Creative Creatures

Birthday Catch Up

2012-01-24T21:31:00.001+11:00

Guess whose birthday this is?
Can you tell by who is blowing out the candles? No!
Can you tell by the number of candles? Maybe.

This was the first time DH was at home on his birthday for a good few years.

Guess whose birthday this is?

Can you tell by who is blowing out the candles? No!
Can you tell by the number of candles? Maybe.

Malachi celebrated his birthday in July. This was just a little acknowledgement that it actually was his birthday.

Guess whose birthday this is?

Can you tell by who is blowing out the candles? No!
Can you tell by the number of candles? Maybe.

Declan really wanted a wafer creation filled with marshmallows. That's what he got! Plus some.

I may or may not scrapbook these events. You'll just have to wait and see. :)

Last Year This Year

2012-01-24T14:50:00.002+11:00

I've finished my first layout for this year - and it's of Christmas last year.

We had a lovely Christmas and this layout * just captures some of our happy Christmas moments**.

*Photographed as best as I could on my iPhone cos Soph has my camera to keep up with her photo-a-day while she is away.

** Including, but not only...
100 white balloons filled with helium,
going to the beach at 7.30 in the morning,
Christmas service at CBC,
a beautiful roast dinner,
yummy dessert,
swimming in the pool.
And best of all...
the people!

It's been a long time

2012-01-11T09:47:00.001+11:00

One of the many sunset photos I have taken from our lounge room window.

I'm sorry to all my friends and followers who come and check out my blog wondering, hoping if there will be a new blog post to read.

Ok, well I've moved house, endured a bout of extreme pain and a hospital visit, enjoyed Christmas and New Year, unpacked my art room (mostly), and I've done a gazillion other things that fill up my already full life. Meanwhile (that is, in between all that and the gazillion other things), I have been writing blog posts in my head, taking photos with and without layouts in mind, and I have even started doing One Little Word 2012 with Ali Edwards at Big Picture Classes.

So, Happy New Year, and this is what you (and I) can look forward to...
Blog posts
Photos
Layouts
One Little Word instalments

But you are going to have to wait - I'm having surgery on Friday 13th (that's fine with me) and then, God willing, I will be back with some updates.

While you are waiting, I'd love it if you could leave me a message and say 'Hi'.

:D

30 Days of Joy and Thankfulness

2011-11-03T17:33:00.000+11:00

At the end of October I thought about the times I have done a-photo-a-day and wondered if i could manage taking a photo a day in November. I decided that I couldn't.\
But then I saw Meredith's post about keeping a record of the things that bring/give her joy and I was inspired to do a similar thing. So each day I will ~~force myself to~~ take a moment to record at least one thing that brings me joy or for which I am thankful.
So far so good.

Sketch Diary Update

2011-10-31T17:22:00.000+11:00

I thought I had better upload these* before the fun of relocating internet services begins.

See the spiral thing? I was inspired by Hudson's doodling. He, then, was inspired by my doodling!!!

* I don't know why, when I select the photos in order, the photos upload in random order.

Sketch Diary

2011-10-21T20:42:00.001+11:00

In the last few weeks I have had quite a few opportunities to sit and wait - doctor appointments, a hospital stay, and sitting outside the houses we were going to look at. These opportunities are dwindling and I am starting to feel the urge to scrapbook again. So here are the latest pages. Who knows? They might be the last for a while.

If you have been following the links to my inspiration you can probably work out who I am influenced by.

Martha Lever, Lori Vliegen, Julie Fei-Fan Balzer and lots of doodlers! And there's just a little bit of me in there as well. :)

Manga Belle

2011-10-20T17:39:00.000+11:00

It has been a long time since an update. There is plenty that I could show you but I am choosing just one thing (in two parts).

Many weeks ago now I was inspired by a friend of mine to do a manga-type drawing. She didn't say "I think you should do a manga drawing." She was the inspiration.*

Manga Belle #1 - I coloured this one with watercolour paint.

Manga Belle #2 - I coloured this with Inktense watercolour pencils. I also lightly coloured the face.

Both of these pictures are rather large. Next time I will do something a bit smaller and have a go at using coloured pencils and a blending stump.

*My model really did have this coloured hair. It is a really fun colour and suits her tremendously.

PS I was working from a rather poor, quickly snapped photo of my model. One day I'd love to do a proper photo shoot. hint hint :)

More Sketch Diary Pages

2011-10-08T22:31:00.001+11:00

I saw this Op Art link the other day and knew I just had to try it, so while we were sitting around in hospital last week I drew around Hudson's hand with a pencil and started drawing my lines with a black pen. Isn't it cool?! I like the effect and will probably try it with all sorts of shapes. Actually, I might even get the kids to have a go too.

It is not often that I get to sit around with nothing much to do but lately it seems that it is becoming all too often. I wouldn't so much mind the opportunity to add to my sketch diary if it didn't include a broken arm or a flat tyre but that is the way it is. Can you tell I was inspired by the huge walls covered in wheels at the tyre place.

We went home between the x-ray and the appointment with the orthopaedic surgeon because I didn't want to kill the hour or so just sitting in the car. We got back to the doctor appointment about 5 minutes before time and then waited for an hour in the waiting room - another page in my journal well and truly done.

Where do you go for inspiration? If you ever need a little art class then check out shine brite zamorano - there is a wealth of inspiration at this blog.

Starting With a Blank Page

2011-10-06T16:31:00.000+11:00

I love this.
http://www.this-page-intentionally-left-blank.org/
I have seen it in booklets before - normally government-produced booklets.
But that is not what I am writing about today.

What I am writing about is starting with a blank page in my art journal.
I have done a few art journalling classes and heard others talk about art journalling on blank pages.
For instance, Julie says that journalling on a blank page can be intimidating. That seems to be the general theme for many.
I love doing the ink splotches and the watercolour washes, I love scraping paint down and across the page with an old credit card, but in the end I don't know what to do with the page. I just realised today that I actually prefer to start on a blank page.

Even though my pages are not actually blank - an old diary - I treat them as blank pages. I am always to tempted to buy brand new art journals with lots of clean white pages - I love them. But I have such a huge supply of paper at home that I usually withstand the temptation and remind myself of my stash.

Right at the moment I am working through a gold-edged diary from 2009. Only 3 months to go and I will be moving on to my next journal. I haven't decided what it will be yet. I am thinking it should be my SMASH journal except that it doesn't have blank pages. Maybe I should pretend they are blank pages too - that will be tricky. Let's call it a challenge.

Lately I have been inspired most by...
Julie Fei-Fan Balzer - I love seeing all the wonderful things she puts up on her blog - Balzer Designs.
Lori Vliegen of elvie studio - I just love her lettering and watercolour fun.
and Martha Lever - her blog, Art du jour, is full of inspiration - from watercolour painting, to journalling, to lettering, to acrylic painting and more.

So, do you like art journal on a fresh, clean, white, blank page or do you like to shabby the pages up a bit with ink and paint and texture and collage and stuff first?

Who inspires you?

PS: Those two pages there were done (mostly) while I was in hospital with Hudson. I was inspired by such pages as this, along with a bit of doodling, scripture and whatever.

Colouring Inside the Lines. Or Not.

2011-10-02T08:00:00.000+11:00

The other day, while Hudson and I were in hospital (Hudson with a broken arm waiting for an operation, me being the parent who stayed with him), I let Hudson play on my iPhone. The only things on my phone that the kids (and I) have to play with are word games, arty type things and photo fun things* so I introduced Hudson to Wreck This Journal app.

A while ago now a friend of mine, my twin-who's-not-my-twin, gave me Keri Smith's Wreck This Journal. Because we think alike, my twin-who's-not-my-twin thought that I would like it. And indeed I do. I haven't finished wrecking it yet. Actually, it might be some time before I do, although I am looking forward to dragging it around on a string one day, and taking it in the shower with me. :)

Because I enjoyed Wreck This Journal so much I decided to get the Wreck This Journal app for my iPhone. Now there's a great app!

It just so happened that the page that Hudson went into was 'Colour outside the lines'. Hudson was busy colouring furiously (as furiously as one can with a finger on a screen!) all over the page, inside and out of the lines, with gay abandon, when the nurse came along and exclaimed with such surprise "That's not colouring inside the lines!!!" She had a smiling tone of voice that suggested that Hudson was being terribly naughty, but in a nice way.

Hudson quietly continued, unperturbed - he has never heard the rule about colouring inside the lines. I smirked a quiet smirk and started writing this blog post in my head.

I don't know whether it is good to encourage a child to colour inside the lines or not and I am not sure that I really care either. I'm pretty sure that a child colouring in happily, inside the lines or not, is a good thing. The general consensus between people who like to colour outside the lines, or at least don't like to be told to colour inside the lines, is that it is to do with conformity - doing what the government says, what the teacher says, what the boss says. With this conformity comes a bit of security but at the same time you risk losing your ability to think critically, to take calculated risks, or to pursue your dreams and aspirations.

What is colouring in for, anyway? Well for me it is for fun. It makes me happy. I like colouring in and I must say I do like colouring inside the lines most of the time. But there are times now that I actually don't mind relaxing a bit and realising that the lines are just there as guides rather than rigid, uncross-able boundaries - going outside the lines is no big deal and not worth fretting about.

If I am going to conform to anything I will take up the challenge of the Apostle Paul when he wrote
"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:2

Do you like colouring in?
There are plenty of places to find great colouring in pages - here's one example.

What do you think about the rule of colouring within the lines?

*one day I'll get a sudoku app and other number games. Any suggestions?

Hudson broke his humerus but it ain't funny!

2011-10-01T10:58:00.000+10:00

Who'd have thought that the toy that brought Hudson so much joy could bring so much pain in the blink of an eye.

This is a very happy Hudson riding in his brand new toy car (what do you call it? Dinky car?) at Christmas 2008. It was worth the money we spent for it and Hudson played with it up until this year. For a few months now it has been tucked away in the shed at the back of our place. Only the other day I saw it and thought we should get it out for Moses to play with.

As it turned out, the dinky car caught the eye of Mo's Mum and out it came. But I think Hudson and Declan claimed possession pretty quickly and took it in turns to push each other along like maniacs, screaming and shouting in such a way that it was hard to tell if they were having fun or hating every moment!

It wasn't long before disaster struck. Declan was pushing Hudson. Hudson was yelling "NO!" in a way that could have been interpreted as "This is fun!!!". The car skidded and tipped over. Out went Hudson's arm and the roof came down on his arm and broke it (although we didn't know it right then) just above the elbow.

One look at his arm told me that all was not right and we went straight to the hospital.

We didn't have to wait long for pain relief, x-rays, and decisions to be made. The pain relief worked, the x-rays showed a break just above the elbow, and the orthopaedic surgeon said that Hudson would need to have the bone wired together so that it healed in the right position.

Hudson dozed, chatted, tried to but couldn't play I Spy, and dozed some more.

He was very happy to get an ER teddy bear which went with him to and from the operation and home with him as well.

It's a long wait, watching the door, hoping it will be the doctor coming to tell you that it is all over and it all went well. And that did happen about an hour after I kissed Hudson's sleeping cheek. Even though I have been through it quite a few times myself, watching my little boy fall under the spell of general anaesthesia was a little daunting. I kind of had to hold back a tear.

It was a definite relief to be there to watch Hudson's departure from La La Land, albeit unwilling, and arrival back to our world.

We're home now. Hudson has wires sticking out of his arm which is protected by a back slab, bandaged, and held up with a collar and cuff. Taking life easy, avoiding bumps and measuring out the pain relief carefully to avoid overdose are the call for the next few weeks interspersed with visits to doctors and radiographers.

Considering Hudson has broken his arm before, I really hope he is not going to go for a hat trick. And to quote myself...
"Here's to happy healing (and finding a decent parking spot when I have to take Hudson for another x-ray and to see the Orthopaedic Surgeon at the end of the week.)"

