buyster.com.au

A couple of weeks back I was approached by a representative of buyster.com.au, which is an awesome online store that you just have to check out! Basically they allowed for me to take my pick of the stall in exchange for posting here just a few words about their store. Here's what I chose;










It is the Oran Leather Jewellery Roll... and I just love it! I think it will make the perfect solution to safely transport my jewellery to our wedding destination when I get married early next year, as well as whenever we travel. I am getting a black one, but as you can see it is also available in Brown, Red, Navy and Ivory.

Among other things, buyster.com.au also sells some really lovely kids toys, lighting and storage perfect for your scrapping area, rugs, kitchenware, and entertainment units... and you can buy it all from the comfort of your own home! I encourage you to check it out for yourself... you will most likely be as surprised as I was to see just how extensive their product range is.

Happy shopping!!!

I'll be back tomorrow to share a mini album that I have been working on as part of May's Monthly Challenge at Scrapz.

A Footy Game and AC Spring Week!

Well... what a fun few days have been had... first a win by the Saints on the weekend and a lovely day at the footy with a couple of friends of mine and or kids, and then a bit of scrapping too!

Sunday was Ollie's first time at Subi Oval and his first proper game of AFL! Now I must emphasise that Ollie is a fellow Saints supporter and has been since even before he was born. The first song that was sung to him when he was just minutes old was the Saints club song! So I dressed him in the Saints colours for the big game. To be fair to James, though, I let him wear his Eagles scarf. Next time I won't be so kind cos by then I'll have bought Ollie his very own Saints scarf!

Here's a few pics of us at the game;




















































James 'rescued' me from the wiggly kiddos just after half time, which was really sweet of him. It allowed me to actually watch the game - if I didn't watch closely I'd miss the goals cos being an Eagles home game, hardly anyone cheered when they scored! I missed heaps while I had the kids there with me. Needless to say, the crowd was pretty quiet for much of the second half of the game... the Saints smashed the Eagles!!! Yay!!! My friends weren't too impressed, especially because I made the most of the chance to rub it in!!! LOL!

The last two nights I have been working on my entry for this week's challenge at the Studio blog. The theme was Spring. Here's what I came up with;



























Spring Sunshine Layout
Cardstock - Bazzill, Patterned paper - American Crafts, Doily - Little Yellow Bicycle, Chipboard - American Crafts, Flower - Imaginisce, Vine - Prima, Rub-ons - American Crafts, Pearls - Kaiser, Brown machine thread, Butterfly punch - Martha Stewart Crafts, Dimensional glaze - Ranger, Glitter - unknown, Font - NSimSun.

I am really really hoping that I might win the challenge this week. The prize is two AC patterned albums! AC albums are my fave and the only ones I buy. I have two patterned albums on layby at the moment, but a couple more would definitely not go to waste! Keep your fingers and toes crossed for me!!!

Regardless, this layout is quite cool in that it uses a few things I don't normally do - I've used glitter (I hate glitter!!!), layered embellishments, a plain cardstock background, and stitching that is actually straight!!! Plus it has been a long time since I've used Glossy Accents for anything but as a glue, but for this layout I used it on the butterflies to make them shiny and glittery.

That's it from me for today. Happy hump day!!!

Hey Birdie Giveaway!

Pop on over to Tanya's blog for a fun giveaway! Goodluck!!!

Sneaky Peek!!!

Just a sharing a quick sneak of a set of cards I've been working on this past week, amidst a hectic life and a spell of gastro (blergh!);














I've been playing with the brand new Hey Birdie collection from Kaiser. Normally I'm pretty anti-Kaiser, but this range totally caught my eye. So much so, that I actually picked up a 6x6 Paper Pad and realised that it includes die-cuts and specialty papers. Yep... that's how wide a berth I keep from Kaiser... only just realised how cool their paper pads are! Perfect for card-making!!!

I'm heading out soon to the Saints vs Eagles game with the kiddos and a couple of my friends. I am currently reassessing exactly why I am friends with them, however... they go for the Eagles! Seriously... what is wrong with them?!!

GO SAINTS!!!

Check This Out!!!

How's this for an awesome giveaway??? Goodluck!

Post #2 for the Day!!!

It seems everyone is blog hopping about this morning... my first post of the day has already had 3 comments left on it! That is record speed girls!!!

Anyway, I thought I'd make a quick card this morning before work that was inspired by a card made by Kristina Werner a while back. As I still have a bit of time before I have to head off to work, so I'm sharing my creation right away! Here it is;


















Happy Birthday Giraffe Card
Cardstock - Bazzill, Patterned paper - Cosmo Cricket, Chipboard alphas - Basic Grey, Chipboard giraffe - Sassafras Lass, Black embroidery thread - DMC.

I made this card for this week's Noteworthy challenge at Scrapz which was to create a card using stickers. I used chipboard stickers for this one, but have some other ideas lined up using regular stickers too. Just have to wait and see if I get time to create them before Wednesday night... you know how it is!!!

I also tried to use older products - the pp is Jack's World by Cosmo and the chipboard is from the Bungle Jungle collection Sass Lass released last year. I have so much older product begging to be used... but also too much new stuff that I am busting to cut into! Oh the dilemma!!! LOL!

