Merry Christmas

Hi everybody.

Not much to report.

I am excited as i wait for Christmas morning. With a 3 and 5 year old, things are very joyous..

Harry goes to school next year, so a new challenge, and more fun times...I am really looking forward to his learning. I think Emmy will really miss him at Kinder/creche though.

I know this card isn't christmas at all, but I can't find my photo of my christmas card I sent out this year. So I will have to take another one, from my card which is at work! This train set is a very cute Stampin'Up! set..

I hope you have a beautiful Christmas and 2010 is full of love and laughter. See you soon.

Cheers Karen

hey there

I had to pop in to say Hi.

Thanks to everyone who stopped by for WCMD. I was overwhelmed with the kind and generous comments. So glad you stopped by and liked my card.
I am hanging out on facebook way too much these days. Which means less tiome for my poor blog. So if you wanna stay in touch find me on FB and send me a message.
here is a cheery LO from the retreat i went to recently. I love how i painted the chipboard flowers to match the PP, turned out perfect i think. Inspired by my clever painting extraodinaire friend Annie, taa darling xx

I painted the chipboard with Brilliance inks, they are very effective for a sparkly result.

Cheers Karen

Moxie Fab WCMD countdown, hop to it

lets blog hop, that is...the countdown is on :

Welcome to the World Card Making Day Countdown Blog Hop hosted by the Moxie Fab World. Cardmakers around the world are waiting for the big day, World Card Making Day, which is on this Saturday, October 3, where people all over the world will unite in the joy and celebration of the fantastic art of card making and card giving. Why not spend the time waiting with a world wide countdown blog hop with several chances of winning fabulous prizes over the next 5 days?

These prizes are amazing, I would love to win some. All you have to do is leave me a comment, and to increase your chances leave comments on the other blogs too, Comments need to be left by Sunday 4th to be elidgible. The hop started today in Europe and hits Aussie shores tomorrow. So to all of my Aussie friends, and to the international guests, I truly welcome you, thanks so much for stopping by. I have been looking at the other blogs this morning and all I can say is the talent of the participants is amazing. It is an absoloute honor to be asked to participate in this even, with all of the incredibly talented girls.

(YOU CAN CLICK ON THIS CARD FOR A CLOSER LOOK)
I made this card especially for all of you guys, just for today, but thought I would also make it for an occassion that was upcoming. So this card is for a very special friend who is turning 30. It features Bazzill basic card, Stampin' Up! designer series paper, punch's and ribbon. There is a zig zag stitch around the Bazzill and the chipboard bird (brand unknown sorry) is inked with brilliance ink and covered with dimensional magic. The numbers are Basic Grey and covered with Kindy Glitz. Simple in design, but that is my style..

So pop over here, where you will find more information and you can get lots of ideas on how to celebrate. You can can upload the cards you create to the WCMD gallery to share in the worldwide celebration and you can win a prize on both the Paper Crafts Connection blog and the Moxie Fab World blog. Prize winners will be announced on Tuesday, October 6.You have a chance to be published in the March/April 2010 issue of Paper Crafts magazine. The categories for this contest include birthday, Christmas/season’s greetings, hello/thinking of you, love, and thank you. Take a look to the WCMD Blog Tour in which you can not only see 25 more cards made specifically for WCMD, but you can also get a coupon code for 25% off your entire purchase on our online store. Anyone who is going to be doing something special on their own blog to celebrate World Card Making Day can add their blog URL to the WCMD website using the Mr. Linky widget.

Thanks again, and enjoy the tour..

Regards Karen

Moxie Fab world..

sounds exciting doesn't it.

I was very honoured to be asked to join in an international blog hop for a countdown to World Card Making Day; by Cath Edvalson, the creative editor for an international paper crafting magazine called "Paper Crafts".

The focus of this event will be to showcase card makers all over the world to emphasize the connection that we all share as enthusiasts of such a warm and giving hobby. Each day will highlight a different region of the world.

