Partridge in a Pear Tree

Popped in to say hello

2010-10-28T22:42:00.000+11:00

I feel like I have desserted my blog....I have...sorry.

Life just gets so busy...I've finished painting both of my boys rooms now so that's nice to have that out of the way, but next I need to start the hallway...when I get the time and energy.

My family has been away on a holiday to Fiji, we had 9 lovely nights and days and I'm already wishing for life to slow down again like it did in Fiji...it is amazing how much we slowed down and really relaxed.

This is a pic of me snorkeling, my hubby actually taught me how to snorkel under water. I'd never really snorkeld properly, just at the top of the water. I loveeed it! Once I got confident I just loved exploring the coral and loved having fish swimming all around me. We also used our camera under water for the first time, and had a blast taking pictures under water. Snorkeling really was an amazing experience for me, like visiting a different world, so peaceful and relaxing.

We stayed in three different places, Mana Island, The Sheraton at Denaru and the Outrigger on the Coral Coast. Our favourite was Mana, the beaches really aren't worth mentioning unless you go to an island. When you stay in Denaru or anywhere near Nadi or the Coral Coast you really are there for the pools, heat and cocktails. Although Mana was our favourite, we were really happy with the quality of accommodation and service at The Sheraton and the Outrigger, would highly recommend them both if you are looking to stay somewhere in these areas. The Sheraton Villa's also looked great for familes, self contained with a pool right outside your door.

This is the reason my eldest is still crying every night, because he knows it will be a long time before he gets to go back to Mana Island and jump of the diving platform out in the ocean....he loved it so much he had to go out on it every day.

I've been busy since we got back working on a special surprise for my son's kinder teacher...it's her 25 years celebration at our kinder...quite an achievement to stay there for so long and she is very good at what she does; all of the families and children adore her. This surprise has invovled scanning far too many photos and then rescanning them when I realised the resolution was too low. I've got one other project to work on before our cocktail dinner to celebrate with her and I've just finished designing business cards for a friend.

I feel like I'm already slipping into a routine of not spending enough time with my little one before he goes to school next year...I think I need to block out a day where I dont do any work, design stuff or house stuff and just play with him and enjoy him before he leaves me for school.

My sister is coming over this weekend so I may actually get to make some cards, it has been a while.

Chat to you later,

Paula

Pear tree is starting to flower

2010-09-21T20:29:00.000+10:00

I haven't popped by to say hello for a while, life has been busy as usual.

I've been busy sanding and oiling the outdoor table and chairs and painting my eldests room...I finally finish the youngest's room. I've also been very busy in the garden, putting in new plants around the sandpit to make it feel like a jungle around the sandpit, and two half wine barrels and a above ground cast iron vegie garden. My hubby and I spent a whole weekend putting the thing together and filling all of them with dirt.
Last weekend I planted seedlings in the vegie garden and barrels and also transplanted lots of plants to fill out the garden some more. I have this visual idea in my head of how I want it to look and I'm really looking forward to seeing everything grow.

I haven't made any cards since the last one or done anything digital, but I am scanning pics for my 5 yr olds kinder teacher's 25 year teaching celebration.

Some of the freishers are flowering and our nectarine and pear trees are starting to flower, hopefully this year we will actually get some fruit from them.

Better go now...so busy!!

Paula

Monster Sized Birthday

2010-08-15T00:31:00.000+10:00

I had a bit of time to myself today so I checked out the three main craft shops in Geelong:
Chandon Craft, Kaiser Craft and Create on Garden and came home with 3 bags of goodies.

I made a card tonight using a new stamp set that I bought at Create on Garden, the monster stamps are by Hero Arts. I used all SU papers and markers.

Some of my other goodeis that I bought today included a versa mark pen, a new Tim Holts Distress Ink in Victorian Velvet, Glimmer Mist, StazOn Permanent Ink(lost the old one), Kaiser antique lace packs in white and Cream, paper flowers to match the Victorian Velvet Ink, and a Doily and lace stamp from Kaiser Craft from the Tea at Elsies Collection.

But you might have to wait a while for any more creations as I have had two late nights in a row and late nights makes a grumpy mumma.

Thanks for stopping by,

Paula : )

I made a card with 60's Mod Ivy

2010-08-14T02:23:00.002+10:00

I have made my first card using one of the stamps from Kellie's new range of stamps called "Lil Lolita".

I have used SU markers to water colour and the SU stamp A Little Birthday Cheer and the Su Big Shot and Sizzlits Lots of Tags. I've also used Kaiser Craft papers, rub ons and vintage lace as well as Tim Holtz Distress Ink.

I really had fun making this card and colouring Mod Ivy, Kellie has an awesome range of stamps...you should go check them out.

This is why I dont make cards often, it's now 2:24am...I am going to be so tired tomorrow.

Paula : )

The Soap Dish

2010-08-04T18:49:00.001+10:00

My sister Susannah's blog has had a make over, courtesy of me.

You can view it at http://siredale.blogspot.com/ she started making cards and then got into soap making and found that she didn't have any time left for card making...so it kind of turned into a soap blog instead...so I created a new blog design for her....I know you're wishing I was your sister aren't you!

I was a bit excited with this design as I've designed everything myself, right down to the background, the textures papers and ribbon in the banner...I am having so much fun with my digital tablet!

I've also designed one for my other sister Kristy, but she wont be loading hers up for a few weeks...she just paid for one recently and wants to use it for a little longer before she replaces it with the design I've done for her.

My youngest is at school next year so I may have more time to design more templates to sell and will also have more time to work on custom designs.

Hope you like it,

Paula : )

I've been creating again

2010-07-29T23:50:00.003+10:00

But this time I've been designing new blogs and banners for my sisters...I've had such a ball designing these and I hope they love them as much as me...cant wait to show them off!

Update...They both like their designs....I cant believe how excited I am!!

Paula : )

Mother-in-laws Birthday Card

2010-07-22T18:34:00.001+10:00

It's my mother-in-laws birthday this weekend so my youngest and I made her birthday cards today.
He loves sitting at my craft desk and making cards, I've taken pictures of his cards to show you as well.

Mother-in-laws birthday that I made

I used SU card stock, ink and stamp and the designer paper lace and flower embellishments are from Kaiser Craft.

5yr olds card for his nanna

and the inside of the card

and a card he made for me a few weeks ago

See how he has drawm me and him and written mum upside down above the heart! I love this card!

Thanks for stoping by,

Paula : )

Learning to look after myself

2010-07-20T22:03:00.003+10:00

I know one moment I declare myself a monthly blogger, the next I'm blogging every few days...I think that maybe I'm a sporadic blogger...I create when I have the time and energy.

I have a friend who's dad has just passed away and didn't have any appropriate cards left so I made one for him. It's so sad when someone passes on and I feel for friends when this happens, and even more so than ever before becuase I know what they are going through and what they will go through in the coming months and years.

It's not easy, you feel empty and your heart really does ache and you go through all sorts of emotions. You do feel as though part of your heart will never be the same but somehow you keep living and eventually with time you dont hurt as often...you never get over the loss but you dont grieve quite as often.

For a long time I felt like I was searching for someone to be my step-in-mum if that makes sense, someone who I could go to for support, love and guidance. Eventually I realised that no one can provide what my mum provided for me, she was my 'mum' and slowly with time I've started to feel more relaxed and realised that I can still talk to her for support and remember what she would have said and feel the love from her from my memories with her. It's not as good as the real thing....but it works for me and that's the most important thing is to find something for you that works for you and makes you feel at peace.

This has turned into quite a long chat...but it feels good to talk about it..and who knows maybe it will help someone else out there who has lost someone.

I also realised that I can provide myself with love, guidance and support...

* I can remember to look after myself
* Remind myself to respect myself and others and treat people as I would like to be treated
* and not take myself too seriously and not be too hard on myself

I've started giving me 'me' time to make sure I get relaxed time and doing activities that make me feel good, i.e making cards, drawing, getting a massage, catching up with my sisters and girlfriends and playing with my family.

I guess I mean by this that I'm learning to look after myself...which might sounds odd at my age (mid 30's). Shouldn't we all know how to look after ourselves as adults?

The problem is many of us are too busy looking after everyone else to take the time to look after ourselves.

It's also easy to forget that no one else is living 'my' life and that you dont get a rehersal...this is it.
If I want to be happy and at peace...it's up to me, and realising this and taking control of my life and how I think and feel is a great place to be!

I hope you have enjoyed my chat today, I've have.

I hope you like my card, I am a bit pleased with it. I used the SU stamp set Pick a Petal and Thoughts and Prayers for the sentiment. SU card stock and versa mark, white embossing powder and one of my favouriet toys a heat gun.

Take care,

Paula

Devonshire Tea Anyone?

2010-07-18T23:03:00.003+10:00

I am just loving the Devonshire collection from Kaiser Craft...flowers, crochet lace and pearls and stunning papers to go with them.

The cardstock and sentiment stamp is SU, I made the paper rose and plant pot using the Aurora Paper from Kaiser Craft and finished off with a white gel pen to draw the stem and leaf and a button.

This card was made using the Aurora paper from Kaiser Craft and the lace from the Kaiser Craft Devonshire Collection. The pearl detail was purchased from a craft store in Mornington and who knows where the button came from? I also added some antique distressed linen around teh edges of the flower and leaves.

Same paper again from Kaiser Craft, I cut out the rose and leaves and simply stuck onto some of the same paper but the reverse side and touched up the edges with antique distressed ink.

Kind of felt like I was cheating with this one because I didn't really do much but I still liked the result.

Again same paper.....told you I'm loving this collection................I cut out the same rose three times and layered it using really thin dimensionals. The card stock is SU. I embossed it using the SU Bigshot and the background is stamped with Antique Linen Distress Ink and the SU background stamp Rustic Rooster. Pearls again bought from a craft shop, I cant remember who makes them.

I only used the Kaiser Craft embellishments for this one. SU cardstock and the SU Rusti Rooster background stamp was stamped using versa mark and clear embossing powder. The heart was made using the same stamp but with white embossing powder and then puched out using the SU heart punch.

