a lil bit of paper and a lil bit of glue

2011-11-13T19:21:00.000+13:00

Christmas is coming.....yay!

I found a 'recipe' over at splitcoaststampers for a handmade handcream that took my fancy. Everyone had raved over it, wanted the instructions, had requests to make it again, and again.
I decided, I could make it too! Only thing is, we don't have a dollar store, wal-mart, or the shops they have, so I had to really look for the ingrediants.
I found them - or variations of the ingrediants.

Whipping out my trusty cake mixer - I whipped me up some handcream:

I caught myself bringing the spoon to my lips a couple of times, just out of habit - lol!

I had to guess the consistancy of the handcream - did I add too much of this, not enough of that - that part was pretty much hit and miss, but.....

this is the finished product (not decorated though!)

I sampled the cream myself - and although the mix is a little bit gloopy, it seemed to work. My hands were softer and smellier :)

I did have to pop out to payless plastics for more containers - I underestimated how many I needed.

I also picked up some more ingrediants to make another batch - hoping that the cream recipients like it.

I now need to make a band to go around the jar, and a little tag for the poem I found for the handcream.

My first ~~guinea pigs~~ trialists are my cropping group I go to every month. We are having a gift exchange - this is part of the gift I am making for them.

anyway, until next time

Jamey

2011-11-10T22:49:00.000+13:00

Well, go figure - 2, yes 2 people have asked me when am I updating my blog!
And today, I bumped into a friend who advised me, ever so nicely, that I am slack, very slack for not blogging!
Anyway, I have been cleaning up my scraproom, and I had oodles of scrap cardstock - way too much, so much, that I had to struggle to close my folder where I store them, so I thought I would eliminate some of them. Had to really. Didn't want to just throw them away - such a waste, an expensive waste, so I thought kindy can have some.
Now, cos I am such a ~~sad~~ sharing caring kinda gal, I thought the kids might like their pretty pieces of paper to be pretty AND fancy. So I grabbed 3x punches and punched away. Took me 2 nights after work to do it, but I did it - lookie at all the prettiness....

Think the kindy kids will be happy to see these?

Then, amazingly enough, I had a brainwave - I grabbed my trimmer, and trimmed and straightened the edges of the scraps I wanted to keep, and sorted out my folder - lookie at this....

Now I just have to use them!

Now, I just have to sort out my alphabet stickers/thickers - I truly cannot close that folder, and it's heavy, and the folder is split.....off to surf the net to get some ideas. And if you have a great idea for alpha's, feel free to let me know! It must be portable (I go to a monthly crop, as well as scrap at home) as well as practical, and user friendly!

Toodle-pip until next time - when I will hopefully be able to upload some layouts I have done recently

Jamey

2011-06-16T21:24:00.000+12:00

There's one thing in life I have learnt over the years - you just don't know what is going to happen next! This is so very true!

The last couple of months have been anything but dull -
my middle son - Chicken Boy - had a car accident - he's ok, luckily. Just banged his head, AND MY CAR! :( my car, that I have only had for 11 months :( is now at the panelbeaters, waiting to get fixed. He is only on a restricted license, and therefore the insurance excess is high.
Mind you, Doofus did the same thing with our car, and his car, and the other car as well - I should be used to the phone call, after the time they are meant to be home, with the little voice going - Muuuummmmm.....

My step-father had a heart attack, and was found on the floor at 3am - he now needs a pace maker. But, he is of the opinion, the doctors only want to experiment on him, so he checked himself out of hospital.The next one, and the doctor's have told him, may be fatal.

I have a new boss at work - and this has obviously brought about a few changes - still early days, but we'll see how that goes

And, I have been asked to take photos for my youngest son's sports teams (yes, plural - teams) D plays hockey - both for his school and a club. Waitakere Hockey has only started up this season with 5 teams, and have started a website. They wanted MY photos for their gallery - and have asked if I can take photos of both the men's and women's teams. So, of course, I smiled and said yes. Inside, I was doing a happy dance - and then the thought ran through my head - they will find out, I'm not a photographer. But so far, so good - some shots have come out great. But, games go over the weekend - both Saturday and Sunday, so that's basically my weekends gone.
His school team has asked if I can take some photos for their gallery and web page - which is a work in progress....this was a great excuse for me to run out and buy a new zoom lens - and hubby even agreed! Without any fuss!

So, my crafting has had to take a back seat ~~for a few days, months~~, hopefully for not much longer - just means I need to get a bit more organised at home

So, if you had been holding your breath, wondering where I was, I apologise.
But, in all honesty, I just needed a few hours to myself so I can take a deep breath, smile at my son and tell him that it's not the end of the world, and still be the mum, wife, daughter, worker, sister, chef, taxi driver (very hard with no car!), laundry maid, and whatever else I am and just get on with my life - dull and uneventful as it is LOL!

Jamey

2011-04-25T15:09:00.000+12:00

Today is ANZAC day, and Easter Monday.

Today, my middle son L (also known as chicken boy!) was to march in the Henderson ANZAC parade - but they called it off due to the rain. So the RSA had a service only, to which I didn't go to.

Here is L in his uniform - he is a volunteer fireman (fireboy?) for the local station. (I like to tease him and say he's playing dress ups, hehe)

This photo is totally spur of the moment - I was sitting in the car, it was raining, he had his hat under his arm, and just plonked it on for the photo, and, he was grinning!

Last year, he was in the Air Training Corp, and did the dawn parade in the city. This is him:

the one on the right hand side. He stood like that for the entire service, both the 6am and the 10am. I am so proud of him!

Anyway, it's also Easter as we all know, and yes, the Easter bunny (aka me) came, and as usual, left too many eggs.
I made this, just as a little something for the KinderSurprises.

I saved an egg carton, peeled off the label, and cut it down to size for 4 eggs.
I had some Easter paper from a DCWV slab (the only issue I have with that is, Easter in NZ is in the autumn, not the spring as in other parts of the world, so the paper is ~~wrong~~ sorta not quite right), but the green print, actually went with the green carton. I used some SU ribbon cut to length to tie it up. I also grabbed some green ink (Mellow Moss) and inked around the carton edges and paper.

If I was a truly caring creative mummy, I would have spent more than 10 mins on it - I would have painted the carton, inked it, trimmed more suitable paper, and tied it prettily in a bow - not just tied, knotted, called it done!
And I would have purchased a smaller carton of eggs - a 4pack anyways, so that I didn't have the unsightly edges, but 4x eggs just doesn't cut it in my family! Neither does a dozen for that matter....

But, as its raining, hubby is sleeping, the cherubs all have lives and are busy, I'm gonna go and scrap.
Megan had some new products in store, and I grabbed a few of the papers (page 3) so I'm going to go down to the dungeon and play....

Jamey

2011-04-04T20:41:00.000+12:00

A couple of weeks ago, there was a craft expo at the ASB Stadium - so off I toddled with P in tow to check it out. Well, that was an easy way to spend hubby's hard earned money!
I 'tried' not to spend too much money, but alas, I failed.
I 'tried' hard not to be frivolous in my spending, but alas, I failed.
I 'tried' hard to only buy things that I needed - but, I 'needed' a lot of things :)

One of the many things I needed, was this cute little die from Nellie Snellen. I mean, it goes perfectly with the SU scalloppy punch (I think it does)

So, on Sunday, I whipped out my new (to me) doggie stamp from Magnolia and created this delightful wee card. Yellow, is not one of my favourite colours, or even a go-to colour, but the sun was shining, autumn is coming, so why not have a little bit of sunshine! Actually, in reality, I thought yellow ~~went ok~~ blended with the colouring in of the dog's fur!
This is the finished card:

I like it. I'm actually happy with it - go figure!

Anyway, Desperate Housewifes is on and Wisteria Lane is calling my name....

until next time,
Jamey

2011-03-20T21:54:00.000+13:00

Last time I posted, I mentioned it was a special birthday for Alina - she turned 1!
And, I also mentioned I was a tad late with her birthday card. Well, I finished it, and here it is......(drum roll please)
...and Janine, NO PEEKING!

