HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

LOOK WHAT I GOT FROM MY DH.... CHOCKIES AND FLOWERS!!! Poor dave just got some PP creation and a set of non stick egg rings! (he likes cooking he didnt beat me with them or anything!raotf ) 14 years Dave and I have been married as of Wednesday just gone! I didn't forget to mention this but was saving the good for last today. We have been together 20 years!!! Yes we were very young when we started out together, I was 15 and he was 17 almost 18!!! I had a lovely anniversary evening... I went to a parent teacher interview and did the groceries! We promised ourselves we'll have dinner out next week!

love this pic! I actually still have the first rose DH gave me when he was DB. I pressed it and mounted it on a board and..... (ahem) covered it with contact! LOL I think I was 15 at the time!

Actually I got two perfect roses and a box of Darrell Lee...spoilt!

(yes as you can see by the vase we don't drink much spirits here! LOL

BEWARE BLAST FROM THE PAST.....

(some images may disturb some viewers!)

The First shot is my all time fav we'd probably been together for a year or so and I found out quickly this "towny" would have to learn farm work if she wanted to spend time with her boyfriend! On the farm it was always work first so this picture was taken on our way down to teach me how to milk a cow!!! How romantic! I loved that day, I think Dave's mum may have even taken this picture!

This picture says it all acne, awkwardness, home made spiral perm!!!!

This is me and my handsome husband....

when we still had our youthful appearence....

we only had one boy then!

Here we are now could be a more flattering shot

but the control freak had to be in front of the camera she even forgot to smile! LOL

ATC DESIGN TEAM ANNOUNCED...

Yea, no one get excited...I'm not on it...... I'm so disappointed, I could cry....if I wasn't so tough that is! Oh well, fate will have her way, or maybe it was a bit of Karma catching up with me!

All things happen for a reason... it wasn't my time ...

okay enough already with the good natured cliches!

Furthermore, on the up side, I have some great pages to show for it, that otherwise wouldn't be here so that's a bonus. It was a great challenge to throw myself into. Especially as my stash didn't have allot of the brands they stocked so I had to put a new spin on some old stuff and make a bit of an investment in some stamps. I must say I found some great online shops in my product searching travels, and have developed a (big) bit of a thing for the October Afternoon brand. OH no! I just realized I'll also have to find a stockist for the ten second studio products, I was desperate to play with!!!

I did learn some valuable lessons from the experience that will only increase the chances of any future submissions. So watch out world, someone told me no ... and that just makes me more determined to work harder, smarter and more creatively to fulfill my ambitions!

(my mum's reading this nodding her head, agreeing, having told me no on occasion!...LOL)

Anyway there you have it, the wait is over ...

The ADDICTED TO CRAFT design team comprises of eight new artists :

MELLANY AMS – VIC previous Scrapbooking Memories master.

RENEE DOWLING – QLD very pleased about this pick. Renee's work that I saw was truely outstanding, original, creative and beautiful!

SARAH GLADMAN – NSW

HETTY HALL – QLD

JOLENE PIENAAR – QLD

SONIA THOMASON - WA

JANE TREGENZA – SA

TATUM WOODROFFE – SA

all joining ANGELLA PEARDON

- QLD AND DT CO-ORDINATOR

The announcement and BIO's can be seen here.... http://addictedtocraft.typepad.com/

By the looks of the styles it looks to be a quite diverse talent!

I hope they enjoy this wonderful opportunity!

To all the lucky ladies......

a big Congratulations!!! :)

HAPPY 85TH BIRTHDAY POP FLINT!

(scroll down to see party pic's and the Birthday card I created for the occasion!)

