Jilly Scraps'n'Beads

I have been busy

2010-06-03T16:38:00.001+10:00

How can it be that it was February the last time I posted? Where does the time go?? I haven't been scrapping as much as I would like but I have been doing 'scrap' orientated things...wait for it...I am opening a Scrapbooking Shop...Yah!!

Stay tuned.. more info to come shortly.

Jilly :)

Who Killed Dave? by Linda Cockburn

2010-02-18T19:23:00.001+10:00

I’m passionate about books, but I don’t want to be reading (or writing something) that results in a negative impact on the environment. If I’m going to keep publishing books, it has to be done right.

Books are a great way to sequester carbon, they can last hundreds of years on your bookshelf. Produced sustainably they can be a carbon sink, not a carbon stink.

Linda Cockburn

Linda was kind enough to send me a copy so I, in return am more than happy to give a review.

I intitialy asked for a copy of "Who Killed Dave?" for my 15 year old daughter. I gave it to Jenna soon after receiving it. Several times I would hear a chuckle coming from the lounge and only to be told "you'll just have to read it" when I asked for details.

So when Jenna was finished I was determinded to make it my last book of 2009. A few pages into it I was blushing, recalling the chuckles I had heard from Jenna. I really enjoyed the journey, getting to know all the characters. The style of Linda's writing was very familiar, it was as if she was just telling me the story over a cup of home made Chai. And yes, I turned to the hand written note inside the front cover referring to "incompetence pants" when I read that section of the book and finally got the joke LOL

Despite not reading a book since being pregnant with my 3 year old I found myself not being able to put it down. It was really easy to develop a like or a dislike of the characters as if they were my own neighbours.

I look forward to reading more from Linda. I was also really impressed with the quality of the paper and printing.
Well done - a great, sometimes raunchy, almost always funny, easy read. http://www.togetherpress.com/WKD.html

Scraps of Us - February Card Challenge

2010-02-14T21:57:00.000+10:00

I was introduced this weekend to a new Blog/forum - Scraps of Us.
Chloe says "the criteria is simple - a technique and a colour:

*scallops and *green! (you can use small amounts of other colours like I have done)"

Here is what I played with tonight

The story behind this ~

I made this card for Jesse my eldest son. His favourite colour is green so it was perfect.

Growing up away at boarding school meant lots of endings to phone calls where I expect to hear a "Love You". Now teenage boys being as they are a "Love You" was hard to come by especially within ear shot of mates. So we compromised and it has stuck.

Now the amaxing thing is that as soon as Jess hit 18 he has told me "Love You" at the end of every call. It doesn't matter who hears and he can even give me a hug and kiss in front of his mates.

Gosh I Love that boy!!

Jilly xx

Stevie's Card for her BFF

2010-02-14T12:44:00.000+10:00

Stevie ~ "I think it went pretty well for my first card, it's gorgeous and I hope she likes it"

"I can't wait till Jilly starts her classes"

I think she has done a wonderful job...don't you agree??

Jilly xx

On a Card Making Roll

2010-02-14T11:51:00.000+10:00

Last night Stevie, my friend's 13yold daughter, stayed with me. She is really interested in craft and had asked me to help her make a card. She watched me use my cricut and stamps and put it all together. This morning she looked through some ideas books, and sketched her design. We worked with colours, changed a few things around and discussed techniques. It has been awesome.
I made a few cards too. I did some hand stitching which I have been wanting to do for ages.

Here are my newest additions.

For a Boy

For a Girl

Jilly xx

Tonight's Card

2010-02-13T21:51:00.000+10:00

My Grand mother is recovering in hospital after a successful knee operation so I decided to make her a card.

I alwas use scraps for my cards and these are scraps from my new card organiser I made this week.

I used the swirls embossing folder and my cricut for the 'Get Well Soon' and the 'Daisy' flower. Click on the words for the links to the SVG's.

Jilly xx

Happy Blogger Birthday

2010-02-13T17:01:00.000+10:00

Lisa over at Our Little Slice of Paradise has just celebrated 12 months of blogging, sharing all of her precious moments.

To celebrate she is giving away some terrific blog candy. Go have a look for yourself - you might just win it!!

