I'm back and rearing to go.

All exams are marked and all marks are entered into the computer at school. Doing a little happy dance right now - I thought I would never finish!
My DH came home on Wednesday and asked if I could make a card for somebody at work's mothers 60th birthday. Sure, no problem dear. What colour? What is she like? Must I make an old lady card or is she young and hip and happening? Has she got a sense of humour? Can I make a funny card? (I was thinking one of my Bugaboo images - you know the 'whats one more frigging candle?' one). The answer? Yes you guessed it. A true to form, male answer. I don't know, just make a card, I am sure it will be fantastic. (Bless his heart, he thinks everything I do is wonderful)
So, off he went yesterday with my album of photo's of some of my cards. Came back and told me: She likes this stamp, but she likes the colour on this one and she would like a butterfly, geez woman, I never knew that people could be that difficult! LOL You would think he would know, seeing he has a wife, three daughters and two granddaughters!

Here is the card. She wanted one with tags, so that the whole family (all 27 of them) could sign the card and write their own messages. The stamp is a local one, bought a while ago and has no manufacturers name on anywhere. I coloured her with my Copics and cut her out with my Nestie. The cardstock is Bazzil and the paper is by Prima (Love those). I found the butterfly at a very small Chinese shop and bought a whole lot of them - they are made from feathers. The flower was handmade by me (yay me, I actually managed it!) and the charm is from the same little Chinese store.

This shows the inside pocket with some of the tags. I had to add another, slightly smaller pocket to hold all of the tags. It is actually raised a little, like a box, but there was no time for a photograph after I finished it last night. The edge was done with a Martha Stewart punch.

The other side of the inside. Very plain, but it looks really nice. I am quite pleased with the outcome and hope she likes it.

Will have to go look if my cards fit any challenges.

Have a great weekend everybody. For us its a long week end and I have no marking (did I tell you that? I am finished with my marking!!!), so I am planning some serious cardmaking and even scrapping (that Soccer City LO) this weekend.

I'm still here!

Sorry for being missing in action. I am around, but life is crazy at the moment.
First my internet line was down for a few days - now I know for sure that I am addicted to visiting all of you every day. It was terrible, but, I live in Africa, so cables will be stolen from time to time and then replaced in African time LOL Not good for somebody like me that likes to have everything done yesterday.
I haven't had time to do any crafting. (Sorry Audrey, no competition page either) Busy marking exam papers - so not a good idea to let kids write exams straight after a 5 week holiday! The marks are SHOCKING!!! I think I might just have a heart attack before I am done. Should be tomorrow, because the marks have to be in by Thursday!
My wonderful, bright,amazing boy took pity on me and helped me design a World Cup page - needed it to look like Soccer City and I just could not get the picture in my head onto paper. I knew that all the money we payed for his architectual studies would come in handy one day. Helps that he is the only one in my family that really gets me too.
Gotta run, still have about 30 papers to mark. Hopefully I will be back soon.

New kid on the block.

I got a message from Melanie the other day, asking me to please contact her. Didn't know what it was about, but you know me, too nosey to ignore it - well, I NEEDED to know what it was about, didn't I? Am I glad that I responded? She is opening up a new digi shop ( http://www.digistamps4joy.com/ ) and she wanted me to have a look and to try out some of the images. She has some great images and I immediately coloured some of them. There are two more waiting to go onto cards, so watch this space.
Its Ankie's birthday tomorrow and I needed a card for her. The Gwendoline image was perfect!

I used my Copics to colour her. All Cardstock is Bazzil and the dp is from Teresa Collins. The flower is from Prima and the Sentiment was a freebie from TLC - you have to visit Paulette, she must be the most generous person in the business - she offers freebies every day (yes, you read it right, freebieS EVERY day) ( http://createwithtlc-createwithtlc.blogspot.com)
This is the inside of the card. I made a pocket, because she just wanted money for her birthday this year. Of course that is not all she is getting, you have to have an actual present, don't you?

I am planning on surprising her tomorrow morning very early. You can't wake up on your birthday all alone. I took the morning off from school and I am driving through to her flat at 5 o'clock. Taking her for breakfast and then going back to school.

Have a great rest of the week everybody and remember to check out Melanie's new store and give Paulette a visit too.

Random cards and thoughts.

Those of you that visit regularly will know that I am totally addicted to Mo Manning's images.Her images are just so life like and they are a pleasure to colour too! I have spent most of the little free time I had this weekend colouring her new Christmas images - cards will follow soon (I hope! LOL)
The next card was made with Bazzil cardstock and the dp is from Upikit, a local company. The pearls are from Paola. Ribbon, feather and bling from my stash. The sentiment is from a freebie set I picked up somewhere and true to form, I have lost the link. Sorry!

The next card is another freebie that I got from Mo's. Isn't she just too gorgeous for words. She reminds me of Tertia-Lee's friend Danielle. That hair is just too much - Tertia-Lee wanted to know from her mom whether she would grow hair like Danielle's if she ate more vegies. LOL Mom told her she didn't think so, but it wouldn't hurt to try. Taught my girls well don't you think?
The card uses paper from Fabscraps, another local company. Bazzil cardstock,punched with a Martha Stewart punch, Prima flowers and the image was coloured with my Copics and given a generous helping of Stickles.Two decorative pins and another one of the freebie ticket set and thats it.

