A Few Randoms

Just a couple of cards and boxes I have been making lately; Thank yous for guest speakers at our upcoming church conference, some ideas for mothers day, 2 of the projects I demonstrated at my last Stampin Up Party and a few random cards and things.

Been playing around a bit with my camera, but haven't ventured past the auto settings. It's quite an intimidating piece of equipment, especially since seeing all the incredible photography skills of some of my fave bloggers (yes I am talking about you, Lou and Helen!)
Ironcially my favourite photos were not taken by me, but my hubby. I love them! Its rare to find any photos of yourself that you like, but these one's are special to me:

1. Because I am not wearing any make up and don't look anywhere near as hideous as I imagined! heehee

2. They are the first real pictures with my new nose stud. (It's kinda hard to see, but its there!!) I love that I got my nose pierced at 28. Have loved nose piercings for years, but now it is more about knowing who I am and letting it show rather than trying to find who I am, which is what it would have been had I done it when I first wanted it at 16.

3. My little girl tends to be a daddy's girl, so a lot of photos are of her and him, which is lovely; I am thrilled she has such a close bond with him and he is an incredible daddy, but it is also nice to see us connecting even more as she grows up. I love being a silly mum, one who gives a 30 second kiss until dad figures out how to work the camera, one who tickles at the last minute and jumps out to say Boo! when my daughter least expects it. I never want to forget to be silly. I think it does kids a whole lot of good.

He did it!

My husband is the sweetest. He has been making calls behind my back, sneaking around and telling porkies to me. How does this make him sweet, you ask?

Well it's all because he was planning something special.

Just for me.

He came in last night with a bunch of white roses and a card that told me to go to the car.

Bring in the yellow bag.

Brace myself

and prepare NOT to feel guilty.

(He knows me so well!)

So I did, and you know what he had done?

He had bought me my camera.

My beautiful, SLR Nikon D60, just the one I wanted. With an extra lense, beautiful case and massive memory card and just in time for a holiday we are taking with friends over Easter.

He is so beautiful. He has such a lovely heart and delights in seeing me happy. I am so blessed. Its not just about the camera, much as I love it. Its about his love for me and the way he went that extra mile to show he cared. Not just the camera, but the flowers and card. So thoughtful. So loving.

So I have gone from blurry, icky phone pics, to beautiful, bright, bold photos that capture my world. I am so estatic.

So here is a little sneak peak of my favourites today. They also highlight a lovely day I had with my good friend Edwina and her daughter, Talei, who is Hannah's favourite friend. We made icing flowers for cupcakes and watched the girls play, and tried to stop them eating all the icing sugar we had to keep sprinkling on the bench. Not very successful! Hannah came home on a sugar high, and crashed without dinner! But it was a lovely day and I am so excited to finally have my camera! I have the loveliest husband. On top of what he did, he actually sat through the whole stamping up catalogue with me as I excitedly pointed out all the products for 2009!

This is a very happy day.

Ok 2 things:

1. I am not so great at organisation and deadlines
2. I have decided that my 'Week of Homemade Goodness' was a business week... hehe

Just been too busy!! Will blog soon! xox

A Week of Homemade Goodness: DAY 5: Mini Journals with Case

So I was inspired to do this project on Saturday night: (my week of homemade goodness hasn't strictly been a week.... hehe) I saw a gorgeous little set of mini books in a case in the latest Creating Keepsakes magazine and it inspired me to make a set. I used an A4 exercise book and cut it into quarters. I then bound 2 of the pieces (the parts that were not cut next to the spine) using a simple pva method (can't remember where i found it- you basically peg the sheets together and smear a layer of pva over the loose edge, creating your own spine. Let dry and add another layer. Easy way to bind handmade books). Covered them all in pretty paper and used an old box, refolded and covered to house them. Problem is the box only holds 3 of the books (my measurements were a little out) Oh well, I still like them. They look pretty on my nightstand and each book has a different theme and title.
Beautiful Girl - A place to journal random snippets of Hannah's daily life; funny things that she has said or done.
Believe - A small journal to record verses, images or random little things God has been showing me
Favourite things - Maybe like a little gratitude journal, where I can record things I am enjoying in life at this time.
Dream - A place to record my goals and dreams for my future

A Week of Homemade Goodness: DAY 4: QUILT TOP

So this isn't a completed project yet, but I am very pleased with my progress. I made 12 of these squares a couple of years ago (I think they are Ohio Star- I can't remember) Anyway I struggled for ages knowing how to set them; (The perfectionist thing again) so they sat in a box under the bed. I am sick of clutter and sick of unfinished business. I've been reading Ecclesiastes lately and it has been speaking to me a lot. I found this verse which has challenged me to complete the loose ends in my life; whether it be a UFO or an unfinished task of any kind, I think that they clutter your mind and take away your ability to venture forward.

The verse is Ecclesiastes 7:8, it says 'The end of a thing is better than its beginning; The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. ' It has been speaking to me about how many things I begin in zeal but then fail to follow through with patience when the task gets difficult or uninspiring. I am praying for patience to finish the things of value, and wisdom to close or dispose of the things I should never have started.

Its time to declutter and free my spirit and creativity so that I can stay fresh, relevent and moving forward, not just in craft but in life. I am going to try to be wise in what I take on, and only do what I know I will follow through with and what I am meant to be doing.

SO I sewed these squares together and I bought the fabric for the borders, so I can finish it in the coming days. A finished quilt is a good quilt and of more value than a bunch of squares gathering dust under my bed!

A Week of Homemade Goodness: DAY 3: CARDS

Sorry I have posted these all at once; this one is from Thursday. Had a scrapping day at my sisters, so my creativity for the day was just these 3 cards. Made a cute little easter card for Hannah and I want to make a little basket for her so she can have her first real Easter Egg hunt this year. I am looking forward to setting a tradition. Do you guys have any Easter traditions?

A Week of Homemade Goodness: DAY 2: LAZY DAYS SKIRT

I have a small stash of unused fabrics under my bed, and I finally decided to do something with them. This Oliver and S skirt pattern is a complete cynch, even for the novice. I made it last night while hannah was in bed. I have had this fabric for ages and was going to donate it, but have decided to use a little first.

I like the vintage, hippy look of the mismatched fabric and ribbon and I am pleased to have used a 5 year old ufo; a beaded flower that I sewed for no particular reason, has now found a new home as a pocket. I am sure it will be filled with twigs and pebbles and dirt soon enough. It is a bit big for hannah, as I just geussed the measurements but it will be fine for next summer. Can you believe I actually slid it on Hannah's little sleeping body so I could see what it looked like on! It feels so good to use a ufo, even a little one. I am completely inspired to go through my whole box and finish them all off. But I remind myself, baby steps!