Shopping With Rosie Rabbit

Hello to all my crafting friends.

I know this post is late, but with our sad loss on Wednesday (see 

previous post), I felt too emotionally drained to write it up.

The Pink Fairies at Crafty Little Fairies have a new challenge for you,

and the theme this time is 

'SHOPPING'

Our lovely sponsor this week is

If you want to be eligible for their fab prize, you must use 

a stamped or digital image.

In an attempt to increase my supply of Christmas cards throughout the year,

to avoid that frantic and frenzied panic of last-minute card-making, I have 

created a Christmas card using Stampavie's A Rosie Rabbit Gift.

A closer look at Rosie in her shopping bag, coloured with Promarkers.

The inside of my card matches the front.

Challenges

ABC Christmas - ' 'D' for Die-Cut'

Animal Friends #11 - 'Points/Dots'
Cutie Pie #63 - 'Cute With Dots and Spots'
Divas By Design - 'Make It Sparkle'
Fab 'N' Funky #205 - 'Christmas'
The Paper Shelter #147 - 'Animal Magic'

Image - Stampavie A Rosie Rabbit Gift

Colouring - Promarkers

Paper - Imaginisce Let It Snow; Art Stamps Australia Gold Glitter Card

Dies - Spellbinders Classic and Scalloped Circles and Rectangles; Joy! Crafts 

Winter Wishes Snowflake Border 2021; Elizabeth Craft Designs Seasons Greetings

Punches - Carl Snowflake; Martha Stewart PATP Snowflakes (negatives); Creative 

Memories Corner 

Ranger Stickles - Platinum

For a chance to win a lovely prize, why not visit us at Crafty Little Fairies,
and enter our 'Shopping' Challenge.

Hugs, 

Jennifer. x

Vale Pagliacci

I have not been very active with my blog lately, but there are reasons for this. 

First, for quite a while now, we have been trying to deal with a very sad situation with our son who lives in London.

Second, regular visitors to my blog will know that I am a 'mad' lover of cats (and all other animals too). For several months now we have known that our darling boy, Pagliacci (Pally) had used up his 9 lives, and was therefore on 'borrowed time'.

Over the past 3 weeks he has deteriorated dramatically, requiring trips to the vet, and constant attention. The 'spark' had left his eyes, he was barely eating, had lost heaps of weight, was unsteady on his feet, and we just felt he was telling us that he was ready to go, so on Monday night John and I made the heart-breaking decision to help him leave on his final journey.

Dear Pally turned 15 last Christmas, and has had so many illnesses and injuries we have lost count. Of all the 26 cats I have been owned by, he was THE personality boy. Experts say that cats can have up to 16 forms of vocalisation in their vocabularies, and we are sure that Pally used them all. He has also been the loudest and most constant purrer. I lay on the floor next to his bed for much of last night, soothing and stroking him, and as weak as he was, he purred for hours, as if to say "thank you for staying with me".

Our vet came early this morning, and spent an hour with us sitting on a rug in the shade of a gum tree in the garden, where we said our goodbyes, and she attended to her task. Sarah was so gentle and compassionate with both Pally and us. This morning was particularly poignant for her, as Pally was the 1st cat she treated when she moved to our district, and she lost her own beloved kitty just 2 days ago.

Our home will never be the same without our darling boy and his 'conversations', and LOUD purring. This morning was all the more difficult because in the months since Pally started to 'fail' he has become very dependent, super affectionate, and 'sooky', wanting to be with us constantly (even in the bathroom).

For many years whenever I spent an afternoon in my studio, Pally would always sit outside, under the window, until his invisible wristwatch said it was time for me to begin the late afternoon feeding and bedding down routine with our pets. He would use his 'NOW!!' meow relentlessly until I obeyed.

He is now asleep forever in that same spot. 

Sleep peacefully little boy.

The whole time I have been writing this, I have had tears streaming down my face, so I will close off, wash my face and have a cup of tea.

Sad hugs,
Jennifer. xx

Teddy and Butterflies

Like me, are you all scared at how fast time is rushing by...the days,

weeks, months, and even years all seem to be 'melting' into one another.

