the ART of my LIFE

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.

flat out

Here it is some 12 days since I last blogged.  I thought it time I blew the dust off typepad and posted.  Time is flying with Easter Sunday tomorrow and the Shop and Crop Scrapping Escape starting next Friday.  Im madly finishing off projects before I leave on Wednesday night so that I can give myself some breathing space when I get home.  My LO's are done, instructions sent off, cowboy hat and name tag completed and my camera charged I just need to get to Wednesday then I can relax.  March is a busy month for us with many relatives celebrating birthdays and Marcus and I reaching 14 years together (March 25th) so its no wonder the month is whizzing by.

Ive felt a little out of touch lately - I havent had the time to sit and hop through the various blogs that I visit and with all the preparation for next weeks retreat I think Im turning into a mushroom. So with that said I only have a couple to share as I need to get off the computer and back to my scrapping desk.  This weeks theme for S&C was Easter (naturally) I took this photo in Coles after watching a young mum battle with her toddler to get him away from all those delicious goodies - it really was a case of hand over the chocolate and no one will get hurt!  While Im mentioning S&C I have to say that Tania Davey is leaving the DT, she is moving onto other ventures and I am sad that she has gone.  I wish you every good thing for your future endeavours Tans xxx

I received a pack of the Collections chipboard houses and thought they would make a perfect little mini album of Ellie last Easter.  Sweet.

There is thunder rumbling in the distance so I need to get off here and print off some more photos before I have to shut down the computer.

I hope this finds you well and happy - Have a safe and joyous Easter Season.

:o)

Tagged and stuff

Ive been tagged and I have a few shares as well as some family stuff to tell - so Ill start with family stuff first and work my way back.

But FIRST I want to say Welcome to this person who has just joined the DT at shop and crop.  Im so excited to be 'working' with her.  So cool.

Jayks softball team has made the finals!  This Friday and Saturday night he will play in the mens softball Grand Final - they run it as best of three games with game one on Friday night and the other two on the Saturday night before finishing up with drinks, bbq and presentation.  He is just a little excited and so am I!  He has had a great couple of weeks with sport stuff and school, coming home last week with two merit certificates from assembly (one for a Science report and one for Media studies) and then I received a letter of comendation in the mail for him for Maths!  Also he has been put up into the academics classes for Maths and Science (he is already in the English class) - the teachers told me that there were several boys who were placed incorrectly and this is now rectified and since the swap he has been much happier at school.

My first official day of work was yesterday - no training - no practice - the real thing.  Now its not rocket science but I am enjoying it so much.  Easy money - well thats how it feels this week ... ask me in a week or two when customers are irrate because Ive charged them for a red onion instead of a brown one LOL

Right - share time.

Aussie this week was a showcase for Deja Views - this is lovely stuff.  These projects are made entirely from ONE 8x8 tablet.  Everything you need is inside

Shop and Crop - had a colour palette theme this week and my colour palette was RED! Lucky me - I love Red and all the shades that go with it :o)   It gave me the opportunity to scrap some photos of my mini family get together in Broome with two of my three brothers (Im the one NOT folically challenged) AND I scrapped an extremely old photo of Jayk - taken in 2001 when he was just 6.  Still loving clusters CANT get enough of them.

Tag time - the lovely Julie and equally lovely Deb have tagged me ... here I go

Here are the rules:

1. Once you are tagged, link back to the person who tagged you.

2. Post the RULES on your blog.

3. Post 7 weird or random facts about yourself on your blog.

4. Tag 7 people and link to them.

5. Comment on their blog to let them know they have been tagged.

1. Im a war veteran

2. I met my husband while on Peace Keeping Duties in Cambodia

3. Ive walked on the Great Wall of China

4. Im actually quite uncertain about myself

5. I have a shoe addiction

6. I LOVE the RICHMOND TIGERS!!

7. I wish I was taller.

I tag ... Trina & Mandi & Michelle & Kathie & Melissa & Suse & Jodi

Right Im done off to have coffee and scrap - later

Disaster *sniff*

I had Honey clipped the other day ... unfortunately I cant ... no WONT share a photo of her as she looks terrible!  Ok not terrible but no longer like my little Honey puppy.  I was so sad when I saw her *sniff* I hope her fur grows quickly.  Here is a before pic of her ... I love this woolly little mammoth.

I also discovered Mandi and she has in turn helped me to discover this site.  I know its been around for a bit and of course Ive heard of it BUT now that Ive acutally visited the site Im crossing my fingers (and toes) that they will service Australia soon, REAL SOON!!!  got my eye on a funky little skirt ... top ... wrap ... shoes ... need I go on ... thanks Mandi - my husband thanks you and so does my Credit card company *grin*

CREATIVE ESCAPE UPDATE:  Im very excited as I have finished my two class LO's for the S&C Creative Escape. Less than a month til I leave *grin*

Crickets on *groan* and I have instructions to write up - Laters.

Out of my head ...

... As I made my morning cup of coffee I compiled a mental list of what I wanted to blog about this morning and now as I sit and type most of its gone out of my head!  I hate that - makes me very frustrated, its right up there with forgetting basic names for things like T.V. - you know "Jayk, can you pass me the remote for the ... the .. um ... that thing (points) ..." ARGH!

