Monday, January 31, 2011

ABC's of Me Challenge

Hi there ladies. Just a quick post before I dash off to take Jamie for swimming lessons!!

I am a bit late in posting this, but better late than never. Scrapbook Challenges has a new ongoing challenge running, it's the ABC's of Me challenge. This is a GREAT one to take part in, because it's all about scrapping yourself. Something too few of us actually do!!

As part of my DT requirements for Scrapbook Challenges I was in charge of the letter "B", and my word was "BUSY", which is me to the tee!!! Here is my page:




I am so glad I put this page together, because I have been wanting to document all my hobbies and activities for ages. We would LOVE for you to play along. Here is the link to my challenge, but a new letter of the alphabet is posted every Friday.

Scrapbook Challenges really is an awesome site, with loads of fun challenges, sketches galore and inspiration. I encourage you to become a member, it's a wonderful community to be a part of!!

See you back here tomorrow for last weeks' Project Life photos!! :)

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Project Life Photos from last week.



Hi all. Yes, I have decided to do Project Life again this year. I was undecided, but thought, what was the point of doing one year and then stopping!!! And, we as a family LOVE to page through the album!! I am yet to receive my kit, they are out of stock at the moment, but I am patiently waiting for stock to arrive so my kit can be sent from New Zealand. I am still taking photos though, so thought I would share last weeks with you.


Bryce had a bit of a rotten tooth that he had to have pulled out, he was SO brave!!


Bryce has saved his birthday money from October, and after much thought we decided to try and find him a second-hand PSP on Gumtree, he LOVES it!!!!!


Our "new" second hand Pathfinder. I am in LOVE, it is such a nice vehicle to drive, and the space is amazing. I am so blessed to have a husband that provides so well for us!!


It's been a dream of mine for us to produce our own eggs, and today that dream came true. What a WONDERFUL feeling to go and check on the chicks and find our first egg, I was SO excited!!! :)


It was the twins birthday party this afternoon, so we spent the afternoon there. The kids had an absolute ball!


Ray wanted to take the Pathfinder for a nice drive today so we decided to go to Newcastle to do some shopping. While we were there Ray bought me a new camera, a little one that I can keep in my bag, so I won't be missing out ANY little moments!!


Caide decided he wanted poached eggs for supper, and insisted on making them himself!! They even got to eat some of our own eggs, which were delicious!!

Thanks for dropping by my blog today, I hope you enjoyed the little peak into our life!!

I also just wanted to let you know that I probably won't be around here too much over the next few days. We had some bad rain damage in our family lounge, so today the builders are coming in to do the repairs which might take 3 days (hopefully not!!). Enjoy the rest of your week everyone! :)

Friday, January 21, 2011

Say it with ... Emboss Resist

So today's challenge is a fabulous one for me, because this technique has become a huge favourite of mine!!!! It's fun, and easy and the results are just wonderful. SO.... do you need any more incentive to play along with us at AnnaBelle Stamps??? I think not!!

So here is the card I came up with for this challenge. I tried to make my card a little different to those I have created recently, and chose to make a teenage type card.




So what do you think?? I actually gave this to one of Caide's friends for his birthday the day after I made it and apparently Colin and his family were super impressed, that makes me happy!!

So for this card I used the set called "Rockin' Instrumental". I haven't used this set too much, but after making this card I know I am going to be using it loads for the boys' friends cards. Look at the lovely boyish stamps included in this set:


This gorgeous set can be purchased HERE.

So our new DT Members and Guest Designers (Bellas) are starting to play along in all the fun AnnaBelle challenges. Do yourself a favour and check out their blogs, these are some hugely talented ladies that are joining our team!!

DT Members

LISA
SUE K.

Bellas

LIZ
KERRY

So after checking out all these awesome blogs, I am SURE you are going to be super inspired to join us in the challenge. Once you have created your "Emboss Resist" card link it to the AnnaBelle Blog for a chance to win a AnnaBelle Gift Card. We really do hope you will play along :)

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

A Finished Quilt

Hey there. Just wanted to share some photos of a quilt I finished in October, and am only getting to post about it now!! I am totally in love with this quilt and have in on my bed, I love walking past it and just running my hand over the stitching. I love this feeling of satisfaction and pride in a item that I have spent hours and hours on!!

The quilt is based on the pattern "Jelly Filled" by Thimble Blossoms. Camille Roskelley is my quilting Hero and she is the one that initially got me interested in quilting through her amazing blog SIMPLIFY. Do yourself a favour, go and check it out.