My dear friend and neighbour Rosalie, now has 2 little grand daughters,

and I can hardly believe that the oldest, Sunny Mae, celebrated her 2nd birthday 

on Monday. All little girls love cute teddy bears, so circumstances couldn't 

have suited me better, because this week at Crafty Little Fairies, the 

pink fairies would like you to enter our challenge, the theme of which

 is one I know many of you will love...

'TEDDIES'

We are so lucky this week to have 2 lovely sponsors, 

so a big "thank you" to

and

Those of you who visit my blog regularly will recognise the image I have used, 

as it is one of my favourite bear stamps. 

A close up look at my little teddy. The tiny butterflies are some of the 

negatives from the die-cut matting on the front of my card.

Inside my card. I think I would have liked my finished card better if I had not

placed the small piece of butterfly DP under the white scalloped circle. 

Image - Stamp It Australia

Colouring - Promarkers

Sentiment - Computer generated Balsam font

Paper - Crafter's Choice Princess

Dies - Spellbinders Classic, Scalloped, and Butterfly Circles; 

Punch - Martha Stewart PATP Butterflies

Flowers, ribbon, twine, gems and Stickles are all from my junk stash

For a chance to win one of 2 lovely prizes, why not visit us at Crafty Little Fairies, and enter our 'Teddies' challenge.

Until next time, "happy crafting"

Hugs, 

Jennifer. x

Holly Arrangement

It's never too early to start making our Christmas cards, is it. In fact, I know

many of you already have begun a collection for this year.

For a couple of my cards last Christmas I used this elegant image, that

began life in a packet of mini Christmas cards or gift tags, designed by 

Lucy Cromwell. The background paper is actually gift wrap. It is of 

beautiful quality, so I bought it for my card making. I couldn't bear to

use any of the roll as gift wrap, just to be thrown away after a gift 

had been unwrapped.

A closer look at the pretty image.

Inside my card is fairly CAS.

Challenges

Christmas At Sweet Stampin' - 'Festive Foliage'

Winter Wonderland - 'No Stamping Allowed'

Image - Lucy Cromwell
Paper - Gift wrap (brand unknown)
Die - Joycraft Lattice Corner Die 0135

I know many of you are experiencing cold and very wet weather, but I would love you to send some of it my way. We have had weeks and weeks of temperatures reaching the high 30s, with some mid 40s thrown in.

So many areas are now in severe drought, including us. We had some rain one evening 3 weeks ago, but by the next afternoon the ground was back to dust. I suppose I shouldn't complain that much of our garden is dead, because so many farmers are having to sell their cattle and sheep for a pittance, or just shoot them. Thankfully we now only have 1 horse, because he is having to be handfed...our paddocks are so bare, and what little grass there is, is brown and crackles underfoot. At least we do not have any of the terrifying bushfires, raging in Victoria, close by.

Why oh why can't we all have an equal share of warmth, cool, and the wet stuff!!!

Now I have had a good whinge I will just say "bye for now...and happy crafting".

Hugs,
Jennifer. x

Glittered Balloons

A few weeks ago, a cute little lad we know celebrated his 7th birthday.

I decided to make him a really bright card.

For the embossed panel, I ran some cardstock through my Cuttlebug,

using Cuttlebug's Number Collage embossing folder. I positioned the 

cardstock in the e/f so I could then highlight Hayden's age

with Stickles.

Using a Cuttlebug die, I cut some balloons out of glittered foam.

After I gave the card to Hayden I realised that the card I made 

for him last year also had glittered foam balloons on it...oops!

Inside Hayden's birthday card.

Dies - Cuttlebug (set of 4) Birthday

Punch - EK Success Scalloped Corner Rounder

Embossing Folder - Cuttlebug Number Collage

Sentiments - 'Happy Birthday' Stamp Unknown; Inside card Computer generated

Stickles - Star Dust

Silver cord - from my junk stash

That's all for tonight...a very quick post, eh???

