tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12769501962340991512024-03-13T22:51:18.976+11:00designed to a TAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03354550357128384777noreply@blogger.comBlogger189125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1276950196234099151.post-88338292356792771502013-05-06T20:09:00.000+10:002013-05-06T20:10:54.215+10:00Project: Wallpaper Panel Art<span style="font-family: verdana;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489643153681700258" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3g-4ZUml_YM/TC8hXObaVaI/AAAAAAAAAiA/tCf0LRO1o4E/s320/DSCF1553.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 240px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px;" />UPDATE: Amended post </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana;">Well I've finally completed all the wallpaper panel art projects.<br /><br />Picture left: These are in the family room and had been waiting for the painting to be finished. The wall is in 'Moss' from Porters Paints. The panels feature Florence Broadhurst 'Egrets' on silver milar.<br /><br />This photo was taken quite late at night, after I'd finished placing all the objects and filling the shelves with soooo many books. I'm really pleased with the results.<br /><br />While I was doing these for the house, I thought it would be nice to complete some more, a matching set for a wedding present. Kylie, from </span><a href="http://myflyingducks.blogspot.com/2010/04/beautiful-wedding-gifts.html"><span style="font-family: verdana;">My Flying Ducks </span></a><span style="font-family: verdana;">has already featured them on her blog. These are the ones I used for the DIY instructions below.</span><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3g-4ZUml_YM/TC8jcMa3scI/AAAAAAAAAiI/6mjYxoQNV-I/s1600/Circles+and+Squares.jpg"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489645438065160642" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3g-4ZUml_YM/TC8jcMa3scI/AAAAAAAAAiI/6mjYxoQNV-I/s200/Circles+and+Squares.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 125px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 200px;" /></span></a><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />I have quite a collection of wallpaper pieces, large and small. The smaller ones are about A4 size and I'm using them for another type of wallpaper project at the moment. It will feature on Project: Bathroom Renovation Rescue.<br /><br />The first panels I made were in....you guessed it, another Florence Broadhurst print. The recognisable 'Cranes' on matt gold milar. They were originally for my room, but I've decided to hang them in the vestibule/entry to the villa. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana;">I also made a smaller one of the 'Cranes' for Brendon to hang in his home in Brisbane.</span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3g-4ZUml_YM/TC8fcCZ9mJI/AAAAAAAAAhg/SIdwfzWdqy0/s1600/DSCF1584.JPG"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489641037330487442" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3g-4ZUml_YM/TC8fcCZ9mJI/AAAAAAAAAhg/SIdwfzWdqy0/s320/DSCF1584.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></span></a><span style="font-family: verdana;">Did you pick that I had photographed the right one upside down!! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana;">Below I've completed the DIY instructions. Remember these can be made in any size, cost will escalate obviously, but even when you make small ones, the cost could depend on the quality of the wallpaper.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana;">The 'Egrets' in the family room ended up costing about $250 for the two, without labour of course. I think the larger ones from Signature Prints are around $400 each. I do have a helping hand for the heavy stuff, cutting the mitred corners with a drop saw. If you have a handyman around, it will help with the cost. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana;">Places like Bunnings and Mr Ply & Wood will cut to size for you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana;">A big warning for this project - the measurements should be on the mark and the panel should be square, so use mitred corners and clamps to make sure it's square.</span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3g-4ZUml_YM/TC8ctwPzRaI/AAAAAAAAAhA/_qMUxEZfV3M/s1600/DSCF1175.JPG"></a><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana;">You'll need: masonite, pine, spray glue, liquid nails (clear), staple gun, wood glue, sandpaper, cutting mat, cutting knife and ruler, wallpaper offcut, framing tape (to finish), hanging extras, soft cloth like an old nappy or an old toweling type teatowel.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana;">Use a very flat surface and some old towels to work on when you are gluing the wallpaper to the frame.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489637346003316306" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3g-4ZUml_YM/TC8cFLI-7lI/AAAAAAAAAg4/wGuir-KBkTs/s320/Collage.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 200px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /> </span><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3g-4ZUml_YM/TC8cullJTlI/AAAAAAAAAhI/yuuy8CczTho/s1600/DSCF1553.JPG"></a><span style="font-family: verdana;">1. Cut to size, pine pieces for frame and masonite for the panel (or have it cut at your hardware store) - actual size is up to you. These instructions are for the 300mm x 600mm size. Be careful with larger measurements, you may need a brace so it doesn't bow.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana;">2. Glue and staple mitred joints to make the frame - ensure the whole thing is completely square. Wait for the glue to dry.