My name is Kristy....and it has been 5 months since my last Blog post!!

 Im back! I cant believe it has been 5 months since I last Blogged!! WOW. So I have decided to return and get back to blogging only difference now is it wont always be crafty stuff, I will blog pics and about life in general. I Have been going through some...life changing moments lately...I dont really know what else to call it?? Im going to use the 3 pics below to try and explain where my head space has been the past half a year.

So after 12 years together and almost 9 years of marriage my husband and I have separated. We have 3 beautiful children together who we are trying to make this as easy a transition as possible. I recently moved out of the family home and got a gorgeous little house for me and my kids. It has been a difficult time with lots of negativeness that I have tried to block out with help from some REALLY truly amazing friends...one you all know and I want to mention because one night when I rang her bawling and felt so alone...like I had no one to cry to {as my Mumma is no longer alive :( } she got in her car late at night and drove 2 hours to come hop in bed and cuddle me even though her hubby had plans the following morning which meant she had to leave early she still came. Now that is an amazing TRUE friend who was and is always there for me, big super dooper hugs and kisses to my bestie Kellie Winnell.

On a happier note, Kell and I are off on a cruise in 2 weeks for 10 days cruising the south pacific!!! Cant wait! I will definitely be blogging pics from our cruise journey heheh.

So apart from the above not much else has changed....Im still a princess hahah and now that I have cut back my hours at work to be home when the kids finish school I will hopefully have some more crafting and blogging time too./

I MADE A CARD!!!!!!!!!

Well actually i made this....um....4 or 5 weeks ago I think heheh. It was supposed to be my hop card for the Tickled Pink Previews...but silly me never took the pic until today! I know slack but boy have I had A LOT going on! So anyway better late than never.

 here is my card using Lil Pinkette Pippa!! How freaking cute is she??!! Seriously I love her and she was soo much fun to colour! You can purchase her from here at Tickled Pink Stamps. I also have Lil Pinkette August coloured up from a few weeks ago lol, just need to make the time to add her to a card. I had a lovely visit from my bestie Kellie Waffle Winnell lastnight, she drove all the way to my place so we could go out for Thai...YUMMY. Isnt she the greatest!
OH OH and guess what Tickled Pink Stamps is having a sale that starts 7th May - 15th May.... buy 3 rubber stamps and get 1 free!! How cool is that, so make sure you head over there later this week, in the meantime check out the TPS blog to see what my fabby teamie pinkies have been creating for the Lil Victorian steampunk release! Trust me you will not be dissapointed, I so wish I had of had time to join in this release but have had some family emergencies and now trying to get back in a routine and on top of things before I head back to work tomorrow eek!

Mystyer Monday Cases JONI!!

I cant believe this is the last post for Mystery Monday and the last post for Club Anya & Friends wahhhh. It has been such a fast fun 6 months on the farm, I have loved every minute of it.
So today we are casing the lovely Joni! You can check out her card on the CA&F blog. Here is my card.

Its been so much fun working alongside, Jess, Amber, Jen, & Anna and all the fabby guest we have had the past 6 months. Thank you Jess & Marie for having me on the Team, it has been a dream come true.

Hollowland by Amanda Hocking

WOW!! I just finished reading this book and had to share! Its the best $0.99cents I have ever spent on a book!
This was one of those books, I was not going to read and though well I do love to be challenged into reading something I normally wouldnt and wow was I blown away! A book about Zombies had me captured from the very first page! Amanda Hocking has such a way with sucking you in! I finished this book in 2 days! I highly reccommend this book to everyone, and if you would like to join in a discussion about this book you still have a few weeks to read it as Its our April Book that Amy chose for us to  read/discussing over at The Chic Lits Book Club blog. You can get your e-copy here from Amazon for $0.99!!! so worth it!. I will defintely be reading more books from Amanda Hocking. I wont say too much more about the book, as I have a bad habbit of talking about books and giving away the ending LOL. So just trust me and go read it.
Hope everyone is having a great relaxing weekend.

