Easter

With Easter just around the corner, I couldn't resist these gorgeous papers from Making Memories Flower Patch range.
































I took so many photo's of DGD #1 with her little Easter Basket and her first Egg Hunt.





























Of course, we couldn't actually hide the eggs, she had no idea what she was doing. When they are so little it is definitely for the adults (and the photo opportunities) we get them to do these things. Me thinks this year might be a little different....






























I've also used Prima Flowers and Prima Say It In Crystals. I have so many of these crystal swirls, do I use them? I buy all these beautiful embellishments, put them in a draw, and forget I've got them. Sound familiar?



The date stamps are from Creative Imaginations Narratives range and the decorative edge on the photo mat is a Fiskars border punch.



The date has been stamped on a Making Memories Noteworthy glitter die-cut.


The title is American Crafts Thickers Felt Letters. Boy they stretch don't they. Nearly tore the S in half...LOL






























Still have beautiful photo's of DGD with her Easter Bunny to scrap, and lots of Flower Patch paper left, so more to come.



Can't wait to get this years photo's....



Next post will be from Cricut Club, which is on Thursday 2nd April at Scrapbooks From The Heart.



All the projects I have created this month are dedicated to Mothers. Mother's Day is the 10th May here in Australia. I know it was last Sunday in the UK, when is it in America?



Do all the countries get together at a special summit to make sure they all choose a different date?



Is Easter the same day everywhere, I would hope so. It's April 12th in my calendar.

Well, that's about it for now. See you again after Cricut Club.



TTFN

Jane xx

Cricut Christmas

I was browsing my photo files on the laptop following my last post and look what I found...a layout from whenever I made it, about two years ago, from Christmas 2006 photo's.
















So, what's the big deal? Well, in the wee metallic frame is my first Cricut machine, wrapped in silver paper with the gold bow. Yeah!!!!!!!!

Of course, when I took the photo's on Christmas Eve that year, as we do, I had no idea that was what it was.

It was my present from Darling Hubby, and I wasn't even that aware that Cricut existed. I had seen a demo once at a Craft Fair and then thought no more about it.

Little did he know then that he would eventually become a Cricut Widower, you've heard of a Golf Widow, well, this is worse.

He goes to golf, enjoys his game, comes home, spouts off a wee bit about how bad his game was, and how many putts he missed by an inch, and that's that.

Me, I chirrup away in the background all night, the telly getting louder and louder, and as for housework, strange word........

Love him to bits.

TTFN

Jane xx

Lots of Stuff

Lots of interesting stuff happening - starting with Cricut Club, next Club date is Thursday 2nd April at Scrapbooks From The Heart

This Australia Day layout was from the February Cricut Club at. I like to show my layouts at the Club without photo's, so the girls can imagine their own photo's there.


















So, here is the layout with a photo of DGD #1 taken on Australia Day.
















Isn't she too cute waving her little flag. Just noticed, the ric rac isn't straight!!!

Now to some exciting news at Scrapbooks From The Heart. My last two posts were projects from classes by Maxine Hazebroek. Well, you'll never guess what........

Maxine and Audrey are coming to Scrapbooks From The Heart!! They will be part of the design team at SFTH, and to say their work is gorgeous is an understatement.

Visit the SFTH blog here - www.sfth.typepad.com - to get all the details. Jenae has told me the new class timetable is being released tomorrow (Wednesday).


Now to something completely different. I've been TAGGED by the lovely Carole Beath at www.crayola58a.blogspot.com

I have to go to the fourth folder in my photos and post the fourth photo in that folder - here it is.....


















Darling Hubby and I are building our new house and this is me putting two coins in the slab (foundations) on the day it was poured - 25th July 2008. It was the middle of winter down here in Oz thus the sweater - it does get cold you know LOL!!

The house is now built and we are just waiting on a few finishing details and then we can get our keys and start the mammoth job of painting and floor coverings so that we can move in. So, hopefully not too much longer....

Will post some photo's of the finished house soon.

Well I think that is me for now, I'm out of breath!!!!!

Thanks for dropping in
TTFN
Jane xx

Secret Santa

I made this beautiful layout of DGD #1's first Secret Santa at Maxine Hazebroek's last class for Scraptivate.

















