CHA here we come

January 2011 will see Karen and I  jetting off  to Los Angeles and San Fransisco for 10 days to attend CHA.
CHA is America's Craft and Hobby Association's 4 day trade show. We will get to see new release products, have the opportunity to attend classes and well just have lots of fun. We've been talking about going for about two years now and decided life is too short we were going! We have booked our flights and accommodation and I think the next four months will just fly by.

Wonderful Weekend in Healseville and Marysville

I had a fantastic weekend away in the Yara Valley and am feeling very chilled. We stayed in an awesome 4 bedroom house in Healesville - country charm and nick knacks EVERYWHERE. Along with the charm of the house it had the most comfy beds and came with a 4 legged security alarm / alarm clock - Jasper the donkey. He greeted us loudly as we got out of the car just on dark - well 4 women near dropped their luggage in fright.

My room

Country Kitchen

Jedda House

it even came with games

and a pool table

and a piano - the candle sticks were freaky

gorgeous gardens

We spent Saturday wandering the streets of Healesville and Yarra Glen and all managed to buy something special to remember the weekend by.
The afternoon was spent at a couple of wineries tasting a mix of really nice to screw your face up and spit wines. I actually managed to find 2 at Innocent Bystander that I really loved.

Tasting Champagne at Chandon

Stunning views

Sunday saw us heading home via Marysville - still very moving and hard to comprehend the damage and devastation.

signs of the fires are still everywhere

there are signs of recovery

once lined with shops and homes

 

The local post office still operates out of a container

We visited the lolly shop - still in a container and with the most amazing selection of lollys from our childhood .... Fry's bars, Choo Choo bars, honey bears, apple lollypops and wine gums in a roll ....yum yum yum! We had a quick coffee then headed to Bruno's sculpture garden. Devastated on Black Saturday Bruno has restored much of the garden - while rebuilding his home - lost in the fires.

photos of the devastation of the gardens

I loved the toolman

the drunken man

along the entrance path after the fires

she looks gorgeous on the creek

The piano man

one of the many restored sculpture

there is still a lot to smile at

mojo is well and truely back this week

It would be hard to go wrong with the new fancy pants Father and Son range. I just loved doing this multi texture layout of Grandson no 1 meeting Grandson no 2 for the first time.

I have used glam rocks, perfect pearls, my texture boutique with Tim Holtz plates, eyelets and the cropodile, ezyshade, Tim Holtz distress inks, metallic stayzon and various stamps, flourish with a bling swirl and, clear stationary tabs and my fastenator.

I started with the basic papers I wanted to use and did the basic layout, as I wouldn't be able to finish it I used pink tags to write my plan across the layout - I often think I'll do something but when I get back to it I have forgotten what I wanted to do. I also photographed the layout as I went to remind me where everything should be if I didn't get back to it for a couple of days. Then I added the title and other embellishments where I wanted them to go.

This one tells me that I plan to use perfect pearls on the title.

This one tells me which stamp I want to use, it's a great way to build a layout as you go for stunning results.
Happy scrapping H

the things a girl does when she can't sleep .....

I woke at 1130 last night and could NOT get back to sleep so I got up and between 12 midnight and 1.30 am created this layout using the Fancy Pants Wishful thinking papers. I figure I should create in the night more often -no distractions and look at the results.

ohhh scrappy day

After a couple of hectic weeks at work and getting ready for the Hobbysew Echuca Make Take and Demo Day yesterday I spent the day finishing off some layouts. It's the first time in ages that I have scrapped for me - just because I was having fun, feeling creative and relaxing......

Unconditional Love - using Pink Paislee Starlight collection, glam rocks and hot rocks, this layout is about Snow and Chas's special bond

Timeless - this one uses a mix of leftover Graphic 45 and Collections papers, old sheet music, spun sugar spritzed doilies, cheap shop foil stickers, antique eyelets and brads.

A is for Alex - using the Pink Paislee Starlight collection leftovers and coloured pearls I love this layout of Alex riding his jeep. I finished this one off yesterday arvo and I had pearls everywhere - even on my cheek as I discovered at the pub last night.

 

More than the best of friends: Cousins - is my fave layout from today- I used scraps from a couple of Kaiser ranges, an old piece of Basic Gray, pink Paislee vine and flower, smooch and Thickers alpha stickers.

tripping down memory lane

I LOVE my new negative scanner, it's taking me back frame by frame. So many great memories, my 21st, my new baby, old flatmates, me at 15, 70's fashion, enjoy the slide show as I share a few frames of my life with you.

Some random old layouts just because

A few layouts to share

Just like my Pa - Ty has always wanted to be just like his pa, from his singlet and jocks to his socks it's gotta be like his Pa!

K&Co papers,Pink Paislee alpha chips and stickers.

Eden - Eden was christened on Mothers day and was just so well behaved all day long.

 

Webster papers, Pink Paislee letters, flowers and leaves, Flourish with a bling swirl, curly string

Precious Girl - Victoria is one of the most beautiful kids I know. She is so sweet and thoughtful and has the best smile. 

Bella papers, Pink Paislee flowers, Little Yellow Bicycle acrylic swirls and title.


Beautiful Girl - my beautiful daughter Kirsty.

Webster papers, collections butterflys and 6x6 paper pads, Pink Paislee pearls, smooch spritz