Freebies

It's been a while, so here's a couple of boys for you to use in your (personal) collage art and atc's :)

Back from teaching on the cruise ship....

Sun Princess - Bec & I in the dining room

Hi There!!

Well, it's been a whirlwind few weeks - but Bec and I are back on solid ground.

The Cruise was so much better than I ever imagined. I was anxious about going and being on a huge ship for so long, floating in the middle of nowhere - but it was the absolute best experience. I loved the 'sea days' where we were miles away from anything.

Being 3 days away from any land at all was an incredible feeling. Somewhat peaceful and invigorating. It really makes you realise how insignificant so many things are - we worry about the 'little things' when in the grand scale of it all - so many things don't really matter...... what matters is our own peace of mind, our inner peace and our family and loved ones.
Without this, we are not much and for me, the cruise and gazing into a dark blue ocean put a lot of things into perspective for me.
It has left me feeling like I need to reassess a lot of things, put things into perspective more, ask myself some really hard questions and decide to make my life exactly what I want it to be...... happier and calmer! (within myself)

The classes on board were a huge hit, we were told that most art/craft classes on board usually had around 30 attendees, due to the fact that there are so many other activities running concurrently onboard at any one time...... ha ha

Our first class was for 60 people - and we completely filled the area we were allocated to work in, and had to turn away another 47 people!!!!!

That set the scheme of things pretty much for all our classes. Full to capacity, lots of creativity, mess and enjoyment.

The Cruise Director actually asked us if we could 'repeat' a class and gave us some $$ to go spend in Singapore to purchase more materials. So we gladly accepted and they had a 'back by popular demand' class for us too! woohoo :)

Here's Bec in Chinatown Singapore

with Moses (I met Moses online a couple of years ago as I participated in an ATC exhibition he held in Singapore. Moses kindly met us at the port and showed us around - and found us the art/craft stores - thanks so much Moses for all your patience and for taking the time out to show us around, it was wonderful)
Singapore was amazing, nice and clean yet very hot (see Bec's fan!) we left early in the morning from the ship and walked to meet Moses, then we caught the train (driverless trains!! arggh) Scary LOL

Here we are at the port in LANGKAWI
A totally beautiful place I would love to visit again..

The cruise was for 16 days and it went so fast. We came back to reality with a bit of a thump, as we had been wined and dined in style. 5 Star meals every night, all absolutely delicious... hence the 3.9 extra kilo's I am now carrying :)

I had my first martini on board and then had to have more!! Martini's of various kinds, all delicious. Cocktails were all scrumptious and Bec and I had several - we were making our way down the rather long list teehee
Shows every night, cabaret acts, comedians, movies, entertainment on board, musicians of varying kinds, an atrium lounge to sit back and soak up the atmosphere, deckchairs to lay out on the deck feeling the sea breeze in your hair. The ocean waves lapping along the sides of the ship.... oh so beautiful.

If you haven't ever cruised before, I can't recommend it enough!!

Although it was very sad to get of the ship, it is nice to be home. Now it's time to get back into the routines to run more workshops, to see all my family & friends and to catch up with all my online buddies :)

The beautiful SUN PRINCESS - ahhh memories

Teaching on a cruise ship - What a gig!

How exciting - Bec & I are going to be teaching art/craft on a cruise ship!!

We now have official documentation and lecturer contracts from the Cruise Liner - and it all looks set to finally happen!


The first thing this image makes me think of is cruising....... quoits anyone? Look at what we are going to be creating on the cruise -

• Magnets - Using mixed media collage techniques
• Artist Trading Cards - Image transfer techniques
• Mini Travel Journal - Using packing tags, paint, ink and journalling
• Fashion Badges & Hair slides - using felt
• Art journalling - Colourful pages, with paint and mixed media styles
• Card making - Faux watercolour rubber stamping
• Mini Canvas - A cute canvas, painted and collaged
• Beautiful Bracelets - using swarovski crystals, charms and buttons

Bec and I are getting SO excited now.... but - after the last disappointment of the cruise Bec & I were supposed to be teaching on being cancelled, I didn't want to post here until I was certain it was going to happen again!

YES, it now looks like it's happening...... but, I guess, until we have actually boarded (or is that embarked?) the cruise ship - we won't feel it's real..... it seems so unreal at the moment!!

