Get Picky Sketch #4

Welcome to our very first Get Picky sketch of the year!

This month we are so very lucky to have Anna Bowkis guest designing with us, and she has also provided this months lovely sketch layout for us to play with.  Here it is...

and here is my layout...

I made myself a promise this year to try and capture more of the every day moments that make up the beauty and the chaos of my life :)  Noah is one of the hardest little people to photograph for lots of reasons, but when I took these photos of him over Chrissie, he had glimpses of the vacant little stare he sometimes gets.  We try our hardest daily to keep Noah engaged and occupied with us and activities that don't allow him to drift off into his own happy little world.  It's constant, but we can see the difference in him and his animation and speech when we do.....I guess it's the little things that make a difference :)

Be sure to pop over to the blog and check out the girls' stunning layouts. 

You won't be disappointed :)

Happy Birthday Cardabilities

Happy Birthday!!!

Cardabilities made its debut in January last year with it's gorgeous site full of amazing sketch designs and stunning examples for card makers. So , as a way of celebrating Cardabilities's first birthday we have lots of sketches and some great prizes to give away to some lucky participants.

In addition to the regular sketch reveals on the 15th & 30th of each month, there will be a new sketch on the Cardabilities blog, every Wednesday for the month of January!  All you have to do is use the sketch as inspiration for your card and add your link on the Cardabilities blog.

To start off our month-long celebration, here is sketch #19 and my little card creation.

Now please don't look too closely at my colouring... this is one of the first image I coloured using my Copics :)  She was too cute not to use, so here she is.  I also covered the inner circle with a layer of Glitter....looks much nicer in real life! Be sure to pop over to the Cardabilities Blog and check out all the birthday fun!

Happy 2011 everyone!

I love the beginning of a New Year.  The possibility of so many wonderful things happening, makes me smile :)  For the past two years I have decided upon my "one little word" to focus on and while I totally support my choice at the time, it wasn't something I thought much more about by mid year!

This year I thought I would approach things a little differently.

My beautiful friend Al Hannah created what she called a vision board filled with images and words / quotes of things that she would like to focus on/achieve this year.

I like this idea of creating something permanent to display and remind me of where I'd like to go this year.

That said, my one little word for 2011 is

Learn.

This year I am undertaking study at the Autism Institute in Melbourne, which makes me really happy!

Not only for the insights it will give us about Noah, but also for the professional challenge it will give me and the depth it will add to my teaching.

Here are some of the other images that will make up my board....

it's a work in progress atm  but I promise to share it when it's complete....

Towards the end of last year, I overextended myself somewhat, and have made a very conscious decision to NOT reapply for some of my current dt commitments :)  I want to concentrate on finding some peace for myself and a bit more quiet time.  Last year just disappeared before my very eyes, so I'm determined to slow down and enjoy every moment!

I hope 2011 holds the most wonderful things for you and is filled you with every sort of happiness.

My final little thought for this post...

Take care

xxx



Get Picky Inspiration Prompt # 3

With the Christmas season still fresh in our minds, we decided to chose a stunning Christmas image as our Inspiration Prompt...

Here is our pic...

Here is my take using this gorgeous pic as inspiration...

" I loved the cool colours in this image and used that as the basis for my inspiration. I kept very much to a neutral colour scheme and converted my images to black and white to match and although it's difficult to see, the paper and embellishments have specs of silver glitter which upholds the Christmas theme. While I didn't choose specifically Christamssy images, I opted for pics of my three cherubs and related my journalling to the include what I give thanks for this Christmas."

 Be back later with some Precocious paper creations.

 

Cardabilities Sketch #18

I thought I'd be quick and get in a post or two before the New Year...hehehe...

Whatever activities you have planned...I hope your celebrations are lovely ones and wish everyone the most wonderful start to 2011, filled with much health and happiness.

On to my latest Cardabilities sketch and card creation...

and also here's something fun to look forward to....

Cardabilities First Birthday BASH!

January 15th – January 17th

It has been one year since Cardabilities began providing you with sketches!!
So be sure to come and join me and the other gorgeous Design Team girls

in our first

CARDABILITIES BIRTHDAY BASH BLOG HOP!

Our Hop will be filled with giveaways from our Designers along
with our main Sponsor Giveaway.

Come and Join in the fun…be sure to comment on the
blogs and watch for the secret catch phrase!

SEE YOU THERE!

JANUARY 15TH - 17TH

Better late than never.....

Well, that is the entire tone of my existence atm...... 
although I seem to be erring more on the never side....

I love Christmas!  I love the celebration, the sense of family, the joy and excitement of my children, all of that, but at this time of the year I loathe the crazy/busy/hysteria that surrounds and takes over in the lead up.
With school finished, I've taken a couple of days to try and get our life back on track.  Sort my home, washing, cleaning....all Mum stuff that doesn't get done by itself!

That said, I have lots of scrapping things to share.  I was going to do individual posts, but have opted for the long winded version instead :)  GO grab a cuppa and come back if you're interested...
Here goes!

Cardabilities Sketch

Here is my take on Sketch #17.  This was a really easy one to work with and despite the papers being oldies, I decided to use some Kaiser Chrissie papers.  Be sure to check out the blog to see what the other dt girls have created.  The cards are just stunning!

Get Picky  sketch challenge #3.

This layout is one of my favourites for a long time. It is inspired by a conversation Joshua and I have often!
It came about some time ago, where after being scolded for being naughty, I had said to him, "even when you are naughty, I still love you the whole world".....I wanted him to try and understand that even though I didn't appreciate the behaviour, I still absolutely loved him.  Since then, it's a regularly used phrase, and Josh will often say to me....usually after I've ticked him off about something...."I still love you Mum, even when you're naughty".  Funny how him getting in trouble equates to me being naughty.  Either way, it was one of those conversations I want to remember always!

Here is a little close up of some of the misting, some hand stitching and layering.....

The next two layouts I've created using the gorgeous monthly pack from

SCRAPVILLE
Janet owns the most scrumptious little store filled with the most delectable scrapping goodies.  She has invited me to come and play once a month  and create some layouts using the monthly kits. This month was a collection of Cosmo Cricket papers and assorted embelli's.
Here's what I've created....

Well, if you're still here, thanks for your perseverance!

I'll be back a little later on with my final posting of creations for Philippa over at Lime Tart.

See you soon!

Cardabilities Sketch # 16

Welcome to Cardabilities Sketch # 16 reveal.
Here is Karan's gorgeous sketch.

 and my little card creation.

The dt girls have created the most stunning cards.  Be sure to pop over to the Cardabilities Blog
and check out their blogs and also to add your card using the sketch above and be in the running for a great giveaway from Technique Junkie.