Now for my random thoughts. A lot has happened in our lives recently and I am still trying to make some sense of it. Ankie has started her teaching prac and is loving every minute of teaching. So grateful to all at the school where she is for making her feel so welcome and helping her so much.

My son has been working very long days , sometimes having to be at work at 2 in the morning, trying to meet deadlines, only to be dissapointed by others who don't understand the importance of a deadline. He is fighting off a cold, which I think has more to do with a lack of sleep than anything else.

Both my older girls are pregnant and it was confirmed last week that Daniela is having a little boy. Can't wait to meet little Liam and to find out who his cousin is going to be. Karin found a job - thank you God for providing a job.

One of my best friends' father died on Friday. I am very sad and can't imagine a world without Oom Daan. Still see him walking around the neighbourhood in shorts and a T-shirt in the middle of winter. he was a very special man and will be missed.

I am in the middle of marking exams and think I might just give up on teaching all together! The girls did not open a book to study during the holidays. Either that, or I am the world's worst teacher - How do you get 14% for an exam?

Lots more happening, but they are things I am not yet comfortable talking about, so when I have thought about it some more, I will share, thats if my ramblings don't bore you to death.

Kenny K and 2Sketches for you Challenges

I think mr. Blogger has caught the African bug! He is on slow strike today. Took me 4 tries to upload my photo's. I have been very productive these last few days since school started. Had 8 cards to photograph today. Do you think it could have something to do with the fact that the girls are writing exams and I should be marking papers? Amazing how I just HAVE to craft when I should actually be working.

For the first card I used the challenge sketch over at the Kenny K Challenge blog (http://kennykkraftygirlzchallenges.blogspot.com/) I loved working with the sketch, but I think it is the rebel in me that made me do a boy card. When I saw those flowers on the sketch, I just HAD TO replace them with buttons. The image was the first freebie I got from Kenny and I just love him. Cardstock is Bazzil and the dp is from a local company Art at heart. I coloured the image with my Copics and cut it out with a Nestie. The edges of the cardstock was punched with my Martha Stewart punch and the buttons are from my stash. The sentiment is also a freebie but I can't find the link right now, if you know who created it, PLEASE leave me a message so that I can give credit where it is due.For the next card I used the sketch at the 2s4u blog ( http://2sketches4you.blogspot.com) I am in the process of making a whole set of cards using this mini Tilda from the Spring club kit. Isn't she adorable? A lot of work to colour, glitterify and put on pop dots, but worth it I think. The cardstock is Bazzil (are you surprised?) The images were coloured with my Copics and the wings were given a generous helping of Stickles. I punched the circles and cut the scalloped circles with my Cricut Expression. Clean and simple card, but I like it very much. This is definately a sketch that I will be using again.

A close up of the Tildas. Hoping you can see the stickles on their wings.

Have a great day everybody. I am leaving you to set next weeks exams, so wish me luck, or no, maybe you should wish my girls some luck. LOL

Magnolia-licious free standing pop-up card

I seem to be trying all sorts of new things lately. This is my first free standing pop-up card. It was actually a lot easier to do than it looks. I made it for the Magnolia-licious challenge. The challenge was set by the lovely and talented Suzanne Dean. (http://magnolia-licioushighlites.blogspot.com/2010/07/july-2010-dt-sketch-project.html)

I used the Tilda stamp that I won in her candy for this card. The cardstock is Bazzil and the dp is Making Memories. I used my Martha Stewart punch to punch around the image. The image was coloured with my Copics and the ribbon and flowers are from my stash. I have a feeling I will be making a lot more of these cards. My granddaughters are crazy about them!

The next card was made for the Birthday club at school. The stamp is from Flowersoft. I just love that bicycle, it reminds me of one my mom had. (Hers was red though and she only rode it once! Very funny story, will tell you some day) The Cardstock is Bazzil again and the dp is My minds Eye. I just love those papers, its got glitter. Used Flowersoft for the flowers in the baskets and the ribbons are from my stash. Very simple card, but I like it.

A close up of the image, so that you can see the Flowersoft.

I am having trouble breathing the last few days, thats why I haven't been around much lately. School has also started so I am very busy too. Feeling a lot better today and hoping that the breathing will improve soon.

Have a great week everybody.

Kenny K's first challenge.

The first time I saw these Kenny K images popping up on blogs, I fell in love with them.They remind me so much of the kids I teach. So much attitude!(http://kennykkraftygirlzchallenges.blogspot.com/ )

The challenge calls for using pastels. I coloured my image with Copics. Cardstock is Bazzil and the dp is from EPC and Art from the heart. I cut the image out with a Nestie. The flower is by Prima and the ribbons are from my stash.

A closer view of the image. Tell me you don't just LOVE her! And Kenny's images are so easy to colour! What are you waiting for? Go and get some now.

Have a great weekend everybody. Lets hope the Springboks play a LOT better tomorrow and we don't have to hang our heads in shame again!