I "christened" 2 new stamps - from Lili of the Valley (an English company) who does the cutest images. Both the image and the text are from there.
I "christened' the paper as well - a piece from Kaiser, the Magic Happens range
I 'christened" some Stampin Up cardstock - probably not even in the current range - orchid opulance (or is it lovely lilac??) Something I have not used, ever! The matching ink is one of those spots, and the ink has leaked and has covered the whole label, so I truely do not know the exact colour.
The rest of the stuff is Bazzil white cardstock for the base, and some silver paper I had left over from another project. Same with the flowers!

I haven't written in it yet - that is happening just before I pop it in the post to little Alina, along with her gift!

I love the way this card turned out - something I don't normally do, and just a lil bit fancy - with the glitter an all, but I like it!

Hope your week goes well...until next time

Jamey

ps - I love the comments people leave - they bring a smile to my face! Thank you :)

2011-03-13T18:17:00.000+13:00

So, again, it has been awhile since I posted here. I'm sorry
This is where I burst out in a Gary Glitter song - didya miss me, yeah, while I was away, didya hang my picture on the wall! lol

Anyway, last month Megan sent me out the kit with her wanting me to do 'off the page projects'. The pressure, the stress, the fun!
Soooooo, I made this:

and this:

and this:

and this as well:

The last one, I had help doing. P was watching me, and wanting to help. So I grabbed 'my' coloured pencils and asked her to colour in the paper which she did gladly. She did a good job too!

All the papers are from the MM range of papers - Just Chillin', and bazzill cardstock - which I absolutely love! Check out the newsletter from Megan - newletter as there are not just my projects, but projects from the other talented design team. Such a mix of talent and ideas......

I have had a couple of weeks off from scrapping, but am into it again. I have started a card for my friend Janine's little girl who turned 1 in February. I'm slack, I know, but the thoughts are there - Happy Birthday Alina!

Jamey

2011-02-20T12:52:00.000+13:00

I am so, so, sorry that I have been slack about my lack of posting to my blog!
As we all know, life happens, and it really happens around here....my mum moved in. A few months ago I mentioned that we built a room for the eldest boy (a.k.a. Doofus) out the front, and then I moved my scrap room downstairs, and my scraproom become my mum's room. Well, after the painting, moving of furniture, new curtains, cleaning etc - life is now sorta settled down again, but my mother, much as I love her dearly, is the QUEEN of guilt trips!
So, when I want to duck down into my scrap room and create - I can feel her heavy sighs, her glances at the dishes, the pointed looks at the washing....and I come back upstairs and do the dishes, fold the washing, clean the showers - my house is pretty damn clean at the moment, but hence, the lack of projects.

And then, I log onto my blog, and EEK! I have an award.
I'm flattered
I'm aghast
I'm surprised, and even a little bit of
I'm scared!

Mandy, just keeps blowing me away - first the lovely comments, then a surprise gift, and now an award.....

I'd like to thank MANDY for this lovely blog award. In accepting I had to sign up to a few little rules...

1) You have been tagged, do you want to accept? YES! then create a post on your blog and post the love blog photo.

2) Link back to the person who gave you the award and say if you accept.

3) Choose 3-5 of your favourite blogs to tag, link these in your post too and tell the lucky people they have been tagged.

As the aim of this award is to bring unknown good blogs to light, please don't tag somebody with 3000 followers.

The people I would like to pass this award onto are

KELLY

TRACY

JENNIE

Jamey

ps - now that mum has gone out - I'm off to the scraproom to play....

2011-01-27T18:53:00.000+13:00

Oopsie - I am so bad! I forgot one other member from the design team for Better Scrapbooking.

Tracy

Forgive me Tracy, it wasn't intentional!

Jamey

2011-01-25T22:42:00.001+13:00

Well, as mentioned yesterday, I made it onto a Design Team! yay me! (insert happy dance here, lol!)

Better Scrapbooking has a new design team for 2011!
Check out the other members of the team - there are some very talented, creative and clever ladies out there -
Karen

Sharon

Pat or Glenna (depends on the day as to which name she will answer too)

Theresa

Chrisste

Jennie

Well, for my first 'assignment' I was given some papers from Imaginisce - a cute dinosaur range - Dino Roar, and some Bazzill cardstock (LOVE this stuff!)

Every little boy (and some not so little) wants to be an adventurer and discover dinosaurs, fossills and the such - so they need a book to write down their findings, and draw maps, and dinosaur skeletons....you know what I mean!
So I whipped up such a book - and lookie lookie, there are even dinosaur footprints stomping along on each page and the cover!

Products I used:
Bind-It-All - covers & coils
Dino Roar - rumble & roar
Snag'em stamp - dino print
Versa Mark Ink - pinecone
Prism cardstock - Intense Kiwi
Over the next couple of days, I will upload the other items I made using Dino Roar, and if you pop over to Better Scrapbooking you will see this range of product and other products.

Jamey

2011-01-24T22:11:00.000+13:00

There are some lovely ladies in blog land!
I have had the pleasure of 'meeting' one such lady - Mandy! (and when I say meeting, you know I don't mean face to face, but via blog & email)
In the post, I received a envelope from England - Mandy had made a little notebook, bookmark and a delightful butterfly card - and sent them to me. Well, the notebook and bookmark are for P!
Isn't Mandy creative......

...and aren't I lucky to receive such a thoughtful surprise!
Check out Mandy's blog, and also the challenge blog where I actually 'met' her!

Next post, I am going to share some exciting news....I made it onto a design team! (oops, I just shared the news, lol!) But, I have already done my first 'job' for the team - and I am allowed to show it to you all.....but I will do that tomorrow....

Jamey

2011-01-08T16:28:00.000+13:00

I often check out another blog - Craft & Create - Challenge #9 was New Beginnings.
Well, off I went to make a calendar for 2011, and the challenge closed before I could finish it! BUT, the new challenge is Just a Note. That I can do, see....

This is (yet another) post it note pad that I have whipped up -
Feeling really clever, I used:
a post-it NOTE pad
musical NOTE paper and,
my JUST A NOTE stamp.

I got this challenge sussed, lol

Check out the blog, post a comment, do your own 'note' challenge, and let us all see it!
I'm off to finish a calendar......

Jamey

2011-01-06T17:17:00.000+13:00

I have seen secret squirrel notebooks for computer passwords on a few blogs I have recently visited.
Part of me thinks not a great idea, but then, I look at all the random pieces of paper (not so) nicely placed around our computer, and I can see the logic of having a password notebook.

I 'whipped' one up in the weekend, using up some scraps of paper and cardstock, and my trusty Bind-It-All. I even used some really, really old alpha stickers!

(I am not, as you may have noted, 100% computer savvy - it took me ages, and I mean ages to make the little pages in a word document. Then, to copy it another 3x times onto the same piece of paper, and to make it look even - well, that took all the skills I had, and then some.)

Until next time,
Jamey

2011-01-01T17:26:00.000+13:00

Over at the 2 peas site, they have a thread going - share a organising tip.
Well, there was a tip (several actually) that I really liked - it was simple, practical, achievable (most important of all) and cheap!

Instead of buying different wrapping papers for birthday's, babies, anniversary's, engagements and Christmas etc, a 'pea' suggested plain kraft wrap and a coloured ribbon. It became a 'signature' wrap for that person.Well, that took my fancy, so much so, that when I popped out yesterday to Westcity to buy a couple birthday presents, I brought 2x (large) rolls of ribbon and a roll of kraft paper.
The results:

I needed a tag for the gifts - P helped me with the names, using some old alpha stickers I have - recognise the CM at the back??? - and I pulled out my cupcake punch from Martha Stewart to make a boarder. I must admit, I like this idea!

