Monday 31 January 2011

Farewell my friend.....

Sometimes, as the young of today say, "Life Sucks"..... This morning my friend Sue Radics passed away after a battle with cancer.  I got to know Sue through stamping.  I meet her at the monthly group held by Stamp'nCreate and joined her group of stampers who meet regularly at each other's houses.  Sue was around the same age as me.... Only last year we were comparing notes as we were both heading off on overseas holidays. Sue to Japan and other places.  On her return in September she found some lumps and was diagnosed with Melanoma which had spread to other parts of her body.  Life is not fair, taking all these wonderful people.

Our group has not meet together for some time, so our next gathering on the  19th February will be sad as we remember Sue.

I am working on a sympathy card to sent to her family....so no card to share at present.

Please take care of yourselves and your families...
RIP my friend

Sunday 30 January 2011

Lazy Sunday

Being on my own this weekend, I decided to have a Lazy Sunday.... I woke around 8.00am and popped the dressing gown on to walk up to the top of the drive to collect the Sunday Newspaper and brought it back to bed to read.... and then once I'd read that, picked up my book and read some of that.... It is one my daughter recycled to me.... "Falling Home" by Karen White.  I am really enjoying it.

Not too intense, but good for a laugh, a cry at parts and simply a good read.   I have been reading quite a few of the Jack Reacher books by Lee Child... compliments of my son..... a child who NEVER read but who as a young adult has read all of them.  I have just finished a book by Harlan Coben called "Caught"
 
Quite thought provoking about just how well we think we know someone.... 

Anyway, I finally surfaced near lunch time....and then took the book outside to read under the umbrella as the weather has improved.  Finally mid afternoon, I thought I'd better do a bit of tidying up in the craft space.... so started, but of course, had the computer on and Joy's tweet came up about her blog post and the lastest Jay Gee's Nook challenge.  The inspiration for this challenge is this
Of course I just had to make a card!!!!!!!  Actually it come together quickly as I had card on the desk waiting to be put away, and a piece of watercoloured paper I had made yesterday and which I did not like, till I stamped a Hero Arts Collage stamp over it....I had already matted it onto another scrappy piece with some stamping on it and it was just waiting for some inspiration to turn it into a card.  So within 15 mins I had this done

Wishing you Laughter

My rose was just a bit too dark for the inspiration, but I think it goes with the rest. 

So now I'm just catching up with blogs etc and think I'll have a go at making some more watercolour paper before heading off to bed to read some more.... and yes I did tidy up a bit more.... maybe finish that off tomorrow....

Thanks for stopping by...

Saturday 29 January 2011

Play Date Cafe ~ Colour challenge.

Two cards to share today.... first off is the last one I just finished for the Play Date Cafe Challenge #66 ~ A splash of Colour~  this time Lilac or any other version of Purple.  I have been thinking about this card for a few days....

Splash of Lavender PDCC66

It didn't quite go to plan.  I originally was going to reverse mask the spot I wanted to highlight and colour it directly on the card... but it did not stamp clearly so had to stamp it again and colour and cut out.  I then made the frame with the spellbinders dies.  I added the Martha Stewart punched lace at the last minute as I had cut it out to try out my new punch and it was just the right colour to add some texture to the card.

My next card is the one I spent most of the day working on.... using the wonderful watercolour paper that Sue made for me.

Friends Together Watercolour

I used half of the sheet for a card front.  I stamped a whole lot of different stamps on it in very light colours ~ was going for a subtle look.  Used part of a Hero Arts Collage stamp( the writing bit), HA Musical background, Envelope Pattern and then an unknown Crackle stamp.  Used Brilliance Moonlight White, Platinum Planet, Key Lime and Starlite Silver and Distress Ink Scattered Straw.  The focal panel was a Freebie image from Crafter's Digital Art Centre (here, but get it quick as it is only available while the challenge is on).  I made the flowers as well, but didn't want to waste the wonderful watercolour paper so made some similar coloured paper with distress inks.


I cut out a small Spellbinders Eyelet circle die and cut it into a spiral and rolled it from the outside in to use the scallops.  Made one medium and two small ones.  And used another Spellbinders die to make the tag.  All in all, it took quite awhile but I am happy with the results.


Happy news is that Hubby managed to change his homeward flight and gets back Wednesday afternoon.  He will most probably fly back again for Helen's funeral mid February, this time with his younger brother.