With less than 4 weeks til I leave for the S&C Creative Escape weekend, Ive spent the last 48 hours putting together my class.  I cant believe how much product there is in my class pack alone!! So much that Ive created a 2nd LO to teach if the ladies finish the main one early and if not they will have the instructions to complete it at the Sat night crop or at home if they wish.  I love the product, cant quite reveal just yet but I will share some sneak peaks in a week or so.  Its going to be a fantastic weekend.  Julie Stone, Janine Kaye and I have been putting our heads together to come up with some wicked fun for the Friday night meet and greet - I cant wait.  The members of S&C are so much fun online I can only imagine that will be magnified by 120% in real life.  Sasha and I have booked in for mudwraps and facials for the Friday morning before the weekend begins and I am hopeful that I can find time to book in for a pedicure before the retreat is through.

Today I go back to work.  I took all of last year off to just have me time without the hassle of work committments and to get my head around that I am a little on the looney side but thats ok :o). After much discussion with Marcus (me talking him round!!) and the goal to travel overseas once a year for a family holiday, it was decided that I would go back to work ... nothing hard, no rocket science involved ... Im starting at Coles and you know Im actually looking forward to it.  Only 4 hours today but I will work most Fridays, Sunday's and Mondays and possibly fill in when needed and if I can.  Lucky for me blue is my colour LOL

As this is the last day of February I have my daily diary pages to upload - I still have to print off a couple of photos so that pages are complete so it may not be til next week that I finally add it to my photo album.  I love this concept - so simple and easy, just a random thought or happening of that particular day.  When I read back over my pages I am struck by how the simple memories that Ive put down make me smile - just everyday things that would otherwise be forgotten.  This project has make me really appreciate those little things that make up a BIG part of our daily lives.

Yesterday's upload at S&C was a Collage theme.  Id scored the lovely BTDT range of papers and uploaded a mini album about our trip last year to the East Coast.  I added each photo to a new canvas in PS and then printed it out to the same size as my BG chipboard album page, trimed and sanded the edges to tidy and I have a great keepsake of our trip.  Some of you might remember seeing it on the Aussie blog last year and even on BB as well (thanks Lu) anyway here it is again.

 

I best get off the computer and organise myself - I have to drop Honey at the Vets this morning to be clippered.  Hope she fairs better than last time when she had to be sedated!!! Its only a winter groom so not as intense - I thought about putting it off but the poor little girl is one big mop of curls she looks like a rasta bear.  We attempted to trim the hair around her eyes but she was having NONE of it so its off to the vet we go.  Ill take a photo before and then another one after and share here some time soon.

Happy Friday :o)

SM 9v10

I love doing the SM challenges and its always nice to be asked - this Maya Rd challenge was perfectly timed with Jayks Spring Fling (remember??).  I used the little mini album to remember how smart he looked - its one of those 'things' that just comes together.  Not bad considering I received the raw album, and a pack of rubons!  Everything came together perfectly for this keepsake.

 

The photography in SM shows the album perfectly - sorry my pics dont do the same!!

We are battling the rain today with Cyclone Nicolas crossing the coast down south.  Love the rain - always have.

More shares tomorrow with S&C theme upload due and some Aussie stuff to share later as well.

Want to give a HUGE plug to Jules again and her fantastic work for the kids camp.  Im in awe of her for her dedication and trust and of YOU for all you have done, volunteering and going above and beyond the call - I LOVE the scrapping community, such HUGE hearts.

Also a big CONGRATS to Janine for having her photography skills viewed by all in the Wollongong area in the guise of advertising on the back of a public bus.  You rock J!!

Happy Tuesday.

Tag Im it ...

I was tagged by the lovely wonderful Lee - I love this girl!!

A: The rules of the game are posted at the beginning.

B: Each player answers the questions about themselves.

C: At the end of the post, the player then tags 3 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog.


10 Years Ago: I was living in Brisbane with my toddler DS1 and my three month old DS2.  Marcus was doing fly in fly out to the NT and it was a busy time!

Things on my to-do list today:

1. Swim (its become my daily thing for me to do)
2. Finish off Aussie kit instructions
3. Watch the Tudors pt 2

What I would do if I were suddenly made a billionaire:
take a year off and travel the world with my family and Nanny!!  Pay off my families debt, buy a property in Tasmania and retire.

3 of my bad habits:

1. I stress
2. I procrastinate
3. I spend WAAAY too much time on the computer

3 places I have lived:

1. Wollongong
2. Canberra
3. Brisbane

5 jobs that I have had:

1. Sales assistant Newsagency
2. Darrell Lea girl
3. RAAF
4. SBCLO
5. SBYSW

5 Things people don't know about me:

1. I drink 4 cups of coffee a day
2. I take a morning swim for 30 minutes to relax
3. I have a nanna nap most afternoons once the kids get home from school
4. I love to watch TVSN
5. I have a shoe fetish

I tag:

1. Kathie
2. Julie
3. Fee