This time the cruise is for the Sun Princess "Treasures of Asia" itinerary. It's for 16 nights - so a nice comfortable number for a first time cruiser..... we actually were almost going on a 46 day African/Indian odyssey - but I chickened out. With just having relocated our store, I felt it was too long to close the store and be away. So we took the 2nd option - to go to South East Asia.
Bec and I are now getting excited, as we have only one week on Wednesday before we leave!

We are busy getting kits ready for the workshops we are teaching on board...... and we only have to teach 8 lessons (of only 2 hours each) the whole duration of the cruise... So it leaves us plenty of time to explore, relax and enjoy.

I'm looking forward to meeting lots of people, seeing lots of cabaret shows and relaxing on the decks with a good book - not to mention visiting the 'spa centre' and the hot-tubs!!
Of course, we will be very careful about the current 'swine flu' scares, and will take every precaution to make sure we wash our hands thoroughly and avoid anybody that is coughing or spluttering!! haha I guess, if that is going to happen, we won't avoid it anyway... Bec said to me the other day - "Well Mum, if we are going to be quarantined for any reason, isn't it best we be stuck on a cruise liner than at some dodgy airport or sat on a plane??" - Heck Yeah!!!!

So after next Wednesday, you might not see me blog as much for a while - unless I get to use the internet cafe on the cruise (I probably will at some point in time) but I'm sure I will be doing so many other things.....

Wish us luck, it's exciting and nerve-wracking all at the same time!

FCA35B0C-D639-4182-5A68-18339C659B36

1.02.28

Friday Freebies

# 1 Estelle

Estelle is beautiful, and this image is a little something for you (my blog visitors & followers) to play & make art with - Thank you for following my blog and your lovely comments :)

Feel free to use the images any way you like. Estelle is a little shadowy, but I actually like the softness it brings.. just click the image to open it in a large format and you can save it to your computer and print her out for your artwork.

If you do use any of these images I would love to see what you make from them and will proudly display your work on my blog.

# 2 Laurette

Art Cards

Art & Waffles (not the good eating kind)

Over the last couple of days I have been making some art cards.

Today I had my flu jab, attended a 'FM support group meeting' and met some nice ladies who can totally relate to my pain-filled days! (everyday)

The other night I took a bunch of craft stuff from my freezing cold craft room and dragged it out to the kitchen table - where it has stayed for two days!

It is warmer there, but I must have made 10 trips to the craft room for other things - maybe I need to move the entire room? Tomorrow I will have to drag it all back. Right now I have more important things to do, like blogging and uploading my newest cards ;)

Then I'm going to curl up in my electrocuted bed and read for a while.

Here's the resulting ATC's/ACEO's from over the last 2 nights -


Thanks for visiting :)

ACEO Magazine - June Issue

This months ACEO Magazine features two of my flickr groups I administer - 'Scrappindipity' and 'Artist Trading Cards' These groups have so many talented members, and I'm so thrilled to be able to announce that the groups will be featured quite prominently in the latest ACEO magazine issue.

Over the years of administering these groups, I have worked to try to gain some recognition and exposure for the groups talented members - and WOW they are amazing. If you haven't browsed through the photo pools, you can take a look via the links above.

A while ago I ran a competition for the members of the group - to receive some publicity, this is an awesome & very exciting thing for those ladies that have never been published before. I am thrilled to announce that it's finally happening - The ACEO Magazine now has a new editor and I would like to introduce you to lovely Anna-Marie who has worked tirelessly with me to sort out the winners details, their atc images, personal links etc., and the articles that we have developed, to promote the flickr groups.

I hope to see more members joining both the groups after the magazine is distributed.

If you would like a copy of the magazine, please don't hesitate to contact Anna-Marie

.

Rubber Stamped ATC Swap - Flickr

The June/July theme for the Scrappindipity ATC Swap is 'Rubber Stamping'
Please see the link and sign up over at flickr or let me know you would like to participate..

Thanks
xo

Excuse the wonky scan :)

Updated my Music Player

Just updated my music player. It's currently turned off, as some people don't like opening different windows and hearing several different tracks from different blogs playing at the same time.
Which I can totally understand.
So, if you would like to hear my music, just click the big Play button (triangle) on my player - or you can 'pop out' the player to a new window and scroll and choose what you want to listen to.
I often do this when I find a blog with music I like.
Happy Listening
xo

Before and After - Bec's & My new store "Scrappindipity"

Cupcakes from our opening night... yum

Here's some 'before' and 'after' pics that I promised I would upload. There are a lot of them, so I have randomly picked a few here showing different stages and parts of the new store.