If you made it this far, many thanks for stopping by.  All your comments are appreciated.

Friday 28 January 2011

January CCC

It's that time of the month again.... no not THAT TIME OF THE MONTH! but the time to reveal the creations for Deborah's Card Chain Challenge....  Deborah had some interesting choices for January's challenge.

3 Challenge Options
You can use as many of the following options as you like, but you're only required to use one of them.
Color Palette:  
2011-01
 
Note: the colours and names are a guide, so no need for a perfect match.
(You also don't need to use all of them.)
Template:
  2011-01

  Theme:
Valentine's Day  OR 
Friendship  OR

I'm not very good with combining colours so I thought I'd do the Friendship theme and the sketch.  Here's what I sent to Mariette in the Netherlands

January 2011 CCC

and in return I received this lovely card from Marian in Indonesia 
I really enjoy taking part in this Challenge.  I have some amazing cards from all over the world.

Today I was lucky to spend so time with my friend Sue.  Yesterday's card was a belated birthday card for her.   We had a lovely cup of Fennel Tea and then I got to see her wonderful cards ( so can you here).  Sue makes amazing watercolour backgrounds and today she showed me how.  She made two lovely pieces, very similar, so we have challenged ourselves to use it and see what we come up with.  Mine is still drying.... the rain started this afternoon and is still coming down steadily  and the humidity is high.  The edge of Cyclone Wilma.  Hopefully not as bad as last weekends storm which caused lots of flooding round Auckland's waterfront roads. 

Enjoy your weekend everyone.  I'll be crafting lots, to keep myself occupied... it's a long weekend here in Auckland...to celebrate our region's Anniversary so an extra day.

Thursday 27 January 2011

For a Friend

First off, many thanks for all your lovely comments yesterday.... it helped me heaps... it is hard being here and Peter and the family so far away.  I went and spent some time with my daughter and son in law last evening and tonight went out to dinner with my son.  Had a chat with Peter and they had been out for High Tea at Harrods, a favourite pastime of Helen's and had her favourite Custard Squares.  Her funeral service is not till the 15th Feb... (takes such a long time in England) so Peter won't be able to stay.

To keep myself occupied, I have been playing round with some digi pages I purchased from Webster's Pages.  The originals are 12x12 so I am still working out how to print them for cards.  I have a selection of bits... some parts of paper, some I've printed out in 6x6 size and will cut down and some I printed out onto A4 paper.  I decided to make a card, but printed the piece a bit small.... so some improvisation...some extra PP, punched edge and some ric-rack and here's what I did.
For a Friend
The  flourishes are from a set by Rosie's Studio and the sentiment by Hero Arts.  I had another go at a rolled rose... didn't turn out to bad.  Added some stickles for a bit of shimmer and for the leaves, I added some folded velvet ribbon.  This card is for someone special and as the rose adds bulk I decided to make an envelope box ( seen here at Splitcoaststampers)  I added some more of the Webster's Pages that I printed out onto plain copy paper.



As this week's Simon Says Stamp Challenge is "Animal Antics" I am entering this card.  I was trawling through the 'net and saw this challenge and thought it fitted perfectly for the card. I like when that happens!

Oh well, I have to go pay some bills on-line and finish reading the blogs on my list... so take care.

Wednesday 26 January 2011

A very sad day for the Turley's.

It is with tears in my eyes and heart that I let you know Peter's sister, Helen, passed away overnight.   (Tues morning London time).  Peter did not quite make it.... she passed away around about the same time as his plane landed at Heathrow.  It is a very very sad day for the family.  Only 11 weeks ago this amazing woman ran the New York marathon in 3 hrs 44 mins and today she is gone, aged 46.  Life can be so unfair.... From having 6 sisters, Peter now only has 2 left, losing 3 to cancer in the past 7 years. 

Knowing the outcome was inevitable, I had made this card on the weekend, to sent to Helen's husband, Neil, when it eventuated... never dreaming it would be so soon.

Sympathy Card


I will post it off later today.

RIP my darling Helen.  You will be very sadly missed.

Sunday 23 January 2011

You know you are are stamper/card maker when............

you dream about making cards!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Yes last night I dreamed about making a card.... it had a Tim Holtz birdcage die, some distress inks..... but that's all I remember!!!!!!!!!  Honestly....I can't think why other than subconsciously I wanted to take part in Barb's 90 minute challenge.... it started at 6.00am my time and I was still snoring my head off!!!!

