A muse Me

2010-02-27T04:59:00.000-08:00

My Erin played muse for me today down at Margate beach.......

hope you have had fun with your camera today..... hugz

2010-02-26T19:06:00.000-08:00

Ok I have decided that this weekend I'm going to focus on f stops... One of the basics for using SLR's in the pre digital age, they are still just as important but with a lot of people only using full auto settings on there digi SLR's its easy to forget what they are used for... so lets all refresh on f stops.

Best we go back to pre digi SLR days when the lens was how we controlled our f stop setting...

f stops are a measure of the diameter of aperture ( or how far the shutter will open ) for a given setting this effects the amount of light that will be exposed to the film or in the case of digi cameras the image sensor...

The ' f ' stands for fraction so the number that follows denotes the actual fraction of opening of the lens eg. f 9 is 1/9 ... hence the lower the number the greater the opening the higher the number the smaller the opening eg. f4 - 1/4 , f16 - 1/16...

So from this we get the smaller the f stop the more light you allow to be exposed because of the greater aperture of the lens and the greater the f stop the reverse, less light will be exposed due to the smaller aperture of the lens...

f4.5 at 1/320 sec iso 400

f6.3 at 1/320 sec iso 400

f9 at 1/320 sec iso 400

Ok have we got that........ any questions????

2010-02-21T17:35:00.000-08:00

OMG it has only taken 24hrs for me to find and get logged back into my blog........What the hell!

I had a dream about it the other night so well here I am for the first time in like ever.....lol

Ok I have a lot to update then....... I'am no longer lost in the desert, am safe and sound back in OZ where no arabs can dictate how my life should be lived....... I have my life back!

On the creative side of things I had completely shut myself down while in the UAE and had given up on most forms of expression, but since being back I find myself wanting to create and finding new ways to do this so all is on the mend and life is looking up......

Now I have sorted my login over the next week I will be changing the name and header of my blog to reflect where I'm at now, so please drop by later in the week to check it out..... I would also like to take this blog in the direction of photography basics as I need to brush up on some stuff and maybe you all would like to help me or share the journey too.........

As my camera and lens are in a desperate need of a service and clean my pics aren't to the best quality :0( sorry! But your all understanding people.......

So Hello again and hope to see you all back at the end of the week ............ Hugz

Going RAW .............

2009-06-15T03:45:00.000-07:00

I have used the RAW setting on my camera before but I could not get the hang of how to edit them and they did take up a lot of space on my memory card too, but once again the Practical Photography mag has given me a few heads ups on the best way to use and edit RAW files.

Here is 2 portraits of Erin I have tweeked up and no photoshop needed just adjustments in brightness, contrast, hue, saturation and sharpness.

Using RAW has not degraded the quality of the photo after editing unlike a jpeg and as someone who likes to play with my pics I think I will shoot a bit more in this form, just need a bigger memory card! Maybe 16G!!!!!

HUGZ.

Howdy......................

2009-06-14T09:31:00.000-07:00

Yes it has been ages since my last post , but I've been having a melt down again!! All Etihad's fault.

To keep my mind off the CR%P that just seems to keep flowing, I've tried to keep my self in a creative frame of mind! Kind of works for a while at least.

I got my hands on a copy of Practical Photography which gave me some inspiration to play with my camera, these pics are what I came up with after reading one of the articals..........

Working with small things is something I can do inside, these Monopoly tokens were fun to play with I think I might have to fosick around for some more minis to take pics with.

And here is my first layout in nearly 2 months, am finding it hard to scrap..........

I have also been doing Inchies will post pics next time....

HUGZ

Salam to all................

2009-05-29T22:35:00.000-07:00

Still can't shake off this dam cough starting to drive me a little crazy!!

Cameron went back to work today after having nearly a month off, the kids are nearing the end of their school year with only 5 more weeks to summer break. It still feels so strange having the kids finish mid year and start back in September..........

I have been doodling, Erin named this Heart angle ...............

I also have some more Henna pics that I took before I went to OZ.............

The last one is my fav of them all ........ There is something very feminine about wearing a shayla.......

Need to get out of the appartment so I'm off.... hope you have a good day,

HUGZ

Lazy day...........

2009-05-27T07:17:00.000-07:00

With the heat outside the best escape is to just stay at home in the aircon which makes for a very lazy day and with Summer on the way there are going to be lots more of them!!!!!!!!

But I got out my art journal and a pencil and had a bit of a draw, so maybe that is what I can do through the long Summer months tucked away in my appartment.

Well at least my cough is getting better,

HUGZ

Still no very well.......

2009-05-26T10:34:00.000-07:00

I still have a nasty cold and cough so taking it easy, been doing a bit of art work just to keep the mind free and have enjoyed it so much...........

I have used pencil, pen, water colours and acrylic paints, stamping and rubbings, henna and rubons.............. I am not great at drawing but it felt really good to just freehand something and then add to it and see it transform.

I need some sleep so I hope to see you soon,

HUGZ

I'm not very well...........

2009-05-19T17:37:00.000-07:00

I have come back with a cold and am finding it hard to get over the jet lag..........

Before I left I made wedding reception invitations for some friends, I was happy to have a little project to work on and its always fun to help out where you can.

They came out really well and my friends were delighted with them too.........

I'm off to get ready for the morning rush,

HUGZ

I have been back to OZ.........

2009-05-19T03:47:00.000-07:00

I made the trip back to Melbourne to see my Dad for his 80th birthday, it was a suprise visit as my Dad had know idea I was coming.......... My Mum had been addmitted to hospital the day I arrived so I spent time with her there and she was able to have day leave to go to Dads party.

I also got the chance to jump the train to Ringwood and catch up with some of the girls from the Scrap Chat forum for a shop at Scrappy Hollow and lunch, I would like to thank Sandy so much for picking me up and to all those that came for taking the time out of their day for me.

Here is a pic of me with my Dad in the national dress of the UAE which I gave him for his birthday from now on he can be Sheikh Derrick Bin Findlow Al Nayan of Abu Dhabi..........

And a piccy of me with my Mum in the hospital............

I had a wonderful time with my parents and family and am looking forward to December to see them again.....

HUGZ

Marhaba ( Welcome ) to all............

2009-05-09T00:12:00.001-07:00

I have been having trouble with the internet of late, totally frustrated with it!!!!

Seems to be OK today YEAH...........

I have some pics to share that I took in a moment of inspiration...........

I had black henna done and just had to do some pics with it, I have played around with the colouring and exposure on these to give them a dream like feel. Would love to print them on to canvas one day..........

Hugz

My fav Mosque in Black and White...........

2009-05-03T06:44:00.000-07:00

These pics are of my fav Mosque in town, the dome is just so beautifully patterned and it looks just wonderful in black and white............

When I leave the Mosques will be one off the things that I will miss the most, as they are apart of the landscape here totally intertwined with the city and a great source of photography.

HUGZ...........

OMG I'm addicted..........

2009-05-02T11:29:00.000-07:00

I have got myself 2 more of those wooden stamp things, I just could not resist them there just so beautiful............

I need to find a better way of using them with my scrapping, just don't seem to have much time to play around with different techniques at the moment............. and,

I really need to stay away from that antique shop.........

HUGZ

Move over Troy..........

2009-05-01T22:18:00.000-07:00

It's Kalin the basketball mad crazy boy.............

