jodi's scraphaven

A Gratuity Catchup

2012-01-26T19:20:00.000+11:00

January 20

Today was my first day back at work without Emelia.

So like a naughty little girl

I turned to the chocolate...

So on Monday I was grateful for Marble Chocolate...

Is there anything better to make you feel happy!!!

Saturday I was so grateful for my Enchanted Fairies!!!

It seams that the Fairy Bookings I get are all Face Painting

and all last minute!!!!

The last one I ended up doing with Molly!

(Not in costume though!! Thank goodness for all the spectators!)

But today Meg & Molly were on hand to costume up

and paint faces for the opening of a new butcher shop in town!

January 21st I was grateful for my summer scarves!

Is there nothing better to cover your venerability than a scarf!!

I know its funny, some people don't have a problem putting their bare chests to the world!

I personally have massive issues with that kind of exposure!

I would do not like showing any sign of cleavage at all!

So If I dont have a collar to cover things up, I like a scarf.

I bought two from Ag Quip this year, a green one and a orange one and i wear them to death!

On January 2erd I was grateful for this shop....

Just Country here in Gunnedah!

If your a bigger girl with a few bumps to cover

and don't have a fortune

this is the place to go!

They recently got a huge shipment of gorgeous clothes in

and I doubled my wardrobe for a few dollars!

Incredible!!!

Then January 23rd kinda follows the same line as the previous two posts....

Today I was grateful to find a lovely light summer cardy

with a collar

So I could wear a necklace and not a scarf!!!

Love this little number

Really inexpensive too!

Yesterday I was grateful for Mum & Meg who worked tirelessly with me to get the decorations

done for the Australia Day Awards!!!

Thanks so much girls! :)

Here is what we did...

And of course today I am grateful

that I live in such an awesome country

Where we have the freedom to express our views

Live by our beliefs

Live in a peaceful country free from War

and so many other awesome things that make Australia a

Wonderful place to live!

Some days are harder than others...

2012-01-19T20:11:00.000+11:00

To find something to be grateful about...

But tomorrow will be worse!!! Much worse!!!

Today is Emelia's last day with us

She is leaving early tomorrow morning to head to Gin Gin

at 10 hour drive!!!

Ive been dreading tomorrow since Emelia came home.

I cried all last year

and I so really hope that I dont cry as much this year for missing her!

I am really going to try not to! But that being said, I really tried hard last year too, but it never got easier! Not one single bit!

So today, I was being brave

and Emelia went home from working early to finish packing her car.

I didnt cry!

I went across to Woollies and a friend ask me if she had left yet?
Well, that was it!

The tears started! And I just couldn't hang around the shop when Emelia was at home

without me packing her car!

So I put the closed sign on the door

and came home....

So today, I am grateful for comfort food

infront of the airconditioner

with Emelia...

We love these chicken things... yum yum!

When I came home, Emelia was up the paddock saying goodbye to Solo.

We have found (no shock here!)

That he is an angel horse with no saddle and no bridle!

If she comes home for a while after this course than we will have him looked at by a Chiropractor I think.

Although you would think 2 years without a saddle might help his back hey?
Who knows!

But he was side passing and everything in his holter and bareback again today!

Perfect dressage pony! If only he could do it without all the gear!!! haha

He looks so lovely for his neglect hey!

Lets see what tomorrow brings!
Wish me luck!

Although I should be grateful, I was talking to another Mum today who sent her No 1 son off to the Army. She works with him everyday at their job and has done for a few years!

She cant have any proper communication with him for 6 months!

Now that would be hard!!!

So I suppose I should be grateful for communication at least hey!

What I have been grateful for......

2012-01-18T20:54:00.000+11:00

The school holidays are coming to an end....

and I have spent the last two weeks crying!

I actually bawled my eyes out on Saturday coming home from work

about Emelia leaving me again!!!

So yesterday I was grateful, that I didn't cry over Emelia leaving!
We had the discussion about her leaving with a customer

and I didn't tear up or cry!

I was grateful for that!

Cause it is the hardest thing I have to do is let her go to live her life!

I miss her every minute she is gone....

(The scary part is, that this time she may not be back....... Its one thing the kids finding all the wrong guys, but a total different thing when they find the right one..... There is a lovely guy waiting for her when she gets back)

Now today I was grateful for a special present my husband made me some time ago!

I have watching it several times,

and by accident put it in my computer today cause i wanted to transfer some photos.

I saw this file on there and though "Whats this?"

So I opened it and the music started...

da da da, dadededa... da da da dadededa

It bough the biggest smile to my face

and I recalled it all day!

So today I am grateful for Stu's special little presents he makes me!

Scrapping is always something to be grateful for.....

2012-01-16T19:53:00.000+11:00

Today my Scrapbooking Classes started again at

The Scrapbook Nook....

The ladies made this:

It was a project I did for Kasiercraft right at the beginning...

So we did the texture paste technique with stamping through it.

I think they are happy with it!!!

Quite advanced stuff for beginners, but you have to start somewhere....

And while they were painting and stamping

I made this...

But I cant show you cause its for Scrapbook Creations upcoming feature!

So this is what i am grateful today,

that I spent the day doing something totally fun

with Fun people!

January's Kaisercraft Creations....

2012-01-15T16:46:00.000+11:00

Here are some creations made from my

Kaisercreaft January Collections..

'Lil Primrose Collection..

"Prince Charming"

"First Cuddles"

Oriental Birdcage

"Joy"

and from the Hummingbird Collection

"Medium Drawers"

Today I am Grateful......

2012-01-15T16:24:00.000+11:00

Simply stated

That both of my kids are safe under our roof today!

There are parents today that don't have that.

This Saturday I am Grateful for....................

2012-01-14T17:31:00.000+11:00

I don't know what I am grateful for....

Maybe to my husband for his unparalleled efforts to finding solutions for his torque problems

which in turn helped my torque problems.....

And grateful that his torque problems solutions also helped my torque problems...

But whatever it is that I am grateful for,

I am grateful that all but one are in the hole at 20 metres!

At the end of last year, I was so pissed off with this stupid bow it had been chucked in the cupboard never to see the light of day again!

But with a little bit of specialised adjusting, it might be fixable!

But look what happened at 25 metres.....

Ouch!
So its back in the cupboard now until I find my proper grip again!
There are way too many things that can stuff up in archery!

Grateful for such creative hands.....

2012-01-13T18:47:00.000+11:00

It might seam a bit egotistical this gratitude post.

But it is something I am totally grateful for...

I found a heap of photos of different balloon creations on the internet

and I use them to promote different creations that can be made from balloons.

A customer ordered this one today.

I did have an attempt to make this a few months ago just as practice,

but practicing isn't the same as making something awesome for someones gift.

So today I had to do one of these properly.

And like all balloon creations, its about technique!
I just had to study the photo and work out the technique.

Mum came in and held my creations for me while I figured out what i was doing

and on the third attempt, I worked out the technique to achieve the exact look.

I said to Mum, its all about technique,

there must be a technique!

And as soon as I figured it out, it all came together!

So for today, I am grateful for my creativity.

Its not something that everyone has,

but I am so pleased that I do have it.

It allows me to do what I love to do.

Here is my balloon tulip!

Its it awesome!

Its about 8o - 90 cm high!

Grateful for such gorgeous summer days!

2012-01-12T20:40:00.000+11:00

Hasn't this summer been wonderful!

So pleasant!
This morning was just gorgeous and it stayed mild until this afternoon

when I finally turned the air con on at work...

I am grateful for such a mild summer this year!
Im not a huge fan of the heat!
I love these mild days...

Those Paranormal Young Adult Book Readers out there.

I just finished reading this book on my ereader...

Crave by Melissa Darnell!

Ever heard of her?

I looked on her facebook page and she is so new, she only has like 49 followers!!!

All these awesome self published Authors we are seeing with the new ebook technology!
Love it!

Anyway this book is brilliant!

I couldnt put it down!

Definalty one of my favorites!

Here is a review that sums the book up.

An enticing mix of forbidden love, magic, betrayal, and heartache, this romance will leave your craving more. Melissa Darnell's beautifully told love story mixed with a rich vampire and witch mythology creates on of this year's most spellbinding paranormal romances.

Sav is a unique character I liked getting to know. She's feisty, level headed and fun. She also has an inner strength I admired about her. She's someone who at one time she had a lot of friends, and has since become some what of a loner, all because of something that happened during her childhood. One day "the clann" kids, along with her childhood crush were no longer welcome to play with Sav, let alone talk to her anymore, and she's never really understood why. "The Clann" are kids who come from a powerful line of witches, and they not only rule the school, but their parents run the town. They also have a long standing dislike for vampires.

I liked that this story is set in high school, because not only is Sav trying to blend into her surrounding, but she also has to deal with high school drama, the feelings she still has for her childhood crush and taking crap from her one time childhood friends. The entire storyline moved along quickly, but it went even faster once things change drastically for Sav, who develops some weird symptoms that in the process change her, quite a bit. Not only does she learn she has some pretty impressive powers, but she finds out her father is a powerful vampire, her mother is a witch and she's a Dhamphir. A mix of both a vampire and a witch is not only unheard of, it's dangerous, especially since she's a one of a kind. Now both the Clann and the Vampires fear her and want her dead, and her childhood crush wants back into her life.

My favorite aspect of the story is the romance. The love that the feelings Sav and Tristan have for each other started back when they were young kids who used to play together, and it's remained the same even though they've spent years not being able to talk to each other. I love that their romance started years before the story starts and it's one that only grows stronger as Sav and Tristan are now back in each other's lives. I really enjoyed watching how they rekindled their feelings, while at the same time deal with the threat that comes from their forbidden romance. My favorite part of their love story resolves around a tree and a box of valentine hearts, which I won't say any more so I don't give anything away. That whole story in itself had me sigh.

Crave is such a refreshing, intoxicating paranormal read. The mix of paranormal lore and the rich mythology Melissa created to bring her story to life made it hard for me to put this story down. The story line itself is fast paced, engaging, and includes some surprising twists that were both predictable ones I didn't see coming. It's a story with a well written forbidden love story I enjoyed getting lost in and in-depth characters I enjoyed meeting. I'm really looking forward to reading the next book in this series!

And I think the same!

Gratuity - Catch Up

2012-01-11T13:29:00.000+11:00

This is really starting to be a challenge

Although, I new It would be and that's why I set it for myself....

Its about trying to remain a little possitive about something each day

and not to let the negative of life get me down....

Alot of people are enjoying my little squirts of gratuity too now,

I've had a number of comments from people are town about it,

so the pressure is on!!!

So on Monday....

After getting into the pattern of sleeping right through after so long!

Its important that I keep lots of mind dead reading material handy!

By Mind Dead, I mean things I can read that are entertaining, that wont trigger any anxiety or worry about charactors... I started reading about Jamie (The Highlander!)v in the Scottish Prisoner, a book I've been waiting for for so long!
And I read one chapter and couldn't read it at bed time!
Jamie just causes to much anxiousness!!! lol

So I ready my teen novels

Vampires, Werewolves, Fairies...