So on the 26th of September I will display a card for bloggers around the world to have a look at and everyone will be encouraged to comment on my blog, then asked to go to the Moxie Fab World blog and leave a comment there as well in order to win fabulous prizes to give away..
You can also upload your own creations to the Moxie fab blog..

So I wil see you back here on the 29th..

Just a little card to keep you interested...I hope

getting a bit boring around here isn't it...
Life is good, kids are great, growing and getting more attitude as the days go by.. Harry is all enrolled for school for nexy year. Emmy is sweet and mischievous.
mark is getting back into training, with a half ironman at the start of december.
I am still at work 5 days a fortnight, and planning my 40th birthday party. Can't wait.
Here is a little sweet girl card I made for one of the kids friends.
Take Care
Kaz xx

Gailforce World Card Making Day Charity Event

All Welcome......


WORLD CARD MAKING
DAY CHARITY EVENT

Along with my team mates Gail and Felicity, we would like to invite you to participate in this fun event.

COME ALONG AND SPEND A FEW HOURS AWAY FROM THE HOUSEWORK BY SHARING IN THE FUN OF CREATING

WHAT : make 3 paper craft items (set of 3 Christmas cards, 2,5,7,10 Gift box & Handbag card).
Learn new techniques and enjoy time with likeminded others

WHERE : Central Bayside Community Health Services
335 Nepean Highway, Parkdale (enter off Carrier Avenue)


WHEN : 3rd October, 2009 TIME : 1 – 5 pm, afternoon tea provided

COST : $25 per person, $10 will be donated to Child Development Services at Central Bayside Community Health for the purchase of equipment

Gift for each participant and giveaways and raffles galore

PLEASE RSVP asap, as places are limited
via email or phone 0408 731 643, or leave a comment

A SprInG sPeCiaL..

Stampin' Up! have got a great special for you this month! From now until
the end of September, simply purchase $100 of product and receive TWO rolls of wide ribbon for free! The Certainly Celery ribbon is the wide grosgrain and the So Saffron is poly twill - neither of these products are normally available to the Australian market. Each roll is 9m long. Beautiful colours for Spring!

So if you have an order sitting there, just give me a call or email, and some gorgeous ribbon will be all your for nothing.
If you still have not received your spring mini please leave a comment or email and i will get one to you asap..

Also save the date - October 3rd is world Card Making Day, and we have an event in store for you...

Cheers

PaRty FuN..

Hi There,
wow what a month, I am busy preparing my 40th, and have completed the invites, and in between that organised Emmy's 3rd birthday party.

She is 3 on 26th August, and so she had a fairy party on Saturday 22nd. She had a wonderful day with some of her cousins, and a few friends frm creche, and a buddy who is my friends daughter. The had fun just generally playing in the cubby, swings, slide and jumping castle. but my niece also dressed up as a fairy and did a little story and some songs.




Thanks to everyone for your good wishes to Emmy and for your help and the gifts..We are going out for mexican with my friend jess and her hubby on the night of Emmy's actual birthday. Should be a blast. We all love Mexican..
In other news, Mark is all fixed up, LOL, if ya know what I mean....
Harry is all enrolled for school next year, very exciting, and his bunk ned is arriving today. Woo hoo.
Now i just need to declutter alot of the crap we don't need. Pram, clothes, toys etc.
Here are the lollie bags I made for our work Christmas in July. Everybody loved them..

Now here is my little sweet pea when she was a new bubba..
How fast they grow up...
Ok better go to do some household duties. Have my three day work week this week, get nothing done...
Bye and have a great week..

Howdy in blogland...

Hi,

I am so cold today. Normally I am not too fussed by the temperature, but I am feeling the cold today. Wonder if it is some record. well i actually started that update yesterday, LOL. I didn't get far did I. I have been meaning to share this very cute mini album with you for ages, but just never got around to it. It is a Kaisercraft mini album. Very cute. It sits on Emmy's bookshelf now.
I am busy planning my 40th, which is on the 17th of October, slight hitch recently with a venue chang, but should be smooth sailing now...

Ok I worked night duty last night, so am vegging on front of the couch. There is washing to put away, but i just can't bring myself to do it.