Actually, just remembering, I think the dinky car is called a Little Tykes Coupe or something like that..

Toodle-oo*

2011-09-28T13:53:00.000+10:00

Ah, but I am not saying goodbye.
Many years ago when Soph was a youngster she asked "When you've finished the paper towel, can I have the toodle-oo*?"
I thought that was cute and we have called the inner cardboard tubes of toilet paper, paper towel and the likes toodle-oos ever since. And, if you happen to be the one (usually me) who uses the last sheet of paper towel, or the last bit of aluminium foil (rare) then you can hold it up to your mouth and trumpet a "toodle-oo" into it to announce its presence!

Hennyway.
This is what you get if you put a creative creature in possession of a collection of toodle-oos - a parliament of owls!!! (For other collective nouns for animals check out this link, or this link, or the good old Wikipedia for more than just a collection of collective nouns!)

* I have chosen to spell it this way for Internet safety reasons.

Three weeks

2011-09-26T21:01:00.000+10:00

Three weeks in blogland is a very, very long time.
Three weeks without doing anything creative is an eternity!

Fortunately, I have been able to snatch little opportunities to create.
Here are the latest entries (in no particular order) to my sketch diary thing that I carry around with me everywhere.

So, I actually did this one yesterday. I had fun making this one up and will certainly have a go at doing it again.

When all else fails, draw fruit. I was relatively uninspired while sitting in the waiting room at the ultrasound place. I really wanted to use my watercolour crayons so after the chair I branched out to the fruit.

A bit of doodling while listening to a message on Psalm 1 at our church camp. I just wanted to try out the watercolour shading that I have seen lately. Mmmm. I like it.

My creative response to Psalm 23. I have to admit I was a little disappointed when I saw Psalm 23 on the list of Psalms we were going to look at while at our church camp. As it turned out this was THE BEST talk and it was SO meaningful to me right at that time. SIGH.
Edited: Actually.... This is my creative response to Psalm 1. I didn't do a creative response to Psalm 23 - it was enough to hear the message and soak it in.

A reminder from Psalm 116 to testify to myself. Yes, the Lord has been good to me!

A need to do something and very little inspiration about - feather in my crayon tin (drawn before, I am sure) and Hudson's football. My black pen had run out so I was testing to see if Susannah's pen was waterproof. It was.

Just some random, quick and easy doodling.

So there you go.

Words for Life

2011-09-05T20:00:00.000+10:00

Last month I participated (for want of a looser term) in the Big Idea Festival over at Big Picture Classes. Each day for 12 days a BPC teacher gave a word and a sample layout of their word. I did the same but I decided to do watercolour pictures and Bible verses instead of journalling. I tried to use at least the idea of the word in each verse but there was just one word that I changed - nest to rest. There was lots of inspiration, it was fun to have a different BPC teacher every day and it was FREE. I'm looking forward to doing it again next year.

Now to bind them all together into a little mini book.

Birthday Girl, Birthday Boy, Birthday Cake

2011-08-29T03:56:00.000+10:00

One day I happed upon this recipe - Brown Sugar Sponge Cake With Caramel Pears - and I immediately decided it was to be the next birthday cake because, as you may already know, it's not a birthday without a birthday cake in our family.

It just so happened that the next birthday cakees were Susannah who turned 16, and Moses, my grandson, who turned 1 on the same day.

Well, making the cake was a learning experience. I didn't beat half of the mixture anywhere near enough and ended up with two 1cm think omelette-y pancakes to be sandwiched by the two sponge cakes that I did mix enough.

Also, crème fraiche is different to sour cream and did not respond in any way like it was supposed to. Not only that but we did not have a big enough bowl (our big Sunbeam mixer bowl was broken and I miss it deeply) and this is what happens when she-who-shall-not-be-named got to work in the kitchen :).

Enough of the cake! Where are the birthday cakees?!

And if you want to see a photo of Moses eating his first bit of birthday cake (and maybe his first bit of cake?) take a look here :)

PS I'll be making that cake again! I'll do it the same, but better!!!

Boys on Brown

2011-08-17T14:36:00.000+10:00

I got a little bit behind for the last class (Neutrals) in Nic Howard's Colour! Or is it Color? class at Big Picture Classes. But it doesn't matter. Here are a couple of layouts on brown.

This first layout is on a piece of cardboard that DH left on the ironing board (in my art space) and I could see potential! I had fun tearing, painting and layering to make this layout that took me about 20 minutes max. (Don't tell me you can tell!!!)

Are you wondering what Reuben is doing? He has a seed pod and he's holding it up as a mouth. That's all.

You might already know that we celebrate Malachi's birthday in July because we like to separate it from our Christmas celebrations where is birthday actually falls. So here Mal is heartily taking a breath to blow out his candles. That big breath cost him the chance to blow out his own candles - our little 3 year old friend got to them first.

So there you go.

I'm joining in with the Big Idea Festival at Big Picture Classes. Unfortunately for you the registrations are now closed but maybe next year you can join in :) It's free!

Moses

2011-08-13T17:20:00.001+10:00

I loved working with this beautiful pastel teal-y colour. And these photos of my gorgeous grandson. Ain't he so cute?!

This day at soccer Moses, 11 months old, was testing out his walking skills but he was SO tired. He probably wasn't very well either. It didn't matter, he was still as cute as ever.

See that brown circle? It is actually on a transparent square. Well it is packaging from something. I wanted a transparency but I couldn't find one anywhere so I raided my mixed media box and found this piece of packaging. I think it worked in well with my theme.

Also, see those teal half-circles? They are the bits left from around the stickers. Another successful use of the left overs. :)

Waiting and Watching

2011-08-06T17:35:00.001+10:00

In the last couple of weeks I've had the pleasure of going to some of Sophie-Lee's piano performances. It was fun to be in the audience for the Year 12 Showcase - a place to display the drama, music, art, textile design, and design technology works. Sophie-Lee was part of a group drama which made me laugh more than I've laughed in a long time. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The she performed three piano pieces.

I would have liked to be in the audience on the second night of the showcase as well but taxi-driving duties and no baby sitter made that impossible. :(

While I was waiting for Belle to arrive I sat outside, which happened to be warmer than in the foyer, and did a bit of sketching.

I was sitting outside the Hurstville City Museum and Gallery in the dark, except for a couple of floodlights shining onto the museum. That was a nice way to pass the time.

Later that week we had a quick session at the St. George Eisteddfod where there were only 3 competitors in Soph's section. Sophie-Lee was awarded a Highly Commended for her playing.

Last night, thinking that our session at the Eisteddfod would be similarly short, I ducked out of the house leaving quick instructions for Susannah who was looking after the kids. It was not short. We were there for two and a half hours.. That was well and truly enough time for me to sketch the scene before me. I drew all but the pianist, enjoying the range of music and its performance by the competitors. Eventually, it was Soph's turn. I drew her in - that's why she is a little airy-fairy. She played beautifully.

The adjudicator was listening for musicality, not just technical ability, he said, from the 12 or so contestants. And obviously Sophie-Lee managed to get a bit of musicality in there because she was again awarded a Highly Commended.

So there you go.

Around the Garden

2011-08-05T13:20:00.001+10:00

In June I walked around the garden taking photos. Today (and yesterday and the day before yesterday) I scrapbooked the collage of photos that I took. This follows on with the purple theme that I am up to in Nic Howard's Colour! Or is it Color? class at Big Picture Classes.

(I might have to move that capital J down cos I keep reading "inc".)

:D

I bought myself a cabbage

2011-08-05T12:03:00.003+10:00

It was a couple of years ago now... I was walking along and saw these cabbages sitting outside a florist shop. I bought myself one - it made me happy. I thought I would extend the purple happiness by planting the cabbage but my thumb is NOT green (or purple) and the cabbage died. But not before I had enjoyed its purple and almost teal green beauty.

Otherwise known as Kale or Boracole this ornamental cabbage has become a popular item as a floral decoration.
Here's a photo I took recently of a cabbage arrangement in a restaurant.

You guessed it! I'm up to purple in Nic Howard's Colour! Or is it Color? class at Big Picture Classes.

:D

More Blue then moving on

2011-08-02T13:45:00.003+10:00

They're up to purple in Nic Howard's Colour! Or is it Color? class at Big Picture Classes but I got stuck on blue. At last, I have finished my blue layouts. It was hard. I think it was mostly because I was lacking in any choice of blue papers and cardstock and embellishments..

It really is AWESOME to be able to go to the beach in the middle of winter. Instead of swimming the kids get creative with sand and shells.

Reuben didn't want go to the city and see the Vivid light show around Circular Quay and on the Opera House. But I think he actually enjoyed himself. I'm looking forward to next year's display. It really was fabulous - especially the show on Customs House.

It doesn't matter what the weather is like, it is always a wonder to look out across the bay. I love the colours of the beach, the sea and the sky. I can hardly believe that we live within walking distance of this lovely scene.

:D

Blue, Haiku and other things

2011-07-28T17:49:00.000+10:00

Neither of these presentations of my blue layout for the Colour! Or is it Color? class is what I started out with. I will spare you the wordy details. Suffice it to say that all I could think was "Finish it and you never have to look at it again!"
So here it is in all it's blueness!

Things I learnt...
Blue is not one of my favourite colours but I'll get over it.
Haiku ain't that easy to write. If you want to have a go check out this article - it's the best one I found on the topic.
Belle seems to have the knack of writing Haiku. Check out her Hump Day Haiku blog post.
When things aren't going to plan, save yourself some stress - just walk away. That's what I should have done with this layout rather than trying to work it out in my sleep. SIGH.

The other day Belle told me about the "get a real camera" ad campaign - they have posters that say things like "If your camera also sends text messages, that will explain why your photos are rubbish."
I don't think so. I like my Instagram and Hipstamatic photos and all the other camera apps that I have, as does Cathy Zielski who has made a fabulous template to use with your iPhone photos (or any photos really) . But I must admit, after a while of just taking iPhone photos I crave to take photos with my DSLR and my (possession is nine tenths of the law!) phat lens.
Both cameras have their positive points. Horses for courses!

I'll leave you with a (or is it an) Haiku by Cathy Zielski.

Runs are like scrapbooks.
Actually! That's not true.
Forget I said that.

40 years

2011-07-28T07:03:00.005+10:00

Forty years ago today we (my Dad and Mum, my sister and I) arrived on the shores of Western Australia having left Southampton on the 4th July - Pommies in a new land. All I knew about Australia, besides the fact that gooney birds had hilarious landings, was that it was hot and there were snakes and spiders everywhere. I cut my doll's hair so that she wouldn't be hot and had nightmares about the ground writhing with snakes and my body being crawled over by spiders.

We travelled on a Chandris Lines ship called the Britanis (you can read a bit about it's history here and see photos of her sinking here). Besides being revoltingly seasick on the first morning and chucking up in the doorway to the dining room I think we had a fairly happy time on the ship. My sister and I were free to roam the ship or stand on the stern and watch the flying fish. We were always on the lookout for porpoises but I don't remember seeing any.

We travelled via Las Palmas. Dad and Mum bought quite a few souvenirs from this place. A Spanish doll with a lovely red and black dress, salt and pepper shakers (and maybe a sugar bowl) made out of pottery in tones of brown with black stick figures, and a tablecloth (I think). These travelled with us and Mum probably still has them tucked away in her cupboard.

The party that they threw for crossing the Equator was great fun with all sorts of antics and acts incorporating a King Neptune, bikini-clad mermaids and kippers. There was a guy (maybe King Neptune) walking around the edge of the pool with a bowl of water and an egg whisk and he was whisking water at the people that happened to get the front row view of the entertainment. One feisty lady wasn't to be beaten (no pun intended) so she ducked under the rope and pushed the fellow into the pool. That's the way I remember it anyway. Maybe it was all part of the act. :)

There was a fancy dress party too and my sister and I were dressed up as old ladies. Our hair was powdered to look grey and we borrowed hats and necklaces from other passengers. I remember not really wanting to go to the school they had for us little kiddies to learn all about Australian currency, flora and fauna but we endured knowing that there were other more fun activities planned.

