My Homage to the Basic Grey 2010 Calendar Kit

Last year I fell in love with the Basic Grey 2009 Calendar Kit.  And what's not to love? Everything you need to complete each little page is included in the kit for around AUD$35. A perfect gift.  Last Christmas I made up three - one for each set of Grandies (yes, three - don't ask!). But it seems so did the rest of the scrapping world. Do you know how hard they were to get hold of this year? I could only get 1!!!

We were going to get some other present for the other two sets of grandies, but then a request came in at the last minute. And how can you say no to a Nana that wants to look at piccies of her grandkids all year long????

So I did what any resourceful scrapper would do . . .  I made my own. That is to say that I made up the Basic Grey kit and sent it off to Grandad Queensland, then used the template for inspiration to make up the remaining two calendars. Sort of like a sketch. The kicker is though, that EVERYTHING WAS FROM MY STASH! Every last strip of paper, embellishment and the like. We didn't spend a cent! Well, we bought the Cardstock from OfficeWorks to print the calendar template on, and $4 at the printer on the 23rd of December for the binding (for both calendars).

I printed the calendars on to A4 210gsm white card (using the automatic Calendar generator in MS Publisher 2007). Then printed an 8"x8" square on the back of each month to provide the "workspace" for the scrappy part. And this was the result. The original Basic Grey image is on the left, and my "homage" on the right.

From Scrapping Stuff

From Scrapping Stuff

From Scrapping Stuff

From Scrapping Stuff

From Scrapping Stuff

From Scrapping Stuff

From Scrapping Stuff

From Scrapping Stuff

From Scrapping Stuff

From Scrapping Stuff

From Scrapping Stuff

From Scrapping Stuff

From Scrapping Stuff

I am pretty happy with the overall result. And they were well received. Nice to know that all the effort that goes into a handmade gift is well received :)

Thanks for stopping by, and I hope your Christmas was truly magical.

See you all on the flipside LOL

Sit down, grab a cuppa, we're gonna be here for a while . . .

Well, I have just realised that it has been nearly two weeks since my last post so I have a bit of catching up to do and quite a few pics to share.

First up in scrappy news, I decided to do a handmade Christmas gift for DS5's teacher this year and I am totally thrilled with the way it turned out! My Tuesday Clubbers are probably sick of hearing me banging on about the whole gift situation so I won't bore you with the details. Let's just say that I felt that coughing up $50 per family to put in for a group gift was extravagant to say the least. And this one cost me precisely $2.50. Well in a manner of speaking. Everything was in my stash except for the florists foam. So, that was quite an introduction, hope it lives up to it LOL:

From Scrapping Stuff

So that is actually all the scrapping I have done in the last oooo, three weeks! Sad but true. In fact my scrap gear has sat in the trunk of the car in between visits to Tuesday Club.

On to other news. If you read this post you would know that DS5 was going to be a shepherd in his school nativity play. So that has come and gone and here are the pics

From Life

From Life

From Life

Too, too cute. I got very emotional even before my child had done anything at all. They are so little and innocent, and yet growing up so much all the time.

Another lovely touch was the "Graduation" ceremony. Each Pre-Primary student was presented with a certificate from the Principal while their teachers read out a personalised message highlighting the child's individual qualites. So lovely to hear what others see in your child.

From Life

The Principal is giggling in this shot. DS5 had been waiting ever so patiently for his name to be called out. And with a Surname starting with "W" that is a very long time! So when they finally called his name he decided to dispense with the steps at the side of the stage and opted with jumping straight off the front and running to the Principal!

More fun activities. Many of you know that our family are mad keen supporters of the Fremantle Football Club and the club had it's Family Chritmas Party this weekend. Oh, my what excitement!!! I opted out this year but the boys went and had a fabulous time. DH was very impressed by how well organised it was. All the kids were divided into age groups and the players ran games with them. How cool! Though DH was a bit grumpy that DS5 was more interested in the free flavoured milk he was given than one of the big name players walking by!

