Create + Greatest View...

Wow!  Look at me... blogging away!  LOL!  After such a quiet spell I seem to have a lot to say... again!  hee hee!  However, today I am very excited to share in full, one of those sneaks from earlier in the week..

Gail is having a new release over at Greatest View.  And this collection is really gorgeous!!  I really didn't know where I wanted to start first.  I guess sometimes it takes some gorgeous, fresh new product to get the mojo flowing!  Yay!!!  So I focused in on the Elle's Studio mini kit Gail has put together.

They also come in four different colours so don't think you are restricted to the yellow (but I loved it for the sunshiney happiness feel!!).

Here is my layout...

{It's all about cake}

products used: cs - kaisercraft; pp - we R memory keepers, bella!/ruby rock-it; GV - elle's studio mini kit, chevron bags; alpha - american crafts vinyl thickers & chipboard (AC typehouse); other - kaisercraft: pearls, ribbon & clear stamp, versacolor ink, glimmermist (sunflower), basic grey brads, typewriter.



If you would like to see some more about my layout and check out the COUNTDOWN to the new release, head on over to Greatest View.  Kim, Kerryn and Gail have all created some amazing projects.  Plus you might want to circle the date - April 1, 2012... because these goodies sell out fast.

Thanks for visiting..x

52 photos...week 13 (Easter Craft activity...)

Yesterday I took the kids outside after school and we experimented with some colour.  They had no idea what I was about to create with them but they watched, intrigued, as I carefully measured amounts of vinegar and food colouring into plastic cups.  :) hee hee...

I had decided it was about time we hand dyed some hard boiled eggs.  An experiment as such, because this was our first attempt.  Ever.  It couldn't be too hard, right?!!  Messy maybe.... LOL!  But that's why we went outside!

We had fun watching how quickly the eggs changed colour... and we started with brown eggs.  Not white...  whoops!  :D

But then again... waiting for the eggs to dry was a bit too much for some of us... especially since we'd already had a big day at school!!

The recipe for this experiment was so easy to follow (and I'm sure many of you have already done this or are preparing to do this during Easter).  This is what we did.

Before the kids caught the bus to go to school in the morning, I hard boiled six eggs.  This way they knew something was happening in the afternoon when they got home from school.   Something for them to look forward to - since they have no homework this week!  hee hee... Plus after seven or eight hours in the fridge, the eggs were certainly cool enough for them to touch!!

Using an old muffin tin/tray, I placed six plastic cups upright in the tray to prevent them from being knocked over (accidentally in their excitement.... I was prepared for this possibility!!  LOL!  And nobody wants to clean up dyes from the kitchen floor - well... I didn't!).

Next I placed a teaspoon of white vinegar in each of the plastic cups.  And then added food colouring to create various colours.  We had orange, aqua, lime green, red, purple and yellow.  Although the end results with the colours may need to be adjusted with our future attempts.

After the tray was carried outside we filled the cups up with room temperature water, not all the way to the top but about 3/4 full.  The kids then chose an egg each and decided on a colour.  With plastic spoons they carefully placed their egg into the dye.

After the kids were happy with the colour of their egg, we placed them back in the egg carton to dry off.  Easy peasy... :)  So what do you think?  What are some quick and easy crafts you do at Easter?  I would love to do more of these crafts with my kids in the future and our school no longer seems to participate with an Easter Bonnet parade.  :(  If you have any ideas please share.  Thanks so much for visiting...x

Create + The Papercraft Hub

Hello friends!  Today I am back with another crafty share.  This time I've created a layout for The Papercraft Hub using the fabulous "Fancy That Dies"!

Last time I mentioned that I was using the sweet blooms and leafy swirls quite a bit, and I wanted to try something a little different! LOL!  Well... I tried to stay away from them but I just couldn't.  They really do add that extra something when I want my layouts to have a some more oomph!  Even if I am creating a boyish page like this one...

{Daddy's Boy}

products used: pp - Bo Bunny, Junkitz (destinations junk padz), kaisercraft, nikki sivils; alpha - carolee's tiny adornits; FTD - high in the sky, sweet blooms, leafy swirl; other - versacolor ink, abi's craft rhinestones, baker's twine, machine stitching, foam tape, glimmermist (sunflower, juniper).

However... I did use the new "High in the Sky" hot air balloon!  How cute is that!!! I've just layered it a few times and mounted it on some small foam squares.

"High in the Sky"

And then I went and added the "sweet blooms" flowers!  LOL!!

                                    "Leafy Swirl"                         "Sweet Blooms"

So after today.... Maybe I have my mojo back after all!!  Yay!  I can't wait to do some more creating now.  Thanks for visiting...x

sneaks...

