Our Holiday - Fremantle to Hong Kong February/March 2012

Hi there,
I'm Home, much travelled after living in luxury for a few weeks sailing the oceans and seas of the World on Queen Mary II.  Fortunately it wasn't too rough sailing the high seas and QM2 handled it with ease.  We did have a loss of engines on a couple of occasions, drifting at sea but thankfully the Engineers had them running again in no time, very eerie when it happened. 
We sailed from Fremantle in Western Australia across the Great Australian Bight to Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and then up to Rabual in New Guinea.  We were to stop off in Guam but the sea was too rough for the Tenders so we travelled on to Osaka in Japan, then to Nagasaki and on to Shanghai in China.  We did a four day land and air tour of China visiting Shanghai, Xian and Beijing and flew to Hong Kong to meet the boat and pack.  We had three flights in three days and spent six days in Hong Kong and then flew home to Perth. 
So here are some of my favourite pictures from our latest adventure.

Fremantle Port, Western Australia Ready to Go.

One of two Sunsets we saw during the whole voyage as we left Fremantle.

Dressed for our first Formal Evening.

Adelaide from Mt. Lofty.

Eucalyptus Blossom

We did a tour of Hahndof in the hills of Adelaide

 We had a rondeavou with the Endeavour which was built at Fremantle and is a replica of the original ship.  It is now used as a training vessel.

The Endeavour gave us a 2 Gun Salute.

 

St. Paul's Cathedral, Melbourne

 Flinder's Street Train Station Melbourne.

Royal Arcade in Melbourne

 

 Queen Mary II moored in Melbourne.

 Our Cabin on Board QM2

 View of Melbourne from our Balcony on Board QM2

 Spare propellers for QM2

 Royal Court Theatre on Board.

 City of Sydney from Taronga Zoo

 City of Sydney from Taronga Zoo showing the Sydney Opera House,
QM2 and The Sydney Harbour Bridge.

 QM2 at her mooring at Circular Quay for the first time in it's History.  Picture shows how massive and majestic she is.

 Sydney Opera House at Night

 Queen Victoria Arcade, Sydney

 Queen Victoria Arcade, Sydney

 Sydney Opera House

 Lunar Park, Sydney

 Sydney Harbour Bridge

 The turret through the opening is the Governor's Residence in Sydney

Sydney Harbour Bridge at night.

I hope you enjoy my photo journey as this only covers from Fremantle to Sydney. I took so many photos with my new camera and I am still trying to find out how to edit them. 

Thanks' for dropping by today.

Hugs,

Merry Monday Challenges #8 - Ready for Christmas

Hi Friends,
Finally I have had time to sit down and create a card.  I have been busy organising myself and hubby so we can go on a long anticipated holiday.  My Husband has had a long time dream to sail on the Queen Mary II so on Tuesday we will be jumping on board at Fremantle and sailing around Australia to Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and then to Rabul New Guinea, the Marianas Islands, Japan, China and to Hong Kong.  Then we will fly home to Perth.  Almost have my case packed, which has been a bit tricky as we will be experiencing a few different climate changes.  The Liner sets high dress standards and evening attire is expected after 6 pm, so I have been having fun shopping, not sure how I am going to meet the luggage weights to fly home, trying to keep that in mind, already hinted I might have to buy another suit case somewhere along the trip.  I am really looking forward to being pampered and it is always exciting to see new countries and cultures and this trip will be filled with many new experiences.
Today's card is for the Merry Monday Sketch Challenge this week.  Fairly clean and simple card, I tried to use some non traditional colours. I cut the mat out by going around the outside of the Labels Eighteen Nestability that I used to cut for the main image.  I cut the Dotted Scallop Ribbon strip in half to make my fine strip across the card and then added the Pool Party piece. For the backgound around the sweet little image I embossed some white snowflakes and sponged the area to give it more interest. I used a Gelly Roll Pen and some Dazzling Detail to add some bling.  Hope you like it.

 

Supplies:

Stamps:  S/U's Greeting Card Kids, Come to Bethlehem, Snowflakes (R)

Card and Papers:  Wild Wasabi, Not Quite Navy, Whisper White, DSP Patterns Stack - Subtles Collection

Markers:  Wild Wasabi, Pool Party, Not Quite Navy, Soft Suede, River Rock

Ink: Stazon Black, Pool Party, Not Quite Navy, Bashful Blue

Finishing Touches: Gelly Roll Pen, Dazzling Details

Tools: Big Shot, Spellbinders Labels Eighteen Nestabilities, Sizzix Polka Dot EB Folder, Sponge, Aqua Painter, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Heat Tool, Embossing Buddy, White Embossing Powder, Martha Stewart Snowflake Punch, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch, Dble Sided Tape, Dimensionals

Thanks' for dropping in today. See ya back here again in April.  Happy Crafting!

