Makeesha's Sketch Challenge #10

Keesh is back with a sketch challenge for us this week. I think I will need to have another attempt at this one. My card just wasn't doing what I wanted it to do!!!! (my daughter says things like that all the time). The card is desperately yelling I NEED RIBBON but I didn't check my supplies in anything those colours before I started. Anyway, here is the sketch...

And my card for a baby shower, maybe..... Gees, I'm a tad out with that sketch too, lol.

Exciting News

Well, I have just returned home after 5 nights at our holiday home on Fraser Island. Just in time as the weather started to turn a bit yikky today. I had some very exciting news when my mobile came back into range on my way home. One of my besties Mel, had her 2nd bubba while I was away. I had a feeling something may have happened while I was gone but as she was still a couple of weeks off being due I thought I was probably being ambitious. Anyway, I'm yet to hear all the details first hand, but little Gracey Elizabeth wasn't mucking around and was born before Mel reached her intended hospital destination. I can't wait to hear the full story. So congrats Mel and Dunc and little Emy on your new baby daughter and sister.

The main reason I went over to Fraser was for a combined 40th party for some good friends of ours Craig and Shaun. We had a lovely day up at Eli Creek. They couldn't have picked a nicer day if they tried. Here is a pic of the birthday boys and their better halves Katrina and Amanda. (Hi Trina, if you still check out my blog).

This also presented a great excuse for my dear buddy Tina, her husband Dave (Sean's brother) and their little man Wil to come and stay with us. Here they are up at Eli Creek.

Logan and Kyan loved playing with Wil. I think Kyan enjoyed having a big brother and followed Wil around like a bad smell. Here they all are on our lounge over there.

I also had a muck around with my camera in the backyard over there the other day. We had 4 Kookaburras that kept hanging out in our yard. Here is a couple of pics of them and a pic of a banksia. Well that's it for me. Off to feed my little man and off to bed. Bye bye.

Mojo Monday (Sort Of) Week 93

Hello, just a quick card I started last night and finished today. It started off with the plan to follow the Mojo Monday sketch however, if I had of kept going, the card would have been half the size of a manila folder, so I kept it square and not rectangle in the end, you'll see what I mean in a minute. I also used my new Sugar Nellie stamp "Luvvie". I'm really enjoying colouring and these cute little stamps. So here is the sketch and my card.

I've used Stazon ink on watercolour paper for the image. Inks are Purely Pomegranate, Baja Breeze, Close to Cocoa, Blush Blossom and a teeny bit of Kiwi Kiss for the leaves. Card stock in Baja Breeze, Purely Pomegranate and Whisper White. Some Chocolate Chip ribbon, some heart eyelets and the Wish Big stamp from Short and Sweet and the background stamp from Oh So Lovely. DSP is from Urban Garden.

A Big Thank You Blog Friends

Well folks, how quickly a year flies by.... This Saturday is exactly 12 months since my first blog post. I look back at my first card for a K Werner colour challenge and squint my eyes. I definitely think I have improved a little. I have really enjoyed my time blogging and I know I have invested far too many hours into blog surfing but I just convince myself it's my hobby and I'll surf if I want to.

For those who don't know me, I have a beautiful 17 month old son Kyan, who for some reason has been unfortunate to have food intolerance issues. It has been quite a struggle for our little family at times, as Kyan at present, can only have a special formula which you cannot be allergic or intolerant to. The downside is it tastes awful and he has a feeding tube which we need to feed anything he doesn't take himself (which most times is not much at all) down. He is fed 5 times a day which means his last feed is around 10.30-11 at night. Quite often I am doing my blog surfing or making cards when I'm waiting up for his last feed. So, I guess I'm trying to say that I really enjoy checking out all the great blogs out there and playing along in challenges. It has made this challenging time in my life a little easier.

So, not only is this my 12 month anniversary, this is also POST NUMBER 100 for me. In the last 12 months I have been fortunate to win a few challenges and some blog candy along the way. It's such a lovely thing getting that little parcel rocking up to you in the post isn't it? So to celebrate my blogaversary and 100 posts I have a little something to give away. It won't be anything super flash, just some brads, eyelets and other crafting nick knacks. I'm still organising the prize and will post a picture soon. To win, all you need to do if leave a comment on this post and tell me your favourite technique (I'm always keen to try new things out and if you like, you can leave a link to your blog showing a card/scrap page using that technique). That's it...no need to link a post to your blog, no need to be a follower. In saying that, I am going to add the follower feature to my blog if you want to follow my adventures. I hadn't bothered before because I didn't think anyone besides my friends would want to follow me, but since I have 3 followers already without the feature, I though I should add it.