Now talking about the challenge ~ it was "Frame It"  and you should see the wonderful entries.... go here to have a look.  I was inspired by the idea of framing that I made a card this afternoon....
Valentine's card ( WMC#40)

 I was inspired to try a frame I saw on Gina K's Stamp TV as well as all the beauties this morning..
 This card is really simple.  I masked off the edges of the base card with masking tape and stamped Magical background in Dusty Concord distress ink.  Once I removed the mask I edged the panel with a fine black Sharpie.  My centre circle is cut from some PP which is layered onto a white circle.  The fancy edging frame is made by cutting 3 Fancy Tags from Spellbinders, cutting each in half and laying round the circle.  I then cut out a CB little tag and stamped part of a sentiment from a HA set - it was Just for you but as you see that wouldn't fit so I just inked up the last two words.  Added gems at each end.  The whole panel was then popped up on dimensional tape.  
I have decided to enter this is into a number of challenges:
Wee Memories  ~ anything goes
Hero Arts ~ masking
Pile it On Challenge ~ anything goes
Simply Create ~ Use your punches

Today is a rather wet and steamy day so staying inside to make cards and check the blogs is in order.... I had left a bucket outside after washing the floors and this morning it was half full.... that's a lot of rain.... currently not raining but very very steamy.  Hope the tropical storms pass quickly.

Thanks for stopping by and thanks for leaving all the lovely comments ~ they are much appreciated.  Take care

Saturday 22 January 2011

Shabby Chic....

I very much admire card makers who are good at making shabby chic/vintage cards....Sue and Jacqueline are prime examples  but just google " shabby chic cards" and you get a multitude.   I was looking through an Australian Card and Papermaking magazine yesterday and was inspired to give this look a go.  This is not my usual style but in the end I was rather pleased with the outcome.... even if it took quite some time to come together.
I started with a sheet of Webster's Pages (A Sweet Life ~Home Sweet Home) which I trimmed one corner to fit.  I edged it with Peeled Paint distress and then used a blending tool to colour the bottom third of the piece.  I stamped the words "dream" and "inspire" ( Fiskars stamp set) and then just inked up the bird from a Hero Arts cling (Bird in a Circle)  I coloured the bird with some Faber Castell pencils and OMS.  I added some lace and ribbon and then stamped a clock face (Teresa Collins set) onto some of the rest of the PP.  I used a small nestibility to cut it out and pop dotted onto the card.  Once I had it matted onto the white and tan card I added some flowers and the pin ( a gift from Pia from nearly 2 years ago!) I added some brown pearls... one to the flower centre and several others on the flourish in the corner. The Webster's Pages really made it easy to get the lovely shabby chic look.  I've just bought some of their on-line papers - here.  Just waiting for my download code so I can save them to my computer. 

I am also very pleased with the photo I look of the card.  Michelle is having a give away on her blog for a light tent.  It looked really cool so I did some research and found a place in Christchurch selling them on Trade Me.... very reasonably price too... so I ordered one and it arrived this week.  Its only 30cm x 30 cm but is perfect for a card.  It comes with 4 different coloured backgrounds... white/black/blue/red.  Plus I'm sure I could make more if needed. 

Update on hubby's sister.... she is still hanging in there.... He is flying off to London on Monday evening... arriving mid morning their time on Tues.  Praying she will last till then so he can say his goodbyes.  His older brother went over on Thursday.  A very sad time for them all. 

thanks for visiting.... take care

Thursday 20 January 2011

Collage Fun.... and a Wedding Anniversary Card

The new Hero Arts catalogue has a whole heap of lovely collage images.... as I write, my Timely Bird cling is winging it's way to me from the USA.... meanwhile I thought I'd try my hand at some collage stamping and masking of my own.....
Butterfly Collage.

I started by stamping the butterfly from the Antique Engravings set into the middle of the card.  I then made a mask and laid it on top.... then using post it notes I did lots of different stamps and ink colours ( mainly in the softer distress colours) around it.... Music background, Magical Background, Silhouette Grass and Flower Wood Background from Hero Arts and a script and grid stamps from Rubadubadoo ( a NZ stamp company) I then removed all the masks except the butterfly and used various distress inks with an ink blender.  I then used Copics to colour my butterfly.  This made it the focal point being much brighter than the background.  I layered it onto a nutmeg coloured card after making a corner with a Fiskars punch.

