Another Kmart card base with leftover papers layered to create mats. I fussy cut the sentiment badge from DSP, glued it to white cardstock to reinforce it, and used pop-dots to give it dimension on the front of the card.
3 days ago
21 January 2020
A Card a Day - Day 19
Another Kmart card base with leftover papers layered to create mats. I fussy cut the sentiment badge from DSP, glued it to white cardstock to reinforce it, and used pop-dots to give it dimension on the front of the card.
20 January 2020
Happiness Homemade - Bug Out Bags
I joke with Wayne and the friends we go four wheel driving and camping with that I can be packed and ready to back out of the driveway in 30 minutes if a trip comes up.
It's not really a joke though, I can be, because after every trip I restock and repack, ready to go again.
Australia has seen some horrible weather in the last three months, with the last 10 days or so being absolutely horrific. We've had extreme heatwaves causing mass blackouts, bush fires and a collapse of society as the communities involved suffer. All this weather means that people have had to pack up and leave their homes, often with very little notice, and not knowing when, or even what, they will come back to.
So my question is if you had just 30 minutes notice to evacuate your home, and you didn't know when you'd be back, would you be able to pack the necessities, enough for at least three days (the timeframe that is standard before disaster relief *may* be available)?
Would you know what to pack? Do you know how much water to pack for three days? Do you have shelf stable food that doesn't need to be cooked? Enough for everyone? Do you have a bug out bag for each of your pets?
We also have wind-up torches ($5 each from Kmart a few years ago) and a wind-up radio so we don't need to rely on batteries. ABC radio has been advertising and suggesting that everyone in a fire zone should have a battery operated radio. That's fine, if you can get one - but you need to keep on top of the batteries. If you're not using the radio, take them out or they may corrode and ruin the radio. That means you need to keep fresh, spare batteries handy to use all the time. If you can find a wind-up radio I believe they are a much better option, simply because you don’t need to worry about batteries. Ditto for the torches.
Last year I added solar phone chargers to the box. In the case of a natural disaster often the electricity is the first thing to go out.
We have a 90 litre water bladder in our Patrol, that we keep clean and filled. This gives us nine days of water for the two of us.
On that note, these days I make it a habit to keep both our cars at least 3/4 full. It means I fill up every week, but in an emergency we have enough fuel to get us a few hundred kilometres (if we need to go that far).
With all this, we're pretty well set up and virtually self-sufficient. But what about you?
If you had to evacuate in a hurry would you have everything you need?
It's not really a joke though, I can be, because after every trip I restock and repack, ready to go again.
Australia has seen some horrible weather in the last three months, with the last 10 days or so being absolutely horrific. We've had extreme heatwaves causing mass blackouts, bush fires and a collapse of society as the communities involved suffer. All this weather means that people have had to pack up and leave their homes, often with very little notice, and not knowing when, or even what, they will come back to.
So my question is if you had just 30 minutes notice to evacuate your home, and you didn't know when you'd be back, would you be able to pack the necessities, enough for at least three days (the timeframe that is standard before disaster relief *may* be available)?
Would you know what to pack? Do you know how much water to pack for three days? Do you have shelf stable food that doesn't need to be cooked? Enough for everyone? Do you have a bug out bag for each of your pets?
In our personal bags we have:
- 7 sets underwear
- 4 changes of clothes - t-shirts, jumper, trousers
- Hat and sunglasses - these don't stay in the bag, but they're always in the car
- Toiletry bag - toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, soap, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, sunblock, face washer, towel
- Personal first aid kit
- Personal medications, enough for a week
In the "kitchen" box we have:
- 2 small gas stoves
- Spare gas bottles
- Canned and dried foods to make meals
- Bug spray
- A camp oven
- A frying pan
- A small saucepan set
- 2 plates
- 2 bowls
- 2 mugs
- 2 knives
- 2 forks
- 2 spoons
- Tongs
- Sharp knife
- Foil
- Baking paper
- Paper towel
- Toilet paper
- Wet wipes
- Sunblock
- Chap sticks
We also have wind-up torches ($5 each from Kmart a few years ago) and a wind-up radio so we don't need to rely on batteries. ABC radio has been advertising and suggesting that everyone in a fire zone should have a battery operated radio. That's fine, if you can get one - but you need to keep on top of the batteries. If you're not using the radio, take them out or they may corrode and ruin the radio. That means you need to keep fresh, spare batteries handy to use all the time. If you can find a wind-up radio I believe they are a much better option, simply because you don’t need to worry about batteries. Ditto for the torches.
