What a fantastic week!

 Good morning everyone - I hope you've all had as great a week as I've had!   The last week of school holidays.  That makes it great for a start...  no, just kidding!   Our holidays have actually been pretty fantastic as well.  Very relaxed, and the weather has just been perfect, so that makes it so easy for the kids to play & swim.  Last night I went to my very FIRST Stampin' Up! Workshop that I didn't run.  Yep!!  It was just so great!   Cherie (hi Cherie -hope you weren't too excited to sleep) took her first workshop, and she was just amazing!  I'm so inspired by how organised she is, and how calmly she dealt with everything on the day & night.   Cherie held her adorable nearly 1 year old while she welcomed us all, and gave us the run-down on specials etc.  Talk about multi-tasking!  Cherie - thank you so much for inviting me, and for the wonderful job you did with your cards.  I'm impressed! 

I thought I would share with you the cards we made last night - hope you don't mind Cherie, 'cos I think they deserve to be shown off!

         

 

The little box was sooo cute - it's a peek-a-boo box, and I just put some pebbles into it to show what you could do.  Cherie, of course, gave it to us empty.  It would have been nice to have had maybe THREE little Hershey's kisses in it Cherie! Ok, so there were THREE TWO Hershey's kisses in it (Cherie's DH ate my third one, I'm sure...) but I did kinda eat them before I got home, just to make sure that none of my kids found & ate them before I could!    The third card (Cherie's were AMAZING - mine is a bit muddy looking, but hey, there's lots of room for improvement huh?) was using the direct to card technique (?? Hope that's what it's called - I was too busy eating chocolate to pay attention when Cherie told us!)  and the last is a library packet (?? Again, think it was something to do with library's) which is just so sweet - Cherie heard someone talking (yes Tamara, I said TALKING, not WHINGING like Cherie said!) bout the dazzling diamonds coming off her card into her handbag last time they were at my place making some cards, so Cherie made this little packet for us to put our cards into to take home!  Isn't that just sooo kind of her?? 

Anyway - this is a big post today, and I've promised myself (and Jacqui) that I would post my classes yesterday, so just pretend we live in the US, and today is still Wednesday, so I'll be on time to meet my self-imposed deadline to have my classes posted by Wednesday!  Ha!   OK, you're right - I have had some of the pebbles with my coffee (I could hear you all wondering) and I may be bouncing off the walls a little, hence all the jibber jabber!

So much more I want to tell you - like my other wonderful (actually, they're ALL wonderful) new downline who ran her first workshop, and just amazes me as well with her creativity and fantastic organisation!   And her gorjus new puppy!

Helen - WELL DONE!   I'm delighted with your enthusiasm, and even more so that it rubs off on me when I've spent time with you!

A big ((((HUG)))) to all of the M&M's!  I don't know how you can all be so nice & talented - AND all in my team!!  Lucky me!  Can you see that the chocolate is wearing off quickly - as I'm getting all sentimental!!  

Enough!  Will post classes REAL SOON!

Enjoy your breakfast!   OOPS!  Forgot to tell you why else this is such a fantastic week - GREY'S ANATOMY STARTS ON SUNDAY!!

Woooohoooo!  McDreamy!!!!!    8-))

 

More GIRL cards...

Hi there!   Thought I'd load the other two cards we made last night at Girl Cards...  We had a lot of fun, and I think everyone enjoyed playing with glitter & dazzle the most!

Fishy Friends.

Recipe : Stamp Sets : Fishy Friends, Riveting (Hostess set), It's Your Birthday.  Cardstock : Rose Red, Green Galore, Whisper White.  Inks : Rose Red, Green Galore, Basic Black, Versamark, Staz On Black.  Accessories : 1 3/8" & 1 1/4" circle punches, corner rounder (for scalloping), Heat & Stick Powder, Dazzling Diamonds, Heat Gun

 

   Pocket Fun - Pocket Pull-Up Card.

Ok, this was a cool one!   Quite simple to do as well.  This is a complete CASE!    See tutorial at this link http://servingtheking.net/dasblogce/default.aspx#ac0068f93-3059-4b43-919c-fdbb8da3d127

Recipe : Stamp Set : Pocket Fun.  Cardstock : Elegant Eggplant, Whisper White.  Inks : Elegant Eggplant, Green Galore, Pretty in Pink, Basic Back.  Accessories : Tab Punch, Blender Pens, Watercolour Crayons, Eyelet

 

'nuff said!