MDUC Hop Winner

I cant believe I almost forgot to do this oopsie!! So sorry for the delay!! The winner of the Tickled Pink STamps $10 Voucher is Emma Eads!! Whoo hoo congrats, email me and I will email your gift voucher to you.
Kristy xoxo

Belle by Lesley Pearse

Hiya! I just really wanted to share with you a book I recently downloaded on my Kindle &  finished reading called "Belle" by Lesley Pearse! This was one of those books you start reading and can not put down!!. I especially love a book that has such a strong female character like Belle, she is such a fighter. It was my first book I have read of Lesley's and cant wait to read more of her books. Here is the Book description from Amazon.

 "London 1910 Fifteen year-old Belle has lived in a brothel in Seven Dials all her life, with no understanding of what happens in the rooms upstairs. But her innocence is shattered when she witnesses the murder of one of the girls and, subsequently snatched from the streets by the killer, she is sold into prostitution in Paris. No longer mistress of her own fate, Belle is blown across the globe to sensuous New Orleans where she comes of age and learns to enjoy life as a courtesan. Yet thoughts of home  and the knowledge her status as golden girl cannot last compel her to break out of her gilded cage.But Belle finds escaping tougher than she imagined, for her life is threatened by desperate men who crave her beauty and attention. Armed only with resourcefulness and spirit, she has a long and dangerous journey ahead of her.Will courage be enough to sustain her? Can she make it back to her family and friends and find her chance at true happiness?Number One bestseller Lesley Pearse has created in Belle a heroine for our times: a strong woman who stands up for right in a world turned bad."

Amazon Hard Cover: $27.93

Amazon Kindle: $14.01

I highly reccomend this book and give it ***** 5 stars out of 5!!

I am currently reading Kiss of Midnight by Lara Adrian for my bookclub Im a member of, why dont you head over to The chic-lits bookclub blog and join us for our discussions! Each month we read and review a new book! You can check out the list of books we have upcoming on our Chic-lit blog.

Mystery Monday

Hey happy Monday!
I ran out of time this week to finish my card but just wanted to say hop on over to Club Anya & Friends and check out the fabulous casing of Pickle this week!! Such a greatard to case! Dont forget to check out my gorgeous teamies too.

Jessica

Jen

Amber

Anna

Elena

Have a great week :)

Mystery Monday Cases Lynda Nielsen

I cant believe its Monday already!! eeek Its a public holiday here so I have absolutly loved chilling at home with the kiddies. But back to work & reality tomorrow! Nooo hahah. Anyway this week we are casing the talented Lynda Nielsen. You can see her card on the Club Anya & Friends blog. This was such a fun layout and card to case.

I decided to use cheecky howdy just like Lynda did, she is just the sweetest isnt she! You can get her from The Greeting Farm store. I used some websters papers from my stash.
We would love to see you play along this week, head on over to CA&F to check out how you can join in too. Dont forget to visit my teamies blogs and check out their casings too.

Jessica Diedrich

Amber Hight

Anna Maria Nilsson

Jen Shults

Elena - March guest

Kristy - Your here

MDUC #87 Birthday Blog Hop

{{Please Scroll down for my Tickled Pink Stamps Hop card}}

This week marks our 2nd birthday at Magnolia Down Under!

And to celebrate we are having a fantastic blog hop with amazing prizes from four fabulous sponsors and individual candies up for grabs from the Design Team. I cant believe it has been two years!! I remember when Kell first came up with the idea and told Debbie and I about it, and asked if we wanted to be a part of the design team!! Of course we both said yes! And wow here we are now 2 years later!

So on with the hop! If you arrived from Kathrin's blog your on the right track..if not head over to Anne's blog to start.

For my card I have used this SUPER adorable Tilda holding the balloon!! And how perfect is she for our second birthday hop! I just adore her dont you?!

So for my candy....I have to admit I forgot about having a candy hehhe I am rather forgetful with all this full time working now LOL. So I have decided to have a $10 voucher from myt fav online store....can you guess the store??? Ok I will tell you Tickled Pink Stamps!!! So all you have to do is leave a comment on each of the DT's blogs.

Now hop on over to Kylies Blog!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAGNOLIA DOWN UNDER!

Tickled Pink Stamps HOP!!

