Where the last month has gone?? I have just looked at my very neglected blog and thought how slack of me! But I honestly do not know where the time has slipped away to. Anywho I’m back now and have all my calendar pages photographed and edited ready to go, so grab a drink and take a look…it will be long sorry!

Not sure what happened to January so we’ll start at Febraury

So there you have it the calendar that we made at our hostess appreciation evening! I hope you like them.

I also have an apology I’m not sure what happened or why my blog sent out posts from December but it was not something I did on purpose I was fiddling around with getting my blog to link to my Stampin’ Up! blog so it was perhaps something I did there. I promise I won’t fiddle again!!! Cross my heart!!

Righto that’s me for the evening I’m off to bed.

See you all soon

Well I think so anyway….. I finally managed to work out how to download the photo’s off the memory inside my camera it was oh so technical….remove the memory card Doh! Seriously I got the book out to be told that!! I think it took me longer to find the instruction manual then to actually do it!!

So here they are

They are having a pool party hence the beach balls, sunnies and thongs! I’m really happy how they came out and it was really quick and easy I had them all done in about 2 hours envelopes and all! We are going to be doing party bags as well and even cut some up to pop as flags in the cupcakes! Seriously how cute will they look?

I have to  apologise I didn’t get around to photographing the calendars today but other things got in the way. Things that have restored my faith in human kindness and the generosity of others and how people rally together in times of crisis.

I’m not one to gush or make a huge song and dance about much but tonight I want to say life is short make the most of it,  hug your children, phone your friends, consider others and be there for them when they need you.

Kim Byrne shared a quote on ESAD (Extremely special Australian Demonstrators) today that really echoed my feelings so I thought I would share it here, thanks Kym for sharing.

” You never know when a moment and a few sincere words can have an impact on a life”. Zig Ziglar

OK I’m climbing down off my soap box I promise!

I will be back but maybe not until next week though I’m working the next few days then off camping in Pottsville with my mate Vick and her family on the weekend. I can’t wait just keeping my fingers crossed that it doesn’t rain while we are away!

Have a great rest of the weekend.

Well I did promise to come back and show you what I have been working on while I’ve been away from here. So here I am!!

Firstly I did some invites for a good friend,  her baby boys is turning 1 soon (don’t kids just grow up to quick!!) and would you believe it I took the photo’s of them without my memory card in the camera! Yup so they are sitting on the camera’s memory so I just have to work out how to get them off! That will be tomorrow’s job!!

So on to my hostess appreciation night we had a fabulous night with lots of fun and laughs and prize give aways!! A few days before I went into panic mode in regard to how I was going to fit everyone into my craft area so my darling hubby set to work and built me a top to our pool table!

He did make it the Thursday evening so it is not painted but the plan is to paint it and maybe even decorate it! Seriously though how cool is this and what a difference it has made to the room!

So here’s a picture of the ladies working their way through the projects!

Now I here you saying projects show us some stamping for goodness sake!! OK will do the next few photo’s are of the gifts and the baskets set up ready to go! I only just remembered to take photo’s before people arrived so they are not the greatest but hey I took photo’s with the memory card in the camera so that’s got be a plus hey!!

Now I haven’t got all the pages of the calendar edited yet so again they will be tomorrow to!! But I did remember to take a photo of the deserts!!

How yummy do they look! I can attest to the fact that they were super duper tasty!! I have to thank my friends Siobhan and Tanya for catering the event for me otherwise it would never have happened!! (I won’t go into the week that was lets just say I’m glad it’s behind me now!)

So that’s it for me tonight I hope it all makes sense as it is getting rather late I will be back tomorrow with some more stamping for you!

Night all

My computers have been playing up of late and I’ve been unable to schedule posts or upload anything to my blog but after running a virus scan and clean it seems things are back to normal. Thanks Leonie for your advice!

