Why has it been so quiet?

Because I have been chasing my dreams .........

And I did it !!!!

A Bachelor of Psychological Science with distinction is mine !!

Still more study to go - I am now completing an honours year and will then pursue either a masters program or provisional supervision (which ever I am lucky enough to get accepted into). Slow and steady is my motto - everything takes time but anything is possible - if I can do this then anyone can. My whole life has changed as a result of study and I am super excited for the future ahead.

I still make cards - only much more rarely now - but I do treasure my card days when I am able to have them - usually about 3 times per year with just a couple of very close and dear friends. I am currently on a four month break from Uni and have been undertaking my Christmas card project for this year. Here are the cards I made on a card day last week

I still catch up with all of my blog buddies sites often, just don't post my own contributions much. And I spend way too much time on Pinterest - but a girl has to have some vices ;)

Back again

Hello and a happy Friday to you

it is a lovely wet Friday here in Blackall after receiving some much needed rain.

Today is officially my last day of term break with term 1 starting on Monday morning.

I haven't done nearly as much card making as I would of liked to but hey ho that's life isn't it.

I have been so busy catching up on house hold chores along with some parenting duties. But also to top it off I am moving the house around again and swapping my youngest son's bedroom with the craft room.

Oh lordy lord why did I decide to do that - Blahhhh

Who knew that there was soooo much stuff in the craft room and that is after the clean out I had when I repainted. But anyway I am half way through the move and will continue to potter along. Although Benji is still not 100% sure that he likes his  'new' room, so I am going slowly at the moment just in case he decides he wants to go back.

(I hope not - that's for sure)

Anyway here are my cards that I have made recently:

This one was for hubby's birthday

I brought this die last year and was itching to use it

I saw a similar card using a different die with the love heart placement on  the map on Pinterest

 In real life the three love hearts are straight but for some reason they look wonky here

 Hubby loved the message inside - he liked the idea of all ways (tut tut - typical man)

I hadn't even though of that

 Then this is another version of a card that I found on Pinterest - I love Pinterest - so much inspiration 

and I just print out the cards that I really love to use as inspiration - it is great

I was buying hundreds of card making magazines but when I realized how much money I was spending I swapped to using Pinterest as my source of inspiration.

But I always remember my golden rule and never, ever copy anyone's work completely - I only use theirs as inspiration

 Inside view

 And finally my favorite card for the moment- inspired by Pinterest

using one of my Rubber Stamp Tapestry sets that I brought from The Glitter Pot ages ago.

I love how the card turned out. I used my circle cutters to make the wreath and used my cricut to cut out the shape. I probably would of left the calico ribbon a little longer on the tails of the bow if I made something similar again.

Inside view - I think it might be the colours that I really love.

Ok well that is it for me I am going to go and think about dinner for the Smith family.

I hate having to think about what is for dinner every day - I wish the boys would just tell me what they would like - I'm sure that would be easier. I am craving a big fat salad sandwich but I can't see my burly boys wanting that. Maybe I will just make steak and salad for them and then I can have my salad sandwich.

Have a happy day

talk soon

x joy

Here again at last - what a bad blogger I have been

Hello and a happy Australia Day to you,

Boy oh Boy 26th of  January already,

Where is the time going?

I feel like I just blink and another day - week - month - year is over!

Please forgive me for not getting on here as much as I would like, but life is a bit hectic at the moment.

(But then again everyone's lives are so busy) So really my only excuse is slackness!!!!

I have had a few plays in the last week, believe it or not.

You see I was lucky enough to get a Cricut for Christmas from my Hubby and I had not used it since Christmas Day. So I had a birthday this last week and I told the family that all I wanted for my birthday was a day all to myself - playing with my Cricut. Ahhh it was heaven.

Although I have not got the hang of it properly yet - so I think I need to head to youtube and get some tutorials.

Anyway I'll stop rambling on and cut to the chase and show you some cards.

I realized that I had not even showed you this years mass produced Christmas card.

Oh crikey how slack am I!!!

So here is my main Christmas card for 2013:

 One of my sweet little magnolia's was the choice for this years creation. I decided this year to cut back on the 50 cards that I usually make, because I know some people only throw them away. However I love to hear that some people keep everyone of my cards and this makes making them worth while. So this was the card that I made for those lovely folk that keep and treasure my cards and for my special friends and family.

