Lily sans gilt.

This dear little lily was a freebie as well. Can't remember who, what, when or where just that I planted it in the dry hot (like hellishly) front garden where lavender thrives. I seriously should have known better. DER!

I (well the girls and I) dug the little sad planty poo up and transplanted it in the shady and wet (almost boggy) back yard corner. Huzzah! It has produced these stunning flowers and has quadrupled in size. Such a happy little planty poo now. Happy days!

This lamp

So after carting this lamp from house to house for the past 7 years... OMG yes its 7 years. I got it free at the Our Lady Queen of Peace Greystanes NSW annual fete. It was the end of the day and they just wanted to give stuff away. I fell in love and knew I had to take it home. I plan to turn it into a lovely tutu lamp for Claire. at last I have painted it... thought about all sorts of things I could do, like re cover it bleth! Nar I painted the fabric after I scrubbed it with sards wonder soap.

We shall see how it turns out. So far it's pearly purple. Still deciding on the tulle colour.

Soon... Lx

Lets get Shabby

Hello again, here is my entry for Let's Get Shabby for September. I have loved crepe paper ruffles for ages now and these are combined with cellophane ruffles in red. The branches are just a little thing I picked up in a cheapy shop. I really love this page! Photos were taken of Charlotte at Mums during last years band reunion. Every year the old people get together to play in the garage just like old times lol. She had to join in with her toy ukelele. It was hilarious to watch.

The idea was to include music paper and notes. There are music paper butterflies as well as the background paper. Click on the page to enlarge for a better look. See you soon, Lib x

... there is only one minute at a time to get through.

Not sure where to start... I just know I want to.

I don't often get too into my personal life here on my crafty blog. However I have been through a major life change and I'm only just getting to be able to face the world again.

It was 25th July at about 4pm. I took a call from a friend of Damian's - the girl's dad. The friend told me that Damian had been helicoptered to the John Hunter Hospital after a catastrophic car accident and he was sorry to be the one to tell me... but Damian looked like he wasn't going to make it. I went straight to the hospital and so began the hardest, most horrific and devastating 2 weeks of my life.

It's now more than a month later and I only just now feel like a person who can keep their shit together. I went straight back to work after Damian's family left here. I have got up most mornings and got on with it. I am now the only parent. I have nothing to say here about Damian other than the fact that I am so terribly sad for the situation. So bone wearily sad. He really cannot be anything other than gone.

I have been crafting. It helped my sanity... REALLY! I will share soon.

Give me strength...

Lib x

Janelle is having a spectacular week of giveaways!

The ever-gorgeous Janelle Wind is having a week long extravaganza!

Go here - Janelle Wind Collection Blog

Janelle is also releasing a new bag pattern. If you love her frilly dilly bag then you will adore her Frill Seeker! 

Janelle is holding the week long giveaway along with the release of her new book... Pieces of Me! If you go to her blog there are links to where you can buy a copy.

Do yourself a favour and buy a copy... it's fantastic!

Chat soon

Lib xxx

Some layouts...

These first two layout photos were taken (not by me) at the Jinkyart Retreat in Bungendore (Canberra) last year. That was a road trip and a half lol I can't remember if I showed them on the old blog, probably not... becasue I don't think I've ever photographed them. No journalling and even no title on one. Just pretty paper and pretty photos. Who doesn't love Basic Grey? The third one is American Crafts paper. Life is chugging along. Happy enough at the moment. Really looking forward to my two weeks off with the ladies for the school holidays at the end of this week. Should really start a plan for some fun activities. Maybe a Zoo trip should be on the cards. A night in Sydney with the Aquarium and some other touristy stuff? We are so very spoilt with Hunter Valley Gardens at our back door, Newcastle only an hour away, heaps of great shows on in Newcastle. Anyway should tootle off now... poor little Charlotte has been coughing most of the night so far. Nothing in my medicine chest other than Vicks I'm afraid. Hopefully she gets some sleep. She is one little chicken who is so very ready for the school holidays, by Friday every week, she is completely worn down and exhausted. Oh and we were given the school photos today. Tell me... is there anyone else who's kids school photos make them look as though they might be part Shrek, or at the very least, not the full quid??? I'm serious! I think my girls are gorgeous and these school photos look like they should be in the 'awkward family album' book. Maybe it's just me lol OK that'll do pig, that'll do!  nite nite Lib x.

The name tag I made for the @home (away) retreat!

So... this is the name tag I made (which won I'm delighted to say) I am now the name tag Queen! I have won every name tag comp I've entered lol two from two!
The concept was tough, and so to finally decide on actually making my name tag 'a house/home' was the easy bit. Hopefully by showing you the back side you can see how I made my home from 2 mini canvases. Genius if I do say so myself.

Off to work for me...

love love

lib x

The @Home (Away) Retreat - oops that was last year!

... and so I don't remember sharing my winning entries in the comps at the most fabulous retreat that has ever been or ever will be. A gorgeous setting and the most relaxing and inspiring weekend I have ever spent. I am proud to call these ladies my friends.

