Back again

Hello and a happy Friday to you

it is a lovely wet Friday here in Blackall after receiving some much needed rain.

Today is officially my last day of term break with term 1 starting on Monday morning.

I haven't done nearly as much card making as I would of liked to but hey ho that's life isn't it.

I have been so busy catching up on house hold chores along with some parenting duties. But also to top it off I am moving the house around again and swapping my youngest son's bedroom with the craft room.

Oh lordy lord why did I decide to do that - Blahhhh

Who knew that there was soooo much stuff in the craft room and that is after the clean out I had when I repainted. But anyway I am half way through the move and will continue to potter along. Although Benji is still not 100% sure that he likes his  'new' room, so I am going slowly at the moment just in case he decides he wants to go back.

(I hope not - that's for sure)

Anyway here are my cards that I have made recently:

This one was for hubby's birthday

I brought this die last year and was itching to use it

I saw a similar card using a different die with the love heart placement on  the map on Pinterest

 In real life the three love hearts are straight but for some reason they look wonky here

 Hubby loved the message inside - he liked the idea of all ways (tut tut - typical man)

I hadn't even though of that

 Then this is another version of a card that I found on Pinterest - I love Pinterest - so much inspiration 

and I just print out the cards that I really love to use as inspiration - it is great

I was buying hundreds of card making magazines but when I realized how much money I was spending I swapped to using Pinterest as my source of inspiration.

But I always remember my golden rule and never, ever copy anyone's work completely - I only use theirs as inspiration

 Inside view

 And finally my favorite card for the moment- inspired by Pinterest

using one of my Rubber Stamp Tapestry sets that I brought from The Glitter Pot ages ago.

I love how the card turned out. I used my circle cutters to make the wreath and used my cricut to cut out the shape. I probably would of left the calico ribbon a little longer on the tails of the bow if I made something similar again.

Inside view - I think it might be the colours that I really love.

Ok well that is it for me I am going to go and think about dinner for the Smith family.

I hate having to think about what is for dinner every day - I wish the boys would just tell me what they would like - I'm sure that would be easier. I am craving a big fat salad sandwich but I can't see my burly boys wanting that. Maybe I will just make steak and salad for them and then I can have my salad sandwich.

Have a happy day

talk soon

x joy

Here again at last - what a bad blogger I have been

Hello and a happy Australia Day to you,

Boy oh Boy 26th of  January already,

Where is the time going?

I feel like I just blink and another day - week - month - year is over!

Please forgive me for not getting on here as much as I would like, but life is a bit hectic at the moment.

(But then again everyone's lives are so busy) So really my only excuse is slackness!!!!

I have had a few plays in the last week, believe it or not.

You see I was lucky enough to get a Cricut for Christmas from my Hubby and I had not used it since Christmas Day. So I had a birthday this last week and I told the family that all I wanted for my birthday was a day all to myself - playing with my Cricut. Ahhh it was heaven.

Although I have not got the hang of it properly yet - so I think I need to head to youtube and get some tutorials.

Anyway I'll stop rambling on and cut to the chase and show you some cards.

I realized that I had not even showed you this years mass produced Christmas card.

Oh crikey how slack am I!!!

So here is my main Christmas card for 2013:

 One of my sweet little magnolia's was the choice for this years creation. I decided this year to cut back on the 50 cards that I usually make, because I know some people only throw them away. However I love to hear that some people keep everyone of my cards and this makes making them worth while. So this was the card that I made for those lovely folk that keep and treasure my cards and for my special friends and family.

 The inside view as always.

And this little one was one I made to give to the people that I know do not keep  my hand made cards. It still took time but no where near as much time as the big one. I also used this card to post to my lovely relatives in England - because they cost $2.50 each to post - blah - I can just imagine how much the big ones would of cost. I am not being stingy (although it sounds like I am) but when you have to post quite a few - it adds up.

I also thought I would post a picture of my Christmas cake that I decorated. A lovely friend made the cake - and it was scrumptious. I just  had a go at decorating - however Christmas is the only time I will play with decorating as it is way harder than it looks hehe. I will leave it to the experts!

Not too bad for a 2nd attempt - the 1st one was last year.

It took me hours to do haha and yet really is so simple.

Anyway on to some more cards. Here are the ones I made this last week - although don't get too excited - I only made two hahaha you can't rush a girl now.

This first one is using my Cricut - I know its not that fancy but it is only my first try.

 I think now looking at it - maybe I should of embossed the craft shape behind the flower. 

 The inside view - using a smaller flower.

 And then this one is using one of my many new purchases - a tiddly inks set - I love this set - it was a have to have stamp set - sooooo cute

Look at these cute little crabs - I love them!!!!

And finally I will show you what we have been up to in between running around like crazy people. Sometimes I think I would love to put the brakes on and go on strike for a couple of days - just to sit and do nothing - ahhhh wouldn't that be nice.

We are still renovating - oh it is taking forever!!!! But we are getting there and when we are finished I promise to upload lots of photos of what we have done.

So apart from all that stuff, the only other thing that is keeping me super busy is my study.

I am still going plodding along and I am nearly finished (two weeks left) my first year of Psychology. WOW that feels so good to say - only officially 5 years left. Hehe that sound like a long time (particularly when you just turned 46 hehe) but I have decided to go all the way and head for the end goal of a clinical Psychologist.

There is still a long way to go but I am still loving every minute of study. The human brain and behavior is very fascinating to say the least. I finish up with year one next week after exams then officially start year two on the 24th of Feb. 

Ok well I am now going to pop over to my favorite blogs and say hello while I am logged in - so that I can leave messages. I do keep track of all my old favorites I just don't get to say hello. I allow myself 5 - 10 mins of internet play a day, so I pop over and have a sticky beak and then keep on going. Then I usually end up on Pinterest for a little longer than I plan - but I love it - it is so good for inspiration for everything.

Ok - well stay happy

have a great day talk soon

x joy