So on Monday, I really appreciated my Ereader!
Because I didn't have any more brain dead books!

After reading Jamie for a Chapter lying in bed and it wasn't relaxing me,

I went and downloaded Crave from a bookshop

transferred it to my ereader and i headed back to bed for another great nights sleep!!

On Tuesday it was really quiet!

So without Emelia is the shop, it would have been very lonely!

So on Tuesday I appreciated the wonderful company that is Emelia!!!

She goes back soon!!

Very sad!
Dont talk about it, I will start crying again!!!

Now I know this seams like a broken record!

But when I have a rack full of Size 8 - 10 Dresses that need modelling for photos!

Who do i call???

I dont have to call anyone, the perfect person is right here!!!

Today I appreciate that my daughter was on hand to model the Dresses I have instore for me to take photos off.....

This one is a 14 and a little big for her.... But It looks lovely still..

Bargain Party Packs from Enchanted Events & Balloons

2012-01-08T19:21:00.000+11:00

I have listed some awesome Party Packs on Ebay.

These are themed

and contain either Themed Party Wear

or the awesome Paper Eskimo Party Wear.

All prices are 20% of retail for the kit.

You can add items as well like banners etc.

Here are some links if your interested.

Yellow & White Paper Eskimo Baby Shower Here

Paper Eskimo Froggie Party for 12 here

Paper Eskimo Lady Beetle Party Here

Paper Eskimo Butterfly Paper Here

Paper Eskimo Jungle Party for 8 Here

Paper Eskimo Pirate Party for 12 Here

Disney Princess/Paper Eskimo Pack for 12 Here

Australia Day Celebration Pack for 8 Here

Paper Eskimo Green Froggie pack for 12 Here

Great Value.

Only one of each full pack available, but other items can be purchased separately.

If you are interesting in any other Paper Eskimo Products, or any other theme, please email me at jodi@enchantedeventsballoons.com.au

and I can put together a quote for you.

Grateful for Tash just over the fence....

2012-01-08T17:19:00.000+11:00

There were a few things I was grateful yesterday...

And another one of them was for this lady!!

But the real gratuity came this morning after having my first full nights sleep in nearly 4 months!!!

Yesterday I thought I deserved a little pampering!

Its been a really hard few weeks, lots of emotional things happening...

So yesterday I thought I would treat myself to a lovely Pedicure!

Im so very very lucky

Because this fabulous lady Natasha Lyons

runs her Beauty On Linden from her home salon

which is literally 50 metres from my backfence

and she works after normal business hours for us working ladies!!!

So today, I am grateful for Tash for helping me relax and getting a good nights sleep!

And she scrapbooked my nails!!!

Awesome hey!

Stu things it looks crappy, but what does he know! Men??

Also, Ive been meaning to share a photo of this guy!

He is massive!!

He is standing in the driveway of Llyods house just behind us and next to Tash's place of pleasure!! Hehe

I went to school with Lloyd, and then he moves in behind us!!!

We went to school in Narrabri.

Lloyd is also the local Archery Supplier! Very handy hey!

The National Archery Association bought him

but he is just sitting in the driveway waiting to be collected!

He is a little on the thin side though?
You would think Lloyd would at least tether him on the grass!!!

He is a 3D Archery Target.

You can see his kill zones on his body!

Today Molly and I went down to the National Tomato Day at the Services Club.

We were a last minute commission for face painting!

It was awesome fun!
Here is one of my happy customers!

Hopefully tomorrows post will be just as much fun!
Today was a great day!

Day 7 - French Toast with Fruit & Syrup!

2012-01-07T09:35:00.000+11:00

I didn't get any sleep last night!

I am really struggling with this decision I have made to open the shop!

When I was at home, different things happen that effected my business, and yes I got angry about it,

but then I got over it cause at the end of the day, it wasn't that big a deal!

As long as i paid my gas bill i was happy!

But when things come along that effect my business now, the consequences are so much more worrying!

So hence, lots of sleepless nights!!

So I stayed in bed as long as possible this morning, then crawled out,

showered, war painted and dressed.

straightened my hair

and it was nearly 9am!

So on the way to work

I rang up The Verdict and ordered

French Toast with Fruit & Syrup and a Skim Caramel Latta.

They delivered it to me

and I really enjoyed it!

French Toast always makes me feel better!

So today I am grateful to the French for inventing the best breakfast in the world!
French Toast!

January 6 - AIRCONDITING!

2012-01-06T19:12:00.000+11:00

Today was shocking!

It started out hot today, beads of sweat were running down my forehead while i was trying to apply my make up this morning!

When this happens after a cool shower, you know your in for a shocker!

And to make thing worse, I had a backdrop at the front of my shop separating the shop front display from the interior, I thought it would open things up a bit!
Well it certainly opened things up, but now the sun comes in through those windows

and it really cooks the place!!!

Will have to rethink that backdrop!

Ontop of the stifling heat, there were also several negative things happen today at the shop

and it really puts a damper on the whole thing!

You leave yourself questioning your choices

and doubting your abilities

So ontop of all that., talk about hard trying to find something to be grateful for......

But then I looked up!

Yep, my aircondioner......

Its set right near where i work so when I am on my computer doing paper work

or I am at the counter doing balloons

Its there cooling me down.....

Ahhhh..... bliss!

But dont move away from infront of it or you will cook!!!!

So there we are, something to be grateful for after all.....

I'm Grateful for good times with Friends! - Day 5

2012-01-05T09:00:00.002+11:00

Isn't friendship something we should all be grateful for!!!

It started out with two like minded people, and then we turned into three and then along came four!

Its great to have such awesome Besties,

you know that they will be there for you through thick and thin

but you just have to remember to talk to them!
They aren't mind readers!!!

We have been through lots of different situations together,

through health & fitness, sickness,

children & teenage dramas

Huge changes and too much sameness.....

Through it all we stick together!

We didnt have as much time together last year as we were all pursing different interests,

but regardless we always make the effort

to celebrate each other milestones....

Here we are at Jack & Bridgeys Birthday Party at the Verdict!

I just adore this photo!!

Gratuity - 4th January - Earplugs!

2012-01-04T13:38:00.000+11:00

I've never been much of a light sleeper!

Infact I can usually sleep through anything at all!

But since I've opened the shop, down time in my brain means worrying about Money, about Window Decor, about my orders, about staffing, about keeping the floor clean...

anything and everything i worry about now and I was never a worrier!
I was like well if there's money there's money and if there's none than we are broke!! Kinda attitude.

So I have a routine now

I go to bed and read until my brain in clear and then just fall off to sleep.

But I am now easily woken and it irratates me so much, because I start to worry, I have panick attacks that make me sick in the stomach and the whole thing is just a catch 22.
I cant turn the light on to read and I was totally shocked that the ereader i got for christmas doesn't have a light to allow you to read in the dark!!! I mean, I would think that would be the first thing you would want in an ereader!!!

So I toss and turn, toss and turn trying to switch off. I finally switch off enough to drift into slumber and then Stu starts snoring!! I roll over and wake Stuart up cause he has always been a really light sleeper and then we are both tossing and turning and keeping each other awake!

So this morning at about 5am after being awake since 2.30 the birds started outside, and i just snapped!'

I dont wear earplugs because i have really small earholes and they hurt! But I squished and squished and got it small enough to shuv in only in one ear cause i couldn't find the other one in the dark.

So i slept on the side that didn't have the ear plug in and it was enough to drown out most of the noises!
Finally I got the sleep!!

So today I am thankful for earplugs!
Tonight i will put them in when i go to bed and hopefully I will have a full nights sleep!!

Jodi's 365 Gratuity Challenge - Day 3 "Kitchen Bitch"

2012-01-03T19:07:00.000+11:00

Day 3....

Stuart features in my Gratuity Challenge today

and I would say he will feature in many because of the marvelous things he does for me...

But for today I am grateful to Stuart because even though he works

~~very~~ ~~relatively~~ ok, somewhat hard doing his job from home,

he has taken on the mundane housewife stuff because I am now in the shop everyday.

He does the washing/folding and he cooks tea everyday!!

And he seams to enjoy the cooking too, where as I hate it!

And Im not the good at it, but Stuart seams to know what goes with what which is very tasty!!!

So today my darling husband, I am grateful that you took on the role as "Kitchen Bitch".

(As he calls himself!) Though i wonder, when i was cooking was this what i was called???

Enchanted Events & Balloons Blog....

2012-01-02T14:51:00.001+11:00

Have you joined my Enchanted Events & Balloons Blog yet?

Become a follower!

Click here to link to the blog

and click the follow button to get feeds when I post!

And the Facebook Follow button!

Thank you!

Jodi's 365 Gratuity Challenge - Day 2

2012-01-02T14:02:00.000+11:00

I was lying in bed this morning thinking about what I would be grateful for today....

Believe me, it was shaping up that I wouldn't be grateful for much and I hadn't even gotten out of bed!

So the day proceeded along...

Did some washing, stripped the bed and the dining room table..

Started to think about tea, so I grabbed Emelia and we headed to the shops!

Emelia!

In two weeks she will be gone again and for a full 11 months this time...

When she is home, she is a bit handy you know.

Wanna come for a run up the street? Yeh

Wanna decorate my window? Yeh

There is another female in the house to take my side!

She is always up to some kind of mischief and excitement which keeps life interesting - frustrating yes, but also interesting!

So today I am grateful to have my daughter home for a while...

I have to take advantage of the little remaining time there is left!

I'm sure there is still heaps of work she can do!! hehe...

No, I have to really get as much for her company before she goes back that I can without being all "clingy". She hates that!

Josh Turns 21 & Emelia graduates!

2012-01-01T19:50:00.001+11:00

December was massive

and Blogging was the last thing I thought about!

So now that i am gathering some spare time with the holidays

I will share some catchups!

On the 9th December My baby turned 21!

Because Stu went to Emerald to drive Emelia home, and it was just me & Josh

and the fact that Josh really isn't a party kinda bloke

we just had a little celebration here at home...

So I just got some Mud Cakes

I had a massive bunch of balloons delivered to the post office!!

and off course a huge bag of lollies and goodies he likes

He blew out his candles

which i missed with the camera!!! Grr and he wouldn't do it again!

And then he went back to what he does and i went back to what i do...

It was very quiet!

But the week before, he and his mates went to Tamworth to PaintBall.

There was a huge bunch of them

Because his mate Kane also has a birthday round the same time, so they planned this combined celebration!

He came home with this!

In the meantime in Emerald

Emelia was graduating from her Cert 3 In Agriculture specialsing in Horse Breeding.

Here is the Year at the College..

(Emelia is up the back on the right! She was very happy because she has NEVER been in the back row for a photo like this, cause she is so tiny she is always in the front!!)