What can I say we got home a few hours ago from an over night stay in Temora to celebrate my Pop Tim turning 85 (its actually on Tuesday). On Saturday night, approximately 40 of his nearest and dearest all got together at his local "the Shamrock Hotel" to dine and honour his birthday. It was a LOVELY night, he enjoyed the party and the overwhelming number birthday wishes. He is a wonderful old timer, a war veteran, a retired builder and a wonderful Pop Great pop and a friend to many. I am so happy he had such a lovely time, not many 85 year old's party on till 1am + !!! He did better than us youngun who pulled up stumps at midnight! He is an amazing bloke, fitter than I, he still carts wood, (mum said last year he carted 7 tonne just for them!) fox shoots for local farmers and has turned his backyard into a giant veggie patch where he grows veg for half the people in town. He also makes the greatest Tomato relish, he really is a marvel! I love him to bits!

Here's the card I made for him!

I made this card for him. I loved it as it was all Pop browns blues and greens! The message in it was so true too. He said he thought it was lovely so I was happy and that was all I needed. I used canvases joined together with Daisy D hinges (love em!) I used Kaiser papers and Basic grey stickers and PP. I also used some gorgeous embossed aluminum with I painted and inked! The inside features a pocket to keep his many cards and gift vouchers in from the night all safely tucked away and kept inside with a hidden magnetic clasps.

I decided to add "a couple" more photo's particularly for our upperstate and overseas bloggy viewers! LOL

Here's Pop, Jarred and Connor (my youngest two) and my great Aunt.

My Mother, the master of the universe...oh um I mean the Master of ceremonies,

(joke JOY-ce!)

At the "shamrock" I'm not sure who was born first the "Shamy" or Pop but they've been acquainted for a very long time! He pretty much holds V.I.P status there for the fact he's so well loved by everyone who goes the and for the fact he's been going there for a very long time. My Mum, Dad Nan and Pop used meet once a week there back in the day when mum would wheel me in in a pram and that was at least some thirty years ago!

Pop, Uncle Reg, Aunty Del and Pop's neighbour of about 50 years and possibly his greatest fan!

Tianna (granddaughter inlaw?) and Pop's Great Granddaughter Annicka.



I wish I'd been quick enough to get the full picture here. In shot is Pop and Angus Murphy but just outside the frame is Connor Smith. There were speaches and a few people had some lovely things to say but then room then got all quiet and shy. That is until my mum called for final comments, Connor (my 7 yr old) piped up and said " i have a couple things to say about Pop birthday....IT'S AWESOME!"

The room errupted in to clapping and cheering it was so sweet & I was so proud of him!

Here's Pop with his great grand child Daniel (My eldest seen here in the black Shirt)

and his honorary great granchildren, Jack and Sarah Murphy.

Grandchild and one of Pop's greatest mates, Mathew Flint.

(nah nah Matty got your pic, despite the protests... "Marcy paparazzi"1 -Matty none! LOL)

Now for those who haven't heard the story this week was not exactly all happy for Pop.

A man from the RTA in his ultimate wisdom (or should I ignorance) put Pop through a nerve wracking driving test that all people his age have to go through. A flawless driver for 64 years made a couple of mistakes under pressure and they took his licence off him. People all over town are outraged, as is his family, they all know him as he makes his rounds in the little blue Suzuki and no one can believe it.

This war veteran and widow is as fit as a fiddle and keeps himself happy and healthy by doing constantly for others. He carts wood, tonnes of it for little old ladies and war widows all over town who wouldn't have any otherwise. In a week he does visits to the sick in the local hospital, delivers free fresh produce he's grown in his garden all over town to those who are in need and is the highlight of the week for an old mate confined to a nursing home who he rescues for a day. All this is only possible because of Pop huge heart and .....his licence!

I am so sad for him and he was fairly upset but has decided that he can live with this "temporarily borrowed " Celebrity deluxe motor scooter! I never thought I'd see it but he's even had a laugh at the P plates we snuck onto it as a joke on Sunday before he went home. He didn't leave before all the little kids did some circle work with him in the driveway! And yes Pop we can see it does look like it can do 12 kmph on the straight! LOL

Lets hope he has some joy when he appeals to get his licence back in a month!

And then it was time to go home...

