Reflections

Another Page Featuring Hand Sewing!

Well, my boys have all gone for a Go-Kart practice today and so I have been left in peace for a little while - well, until lunch time or thereabouts.  After a week of having the boys on school holidays and either having them busy at home OR taking them here & there, the house is very quiet!  I'm certainly making the most of it I can assure you!

Last night I got busy and completed the hand sewing on this page of my brother with his little girl - so sweet!  It's quite a simple page (compared to some I have done of late) but I wanted to leave the printed flowers as a focal point, so I've just hand sewn around all the flowers with back stitching, added some painted chipboard hearts & a rubon title!  I didn't think it needed too much more - the quote & the photos just said it all!

Actually, these photos were taken a few weeks back when we were all down at my grandparents poultry farm watching much of the old timbers being burnt.  The boys & I took a walk over to the farm on Friday when we went visit my parents (my parents & grandparents had lived next door to one another) and there is hardly anything left - some concrete slabs & paths and a few bits & pieces here & there BUT most of it is gone . . . it's amazing how much wider the property looks too!  I took some more pics which I am yet to sort through BUT Dad was telling me he's going to put together an album (or maybe a powerpoint presentation) to showcase the Poultry Farm in it's day and then it's slow demise over the years - that will certainly be a wonderful keepsake!

Back to the above page, it was done using some of the products in a Scrappitpack and with the leftover pieces I also whipped up this card too . . . I just love the rustic sanded look of the pattern paper and as you can see, I couldn't resist adding some hand sewing on this as well!

OK - I think that's it for me today.  Thanks for all the lovely comments & emails on my 'Step-By-Step Pillow Gift Package' & 'Matchbook Album' instructions - I hope you enjoy making them!   I think I might go and do some sorting out in the playroom whilst the boys aren't here . . . I had thought about going outside BUT it's cold and becoming overcast again, so I might just give that a miss I think!

Enjoy what's leff of the weekend!

Step-By-Step Pillow Gift Packages

Well . . . I've had a busy couple of days BUT I wanted to share this cute 'Pillow Gift Package' that we made with my local scrapbooking group on Thursday.

Isn't it just cute?  Some of you might remember one that I made a few weeks back using some of the CLUB Scrappit products too.  They are just perfect for lollies, chocolates, children's trinkets, hankies, fragrance sachets, gift cards, jewellery and so the list could go on!

AND - the best part for YOU is that I have the COMPLETE step-by-step instuctions here on my blog so that you can make them too!

Just scroll down in the left hand menu under my 'Photo Albums' to my 'Inspiration, Tecniques & Projects' category and there you will find the 'Step-By-Step Pillow Gift Packages' instructions.  Also while you are there, you might like to check out the 'Step-By-Step Matchbook Album' as well!

I hope you enjoy making your own . . . actually, if you do make some, I'd love for you to share them with us - just drop me an email and I'll share them here on my blog!

Here's hoping you have a wonderful weekend . . . having been out for the day on Thursday scrapbooking and then the boys & I took a drive to see my parents yesterday; I've got some serious housework to catch-up on - *sigh* - oh well!

Until next time . . .

'Published' Gallery, Card Share & Recipe

Yes, I've finally added much of my published work into my 'Published Projects Album' (see the menu at left).  I seem to be missing a few scans of some pages that have been published (either that OR I can't find them on the computer - *grin*) but at least the majority of it is now shared here on my blog.  You'll find pages & projects that were published in the following magazines in this album:

• For Keeps Creative Scrapbooking (actually there's quite a few from this one because I spent 6 months on their Creative Design Team)
• Scrapbook Creations
• Creating Keepsakes (Australian Version)
• Scrapbooking Memories
• My Reflections

My first ever page published was the 'Bush' one and was published in 'Scrapbook Creations' - my how my style has changed since early 2003!  There's no real order on how the images are presented either . . . there's a lovely combination of old & new in there for anyone who would like to take a peak!  I've still to add some publication details to some of the images BUT most of them are labelled with the magazine that they featured in.