GIRLS CARDS TOMORROW NIGHT!

Hi again everyone!   Boy, two posts in one day is pretty amazing for me huh?  I've been to a birthday party for my nephew who just turned 5 (HAPPY BIRTHDAY PARKER) and ate waaaay too much cake, so am trying to stay up 'til my stomach shrinks again, so I can sleep on my stomach.   Hmmm.  May be still here at 7am I think!  LOL.

Anyway, great energy food, so I've finished one of the cards we're going to make tomorrow night at Girls Cards.  I'm soooo looking forward to this class - it's been a fun one to plan for.  The class is full, so sorry if you've missed out this time - I'm sure that I'll be doing another one again later in the year.

Girls Handbag Card

Recipe : Stamps : Bud Basics, Time Well Spent.  Cardstock : Pretty in Pink, Certainly Celery.  Inks : Certainly Celery, Versamark.  Accessories : Narrow white grosgrain ribbon, dazzling diamonds, crystal effects, velcro spot, mat pack & uniglo gel pen.

See some of you tomorrow!

Goodnight.

 

FOR FOR ALL THE MUM'S OUT THERE - YOU'RE NEARLY AT THE END OF HOLIDAYS!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxT5NwQUtVM

Okay ladies - I KNOW!!! One more week to go though, so hang in there...
This was sent to me by Tracey, and I just had to share it. Very funny - if you're a Mum of any age, you'll enjoy this. Just have to copy & paste the above address.

Enjoy!
Michelle

JUST FOR SARAH - SBS10

Hey there Sarah - just for you, I've found a pic. It's not this year, but at least I pretty much look the same as I do here (give or take a pound or six...).
I do agree - I love to see what everyone & their kids look like. Makes you feel like you know them a bit better huh?
Have a great night - I'm off for an early night, just for a change.
Michelle

Just for FUN!

Good afternoon everyone! 

This is a card I made "just for fun"!!  It's so great to just do something because you feel like it, not because you have to make a card, isn't it?  I was inspired by the layout & colours from a card on  http://treasureoilerdesignz.blogspot.com/.

Just love how it has turned out - the dazzling diamonds on the fish just really pops him.   Using a versamark pad, heat & stick powder & then dazzling diamonds is lots of fun to play with.  I cut out the fish, to create a reverse stencil - I'm sure there is a proper name for this, but I don't know what it is!   What I mean is I cut the inside stamped image of the fish out, so I was left with a square of paper, with the fish cut out from the middle of it.  Then I placed this over my fish image on Watercolour paper, that had already been coloured, and versamarked over the top of the stencil, so I just added versamark to the coloured fish.  Then I put on heat & stick powder, heated that with my wonderful heat gun ($53.95 if you mention this card-cheaper than at THE WAREHOUSE!!) and sprinkled liberally with dazzling diamonds.  The effect I think is gorgeous! 

Recipe : Stamp Set Fishy Friends ($46.95) and It's Your Birthday ($68.95).  Cardstock Pumpkin Pie, Tempting Turquoise, Watercolour Paper.  Designer Paper out of the Simply Scrappin' Kit ($29.95 -which I just LOVE), Ink : Stazon Black.  Blender Pen & Various watercolour crayons to colour. 

We've done the garage sale this morning - it was fabulous!   Amazing how people will actually PAY to take your 'junk' away huh??  The funniest thing...  I advertised in the paper a few things that would be for sale, one of which was our dog kennel (which we bought 3 years ago second hand for $50).  This lady ran in the gate just after we started, saying "has the dog kennel sold yet?"  Well, my husband was left still in bed at home, and was to drop the dog kennel off to the garage sale "SOON", so we rushed and phoned him to bring it NOW.  The lady was happy to wait.  When my husband walked in the gate he said "I've sold it".  Hmmm.  How's that going to work, 'cos I've already sold it to this lady.   Needless to say, the lady got it for $40.  I asked husband how much the man walking in with him was going to buy it for.  $15.  Boy, he's lucky I sold it first!!   

