Chaos Reigns

Posted on January 28, 2010 by admin

Over the last 7 weeks with Christmas & school holidays and trying to get a fundraiser off the ground my study/classroom as been neglected and now chaos is king. It’s a shocker. I’ve taken photos to prove it. And I’m going to post them here. I need accountability. I need you all telling me what a grot I am to shame me into getting it sorted!! lol

Are you ready for it?

craft room

Bad isn’t it? And that’s just a wee corner. The rest is just as bad. I have no defence as it all just sounds like poor excuses for my slovenly behaviour. Well today I hope to get some work done in there. I have a gazillion ideas for cards & boxes running around in my head {plenty of space up there! lol} and I cannot possibly even contemplate creation in this mess. I purchased myself a lovely new cupboard yesterday to start the re-organisation and tidy up of the pit of sh…..err…mess!!

So this is the beginning. I shall keep you all apprised of my progress. Wish me luck as I foray into the depths of the disaster that I created!!

Until next time,
Happy {tidy} stamping!!
Mad

SAB Blog Hop

Posted on January 25, 2010 by admin

Let’s Sale-A-Brate!!!!!

Welcome to the ESAD Sale-A-Bration Blog hop!! We had so much fun doing the Summer Mini one we’re doing it again. Sit back and enjoy!

If you’re here from Lynn’s blog, you’re on the right track. The hop starts with the very talented Alana if you like to go from the beginning. Otherwise keep hopping and you’ll go round and round!!

The Sale-A-Bration catalogue is now available and we have something special to share with you. As part of an online forum/group we have created a Blog Hop to celebrate Sale-A-Bration. Our group is ESAD-SU and stands for “Extra Special Aussie/NZ Demonstrators”. It’s a wealth of knowledge and support and is open to all Demos in Australia and NZ. If you would like to join, please visit http://au.groups.yahoo.com/group/ESAD-SU/

I’ve used the very versatile Whimsical Words stamps to create my gift box full of “pick your own sentiment” cards. So I’ll stop chatting away shall I and get on with it?

The box:

SAB Bloghop

And it opens to reveal:

SAB Bloghop 1

On the left-hand side is a cello bag stuck to the cardstock. On a piece of cardstock I have attached several different sentiments from the Whimsical Words set. They are mounted on Dimensionals and then I’ve used glue dots to stick to the backing cardstock. When you remove the sentiment of your choice the backing of the dimensional and the glue dot will remain on the cardstock. Tricky eh? I think when I give the gift of hand-made cards, it’s nice for the recipient to be able to choose what they’d like to go on it!

All the cards & Sentiments:
SAB Bloghop 2

I’ve made them all slightly different but the layout is exactly the same. I’ve used the 1 1/4″ punch to cut out the squares to mount onto the piece of scalloped Basic Grey cardstock. The flowers are made using punches and/or the very gorgeous Flower Fusion felt flowers in Baja Breeze. I’ve also used the clear rhinestone brads for a bit of bling. Very simple but effective (if I’m allowed to say so myself! lol)

And one last picture of what the card looks like when it’s put together:
SAB Bloghop 5
Hope you’ve enjoyed my creations. Next stop on the Hoppity Hop is the talented Mae. Don’t forget there’s a prize up for grabs for one lucky commenter….leave a comment on ALL the ESAD Blog hop Blogs and it could be YOU!! Have fun!!

Until next time,
Happy Stamping!!
Mad

One more sleep!!!

Posted on January 24, 2010 by admin

SABpic

Until we can all go mad with Sale-A-Bration (SAB)!! I LOVE this time of year!! It’s almost like Christmas all over again…except without the “omg I’ve eaten too much” feeling and the Relatives!!! (just kidding MUM!! hee hee)

Never heard of Sale-A-bration??? Well!! Let me tell you all about it!!

If you’re a Customer: For EVERY $100 you spend you can choose a FREE SAB set. No limits!
As a Hostess: Receive a free SAB set (along with normal hostess benefits) when your total reaches $600.
And if you were thinking about Joining as a Demonstrator now you can get a FREE stamp set (of your choice) up to $79.95 value!! Pretty cool eh?? Email me for details!

Come check out my blog tomorrow as the ESAD group Demos are doing another Blog Hop!!

Until next time,
Happy Stamping!!
Mad

Haitian Disaster Relief

Posted on January 22, 2010 by admin

On 12 January, 2010 a magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck Haiti, leaving in its wake devastation so overwhelming that the Haitian people and their leaders can only look for help from the outside to cope. From now until 28 February, 2010, you can partner with Stampin’ Up! to make a difference in the lives of those who continue to suffer from the effects of this devastating earthquake.

Stampin’ Up! will set aside $2 from the sale of every I {Heart} Hearts stamp set and donate that money to the American Red Cross’ Haiti Relief and Development Fund. The Red Cross is already well-established in Haiti, and this money will be used to provide immediate relief and long-term support through supplies, technical assistance and other support to help those in need.

i_heart_hearts

***I WILL DONATE EVERY CENT OF ANY COMMISSION MADE***

Should you purchase this stamp set through me, I will donate all commission to the Red Cross. Remember that Sale-a-bration begins on Monday and for every $100 spent you will get a free stamp set!! Stay tuned for more details!

Until next time,
Happy Stamping!
Mad

I can’t stop singing Dora songs….

