the ART of my LIFE

Cover girl

Dont you hate when you have happy news but you cant share for months!! Today in my post box I found this.  Ive had several emails of congratulations over the past week as the magazine came out across the country.  I want to say a  big THANKYOU to everyone for your good wishes.  Ive been lucky enough to have three front covers and its an amazing feeling to see your page staring front and centre back at you from the magazine stands.

Ive added the LO so you can see the detail close up.  This LO was originally part of a fun challenge at S&C where we had to use 5 'old' items from our stash ... I used colourful eyelets, metal rimmed tags, vellum,  brads and a concho.  Also used some paper that Ive had in my stash for ages and my trusty dymo also put in an appearance!  Really love how those 'old' has been items look perfect as a cluster on my page.

Also in the magazine is an article on Young Scrappers and it was a buzz to see one of my Aussie kits created by a couple of young girls in the article - this kit was a favourite for me and it is always great to see how other ppl interpret your work.  well done girls you have done an amazing job :o) (this is the original)

 

Mothers Day has been and gone - I hope you all had a wonderful and memorable day with your families.  S&C had a Mothers Day upload last week and I created two LO's for the theme.  Im in love with RED and seem to have allot of it on my work of late ... red and clusters ... match made in heaven *grin*

I know this doesnt look straight but I assure you it is! After 7 years you think I could crop properly by now!!

Lots of changes taking place in my life at the minute - a new job (working at the local council as an events planner), sport (of course!), photography turning from part time hobby to possible business venture and some scrapping changes as well (additions and deductions LOL).  Deductions dont need to be spoken about here but additions do!! A LSS has recently opened in Armadale WA and they sent out a DT call - I entered and was successful.  Im now a 'flaunter' and proud member of the Scrap It Flaunt It Design team.  I want to say a big thankyou to Maureen, Lysandra, Tina Jodie and Amy for having faith in me and to the other talented DT members - Danielle Pasli, Jodi Belton, Sue Hansord, Bianca Smart and Kylie Mell.  Im looking forward to working with you and hoping one day soon to get down to meet you all in person.

Well thats it - Im tired and need a cup of tea before bed (decaf of course).  be safe - later :o)

NSD

HAPPY NSD!! - With womens softball kicking off yesterday and a 40th birthday bbq to go to last night there was no chance to celebrate the day, so today I spent the entire day in my jammies scrapping!   Cleared all but one deadline (awaiting product) and even got to scrap for myself which is a rare occasion!

Suz Doyle sent out an invite to scrap a page on being Australian, Anzac day, Scrapping in Australia etc using Aussies BTDT range of papers.  I chose to scrap this LO on Anzac Day.  I would dearly love to have taken a photo at the dawn service (which we always attend) but am mindful of the solemn occasion and dont feel right using flash or setting up my tripod etc so I took this photo last week at the High Schools ANZAC ceremony and knew it would be perfect for the Aussie brief.  I used paper from the SA range (gorgeous gorgeous colours!) and while it is a simple LO I like the end result.

Lest we forget ...

 

Have a happy week :o)

McCusker Foundation

Ive been asked to promote this event on my blog - so here it is :o)  if you have any further queries or questions the contact details are on the flyer - if you are in the area I hope you will go and support this cause.

Have a happy weekend.

Its Saturday ...

and the holidays are just about over.  Today was the first day of the womens softball season and we played a lightening carnival to start with - three games in very steamy weather.  I must say Im feeling every second of my 38 years - with an injury to the top of my hamstring and a twinge in my shoulder - ah sport - its good that your back :o)

I have a few shares tonight from S&C Uploads and a very cool (ongoing) challenge at Aussie. 

S&C's weekly challenge was all about Clusters.  I got to work with the very yummy SR Grafton range - very nice.  Ive had an ongoing love affair with clusters for the past 8 months or so and really cant get enough of this funky way to embellish a LO.  You can keep it as simple or OTT as you want.  Love the end result.

