Masquerade - Mask

I've been commissioned to make another Mask for a Masquerade themed party.... The theme of this one is Black & White with a dash of colour.... The Mask base was chosen and I went on to decorate accordingly with black and white bits a pieces.... It's very therapeutic to do so....

It's fantastic how flowly ostrich feathers are and how romantic they look. Of course you have to have a bit of BLING to finish off the look with a beautiful Gold AB Swarovski Crystal button for the center piece in the black bow. 

I hope that these lovely teenagers have a fantastic night at their brilliantly themed Party!!!!

Eye Patch - Fashion Statement #3

Palsy of 6th Nerve in the right eye looks like this..... It turns inwards causing double vision.



When you try to focus on the outside.. Your eye just wont move... But hay it's a cool party trick.. It really groses some people out... I love it.. It is definitely one advantage to having this problem...



This is what I am seeing at the moment... It is quite annoying.. but when I cover the right eye... I can see much better.. Judgment is still a little bit weird and I am still getting used to the one eyed-ness of it all..... However all is well if I just take it slowly..... then my "disability" is no were near as noticeable to either myself or others.. I can like fool myself that there is nothing wrong....

When there is more detail and colour that I have to take in then it gets very confusing... Like yesterday Master 8 ran through a solid object... I told him he has super powers... He was stoked with that.. and then on his way back to the play ground he ran into the building I said he ran through... Hehehehe.. Little joker!!!

Sometimes it gets on top of me... And I get annoyed, frustrated and MAD!!! Yesterday was one of those days for me.... I had a very very low day... Feeling EXTREMELY sorry for myself. Feeling icky... Ugly ... and YUCK and trapped, because of having to wear eye patches which limits my social life, and eye/brain stimulation... It gets awfully tiring having just the one eye to process everything.. I find sometimes my brain will not shut off at night time and it takes me HOURS to fall asleep.... Ever since I can remember no matter what was going on in my life I have always been able to fall asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.... (Much to the disgust of my husband... Who has NEVER had this pleasure.....) So back to the point... Yesterday I was just down right bummed!!!

With new resolve this morning I arose with a goal in mind.. I have had a design for a new eye patch in my mind for a long time and after I prepared for this afternoons workshop I decided to get the creative juices flowing and make a LOVELY eye patch to make me feel more BEAUTIFUL!!!!! ( I recently saw "Burlesque" and LOVED LOVED LOVED the costumes... Nothing beats lace, feathers, glitter, bling, trimmings and a whole lot of Lovely feminine decorations... This movie was some of my inspiration)

This is what I came up with...I am so LOVING my Big Shot for making the base of the eye patches!!! It work a treat!!! Black and white is always clasic!!! I definately feel more lovely today with my new eye patch!!!

If you would like to know how to make your own please call me and we can have a class... It would be fun to get others involved in my "NEW" obsession... heheh

Love Ursula

WICKED....ly AWESOME

Lisa, Jane and I went to Wicked... and it was TOTALLY AWESOME!!! I was glad that I had made a lovely eye patch to wear to the occasion.. heheh...

What else will WICKED inspire in the future I wonder???

Punch Art at BAYSIDE Craft Classes

Paper Angels have our usual gathering at Bayside Craft Class and this year it is looking to be brilliant!!! We have a theme ever week so if you do not have something that you are working on you can turn up and still go home with something learned or made... It's FANTASTIC... Very inspirational!!!

Last week was Punch art... We made these beautiful Baby Cards (inspired by Dianna - PA's Team) and these cute little Sesame Street Characters... Liz walked us through Dianna's Baby cards... and Kim walked us through the cute Characters...

Next week is Bring a project you would like to share or demonstrate.... I am looking forward to learning much much more this year!!!

Oh while we were making the Sesame Street Punch art I suggested that they would be great felt eye patches for kids.... so today I pulled out my Big Shot and had to make a cookie monster one for myself.... Cool hey???