Jilly xx

The blog candy keeps flowing

2010-02-13T16:50:00.000+10:00

Here is another blog candy site I came across today - they have the cutest handmade buttons for sale and the blog candy is awesome.

L'il Red Rocket Buttons

Jilly xx

A few more cards

2010-02-12T22:29:00.000+10:00

I just can't bring myself to buy another Birthday card. A. they are so expensive B. they just aren't that nice and C. I love to make them myself.

Here is the Birthday Card I made for Amity

Here's Leesa's - All of a week early, I got the dates wrong...silly me!!

I have been really busy this week with work so every spare moment at home I have been working on my card organiser. I have it all together except the front cover. I am wanting to put some wonderful saying on the front...like a gift of a card is a gift from my heart...or something like that but I am no good at writing that stuff and I have searched for quotes but just can't find the right one. I had less trouble naming my three children I can tell you !!

Jilly xx

More Blog Candy

2010-02-06T20:30:00.000+10:00

Here is another link to a great site. Amanda has lots of great, Free files and loads of info. So go visit and join in on the Blog Candy Hunt.
http://amkscrap.blogspot.com/2010/01/winter-mini-blog-candy.html

Cheers Jilly xx

Blog Candy - Cricut Style

2010-02-06T20:05:00.001+10:00

Now this could be fun! I found this site today that is offering a cricut cartridge as blog candy. Woo hoo! Amy has some really cute things on her blog too if you'd like to go take a look.
Her address is: http://scrappinstyle.blogspot.com/
Today is the last day to enter so hop to it!
Jilly x x

My Scraproom - Before & After

2009-12-13T23:38:00.005+10:00

My scraproom... how do I finish this statement? This was the room I had dreamt of for 10 years. I had it all planned...benchtops, cupboards galore, pleanty of room to store stuff and be productive and creative. The room was always going to double as a craft room and my business office. Now, without going into details let me say the building of this room was not executed to my liking. The builder cut corners, used materials I had requested he didn't and my beautiful glass brick windows are smaller than I asked for. He got the room to lock up stage but I let him go before he did too much more damage to my already shattered dream.

I built the cupboards and put them in myself. The room is not finished, she still needs skirting boards in places, corner strips where huge gaps were left and obviously she is not yet painted. Now that all my gear is in there it is very hard to finish off. I do plan to finish it sometime next year but it will be when I have full hands on deck at home to help me!! I do my best to not see her flaws, heck none of us are perfect!!

None the less it is my space. And the aircon is so good I have often thought of sleeping down there.
I posted a pic of my desk to the 123Scrapbook forum on the weekend. It was such a mess that I was determined to get it cleaned up and a little more organised. I thought I better get some photographic evidence as proof that it can be tidy, if only as a reminder to myself about how good it feels LOL

My main bench before

and after

My Sewing cabinet before

My Sewing cabinet after

Jerremy even has his little space where he is currently learning to use scissors!!

I also spent some time today building another two sets of these cool wire shelves.

I got the squares from Vinneys a few months ago for a couple of dollars. You are supposed to build them with these inaffective platstic brackets, but a good handful of white zip ties did the trick.

These handy little racks, of which there are 3, I found at Crazy Clarks in the hardware section. They are supposed to hold screws and small bits and pieces but I thought they were just perfect for small scrapping bits and pieces. They stack well on top of each other and I have them foam taped to the wall so they are a little more stable.

This is how I hang my ribbon I need on hand. I designed a ribbon tag to cut on the cricut and they all hang together neatly on a metal ring. I have boxes of ribbon in the cupboard so eventually I will get them all hung up like this. I love being able to see what I have and have it so accessible.

And finally a pic of my two favourite toys. It is hard to believe that just 12 months ago I had bearly turned on my Cricut. Now I use it every day I am in the scrap room. I have had a little time getting to know Gypsy and can't wait to load some more carts on and start designing on it.

I do though keep hearing this voice in my head saying "a tidy desk is the desk of an idle person"!!

We'll see how long it stays this way - at least I have proof that it can be this tidy.

Jilly :) xx

Glass Christmas Blocks

2009-12-07T17:19:00.002+10:00

Well I have been wanting to do this little craft ever since I first saw it on one of my yahoo groups.

I think these little beauties would be a talking piece on anyones Christmas table. I am even thinking about making them as night lights for a childs room, personalise them with their name and a design.

Lights Off - Beautiful

Lights On - Gorgeous

Ingredients

Glass bricks - I used the wave pattern here but anything you like will do. I also have the diamond ones to try next. As the pattern is on the inside it doesnt really matter.
Glass and tile drill bit - 8mm
LOADS of patience or a drill press
Battery operated LED's - you could use 240v ones but I wanted mine to be portable without the hassle of cords. LED's are a lot cooler than ordinary bulds as well
Vinyl - I have used gold and silver
Cricut - if you have one
Transfer tape
Wire edged ribbon
and of course - batteries

The longest and hardest part would be drilling the holes. TAKE YOUR TIME and let the drill do the work. I did find it beneficial to cool my bit down in a cup of water several times towards the end of the hole.

I also found it kept it cooler if I cleared away the glass dust.

Note to self: DO Not run cold water over the brick imediately after drilling is complete - wait at least 10 minutes for the glass to cool.

It takes about 10minutes to drill one hole and 2 seconds to wreck a brick...you do the math LOL

Once the brick has cooled down I rinsed them out as dust does settle inside. Remove the water straight away as the powder is next to impossible to remove once it had dried. I also found that adding a little metho to the water helped with the drying process.

Design your cricut piece. Here is a link to the ones I used. Both in .scut and SVG (Still to come)

Merry Christmas.svg Merry Christmas.scut

Peace.svg Peace.scut

Cut your vinyl, being careful to have your settings right so you don't go through the backing paper.

Weed out the parts you do not want on your design.

Apply the transfer tape and carfully transfer you design to the tape.

After checking that your glass surface is perfectly clean and dry apply the vinyl being careful to smooth down the best you can as you are going.

If you do happen to get a few small bubbles don't panic you can pop them with a pin and push down to stick.

Feed the lights into the brick. I made my hole on the bottom (when the brick is upright) and to the right. That way the cord runs out the side and I keep the batteries behind.

Wrap the ribbon around the brick and knot. I made my bow seperately and glued on using a strong fabric glue.

Good luck with yours

Jilly xx :)

Advent Calendar

2009-12-02T17:56:00.091+10:00

Tonight I am sharing with you photos of the Advent Calendar I have just finished for Jerremy.
I just LOVE it!! I found so many good ideas on the net. Too many to list so if you want some good ideas just do a search on 'muffin tin advent calendar'

Ingredients

Muffin/patty cake tin, one that has the 'cup' flush with the tin' otherwise the magnet will not adhere very well
Gold spray paint
Magnets large enough to cover the hole
Patterned paper - mine was some a random kit (nearly all gone now, thankfully)
Chipboard - trusty cereal boxes
Versa Colour cube - Gold
Creative Memories gold number minis
Ribbon
Piece of Fancy Pants - Happy Holidays Strips
Jolee's Boutique® Christmas Cookies Stickers
Double sided tape
UHU glue
Foam tape
Crop-a-dile BIG bite (yeah if I had one!!)

I purpose bought a muffin tin only to find the 'cups' were too raised above the actual tray. Also it was telfon and from everything I had read I would not have been able to paint it without a lot of preparation. So I dug through my baking drawer and found this shallow cupcake tray. It was a silver one, so had a bit of rust and residual grease on it so I just scrubbed it up and got all the bits off it and took it outside and spray painted it!!

My ideal pan would have been the 24 mini muffin pan but I could not get one in town. I will be keeping my eye out for these as I would love to teach this as a class next year.

My magnets came courtesy of my lovely friend Sue. They were actually magnetic picture frames with a solid, removable inside. I only used the inside as the frames are still on my fridge.

I simply measured each hole and cut 12 x 7cm squares from the magnet. Did the same with the Patterned Paper. The magnets actually had a glossy picture on them so I tore this off leaving a rough white papery surface. I thought this would be better to adhere to.

