Mina's Journal

Last night we watched 'Kung Fu Panda 2'. Yes, I love kids' movies. So well done, the story well figured, amazing graphics - and detail: architectural detail in the buldings and the gorgeous colours in the dream sequences. I also particularly liked the cartoony style of the Panda stories that covered the closing credits. A huge surprise at the end for us and anticipation of a third Kung Fu Panda movie. I am quite enamoured by Master Shifu - voice played by Dustin Hoffman. Maybe its the mix of sage and humour of the character or that I just like a good, strong man. I thought Shifu was a mouse/racoony type hybrid - but he's actually a Red Panda! Get that! ...SKEDOOSH!... I'm working on some simple drawings for a Wild Animal series. Here's the Panda one. :)

Just had to show you these. Darcy's first day at kindy. The 'Lucky Shot' title of this post has more to do with capturing the pictures, I think, than Darcy's ability.  ....careful aim..... tongue in the right place...take no notice of Naaz (pronounced 'Narz')....she's got that camera out again... ...BOOMFAH!....I did it!!!... I don't know who was more elated, getting the photo was pure luck! Very thankful, I am, for lots of things in my life. Every now and then I have to stop and say 'How did I deserve this?' I'm not going to ponder on the answer - just going to go around enjoying the good. These downloads for Thank You Cards are at the post in the link: Easy Printables: Thank You Card Templates :)

Been really busy lately with a few projects. I've been up to my neck with Valentine projects - there are so many hearts floating about the place - its just not funny! If you want the downloads to make these Easy Peasy Easel Valentine Cards - go see the post! :)

Calendar 2012: January - February Another new year upon us! Up for you today is a printable calendar for the months January and February 2012. 'Doodly' in nature, colour them yourselves or leave as outlines. ...or print them out on coloured paper! There is space on them to write up special notes or occasions. Download Calendar 2012: January - February :)

Butterfly Ribbon Borders Some ribbon type borders with butterflies for your projects. Nice texture and detail. Was playing about with some of my butterfly drawings. These have a romantic/vintage feel. So print them out, grab the scissors and glue, and get busy! Download Butterfly Ribbon Borders :)

Had a couple of days up my sleeve, so went net surfing. Signed up for a Christmas ATC swap with the NZ group at Card Making World. You only get to see this much, because the swap isn't complete. Will unveil when the whole shebang is over. Somewhere I read recently that something like 92% of crafters make or have made cards. There are so many wonderful examples that are really inspiring...I just have to have a go at it. I had a go a while back but wasn't very pleased with my efforts. Same as everything I suppose...practice makes perfect. There are a heap of aids available to buy but I shan't be doing that. Not yet anyway... I'll see if I get the bug. Talk about spending... I think I need a new printer... :)

I was without a computer for a while because the old one up and conked out. Decided to dust off the sewing machine and run up some lounging about pants for Darcy. That kid has some real nice clothes, but he was staying with us and I thought he could do with some pants that we didn't need to worry if they got wrecked. Kids need plain, basic gear just for that reason. Horrified that clothing for a three and a half year old cost just about the same as clothing for myself, I pulled an existing pair of trackies from his overnight bag, to use as a pattern , cut some sale cloth (sweatshirting) and ran them up. Pretty pleased. I haven't sewn for years. Used one inch elastic for the waistband, next time I'll probably go smaller. Looked a bit plain. So cut stencils from kitchen packaging (thanks, Bell Tea!) and we used acrylic paint and a paintbrush to apply them. Acrylic paint is okay for this stuff. You can get textile medium, which you can mix with acrylics for using on fabr...