tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84222242024-03-07T20:43:04.665+11:00Ryn ScrapsScrapping is the hobby I took up to help counteract my Post-Natal Depression (or Post-Partum Depression). Older posts in this blog relate to a diary I kept for a short time during the worst symptoms of depression.Carolyn Gibbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17011532258011218570noreply@blogger.comBlogger323125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422224.post-26401203419280849322014-09-10T20:09:00.000+10:002014-09-10T20:09:16.372+10:00Almost there...Been far too long between posts, but I guess life moves on and other things interfere and it gets difficult to make time to post on a blog. I have one more professional practice day at school before I am eligible to apply for a casual number to begin teaching mathematics at high school in term 4. Just a little excited!Carolyn Gibbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17011532258011218570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422224.post-40687168909922195192013-10-28T20:09:00.000+11:002014-09-10T20:10:07.302+10:00Exam preparationSo, working on my exams for the second semester of my part-time Graduate Diploma of Education course. I'm Carolyn Gibbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17011532258011218570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422224.post-52814143018819025152013-09-30T19:24:00.002+10:002013-09-30T20:24:31.612+10:00Worth sharingStarving blog for want of posts! But now something worth sharing... Thanks so much to Donna for the inspiration based on the card she started at a craft day I attended on Saturday. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQL1d92KVgNsCiLPy2NlRUzmgcCImLWe6pshwn7ZHfble4mc7M8yVDkNowMbo28KOShUT9qcNgg0s6JvRXl5DFWMIyg1hs3P7EinRZdevFcn6gLZFiBSTMOlAZaA5y3H1WmR_BeQ/s1600/Rainbow-Hearts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQL1d92KVgNsCiLPy2NlRUzmgcCImLWe6pshwn7ZHfble4mc7M8yVDkNowMbo28KOShUT9qcNgg0s6JvRXl5DFWMIyg1hs3P7EinRZdevFcn6gLZFiBSTMOlAZaA5y3H1WmR_BeQ/s320/Rainbow-Hearts.jpg" /></a></div>
Very simple, used a rainbow of Stampin' Up! ink colours stamped across whisper white card. I overlapped Gorgeous Grunge lines stamp just slightly to get all 7 rainbow colours across the card. Old school rainbow of Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet. Silver Glimmer cardstock used for three of the hearts and the Love sentiment is from the Expressions Thinlits. My tip, put wide double-sided tape on the back of your glimmer paper before cutting with the Thinlits. Hearts all adhered with two-way glue pen.<br />
<br />
Stamp set: Gorgeous Grunge (130514)<br />
Materials: Whisper White, Silver Glimmer (124005), cardstock scraps for the inks below (except Rose Red - might have been Cherry Cobbler card-scrap).<br />
Inks: Rose Red, Tangerine Tango, Crushed Curry, Gumball Green, Island Indigo, Midnight Muse, Elegant Eggplant.<br />
Other: heart from Stampin' Up! Owl builder punch (118074), Stampin' Up! Expressions Thinlits (132171)Carolyn Gibbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17011532258011218570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422224.post-72378994484401840752013-07-20T20:40:00.000+10:002013-07-20T20:40:45.810+10:00And she lives!I haven't completely fallen off the face of the earth. In my defense, I have been studying. This year I started the Graduate Diploma of Education at Macquarie University. At the other end, I'll be a qualified secondary mathematics teacher, able to teach year 7-12 in NSW. Two credits for my first two subjects aren't too bad considering a lack of any study for 15 years or so.<br />
<br />
Its been a while since I could get at my desk for a variety of reasons, including a new family member's penchant for wee-ing near my desk. We have now applied a bunch of behaviour modification for the cat and copious amounts of wee-cleaning stuff. Possibly too much information, but that's the honest truth.<br />
<br />
I needed to do something for a fellow demonstrator today and this is the result. Possibly needs a tiny bit of refinement - her head is a little "long" - the crown of the hat is a bit disproportionately far from the chin. But you get the idea. Its a beginners version of the card I made a while back for <a href="http://rynscraps.blogspot.com.au/2010/06/tres-chic.html">"chic" punchart</a>.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGLN0t3VJZBL6meoZZhwyaWvoU7JK77x6n5x0cPfKSRh_GFiFcSZBMz82C9MBGX8fHSE-0W7Hw_4KzPc-aPtRbM7RREVZRVae7goyiB5NZ-jQvrD6a9lpitguBc2UCRcYst0l6zg/s1600/silhouette_card.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGLN0t3VJZBL6meoZZhwyaWvoU7JK77x6n5x0cPfKSRh_GFiFcSZBMz82C9MBGX8fHSE-0W7Hw_4KzPc-aPtRbM7RREVZRVae7goyiB5NZ-jQvrD6a9lpitguBc2UCRcYst0l6zg/s320/silhouette_card.jpg" width="226" /></a></div>
Stampin' Up cardstock used: Basic Grey, Blushing Bride, Whisper White, Basic Black. Stampin' Up stamp sets "Creative Elements" and "Feels Good" for the sentiment. Here's the punch-art "map": I used the XL-Oval, small oval, curly label and a square punch to make the face-shape and hat. I did punch the hat-brim a second time to reduce the size a little more to fit on the oval shape.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi23Tz5g4egW8lSzqrFIlXnKzCuxFeykmbGR3T0ZDb0FITX1v_lta56oB0m7YokpRM2pYaAULrskG6SLTl1wKX1bJ0_84-LkqHTSAJvvsGwoJbdECZfpPjkka1tb8q9E-WrLIxUKw/s1600/punch-art-layout.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi23Tz5g4egW8lSzqrFIlXnKzCuxFeykmbGR3T0ZDb0FITX1v_lta56oB0m7YokpRM2pYaAULrskG6SLTl1wKX1bJ0_84-LkqHTSAJvvsGwoJbdECZfpPjkka1tb8q9E-WrLIxUKw/s320/punch-art-layout.jpg" width="313" /></a></div>
Will try not to leave it so long between posts.Carolyn Gibbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17011532258011218570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422224.post-57390432644930183972012-11-20T08:51:00.001+11:002012-11-20T08:51:09.606+11:00Christmas cheerA twist on the Peek-a-boo Frames Bigz L Die making a tea light candle surround. This is open at the top and bottom, but I'd recommend using one of those little battery operated tea lights rather than a naked flame this close to cardstock. I've used 'Be of good cheer' Designer Series Paper from Stampin' Up's new catalogue, Cherry Cobbler cardstock and some silver glimmer card. I also used vellum card stock for the "windows". The Petite Pennant punch made the tree and the star is from the mini punch pack in the Holiday Catalogue. Very sweet, easy to make.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg887TBmT7kwu_vKh9F1nW0csbxbZkYLOVKBCFKaGlVUHxer9TNR91glwKBPJ6vkazX-anb-I61bd7xpQPNaYwSdkFKfP1vm81MUGuallputfmLXRdy1jAileM8tMwXkF5PsECttA/s1600/Christmas-tealight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg887TBmT7kwu_vKh9F1nW0csbxbZkYLOVKBCFKaGlVUHxer9TNR91glwKBPJ6vkazX-anb-I61bd7xpQPNaYwSdkFKfP1vm81MUGuallputfmLXRdy1jAileM8tMwXkF5PsECttA/s320/Christmas-tealight.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Couldn't bring myself to discard the frames leftover from creating the peek-a-boo tea light surround. So using a card sketch from PageMaps, I made this card using more of the "Be of good cheer" DSP. Love how it turned out.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Ld5oMJgFQ9YnZAKb6AnR2qSaMq2DoETGtvrcsRITgnBQySvpY-PZYUCGh2DvOPhlWF8LUrG4uQVJvCmptvQSeuDjZcoVDNWwlNRgO5BM1ctLwyNCZprvYMRkZBKKLcTZet3N8w/s1600/christmas-card.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Ld5oMJgFQ9YnZAKb6AnR2qSaMq2DoETGtvrcsRITgnBQySvpY-PZYUCGh2DvOPhlWF8LUrG4uQVJvCmptvQSeuDjZcoVDNWwlNRgO5BM1ctLwyNCZprvYMRkZBKKLcTZet3N8w/s320/christmas-card.jpg" width="226" /></a></div>