Erin, Regan and Kalin have been doing basketball lessons for a couple of months now every Sunday and Wednesday, it's now getting to hot to be outside so I think this will be the last week till after summer break.

I took the kids down one day for an extra practice and snapped these pics of Kalin doing his best basketball moves............

HUGZ........

Guess the pic??????

2009-04-29T22:04:00.000-07:00

Ok here is a pic now can you tell me what it is?????

Its a Camels bottom........... just for something different. LOL

Hope I made you smile, HUGZ......

Todays pic............

2009-04-29T10:35:00.000-07:00

With the weather heating up at the moment this is a very common site in the streets of
Abu Dhabi, drinking water is such a must with most days at the moment above 40 degress C.

Have a great day, Hugz

Busy Busy Busy.......

2009-04-28T11:55:00.000-07:00

The last couple of days have been so busy, just getting stuff done.

Finally things are starting to slow down to a normal pace and I have some pics to share.......

These pics are of a brass lantern, these are very promonant here.

I'm still in black and white............

Seeya round soon............. Hugz

It's ANZAC day.........

2009-04-25T03:48:00.000-07:00

I'm missing my usual ANZAC day traditions, especially Dawn service......... ANZAC day has been special to me form when I was an Air Cadet, I did several gards of honnor in Melbourne at the Shrine of Rememberance and have always done my best to attend Dawn service with last years at the Redcliffe cenataf being the most memorable, as I was sitting on the beach watching the sunrise and listening to the last post a pod of dolphins appeared it was just so moving something that will never forget.

We are having an ANZAC Day BBQ for dinner and I think one of the boys is going to run the 2up and I have been looking for a copy of the last post as I want to play it on sunset.

Of to bake some ANZAC cookies with the kids.

HUGZ

Todays photo pic is..............

2009-04-22T08:12:00.000-07:00

This bike I really love, it belongs to one of the workers in the compound and every time I see it I smile.......... The workers love to dress things up, but this has to be the best example that I've seen yet.

Masalama..........HUGZ

Black and White...........

2009-04-21T10:06:00.000-07:00

I have really taken to black and white pics while living here in the UAE, you get such a difference between light and shade and it makes for great pics. Light and dark gives a kind of dimension which brings out the details that I so love and I'm getting a little stuck on it of late.

Here are just a few to share, hope you enjoy them as much as I do...........

HUGZ..........

Scrap share.........

2009-04-20T01:01:00.000-07:00

Remember how I used that stamp then water coloured it, I finally used it for a layout I only adding a bit more paint, some rubons very basic.

This is my parents wedding day way back in 1952, 20years before I was born..... How's that after 20years of marriage they still were having kids!!!!

Have a great day, HUGZ

More Red bull pics............

2009-04-19T00:53:00.001-07:00

We went back to see the air race again yesterday so here are some more pics..............

I found myself thinking my camera and lens weren't good enough to capture the moments as I wanted......... I should be happy that I have an SLR at all.

HUGZ

Sorry about not being round.........

2009-04-17T23:09:00.000-07:00

We had a little hicup with the internet for the last few days but all is good now..........

Yesterday I went in to town to watch the qualifying session of the Red Bull air race, not the best for taking photos as the sky was very hazy and then you had the smoke from the planes too.

But all the same it was awesome to see.

The pics are not that great...............

These ones I played around with for a little fun......

Ok will catchya tomorrow..... HUGZ

A day at the beach.........

2009-04-14T04:14:00.000-07:00

I took the kids to the beach in town yesterday to keep them occupied while on school holidays.

The kids did enjoy it but I ended up being disgusted by the state of the beach, as it was covered with lumps of concrete and Kalin ended up with some very nasty scratches on this feet. Am I just a very spoilt Australian who is just used to beaches that are kept clean!!

The Corniche beach in Abu Dhabi is a tourist destination, especially this weekend as it will be hosting the Red Bull Air Race, and to find it in this state is a major disappointment.

Erin being a beach mermaid.......

The beach cover in lumps of concrete.........

Have a great day, HUGZ

Happy Easter.....

2009-04-12T09:28:00.000-07:00

Hope you all had a Happy Easter......... We did!

The Easter Camel came last night and dropped of an Easter basket for everyone filled with hard boiled eggs that the Camel himself had decorated........ oh and there was some choccy ones as well.

So there is no guessing whats todays pics are of.........

Hoping that your Bunny, Bilby or Camel delivered the goodies to you.........

HUGZ

Construction is king...........

2009-04-10T22:48:00.001-07:00

The UAE is full of construction sites from the worlds tallest building the Burj Dubai (due for completion late 2009) to an anamazing amount of homes (Villas) that are appearing at a incredible rate, it is all around you and really there is no escape from it............ There is little if any worksafe practices in this country and hence there are a lot of site accidents and deaths.

I was so taken by these guys for using the frontend loader as a work platform I just had to take some pics............

I even got a wave from them.............

Seeya tomorrow, HUGZ

2 layouts that need some journaling.........

2009-04-10T09:01:00.000-07:00

These 2 really need journaling but I'm not good with the writen word so they might just have to be filed till I can work out some journaling.......

HUGZ

A drive up Jebel Hafeet.......

2009-04-09T22:05:00.000-07:00

Yestuerday we decided to take a drive to Al Ain for a look around, we stopped at the Palace museum and then on to the Hili gardens and then to watch the sunset we drove to the top of Jebel Hafeet which is the highest point in the UAE.

Jebel Hafeet abruptly rises out of the desert and is totally dominating, it is a 9 km drive to the top. At 1,180m high it is very inpressive but I for the first time in many years found my fear of hights kick in with vengance and spent the drive up with white nuckle fever looking directly at the dashboard till we reached the top where I got out of the car in a flash and made a huge sigh of relief. So there are no pics of the journey up only pics from the viewing spot at the top.

Kalin was official Photographer...........

The following photo is my fav with the two driggers looking so precariously placed,

small and insignificant to the mountain that they are purched on.

And last of all the moon rising over Oman just as we were heading down.

The trip down was much better than the one up!!

Hope you all have a wonderful day, HUGZ

lets have some fun.........

2009-04-08T21:27:00.000-07:00

Ok lets play spot the mobile phone tower..........

I just love the fake date palm complete with fake dates!!!!!

Kalin has got himself a girlfriend! A cutie named Katie who is on holidays for the week from Scotland visiting her Aunt who lives in the same building as us. These two have hit it off from day one and yesterday we took Katie with us to have an abra ride and icecream at the Shangri la Souq, they look so cute together!!

Isn't it romantic!!

*****

And here is Erin giving us her best super model pose.

Have a great day, HUGZ

Todays photo pick is......

2009-04-07T21:36:00.000-07:00

I have found myself drawn to photographing Mosques especially there domes and minarets, as there is an abumdance of Mosques I have lots of choice from the very plain to more elaborate, so today I wish to share one with you........

The loud speaker that you see on the minaret sounds the call to prayer.

The entrance to the Mosque,

you can just see the boxes where they put their shoes before entering.

In Abu Dhabi city all the Mosques are at angles to the city blocks,

as the Mosques are built to face Mecca.

Seeya tomorrow, HUGZ

This one is for all the scrappers........

