on track to fly away!!!!

I find the process of "creating" really interesting. Sometimes I do my best work when I'm really angry, and other times when I'm totally relaxed. A lot of my work comes from the kind of energy inside....whether good/calm or bad/explosive. Funny that when I look back on my work this year, I can't tell if I was happy or sad or angry.....well, there goes Brett Whitely's theory LOL

Only sneaks today unfortunately. I have been busy with preparations for my annual Getaway. Once again to Melbourne and the Dandenong Ranges for Bon's Scraps Retreat. I will be sooo relieved to get on that plane with Crystal, I might firstly weep for 30 minutes.

123 Challenge!! STill time to get your October challenge in. You know, my fantastic HAND DRAWN & HAND CUT TITLE??????
of course you do!!!!!!!!

Here's a sneak peek of November's layout. Yay!!

Peta MacBeth of Scrapbooking from Scratch, asked me to do a layout from a sketch for her retreat family. How could I resist???? I hope I help some of you who are "sketch-phobes" to put your personal stamp on each sketch.
Have fun!!!

And so will I this weekend. Some friends I've not seen for about 10 years will be joining me for dinner on Thursday night. I can not wait!!!!

There will be an explosion of photos and layouts/projects in the coming weeks. Looking forward to sharing and documenting a very special break.

A special mention to my gorgeously hard-working husband, who will be taking over from me. It will be hard to go to work and then manage the family, but he's no shirker - he'll be awesome!!
xoxox
GiGi

Privilege....

There are moments when I feel very special and lucky. There are moments I want to retreat to a corner, assume the foetal position and sob uncontrollably.

And it's at these times I feel very PRIVILEGED....

Why?????

Because I have TIME to do all these things. I am home, I am in my private domain and I can cycle through the Stages of Grief without an audience, and equally I can be very proud of myself for a job well done, again, without an audience.

This week, our family has had to deal with very confronting issues and instead of having to return to an office, present the "work face", I could come home and DEAL WITH SHIT....privately.

I can let calls go to voicemail (possibly the best invention .... EVER!), I can let the door bell ring and not answer, I can consume a block of chocolate without criticism. I don't have a "face" at home.

And I feel PRIVILEGED.

I was on the treadmill earlier in the week. It was time to move to a new challenge, but this was not a week I could endure another failure. But I was alone. If I didn't make it, it didn't matter. Never being one for the foot race (swimming was always my bag), I began the 1km walk/1km jog x 2 programme with a whole lot of fear.

I had my beloved Triple J on the radio because the music selection always surprises....and off I went. Half way through the jog I was beginning to wonder if I'd taken on too much, but finished it.

The following 1km walk was a struggle because the negative self-talk kicked in.....

"You'll never do the second jog...
just take it easy and walk another km.
You have a lot of crap to deal with when you finish here....
do it EASY!"

Not only am I great at ignoring others, I am equally great at ignoring myself LOL.

And with 200m to go in the final jog, Triple J plays "Breathe" by The Prodigy. I can hear the groans of disapproval already...."not that band", but it took me to a whole different level. The energy in the music and lyrics just gave me that extra push, and all music profoundly effects me....

But read this.....

Breathe the pressure,
Come play my game I'll test ya.
[...]
Come play my game.
Inhale, inhale, [...]
Come play my game.
Exhale, exhale, exhale.

And there's the challenge.....
Come play my game
BREATHE
I'll test you
INHALE
Breathe the pressure
EXHALE

And that fires me up!!

And I smiled a real smile
A "job-well-done" smile
An "I'm-so-freakin'-proud-of-myself" smile

And I BREATHED in, and EXHALED slowly, to face the PRESSURE.

class ~ reunion ~ lady p

First 2 layouts from last night's class are already in the gallery!!! xoxo
And they're very awesome. If you've paid for your class, you'll have access to the gallery, so go have a looksie and get creating!
I can't wait to see how you all put your individual spin on my class.
Remember: you can pay and join anytime. Deadline for prizes is 18th November 2010.

Not much other creative stuff to share. Have been busy making plans for Rainer's schooling next year. It seems the poop hits the fan during Term 3 and I spend a good part of the remainder of the year putting out fires and starting new ones.