Last night I finished off an Anniversay Card that I thought I would share.  I must admit I haven't been very creative with my stamps of late BUT after receiving some lovely goodies in the mail last week from the ever generous Tracey Eaton (Independant Stampin' Up Demonstrator) for a competition I had won some months back, I started playing!  Mmm - there certainly were some nice things pictured in that catalogue you sent me Tracey!

Back to my card . . . the 'Love' word image was stamped with 'Pinecone' Versa Ink, onto a piece of the pattern paper and left to dry.  Then the shape was cut out (leaving a thin border of the pattern paper around the outside) and then the circle was stuck onto some thick chipboard and again left to dry.  The chipboard was then trimmed to size, before being sanded and having a thick layer of Dimensional Magic applied to the surface for a glossy finish.  Such a simple way to make your own chipboard embellishments, and best of all - you can choose to make them in any colour that you have inkpads!

Anyway - here's the card and a close-up one of the detail too!

 

Yesterday the boys & I made these yummy cookies!  I've called them 'Corn Flake *Plus* Cookies' - the 'Plus' referring to the fact that we took the standard 'Corn Flake Cookies' recipe from the Kellogg's Corn Flakes box and then added our own twist with some white chocolate bits & macadamia nuts being added as well!  Yum!

I thought I would share the recipe, since I know a few of you who read my blog would most likely be interested in it too!

Corn Flake *Plus* Cookies

• 2 cups flour, sifted
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 250g margarine
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
• 1 1/2 cups Kellogg's Corn Flakes
  • *PLUS* ingredients
• 1/2 cup white chocolate bits
• 1/2 cup macadamia nuts, coursely chopped

Pre-heat oven to 180 degrees celcius.  Sift together flour & baking powder.  Beat margarine & sugar together until light & fluffy.  Add eggs (one at a time) & vanilla and beat well.  Add sifted dry ingredients, chocolate bits & macadamia nuts and ensure mixture is well combined.  Add corn flakes and lightly fold in to ensure that you don't crush the flakes too much.  Drop by tablespoon onto an ungreased baking tray (I line my trays with baking paper) and then bake in a moderate oven for about 10 minutes or until lightly browned.  Makes approximately 30.

Here's hoping you enjoy this recipe too!

We're off to do a little in the garden this morning before the boys & I head into the cinema to see 'Surf's Up' . . . here's hoping you have a wonderful Wednesday!

Until next time . . .

Beaded Felt Butterfly Page

As promised . . . here is the page that my 'Beaded Felt Butterfly' adorns . . . it's an 8 x 8 page for my 'Just Because Album' and aside from just wanting to feature the butterfly somewhere, I also came across this quote that I just loved and thought the two were the perfect compliment for one another:

"Love of beauty is taste.  The creation of beauty is art" ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Materials:

• Bo Bunny - Back to Backs - Tuscany Symphony Pattern Paper
• Bazzill Cardstock
• Jo Sonja Acrylic Paint
• 'Lucida Sans Typewriter' Font

Last night I was browsing a few blogs and came across this one that just amazed me - scroll down until you get to her post 'As promised' and take a look at her scrap room!  I swear this lady could open a shop!  How organised is it too - I suppose she would need to be with that much product otherwise she wouldn't know where to find it!

So . . . what do you think of my new Blog Header?  I decided I needed to get a more updated one and went for the photo look this time around . . . although our visit to see the 'Trinculo' was a few months back now - see my Photography Album for more pics - oh well . . . it doesn't matter - it will do for now!

Well - I'm off to peg out some washing and then the boys & I are heading into town to chase up a few things and grab a few grocery items . . . I've promised them we might even have a picnic lunch down at the Port of Sale . . . I'll just have to see how co-operative they are!  They've been very busy this morning in the kitchen with a huge container of Lego that made it's way out of the cupboard late yesterday afternoon.  I must admit, I just love Lego - it's creative possibilities are just endless and it always manages to generate such extensive play opportunities - oh and of course . . . it does keep them entertained for quite sometime!