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana;">3. With the liquid nails, sqeeze a line all the way around the pine frame, fit your masonite panel, smooth side out. This is the side you'll glue the wallpaper to. Doesn't matter if the masonite is a little oversize, in fact it's probably better, because you can get a nice sanded edge when you're done. Just don't have too much of an overhang, it will be more difficult to get a good finish. Turn upside down on flat covered surface and weigh down until glue/liquid nails dry. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana;">4. When all glues are dry, trim any dried liquid nails with a cutting knife, sand all the edges to make sure there are no overhangs and everything is smooth and straight. Pictures 2 & 3 first row. The edges need to be smooth so you won't see any joins through the paper when finished.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana;">5. Cut wallpaper to size. Don't forget you have the frame to cover also, so make sure you add that measurement PLUS a bit extra. You can trim it up later. The panel width measurement for this set was 300mm + 45mm frame + 20mm frame edge + about 15mm overhang. Do the same for the length - 600mm + 45 + 20 + 15. Pictures 4 & 5 first row.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana;">6. Place the finished frame, masonite side down, on the wrong side of the paper and make a fold line around it. Don't press too much, you could rip the paper. Avoid the corners, you'll do that next. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana;">7. Use a metal ruler to make the folds more defined, including the corners. Place the ruler on the folded line, fold the paper over the ruler to make a more defined line. Picture 6 first row. Spray the outlined area with glue on the back of the paper and then the frame. Picture 7 first row and Picture 1 second row. Don't spray the sides yet, although they will get some overspray. Carefully fit the frame to the folded edges (these are a guide). Turn the frame over and rub gently with the soft cloth to make sure the paper is adhering. Be careful of air bubbles. Don't press down on the sides of the frame yet. Leave to dry for a bit making sure the edges that may have some overspray, aren't touching anything.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana;">NOTE: BE CAREFUL WHEN USING SPRAY GLUE. Read and use according to the instructions.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana;">8. When dry, turn the frame over. Using the cutting knife and metal ruler, align the metal ruler with the longest side of the frame - this will give you a straight line to cut the paper. Refer to pictures 3 & 4 second row of collage above. If you are making a square, the side you cut doesn't matter. If it's rectangle, do the longest sides first.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana;">9. With the frame still paper side down, spray one long side. Lift the frame and 'roll' it onto the paper, don't lift it completely off the flat surface. All you are really doing is standing it on it's edge. Rub edge with soft cloth. Refer pictures 4 & 5 second row. Repeat for the other long side.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana;">10. Because you've already cut the line along the length of the paper, you can now glue the wallpaper along the end/edge of the frame and cut. Refer pictures 6 & 7 second row. Glue paper over frame edge then trim. Refer picture 1 third row.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana;">11. Now glue the ends using the same technique of 'rolling' the frame onto the paper. Pictures 2 & 3 third row. Trim any paper so you have a clean edge when the paper is folded and glued over the end of the frame. Picture 3 third row.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana;">12. Trim all edges. Pictures 4, 5, 6 & 7 third row.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana;">13. Cover all raw edges of paper with framing tape. You can get this from picture framing businesses. I bought mine from an art supply and framing store, in Taree of all places. It's usually a brown paper bag colour and is sometimes a paper texture.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana;">14. To complete the second and subsequent panels, repeat as above. If you have a patterned paper, make sure you match the pattern when you cut the second and subsequent pieces. Picture 1 forth row.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">15. Attach a hanging system you are used to.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana;">Hope that all made sense. It's always hard to 'describe' in your own words so other people know what you are taking about.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana;">TIPS: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana;">They need to be completely square and when you glue and fold the paper over, the edges are crisp and sharp lines. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana;">Watch out for air bubbles. You can't get them out once they are there, so be careful when gluing. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana;">Go slow and use the soft cloth to rub the paper while the glue is still wet.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana;">A tip for ALWAYS, use sharp cutters/knives. These will give you clean cut edges, otherwise the paper will rip and tear.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana;">Good luck if you are going to give it a go.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana;">If you are having trouble at all, on any of the projects, email me on </span><a href="mailto:deisgned.to.a.t@optusnet.com.au"><span style="font-family: verdana;">designed.to.a.t@optusnet.com.au</span></a><span style="font-family: verdana;"> and I will email you the larger photos.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03354550357128384777noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1276950196234099151.post-46925075020976026972012-07-01T12:55:00.001+10:002012-07-01T14:05:55.751+10:00Not so Audrey-nary...Audrey Hepburn was not your ordinary (or Audrey-nary) everyday person... <br />
