Finally some creating just for me..

Was picked by the girls on the the Direct 2 U forum this month to do the challenge. I was very lucky and the girsl were very kind with the challenges they set for me.

So I had to create a LO using the following:
1. Hand written Title
2. Bling, Bling and More Bling. (pp, ribbon, Gemstones etc)
3. An Old Embellishment from your stash - I used a bookplate and photo turn arrows that I have had for what seems forever.

So here was what I came up with.

Layout - Puddle Fun= layout made using left over bits from D2U DT kits and my own stash. Went a bit crazy with handcutting flowers on this one. Certainly used Bling, Bling and more Bling on this.



Products used: Cardstock,Kelly Panacci pp - Stitched Floral,Glitter Embossing Powder, Sequins, Beads, Kaiser Gemstones, Gemstones flowers, Pearl Flowers, Kindy Glitz, Sequin Flowers, Photo Turn Arrows, Metal Bookplate, MM Sentiments Stamp, American Craft Rubon, Brads, Journalling Pen, Date Stamp,Stazon Ink - Black

Thanks girls for the challenge... was heaps of fun... now to choose the next victim...lol...lol....

Had a chance to finally play with my Cloud 9 Kit that I had been sent by Fiskars. Wanted to make up a mini album to put some of the Christmas photos into, rather than having just the one picture hanging around to remember Christmas. I also had another motive as I wanted to try out this album for a future project for our crops here in Adelaide. I love the colours that Cloud 9 have gone with this year. more traditional Christmas colours that I can see will play nicely with sepia or black and white photos.
So here it is:
Front Cover-

Back Cover-

Open album-

Inside view-


I still have so much left in the kit too to be able to do up a few layouts of my favourite photos from Christmas too...

Off to scrap so more... Thanks for looking...

M x

December Sketch Challenges at D2U Scrapbooking.

Had a chance to get this months sketch challenges from D2U Scrapbooking done. Was hard to pick which sketch to do as once again Marisa gave us 2 really good sketches.

So here's my examples.

My Example: Sketch 1 - Cutie


My Example: Sketch 2 - Rock


Time for a break now... Back again soon. Happy Scrapping !

M x

Xmas Creating Fun in the Wallace House

This year we decided that we wanted to bake for Xmas as our little gifts. I seriously thought that it would never happens with all the things that I had planned on my "To Do" list.

**Note to self for next year... not to be having a baby and planning Xmas at the same time...lol..**

So anyway... between the kids and I, we managed to bake up a storm here at the Wallace house and made up 60 large gingerbread men and about 40 smaller gingerbread men. Mind you the whole time Nate kept saying that we needed to make Aliens instead of men..lol... gotta love boys. The fun and relaxing part for me was the day that Nate and I sat down and iced and decorated the gingerbread men. I was so proud of him 'cause he didn't lose patience or interest at all and it took us about 1 1/2 hours to get them all done... for a 5 year old I think that is a huge thing!

The other fun goodies we made were homemade rum and raisin chocolate fudge, chocolate brownie balls, hedgehog slice, chocolate truffles and 15 jars of homemade passion fruit butter.

Now being the avid scrapper we couldn't just send them out any old how could we... glutton for punishment here... so out came the Heidi Grace and Cloud 9 Xmas stamps, my Fiskars Squeeze punches, my Fiskars Threading Water Punch,my Fiskars Holly Border punch, water colour pencils, Kindy Glitz, some precut shipping tags and an abundance of Fiskars Paper scraps.

We set to work then punching, cutting and stamping to our hearts content. I never realised how much fun it was to make up your own Xmas pressie tags too. A definite must for next year for me for sure. The kids had an absolute ball and we managed to get them all done in time for them to hand out their goodies in the last week of school. It took us a few weeks to get the all done as I split the tasks up over different weekends so they would lose interest and all... but the end results were just what we had all hope for. Plus the added bonus for me was being able to spend quality time with my kids celebrating Xmas the way it should be... creating things together we made with love.

So here are the goodies that we managed to get made for Xmas:






Hope that everyone is enjoying the festive season and managing to get some creating done just like us.

Best wishes and Merry Xmas.

M x

Fiskars "Family Fun Day" Crop Bookings Now Closed

Just thought I would let everyone know that the booking for our next Fiskars Crop here in Adelaide in January have closed.