The only other stop that I remember is Cape Town in South Africa. We caught a cable car to the top of Table Mountain. I remember seeing beautiful wild flowers growing in the little rocky crevices. And being cold!

Just before we left England my grandmother gave me a pink glass globe light shade that she had designed.
I carefully carried it in hand baggage so that it would survive the trip over. I still have it, although it hasn't seen the light for a few years now.

It was the middle of Winter when we arrived and Australia was neither hot nor crawling with creatures when we were greeted by my Mum's second cousin, Aunty Margaret, and her husband, Gene, who promptly pinched our cheeks in a way that I forever after intended to avoid.. All our warm clothes arrived weeks after we arrived. I have no idea how we got by but we did.We stayed at Noalimba Migrant Hostel. We were only there for a few weeks (I think) and my sister and I managed to get the chicken pox. We went to Bateman Primary School during that time. I don't remember much about that school except that I was in grade 3 or 4 but I was up to the grade 7 spelling book. It was red.

It was while we were at the migrant hostel that I became familiar with some of the native flora. The berries that looked like blackcurrants were not blackcurrants and I thought I was going to die cos I ate a few and then was told that they were poisonous. My sister and I came across some puffballs that we carefully approached sincerely believing them to be snake eggs. Eventually, a local kid kicked one open to prove that it was a fungus.

Oh the joys of those first few months in Australia. By Christmas we were living in Hamilton Hill - a small community consisting mainly Italian migrants with a few Pommies and Australians in the mix. Many of the English migrants didn't make it through the next two years. The culture shock pushed and the homesickness pulled and they ended up going back where they came from. Not us. We stayed.

In those days we didn't have a telephone but Mum was an avid letter writer and she kept in regular and consistent contact with all our rellies in England. Being able to tell them that we went to the beach for a swim on Christmas Day or that we drove 100km for a picnic were a couple of the novel things to write home about.

Our first barbecue was an experience to be written about too. Some friends took us to a park and cooked us sausages on an open grate that was conveniently placed in the shade of a Eucalyptus tree. Most of the sausages ended up being severely overcooked. Not wanting to waste a single morsel Mum ate a lion's share of the solid charcoal sticks. I'm not sure that I even ate one. :)

I am pleased to be an Australian citizen and have never used the privilege of having dual citizenship for myself to go back to England. I have pleasant childhood memories in England and that is all. A few years ago now I drew a mud map for my daughter of the village I lived in and she was able to navigate around Colerne and take photos and videos for me. I don't have plans to go to England either - I'd rather travel around this great South land and see all the wonders of this country.

So there you go - 40 years, and loving it!

:D

Do Not Call

2011-07-21T15:32:00.002+10:00

Yesterday I had a call from Terence in the IT Department of Global Tech.

He said that he was ringing about viruses on my computer.

He went on to explain what viruses are and how they lodge in your hard disk and make your computer go slow.

I said "My computer goes slow"

He said "Ah that would be the viruses."

I asked him what his number was and he said 1086

I then asked what his phone number was and he said

080 282 020 35 and he said it was a toll -free number.

He then said "switch on your computer now and I will guide you through the process..."

I said "I'm not in a position to do that right now"

He asked "When would be a good time to be able to do that?"

I said "I don't want to. I will get my husband to look at it"

He said "Ok." and some kind of bye bye and we mutually hung up.

This afternoon I had another call from Global Tech.
I have reported both calls to Do Not Call because my number is registered with them.
That is all I am going to say about it for now.

This is how the conversation went...

Margaret introduced herself and said she was calling from Global Tech, saying that they had received error messages from my computer and that they could help me to fix them.

I asked her to confirm her name and spell it. It may have been Marfrit.

So this is how the conversation went...

Me: Where is Global Tech?

M: India

Me:How do you know there is something wrong with my computer?

M: Because the error messages from your computer go straight to the International Server.

Me: How do you know it is my computer?

M::Because it is from your IP address.

Me: What is my IP address?

M: 192 168 01 (she didn't mention any dots)

Me: How did you obtain my IP address?

M: Everyone who has internet has an IP address which is registered on the International Server and Global Tech received error messages that there is something terribly wrong with your computer.

Me: How did you get my phone number?

M: We got it form the International Server.

Me: What is your contact number?

M: Toll free 877 623 9180

Me: That doesn't sound like a normal number.

M: You have to add the international call number. Which for you is 61.

Me: Will that cos more?

M: No. It is toll free. We have another number for the U.S.

The reason for my call... You haven't let me tell you why I am calling because you are asking too many questions. The reason I called is because we have received error warnings from your computer which have been sent automatically to the International Server.

We are going to fix it for you.

Me: How?

M: We have highly specialised technicians. They will log onto your computer and guide you on what to do. You can watch what they are doing?

Me: I have had enough now. I think you should get a different job.

M: (Offended) How can you say to get another job? I am doing this to help with your computer.

Me: There is nothing wrong with my computer and you have no legal right to call me.

M: (said some things that I didn't catch). If you ignore this call, any time very soon your computer will break down. It will crash.

Me: I am prepared to take that risk.

M: What?! You are prepared to waste your money? To have a computer that won't work any more? And you have to get another one? You are prepared to make this kind of waste?

Me:I am not going to give you my details and access to my computer:

M:(Placating tone) We're not going to do anything. We are just going to show you what to do. Without our guidance you will never be able to see all the things wrong.

Me: No. I will report you to the authorities.

M: I'm telling you honestly. What are you choosing?

Me: I'm choosing to NOT deal with this through Global Tech.

M: We are here to help you out.

Me:I don't want you to.

M: Who is going to help you?

Me: I'll do it myself or get someone I know to help me.

M: No one will be able to help you. This is highly specialised.

Me: Do you have a website?

M:www.globaltech.com

Me: I'll look into it.

M:Are you going to hang up.

Me: Is there any more information that you can give me?

M: (mumbling about me asking so many questions and repeating the error message stuff while I am writing down the conversation) What are you thinking?

Me: I am writing down our conversation.

M: (In an accusatory tone) You are sitting at your computer, aren't you?

Me: No. I am standing at my ironing board writing down everything and now I am going to go.

At which point I hung up and terminated the conversation.

It's Not Easy Being Green

2011-07-17T16:01:00.003+10:00

We're up to green in Nic Howard's Colour! Or is it Color? class at Big Picture Classes.
I'm afraid green is not really on my list of favourites. Don't get me wrong, I like green, but not as much as pink, red, orange, purple or even blue. Even brown, black and white come before green.
Having said that, there are occasions where I just love green. For instance - green fractals.
If I had to pick a green I'd go for lime green and definitely not shopping bag green.

Enough said.
No monochromatic green layouts for me here.
Bendy Girl - the next layout in my series on "I can do a lot of things but I can't..."
Caitlin can bend herself in half. I don't have a bendy bone in my body but Caitlin was born with gymnastics running through her veins. This is just one of the positions she can contort herself into.

And Moses.
Moses is cute no matter which camera app I use to capture his smiling (and not smiling) face on my iPhone. Here's a little selection of ~~less than~~ perfect photos of Moses in July.

Would you like to know what camera apps I have?
Instagram
Hipstamatic
Pano
Camera+
Pro HDR
You Gotta See This
Polaroid
Retro Camera Plus
Plus the camera that the phone came with which is just called Camera, funnily enough!

Inspirational Blues

2011-07-15T07:32:00.000+10:00

The other day I saw this blog post and watched the video and was inspired by the beautiful blue journal entry.
Then I saw an ad that was all blue (I can't remember what it was for).
Two days ago I saw a big blue sign at some water-based business and the urge to do something blue really struck.
So today I did something blue just for fun.

Our days have been crisp and blue. Cold, crisp and blue.
I used to love winter. I used to say you can get warm by putting on more layers but there are only so many layers you can take off to get cool.
Somehow that has all changed. I don't know if it is the cost of heating that has put me off winter or my warmth-loving thyroid. Either way, I don't love winter any more. I'm not complaining, because the weather is fabulous, but I am very much looking forward to summer.

21 Years

2011-07-14T14:46:00.002+10:00

Here's just a little layout commemorating 21 years of marriage.

So what's it like being married for 21 years?
Simple answer - Like this!
It's nothing like being married for one year or seven years. It's not like being married for 10 or 15 years.
21 years feels like 21 years!!
We continue to learn more about God's love and mercy. We continue to grow in grace. We continue to become more like Christ and we continue to realise that without Christ we can do nothing.

I like the passage in Philippians that says "In relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:" and then goes on to tell us what that is like. You can read it here - Philippians 2:1-18.

Flexibility

2011-07-12T19:04:00.000+10:00

Caitlin is so flexible that she doesn't realise that she's doing something unusual with her posture.
The other day I turned around and saw Caitlin relaxing (you couldn't call it sitting!) at the computer with her legs up in the air doing semi splits while playing a game. When I asked her what she was doing she said "Playing a game." I guess that was obvious. I saw the legs first!
If it's not the splits in the air then it's the splits on the ground. Or she bends herself in half - backwards!
That's just the way she is.

This is a yellow layout for Colour! Or is it Color? by Nic Howard at Big Picture Classes.

When I went to put this layout in the album it was an inch too high. I'd forgotten to cut it down to 11 inches. Fortunately it wasn't all stuck down permanently and I managed to trim it at the top and the bottom. You wouldn't even have known, eh?

Cartoon 2682 from DoghouseDiaries made me think of Caitlin. Ha ha ha. She likes to flip herself or flop herself or just split herself at any and every opportunity.

DoghouseDiaries 2682

Notable

2011-07-11T12:33:00.002+10:00

Here's another layout in my series of what the kids can do that I can't. And we're up to orange in Colour! Or is it Color? by Nic Howard at Big Picture Classes.

Since she was very young music was a language that Sophie-Lee could understand. She can compose music in the same way that her dad can take photos and her mum can scrapbook. Music seems to run in her blood.
Sophie-Lee doodles on the keyboard and random pleasing music is the result.
Not only that but Sophie-Lee has perfect pitch - something that has come in handy on more than one occasion.

One day, not long ago, Sophie-Lee asked, "What's this tune?" and sung it to me.
You know... DunnaLA dunnaLA dunnaLAla. DunnaLA dunnaLA dunnaLAla. (Can you can hear the tune in your head?)

How on earth do you work out what a song is that you have in your head (and half the time can't even sing it out loud in any recognisable way?!)

Well I started with Google.

I searched the most popular classical music that people know and came across a site that had samples of the top 100 classical music pieces. To help out it has keywords like: powerful; rousing; scary; wedding; horses; lively; and more.

I decided the tune that we were looking for was lively so I listened through all the lively tunes.

Nope.

Then I listened through all the rousing tunes.

Nothing.

Then the light tunes...

You get the picture.

I ended up listening to all 100 samples just in case my idea of a suitable keyword was different to the creators of the list.

That took quite some time.

Then Sophie-Lee comes out of her room and announces "Found it!

Mozart Symphony 40 in G min"

(If you want to listen to it you can find it here - it's the first movement)

How did she find it?

She played it on the piano, worked out it was in G minor and looked up G minor works.

Ta da. (Gotta love Google)

I said, "What if you played it in the wrong key?"

Soph said "I don't do that!"

True story! And an example of how perfect pitch can come in handy.

Scrapbooking Series

2011-07-08T20:30:00.014+10:00

I have decided to do a series of layouts about what the kids can do that I can't.