Apologies for the long delay between posts and hope you enjoy these two simple projects.Carolyn Gibbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17011532258011218570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422224.post-85682607834783516462012-08-01T14:00:00.003+10:002012-08-01T14:01:22.296+10:00The prodigal mother returnethSo, I'm back in Sydney now. Nothing to show in terms of Stampin' Up pretties. But the retirement list is now available - <a href="mailto:rynscraps@gmail.com">email me</a> if you would like a copy. A new holiday catalogue will be available shortly, and a new annual catalogue starts on 1 September. So please contact me if you'd like details. Also available for workshops, classes and anything else at the moment. Full-time Mum-hood has been a bit of a shock to the system after 5 months off. Check out my <a href="http://ryn.stampinup.net/">Stampin' Up! Demonstrator</a> site for regular open days.Rynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04477460882035034533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422224.post-63507061580357653312012-07-13T21:46:00.001+10:002012-07-13T21:47:43.524+10:00Plus 2 weeksSo I'm now two weeks over my contract end date. I've managed to do something, consciously or unconsciously, which will very likely result in my not being invited back again. Makes decisions easy, I suppose. Made my bed and now I must lie in it.<br />
<br />
Returning to Sydney very soon now, so will be available once again for P&C-ing, general mothering duties, stamping and crafting. If nothing else, there is an enormous backlog of scrapbooking which needs doing. Might dust off the photo printer and see if I can get it working properly again, go through my stash and look at culling, consolidating and responsibly repurposing.<br />
<br />
Set some more goals, will attempt to obtain a tax return in order to do some further training or possibly a slightly longer course. Would very much like to catch up with crafting buddies... Will arrange a schedule, methinks.<br />Carolyn Gibbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17011532258011218570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422224.post-27702076190021602072012-06-03T21:26:00.001+10:002012-07-13T21:48:22.000+10:00Willingness to changeI had an experience this weekend which has caused me to reflect. My struggle with depression began when I was a little girl. I remember being mostly sad, burying myself in books to escape and spending hours and hours reading every night, not sleeping enough. Parent's separation, access visits, divorce, teen angst, my father's suicide, struggling with year 12, trying to please everyone else, I probably could have done with some counseling. It is not really surprising that when having kids without much extended family support, the walls crumbled.<br />
<br />
In studying psychology, the biggest lesson one must learn while dealing with other people is a recognition that no one can help someone unwilling to help themselves. When rebuilding resilience after ceasing medication, I think it is important to remember that not everyone is willing to help themselves.<br />
<br />
When our mental resilience is fragile, removing ourselves from conflict in order to build extra structures to support our resilience is a retreat of self care and strength. There is little virtue in denying recognition of the choices made regarding our mental health. Ultimately, everything is a choice, including the choice to help ourselves. And to help ourselves we must choose to surround ourselves with people who will help, not hinder, our progression through to mental stability.<br />
<br />
- Posted using BlogPress from iPad<br />
<br />Carolyn Gibbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17011532258011218570noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422224.post-76072148603833729172012-04-08T09:53:00.000+10:002012-04-09T07:17:51.966+10:00New Autumn mini cataloguePlaying with some new toys from the 2012 Autumn Mini catalogue from Stampin' Up! I've created this card using the clearmount set "Rue Des Fleurs", rather appropriately whilst watching Dr Who "The Impossible Astronaut" and "Day of the Moon"... Love the pun.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDK4OQ-qCL8K8ZT18Z3e5MX1SAZ47ZRlDnZMwgttnYMpFtnBZS_pYEY6xwrdzULmKYld0C8osCEZCCoiw8s0C1BCf8YDYwwuA3gf3GnhNq8eRGLpORRnWtYWq2JRXqAacwpJUb6Q/s1600/2autumn-mini2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDK4OQ-qCL8K8ZT18Z3e5MX1SAZ47ZRlDnZMwgttnYMpFtnBZS_pYEY6xwrdzULmKYld0C8osCEZCCoiw8s0C1BCf8YDYwwuA3gf3GnhNq8eRGLpORRnWtYWq2JRXqAacwpJUb6Q/s320/2autumn-mini2012.jpg" width="226" /></a></div>
Stepped up version of the same card. I think I used Pink Pirouette and Pretty in Pink to do the shading of the parasol. Sahara Sand, Crumb Cake and Soft Suede were also involved. I quite like the result, but the intimacy of the message means it will only be given to a very close person or people.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgugqReBz_vdMBi6CPqfKeyhnhzaumsbsZRT7k1p8P5Kf1y9lQ4vEZUJzcicjW0zlKeHHyqqFjtRDm4F6sguOhwgcAZMtHDnbnhgUNHK88ZdaCRiLTKswSqnvzGwE5zS8s6eV_XIA/s1600/1autumn-mini2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgugqReBz_vdMBi6CPqfKeyhnhzaumsbsZRT7k1p8P5Kf1y9lQ4vEZUJzcicjW0zlKeHHyqqFjtRDm4F6sguOhwgcAZMtHDnbnhgUNHK88ZdaCRiLTKswSqnvzGwE5zS8s6eV_XIA/s320/1autumn-mini2012.jpg" width="243" /></a></div>
I do love the pun involved in this one too, as well as loving the corset. Its a great idea, possibly, for recycling some of my corsets as vases too, although they'd require a massive bouquet to fill them. Working on fitting into them once more. With the amount of computer time I've been spending, I'd be grateful of the support too!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisB8n6PTcshNnDOkBcqH4_JNYWB9rDrsYoUDY8D3WrNByZzrPAikJBwLYCFZC6MLYmaDa39niRWjAuJOeE1h8_YoslvIihf18OrZBuSq_EnGIU7IAj396RgirvqO10ZZTUayJAUw/s1600/3autumn-mini2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisB8n6PTcshNnDOkBcqH4_JNYWB9rDrsYoUDY8D3WrNByZzrPAikJBwLYCFZC6MLYmaDa39niRWjAuJOeE1h8_YoslvIihf18OrZBuSq_EnGIU7IAj396RgirvqO10ZZTUayJAUw/s320/3autumn-mini2012.jpg" width="227" /></a></div>
Lastly, colours inspired by the new paper available in the mini catalogue called Twitterpated. Twitterpated fabric brightly combines Pear Pizzazz, Island Indigo, Riding Hood Red, Blushing Bride, Baja Breeze, Whisper White, which is what I've used on this card. See <a href="http://ryn.stampinup.net/">ryn.stampinup.net</a> to download your copy of the mini catalogue.