The details of our crop are:

FISKARS “FAMILY FUN DAY” CROP

Date : 31st January 2009

Time: 10 till 5 pm

Venue Address: Sheidow Park

All kits will be provided for the workshop

Morning Tea and Lunch will be provided

**ALL PLACES HAVE BEEN TAKEN AND WE ARE FULLY BOOKED**

If you wish to be put on the mailing list for the next crop here in Adelaide, South Australia happening in March, please send me an email to: mlwallace@internode.on.net

I have been busy creating and making up kits for the day. Yes... I want to be super organised here with my forth child due by the end of this month I wanted to stay on top of things. The kits are all bagged up and ready to go for another fun filled day that is for sure. I am looking forward to seeing some new faces, along with my trusty followers on the day.

Thought I would give you all a few sneak peeks of what we will be making on the day to keep the juices flowing until the big day...

Mini Album - Woodland


Mini Album - Vineyard


Mini Album - Love Blossoms


Card 1


Card 2


Card 3


Card 4


Card 5


Card 6


Till later.. happy scrapping.

Michelle xx

December D2U Scrapbooking DT Work

So here's what I have to share this month using the amazing stuff sent in my DT kit from Direct 2 U scrapbooking as usual. Was fun to play with this one... sooo much yummy felt and tulle. I loved the fact I was able to get messy playing with some paint on this one making up the candy cane and word. Was nice to do something different this month and make an OTP item. With how busy this month can be with Xmas bearing down on us all, I will now be all ready with this cute little gift bag for the Inlaws now. Now just gotta fill it with some other exciting goodies!

"Joy" Xmas Gift Bag - made using the DT kit for this month and my own stash.


Close Up of Gift Bag


Products used: DT kit - Brown Paper Carry Bag, Green Check Ribbon, Felt (red and green), tulle (red, green, and white), Sequins (red and green)
From my stash: PP - Anna Griffin - Candy Cane, Heidi Grace - Christmas Clear Scroll and Ivy Stamp, Stazon Ink - Black, Americana Paint (red and cream), Scrap White Bazzill CS,Felt (white)

TFL. Michelle xxx

SCKC - Southern Cross Kids Camps 2009

It is that time of the year again. I got involved with this last year through Fiskars and helped to contribute 150 layouts for this amzing cause. When the call was put out last time how could I not help. I am already in the process of going through my stash of scraps etc now to get a start on some of these again.

Here's is the details for those of you that wish to help out this amazing cause:

Last year with the incredible generosity of many scrappers we were able to create the best ever memory books, the kids were delighted....See their response here and here from the 2008 camp....It was an enormous task and a huge ask of the 30 odd buddies who were definitely out of their comfort zone when confronted with a table full of scrapbooking supplies......... I hoped that our wonderful scrapping community could get together and we could all contribute to these needy little children by scrapping at home or getting together at one or two Friday Crops and creating the simplest, most basic 6" x 6" background LO's. The buddies have very limited time to spend on their books as they are with the children 24/7....being such an amazingly important emotional anchor, your assistance would help to ensure each and every child has a memory book worthy of their memories.

Now to get you up to date........Last week I attended the Annual SCKC Directors summit and presented samples of the SEI albums complete with the pages you contributed late last year, they ALL loved the concept and placed immediate orders for the camps that will be held in 2009. How amazing is that!!! We cant do it without you though!

I know Nic and Trina are keen to get behind this wonderful cause again and now all we need is your incredible support to ensure that these poor little, at risk, yet ever so deserving children once again are gifted with a gorgeous memory book of their week at camp. Many of you who helped SCKC to achieve this during 2009, are aware of the amazing impact that these crafted albums have on the children's self worth, helping to sustain the feeling of hope and unconditional love they felt at camp each year.

Our aim for 2009 is to produce 6300 base scrap pages, that will cover the needs of all 9 camps held in Australia & NZ, great news already is that the New Zealand camp has had it's quota filled and the pages are being sent down in preparation right now!

We do however need to appeal to you urgently as the first three in Australia are being held in early January! I know that sounds daunting but I was amazed daily at the incredible numbers of LO's that poured in ever so quickly last year. They don't need to be detailed, simple basic designs work best.

We are also happily accepting your old scrap stash so that we can send product out to each camp to help them create beautiful covers on the albums too......old left over alphas, ribbons, flowers, epoxy embellishments, buttons, stickers,etc, anything you can spare will help!

