It's been a very long time...

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...between posts.

Hello, hello, is anybody out there?  A friend reminded me today just how long it's been since I've been here and posted, so here I am with a card I put together some months ago now!

I've had a whirlwind couple of months, life has been extremely hectic, and good at the same time.  I haven't had time for crafting or reading books, or doing a lot of the things I used to.  I'm going to try and remedy that in the coming weeks and months and MAKE some time.

The sad news is that I had to make the decision to step down from the two design teams I was on.  I felt I was over committed personally, and I really didn't want to let any of the lovely girls on each of the teams down.  I had an awesome time with the Just Add Ink girls over the past few years, and they really are like family to me.  I'm fortunate enough to have met most of them in person and I know they're all just a text or email away should I ever need them.  I'll see you all soon I'm sure.

Kylie over at Addicted to CAS has become a friend, and lucky for me she has her own family in Canberra so gets down (from sunny Qld) to visit from time to time so I know I'll be seeing more of her.  I'll miss each of the lovely ladies from around the world that became friends too - although I'll get back to blog hopping soon enough and visit you that way ;)

Other news is that I spent a four day weekend up in Brisbane last week.  Beautiful BFF Trishie married her prince.  It was a lovely garden wedding, small and very intimate with just family and close friends.  Gorgeous Kid had a wonderful time dancing with all the ladies - I was so impressed with his confidence.  He was well and truly in his element and the life of the dance floor until I took him home to bed!  Sadly believe it or not I did not take any photos.  There were a ton of cameras snapping away though so I'm sure there will be piccies galore when Trishie returns from her honeymoon.  Must also share...there wasn't a dry eye that afternoon.

That's it for this evening.  I really do hope to be back again soon with something to share.

JAI#158 - Just Add a Sketch

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TGIF ~

Woohoo another weekend is here!  I've had a busy few days ... Gorgeous Kid is off at his first high school camp.  I celebrated a birthday, and was well and truly spoilt by many.  Promise to photograph some of the beautiful cards I've received and come back to show you soon.

This week over at Just Add Ink we've got a lovely sketch challenge for you.  Mine is fairly self explanatory but if you have any questions please feel free to shoot me an email.

Be sure to pop over to JAI and check out the lovely design team inspiration.  I hope you find some time to join the sketch fun this week.

I know I haven't been around much lately, and have lots of catching up to do, blog surfing and comment love to leave.  I hope to have more time to get back to normal programming soon.  Thanks for stopping by today, have a fabulous weekend whatever you have planned.

JAI#156 - Just Add a Colour Challenge

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Hi lovely blog friends ~

Yay it's Friday and it's a long weekend here in Canberra as we're celebrating our 100th birthday!  Gorgeous Kid and I are off to Culburra Beach with our dear friends for some sunshine and relaxation.  The weather is forecast to be perfect.

Over at Just Add Ink this week our super lovely Christine set us a colour challenge.  Yummy colours - Early Espresso, Raspberry Ripple and Bashful Blue.

I made this little gift box for a special person in my life - can't reveal the contents just yet though :o) as I haven't passed it on.

I decorated one of the gorgeous Kraft Gift Boxes on pg 161 of the current SU catalogue using the In Colour Designer Series Paper Stack - Raspberry Ripple.  It's tied closed with some retired Early Espresso ribbons and a little tag from the Hearts a Flutter set out of the current Seasonal.  Love that set and the matching Framelits.  Makes crafting and cutting a breeze.

Do pop over to JAI and check out the design team inspiration.  Hope you'll join our challenge this week.  I look forward to seeing all your gorgeous creations.

Thanks for stopping by today and have a wonderful weekend!

JAI#154 - Just Add Pop-Up Cards

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TGIF ~

I had a rather rotten start to my week.  I managed to pick up a vicious tummy bug and spent two days sprawled on my bathroom floor.  Just as I started to recover Gorgeous Kid got a dose.  Needless to say food is still a dirty word in our house.

Delys chose our challenge over at Just Add Ink this week and it's pop-up cards! Because I was not at all prepared to lose a few days I had to make my card while I was still recovering.  As such it's fairly CAS (which is what I tend to do more these days anyway).

I made a spiral for the inside and attached some butterflies.

 

Sorry it's not more exciting.  You can see I was feeling pretty crud and it was so hard to get inspired and come up with something totally cool and awesome.  I'll do better next challenge for sure.

 

The Royal Canberra Show is on this weekend so I'm thinking I might take GK and show him a fun time after our yukky sick days.  Plus we've got a very special first birthday party to go to for twins - double the fun!!!  It's going to be a good weekend.  Hope yours is too.

Thanks for stopping in, lovely that you did.

Addicted to CAS Challenge #6 - CANDY

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Happy Saturday evening lovely friends ~

I've scheduled this post because right now I'm at the National Multicultural Festival eating, drinking, laughing and dancing my way around the world.

It's time for a new challenge over at Addicted to CAS.  Shana is our host this fortnight and her chosen code word is CANDY.  In Australia we call candy lollies so I went for the obvious and created a little lollipop for my card today.

