A quick catch up

Hi all, Just letting you all know that my video camera has died right when I wanted to set it up in my new crafting area...... not impressed !! so I'm in negotiations with hubby to share his new GoPro action cam.....wish me luck , LOL ;-)  I would also like to let you know that Ben and the mission trip went really well in Brazil, they completed there volunteer work ahead of time and all went smoothly. We were glad to see him home again and have enjoyed seeing his photos and hearing his many travel stories! Again I'd like to thanks all those who donated toward this mission in Brazil. The local Amazon people were very grateful. He is now starting his last year at Uni. Madaleine is settling into life in Ireland and just completed a paddy tour of all of Ireland and loved it! We enjoy our Skype sessions with her at some odd hours!! your continual prayers for her would be very appreciated. Beth is a few weeks in now as a grade 2 primary teacher and has been flat out to say the least! Its been a blessing to both Dave and I to have her living with us for a while and helping her with the endless class preparations (now an expert at laminating!). So hang in there with me, this new year has started off pretty slow in regards to paper crafting etc putting other priorities first. We thank some very real and sincerer friends for encouraging us through last year making some hard changes and helping us to see whats most important... our true identity dose no lie in what people think, do or say about us past or present but how God sees us!
Blessings to you

 and a last thought

Man looks at the outward appearance, 

but God looks at the heart ... 1 Sam. 16:7

Happy Christmas.... a family chat and a couple of cards

  Hi all, its been a while since I posted on here..... since Madaleines formal life has been hectic. Ben is still in South America we heard from him up until a few weeks ago. At this stage of their mission trip he has no wifi up the Amazon river building toilets for villages so prayers would be great, a few pics above.... hopefully we will hear from him just after Christmas. Beth did her bit in Bali for red frogs as team leader but unfortunately this year spent a short stay in a Bali hospital with the flu, thankfully she was cared for very well and successfully passed that on to us all when she got home..... not so fun. I am thankful God had His hand over her!

We have been busy moving three rooms around in our home to accommodate Beth living with us after her Graduation as she starts her new primary teaching job next year so that meant sacrificing my craft room for a bit.... but hey you do that stuff for your kids. Beth's Graduation weekend was such a great time together and we are so very proud of her finishing well, we did miss having Ben there as a family.  At the same time I have been helping our youngest daughter clear our her room and put things in storage/ pack as she has found a lovely family to au pair in Ireland with for 12 months. Go Mad!! you will have the adventure of your life!

 I must say their has been many proud parent moments this year with many mile stones and achievements. Sharing with our kids as they grow, mature and work toward their our adventures has been awesome and we can say with Gods guiding help we did it as parents! thankfully this is not the end just the beginning of many happy family years to come. We are so very proud of you all... Beth, Ben & Madaleine xxx

 This year my husband has found a hobby in his GoPro and what he can do with the editing. We love to take it everywhere now. He has made his own YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbnfm79RS3AIg8Jy6MfFMgQ?feature=watch so if you'd like to see what we get up to in our spare time please subscribe to his channel he would love that! 
 So you can imagine now why my crafting has been pretty much on hold. Family def comes first here and precious time together. My tiny play this year with some Christmas cards produced these two.....

you can go to this link of a previous post and read more on how I made the mustaches
http://valitasfreshfolds.blogspot.com.au/2012/05/making-mustache-from-dies-and-punches.html
and Ive really been enjoy my shell collecting lately so I bought these beautiful sets of dies from Impression Obsession... shell and sea gulls. Instead of putting on the red holly berries i replaced them with white pearls. Happy Christmas to all, enjoy your holidays and most importantly cherish every family moment together. xx
Blessings to you


 

and a last thought

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

High school formal card

Hi all, wow what an emotional ride this year has been!!  First off I would like to thank you all from the bottom of our hearts for all your donations sent to one mission Brazil for Ben. He was overwhelmed by your generosity and was asked by his organizers how he raised the money so quick.... his responce was all mums great blog follows! also thank you to our local friends who also gave very generously xx he ended up with almost $300 over his $900 goal so thankyou!!
Well our youngest daughter Madaleine finished her last yr 12 exam and had their High school formal earlier this week. Her future plans are all coming together now which as parents is so exciting to see! Our time with family was such a cherished blessing together. I made a card like her dress which has been my little tradition for all our kids and is a twist on the corner folding I have done in the past so I hope you will enjoy my video tutorial below. By the way Madaleine made this dress with the sari fabric her sister bought back from India for her, I think she did a top job! I crochet her hair piece and it all came together really nicely. Ben leaves for Brazil in a week and next is Beth's Uni graduation! .... here are a few snap shots of the Madaleine's big night ...... enjoy!
Blessings to you

and a last thought

I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. 