I scored some really good prices on the punch and some Fiskars stamps.  I found a clearance shop which sells all sorts of things..... called Ike's Emporium, that had the big 8 x 8 stamp sets (35-36 stamps on each) for $2.95 each.  I am not sure how they managed to sell them so cheap..looking on the website for Fiskars these are over $16.. I got 2 of the Girlfriends set and 1 of the Sentiments.... I'll keep the other set for a give away at some time... plus I got the cut and emboss corner punch for $7.95 and Shape Template (Tags-1) for $1.95.  Love getting a bargain.   My non-stamping friend was laughing at how excited I got when I saw these....

Tomorrow is my wedding anniversary so I won't be blogging.... going out to dinner to celebrate 33 years of marriage.... but before I go I must show you the card my Mum and Dad made for us....
that's Hubby and Me 33 years ago... my don't we look like so young!!!!!!!!! Inside the card, there is a photo of our hands with our rings.... certainly brings back memories...  thank you Mum and Dad for this wonderful card!!!!!

Have a great rest of the week everyone.

Tuesday 18 January 2011

Birthday Girl ( WMC39)



 
Jenny over at Wee Memories has wonderful challenges with awesome prizes. I enjoy entering her challenges ~ and the latest one is all about ribbons. Her sponsor this week is May Ribbons.... I wish we could buy them here in NZ but again, I have to order from overseas.
The card I made is for my great niece, Chelsea, who turns one next month. Some time ago Paula sent me some stamped images, and this little lady was one of them. I don't know who the stamp is by, but it is super cute. I used Copics to colour her in. Slowly building up my colours and learning how to colour with them. Still a ways to go! I used a nestie label to cut her out. The beautiful background is from a mat stack by DCWV... truly soft and glittery.  I added the yellow punched edge ( a paint swatch) and of course, the ribbon.  It is a lovely soft cream ribbon.  Not sure where I got it, but wish I had more as there was only just enough to do this.

Our weather has changed.... from hot and sunny to hot and rainy.... very very humid.  Last night  it was very difficult sleeping and I think tonight will be even worse!!!!  I have the fan going in the lounge already ~ will have to take it through to the bedroom later.  

Thanks for stopping by.... and many thanks to those who are keeping my SIL in your prayers.... it is appreciated.  She is deteriorating fast now, but I pray she is in no pain.

Sunday 16 January 2011

All you need is Love

I found a new challenge site (for me at least) ~ Penny Black @ Allsorts    It looks fun so thought I'd give it a go.... I also decided to try the sketch at Our Creative Corner.  I started my card with a bit
of background I had made last week.  I had been playing with my new Hero Arts Classic Fabric background cling and some variegated dye pads ( Kaleidacolor inks) and made a few different colour combos.
The one I chose here is blues and greens so I mounted it onto some soft  blue bazzill.

All you need is Love (OCCC)


The lovely Penny Black stamped image was sent to me by Paula quite some time ago...she very generously sent me a whole pile which I am slowly working through....I cut it out with a Nestibility die and then while it was still in the die, sponged the edges with blue and green.  I then used distress inks to colour in the image.  I finished by painting over the lot with some Iridescent Medium mixed with water to give it a shimmer.  The sentiment is also by Penny Black.

And talking about Love.... look at the love I received in the mail over the past few weeks...
firstly from Virginia... a card that left Canada 10th December and finally arrived in NZ 6th January!!!!
and then this wonderful card from Marijke who I sent a Christmas card to in a challenge exchange as well as some butterflies.... this card was to say thank you ( and used some of the butterflies.  Also very beautifully decorated inside as well!!
And finally Marian sent this stunner to me as part of January's CCC.  Such a beautiful card.
 so much love received this month.

Hope your week is wonderful wherever you are.... Auckland is still enjoying wonderful summer weather.... another corker weekend finished.

Thursday 13 January 2011

The Honeymooner's are home..... bearing gifts!

Yesterday my daughter and son-in-law arrived home from their trip to Hawaii.... arrived in at 6.00am.... so last evening she arrived over to visit..... gifts in hand... for me, an amazing maple wood vase with beautiful leaves carved on it... and for her Dad ~
this wonderful wind chime.... It is just incredible.  Plus she had visit the Dole pineapple factory and brought us home two lovely boxes of chocolate covered pineapple...