I've been scrapping....

...coming soon to Get Picky...

...coming soon to Greatest View...

nuff said! :D

Harmony Day...

Last week at school the students celebrated Harmony Day.  A day for students to get together and say no to bullying and to embrace each other's cultural differences.  The idea was for the kids to wear something orange to let others know that they recognise what the day is all about.  Unfortunately for some of the kids I think it was more about a day out of the school uniform!  Woo Hoo!  Free dress day....  And for some, I think they may be a little too young to really comprehend cultural diversity.  But I guess we need to start somewhere and in the school community is a good a place as any.  :)

Liam chose to wear his favourite t-shirt with Tom and Jerry on the front.  A classic example of rivals right? Two characters with many differences!!  In hindsight it probably wasn't the best shirt for him to wear while promoting Harmony Day! LOL!  At least Tom and Jerry are shaking hands in the image - so I guess that has to count for something!

And just like Tom and Jerry, we had a few squabbles here in front of the camera too...

sigh....

Thanks for visiting..x

Create + Get Picky...

Hello Friends!  I'm a bit late with this post... whoops!  Especially since the new challenge goes live in a few days.  :D

Today I wanted to share my layout created for this month's Get Picky sketch challenge.  If you are a regular reader of my blog you would know that I've been lacking some motivation lately.  Get Picky has certainly helped me get back on track.  hee hee.. So here is the sketch:

And this is what I created from it...

{Lego}

products used: cs - American Crafts; pp - Bo Bunny, Ruby Rock-it, Jillibean Soup, Crate Paper;  alpha - Jillibean soup (corrugated) & tiny alphas; other - Jillibean Soup stickers & die-cuts; twine; staples; button; machine stitching; GV stick pin; PLS scallop circle; typewriter; kaisercraft rhinestone; sizzix die cut heart. 

 

I haven't deviated too far from the sketch and of course I had to change the pennant flags into banners!! LOL!

The DT have done an amazing job with their creations and there is still time for you all to join in!  Hurry over to the Get Picky Blog and enter today!  Just remember to use MORE THAN ONE PHOTO.  :)

Good Luck!  And thanks for visiting..x

52 photos...week12

It's been a busy week at school.  Yesterday was a very special occassion and Miss Tahlia was our focus..x



{in the spotlight}

I'm so proud of my little girl.  Not just today but everyday.  She is growing into a strong and beautiful soul.  She works hard to do her best.  In. everything.  And yesterday she was recognised by her peers and school teachers and appointed to her school's student council.  She was excited.  "Over the moon", would have been an understatement.  LOL!

Her badge was presented to her by a "baby" Bronco (NRL football player) who also attended a school in the local area.  She was so nervous but still strode up on stage with determination! LOL!

But of course, what better way to ease the nerves than a chat with the school Principal and some special cupcakes with a few sprinkles!! Congratulations Tahlia.  We are so very proud of you...x

So Lucky...

Today being St Patrick's Day and all, I thought I'd share another LO I've created using the Fancy That Dies from The Papercraft Hub...

{So Lucky}

products used: cs - dcwv; pp - PLS, Stampin' Up; FTD - Delightful Doily duo, Sweet Blooms; alpha - Sassafras; other - GV baker's twine, kaisercraft ribbon, basic grey brad, PLS: bingo card, vintage tag & word flashcards, versacolor ink, Tim Holtz distress ink, corrugated cardboard, glimmermist, staple, cupcake wrapper.



Everyday is an adventure with this little guy.  And I am so lucky to be able to be a stay at home mum.  He is full of life, fun and a few tantrums!! LOL!  But we love him heaps!

In this LO I've used several layers of the dies.  This helps give additional dimension and fullness to the flower.  I've also added some foam tape beneath the flower layers before placing it on top of the smaller doily.

Can you tell I'm a huge fan of these two sets of dies and the gorgeous intricacies!!!  Next week I will share something a little different.  Thanks for visiting.  I'm off to hunt down my mojo..x  :)

Fancy That Dies used:

52 photos...week 11

{off the grid}

Yes.  I have fallen off the grid.  I have no motivation and have not much love for what I create at the moment.  I feel like I've had a blackout, much like the actual ones we had earlier in the week... I've also been busy working away on Master's projects and DT assignments.  Hence the lack of blog posts.... But I have used this time away from the craft room (& computer) to reorganize my space..again! AND I have big plans this weekend for a huge non-"Spring" clean!  hahaha!  So all those unwanted and underfoot kids toys better find a home soon because I am on a mission! LOL!