Yada yada.....

that is what life is like really, same stuff, different day. Not that that is a bad thing. I am not unhappy. We are all content at Keefer street as far as I am aware.
The catch up is _

• the cat is good, settled in well. Got her vaccinated for cat aids and she went ballsitic when they tried to take blood. So they had to sedate her. Glad I got a fiesty one with a bit of personality


• kids cute as ever, and boisterous (and probably put my sister off having kids every time she comes here). By all accounts they are fairly normal nearly 3 old and 5 year old. They are doing swimming on Saturdays, and creche / kinder 5 days a fortnight. Harry does computer gym at kinder, which he likes. His bunk is ordered too, and should be on its way. Need to sort their rooms out, get rid of a heap of toys and the pram, cot etc, and then I can get some order going on.


• Mark has himself sorted for some upcoming triathalons, marathons and ironmen


• I have joined the gym. I am also off on a short scrap retreat next week. Can't wait. It is with a group of girls I have slowly been getting friendlier with, so it should be a great bonding and fun time


• we also have Foxtel IQ now. Not even a week in and it is fantastic. Altho I spent hours today watching on demand (which had a lady gaga special at the chapel, next top model and runway. Also nip tuck which I taped last night.


• Ate too much yesterday with a yummy lunch with Kim and then our fave mexican for dinner.


• I am off on night duty tonight. That 40th is only around the corner, and nights are perfect for invitation construction as well as paying for it!
  

Ok here is a little layout I did at a crop a couple of weeks ago. Hope you are all well and
thanks for stopping by.

I can't be bothered..

been away to Cohuna which was nice, but had no internet access, so makes my life very dull.

am enjoying things on TV like Nip Tuck, and the US So you think you can dance. Going on a scrap retreat in 2 weeks, and to keith Urban in December.

Life is good.

Kids are healthy and happy, I think my hubby is too. LOL

we also have a new cat, Charlie, hubby finally gave in, hehe. we adopted her from the local cat shelter. She is cheeky and naughty and loveable.

Here are a couple of LO I did for remember When Paper Company.

Cheers

Fossilholic

... I am not sure what it is about this shop, but once i walk in the door i am gone. The intoxicating smell of leather just draws me in. The soft, stylish leather handbags, classy sunnies and groovy watches get me everytime. I never usually spend much money on handbags because i get bored and like new ones. But these bags have changed me. I think i have chosen classic, practical styles that won't date and so i will be using them for a long time to come.

i have to say, i now think my fossil collection (hey i collect fossils, that is a hobby, a career even..i am a paleontoligist, LMAO)is complete. I have my sunnies, a watch, keyring, and a small and large bag. Yea. i must say i don't think the sunnies or the watch are at all expensive. BUT the bags are (well not compared to a Gucci or Berkin bag), but in comparsion to what I normally spend or can afford they are a bit pricey. BUT in my defense I bought both bags on special, Half price, so you can't beat that.
Plus I am working extra night duties to pay for my 40th, so a bit here and there for leather is not too much to ask, is it? I am actually working tonight AND tomorrow night. No idea how I will manage, because i am guessing there will not be alot of sleep between this morning and Sunday.
Ok have a wonderful weekend, and I will see you soon. I must post the sweet mini album i made Emmy.
Of course if you are desperate to see my current creations i post every Thursday over at http://rememberwhen.com.au/blog/

Ok bye

Not much to say..