As you can see from the 'working' pics Craig, Bec and I did most of the work ourselves... which although very hard is also so very gratifying :)

Ok, here we go with the picture trail -

The first picture below is the gathering of supplies.... paints, sanders, buckets etc all ready to go!


Here is Bec at the start of the vinyl floor tile laying (for the workshop room - a little cosy & friendly room, that we love :)


This pic shows how we planned out the store layout - the masking tape is indicative of where our counter was going to be placed - provided all ended up going to plan of course... and YES it did, as you will see further along this picture trail.....

This wall was a grey/black metallic paint!!!! ARGH Don't paint black please.... we had to scrape the paint off - took a whole day of arm breaking work... thank you ALI & AMY you helped and were troopers!
Here you can see the black paint still on the edges of the wall - it's almost done.


2 new walls had to be put up, to create our workshop room, wall is painted a lovely retro blue, and Craig is busy sweeping whilst Bec continues laying those floor tiles!

I hate painting btw!!

In the other room, the moved wall is in place, and here is Craig and I painting a nice cream colour... over that existing grey/black from the wall we moved.... It took 4 coats of paint.

Here's the workshop room again, and wow, it's looking like it's taking shape now... this time there is more paint on the walls and those floor tiles are coming together rather nicely - Bec and I laid most of those ourselves while Craig was busy sawing, drilling and preparing everything else...


The edge that wrapped up around the wall because the concrete was formed that way... a bit of a hard job, but one which I managed to complete myself... yay

"Stuff" starts to move into it's new home - and things are starting to look a bit more organised... room for more tables to arrive (when we pick them up)

Here you can see our cute little polka dot curtains - one for over the back door (all those unpacked boxes out the back! YAY), a curtain under our sink, and there is also another one at our window.
Do you notice my framed print from Kelly Rae Roberts after purchasing my copy of "taking flight" - It looks so lovely. Since this picture I have now put up a couple of my own artworks too.
A cute retro cannister and a couple of bottles that Bec liked, sit nicely on my favourite little counter top in our kitchen/workshop.

The fixtures and the stock start to move in.......... a little disorganised at this point but it was good to see it starting to happen!



One corner ready to go.... Notice those two large collage boards above the stock... they are the one's I blogged about doing a while ago. They are each 3mtrs long and .70 high!


The other side :)
The other end of the store... more stock has finally found a new home - what a lot of work to get it all laid out and in place!


This is the end of our counter, looking toward the back you can see our fish tank, yep we have live fish to entertain our customers - and us!!

We also have a gumball machine on our counter which is full of jaffa's and mints - mmmm


All our fish have names - Bec named them all actors and actress names from the 50's..... don't ask me to remember them though... We have 8 fish at the moment, because 8 is a lucky number in chinese. I do think we are supposed to have 9 - so we just might go buy another one :)

We wouldn't be complete without all our gorgeous collage supplies would we now?


and some tools of the trade.....
and some chipboards to alter......
and some gorgeous inks, rubber stamps and arty supplies!


It's OPENING NIGHT.... and we had some gorgeous little cupcakes to share with everyone. Thanks Em for making them - they were totally delicious!!


Here's me on the opening night, standing alongside the acrylic paper racks..

As a final thing on this post, I would like to say a heartfelt thank you to all my art buddies who offered their support and encouragement during all the moving process... with my health in not such good shape (as some of you know) it was a very trying time for me at times..... I couldn't have done it without the support you have all given me. I wish some of you could have been here with us!

Special Thanks to my husband Craig, who took holidays from his work, to work for us!!
Thanks to my beautiful daughter Amy & her partner Ali for their help with all the paint scraping.
Thanks to Mick for helping us on the 'BIG' moving day - a big job and it was hugely appreciated!
Thanks to my Dad Norm, for his help on the 'BIG' moving day, and the help with the walls and the shop floor..... we couldn't have done it without all your help.
Thanks to Lyn for her help putting out stock on our 'spinner' racks.
Thanks to Jesse for doing without Bec while all this was going on, and for the help on opening night.

A huge thanks to Bec even though it's 'our' store, without her I wouldn't be a part of Scrappindipity & I wouldn't be so proud of everything we have achieved together!

Bec is a trooper and worked so hard to get this working for us - If your'e reading this Bec (as I think you might) I'm so proud of you sweetheart. xo

A big hug to you all.

Whew - I hope you enjoyed the journey into our new store :)
Stay tuned for updates and some more pics soon!

