Tonight we dine in Paris

So we travelled by train from Belifeld, Germany to Paris. It seemed that every time we travelled it rained and the days that we spent sight seeing were fine. We arrived in Paris on the 27th December in the late afternoon, found our hotel and headed out for a look around and dinner. The 28th December was spent on an open topped tour bus making our way around this beautiful city. Although, I must admit we didn't spend much time 'up top' as it must have only gotten to a maximum of 3 degrees the whole day.


The photo above is of the Ponte Neuf which means the 9th bridge, famous for being so very old!





The main highlight of the tour was reaching the Eiffel Tower, JP had been so very excited to see this icon of Paris, although he did get a little upset when he saw the size of the queue.....2 hours we waited in line just to buy the tickets to go up! His diappointment was mainly due to the fact that we wouldn't be stopping at the restauant up the tower for lunch. It was immensely cold with the only relief being the toilets which were heated. Another eye opener for the kids was the number of Africans selling knock off Effiel Tower keyrings. Every time a police man came within cooee of the queues there was a mad dash (even to the point of knocking tourists to the ground) to get away. Explaining to the kids that these people were probably illegally in France and therefore not wanting to stick around. The other eye opener was the very large machine guns that the police were carrying.

As you can see from the photos from the viewing deck we had fantastic weather for sight seeing.

We walked back through this part of Paris to the Champs Eleyese and the Arch de Triumph were we had dinner at Chez Clement, the front part of which is all glass and right on the footpath of the Champs Eleyese. A magic dusk, the photos of which don't do it justice. You really had to be there. As the sun went down (around 5pm!)
the lights that were strung up the trees lining the street came on. There were even some lights in the trees that looked like icicles! Just Magic!



Jarrod ordered snails as frog legs weren't on the menu. As all of us tried the snails we can't blame them for Jarrod throwing up that night! I think it was a combination of fairy floss, snails in a rich butter/garlic sauce and the beautiful creme bulee that was consumed. Poor Steve had to deal with the clean up as I made a quick exit stage left to fetch new bedding, I even sat outside the hotel room until all had been cleaned and de-smelled! Ugh!

And that's what I did

Well, my grand plans to do all 12 Tags came undone. December just got busier and busier. What with making Christmas cards, running a couple of last minute Kaszazz workshops and organising everything for out trip to Europe.

We flew out on Tuesday 22nd December and headed for Singapore...

As you can see the kids loved Singapore airport and managed to find the world's biggest Chuppa Chumps. After our 2 hour stop over and lots of walking through the airport stretching our legs, we boarded the plane and spent the next 12hrs mowing through umpteen movies, tv shows. The kids got about 8-9hrs sleep each and us adults managed about 6. Not bad really. We landed in Frankfurt then made our way north to my Aunt's house in Bielefeld.


As you can see, snow had fallen before we got there. The kids were able to make a snow man and we had the obligitory snow ball fight. We had a drizzly Christmas Day which turned all the snow into ice! Boxing day was spent at a local animal park where we met some interesting animals (see the hairy, horny cow)

and supped on some gluwein (hot spiced wine - yummm). We also wrapped up nice and warm, however as you can see from the picture above, Jarrod absolutely froze at the Night Markets - can't blame him as it was -1.5c!


Next post - Paris!

Tag No. 1

Well here is tag no. 1. Although I should be busy typing up P&C minutes and putting the calendar swap together that I'm hosting. I got just a tiny bit excited when I saw the first tag. So I dropped what I was doing and gathered my supplies, got busy and so wanted to show off what I'd done that I didn't even wait for the Picket Fence Stickles to dry before pulling out the camera. All of the stamps, chipboard flourish, inks, stickles etc sold through Kaszazz. If you would like to know exactly which ones, feel free to email me.

Thanks for looking and I hope that your fingers are getting inky.

Season's Cheers!

Tim and his 12 Tags of Christmas 2009

Yep Tim Holtz is doing the 12 Tags of Christmas yet again. Check out his blog every day for a chance to win the products used to create that days tags. I'll be attempting each days tag and I hope to upload my effort everyday. If you would like some of the tags that Tim uses, I have some. Click on the Email me link and we'll talk turkey (I'm happy to swap tags for ATC's, ephemera etc).