Anyway, I best get going and get ready for work! Enjoy the rest of your day!

Mix and Match!

Hi all! Today I am popping by quickly to share a Christmas giftcard holder that I made over the weekend. I simply altered a Maya Road Kraft envelope with patterned paper, stitching and a few assorted bits and pieces. I have mix and matched pp from Making Memories and Cosmo Cricket, I think they go together perfectly!


















For You Giftcard Holder
Envelope - Maya Road, Patterned paper - Making Memories, Cosmo Cricket, Button - Basic Grey, Alpha stickers - Adornit, Black machine thread.

My next plan of attack is a set of cards using the new Kaiser release, Hey Birdie. I have already made a start... jst a lot of cutting and sticking to do!!!

I hope you had a great weekend and that the week ahead is full of fun!

A Giveaway or Two!

Check them out here and here.

Goodluck!

Last One!

I didn't quite finish all 12 challenges for the Daily Dozen challenge at Scrapz, but I did get one last card made which brings my total up to 9 + 1 (1 double up!) out of 12. Nice to have a few more cards to add to my stash as well as a couple of layouts for my album.

Here's the card I made today;

















I Miss You Card
Cardstock - Bazzill, Patterned paper - Crate Paper, Chipboard - Crate Paper, Brads - unknown, Rub-on - Karen Foster, Corner rounder - WRMK.

I will be sending this card to my best friend who lives in Melbourne. I haven't seen her since Christmas... she's on visiting rations this year so she will have enough leave from work to come over for my wedding in January. I hate not seeing her and I know it gets her down too, so hopefully this card will bring her a little sunshine and remind her that I love her!!!

Anyway... how was your Mother's Day? Apart from a bit of naughtiness on Tilly's part in the morning, I had a wonderful day! the zoo was great. Such a lovely day for it! Tilly loved looking at all the animals, especially the elephants and the squirrels. She particularly enjoyed seeing one of the elephants taking a walk around the zoo and she loved the Nocturnal House, too. Ollie was content ripping leaves from plants as we passed them by, and was pretty impressed by the fence ropes! He really couldn't have cared less about the animals!!! I got my annual photo at the Tortoise statue, plus a few other great pics;


















































































And how's this for a lucky snap?! I just happened to be driving past when a calf ran over to it's mother for a feed. I went back to capture this sweet pic;














Off now... Have a great week!

I Can Hardly Believe It!!!

I scrapped... and not just one layout... TWO!!! What is even more amazing is that the photo used on the first page was only taken last Tuesday! Crazy crazy times! Quite an achievement on my part! Both pages still need journalling but my printer is out of ink so it'll have to wait. In the meantime, I wanted to share my creations as they are...


















Tree Girl
Cardstock - Bazzill, Patterned paper - October Afternoon, Alphas - American Crafts, Jenni Bowlin, Stickers - October Afternoon, Embroidery thread - DMC, Buttons - craft supply, Paint - Making Memories, Punches - Fiskars, WRMK.

The title for this layout was inspired by the guy in Thornlie, WA who spent a few months up a tree to protest against it being chopped down. You might have seen him on the news. He was dubbed Tree Man, so I decided to call Tilly Tree Girl when she joined Daddy and Pop in the huge tree out front of our house on Tuesday. DH had to climb up it to trim some branches because Western Power sent us a letter saying it was growing too close to the power lines. SO glad he didn't die... he had about a 20 metre fall if he lost his footing, but he seriously would have preferred that to paying a ridiculous amount to have a professional do it! He's such a tight arse! LOL!!!


















Duck Ducks
Cardstock - Bazzill, Patterned paper - October Afternoon, Alphas - American Crafts, Jenni Bowlin, Stickers - October Afternoon, Rub-ons - October Afternoon, Duck image (cut from a Wild Card) - October Afternoon, Brown machine thread - craft supply, Masking tape - craft supply.

I took this pic in Kalgoorlie at Hammond Park when Ollie and I visited there back in March. He adored the ducks - he watched them so intently. I amm really happy with how this page turned out, especially the hand-cut scallop. I've never hand-cut a scallop before. I am a bit anal and prefer things to be above board and as close to perfect as possible! But it actually looks kinda fun on a layout like this.

I probably won't get a chance to jump onto the computer tomorrow so I'll take this opportunity to wish all you Mums and Mums-to-be a very happy Mother's Day! I hope you have a lovely day!

I'm very lucky because my Mother's Day started early this year. DH decided that cos I have two kids I should have two days worth of Mother's Day! Plus, he always has to work on Mother's Day so I generally miss out on the whole breakfast-in-bed-thing. But not this year!!! Today I woke, after a sleep in, to a yummy omelette for breakfast. Then DH took Tilly to the shops so she could choose me a gift... I got a copy of Who magazine (not a magazine I usually read but she really wanted to get it for me which makes it very special!) in a pretty black and white bag with pretty pink ribbon that Tilly also chose. Later on, when Ollie woke up, I got a card with a kitten on the front that both my kids had 'written' in and a few scratchies from Ollie. I have a few Slice Design cards and a set of Nestabilities on their way from America for my 'real' Mother's Day present, but the ones I received today mean so much more! Tilly and James have wished me a happy Mother's Day about a million times today too. I am so lucky!!!