Once again, Thanks so very much and be assured that the scrapbooking assistance you offer is invaluable and makes a huge difference, be it a little or a lot, it will all go toward putting huge smiles on the faces of some very sad little kids.

We couldn't do it without you!

Jules x

If you want to know more follow the link in my side bar under SCKC. Why not help out and help out an amazing cause.

Cheers M x

Fiskars "Family Fun Day" Crop here in South Australia

Hello fellow Scrapbookers and Cardmakers.

Let's start 2009 off with a bang.

We are excited to open the bookings

for our next Fiskars Crop here in Adelaide, South Australia.

Are you looking to get some new ideas for family gifts and cards?

Do you enjoy getting together with others to have fun ?

Then this is the day for you !

The day will be filled with fun and laughter as usual.

The details are:

FISKARS “FAMILY FUN DAY” CROP

Date : 31st January 2009

Time: 10 till 5 pm

Venue Address: Sheidow Park

All kits will be provided for the workshop

Morning Tea and Lunch will be provided

Places are now limited so you will need to book early to avoid disappointment.

**Due to my 4th child being due at the end of December,

bookings for this crop will be closing early so that kits can be prepared in advance

(you all know I I like to be super organised.LOL).

Look forward to seeing you there...

Email me at: mlwallace@internode.on.net for further details.

Michelle Wallace

Fiskars SA Ambassador

Wallace Paper Art Designs.

The final Taste of India Challenge

Wow... it is hard to believe that this four week challenge at D2U Scrapbooking is coming to an end. I have had so much fun playing around with the last few challenges for this.

Here is my take on the challenges so far:

Challenge 1 - Korma
Smile


I ended up doing two for this challenge as I had so much patterned paper left over and couldn't decide on the photos to use for this challenge. So here's the second layout:

Socks are Fun



Challenge 2 - Chicken Tikka
Puzzle Fun



Challenge 3 - Rogan Josh
The Couch


So here is this weeks spicy treat from Kerryn at D2U Scrapbooking, I can't wait to go and play around with this one. Certainly going to be a great challenge:

The final challenge is Vindaloo!!!

A blend of red chilli, tamarind and other spices. Usually the hottest (or one of the hottest) curries available.

In honour of the vindaloo, create a layout using red, orange & brown. You will also need to use at least 2 patterned papers, bling, 2 or more photos and journalling! Spicy enough for you !

Upload your completed layout to the gallery by midnight Sunday 23 November to be in the draw for a RAK (picture to follow soon).

Remember, if you complete all 4 challenges you will also be in the draw for one of two store vouchers.

Sample layout will be in the gallery today (it may not appear straight away though) but it will also be on Kerryn's blog.

Better get some work done before the day runs away from me.

Till later, M x

Taste of India - Challenge 3 - Some more fun !

Boy oh Boy ! another exciting challenge from Kerryn over at D2U Scrapbooking. The Taste of India challenge is certainly starting to hot up for sure.

Congrats to Kathyrn also who won Challenge 1. She did an awesome layout, which was well deserving of winning the challenge.

So here's the next challenge for this week:

Rogan Josh is an aromatic curry dish. Rogan meaning “clarified butter”, Josh meaning “hot or passionate”.

In honour of the Rogan Josh, use the colour combo of yellow, white and red. The yellow and white to represent the clarified butter and the red for hot and passionate.

Upload your layout into the gallery by midnight Sunday 16/11/08 to go in the draw to receive a random RAK.

This weeks prize has been supplied once again by Kirsty.

Kerryn's example layout is in the gallery now.

Why not give it I go. I know that I will be.

Better head off and get started on this and finish off Challenge 2. You can still be in it to win the vouchers at the end of the 4 week challenge.. even if you start the challenges now.

Cheers and happy scrapping, M x

Weekend Catchup - Crop Report

Good Morning all.

I trust you had as good a weekend as we did here in Adelaide, South Australia. It was a very busy weekend here and the weather looked to put a dampener on the day though the sun shone through in the end.

Unfortunately we had a few last minute cancellations, due to illness with the ever changing weather here in Adelaide at the moment it is to be expected. We had to put the heater on to keep us all warm for the day and yet today I have closed up the house to keep it cool due to a warm day heading our way !

This weekend just past was the last crop weekend here in Adelaide for 2008. We certainly did the day in style, with everyone getting into the festive spirit by dressing for the occasion.