Also, here's the promised magic card that Alyssa was coming back to see on my blog (yesterday... hmmm)!   I have to thank first of all Cherie - who just read the instructions that had baffled not just me, but at least two other demo's as well - and made the card!  Cherie, you're just so incredibly clever, and talented, and pretty, and patient, and ....  Well, you get it!!  You're AMAZING!!  Thanks so much for inspiring me to even try again at the magic card.  Secondly, I have to thank the equally talented, pretty, FUNNY & AMAZING Jacqui!     Jacqui, you encouraged me to get on with it!   You also just read the instructions and made the card ('cos what else would YOU do??), then uploaded it as your first upload to Splitcoast Stampers!   Incredible!   Thanks for the second tutorial when I failed to learn the first one!   Thanks also for the late night texts, which just remind me that someone else is crazy enough to be still stampin' at midnight!!  Check out Jacqui's card here... http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/779417?cat=3261&si=magic%20card

Have a fab weekend everyone - the weather here is just beautiful, so I think we're off to the pools just now!

  

Sisterhood of the Blogging Sisters SBS10

HI TO ALL THE LADIES OF SBS10!!  This is my 'official' welcome to you all, I know some of you have already stopped by my blog, and I was ashamed that I hadn't yet welcomed you all.    I've also stopped by some of your blogs, and am amazed & excited by what I've seen.  I'm looking forward to getting to know you all more as we share cards & ideas.  It's so cool being able to connect with you on the other side of the world, and to share our creativity. 

I also live in New Plymouth, 45 minutes from Mount Egmont/Taranaki, and 10 minutes from the beach.  I love where we live!   Where else in the world could you surf & ski in the same day??  I'm a SAHM, with 3 boys, and a great husband, who is so incredibly supportive of me while I'm stamping, and making a mess - even when there's 'just leftovers again tonight honey' for dinner.  Three nights in a row??!!  I've been a Stampin' Up! Demo since it hit NZ in April 2007, and have loved it more than I can imagine!  I must say, I'm addicted!  Have met some of the most wonderful women, and consider so many of them friends now.  Well, I'm off to my sister's house this morning (it's 6.30am at the mo) for our annual garage sale (yard sale??) to get rid of some of the clutter we have at home.  Hopefully! 

So thanks for the opportunity to share, and I'll be talking to you all again soon, no doubt!

Here's  a pic of my 3 boys.  It was taken a while ago (my eldest son turns 10 in a week) but it's probably my favourite, as they all look like they're really having fun.  Blake (9), Mason (7) and Riley (5)

 

Emerging Colours - such fun!

Hi everyone!  Yes, I know, once again no blogging for a couple of days.  I must admit, I've been busy making cards & doing workshops, but also have found a new addiction - The Travel Game!   My competitive nature keeps me from walking away after just one game, so I tend to spend half an hour playing, when I really should be doing other things - like housework!!  If you've got half an hour to kill, you might want to check it out.  I love the Oceania one, 'cos it's the easiest.  My best score is 324,000, and IQ level is something like 112.  My computer is going so slow for the last couple of days, and it's doing my head in, so I can't wait the 30 minutes to see what my score is exactly, and I'm just guessing at my best Travel IQ, but hey, what's a bit of IQ between friends hey?   http://www.bnbstar.com/travelgame.asp. 

Everytime I've gone onto a new website, I have to wait for about 5-10 minutes for it to load, so of course I go off to make a coffee (and get something to eat), then get distracted, and hang out some washing, YES I DO HOUSEWORK SOMETIMES, and then come back, and forget what I was up to.  Not good.  I am not a patient woman, so this is definately character building.

Anyway, Sara from my SBS10 group (Hi Sara & thanks so much for stopping by) challenged us to make a card using the technique 'emerging colours'.  I hadn't tried this before, and I've had sooo much fun with it.  The hardest part was deciding which colours to use, but once I sorted that out, I loved it.  Here's the card I came up with.  I know it needs something else, but am just too tired to decide what right now, so will look again tomorrow - if you've got a suggestion, I'd love to hear it.

The stamp sets used were Bodacious Bouquet, and Headline Alphabet.  Card was Really Rust, Old Olive, Choc Chip & Close to Cocoa.  Inks were Old Olive, Summer Sun, Ruby Red & Chocolate Chip.

Thanks Sara - a great challenge!

Look out tomorrow for the Magic Card I made tonight also.  This is by far the hardest card, not helped by all the mistakes I made on it, but I've done it, and it can only get better from here huh?? Will upload that pic tomorrow though, as it didn't photograph well at all tonight.

Good night!

Michelle

... if you have the right shoes!!

