Crouching Dog Graphics

The Tenterfield Show was on this week end.  I decided to enter two pages into the scrapbooking section.  They included this one and my previous entry of Funny Face (see two blog entries back).  I had to have a friend pick my stuff up from the Show office as I was in Brisbane for the week end.  He just arrived here with the great news.  I won first and second prize for my entries.  I would dearly love to know how the judges arrived at their decision.  (not that I mind which one took the 1st prize)  I’d just like to know what they were looking for.  I also won 1st and 2nd prize for my cards however I’d entered five cards and they just arrived home in a bundle, so I’ve no idea which one won and which one came second!!!!! ……and I received a second for a decorated tin which I’d entered into the ‘Recycled’ Class.

All that mumbo jumbo aside.  The delightful child in this layout is my “step-grand-daughter”.  The first page shows her with her Dad (Jason).  It was her 5th birthday and she dearly would like to have been a ‘fairy’.  Need I say more???

I had left a space for a journalling block on the second page.  Since I wasn’t at the birthday I didn’t feel I could journal what happened.  I was leaving that to her Dad.  The judge’s don’t seem to have minded the blank space.

Cardstock – Whisper White, Rose Red, Kiwi Kiss, Cameo Coral

DSP – Raspberry Tart (such a girlie look!!)

Inks – Basic Black, Rose Red,

Stamp Sets – Life Definitions, Once Upon a Time, Flight of the Butterfly,  Lovely Letter Alpha, Short Order Alpha

Accessories – Circle Scissors, Eylet Punch, White Gel Pen

Since arriving in Tenterfield I’ve been asked to do a few Children’s Birthday Parties.  Initially I was reluctant.  I wasn’t sure how I could keep their attention focused for a set period of time.  However, after lots of advice from lots of wise people I took a deep breath and accepted.  I’m so glad that I did.  I’ve met lots of lovely mums, great polite kids who have all thoroughly enjoyed creating something.

These two projects were big hits with the kids. The first is a card.  The kids had a great time making this one.  Watching them create the background was lots of fun and my apologies to those mum’s whose girls went home with ink on their pretty party frocks (ooooopppppppsssssssie!)

Carstock – Whisper White and Tempting Turquoise

Ribbons – Certainly Celery and Tempting Turquoise

Inks – Tempting Turquoise, Certainly Celery and So Saffron

The second project was the puzzle.  Wow!  we had lots of fun with this one!

Inks – Basic Black, Glorious Green, Green Galore, Lovely Lilac, Only Orange and Pink Passion

Stamp Sets – Flight of the Butterfly and Inspired by Nature

I’m so glad that I said “Yes” to the children’s parties.  Hope the kids are having as much fun as I am!!!!

I’m off this week end to Brisbane to help the lovely Madonna with a charity day on Saturday.  I’m sure she has all the info on her blog so click on her link in the side bar and check out what’s happening.  If you live in Brisbane and like cardmaking, please come along and assist this very worthwhile charity.  Apart from all that you’ll have lots of fun!

This is the first page of my double layout of Tony and Amber’s wedding.  I’d not scraped a black and white photograph before and didn’t really know where to start, however I’m pleased with the final result.

This is the second page.  Amber certainly look beautiful and radiant on the day.  It wasn’t really difficult to choose captions for these pages.  I don’t think I have seen a more radiant bride than Ams, and she thoroughly enjoyed her day. 

Now the two pages together.  I really must get a move on with this album, the happy couple have already celebrated their first anniversary.  Chop, chop Jacqui!

Products used are all Stampin’Up! of course!

Stamp Sets – Baroque Motifs and Lovely Letters Alphabet

Cardstock – Basic black and Ruby Red

Inks – Versamark

Embossing Powder – Black and Fine Supernova Glitter (pink)

Sponging around the words was in Ruby Red and Basic Black

There’s lots of embossing on these pages and it took a-g-e-s- to do.  Each letter had to be stamped and embossed individually.  It was worth the effort though,  I just love the embossing effect on the black cardstock.  The embossing buddy was invaluable.  Remember to use it every time  before you emboss.  It stops the static spraying of the embossing powder over the cardstock.

Although the photographs are black and white, I have added pieces of colour to the flowers and Ambers necklace using the aqua brush and ink pad ink.  I really like the effect that it creates of the small amount of colour in the black and white print.

I hope you like these pages as much as I enjoyed creating them.  Please leave me a comment as I’m a scrapbook novice and would like some feedback.

Cheers!

Greetings All on this beautiful Australia Day!

I feel truly blessed and humbled to be posting this message from our home in the beautiful town of Tenterfield in the Far north of tghe New England Tablelands.

Today I got to spend the day in the town that we have recently called ‘home’.  Tenterfield truly is the Birthplace of OUR Nation.  Sir Henry Parkes delivered his Federation speech in this town, right down the street from where I live!  The Tenterfield School of Arts has restored the room in which that famous speech was delivered, along with lots of other memorabilia. 

