Paper Block Holder

I enjoy having an attempt at Keesh's Make it Monday projects. She is so talented and nearly all her projects are things she has made up herself. This week Keesh showed us how to make a Paper Block Holder. I decided to make one to add in with my sisters birthday present using some more of the Sassy paper I used to make her card. Click here to see Keesh's tutorial and make one yourself. Here is the final result (minus the paper inside) and a picture with her card too.

Supplies Used:
Cardstock - Green Galore, Only Orange
Paper - DSP Sassy
Other - Cardboard for base, ribbon, pencil and paper to fill it.

Little Pressie for Bec

Hi everyone, I haven't posted for a little while as hubby has been making some adjustments to our computer (adjustments to our wallets too). I had the biggest surprise of the year so far happen to me the other week. One of my best friends Rebecca in the middle of a conversation, placed some ultrasound pics in my hand. Well, I think my reaction was priceless. Bec and Craig have been saying for as long as we have known them they weren't going to have children. I still had hope for them up until about a year ago but then started to resign to the fact that I guess they won't be. I am so happy they have decided to become parents. They will do a fantastic job.

Anyway, to say congratulations I made this little goodie bag from one of Keesh's Make it Monday tutorials. You can find the instructions here. Inside I put a pair of newborn socks and some chocolates for the mum to be. The card uses the glitter window technique which I found on Mae Collins blog. This is so cute, yet so easy to do. The picture as always doesn't give it justice. Here is the link for the instructions to make one of these cards.

Weekend at Boaga

The weekend before cyclone Hamish paid us a visit, we went to Boaga, a small fishing village about 40 mins north of Bundaberg on the mouth of Baffle Creek. Thankfully we had perfect weather. We love this little spot and this is the 3rd time we've been there. The humpies you stay in are pretty rough, but that's half the fun and you are literally less than 10 metres from the water. No esplanade running between you and the water here!! Here is a pic of the kids playing on the grass between our humpy and the water under the lovely shady coconut trees. Logan has her life jacket on as she is about to go and check the crabpots. She must have been our good luck charm. We got 7 muddies.

This is a photo of Logan on some rocks at Boaga with Baffle Creek in the background. Each time we come to Boaga I take a photo of Logan here, it has become a tradition.

Here's a photo of Logan fishing with her pink fishing rod she received from her grandparents for Christmas. She also has her own pink tackle box. Gotta start them young.

Nice and Bright

Hi there. After doing Mel's latest challenge using soon to be retired products, it got me thinking about my first ever packet of Stampin' Up paper I purchased when I only used to try a bit of scrapbooking (I never thought I'd be capable of making cards). Anyway, the paper I purchased was called Sassy and I still have some. It's my sisters birthday in a couple of weeks and she is such a bright person, literally, so I thought I'd make a bright card for her. Now this little number is another type of card I had saved in my favourites to make one day. It's called a Criss Cross card and here is a link to the instructions if you'd like to try one yourself. It's very simple. What do you think?

Supplies Used:

Cardstock - Only Orange, Green Galore, Whisper White

Paper - DSP Sassy

Stamp Sets - In the Spotlight, Baroque Motifs, Friendship Blooms

Ink - Pink Passion

Other - Pink flower ribbon, Silver brads

Mel's Weekly Challenge Number 11

With the new Stampin' Up catalogue arriving soon, a list of retiring products has been announced this week. Mel's challenge for us is to make a card featuring a favourite retiring product. I've chosen the very popular Purely Pomegranate cardstock and ink and another of my favourites, the Berry Bliss DSP. This style of card is a Gate Fold Card. I've had this link saved in my favourites for ages to have an attempt at. Here are the instructions if you'd like to try making one. Once opened, the middle of the card is lined with Whisper White cardstock to write on.

Supplies Used:
Card stock - Purely Pomegranate, Whispher White
Paper - DSP Berry Bliss
Ink - Purely Pomegranate, Pretty in Pink
Stamps - Friendships Bloom, One of a Kind
Other - Brads, Boho Blossoms Punch

Makeesha's Inspiration Challenge Number 5

Here is my very rushed card before the cut off time for Keesh's latest challenge using the sketch below for inspiration. This card was made out of scrap pieces.



