting Way to Count Down to Christmas... Day One

Last week I mentioned the arrival in the post of 11 gifts (12th being my own) - all handmade by some creative ladies around Australia. We get to open one each day for the 12 days leading up to Christmas. Each one has been uniquely wrapped and I've been waiting in anticipation to see what each parcel contains!!!


Day One is a gorgeous Klimt angel created by Jacky Williams. I love her sweet face, her sparkly sequined and beaded halo, combined with such wonderful fabrics. It won't be long 'til this sweet little angel is hanging on my tree (just as soon as I bring it back from my classroom).

I can't believe there are only two teaching days left for the year. I am going to miss my little bunch of Year Ones... they have been a most delightful class to teach - a real blessing!

I'll be back tomorrow to show you what is concealed in parcel number 2.

All I can say is this creative swap is making the lead up to Christmas very inspiring and exciting!

Turning Seventy-Two

On the weekend of my birthday it was also Dad's. He turned 72! And just to update you... he's recovering well from his knee replacement and has booked himself in to get the other one done in March, 2009.


I've used some scrupmtious goodies from The Stamping Queen to make Dad's birthday card. Paperbag Studios images: 'Seventy-Two', 'Spiral Bound' and 'Wherever You Go'. And some lovely embellishments to finish it off are 'Chipboard Branches' by Collections and 'Pearls' by Kaisercraft.


From my stash: paper Kaiser Craft (Old World Collection), postage stamp, vintage buttons

Packets of Joy

As seen in Cardmaking, Stamping & Papercraft magazine Vol.14 No.3

I can't believe it's been a month since I last posted, so much has happened... some of which I'll have to fill you in on at another time... promise!

Just like many of you, this time of the year is action packed. Last week I was frantically completing some pieces for a '12 Days of Christmas' art swap I'm participating in this year. It's been lovely to be involved in a swap with some wonderful and creative ladies around Australia. I received my parcel of goodies yesterday... so from the 13th of December I have 11 gifts to open, one each day until Christmas - and my piece too! It's so exciting to see them all lined up, and very tempting to take a peek, but I'll behave myself and enjoy them one at a time!

'Mr Movember 2008' - Photograph by Joel Campbell - Image by Oxford Impressions

Joel came down last weekend and it was his birthday on the Sunday. :) We had a lovely, relaxed weekend!

Frenchmans Bay - Photograph by Joel Campbell

On Saturday, we went out to see the wind farm and then drove further around the coast to Frenchmans Bay. We meandered along the beach and had lunch out there. We virtually had the beach to ourselves, which was pretty wonderful! It was a beautiful sunny day (a rarity in these parts lately), so sunny in fact, that we ended up getting a little sunburned.

The weekend before that it was my birthday... one which I had been dreading a few months back, but it ended up being amazing! I was completely spoiled and Joel made a surprise visit - gatecrashing a very girly weekend! I'll definitely write more about this later... I have some gorgeous handmade birthday cards to share with you too!

Lady In Waiting

Here's the next two pieces I've created with my current The Stamping Queen Design Team pack.


'A Proper Little Lady'

I really enjoyed working with this image... she's so sweet and innocent... I wonder if she ever fights with her brother?


Products available from TSQ: Crafty Individuals (CI-083) 'Lady in Waiting', Kaiser rub-ons 'Elegance' and Collections 'Butterfly Print'

From my stash: beaded sheer ribbon, paper flowers and gemstones

And the tag...


'Lady In Waiting'

Some things are just soooooo worth waiting for!!!



TSQ Products: Crafty Individuals (CI-083) 'Lady in Waiting', Kaiser rub-ons 'Elegance' and Kaiser Wooden Flourishes 'Corners'.

My Stash: Manila tag, fibres, paper flowers, buttons, pattern paper scraps, velvet ribbon, dress-making tissue, chocolate pearls and postage stamp.

Not an Illusion!

Yes, I have been AWOL... sorry about that, but it was for a very exciting reason... I've still been in cyberspace (just not in Blogger Land) and having been getting to know a lovely, lovely man!!! More details about that later, haha!!!

But firstly, I want to share with you some of my latest design work for The Stamping Queen... This first piece, 'Not an Illusion', uses a number of yummy goodies from my October Design Team Pack...


