Happy Birthday to me

Look what was waiting for me when I got home today!

Thanks Gail.

Desperately Seeking....

A gardener... hmnn I think he will do!

Happy Birthday to me!

Thanks to everyone who shared the first week of my "BIG" birthday celebrations. I received flowers from my work colleagues and my sister and her family.

Had dinner with friends, and dinner with work colleagues.........

The chopard diamond is a present to myself! I have always wanted one. The diamond "floats" and actually moves slightly.

Rest In Peace Professor O'Brien OA AM

The well loved and respected surgeon Chris O'Brien passed away last week. So many of us came to know him through episodes of "RPA" . He was such a talented physician, but at the same time a humble and compassionate human being.

It was a cruel irony when almost 3 years ago he was diagnosed with very the cancer that he fought so hard to cure in his patients He was given 6-12 months to live but in true fighting spirit he lived another 30. And when I say lived - he certainly did that, writing a book and also leaving a legacy in a new cancer centre for the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.It's construction will start late this year.

My heart goes out to his family, his children, who were not ready to loose their father, and his beautiful wife, who I am sure was not ready to loose her partner.

The world is a much better place for your life Chris, and a much sadder one for your passing.

Chris was presented with the Officer of the Order of Australia from the Prime Minister, just hours before he passed away.....

Tiny Bottles

Oh I scoured the internet after doing JVO's class recently, and my hard work was rewarded!

New Phone

Work has been pretty ^%$#@! lately, but the one saving grace for this week is a new work phone! I can get emails, surf the net... very cool ;-)

Note to self: Do not turn off, or run down battery when you don't have the pin number at hand!!

Too cute!

From here

Online class

I found this link on my friend Teresa's blog. How I would love to do the class! But I have been working crazy long hours the last few weeks, and don't know how much longer it will go on for. :-(

Mixed Media Painting with artist Julie Prichard from Julie Prichard on Vimeo.

JVO

Well JVO heads back to Perth today :-(

It was lovely to see her. I managed to actually finish one class piece for a change!

I didn't get many of my 3D boxes made however :-( Nevermind, I wanted to copy more the ones from the morning class that I didn't get in to which I am still a bit annoyed about!

Have had a big week with working 53 hours . I'm still a bit tired, but I need to do a couple of things today :-(

Now what are the books? Well you might ask. I met Jenni at a scraptacular 3D houses class and when I emailing her about JVO's class I invited her to stay. Unfortunately with the hours I had been putting in at work, I hadn't had the chance to get the room ready. Anyway she had bought me these books and gave them to me anyway. She is such a generous person!

We have decided that we will go down to Mornington one weekend and she can stay then !

Give away

The stamping queen is having a give away, but don't bother going there as I don't really think you would want it ;-)

Easter Activity

Gail came over today and we ate biccies and dip and made art. We are putting together two collaborative works (through arty_oz) for Stampingtons "Aubergine" Theme. We are sending Collections (of course) 3D houses and tiles. Here is our tiles (2 each). Gails to the left, mine to the right...

More Photoshop

More photoshop playing :-)

I really must stop playing!!!

Photoshop Masks

The fluff bag after she has been masked with a (free) mask from Paperbag studios!

Photoshop Brushes

I *love* photoshop brushes...

I have just bought some from Paperbag Studios, and if you go there you will find a photoshop tutorial as well!

JVO is coming to town!

JVO Is Coming To Town

Oh! You better watch out,
You better not cry,
You better not pout,
I'm telling you why:
JVO is coming to town!

She's making a list,
She's checking it twice,
She’s packing the loot
for classes so beaut.
JVO is coming to town!

New chipboard and transparencys,
6x6 papers too
so many ideas of things to make
So be there for goodness sake!

So...You better watch out,
You better not cry
You better not pout,
I'm telling you why.
JVO is coming to town.

Chipboard birdees,
and chipboard eggs too.
with wings and hearts
To name but a few
JVO coming to town.

teeny weeny coathangers
that are so much fun to use,
New 3d boxes
things to fill your muse.
JVO is coming to town.

The ladies of Victoria
will have a jubilee.
They're gonna craft their fingers off
and it’s all thanks to 2 Julie’s.

Oh....You better watch out,
You better not cry.
You better not pout,
I'm telling you why.

JVO is comin'
JVO is comin'
JVO is comin'
To town!!


Class #1 ~ "Butterflies" Friday Afternoon 1.00pm - 3.00pm
Off the Page Workshop Cost $48 ~ includes all materials
They are a bit vintage a little bit textural, but most of all they are in flight. Butterflies are all the rage at the moment so I have created them off the page on a hard frame covered with tissue and softy painted. Decorated with my latest paper and some Vintage Transparency for some of the butterflies to float on. This class will incorporate a beautiful butterfly embellishment - a little bit Shabby Chic of course hung on a tiny little coat hanger.
Tools required - Basic Tool Kit; craft knife, awl, sanding tools, glues etc

Class #2 ~ "Home is Where the Art Is" Friday Evening 7.00pm - 9.30pm
Cost $48 ~ includes all materialsInspired by the colours of Sally Jean Alexander, embark on a journey of light tones of pale green, white and my favourite vintage style colours of beige.A vintage keepsake with real branches, wire and using some of the latest Collections products (and some older ones too) we will create a textural house to hang and inspire you everyday in whilst you work in your studio.
Tools required - Basic Tool Kit; craft knife, awl, sanding tools, glues etc