Thanks again for lovely friends taking me home after Bayside craft!!! It's lovely receiving so much support at this time... Bless you all!!! Muwah xxxx

Love Ursula

Eye Patch - Fashion Statement #2

Heading to the Theater I needed something a little blingy!!! So this is the eye patch I made out of Sculpey and Diamonties... PERRRRRTY!!!
I'm going to have a WICKED time... heheheh

Unfortunately it takes a little longer to make things with just one eye... and having only one eye makes you quite tired!!! So I did not get to make the GREEN eye patch (for Wicked) that I wanted to ... However I am sure my design that I have been dreaming of over the past few days will come to fruition soon!!!! Stay tuned...
Love Ursula

Eye Patch - Fashion Statement

On Monday this week I was feeling a little dizzy...I thought this was due to not taking my medication on Sunday night because I ran out of my prescription medication... So I made an appointment to get a new script on Monday afternoon.... When I got home I decided to have a lay down... It came time to pick up the children from school and I felt really dizzy and was kind of seeing everything with a bit of a 3D shadow... By 6pm that night I was seeing everything in definite double... So I called the after hours Dr... And she told me to go straight to the Hospital... I was a little naughty here and though, "well.. It can't be that bad cause I have no other symptoms with it".. So I just want to go to bed.... Plus if I went to the hospital at night time no one would be able to see me with an eye problem til the next day anyway... (This I know because of all the experience my Hubbie and I have had with Hospitals!!! )

So anyway... long story short after 2 days at the hospital and many many test later it seems I have "sixth nerve Palsy"..... Which means that the nerve that is responaable for the horazontal movement of my eye is pressured some how in my head and I have limited movement of my eye... It turns inward towards my nose and I am seeing DDDDOOOUUUUBBBBLLLLEEE!!! Fun stuff... So now that they gave me a semi diagnosis (still more testing to go.. and a Nuro Sergen consult)... I know that I am going to be wearing an eye patch for some time... (My friend Google suggests from 6 to 12 months...) I decided that I needed to turn my craft skills on for making a FASHION Statement eye patch or two!!!

Here's what I came up with using the Big Shot Circle Die cut today... It was a hit at church.... heheh
I am dreaming up more designs every night.. I believe I may have a large wardrobe of fashionable eye patches soon!!! Why not make an annoying situation fun I say!!! I may even find others out there who would love to make a fashion statement too with their one-eyed-ness!!! Hope this inspires you and gives you some more great project ideas you can use your BIG Shot for.. Happy Crafting!!!
Love Ursula

Mayor's Gala Ball - Masquerade Ball 2010

I was able to assist Councillor Lisa Bradly by personalising a mask to match her gown for the Mayor's Gala Ball recently. It was a lovely thing to do and I believe Lisa said it was quite a conversational piece... Lisa was kind enough to send me a photo from the night... and I believe there is hearsay that Lisa (& her mask) may even have a cameo role in one of our local papers...

The Mayoress Committee raised $40,000 for charities at last years Mayor's Gala Ball.

Congratulations on such a fantastic job! I am sure that this years was just as successful!!

Beta Sigma Phi - Facinator Workshop

Last weekend I was blessed to be involved with a wonderful group of ladies who belong to the Beta Sigma Phi an International Womens' friendship network... They do some wonderful things in our community and towards the end of 2010 they are holding a FASCINATING cocktail fundraising event.. They all wanted to make their own.... so they asked me if I could run a class for them.... Man I had my works cut out for me!!! 9 ladies with totally different ideas.. and most of them not so sure how to put keep it together.... It was a SOLID 4 hour workshop.... With me not stopping... My only worry for the day was that I did would not ignore anyone for too long.. As I knew I could not be with everyone all at once... but in true Ursula creative schizophrenic mannerisms... I was able to jump from task to task, instructing each lady how to assemble her individual fascinator....Last week I heard back form Margaret (the wonderful event coordinator) that all the ladies really enjoyed themselves.. and each of them love their creations.... Phew!!! (*sigh... and wipe brow) I've been blessed to make some really lovely friends with these ladies.. and am very grateful to know them...

They were helping me raise funds to go to Singapore with the Queensland Festival Chorus as well.... Through this workshop... Thank you to the lovely lady that really wanted to come but was unable to ... yet still donated to my fund!!!! Bless you all!!! Muwah....

Dichroic Glass Pendants... my new found hobby..

I love making these... It is an expensive hobby but well worth it!!!
Take a look at the next 4 photos.. I have these ones on sale if you would like to purchase them $25 per piece... Ready to go easy Christmas gifts.... I'll even gift wrap them so all you have to do is put them under the Christmas tree.. and i will throw in a handmade Christmas Tag.. so you don't have to go buy one of those too!!!

Photo 1

Photo 2


Photo 3
Photo 4
And these are my keepers.... for the moment.. I may change my mind... but now i have a pink, blue, Aqua, Natural tones and a Funky one.. that i need to go buy a new wardrobe for so i can wear it!! hehe.. let me know if you are interested in supporting my new hobby... and making your Christmas shopping easier... oh and at this point any money really does go to the Singapore Tour.... not really to support my hobby.. till next year!!! ;) ...
Love Ursula

Aqua, Blue, Natural tones, Pink and FUNKY....

