Reflections

Gippsland Show - Sale

Today I thought I would share my achievement at our local show.

Do you remember this photo from our September Go Kart race day? It wasn't James in the kart BUT it was one of his fellow competitors . . . thankfully, both the boy in this kart and another child involved in the accident were OK.

Anyway - there was a sporting category I entered this into and whilst I didn't win - I did receive a 'Highly Commended' for this photo! It certainly was an amazing moment to capture that's for sure!

Scrapbooking wise, whilst I had good intentions of entering some pages, I just didn't get around to doing them in time. I did however, enter a card into the 'Off The Page' category which to my surprise ony had three entries and I went on to win!

As you can see, this card is very similar design to one of the other Christmas Cards I recently featured here on my blog, but I did change it up a little and added some extra layering and dimension!

I did enter one other category at the show and that was for cross stitching - actually, I've never entered any of my embroidery before but unfortunately it didn't place . . . oh well - there's always next year!

Gippsland Show - Sale

What a super exciting day today was for the boys!

Our local show was happening and both James and Adam had entered items into the pavilion displays - James had some entries in photography that he was quite proud of and Adam had a Lego Construction.

So . . . how did they go?

Well - Adam was so excited to see that he was awarded 3rd place in the Primary 1 & 2 section of the Lego Construction! The look on his little face when he saw that ribbon was just priceless!

James also entered a Lego Construction into the Primary 3 and 4 section but unfortunately didn't place. He did however do VERY well with one of his photos.

There was a Junior category titled 'Grandma's Treasures' and after much discussion with James - he set up a mini photoshoot using an old Carnival Glass Bowl belonging to his Great Nana Pearless, an old crochet doiley and a heap of old Cotton Reels that belonged to his Great Nana Roberts.

Here's the photo that he captured and that ended up winning the Juniors 'Grandma's Treasures' section!

HOWEVER! Not only did he win this section with this photo, he ended up winning 'BEST JUNIOR PRINT IN SHOW' with it!

His smile says it all doesn't it? CONGRATULATIONS James - you really are showing some talent when it comes to Photography! I'd better watch out!

White Textured ATC

If you've been a follower of my blog, you might remember my interest earlier this year in ATC's and this textured one that I made for myself.

Lots of Paper Perfect, Gesso, Flocking, Wire, Beads, Microbeads, KaiserCraft Pearls, Plastic Clear Chips, some printed text, a transparency butterfly and a Grungeboard Heart too!

Anyway - after seeing it in real lilfe, there was much interest from members of my Longford Scrappers group to demonstrate making one of these - TOTAY was finally the day!  Since I knew the Paper Perfect would never dry on the day, I made up enough hearts for everyone in advance. The words were printed and all the other supplies were close at hand - all that was needed was a little creativity!

Well - creative they were AND everyone was so proud and thrilled with the project! I'm not sure what I'll do with my second one - it's identical to the one pictured above - maybe it might get a home on a notebook OR it might even get framed . . . mmm . . . I'll have to think about that a little more!

Thanks for a fantastic day everyone and I'm so glad you all enjoyed making your textured heart!

Christmas Cards - Webster's Petite Papers

As promised . . . here's some more of those Christmas Cards I've made using the Webster's 6 x 6 Petite Pattern Papers!

You might notice the 2cm or so wide strip on the right hand side of the above card - it's simply the piece I cut off the right hand side of the pattern paper (so that it would fit my blank white card) that I've overlaid down the side, inked the edges of and then added some hand stitched detail to!

As you can see, a scattering of KaiserCraft pearls adds a lovely finishing touch to the tree too!

Isn't this little house the cutest and surprisingly, there really isn't much done to this card at all! A little layering of some flowers, some hand stitched detail, some bling and a greeting sticker - so simple - all the detail is already in the pattern papers!

This next one used a bit more scissor work and the detail doesn't show up all that well in the photo BUT once again I've layered many of the flowers using Helmar Scrap Dots - gee I love that product - actually, that reminds me, I think I'd better invest in another tube of it too!

The final card in this set features more of the cutting and layering - think paper tole here - as well as some hand stiching and inking too!

As you can see, I just can't help myself when it comes to adding a little hand stitching here or there - I love the way it creates visual dimension and texture all in one.

Actually, that reminds me - Deb recently asked in an email what thread I use when I'm hand stitching - it's just DMC thread and I usually use 2 strands for all my backstitching and just a single strand if I just want a subtle line like say on a butterfly antennae! I hope that helps Deb!

Until next time . . . happy creating! 

Christmas Cards - Webster's Petite Papers

When I spotted the gorgeous 6 x 6 Webster's Petite Holiday Collection Papers, I knew that they were going to be tuned into the bulk of my handmade Christmas Cards for this year. I just love the Webster's Paper range and their 6 x 6 petite papers are just divine!

Let me share 4 of the cards I've made so far . . .

This one features a strip of decorative lace, some hand stitching and a clear word greeting - I do so love those Mrs Grossman's stickers - which reminds me, I think I'd better order some more from Scrappit - grin

Whilst the detail probably doesn't show all that well on the next card, I've actually cut out and layered some of the flower section along the top.

I just used a little Helmar Scrap Dots to add the dimension! 

I just love the Believe on this next one!

This one also features some cut and layered flower sections, as well as some simple KaiserCraft pearls being added to the tree!

Aren't these papers just gorgeous?

I forgot to mention before too that I've lightly inked all these cards with a Pinecone coloured inkpad so that my cut edges blend more evenly with the printed edges!

Instead of using pearls to decorate this tree, I decided to go with a little bling and added some clear mini crystals.

As you can see, the designs are relatively simple, but I love the results - I hope the recipients of them will too!

OK - I'll be back to share some more cards soon . . . 

Inter-Club Go Karting

Another month and another Go Kart meeting - gee they seem to come around so very quickly!

This month was an Inter-Club race day, with Morwell (Gippsland) Kart Club visiting our track for the day. Thankfully, whilst a little on the cool and windy side, it was absolutely nothing like what we experienced last month - that was an absolute shocker!

As had happened at the last Inter-Club Meeting, James was once again classed as one of the more experienced Bairnsdale Kart Club Midget drivers and was placed in Midgets A - along with two other local kids and then two from Morwell as well. So how did he go? Well . . . he was thrilled!

• Heat 1 - 2nd
• Heat 2 - 4th
• Final - 3rd

He finished in 3rd place for the day and therefore picked up an Inter-Club trophy! Congratulations James - that was some fantastic racing you did today!

Life!

Life! It sure can get busy sometimes . . . well - at least my life does anyway!

Many thanks to those of you who have emailed me out of concern. I know I've been slack in updating my blog - too many other things have been happening and it's just been one of those things that I've pushed aside - shocking I know - grin - but that's just the way it's been.

I hope you won't mind if I do a few little catch-up posts so that I can share some of the creative things I've been up to - there's not a great deal of them because I've been gardening a little too but I do have a few things I'd like to share with you.

Stay tuned for the next 'Reflections' update!