:o)
Merry Christmas to you!
25 December 2011
24 December 2011
2011 Cody Christmas Card
After saying I wasn't going to make Christmas cards this year...I ended up making some. Was a surprise to me too.
Sometimes it's just the way of it.
Sometimes intentions lead to motivation and output.
Sometimes they don't.
And sometimes flicking things actually leads to flicking them.
And sometimes it doesn't.
And sometimes inspiration just kicks in whether you want it to or not.
I'd taken some fun photos of the dog in the backyard...
...and made some name tags for a party...
...and bought some oh-so-fab ticket stamps from Unity Stamps (these were a no-brainer when I saw them).
All of them had nothing to do with the other...nothing at all really.
But one day they all melded together and a Christmas card idea was born.
And I wanted to make it.
And I decided to.
And I finished them this week.
Andrew (yes, the man) wrote on them and I addressed/stamped them etc.
We're a good team.
He even wrote on one for me and made me teary. "That was my aim," he said.
Nice. It was.
I love the card.
It's from the heart.
It's 'just because'.
It's us.
It's the dog.
It's me right now.
Simple, easy and fun.
Gotta tell ya though - they didn't take five minutes. You know how I say that 'these things never take five minutes?' Well, I'm right. They don't.
Each of these took about 10 mins - still pretty good for a card.
Worth it.
Bye now!
Merry Christmas!
Sometimes it's just the way of it.
Sometimes intentions lead to motivation and output.
Sometimes they don't.
And sometimes flicking things actually leads to flicking them.
And sometimes it doesn't.
And sometimes inspiration just kicks in whether you want it to or not.
I'd taken some fun photos of the dog in the backyard...
...and made some name tags for a party...
...and bought some oh-so-fab ticket stamps from Unity Stamps (these were a no-brainer when I saw them).
All of them had nothing to do with the other...nothing at all really.
But one day they all melded together and a Christmas card idea was born.
And I wanted to make it.
And I decided to.
And I finished them this week.
Andrew (yes, the man) wrote on them and I addressed/stamped them etc.
We're a good team.
He even wrote on one for me and made me teary. "That was my aim," he said.
Nice. It was.
I love the card.
It's from the heart.
It's 'just because'.
It's us.
It's the dog.
It's me right now.
Simple, easy and fun.
Gotta tell ya though - they didn't take five minutes. You know how I say that 'these things never take five minutes?' Well, I'm right. They don't.
Each of these took about 10 mins - still pretty good for a card.
Worth it.
Bye now!
Merry Christmas!
23 December 2011
Christmas lights with an arty twist
Last night we passed by a local church and decided to stop in for a quick look. I ended up taking some Christmas light photos with an arty twist...literally.
You know how you've got your camera on the Normal setting with no flash and the photos are all fuzzy?
Well, I just went with that and moved the camera on purpose (in a circle, up and down or sideways - whatever) as I was taking the photos and ended up with these...
Shepherds and sheep.
Hmm um, yes, it is.
Angel's skirt.
They make your eyes go a bit funny at this point!
Camels and the three wise men.
Andrew did this one, I think.
Skirt again.
My fav, I think.
Moved the camera to the left and down. Only had 5 mins to do all this, so it was all pretty quick.
The lights were cascading here in real life - they're the best to do this with.
Anyway, like 'em.
Just a bitta fun.
Yep, I'll print a couple out and stick 'em in my book.
Here are the photos for realz.
All taken on the trusty Lumix on the night scenery setting.
No tripod. Just me.
Tried using Andrew's shoulder, but that required coordination of me taking the photo and him holding his breath.
Ended up just holding the camera up and snapping them.
And that, people, is why I'd get a Lumix again in a heartbeat. Quicker than that, can't be without a camera.
Also took this shot of the tree in town...
I think it's a tiny bit fuzzy, but it's still a goodie.
The best option when taking shots like this at night I reckon is to just lift the camera up and take the shot rather than try to hold the camera still for 5 secs before you take it.
My first shot (the lift and snap one) was the best.
That being said, I often use a tripod at home when there are lights involved, it's just easier.
Okay, bye now!
:o)
22 December 2011
21 December 2011
20 December 2011
2011 December Daily
Thought I'd post a couple of updates of my Dec Daily today.
I haven't been doing it every day, but I've been collecting stuff for each day and as of now, I'm up to date. Last night I did three days at once - ie. stuck all the stuff in and wrote a few notes.
The whole blank page thing works for me - I'm not interested in designing much, just documenting. I'll do it this way next year too. I like it.
Full page photos are good - Ali's doing them a lot this year and she inspired me to do one too. Told ya the girl inspires me.
I still have a bit of journalling to write on that second page.