The fabric I used on this quilt is Awesome by Sandy Gervais. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this fabric!!

So here is my quilt:





(CLICK ON EACH IMAGE FOR A LARGER VIEW)

I am linking this post to FABRIC TUESDAY over at Quiltstory, another gorgeous quilting blog!!!

Thanks for stopping by, I would love to know what you think??

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Release - All Things Grow Stamp Set

Welcome back to my readers. So glad you decided to join us in our January Blog Hop at AnnaBelle Stamps. Today we are releasing a GORGEOUS new set called "All Things Grow". I LOVE LOVE LOVE this set!!!!!


This set is packed full of lovely stamps and I know I am going to use this set all the time!!

Here are the two cards I put together with this awesome set.



And here is my second card.



This set will be available straight away with free postage for 24hrs. You will only need to key in this code abs037 to receive the free postage offer on any order that includes the released set. When there is more than one set being released (there is only 1 set this month)and you decide to purchase both then we'll include a little something extra as a treat! What a fantastic deal!!! :)

So as normal we are holding a blog hop with this release. You will start at the Annabelle Blog, and follow the links along the way. If you leave a comment on each of our blogs you could win this wonderful set!!!

****The next person you need to visit is JERUSHA, go and leave a comment on her blog****

Hope you enjoy your HOP with us, don't forget to leave a comment along the way!!

Friday, January 14, 2011

Say it in... Red & White

Hi there girls. Happy Friday to you all!!

Today our fun challenge at AnnaBelle Stamps is to create a card in Red & White!! Great challenge to sink your teeth into!!

Here is my card:



(CLICK ON EACH IMAGE FOR A LARGER MORE CLEARER VIEW)

For my card I used two different sets. The main image and sentiment are from the "Branch Out" set and I used Versamark ink to stamp the dots down the side of the card using the "Backgrounds by Design 1" set. I also used some yummy "Chilli Sprinkles" on my card, LOVE my Sprinkles!!! All of these items are available HERE!

I cheated slightly with this challenge, sorry!! My card was looking a bit stark so I added a bit of "Scattered Straw" Tim Holtz Distress Ink to the edges of the Spellbinders cut mat. Softened the whole look of the card, so I am happy!

We would LOVE for you to play along with us!!! Anyone who takes part in any of the challenges in the month of January stands in line to win a AnnaBelle voucher to spend at the shop, GREAT prize!!! Once you have completed your card link it to the AnnaBelle Blog.

PLEASE DON'T FORGET!!!! Tomorrow we are releasing a GORGEOUS new set!!! See you back here then :)

Thursday, January 13, 2011

A Sneak Peak!!!

Hi everyone. Welcome back to my blog today. SO glad you have stopped by :)

Today I am going to be showing you a sneak peak of the new AnnaBelle Stamps set that is being released on the 15th, which is Saturday. Here are all the details you need to know!!

Each month we will offer a little Sneak Peek on the 13th, as a little reminder of what's about to start. Each set will be released one day apart from the 15th (this month there is only one so it's going to be really simple). The set will be available straight away with free postage for 24hrs. You will only need to key in a code that will be given on the day of the release to receive the free postage offer on any order that includes the released set. When there is more than one set and you decide to purchase both then we'll include a little something extra as a treat!

Doesn't that all sound WONDERFUL!!??!!

I am SO excited about this set, it really is gorgeous in every possible way, and I think it is going to become my favourite!! Have a little sneak peak of the two cards I made.

Card 1


Card 2



This gorgeous set is going to be released on the 15th, so don't forget to come back for all the fun and inspiration!! :)

Friday is also AnnaBelle Challenge day, so see you tomorrow!!!

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Our weekend at Drakensville

Hello. Just thought I would take some time to share some photos of our camping weekend at the Drakensville Resort in the Berg, it really was a glorious weekend which we all thoroughly enjoyed :)


THE VIEW FROM OUR CAMPSITE, BREATHTAKING, I LOVE MOUNTAINS!!


THE SUPERTUBE WITH SOME MORE LOVELY MOUNTAINS IN THE BACKGROUND.



THE BOYS ON THE SUPERTUBE, WHICH THEY RODE ON ALL WEEKEND!!


OUR TRANSPORT THROUGHOUT THE WEEKEND, AT LEAST WE GOT SOME EXERCISE TO WORK OFF ALL THE LOVELY FOOD WE ATE!