Class #3 ~ "The Art Boxes" - The Vintage Collection Saturday Morning 10.00am -1.00pm
Cost $55 ~ includes all materialsFor the arty girls who love to play and discover the latest and most creative from Collections. I love to play and create with tiny objects, text and all things old. Think birds nests with tiny eggs, vintage photographs and small metal objects. Style your boxes with fabric and old text, get down and make it your own with all things that are old, and even some that are new. Small is the best, so prepare to fiddle in tiny places and create your own set of "Art Boxes" Most of all you will enjoy the journey! ..... (and be rewarded at the end!)Tools required - Basic Tool Kit; craft knife, awl, sanding tools, glues etc

Class #4 ~ "Art Canvas"Saturday Afternoon 2.00pm - 4.30pm
Cost $48.00 ~ includes all materialsUsing the latest products by Collections we will create a lovely 12 x 12 canvas to display or give to someone you love. Beautiful "french scrolls" and a "fleur de lis" that is a multitude of layers. Using a background of the "Vintage Transparency" and the colours of "Shabby Chic" papers to embellish the letters A -R-T to finish the canvas with tiny butterflies. You will be delighted with the final look of the finished canvas.
Tools required - Basic Tool Kit; craft knife, awl. glues, sanding tools, etc

Class #5 ~ "The Art Boxes"- Shabby Chic Saturday Evening 5.30pm - 8.15pm
Cost $48 ~ includes all materials
For the scrapbooker the latest and the most adorable set of boxes! Create an amazing set of six, which will form a visual delight. Plenty of interchangeable ways to display your "art boxes" to make it unique to you. Find tiny objects to embed in the small spaces. Come and play and create and discover with me and I will show you something different and so diminutive with the latest 6 x 6 paper range from Collections.
Tools required - Basic Tool Kit; craft knife, awl, sanding tools, glues etc

Booking details:

Julie Van oosten will be teaching all of the above 5 classes at Scraptacular.Bookings are essential and payment is required at time of booking.Each class will hold a maximum of 20 students; you may book into as many classes as you wish.All materials are included in the cost of each class (bring along your basic tool kit).Class will start on the allocated time so please be prompt and prepared.Please call the team on 03 95845000 or email sales@scraptacular.com.au to reserve your seat or for any further details.note: no further discount or CLC will apply to class costs

Green Pepper Press - New Stamps

I am thinking of placing an order for these! You can find them here.

I just love Michelles stuff!

Spring fling!

Even though it is autumn here I am having a "spring fling" with Carol Wingert. I am very excited to have one of her kits on order. I fell in love with "Birds of a Feather" that the lovely Sarah ordered. I have bought all manner of bits and pieces to make my own version but haven't got around to atually making it yet!

Carol is on her way to Sydney as I write this - she is coming to SIA. I told her to seek out JVO and perhaps incorporate some of her products in an one of her future kits! Her reply was

I have always loved Julie's work...I'm looking forward to meeting her and who knows, maybe some of her product will end up in the kits! Carol Wingert

Who wants to come to Paris with me?

Well I am thinking very seriously about it...

And the last time I was there was 10 years ago!

It all started with this email......(passed on from a friend)

Dear Colin,

During our absence from Paris in August and September, our flat in the centre of Paris is available for rental.Location: Ile St Louis (200m from Notre Dame cathedral). Close to everything.Detail: 70m2, all facilities, 5th floor, in an old traditional building, dating from the 17th century. 2 bedrooms, 2 kitchens, 2bathrooms, 1 large (for Paris) lounge/dining room. Terrace with viewover Paris roofs, view of Parthenon and the Seine. Shops and restaurants less than 1 minute from front door. Easy access to rail line to airports.Rental: $1400/week. Sheets/linen provided but tenants will do own laundry. Contact for further information.....

So who wants to share the flat with me for 2 weeks? Probably September... Then I'll be staying with a friend (I hope) in the South for a couple of weeks......

I priced airfares and malaysian has one for around $1200 + tax... I'm sure I paid more than that 10 years ago!

Edit: I knew it was to good to be true - add $700 or so tax onto that price!

Bernies ring

Isn't it a beauty! All 2.something carats! Oh my god I don't think I have seen a diamond as big as this one!

Bernie (Berlin) was such a good sport letting me "borrow" it! I don't know if I would have let me borrow it ;-)

Art Retreat

Above is my interpretation of the class design.

Left is one of the canvases that DJ used to show us techniques in class. I bought it from her after the class.

What a FANTASTIC weekend! It's taken me 2 days to get over it. The Tutors were senational - YAHHHHH to Stephanie Lee, DJ Pettit and Bernie Berlin.

I just LOVED the face painting. DJ is such a gifted teacher. It certainly showed when 23 out of 24 pupils finished the class with stunning pieces. As for the 24th student - she decided to stick with her 'style'. I don't know why she bothers spending all this money on classes - she never listens to the teachers or seems open to learning!

I did a face painting class with a different American tutor last year. She was a FANTASTIC artist but in my opinion a crap teacher!