On Angels Wings

Last week I was driving the school bus, I'm a relief driver for the school.

I love driving the bus, it is a 12 seater and the kids a fantastic bunch of kids.

It means my days are long with an early start, I'm at school for 7.50am to pick up the bus from school I go towards Pleasant Point and pick one girl them in to Temuka where I pick the most of the other kids then the last stop is in Washdyke to pick up the last girl. Then it is all done in reverse after school, it is about a 90ks a day (morning and afternoon).

I have to be super organised with lunches and kids etc, but it is so worth it, driving at this time of year on a clear and crisp morning with the views of the mountains, they are just breath taking.

God's creation is so magnificent, and you can't help but praise him.

Last Wednesday afternoon after I had dropped most of the kids in Temuka, then I was on my way to drop the last girl off and something went wrong with the bus.

Now I'm no mechanic I knew it was a wheel, so I pull over and check the tyres, no flats so I decide to crawl to the drop off house about 3k away, I go inside and talk to the Dad (he knows about cars) and I get him to have a look and he takes it for a drive and he tells me that he thinks it fine to drive back into town but it will need looking at because something isn't right.

So anyway I drive it back into town, I drop Samuel off at Keas because we are late by now, then I go back to school.

The noise coming from the bus a real grinding noise and the feel of it was very frightening, when I finally got back to school there is smoke coming out from around the front drivers side tyre.
Anyway what had happened was a wheel bearing had blown and it had destroyed the axle and nobody knows how I got home, the wheel is so lose, there must have been angels with us as we came home.
So the bus is still parked up at school awaiting parts to arrive so it can be fixed.

So Last Thursday after been so busy (Mon, Tues and Wed) and with the bus, I just blobbed on the couch.

I finished reading 'Good Woman' by Danielle Steele then I started reading 'The Luck One' by Nicholas Sparks, knitted some of Darian's jersey, chatted online to fellow crafter. Just a lazy day.

 Friday afternoon at school we have started (last Friday was the first) a communtity craft and coffee group, we met in the library, we bring our current projects. I'm looking forward to this Friday, it's a great way to get to know other parents.
On Saturday Savannah had her first Netball game of the season in the pouring rain, then I when to church to help make mother's day gifts for our mother at mainly music, we made wee posies but as crafty as I am, I can't do flowers so the others arranged while I covered the oasis, I did also made some flowers out of curling ribbon and net for the girls to place in them.
Sunday I had a great Mother's day, breakfast in bed, then we went to church. The family cooked all the meals and I had control of the remote and I watched 'Sound of Music' I love it and I sing along much to my family disgust. 

I haven't done a lot of crafting or should I say papercrafting this week, my craftroom flooded on Saturday evening in the heavy rain that we had, it wasn't too bad and we had pulled up the carpet and got everything off the floor.
But now I have to get in there and sort it out before I can create again, I did do a little bit today, so I hope to be all by sorted tomorrow.
So instead I have been knitting a jersey for Darian, I bought the wool in Dunedin Easter weekend and I have done the back and have nearly completed the sleeves (I always knit my sleeves together).

It's a very simple pattern and it grows very quickly with only 6 rows to the pattern, I don't know how many times I have knitted this pattern, it is a favourite of mine.
Funnily enough the pattern is for a jersey for 2 years - 8 years size, I have just increased it to a adults size.
All the kids in our family have had a jersey knitted in this pattern before LOL.

Happy Star Wars Day

May the Fourth (force) Be with You.

Tonight I went along to Guides and we made Mini Album for Mother's Day.

They all loved their albums, I hope their Mother's will like them.

We used Very Vanilla, Riding Hood Red and Basic Black Card Stock and Love Letter DSP.

The flower is made using Blossom Party Originals Die.

We used Priceless Stamp Set, I love this set.

This is a project that Amy Parker Designed for the 'Oh My Word' round of Ustamp with Dawn and Friends.

 I changed the dimensions a little bit.

I took these photo last night of my 3 beautiful children, 2 out of 3 were not impressed that I was taking photos of them.

This Darian our oldest aged 15 years old.

Here is Savannah aged 13 years old and Samuel 6 years old.

This week at Just Add Ink Challenge #66 is Add a flower.
Over at SU-Only Challenges #18 is add Butterflies.

So I will enter this album in both these challenges.

Thanks for Caring

Here's a card I made a wee while ago that I didn't get around to blogging.

I have cased this card from page 17 in the Autumn-Winter Mini Catalogue.

I have used 'Thank for Caring' Stamp Set, it's a new sympathy set with 6 stamps available in clear of wood.

 This is the inside.

True or False?

Do Blonde's have more fun?

I visited the hairdresser on Tuesday for my 6 weekly haircut, I don't know when I lasted coloured it.

In Hairdressing terms a virgin head of hair.

Yesterday I was back to visit the hairdresser, they had Kim from Schwarzkopf Professionals visit for a training day and I was one of the models. 

Kim was so excited to have a virgin to work with.

 Three hours later a full head of foils and a full colour wash this is the end result.

