All Smiles and Piggytails....

Today Miss Georgia started 'big school' .... She's waited all holidays for this day to come.... and Boy was she ready...
Look at that smile,
So full of joy, ready to learn,
ready to experience new things,
meet new friends...
Keep smiling My Treasure because it's all good...
And what a blessed little girl to have two big brothers at the same school, to keep an eye on you..

DCM's Little Extra - Using Kathy's Sketch

For this weeks Little Extra at Daring Card Makers, Kathy designed this cutie-pie little sketch for the dare.. You can view the sketch hereThanks Kathy it was heaps of fun to use a sketch, not something I'm usually inclinded to do..So here is my take on this great sketch, I reckon this sketch would probably make a great scrapbook LO too....

Engaging Elements used in this card are - Treasures Cardstock, Basic Grey 'Blush' PP, K&Co buckle distressed with ink, My Mind's Eye 'Celebrate' Tag, K&Co Words To Go, Heidi Swapp Blossom, Ribbon from Spotlight, Chipboard Heart, Versa Magic Jumbo Java Ink Pad, & that wonderful sewing machine of mine...

So have you Dared To Dare Yet.... Come on.... I DARE YOU!!!!!!

Smiles

This is so me this card... This really sums up my style... Lot's of layers all overlapping each other to show there's room for all, Blossom to add a bit of gentleness, Clock to keep track of time, without time we can't see how much we have grown, The word smile because a smile cost nothing and can make the invisible feel as tho they belong, The hand points to ONE because I believe in the One True God, Brown Tones Because It reminds me of my Rural Heritage, And all of the other things are just for fun and make me happy when I use them... So yes I do put a lot of thought into my Art, Because It's a little bit of me.... I wonder why you use the things you do... Feel free to tell me in the comments on this post.. I'd love to know..I reckon when you actually think about your ART you will find there are some common threads you use regularly, and you might even suddenly realise there is a reason you express with these things. Hey it might even help you embrace your style..
TTFN Gillian :o)

ATC for Jaki & Mary-Beth

This is the little Artist Trading Card I made for Jaki & Mary-Beth.. Posted them off to the girls today with their RAK's...I made 3, one for each of the girls and one for my collection.. I hope you like them girls.. This is my new stamp I bought on the weekend at Scrap A While, Just had to use it on this ATC... I'll probably be using it quite a bit..

Creative bits for this ATC are - Sandylion Printed Paper, Shipping Tag, Limited Edition Rubber Stamp- LE8778 Women Collage, Paper Flower, Dymo Tape & Marker, price tag, Karen Foster Biggie Brad, Versa Ink Pad, & my sewing machine..

TTFN Gillian :o)

Thinking of You Card

This is a card I made for an online Challenge/Mingle... the Challenge was to create a card with stamping on Printed Paper... So I got to play with my new Rachel Greig Stamp... It was fun too... So I used some Basic Grey Blush PP, Sandylion PP, Rachel Greig Mesh Stamp, EK Success Alpha Stamps, Heidi Swapp Blossom, Ribbon from Spotlight, Safety Pin, Jump Ring and Key Charm, Versa Magic Jumbo Java Ink, and you guessed it my sewing machine...

I hope your having a great weekend... TTFN Gillian :o)

Drum Roll Please..............

Look at all of these entries... I was gob smacked... Thanks for everyone who visited, and everyone who popped their names into my little draw.... As you can see Lachlan took his Roll as 'Draw Boy' Very Seriously... Bless His Cotton Socks!!!....
Our Overseas Name was the first Name he pulled out....

Congratulations Mary-Beth.....

so then it was a few picks to get an Aussie to come out and win, so

Congratulations Jaki.....
Well Done Ladies.... Thanks for joining in everyone... and if you could just email me your with you address please Jaki & Mary-Beth, You'll find my email in my profile on the blog.. I'll get your prizes away to you on Monday...

