I was TOTALLY spoilt on my birthday

Firstly there was the gorgeous Nina Bagley necklace, handmade candle and card from Debbie Larcombe. I was totally blown away by this beautiful necklace, then there is the beautiful sepia/cream tiles from Donna Taylor. Next is the pink arch card from Teresa and the green shoes from Amy. Everyone knows I love shoes! And last but by no means least - the mounted tiles and frame from Helen Franklin.

I also had a bag of goodees arrive from my sister with another shoe card.

Sorrry I missed everyone's phone calls yesterday. But THANK YOU to everyone who made my birthday so SPECIAL!

Two Gorgeous handmade cards! The pink one from Gail Smith and the caramel from Elaine Hannam.

Thank you Ladies!!! :-))

I had to go to the North tip of Tasmania this week for work. It was just a quick over nighter. I flew in to Wynyard airport, picked up a rental car, headed off 15 mins in the opposite direction to the factory, and did a little shopping at a craft store. Then drove the hour or so to our factory. It rained a lot while I was down there and the countryside seemed SO green. I had quite forgotten how green grass really is! Of course colours always seem more vibrant when it's raining. The roads were wonderful and I followed the coastline much of the way. It was truly a nice break away.

We are hiding under my bench today because there has been thunder and lightening!

I've had a new hot waterservice installed as the original one went on the weekend. Miss Jasmine wont be happy though as the air vent for the new one is on the side (not the top) so she wont have a cosy warm spot to sit any more!

My garden by the clothesline. I built it about a month ago and it still looks great. I have trouble with both gardenia's and maidenhair, so this may be short lived!

Another lovely sunny weekend, and I managed to plant 2 lots of Mondo grass. The black, to hide the ugly deck foundations and some green near the clothesline.

Oh we did get some rain on Saturday too. I must have counted about 20 drops!

My latest piece - a double page spread in an altered book round robin. The theme was art dolls and I was very much out of my comfort zone. I do hope Julian will like it....

I finally got to use some of my Autumn Leaves buttons. I have um ah quite a few packs of the gorgeous colour co-ordinated buttons and they have just been sitting on the shelf until now....

It's been a while since I updated the blog. I have been travelling for work and in my spare time trying to catch up on my craft commitments. I think Jassie is feeling better she has been screaming around the house at times, she seemed to be grooming all Easter and her coat is getting back to it's silky self. My foot is almost back to normal, but there is still a bit of a lump and it is still a -little- tender. One of my middle findgers is still a little numb . I was cutting out cardboard photos 8 nights ago and it still hasn't quite recovered. Gee you do heal slower when you get older don't you!

Jassie was being a pain tonight when I was on the computer as you can see!

After a great class with Lance from Rusty Pickles last night and then glued to the Ten Seconds Studio DVD until 2am, we finally got on the road to Mornington. Jen forgot to bring her hat, but thankfully didn't forget her glasses.

We warmed up our credit cards at Paper2, then after a slight detour found the first antique store. There was lots of ooows and ah's as we moved around the big warehouse finding all sorts of goodies. When we came to pay Jen had spent $69.00 (say no more) and I had spent $69.50!.

We refuelled our energy with a yummy toasted sandwich, some fruit juice and a slice of apple cake to die for (each), at the cafe next door before we took off to the coolstores.

Again we found loads of treasures and agin we spent within $1.00 of each other ;-)

I can't believe what a difference the mirror has made! Still not 100% happy with the floor.

But other than the floor and a fancy push up tap for the basin - it is DONE!

I thought perhaps I should add a photo of me with my brother and sister and brother-in-law and the bride and groom...

My nieces wedding today. It was cool, much cooler than yesterday. She looked gorgeous and her new hubby was very handsome in his suit. My great nephew Anthony is getting very tall, but he was pretty shy for the most part. The lillies were included in the flowers as it was the anniversary of the grooms grandfathers death.

Well it is a bit warmer today Thank Goodness. Yesterday was FREEZING! This is a "puddle" near my sisters front door.

My foot is quite a lot better, although still sporting a rather large lump where the case hit it. The swelling and bruising are all but gone.

It has been SO wet! My sister and I both bought new footwear to wear tomorrow!

Well it's cold and WET in NZ.

I bought a stamp within an hour of getting through customs :-)

Here are some photos of my sisters kittens and some stuff I bought in an old antique/junk shop today

Bathroom still has not progressed any more - hold up with the glass. I am so over this.....

I dropped something on my foot this weekend. Cool bruise huh??? ;-)

Well she looks healthy and happy and I guess she is reasonably both... but my darling Jassie has been diagnosed with Hyperthyroidism. She is probably going to have a one off treatment of a radioactive pill. She will be in hospital for a week - hopefully while I am in NZ....

Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid glands) is a very common disorder of older cats. It is caused by an increase in production of thyroid hormones from the thyroid glands, which are situated in the neck. Clinical signs associated with hyperthyroidism can be quite dramatic and cats can become seriously ill with this condition. However, in most cases hyperthyroidism is treatable and most cats will make a complete recovery.

It's getting there!

Greg was back yesterday and put up the fence extensions and tidied up the backyard. I started painting the fence - but ran out of paint. What a shame. It is going to be a long hard slog painting this weathered old fence. Last time I painted it I gave it a good soaking with water first, but with the water restrictions that is not possible this time around!

Yesterday I picked up the vanity. It is a small one that hangs off the wall so it fitted in the backseat - of the Monaro - No chance, but I had a work car on Friday to go to Yarram, so luckily I had it for the weekend. Am looking forward to seeing the steel machine tomorrow when I get to work :-) I have to go to Yarram next Sunday for early Monday morning, so the beast will be staying in the warehouse again next weekend too.

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I wasn't quite sure what I would come home to yesterday, but Matt had left the bathroom nice and tidy BUT........ I got home at 9:30pm - to find ... NO WATER and it wasn't just a case of turning on the mains tap either.

I WAS NOT HAPPY. So he had to come and fix it!

But the good news is tht he doesn't have to cut the concrete to move pipes. He is just going to plug the hole for the current outlet and attach the handbasin drainage to the bath drainage. So for once something turned out easier! The floor will also look much better without a big "PATCH" in it, as I am having a smaller vanity that "hangs" off the wall ;-)

I saw this gorgeous overgrown church entrance last time I had to go to Gippsland, and was kicking myself that I didn't take my camera. It was strange as I had this nagging feeling that I should take it too! Anyway when I went down yesterday I made sure the camera was in the car! The huge pickets on the fence amazed me!

The roads really are lovley and I wished I had Mr Monaro instead of the work car. But then when I come across road works, then had a truck throwing up dust too I was kinda glad I didn't have him!

Good bye ugly vanity, good bye ugly tiles. I wont miss you!

Ok Dawnie here are a couple of pieces. The atc was inspired by Jenny C :-) And the canvas is part of a swap on arty_oz. You should come back Dawn ;-)

I was lucky enough to be a recipient of a jigsaw peice made by Jenny Crossley! :-)

AT LAST some more progress! It might be finished one day..... The backyard paving is all but finished. Just a few pavers need to be cut... and then the area around the clothesline....