I uhu'd the paper to the magents and sanded off the edges. I then used my corner rounder to round the corners. I inked the edges with my gold cube (I just do this to everything at the moment - LOL)

I cut circles out of my cereal boxes and paper off cuts. Actually, this whole project was made with off cuts.

I glued the circles together, sanded and gold inked the edges.

I then did something I would not ordinarily do. Without a great deal of thought I started to attach the stickers. The embellishments are a really cute Jolee's pack - Jolee's Boutique® Christmas Cookies Stickers. I think they are simply adorable and just 'make' this. I popped the circles with foam tape and stuck on the numbers.

For the top and bottom I cut two strips of cereal box twice as wide as I needed. I then scored it through the middle so it actually overlaps the edge. I have also cut a slit along the score line to thread the ribbon through.

This is stuck down very insecurely with double sided tape and foam tape. Now, if I had a Big Bite....I would have put a couple of eyelets in it to keep it all secure.

I have wrapped some sheer red ribbon around the top and bottom to finish off.

The final step is to fill with your treats. I chose M&M's but you could put in stickers, tasks or toys.

I think when I make these again I will put a picture inside the muffin hole, maybe counting down or write a Christmas task on it.

I hope this inspires you to make one of these. If you do I would love to see it. Now to keep Jerremy away from it till the 12th!!

Jilly :) xx

A few thankyou cards

2009-11-27T22:03:00.001+10:00

Well today was our final Mainly Music of the year much to the disappointment of Jerremy and his friends. I think a few Mum's will miss our Friday get togethers as well!!

Here are a few of the cards I made for the ladies who lovingly give up their time, every week, to make Mainly Music possible for us.

Jenny's Card

Sonja's Card

Judy's Card

Michele's Card

Michelle's Card

All made based on a sketch from Scrapbooking Memories Forum - November Sketch Challenge

Hope you like

Jilly xx

Back Blogging!!

2009-11-27T21:27:00.000+10:00

Do you know what is so significant about the 25th of August 2009.......It was the last time I blogged. OMG where has the time gone. Here I go again, letting LIFE get in the way of my internet obsession. How dare I LOL.
Anywho, my plan is to blog backwards from here to that point. I will put it in correct date order but you will know that anything you read between the 25th of August till now, the 27th of November has actually been added today, after the fact. Shame on me LOL
I promise never to do it again.....umm till the next time.

Jilly xx

Christmas Tags - Back Blogged

2009-11-24T19:54:00.001+10:00

This year I have wrapped all our presents in red and white striped paper. Simply stunning I think.

At our last monthly scrapping get together I made a few gift tags as a make and take for the gang. I had some supplies left over so spent a few hours today making up these beauties. I was really happy with how they turned out.

Materials used: (I'm shocking with details - get used to it!!)

Tags cut on cricut

Random cardstock

Kaisercraft Merry Christmas stamped in silver

Gold stamped edges

Kaisercraft Christmas Tree stamp in purple
Rhinestones in co-ordinated colours
Kindyglitz

I should have taken a photo pf the back. I stamped on the journalling lines from the same Kaisercraft Christmas set and wrote on it with while uniball pen.

Still have a few more to make - but I just love how they turned out.

Jilly xx

Myles' Birthday Card - Back Blogged

2009-11-21T23:07:00.005+10:00

Yes Jerremy has finally been invited to a Birthday party - invitation and all.
This is the card I made for Myles - I just can't bring myself to buy another card, why would I!!

I am really proud of this card because I didn't use a sketch, I actually had an original thought and went ahead with it. It took me about 30 minutes roughly, I'm a bit of a slow thinker!! Now it wasn't all that advanced but, hey, we all have to start somewhere.

Materials Used:
Cricut for lettering - don't know what happened with the shadow not being the right size but I still went with it anyways!!
Random cardstock and paper - as usual
Clear Hooray! stamp repeated 3 times
Random Ribbon
Car sticker popped on foam tape
Kindyglitz

Jilly xx

What to do with napkins - Back Blogged

2009-10-26T16:31:00.001+10:00

I watched a neat video the other day that was showing how to iron napkins, with glad wrap to cardstock to give a really cool texture.
Here's the link
I wanted to see what they turned out like and here is a pic of the finished article.