Have fun and get your fingers inky.

Collab Book

I love the stuff Linda B does, all that texture and colour. Go check out her blog if you haven't already, Linda also does some great youtube technique videos. I had great fun one day, watching the vidoe and pulling out all this stuff that I had tucked away in my room (you know the stuff that you buy coz you'll use it one day! - don't laugh, coz I know you have some too..!).

Anyway, having been suitably inspired, I set about creating my pages for the arty_oz yahoo group 2009 Collaborative Book Swap. All 16 pages (easier than the 32 pages required last year!). So, I started off with a home made transparency, then set about creating the base page with texture paste, golden paints, tissue paper and rub'n'buff. I've added some 'Autumn Leaves' Gold Foil to the urn in the centre of the transparency. Attached the tranparency with brads and hey presto, I was done! Then I read the requirements for the swap and realised that I had forgotten to add a stamp image. Took me several weeks and lots of stamp searching amongst my hoard to discover the perfect stamp to use...also solved the problem of deconstruction by placing the stamped imaged smack bang in the middle of the urn on the front. Used Stazon and an image by Paper Forest Designs Artistree range of stamps.

So that swaps posted now for the Jen Crossley Frames Swap.....

What have I been doing?

First up was a day class at the local art shop, State of the Art in Glen Forrest, were I joined 6 other lovely ladies in a Fabric Sculpture Class using a brillian product called Paverpol. The class was run by Brenda Sinclair-Jones of Wraptureart. Lots of fun getting messy and using our fingers to create these lovely sculptures. What I love about this product is that it seems that if you touch the sculpture the fabric will move, however the Paverpol sets hard and you can even put the sculpture outside (after a curing time of 3 weeks).

Next up was a class at Scraptivate with the awesome Jenny Crossley. Another wonderful bunch of ladies to spend an afternoon with creating the wonderful little etched book that you see below. All up an artfull week and hubby didn't even spruik his usual comment of 'What's the point?".

Distressed Clock

Hubby decided that we needed a clock in the lounge room. So I got out my Kaszazz Clock kit and the new scallop chipboard shape and came up with this. I used Tim Holtz Distress inks, Kaszazz SB paper, Rub-on flourishes and Kaszazz Stamps. I've also completed a mini clock using the Scallop Chipboard shape and have submitted this to Kaszazz for approval for a 2HW Customer Event.

I am running the clock shown above as a workshop. If you are interested in taking part, please leave a comment with and I'll get back to you with details. Sign ups by Sunday 5th July for the July 14th workshop.

I'm being artistic - what's it look like I'm doing?

So, there I sat on the bed, doodling away, having a little me time. Moore River holdiay with the kids and Hubby's family (He's 1 of 6) both of his parents were there plus all the grandchildren (9 in all) as well as a couple of older cousins. Makes for lots of noise! People kept popping in a asking 'What ya doin?' Needless to say that by the time 10 people had asked the same question and I'm sure someone asked twice, I was a litle irritated.

I did manage however, to get something done. I don't keep an art journal on a regular basis but sometimes the mood strikes me and I'll do something. Of course, I had come prepared, Art Journal, Water colour crayons, aquwash pen, black gel pen.

This is what I came up with....


This one has wording written in amongs the flowing lines. I had been reading an article about the different ways to hold your hand bag and that you could match your style to your favourite celebrity - oh pleeeeassseeeee!!



It still feels strange to come home and not have Tess around. Although I'm sure the kids are not missing their 'dog poo' duties.

Thanks for visiting.

Tess

My beautiful Girlie. Steve and I bought Tess not long after we got married in 1994, Tess was 8 weeks old. Today we had Tess put down, she was 15. I wanted her to go whilst she still had her dignity, before she suffered too much pain. Tess had lost a lot of weight, her back legs were getting weaker. It was an easy decision but a hard one none the less. We will miss her barking at the kangaroos (whether they were there or not), tripping over her (as she loved to stand right behind you) but most of all her being there whenever we came home.