Thanks for looking, you should check out some of the work the Kaiser team have made using this collection...gorgeous cards, scrapbook pages and projects...so talented! And no I'm not employed by Kaiser, I just love this collection.....................

Paula : )

P.S pics of craft area and how messy my craft table got tonight...I started with one bag and would carry this to the kicthe table an dget everything out...now I have my area where I can leave it all as it is when I finish creating and come back to it when I feel like it....thank you hubby...I love having my craft space!

P.P.S I thought I had too much stuff, check out this blog...oh my god and so (excuse the US language) freakin organised!!

My monthly update

2010-07-12T22:10:00.001+10:00

It looks like I'm becoming a monthly blogger, I would love to update my blog more often but time just flies by.

I've made some cards and I've been busy organising my 5 year olds birthday party.

He had a rocket party because..he loves rockets! I couldn't find any rocket party supplies in Australia so I decided to use the rocket stamp from the Stampin Up Fun Pun Stamp Set and stamped it on plain white cups and plain white paper lolly bags.

I also made his card using the stamp.

I've been playing with Photoshop Elements tonight as well, and have edited a photo of my 5 year old.

Can you see that I've blurred the background and made the background black and white while he is in colour...pretty cool hey!

My 7 year old saw this and said "Why haven't you done that for me? It's always about (5 year old)!"

I explained to him that I've only just started playing with Photoshop Elements tonight and discovering some of the cool stuff it can do.

So while he has been sleeping I decided to create something special for him.

He loves comic strips and is going through a I'm too cool to have my photo taken stage so I thought a comic strip design would rock his world!

Hope you like

Paula

Challenge Heaven

2010-06-16T10:08:00.000+10:00

I came across this great site from Sarah Jane Kale's blog, called Challenge Heaven.
They have a cyber crop this Friday night...sounds like a fun night in!

Paula

My first Manga Fairy

2010-06-13T00:49:00.003+10:00

I didn't make cards tonight but I did do something creative. I used my digital tablet; that I've had for a while now but haven't spent much time playing with it.

I started with an upside down drawing that looked ok but the head was out of proportion with the rest of the body.

I then searched for fairy images on line to copy and found one, at first I was struggling to get the nose and lips right and almost gave up. I started again and managed to draw it reasonably well and then coloured it in using the digital air brush...which was a bit like using Copics because I could add more colour and blend...I had a great time and got into a really creative mode.

I had a glass of red, music playing on itunes and was contently drawing and colouring using my digital tablet.

So this fairy image isn't my original, it is a copy that I copied from a disney poster to get some practice using my digital tablet.

Paula

Back in Action!

2010-06-11T15:20:00.000+10:00

There hasn't been much time for crafting of late but I made up for it last night....I had my hair cut and coloured by a new hair dresser and we got talking about card making...yes it turns out my new hair dresser is also into card making. I think from our chatting about card making I got home and all I wanted to do was make cards. I was a great night, I felt very creative.

So this is just a preview, I'll post more pics later. Just thought I'd let you know I hadn't fallen off the planet!

Happy Long Weekend!

Paula

Thick and Hearty Chicken & Vegie Soup

2010-05-04T19:09:00.002+10:00

Today my little man and I had a busy day. I did aerobics, then we did some gardening and then we were back at the Sports centre for his swimming lesson and then home again until school pick up.

We made dinner today and slow cooked it all afternoon so it was ready when we got home from soccer at 6:30. It was so yummy I thought I'd share it, no pics today, the pics dont do it any justice...you just have to trust me and make it.

Thick and Hearty Chicken & Vegie Soup (Paula's recipe)

- 500g chicken, diced.
- 1/4 butternut pumpkin (I bought half a piece of butternut pumpkin and halved it again)
- 3 or 4 potatoes, diced
- 2 long celery sticks, diced
- 1/2 brocolli, diced
- 20 beans, diced
- pepper, rosemary and
- 2 tins of cream of celery soup
- 1 litre chicken stock
- 1 cup barley
- 1 onion diced

1. Cut all vegies and put in slow cooker with stock, two tins of cream of celery soup, peper and herbs.

2. Dice chicken and brown. Add to slow cooker.

3. Cook on high in a slow cooker for 4.5 hours.

I started this at about 1:30 and it was ready for dinner at 6:30.
If you dont have a slow cooker, I highly recommend you get one. I use my slow cooker at least once a week. They are one of the best inventions, food tastes tender, the flavours are amazing and you can leave it cooking while you do other things...like take the kids to after school sports.
Let me know if you try it, I hope you like it,

Paula.

Just Add Ink Challenge #14

2010-04-26T10:53:00.005+10:00

As I said, Oh My God! I have made some cards and even made some for a challenge!

I've made some cards for the Just Add Ink Challenge and the theme is:

Just Add Vintage

Here are my cards:

I've used all sorts of products to make this, stampin Up Rustic Rooster background stamp, ribbon and heart punch, eiffel tower stamp was bought in the US, Kaiser Rub Ons (Key and Lock) the paper is The Paper Studio (Black & Cream Ornate Leaf).

I also used antique linen distress ink around the edges of the card and the eiffel tower stamp.

This card was inspired by my day of gardening and the gorgeous autumn weather we have been having. I've used Stampin Up papers, SU Lovely as a Tree Stamp, SU Big Shot and Sizzlits LOts of Tags Label 1, Kaiser Flowers, SU Clear buttons and Su Cheers & Wishes Stamp.

Stampin Up Paper, Kaiser Rub Ons (Mirror) the paper is The Paper Studio (Black & Cream Ornate Leaf) and SU stamps Cheers and Wishes and Great Friend.

I had so much fun making these.

Paula : )

Pancetta, pea & cheddar deep-pan tart

2010-04-23T19:55:00.010+10:00

My youngest son visits with his great grandma every Teusday after his swimming lesson and I often go off and do stuff (grocery shopping, work, etc) and she always has the ABC Delicious Magazine.

I normally flick through it when I pick my youngest up and this week I saw a few recipes (in the March 2010 edition) that I thought I'd try. So I wrote a quick menu plan for the week, whipped up a quick shopping list and headed to the shops while Kyle visited with his great grandma.

The Menu Planner

Tuesday: Chicken mince paties and vegies (this was one of great grandmas recipes)
Wednesday: Sizzling beef with capsicum and broccolini p.94
Thursday: Pancetta, pea & cheddar deep-pan tart p.118
Friday: Nonya chicken curry with roti pg. 112

So this was the plan....and the best plans are always flexible...So everything went to plan until Thursday when I realised I hadn't left enough time to allow the pastry to cool for the tart. So we had takeout and tonight we are having the tart.

The reviews

Tuesday: Chicken mince paties and vegies (this was one of great grandmas recipes)

Yum, yum, yum....added some grated vegies and some

Wednesday: Sizzling beef with capsicum and broccolini p.94

Oh my god! The sauce, the flavour was divine! I will deffinatley be making this again, everyone loved it.
I added lettuce to mine to turn it into a salad and hubby and kids had it with wraps, lettuce, diced tomatoe etc.

Thursday: Pancetta, pea & cheddar deep-pan tart p.118

It wasn't that hard to make pastry and it looks so good, I was a bit pleased with myself last night when this came out of the oven. : )

Adults loved it, kids didn't. It was much creamier than my standard quiche. I normally make a weight watchers quiche (no pastry). The quiche I normally make doesn't use cream or as many eggs (8 in this recipe)...which meant I didn't need a very big slice which is probably a good thing. So the kids didn't like it, but they still had to eat it, and they did. : )

Friday: Nonya chicken curry with roti pg. 112

Review: TBC

Hope you enjoyed my post,

Paula

P.S I am not going to do a Julia style blog, I cant commit to that as I have work and a family, plus I like making cards and scrapbooking. But when I'm in the mood for trying something new and I have the energy to post about it, I will.

Adding a counter to your blog

2010-04-22T23:26:00.000+10:00

I had someone visit my blog and ask a question about adding counters to blogs.

Here are some quick steps.

1. Click on Dashboard.

2. Select layout for the blog you want to add a counter to.

3. Click add a gadget.

4. Paste code for counter, click save.

My counter is from http://www.hit-counts.com/ but there are lots more out there.

As for searching blogs by category I typed this into google and found a the following

http://www.blogcatalog.com/ you can search blogs by category or type in a search parameter.

Hope that helps...
Paula

Great Grandmas Meatballs and Sugo Sauce

2010-04-22T23:12:00.002+10:00

I have been meaning to post this recipe for ages, I've made it twice now and we all love it!
Sorry I haven't uploaded photos from my camera so I have no pics top show you...you just have to trust me.

Ingredients

-500g pork & veal mince (safeway have this premixed and packaged)
- 1/4 cup basil
- 3 tblspns bread crumbs
- 3/4 cup grated cheese
- 1 egg
- salt & pepper
- plain flour or rice flour if you have it
- 2 garlic cloves (or equivalent of minced garlic)
- oil
- celery stalk
- carrot
- lemon

Method

Meatballs

1. Place mince meat, basil, bread crumbs, cheese, egg and garlic into bowl. Mix with wooden spoon and when combined roll into balls. I used the tablespoon measure to make the balls all roughly the same size.

2. Heat oil and cook in batches. Set aside to cool.

Sauce

1. Process 1 onion, celery stick, carrot, lemon zest, garlic until mushy.
2. Heat 1/4 cup oil & 20g butter.
3. Add processed vegies, cook until soft for 10 mins.
4. Add 1 tspn of sugar and 3 cups of passata or (sugo), whatever you prefer.
5. Add 2 cups of water and cook gently for 15 mins.
6. Uncover, add 1/2 cup of milk or only when you re-heat.
7. Simmer sauce for 15 mins, add meatballs.
8. Simmer for another 20-25 minutes.

This is so yummy, I have never been a big fan of meatballs and everyone in my family loves them....thanks Grandma!

Paula

Blog Candy at Tickled Pink Stamps

2010-04-05T18:46:00.000+10:00

The new store Tickled Pink Stamps owned by the gorgeous Kellie Winnell is giving away blog candy to celebrate all the exciting things coming up!

