1-4-1 Card Swap - VicStampers

Just made this card above this afternoon/evening for a VicStampers 1-4-1 Card Swap ... thought it a hoot (I'm easily amused - I guess). The leaf covering the 'lower anatomy' is slightly raised which added to my 'humour' (ie: grin) ... don't think the reduced scan shows it's 'full potential' - lol. I'll be making five more and will post out this weekend. Putting it up now as I don't 'advertise' my Blog - so I feel confident no one from VicStampers (who's participating in the 1-4-1 Swap) will see it till they get it in their mail - hopefully Monday.

On Saturday I made six cards on the 'conservativ'e side - *what an achievement*! Then Sunday I woke with a sore back and suffered with it for three very long days - absolutely no fun is an understatement. I've picked up today but I'm still taking it easy for the next few.

Thank you - Lucy!

It pays to be complimentary (and sincere) … literally! Above is a beautiful example of one of Lucy Leatham’s ‘works of art’ that was gifted to me - all because I commented on her Blog on how much I liked it. How generous is she … and … lucky me! What a pal … thanks heaps Lucy … it’s now residing in a very appreciative home - mine!

Had Friday off from work this week - *yay*. I had a ‘Day in Lieu’ owing - which I was going to save for the Monday of Cup Weekend … but our new Principal does ‘not approve’ of that (*boo - hiss*) - so it’s school as normal for all staff (I’ll put money on - that there won’t be many students at school on that day!). Apart from no ‘four day long weekend’ - he’s an ok guy.

So … it was off to Paperific instead. I thoroughly enjoyed it even though we didn’t stay all that long as Bev had/has a sore back and seeing as I did enough damage to my purse in the mere three hours we were there it was a good enough reason for vacating fast - lol. Nice venue, Melbourne Show Grounds, but I also liked it at Caulfield Race Course.

I spent yesterday at home ‘chilling’ and being slightly ‘creative’. I made six Birthday cards (*a miracle*) which will see out my Birthday card making list to the end of the year. I only send/give hand made cards to those who would appreciate it - not those who will toss it in the bin within the week (they get bought ones - lol).

Today I visited my parents and while there I played about with my Lyra Watercolour Crayons, experimenting. I’ve had the full set for well over a year now but I have not touched them since the day I bought them. And this evening I had play with colouring pencils using Mineral Turps - experimenting again and needing much more practice. I didn’t ‘create’ anything - I just ‘played’.

Blink of an Eye Lid ...

Well … the holidays sure went FAST! Two weeks of holidays went in a blink of an eye lid … and one week back at work seems an eternity! *go figure*

But it’s more that just school holidays that time passes fast … my other HUGE ‘blink of an eye lid’ moment is … my baby is having a baby. Yep … that’s going to make me an official ‘dinosaur’ (lol). I just can’t get my head around it … I know my body (ie: wear and tear, etc) and my age says that "it’s to be expected" … but my mind still seems so ‘just out of high school’! Sarah (my daughter) by the way, is the same age as I was when I had her (24 and a half) and she was my second child! Shoooot … it really seems like it was only yesterday that she was born. So … in May 2009 I’m going to be a Nanna (?). I don’t know what I want to be called - yet … but it sure isn’t going to be Grandma! (lol)

A couple of ‘highlights’ during the school holidays were …I had my longest time friend (since Grade 3), Margaret come stay a couple of days during the holidays … she’s lived in Bendigo for a very long time now - so it’s always great when we catch up.

I had a Kaszazz New Product Party at my place and that was ‘busy as’ - 23 turned up! My head was spinning after attempting to be ‘social’ with everyone. It’s hard to be completely ‘social’ when you’re the one being the ‘hostess’. Was a great day though - nice to have nice friends … some came from great distances from where I live too! *amazing*

As for crafting … very little was done. I managed to make only one card for a friends 50th and I made a couple of last minute (literally) ATC’s for VicStampers ATC ‘Shape of the Month’. First is ‘Square’ - I used credit card technique for the background (which I already had previously made) and spotlighted the letter ‘D’. The other ‘shape’ was ‘Crown’ - hence the hat. Both simple but they were very hurriedly done on the morning of the afternoon meeting! The ‘Oval’ ATC shape was done for the September Challenge.

