anita meade - simple.creative.life

Making Merry Monday #7

 

Here's my Making Merry Monday card for the week. It is very crisp and clean, and in much more traditional colours than my other Christmas cards lately. My hubby will like this one!

Here's what I have used:

Cardstock:Whisper White

Ink: Real Red, Hansome Hunter

Stamps: Christmas Classics, Many Merry Messages

Ribbon: 1/4" grosgrain in Real Red

Other: red brads, Stampin' Dimensionals

    That it! I've dry embossed two straight lines above and below the ribbon....they might be a little hard to see in the picture. Embossing always adds such a classy touch to a card I think. And it is so easy to do.

    Anyway, it's short and sweet today as the boys and I are about to jump in the car and drive up to Myrtleford today. I had better get moving.....I'm sure Mum & Dad will be eager to see the boys. Tomorrow I will return home to spend some lovely alone time with my beautiful hubby. Thanks for stopping by today. I will be back online next week. Have a great week.

                                Love Anita. xxx

School holiday update......coping with the wintery weather.

    Firstly we were sick and I wasn't up for blogging. Now it is school holidays and my time and energy are occupied with keeping my little boys busy and happy. We have had a couple of play dates and a few DVDs as the weather hasn't been wonderful. Don't tell their friends, but the boys sat down with me to watch one of my all-time favourite movies today - Mary Poppins. I love that movie so much. I wasn't sure how it would translate to the kids of today, but I think they both enjoyed it.  It is a long movie - 2 1/4 hours......such a long time for kids to sit still. Neither of them got bored or distracted or wandered off.  All the singing and dancing, and just the whole 'fantasy' aspect of this classic kept them completely entertained.

                           

               

              

You can see a little snippet of this fabulous movie here. (I tried to embed the YouTube clip but it wasn't working for me....not sure why.....)

    Just wanted to let you know that although there hasn't been much going on around here lately, I haven't forgotten my blog. Lots of blog posts have been whirling around in my head but few of them make it onto the computer! Partly I haven't really been taking photos much lately, and I know how boring a blog post can be without photos!

    Next week my boys are going on a little holiday to stay with my Mum and Dad for a few days.

Here they are with Mum and Dad, respectively earlier this year - I didn't have a recent photo of the four of them together to show you....

 

    It will be lovely to have a break, and to have some peace and quiet, but I know I will miss them. I think it will be good for all of us though. Dan and I haven't had any time alone as a couple in such a long time. We may even try to get away together for a night. A good marriage takes work and nurturing and I feel that I haven't been giving as much as I could to nurturing our relationship lately. Just spending time as a couple - enjoying each others company, going out for dinner, or for a walk or a drive....you know...just talking and reconnecting. I'm looking forward to that.

    I'm also planning on taking some time out to do some thinking, organising and planning. I have been a little lost lately. Not sure where I want to direct my time and energy. I have so many projects I'd like to tackle and I am in danger of doing nothing at all, because I don't know where to start. Sometimes disorganisation can be paralysing. I need to use my child-free week to make some sense of where I am at right now. I know all this sounds a little vague, but I just have a feeling I need to take some time to reprioritise a few things. I know that this type of introspection is very nourishing for me....I need to do it every now and then in order to feel like I'm living my life the way I want to be. After all, life is not a dress rehearsal.

    So I'm thinking that I will probably be absent from this blog for most of next week. I will have a Making Merry Monday card for you (on Monday of course) but that may be my only post for the week. I'm sure you'll understand my need for a little break. I intend to be back to regular programming, hopefully with a few things sorted out in my head, once the kids are back at school.

    Thanks for you patience. I hope your school holidays (if you have them at your place) are going well. Thanks so much for taking the time to visit. I appreciate you stopping by. See you soon.

                                      Love Anita. xxx

Making Merry Monday #6

  

Hi everyone and welcome to my MMM#6 post. I have reverted back to my favourite Christmas colour combo again. This time it is Soft Sky (retired) and silver. Here's what I've used:

INGREDIENTS:

Cardstock: Soft Sky

Ink: Silver encore

Stamps: Christmas Classics, Best Yet

Other: Silver embossing powder, Silver cord (retired), Kaiser rhinestones, large oval punch

Again, simple, simple, simple! But the colours make it elegant and the "bling" gives it a little something special. My hubby isn't keen on these "non-traditional" Christmas colours. He thinks Christmas cards should be red and green and gold and white. What do you think? Are you a traditionalist or do you like an alternative twist on your Christmas creations? Thanks for visiting today. Have a wonderful Monday and a great week to come. Love Anita. xxx

Non-paper inspiration.