 The inside view as always.

And this little one was one I made to give to the people that I know do not keep  my hand made cards. It still took time but no where near as much time as the big one. I also used this card to post to my lovely relatives in England - because they cost $2.50 each to post - blah - I can just imagine how much the big ones would of cost. I am not being stingy (although it sounds like I am) but when you have to post quite a few - it adds up.

I also thought I would post a picture of my Christmas cake that I decorated. A lovely friend made the cake - and it was scrumptious. I just  had a go at decorating - however Christmas is the only time I will play with decorating as it is way harder than it looks hehe. I will leave it to the experts!

Not too bad for a 2nd attempt - the 1st one was last year.

It took me hours to do haha and yet really is so simple.

Anyway on to some more cards. Here are the ones I made this last week - although don't get too excited - I only made two hahaha you can't rush a girl now.

This first one is using my Cricut - I know its not that fancy but it is only my first try.

 I think now looking at it - maybe I should of embossed the craft shape behind the flower. 

 The inside view - using a smaller flower.

 And then this one is using one of my many new purchases - a tiddly inks set - I love this set - it was a have to have stamp set - sooooo cute

Look at these cute little crabs - I love them!!!!

And finally I will show you what we have been up to in between running around like crazy people. Sometimes I think I would love to put the brakes on and go on strike for a couple of days - just to sit and do nothing - ahhhh wouldn't that be nice.

We are still renovating - oh it is taking forever!!!! But we are getting there and when we are finished I promise to upload lots of photos of what we have done.

So apart from all that stuff, the only other thing that is keeping me super busy is my study.

I am still going plodding along and I am nearly finished (two weeks left) my first year of Psychology. WOW that feels so good to say - only officially 5 years left. Hehe that sound like a long time (particularly when you just turned 46 hehe) but I have decided to go all the way and head for the end goal of a clinical Psychologist.

There is still a long way to go but I am still loving every minute of study. The human brain and behavior is very fascinating to say the least. I finish up with year one next week after exams then officially start year two on the 24th of Feb. 

Ok well I am now going to pop over to my favorite blogs and say hello while I am logged in - so that I can leave messages. I do keep track of all my old favorites I just don't get to say hello. I allow myself 5 - 10 mins of internet play a day, so I pop over and have a sticky beak and then keep on going. Then I usually end up on Pinterest for a little longer than I plan - but I love it - it is so good for inspiration for everything.

Ok - well stay happy

have a great day talk soon

x joy

Finally I've got time to post

Hello and happy Monday to you all,

(that is if anyone is still coming by to see what I am up to)

hehehe

I am so sorry that I have been such a bad, bad blogger.

Life has just been sooooo hectic with not enough hours in the day.

My study schedule is very full on and keeping me ultra busy.

I am nearly at the end of term two so am looking forward to a little break very soon.

Don't get me wrong - I am still so super loving every minute of study.

Just starting  to get ready for a break.

Well this last weekend I gave myself a little break, as a treat for getting through a week full of assessments.

And I got to play in the craft room

YAY!!!!!!

Oh gee I forgot just how much I love pottering around putting little bits of paper together.

So to cut to the chase I will just show you what I have made, firstly this last weekend then some more that I made about 5 weeks ago when I was lucky enough to have a little play with my friends when we had a card day.

I am not going to list all the stamps and papers etc. as it will take me way too long. Instead if you want to know where something is from, drop me a line and I'll let you know.

 This card has a white embossed butterfly on pearlised pink card - you can't see the full detail but it looks really pretty in real life.

 Inside view

This card is my favourite that I made over this weekend, love the stampin up dot paper.

 Just a little inside detail on this one.

 And then this one is playing with a new stamp set and some bold colours. -I am happy with how it came together

Again the inside view adding some bold colours again.

Then these are from mid term break when I had a card day with my card making buddies.

White on white for something out of my comfort zone.

On the day I only had the star paper and the happy birthday banner with the stars with the buttons on top. Over this last weekend I thought it needed more stars - hehehe can you have too many stars?

 And even more stars on the inside.