DCM's weekly dare - Heavy Metal

This week at Daring Card Makers, Saffa Dared us to use 'Heavy Metal'... Great Dare Saffa...
This one caught my attention staight away, as anyone who knows me know's I love all things metal, esp, of the RUSTY OLD JUNK variety... I even have a Rabbit Trap converted into a toilet roll holder in my home... Yes you read that right.. LOL!!!
Blossoming bits for this card are - Bazzill Cardstock, Prima Petal Poetry Blossom, Heidi Swapp Blossom, K& Company 'you are mine' charm from Moniques swapp, Buckle form an op shop cost me 10cents, jump ring & necklace clasp, hole punch & my sewing machine.

Now make sure you pop over to the DCM's blog and check out what the other girls have been up to in the Metal Department.... and Maybe it's time you had a go yourself with this dare....

Go On I DARE YOU!!!!!!

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Tomorrow evening My time, My Urban Lily RAK draw will be drawn, so if you haven't already popped you name on the comment of the "Time to Share some of my Lovely Win" Post, please do, I'd love you to be in the draw.

Just make sure if your Annonymous that I can work out who you are, and work out if your Aussie or an overseas player... Looking forward to seeing who wins..

A Couple of Cards To Share

I can show you this card now as it has arrived at Moniques...

Happy supplies for this card are - Basic Grey 'Blush' PP, Lace, old buckle, Paper flower stamped with Making memories word stamps, Bazzill Big Brad, Sticko Gem,and my sewing machine..

This next one was made for a challenge, and then sent on in a 'mingle'... Lot's of fun... And this one has gone to live with Kim...

Lovely Bits for this card are - Basic Grey 'Blush' PP, Making Memories ribbon & Word stamps & Metal clip, Karen Foster Biggie Brad, and price tag and ofcourse my machine...

HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY EVERYONE

For Keeps Layout :o)

Look at my Gorgeous Boy with the new 'For Keeps' Mag, And he's My Star in this one!!! {Proud Mummy Moment}... Just had my mag arrive today in the post, Can't show you the LO clearly on here, because I haven't got permission of all of the cherubs & teachers in the picy to be displayed on my blog, But did get their permission for it to go in the mag. Does that make sense.. I don't think you can make out any of their faces, But I think you can see how happy Jacob was :o) .... School holidays are drawing to an end here, must appologies if I haven't called on your blog this week, I'm trying to get around, but I'm sure you'll understand the children must come first and we are having a lovely time together...

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Oh Have you put your name in the comments on my RAK draw below... make sure you do if you want to be in this great prize draw..... TTFN Gillian :o)

22 Sleeps till Retreat... Yeah!

Scrap A While is having a retreat from Friday 16th till Sunday 18th Feb, the cost is a mere $160. and that covers all of your accom. food (and very nice food it is too) & all the air you can breath...
Are you interested.....
There are still a few places left, and last year we had the best time, lot's of laughing, Chocolate Eating, New Friendships formed and oh yeah we even got lots of Scrapping Done...

From Friday night to Sunday afternoon come relax and scrap at the beautiful Camp Elim. Camp Elim is suitated 13kms along the Lakes Way at Foster NSW. The accomodation is either villas or cabins and all have great shower nossells. All food and accomodation is included in the price, so all you will need to bring is a little pocket money to buy yourselves a scrappin treat. There are prizes, surprises and challanges all weekend, and plenty of space to spread out and make yourself at home. The beach is across the road, and the camp site is suituated on a beautiful lake. Bring your togs as you may want a quick dip, or a round of water volley ball. Sounds Great doesn’t it.
Just get in touch with Lauren and she can answer any of your questions or book you in..

Time to share some of my lovely win :o)

Wowzers!!!!!! Look what I won this week..... I entered a Urban Lily comp in Scrapbooking Memories late last year.... and I won this Amazing Pack of Lovelies.... Yay!!!!

Urban Lily is a Gorgeous Australian Company

And Scrapbooking Memories Is a Wonderful Australian Magazine..

Now there is lots here.... Lot's for me..and enough to share.... and I was wondering... Ummmm Maybe I should share some of this gorgeous pack with You.... As a little way of saying Thankyou all for leaving such encouraging comments on my blog, it's a joy to check my comments each time I'm at the Puta..