I did, however attend my 25 Year High School Reunion which was suprisingly awesome!!!!

One thing I will say, is that I talked way too much and didn't take enough photos. I cannot wait to see these guys again. I forgot how much I adore them.



Blogger is being a bugger and won't let me upload any more pics from my brother-in-law's fancy dress 40th. You'll have to wait another time. I went as Lady Penelope from the Thunderbirds. Classic!!!

Thanks to all who have made me smile the last couple of weeks. It's certainly dragged me through a very difficult time.
xoxo

Online Class UPDATE

Invitations have been emailed to all peeps who have paid
WOOHOOOOOO!!

If the email you used for the PayPal payment is not the one you wish to use for access to the class, please pretty please email me as soon as you can at
gi68@optusnet.com.au
and I will change it for you.

The Materials List is on there and some info about how the class is organised.

REMEMBER.....
just because the class opens on the 18th October, does not mean you have to be at the blog on that date.
You can make payment at anytime.
If you want to be eligible for a prize, you need to have the layout finished and emailed to me by 19th November.
If you don't make it by 19th November, I would still LURVE to see what you've created, as would your classmates.

HOW EXCITING!!!!
I surely can't wait.

I have a superbusy weekend ahead too
Saturday night is my 25 year high school reunion. YIKES. Now I feel really really old.

Sunday, I will be peddling my wares at the Payne Road State School Car Boot Sale. It runs from 7am till 12.30pm at Payne Road, The Gap, Brisbane. Come say hello and bring me a coffee please!!!!
I'll have embroidered towels, crocheted hand towels, handmade cards, and my faux screen prints for SALE.
Time (and weather) permitting, the chunky mixed media pieces will be there too!!!

Thanks again to all who have re-posted the class on their Blogs and FaceBook. Your effort makes my heart *sing*

More to share....

Almost down to using scraps for layouts now. Which fiscally is a good thing *wink*

on yer bike - some freaky misting with a Prima branch (don't worry I misted the underside)

and some splatters too because Mr Glimmermist decided to take a blockage!!

Mackinley need to approve the Prima flower...bahahaaaaa - such a boy's boy!!

The sun came out long enough for me to take these photos. *sigh* and more rain is forecast. Mighty frustrating with 2 very energetic boys in a small house.

Thanks to all who have purchased their "seat" for my online class. If it were at a store, I'd be pretty chuffed right now. Can't thank you girls enough. And I appreciate all the work you're doing spreading the word within your own friendship groups. Just speechless and overwhelmed.

Thank You!

Still more "seats" available (LOL).
xoxo

ONLINE CLASS!!!!

I'm very excited to announce that I will be running my first online class on Monday 18th October.

This class is to raise money so that our family can continue with Rainer's medical intervention and behavioural therapy. Currently, our Early Intervention funding through the Federal Government expires on 18th October. While this has been extremely beneficial, we would like the opportunity to continue along the path this funding has placed us on.

When Rainer was finally diagnosed in 2006, we made a decision as a family that I would "retire" from Secondary Teaching and become his full-time carer. It was more important to devote my time, energy and mental health to my own children, rather than others'. We dropped a wage, and our costs tripled as we searched for answers for a very misunderstood and poorly resourced condition.

I went through 4 General Practitioners, 2 Kinesiologists, 2 Speech Therapists, 2 Occupational Therapists, 1 Psychologist and 1 Dietician before things began to finally take shape with Rainer's recovery. There have been many mistakes made and promises broken in these 4 years, but I have no doubt there'll be many more!

Rainer has additional medical issues which exacerbate his condition. Most prominent are his Sensory Issues and gut health. These have a great effect on his behaviour which makes his attendance at school difficult. Hence, we have home-based behavioural therapy 4 afternoons per week following his morning sessions at our local regular school.

So, I am very excited to be able to put together what I think is a fab-o class for you!!!! Hopefully, the first of many.
ONE HUNDRED PERCENT of the funds will go towards Rainer's therapy and intervention. I think you all know me by now to guess I won't go out and buy the new Monaro LOL

And we have some fab-o sponsors for this class
Firstly, my dear friend, mentor and just down-right hilariously creative girl...Ngaire Bartlam

Has donated a super cute canvas which I have been ogling for a wee while now.