From Life

From Life

From Life

From Life

Just for you Vikki! Chris Tarrant and Paul Haselby!!!!

And of course the Christmas Tree went up last week. I have a bit of a love affair with my tree. I get more excited than the kids I think. I love the whole ritual, the carols the dressing of the tree. Luuuurve it! And I was soooooo good this year. I am usually rather anally retentive about decorating, but I let the kids put the trinkets wherever they wanted and - cross my heart - I have not rearranged anything :)

From Life

Isn't she pretty?!

We've also gone a little crazy on the Christmas lights for the house this year. Having said that, I would like to add to the collection LOL.

From Life

From Life

From Life

I spent a whole day (yes a whole day!) getting them to look just so. The things we do during the silly season huh?

So that about wraps it up. If you have stuck with me for this entire post then you are truly lovely. And if you didn't, then who could blame you LOL!!!!

Thanks for stopping by :)

Challenge blog with a difference

From Life

A new challenge blog has been born from a discussion at a scrap night.

We scrappers know that our craft takes us on a certain "artistic journey". Well the new Scrap Wrecks blog is all about taking a lighthearted look at how far we've come. SO if you fancy have a giggle (at yourself) why not check it out. The first challenge will be posted in January, which should give us all plenty of time to dig out those old albums and and have a laugh. 

Are you brave enough to share your scrapwrecks???

From Blog Bits

Lost in Translation . . . .

My funny little DS5 has just come home from school. They have been rehearsing for their Christmas Nativity play. He is humming and singing away to himself in his beautiful tuneful little voice:

DS5: "They neltchered him, they welsh-dipped him, that precious little boy . . . . "

What's that now? I don't remember anything in the Christmas story about anybody welsh dipping the baby Jesus???? I don't even know what welsh dipping is . . .

Wait a minute

Me: "Is that: They nurtured him, they worshipped him?"

DS5: "Oh, Yeah!"

Well, I guess kids really do say the darndest things!

From Blog Bits

Breakfast . . .

From Food

Toasted English Muffins with Ricotta and Balsamic Glazed Strawberries

Decadent you say? Not at all. This breakfast is under 200 calories. So if you are sticking to a 1200 calorie a day eating plan, this one fits in just fine. Oh and have I mentioned it's delicious!!!!

Here's the "recipe"

1 Wholemeal English Muffin (two halves)

3 Fresh Strawberries (Sliced)

2 Teaspoons Balsamic Vinegar

1 Teaspoon Caster Sugar

2 Tablespoons Extra Light Ricotta

While the muffins are toasting, combine strawberries, vinegar and sugar in a small bowl.

Once toasted, spread 1/2 of ricotta on each muffin then top each with half strawberry mix.

Makes a healthy and yummy alternative to jam and cream/butter don't you think?

PS - Those that know me well will be shocked to discover that I have exchanged my morning coffee, for a tall glass of iced water! I know - you think I'm crazy especially if you have read this post. But fear not fellow coffee snobs, its coming up at morning tea time LOL!

From Blog Bits

One Confused Cat!

From Life

Please excuse the cobwebs, bore water staining and grubby blankets. We really do adore our puppies, it's not until you post a photo publicly that you realise these things though LOL!!!

PS the blankets are going in to the washing machine now!

From Blog Bits

The Cat's Out of The Bag!!!!!!!

I have some BIG news to share :):):):)

Check this post out

Yes, that's lil' ol' me right down the bottom of the post (that's what you get for having a surname starting with "W"). So, I just found out that I have made the 2010 Buzz & Bloom Design Team. I cannot tell you how excited I am. I'm just . . . . stoked!!!! I am also very humbled to be in such esteemed company. These girls are UBER talented.