Most of you will remember this town, not as our Birthplace, but as the town of the Tenterfield Saddler.  Peter Allen sang of his father that ‘worked on High Street and live on Manners’.  As luck (or bad luck) happens at that same time my own grandfather was the saddler in Glen Innes, which is only 1 hour south of here.  Just think.  Had he been 1 hour north I’d be famous now!!!!  Maybe even be able to sing!!!!  Hmmmmm……stretching the imagination now Jacqui!

On another note, not quite so noble!, Capt. Thunderbolt made this town his ‘home’.  You can visit his cave hideout, see where he kept his horses,  right near the town.  No wonder no one ever found him!!!!!  That place is amazing!!!!  If you visit the area be sure to visit this site just north of Tenterfield on the Mt. Lindsay Highway.  (along with the Tank Traps from WW1 – more of those important gadgets in a future post)  I’ve read lots of fascinating stories of Capt. T. since arriving here.  Just how did he venture from here south to Muswellbrook in very rugged territory and very arduous conditions.  It snows here!!!!!  No wonder his life ended at 34 ish.

Enough of the history lesson.  I hope that everyone has had an amazing Australia Day and that we take the time and opportunity to reflect on the fact that we live in one sensational country.  Let’s all take care of this beautiful country in which we live, more importantly,  each other.

Blessings always.

The most exciting promotion on the Stampin’ Up! calendar begins today!   That’s right Sale-a-bration begins from this very day. 

During Sale-a-bration customers can choose one FREE SAB stamp set for EVERY $100 spent.

Hostesses are able to choose a FREE SAB stamp set once sales reach $600.

SAB is also a great time to join Stampin’ Up! as new demonstrators can choose a FREE stamp set up to the value of $79.95

These specials are only available until the 31st March 2010.

Contact me today to place your order or arrange a convenient time to discuss how you can begin your very own business, and have lots of fun as well.

An earthquake struck Haiti on  12 January, 2010.  The devastation that this earthquake has left is nothing short of disasterous.  The remainder of the world can assist the people of Haiti and Stampin’Up have made it easy for us crafters to contribute,  by purchasing the I {Heart} Hearts stamp set.

From now until 28 February 2010, $2 from every I {Heart} Hearts stamp set sold  will be donated to the American Red Cross’ Haiti Reflief and Development Fund. The Red Cross is already well-established in Haiti, and this money will be used to provide immediate relief and long-term support through supplies, technical assistance and other support to help those in need.

It just so happens that Stampin’Up! also have punches that match this stamp set perfectly.

Call me to place your order and remember the deadline of 28 February, 2010.

I remember as a teenager my most prized possession was my trusty “Autograph Book”.   For those of you who are much younger than I, an autograph book was something that you carried with you most times but most especially to special occasions.  People, on request, would write special messsages to you in your own book.  I still have mine and contains the most special of all rhymes.  This was written by a close friend then and still is now.  (thanks Alexia!) in 1963!!! OMG now you all know how old Alexia and I are……………..

“True friends are like diamond, precious and rare. 

False friends are like autumn leaves and found everywhere.”

How true is this statement???  Personally I’m going through a period of discovery.   I’m finding out who are those people, in my life,  that are Diamonds and who are those that are Autumn Leaves.  Sometimes that can be quite an awakening as to who are true, in your life,  and who are not so true.  Often it can be painful.  However painful it is,  at the end of the day it’s enlightening.  There are one/some individual/s out there who would love to see me and my blog fail.  Then there are those amazing people who are very supportive and encouraging.  Some one has seen something to complain about in my double layout below.  These pages were a the result of a beautiful day of my grand daughter and myself having fun, if they caused someone grief,  hell!  we’re sorry, but if the day presented itself again we would do it all over.  Nanny and granddaughter had fun!  I’m so sorry to those people that find our fun offensive.

Thank you to all those that are Diamonds in my life and have supported me, love you lots. 

To those people that visit my blog and enjoy what I do.  I thank you.  Please keeping visiting ’cause I’m going to keep creating and sharing what I love  and do best! 

Stay tuned for lots and lots more creations, I’m on fire now!!!!!!!  I used to work with a lovely detective who was stationed at Coffs Harbour (bless you Tony!) he died with liver cancer some time ago.  However he had a saying:

“Stick with me pardner and you’ll be wearing diamonds”.

Hmmmmmmmm…………..I cannot run to diamonds but maybe I can come up with some ‘gems’   !!!!

Love always,

Jacqui

First page of my double layout

Second page of my double layout

  We are truly blessed to have such a beautiful grand daughter as Tannikah (known in our family as ‘TK’).  This is a layout I have done today of her photos.  She’s such a great girl of so many different ‘faces’.  However above all she has such a happy heart.  She is the first to comfort anyone in our family that might be hurt or sad.  We love her to bits and have the pleasure of having her staying with us during the school holidays.

We had such fun today doing these two pages, I’m a novice at scrapbooking but with perseverence and SU’s amazing products I’m learning fast.

close up of the 'bling'

I tried products today that I’ve not used before.  It was such fun!!!!  This is a close up of the ’sticky cuts’ that I used.  They are so easy to use and so very effective.  Peal, stick and sprinkle SU’s fine glitter.  Voila!  Instant bling.