Supplies Used:
Cardstock - Pretty in Pink, Purely Pomegranite, Whisper White
Paper - DSP Berry Bliss
Ink - Purely Pomegranite, Chocolate Chip
Stamp Sets - One of a Kind, For a Friend
Other - Stampin' Dimensionals, Ribbon, Fabric covered brad, Hodgepodge Hardware.

Gina's February Challenge

Yeah!!! my friend Gina is back after the Christmas break with a new challenge for us. This month Gina asked us to make a card using the following layout and the card needed to feature patterned paper on it and a sentiment. So here is my card. I'm really happy with how this one turned out. My photography is still dodgy. The sentiment says "You are one of a Kind".

I have used all Stampin' Up supplies except the colouring in on the flower which is some random watercolour pencil I have. Here are the rest of the supplies.

Cardstock - Close to Cocoa, Groovy Guava, Whisper White

Paper - DSP Afternoon Tea

Ink - Close to Cocoa, Whisper White

Stamp Sets - Oh So Lovely, One of a Kind

Other - Stampin' Dimensionals, Linen Thread

Another Pocket Card

I really like the pocket cards I made a couple of weeks ago, see here for all the details, so I made another one for a friend of mine who has just had a beautiful baby boy. It's not a traditional baby type card, but I really like these colours together for a little boy.

Makeesha's Inspiration Challenge Number 4

Keesh has given us a inspiration challenge this week with this outdoor table setting picture. For my attempt, I have used Ballet Blue, Whisper White, So Saffron and Certainly Celery cardstock, Whisper white and versamark inks, some linen thread, a heart charm and rubons. I have also attempted to make this card a spiral/pop up card, so inside (which I have tried to take a picture of but not very successfully) is a spiral with little dummy, pram and safety pins attached. I also used my slit punch to create the scallop type border but by turning the cardstock underneath you are left with a circle effect. Something different.

Mel's Weekly Challenge Number 9

Well, what can I say. There is one advantage of it being a rainy day and having your 3 yrs old unwell and wanting to sleep most of the day. I had the chance to make something for Mel's weekly challenge. Usually Mel's challenges are quite mmmm...... challenging, but this week she took it pretty easy on us and just wanted a card using current Stampin' Up designer series paper.

So here is my creation. The layout however is not my idea (I'm not that clever) and I must give credit to one of my favourite paper crafters Keesh for this lovely pocket card idea. The instructions on how to make one can be found here. I have made mine a little different to her samples. Unfortunately I don't have many punches like she has used to make great embellishments and I'll even come clean that the tab on the card insert is not made from the tab punch, I have actually just traced the tab out of the catalogue onto vellum paper and retraced pressing down firmly onto the patterned paper and cut it out freehand. The joys of being a poor paper crafter, he he. Thanks for looking.

And because I like the first one so much, I made another one.

My Hubbys Hidden Talent

Hello, I just thought I'd share with you some pictures of our kids birthday cakes. My husband has developed a passion for making the kids cakes for their birthdays. Yippee I say, one less thing for me to worry about. I think he has done an amazing job.

This was for our daughters 1st birthday (this may look familiar to some from the cover of a Women's Weekly Cookbook).
This was for our daughters 2nd birthday, she loves Strawberry Shortcake so he tried to replicate her face.

This is for our sons 1st birthday, a nemo cake. For some reason the picture keeps loading up sideways so you'll have to tilt your head.

And our daughter just turned 3. She asked dad to make her a cupcake cake so he made this lovely bunch of flowers.

He's never made me a birthday cake!! I might have to put in an order this year.

K Werner Color Inspiration #41

It has been some time since I last had an attempt at a Kristina Colour Challenge (yes I do know how to spell 'colour' in Australia although I do it the American way in the title). I didn't have much time so I just did this super quick card for valentines day using the colour below. In my haste, I forgot to stamp the sediment before assembling and yes, it turned out crooked, grrrr. Anyway least I have something to give hubby. We decided to donate money to the Bush Fire Appeal rather than spending it on Valentines Day, however, unbeknown to my husband, I have finally gone and had framed a wedding photo we have had in storage for nearly 4 years, so I hope he likes that.

