It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas :)

YAY - all the presents have been bought.... (including mine - a kindle touch YAY!!!!) Food shopping is done (apart from the fresh seafood and fruit on Saturday but that is just down the road - no big shops!) Alcohol (yes essential!) delivered yesterday :)Fridges are cleaned out and ready to go even Chionia's room has had a clean out Phew!!!!! and my scrap room!!! I am ready - bring it on!!!!!!! :) Although this Christmas will be quieter than previous ones I am really looking forward to it - no where near as much stress or $$$ - my lot are coming over Christmas eve and Christmas day is being spent with good friends and the pool! Today's plan is to cook up the Choc Chip Peppermint Pavlova (recipe below - so easy and yummy trust me!) and I have even made some special homemade Christmas cards.. :)

A few weeks ago Jen Crossley came to Perth and taught some pretty cool classes - I went along to the Etched metal book class and I LOVED IT!!!!!!! So much so have bought all the chemicals and when I got home I wanted to play a bit more - so using up my scrap pieces from the class I created some very special brass Christmas Emporium tags :)
using Graphic 45

Christmas Emporium stamps and stazon :)

You then neutralise them, sand them and I swiped some paint paint over the top to highlight certain area's

Then all I had to do was pop them onto some cards - using the Coredinations Graphic 45 Core dark card sets and some yummy Nestabilities I created some special cards for family this Christmas (Riss - yours will be in the post today rofl!)

and yes I have been busy hehe - another project for you today as well - Advent calendars come in many forms nowadays and I have at least 7 in the house rofl but had to make another using the new Twiddleybitz Christmas Countdown kit

and yes I did cut and sandpaper that fence!!

Mel’s Peppermint Choc Chip Pavlova

Tips

just turn the oven off and let it cool in the oven - I make mine at night and leave it till the next morning

Eggs at room temperature

Meringue ingredients
6 egg whites (at room temperature)
2 cups of caster sugar
2 tspn white vinegar
1 tspn vanilla essence
0.5tspn peppermint essence
1 tbspn cornflour
200gr chopped chocolate (I use the Nestle choc chips that don’t change shape when cooked!)
300ml whipped cream

Instructions
Preheat oven to 140degrees celsius
Place egg whites in a large mixing bowl and whip with an electric beater until soft peaks form.
Gradually whisk in 1 cup of sugar and beat until the mixture is very stiff and glossy looking.
Gently stir through the remaining sugar, vinegar, vanilla, peppermint essence, cornflour and chocolate.
Line 2 baking trays with non stick paper and draw a circle on each about 20cm in diameter on each sheet.
Heap the mixture inside the circles and place in oven - after 5 minutes turn oven down to 120degrees celsius and bake for another 55 minutes (total of 1 hour cooking). Turn off oven and leave the pavlova to cool completely INSIDE the oven WITHOUT opening the door (otherwise it will crack and flop!)
Once cool place one layer on a serving plate - top with half the whipped cream place strawberries or any fresh fruit on top, place next layer on top and repeat

Now EAT YUMMO

Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas

Isn't it just crazy at this time of year!!! Just back from helping at the school for the umpteenth time in the last few weeks - I hope you can all take a little time out to sit back and enjoy the feast that Graphic 45 and May arts have for you this week :)

Graphic 45 and May Arts are teaming up for a super fun blog hop December 12-16th! There will be tons of inspiration, fabulous prizes, incredible crafts and so much more! Behold the magic that happens when Graphic 45 vintage-inspired papers and embellishments join forces with gorgeous May Arts ribbons! Our design teams are going all out to bring you the most enchanting crafts! You'll discover lots of fabulous new ideas to inspire your holiday season! Have fun and get inspired every day of this fantastic blog hop with Graphic 45 and May Arts!

Want to learn more about Graphic 45 and May Arts? Here's some fun information about these two fantastic crafting companies!


Graphic 45 an award-winning scrapbook and paper crafting company­— owned and operated by a mother and her two daughters. Together we create vintage inspired crafting products that capture the flamboyant style of the 1920's and 30's - with vibrant color, irresistible texture and imaginative design to create products with decades-old appeal that's both fresh and familiar. Let our products inspire your next scrapbook layout, card, album, altered art project, or home decor DIY project.


May Arts is a ribbon wholesaler, based in Riverside, Connecticut, serving over 16,000 customers worldwide. We offer an exceptional selection of ribbons, including sheer, satin, grosgrain, silk and a variety of patterns and prints. We also maintain a steady stock of inventory so that orders can be fulfilled immediately. As one of the country’s leading wholesalers of decorative ribbons, May Arts has been providing superior products and the highest level of customer service for over 25 years.

And finally my project for you all :) Enjoy - and happy scrapping - may you all have a very merry christmas and have the time to spend with those dear to you. Stay safe :)

There are lots of exciting chances to win terrific prizes! Graphic 45 is giving away this wonderful prize pack that contains a Tropical Travelogue 12x12 paper pad, coordinating chipboard die-cuts 1 & 2, and some gorgeous May Arts ribbons! Check it out! It's easy to enter to win this awesome prize.

Each day Graphic 45 will be featuring a sneak peek image from one of our design team member's blogs. Just hop on over to their blog and leave a comment! You'll discover some super inspiring crafts, learn some fun crafting techniques, and maybe even win a great prize!

A random comment will be chosen from one of our design team member's blogs and announced on Monday, December 19th! There's also an exclusive Facebook prize! Check out the Graphic 45 Facebook page and leave a comment for your chance to win!

May Arts is also offering gorgeous prizes on their blog and Facebook page! So you'll definitely want to check it out! Just tell them that Graphic 45 sent you! So much inspiration! So many chances to win prizes! This is going to be a great week!



May Arts Blog: http://www.mayarts.com/blog

May Arts Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/mayarts

This weeks scheduled hops are

Monday, December 12th
Lynette Carroll
Jane Tregenza
JackandCat Curio
Candy Rosenberg
Latrice Murphy

Tuesday, December 13th
Ellen Sosnoski
Laura Denison
Charlene Driggs
Melanie Forbes - ME!!!!
Jen Shears

Wednesday, December 14th
Robin Shakoor
Yuka Hino
Jenifer Cowles
Gloria Stengel
Jingle

Thursday, December 15th
Jinky Kowalski
Sherry Cheever
Britta Swiderski
Hilde Janbroers
Karen Baker

Friday, December 16th
Tara Orr
Kimberly Jones
Nancy Wethington
Peggy Cain
Nicole Eccles
Vera Yates


PS I would love to say a HUGE THANKYOU to May Arts for their wonderful ribbons that have been hiding in every one of my DT kits - so very generous and absolutely LOVE their range :) Check them out :)

Material List
Graphic 45
Botanicabella – Garden Suite
Christmas Emporium – Merry & Bright, Christmas Emporium
Graphic 45 Colourbox Decades Dark Cashmere

May Arts – Organic Cotton Stripes – red (385-58-14) & Green (385-58-46), Double faced faux suede red VX-14, Soft silky DC-66, Sheer SC25 1/4inch, Satin reversible SB06 3/8inch.

Twiddleybitz chipboard tag and numbers
Tim Holtz distress stain peeled paint
Gold embossing enamel
Florist – small berries, pearls, mini leaves
Mica Flakes
Tim Holtz paper rosette Die
Canvas
Helmar 450 glue & Scrap dots

Have you been naughty or nice this year??

Well the year is flying past - I don't know where November went! And it is already one week into December with one week left of school before the summer holidays start.... Hopefully then time will slow down and we can enjoy summer!

Every year I tend to create something for Christmas for my home - before I discovered scrapping I would search the stores for the perfect piece! I have a beautiful collection of snowglobes...and candles.... and naughty elves tumbling down my stairs but it is the pieces I have made I do love the best so this year there was no way I could go past Graphic 45's new Christmas Range - Christmas Emporium LAtely I have also been trying to cull my stash and finish off those UFO's - yes un-finished objects!! hehe - I have had this Twiddleybitz house and frame sitting around my desk for a good 8 months or so just waiting to be inspired with the right idea! So I started with covering the Floating frame and then moved onto the house - now normally I cover the pieces before I assemble most OTP items - this one was given to me to do something with already assembled! But it wasn't until I saw Kelly Creates blog post with some Graphic 45 inspired cards that really got me going!! Follow the link to her blog to see how to create the gorgeous tree and wreath - I have used this technique a few times since too!! Thanks Kelly :) Add some mica flakes - some gorgeous snowflakes and berries from the florist along with a beautiful swirl from Flourish with a Bling and you now have my latest Christmas holiday piece :) Enjoy :)

My Life atm = a bit Crazy as it always is at this time of year - for the first time in 8 years I think we don't have any dancing concert or rehearsals or costumes or that stress - Quietly I am loving it and not missing it at all!! End of year always is busy - we have had presentation night for Chionia and her acro where she was awarded the Coahces award for most improved and a club champion trophy for her win in the Spring State Championships back in September - go my bubbalucha!! :) Very proud - Jess is working hard at school and doing so well - such a shame the first half of the year was a write off - we had her Yr 6 Farewell dinner on Sunday night - majority of the friends she has gone to school with since kindy are leaving and going to private high schools - this means they leave Primary school a year earlier - end of Yr 6 so they all had a wonderful dinner and night out on Sunday - the kids were so well behaved and looks gorgeous/handsome :) Good luck to all of you - you are a terrific bunch of kids :)

Today's job - includes getting another drivers licence and chasing up insurance etc - stupid me left my purse in my car accidently on Sunday night and of course it is the one time the car got broken into - the only thing they took was my purse but it has meant hours on the phone cancelling cards etc and reorganising paperwork sigh - just what I need at this time of year!

Happy holidays everyone - stay safe and love those special to you :)

me @ 37

Going back to an old favourite with this LO - Renaissance Faire range - normally I am behind the camera but took the chance when at Camp mojo back in July to get my photo taken by the very talented Lyn from My Lens and Me Photography Everyone deserves a good photo of themselves!

Aunty Tup

was a very special lady.

I saw this photo of her at her funeral not long ago and had to do something special with it to remember her by. I have so many special memories of her - she made my wedding cake I remember helping in her kitchen - she made sure I did my bit and the dishes! The smell of her house - the back room, Uncle Don's back yard and strawberries - the little things like the toilet roll cover!!

Using Tiwddleybitz and some Tim Holtz Lost and Found papers I wanted to focus on the beautiful photo. I have added since an old gold nameplate as well just to finish it off properly but forgot to get another photo!

Every once in a while you get a comment from someone who loves what you have done because of the meaning behind it - that is why we scrapbook - to help preserve those memories and to leave a lasting legacy for future generations to know about us and our ancestors - so glad that this LO is loved by those it is special to - it is a beautiful reminder of why I scrap :) xxxx

More recycling with ABC Primer :)

OK it is after lunchtime here and I have been trying to get this done since first thing this morning... forgotten school books and bowls for twitterbugs (don't ask = I have no idea - science project) and lost orders all = a bit of a chaotic morning :)

The last couple of months we have all been battling a flu/cough thing - when one person was getting better the next one came down with it which does help much in the creative department!! So using the new ABC Primer range of papers which I utterly love I decided to continue with my theme of storage etc for my desk!! Also continuing the recycle theme by using an empty tissue box and and old Prima wooden box I created some yummy storage for me :)

FOr the tutorial on how this is done - please head over to G45's blog (you can also check out a stunning printer tray by Robin too!) but here are just a few photo's to show you :) Enjoy

also just a wee bit excited - I am off to next years Escape 2 Create retreat :) Can't wait to sit back and chill and scrap and be with some good friends :) Phew was lucky - my registration for 2013 has been typed ready to go for next years registration!!

Twiddleybitz RAKAMANIA winner :)

Good morning everyone!!!!!!!!!!

Just a quick one this morning to announce the winner of my RAK for the TBZ blog hop last weekend :) I am a few days late sorry - but been dealing with 2 grumpy daughters and cat!! And on top of that the house cleaning was calling so now all of that is done I can create in peace!!!!!

Thankyou so much for all your wonderful messages and posts on my ANGEL :) She is so quick and easy to make and once I had seen Lyn's knew it was perfect to start off RAKAMANIA :)

So without further ado the winner is

Judie Willoughby :)

with her comment

"So I guess i had better TAKE that empty bottle out of the recycling and give this a whirl.. it really looks fab, thanks Mel"

Hope you did take it out of the recycling and have made something stunning!! Send me a message via the NING site and I will pop your RAK in the post :)




My mini Art cupboard is on todays Graphic 45 blog post - love altering things!! The little cupboard I picked up from a garage sale for $2.00 and was a pine colour - so out comes the black gesso and one of my favourite ranges of G45 papers - Communique!!!!!! Match that with some modpodge and voila :) Enjoy :)

For more images pop over to Graphic 45's blog :) and see those yummy bits and pieces on top - Scraptivate carry them :)

Hippity Hop Graphic 45 blog hop #2 for me tonight!!

lol busy busy girl here!! So much hopping is a happening :) Earlier tonight I started off the weekend with the Twiddleybitz RAKAMANIA blog hop which everyone is invited to join along so see my post below for something interesting made out of a dishwashing liqud bottle!!

But just stick around to check out some more of this weeks G45 & Core'dinations blog hop :) When I received my G45 DT kit a few weeks back I instantly fell in love with the extra goodies included from Core'dinations - there are ink pads, cardstock, embossed card, card sets everything I needed to go with G45 papers and embellishments :)

The card stock matches absolutely perfectly with G45 papers as does the inks - I even love the sanding block (so easy to hold!) and the dust buddy which if you distress a lot like me is perfect for collecting up all that "snow" that gets over all your work and clothes!!!

I will be honest and say I felt like I was cheating - Core'dinations teamed up with G45 made it all so easy to create!! I went with some simple cards - Ask anyone and I will tell you I am not a cardmaker - you just have to look around at the simply stunning cards there is!! But I do like making my own which I give to those I know who appreciate the effort that goes into them so with the aim of being organised this year I have created some thankyou cards for my daughters teachers :) Being in Australia we are coming up to the end of our school year and the wonderful summer holidays :) These are something anyone can create :) Teamed up with some May Arts twine and voila they are done - this set honestly took me about 30 minutes to create and as the cards etc were all ready boned with envelopes and the cardstock embossed - all I had to do was sand and stick!! :) I hope you enjoy :)

Material List
ABC Primer – Tags 1 & 2
Core’dinations Core Impressions – Clocks & Houndstooth
Core’dinations Colorcore Cardstock G45 Signature Series Heritage Kraft
Core’dinations G45 Core Cards Darks Red Rose & Nightfall
Core’dinations – Sander block
Core’dinations Colorbox G45 Decades Ink – Photogenic
Core’dinations Dust Buddy (LOVE THIS!!!!!!!)
May Arts Ribbon


Happy scrapping everyone :)

Hippity Twiddleybitz Hop # 1 for the night :)

A huge big welcome to all of you joining in on our Twiddleybitz RAKamania Blog hop!!!!!!!!!


And what a hop we have - I have seen some absolutely mind blowing sneak peaks of the projects the wonderful Twiddley Angels have come up with and you are in for some fun and loads of inspiration :)

Now we have a HUGE hop planned and my blog is only the very start!!!!!! From here you will hop over to TRUDI HARRISON (9pm AEST, 11pm NZ, 8:30pm SA, 6pm WA) where she will have the link to the next Angels blog :)

Remember along the way you MUST collect the secret words - these will be highlighted in each angels post and when you put them together (they will be given in order!) it will create a sentence :) Then you must send a personal message with this sentence to Sandra Wallace on the Twiddleybitz ning to be in the running for a cool prize!!!! Every Twiddley Angels has a RAK along the way as well and keep checking back to both our Facebook page and the Ning site for more RAKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Told you we have a lot of fun in store for you all :)

Right - now I have done the business side of things lets have some fun and start off the Inspiration - first up



TAKE



( ^ ;) hint hint!!!!)



an empty Palmolive dishwashing liquid bottle......and cut off the very top bit you open and shut to pour out the liquid.

and grab a paintbrush and some modpodge :) Tear up your chosen paper (here I have used Graphic 45's New Christmas Emporium A Christmas Carol) and ink your edges :)

You then simply modpodge your bottle stick on the paper and modpodge over the top :) Easy - Cover the whole bottle - your fingers will get very messy here!!!

Then it is simply a matter of popping an old zip up the front and embellishing your Angel :)

I have simply embossed the Twiddley wings large with copper before gluing to the back of my Angel. Some lace down the bottom and either side of the zip with a vintage button or two and I was done!!!!!!!! (Helmar 450 glue is the best for applying ribbons and lace!)

and a close up :)

Now I do have to say this wasn't my idea but a dear friend of mine!!!!!!!!!!! Hers are beautiful and I am hoping she will email through some pic's for me to pop up as well for you soon! It is very quick and easy to make and Lyn's have been mounted on a long screw through a block of wood and into the bottom of the bottle (I am still trying to organise this on my end!)


Here is our schedule for the weekend

RAKamania Bloghop Schedule
(Blog links are on the Right of my blog under Twiddley Angels :) )
Friday 4th November
MEL FORBES
7pm AEST
9pm NZ
6:30pm SA
4pm WA

TRUDI HARRISON
9pm AEST
11pm NZ
8:30pm SA
6pm WA

Saturday 5th November

SANDRA WALLACE
9am AEST
11am NZ
8:30am SA
6am WA

TIFF SAWYER
11am AEST
1pm NZ
10:30am SA
8am WA

JO KINDER
1pm AEST
3pm NZ
12:30pm SA
10am WA

TRACEY HENLY
3pm AEST
5pm NZ
2:30pm SA
12 noon WA

CAROL THOMPSON
5pm AEST
7pm NZ
4:30pm SA
2pm WA

RACHEL WALSH
7pm AEST
9pm NZ
6:30pm SA
4pm WA

GERALDINE PASINATI
9pm AEST
11pm NZ
8:30pm SA
6pm WA

Sunday 6th November

TRACY LAMOON
9am AEST
11am NZ
8:30am SA
6am WA

KAREN MCLAUCHLAN
11am AEST
1pm NZ
10:30am SA
8am WA

ANN-MARIE COX
1pm AEST
3pm NZ
12:30pm SA
10am WA

LISA KAMPHUIS
3pm AEST
5pm NZ
2:30pm SA
12 noon WA

LOUISE WILLIAMS
5pm AEST
7pm NZ
4:30pm SA
2pm WA

JENNIFER HODGES
7pm AEST
9pm NZ
6:30pm SA
4pm WA

FINAL WORD OF THE SECRET QUOTE WILL BE
GIVEN AT 8PM AEST on SUNDAY ON THE NING

Now for the first RAK of our hop - simply make a comment on here using my secret word...... and I will draw out a winner on Monday morning (7th November) .... remember to collect your words for the secret sentence and enjoy :)

Last but not least if you are planning on visiting the Sydney Papercraft Festival on Sunday well we have another special for you...

Be the first of 20 to go to the Twiddleybitz Booth and say these Secret words..

**TWIDDLEYBITZ ROCKS SYDNEY!!**

and we will give you a piece of Twiddleybitz! Too Easy!
BUT
(of course there is a but, lol)
you must be a member of the Twiddleybitz Ning and it is only on the Sunday. ;-)


Enjoy your hop :)