Scrappindipity Store Peeks

The store is finally finished and we have had our first week there. There are a couple of little 'tweaks' here and there, but it's all up and running...... whew and woo!!

That cute cupboard was found at a 2nd hand store, and I think it was made for us! It's the perfect colour to match our wall. The top drawer is full of pens and the 2nd one full of cute mini canvasses.
Can you see our handmade jewellery in the cabinets?

We have our window signed and now just have to wait for a huge 11 metre sign up the top!!
The store isn't huge, but we didn't want it to be - we want it to be cosy and friendly.
Workshops will be put into place very soon - we are looking forward to having some socialising and creativity :) as we are both really enjoying having our own workshop space out the back, and it's even inspired me to create more (which is wonderful)

I still haven't uploaded the pics from my camera, but here's a couple that Bec took........ just a couple of sneeky peeks which I have knicked from our official site Scrappindipity

New Studio in New store = New art

Yay, I got to play in the new studio at the new store and made some new art...... lots of NEW things been happening.
I've become a little run down after all the work, but hopefully things will settle soon...... meanwhile, here's what I created today. I used images that were so kindly sent to me from Kirsi. Enjoy :)

Image Challenge

Ali created this beautiful gothic arch for a challenge, using one of my image giveaways.... Please pop by her blog Ali's Space and view the rest of her lovely work. Thanks Ali for participating :)

New Store Opening / Blogoversary / Freebie image

Oh, please excuse me, I'm SO tired............ (is that a stress-ball in my hand??) haha

Well I didn't even notice that it was my blogoversary the same day we (Bec and I) had our opening preview night for our new 'relocated' store Scrappindipity.

I have been so busy, I didn't even notice.

Thank you to the ladies who congratulated me on the blog birthday!

So in honour of my blogoversary and opening the new store...... The image above is free for you all to play with. (Don't forget to send me pics of anything you make and I will include here on my blog) Why not make an atc out of her, and send me one to trade - I'd love to do that :)

It's all happened now, the store is ready for trading - tomorrow is our first official OPEN DAY, woo hoo... I have been plagued with migraines for the last 4 days (think it's my cracked molar!!) so I will have to find time to get to the dentist to eliminate that problem - hopefully it will fix the damn debilitating headaches. ( I just want to feel normal for a day )

I'm thinking of classes now, and what sort of things to do - so many choices and techniques to choose from.

We will also be looking at tutors for the new store, and a new 'inspiration squad'... we might call them something different, but basically they are the 'creative stars' who design gorgeous things from our supplies to show off to our customers.

Some social gatherings will be great too, and I'm really looking forward to that. There is nothing better than spending time creating and letting yourself drift off into the art world in the company of happy like-minded friends!

I feel like I have been MIA (missing in action) and ACTION it has been, I can't believe the work Bec, Craig and I put into the new store... doing it yourselves sure does make you sit back and look around you and sigh with relief!! (as well as joy) even all the back-breaking jobs like laying floor tiles!!

Every minute my muscles hurt It just reminds me of what we have accomplished - so it's a good thing really.

As for the photos, they are still coming as they are stuck on Bec's camera! I promise to upload a stack of the before, during and after pics when I get them. So please visit me again.

xo

A small reprieve among the many hours of work

Last Friday night, we celebrated Amy's birthday with a how to host a murder mystery party. It was fun, and "Tattle Tale" ended up doing the murder (my Mum's character) LOL

It was a good night, I enjoyed it. Especially after all the stress of moving store. Bec and I are almost done, we have worked ourselves silly, and I mean it...... we have had some seriously delirious moments!!! Lugging boxes - at least 200 of them!!!!!! full of stock, files, paperwork, samples etc etc

I'm sure moving house was easier than this has been.

We have erected a wall to form a classroom/workshop area - it's smallish - around 25M2 but plenty big enough for 8 ladies to create in a friendly atmosphere. Now I'm looking forward to getting some arty things happening, and to have a social feel to our store.

The store itself is looking nice too - all so clean and neat, with stocks galore. We have gone with our colour scheme and retro themes.

My mum made us some cute little polka dot curtains & the pinup boards are up, the paper storage in place, as well as lots of other 'necessities'... I will definately post some pictures when it's all complete.

I will post a couple of pics in this post a bit later, from the "Murder Mystery Night" (Hollywood Powar & Greede Premiere night) I have to get them off Bec's PC.

Amy and Ali did a wonderful job with the decorations too - it really helped to set the scene.

