Ros Davidson, Independent Stampin' Up! demonstrator, Melbourne, Australia

Boys birthday card

It was Master D’s turn to attend a birthday party this time for a friend from school. Last year I made this birthday boy a St Kilda (AFL football team) canvas as his present (which apparently I never blogged!) and this year I attempted making him a St Kilda footy player card.

How do you think I did? I know the hands are on the large side, but I was working with what I had.

Materials list:

Cardstock: Real red, basic black, whisper white, pink pirouette, chocolate chip, poppy parade, bashful blue, pear pizzazz

Punches: Small oval (3/4” x 15/16”), small oval (retired), word window, wide oval, 1” square, pinking hearts border

Accessories: White gel pen, regal rose stampin write marker

Other: Bell punch, foot punch, hand punch, google eyes

Inlaid embossing

Using the inlaid embossing technique and the mixed bunch stamp set I made this thank you card recently. Originally I was making for a school friend mum but I didn't finish the card in time for the school pick up (so I gave her another one from my stash) and finished this one at my leisure.

Doesn't this card look so bright and sunny?

Materials list:

Stamps: Mixed bunch (autumn/winter mini catalogue), build a blossom, a word for you

Cardstock: Whisper white, lucky limeade, calypso coral, daffodil delight

Inkpads: Lucky limeade, calypso coral, daffodil delight, basic black

Punches: 3/4" circle, blossom (autumn/winter mini catalogue)

Accessories: Big shot machine, square lattice textured impressions embossing folder, silver brads

MMM #12

We are cruising on through May at a fast past and real winter weather is going to hit us fast... Brrr, makes me cold thinking about the cool weather (esp. after my trip to Darwin where it was 30 degree temps everyday).

Another card using my non traditional colour theme for May making merry monday cards.

Darwin

Last week hubs and I had the pleasure of a one week holiday in Darwin. It was fabulous to get away and have a mini break and enjoy being "just us" again. Not only was the weather wonderful, low 30's everyday but we saw some amazing sites as well. We drove to Litchfield national park one day, went to the Mindil beach markets twice, went to the Crocosaurus Cove, walked around Darwin CBD and even caught up with hubs uncle and aunt that we have seen in over 8 years plus much more.

Mindil beach

Selfie at Litchfield park

Buley Rockhole at Litchfield Park (we swam in there)

Hubs at Florence Falls

Holding a baby crocodile with hubs (so weird as it was very soft underneath but extremely tough and rough on the top...) The little thing kept on growling the entire time too (not that I blame it, being passed around from pillar to post!)

We stayed in a lovely 3 bedroom apartment in the centre of Darwin that was easy to walk to many places. Not to mention it was huge and big enough for us and our whole crew to stay in it. Potential family holiday destination for the future maybe?

One night while we were at the apartment, the fire alarm went off. Apparently, someone set it off cooking their dinner. I must admit, while I'm glad no one was injuries or any damaged was done, I was disappointed to see a plain vehicle turn up and disarm the fire alarm. (I know it was an unmarked vehicle as I was on the balcony with my camera ready to take photos!) I was hoping for a fire truck with sirens and lights. It would have made a great scrapbook page...

This is hubs favourite photo from the trip... Being able to do 130km on the Stuart Highway to Litchfield.

I thoroughly enjoyed out getaway to Darwin and am looking forward to my next trip away later this month (Stampin' Up! convention in Canberra.)

My crew were most excited we were home (maybe because we brought them gifts...) but when we drove into our street, the younger 3 were outside jumping up and down on the concrete as if they were on a trampoline. It was very cute and extremely loud but most of all, a blessing to see how excited they were to see us.

Last pic I promise, a darling note Miss N wrote for us:

Birthday book

Miss social butterfly (Miss N) had a party of a school friend this past weekend and I whipped up a birthday book for the special birthday girl. I couldn't resist going all girly seeing as pink is her favourite colour.

Close up of the glittered initial

The pleated ribbon and dazzling diamonds/crystal effects is so girly and glamorous, don't you think?

Materials list:

Cardstock: Pink pirouette

Accessories: Blushing bride pleated ribbon (autumn/winter mini catalogue), crystal effects, dazzling diamonds, lap of luxury designer series paper (retired)

Other: Chipboard letter

Mother's day

This year for mother's day, I had some extremely excited kids. As hubs and I had only gotten back from Darwin the evening before they were chomping at the bit to see me and gather and chat.

The kids spoiled me with lots (11) of handmade cards (which will be going in a huge pocket envelope in my Project Life album), gifts from the mothers day stall at school and itunes gift cards.

Hubby even got in the act and got a card at the shops... I think he did good choosing the card. What mother can't relate to the earrings?

Nikki had a questionnaire thing from school to write answers about me. Her answers aren't as funny as she gets older but the spelling certainly makes me crack a grin *smile*. I won't list all her answers here but the ones that made me smile were:

Mum's favourite food: Tasty nodels (noodles)

Mum's favourite drink: Wiyn (wine)

My mum's hobby is: Stampping Up (Stampin' Up!)

Mum's favourite book is: The widing (wedding)

Hubs cooked a lovely breakie, we went out and got kebabs for lunch (totally what I wanted) and headed off to a local park for our annual mothers day photo (of me and the kids).

We had a lovely roast from the webber for dinner along with my mum, step dad, my sister and her fiance before retiring to watch some tv in the evening.

All in all, it was a lovely day where I did little and was spoilt that went way to fast!

MMM #11

Today's card is the first card I've made in over a week. I had a week off in Darwin where it was nice and warm (but more on that in another post).

Continuing on with my non traditional theme for this month's Christmas cards, I've used a blue/green colour combination.

Close up

Mars bar muffins

It has been some time since I have shared a recipe I have to tell you all about this one I made recently. Mars Bar muffins! Years and years ago I used to make this recipe (a little bit differently because I used store brought custard and a packet muffin mix) but since getting my Thermomix earlier this year, I am aiming to cook more natural and back to basics/cooking from scratch. With my Thermomix, this recipe is super simple now. I made a batch of 14 muffins and there was only 1 left hours later when I finally got to take this photo.

Ingredients

160g self - raising flour

150g plain flour

180g custard (I used the recipe from the Thermomix everyday cookbook)

150g raw sugar (you can reduce this quantity if you like)

2 eggs

70g oil

1/2 tsp baking powder

2 Mars bars (chopped)

 

1. Make custard as per the everyday cookbook recipe and let it cool

2. Place all ingredients, except the Mars Bars in the Thermomix bowl and mix for 40 secs on speed 4

3. Add the Mars Bars and hand mix them into the muffin mix

4. Spoon mixture into greased muffin tins and cook for 15 - 20 minutes in oven at 180 degrees until golden brown

Delft tile techniques class

In May's technique class I taught the delft tile technique. As usual, we made two cards and a sample card.

Next month's technique class is faux metal. June's class is Friday the 8th of June (delayed one week due to me being at Stampin' Up! Convention, the first Friday of the month) June 8th begining at 7pm, cost is $20. To book your place, contact me.

MMM #10

Third time lucky with today's card. I cut off part of the focal image the first time and the second time smudged my work so I was thrilled when I completed today's card.

Theme for May is non traditional Christmas colours. I found the first one easy but we will see how I go with the next few.