Three Male Birthday Cards

Hi Blogging Beauties,

I have been missing in action this week.  But I have been card-making like mad trying to get some orders done and I made a start on those wedding invites.  Then I was working lots and then this weekend I went to the Gold Coast for the weekend to catch up with my beautiful friends and they had a baby shower for me.  I only got home today, had a big sleep and then went into a cleaning frenzy trying to get the house in order for the week.

I am quickly showing you four fast male cards I made this week to get through some of my November birthdays.  The first one I coloured for one of my ex-students, Max, who lives on the Gold Coast.  The last three were printed digital images.

For my cousin Beau who loves Golf.

For my Brother-in-law Sam who is a farmer.

For my uncle Fred who is also a farmer.

I kept them all simple so I could make them fast!

I hope to catch up on Blogging comments tomorrow.

I hope you had a lovely weekend and wish you the best for the up-coming week.

Thanks for stopping by,

Alicia xx

Baby Bump Photo

Hi Blogging Beauties,

I finally got around to getting a Baby Bump photo this weekend for those of you who are interested.  This is me at 20 weeks.

We have chosen not to find out what sex the baby is.

I really wanted it to be a surprise...but my "gut feeling" is a boy.

Time will tell no doubt!

I hope to be back tomorrow with some card pics.

I have been making cards like crazy these last few days trying to catch up.

I'm off to work on the wedding invites I am making for a cousin...

Wish me luck!!

Alicia xx

Close Your Eyes & Make A Wish

Hi Blogging Beauties,

It is great to see everyone playing along in the Mad for Markers "Anything Goes" challenge this fortnight.  You still have a week to link up a Copic Coloured Creation.

I made this card for a friend for her birthday and I had a lovely time putting it together with colours I don't normally use - burgundy and gold.

I coloured with: 

Hair: E29, R46, E08, YR16

Skin: E00, E21, E11, E04

Pinks: RV21, RV23, RV34, RV29

Isn't she a sweetie...she has such a cute, innocent look.

I have spent today cleaning the house and having little naps.

(Trying to catch up on a busy week.)

Unbelievable how untidy our house gets with just two people.

I hope to catch up on all my comments tonight and hopefully make some cards.

I am supposed to be going to the Markets tomorrow but I think I want to stay home and make cards instead...I have heaps to do.

Have a great weekend.

Alicia xx

Hooray, it's Friday!!!

Hi Blogging Beauties,

This week has been hectic.  I have worked every day and so am behind in most things once again, but hope to catch up this weekend.  I took a cute picture of Tommy on the front porch to share with you.  He is growing up fast now. 

 I snatched some card making time earlier in the week and made this stash of birthday cards.  This is a Stitchy Bear Stamps image.  I chose it specifically because it did not need any colouring.  I just added a hint of colour on each card.  I needed cards quickly...am very behind in November b'days.

Kept, the black, white and one theme going with all of them.

Now I just have to get them off in the post.

We are having a family dinner tonight with my Grandad so I need to get moving.

Will be back tomorrow with my Mad for Markers post.

See you then : )

Alicia xx

Anything Goes Challenge at Mad for Markers

Hi Blogging Beauties,

There is a  fresh, new, fortnightly challenge over at Mad for Markers 

and the theme is Anything Goes.

I made this card for my cousin Caitlin who was sitting her HSC this term.

I wanted to let her know we were wishing her well and supporting her through her exams.

I used this cute little Some Odd Girl stamp called "Thinking Mae".

I purchased her through Sammi and you can buy her here.

The sentiment comes with the stamp.  Which I think is a great bargain for just $9.

She is fun and easy to colour.  Her hair is quite a simple style .

These are the Copics I used:

Purples: BV08, V17, V15

Skin: E00, E21, E11

Blacks: 100, C7, C5

Greens: G17, G05, Go2

Outline: C1

The papers were all out of my scrap drawer.  I added a lilac bow and some gems and glitter to finish it all off.

Are you going to join in our Anything Goes challenge this week?

No excuses really...link up a card or project you have made with Copics here.

I cant wait to see what you create!

Alicia xx

My October Candy Winner!!!

Hi Blogging Beauties,

It is hard to believe we are almost half-way through November already!!

Where do the days and weeks go??

This weekend flew by for me.  I sweated it out at the markets on Saturday, caught up with my cousin for a cool drink to hear all about her recent overseas adventures and then went out for dinner with family to celebrate my brother-in-law's girlfriend's birthday! Phew!! I was exhausted.