This is actually only 1 of the many ideas I have picked up from the thread - I am gonna try to implement some more other the tips from there! :)

Jamey

2010-12-28T21:41:00.000+13:00

Finally, after

4 delightful (?) cherubs,
19 years of Santa visits,
1000’s of tooth fairy visits,

I can say....
ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS, IS MY TWO FRONT TEETH

This is my daughter, P who is 7yrs old - and the teeth haven't even started to grow back in!

She did however, get nail polish for Christmas from one of her brothers, see...

...she painted my toes for me - one foot in blue, the other foot in purple - only because she wanted to alternise (yes, that is a word - a combination of compromise and alternate, both of what we did!) Didn't she do a lovely, professional job of painting, lol :)
I figure I may have to leave them on for a few more days, before I remove the colours and paint my tootsies in a more becoming colour, suitable for a mum my age!

I made a crafting new year resolution - in 2011, I WILL DO SOMETHING CREATIVE FOR ME EVERY WEEKEND - AND MAKE AT LEAST 2x CHRISTMAS CARDS EVERY MONTH!

My new craft room is almost done - it is bigger, has more light, is more organised...so I am half there...so stay tuned for some exciting projects I will be posting.

Until next time,
toodles!

Jamey

2010-12-05T19:52:00.000+13:00

Last night, it was the end of year crop for the group I usually go at Megans - Better Scrapbooking. So, it was decided, after giving me only 2 days notice, that we would do a gift share between the group.
2 days! That's all the notice I got - Thursday,Megan sent me a email, and Thursday I was at home with a sick child, and NO chance of getting out. So I had to think.

I re-discovered these little gift bags I had purchased a couple of years ago:

Plain white gift bags that I managed to score for only 50c each (ladies, you are worth every penny of that!)

I covered one side in some Christmas paper, although I did have to redo one as I stuck the paper upside down! and used my new SU ornament punch and made some little gift tags - that was easy, I just folded the paper in half, and punched the shape with the paper slightly lower than the fold (does that make sense?)....

....and threaded some gold thread through a small punched hole for attaching to the bag.

I went out on Friday night to the mall and got some handcream, a emery board, a facecloth, and some candy canes - it's not Christmas unless you have a candy cane! :)

I wrapped some Jingle Bell ribbon around the candy cane...

..and popped it all in the bags...

....6x bags for 6x lovely, creative ladies.

Anyway, until next time

Jamey

2010-12-02T20:25:00.000+13:00

Well, I'll just sit in my little corner of the world and have a pity party for myself...only 1x person commented on my cards!

Thank you Mandy :)

I am going to send you my blog candy - please email me your details, and I will send it on its way.

I do apologise for not doing this sooner - I have been sick and haven't been on the computer for awhile!

Jamey

2010-11-14T15:40:00.000+13:00

Silly me, suppose it helps if I post a piccie of the blog candy.....lol!

So, make a comment regarding the cards I posted earlier, head over to Megan's check out the November Card Challenge - and post a comment under anyone else's card, doesn't have to be mine.
You have 2 weeks to do so - before SATURDAY 27 NOVEMBER, and I will draw a random name and the blog candy is yours!

I may even put some more stuff in the winners package. No other restrictions, I will post to the winner - either here in NZ or internationally!

Jamey

2010-11-14T15:33:00.000+13:00

Hiya - long time no talk!
The last couple of months have been super, super busy - it was my 25th wedding anniversary (yes, you read that right - 25th!), and hubby whisked me away to Sydney, Australia for a long weekend without the cherubs :) That was, after I organised the trip with the travel agent, arranged time off work, arranged Nana to look after the youngest, made sure there was food in the pantry, bribed Doofus to take the 2nd cherub to a shooting competition, checked the passports were current, organised the parking at the airport.....then he was able to 'whisk' me away.
Then, it was blimmin GST return time and no Karen, I didn't leave everything to the last minute this time - close, but not the last minute!
Then, hubby and doofus are building a new 'batcave' for doofus - as mum is moving in....see several posts ago, and yes, Glenna, its getting close to purge time in the scrap room....yes, I will NEED your help, lol!

But, you don't really need to hear about my life, you want to see my cards! :)

Megan, over at Better Scrapbooking has monthly challenges, and I bit the bullet again, and entered a card. This month it was RIBBONS - more than 1 on your card. Love ribbon. Have heaps of ribbon. Hardly use ribbon - but, I used 5 ribbons, although, I don't think it was quite what Megan had in mind....

I actually like the way the card turned out, it was my first time doing a sky with clouds (using ink and a cloud shaped die), the sun turned out how I imagined in my head, the grass paper fitted well with the overall image. I cannot remember whose image but it is not my finest colouring in, and it was fiddly to cut around the image, and P was trying to help, again
I even did the inside of the card (no ribbon tho')

I had a 2nd idea running around in my head, having seen similar done over the years. It didn't quite turn out how I imagined, but still.....

7 ribbons! yes, that's right - 7

I did mention last post, that I was getting quite a few lookies on my blog (where these lookies are coming from, I have no idea, lol) so I thought I would have some blog candy
So, tell me what you think of the cards, post a comment here, head on to Megan's site, post a comment there under Monthly Card Challenges, (anyone's card, doesn't have to be mine) in the next 2 weeks, and I will draw a random name and the blog candy is all yours!!! Easy peasey!

Jamey

2010-10-12T21:51:00.000+13:00

When I saw the challenge Think Pink on card challenges, I immediately thought of Breast Cancer, October being the breast cancer major advertising and fundraising month 'n all (good cause tho ladies!).

I made this card - as it was my original thought - and thought I would be cheeky enough to post a 2nd card in the challenge.

The card is simple, but the message isn't.

I used Bazzill cardstock, SU ink and stamp, some pink brads I had kicking around, and the paper - I cannot remember whose it is.

The paper is left over from a layout I had done a couple of years ago - a friend, Michelle, who looked after P while I worked, was diagnosed with Breast cancer, and ultimately lost the battle after 2 years. She was younger than me, and left behind 2 children, similar in ages to my boys. It brought home the message, that cancer can choose anyone...

Inside, I used the 'What Cancer Cannot Do' stamp. It reads:
Cancer is so limited...
It cannot cripple love
It cannot shatter Hope
It cannot corrode Faith
It cannot destroy Peace
It cannot kill Friendship
It cannot suppress Memories
It cannot silence Courage
It cannot invade the Soul
It cannot steal Eternal Life
It cannot conquer the Spirit
(author unknown)

I wish I knew who put out the ribbon paper, and I wish I had purchased more than one sheet - I don't have very much left of it.

The month I found out Michelle had breast cancer, I went to my doctor and spoke to him, and got a referral to the breast clinic. I carried it around in my bag for months.
The day I found out Michelle had died, I went to the clinic and handed in my referral. I got an appointment at the hospital within weeks - a history of breast cancer in my family.
I went to the appointment, and got called back. All clear.
The next year, I got another referral, and again, I went and again, got called back. Again, all clear!

Please ladies, Michelle was in her 30's, it was sad seeing her change over the 2 years, loosing both breasts, going through chemo, loosing her hair, loosing her life.......

off my soapbox now, sorry

Anyway, here is my 2nd challenge...

Jamey

2010-10-04T22:08:00.000+13:00

I did a challenge - yay me!

Whilst on the trademe message board, I found this site: card challenges and I have been watching it for a week or so...working up my courage to show a card or two!
This time its Think Pink!

I got this image years ago, when P was 2 and trying out ballet - a rather short lived venture into ballet I might add! But, I liked this image from TAC and well, it was crying out to be brought by me, and now, it was crying out to be inked.

So, here is my Think Pink card - what do you think??????

The card stock is from Bazzill as well as the ribbon, the paper is some that I brought especially for P's dancing layouts (and therefore the name is cut off and this is a small piece left over and I don't know who makes it.) I coloured in the elephant with my coloured pencils. I even used some glitter on her tutu and on the inside.

In regards to my - watch this space! - Keep watching! lol! I got sidetracked - Hubby is building the new room for Doofus to go out into, so have been busy 'helping' him outside!