I will tackle them in no particular order with no particular deadline.
Here is the first - combining red and pink on a layout for the Colour! Or is it Color? class at Big Picture Classes.

She can juggle a soccer ball.
She can play soccer. Not only one game a week but three games in a weekend.
She is Susannah. July 2011.

I like the colour combination.. I've done it before - all these are from 2007.

And I'll probably do it again.

:D

The Entertainer

2011-07-04T14:11:00.000+10:00

I have a little bit of a scrapbooking bug.

The other day I took my real camera with the phat lens to the park to take some decent photos rather than the snappy shots I take on my various iPhone cameras.
While we were at the park Declan and Hudson played football (the one with the rugby ball), Susannah, Sophie-Lee and Malachi played soccer, and Caitlin and Reuben played on the the play equipment. There were a couple of other kids at the park and they were highly entertained by Reuben's slapstick humour. He would run up the slide and then fall flat on his face and slide back down. Or he would run towards the children playing and then pretend that he hit a pole or the bar and fall down dramatically. All the time the two children were laughing their heads off. The more they laughed the more Reuben acted. The more Reuben acted the more the kids laughed.
Later, Reuben was happy for me to take a few photos of him. I decided to scraplift a layout that I previously scraplifted from Leeann Pearce a few years ago.

:D

Seeing Red

2011-07-02T20:06:00.000+10:00

Do you remember this layout? Well here we are with another of the same calibre. It seems I am starting a trend - fun/funny photos of me and Peg.
And Peg has done something with it too which you can see here - in fact I stole her words!
I've decided to change formats for a while. I've just about filled my 12x12 album so I am going to aim at filling my 8.5x11 album with my Colour! Or is it Color? layouts. It's different working in a smaller space but I like it.

Oh! And...
See the white and black with a touch of red card behind the main photo? It is one of a whole pile of cards that I collected with my friend at the Finders Keepers market in Sydney in May. I am thrilled to have used it rather than just leaving it in an ever increasing collection of stuff.

:D

Colour My World

2011-07-01T20:30:00.001+10:00

In 2007 I did the Scrap 52 Challenge using 52 Scrapbooking Challenges by Elsie Flannigan.

I used to have two of these books but I can't even find one at the moment so I can't tell you what the #35 challenge was but I produced this layout for it. I also remember being inspired by a digital layout by someone whose name also escapes me. (My memory for names is almost non existent).

Ahhh. After much brain strain and thinking out loud, it came to me - C. D. Muckosky.
BTW, my layout doesn't look anything like C. D.'s layout, which, if I could find a picture, I would show you.

Hennyway. I decided to do me another rainbow layout.
I started with these tags that I did for Nic Howard's class Colour! Or Is It Color?

You know I'm a fan of rainbow ordered stuff and the black background just heightens the pleasing visual effect. Mmmmm. So here's my latest rainbow layout - Colour My World.

There's no black and white with kids!!!

:D

Dear Photograph

2011-06-24T11:37:00.000+10:00

I really like this idea - Dear Photograph.
I might look through my photos to see if I can find a photo of a place that I can still visit.
It could be a good excuse to take a holiday to Western Australia.
Or Tasmania.
Or England!!!

Snowflakes

2011-06-17T17:00:00.000+10:00

Many years ago I found this website that showed how to fold paper to make snowflakes. Today, I decided to do it again including the younger kids who had never done it before (or couldn't remember having done it) and an older kid who couldn't resist having a go.

Snowflakes are amazing. Here are some links that I found all those years ago.
A little scientific explanation about snowflakes and snow crystals.
A snow crystal gallery
How to make snowflakes with a lot of links down the side.

PS: I really can't handle seeing 8-pointed snowflakes in winter decorations.

'Sydney' Canvas

2011-06-17T16:29:00.000+10:00

I thought "Why not?" when I saw the 'Sydney' Canvas Competition that they're running at the Craft and Quilt Fair in Sydney next week. Being a deadline person, and not accounting for the fact that I would have a significant chunk of time where I wouldn't be able to work on it, I left my artwork to the last minute. Now I have to trust that Australia Post has delivered my parcel in the express manner for which I paid.

You can see my canvas (and vote for it) along with many others that will be displayed in a huge canvas mosaic at the fair.

'Love Sydney Like Crazy'.
Sydney Morning Herald, gel medium, acrylic paint (with paintbrush, masks, stencils, Posca paint pen, and the edge of a credit card), tissue paper, matchsticks, Swarovski crystals.

:D

Hudson and Moses

2011-06-08T19:31:00.017+10:00

I've been having fun putting layouts together using Nic Howard's Cluster Embellishing class as my starting point inspiration. Here is the latest. - a photo of Hudson holding Moses.

For a change I decided to have some 3D effects with the photo and some of the embellishments. I went outside early this morning to take a photo of the layout but the shadows were too long so I left it to take closer to midday. Then I forgot so ended up taking the photo with longer shadows in the afternoon. Ignore the tuft of dried grass at the bottom of the photo!!!
I really enjoy working with all the Basic Grey stuff - it's so easy to put together.

We interrupt this programme...

2011-06-04T21:52:00.000+10:00

...to bring you a spot of pink.

There's only a short amount of time goes by until I just have to to something in pink. So here it is. My latest cluster embellished page featuring Caitlin looking cold at Colo River. The kids were determined they were going to swim in the river despite the wintery temperatures. Brrrrrr!

:D

Around the yard today.

2011-06-04T21:32:00.000+10:00

What you might find:
Fruit: one passionfruit, measly mulberries, kumquats (I think), mandarins hanging over the fence.
An insect
A weed
Red flowers
Pink flowers
Parsley
Pinecone things
Fences
and a rusty gate latch with padlock

:D

Birthday Boys

2011-05-31T13:53:00.035+10:00

I've had the photos for these layouts sitting on my desk since the day after the boy's birthdays at the beginning of this month. Finally, I cleared my desk off enough to actually see my cutting board. I think it gave me some space in my head too.

I am a fan of Nic Howard's scrapbooking and when I saw a little workshop on how to do Cluster Embellishing at Big Picture Classes I thought I would have a go.

Have I go I did and these are the results so far - layouts about the boys and their birthdays.

Oh! And you might notice that each layout has red typewritten journalling. That's cos I broke open the typewriter I acquired from freecycle and got hooked on typing. The black isn't as dark but the red works well and it fitted in with my colour scheme just fine.

A Rude Awakening

2011-05-24T07:03:00.001+10:00

I am not sure whether I was woken by DH moving around the room or by the droning of what I thought was an alarm.
"What's that?" I muttered not fully waking.
DH said he didn't know. As far as I was concerned it was coming from the clock/radio and I was wondering why on earth DH wasn't dealing with it.
I must have dozed back off because, when Douglas announced that I should call the Fire Brigade "There's a car on fire", I thought he was dreaming. Nevertheless, I sprang out of bed, simultaneously trying to make sense of the sleep-befuddled information assaulting my brain and heading to find a phone in the dark. (I'm not sure why I didn't just use my mobile next to my bed!). In the dark I dialled what I thought was triple 0 and was told by the voice on the phone that she was sorry but that number could not be connected. I tried that twice before I gave up the home phone and grabbed my mobile, called 000, and saw what DH was talking about - a vehicle fully on fire, horn blaring, obviously triggered by the blaze, on the street two doors down from our house.

Oh my goodness!!! I have never seen anything like it. I watched warily from the corner of our house fearing that the car might explode. DH was more daring and went up close to take photos.

Evil-smelling palls of black smoke poured into the street-lit sky. We could hear the fire engine coming and I thought the boys (huge fans of our emergency services) would like to witness this event so DH went and woke them. Hudson was so excited that he went back inside and woke Malachi as well. The Fire Brigade arrived pronto and doused the fire within minutes.

DH got ready to go to work. I went back to bed hoping to catch a few more zzzzz's before my alarm went off. Engines rumbling, reversing beeps piercing the quiet, hammering, banging all ensued as the charred remains of what was once a Mazda van were removed. Finally there was some quiet before the first bus of the day drove past and my alarm went off but there was no more sleep for me. :(

So there you go. And it's only 7am!!!

More Watercolour Paintings

2011-05-23T14:06:00.002+10:00

I took some time out on the weekend to experiment with painting different flowers.
Some were a goer.

Edited to add: I decided I was going to paint a/an hydrangea on Friday. On Friday evening I had a fabulously fun spontaneous night out with a friend at the Finders Keepers markets and saw a watercolour of a/an hydrangea (of all the business cards I collected, I do not know which one it is!) that was very beautiful. Then, would you believe it, I visited elvie studio and she has painted a/an hydrangea!!!

Some were not!

Playing With Watercolour

2011-05-20T14:58:00.001+10:00

Many Many years ago I puddled around with watercolour paint for a while. It has been a long time since those tentative brush strokes - years - but I'm back. The re-inspiration started with Martha Lever's Color Drop Flowers.

I acquired, let's just say, a cute portable set of water colour paints and got stuck right into painting.

I felt a strong need to paint chooks. Not actually paint chooks but make a painted rendition of a chook or two. Or three!!! That strong need was provoked by another watercolour artist that I admire, David Lobenberg, and his Chinese-style rooster.

As an aside, Milind Mulick's watercolour paintings are fabulous. I particularly like this one. His wet/shiny surface renditions are outstanding!
Hennyway. Back to the chooks.

I still haven't decided whether or not to put pen lines around the chooks. It's a hard one.
So, then after the chooks I just wanted to paint but I didn't know what so I just doodled - a different type of doodling.

It's actually a very small painting - maybe 3 inches high.
When I was doodling I painted a pear as well but I can't find it. Maybe it is buried in my art room somewhere. Or maybe I actually gave it to someone. Here's a picture of Martha Lever's pear instead.

And then I did Martha Lever's Color Drop Flower class. Of course, I had already tried to do it myself but having the little technical hints and seeing it done sure does help.

Here are my first, but definitely not my last, colour drop flowers after doing Martha's class.

Just in case that is not enough inspiration for you....
Lori Vliegen (who I know not - not that I know any of the bloggers I link to) has obviously been doing Martha's class as well and she has taken it all one step further and made it her own. She also played with a stamp and gave it a watercolour effect - I want to try that too.

That's all for now.
Note: I know I have used 'color' and 'colour' in the same post.
:D

Feeling Inspired

2011-05-19T19:21:00.002+10:00

Feeling Inspired. That's the name of Valentina Ramos' blog and I tell you what! I'm inspired. This girl can doodle - big time. I love her cute little piggy.

So I've been having a go myself. The nice thing about doodling is that you don't have to think too much - it has a soothing effect. To me, anyway! :) I do think - my mind ponders many things - but I don't have to think about what I am drawing. There are no proportions or perspecives to take into account. There's no measuring and approximating. And, if I am sitting on a train, I don't have to worry if the person opposite me is watching.

Double-sided Mixed Media Thing

2011-05-10T16:15:00.000+10:00

Just a little bit of fun on a little bit of foam stuff.
:D

Updates from my Sketchbook

2011-04-27T17:24:00.000+10:00

Did I ever show you the cover of my sketchbook? Well here it is (again?). I'm using a 2009 diary that is too heavy to carry around so I just pull out a signature or two at a time and carry them around in my bag. They were getting a bit tattered so I smarted up to pieces of cardboard as covers. When I fill up the pages I take them out (and put them in a pile to be dealt with) and replace with fresh pages to be filled.

I've decided I would much rather doodle or draw inanimate objects than try to sketch people's faces. It's not too bad if I know the person or if they are asleep but seriously, I don't get much satisfaction from faces.

Gimme Gimme Gimme

2011-04-27T12:20:00.000+10:00

That's what Moses looks like when he sees my phone/camera.

Every time I whip out my phone near Moses, usually to take a photo, Moses is very , very interested in my phone. It has a bright pink bumper which seems to be the main attraction.
Fortunately for Annelise, she has a normal, unattractive (to Moses) boring black phone. It has no attraction at all. Even an old Blackberry in the toy box holds no attraction. Moses only wants what he can't have.