Today I just took things a little easier.  I am fertilizing our lawn at the moment to encourage it to transform from crispy yellow weeds to green, lush lawn.  I am monitoring it closely.  We have a very large lawn...probably equivalent to four standard backyards so it is hard to keep it all looking good.  When I lived here as a kid we would run around bare foot all the time and rarely get a burr.  Nowadays Ben and I dont go barefoot on the lawn...way too painful!! Drought and renters have meant that the lawn has really lost its quality, however I am determined to get it back to what I can remember it as.  Apparently, with this lawn fertilizer you should see results in two days.  Thankfully we had 2ml of rain this afternoon so the lawn and my recently planted pumpkins will hopefully get a little kick start.  I just have to pray that the sheep arent keen on a little pumpkin snack!!

Oh and I am so excited to tell you that on Friday I made ten Chrissie cards for myself to send out at Christmas.  I am so very proud of myself as I have never sent out a bulk load of hand made Chrissie cards before...I know, you are shocked...but it always seemed too hard.  But this year I am planing on sending out lots!!! Just need to make some more...they are a very simple design in red and white.  Will have to post photos later.

Anyway, you want to hear who the winner is dont you???

Well...the winner is....

Jessie

Congratulations!!! Jessie has been a follower of my blog for ages and she lives all the way over in Ireland.  So Jessie I will be in contact with you to get your address.

Thank you so much to everyone for entering.

I am getting some Christmas supplies together for my Nov/Dec candy.

I hope to post a photo this week.

Have a wonderful week everyone and take care.

Alicia xx

...And they lived happily every after...

Hi Blogging Beauties,

 I have been missing in action this week.

I have been busy working (teaching) and tutoring after school.

The days have been very hot and so as soon as it gets to 6pm I have been outside watering the gardens while Ben plays with the puppies.  He has taught Ellie and Tommy how to catch a frisbee.  They are very clever we think.

This card I made awhile back for my Mum to take to a Housewarming party.

It was for a retired couple.  The husband is a builder, but I think this will be their last house move.  Mum said the house was divine and the dinner party for 12 was perfect in every way.

My Dad said that each guest at the table had their very own miniature salt and pepper shakers!

I would have loved to seen some photos, of the food, the house, the table setting etc.

Anyway, Mum just loved the card and was happy she had a card and a present.  She said most guests just brought a bottle of wine, so she said that made her present look extra special.  She had gone to a bit of trouble finding the right gift from a lovely gift store we have in town called "The Lemon House".  Like many businesses around here they dont have a website so I cant link it up, but it is a really nice shop.

While I am in conversational mode tonight...I have missed you all...I thought I might share some photos.  Last weekend Mum and I went on a garden walk.  Annually they have a local garden competition where people submit their gardens, the judges judge them, they publish the winners in the local paper and then on a certain weekend you can go and view them.  I took a couple of photos that I thought were worth sharing.

This first one is two old ladders leaning up against each other with Peonie Roses (I think) growing all over.  I thought that was a little different and clever!

More beautiful roses climbing up a trellis.

And another rose.  They are in full bloom here at the moment and are looking amazing!

It was a very inspiring day.  My yard looked quite bare when we came home.  

But one can only handle so much garden I think!!

My vegies are going well, I have harvested and eaten broccoli so far.

But watering everything is getting tricky!

Well...enough of my rambling, thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a great week (for what is left of it).  I will draw my October Candy in the next few days so stay tuned!!

Alicia xx

Mad for Markers ~ Orange and Black

Hi Blogging Beauties,

I have been missing in action this week.

I worked every day and tutored every afternoon so I havent had time to "play" so to speak!

But the money will come in handy as I am saving up for a little trip to the Gold Coast soon to catch up with my old friends....and have a little shopping spree too!! Can't wait really!

I have made a bookmark for the Mad for Markers' Orange and Black challenge this week.

I made this for a little girl I tutor who went trick or treating on Halloween and dressed up as a witch.  I used scraps for this little project and some alphabet stickers and my white gel pen for some faux stitching.  I coloured it with:

Blacks: 100, C-7, C-5

Oranges: YR07, YR04, Y38

Hair: E29, E08, R27, YR16

Skin: E00, E21, E11, E04

Eyes: G17, G05, G02

Lips: R59, R46

Stick: E29, E37

 Sammi and her M4M store is at the Penrith Papercrafts Festival Show this weekend so pop on over if you live locally and stock up on Copics and Stamps.  Don't forget Sammi's Marker Mob are also available now as digis for great colouring practice.  Head on over here to check them out.

Before I leave you to try and catch up on emails, blogging comments, housework, washing, and a banana cake I want to make this afternoon ( I know I wont get all of this done, might have to employ some fairies to give me a hand!!) I thought I would share some recent pics of the puppies.  Tommy is growing everyday...and eating heaps.  Ellie continues to be very patient with him as he "plays" with her constantly.  They are very hard to get a photo of and this was the best we could get at the time.

Have a great weekend,

Alicia xx