Anyway, until next time

Jamey

2010-09-20T23:12:00.000+12:00

WOW!!!!

I JUST GOT OVER 1000 LOOKIES ON MY BLOG - GO FIGURE!

(may have to do something about this......watch this space!)

Jamey

2010-09-20T23:11:00.000+12:00

Look Mum - look what followed me home!
Can I keep it?
Please?
I'll keep it in my room - won't be any problem.
I've called her Nuggets!
Please mum????

At 3.30am - he found out it was a ROOSTER!!!
(I can laugh now, but I wasn't then!)

Anyway, I found time to have a play whilst the weather was blowy, blustery, windy, wet, cold - I snuck off to the end room, which I have to pack up soon!
I had been browsing some blogs, when I saw this idea on Curt's World and I liked it!
I shamelessly copied the cute 'boo' cards - using my October Afternoon stamps I got yonks ago. In reality, I don't 'do' Halloween -but who could resist making cute little monster cards.
I used some random papers from Kaiser, Sassafrass, SU and October Afternoon. Even some provocraft little alpha stickers....
Not as cute as Curt's, but still, I like them!

And, I even got more carried away - I saw a challenge on Penny Black's Saturday Challenge a week or so ago, for Mens/Boys cards, week 118.
Basically you have to use at least 1 Penny Black image - and I thought this image was fitting. It's from a Christmas set - The 12 days of Christmas, and this image is 12 Drummer's Drumming.
I teamed it up with some paper with guitars on it, and called it - You Rock.

But, I made it after the challenge closed - so I couldn't submit it for the challenge. (I wouldn't have anyways, not confident enough in my card making ablities) but still, the thought was there!

I used some Bazzill cardstock I had and some making memories letter charms from years ago. No new product used here - trying to use up my stash at the same time :)

Anyways, off to bed now - I no longer have the rooster keeping me up - no, we didn't keep it!
So hopefully, I will get a full night's sleep!

As always, feel free to post comments, constructive comments that is!

Jamey

2010-09-13T21:59:00.001+12:00

It's been a rough weekend - without going into too much detail, I have to give up my scraproom! I spent Saturday having a pity party for myself, and trying to work out how I can keep it!

Long story short, my mum would like to move in with us. Not too much of a biggie, however, none of the boys want to share a room, and I can't exactly put my mother in with my daughter (only a 63 year gap between them! And mum isn't 'into' Hannah Montana & High School Musical)
So, we decided to build a scraproom on the front yard - just for me!
We drew up the pictures, marked it out on the front yard, redrew some pictures and I sucked it up and said yes, I will move all, and I mean ALL of my stuff out there.

Well Doofus then decided that he would quite enjoy sleeping outside - you know, home away from home! Sneak in at 4am in the morning, and nobody would notice (yeah right!), a man's cave....you get the picture. So, we are going to build a shed, move Doofus outside, clean his room, move the youngest boy D downstairs, clean & paint that room, move my scraproom into there, clean & paint that room, and move my mum in. Phew! All within the next couple of months.

So, I will be moving from a large room to the small room - only big enough for the desk, paper tower, shelving unit and a chair. Might be time to purge.....

So that took up most of Sunday, well that & grocery shopping & visitors, so I only had time to stamp and colour this:

The image is from Stampotique, and is called Prom Queen. I think she is gorgeous! quirky, slightly different, fun, and so not an image I would normally 'go for'.
I coloured her in, and then thought I would have a look on the net and see how other crafters have finished her.....get some inspiration, as I am totally stumped on how to best show her off.

So, off to cruise blog land and splitcoaststampers tonight......wish me luck!

I also just want to add that my pity party is only minor to how the people in Christchurch and surrounding areas are feeling right now after last week's earthquake. My thoughts are with you all, including my friend Ruth and her family. Prayers and positive thoughts going your way.

Jamey

2010-08-31T22:08:00.000+12:00

Some time ago, I saw a card on a blog - (for the life of me, cannot remember the blog, or the lady's name), and thought, yeah, I like that. I have that cardstock, I have that stamp, I could easily do that!

Well, I can't lol. :)

I went and grabbed the stamp, thought nah, I'll change it a bit and grabbed the crocodile stamp instead (from whipper snapper), grabbed the cardstock -Stampin Up Green Galore, Gable Green, Whisper White, grabbed some black paper (another layer of cardstock would make the card heavy) and my trusty coloured pencils.
I also grabbed the stamp - Snappy Birthday from SU (I really love this stamp - only 2x in the set appeal to me. The other is the santa hat!) And, snappy birthday goes with a crocodile, a crab, a turtle....you get the picture?
But, I digress - I stamped and coloured the image. P was hanging off my arm wanting to help me. In the end, I gave her a crocodile to colour in and sent her on her way.......
I thought I would give the card some texture, and used my cuttlebug with the mesh embossing folder (haven't used the bug for a month or so....feeling slightly guilty about that) and ran the cardstock through. I cut the cardstock to size first, as I find that when I emboss, then cut, it never cuts properly, the cardstock tears, and the pattern flattens slightly....or is it only me?

I made the first 2x cards pretty plain, then I thought, why not give the texture some colour. So I smeared the green ink over the card....but then Penny sidetracked me again, and I forgot to use another colour, just to see how it would look. I had planned to use another shade of green, maybe some brown or black - try to make it look crocodilish.

Anyway, I still like the way the cards turned out:

What do you think? All constructive comments gratefully received :)

Until next time
Jamey
xx

2010-08-26T18:11:00.003+12:00

Yay me!
I won some blog candy a couple of weeks ago - and I stalked the mailman. waiting, waiting, waiting for it to come - from Canada! (the mail, not the mailman!) Well, he came on Saturday morning - hubby brought in the mail as I had my head in the oven! Cleaning it of course - cos I am a domestic goddess!

This is what my 'happymail' contained:

A lovely mix of patterned paper, a length of ribbon, and a cutie little card with a whipper snapper bee image! Thank you Kelly for making me smile :)

Now I need my 'mojo' back!

I actually went down to my room to create, looked at my desk, and discovered I had no room on my desk to do anything - all my new purchases and goodies just get ~~dumped,~~ placed nicely on my desk, so I spent my time tidying up and putting away stuff, put some items on trademe to sell, and then it was time to make dinner. So another wasted weekend, creatively. And, if you are reading this Glenna, I'm still waiting for you to come over and organise me in my room!

However, this weekend is the monthly crop I go to - 6 hours of uninteruppted scrapping, I should be able to do something exciting - I got over 100 photos printed, including the new round of babies been born - not mine (thank goodness) but to various nieces and nephews. This is the latest baby, taken on the day little Ella-Pearl was born 15th Aug:

This is the first baby for my eldest niece. Isn't Ella beautiful ~~(it is tempting to have another - lol!)~~

Well, I'd like to think I will have a project to show you on the weekend....stay tuned!

Jamey
xx

2010-08-08T17:23:00.004+12:00

I just got a camera
I just got a camera
I just got a camera
Wonder how it works....

(sung to the tune of Blues Clues, I just got a letter...lol!)

Yes, it was my birthday the other day, and yes, I was 21 again!, and yes, hubby didn't know what to get me....so I 'let' him go fishing, and he 'let' me buy a camera. Silly man, didn't even give me a guideline for the money I was 'allowed' to spend!

So, off I toddled to the camera shop, walked in, and was promptly overwhelmed! I ended up getting another Canon - this time bigger, stronger, betterer, faster....a Canon EOS 500D.

Now that I have the camera, sports season has ended - for two of my sons. Both are out with injuiries. Mind you, I have missed the season anyway - along with other important family milestones - like P loosing her 2x front teeth, and the tooth fairy not coming (she must of filed her flight plan for that night, and P was too late!),and the arrival of P's 2 goldfish - much to the cat's delight!