Rest in Peace, Girlie.

And now for the craft room

Well here it is, some of the photos were taken before I started hauling all of my craft stuff in to the room, a process that is still continuing as I sort through what I've got (lots) and find where I'm going to put it all so that it all flows nicely. I'm sure I'll rearrange the products several times before I'm happy with the flow. I've also yet to bring the central work table in. I know that this will seem to make the room a little smaller but it will be nice to be able to sit down and spread myself out.

I'm grateful for a supportive hubby who was happy to add a main bedroom, lounge, wir and ensuite to my craft room!

I'm looking forward to holding my first Kaszazz workshop in my craft room, I'm running the Bella Stationery Set Workshop on Tuesday 5th May. If you're interested in attending you can post a comment and I'll get in touch with you. Thank you to those ladies who have already booked. The workshops are something that I've been wanting to run from home for many years.


Here's to many happy hours spent doing arty farty things in my wonderful room.

Inkurable Stampers - Alphabet Challenge

A late entry but hey, better late than never right?

I've stamped Lucy's Stamps (exclusively sold through Kaszazz) Paisley Border Large with Ancient Page Coal Black ink and hand drawn the beak and legs with a black gel pen. I've added small rhinestones for eyes and coloued in the hearts on the 'birds' with lime pastel fluid chalk ink and an aquash water brush. I've then made up 'Tweet Tweet' using Lucy's Stamps Old Type Writer Letters stamp set and stamped with Lime Pastel Fluid Chalk Ink. Images are stamped on to white card stock then mounted onto Limeade Bazzill Basics on Lakeshore Bazzill Basics A5 card.

Next post will show my new craft room - the cupboards, shelving and benches are being install today - yipee!!

Nearly there and something different

So, we're getting there, busy painting doors and frames. All the flooring is done and the wardrobe install is next week. The picture below is taken from inside the craft room looking out to the new lounge with the original part of the house in the background - and yes, I do like a splash of colour here and there.

The photo above shows the craft room floor, it's called Wine and Fruits and it is by Parador Flooring. If you'd like a better look at it go to the Carpet Call website and click on flooring. This laminate has writing all over it, just like old fruit packing boxes have been laid down. I figured that if I drop something on the floor and I'm not able to get it off it's not going to matter much and will just add to the overall effect.

And now for something a little different. As most crafters do, I'm an avid follower of Tim Holtz's blog. Tim has added a video demo section to his website amongst these is a video showing a new technique using Alcohol Inks. As soon as I saw the video I new that I wanted to try this on glass wear and the following is what I have played with so far.....a bowl from Ikea

Check out the detail and patterns here....
And even a wine glass....I'm working on a set of six.

Lots of inspiration to be had here and my family and friends can expect to be getting something glass and inked for any birthday that's coming up.

Thanks for visiting, I know that's it's a long time between drinks here...however, building an extension does take priority. Cheers!

Inkurable Stampers Challenge - Soot Technique

Now that the kiddies are back at school (hooray!) I've got sometime on my hands for a little creative exploration (big words there Gen - ED).

I often check out whats going on at some of the challenge sites, Inkurable Stampers being one of them, it's Aussie to boot.

So here are a couple of enteries for Feb - Soot Technique.


With this one I spritzed the card with some distress ink/perfect pearls mix then did the soot technique. Tim Holtz clock stamp, Collections image, found clock hand (thanks to child no.2 who has a great understanding of my strange passion)and a Big Ben clock face transparency (source unknown - less I incriminate myself!).

Plain white gloss card, soot technique then stamped with an Above the mark stamp then a Collections image. I've even started on a set of atcs featuring the rest of the rhyme - keep coming back for updates.

On the extension front - painting, painting, painting and a little more painting!! I have given a deadline for completion of 7th March 2009. It's out there now so I've got to do it.

Thanks for visiting, love lots, hug many and smile!

Cheers!

Scrappindipity/Lorri Lennox Blog Giveaway

The talented Lorri Lennox is holding a blog giveaway to celebrate her birthday. Thanks Lorri and Happy Birthday for the 5th Feb.