Well that sure has been a big long winded post from me. Entries for my little giveaway will end at midnight on the 21st of July and I'll use Random Org to pick a winner and notify on 22nd of July, all going well. I'll be back with a picture of the prize soon but I am going away Friday for a few days so if it doesn't happen tomorrow, it will be next week. If you got this far, give yourself a pat on the back...phew....

Truly Scrumptious Challenge #10

Howdee peoples. Last night I set about having a go at using my Magnolia stamp for the first time. I don't have any markers, pastels, crayons, aqua painters or anything like that, just my ink pads and a blender pen. It started out going well, but I made a few mistakes with the shirt. I was going to toss it away but I had another look at it this morning and thought maybe it wasn't too bad and least this way if I continue with experimenting with colouring, I'll have something to look back at in time to come. So I had an image and just had to make it into a card. I had a look around for a sketch challenge to help me out and found this one at Truly Scrumptious. This is the first time I've played along with their challenge also, so this is a card of firsts. Here is the layout for this week. I have missed the little corner doobie but the rest follows suit. The challenge also asked for you to use something on your card from your neglected stash....

And here is my card. I have started with a base of Rose Red and used DSP's from Raspberry Tart. I have paper pierced around the outside and used a white gel pen to faux stitch. My image is stamped using Stazon ink on watercolour paper and the colours used are Kiwi Kiss, Close to Cocoa, Blush Blossom and Rose Red. I've used the sentiment "wish big" from short and sweet and from my neglected stash I found 2 paper flowers which I have attached to the card with 2 brown speckled brads. This photo is taken on the side so you can see the inside which I have also decorated a little. I really had fun colouring this little Tilda (I think her name is) in. I've already got my wish list as long as my arm with supplies to help me out in the future.

Also, if your a beginner like me, Kellie Winnell has a great little tutorial on colouring on her blog. You can see how easy she makes it look here.

Makeesha's Colour Challenge #9

Keesh has set us a colour challenge this week and the optional extra challenge of trying to use these colours to create a male card. Needing to make a card for my brother-in-laws birthday I set off on the challenge. Now I really lack male stamps so I really need to just really on DSP's when making a male card. So for this card, here are the colours we were to use.

For my card I have made another pocket card. Any usual visitors to my blog know I have used this style of card several times, see here. This style of card was a Make it Monday Keesh done some time back. I just love making these simple yet different cards for all sorts of occasions. If I get a chance later, I'll pop back with the recipe but as you can see it is pretty self explanatory.

Box In A Bag

Hello, today I have a Box in a Bag to show you. I've wanted to have a go at making one of these since my talented friend Mel made a stack of these at Easter time. You can see her lovely creations here. These bags are quite simple to make yet look very special if you were to receive one (I think so anyway). I think I will use them for end of year presents for my daughters kindy teachers full of yummy chocolates. The instructions on how to make these can be found here, another Splitcoast Stampers tutorial. I love their simple to follow instructions on great projects like this one.

Makeesha's Sketch Challenge #9

My friend Lisa's little boy Dylan is having his 4th birthday party this weekend so what a great excuse to make a card and team it up with Keesh's latest challenge. This week it was a sketch challenge and here is our unusual sketch to work with which I turned around....

And here is my card. I've used basic grey card stock stamped with the canvas background stamp in versamark for the base. The tag is kiwi kiss also stamped with the canvas stamp but with kiwi kiss ink. I've also used whisper white with the edges blotted with baja breeze. The car is from Loads of Love and stamped with black, kiwi kiss and baja breeze. The sentiment is from Wow Flowers. I've also added a strip of DSP Urban Garden, some hemp twine, kiwi kiss/very vanilla ribbon and some pieces from hodgepodge hardware. Again my camera is not being nice to me so the photo is not real great. The card looks much nicer in real life. Until next time....bye bye.