2009-04-07T07:19:00.000-07:00

A couple of months ago I meet a man from Iran selling traditionally printed cloth, the printing was done by hand with wooden stamps that were also hand carved he had some on display but I did not think that they were for sale, though later I thought the next time I see him I will ask. Then about a 2 weeks ago while Cam's Aunty Fay was visiting we found some in an antique shop, not as may as the man from Iran had but still they were amazing. One of the stamps took my eye so I got it, this ones from Kashmere not Iran.

You can see the chisel marks.

I need to find a better way to ink this stamp.

And a bit of watercolor.

Cam said there will be a suitcase of these going back to Oz, he might just be right!!

HUGZ

Salam to all.......

2009-04-06T20:41:00.000-07:00

Life here is challenging and I'm not sure if I am the right person for it! I find myself swaying between anger to hopeless frustration almost daily and this is just not me, I like the simple low stress life with good people and a community around me that is just so hard to find here.

Don't get me wrong there are groups like Aussies Abroad that do an amazing job of organizing events but I just find the cost gets to high for all 5 of us to do them.

What I need to do is focas on something other, so I'm going to try my photography as I have even put that aside of late and share my pics here with you and maybe I will start to lighten up a bit about being here.

This is a photo of the western area of Abu Dhabi.

********

The camels of this area are traditionally dark in colour.

********

Traditional woven camel blankets and decorations.

********

Camel in competition.

********

and some other traditional items.

********

I will post photos of the things that catch my eye daily from now on so please help keep me motivated in doing so.......

HUGZ

Well I'm here again........

2009-03-17T10:27:00.000-07:00

Yeah this is getting utterly rediculous!!!!

I lost my net and lost the want to scrap or photograph anything but get my net back and I'm straight into it.......... Here are some new layouts.....

Scrapjack....

And this layout is for this months scrapjack blog challenge, I really wanted to go for a more chabby chic look but I had no papers in that style in my stash. I used a page out of a promotional book I got for free the other week, didn't like the text that was showing so I stamped over it and was very happy with the way it look.

Hope you are all doing well, and look out 4 me on skype

HUGZ.........

Enough is enough..........

2009-03-06T06:29:00.000-08:00

I have had it, they went and turned of our internet because we did not answer the phone when they call ....... to make things worse they were ringing the wrong bloody number!!!!! I live is an alternate universe where nothing is as it should be, its called Abu Dhabi!!!!!!

Have reapplied for the third time so please wish us lots of luck ...........

I did this layout the other day was going to upload but you know why I didn't.........

A self portrait of Erin that she took just after her birthday.......

Ok better run the puter battery will die soon,

HUGZ.........

Welcome SPRING......

2009-02-28T22:35:00.000-08:00

Yesterday we farewelled Winter with a windy day of around 35 degrees C , today we welcome Spring, well kind of!! I'm not sure if I am ready for the heat yet, it means staying inside in the aircon all day long.

I did 2 more layouts last night, nothing special just keepin the mojo going.....

What I really need is some photos printed, will go down the shops today and get some done.

Remember to keep cool,

HUGZ.

a share......

2009-02-28T08:41:00.000-08:00

Just popped in to share a layout I did this afternoon........

It's called looking forward and it was inspired by and dedicated to Scrapwitch....

The journaling on the photo is, " always looking forward with no regrets, leaving behind all that has been and moving forward to create a future of my own making.... To find my path and make a difference to those I love."

and on the flower, " past is past and we can only make changes to our own future."

HUGZ

I need a rest.........

2009-02-27T23:11:00.000-08:00

Yesturday was a busy one, the girls and I were off to Dubai to see Lauren Child Erin and Regan's fav author and illustrator......

The girls were so good waiting in line for an hour and 15 minutes to get their books signed, all 9 of them!!!! It was worth the wait, they were so chuffed to finally get to met her it was wonderful.

A layout to share I did on Thursday....... I do love using the texture plates at the moment.......

I was also glad to hear that the Victorian Fires were kept under control and that all the efforts of the firefighters paid off.

Windy and dusty today keepin in side.

HUGZ to all.....

Aouy anyone know a good bricky?????

2009-02-25T23:41:00.000-08:00

Oh man they could sure do with some in this place I can tell you!!!!

Just take a look at the building I live in..................

No really these photos are of the brickwork between the 6th and 7th floors.........

And its just not here its all over the UAE, the labours that they bring into the country are about 80% totally unskilled men fron places like India and Pakistan just here to make money to send back home to support their familys. They are given no training, they just do as they are told, paid very little money and are housed in labour camps which look like slums.

I find it hard to understand a country which has so much money but is unwilling to spent it on the basic things, they have almost created a mini 3rd world and are either to blinded to see it or just don't care!!!

Hugz..........

Salam........

2009-02-24T10:36:00.000-08:00

Not much going on today but a bit of cleaning.......

Went down to the playground with the kids after school and got some pics of Regan being her usual self monkeying around and thought I'd share them........

And one of Kalin and Erin too...........

Hope Regan made you giggle.........

Hugz

Thanks Scrapjack...........

2009-02-21T11:16:00.000-08:00

Thanks to the Scrapjack blog and Febs jacked Kate Mason for the insperation for this layout, I have been needing a little nudge after working on Erin's dress!! So here is my first ever Scrapjack and hopefully not my last............

We went to dinner at the Hard Rock cafe in Dubai tonight, I was going to get a Hurricane glass to add to my collection but would you beleive it they were out of stock so I'll just have to go back another day...........

HUGZ..........for all

He He ......... It was my puter not blogger!!!

2009-02-20T22:30:00.001-08:00

Ok fixed it, puter problem.......

I wish I had a before pic of my sisters house in Kinglake but there in storage back in OZ but here is what was left of her house, she has not yet been back but her son went and took these pics.......

I remember driving up this drive so many times and even sitting on the veranda, on a hot summers day going for walks around the block and exploring and never once did I have the fear of fire......... Now its gone, but things can be rebuilt and the bush will regrow and the memories will live on and we are the lucky ones to have our familys safe and sound.

HUGZ

Salam....... I'm on the net at last!!!!

2009-02-20T21:53:00.000-08:00

But what the hell has happened to blogger it's all different, I have never seen it like this before and I have no idea whats going on with it!!!!

I have the net thankgod at last, but its been a heartache for me to see the devestation of the bushfires in Victoria.... Seeing my childhood destroyed the things I thought would be there for ever all of a sudden gone.... But my sister and her 2 sons are still with us so thats a blessing as so many others were lost... I have spent hours looking at it all on the net in the last day and it just brings me to tears.....

I was going to upload some pics but I have no idea with this new setup so I'll have to come back once I figure it out!!

HUGZ to all

I have a massive stress headache!!

2009-02-12T22:47:00.000-08:00

Hi guys, I'm haveing a s#*t of a time getting my internet conected and its given my such a headache....... I got word from my Dad that my sister and nephew were ok, at the time I knew about the fires but had know idea they had gone through Kinglake where my sister lives. Both are fine but I got word yesterday that all was lost, and she had only moved back there in September last year!! So being left with out internet is driving me crazy!!!

Life over here moves on and for the last couple of weeks I have been helping Erin with her home work project on recyceling, they were asked to make an outfit or object for a Trash to Panache parade! Erin wanted a dress so we decided on useing plastic shopping bags to make it, the dress maker in me then took over and I went a bit over board with the design but Erin loves it so much she really wants to keep it.

Here are some photos of Erin giving it a whirl........