The theme for our last crop was last minute Christmas ideas. I wanted to show everyone how quick and inexpensive it can be to create gifts for friends and family at the last minute with supplies from your stash. We were lucky enough to be able to play around with some of the Heidi Grace and Cloud 9 Clear stamps too, which made the job even easier.

Once again everyone enjoyed filling there tummies with some fine food and their heads with wonderful ideas of how to use the products/tools that Fiskars have on the market. I was also able to show everyone the new Christmas Shape template that is due out, along with the new Cloud 9 Christmas kit that I am sure everyone will be heading to the shops to buy.

So with everyone leaving here with their goodie bags full of amazing Fiskars products hey had made, their heads full of ideas and their sopping list for Christmas all filled in with Fiskars tools I think the day was a huge success once again.

Planning has been started for the next crop here in January 2009 here in Adelaide already. I teased everyone here with the project ideas I have planned for that crop along with the crops I am hoping to go ahead with next year. People were already asking to save places for the next crop and I haven't even finalised the details yet...lol..lol. I do promise to get the details for the next crop off in the next week so people can start making plans.

Many thanks also especially to the following people who have made the crops here in Adelaide, South Australia possible without their help and support now if would have been possible:
My family - for the help and relocation you have endured without any complaints
My parents - for kindly baking goodies and and looking after my children
Lyn Dwyer - the one I badger with emails.. your support has been endless
Trea - for all you hard work getting the supplies we need and all your amazing help
Fiskars HO - for all your support and kindness in getting these crops to happen here in Adelaide

So.. will leave you with a few pictures of the day that were taken by my darling husband, who I must thank heaps for setting up my trestles, keeping the milk filled, topping up the urnie for us, turning on the oven for the lunch run and helping me pack up at the end of the day. MWAH !! thanks heaps Darl. Note to self though.. must teach DH how to use camera in the new year !..lol..lol..

Enjoy and here's to 2009 Fiskars Crops in here in Adelaide. Let's hope they are even more successful as 2008 !

Cheers M x

Bear with Me !!

Just a quick post to let everyone know that I am in the middle of an blog overhaul and have decided to update a few things here.

So if things look a bit funny for a little bit.. I do know about it and am working on it at the moment.

Stay posted for a new exciting looking blog....lol... I hope !

Cheers M x

Just Couldn't Resist Tempting You !

Couldn't resist sharing with you all a sneak peek of the fun things we will be making at our Fiskars "Last Minute Xmas Ideas" Crop this Saturday here in South Australia.

Bookings for this have closed and confirmation emails have all been sent out to those who got in quick with their bookings. All the seats filled very quickly. The kits are all made up and food all ready to go. It is going to be another fun filled day with some exciting Fiskars goodies to be given away too.

Thanks again for all the wonderful support for these events to the Lead Ambassadors and Fiskars HO. Without their help the day wouldn't be quite as special.

So here is some of the things we will be creating on the day:

Pretty pastels showcasing a mini album for those you love


All peachy showcasing a mini album for those you love


A quick cute little box of note cards


Water colour decorated note cards made easy


Something to keep all those notes in a safe place


Quick and easy gift pouches


Quick Xmas tags so your all ready to go


Okay better go and finish setting up the room for the crop... Only 4 sleeps to go before we hit the grind stone all ready for Xmas here in Adelaide.

Don't forget details will go out soon for our next crop here in Adelaide in January.. so keep your eyes peeled for the details soon.

Happy Scrapping, M x

The next exciting "Taste of India" Challenge

It's up online at Direct 2 U Scrapbooking.. can't wait to play with this one it sounds like fun once again.

So here it is for you all:

Challenge Two : Chicken Tikka

The literal meaning of tikka is “bits & pieces”.

In honour of the Tikka, your “bits & pieces” are buttons & brads, patterned paper & cardstock, alphas & ribbon.

You are not to use anything extra but all of the bits and pieces must be present on your layout (you are of course allowed to add photo/s LOL). Note : You can use ink, stitching or paint but keep it a minimal part of your layout.

Upload your layout to the folder “A Taste of India” in the gallery by midnight Sunday 9/11/08 to go in the draw to receive a random RAK.

Off to play and see what I can come up with for this challenge... Why not give it a go yourself.

Cheers M x

October Punches Challenge - We have a winner !