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I have such admiration for her and the work she did for children as a UNICEF ambassador... Not only that, she was such a beautiful person, inside and out.<br />
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<a href="http://www.thisiscolossal.com/2012/02/people-as-pixels/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0WmruUUgEPY/T--ZFKwMWlI/AAAAAAAACKs/daez46ryyGE/s320/audrey.jpg" width="261" /></a></div>
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{Image: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/artexpo/5385121866/" target="_blank">Craig Alan</a>}<br />
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Here are some links to previous posts I've done where I have mentioned her:</div>
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1. '<a href="http://designed-to-a-t.blogspot.com.au/2011/01/thought-for-you_15.html" target="_blank">A thought for you...</a>' - January 15, 2011. Part of a series called '<a href="http://designed-to-a-t.blogspot.com.au/p/saturday-thoughts.html" target="_blank">Weekend Thoughts</a>' I was documenting. This one was one of her quotes, which to me rang true at the time of the Brisbane floods. Let me know if you think I should start doing them again... </div>
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2. <a href="http://designed-to-a-t.blogspot.com.au/2011/03/i-am-womaninternational-womens-day.html" target="_blank">I am woman...International Women's Day</a> - March 8, 2011. This was more about the history behind International Women's Day where I mentioned Audrey and her work for UNICEF. Who do you admire?</div>
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3. I've left the best until last! '<a href="http://designed-to-a-t.blogspot.com.au/2010/08/favourite-things-project-week-five.html" target="_blank">Favourite Things project - Week Five - People in my Life...</a>' August 5, 2010 - my son Darren's birthday. This one holds a place in my heart because I posted it on one of my sons birthdays.</div>
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When I first started blogging, I was introduced to Tazim, from '<a href="http://www.beingtazim.com/" target="_blank">Being Tazim</a>', a blogger in Canada. Tazim was engaging other bloggers in a 'Favourite Things' project, where we blogged each week about a particular subject. The week I completed this post the subject was about '<a href="http://designed-to-a-t.blogspot.com.au/2010/08/favourite-things-project-week-five.html" target="_blank">People In my Life</a>'. Whilst I used this opportunity to talk about my two wonderful sons, I ended the post talking about Audrey. Both the boys know how much I love her and have given me some wonderful 'Audrey' gifts over the years.</div>
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What do you think of this fabulous artwork by Craig Alan? One of the Facebook Pages I follow, lead me to this great site called 'This is Colossal' where they featured this and other pieces of photographic art using people, yes PEOPLE! Look closely at the photo, it's all people! Go and have a look, you'll be amazed at the ones from 1915 using Armed Forces personnel for a campaign to support the American War effort. Click on the photo to visit the site.</div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/120/DD18DFF5F1B0F5C22F9E63D639690845.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>
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<center><a href="http://www.lifeonplanetbaby.com/"><img albums="" border="0" http:="" i569.photobucket.com="" postofthemonthclubbutton1.jpg"="" src="%3Ca%20href=" ss137="" target="_blank" tinarubie="" /><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i569.photobucket.com/albums/ss137/tinarubie/PostOfTheMonthClubButton1.jpg" /></a></center>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03354550357128384777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1276950196234099151.post-81414248393917059192012-06-30T16:49:00.000+10:002012-06-30T16:49:42.127+10:00BOON!!Yes BOON...not BOOM!<br />
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BOON Chocolates at 251 Victoria Street Darlinghurst, right here in beautiful Sydney.<br />
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Gorgeous chocolates, beautiful store, fabulous philosophy and lovely welcoming people.<br />
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Alex and Fanny Chan, the brother and sister powerhouse behind BOON have been in their business for about 4 years now. They have built a reputation in the chocolate world for their attention to detail, mouth watering flavours and their freshness.<br />
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BOON philosophy is simply...'to produce in small batches so that the chocolates are consumed within four weeks of being made. Freshness is key to appreciating the individual flavour characteristic to each praline. Freshness combined with the best natural ingredients and flavours is the key.'<br />
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I was lucky enough to visit yesterday with a group from work and have Alex talk to us about their business and their product.