1st - Is 6 stamps of the winners choice from any stamps in stock in store.

2nd - Is 3 stamps of the winners choice from any stamps in stock in store.

3rd - Is 1 stamp of the winners choice from any stamps in stock in store.

Check out the Tickled Pink Stamps blog here.

Paula : )

The Blog Candy Winners Designs

2010-04-03T11:25:00.002+11:00

The Winners Designs

Anne Edwards and Jodie Turner were the lucky winners and here are their blog designs. Jodi ended up designing her own blog design, after creating a few different designs for her she had a play and came up with a header design herself. She is obviously not just a good card maker but also clever on the computer. I really dont mind, I had fun creating these designs and I'm sure I can tweek them for someone else.

So thank you to Jodi and Anne for giving me the chance to design something for you.

I just received a gorgeous parcel in the post from Anne.
She googled me to find my address and posted it to another P.Funston in Geelong (didn’t know there was another P Funston) and then made it again and posted it to my address..so thank you Anne, it was really nice that you went to so much effort to thank me.

I have also just finished a header design for the very chatty Kelly, she has just extended her range in her on-line store and renamed it to 'Tickled Pink Stamps', check out her new shop and blog here.

Ha Ha Ha Ha! Something verry funny just happened to me...I saw an ad in the Geelong Whats On for a Geelong Stamp Club and got really excited that someone had deciedd to start a stamping club. I was thinking I wonder where they would hold it and was prepared to go even if I didn't know anyone there...ha ha ha I really did LOL! It was as you may have guessed a stamp club for stamp collectors (that go on envelopes), I figurd it out when they lady that answered the phone put me onto her husband...Oh God I can be such a idiot!!! I hope I have provided you with a good laugh on your easter weekend!

Oh I also actually made a card....but have to upload it to the pc, maybe tonight.
Paula : )

I cant believe the traffic I am getting

2010-03-31T11:45:00.001+11:00

I remember checking my blog a while ago and being really excited that I was getting close to 15,000 and the not long after it jumps up to 200,000. How the does that happen?

I was asked to complete an interview a few weeks ago with bloginterviewer and thought, oh ok I guess I can do that. So I went and checked out the site and completed their interview questions, that is only thing that I think can explain the hike in visitors. I clicked on more details under the traffic widget and saw where all of my visitors are coming from and it is amazing to see where people are reading your blog, or just popping by to check it out. So who ever recommened me, thank you!

{ the book }

I watched Julie & Julia tonight, a movie about two women in different times and how they changed their lives. One women (Julia Childs in real life) was a wife who decided to learn to cook in France while her husband was working there and the other was a women (Julie Powell) in 2004 who decided to write a blog about her attemtping to cook every recipe from the cook boook that the other women ending up publishing.

I loved it! It was great to see women finding themselves, a passion and turning it into something. It was also funny to see a movie based on real life about someone starting a blog and getting exicted about new followers or visitors. So if you feel like a chic flick I recommend it, it has made me feel like going out and buying the Julia Childs recipe book and learning how to really cook! But first I need to finish painting.

I haven't looked yet, but you might it interesting to read Julie Powell's blog.

Chat to you later,

Paula.

Another Blog Template

2010-03-28T11:45:00.000+11:00

I am having so much fun creating these blog templates I just couldn't resist and had to design another.

Have a look at a sample here.

Paula : )

First Designer Blog Template for Sale

2010-03-28T00:34:00.001+11:00

I'm very excited to announce that I have finished a design for a blog template tonight and it's for sale.

Click here to check out a sample.

If you are interested contact me to organise payment and I will upload it to your blog.

Thanks for visiting,

Paula

I love the weekend

2010-03-27T18:06:00.002+11:00

I have so far had a great weekend.

I went to the paint shop to buy a sample pot of paint to paint the feature wall in my sons room and did a little shop for ingredients to make Rogan Josh. I've only ever made this with a jar of rogan josh but today I felt like like making the Rogan Josh paste myself....and it has been so much fun!

I had music playing while I crushed garlic with the side of my knife (first time and I know it is simple but I'd just never done...always bought minced garlic in a jar), grated ginger for the first time (again always buy minced ginger in a jar) and added spices and yoghurt and then marinated the lamb in this for an hour while I made the paste.

Meanwhile hubby is outside playing with a giant beach ball with the boys....calling out you are missing out and I thought to myself....no I am really content playing master chef : )

So then I diced a red capsicum, 2 red chillis, 1 red onions and the roots of a bunch of corriander and processed it into a paste.

I sliced another red capsicum and a red onion and sauteed in butter, added some more spices and then it was time to mix in the marinated lamb. Mmmm it smelt so good already and I just loved the smell of the spices and herbs all mixed together.

I then blended two cans of tomatoes and added this to the pot with 1 cup of beef stock and let it come to a boil and then simmer for 2 hours.....

While that was cooking I already had my painting clothes on and went to my youngests room and started painting with the blue sample paint. The feature wall is going to look great but I think I need to get the coloured darkened a bit.

When I finished painting the Rogan Josh was ready............it looks, smells and tastes so good!

Hope everyone is having a great weekend,

Paula : )

P.S I have been very busy working on the blog designs for the winners, hopefully I will be able to reveal them soon.

And the winners are...........

2010-03-07T17:57:00.000+11:00

Well after a very crazy week with work it is time to announce the winner of the blog design.

My eldest drew the name from one of the boys Halloween buckets and the winner is:

Jodie Turner!

Congratulations Jodie, I’ll send you an email asking you what sort of design you would like.

My youngest also wanted to select a name from the bucket so there is also a 2nd prize!

The second prize is a new banner to insert into your blog.

The winner of the 2nd Prize is: Anne Edwards !

I look forward to coming up with a design for both of you, I’ll be in contact with you soon.

Thanks to everyone who joined in this blog candy!

Paula

I cant believe how busy life has been

2010-02-25T14:23:00.000+11:00

I have been so busy that I haven't made anything in months!!

I'm working 3 days and loving it and the boys are doing more sports after school so any time I have left is for cooking, cleaning, washing, folding washing...you know!

I'm hoping that by the time I pick up my stamps I wont have lost my creative mojo.

Dont forget my blog candy...free blog design...I'll make sure I have the time to whip that up for the winner!

Will chat again soon, bye for now!

Paula : )

Blog Design

2010-01-19T02:14:00.002+11:00

I am in the process of starting my own business from home, designing blogs, banners and graphics.

If you are interested in creating or modifyng a blog and aren't sure how to do this, I can do this for you.

Over the next few months I'll start to create some pre-designed templates for you to choose from.

Paula : )

New Year, New Banner, New Name

2010-01-10T21:33:00.008+11:00

It definitely feels like a new year for me, I've been cleaning out cupboards and reorganising things and slowly getting through my to do list.

I've got a few things to focus on this year:

1. Painting the house.

2. Working for hubby's business.

3. Investigate options for me in preparation for my youngest going to school next year.
4. Making the most of my last year with my youngest before he starts school.
5. Continue to improve the garden.

6. All the other day to day stuff that keeps us all busy.

I have made a few cards recently, so I'll show you those in a moment.
You might have noticed my new banner and name. I felt like it was time for a change this year and I wanted to a fun new name and came up with this because we have fruit trees in our back yard. They still haven't bared edible fruit, so I still have lots to learn about gardening although it would help if we had a water tank to water them with.

When I thought of Partridge in a Pear Tree I thought of the TV show The Partridge Family, one of the many shows I remember watching when I was younger. I created my partridge based on the partridges from the show. So I hope you like my new look and I'm looking forward to browsing the amazing creative blogs out there to inspire me.

I cooked a traditional Spaghetti Carbonara tonight from a new recipe book that my hubby's grandma gave me for Christmas. It was fun to try something from it and it was very nice.

I'll post that as a separate post so I can group it under recipes.

Here is the first card that I made this year...for some friends who have had their 3rd daughter.
I know it's not your usual baby card but I thought their two eldest daughters would love that their little sister has been welcomed into the world by a fairy.

Oh and it coordinates with the cute outfit that we bought for their daughter.

I made this one our neighbours across the road. They are a retired couple and they are so nice, we have been collecting each others mail and putting bins out etc whenever each family goes away. Recently they also watered my new hedge when we were away.

I made this card for the same neighbours, their first grandson has just been born. They had only girls so this is their first experience with baby boys, they will be babysitting to help their daughter so they aren't sure what to expect. When I was making the card I thought 'boys are adorable', I came from a family of three girls and didn't know anything about boys and it is always interesting in our house. I love that I have become quite good at building with leggo, riding my off road scooter and climbing trees! Although I do still need some 'girl time' with my sisters or girlfriends every now and then.

Well that's all from me today, I hope you enjoyed my chatter and I will return when I get the time.

Paula : )

Happy New Year

2009-12-31T12:19:00.002+11:00

Hi everyone,

Sorry for not making the last two Christmas Posts, it got a little busy and then Ifigured most of you would be just as busy as me and surley wouldn't have to time to read my blog.

Hopefully you all had a great time over Christmas and ate too much food like we did.
I know my new years resolution will be to exercise more and eat less!

I have made a few cards but I wont get time until the new year to post them, so you have something to look forward to.

So have a great night tonight, whether its with friends or at home reading a good book with a glass of 'chilled' wine. I look forward to another year of creativeness, trying new things and being inspired from so many creative blogs out there.

Paula : )

2 Days to Christmas - The Late Decorators

2009-12-23T14:58:00.008+11:00

Some Christmas Cards that I made, thats what thispost was going to say.....

But instead I spent the day mowing the lawns, weeding and shopping for Christmas Decorations to decorate the front of the house. My eldest said we are the 'late decorators!"

So we found this great shop in North geelong called Christmas Wonderland, the boys and I had so much exploring it. We bought a white wreath, some lights and baubles to decorate our own wreath and some star garden lights. We got home and couldn't wait to get them out of their boxes and set it all up.

I popped out to Target tonight and bought a LED Santa, Sleigh and Reindeer for the front garden as well.