This year has wizzed by so fast already with having my MIL here, visiting my Mum in Townsville and then doing our very first solo camping trip as a family only to return the day before school started I haven’t had much of a chance to get on here and update my blog! But now that school is back and I can get back into routine things will hopefully change (yeah yeah I know we’ll see)

Darling Jackson has started prep this year and I am going to miss his company during the day dearly, he on the other hand is not missing me at all and has settled in so well. I barely get a kiss before he runs off to class and all his new mates. It’s so cute to see!! I’m in the process of doing a page on the 2 of them and will post that when it’s done!! Right enough about me on to the stamping……

So without much further ado I will upload the gift that Jan McAnulty gave me for Christmas….sorry it has taken so long!!

Check this out how adorable is this bag?? When I first saw the kaleidoscope I wasn’t sure I liked the papers, they are a little bright for me but after I saw this bag I had to order myself a pack!! But not only did I get this bag but it was full of cards and a little covered not book in the front pocket!!

Here they are

2 love notes decorated with more kaleidoscope papers and the Razzle Dazzle stamp set…which again I have now ordered!! Thanks Jan!!

Some gorgeous big cards to and then this adorable little note book

Seriously how spoilt was I this Christmas??? Thanks Jan I love all these goodies!!

I have not been idol myself of late but have been organising and prepping for my hostess Appreciation night next week…..I will share the projects and other goodies next week after the event as it is a surprise for all of my lovely hostess from last year!

Don’t forget Sale-a-bration has started and for every $100 you spend (excluding postage) you get to choose a free exclusive set from our Sale-a-bration  catalogue just click over here to view that ->. I still have a few party spots left for Feb and March so if you’d like a party in Sale-a-bration contact me now!!

Righto have a great weekend and I’ll be back soon

I’ve just come back from a lovely week away with the kids visiting my mum and had scheduled a post of another wonderful gift I received but for some reason it didn’t post and now it’s not here….hmph!
I will have to type it up and post it tomorrow for you as you really don’t want to miss out on it as it’s awesome!!

My trip away was fabulous and the kids had a ball and I’m so excited that my DS4 managed to swim an entire length of my mum’s pool which is such an achievement for him as he was really scared of the water for such a long time!!

The other reason I’m popping in, is to remind you that the inventory sale finishes on the 24th and stock is already running out of some sets so if you would like to place an order contact me now as I’m also away from the 22nd. Remember I am paying the postage directly to you this month!!

Have a great night and see you tomorrow (fingers crossed!)

This gift was given to me by the super clever Rebecca O’Gorman. Bec does gorgeous work and she finds the most innovative ways to use our Stampin’ Up! supplies!!

All of this (minus the scissors!) was packaged up inside the cute little watering can! How adorable is that! Bec has wrapped the pen in our Sticky Strip and rolled it in tiny little beads. I was so scared to use it to start with  cause I thought they would fall off but they are super stuck and I haven’t lost one and I use it all the time. The other thing I have been using all the time is the book mark…. This is such a good idea,  Bec has used a piece of taffeta ribbon and threaded some crystals from our pretties kit on one end and the other end consists of a scallop square punched piece of DSP with some felt flowers mounted on it!!

Now inside the rose red match box with the gorgeous flowers were these…..

Yup she sure did, she has used our pretties kit pearls and crystals to make a pair of earrings! They are so cute and go with so many things I’ve worn them heaps already thanks Bec!!

But wait there is more uses for our pretties kit items…..

Bec has also made me some scissor bling for my scissors there will be no question as to who owns this pair!!

Make sure you go and check out some more of Bec’s work you will not be disappointed!!

Thanks Bec for thinking of me it’s all gorgeous!

speak soon

The next gift was from my gorgeous downline Linda Craven. You may have seen some of her work before if you have followed the link in my blog list. If you haven’t I suggest you pop over and have a look she has so many great things on her site I’m not sure how she finds the time with 2 small children!!!

