The retreat...... this is a long one

This will be long (I think) so sit back with your favourite drink and enjoy.

In the days leading up to March 6th, I was busy packing for what I would call my trip of a life time.  The time had finally arrived for me to board a plane to go to the Keys for Art Retreat in Key Largo, Florida.  I had only been on Skype with Elena and talked alot through emails.  I was about to get on two planes and meet her for real and everyone else I have been in the journal groups with for the past three or four years. 

The Qantas 747-400LR to LAX

I had a nice flight over, didn't sleep much.  Was near the tail end of the plane where there were only two seats in the row.  I was joking around in the check in line with some other passengers (check in took over an hour!) and ended up sitting next to one of the people I was joking around with.   Arrived in to LAX around 7am.   An interesting city for sure and next time I would love to explore more.   It was faster to clear Customs at LAX than what is was to check in at Brisbane Airport.  

I had an 8 hour layover at LAX and next time I have a layover this big, I might try and explore the city a little bit or even pay the money to go into the Club lounge and relax a little.   Terminal 4 at LA was boring, not a lot there and no wi-fi or internet kiosks.  Then there was the 5 hour flight to Miami.   I ended up sitting next to a guy from Australia and what was even stranger was that he lives in the same suburb as me.  What a strange co-incidence. 

By the time I had arrived in Miami I had been travelling for almost 30 hours and I was exhausted.  

I recognised Elena instantly, and with Elena was Lillian from somewhere way north in Canada.   She almost lives on top of the world.  How cool is that.

Anyway after 5 days of fun, laughter, some art, more fun and laughter it was a great trip.   What a way to spend your 40th birthday.

Pancho - the very vocal Maccaw

Tuesday night party time.

I have more pics to upload but will do it in the next post. 

This was the best trip ever and loved every minute of it.  These are some of the most wonderful people I am pleased to call friends.

Till Next Time.
XOX

I am home....

From the Keys for Art Retreat at my friend Elena's place in Key Largo, Florida. I arrived home happy, tired and exhausted.  I think toothpicks were holding my eyes open last night.  Once the girls were in bed sleeping, I was on my way as well.  It sure felt good to be back in my bed.

I couldn't have had a more wonderful 40th birthday than what I did with these wonderful people.  Thank you all so very much. Mwah.

I left Australia with just over $500 and came hone with 9cents.  And a used visa card LOL.

It was great to be able to meet almost everyone that is in our journal groups.  We have been together as a group now for about 4 years ever since Elena came up with that first idea and we were all hooked.

Here are a few of my photos from the first day. 

Daisy, Jen, Gina and Marita getting into Karaoke........

Julie Nutting and Ingrid Dijkers - two of our wonderful tutors

Elena and Tracy..... now has Elena 'crossed over'??

That is a few photos for now, I will post more later.

Now to get back to normal - post retreat life.   So not fair.


Till Next Time
XOX

A lovely mail day

In the post yesterday I received my box from Darkroom Door.  They were having a warehouse sale.  

This is a selection of the stamps, there were over 30 unmounted stamps and one shhet of ezy-mount.  I ran out of that so need to get some more.   I have some favourites here and love the quotes and butterrflys.  These stamps are just perfect and I can see me shopping here a little more often.  But it will have to wait until I have been to America.

A selection of the stamps.

Enjoy,
Till Next Time
XOX

Not long now......

Until 6 March.  This is when I board a big plane bound for America.   I am lucky enough to be able to attend the Keys for Art retreat in Key Largo, Florida.   I feel so priviledged that Elena (the hostess with the mostess!) would have me.  And to my hubby who said yes you can go and this is your birthday present.  While I am there, I turn 40.  What a way to spend a birthday.   I still remember turning 30, just moved to Australia and expecting our first child.

I am looking forward to meeting so many wonderful people that I have gotten to know through emails, and our various journal groups over the past three or four years.  

If I could call this a trip of a lifetime, it is.   I have flown many times before by myself but mainly between Australia and New Zealand.  This time it is a little bit further.

