Those shoes!

Oh, I'm absolutely awe-inspired by my new shoes!

They are silver & covered in bling. What more could you want? They deserve their own page!!! I've scrapped handbags & teapots & Mum's thimbles, but never shoes before.

I bought them to wear to Chase's wedding. I've even got my dress - it's red. That won't surprise many of you!

And now I have to find a silver evening bag that speaks to me, and it has to say, "Oh mamma!"

Grinning from ear to ear,

Jane

Too hot to handle!

It may have come to your notice that summer has arrived? Some love it, some hate it.

I'm not fond of the heat. I like cool weather best. Give me May & September for perfect days & cool nights.

It influences where we go for holidays. Some love a tropical beach, with warm sultry breezes...

I like a holiday to see or do something - out in nature, cultural or something like that. As long as it's not too hot! That's me at Miami beach. camera in hand. Nice photo Lindy. Thanks.

This leads me to ideas for scrapbooking pages -

1. Where do you normally spend y0ur holidays? At Christmas? At Easter?

2. What is your dream destination for holidays? And why?

3. What does summer mean to you? (swimming, b-b-ques, hibiscus or conditioning, melted make up, sunburn)

4. If you could like anywhere in the world, where would you live?

Got some summer photos that need a focus?? Think beyond the square to give it a twist!

Happy hot Tuesday all,

Jane

Classes here & there!

Went to my first Christmas party of the season Friday night! Yes, it's already starting. Here I am with friends Maria & Maria. We all volunteer our time and skills to the Friends of the Library in the Caboolture region.



It was lots of fun and the dinner and entertainment was great. Sugar, a 3-woman singing and dancing act, sang songs from the 40s right through to the 80s. I loved the 70s & 80s bit best!


Thanks to Glenda who told me how useful it is for her to look up where & when I'm teaching so she can plan in advance.




That's better organised than me at the moment I can tell you! Will be trying very hard today to update the class dates. I've included some pics of some of the lovely ladies (some are off grabbing paper & card) from Saturday's class at Stamp Art Studio. We got heaps done!

Hope to see you in class sometime too!

Have a great week,

Jane

Cakes & orchids

Here's a photo of the wedding cake my Mum made for my cousin Kimberley & her new hubby Michael. Elegant isn't it?

We had a busy time of it hunting ribbon sites for that shade of ribbon and that width, I can tell you. We now have several metres left! Thinking caps on...

Dad's had plenty of orchids flowering and won some awards at their last Orchid show. These were for a lovely friend who passed away.

Got busy today and worked on new pages. Here's a detail or two.

Hope your weekend worked out nicely,

Jane

Christmas decision time

Right! Christmas isn't far away. No whinging or whining. I have a few suggestions...



If you hate the mad noisy rush in December (I hate it), avoid it as much as possible by shopping all year for gifts. How?


Step 1 - Ok, have a list of who you want to buy for and their likes, hobbies, etc and as you shop during the year BE A HUNTER. If you see something that suits someone on the list buy it then and there. Tick them off the list.


Step 2 - Make full use of shopping catalogues to search for bargains and gifts. Map out your shopping like a mission (almost impossible, but NOT) so you don't have to backtrack.


Step 3 - Stop for food and drinks. You need them & it will make you less grumpy.


Tips...

1. Spreading out your shopping means it costs less in December and less credit use.


2. Make full use of internet searches, magazine subscriptions, Ebay & gift vouchers especially for cranky teens and grumpy old men.


3. If you are a scrapper or cardie you may want to make a special gift for someone, but can't find the time. Join a class or go to a crop to get the time. You deserve it.


4. The BEST idea I ever received was to start a Christmas savings account. It's fab. I can't access it until November so it covers things I have to get at the last month and any leftover money goes to the January sales to get Christmas cards and wrap for next year.


More ideas to come,
Jane

Sicko!

Hey all, I haven't forgotten you! I've been really sick, but hope to improve soon. Just a little hello via the laptop because I'm still in bed "feeling poorly".

Positive side to this? Had time to read quite a few books, pat the cat & saved heaps of petrol money because I haven't been anywhere. Always look on the bright side of life - as Monty Python say!

Have a nice weekend,
Jane

Scrappin' Good Time

Had a great time last night with some lovely creative women.