Products available from TSQ: Rubber is by Paper Artsy 'Man of Numbers' Plate 6, I've also stamped 'illusion' on a piece of 'Measuring Tape' (lightly sanded), Kaiser rubbons 'Elegance', German Scrap 'Flowers', Kaiser Wooden Flourishes 'Swirls', Collections 'Old Tin Numeral Prints', Lil Davis Rockstar Ribbon 'Amber' and Magic Mount.


From my stash: Basic Grey Papers 'Ambrosia Collection', teal velvet ribbon, teal pearls and K&Company word.


The next piece is called, 'Keeping Score'. I've created a folder to hold a notepad which could be used for 'keeping score' if playing card games and such like!


Products available from TSQ: Again, rubber is Paper Artsy, 'Man of Numbers' Plate 6, Kaiser rubbons 'Elegance, Collections 'Old Tin Numeral Prints' and Magic Mount.

From my stash: Basic Grey papers 'Ambrosia Collection', vintage domino, fabric scrap and brass arrow/brad.

And can you believe I've run out of time... so you'll have to wait 'til next time to hear more about Joel!!!

Hope you're having a great Sunday! xo

FIRST BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS!!!!!!

Congratulaions and Happy 1st Birthday wishes go out to Barb and Ray at THE STAMPING QUEEN!!!! They have now been the proud owners of this wonderful store for one whole year!!!! Yippee!!! So it's time to celebrate!!!!!

And the best bit is that they have chosen to celebrate this great event with a huge SALE - 20% off everything!!!! So make sure you pop over and check it out!!!!

Dream

What are you dreaming about today? World peace?, freedom for all?, that the kids will stay quiet for more than five minutes?, that someone will turn up and offer to do all your housework (mine please) and the garden too! Anyway, here's another card, put together with wonderful supplies from The Stamping Queen and other bits from my stash. It's very Shabby Chic!



The following supplies are available from The Stamping Queen: Butterfly stamps are from the Kaiser clear stamp set 'Flora & Fauna', rubon word is Kaiser 'Inspiration' other words are Collections 'Birdie Words' and just for a little 'bling' some red rhinestones (Kaiser).

I'm heading to Perth soon. My Dad is getting a knee replacement today - OUCH!!! I'd value your prayers for him. Anyway, I'm not sure when I'll be back, so in the meantime, dream big dreams and I'll be doing the same :)

Encourage

Here's the next piece I've made for The Stamping Queen from this month's yummy Design Team pack.

'Encourage'

The butterfly stamp is from Kaiser's clear stamp set 'Flora & Fauna'. I've also used Rubons 'Inspiration' and 'Imagine' (Kaiser) and red rhinestones (Kaiser). The vintage fabric came from my Nanna (I absolutely love it!). Papers and button are from my stash.

Just a friendly reminder to everyone out there to 'encourage one another'. Life can have it's dark clouds at times and the encouragement of family and friends can help us get through the tough times, or even inspire us all the more, when life is going great! Have you encouraged anyone today?

I'd also like to take this opportunity to thank all those wonderful people that encourage me in many different ways and often at very appropriate times. You are such a blessing in my life and I thank God for each and everyone of you!

Take Flight

'Take Flight'

I created this ATC (artist trading card) using my lovely goodies from this month's Design Team pack from The Stamping Queen. I stamped the dragonfly onto paper, trimmed it to size, covered it in Versamagic and sparkly clear embossing powder, so it's quite sparkly in real life. The stamp is from Kaiser's clear stamp set 'Flora & Fauna'. Other TSQ goodies are: Birdie Words (Collections), German scrap 'Vine Leaf', Rubons 'Inspiration' and 'Imagine' (Kaiser) and a lime green rhinestone (Kaiser). Fabric and paper are from my stash.


This time I've affixed a rub-on word to fabric. Just a little tip here, make sure you well and truly rub it hard, otherwise it will just scrape off - learned this from recent experience ;)

Look who's ONE!

Sean greeted Grandpa and I on his brand new tricycle! He had the biggest grin on his face and a cute little giggle!


He was so tempted to touch the flame! And he loved all of us singing, 'Happy Birthday' to him.