I was lucky enough to recieve one of her super cute DVD tins that she posted on her site a little while back! She knows I love pink and brown so these were the perect choice for me!!!

Here they are all inside the tin doesn’t this just look like the cutest gift idea ever! Think I may just have to run a class with this, this coming year!!

Thanks so much Linda

Be back again soon as there is still more!!

Ok some photo’s have been taken and edited so I thought rather making this a enormous post I would split it up over the next few days!!

So this first gift package was from Amanda…. who doesn’t have a blog so I can’t direct you to see any of the other gorgeous things she creates!!

Here is the Christmas Card that Amanda created for me. How cute is that bow on the front and what great watercolouring of the main image. I’ve got that set I really must pull it out and have a play again!

Next she gave me this gorgeous vase, also full of yummy chocolates. Now I don’t think you can see on the vase but she has actaully stamped the big flower out of embrace life in white stazon all over it as well. So it has this really cool pattern all over it IRL!

I was so spoilt cause there was more!!!

Ok the photo is very ordinary but ignore that and look this fantastic tin she has decoreated up for me to store my make and takes for parties in. It is big enough to fit a piece of A4 standing up inside it. She has hand cut out all the letters can you believe it they are brilliant!!

Thanks so much Amanda

Righto will be back soon with my next one!

As I mentioned before we did a Secret Santa swap at my team Christmas Party and I showed you the gifts I made and here is what I picked in return.

It’s a super cute little bag made of cardstock and full of decorated love notes with matching envelopes. Can you see the handle it’s a strip of cardstock that has been scalloped both sides with the eyelet border punch, and the handles are attached with some filigree brads…How lucky am I? It also came with a box of lindt chocolates but that didn’t last long so there was no point photographing an empty box!!

Right back soon with some more goodies….it takes so much time to edit photo’s that’s my problem oh and I haven’t even photographed them all yet? Yes I know I deserve a smack but it’s holidays so I’m taking the days slower and enjoying the kids. Oh and yeap I have finished the back stairs and they look fabo!!!

Just popping in to wish you all very happy and prosperous New Year! I hope 2010 is full of fun, laughter and health for you all!!

Now I would like to put a save the date out there for all my past hostess from last year and that is Friday the 5th February I will be having my annual Hostess Appreciation evening. So if you have held a party, had a catalogue party or been in stamp club you are invited! I will be doing invites and sending them out but it will take a little while so make sure you reserve this date and feel free to RSVP me from this post!!!

Promise I will be back soon with those pictures I promised!!!

Speak soon

Well all the festivities have finished for the time being and the real world has re emerged with washing and cleaning to be done and I thought why do that when I can update my blog. Hehehe! So as previously promised I thought I’d put up the gifts I made for my team Christmas Party.

Firstly here is my Secret Santa gift

Firstly I bought a frame from Big W and masked the edges off a piece of whisper white cardstock and stamped the grasses from Inspired by Nature in Choc chip ink, then I masked the moon and sponged the greens and blues. Then I removed the masks and stamped wonderful friend in choc chip ink as well. I’m really happy with how it turned out!!

Then for the glass jar I used contact as a mask and stamp the reindeer in versamark and embossed it. (any colour works!) next I cover the area with etching paste and set it aside. After about 5 minutes I washed it off and scrapped of the embossed reindeer and this is what I was left with! I’m soooo happy with how it turned out! I filled it with chocolate coated almonds. My personal favourite Christmas treat!!

Now of course me being me I was doing this at about 7.15 so didn’t have time to create any packaging so the bag you see behind is actually my incentive trip swap from the gorgeous Makeesha Byl. I had every intention of making my own but you know time just slips away when yo are creating. So thanks Keesh for saving my bacon once again!!

And then here is the reason I was running so behind in my secret Santa gift cause of course I didn’t start them till the day before! I think I made 18 in total here is just a few for you to see!

