Card Morning at Burpengary Library

In April Mum and I went to a card workshop at the Burpengary library which was taught by Jane. It was a very enjoyable morning. The cards we made were quite basic but showed how you don't have to make elaborate cards for them to still look lovely.
This is the group of 'crafty' ladies with some of our cards.

Kate's 18th Birthday

On my nieces 18th birthday mum and I met with Kate and her mum at Cafe Tara at Strathpine Shopping Centre. If you happen to ever be at Strathpine I can recommend this Coffee Shop for their lovely meals and coffees.
The "Birthday Girl"

Card Morning at Di's

Another card morning with Jenny .... this time at my friend Di's home. Here is one of my favourite stamp sets used again. The white card has been embossed with roses using a lovely die which is used with the BigShot.
I love learning new techniques. This was sponging again however we used a shape which had been scalloped on the edge and then sponged over it to form the clouds. An ink pen was used to colour the tree as well instead of a ink pad.

May Cards at Deception Bay Library

In May we again attended a workshop at the Deception Bay library which was run by Robyn. Another very enjoyable morning.........

This card Mum and I had made previously at a make and take which Robyn held at her home however it's a lovely card and we were more than happy to make another.
I always love distressing card whether it's scrapping or card-making. I love the grungy look that it gives the paper. This time we used a different technique with inking the stamp using the main colour on it and then daubing the second over the top.
The following card was interesting with the way the card was die cut one way with the BigShot and then put sideways and die cut again.

Card Demonstration at Home

Not only have Mum and I been attending card mornings at the libraries but Jenny ... the lovely lady who takes the classes at Caboolture library came and gave a class at home. Jenny also demonstrates Stampin Up and these are the lovely cards which we made on this morning.

This would have to be one of my favourite stamp sets. I have seen so many wonderful ways it has been used. With this one we used the pens to ink the stamp before placing it on the card. I love the soft washed look which the flowers have.
Embossing and sponging were different techniques which we used for this card.

April Cards at Deception Bay Library

Mum and I have been attending card making workshops at various libraries in our area. At Deception Bay they are run monthly by Robyn who has some terrific ideas. They are all made using Stampin Up products.

In this card we used a die cut from the Big Shot Machine which was then stamped with Versa Mark Ink to give it a watermark look. The bottom layer of paper was embossed using the Big Shot. This is such an awesome piece of equipment. All the kids in our family actually put in to buy one for Mum for Mother's Day. Personally because of the problems I have in my hands & arms I find this much easier to use than the Cuttlebug as it's heavier and more stable. However it isn't as compact as a Cuttlebug and would be too bulky to carry around to workshops.

I particularly love the stamp set which we used in the following card.

Our Front Gardens

We decided to try a vegetable garden in the front garden for a change as I tend to forget to look after the garden when it comes to watering when out the back. So have decided I will leave that mainly for herbs and have the veges in the front.
Our fruit trees ..... we have lots of citrus - mandarins, oranges, cumquat, lemon & lemonade. Also there are 3 mangoes, 2 japonicaba, mulberry, pecan, macadamias, pineapple guava, fig and custard apples as well as grape and passionfruit vines.This old wheelbarrow was destined for the dump so I salvaged it and planted ivy geraniums.
The front bush garden.
More front garden with Shadow.
I'm not sure what this plant is however I have them coming up in one particular garden. I've left them growing as they have such a pretty flower.
The 'jungle' which I really need to trim back. I have left it till Winter to tackle as we have a few snakes around in the warmer months.
A cicada shell which was left behind on one of my orchids.

Lichen Textures

When I was looking at the different bark textures I noticed the different lichens which are growing this year. After having drought for so long we hadn't had any growing on the trees however with the wet season we had I've found lots of different ones.

Terrific Textures

I love different textures in bark and also experimenting with settings on my camera. I only bought it a few months ago and am still learning all about the settings.

Flower Photos for my Gardening Friends

I've been sorting through my photos from earlier this year and came across these photos of colourful and some unusual plants.

This grevillea is at a friend's home. It's a wonderful specimen and flowers profusely.
I love the Illawarra Flame Trees (Brachychiton Acerifolius) with their bright red flowers. Usuall this tree loses its leaves and it then covered with this wonderful display of which stands out amoungst the greenery.

This is one of my Dancing Lady Orchids (Oncidium) in flower.
This is one of my favourite orchids as it belonged to my Grandma who gave it to me over 30 years ago.
One of my ginger plants.My white bat plant in flower. I also have a black one and although they are both unusual it's the white one which is my favourite.