Things just plod along, same ole same old, really. I work 5 days a fortnight as a Paediatric asthma educator at the local community health service, hang with the kids in between. They do swimming on a Saturday, and we try to get to a park on Fridays. They attend creche / kinder when I work. Mark is back to running / riding for kilometres nearly every day of the week, he is also madly following the Cats.
I try to get out of the house for some me time as often as i can, and that recently included the most fabulous weekend where my best buddy Annie and i enjoyed a wander around DFO, yummy lunch on Bridge Rd, scrapping at our hotel, yummy dinner back on Bridge Rd and then to see Wicked, which was great. Then on Sunday we enjoyed a buffet breakfast, back to my house to scrap, and then to yummo Thai for dinner on Swan Street and to see the spectacle that is Pink. She was awesome, great singing, funny, down to earth, a fab show that included HER doing her OWN amazing trapeze routine. Our next thing will be the big scrap retreat over Cup weekend, and then to see Keith again in December!
The other weekend the family went to Werribee Zoo which I loved. So open and fresh. The lions looked so well. Full manes and shiny coats, much different to the ones at the zoo. The only dissapointment was a group of men smoking up near the lion enclosure where there was obviously groups of parents with their kids, not only did this piss me off, but worse was when one of the ferrals put his smoke out and left the butt right there. Don't worry i told them him he was disgusting!!
This weekend we went to my nephews 1st birthday. God they just grow like weeds,

here are some happy snaps from the day.

A flying visit

Well hello, I used to be so good at updating, but now i have a new hobby. Something that is a comlete waste of time, but a challenge and compelling at the same time. I have a virtual farm, on facebok, called Farm Town.

But I thought I would pop in and show you a cute journal I made for a friend for her birthday. One is of it with the front plastic cover, and then the next is with the cover open. I love these for to do lists, party planning, or anything really. i also made a matching card.

The family are all good. We went to Werribbee Zoo last weekend which was great, and then we went out to montezumas mexican with the birthday girl and her hubby and daughter, it was delish and a lovely time.

OK i must get back my farm. LOL

Oh I don't think I have mentioned that i am no longer an ENJO consultant. I needed a rest after 2 and half years. So I have a mountain of new and barely used ENJO for sale if anyone is interested, just leave a comment or email me.

Cheers

A new special

OMG I am way to busy working on my farm on facebook to blog, soo sorry, LMAO.

There is a new Stampin" Up special though..

You could be a happy hostess - just get a load of the promotion for June/July!

During these two months, any workshops that reach a total of at least $600 will earn the hostess an extra $40 in free merchandise. This is on top of the already great hostess benefits at this level (ie. a free Level 1 or Level 2 hostess stamp set plus $70 worth of catalogue goodies).

Contact me today to make your workshop date.

To find out more information go here - http://www3.stampinup.com/au/ena/

Ok, I have to get back to my farm, hehe.

No time to even check Google reader, aaaagh!

Last chance

..........to become a Stampin' Up! demostrator for the bargain price of $150. Whether just for your own personal discount, or to make a career out of it, or anything in between.

It is also the last chance to get a free designer series paper set of your choice (when you buy 3).

Here is a quick card I made using the cool set, totally tools, and some paper from the designer series paper, Urban Garden. It is all ready to add a sentiment to, whether it is thanks, happy birthday, thinking of you, or happy fathers day.

Just drop me a line if you want more information, or call of course.

Give me a yell, if you are interested...

Challenges

I have had heaps of fun doing a couple of challenges set on one of our Stampin' Up! groups.....
This 1st one was to be male, take 10 minutes, and feature a circle. My circle turned into an oval. OOps. This is a great stamp set for men. You can use it for thank yous, and birthdays, or fathers day. All those times you have trouble thinking of something for the man in your life, all you have to do is pull out the 'totally tools' set. I have also used a cut from the Urban Garden designer series paper, and our current in colours.


This next one wasn't a challenge, but i had all of the stuff out and leftover paper i thought I would make a card for my girlfriend who is having a birthday next week. This was one of those rare occassions when you have something in your head, and when finished you go, 'oh I really love that' and 'gee that was clever idea'. Which occured when I decided to tie the linen thread around the grosgrain ribbon to make a super cute bow.
This layout was then done for a sketch challenge. I had to drag out some old photos (I love that about a challenge, as sometimes you don't have what suits the theme of the challenge), and the papers, again Urban Garden, were perfect for our Fiji honeymoon pics. All of the products in this layout are Stampin' Up! (oh except the title, thanks thickers). So for the not quite converted, yes you can scrap just as beautifully with Stampin' Up! TFLOk I better put the washing on, I have been meaning to do it all day. Mark is off to the footy tonight, so I plan to relax tonight with a movie and maybe do a layout, as I am working tomorrow night. Enjoy your weekend.