The last few years I have been making all my level 1 downline members a calendar for Christmas, but this year I wanted to do something a little different, and decided due to time constraints I would just make them for the people attending my Christmas party this year. It was the usual suspects, they are the team members that attend most team meetings and functions through out the year from level 1 - 5 so I really wanted to thank them for all there support.

So I made them these really cute tins with a note book and pen, calendar, magnet, or pocket. They all had different layouts using different designer papers!

Here are 3 of the insides for you to see…

I was really happy with how they turned out!  And thought this may be my project for my hostess appreciate night I’m planning for February! Not sure yet though as I have a few other ideas as well!!

I hope you all have a great day today I am about to start stripping and sanding the back stairs as Neil painted the hall yesterday….Just you wait and see the changes when you come to class next year!!

I’ll be back again soon to show you all the spoils my team members showered on me I feel so very spoilt!!

Speak soon

Just popping in to wish everyone and their families a very Merry Christmas and a safe and happy New Year.  Thank you to all those thoughtful and creative customers and demonstrators who have sent me Christmas cards they are just devine and are taking pride of place on my mantel to remind me of the good friends I have made throughout the year. Your kindness is much appreciated.

I have just finished wrapping presents and getting everything ready for Christmas tomorrow so am off to bed!

I will be back hopefully soon with a look at all the gorgeous gifts I have received from my fabulous downline and some of the Christmas projects I have been working on! But for now this is the best I can do!

Have a great day tomorrow everyone

Now I know some of you were quiet devastated that you missed out on some of the goodies from the spring mini catalogue namely the scallop oval punch! Well guess what Stampin’ Up! have heard your cries and are letting us continue to sell them and have also advised us they will be in next years Idea’s Book and Catalogue. I mean seriously how cool is that!!

Here is a list of the still-available products:

So if you missed out and really really wanted these items and didn’t get a chance in the Spring Mini Catalogue then you can still order them with me now– pretty cool hey?

Hope you all had a great weekend I spent the day at Wet and Wild today and had a wonderful time but am absolutely knackered so that’s me for tonight!

See you soon

As I mentioned in my last post my DD is finishing grade 1 today. She has had the most amazing teacher this year and Jess has just adored her! So when one of the other Mum’s suggested we do a scrapbook page each for her I knew I had to make it special! Jess wrote on one side saying how much she had enjoyed grade 1 and I scrapped the other!

It’s a 6 x 6 page and is meant to be instead of writing inside a card. Mine is just thanking her for making grade 1 so enjoyable!

I’ve used Ridinghood Red, very vanilla and pretty in pink cardstock, Candy Lane DSP and ridinghood red taffeta ribbon.

Right best fly it’s only a half day today and I best get a few things done before pick up time!!

Have a great weekend!!

My darling daughter (6) is finishing grade 1 on Friday…. Oh my only 2 days to go!! Scary when you say it out loud and my cheeky son has a week left at Pre Prep so I have been busy making Christmas cards and gifts for all their school friends! Years gone past I have done reindeer food using Festive Favourites. This year my gorgeous boy requested something a little different and as it turns out a little more involved!!

Here is the cards I made! 60 of them between the 2 of them!! And then here comes the more involved part……

I’m not sure you can see but I had to make 120 doughnuts, ice them with red icing and drizzle melted white chocolate over them! Yup that was what he wanted for his friends! Of course his sister quickly hoped on the band wagon and doubled my workload! They did look very cute but we had 2 nights of 1am bedtimes so tonight’s aim is to go to bed in the same day I woke up!!!

I have used my favourite christmas set Tree Trimmings (which has sadly retired now) in Riding Hood Red and Kiwi Kiss.

I wanted to say a huge thank you to all the girls who participated in our ESAD blog hop for their gorgeous inspiring work and I really hop you enjoyed viewing them all! Also thanks for all the comment love you left on my site, there nothing better for the ego!! So thanks guys I’m so glad I participated!!

Have a great night I’m off to prepare for bed!!