My first piece for The Stamping Queen

My Design Team pack arrived from The Stamping Queen
last week - how exciting! I couldn’t wait to unwrap it and get working…
Here’s my first piece, ‘Home Sweet Home’!



The two bird stamps are from the Kaiser clear stamp set ‘Flora & Fauna’. I love all the stamps in this set - they’re just gorgeous! I’ve also used Kaiser rubons ‘Imagine’ and ‘Inspiration’ - what fun! The flower rubons were affixed to two large buttons. The birdhouse shape was created from Collections core board, so it’s nice and sturdy. 'Home Sweet Home' text is also by Collections. Gemstones and pearls are by Kaiser. All of these wonderful goodies are available from The Stamping Queen.


Daisy D’s papers, fabric scraps and buttons are from my stash. I used a little bit of Magic Mount under text and birds to add some extra dimension.

Stay tuned for some more work coming soon!

Heading north again...

I'm not sure where the last week or so has gone...??? I haven't managed to get any creative time :( Anyway, I'm heading up to Perth this afternoon for a conference - get to stay at the Sheraton, bit flash, eh! But the best bit will be catching up with Karli & Co. It sounds like Olly has been coping better with his latest cycle of chemo, which is good news... hopefully it will continue like that for the next 10 -11 months!




Here's a recent pic of Sean Alexander from Fathers Day... Smooches from Aunty Susie.

This little fella's turning ONE next Thursday!!! And is walking around like he's been doing it for months!!!!

Anyway, I hope you all have lovely weekends and I'll chat when I get back. xo

Thank You!

Thank You

How was your weekend? Creative? I spent the vast majority of Saturday morning tidying up... my art supplies have been overtaking the house and it was time to sort things out! (Knowing my friend Michelle was popping over for the afternoon to create, gave me some motivation to clear the decks, so that we had some space to work! hehehe) Now it's all sorted and I can't find ANYTHING!!! LOL. Anyway I had a lovely time with Shell and she made two gorgeous cards!!!

I made this card for an overdue thank you... so it's heading out to someone special today. (Can't say who, cause it's a surprise!) The image is Oxford Impressions and papers are Daisy D's.

Exciting News!!!!

I have just been asked to join the Design Team at The Stamping Queen!!!!

I'm doing triple jumps and a bit of a jig at being asked to join such an inspiring group of ladies!!!

Thanks so much Barb, for giving me this opportunity :D I'm really looking forward to working with Sephi and Gillian too! I've been an admirer of their work since I joined the blogging world.

MMM - Recycled/Repurposed

'Evelyn'

It was my Aunty Evelyn's 70th birthday last week. Yesterday we had a family gathering to celebrate with her, in Denmark. It was a lovely time to catch up with some family members that I rarely get to see.

I made this card for Evelyn using some vintage treasures I've inherited from Evelyn's mother (my Nanna). The rose image is from a Mothers' Day card that Evelyn gave to Nanna about 40 years ago, the fabric was possibly from a bridemaids dress that Evelyn wore to her sister Ruth's wedding (yet to be confirmed), buttons from Nanna's button jar, numerical table from an old book and the lace (I *love* the lace) all from my 'Nanna' collection. I did a little hand stitching with authentic vintage cotton just to finish it off.

My Nanna was an expert recycler (as were most of her generation). She would let nothing go to waste... even to the point of making us wash disposable plastic plates, so we could reuse them for the next family gathering, LOL!

I think this piece fits in nicely with the current theme at Mixed Media Monday - Recycle/Repurpose.

A blind date with...

'Guess!'

Hehe, don't take me literally!!! It's been quite some time between blind dates... maybe one day I'll find someone to love me :) In the mean time, the current theme at Think Monday, Think ATC is 'Blind Date'. I think this fellow is rather dashing... do you know him? First one to guess right will get a little surprise from me!

I've used lots of bits of fabric on this one, along with a label frame and word from Collections, and a rusty old key.

Footnote: Sephi guessed correctly!!! It is Mr Richard Armitage! Well done, Sephi. A little surprise will be heading your way shortly :D

The Rose - Layers of Color

'The Rose'
I was reminded of this song earlier in the week by my friend (and principal), Mim. She had the great priviledge of recently hearing Marina Prior (a favourite Australian singer of mine) perform, 'The Rose', live! As I started thinking about the Layers of Color challenge for the week, roses... I started to gathered bits that were close at hand and came up with this. There is a little stamping down the right hand edge.