Not only do they sell to the public, they have some large corporate contracts as well.<br />
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Cartier, Ferrari!!!<br />
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I can't wait to make a hot chocolate with one of my purchases!<br />
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<a href="http://www.boonchocolates.com.au/shop.htm%20" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="291" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VcnZAF9gbI8/T-6g51Tb_uI/AAAAAAAACKg/X_5pzS9Re1w/s400/boon.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/120/DD18DFF5F1B0F5C22F9E63D639690845.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03354550357128384777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1276950196234099151.post-59392309483135816362012-05-13T18:10:00.000+10:002012-05-13T18:10:56.128+10:00My first foray into the world of Spoonflower contests...I took the plunge...and entered my first design in one of the weekly fabric design contests run by Spoonflower. Retro Kitchen design with a restricted palette.<br />
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Entries closed on May 9 and voting is open now. The winner will be announced on Thursday May 17.<br />
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I'm very nervous as this is the first time I've ever had one of my fabric designs out there in the 'public eye'.
My design was uploaded about a week before the due date, I was that happy with it.<br />
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Now I have to just sit and wait to see if I made the top 10...mmm. With the MOST entries Spoonflower has ever had for a palette restricted contest, not sure how I'll go! 282 entries were received!
Wish me luck!<br />
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<a href="http://www.spoonflower.com/fabric_items/new?design_id=1131432" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mOCu7tP7grg/T69hr0eAhEI/AAAAAAAACKE/S4R7uhkbPlI/s320/My%2Bretro%2Bkitchen.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/120/DD18DFF5F1B0F5C22F9E63D639690845.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03354550357128384777noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1276950196234099151.post-1265023399471327062012-04-29T14:57:00.001+10:002012-04-29T14:57:28.431+10:00Are you feeling creative...Well...I really haven't kept my blog up to date lately, as I've been concentrating on building my portfolio of fabric designs. Also sourcing printers and doing some of my own screen printing took up more time than I expected.<br />
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Having been a Blogging Your Way student last year, what better way to get back on track with my blog posts than selecting some of my earlier posts that were well received. In one of the lessons, it was suggested to look at posts that had high counts of views and list them in a post. A reconnection, I suppose, to the writer and their blog. These posts tend to get lost in the 'archives' and new blog viewers wouldn't know they were there.<br />
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So...based on the amount of views some of these posts received, let me invite you to take another look, or perhaps your first look.<br />
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For your viewing and maybe some practical application: <br />
<ol>
<li><a href="http://designed-to-a-t.blogspot.com.au/2011/04/my-creative-space-gift-for-sophia.html" target="_blank">My Creative Space - A gift for Sophia </a></li>
<li><a href="http://designed-to-a-t.blogspot.com.au/2011/01/creative-collectivenew-yearnew-craft.html" target="_blank">Creative Collective - New Year = New Craft</a></li>