Hugz to all.......

Hi all,

2009-02-04T09:57:00.000-08:00

Just a quicky as I think my puter is about to run out of battery!!

Just a share of a few layouts I did today in my Jammies.........

Oh I have three tags to get to as well, I promise I'll do they soon..........

Hugs to all.......

Marhaba everyone..........

2009-02-01T21:09:00.000-08:00

Well I promised some photos of Australia Day so here they are.........

This is Leanne (top photo) and Emma, two of the flight attendants who live in our building and they have been so good to the kids just like family...

But this photo of Mr John really shows what Australia Day is all about.......

We got in a bit of trouble for being to loud but hey its only once a year!!!

****************

Two scrap layouts to share, have not been at it of late with other things going on but will show you photos of that later ( Top Secret )........

Sorry for not sharing but their my demons and I just don't want to at the moment......

Miss my internet sooooo so much, hugz to all and I will come back soon....

G' DAY MATES!!!

2009-01-25T23:44:00.000-08:00

********** HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY **********

Hi, us Aussies are about to lite up the BBQ and have a few beers to celebrate......

Thanks for the tatts Mel, I'm wearing them with pride!!!

P.S will upload a pic later ( internet not so goood!)

HUGZ

Salam Aleikum everyone.............

2009-01-24T22:43:00.000-08:00

Oh my god its been ages hasn't it!! Long story so here is the short version, Etisalat turned off our internet because we had not paid an overuse charge of over 11,000.00 DHS (about $5,000.00 AUS ) there is know way in this world we used that much so we put in a complaint and have yet to hear back, in the mean time we have been waiting for our new connection!! Inshalla (Allah willing) we will get it hooked up soon!!

So much to tell and not enough time to tell it in!! But I do have some wonderful news, my camera was delivered safe and sound to me by the wonderful John Lees who picked it up form Lachlan (My brother in law) before he left Brisbane to visit Abu Dhabi. He is my HERO!!!

Ok must run but I will leave you with 2 photos the first is my fave pic of the Grand Mosque and one of me in an abaya while visiting the mosque.

These were some of the first pics I took when I got my camera!!!

ma'assalama (goodbye) and Hugz everyone..........

Some scrappin to share......

2008-12-07T04:57:00.000-08:00

Just some layouts I have done, the first 2 I did a few weeks ago and the last 2 I did last night.

The Weather here is getting cold ( hey no laughing ) and we have had rain evey day for the last 5 days, so I think I'll put the kids to bed early and send Cameron of to work and have a night of scrapping under my warm quilt with some nice hot chocolate.....

Hugz.....

Finally something nice to say...........

2008-12-04T22:50:00.000-08:00

Well you know what your Mum would say " if you have anything nice to say then don't say anything at all !! " , so I have been a little silent of late......... The last couple of days have given me a boost which I need!!

So lets start with Tuesday which was UAE National Day, the day when all the Nationals dressed up themselves and their cars and clogged up the city by driving up and down the main streets hanging out the windows and blowing horns!! This was something I just had to see and there was going to be fireworks too, I love fireworks so of we went! It was amazing to see the passion of the people for their country though at times a little disturbing ( eg. having your whole windscreen covered with a decal of the Sheikhs! ) but it was great, and even the trip home through the traffic was fun with people still cheering and waving flags late into the night...........

This is Emirates Palace all decked out for the occasion.....

Then yesturday, we took our first drive to Dubai, top of the list of things to find was the scrapbook shop 'Paper Lane' and we found it with little trouble, YEAH!! I had a good look around and picked up a few papers and some chippie letters not a lot as Cameron was breathing down my neck.... ( Note to self never take him again!!! ) It felt good to be in a scrap shop again...........

Well just down the road a little is the Burj Al Arab, probably the most Iconic building in the UAE! You can't go in it unless you do a tour or stay there and so I don't think I will ever be able to afford to stay there I think one day I'll get a tour!! Right next door is the Madinat a kind of hotel complex with a modern souk so we stopped in to have a look around and find some lunch............

After lunch we went over the the road to the Mall of the Emirates which is the home of Ski Dubai. Really its just a big shopping centre but hey it has its own ski slope so of we went to the viewing area to have a look at this amazing feet of engineering.

As we were heading home the weather had cleared enough to get a quick snap of the worlds tallest building The Burj Dubai, risining up into the sky at 8oom tall and still under construction it is an amazing sight even from a distance.........

When we were at the Mall we checked out Borders book shop as we are all book 'a' holics in this family and I found this little jem of a book which is a must for any Potter fans out there........

As the back cover states, translated from the original runes by Hermione Granger with additional notes penned by Albus Dumbledore.......... What Potter fan would not want this book!!

There is another 2 book which I will now be keeping my eye out for, Quidditch through the Ages and Fantastic Beasts and where to find them.............

Its time I was off, have run out of bread and milk. ( somethings never change no matter where you are!!! )

HUGZ 2 All.......

Sand storm........yikes..

2008-11-17T22:22:00.000-08:00

We had a sand storm come through the other day, I was busy scrapping on the floor and was not paying much attention to what was going on around me till one of the kids said the sand was getting in their eyes! what sand? I asked, then I looked up to see sand flying in the window ( yes I had them open!! ) , so I jumped up and shut the windows but it was to late there was a layer of very fine sand over everything. Oh well out with the vac to get rid of it.

Now I check the news only to find Redcliffe ( my most fav place on earth ) was hit by a massive storm too (man I missed it.. ), so to all my friends on the peninsular I hope you got through it ok....

Here are some pics of the sand storm, Cam said it was just a baby one....

And here is one of my beloved Redcliffe, I miss being by the water!!!

Hugz to all......

I've been blessed.........

2008-11-15T11:21:00.000-08:00

Oh yes this week I was blessed by the very talented Fashionista Lisa Garay, to be on the catwalk over at Scrap in Style with the layout of my brother and me....... Oh happy happy me.....

But I have been busy with stuff around the appartment still getting curtains organized and furniture but the girls over at Scrapchat are on their retreat and its the first one I have missed so I have been joining in from across the globe.

Well knowing I was going to be on a scrap mission while I was out shopping the other day at Ikea I found some cool things that really inspired me so last night I started my scrap retreat with a scrap wall yes you heard me a wall, thanks to the amazing sticker flourishes from Ikea I started to add a little me to the appartment.

where does the chair start and the wall end?

Some more Ikea inspiring stuff,

I love these set of card panels..... me's thinks they will make a great mini book...

And these retro funky napkins,

there is 50 a pack so why not swap with friends..........

The scrapchat girls have a layout challenge its ment to be a selfportrait,

but I've run out of ink so I used one of Erin instead that I did the other day.

This one was inspired by those napkins from Ikea...

I love these pics they came from an old roll of film I found in the car,

I was a bit confused when I got these pics back.

This one is my first desert layout,

I'm sure once I get my camera back there will be more......

And here is another one of those kids running amuck with the camera pics,

must keep a better check on my cameras......lol

Well the weekends over and the kids are back to school in the morning so I better get to bed,

still find it hard to get out of bed to take the kids to school on Sunday, it just sounds wrong.....

Have a great day tomorrow HUGZ

I'm all official now.......