When we were finishing setting everything up my eldest said, "This is my best Christmas ever!" He walked away and came back and said "This is the best Christmas in my life!" And this is from the child that sometimes doesn't show lots of expression....as you can imagine it has also been the best Christmas of my life!

Paula : )

3 Days to Christmas

2009-12-22T11:13:00.000+11:00

I came across a website last night where they made a wreath from photos, and I loved it so much I decided to make one for us.

I used the 12x12 cardboard that comes with SU DSP packs and attached the photos with double sided tape.

I then cut around the outside to try and make it resemble a circle, it's not perfect but it will do.
Then I versa marked a stamp that a friend of mine gave to me to use for a bit. She used to stamp years ago before kids and still had it. It's a holly stamp and it looks amazing embossed in silver.

Sprinkled the silver embossing powder on and heated it using the heat gun.

I then stamped the stamp again in Versa Mark, iding Hood Red and then sprinkled clear embossing powder on it and heated it. I cut out just the berries and attached them with dimensionals. I also cut out some flowers from some SU DSP to place in amongst the holly.

I found something round to trace around and then cut this out of the centre of the cardboard.

I stamped the Tres Chic Background Stamp and embossed it with clear embossing powder on some acetate. and attached this

I then added some ribbon here and there to finish it off.

I hope you like it, I love it and I love that we can look at photos of fun things we have done together as a family.

Paula : )

4 Days to Christmas

2009-12-21T10:00:00.002+11:00

We finally went and got our Christmas Tree, hubby and the boys picked a really good one this year, nice and thick.

When I was at Kmart the other night I couldn't resist the North Pole Express Train Set, just like the one in Polar Express. I haven't decided yet if we will set it up before Christmas day or set it up on Christmas Eve so when they wake up on Christmas Morning they see it for the first time.

It's going to be tricky setting it up around the tree but it will be worth it when they see it...so exciting...I cant wait to see their reactions!

Paula : )

5 Days to Christmas

2009-12-20T10:55:00.001+11:00

Here is another decoration that I made using things I already had.

I made it using a vase, Xmas beads, baubles and some old ribbon I found. I was trying to find something to jazz up the firplace and I'm really happy with this.

Paula : )

6 Days to Christmas

2009-12-19T22:44:00.008+11:00

Last night I went shopping at Kmart for stocking fillers. We were in Canada one year and experienced a White Christmas. The family we stayed wih bought these gorgeous stockings for us and filled them with all sorts of things wrapped up. It was the first time we had experienced stockings filled with little presents to unwrap and we loved it....so we do this for our boys now.

Anyway I got home and hubby was in the study. I went to the boys room to check on them and they weren't in their beds. I noticed that the laundry door was open, when I had closed it earlier and started to panic. I ran back to hubby and said the boys aren't in their beds. We still have the tent set up so we raced outside to look in the tent...no boys, then we raced inside into the lounge room...no boys. I was really starting to panic and shake...thinking where could they be...and started to think the worst. Hubby ran down to our room and found our two gorgeous boys sleeping in our bed......Oh my god what a scare they gave us...I was teary and shaking in the legs as hubby and I cuddled with relief that our boys were safely asleep in our bed.

I'm deffinatley in holiday mode, I cooked dinner tonight and decided to make a table setting with a bowl, tea light candles and a few flowers picked from the garden.

This is Christmas item today, no paper, minimal cost and it looked really nice.

Paula : )

7 Days to Christmas

2009-12-19T22:39:00.006+11:00

Well we had a fabulous dinner ast night in Melbourne and we were lucky and were upgraded a our hotel. When we were checkig in the staff member asked the reason for our stay and hubby said a work Christmas party and I said, and it was alo our 10 year anniversary and couldn't make to Melbournelast week...not thinking that by saying this we might get upgraded...and we did!

We splurged a bit and stayed at Crown Towers, if you can only have one night away it might as well be in luxury. So the room they upgraded us was very swish! Stunning fabrics, marble shower, very modern and luxurious...thank you Crown we had a fabulous night!

This is a picture that my youngest made with my help. We used SU supplies..ofcourse..my kids love that I do so much crafts because they get to make stuff with it too. I've changed my signature after seeing Sam Posts signature, hope that's ok Sam.

I'm going to schedule all of the count down days today because I think I might be a bit busy over the next few days, like most of us there is always some last minute rushing around and just spending time with your family.

I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and enjoys their time relaxing with their families.

Paula : )

8 Days to Christmas

2009-12-17T11:07:00.007+11:00

I actually went to bed early last night and couldn't get to sleep so I got up and tried to come up with something to put the candy canes in for my sons friends at school.

I ended up designing the little box with a lid. The lid is kept on by sticking the reindeer onto both the lid and the box.

I could make them look much prettier but when you are making 18 or more you keep it as simple as possible just to get them finished.

Update: I decided in the end that is was much easier to just write in a card quickly for Codey and throw a candy in then to make 18 of these...the thought was there.

I wrapped up 5 cards for my eldest's teacher as a present from him and she loved them. I thought it wuld be good to get something she can use instead of another mug/soap/candle etc.

I'm out in Melbourne again tomorrow night, I know bit lucky with all this going out stuff!
So I may have to skip day 8 and just do day 6.

I can post the measurements if anyone is interested.

Paula : )

9 Days to Christmas

2009-12-16T00:09:00.004+11:00

This is harder than I thought...it's getting quite busy and I'm running out of time to make things.
Tonight I planned our Christmas Dinner and designed a fancy menu for us...this is all I have to show today.

I did write out some Christmas Cards and realised that I need another 24!

I dont normally do the whole Christmas Card thing but we have so many friends that we dont get to see because life is so busy, so it would be nice to send something to them to let them know we still think of them.

So hopefully I will churn out some cards tomorrow and tomorrow night.

Paula : )

11 Days to Christmas`

2009-12-14T23:08:00.004+11:00

Well I hope you like today's post, I had so much fun making it last night.
I've given myself a real challenge to post something with a Christmas theme every day,
but it's forcing to think of different things to make or to try and make things I've always meant to but never got around to it.

I'm loving that everyone is enjoying my count down...cant believe it's only 11 days now.

My star chain was made using the star template on the SU website for Demo's.

I used paper from the SU Pink Flamingo DSP and some spare silver paper that I found at home.
I punched a hole in the top and knotted before and after the star to hold them in place.

It was pretty tricky to photograph but hopefully you get the idea...it looks very cool above our tv in the loungeroom.

Paula : )

12 Days to Christmas

2009-12-13T21:46:00.007+11:00

This is a quick easy Christmas Card that I made the other night.

I used the Jumbo wheel that I just bought from my sister Kristy who has decided to leave SU....so me and my sister Susannah have been very lucky and bought lots of SU products from her....Christmas has come early! I inked the Jumbo wheel in Versa Mark and rolled it onto some craft cardstock.

I used the Winter Post stamp set and embossed the reindeer with white embossing powder onto Riding Hood Red cardstock and then scored a border around it.

I then crimped some Whisper White cardstock and cut a triangle out at the end and shaped it to make it look like it flowing.

Sorry this one is late....had too much fun on the weekend!

You should see what I'm making tonight....I think it is going to look good!

Paula : )

13 Days to Christmas

2009-12-12T20:24:00.002+11:00

This is a card that I made casing someone elses. I came across a blog where someone was making a christmas gift tag card for a challenge and I saw it and had to try my own version. I've tried searching for this blog but couldn't find it, if anyone knows where it comes from please let me know so I can provide a link.

I've embossed the tree on basic grey and the reindeer on Riding Hood Red.

Thank you for all the congrarulations from everyone, we didn't end staying in Melbourne. We had left it to late to organise but we ended up having the most divine dinner at a restaurant in Geelong called Empire Grill...we couldn't stop ooohing and aahing over the flavours...we had a wonderful evening sharing our meals and tried to determine who the winner was. This is something we always do when we go out for dinner, decide who chose the best meal, and we couldn't decide..... the meals were all so good!

Today we went to the Day Spa at Crowne Plaza Torquay, Tea Tree Day Spa.
We've been to a few Day Spas in the Geelong area over the last few years and this is our favourite...we did indulge and have a 3.5 hour treatment (it was our anniversary after all) but we both enjoyed the treatment so much and will go back again.

So if anyone is considering a weekend away in Geelong we would highly recommend dining at Empire Grill and maybe staying at Crown Plaza Torquay and treating yourself to some pampering at the Spa.

Ok I'm signing off for now, I need to start making more Christmas things to continue my Christmas count down.

Paula : )

14 Days to Christmas

2009-12-11T21:15:00.001+11:00

I know it's a bit cliche, but I can't believe how fast the year has gone!
One moment my son is starting school for the first time and now he has almost finished school and will be a big grade one student next year.

It's been such an exciting year seeing my eldest grow and develop so much, and to hear him reading books from home that I used to read to him is amazing!

My youngest has come out of his shell and is very talkative and confidently greets his friends at kinder. I was telling his great grandma and dad today (Thursday) this and then at his kinder concert he froze, sang a little but didn't do any of the actions and kind of chewed on the inside of his mouth...poor little thing we were worried he was going to cry. He was happy though especially because his great grandma was there. He didn't want cuddles from his mum or dad, no straight to great grandma...he knows who makes all those yummy cookies...he isn't silly.

The card for today's Christmas post is a card I made using a stap set from the Summer Mini, called Hello Again. I decided to try and make it looks like a wreath and again...went a little embossing mad.

So everything was embossed with a few glue dots and glitter and some stars I bought from a craft shop. Everything is Stampin Up apart from the stars and the Noel stamp is from a craft shop in the USA.

Well hopefully by the time most of you read this I will be in Melbourne getting pampered and going out to dinner with my hubby. It is our anniversary today, 10 years ago on this day we were married before of our family and friends. We've been very lucky to have travelled together, had lots of fun times with our family and friends, bought a house and had two beautiful boys...very lucky indeed!

Paula : )

15 Days to Christmas

2009-12-09T22:26:00.000+11:00

I just love this tree stamp from Thoughts and Prayers, I've stamped it in Versa Mark and embossed it, then using a glue pen put a few dots here and there and sprinkled some glitter.