Well, congratulations to those of you who entered the October challenge on the Fiskars ANZ Blog that I hosted this month.

We have had some amazing entries for this challenge and it was extremely hard to pick a winner.

I've enjoyed looking through all the entries ... and I am sure you have all provided us with some truly inspiring work, plus a few new ideas on how to get those punches to work for you.

I really wish I could give out a prize to everyone who entered but unfortunately there can only be one winner.

So with a little bit of help to pick the winner, as I just couldn't pick one myself, I got a bit of help from Random.org.

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:

3

Timestamp: 2008-11-02 22:45:27 UTC


So the Winner of the October Monthly Challenge is:

Jenifer_Cowles



Congratulations! This is a great way to use those heart punches. I love the colours and the composition works really well. Plus the subject... well what more can an Fiskars Ambassador that has only 58 days left of her pregnancy say... it's enough to make anyone get clucky.

So well done Jenifer ... please claim your prize by e-mailing us with your details(fiskarscraft@yahoo.com.au) with October Challenge in the subject line.

And of course the challenges go on ... this month challenge is being hosted by the amazing Annette from sunny Cairns.

Here's what she has in store for us this month:

So, your challenge for this month is to use either a kit or gather a few supplies together to form your own kit and show us what you can do to make as many cards for different occasions and different genders that you can. Now if cards aren't your thing, then you can do it with layouts as well.

You have the whole month, and we would love to see what you come up with. So email your entries to fiskarscraft@yahoo.com.au so the girls can upload them into the online gallery, and be in the running to win a Fiskars prize!!

Look forward to seeing what you come up with!!

Annette :0

So... why not gather up some bit and pieces and give this a go. You have to be in it to win it as they say. Plus you could also get a head start on those cards you need for upcoming family and friends birthdays too.

Cheers and Happy scrapping, Michelle :)

A Taste of India Challenge

Well the first of the Tastes of India Challenge at D2U Scrapbooking is ending this evening at 12pm Midnight. It was such an inspiring challenge that I managed to get two layouts done for this challenge. As this was a layout to be done with pastels I didn't want to stick with the traditional "baby" theme. I wanted to show that you can use pastels for any layout now matter what the theme or subject.

So here's what I managed to come up with for this.

Layout 1 - Smile


Layout 2 - Socks are Fun


I can't wait to see what the next challenge is for Taste of India.. what exciting "curry" can it be this time...mmmmmm.... better check out the D2U site tomorrow to find out.

Cheers M x

November D2U Scrapbooking DT Work

So here's what I have to share this month using the amazing stuff sent in my DT kit from Direct 2 U scrapbooking.

Layout 1 - Blanket = layout made using the DT kit for this month and my own stash. Had fun cutting the flowers out of this patterned paper for this one.

Products used: DT kit - PP - K&Co = Wild Saffron - Wildflowers
From my stash: Versamark Ink, Chipboard Scrap, Clear Scroll Stamp, Stazon Ink - Metallic Blue , Bazzill Cardstock, Cardstock Scrap, Dimensional Magic, Cloud 9 Rain dots Journalling Pen.

Layout 2 - Little Engines = layout made using the DT kit for this month and my own stash. The pizza box worked really well for the tyre prints and even played with some tiny glass beads too.. very messy to work with but fun.

Products used: DT kit - PP - Basic Grey = Lollipop shoppe Key Lime Pie, Pizza Box, HS Rub On Alphas.
From my stash: PP - Basic Grey - Oh Baby! Boy, Versamark Ink, MM Alpha Stickers, Kaiser Clear Journal Stamp, Stazon Ink - Black , Cardstock, Permanent Marker, Clear and Silver Glass Beads, Acetate,Journalling Pen.

Layout 3 - All Aboard = layout made using the DT kit for this month and my own stash. Finally used up some of the ticket stubs that have been crying ou to be used. The colours in the photo were perfect for the paper too.

Products used: DT kit - HS rubon alphas, PP - Basic Grey = Recess, Wooly Cat Swing Tag.
From my stash: PP - Basic Grey - Colour Me Silly - Learn, Versamark Ink, HS Chipboard Alphas, Rubber Train Stamps, Stazon Ink - Timber , Bazzill Cardstock ,Permanent Marker, Ticket Stubs, Journalling Pen.

Layout 4 - Daddy's Girl = layout made using the DT kit for this month and my own stash. Had fun doing this one. Love the photo of my two sweeties.

