My thoughts on my latest read.

I've just finished, my latest book and wanted to share what I thought about it. This is the fourth in the Corinna Chapman Series by Kerry Greenwood, (she also writes the Phryne Fisher series).

So.... I think I want to live in her world, where she has affordable inner city living, in what sounds like a large apartment, with a great goup of people in the same building, not to mention the good food and wine.  Sounds OK....although there are those nasty dramas which befall her - hmmm, so maybe not.

I liked this, although the descriptions of the meals were a problem - I found my attention drifting as I wondered what was in the fridge!  I must admit, I did love the recipes at the back of the book - kinda cool and a bit quirky.

I think about 4/5 stars.  A nice holiday read- but don't give the storyline too much thought ;)

TITLE: Trick or Treat
AUTHOR: Kerry Greenwood
RELEASED: 2007
PUBLISHER: Allen & Unwin
IMAGE: powells.com

And a cheery note to end on - it was Daffodil Day on Friday - fundraising for cancer, a great cause to support, more info available at their site Daffodil Day.  So a good deed, AND daffy's are one of my favs, I got myself a coupla bunches.  They are a creamy colour, which is nice.  So here they are on the table for the birthday brunch we had this morning. Absolutely Gorgeous!

New cards to show...

A few more cards to show... yay!

So, I am loving this one (and really pretty pleased with myself). It's simple, but I think it's the simplicity and the plain colours with the red which really make it pop!

STAMPS: Stampin' Up Triple Treat Flower / Short and Sweet / Wonderfully Worn
INKS: Stampin' Up Close to Cocoa / Creamy Caramel / Choc Chip / Whisper White
ACCESSORIES: Stampin' Up Jewellery Tag Punch / Word Window Punch, Dimensionals, Button (from bottle of random buttons in cupboard), Sew Easy Fancy Floss in Candy Stripe.
CARD: Cream, Chocolate and Beige Card

This is one I've tweaked a bit, but its a favourite....so a workover was probably to be expected. Simple colours, but the focal point is the butterfly...ahhh.  There is a bit of detail, not really picked up in the photo - a veramarked background of "leafy things", and there's some white shimmer over the butterfly.  The background on this uses alot of the same colours as above, and the same Wonderfully Worn stamp as the "first" background.

STAMPS: Stampin' Up Wonderfully Worn / Garden Whimsey / Fresh Cuts
INKS: Stampin' Up Close to Cocoa / Creamy Caramel / Choc Chip / Rose Red / Pretty in Pink, Versamark
ACCESSORIES: Stampin' Up White Shimmer / Stampa-ma-jig, Pearls, Dimensionals
CARD: Beige , Cream, White and Chocolate Card

And my last card for today.  An experiment with some leftovers which worked really well....gotta be happy with that.  Now I did put shimmer spray over this, which lifted the top left corner up a little, but that is now fixed. I used watercolour pencils to colour the flowers and think they look lovely.  I like that it was a bit old fashioned looking, and all the purples and greens are a such great colour combo!

STAMPS: Stampin' Up Fresh Cuts / Apothecary Art
INKS: Stazon Timber Brown
ACCESSORIES: Watercolour Pencils, Dimensionals, Stampin' Up Gold Shimmer
CARD: Caramel, Khaki, and Cream Card

Awwww...

Just had to post about an "awwwww....that's so cute" moment from last night.  Had day off, and as it turns out due to other house circumstances - everyone was home.  After not really having lunch, and everyone being hungry we decided on take out for dinner...and being oh, so decadent decided on Chinese.

Now the Chinese nearest to us, is a bit on the expensive side and so is considered a treat in our house. I would however mention the portions are big, and if dining in - it is absolutely lovely with real flowers on the table and hot towells at the end of the meal. Not to mention the great customer service.

But I digress, after we picked up our take-out and were waiting to back out the car....a taxi pulled up outside the restaurant.  An old man hopped out, and went around to help out an old lady with sticks.  Once out, she put her arm through his crooked elbow and they walked in together.  It looked to be for a special occasion as she was dressed up, and he had on a sports jacket and bow tie.  Awwwwwww, that's so cute!

A few cards...

I've finally got my act together and, voila, a few cards to show.

So first up.. these stamps were purchased on a whim a few years back.  They always come up well, and are good for boys/girls.  Although you can't really see it in the photo, I put some gold shimmer over the guitar to make it look a bit beachy.  I also roughed up the edges of the mount card for the guitar for a more rustic feel - although I think I was maybe to gentle, as it's not very noticeable.  Loving the watercolour effect on the guitar - colours really make it work.