Until next time . . .

'Den of Nargun' Photos & Beaded Felt Butterfly

Yesterday we had intended on entering James into the 'Open' Go Kart event at Bairnsdale, but in the end we decided not to overwhelm him in his early racing days and we gave it a miss.  None-the-less, we decided to take a drive up there and check it out and see how many midgets had entered.  If James had competed, there would have been 11 of them (which is substantially more than he has been with until now), so in the end, we were quite relieved we didn't enter him.  We just felt he needed a little more experience under his belt before putting him in an event with so many others.  Mind you he is looking forward to the next Club day which has been pushed forward a week until the first week in October.  All being well he'll go for a practice next weekend to try out his new tyres too!

Anyway . . . after having lunch at the track, we then took a drive to the Mitchell River National Park to go and see the 'Den of Nargun' - it's a place we have talked about visiting BUT we've just  never got there.  Although the walk was rather steep & rocky, it was definitely well worth it.

A sign about 80 metres from the 'Den of Nargun' describes it's cultural significance:

"The 'Den of Nargun' is a place of great cultural significance to the women in the "Gunnai/Kurnai Aboriginal community. Tradition has it that the Nargun lives there - a fierce being, half human, half stone. Spears thrown at the Nargun are reflected back at the thrower. The Nargun was feared because it took children who visited the rock pool. The den, a cave under the rock overhang, was once rimmed with stalactites but visitors over the years have unfortunately broken most of them. The Gunnai/Kurnai community, and Parks Victoria, ask you to respect this special place. Please don't enter the cave - just view it from the side of the pool."

Here's one of the photos I took of the actual 'Den of Nargun' BUT I've got a heap more photos of the time we spent there over in my Photography Album (in the menu at left) if you are interested in taking a look!

Also, as promised . . . here are some photos of my completed Beaded Felt project - which is this gorgeous butterfly.  I can't share the completed scrapbooking page that it features on until the Scrappit Newsletter is released tomorrow BUT I can show you how the butterfly itself looks on its own!

The spots were cut from cream & beige pieces of felt and then I added lots of beads & embroidery to embellish.  I used a piece of woollen fibre for the butterfly body and then added some black wire feelers to complete the design!

Here's another couple of close-up shots!

 

I promise to share the completed scrapbooking page here tomorrow!

Until then . . . have a wonderful Monday!

   

Get More Blog Traffic & Freebies

Whilst surfing around I came across a few freebies that I thought I would share!

The first one is BlogRush - have you heard of it?  It's a FREE blog marketing tool!  Most people who have a blog want to increase their readership. BlogRush is a FREE widget that you can download and install onto your blog which will promote your blogs feed throughout other BlogRush widgets on blogs all over the world - best of all - without you needing to do anything!  That's something that really appealed to me . . . I don't have to do a thing - the BlogRush widget does it all!

If you scroll down a little in the right hand menu you'll see my BlogRush widget with links to other blogs with a similar 'Hobbies' theme.  I thought it was definitely worth giving it a try and seeing what results it brought me.  If you'd like to get your own BlogRush widget (or if you want to just find out some more information) just head over to the BlogRush homepage!

OK - what about those scrapbooking related freebies?

Firstly, I came across this cute digital scrapbooking freebie - 'Sparkle Blooms'

Oh and then I came across these great Alphas that you can play around in Photoshop and colour-in yourself!  So cute!

Oh and finally some digital Zippers too!

OK - that's it for me today . . . off to head out into the garden!  Have a great weekend everyone!

Subscribe to my blog!

