Monday, 23 May 2011

Busy day

Today has been a busy one at our house. After raking up leaves this morning I got it into my head that it was high time I cut down the dead conifer in our garden. Then I eyed up the large willow tree (the one that is dropping all of its leaves) and I must have had a moment of insanity because I made a very rash decision and decided to take the chain saw to that one as well.

 So, I'm not much of a 'woods man' and I almost took out a window and railing around our veranda.


 Andrew looked on with much concern, and plenty of instructions!


 By mid-afternoon I was pretty much over my rash decision. Guess what I will be doing for the next few
days...maybe even months!


On a brighter, craftier note I have been meaning to show off these amazing bags made by my very clever friend Kristi. This one she finished off when she come to stay. I sent this one to my sister for her birthday and she loves it.


 This one Kristi made for me, its totally gorgeous and totally unique. Thanks again Kristi!



Yesterday I received this very funky photo from Kristi. Not only can this girl knit shes pretty clever on her computer as well, and her OTP projects are something else again!
Thanks Kristi

Saturday, 21 May 2011

ATC's for remembering Christchurch

Recently I took part in an ATC swap, run through Birds of A Feather.
I thought you may like to check the cards out, the theme was Remember Christchurch and the colour theme was black and Red (Canterbury colours, of course)

This simple, yet stunning card was created by Ann and is a wonderful clear reminder of the Earthquake that struck Christchurch.


 Carol used a very clever transfer technique to create 'Rise Up'

Danice made her ATC's all a little different, below are some of her wonderful cards.






Kathy, was also super creative and has more than one design of card as well, each one is stunning.





Lainie's Gothic shape represents the ChCh Cathedral and the flowers, the garden city.



Nicki's lovely card says..."Let hope rise, Rise within you, Fill with morning light".



Robyn has created this 3D type master piece


Sandra, who experienced the quake first hand has replicated the 'shaking' so very well.


 I was amazed by the many, many people who pitched in and got behind Chch in its time of need, so my card is titled "lending a hand to Christchurch. My quote says   Faith is the strength by which a shattered world shall emerge into the light.

Over at Birds of a Feather we have another ATC swap on the go, we would love for you to join in, details can be found HERE

Thursday, 19 May 2011

A little bit on the sketchy side!

Hi there, just a very quick post to show you why i have been MIS over the past couple of months. I have been working on illustrations for a children's book written by a friend. I have filled my rubbish bin time and time again with reject sketches, but at last I seem to be making head way!
I think for the most part I just gave up being so fussy, and hoped for the best!
Below are two of my 11 completed sketches.


 Just two more pictures to go and I have completed book one!
I will not be giving up my day job to make a career of this any time soon. LOL.

Tomorrow I will be back to show you the ATC's from a swap I recently took part in.
Sweet Dreams xx

Monday, 16 May 2011

NZ Paper Chase, Winter Edition coming soon!


Projects include: 
  • “In my Grandma's stitches” – heritage home decor
  • “Edwardian Office” – stationery featuring 7gypsies product (note image also on cover)
  • “Cloth, paper, scissors” - multi media albums by NZ guest artists  
  
Layout features include:
  • Domestic Goddess – retro page spread
  • Animal Magnetism - celebrating ‘paw’ footed friends
  • “All the world's a stage” - clear cutting taken to the max
  • “A to Z” layout special
  
Card features include:
  • “Precious Metals” cards – featuring stamping onto clay with metallic paints etc.
  • “Friendship” cards – including latest ‘steam punk’ imagery
  • Birthday Bash – great ideas for cards and party favours  
  • Heartfelt travel – romantic travel correspondence

 

Wednesday, 11 May 2011

Where have the days gone??

Wow, here was I thinking that once I left my wonderful job I would have nothing to do! I was very, very wrong. I could write screeds and screeds on what we've been up to, but that would be pretty boring so here is a quick 'photo recount' that kind of covers the basics.

First up,I was super lucky to have a visit from an 'online blogger, crafty friend' Kristi in early April.
Kristi come and stayed with us for a couple of nights, which really was not long enough. However, we managed to fit in a visit to Mt Cook. Kristi had not seen much of the South island so it was a joy to show her some of the sites.

 We had the yummiest coffees and muffin at the Hermitage and dreamed about settling in for the night with a nice bottle of wine. (I know this photo is not a great one, but thought Id show you anyway)


 Darkness was descending on the mountain as we headed for home.


