I actually made the items I’m going to show you on Monday but am only just getting around to taking photos and editing them to share with you all. My hubby only shuts his business down for a brief time each year at Christmas/New Year so we have been trying to get out and do some things with our girls. On Tuesday we decided to take them for a ride on the Rivercats into Sydney and have lunch. We can drive into the city from our house in 1/2 hour – 40 minutes but instead to do something a little different we drove 20 minutes to the Wharf at Rydalmere and then took a 40 minute ride on the Rivercat. I think lots of others had the same idea as there weren’t too many seats left. At least we didn’t have to try and find parking in the city and for $32 round trip why would you bother. We walked around to The Rocks and had a lovely lunch of Beer Battered Fish, Salt & Pepper Calamari and Chips. Then on the way back to get the Rivercat home we had ice creams for desert. I don’t often share photos of my family on here but here’s one I took with the Opera House in the background.

From left we have Courtney (11yrs), Heather (14yrs), Lauren (9yrs), Hubby (won’t share his age….hahaha) and Brooke (8 yrs)

I’d love to know if there is a trick to getting a nice photo of all your children together. It seems there is always one or two (for me) that just don’t want to smile or have to be grumpy because Mum wants a photo.

Lauren’s never lacking a smile though and will always pose for the camera willingly……

We were originally planning to go to Taronga Zoo today as my father and step-mother gave us passes for Christmas and see the ‘not so new anymore’ baby elephant but the weather wasn’t looking so good here this morning. Turned out it probably would have been okay but we’ll go over the weekend unless we brave it tomorrow. Instead today we took them to see the new Alvin and the Chipmunks movie using more Christmas presents our girls received from their Pa & Ma (my father & step-mother). They all received 2 movie passes. If you haven’t taken your children to see it yet, do so, it’s great. Lots of laughs for both Mum & Dad as well.

Back to the real reason you are probably visiting my blog and that is to see what I’ve been creating.

Wondering what these are????

In my last post I shared pictures of the items my Secret Sisters had sent me. In the Stampin’ Up In Oz photo was this item.

    I really liked this idea and as I really need to use up my stash of 2010 calendars asap I decided to work out a template and make some of my own.

   There may already be instructions out there but I love a challenge so working out my own and my own way of doing it is rather fun for me…..

For my first one I decided to use the Bella Rose DSP and this is the finished item.

I’d cut down some pencils that I’d purchased for previous projects which were red. Luckily they don’t look too bad with this one but I’d love some of the raw ones, I just can’t locate them though for a reasonable price. Anyone have a source in Australia they can share with me????

The sentiment on this one is from the Oval All set which was in the Spring Mini.

   Here’s a picture with the drawer open. Just contains some blank paper for making notes or leaving someone a message.

I went with the Haiku DSP for this one.

I didn’t think the red pencil would look too nice and I really didn’t want to cover the pencil if I didn’t have to. It can be a hassle when sharpening the pencil and then I remembered I had some mini gel pens in my drawer. I think they work okay and cheaper than what I can source the raw half pencils for at the moment. Anyone?????

I made one more this time using the Walk In The Park DSP from the Spring Mini. I’m going to miss this paper and of course the matching Great Friend stamp set which I’ve also used.

I’ve used another Mini Gel pen here again. I think they work wonderful for size and they sure were convenient for me.

Here’s a final shot of them all together.

Any day now I will have my Secret Sister gifts I made for the demo swap over the past 3 months to share with you all. My last item which is also the reveal should arrive any day now. Once my Secret Sister has acknowledge receipt I’ll have them ready to go.

Until then…….

Happy Stamping