It was a big weekend and to0 much for some worn out party animals! LOL

So cute!!!!!!!!

"LIL BOXES O' LOVE!!!!"

FROM THIS...........

KAREN FOSTER ADVENT BOX CALENDAR

TO THIS.....

"LIL' BOXES O' LOVE"

This OTP has been named the "LIL BOXES O' LOVE". I was going to submit it as my OTP for the ADDICTED TO CRAFT DT SUBMISSIONS but was stuck on the external hard drive which was on the fritz. Anywho, I created this to show my DH how much we love him each box has a heart shaped chocolate inside with a message from the kids. Idea being he can take it to work and anytime he needs a pick me up ...oh and a giggle, he chooses a box! Some of the things the kids wrote were hysterical! I scanned a couple scroll down to see them.

I decided I didn't like the original pic's of the hard drive, so went and stole it of DH work desk and re photographed it this afternoon. A valuable lesson learnt, when one is photographing out doors, one should not leave chocolate hearts in direct sunlight! He doesn't like chocolate anyway, I may say the ones he had left perished ...and hide them in the back of the fridge for moi! LOL

This Karen Foster box was generously supplied by...

Allcraftz.com.au

WHEN YOU DONT MIND WEEDS IN YOUR BACKYARD!

....Until your chasing said butterfly around camera in hand and fall in a hole dug by your naughty dog! No body panic ....the camera was fine!!! LOL ( sorry could just pick one shot the insect was just too pretty!)

A COUPLE FAVORITE"S

Here's my smallest angel! Sorry in this shot his halo

is a bit crooked, as what happens in real life on occassion! LOL

Heres a side profile this shows when the embelishment on the top of the frame is pulled up his halo and hidden journalling appear!

Here is a close up of the hidden journaling (Please excuse the flash in the glass) The journalling reads: "Once upon a time... there was an angel, one of three, he was the smallest. He was not always as angelic as he appeared, his gift lay in the joy he bought to those who loved him!"

This is Ella's Christening Keepsake Canvas card and my first attempt at quilting. It's padded as it has three functions ...Firstly its given as a card, secondly it had a built in pocket to keep the service sheet and other christening cards in and thirdly it came with small hooks to hang in Ella's room on her wall. I supplied MM decorative pearl head pins so a picture or pictures from the christening could be pinned to the quilted area

SPRING INTO SPRING ATC'S

EVA'S HERITAGE PAGE

Here's a labour of love layout I created a of weeks ago. I was personally really happy with this page as it was one I've been meaning to do for a long time. It's now going to be the first in a series of heritage layouts that copy this design, as a means of protecting and storing the old photo's my grandfather has entrusted to me. Old box brownie and Polaroid pictures that deteriorate with light will now be store inside the cover layout that describes why they are special and their meaning to our family.

JUST WANTING TO SHARE

I was shattered, like everyone around Australia I think, who has watched the tradgic events of the last couple weeks unfold in Victoria. I am so sorry for those who have had to endurethe heartache and loss, horror and devestation of these terrible ferious fires. I took some time out to condemplate their experience when the smoke came over us last week. I went for a bush walk and took some pic's. Everyone had been speaking about the bush being so dangerous but how to you weigh that up with the beauty of surrounding yourself with nature.

Believe it or not! Lake Albert is right there covered in smoke

and we are 5 hours away from Melbourne!

View from the back of Willian's hill, wagga is down there somewhere!

I also have to say the outpouring of donations has been amazing in these tough fininial times. It made me ever so proud last week to hear our little local school of 300, that my two youngest boys attend, raised over $1600 on a muftiday last week to go to towards the bushfire appeal. Not bad for a bunch of primary school children!