 

Aussie have just posted a new challenge for the DT - kind of like a photo swap with a twist ... we each chose two other DT'ers and swapped photos with the instruction that we would scrap said photos in that DT'ers own style ... does that make sense?? Anyway - My photo was first up and I was 'lifted' by both Donna Wild and Chris Millar.  Below is the result ... Its funny to see my photo scrapped by others but in 'my style' - you can read here to see what both Donna and Chris thought of the challenge.

( sorry this is so little but its the screen shot from the Aussie site.)

and a close up of my own LO ...

Im very proud of myself and my journaling of late - its not rocket science I know but Im trying very hard to journal more from the heart without being OTT - Im getting there :o)

 

and I finally got to swap email addresses with this VERY INSPIRATIONAL CHICKY she is amazing - we met at the recent S&C retreat and I was literally blown away by her work - I especially loved how she made each class example an inspiration to create a LO that, while based on the example was totally original in design etc ... such a talent

Well I think thats it ... I have to go and ice my hammy (and eat apple pie and cream - gotta love comfort food *grin*)

be safe and be well :o)

Shares for the week

Tonights challenge upload for Shop and Crop was for "White Space".  Ive never been able to perfect the white space style - I think it looks wonderful but whenever I attempt it I never feel its quite finished.  I tried to walk away when I thought they were finished ... anyway here they are :o)  I got to use the new MMI 29th Street range of papers BEAUTIFUL BEAUTIFUL range.

Everyday: took this photo on the weekend while practicing with my new camera.  When I saw Noah up ahead of me I thought it would make a lovely photo and it did.

 

Why Not?: Just a fun set of sequence shots of the boys throwing rocks at a dead tree branch on the weekend.  It was nice to sit back and watch them interact and 'play'.  Its nice to know that Jayk isnt to 'old' to not have good old fashioned fun.

And one more - this is one I created at the S&C Scrapping escape.  I dont tend to scrap at crops so didnt bring a thing with me ... Jen Hall and Suzette (S&C) loaned me some photos to play with and this is the LO I created for Suze.  THANKS Suz - your babies are gorgeous.  Hope you liked the LO. (great sewing too LOL)

Well thats it for now - Im off to try to watch this really pathetic movie called Dragon Wars with my boys.  Its tough going cause its a really BAD movie!!!  Not sure we should be laughing during all the 'serious' parts!

Laters

New Aussie Kit

is on the site today.  With our big holiday in January I wanted to make a revamped version of the paperbag album to hold all our memoribilia from the trip.

 

Obviously the title can be changed to cater to anything from holidays to event memories - so if youre interested in this kit go here to buy wholesale.

School Holidays and Happy Birthdays

I LOVE the school holidays - time spent together, just hanging out, playing board games, day trips and staying in our PJ's til 11am (or all day if it suits).  We are staying put these holidays (a trip to Perth is planned and 90% organised for the July Holidays) so the days are spread out in front of us to do as we please.  Jayk started work at Coles on Sunday - he said he liked it and is working tomorrow as well.  We went and opened up his first 'real' bank account this morning and as I sat back and listened to the manager talking him through the accounts, rewards and incentives etc - I was really surprised at just how grown up he is becoming - He makes me proud and very happy.

This afternoon was spent "out bush" - we threw the dogs in the back of the car and headed out to tiger eye pool and beyond.  This really is a land of rugged beauty.  Deep blue sky's, rich red soil and towering mountains covered in green/yellow spinifex.  Beautiful.  It was a wonderful opportunity to have a play with my new camera that arrived on Friday.  I now have a Canon 40D and its amazing!  Coupled with my new 24-70mm f/2.8L Lens Im as happy as a pig in ... well you know what I mean :o)  I took these photos (and 115 others) from our travels today and wanted to share with you the little pockets of beauty that are a short drive from where I live.

I have a long way to go before I know what Im doing but Im definitely going to enjoy the journey.

A couple of shares from Aussie and S&C - first up is Aussie and the new(ish) fontwerks ranges of Swish and Roll out.

