R.I.P My Beautiful Nan

R.I.P my Beautiful Nan

Well today I type trying to see through the tears of my sadness at the passing of my Beautiful Nan!!! She passed away on Wednesday afternoon surrounded by her loved one's in her home (the only one that I have ever known). I'm still not sure what I want to write but thought I'd just type what popped into my head!! I don't really have any childhood memories with Nan that I can remember but I'll share with you what I can!!! Nan had 8 children and I remember there being a boys room and girls room in the house!! The rooms were not huge but in the girls room there was two bunk beds and I think when we stayed there we slept on the fold up beds at the end of the bunks!! As I remember it was a bit of a squeeze but that may not have been the case!! Also in the girls room I remember there being all the board games up above the wardrobes and I had a look in that room just the other day and all those games are still up there!! :) Another thing I remember was locking myself in the toilet (that is outside). I don't remember who or how I got out or if I just ended up opening the door myself but I do know that now when I use that toilet I do not lock the door!! LOL!!  Nan lives on a fair bit of land and I remember some of the animals she has had over the years - a sheep called BINGO, dogs, birds (of all sorts), turtles, cats, quails, chickens and ducks which she still has!! She has fruit trees all over the place and a wood pile that to me never went down!!! But Nan was always out chopping the wood right up until a few months ago when her health started to deteriorate!! Nan has always been a very independent woman as her husband (my Pa) died about 24 years ago (that may be wrong) She has always put others first and has always been very protective of her kids and grandkids!!! She never complained right throught her cancer treatments, always saying how good she was feeling and she did look fantastic. I was amazed each time I saw her, how well she looked. She didn't even complain towards the end when she was in pain, when she couldn't eat!!! We constantly asked her if she was ok, to tell us what she was thinking, if there was anything we could get and she constantly said no, she was fine... Even when my Auntie and I tried to sit her up a bit higher the other day we asked Nan if that felt better even though we knew we had only moved her a centimetre and she said yes she was fine until my Uncle walked in and he sat her up and she said AAAHHH that's better!!! We had a good laugh!!!
One of my fondest memories of Nan is her yummy cooking. She still has a wood fire oven and cook top and my two most favourite foods over the years were her roast potatoes and her Yummy apple pie!! I have her apple pie recipe but I've never ever been able to make it like Nan and I reckon it was all down to the oven and Nan's magic touch!!! If we had a family get together Nan would always make a couple of apple pies, it would be placed in front of me cos I always got to serve mine first and if there was any pie left then i would get offered it first!! And every now and then Nan would make an extra pie especially for me!!
Since Nan had been diagnosed with Breast cancer I made an extra effort to see her everytime I was in Geelong. I love calling in to see her and the boys loved seeing her and Uncle Antny too. Sometimes they were quick visits and other times we were there for a couple of hours even though the noise sometimes got to Nan (but of course just said "let them go - they're alright") I loved spending that time with Nan. I also loved the family get togethers nan organised twice a year just before Christmas and her birthday. It was nice catching up with the family some of who we don't get to see very often and just seeing Nan sitting back and taking it all in. I am going to keep these family get togethers going as I know Nan would love that. Family are very important to me as they were with Nan!!

My brother posted this poem on facebook the day nan passed away (which he found on the internet) but it was perfect for this solemn  occasion.

*God saw you getting tired
and a cure was not to be
so he put his arms around you
and whispered,
"Come to Me"

With tearful eyes we watched you
and saw you pass away
and although we love you dearly
we could not make you stay.

A Golden heart stopped beating
hard working hands at rest.
God broke our hearts to prove us
he only takes the best*

Nan I am going to miss you so much as will the boys!!! May you now rest and be with your parents, Pa and your two beautiful children Maureen and Jenny!!! I LOVE YOU NAN with all my heart!!!!!! xxxxxxx

EBWCB Feb/March Challenge

Hello and welcome to the February/March Challenge over at Elisabeth Bell's World Challenge Blog. Our challenge this time around is Stitches and Swirls!!!

I had no idea what I was going to make this challenge and to be honest wasn't sure I'd even get something made due to my Nan passing away but I found a magnet in my mailbox the day I decided to finally make something and thought it would be perfect!!!