WHAT I'VE BEEN UP TO

These are what I recently submitted for a very exciting opportunity to be part of the ADDICTED TO CRAFT design team. There are some big names and brilliant work floating around the blog so I don't think I stand much of a chance but here's hoping!!! ( oh and if the ATC are reading this ...please please please give me a chance to play on your team, 110 % commitment and a bevy of beautiful creations is what I have to offer!!!! SHAMELESS I know! LOL)
It is a wonderful opportunity to work with gorgeous products! Products like October afternoon, MME, Daisy D's and Prima, and thats just the tip of the ice berg!!! Looking at their website I also noticed some amazing products I'd kill to work with, there is a PP line called Dove of the East, full of stunning colours and the designs are influenced by countries all over the world. The designs are so beautiful and intricate. Ten Second Studio is another brand that thrills the arty farty me, its products are basically metal you can add texture and embossing to.

I tried to exhibit my my interest in working with these products by creating the angel wings on the Valentines day card featured below. Since I've been exploring art journals I developed a real love for working metals and textures into my pages. Just love it love, love it! I think I forgot to mention to ATC what a product junkie I am! LOL I just love to try new things.

Anyway, Here's their blog, check it out its a very exciting place http://addictedtocraft.typepad.com/

and the shop address

http://www.addictedtocraft.com.au/
It is wholesale but there's heaps to look and drool at. As well as a great blurb about an awesome little cutting machine called The Creative Cutter Inspiration.

This amazing little cutter hooks up to your computer You then have the machine cut from a stored or downloaded image or you can design your own Best of all it t doesn't need all those expensive cartridges the other machines need. The Creative Cutter Inspiration has a 12” cutting width and cuts paper, heavy cardstock, vellum, almost any fabric, lightweight chipboard, metal foils, iron-on vinyl and more!
With the optional tools you can Draw, Emboss, Distress, Needle Punch, Create Stamps and more! YIKES!!! HOW COOL IS THAT!!!!
CHECK IT OUT !!! ITS VERY INTERESTING!
(DH NOTE :IT'S INTERESTING TO A CERTAIN LOVELY WIFE WHO"S HAVING A BIRTHDAY SOON!!!)

My nephew Zak is having a birthday this week I'm hoping when I send this card there wont be a fresh outbreak of monsters under the bed at night! LOL

The photos loose allot of the detail on this card which is unfortunate considering the gorgeous little cherub started out life as a barely there white line drawing on a piece of MME PP. I drew around him filled in his details and gave him a golden halo, wings and bow and arrow. Yep bit excessive but when you have a mental image of what you could do sometimes you just have to go with it...oh and have I mentioned HOW MUCH I WANT THAT DT POSITION!!! LOL No seriously it was fun and you all know how much i love to do those fiddle types of things!

I love this page to bits! I have had this photo for ages and it's such a lovely photo of my Sister, my Nephew and I.

I took a risk here with this layout when it seems the whole world wants neat tidy "pretty" pages but teen age boys just don't do "pretty"! I haven't got allot of pages of Daniel and the picture was one of a lovely series of pic's that really brought it home to me just how grown up he's becoming! LOT'S of layering papers, paints and a gorgeous Hambly Screen Prints overlay. It suits Daniel down to the ground even including his favourite saying " that's so seriously random! Every things "random" at the moment so I laughed my self silly when I saw the Prima teen rub ons and that phrase was there in bits and pieces! The little journal card is an October Afternoon stamp and rather than just tick one box and talk about that in the notes section, I created a key. I gave each subject a different colour /patterned box and then redrew them in the notes section creating an overview of Daniels tastes and personality. It'll be great to look back on later!

Just thought I'd show you this one. I do allot of canvas keepsake cards I really love the idea.

I was so frustrated when sending of my submission as all the good shots of this OTP were on my external hard drive which was on the fritz. So I could only send the front of the card, Today I got it going again and this is the inside and and an overview. Photo's don't do things justice some times there is allot of hand stitching (which I love to do on canvas cards!) and I don't think you can really see it. Pretty Patterned paper though!

Anyway, must go I have some other work to upload shortly some older stuff that hasn't been photographed till now and some really new stuff that I love! Keep an eye on this space! :)