Products used: DT kit - Core'dinations cardstock - Forest, Striped Organza Ribbon, Lemon Organza Ribbon, Wooly Cat Swing Tag, Heidi Grace Heart Fastner, Orange/Red Flower Petals, Green Button, Floss.
From my stash: PP - Basic Grey - Aged and Confused - Pistachio, Versamark Ink, Book Page, MM Noteworthy Note Page, Thickers Chipboard Alphas, Kaiser Clear Seal Stamp, Stazon Ink - Black , Journalling Pen.

Layout 5 - Budding Beauty = layout made using the DT kit for this month and my own stash. Felt..MMMM Loved playing with this layout. So loved doing it with minimal PP.

Products used: DT kit - Cardstock - Kraft, Felt, Heidi Grace Pre bradded Flowers, Orange Flower Organza Ribbon, Floss.
From my stash: PP - Kaleidoscope - Dots/Orange, Ric Rac, Heidi Swapp Chipboard Alpha, Stazon Ink - White , AC Rubon Alphas, Permanent Paint Marker, Kindy Glitz, Felt, Journalling Pen.

Layout 6 - Fun Is = layout made using the DT kit for this month and my own stash. Gotta love the Core'dinations CS. Played around with some circle punches and ripped paper for the embellishments to keep it minimal for this one.

Products used: DT kit - Core'dinations cardstock - French Roast, Lace, PP - K&Co = Wild Saffron - Petite Strip
From my stash: PP - Basic Grey - Oh Baby! Buttercup, Versamark Ink, Tsukineko Walnut and Terracotta Ink, Heidi Grace Alpha Stickers, Heidi Grace Clear Stamp, Stazon Ink - White, Permanent Marker, Kindy Glitz, Journalling Pen, MM Noteworthy Journal Page, Cloud 9 Raindots.

TFL... Till later... M x

Projects Share from me from Fiskars ANZ "Girls Nite In"

Thought I would share with you some projects that I did for the Fiskars ANZ Girls Nite In.

Thank You Card



Tools:
· Fiskars® Rotary Trimmer
· Fiskars® Craft Mat
· Fiskars® Tool Taxi
- Tweezers
- Paper piercer

Materials:
· Cloud 9 Design Rain dots
· Heidi Grace “Cherrywood Lane”
- Décor Stripe
- Flocked Flowers and Brads
· Pre-scored C6 White Card Base
· Heidi Grace Clear Stamps
-Tags and Words
· Ink
· Adhesive of your choice

Instructions:
1. Fold pre-scored card base and ink around all edges.
2. Cut out the following from the patterned paper
- 1 @ 5 ½” x 3 ¾” (using patterned décor stripe side)
- 1 @ 5 ½” x 1 ¼” (using plain side)
3. Ink edges of pieces you have just cut.
4. Adhere the smaller piece to the top of the larger piece of décor stripe as shown in photo.
5. Attach flocked flower to the join lines of the two patterned papers with brad on the left hand side.
6. Using your Heidi Grace stamp, stamp a greeting to the top right hand side of the card as shown.
7. Adhere to the front of the card base.
8. Finish off with adding Rain dots to the strip at the bottom of the card with the circles

Flower Card



Tools:
· Fiskars® Rotary Trimmer
· Fiskars® Craft Mat
· Fiskars® Round and Round Squeeze Punch XL
· Fiskars® Round and Round Squeeze Punch L
· Fiskars® Micro tip Scissors

Materials:
· Heidi Grace “Cherrywood Lane”
- Embossed Words
- Décor Stripe
- Embossed Floral
· Pre-scored C6 White Card Base
· Fiskars® Clear Stamps
-Baby (Cute as button)
· Ink
· Adhesive of your choice

Instructions:
1. Fold pre-scored card base and ink around all edges.
2. Cut out the following from the patterned paper:
- 1 @ 5 ½” x 3 ¾” Embossed Words
- 1 @ ¼” x 12” Embossed Floral
3. Using your Round and Round Punches, Punch out the following:
- 1 @ 2” Circle Décor Stripe
- 1 @ 1 ½” Circle Décor Stripe (using plain side)
4. Ink edges of the embossed papers. Adhere Words Embossed Paper to front of card base.
5. Cut small triangular wedges from the larger 2” Circle as shown in photo to create “petals”. Ink edges.
6. Ink edges of the small 1 ½” Circle and adhere on top of larger circle as shown.
7. Using your clear stamp, add the button part to the top left hand of circles as shown.
8. Ink the edges of the long strip of embossed paper. Tie a loose knot down one end leaving a small 1” tail to create a “leaf”. Trim other end to create a “leaf” on the other side.
9. Cut remaining piece of paper strip to create the “stem” of the flower off at 4” and adhere to left hand side of card.
10. Assemble “flower” as shown in photo and your all finished.