Ok, so Sharlene, I know I'm supposed to be getting dinner organised for tonight, but obviously got carried away looking at blogs (including www.thepioneerwoman.com which is just so fab!) and found this card, which obviously the lady who made it (who doesn't know me from a block of cheese) is going to send it to me, because who else would appreciate a card with this sentiment??  Those of you who know me will understand, as my shoe collection is a source of much amusement to my friends.  And, what's wrong with owning that many shoes, and yes, they do look better in shoe boxes with the photos attached to them.  That way you can remember what shoes you've got!!

Anyway, shoes are cheaper than therapy, so there's the best reason yet to buy shoes.  I think I'd even give up chocolate for shoes.  I think.

This card and others can be found on www.stampedinhisimage.blogspot.com

Have a fab day - guess we'll be having sausages & bread for the bbq now huh?

Natural Beauty 10-10-20 Class

Hey there everyone.  This is my second attempt at this blog post.  The first one somehow has disappeared, while I went off tiki-touring of other blog sites to get some info, so here's the basic entry anyway!

Hey there to Jacqui (thanks sooo much for showing me your very cool card - you are just AMAZING :)) and to KIM, who took the honour of hostessing my first workshop for the year.  Thanks ladies - you're so lovely!

After an exhilerating $2 cards on Thursday night, with loads and loads of women stamping, chatting, eating, chatting, eating, stamping...  then a lovely quiet night one-on-one with a delightful lady last night, I'm all stamped out.  Was intending to make a magic card tonight, but sleep needs me more.  Here's some pics though, for all you patient ladies who have been checking out my blog, and finding it unchanged for two days!!  (I KNOW!!!)  Did you see, we've hit the 1000 mark.  So very exciting for me - people are actually reading this.   Hello to you ladies from today's workshop - I know that you read it, AND don't leave me messages, but hey, it's so cool that you're looking anyway.  Feel free to continue to lurk on my blog commentless (is that even a word???)

These are some of the cards we made last night, for the 10-10-20 class - using the same set to make 10 different cards, that supposedly take about 10 minutes each to make.  Hmmm.  Still working on that part of the equation.

Enjoy!  I'll go back tomorrow and let you know who I CASEd some of these from - that's why my computer freaked out before, so I'm not risking it happening again.

 

Michelle

Possibly my favourite!

 

Hey there Stuck On Stamping demos - if you check out our blog, you will find the rest of the photos, if you would like project planners with exact details of colours etc, then email me, and I'll send them to you!

The one that didn't make it...

Good evening everyone.  What a great day - lots of plans to finish up what I couldn't finish last night for $2 cards tomorrow night, and it was just such a lovely day, that I finished up sitting outside for an hour reading a book that I was putting on Trade Me for my Mum!  It sure was lovely outside today, but that didn't help me do my work!

I've made lots of cards, and some I love, and some I'm just not sure, so here are two that didn't make it to the final cut for tomorrow night.  Hope you enjoy them anyway - let me know what you think!

Recipe : Blooming With Happiness (Hostess), Bodacious Bouquet flower, Kindness Wheel.  Card : Cool Carribean, Rose Red, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla.  Inks: Tempting Turquoise, Rose Red, Chocolate Chip.  Various markers for colouring.  Accessories : Oval Punch.

Recipe : Bodacious Bouquet, Print Pattern Background, All Year Cheer I.  Card : Almost Amethyst, Marigold Morning, Whisper White.  Inks : White Craft, Pumpkin Pie, Rose Red, Basic Black.

Think that these colours look a bit funny - might try again with other colours!

Goodnight!

Michelle

 

A PEEP AT $2 CARDS THIS THURSDAY...

I thought I would entice you (hopefully!) to my $2 cards that is on this Thursday from 6pm.  Here's a peep at one of the five cards that you will be able to make.

OK, I know that the flowers are obviously planted on a hill, and slowly sinking from left to right, but at least that proves I'm human, right??   Hope you can see the dazzles that are on the flowers - they sure are pretty!

I have been kind of tied up for the past couple of days, doing pretty normal stuff, including taking our three boys for a hike with my Mum that was probably about 5km long, but it has frustrated me immensly that I haven't had time to stamp, and have been so tired at night that I haven't wanted to stay up late, so tonight I'm going to finish preparing for $2 cards, and get all my ideas finalised for Friday night's class - 10-10-20, using Natural Beauty.   There's still a couple of spaces for both, so if you want to come along, phone or email me tomorrow to make sure I've got enough card cut for you.

 

My three 'little ducks' have been going at it for the last couple of days - making me both laugh and want to run away and hide in the fridge!  The conversation I overheard when I was hiding in the bathroom, goes like this :

The scene : Mason & Riley are playing in the rumpus room, where there is a large ranch slider door which has just been sprayed by the pest man for flies, and they have been told not to touch the windows.   Kate, the labrador, goes up to the window and puts her nose on it...