 The next day was my Mums birthday, so Kristi and I had a quick tour of the Elephant Rocks and Fossils around Duntroon, before meeting up with my mum, dad, Aunt and Uncle, and Andrew of course ,for birthday lunch.

 All too soon the time come to take Kristi to the bus station and wave her goodbye.



 Next, on the 15th of April, come my last days of work. I was treated to a scrumptious dinner and the movies by the lovely ladies I have been lucky enough to work with for this past year and a half.
 Then Cody disappeared into the hills with my camera for a few days. This is one of the photos that come back on my disk.


 During this time I was busy working on my projects for NZ Paper Chase ,  keep an eye out for the magazine, which is due on the book shelves soon.


By this time the School holidays were under way and people were coming and going, home was a little like Paddington Station, which was nice, we do miss having our children at home.
We had a lovely visit from Abby and Camden (about the time Cody was away with my camera). They disappeared and Aimee and Bridget ...and Dynamite (the rat) turned up, as did Cody with my camera.


 The girls stayed a few days and during this time one of Aimee's work mates (from her holiday job) was sadly killed in a road accident. So Aimee took Bridget back to Dunedin and returned to go to a funeral and help out at work.This was a sad time, as both of our boys knew Mitch as well, and it was quite a shock for them all to realise just how fragile life can be.


Aimee returned to Dunedin the same day as Debz and Pat (from Christchurch) come to stay with us to help with the Grape Harvest at Ostler Vineyard. The harvest is done by a team of volunteer's, along side a wonderful group of perminate staff. The money made by the volunteers goes to the Connecting People programme. This programme goes towards helping families and spinal injured people get back to a normal, as passable life. A big focus this year will be to help  those people who have suffered spinal injuries as a result of the Christchurch September Earthquake.

Andrew is the coordinator of the volunteers, and this really is quite a big job.


 Day one, and two were gorgeous days in the vineyard. It felt great to be alive and great to be part of this wonderful cause.


 I am sure you would not find a better team of people anywhere in the country!


 Day three, four five ....through to day 8 were wet,very wet, muddy and cold, but still friendly chatter and laughter could still be heard coming out from under the nets at quite a distance away. I donned a woolly hat, for the first time in my life, and layers and layers of clothes...I know I must have look a site but I really did not care, tyring to keep dry was a hopeless mission, but try I did!

 Saturday and Sunday brought two days off picking, well at Ostler anyway... Both days I was helping to pick my Dads grape crop, once again in the wet!

Now we are back to Tuesday and Wednesday Mechanics club with our very keen group of school
children. We are still grape picking, but its looking like there are only two or three days of picking left to go. Fingers crossed the rain will stay away so we can get on and get the job finished.

And...look, I managed to whip up a scrapbook page at last! I have almost forgotten how to scrapbook,and I'm not 100% thrilled with my efforts here, but its a start back in the right direction, I hope!

My inspiration come from this months sketch at Birds of A Feather..found here


I have used a bottle top for my metal embellishment (one of the requirements for this challenge). The image inside has been stamped and sprayed with Glimmer mist, then glazed with Glossy Accents.




I have made my letter tiles using paper clay and an alphabet mould.


That's about all from me for now :-)

My Favorite Musuc

Playlist


Download this mp3 from Beemp3.com

My Scrapping

Here is my finished latest painting

Here is my finished latest painting
This one is a hit with all the males who have seen it. I must say that I did not really enjoy painting a truck and it will be a one off for sure! Uncle David is now the owner of this one. Next project on thepainting scene is going to be a fisherman- for my Uncle Graeme who is wanting me to paint him something. Really need to get onto this one!

Finished at last- I think

Finished at last- I think
At last I think I have pretty much finished this painting for my uncle. Do hope he likes it.

My waterlillies

My waterlillies
one of my recent paintings

Naked Lady

Naked Lady
One of my last years paintings

Aimee and Bob

Aimee and Bob
A painting I did a while back for my daughter

Click on our house to see a little of where we live.

Thank you

Just want to say thankyou to those of you who have been kind enough to take the time to leave a comment or sign my guest book. Always get a buzz out of knowing people have been here for a wee look! THANK YOU!!

Check out my talented nephew Tony...he's the cool dude singing!