Illness lingers on and on..........

Ok yesterday I mentioned spring having sprung, today I took both of my kids to the docs as one has been complaining of an earache and the other just seems to be permanently coughing and having the green stream running from his nose. So it turns out, both have ear infections and are now on anti-biotics! As a family, this is our worse year for flu/sneezes/coughs/colds. Seems only a few days go by and then one of us develops something. *sigh*

On a positive note, I just wanted to share a collage my DD made when she was 5 yrs old. Ok mummy helped her a bit, but most of it she did herself. She stamped the wording with a foam stamp and cut the butterfly's out herself and made the background. Mum did the glazing, assisted with the spelling and framing of the collage.

Very bright and breezy, just perfect for spring.

Have a great day.

Nataliexx

Spring is in the Air

Such a beautiful day today. It feels like spring has sprung! Can smell it in the air. hmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Gifts From Dot

Ok so I'm not very good with a scanner! These little gems that came in the mail today, are from Dot and of course are more vibrant and gorgeous than they are in this pic.

I love the way Dot uses such gorgeous colours and such fabo beads on her work. And almost always her work is 3D. On the ATC, she has used Angelina fibres for the background. Way cool Dottee!!

Thanks so much my dear for thinking of me.

Big hugs

xx

Tinkerbell and Friend

My DD who is 6.5yrs (and rapidly approaching 7 yrs old - *sigh* they grow too fast), had a dress up day today at school. They had to dress up as a character from a book. Well seeing as mother is not too handy with a sewing machine, we had to think of a character out of a book using the costume she already has in the wardrobe (fairy outfit). So we came up with Tinkerbell. What little girl doesn't love Tinkerbell and the story of Peter Pan!! Such a magical book. One of my favs when I was a young girl.

So here we go, dressed up and ready to go....oh and with her trusty friend Peter Pan (aka Luc Briney).

Have a great day
Nat

V is for Violet Fat Book Page

The rainbow fat book I have been a part of through the ABC Club has definitely been a challenge and has more often than not, taken me out of my comfort zone with colours. This month's colour is Violet. So far we've done Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo.

Seeing as I've been playing with the sticker technique that Dawn Thomas showed us on Friday night, I thought I'd use that tech for my violet fat book pages.

Maybe this is a little "busy", but I like the effect overall.

Have a great week

Sticker Technique

Last night a few of us girlies got together and were shown a fab technique from Dawn Thomas. It was such a fun night. Pizza, Tim Tams and stamping, what more could a girl ask for!! Oh other than shopping for supplies!! Seriously though, we had a ball and Dawn was very patient with us and so I actually managed to make one card! Wow!! Such a long long time since I have made a card.... Funny as originally this is what I started out doing and how I was "exposed" to the world of altered art. This is such a fun technique and I have to say I've added my own personal touch to it. I went over the stickers/sponging with a gloss mod podge and it made the colours blend and run a bit, which I liked. Also giving the finished product a glossy finish!! No it's not dimensional magic this time girls!! But something pretty similar....lol. We also each brought a long some of our stamps, so it was a great chance to use some new toys!! Funny how everyone elses toys, always seem better than your own.

Ok so I've attached the one and only card I've made so far with this technique, but I have a few others that I'm working on at the moment. I like these stickers the best.

Have a fun weekend all
Natxx

What a beauty!

Wow do I have some talented friends. I feel so blessed to know so many gifted people. This treasure came from Sulea today and of course blew me away. As always scans dont do the original piece justice.

I now am the proud owner of two of Sulea's original collage pieces. I love this image (which is hand drawn) and the little birdie (also hand drawn) holding a love heart in it's mouth. This collage appeals to me on so many levels, but mostly because when I was little, I would spend hours looking up into the night sky, watching for falling stars and or wishing on them.

Thank you to my very talented friend Sulea. Please take a look at her etsy site where she is selling some of her collage pieces - http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=71548, you will love the feast of work there. Make sure you have a tissue handy, to mop up the drool....

Have a great night

RAK For a Friend

I have made these ATC's tonight and one is for a particular friend.

I've been struggling to make ATC's lately, so hopefully my friend will be happy with hers.

Hope you all have a safe and warm night.

Natalie

RAK's

Hi all

Received this gorgeous RAK from Julie Hetherington today. Just love it!

One very clever girl. You can find the link to her blog, on the right hand side of this page.

A quiet day today and over the weekend. My DH is home, so we've been spending time catching up, doing family stuff and doing a general tidy up around the outside of the house.

Take care

natalie

Dolls

Progressing along slowly with my dolls for the doll swap. Has been a hectic week this week, with lots of work (I am a book keeper who works from home) and an ebay sale. It was my first time selling on ebay and it went well. Next time I'm not sure if I'll put so many things on sale at once. My kids were a bit neglected this week, as it all seemed to 'happen' all at once this week.

I thought I would add this ATC, made a while back for an Inspiring Quotes swap. You might not be able to read this quote, but it says "sometimes you just have to take the leap and build your wings on the way down".

Have a great weekend one and all.

What an amazing mail day!

When I was at school, I always thought that I was hopeless at art because I couldn't draw or paint a 'proper' picture. IYKWIM. I didn't really know any 'arty' people or anyone that was even the slightest bit interested. I have always been interested, but never took it seriously, until I was introduced to stamping by my sister in law. I never knew way back then (2 yrs) that I would have progressed so far into the mixed media (had never heard of that word before then) world and met so many talented and special people along the way.