There were some fabulous pages made, some laughs and lots of creative juices flowing. I like it!



Thanks to you all.




One of the pages was titled Griffith Island. Turns out Michelle has an ancestor the Island (featured in my layout) was named for. Small world.


Amazing how much you can get done in a 2 hour class isn't it?


Have a lovely Saturday everyone,
Jane

Finally back!

Floriade was wonderful! Hope you enjoy these photos as much as I do.

Only thing was the cold, dark wet weather. Brrr! The light was so poor many of the photos were just not good enough (for me!).

I was exhausted when we got back and am still tired, but there's been so much happening. I started at Arnold's and that was great fun. Here's a photo of the great gals in my first class: You Make My Heart Happy. Their pages looked fab. That's Jan's page (the birthday gal).

I'm also working furiously on my cousin's wedding invitations. That's taking up HOURS. Note to self: check how many inviations you have to make before saying yes!

PLUS I've been making pages for classes, drawing sketches and making handouts and kits. Sorry to all my mates who must be feeling woefully neglected. ..kinda like this blog. :-))

Well, cheers everyone! See some of you at class at Arnold's tonight. What a hoot!

Just ONE more photo...

Jane

Floriade!

Greetings from Lindy & Jane in freezing cold wet Canberra.

Pretty awful weather last couple of days freezing our butts and other assorted body parts.

Flowers were still beautiful if a little damp! Tomorrow we are off to Tulip Top Farm & we are praying for better waether. Back to Floriade Tuesday to finish off seeing all the displays. It's bigger than ever!

Surprise thing we have seen - fire across the road - 3 fire crews, hazmat team, fire investigators and building evacuation! Never a dull moment with us...

No photos to show yet...
Jane

Layouts galore!

Hi everyone...I've made heaps of new layouts for Arnolds and Stamp Art Studio.

In fact I've even got ahead with some for November. What next?!!! A lotto win?

I've included a few details of pages from Arnold's Scrapbook & Craft Supplies ( http://scrapbooking.arnolds.net.au/) so you can get a hint of what I've been up to. Lots of fab Bo Bunny papers.

I picked up some of the new Kaiser paper range yesterday too, so look out! I grabbed the purple and green floral paper and the new travel range because tomorrow I'm off to Floriade. Yay!

I loved the vintage Christmas paper and had to get a few sheets to play with there. I see some visits to Christmas past in those pages.

Can't wait to be snapping a few 100 or 1000 photos of tulips and flowers Saturday morning. It's supposed to be cold & raining. Ha! Lindy & I have a brolly and will not be deterred (too much). Top of 15 degrees celcius forecast for that day. Oh well...

Have a great week and I'll be back from tulip heaven soon,

Jane

Getting creative at Arnold's

The accordion fold book my sister Bin & I made for our cousin Chase’s birthday was a huge success! She loved it.

Titled “10 Things We Share” we filled it with bright colours, flowers, bling and photos from childhood to now. Lots of laughs coming up with the 10 things....I’m so glad it’s made and sent. We started it last year! Well, life has a way of giving you other distractions, doesn’t it?

I’ve been working very hard on my teaching samples for Arnold’s Scrapbook & Craft Supplies and getting very inspired.

My first class is Saturday 10 October at 10am-12pm and titled “You Make My Heart Happy”.
It's fun and funky, lots of hot pink and lime. It combines colour pizzazz, pattern, swirls, ribbon, flowers and bling, of course! Check out Arnold's site at http://scrapbooking.arnolds.net.au/

Here's a detail from another I'm working on using My Mind's Eye paper. I've gone rich tones of steel blue, olive and sandstone for my photos of Bell's Beach along the Great Ocean Road.

Check out the Arnold's box in the sidebar for more...

Please read the post after this one if you haven't read about the fraud email pretending to be from me... Remember to email me with your email details at liveoutloud43@y7mail.com

Now...back to the workshop,

Jane

Jane suffers fraud attack

My email has been hijacked. Please do not respond to any emails from livelovelife42@y7mail.com - especially ones asking for money!

My new email address is liveoutloud43@y7mail.com

Please send me an email as all of my contacts have been wiped out! I cannot update any of you or contact you.

What a pity that all the wonderful people who have been part of the Create-4 a Cause and scrapbooking have been touched by this money-hungry fraudulent hacker.