More Basic Grey Elements Sticker mix and match fun!!! And this is number 5 for the Blue Bazaar Crop Bootcamp - I'm just plodding along.

Photos

2011-04-25T22:16:00.001+10:00

It is lovely to escape from the demands of the telephone and Internet and that is exactly we did for a few days last week. Here are just a few photos from our time away.

Note: Click on the photo and you will see a bigger version.

Friend

2011-04-25T21:40:00.000+10:00

Sometimes the best friend to have is yourself.

Hudson is the happiest when he is playing on his own.

I created this layout with a mix and match of Basic Grey Elements Stickers - 'twas easy and fun.

:D

Virtual Kaleidoscope

2011-04-25T17:25:00.001+10:00

Check out this fun creative activity.

Yesterday Today Forever

2011-04-12T20:44:00.000+10:00

Here's one I finished today. This one was completely from my head but, as you can see, I am influenced! :D

Creative Relief

2011-04-11T23:09:00.001+10:00

The opportunity for some creative relief came in the form of a whole Saturday (as in a whole Saturday - from Friday night to Sunday morning) to do as I pleased.
I was pleased to easily fit some scrapbooking into my usual Saturday chores.

My first layout was helped along quite nicely by taking a few bits of inspiration from Louise. While I was having fun working in pink and Glimmer Mists and masks and tissue paper I did a second background ready to roll when the next scrapbooking opportunity comes my way.

For the second layout I used Nic Howard as my inspiration. As I was putting down my layers I thought about how appropriate it was to do a layout with a photo of a butterfly, cos if I remember rightly Nic is into butterflies in a pretty big way.

Beauty in the Backyard: One morning we woke to find both a male and a female papilio aegeus butterfly in our back yard. Here is Caitlin holding the female. We've tried hard to find the caterpillars but we can't see any evidence of them even though we have quite a supply of citrus trees in our back yard. They must be loving on someone else's Rutaceae.

And guess what?! Blue Bazaar is having another Crop Bootcamp so these are the first two layouts for that. 2 down, 28 to go!!!

SO there you go.
:D

Launched!

2011-04-07T09:23:00.003+10:00

Low iron - In February I wasn't allowed to give blood because my haemoglobin was low. This is what God used to get me to the doctor and what has launched me into a completely new phase of life dealing with my thyroid.

What I have been researching and thinking about.

Severe Hypothyroidism

Autoimmune Thyroiditis

Rheumatoid Arthritis and it's link to Hypothyroidism

Naturopathy

Homoeopathy

http://www.logosresourcepages.org/NewAge/na-med.htm

Celiac disease

Living without wheat/gluten (like, REALLY living without it) and what is there to eat?

Making rice bread (NOT cake!)

GOPAN bread making machine

I'd already been looking at...

Mercury poisoning
Other poisonings
Amalgam removal
Multiple Chemical Sensitivity - this is THE most helpful site for understanding MCS and people who suffer with it. It's worth a read - every page.
House plants to reduce toxins

The best plants for offices

From failsafe Newsletter http://www.fedupwithfoodadditives.info/newsletters/FAILsaf66.htm

Q: Do you have come any suggestions to get rid of the smell of new furniture (a wooden wardrobe for my very food and chemically sensitive 3 yo daughter??

A: there are a number of options.

· Ventilation, the more the better, may help – e.g. windows open with a fan is a good idea, or you could put the wardrobe outside on a sunny, dry day.

· An air purifier - good ones are not cheap, e.g InovaAir E20, see review http://www.productreview.com.au/showitem.php?item_id=57950

· You are probably aware that flat pack furniture from China can have appallingly high formaldehyde emissions (Cheap Chinese furniture 'may poison you' http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/toxic-risk-in-imports/story-e6freoof-1111117892668). If that’s what you have, my advice (based on experience) would be to get rid of it and buy a new one. Home renovator forums say that the best way to avoid VOC emissions in board products (furniture, kitchens, bathrooms etc) is to buy at IKEA because they abide by the strictest European standards for VOC emissions (Australia has more relaxed ‘voluntary’ standards). For more information on VOCs in homes, see http://www.sustainablehomebrisbane.com.au/bcc1.pdf.

· If you already have an IKEA wardrobe, formaldehyde is not an issue there is another possibility - it could be the natural smell of the wood that bothers you. Being a plant product, some trees (and their timber products) contain more salicylates than others, e.g. camphor and sandalwood are the most obvious. These will gas off over time, or you can hasten the process by using an ozone generator in the same room as the open wardrobe. Powerful ozone generators – we use a RainbowAir on our roadshows - can do the job in a short time such as half an hour, but should not be used when people are in the room as they can aggravate breathing problems for asthmatics. They work very well for cleaning and deodorising the air in a room.

Congratulations (or commiserations) if you got all the way to here.
:D

PS Watch out for some creative relief - I know I need it :)

A Peek in my Sketch Book

2011-03-08T22:58:00.000+11:00

I have been using the pages from a gold edged diary to do my sketches on. The diary is quite heavy so I pull out a signature and carry it around in my bag. I am in the process of making some covers for the pages cos they get a bit tattered in my handbag.
Oh well.

Here are some pages in no particular order (that seems to be the way lately). DO you want some quick explanations? Okay.
At church - you can tell by the notes.

On the train to the city.

At church.

Marrickville Library - the time when Declan said he couldn't find a book to look at!!!

Caitlin in hospital in one of the moments of the 4 hours we were waiting to have an x-ray to see if her ribs were broken. They weren't.

Dr's surgery - obviously not a long wait.

Nate's dedication service (also my birthday). I like drawing the backs of people - it's much easier!

Susannah's foot - at church.

Inspired by Alisa Burke's shell page.

But obviously, I was already inspired by Alisa Burke cos I had done this one - finds on a bushwalk with a friend, and nanna and the kids.

And this blog post has inspired me no end. I heard about it from here, which I also found helpful.
I no longer fret about proportions or anything, I just draw. It is such a relief.

On the train into the city to go to the International Student Festival where our friend Kelly was nominated for International Student of the Year Award.

A parked car in Marrickville on Monday night while I was waiting to pick up Soph from her first babysitting job.

With this last one, which I did today, I drew my first line - the kerb - and that blue car came and parked right in front of me. He could've parked further forward or further back but, no! So, the blue car was incorporated. It may have saved me some angst drawing the front of the house. I don't know.

(See the ground around the picture - dry, dead, waterless lawn!!! Sydney in Summer 2010-2011)

That's all for now.
:D

A Catch Up

2011-03-04T23:33:00.000+11:00

It has been a long 3 months.
Long because I haven't felt like I have had the time to do the things that I want to do let alone the things that I need to do.
Never mind though, I am crawling out of the slump and may just get a couple of posts in before I slip back in or come out into the sunshine.
So here's a bit of a catch up. A collection of evidence that creativity does not cease just cos you can't see it on my blog!

In no particular order and with little explanation ... here goes.

Susannah's Grid Art - inspired at art class with P.O.P.
It was a matter of which looks better, white or black? So, as I do, I suggested taking a photo first.
You decide? It's permanently black now. Another way to do it is to colour it in digitally and decide then make the final marks if you like it.
I like it either way.

Then there are Susannah's Manga 12"x12" posters.

While we were in Armidale at the beginning of the year Caitlin starting sewing this little Cushion at Grace's place. She was very pleased with the finished piece with a cute little button sewn on for good measure. Thank you, Fay :)

Every so often a Lego creation emerges that just needs to be captured on camera - that's what I thought when I saw this cute robot. It's nearly as cute as the smile!

Soph started it. I found these pieces of fabric and wondered where they were from what they were for - Soph bought them to make a bag. Eventually, with a deadline, we (the royal) knuckled down and got a bag made. And we (the royal) were quite pleased with it.

A hurried couple of photos before Soph headed off to Summer Camp show you a bag with legs!!!!
It is a roomy, completely reversible, multi-functional bag. The only problem is... the red ran all over the shop and now the inside, which was the white cherry fabric, is pink and not so photogenic. But it has these cute neat seams showing and all. And it's supposed to have buttons on it. Maybe they are on the inside.

I'm not sure if you've seen this before. You may have see the photo. James Day (it's there in the gallery of wedding photos) took it at Alex and Danika's wedding. Well Soph decided to draw it in art a couple of years ago now. This is a case of take a photo of it and throw it away. So we took a photo of it but then couldn't really part with it so it is sitting in a portfolio under a wardrobe ready to be carted from place to place for years to come. :)

How cute are these Fire Engines that Declan has drawn. Made all the more special after just reading this post about the uniqueness of drawing. (You wouldn't believe the trouble I went to to get these drawings here - mysteriously annoying! They're in now, thankfully!)

Here's another case of take a photo and get over it. This time we did and the Lego has been pulled apart so that others can use all the pieces. Also by Declan. Made in early January, sat high up on a shelf for no one to see or touch and finally brought down, photographed and dismantled. We printed out a photo of it so that Declan could stick it on his wall, at his request. :)

And last but not least, a construction made by Malachi out of K'nex. I quite like the photo too, even if I say so myself! It kinda reminds me of a hairy caterpillar. :)

I asked around a number of times to see if anyone else (like Reuben and Hudson) have made anything that needs to be photographed but, no.

Reuben has been creating in Blender, which is, and I quote, "... the open source, cross platform suite of tools for 3D creation." If your eyes glaze over at this point, I completely understand. But wait til you see what he can do with Blender. One day.

Hudson on the other hand has been creating fashion statements that revolve around soccer and should not be seen in public. For instance, pajamas with a World Cup Soccer design for Germany, Bexley North FC soccer socks that come up to his thighs, soccer boots (that actually fit him now) and his soccer ball. Or yesterday, Just some normal clothes - t-shirt and shorts - but then some normal socks pulled up to the knees covering the shin pads, and normal shoes. Such great looks. I will have to capture some of these "high fashions".

That's all for now.

:D

Another Love Post

2011-02-14T19:34:00.000+11:00

We made a concertina card for Daddy to say "I love you".

We took our inspiration from Crayola.

Here's another video.

:D

Who do you love?

2011-02-14T10:54:00.000+11:00

Jesus said, '"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.'" Luke 10:27

I have this song in my head this morning :)

I love God.
I love my husband.
I love my family - immediate and extended.
I love my friends.
I love people.
I could go on....

Lots of love
:D

A couple of layouts and an explanation

2011-02-10T18:33:00.001+11:00

I have done 2 layouts this year. This is my leanest year so far since I started scrapbooking in 2003. By this stage last year I had produced at least 12 layouts and other projects as well. And other years I have produced nearly 50 by the end of February.
Well not this year. Besides moving, other things have taken their toll on my time and motivation and creativity.

And then, as I mentioned last post, my camera stopped working.
I have now borrowed a camera (a Canon 5D) and have managed to work out how to at least get a photo of the two layouts I have done so far. That's a good start, eh?!

The first layout: I started doing this layout the day after Declan's birthday. I think I finished it about 10 days later.

It's called 8 candles but really Declan had one candle and we lit it and he blew it out 8 times. That was fun - different. Inspiration came from a variety of sources - most predominantly this one and another one by this one by Kathie Link.

The second layout was inspired by Nicole Pomeroy's layout and then combined the kind of ideas that Kathie and others use. I really would have liked to doodle up a little yellow bicycle matching the cuteness of Julie's Yellow Taxi but I also wanted to use the Crate Paper bicycle that was in the kit that I won (unknowlingly for 10 days) from the Blue Bazaar Blog.

Here's the result - a happy combination of products and inspiration. That's Declan and Hudson on their new bikes.

That's all for today.
:D

She Sells Sea Shells...

