My Play Ground

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

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