My Play Ground

S.A.M. Creative Challenge No. 5

Hello Everyone,

This weeks S.A.M challenge set by Sue Madox is to use a quote on your layout.  I was thrilled when I read this as it reminded me of a stack of boy quotes I bought probably more than 5years ago and haven't yet used.  In fact I was so happy I mangaged to get 2 layouts done.  Both are very simple and were easy to make using the fabulous patterned paper that Stampin' Up! has.

I love these photos of Will asleep on the night of his 1st Birthday.  There is nothing more special than watching your child sleeping.

This is another favourite photo of mine.  Thomas and Jasper spent hours playing in the dirt while camping at Mt Beauty.  Their imaginations ran wild as they dug for treasures and made up lots games and stories in the dirt.  As soon as I read this quote I thought of this photo, how special for Thomas to have his cousin Jasper to share these special times with.

Thanks again Sue for a great challenge, looking forward to the next one.

Cheers

Erica xx

PS. Due to the humidity over the past few days the first LO has warped and buckled a bit, expecially noticeable on the vellum quote.  Lesson learnt, don't leave LO's on desk in humid weather.

Easter Blog Hop Hop Hop

Hello everyone and welcome to “Art with Heart's” second Team Blog Hop.  The Art with Heart team, lead by the very talented Claire Daly consists of over 80 demonstrators across Australia.  Today you will get to met 14 of these talented ladies as they share with you some Easter themed paper crafts.

 

The Art with Heart Team Blog Hop is a monthly event happening on the last day of every month.  You can start the Hop any where along the way, just click on the link at the end of each blog to take you to the next blog and eventually you will finish up with the blog you started on.  You may have just come from Judy May's blog but if this is your first stop go grab a coffee, sit back and enjoy the amazing work from some talented ladies.  After ooohhhing and aahhing on each blog leave a comment, and if you have left a comment on all 14 blogs email Nikki Sadler at nikki@inkyart.com.au and your name will be put in the draw to win some beautiful blog candy (only non SU demos are eligible to win blog candy – sorry, but we would still love to read your comments), but be quick as there is a 72hr deadline from commencement of Hop.

 

I love trying new techniques and making cards which are a bit different, so for today's Hop I decided to give the stair step card a go.  I liked this variation with the steps only on one side of the card.

 

 

Side view of card.......

 

 

Now, because I had a few extra eggs stamped and cut out, I decided to also make a couple of quick and easy gift cards. 

 

 

 
 

 

Finally I thought you can't make Easter items without making a Easter Basket.  The Basket only took me about 10minutes to make and decorate, but how long do you think the eggs will last in my house before they are eaten!!!!

 

 

I hope you have enjoyed and found inspiration from my creations.  I haven't listed any instructions or products used but if you have any questions about my work or Stampin’ Up! please don’t hesitate to ask.

 

The next stop on the blog hop is the lovely and talented Christine Blain.

Well, that’s all from me. Enjoy the rest of the Blog Hop and please don't forget to leave a comment.

 

Cheers,

Erica xx

S.A.M. Layout Challenge - "Love"

Hello Everyone,

Before I begin I just have to say a very big thankyou to everyone who visited my site during the "Art with Heart" Valentines themed Blog Hop.  I received some amazing comments and I'm so pleased to hear how much you liked my work.  I hope to see you all again on the 28th of February for the next "Easter" themed Blog hop.

I have been working on this layout all week and finally finished today in time to enter the Stamp-a-Memory challenge.  My goal this year is to enter more scrapbook challenges and generally get more more scrapbooking done.  Claire Daly set the challenge this month with the focus to be on "love", how appropriate with Valentines day just around the corner.  You're probably asking why it took me all week to complete such a simple layout.  Well the truth of the matter is I don't cope in the heat and everytime I sat down to scrap I couldn't get inspired.  But in the end I'm happpy with the result.

"Love" Layout

I just LOVE this photo of my 2 boys.  I really try to teach my boys about the importance of Love and am so blessed to have 2 boys that absolutely love and adore each other.

Thanks for stopping by, see you soon,

Erica xx

Valentines Blog Hop

Hello everyone and welcome to the “Art with Heart” Team Blog Hop.  The Art with Heart team, lead by the very talented Claire Daly consists of over 80 demonstrators across Australia.  While you wont get to meet them all today you will get to see just how talented and lovely the ladies in today’s Hop are.

 

The Art with Heart Team Blog Hop will be a monthly event happening on the last day of every month.  You can start the Hop any where along the way, just click on the link at the end of each blog to take you to the next blog and eventually you will finish up with the blog you started on.  You may have just come from Gayatri’s Murali's blog but if this is your first stop (there is 12 in total), go grab a coffee or glass of wine, sit back and enjoy the amazing work from some talented ladies.  After ooohhhing and aahhing on each blog leave a comment, and if you have left a comment on all 12 blogs email Nikki Sadler at nikki@inkyart.com.au and your name will be put in the draw to win some beautiful blog candy (only non SU demos are eligible to win blog candy – sorry, but we would still love to read your comments), but be quick as there is a 72hr deadline from commencement of Hop.

 

So for our first inspirational tour we have started with the theme of Valentines Day.  This is my 13^th Valentines Day with my husband Darren and while we have never really celebrated the day I decided it would be nice to make him a special card and a layout about my love for him.

 

VALENTINES DAY CARD

Inside Card

This card is called a Pop-Up Twirl card.  As you open and close the card the decorated centre card twirls.  To make your own you can find a fabulous tutorial and video link here.