Last year I added solar phone chargers to the box. In the case of a natural disaster often the electricity is the first thing to go out.
We have a 90 litre water bladder in our Patrol, that we keep clean and filled. This gives us nine days of water for the two of us.
On that note, these days I make it a habit to keep both our cars at least 3/4 full. It means I fill up every week, but in an emergency we have enough fuel to get us a few hundred kilometres (if we need to go that far).
With all this, we're pretty well set up and virtually self-sufficient. But what about you?
If you had to evacuate in a hurry would you have everything you need?
19 January 2020
A Card a Day - Day 18
Day 18 is the Double Easel card I learned at the monthly card making group I attend.
It is so easy, but looks amazing. And it's very quick to make - 15 minutes and you can have a beautiful card ready to post or hand to someone special.
I love that it uses very little in theway of DSP, and with a regular top fold card base and a bit of leftover coloured cardstock you can create something gorgeous.
The motivation for this card came from Sharon Armstrong (no relation!) of TxStampin Sharon
A Card a Day - Day 17
Posting late as I was unwell on Friday with a migraine.
Day 17 is one of my favourite card styles - faux pinwheel. I learned this technique and style last year from Jan B. Her blog - Jan B. Cards - and You Tube channel are full of the most beautiful cards. What I love about her designs and tutorials is the precision and detail. Her videos are so full of tips and instruction that make it impossible to have a creative failure if you follow them.
Day 17 is one of my favourite card styles - faux pinwheel. I learned this technique and style last year from Jan B. Her blog - Jan B. Cards - and You Tube channel are full of the most beautiful cards. What I love about her designs and tutorials is the precision and detail. Her videos are so full of tips and instruction that make it impossible to have a creative failure if you follow them.
16 January 2020
15 January 2020
A Card a Day - Day 15
Layout copied from a sketch, scraps and bits of cardstock used on a bought 6 x 6 card.
14 January 2020
A Card a Day - Day 14
Quick and simple, made from bits and bobs, as a part of my "use it up" for 2020.
I used a Kmart card as the base.
Had a piece of pink cardstock and the floral DSP left from the handbag card, so these were the inspiration - use it up, don't pack away scraps!
The senitment is from a sheet I had in the sticker box.
The little bit of lace underneath was leftover from some cards I made last year - it was the perfect size.
The flowers came from the stash.
The gold border stickers were left on a sheet that was lurking in the bottom of the sticker box - just little strips, most were the right size, I just had to join strips on one side.
Stamped a little flower on the front of the envelope in pink to match the cardstock mat.
So the total cost of this card and envelope is 15c - 12x for the card and envelope, I allowed 3c for the pop dots and glue. The cardstock, DSP, sentiment, gold stickers and flowers were all left from aother project and so free - their costs were absorbed by the initial project,
13 January 2020
A Card a Day - Day 13
I was up early this morning and this is what I came up with:
Sponged the edges of the front with yellow (dip the sponge onto the ink pad, tap it a couple fo times on scrap paper, then dab around the edges of the card).
Cut a mat from mustard yellow cardstock (it was a scrap).
Cut another mat from DSP that was in the scrap bin.
Stuck the 3D car on the front (off a page of vintage cars picked up at a $2 shop)
Stamped the sentiment in black on mustard cardstock and trimmed to make a banner. Used pop dots to stick to front of card.
Inside of card stamped message.
Layered a scrap of DSP onto a scrap of grey cardstock and glued to the bottom of the inside.
Card done!
Took about 10 minutes, it was very quick and easy to do, and used a few more bits from the stash.
Cost - 40c (I don't cost out scraps as they've been accounted for in the cost of the original cards, so I consider them free). The Kmart card costs 22c and the 3D sticker cost 15c (the whole sheet was $2), 3c for pop-dots and adhesive, ink etc.
12 January 2020
A Card a Day - Day 12
Day 12 - Handbag Card
This is another card I learned to make from Sam at Mixed Up Craft. So easy, and it looks so pretty.