Pink "Wish" Layout



Tools:
· Fiskars® Rotary Trimmer
· Fiskars® Craft Mat
· Fiskars® Threading Water Border Punch
· Fiskars® Tool Taxi
- Paper Piercer
· Fiskars® Micro tip Scissors
· Fiskars® Stamp Press
· Fiskars® Shape Template – Circles
· Fine Paint Brush
· Flower Template to trace

Materials:
· 1 4”x6” landscape photo
· Cloud 9 – Wild Honey
-Pink Sky at Night Paper
· White cardstock
· Clear Stamps
- Stitching and Journal Spot
· Ink
· Water Colour Pencils
· Ric Rac Grosgrain Ribbon
· Embroidery Floss
· Gemstones
· Small Flowers and Brads
· Raw Chipboard Alphas
· Adhesive of your choice

Instructions:
1. Ink edges of cardstock.
2. Cut out the following from the patterned paper:
- 1 @ 5” x 2”
- 1 @ 7” x 2”
3. Using your Threading Water Punch cut one side of the two pieces of patterned paper that you have just cut.
4. Using your pink watercolour pencil, blend colour from the scalloped edge to the centre. Repeat on the straight side. With your paintbrush and water, blend so it ends up lighter in the centre. Leave to dry completely.
5. With your pink watercolour pencil and flower template, trace 3 flowers in the positions as shown in photo. Colour the flower in using watercolour pencil. Blend using paintbrush and water as you had with the paper strips. Allow to dry completely.
6. Using your paper piecer make evenly spaced holes for stitching to outline the flowers. Using your floss and embroidery thread, stitch to the outline of the flower to highlight. (I have used iridescent floss).
7. Adhere your photo to the cardstock base 3” down from the top and 2 ¾” in from the right hand side of the layout.
8. Layer the two scalloped paper strips onto the layout as shown on the photo.
9. Add ribbon and ric rac to the layout as shown. Adhere chipboard title to layout as shown. Colour chipboard with watercolour pencils. Blend to highlight.
10. Using your stamp press and clear stamps, add in the journaling and stitching stamp as shown.
11. Finally, use your Circle template to set gemstones and flowers in a 4” circle around the chipboard title.

Birthdays Overload !

Hard to believe that it is October already and that it is almost over too. This month has been such a busy month for us. Full of birthday planning and finally the big days arrived for two of our kids. After all the reminders about how many sleeps it was till their birthdays, shopping for party food and invitations being sent, I think that we were over it all...lol... But not the kids.