Tomorrow, we're off to the zoo as we have done every year for Mother's Day. It's free for Mum's and under 4's so we'll be have a really fun day... for freeeeee!!! We'll also be visiting my Mum and my MIL at some stage, too. I have them both the BEST presents!!! Should be a great day!

Well, that's it for today. Happy Mother's Day and happy scrapping!

Ha Ha Haaaa!!!

This joke was posted on the Cosmo Cricket blog this morning... just had to share;

In the hospital the relatives gathered in the waiting room, where a family member lay gravely ill. Finally, the doctor came in looking tired and somber.

'I'm afraid I'm the bearer of bad news,' he said as he surveyed the worried faces. 'The only hope left for your loved one at this time is a brain transplant.

It's an experimental procedure, very risky, but it is the only hope. Insurance will cover the procedure, but you will have to pay for the BRAIN.

The family members sat silent as they absorbed the news. After a time, someone asked, 'How much will a brain cost?'
The doctor quickly responded, '$5,000 for a male brain; $200 for a female brain.'

The moment turned awkward.

Some of the men actually had to’ try' to not smile, avoiding eye contact with the women.
A man unable to control his curiosity, finally blurted out the question everyone wanted to ask, 'Why is the male brain so much more than a female brain?'

The doctor smiled at the childish innocence and explained to the entire group, 'It's just standard pricing procedure. We have to price the female brains a lot lower because they've been used.

More Cards!

Yep, still no finished pages! It's a losing battle!!! But I do have 4 cards to share that I have made for the Daily Dozen challenge at Scrapz! Here goes;


















Welcome Card
Cardstock - Bazzill, Patterned paper- Melissa Frances, Stamp - Fancy Pants, Ink - Tsukineko, Buttons - craft supply, Embroidery thread - DMC.


















Mother's Day Card
Cardstock - Bazzill, Embossing folder - ProvoCraft, Rub-on - Basic Grey, Flowers - Prima, Buttons - craft supply, Twine - craft supply.


















Mum Card
Cardstock - Bazzill, Embossing folder - ProvoCraft, Punch - Martha Stewart, Patterned paper - October Afternoon, Rub-ons - Lil Davis, Bling - Kaiser, Button - Basic Grey, Embroidery thread - DMC, Cream machine thread - craft supply.















Lift Off Card
Cardstock - Bazzill, Stamps - WRMK, Making Memories, Ink - Tsukineko, Embossing powder - Stampin' Up!, Black machine thread.

Oh and just a little something I learnt while making this last card... Embossing powder will still stick to Versamark ink even once left to dry overnight. I had stamped all my stars last night then went to stamp and emboss the rocket and sentiment this morning (assuming the Versamark would be dry) but the embossing powder stuck to everything! It was a disaster!!! I had to make a second card to replace the ruined one, but this time I did the embossing first, then stamped the stars with Versamark afterward.

That's it for now. Have the house to myself so off to attempt to scrap!

A New Challenge!

Over at Scrapz, Deb has set a set of 12 challenges for National Scrapbooking Day, which she has called The Daily Dozen Challenge. It is based on this acrostic poem;

S - scallop
C - chipboard
R - rose
A - alphabet
P - punches
B - buttons
O - October Afternoon
O - oval
K - kite
I - ink
N - nostalgia
G - guys

All you have to do is create a card, layout or embellishment to fit each of the prompts listed. The challenge is super easy so anyone can play along, and it runs through until May 10, so there's still plenty of time to join in.

I have so far done 2 challenges; create a card for the guys, and create a card with a vintage feel.

Here are my cards;


















Let's Party
Cardstock - Bazzill, Brads - FTI, Rub-on - Imaginisce.


















Missing You
Cardstock - Bazzill, Image - The Graphics Fairy, Rub-on - Karen Foster, Twine - craft supply, Brads - FTI.

I didn't actually get a chance to scrapbook on NSD. I tried but I kinda psyched myself out of it, which really sucked. I managed to sit down last night and get started on a LO. It's looking good so far. I just wish I was quicker at scrapping, I really really do. I never feel like I achieve anything, and I find that incredibly frustrating as I have so many ideas and photos waiting to be scrapped. I guess that's why I love cards so much... I can get them done fast! LOL!

Before I go, I just wanted to extend my congratulations to Kerryn for 2 great wins in a row! Her work is awesome... go check it out! WTG Kerryn!

Happy Wednesday all!

Happy National Scrapbooking Day!!!

I hope that you get a chance to scrap today! I plan to do at least one page and some cards too (ok so cards aren't technically scrapbooking but I like them!)

If you're in need of some inspiration, there's a heap of challenges going on about the place. I've seen some advertised at Creating Keepsakes, Wicked Princesses, and Studio Calico to name just a few. I will be participating in the Daily Dozen challenges set by Deb at Scrapz.Biz - they look like a lot of fun and are really simple too.

Hopefully I'll be back in the next couple of days to share what I have created.

Happy NSD!!!