Thank You Flap Card

Hello, one site I love on here for some different card ideas is Splitcoaststampers. I thought I'd have an attempt at a flap card, another type of trifold card. Click here for the instructions. Unfortunately, the magnet which is suppose to keep the top flap down isn't working as well as it should be. It is a soft rubbery magnet not the good old metal version so that is the only suggestion I'd have if you attempt one of these cards.... use a proper magnet.

Mary Valley Rattler

Hello there. I just thought I'd share a few pics from our day on The Mary Valley Rattler. We had most of our playgroup there and some other family and friends and although we had patches of rain through the day we still had a great time. The trip starts at Gympie with a stop at Kandanga on the way out. Lunch is at Imbil and a stop at Dagun on the way home. The first pic is our little family with The Rattler in the background (this was taken when we arrived back at Gympie) and the other 2 pics are of our playgroup on the train and at Gympie station.

Makeesha's Inspiration Challenge #8

Well I nearly died when I saw about half an hour ago that Keesh's latest challenge ends tonight. I really wanted to play along this week after ending up with a half finished project last week (must get around to finishing that). So with minimal time I have covered a formula can which I have been wanting to do for some time as another storage place for scissors, pens etc. I'm sure pens breed in my house. Anyway, this was rushed and doesn't have much to it but will do the job. So here is the inspiration pic and my can.

The can is covered with DSP Urban Oasis with a flower stamped from Fifth Avenue Floral with Kiwi Kiss on Whisper White. I've also added some glitter glue which is something owned by my daughter (thanks Logie) and a piece of Kiwi Kiss/Very Vanilla ribbon tied around the middle. Hopefully next week I'll start on Keesh's challenge a bit earlier than this.

Mandy Schiller Scrap Challenge #2

Well, I am really just getting this in by the skin of my teeth. Mandy set another layout scrap challenge this month. Like with Mandy's example, I too turned the sketch around. This is the first page I have scrapped of my son Kyan and I'm really happy with how it turned out, although my camera's batteries were going flat as I took the picture so it looks very grainy. I'll try and take another photo tomorrow and swap it on here, but to make the deadline, this will have to do. So here is the layout we were to use and my attempt at the challenge.

Edit: I'm back and I've changed the photo's. My batteries still need charging, but at least these pics in daylight are a bit better :)

For my page, I have used a piece of textured Not Quite Navy card stock layered up with a square of DSP from Summer Picnic. I also used Old Olive, Not Quite Navy and Chocolate Chip card stock, Chocolate Chip ink on some cardboard letters and a white rub on for the word "and". I've also done some paper piercing around the circle and faux stitched with a white gel pen and paper piercing on the scallop edge and Chocolate Chip strips although this is hard to see in this photo. The buttons believe it or not come off an old skirt of mine which I have donated to my husbands rag pile but not without pinching the buttons first. These are finished off with some hemp twine. Well that is about it and although there isn't a lot of detail on this page, I feel the photos do all the talking. Thanks for looking.

Sweetie's Sketches June Layout Challenge

Hi Everyone. I thought I'd try another scrap page. Poor little Kyan still hadn't had one page done for him yet. I keep scrapping Logan. I'll have to do something about that. This sketch comes courtesy of Sweetie's Sketches.


I'm once again sorry for the picture quality. I cannot work my camera for cards and craft. The picture was taken at Logan's friends Grace's 3rd bithday party where a lady did face painting for all the kids. Here, Logan is in the middle of having her face painted with a butterfly. For this page I used DSP Berry Bliss, Purely Pomegranate and Old Olive card stock. I've also used a journaling sticker from Hoppy Memories scrap kit, white rub on although it is hard to see, which say "cute" before the U, glitter flower stickers, black and pink brads and pink ribbon. I think that is about it. In the end it didn't come up as well as I would have liked, but I thought I'd share anyway. If you double click on the picture, you'll be able to see it closer up.

Gift for Keesh

Hello all. I just thought I'd post some pics of the little gift I sent to Keesh for doing the lovely scrap pages of our wedding for her U Stamp project. I love checking out Keesh's blog and she is just the most genuine and generous person. So the goodies I sent her were some Jessica Walker chocolates, Hiller's French Nougat, Old County Roses soap (this soap smells so good) and a notepad I covered for her for 'to do lists' or whatever she likes and of course a card. I hope she likes them.