Helloo!! Its been a while hey!! I tell ya this working full time is hard yakka! So anyway Im here today for the Tickled Pink Stamps hop for the uber cool Lil Lads! Have you just LOVED the previews?! We seriously have the MOST talented DT EVER!!!! If you arrived from Kellie's Blog your on the right track, if not head over here to Amy's Blog to start. Today I have used the super cool Lil Lad Eric! Who you can get from Tickled Pink Stamps 

I used prismas with my card today, seriously Kell, your are sooo talented, I can not get the prismas to look good! I should have stuck with my distress inks for this card hehe.Anyway he still looks like a cool dude with some dodgy coloured clothes...sorry Eric....but you do still look pretty damn good! OK next stop on the hop is the BEADALICIOUS BROWN!! Aka Kylie.

Thanks for stopping by, have fun hopping along.

TGF Release day HOP!

{{This is my second post today! Please scroll down for my ABS DT challenge card}}

Hey everyone!

We are so excited that you're able to join us for our "CREEPIN' into SPRING" Design Team Blog hop! Today we have LOTS to show you from the Farmers and Team Anya including some special sneak peeks of the new "Creepin' KIT" you've all been so excited about since CHA!
Remember, TODAY ONLY, you can purchase the "Creepin'" Kit for a SPECIAL price of $40 on The Greeting Farm site. Please note, this is a ONE DAY presale w/ NO exceptions, so if you know you're not going to be around, perhaps have a friend grab one for ya...but tomorrow they will NOT be available!
Our Farmers are excited to preview some Creepy new kids and Team Anya has some wonderful samples using the new TWIRL ANYA and CHEEKY BEACH, BOTH available TODAY in the TGF store! So we are literally "CREEPIN' into SPRING!!!" WOO HOO! What's more? We're creepin' along today's hop with our super March Guest Designer for Team Anya, Elena! Welcome again, Elena!
Today, for my card I have used the sweetie Twirl Anya! I just love our Anya with short hair, she looks so
sweet!

I have used my distress ink to colour her but have used Kraft paper instead of watercolour paper. Was just wanting a different look. I think I prefer watercolour paper heheh.
Be sure to visit the TGF Blog if you're just starting out here to find out the complete order of the HOP and find out how YOU can win the ENTIRE MARCH RELEASE, Twirl Anya and Cheeky Beach! There is also a HUGE SURPRISE for the winner of today's hop, so be sure to get your comments in by 11:59pm CST TONIGHT!
Thanks for stopping by to CREEP into SPRING with The Greeting Farm!

Anita Be Stampin Challenge #10

Heyyy Im back again! And Im rather excited as this is my first official post for Anita Be Stampin dt whoo hoo! I made the DT back in feb, but have had internet woes and was also waiting on my ABS stamps. So now I can start showing you some creations with these gorgeous stamps YAY!!
So this weeks Challenge is a colour challenge, I just LOVE these colours and am sure you will love them too and want to play along!

And here is my card.

I used the girly bear from the Bears n bunches set available from the ABS store. How sweet is she! I cant wait to use her again and do her with a pink bow and skirt!! CUTE!!
We would love to see you play along this week with our colour challenge, so head on over to the ABS challenge blog and check it out.

Pixie Dust Sneak Peaks

Good Morning all!! I will be sound asleep as this post goes live heheh. I hope everyone had a great weekend! Mine went wayyy to fast! I needed just one extra day of crafting I think! So anyway Im here today to show you a sneak Peak from Pixie Dust Studios New Release Moonbeam. This release will be available March 1st from The PDS store.

I have used Moonbeam the Unicorn for this card. How sweet is this gorgeous image!! My daughter absolutly LOVES it! Moonbeam was sooo fun to colour! I used my distress inks to colour her on water colour paper. I will be back again tomorrow with another sneaky peak.

Cheeky Saturday!!

Helllooooo Happy Saturday!! I am here today to preview Cheecky Beach!! Who will be available March 1st from The Greeting Farm!! I think she is going to be one of my new favs!!...but who am I kidding they are all my favs LOL. We are playing along with Jens fabulous Saturday sketch for todays preview so make sure you head over to Club Anya & Friends to check it out!
Anyway I suppose your dying to see this Cheecky gal huh?!

