Yesterday Today...

I was determined to document this story.

I wanted to tell the story, the story about things not going the way you had hoped.

Sometimes in life we go into something thinking one thing and walk out totally stunned because it was nothing like you thought.

I went in to have a mole cute out, nothing to serious, they just didn't like the look of it and thought it best to get it out.  They always tell you that they will contact you if they find anything.  I don't know about you but I never get a call so I wasn't expecting a call for this either.

They called.  The mole showed early signs melanoma which meant I had to go back and have more cut out, just to be sure.  I think it took a few days to sink in.

As soon as I got the Now & Then story kit from Ali Edwards my first thought was yesterday I was thinking one thing but today it is totally different.  I love getting these story kits because they get you thinking, thinking about stories that you might not otherwise tell.  I think this story is important because I want my kids to know that sometimes life throws a few curve balls, but it doesn't mean all doom and gloom.  It just might you mean you have to think a little differently.

What story's are you telling?

Love me :-)

Note:  GET YOUR SKIN CHECKED.

I finally gave in...

Just recently received some very happy, happy mail from Feed Your Craft which included the new die cut flairs.  I wasn't sure if I would like them because, well, they are not flair buttons which I love.  But boy of boy, how wrong was I.  I love these tiny pieces of  fun and I think I need to order lots more.

The best thing about these die cuts is that they are flat.  Perfect for those of you who want to embellish your layouts our Project life pages but don't want the bulk.  And for us Aussies the shipping isn't much because they are flat and don't weight anything.

I also recently received my very first set of water colour paints... and I am addicted to them.  I want to paint everything.  My only problem is that I don't want to get them dirty LOL!  I am hoping to push past that.

For my title I painted a piece of white cardstock and then cut out the letters using dies from Papertrey Ink.

I also painted the background where I wanted my photo to go and then added a few paint splashes.  I didn't need to add much because my title and those cute die cuts were all that was needed.

Have you received any happy mail lately.

Love me :-)

Try again...

It always amazes me how just one little embellishment can spark a whole layout.  Well two little embellishments actually.  

Back in September we had a family day trip to a small country town.  We looked around the town, had a picnic lunch and enjoyed being outside and together.  I thought it would be a great opportunity for a selfie with my kids.  While I was trying to get the photo, the two of them kept fighting and hitting each other.  I just kept clicking away, hoping they would stop so I could get a good photo.  I never really got a good photo but I did get some very entertaining ones.  

I printed off the photos ages ago but couldn't get inspired to create anything with them.  When my order from Feed Your Craft arrived I couldn't open the packet quick enough to see what was inside.  As soon as I saw the "try again" and "of course" mini flairs I thought about these selfie photos.

I also used my silhouette cameo and sketch pens to add the "camera" and "click" images on my layout.

What inspires you to create??

love me :-)

Happy 18th Birthday...

On Wednesday we celebrated my daughters 18th birthday.  It was such a wonderful day which started with going out for breakfast and ending with a dinner for friends and family at her favourite restaurant.

Several weeks ago I ordered "HB2U custom mini flair buttons" from Feed Your Craft because they would be the perfect addition to add to some projects that I wanted to do for my daughter.  These mini flairs are the best because you can have any age added.  Here are the projects that I made using these mini flairs.

This was her present - I cut some purple wrapping out to make two long strips. I then added some tissue paper which I cut a fringe into.  I used a paper doily plus a scalloped circle cut from a Stampin Up punch and cut the horseshoes out using my silhouette cameo. I put them all together to make a ribbon similar to the ones given out at horse riding events as my daughter is right into her horses.  The little acrylic heart is from Colorcast Designs.

My next project was to make her birthday card.  I decided to keep to the same theme as I liked the way they all looked together.  I cut the 18 card out using my silhouette.

Then I moved onto the cake topper.  Again I kept to the theme.

This project was very close to my heart so I wanted to make sure that it was personal and beautiful.

One of the best things about these mini flairs is that they stick to glitter paper really well.  I did not have to apply any extra glue which is what I usually have to do when using this glitter paper.

I couldn't have been more happy with they way they all came together.

But in the end, it was all about my daughter and she loved them so that's what really counts.

Now to go and sit, relax with a cuppa and flip through all the wonderful photos of my daughters special day.

Love me :-)

I think it's time for coffee...

I have been waiting ages to be able to share this fun project that I did for a very special friend of mine.  My dear friend Linda is a coffee addict just like me and for Christmas I wanted to make her something special.  I used these digital templates from Paislee Press and then added photos from my huge collection of coffee photos on Pinterest.  You have a choice of 4x6 or 5x7, both come in the package.  I chose to print them 5x7 and then added them to a A5 clipboard.

Not only was this a fun project to put together but it was also very easy.  So easy in fact that I made about 8 more for my daughter to give away as gifts to her friends and I made another one for a friend of mine who loves quotes from a particular company.  For my daughters friends I just chose photos that related to each individual person.

These templates are so easy to work with and make such a wonderful gift as you can personalize each one individually.

Enjoy your week.

love me :-)

PL - Week One...

This is my first attempt at using the PL App which so far I am liking.  I ended up adding a few more embellishments than I probably needed to (note to self) but as far as getting my week completed, I am happy.  

I still have a lot more to learn about the app but that's ok.  I was worried that using the app might make me feel a little less creative but I like the fact that once my photos are printed all I have to do is pop them in a pocket as is, or add an embellishment or two.  The big advantage though, is that I can pop them straight in the album and add embellishments later, but at least the stories and photos will in the album.

Looking forward to see where this type of memory keeping will take me.

love me :-)

Hello there 2016...

After giving a lot of thought as to how I would tackle PL for this year (see previous post) one of the things I wanted to do was a 12x12 cover page instead of the usual pocket style. One of the reasons I chose to do this is because I wanted my first page in  my album to be a 12x12 layout of our first few minutes of 2016.  I specifically ordered these mini flair buttons from Feed Your Craft just for this project and they have been sitting on my desk waiting to be used.

I always take a group shop after we have counted in the new year, popped poppers, wished everyone a Happy New Year and sent kisses all round.  This year our NYE was going to be a quiet one with just four us.  But during the course of the day it grew to 14.  I took this selfie and so glad I did. The photo is grainy and blurry but  it really reflects the mood and the high spirits that everyone was in.  I was going to add to much more to this layout but the photo and just a few embellishments was all that was needed.

How did you NYE celebrations go, truly wonderful I hope.

Love me :-)