On yer head, son!

Hi all,

It's my niece's 6th birthday at the beginning of January, so I finally got around to making her a card. She has just started playing football on Saturdays. She is the only girl there with about 20 boys and has already won player of the week 3 times. So, I thought this image from Digistamp boutique would be perfect for her. Harold the dragon has a black and white scarf as her Dad (hubby's brother) supports Newcastle United.

I would like to enter this into Creative Card Crew - birthdays.

It's hubby's birthday and after raining for two days, it was lovely weather here today, so we went to the beach. Unfortunately, the rest of Sydney also came to this decision so it was a bit crowded. However, we met up with some friends and had a lovely time.

Incy Wincy challenge 74

Hi, I hope you all had a lovely Christmas. Ours started at 6am when a very excited Daisy bounced into our room. She was desperate to open all her presents, and all of ours as well! By 9am they were all opened and Daisy set about the serious task of playing with them all. Martha was a bit bewildered by it all but enjoyed playing with the wrapping paper. We then popped around to our neighbours as they invited us for a drink. In the afternoon we went to a friend's house. They had over 30 people there for Christmas dinner - mostly ex-pats and those with no family here. We all took some food to share and had a fab time. Most people then went for a swim in their pool and then Father Christmas turned up to give all the children a present. It was wonderful and did stop me thinking about being so far away from family. Yesterday we just chilled at home as it poured down.
Now, as it is Monday, it's time for a new challenge at Incy Wincy. The theme is distressing, and as you may know, this is something I love to do. This week we are sponsored by:

and they are offering a prize of 2 digi packs of the winner's choice.
The DT were given some wonderful papers by Bearly Mine Designs to play with.
Here is my card:

I have made an easel card and used a wonderful image - Chelsea - by Aspire to Thrive. I paper pieced her top and inked the card with Victorian Velvet distress inks. To keep with the distressed feel, I made a flower from three circles of net and used crackle paint on the edges of the card on the base of the easel. Please check out the other wonderful DT cards on the blog and I hope you can play along with us.

I would like to enter this into the following challenges:

Gingerloft - distressing.

The Crafty Pad - Anything Goes

A bit of what you fancy

Hi,

Well, it's Tuesday and time for another challenge at Creative Craft. The theme is anything goes and as usual runs for two weeks, so I hope you will have a chance to join in. This week, we are sponsored by:

who are giving a $10 voucher for their store, and also by:

who are giving away an everyday selection of ribbons.

Now, onto my makes. The first is a gift bag, which uses the image Bah Humbug by Stitchy bear.

Isn't the image great? I think Santa must have delivered most of his presents as he is looking
rather fed up and as though he wants to go home.

I also made this card:

I was a bit self indulgent with this one, as I used a lot of my favourite things at the moment (no doubt they will change soon!) - purple, wild orchid flowers, lace and my distress inks. The images and sentiment are by Penny Black and I inked the lace to tie in with the colour scheme.

I would like to enter this into the following challenges: Allsorts - Anything goes and Penny black at Allsorts - Beauty is in the eye of the beholder (I have many of my favourite things here and so beautiful to me).

I still have a horrible cold, so I'm hoping I'm not going to give it to anyone else as it won't be fun being ill over Christmas. Daisy is starting to get excited and wants the Christmas tree lights on all day, which is fine but as it is sunny here, you can't see them very well. It's quite hard for her to understand that there won't be snow here on Christmas Day and that we may go swimming. Even I can't quite get my head around that!

Shape it!

Hi, it's Monday so it's Incy Wincy challenge time. The theme is shape it, so we don't want to see any square or rectangle cards please. I usually love making shaped cards, especially if they are for children, but any ideas just disappeared. I finally came up with this Christmas tree and used an Aspire to Thrive angel image. The papers are a mix of scraps so I'm not sure who made them and the punch is by SU.

We are sponsored by Aspire to Thrive this week and the prize is a $10 voucher to their store.

My inlaws left last week and so I am now thinking of Christmas. I wrapped some presents last night and only have a few more to do. A friend of mine looked after Daisy this morning so I could do all those last minute things. I had to stop when Martha got fed up - I don't blame her as I had also had enough! Daisy had a ball with her friend and I'm looking after him tomorrow to repay the favour. Only the food to shop for now and I think I'll do that one evening. I'm off to bed soon though as I have an awful cold and feel quite rough so am hoping a bit of rest will help.