These papers were soooo made for her dont ya think? As soon as my stamps arrived I knew I was going to use this paper pad!! And you know what Im trying to think of the name....hahah omg I seriously cant think? Anyhoo this dp was made for the sketch too, fits so perfectly. It kinda makes me sad looking at this card realising our summer is almost over NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
So we would love to see you play along this week, just follow the sketch using a qualifying stamp and upload your cards to the galleria baby!
***Don't forget that on MARCH 1st, and March 1st ONLY, TGF will be having a ONE-day only PRESALE event on the new 8.5x11 "Creepin'" Kit! ONLY on release day! The kit will presale for a special price of $40 and then (no exceptions!) will not be released again until APRIL 1st, 2011. HOORAY!***
The farmers are also playing along with us today so dont forget to pop over to the TGF blog too.

Twirling into Spring!

Well actually for me its twirling into Autumn LOL.
 HUGE APOLOGIES, MY INTERNET HAS BEEN SOO STUPID LATELY!! I GOT HOME FROM WORK READY TPO BLOG TWIRL ANYA AND OMG IT WOULDNT CONNECT....NOT EVEN MY PHONE EMAIL WOULD WORK ARGHHH! SO I RANG MY BESTIES KELL AND ASKED HER TO EMAIL JESS. AS SOON AS I WOKE UP I TRIED AGAIN AND YAY HERE IS MY CARD SOOO SORRY IT LATE.
TWIRL ANYA!
This cute lil' Anya comes pinwheel in hand and will be released on March 1st! We know it's been a while since we've released a new Anya and she is sure to twirl about the mail system into a mailbox near you! Hooray!
Before we get to the amazing samples from the Design Teams, I wanted to make a few announcements:
***JUST a REMINDER about the upcoming CREEPIN' presale. The Creepin' set will be available for ONE DAY ONLY, March 1st, along with the rest of our March release. There will be NO EXCEPTIONS if you cannot get the kit this day, so please make sure you send yourself a reminder or have a friend or family member scoop one up for you if you aren't going to be around! The Creepin' set will presale for $40, ONE DAY ONLY, before going up to its reg. price of $48 on APRIL 1st. Again, we won't be able to honor exceptions so mark your calendars! Woo hoo!!!!***
Also, while we don't have a guest for the TGF Farmers this month, we'll be back in April with our next guest! We DO want to welcome the adorable ELENA JOLDERSMA back to TGF as a Team Anya guest for the month of MARCH! Many of you may recognize Elena from previous Farmer days and we are THRILLED to have her back with us for a few weeks! WELCOME Elena!
That being said, it's TIME to TWIRL into SPRING with TGF!
This week's FFF Challenge is to make a SPRING THEMED card.
*You have until Wed. March 2nd to upload your card or creation to TGF Galleria>Contests/Challenges> FFF 2011> Twirl into Spring!

THE PRIZE? You guessed it! TWIRL ANYA!

Mystery Monday

OMG I cant believe I forgot to do my post Im such a nuff! It feels like it has been a while since I did a post hey? I have recently started a new job working for Flight Centre YAY! And have been training and doing assessments etc.
So anyway Im here to show you my Mysery Monday card for this week. It was my turn to host and I chose to case Doreen.
Here is my card using the new ever so FABULOUS Miss anya from "Miss Anya Hats" Isnt she just gorg?! The set is now available from The Greeting Farm.

I used my kaiser valentines papers that I had left over, I thought they suited this miss anya perfectly! So anyway thanks for stopping past. Make sure you head over to Club Anya & Friends to check out the rest of my team mates and find out how you can play along.

Mduc #82

We are back with another fun challenge for you today. But before we get into that, we just wanted to let you know that we have a little change to the closing time of our challenge. Until now it was 12:00 noon on Saturday Melbourne time, but in order for us to collect the votes for the winners and top 5 we have adjusted the time back to 8:00am on Saturday. There is a clock in the sidebar set at the correct time so please just check there if you are not sure. Now with the business out of the way... lets get onto our new challenge!
With Valentines Day just around the corner, we thought it was time for a little love fest here at Magnolia Down Under... so the challenge this week is.....
LOVE - it can be a Valentines Day project, or wedding, baby - the choice is yours, so long as it is clear to us its luuurrrvvvee :)

I cased the layout of my card from the latest Magnolia INk...eek I dont have it with me as im typing this so cant remember then name, but will add it in when I look. I just adore this magnolia image for valentines cards so cute! I have used my distress inks to colour her. Make sure you play along with us this week, head over to Magnolia Down Under challenges and check out the rest of my team mates work.