BUT, I did get this:

the car accident happened more or less 3 houses from home, on my way from work, in the company car! My son L was able to come outside with the camera and took photos of my car and the other car (which came of worse) I don't have the company car anymore...... :(

Well, even though I haven't been posting lately, I have still been creating, and checking out all the blogs I enjoy reading - all 155 of them in my favourites, I have helped my friend Megan who ran a stall at a local craft expo - I demo'd the Slice machine and the Irock tool for her, and I even did the tax and got it in to the accountant in a timely manner! And of course, it really goes without saying - I have been spending on new goodies - stamps, paper, tools, paper pads, punches, and I even have my eye on some copics!

Anyway, that's me for now...until next time,
Jamey

2010-04-10T20:12:00.000+12:00

I know it has been awhile since I posted - still no camera.
However, for those of you who know me, will be surprised at this post.

I have a son. (More than one actually....lol), but L is my eldest son. He is affectionately known as Doofus.
Doofus does things that only a doofus can do. However, he also doesn't do things that most people do - in this case, have his hair cut. It has been 8 years since he got it cut - and only then because it got sooooo matted, he couldn't do anything with it! (an understatement I know!). And yes, I was there with the camera when he got it trimmed!
Doofus loves his hair. He would wash and condition his hair regularly - using all the hot water in the process. He had his hair tied up for both work and sports. But when he was just being Doofus, it was down. I even have photos of girls using hair straightners on him -2hours it took, and his hair was so long, it came half way down his back.
Well, his hair is curly, sorta ringlet-ly, and a talking point - especially with the older ladies (think my mum's age!).

This is Doofus:

(not the greatest of photos I know, but he is smiling - and what more could I ask for?? Photo taken Sept 09)

Anyway, last month - 28-03-10, hubby and I went to his sports game. We had been out all morning, and when we left Doofus was in bed, no surprise!. So, we walked into the stadium, looking around to see if he was there. Couldn't find him anywhere! His coach came up and started talking to us, and asked us if we had seen the new guy yet - looked over, and sure enough a 'new' guy was in Doofus's shirt. Then the new guy turned around:

I must of had a stunned mullet look on my face. I alternated between laughing and crying (still am for that matter). He woke up that morning, decided he had enough and off he went to his mate's place, gave him the scissors and they went to town!
What was funny though - the goalie called him Kojak - and Doofus didn't even know who Kojak is/was!

So my dear friends, something I thought would never happen - happened!

Until next time, when hopefully I will have a camera....
Jamey

2010-02-22T19:05:00.001+13:00

Well, my camera is well and truely stuffed! Need a new one. So...thought I would share something really, really funny with you!
I tend to go two peas alot - and check out the gallery. I have learnt heaps from there, and I really enjoy everyone's work.
I do enjoy, more, the threads. They have classics - you have to check out:
once when I was pregnant
laughing at inappropiate times
waxed hoo haa

my hubby just rolls his eyes at me whenever I read these threads, and others, but honestly, if you want tears rolling down your face - then check them out!

Jamey

2010-02-10T22:02:00.000+13:00

Well, I have finally uploaded the picture of the card I made my cute little great-nephew for his 1st birthday! My camera has well and truely packed a sad - not only do I have pink lines (alternating between horizontal stripes and waves) but now, it flashes between white and black - sorta a strobe lighting effect. I showed hubby, and he told me to start saving my pennies! Silly man - that is why he is working!

I finally used the goodies from SENZ - October Afternoon, Nitelite. The little big monster on the front is a diecut, and the little teeny monster in the inside, I cut out of the patterned paper. The stamped text is a stamp from Whipper Snapper (appropiate I thought), with the navy and white cardstock from Stampin Up!. I even used a thicker from American Crafts (#1)
I also went into a toy shop for the first time in ages (Christmas actually) and got some trucks for him - it's been a long, long time since buying trucks & diggers - I did feel almost sentimental (or mental) about all my babies being past that stage...or is it because I have several nieces (read 2 and 2 nieces-in-law) who are pregnant, a customer from work who has just had a baby, and a friend who was pregnant (she has now had the baby!).

Anyway, enough of my ramblings.....
will post again real soon, cos I KNOW you missed me!

Jamey

2010-01-19T21:23:00.000+13:00

hmmm, I think my camera is packing a sad....all photos are turning out with a pink tinge to them. White is pink, blue is a delightful shade of who-know-what, green is still green with a pinkish hue to it.
What I am trying to say is....my birthday card for the 1 year old isn't gonna be posted tonite. I may have to take it into work, take the photo with their camera (good use of work time!) and try to post tomorrow instead. I know, I know - you are all disappointed with me, but it is, people, out of my control!
Try again tomorrow...

Jamey

2010-01-18T22:38:00.000+13:00

Well, I feel totally refreshed from the Christmas/New Year break - NOT!
I worked through, only having the stats off - me being the new girl who only started in June, I thought I would offer to work for the department, and also cover for the receptionist in the main office - she has been really patient and helpful, and did I mention patient with me when I first started, and I thought it was the least I could do. And, for the record, that was my good deed, my thoughtfulness, and my only act of kindness for the rest of 2010. :)
So, I haven't actually had any holidays yet...and my new manager started at the begining of the month, so I don't think I can abandon her just yet! (is that another act of kindness???)

I have a good friend Janine, who sold and moved into a new house over the last weekend. She did this ONLY because she is 8 months pregnant, it is school holidays, and she has her 2 other children running around, and she does not have enough stress in her life - no other reason! But, I thought it would be nice if someone acknowledged that she has moved so I whipped up this card for her on Sunday afternoon:

I used some American Craft paper, on SU cardstock and ink, the image is from a Heidi Grace set - the first time it has seen ink I might add!
I added a personal message for her and the family and popped it in the post this morning. It might be her first letter to her new address!

I also made a birthday card for my ahem-greatnephew-ahem who celebrated his 1st birthday earlier this month. I will post that tomorrow after taking a photo. Man, did I stress out on that card - you would think that a birthday card for a boy would be a piece of cake - but no. I alternated between a car theme, dinosaurs, bugs, turtles, planes and monsters. 2 hours later, I finished - and it turned out like nothing I pictured in my head (but does anything I must ask?)

Anyway, its great to be back in blogland.
Until next time....

Jamey

2009-12-23T22:16:00.000+13:00

No photos or creations this time......Christmas has finally caught up with me!
Even though I have done something Christmassy every day - I still have not wrapped all the gifts, still have a couple more to sort out, haven't brought the sponge for the trifle - which son #2 thinks I don't make the same as Aunty Ruth, even though it's her recipe! - and there is still the housework to do - only because little pixies do not come in while I'm at work to do it for me!

But to all my thousand of readers (yeah, right!) I hope that you all have a lovely, happy, relaxing, fun filled, Christmas, and you all stay safe over this holiday period.

Jamey
xx

2009-12-16T17:26:00.003+13:00

I know you have all been sitting on the edge of your seats waiting to see the finished result, so....

TA-DA!

Finshed the garland - all 5 gingerbread men, all different, hand drew the faces - not my forte I must add! -

and added a couple of rubons...

...and placed them decorously - is that a word? - in the tree that P decorated.
(my camera is still acting up and there is a dark line running down the side of the photo. Why? I do not know!)

So, another Christmassy thing crossed off my list! Several more to do though...

Tomorrow night is my work's Christmas function, and everyone drew out names from the hat for their 'secret santa'. Luck of the draw I get the receptionist -yay!, AND the big boss - not so yay.
J, the receptionist was easy - got some handcream, nail file, polish and a lil choccie bar and have wrapped it in a Christmas cracker style - complete with a snap.
A, the boss, was not so easy - but I finally found a coffee mug with 'World's Best Boss'. He'll know its a joke! I did offer to put my resignation in a frame for him - I try to quit at least once a week - and he never accepts it!

