My version of.....

 the Christmas Cracker.....

I made a number of these for our christmas dinner tomorrow night. The template for these I got off the Splitcoaststampers website and are called sour cream containers. They are very quick and easy to whip up. It was fun putting these together.
I hope the family like them.

They don't make any noise, don't contain any jokes, hats or little trinkets...
instead it contains....

a chocolate and a  proverb for the recipient to mull over........

Here are all the different colours to choose from

A bowl full to hand out.... 40 all up

I hope you all have a wonderful day tomorrow with loved ones remembering the birth
of our Saviour Jesus Christ.
We hope to celebrate with Nick's family at our house. Should  be lots of fun once again.
May God bless you all.
Cheers, Monty xx

More birthdays.......

Just a quick post to show you what I have been up to lately.
I've had a few friends birthdays, as well as some little friends too.

Last weekend me and my family went up to Perth to visit the FRCSR Fine Food and Craft Market. It was a wonderful morning viewing all the different crafty things and tasting yummy food also. We really enjoyed it. I spent a bit of time at one young ladies stall which had all sorts of gifts made out of paper and all made with stampin up products. Her name is Katie K... I'm not aware that she has a blog, however, I remembered one of the things she made and made my own version for my girl friends. It was a lovely, decorated cover for a box of cake mix. I loved the fact that it was such a simple, practical gift. They both loved them.


One for Fiona

One for Carolyn

Card for Makayla who turned 4 years old

Card for Amber who turned 1

Hope you are all enjoying your holidays. So far we've managed a couple of sleep ins, late brekkies and also late bedtimes... All good :)
Cheers, Monty

Thank you teachers......

Well..... its that time of year again when I like to make a little gift to show the teachers how much I appreciate the effort they put in in instructing our children in many subjects, with God at the centre of their teachings. We are thankful that our children can attend a christian school in freedom. Praise God for all these blessings.
I like to be able to make something different each year..... so I did a bit of blogging on other craft sites and found this.... WOW!!! was my first reaction... then... I can make one four of these. They are not my creation but they are from the talented Ilina Crouse. Its called First Day Ensemble. I purchased a template for $6.50. Within minutes of ordering and paying, the instructions were sent to my email... then a few minutes later I was busy printing, cutting, scoring and putting them together. I think the hardest part was chosing the papers and colours to match. Thought I would share the finished products with you. Hope the teachers like them...

This one is for Travis' teacher

These pencils open up to reveal some goodies.

Toblerone and two pens

For Corey's teacher

Chloe's extra teacher

Chloe's everyday teacher

All four together... sorry about blurry photo

Maybe I've now inspired YOU to make a little something for your own children/s teachers. It doesn't need to be anything extravagant, just something to show that you appreciate their time and effort :o)

All the best to you busy mums for the next two weeks.

Cheers, Monty

Culture Day.....

Corey's class had to pick a country, study it and write information about it. Corey chose Barbados. Why, you may ask?? because they play soccer :o) kid logic....
Last Tuesday they were allowed to dress up in clothing that their country of choice people wear and also bring some food that is typical for that country to share with the rest of their classmates.
83% of the people in Barbados are dark skinned so I decided to paint Corey brown. He wasn't too impressed and was certainly NOT going to catch the bus looking like this :o)
He also took a whole coconut to school. They only had a drink of the milk as they ran out of time to crack it open and taste the meat. Corey took it home where Nick cracked it open and we all had a taste. Nobody here was very fond of it.
Here are some pictures of what Corey looked like on the day. I thought he looked GREAT!!!

Chloe said to Corey that he wouldn't need to worry about brushing his teeth because against the dark skin they looked really white. LOL.... Needless to say.... he still had to give them a good scrub that morning.
Hope you are all having a good week.
Cheers, Monty

Very exciting when.....

...your child realises that they can spell lots of words..
These photos were taken back in September. Travis told me he could write. I then made up a sentence for him to write on my little whiteboard.....

This is how he spelt it (with no help from me). I then challenged him with another one...

He blew me away with his correct spelling... Very proud mum here :o)

Rosalee drew herself on the magnadoodle (she didn't want to miss out on any attention).

A picture of Rose and a sandcastle she made. Very cute...

These photos are precious. It shows how quickly my children are maturing and learning in their own different ways.
I encourage you to take photos of your child/rens achievements whether big or small. I'm sure every one will be a very worthwhile memory.
Enjoy the rest of your day.
Cheers, Monty

November Birthdays.....

Wow!! There seem to be so many birthdays this month (and new babies too). I guess I can't really compare it to last month where only Corey's name is on the calender for that month.

Here are some of the cards for the birthday people.

Miriam

 

Veronica ( her favourite colour is red )

Neve - who turned 4 years old

Brooklyn - who turns 8 tomorrow... better hurry up and get this one in the post

This is a card Chloe made. It was her first attempt at colouring in with my watercolour markers and an aquabrush. I think she did a beautiful job. What do you think??

Hope you all had a fabulous weekend. All the best for the week ahead.
Cheers, Monty

Double Delight.....

Two years ago today my sister was blessed with the birth of healthy twin girls Hayley and Shannon.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY GIRLS!!!!

Here they are a few hours old.

1 years old

1.5 years old ( this is the latest photo I have of them ) with their beautiful mother

May God continue to guide and bless their developement throughout the year ahead.

Here are the cards I made for them.

Missing them and their family lots. Hope they all had a wonderful day today.
All our love, Monty and Crew XXxxxx

Its a GIRL.........

On the 11.11.2011 our friends Darryl and Kara were blessed with the safe arrival of a healthy girl.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
Here is the card I made for them. Still to be given to them along with a gorgeous fluffy, pink blanket.

On the 13.11.2011 Chloe's teacher Bruce and his wife Dina received their first child. A healthy daughter.

Once again all praise belongs to our Heavenly Father for making all things well.

This is the card they received, along with a beautiful, soft pink blanket.

I've been able to visit both babies and they are just gorgeous.
Hope you all have a good day.
Cheers, Monty

Confession of Faith....

" Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us,
that we should be called children of God..."
John 3:1

On Sunday we were able to witness our niece Britney confess her faith. May God grant her strength in fulfilling her promises.

Here is the bookmark I made for her. Simple, yet classy.

Hope you all had a blessed Sunday.
Love, Monty

Two Peoples Bay....

On Friday the 11th of November our kids had a PD day. Nick managed to take the day off and we headed out to Two Peoples Bay for some fishing, swimming and relaxing.

Nick, my Mum, Chloe and Corey are off to do some fishing

While Rosalee enjoyed playing in the sand

And Travis did some beach fishing.

Putting some bait on the hook..

waiting....

Its only seaweed :(

Getting the seaweed off his bait and line

all done...now its ready to be cast out again

Rosalee's turn to have a go

Travis telling her to be patient :)

Showing her how to hold the rod

How to wind the handle

It got too heavy so she gave the rod to Trav

This is why :(

He decided not to fish anymore after this lot of seaweed.

Nick's ute & trailer and my car parked on the beach.

Coming back in from fishing

Rosalee's turn to have a ride in Dad's boat.