On Holidays … at Last!!!

LIFE has returned … *yay*! No more feeling like a robot - ie: I wake at this time, I shower at this time, I leave for work at this time, I arrive at work at this time, etc, etc, etc … I’m guessing you get the picture (lol). Freedom ... finally!

Life has been good the past few weeks … a couple of weeks back Bevlea, Lucy, Janice and myself spent a faaabulous Saturday morning looking over the ‘Spirit of Tasmania’ (it was an Open Day), had lunch at Williamstown then went and visited Monika at her store (Beachhouse Boulevard) in Spotswood. Stayed at Monika’s for a while - had coffee and ‘chit chatted’ with Liz A., Joan Mc., Kaye W. and Monika while they ‘created’. Excellent day in all areas - weatherwise too! Fathers Day was spent over at my parents to celebrate the occasion with family - nice and relaxing.

The following weekend was my birthday and I spent the entire day at home (as I had WISHED for) … had my parents come visit, my long time friend (from high school days) Janice come stay the day while we messed about crafting and I had a couple of other friends pop in for a visit (Sue my Stampin’ Up ‘dealer’ and a work colleague, Erica - the Jewellery teacher at school). VicStampers was the following day - which as always, was enjoyable.

This weekend was ‘booked out’ … yesterday was PaperMates then from there I raced home to get ready for a night out with my brother and his partner. My brother’s birthday is a day after mine, but he is four years older than I. So … to celebrate our Birthdays (one week later) we went out to a club in Hawthorn (The New Capers - www.newcapers.com.au) for dinner and a performance by Glenn Shorrock (Little River Band - Glenn Shorrock). His performance waaaay bettered my expectations - he was brilliant … great food (three courses) and an excellent venue. Hoping to go back for the Joe Camilleri & The Black Sorrows and Ross Wilson performances.

Today was a glorious day and was spent at a BBQ at my ex-neighbours home as her daughter was over from WA for a visit. Miss not having them live across the road from me - but it was I who moved off the mountain (for low maintenance - and no regrets on that issue). They were the best neighbours one could wish for - in the nineteen years we lived opposite each other we never had bad feelings between us. Our kids grew up together and we are like family … I was and am very fortunate.

Above is a recent Paper Queens project that I participated in - Jigsaw Swap - Vintage theme. Thank you ladies - I love them all.

Participants are as follows …
(Top Row - L to R): Anne Thompson - Marg Buhagiar - Eva (me)
(Middle Row - L to R): Barb Dare - Kristi Wright - Glenda Laing
(Bottom Row - L to R): Kathy Thompson - Mary Strong - Bevlea Ross

I Got Spoilt - Yesterday!

Yes … I’m still ‘here’ … just been the norm for me - ‘busy as’ or I’ve been tooooo pooped to do much else! But yesterday I got spoilt - lucky me. Marion E. and Jane T. ‘kidnapped’ me for the day … they took me out for coffee, cake AND chocolate to Hahndorf’s Fine Chocolates store in Montrose. Needless to say … great treat and fabulous company. When done - we then came back to my place for a ‘play afternoon/early evening’. It was just wonderful to ‘sit still’, ‘play’, ‘veg’ and ‘natter’.

In the past few weeks I’ve had PaperMates where we made two versions of a sliding card. Not all that much captures my attention but these two surely did! I didn’t make a completed card (no shock there - lol) but I did manage to do the two templates for future projects. Thanks Marion for the work you always put in - in showing us ‘How To’.

Then the following day I had a Stampin’ Up party at my home - which, had nothing to do with me … *got you wondering on that one - I’m sure* - lol. A friend of mine, the lovely Ruthie lives in a male dominated home (husband, two birth sons and an ‘adopted’ son) … not a serene environment for an all female afternoon … lol. Sooooo … I supplied the ‘venue’. Ruthie supplied the guests and ‘nibbles’ and ... she took home the ‘benefits’. I had a great afternoon not having to fuss over a single thing - lol.

