Bombshell Stamps

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`Till death...' ATC

I have been so busy lately, I haven't had time to visit you, sorry!! I have been neck deep writing reports and although I don't have many, I've probably been a bit too pedantic checking and rechecking etc....
Anyway, I received my package of Bombshell Stamps on Wednesday and this gave me extra inspiration to have everything done so I could have a little time to play.

New Canvas and Tattoos

This a new canvas using texture paste and the cuttlebug-(my favourite). There are layers and layers of cutltlebug borders. Unfortunately, the colours in the photo are quite different in real life. I definitely need a new camera.

A huge THANK YOU to Diana for this wonderful award.
Here are the rules...

• Comment on this blog.
• Save the award logo to your own computer and use it in your own blog.
• Nominate 5 to 10 blogs you feel show great attitude and gratitude.
• Link to your nominees within your blog post.
• Comment on their blogs to let them know they've received the award.
• Link back to the person who gave you the award to show your appreciation.

I would love to nominate these lovely people.
Belinda Schneider
Gaby Bee
Red Dirt Mummy
Terri Ventura
Kelsey

These are my tattoos.
The rose was chosen as it is my favourite flower and has deep personal meaning for me. The second is an ambigram of the words earth, air, fire and water. Each of us in my little family has a birthday that falls under these elements. The last is a floral tattoo on my foot. I had them done a couple of years ago.

A Very Cool Place!

A RAK and Fremantle Prison Pictures

Just look at the beautiful RAK I received from Jane Jones. Jane thanks for this beautiful gift, I love it sooo much!!!!
... and something a little bit creepy...




I just found these interesting pictures from Fremantle prison taken a couple of years ago. Click on them for a close up of the spheres.

Meer Image

Steven Vander Meer is a wonderful artist. Check out his fantastic range of fine art stamps- simply gorgeous!!!

The Water Tower

I took these photos of a water tower in our town and played around with some of the lighting effects. The Gary Crew book and these photos definitely inspired a story I wrote for my course.

Jacqueline's Blog

You must have a look at Jacqueline's Blog for total inspiration. Jacqueline uses mixed media in her work to create beautiful journals, ATCs, sculptures and fibrearts such as art quilts. Jacqueline recently received an Artey Pico Award for creativity, design, interesting material, and also contributing to the blogging community. It is such a beautiful blog and a real pleasure to visit.
Enjoy!!!!

We're Back!

The proud grandparents!




We have just returned from a brief visit to Perth for some orthodontic treatment for the Terminator. We caught up with the newest addition to our family too.

I also went to Scraptivate. The shop is looking absolutely beautiful and it is always so well stocked and presented. There is so much in there!!! The new Collections elements can all be found here and the new houses are adorable. It was lovely to see Natalie and Audrey!
I also went to Artistic Journey. I can't begin to describe how much inspiration is in this shop. Not only that, Jacky was so welcoming and helpful. I saw some of her work and Jo's and I was blown away by their talent.

MORE Inspiration...

Monica Magness' blog, girl gone thread wild is fantastic and full of the most beautiful art dolls. Her latest creation is called Love Squared and is a collaborative project. 184 artists contributed a 2inch square of fabric decorated in their own style. All the squares were sewn to create a magnificent gown for the doll. The doll, Love Squared, is absolutely gorgeous!!!! All proceeds from this doll will go towards the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Cure. You just have to see it.

Inspiration

Gillian Hamilton
This artist is amazing! She creates gorgeous pieces of art and her photography is brilliant! Gillian has just been awarded an Arteypico for creativity, design, interesting material and for contributions to the blogging community. Gillian also has an Etsy store filled with her beautiful creations.

Ro Bruhn
This wonderful artist has made exquisite pieces of jewellery, wonderful journals, beautiful pieces of altered art- a feast for the eyes. A beautiful blog to visit. Ro has also been awarded an Arteypico too. Ro has an Etsy store as well full of gorgeous items.

Linda and Opie O'Brien
These artists produce such amazing altered art. I just got their book and it is fantastic. They have the most interesting and scrumptious recipes for producing beautiful patinas on brass and copper sheets. They have just returned from Artfest where they taught the Da da doll class, amongst others.
Linda and Opie's book is called Metal Craft Discovery Workshop: Create Unique Jewelry, Art Dolls, Collage Art, Keepsakes and More!
There is also an Etsy shop.