2008-11-10T08:37:00.000-08:00

Yes I have managed to get myself and the kids residance visas ( silly them for letting us into the country in the first place if you ask me! ) so we get to stay...... and I also got my UAE drivers licence so now I can drive on the wrong side of the road and not get into trouble for it!!lol

Funny I still go to get in the car on the rightside and the kids ask me who do I think is driving?? No really its not that bad once you get in the car from the leftside, you know where the steering thingy is, its the crazy speeding idiot drivers they have in this country that is the problem and I just don't think I could ever get used to being passed by a Land Cruiser doing 200km an hour! ( No really this is an everyday thing..)

So the good news is I'm mobil and I can at least get out and about a bit more, which in a way makes me wish I had my camera and then I just want to get on a plane home and not come back!! I'll get over it.... maybe! Well their could be some nice person out there in cyber space who works for Canon and you never know they might just have a 400d around the office that they don't use anymore and sling it my way? ( as if that would happen! )

There is one thing that has been going my way of late and thats my scrappin, I have found myself free of responsibility for the first time in ages and I have found a freeness in my creating it is the only thing that is keeping my sane as there is not much else for me at the moment......

Well here are my layouts from last week.........

I have to give the wonderful Fess ( aka Louise Nelson) a big thankyou for her inspiring cardboard layouts that promted most of these, as I'm not short on cardboard it seemed the perfect thing to be using but I must admit it had not come to mind till I had a look at Fess's blog.......

Well I hope your scrapping week was as creative as mine,

HUGZ......

WHY?......... because they can!!

2008-10-31T21:56:00.000-07:00

Was driving into town yesterday for a bit of shopping and there on the side of the road to my utter amazement was a H2 Hummer ( OK not so unusual here ) like no other I have seen............ this one was on steroids....... so I had to get a pic to share of this totally over the top but awesome all the same car.......... but still I ask myself WHY?............. because they CAN!

Last nights Halloween party was so much fun I got to meet some very nice people and I hope that we can start to build our community and share a lot more good times together..........

With all the candy around I got my hands on some Reese's Peanut Butter Cups! I have wanted to try these for so log just could never get my hands on them back home in OZ, and I was not disappointed they are totally YUM, a chocolate cup with a centre peanut butter....... I think I have found my fav chocolate ever!!

Hope you all had a great Halloween too.....

HUGZ.

Its here ' Halloween'............

2008-10-30T14:29:00.000-07:00

Yeah its halloween and tonight we are going trick or treating around the appartment buildings so that will be fun and a chance for me to meet so of the mums too..........

Was out shopping for some goodies and Cam found some pumpkin lanterns for the window, and I got 2 cool pics of them.............

Well I did have a little time to scrap, I was inspired to use some old photos I took about 6 years ago back in Melbourne of a light tower which changed colour so hence thats what I called this layout.............COLOUR......

Have a Super Spooky Halloween,

HUGZ....

I want to be free.......

2008-10-28T22:04:00.001-07:00

I'm trapped at the moment, I can't even take my kids to school......... I feel so weird as for the 4 months before I came over to Adu Dhabi I was the one who did everything for them I was the one running the show and now I'm just here in the appartment, don't get me wrong there is lots of cleaning, washing and ironing to do but who wants to do that!! At least I have big windows that let the light in so I'm not like a mushroom.......... but I avoid all that cleaning stuff by scrapping and you know it seems to be working well, though I have told Cam that he has to take me out to the city on Thursday so I can get a fix of the outside world.....................

Well with that said I scrapped this layout......................

I also find myself thinking of the road trip because I really have not had the time to take in what we did! You know after you have a holiday you sit back and tell your friends about what you did and you kind of start to take it in a lot more, the memories. I had kind of started this layout back home but never got around to finishing it, but I have now.................

Kalin has been missing his mate Mitchy a lot, so I finished of this one for him to put in his room....

And here it is my scrap space, on the floor spread out everywhere. Its kind of like being on a retreat............ will get a desk sometime but for now this is it......

Well I'm off to do some of that crappy stuff like ironing, but you know I'll scrap sometime........

HUGZ.

Sorry I stole your Mojo Witchy.........

2008-10-27T05:10:00.000-07:00

Well it looks like my mojo is back, being able to sit and scrap without the worry of others asking me to do something has given me my spark.

And yes another 2 layouts today!! I had to print these pics of myself ( not something I do usually ) and the only photo paper I had was canvas but it did the job........

This layout is of those wonderful man-hole covers that I so adore that are just everywhere you go in Adu Dhabi.

This one is from our first visit to the beach and Regans first splash into the waters of the Arabian Gulf............................

Hugz to all.............

House bound.......

2008-10-26T21:19:00.000-07:00

I'm house bound at the moment......... no car, I don't even get to take the kids to school and pick them up! Cam gets to do that for me........... but there is an upside to it ......... I get to scrap with no interuptions and spread my stuff all over the floor ( well I don't have a desk or anything!! ) as long as its picked up and packed away before they all get home, IT'S GREAT!!!

I had a few mini pics of some spots around Melboure that I packed with me and yesterday I did a layout of ' My Home Town '..............................

I so love the statues of the three men thats on the corner of the Burke st Mall, I remember many a year back going into the city and watching someone put a lite cigarette in to each of their mouths, just one of those thing you never seen to forget.

Have a great day,

HUGZ

I SCRAPPED, so happy..........

2008-10-25T10:17:00.000-07:00

I got to scrap yesterday, did 2 layouts and it felt good to get paint and ink on my fingers.

Not very arty but nice and basic to get me moving again.

The kids had a wonderful first day at school and just can't wait to get back tomorrow......

More shopping for things for the appartment today so many things to get, you know just little things but tomorrow we get our lounge so I will have something to sit on other than a tiled floor.........

HUGZ

A special day........

2008-10-23T01:43:00.000-07:00

Kalin's first day of school and he was so happy, we walked him to his class and he was a bit hesitant but soon forgot that and joined his class to start his day.

Erin was taken upstairs to her year 3 classroom and we dropped Regan of at her year 1 class.

Can't wait to hear about there day when they get home.

I came home to an empty appartment, not since Erin was born nearly 8 years ago have I been childless during the day, its a strange feeling but I know it will pass and I will start to enjoy my time but today it made me cry.......

Hugz...........

A new school...........

2008-10-21T10:23:00.001-07:00

Yeah the 3 ferrels have been accepted into Al Yasmina School, their first day is this Thursday!!

Yesterday we picked up the uniform and today we went and got new school shoes so now I just need to make sure its all labled and they are set.........

But it will be an extra special day for my boy Kalin as it is his first day ever!!!

I will be kid free from 8.00am till 1.00pm 5 days a week!!! ( YEAH )

So the kids did a photo shoot in there new uniforms so I could share..........

Erin is sporting a lovely school dress.........

Regan is looking hip in her 3/4 skirt and blouse.........

And Kalin is looking cool in his shirt and shorts.........

He is one very excited boy, ready for his first day of school......

Only 2 more sleeps to the big day!!!

Hugz.........

Bestest Icecream.........

2008-10-17T00:44:00.000-07:00

Well I have never had Icecream like this before, its a Gelato but not like the ones I'm used too!!

They are creamy and smooth liked it has been whipped with flavours that linger and refresh......Hummm......Yummmm........

Kalin thinks they are scrumshish..........

Regan just can't get enough in her mouth........

Erin thinks they are so tasty.........

So if you ever see Morrelli's Icecream do not just walk past in wonder....