<li><a href="http://designed-to-a-t.blogspot.com.au/2010/09/favourite-things-week-12.html" target="_blank">Favourite Things - Week 12</a></li>
<li><a href="http://designed-to-a-t.blogspot.com.au/2010/09/project-felt-necklace.html" target="_blank">Project: Felt Necklace</a></li>
<li><a href="http://designed-to-a-t.blogspot.com.au/2010/07/projct-ikea-draws.html" target="_blank">Project: Ikea Draws</a></li>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q5SMV6m07C8/T5zITnyby3I/AAAAAAAACJA/DBzq8gL21fs/s1600/5+Blog+posts.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q5SMV6m07C8/T5zITnyby3I/AAAAAAAACJA/DBzq8gL21fs/s640/5+Blog+posts.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I'm a doer, I love making things, getting in and putting a design on paper then executing it. There's nothing like the feeling of making things, and decorating, especially with something I've made.<br />
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My background is sewing and fabrics but as the years have gone by I've picked up many extra skills. I even have my own power tools! Insert 'Tim the Toolman-like' laugh here, for those of us who remember good ol' Tim. I have to say, my projects fare a bit better than Tim's!<br />
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I've selected some of my project posts for you to review, and maybe even give them a go yourself. Here's a link to my <a href="http://designed-to-a-t.blogspot.com.au/p/diy-projects.html">projects page</a> for any of the others I've made over the last few years. There are still a few I haven't finished the detailed instructions for.<br />
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Do you know, sometimes this is more difficult than the actual project. I have the words and step by step instructions in my head, but you need to get them SO right for other people to be able to follow them clearly and make the item. I will be getting back to writing these soon.<br />
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I hope you've enjoyed taking a look at these projects and perhaps are thinking about trying one or two yourself. If you'd like some help, please feel free to email me.<br />
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Enjoy!<br />
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PS My 'Followers' gadget is still AWOL and I don't know how to fix it. If anyone has any ideas, please email me on designed.to.a.t@optusnet.com.au<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/120/DD18DFF5F1B0F5C22F9E63D639690845.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03354550357128384777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1276950196234099151.post-84432010439788372872012-03-24T12:57:00.000+11:002012-03-24T12:57:37.083+11:00Daytrippin'...Canberra, the uniquely designed capital of Australia, is fast approaching it's Centennial year<br />
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The birth of Canberra as the national capital was marked by the laying of the foundation stones for a ‘Commencement Column’ on 12 March 1913, and the naming announcement by Lady Denman, wife of the then Governor-General.<br />
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From where I live in Sydney, it's just a quick 2hr 15-30min trip, approximately, as I am close to a motorway that takes you up to freeway speeds within minutes of leaving home. No trying to get through city traffic to get on my way, it's just a few blocks to the motorway and off I go.<br />
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So why don't I do regular trips to Canberra? I have no excuse, but when I have a reason to go, it's always a surprising and pleasant day.