Last weekend, my local Stampin’ Up ‘dealer’ - that Sue Collins (lol) … had yet another Stampers Stack gathering which focused on Male Cards. We made eight in all - all great but, being the perfectionist that I am - I haven’t got one for ‘show and tell’ this post as I messed up a few (ie: I was to heavy with the stamping, over did the ‘pricking’, etc, etc, etc) - lol.

Today I did manage to get a little bit ‘productive’ … I finished off some cards that I half started but not completed. Above are some samples of cards that I made. My aim with these sort of cards, that I am very slowly building up, is ... to put in the staff room at work to sell for ‘pocket money’ … ie: pay for some of my craft supplies. My craft spending waaaaaay exceeds anything I will ever sell … *feeling of shame* (lol)

Thanks Jen!

Been a busy week, as per norm … work - work - work! I’ve been starting work at 7:30am since last week (and will do so for another two plus weeks) ... and ... have been ‘nodding off’ at around 9:00pm most evenings. So, this weekend was an absolute joy to an otherwise very dull week.

On Saturday I attended a ‘Junk Bracelet’ class taught by Jenny Crossley! Loved it - loved it - loved it! Sooooooo happy with my bracelet (pictured above) - great group of girls to ‘play with’, relaxed atmosphere and very productive. This is the very first class that I’ve ever attended where I’ve actually finished off the project in class time … *miracle*! But on that note … I do intend taking off some pieces to rearrange so I can space them out a bit better. What can I say … I can’t help it - it’s the ‘Virgo’ in me! (lol)

And thanks again Jen … for the gorgeous trinket (pictured above). It’s way too good to wear (I’m fearful of damaging/losing it!) so I think I might just frame it!

Winner & Grinner!

Well today was VicStampers and I was a winner … twice! Above is one ‘prize’ for the day … our Mini House Swap (we all won that one)! Fun to do and a fabulous ‘prize’ to take home. The people that I managed to do a swap with are … as follows:

Top row - left to right: Christina Lillie - Jane Tisell - Eva (me) - Barb Dare - Janet Gardner - Joy Welsh
Bottom row - Left to right: Kathy Thompson - Lisa Moffat - Debbie Larcombe - Marg Byrne

1: Please Note: Christina’s Mini House had the cutest little door knob (re: the hole that’s showing), but due to the raised knob it would not scan properly - hence the removal of the knob … sorry Christina, but I have put it back on!
2: And may I just say … Christina owns Christina’s Crafts - www.christinascrafts.com.au … one of the best stores about for your regular paper craft supplies but more so for her ‘interesting’ odds and ends for the Altered Artist and the like … go visit her site (and take your coffee with you - lots to see!).

Also … my other ‘prize’ for the day (and that one was all mine and only mine) was walking away with five ATC’s - which was the prize for the ATC ‘Shape of the Month’ Challenge - *yay me*! How it works is … create an ATC which has to incorporate that months ‘shape’ which was ‘Arrow’ for the month of August. Anyone can submit, everyone votes and the one with the most votes gets to keep all submissions. Thanks for the votes girls and thanks to Barb Dare, Bevlea Ross, Janet Gardner and Claire Kelly too for your ATC submissions - they’ve all gone to a very appreciative home, ie: mine! *grin*

Yesterday, Bevlea, Lucy and I went on a ‘mission’ to find ‘odds and ends’ for Jenny Crossley’s Junk Bracelet class next week. Unfortunately for me, I didn’t ‘score’ any ‘treasures’ but did enjoy being driven to Castlemaine and Bendigo though. It’s not often that I’m a passenger so it was nice to enjoy the views. HUGE thanks to Lucy for letting me sit in the front the entire day - Bev was the driver and I was her ‘co-pilot’. I got the privilege to sit in the front because I’m not a good passenger in the back seat of a car, re: motion sickness (not much fun and I don't come out looking at my 'personal best')!