Hope your weekend is looking good...x

Create + Fancy That...

Remember that sneak from last week? 

Well... Today I can share the full reveal.  :)

{6}



products used:  cs - kaisercraft; pp - Pretty Little Studio, Nikki Sivils, Ruby Rock-it, Bella!, Jenni Bowlin; alpha - American Crafts; other - button (MME), kaisercraft: ribbon, ticket & doilies, maya road: flower & kraft calendar, string, staples, versacolor ink, martha stewart circle punch, jillibean soup: corrugated butterfly & butterfly pin, cupcake topper, typewriter, glimmermist.  FTD - delightful doily duo, fiesta flags.



 I've been playing with the Fancy That Dies from The Papercraft Hub.  In particular...  this one

and this one.  :)

I am loving the detail created from these dies!  I've chosen to use all three different patterns created from them but you could easily stick to just one die and repeat it again and again. 

Thanks for visiting..x

52 photos...week 10

{Enchanted to Meet You}

note:  Before we start... LOL!!  PLEASE ignore that scary looking man in the background of the above photo!  HAHAHAHA!!

Last night Tahlia received her Christmas present from her Uncle Ian and boy was she spoilt!!  My  little girl got to go to her very first concert.... Taylor Swift: Speak Now world tour.  She had been counting down for weeks and was nearly bursting at the seams yesterday morning before going to school.  That was when the countdown became serious and we moved from days to hours and minutes.  :)

Mark had also bought me a ticket as a Christmas present and together, Tahlia and I were really looking forward to the coming evening.  As soon as she got home from school yesterday afternoon, Tahlia started getting ready.  At this point she had a three hour wait before we even left home to go to the Entertainment Centre, and another 1.5 hours before the warm up act started.  LOL!  Tahlia really didn't want to be late!  Once she was dressed and ready to go, she sat (somewhat impatiently) at the front window, waiting for her Uncle Ian to come and get us. 

Can I just say that at this point or at any other point during the course of the evening, the boys weren't phased or jealous in the slightest, that Mummy and Tahlia were going out to a concert!  Thank goodness for that!  LOL!  The x-box and pizza treat was enough to keep them happy!

The sold-out concert was amazing!  The crowd was loud and excited and caught up in Taylor fever!  The entertainment value was seriously worth every penny spent and our seats.... what can I say... nothing but uninterrupted views of the stage.

Taylor Swift definitely knows how to produce a show.  Not a concert, because it was way more than that.  The on-stage dancers were fabulous and Taylor's (many, many) costume changes were hardly noticed.  The stage itself was a magical fairytale of bridges, balconies and secret alcoves.  And for this to be Tahlia's first musical entertainment experience.... well... the barre has been set very high.  :D 

BUT.. The highlight has to have been the moment Taylor Swift walked directly in front of us and high-fived my little girl!  I think Tahlia screamed the loudest then and there, more than throughout the whole evening put together!!!   She went to school this morning, positively giddy with excitement, rushing through the school gates to tell all of her friends... "I touched Taylor Swift!!!  She Hi-fived me!"  LOL!!  I don't think Tahlia could ever have imagined such an evening.  Or had such a sore throat the following day.



Yes.  Tahlia was definitely enchanted to meet Taylor.  I'm so glad we got to do this together and thanks to Ian who was the motivator behind the scenes (well and truly before Christmas) and a big part of the evening as well..x

A little secret...

Hello friends.  Some time ago, I was approached by The Papercraft Hub and asked if I would be interested in creating layouts using their new exclusive collection of papercrafting dies!  Apart from being extremely flattered that Emilia came to me, I jumped at the chance to play along.

Introducing....

I immediately fell in love with the products... especially these dies.  :)

Mmmmm...happy dance!! LOL!  You can find them and the other dies from release #1 here.

I also love that you can layer and cluster the pieces any way you want!  And since it is the month of March and St Paddy's Day is fast approaching... I thought that I would seek out my inner Irish with a touch of green and little bit of luck! hahaha...

{So Lucky}

products used: cs - Stampin' Up; pp - kaisercraft; ruby rock-it, stampin' up, crate paper; FTD - delightful doily duo, sweet blooms, leafy swirl; alpha - American Crafts; other - Maya Road: vintage button stick pin, kraft journal card, stampin' up button, Nikki Sivils corduroy brad, baker's twine, darkroom door grid stamp, kaisercraft paint, tim holtz distress ink, elle's studio journal card.

I can't wait to play with these goodies again... well, okay.  Confession.  I already have!  hee hee... But I can't share just yet.  What I can do is give you a little sneak...

Thanks for visiting..x