From 2011 to 2012

Hello to my Family and Friends,
What a year 2011 has been with many ups and downs, Happiness and sadness. 
I've met, made and kept some wonderful friends through blogging and I appreciate you all!

My Mum was here for a few months getting her health back into gear!
The past few weeks have been very hectic here with gift making and presents to buy and give.
My Dad falling and breaking a few ribs the week leading up to Christmas then this week we lost a friend to a massive heart attack.  He was only 47 years old without any medical condition or complaints of pain. 
I'm feeling very emotional at the moment because myself, family and friends are very close to that age and he was such a caring, genuine, family orientated bloke! My sympathy goes out to Kellie and their four children.
Rest in Peace Adam

Roll on 2012!
My oldest son is turning 21 years old.
We are having a small party on 21.1.2012
He says 'small party' Yeah right-He's list has blown out to 120 guests.

I'm also the lucky winner of Vikki's gorgeous vintage stocking. http://www.sewusefuldesigns.com/2011/12/simply-christmas-guest-post-and.html
Click on the link to check it out.
Thank you Vikki!

I wish all my friends love, happiness, health, fun filled, creative year in 2012
Big hugs,
Anna

Christmas Gifts

Hello, thank you stopping by!  I've been busy making Christmas Gifts for family and friends.

I've made a new centre piece for our table this year using Air Dry clay.  I rolled out the clay, cut out heart shapes and stamped Joy, Peace, Love & Hope in Red and Green.  While the clay pieces were drying, I picked a branch of a small tree and painted it gold.

I set the branch in the pot with Plaster of Paris and sprinkled the top with Gold glitter.

If you pop on over to Kerryanne's blogspot she has a tutorial on clay tags. I'll be linking to Shabby Art Boutique link party.

Every year I make my guys a personalized gift tag.  This year I've decided to add pictures of their cars.

Yes, they are mad about their cars!

My son's girlfriend has been around for nearly two years, so I thought she deserves one as well.

These are the back of the tags which I used Opals embossing enamel and pressed the stamp into the last coat to emboss the tags.

These are some other tags I've also made up for Christmas.

WARNING~If you are family or a friend, you may want to turn it off now or you won't be getting any surprises.

This is for a male friend of ours.  Do you know how hard Men are to buy for? well as I'm trying to make a lot of gifts this year my task is even harder.

This is what I've come up with!  Using Lesley Riley's Transfer Artist Paper and a new cushion

This is his truck that I sneaked down and took a photo of, printed it onto TAP and ironed it onto the new cushion cover.

My sister and brother in law have just moved into a new house and they're going to have a french theme in their lounge. 
 Graphics Fairy kindly gives a lot of  fabulous designs each day and I copied these pictures from Karen's blogspot.  Thank you Karen for being so generous!

This is for another sister and her hubby for their Christmas gift.  It's 90 x 60 cm Canvas.  I used all Jo Sonja paints and Texture paste for this design. 

I also made a Journal for my niece, however I forgot to take photo's and I probably wouldn't show you anyway because that sister is a snoop. lol

Yesterday, I caught up with a couple of good mates for brunch.  My clever friend Lee made us a gorgeous, creatively, painted bag.  Pop on over to Lee's blogspot and have a look at the photos!

Lee also gave me a new Papermania stamp set called Urban Stamps and made me a lovely handmade card.

 Thank you Lee, Much appreciated.

 We must do it again Soon!

I'm still working in my studio making gifts, so I hope to be back soon to show you more.

Are you making any Christmas gifts?  I'd love to hear about them.

Creative hugs, Anna