Love that!!

There's lots of good things to love about this time of year - it's a busy, joyful, happy and blessed time.

I love that it's school holidays and I can spend some time with these guys (less one - we have the oldest camping out over a friends house for a few days but he is coming back home tommorow)  There's been lots of playing with Lego, sleeping in and hanging out together.

 I love that it's a great time to make some extra special treats for the holidays - such as this very yummy Hedgehog rocky-road.

 I love that I will hopefully have some extra moments of time to work on my latest project - a crochet patchwork blanket with doilies.  I was inspired by a picture that I came across recently, so have set about to make a blanket that will be nice for the couch next Winter.  Just need to add one more colour - Chocolate - one of my favs!

I love that it's time to get ready to go camping with my family to a beautiful place where the sand is sparkling white and the sea is turquoise blue.  I love the special memories that we make on these fun camping trips.

I love that at the end of another year, we can take time to reflect on the blessings that we receive each and every day.  We are truly blessed in every way!!

I love that at the end of the year, it's good to take a break from some of the things I love and share here, spend time with my precious ones and make plans for new crafty goodness in 2011.

May you all have a very happy and blessed Christmas as we celebrate the birth of Jesus.  Hope to see you in the New Year.  Til next time.....

Show us your stuff - December challenge #1

The new challenge blog - 'Show us your Stuff' have a few challenges up now - I've just made a LO using the first sketch challenge:

 And here's my LO:

 I took these pictures of my Caden just last month and they were pefect for this challenge for the use of hand-made flowers.  I've used pattern paper by October afternoon and lots of embellies!
Here's a closer look:

 Crochet doily flower with a flower button and cute little bee from My Little bit of Whimsy, some crochet trim and digital collage circle!

 A hand-made paper flower - I've always wanted to make these.  Lots of fun and very effective - I've added a paper rose to the centre.  Butterfly punch is by Martha Stewart.

The title is made up of assorted letters I had in my stash!
Thanks for coming by.

Etsy store update

..... my last Etsy store update for this year........

...... lots of coloured doilies, some rainbow mini's and something new --------- little kits -------

I only have a few of the kits for now - this will be something that I look into more next year - just wanted to see how they would go.  I had a great time creating these ones!!

So hop on over the Simply Cards and Creative Bits.
I'll be open for approx. one more week  and re-opening sometime mid Jan - we are off for school holidays and a little camping trip - can't wait!!
A BIG thank you to my wonderful customers who have supported my shop this year - it's been so much fun!!

Lollipop Ladies Challenge #10 - Chocolate Honeycomb

I'm back with another creation - this time for the latest challenge over at the Lollipop Ladies - aren't the weeks just flying by?

After last weeks challenge of chocolate cupcakes, we are sticking close to chocolate again - it's Chocolate Honeycomb with the bonus challenge to add something hidden such as a message or gift certificate - here's the inspiration picture:

 And here's my creation:

I've gone with a scrapbook LO, using a picture of my twin boys.  It's always fun to add hidden messages on LO's, so I've added an envelope to the page so I can add a letter or message.  For now, I've just added in a tag made with pattern paper from October Afternoon - I love the words on this paper!
Here's a closer look:

 A cluster of embellishments:  doilies and vintage story book circles from my Etsy store, birdie pins, yellow button and woodgrain chipboard button from the Chip-Chop Shop.

A Kraft envelope with tag - I've done lots of stamping on the envelop and on the Kraft cardstock.

We would love to see you join in with this fun challenge - head over to the challenge blog to view all the details and don't forget to check out the inspiration by the Design Team.
I look forward to seeing your creations soon.

..... and pop back here soon, I will be sharing my latest Etsy update - it's the last one for this year; I'll be shutting shop over the holiday break. Til then.

Scrap the Boys Challenge - Chipboard

I have a creative post for you.  Scrapbooking was calling me and I really felt like doing up a LO!  Though, if I had more time, I could scrap all day!!  The lastest challenge over at Scrap the Boys is to use Chipboard and alter it for a more boyish feel!!

I've used some cute photo's of my Caden with his cousin Dylan - these two were having so much fun together and I'm so glad I got to capture these fun moments.

 I've gone with a fairly simple look today, just adding in a few embellishments - really wanted the photo's to be the focus.  Here's a closer look:

 Number '2' chipboard - painted green and then I've used this as the title. 

 A big buttons from Lil Red Rocket!

 A hand-made kite from chipboard - I've cut out and then painted blue, then adding some stiching and a button.  I think it's turned out sweet!

And some journalling!!  I've also added some buttons and a digital collage storybook circle.

Hope you like - hopefully I can fit another one in soon.  Have a great day.