As promised, here is what kept John and the kids out of mischief on Sunday while I was at the craft market.

John painted the front, Hannah did one side and Jack had a go at painting the other side so it was a real team effort.  They all had a ball and I am most impressed with the end result.  The last cardboard box creation lasted for a couple of years so we'll see how this one goes.  (Here is the car that just fell to bits recently.)

Any frustrated scrapbookers out there?  I LOVE scrapbooking, but have been having such fun making cards for the last 6 months that I haven't done very much in the way of layouts and I've really been missing it.  Somehow lately things have been busy or my desk has looked a bit of a shambles and I just haven't managed to sit down and put a layout together.  Well, if that sounds like you then perhaps you'll be interested in what I came across recently to help us time challenged scrapbookers. 

I found the Aussie Scrapbooking website recently and have been enjoying reading the posts.  As well as competitions and challenges and lots of other bits and pieces, I found Build A Layout challenges.  Click on one of the older ones to get an idea of what is involved.  Basically Jill begins a new 'Build A Layout' challenge each Monday.  She posts a small task to do each day over a week.  Follow the instructions and by the end of the week you will have completed a snazzy layout, which you can then post in the gallery if you'd like to.  It is fun to see what everyone else comes up with.  I'm always amazed at what different looks people can achieve while all following the same basic steps.  Anyway I'm inspired and plan to start the challenge next Monday.  Care to join me??

Cheers,  Sue

..Not made by me this time but instead some that I received for my birthday a few weeks back.  So nice to get some handmade cards - some from new friends in the Stampin' Up team I belong to and some from family members who have caught the stamping bug.  Thanks guys!   (I love the quilling flowers Kristin has done on the card at the front left there, must give that a go.)

Do you have someone in mind who would love to get a handcrafted card in the mail this week? Wrestle some craft time out of the calendar and get those inks and papers out! 

Cheers,  Sue

Hello everyone, and a special warm welcome to the lovely ladies who popped by my table at Milleara Craft Market on the weekend.  Congratulations to Narelle from Hillside who won the basket of Stampin' Up! goodies in the prize draw. 

I love market day as I get to meet lots of new crafty people and chat about cards, scrapbooking and Stampin' Up!   Plus I usually manage to fit in making a few cards in the quieter moments.  I've been busy with my camera so here are a few snaps!  Including some sneak peeks of what you will find in my email newsletter later this week if you are a subscriber.  (If you're not and you're interested, just pop your email address in the sign up box there at the left and hit 'go.') 

Here is a sneak peek at one of the cards that will be in my August newsletter.  Did you know that you can use rub ons on ribbon?  The Stampin' Up! white rub ons look great on this new Purely Pomegranate wide satin ribbon.  More about rub ons in the newsletter.  The flowers here are stamped with One Of A Kind flowers and punched out with the matching punch.  (Nope - I didn't have to cut them out individually with the scissors - phew! I'd still be there.) 

Spring Mini Catalogue

Can't find these in the Idea Book and Catalogue?  Nope - that is because they are some of the exciting new things to browse through in the Spring Mini Catalogue.  If you don't have one and you'd like a peek, send me an email and I'll pop one in the post for you.

I love my new flowery stamp set, can't wait to use the satin ribbon and couldn't resist the gorgeous silver Hodgepodge.  3 new patterned papers too for anyone who loves their papers.  Does anyone else out there hoard their best embellishments?  I find that when I have things I think are extra special I have to remind myself to actually get them out and use them on cards and layouts, not just admire them sitting in my craft stash!  (Or am I just a little weird there??)

Classes

Now for anyone reading who lives in the west of Melbourne and is interested in attending classes, details and dates for my classes are here.  I hold them at my place in Avondale Heights and class size is limited to 6.  Word is spreading and they are starting to book out so if you are keen, best to book early.  Just give me a ring or email to book a spot and I'll give you directions.  There is one spot left in my Technique Class on Thursday August 14th, 7.30pm.  $15, all materials supplied and this month we'll be doing Spotlighting and Masking.  We'll make a sample for our Technique Book - here's mine!

... and we'll make some cards that use the techniques we've learnt as well.  Lots of fun and a great way to meet some other craft enthusiasts.  Beginners welcome!  You can purchase the blank Art Journal from me for $13.50 or bring your own book to paste your samples into.

Now I'll be back in a few days to show you what my very creative hubby and children got up to while I was at the market on Sunday!  (I'd have taken a photo today but the item in question is in the room next to where Jack is napping and if I wake him up my newsletter will be a little shorter!)  I'll give you a hint - it involves a big box that had been lying around in the garage, some paint and Jack goes 'toot toot' whenever he walks past it. 

Cheers,  Sue

Back again with a quick card (well 12 actually.)  I made these for a team swap using the stamp set 'One of A Kind' from the new Spring Mini Catalogue.

To make this one I've stamped the flowers in Versamark then dabbed on some Stampin' Pastel colour with a cotton ball.  Then just mat the white piece with matching coloured cardstock and pop onto a matching base card.  A piece of thin grosgrain ribbon tied round and a greeting from the set, both in Choc Chip and we're almost done.  Just a row of pierced holes top and bottom using a paper piercer and the mat pack hole template.  Here it is in a few more colour schemes.  Hmm, which is your favourite colour combination.  (Colours are mostly from Earth Elements, with some Rich Regals on a couple.)