I only had 'Wiggles' napkins and they weren't very good quality but the end result was still quite good.

Give it a try yourself you will be surprised with the results.

Jilly xx

An old blog is new again - Back Blogged

2009-08-29T22:39:00.001+10:00

The first blog I created was Jilly's Place back in 2008. Are you surprised to know that I had never posted anything to it?
I have decided to spilt all of my scrapping from my personal stuff so Jilly's Place will be operational from today. I will have links between the two so if you are interested in what we are up to outside of the scrapping world drop by and don't forget to leave me a comment or two :)

Jilly xx

Where have the past two months gone...whoops make that 3 months!!(written on the 27th of November 2009)

2009-08-27T22:30:00.001+10:00

This is where I start my back blogging. Confussed?? well so am I, I have to remeber all that I have done now!!

Jilly xx

A Day with A Friend

2009-08-25T21:25:00.005+10:00

Jerremy and Christopher were born on excatly the same day about 8 hours apart. There were 3 boys born on the 18th of July 2006, the third being Zac.

It is really great to compare these guys as they go through their 'stages'. Chris being an only child, soon to be a big brother. Jerremy, essentially growing up an only child with lots of extended family and Zac being the youngest of 3.

Chris was so keen to climb over the 'bridge' with a little help from me. In the end he was virtually doing it all by himself - clever devil. Jerremy has inherited his mother's fear of heights so would baulk at the 3rd of 4th rung. He did eventually go all the way over, conquering his fear.

We got the boys together for a play date to make Father's Day gifts. They painted paddle pop sticks and we made them into photos frames with a photo of the day.

A Day of Scrapping

2009-08-17T21:27:00.005+10:00

Well I have done it!! I have finally finished a LO for a challenge ([NoCrapJustScrap])and it is not even the end of the month. I started it yesterday and came unstuck when I decided to try to make the rubon. Instructions that I followed can be found here h ttp://www.rubberstampingfun.com/rnapage.html
My only advice would be to NOT spray hairspray on the print after to seal. It tends to react with the ink and go speckled.

I loved using the cricut to cut the tools and in hindsight I probably should have made the mower a dyecut too.

But all in all I am very happy with the way it turned out. Look out world...do I have some LO mojo or what????

I also spent some time scrapping with a friend today. The kids had a play date and I helped her make some cards.

This is what we did.

I think she did a fantastic job and the cards look just great.
We are going to make Father's Day gifts next week so stay posted.

[NoCrapJustScrap] August Card Sketch Challenge

2009-08-16T21:54:00.001+10:00

Yah another Challenge down

Here 'tis

Used the cricut to cut the ribbon holder tags.

Love these Kaiserkraft Stamps. Stamping is so much fun...now why didn't I know this sooner??

Wow...what a night!!

2009-08-15T02:03:00.006+10:00

An invite to dinner saw my little mate and I out with friends for a yummy steak at the Cattleman's Bar and Grill.

Had a little catch up to do when I got home with CYBER SCRAP BINGO...so many words to cross off...what fun.

Getting late but decided to start the challenges of the weekend, 123scrapbook and scrapbookingmemories.

Finished the August card challenge. I am so pleased with how it turned out. I hope Scotty likes it.

One Challenge down...now...can I do a LO??

#4 - Merry

2009-08-13T22:38:00.007+10:00

Card #4 - Completed today

I tried outlining the 'merry' and I tried writing inside it. Not sure which way I like it better.

www.123scrapbooking.com.au

Rudolph Club #3

2009-08-13T22:21:00.007+10:00

Yah I have finished two more cards.

#3 - Christmas Twist

Visit 123scrapbook.com.au

Awesome Gallery and Forum

7 Weeks have passed....................

2009-08-12T22:58:00.003+10:00

My, doesn't time fly when you are having fun....or in my case buying a house...well it has been fun too, I must admit.

http://www.scrapbookingmemories.com.au/scraproom/index.php?content=all&chunk=arbu&user=4145

I have just uploaded a few images of some recent card to my Scrapbooking Memories scraproom.

Will put them up here in time.