This gorgeous creation is from Sulea Lee. Please take a look at her blog (link on side of this page) as her art work is just stunning. When I opened the envelope I was absolutely blown away, as Sulea tells me she has only painted a few paintings before and how special do I feel that she is sharing one of them with me..... Wow words just cannot describe how amazingly happy I feel right now. What a wonderful world I've been introduced to and such special people I've met along the way.

Thanks girls for making this world a brighter and happier place.

Big hugs

Natxx

Another pic from the past!

Wow this pic was taken on the first day of school 05. We were on the farm then and in the background you can see bare paddocks. When I went back to the farm a few weeks back, the blue gums are now at least 5-6 feet tall. That's how quikly they grow!

Still working on my first doll. Not sure if I will post a pic here or not. Bit nervous as from what I've seen of the other girls work in the swap, mine might not live up to expectations. I've discovered I'm a hopeless sewer. Well I always knew that, but it's kind of been rammed home even more, by trying to do beading work on my doll last night. But I'm determined if nothing else.

Take care

Nat

Pink & Orange

Well what a challenge this colour combination is. Pink & orange! Hmmm not something I would normally put together, me being totally challenged at combining colours and all.

So this ATC has been made for a Round Robin Swap and I would say that I'm not overly happy with it, but still, I will send it, as I think it's the best I can come up with, with that colour combo.

Hope everyone is having a great weekend.

Blogs etc

I am enjoying this wonderful world of blogging. Enjoying reading what others write and enjoying sharing my work/pictures of my family and life. Thank you to all who have written lovely comments on my blog and to me personally.

Over the past few days I have actually done very little creative work. Have been having a bit of a 'rest' as dont want to loose my muse as I have done before when I have been trying to fit too much in and get over committed. On Friday night I will start working on my dolls, thanks to my lovely friend Kelsey, who is going to share some tips on how to dye our little doll friends.

Attached is an ATC made late last year for a Zetti Swap.

Take care

Natalie

Great Mail Day

I received the most gorgeous Doll from my friend Dot Christian. The link to her blog page, can be found on my front page. Check it out, as it's well worth the read.

I love these 3d gorgeous treasures and now that I am free from art committments for a little while, I am going to start work on the dolls for the art doll swap hosted by Dot.

What a treat this is and I love the happy face!

Thanks Dot you're a gem.

Wet and Wild Day

Well it was definitely and in doorsy type of day today. Totally wet and wild! Not much to post about today, only that I wanted to share this gorgeous card that I received from Julie Hetherington today. What a beauty. Love the stamp!!



And also this gorgeous ATC from Sulea Lee. You can see both of their blogs on the links part of my front page.

What a Weekend

Today we arrived back from a weekend away in Marg River. We got to see our friends who have just had bub No3 and he is absolutely beautiful. What a baby, sleep, feed, sleep. Wish I'd had one of those!! He is just the most gorgeous little boy. Got lots of cuddles too!!

We went to visit our old farm and boy did that stir up some emotions I thought had long gone. Lots of eye leaking going on (on my part and a little with Emma) and also to leave Margs and our friends.

I feel so tired and drained, but I think that's because I cried so much, and also a little to do with this darn flu I have and can't seem to shake!! But it was well worth the 3.5 hr drive there and another 3.5 hrs back.

So no creative work done over the weekend, but have added an older ATC made a while back.

How do you explain what you do?

How do you explain to an 'outsider' what you do? Would be interested to hear your comments about what to say to people who have absolutely no idea what a stamp is (unless it's the postage variety), let alone an altered book or an ATC. Do you say you're an artist and you work in mixed media for a simple answer? Or do you say something more involved. A doll maker would say they make dolls. A scrapbooker would say - well everyone knows what a SB does/is, a beader the same, teddy bear maker etc etc. The list goes on. But how do you clarify to somebody who has no idea, what you spend your money/time/effort on (other than family of course - *big grins*). I used to say that I made cards and leave it at that. But now I hardly ever make a card, so can't use that one any more!

I've also attached an ATC I made last night for a 'Collections' swap. The small square idea came from a very talented artist - Julie Hetherington her blog link is here check it out - http://isthereashadow.blogspot.com/. I haven't made an ATC for that long and I thoroughly enjoyed making this one. Quite involved and only 8 more to go!

My Babies are growing up!

I found this picture tonight, while looking for something else. It was taken just over 2 yrs ago, when Emma was 4 and Luc was 2. At the time we were living on the farm and so much has happend since.

I love this photo just because!

I really should take up scrapbooking! It's on the TO DO list of things I would like to find time to do ONE DAY!

Nat

Indigo Fat Book Page

Have completed my first page for the colour Indigo tonight. Quite a challenge that colour. It's a cross between a purple and a blue. It's my first time ever working with this colour, so I hope I've pulled it off successfully. Have attached it on left.

Background is a cross between a Misty Mawn and a Natalie Briney technique. Bird figure is loosely taken from a Karen Michel technique.

I like the way Karen uses real eyes from magazine pages and I thought I would give it a try.

I was very tempted to stick a crown on my birds head (I'm into crowns & wings like a lot of others at the moment), but did not cave into temptation and now upon reflection and looking at the scan I think it does look better without one.

If I wasn't sticking to a certain colour, I would have perhaps added a few other embellishments, but I like the simplicity of this piece. 9 more pages to go.

August's colour is Violet and as yet I have no idea what I will do.

Hope everyone has a fantastic weekend.

Nat