And here she is collecting her Certificate.

Then earlier the kids had their Annual Ball.

It took me this long to get a photo!

Not happy about that i can tell you!

Here she is with her Boyfriend Shauny..

He bought her the pink corsage to match her dress! Isn't that lovely old fashioned romance!
But he is a cutey Shauny!

I haven't met him, but Stuart has. Shauny picked him up from the airport when Stu flew down to Emerald because Emelia was away on an excursion!

Apparently Shauny was so nervous, but Stuart was very impressed!
Stuart is never impressed by anyone Emelia has interest in!!

Hmmm?????

2012 Gratitude Challenge Day 1 - PARANORMAL/TEEN BOOKS

2012-01-01T18:51:00.001+11:00

This is going to be fun!

In 2007 I did a 365 days photos of me challenge

and it was fantastic!

And I know I am so looking forward to this challenge

Day 1 - I am grateful for my BOOKS

In 2011 I read approx 60 Books! Give or take a few...

All the books or most in the last few years are listed on my blog in order of me reading them!

I love to read!

The reason why I am listing this as a Gratitude is because I have always loved to read

I love to be transported into an imaginary place

and enjoy the complete freedom of thought that reading brings me.

This is the reason why i read alot of Paranormal and Teen Novels!
I like the separation from real life!
Real Life is far too stressful!

That being said though, I have been known to read Autobiographies and do enjoy them

but I wont read books about violence against woman

or real life violence...

Vampire and Werewolf Violence is ok though because its all just pretend anyway!

My favorite place to read is in bed in my jarmies!

Today I spent most of the day in bed, in my jarmies

reading this book:

Fateful by Claudia Grey

Set on the Titanic!

Wonderful alternative story with a little history thrown in there...

Have a Happy New Year

all my fantastic and appreciated Blog Followers...

I know the last few months have been boring

but i promise to have more instore for you this year!

In fact, it was also my BLOGGERVERSARY on the 30th December!

I cant believe i have been doing this now for 5 years!

Want to see my very first post?

You will find it here

Gratitude Challenge 2012

2011-12-31T18:16:00.000+11:00

I've been giving alot of consideration about my focus in 2012...

Anyone who knows me well, knows that 2011 for me was a personal challenge.

There were dreadful illnesses suffered by dear friends

Disharmony in my marriage

This is my first year of Anti-Depresents in 9 Years

Challenges with my Work and Massive Changes

but the one thing that had my crying most days

was the fact that my daughter left for college...

I still cant believe how much her being away effects me after a whole year!
I was talking to a friend the other day and I teared up about her going back to college and we still have her for another 20 days!

So 2012 is going to see a change of focus for me....

Im not going to declare that i will lose a tonne of weight

or give up anything that i enjoy

but I will focus on things that i am grateful for.

There are so many things that i am grateful for..

I still have my mum, who I love very much! Poor Stu doesn't have his Mum anymore...

My kids still have their dad, my dear niece & Nephew don't have their dad anymore..

I have a husband who loves me very much, where many people i love no longer have their husbands...

I have my health, Yes I am overweight, and i can use a few trips around the block, but essentially, I am healthy. I have dear friends that dont have that or are concerned about their health.

So in 2012..

You will see

Jodi's 365 Gratitude Challenge...

Everyday I will take a photo of something or someone I am grateful for,

or something have has bought a smile to my face, or made me feel good about myself

and I will share it with you here.

If you wish to join me, link in your blog in the comments and we can encourage each other.

But this is a personal journey..

Enjoy your New Year Celebrations.

For the first time in a long time, I wont spend NY on the couch! Yay!

We will see what Day 1's gratitude is?
Hopefully it wont be hangover related!!!

Book Review - The Infernal Devices Book 2 Clockwork Prince

2011-12-28T20:52:00.000+11:00

This is how I spent Christmas

Reading this book!

LOVED IT!!

The original one is Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare....

Set in old time London

And its full of those mystical creatures I love so much

like Warewolves and Vampires

but its based on Tessa and her search for what she is!

Amaising Book

with a fantastic twist!!
This series is a wonderful entertaining magical series...

Highly Recommended!

5 STARS!

The Scrapbook Nook Scrap n Chat - Lil' Primrose Kit

2011-12-21T16:46:00.001+11:00

My New Scrapbook Shop

The Scrapbook Nook Scrap n Chat

Now has some Kits in store

and available for purchase online....

This is the second one for the month

Lil' Primrose..

It Contains:

Die Cut Paper - Fabulous

Double Sided Papers - Summer Bonnet, Fancy Dress, Proper, Hand Me Downs, Frock, High Tea

Sticker Sheets - Princess, Diva

Paper Pad

Die Cut Collectables

Rub Ons

Paper Blooms - Dusty Pink, Olive

Rhinestones - Silver

Also included is the Kaisercraft Workshop Magazine containing heaps of inspiration

and also the ENewsletter which has a hint by Me!

Here is a piccie...

The photo shows both sides of the papers, but only one paper of each is included.

Full Retail is:$59.95

But purchase the kit at 10% at $54.

Plus Postage...

If you wish to purchase a second sheet of papers, or other matching paper blooms or acetate flowers,

just email me and i can include those at an extra 15% of retail.

Here is a bird cage I made using this range.
I have the traditional Birdcage in the shop of $28.70
Or you can purchase this Oriental one for $39.95

Here are some layouts done with this collection...

"First Cuddles"

And

"Not So Prince Charming!"

Email me at j_dolbel@bigpond.net.au

or ring the shop on 0267421566

Bankcard Facilities are available...

The Scrapbook Nook Scrap n Chat - Kaisercraft Kits for sale.....

2011-12-21T15:25:00.000+11:00

My New Scrapbook Shop

The Scrapbook Nook Scrap n Chat

Now has some Kits in store

and available for purchase online....

The first one is the

Hummingbird Collection....

Containing One Sheet each of:

DieCut Sheet - Flora

Double Sided Sheets - Nest, Flight, Avery, Flower, Nectar, Feather

Foil Speciality Paper - Flutter

Sticker Sheet

Paper Pad

Rub Ons

Die Cut Shapes Collectables

Paper Blooms - Iceburg, Buttercream

Rhinestones - Sliver...

Also included is heaps of inspiration for these lines in the Kaiser Workshop Magazine and the Kaisercraft ENewsletter which features a quick tip by Me!

Here is a piccie...

The photo shows both sides of the papers, but only one paper of each is included.

Full Retail is:$55.98

But purchase the kit at 10% at $50.

Plus Postage...

If you wish to purchase a second sheet of papers, or other matching paper blooms or acetate flowers,

just email me and i can include those at an extra 15% of retail.

Here is a gorgeous little cabinet i made from this range...

Available for sale at my shop or for online purchase at just $39.95

Email me at j_dolbel@bigpond.net.au

or ring the shop on 0267421566

Bankcard Facilities are available...

Kaisercraft Creations...

2011-12-10T14:37:00.001+11:00

Kaisercraft always surprises me with how gorgeous their ranges are every month!!!

This range....

Sweet Nothings

is so adorable!!!

I made this tiny shadow box....

"Because of you I Believe in Myself..."

"I wish you Peace" Card

"Sweet Kisses" Layout

(This range is in Stock at my Scrapbook Shop

THE SCRAPBOOK NOOK SCRAP & CHAT
41 Chandos Street, Gunnedah)

On the Go Collection

"Racing Into A Roaring Birthday" Card

And these totally Sweet

Mini Box Chest...

Kaisercraft New Realse - On The Move

2011-12-05T20:25:00.000+11:00

The New KaiserCraft range...

On The Move

is available now....

Its a really great collection, with fabulous colours!!
So multipurpose!!

This is what i have done for my layout....

"Zoom"

See the Kaisercraft Blog for more creations....

Kaisercraft Core Product Feature - Resin Flowers

2011-12-04T12:09:00.000+11:00

RESIN FLOWERS!

If you haven't had a chance to play with these yet, you don't know what you are missing!!!

And if you need some,

I have them available at my shop - The Scrapbook Nook!

See here for the other creations using Resin Flowers..

But here is mine..

Pride & Joy

KaiserCraft Saturday Sketches - #1 Decemeber

2011-12-04T12:07:00.000+11:00

Its my turn today to bring to you the Kaisercraft

Saturday Sketch....

You can see the sketch on the Kaisercraft Blog here

And here is my take on it...

A Brand New Addition....

November Gingerscrapstreet Article - Its Not Easy Being Green

2011-12-01T19:23:00.000+11:00

This is my final article for Gingerscrapstreet Magazine...

I was due to write an article for December, but due to a breakdown in communication, it didn't happen.

It was fun on this team, I enjoyed exercising the creative thinking part of my brain and putting my personality on paper.

Thank you to Dora and the crew at Gingerscrapstreet for having me on the team for the last 12 months! Was totally fun!

It’s Not Easy Being Green

Jodi Dolbel

“It’s not easy being Green; having to spend each day the colour of the leaves. When I think it could be nicer being red, or yellow or gold or something much more colourful like that. It's not easy being green; it seems you blend in with so many other ordinary things, and people tend to pass you over 'cause you're not standing out like flashy sparkles in the water or stars in the sky. But green's the colour of Spring, and green can be cool and friendly-like and green can be big like an ocean, or important like a mountain, or tall like a tree. When green is all there is to be it could make you wonder why, but why wonder why wonder, I am green and it'll do fine, it's beautiful and I think it's what I want to be.”
If you grew up in the 70’s and 80’s, you would recall this song from “The Muppets” by Kermit the Frog.

Okke by Nanette van der Veen

Digital Supplies: Element: With a Russian-Dutch Heart, A splash in the Pond, (smiekeltje.blogspot.com), Software: Photoshop Elements 6, Fonts: Stacey’s Scraps, A little Fruity, Font: lucida handwriting.

Journaling: My son Okke, welcome to the world, August 1, 2011.

Discover Nature by Heather Hines

Digital Supplies: Kit: In My Backyard Value Collection by Elizabeth Weaver (digitalscrapbookplace), Software: Adobe Photoshop CS5, Fonts: Rat Infested Mailbox.

Design Notes: The photo matched the products so well that all I had to do is add the elements directly to the photo to create this fantasy scene.

Journaling: Connor August 2001

Elina By Ulla-May Berndtsson

Digital Supplies: Kit: In Your Face Collection by Dawn Inskip (Scrapbookgraphics), Software: Adobe Photoshop CS4, Fonts: Typewriter- Font Royal (200).

Journaling: Lilleby July 10th, 2006.

I can still see Kermit sitting in his pond on his lily pad singing this song. It describes Green perfectly. I sometimes wonder if it’s because of Kermit’s song, that green is my all time favourite colour. I wonder if in my child’s mind I thought “I will love Green too Kermit, so you’re not alone”.