The latest reason, I'm very embarrassed to say, was to increase the 'mileage' on my car, as I am close to reporting it for the end of Fringe Benefits Tax year!<br />
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Despite having to ensure I meet my mileage requirements, I'm also always happy to do a day trip in my car. Driving is something that's in my blood. My Dad used to drive taxis in Sydney and has also done stints in trucks when I was small, in between his jobs as a qualified greens keeper. Driving trips were something we always did when I was a child. Heading off late on a Friday afternoon to drive the 4 or 5 hours to my Grandparent's home in Nambour QLD, then the drive back again on Sunday night.<br />
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I wasn't by myself, so the Canberra trip was even more pleasant with a companion, and we stopped to have a lovely lunch on the way.<br />
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Let me show you in pictures how lovely a day it was, with beautiful weather turned on and lots of activities and events happening. We ran out of time to visit the Bonsai exhibit/show and needing to get back on the road meant we weren't able to stay for the fireworks that were happening last weekend.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JiB9adENDEI/T20ZrxNpsNI/AAAAAAAACGc/D0a4rTabyEo/s1600/039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JiB9adENDEI/T20ZrxNpsNI/AAAAAAAACGc/D0a4rTabyEo/s320/039.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Beautiful sunshine-y day on the way - the road beside<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_George_%28New_South_Wales%29" target="_blank"> Lake George</a> </div>
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or Weereewa in the area's indigenous language.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NC05q--uwJE/T20Zv4iPfsI/AAAAAAAACGs/NgqD4dNKAS0/s1600/041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NC05q--uwJE/T20Zv4iPfsI/AAAAAAAACGs/NgqD4dNKAS0/s320/041.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IpQJVwlHkgY/T20ZuCKRLWI/AAAAAAAACGk/SK-DM3IpCM4/s1600/040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IpQJVwlHkgY/T20ZuCKRLWI/AAAAAAAACGk/SK-DM3IpCM4/s320/040.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1KVUZei-_Vg/T20ZyY8lPiI/AAAAAAAACG0/3Ti005mm74Q/s1600/044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1KVUZei-_Vg/T20ZyY8lPiI/AAAAAAAACG0/3Ti005mm74Q/s320/044.JPG" width="320" /> </a></div>
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<b>Top Left</b>: A Bronze cast of parliamentarians and 2 Australian Prime Ministers, John Curtin and Ben Chifley. Ben Chifley was Treasurer at the time, later to be our 16th Prime Minister.</div>
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<b>Top Right</b>: Beautiful tree lined walkway through a park beside old Parliament House</div>
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<b>Bottom</b>: Plaque explaining the bronze statue of Curtin and Chifley. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nDDxBx0vi-c/T20Z6-izaPI/AAAAAAAACHU/52uths69pD8/s1600/061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nDDxBx0vi-c/T20Z6-izaPI/AAAAAAAACHU/52uths69pD8/s320/061.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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National Portrait Gallery</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-srJwxGhTNEc/T20Z3AKP_0I/AAAAAAAACHE/lpiZ3SmO3E8/s1600/055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-srJwxGhTNEc/T20Z3AKP_0I/AAAAAAAACHE/lpiZ3SmO3E8/s320/055.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Old Parliament House</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FPVGaLsyeIc/T20Z8uUyosI/AAAAAAAACHc/aY8fzatBNKY/s1600/062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FPVGaLsyeIc/T20Z8uUyosI/AAAAAAAACHc/aY8fzatBNKY/s320/062.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--D8XzKEP6qc/T20Z5eOd58I/AAAAAAAACHM/5uB8fzlyGAw/s1600/060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--D8XzKEP6qc/T20Z5eOd58I/AAAAAAAACHM/5uB8fzlyGAw/s320/060.JPG" width="240" /></a> <br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QUYWhnNvQn4/T20Z0oH4iXI/AAAAAAAACG8/-S9YXD18gA0/s1600/046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QUYWhnNvQn4/T20Z0oH4iXI/AAAAAAAACG8/-S9YXD18gA0/s320/046.JPG" width="240" /> </a></div>
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<b>Top Left</b>: More tree lined footpaths</div>
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<b>Top Right</b>: The High Court of Australia</div>
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<b>Bottom</b>: Part of the refurbished Old Parliament House gardens </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nE4FzVFHGzc/T20Z_7N5t8I/AAAAAAAACHk/n4H5Dg1rUhQ/s1600/067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nE4FzVFHGzc/T20Z_7N5t8I/AAAAAAAACHk/n4H5Dg1rUhQ/s320/067.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SwnhE9r8iQw/T20aAwpTqeI/AAAAAAAACHs/2lnukyjwx8U/s1600/068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SwnhE9r8iQw/T20aAwpTqeI/AAAAAAAACHs/2lnukyjwx8U/s320/068.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Lake George - on the way home. Dark clouds forming giving an eerie back drop to the Lake.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zsS1c0mlzxs/T20aDByCEaI/AAAAAAAACH0/k91DHOAO_GI/s1600/073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zsS1c0mlzxs/T20aDByCEaI/AAAAAAAACH0/k91DHOAO_GI/s320/073.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Heading home! </div>