Products listed below -

Cardstock – Choc. chip, Pretty in Pink, So Saffron

DSP – Kaleidoscope  (from the Summer Mini Catty)  wasn’t too fussed about this when I first saw it, but it worked sooooo well with this layout, and it was so easy to use that I think I’m lovin’ it now!

Inks – Pretty in Pink

Simply Scrappin Kit – Love Sparkles

Ribbon – So Saffron grosgrain

Punch – Round Tab, Photo Corner

Stamp Sets – A Happy Heart 

Other – brads, buttons, pretties kit

These pags truly were a labour of love.  Being a Grandmother is such a rewarding experience, we wish our beautiful girl a happy life and a happy heart.  God Bless  you always TK.

Oh!  leave me a comment if you remember the song!  None of my family can remember it.

All together now sing:  “Funny face, I love you.  Funny face, I need you……………”

If you are a regular to my blog you will know that we moved to the beautiful town of Tenterfield just before Christmas.  First to welcome us was a lovely neighbour, Val.  (funny how Vals pop into your life – we had a neighbour who is now a great friend at McKees Hill who is a Val also, AND my sister – who masquarades as my cousin is also a Val – she didn’t have a sister and neither did I so although we are cousins we pretend we are sisters!!!!)  Anway Val was the first to welcome us to this gorgeous town and she’s one very busy lady buzzing here and there ever since we arrived really.  Anway she managed to stand still long enough to invite us for a New Year Drink this evening, so I whipped up this little ‘thank you’ gift this afternoon.  Wouldn’t you know it, just when you want everything to go well, the gutter glue on the tin hasn’t really ‘cemented’ itself.  Darn!  Anyway I’ve filled the tin with yummy, yummy chocs and hope that Val enjoys the card and goodies inside.

Have you seen this great gift?  Why not book a class and learn how to create your own from a humble tin of tomatos (you even get to use the tomatos first!).  If you don’t have a ready supply of empty tins????? I can supply the tin, you supply the filling and Voila!  instant gift.  It’s lots of fun so email me if you like to learn how.

Close up of the card and tag.  It’s really quite gorgeous!  All products  are Stampin’Up! of course!

Cardstock – Always Artichoke, Mellow Moss, Pale Plum and Whisper White

Inks – Mellow Moss and Always Artichoke

Stamp set – the very, very lovely Pocket Silhouttes

Ribbon – Mellow Moss, Linen Thread

Lots of sticky strip on the tin to make it ’stick’

Punches – large and Small Tag, Scallop Circle

Front of the cut house card

For my regular readers you know that I’ve moved from the coast to the gorgeous town of Tenterfield on the New England Tablelands.  To my absolute delight they have a regular card/paper craft group that meets at the local TAFE college.  The group is lead by the very capable paper crafter,  Marilyn Brown (who turned out to be a childhood friend of my good mate (and adopted big sister) Nancye!!!) 

So I went along a couple of weeks ago and made this (well not exactly this one!) great ‘house shaped’ card.  When I got it home it occurred to me that it would make an adorable Christmas card.  It’s taken me waaaaay to long to get to this but amongst the unpacking, cleaning, clearing, going to Brisbane to care for my grand-daughter and the general difficulties one faces when you leave an area you have lived in all your life and move, I finally got around to doing this and I’m thrilled with the result.  The front message reads;  “From my house to yours”

First 'page' of the house card

 This is the ‘greeting’ page of the card.  Of course with my usual photography skills you cannot quite see the writing, but it reads, ” May the true spirit of Christmas fill your heart with peace, your home with love”.   Oh my goodness my next craft needs to be photography!!!!!

"Third section which is writing area"

Finally the third section of the card which is where you actually write your message.  I just did some generation stamping on that to ’soften’ the area.

I’m truly loving this template and my thanks to Marilyn for the template and idea!!  Also thanks for the very warm welcome to Tenterfield cardmaking group.  I so enjoyed myself and was sorry to have to leave early to get to Brisbane in time to collect Tannikah from school.  Hope I didn’t miss too much crafting and chat!!!!!

All products are Stampin’ Up! of course!

Stamp Set – Bella’s Bloom, Snow Swirled

Cardstock – Garden Green, Very Vanilla and Riding Hood Red

Inks – Chocolate chip, Garden Green, Riding Hood Red

Ribbon – Chocolate chip narrow grosgrain

Punch – Boho Blossom

Accessories – White gel pen and Crimper

Edges where sponged with chocolate chip ink

This will be a ‘different’ Christmas for us, with our eldest daughter in London still and our youngest son spending Christmas with his in-laws, our precious Tannikah spending Christmas with her dad in Perth, and our grand-daughter-in-law, Lauren, who is spending Chrissy with her mum.  Our newest grand-daughters in law,  Ava and Zaliah  also spending Christmas with their dad and extended family.  It’ll just be our daughter Aedita and her partner Jason and our son Joseph AND we are in a new town.  I’m finding this all quite ‘different’, but this town would have to be the friendliest  I’ve ever encountered.  Everyone has made us feel so very welcome.

So!  from my house to yours,  wherever it is that you may you live, my fondest Christmas blessings to you and your families.