I know I've already posted today BUT guess what?  I just worked out how to add (and more importantly have them work -*grin*) subscribe links to my blog for it's 'Feed' and for updates via 'Email' - YAY!  Just click on the links at right (under the calendar) if you are interested in being informed of when my blog is updated!

Nite everyone! 

 

RAK Winner!

Congratulations Mandy!  You posted the 125th comment on my blog!  If you'd like to drop me an email with your postal address, I'll get my RAK (Random Act of Kindness) sent out to you!

To everyone who stops by here to visit and to those of you who leave comments . . . thank-you . . . I'm glad you enjoy your time browsing here and I do so enjoy reading your thoughts! I think I might send out another RAK to the 150th comment (for those of you who are interested in joining in!)

I've had a couple of people ask about my Etsy Shop that I mentioned I was opening - it's all set up BUT just hasn't got anything it it yet - *grin* - time has been rather limited I'm afraid.  With school holidays about to commence though, I hope to have a chance over the coming 2 weeks to get some of my items in there.  If you want to check out my shop in the meantime it's called From My Hands To Your Home - it's a little on the plain side at the moment BUT I'm working on adding a shop banner (and also a new one for my blog) to brighten it up a little.  I'll be sure to let you know when I do get the first items listed in it!

Until next time . . .

A Needle & Thread

Anyone who knows much about my scrapbooking style will know that I love to add a little hand sewing here and there . . . infact, I probably don't have many pages that don't feature a little of it somewhere.  BS - 'Before Scrapbooking' - I was quite involved in cross-stitching although over the years I've also dabbled in patchwork, tapestry, ribbon embroidery, wool embroidery and so on.

I've always loved working with a needle & thread and so being able to add that little personal touch to my scrapbooking creations with some hand sewing really appeals to me.  I'm inspired by people like Rebecca Sower & Kerrin Quall because they too love to add hand sewn accents or designs onto their creations.  It never ceases to amaze me what results one can achieve with such basic materials and a little creative licence!

So . . . what brings about this discussion I hear you ask?  Last night I took out my sewing supplies for next weeks Design Team challenge that I set for the Scrappit Newsletter, I got busy with an aspect of my overall page design . . . here's a sneak peak . . . if you want to see the rest of it, you'll just have to stay tuned for the release of the newsletter!

OK - I'm off to do a little more hand sewing whilst the house is nice and quiet - it's Adam's last day of Pre-School for this term and once school finishes tomorrow, we'll be on two weeks school holidays.  So . . . I'm going to make the most today - *grin*

Until next time . . .

No internet? OMG!

Yes . . . that's right . . . last night (or actually at about 5pm) we lost our internet connection and I wasn't able to restore it until I rang Bigpond this morning!  Talk about feel like a member of the family was missing - *grin* - it's amazing how much you miss just being to check something out as it comes to mind OR to send or reply to an email - and that was only for a short time period too - imagine what it must be like if you loose it for a few days or a week!  Argh!  *Shudder*  The guy I spoke to this morning got me to try different things with our modem and it seemed that our wireless router was somehow interferring with our internet connection BUT nothing had been touched with it at all AND a girlfriend nearby also lost her connection for some time last night, so I really don't know what happened - the main thing is it's back up & running now!

As promised, here's some of our favourite pics from our trip to Sandown on the weekend.  As you can see, the boys got to see quite a few of the Ford drivers (the only one pictured that they didn't meet in person was Craig Lowndes . . . we needed to be in two places at the one time!)  Oh well - this photo will have to suffice for now!

I thought I'd share a cute little Photo Cube that I made from a leftover box that's a little over 3 inches square.  Just cardstock, pattern paper, photos and a little embellishing!  Viola!  Some of you might have already seen it if you've read the September CLUB Scrappit Newsletter though!

OK - that's me for today . . . oh . . . before I go . . . I'm close to sending out a RAK (Random Act of Kindness) too - I said a few posts back that I'd RAK the 125th person to post a comment on my blog - only 5 to go . . . who will it be?

Until next time . . .