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/120/DD18DFF5F1B0F5C22F9E63D639690845.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03354550357128384777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1276950196234099151.post-39103889495651621172012-02-25T12:07:00.001+11:002012-02-25T12:07:59.507+11:00purebloggers.com...?I've had a couple of emails from 'purebloggers.com' of late, luckily they've been relegated to my 'junk email' folder, so it gave me pause to think and investigate.<br />
<br />
It looked legit but you know how wary you have to be, so I did a search and wasn't really able to find anything.<br />
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My stats show in the last week there has been 5 referrals under 'traffic sources' from this site, and 6 in the month. It appears to have ramped up in the last 7 days. </div>
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<br /></div>
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The email comes from purebloggerss@gmail.com (with a double 's') and it looks like this: </div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-54KxmTxY8O4/T0gyqWo8LuI/AAAAAAAACGI/1YO9Qot3WNc/s1600/Slide1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-54KxmTxY8O4/T0gyqWo8LuI/AAAAAAAACGI/1YO9Qot3WNc/s640/Slide1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
If anyone has any other information on this please let others know, just in case. You can never be too careful in this environment.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/120/DD18DFF5F1B0F5C22F9E63D639690845.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03354550357128384777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1276950196234099151.post-79684764313500177112012-02-20T12:29:00.000+11:002012-02-20T12:29:48.438+11:00Blogging Your Way in Australia?? What do you think?Were you a part of the 'Blogging Your Way' experience with Holly Becker from '<a href="http://decor8blog.com/" target="_blank">decor8</a>'?<br />
<br />
Would you be interested in Holly and Leslie Shewring ('<a href="http://acreativemint.typepad.com/" target="_blank">a creative mint</a>') coming to Australia?<br />
<br />
If so, there's a couple of polls happening on the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/groups/BloggingYourWay/" target="_blank">BYW Facebook Page</a>. If you are interested, why not vote!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Wg4vLZk7i8A/T0GgmSWev5I/AAAAAAAACFQ/28iphUHXM34/s1600/BYW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Wg4vLZk7i8A/T0GgmSWev5I/AAAAAAAACFQ/28iphUHXM34/s320/BYW.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/120/DD18DFF5F1B0F5C22F9E63D639690845.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03354550357128384777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1276950196234099151.post-11997282441893418562012-02-17T12:20:00.003+11:002012-02-17T12:22:16.125+11:00More fabric designs on SpoonflowerI've been slowly gaining momentum with my designs and have accumulated quite a library of fabrics now.<br />
<br />
I'm still using <a href="http://www.spoonflower.com/profiles/designed_to_a_t?filter_action=collection&info_action=&nav_action=all&shop_selection=all_collection&sub_action=new_profile">Spoonflower</a>, but have contacted a couple of businesses here in Australia, one in Sydney and one in Melbourne. Samples of my most recent Spoonflower upload, some 30+ designs, are currently winging their way to me via Fedex. Once I've had an opportunity to check the colours, they will be available for sale.<br />
<br />
Spoonflower offer a good service, with a few shortfalls e.g. colour matching not always quite hitting the mark, and one great advantage - you can sell your own fabrics through them and don't have to have an amount of stock held on your own premises. They will print as required. Being in the US though, it means paying overseas postage costs and time frame for delivery depends on how much you are willing to pay for freight to bring the delivery time down. Hence looking for somewhere local.<br />
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My plan still is to have the designs under the 'designed to a T' name, with the home wares/soft furnishings being sold under the 'jane on jane st' name.<br />
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If I decide to go ahead with an Australian printer and on sell fabric lengths myself, this will mean having to find room to store bolts of fabric, but will offer lower freight costs to my customers. I would also miss out on a potentially bigger market by not having the Spoonflower marketplace offering my fabrics for sale.
