Another bright and sunny suncatcher...

I made another suncatcher recently...to send to friends who moved to Brisbane. Luckily they moved into a slightly elevated area and were not directly affected by flood waters.

Here are some pictures of the card and matching box I made to send them their little housewarming gift in...

List of Ingredients:

Cardstock: Real Red, Tempting Turquoise, Yoyo Yellow (SU) and Stamper's Select White (PTI)
Ink: Tuxedo Black Memento (Tsukineko) and Versamark (SU)
Stamps: Neighbourhood Jumbo Wheel (SU) and Enjoy the Ride (PTI)
Accessories: Jumbo Wheel Handle (SU), Copic Markers (B06, RV29, Y19 and YG25), Liquid Applique, Pink Flamingo DSP (SU), Circle Metal-Edged Tags (SU), Scallop Edge Border Punch (SU), 1 1/4 inch Circle Punch (SU), Paper Piercer, White Gel Pen, Mounting Foam and Tombow Mono Adhesive (Penwa).

I hope you'll forgive my atrocious Copic colouring skills (or lack thereof). I always get lines...but at least in this case it doesn't look too bad to me...the stamp being one that has a hand-drawn, child-like quality about it...so child-like colouring fits the bill in my opinion (this is my story and I'm sticking to it ;-). I have put some liquid applique on the clouds, but as this lot was originally opened more than two years ago it seems to have lost its applique-like quality and dries smooth and shiny instead. Still looks nice up close (like white crystal effects instead of clear IYKWIM?).

Once again the fabulous lampwork bells are by Sari Glassman on Etsy, and the photo below is hers also (thank you Sari, for making such beautiful pieces of glass artwork for me to play with and admire).

I also want to show you another little something I bought online recently (making good use of the Aussie dollar strength while it lasts). It is a sumptuously beautiful sleep eye-mask...

I bought it from Bonnie at Bib Bon on Etsy, and I love it to bits. It is so soft and pretty. You might be wondering who I think I'm fooling though...by buying a sleep eye-mask when 40 weeks pregnant...but I have big plans! When Miss 6 and Mr 4 are at school/preschool...new baby and I will be napping during the day whenever humanly possible. This is my solemn oath...wish me luck ;-).

Ok....suppose I'd better go do something like have breakfast, or get dressed, or something!!

(Blogged to: Get Ready for This - 2 Unlimited, Nutbush City Limits - Tina Turner and Get Set - Taxiride).

Papertrey January Blog Hop Challenge

I had a bit of spare time on my hands yesterday...you know, patiently waiting for this baby to be born and all...NOT ;-)...so thought I'd make the most of it and participate in this month's Papertrey Ink Blog Hop Challenge...

With the new year comes a clean slate along with many resolutions.  This month's blog hop challenge involves you challenging yourself to use a Papertrey stamp set that has yet to see ink or even one that might be collecting a little dust!  Go through your stash and see what little used treasure it might hold. 2011 is the year where what's old is new again!

I decided to ink up Baby Button Bits for the first time. I haven't had this set for all that long, so it certainly wasn't dusty...but given that I'm 39+ weeks pregnant the baby theme seemed fitting to me!

This is the card that I made using this stamp set:

List of Ingredients:

Cardstock: Kraft and Stamper's Select White (PTI)
Stamps: Baby Button Bits (PTI)
Ink: Tuxedo Black Memento (Tsukineko)
Accessories: 2008 Bitty Dot Basics (PTI), Hawaiian Shores Luxe Satin Ribbon (PTI), Hawaiian Shores Vintage Buttons (PTI), Book Print Impression Plate (PTI), Tag Sale #1 Die (PTI), Twine, Mounting Foam, Glue Dots and Tombow Mono Adhesive.

This little fellow was another source of inspiration for my card, isn't he handsome?! I bought him at The Teddy Bear Shop on Monday. His name is Kembell, and he is patiently sitting in the moses basket, also waiting for our new family member to make an appearance. Waiting, waiting, waiting....;-).

Thanks for stopping by my blog, and if you're an Aussie...HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY!

(Blogged to: Blame it on the Boogie - The Jacksons, Holy Grail - Hunters and Collectors, Say it Right - Nelly Furtado and All the Lovers - Kylie Minogue).

I'm still here...

Apologies for the big delay between posts. If I knew where the Christmas/New Year period here had gone, I'd tell you...but I don't. It has just gone! We were here, and then there, and then back here...and somehow time has just completely gotten away from me.

I have managed a little crafting time, but have had very little inclination to post to my blog as my back is playing up (I guess a 38 weeks pregnant belly hanging off the front will do that to you ;-)... more on that later!

The project I have been working on was inspired by one by the super-talented  Danielle Daws, who posted it on the 'UStamp with Dawn and Friends!! Year End Blow Out Edition 2010', which you can apply to join here:

I was fortunate enough to receive a complimentary membership to this group from my lovely blogging pal Paula Dobson (thank you so much Paula!).

Here are my creations:

List of Ingredients:

Cardstock: Baja Breeze, Very Vanilla and Kraft (SU)
Ink: Crumb Cake and Night of Navy Classic Ink (SU)
Stamps: Birthday Basics (PTI)
Accessories: Elegant Soiree DSP (SU), Enchanted Evening 1/2" Satin Ribbon (PTI), Orange Zest Buttons (PTI),  Scallop Edge Border Punch (SU), Chipboard (retired SU), Linen Thread (SU), Pewter Jumbo Eyelets (SU), Tombow Adhesive (Penwa), Dimensionals (SU) and Mini Glue Dots (SU).

The last picture shows one of my suncatchers, and as this is going to a family member in Queensland I can only hope that it takes a little sunshine and good luck with it. They could really use it up there!

The crystal beads are Swarovski, and the glass lampwork bell beads are by Sari Glassman of Gaialai on Etsy, and you can see her beautiful beads much more clearly in this picture taken by her:

The glass lampwork wave beads in the earrings are by Candice of Beadgoodies on Etsy, and the pearls are Swarovski. I made these earrings to match a bracelet I gave at Christmas time (I didn't have enough beads at the time to finish the set):

...And to finish up, here is a slightly blurry (its hard to take one-handed belly shots in a mirror under crappy lights), but recent belly shot (37wks + 4 days):

(Blogged to: Sounds of Then - GANGgajang, Holding Out for a Hero - Bonnie Tyler, Manhattan - Kings of Leon and Firework - Katy Perry).