Challenge #60 Say it with Roses

Well this is extremy late!! I have no internet for 2 weeks eeek! Well about a week and a half now LOL. Im currently at my inlaws visiting and quickly doing all my posts that I havent been able to do! Seriously what did we do before the internet?? Did life even exist before it? Any hoo Im back for Challenge #60 at Pixie Dust Challenges, this week the theme was say it with roses.

I have used this SUPAH adorable image called Dolly Do little, you can get her from the PDS store here. Isnt she just the sweetest! I had sooo much fun colouring her up.
Make sure you head on over to the challenge blog and play along with us this week.

Angie Delarie Guest Cards

Hey all just a quick one to let you know Angie Delarie asked me to be her February guest, you can see the two cards I made with one of her stamps over here, make sure you go check it out and check out all her other cool stuff too.

Release day Relay!

Hey everyone!
WELCOME to The Greeting Farm's CHA RELAY! Our Design Team is ready and waiting for you to hop onto their blogs and find out JUST who will complete today's "relay". The Greeting Farm is in HIGH cotton as we are wrapping up CHA out in Sunny L.A. and we have made it to RELEASE DAY!!! WOO HOO!

I have used Miss Anya from the new Miss Anya Hats set now available from The Greeting Farm! Isnt she just the cutest miss anya evah! I have used my tim holtz papers and distress inks to colour my image, and I have added TOUCH OF SPARKLE to her flower.

Here is how today will work:
This is NOT a race, LOL. You will have through tomorrow at NOON CST to complete your card, so our overseas friends have plenty of time to play, too!
***On EACH DT member's blog, they have highlighted a STAMPING ITEM that they used in their cards. Once you have gotten through each DT member's post, you should have a list of TEN ITEMS to use on your card to enter into the "CHA RELAY" Release Day contest. One RANDOM WINNER will be chosen out of the participants who decide to make a card today (up until tomorrow at noon!) to win the ENTIRE RELEASE for FEBRUARY!!! ****
Don't forget to leave your comments for the DT, too, because ONE lucky winner who leaves comments for them and then comes back HERE to the TGF BLOG to let us know they did will ALSO take home the ENTIRE RELEASE this month! That's right! There areTWO WAYS to WIN!
Well, let's get STARTED! Here is the order of the Hop/Relay today:

TGF Blog

SARI

TANYA

EMMA

BUTTERCUP

SHAELA

PEGGY

JEN

AMBER

ANNA MARIA

KRISTY - Your here

back to TGF BLOG

Thanks for joining us today and GOOD LUCK, paper crafters! We are SO excited to see who will play along with our fun new challenge and can't WAIT to announce the winners-both from those who played along and those who left their sweet comments-ALL tomorrow!
HAPPY RELEASE DAY, everyone!

Im a Pixie Dust Dt!!

Well I am back again today with another post, but this time to announce Im a Pixie Dust dt!! I got the most beautiful email from Kathy asking me if I would like to join them, and of course I said yes!! Whoo Hoo. I have made a card to share with you today for my announcement.

I have used one of the gorgeoue images from the cupids corner release!! How sweet is she?! You can check out the pixie dust store here. And also hop on over to the Pixie Dust blog to check out the rest of my new teamies and if you leave a comment on the pixie blog, you will go into the draw to win 2 free pixie images of your choice!!. I cant wait to share my PD work with you each week, thanks so much Kathy for having me.

Howdy Partners!

Hello happy Monday to you all!! 2 more days and the kids start the new year back at school! I have loved having them home since xmas, but am looking forward to being back in a routine :)
So anyway today Im back for another preview and today we are previewing CHEEKY HOWDY!! She will be available for you to purchase from February 1st from The Greeting Farm.

Seriously isnt she just too cute to boot! I luv her and her gorgeous cherries.I used my magnolia doo hickey fence die which i think looks adorable with her! And use some of my OA scraps and some Tim Holtz papers. Our dt have done a FABULOUS job again with todays preview so make sure you hop over to The TGF blog and Club Anya & Friends where there is 2!! Chances at winning this gorgeous gal by leaving comments on the dt blogs as well as TGF & CA&F!!

Cheeky chatty Preview!