Cheers Kaz

Hi there,.

all is good here in the Yates household. I am still doing the same - working and trying to fit in some play. Mark had a little break from his training schdeule, but has started running again because i think he is bored senseless. He is also very happy with the Cats at the moment.
Harry is getting nervous about starting school, as we have started talking about it, he can't comprehend it is still 8 months away.
Emmy is day time toilet trained for a week now, with only 1 accident day.
Here is the little treasure enjoying a play. This was done for www.rememberwhen.com.au
for a sketch challenge. Tricky colours, but i think it works.

Ok I must stop watching crap on Foxtel whilst hanging out on facebook. It is stealing my sleep away.

xxxx

A couple of layouts

Hi all, I thought I would pop in and share some layouts I came across in my tidy up tonight. They were in a pile, awaiting a date , they were completed at the retreat I did in November last year, I am pretty sure anyway. The first one is my SIL at her 30th in Geelong last year. We all had a really fun day.


The next one is of Harry and his cousin Bain, dressed as spiderman. They have such fun playing together, although in this picture you can tell it is the end of the day, they were both tired. The paper is Kaisercraft.

Then this one is of Emmerson and our dog Taffy. Taff is the most amazingly placid dog you will ever come across. She puts up with alot from the kids, who love her to bits. I love this picture, it is so tender. Emmy is not always so gentle with Taffy. This layout features ALL Stampin Up products. So for those out there who didn't realise it, we have more than just inks and stamps, the creative world is endless at Stampin' Up!

Ok Night, sweet dreams xxxooo

have a Great weekend

Hi there on this chilly friday night. It has been raining a little tonight, which is a relief, because it has been threatening to all day. I had a lovely couple of red wines with the girls from work. Above is a layout I did for a colour challenge back in April for Remember When Paper Company. it has a white strip on the right, it isn't cut out.

I wanted to share a card I made last week for my lovely friend Sarah, and I made a second one for my dear cousin Amy who both had birthdays. I uses Stem Silhouettes again, it is a very cute and versatile stamp set. Boring old me used Urban Garden designer series paper. I hope you both had a wonderful day.

I am planning on a slow day tomorrow. Some laundry and clean the damn toilet probably, that is such a chore, because I know it will be yuk again within the day, LOL. I have been hunting down bunk beds for Harry, so we will have a spare bed for mates when they stay and when we have house guests, as Emmy can then go in with him and the guest can have Emmy's room. I found one I love, but it only comes in white, and today i discovered a local guy who should be able to make it from a picture, so i am hopeful he will be reasonably priced and I will be set.

I just watched Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants 2, which is a nice leighthearted movie. i need to go to bed now. Emmy woke at 0530 this morning and was not interested in snuggling for a little nap in mums bed. I am working tomorrow night too, so best get some beauty sleep.

xxxxxx

This was emailed to me today, and I thought it would be more fun to put my answers here (beware it takes awhile to complete, but I would love to read your own responses on you blog!)