2011-02-10T08:28:00.001+11:00

More appropriately and equally as tongue twisting - She sees sea shells by the sea shore - maybe not equally as, but close.

There is a certain fascination that I have with shells. There is a mystery about them. Something special. I think the children find this so as well.
When we first arrived at Brighton Beach we could hardly get ourselves into the water for the sheer addictive delight of finding so many wonderful shells. We collected, we sorted, we collected some more (we swam) and collected, into the twilight.

The other day I decided to take some photos to show you the kids of sea houses we have found. All was going along flowingly (trying to allude to the movement of the sea) until my camera crashed. It just stopped right in the middle of me taking photos. End of story.

Well not really, but I'm being dramatic. My camera is away for repairs (oh how I want it back) and I have been left feeling like there is an empty space - a camera-shaped space - in my life. Fortunately for me, DH is a photographer and he has lent me a camera to tide me over.

Here are the photos I took before my camera dumped me. Sorry there is no size reference, except the one with my index finger pointing at the tiny shell. After that photo I found a teensy weensy shell about a quarter of the size of that one.

One day I might look up Sea Shells of NSW and see what these beauties are called.

Project 30

2011-01-18T09:04:00.001+11:00

Project 365 has become quite a popular challenge over the past few years. I've followed various friends and artists as they eagerly set out on their attempt to take a photo every day for a year and I've been there as the stragglers are still clicking away at the end of the year.
Me? Tempted? No.
I'm happy to do a photo a day for a month - Project 30, if you will.
I've done that for 3 years now. I usually do September or November - the 30-day months.
Last year I did November and they have been sitting in a file waiting for my attention.

So without further ado... (click on the collage to see a bigger version.)

So, what can you see in my 30 photos?
A pretty weed
Moses and Mamachi
Mal with a macho towel arrangement
The kids on Caitlin's birthday
My paints arranged in rainbow order ready to be catalogued (Gosh, that was fun!!!)
A collection of garlic stalks!!!
The reproductive part of an hibiscus flower
A sketch of Soph at piano lessons
Kelly's hand with her new nailpolish
Graffiti at Kingsgrove Station
The contents of a fun parcel from Glenda
Hudson in his favourite get-up - soccer pajamas, soccer socks, soccer shoes - has been known to wear in public :)
Knotted Slinky - Caitlin still has hers in perfect condition. Guess who doesn't.
My ironed ironing pile - that was in November 2010. Since then I have decided not to iron - a decision of epic proportions! ( Just to clarify - I've decided not to iron and to put the t-shirts straight into the kids' draws cos they look the same when they come out anyway.)
A background made to be chopped up to make decorations etc. I'll show you some cards that I made some time.
Part of a page I did in Dina Wakley's AJ103 - LOVE her classes.
The tip of my new found Posca Paint Pen - Australia's substitute for Shaprie Paint Markers and a fine substitue they are too - they're awesome!
Young Nick, awkwardly posed, on Waffle Day (our new Sunday tradition - still going strong)
The cutest chookie ever - can't remember her name - so calm and placid.
Selfie - Me and Kelly
Hudson being a bunny at the P.O.P. (People of Praise - homeschool drama, dance and art) performance.
Happy Little Vegemites with rosy cheeks
Collection of found things while packing my art room
Jacaranda skies - words cannot describe the sheer delight I have in the pretty purple carpet made with jacaranda flowers and now we have one in the back yard. I can't wait 'til November 2011.
Drop sheet for my inking projects
Caitlin - first swim of the season
Soph sitting by the pool
A photo of a reflection of our van in a window in... you guessed it... Earlwood! I take photos of the reflection of our van. No, seriously. I do!
Inky fingers
The kids LOVED P.O.P.

That'll do ya.
:D

It has been a long, long time.

2011-01-04T21:08:00.000+11:00

It has been a long, long time. I'm sorry :(
Since the 13th November (my last post) we have moved house - that's no small feat from any perspective.
Unlike the last time we moved where my art room was the first room set up, this time my art room is the last room to be sorted - it's nearly ready to roll though and I can't wait to do a bit of scrapbooking, art, or craft.
While I am/you are waiting here are a few of my favourite creations from the past year (in no particular order)..
Interestingly, 2010 was light on as far as creating was concerned - probably (what's the term??? - oppositely proportional????) to the amount of stress.

I'm looking forward to 2011.
Some say that what you spend New Year's Day doing is the theme for the year.
I'm good with that!

Playing with Paint and Ink and Stencils

2010-11-13T16:26:00.000+11:00

There was a time when I could not bear to get ink and paint on my fingers. I'm over it. :)
Yesterday afternoon the kids played in the pool and I played with a friend in the cool.
We made the most of an opportunity to whip out the stencils, ink, paint and go for it.
It's amazing how much you learn as you experiment.
Here's a sample of what I did with my fave stencil - Mary Beth Shaw's River Rocks stencil - Tim Holtz Adirondack Color Wash Inks, and a bit of black acrylic paint.

So, a great Color Wash back ground...

Gotta love those Posca Paint Pens!

I made a print with the black paint left on the stencil and while the stencil was on the page I sprayed the colour in. Oh how I love the result!!!

I wanted to see what the whole thing would look like with a black background so I purposefully took this photo with the intent of Photoshopping in the black.

Then without an ounce of agonising I filled in most of the background to see what it looked like. I like. :)

And then after my friend went home and I was packing up I got all arty with my administrative duties and sprayed some envelopes and added a layer to my Art Journal page and then printed the excess on a spare sheet of paper. Mmmmmm. I love those colours.

All in all... very satisfying.

That's all for now.

After Andy Goldsworthy

2010-11-12T18:57:00.000+11:00

Clover flowers
beheaded
arranged in a spiral
patch of dirt
back yard

Onion weed and rambling rose
hot sun beating down
green grass
back yard

Mandala
wet-the-beds, clover flowers
wind whipping up the gardenia leaves
sun drying the flowers
back yard

Message from Malachi
onion weed and elephant ear
hot sun
back yard

As you are probably already aware, I am a HUGE fan of Andy Goldsworthy. And again I have been inspired by him when I watched this video yesterday.

And now I wish I could find the After Andy Goldsworthy creation that Annelise and I made many, many years ago. I really have no idea where it is, although I know I saw it not that long ago.

:D

Yes! I am alive!!!

2010-11-11T22:23:00.001+11:00

And I have been squeezing in a bit of art journalling here and there (with the help of Art Journaling 103 at Get It Scrapped with Dina Wakley) just so that I don't go completely insane.

Here is a pictorial catch up.

I was trying to do watercolour technique with inks that didn't respond in a watercolour way and happed upon a different and very fun (also addictive at the time) technique.

Then I was working with Tim Holtz's Adirondack (I love that word!!!) Color Wash - they are AWESOME. Remind me to show you what Soph did to her boring t-shirt.

This one says 'OME is where the ART is, but in my zeal for layers I have managed to make it so that the first word I see is VOMIT!!! Sorry if you didn't see that - you'll see it now - maybe.

Testing out my Posca Paint Pens, Australia's substitute for Sharpie Paint Markers and a fine substitute they are too - they're awesome!

That's all for now.
:D

Hallowe'en

2010-10-31T17:19:00.000+11:00

Who'd have thought I would do a post on Hallowe'en?!

I'd be surprised if we don't get a few knocks on the door with costume-bedecked kiddies asking for a trick or a treat. This is what they will get if they do - a simple ATC-sized card with a fashionable skull and cross bones on it. I didn't realise how hard it was to draw until I tried this!

Hennyway.
This is what one person has to say about Hallowe'en.

It's odd, isn't it, that Hallowe'en is such a big deal in our secularized society in America today? In the pre-Modern world the threat of impending death from plagues and wars, as well as uncontrollable disease, loomed large in people's daily lives. Death could not be ignored. Themes of the Last Judgment, Heaven, Hell were on people's minds, and the art of the period illustrates this. Consciousness of personal sin, repentance, confession and penance and the Church's role in forgiveness of sins influenced the spiritual life and devotion of most Catholics.

The omnipresent reality of death, almost daily experience of it, and people's authentic religious beliefs about it, along with ignorance and superstition and folk legend, led to an attitude toward death that often seems primitive, bizarre and alien to us, now.

Paradoxically, though, in our contemporary world — justly called a "Culture of Death" — people often seem to be "in denial" about death. As a culture, we avoid not only avoid coming to grips with personal sin and the consequences of evil, but we deny the spiritual value of the suffering and pain associated with dying, which are a part of the human condition.

Then there's this informative article about Hallowe'en.

What will you being doing on this hallowed evening?
Me? Chatting with the children about the great gift that God has given us in the Lord Jesus Christ - and how Christ's death has set us free from sin and death and hell - while we await the arrival of the dreaded chicken pox!

Sunday Special

2010-10-24T16:44:00.000+11:00

There wasn't enough time to squeeze waffles and pancakes between soccer presentations today so we're having something different.
I saw this post and combined it with Caitlin's desire to make something with the pastry we have and this is the result.

Not quite as good looking as Alisa's but definitely a good tasting treat in our household.
Four different fillings - plain brown sugar, carob, sultanas, choc chips. Take your pick :)

Beautiful Things

2010-10-22T07:31:00.002+11:00

Where do I start? In no particular order....

Beautiful daughter with her beautiful son.
Beautiful paper (see the whole range and drool, but I think you can't get it any more - so glad I got one of each) designed by the beautiful Kate Mason exclusively for Blue Bazaar (Ok. The beautiful Blue Bazaar!).

But wait! There's more!
Inspiration from the beautiful Finnabair and this beautiful page in particular.

And then there's the beautiful Prima products - SO beautiful.
And Basic Grey's fantastic range of products - LOVE their alphas.
Oh, and Glimmer Mist - it's beautiful!

The result...
A page I am very, very happy with (my new favourite). Beautiful!

P.S. What's with the postage stamps? Nothing. :)

Snuck Up On Some Scrapbooking #2

2010-10-20T11:36:00.002+11:00

The second layout I did was helped entirely by copying one of my favourite scrapbooking artists - Kathie Link. And, again, it was for The Color Room.
I've probably said this before, but Basic Grey is my all time favourite scrapbooking manufacturer. I particularly like their Element Stickers - very usable. And use I did.

Okay, so you might need a magnifying glass (so to speak - it wouldn't help really because the photo would be all pixelated) to see this photo but it is the idea that counts.
In April this year (yeah, that long ago) some Sydney homeschoolers headed up Sydney Tower to check out the scenery. Then a friend and I took our kids down to Customs House where Stephen Wiltshire (AMAzing artist) was drawing the scene that we had just seen from Sydney Tower - FROM MEMORY!!!
The kids played amongst the pole installation and I captured a moment. Fun times.

PS Layout 21 for the Crop Bootcamp at Blue Bazaar.

I Snuck Up On Some Scrapbooking #1

2010-10-20T11:16:00.002+11:00

I've worked out a way to do things that I want to do but don't know if I really have the time to do them. I pretend I don't care if I don't do them. I pretend I am not going to do them.
Things like going to a homeschooling mums' get together or even just to the park with the kids - I shrug my shoulders and decide I'm not going. Then I get everything done that I need to get done and Lo and Behold! I can go after all.
This is what I did with scrapbooking yesterday. I went into my art room, picked up a photo grabbed a piece of cardstock and voila! Not only that but I managed to do it twice!!!

So. The first layout I did was of Chris and Elyse from way back in June when we went to Cabarita Beach for the celebration of Dad and Mum's 50th Wedding Anniversary.

I saw a layout by Iara Gomes-Baer at The Color Room and I liked the folded look that she had on her page. Iara's page is digital, I think, but as you already know I don't do digital (I don't think I am going to be able to say that forever... I'm inching towards it).
Hennyway. I promptly got a piece of my favourite Kraft cardstock and folded it randomly (in a rather precise fashion though) and then inked it on all the creases and corners. I raided my boxes of Basic Grey and whipped up a simple but satisfying layout. Cute, huh?