Family Snippets

Now the other bit of creating I've been doing this week has been Project Letterland Dress Up Day.  That's right - it is school dress up time.  Now I had the entire holidays to come up with something, but guess when I got started.  Yep, those who know me well might have guessed - yesterday!   Hit Riot Art and Craft after school and picked up a bag of purple bits and pieces that I was hoping would miraculously come together to make a 'Vicky Violet' costume.  Sat up til 12.30 sewing flowers on (and watching the cycling) and had to get a bit of engineering help from John but this is what we ended up with.  Not a bad effort for a night before job I think if I do say so myself!

 

Now I'd best go and attempt to restore some order to this house!  Looks like tornado of purple felt, toys, dishes and other assorted bits has been through.  Have a great weekend!

Cheers,  Sue

Thank you to Lin Mei Yap for awarding me a Brilliante Weblog award.  Cheers Lin Mei - much appreciated! 

Here are the details and rules for this one.  The Brilliante Weblog is awarded to blogs on the basis of an excellent theme and/or design.

1. Upon receiving the award, post a link to the blog awarding it to you.

2. Name and post the links of 7 or more blogs that you believe are noteworthy for their theme and/or design. Notify the blog authors of their award.

3. Optional. You can choose to post the award on your blog.

So have been doing a spot of blog hopping in order to pass the award on.  Now my daily blog stops that accompany my morning cuppa when the lad is having a few zzzzzs have all been awarded tons of times so I thought I'd nominate some fellow newer members of blog world that I visit regularly, plus some other favouites.

Katie's Craftworks - As well as her lovely cards, check out Cathie's gorgeous handmade teddies and personally designed cross stitch creations too. 

Lisa Robb - I love seeing what new cards Lisa has created (and if you scroll down a month or so, I just LOOOOOVE her gorgeous workspace too!) 

Sue's Stampin' Designs - Sue has been very busy lately with some great goodies from the new Spring Mini catalogue.  Check out her cards and layouts.

Ros Oakes - More great cards and check out the cute lolly bag tags from a few posts back.

Tracy Bayley - I love popping by to see what Tracy has been up to - someone else that is juggling little tackers and ink pads! 

Tanja Westwood - Now you just have to scroll down and see the gorgeous card with the bird silhouetted in the moon.  Click on it for a larger view. 

And last but not least the much awarded Claire Daly - who I can thank for getting me started with this great hobby and thoroughly enjoyable Stampin' Up! journey.  So many terrific cards and layouts to check out on Claire's site you might need to go grab a cuppa yourself!

Cheers all,

Sue

I've been scrolling back and reading over the last few weeks of entries (ok otherwise known as procrastinating!) It seems that I have got a bit of a list of projects that I have promised to post photos of so had best get cracking on getting them done and photographed!

Here is the chocolate bar holder that I've shown you before, this time dressed up in its festive best, courtesy of Dashing Designer Series Paper.

I've used Naturals Ivory cardstock for the holder and decorated with the Dashing patterned paper and matching cardstock scraps.  I popped a jumbo pewter eyelet on too, and finished it with a Very Vanilla wide grosgrain ribbon bow.

Pull on the bow and voila ...

We made these at my Christmas In July class along with some Christmas cards.  This class booked out so I'm repeating it in August if you missed it the first time round.  Sat Aug 16th, 1.30-4.30pm.  $20 covers all materials and afternoon tea nibblies. At my place in Avondale Heights. Phone 0417 377 057 or email me to book and for directions if you are interested in attending.

Just a reminder for any locals reading that I'll have my table set up at Milleara Craft Market this Sunday between 9 and 3.  Milleara Shopping Centre, cnr Buckley St and Milleara Rd, Avondale Heights.  Pop by if you have any Stampin' Up questions I can help with.  While you are there pick up a copy of the new Spring Mini Catalogue if you don't have one yet.

Family Pics

Quick pics for the relatives who read along on my blog, and anyone else interested in bits of family news.  It is the last day of extended school holidays for us so we visited Melissa, James and our newest cousin.

Hannah enjoyed a little nurse ....  (isn't he a cutie.)

... before heading off to join the boys for some playdoh fun.

James has been the youngest when the cousins play for ages it seems, but now that Jack is old enough to join in it was cute to see Jack asking James for some help, 'Open please' and handing him the playdoh containers.  James got to practise his big brother skills and did a mighty fine job!

I should add that Jack is not always that well mannered!  His latest favourite phrase is 'No I did.' As in:  'Time to get in the stroller now Jack,' 'Time to put your shoes on Jack,' etc

'NO I DID!!!'

Cheers,  Bleary Eyed Tour Watching Sue                                  Go Cadel!

Hello again.  Back from a lovely visit to mum and dad's with the kids.  They had a ball (and so did their Poppy and Maddy I think!)  Scroll down for some pics.