I just love the papers and Maxine's style - the two combined are gorgeous.
















Lots of Cuttlebug on the layout, what a wonderful wee machine that is.
















I wonder what Maxine will get up to next? Watch this space.

Some Cricut stuff coming up from my Cricut Club at 'Scrapbooks From The Heart' next post.

Until then TTFN

Jane xx

Five Cards

How gorgeous are these cards...

































They are designed by the very talented Maxine Hazebroek.

I attended her card class at 'Scraptivate' here in Perth, back in January.
































We made these five stunning cards. Her talent is awesome, my own cards are so boring in comparison. Her layouts are awesome too. Visit her blog here www.maxinehazebroek.typepad.com
































Maxine has now left Scraptivate, but I was fortunate to be at her final class in February, which was a stunning Christmas layout which I will post next time.































Such an amazingly talented lady, I think I will find it very difficult to part with these cards...I probably won't!! LOL

Until next time TTFN

Jane x

Baby Erin

As mentioned in last post (when was that? LOL) here is a layout of DGD #2.

I have used Basic Grey's Bittersweet range, which I adore. The colours are just yummy, and one of my favourite ribbons, which is usually not appropriate for most layouts, but lends itself beautifully with these papers.

DGD #2 is now 5 months old. This photo was taken when I was home in Scotland back in October last year - I really miss not being able to give her huge Granny cuddles....

Thanks for dropping by

TTFN

Jane xx

First Cake

Another layout using Pink Paislee papers, still got plenty left, I think I bought the whole collection, and then some!!!

This was DGD #1 First Birthday, back in 2007, and of course she had no idea what was going on.

Her second birthday was much better, I must do a layout of that photo. Soon!!

On the home front, our new house is nearly finished, cannot wait to be more organized!! Me, organized?

Beautiful layout of DGD #2 coming next entry.

Thanks for dropping in.

TTFN

Jane xx

Blind Challenge

This is a layout using gorgeous Pink Paislee papers, and hand doodleing (is that how you spell it - looks weird) around the edges!!

It was actually a challenge - as you've probably realised I don't do challenges. Not enough time to commit to them.

Scrapbook Creations N0 61 (Vol 7 No 10) had a Blind Scrapping Challenge. So I thought "why not". It would just be a one off.

You choose your own papers and embellishments and then follow the instructions, as in a regular project, however, the catch is, you don't get to see the finished project.

I was very strict and did not turn the page to sneak a look at the pages the design team had come up with by following the recipe. I just did as I was told - with a few moments of being unsure as to what to do.

Anyhow, I love how it turned out. Quite different to what I would have done - all those patterns so close with no break!!

And as for the hand doodling (that spelling also looks weird!), not knowing in what direction your layout is going (usually when doing your own project you have a vision in your head) working completely blind, metaphorically speaking, I wasn't sure what to do, so I just DID IT !! LOL

I'm actually quite pleased with the doodling, I do not have an artistic bone in my body, I can't draw a straight line, and I HATED art at school - so if I can do it, ANYBODY can.

Hopefully the magazine will do this as a regular feature - I may try it again.

Thanks for calling by TTFN

Jane xx

Australia Day

Happy Australia Day everybody - chill and enjoy.





















I'm having a very quiet day - DH is in Darwin working - so I think I'll play with Cricut for a wee while.

Will be going to the fireworks in the city tonight with DD, DSIL and DGD #1. Should be interesting - DGD has never seen fireworks before!!

Back with some projects soon.

TTFN Jane xx

Another Card

Next card uses a double sided paper, same pattern, opposite colours, so easy to work with and

no worries about matching - takes a lot of the hard work out of it.

Can't remember what company it is - it has been in my stash for quite some time!!!

The flowers are Lulu, absolutely gorgeous, love the dotty flowers especially, and they come in an amazing array of colours - blues, greens, pinks, browns, black, white, purple - wonder why they didn't do them in red?

Does anybody else find the same problem - red flowers are really hard to come by - I mean really red RED flowers - they always seem to be a strange shade of pink.

I'm still trying to find a true red flower...

Thanks again for dropping in.