This card measures 5" x 7" and fits into a 5" x 7" envelope (I made the envelope from some scrapbooking paper because I didn't have one in my stash).
The inside front flap has a pocket on it - it doesn't show so well in the photo - to hold a gift card. The original card didn't have this. I put the space for the greeting on the back.
This card took a full sheet of 12" x 12" DSP and a piece of cardstock 12" x 7" with a scrap for the handle.
I used a velcro sticky dot for the closure (they come from ebay - 100 for under $3).
Front of the handbag card
Back - to write the greeting
11 January 2020
A Card a Day - Day 11
A simple fun fold, using bits of cardstock and DSP in the scrap pile. This card is a CASE from one I saw on Pinterest courtesy of Stamping with Tracey.
I stamped the three layers for the daisy and fussy cut - so forgive the not quite so neat edges. I'm going to keep an eye out for a daisy punch on the FB card pages, someone is sure to put one up sooner or later.
Ran the little white square through the Big Shot.
Layered the daisy using pop dots and stuck it to the blue mat with pop dots.
It was a very quick and easy card to make, about 15 minutes from deciding on the design to taking the photo.
I stamped the three layers for the daisy and fussy cut - so forgive the not quite so neat edges. I'm going to keep an eye out for a daisy punch on the FB card pages, someone is sure to put one up sooner or later.
Ran the little white square through the Big Shot.
Layered the daisy using pop dots and stuck it to the blue mat with pop dots.
It was a very quick and easy card to make, about 15 minutes from deciding on the design to taking the photo.
10 January 2020
A Card A Day - Day 10
Today's card is a Diamond Easel Card.
I first saw this card on Mixed Up Craft and loved it, but it took me another couple of months before I tried it.
I love this card!
It is so easy to make, and the opportunities for decorating and embellishing are unlimited.
It was my turn to demonstrate a card to our card making group and I chose this one, becuase it's easy and because it has that elusive WOW factor w'e like to chase.
Inside of the diamond easel card
Back panel, diamond easel card
(1) White cardstock 28cm x 14cm, scored at 14cm and 7cm on the long side - this forms the card base
(1) white cardstock 6 cm x 12.5cm
(1) black cardstock
(2) black cardstock
(2) black cardstock
09 January 2020
A Card A Day - Day 9 2020
Today's card is another masculine, nautical style card.
I am determined to use up the paper packs that are open before I move onto any new papers, so you may see the same papers pop up here and there for a while, but each card design will be different I promise.
This card is made using double-sided DSP as the card base. It is strengthened by the matting and embellishments so it stands up.
I am determined to use up the paper packs that are open before I move onto any new papers, so you may see the same papers pop up here and there for a while, but each card design will be different I promise.
This card is made using double-sided DSP as the card base. It is strengthened by the matting and embellishments so it stands up.
A Card A Day - Day 8 2020
Another simple card made using a freebie stamp set that came with a magazine a couple of years ago.
Stamped straight onto a 6 x 6 white card base cut from a 12 x 12 sheet of white Kaisercraft cardstock. I had the envelope, it must've been left from a bought set of 6 x 6 cards. Just stamped on the bottom corner to decorate.
07 January 2020
A Card A Day - Day 7 2020
I made 3 cards for today's challenge, I was on a roll and they really only took about 5 minutes each - and that included cutting and scoring the card base.
The all used scraps of black cardstock and leftover bits of DSP. I punched out some little flowers from cardstock scraps, added some bling, stamped the sentiment, trimmed the edges and they were done.
Scrap of black cardstock - 4-1/4"x at least 4"long
Scrap of DSP 4-1/4"x 5"
Embellishments of choice
Lay the black cardstock on the card base. Tilt it, keeping the top right hand corners matching, until you have it on an angle you are happy with.
Carefully lift the top and stick down temporarily. To do this, use snail and tap it with your fingers a couple of times to "de-stick"it; it will be tacky enough to hold the cardstock in place.
Turn the card over. Using scissors, trim along the edge of the card. Lift the black mat, and use snail or double-sided tape to stick in place.