    Just wanted to stop in this morning and let you know that I haven't forgotten about you! As I mentioned in my last post we have dealing with our fair share of winter sickness in this household. It just keeps going around and around.....just when I think we're coming out of it, one of us takes a dive again. It's nothing serious....just your garden-variety winter ills, but it is challenging nonetheless. The kids are officially on school holidays. Hopefully they will be well enough to enjoy them soon.

     Due to the lack of productivity around here I have only a couple of things to show you today - I finished these a couple of weeks ago, before the sickness descended on our household! More baby stuff.....I think the white and pink hat might need a flower attached too. What do you think?

       

     

    

    As I haven't been doing much actual crafting, I thought I'd share some lovely blogs I've recently discovered. I am seriously entrenched in my fabric and yarn obsession at the moment, and these blogs are fuelling that obsession. I am also enjoying reading about simplifying our lifestyle, and toying with the idea of rejuvenating our garden this spring. All in all, these are homely, nesting-type days filled with comfort food, keeping warm and dry, and nurturing my family and home.

    Here are a few if my favourites at the moment, for your Sunday reading pleasure:

Down to Earth  - this delightful blog by Aussie Rhonda Hetzel is about simple living, home-keeping and lots of other  loveliness relevant to the challenging times we are facing at the moment. I have found lots of pearls of wisdom here.

My Sewing Serenity -  A pretty blog about sewing, gardening and other homely type things by US blogger Cathleen. This blog is such a visual treat to visit.

Lucy Bowler - I linked to Lucy's blog last week when I handed out a blog award. Just wanted to remind you to visit her......you'll be glad you did. Lots of beautiful stuff and inspiration here.

Feeling Stitchy - An embroidery blog by various artists. Some of the stuff here is downright bizarre but there is lots of inspiring pieces to see as well.

dear fii - Aussie blog full of crafty, stitchy goodness.

Attic24 - Lots of crochet inspiration and information to be discovered here. Bright, beautiful colours in her work.

Amazing Mae by Tracie. Fabric and sewing amongst lots of other beautiful creative stuff.

    There are oodles more that are occupying my time right now, but I will save some for another day......I don't want to overload you!

     Oh papercrafting mojo! Where have you gone? I am hoping you will come and visit again soon (at least before my next Making Merry Monday post tomorrow). But isn't it nice to be inspired by other crafts? It really keeps the creative passion flowing......and that is such an important part of my life. Hope you enjoy browsing these blogs. Have a wonderful Sunday. Love Anita. xxx

Sick kids, and finding the value of being a SAHM.

    Well the dreaded lurgy (or a combination of a couple of them) has hit our household. On Sunday poor Corey spent the day vomiting. It was so hard to watch him suffering. Fortunately it was a 24 hour sickness and he is now back to his normal cheerful self.

    This morning my big boy, Jayden, woke up saying he felt sick. I wasn't sure if I was being conned - he just didn't look as pastey white as he usually does when he is sick. I suggested that some breakfast might help him feel better. He only managed a tiny nibble of his Vegemite toast and then retired to the couch. Right now he is cuddled up under a blanket resting. He doesn't even have the TV on - which is a sure sign he's not well.

    I had planned on having two of my girlfriends over for lunch today, but I have just cancelled those plans. We will have to reschedule our "ladies lunch" for another day.

    Any you know what? I am completely fine with that. I was just pondering the fact that I am blessed to be able to be at home with my sick child when he needs me. I don't have to worry about missing work. I don't have to send him to school and hope he'll make it through the day OK. I don't have the guilt of not being here for him when the only person he wants is his Mum. This is an important job.

    I have struggled with letting go of my work-life. Being a nurse was the only thing I had ever done. My health challenges of the last couple of years have forced me to slow down and change my life. One of the changes I have struggled with most of all this year is in finding my value as a housewife and Mum. Don't get me wrong, I knew that this was an important part of my life, I just didn't expect it to be my ONLY job. But to do it well, it IS actually a full-time job. I'm still working on the balance. I have lots of things I need to work on to get this home-keeping job under control. But I have realised that being available to my kids when they need me most is absolutely priceless. It is worth more than any pay-cheque.

    I'm off to check on my boy now. Thanks for stopping by. Love Anita. xxx

Making Merry Monday #5

Hi everyone....it's me  - running late again! This weeks card showcases the completely stunning "Holiday Treasures" DSP - I am just in LUUURRRVE with this patterned paper. The colours in the range are Chocolate Chip, Baja Breeze, Old Olive and Riding Hood Red. Could there be a lovelier combination I ask you?  Here's my card.....