Hugs,

Happy Birthday Jenna!

Happy Weekend Everyone,
Today I am showing you the card I made for our youngest Grand-daughter Jenna for her 2nd Birthday.  Jenna received a swing for her Birthday so I made this Easel card with Tilda on a swing and her cat. I stamped the swing and masked it and punched out a 1" Circle Mask for the Sun.  I then sponged the background, adding the grass stamp on the sponged green area.  I coloured in the swing and finished sponging the sun with as reverse mask.  I then coloured in Tilda and the Cat using my Markers and Aqua Painter, cut them out raising the images on Dimensionals. 

Supplies:

Stamps:  Magnolia's Tilda, Swing, Cat, Stamp World - B 586 Grassy Hills
Card:  Regal Rose, Pretty In Pink, Whisper White
Ink:  Stazon Black, Pear Pizzazz, Wild Wasabi, Bashful Blue, Marina Mist, So Saffron, Pumpkin Pie,
Markers:  Pretty In Pink,   Rose Red, Bashful Blue, Pacific Point, Soft Suede, Early Espresso, Old Olive, So Saffron, More Mustard, Pumpkin Pie, Blush Blossom
Finishing Touches: Pearl
Tools:  Stamp-a-ma-jig, Aqua Painter, Big Shot, Spellbinders Shapeabilities Fancy Tags, Martha Stewart Cupcakes Border Punch, Masking Medium, Sponges, Computer and Printer, Dble Sided Tape, Dimensionals, 2 Way Glue Pen
Thanks' for stopping by today. Happy Stamping!
Hugs,

Perfect Sentiments #19 - Happy St. Patrick's Day

Hello Friends,
Today's post is for the Perfect Sentiments Challenge this week to make a Paper Pierced Holiday's or Season's project. I went with a Bugaboo Digi I have had for a while, printing it on Neenah Classic White Card and coloured it with some Copics.  This is the first time I had used the Neenah Classic White card and I am very happy with the results. 

Supplies:

Stamps:  Bugaboo Digi - Good Luck Turtle, S/U's Teeny Tiny Sentiments, S/U's 1999 Kiss Me (R)
Card and Papers: Neenah Classic White, Whisper White, DSP Easy Scrapbooking Calendar 2006
Ink: S/U's Green Galore (R), Garden Green, Copics - BV29, YG17, G94, YG67, YG91, Y26
Finishing Touches: Gelly Roll Pen
Tools: Big Shot, Spellbinders Classic Oval Nestabilities, Sponge, Modern Label Punch, Mat Pack and Piercing Tool, Dble Sided Tape, Dimensionals, QuickKutz Diamonds and Dots EB Folder,
Thanks' for stopping by today.
Hugs,

Merry Monday Challenges #7 - Cat in a Santa Hat

Today's post is for the Merry Monday Sketch Challenge this week. I Paper Pieced the Cat's Present and Water coloured the rest of the image, adding some Dazzling Diamonds and Crystals as Finishing Touches.

 



Supplies:

Stamps:  Pink Cat Studio, S/U's Perfect Ending (R)

Card and Papers:  Whisper White, Real Red, Old Olive, DSP Holiday Treasures (R), DSP Ski Slope (R)

Ink: Stazon Black, Old Olive

Markers: Basic Grey, Real Red, Bashful Blue,

Finishing Touches: Dazzling Diamonds, Crystals, Old Olive 1/8" Ribbon

Tools:  Big Shot, Spellbinders Classic Oval Nestabilities, Spellbinders Scallop Oval Nestabilities, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch, Large Oval Punch, Scallop Oval Punch, Aqua Painter, 2 Way Glue Pen, Dble Sided Tape, Dimensionals

Thanks' for taking a peek today.

Hugs,

Merry Monday Challenges #6 - Star of Bethlehem

Happy Weekend Everyone,
Today's post is for the Merry Monday Sketch this week.   As you can see I have changed the profile of the sketch so my image would work.  I used Designer Papers for the panels of the sketch and the metallic gold card which I embossed.  I coloured the star with a Gelly Roll Pen and put a wash of Gold Smooch Spritz to highlight the sand.  Love how it came together clean and simple, easy to reproduce.

