Friday, October 24, 2014

Tea Time!


Hello dear friends!
I hope life has been treating you kindly and you have had lots and lots of fun crafting since last we 'visited' together! I won't bore you with my everlasting bleat about my self inflicted 'busy' life, except to say, I battle to say 'No'!

I am going to do my utmost to get back into blogging again as I have missed you all! I will be posting some of my class cards and tags and of course whatever else I get my sticky fingers into! 

Then there is 'Noah News' - can you believe he is now 8 months old! Do click on the tag above to go to his page.


With all the Pop-ups doing the rounds, I put this card together for my class, using PTI stamps and dies and paper from a lovely Cupcake Pad I picked up years ago. It was so much fun to do!

In my classes, we are now finishing off each card entirely, with an envelope to fit, so it can be used immediately. The girls were complaining that they had a box full of half done cards, so we will be getting together soon to sort that problem out! But going forward, no half completed cards in my class!



Keeping it short and sweet! 
Thanks for the visit.
Have a wonderful weekend and God Bless!
Hugz
Moz

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Mother's Day Card

Hello all! I'm still around, albeit not very active on the blog these last few months. It's been a very busy time and sadly the blog was at the end of the 'list of things to do', only because of editing etc. You will understand if you are a blogger. Anyway, I'm hoping to do a catch up, but please forgive me if I don't fill in all the details, as most of the cards I will share were all done some time ago.

I thought I would start with the Mother's Day card I taught this year. Of course, what better color combo than pink and white and the softness of ribbon and pearls?


I tried to capture the 'cameo' look and embossed the image, which I think is from Flourish, using white embossing powder and then worked in the Distress Inks, Spun Sugar and Victorian Velvet with Worn Lipstick around the edges. 




The die I used for the frame is a Joy Crafts Oval die 6002/0258.The center cuts out, but I replaced it and there is another oval with a scalloped edge which I used to cut out the image and placed it back on top of the center oval.

The embossing folder has butterflies down the left side and down along the base. It is the Sizzix Butterfly Migration folder and one of my favorites. Of course a bigger butterfly had to be added as well!



I used seam binding, which I colored with the distress inks and tied a double bow using my Bow Easy. The sentiment is on a tag from PTI. The tag has a little heart cut out and I found a dainty pearl heart to place over the die cut.

I will be using this design again and would like to try it in a duck egg blue, which I think would look so pretty!

Thanks so much for popping in for a visit. I hope you have enjoyed my card.
Warm hugz and God Bless!
Moz

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Box Renovation

Hi all!

I have been working on the renovation of a couple of boxes for several months now! Can't believe it has taken me so long, but everything keeps taking preference over a little paint job! Well, I just could not take these items hanging around any longer, together with the paint, brushes etc, so yesterday morning, I woke exceptionally early - 2 am!  - and after lolling in bed not able to sleep, got up and went through to my work room and my eyes fell on these boxes. I immediately picked them up, got the paint onto the brushes and worked away for half an hour. I had to stop, as I wanted a wire brush and did not fancy groping around Hubs garage so early in the morning, but did resume the job later in the day. I was totally thrilled with the outcome.

I used Annie Sloan Chalk Paint for the first time and am totally hooked on that paint! 
I have the 'before' and 'after' photo's below, so you can see what I have done. 

I bought the boxes from our local Mr. Price Home store and as you can see they were meant for the kitchen.
I have other plans for them so renovation was required!

I had already stuck the roses onto the box when I remembered
I wanted to blog this and needed a 'before' photo!
This was obviously a recipe holder.

I had not worked on this box, so the picture is definitely
a 'before' one!
I really liked the wood showing through, but was unable to sandpaper the stencilling off the boxes, so I had to paint over them. I used the Paris Grey shade and covered the front of the long box, including the roses and front and back of the tall box, as I wanted to keep the heart, but also wanted a rose on the box, so stuck it onto the opposite side and painted over both sides of the box. When it had dried, I took a wire brush to it, basically brushing off at least 60% of the paint and in some places going down to wood again. When I was happy with that, I dusted them off and dry brushed  Old White lightly over the rose and streaked some of the box as well. Not perfect by any means, as I have never done this before, but I am thrilled with it! I went back to the supplier, armed with the boxes to show them and ask their advice and they suggested that I highlight some of the high areas with silver, also dry bushing it on. This I have not yet done, but could not wait to share with you, what they look like right now.

How different with the roses!

I love this rose!

I know that the silver will make a huge difference and I will do that as soon as I can, but for now, the boxes are very usable, and my desk is clear of the clutter - yay! Getting there!

Just something different I thought I'd like to share with you. Also some Noah news! We have a family wedding in June and all my family will be in town. So excited as we will have 4 generations together and the oldest member (my Dad) will meet Noah for the first time! Can't wait. I will be sure to take lots of photo's and place them onto my Noah page. He is 14 weeks old already! How time flies!

Thanks so much for the visit and I hope you enjoyed my 'box' post! 
I have lots of cards etc. to blog about, but just need the time to schedule them all. 
Hope to see you all again soon.

Hugz and God Bless,
Moz

Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Class Tags

Hello friends!

I have added another class to the schedule - Tags! 

Not everyone is into the mess we sometimes make, but those who enjoy it, come along and get to play with inks, stencils, sprays, pastes etc. and it get's their creative juices flowing. As always, a little stimulation is needed to get the girls going, so I do a sample or samples and run through what I did on the tags with the girls and let them do their own work, albeit copying mine or creating their own designs. Below are my two class tags, with a group picture of there work below

March Tag Class - Tag #1

March Tag Class - Tag # 2

The ladies' beautiful work - awesome aren't they?

So nice to get down and inky ever so often. A class where anything goes and no stress!!

Thanks so much for your visit - I truly appreciate it.

Hugz and Blessings,

Moz

Sunday, May 4, 2014

Easter week ~ Come & Gone.....

Hello folks!

The story of my life - I started this blog post the week before Easter and just could not get it finished, for whatever reason/s! I have decided that the pictures are so pretty, I'll share it with you anyway. Please forgive my 'time warp' and enjoy!

'Here we are counting down to Easter weekend already! Seems like it was Christmas just yesterday!

So much has happened already this year but of course, all pales in significance to the arrival of our little Noah!

It has been a good few years since I last brought out my Easter goodies! Truthfully, I've not had any inclination to, until now and this year it felt 'right'. Must be that 'little' person in my life, (smiles). Well, as I'm finding more often these days, I could not find the container they were all stored in. After a huge clean out in the storeroom, which was long overdue, there was still no sign of it, so I left it for a few days. As so often happens when you have been looking for stuff, a couple of days later I walked straight to a cupboard, opened it and there it was! I was so excited that I started unpacking and setting up straight away.

Below are a few pictures of my bits of my  'Easter' and I hope you enjoy looking at them.

All the Bunnies are made my Moz!

These Bunnies too!
I have, over the years, added a new bunny to the collection every Easter, but as mentioned before, I did not have the inclination. I need to get going with the bunnies again - perhaps, get my bear making class busy with them in January, so we will all have at least one ready by Easter each year!

I'll leave you with a gorgeous picture of my darling Noah reading 'My Own Little Easter Story'.'


I hope you all had a Blessed Easter and that the true message of Easter will stay with you all!

Warm Hugz and Blessings

Moz

Friday, April 18, 2014

Easter Blessings!

Wishing you all a Blessed Easter.
May the true meaning of Easter touch your heart and make a difference in your life.
Blessings and Hugz
Moz

Our Easter Bunny 2014!


Thursday, April 10, 2014

Christmas Card Stash

Hello folks!

Every month in my card class, we get to make one Christmas card, one Birthday card and one "Occasions" card. I decided to do this as  we all had a mad rush on, to get Christmas cards out last year (and the year before!). This method helps keep the stock levels up and there is always a birthday that needs a card! 
I have several cards that I will share with you, but today it is this woven ribbon card's debut!

It was great fun doing this and whilst it is unlikely that I personally will be making too many like this, a couple for very special people is great to have ready to mail.

I used a Marianne die for the 'bauble' and Nellie Snellen Holly punch for the greenery. The ribbon has a fine gold edge that looks lovely woven. The Sentiment is a PTI stamp and the banner is from SSS.

The girls really enjoyed this, even though the weaving was a little fiddly, the end result made it so worthwhile. The ribbon could easily be replaced with Quilling Strips for a different look. I hope it inspires you to get going on your Christmas cards!

Thanks so much for stopping by and hopefully I'll be back on track - again - and will also get around to visit your blogs and say Hi!

Till next we chat, take care and God Bless!
Hugz
Moz


~~~~~~~~~~
Noah News! (Click on the page link above)

Monday, March 17, 2014

500th Post!

Hello my dear blog friends!

I cannot believe that this is my 500th blog post! I was totally shocked to find this out. Seems like yesterday I started blogging. It has been such an amazing experience. I have met so many wonderful people through my blog, made new friends, even without meeting in person, found out so much information, so generously and willingly shared and been able to share so much with you all. Thank you for your visits, very kind comments and staying with me, even through times of 'drought'....lol!

Today I want to share a card I made for a dear friends 60th birthday. I was inspired by cards made by Debbie Stevens from 'paperpastimes'. I have long admired her lovely white on white, with a hint of color, cards. The many layers and the dimensions she creates really fascinate me. So, with browsing through all the Pinterest boards with her cards on them, I was inspired to make this card.






I used a the Spellbinders M-Bossabilities EG-002 Dots folder for the top layer. Each layer was backed with a soft Ivory board and the mats were cut using the amazing Perfect Layers Rulers. A cinch to mat with. The fancy oval is a Marianne die, with the 60 being cut with a Joy die. The sentiment is PTI.

Here is a close up of the flowers.

Stunning flowers from lovely blogger friends!

Of course pearls and ribbon finished it off. I was rather pleased with the card and will most certainly be using Debbie Stevens' work for 'inspiration' in the future.

Just to tell you that Noah is 1 month old today! Please click on the page "Gogo's Brag Book" above for a photo of the 'birthday' boy! We will be visiting him shortly for 10 days and I just can't wait to hold him!

Thanks so much for the visit. Have a wonderful week and hugz and God Bless!
Moz

Thursday, March 13, 2014

Black & White Stripes

Hello my dear blogger friends! 

What a merry-go-round life is at the moment. Keeping horrific hours so that I can keep up with all my commitments. The spin off is that I love what I do, so I deal with the lack of sleep! 

I taught the first card in a class last month and everyone loved it! I have to say, it really is a stunner and such fun to make as well! Nothing beats black & white for it\s knock out ability and classy elegance.

The card below was the first card we made. I lay down the strips of paper on the diagonal and filled in from there.


Class Card
 The second card is where I played around a bit and decided to create 4 sections with the strips of paper. It changed the whole card! Totally amazing!


Playing around.....
I used a PTI stamp set and die set and just love the effect! 

These cards would make stunning Christmas Cards using traditional colors - I need to give it a go!

I will be posting news of Noah this weekend, so keep an eye open for the post! We will be travelling to Cape Town soon, to meet our darling and I promise lots of photo's to share with those interested. Don't forget, 'Gogo's Brag Book' tab at the top of the page will have photo's etc. of our Noah for all who are interested in sharing news of our special boy!

Take care 
Hugz
Moz

Saturday, March 1, 2014

Happy Heart

Hello dear friends! 

It has been a roller coaster ride these last two weeks since Noah's birth, with him returning to hospital into the NICU last Tuesday. He had lost 12% of his birth weight due not feeding well. He has trouble 'latching on', but also had jaundice and was very weak because of that. The good news is that he is now taking in a full feed and has almost regained all his birth weight. The Paediatrician says, if he continues to take a full feed, with weight gain, he may be allowed to return home tomorrow!
We have been so blessed with prayers being offered up from North to South Pole! Everybody we know has roped in friends and prayer groups all over the world and it is only by God's grace that our little boy is doing so well. His parents have been to hell and back almost every day, with hopes roaring with a full feed and hearts sinking with rejection. They have been remarkable in every way and can't wait to bring home their little man!
Out grateful thanks to everyone who offered prayers and love! God Bless you!

A couple of housekeeping points. I have been receiving so much spam that I have switched on 'Moderate'. Whilst it won't affect your comments, it does mean that they won't show immediately. If it does not slow it down, I may be forced to switch on 'Word 
Verification', which I know is a pain, but it beats the disgusting span I have to deal with, so please bare with me.

The second item, is that I will create a page for "Noah" and will post all my Granny Brags and Photos to that page, just in case you get bored with or don't visit my blog for baby updates, just the creations! I will put a little 'Noah News' on the front 'page' so those who are interested, know to look at the latest happenings. Sorry if I have bored some of you, it's just such a momentous happening in my life, I like to share it!

OK, here is a card that I taught a couple of weeks ago. Very apt given that I have this special person in my life now and he does indeed Make my Heart Happy! I used that wonderful Anna Griffin folder set called 'Ribbon Roses' and the Docrafts Heart Dies. Very simple card that the beginners thoroughly enjoyed. In fact, one young man who attended the lesson, went off and rounded up an order for 100 of these cards! I wish him luck in his new business!

Would be great for an engagement card as well!



This is made using the strip folder included in the set.

A digital sentiment.
Well folks, just to wish you a wonderful week, with lots of love and laughter! Remember to seize the moments that make you happy!

Hugz
Moz

Saturday, February 22, 2014

Meet Noah Harley Roberts

I'm just beginning to grasp the fact that I am a Gogo (Zulu term for Granny!)

Born on 17th February at 1:07pm, to my darlings Neil and Carolyn in Cape Town, South Africa, Noah Harley Roberts made an early entry into this world, by 9 days! Perfect in every way - Thanks be to our amazing God!

Weighed in at 2,97 Kg's and 51cm tall, natural delivery by an awesome Mom, who stuck it out! Well done Caro. You are a special lady.
"OK, I'm fine.... stop prodding me...!"
A very supportive and loving husband and father to be, was present right from the first contraction, until he was kicked out late at night on that special day.
'I promise to always love you Dad'
He even took his shirt off so Noah could enjoy the skin contact. I will never ever forget this photo, of father and son making that special 'connection'. Noah knew his voice because Neil used to read Bible stories to him every night in the 'womb'. 
Does this photo not move you too?

" time for a nap - hard work drinking is"
"here we go again...more photo's..."
Oh Mom, you smell so nice I  could eat you...)

I have never seen so much happiness and joy on Caro's face since their wedding day!

Back home again, all dressed up in his Superman outfit!

"Guess I'd better call Gogo..."


"Gogo, where are you? answer your cell..."


"At last - Hello Gogo, It's me Noah......why you
crying??"
It has been a truly emotional week for me. For all sorts of reason, we were unable to be with them at the birth, but have been so, so spoilt by the proud parents, with photo's and face time, every day. It has been amazing and except for being able to touch Noah and hold him, we have shared so much of him and his little milestones already, we feel truly blessed!

On the crafting front, I've been exceptionally busy with classes coming out of my ears. I do have lot's to share, but just to find time to edit photo's and do the blog posts. Will be up to speed soon....I hope!

I've missed you all and thank those who have 'checked up' on me. Bless you!
Enjoy your weekend and lots of hugz
Moz

Sunday, January 26, 2014

Spots & Glitter!

Hello all!

No, not shiny acne.....lol!!

It has been a slow start to my creative year, but I'm finding my feet, I am very pleased to say. I have done some class planning, for both home and away and have been chipping away, albeit slowly, at projects I am working on. My hubs and I have just started attending a Bible study group on Wednesday nights, so that eats into my schedule quite a bit, but I'm not complaining! It will work out. I start classes proper this week and have to get busy with cards, so I will have something to show you later in the week.

In the meantime, I'd like to share a very quick card I made prior to leaving for Cape Town. I had just received some awesome dies and really wanted to use one before my holiday. This is the card I made - no masterpiece, but CAS I think!


It really was a pleasure to put together with only two die cuts needed, which I cut out of black glittered foam sheets. Amazing the effect you get using these sheets. I need to thank my friend Ria for sharing this information! I also found this organza flower, already made up in my flower bottle, so added it with a clear rhinestone in the center and placed another above the 'i' in birthday. To balance the card, I used a cerise dot thingy (forgotten the name of these goodies - a touch of 'old timers' y'know) - ah! remembered - 'Dew Drops', at the end of Happy.
I think the happy die was from Papertrey, but could have been Simon Says Stamp, as I removed them from their packets and placed into my Artbin. The birthday die is a Britannia die from Johanna Sheen. Great selection of greetings in this elegant font available there.I do write the numbers on the back, but am just too tired now (11:45pm) to investigate, so do forgive me!

Do enjoy the rest of your weekend, wherever you may live and thanks so much for popping in. I do appreciate it!

Hugz and God Bless
Moz

Thursday, January 16, 2014

At Last ~ I Won the Quilt.......

Hi my dear friends!

I'm slowly getting back into the groove and here is my second post for January....wow!

I am lucky to be part of a group of ladies who get together at Maureen's lovely home every December, for a delicious lunch, lovingly prepared by Maureen! Always spectacular and she will not let us do a thing except come along, with a gift and enjoy ourselves.

What is so amazing is that Maureen collects Father Christmases, in any shape, size or form and has them all on display, every year, for us to enjoy. It is an extensive collection that has been growing for years. Friends constantly surprise her with a new one from their travels. The problem now, is that it takes ages to unpack and repack them and a chore that is dreaded by Maureen and her husband, but so enjoyed by us all! After lunch, we play a game where you are able to take a gift from someone else if it is your turn - great fun and always results in lots of laughter! Well, over the many years I've been part of the group, I have drooled over the quilt that Maureen's very talented daughter Karen makes. Every one stunning and coveted by us all, but soooo hard to get your hands on and keep!
Well, this year, I had the best luck and I brought it home with ME.....woo-hoo!! It is so pretty and I am so looking forward to hanging it up this Christmas and enjoying it the whole season through!

Karen's beautiful Christmas Quilt - 2013.

Is it not delightful?

I am so thrilled with it and wish to say a huge thank you to Karen for this gift and to her Mum Maureen, for her really special Christmas spirit and beautiful friendship! I'll treasure it all!

Thanks for stopping in and I'll chat again soon!
Hugz
Moz

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

I'm Back!!

Hello, all ye faithful, who still take a look at my blog!

It has been exactly one month since my last post and in that time we have had a wonderful Christmas, seen in the new year, spent holiday time with our darling family in Cape Town and returned home to our fur babies and lots of baby Koi!

After that mouthful, may I wish you, one and all, the best year ahead. May 2014 bring you and yours good health, love and happiness and with these three, but firstly, God's richest blessings, what more could we ask for?? Everything else will fall into line and really is superfluous. One can only say this when you are 'older' and been around for awhile. When you are young/er, so much of life gets in your way and clouds what is really important and necessary for your well being.

I've had lots of time to think, even though I've been mega busy, and have realised that I'm only capable of doing so much and pushing myself so hard will not make things happen any faster or easier! To say I was 'exhausted' by the end of last year, would be an understatement! I was totally wiped out! Still stitching gifts on Christmas Eve, when I should have been resting, not staying up till 2 am to get them done! Having said that, the joy on the faces when the gifts were opened, made it worth it.

From now on, I want to work smarter, I want a healthier life with more quality time with my loved ones and dear friends. I want more out of life, to be mindful, productive, caring, living in present, using each God given moment to the fullest. I won't have any more time than I had last year and no extra hours in the day, no matter what I do or say! It will be the same number of seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, and months in 2014, but I pray daily that I will make the best out of what time is given to me! My word for 2014 is FOCUS!! It is what I say repeatedly during the day, and how I try to think things through and reach each days goals. Small ones, big ones, maybe lots, maybe only one, but to try to finish what I planned is the aim!

Sorry if I am babbling on, it just helps to 'write' it down and to know others read it! Kind of cements your commitment and I believe helps you to achieve your goals. So please, check up on me every now and then and remind me of what I said - that's what friends are for!

Over the next few days, I will show you some of my handy work that was ordered, or were gifts, that I could not share before Christmas. That will catch me up to the present and hopefully, I will be back on track with my creations!

Today I will share with you a lovely bear I made to order for a little lady in the UK called Layla. Her Granny and I worked together many moons ago and have stayed good friends and in touch. We actually had so much in common and finding each other was like finding a 'sister' that you never knew you had! I am pleased to say that 'Layla Bear' arrived in time and was well received by the precious little lady on Christmas day. I have been promised a photo of the two Layla's and with permission, I will share with you.


Layla 'banking' some sunshine before leaving for the UK!


A close up to show you the lovely sparkles in her eyes!

Thank you dear friends for staying with me, both through my absence and this long heartfelt post!

I have missed you all but I did manage to do some blog hopping whilst AWOL, so have kept an eye on most of you....lol!

Till next we chat, take care and God Bless!

Hugz
Moz