Big statement? Well no, not really. From the first moment I arrived I had the time of my life. Met and shared with beautiful souls who also love creating pretty stuff with their hands. Kim Archer and her outstanding team really set the standard in scrap booking/crafting retreats. Next post I will share more of the actual weekend but luckily these are my winning entries for the name badge and layout comps. Yeah, little old me really did win! Oh and I must share the amazing journal cover made by the uber talented (and recently published) Janelle Wind. I won that beauty and use it every day, it really makes me smile every time I open my diary. So I guess I was ahead of the trend by about 6 months when I started mucking around with crepe paper. I've always been a trendsetter lol

Look at that tongue out concentration? This page is called 'Ready, Set, Golf!'

Charlotte loves to play with her birthday golf clubs. She really has a great outline when she swings too. 

Check out that follow through!

OK this post has taken about 3 hours (with interruptions from my neighbour who just burst his backyard water pipe - because I work for Council he seemed to think I would know how long the plumber would take to arrive???) so now I'm tired and will share the name tag tomorrow.

Nite nite xx

New blog header!

OMG I am loving moy-self sick! I've wanted to set aside some time to make a scrappy blog header... finally I did and I am so in love with it!

Didn't take as long as I thought. Funny thing is... I have so many freebies saved in my digital scrapbooking folder and I have tried, honest I have! I just cannot seem to be happy with what I produce when digi scrapping. So I decided to go back to paper and glue and I love! love! love it!

Squealing with delight!

Lib x

... and tonight I feel a little bit sad for Mr Kevin Rudd.

So much swirling around in my head. Gail calls it 'Clunky-head-noise'.

• Have mufti clothes ready for girls tomorrow/well today now lol
• Sign form and pay for Disco next week
• Organise meeting with school - fees
• Check Lotto ... didn't win
• Solder something this weekend - had the soldering iron out of the packet once... never, ever have turned it on.
• Birthday present and party for C&C's school friend on Saturday
• Local Market Saturday morning
• Organise Dr's appointment for my 'Oil change' (every two year check-up)
• See Dentist about getting my teeth made beautiful
• Pay for the footy tipping comp
• Pay the last $20 for my work uniform before EOFY
• Need to buy 1 pair slippers, 1 pair sneakers and 2 pairs 'church' shoes
• Go to church!
• Wait for school photos to arrive... impatiently!
• Finish two courses I have started at work
• Get phone to connect to Internet properly
• Skype loved ones over the weekend

I know there's more. Hopefully this list will help!

Going to make these again this weekend. Eggs, oven-cooked in silicone star-shaped muffin molds. Easy and cute! Oh well Good night one and all... and thanks Mr Rudd, I will miss you :-(

So Mr Shopkeeper I have a bone to pick with you...

I don't get it... Scrap stores trying to sell me what amounts to cutesy stamps with out of proportion little people holding cupcakes or sitting on swings. They have large heads a la Holly Hobby.... and and and those copic markers? Are these shops from Syria? (Meaning are they serious?)

I really don't understand this craze. Nor do I want to spend $400 on some TEXTAS PEOPLE!

OK rant over..

as you were. :-\

Charlotte loves her new do!

Miss Charlotte had a haircut yesterday... so cute! In honour of such a momentous day we took the afternoon by the hand and led it into the woods ... and there we recorded our frolic ... digitally!

Charlotte actually enjoyed having photos taken today! Happiness in a jar for me!

Chicken pie I love you on rye! xx Mumma!

More photos... and the excuse lol

Well so much for my 30 days of blogging... thanks to the delightful internet provider I am with, I was without any mobile wireless broadband for 10 days. They also can't seem to configure my new phone so I can blog from that either.

Anyway I have turned Claire into my own personal plaything. Like my own Lady Gaga doll. I don't care if you think I am weird, she will have her name in lights whatever she decides to do. So here was today's photoshoot. I only shot a few nice ones of Charlotte, she kept poking out her tongue and posing with her bottom in the air.... she's going through a 'no photos' stage, not that she enjoys having her photo taken at the best of times lol.

I love the influence of Elsie and mags like Frankie and love trying new stuff out on Claire. All the while hoping that maybe she might even enjoy our afternoons at the park in dress ups.

She was trying out her serious face with those lips. When she laughed or smiled she looked like a little bunny.

Oh well it's way past my bed time.... nite nite xx

Day Four - Your Favourite Book

Definately Rudyard Kipling - Just So Stories mainly because of how my Mother would animate her voice while reading it to me as a child, something i hope to continue with my ladies. Another great one for animated mummies is The Magic Pudding by Norman Lindsay. Great names like Bunyip Bluegum and Uncle Wattleberry!

Day Three - Favourite TV program

How weird is this? I have two favs both are from the UK Eastenders (I know, how ridiculous? But I got toally sucked in by it all... a bit like the poms watching Neighbours or Home and Away) and the other is a crazy series called Shameless, it so 'adult themed' that it runs late at night on SBS (which, incidently is how I came to love Oz as well). I really find a lot of TV quite entertaining. I always watch Sunrise before work and try to watch the local news at night. I try not to be a couch potato and do othere 'stuff' while I watch TV.

