Ok, I'm not going to tempt fate and try to upload any other pics tonight, I don't want to lose the lot should something happen with my unpredictable computer! I remembered after I posted my last message that I needed to add a link to the retired list of SU products...here it is!

http://www3.stampinup.com/au/documents/RetiredList_0309_AUNZ_Alph.pdf

I really need some instruction on how to change my links to appear in whatever form I wish...did that make sense? I mean to say that I've seen other people turn ordinary words into the actual link. ha ha ha I'm not very technical-minded, especially not at 2am!

This first pic is my Stampin' Up! desktop calendar. I used the Simply Scrappin' Crew Kids Boy kit...took all of about 5 minutes to place everything on there! So so easy with those stickers!

These three cards are examples of what everyone made at my demonstration yesterday. They got to choose which colour they wanted (of the 6 in-colours), which stamp image they wanted (from Priceless - one of the bushfire appeal stamp sets!) and which sentiment they wanted to coordinate the image with (from the level 1 Hostess set So Many Sayings). We heat embossed both image and sentiment and they all looked so professional when they were done!

I'm in love with fake grass on cards and scrapbooking lately! ha ha ha. I still love my Bugs and Kisses set! I'm getting a bit sentimental about it lately because it was the set I ordered specifically to inspire me with Jasper's 1st birthday party. I made invitations with this set, we had bug-inspired prizes in pass-the-parcel, and I made 2 caterpillar cakes. Just yesterday I ordered Gabriel's 1st birthday set...Ahoy, Matey, and Matey's Map...we're going to have a treasure hunt in the backyard, he can have a treasure chest cake filled with lollies (that I won't want him to eat!), and of course I'll make him invitations with this set. I know where I can buy some pirate accessories too, that would be fun to have both boys wear. I really want Jasper to have a good time on Gabriel's birthday so he knows that other peoples' birthdays are fun to celebrate and not just a day where Gabriel gets every scrap of attention. Of course there are aspects of siblings' birthdays that he will just have to get used to (the presents for instance...I'm not buying him presents just so he's not jealous!) but I love birthday's so want my boys to too!

This flower card was done in about 5 minutes too...I wanted to see just how easy it is to re-create cards in the catalogue. This is a quick attempt at the card on pg 15.

In one of our recent newsletters we were shown how to use the scallop punch to make a tree. I wanted to try it out straight away! I really like the effect!

This next one is using the exact folding technique as for the tree, placed as flowers instead of leaves. Nice effect!

Now here are quite a few pics of my decorated photo frames. These frames are just old ones from my young teens (they previously had cat pictures in them! ha ha). I painted the frames, created mounts the size I wanted, and then dressed them up because they looked a bit boring. I have all four in a straight line at regular intervals on my longest wall. It certainly adds a bit of colour! I alternated the four frames with two colour sets...two with Blue Bayou textured card stock and Purely Pomegranate flowers, and two with Soft Sky card stock and Pumpkin Pie flowers.

Just a close-up.

Here are my beautiful boys engrossed in a Playschool dvd! That particular dvd is my saviour when I wash the dishes! ha ha

Mr Gabriel growing very fast!

Mr Jasper not allowing me to take a photo of his actual face, as usual!

This pic really shows their love for each other don't you think? Often people comment on how much Gabriel loves Jasper but it really is two-sided! It's so gorgeous watching their relationship develop, I hope they stay close as they grow. :)

Ok, bedtime for me! I'll have to come back very soon with the rest of the cards I've made recently.

xxx

"Playtime!"

Wow, I haven't been very attentive to this poor little blog of late! I haven't been too busy but I have been too tired to update. *Sigh* Life is good though, plodding along in the right direction.

I am pretty excited about the new Stampin' Up! Idea Book & Catalogue coming out in a month! I've had a teeny sneeky peek of some new colours, stamps, and accessories and can just imagine how many hours of enjoyment I am going to get from 'playing' with everything! I held my very first party/demonstration just yesterday (yes, I know...it took me long enough! ha ha) and I was, as always am, amazed at how much fun paper crafts can be! As adults we don't always give ourselves much time to 'play' but it really is a worthwhile hobby...not only are we using our imaginations (or, at the very least, our copying skills), we are sending out positive wishes to others (through the cards and tags we make), and preserving our life memories for future generations (through our scrapping). I can't think of any other forms of 'playing' that are as beneficial!

The list of stamps and accessories that are 'retiring' (and won't be appearing in the Idea Book & Catalogue 2009-2010) was issued today! This is great because we have a chance to purchase everything we may have wanted to buy but just put off. There are a few things I really want for my own personal scrapbooking mostly. Hmmm, is it irresponsible to make two orders in the one week?? ha ha ha Even though we still have a month, the products are only available while stocks last and I really don't want to miss out on any of my favourites. There are savings to be had too...25% off some and 50% off others! There are also six (of the ten) stamp sets whose sales support people touched by the Victorian bushfires. Stampin' Up! is generously donating half of the sales of these sets to the Red Cross for the Bushfire Appeal. I'll have to make sure I order some of these!