Hugs,
Jennifer. x

New Zealand Continued

Hello my crafty friends,

Tonight I just have a few more photos of our recent trip to New Zealand.

It is such a beautiful country, and the people there are so friendly.

On our trip to NZ 18 months ago, we did not have time to explore the Coromandel

Peninsula, on the east coast of the North Island, so this time we spent 4 days there.

We were rewarded with glorious weather, stunning views, and beautiful beaches.

We stayed at Thames and this photo was taken just north of that little town. For

much of the drive on the west coast the road hugs the coastline.

On the west coast of the Peninsular is Coromandel Town. It is a darling little

village with beautiful environs. These 2 buildings are the butcher and

general store.

Still in Coromandel Town...isn't this the cutest laundromat you have ever seen.

The town relies heavily on tourism, and it was easy to see how much pride the 

residents take, and how they have embraced tourism without 

becoming 'tacky', as so many places unfortunately do.

On the north-eastern side of the Peninsular is the famous Hot Water Beach.

One can dig a hole and lie in a pool of water that seeps up through the 

sand. The water temperatures range from slightly warm to scalding, 

depending on where the hole is dug (sometimes less than a metre apart).

A beach at Hahei, not far from Hot Water Beach. 

We had a beautiful lunch at Hahei.

Simpson's Beach on the outskirt of Whitianga, 

on the east coast of the Peninsular.

The Botanic Gardens at Hamilton are a 'must-see'. John and I had intended

to just have a quick look, but spent 4 hours there instead. Outside the

Information Centre were massive tubs of mixed flowers (above)...

and as a rose lover, their Rose Gardens 'blew me away'.

Just south of Hamilton is a town called Otorohanga, and there are large

statues of kiwis in several places. This one, made from corrugated iron

is at the northern entrance to the town. It is huge, and just after I took

this photo, some adults stood under it (comfortably),

 while a friend took their photo.

If you ever get the chance to visit New Zealand, I am sure you would enjoy 

it. John and I think the North Island is beautiful, but so many people have 

said that the South Island is even more so. I guess we will have to visit 

there next time to see if they are correct.

I hope you are all well, so until next time..."happy crafting",

Hugs, 

Jennifer. x

Return to New Zealand

As promised, I have begun to sort out my photos from our recent trip to 

New Zealand, and have a few to show you. I spent hours last night trying 

to choose just a few, but have finished up with too many

 for one sitting, so will show you half tonight, and 

the other half tomorrow night.

I love full moons, and on our first night in NZ, it was almost full moon.

I was thrilled to find that we could lie in bed and look at the incredible

sight of Auckland's Sky Tower under that moon. This photo 

was taken about 11pm, from our motel room.

When we were in Auckland 18 months ago, I did the Skywalk, and 

was so excited to have the chance to do it again. The walkway is

192 metres, or 630 feet high, without a handrail. The views are 

breathtaking, and this time I was not even slightly 

nervous - just exhilerated!! 

The Skywalk goes right around the Skytower, and although the wind was

strong on the east and north side, it was VERY strong on the west and 

south side. At times it was difficult to stay upright, and I had to hold on

to my rope. The guides can take up to 6 people on a Walk, 

but this time I was the only person.

The massive crater of Mt Eden, an extinct volcano, overlooking Auckland's

CBD. There is a path around the rim, and John and I did the entire walk.

If you click on the photo to enlarge it, you will see tiny black 'spots' on 

the path. They are people, so that will give you a better idea of just how

big the crater is. The views were 360o, and spectacular.

Regular readers of my blog will know that I am a guide at an historic Fort

(Fort Scratchley), in Newcastle, Australia. Before this trip to NZ, I arranged

to visit the Forts guarding Auckland Harbour. I had a wonderful afternoon

with a lovely gentleman from the Society that looks after the Conservation

of those Forts. He is a retired Army Officer, and very generously gave 

me an almost 4 hour private tour, taking me to many places 

that the public never see.

I hope you have enjoyed seeing just a few of my many, many photos...I will return tomorrow night with some more, so until then, take care,

Hugs, 

Jennifer. x