Quick one for now....bed is calling me

Nighty Night x

Rudolph Club 2009

2009-08-08T20:57:00.000+10:00

This year I have decided to get organised BEFORE Christmas instead of not being organised at all.

I have joined to Rudolph Club on 123scrapbook.com. Every two weeks they are providing us with a new card layout and full instruction on how to make it.

I am making 3 of each card so at the end of the 24 weeks I should have 36 carefully created cards. The biggest problem will be deciding on who should receive on. They should go to friends and family who will appreciate the time and love that went into making them. So if you receive a store bought card from me this year know that you didn't make the grade!!

Here is the first one I attempted, titled 'Peace & Joy'. It incorporated a few new techniques and was very fun to make.

The Second card is '25' I started this last week and finished it yesterday.

My biggest challenge is not having the same materials and having to improvise.

I'm a bit behind!!

2009-06-17T20:32:00.002+10:00

Wow, how does so much time get by without Blogging?? And I was so good before I went away for the long weekend. I promise to update this weekend - I'll add some of my new cards I have created and hopefully I will share my finished projects from the Expo.
Till then
Jilly x

Eatin' Beets LO

2009-05-31T16:26:00.007+10:00

So finally...here it 'tis.. my first LO in over a year.

It took me 9 hours to complete, with very few interuptions I might add. Oh yeah there was that scrappers block!!

If I continue at this rate, don't take any more photos I should have what photos I have, done about 2079.

I had the layout in so many different arrangements before I settled on this one. I am happy how it turned out. I don't really like journaling and after I read it I knew I need to add more in.

I had loads of fun making this and a big thankyou goes out to the girls from my 'scalhints' yahoo group, Sher, Denise & Heather for their help in the wee hours of my morning.

Sher sent me the SVG of the beetroot I used. Isn't he cute. Have learnt from this experience to not use fluffy paper for piecing. Too hard to make look perfect.

Would love to hear some comments...and ways to make this whole process quicker!!!

Cheers Jilly :D

The Countdown is on!!

2009-05-24T15:02:00.003+10:00

Only 11 more sleeps before I begin my journey to the Scrapbooking and Papercraft expo. Can you tell I am excited??

I now have 271 scrapbooking videos on my Creative Zen. I will have lots of time on public transport to watch them and learn from them.

I will post a list of the best ones when I return.
I got quite a lot from 'The Pink Stamper' and Dan (Dan99)

I have also downloaded the bus and train timetables today and now that J is sleeping I am going into the craft room to get my expo kit together.

As another weekend draws to a close....

A riddle for you

2009-05-21T21:52:00.011+10:00

What do you get when you cross this

With this?

??????

Well... You need this

to get this

And finally you have this

Lucky he's cute!!!

It's a pity I was so angry I couldn't even think straight enough to get the first picture of the series.

I have now learnt to keep the batteries out of the trimmers.

Completed Day 2 Week 3 of C25K

2009-05-20T21:39:00.003+10:00

Whoo Hoo I can run for 3 minutes!! It nearly kills me but I can do it. By the second run of the set my legs feel numb so there is no pain thankfully. By this time I have my breathing under control, and it really matters what song is on the podcast. If it has a good beat I can get into the rhythm and loose myself in the music. I may not be able to loose any weight at the moment but I feel my fitness improving.

8 Things

2009-05-18T15:05:00.006+10:00

8 things I'm looking forward to :

1. Seeing my big kids in 17 days

2. A long bus ride with nothing to do but watch videos and read
3. Going to the Scrapbooking and Papercraft Expo in 19 days

4. Day 2 of Week 3 of the C25K Program

5. Finishing the scrap pages of our NZ holiday...taken 6 years ago

6. Getting our taxes done

7. Seeing Jerremy after 7 days without him

8. Being the Grandmother of a beautiful family!!

8 things I did yesterday :

1. Had dinner with friends

2. Cuddled a baby girl

3. Told J & S I love them

4. Cleaned my house

5. Watched Hotel Rwanda

6. Spoke to my Step Mum

7. Ate a yummy breakfast cooked by S

8. Went to bed early with J

8 things I wish I could do :