Hopefully I will be back soon, with some sart to share.

Hugs to all
Till Next Time
XoX

Has it really been 5 weeks.....?

Sure has.   The time sure has flown and in a few days Christmas will be upon us.

Here are some of my latest ATC creations.   My Marie ATC has made it to the homepage art on the PaperArts Yahoo group that I am a part of.  It was a pleasant surprise to see it there.  Made my day.

October Swap theme - Burlesque for the Helensvale Live Swap

November Swap Theme - Felines for the Helensvale Live swap



Marie Antionette for the Paper Arts November Swap.
This ATC is the current front page art.





Queen of ......  theme for Paper Arts.  This is the December swap theme.
I chose Queen of the Last Minute as I do most of my ATC's the day before they are due.
I bought this stamp from Alphastamps.com and had a friend in the USA ship it to me.

If you are interested in trading ATC's please drop me a comment and we can trade if there are any left.

Till Next Time

XOX



Dear Blog Family

It has been 5 weeks since my last blog post.  I have been rather slack at updating this but I have been busy.  And I have had a quick flying visit back to New Zealand for my brother's wedding.  It was good to see Andrew finally get married.  His wife Annie is lovely and a scrapbooker and cardmaker too.  

I have managed to complete a few layouts.  Here is one of just me and the girls.  Sadly the paper looks blue, but it is actually white.

(L to R) Claire 6, Sarah, and Katie 8.
This photo was taken back in April. 

I even managed to finish one that I started last year of the girls.  This was taken at Paradise Point park at a birthday party. This photo was taken in September 2009.  Even with a 7 month gap between the photos for the two layouts, you really can see how much the girls have changed.

Till Next Time
XOX

Cake with Popcorn

Today my eldest daughter Katie turned 9.   Hubby likes it that is daughter is a binary baby (all the 0's and 1's).  For her party this year we decided that just a couple of friends with movies, popcorn and pizza for dinner would be ideal.   The chosed movie was 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid'.  Katie is loving the books and has had the first two from the school library and got the next two for her birthday.

In keeping with the theme, Katie chose the Popstar Cake from my kids birthday cake book.



Popstar Cake

This was the first time I had made this cake and it was enjoyed by all (even the mouse who liked the icing only, Claire!)

We decided that it was time for Katie to get her ears peirced, so that was one of the best presents she received.

Till Next Time
XoX

Journal page for Eileen

Over the past few weeks I have been working on a journal page for Eileen (Eileen's blog) for our I Dream In Colours journal group.   Thankfully before Eileen left on her cruise with Tim Holtz, I was told I only needed to do one page as this would complete her journal. Eileen's page size was 8.5" *11.5" landscape.  This is a size I find challenging.  But I did enjoy doing this page and triedt o stick to Eileen's colour choices of Blue and Green.

Till Next Time

XoX

Madame Butterfly

I have decided that it is time to start making some ATC's again and to use the backgrounds that I have already done, that are just sitting here.  The background is just a paper towel painted with lumiere paint (I think?). It has been a while since I made this one.   Once I have another collage sheet, I will be making one more which will be offered for trade.

Madame Butterfly.  Wings and Image from a collage sheet
from Paper Imagery Designs.

Till Next Time
XoX

ATC update

After going back through my blog, I have come to realise that I have not shown any of the ATC's I have created for a while.   I am part of a local 'Live Swap' once a month and this is the only swap I am in.  There are times when I feel I need to recify this, but for that to happen I need to find some spare time.  Yes, I do need to sleep.

Anyway here are a few of my recent ATC's.  Hope you all enjoy.

September 2010 - Theme 'NO PAPER'. This is made using 'Lutrador'.

August 2010.  Theme 'Self Portrait'. 

July 2010.  Theme 'Aussie Slang'.

May 2010  Theme 'Houses'.

Thanks for looking. Hopefully I can start to remember to put more up here.

Till Next Time.

XoX