How can one not love Green though? When I think of Green, I think of spring and all the new fresh green sprouts shooting through, I think of lovely fresh Granny Smith Apples or a beautiful big green lawn where it just invites you to relax and unwind with drinks and canapés . Green smells fresh; the smell of freshly cut lawn to me is Green and reminds me of summer days spent cooling down under the sprinkler.

Flower Girl by Heather Prins

Digital Supplies: Element: Renewed Spirit - Agnes Biro/Yellow Butterfly Collab, Software: CS5, Fonts: Handwriting Dakota, Halo Handletter.

Design Notes: I loved layering all the different stamps (I used 4)! The lace was a perfect compliment to the kit and having it just peek out from under my photos made me smile. I recoloured the butterfly to better suit my photos and the glittered hearts finished the whole look off.

Journaling: Chloe in her element- a field full of flowers! She loves to collect flowers in the lot across the street.

Mallory & Reagan by Jill Dinkel

Digital Supplies: Element: Boho Chic by Kristin Cronin-Barrow (Sweet Shoppe Designs)’ Go Large template by Misty Cato (Sweet Shoppe Designs), Software: Adobe Photoshop CS5, Fonts: AdineKirnberg-Script.

Journaling: Mallory & Reagan June 2011.

Summer in Branson by Susan Thormahlen

Digital Supplies: Kit: HunnyBee Designs Watermelon Papers, Elements by Scrapbookgraphics, Creative Memories and HunnyBee Designs, Software: Storybook Creator 3.0 by Creative Memories.

Design Notes: When creating this page I was designing a layout for a How Much is too Much challenge being hosted by Two Peas in a Bucket. I am fairly new to digital scrapbooking and only started doing digital since January. I do go online and check out other layouts for inspiration. I also have found that you can pretty much do the same layouts whether they are paper (traditional) or digital. It seems to take me about the same amount of time because I'm very picky about how everything looks.

Journaling: When I took this picture while in Branson on vacation I didn't realize that a butterfly the same color as the flower was in the centre.

Green is also a great colour for scrapping. I know when I was searching for layouts, more than any other colour, it was Green that jumped out off the page at me. Maybe it was just because it is my favourite colour? But when perusing layouts in the galleries I felt refreshed and content looking at Green. How can a colour trigger those kinds of emotions just by looking at it? With that thought it mind, I went in search for the “meaning of Green” and this is what I found.

“Green is the color of nature. It symbolizes growth, harmony, freshness, and fertility. Green has strong emotional correspondence with safety. Dark green is also commonly associated with money. Green has great healing power. It is the most restful color for the human eye; it can improve vision. Green suggests stability and endurance. Sometimes green denotes lack of experience; for example, a 'greenhorn' is a novice. In heraldry, green indicates growth and hope. Green, as opposed to red, means safety; it is the color of free passage in road traffic.” (www.color-wheel-pro.com/color-meaning)

Isn’t that interesting? That explains it then. I think we should all look at Green everyday and we will feel better for the exercise!

4th Grade Picnic by Jennifer Schmitt

Digital Supplies: Kit: Playful by Jennifer Schmitt (Sunshine Studio Scraps) and East Meets West Templates by Chrissy W. (Two Peas In A Bucket), Software: Photoshop 7, Fonts: Pea Katie.

Journaling: Kyle and Mr. King at the 4th grade class picnic. Enjoying the last few days of school.

Love Music by Keela

Digital Supplies: Kit: Rainbow Joy Papers & Elements, Headphones and Musical Notes: iRock, Frame: Curled Frames by Miss Mint (Peppermint Creative), Software: Adobe Photoshop CS5, Fonts: A Truer Blue (kevinandamanda)

Design Notes: This layout was created for a font challenge (using the A Truer Blue). I used the elements from Miss Mint's kit to help form the 'saying'. As for the font, I typed out the words and then changed it to "overlay" on the Layers Palette.

Journaling: love music play it always sing loudly always be you.

Up, Up and Away by Melissa Cahill

Digital Supplies: Kit: License to Drive by Mandymade, Software: PSE 9.0.

Design Notes: Overlapping actions photos is a great way to create movement in your layout.

Breaking Dawn..............

2011-11-27T18:28:00.000+11:00

WOW!

Last week Bridge and I went to see the second last Twilight Movie

Breaking Dawn Part 1!

I cant even begin to tell you the improvement on the acting!

It was no comparison to the previous movies!
We even saw some semblance of emotion on Bella! Huge Shock!

As you all know, I am totally for the DOG!

But Edward blew me away this movie!

This was his movie I think.

Plus after seeing Water For Elephants staring Reece Witherspoon and Robert Patterson,

I am a bit of a Robert Patterson fan now...

It seams that he is finally growing into his Acting Career!
In Water for Elephants he even outshone Reece!

Anyway the wedding scene was devine!

I so have to work out how to recreate this look!
It was perfect!

Loved the twisted timber seating and arch!

But i dont have super strength to do that! Bummer! :(

Even if you arent a Twilight fan, you would be hard not to love this movie!
Bridge and I sat on the edge of our seats the whole time

it was so stressful wondering what was going to happen

and we knew cause we had read the book!

It was brilliant!

Highly recommend watching it!

Gunnedah Floods..... again.....

2011-11-27T17:47:00.000+11:00

It seams to be a running habit...

Floods at the start of Wheat Harvest!

For a farming town, this can make or break so many families!

And this is the third year in a row, and this year was going to be a good year!

My hubby is a grain broker, so he connects ends users and producers.

If there is no grain, there is no money!

Same old story it seams....

So here are this years photos..
You can see previous flood posts from 2008 here

Fires in Nov 2009 here

and 2010 here

Its funny, there are the same boys in some of these photos from years before!!!

These are the streets down near the river..

This Chandos street.

The other end to where my shop is located!

The road is only closed to 4 wheeled creatures, not four legged creatures!!! Haha

You will notice these same boys in one of those other posts too!!

So Funny!

This is the view from Porky...
There is lots of local water laying around.

Overlooking the Mooki River..

Heading out on the Tamowrth Road which is cut!
Brenda lives out there!

This is the water we were looking at in earlier photos...

Its interesting looking back over the years on my blog!
What a wonderful way to preserve history!

Typical Australian Climate....

Floods and Fires all in the same months....

Hellooooo Out there.....................

2011-11-20T18:46:00.000+11:00

Hey there bloggers......

I'm so sorry that its been ages since I have blogged!

Its been so HUGELY busy with the new shop and getting my Kaisercraft commitments done prior to Christmas shut down!

So I thought Id better just hop on and do a quick post to let you know I'm still alive!

Let me share a link with you too...

Here is a link to my new

Enchanted Events and Balloons Blog here

Please jump on and become a follower

as the more followers I have to more internet exposure I get and the more people will come through my doors!

With Christmas just around the corner, last week I sent the very "easy going" Molly

out dressed as Miss Santa to drum up some shop front displays over Christmas...

Here we all are... Laura wasnt in this day so she isnt in this piccie.

But I have three gorgeous girls helping me out now.

Meg on the right will be my first "trainee" as soon as she is old enough!

Meg comes in twice a week and helps me out with absolutely anything that needs to be done!

She is such an angel!

I say to her "What do you feel like doing today Meggy?" and she says "I think I will iron!"

As you might imagine, I do get stacks of ironing!!
With chair covers and sashes and things.....

So that's about it for now...

I will have some more Kaisercraft peaks soon..

Also, my new Scrapbook Shop

The Scrapbook Nook is up and running and has done my first class!!

I am taking numbers for my next class now commencing 28th Nov. This will be a Card Swap Plaque done in Vintage Styling...

This one actually!

Kaisercraft November Releases

2011-11-13T10:37:00.001+11:00

This month saw another three fabulous releases from

Kaisercraft!

I tell you, they just keep getting better and better!

And there are some awesome new matching embellies this time round too!!

Madam Boutique Range....

There are a packet of awesome Die Cuts in this collection which makes putting pages together so easy!

There are a few on this page..

And also the new acrylic flowers! Yummy!

"Together for a Moment"

This was my Off the Page....

I have had this tree painted for a while

but just couldn't come up with the right colours to complement

what i painted it!

The colours in the Madam Boutique fitted perfectly

so I cut some flowers using my new Cricut Expressions machine

and layered them with a pearl center.

and hung the little bird cage......

"Blossom Tree"

The new Cookadoodledoo Range is totally CUTE!

I love the 3D chipboard farm animals in this range....

"Coockadoodledoo Album"

And this is my layout...

"Together"

And another Christmas Range Release

Merry Melody!

Here i have made the NOEL and also decorated a glass ball.

October GingerScrapStreet Magazine Article - Moo Moo Here

2011-11-06T19:26:00.002+11:00

Moo Moo Here

Jodi Dolbel

And A Moo Moo There

Life on the farm, is there a more peaceful way to spend your days?
As children, there is an endless supply of fun to be had on the farm. An outback Adventure Playground!! “Old MacDonald” has been telling us for years about all the animals that can be found down on the farm. What an amazing place for a child to spend some time! In this story I wanted to feature fun farm layouts and the activities that can be found on the farm featuring our children.
I particularly love Cathy’s Layout “Grandma’s Cows”, the digi kit she used for this layout is perfect and features so many elements that you would find on a farm. The fencing wire background, the burlap that sits behind the photos and those wonderful looking animals sticking their heads through the fence! The photos really blend in well in this layout too featuring the lovely grassy pastures and Grandma’s Cows.
Lauren’s Layout “Down on the Farm”, is a hybrid layout but done on a corrugated cardboard base. The photo which has been coloured using Photoshop to suit the vintage theme really pops against the card base and the “real” wire background!

Grandma’s Cows by Cathy Dippolito

Supplies: Element: Digital Kit: E-I-E-I-O Combo by Chelle's Creations, Digi template Blueprints set 4 by True Blue Studio, Software: Photoshop CS4, Fonts: Travelling Typewriter.

Design Notes: I extracted the pig in order to make it look like it is sticking it's head through the fence.

Journaling: One of the fun parts about going to Grandma Cat’s & Grandad’s is getting to see all the cows and farm animals!

Down on the Farm by Lauren Bell

Supplies: Paper: October Afternoon, Cardstock: Corrugated Cardboard, Alphabet: American Crafts Thickers, Bling: Kaiser Craft, Pens: Uniball Signo, Thread: Bakers Twine, Other: Chicken Wire, Staples, Felt.

Design Notes: Use corrugated cardboard and fencing wire to give a earthy/country feel.

Down on the Farm by Sarah Ward

Supplies: Cardstock: Aussie Scrap Source, Paper: October Afternoon, Teresa Collins , Chipboard: Words or Whatever, Glimmer Mist: Tattered Angels, Ink: Tim Holtz, Alphabets: Jillibean Soup, Button: Sweet Tierney, Purple Pumpkin, Paint: Making Memories, Lace: Prima Marketing.

Design Notes: Secure your alpha by using your sewing machine, this creates a unique touch! Don't be scared to over-ink!!