 For in him you have been enriched in every way--

in all your speaking and in all your knowledge--

1 Corinthians 1:4-5

Doodle punch art Flower

Hi all, today I want to show you a very simple way to bring new life to an old punch!  My five petal flower punch was the first large punch I ever bought and has not come out much lately...... so why not add some doodling and give this punch a go again! So simple and easy to do, just hand cut a leaf and add your favorite saying. Enjoy my video tutorial.
Please don't forget my last post about our son Ben and the One Mission trip he will be on. If you feel you can donate even if its just a little please follow the links to easily do this on line https://give.everydayhero.com/au/benjamin-3 thank you to those who have given and for your prayers and support as they head off to Brazil to make positive changes in the lives of others! very proud of them all.
Blessings to you

and a last thought

 Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have,

 for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

 Hebrews 13:16

Our son and their mission trip, please help!

Hi all, Just wanted to post a special link up.  Our son Ben is soon to go to Brazil on a mission trip please click in to this link donate and share.  One Mission Brazil   here's Ben's message.
 Hello friends and family! In a bit over a month I will be going to Brazil for about 6 weeks on a mission trip. We are aiming to build 50 new toilets, and we are also offering training, education and health assistance. I need your help to accomplish this goal. You can donate here One Mission Brazil towards our cause. 100% of your donation will go straight to the project. By making a small contribution we will make a big change.
Anything over $2 is tax deductible!
If you would like to know any more information about the trip just contact me and I can forward on your message to Ben! A$900 goal is very reachable.....Every dollar counts! This will be an amazing life changing event not just for the group going but the people they will help! Please send your prayers their way too!
Blessings to you

 and a last thought

And he said to them, 

“Go into all the world and 

proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.

Mark 16:15

On a happier note

Hi all, my last post was purely aimed at those doing the wrong thing so please don't take offense. On a happier note Ive had the lovely people from all free paper craft add me as a designer so if you have a sec pop over and check it out! :) http://www.allfreepapercrafts.com/Paper-Craft-Designers/Valita-Reynolds-Paper-Craft-Designer
Family has been my priority lately with our youngest daughter madly studying and now starting her HSC Exams for yr 12 and will continue over the next two weeks then her formal. We spent a week just recently with all our kids home on their mid semester breaks and did some camping. Ben will be flying out to Brazil for 6 weeks over Christmas on a mission trip so it was good to spend some time with him. Our oldest daughter graduates in a few weeks from Primary teaching and has secured a job for next year teaching grade 2 just 40 minuets from home. Ive been finishing my puppets and you can now see them in my Etsy store 

I'm getting my mind back in paper craft mode so look out! LOL ..... take care and
Blessings to you

 and a last thought

Listen, my son, to your father's instruction and 

do not forsake your mother's teaching.

Proverbs 1:8

Doodle punch art Birthday and a Happy Mothers day

Hi all, Ive been having some fun with what I'm calling Doodle punch art.... a combination of flat punch art using designer papers and free hand doodle drawing. I usually have everyone freaking out wondering how to post my huge 3 dimensional cards that stick out to billio but this one is totally flat ... LOL. I made this card for our youngest daughters 18th Birthday..... I know it looks like a boys card but who cares that's what she wanted ;)
  For these doodle cards I love to use a natural coloured background. For the punched pieces I chose scraps of designer papers in the colours I needed. Punches/dies used were a 3 and 1/2" circle from one of my nestebility dies for the large moon, two different size star punches, the small tag punch with a little trimming for the rocket body, 3 large hearts from the heart to heart punch for the rocket fins (two cut in half), a 1/2" circle for the port hole and the second largest petal from the blossom petals punch for the rocket flames (trimmed). Punches used were mostly from stampin up.Then I use a fine tip sharpie marker and go to town with your own doodling..... basically edging your punched pieces and then adding in a few little hand doodled stars, dots, moon craters and a little message. This is what will personalize your card. I also did some bunting doodling on the inside to tie it all in using the points of a star punch as the flags.

 I found for me this was really fun to do. We also had fun making some buntings and other decorations for her star grazing party. It rained all that morning but praise God the heavens opened up the stars came out just in time to put up the decorations and get the party started! We were overwhelmed at the love and care of Madaleine's friends especially her new friends from our new church, such a breath of fresh air to be around loving caring and encouraging people, just what we need ! It was a great night and weekend together enjoying Mothers day at the same time!