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYBNmdopn_1YyAMlKuyWBIrSgXp7Zk-LO92bdkwgZo_O_BTwn8MvHmw-HVXSZMMDZFR1WaVT32JK_E9-F1Dk2YfYhEKkRn-ZpmcL34HTNraqjmzEqCER_sCYv_zJOnpbYDBT8ztA/s1600/4autumn-mini2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYBNmdopn_1YyAMlKuyWBIrSgXp7Zk-LO92bdkwgZo_O_BTwn8MvHmw-HVXSZMMDZFR1WaVT32JK_E9-F1Dk2YfYhEKkRn-ZpmcL34HTNraqjmzEqCER_sCYv_zJOnpbYDBT8ztA/s320/4autumn-mini2012.jpg" width="226" /></a></div>
<br />
I'm enjoying this catalogue so much! And even though I'm in Canberra until June 30, I can still place orders for you and have them delivered right to your door.Carolyn Gibbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17011532258011218570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422224.post-66400388257534644922012-03-11T21:31:00.001+11:002012-04-09T07:18:19.019+10:00My birthday celebrationThis morning I arose far too early and went to muster with many other bleary eyed bodies in the Foyer of <a href="http://www.questacon.edu.au/">Questacon</a>. Dawn Drifters and Balloons Aloft set out from the building at about 6.15 to find a field large enough to blow up hot air balloons. My 40th birthday present.<br />
<br />
Picture from inside the basket looking up inside the balloon.<br />
<br />
<br />
<center><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/108488494919493471814/RynScraps?authkey=Gv1sRgCNamudLat5zMjQE#5718585274595066098"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbYUPXRBn_c-N_41mLZU-n2j82AUp0zf4AJBbV09WGWxNPxfoN-IQqyNbLPHoj3NFj-mmV8oZE5svUL9WoJmmfTrn3uy5uNHO7HQRJk7jleTjUkroJy8Z8R6to1QoJc_FoeiTAZA/s288/2.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a></center><br />
One of the many balloons flying for the Canberra Festival celebrating Canberra's 99th birthday.<br />
<br />
<br />
<center><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/108488494919493471814/RynScraps?authkey=Gv1sRgCNamudLat5zMjQE#5718585321625853010"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh46eoPwz5LgFTBimlsF4yjyLVQUzSHPYuen8xEPyiJYIX0_9jglGKGWQhowsTUWi8-HlDMtJ06VXumK0hcurxaqJtvT77CnpdeyUBdNzTFq7NrUCUz8ZLd6EV9Ct3jgBbiXF6hgg/s288/1.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="210" /></a></center><br />
Side of the balloon basket with another balloon below me, and homes around Yarralumla below that.<br />
<br />
<br />
<center><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/108488494919493471814/RynScraps?authkey=Gv1sRgCNamudLat5zMjQE#5718585376130603026"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlEFFJLJUtx_gTcqYAaeNDI9JLhN-am1EcXNGJcFOvjUesHRJAnp5-15jR5FIkwAAeiwwgJxKhfRX5ExymxlAJcAzBhPeLv1YX9a9EsfFj6t8sEoIFS-JP-EcNyMVcwhrW6KfGyA/s288/0.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a></center><br />
It was the most awesome experience and I am so glad I chose this as my present.<br />
<br />
While I was up there, I was taken back to when we lived in Miller Street, O'Connor and I'd wake early on Sunday mornings to the sound of conversations right above my bedroom. It took me far too long to work out it was balloonists above our house. I also remembered the week Ryan was born. I was in Calvary Hospital with ruptured membranes waiting for his arrival. I woke very early, around 6am, and opened my curtains wide. Each morning, balloons would rise behind Black Mountain and I wondered what it would be like to be one of the passengers.<br />
<br />
Many photos which may actually result in some scrapbooking, especially as Stampin' Up! has a stamp set called Up, Up and Away I the current catalogue.<br />
<br />
It was a fun birthday experience and my wonderful husband also allowed my a nap between ballooning and my birthday brunch at Pork Barrel Cafe. Lovely day spent with family. Not sure when or if a birthday party will eventuate... Time is becoming slightly precious at the moment. Long personal post finished! Enjoy the photos!<br />
<br />
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPadCarolyn Gibbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17011532258011218570noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422224.post-31328079105395639032012-03-09T22:50:00.001+11:002012-04-09T07:19:05.522+10:00Only fifteen weeks to goBefore I headed to Canberra to take up my role in the ACT public service advising on Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, we took a trip out to see the Picasso Exhibition at the NSW Art Gallery. This was a photo from my phone taken eating our packed food on the gallery steps. Exhibition was pretty good too!<br />
<br />
<br />
<center><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/108488494919493471814/RynScraps?authkey=Gv1sRgCNamudLat5zMjQE#5717863353884814002"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5dxmSpF9TfaSgW5f0v7FeokBqxLPuwPCVmKvt_9npZx6foIPXTQd3yd8bLjiHG1blMKxQTdI1Y8grHcVaN5WF2KlfsDUgXnn9xxxFo8_CkNRHlu4Ee74mbXrBkFtfC4eW8_tJcA/s288/0.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="217" /></a></center><br />
<br />
Made it through my first week at full time work. 3.30-itis has happened each day and has exacerbated my tinnitus to an amazing degree. Meetings have highlighted issues hearing but I found an app for my iPad which will help... I'm delighted that the image depicting the app is an ear trumpet. And it works in the background so I can also take notes. Brilliant!<br />
<br />
Miss the kids, miss Darren... Kinda love to be working in a field where the abundance in my very full brain can spill appropriately. I am a Web Accessibility and Usability Officer. 'Expert' and adviser on WCAG 2.0. Trying to think of a W word to go in front of my initials to replace the acronym... Suggestions?<br />
<br />
15 weeks to go...<br />
<br />
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPadCarolyn Gibbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17011532258011218570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422224.post-21076411118919007512012-02-21T10:38:00.000+11:002012-02-21T10:51:43.080+11:00Cased card and NewsSo at our last StampInkPaper team meeting, I was making a bunch of birthday cards. <a href="http://www.kayjacob.blogspot.com.au/">Kay</a>, one of my sister team members showed me a card by <a href="http://ruthyclarke.blogspot.com.au/2012/01/sugar-andspice-cake.html">Ruth
Clarke</a> and mentioned a friend would love this for her birthday. I had loads of bits of the Spice Cake paper chopped up so I went to work. Tea-bag fold on 8 circles which are then placed together to form a flower. Brad in the middle and voilà!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmJrxVkWtitF6_es2QqCiflqUdj8f-0YCg-YtynJbMBbqgXI5IPntmbmDJRiqz5rKOXvjoNF1dbvKhNQJejwc3_H4Y1rfIVofryAC6nm6EPV5i-trS9luTwxQLNaGYrcvohtW8Xg/s1600/DSCF0036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmJrxVkWtitF6_es2QqCiflqUdj8f-0YCg-YtynJbMBbqgXI5IPntmbmDJRiqz5rKOXvjoNF1dbvKhNQJejwc3_H4Y1rfIVofryAC6nm6EPV5i-trS9luTwxQLNaGYrcvohtW8Xg/s320/DSCF0036.JPG" width="231" /></a></div>