Hopefully not many more to make

Hi,

My inlaws have just left to catch their flight. It was lovely to have them here and the girls will miss them terribly. Daisy had her kindy Christmas concert today as the kindy shuts for two weeks over Christmas. They did some singing and dancing and put on a little play. Daisy was great (although I am a little biased!) Martha has now started rolling over. She loves to roll onto her front but then moans because she is on her front. Aaagh! It also means the times of finding her exactly where I put her down have gone. Oh help!

I found a little bit of time to make yet another Christmas card. I have used my new Holly Day Critters stamps by Penny Black. I think they're fab, although I'm not sure if my card is a bit big for the image. The papers are from the free booklet I got from Crafts Beautiful again. There is a sentiment, although it is difficult to see on the photo. I tried really hard not to use flowers, but had to give in when the card looked a bit bare.

I am entering this into Penny Black Saturday challenge - The holly and the Ivy.

Incy Wincy DT card

Hi again,

I know, two posts in the space of a few hours. What is the world coming to? It's Monday, so there's a new challenge at Incy Wincy. This week we are sponsored by

and they are giving to the winner a voucher of £10 to spend in the LOTV store. Isn't that great?This week we would like to see Christmas cards in non-traditional colours. The DT used some new digi images that are now available in the Aspire to Thrive store. There is a lovely cute penguin which would be fab for any last minute cards, but, of course, I had to make things difficult for myself so I chose a different image! I have used a lovely teddy. To make it a bit more festive, I made a turkey out of fimo to add in the tray. The paper is by Basic Grey and the snowflakes come from a die cut glittered sheet. The lace, pin and flowers are by Wild Orchid.
I would like to enter this into Simon Says Stamp - Christmas but no red or green and Cupcake Craft Challenge - non-traditional Christmas.

How many days until Christmas?

Hi,

We had a lovely few days away. We went to a town called Kiama, about 2 gours drive south of Sydney. The weather was gorgeous. I was a bit worried, as it had rained for a whole week beforehand. We rented a cottage, which had a great view of the beach. Daisy loved playing in the sea and Martha even had her first paddle, but it was still a bit cold for her. My inlaws enjoyed it too. They are going home tomorrow and the time has flown by. Daisy loves having them around and Martha is now getting used to the extra faces and is smiling at them all the time.

On Saturday we went to carols in the park. It started at 6.30pm. We took rugs and food and sang carols with at least 2000 other people. The girls enjoyed it, but they've only just got over the break in their routine. I'm not really in the Christmas spirit yet as I can't equate 30 degrees heat with this time of year, but I'm sure it will come.

On to my card. I still haven't finished all my Christmas cards, so the challenge at Allsorts - last minute Christmas - is great for me this week. I have used paper that was free with Crafts Beautiful magazine and the image and sentiment is from Holly Day Critters by penny black, although the teacher in me has a little problem with there not being a capital H!

I think I hear Martha so had better stop waffling. I hope you have a good day.

A recipe for you

Hi again,

It's Tuesday and time for another Creative Craft challenge. We have a recipe for you. We would like to see 1 ribbon, 2 papers and 3 brads on your project. This time, I decided to add more than the recipe to my card and although it is in traditional colours, I quite like it. The image is by Tim Holtz and the flower is from Wild Orchid. I have had the ribbon for ages but have only used a little bit as I find it difficult to decide what to do with it. The paper is by Basic Grey and Making memories (I think!) and I distressed it.

This is also scheduled so sorry for the absence of waffle!

Hanging around

Hi all,

I hope you had a great weekend. Ours was quite busy. We went into Sydney on Saturday with my in laws. I then did two hours of tutoring which I am still loving, and on Sunday I took Daisy to a 5th birthday party. The theme was mermaids and pirates so Grandma and Granddad bought Daisy an early birthday present of an Ariel the mermaid costume. She looked lovely in it and now it is packed away again until January for her birthday. I am scheduling this post so I hope it works as we will be away for a few days. I'm hoping the weather will improve a bit as we are going near the coast and I would love to go to the beach.