'When the nights have been too lonely,
And the road has been too long.
And you think that love is only,
For the lucky and the strong.
Just remember in the winter,
Far beneath the bitter snow.
Lies the seed that with the sun's love,
In the spring,
Becomes the rose.'

Recorded by Bette Midler in 1979
Lyrics and Song Music by Amanda Mc Broom

Creative Wednesday: Twinchie

It's a beautiful day in my part of the world today... mind you, we are known to get four seasons in one day!!! So I wonder how the rest of the day will unfold?

'Bless'
I put together this little twinchie (2" x 2" Art) this morning for the latest challenge at Creative Wednesday - the theme being Children. The butterfly is Collections and the sweet image is ARTchix.

Have a blessed day!

Study in Sepia

I love seeing photo mosaics on other blogs and thanks to Chris' recent inspirational mosaic I had a little play today! It's so easy! I was going to try and explain how to make a mosaic, but Chris has done such an excellent job, just go and read her instructions!

1. Lily of the Valley 2. Flight in the Clouds 3. Dahlia 4. Heart 5. Dandelion Seedhead 6. Old Church 7. Peony 8. Monarch Butterfly 9. Bicycle 10. Lilac 11. Roses 12. Leaf

Why sepia? Well, I'm hoping to work on some sepia ATC's this weekend and I thought this might help get the ball rolling!

A gift and some prayer

Look at what my friend Michelle gave to me today. I just love it!!!! I think I may be turning her into a vintage treasure hunter - LOL :D


I already have a few ideas brewing about how I might use this book. Thanks Shell! xo


Sometimes it seems that there's not much else to say to someone 'cept... 'I'm praying for you'. Life certainly has it's tough moments, but I've found great comfort and peace in knowing that I'm not alone. Jesus is a constant companion, for which I am eternally grateful. I've been teaching a Colin Buchanan song to my students recently that reminds us that God is Everywhere. Here's the words to the second verse...

You can hang a left at Jupiter,
Fly to Saturn too!
Right across the galaxy,
One thing would be true.
God will be there, God will be there,
God is everywhere.

Blog Giveaway at 'The Stamping Queen'

Barb at The Stamping Queen is generously giving away a clear set of stamps by Debra Cooper this month. All you need to do is leave a comment there and link your blog to hers... AND it's open world-wide!!! So pop over to Barb's for a visit, you never know what might happen!

Treasures of the Heart

'Room 3'

Oooo, just getting this posted in time for the first ever challenge at Creative Wednesday, to make a row house. It's also a piece I've made for the Layers of Color challenge - their theme is buttons. The clock is by Hero Arts. AND it fits the Mixed Media Monday theme of numbers!!!

It's a symbolic school room made from the little bits 'n bobs found on my art table last night. All the elements are tied and buttoned up securely with faith and love!

Wheels - MAMOT

Wheels is the current theme at Make A Moo Or Two. The tricycle is by Lucy's Stamps and I've also used part of an image by Oxford Impressions (Country Girl), then I've used an odd assortment of itty-bitty scraps - I can't waste anything it seems ;D

We can take 'wheels' for granted, as I discovered on the weekend, when my friend Michelle's car died in the middle of a dual highway, between two islands!!! We were on our way home from the big smoke, after having a lovely visit with the Roebucks. Anyway, to cut a long story short, the car stopped right in front of a petrol station aptly named Yule Do!!! We both firmly believe that the Lord was looking after us, as we could have broken down in a much more remote part of the highway, where we had no mobile reception. Michelle's husband answered our distress call and in the end we made it home safe and sound (thanks Trent).

Give me pedal power anyday... ah yes, I am joking!