Please email me!
Jane

Look out Arnold's Scrapbook store!

Danger everyone!


I start teaching at Arnold's Scrapbook & Craft Supplies in October! Yay!


So for all of those out there that wished I was teaching near Caboolture again - I am, in Rothwell! It's a store with a lovely friendly atmosphere and excellent prices. Owner Karen is down to earth and very helpful. She doesn't mind a chat or a cuppa either - yes, we get on quite well therefore!




More details soon, but I had to give you all a heads up....



Still working on Chase's invitations here's some more photos of the latest batch.



Anyway, I'm working on a whole bunch of new stuff for Karen & feeling very inspired. See you soon at Arnold's!

Getting creative,
Jane

Invitations again!

I didn't get up to too much this week because of a persistent migraine. First I've had in ages. Rotten things.

I did get the computer and the camera fixed however, yay! I am missing a limb without a camera.

Here's another couple of invitations for Chase to view all based around her rough ideas. The first one is pink paper with white spots and white paper with pink spots. The second is pink with white spots then pink shimmer. That bit of ribbon is getting mighty frayed with me pulling it off and popping it on to the next trial each time!

Hope you're all getting some creative time.

Happy birthday to Sharon for tomorrow! May the day & year ahead be as special as you are!

Have a great weekend,

Jane

Spring tomorrow - officially!

Forget the weird weather because tomorrow it is officially Spring!

Welcome flowers, sunshine, and hay fever.

Not long until Floriade! Yay!

Got the computer 'doctored' today so cross fingers all will be well...

I wish you could barter services more. I'd love to swap baking for computer services or massages or waxing, haircuts etc etc Or I can do hair foils, tutor english, geography or junior maths, or make a layout, housesit...jack of many that's me!

Look at gardens tomorrow!
Jane

Missing the Great Ocean Road

I'm missing the fabulous travels and photography of the Great Ocean Road trip we did in January 2008! Lucky we're off to Floriade in Canberra in October for a few days...

So, I'm going to have to get out all the photos I haven't scrapped from that trip - and there are hundreds! Here is a pic of a layout I've already done and the original sketch. It works really well with lots of different styles so give it a go!

Had a great couple of days staying over with my sister Bin & niece Amelie. All girls together. Love how Amelie calls me "Aunty Daney" now. And I had a great afternoon with the gals at our cuppa catch up. It was fully dark when we left!

Hope you're all NOT having computer problems like me!

Happy technology,

Jane

Wedding count down

Weddings! No, not me...my cousin, in January 2010.

Have been to so many stores to find the papers etc that Chase wants for her wedding invitations - you know how that can be. It's made harder by the fact that she is in Melbourne & had no specific idea of what she wanted.

So here's a rough trial based on her email pictures...this is not to be it though. I have a few more suggestions from her.

Mum on the other hand has been making someone's wedding cake and they are popping fresh purple irises on top. It's very delicate and sweet.

Another cousin is getting married in a couple of weeks time and mum's making that cake too. Ivory roses for that one.

Meanwhile I've had NO CHANCE of being creative since I returned home. Too busy with visitors, Amelie and getting ready for work tomorrow. I'll be creative then!

Happy weekend,

Jane

Goodbye Newmarket

Had a great time at my girlfriend's 40th - yes, got the book done, whew! Took photos and then my camera 'seized up'is how I'll put it. Now I can't get anything off the memory, even in another camera.

It's been a fantastic camera, it takes great pix too. So...no photos for this post! (Was going to add photos of the mini book.)

It's my last full day housesitting, I'm back home tomorrrow. Goodbye Newmarket. I enjoyed you. It flew so quickly. Where did the last 8 weeks go?

It feels like winter is over and spring is here already. I can't believe how hot some of the days have been. Winter has been short changed! Bring it back for a few weeks please!

Jumper still out hoping for cool change,
Jane

Turkey time

Scrub turkeys drive the inhabitants of this home a bit crazy, but i've enjoyed seeing them around. They are messy, there's no doubt about that. This bird dragged every single one of those leaves from the very far corner of the yard.

I've been trying to get a mini book done start to finish today in between appointments. It's for a friend's 40th. I can finish it off tomorrow at home because I need my crop-o-dile punch! I made a little card to go with it and the scan is awful sorry. The colours match in reality.