1. What time did you get up this morning? - some ungodly hour (0645 ish)
2. Diamonds or pearls? - yes diamonds please
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? - Shopoholic in Port Macquarie
4. What is your favourite TV show? - oh jeez, I love alot, just enjoyed watching True Blood, I love SYTYCD, and am enjoying what i get to see of Master chef. I love many really, too many to list. Some not on any more
5. What do you usually have for breakfast? - Toast,can't go past it, unless you wanna buy me eggs benedict
6. What is your middle name? - Michelle
7. What food do you dislike? - Silverside/corned beef, chocolate topping/milo etc
8. What is your favourite CD at moment? - probably Duffy or The Frey
9. What kind of car do you drive? - Mazda Tribute (black CX 9 in my dreams)
10. Favourite sandwich? - something fresh and tasty, with cheese, sundried toms, ham or chicken
11. What characteristic do you despise? - despise, hmm
12. Favourite item of clothing? - I love my new black winter coat
13. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go? - Tahiti or Maldives
14. Favourite brand of clothing? - well it was ESPRIT, now it is Now, PMSL
15. Where would you retire to? - a nursing home probably, cause i will be as demented as all hell
16. What was your most recent memorable birthday? - this one coming, otherwise my 30th was awesome
17. Favourite sport to watch? - not really fussed, don't mind a bit of gymnastics or diving at the olympics.
18. Furthest place you are sending this? - around the world
19. Person you expect to send it back first? - probaly no one, I have you all on Google reader though
20. When is your birthday? - in October
21. Are you a morning person or a night person? - night, see I am still up now!
22. What is your shoe size? 8.5 - 9
23. Pets? - Taffy dog, (RIP Buffy)
24. Any new and exciting news you’d like to share with us? - I am having a fun weekend with Annie soon
25. What did you want to be when you were little? - nurse or police woman
26. How are you today? - fine, thanks you
27. What is your favourite candy? - columbines
28. What is your favourite flower? - any if you are buying
29. What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to? May 30th, see answer to 24!
30. What's your full name? Karen Michelle Yates nee Martin
31.What are you listening to right now? Chelsea Lately on Foxtel
32. What was the last thing you ate? Mandarin
33. Do you wish on stars? sometimes
34. If you were a crayon, what colour would you be? - I wouldn't be a crayon
35. How is the weather right now? - chilly I assume, who knows the heating is cranking (sorry earth)
36. The first person you spoke to on the phone today? - Dad
37. Favourite soft drink? - Pepsi Max
38. Favourite restaurant? - Montezumas mexican in Parkdale
39.Real hair colour? - Grey
40. What was your favourite toy as a child? - my sister, LMAO, kidding, um probably Susie, baby alive
41. Summer or winter? - I am not fussed, I hope I am not one to complain about the weather, that shits me, get a jumper or go for a swim, move on people!
42.Hugs or kisses - I crave both
43.Chocolate or Vanilla? - Vanilla
44. Coffee or tea? - Coffee
45. Do you want your friends to email you back? - it is usually a good laugh
46. When was the last time you cried? - bloody watching Greys Anatomy and Bondi Vet last week
47. What is under your bed? - dust
48. What did you do last night? - the usual, TV, computer
49. What are you afraid of ? - I am not keen on snakes
50. Salty or sweet? - salty
51. How many keys on your key ring? - 2
52. How many years at your current job? - 2
53. Favorite day of the week? Friday
54. How many towns have you lived in? depends if you count suburbs of Melbourne as seperate? if so 10
55. Do you make friends easily? - of course
56. How many people will you send this to? - the big wide wed world, millions (maybe)
57. How many will respond? - haven't you already asked this?

Ok I hope you are so muc more knowledgeable about me now. Emmy is coughing up a lung so I must go.

Catch

Something for you to look at..

Here Is a layout i did when I was guest blogger for RW Paper Company. I love getting out some really old photos to scrap. We are often so focues on the recent ones, we forget we have hundreds of photos sitting in albums collecting dust. Now to go prepare something for my Thursday post, I hope some of you are enjoying the inspiration over there at http://rememberwhen.com.au/blog/ , especially on a Thursday, hehe. I love my 2 day working weeks, the 3 day ones just take up too much of my week with work! Not enough time for family time, me time, or even housework time! But I have only 18 more sleeps before I hit the town with my bosom buddie and sole girl friend Annie. We are staying in Richmond, and going to just laze around with a bottle or two of wine and scrap/make cards, go to Wicked (can't wait), and then see pink the next night. So greedy, hehe, but we so DESERVE it!
Catch ya

Thanks thanks thanks

I have to say a huge thank you to Chris , from Gailforce Stampers for the beautiful headers she makes for me. How bloody awesome does it look? I LOVE IT. Chris you are so clever, and it is so generous of you to give your time to make something special for me. MWAH! This is my all time fave, and it is perfect with my divine Aqua Poppy background, which are free backgrounds, thanks Aqua Poppy too.