Stop and indulge your taste buds.... Its worth it!!!!

HUGZ.............

A little share.......

2008-10-14T22:35:00.000-07:00

Was going through some pics that I took back in OZ and found a CJ layout I did that I had not had time to share yet so why not now...... this CJs theme was trees and I wanted to do something a bit different for me, as I do take a lot of pics of bark and trees anyway I thought I would do a non pic layout for a change.........

I have always loved the poem ' The Sugar Plum Tree ' and that is what I based my layout on...... those twigs are real and I have hand stitched them to create my tree........

I have only put the first verse of this beautiful poem on my layout so please, find the time to google this poem and have a read for yourself and let your imagination take you to the shore of the lollipop sea............

HUGZ.........

What to do, what to do..........

2008-10-14T06:10:00.000-07:00

I'm getting cabin fever in the hotel, no camera and the kids still not at school (paper work problems!!!!) and not even able to scrap..............ARGHHHHHH..................

So the kids and I have been learning the Arabic numbers, not to hard to do as there is only ten of them................. well we thought we should share now you'll all know your numbers in Arabic.......

lets start with Zero......

N0. 1

N0. 2

N0. 3

N0. 4

N0. 5

N0. 6

N0. 7

N0. 8

N0. 9

N0. 10

Ok off you go, and there will be a test!!! HeHe......

HUGZ...............

I better show.........

2008-10-08T01:09:00.000-07:00

Well I have given my stand'in camera a bit of a bagging out so I thought I better show you the little devil of a thing........Ok its not so bad but still it ain't my canon!!!!!!!

Yesturday the kids and I took a bus ride to Marina Mall for a look around now that Ramadan is over the coffee shops are open.....YEAH...... and we found a shop that reminded me of a special scrap ladie who loves her Kittys.......these pics are for you Jodie..........

As you can see Kalin was not that keen on having a look.............

Regan taking to the big cuddle kittys..........

Anyone for a pencil.............

And all the kitty stuff you could ever want...........

This next pic is of a shop thats name just cracks me up, so had to share.............

Thay also have a kids version called Baby phat...........I love it...........

Hugz to all........

Picnic in the Desert..........

2008-10-04T00:51:00.000-07:00

Well it was more of a dune bash than a picnic but it was my first time into the desert and I was blown away by it.............

So it began as a convoy out into the never never............

We're here , welcome to the DESERT............

And more desert..........

oh and somemore desert....... who am I kidding we're surrounded by it!!!!!!!

And they call this a picnic spot!!!!!!!

Ok there there were a few bikes and quads too, the girls were so very nicely offered a go on the quads this is a pic of Erin about 40 seconds before she slammed it into a fence post!!!!! The only solid thing out in this waste land and she had to hit it, no damage to the quad or Erin........

Ok Regans turn lets try and mame another child......He He He!!!

A waste land of tracks........

My new look Dune Bunny..............

I finally got a good pic of the new car..... It's a Dodge Darango...... and its stuck in the sand.......

Erin has been know as the lizard queen for many years but she truely showed how good she is by finding and capturing this little guy.......... in all this sand.........

So of dune dashing........ this one came of second best by the end of the day..........

I got a ride with Neil a mad crazy Canadian with a Hummer H3....... Oh it was fun and a little scary all rolled into one..........

Pic out the window...... you can see Neils reflection ..............

Late afternoon on the dunes and looking for that perfect shot with an imperfect camera...........

My first sunset over the dunes...............HUGZ

Meet Fulla......

2008-10-02T10:28:00.000-07:00

Out shopping again and I just had to share a pic of the Fulla doll the muslium barbie.........

Tomorrow we are going out to a picnic spot with some of Cameron's mates from work should be fun and hope to get a few pics to share......

HUGZ

Finding art in the ordinary things we walk over........

2008-09-30T06:02:00.000-07:00

Feeling like a bit of art is needed, letting the old brain matter be creative for a change........

Had a morning walk down the street and for some reason I was drawn to the man-hole covers on the pavement, there are so so many in a range of different types...... So with my trusty tiny little camera in hand I snapped a few and getting strange looks from the locals as I was doing so!!!

So after a little editing these are what I came up with.........

So next time you walk down the street just think of the art that is under your very feet!!!!

A big thanks to all you wonderful people who left a message in my comments, they really mean a lot to me guys and I hope you come back for a look see soon......

HUGZ........

A new life and a new look blog.....

2008-09-29T01:43:00.000-07:00

Well its been a while hasn't it........I should be spanked......

I'm finally in a head space now where I have got the time to blog...... Yeah.....

So I have finally moved to Abu Dhabi in the UAE and its going to take a while but I'm sure I'll get used to it in time.

Its a strange place, beautiful in some ways and 3rd worldish in others but I know one thing for sure the love to shop!! There are malls every where with anything you could ever want (well all most, have yet to find a scrap shop in Abu Dhabi but there is one in Dubai ) and being I hate shopping (except for scrap stuff) this is one thing that is turning out to be a struggle!!!!

I had a little freak out the day I left Brisbane and in my state of mental panic I left my canon 400d camera behind so I have taken Cameron's little point and shot Fuji ( OMG its small ) for my own till I can ship my baby over...... So please forgive the pics as I'm still getting used to looking at a screen and not though a viewer.......

Ok lets start with a few pics.........

this is downtown Abu Dhabi.......

a local mosque spire.......

our new appartment looking towards what will be the dining area....

The other end which will be the lounge and in the window my scrap table....

now this is the view from what will be my bedroom window......

once again from the same window.....no dout about it I live in a desert....

Well thats all for now will be back soon......HUGZ

A glut of scrappin.............

2008-08-09T01:21:00.000-07:00

Hi all sorry I have not been around but when I finally got home from the road trip all the emotions I had been bottling up flowed forth and I became a blubbering mess.... Well I'm over it for now!!

I have a Super Big thanks to give the Oxleys for the amazing hospitality and friendship that they extended to my family, we all felt right at home and how could we not!!

So to the Wonderful Witchy, Awesome Paul and the Totally Beautiful Evy and Asti

Thankyou !! Thankyou !!

Well for the scrappin glut, the last 5 days have been amazing with the flow of layouts.

I have taken to paint, ink and my new watercolour crayons from Stampin Up.

Well here they are so you can see for yourself.

HUGZ.........

Big blow............

2008-07-16T04:50:00.000-07:00

Here is Kalin blowing out his candles.

And these ones I took down a lane in the city.

Hugz .......

Happy 4th Birthday Kalin......

2008-07-15T16:12:00.000-07:00

It was a very Happy 4th Birthday to my boy Kalin yesturday, but I can't load any pics as my inlaws have busted there USB port, so will try and load them from another computer if I can get my hands on one!!!!

I'm running a bit behind and won't be leaving till Sunday or Monday, but just can't wait to move north as the weater here is just to cold for me!!!!

Hugz to all and catchya soon.........

More pics.........

2008-07-10T16:48:00.000-07:00

These pics are from our visit to Norah head lighthouse...........

Will upload some more pics from on the road soon......HUGZ.

We made it to Melbourne....

2008-07-09T19:35:00.000-07:00

Yeah we made it!!! Only thing now is I have a really bad head cold!!!

We are visiting my parents at the moment and then moving on to visit my Inlaws on Sunday.