No more work today, my scrapper's neck is just not up to it!

Enjoy the birds,

Jane

A little birdy on my page

Well, I'm just loving the new A2Z Scraplet of a little bird. Added it to my page today & it finished it off perfectly.

I haven't decided if the page is for class so this is just a bit of a look. I'm still scrapping photos from our Roma Street Parkland photo shoot. Now THAT was a great inspiration!

Can't believe how fast this week is disappearing! My housesitting job is nearly over. Will have to hunt up another one!

Be happy,

Jane

Harry Potter & the Half-Blood Prince

Spent time with my sister Bin and Harry Potter yesterday. Yay! Finally got to see the movie. Enjoyed it very much, but it is annoying when they change films from the book.

Yes, I know they can't show EVERYTHING, but changing things is different. That's why books are better than the film usually. Bet you have a favourite book made into a movie that drives you nuts..

We saw a preview for New Moon, the next film in the Twilight series and they have definitely made some changes. Grrrr. I really enjoyed the Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer. her books have been in the Top 10 for over 2 years now. That must be very satisfying.

Back to Harry...people are complaining it's very dark in mood - well, hello people! If the dark lord is trying to take over the world and kills anyone in his way, there's not too much giggling in that. There are lighter moments. At least it stays true to the book in many ways.

On another note Bin reminded me that the last time we went to the movies together it was to see Mamma Mia. What a pair of slackers! Now THAT was a fun movie.

Popcorn anyone?

Jane

The weekend that was

Friday the power shorted out in the older style home I'm housesitting.

10 minutes checking appliances in house.
10 minutes finding the fuse box.
5 minutes feeling woefully inadequate as a modern woman (what the hell was I looking for?).
2 minutes brain burning thought...
3 minutes crossing to neighbour where fence being built and conning to male builders into coming over and checking the fuse box out for me. (Cheeky hey?) How could they resist with my opening line,"Could I be really sexist please -because I'm a woman, you're a man, and I need you to look at my fuse box please?"
10 minutes discussion & checking fuses, switches, etc
Finally success! Yes!
Thanks to the guys.
THAT"S problem solving...

Saturday off early to the Cherish Your Friends crop at Burpengary, a 14 hour crop raising money for cancer research. Made 4 single, 1 double page and started another double page layouts. Talked, laughed, ate, etc

Got to sleep after midnight, woke 6.30am Sunday.
Visited with family, extended family popped in for a visit, went to visit a friend and had a cuppa.
Grabbed a few essentials at the shop & travelled back to housesit. Unpacked mountains of stuff and dragged it back upstairs.

Opened freezer (under the house) for something for lunch.
Disaster!
Found the appliance that caused the power short.
5 minutes getting big bin around front of house through gates, doors and under house.
15 minutes emptying freezer full of rotting, wet meat, seafood, bread etc.
Over 1 hour cleaning freezer, drawers & floor with periodic stops to go outside for fresh air.
5 minutes removing bin to original spot.
4 mintes showering off stink.
5 minutes popping clothes, etc into washing machine.
3 minutes hanging out washing.
2 minutes to trudge back upstairs & collapse.

Had apple for lunch. A baked potato for tea.

What I learnt -
whatever life throws at you, cope 1 moment at a time.
When it's over, laugh at it & turn it into a story....

Sharing my story,
Jane

A Visit to the Met

Lindy & I popped over to the Queensland Art Gallery today to see the American Impressionism & Realism exhibition. It closes the 20 September & I hate to miss these things...


Normally I'd say, "When will I ever beat the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York?", but I have actually been there! (Name dropper, travel bragger, etc) That was over 10 years ago.






We had a lovely time viewing the paintings, themes and ideas and couldn't resist a few photos around the immediate area of the gallery, bridge and wheel. Next on the list is Da Vinci's drawings at Southbank. Must check when that closes before I miss it.

My newly dyed hair really stands out in this photo! Good candid photo Lindy!

With head awash with art,

Jane

Sounds of heavy machinery

The house behind here is doing some major renos with a grader EARLY. I'm not fond of early UNLESS I have somewhere fab to go.





I took this morning to make another layout to the lilting sounds of constant heavy machinery. It is loosely inspired by a Prima sketch. Check them out at http://prima.typepad.com/prima/2009/06/julys-build-a-page-is-here.html



The colours of the photo were bit of a shocker, but who could resist such 'messy' photos? I chose the orange & yellow to bring out the sauce and because I get tired of scrapping in pink!