I'm not a fan of leaving blank spots, but it's the way of it this year.
We bought a new star for the tree - ours was second hand when we got it and we had it for about 15 years. It was time!
Sorry, some of the photos are a bit dark.
On the right is a blog post I wrote about the scrapping girls that inspire me. I just printed it out in green and pink (I'm all about the coloured writing this year) and stuck it in.
String (ribbon pics) on the coldest Dec day we've had in 100 years. Hello, it's summer over here. 19 degrees is below average winter weather for us.
Chopped up the free Coles magazine that you get in-store. I'm not a sweet tooth, but I loved the way they presented the things with ribbon and baker's twine (on the right of the second page).
Post it notes show where photos go. I haven't had a chance (or the will) to go back to the shops to get the photos developed - will do at a later time.
Mum, Sue and I did some crafting and we listened to 150 Christmas songs in 8 hours. Whoa baby.
Printed out a calendar and added bits and pieces to it. Like this idea. Will do it again.
A spot for two photos to go on the left there again.
We ate dinner outside under our lights and I took a couple of shots. We didn't last too long - the mossies chased us inside.
We've since moved the lights inside, so we can enjoy them each night without the bugs...
I want those Adirondack chairs! I'll have the light blue one please. It's actually the Christmas card that Andrew got from work. Nice, hey?
That's all the pages I've taken photos of. Just wanted to give a general idea of what I've been doing. The book's almost full.
Okay, bye now, talk soon.
PS. I made that banner back in November and kept it to stick in the Dec Daily. Like how it looks.
PS. Numbers are Papertrey Ink number dies.
I haven't been doing it every day, but I've been collecting stuff for each day and as of now, I'm up to date. Last night I did three days at once - ie. stuck all the stuff in and wrote a few notes.
The whole blank page thing works for me - I'm not interested in designing much, just documenting. I'll do it this way next year too. I like it.
Full page photos are good - Ali's doing them a lot this year and she inspired me to do one too. Told ya the girl inspires me.
I still have a bit of journalling to write on that second page.
I'm not a fan of leaving blank spots, but it's the way of it this year.
We bought a new star for the tree - ours was second hand when we got it and we had it for about 15 years. It was time!
Sorry, some of the photos are a bit dark.
On the right is a blog post I wrote about the scrapping girls that inspire me. I just printed it out in green and pink (I'm all about the coloured writing this year) and stuck it in.
String (ribbon pics) on the coldest Dec day we've had in 100 years. Hello, it's summer over here. 19 degrees is below average winter weather for us.
Chopped up the free Coles magazine that you get in-store. I'm not a sweet tooth, but I loved the way they presented the things with ribbon and baker's twine (on the right of the second page).
Post it notes show where photos go. I haven't had a chance (or the will) to go back to the shops to get the photos developed - will do at a later time.
Mum, Sue and I did some crafting and we listened to 150 Christmas songs in 8 hours. Whoa baby.
Printed out a calendar and added bits and pieces to it. Like this idea. Will do it again.
Ali suggested writing a letter to Santa this year and Pink Paislee had a downloadable page, so I decided to do it. Just a bitta fun.
Actually wrote a two-parter because I forgot to tell him what I wanted in the first letter!
A spot for two photos to go on the left there again.
We ate dinner outside under our lights and I took a couple of shots. We didn't last too long - the mossies chased us inside.
We've since moved the lights inside, so we can enjoy them each night without the bugs...
I want those Adirondack chairs! I'll have the light blue one please. It's actually the Christmas card that Andrew got from work. Nice, hey?
That's all the pages I've taken photos of. Just wanted to give a general idea of what I've been doing. The book's almost full.
Okay, bye now, talk soon.
PS. I made that banner back in November and kept it to stick in the Dec Daily. Like how it looks.
PS. Numbers are Papertrey Ink number dies.
19 December 2011
Crafting update - The string...
It's a really bad name, but I call it the string.
Maybe it should be the garland or the pretty thing, but the string? Not fab a name, is it?
Here's last year's string...
or strings...there are two really.
Some things are the same as last year and some things are new.
The biggest difference is I've made a lot of the strings longer. Just felt like it.
Usually I put a red tablecloth on, but I've kept the coloured one for the moment. Like it.
Cody's stocking is on the end there - it's purely for decoration. We don't do dog gifts. I bought him a ball thrower (hello, bought it for me) the other day out of necessity, not for a gift.
Pinwheels
A long string of flat shapes on one string hanging from the string...er, ribbon.
Chipboard stars covered with gold glitter (Sizzix Bigz die - Pinwheel is Sizzix Bigz too).