Posted on January 21, 2010 by admin

I’ve been making party bags for Miss Alexandra’s 3rd birthday party and as it’s a Dora the Explorer party they just had to be Backpack.

backpack party boxes

backpack party boxes2

How’d I do?? Look like Dora’s Backpack?? I decided not to add Map to the side. I’ve got some coloured pencils that i’m going to put in a cylinder and then attach to the side instead. We’ve gone Dora mad in this house as Alexandra is totally in love with it!!! The joys of being 3!!

Hope you are all having a great week. We’re still on School holidays here until next week. I am counting the days until it goes back!!! I love my kids but I’m missing being able to stamp in the day!!

Until next time,
Happy stamping!
Mad

EDITED TO ADD: The instructions along with the templates for the mouth & eyebrows was lost in a computer change over. I no longer have the capacity to send out instructions. I remember using a modified 2,4,6,8 box. Tutorials abound on the internet if you Google that. I can also no longer source this cardstock as it’s retired Stampin’ Up! I’m glad you like them, however that’s all the help I can offer at this time regarding reproducing them yourself. I’m also, unfortunately, not in a position to make them for you. Thanks for your understanding. xo

Keeping it Simple

Posted on January 16, 2010 by admin

sweet nothings page
One of my {unspoken} goals for 2010 is to get back into doing some scrapbooking. One of the ways i’m doing that is by keeping it simple. Not overthinking it. I’m not entering any competitions. I’m doing it for me. For my family. For the record and the memories.

Stampin’ Up! help me keep it simple by using the Simply Scrappin’ Kits. This time i’ve used the Sweet Nothings Kit. For only $36.95 you get heaps of pages and elements to use. This kit was a gift from my secret sister on the ESAD forum. Be warned, i’ve been using it HEAPS so you’re all going to be seeing some more stuff done with it. I LOVE it!

For this page I’ve used one of the photos from our family photo shoot in October of Mark & I. I’ve kept it simple, because I want the photo to be the focus. Aren’t we cute? LOL

sweet nothings page1

I like it. Quick and easy and starting to meet my resoloutions!!

Hope your all having a super Saturday!
Until next time,
Mad

Welcome Charlie!

Posted on January 13, 2010 by admin

Remember a wee while back I started the bag making trend for baby “b”? Well he has arrived safe and well. He just scraped in Christmas too, being born on the 23rd!!

Anyway, as it was my lovely friend Sarah’s 4th little bubba I offered to do the thank you / announcement cards for them as my gift to the new baby. Knowing that he was a “he” I got started a little before I knew he was due and finished them up before New Years. Here they are, all 30 of them:

charlie cards2

And a picture from the front. Aaahh, it possibly would have been a good idea for me to take a picture of the insert that I made for them as well. Mmmm very clever of me, eh? {insert head banging and eye rolling emoticon here}

charlie cards

And the card that I made to welcome him matched these as well:

charlie card from us

I went with a bit of a non-traditional colour scheme for the cards. Just for something a little different. I was very happy with how they turned out….and Sarah was too {phew}.

Stamps: Nursery Necessities, Bundle of Joy (retired)
Cardstock: Choc chip, Whisper White, So Saffron, Old Olive
Ink: Mellow Moss, Choc Chip, So Saffron, Old Olive
Other: Designer Label Punch, 1 3/4″ circle punch, Word window punch, Windsor Knot DSP, Misc buttons from my very large jar!

Until next time,
Happy Stamping!!
Mad

Mojo Monday..on a Sunday!!

Posted on January 10, 2010 by admin

mojomonday120_1

One of my resolutions this year is to get more challenges done. I have loved the Mojo Monday Sketches for ever but never pulled my finger out in time to play. This week i’m scraping in!! LOL

Mojo120Sketch

How lovely is this sketch?? Here’s my card:

mojomonday120

I love the sentiment “because nice matters”. I’ve got quite a few cards with this sentiment on it to make in the next week or two as i’ve had an amazing amount of support from so many people regarding my Cards for a Cause day. The flower is cased from a couple of different locations. Dawn McVey has posted some on her blog recently and the SU Demo Mag that we get each month had some in it as well. I had to do them!! I just added some “leaves” to mine!

Cardstock: Choc Chip, Very Vanilla, Tangerine Tango DSP
Stamps: Best Yet, Life Definitions, Sanded BG
Other: Double Stitched Grosgrain ribbon, Scallop Oval & Scallop Circle punches, Twine

Ok, I hope to get back on here soon. I’m still hobbling around on the sore foot. I also did something to my back at the grocery shopping yesterday and have been hobbling around with that as well!! I’m in the wars already this year!!!

Until next time,
Happy Stamping!!
Mad

Happy New Year!!!

Posted on January 4, 2010 by admin

2010

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

I’m not too late am I?? It’s only the 4th!! I will admit to having taken to my bed for the most part of the last 4 days. On New Years Eve morning around 9.36am (approx. lol) I caught my heel on the corner of the screen door. I’ve done it before. No problem. This time? 5 stitches!!!! Very painful. So i’ve been resting it. I’m back to the surgeon today to see how it’s all going. I’ll not get into to many details because it’s very very gross!! Trust me.

So what does the new year bring?? I hope to get blogging again regularly. This next month is going to be a bit of a whirl though as i’m planning a big fundraising event for Xavier Children’s Support Network. They are the organisation that support Lara & our family. They look after children with disabilities etc. Angels. So i’m doing a Cards for a Cause afternoon of madly making cards. More details to follow.

I’ve been involved in a Secret Sister Swap with the ESAD group this last 3 months and have really enjoyed it. I’ve got heaps of photos to share with you over the coming days. But until then, here’s a little collage of our Chrismas morning!!

christmas 09 collage