Very rare for me to scrap in yellow or orange so it made a nice change. I'm planning some 'green' pages next. However this afternoon's photos of peach blossom mean another pink page is only a step away!



Happy scrapping all,
Jane

Creativity is messy

A successful day.

A messy day, and therefore...

...for me, very creative!

Got this layout completed and a double page multi photo layout almost completed. Lindy liked her birthday gifts, the cake and lunch was yummy AND we had a lovely time.

What more can you ask for?

Hope your Saturday was good for you,

Jane

New Look

Every now and then you get bored and need a new look right? Well, here we are trying one out for the blog. It may change yet...just like my hair, always varying every couple of months!



Been busy and made 3 pages in one day. My neck is killing me. Here's the last quick one I whipped up last night. Amelie is soooo cute - says her biased aunty. I used the Lemonade papers from Basic Grey.




Lindy & my trip to the Roma Street Parkland was fabulous! What a lovely space and so pleasant to wander around. We spent almost 5 hours snapping away, having a cuppa & lunch...

Between us we took 833 photos. Over 5 hours that's 1 every 20 seconds. Hmm. Well, I've winnowed them down with a very mean hand & I want to print 298 of them. Oh well, more to scrap. Lindy all ready has scrapped some! Amazing. Check it out at http://wwwjustanotherday.blogspot.com/2009/07/challange-at-sweetie-sketches.html


Hope you have something nice planned for the weekend. I'm having a creative day with friends tomorrow to celebrate Lindy's birthday. I have taken over the whole kitchen table so I must make room for the gals to scrap & stamp too.


Find some time for fun,
Jane

Cameras at the ready!

Look out Brisbane! Lindy & I are planning a trip to the Roma Street Parklands this morning. I've never been. Of course we are taking our cameras...



The weather looks fab, I have space on the memory for 600 large photos and I packed my walking shoes. I have also picked great company! I enjoy taking off, wandering and looking at nature. The photo below is a fave from Pickering Point, Warnambool from a stroll we gals took on our Great Ocean Road trip in 2008. Gotta love that twilight in Victoria - this is 8pm.



Many of you will know I love gardens and flowers, photography and friends, so I am feeling a pleasant vibe looking forward to the morning. I think that would be a good title for a page "Flowers, friends and fotos" for me. Hmm...



Lindy's picking me up soon so must go finish getting ready - my camera and senses await!



In anticipation,

Jane

Card play

Spent today playing with ink & stamps at Blossie's Stamping & Scrapbooking. I actually got something done!

That is a good thing about going to Stamp Club - the other is borrowing from all Annette's (Blossies) stamps. It's a great option for a scrapbooker to play with a range of stamps.

Here's a sample of my efforts...

I was in a very blue & green mood today. I even wore a green shirt!

I'm hoping to get a few pages scrapped this week so cross your fingers for me...

Enjoy the winter sun,

Jane

''D'' Day

No not the end of WW2, something much lighter...


Today was DIVA Day. I received 2, count 'em, 2, gift cards to spend at Diva. I love gift cards and I love jewellry & you guessed it, I lo-oove Diva. It's such fun.




So this morning I got up and took the bus into the city to go visit the Diva warehouse (near Coles) and the Diva store in the Myer centre. I enjoyed myself thoroughly - and thanks to the great gals working there who enjoyed helping me spend my money: Bailey, Dominique & Kat.





It's been AGES since I visited the city so I thought I'd go for total indulgence and head off to Borders to browse my other idea of heaven (BIG bookstore full of books). Got quite a surprise when I saw it wasn't Borders any longer, but discount books & gifts. Apparently the change took place just 3 weeks ago. My timing is pretty poor!


What do you love getting as a gift? What are your passions? I've already scrapped pages about books I love, favourite childhood books, plus my teapot collection, Christmas baubles and many handbags. I also have a page title "Accessorize yourself" with a photo with jewels, handbags etc all in purple and me with a big grin.

Take some photos of your fave stuff and scrap it. It's great to show something about yourself as an expression of your personality. I must scan some of these pages and post them for you all to take a squiz.

Blinged & beautiful,

Jane