Journaling: A great family day out @ the i98fm Convoy for Kids. Georgia loved the farm animals. Nov '08.

And A Moo Moo There

Farm life covers all kinds of educational disciplines. We learn about life down on the farm with the birth of spring animals like sheep and little ducklings. We learn about death through our dearly beloved pets passing away! We learn about the value of rain and what happens to the farm when we don’t have it for a while, but mostly we learn about love through the love of our animals. Is there a no greater love than that between a child and their pony?

I love Jo’s Layout “Sweet”. That cow is just totally adorable and the look of pure delight on Evan’s face is priceless. The layout “Hayden Wants a Donkey really makes me smile!! Didn’t we all go through a faze where we wanted a Donkey, because they are so cute!!! There is lots of white space in the layout which directs us to those terribly cute Donkey photos and the story behind it! The Digital “wave” element in the “Ready to Ride” layout by Eveyln gives the layout movement and I can just picture Marky moseying along a country path on Aunt Gay’s Horse.

I think you will agree, there are no end of photo opportunities on the Farm to capture those everyday moments of our children, and there is lots of wonderful Digi Kits on the market to showcase our Farm Photos. Happy Scrapping!

Sweet by Jo Kinder

Supplies: Chipboard: Twiddleybitz, Tags: Donna Downey, Journaling Spots: Lil'Something, Brads: KaiserCraft, Paint: JoSonja, Ink: Rainger Distress Inks, Pens: Sharpie, Other: bingo card, cardstock, corrogated cardboard, ribbon, bubble wrap, staples, fabric. Tools: Dies: Tim Holtz/Sizzix, Embossing Machine: Cuttlebug, Stamps: Darkroom Door Alphabet Medley.

Journaling: Sweet and so is the valf!! hehehe my all time 'fav' photo of my Evan Monster @ Oakdale Farm.

Hayden Wants A Donkey by Mary Rogers

Supplies: DigiKit: Apple of My Eye (paper and brad) by Vinnie Pearce (twopeasinabucket), Template: Mixin' It Up 12x12 Templates by Chrissy W Designs (twopeasinabucket), Brushes: Coffee Stains by Brusheezy, Software: Adobe Photoshop Elements 8, Fonts: You are Loved, CK Journaling.

Design Notes: I love using templates as a starting off point for my designs. The original design of this template by Chrissy W Designs didn’t suite the orientation of my photos, so I rotated it and moved things around just a bit. I then was able to add a few elements and brushes to keep the focus on the photos and the story I was trying to tell. I think it worked perfectly.

Journaling: I wasn’t surprised when you called home from the fair asking for a kitten, or even a dog....but a donkey? I know she has a bit of a crush on you, but seriously Hayden what would we do with a donkey?

Ready to Ride by Evelyn Mauldin

Supplies: Kit: Cowboys and Cowgirls by TrishH. Designs (formerly at Enchanted Studio Scraps), Software: Adobe Photoshop Elements 9, Fonts: Pea Jack and Jane, Template: CU "wave" template.

Design Notes: I used the alpha included in the kit and added a .5px Stroke Outline to it for the title.

Journaling: Marky’s family visited Aunt Gay’s farm last Spring. As soon as he saw Aunt Gay’s Arabian, Sampson, Marky promptly dubbed him “Sammy-Sam-Sam” and was ready to mount up. That made his mom, a horse lover, very happy.

More Kaisercraft Shares..

2011-10-31T19:58:00.001+11:00

Just thought I would share my KaiserCraft design work for this month...

The ranges this month are TOTALLY AWESOME!!!! OMG!

Your gotta rush out and grab them!

This is a Kaisercraft Candle holder and I used the 13th Hour Collection

to enhance it!

Closer...

This was the Saturday Sketch last weekened....

"Coming of Age"
Using the Bon jour Collection

which is my alltime favorite range of papers and embellies in like forever!!!!

I also made this miniture gift basket from the Bonjour Collection!
Isnt it cute!

I found the "Pattern" on a blog somewhere in cyberland

and just adapted it mini for a gift box.

Open

Back

Here are some cards...

This is my 13th Hour Collection Card..

And my Bonjour Collection Card...

Closer....

Here is my 13th Hour Collection Layout....

You have to see this one in real life

these papers are brilliant!
Really perfect for Emelia!

This was a feature for the Timeless Collection

It's a Vintage Sampler

Made from Vintage Laces, pearls, buttons and doilies...

See, I have been scrapping all for the fantastic Kaiser Team.

There will be more shares next week!!

Enchanted Events & Balloons - Now Open

2011-10-30T12:57:00.001+11:00

With lots of long hours and hard work!

The night before the opening was upon us!!!

Brenda, Mum, Josh & I really burned the night oil to make everything perfect

for the opening day!!!

Here is the window when all the paper was removed....

Then It was time to get everything in order the next day!

I made up the arch and balloon column the night before,

so we put those out....

And there is me in my matching black & Pink outfit!!

My Enchanted Fairies were out in force

in their totally adorable new uniforms!

And we were ok to go!!

Here is a look inside....

This is my Zebra print!
When designing the interior of my shop, this was the first thing I wanted

and everything else revolved around this!
A local signwriter designed it and made it.

Isn't it fabulous!

This is from the right side looking across...

Seeing as it is Halloween Weekend, we needed Halloween Balloons!

From front to back..

All my balloons and things in the background...

This is a good one of the canopy

I had a cake to cut too....

Here i am cutting it!

My fabulous school friends came as well...

How awesome was that!!!

As well as my Niece and Sister In Law from Cessnock!
But I didn't get a photo! :(

When the kids started descending, the Enchanted Fairies set up camp

out the front and painted faces and made balloon animals..

And here are some of the faces!

It was a really fantastic opening day with some great sales..

Lets just make sure that it goes really well now on a day to day basis!

Kaisercraft October Releases

2011-10-24T20:09:00.001+11:00

This months sees the release of my favorite Kaisercraft Collection to date!
The Bonjour Collection!!
Yummy!

Here is my layout featuring this collection

"A Cowgirl and A Princess"

And another awesome versatile collection for this month is

13th Hour...

Here is my layout for this collection

"Those Eyes"

See more awesome work using these collections over at the

Kaisercraft Blog

Im still here

2011-10-15T21:52:00.003+11:00

Im so sorry I have been so absent from my blog....

But there are big things a happening in my life at the moment....

Some of them really awesome and some of them really horrible...

Its a real avalanche of emotions lately

and its really really hard to stay ontop of it all..

I am moving my new business

Into this shop....

Currently Back to Balloons and Wedding Elegance are two separate businessness

owned by my husbands Company Dolbel Consulting P/L

But as of 1st October i am now a Sole Trader

and I am doing all this on my own.

I really didn't know how i would go at first,

it was a real struggle coming up with the money

and having the confidence to branch out in such a big way on my own.

I cant even begin to tell you the emotional rollercoaster this has bought on at the home front.

Suffice to say that side of things has been really hard.

But im not going to talk anymore about that, its too private.

But things are off the ground now,

i got some money

and things are heavily underway....

New flooring has gone it,

Furniture bought

My counter is nearly done

just waiting on the counter top.

Ive done most of the internal decorating now

and its time for the stock to come out!

I've hired two young ladies who are the best little workers

and the hardest workers!

Opening day celebrations will be 29th October....

So watch this space...

Urban Grunge.... Create the look with the New Kaiser 13th Hour Stamps

2011-10-03T21:25:00.000+11:00

Want to know how to create the Urban Grunge Photo Matt

on this layout??

Then go over and check out this months

"In The Know Newsletter"

From Kaisercraft

Here

It takes a tick to download, so be patient....

Emelia turns 18!!

2011-10-02T23:22:00.000+11:00

How can you not be there to celebrate your daughters 18th birthday?

So despite the fact that it was leading up to a long weekend..

We shut up shop and headed North!

925 kms away or 11 hours and 15 minutes in Google Maps!!

She decided not to come home for the two week break

due to Emerald being so far from home.

So she spent the holidays at Gin Gin with her friend Zara.

Gin Gin is a 30 minute drive from Bargara which is just outside of Bundeburg

and on the rocky coast.

We stayed in a Penthouse suite (Apparently)

Due to an online fault!!

This was the view... The weather wasn't really the best.

The room we stayed in is on the 4th floor on the right in this picture....

That little room above the 4th floor room is a party room (Thats what the kids called it)

Just a room with a huge balcony just made for parties!!

This is the little glassed room

and it looked out to 3 sides of balcanies..

This is looking out...

And here is Emelia enjoying the clouds!! lol

I cant say Sun can i?

And the whole purpose of us being there was for this!

Emelia's 18th Birthday

We gave her some pressies in the morning

but what she really wanted was a cloths shopping spree..

So here we are ready to shop!

Then we went out for tea at this gorgeous place called Kacy's.

Stu and I went down and decorated the table prior so it would be a surprise...

Emelia loves My Little Pony

I mean is obsessed with it.

So what better theme to have for her party...

I blew up a giant My little Pony Balloon

and then made two cute little topairies to match

My little pony Party hats and Napkins too

(One couple there when we were decorating asked "And how old is your little girl? "18" we responded. "Oh??" I said "She is still a little girl at heart" Isn't that nice" they said.. not convinced

And the pinacle was the

Tea Cup Pig Cake!!

OMG!!!

Isn't it awesome!

Emelia asked for a Tea Cup pig for her birthday on facebook months ago!

So I thought i would have her one made.

We werent sure what we were doing though, if we were going there or not.

I had asked my awesome cake decorator Friend Jo to make me one,

and then didnt know if I wanted one or not.

We decided the week before that we would go and lucky for me i had just met this wonderful cake decorator here in Gunnedah, So I asked her if a week was enough time. Yeh no worries!!

So I picked this up at 5.30 AM the morning we were leaving to do to Bangara!! Poor Desiree was up all night making this cake for me, God love her!!

And didn't she do a fabulous job!

The inside of the cake was TO DIE FOR!! Yummo!

And here is the birthday girl

with her brand new birthday outfit on..

I wont say Birthday Suit!! Haha

She looks so grown up hey!

And her first legal drink!

I wont say her first drink, cause that would be a lie!
Anyone who is friends with Emelia on Facebook knows what she gets upto at College!

We had a really nice night sampling cocktails

and Emelia got a thrill ordering her way through the cocktail menu!

A new little Neice - Zali Kathline Margaret

2011-09-24T16:59:00.000+10:00

This is my brother Gary's little family!!
Arent they adorable!!

Little Zane is so funny, he sat next to Mum nicely for about a second

and then jumped on Mum's back for the photos instead!
Isn't it a perfect photo!

Zali was about 4 days old when this photo was taken..

Here she is with her Aunty Jodi..

She will get to know me really well soon!

And here is the cheeky little Mr himself!!!

Zane is an adorable boy!

This little bloke is a LEGEND on the drums

This is his little set that he whacks like a pro

and he even has a decent go on his Dads big set!!