Blog Award

Sephi and Debbi have MADE MY DAY and nominated me for the 'I Love Your Blog Award'!
The rules for the award are - (1) The winner can put the logo on their blog. (2) Link the person you received your award from. (3) Nominate at least 7 other blogs. (4) Put links of those on yours. (5) Leave a message on the blogs of the girls or boys you’ve nominated.
So I take great pleasure in awarding the following girls with this award, as I trully *love* their blogs and visit them regularly! Viola, Sharon, Jacqui, Chris, Laura, Gillian & right back to Sephi and Debbi. Congratulations girls and a big thanks to Sephi and Debbi!

Stamp Something - Blue, Pink and Green

I'm entering the Stamp Something challenge for the first time. The challenge for the week is a colour challenge - blue, pink and green.

I've used October Afternoon papers and stamp, along with a vintage dictionary page and some hand stitching.

MMM - Thrinchies

Over at Mixed Media Monday the theme for the week has been 'Thrinchies'. I put this together this afternoon, so I'm only just getting this posted before the next theme commences! I knew I would enjoy creating a 3" x 3" piece... I really enjoyed making 'Twinchies' too. I'm yet to have-a-go at 'Inchies'.
I've just used bits that were sitting on my table from other projects to create this cute little collage... and the 'Truth' is I was remembering being '34'... I was on longer service leave for 7 months... and it was BLISS!
Main image is obviously Stampers Anonymous again. I've also used Stampington rubber to create the background.

Welcome to the world, Matilda!

'Matilda'

My friend Bronny became a Nanna again (Congratulations!!!) during the week to a gorgeous little baby girl, Matilda. I made this card today for Matilda and her parents, Paul and Alice.
As you can see, I was influenced by this weeks Layers of Color challenge to use 'yellow'. Papers are by Webster Pages and Daisy D's. Rubber is Stampers Anonymous (Tim Holtz) and Stampin' Up.

TMTA: Turquoise

'Seahorses'

I love the colour turquoise and just had to participate in this weeks challenge at Think Monday Think ATC. I put this together in the early hours this morning. The background is all fabric, a cute seahorse postage stamp, sequins and beads, tinsel and some machine stitching thrown in the mix. The starfish image is by Stampington - Shore Cliff Trim.

Schooldays MAMOT

'Star Pupil'

The theme this week at Make a Moo or Two is 'Schooldays'. Not quite what I planned to be thinking about over the weekend! Mind you my 'schooldays' have been very pleasant this term! I'm working with a wonderful bunch of kids!

All rubber is Oxford Impressions. Nothing but paper, ink and stamps on this moo - bit of a change for me!

Stamping With Found Objects

I've just discovered that I have some work in the latest issue of Stampers' Sampler (Aug/Sept '08). I've yet to see it in the flesh, but found some pic's here. It's a set of five ATC's (in the 'Noteworthy' section) and I stamped an assortment of found objects to create the backgrounds.

As per usual, I was in such a rush to get them in the mail, to beat the deadline, and forgot to take my own photographs :(

Have a great weekend everyone!

Destination & Discovery

Stamping & Papercraft Vol 13 No 9 'Destination & Discovery'

I'm finding it hard to make creative time at the moment, so I thought I'd share another Stamping & Papercraft piece. I love this collage stamp by Crafty Individuals and have used it numerous times.

I'm a bit behind in my blog reading and hope to catch up with everyone over the weekend!

For those interested...

If you would like to follow Simon, Karli and Oliver's journey and support them in prayer, then you can find them here.

Home

Hi everyone, I got back from Perth last night. It was a pretty busy time. I caught up with some good friends/family along the way, Shaz & Wayne and Jen & Darryn. Thanks for the warm and welcoming accommodation guys. I was also really blessed to spend time with Simon & Karli (Oliver's parents) and the adorable little man himself, Oliver.

I don't feel that it's my place, at this point, to go into too many details, but he is undergoing chemo treatment at the moment. They have been living at the hospital for over two weeks and are pretty tired. I'm amazed at S&K's strength and courage, but it is quite a burden to bear and very tough for them to see this gorgeous little boy in pain. Please keep upholding them in prayer.

In the post...

Oh, look at the lovely parcel of goodies I received yesterday from Chris Millar. I was very blessed to win her recent giveaway!!! Thanks so much Chris!!!!! It's so nice to have new treasures to play with.

I'm off to the big smoke for nearly a week... not sure if I'll be blogging...

I am hoping to have some huggles with Oliver, if he'll let me.