 This card I modelled on a card from my pinterest board here. I loved the  fresh colours used in the original and I thought these pink and greys would work, but I am not happy with how the dots ended up looking with the cut and the line of dots not matching up. Anyway I am happy with the inside - I wish I had done this look on the front of the card. Note to self to not stick down until I am 100% happy with the card!

Then this is No. 1 son's 15th birthday card, it's a little hard to see but next to the A is the rest of his name - Ashley (you just have to look closely)

Ok well that is the lot for now, please excuse the fact that I have been lazy and not listed all goodies used but if I had to write out everything - I would probably never post - because time is just so short at the moment.

I do still pop by all my regular favourite blogs - I just don't comment anymore. I limit myself to a maximum of five minute blog hunting and five minute pinteresting each day - I figure five minutes is better than none.

Ok well I hope life is treating you well and I hope you have a super happy day

talk soon,

 x joy

Finally a post

Hello and a happy Wednesday to you!

Shhhhhhhh don't tell anyone that I am here - I am supposed to be studying hehehe

but I figure all work and no play makes joy a dull girl.

so I have escaped and come to post.

I had to upload some photos for hubby in relation to the house renovations so that he could email them off for some final fittings to be made, so I have just quietly popped over here to upload some of my photos as well (kill 2 birds with the one stone)

So hence it will be a quick post so I don't get caught out - after all I can't expect hubby to do all the house work when I am studying but really I am on here posting.

hehehehe

if you don't tell him - I won't

anyway here are the cards that I have made in the last month

only 3 cards in one month

how sad is that

 

 

 

Anyway here they are:

This is a card that I made for a dear little 2 year old who had a ballerina party.

Then these next two are ones that I got inspiration from pinterest for.

As always I haven't copied them exactly (as that would be rude) I have just used the colours and main design ideas, and I have used square cards as they are my favourites

 



 

I want to try this one in burgundy as well - I think it will look lovely.

Well hopefully I will get to have a play soon, I am up to week 11 in this term, so one week left of study before revision and exam weeks are upon us.

We are then off to Brisbane for a couple of doctors appointments and some much needed R & R.

 

I am still checking in with my favourite blogs, just not getting time to leave comments, I have even missed lots of entries in give aways with being so busy. But hey I have a goal to achieve so just having a quick sticky is better than not getting to visit at all.

Ok well I hope all that I have said is understandable as I have written this very quickly.

I am off over to my study blog now to give an update on what has been happening in that department - I may as well while I am logged in.

Ok, well look after yourselves,

Make sure you enjoy life,

talk soon

x joy  

WHERE AM I?

Hello

so sorry I haven't been around

but I have had my head down and my bum up

with my nose deeply embedded in my text books.

 

I am missing my papercrafting but loving my study so all is not bad.

Check out where I am at study wise here 

 

 

Ok better go and get into it

talk soon

x joy

What a terrible blogger I have been!!!!

Oh my goodness!

Where are the days and months going?

I am so sorry for not making an appearance in blog land lately.

Life has just been full speed ahead, go go go, with barely enough time to stop and smell the roses.

But here I am, taking a little break from study, swinging by to say a mighty hello to all my lovely blogging buddies.

 

I hope that all is well in your neck of the woods and that you are enjoying whatever life is offering you. Although I know that my UK buddies are freezing their sweet pattooies off. I hope things warm up for you soon.

 

Well I don't even know what I am going to post about so far but I know that somewhere on my computer are a couple of cards that you haven't seen before, that I had promised to show you, but never got around to. So I am going to pop over and have a look at what I can show you, I'll be back in a second . . . . . . .

here have some soft, back ground music to keep you occupied while I am gone

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpxBTgbeMsw&feature=player_detailpage

Ok well I am back again, did you enjoy the music?
Here is a little number that I had in my head after making my Christmas cards last year.  I have paper pieced my aeroplane and attached a hand drawn banner, then used a very old cloud stamp, finished with some chevrons and a button.

 I have used:
Kaiser craft little toot stamp
Die-namics chevron die
stampin up sentiment and top note die
impressive (not made any more) cloud stamp
bazzill card stock

Ok well I am off to go visit my other very neglected blog, to say hello, before I get back into study for the day. Have a great day - whatever you are doing and don't forget to stop and smell the roses and enjoy all that life has to offer.
Talk soon
x joy