I spent a very enjoyable afternoon yesterday with a group of crafty ladies for some Christmas In July cardmaking.  (Hello ladies!)  I have yet to take a pic of the Christmas version of our chocolate bar holder - it looks great in the Dashing patterned paper.  Back in a day or so with that, but in the meantime here is a simple card design for anyone in the mood for a bit of colouring with markers!

These cards use the Crazy for Christmas set on page 28.  Quite a handy set as you can use the row of presents for other occasions as well. I simply chose 3-4 markers to colour in my ornaments, trees or presents, then selected the matching cardstock for a coordinated look.  (I've used colours from the Earth Elements colour family for these 2 cards.)  I coloured the greeting using my Not Quite Navy marker too.  After I took the photo I added a row of holes at the top and bottom of one of the cards for an extra touch. (Use a mat pack for an easy way to get them nice and straight, and a pearl ended pin or paper piercer.)

Well - keeping it quick today as a bit more weekend family fun is in order, but will be back soon with some more cards!   Assuming I manage to keep my eyes open this week - the Tour De France hits the Alps so no doubt we'll be up til the wee hours.  I know I know - completely self inflicted!  Glad it is only once a year!

But before I head off - as promised ...

Some Holiday Snaps

Dad has been doing some painting and Hannah was very keen to help him out with painting a bedroom. Hmmm - I think not.  They came up with an alternative - painting rocks!  (And you might notice there is a bit of painting Poppy happening there too!)

Hannah had fun as well playing with my late grandma's button jar.  It was a nice link between four generations of women as mum used to play with them, I have fond memories of spending ages sorting and resorting them as a child when I visited Grandma and now a new generation is enjoying them.  I do miss my grandma.  I think she would have liked to know her button jar is still entertaining children.

 

Happy birthday to mum too.  Aren't these the most gorgeous birthday flowers!

We always enjoying spending a few days with mum and dad.  Moments like this one I snapped are ones  to treasure!

Cheers,  Sue

Just popped in quickly to say hi.  The kids and I are off to see Maddy and Poppy for a few days so no posts from me until later in the week.  Will be back then with some cards I've been making with my new Spring mini goodies.

I've had a lovely birthday today.  John and I had a delicious dinner out last night.  (And the kids enjoyed an evening with Aunty Lisa!)  I got spoilt today with breakfast in bed and some lovely presents, then an afternoon tea with family - always fun. 

Thought I'd quickly share an extra special present my mum made for me.  It is a scrapbook album about my late grandmother and her brothers and sisters.  Mum asked my great aunt some questions and Aunty Wilma wrote out her stories in a letter. Mum then incorporated them into the scrapbook with photos, letters and more.  Wow! 

How nice to have this album to help pass on family stories to Hannah and Jack.  Thanks mum!

And thought I should also share a gift Hannah picked out herself especially for me.  (They are open because we toasted a few tonight!)

And what an amazing coincidence but guess which 5 year old is quite partial to marshmallows??Hmmmm :-)  

Have a great week!

Cheers, Sue

A matching envelope can really add a nice finishing touch to a handcrafted card.  For children's cards and envelopes I quite like to stamp their name.  Here is the envelope I made for Hannah's friend.  (It got the Hannah tick of approval I am happy to report!)

I used One Of A Kind again and stamped the flowers in Pretty In Pink with a few in Purely Pomegranate.  I stamped them off twice onto scrap paper first so that it would be a more subtle background.  Then I stamped the birthday girl's name in Purely Pomegranate. 

I've used Best Friends Alphabet so often - with quite different looks by using different colours and other stamp sets.   Here are a couple of others using the same letter stamp set from over the last few months.

Got any little people in your life that would like a personalised card??   Just a few simple designs there that might come in handy. 

Well, I'd best be off to iron some party clothes.  Have a great weekend!

Cheers, Sue

Guess who got a lovely little box of goodies from the new Spring Mini Catalogue this week!? 

Hannah has a birthday party to go to this weekend so that was the perfect occasion to try out my new stamp set - One Of A Kind.  I was aiming for a nice girly card with a bit of sparkle.

Stamp Sets: One Of A Kind and Short and Sweet

Inks: Purely Pomegranate, Whisper White and Versamark

Cardstock: Purely Pomegranate, Pretty In Pink and Glossy White

Accessories: Boho Blossom Punch, Embossing Gear, Pink Eyelets and Ribbon (from my craft store stash)

Sending some birthday wishes Indiah!  Hope you like your card.

I think I am going to use this combination of flowers quite a bit.   It has a great matching punch for punching out the little flowers.  Email me if you'd like a mini catalogue posted to you. You can order from it starting August 1st.

The other good thing about this set (and all the rest from this Spring Mini) are that they are die cut.  What does that mean?  No trimming with your scissors when you unpack them.  You just pop them out, peel and stick.

Anyone else out there on school holidays?  We've had a lovely week this week with lots of catching up with friends.  Cuppas for the grown ups, lots of playing for the kids and a few extra goodies in the pantry.  My two have been enjoying all this.  Here's a quick snap of the lad post chocolate cupcake!

Mmmm yum. 

Cheers,  Sue    (Ducks off to see if any of those cupcakes are left!)