only one more sleep....

ooooh i cant wait to head off this weekend.

I am heading off to Heathcote Country Lodge for a craft retreat with my craft girls!

Got my craft supplies nearly packed and a big bottle of Baileys to share!!!

Faye totally spoils us with her great food and hospitality. It used to be an old squash courts and has been converted into this brilliant big room for craft groups. Its really light, warm and has plenty of tables to use. The bush market is on Saturday and there are some neat secondhand places to visit.

My friend Di and i are going to do some wet felting which i am really looking forward to and we have all made little make and takes as well.

I am very impressed with Sue, she has all scrapbooking organised with her LO's preplanned with her photos and embellishments in clear pockets! You have to take sooo much stuff when you are scrapping!!! I tend to be a more of a wing it kind of person!!!!!

Anyhow heres a pic from last year, just B4 we packed up and looking down from the top of the squash court.

What we should all be doing....

On a wet and cold sunday afternoon.....




I swear these whippies have been asleep [on THEIR couch] since 11am this morning!

half their luck! jenxo

alpha swap...

I thought i would show you some pics of some of my alpha swap atc's. I've been participating in an international swap for a little while now and these are some of the cards ive sent. I chose to do mine with an aussie theme.
[Found JKL really hard and i'm not looking forward to Z!!!!]

We try and do a technique with each set and its been great to be able to have a play. For me, i think thats why atc's are so addictive, quick results, lots of different techniques and most importantly because they are small, i get them finished!!!!!

These are some of my favorites...

My A card...


this one has painted collaged backround, then layered organza and just stitched the flowers and writing.


my dog one has a collaging with water soluble crayons and paint background. I scratched into it with the end of a brush.The background on this is really textured and lumpy bumpy which i love!!
D/E had to have some kind of stitching.


E card is a water soluble background, drew the echidna, handstitched the ants. French knots on paper!!


K has alcohol inks background, my first play with them. Printed onto a transparency and embossed it.

Not all my cards are animal ones!! i am hoping at the end of this i will have sent a variety cards that reflect our aussie lifestyle, folklore and history. jenxo

Playing around with some cards...

I'm not usually a faerie person but i couldn't go past these Alison Ellis design papers of faeries, butterflies and toadstools!! They are soo rich, lucsious and funky but the scans look really flat and washed out :(

I wish i had my camera back!!!!

This one has sparkly organza roughly gathered over open weave muslin and purple organza..and the love affair with sequin mesh continues, it is so versatile!!





This one has a base of scrap baking paper that i use under things when i am painting. I use my painty baby wipes too. Just love the random patterns and colors you get.
This card had an unfortunate 'meeting' with our puppy. Luckily only the back was ruined but i wasnt wasting it so i stitched the front onto another card!

displaying atcs......

Most of my atc's are tucked away in a tin so its nice to get them out and enjoy them. I made this simple tote from furnishing fabric to display my atc's. i just used the thinnest tablecloth plastic to make pockets on the bag. When i get sick of those ones i can change them over. I'd love to make more as i have a huge stash of material [dont we all!] but its busy enough keeping up with swaps and challenges ... and life in general!!!!

Atc addict!!

I only started making atc in Feb this year and have to say i got hooked really quickly.
Apart from the making and experimenting , i have really loved the whole online experience with the friendships i have formed.
Here are some of my fave cards .........
The giggle and party girl one have been scanned so are not the best pics.

I love doing painty backgrounds , stitching and doodling. The bird was cut from scraps of really expensive silk material. See, there is always a use for those little bits an pieces we hoard...thats my excuse anyway!!

WoHoo!! my first post....

So my very first post, well second actually i just lost the first one!! off to a good start .

Its all a bit daunting actually but i guess it will get better as i go along.

I would like to give my Dd a big thank you for doing my banner!! still needs tweaking but she has done great job. Hugs Luce, xo

I love my Wednesdays, each week i meet with a lovely group of ladies and while we do some creating , there is lots of chat, laughter and coffee!! There are 10 of us and we have been meeting now for 10 years. Its held at Merry's house which is a beautiful old place filled with antique furniture and interesting bits and pieces!! Here's some pics i took of our 'craft studio' which was her lounge.

Merry's wedding dress.


Sewing centre.


more coffee and talk!!