It was just a flying visit.

We were only there overnight, but hopefully will see them all again real soon!

Sketchabilities Sketches - Sketch 55

2011-09-21T15:11:00.000+10:00

Sketch #55 from

Sketchabilities is this:

Here is my take on it...

"Wilderness"

I have also used the fabulous kit from

Tattered Inspirations for this layout....

Love their cute little vintage kits!

More Kaisercraft Yumminess - December 25th & Silly Season

2011-09-13T18:00:00.000+10:00

More Layouts....

Here are some more layouts featuring:

December 25th.. Collection

"My Bambi Twins"

"New Beginnings"

From Silly Season Collection

"Cheer"

Off the Page Creations...

Silly Season Collection

Advent Cupboard...

The December 25th Collection

"Card Holder"

Cards...

I went with simple cards that can be made on mass for Christmas

Dec 25th Colleciton

and Silly Season

Visit the KaiserCraft Blog for more inspiration.

Kaisercraft September Releases.....

2011-09-05T21:52:00.000+10:00

Have you seen the new collections that

Kaisercraft have released this month!!!

I love this range with the Vintage feel to the papers,

deep Burgundy, lovely forest green and gold.

There are some really wonderful vintage embelliese to complement this collection

with Rubons Stamps and Paper Pads.

New Jewells that match each new collection..

So Yummy!

Here is a layout i made with

December 25th

"Oh Christmas Tree"

Then we have

This range is totally fun and funky!!
I love lime green, its my total fav colour!!

This range also has wonderful matching embellies

and some lovely foils papers with trees and pressies!
It will be great to make Chrissy Cards with this line this year!

Here is the layout i did with this range

"Breakfast with Champions"

Keep your eye on the blog for the OTP and the Cards

that will be shown this week!

Awesome Owl Giveaway................

2011-09-05T14:26:00.000+10:00

Today I would like to share with you some specialness

that is here in Gunnedah...

You all would have read about my friend Brenda at some stage

She is the Owner of Red Stitch Designs,

she sells her wonderful handmade items through

"Shop Handmade" in Canberra

and also takes orders through her blog

Now, Brenda is moving into the Facebook World

and is looking for likers...

and there is a special present to be had...

If you become a liker of Red Stitch Designs on Facebook

You can win these...

They are the cutest little Christmas Owls

that will look perfect hanging from your Christmas Tree this year...

So is that enough incentive?

Get on over the facebook and like Red Stitch Designs right now!!

Go on....

Seeya later....

Jazz at Jesse - Father's Day with Matt

2011-09-04T17:40:00.003+10:00

Jesse Hunt Nursing Home at Narrabri

had their 30 Years Celebrations today..

So seeing as its Fathers Day

and Matt's Kids were too far away to visit

Mum & I headed over to join in the festivities with Matt....

Mum also had a specail Fathers Day present for Matt.

Mum sent a letter to South Sydney Football Club a while ago

just care off the oval mind you!!!

About Matthew's situation.

And the history Matthew has with the club itself.

He was identified by the club at 8 years old as being a kid to watch.

He participated in exchange programs with the club to train these kids in the City

with the view of playing in the Sydney Comp.

As well as that, my Cousin married a Rabittohs Player a few years back

and Matthew met the players at their wedding.

Of course being the character Matt is,

he entertained the boys all night with his hero worship!!

He got them all the sign his hat

and then sometime latter, they also sent him a signed Jersey.

To the "Happiest Drunk" we've ever met!!

Anyway, after this incident with Matt,

his belongings had gone missing and he was pining away for his Jersey!!

It was something he treasured and it came from very fond memories

from a night on the grog with these footy players!

All this was in the letter Mum wrote and sent to the Oval!!!

Through the week Mum got a parcel....

Which was given to Matthew today

It was a signed Jersey...

The letter read:

Dear Margaret,

In regard to the letter you wrote concerning the unfortunate circumstances involving your son Matthew Heagney, please accept the South Sydney Rabbitohs 2011 jersey signed by the current roster of players.

Souths Cares are allocated a number of signed jerseys by the South Sydney Rabbitohs to donate to charitable organization of fundraising purposes - each jersey is registered by the club as proof of authenticity.

On reading your letter we thought it would be appropriate to send you one of our registers jerseys numbered 123.

If there is anything else we can assist with in the future please don't hesitate contacting the South Sydney Rabbitohs Club.

Yours sincerely

South Cares.

Needless to say, when Mum read Matthew the letter, the tears flowed.

He recalled how they said he was the Happiest Drunk

and was so touched that they would do this for him!

Of course, it had to go on..

So he was in fine form for a very social day of celebration

All dressed up in his new jersey

we headed into the gardens for some Jazz...

It was such a pleasant setting

with a Jazz Band playing lovely easy listening music

there was a coffee man set up,

there were devonshire teas and beautiful fresh scones

and the Mens Shed was on the BBQ.

So we spent the majority of the day listening to the music

before Matt started to get too tired and we headed in.

It was a lovely fathers day with Matthew..

and although i do feel a little guilty i didn't spend it at home with my hubby

Poor Matthew doesn't have the choice

and he would have been so lonely with all the celebrations going on

but no one to celebrate with...

Hopefully he will get to see his own kids soon....

Its a work in progress...

Tattered Inspirations........

2011-09-04T17:20:00.001+10:00

Have you seen these awesome little vintage kits yet from

Tattered Inspirations

they are an Etsy Store

that features little Vintage Kits of

Laces and Ribbons

Hat Pins

Doileys

Vintage pictures and tickets

Vintage Buttons, Bottle Tops or Banners...

They are all co-ordinated

and you can use them as they are

or make other bits and pieces from them

I met Carol Mead the creator of Tattered Inspirations

at Camp Mojo

and I was very honored to be asked to play with a couple of kits!!!

I'm really embarrassed to admit that i hadn't really taken any notice

of the kits before...

But now that i have played with them

Im hooked!!!

I have bought my own supply now!!!

Here are the two kits that i played with:

"Ready Steady Blow"

Using the Lady of the House Mini Kit

and

"Wilderness"

Using the Gypsy Queen Mini Kit

Hehe....

These are photos of me in the Glee Talent Quest at Camp Mojo

The evidence of this "Exhibition"

is featured somewhere on Facebook....

Let's just say that there are "many" uses for balloons!!!

Don't forget to stop by Tattered Inspirations and see whats on offer

August Gingerscrapstreet Story - Playing with Dolls

2011-09-03T11:21:00.000+10:00

Play with Dolls

Jodi Dolbel

I loved my Dolls when I was a young girl. I loved to make clothes for my Dolls, and constantly changed their hair dos. I loved that we could make our Dolls into anything we think they might have wanted to be! Most of the time my Dolls were Mums, married to another Doll (Who had the anatomy of a girl doll, but with cropped hair did pass as a boy doll!) and with other little baby Dolls.
Our Dolls would be brave and able to face their fears with their heads held high! Our Dolls were everything we wanted for ourselves when we grew up! Then the Teenage years are upon us and playing with Dolls just isn’t the cool thing to do anymore! Sadly our pretend days are over, playing dress ups and facing our dreams head held high is over..................then we discovered scrapbooking and we can play with our Dolls all over again!!!!!

Mr & Mrs by Kerry Murray

Supplies: Paper: Webster’s Pages, Chipboard: Scrapmatts dress form, Alphabet Stickers: Pink Paisley, Flowers: Prima Marketing, Ribbon: Webster’s Pages, Doilie: Chip Chop Shop. Tools: Border Punches: Martha Stewart.

Design Notes: Make your own dress form and then use punches to make a dress along with different ribbons.

Little Pixie by Emilia van den Heuvel

Supplies: Paper: Sandylion, Cardstock: Bazzill Basics, Chipboard: Dusty Attic Dress Form #2, Alphabet Stickers: Sandylion, Flowers: Prima Marketing, Stickers: Sandylion, Ribbon: Sandylion, Bling: Sandylion; Prima marketing, Paint: Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist, Ranger Perfect Pearls Mist, Glitter Glue: Stickles Glitter Glue, Markers: Copic Ciao, Pens: Sakura Gelly Roll Glaze Pen. Tools: Punches: Martha Stewart, Decorative Scissors: Fiskars, Other: We R Memory Keepers Sew Easy, Tim Hotlz Non-Stick Micro Serrated scissors.

Design Notes: Use Glimmer Mist for tailor made background paper.

Paris Be Mine by Martha Gonzalez

Supplies: Paper: BoBunny, Cardstock: BoBunny, Chipboard: 3tailscraft, Word Stickers: BoBunny, Flowers: Iamroses, Stickers: BoBunny, Ribbon: Artists Own, Lace: Vintage, Charms: Artists Own, Bling: Artists Own, Pearls: Artists Own, Ink: Distress Ink Ranger, Other: Fiskers paper cutter. Digital Supplies: Marie Antoinette Image Google Images, Software: Photoshop Element 8.

Editor's Note: Martha shows off the best in feminine scrapping with this gorgeous piece. Every detail is just perfection.

With the advent of Mannequins in Scrapbooking as an embellishment, we can play with Dolls now to our hearts content! Kerry has done exactly this with her layout Mr. & Mrs. This is a photo of her very handsome son and gorgeous new daughter-in-law on their wedding day! Kerry has used a chipboard Mannequin, but also made her own mannequin from Patterned Paper and ribbons. She has made layers in the skirt by cutting lengths of paper with the Martha Stewart Lace Punch and alternated that with Webster’s Pages Ribbon. Topped with a very dainty Pearl Necklace, Kerry’s Doll looks wonderful!!!
Emilia has done a similar thing with her Chipboard Mannequin. She has dressed her up with Green lace and lovely blue wings to make a Tinker Bell Doll. So perfect for her Little Pixie Layout. Martha has made up a gorgeous doll from scratch with Paris Be Mine Mannequin. From a simple wooden frame, Martha has added lace, Paper and an Image of Marie Antoinette Image on the reverse side. The finished item looks so feminine and pretty and would be perfect sitting in a bedroom with lovely pearl necklaces hanging from it!

Motherhood by Lisa Ladd

Digital Supplies: Element: It’s All About The Belly by Snippets Inc. at Digiridoo Scraps, Template: Cut It Out Template Pack by Little Green Frog Designs at Gingerscraps, Fonts: Courier New, Software: PSE 7.

Design Notes: I completed this layout for a challenge at Digiridoo Scraps, and the challenge was about what Motherhood means to you. My niece had some great pregnancy photos so I took the opportunity to scrap her beautiful baby belly and have that as the highlight of my layout.

Journaling: Your due date wasn’t until June 4 of this year, but on May 4 your beautiful bundle of joy came into this world. He was a month early and had your typical preemie issues, but a week later he was able to come home. He is the most precious baby in the whole world. I just can’t get enough of him.

Joyful Noise by Deanna Staley

Digital Supplies: Element: Musical Kit by Polka Dot Pixels (Two Peas in a Bucket), Software: PSE 9, Fonts: Birmingham Elongated.