I Have A Confession.....

It's official....I AM A BLOG STALKER!!!!

I haven't been too creative of late. I'm not sure if it's because I'm a bit weary by the time I get a chance at night or because I don't have an actual set craft room or space which I find frustrating or because I am just slack. I think a bit of each. My little boy needs to have a feed at night around 10.30pm so rather than going to sleep for an hour or so and getting up, I usually watch some tv or check out some of my favourite blogs (this is when I should be creating). I'm sure some people out there would regard me a stalker. Anyway, one of the blogs I regularly visit is the blog of Mae Collins. Mae set up the 'blog follower' feature on her blog and generously had some blog candy to give to the first person to become a follower. Now, prize or no prize, I would have always been a follower. So, this little lucky blog stalker was the first and look what a lovely gift I received today.

Thanks Mae. There really are some great Stampin Up demonstrators out there. Love your work and look forward to stalking on you some more, lol.

Two Challenges in One

I needed a birthday card for a little boy and I'd be lying if I said I was happy with the way this one turned out (i nearly didn't post this at all) but you have good days and bad days. For this card I have worked with the colours from Keesha's Colour Challenge and Nerine's layout challenge at Stampin' Addiction. I tried to make the "wish big" sparkle to match the tops of the candles but mmmm. I think I need to restart again!!!

Makeesha's Sketch Challenge No 1 2009

Here is my attempt for Makeesha's first challenge for the year. Keesh's blog is one of my favourite and I really hope to be able to participate in some of her challenges this year. So, for this card, I finally got to play with my latest stamp set "One of a Kind". I have used the colours Perfect Plum, Pale Plum, Pretty in Pink, Mellow Moss and Whisper White for this card, a couple of silver brads and some white ribbon.

It's my girlfriend Tina's birthday this week so this card is for her. I hope you like it and I hope she does too. Here is the link to Keesha's blog for this challenge. There are some great cards being made for this challenge so check them all out.

Christmas Morning 2008

Hi Everyone, I hope you had a great Christmas and New Year. Just thought I'd post a pic of our kids on Christmas morning next to the Christmas tree with all the pressies (they are not all for them, although they did quite well) at our holiday house on Fraser Island. I am hoping to still get the chance to post occasionally although things have been pretty busy lately. I hope you all have a fantastic 2009. Chook xx

Sometimes Things Don't Finish As Planned

For part of my mum's birthday present, I started to decorate an accordion book with black and white pics of my kids taken when they were born, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months and 9 months. Unfortunately, the first lot of ribbon I placed on each side on the middle photo, did not like folding up and as I was unable to peel the double sided tape back up, I put some other ribbon over the top of the glue. I had to cut the pages from the accordian book and here is the final result. Sorry for the ordinary pics. Just as we were about to leave to go and have tea with mum for her birthday I realised I hadn't taken any pics of my creation yet. So here it is, one side for Logan and one for Ky.

Merry Christmas From My Daughter

A little video to amuse you

http://www.dancingsantacard.com/?santa=10441

Trying Out Some Of My Hodgepodge Hardware

One of the new advantages of my little boy being placed on a special diet, is these small formula tins which are a great size for decorating. I have made this one up for my sister who's nickname is Mit for her to put on her office desk for scissors, pens etc. She is also a book nut so I have made her a matching bookmark. The back side has "bookmark" stamped on it. I used my first 2 pieces of Hodgepodge Hardware on this little project.

I've just come back to edit this initial posting as I have now made a matching post it note holder. This is a very easy little project courtesy of Keesh. Here is the link to her easy to follow instructions.