THE HEATED INDOOR POOL. EVERYTHING WAS SO LOVELY AND CLEAN!


BRYCE WINNING A GAME OF CHESS, HE WAS SO CHUFFED!


US AT LUNCH ON OUR WAY HOME.

It was such a lovely weekend!! We will be going back again in March, the boys can't wait and are already counting the sleeps. Hope you enjoyed your time here :)

P.S. If you want to see a larger view of any of the photos just click on it!

Friday, January 7, 2011

Seasons of change Blog Hop at Scrapbook Challenges



Hi ladies. Welcome to Scrapbook Challenges Blog Hop. We are so happy that you have decided to join us and take part in this fun event!! If you have just stopped by here, the hop starts with Pamela. She is the founder of Scrapbook Challenges, and is a talented and hugely inspirational lady! Her blog is: Pamela's World of Scrap. Head off there, and then follow the links until you land back here!! If you came here via JO'S BLOG, you are in the right place!! :)

For those that are visiting for the first time, my name is Rene’ and I am one of the returning DT members at Scrapbook Challenges. I am loving being a part of this wonderful team. I have been truly inspired since joining SC, and have been scrapping like a crazy woman since!! I have loads of hobbies, which include cardmaking, quilting, knitting, spinning my own wool, photography and running. I am the mother of 3 gorgeous and active boys. They keep me busy and on my toes, and are of course the main reason I scrap. I have been married to my very supportive and loving husband Ray for 12 years now.

So let’s get this show on the road! There are some awesome prizes up for grabs. I wish I could be in the running for some of these goodies!!!! So let me explain the various ways you can take part:

There are 4 different RAKS involved in this blog hop:

1. For one person who leaves a comment on all the blogs in the hop, they will get the new Spring Market collection from Webster's Pages, including chipboard buttons and twine.

2. For one person who does a layout based on the sketch and posts in the HOP ON section, they will get the Be Mine collection from Echo Park Paper Company.

3. For inviting people to join the group, one person will get a collection of adhesive from Helmar.

4. For one new member over the weekend, they will get some new (yet to be released!) stamps from Unity and Webster's Pages.

So do you want to see some pics of these gorgeous prizes???? Of course you do!!

1.
2.
3.
Are these prizes not just out of this world?!?!

So here is the sketch that you will need to base your layout on. It’s a fun sketch to work with!!



And here is my page based on this sketch:





Please stop by Scrapbook Challenges. If you are not already a member we would love for you to become one. It is a wonderful community of creative ladies.

*****Next stop on our Blog Hop is the lovely YARA. Go and see what she has been up too!!*****

Thanks for spending some time at my Blog. While you are here I would love for you to become a Follower, and don’t forget, in order to stand a chance to win the new "Spring Market" collection from Webster's Pages, you need to leave me a comment. Have fun and good luck!!

Say It With...a 1,2,3 Recipe

Hi Ladies. Welcome back to my blog for our latest fun AnnaBelle Challenge!! As my title would indicate it's a Recipe challenge today, the Recipe is as follows: One Border Stamp, 2 Petals, and 3 Sprinkles, what a gorgeous combination!!

Here is my card for this challenge!!



The border stamp I used is from the "Backgrounds by Design Border 2" set which is crammed full of wonderful stamps. Have a look at this!!


The yummy sprinkles are the 6mm Sprinkles in the colour Pumpkin and the sentiment is from my favourite set "Sentimental Bluebells". All of these wonderful goodies are available for purchase HERE.

We really would LOVE for you to play along with us in this challenge. Once you have created your Recipe Card link it to the Annabelle Blog!!

Can't wait to see what you come up with!!! :)

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Happy New Year and some Photos

Hi Ladies. Just wanted to wish you a belated "Happy New Year". I have really enjoyed my blogging year and all the wonderful new friends I have made, I hope to continue onwards and upwards into 2011, and hope you will join me in my journey :)

I just wanted to share some photos with you of a day we spent at the dam last week. In the past year I haven't shared many photos here on my blog, but I hope to improve on that in the year to come!


Caide, myself and Bryce!


Caide, Jamie & Ray!



Caide & friend!


Friend and Bryce!


Ray and I!

Jamie spent the whole day playing in the dam!!

Thanks so much for dropping by today. Hope you enjoyed your time here. See you on Friday for some more AnnaBelle fun!!