<br />
Supplies are Spice Cake DSP, Antique brad, Bring On the Cake stamp set, Early Espresso card body, Pool Party layer, Very Vanilla layer. Coloured "Birthday" with Pool Party marker and stamped sentiment in Early Espresso ink.<br />
<br />
News is that I've accepted a position with the ACT Public Service in Canberra until the end of June. I'll be travelling down on Sundays and returning home on Fridays. Will be busy, but worth it for both mental and financial health. Also hoping it will lead to other opportunities at higher levels in the future and allow the family to move in July. But nothing is ever set in stone, so we'll see how it goes. At the least it will give me very recent experience in work I very much enjoy (stuff I do voluntarily - being paid to do it is a bonus).<br />
<br />
And last but not least, its my littlest man's birthday today. Toby is 7
today! I'd been in hospital for a few days with ruptured membranes (same thing happened with Ryan) and was anxiously awaiting induction for Toby. This is an old scrapbook layout I did quite some time ago about how strong (read STUBBORN) he was at 2 weeks old. Remember, this is one week before his due date: he was 3 and a half weeks early! He was such a fighter from the very beginning, but I suppose that's how you might be against the world when you're evacuated from your nice warm place a bit early.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdnqZpX9MeVHcYNml4yXbWkUabbJp-ikLZ3cYGmSOXIw2PXGR0PEGj0XelyZmRqIf_aAf0jBEtUSsbYRLuq4FFVybJM4kGMez5M0eNNL68NF3GwjLt2eoywU8Bb_k6ii6_Xu5Cww/s1600/tiny-boy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdnqZpX9MeVHcYNml4yXbWkUabbJp-ikLZ3cYGmSOXIw2PXGR0PEGj0XelyZmRqIf_aAf0jBEtUSsbYRLuq4FFVybJM4kGMez5M0eNNL68NF3GwjLt2eoywU8Bb_k6ii6_Xu5Cww/s320/tiny-boy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Carolyn Gibbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17011532258011218570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422224.post-3305940269366965352012-02-14T14:31:00.001+11:002012-02-21T10:18:28.633+11:00Happy Valentine's DayHere's my valentine for my DH. Total CASE from a card appearing on the cover of <a href="http://www.papercraftsmag.com/issues/Jan_Feb_2012">Papercrafts</a> magazine Jan/Feb 2012 edition.
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglpqGhv9lZM_k9DIJUIe3Og7NP_dAsY6HiPff1YoA2ENcXXLGJWd731u9QHzixBiehTQ1a9YELVQut4e7OlrvoFU-OLW5ztSZydVSAKwNpeBifY0kr-wT2_MQy8pozZrLbW8XIEA/s1600/DSCF0033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglpqGhv9lZM_k9DIJUIe3Og7NP_dAsY6HiPff1YoA2ENcXXLGJWd731u9QHzixBiehTQ1a9YELVQut4e7OlrvoFU-OLW5ztSZydVSAKwNpeBifY0kr-wT2_MQy8pozZrLbW8XIEA/s320/DSCF0033.JPG" width="233" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Stampin' Up supplies used: Pool Party main card body, Cherry Cobbler for monster (copied from magazine), retired small oval punch for "window", 3" circle in whisper white cut with circle-scissor attached behind monster with brad through centre. Notch in card-edge punched with retired small oval. Twine is cherry cobbler from Summer Mini. Markers used: sahara sand, cherry cobbler, basic black. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Card for my Mum's birthday below. Again, update on iPad has caused gremlins.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO49Zw9FKMrmvxt3-zknGepXHKj6YPR5K6dzly6P1oHsKzHUycUiW0_UP6cgJUrDGcIq94zzQsAF1HwgUKhltcYq2iOuZM5qHOmYVDSdPX_ddXDjp5ylbEzrYXTjh_h5D20lRBgA/s1600/DSCF0037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO49Zw9FKMrmvxt3-zknGepXHKj6YPR5K6dzly6P1oHsKzHUycUiW0_UP6cgJUrDGcIq94zzQsAF1HwgUKhltcYq2iOuZM5qHOmYVDSdPX_ddXDjp5ylbEzrYXTjh_h5D20lRBgA/s320/DSCF0037.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Cherry cobbler card body, textured whisper white for card and punched lace border. Used Mat Pack to align punched four-leaf flowers on left edge. Stamp set is Elements of Style coloured with Pink Pirouette, Blush Blossom, Pear Pizzaz and Wild Wasabi. <br />
<br />
Lastly, card for Aunty Kelli's birthday also within the last week. Must admit I cheated and have the same card for my other sister-in-law, Emma, for the end of this month.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIeqsRKpJOH3rttvGrSBKLWqqZgyQUEtB5XFENPZjzmFTOsi0-pPE28vAjUiX_XfStDqPGGCCta61O5tRN-4iJe0yKyS-PiY5HhWcWJ8Ea14alvGOi31olejGIgam5yc1EsZC2yg/s1600/DSCF0034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIeqsRKpJOH3rttvGrSBKLWqqZgyQUEtB5XFENPZjzmFTOsi0-pPE28vAjUiX_XfStDqPGGCCta61O5tRN-4iJe0yKyS-PiY5HhWcWJ8Ea14alvGOi31olejGIgam5yc1EsZC2yg/s320/DSCF0034.JPG" width="230" /></a></div>
Card body is Lucky Limade, as is sentiment. Flowers are Marina Mist with Not Quite Navy highlights. Vase is a cropped Ornament Punch in Marina Mist. Stamp set used is Charming from Summer Mini.Carolyn Gibbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17011532258011218570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422224.post-46126625942872641572011-11-27T10:45:00.001+11:002012-02-21T10:38:50.653+11:00Pretty-nessFiddling about with this colour combo from Beau Chateau I made this card for a friend (which still hasn't found its way to her, I don't think!). The hummingbird has a dazzling diamonds/clear embossing powder mix which I added after adding some lines with a versamark pen. Love the effect and love the spots of pink amongst the blue. Enjoy!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjeT6Zfu2Fn0uM4K3agdWfJixLSwqZ3rehiNXf3KuRF9fC06zEbbw7SW-RYXpOZl7LSZFtnNCS_DnR8tyGM8yD3jx50prK7_b3E-hdgUts8Vc0wTmaCu-NpoDO-73Nzd1x7TYdeg/s1600/DSCF0049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjeT6Zfu2Fn0uM4K3agdWfJixLSwqZ3rehiNXf3KuRF9fC06zEbbw7SW-RYXpOZl7LSZFtnNCS_DnR8tyGM8yD3jx50prK7_b3E-hdgUts8Vc0wTmaCu-NpoDO-73Nzd1x7TYdeg/s320/DSCF0049.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Carolyn Gibbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17011532258011218570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422224.post-63112987108292839092011-09-26T15:42:00.001+10:002012-02-21T10:39:17.116+11:00Not at all idle...Apologies once again for the long gap between posts, but I have been busy! Firstly there's the advent tree - which I've had to wash and haven't yet sent to the winner of the bloghop because it was very sticky/tacky on the front. I used always artichoke to make the background cloth. I'm not sure what more I can do except iron the whole thing once again and cross fingers.