 

Stamp sets: A Happy Heart, Hello again

Colours:  Close to Cocoa, Riding Hood Red, Kiwi Kiss

DS Pattern Paper: Bella Rose

Accessories:  Scallop Square Punch, Curly Label Punch

 

VALENTINES DAY "LOVE" LAYOUT

 

Stamp Set: A Happy Heart, Hello again

Colours:  Basic Grey, Riding Hood Red, Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss

DS Pattern Paper:  Urban Oasis, Baja Breeze Patterns DSP

Accessories: Kiwi Kiss Buttons, Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Hemp Twine, Rhinestone Brads, Crystal Effects, On Board Timeless Type Letters.

 

I hope you have enjoyed and found inspiration from my creations.  If you have any questions about my work or Stampin’ Up! Please don’t hesitate to email me.

 

The next stop on the blog hop is the talented Nikki Sadler.

Well, that’s all from me. Enjoy the rest of the Blog Hop and please don't forget to leave a comment.

 

Cheers,

Erica xx

A change from Christmas cards

It was nice to have a change from making Christmas cards this week and make a couple of kids Birthday cards.  My favourite (and only) nephew Jasper turned 6 last week and we were very lucky to have a visit with him today.  After his visit Jasper was headed to his friend Olives 6th Birthday party so I quickly whipped up a girly card for him to give her.  Finally I made a 3rd card for another special little boy turning 6 this week who just happens to love trains, hope he likes it.

Jaspers card

Olives card

Lucus's Card

 
   

Thanks for stopping by and if you want to know what products I've used for each card please just ask.

Cheers

Erica xx

Just a few Christmas cards

Just a quick post today with a few Christmas cards.  These are from my favourite Christmas set from Stampin' Up! this year "Holiday Lineup".  I've made about 20 cards like these but all slightly different, different paper, colours, ribbons etc. Enjoy.........

I made these cards about 2 months ago and I'm sure I CASEed some of the designs, just can't remember from where.  If it's from You, Thank You.

Thanks for stopping by, hope you like my chrissy cards, I'll be back soon with some more.

Erica xx  

A special Birthday and 3 firsts

Today is my very good friend Karen's 4oth Birthday.  I had such a good time on Saturday night helping her celebrate the big event.  Karen is a fellow card maker so I was determined to make her a special card for this special event (I think it would have been the end of a good friendship if I had bought her a card).  So 3 hours before the party started, after packing up the boys and sending them to Mum and Dads for the night I made a start.  This is the first ever Tri-shutter card I have made and despite owing the Cheep Talk stamp set from Stampin' Up! since April this is the first time I have used this set.  I have also used the Candy Lane DSP from Stampin' Up! for the first time as well.  So after 3 new things and 3 hours later I finally came up with this card....

I hope you have a fantastic 40th Birthday Karen, I'm off now to make my special little nephew Jasper a special card for his 6th Birthday which is also today.

See you soon

Erica xxx

Lots to share

With Christmas rapidly approaching I have been busy creating lots of festive goodies.  I was determined to make all my christmas cards this year and alot of gifts as well, so I have an abundance of things I wish to share over the next few days.

As all the kids activities wind up for the year I have made all the kids teachers and carers a special card and a little gift, and I just have to say "how cute are my kids".

Thomas's 2009 Christmas card

Will's 2009 Christmas card

Teachers and Carer's gift,

That's it for today, but stay tuned with more cards and creative goodies.

Cheers

Erica xx

OK....... I'm slack.........but I have been busy

Yes it's been awhile between posts but I couldn't resist sharing the following pictures with you.  Thomas had his prep alphabet concert today and he was the letter "S".  After much ummming and ahhing he dcided to go as a skeleton (probably much easier than the sumo wrestler he was thinking about last week).  So I pulled out the sewing machine and "whipped" this up in a day.  i finally got to bed at 1am and was woken by Tom fully dressed in his costume.  He was so happy and excited that it makes all the hard work worth it.  So if you're ever in need of a skeleton costume I now have one........

 

Thanks for stopping by, I'm planning to be back shortly to share all the other crafty things I've been doing.

See you Soon,  Erica xxx

How time flies!

I'm not sure why it still surprises me how quickly time flies.  I grew up with mum telling me each year seems to go by quicker and quicker.  I now know what she meant.  This year is just disappearing before my eyes, weeks go by and I have to stop and think what have I done with my time, surely it can't nearly be August.

We have had our fair share of common colds and bugs this winter and I have just recovered from the worst Flu I think I've ever had.  The doctors didn't test but said it was possibly swine flu, now I know why everyone is complaining about it.  It came on so quickly and within hours I was in bed and couldn't move.  Luckily I have a great supportive family and my husband was Mr Mum for a few days and let me rest.  Luckier still the rest of the family have avoided it, so far.  We are keeping our fingers crossed.

My big boy Thomas is celebrating his 100 days of school today.  It got me thinking how quickly he is growing up and how much he is learning and changing.  This is Tom this morning.  They had to wear something that represented 100 and Thomas wanted to decorate a T-Shirt which we did at 8pm last night and have 100 on his face.  Also check out the back of his hair.  These were all Tom's ideas and I helped with putting it together.  It is really hard as a parent not to step in and do the work for them and I'm really trying to encourage Tom to make decisions for himself and just give a little guidence.  I think he looked great this morning and was very proud walking him into School.

 

 

The first 100 days of school has gone by so quickly, I still remember that excited anxious feeling when we were walking him into class that very first day.  I miss having my big boy around and often find myself thinking about him and wondering what he is doing now.  He may be growing up and becoming less dependant on me, but he is never far from my thoughts and is always in my heart.

May the next 100 days of school be as good as the first.

Until next time,

Erica xxx