Journaling: I took dancing lessons for a couple of years. We sang and danced at the same time. Maybe we coined the saying "multi-taskers!" When I quit dancing lessons, I started accordion lessons.

Thanks by Lindy Gillespie

Supplies: Paper: Kaisercraft, My Mind’s Eye, Cardstock: Bazzill Basics, Chipboard: Dress Form, Flowers: Kaisercraft Flowers, Ribbon: Dyed seam binding, Bling: Kaisercraft, Pearls: Kaisercraft, Paint: Making Memories, Ink: Versa mark. Tools: Die Cut Machine: Cuttlebug, Dies: Spellbinder, Stamps: Autumn Leaves, Other: Sewing machine.

Design Notes: Add some bling to the dress form to add texture.

As shown on the above layouts, silhouette Dress Forms and Dolls are a great way to make a page reflect femininity. I love the Motherhood layout by Lisa Ladd. That Pregnant Mummy Silhouette just brings tears to my eyes, it’s so adorable and what a wonderful way to enhance a page about pregnancy! The Joyful Noise layout with the little Musical People is perfect for Deanna’s layout about Musical pursuits as a youngster! Lindy’s card with the painted black Mannequin really jumps out at you, it’s so contrasting to the rest of the embellishments she has used.
Isn’t it fun that playing with Dolls can be “cool” again! We can dress them up to look pretty making lovely dresses and jewels from other embellishments and punched papers, or having the contrast of a black silhouette on our layout or project! Dolls are a great way to celebrate everything feminine and girly in scrapbooking! There is no end of product out there too now, from chipboards and wood to the anything goes in the Digital World. I can’t wait to go shopping now and start playing with Dolls myself!!

How Does Your Garden Grow by Jules McKenna De Lumer

Supplies: Paper: Webster’s Pages, Cardstock: Bazzill Basics, Chipboard: Making Memories, Flowers: Prima Marketing, Bling: Zva Creative, Alphabet Stickers: My Little Shoebox, Webster’s Pages, Die Cut: Heidi Swapp, Specialty Paint: Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist, Pen: Sharpie, Other: Sewing Machine.

Design Notes: Fussy cutting large floral designs from patterned paper can create a vibrant background for your feature photos.

Journaling: With lots of love and this maid in the row. 6.09.09.

My Friend by Mary-Anne Maldonado

Supplies: Kit: October Afternoons Night Light collection Kit, Die Cuts: SEI, Brads: Making Memories, Ink: VersaMagic. Tools: Sponge Applicator, Crop-a-dile, X-acto knife, ruler and cutting mat.

Design Notes: I inked all my edges to soften and grudge up the look. I also used foam tape to enhance the dimension of some of my monsters and blurbs.

Making Faces by Jodi Dolbel

Supplies: Paper: Webster’s Pages, Chipboard: Words or Whatever Mannequin, Journal Note: Making Memories, Flowers: Prima Markeing, Artists Own, Pearls: Prima Marketing, Beading, Chipboard Alphabet: American Crafts, Doilies: Kaisercraft, Ink: VersaColor, Specialized Paints: Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist, Other: Twine, Software: Adobe Photoshop Elements 9, Photo Booth Camera Application on Iphone, Actions: Trevor Dayley.

Design Notes: I really like to experiment with different photo finished and actions. The photos for this layout were taken using the Photo Booth Application on Iphone, copied over into Photoshop elements and broken into 4 different photos. I used an action with a similar finish to the PhotoBooth just to really make the photos sharp and contrasting.

Journaling: “The Verdict” 9.03.11 Birthday Breakie

123 Challenge - September

2011-09-02T20:15:00.000+10:00

123 Challenge this month is...

Colour - White

Word - On

Technique - White Space

This was so hard this month...

But here is my challenge

"Roll on up for your Wash"

See how desperate I am getting for photos...

These are photos I took while sitting in the car while the new

car wash was washing it....

Now that there is desperation in 6 photos!

Note:

It is with regret that this will be my last 123 Challenge as a CT Member.

Due to my many commitment with my business

and also family, its time to step aside and let someone bat for a little while!

I've worked with some of the most brilliant scrappers over the last

couple of years and I feel privileged to have served some time with Charm and her team..

The Colour Room RDA - Palette #74

2011-09-02T20:10:00.001+10:00

Its reveal time again

This is my layout for

The Colour Room

Palette #74

Notice that wonderful weird person

Front and center!

That is the amaising Crystal "Tickets" Goulding..

Totally funny girl!

"Camp Mojo Madness"

Here is the palette..

Come join in the fun!

Annie get your Rifle.....

2011-09-01T17:21:00.000+10:00

Just thought I would share some random photos today...

This is Mum

There is a rifle range out at a property called Nioka here in Gunnedah...

Great big targets are set up so the shooters can shot rifles

and their old fashioned black powder guns

and buffalo guns..

Real Cowboys and Indians Stuff..

See, this is why us kids had to behave ourselves!
There was no running away from Mum,

If we tried to tell her off we would have to run for our lives

cause she would just stand on the back veranhda

take aim

and try to blow out a knee cap to slow us down..

Have you noticed my hobble..

She took out my knee cap at the ripe old age of 12 when I came home with my first boyfriend!!!!

Haha

Nah, its all lies!!!!

Mum was terrified of guns before she met Ken.

But now she knows how they work and she enjoys nothing more than getting out on the range for a shot.

The Colour Room - Palette #73

2011-08-29T07:53:00.001+10:00

My time with The Colour Room

Revolving Door Artist Continues....

This weeks reveal is:

(Which was on Friday! Running a little late with blogging about it! Whoops!)

"Love at First Sniff"

The Story Behind this photo:

This is when we moved into the house we live in now. In was 2000 and there were these horses in the paddock behind us. Emelia was 6 and this horse is Cimmi, who when Emelia was 14 started riding and Cimmi helped save Emelia from some very bad choices!!! We say that Cimmi saved her life. Cimmi passed away last year and she was 33 years old! I wish Emelia had started riding her when they first met, but we didn't know who owned these horses and didn't find out until Emelia was 14 that it was someone id known really well all along!! But things happen for a reason... maybe Emelia was meant to experience what she did at a young age because she will and has gone on to help other young girls making silly choices with their lives.

Here is the palette and Sketch

Why dont you come along and play with us...

Tee Pee Cards....

2011-08-28T19:26:00.000+10:00

Now you all know that Im not much of a cardie....

But now that I am on the KaiserCraft Design Team,

Ive had to "Life my game" and really try to push myself with my card making....

So I thought I would share with you my Creative Card Post at Kaisercraft..

So do you want to learn how to make one of these cute Tee Pee Cards.?

Head over for my tutorial at KaiserCraft Blog

Totally Cute hey! :)

An Emelia Update.....

2011-08-28T19:20:00.000+10:00

Hi there...

Just thought I would share this photo of Emelia and some of her "Rodeo Friends"

As you know, she is attending College at Emerald Ag College.

A major part of the social scene at Ag College

are the rodeos.....

I remember when I too was Emelia's age and did the exact same thing..

Infact, the belt Emelia is wearing here is the exact same belt I used to wear to Rodeo's...

She gets so many comments on her "Vintage" belt.

It's a hand punched & painted leather belt with silver binding wrapped around the edges.

And look at what they are wearing!

Last night we had the heaters and jumpers on

and they are up at Capella Rodeo in singlets!!!

I wonder if I will get a call next week needing money for cough medicine!!!

New Ventures.... New Beginnings.....

2011-08-23T19:46:00.000+10:00

I just thought i would share some things that are going on with me at the moment..

Things are a bit quiet on the home front,

but there are a few things in the air...

I am in the process of opening up a shop in Gunnedah.

Ive been operating my business Back to Balloons for 8 Years

and Wedding Elegance for 6 or 7 Years from home.

Its been really great!

Ive been home for when my kids get home from school

and we have all shared so much time together.

It was a wonderful business to do from home, with plenty of money coming in and no overheads.

But now Emelia is away at school and Josh is working,

Im really looking for some more stimulation.

So i decided to take the next step and move into the CBD.

At the moment, Im still gathering quotes and things on shop fit out.

There is another lady coming in with me to share the premises..

She has a Beauticians, so that's really awesome!
No excuses any more for that way ward monobrow!!! haha

Its a slow process though, its like 2 steps forward 1 1/2 steps back

but surely its all going to come together soon.

The new venture will be called Enchanted Events & Balloons.

I cant wait, I can see it all in my head and it looks AWESOME!

I decided today that i want to do a Zebra Print feature wall!!! Hehe

How groovy is that!!!

Watch this space, will share more as it happens!!

Chinese Whispers with Scrappin Bridge

2011-08-22T19:00:00.002+10:00

It seams like such a long time ago that I participated in a

Chinese Whispers Challenge

with Scrappin Bridge...

The idea is that she sends a layout to one person, they lift that layout (Or use it as inspiration for their layout),

then that persons layout goes to the next person where the process

is repeated and so forth....

The fabulous Leanne Emailed me her layout

(Go to her blog to see a copy of that layout)

and i used that as inspiration for my layout...

"Celebrate"

I then emailed my layout to

Peta McBeth

(Go check out what she did with her layout)

Layout Share

2011-08-21T22:16:00.000+10:00

Here are a couple of layouts i did recently that i cant remember sharing yet...

This one is:

"I Smile"

Featuring my darling Hubby Stu...

This was a Sketch from Scrap With V Scrapbook Kits.

And this one..

"Smile"

Featuring Matthew....

News on that front....

No good news I'm afraid.

The guy that did this to Matthew gets sentenced in the next 3 weeks

and i can go into long drawn out raves about the injustice of it all.

Not just the crime, but also the investigation, the police reports and every other injustice in this whole mess.

Suffice to say, 5 years in goal at the governments expense seams no sentence

at all, when you are left a paraplegic

and severe brain damage with no hope for rehabilitation

and you have to pay yourself to live in an Aged Care Hostel

that's illequiped to handle a young brain damaged man...

Yep, 5 years at governmental expense is nothing!

Haha, funny titles for layout, with the bad news that followed!!!!

Revolving Door Artist for "The Colour Room"

2011-08-19T12:34:00.000+10:00

How excited am i this month

to be a Revolving Door Artist for
The Colour Room..

I am sharing this spot with another awesome scrapbooker

called Felicity W from CQ

This is my very first TCR Reveal...

Here is the Palette...

Clear here to play along

Sketchabilities Sketches - Sketch 53

2011-08-18T18:43:00.000+10:00

Its Sketchabilities Time again!!!

I love how this challenge site starts with the first ketch on the 15th and the final on the 30th

of the month!

This is my layout from Sketch #53

"Its Tummy Tickle Time"

And here is the sketch...

Load up your sketch here

to be in the running for great prizes!

The Colour Room Featured Layout Palette #70

2011-08-12T13:46:00.000+10:00

WOW!!