3D ornaments - eight trees folded and glued together. Glitter ended at the end. One of my favourites this year. It's the pink Sullivans punch. I walk by and spin them for fun.
A button wreath - can you see it? Got the idea from Martha Stewart on Pintrest. Hers was green. Red's the go for me.
More stars.
More 3D ornaments.
More flat ornaments.
Used My Mind's Eye 12 Days of Christmas collection a lot.
Oooh, there's the Vintage Ornament punch that I had to throw out...see it just there? It's cream and covered in clear glitter. Looks pretty. It's a collector's item now!
There's the button wreath. These photos were taken at a few different times. I only made one wreath.
And see those candy canes? They're fakes. Love them. Got 'em from Big W for $5 for a box of 12. Bought two boxes and put the other lot on our tree. Just stuck 'em in there.
Maybe it should be the garland or the pretty thing, but the string? Not fab a name, is it?
Here's last year's string...
or strings...there are two really.
The string is actually ribbon strung between the dining room lights.
From now on I'll call it the ribbon.
Here is this year's ribbon.
Some things are the same as last year and some things are new.
The biggest difference is I've made a lot of the strings longer. Just felt like it.
Usually I put a red tablecloth on, but I've kept the coloured one for the moment. Like it.
Cody's stocking is on the end there - it's purely for decoration. We don't do dog gifts. I bought him a ball thrower (hello, bought it for me) the other day out of necessity, not for a gift.
Pinwheels
A long string of flat shapes on one string hanging from the string...er, ribbon.
Chipboard stars covered with gold glitter (Sizzix Bigz die - Pinwheel is Sizzix Bigz too).
3D ornaments - eight trees folded and glued together. Glitter ended at the end. One of my favourites this year. It's the pink Sullivans punch. I walk by and spin them for fun.
A button wreath - can you see it? Got the idea from Martha Stewart on Pintrest. Hers was green. Red's the go for me.
More stars.
More 3D ornaments.
More flat ornaments.
Used My Mind's Eye 12 Days of Christmas collection a lot.
Oooh, there's the Vintage Ornament punch that I had to throw out...see it just there? It's cream and covered in clear glitter. Looks pretty. It's a collector's item now!
There's the button wreath. These photos were taken at a few different times. I only made one wreath.
And see those candy canes? They're fakes. Love them. Got 'em from Big W for $5 for a box of 12. Bought two boxes and put the other lot on our tree. Just stuck 'em in there.
So that's the ribbon update.
I've got some ornaments on my desk that haven't been glittered yet, so I'll do them soon. Haven't been spending much time there recently...
Okay, bye now. Hope your Christmas season is travelling along nicely.
:o)
18 December 2011
17 December 2011
16 December 2011
Rip punch...
Well, it doesn't happen often, but sometimes things go wrong and you've got no option but to bin it.
I had to bin a Martha punch - Vintage Ornament, I think it was called.
Pity because it was quite pretty.
The binning could've been avoided if I'd've just used some cooking spray before I punched. I knew it was sticking a bit in there...
Anyway, as you can see, a lot of work was done on it to save it by Andrew and his dad. Andrew checked it one night and then the next day before work and his dad checked it during the day while he was here fixing the computer. He and I worked on it for an hour, but he deemed it unfixable.
Sad.
We tried.
"When in doubt, take everything out," he said. And he did. All the bits came out and were checked over and put back in.
I was in charge of the silicone spray. Andrew brought up the big guns from his tool box downstairs before he left and I sprayed it at will.
Could've done with it in the very beginning like I said...Don't do it to yourselves! Get up! Spray those punches...they'll thank you for it.
And what do you do when you've tried everything and you know you have to throw it away, but you just can't right then?
You have a cup of tea.
It fixes everything...
Bye bye punch, you were good while you lasted.
I had to bin a Martha punch - Vintage Ornament, I think it was called.
Pity because it was quite pretty.
The binning could've been avoided if I'd've just used some cooking spray before I punched. I knew it was sticking a bit in there...
Anyway, as you can see, a lot of work was done on it to save it by Andrew and his dad. Andrew checked it one night and then the next day before work and his dad checked it during the day while he was here fixing the computer. He and I worked on it for an hour, but he deemed it unfixable.
Sad.
We tried.
"When in doubt, take everything out," he said. And he did. All the bits came out and were checked over and put back in.
I was in charge of the silicone spray. Andrew brought up the big guns from his tool box downstairs before he left and I sprayed it at will.
Could've done with it in the very beginning like I said...Don't do it to yourselves! Get up! Spray those punches...they'll thank you for it.
And what do you do when you've tried everything and you know you have to throw it away, but you just can't right then?
You have a cup of tea.
It fixes everything...
Bye bye punch, you were good while you lasted.
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