 

And here is a list of what I've used:

INGREDIENTS

Stamp set: Cute and Curly

Cardstock: Baja Breeze, Old Olive, Riding Hood Red.

Ink: White Craft ink.

Patterned Paper: Holiday Treasures DSP

Ribbon: Baja Breeze

Other: White embossing powder, scallop border punch, dimensionals, curly label punch

This card is easy, easy, easy to make. Simple layering of stunning papers and elements that all coordinate PEFECTLY (have I mentioned that's what I love so much about Stampin' Up! products?)

While I had the craft ink and embossing powder out I did about 8 of the Merry Christmas labels so I will have them ready to go for other projects. How is your card stash coming along?

That's all for now. Come back and visit again soon for more craftiness. Have a very Merry Monday. Love Anita. xxx

Creations using Sandie's daisies.

Well I got around to using some of the new "natural" coloured string daisies which my lovely friend Sandie Downey gave me on Friday at Paperific. I thought I'd post them for you to check out today.

In the first one, I was inspired by Sandie's bright, happy style and even challenged myself to use my least favourite colour - orange (Tangerine Tango actually). In spite of it's "orange-ness" I'm pretty happy with this card. It was fun to create. The "stamped" spots below the ricrac were simply made with a sponge dauber and tangerine ink. The orange spots above the ricrac are just 1/2" circles punched out of the same cardstock as the background and adhered with mini glue dots. I coloured the string holding my button in place with a tangerine ink, again using a sponge dauber. The stamp set is from the "curly label punch bundle".

 

In the second card I did away with the orange and stuck to a classic combo - kraft, blue (bayou) and white. I have had this jumbo white button in my stash for ages and this seemed like the perfect card to use it on. The stamp set I have used is "Lovely Labels".

 

This card is much more "in my comfort zone". Simple design, symetrical, clean and neat and NOT orange! lol! But I had fun making both these cards. If you'd like to get some of Sandie's super-fun daisies, pop over to her blog for details. I think these natural coloured ones work so well with kraft cardstock - in fact, because they are a neutral colour they would work with any colour scheme. I love 'em! Thanks Sandie.

That's it for today folks. My littlest boy has a nasty tummy bug and needs his Mummy, so I'm outta here for now. See you tomorrow for Making Merry Monday number 5.

Thanks for stopping by today :) Love Anita. xxx

Paperific? It was terrific!

Yep terrific! Even though it was smaller than previous years, even though it took me an hour to get there, even though my buddy Erica had to stay home because of her sick kid :( ,  even though I was conscious not to blow the bank.......even with all that, it was a super, terrific, fantastic day.

Why was it so great? Because of these gorgeous girls - Jo Mitchell and Sandie Downey.....my cyber-friends who I finally met "in real life".

              

We chattered away like we lived around to corner from each other, like we have coffee together every other day. We chatted about families and work and craft and lots of stuff that friends chat about. We know about each other because of blogland. I care about these girls. They are both genuine, down-to-earth, warm people - not to mention very talented papercrafters.They have been one of the great gifts that have come from me having this blog. To meet them in person was an absolute delight.....I hope we can get together again soon. It was great to meet Jo's daughter Hayley too....how nice to have a Mum & daughter day out at the papercraft expo. You can read more about their day on Jo's blog - Hayley was quite overwhelmed by what was served up for her lunch! Thanks for taking this photo Hayley. We really appreciate it :)

Sandie brought us along some of here super-cute paper-string daisies. Thanks so much Sandie. I am on a mission to use at least one of them in a creation today! Check back tomorrow to see how I went.

Here are a couple of things that caught my eye yesterday (these were at the stand of "Karen's Scrappin' Kupboard"), but to be honest, I was too busy socialising and shopping to take many photos!

I bought a few Cuttlebug embossing folders.....even though I don't have a Cuttlebug. Sandie suggested buying them and then I would just HAVE to get the Cuttlebug itself! Love her logic! Luckily I have a gift voucher from my LSS to spend (thanks Mum and Dad) so I know what it will be going towards.

So as you can see, it was a fantastic day, mostly because of my beautiful friends. It has definitely stirred up my papercrafting inspiration (which has been AWOL for a while now - LOL!) Hopefully I'll have something to show for it soon. Thanks for stopping by. Hope you're having a great weekend.

                                         Love Anita. xxx

Blog fun, Paperific, and a present for my nephews!

I have had a lovely blog award bestowed on me by my mate Sandie Downey. I am looking forward to meeting Sandie for the first time "in real life" on Friday at Paperific. So looking forward to giving her a "real" hug....she has become a very special cyber friend. Can't wait Sandie!