So we started the birthday fun here on the 24th of October with our little boy, Nate.. who is now not so little and growing up before our eyes so quickly it is depressing. After counting down the sleeps he finally woke extra early to remind us all to say "Happy Birthday" to him..After a quickly eaten breakfast parcels were opened. Followed by Troy having to assemble some of the Lego he got for his birthday (his current addiction..lol. Then I dragged him to the specialist with me with the promise of having a special lunch after for his birthday. So for fun he chose Subway and I tell you I was glad to finally get there after a week of talking about the meatball, cheese and salad 6" sub he wanted. The rest of the day he spent playing Lego at home.
Friday night we had Jhane's friend sleep over for her party. A BBQ tea was on the menu as both the kids had chosen the same for their special birthday meal...a tradition in our house is that you get to chose what you want to have for tea.. mind you we had to convince Nate to make a different choice at first as his first choice for his birthday dinner was toast... gotta love the simple things..lol.
So... we finally bundled all the kids off to bed about 8.30pm.. though the girls finally went to sleep about 11pm after we nagged them to be quiet. We were less than impressed with the girls when we were awoken by them chatting and whatnot at 4.30am.. lets just say we had a few words to say to them about it... GIRLS !!!! so after finally dragging them out of bed the morning was busy spent at the specialist and blood collection place for me, while Troy dropped Jhane and Rachel off to the movie's for her birthday. Lunch was the order of the day next and then the girls did some shopping together while we wandered around. The girls were well and truly stuffed so we dropped Rachel home in the early afternoon. The rest of the day was spent buying fruit trees, a chocolate factory surprise visit (Troy surprise to the kids for their birthday), and baking cupcakes for Nate's party the next day.
Sunday started off busy with MORE Lego building, cupcake icing, making fairy bread and getting ready for the party. Must say that it was nice to be able to have a party a home knowing that the kids could play in a yard now that it is finished. So.. Nate had his first party at home with his friends. What a fun day we had.. Apple bobbing, pin the tail, pass the parcel, cricket and heaps of fun in the cubby house. The bad part of the day was poor Nate ended up getting a fat lip and two nice cuts from a fall just 5 minutes before we did his cake. All the photos show his lovely fat lip. Poor Mite! We ere all stuffed after this and spent the rest of the day once everyone had gone resting.
Monday started with our eldest Jhane turning 11. Still hard to believe that she is 11. She has grown up so fast too. Soon we will have to think about high school, boys and what not. She has started recently with the whole make up and change your clothes 6 times a day thing. We gave her a camera for her birthday. She was so excited as she was not expecting it at all. Troy had charged to battery up for her till 1am the night before so she was able to play before she ran out the door. Once she came home from school she opened the rest of her parcels and we prepared everything for the BBQ for tea. We did some yummy chocolate mud muffins with chocolate sauce and ice cream for her dessert. She had a good chuckle at me when I put a candle into hers so we could sing. Just one of the silly things Mum does.. she was probably thinking..lol..She then spent the rest of the night reading her camera manual, eager to learn how to play with her new toy.
So as you can see it has been a mad birthday season here in our household. Nice that it is all over.. not too sure if it is nice that my kids are growing up so quick. All we hope for our children is that they are happy and know they are loved dearly by us. So once again Jhane and Nate.. Happy Birthday to you both from Dad and I, We love you.

Cheers M x

Spicy Challenges Galore at D2U Scrapbooking !

Marisa the owner and operator of D2U Scrapbooking is off on a fabulous holiday to India. So while the boss is away, Kerryn has cooked up a fun 4 week challenge for us all.
Here's what she has cooked up for us all....

When I think of India, I think of curries. Korma, Vindaloo, Chicken Tikka & Rogan Josh are a few that come to mind.

Your challenges are going to be inspired by some of these curries.

Each Monday, a challenge will be set and you will have until the following Sunday at midnight to upload it to the gallery.

Each week, all entrants who complete the challenge will go into a random draw to receive a RAK.
At the end of the 4 weeks, if you have completed all 4 challenges you will go into a draw to receive one of two store vouchers to the value of $15 & $10 that Marisa has kindly donated.

These challenges are sure to be spicy and lots of fun, I look forward to seeing your creations. Kerryn

The First Challenge we have been set this week is:

Challenge 1 - Korma
Korma is a mild, pale, creamy curry dish.
In honour of the Korma curry, I want you to create a layout using pastel colours. There are no other limitations. Upload you layout to the folder “A Taste of India” in the gallery by midnight Sunday 2/11/08 to go in the draw to receive a random RAK.

Check out the D2U Forum for further details. Looking forward to seeing these tasty morsels!Why not head on over and give them a go!

Cheers M x

Photo Swap

At D2U Scrapbooking we did a photo swap this month. Kerryn created a layout for me, Kirsty created a layout for Kerryn and I did a layout using two photos from Kirsty.

This was soooo much fun to do. I love the colours in the photos and her daughter Natalie was such a cutie who wouldn't want to scrap photos of her. So here is the layout I created for them.



I am so glad that it arrived at the other end safely in Kirsty's hands and that she loved it.

The layout that Kerryn did for me using some recent photos of Little Miss Kiah arrived last week and I LOVE IT!!!! It looks even better in real life. And.. the other exciting news about the layout itself for Kerryn is that it got accepted into the Basic Grey Gallery... WTG Girl ! But the best bit is that I get to keep it. Thanks again Kerryn it is amazing. So here it is..



I can't wait till we do this sort of swap again. It was quite refreshing to scrap a layout for someone else, and even better when they enjoy what you have done. If you haven't done this sort of thing before I highly recommend it.

Better go and get some house work done.... YUCK !!!

Cheers M x