Melbourne Cup is Fascinating!!!

Although I did not make this for a Melbourne Cup Event... It could very easily be worn for a Melbourne cup event!!! (It was a special order for a fancy Dress Party)
If anyone would like one of their own Creation please do not hesitate to call me... November is not too far away.. And I guarantee that you will not be able to find one of such a High Quality workmanship for such a low price... RRT for this one I estimate at least $250ish.. (NOT what I sold it for) but I would be happy to make a creation for cost of materials plus time involved... This would be much less than you would be charged by a Milliner...

I had an absolute BALL making this.. It was my first ever... With a little idea of customers desired style and the definite colour in mind I went ahead and let my imagination run WILD!! The 5 diamante flower clusters on the half circle with the beaded fanned feathers is the FOCAL point on this piece and was designed and handmade from scratch by me... I even stripped the feathers to thread the beads on..

I think I have found a new Craft I like!!! I was so thrilled with how it turned out that I took it to show the ladies at our weekly Craft Group and they were very impressed... They are thinking of booking me for a 'Fascinating Ball' they have scheduled for next year.... They TOTALLY LOVED it too!!!

I have been told by my customer today that it was a HIT!!! Jane was the bell of the ball and received many many comments and compliments... Check out her costume on her blog... Jane

I would love to make something fascinating for your special occasion, Melbourne Cup or wedding... Please PLEASE give me more challenges!!! I LOVE to GROW!!!!

Call me to make an inquiry 0410 602 916

Love Ursula

August PaperANGELS meeting Flowers

Ok so here's a funny story... In our spring Mini Catalogue it says on page 6.. to "ask you demonstrator how to make these flowers".. well.. lets just say it took a while demonstrators to find where the pattern was for them.. and there was a whole lot of complaints from people who were struggling to find it... I really don't know the whole story.. cause I am not good at reading instructions.. so I didn't even bother to look for them.. and as luck would have it I was not(yet) asked HOW.. (thank you ladies) But we had the opportunity to make them last month in our meeting... (so now I know... *discovery music sounds... dah dar darrrrrrr) And let me just say they are FIdd-A-LEI!!! Definitely not something for the faint hearted nor the beginner!!!

Anyway Liz took this lovely photo of me.. after I had mad it I did not know where to put it so in my usual wacky style I adorned the flower in an attempt to beautify one's self...

Liz had made 3 flowers and arranged them in a tin... these were one of the prizes in the monthly challenge... They are BEAUTIFUL!!!
And they look AWESOME in a pot together... What a wonderful bouquet to take to a hospital ward that can not have fresh flowers.. And how much more meaningful is it when you can say... "I made them"...









Forever paper flowers.. 'The gift that keeps on giving'

Dichroic Glass Jewellery Class

As PaperANGELS we get together for other occasions.. Not just paper craft events...
We had the opportunity in July (2009) to attend a Dichroic Glass class... There was 4 PaperANGELS (Liz, Kathy, Amanda & myself- Bec unfortunately was not able to come.. bummer.. we missed you Bec) and Friends and Neighbours... I think I have found a new craft to become addicted to.. This is my second class and I believe that I may just grow attached to it... and passably even get better at it... One can only hope...
I took my camera but forgot to take photos till after everyone was almost finished.. Hence the reason why Kathy features in most of the photos.. as she was the only one left making the peices when I whipped out the camera... But she is such a beautiful subject!!!
These are some of the unfired peices I managed to take photos of...
After the class some of us went to The Manley Yacht Club and had a hot Drinks and DELICIOUS cakes etc.. It was soooooooooo COLD so some of us wrapped up with the devine Green blanckets... mmmm mmm mmm

And a few days later we were able to pick our peices up... They had been fired and fused together in the Kiln... LOVELY!!! I think our beginners did a BRILLIANT job.. infact I LOVE some of theirs better than mine... Well done girls... It was a lovely day...

Hodgepodge Hardware - Jewellery

I have blogged this before but my photos were some what lacking.. I have a new camera now and it takes much better shots.. it's amazing what another 7 pixels will do to the quality of your photos!!!! I love begin challenged... And I love this necklace... I can have my kids (photos) close to my heart every time I wear it!!!
I have 2 Hodgepodge (pg 149, 2009-10 Aus/NZ Ideas Catalogue) Designer Labels back to back and using the Designer label punch (pg 152, 2009-10 Aus/NZ Ideas Catalogue) I have punched out the photos and some clear Over Head Transparencies (OHT's). I have put the photos in and stuck the Hodgepodge together...

