I'm Alive!!

Hey Sminkers!!

I know it has been forever since I have blogged. The last few months have been super crazy for me but I can assure you I'm still alive and still getting my craft on whenever possible...I just haven't had the time to tell you all about it.

The last few months of 2013 were particularly tough for us. In addition to other challenges I had been dealing with regarding my 4 year old, we received a bit of a bombshell in October when my dad was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. I won't lie, I was pretty devastated when we first received the diagnosis but once I did my research and worked out what it all meant and what action we needed to take in order for him to beat it...I was on a mission. So it's been a long few months of doctors appointments, surgery, recovery plus lots of tests and scans. It's not over yet, he's still undergoing treatment at the moment and there's no guarantee he won't need more surgery or further treatments but we are all trying to stay positive and make sure he has the best possible chance to kick this cancers butt!

So with everything that has been going on, having my little craft hobby has definitely helped me keep my sanity. What 's the saying...'Stamping is cheaper than Therapy'. I have loved having my little escape from reality even for just a few hours. So my plan is to keep crafting and sharing but just hopefully a bit more regularly this year :)

I'm planning to show you the cards and projects we have been working in the order in which they were created however I did come across some photos of a Mothers Day project I forgot to share back in May...a flower pot card.

 

The pink version was the one the girls made in the craft class and the second one I created using colours I had seen in a sample I found online by a fellow Aussie demo Diane Barnes. Her version is much more elaborate but I decided to keep it simple for the class. I used a video tutorial by Julie Davison to learn how to make the card which you can find here.

 

The beauty of this card is once you have the flower pot base, you can use any flower stamps, punches or dies you have to create the insert. They are great for birthdays, Mother's Day, get well cards and the list goes on. I'm planning to make a few more versions of this card utilising different supplies I have in my stash. I will share those once I have had a chance to make them.

 

Well I think that's it for now. I really hope you have all been well and had a wonderful Christmas and New Year. I have my first class for 2014 on Saturday and I can't wait to get back into it. The class ladies are equally excited. Until next time take care and happy stamping!

 

 

Marsha xx

 

Card 1 Recipe:
Cardstock - Crumb Cake, Pretty in Pink, Pink Pirouette, Very Vanilla, Certainly Celery, Silver Glimmer Paper
Accessories - Blossom Party Die, Scallop Border Punch, Pretty in Pink 1/4 inch Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon, SNAIL adhesive, Glue Dots, Stampin' Dimensionals.

 

Card 2 Recipe:
Cardstock - Crumb Cake, Pool Party, Calypso Coral, Whisper White, Lucky Limeade

Accessories - Blossom Party Die, Scallop Border Punch, Everyday Enchantment Brads, 1/8 inch Calypso Coral Organdy Ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals, SNAIL adhesive, Glue Dots.

** Please note some products used are retired and not currently available for purchase.