Mason : Oh Riley, Kate's put her nose on the window, quick, get the camera and take some photos of her, because she's going to die soon from the poison.

Riley : Oh no!  I put my fingers on the window too, so quick, take some photos of me too.

The outcome : 52 photos on my digital camera of dog & Riley, on their last legs! (That was yesterday)

 

 

Had to laugh!  Do you notice (on the blurry photo taken by my 5yr old of Mason & Kate) that at least the bed is made???!!!  I removed a huge box of 'stuff' off Mason's floor, and told him he wouldn't be able to have it back until he had shown me that he could look after his  bedroom better.  Hmmm, wonder if it will stay like that for long.

Goodnight, and see some of you on Thursday!

WOW CARDS.

Well, seeing as I've now spent my stamping time reading through the blog I've just mentioned, I thought I'd post some old cards - sorry to those of you who came to my WOW cards in December, but here are the details for a Double Slider Card & a Magic Slider Card.  I love them both!

SLIDER CARD

The instructions for this beautiful double slider card can be found here :

http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/ee/index.php/resources/tutorials/slider_card/

 

The recipe for the above card is as follows :  Stamp Sets: Bodacious Bouquet, All Year Cheer I.  Cardstock: Pink Passion, Gable Green, Green Galore, Whisper White.  Ink: Pink Passion, Pretty in Pink, Certainly Celery.  Accessories: Circle Punch, Narrow Organdy Ribbon

DOUBLE SLIDER CARD

You will find the detailed instructions on how to create this stunning double slider card at this link :

http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/ee/index.php/resources/tutorials/double_slider_card/

Otherwise, watch out for my future class details, when we might do one of these again - or join a Stamp Club, when we will definately be making these early this year!

  

The recipe for the above cards is as follows : Stamp Sets: Both Way Blossoms, Canvas Background, Fine Lace Background, Blooming With Happiness (words).  Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Regal Rose, Whisper White. 

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Regal Rose, Rose Red, Certainly Celery, Pretty in Pink.  Accessories: Tab Punch, Eyelets, Stampin' Dimensionals, Narrow grosgrain ribbon (chocolate chip & pretty in pink).

THIS BLOG IS JUST AMAZING - Please check it out.

http://cfhusband.blogspot.com/
This is the blog of a man called Nate, whose wife, Tricia, has Cystic Fibrosis. They unexpectedly became pregnant, and now have had their baby girl Gwyneth Rose, weighing just 1lb, 6oz. Read this blog - it's better than the best book you've ever read. The photos of their newborn baby will definately give you goosebumps, and probably make you cry (as they did me!).

BOTH WAY BLOSSOMS - HOSTESS SET

Good afternoon everyone.  Isn't this weather just the best??  BBQ's are the order of the week, so I'm getting ready now for one tonight - trying to disguise chocolate by adding crispy noodles to it!!  Don't think it will work, and they will see straight through my thinly veiled disguise.  Kinda think they know I'm a chocoholic anyway, so why try & hide it?

"A well balanced diet is one bar of chocolate in each hand"!

I've had a bit of fun playing last night & today (while being "pecked to death by THREE ducks" - see previous post) with something I have never used.  Pearl-ex.  I bought this a while back, and have never used it.  It is sooo cooool!   Am really hoping that Stampin' Up! will put it into their new NZ catalogue (that comes out in about 79 days!!!)

The pearl ex doesn't really show up well in the pics, but it is super shiny, and pearly!  I might even break it out for $2 cards one time...

The recipe for these cards is as follows :  Stamp Sets :  Both Way Blossoms (Hostess), All year Cheer I, Simply Sketches

CARD 1 : Cardstock : Sage Shadow, Basic Black, Very Vanilla - Ink : Versamark & Basic Black, Pretty in Pink to colour - Accessories : Pearl Ex, Black EP, Blender Pens, Pretty in Pink Narrow Grosgrain Ribbon

CARD 2 : Cardstock : Cameo Coral, Basic Black, Certainly Celery, Whisper White  -  Ink Versamark & Basic Black, Cameo Coral to colour  -  Accessories : Double Rectangle Punch, Pearl Ex, Black EP, Blender Pens.

I'm going to try and get cards done with all my Hostess Sets, so you can see what you can make with these cool sets, when you earn one at a workshop - WATCH  THIS SPACE!