I decided to use Princess Rosebud which is from the 2011 Fall Stamp Kit - Princess for 1 Day from Whiff of Joy (which I won last year). This is the first time I have inked up this stamp (I have so many that I have not inked up so trying to use them all at least once this year!!) I used magnolia paper for the background paper and inked around the edge. I did some faux stitching around the rose archway (which is also from the Princess for 1 Day) and added some swirls here and there!! To finish off the magnet, I added ribbon and rhinestones and flowers. I've stuck Princess Rosebud up on foam dots and added kindyglitz to her crown!! It turned out great I think and looks great on my fridge!!!
There are a couple of prizes up for grabs this month so head on over to the Elisabeth Bell's World Challenge Blog to see what you could win if you join in the challenge!!! You can use any Elisabeth Bell image from any of the number of stores she designs for... And if you haven't got any Elisabeth Bell images (then why not) head on over to her Digi store and purchase a few adorable digi stamps (cos you won't be able to stop at just one).
Thanks for stopping by!!

Mad for Markers 2nd Birthday Celebrations

If you are looking for the Digi Bell's Blog Hop then Click HERE

Hi all, just wanted to let you know that Mad for markers are celebrating their 2nd Birthday with month long celebrations starting today!!!! So why not join in the fun over on the Store Blog
 and their Facebook Page.

Digi Bell's February Blog Hop - Lots of Lace

Hello and welcome to the Digi Bell's February Blog Hop. We have a super cute image to introduce to you today and I just know you are going to head straight over to Elisabeth Bell's digi store to buy it .

If you have arrived here from Rose's Blog then you are on the right track but if you are just here visiting then you need to head back to The Digi Bell's Blog and start the hop from there. So I guess you would like to see the new image Elisabeth Bell has designed, well hold onto your hat because you'll be blown away.

I INTRODUCE to you

"ON CUPID'S CLOUD"

I know you are saying AAWWWWWW! I still say it every time I see this image! Elisabeth has once again designed a stamp that is just heavenly!!

So I created this heavenly card!!!

I created my own background using a Kaszazz stamp and stammped a couple of extra hearts to layer them above the image!! I coloured the image in with Tria markers, shimmer chalks and glitter pens, then added some lace above and below the image! I've also distressed around the edges of all the papers. I coloured an extra cupid in so that I could 3D it and to finish off the card I used this Love sentiment I got from Whimsy stamps!!!

Would you like the chance to win this adorable image? Then all you have to do is leave a comment  on EACH  of the DT's/GDT's blog. You will have until March 2, 2012 at 9 AM to leave comments. The winners will be picked and posted to the Digi Bells Blog on Saturday March 3, 2012.

The second way to win will be to do the hop leave comments and then to make a card with the theme " Lots of Lace" and post it on the Digi Bell's Blog. You can use ANY Elisabeth Bell image as long as you link it back to the store you bought it from. This will also end on March 2, 2012 at 9 AM Arizona Time and the winner will be posted on the Digi Bell's blog the next morning. (Saturday March 3)

Now it's time to head on over to Linda's Blog and let her wow you with her beautiful creation!! If you get lost along the way head on back to The Digi Bell's Blog for a full list of Blog hop stops

I am entering this card into the following challenges:
* Belle's n Whistles - Love and Hearts
* Crafting for All Seasons - Love is in The Air
* Diva's by Design - Wings and Things
* Elphine House - Hearts
* Flutterby Wednesdays - Anything with Wings
* The Sisterhood of Crafters - Valentine's
* Stampavie and More - Love
* Creative Stamp Friends - Valentine
* Hooked on Crafts - Hearts
* Lexi's Creations - Love
* Ooh La La Creations - Be My Valentine
* Stamp and Create - Valentine's /Love
* Creative Inspirations Paint - Hearts
* The Craft Place - Love is All Around
* The Squirrel and the Fox - Valentine's Day
* Allsorts - Anything Goes
* One Stop Craft Challenge - Create your own Background

An update on my Nan and PCJ Challenge - MAKE IT CUTE!!!

Sorry it's been awhile between posts!! I have been travelling down to see my Nan most days and with all the travelling I have been too exhausted to make cards... So Nan is finally home from hospital which is great news, she's looking well and comfortabe in her own bed in her own room. She still has a smile on her face and her sense of humour is still the same but i know that deep down she will not be with us much longer!!! The nurse was in last nightt to give nan her meds, give her a wash and get her ready for bed and she told us that her kidneys are starting to fail!! I know that she will be at peace and no longer in pain but I'm just not ready for her to go!!! I cry everytime I think about it or talk about it( so the tears are streaming down my face now). Nan has been the centre of our family all our lives and it saddens me to think that she will soon no longer be here!! So while she is still here with us I am taking the kids to see her as often as possible!! It scares me when I can't see her, like today, as I still have to live our lives and keep it as normal as possible for the boys. But I have cancelled a few things that I was doing so that I can spend a bit more time with her!!! So I will keep in contact with family members today to see how she is until I get down to see her on Friday!!

