Luc @ 5

A LO created today :-)



Wishing everyone a wonderful NYE and that 2008 is a creative and happy one.

MMM - Let's Celebrate!

This week over at MMM the theme is Let's Celebrate.

I've gone with something a little different and have decided to Celebrate Colour....

here is my canvas made last night using Oil Pastel Crayons for the colour (love the vibrancy of these colours).



Thanks for looking and Happy New Year to one and all. May 2008 be a happy and creative one.

A little birdie told me

It's official!! I am addicted to these backgrounds :-)

Here's a canvas made today, using Julie Van O's new Owls.

MMM - Christmas, WS - Open Theme

This weeks theme at MMM is very appropriate as it's Christmas. And luckily this week at Wednesday Stamper is an open theme, so I'm using this card for both sites.

So here is my contribution, using a technique featured on Tim Holtz's website recently with his 12 days of Christmas Giveaway.



Merry Xmas one and all :-)

Merry Xmas and a LO

Merry Christmas to one and all!! Wishing you a very ho ho ho happy day tomorrow and may you all have a fantastic and creative 2008.

Thanks to those that have stopped by my blog during the year and I hope to be 'more' productive in 2008... wont say it's my NY resolution, as last years resolutions didn't really happen :-) but I really do hope to make more time each and every day to do some form of art. Tis good for my soul.

Last night I made this LO of my No.1 DD. Photo was taken at the end of year concert. just love those eyes!!

WS - Light

This weeks theme at WS is light. Here is my take on the theme and maybe we're going a little 'outside' the square here with my canvas -




Ok so I made this canvas last night for our toilet or throne room or whatever you like to call it. I think in the US they call it the bathroom??? Anyway I have made "light" of the situation (being the toilet) and have also used a "light" background..... cheeky I know.... The stamping is on the chipboard letters and on one of the houses. The houses are Collections and the background (which I just can't get enough of at the moment) is a technique learned from Viv Bonder.

Thanks for looking :-)

MMM - Backgrounds

This week I am the guest host at MMM and for the theme I chose backgrounds. I love to make a variety of backgrounds and made a couple of cards using one of my fav techniques - alcohol inks...



and



thanks for looking :-)

PIF Gift No.2

A PIF gift

Here is a canvas I made recently using the background technique again from Viv Bonders.



This will be a RAK going out to somebody special soon.

Thanks for looking

MMM - Words

This weeks theme at MMM is words.

Here is my contribution...



A tag inspired by Tim Holtz's 12 days of Christmas. There's lots of techniques on this blog that he is kindly sharing, i just wish I had more of a chance to have a play. Oh well there's always the New Year :-) The big letter D is the new TH grungeboard.

Thanks for looking

WS - Toys

This weeks theme at Wednesday Stamper is toys.

here is my entry -



which has been heavily influenced by Tim Holtz. His latest entry at his blog, is to do with Alcohol Inks. Check it out for some super inspiration.

It might be hard to see in this scan, but the 'toys' are the swings (stamp) which is a Paperbag Studio Stamp from the Quasi plate.

Thanks for looking

GPP Street Team - Crusade No. 15 - where in the world!

Michelle's new crusade is to make an entry on our blogs about where we live and where we have lived..... ok so here goes -

Born in Fremantle Western Australia
Raised most of my childhood in Kardinya Western Australia.
Teenage years as above.
Early 20's moved to Bendigo, in the Eastern States of Australia (Victoria to be precise).
Moved from there to Melbourne for a short time with work.
Moved back to Western Australia after 18 months away, as my father was diagnosed with terminal cancer.
Married my DH in mid 20's
Moved to Margaret River in the South West of Western Australia (dairy farmers).
Born 1999, my DD - Emma
Born 2002, my DS - Luc
2005 family finished Dairy Farming.
2006, moved family back to Bibra Lake, Western Australia (city of Perth)
DH started working on the mines in the north west of Western Australia.
2007, moved to Tom Price (NW of West Australia).

Ok so that's where I've been and where I'm at at the moment. I dont have a journal page to share, but I do have a pic of the view from my front door. Tom Price is a mining town for iron ore. So hence why there's loads of red dust.