  I hope you enjoy this technique and give it a go!
Blessings to you

and a last thought

 You are my lamp, O LORD; 

the LORD turns my darkness into light.

 2 Samuel 22:29

Magnolia paper art and my craft room update

 Hi all, introducing to you my new Magnolia punch art ......
Everyone loves the stunning artistry of the Magnolia flower, It's bare branches exploding with white, pink and burgundy beauty. You will love this Magnolia punch art spray made with only two punches this card will impress..... a Mothers day success !! Please remember if you have any questions about the instructions email me before you buy I'm happy to chat.

UPDATE: please note, Stampin up no longer sells the bolssom petals punch used for this project so to get around this problem and continue for you to enjoy my projects I have designed some replacement petals which are very similar and will allow you to make the same projects. This will be included with your purchase download.... the up side is you don't need to buy an expensive punch! You can refer to my instruction video as to how to use my template, thank you for your ongoing support. Valita

Magnolia punch art Introductions $5.95

We had a great Easter weekend spending time with our kids and extended family at the Sydney Royal Easter show then on to Katoomba to visit Dave's older brother.... we had this Cartoon drawing done of Dave and I while at the show... I think he really captured the looks here ;)

And in the mean time Ive been once again cleaning out my craft room.... so sit back and enjoy the video
 Blessings to you

and a last thought

 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves,

 and the truth is not in us

1 John 1:8

Easter Bunny face card

Hi all, Finally getting a card up after working out all the hassles with my email address and dealing with some very ugly problems here.... changing churches..... it all hasn't been easy but we are working through it. Mum's 80th was such a lovely time together..... the first time in ages with all my seven siblings in the one place! missing them all already.

 Ive also stayed busy with other bits and pieces.... Madaleine and I have had a go at some bobbin lace making, my Dad made us both the boxes and we made some book marks with a basic stitch. I taught myself to make YUM! Pad Thai, Made some Easter decorations, Made a huge whale out of foam for a skit Madaleine is in and Dave bought me home a vintage Koala ....like i had as a kid. We praise God for having His family in many different places not just our home church of 40 odd years...

 I had also been cleaning out my craft room and trying to get rid of some clutter and it too is coming along nicely.

so I know it a bit late but if you are interested in the bunny face card you can purchase the template here and watch how i made it on my you tube channel :)  enjoy!
Bunny Face Template $3.95

Blessings to you

and a last thought 

( a message from our daughter)

"When people write you off... God's got a bigger pen! And He writes in the graceful, most powerful blood of His Son."Where to from there?"I'm a little pencil in the hand of a writing God, who is sending a love letter to the world."

Birthday Orchid paper art

Hi all, welcome back to a new year!!! I hope and pray the Christmas/ New year season has been a blessing to you all with family and friends. Both Dave and I had also had our birthday's over this time so it's been great having family around us! We've enjoyed Christmas at my Mum and Dads place and some crazy hot weather and loads of swimming at the beach. The guys have had fun with their radio controlled cars and in the cooler parts of the day Madaleine and I have managed to do some some crocheting. Dave bought me a vintage Retro style stool which Ive had fun crocheting a cover for and the star blanket I made for our youngest daughter so she can reach for the stars in all she dose in life!! Our two older kids are enjoying being staff at summer camp these next few weeks before they return back to Uni and school starts again. A few pics for you to enjoy!

OK now to my Birthday Orchid! This is the 6th beautiful flower in my collection of punch art orchids. It was especially designed to include buds and create a complete flower spray for my Mothers 80th birthday on the 14 February 2013. This instruction set is dedicated to my Mother "Barbara Beard Hirst Bell Higgins" I love you Mum and I hope you love this orchid project too as lots of love though and time has gone into making this special for my precious Mum. xx

UPDATE: please note, Stampin up no longer sells the bolssom petals punch used for this project so to get around this problem and continue for you to enjoy my projects I have designed some replacement petals which are very similar and will allow you to make the same projects. This will be included with your purchase download.... the up side is you don't need to buy an expensive punch! You can refer to my instruction video as to how to use my template, thank you for your ongoing support. Valita

Birthday Orchid instructions $5.95 

You can find the rest of my orchid collection here http://valitasfreshfolds.blogspot.com.au/search/label/Orchids
Blessings to you

and a last thought

When my heart is faint and overwhelmed

lead me to the mighty towering rock of saftey.

Psalms 61:2