Here is a little card I made for a friend who has had her second baby boy recently. I embossed the boat (from nursery necessities stamp set) the in my new white SU emboss powder onto kiwi kiss, which I then used the scallop punch to punch it out, I also used the Pacific Point ribbon again. The paper is from the SU designer series paper - Urban Garden. The Little Bundle Joy is from the Punches Three set, which is a hostess reward only. I used a blender pen so I could use the pacific point ink to coulur a section of the stamp only.

To all of the mothers out there, I hope you enjoyed the day. I got some very sweet cards made by the kids, and the novel Marley and me, well done Mark (hehe). I also bought myself (among other things, inclusing recently A Wii fit) a workout DVD - Biggest loser Fit and Trim. There was a bootcamp one too, but I didn't feel ready for that yet LOL. Need to kick some fat but out the door asap!

OK I am off to finish off a layout, which I am loving, and rest after night duty last night.

Cheers people

A treat for my mum

Yep, she always gets double goodies at this time of the year, because her birthday is on the second, and then she gets mothers day. My sissy and I tried to give her some perfume, but it made her sneeze all night, oops. So instead we thought we would treat her to a nice hair do, thanks to my dear friend Andrea.

I thought it would be nice to give her it in the form of a gift voucher. And what better way than some of my new Stampin' Up! goodies. This stamp set is so divine, it is called Upsey Daisy, even the name is cute. The clours are the new in colours, Kiwi Kiss, Pacific Point and with a dash of trusted Very Vanilla cardstock. And I love the ribbon, it is the Pacific Point striped Grosgrain.

I just received my most recent order, and I have a brayer, so I am very excited to try it out. So stay Tuned..

Not much on this weekend, thank goodness, I need some time to regroup after a busy few weeks.

Ok night..

Sailing away

... to work that is, blah.
I thought I would give you something to look at while I was slaving away at work. This is a cute little card I did for the RW paper company blog a couple of weeks back, you can see lots of creativity and inspiration and challenges there - www.rememberwhen.com.au/blog
I loved this little boat and thought it just screamed going away card. The card features some of my fave simple but effective techniques - inking and edge distressing.
Have a great day.

There are no mistakes...

in scrapbooking (or cardmaking), only design changes. Hehe.


I just wanted to share with you 2 of the projects from our make and takes at the Stampin' Up! convention. Now we had 4 projects to make and only 90 minutes to make them. So it was a huge rush. I completed 3 of them, but made some slight changes. The LO was a fold up layout, and I didn't want to do that, because I wanted to keep it as a 12 x 12, so i could use it (I am not much into mini albums). The placement of items is also slightly different too. I also made 2 cards, one we gave to the manager at the hotel where we were staying because she was very helpful, and the other is here somewhere. The last project I didn't get complete. It was 4 cute little gift cards in a sweet packet. I completed it this morning though with major design changes. I made it into 2 mothers day cards instead. Much more practical and useful for me.

OK I really need to go do some housework. I have been putting it off all morning. I have finally added Google reader to my favourites, so I can stop wasting time checking blogs that haven't been updated. Hello to those who have me on their reader. Mwah! Trying to be organised, in keeping with my 2009 word - BALANCE.

Working the next 3 days, so see you soon,

Fun at Convention

Wow I have just had a fun weekend away in Canberra for my first annual Stampin' Up! convention. I was inspired and motivated in all aspects of my life, but overall enjoyed good company and good food (and wine, hehe).

This card is the card our team did as a little shoebox swap, although there were no shoeboxes involved, oh until I went to Canberra Centre and bought a new pair of shoes. This was my trial run card, the finished one we made had the sentiment in the darker blue and the stamped images were embossed, which looked 100% better. I love this stamp set, called Pocket silhouettes, too cute. The ribbon is divine too isn't it, kiwi kiss/very vanilla satin ribbon and it also features Urban Garden Designer series paper. Yummo. The colours are from the new In Colour, Pacific Point, Kiwi Kiss and Baja Breeze (that's Baha, not Ba ja, I loved stirring Gail about that all weekend). The base is Kraft, which is so versatile and so "in" at the moment.

