Monday, December 31, 2007

Happy New Year!


Wishing you, my friends and family, near and far, all the best for 2008!
I'm off to bed now.....I can't stay awake any longer!
Hugs.....Katie

For my 80's Friends!

Ok, when I saw this t-shirt I just couldn't resist! I won't admit how many times I watched this movie when I was a teenager....but wow...what great memories! My sister and brother in law started singing "When Cameron was in Egypts land....let my Cameron go" when I first appeared with this on.....now that song is stuck in my head. I also wore this to the movies and had a few knowing smiles pass me as I walked around. Such fun!

Men are Just Happier People

Another funny email I received recently.......loved the bathroom one! So true!

MEN ARE JUST HAPPIER PEOPLE - What do you expect from such simple creatures?

Your last name stays put.
The garage is all yours.
Wedding plans take care of themselves.
Chocolate is just another snack.
You can never be pregnant.
You can wear a white T-shirt to a water park.
You can wear NO shirt to a water park.
Car mechanics tell you the truth.
The world is your urinal.
You never have to drive to another petrol station toilet because this one is just too icky.
You don't have to stop and think of which way to turn a nut on a bolt.
Same work, more pay.
Wrinkles add character.
Wedding dress £2000. Tux rental-£100.
People never stare at your chest when you're talking to them.
The occasional well-rendered belch is practically expected.
New shoes don't cut, blister, or mangle your feet.
One mood all the time.
Phone conversations are over in 30 seconds flat.
You know stuff about tanks.
A five-day holiday requires only one suitcase.
You can open all your own jars.
You get extra credit for the slightest act of thoughtfulness.
If someone forgets to invite you, he or she can still be your friend.
Your underwear is £4.95 for a three-pack.
Three pairs of shoes are more than enough.
You almost never have strap problems in public.
You are unable to see wrinkles in your clothes.
Everything on your face stays its original colour.
The same hairstyle lasts for years, maybe decades.
You only have to shave your face and neck.
You can play with toys all your life.
One wallet and one pair of shoes one colour for all seasons.
You can wear shorts no matter how your legs look.
You can 'do' your nails with a pocket knife.
You have freedom of choice concerning growing a moustache.
You can do Christmas shopping for 25 relatives on December 24 in 25 minutes.

No wonder men are happier.

NICKNAMES
If Laura, Kate and Sarah go out for lunch, they will call each other Laura, Kate and Sarah.
If Mike, Dave and John go out, they will affectionately refer to each other as Fat Boy, Godzilla and Four-eyes.
EATING OUT
When the bill arrives, Mike, Dave and John will each throw in £20, even though it's only for £32.50. None of them will have anything smaller and none will actually admit they want change back.
When the girls get their bill, out come the pocket calculators.
MONEY
A man will pay £2 for a £1 item he needs.
A woman will pay £1 for a £2 item that she doesn't need but it's on sale.
BATHROOMS
A man has six items in his bathroom: toothbrush and toothpaste, shaving cream, razor, a bar of soap, and a towel from M&S.
The average number of items in the typical woman's bathroom is 337. A man would not be able to identify more than 20 of these items.
ARGUMENTS
A woman has the last word in any argument.
Anything a man says after that is the beginning of a new argument.
CATS
Women love cats.
Men say they love cats, but when women aren't looking, men kick cats.
FUTURE
A woman worries about the future until she gets a husband.
A man never worries about the future until he gets a wife.
SUCCESS
A successful man is one who makes more money than his wife can spend.
A successful woman is one who can find such a man.
MARRIAGE
A woman marries a man expecting he will change, but he doesn't.
A man marries a woman expecting that she won't change, but she does.
DRESSING UP
A woman will dress up to go shopping, water the plants, empty the bins, answer the phone, read a book, and get the post.
A man will dress up for weddings and funerals.
NATURAL
Men wake up as good-looking as they went to bed.
Women somehow deteriorate during the night.
OFFSPRING
Ah, children. A woman knows all about her children. She knows about dentist appointments and romances, best friends, favourite foods, secret fears and hopes and dreams.
A man is vaguely aware of some short people living in the house.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
A married man should forget his mistakes.
There's no use in two people remembering the same thing .

The Humble Doorknob

Recently my parents home was broken into while they were away overseas. The person responsible for this also broke into several other homes in their suburb on same day. All the breaks ins were linked to this one guy as his "signature" was to take the doorknob. (Idiot!)
Anyway, my brother in law took on the job to secure the house once again by replacing the doorknob. The following paragraph is part of the email he sent to my parents regarding this matter :
"what price range are you looking for? The doorknob I bought today was $48. Do you want me to just by a cheap $25 knob, lock the front screen door and have the girls (meaning myself and my sister) access the house through the laundry room from now on and when you return from your sojourn, you can choose a lock set that represents you as a couple. Speaking for myself, I don't think I could let someone choose a door knob for me. It is the first thing someone touches when they enter your house. It really makes a strong impression. It can say "hi, I am brassy and happy" or "I am rustic with a antique patina" or "I am ultra-modern and minimalist, respect my simplicity." you get my point."