Its a big change, I like it Paul is now calling me Blondie.

What do you thoink? Please be honest I have broad shoulders.

I now need to update my profile photo which one should I use?

For Debbie

Today I will show what I made for Debbie.

 I don't do much punch art, but I saw a similar box on Gretchen Barron's Blog.

 I didn't have all the same punches so I made it with what I had.

 I filled it with milk chocolate for Debbie.

 I used 'Just Believe' and 'Well Scripted' (Summer Mini) Stamp Sets.

The colour combo I used is Rich Razzleberry, Tangerine Tango, Tempting Turquoise, Old Olive and Sweet and Sour DSP.

For the flowers I used the little flower on the Boho Blossom Punch and a pearl in the centre.

Easter Swap

At Crafters Anonymous some of us participated in a Easter Swap.

It had to be a 3D Easter Bag/Box with Matching Card.

There were 3 Rules as follows: 

Rule 1: Item MUST contain Chocolate

Rule 2: It can be any medium

Rule 3: It must be in a bag or box

My swap partner was Debbie Dawson, Debbie is a crafter of many talents from papercrafting  to knitting, quilting and sewing.  Go and check out her blog here.

.Here is what arrived last Thursday.

Debbie has made a triangle box and filled it with Dark Chocolate Hersey Kisses.

 I love Dark Chocolate the higher the cocoa the better.

Here's the card Debbie made.

She has used Easter Blossoms Stamp Set, this is a set that I didn't get it was available in the Summer Mini.

I have seen lots of amazing project using this set, if it makes it into the next Idea Book and Catalogue due out in September I will be putting it on my wish list.
I will be back tomorrow with the swap I made for Debbie.

Happy Easter

I hope you have all had a great Easter.

Darian and Savannah went to Easter Camp ( EC11) in Spencer Park Christchurch, they have come home very tired, they have had a great time.

There was about 3500 high school kids who attended, there are bands and speakers.

After we dropped D and S off for the bus, Samuel, Paul and myself headed to Dunedin.

We had Alyson's 60th Birthday party to attend on Saturday, we had a great night.

Alyson had got some friends to organise a quizz, the questions were based about things in the 50s 60s 70s.

The group I was in didn't do too well, obviously we were too young LOL.

We sure did have fun and lots of laughter.

Anyway enough of the waffle.

Here's Alyson Gift and Card.

 I made this box, has 8 cards inside.

 This is a one of the cards.

Here's a close up off the flower on the box and on half of the cards, The Blossom Party Die is one of my new toys tools that arrived last week. It's a great die, it mades very simple embellishments.

 For the other 4 cards I used the New Build a Cupcake Punch and matching Stamp Set 'Create a Cupcake'.

Here's the card I made for Alyson.

I love the verse that I stamped on it.

Here's the inside.

I have used Whisper White, Concord Crush and Blushing Bride and Lap of Luxury DSP.

Cup Cakes Anyone

On Monday night at Crafters Anonymous Online Class, we made these Delicious Cup Cakes.

I love Monday Night Online Classes, we have sooooo much fun.

The project is a surprise we are given a list of supplies, it amazing seeing everyone's project from the same instructions.
If you would like to be in on the fun on Monday evenings email me and I will make sure you get a invitation.

 I have used Certainly Celery Cardstock and Daffodil Delight 1-1/4" (3.2cm) Striped Grosgrain Ribbon.

The narrow dotted ribbon and button are SU product, which are retired.
I won them in the 'Oh My Word Ustamp with Dawn and Friends' chat.
I received a bag of different bits of ribbon and buttons.

The next round of Ustamp with Dawn and Friends is about start soon, it looks like it will be another fantastic Round.

It's a fun place to hang out with other stampers from all over the world, lots of tutorials and chats and prizes.

For more info click here.

You all have a great weekend.

Sew Sweet

Here's a card I have made using 'Sew Suite' Stamp Set.

I love this set and the matching DSP.

I have cased this from Stephanie Luman.

I love the dress from with the flower on it, sew cute.

I have made the button using 'Sweet Button' Embosslit.

Embosslits are great they cut and emboss at the same time.

Making a Difference Starts With.....

.... ONE STAMP SET.

 Strength and Hope Stamp!

This is a stunning Stamp Set and with every set sold Stampin' Up is donating $2 to 'The Breast Cancer Research Foundation'

 Here's a card I have made using it.

I have cased it from Tracey Old, Tracey made hers in pink (you all know I don't do pink) and she had used ribbon.

 I have stamped the butterfly in Wild Wasibi, added White Frost Shimmer Paint on top then added pearls.

 I didn't have the right ribbon, so I cut a strip of Early Espresso then run it though the Big Shot using the Tulip Border Embossing Folder.

I have used Wild Wasibi, Pear Pizzazz, Early Espresso and Very Vanilla.

 Here's the inside.

Strength and Hope Stamp Set is in the Autumn-Winter Mini Catalogue.

Avaible from 1st April - 31st July.

Contact me to order your set and help the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.