This is layout #20 for Crop Bootcamp over at Blue Bazaar. At this stage it doesn't look like I am going to make 50 by the end of the month. Maybe if I pretend I'm not going to......

Around the Place

2010-10-20T10:55:00.000+11:00

Occasionally someone says "Quick Mum! Get your camera!"
So, without hesitation, I do.
Sometimes I need to be quick and sometimes it doesn't matter but you never know until you get there.

I take photos of hearts found.

And I take photos of critters found.
This pretty little thing (and I mean little - maybe the size of my baby finger nail) was on our front door. Look at the funny little fake eye! It wouldn't stay still so this is the best I could get.

Lots of Tens

2010-10-10T10:10:00.007+11:00

So, last year we took a photo of us on the 9th September 2009 and we thought we would have a bit of fun doing a similar thing on the 10th October 2010.

So, here's 10 of us at 10 minutes and 10 seconds past 10 o'clock on the 10th of the 10th 2010.

And here's a different 10 of us at 10 minutes and 10 seconds past 10 o'clock on the 10th of the 10th 2010.

Can you tell we had fun?
We had fun.

:D

PS Looking forward to doing 11s

Mixing up my inspiration

2010-10-04T15:32:00.005+11:00

You knew it wouldn't be too long before I scrapbooked Moses again, didn't you?
Well here he is - SO cute.

I took my inspiration from Julie Fei-Fan Balzer and, in particular, her Mr. Handsome layout. I also used inspiration for the title/s from two other talented scrapbookers - Kathie Link and Iris Babao Uy with this and this respectively.
Oh, and there was a tiny bit of Dina Wakley in the title too, but a whole lot more in my next layout, inspired by Dina and a layout that I can't find a link to.

I've enjoyed my long weekend. I hope you have too.

BTW, just for the count... these are layouts 17 and 18 for Blue Bazaar's Crop Bootcamp. It feels like a terribly long way to 50 and I know not if I will make it.

Au revoir.
:D

Discover Life

2010-09-24T21:31:00.004+10:00

This is Hudson and Declan on the rocks at Claydon Reserve, Sans Souci. It's my favourite soccer field just because of the view.
It is a rare occurrence now to see the boys quietly engrossed in something together. Usually they are kicking a ball around (or each other), rumbling on the floor, or just plain fighting!

Here's a thought....
Here we are living in TIME - that tiny speck on the continuum of eternity past and eternity future. How amazing is that?!
Choose life.

Layout 16 in Blue Bazaar's Crop Bootcamp. :)

Rage Cage

2010-09-24T21:25:00.005+10:00

On Wednesdays we do drama at a community centre. When we arrive early the kids play in the Rage Cage. This day Reuben was a little bit over-excited (I don't know why) and I just happened to have my camera.
Reuben's a crazy young lad!!
It is good for him to run around and let off steam (as Mum puts it) and be a mad man.
And hey!!! We get a good view of his teeth just before he started wearing plates to rearrange them.
I wonder if he will remember these crazy days and keep his fun ways all the way into adulthood.
Love him!! :)

PS This is layout 15 in Blue Bazaar's Crop Bootcamp.

Sunday Special

2010-09-12T14:42:00.009+10:00

I love Sundays.
Here are some photos from my day so far.

Weeding the front yard with Dh - very satisfying.
Inspired by Jill to take a weed photo but didn't actually take any until I just couldn't resist taking a photo of this caterpillar (or the hundreds of others that have invaded our existence with theirs).

I didn't stop at weeds...

After a very satisfying and successful weeding session I was happy to come inside and help the kids finish off making waffles.
Waffles (or pancakes) are going to be our Sunday Special on a regular basis, DV.

Then I made some magic sauce (recipe in Sue Dengate's book Fed Up) - Mmmmmmm.

Waffles with icecream, fruit and magic sauce - bonzer!

And then....
Malachi constructed a domino sun out of the dominoes that go with a little truck that used to move along and 'lay' domino eggs at just the right interval.

Ain't that cool?!
I even took a video of it. I will think about adding it to the post anon.

That's all for now.

I'm off to get ready for church - the cherry on the Sundae for my Sunday.

Ting tang tay!

Oh and PS...
Apparently there is no way of telling if a caterpillar is a moth or a butterfly.
While I was doing a search to see if I could find out what this caterpillar might turn into (methinks moths cos there are so many, but would like brightly coloured butterflies) I found these interesting bits of information about Caterpillars.

Did you know:

Caterpillars have several thousand muscles (humans only have about 500)

Caterpillars from the family TORTRICIDAE can move backwards faster than they can move forwards.

Caterpillars from most species in the family SPHINGIDAE have a wicked-looking spine on the tail, but it is in fact entirely harmless.

Caterpillars from species in the genus Doratifera have pockets of stinging spines that they evert when they feel threatened. These caterpillars are often called Spitfires, but they do not actually spit.

When threatened, caterpillars of species in the family PAPILIONIDAE evert a pair of horns from behind the head which produce a pungent aromatic smell, but which are entirely harmless.

Caterpillars from species in the genus Triodes feed on poisonous plants, and accumulate the poisons in their body making them poisonous to predators like birds.

Whilst most species of caterpillars feed on leaves, some burrow into the soil feeding on roots, some bore into trees eating the wood, and caterpillars of the moth Argyrotoxa pompica feed on Koala droppings.

The caterpillars of some species will eat nearly any leaves put in front of them, and some eat only plants of one family, but caterpillars of Leptocnaria reducta will eat only leaves from the Cape Lilac Tree (Melia azedarach).

The female moths of the Australian species Teia anartoides have no wings, and the species disperses by the young caterpillars making an open gossamer sail out of silk, and sailing away on it in the wind.

The fauna and the flora of Australia are very different from those in the rest of the world, and this is just as true of the Caterpillars as it is of the better known Marsupials. With the short history of European influence in Australia and only a small population, only a limited amount of work has been done on naming and identifying the various species. At a recent count, Australia was home to about 370 described and named species of butterflies, about 10,000 described and named species of moths, and with probably as many moth species again yet to be described.

So there you go.

Running Out of Ems and Esses

2010-09-11T15:43:00.004+10:00

Well, I can't call every second post 'Moses' even though I might just call every second layout 'Moses'. Although at the rate I am going I will have to get my Craft Robo out to produce the titles.
Or, I could make them myself.

Each time I have seen Moses he has been asleep. He transfers from cot to car, from car to pouch, from pouch to car, and he is still asleep!!
What a blessing this little boy is. May God bless him as he grows up into a godly young man.
Don't you just want to kiss that little nose?!

Mud, Glorious Mud

2010-09-11T15:10:00.006+10:00

Sand, water and sunshine!!! Sing it!

What better way to spend your childhood moments than with your hands wrist-deep in mud!? Forget the computer. Forget the Wii. Forget board games and books. This is pure, unadulterated fun!!
Mud pies.
Mud cakes.
Mud balls.
Mud gloves.
Mud paint.
Mud love!!!
I think I will add "love' to the title! - Yep. I will.

Love You Already

2010-09-08T09:35:00.003+10:00

Here is #12 for the Blue Bazaar Crop Bootcamp. No points for guessing where my inspiration came from... Yes, Loolabelle, again!
There's a 4.1kg (9lb 1oz) baby boy behind those loving hands. And only hours before he was in those loving hands!!!

Winners are Grinners

2010-09-08T09:18:00.004+10:00

Susannah's soccer team made it to the grand final. Susannah played on the field which helped to make the game quite bearable to watch. :) And they won! What a great end to the 2010 soccer season.

This layout #11 for the Blue Bazaar Crop Bootcamp.
Hopefully I can update with the proper photo soon but just imagine a whole bunch of smiling girls!!!

Taking in Some Inspiration

2010-09-06T15:23:00.005+10:00

The Kraft It Up blog put up this picture for inspiration this month

and they were kind enough to say "Remember you can take anything out of the image, the banner, the colours, patterns etc..." How cool is that!?!
So I did. The bunting, of course, which I have been busting to use on a layout and the natural woody tones of the furniture. At first I made the bunting the same colours as those in the pic but I ended up using the back of the bunting cos it suited my tastes better.
I took me a fair whack of inspiration from Loolabelle as well.
Put that all together and this is what I ended up with.

Moses

2010-09-05T10:53:00.003+10:00

The young lad was born on the 28th August 2010. From what I have seen of him so far he is a very calm, settled, placid baby. His little cry is so cute - it’s not an angry cry, it’s an informative cry - telling you that he is cold, hungry or uncomfortable and could you please fix it up soon.
I can’t really describe what it is like to be a grandmother - I don’t think it has totally sunk in yet. But one thing I do know, and have fully realised, is this… I can cuddle him and then give him back. I’ve heard people - mostly grandparents themselves - saying this but now I understand it in a very real way. I am not concerned about when I will get my next sleep but I am so totally willing to sacrifice some of my sleep so that Annelise can get the rest that she needs.
Oh the joys of being a grandmother!!! A new era has begun and I’m all for it.

Layout Number 9 for Crop Bootcamp at Blue Bazaar.

PS It's a long time since I used vellum and a long time since I printed my journalling from the computer. The former I may do again soon but the latter was a little bit trying. :)

Moses Meets the Aunts and Uncles.

2010-09-04T16:35:00.005+10:00

Or more correctly - the Aunts and Uncles meet Moses.
The kids were very, very excited and couldn't wait to have a cuddle of their very first nephew. Susannah was especially excited because Moses was born on her birthday.

This is layout #8 for Blue Bazaar's Crop Bootcamp. I cannot believe the ease with which I have been scrapbooking of late. Noice.

I have a question for you...
Should I have a separate album for scrapbooking of my grandchildren?
or
Should I just keep on doing what I already do and just add the next page to the album whenever I do it?
Whaddayareckon?
I'm tending toward the latter because I know, from experience, that I will run into categorising issues with the former and that will cause me stress. I like the asystematic approach.

From Mama to Mamachi

2010-09-04T14:09:00.006+10:00

I've been looking forward to becoming a grandmother for years and years - way before any of my children were at child-producing age. What an humungous blessing to become a grandmother - a crown for being a mother (Proverbs 17:6). Not only that, but it is a blessing to see my beautiful daughter grow so gracefully into mohterhood. I am so totally and utterly blessed.

Before Moses was born Annelise and I discussed grandmother names. We both wanted something different. Eventually we settled on Mamachi. Annelise read it (or similar0 in a book and I googled it just to make sure there was nothing unseemly attached to the name (there's not). So Mamachi it is. Or any variation that Moses might come up with. :)

This is layout #7 for Blue Bazaar's Crop Boot camp.

A Birthday Layout

2010-09-03T14:40:00.003+10:00

We had a birthday on the weekend.
Actually we had two.
But we celebrated Susannah's with a birthday cake and candles and a singing of Happy Birthday To You.

I'm on a roll with scrapbooking after weeks and weeks of nothing much. It is nice to just be able to escape, albeit momentarily, and recharge my creative batteries. This layout is number 6 at the Blue Bazaar Crop Bootcamp.

Goalie Girl

2010-09-02T19:23:00.004+10:00

Crop Bootcamp layout number 5 using probably one of the most difficult pieces of printed paper that I have ever owned. But somehow it came together quite easily and it loosely based on Pagemap 10.

Susannah has had a fun soccer season for 2010. After missing out on playing soccer last year it was very exciting to be able to play and it was a new challenge to be the goalie. The girls in her team picked Susannah after she saved a couple of goals in their warm up games. As a bonus Susannah got to do goalie training each week as well.
It is very very stressful being a goalie's Mum - not just when a goal goes in but always the fear of your dear girl being kicked in the head. Somehow Susannah managed to survive the season. I'm glad.