1. Afford to open a scrapbooking shop!!!

2. Live closer to my big kids

3. Be debt free.......sigh!!!!

4. Loose weight overnight

5. Cure my allergies

6. Remember everything I learn on a daily basis

7. Find a teaching job

8. Finish our renovations

8 things or shows I've watched lately :

1. Ellen

2. Desperate Housewives

3. All Saints

4. Fireworks

5. Funniest Home Videos

6. Bones

7. Cricut Tutorials

8. Sunrise

8 of my favorite blogs :

1.) http://lintrezza.blogspot.com/

2.) http://knightsinthecastle.blogspot.com/

3.) http://scrappingaway.blogspot.com/

4.) http://capadiadesigns.blogspot.com/

5.) http://cricutlover.blogspot.com/

6.) Dan99

7.) http://pennyduncancreations.blogspot.com/

8.) http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/

New Hair Do

2009-05-14T23:41:00.001+10:00

Just like the weather I thought it was time for a change. Well actually it was all my hairdressers idea. I do like it but let me tell you it took a few goes at the mirror to remember that it was me.

Must be what it is like to have Alzheimer's!!

Anyhoo, What do you think?

My First Cards

2009-05-13T21:50:00.001+10:00

I have been gathering supplies and procrastinating for so long, that I didn't think I would ever get anything made!! So here they are, the first cards I have ever made.

So many firsts today. First time using my versamark pad, a clear stamp, embossing powders, my heat gun, dimension magic, my zyron machines (I love these!!)
I used my Cricut too!!I had a lot of fun making these and I feel a great sense of satisfaction. The photos do not do the dimension magic justice.

This first card I made was for my good friend, Laura for her Birthday. I stamped the hear with a versamark pad, repeating a pattern. I then embossed with gold opals and used my heat gun to melt and seal. I also embossed the edges by dipping the heart edges in the versamark pad. I then filled all the empty space with dimension magic. This photo really does not do it justice. I used my zyron machines to glue everything and I used a rubon for the 'precious' then used dimension magic on it. Finally I added a few stick on diamontes for bling.

I made this for a girlfriend who now has her third daughter... discovered premade chipboard sayings can disguise embossing horrors!!

This card just came from my imagination... When you are on a roll stick to it!!

Fairies In The Garden

2009-05-11T00:12:00.000+10:00

Well Mother's Day has been and gone. I had a very enjoyable, 'kid free' afternoon with a bunch of other 'kid free' Mum's. It was a very enjoyable afternoon.

I have a new found appreciation of the life of a fairy. Going peepee with a skirt of tulle and organza, without drips, is no mean feat!!

Enjoy the pics!!

Jilly, Leesa & Heidi in their FFF.(Fabulous Fairy Fashions!!)

Jady, Amity & Trish enjoying their 'kid free' afternoon.

Jilly & Nicole

Laura & Jilly

Some won $100 dining vouchers, pampering packs, even a $100 Flexihire voucher (that couldn't be swapped!!) but Amity won this glamorous shower cap. What a lucky girl!!

Happy Labour Day

2009-05-04T10:31:00.002+10:00

Last night I finished week 1 of the C25K program. Shins are pretty good. My personal trainer commented that I have a lot of 'heel strike' when I run so I tried to be more flat footed last night. It seemed to help as my shins are not any sorer today. I am still reeling from the PT session on Friday. Today it a weights day so I am going to do some at home.

I finally went through my clothes and have two big bags to go to vinnies. I also went through some of Jerremy's and added a few more bags to the vinnies collection. Jerremy's bed has arrived and will be delivered this week. I can't wait to get started on decorating his room. Will be interesting to see if I can keep it a secret. He doesn't usually go in that room so it should be OK.

Today's thought: Why does the camera 'put on 10 pounds'? Is there any explanation?

Shattered!!

2009-05-01T21:14:00.004+10:00

I always look forward to Friday afternoon. Now call me a sadist but I love going to the gym for our weekely Personal Training Sessions. The shins were a little unforgiving today but I got through. But I am shattered now. J and I have just had dinner and a long soak in the tub, happily singing songs and chatting about our day.