I have got some more pics from Byron and the Crystal Castle to share especially for Cameron all the way in the UAE, we miss you and I so wish you were here, well maybe it's I wish I was there.

****************

This ones for you Cam.......

**************

Well they are Organic.......

*****************

YUM......

*****************

Sunset at Byron....

************

One MEGA Crystal.......

**************

Erin with another big Crystal......

*****************

Soup and Chai , nice lunch.....

*****************

Erin in the crystal garden.....

**************

Now wouldn't you like this in your garden.....It's for SALE!!!

****************************

Me and my friend.......

*************

Have more pics soon, HUGZ...

ROAD TRIP.............

2008-07-03T14:01:00.000-07:00

Well we are now on our ROAD TRIP to Melbourne, first stop Byron Bay!! We have been camping at Broken Head Holiday park for the last 2 nights and just seeing the sights of Byron, yesterday was awesome with whales putting on a show and a trip to the Crystal Castle for some healing energy.

Hi BuB we all miss you so much and wish you were here!!! But we hope you like the pics......

Catchya soon HUGZ

Gallery 12 reminder.......

2008-06-18T14:37:00.000-07:00

Just a reminder that there is only 2 days left to vote on this weeks fav pic, voting numbers have started to fall so I'm sending out this reminder to everyone to get their vote in and to tell your friends to do the same.

And I just have to share these awesome finds from the local opshop, I had a bit of an orange day happening don't you think! Here is me dropping stuff off only to be taking things home with me.....
I have been using the flower placemat a lot in my scrapping as you might have noticed if you scroll down.

Catchya soon, HUGZ

I have to get this of my chest........

2008-06-18T06:02:00.000-07:00

Ok here it goes...... On Sunday the kids and I got up very early (4 am) to do a stall at the local market, its a bit of fun and its also a nice feeling to give people a bargain and that's why I need to vent!!! I was getting rid of some clothes, all in excellent - good condition for only a dollar each and would you believe it 2 of my better items got stolen!!! Now how hard up are you when something is only $1 that you have to steal it!!!!! I just don't understand how people can't be happy enough to get the bargain.... it's just beyond me..... well what goes around comes around as they say!!

The weirdest thing happened today......
For some reason I did a painting, I have never done this before a spontaneous act of ART!!!!! Well to tell the truth I have never painted like this before at all, and I don't know why I felt like doing it today, I just did!!! Ok its not that great, but it came from somewhere inside me that I have never been to before and it felt really good. Not sure what I will do with it but I know it will come to me.

Hugz all....

I miss him so so much.....

2008-06-13T02:44:00.000-07:00

OMG it's been 11 days and even though I can see and talk to him with the help of Skype, its just not the same but I have so much to do with packing things for storage and the drive down to Melbourne time is moving fast!!

Cam is fine and has yet to be called in to work, he's just hanging out at the hotel and looking round the city and keepin cool as it is 50c with 90%+ humidity.

Well it's also my last class at Passion for Paper coming up on the 26th of June and we decided to do an acetate embellishment class, basically using acetate to create page elements.

And here are the samples........

I have also been a little addicted to Owls after doing a CJ about birds..... I'm a little behind the times hey!!

Well be good and I'll catchya soon,

HUGZ

Oh what a night......

2008-05-31T16:42:00.001-07:00

Yesterday was so wonderful just a few friends around in the afternoon to have a drink or 2 with Cam and just when everyone had gone Lach ( Cam's little brother ) comes over and we spent the rest of the night talking about all the fun times and having a laugh finally went to bed at 2.30am this morning...

Well there is only 27hours and 13minutes left on the Countdown now, and S%*t I still haven't got a photo of the family!!!

HUGZ

And the countdown starts............

2008-05-30T07:19:00.000-07:00

There is only 2 days and 13 hours till Cam flys from these shores to our new home in the UAE and I know its going to be teary !!!!

I didn't make this weeks Gallery 12 but will still take a pic soon and post it on my blog instead.

Oh and I hope I can get a few pics of Cam and the kids together before he leaves as I don't think we have had a family photo in 3 years!!

HUGZ

Gallery 12 reminder........

2008-05-29T15:08:00.000-07:00

It's Friday so get yourself over to Gallery 12 and place your vote for this weeks fav pic!! voting numbers have been down so please spread the word!!!

Here is some more outback pics from the camping trip to Mt Mee near Woodford, QLD. I just love it out there!!

HUGZ

My first photographic ART work.......

2008-05-27T15:09:00.000-07:00

I comissioned myself to create three canvas prints for the wall in the new kitchen, they came out really good the only thing is that I need to add another 2 canvas???

And remember that photo of the old Kitchen after we removed

the wall , well here is a reminder...

And after all the hard work , here is the same view

into our new kitchen......

And here is last nights dinner..........

HUGZ

Its Play School........

2008-05-26T14:58:00.000-07:00

The boys and I had a great time at the concert yesturday, and here are some pics to share......

All in all these boys had a great time!!!

HUGZ

Back from camping...

2008-05-25T16:34:00.000-07:00

We had an amazing time camping, just sitting around the fire telling scary stories and playing I spy, we even did an art session using leaves and sticks,

I even started a layout myself!!

I took some outback pics as memories of home.

Well its only one more week until Cameron leaves for Abu Dhabi and I'm a bit fluttery in the tummy, I'm not sure whats going to happen at the airport next week but I hope I can keep it together!

Well lets not think of that now as today I'm taking Kailn and his best mate Mitchy to the Play School concert!! YEAH!! Should be lots of fun!!!

HUGZ

Somethings fishy!!

2008-05-21T19:36:00.000-07:00

No not really, just had to come and say I'll be away for a few days camping, our last chance with Cameron befor he heads off, but I would like to leave you with some fish pics I took yesturday.

Catchya in a couple of days,

HUGZ.

Ho Hum!! Back to reality.....

2008-05-20T21:02:00.000-07:00

I had the best time over the weekend with all the ladies from the scrapchat forum at there 1st retreat on the Sunshine Coast. I got to catch up with some very talented and inspiring people, a trip to the markets and even scrapped a few layouts along the way, but here I am back in the land of reality, Ho Hum!!!!

My fav 'retreat' layout.

Though on Tuesday I found out that I was runner up in the Embellished ' In Your Skin ' challenge, so that was a wonderful suprise! I must thank all those gorgeous people at Embellished for there hard work over the last 13 weeks especially Kel !

My fav 'In your skin' layout.

And not to forget Gallery 12 there is 2 more days to vote for your fav ' What's that ' pic, so please make the effort to place your vote and don't forget to tell your friends!!

HUGZ

Almost ready....

2008-05-14T16:47:00.000-07:00

I'm almost packed for the Scrapchat retreat this weekend, just a few bit to put in the stash!!

I don't want to offened anyone but these are just cool, some pics of my little baby Jubes having his weekly meal. I will so miss my snake when we leave, he and I have really bonded and at the moment I'm the only one who can hold him.

' Warning snake feeding '

HUGZ

Its been so long........

2008-05-11T06:07:00.000-07:00

And so much has changed, my wonderful husband Cameron has given our family the chance of a life time to move to a new country and its been a busy few months getting things in order before he flys over to start work on the 2nd of June.

I have been keeping up my training and now weigh 66kg thats 5kgs less from when I started, and I am feeling much better about my body shape!