Today, however her and her hubby were back on a plane to fly to Christchurch as while they were away his aunt ( his Mother's twin sister) passed away.  Heather had been suffering from cancer for some time, and although she was looking good at their wedding, she finally fell victim to this insidious disease.  Her funeral was today.... I made a card to send to Rai ( Emma's MIL)
Poppy Sympathy

I pulled out my trusted Poppies and came up with this.   I used distress inks and a blending tool to colour the petals, popping some of them up on mini dots.  I used a glitter gel pen for the stems.  In order to show case the Poppies, I made the card a DL size - tall and thin.

And  speaking of sad things..... the news from Peter's sister in London is not good.. She suffered a seizure and stroke this week and the tumour on her brain has doubled in 10 days.  She now only has a short time left.... it is so hard for her family here as they are so far away.  She has said she doesn't want them to go over, but to remember her as she was....although her next youngest sister is there with her for which we are thankful.  They are all so devastated as you can imagine.... having gone through this only 18 months ago. Only 2 1/2 months ago Helen ran the New York Marathon in 3 hours 40 mins.... Please keep her in your prayers.

Wishing you all a great week, and please tell your families how much you love them.

Tuesday 11 January 2011

Quirky Puppy....

On Donna's blog the other day she showed this card.  Isn't it cute... The little Shih Tzu is a freebie image from Tiddly Inks (here).  My workmate Linda, has a little Shih Tzu called Riley .. so I made this card for her... to celebrate the New Year.
Shih Zhu New Year

I used water colour pencils to colour in the image and cut it out with nesties, using my new eyelet circles to make the matt.   I used the computer to do the sentiment....And I used a card base that was sitting in my scrap pile... one where I had put the crease in the wrong spot so had added a panel on the bottom to even up!!!!  Thought he looked quite quirky...

Last night I worked on my CCC card.... My recipient is Mariette in The Netherlands.... so until she gets the card, I will not post it here.  I can tell you I did some masking so I will put it into the HA challenge eventually!!!! 

And tonight I started to make another card with one of my favourite stamps from last year... one of the Poppy stamps from Delicate Blossoms set.  Have got to make a trip to the LSS tomorrow as I want a very dark blue/green bazzill for it......... hopefully they will have just the colour I want!!!!!!!!  (plus a few other bits and pieces no doubt)

Well it's bed time for me..... this having to work is a real pain.... interrupts the crafting time!!!!  Take care.

Sunday 9 January 2011

More Hero Arts Inspiration

I was browsing through Hero Arts Catalogue and was inspired by a butterfly card on Page 11
It used my all time favourite stamps set - CL383 Antique Engravings.   I decided to CASE this card, with a few changes of course.... ( again don't have all the stamps)
I started by stamping the butterfly and masking it.  Then I stamped two background stamps - Music background and Silhouette Grass... I used some of the brown shades of Distress ink.  However, the background was darker than the look I was trying to achieve so I scrapped the card...tore of the top half and turfed it in the scrap pile and started again....
masking the butterfly.  I then used a lighter colour ink and stamped the Grass only, twice in different colours of ink.


I added a portion of slightly textured card at the bottom of the card and used a Spellbinders die to cut a tag which I stamped with text stamp by Hero Arts.  I threaded some brown PP through the tag as I didn't have just the right colour ribbon.  I coloured the butterfly with distress inks and a water pen, using similar colours to the inspiration card.  Add a shadow of grey watercolour pencil to add depth.


Of course, yesterday, I relooked at my discarded piece and decided to colour the butterfly and see what it would look like.... I chose some aqua crayons to colour it, in yellow, orange and red and added some Iridescent Medium for a shimmer.  Didn't look too bad once I had coloured the butterfly, so went on to see what I could do to selvage it more....
More HA Inspiration

.... trimmed the panel, added some ribbon ( thanks to Donna who sent me some of her wonderful coloured ribbon and a piece undyed) that I used some Scattered Straw distress to colour and added a sentiment in black at the bottom, layered onto black card base ( think that finished it off well)....Didn't look half bad in the end....
so two cards, same stamps, different colours ~ not bad.

Both have been entered into the Hero Arts challenge for the month... inspired by the catalogue.

Thanks for stopping by.  Hope you enjoyed my two cards.... and are having a great weekend... back to work tomorrow for me... after 2 weeks off!!!!!