TTFN

Love Jane x

Card 2

Quick post tonight - another card this time using Rusty Pickle paper - the sentiment is Inkadinkadoo - love their stamps.

Thanks for dropping in - off to bed

TTFN Jane xx

Cards

I've been dabbling in cards again!! LOL

Gives me a chance to catch up with Cricut projects - Club is in three weeks, already!!


















Over the next few days I will post some of the cards I have been doing for Jen's BRAK - quick and easy, great for using up all the scraps of paper from projects, that you just can't bring yourself to throw away.















Flowers, ribbons, buttons, etc from stash. I've also started doing a wee bit of decor on the inside of the card.

Totally stolen this idea from all you wonderful card makers out there. Does make a difference doesn't it - thank you.

Well, that's all for now, thanks for dropping in - take care.

Love Jane xx

Award

The beautiful Carole, over at Paper Arts, has given me an award, which I accept with delight.

Carole creates wonderful cards with her Cricut and is a design team member for Bitten By The Bug, if you haven't been to her site yet pop over now to see some of her work at http://www.crayola58.blogspot.com/

Thanks again Carole xx

However, as always there are rules - I have to list 5 addictions and 5 favourite bloggers to whom I present the award.

Here goes:-

1 Coca Cola - it's the ONLY thing I drink - literally!!

2 Ribbon...ribbon...ribbon...love ribbon...

3 Stamps - Acrylic and wood

4 Paper

5 Shopping

And I am pleased to NOT list an addiction that would have been there six weeks ago ........... smoking.

I am so proud of myself. After smoking for a lifetime (36 years to be precise) I have to admit I started when I was 11 !!!!! It was the 70s - way cool (NOT) then.

I can see you all doing the math as to my age - 47 in two weeks!!

Anyway, I can now call myself a non smoker - I don't smoke!!!! I just pray that's it and I don't relapse. I have heard of so many people stopping for years, and then suddenly starting again.

Wish me luck.

Now to 5 favourite bloggers - this one is hard. There are so many sites I visit on a daily basis - forgot to add that to my addictions - No 6 = blogging.

1 http://www.curtsplayhouse.blogspot.com/ Curt is inspirational. He creates the most beautiful cards and makes it look so effortless. He visits my little blog often and is always full of encouragement and friendly banter.

2 http://www.carolspaperplayce.blogspot.com/ Carole is gorgeous. Her creations are truly wonderful and I visit regularly to see what she has been up to back there in the UK.

3 http://www.scrapalbum.blogspot.com/ Peet makes the most awesome cards in the world. Her colour combinations are always perfect. I remain in awe of her work. I visit regularly, and she never runs out of ideas, amazing.

4 http://www.kathleenglossop.blogspot.com/ Kathleen is on our design team here at Scrapbooks From The Heart and she makes the most beautiful layouts - stitching is always involved. She has the most adorable little boy, and I have been watching the antics of daddy building his first cubby - too cute.

5 http://www.creativejourney.typepad.com/ Christine - what can one say. She has the most artisitc eye and all her creations, cards, layouts and OTP, are stunning. When you visit her site, scroll back to her archives and wallow in the eye candy.

Well, there we have it. I could have put loads more names here, next time.

Off to their sites to let them know. Cards to post tomorrow.

Night night Love Jane xx

Happy New Year

Welcome 2009!
















It's been pretty hectic, hasn't it. Didn't realise it had been that long since I posted. But, we've had a lovely festive season.

This is my New Year card this year. Nothing too fancy, quick to produce and send out, but reasonably effective too.

Have been up to lots of projects during the holidays, and my New Years resolution is to post on a more regular basis - watch this space! Hee hee

So here's to a guid New Year to all my visitors and families - long may your lum reek!!

Take care, thanks for dropping in

Love Jane

Xmas Hat

Hi everybody - nearly Christmas. Hope you are all organized, and able to enjoy the time of year, it all gets a bit hectic doesn't it, and we forget to get into the festive spirit.

















This is a layout from Christmas last year. I started the tradition of the 'Hat' in 2006 when DGD #1 was five months old.

That first year was easy to get the photo, just plonked the hat on her head and voila - beautiful photo (will post it later) she was too little to realise what was happening !!! - last year, not so easy. She did not like it and this layout shows some of the out takes.