STAMPS: Judikins 2811F (guitar), Great Impressions J84 (hibiscus)
INKS: Stazon Timber Brown, Stampin' Up Close to Cocoa / Ruby Red / Chocolate Chip / Old Olive / Summer Sun
ACCESSORIES: Aqua Pen, Stampin' Up Gold Shimmer
CARD: Cream and Beige Card,WaterColour Paper

Second up involved a bit of recycling.  A few months back at a Stampin' Up mini catlogue launch, (when the cherry stamp was new), I went to a launch party where you made cards with some of the new stamps (in hopes of selling them I guess). In addition to using new stamps, it was also the release of scented embossing powder - which seemed quite the crowd pleaser. Alas the cherry scent just reminded me of Brondecon Cough Mixture - needless to say - I do not have any cherry scented embossing powder.  Anyhoo, whilst I liked some of the card, other parts were a bit "meh".  So I pulled it apart and used what I liked, and well put it back together in a way I liked.

STAMPS: Stampin' Up Mouthwatering / Short and Sweet
INKS: Stampin' Up Real Red / Choc Chip / ?Old Olive..maybe
ACCESSORIES: Stampin' Up Stampa ma jig / 1cm Pleated Ribbon in Riding Hood Red / a few Punches however not sure sizes - Scallop / 2x Circles / Bird Builder (for leaves), Brad / Stampin' Up Cherry Scented Emossing Powder / Dimensionals, Cuttlebug with Swiss Dots Embossing Folder
CARD: Recycled, White, Pink and Green Card

Now my last card for today, is one I'm quite pleased with.  It came up really well, and I know I could give it to lots of different people and they'd be thrilled.  Ironically just about every stamp on this card is discontinued, or as the Stampin' Up folk say "retired".

STAMPS: Stampin' Up Fifth Avenue Floral / Elementary Elegance / Wonderfully Worn / Fresh Cuts
INKS: Stampin' Up Creamy Caramel / Close to Cocoa / Pink Pirouette / Rose Red, Stazon Timber Brown
ACCESSORIES: Aqua Pen, Bronze Embossing Powder, Pearls, Dimensionals, Stampin' Up 1cm Pleated Ribbon in Blushing Bride / Linen Thread
CARD: White and Cream Card, WaterColour Paper

More to come soon... I promise ;)

Tanuki

My family got together for a night out to celebrate a few things. Any excuse is good for my clan to get together over food. Our chosen destination Tanuki, a Japanese restaurant at Strathpine.  

Now for the non-Brisbane folk, this was a bit of a surprise find as Strathpine isn't exactly known for it's big Japanese population.  I've done a little homework and asked a few questions, and so to give you an idea what Tanuki means: a Tanuki is a raccoon dog.  Tanuki is significant in Japanese folklore, and is a symbol of hospitality. 


It was a great night.  We got alot of entrees so everyone could try a variety of dishes. The yakitori was a big hit (and let's face it EVERYONE loves yakitori!) The suprise hit with the fussiest eater was a lotus root burger..I was assured next time we went back this was what my nephew was going to order.

They don't have a website, but for anyone interested:
Tanuki, Japanese homestyle Restaurant at 14B Lincoln St Strathpine

Yakitori being cooked

On a side note we have been going to Jan Powers Market in Mitchelton (when we remember and are motivated on a Sunday morning), and the there is a yakitori stand there, which is operated by the owner of this restaurant.  At the markets he has a portable grill, and you can watch him cook the skewers. YUM!

Cards to come..but first some books..

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Whilst, I do have some new cards to show off & I will post some this weekend.  I must admit to being a little side tracked with some books.  I wanted a nice easy read, no thinking required & picked up a favourite book for a re read but have ended up working through a triology.

Yup, one of my favourite authors - Matthew Reilly.  I find them a fun read (for I imagine old and young alike).  They are just pure, unadulterated  escapism.  Check logic at the door and strap in for an exciting read.
    
I think just perfect for a Jerry Bruckheimer treatment! (Think movies like Top Gun,The Rock, Pirates of the Caribbean and you're thinking Jerry Bruckheimer).

BOOK: Seven Ancient Wonders

RELEASED: 2005



BOOK:  Six Sacred Stones  

RELEASED: 2007

BOOK: Five Greatest Warriors
RELEASED: 2009


AUTHOR: Matthew Reilly
PUBLISHER: Pan Macmillan Australia
IMAGES: http://www.matthewreilly.com/the-novels

If  you haven't read one - do it!

Now apologies - I previewed this and it looked great in preview.  Images on left side with writing beside it, BUT it doesn't appear to post the same, a random letter S, which I can't seem to move, and some wacky spacing. Hmmmm..technology one and me a bit fat zero!