WS - Words No.2 + MMM - WIngs

Here is my second attempt for the latest WS challenge words... it also doubles as my 4'x 4' page for the ABC group, which has the theme of chairs...........and is my entry for this weeks MMM - Wings.... I love wings and use them A LOT in my work.



Stamp used is Paperbag Studio (hopefully you can see the stamp/chairs in the scan).

Pay It Forward

Belinda, Jo, Janine and a number of other talented ladies have posted this on their site recently. Now it is my turn!

I will send a handmade gift to the first 3 people who leave a comment on my blog requesting to join this PIF (Pay it forward) exchange.

I'm not sure what that gift will be, so if you have any preferences, let me know.

The only thing you have to do in return is to pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog.

So basically, if you’re one of the first 3 comments, I’ll send you something crafty that I’ll make!

Once you sign up, copy and paste the above paragraph on your blog, and three other lucky people will be recipients of your handmade work.

Pay it Forward!

WS - Words

Over at WS this week, we have a challenge of using your fav words in our art.

I've gone again with the Xmas theme and I have to admit I do love the 'words' we normally associate with Xmas...... Joy, family, love, children, happy, merry... all such positive words.

So here we go.... stamp used is of course a Stampington & co (one of my fav stamp companies)....

MMM - Gold

This week on Mixed Media Monday, is the theme of gold. This theme has encouraged me to make another Xmas Card.



Love this Stampington Stamp called Angel Trio :-) however it's a bit hard to see that I've used Gold kindy glitz on the dots, highlighted the angels with gold pen. I dont know why the gold of these things didn't scan very well, but the gold is def there :-)

Thanks for looking

Wednesday Stamper - Diamonds

Diamonds are this weeks WS challenge.

Here is my interpretation of this theme -



using diamond background paper underneath my stampington flower image, and a diamond stamp, stamped randomly over the music sheet in the background.

Thanks for taking the time to look.

MMM - Buttons

Here is my entry for this weeks MMM theme of Buttons. This is a bday card going out to a friend next week. Hope it makes her smile :-)

Thanks for looking.

Whoops forgot to mention, just in case you're looking for the button on this piece, it's the flower looking embellishment at the top right hand corner of the card. Thanks to my MIL who had the most amazing button collection :-)

Home is where the heart is.....

Made this canvas over the last few days, using the same technique for the background as the Goddess Canvas in the post below.

This one I'm keeping and putting up in our front passage way.

Now onto to making chrissy pressies for teachers at school.

MMM - Numbers

Here is my entry for this weeks MMM which for this week has the theme of numbers.




Background made using a technique learnt from Viv Bonder, where you mix gel medium with your paint and push gauze (or whatever material) into the wet paint and let dry. I'd never tried mixing the two together until now. Thanks Viv for the inspiration.


I hope you can see that I have used numbers on the stars. This canvas is actually going to be a gift for a friend, who in my mind is a Goddess, but she feels a little 'icky' about herself at the moment. So hope it cheers her up :-)

Not much to share

Just been flat out making Xmas Cards and to be honest, I'm just about done!! Wooohooo....

There's so many projects I want to work on at the moment, i only wish there were more hours in the day :-)

when I'm done I'll share.

Have a good week.

Wednesday Stamper - Leaves

This weeks theme at WS is leaves. I've gone with a bit of an oriental version and used Gingko Leaves.

Here is my ATC.





Thanks for looking :-)

Mixed Media Monday - Crowns

This weeks theme at MMM is crowns.

So here is a 4x4 I made just a few days ago, that fits this theme perfectly.

First Xmas Card Made for 07!!

And only ?? to go!! Haven't quite worked out the exact number I need yet :-).

This year I'm going for a vintage feel, whereas last year, I went for bright and breezy. Whenever I make bulk Xmas Cards, I have to say, I'm entirely lazy and like to keep the design simple. I've even used faux stitching on my cards, so as to save on thread and mess!! you know the messy tails of thread you get, well it looked just too yuck cause there's just so much stitching on such a small card, so i decided to go with the faux stitching.

Ok hope everyone had a creative/happy weekend.

4x4 - God/Goddess Theme for ABC Club

Here is my take on the theme Gods/Goddess's. It is hard to see the shimmer of the background in a scan, but basically it is texture paste, with red paint over the top and then poppy red (my fav colour) H2O painted over the top. Highlighted with some gold rub and buff. The dress form has also had texture paste randomly smooshed over it and then gauze pressed into the wet texture paint. Left to dry, then painted black and gold rub and buff used again to highlight.