Onto my DT make. It's Monday, so a new challenge at Incy Wincy. This week was a challenge for me as we want you to make a Christmas decoration/ ornament. We are sponsored this week by:

I have used one of their lovely images of a female elf. I printed it four times and used a circle punch. I then stuck them together so it is 3D and added a hanging loop. I inked the background green and used traditional colours for a change. Please go to the blog and see all the wonderful makes from the rest of the DT.

Feeling blue

Hi,

Martha and I picked up my in laws from the airport this morning. They had a good flight, but a day's travelling takes it out on you, so while they and Martha are having a nap, I thought I would post this card I made for Daisy. Her 4th birthday is in January, but last year she didn't get a card from us (I know, it's terrible). We were in England for Christmas and I was going to make her card when we got back before her birthday. Unfortunately, snow played havoc with our travel plans and we ended up in Northumberland for Daisy's birthday. By the time we got back here, it was a bit late to make her a card. Anyway, I didn't want that to happen again, so I'm early with it. Daisy's favourite colour is blue (I think that's because she loves Thomas the Tank Engine!) and she is going through a pretty dress and princess phase, so I put both together. The stamp is a fab one from Kraftin' Kimmie called Marie Antoinette. I am entering this into the Allsorts challenge - monochrome.

A recipe for you

Hi all,

It's Monday, so it's time for another challenge at Incy Wincy. This week we are sponsored by:

and the prize is 4 digital images from the shop. This week it is a recipe challenge and the recipe is : 3 flowers, 2 papers and 1 image. I used a sweet bunny image from Meljen's Designs. If you have read some of my other posts, you will know how hard I find clean and simple cards to make. So, I decided to just use the ingredients with little else added, but I still found it hard and keep thinking the card looks a bit bare. The papers are by Prima and the flowers are from Wild Orchid.

Daisy has been in kindy today so I took the opportunity to do some Christmas shopping with Martha. I can't believe how quickly it's creeping up on us. I've also been getting the house sorted as my in-laws are arriving tomorrow morning for a couple of weeks. They haven't met Martha yet, so it will be nice for them to have some time with the girls. I hope you have a good day,

Nikki

Having a play

Hi,

I've been desperate to have a play with my new stash, so here's the result. I've distressed the edges of the card and the paper. The paper is by prima. I then used Victorian Velvet and Antique linen distress inks for a background and stamped an image by Tim Holtz. I also used crackle paint around the edges. The lace is by Wild Orchid and was inked with Victorian Velvet. I'm entering this into Allsorts - lace, ribbon and a charm.

It's been a lovely day today so we were invited to a friend's house for a swim. I can't quite get my head around 31 degrees in November though.

Tag it.

Hi,

Yes, it really is another post from me. There's a new challenge over at Creative Craft, which is tag it. We want to see tags on your projects. We are sponsored by Little Claires who are offering two stamps for the winner.

Onto my DT card. The paper is by Funky Hand and I love it - so many great designs. The stamp is from the Daisy and Dandelion range, as is the sentiment. The tag inside is hollow, so that money or a voucher can be placed inside.

We had a chilled day today as Daisy wasn't well. Hopefully she will be better tomorrow. Martha had been waking up three or four times each night, but has calmed down a bit now, so hopefully I'll be a bit less shattered and more keen to craft.

Incy Wincy Challenge 69

Hi,

It's Monday so there's another challenge over at Incy Wincy and this week we want you to create a project using blue and white (at least 80% of your project must be blue and white). This week we are sponsored by

and I have used this cute snowman image from Aspire to Thrive. The papers are from a RAK and the lace is from Wild Orchid.

I would like to enter this into the following challenges:

Fussy and Fancy - Christmas, no red or green.

One Stitch at a time - Choose a season or event - Christmas.

Creative Inspirations - Anything Christmassy/ winter.

Stampin' for the weekend - Winter.

One Stop Craft Challenge - Snow people.

A bit more purple

Hi all,

The sun has been shining today, which has been good as I finally managed to get some washing out. It's been quite wet and stormy this past week, which is odd for spring here normally. I went training this morning and we did some boxing, which I have never done before and quite liked, as long as I never have to hit anyone. Daisy was at nursery today and had her photo taken there. She chose one of her pretty party dresses to wear and I was just hoping it would stay clean enough for the photos as she seems to attract mess, like most 3 year olds.

