Friday quickie

Vicki decided to post a little mojo booster over at Top 50 yesterday, to create a LO in 30 minutes. I created mine in 33 minutes - not bad ;) It's for Deb's SFS sketch challenge plus a Charm's Creation (or two actually). I painted the little Charm's clay button with glimmer mist.

Thanks for popping in :)

Top 50's June challenges

Over the course of a rainy Sunday afternoon I completed all three of this month's challenges at Top 50. It was only when I sat back to look over them that I realised they were all pink! How did that happen?

This one is for Vicki's style challenge - grunge. I love a bit of pink grunge and so does Angus :) I used Charm's May Sketch at SFS to create this LO. I loved her sketch but just didn't get time to play with it. That said, I created this LO solely for the Top 50 challenge. BUT thanks for the inspiration Charmane, I really enjoyed using your sketch!

Here are some close ups of my texture paste splats, a Charms Creation and super-sized eyelets.

This one is for Ant's sketch challenge. 

I used some cool felt goodies that I bought at the last Top 50 Crafters Market - made by Aga (of scrAp this). I've also been joining the monthly swaps and that cute little bunting was in April's bundle of swap goodies - it was made by Melinda.

And this one is for Sarah's twine challenge - you had to use twine in a different way (so not just stapling it on where it falls).

There's still a whole week left for you to play along with these challenges so why not visit the forum?

Apple Tree Lane

At the WP retreat I was lucky enough to meet the very friendly and super fun Monica Brady. She was funny and sweet and I really enjoyed her company. I was privileged to hear the story of her family's escape from their former homeland. Thanks for sharing such an important story Monica, it reminded me of just how lucky we are to live in Australia. And to take it slightly less for granted.

I also got to check out her fabulous scrappy style and awesome Apple Tree Lane products, which segues nicely into the announcement that Apple Tree Lane Designs is having a sale.

Visit the blog for all the details. you won't be disappointed :)

'See' you there!

Sketchy LO

Hey, hey :)

Here's my take on this week's WP sketch + stitching. I cheated on the stitching...

I'd love to see your take on the sketch pop over here to check it out.

Inside my head

I often have a lot going on in my head, no I don't mean that constant ever-growing list that reminds me of all the stuff I have to do but just haven't got to yet, I mean the wild random thoughts about things. Just stuff...

Mostly I don't mention it out loud, probably because people think I'm kinda weird already, so I have these random little conversations with myself, often I write it into a blog post in my head, just so I can convince myself that I'm really not nuts. So, today when I was having one of those moments, I thought why don't I just post it on my blog? After all it's my blog and I'm not forcing anyone to read it or comment on it am I? So, then I had a little argument with myself about how people would react. Would some of you be bewildered, bemused or downright outraged if I shared some of my white noise once in a while?

So, here goes... Recently, a mordidly obese woman said to me, "I really don't eat much, I just have one meal a day, I can't understand why I'm the size I am".

Hello! Metabolism, lovely!

But what could I say? Was it the right time to dive into a full blown lecture about how thin people eat breakfast - every day?! I think not! I'm still trying to work out what my reaction to this mind-blowingly stupid statement was meant to be... Did she really expect sympathy or advice? I think not.

In my head I explained, very patiently, that I believe in personal responsibility and that I actually don't give a toss that she's throwing her life away but that I do mind that my taxes are meant to pay for her care. Callous? Perhaps. My other (also unspoken) response was to let her into the secret about how the body's metabolism works. Education is the key. If you don't know the answer, go and seek it out...

Anyway rant over, for the record I just smiled and nodded sympathetically as if I understood her point - can anyone shed some light on what the correct response would have been?

Sketches +

Wicked Princesses Sketches are now weekly, so now you have a chance to win a prize each and every week - cool huh?!

Here's my take on the latest two.

Sketch + paint

Sketch + misting and/or masking

And a couple of close ups to show how I used some mist and a cog mask and then a brick mask and some texture paste. 

And this is the canvas I did at the WP retreat - my very first one :)

Thanks for stopping by. xoxox

Wicked retreat

Last weekend I travelled to Brisbane to attend the second Wicked Princesses Retreat - what a blast - totally wicked! Lots of laughing, lots of chat, lots of scrapping - 17 LOs and a canvas, not much sleep!

This year, Krissy offered three classes - a boy LO, a girl LO and a canvas. I did all three and I'm so glad I did, Krissy has a fabulous style and she was a fun and patient teacher.

Here's my girlie one. My lollipop flower got a bit squashed on the way home - imagine it sitting up more :)

And my boy: Rob doing his best Arnie impersonation with Angus' nerf gun :)

I failed to take a photo of my canvas - oops! But here's a LO that was the result of a private, late-night lesson with Krissy - no patterned paper, just stamps, texture paste, mist and washi tape. Cool huh?!

I like that, together, each one of these LOs features my favourite people. I was away for six days in all as I spent a couple days with my sister after the retreat (loads of fun) but boy did I miss these three. They may not be perfect but they're my kind of funny, sweet and silly! Sometimes distance really does make the heart grow fonder ;-)

That was one thing that really stood out for me at the retreat - how proud everyone was of their families - they spoke with love and pride - even when they were telling a funny story about a child or partner's quirky habits. And those feelings shone through in their LOs, it was an amazing weekend spent with amazing women! I can't wait for next year!