The Silly Season is upon us

This canvas I did for a teacher at my kids school who is leaving to be the founding pre-primary teacher at Madeley Primary School. Ms D will be greatly missed as she had a lot of time for the kids as well as being very inspirational. My kids could not have had a better start to their scholastic career. Thank you Ms D!


I loved the Keepsake Ornaments that were designed by Donna Tew in Cardmaking, Stamping and Papercraft Vol 14 No.4, so much so, that I did one as a Mystery Muse gift for Julie H.



I hope that all of you have a Christmas and New Year filled with Love, Peace, Hope, Good Health and Happiness. Hug your family and friends and tell them that you love them and appreciate the qualities that make them who they are.

Cheers!

Look out three posts in one day!

Whilst having to put my feet up due to breaking my toe earlier this year I was able to enjoy some quality time in the craft room.
The three cards below are the result. I submitted these to Kaszazz, for whom I'm an Independant Consultant as a 2 hour workshop and to my delight Kaszazz recently added this to their fantastic range of 2 hour workshops that all Kaszazz Consultants can run for their customers.
The stamp set that I have used is the Love and Cherish Stamp set by Kaszazz.



The picture below shows a new 2 hour workshop that I put together one day last week. I have again used only products available from Kaszazz and I will be submitting this to them for inclusion in their range of 2 hour workshops. I have used the new Ebony and Ivory SB papers and stamp set, which is exclusive to Kaszazz.

If you would like to do either of the above workshops or enquire about the wonderful Kaszazz range of products, feel free to post a comment.

Please feel free to use my artwork for inspiration but please don't reproduce my work without my permission or without attending a Kaszazz workshop.

Thanks for visiting.

And now for the extension

Well we have finally broken through to the other side as it were! Now the dust and muck can inhabit both sides of the house - arghhhhh!! I never was a great fan of dusting anyway.

Battling a nasty head cold, both Steve and I pushed through the 'why can't I just lie here and envelope myself in my own snotty misery' and managed to get all wall panels up as well as the ceiling panels in the studio and lounge over the weekend just past. Next weekend we will finish putting up the plasterboard and then it's up to the tradie to come in and make the wall and ceiling joints look good. Once this is done, Steve can do the cornicing and spray paint the ceilings and I can get on with painting the walls.

We aim not to have a deadline to finish the build by, but I'm hoping that the end of January will see us moving furniture and fitting out my studio - YIPPEEEE!!

Thanks for visiting and being so patient.

Update, Update, Update and about time too!!

In October I had the chance to travel to Melbourne with my beautiful sister Natalie. We timed the trip to coincide with Paperific (paper arts expo) and we had a fantastic time including getting a Henna tattoo at a 'Celebrate India' festival that was held in Centenary Square.

We stayed at the Hotel Tolarno in St Kilda and really enjoyed travelling on the trams and discovering different places and not having any set agenda, apart from going to Paperific.

We both loved Acland St in St Kilda and enjoyed shopping here more than anywhere else, the vibe was just fantastic. We spotted Guy Pearce at an eatery on Fitzroy St, St Kilda however I wouldn't recommend a balcony room on Fitzroy St unless you like the sound of doof doof cars, loud music and merriment until the wee hours of the morning!

Spent a lovely evening with the girls from the arty_oz yahoo group for dinner at the Medici restaurant at Docklands and had a chance to chat and catch up with Julie from Collections and Jenny Crosley as well as meeting some new faces. The lovely and talented Teresa Abajo took the photo of Nat and myself that you see above.

Free Handbag

Gotta love some free accessories. Register to win a Free handbag. Go on, you know you really want to.

Update on the Extension

This photo shows the rear of the extension from up the garden path (where I spend a lot of my time LOL).
Next photo is of the front of the house.
This photo is a closer view of the rear of the extension, Steve has even done some cladding in amongst the prescribed burns that the local Volunteer Fire Brigade has been doing.
And this photo is of a bobtail or Blue Tongue Skink that I happened upon whilst up the garden path taking photos! Lots of these guys coming out from their winter hibernation, wandering into the sunshine. If you live in WA watch out for these guys on the road and try your best not to squash them!

Thanks for visiting.