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhewlj8GT8GoUWrU_YwQYr_GpVs-o5CCJwQnX5kvtC0B88i9tW_Uz6CCl1AXBBCqolb8tKk5OZuhIjtxhlKCosD0Dh5LLzilDPk8ljcmAFbaYOT9NEMhH3oW6jrWjNuKLCfXBUsTw/s1600/DSCF0059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhewlj8GT8GoUWrU_YwQYr_GpVs-o5CCJwQnX5kvtC0B88i9tW_Uz6CCl1AXBBCqolb8tKk5OZuhIjtxhlKCosD0Dh5LLzilDPk8ljcmAFbaYOT9NEMhH3oW6jrWjNuKLCfXBUsTw/s320/DSCF0059.jpg" width="242" /></a></div>
The next thing is a little bag I've been meaning to make for my nephew Terrence since Easter. I made my kids and the Gibbs' cousins little bags for collecting their Easter eggs at an Easter hunt at our place. I had promised to make a little bag for my brother's kids as well. Terrence loves biplanes and I found a <a href="http://www.flying.doitproperly.co.uk/airplane-clipart.php">cartoon biplane</a> online which I printed out and translated to fabric.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8_kq-ph1BHaJkEH3brAyk0VwXy3L5AO0F8TVSHkqiQp2z2wIFtlGeuFgnKNHRG1CHEPlx-Vw0aMvr0qsdnuPFLwUjXssu6OFYeFP-Vg-KYOqxXeIWQ-lxnuTy6MpQKExASuouzw/s1600/DSCF0060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8_kq-ph1BHaJkEH3brAyk0VwXy3L5AO0F8TVSHkqiQp2z2wIFtlGeuFgnKNHRG1CHEPlx-Vw0aMvr0qsdnuPFLwUjXssu6OFYeFP-Vg-KYOqxXeIWQ-lxnuTy6MpQKExASuouzw/s1600/DSCF0060.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Lastly a bit of recycling (upcycling?)... Many towels in my linen cupboard are developing holes for various reasons. It seems a pity to just ditch them, especially as I do need bathmats. It occurred to me today that there's no reason I can't chop them up with my lovely bigshot and make new from old. This one is an old towel that has a velvety side and a loop side, so I've chopped it up into lots of squares with my scallop square and made a new mat. If it frays I'm not too concerned as it will add character. I'll do the same with other old bath-mats and make something slightly more colourful next time. Considering I whipped this up in just under an hour, I'm slightly pleased with myself. And now I know my bigshot dies will cut TOWELS!!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSwUb2y_PFlDL-EqAcyknJYq4gkWMEAjtRq0DvLoRw11HhKv_2IgwzkovkgQhohLJ51GABoCnfuD90lilt8ardJSYEyCJRan5AlqAmlrVDaD15I4GHIKCKPYiLT54ICxFW-tpteg/s1600/DSCF0061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSwUb2y_PFlDL-EqAcyknJYq4gkWMEAjtRq0DvLoRw11HhKv_2IgwzkovkgQhohLJ51GABoCnfuD90lilt8ardJSYEyCJRan5AlqAmlrVDaD15I4GHIKCKPYiLT54ICxFW-tpteg/s320/DSCF0061.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Carolyn Gibbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17011532258011218570noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422224.post-59483822632525600592011-08-29T07:14:00.004+10:002011-08-29T16:37:25.300+10:00More sewingI finally finished the skirt I started at the Inklings team weekend away - strips of Flirtatious fabric sewn together (and overlocked and top-stitched - took FOREVER) and simply hemmed and a top hem with waistband-elastic. One happy little girl!
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmY8Gdqq1bxEPJgVCcIGfUeIWIIzHyC8UHMkZDOTkVHED5BUnQnVV2IWegMo6211YgdoC3KNT634OhZPu-R3XUWemaisi_mMRKQjw-IBsfcdAOvcaEZGhyteQCzzMGaXLSBd0XiA/s1600/cards+041.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 151px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmY8Gdqq1bxEPJgVCcIGfUeIWIIzHyC8UHMkZDOTkVHED5BUnQnVV2IWegMo6211YgdoC3KNT634OhZPu-R3XUWemaisi_mMRKQjw-IBsfcdAOvcaEZGhyteQCzzMGaXLSBd0XiA/s320/cards+041.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646018555204159970" border="0" /></a>For these, I searched for a free pattern for pin-cushions. After discounting most of the animal patterns because I hate the idea of sticking pins into cute little defenceless pin-cushions, I found these fabulous <a href="http://thelittlehousebythesea.wordpress.com/2008/11/03/toadstool-cottage-and-mushroom-house-%E2%80%93-free-pattern-and-tutorial/">Toadstool Cottage and Mushroom House</a> by a Kiwi lass who publishes a great crafty blog called "<a href="http://thelittlehousebythesea.wordpress.com/">The Little House by the Sea</a>". She has a template/pattern for these mushies and although she uses felt and embroidery, I adapted them quite successfully for scraps of Flirtatious and Beau Château fabrics. And look, not a rooster in sight! For the stems, I used the inside of a wide-ribbon reel gently eased into the stem, stuffed toy-fill between the fabric and reel, put some barley inside of the reel and stitched it together. Well, actually, I stuffed the stems full of toy-fill first and they wouldn't stand up properly. Hubby suggested putting something firm in the bottom - the ribbon reel insides are perfect because they have a lip on one end which acts as a stopper for the stuffing, and makes it very stable on the bottom.