That's all for now, I'm desperately in need of a spa - I ache from head to toe!!

xo

ATC's & ACEO's finally got to scan them

I finally got around to scanning some of the cards that have been sitting on my desk for a while.


Perfectly Blessed
I really liked this image. It was hidden in a stack of old decoupage papers I bought from a flea market years ago - so I decided to put her to good use. I thought she looked so calm and serene - and perfectly blessed. The background is hand painted, with an alcohol ink overlay. There is a few hand doodles and rub-ons, along with vintage book text.

Perfect
I don't know why I used the word 'perfect' as this card certainly isn't perfect in my eyes - I do however like the idea of a sideways necklace like that.

In his clear eyes
The background is hand painted, with lots of doodles/scratches, some torn papers & vintage text finish him off. The look in his eyes is one of purpose & he seems to be regal.

Honest Fellows
Are there really such things??

He spoke to me about my soul
I wonder what he said?

For God's sake get me a drink

Me too!! She looks so sad & frustrated - I think she needs the drink!

Disguises
- Not available to trade -
The text on this one suits me to a T, so I'm going to hang on to her.

Being still
Do you feel the need to be still, it isn't as easy as said though - finding that inner stillness is so hard to achieve. Even with years of meditation I still rarely find that 'stillness' - but when I do, ahh it's blissful - if even for a few minutes.

Anxiety
Maybe I should keep this too?? haha
I totally understand anxiety! The blocking of the eyes on this piece was to symbolise how anxiety sometimes keeps me from seeing things in the right perspective, how anxiety can make me hypervigilant about things, unable to 'see' whats really happening.... I really lose my 'wits' during anxiety attacks!!

My desk looks like a tornado has hit it at the moment. I have about 6 projects on the go, with materials, bits of papers, glues, paints etc all scattered all over it!! It's beginning to pile up around me too, which means I have to get in there and actually 'use' the goodies.. teehee

Too busy right now, but when things are settled and organised with the new store move I will be doing some samples and things for upcoming workshops - that will be more fun than tidying the desk :)

If you are interested in trading with me, please don't hesitate to ask.

They are all available except 'disguises' - I have to keep this one, as it's so me lol !

What I have been doing lately........

Hello :)

I thought I would do a quick post, just so everyone doesn't think I have fallen off the planet.

Bec and I have decided to relocate our store - so we finally found somewhere to go. The new store is under renovation, and for the last week we have been working very hard to get it ready for our big move!

With the help from some wonderful people we have moved a wall - (big task) to make room for workshops.

We have been painting for days, we are in the process of laying tiles on the floor and working out what is going to go where!

I'm excited about the new store, it is so open and spacious. After being in Fremantle with no free parking, we will have 200 car bays for customer use, right outside the complex - and there are gorgeous shady trees too :)

So after 6 years of trading, we are finally getting what we originally wanted - space for workshops, free parking for our customers and ourselves, lots of visibility as we are going to be on a major traffic bearing road and next to a busy supermarket - so it's all good :)

I completed some art cards a couple of weeks ago, but haven't found the time to scan and upload them yet - but will try to get that done this week.

While being so busy with the store, I am also missing my one on one trades, so if anyone would like to trade with me - please let me know your link to 'available for trade' ATC's :) and we can organise something.

For now, I have to go get organised to go back to the new store....... More painting to do, more tiles to lay...... this has been Easter long weekend - 4 days off normal working hours - and we have worked, but thats the name of the game when you own your own business!!

When the shop is ready, we then have to pack all our stock - heaps of it!! and then move all the fixtures and fittings to be installed in the new store....... whew, i'm exhausted just thinking about that..... but that will be when it's 'really starting to take shape' - so I'm looking forward to that.

When the new store is open, I'm sure we will all see our hard work and the effort, energy and exhaustion will all be worth it :)

Back to normal trading at the current store on Tuesday!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter xo

Friendly Award

The lovely Sonya from Pickles Patch has blessed me with another little award, and this time its a 'friendly' one.

Sonya creates some amazing scrapbooking layouts - so If you haven't visited her blog yet, make sure you pop on over :)
I would like to pass this 'friendliness' award onto some lovely ladies, who always support & encourage me with kind words. I could pick so many people to pass this award on to, but these few ladies regularly visit me and take the time out to leave such positive comments - Thank you ladies - I hope this award brings a smile to your faces.

Flippinpest

Joanne

Kathy

Jamie