I am a bit addicted to embossing powder at the moment, it really gives the stamped a clean polished look and stands out.

I tried something different and twisted the ribbon, I like the end result, like the ribbon is blowing in the breeze.

As I mentioned in the previous post that it's our 10 year anniversary, my hubby just gave me one of my presents. He had quickly whipped up a video of photos, mini videos, music and text of our ten years together...it is beautiful and made me cry with sadness and happiness....very touching and so gorgeous that he had planned to do this and I haven't organised anything apart from a card (that I made ofcourse). The file is too large to try to post on blogger but I might see if I can get it on utube and leave a link from here.

Paula

16 Days to Christmas

2009-12-08T22:17:00.001+11:00

I'm cheating a bit with this post, its the same layout as a card in a previous post but it is a Christmas card that I've made.

I've been so busy starting to paint the house that I've been slack and missed getting this post up in time....sorry. But I am having fun playing with different colours and I think hubby and I have finally agreed on colours.

We are staying in Melbourne tomorrow night for our 10 year anniversary and I still haven't booked anywhere ...we only just had babysitters confirmed. So this post is a quick one.

Paula : )

17 Days to Christmas

2009-12-08T10:00:00.000+11:00

This present is wrapped with the wrapping paper that both of my boys made the other day.
They had a great time stamping and making their very own wrapping paper and insisted that their presents get wrapped in their wrapping paper.

I made a special tag for this present using stamps from Winter Post. I stamped the Post Card with Riding Hood Red and embossed the reindeer with silver glitter embossing powder.

This is a picture of the presents that have been wrapped so far. I know it's missing a tree...we are getting one soon.

Paula :)

18 days to Christmas

2009-12-07T17:12:00.004+11:00

Well it's 9:30pm so I'm getting just getting this post in.

I have had a very busy day today, a bit of a cleaning frenzy and then I decided it was time
to paint the slate floor with a gloss protectant. I've only done half of the kitchen floor and it looks amazing all shiny and new but god I'm buggered! So I thought I had better jump on the computer and create todays post.

Today's Christmas item are these cute paper Christmas Stockings that I made on the weekend away with Yvonne Campbell's team. Alison had the template for these and she kindly let us use it. So this is my version of the Christmas Stocking. I scored the stocking to make it look like a sock and stamped 'Do not open until Dec 25' from the SU Winter Post Stamp Set on one side and the santa and reindeer (from a craft shop) on the other side.

I made two, one for each son and they were both very excited that I made something for them on my weekend away.

I'm buying paint samples tomorrow, with the plan to eventually paint the walls inside...a very big project but I cant wait to see how it looks.

Paula : )

19 Days to Christmas

2009-12-06T08:59:00.009+11:00

Why 19? Today is the day I decided I would start posting something for Christmas each day until Christmas Day and it's 19 days today until Christmas.

Todays one is a set of cards that I made using a stamp set from the Mini Spring Catalogue.

Papers:Whisper White & Riding Hood Red.
Inks: Whisper White & Riding Hood Red.
Stamps: Forest Friends (Spring Mini), and the Polka Dot Background Stamp.
Accessories: Ribbon

We bought a new tent a few weeks ago and my hubby and boys decided they would set it up for the first time yesterday. This was a great way to fill the day for my oldest because he has broken his right wrist (two bones!) and is getting very bored. So he and his younger brother had a great time setting it up and playing in it all day. They slept in it last night and have been playing with their puzzles and magnetics. They also have their cd player with batteries for the first time....they thought this was pretty cool to get to play this using batteries instead of plugging it into the wall. My hubby is off work for a week so we can relax and celebrate our ten year wedding anniversary so we are all in holiday mode a little earlier.

Yesterday we made Christmas paper by stamping Christmas stamps on plain paper, but you dont get to see this just yet.

Paula : )

More from Stamp Camp

2009-12-04T11:58:00.011+11:00

Alison reminded me that I hadn't taken photos of my scrapbook pages that I did at Stamp Camp.
I am a card maker and I sometimes have a play with scrapbooking but I really had fun scrapbooking on the weekend, when I see photos of my boys now I think "that is a great photo for a scrapbook page'.

I've been slowly making a scrapbook album for our family from our holiday in the US earlier this year, I would have liked it to be finished by now but it takes time so here is what I did on the weekend away ....

A double page spread, we were staying with friends in a shack across the road and the locals were playing their weekly game. It was so special to get to experience part of the American culture in such an intimate and gorgeous community atmosphere. The boys were also very lucky and got to put the numbers on the score board.

We spent some time in LA and ofcourse went to Disneyland.....the following pages are from
the Pirates Lair on Tom Sawyers Island. The boys had such an adventure on this Island, so many places to explore, treasure to hunt and skeletons to find.

I bought the pirate stamps on our trip in the US from a Craft Shop in Cape Cod, it was great to use them in the pages of our holiday.

Better go, I've spent all morning creating this blog and my family needs my attention.

Paula : )

Sunny Stone Camp Nov 09

2009-12-03T16:29:00.014+11:00

I was very lucky to be able to go away for the weekend with Yvonne Cambpells SU team for a weekend of card making/ scrapbooking and projects.

We stayed at Sunny Stone School Camp in Bacchus Marsh and had so much fun being creative for the whole weekend...it was pure bliss! To have our breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner made for us and be able to do what ever we felt like for the whole weekend...aah!

Here is a little something I made from our weekend.

Here are the cards that I made for the shoe box swap using a new stamp set (Hello Again) from the SU Summer Mini Catalogue.

Card 1. (based on a card made by Adele Khoo, a very talented lady)

Card 2

For the swap we had to make a card and then precut everything that everyone else would need to make the card.

Thanks again Yvonne, we had so much fun!

Paula : )

Have a tweet day!

2009-11-21T18:36:00.004+11:00

This card's design in based on some gorgeous brooches that a friend from my sons kinder makes. She makes brooches with tweed fabric and you can use them to hold a shall or scarf in place or as an accessorie on a hat or bag. I had to buy one as soon as I saw them and decided to make some 'birdie cards'.

This got me started, I thought what other animals could I try and make?

I haven't got photos but I made a butterfly using a few different DSP's, I stamped the elepant from Wild About You on different DSP...I love other crafts that inspire card designs.

Anyway to make this card I cut out the shapes and outlined them with a white gel pen. I used some dimensionsals to raise the wing, attached a button for the eye and drew the legs and wrote the sentiment using the thin end of the Choc chip marker.

Paula

Celebrate YOU

2009-11-21T11:46:00.007+11:00

I made quite a few cards before I got my new camera and I've been taking photos recently to show what I had been making over the last few months.

I made this using my sister Susannah's Party Hearty stamp set.

I'm blessed with two sisters who are so much fun to hang out with and we always have something to laugh about. My sisters are gorgeous, caring, strong, loving and supportive women. They are both unique in their own ways, and that makes them who they are. I thought that this sentiment Celebrate YOU is a perfect example of how you can tell someone that they should celebrate themselves and what a great person they are.

The Celebrate YOU stamp is from the 'A Little Birthday Cheer' stamp set, it is agreat set of four sentiments and I use them all the time...really good value.

The following card is a card I made on the same day.

Love you Suzie Quatro and Twisty Kristy ; )

Looking forward to our retreat next weekend...Wahoo!!

Stamps: Party Hearty, A Little Birthday Cheer
Inks: Pretty in Pink, Riding Hood Red and Whisper White.
Papers: Whisper White, Riding Hood Red, Very Vanilla and Bella Rose DSP.
Punches: Scallop Punch, Eyelet Border Punch.
Accessories: Ribbon and Edge distresser.

Paula

Christmas Gift-Giving Guide Promotion

2009-11-16T20:53:00.001+11:00

1 November-14 December 2009

Stampin Up! have released a Christmas Gift-Giving Guide!

It's got gift ideas for kids, teens, neighbours, and more, it's your one-stop shop for all your crafty Christmas needs.

Plus, when you spend $85 on products in this guide, you'll get a FREE Scallop Square punch--a $30.95 value!

Have a look, there might be something there that you want to buy for yourself to make Christmas Cards and gifts.

Paula : )

Girls Night In

2009-11-14T22:24:00.007+11:00

A Girls Night In

My youngest sons kinder organised a 'Girls Night In' recently to raise funds for Breast Cancer Research and this is a card that I made for the night.

I used an old stamp set, actually I think it is the my first SU set which is now retired, but I had fun getting it out again and playing with it. This stamp has a candle with writing saying celebration; I used the markers to select just the cup cake part and then coloured it. I added some fake frosting and a pink ribbon to finish it off.

Stamps: Retired Stamp and A Little Birthday Cheer
Paper: I think it's Pixie Pink and Rose Red.
Ink:Rose Red, Pixie Pink.
Accessories: Paper Crimper, Glitter, Ribbon, Versa Mark, Embossing Powder, Heat Gun and dimenties.

I used the paper crimper to crimp the light pink paper, I'm loving that tool at the moment!

Paula

Shades of Pink and Blue

2009-10-28T22:07:00.008+11:00

When I think back to when I used to blog every night I dont how I did it.
I'm blogging maybe once every three weeks and struggling to do that.

Anyway I hope that you enjoy my occassional blog and that you leave with some new ideas.

The following cards I made recently. My son had two birthdays in one day so I made these cards in the same night.

Stamps: Jumbo Outline Alphabet
Papers: Whisper White Card Stock,
Inks: Choc Chip
Accessories: Whisper White Ribbon, button, punch

Stamps: Fun Pun, Stem Sayings, Jumbo Outline Alphabet
Papers: Ballet Blue Paper from the Patterns Pack II Designer Series Paper
Inks: Real Red, Ballet Blue and Summer Sun Stampin Write Markers.
Accessories: dimensionals, blue gliltter,

Paula

Creatalicious Creations Challenge #2

2009-10-04T18:44:00.006+11:00

The other challenge that I made a card for is the Creatalicious Challenge.

For this challenge you have to make make a creation using pink or plum,with burgundy and green. Also add some sort of lace,ribbon or fibre etc.

I'm not overly wrapped with this card, but it was still fun to do the challenge.