Well, better go & fill some pastry things with cream!  Enjoy your night.

A special "HELLO" to Glenda - my new internet friend from the USA.  Glenda, it' so cool you check out our blogs in NZ.  Have a fab weekend!

Take care

Michelle

 

Quote for the Week.

Ok ladies, so I know it started out as a quote for the day, but hey, even I get busy sometimes!  Hopefully these quotes will sometimes inspire or encourage you, sometimes make you smile, and sometimes give you an idea for a scrapbook page.  This quote was found on a link from a frequently visited website :

"Liberate yourself from household chores: Have children!"

Hope you all have a great day - it seems that my darling husband is taking two of our children away with him for a day's painting!  Yay.  A nice quiet day to get lots done.    Hmmm, maybe I'll even make up some lists for the kid's chores!

 

And, just to confirm that other women think like me, I'd also like to post a quote from a brand new blog I've looked at this morning : www.papertrufflez.typepad.com
"Well, the holiday season will do just about any woman in, in and of itself, UKWIM? Of course you do. Well, OK, I take that back. If you're a woman, you do. *wink* All this past week, I've had to shake the Christmas Coma off, while my children and husband have been on Winter Break from school, and home (OK, so that means "underfoot") . . . "Mom, we're outta' cereal!", "Honey, can you help me create basketball jerseys for the team? We need them by Friday. Oh, that's tomorrow, by the way . . . ", "What's for lunch?", "What's for dinner?", "Did you wash my practice shorts yet, and where's all the clean underwear?", "Mom, I'm bored . . . "

Having the family around during *my* work day(s) is rather like being pecked to death by a duck . . ."
Oh, this woman sooo knows how I feel! Check out Julie's blog sometime if you can get the children off the computer.

All Mixed Up... For Tracey

Well, I've JUST made it - a card uploaded for today.  This one is for Tracey!   Hope you are inspired.

This set is All Mixed Up, and is super cute.  I have used Linen & Print Pattern for the background stamps, and words from Birthday Whimsy (one of the FREE Sale-A-Bration sets).  That's two new stamp sets opened for me tonight - the first time I've used either Birthday Whimsy (of my own - did borrow my sister's to do a card) and Print Pattern.  Love both of them!

I've done this card, or at least one very similar, for $2 cards last year, but I gave away the original to my nephew for his birthday, and have been meaning to do another one. The original was made by DC3kids, on www.splitcoaststampers.com

Have a great night, and thanks for looking!

Michelle

Recipe : Stamp Sets All Mixed Up, Linen Background, Print Pattern Background, Birthday Whimsy (words)

Cardstock; Orchid Opulence, Green Galore, Only Orange, Whisper White, Basic Black

Inks; Green Galore, Only Orange, Basic Black.

Accessories; Stampin' Write Markers

TOO CUTE~ LOOK AT THE EXPRESSION ON THE 'OTHER' GIRL'S FACE

Sorry ladies - I've been a little busy today to make any cards (so far...) but there's still a lot of hours in the day & night left huh? Lovely Laureen sent me this photo, and I just had to share it with you. What would you put for a caption on this?? Love to hear your ideas!

Thanks to all of you who have responded to the invitation to host a workshop - I've been just delighted to hear from you all, and so pleased that things are falling into place for dates and times.

If you haven't yet booked your date - best hurry. Still dates in February available, and a couple of days for January.

Enjoy your evening.

NEVER!!! I'll NEVER go to sleep!

Famous last words of a defiant little 7 year old, no more than 30 minutes ago!

This is the peaceful little mite now.  Asleep.  Boys!   What I'd give to be told I must go and have an afternoon sleep because I'm obviously tired.  They just don't know how lucky they are huh?

BODACIOUS BOUQUET CARDS

There! Done, as easy as that. Some of these cards were cased from Splitcoast Stampers uploads, but I'm sorry I didn't keep a record of who, so I can't acknowledge the original poster. This was in the days when I didn't ever imagine that I would be blogging myself! So, for everyone who has given me inspiration from their beautiful Bodacious cards - THANKYOU! Feel free to let me know if one of these is from you - I'd love to acknowlege you.

BODACIOUS BOUQUET CARDS

LEAVE A COMMENT

Please leave me a comment - I know by my counter that lots of people are viewing my blog, which is just so cool, but please leave me a comment by clicking on the 'comments' link under each posting. I'd just love to see who is visiting!
Thanks to those of you who have (Amanda & Helen!! HI :)

BODACIOUS DAZZLES!