Take the DSP and lay on top of the black cardstock, leaving a small border on the right side and bottom. Keep the top lined up with the top of the card. Tack in place. Turn over and trim as you did for the black cardstock. Stick in place with snail or double-sided tape.
Stamp the sentiment towards the bottom of the card.
Embellish as you wish. I punched little flowers from scraps of cardstock and glued down. Then I added little black beads for the centres on two of the cards. On the other card, I used a button in a co-ordinating colour with some twine through it as the embellishment.
Finish off with three rhinestones or gems or enamel dots.
I love how these turned out, especially as I didn't especially like the DSPs used.
The all used scraps of black cardstock and leftover bits of DSP. I punched out some little flowers from cardstock scraps, added some bling, stamped the sentiment, trimmed the edges and they were done.
Materials:
Card base - white, 5-1/2"x 4-14"Scrap of black cardstock - 4-1/4"x at least 4"long
Scrap of DSP 4-1/4"x 5"
Embellishments of choice
Lay the black cardstock on the card base. Tilt it, keeping the top right hand corners matching, until you have it on an angle you are happy with.
Carefully lift the top and stick down temporarily. To do this, use snail and tap it with your fingers a couple of times to "de-stick"it; it will be tacky enough to hold the cardstock in place.
Turn the card over. Using scissors, trim along the edge of the card. Lift the black mat, and use snail or double-sided tape to stick in place.
Take the DSP and lay on top of the black cardstock, leaving a small border on the right side and bottom. Keep the top lined up with the top of the card. Tack in place. Turn over and trim as you did for the black cardstock. Stick in place with snail or double-sided tape.
Stamp the sentiment towards the bottom of the card.
Embellish as you wish. I punched little flowers from scraps of cardstock and glued down. Then I added little black beads for the centres on two of the cards. On the other card, I used a button in a co-ordinating colour with some twine through it as the embellishment.
Finish off with three rhinestones or gems or enamel dots.
I love how these turned out, especially as I didn't especially like the DSPs used.
06 January 2020
Make It, Bake It, Grow It, Sew It Week 1
This week is a week of make its, with the new card a day challenge starting.
Make It - so far I've made 15 cards - a new card every day, with multiples being made on two days. I was on a roll, the materials and tools were out so I decided to make five of the Dino Days and Magnolia Thank You cards. This will give me one for my stash, and two each for the CWA and nursing home boxes.
Here's the Make Its so far:
Bake It - No baking done, still no working oven. The final plans for the new kitchen are being drafted, then I just need to be patient and wait for it to be built and installed. But boy will I be baking up a storm in a few weeks - and hopefully the weather will have cooled off a bit too.
Grow It - the severe heat took it's toll on the garden. Lots of capsicums were burnt, and the tomatoes suffered. The egg plant are slow, but lots of flowers so hopefully that means lots of fruit in a couple of weeks. The rain yesterdayand today has been a blessing - gentle enough to really soak into the garden bed and give them a good drink.
Sew It - pot holders and a couple of new aprons are on the agenda for this coming week.
Make It - so far I've made 15 cards - a new card every day, with multiples being made on two days. I was on a roll, the materials and tools were out so I decided to make five of the Dino Days and Magnolia Thank You cards. This will give me one for my stash, and two each for the CWA and nursing home boxes.
Here's the Make Its so far:
Bake It - No baking done, still no working oven. The final plans for the new kitchen are being drafted, then I just need to be patient and wait for it to be built and installed. But boy will I be baking up a storm in a few weeks - and hopefully the weather will have cooled off a bit too.
Grow It - the severe heat took it's toll on the garden. Lots of capsicums were burnt, and the tomatoes suffered. The egg plant are slow, but lots of flowers so hopefully that means lots of fruit in a couple of weeks. The rain yesterdayand today has been a blessing - gentle enough to really soak into the garden bed and give them a good drink.
Sew It - pot holders and a couple of new aprons are on the agenda for this coming week.
A Card A Day - Day 6 2020
This is a male card, with a nautical theme. I found the original design here at Dawn's Stamping Thoughts.
Front of the card, flap closed
Front of card, flap open
Inside card and flap
05 January 2020
Getting Back in the Groove
I missed blogging last year. But I was flat out. It was such a busy year.
I started the You Tube show, with live shows twice a week.