I used the bird from the Fun Pun stamp set and coloured it using the SU Stampin Write Markers in Green Galore, Bravo Burgandy and Pink Passion.

Stamps: Fun Pun and A Little Birthday Cheer
Inks: Green Galore, Bravo Burgandy, Pink Passion
Card Stock: Pink Passion, Bravo Burgandy, Whisper White
Accessories: Whisper White Ribbon and the SU Paper Crimper.

Paula : )

Inkspirations Inspiration Challenge #13

2009-10-04T18:06:00.010+11:00

I thought it was time I did some challenges so when my friend Tracey popped over the other day, she had fun looking through my card making/scrapbooking magazines while her daughter and my son did a craft activity and I made some cards for challenges.

I haven't done any of Keesh's challenges for a while so I thought I would start with her inspiration challenge.

Here is the card that I made for this challenge.

I used the baroque border jumbo wheel on some cream paper and traced around my own template of a cup and cut it out. To make the tag for the 'real' tea bag I traced around the tag from an actual tea bag and stamped for you (Great Friends stamps set in the Spring Mini) on it. I have rasied the tea cup with dimensionals but left enough room to fit the tea bag in behind it.

I used the chequered paper from Sweet Slumber DSP to make it look like a table cloth and the spotty paper from Sweet Slumber DSP as wall paper.

I made a mistake stamping take care of yourself so I had to fix it by punching an oval of craft and stamping it again on that. So I didn't intend for the oval to be but I think it looks ok as a fix.

Stamps: Sweet Little Sentiments, Baroque Jumbo Wheel, Great Friend.
Ink: Riding Hood Red & Choc Chip
Card Stock: Craft & Choc Chip
DSP: Sweet Slumber

I've had a really nice weekend with my boys while their daddy has been away playing golf and computer games. We've been swimming both days, jumping on a jumping pillow with their cousins at a caravan park in Queenscliffe and just hanging out at home playing with their other cousins. I even managed to fit in some laps at the pool!

Hope everyone else had a great weekend and is ready for school to start again. I can't believe that my little boy has only one more term and he will no longer be a little 'preppie'....oh no he will be even more indepedent and probably even more dude with the tude!

I've made a few more cards, so I'll add some more posts tonight or tomorrow night.

See ya

Paula : )

P.S I still owe the girls from my first SU party a post on how to make boxes with DSP, I haven't forgotten girls.

Hi again..

2009-09-27T20:33:00.011+10:00

Well I have had my biggest break ever from blogging and I have to say I've been having a great time reading books, watching True Blood with my hubby and going to bed early. We finally got a new camera so I can finally show you some cards.

So far I've only taken photos of cards that I've made for a gorgeous group of ladies who I met at my first workshop, I will take more photos during the week. Anyway back to these gorgeous ladies, I ran my first workshop in a suburb out of Geelong. I hadn't met any of the women and was a little nervous but excited at the same time.

I had cards and boxes on display and all of my Stampin Up products and when the hostess's guests arrived they were lots of oohs and aahs and they were so excited about the products and so nice that I felt relaxed and really enjoyed the workshop. I demonstrated how to make a card and a box and then they made a card using the Pick a Petal stamp set and another card using the Stampin Up markers.

Most of them bought the pick a petal stamp set so I decided I would make a card for each of them to show them another card that can be made using this set, and these are the cards that I'm going to show you today.

Ink: Basic Black, Whisper White, Riding Hood Red
Stamps: Pick a Petal, Stem Sayings and the little butterfly stamp is from the Cause for Celebration stamp set.
Card Stock: Basic Grey

Ink: Whisper White, Pumpkin Pie, Tempting Turquoise and Wild Wasabi.
Stamp: Pick a Petal, Stem Sayings and Jumbo Outline Alphabet
Card Stock: Real Red.
Accessories: White Pen and Glossy accents.

This design isn't one of my originals, Kerri Hunter showed her down lines how to make this last year.

Ink: Riding Hood Red
Stamps: Pick a Petal and Stem Sayings
Card Stock: Whisper White and Basic Grey
Accessories: Basic Grey ribbon, SU Paper Crimper, 11/4" Circle punch

Ink: Riding Hood Red, Basic Black, Whisper White
Stamps: Pick a Petal and A Little Birthday Cheer.
Card Stock: Basic Grey and Whisper White to stamp on.

Ink: Whisper White, Tempting Turquoise and Not Quite Navy.
Stamps: Pick a Petal, Stem Sayings and the little butterfly stamp is from the Cause for Celebration stamp set.
Card Stock: Not Quite Navy, Whisper White for stamping on
Accessories: Versa Mark, Glitter, Glue Pen

I've said it before, but I love this set, it's so versatile. I a lot of fun trying to come up with different designs, I'll see if I can come up with some more.

Happy Holidays!

Paula

Wow! 3 weeks since my last post

2009-08-16T00:26:00.006+10:00

I really have been enjoying a book a friend gave me. It's called the Historian by Elizabeth Kostova and I haven't felt like doing anthing else other than reading for the last few weeks. I have made some cards in the last few days and I'm lookng forward to sharing them but I might wait until we get a new camera. Yes, our insurance claim was paid so we can now go and buy a new one...yey!!

My sister Susannah came over last night and we went and saw "The Ugly Truth". We were going to see it in Gold Class to treat ourselves but the reviews hadn't been good. So we saw it at the local cimena here in Waurn Ponds.

Well....it was so funny, we were crying and I thought Susannah was going to start her fit of laughter that she can get sometimes, and then that would get me laughing again and no body would hear the movie. So the moral of the story is, don't always rely on reviews and if you feel like a light hearted funny movie go check out The Ugly Truth.

Susannah and Kristy are so lucky to have me as a sister....no really they are. The last time Kristy stayed here I made a big breakfast for her and smores for the kids. For Susannah I cooked one of our new favourite dinners, 'chicken chow mein'. For brunch I made poached eggs with a salad of watercress, fetta and chorizo sausage drizzled with olive oil and lemon juice....mmm very yummy!

I will write again soon and post some pics of my latest cards and the breakfast...hopefully using my new camera. : )

Paula

Kwerner Colour Inspiration Challenge #56

2009-07-18T12:00:00.005+10:00

I've made another card with my new stamps from America. I saw Kristina's challenge and was a bit scared at first, I hadn't done one for a while and I wasn't sure how I was going to make a card with all of those colours. I'm so glad I decided to try because I'm really happy with what I've come up with. Hope you like it too!

The skull image I versa marked onto Kraft card stock and the Arrgh stamp are made by AAW Printworks, The treasure box and pirate are made by Muse Artstamps and the Ahoy stamp is made by Rubber Soul.

Thanks Kristina! Had so much fun making this and I really wouldn't have tried to use these colours together on my own.

Paula : )

Cards I made with Thoughts and Prayers

2009-07-15T00:25:00.005+10:00

Couldn't sleep tonight so I got up and added another post.

Here are the other two cards I made the other night, I used the tree from the Thoughts and Prayers SU stamp set on page. 48. I decided to see what it would look like to use the tree in a Christmas themed card and I love the way it looks, plus love that this stamp set can be used for thoughts and prayers and Christmas.

The sentiment is one I bought in the US, I embossed this on bashful blue paper and roughed the edges with an edge distresser. I also used the standard wheel with the baroque border in whisper white, which looks great on Kraft card stock but if I made this card again I wouldn't have that behind the sentiment.

I cut a little ribbon and stapled it to the bashful blue paper and stamped the tree in versa mark, then whisper white ink and then added some pale blue glitter....looks very special in real life.

For this one rolled the baroque border, attached the DSP and then the ribbon. I then stamped the tree into versa mark, whisper white ink and then onto the card staright onto the DSP and ribbon and added some glitter.

I like the way it looks with part of the stamp on the ribbon but it also looks a little busy with it going into the baroque border but I'm still happy with it.

Paula : )

Some cards I made with Winter Post

2009-07-13T11:22:00.017+10:00

One of my new stamp sets is Winter Post (pg. 33) and I've had lots of fun making cards with it.

The first one I made I cased from a card in the catalogue on page 47 where instead of the stamped image sitting on some paper, the stamped image is framed with a piece of paper sitting over the image. Hope that makes sense.

The colours I've used include bashful blue, Riding Hood Red, Chocolate Chip and Kraft.

The DSP is from the Bella Rose range. I stamped the reindeer on the versa mark, then chocolate chip ink then sprinkled embossing powder and heated it. I found that embossing powder doesn't work very well on Kraft card stock. Am I doing something wrong or is it not suited to card stock?

Anyway I hope you like it, I do and it was the start to a very creative evening.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

The next one I made, I tried to include another of the stamps from Winter Post.

I stamped the image of the couple skating straight onto the DSP in Choc Chip. The same colour combo as the previous card just a different layout.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

The next card was made using Riding Hood Red, Whisper White and Kraft.

I used my new standard wheel with the Baroque Border on pg. 158 and rolled into my Riding Hood Red Ink Pad...I'm sure I'm not meant to do it that way, but it worked. I was really impressed with how easy this was and what agreat effect you get.

I then stamped the reindeer (not centreed very well I know, better next time) in versa mark, whisper white and then sprinkled with fine glitter.

I'm actually using my scanner at the moment to display cards, the iPhone doesn't take great photos.

I think I'm getting cabin fever...you know when you haven't left the house or had any adult interaction for so long...I've been getting up to the boys now for 5 nights in a row. About 3 times during the night to give them nurofen and panadol to get their temp down from 40.6 and lucky for me the three of us slept in until almost 12 midday today.

I'm almost out of icy poles because I've been using them to help get their high temp down as well as facewashers and luke warm baths. They seem to be getting better, only one high temp today but of course now I'm starting to feel ordinary. I'm really looking forward to when we are all feeling better and my eldest can go back to school. With my eldest having chicken pox before we went on our holiday, then going on our holiday while school was still on and now this he has missed so much school. Hopefully he wont be too far behind when he returns.

Anyway time to rest, chat to you later!

Paula

Sneak preview.....