Supplies:

Stamps:  S/U's Come to Bethlehem, Petite Pairs

Card and Papers:  Early Espresso, Whisper White, Metallic Gold, DSP Patterns Stack - Neutrals Collection

Ink: Early Espresso

Finishing Touches:  Gold Smooth Spritz, Gelly Roll Pen

Tools: Big Shot, Sizzix Polka Dot EB Folder, Oval Punch (R), Large Oval Punch, Aqua Painter, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Dble Sided Tape, Dimensionals

Thanks' for dropping in today.  By the way it's my Birthday Today, had a fabulous day doing what I like most.

Hugs,

The Paper Players #81 - Red Gerbera

Hi Friends,
Today's post is for The Paper Players Challenge this week to use a flower on your project. I  found the tutorial for the Gerbera on Shelly Bohan's blog.  Once I had made the Gerbera I dry embossed the Top Note Die Cut and the background mat.  The ribbon was dyed with re-inkers.

Supplies:

Stamps:  S/U's Afterthoughts
Card:  Poppy Parade, Whisper White, Old Olive
Ink:  Poppy Parade
Finishing Touches: Seam Binding Ribbon, Button, White Bakers Twine
Tools:  Big Shot, Sizzix Finial Press EB Folders, Sizzix Square Lattice EB Folders, Sizzix Flower Daisies #2, Boho Blossom Punch, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch, Sizzix Top Note Die, Bone Folder, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Dimensionals, Dble Sided Tape, Mini Glue Dot, 2 Way Glue Pen
Thanks' for visiting today.
Hugs,

CCMC #187 - Two Polar Bears

Hi Folks,
Today's post is for the Create With Connie and Mary Colour Challenge this week.  I was keen to do flowers but decided to use the Polar Bears from Stampin' Up's Zoo Review for something a little different and as most of the stamps have not been inked.  I masked the Polar Bears and sponged my ink around the card.  I gave the bears a wash of Sahara Sand with my Aqua Painter to give them some definition.  I embossed the mat panel with the Polka Dot EB Folder.  For the Finishing Touches I added some Dazzling Diamonds on the snow and the White Baker's Twine and Crystals.

This card was a Challenge Winner at Create With Connie and Mary this week.

Supplies:

Stamps:  S/U's Zoo Review, Vintage Labels (R)
Card:  Sahara Sand, Pool Party, Concord Crush, Whisper White
Ink:  Stazon Black, Sahara Sand, Pool Party, Concord Crush
Finishing Touches:  Crystals, Dazzling Diamonds, White Bakers Twine
Tools:  Big Shot, Sizzix Polka Dot EB Folder, Sponges, Masking Medium, Aqua Painter, Dble Sided Tape, Dimensionals, 2 Way Glue Pen, 1" Circle Punch, Snowflake Punch
Thanks' for poppin in today.
Hugs,

Perfect Sentiments #17 - Missing A Button - Missing You Dad

Happy Tuesday Everyone,

Today's post is for the Perfect Sentiments Challenge this week to make a card with a Missing You Sentiment and include a Button on your project.  My card for this week is very Clean and Simple, I used Versamark and Early Espresso and Clear Embossing Powder for the chair. I cut the Very Vanilla cardstock to add the 2cm Designer Paper Strip on the front of the card.

 

Supplies:

Stamps:  Flourishes A Man's View, My Favourite Things By The Seashore
Card and Papers: Very Vanilla, Bravo Burgundy, Early Espresso, DSP Patterns Pack - Regals Collection
Ink:  Versamark, Early Espresso
Finishing Touches:  Early Espresso Bakers Twine, Crumb Cake Corduroy Button
Tools: Big Shot, Spellbinders Classic Circles Nestabilities, Embossing Buddy, Heat Tool, Clear EB Powder, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Dble Sided Tape, Dimensionals
Thanks' for dropping by today.
Hugs,

My Weekend....

Something a little different, just had to share.  Last weekend we went to Perth and stayed with our eldest daughter's family.  Our daughter gave my Husband tickets to see the Rod Stewart Concert for his Birthday.  It was a fabulous Concert on a most perfect night out in the open air at NIB Stadium.

We looked after these two little cuties while their parents worked.

And then we went on to the show.

Diesel was the supporting Act.

 

 The stage from a distance with the part of the crowd.

 The fabulous Rod.  Rod sung a lot of his old hits with only a few of the newer ones. He even introduced his son Aiden on the stage and showed photos of the rest of the Children all dressed in the Celtic Football outfits.

 I loved the backdrop for this one.

 Rod is not so clear on the large screen in this one, but he was singing one of my favs "We Are Sailing"

It was a fun weekend, we caught up with one of the other Grand Daughter's too. 

If you are going along to one of the Concerts I know you will enjoy it.

Hugs,