First Class Project of 2013

 Hi Everyone.  I hope you are recovered from the holidays if you have returned to work and if you are lucky enough to still be on holiday then I hope you are enjoying the time out.  My Two Favourite Little People are staying with us from Monday to Friday and then going home at the weekends until school returns on February 4.  We are having LOTS of fun with movies, swimming, visits to the park, baking etc.  They are such cool kids and this time is SO Special.  All the,activities doesn't leave much time for crafting though, and I have been very mindful of needing to get the Feb/March classes sorted.  Kate will be needing to get the Newsletter out YESTERDAY!!! So with that in mind I have spent this weekend working on this little project.  I think it is GORGEOUS and lovely to do.  This is my third attempt as I changed my mind about which type of card to use, how to join it together etc etc.  You know how projects evolve don't you?  Anyway I am happy with it now and the others didn't go to waste as I can use the panels to make matching birthday cards as you can see in the last picture.  So a successful weekend.  First class sorted.  Yessssss!!  I think I may do a couple more with different scenes - beach scene, mountain scene.  I'll post them if I do.  Thanks for looking today.

For a Special Friend

for a special birthday.  This is another book card for my friend Anne who officially becomes a Senior Citizen at the end of January and is looking forward to a long and happy retirement.  I came across the Kaisercraft papers last week whilst browsing in a craft shop.  I hadn't seen this collection before and I fell in love with it on sight.  I have loved making it.  Now I have to find just the right size box for it to travel safely to the other side of the world.  Anne and I went to school together, lost touch after leaving school and then found each other again about 3 or 4 years ago after about  45 years.  We picked up like we never missed a day.  We are hoping she and her husband will make a trip out here to NZ for a holiday now that time out of work isn't going to be a problem.  Hope the New Year has started well for you all and thanks for stopping by today.

A Little Birdie

 Hi Everyone - a very late post tonight. January just aound the corner and that is my busiest month for birthdays.  This is the first of eight needed and it is for a long time friend.  I just bought a double instructional DVD on brayering techniques so I was practising on this card.  Still managed to get a few lines but not too bad.  I love the beautiful colours which result from layering two shades over top of each other.  Right I'm off to bed.  The rain is pouring down outside so hopefully the sound of it on the roof will lull me off to sleep.  I've had one or two bad nights lately that's why I've stayed up later tonight in the hope that I go off straight away.  'Night 'night and thanks for looking.

One Last Card

   It's hot as Hades here in NZ and we're all melting into grease spots I tell you.  We have had our Christmas lunch at the hotel and very nice it was too.  Just relaxing at home now.  My friend Ali and I have just been talking to each other via skype and she reminded me that I had said I would post the card I made for my husband . . . . . . . . so here it is.  I just love creating these little scenes  with torn paper masks, sponges, ink and the odd stamp or two.  Of course I had to add Santa and his sleigh to this one didn't I?  Enjoy your day whatever you are doing and who ever you are with.  Happy Christmas Everyone.

Merry Christmas

Well it's the morning of Christmas Eve here in NZ and Everyone will be busy, busy today.  Mothers will be buying the fresh fruit and veges and then doing as much of the preparation for tomorrow as they can to ease the task.  Children's excitement will rise to a crescendo as the day progresses contemplating just what Santa will deliver tonight.  Personally it is very strange.  For the first time in 45 years I am NOT preparing Christmas dinner for my family and it makes me a bit sad.  Our youngest daughter and partner are away on a cruise and out eldest daughter (and grandchildren) are spending Christmas Day with her in-laws (we had Christmas Day last year!)  So Harold and I are going out to an hotel for our Christmas dinner.  It means I have no real schedule to work to and that is throwing me off the rails a bit.  No list to tick off as I complete tasks.  I know I should be relishing the 'no stress' factor but I am just a wee bit sad as it is the end of an era for me and my family. We are going to spend Boxing Day with pur daughter and grandchildren so we are looking forward to that.  The main ingredient of Christmas, for me, is CHILDREN.  Anyway I have a card to make today for my wonderful husband  and I'll post that after the event but really I just want to say a big thankyou to all of you who have visited over the past year.  I do appreciate it and hopefully 2013 will bring me an un-interupted crafting year so that I will have more posts for you to enjoy.  In the meantime have a happy and peaceful Christmas with your families and loved ones.  Take care if you have to travel at this busy time of year.  May 2013 bring each and everyone of you good health and happiness.  Christmas hugs to you all.  Elaine (aka Crafty Granma).

Wedding Wishes

 Well I can tell you it was lovely to do a project that didn't involve Christmas in any way!!!  You do get a bit 'over it', as they say, don't you?  This card is for my Great Niece and her husband, to wish them well on their wedding day and through their life together.  Their wedding colour scheme is deep purple and silver and so I used that in my mcard.  The roses were plain white and I inked them with deep purple Versamark ink (even though they look brown in the pic!!!)  Now I have to pack it up so that it will travel safely to the other side of the world.  Then I will need to take out a mortgage to cover the postage LOL!!  Have a great day and be safe if you are out in the Christmas traffic.

Three More Tags

 I really love making these oversize tags and the people I have given gifts to with one of these attached have loved them too.  They really are a miniature work of art.  I think I have set a precedent for future years just like I did with my calendars about 7 or 8 years ago . . . .and so a tradition starts.  I still have one more tag to do and then I'm done with All Things Christmas for 2012!!  My Two Favourite Little People went home today having been with us since Tuesday.  We picked up their Big Sister from the airport on Tuesday too and she has been with us until today too.  She is just home for Christmas and goes back to Oz on Jan 2 but will probably be home for keeps in April.  It has been soooooo lovely having all 3 of our Grandchildren here together.  That doesn't happen very often at all.  Now I can have a few days cleaning the house up ready to enjoy the Christmas/New Year break.  I hope you are all coping well with this busy time and finding just a little time for yourselves.  If you have found time to visit today then I truely appreciate it.  Thank-you.