2009-07-12T23:16:00.005+10:00

A sneak preview of some of the cards I made tonight...once I get better quality photos I will post pictures of each card...but I just couldn't resist putting one photo up, I had so much fun making them and I'm really happy with the way they turned out.

I played with embossing powder, used the whisper white ink pad quite a bit, and used some of my new stamps and ribbons....ooh la la!

I'm making cards with the idea that I will run classes to make them but I'm just not sure when I could actually fit classes in at the moment...will have to wait and see what opportunities come along.

Paula : )

A birthday Card for my 4yr old

2009-07-12T22:27:00.008+10:00

This card was a few days late but he didn't care, he was still excited to get it!

I made this card with the rocket because my son loves counting down and saying "Blast off!"
I used the sentiment giggles because when he starts giggling it is the cutest giggle I have ever heard....love him to bits!

The poor thing has been sick with flu symptoms and the croup, not sure if he has the new 'in' flu and croup or just croup with a fever...but we are playing it safe and keeping him home for a week and it looks his older brother may be home from school for a few days as well.

Anyway here is the birthday card.

I stamped giggle using versa mark and embossing clear powder, you cant tell from this photo but it looks good. I've had quite a bit of fun using embossing powder and some of my new stamp sets tonight.

This stamp is from the SU Pun Fun Stamp Set.

Paula : )

The Card I made with Kristy's New DP

2009-07-10T13:44:00.005+10:00

Remember my recent post where Kristy opened my new clinique makeup and used it without asking, so I went and opened her new designer papers and used them to make a card....

Here is the card.

I made this using my new SU Thouoghts and Prayers stamp set and new designer ribbons and buttons that I purchased as a share from Karen Thomas.

The stamp is stamped onto paper from the Urban Garden Designer Paper (DP) range and the background paper is from the Bella Rose DP range.

The image was stamped in chocolate chip and I've also used Very Vanilla and Chocolate Chip papers.

I've got my supplies out on the table and I'm planning on making a birthday card for my 4yr old, will see how I go.

Paula :)

Help me make my family tree

2009-07-06T23:24:00.007+10:00

My sister Kristy has been the most patient future upline ever, the number of times I have considered becoming an SU Demo and then changed my mind.... Well, it's official now, I have submitted my papers. Kristy can finally say that she is my upline.

I thought to celebrate this momentous occassion it would be fun to make my SU Family Tree.

So if Kerrie Hunter is my grandma, what are you to me? Are you my cousins, 2nd cousin, aunty??

My upline is my sister Kristy, so she now has the added responsibility of being my mother! Oh god, help me what have I done???

While Kristy was at my place she helped herself to my NEW clinique face powder. She walked into the kitchen and casually mentioned that the powder I bought is the same one that she needs, and that she likes that you can wear just the powder and still feel presentable.

I said, "Did you open my new makeup, that I haven't even used yet?", she said "aah yeah, I am your little sisters and that's what little sisters do." He He

I had my running gear on and was ready to go for a run while she watched the kids.
I decided to have a quick play with my new stamps and ended up coming up with a card design.

She had a look at it and said "that's nice, I love those papers you have used." She was looking at the paper and wondering where had she seen them before. I said "Well, I'm your older sister and it's my job to open your new designer paper packs and use them before you have!" : )

Ha Ha! Back at ya little sister! I will show you the card in my next post, I haven't taken a photo of it yet.

Paula : )

S'more from Paula

2009-07-05T22:39:00.009+10:00

Hi everyone,

A quick hello again post as it's late and I'm tired, but we had a fantastic holiday. It was just what I needed, a fun time with my family. Thank you to everyone who left messages, sent cards, soup and flowers. It was really comforting to know so many friends were there for me.

Now while I was in Cape Cod I did manage to find a craft shop and bought lots of cute stamps and two days after I got back my SU kit arrived so I've got so much stuff to play with!!

My sister Kristy came over for a few days and we planned on making cards but the first night I was too tired (maybe jetlag) and went to sleep at 9 and the next night my niece's sugar levels got so low she had to go to hospital, so we didn't make any cards. My niece is now better and back home, she was very brave and didn't complain. She actually commented that she had had the best sleep over ever, may be due to watching blue ray dvd's on our massive tv, and S'mores!

S'mores, you say? Or if you watch too much American tv you might know what they are, I didn't until we were in Cape Cod (America) with our Canadian friends. They bought all the ingredients to show us how to make smores. It basically a melted marshmallow, hersheys chocloate and biscuit sandwich. You melt the marshmellow, place it on the biscuit, place the choclate on that and then another biscuit on top. It was lots of fun to experience this with our friends and the boys, although I still prefer a marshmallow on its own. My eldest loved them and wanted us to make them for his cousins, so we made the Australian version.

Marshmallows, Lindt chocolate (only chocolate in the right shape to sit on the marshmallow) and digestives.

We had our camera stolen on our holiday, I know... very hurt and annoyed and lost the first week of photos...luckily we were going back to Disneyland when we were back in LA on our way home. This also means I am relying on my iPhone for photos at the moment so I apologise for the poor quality photos.

OK this was meant to be a short post, so I had better stop and go to sleep.

Chat soon,

Paula.

P.S To the girls that are going to the SU Demo Camp organised by Yvonne at the end of July (Robyn and Debbie), I'm so sorry but I wont be able to make it, I just realised today that we are going to the Pink concert on the same weekend. We will meet one day!

Marelle Taylors Catalogue Challenge

2009-05-23T20:43:00.022+10:00

I saw Marelle's challenge while browsing the other day and last night I decided to flick through the catalogue and find some layouts to case.

I chose the boat card on page 61 to case, the boat card was made using the Nursing Necessities stamp set.

This was a nice simple card to case and I really like how it turned out, a clean and simple card.

It was a bit overcast today so I'll have to see if I can get a better photo tomorrow.

I haven't used the corner punch for a while and I actually think it makes a card look more modern.

The colours I use are cameo coral, choc chip, close to cocoa and whisper white.

The stamp is from the SU Fun and Fast Notes stamp set.

I also made another version of this.

The colours used here are cameo coral and whisper white.

The next one is another simple easy one cased on the card on page 59.

here is mine....

I used close to cocoa, whisper white and rusty red (I think). The stamps are from the SU Eastern Blooms stampe set.

I quite like this for a simple card too. I decided to make these cards to build up a good supply of cards to display to advertise myself as an SU Demo. It's not official yet but as of Tuesday I will be part of the 'family'.

My eldest son has had the chicken pox this weekend so we have been forced to stay at home.
It's actually been really good to be forced to stay at home for the weekend. I've done some much needed cleaning, weeded the garden and went for a jog.

Oh and ofcourse I couldn't help myself and designed yet another signature watermark for my cards. I also designed a new banner for my sister, Susannah's blog. Hope she likes it! ......turns out she loves, loves, loves it!

Paula

Window Dressing

2009-05-16T10:30:00.009+10:00

My little sister Kristy got me a stamp set for my birthday and it had been on back order for a while, I just got it yesterday.

Here is the first card have made using my new stamp set. The stamp set is SU Window Dressing, it's a level 3 hostess gift. I've used the flowers in the vase stamp but only coloured one of the vases and then stamped it three times on the window ledge.

I love the idea of using a window, so many things can sit on or in the window, my sister Susannah made the comment that you can't do much with this stamp set and I'm going to try to prove her wrong and make cards that she wouldn't have imagine...hmm...stay tuned to see what I come up with...or if you have any ideas let me know.

Lastly I made this card for my friends. Friends I've had since primary school, high school, uni, marriage and now new friends I've made since being a mum.

I cherish all of my friendships and having friends to catch up with, have a cuppa or wine with or make cards with!

That's why I chose the sentiment that reads ' you make me smile', I know it sounds a little corny but the reality is, my friends do make me smile.

My family has had a rough time over the last few years, our mum passed away at a young age of 53 with no warning two years ago. Our step father who has been more of a father figure was diagnosed with cancer before mum passed away, and now we watch helplessly as the cancer steadily advances day by day.

I'm sorry this is a bit of a sad post but writing it is helping, and what I was getting at was how important it is to have friends. Because even with everything that is going on I still feel lucky...kind of weird I know, but I feel so lucky to have so many good friends, some old and some new but I always feel so good after catching up with them.

I'm also so lucky that I have two sisters to hang out with who love card making as much as me.

Card making has probably been a 'tool' for healing for us in a way. It's brought us all together time and again, has helped us discover our creative side and given us something fun to do and positive to focus on. Dare I say it, it's also brought 'excitement' into our lives as we got each new stamp, ink, papers or tools....I know some might think it's a bit sad that this is what excites us but anyone reading this probably feels the same way and understands the fun of paper crafting.

So thank you for joining me today, I'm looking forward to catching up with some new friends tomorrow, I hope your Sunday is a good one too!

Paula : )

A birthday Card for a Boy!

2009-05-16T10:24:00.007+10:00

I was at my sister Susannah's last night and we surprise surprise we decided to make cards.
I thought to myself what sort of card should I make, and then realised that my eldest had a birthday to go to on Sunday and his little friend loves doing science experiments.

So I searched on google for mad scientist pictures and found one. I drew the picture onto some white paper and coloured it using Susannah's SU markers and made the card using SU papers.

I love it, I love making cards occassionally without using any stamps, although I did use some small alphabet stamps of Susannah's for the name on he card.

A big congratulations to Susannah, she is now an SU Demonstrator and has already started advertising some upcoming classes. She makes gorgeous cards so make sure you check out her blog.

Have a relaxing day tomorrow and pop back to see the other card I made at Susannah's using my new stamp set that Kristy got for me for my birthday.

Paula : )

Guest Design Team Member at MDUC for April

2009-03-29T18:23:00.005+11:00

I'm very excited to to let you know that I will be a Guest Design Team Member for the month of April at Magnolia Down Under Challenge. This should be fun..I'm loving water colouring the Tilda stamps.

I made a few cards on the weekend but haven't taken photos of them yet, will post them in a few days and if I get the time make a card for Keesh's colour challenge, will see how I go.

Hope you had a great weekend!

Paula : )

The Prodigal Blogger!