Have fun!

Babies, Onslow Idol and New Assemblage

Babies

This week I became an aunty again to a bouncing baby boy 9 pounds 5 oz!
Congratulations to Suz, Steve and Sienna!
My cousin also had a beautiful baby boy this week. He was 8 pounds 10 oz!! Congratulations Dee, Wes and Shanai!

Onslow Idol
Last night it was my great pleasure to be a judge for Onslow Idol 08. What a night! The kids were amazing and performed so well. Congratulations to the winners and to everyone who participated. Congratulations to The Terminator on a great clarinet performance of `My Heart Will Go On.' She received an `Honorable Mention.' Whoo Hoo!!
The organisers should be commended for putting on such a great event where everyone showed wonderful community spirit!!!!

New Assemblage

This is my new unnamed assemblage. It's made from some of the items I found at the tip. I used wirework to form a bird perched on the side of the nest. The bottom of the piece was part of a railway sleeper. I'm not really sure about the actual meaning of this piece.

Inspirational Blogs

There are FIVE gorgeous blogs that are so inspiring.

Dream Weaver http://lynn-mccorry.blogspot.com/
It is so inspiring and wonderful to read. This artist amazes me with her beautiful designs and layouts. Lynn, you are amazing!!!

Red Dirt Mummy http://reddirtmummy.blogspot.com/
This blog is choc full of gorgeous goodies. This artist's layouts and card designs are beautiful and she also shares the most delicious, mouthwatering recipes, too.

Me and Mine http://meandmine-audrey.blogspot.com/
This blog is so beautiful and full of such inspiring work. This artist, Audrey, also teaches at Scraptivate, so if you live in Perth, you are so lucky!!! Audrey has a large variety of work displayed on her blog from altered art, to cards and the most AMAZING layouts. Audrey also demos the Cuttlebug, (my favourite!!!!) at Scraptivate.

Speak Without My Voice http://speakwithoutmyvoice.blogspot.com/
This blog is fantastic, filled with assemblages, photos and a wide variety of artwork. A really beautiful blog to read and inspire.

Michelle Ward http://michelleward.typepad.com/michelleward/

Michelle is an artist and designer. This blog has stamps, tips, journals and so much more! It is such a pleasure to read. It has terrific links, too.

Have fun!

The Tip!

I went to the tip today and found a few little bits and pieces. These things should give me some inspiration.
Here is the sunkissed Dolly after four days of full on fishing- she is still smiling.
The Terminator after four full on days of fishing!

Happy Easter and Empress Shrine

The sun turns the ocean to molten gold and where the rays do not reach- sparkling sapphires glint,
The warm, gentle wind caresses my skin leaving salty kisses upon me...


And I caught my first MACCA! Check it out.

All caught and released today. John and The Terminator with a Spangled Emperor.

Me The girls with me.

New Shrine
I received this beautiful canister full of Lindt eggs, bunnies and chocs from one of the lovely kids in my class. After eating the delightful treats inside, which were delicious (thank you), I made a little shrine. It's called Empress.

The `body' was made of a most annoying bell I used to ring to remind children about the noise level.

We are here at last!!!!

Hi!

We made it! We have set up our home here in Onslow at last. It is wonderful to be here. Everyone we have met here has been so very kind and helpful.

I am not missing the packing up or moving.

The packing up took hours- everything thing was wrapped and I mean everything! We helped with the packing and it still took from 8.15 am until 6.30 pm. Can you believe it?

The next day it was 41 degrees. The poor removalists had to move 45 cubic metres of furniture.
That took from 8.15am until 6.30 pm. Then I started cleaning.

It was exhausting.

John's parents looked after us for a couple of nights. Thanks to both of you for your kindness and generosity.

A big thank you to Beryl and Laurie for their kind thoughts and wishes for our family. Your card was so sweet.

Here are some pictures of the family on the way up.

It took two days to unpack all the main boxes. After I got over the frogs in the toilet I felt very happy.

We were invited to see one of the beautiful, deserted islands here- Direction Island, it is part of the Mackerel Islands.

Some photos are below. I wanted to take more but the batteries in my camera ran out.

I managed to squeeze in some craft. I made a new journal using the rope stitch. I added some houses by Collections Elements.

Thanks for looking!

Sam x