If you are interested - Warehouse Stationery have a pre-xmas sale 50% off all Christmas Essentials - wrapping paper, cards, bows etc and I managed to get some wrap, 6m length for $1.00. Yes, $1.00! And, I also managed to get some American Craft xmas ribbon for 50% off, cos after all it is a Christmas Essential! cute little brown ribbon with white gingerbread men on it, white ribbon with happy holidays, and dots!

well, off to make dinner.....beef done in the crockpot, with salad and potatoes - yummmmm.

see ya later alligator
Jamey

2009-12-06T20:15:00.000+13:00

Starting to feel Christmassy at my house - the tree is up, decorated, nativity scenes dusted off and set up, countdown calendar is counting down the sleeps, strange shaped parcels are being hidden, ham ordered, carols being played, and I'm checking out Christmas cake recipes!

I started a new project today in my quiet time (is there such a thing in my house?) Something I purchased last year specifically for Christmas 2008, and never got around to starting, so I bit the bullet and just did it.

This kit came out last year, from NZ Scrapbooks using Kaisercraft products - 5 gingerbread men, the Christmas papers, the wood embellishments, paint, rubons and other bits & peices. I had a play, and changed a few ribbons & buttons - but basically kept it the same. I will continue to play around with those things though before I actually stick them down, and draw on the faces etc, but it is a garland to string up. Obviously haven't finished it yet, but I plan to do so this week and have it up hanging - where, I dunno yet - but I WILL finish it. (One of my failings - and I have many - is that I start things, but don't always finish them!)

I also have to do some more cards - finished the 14 I started a couple of weeks ago. I won some blog candy a few weeks ago, and am enjoying the bits and pieces from there. But tonight, when P is in bed, I will write them up and will send them off tormorrow. I made a promise to myself on the 1 December, that I will do something Christmassy every day - and so far, I have! But real life does intrude - so P needs to go to bed, the washing folded and the dishwasher stacked, and I have a couple of auctions coming due on trademe.....

Jamey

2009-11-22T20:07:00.000+13:00

Christmas is coming - and every so often I surprise myself! I started a Christmas project AND finished it in the same year! And, its not even December yet!

Whilst browsing the zutterzisters site months ago I saw this cool idea, and thought I could do that. So I did. Admittedly, I did start it half way through the year, and have only just finished it, but, in my defence, I did play around with it for awhile - creating the base, redoing the santa, and choosing the Christmas papers (try getting those in June!)
Soooo - what do you think????

The original idea was posted in January 09, by Fleur Smith - although I couldn't find it on her blog, it was on the zutterzisters site. Those ladies on the zutter site are very clever, and think outside the square!

When I first started making it, I thought this would help my daughter with her counting backwards skills (trying to be a good educational mummy), and I don't actually like the commercial advent calendars (why get a piece of choccie every day until Christmas, then have nothing but choccie on Christmas) and with 4 kids, it doesn't work out to be very exciting for them to have only 3-4 pieces each (cos I would have to have a piece or two myself!).

Now that I have finished it, I can see how to improve on it, and what I would do differently next time (next time?) But, I also started my Christmas Cards for this year, and again I must reiterate, it's not even December yet! I have so far, made 14 cards, with a few more to go.

I am either super organised, (yeah right!) or I have no life...

I have been busy this weekend - I did some ironing, tried to learn how to do a french braid (still can't do it - my fingers don't co-operate with me), baked a batch of choc chip cookies, a coffee slice, and a chocolate cake. I also did the grocery shopping - no small feat with husband and 2 teenagers in tow, and spent....... $544.45 (and I still have NO food in the house!).

I am absolutely knackered, so I am off to crash on the couch.

Until next time...

Jamey

2009-11-08T17:11:00.000+13:00

I decided to show some more of my CD book that I made.
I used mainly prism cardstock - but cannot remember what colours, two shades of ink - a grey and teal (from SU) and used my quickuts alpha dies (Abigail font)
The pages are 12x6 cardstock folded in half to make 6x6 pages - but the open ends are bound at the spine, so that when I turn the pages I don't see the inside of the cardstock (where there is no texture). This also reduced the number of pages in the book.
I seem to have scored craft cd's from various places - and thought this was a cool place to keep them altogether.

This last week I made some autograph albums - will be giving these to my friends 2 girls for the end of the school year. I can remember when I was at school - friends went around getting 'autographs' from other friends (by hook or by crook I'll be the last in your book). I thought this time round I up it a notch and suggest that they take a disposable camera to school and take photos of the friends to attach to their pages. Can't wait till my daughter is a couple of years older and I will get her to do this as well.

I used scraps of paper from various sources - Bella, American Crafts, K & Co, and cardstock from DCWV and SU, and a mix of apha stickers.

(why is the picture rotating like this???? it's not like this on my computer!)

Anyway, that's it from me today - must pick up number 2 son from the city (shooting practise) and pick up my brother & sister-in-law as we are going out for dinner tonite!

Jamey

2009-11-01T18:20:00.000+13:00

I sat down today and ignored the housework and grocery shopping - guess we'll starve this coming week, but hey - I have a bit of weight to lose anyway! I pulled out my Bind-It-All and finished some projects I had started.
I finished the little recipe album for my niece:

and I made another one - improving on the original. I used some SU Old Olive cardstock/ink/eyelets and some stylier/nicer alpha stickers I had in my stash. The paper is the same - Theresa Collins. I really, really like this paper - have to think of something else to do with the leftover sheets I have.

I do prefer the second one I made - what do you think??

I also finished the binding on my CD album I started months and months ago.
I seemed to have accumulated craft CD's that are just floating around in my craft room, and by the computer, and I saw someone's blog where she made a album for her CDs. I cannot remember who, I didn't even save a picture - it was a blog I quickly scrolled through and now it bugs me that I cannot remember anything about it.

(I felt the zutter disc needed to be the first CD in the book)

I did some more stuff as well - but will post that another day. Just have to say, that I did a Christmas countdown calendar, an autograph book, and a couple of little post-it note holders.

Until next time
Jamey

2009-10-27T21:53:00.000+13:00

I was in Spotlight on Saturday (BIG mistake!), and saw this cute American Crafts ribbon. So, I had another attempt at making a card with the same image as previously - SU Rainy Days - I tend to stamp 2-3 images, and colour them in at the same time.
I pulled out some patterned paper and cardstock - and changed my mind. Pulled out some more cardstock and patterned paper, and changed my mind again. In the end, I chose this cardstock - cos I love the colour - (marigold morning, which of course, you cannot buy anymore from a SU demo) and thought the paper went well with it. Then I thought - rightly or wrongly - that yeah, some of the colours in the paper matched some of umbrellas in the ribbon. You may want to squint and tilt your head on the correct angle and imagine they go, but they do! :)
What do ya think.....

Don't know why I put the buttons there though - colour wise, good match, but really - what was I thinking??? flowers, umbrellas, squares, scallop circles....and then I put it out there for all to see!

anyway - feel free to comment - tell me truely that yeah, I wasn't thinking!

Jamey

PS - any SU demos out there who have half a pack of marigold morning they wish to sell, feel free to send me a email..... :)

2009-10-18T22:58:00.013+13:00

I made these two cards a few months ago - I love the gerbra flower stamp (by TAC), I think it one of the nicest flower stamps I own, and it's a great size for card fronts.

The first card used SU cardstock, ink and some ribbon, the buckle is from making memories. I used a small slot punch to make a hole in the fold/crease of the card to thread the ribbon through. At times, I wonder how other crafters use/attach ribbons to cards - whether they snip the ends and have the raw edges on the card fronts, or wrap around the card like I have, or just under a mat on the front with the ends tucked under. I have tried all 3 ways - and more - but don't know which way I prefer!

The second card again used some old SU patterned paper, cardstock and ink, but TAC stamps for the text and of course, the flower. I raised the image on some pop dots, and used a small circle punch and made the 'ticket corner' look. The brads are just some I had kicking around in my stash.

Both the gerbra flowers were coloured in with my faber-castell pencils. I do like them, don't know if I should get a larger set with more colours to play with, or save my pennies and buy some 'real' pencils from a art store (or maybe.....some copics!)

