DOING LIFE

THE GREATEST LOVE for PURPLE RAIN

.... and the joys of Mother Nature

This week's challenge over at ABC Challenge is G for Green. So here is my 2nd design team creation for ABC. Hope its green enough though ... well it started giving me the 'green with envy' feeling.

Once again my yummy BG cardstock came in very handy to achieve the Green Factor here. And of course, yet again, another iris folding design. This time its a heart. This design, the same as the previous circle design, is quite quick with less layers. The hearts and sentiment have been stamped with a Pesto Adirondack acid free raised felt dye ink pad. Please take some time and visit the ABC Challenge to feast your eyes on my fellow design team members' creations.

I have also entered this creation for the following challenges:

• Daring Cardmakers: Favourite things {my favourite five products I've used on this creation are: clear jewel stones, iris folding, Basic Grey cardstock, acrylic stamps for hearts and circle punches}
• PaperPlay Challenge Week 39: Favourite embellishment {clear jewel stones are definitely my favourite way of adding bling to my designs}

Sunday me and hubby left for Pretoria at 5am to see whether we could capture the Jakaranda trees in soft early morning light. This is truly nature at its best. Just love how the interesting dark branches are offset with these beautiful purple blossoms. It really makes one feel as if you are in purple heaven. These photos we took in the Brooklyn and Nieu Muckleneuk suburbs. This is proof that Jakaranda deserve the status of the Jakaranda city here in South Africa.

We also took a drive up Fort Klapperkop to enjoy some vistas of the city. The Telkom 2010 Soccer Tower below, is a true beacon reminding us of South Africa hosting the 2010 Soccer World cup. During our 10 year stay in Pretoria we often did training runs around this tower and its surrounding suburbs and the endless hills will never be forgotten.

Then of course there is the EXCITING news that Mrs Wagtail has hatched her two eggs Friday afternoon, excactly 12 days from when she started sitting on the eggs. The chicks are doing well and has gained some weight and more feathers/fluff. It seems that Dad is on 24 hour watch and is always in close proximity, should an emergency arise i.e. Bull Bulls perching too close on neighbouring aloe trees. The pics aren't very clear as I did not want to be a too great disturbance. Will however take same more pics as they are growing.

Thanks again for all your heartfelt comments and taking some time to pop in here. Your ever loyal following is truly appreciated.