Lucky Me

Hi All...I'm sure a lot of you have probably seen Kellie Winnell's blog (but just in case you haven't, see here). Kellie does the most beautiful cards usually using the sweet Magnolia stamps, something I've never had the chance to play with.... until now. Kellie recently gave away some blog candy to celebrate 20000 hits on her blog. I'm sure she'll double that in no time as her blog is great. I received a lovely parcel in the mail today including the most beautiful smelling soap which I can't wait to use and other goodies including a mini tote, flowers, punch, stampin up papers, ribbons and stamps. Lots and lots of goodies. Thanks heaps Kellie. Well now I've finished bragging, I guess I should return to the housework while my darling son in asleep and my sweet angel daughter is spending some time with grandma after begging me to let her go over there for a play. Catch you all soon.

Another Pocket Card

Hello Everyone. I have made pocket cards a few times, see here and made another one a few weeks ago but never got around to taking a pic and posting it. So here it is. Nice and simple and ready for one of the many birthdays I have coming up.

Gina's June Sketch Challenge #2

Last night while watching the movie "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button", which by the way was pretty good (hard not to take your eyes off Brad Pitt), I made another card for Gina's sketch challenge (click here for the previous post showing the layout). Again I decorated the inside as well. Thanks for looking :)

Gina's June Sketch Challenge

I missed playing along with Gina's challenge last month so I wanted to make sure I didn't miss the deadline this month. Gina has given us this sketch to work with.

For this card I used some of the images I had stamped at one of Gina's open stamp nights. Instead of ribbon I have used linen thread. I've also done some scalloped edges, paper piercing and used some gold brads. I've also decorated the inside of the card, something I hope to do more of as I think it just makes it that extra bit special. The sentiment says "Have A Great Day" and I know just the person I'm giving it to for her birthday coming up soon. Thanks for the challenge Gina. I liked this simple sketch and may attempt another card too as I have lots of friends with birthdays coming up.

Baked Eggs Recipe

Hello all. I thought it has been a while since I had shared a recipe with you so here I am with one. Now personally, I cannot stand eggs, loathe them with a passion but my darling husband on the other hand loves them. I dislike eggs so much I cannot bear to wash up dishes that have had egg on them, can't kiss hubby until he has cleaned his teeth after eating them and sometimes I can't even stand being in a room that has had eggs cooking in there so I guess you get the picture about me and eggs.

The other day while I was waiting in the hairdressers I saw this recipe for baked eggs. Now I am unsure which mag to give credit too, I think it was Woman's Day and I don't remember exact quantities off the top of my head but basically this is what you do.

I make 2 at a time but you can make as many as you want. To start grab 2 ramekin dishes and spray a little spray oil in them. In the bottom put some ham. I just used shaved ham torn up and some eshallots chopped finely. Mix the two together. Crack one egg over the top and sprinkle a little bit of grated cheese over the top and put in the oven for 7 mins (I left them about 9 mins when I cooked them) on about 180-200 degrees. I've made them twice and the second time I added a little bit of chopped mushroom in too. So simple for a Sunday brunch and the best thing is the worse I need to do is just crack the egg. These don't leave a eggy smell in the house. I just serve it with a muffin. If you like eggs I'm sure you'll enjoy this.

Keesh's Inkspirations Sketch Challenge #8

This week Keesh gave us this sketch to work with. I needed to make an Engagement Card and as I have no engagement stamps, the only thing I could use to fit the bill was this rub on of two champagne glasses. As the colours of the rub on where black, white and pink I had to run with that for my card (I hope the man doesn't mind the girly colours).

Christening Card

My friend Michelle's daughter Rhianna was Christened yesterday and here is the card I made for her special day. I don' t have any Christening stamps so it was a bit of a challenge, but this is what I ended up with.

Mandy Schiller's Scrap Challenge #1

Keesh has asked Mandy to hold a scrap challenge each month. Being so inspired after Keesh scrapped some of our wedding photos I thought I am going to do this. It has been so long since I last scrapped anything, over 12 months so that was just the inspiration I needed. Isn't this layout great too?


I found it hard finding pictures that are landscape as at least 95% of pics I take are the other way. I can see why Mandy turned the sketch around in her example, but these kindy pics fit the bill. My daughter Logan started kindy this year and these are some pics from her first day. She loves kindy and loves the page I have made for her too. Thanks for looking and thanks for the inspiration again Keesh and Mandy. I really dislike my handwriting so I haven't written a little story about the day yet. I'm going to practise writing nicely and then I'll fill it in.