I dont know why, but I instantly thought of red and gold when thinking of a goddess.

Thanks for looking :-)

Wednesday Stamper - Wild West

Here's my card for this weeks theme over at Wednesday Stamper. The theme is Wild West and here's my take on it... just a bit of fun :-)thanks for looking have a great week!!

Mixed Media Monday

Here is a 4 x 4 page that I did a while back, which I believe is suitable for this weeks Mixed Media Monday theme of birds.

Thanks for looking :-)

Da Boyz

I love this photo!! This was taken at a bday party in July and it is my boy Luc (in middle) and his besties. Sadly, Josh (far right) is leaving town next weekend, but that is part and parcel of living in such a transient town. Hopefully my kids will adapt to the toing and froing of people coming into and out of their lives. I guess it's good to be resilient.

Josh is such a lovely sweet boy and I am very grateful to have been friends with his mum too. Such a great family.

Ok have a great sunday one and all.

Sketches Oz Challenge Blog

Yep have discovered another blog with challenges, only this one is a scrapbooking site.

For those interestedSketches Oz is a site that has a guest artist featured and they design a sketch, which you can use to make your own LO. This week features a WA girl - Viv Bonder.

So here is mine. Pic of Emma taken in 2000. I must admit, I am trying to go back in time and do LO's for some of the old pictures of both of my children. So maybe a little back to front, but I'm a bit like that anyway :-)



And before I forget, I must credit Jaimie Emmerton for the flowers. I did a class with her way back when, and she showed me how to make these flowers using paper. Me well I've used ribbon here and they look no where near as nice as the one's Jaimie showed me how to make and they are a little back to front.... see above comment about me being like that anyway :-)

Another Challenge Blog........

This one is called Mixed Media Monday and is Aussie based. Thanks Debbi B for the link. Popped on over and this weeks theme is Vintage Women. And like Debbi, I recently completed a huge puzzle swap, with loads of vintage women pieces on it. Sorry couldn't single out the women pieces individually, I have already sent these pieces off as part of the swap and only took one big picture of all of them together.



Thanks for looking.
Cheers
Natalie

My Alter Ego

Which Living Dead Doll would you be? created with QuizFarm.com

You scored as Lulu You died so young! Died from being dared to skate on the rails of the stairs! It's too bad it's too late for you to learn from your mistake....it's hard for zombies to learn from mistakes. Get to the next life, and don't do that again! Lulu 70% Bride of Valentine 50% Sadie 50% Lottie 33% Deadbra Ann 31% Posey 31% Lizzie Borden 31% Sin 25% Eggzorcist 19% Kitty 17% Lilith 17% Sybil 14% Inferno 0% Sheena 0%

**** I can see the likeness can you :-) *******

Fibrelicious - Yumm!!!!!!!!!!

Go check out the How Dare You blog for some inspiration using Fibres. Whatever form your art takes (ie scrapbooker, card maker) there is inspiration for all.

Here is my contribution for this fortnights theme




Have a great weekend :-)

WS Challenge - Children

This weeks theme is Children. I have loads and loads of stamps with Children, so I thought this would be an easy theme to work on. But.......... and isn't there always one, it took me ages to find the 'right' stamp that I wanted to use :-) In the end this is what I came up with




Thanks for looking and please do go visit Wednesday Stamper's Blog. Grab a cuppa, as there is lots and lots of eye candy!

Our Rosie

Well 3 months old and still getting into mischief?!!! Note the paint on her head from investigating the paint tin, while John and I were busy painting No.1 Child's bedroom :-)

She's lovely though and the best friend anyone could ask for. Such loyal and loving dogs.

Such a Cheeky Monkey

Yep he was at 2 and still is :-)

Wednesday Stamper - Autumn Colours

This weeks theme at WS is Autumn Colours. Although here in Aus it is technically spring, where I live way up north of Western Australia, it is like summer with the temps reaching up into the mid 30 degrees each day.

I have to say I love this colour combination and Autumn is one of my fav seasons.... anyway here is my entry.... dragged out my much neglected alcohol inks to make this card.