The Cheapskates Club had a major growth spurt.
Our family life was full, there was always something on, to be done, needed, things to deal with - you get the idea.
I posted when I could, but it wasn't often. I'd jot down ideas as they struck, but then run out of time to expand them into a post.
This year, 2020, is already looking to be busy, but a different, less frantic kind of busy. We are planning on finally buying a "forever home". We also have a couple of trips planned (we've been saving for these trips for two years - I can't wait). Wayne would like to upgrade my car; we have been saving for this so if we can find what he thinks I'll need that fits what we've saved then I'll be getting a new car (sometime this year).
One blogging commitment I've made is the Card a Day challenge. So far, so good. I've not only made at least one card every day this year, but I've managed to photograph them, and get them posted, here and on the Cheapskates Club forum. Feel free to join me in this challenge - you may not need to make a card a day, but if you do make cards I'd love to see them - just pop them in the comments.
Another blogging challenge for this year is to get back to writing Happiness Homemade posts. These posts covered the simple things that happen every day to make home a happy place. It could be baking or gardening; knitting a dishcloth or sewing a table runner; making gifts for the present box; filling the pantry or freezer; using what I have to add value to our home and our lifestyle. But they will all be based on old fashioned homemaking skills that work for Australian women in 2020. It was a blog post I read on a random blog (that seems to have an enormous following, although I'd never heard of it or read it before) that caused me to start posting about homemade happiness again, and I'll explain that in my first post.
So now I'm back in the groove, I hope you join me when you can, to keep me in the groove.
I started the You Tube show, with live shows twice a week.
The Cheapskates Club had a major growth spurt.
Our family life was full, there was always something on, to be done, needed, things to deal with - you get the idea.
I posted when I could, but it wasn't often. I'd jot down ideas as they struck, but then run out of time to expand them into a post.
This year, 2020, is already looking to be busy, but a different, less frantic kind of busy. We are planning on finally buying a "forever home". We also have a couple of trips planned (we've been saving for these trips for two years - I can't wait). Wayne would like to upgrade my car; we have been saving for this so if we can find what he thinks I'll need that fits what we've saved then I'll be getting a new car (sometime this year).
One blogging commitment I've made is the Card a Day challenge. So far, so good. I've not only made at least one card every day this year, but I've managed to photograph them, and get them posted, here and on the Cheapskates Club forum. Feel free to join me in this challenge - you may not need to make a card a day, but if you do make cards I'd love to see them - just pop them in the comments.
Some of the cards from the Card A Day Challenge
Another blogging challenge for this year is to get back to writing Happiness Homemade posts. These posts covered the simple things that happen every day to make home a happy place. It could be baking or gardening; knitting a dishcloth or sewing a table runner; making gifts for the present box; filling the pantry or freezer; using what I have to add value to our home and our lifestyle. But they will all be based on old fashioned homemaking skills that work for Australian women in 2020. It was a blog post I read on a random blog (that seems to have an enormous following, although I'd never heard of it or read it before) that caused me to start posting about homemade happiness again, and I'll explain that in my first post.
So now I'm back in the groove, I hope you join me when you can, to keep me in the groove.
A Card A Day - Day 5 2020
A simple thank you card
I made five of these, using up the scraps from making card bases and mats a couple of days ago.
White cardstock 2-3/4" x 2-3/4"
White cardstock 2-1/2" - 2-1/2"
Die cut flower and leaves
Stamp sentiment onto bottom of 2-1/2 x 2-1/2 mat. Adhere to 2-3/4 x 2-3/4 mat with pop dots.
Adhere this to the card front with pop-dots.
Die cut flowers and leaves. Use a little liquid glue to stick flower to card front.
I made five of these, using up the scraps from making card bases and mats a couple of days ago.
Materials:
3" x 6" white cardstock, scored at 3"White cardstock 2-3/4" x 2-3/4"
White cardstock 2-1/2" - 2-1/2"
Die cut flower and leaves
Stamp sentiment onto bottom of 2-1/2 x 2-1/2 mat. Adhere to 2-3/4 x 2-3/4 mat with pop dots.
Adhere this to the card front with pop-dots.
Die cut flowers and leaves. Use a little liquid glue to stick flower to card front.
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