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhETUnH4QZu7F7h4SPamNGmgY1NIspcxmfswKhoNee_zsrmiZrx7ar3c3MfMou-Dj41IgLQNiL_-tWc2jf6iEa3-0Ha6s25XmbWYag9Ro3CIMlJ8CjxYr9SKFMW0qKjnI3pYr8FUw/s1600/cards+045.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 292px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhETUnH4QZu7F7h4SPamNGmgY1NIspcxmfswKhoNee_zsrmiZrx7ar3c3MfMou-Dj41IgLQNiL_-tWc2jf6iEa3-0Ha6s25XmbWYag9Ro3CIMlJ8CjxYr9SKFMW0qKjnI3pYr8FUw/s320/cards+045.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646018698194244178" border="0" /></a>
<br />Hope you like!Carolyn Gibbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17011532258011218570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422224.post-63461244393248073112011-08-22T16:01:00.005+10:002011-08-23T07:54:17.774+10:00A taste...Very soon now Stampin' Up Australia launches its 2011/12 catalogue. One of the marvellous things that will be available in the new catalogue is FABRIC. The fabric patters coordinate with stamp sets and papers as well as using the delicious colour ranges only available with Stampin' Up products. Happily, I attended a team weekend retreat where everyone played with new products. The following picture features a bag I made based on card-bag pattern demonstrated by <a href="http://www.joannawassens.com/">Joanna Wassens</a> (not sure where Jo discovered the pattern). I am so glad I took my sewing machine along to the team weekend. I had loads of fun doing this bag - although some refinements are required. When I tackle the bag once again, I'll post instructions for how I made it.
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjADFsSPH3yzwNVqYYm2yrBQNTWbGcaKTmuEwE2hNYN3mwCa8nhIiY5RTWF9Xp1-d8qoBpl39MqUKZ-GQgKl94SRhKbQDLyrMXz2-3Gka8uyErZdfOZQHI9_G12eQ5W-on9a2VVPQ/s1600/BeauChateauBag.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjADFsSPH3yzwNVqYYm2yrBQNTWbGcaKTmuEwE2hNYN3mwCa8nhIiY5RTWF9Xp1-d8qoBpl39MqUKZ-GQgKl94SRhKbQDLyrMXz2-3Gka8uyErZdfOZQHI9_G12eQ5W-on9a2VVPQ/s320/BeauChateauBag.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643801967753510962" /></a>
<br />Carolyn Gibbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17011532258011218570noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422224.post-76727996532428528082011-07-25T12:00:00.009+10:002011-07-25T15:56:28.666+10:00Inklings Christmas in July Bloghop<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGPUh9h4gErD6aKvtkN4ZRsdGCuiQT2HqeMy51c30Z_WpiBmllpz9u2_PwS_W6OSraHtZuHPaB9m85SE3rDaG_8E9upwO1LXQ6LXEsuQoRVEarRk1TEN81HyUZ38jCVAOMMHVdPw/s1600/Inklings+Bloghop+logo-001.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGPUh9h4gErD6aKvtkN4ZRsdGCuiQT2HqeMy51c30Z_WpiBmllpz9u2_PwS_W6OSraHtZuHPaB9m85SE3rDaG_8E9upwO1LXQ6LXEsuQoRVEarRk1TEN81HyUZ38jCVAOMMHVdPw/s320/Inklings+Bloghop+logo-001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633164710975122018" border="0" /></a><br />Welcome to The INKlings’ Team’s Christmas in July blog hop. You may have arrived here from <a href="http://stampinkpaper.blogspot.com/2011/07/hop-into-christmas-in-winter-with.html">Michelle's blog</a> or just be visiting my blog, whichever way once you’ve checked out my creations you can continue the hop through the link at the end of this post to the next team member.<br /><br />How quick is this year going! Have you started to think about your Christmas cards and projects yet? The INKlings team has and we thought that this month was the perfect time to host a Christmas in July blog hop. You'll find lots of great ideas provided by 15 team members’ fantastic blogs.<br /><br />Want to win some Blog Candy? Simply leave a comment on each blog and then email <a href="mailto:clare@crafty-cow.com">clare@crafty-cow.com</a> (subject Inklings Bloghop) and let her know you’ve done so and you’ll be in the running for a fantastic prize of 15 handmade items plus other goodies.<br /><br />Sorry Blog Candy prize not available to SU! demonstrators but you're more than welcome to leave us a comment!<br /><br />Here's the start of my idea. I took some plain calico fabric and used the Scallop Envelope die to cut out 24 envelopes (2 at a time). I then mixed some Cherry Cobbler (and Always Artichoke) ink with textile medium and rolled the mix with a brayer onto the raised part of the Vintage Wallpaper textured impression folder and ran it through the big shot. When I did this, I left the flap hanging outside the edge of the folder (could get two on the textured impression folder this way!). It all looked to plain, so I mixed some gold smooch in with the textile medium and spritzed it across the envelope flap. Ironed everything to set the colours. The idea is to make an advent calendar with each of these little pockets stitched onto a backing fabric. I'm working on this! The background in this picture is my ironing board. This is also my blog candy - will update this when I've finished the project. I've laid out the envelopes in straight lines 5 rows with 5 envelopes (4 on bottom row), or tried a Christmas tree pattern. What do you think would work better?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT3dTDKbFX8pt2QkczPF_trpjCKHZnOhQHxzHzHQ48sbCsHTc14hnFwCVEI3IhyphenhyphenBLly8tbo_TKpnY8LYJm6NQ7UN-lJoWL8WtOgSVE-mrqobKp7W0Ck_1FNlAygMjhYl-lbf_yHA/s1600/Christmas2011-bloghop.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 280px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT3dTDKbFX8pt2QkczPF_trpjCKHZnOhQHxzHzHQ48sbCsHTc14hnFwCVEI3IhyphenhyphenBLly8tbo_TKpnY8LYJm6NQ7UN-lJoWL8WtOgSVE-mrqobKp7W0Ck_1FNlAygMjhYl-lbf_yHA/s320/Christmas2011-bloghop.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633044268381903234" border="0" /></a><br />Well that’s all from me. Next stop on the INKlings’ Team Blog Hop is the lovely<br /><a href="http://fionajanestamping.blogspot.com/2011/07/welcome-to-inklings-teams-christmas-in.html">Fiona Brown</a>. Have fun and don't forget to leave a comment on each blog to win some great Blog Candy.<br /><br />If for any reason you find a missing link on the blog hop I've included a list below of all the members taking part.