Waiting

2010-09-02T19:09:00.003+10:00

Here's #4 for Blue Bazaar's Crop Bootcamp.
I'm in the mood to scrapbook.

This one is based on Pagemap 23. Each tag is the date in August and how both Annelise and I were feeling waiting for the arrival of the baby.

Interestingly, now that I feel that I should use boy colours I find myself mildly stressing about it. Nothing really has changed to make me be concerned about what colour I scrapbook with but one might think something had changed if you heard my train of thought chugging along. Just sayin'.

A Double Page

2010-08-21T16:48:00.004+10:00

I've managed to sneak in a bit of scrapbooking this weekend and I have done two layouts that go together but could be viewed as two separate entities.
And they are going in my count for the Blue Bazaar Crop Bootcamp.

Intergenerational Friendship FTW

2010-08-15T17:14:00.002+10:00

One of my friends and I decided that you can have more than one best friend and I DO.
I am loving the intergenerational friendship that is developing as I grow older and here is a layout that 'celebrates' (for want of a better word) that friendship.

And then my friend suggested that I really should be in the photo, and seeing as the journalling really called for that, I digitally changed it forthwith - It was a bit tricky but it does the trick, wouldn't you say.

Journalling reads: Sharing the joys of grandmotherhood is the next stage of friendship through the generations.

I'm going to be a grandmother any day!!!!

PS FTW Definition, thanks to About.com - FTW today commonly stands for "For the Win". It is an expression of enthusiasm. "FTW" is the same as saying "this is the best" or "this item will make a big difference, I recommend using it". Examples would include: "anti-lock braking, ftw!", "spellchecker, ftw!", and "low-carb diets, ftw!"
So.... Intergenerational friendship FTW. :)

Getting Warmed Up

2010-08-15T13:41:00.004+10:00

I'm getting warmed up for the Blue Bazaar Crop Bootcamp.
It officially begins on September 1st but Blue Bazaar has released 5 initial PageMaps to start us on our way. You don’t have to wait until September 1st to get started so I got started. :)

Here's my first layout based on Layout 4. I really, really enjoy using up my offcuts and this time was no exception.

Bottled Sunshine

2010-08-10T17:58:00.006+10:00

Yesterday Annelise and I seized the opportunity to make some jam.
Mmmmmmm!

Question...
Should we leave the/some pips in the jam? Whaddayareckon?

P.S. It's Pear and Passionfruit jam!!!
We have an abundant supply of passionfruit/s at the moment.
Want some?

Cooking Creation

2010-08-07T21:23:00.004+10:00

On a very rare occasion I would watch a snippet of MasterChef as I walked past the lounge room. On those rare occasions I often learnt something.

For instance, I learnt that you should put the oil on the meat not in the pan (but I don't know why) and I learnt how to make spun sugar.

One other thing I noted was that we (that's Caitlin and me!) could make up our own Scotch Egg styled recipe, having been inspired by Adam and his Prawn Scotch Egg with a Coconut, Chilli Sambal.

So Cait and I mulled on the idea for a few weeks, waited for a time when we had chicken mince and the time needed to create.

That all came together this evening (well the idea and the chicken mince. The time was a little lacking but we persevered).

And now I present Cheggs!

Cheggs get the thumbs-up and a high-five and a bargaining request to have them once a month.

What do you think?

Hope your dinner was this much fun.

♥
:D

Oh, and I forgot to say...
They're baked, not fried!!!

Free Time

2010-08-01T21:41:00.006+10:00

I did a little bit of scrapbooking. It only took me a week! And it wasn't in my free time!

I've started taking my camera with me more often nowadays. And I took my phat lens with me as well. It's not that crash hot for moving subjects but it is certainly great for low light. I made the most of it.

The kids, along with other homeschoolers, do gymnastics at Australian Academy of Gymnastics at Belmore. What a grand name, eh? It's a grand building (you can look it up and check it out on Google Maps Street View) and very much like Armidale Town Hall inside, except that it is decked out with foam mats, trampoline and gymnastics equipment. You can get an idea of what it looks like in the photo on this page.
Hennyway. Reuben is prepared to endure all sorts of bending and stretching so that he can enjoy the thrill of jumping off the stage, or off the pillar, into the foam pit in free time.
And I managed to capture this happening adequately.
So there you go.

I am continually inspired by Julie Fei-Fan Balzer and I particularly like how she paints her titles onto her pages - like this one (I can't find the one I'm thinking of) and decided to loosen up my layout just a little by doing the same. 'twas fun. And easy.

♥
:D

P.S. I don't think Reuben is prepared to endure the pain of a broken foot (which he may or may not have) so he won't be doing this for a few weeks until his foot is better :(

Oddities

2010-08-01T14:55:00.003+10:00

I have a folder under Photo Themes called Oddities. It's for those photos that really can't be categorised elsewhere.
Here is my latest instalment.

Have you seen the likes of this before?
Me neither!

I've done a bit of Google searching and the closest thing is this - we do have pigeons hanging about our place and making an awful din on a sunny day. And it does look a little bit like a bird poop.

So that brown thing was stuck fast in the blue and it looks very much like a seed pod of some kind and if you look closely you can see some seeds nearby. I have no idea what the pigeon has eaten but that sure is the brightest blue I've seen in a long time - and right here in my back yard!!!

Just thought I'd tell you.

:D

A few things, in no particular order.

2010-07-24T14:50:00.005+10:00

So first up - I scrapbooked! Just like that.
I have been wanting to do, but not getting around to, the Kraft It Up challenge since the very beginning of the month. But finally I have done it. And d'you know why? Cos I have photos!!! Simple as that.
I was quite pleased with this layout. It came together without agonising and it was quick. You can tell who I am inspired by - this girl (and I'm pretty sure Louise is the one who introduced me to Kraft It Up), and this girl, and d'you know what?! I even managed to do the layout all by myself without looking at any other layouts to get ideas.

Ah, so you might be wondering what the layout is all about! Well it was part of Malachi's birthday-separation-from-Christmas celebration. The day started out with a much awaited present with brilliant acting from Mal - surprise, sadness, hilarity and more. We continued celebration in a park in Marrickville on one of Sydney's coldest days - it was freezing, windy and drizzly with occasional patches of blue. The celebration was shared with our homeschooling friends and one in particular who shares the same birthdate as Malachi. Much fun was had by all. And then we went home to warm up (if that was possible.)

I think I have finished this. It was fun and worked (mostly) the way I wanted it to. I was inspired particularly by this lady and her lovely art journal entries and there's definitely influence from this lady.
I was reading this lady's blog post about art journalling and she said, "So I've converted over to a daily art journal that works for me. Once every week or two I spend some time putting down color and then every day I just add little bits until the whole thing is filled up." I think that is what I do, just not daily. Very sporadically, actually.

And last but not in the least bit least...
Some more misting. Remember the misted jackets? Well here is the third instalment - a lace creation with Tiger Lily Glimmer Mist modelled so beautifully by the owner of the jacket herself - the beautiful Caitlin.

♥
:D

Crochet Project

2010-07-20T21:00:00.005+10:00

Some people have been asking me what I have been working on lately, since the upcycled denim cushion project, and I have to admit "Not much!"

But I have indeed been doing something - just a little bit.

For months, nay years, I have been inspired by Loretta Grayson and her awesome art work. It doesn't matter what she puts her hand to it turns out a colourful feast for the eyes, including an exquisite dessert!!!!
Anyway. Recently (but not most recently) I was watching as crocheted squares popped up on my screen and my crochet juices were stimulated.
A Babette Blanket, a "rainbow thing" (I just love rainbow things!!!), oh, just check out the fibre and textile section of Rett's Flickr gallery(?) and you may just get your crochet juices stimulated too. Actually check out the whole Flickr gallery of Loretta's work and have a complete feast for your eyes or a strong dose of inspiration.

Just as an aside... I say crow-shay and crow-shaying. That's how I was brought up to say it. Many Australians I know say crow-sher (where the e is a schwa) but that is not how I say it. Sometimes I feel a little self conscious saying it the way I do, but I get over it. Just thought I'd tell you.

Hennyway, back to the Crochet Project.
I was kinda self-taught when it comes to crocheting - much like everything I do, actually - so I thought I'd look up some how-to's on crocheting (ha ha - I just typed crotching! - that's a whole 'nother ball game) and I found this fabulous, simple, easy-to-understand Crochet School at Meet Me At Mike's.
I really, really like the colour combo in the second picture of Carina's Granny Square Joining Tutorial - check them out.
I went to Spotlight one day armed (in my head, at least) with a knowledge of what I wanted.
Then I had to make do with what was available. Being allergic to wool is disappointing, to say the least, and certainly reduces the colour range considerably.

I settled for cotton and acrylic yarn. Not a huge range of colours but I am happy with what I have chosen. Now for months, maybe years, you will see me with a bag of yarn and a crochet hook, producing little granny squares that one day will (God willing) become a blanket.

This is what I am working on...

2010-07-20T20:30:00.002+10:00

I have done more but the photo didn't do it justice so you will have to wait for the next sunshiny day.

Mandarin Madness

2010-07-18T21:38:00.005+10:00

I thought I'd better capture the mandarin moments before the memory of them faded as quickly the sweet mandarin marmalade and the mandarin and passionfruit jam that I made from a very small fraction of them.

Yes! Mandarins. Nearly 100 kilograms of them.

We started picking them (up) at the end of May - small, sweet and juicy, so the taste testers attested.
We took shopping bags full wherever we went and gave them away to all and sundry.
In early June we picked a crate full and took them along to homeschooling events to give away.
We picked a washing basket full and took them to church to give away.
We picked another washing basket full and sold them for a gold coin donation for a few or for many and put the money towards Sophie-Lee's mission trip (that has been postponed to September).
We picked another washing basket full and took them all the way to Cabarita Beach and sold them 5 for $2 (Deborah wouldn't let me sell them for less) and raised $130 for the Vanuatu Mission Trip (thank you Chris and Elyse for your generous donations).
On the way to Cabba we gave a couple of bags of mandarins away to our wonderful mechanic in Uralla (thank you for changing my tyre) and to Janelle (thank you for accommodating us in the middle of a very busy week).

And still there were mandarins!
The tree was heavily laden with fruit.
I made sweet mandarin marmalade.

Finally, one weekend, Douglas, with the help of Susannah, Robbie, Reuben, and Caitlin, picked ALL the mandarins. We did a rough weigh and worked out that there were about 60kgs of mandarins in the final pick.

What to do with 60kg of mandarins???
Some some went into marmalade and passionfruit jam. Remember the passionfruit? They're in abundance right now.)
Then I ran out of jars!

What to do with 58kg of mandarins???
I asked on facebook.
I asked my homeschool friends.
I asked the people at church.
I did some idea bouncing with my "ideas friend" (she knows who she is!).
And voila! The idea came!!!
I have a friend who visits at The Block in Redfern. I delivered the whole 58kg of mandarins to her and she took them to The Block.
Apparently, it didn't take long for the whole lot to go and the place was littered with mandarin peel. Nice.
What a relief.

Now I have a cupboard full of jars!!!

And that is the end of my mandarin story.

Decorated Pebble

2010-07-16T22:11:00.005+10:00

I saw Geninne's post called New Rocks and checked out the link to Margie's Covered Sea Stones and we just happen to have a supply of pebbles in our back yard so, I just had to try this.

I just used a Uniball Signo Gel Pen.

That's all for now.

♥
:D

Creative Kids

2010-07-16T18:21:00.001+10:00

The kids have been creating.
They rarely stop.

Here's a few piccies for you.

Mal (obviously).

Caitlin.

Susannah.
To black or not to black?
Whaddayareckon?

There are more but I mustn't have taken photos thereof.

That's all for now.

♥
:D

20 years!!!

2010-07-14T07:26:00.003+10:00