 

 

and S&C with the weekly DT upload challenge of using art as your background.  I didnt do as well as the other DT girls (deb G's lift of Loretta Graysons style was amazing!) but I did my best - art is NOT something Im good at or comfortable with.

**edited to add** - I still cant find them!! and dont have time to take new pics so here are the links if you want to see them Nut and Friendship

Finally want to wish my best buddy Kellie a very happy birthday for today (14th) and my nephew Shane who turned 18 yesterday!  I hope you both had days full of joy and wonderful memories.

Well my dears Im off to bed.  Hope this finds you all well and happy - later

a little bit of fun

This LO is one that Janine Kaye made to celebrate some silly photos taken at the Shop and Crops SE retreat.  I still laugh at this.  Thanks for letting me share JK

I was sent a 'care' package from cherryArte full of their latest ranges so I used paper from the His&Hers Basics range and put together this fun LO showing another of the many talents that Jen Hall has ... in her words - Will is one very happy man LOL. 

Need to go and restock the cupboards as Im having an old mother hubbard moment!

Later

Today is ...

... my birthday.  Im 38.  I have a husband who loves me.  Three wonderful Kids.  Good, true friends who know me and STILL love me.  I have had the best birthday 24 hours.  Last night I went for dinner with my some of my closest friends, lots of food, drinks and laughs.  It amazes me that in a town that can have such a demented mining mentality there are still so many precious gems to be found and I am blessed.  Today was wonderful, I was woken by my babies climbing into bed with pressies and cards - yummy chocolate and a chunky gold bracelet from Marcus, some very generous vouchers to spend at my favourite shop here in town and a voucher for my wonderful hairdresser *grin* all the things a girl could want.  I got to spend the whole day in my jammies even when my SIL, brother and a couple of girlfriends dropped by for coffee this morning.  I feel like Ive been on the phone all day chatting to family and friends and answering a tonne of emails from my cyber buddies wishing me well for today.  Tonight Marcus has left for a course in Perth so the kids and I had a slap up dinner followed by ice cream cake *yummo* and tomorrow Im having lunch with my big brother at the pub. Its good to be me today.

I put together a couple of photos from dinner last night ... there are more BUT these are about the only ones I could share *cough cough* Love these girls - they make me laugh and make me happy.

I do have some scrapping projects to share and a little bit of news as well but that will have to wait for another day -

Finally I want to give a HUGE welcome back to the wonderfully funny and talented Alison Shearer.  She has come back to the fold and rejoined us at S&C.  So good to have her 'home'

hope your weekend was as wonderful as mine.

later :o)

SE Retreat

has been and gone - Im exhausted, fulfilled and a little sad now that Im on the other side.  I worked out that from Thursday to Monday morning I had a total of 17 and a half hours sleep, its no wonder I slept most of the flights home.  What can I say about the retreat.  I shared a room with Alison Shearer and have not laughed so much since John died (sorry a personal joke) she is such an incredible woman not only a talented scrapper but very wise counsel.  Thanks Al for keeping me sane.  It was a fantastic opportunity to meet up with many of the women I chat to online and a chance to totally be immersed in room full of creative energy.  Its not often I get to meet up with so many women that really 'get it', being able to connect totally and be immersed in it. For someone like me who is somewhat removed from these experiences having to rely on internet etc - I have come away totally happy and fulfilled.  I loved seeing all the different personality types and how ppl interacted - was a great mix and good fun all round and I truely believe I have made more wonderful friends from this amazing craft.  I cant wait for next year.  BIG thanks to the very gorgeous Jen Hall (man I love this girl) for loaning me her collage of the weekend.  More fun pics to follow - cant wait to show you the LO that Janine Kaye has already put together using pics from the retreat, will share on Thursday.

and below are my LO's from the retreat - boys all the way.  I had so much fun teaching these projects and the ladies were so encouraging as well.

Well thats it - need to sort dinner, children and get organised for a softball meeting.

Be safe and happy.