If you would like me to make you one let me know.. this design takes about 4 hours at least... I would have to sell for at least $130... because of the time factor and all the beads are good quality hand made glass beads... and each one is individually hand wraped with wire...

I am really rough on necklaces so I needed to make it industrial strength... I always lean over chairs or door handles and get my necklaces caught.. of course the non industrial strength ones break.....but this one will stand that kind of cruel and unusual punishment!!!! ;)

If you would like to check out the first blog info click HERE for a short cut...

Swaps..... Preperations for going to Stampin' UP! Celebrate Convention 2009

Now SWAPS are a part of "Convention Culture"... and are a must for one to have the whole convention experience.. not to mention that it is COOL to have new ideas for projects etc and a GREAT way to meet other wonderful talented Stampin' Up Demonstrators (Australia wide)... And awesome for those of us who are shy with strangers...

(*yes girls I am.... believe it or not.. I suck at small talk... great to get in to a D&M with!!! but I don't particularly care about the whether.... cause today I am ALIVE!!! And usually it's great... and if it's not.. then you just smile and pretend.. so that eventually you fool yourself into having a great time!!! you know "Fake it till you make it"!!! That's not being false or fake.. just being positive.. I'll always tell you if I am feeling Crappy I just add it to the pile of poo in my life... you get used to the smell eventually... but I'll do it with a smile.. and move on quickly... Besides I have craft in my life.. who could not be HAPPY with that???)

Back to SWAPS... I get a little side tracked sometimes....

SWAPS... sometimes the inspiration comes fast.. Usually it comes slowly.. especially if you have been to one or 2 conventions B4... You want to demonstrate something cool.. new.. and pretty... but the pressure we sometimes put on ourselves to come up with that 'different' idea... well it's just too much... And let me tell you that someone somewhere in the world will have thought about 'your' idea B4... So just relax and take the pressure off yourself and create something that you enjoy... because you are gonna make A LOT of them...!!!

With that in mind.. I came up with hair clips this year.... And thought I was very original... but discovered days later that in the USA Stampin' UP! Catalogue on page 35 there are some hair clips... dough!!!

However It was a labor of love!!! (if you get board.. then change colours.. that may help??)
another tip... Take all your swaps on the first day and SWAP LIKE A MAD WOMAN!!!! As a result of not taking them all on the first day... I have some of these left... yes you live and learn the culture!!! Please learn form my mistakes... Especially if you do more than 50 swaps...!!!

If anyone is interested in these.. please call me or email me or message me on here.. I will send you one(or 2)!!! or you can come pick one (or2) up!!! Anytime... They may reappear at Regional training... or could be Hostess rewards for a little while!!!

I do have heaps of swaps that I received and am yet to take some photos of.. I will be putting them up soon.. so stay tuned

The Challenge..... To make jewellery out of Stampin' Up! Products... I'll take it!!!!!!!

Yes it was given to me a month or so ago... And I am sad to report that I have not been prompt in rising to the challenge... However... I went to Liz's during this week and she had been over to her friend who makes beads.. (very talented lady!!! ^-^ I so want to make stuff with her!!!) Anyway Liz told her of her Challenge and Olgar made a WONDERFUL necklace and lovely key ring... I told Liz that I was inspired and felt that I should whip my BUTT into shape by meeting the challenge... so I would go home and make a necklace of my own!!!

And that I did.. Like a woman possessed!!!! I stayed up till 1am in the morning.... I got blisters from beading.. I wrapped all the beads!!! and made them all individual... then I used the Designer Label punch on some small Black and White photos I had of my 2 boys and punched out some OHT to cover and protect the photos.. then I glued the Hodge Podge together (using 5 min Araldite.... If you try this DO NOT use superglue... it's vapers will cloud the metal and the plastic!!!) and joined it with a jump ring to the chain on the necklace.... Can you believe it looks sooooooooo good!!! I love it!!! And I have been wanting to make a black and white necklace for sooo long!!! I wore it to the Craft Showcase on the weekend and I got so many compliments.. Quite a few ladies who knew about Stampin' UP! commented on it too.. and thought it was such a lovely idea... Yeah again for Liz... Challenges.. and Inspiration... AND GREAT FRIENDS!!!

(This photo is not the best... I will take another when the sun is shining again.. come back in a couple of days to check on it)

Now you really know you are obsessed with stamping when you start wearing your paper crafts!!! hehehe...

One side has Ethan-----------------------and the other has Izra