<br /><br />1. Clare <a href="http://www.crafty-cow.com/">www.crafty-cow.com</a><br />2. Janice <a href="http://www.janicespencer.blogspot.com/">www.janicespencer.blogspot.com</a><br />3. Christie <a href="http://www.christiescreativecorner.blogspot.com/">www.christiescreativecorner.blogspot.com</a><br />4. Kari <a href="http://www.karigail.wordpress.com/">www.karigail.wordpress.com</a><br />5. Joanna <a href="http://www.joannawassens.com/">www.joannawassens.com</a><br />6. Michelle <a href="http://stampinground.wordpress.com/">stampinground.wordpress.com</a><br />7. Alana <a href="http://www.alanagalagher.blogspot.com/">www.alanagalagher.blogspot.com</a><br />8. Carol <a href="http://www.inkantations-and-inkarnations.blogspot.com/">www.inkantations-and-inkarnations.blogspot.com</a><br />9. Cath <a href="http://cathdeanpapercraft.blogspot.com/">cathdeanpapercraft.blogspot.com</a><br />10. Amy <a href="http://amyandersonsblog.blogspot.com/">amyandersonsblog.blogspot.com</a><br />11. Vanessa <a href="http://stampness.blogspot.com/">stampness.blogspot.com</a><br />12. Michelle D <a href="http://www.blogger.com/stampinkpaper.blogspot.com">stampinkpaper.blogspot.com</a><br />13. Ryn <a href="http://rynscraps.blogspot.com/">rynscraps.blogspot.com</a><br />14. Fiona B <a href="http://fionajanestamping.blogspot.com/">fionajanestamping.blogspot.com</a><br />15. Liz Halbisch <a href="http://lizhalbisch.blogspot.com/">lizhalbisch.blogspot.com</a>Carolyn Gibbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17011532258011218570noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422224.post-4860815815352741732011-05-01T15:44:00.002+10:002011-05-01T16:03:56.062+10:00Sudoku CushionWow! Interest in my cushion... Here's a better picture of the cushion. Essentially, I picked out 9 contrasting fabrics from a Moda "Sultry" Layer Cake and cut 9 x 2.5" squares from each pattern. I then did a Sudoku in the newspaper and used it as a template to make the cushion top. When I stitched it together there was a little too much brown. Creative Opportunity! I used the Stampin' Up! heart punch to make my heart shape, made some appliqué pieces and stitched them on top. As I love a good Sudoku, I also enjoyed the whimsy of including the heart in the pattern.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVvS2wu3Zc8dk1c7gVFcd_yl2X8OSi2xCyIGTdGLsFVWEp2EyprUAUmZqxREjJMtB27ZlSMYwcLqTdYrrDgLo3ZPSCfmpWozsAVA6xO-MyNRRRCQfJG2qPwfzqIJLVeWEFc-57nA/s1600/sudoku-cushion.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 316px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVvS2wu3Zc8dk1c7gVFcd_yl2X8OSi2xCyIGTdGLsFVWEp2EyprUAUmZqxREjJMtB27ZlSMYwcLqTdYrrDgLo3ZPSCfmpWozsAVA6xO-MyNRRRCQfJG2qPwfzqIJLVeWEFc-57nA/s320/sudoku-cushion.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601619872866843666" border="0" /></a>Carolyn Gibbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17011532258011218570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422224.post-33059044463257430452011-04-26T21:59:00.004+10:002011-04-26T22:11:34.688+10:00EasterInvitation out to the Gibbs' side of the family for an egg-hunt at ours on Sunday. Hunting eggs duly purchased and I searched for likely items for a basket for the kids. I couldn't find anything that appealed, so went to the fabric store and bought some calico. In the interests of environmental responsibility, I decided to make six little bags for the munchkins to use to collect eggs. Girls had flowers stitched on, Ryan and Toby had stars and elephants respectively. I took the photo seconds before the hunt happened and obviously didn't focus it at all. To one side you'll also see I finished my sudoku cushion - didn't come out quite as expected. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggiyBsNN8Yh3cEyJXRqGk2vzWw1RfkYQZ1Em4hEqscJdt4QwnpDLrNpi-PX14AtLphKFGgEwYxstWCg1FY_fEXcKlUdfsUPByfxXd6jPH3x6XTPDVS01bEsOnIAaVhkj2QeUsC7g/s1600/DSCF0117.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599860745897415154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 262px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggiyBsNN8Yh3cEyJXRqGk2vzWw1RfkYQZ1Em4hEqscJdt4QwnpDLrNpi-PX14AtLphKFGgEwYxstWCg1FY_fEXcKlUdfsUPByfxXd6jPH3x6XTPDVS01bEsOnIAaVhkj2QeUsC7g/s320/DSCF0117.JPG" border="0" /></a>The Hunt is On! Here's the kids towards the end of the egg hunt. Kids loved their bags! And, of course, once Easter is over, they can be re-used!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHMPUB0yBzRJ3kXrFAhvBbR7n4rH8sH8-x-8KOf1dm9IEo8OmjF4h42_rGT4fEyMGcJ_CL-9ZC2CA7z8SQUH80Rl40hQu9tle4HxLays7obCVnYs6ZJNhVGZlOcsdM2Dc98QirPA/s1600/DSCF0126.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599860748090339394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 190px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHMPUB0yBzRJ3kXrFAhvBbR7n4rH8sH8-x-8KOf1dm9IEo8OmjF4h42_rGT4fEyMGcJ_CL-9ZC2CA7z8SQUH80Rl40hQu9tle4HxLays7obCVnYs6ZJNhVGZlOcsdM2Dc98QirPA/s320/DSCF0126.JPG" border="0" /></a>Carolyn Gibbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17011532258011218570noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422224.post-73379907400514173372011-04-17T18:31:00.003+10:002011-04-17T19:07:21.071+10:00Zoo FriendsWe made our second visit to <a href="http://www.taronga.org.au/">Taronga Zoo</a> today. This time we visited the little penguins (which is where we lost Number Two Son last time), seals, elephants, meerkats, pygmy hippos, lions, tigers, snow leopard, gorillas, and platypus (in the platypus house this time). We also found a couple of waddling Echidna, a couple of brush-tailed rock wallabies, crocodiles, alligators, giant tortoise, a sleepy wombat, some extremely frolicking feathertail gliders (because they'd just been fed), bilbies, potaroos, and a tawny frogmouth too. Despite the gloomy weather, we had moments of sunshine, not terribly many crowds to contend with, BYO lunch and Zoo Friends discounts in the giftshop and for parking. The highlight was a visit to the elephants, catching the keeper talk and play session and seeing Luk Chai (Son), Pathi Harn (Miracle) and Tukta (Doll) playing in the water for what seemed like an age! <br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgw-s48Liu6K0taa2yFPQN_8q-6ehuoKOywoYJzoGZiPmM4pL5xP2-Rgvvv2KxOIMFWiTHH9qixVX1PuCMwMqhERAFXrFpMXLeCNOHzWyBfOrozpvScoqh-0ztP1joZ4xe218hYA/s1600/DSCF0054e.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596467695119287234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 234px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgw-s48Liu6K0taa2yFPQN_8q-6ehuoKOywoYJzoGZiPmM4pL5xP2-Rgvvv2KxOIMFWiTHH9qixVX1PuCMwMqhERAFXrFpMXLeCNOHzWyBfOrozpvScoqh-0ztP1joZ4xe218hYA/s320/DSCF0054e.JPG" border="0" /></a> The other highlight for me was the news that the platypus at Taronga have puggles! Puggle is the name for a baby platypus. Apparently, Mum won't let them out of the burrow until they're the same size as she is. Its awesome that they are breeding in captivity! And I felt so lucky to be able to see the platypus swimming around inside; I'm afraid my family had to drag me away. I can't wait to see more of the platypus when we next visit. Joining zoo friends was the best idea! It will be fun to visit again before December this year.