Anyway, enough of my waffle. I managed to make a card while Martha slept. I used a fab sketch from the challenge at allsorts this week. I've had the paper for ages but just found it while I was sorting out ready for my new stash. The stamp is from the Daisy and Dandelion range and the flowers are from Wild Orchid. I bought a few of these flowers, so expect to see more. I bought the white ribbon a couple of years ago and haven't used it before.

Rock on at Incy Wincy

It's Monday, so there's another challenge at Incy Wincy and I am really excited about this one. We are sponsored this week by:

and there are 3 prizes up for grabs of 3, 2 or 1 digi stamp from Kenny K's store. I wish I could enter! The theme this week is Rock on!, so we want to see your music inspired projects. For my card, I have used the Hip Hop Drums digi and think it's great for male cards. The paper is by Hot off the Press and the sentiment is computer generated.

Yes - it really is another Christmas card.

Hi,

I know, three posts in as many days. What is the world coming to? I have decided I really should make a determined start on my Christmas cards. This one uses a digi stamp by in style stamps which I love. The paper is by Basic Grey and Making Memories, which I have inked with green.

I am entering this into the allsorts challenge - Twas the night before Christmas, as this reminds me of the line - The stockings were hung by the chimney with care.

I'm getting fed up of the weather as we have had storms most nights since Saturday. Hopefully summer will be nicer.

The stars are coming out tonight

Hi,

Well today is the time for a new challenge over at Creative Craft and this is Starlight Starbright. So we would like to see stars on your project. This works well for those of you wanting to make Christmas cards, or if you are like me and still avoiding making them, then the possibilites are endless. On to my card. I have used a fab Kenny K image called Star. I have seen many cards on blogs using these images and have never used them before, but I think I may be hooked. I made the background using punched stars as masks and inking between them. Please pop over and play along and see the cards from the rest of the DT - they're wonderful.

I've had two quite crafty days as Daisy was in nursery and Martha is still going to sleep long enough for me to make some things. I've been having lots of fun using my new stash and choosing more as my parents gave me an online voucher for a craft shop for my birthday. Hopefully I will be receiving a parcel soon with lots of yummy goodies - I can't wait!

Incy Wincy sketch

It's time for another challenge at Incy Wincy and this week there's a fab sketch for you. We are sponsored by Aspire to Thrive:

who are offering a $10 voucher for their store. The DT have all used images from Aspire to Thrive with the sketch. I have gone for a Christmas theme as I am seeing so many Christmas cards around and I haven't made many yet so expect more! I used the Santa train image, which I love. I don't have any scalloped ovals, so I used lace to outline the oval. The frame is from SU. I don't normally go for traditional colours, but I thought they worked well here.
I would like to enter this into the following challenge:
Sir Stampalot - Christmas traditions

A quick update on Daisy and the dance concert. I was quite worried she wouldn't get on stage as she is quite shy, but she went on, did all the moves perfectly and had a huge smile on her face all the time. She now wants to do more. A very proud mummy moment!

Castles in the sky

Hi all,

I don't feel like I have stopped this week. It always takes me a while to get back on track after a week away. The washing still isn't done as it has been raining all week. It's meant to be spring, what's happened? Also, I've started doing a bit of tutoring. After a year away from teaching, it's lovely to get back into it, but you won't believe how long it took me to plan three hours of lessons! Hopefully now I know the children's abilities it will get quicker as I've spent valuable crafting time on planning!

I have a card for you tonight though. Daisy has been invited to a friend's 3rd birthday tomorrow. She loves My Little Pony at the moment and as I don't have a pony stamp, I thought this LOTV unicorn would work well. The paper is by Reminisce and is from the new goodies I bought in Melbourne (hubby kindly let me use it before my birthday). The bling is from my stash.

Daisy will be shattered tomorrow as she has her first dance concert after the party. I'm looking forward to it. Even if she just stands on the stage doing nothing, it will be an experience for her. The time of chauffering daughters around is starting now, I think.

I'm back and have some news.

