Packages and other creative pursuits

I have so much free time on my hands (due to not working much) and there are so many creative things I would like to do that it's hard to know where to start. 

However before I go into details I just want to share some lovely packages I have received. 

This is from Kerri. It was such a sweet little package. She included the Hemlines stationery set that I have wanted to get for ages!

The pretty wrapping from another package. This one was from Jason. It was for my birthday. 

This is what was inside the wrapping. Everything is from Notemaker. A small Moleskine, two other notebooks, and two different photo albums. 

I received this pretty brooch from Anastasia. It's so lovely. 

And this is another package from Anastasia. It's a pizza box of collage/crafty supplies that she got from Ruby St Designs. Gorgeous things. I should really start creating with it!

I have a few new creative pursuits. One being sewing. I have my first sewing lesson/course next Monday night, so that should be interesting and fun. The other is letterpress. I wanted to do a lesson or course for so long. There aren't any here which is a shame but I have bought a tabletop letterpress. I'm getting it from Bespoke Press. Jason and I went around to have a look at it and it was just too good to pass up. Alischa is just so lovely and she was very informative. Her work is amazing! Eee! I'm so excited about things.

Thank you for my packages and for all the lovely people I am so privileged to met and know =)

My nephew's 4th birthday and creations

Yesterday it was my nephew Caeleb's 4th birthday. He had a little party on the weekend. It was a nice relaxed day, though it was really hot!

Some edited photos from the weekend party. 

I adore this photo of Caeleb. He's getting ready for Pass the Parcel. He's a very thoughtful, artistic and creative child.

Caeleb clinging on to his dad (my oldest brother) like a little monkey. 

Having a laugh with mum (my sis in law) I think they smile the same =) 

Jase and me at the park. We were looking after some of the kids while they played. I can't help but post pictures edited now. 

This personlised stamp was my Valentine's Day present from Jason. He designed it and got it made into a stamp. I adore it. He's so thoughtful! I can use it to make myself some personalised stationery. He knows me so well. 

I was making these little rings for fun. But I might put them as a little gift set with some note cards or something? It's just one of the ideas I'm playing around with.

Next post I have to show some of the lovely packages I have received from some thoughtful people. 

All sorts...

Image taken from heraldsun.com.au

I just want to start this post off by saying that I'm thinking and praying for everyone affected by those destructive fires in Victoria. It is utterly devastating to see the images and videos, so emotional to hear the stories of survivors and so heartbreaking to hear the stories of those who were lost. My thoughts and prayers are going out to the state of Victoria. I do have to say thank you to all the fire fighters and volunteers who have fought hard to save the houses and surrounding bush land, without people like them, things would only be worse. 

I don't usually talk about or mention current events, but I felt I should with the Victoria fires. But I don't want this post to be completely sad, so I will keep on praying, supporting and keeping hope, along with the people of Victoria and Australia.

I have been tagged by Jo from Labour of Love, to find my 4th picture from my 4th folder of pictures. This is the picture.....

This is a photo from about 2005 of my gorgeous nephews, Caeleb and Isaiah. This is just the two of them hanging out on their veranda at their place. Funny thing is I don't really remember if I took this photo or my sister in law sent it to me..oops...I've taken many photos of the two of them over the years. 

If you want to participate in this.....you need to go to your 4th folder of pictures and find the fourth photo. Post it and write a little something about that photo. I'm not too good with tagging people so if you would like to participate go ahead =)

Here's a random photo from the weekend. Jason and I had an afternoon wedding then a 50th Hippie themed birthday at night.

I tried to be a 'modern' hippie. I know it's not really, but I hoped to have some elements. My random photo of the day.

I have created a few more sets of note cards. I'm finally going to update my Etsy shop. I might put my other note cards on sale so keep checking back.

I love this new paper I bought last year. It's pretty the same style as my other mini note cards but I changed them slightly.

I adore this new paper too. I'm loving the new patterns as it gives me new inspiration.

And these are mini note flats. I got a new corner puncher. I might whip a few of these up.

I hope to put these in my etsy soon. 

What happened on my birthday

My birthday has come and gone. I had a little girly thing on the Friday night as I have been for the past few years. I really get into it because I have fun in planning and creating. Here are some photos from that night and a few from my actual birthday. 

This first series of photos are my favours. This is one of my favourite parts. Putting together little packages.

I gave them all a little Smiggle note books, some Smiggle mini note cards, A Smiggle giant paper clip (can't find a link for), A Kikki.K mini wooden peg, various other office supplies like little shaped paper clips and little sticky note. I also had a glittery pencil, a pastel pen, a tiny memo pad and a mini note card made by me. All done up in a paper bag with some twine and a butterfly clip.

This is my table set up. You can't see my actual decorating yet. A few people weren't able to make it by the time I had my set up so it's a bit smaller than I thought it would be. 

Here is a close up of my table setting. It wasn't terribly exciting but it was fun to do. 

A fancy angle of my table set up. Oh and I played around with the iPhoto editing. So most of these photos have been edited with that program. 

And this photo is the whole set up. That netting was from Ikea. It's meant to go around your bed. I added some fairy lights. It looked a lot prettier at night. Excuse the side mess.

This is me having fun with the editing of photos. It also gives a better look at my set up. 

Playing again. I love that lamp. It was a birthday present a few years ago. 

Playing and trying to show the lights off. I really lovely playing around with the photos. 

Just a few of the girls. I wanted Jason to stay cause a few of my other friends weren't able to make it =)

My cake! I haven't had a proper cake since my 21st. It was my lovely sister in law who brought it. It was soo good!

Me posing with my presents. I'm such a child I love to open them, but I adore giving presents as well. 

I love girly photos. And I made it look a little different. This is 'old time' from iPhoto.

And I had to end it there. I think I will do another post with more photos next time. From my actual birthday. I have a few more things lined up.