Another beautiful soul, Krissy Christie of Wicked Princesses

is donating a special little pack of goodies.

Lisa Warren of Storyboard Kits and my fellow Scrapbook Creations Diva

is also donating a wonderful little pack of goodness from her new store.

And my dear old friend Melissa Arnold; Creative Memories Unit Leader extraordinnaire, has offered a great new embellie pack for one participant.

HERE'S WHAT YOU NEED TO DO......
Click on the PayPal button on the sidebar to purchase your class entry ticket.
**Once you click the REVIEW ORDER & CONTINUE button, there will be a link under the description of the class. Click on this link to nominate an email address to access the class.**
Google and Blogger accounts will have unlimited access to the class.
Those without these accounts, and who sign is as a Guest, will have access for one month from 18th October.

On the 19th November, I will close registration for PRIZES only. You can upload, etc after that date, but you will not be eligible for a prize....you'll just have my undying gratitude for participating!!! (almost priceless, don't you think? teehee)

Lots of cool little techniques to learn, some mad random machine stitching and loads of fun!!
Will post a full materials list closer to the date *wink*

Hope you can join me.

SPREAD THE WORD!!

Scrap the Boys

for October
go HERE for the "Trick" or "Treat" criteria.

This is Rainer's favourite thing to do. He gets all my chip and die-cut alphas and punches the whole lot out!!!

It keeps him occupied so I can read emails or get some other work done.

Used Bon's September kit and I just loved undoing the cool rope and making flowers once again.

A very summery page using Bon's Sept Girl kit (yeah, me and girl kits LOL)

I had some left over Buzz & Bloom chipboard so used it for a stamp instead

then pop rubons over the paint

some freakish layering and machine stitching

and Master Mackinley is pleased!!

Have been wanting to scrap these photos for a while. Our house is very small and the boys not only share a room, but Mackinley has to do his homework on the dining table. Unfortunately, it's also the spot Rainer sets up an array of train tracks and crash zones.

Amongst all this chaos, Mackinley still manages to get his work done and on time (most of the time)

and he does a fine job too.

You could say this is a "life skill". Nothing "precious" about my boy...well, not at the moment anyway.

More layouts in varying stages on the table. Need to use these kits before October's Kit arrives!!!!

xoxo

Banner Time

used Bon's Girl kit from September.
Can't wait to get this month's kit which you'll find in her shop HERE.

Having a lovely ME day. Rainer begins swimming lessons at school this term, so I don't have to collect him until 2.15pm. I'm so relaxed, I might cry.
I've already been for a run on the treadmill, put a load of washing on the line, done my Pilates exercises, and my banner.
Another layout is in progress and some glue is drying on a flower.

Today = happy.

So grateful....

That my fabulous Mum gave me a subscription to ClothPaperScissors Magazine this year. It allows me to find these fab workshops and have a go and actually LIKE it :)
This is Faux Silkscreening in the Sep/Oct issue. It's like a super-easy combo of lino cutting and screen printing. I made a whole series. Sooo exciting.

Grateful for 2 hours to scrap a layout. I'm amazed that at 9pm I can still grind one out...with machine stitching and painting....A-mazing.

And very grateful to be able to create a layout that will help Rainer continue his therapy and medical intervention. Yes, another teaser.

All my PayPal stuff should be finalised by the end of this week. When that happens, I'll be able to give you all a date for the fundraising class.

Till then,

123 Challenge for October

WELCOME to another month!! And I'm sure that in Brisbane, the sunshine is just around the corner....{rolls eyes}

123 October
Here are your criteria
WORD = GO
COLOUR = GREEN
TECHNIQUE = HAND CUT TITLE

Head on over to the 123 Challenge Blog for my step-by-step and special fool-proof tips on how to make a title by hand.

I am really enjoying opening up my Art Journal and finishing these smaller scale pieces of JOY!

September was a very busy month and a wee bit challenging. Lots of emotional energy spent on both boys, but I am pleased to say that the last 2 days have been wonderful.  To watch them play TOGETHER so beautifully makes all the hard core Mothering worthwhile.

Sometimes I need to put my scrapArt time aside to concentrate on family, to ensure future memorable photographic moments.
DON'T YOU THINK?