I did eventually get a beautiful photograph ( will post it later), but I must have taken nigh on 200 photo's to get it. Thank goodness for digital cameras.


I'm sure you're all familiar with that.

As for this years photo - still working on it - she still does not like anything on her head. Does it ever get any easier with children???!!!

When my two were little, we weren't taking photographs like this and certainly not in the numbers we are taking today. I'm sure you all remember that.

I'm hoping DS in Scotland will take a similar photo of DGD #2. If he does I'll post it after Christmas.

Well, thanks for dropping in.

Love Jane

Purple Xmas

Thought I would try something different - a Christmas layout without any Christmas paper, and none traditional colours as well.
















So, I went with this gorgeous Creative Imaginations paper by Marah Johnson.
















The photos are of DGD #1 from Christmas 2007.

I've used JAC paper for the glitter effects. Cricut cartridge Joys of the Season for the embellishments star, bauble and photograph panel with star. Title is from Stone Script.


And I added feathers, just because they're not an obvious Christmas embellishment. Seems to work quite nicely - certainly different.




Did you notice.....I lost the dot for the 'i' .... again!!! LOL





Thanks for dropping in

Love Jane

Busy Busy

Hi everyone, been a very hectic few days down here in Oz.

I'll start with one of my Cricut Club layouts from last month using Basic Grey Wassail Collection.

Title and holly leaves cut from new Solutions cartridge - 'Christmas'. Bauble cut from 'Joys of the Season' and then through the Cuttlebug and inked.

Cut the bauble top in gold card and used a few!! red brads - again, photo to be added later.

Also lost the dot for the 'i' - as usual. Meant to go back and put a brad or bling or flower or something in its place, but forgot. Will add that at some point in the future. Pesky little things, the dots for the 'i's!!!

This is a photo of me with Lynette Carroll, a very talented lady from America, who is Australian, and one of the original Design Team members for K & Company.

She was in Perth with Michelle Hartjes from Print Blocks, our importer of all stuff American here in Australia (well most of the American stuff anyway) Especially ProvoCraft (Cricut stuff). Who are based over East in Brisbane.

Lynette and Michelle were here in Perth for a couple of days doing workshops. Yesterday (Monday) was Michelle and the magic of Cricut Design Studio and the Expressions and three wonderful projects - needless to say none of which we managed to finish. They manage to cram so much into the day that it's just not possible to manage it all, but boy is the stuff gorgeous. Will post the projects when I get them finished.

Highlight of yesterday was - I won a Cricut Jukebox - trumpets please!!!!!!

Cannot wait to play with this new toy. Report later.

Today (Tuesday) was Lynette's turn, with two projects using K & Company papers.

One was this beautifully presented box filled with the latest Amy Butler range and a journal which we altered dramatically - pictures to follow when project complete.

A sneak peak at what was in the box - it was terribly exciting and what gorgeous products.

A sneak of the other project by Lynette - a 12x12 layout using K & Company papers - 'Life's Journey' and 7 Gypsies papers and products.

Again, photo's when finished.

We also did a third project today with Michelle, a 12x12 layout using Making Memories new Greenhouse Paperie Collection.

You know the next line ha ha LOL.

Two absolutely fantastic days. Thank you very much ladies for your inspiration and taking the time to come to Perth, we kinda feel a bit left out sometimes - everything seems to happen in the Eastern states.

Special thanks to the Boss (Jenae) for sending me to the Cricut Workshop yesterday, much appreciated. I paid for today's myself, and worth every penny it was.

Finally, I attended my first Stampin' Up party (workshop), run by my good friend Lynn Eyre, a Design Team member here at Scrapbooks from the Heart.

She has recently become a Stampin' Up demonstrator, and had a workshop specially for us girls at SFTH.

We made this awesome card and envelope with a couple of the stamp sets - 'Baroque Motifs' and 'Sincere Salutations'.

Brown, blue and white card from Stampin' Up and Chocolate Chip and Bashful Blue inkpads. I think the effect is simple, yet elegant, and not a patterned piece of paper in sight. I love it, and needless to say, spent far too much in product to get my collection started.

I am the newest fan of Stampin' Up....

More to come.....

Love Jane xx