Now if any of you have ever thought about joining Stampin' Up!, whether for hobby purposes to get the permanent discount on all of your supplies, or to start a new career, or anything in between, but couldn't afford it, now is the time for you.....

Because you can join this month for only $150.00, WOW

SCRAPBOOKING STARTER KIT PROMOTION
Dates: 1 May - 1 June 2009
Promotion Details :
In celebration of National Scrapbooking Month, join Stampin’ Up! as a demonstrator for only $150 with our limited-time Scrapbooking Starter Kit. The Scrapbooking Starter Kit contains the following:

Item Code Description Retail Value
112231 Schoolbook Serif Alphabet stamp set* $77.95
113059 Simply Scrappin' Petal Party $36.95
108697 Earth Elements Assorted textured card stock (12" x 12") $21.95
105216 Pumpkin Pie Classic Stampin' Pad $11.95
103179 Craft & Rubber Scissors $37.95

(*Substitutable for any stamp set up to $77.95 value)

Please note: Each of the products listed above may be substituted for like items.

The Scrapbooking Starter Kit also contains all the business supplies contained in the standard Starter Kit:
Getting Started DVD
Getting Started Guide
Guest Invitation Postcard (100)
Idea Book & Catalogue (8)
To My Hostess Envelope (10)
Project Sample Sheet
Recruit Brochures (20)
Hostess Brochure (20)
Hostess Benefits Form (10)
Customer Order Form (50)

This promotion is a very cheap way to get all of the products on your wishlist for a fab discount or start your very own business, with my team and I for support. For more information please see the website - http://www.stampinup.com.au/ and/or give me a call/email for any other queries.

The other MAY special is : Buy three packs of select Designer Series paper ($16.95 each), and get one FREE! The paper selections are gorgeous and feature birds, owls, flowers, silhouette images and more. With 14 designer series paper packs to chose from there is sure to be several to suit your style and taste (page 132 - 135 of catalogue).

If you still haven't received the current Ideas Book and Catalogue then please contact me. All orders over $100 will receive one for free, or if you host a workshop you also receive one for free. Otherwise I can post one to you for $12.50 (incl P & H).

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend, I will be back soon with some creations with some new things I learnt on the weekend.

Cheers Karen

GDay

Hi ,

I have been distracted by events and not had a chance to jump on, and then my damn laptop decided it won't turn on, so Iam stuck in the lonely old office.

In a nut shell -

• Port Macquarie - was nice. It rained nearly non stop, but that didn't stop us from having an awesome time. The Ironman was a real experience. It was fun (altho tiring) chasing Mark around, and he was very happy with himself, and we were proud too. We didn't do too much, swimming in the spa was lovely. I took the kids to Timbertown, a little version of Soverign Hill, we had a drive to Lake Cathie, and went to the Seacres Rainforest. Which was just across the road from our resort. Th emanagers at Shelley Beach Resort were amazing and treated us like family. Thanks Ray and Dawn, you rock
• Mark's 40th - I threw a little surprise party for mark in Geelong. It was a fun night, he loved it, and was very surprised, even after i told him he was having a party the night before, because he was being so difficult about going to Geelong
• Wedding - the day after Mark's party we had my cousins wedding. It was fun to dress up, and I love getting together with family. Congrats Liz and Ben
• Harry's 5th - Harry had a fun day in Geelong with his Nanny and Poppy and his cousins, and then on Saturday just gone had a blast with a group of friends from Kinder (and Bain his other cousin) at Ten Pin Bowling. Gosh I can't believe he is 5. It really just flashes by.
  
  I have been doing a little creating, and here is a small snapshot, I have more on my laptop, but that is dead at the moment.

A card I made for Andrea, whose birthday is today, HAPPY BIRTHDAY my darling, love you.

The layout at the top is of the Australian War Museum in Canberra, from our trip last December.

Not much else I don't think. Take Care and see you soon.

Love Kaz