I didn't have time to sit and make anything today - I went down to my room - my desk was really, really messy so I tidied it and put things away....and got soooo sidetracked that I ran out of time to make anything! I might try during the week now that all winter sports practices have finished and the kids have nothing else on (yay!) I have all these ideas churning around in my head, I just need to put them on paper...fingers crossed.

Jamey

2009-10-13T22:22:00.004+13:00

This morning I made my lunch to have at work.
This is a momentous occassion. I usually not have lunch, or, will purchase a salad roll from the bakery. But, there was a fresh roll left over, a slice of roast beef left (from making 5 other lunches!), I even opened a new block of cheese, and sliced some fresh crunchy cucumber.
When I got to work, I put the roll in the fridge.
At lunch time, I made myself yet another cup of coffee (probably my 3rd or 4th cup) and went to the fridge to get my roll.
Today was the day someone decided to clean out the fridge!! And threw my lunch in the bin!!

However, when I got home from work, there was a little parcel for me from Canada in my letterbox!

BLOG CANDY!!!!

Lookie what I won....

some Christmas charms, Christmas ribbons, Christmas papers, flowers, buttons, felt embellies, prima flowers, snowman embellies, xmas stocking embellies and a little cupcake stamp set

One of the blogs I visit regularly - Kelly - was giving away some blog candy - AND I WON! Totally made my day when she announced I won, and again it made my day when I received it - after someone throwing away my lunch!
Make sure you check out Kelly's blog - kelly.studiobeemusic.com - have a look around, and post a comment or two. (It's where i'm heading off to now.....) And again, I just want to say thank you, thank you, thank you to Kelly!

Jamey

2009-10-12T20:18:00.000+13:00

So yesterday, I started out inspired and full of enthusiasm to make a card, and what do ya know - I make the same ole design....boring! I think it needs something but, what???

I even used the same sentiment inside the card as previously, however, I do think it suits!

cardstock is SU - whisper white and brocade blue, paper is Provocraft (baby shower), image is SU rainy days, sentiment is TAC, ink is SU going grey and brocade blue. Coloured in with my coloured pencils

After making the card, I had a lookie at something I started a couple of months ago - a little recipe album for one of my nieces for Christmas. I had some Teresa Collins paper that really appealed to me, and I feel red always looks effective on black & white. It's still not finished - I need to dig out my bind-it-all and do the binding. (So we have to 'pretend' its bound so you can get an overall image of what is should look like...)

Hindsight being what it is, I should have used a deep green to go with the colours already in the paper - I will next time. Next time, I will also NOT use my old creative memories alpha stickers, but something a bit more modern/stylie looking, and mat the front 'RECIPE' so it doesn't look lost/floating in mid air. The next mini album will be better....promise.
I do like the size though - the BIA covers fitted index cards I got from Warehouse Stationery - I did have to cut some plain white cardstock for the tabbed pages - they only had lined.
Its a great size for lots of things - mini albums, autograph books, recipe books, doodle books, and the like.

Anyway, that's all from me tonite. Again, feel free to post all constructive criticism - please!

Jamey

2009-10-04T19:58:00.001+13:00

Yesterday was World Card Making Day. So, I did a scrapbook page.
Today, I mad a card - waaaay different from my usual style!
I found this blog, www.apathofpaper.blogspot.com - she is a Close To My Heart demonstrator, but has some great cards on there. I totally did the Picket Fence Card from her July 08 post - for some reason it appealed to me.
I left it blank inside, cos I don't know what I will use it for - birthday/thinking of you/thanks etc
Here is my version:

I used some SU cardstock and ink, and a Hero Arts stamp (row of flowers) and coloured it in with my good ol' pencils...maybe Santa will bring me some Copics (hint, hint) The brads are just a couple of ones I had in my stash
I do hope the CTMH comes to New Zealand, Stampin Up! did, so maybe they could too!
If you do check out Deneen's blog, make sure you look at the photos she posted of the hand art - there are some truly talented, creative, imaginative people out there!

Well, that's all from me today - hope you like the card. Feel free to comment

Jamey

2009-10-01T09:43:00.000+13:00

I updated my photo!
I don't normally have my photo taken - as a rule, I'm the one behind the camera.
However, I have the 'meanest' boss ever, and he thought it was time I got my business card, so he took this photo in the office. Turned out quite well really (at least, I don't have half a horse growing out of my head like the other photo that hubby took!)
What do ya think???

2009-09-27T22:36:00.000+13:00

Did ya miss me?? Last weekend was soooooo busy - sports, birthdays (not mine!), and my middle son was in the Battle of Britain parade - 69th - at the Auckland museum with his ATC squadron.
So, I actually had no time to myself to play or create.

This weekend, however, I had to make a sympathy card - and they are not much fun to make. I wanted it simple and not fussy, but not 'heavy' either IYKWIM
This is what I made, and it is a direct copy off someone else, but for the life of me I cannot remember. I was surfing blogs one day, many months ago and I saw this card. The 'creator' used the Bird Call cuttlebug embossing folder, and just a simple text up the top. I would love to post who it was, a name or a link to her blog, but I truely cannot remember.

I liked how it came out - simple, but classy, not fussy.
The card is actually made for a guy whose wife is terminal and does not have much time left. I know, that when we do hear of her passing, I will not want to make a card there and then, so I made it now. (I actually made 2 of them, just different colours)

Both cards use the cuttlebug embossing folder - Bird Call

Both cards use SU stamps, cardstock & ink - Old Olive, Not Quite Navy and Very Vanilla.

After making these, I felt the need to make something a little bit happier & cheerful, and as today was the start of daylight savings (yay!) I used for the first time - Whiff of Joy - Willow (I think.)

I coloured her in, using my usual coloured pencils, and then looked through my patterned paper stash for something to match. I probably should have looked at paper first, then coloured! I actually got this paper from a craft magazine - it was the freebie giveaway. Bit I like it! And then, ever betterer, I found a paper flower that actually matched - go figure! I used some little Kaiser bling in the middle for a bit of oomph. I like the way she turned out.

Well, thats all for tonight.

Would love to know what you think of the cards....

Jamey

2009-09-13T19:12:00.010+12:00

I didn't get a chance to sit and play today - I did something even betterer....

Megan, at Betterscrapbooking occassionally has a See It!! Try It!! afternoon, where she has new tools that she demos and we get to play with! In the past, she has done demos on the Bind-it-all, Crop-a-dile, and the Making Memories slice machine. A great way to see things in action before outlaying the funds for the bigger, major scrapbooking necessities. And, another way to tempt me into spending my husband's hard earned money!

Today, we made these....

Little purses with folded pockets in.
Been there, done that you say.... but if you look closer.....

you can see that we used the Making Memories Tag Maker AND the Imaginisce I-Top tool - very cool!

This is the first time I have used both tools, and, for the record, I am impressed with the I-Top. You can make your own brads, 3 different sizes - and, you don't have to use just paper, you can use felt and fabric as well! The tag maker can make differents sizes and shapes of tags - ovals, hearts, rectangles etc and the frames come in different colours and finishes - silver and glitter included.

Both of these items are available for purchase from Megan (yes, a shameless plug for her)
I like the fact that Megan has these afternoons - she even throws in a cuppa tea AND homemade cupcakes - and you get to play with cool tools. But, that's not all Megan does - she has her scrap packs as well. A monthly kit she sends out direct to your doorstep with cardstock, paper, embellishments etc and an idea sheet. You don't even need to leave home to spend your husband's hard earned money!

So, while I made a 'purse' for me, Megan whipped up another one for my daughter. Her one (minus the tag) is currently in use by her doll Lissi, and is filled with keys and other treasures that girls and their dolls need!