Saturday 8 January 2011

Linda's 90 mintue scramble

WOW - what a frantic hour for me this evening.... Linda's 90 minute challenge over at the Flickr Hero Arts group was on this evening for me.  It started at 6.00pm Saturday here in Auckland (9.30pm Friday evening Los Angeles time) so I got to have another go at a scramble.  I made sure I was back from the beach ( went swimming and sunbathed as the temperature soared to the mid 30'sC in our backyard) and was at the desk... told Hubby he'd have to wait for his dinner....
so the challenge was either - use one Hero Arts stamp from 2010 and one from 2011 or use at least one Hero Art stamp to make a new year's card.  I only have 3 new stamps so pulled them out... cling bicycles ( but couldn't get my head round a design quickly), Classic Fabric background and small striped flower... so chose the flower.  Once I had decided on that ... was what 2010 stamp to use... I think Magical Background was a 2010 stamp so pulled that out.... and this was the result...
90 mintue scramble....

In the end it took 40 mins to make... then another 10 to photo and upload... so hubby got his dinner ( Thai Green Curry)  not too much later than usual!!!!  And got to eat outside in 24 degrees C.
I started by stamping the Magical background in Spun Sugar distress ink onto white card and distressing the edges.  I then used Barn Door to distress the card base edges as well.  I stamped the Striped flower in Barn Door onto some handmade papers in different pinks.  I clear embossed, cut out and sponged some distress ink over them and spritzed with some gold perfect pearls water.   I took a piece of white tulle and used Peeled Paint ink to colour it up a bit  and stapled it to the panel and layered the flowers over top.  Added the Hero Arts pearls to the centres of the flowers and added the sentiment ~ which is sort of inspirational for the New Year... maybe????  I was really pleased how it turned out. 

Thanks for visiting.... and come back tomorrow as I have a couple more cards made over the last few days to share.  Take care and enjoy your weekend.... 

Friday 7 January 2011

What a naughty cat.....

Snoopy has been up to his old tricks again.... but this time he has upset my next door neighbour!!!!!  He bought home her big straw hat the other night.... how on earth he managed to drag it over the fence, up 6 steps and inside, I really don't know.... but unfortunately this neighbour is rather odd and not as tolerant as the other side ones....  she really got into a state yesterday, demanding I get rid of the cat.... and it was causing her to be mentally stressed!!!!!  I was patient and told her to get a water pistol and spray him whenever she saw him over at her place.......... what more can I do?????  He really is a bit of a rat bag.....

Anyway Snoopy got me to make a little card to give to Joshua, Lucy and Elle who feed him while we were away.....
Kitty cat thanks

The background was some that I made with distress inks and gold pearlised water.  The image is a stamp I bought of Trade Me for $2.  I added Metallic Accents to the cats ears and feet and tail...  Although you can't see it in the picture... the outer edge of the back of the card has the same edging punched.  To get it to sit properly I had to open the card a bit.   Inside it says " thanks for feeding me.  Love Snoopy"

I got quite a bit done yesterday as it was a bit windy ( to windy to swim)  I made some multi coloured backgrounds with Kaleidocolor  inks and my Fabric design background cling... and I cleaned off the brayer by running it over a scrap piece of card.  I then overstamped the design in Fired Brick ink and cut up the pieces to create a Mosaic background to enter into Louise's latest challenge .  I used some Black Metallic Accents for the grouting ( think it looks more like Stained Glass though)
Mosaic tag

added some netting for texture and a bird from The Graphic Fairy.   The text was typed onto some translucent paper via the computer and torn

And just when I had posted the Christmas cards from my friends,.... two more arrived in yesterdays mail.... so many thanks to Suzz and Donna...
Aren't they just gorgeous.  Donna also kindly sent me some of her lovely dyed ribbon.  It is so pretty.   Thank you to these kind ladies.

Well today is my last day of holidays... back to work Monday  :-(  and the weather is perfect... infact a bit too hot.... hence being inside at 2pm trying to stay cool.   I think a swim is in order shortly and then shower and get ready to go out to dinner.... Hubby told me this morning he would take me out to the Club ( we belong to the Bays Club) for dinner. 

Thank you all for your lovely comments on this blog.... I ramble on and it is nice to know that someone takes the time to read it.... Much appreciated.

Thursday 6 January 2011

Inspired by Hero Arts

I get a lot of inspiration from the Hero Arts blog, Flickr group and now their newest catalogue.  It is wonderful.  This month part of the Blog challenge is to be inspired by something you see in the catalogue.  On page 9 there is a beautiful card using the wreath from CL499 Special Note of Thanks set.  As I don't have this set, I improvised.


