So one of the things that I saw and absolutely fell in love was this wall decal someone had made and thought I’d give it a go as well.

It was a little tricky to make as each bird had to cut out individually at varying sizes, but it looks great and I am really happy with the way it turned out, it really makes the room come alive.

Then I was asked to help make a bookmark that would be handed out to all the women attending the meeting.

So this is what I came up with:

The bookmarks where based around three themes – Hope, Courage and Life.  Something we all face on a day to day basis.

This was a simple bookmark (so I thought) that could be made reasonably quickly and easy to teach.  Initially I wanted match cardstock to the pattern paper, but when your making such a huge amount that rule went out the window!!

But the end result was very pleasing to the eye and the person that received would be have enjoy the wonder message that was printed on it.

Hope:

No matter how long the cold, bleak days of winter may continue, the key to all change is in our inner transformation–a change of our hearts and minds. This is human revolution. We all have the power to change. When we realize this truth, we can bring forth that power anywhere, anytime, and in any situation.

Hope transforms pessimism into optimism. Hope is invincible. Hope changes everything. It changes winter into summer, darkness into dawn, descent into ascent, barrenness into creativity, agony into joy. Hope is the sun. It is light. It is passion. It is the fundamental force for life’s blossoming.

Even places that have been shrouded in darkness for billions of years can be illuminated. Even a stone from the bottom of a river can be used to produce fire. Our present sufferings, no matter how dark, have certainly not continued for billions of years-nor will they linger forever. The sun will definitely rise. In fact, its ascent has already begun.

Courage:

The courage to challenge and triumph over one’s limitations is what defines a victor. The door to victory opens only when one gains control over their own tendencies toward weakness, cowardice, laziness, avoidance, and resignation. By bravely training oneself and making an earnest effort while young, a person can build a strong, unshakable foundation for victory in life, upon which they can construct a great bastion of human revolution

Don’t let the present moment slip by. Like throwing the windows wide open, open your lives to the fullest and manifest the joy-filled wisdom and power of the Buddha. Faith in the Mystic Law enables us to do this. Every moment is a challenge; every moment is a win-or-lose struggle. ?It’s a waste to limit your potential by locking yourself away and letting yourself be ruled by fear. Summon up your courage. Challenge yourself with an eager and optimistic spirit.

The courage to challenge and triumph over one’s limitations is what defines a victor. The door to victory opens only when one gains control over their own tendencies toward weakness, cowardice, laziness, avoidance, and resignation. By bravely training oneself and making an earnest effort while young, a person can build a strong, unshakable foundation for victory in life, upon which they can construct a great bastion of human revolution

Life:

The worst mistake you can make is to give up on yourself and stop challenging yourself for fear of failure. Keep moving forward with a firm eye on the future, telling yourself, “I’ll start from today!” “I’ll start afresh from now, from this very moment!”

Life is a struggle, and ultimate victory is only decided in its final chapter. That is why it’s important not to grow conceited in victory or become disheartened in defeat. Those who keep pressing onward toward a goal with tireless patience and persistence win in the end.

Become like the sun. If you do so, all darkness will be dispelled. No matter what happens, live confidently with the conviction that you, yourself are the “sun.” Of course, in life there are sunny days and cloudy days. But even on cloudy days, the sun is still the sun. Even when you are suffering, it is vital that you strive to keep the sun shining brightly in your heart

It has been so hard to maintain, I am offering all products at discounted prices!! So I can re-start with new products.

So here is how it will work:

Shop at The Shoppe

Checkout

I will send you the REAL price you will pay

And if you like the price (I am sure you will)

Then I will send out a Paypal Invoice

Be quick as some items will sell out fast.

Example:

All papers will be 65c each

Martha Stewart Punches $18.00

Stickers from 25c each

Copic Sketch Markers $7.00 (only stocked colours)

I hand drew a bunny with a thick permanent black marker (it took a few attempts to get it right. I then cut out the bunny shape as close to the line as possible to make a template of the bunny.

I then traced this bunny onto some white cardstock and cut each out leaving some space between the bunny.  I punched a hole in each of the bunnies ears, and then using some leftover scrap scrapbooking papers trying to keep the colours in the similar families I used a large scallop punch on these to make the bunnies tail.  I edged the scallop with brown ink to give it a bit of texture and stuck the onto the bunny with pop dots.  Then all you need to do is string them all together and presto all done, to easy!!

Hi Everyone,

Sorry for the inconvenience I am away on our annual family holiday and will not be able to fulfill orders till Feb 22nd, 2011.

If you place an order you will not be charged for it till I get back and send you a paypal invoice.  Really am so sorry but I am a small if not tiny shop that tries to keep prices low so no other staff at hand to fullfill orders.

But I will be updating my site whilst on holidays so more new products to come.  Yippeee!!!

My sincere apologies

Many Thanks
Joanna Ma

This Christmas gift holders were made for all the pre-school teachers at Willoughby Community Pre School.  I can’t thank the teachers enough for all they have done for Hugo’s growth and development.

So thank you Di, Libby, Jan and Helen in the Blue Room I am sure Hugo will miss you all immensely.

The stamp is a 4 separate Mo Manning digistamps.  This would be the first time I have ever used a digistamp but was very happy with the result.  The best thing about digistamps is that you can manipulate them to whatever size you like and line them up nicely and print out.  You can see on close up the each of the characters in time out it’s quite funny.

For colouring I used both copic sketch markers and prisma pencils.  I hadn’t used pencils before but they really do add more detail than just copic alone.

The copic were great fro blending shades of colours and the prisma pencils to add details like blush I thought was fantastic.

Inside I used Unity Stamp Co and Stampin Up! stamps and covered it with dazzling diamonds.

But with us moving to Hornsby Heights in 2 weeks I haven’t organised my craft things as well as I should have.   Which will mean finally I will have a craft area to teach and showcase all my goodies!!

So come along and bag a bargain there will be heaps of things on SALE!!

1. All patterned Papers $1.00 each

2. All Unity Stamp Sets $30.00 or below

3. All single stamps $7.50

4. Sketch Copic Markers $9.00

Cheap!!  Cheap!! Cheap!!

I ‘ll  see you there!!

Hornsby Craft Fair

Inside the Hornsby RSL Club

1pm till 8pm

Hi All,

Yes I have been to IKEA a number of times this week.  We have just purchased a property and looking for inspiration as well as a new kitchen.  So I  think I know the store back to front LOL!!

Anyway as I will be moving to a new house YEAH!!! I need to re-organise my craft room and hopefully have it ready for all to see by mid next year AND I can finally teach some classes from home YIPPEEE!!

So I have been looking for storage ideas for my papers and have decided on the IKEA  bookshelf which fit these awesome paper trays perfectly!!  I simply can’t wait.  Well worth the investment and looks so pretty as well.