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!

Top 50 cyberscrapping

I love the cybercrops at Top 50 because they go for a week and that means I often have time to play with all the challenges. These are my April cc creations.

This one was for Vicki's journalling challenge. The journalling is on the tag - just a funny story about how my FIL didn't want his photo taken but then Rob threw his arms around him and made us all laugh.

This one was for Ant's word challenge. You had to use the word 'separate' and add an element that holds things together - I used masking tape (for my journalling which is where I used 'separate').

I've noticed that pp strips across the top of a LO are back in a big way and I created this LO after admiring the awesome creative works of Kerryn Lawson. So, as well as being inspired by Kerryn's use of strips, I lifted her idea of adding a pearl to the centre of the sunburst badge. Thanks Kerryn :)

This one was for Sarah's six word challenge.

And this wasn't for the cc at all, it was for Ant's April challenge - a photo inspiration. I used an older wp kit (Indy Girl) for this and look I even used the paper flowers just for you, Krissy Christie (SEE, I can use them! hehehe).

I hope you've all had a good weekend. Rob and I are off to see Henry Rollins tonight, we've had the tickets since last year, it's been a long wait but I'm sure it will be worth it.

And I hope your week is fabulous! Thanks for stopping by :)

Lucky, lucky, lucky

Sometimes I need to pinch myself, not too hard, but hard enough to remind myself that I'm lucky, lucky, lucky! Everyday drudgery can drag you down if you let it. It's important to remind yourself about the good things in your life!

I've had a tough couple of weeks at work; lots of negative media, a member of my team refusing to do her job, having to work all of the school holidays, including my two precious Fridays. All this combined to make me a little droopy around the edges when I finally left the office at 6pm on Friday night (it was dark, I never leave the office in the dark). But then I came home and my family were kind and funny and oh so real that my kinks fell out and I shut the door on the week that was and took up my real life once more.

The weekend of course has gone too quickly but it's been fun. I was lucky enough to go to a crop day yesterday, I had hoot, laughed, talked and scrapped myself silly :) I got six LOs done - magic - I managed to complete a heap of challenges that I just haven't got to in ages and all before the end of the month (just).

So, I scrapped the boys - my recycled item is the Quiksilver tag from Angus' tshirt.

And I scrapped the girls too - I didn't do a 8.5x11 as I wanted to use slightly larger photos of my sisters and I hamming it up in Hong Kong.

Then I played along with Once upon a sketch - the theme is home - this is the group of scrappers I shared yesterday with - they always make me feel at home (the photo was taken at our Christmas function).

And that is probably enough LOs to share in one day :)

This morning my daughter took me driving. She got her Learner's permit on Thursday and I missed it but her father has been very calm and very patient and has taken her driving everyday. And yes, he remembered to take photos for me :) I am so proud of them both. Zoe for being so sensible and focussed and a very good a student and Rob for being the best sort of Dad a girl could hope for.

Tomorrow is looming large and fast but for now I'm savouring an evening in with my family and I hope that whatever you're doing you're enjoying the little things and savouring all that life offers.