Imagine my surprise this morning to wake up and

see this little piece of news in my inbox!!

A featured artist at

"The Colour Room"

for my layout

"The Eyes"

Thank you so much for the feature...

Here is a bigger version..

KaiserCraft July Release - Hunt & Gather Collection

2011-08-10T22:22:00.000+10:00

Kaisercraft has released this awesome range this month!

This is going to be a favorite in my house

being the "outdoorsy" people we are....

Gorgeous Double Sided Papers

Sticker Sheet

Journal Tags

61/2 Paper Pad

Rub Ons

Painted Chipboard

Corrugated Tags

Here are a couple of things i can show you....

This layout was at CHA

"Brilliant Idea"

The smaller writing says: Note to Self: Camping in the winter in the pouring rain is never a

And here is some OTP work.

This was also featured at CHA

Its the Family tree which i covered in bits and pieces of papers

then covered in texture paste

stamped into the texture paste to create a wood finish

and painted layer upon layer to build up a bark effect..

More goodies to come soon....

A Jolly Good Cause

2011-08-09T19:04:00.001+10:00

This morning the Scrapping World was rocked by the tragic news of a family's loss.

Helen Jolly tragically lost her husband yesterday is a dreadful accident.

Anyone that has experienced this kind of sudden loss will understand the costs involved

in saying goodbye to our loved ones is extraordinary!

And needed immediately.

Even with Insurances and Super, there is a time delay in accessing funds and this causes a tremendous amount of stress and worry at a time when it really isn't needed.

A registered charity fund has been set up to Help Helen and her family at this time.

Sometimes when these things happen you want to do something, but are at a loss to figure out what.

This is a way we can have a real impact on helping this family.

Every little bit helps.

Australia is full of wonderfully talented scrappy people,

and if we can all put together and give a little something

it might help relieve the family a little and they can grieve without the worry of money.

If you would like to help,

a Facebook page has been established under the name of

"A Jolly Good Cause"

And you will find details for donations on the "Info" page.

If you have trouble accessing that page,

please email me personally on j_dolbel@bigpond.net.au

and i can send you the details.

A big thank you goes out to Anne-Marie Cox and Tracey Shenton

for their very fast actions of a wonderful idea.

Donations of $2 and over are tax deductible and this is a registered Charity Fund.

New Kaisercraft for August - Miss Nelly Collection

2011-08-09T16:37:00.000+10:00

This months Kaisercraft Collections Release are amaising!!!

Fist we have for those floral lovers...

There are double sided papers

6 1/2" Paper Pad

Sticker Sheet

Journal Tags

Canvas Tags

Rub ons

3D Chipboard

Die Cut Paper

and Clear Stamps in this range.

Here are some things i made with them....

This card..

which features a folded paper flower.

"Let's Celebrate"

And closer of the folded paper flower...

This layout features photos from a couple of years ago.

This was the final day of my 365 days photo challenge..

Emelia & I dressed as fairies...

"Fairy Magic"

This is another card with a different type of folded flower...

"Live for Today"

Then these Mannequins are a new release this month..

These were made to feature at CHA.

Stay tuned for the other release this month of the

Hunt & Gather Collection

For tips and hints

why not download this months workshop Magazine

You will find the link here

Wheelchair Adventures with Matthew.... Trip number 3

2011-08-08T21:04:00.001+10:00

We headed to Narrabri again today.

A specialist came to Narrabri to talk to Matthew about the impact his accident has had on his day to day living!!! Its kinda evident isn't it!! But lets hope this all leads to some help for him.

She thinks that he may qualify for some assistance with specific purpose built chair, bed etc

so that will be great for him

After all the official stuff

we mounted Matthew in the COMFORT wheelchair this time

and headed again to town

Mum joined us today,

so she was the bag carrier and i was the pusher...

This is the Comfort Wheelchair

Its half the size again of the regular chair

with alot more padding

But his legs are resting out the front which makes negotiation around shops and things a bit more difficult.

Here we are at the peak of the Bridge heading to town.

The main street is one street over again from the bottom of the bridge.

Gosh, if that other chair was hard, this chair was nearly impossible!!

Plus, we had a flat Tyre!!
With no where around to pump it up!

We would veer right all the time and i was afraid at one stage i was going to loose him by tipping him sideways out of the chair!!!

Seeing as its Mum's Birthday on Saturday and we aren't going back over again till next week, I thought that we should take Matt shopping for Mums Birthday Pressie.

(A Little birdie told me Mum was nearly out of French Perfume)

So we negotiated our way around the chemist that had wheelchair access...

After i moved furniture to get around the gondolas!

We found the Good stuff and the lovely staff we so helpful!

We must have sniffed 20 different perfumes!

All three of us!!

And we finally all decided on one Mum liked

So they gift wrapped it for us..

Matt also wanted to get some stink pretty for himself

and prompty opened it and gave himself a dozen sprays!!!

All I smelt on the way home was Cool Water!! (Very Noice!)

So then we went to the Bakery for a birthday lunch

We had little fairy cakes with candles.

Mum blew out the candles and we sung Happy Birthday!!

Matt is telling everyone Mum is 169 this weekend!!

She looks good for her age! :)

Then we "surprised" Mum with her pressie

and she acted appropriately surprised!!! Hehe

Matt really enjoyed the birthday Fair Cake...

The evidence of which he wore all over his face!!!

Seeing as I hadn't spat Matthew out of his chair he took the gamble on walking home again.

We made it fairy event free.

So this trip was a success!
Next time we will make sure the tyres are pumped up!!!

The Colour Room Palette #70

2011-08-07T16:57:00.000+10:00

Last night i decided to do some just for fun scrapping!!!
My choice was to play along with this weeks colour palette at

The Colour Room

This is Palette #70

"Its all in the Eyes"

I misted the background with two different pinks which gave an apricot finish

And then just layered the papers, photos and embellies from there

added some doodling...

Haven't doodled in such a long time. Don't even know what possessed me to do it.

But you know how it is with scrapping, sometimes we just pull this stuff out from nowhere!!!

Here was the palette.

Wheelchair Adventures with Matthew.... a new series bought to you by Jodi!

2011-08-06T18:54:00.000+10:00

I haven't shared this story yet.....

And its kinda funny!

Anyway, on Sunday last weekend the 31st

I headed over to Narrabri to see Matt.

I thought i would just take him for a walk in the wheelchair.

I was thinking before i went that we could go to the Movies..

Captain America was on at 2pm. But I thought about what happened last time Matt was

out of the home for a few hours and it was so tiring for him.

So instead I intended just to go for a walk down the river which was about a kilometre away from the home.

I jsut wore my trackies, cause we were just walking...

Here we are heading off..

So off we went.

The nurses put Matt in a normal wheel chair because they thought it would be easier to push. He had to be lifted into the chair with the mechanical lifter because Matt cant support his own weight at all.

We used a shower strap (Or Bull Rope) as Matt calls it, to

secure him to the chair incase he fell forward.

So Off we went... We got to the end of the road

and then turned to head to the river.

Matt was saying that he was sure the footy was on that day. So I said to him, we will go for a walk up over the Bridge and we can see from there if it was on or not.

So we went right past the river and up onto the Bridge over the River.

No Footy.

So we decided seeing as we were this far away we would head up to the main street and

"Chuck a Lap up the Main"

(note: Im still pushing this bloody chair!!)

So we started at one end of the main street and walked right through looking and shops and things. Then we got to the end where the supermarket is and Matt decided he would like to do some shopping.

So with the wheel chair we went shopping.

I was pushing the chair, so i tried to get Matt to hold the Basket...

It was ok until it started to get a bit heavy and then Matt didnt have the strength to hold it. So i am pushing the wheelchair and carrying the shopping basket, which was soon the shopping bag!

The bag drags on the wheel too by the way! Have to carry the bag and push the wheelchair at the same time!

Then coming out of Coles, i was heading back to the home.

Matt says. "I wouldn't mind going to see Captain America, thats on today!"

I looked at my watch and it was 2.15. I told him, ok,

if we run we might get in before the movie is on too long.

So we run/walk pushing the wheelchair to the cinima which was probably another 1 1/2kms away.

Also, during this time every now and then i hear this ripping...

I look down and Matts foot has come off the footpegs. He has no feeling in his right leg and had no idea that it was dragging along the ground under the wheelchair!

I stop and investigate and find this bloody foot dragging along!

So i left it up and put it back on the footpeg.

Running to get to the picutes,,,,

drag drag drag..

Stop and put the foot back on

Run to the cinema

Drag drag drag..

You get the picture!

So anyway, we get to the pictures and go to pay.

"Two Adults" the girl asks...

No, one adult and one pension!!!

I suppose that could be a common mistake!

So we get into the Cinema and settle into the movie.

Wheelchair seats are right at the base of the screen, so you have to look up to see the picture.

My brother has no core strength at all!!!

To lift his head was nearly imposible!
To hold it there... well... not gonna happen.

So to see the screen, Matthew shimmys his way down in the chair so he can see up.

Fine for the first 5 mintues

But he has no core strength, so cant hold that position.

So he is sliding out of his chair!!

Bear in mind, they lift him into this chair with a mechanical lifter!
So I spent the whole time at the pictures, trying to keep Matthew from slipping to the floor where i would never be able to retrieve him!!!

At the end of the movie, a nice man finally offered to help and toegtehr we were able to get him into the chair enough to wheel him out of the Cinema!

But he was so tired and just couldnt hold himself in the chair anymore.

So we had to ring the Wheelchair Cab to come pick us up to take us the 3 or so kms back to the home.

But he had knocked off for the day and was out burying a horse he had to put down!

(Poor family!)

But the lovely man said that he would be there in 10 minutes!

In the mean time, Matthew has slid from his chair again!

I had tried everything to get him back in! My back and arms were killing me trying the lift him!

In the end i rang my dear friend Jo to come and help!
Thank goodness she was in a poisiton to come right away and toegther we got him back into his chair!!!

Then the cab turned up and we went back to the home!

Oh My Goodness!!!
I have a new appreciation for fulltime carers!

Its so hard!

The paths are so rough!

All the wheelchair access shops, really arnt that accessible!!!

And there is very little common courtesy anymore to help people!

All during the movie i was trying to get Matt back into his chair and it wasn't until the movie was over that someone took the moment to stop and ask to assist me!

Matthew goes "Next time we will bring the other chair!!"

Hahaha Next time!!! OMG!

But yes, We will do it all again! We will use the comfort chair

that is twice the size of the other normal chair

but it sits back with the feet up and is totally padded!

So he cant slip out!

I woke up on Monday aching all over from pushing that chair and trying to lift Matt back into it!
But hey, my muscles are working and they are sore because i was active!
Poor Matt was sore because his body doesn't work at all and he was just trying to sit for a for hours!

It certainly makes you thankful for what you have!!!

Stay tuned for more Wheelchair adventures