Good evening everyone - I've had another great day - despite the rain.  In fact, probably because of the rain is why my day was so great.  I have had only one son at home for FOUR DAYS!!  Obviously this is why I have got so much scrappin & stampin' done huh??  Anyway, picked up other two very tired boys from Nanny's place, and left the eldest at my Sister's for the night.  Boy, this is just so cool.  I love my boys dearly, but sometimes it's just nice to have one less, just for a night or two - seems to give me more time, or something!  Anyway, enough of the jibber jabber! (LOL)   Here's today's card. 

I was challenged last night at our downline meeting to think of what my favourite stamp set was.  I thought it was probably Bodacious Bouquet.  This is such a cool solid stamp, and I just love some of the cards I've made with it.  Thought I'd feature it for a week - I'll load a slide show with my Bodacious Bouquet Cards, PLUS make any purchase of $50.00 or more, and I'll give you 20% discount off Bodacious Bouquet Stamp Set (RRP $68.95 - offer valid until 15th February)).  Not available through a workshop.  Don't forget, Sale-A-Bration is also going on right now, so every order of $120.00 earns one free stamp set from the Sale-A-Bration Set.  COOL! 

Recipe for this card : Bodacious Bouquet, All Year Cheer I, Paisley Background

Inks : Rose Red, Certainly Celery, Basic Black

Cardstock : Rose Red, Certainly Celery, Basic Black, Whisper White

Accessories : Mat Pack & Paper Piercer, Black Gingham Ribbon, Cutter Kit (to rough up edges of cert. celery), Heat & Stick Powder, Versamark, Dazzling Diamonds.

This is another card I've cased from tayloredexpressions.blogspot.com

WOW - sounds complicated, but really wasn't at all - in fact, if you'd like to make a card similar to this, using the heat & stick powder, then make sure you come to a workshop (or better still, host one at your place (or mine)!)

HOT OFF THE PRESS SCRAPBOOK PAGES...

Good evening everyone - yes, I've had a successful day scrappin with my sister, followed by a fantastic meal my BIL made, and a ton of almond something-or-other cookies, that I personally helped to demolish at least half of!   Glad I went to the gym this morning, at least that cancels out one of the cookies!

Here's two of the pages I've finished.  I've got another one close to finished, but I'm STUCK!  Hoping that I will get a revelation overnight and tomorrow will finish it and post it then.  Hmmm.  We'll see!   Think it will have to wait until tomorrow, because I'm getting more than a little ticked off at the wretched little fly that comes to visit me here in my office every night that I work in here.  It buzzes past my face, which causes me to wave my arm wildly in front of me, then it dive-bombs my hair, which once again causes the wild arm waving.   Then after several repeats of this little dance, that probably makes me look to the neighbours like I'm having an fit,  I will wait for the little rotter to land somewhere, which he does.  Eventually.  Then I'll roll up whatever junk mail I have sitting around, and clobber the brute, repeatedly.  After which he flies off again, magically being resurrected after my repeated bashing. 

I will then return to my typing, or card making, and we have a little truce for a while.  Until now, when I'm over the dancing, waving, bashing little episode, and am just going to bed, where I'm sure he will sit on the wall and watch until I'm asleep, then start his little game with me all over again, bombing me as I dream.   Oh to be a fly on the wall huh?!

GGGGrrrrr. I've just been into our room to take photos of my scrapbook pages to load only to hear a tick, tick, tick sound, and there's the hugest flying animal I've ever seen smashing itself into my light.  OK, so maybe, it's kind of just a huge moth, but really - what's with these guys tonight???

 

Yes, I know.  The photos are just a little blurry - due to me having to take the photos with one hand waving over my head while I keep the flying mammals off me!

Have a good night!

A last one for tonight..

One last card for tonight - one that is inspired by Taylor - Thanks!

Using Time Well Spent (the free demonstrator set - will be a level 3 hostess set in the next catalogue!)

This is a beautiful set, and because I love the colouring in, I'm really enjoying how different each card is.

Inks : Bashful Blue, Rose Red, Certainly Celery, Green Galore, So Saffron

Cardstock : Rose Red, Green Galore, Whisper White.

Accessories : Green Galore Ribbon, Horizontal Slot Punch, Blender Pens, Dimensionals

Large Card Tote

 

Hi there!