So all you have to do.... Is leave a comment on THIS POST...

and you'll go into the draw to win

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10 sheets of Urban Lily PP

2 sheets of Alphabet Stickers

1 sugar cube chipboard Album (these are cutie-pie little boxes that you alter)

and 2 chipboard circles...

And I might even make you an ATC.. ;o)

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Now I have one of these packs for an Aussie & one for someone Overseas....

So that's two Packs...

Well what are you waiting for...

all names go into that 'Saucepan' again and I'll get one of the kids to draw the two names out..

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Round of Applause for URBAN LILY & SCRAPBOOKING MEMORIES

DCM's Weekly Dare - Through the Window

Through the Round Window
Or the square window, or the arched window, or any shape window you like!This week its Rhi setting the dare, and I dare you to make a card with an aperture in it, it can be any shape you like and can be see through or have something covering behind it. It could be a ready made aperture card or lots of small windows punched out, diecut or handcut or one large window. It could be a shaker card and can be for any occasion.

For some other not so good news, our Janine has decided to withdraw from the DCM design team- as she has so many other new challenges to cope with over the next few months. So, we offer Janine our sincere best wishes for the future and that she achieves all she is dreaming for.

This is my little card for the dare.. It's the first time I've ever made a card with an opening like this, and it won't be the last.....When you open the little window on this card there is a little square sticker that says 'DREAMS nothing is too small to know and nothing too big to attempt'

Dreamy stash bits for this card are - Bazzill Carstock, Wild Asparagus PP, Cosmo Cricket PP, Heidi Swapp Blossom & Acetate word, Little window is one I picked up ages ago-sorry don't know a brand, Autum Leaves stamp (on window), 7 Gypsies key & pp in middle of flower, Making Memories stamp - middle of flower, Versa Magic Ink, Ribbon, Safety pin & jumpring, brads & my machine.... So have you had a go at a dare yet....It's time! go on I DARE YOU!

Postie's Been Today :o)

What a lovely day today has been, I rec'd this gorgeous Swap from Monique from the Netherlands... how exciting.... If you click on this picture you'll get a better look at all of these delights... Some beautiful PP's, Cut felt borders, Vintage look cards but check out these beautiful ATC's at the bottom of the picture and that gorgeous fairy tag to the left... Thankyou so much Monique, I will have a blast using all of these gorgeous things... and I really love that some of your ART has come to live at my home :o)

If anyone is looking for me, I'll be at my Scrap Table...

TTFN Gillian :o)

Thankyou Cards

Here is two cards I made tonight, they are for our church to give to visitors we have at the moment. Just thought I'd share them... Both are quite simple designs to make

Thankful bits used on these cards are - Bazzill Cardstock, Basic Grey PP, Cosmo Cricket PP, Heidi Swapp Blossoms, Autum Leaves stamp, K&Co Buckle, words printed on the computer & my sewing machine... I hope your having a really great week so far TTFN Gillian :o)

Some Swap's & Cards I've sent out recently :o)

Can this year get any better or What.....

http://daringcardmakers.blogspot.com/

This weeks dare is to look in your wardrobe for inspiration. It may be the pattern on a skirt, the style of a shirt, the pattern on a jumper or the fringe of a scarf. Your card could be clothing shaped! Just go with your creative flow. This was a great dare by Lythan... and this is my take on it... I've been hanging onto these and other tags off my boys shorts for a while... They are fantastic little pieces of art and well worth hanging onto for inspiration... So don't be so quick to through out tags off your clothes.... You never know they might just be the inspiration you need for a design or indeed to use on a project... This is my Jacob's 12 B'day card, it's not for a while, and he's had a peek and was quite impressed I'll just tell you.... Make sure you pop on over to the DCM's blog and check out what the other girls have come up with, It's quite a fashion parade... http://daringcardmakers.blogspot.com/

Fashionable Bits & Pieces for this card are - Treasures Cardstock, Various Clothes Tags I've kept from shorts & Jeans, Metal Frame, My Type Punched Metal Alphabet, Black clip, This cute little Ticket is a Downloaded from Ink-Stains http://www.ink-stains.com/ ,Black clip, Making Memories 'hand' stamp, Heidi Swapp chipboard numbers, and some of my little arrows I make... Black versa ink & a bit of butchers string...