I'm Home And Check Out My Welcome Home Present

Just a quick post to say we are home from hospital and hopefully little Kyan is on his way to a fatter life (our little man has had a lack of weight issue). He is sitting on my lap now helping me type while his sister is resting. Anyway, what a great surprise to come home to..... A few weeks back, Keesh was giving away some blog candy. All you had to do was leave a comment on her blog with your favourite and least favourite Stampin' Up colours (see the link below) and guess what... I was the very lucky winner.
http://www.makeeshabyl.com.au/index.php/2008/10/26/so-what-do-ya-think-and-some-blog-candy/
http://www.makeeshabyl.com.au/index.php/2008/10/31/blog-candy-winner-2/

I received a Hodgepodge Hardware set in antique brass, a double pocket bag, post it note holder and some great cards all made by Keesh. How lucky am I. Thanks heaps Keesh, you are a very generous person.

I'm Still Alive Just Temporarily Out Of Action

Hello any readers of my blog. I know I have thousands of fans out there, lol. Just letting you know I am still alive but I may not have any posts for a while or attempts at any challenges to share. I am currently in Brisbane with my little boy in hospital. All is well but we may be here for another week. Take care and see you all hopefully soon. Chook

Stamp and Stack Night

Last night my fabulous mate Gina held a stamp and stack night at a friends house. I had a great time gas bagging and making cards. Here is a sample of the cards we made. I've used 2 of them already so it was great timing. Can't wait for the next one Gina.

Melissa's Stamping Blog Colour Challenge

I've become a bit of a blog stalker of late. Another blog I have been looking at lately is Melissa's Stamping Blog. Mel has a colour challenge going at the moment using this picture as inspiration.

Now, I was suppose to use Basic Black, Chocolate Chip, Gable Green and Whisper White, however I think the pattered paper I have used may be certainly celery, so I may have played outside the rules a bit. While I'm confessing, the layout of this card was inspired by a birthday card I received from my girlfriend Tracy years ago. Although the cards are totally different, the idea of the punched hole and the thread to hang the wish label from is inspired from the card I received. So here is the card.

Second Time Lucky

How exciting is this.....A couple of weeks ago I was checking Kari Hughes's great blog (here's the link http://karigail.wordpress.com/) and she was asking readers to post a comment with a link to a cupcake card that you had made.

Back in July I made a cupcake card for one of Gina's sketch challenges but it wasn't the winner but this time around Kari picked it, how lucky am I!!!!, and today in the mail I received a lovely card from Kari and the level 1 hostess stamp set called "For a Friend". That is the stamp set featured on the right hand side of this picture from the current catalogue.



Thanks so much Kari. I'm looking forward to having a play with it. Here is the link to my lucky cupcake card. http://chooksscrap.blogspot.com/2008/07/ginas-july-challenges_31.html)

Chicken Kiev with Bacon and Asparagus

Well it's been awhile since I have posted a recipe so I thought I'd share this one I made last weekend. Isn't it funny how you dislike certain foods as a kid and then you change your thoughts when you are a bit older. I used to dislike asparagus very much (maybe because I had only tried it out of a can...shame on you mum) but now I really like it fresh (still dislike the canned version).

I found this recipe on the internet when googling chicken, bacon and asparagus to see if I could find any inspiration (god bless google). The site is called foodtv. I have just cut and pasted the ingredients and instructions, however I just halved the ingredients to make 2 not 4 kievs. Also it says to cook at 350°F, I'm not sure what that is in celsius but I think I used 180 and I cooked it for about 40 mins not 20. This dish turned out really nice, better than I expected. I made my own bread crumbs and I think that is what made it. So here it is. Sorry, I didn't think to take a picture until I was half way through it and then I was enjoying it too much to get up and find my camera. Next time. I hope you give it a go and enjoy :)

Ingredients:

8 strips bacon
12 tips of asparagus, (top 2 inches only)
4 large skinless boneless breasts of chicken, tendons removed
2 egg
2 cup breadcrumbs, (coarse if possible)
1 cup flour
5 tbsp butter
salt and pepper

Directions:

1. In a frying pan, cook bacon until almost crispy.
2. Steam asparagus tips for three minutes.
3. Using a mallet, or other blunt instrument (the kind you keep beside your bed to ward off mad burglars), flatten chicken breasts by placing them, one at a time, between 2 sheets of wax paper or plastic wrap, and pound to 1/4" thickness.
4. Pre-heat oven to 350°F.
5. In three separate bowls place: (bowl #1) flour, (bowl #2) eggs (beaten) and (bowl #3) bread crumbs. Line the three bowls in a row.
6. Complete the following procedure for each portion.
7. Take one flattened chicken breast, season with salt and pepper. Lay two strips of bacon side by side, on the top side of the chicken breast. Place three asparagus tips crosswise at one end and top with 1 tablespoon butter.
8. Starting at the end with the asparagus, roll up chicken like a carpet around the bacon, butter and asparagus, and tuck in the loose ends underneath.
9. Dip rolled chicken in the flour, then the egg, and then the bread crumbs, covering thoroughly at each step. Place in a shallow pan with the seam on the bottom. Place 1/4 tablespoon butter on top of each piece of chicken. Bake for approximately 20 minutes, or until cooked throughout. Towards the end, baste with pan drippings.

Gina's October Challenges

Gina challenged us again this month with another sketch and colour challenge. I even managed to be able to participate in the sketch this month after my disasterous attempt last month that ended in the bin. So here is the sketch template, however you didn't have to use a versamarked background or the ripped vellum just follow the layout. I liked it however and came up with 2 cards, a baby boy card which will come in handy as a friend of mine just had a little boy and also the card I made for the K Werner challenge displayed earlier or here is the link http://chooksscrap.blogspot.com/2008/10/k-werner-color-inspiration-25.html.

And for the colour challenge you needed to use this funky bedroom photo for inspiration. This card was a double up with Makeesha's challenge and is displayed in the post below or this link http://chooksscrap.blogspot.com/2008/10/makeesha-and-ginas-challenges.html. I didn't want to bore you with posting the same cards twice.

Makeesha and Gina's Challenges

I have been following some great blogs lately and gaining some inspiration from participating in their challenges. This is the first time I have played along with one of Makeesha's challenges. This week is a trifold card challenge. Here is a link to Makeesha's blog. She does some great work. Make sure you check out her trifold card examples. http://www.makeeshabyl.com.au/ .

This is also my entry for Gina's colour challenge this month. I will post more about the inspiration for these colours at a later date when I post the sketch challenge cards. There never seems to be enough time lately so sometimes doubling up with the one card is the only way to go. I learnt this style of card through a Splitcoast Stampers tutorial (infact I still have the link http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/tutorials/Joy_fold_card). They actually call them a Joy Fold card. I hope you like it.

K Werner Color Inspiration #26

I decided to have a quick go at the latest K Werner colour challenge tonight. Now to any Aussies reading this, I do know how we spell "colour" here but I have always kept the title spelt the way Kristina does. I don't know why...I think I just cut and pasted the first one I ever did and have just kept following suit. Anyway, the colours this week are as below and then my very quick card follows.

K Werner Color Inspiration #25

Now Shhhhh Everyone.... I had a thousand things to do this afternoon, so no one telling my husband I stopped to make a card. It has been a while since I've had a go at one of K Werner's Colour Challenges, so this arvo I made a card. The layout is also for another challenge so at least I have killed two birds with one stone. So using the colours from the inspiration picture below, I made a birthday card. There are balloons versa marked in the background, raised butterflies with linen thread coming down and tying up on a blue button on the top of the present which is stamped on vellum. Although I have all the papers in these colours, I don't have the inks so I have snuck black into the card too. Anyway, here it is, something a bit different for me.

Double Pocket Gift Bags

I really enjoy going to Gina's classes but unfortunately, I have missed the last couple. Luckily for me, my mate Mel showed me how to make these great double pocket bags they learnt how to make at one of the classes. I just love the Stampin' Up Berry Bliss paper and being that the paper is double sided, I think it just adds something extra to these little bags. I have made both of these for birthday gifts. The one on the left included a card and a mini photo album and the one on the left included a card and a gift voucher. I can see me making more of these in the future.