2009-03-22T21:32:00.016+11:00

I have returned after my weekend away! Hope you didn't miss me too much : ) And I had the best weekend!

But before I get into that I have some exciting news, I won the Magnolia Down Under Challenge. Woo hooh! This is the first challenge I have won. Very excited!

Now I just returned from my weekend away with a girlfriend and some of her friends in Mornington. We left on Friday afternoon and scrapbooked for the whole weekend.

Before Photo - before we unpacked

After Photo

4 of us were card making/scrap booking and one of us was making pillow cases and quilting.

I printed some photos to take with me expecting to make cards and maybe try a scrapbook page....well I had so much fun that I couldn't even consider making a card...cards smards I have found another new crafy love. Firstly card making, then Magnolia stamps on my cards now scrap booking. My poor husband, it's bad enouogh that on my first night home I'm on the PC updating my blog. At least we are in the same room : )

So I apologise but I still haven't made a card for the Midnight Madness Challenge... but I will see if I can make one tomorrow night.

I ended up making 6 scrapbook pages and I'll show you them over the next few days and try to provide a little explanation on how I made them.

We visited the very fabulous store Paper Squared, and Oh my GOD! That shop is so big and has so many papers and supplies I only managed to look through half of the shop. I had so much fun using some of my new purchases which I will tell you about with each page.

Here are the first two....

The patterned paper and flowers are from Chandon Craft, I used my Fiskars boarder punch to make the lace edge on the right and SU Close to Cocoa and Choc Chip paper.

It's not the best angle so I'll have to work on my photos of scrapbook pages but this was very first attempt at a scrapbook page. I used thickers for the first time for the heading, more dimenties than I've ever used before and used a friends circle shape cutter.

Again I used my new thickers (love them!) for the heading, my new white ink pen (love it!) , and SU Purely Pomergrante ink and paper and SU stamps.

Both of these were my own layout, my next two are cased...come back tomorrow night to check them out. I really didn't expect to do so many pages and also didn't expect to have so much fun scrapbooking.

Now I need to go and buy an album to store these pages.

Chat to you tommorrow night!

Paula : )

Keesh Inspiration Challenge

2009-02-18T23:25:00.006+11:00

Here it is, two cards that I've made for Keesh's inspiration challenge #4.
I loved these colours, very fresh and peaceful colours.

Apologies for the quality, I took the photos with my iPhone, will take better ones tomorrow.

I would have liked to use the sewing machine and sew a border around the edge but I didn't have time.

It a bit of rush tonight, have to get up early and get the kids ready for school/kinder in the morning and had to rush to one of them just now to settle them..

Paula : )

Lohgan's 4th Birthday

2009-02-11T21:14:00.005+11:00

It's my nephew Lohgan's 4th Birthday and he is having a party this weekend and my poor sister is so tired from getting up to her little baby and having a cold that I thought I would surprise her with a digital scrap page for Lohgan. God I hope I have spelt his name right!

So here it is, I'm having lots of fun with Illustrator and learning so much as I play with it.
Plus! I dont have to go out and spend too much moneyt on papers and accessories, I just make them on the computer! Which is another great creative outlet for me.

I know cars dont normally go with rockets, but Lohgan loves cars and I started with the rocket theme and then thought I should really have some cars in there somewhere...so..there you go.
Codey suggested that it needed aliens to finish it off, I did try putting aliens on the moon but the only pics of aliens had white backgrounds. I guess I could try and make my own aliens next time.
Anyway, hope you like it.

Paula

P.S I'm also working on some cards, so I will be posting cards soon as well.

Gallery

2009-01-20T11:23:00.000+11:00

Thank you

2009-01-20T10:14:00.003+11:00

Thank you for contacting me, I will get back to you as soon as I can.

Regards,

Paula

Contact Me

2009-01-19T01:56:00.005+11:00

Shop

2009-01-18T21:56:00.001+11:00

Digital Art

2009-01-18T21:53:00.001+11:00

DigitalArt is so much fun, I love playing with illustrator, Photoshop, Photoshop elements and learning how to use new programs.

This is a new area for me, but I'm having so much fun!

Scrapbooking

2009-01-18T21:52:00.001+11:00

I love Scrapbooking, I really get in a zone and love looking at the photos and reading the journaling months later.

About

2009-01-18T21:47:00.002+11:00

Being creative to me is scrapbooking, digital art, painting with my boys, gardening, cooking or justifying what I bought at the shops recently. I'd also like to try making some home made beauty products and maybe try my hand at some sewing...it's going to be another fun year.

Paula :)

Keesh Sketch Challenge

2009-01-11T13:24:00.012+11:00

Ok this is deffinately my favourite of the three but still nothing to write home about. Oh well, they can't all be great. : )

Paper: the paper was bought from Chandon Craft.
Ink: SU Choc Chip
Stamps: Kelly Panacci
Accessories: Brown Felt, white thread, brown ribbon, dimente.

I struggled with Keesh's challenge a bit and have made a few cards, but I'm not overly wrapped with them. The first card I made I tried using the colours from Kristina Werners colour challenge, and it looks ok but not great. Might have looked better if it had been a horizontal card.

Paper: SU Choc Chip, Pumpkin Pie and Old Olive
Ink: SU Choc Chip
Stamp: Kelly Panacci
Accessories: Ribbon, button (Bag of buttons from Spotlight), blue felt, white thread and a cuttlebug machine.

I like this a little more but still dont think it has anything special about it, but that's ok, it was still fun to do the challenge and try something that I wouldn't normally try myself.

Paper: SU Close to Cocoa and Sofy Sky
Ink: SU Close to Cocoa and Sofy Sky
Stamps: SU Cause for Celebration and Bundle of Joy
Accessories: Brown ribbon, Cuttlebug machine and swiss dots.

Cheers,

Paula : )

Kristina Werner Colour Challenge #37

2009-01-10T22:41:00.008+11:00

My eldest son is starting school this year so I decided to make a card for him for the Kristina Werner Colour Challenge since she had pencils in the pic.

The challenge is to make a card or scrapbook page using old olive, baja breeze, chocolate chip, pumpkin pie and whisper white.

I didn't have all of the colours but managed to find a few scraps and the star and lettering I stamped at my sisters a few weeks ago. The star may not even be in the exact colour but as close as I could get. I love the wording on it, it's perfect for my son. I love him so much and I really (as any parent would) want the very best for him and I'm proud of him already for the person he already is. He is my first baby and I've had such a wonderful time being his mum, I feel lucky that he chose me as his mum.

Here it is quickly, will add more about how I made the card later once I know I've actually got in on time. I'll also take a better photo tommorrow morning with my camera, this one was taken on my iPhone and as you can tell the quality isn't the best.

Cheers,

Paula.

Shop

2009-01-01T01:56:00.000+11:00

Kwerner Colour Challenge #24

2008-10-03T21:49:00.000+10:00

I've been waiting for the next Kwerner Challenge, I had been too busy and missed the last few.
So I was very excited to notice today that Kristina has posted a new challenge.

The colours are chocolate chip, pumpkin pie, kiwi kiss and very vanilla.
I didn't have the exact colours so I used white, chocolate chip, pumpkin pie and wild wasabi.
If I had kiwi kiss my card would look better but I had to make do with what I had.
As it was, I was lucky that I stamped out a few hearts at my sisters a few weekends ago. I also happened to stamp one in pumpkin pie as I dont yet have the pumpkin pie ink pad or papers.

So here is my card, hope you like it.

I am also very lucky to have my other sister's Cuttlebug. If you haven't heard of one before, they are the most exciting tool for card making but also a little on the expensive side but oh so worth it. They allow you to emboss paper, and the embossing can really make the card.

Card Recipe

Ingredients:

Cuttlebug with D'vine swirl and Swiss Dots embossing folders
Wasabi Green, Chocolate Chip and White papers
Pumpkin Pie Ink Pad
Brown ribbon with white stitching
Edge distresser
Green Button
Butterfly Foam Shape
Always Stampin Up! Stamp Set

I embossed the white paper with the D'vine swirl embossing folder using the Cuttlebug and the Swiss Dots embossing folder for the wasabi strip of paper running through the middle of the card.

As mentioned above the heart had been stamped previously. I cut out a strip of choclate brown paper and ran the edge distresser along both sides then taped the brown ribbon along the middle and stapled at each end. Then using double sided tape put the card together.

I'm making cards with a friend tomorrow night so I will most likley post more cards at some stage over the weekend. I'm also working on another card using the same colours so I may get time to post the second one.

OK, I managed to get the second one made and I am a bit proud....too hard to explain how I made it but lets just say it was very fiddly and worth the effort. Please dont laugh at my cooky owl, he is all hand cut. I was reminded by Marelle Taylor that you can make cards without stamping and I love the owls on cards lately so I decided to have som fun and cut one out myself.

Now which one do I submit? Hmm maybe I'm not too late to submit this one instead of the first one.

Paula

Kwerner Colour Challenge #13

2008-09-25T10:11:00.001+10:00

Ok, this is going to read like gibberish as it is 12:30am but here is my entry to the Kwerner Colour Challenge.

I’ve used river rock paper and stamped the flowers in river rock, and stamped the boho and Whimsy Graden butterfly stamp using wild wasabi and then punched a purely pomegranate circle to go behind the boho stamp and a regal rose scallop behind that. I used my sisters stamp cherish, which is also from the Stampin Up collection, but I’m not sure which stamp set. Finished it off with a bit of sparkle here and there.

This is my first challenege, and I’m happy with it but I did spend all night on just one card….
Paula.

Kwerner Colour Challenge #19

2008-09-25T10:05:00.000+10:00

Hi,

Here is my second attempt at a design challenge, I love doing these they get me to use colours that I may not have used together, or stamp in colours that I may not have considered.

Paula.

Kwerner Colour Challenge #20

2008-09-24T23:59:00.000+10:00

As I mentioned in my previous post, I discovered today that there was a new Kristina Kwerner Colour Challenge...yey!

I love the colours but dont have any of the inks and very little of the papers, so I had to improvise.

Here is my design.

I really have to start going to bed early, this is my third night in a row I've been up to almost 12.

Thanks,
Paula.