I have also just complete the In your skin challenge over at Embellished, it was a joy to be apart of such a great challenge and I would like to thank all the wonderful ladies at Embellished for sharing their journeys.

Gallery 12 is still going strong and I have not missed a week, though I have come close a few times!! So please do not forget to go over and vote for your fav pic of the week, just click on the link and your there!!

Its retreat time with the girls from Scrapchat next weekend, I have nothing organised so must get onto that asap, its my last chance to spend a few days with the girls before Cameron leaves and I became a single mum of three for the next 4-5 months so I am going to make the most of it!!

Well time to go but I will be back very soon have lots of pics to share but for now I will leave you with my new self portraits,

HUGZ

My Andy Warhol portrait.

2008-03-05T04:57:00.000-08:00

Still not feeling the best but have been playing around with photoshop and came up with my Andy Warhol portrait, will have to print and scrap this one!!!

HUGZ

Where once there was a wall.......

2008-03-03T04:46:00.000-08:00

There now is none!!! Cameron took out the wall between the kitchen and the dining room as we get the reno's done before the house goes up for rent. Stay tuned to see the new kitchen as it comes together.

Here is a layout I did for one of the ladies over at SM forum, hope you love it Di !!!

And here are Erin's layouts that she did over the weekend, I'm so proud of her work.

I really need to get rid of this COUGH!!!

2008-03-02T18:50:00.000-08:00

I'm not getting much sleep at the moment with this stupid cough keeping me up all night and just making me feel ' BLUGH ' with the camera and my scrapping not getting much attention but last night I finally got my layout finished for week 3 of the Embellished ' In your skin ' comp, not sure if I made the deadline but hey I did it!!

Erin did a few layouts in a book yesturday all by her self, I will take some pics and post them tonight because she did such a good job and I want to share her work with you all.

Gotta go can feel a fit of coughing coming, again!!!

HUGZ

I hate being sick.

2008-02-28T06:27:00.000-08:00

OMG I so hate being sick, feeling like crap is not my best look!! And I haven't even done my pic for Gallery 12 which is due in less than 24 hrs!!

Last week I forgot to put up my weigh-in for Wednesday well it was 71.3kg , bit pissed as I have been busting my but for weeks only to find that I've gained .2kg but my trainer said that I have gained muscle and tone so I'm not giving up, now I'm feeling better I'll be back at it ready for my weigh-in next Wednesday.

I've decided to have a day in town tomorrow and I'm going to go and see the Andy Warhol exhibition, a bit of insperation for the soul and me thinks I'll try and soak some up.

I have to share a pic and a thought......Here is a leaf thats almost human with viens of blood showing that all things in nature bleed and we must be careful and tread on this earth softly.

HUGZ

Better late than never.

2008-02-24T19:47:00.000-08:00

Here is last weeks art journal entry for week 7 ' fly ', I cut the bird from a photo and made the wings with folded newspaper and had a super time finger painting the background!!

I almost forgot I have not introduced our new addition ' Jubes the Snake' , he is getting to know use and had his first feed on Sunday and WoW it was so amazing to watch!!!
His name came from the way he was delivered to us, check out the pic.

Not the best photo but will hopefully get some better ones this week, you can kind of get the feel for how small he is when you look at the toilet roll house in the background, just so cute!!!!

Have been playing with jubes to much need to let him be so I can get some work done.

HUGZ

Hey Hey!! Baby Snake arrives today!!!

2008-02-20T19:51:00.000-08:00

Gosh have been so busy getting ready for the arrival of baby snake, the kidlets are so excited about finally having there little pet!!
We were going to have a girl snake but the breeder only got a few so we settled on a boy, can't wait to see him so we can give him a name??
Snake is flying down from Townsville and will be ready to pick up at 7.00pm , I know he will be a bit cranky from the travelling but hopefully he will feel right at home in no time at all.

Must go, still a few things to get done and the girls have swimming after school too.

HUGZ

Week 2 ' In your skin ' layout.

2008-02-18T16:32:00.000-08:00

This one just flowed out, have had a layout like this in mind but could not put it together till now.

I was also a very lucky girl, with the wonderful Maz using 1 of my pic's to create a stunning layout. It's just such a wonderful feeling of sharing art, I am so blessed!!

HUGZ

In your skin comp at Embellished.

2008-02-16T21:57:00.000-08:00

Last week I signed up for the Embellished ' In your skin ' competion , here is my week 1 page about finding out what goes on inside my head.

Bit hard to read the little bits of journaling! sorry about that!

They go something like this: Whats in side ??? maybe a brain / Fluff and stuff , Cobbwebs, An alternate universe, sawdust, sunshine, cuddles / love, hope and dreams / You know what I just don't have a clue!!!!/

Hey remember those insentives well I forgot that I have to weigh in to see if I've lost anything, so I've decided Wednesday every 2 weeks will be the go starting this week. I'm enjoying my workouts and have got in the habit of going 4-5 times a week so now its time I got a little something for my efforts!!

Week 7 voting at Gallery 12.

2008-02-16T00:48:00.000-08:00

Ok its time to vote at Gallery 12 for your fav pic for week 7 ' Summertime ' and don't forget to tell your friends!!

Had a great time this morning teaching a wonderful group of ladies my boyz paper bag book at Passion for Paper, I hope all had a fun time and now set to work adding lots of piccy's to their awesome little books.

Time for my art journal for this week, the word was ' emotion ' and as you have seen I was inspired to do a photo shoot with this in mind!!

HUGZ

Back in front of the camera.

2008-02-14T02:47:00.000-08:00

I had so much fun to day, I was a makeup artist with not much makeup to work with, a model and a photographer!!

I did my own glamour shoot, which was inspired by 2 things America's next top model and Emily's word of the week ' emotion', I wanted to see if I could capture emotions on film like models do so first it was into makeup which is not that easy in this house as I don't wear it! I was able to find a light foundation, some very old black eyeliner, my daughters eyeshadow, some very funky fake lashes and a lipstick that wasn't melted!!

I hung a dack sheet up on the back deck because I get good light there most of the time and away I went.

Its was really funny when Kalin my very wise 3 year old came looking to see what I was up to and stopped dead in front of me and told me to go wash my face because I looked scary!!!

Ooops almost forgot to remind you that there is only 1 more day left to vote for your fav Circles pic over at Gallery 12, so if you have not voted yet please take the time to do so ASAP!!!

HUGZ

Now here is an insentive!!

2008-02-10T01:10:00.000-08:00

Ok I need a bit of insentive to get the weight off so I have got myself a few treats wrapped up, so as I reach each goal I get something to reward my efforts.

I would like to thank Mel AKA Poppysmum for the insperation for this layout, not sure if I will do any journaling or just leave it as it is. This is the only piture of my Mum and Dads wedding day and its just so beautiful, and finally I found the right papers for it.

Week 7 at Gallery 12.

2008-02-08T23:52:00.000-08:00

Week 7 at Gallery 12 and the theme is ' Summertime ' , so much to chose from with this theme should be a great gallery.

Don't forget to go and vote for Week 6 ' Circles ' , you have a week so make sure you get over there and don't forget to tell your friends too!!!

Art journal week 5 ' Happy ' , I'm up to date now and hope to stay that way!!

Art journal week 4.

2008-02-08T00:52:00.000-08:00

OK here is my YOW ( your own word ) entry to my art journal, its just the way life feels at the moment!!