I'll be back later today with some new photos/scans to show you what I've been making of late, along with some pics of my precious boys.
xxx

Things will be ok

It's been almost 3 months since my husband and I officially separated, almost 3 weeks since there's been no possibility of reconciling, and 3 days since I've found myself almost drowning in misery.

Today I took off my wedding ring. I haven't been wearing my engagement ring for a while because, with two little people requiring spontaneous cuddles, I found it was a hazard with those spikey claws. There is an indent on my finger where the ring has been and I'm looking at it wondering when it will disappear.

I have so many things I need to do but today I have just stopped. I've spent time with the boys and have found a new sense of 'everything will be ok' emerging. I know I will raise these boys well. They will of course be well looked after physically but emotionally is where I will really excel with them. Even now, before either of them can understand much of what is 'fair' or 'just', their behaviour has improved to the point of others noticing. Perhaps they understand on some level that there is less friction in their little worlds, or maybe it's just that they are thriving with the new comforting predictability. It's not that their days are boring or that we do the same things...just that my reactions - good and bad - are very consistant. I know they miss their Daddy though which is definitely contributing to my resolve to be a better parent and my awareness of many dark aspects of life. I know my eyes are wide open now and I'm no longer naive, if ever I was. When they are a little older I know they will find comfort in my absolute love of all things about them. They will understand, as others rarely have, that I am a very genuine person, that I value openness and honesty (but understand the need for their opposites to get along with others sometimes), that I will adore getting to know their individualities and do all I can to help them be comfortable withthem, and that I will always have time for them...no question. There are lots of things also which they will learn from me that I am yet to learn myself. I am constantly striving for balance in my world and the 'lighter' side of me (the side that holds all the positivity) is always growing.

So here we are. It feels like time to brush myself off and move forward. I've gained so much strength from some family members and friends (and specifically a group of extra special friends I met in an online parents' forum!) but I know I had a great deal in me all along. There is so much unpleasant-ness I have to attend to right now but, after the break of today, I'll take it in my stride knowing that I'm fighting for not only my happiness but also that of my boys. Things will be ok.

xxx

Cute Santa Card

I haven't done much preparation for my intoduction to Stampin' Up! party in 2 weeks...I haven't even invited people yet! I have, however, decided that we're going to make this cute card I just designed and made. I always intended to have everyone make a card that was simple (it is an introduction afterall) and I think this card is simple and cute.

I had better start writing a guest list or I might be making this card by myself!

xxx

Winds of Change

It's windy today...very windy. I am mellow because I have let myself down in an area of my life I really need to take control of. I won't beat myself up over it though, instead, I'll use this space for getting it out into the world so I can let it go...make new goals, clean a room, and do some crafts!

I'll be back soon in a better frame of mind, I'm sure.

Breaking the 'sugar' drought!

I finally scrapbooked after a little over a year!

This page is of Remmy in Fiji the day before we got married. There's hidden journalling in the pocket bottom right that has a quote from Remmy describing how relaxed he felt but that he was very excited too. He does look relaxed here. Me? I was fairly relaxed but only because I didn't think about what we were about to do. ha ha. No really, I knew what we were getting ourselves into but I was always the more apprehensive of the two of us.

If you want to read about the gorgeous Stampin' Up! products I used (the LO is exclusively SU!) just head on over to the Cardinal Stampers blog (link in previous post).

What a slacker I have been to have left scrapping for that long. I'm only a slacker to myself though, I really love to scrap! I know I've been busy moving house, being pregnant and uncomfortable, and then having a baby and demanding toddler to contend with but it's so important to take the time to do those things that you enjoy...what's life without them? You could think about indulgent crafty type pursuits as 'sugar'...you crave it when you don't have enough, it gives you a 'high', and you can get it sensibly (natural sugars in fruit for instance...scrapping after all household chores are done for the day) or you can be a bit naughty and get your 'fix' in less wholesome ways (snacks with little nutritional value...stealing moments in the day while you really should be doing something else). Yes, I am very tired (as usual for my posts) so should really go to bed. All the household chores are done for the night now though, maybe I'll go and get some sugar...guilt-free!

Cardinal Stampers

In my sleepy state I forgot why I came on tonight...to post up a link to Stampin' Up! group blog Cardinal Stampers! http://cardinalstampers.blogspot.com/ We post up challenges for each other and encourage anyone to join in.

Here's a couple of my latest cards. If you want to know which products I've used just head on over to cardinal stampers and find the 'recipe'. If you have any questions or wish to order some products don't hesitate to leave a comment.

Challenge #1 - watercolouring

Challenge #2 - inspiration from a catalogue page

Challenge #3 - make a girly card

I've issued a scrapbooking challenge for #4.

xxx