Hi all,

We got back from Melbourne today. We had a lovely time and visited as many touristy things as possible. Unfortunately Daisy was ill one day, so we had a day of enforced rest, which isn't all bad as I left hubby with the girls for the afternoon and toddled off to a craft shop I had seen. I had great fun as hubby said I could choose some things for my birthday which is soon. The trouble was deciding what not to buy!

Anyway, here's my news. I am sure DT's are like buses. You have none and then 2 turn up at once! I have been chosen to be on the DT for Incy Wincy Designs. It's a fab challenge blog which runs every Monday and showcases digi stamps from the Aspire to Thrive Children's Charity shop. All profit from these goes to the charity. I am so proud to be chosen and am looking forward to the next 6 months.

On to the card. This week at Incy Wincy, we are being sponsored by:

This is run by our very own Nikki, a very talented lady. She let us play with some images for the challenge, which this week is Anything Goes - no excuse not to take part! I chose this cute owl - Whootie. I printed him out different sizes and decoupaged the larger one. I used silver ink to make a moon behind the owls. I inked the edges of the paper - sorry I have no idea who makes it as it was a scrap I had. The sentiment is computer generated.

My first DT show!

Hi,
This is the first time I have scheduled a post so I hope it works as we should be halfway to Melbourne by now. We are going for a week as hubby has been working until midnight most nights for about a month so he needs a break and I just need a change of scene!
This is also my first post as DT member of the Creative Craft Challenge Blog, so I hope I do okay. It's a big week over there as it is our first anniversary week and there are so many amazing prizes up for grabs. We want to see your anniversary projects. Here are mine. The first is traditional and the second is a bit more alternative.
The card above uses a digi stamp and papers from Stitchy bear stamps, one of our sponsors. The sentiment is computer generated and the flowers and gems are from my stash.


Here is the alternative anniversary card. I thought that some people might not do lovey-dovey, but cakes are always good and I love this cheeky digi from Some Odd Girl, another of our sponsors this week. I've made an easel card. I don't know who made the paper as I cut off the name label when I used it before. I made the beaded pins using my jewellery stash. I'm not sure if you can see it, but I added glitter to the cake and put on some beads for sprinkle.
All this talk of cakes is making me hungry.
Please hop over to the blog and see the amazing creations the rest of the DT have made and take the time to join us.

Boo!

Hello,

I hope you had a good weekend. Hubby came back on Friday night after his week away for work and so I can get back to crafting now as I have a bit of time. I went to the cinema on Saturday for the first time in ages and saw Made in Dagenham about female workers in a Ford factory in Dagenham and their fight for equal pay. It was really funny and I enjoyed having time to myself.

Onto the card. I don't usually do Halloween, but I saw this fab witch digi stamp from Michelle Perkett Studio and had to use it! I made a flap and put a Crafty Pad digi stamp underneath. I've not used this technique before but I like it. I love the purple ribbon. I bought it today (with a few other items) when I popped into the local craft shop for double sided tape only. Ooops!

I want to enter it into the following challenges:

Creative Inspirations - Halloween/fall

One Stop Craft Challenge - Halloween

Stamp Something -Halloween Somethings

Polka Doodles - Something Spooky

Stampin' for the weekend - Halloween/fall

Oh my word!

Hi all,
I know I've been a bit absent but hubby has gone away for work and so I'm on my on with our girls for a week for the first time and I've not had a lot of time to myself, let alone to make cards.
Anyway, I would just like to share some wonderful news. I have been chosen to be on the DT for Creative Craft Challenges and am over the moon! It's my first DT post and had to check it was me on the blog before I celebrated. I just hope I do it justice and can't wait to start.
I'm off to watch some of the Commonwealth Games before bed.

Rain, rain go away

Hi all,

I hope you had a good weekend. It's been a bank holiday over here, and yes, it did what it always does anywhere on a bank holiday - it rained!

It was back to normal today. Daisy went to kindy and Martha and I went to training. Well, I trained and Martha slept. I'm not getting quite so achy afterwards which is a good thing. I then did a bit of crafting while Martha had her afternoon nap. Daisy had some shoes in a great box with a hinge lid and I was sure I could use it for something. I've covered it in paper and punched holes in it with my big bite. The paper on the lid is some gorgeous paper by Anna Griffin that I have had for ages. I have glittered the centres of the flowers and added gems to the letters. The butterfly is a stamp by Kaisercraft which I stamped onto acetate and then coloured in with sakura pens. The flowers around the sides are a stamp by SU.

