Lets Get Shabby #25

I actually got around to completing a challenge this month! God bless rainy days ;)

I truly love the Lets Get Shabby blog. I love the challenges, I love the Team, I LOVE the inspiration!!

Challenge #25 is in honor of Let's get Shabby's 2nd birthday!

The challenge was to be inspired by this photo:

Added criteria...your project had to feature the #2, and two items from this list:Lace,Chipboard, Ribbon, Material/Fabric, Book/Music page.

Here is my take
I love the blue/grey/white color combo in the inspiration photo, so I *borrowed* that color scheme :)

I used ribbon and book paper from the list (The little scalloped green and blue ribbon) And lots of number 2's found on both the bingo card and the little journalling *22* card.
Anyone else find when they set out to specifically use items on a page their brain starts to find ways NOT to use them?? I usually can't complete a page without lace or ribbon, and when I was challenged to use it? I had to squeeze it in somewhere! Stupid brain!
Thanks so much for stopping by!

Have a GREAT week!

DownUnder Direct Share :)

Not so very long ago, I went over to Brisbane to help host and attend my beautiful little sis's baby shower :)

I also attended ante-natal classes with her and her husband...I *may* have been lucky enough to be invited to attend the birth of this precious little one! (so excited...although maybe actually seeing a baby being born will kill off my long held dream of becoming a midwife LOL)
I made this cute little guest book for the baby shower in which guests could leave lovely notes for the Mother to be :)
And because the baby is a girl...I completely indulged my love of all things pink ;)

(full materials list and mini tutorial for this album found here)

Thanks so much for stopping by!

KaiserCraft Sketch Inspiration :)

I love sketch challenges!

I love when I am scheduled for the Saturday Sketch roster over at Kasiercraft :) I love not having to think about balancing embellishments and elements...all of the thinking is done for you!

I have used Class of '87 for my sketch interpretation this week...all about my poor broken baby.
I so remember getting this phone call.

Mick and the kids had to get back to work and school following mum's funeral, so I stayed in Ballina an extra few days to help sort through mum's things and just try to get my head back into some sort of 'normal' after an insane couple of weeks.

My sisters and I had just been through mum's clothes. We got back to my brother's house at about 4 o'clock when my phone rang.

Mick's first words were 'Don't panic, she's okay'...

Yeah...don't panic?!?!?

Within an hour I had packed, and my brother and his wife were driving me the 8 hours home (as Mick had our car).

An older boy at school ran smack into Nat and snapped her collar bone. She had to go in the ambulance and everything...all very exciting and scary for a little 9 year old girl-who's mum wasn't there.

She's all good now.

3 months of trips to Bundaberg for specialist appointments and x-rays, and its all good (mostly...the specialist says that all other healing will happen as she grows...any experience out there with a break like this?)

But definitely an experience I don't want to happen again.

That feeling of your baby being hurt and not being there? Not nice.

Thanks for stopping by!

I'd love a link if you give this sketch a go!!

A Little Share

Of my latest KaiserCraft-iness :)

Using the two newest lines Blae and Ivy...
And Little Toot :)

I had a bit of fun with these Tri-fold cards this week! I love how they look pretty intricate...even though I am NOT a card maker!

(I have a tutorial on the blog for how to make these...SO easy!)

This one is using Chanteuse, and the GORGEOUS new Alpha stamps.

I am in love with these stamps. Truly. I mean I am NOT a stamper, but these are SO easy to use!

********

Yesterday would have been my mum and dad's 36th wedding anniversary.

They were such a great example of marriage to me. So in love and cute. Dad took some pink flowers up to her grave yesterday. He used to spoil her so much, and she loved it.

It broke my heart to think of him going up to see her grave with those roses.

Happy anniversary mum and dad.

A Quick Thank You Card

I don't know if you remember..it's been a while after all...but I like to craft ;)

Its not that I haven't been crafting...its just that I am not able to SHARE anything just yet. (and some fool posted off her CHA projects without taking any photos *DOH* if anyone happens by the Kaisercraft booth, say hi to my projects for me? LOL)

Here is a super quick easy card for DownUnderDirect :)

Full materials list here

I've been trying to make more postage friendly cards. Which is quite difficult! I keep trying to add buttons and bling...which all add bulk!

Have you checked out their snazzy new website? Looking GOOD!

More on Our Week Away :)

It was so relaxing.

That was the main feature of our not-quite-a-week away :)

We got to spend a LOAD of time with my new little nephew Freddie.

This was the kids first time meeting him. I had been lucky enough to spend time meeting him when he was brand new :)
Trying to get a photo of the 4 cousins proved quite a difficult task. One I became even less enthused about when my dad reminded me that in 2 months there will be ANOTHER cousin, and a new portrait will be required ;)
I got lots of sleepy cuddles.

Freddie's mum and dad got quite sick. So I managed to sneak lots of time with him whilst they recovered...
Mind you, I had to battle this pair!
He's such a sweet heart!
And then my beautiful sis let me take some photos of her bump.

This is the new cousin due in the next 2 months. A little girl. Still trying to convince her that Kirsty is an awesome name (although my brother Daniel is working on Danielle, and my Dad-Alan- on Alanna LOL)
So much fun!

I would so love to take a course and learn how to take awesome photos and learn what my camera could really do! For now, I'll content myself with the amateur happy snaps...maybe a retirement project? LOL
Then we got a bit arty.

I was going for the shadow silhouette of the bump...it almost worked ;)
Funny story...we had just gotten back from our little trek, when my brother ran out to tell us that whales had been spotted along the coast line.

My sister was most concerned that it had been her that was spotted! LOL

Silly girl...she looks amazing! Such a compact little baby bump!

Thanks for stopping by, and your beautiful comments supporting my family on my last post.

You guys are the awesomest xxx

I'm Back!

And feeling refreshed :)

We have been down south visiting my family...lots of walks(our spoiled Doggy didn't exactly walk...), whale watching and hanging out.
I got to have so many snuggles with my new nephew Freddie.

We even babysat!

We went down for an engagement party.

For my sis and her fiancee.

The party was good! Lots of kitchen duties...luckily my sister is having 4 bridesmaids, so lots of helpers(Kudos to Claire, Clare and Amy)...not to mention my mum's beautiful best friend/soul sister Vicky and her family! These guys were amazing...so wonderful to have such a lovely adopted family...kitchen duty is always much nicer when you have such great company :)

This weekend marks 12 whole months since we got *that* phone call from my mum.

(read about it here)

Sunday will be 12 months since my sisters and I jumped in the car and drove up to Charter's Towers to be with mum.

Tuesday would have been mum and dad's 36th wedding anniversary.

Then, in a couple of weeks. It'll be 12 months since my life completely changed. It seems ridiculous to even be typing this. Who receives a diagnosis and then dies within the month?

Its coming up to a hard time.

Please keep us in your prayers.