I have had a fantastic day - a bike ride with my (reluctant at first) eldest son, then the afternoon cruising blogs.

I have found so many cool ideas, and have been so inspired by what I have seen.  Here is the first attempt at a large card tote - a very simple pattern, and it will fit in about 10 cards plus envelopes, so something I might do for a swap at some stage.  I'm looking at doing another class for boxes, as the last one I really enjoyed (hopefully you all did to) and have found so many more boxes we can make to decorate and give away.

The DP on this box is, of course, au chocolat, from the Summer Mini.  Have I told you how much I love this paper???

Will continue to play now - just wanted to try the new programme that wonderful TRUDI has loaded for me this afternoon while her (20 month old) daughter chatted up my 9 year old!!  Thanks Trudi!!

Hope you enjoy the much neater layout - I hope this will inspire me to post more pictures now I can get them to look nice.

Have a great night

Michelle

p.s am supposed to be scrapbooking with my sister tomorrow afternoon, so keep an eye out for some more scrappin pics.

Before There Was You...

Oh boy, I'm on a roll tonight. Possibly the fastest scrapbook page I've ever done, and I'm really pleased with it. Simple, but effective I think. Needless to say, the completion of organising my office is put onto tomorrow's list!

The writing is a little hard to see, but it reads:
"We slept more,
We ate out at restaurants more,
The house was emptier, and tidier.
We took less photos,
Our dog was our 'baby'
Our hearts were not as full."

I used some really ugly red (with gold stars on them) chipboard letters that I can't remember why I bought, and covered them with versamark, then used white embossing powder, heated, and ta-da! Some beautiful new shiny white chipboard letters. Then I used rub-ons to put the rest of the words on the page.

FREE INK PADS... STILL WAITING TO GIVE AWAY!

Hey there - thought you might need a photo to show you how good THREE FREE INK PADS will look on your craft desk. See my post below to see how YOU can get them...

The first person who books a workshop with me and mentions BLOG CANDY, can choose THREE FREE CLASSIC INK PADS! That's on top of the already amazing hostess rewards and Sale-A-Bration offers that are available during January & February. Now, that's got to be an incentive to decide on a date for your workshop.

CHRISTMAS CARDS GIVEN TO ME...

Thank you to you all! And a special thanks to my 5 year old Riley, who made me a beautiful card, and has continued to make cards most days during the holidays AND to Blake, who made a whole heap of beautiful Christmas Tree cards without any help from me. Thanks Blake for the beautiful words as well.

CARDS GIVEN

Ok, so I know you are all REALLY OVER CHRISTMAS (seeing as it's approximately 354 more sleeps 'til next Christmas...!) but I really meant to upload the cards that I was given this Christmas, by some very talented cardmakers, so here are some of them, I'm trying to put them into a slide show for you so you can see them & be inspired for next Christmas. Well done to all you ladies who made your Christmas Cards this year - I'm really impressed!
Ok, so i'm having trouble loading more than one picture into this posting, so you will have to look at the slide show for the rest - sorry!
Thanks to Raewyn who made this card for me - a card that's just beautiful, and can be used not only for Christmas, but for any time of year.

Altered Notebook

Whew!! After a gruelling day trying to get my office sorted out before my sister returns home tomorrow, I've given up half way through, and played just for fun with a notebook I found. Had lots of fun - used Good Things Grow (which embosses just beautifully!) and Time Well Spent (our free demonstrator set we were given), on Rose Red & Chocolate Chip cardstock, and Au Chocolat DP from the mini. I'm sure I love this because of the name, and it reminds me of something I just LOVE... CHOCOLATE! Not 100% thrilled with how it turned out in the end, but hey, it was fun playing anyway! Look out a notebook/recipe book class coming up - let me know if you'd be keen!
Goodnight, I'd better sneak into bed before MM finds out I'm still up.

25% OFF WATER COLOUR CRAYONS

Good afternoon everyone - another beautiful Taranaki day!
I have been tidying up my office today (after my sister inspired me... and gave me a deadline!) and found that I have three brand new sets of Bold Brights Watercolour Crayons. I certainly don't imagine that I will be needing three more sets, so am happy to offer them to you - just email me and let me know if you would like a set, at 25% discount off the retail price, so just $35.00 per set. If you haven't used these before, they are very cool - use them with a blender pen, aqua pen or direct onto your stamps, and create amazing watercolouring.
Only three sets, so sorry, but payment will be required to confirm you want them.
Enjoy your evening.
Michelle