I've used a base of Concord Crush with some of the Lime Twist papers (love love love these and I'm down to scraps now).  For my little lollipop I heat embossed one of the images from the Trendy Trees stamp set and punched with my 1" circle, layering on a larger circle to help it stand out.  I cut the end of a lolly stick I had in the pantry and wrapped in cello, tying off with a little twine.  The sentiment flag was made with my Rough Type alpha set (retired) and wrapped around my 'candy' stick.

We have a terrific sponsor this week.  Beverley from Uniko Studio in the North East of the UK.  Uniko Studio specialises in surface pattern design and clear stamps.  Beverley has been kind enough to offer a fabulous prize - digis from her store!  You can find her awesome selection HERE. 

Hope you're going to play along with us this fortnight!  Be sure to read our rules so you're in the running for the prize.  Let your imagination run wild and remember ... keep it Clean and Simple (CAS).

Fab Friday Birthday

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Happy Friday, yay for the weekend ~

I made this card on Wednesday but I'm pretty slack when it comes to taking photos - half the stuff I put together in my craft room doesn't make it to blogland.  Since this is for the Fab Friday 11 sketch I thought I'd better get a wriggle on and upload it.  There is a lot of lovely inspiration on their blog so be sure to head over and check it out.  It's fast becoming one of my faves.

 

I imagine many of you are groaning at my use of the Sweet Life stamps agaaaain.  I can't get enough, just love 'em.  The colour combo I've used this time is Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose and Real Red.  I'm trying to increase my stash of birthday cards so they're the sentiments you'll be seeing plenty of in coming weeks.

Other news - Gorgeous Kid has completed his first week at high school and absolutely LOVES it.  So grateful.  Phew.  I hope he continues to love it.  Funny thing...last year he was happy to have one sandwich (or similar) and a fun bun from our local bakery included in his lunch.  This year, however, he's a big boy and has asked me to drop the fun bun and include two sandwiches.  He makes me smile.

Vintage Vogue - Still AddINKtive Style

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Hi bloggy friends ~

Thought I'd surprise you all with a mid week drop in.  I've had a little time to potter with a couple of challenges which is unusual for me - both in time and that I don't often play along with challenges despite good intentions. I do love to look at many of the challenge sites in blogland and I'm going to try and play along more often I've decided.  Let's hope that lasts!

Two lovely friends of mine started a fabulous new challenge site last month and I've been wanting to join the fun since they launched.  It's sketch and colour time at Still AddINKtive - rather delicious colours ladies, thanks.

I had so much fun playing with Vintage Vogue - love that set.  I'm thinking this card could probably do with a few leaves now that the photo has been taken.  I did mean to do that earlier and completely forgot between finishing the card, making some lunch, getting sucked into a bit of daytime tv and coming back to photograph lol.

Thanks for visiting today!

Addicted to CAS Challenge #5 - HEART

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Happy Australia Day to all you Aussies!

I hope you've had an extra special day doing extra special things that mean something to you and your loved ones this Australia Day.  I thoroughly enjoyed the concert last night - I always enjoy Jimmy!

It's challenge time over at Addicted to CAS.  Lovely Loll is our host this fortnight and her chosen code word is HEART.  Such perfect timing with Valentine's Day coming up.  And for those of you who don't celebrate maybe you could send a friend a reminder of how much they mean to you?  I always make a card for Gorgeous Kid and hide it in his lunch box - hmmm given he's starting high school this year maybe I'd best not do that.  I'd hate to embarrass him in front of all the 'big' kids.  Lol.

A layered mat of Crumb Cake stamped with the retired Linen b/g stamp, on CC card base.  A Very Vanilla Nestie circle.  A luscious sparkly red heart and a little Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding and CC Button/Twine and voila a CAS Valentine (or whatever) Card.  I love CAS!

Our wonderful sponsor for this week is Annabelle Stamps.  Andrea will be awarding our CAS Perfectionist a $10 gift voucher. If you'd like to play along with us this fortnight please be sure to read our rules so you're in the running for the prize.  Let your imagination run wild and remember ... keep it Clean and Simple (CAS).

JAI#150 - Just Add a Sketch

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Happy Friday friends ~

It's a long weekend here in Australia, with it being Australia Day tomorrow.  Although the holiday is actually being recognised on Monday this year.  I'm looking forward to the concert being held on the lawns of Parliament House tonight.  Jimmy Barnes is playing, woohoo!  Lots of fun to be had.

Over at Just Add Ink this week we have a sketch for you to play along with courtesy of Mae.  This is what I came up with (I look a few liberties).

I've been wanting to use this framelit since I got it and I free handed the paper piercing - not a bad job if I do say so myself lol.  The base is Sahara Sand - sorry about the dodgy pic, it was taken at night because I didn't organise myself very well.  Despite being back at work for a couple of weeks I still feel like I'm in holiday mode.

Make sure you pop over to JAI and check out what the other girls have come up with - there are some lovely cards for your inspiration.  We hope you can join our second challenge of the year.

Gorgeous Kid has been off in New Zealand for a couple of weeks.  He's having an awesome time!  For me the house is sooooo quiet and I can't wait till he gets back next week.  There will be lots of cuddles and I imagine he will scrunch his face after a bit and tell me to stop being such a smooch.  I've taken next week off work so we can hang out together lots before he heads off to high school for the very first time.  Sniff sniff.

Thanks for popping by today!