I choked on my breakfast at this point. So now when I go to someones house, I have a second look at their doorknob and think about what it might be saying to me!

Saturday, December 15, 2007

Our Resident Lizard

We discovered this little lady living in our backyard last year, but I've never been fast enough with the camera to catch a picture. However, since our tomatoes started to ripen recently, she keeps appearing on the back step, eating whatever stray tomato comes her way. I'm guessing this is a HER as there are 2 baby lizards that sun themselves on the back step as well.

A Modern Gingerbread House

This is the first thing Christopher and I made to kick off the Christmas season this year....a gingerbread house. We have never made one of these before, so it was new to both of us. The gingerbread was already baked so the assembly and the decor was left to us. I let Christopher have free rein with the decoration, and I just added my little bits here and there....like the icicles and the roof icing pattern for example. Notice the pot plants and the mushroom garden in the left pic and the tall orange water tank, (what every Canberra home needs), in the right pic!

Freedom to Create

Recently I needed to create a 5x7 page to add to an album that is being put together for a friend who is about to have her 4th baby. As I made this page, I thoroughly enjoyed the freedom that comes with this hobby. I love that we are not bound by rules. If I want to add a few metal eyelets, then I will, if I want to dig out the sewing machine and do some stitching, then I'll do that too. I scrap based on what inspires me at the moment and what I enjoy using at the time. I've been digging through my old stash lately and have loved pulling out my tried and true favourites. I haven't used eyelets in years, but I think they add so much to such a little project. Each of those little pockets hold a quote/verse on motherhood, marriage and friendship. Anyone about to have their 4th baby needs a little (ok....maybe a lot) of support and encouragement from friends and family!
Stampin Up products used: cardstocks, inks, clear embossing powder, crystal effects, dazzling diamonds, stamp sets Simply Said, Everyday Flexible Phrases, Expressive Flexible Phrases and Classic Alphabet. The patterned paper is LilyKate - Basic Grey.

Friday, December 07, 2007

Summer Mini and Card Class

Well the silly season is in full swing now, and if you're like me you're probably only a short way through your list of things to have ready by December 24th. The Christmas tree is up and the gingerbread house is made, but that's as far as I've achieved.

I thought I'd give you some Christmas pressie ideas for those of you struggling through your shopping list. The Stampin Up catalogue is FULL of small FUN stocking stuffers, like ink pads, buttons, punches, or ribbon. A Hodge Podge metal embellishments set would look great under the Christmas tree too! If you're still looking for the right gift for YOURSELF or someone you know, have a look at the catalogue (its online if you don't have one) and order something fun. I suggest having all orders to me by the 13th of December, just to make sure your gift arrives before Christmas. Gift vouchers are also available!

Just to entice you a little more is the SUMMER MINI catalogue that has just been released this month. If you'd like a copy of one of these mini catalogues, send me an email with your address and I'll get one in the mail to you. You can view it online as well. In true Stampin Up style, its full of some really pretty stamp sets, new papers and ribbon.

There is a SPECIAL 10% DISCOUNT to those who would like to sign up as a Stampin Up demonstrator, valid until the end of February. I'm also offering a FREE SIMPLY SAID STAMP SET (see previous post below) to anyone who signs up as a demonstrator with me, until the end of December 2007. I'd LOVE to have you join in the fun of being a SU demonstrator and being part of my small team of lovely ladies who love stamping as much as you do. Please give me a call if this is something you'd like to do.

I just want to say my sincere thanks those who participated in the All in the Family campaign last month. You've made this charitable effort a great success. Stampin' Up! worldwide sold 7,538 All in the Family sets. All of the proceeds received from the campaign have gone directly into a fund dedicated to helping Dave Abbot's family. Dave was Stampin Up!'s general
manager who passed away in October due to a rare blood disease. Thank you for making a difference in the lives of Dave's wife and three children during this holiday season.

I have one more Christmas card class to offer those of you who need to get some cards made quickly. Its on Thursday Dec. 13th, starting at 7:30pm. Please come along to my home and make 10 cards, 5 of 2 different styles. With these cards you'll be watercolouring and using the markers. The cost is $20 for the 10 cards & envelopes. All supplies are included in this price.
The colours used in the class may vary from the picture as I'll be using the Holiday Thyme paper which comes in 12 different patterns. Please email or call me if you'd like to book yourself in for this class.

Looking ahead to January & February.....Sale-a-bration is happening again, so look at your diaries and book your workshop!! You don't want to miss out on a gorgeous free stamp set that anyone can have with a $100 order. Its a sale not to be missed!