As there is nothing but football on TV tonight I am going to put J to bed and sit back and catch up on two episodes of Hells Kitchen.

Todays thought: Don't sweat the little things... housework, ironging, mowing the lawn...they're all little things...right??

Week 1, Day 2 - C25k

2009-04-30T22:12:00.002+10:00

Two days down. I know I should have a days break between but I am wanting to start week 2 next week. Tonight I ran before Balance. It worked well, running is definately getting easier. And I really love the podcasts by Nicole. My thighs are a little tight and I am starting to feel the twinges of pain in my shins. Tomorrow is personal training so I will make it known that I want to NOT do any sprints on the tredmill!! I want to save these shins as much as possible.

It is really amazing at the diffence exercise can make, those endorfins are good stuff!!.. My mood was sliding just a few short weeks ago. I now feel like I have purpose and direction again. Oh and I now have four burners again on my stove...it's the simple pleasures in life. Thank goodness for handy friends - am so grateful that I will be cooking up a storm as repayment!!

Todays insight: Try to see experiences through the eyes of a child. Get back in touch with the basics, the world is ours to enjoy.

Q150 Train Visit

2009-04-30T21:54:00.004+10:00

What a great day. The kids were all so excited waiting for the train to depart. The train was beautiful. So many differences between the carriages. The oldest carriage, that we rode in on the way back from Ilfracombe was 107 years old. Walking between the carriages while the train was in motion, for me, was pretty scary. Hard to do with only one free hand... the other carried my camera. I didn't even attempt to do this with Jerremy, I don't think my heart could have taken it.

We were asked to not put anything out the window? Do heads count??

It was all really exciting for both child and adult alike.

We enjoyed a relaxing lunch in the park afterwards.

2009-04-29T22:59:00.007+10:00

Tonight after dinner we had a crack at the old Magic Eye book and this reminded me of a site I had seen earlier this year about the happenings of your right brain and left brain. Here is the website to visit -
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,22556281-661,00.html

Had dinner with a few friends tonight and the discussion was hillarious when we started debating whether 'she' was going 'clockwise' or 'anticlockwise'. It was truely hilarious!! Get a few friends together, some alcohol and a little reasoning and see what happens!!

New Adventures

2009-04-29T22:44:00.004+10:00

Well today I started the Couch to 5k program. I downloaded the podcast from Go Nicole Yourself Blog http://gonicoleyourself.blogspot.com/2008/06/couch-to-5k-podcast-page.html
I found this really helpful. Though it did sound a little like satan controling me. Found myself talking back to the counting down satanic voice!!

By the end of the 20 minutes I found myself thinking I could probably go further than the 60sec required. I ended up doing 2.6km through the podcast and a total of 3.2km all up with a warm down walk back to my starting destination.

That was my biggest decision. Where do I turn around and start heading back?

Well all was good, the short work was easy enough. Nicoles music was better than the techno music I had heard previously on another pod cast.

My calves and thighs are a little sore but the shin splints are in check. Will try to organinse it that I can have a hot bath straight after my runs from now on. Was reading an interesting article about how stretching really wont cut it but a hot or ice bath is the way to go.

Off on the train tomorrow. The Q150 steam train is taking us from Longreach to Ilfracombe (return). Jerremy will be so excited. For pics stay tuned.

Had a lovely night with friends - thanks for visiting the Brolga Street Bistro and Jilly's Place!!

My thought for the night - Friends, how precious they are, great to laugh with!!

2009-04-21T23:57:00.001+10:00

Well, I have finally done it. I am a BLOGGER!!
Now to ammend my profile as I think I will need an extra few hours in that 36 hour day to keep this up to date. Today was Middle Girls 15th Birthday. Spent all day making her a card. I stamped the image (used 'Charlie Horse' by Laurie Wilson) and scanned it and worked on it in Inkscape. I coloured it and then printed it out. I still need to learn about glues and adhesives on cards. I am at the moment just using some cheapo clear glue but it warps the cards. So will investigate this further.
If I had copics I think it would have been easier to do it that way rather than print from a computer, though I did like to manipulate the image and add the 'birdie' on the rump.

**Happy Birthday Big Girl**