I used my wreath of leaves and added some tiny punched flowers in pink, dark pink and green. The lower portion is a piece of background card I made with Liquid pearls and distress ink ages ago.  The sentiment is also from Hero Arts - one I've had for a long time too... still a goodie though.


And I also want to say a big thank you for the lovely cards I received from my friends this past Christmas..... some from Flickr friends and some from my own stamp group friends.
Christmas Cards from my friends

top layer: Anne, Ivy, Arlene
2nd layer: Sue, Glenda, Sandie
3rd layer: Lei, Helen and my Mum and Dad.
and this wonderful tag from Jacqueline
Thank you all so much.

My mind is full of ideas after seeing all the beautiful work on the blogs, Flickr and all the other places I visit....so today ( being a bit cloudy) I will have some "play" time.  Love being on holiday when hubby is back at work... can play to my hearts content!!!  ~as long as his dinner is cooked!!!!!!!!  Take care

Wednesday 5 January 2011

Happy Birthday Mum

Yesterday was my Mum's birthday.  I sent her a card but due to NZ having it's public holidays on Monday and Tuesday after Christmas and New Year, it didn't make it on time...... I suspect it will be a few days.... so Mum..... here is your card!!!!

Birthday Bloom


Using my new Small Striped  Flower cling and inspired by this card by Tiffany.

I spoke with Mum yesterday morning which was nice.  She said that the morning was going well....

I also sent them a card for their anniversary which was last week.
Anniversary Card

this one used another of my new Hero Arts stamps.... Classic Fabric Design.  I stamped it in black on some silver translucent paper and cut to size. The base card was made with some Bazzil. I then stamped a chandler onto white card ( stamp by Teresa Collins) and cut it out. Once it was stuck to the background added some Glossy Accents to make it shine and a small piece of peelcraft for the chain. I used the computer to print the sentiment and cut with a Spellbinders die. Added some little blue gems ( free gift with my last Simon Says Stamp order)

I also managed to get a card done for hubby's niece who was 13 on the 2nd of January.  One of The Greeting Farm stamps I won from Kelly was a Friday stamp, which I thought was perfect for a teenager.  I kept the card fairly simple.

Friday Birthday


We are having a great summer here now... hot and sunny.  My friend Sue has described Auckland summers perfectly in her post here.  Go have a read and see her wonderful picture of the morning sunrise......   I'm off to enjoy the rest of the day.... and finish off a card for January's challenge on the HA blog....

Tuesday 4 January 2011

Happy New Year!!!!!!!

 Hope your ringing in the New Year was as good as mine..... I have got back from spending a few days with friends about an hour and 1/4 north of Auckland.   They have just build a bach ( holiday home) in Mangawhai Heads. Their place is not too near the beach or the estuary, but is still a great place to get away.  We went down to the surf beach two days ( too surfy for me) then swam two days at Langs Beach ( about 10 mins in the car)  A much nicer swimming beach.   I didn't get a good photo of the bach but these are of the new decking that Peter helped Michael build, the view from the deck looking north and one of my son (Kieran) helping put on the roof of the garage yesterday morning.  My son and his girlfriend came up Sunday and spent the night.  It was cool that they could come.  Sunday night ended up with 14 people for dinner.. as Michael and Yvonne's daughter, her boyfriend, his Mum and sister and another friend arrived for the day and some other friends of Michael and Yvonne's who were staying in the local motor camp came round.... a really fun night.


and here is Langs Beach
That's Peter, Yvonne and Michael ( nearest the water).  It was even warm enough for me to venture in!!!!

We did have a bit of a downer on New Years morning.... got a call about SIL in London.... not good news.... she has not responded to Chemo as well as was hoped... still waiting to hear the prognosis but not looking good..... Hubby and family are shattered,.. this coming only 18 months after losing Mum and sister to cancer..... So 2011 hasn't started the best for the Turley's.....

Sometimes though I feel this is really testing my faith....life seems unfair sometimes. Still have to stay positive for everyone and pray for the best outcome.

NZ has two days holiday for New Year and as it fell in the weekend, we get Monday and Tuesday as public holidays.... Hubby back to work tomorrow.... next Monday for me!!!!!  So a swim at our local beach was order of the day.... after making a card of course....will post tomorrow.

Take care all and thanks for visiting....