Just a Small Thanks...

A few weeks ago, I took over 100 slides to my local Harvey Norman store. I wanted the images copied, along with copying original wedding photos of my Mother & Father In Law's Wedding.

I'm sure you can understand, I was slightly nervous handing over such an important part of my husband's life... But when I met Mat, at the photo lab, I knew I could trust him.

Not only did Mat take great care of the slides, but he also had them finished in about 2 hours!!

I barely had time to finish this little box before he called to say they were done!!

I just love when I get things right and all the lines actually line up!!

The aeroplane from       reminded me of the age of some of the slides that had been copied, so I thought it was just perfect for this project! The 'tree' from the      punch made for a wonderful little cloud!!  With a couple of Dimensionals  on the lid, I threw in a few Favourites Chocolates & I was out the door to collect my slides & USB with a small gift for Mat.

Therapy Time.

There is no surprise that any type of craft has huge therapeutic benefits. These range from enhancing fine motor skills, the opportunity to be social with those of a similar interest & the elation of completing a given task, however simple or involved.

I have a friend who has had a rough time dealing with a brain tumour.
She had "Trevor The Tumour" removed & then began her long road to recovery.

After a while, my friend asked for some kits to be made for her, as she is spending a lot of time simply sitting. She needed something to do with her hands, that could be a challenge to her, but not so much that she couldnt achieve the end product. The other part of her brief was that the card could be used for her to give to those who helped her during her recovery.

What a beautiful gesture, hey?

Enter: Stampin' Up! products!! I muddled over this conundrum for a while, before I came up with a card design that she could use and that I felt reflected her.

This is my card design:

This card has 13 elements to it, between the 3 base layers, the flowers, embellishment and the sentiment. This was no mean feat for a woman who has been through a lot in the last few months! 

But at least she can take her time and choose to send off her cards as she makes them, one by one.

I wrapped all the separate peices and wrote an essay, just in case she was having a bad day or her short-term memory was playing games on her

Not long after I sent her parcel to her, she posted this photo. She is busy getting into her cards, when she has the time, energy and discipline :))

Sharing my therapy with others, makes me feel all warm 'n fuzzy, Im happy to give her a helping hand, considering we live away from each other.

I hope you get some therapy time, whatever your craft is....until next time, Jo xxx

Card In a Box have taken over my life!!

Have you heard of the little boxes that are taking over the world, let alone my stamp table?
They are, simply put, a rectangle box that stands either landscape or portrait and have a great display of flowers, butterflies, cupcakes etc, to represent the theme of the card...

On the front is the decoration and the sentiment, while there is a  blank peice of cardstock on the back, for the message...

And as they say: Here is some I have prepared earlier... :P

Ive made this Daffoldil Delight a couple of times now, as a birthday box, Get Well Soon box & a Sympathy box. The set-up lends itself to so many occasions!!

Lots of people like a bit a of sparkle, right? They were the finishing touch to these butterflies, after they were embossed in various folders and squeezed through the big Shot....

One of the best bits of making these, in abundance, is the fact that these little bits n peices use scraps!! And my scraps were building up.... How does that not put a smile on your dial, hey?

I just love how the Glimmer Paper is so shiny in this photo!! I hope it puts a smile on the person receiving it too!!

Now you can see how these Card In a Box have taken over my stamp table, right?

I have left a very special one for my next post, which certainly wont leave you hanging for too much longer, I promise!! The next one I have to show you, is very much made with love!!

See you then...

Saying Thankyou To Our Neighbours :)

While we were away in Queensland, enjoying the sunshine and fun, (all those cold weeks ago!!), our neighbour Kelly and Lee were watching our home. It was such a great peace of mind, knowing someone was looking after our house!!


It is for that reason that I decorated this Stampin' Up! pre-made & scored box, (now retired...) for them. I actually loved coming home and using the products from such a great company, knowing those Designer Papers, ribbons, embellishments & inks always co-ordinate so well, it certainly helps!!

Of course, when I had finished making the box, I needed a matching card, so I set too work on one. This time I used the Expreslsions Thinlits with the Big Shot in the Soft Suede cardstock, a couple of rhinestones and I was done!!

I put a note book, a pen and a bottle of bubble mix inside, (which 5 year doesnt like bubbles, right?) and put it altogether for a photo, of course!!

After the problems we had a couple of years ago with a person we trusted taking valuable personal documents & using them for crime, I am incredibly grateful to have people around me that I can rely on. I am very 'thankful' to have Kelly, Lee & Kirah living next door to us!!

Here's hoping it won't be so long before the next post, this time :))

Cards for Angel Gowns, Victoria

I recently heard about Angel Gowns, Australia, who donate their time to make incredible gowns for babies that either do not survive pregnancy, birth or pass away soon after birth.

They rely on donations of all materials, ribbons & embellishments to make these tiny gowns, often for sizes 0000 & smaller.

This is such a beautiful gesture, at such a sad and traumatic time for families. To have one decision already thought-out for them, of what to dress their baby in, would bring some comfort to Mum and Dad during this painful time.

Here is an example of their work:

While speaking to a friend and fellow Stampin' Up! demonstrator,  Debbie about Angel Gowns, I decided to spend some time making cards for their use. They could choose to send these cards as a thankyou to brides who donated their wedding dress or businesses that have donated various items for this special cause.



With this in mind, this is my first group of cards that I made & sent. Vicki has received my cards & Im very happy to say she likes them!

I made 4 cards each of Certainly Celery, So Saffron, Soft Sky, Lost Lagoon & Blushing Bride, (appropriate, right??)

I'm sorry this is a bad photo, but I was rushing to send this off & remembered to take a photo of the other two designs that I sent, (in the Post Office, lol!!)...with a small note to Vicky, of course.

Im off now, to plan for my next group of cards to begin on, thanks for stopping by :)

Feather Card: 

Cardstock: Certainly Celery, So Saffron, Soft Sky, Lost Lagoon, Blushing Bride, Whisper White.

Inks: All inks are the same as the cardstock colours.

Designer Papers: Favourite Thoughts, (retired).

Stamps: Flower Patch & Simply Wonderful

Big Shot Dies: Flower Fair

Embellishments: Pearls or Brads, Feathers.

Additional Items: Adhesive, Dimensionals, Brayer technique  used.

Button Card:

Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla

Inks: Crumb Cake

Designer Paper: Bella Bleu

Stamps: Lotus Flower

Embellishments: Velvet Very Vanilla ribbon, (retired),Very Vintage Designer Buttons

Additional Items: Glue Dots, Adhesive.

Doily Card:

Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Soft Suede

Inks: Soft Suede

Designer Paper Spice Cake

Stamps: Lotus Blossom

Embellishments: Paper Doilies, Venetian Crochet Trim ribbon.

Punches: Scallop Circle, 1 3/8 + 1 1/4 circles

Additional Items: Adhesive, Dimensionals.

Note Card:

Cardstock & Ink: Rich Razzleberry & Whisper White

Designer Paper: Polka Dot Parade, (retired)

Stamps: Hello There set.

Embellishments: Rich Razzleberry Polka Dot ribbon, underside shown.

Big Shot Accessories: Labels Collection, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder