Wednesday's Word of the Week

Hey there bloggers!
As part of my plan to keep up my blogging momentum I thought I'd try out a (hopefully) fun concept.  I'm sure you've heard of the 'Wordless Wednesday' blog posts, well mine is going to be a 'Word of the Week' Wednesday.  Now, I'm not the most erudite of people but I do like to read an awful lot and English was one of my favourite subjects in High School (Theatre and Art being the others - yes, yes, very surprising ;) Anyhoo, part of my obsession with the english language is a complete despisement of incorrect spelling (drives me INSANE - especially deliberate shortenings such as nite, aaarrrghh, and don't get me started with texting - I use complete words - yes, I am one of those ;) and also secretly wanting to re-expand the repertoire of words that we all use day-to-day.  We need to stop dumbing ourselves down and instead smarten ourselves up!  So, I thought that each Wednesday I could post my favourite word that week, complete with definition, example of use and visual interpretation....ie make a card or layout or just find a pic that I think depicts it.  So, bear with me as I embark on this mad mission!
So, without further ado, this weeks word is:

dir·i·gi·ble

[dir-i-juh-buhl, dih-rij-uh-] 

noun

1. an airship.

adjective

2. designed for or capable of being directed, controlled, or steered.

Example of use:  

' "What ho!" said Boots.  "Can I be of any assistance, Lady Maccon?"  The basket-shaped gondola of Lord Akeldama's private dirigible came down out of the sky like some kind of fat and benevolent savior.' - Heartless, Gail Carriger.

'Auto-gyro's rush in where dirigibles fear to tread.' - Dion Shepherd.

Here are a couple of images I found on the web: 

I particularly like the addition of the chicken on top of this one ;)

 

And here is my card offering:

So, your challenge, should you choose to accept it, is to work the word dirigible into a  conversation this week - let me know how you use it!

Thanks for stopping by!
B

Hello 2012

Hey there Bloggers!  Did you miss me? ;)
Sorry for the tardiness, but I'm back and raring to go! I've decided that 2012 is the year for taking the bull by the horns!!  So I invite you to join me for the ride!
So, the news so far for 2012...
Shop for Sale.  Yep, just in case you hadn't already heard, Fiona has put the shop (Stamp and Scrapbook Madness) up for sale.  Her husband, Justin, has been given a promotion at his work, unfortunately this involves them moving to Perth. So, if you know of someone that has always dreamed of owning a fabulous and successful Scrapbook shop....complete with kooky staff ;) (I keep telling Fiona that she needs to put a caveat in the sale agreement that I am included (like the stock and the racking ;)
Frankly I'm trying not to think about it too hard.

Meanwhile, it's business as usual at the shop.  Fiona keeps ordering more and more stock like a crazy person (which we love) and is still constantly sourcing new stock and suppliers (which we also love).  She's abandoning me next week to go to CHA so I'm sure she'll come back with lots of goodies that I will covet ;)
(and a signed copy of Compendium of Curiosities 2 for my Birthday if she knows what's good for her ;)

I have 4 classes this schedule - Paradise Cards, Jumbo Stamps Cards, Birthday Book and the upcoming Kaisercraft paper pad class.
Here's some pics:

    

 

I've also spent half the day updating the work blog, so if you haven't checked it out yet, the link is here

Anyway, I'm off to read Dr Seuss and brace myself for tomorrow (I've got a BIG day at work tomorrow)
Thanks for dropping by,
Barbara

Vintage Panels Class Tomorrow

Hey there Bloggers.  Just thought I'd do a quick post of a class I'm teaching tomorrow.  It's from a class I did with Jane Tregenza a little while ago.  I had to alter it a little to suit the stock we have in store but I still love it.

 

It's a 3-hour rather than a 2-hour class as there are alot of techniques involved, so I might have to stock up on Berocca ;)

I also finally finished my last technique card (so the class is a trio rather than a duo) and that is running for the first time this Sunday.

Love those retro colours!  There's something about orange and brown that really appeals to me. Much to everyone else's dismay ;)

Anyway, time to get the kids organised for the day.  Have a great Wednesday!
B

What's in it?

Vintage Panels

Papers:Graphic 45, Kaisercraft.  Chipboard: Imaginarium Designs. Stamps: Delish, Hero Arts.  Flowers: Prima. Words: Collections.

Technique Trio

Stamps: Stampendous, Hero Arts.  Ribbon: Prima, Vandoras.  Patterned Paper: MME.  Ink and Ink Pads:  Tim Hotlz.

Just a Quick Hello

Hey there bloggers!  Sorry I've been a slacker in the posting department ;) it's been chaos around here, I keep optimistically waiting for it to settle down a bit (snort) I don't like my chances any time soon.
I thought that I would quickly post some pics of the Jane Tregenza class I went to last week.

The ladies hard at work ;)

Hmmm...I do look a little over-excited and stalker-ish ;)

I sat next to the lovely Deborah Dowling

What a ghastly pic!  I look 9 months pregnant urrghh!

 Anyway, ignoring the ghastly pics ;) I had a fabulous time - as I always do in Jane's classes.  She taught us how to make a book (which I'm holding above) I've just got to finish adding some finishing touches and then I shall post some pics of the finished product. 
Have a great night,
B

Just Tootin' My Horn...

Hey there Bloggers.  Well it's certainly been a busy week, and a super busy weekend!  I've been o so patiently waiting for the Publishers to put up the cover pic for the latest issue of Australian Simply Cards magazine but I gave in and scanned my own copy ;)

I'm so excited!  This is my first time being published in Simply Cards (discounting the dodgy card I made for one of their free designer mini books).  Here's hoping they like me and there will be more to come ;)
And technically I'm on the front cover - I'm the 'Seasonal Stamping' bit on the right.

Here's a dodgy photo that I took with my phone of a card I'm about to send off to a friend of mine that's up the duff, (yay)
Just a simple one- using the gorgeous new Graphic 45 range - Once Upon a Springtime.

OH!  And a bit shout out to my Gal Pal Krischelle who's just been accepted as part of the design team for Scrap Tiffany!  Congrats chick!

In other news my car is cursed - this time last year I was rear-ended by a truck (not fun -don't recommend it) and then yesterday I had to get it towed to the mechanics for some sort of ignition coil thingy (it's like they're speaking in tongues) there goes $220 worth of xmas shopping :( Arrgghh!
Anyway, I'm off again (being kicked off the computer by my 11yr old - for shame, I cannot wait until I get a laptop)
Have a great day bloggers!

Classes, classes and more classes!

I suspect Fiona is secretly trying to kill me off by putting all of my classes on at once! ;) I have the new vintage double layout on this Friday, (then the shop xmas party in the evening), then Saturday we start with the Interactive Xmas class then have the cuttlebug cards in the afternoon.  Then Sunday we have the off the page frenzy - where people bring along their UFO's or new ones and we get cracking!
So if you don't hear from me after Sunday I've gone into a crafting coma ;) I love a good whinge, it's the English blood in me.

Betty and Jack were my Grandparents, my Dad's parents.  I get my craftiness from Grandma (and my messiness) and my whingey-ness from my Grandad (the Pom).  Isn't it creepy how much I look like my Grandma ;)
I used all Graphic 45 papers and pretty much all Graphic 45 embellishments, not that I'm obsessed or anything ;)

Poor Fiona, she accused me of giving her wrinkles and putting her in an early grave (hmmm, might explain the classes marathon ;).  I can be very 11th hour in handing in my examples, but I must say that the flowery card (the stress-making culprit) turned out to be my favourite, obviously I work best under pressure....
I also got to play with the new Tim Holtz machine on Monday, the Vagabond.  I'm in love (sigh) I can't justify getting one as I already have my beloved Cuttlebug...but if something were to ever happen to it....well it is super-cute, and comes with stickers to customise it ;)

 

the sides open out like a cuttlebug, the clasp-looking bits are the on/off and direction switches and it has a hidden compartment to stash the electric cord.  I just love it.  And on that note, I'm off to finish writing my class notes ;)

Have fun bloggers, B

Vintage Cards Class Today

Hey Bloggers,
I had my Hero Arts/Simply stamped class yesterday - the ladies were a hoot, I think we may have scared poor Una though ;)  I can't remember if I'd posted photos of it the last time it ran...hmmm...don't think so, here's what they looked like anyway - I LOVE the little owl peeking out of the present, too cute.

 

The 3 trees one was a hit, because it looks impressive but is really quite easy (just the way I like it ;)

 

 I love the cherubs stamp - I think because it reminds me of the Golden Books I used to read.  

Anyway, I don't have time for these shenanigans!  I'd better get ready for work ;)

Have a great Saturday!  We're off to the Wynnum foreshore tomorrow with the kids - a last Sunday Hurrah for me since I'll be starting taking over Jolene's Sundays from next week since it's her last day tomorrow :(  Good luck with the move Jolene!

B

Steampunk Debutante

I've been busy again, what can I say, the Graphic 45 just inspires me.

This was going to be one of my layouts for Issue 4 but I changed my mind at the last minute. I'm now going to use a different one from the same night.
As you may have guessed this was taken at the same Halloween party where I was a pirate, I'm thinking I may need to up the ante in my costume this year ;)
We took the boys to see Riverfire last night.  They both loved it, although I think Hamish was equally entranced by the crackers and dip that the afore-mentioned Kylie provided!

I took this at the bus stop as we were on our way into the city, I of course then forgot to take some more...of the fireworks!