Night x

Day Two - Favourite Movie

Without a doubt fav all time movie... Fight Club! For so many reasons. So clever, twisted and really fabulous message.



My favourite scene is where Tyler Durden steals the licence of a guy who works in a dingey video shop and threatens to kill him if he doesn't start night school to become a doctor... something the guy had dreamed of becoming as a boy. Such a good hearted chap lol

back soon...

Kraft It Up - April

Hello again,

I suppose I should mention the fact that I am on holidays while the ladies are also on their school break. They are however with Grannie for the final week, out at the farm, running amok and wearing out Grannie and Gabu. For that I am truely greatful. I am spring cleaning and managing to squeeze a little crafting in too. I finished this for April's challenge at Kraft It Up

Thanks for looking! Till the next time... adios!

Day One - Favourite Song

Music is such an enormous part of all of our lives and so many songs hold so much meaning. I could never nail down one song that would be my favourite. I love everything from The Eagles to Lady Gaga anything commercial. I've never been a fan of Heavy Metal/Death/Thrash etc and the concerts I've been to probably reflect a commercial kind of mainstream.

In my teen angst years I was helped through with a lot of Steve Earle (NO NOT COPPERHEAD ROAD!!!) I started out quite red-neck probably because I was showing Quarter Horses and the whole cowboy thing was going on. Back to the concerts... Jimmy Barnes - about 6 times now, Robbie Williams - 3 times, Panic at the Disco they were amazing, on the same night as Cobra Starship who have now got some radio play which is good. I would love to get a tattoo with a song which was menaingful to me but I figure once I start with the tatts I wont stop... so far I have 3 peircings but no tattoos... I just know I will end up covered in them and with a sewing machine tattooed on my neck and consequently lose my job lol

Anyway back to the question... I have Brass In Pocket as my ringtone at the moment and I can't nail down a favourite.. so here are some in the favourite file.






OK that'll do pig... that'll do. Lib x

Let's Get Shabby - April

This is my entry for the Let's Get Shabby April challenge. You needed to interpret 'Easter' in a shabby theme.

The whole thing from the top to bottom is, birdie from fred The Needle in Penrith, little bird house from Bunnings, Kaisercraft paper (banner) and pearls, the roof is silver masking tape from Bunnings, Basic Grey PP around the Scrapware birdhouse. I painted the birdhouse in Easter colours, which to me mean pastels, green, orange, pink, blue.

The most exciting thing is the largest mushroom. I made it myself from sculpey/fimo. Such fun even though it took me hours.

There are punched butterflies, raffia and choc eggs in the birdhouse.

Thanks for looking and have a great weekend! Lib x 

A Move and A New Ritual

Welcome to anyone who has followed me here from my old wordpress blog... so here I am at Blogger again. Wordpress was fun for a while but really limited which is why I got a bit sick of it and stopped blogging.

So I have decided to join in with Jodie and make a blog entry a day for 30 days to develop the habit of blogging again.

Day 01 — Your favourite song
Day 02 — Your favourite movie
Day 03 — Your favourite television program
Day 04 — Your favourite book
Day 05 — Your favourite quote
Day 06 — Whatever tickles your fancy
Day 07 — A photo that makes you happy
Day 08 — A photo that makes you angry/sad
Day 09 — A photo you took
Day 10 — A photo of you taken over ten years ago
Day 11 — A photo of you taken recently
Day 12 — Whatever tickles your fancy
Day 13 — A fictional book
Day 14 — A non-fictional book
Day 15 — A fanfic

Now here I went... what the? What is a fanfic? So for both you and my benefit directly from Wiki...

Fan fiction (alternately referred to as fanfiction, fanfic, FF, or fic) is a broadly-defined term for fan labor regarding stories about characters or settings written by fans of the original work, rather than by the original creator.

So...
 
Day 15 — A favourite poem!
Day 16 — A song that makes you cry (or nearly)
Day 17 — An art piece (painting, drawing, sculpture, etc.)
Day 18 — Whatever tickles your fancy
Day 19 — A talent of yours
Day 20 — A hobby of yours
Day 21 — A recipe
Day 22 — A website
Day 23 — A YouTube video
Day 24 — Whatever tickles your fancy
Day 25 — Your day, in great detail
Day 26 — Your week, in great detail
Day 27 — This month, in great detail
Day 28 — This year, in great detail
Day 29 — Hopes, dreams and plans for the next 365 days
Day 30 — Whatever tickles your fancy

then by the end of this daily ritual I will indeed have a well-tickled fancy. I haven't tickled my fancy this much in years.

Edited 10/04/2010 :-)

Welcome to my new blog... third time lucky!

I have decided to come back to blogger. There are such cute templates available now and I found wordpress very serious and really not very flexible. Anyway, thanks for following me here. I will be sharing a lot more this year. My scrap blogging took a back seat in the past couple of years. I am not sure why. I have been creating, just not sharing and I think it's because I have been so bad at making time to blog. I really enjoy having a web record and going back to read though them is such a great feeling.

ok off to bed for now...

Nite

Lib x