It feels so good to share this with you, we found out nearly a week ago but hadn't been able to shre until it was announced on the Buzz & Bloom Blog. Funny though, I had to tell someone before I burst LOL So I called DH at work. I was so excited I couldn't quite get the words out. Of course DH's excitement level didn't quite match mine, so I thought I went with the "just think, I won't need to buy much B&B for the next year! " to which he replied "You don't tell me how much you spend on B&B!" Hmmm, possibly not the right angle.

Anyways, I cannot wait to get started! I having been having a love affair with Buzz & Bloom's gorgeous products for about . . . oooo I dunno . . . . forever, and they feature on just about every page/project of mine. I simply cannot get enough.

Oh, this is one of the projects I submitted in my application for the DT, and I wanted to wait until I heard the news (one way or the other) before I shared it.

From B&B 2010 DT Application

From B&B 2010 DT Application

From B&B 2010 DT Application

From B&B 2010 DT Application

From B&B 2010 DT Application

From B&B 2010 DT Application

From B&B 2010 DT Application

From B&B 2010 DT Application

From B&B 2010 DT Application

From B&B 2010 DT Application

From B&B 2010 DT Application

From B&B 2010 DT Application

From B&B 2010 DT Application

From B&B 2010 DT Application

Actually I was going to enter it in the B&B Tabbed Book Competition. Hmm, guess I won't be doing that LOL. There is still plenty of time to get an entry in though. Just imagine what could be done with $250 worth of B&B product!!!!

Thanks for stopping by and sharing my BIG news!

From Blog Bits

You're Invited!

I settled on a design for the little princess's birthday party invitaions. I am really pleased with how they turned out. I have to say though that they could be made a lot fancier, but as I knew they were going to bunch of 3 and 4 year olds, I decided to play it safe.

From Scrapping Stuff

From Scrapping Stuff

Please excuse the dodgy cloning job, but I have (for obvious reasons) taken out all of the personal info. But you get the idea right?

I had a bit of trouble finding templates for this kind of thing online, so I thought I would do a favour to anyone else looking for something similar.

Handbag Invitation Tutorial

Materials:

• Handbag Template
• A4 Cardstock (CS)
• Printer
• Ink (a few shades darker than CS)
• Trimmer/Scissors
• Hole Punch
• Scorer
• Pencil
• Co-ordinating Patterned Paper (PP)
• Glue
• Self adhesive Velcro (Hook & Eye) Dots
• Buttons
• Gel Pen
• Assorted decorative punches
• Co-ordinating Ribbon (approx 20cm)
• Assorted Embellishments for decorating

Instructions:

1. Print template onto wrong-side of cardstock. (You will notice that the printed lines are grey rather than black so as to be not so obvious in the completed project)
2. Cut out along solid lines
3. Punch holes as indicated on template
4. Score along dotted lines on wrong-side of cardstock
5. Fold along scored lines, so that right-side of cardstock is facing outwards
6. Ink all edges on right-side of cardstock (including folds)
7. Place PP face down on table. Line up straight side of semi-circle "flap" of template with straight side of PP closest to you (so that semi-circle is pointing away from you). Trace semicircle shape onto wrong-side of PP. Cut out just inside the traced line.
8. Adhere PP semi-circle to CS as per picture of completed project.
9. Apply glue to half of button. Adhere to centre of edge of flap, overhanging the edge with the "unglued" half of the button (refer photo)
10. Thread ribbon through one hole and tie a knot in the end. Thread through other hole and tie knot in other end of ribbon. This should now look like the handle of your handbag.
11. Apply Velcro (hook & loop) to underside of flap. This should now provide the closure for your handbag.
12. Decorate at your heart's desire! I have used a *nestabilities scalloped oval, which I have cut in half and layered underneath the "flap" of the handbag, before adhering the velcro.
13. Now all that remains is to do your to's and from's. You can use the square on the template as a guide for sizing.
    
    
    
    *These are another kind of embossing/die-cut that can be used in your cuttlebug.

Have Fun!!!!

From Blog Bits