Check out Megan's place, she has treasures galore - new products, papers & cardstock, embellishments, stamps, and other delights from Making Memories, Bazzill, Imaginisce, WRMK, Doodlebug etc

Well, when I was out playing, hubby was too. So, fresh fish for tea...yum! But, I have found out, that fresh fish does not cook itself......so, until next time, luv & kisses

Jamey

2009-09-06T17:40:00.001+12:00

Last month, I caught up with one of my sister-in-laws - I have 7! She mentioned she saw one of my photos of my punch storage on a trademe thread. I asked her if she saw the other storage - she hadn't. So, this post's for you Betty....

this is my punch storage. It is on a swivel base, so I can spin it round to check out the punches on the other side. I now use all my punches - before, it was out of sight, out of mind. On top of the stand is my smaller punches, and cuttlebug folders and other dies like quickutz.

This is my stamp pad storage. Previously I had all the Stampin Up pads stacked on top of each other - meaning the one I wanted was always on the bottom, and they all toppled over. Now, I just grab the one I want easy peasy. Note all the empty shelves - working on filling it up!

Rob - a cabinet maker my hubby knows, made both of them for me at a very reasonable price.

This is my paper tower for coloured cardstock - mainly bazzil, but the prism cardstock is slowly creeping in. Both ranges of cardstock have texture - and I love it! I keep the paper by ROYGBIV - only cos I couldn't figure out any other way of doing it.

I got the stand in a kitset form from trademe - and hubby laughed when I attempted to assemble it. In the end, he did it for me....cos you know - I'm just a girl when it comes to screwdrivers and stuff.

Anyway, that's it from me.

Jamey

2009-08-30T17:10:00.007+12:00

Well, I made a couple of cards today, although my daughter was hanging off the side of me wanting to help - 'can I stick them down', 'can I put the glue on', 'do you need that piece of paper mum?'
The first card I made was super easy - only used 2x stamps, and it came together quite quickly (gotta love it when that happens!)

I used some lovely Heidi Grace paper I found at Spotlight (the colour hasn't come out that great - in real life it is a pastel teal colour, not blue & not green)
I also used a Heidi Grace lady bird (lady bug?) stamps and pop-dotted them up for a little oomph
The cardstock used is some stampin up and bazzill, along with some stampin up gingham ribbon.

The text stamp is from an American company - TAC (The Angel Company) "A wittle bug is thinking of you"

The other card I made took a bit longer to make:

I used a House Mouse image, and coloured it in with my good ole coloured pencils, after stamping the image on some vanilla cardstock with brown ink.
I then matted both the image and the patterned paper (don't know the brand) on black cardstock and then onto a bazzil brown for the card base.

The inside is a sticker I found, which I thought was appropiate for the image!

This is the second card I have made - both very similar, but different colours. I know, if something works, use it again. In other words, I am creatively challenged!

Anyway, I hope you like the cards - let me know what you think!

Jamey

2009-08-23T16:23:00.016+12:00

Today, I found the time to sit down and have a play.

I felt creative after looking at all the blogs I visit (and there is ALOT!), however, when it came time to actually putting my ideas onto card - somehow they just don't turn out the same as when they are visualised.

I had coloured in these images a little while ago, and decided I better use them instead of just leaving them to just sit:

the cardstock, ink & buttons are Stampin Up

paper is DCWV

stamped text is Penny Black and image is Gruffies from Stampabilities

ribbon is some making memories I had kicking around in my ribbon jar

cardstock used is again Stampin Up - whisper white and wild wasabi, and the ink & buttons too

patterned paper is just some scraps I had (truly cannot remember from which company)

ribbon is making memores black gingham

stamped image is Penny Black

And, this is my attempt at a Clean & Simple card (no laughing please...)

Cardstock is Stampin Up - very vanilla and only orange (and the ink)

the brads are cute little fishes

stamped text is a mix of SU and All Night Media

hope you like them - as always, feel free to tell me what you think - I appreciate all comments and criticism.

Jamey

2009-08-16T20:05:00.009+12:00

A little while ago, I made a heap of baby cards. Why? I have no idea, nobody was pregnant, and I didn't know anyone who had just had a baby, but, they are fun to make.

Here are a couple of baby cards - using the cutest little House Mouse stamps...

The baby boy card:

the cardstock is Stampin' Up's whisper white and bashful blue, also used the matching bashful blue ink for inking around the paper & cardstock, as well as the basic grey ink to stamp the image

the paper is some old Hot off the press paper I had kicking around in my scraps box

the stamp image is from House Mouse, coloured in with my Faber Castell pencils.

And, you have to do the girly version too

the cardstock used for this card is again, Stampin Up's whisper white, using Stampin Ups going grey ink for the image and text.

the paper is some Creative Memories from the disney princess pack

the text stamp is Stampin Up!

the image is House Mouse (love their stamps, they are soooooo cute!)

I coloured the image with my coloured pencils

I think the brads are from Stampin Up as well....but not 100% sure!

Anyway, I hope you like the cards - House Mouse stamps are so cute, and time consuming to colour in, but so worth it!

Jamey

2009-08-01T15:52:00.016+12:00

So, its a pretty cold, wet, wintery day in my little corner of the world....what better thing to do than show off a couple of the cards I have made in the past.

I took some photos with the help of my daughter P, who is only 6. She is a great helper picking up the cards and trying to stand them upright - thus, some of them now have little bends in the corners....never mind.

This template was, and still is, really popular - 'onesies'

The cardstock and ink used is Stampin Up!

The circle punches, both scalloped and plain are Stampin Up!

The swiss dot stamp is also Stampin Up!

The little bee and ladybug stamps are TAC (The Angel Company)

This is a close up of the little stamps:

Anyway, there are exciting ways to spend rainy winter afternoons: SHOPPING!!! especially on the net....

I've 'met' a lovely lady on Trademe, she goes by the user name of pennyblacks. Corina is one of the most friendliest, helpful, patient traders I have come across - she has sourced some Penny Black stamps for me, advised me on some images, and gives really, really good service! What more could you want???

So, in the post last week, I received this little parcel (again, much to my hubby's dismay)

I now, unfortunately, have to wait until I have another day off work before I get to sit and play with them - but it will be worth it! Hopefully, it will be this week.......yeah right!

Well, if you have nothing better to do, check out Corina on trademe....

Jamey

2009-07-20T21:34:00.001+12:00

This weekend was a great weekend, craft ways, much to my husband's dismay!

West Auckland had their craft show, and SENZ was on in Manukau City.

Now you cannot go to ANY craft show, and not spend any money - it's just not doable. :)

At Craft Out West, it was a real mix of crafts - quilting, chocolate, cake decorating (very impressive!), manuka honey, beads, fairy bubble wands, hair braiding amongst the variety, and of course - scrapbooking. Caz Designs were there, and Megan from Better Scrapbooking - she was demonstrating the Making Memories Slice machine and the Zutter Bind-it-All.

At SENZ, which is a yearly event there was sooooooo many retailers - both from retail shops (Hastings Rubber Stamps, Create) online outlets (Crafty Tart, Scrapbookers Delight) and home based party plans (Stampin Up!, Creative Memories).

I managed to get new (for me) goodies including papers from Basic Grey, Cosmo Cricket, October Afternoon, and some stamps, bling and a new cuttlebug embossing folder:

...can't wait till I sit down and play with my new goodies!

I enjoyed both shows, definately would go again, although I would like to see more retailers/variety at SENZ next year.

until next time,

Jamey

2009-07-16T18:20:00.000+12:00

Well, I bit the bullet, jumped in with both feet, grabbed the bull by both horns, took the plunge...and all those other cliches.... and created a blog!

I am NOT a demo for any company

I am NOT associated with any companies in any way, shape or form

I am NOT on any design teams

I am NOT a published cardmaker/scrapbooker

I AM however, someone who enjoys playing and creating with cardstock, patterned paper, glue, photos and other bits and bobs. I enjoy making cards, and scrapping my photos.

I am not a perfect, fantastic, overly creative designer, however, there are some cards I like...and I have no one to show them off to....DH just looks and grunts! If you like my cards, then feel free to post a comment, if you don't like my cards, feel free to let me know - all and any constructive comments will be and are appreciated!

Jamey