Thanks for looking :-)

GPP Street Team - Crusade No. 13

It's the Crusade's Birthday!! It's been one year since the crusades started and this theme is 'Get Gothic'. So here is my entry, which is a cover for a Gothic Arch Book (inspired by Belinda Schneider and also featuring a page from her), which had 13 other ladies participating in (you can see their pages in a few posts back on my blog)....



and here is my page for this book



thanks for looking

Another LO

I enjoyed making this LO, but tonight I'm going to work on something for Wednesday Stamper, which I haven't participated in a while. Feel like I need to get my arty juices flowing again.

BUT saying that, I still have oodles and oodles of pictures I want to do LO's for, so that should keep me busy for a while :-)

My first LO just of Luc

Oh and not to mention his 'friend'..... I am enjoying doing the scrapbooking for preserving memories of my family, but I must admit it is harder for me to get my head around doing stuff on a larger format. I keep wanting to 'arty' it up a bit too, but have held back simply because at the moment I'm trying to focus mainly on the photo...also until I get my confidence on working on this scale of work... I do love this photo of Luc and the obliging dragon fly.

2007 Darren Hayes @ Soundtrack To My Life - Ray Of Light

A beautiful cover of Madonna's Ray of Light by Darren Hayes

Puzzle Swap

I have been busy in the last week and a bit, finishing off pieces for a swap being hosted by a friend of mine, Annie. She doesn't have a blog, so can't give you a link, but let me tell you, she is one talented lady and I was chuffed that she asked me to play in her swap.

Themese were chosen by each person and we all had to make 2 pieces for each person.

Ok mine should be in the post to each person in the next day or two. Just have to stick labels on the back of the puzzles with name and details etc, so if you are in this swap and you dont want to spoil the surprise, look away NOW!! LOL

Some Pics to share

Tonight we had a power black out for about an hour or so. DH & I were sitting outside with a few candles (having a romantic moment LOL) and the 2 chiddlies came running out of the house to say a dragonfly had landed on my youngests nose. The insects were being drawn to a few of the torches that the chiddlies were playing with during the blackout.





Dragonfly was most obliging, as Emma then picked him up and put him on her nose.

For those not interested in Scrapbooking - look away now!!

Only my 3rd LO and it didn't turn out quite how I pictured it in my mind. Still getting used to working on a bigger canvas than my usual.

Just for a giggle

My Peculiar Aristocratic Title is: Venerable Lady Natalie the Disheveled of Snotting on Wold Get your Peculiar Aristocratic Title

If you want to get a posh Aristocratic Title, click here

4 x 4 - Art Deco

Ok so this is DEFINITELY not a theme I would normally work in or with, so it's been absolutely FABULOUS to go out of my comfort zone. Thanks to Kelsey for selecting this for the ABC group.



So what do you think, is it Art Deco (ish) enough??

Any opinions welcome.

Have a great day
Nat

ps I'm loving my new Cuttlebug :-) I've used it on the last 4 x 4 page (Gothic) and for this page with the lettering

4 x 4 Gothic Page

Above is my page for the ABC groups AUGUST (yes I'm late) theme of Gothic..... Background heavily inspired by Belinda Schneider and her fabulous backgrounds she makes using acrylic paints and her hand carved stamps.

AWESOME work cont.............

Well I'm a part of a fortnightly dare blog, called How Dare You and let me tell you, you MUST go over there and have a look at this weeks dare. We had to incorporate nature from our own back yard in to our work and I am in total AWE of what the girls in my team have produced. I feel a little inadequate in the company of Maxine Hazebroek, Audrey Underwood, Susane Johannes and Tania Davey. These girls not only can do amazing scrapbook pages, but they can turn their hands to the most amazing mixed media pieces too.

Here is my piece for this theme -



Titled 'The Key to my broken Heart'

I must admit to having EXTREME doubt in my ability after seeing my piece compared to the other ladies work.

Look at all of my yummy goodies

From this gorgeous gal...............



and this wonderful card -



The bracelets and earings I bought off of Julie, but the other goodies she has generously shared with me. Julie I'm in total awe of how clever you are!!

Please check out her blog if you havne't before, to see all of her awesome work... not only jewellery, but other mixed media art.