So onto challenge #3 at Paper Crafting Journey and this week our theme is Make it Cute. We are sponsored by Pink Cat Studio

And they have been kind enough to offer the winner of this challenge 5 digi images of their choice.

I had fun creating with these two pink cat studio images and even managed to make this card without following a sketch!!

I coloured the images in with tria markers and glitter pens! I used papers from my scraps stash and added, buttons, ribbon, rhinestones and the punched out stars to finish off the card!!

If you haven't already, then head on over to the PCJ blog to check out the CUTE DT cards!!

A heavy heart and a birthday!!

I had planned to make a card a night so I could post everyday but I've already failed cos I haven't made a card tonight. I've been busy chatting on the phone and on facebook keeping family informed about my nan who is slowly losing her battle with cancer!!! It is so hard to watch someone you love who has been so independent all her life slowly lose her independence!! It saddens me every time I see her, just a shadow of herself yet she still has this spark in her eye!! I visit her as often as I can but it's just not as often as I would like!! All I can do is let her know how much I love her!!
On a happier note, it's my friend's husbands 40th birthday today and although this card is late (again) I really love it and hopefully he does too!!!

I used 60's Stefan from Tickled Pink Stamps and coloured him in with tria markers. I think I started following a sketch ( but I can't remember from where) but i then went off on a tangent and this is how it turned out!! The papers are from Kaisercraft I think, i then just added the embellishments to finish off the card!! I inked around the cream CS with Walnut stain distress ink and the number 40 which I painted with adirondack paint.

I'm entering this into the following challenges:

* Tickled Pink Stamps - Anything Goes

* Allsorts  - Free and Easy

* Fussy and Fancy - Polka Dots

* Lilypad - Patterned Paper

* Crafty Ribbons - One for the Men or Boys

* Craft us Crazy - Anything Goes

* DYSU - Anything Goes

* Cute Card Thursday - Buttons and Bows

Check out this awesome giveaway!!

Just wanted to let you know about a fabulous giveaway I was directed to!!! (and so glad I was cos besides the awesome giveaway Bryan has going he has some amazing creations) :)
Anyway this is one of the prizes up for grabs in celebration of Bryan's Blog relaunch:

YOu won't want to miss this so head on over to his blog - Scrap Guy's Paper Crafting Adventures and be sure to tell him alethea from LiLo Designs sent you!!

Karita's Got Magnolia Candy!

Just thought I'd share this blog candy that Karita is offering!!

So head on over to her blog http://karitaandmagnolia.blogspot.com.au/2012/02/candy-time.html for your chance to win.

Super Quick Post with Li'Princess Tutu

Good evening, actually it's technically morning as it's just after midnight here and I really should be in bed as it's the start of the school week but I had to get this post done. I've been away all weekend and had taken all my craft stuff with me to get this made for my Digi Bell's DT post but I forgot two very important tools...my cutting mat and my cutter! So spent last night colouring Li'l Princess Tutu which you can get from Elisabeth Bell's Digital Collection and tonight (once I got home and got kids into bed) I've quickly put this bookmark together.

I coloured Li'l Princess Tutu in with Tria markers, used some Kaszazz papers and star ribbon then added some buttons, a charm and rhinestones!! I think this would be perfect for a little girl who loves reading!!!

Well I better get to bed!!!

SSSHHH , be very quiet....there's faeries in the garden!!!

Hello everyone and welcome to Challenge 2 at Paper Crafting Journey!!! Can you believe it's February already? Where has the last month gone? Well over the last two weeks we have seen some amazing Floral creations on the PCJ blog! Were you a winner? If you're not sure then head on over the the PCJ blog to find out!!
Well as you may have guessed from the heading this fortnights challenge is Fairies/Angels. And we are lucky enough to be sponsored by Deb from Emerald Faeries Garden.

Deb is a fellow Aussie and I absolutely adore her and her images she sells and as a result have them all!! So I had the hard task of choosing which one to use for this challenge. For one lucky person this fortnight Deb will be giving the winner their choice of two digi images!! You won't want to miss that!!!
Here is my card!!

I actually made this card using a sketch that I found on Feline Playful and also with the Emerald Faeries Garden challenge in mind but because I was so organised I made this card early but as I'm only posting it today I missed those challenges. I will still share this card on the Emerald faeries facebook page anyway. So I just used some papers from scrap stash, then just added buttons and some rhinestones!! The sentiment is also from Emerald faeries garden! I coloured this sweet little image of Ebony in with Tria Markers an I added Kindyglitz to her wings!!

Well I have to get back to getting my son's school stuff ready for his first day back at school and try and get a reasonable nights sleep before having to get up early in the morning!!!

Head on over to PCJ if you haven't already to see what my other teamies have created!! You won't be disappointed!!!