DCM's little Extra

This weeks 'little extra' was a brilliant idea, and a bit of a challenge for my brain....

You had to use something that is 'Scavenged' something left over from Christmas or another time, or even 'rubbish' if you like...

Check out the what the girls have been up too, and you'll be amazed,

one man's rubbish and all that... LOL!!!!

http://daringcardmakers.blogspot.com/

The first thing I did was look beside me into the bin... and I had just been and bought these really cute little stamps at my local Scrap shop, Scrapbooking By the Sea...

The bag Natalie put my stamps into was screwed up in the bin... Ahhhh.... Brainwave....

so I promptly unfolded the bag, Inked my new stamps and well there you have it...

My take on this weeks 'Little extra'...

Adorable bit's for this card include, Paper Bag from my latest shopping trip, Sassafras Lass Nester Clear Stamps,Versa Mark ink, Bazzill cardstock, Basic Grey PP, Heidi Swapp Blossom, Heidi Swapp 'Adore' journal spot (from Pearls swap, see below),Prima Ribbon, Label holder & brads & of course my sewing machine....

I hope you have a really great day what every you're up to today, TTFN Gillian

A Layout to share....

This is a LO I've been working on for quite a while..I take it out and fiddle with it then put it aside.. in the meantime I have made lots of other LO's and cards and other bit's but for some reason this one has Plagued me with thoughts of 'it's just not right'.. finally after a long time, I can say with Satisfaction that 'IT IS FINISHED'... LOL! And better still I am happy with it..

This LO will be going in a frame in our Bedroom, I haven't any other photo's in there and so want this one of the children to adorn our wall..This photo really reflects their personalities so well, it was taken down at one of our local beaches, against a rock cliff.

I'll be back later to edit in a list of supplies.. TTFN Gillian :o)

Photography by Colleen Palmer of Photo Elegance..

Posties Been Today :o)

Just wanted to show you all what the Postie delivered today from Singapore.

Pearl & I have just done this really fun swap.. Thankyou Pearl what a fun parcel to get.. I hope mine arrives soon for you...

On the right you can see the beautiful handmade card that Pearl made, all those little circles are punched out of handpainted paper, Neat Idea hey...

Pearl I am going to have sooooo much fun with all of these Treasures, lot's of things I've not seen or haven't been able to get my hands on, so thankyou Very Much...

This was so much fun to do, If you haven't done a swap with someone have a go, it's lovely when mr Postie arrives... I'm off to play now... {She smiles happily to herself}.... TTFN Gillian :o)

DCM's weekly dare - Bling or Beads

First dare for 2007, Yay...and a great one to start the year off with.. this week we had to use Beads or Bling... I love using both, but this card only called for Bling... so that's what I used.

Thanks girls for a lovely dare, pop on over to Daring Card Makers and check out what all of the girls have created, But wear you sunnies, cause it's sparklin' over there....

http://daringcardmakers.blogspot.com/

Stash bits that Bling on this card are - Bazzill Cardstock, Cosmo Cricket PP, Image from old childrens book, 7 Gypsies paper tab & PP (girls crown), Tombow Brush Pens, Autum Leaves Acrylic Stamp, Versa mark Ink Pad, Ribbon, blossoms, old buckle from Nanna's Button Jar, Making Memories Crystal Brad, Sticko gem stickers, brad & my sewing machine... TTFN Gillian :o)

Scrap A While

http://www.scrapawhile.com.au/

The Postie Came today :o)

Look what I got in the Post today! aren't I lucky...

Thankyou Janine http://angelgurl.wordpress.com/

I just had to share this with everyone... What a cute little pack of funky ribbons, lace & fabric I flipped it over so you could see both sides... So fresh & funky....

You have made my day Janine {{HUGS}}

Off I go now to open it up...