So today, Team Anya AND the Farmers played along in the sketch saturday challenge for Club Anya & Friends and everyone is previewing this FABULOUS stamp that will be released with 2 other sets on Tuesday, February 1st at The Greeting Farm! Today we are preview Cheecky Chat who is SUPAH fabulous dont ya think?!

I have used a mixture of papers & flowers from my stash and have used my distress inks to colour my image.
I have one other little piece of business before I go... don't forget about The Greeting Farm's CHA RELAY on February 1. I GUARANTEE you won't want to miss it!
If you'd like to participate with us this week all you need to do is use a qualifying stamp or digi from The Greeting Farm AND this week's sketch. Please upload your creations to The Greeting Farm Galleria under Club Anya & Friends/Contests and Challenges/Jen's Saturday Sketch/Sketch 53 by Friday February 4, 2011 at 8 pm CST
Also a special thanks and Farewell to January Guest Barbara, you were fabulous hun.

Some Odd Girl?!

Well Good morning Sunshines! Happy Saturday :) I am back today to share a card I made Just for fun! both Kellie and I have set ourselves a goal to make more "Just For fun" cards! I have had these SOG images for quite a few months...I think the first time I saw Kell use one, I straight away went and brought 4 hahah. So finally I am getting to play with one.

I think I have fallen inlove!! I want more of these images now!! Mae was just soooo fun to colour and doesnt she look pretty with her glittery wings! This Sassafrass paper suits her so well...I think its indie girl?? maybe hahha Its available from Tickled Pink Stamps!
So anyway I decided to play along with the SOG Challenge which is scallops, use scallops on your project! I have also used the sketch from Friday sketches for my layout. As always I water coloured my image with Distress inks.
Anyway I hope you like my first SOG card & challenge entry, I gotta run Im heading out for the day :) Come back tonight for another TGF preview whoo hoo!

I take my HAT off to you!!!

{{Please scroll down for my Tickled Pink Stamps Valentine Hop}}

Hello everyone! It's time for another Farm Fresh Friday and we are gearing up for CHA (tomorrow!) AND a bunch of UBER-fabulous NEW RELEASES at The Greeting Farm....all coming to you on February 1st!
Today is also our FIRST day of Feb. previews and we have some announcements to make here on the Farm. Sadly we say goodbye to Tammy Maxvill as her term as Farmer has come to a close. We will miss you Tammy and THANK YOU for all of your wonderful contributions, tutorials, and awesome 3D proejcts! We also have a new addition! or TWO!? Please welcome (back!) BUTTERCUP as a FULL-TIME FARMER! We are THRILLED that she will be joining us through the month of June along with our other 3 new Farmers and are VERY excited about what she has in store for us! As if that weren't exciting enough, please SHAELA ODD as our February Guest Designer for TGF! Some of you may recognize the sweet Shaela from her term with our Critter Crew and we are very happy to have her back as our February Guest :)
Today we have Team Anya joining us for FFF as well, so it's without further adieu that we also welcome PEGGY McCURRY as our FEBRUARY GUEST DESIGNER for Team Anya! Peggy has been a long-time fan of the Farm and has wow'd us with her amazing layouts (which we've CASED a few times, I think!) and we are glad to have her!Always exciting here on the Farm! And now onto the Challenge! This week, we invite our friends and customers to join us in our "Hat's Off to You!" challenge!...use a HAT theme on your card or project! You can cut one out/alter a stamp, use Hat paper, hat racks, hat pins, baseball caps, anything to do with HATS on your challenge card. You can also create a 3d/altered item in the shape of a hat? Whatever you fancy, it's hat's off to you this week!
With that in mind, the DT has a sweet surprise for you today....INTRODUCING...Miss Anya "Hat's OFF!

I think this is going to be my fav new set!! How sassy and fabulous are these Miss Anya's?! I just adore them! I have used basic grey curio paper and my distress inks to colour Miss Anya.
Well, that's it for me today, but make sure you check out the TGF BLOG to see what the others have been up to and find out how you can WIN a Miss Anya Hat's OFF! by leaving comments TODAY! In addition, one lucky winner of this week's "Hat's Off" challenge will ALSO take home a Miss Anya "Hat's Off" set! TWO chances to win! Good luck ,everyone! Come back tomorrow for another FABULOUS preview!!