Here's the blog award Sandie gave me:

                                 

Thanks so much Sandie. You've made my day today :)

Here are the rules-1) Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award, and his or her blog link.

 

2) Pass the award to 6 other blogs that you’ve newly discovered. Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award. If you can't pass it on to 6 just pass it on to as many or as few as you like!

 

So I'm passing this award onto the following people

 

Erica (who has just come back to blog-land...make her feel welcome!)

Christine

Fiona

Jo

Shannon

Lucy

Sandie has also tagged me this week. It's the "8 things game". I've seen this on a few blogs lately and I always love to have a quick snapshot into fellow bloggers lives.

I have to answer these questions and then tag 8 other bloggers, so here goes.....

8 Things I Look Forward To:

Fun with friends at Paperific on Friday.

Warmer weather!

Seeing my sister and mum in the school holidays.

"Uni girls nite" once a month.

Going on a "date" with my beautiful hubby (only happens a couple of times a year!)

Being fit and healthy again some day soon.

My first cup of coffee in a quiet house after school drop off.

Cuddles on the couch with my boys.

8 Things I Did Yesterday:

School drop off and pick up

Talked to my sister on the phone

Crocheted some pretty flowers

Spent time on the computer blog-hopping and ebaying.

Washing

Cooked some potato and zucchini fritters to have with our fish for tea - yum

Went for a walk

Avoided doing any housework! (apart from a load of washing)

8 Things I wish I could Do:

Pop over to my sister's or my Mum's for coffee at any time (they live 3+ hours away)

Have no financial worries (I wish!)

Be well (I'm working on it!)

Have a job that was a joy to go to every day, and never felt like work

Eat all the yummy things I love and not have to worry about the consequences :)

Be a fantastic singer.

Shop for clothes and have everything look fabulous!

Be more organised.

8 Things Or Shows I've Watched Lately:

Homemade

Ellen

The worlds fastest Indian

Football (Tigers vs West Coast)

Masterchef

Desperate Housewives

Brothers and Sisters

60 minutes

As for tagging some other bloggers, the six ladies I've given the award to above can consider themselves tagged. Anyone else who would like to play along is most welcome (send me a link if you do).

If anyone is heading out to Paperific this Friday and would like to catch up for coffee, shoot me out an email and we'll arrange to meet up. Should be lots of fun - plenty of papercrafting goodness for all!

Finally today, I wanted to share something I popped in the mail for my gorgeous nephews Jack and Cooper on Monday - a cosy crocheted beanie each and a little card from their Aunty Neeta.

 

 

Come back and visit again soon for some more crafty fun! Take care and happy Wednesday to you. Love Anita. xxx

Making Merry Monday #4

    Merry Monday everyone! My apologies to those who have popped in earlier this morning....I am running a little late with todays' MMM post. I actually made these cards on Saturday evening, in the company of my crafty little man Corey - while Daddy and Jayden watched the footy on TV. I forgot to photograph them in the daylight hours on Sunday, so I'm just getting to it this morning. Anyway here they are for you. Very different from my last two MMM cards, as predicted. They use the gorgeous "Christmas Classics" stamp set. I've combined it with blue and silver (one of my favourite colour combos - especially for Christmas) and a bit of "bling".

 

   The string from which the ornament is "hung" is actually silver cord. I pre-pierced the holes and then backstitched through the holes with the cord.

 

Here's a closer shot of the sentiment stamp, which is from the Level 1 hostess set "Best Yet". I've stamped it in Silver encore ink and embossed it with Silver embossing powder, for a lovely shine.

 

 

The next shot shows how I've popped up the layers on the tree with dimensionals. To achieve this look I actually stamped the tree four times - once on the base card and three times on scrap cardstock which I cut out in smaller increments to make the three layers. I'm really happy with how it turned out. Just a little bit of dimension gives the card extra interest.

 

So here's a rundown of what I've used:

INGREDIENTS:

Stamp sets: Christmas Classics, Best Yet (hostess)

Cardstock: Baja Breeze, Blue Bayou (retired), Very Vanilla

Ink: Baja Breeze, Silver Encore

Other: Silver cord (string on ornament - retired), Kaiser self-adhesive rhinestones, Silver embossing powder, Stampin' Dimensionals, scallop border punch, two-way glue (to adhere sections of tree), snail adhesive, Crystal effects (top of ornament where "string" attaches).

Thanks for visiting today. Hope you've been able to get some crafting done over the weekend. Leave me a link to your blog (or you can email me a photo) if you've got some new creations for show-and-tell. I'd love to see them, and share them with my readers. Have a wonderful start to your week. I'll see you again soon.

                                Love Anita. xxx