</p>Carolyn Gibbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17011532258011218570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422224.post-53261811876804275652011-04-03T13:36:00.004+10:002011-04-04T17:29:50.414+10:00Easter Bilby punch-artIn recent years for Easter in Australia there has been a campaign to raise awareness of one of our cuter endangered species, the <a href="http://www.derm.qld.gov.au/wildlife-ecosystems/wildlife/threatened_plants_and_animals/endangered/bilby/">Bilby</a>. An Australian chocolate manufacturer, Darrell Lea, started making chocolate Bilbies for easter in 1994. From 1999, Darrell Lea has donated part of the proceeds from chocolate bilby sales to the "<a href="http://www.easterbilby.com.au/">Save the Bilby</a>" fund. So in celebration of Easter in Australia, I've designed a punch-art Bilby! They're nocturnal little guys so I started out putting them on a night of navy background. Didn't look right though. They're mostly in semi-arid areas of Australia and burrow in our dry-dry orange-golden dirt. So this is what I came up with based on a recent birthday card for a class using the "Autumn Days" stamp set...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmW-aR44lr4n-1vf5stWO_tZz5L0LmeVIzojQHxfaDbVE4SVQkvfxf-CGxahWMk7Rgc-UQ_oaXz2BI-oeKzSYxhwbxoZpiuxyAwnD1NAG1LBtQ8TX1Vuj7CJwyqWucq5zVd3XYmQ/s1600/Bilby-card.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 226px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmW-aR44lr4n-1vf5stWO_tZz5L0LmeVIzojQHxfaDbVE4SVQkvfxf-CGxahWMk7Rgc-UQ_oaXz2BI-oeKzSYxhwbxoZpiuxyAwnD1NAG1LBtQ8TX1Vuj7CJwyqWucq5zVd3XYmQ/s320/Bilby-card.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591196282355048338" border="0" /></a>I took a few photos along the way to show how I put this together. These bilbies are actually refinement number 3 - the first two were not-quite-right. And my daughter added her two cents saying just one looked "lonely" so I should make another for the card. The image below shows the bits I used and very simple instructions. Print this and the card above and I'm sure clever people can figure it out!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXpXW6CmNt-KlBGsw8tDwj6ZpOtuz9abUCd-XMBJ4nX9do9jauhcSSFDDFKsfVStIRGnDF-dgKuD6fNtOnKYcHk7A8Mm_MqOxA2_c6L2Uc9c7o-9u8xmBbsVVcxN8gSn9_zl1ddA/s1600/Bilby1.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXpXW6CmNt-KlBGsw8tDwj6ZpOtuz9abUCd-XMBJ4nX9do9jauhcSSFDDFKsfVStIRGnDF-dgKuD6fNtOnKYcHk7A8Mm_MqOxA2_c6L2Uc9c7o-9u8xmBbsVVcxN8gSn9_zl1ddA/s320/Bilby1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591196279359881522" border="0" /></a>Happy punching!Carolyn Gibbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17011532258011218570noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422224.post-720645630313392722011-03-30T16:54:00.002+11:002011-04-04T17:30:06.639+10:00Sadly...... I received a letter today saying "your application was unsuccessful." No Canberra job to go to. Will have to apply for more. Very deflated.Carolyn Gibbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17011532258011218570noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422224.post-10692128643824945502011-03-06T17:43:00.006+11:002011-03-06T17:59:24.919+11:00A special cardSo I was recently commissioned to create a card for a very special birthday - a 100th. I was time poor but had been given the brief that Hilda is very active in the Welsh Society and so the colours of Wales (Red, White and Blue) or the Welsh flower, a Daffodil should be incorporated somehow. I immediately thought of the "Just Believe" set. I then racked my brains trying to make something super-special - nothing was springing to mind and time was marching on! Finally, I did the rounds of the blogs I read regularly and have tagged in my blog Reader. Inspiration came from <a href="http://www.tenealewilliams.com.au/wp02/category/by-stamp-set/by-stamp-set-just-believe/">Teneale Williams</a>, a most talented and frequently published card-maker. I can't think of anyone who makes cards more special and her attention to detail is meticulous. As you can see, I've copied Teneale's structure within the limits of my available resources. I did use different colours and then popped the flowers with dimensionals. I also stamped an inside very similar to Teneale's, but didn't take a good enough picture of it to show. So thanks very much to Teneale for the inspiration in creating this very special 100th birthday card. I don't imagine I'll have the opportunity to make any more very soon!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2jaEnx3xYCObc_qn62EDUQsfkGrFCJWMxHAQfBm4T5efGK0tsnQwETciAGzgl0yxEYJJuUIf6xEweSXH1tNjRgAyAoWYi812jmdb9s5JYqWuODQwUHIY7UfDNxVRUcQpuyi0hOg/s1600/100th.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 271px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2jaEnx3xYCObc_qn62EDUQsfkGrFCJWMxHAQfBm4T5efGK0tsnQwETciAGzgl0yxEYJJuUIf6xEweSXH1tNjRgAyAoWYi812jmdb9s5JYqWuODQwUHIY7UfDNxVRUcQpuyi0hOg/s320/100th.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580853972038983890" /></a><br /><br />And for those wondering, it will be six weeks since my interview in Canberra next Tuesday. I'm seriously hoping for some kind of feedback by then, but still have not heard anything at all to date. The website states: <br /><blockquote><span style="font-style:italic;">As a Department, we are well aware that the selection process should be efficient and prompt – to this effect, we are encouraging and supporting our Divisions to complete their recruitment processes within a six-week timeframe. Regrettably, this is not always possible with every position vacancy, but it is a firm goal of the Department.</span></blockquote><br />Understandably, I'm no longer holding my breath. :) But keep watching - you'll know when I know, lovely readers!Carolyn Gibbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17011532258011218570noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422224.post-60887141325321071652011-02-02T08:48:00.003+11:002011-02-02T08:55:29.620+11:00Interview excitementBig news! I had an interview for a position at the <a href="http://www.innovation.gov.au/">Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research</a> in Canberra. Keeping everything crossed as the job is JUST my cup of tea! I'm so excited because the interview went really well, I thought. I just sent a thank you email off to the panel members and hope that I hear from them with some positive news in the next week or so. If its not so positive news, I'll feel quite happy to ask for constructive feedback on the interview. I hope to receive some "tea"riffic news!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJCyJd7_F3CtyTVUK82U-ktXm6zpdr45b3_yTNeLXV1xpmoCNK-k449kxMBePtD84-aIi1-4xBJEI7S9SgevVnZb0zljzKFBUhfzq7FwfLMf5McR8jaHHpAwYDEd9F0E3wuVcoow/s1600/Fuji+036.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 223px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJCyJd7_F3CtyTVUK82U-ktXm6zpdr45b3_yTNeLXV1xpmoCNK-k449kxMBePtD84-aIi1-4xBJEI7S9SgevVnZb0zljzKFBUhfzq7FwfLMf5McR8jaHHpAwYDEd9F0E3wuVcoow/s320/Fuji+036.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568843003034641394" /></a>Carolyn Gibbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17011532258011218570noreply@blogger.com4