I'm entering this into CRAFT - fancy floral and Incy Wincy Designs - sparkly glitter.

Not so simple.

Hi,

Yes, I am around, but it's been one of those weeks where I haven't had a lot of time to myself. I then decided to make a simple card, but that was easier said than done. I find it difficult to keep things plain and simple and had to do a lot of thinking for this and I'm still not sure I've done it justice. The stamp is a fab one from Kaisercraft. I'm entering this into allsorts - plain and simple.

Sweet dog

Hi,

I hope you are having a good Thursday. Daisy had her swimming lesson today. I'm so impressed with her as less than a year ago she screamed whenever she went near water and now she can swim 10 metres on her own. Not bad!

Now the girls are in bed, I had time to finish a card. The image is a sweet digi stamp called Puggles by Wink Wink Ink. The flower acetate is by papermania and the paper is The Garden Party stack by DCWV.

I'm entering this into Stamp Something - Digi Day, Papertake Weekly - Animal Magic and Crafty Catz -chocolate and green.

I am going to ache tomorrow

Hi,

I can't believe it is Tuesday already. I went to a circuit training class this morning. It's run by a friend of mine and I thought I would give it a go as I need to get in shape. I didn't realise I was so unfit. Hopefully it will get better the more I go. Martha just slept through it all in her pram, Onto the card. Yes, it is pink again. The image is from a RAK but I think I might get the stamp as I love it. I'm entering it into the CRAFT challenge which is to use colouring pencils only to colour the image. This is definitely a challenge for me and I had to borrow Daisy's pencils as I don't have any myself!

Patterns

Hi,

I was given this image in a RAK and couldn't wait to use it. I've gone for purple on this card to cancel out the amount of pink I am currently using! The black and white patterned paper is wrapping paper and the purple is flocked.

I'm entering this into polkadoodles - easel card and Creative craft challenges - black and white plus one other colour.

Having a ripping time

Hi again. I know, two posts in one day - unheard of! I've had this card half made for a few days but haven't had time to finish it as I decided the house really needed a spring clean and have tidied the cupboards and thrown lots of things out. I think my nesting instinct has finally come - only 8 weeks late!

Onto the card. I used Glimmer Mist on the base. The image is stamped onto a background of victorian velvet distress ink. The stamps are fab ones by Kaisercraft. I'm entering it into Sir Stampalot challenge - All distressed.

Autumn is here

Well, for many of you Autumn has arrived. Over here it is Spring and pouring with rain!

We had a busy weekend as Daisy was invited to two birthday parties (she has a better social life than me) and so I had to make cards and find suitable presents. Daisy is in kindy today so I took the opportunity to craft while Martha slept.

On to the card. I have used a stamp by Kraftin Kimmie. The papers are by Hot off the Press and I love the leaves one. I am entering it into two challenges: Allsorts - Colours of Autumn and Incy Wincy Designs - Autumn colours.

Yet more pink!

I seem to be in a pink phase at the moment. I'm not really sure why as I prefer purple!

I hope you all had a fab weekend. Yesterday was Father's Day over here and Daisy decided she wanted to bake Daddy a cake, so at 8am we were up to our eyes in flour and blue buttercream icing. It did taste yummy, although I forgot it and left it in the oven ten minutes too long. Ooops!

Daisy is in nursery today and Martha is sleeping so I took the chance to make a card. The paper is from Karen Foster designs and I haven't used it before because it's too pretty to cut up. The border punch is by SU and the image is Penny Black. I'm entering it into the Penny Black at Allsorts challenge which this month is Punch Away. The DT call is still on, so I am entering that, too.

Pretty in Pink

Evening all,

Martha and Daisy are both asleep (hooray!) so I've decided to post my most recent card. A friend has just given birth to a beautiful baby girl, so I made this to celebrate. The image is from Pink Petticoat. I've printed it three times and decoupaged it. The dragonfly and beads for the pin are from my sadly neglected jewellery stash. When I have at least 30 hours in a day, I might have time to use it again!

I'm entering this into Papertake Weekly - Just the one - I have kept to one colour and Crafty Cardmakers - Glitter and Sparkles.