So there are still many things to think about in this fledgling venture.<br />
<br />
Here's a sneak peek at some of the designs.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lSUNoBOCxHc/Tz2nV_g-7zI/AAAAAAAACEQ/hZg8I_Qf1Hw/s1600/Classics+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lSUNoBOCxHc/Tz2nV_g-7zI/AAAAAAAACEQ/hZg8I_Qf1Hw/s320/Classics+collage.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Utcue_-E9ic/Tz2nmCm1wII/AAAAAAAACEY/54TmFS2vNYA/s1600/Coral+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Utcue_-E9ic/Tz2nmCm1wII/AAAAAAAACEY/54TmFS2vNYA/s200/Coral+collage.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--2XTmALOTkg/Tz2n1K9ABnI/AAAAAAAACEo/ydCgSdytT50/s1600/Gold+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--2XTmALOTkg/Tz2n1K9ABnI/AAAAAAAACEo/ydCgSdytT50/s200/Gold+collage.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t20TDVdbbe4/Tz2noMRSU9I/AAAAAAAACEg/CNnVkyIW96w/s1600/exclamation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t20TDVdbbe4/Tz2noMRSU9I/AAAAAAAACEg/CNnVkyIW96w/s320/exclamation.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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'Exclamation!' (above) - I'm still doing the rest of the complimentary fabric designs/story for this one. 'Candy Stripe' and 'Starry Night' are complimentary stories also.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x2-M37PTxCI/Tz2oKGORMJI/AAAAAAAACEw/_pzUtXwytpg/s1600/Starry+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x2-M37PTxCI/Tz2oKGORMJI/AAAAAAAACEw/_pzUtXwytpg/s200/Starry+collage.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l0ANRDtUiEg/Tz2m-YgugOI/AAAAAAAACEI/Iit-0qZFLwU/s1600/Candy+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l0ANRDtUiEg/Tz2m-YgugOI/AAAAAAAACEI/Iit-0qZFLwU/s200/Candy+collage.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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<span style="color: black;">Tulips and Diamonds (below) is already for sale along with some other designs from last year. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"> </span>
<img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6iTZixh2qoE/Tz2o0iCRQ1I/AAAAAAAACE4/ufGvwaiRoz8/s320/Tulips+and+Diamonds.jpg" width="320" /></div>
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/120/DD18DFF5F1B0F5C22F9E63D639690845.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03354550357128384777noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1276950196234099151.post-7043575194955365602012-02-05T17:12:00.000+11:002012-02-05T17:12:55.848+11:00Motivation, now where did I put that....I seem to remember seeing it...Ah, that's right, there it is!<br />
<br />
It seems to have taken me ages to find my friend<i> <b>motivation</b></i>. For posting on the blog anyway.<br />
<br />
I don't really know what happened to it. All motivation to blog just up and left me...without even saying good-bye. Ever felt like that?<br />
<br />
It wasn't 'writer's block' as I <b>have</b> been doing things, even though I haven't been blogging about them.<br />
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I've baked some delicious individual Sticky Date Puddings and Caramel Sauce, for a recipe spot on Julie Gibbons' <a href="http://tractorgirl.com.au/" target="_blank">Tractor Girl blog</a>. The recipe is on my <a href="http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.346527595371604.90748.190284144329284&type=1" target="_blank">Facebook page</a> if you want to give it a go. It is such an easy one and so yummy. They are even great as muffins for lunches the next day, if they last that long.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8p-SJMqr6p4/TyzPIPxko4I/AAAAAAAACAQ/HfezRwPQ3p0/s1600/045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8p-SJMqr6p4/TyzPIPxko4I/AAAAAAAACAQ/HfezRwPQ3p0/s200/045.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q6e-1VXlc2U/TyzO48kJR6I/AAAAAAAACAI/SUnQOALI3E0/s1600/034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q6e-1VXlc2U/TyzO48kJR6I/AAAAAAAACAI/SUnQOALI3E0/s200/034.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fjFKlDqmDZE/TyzPaZqQDTI/AAAAAAAACAY/RkbNOeS7hrw/s1600/041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fjFKlDqmDZE/TyzPaZqQDTI/AAAAAAAACAY/RkbNOeS7hrw/s200/041.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
At the sewing machine, this cute little outfit became reality, after much procrastination. That motivation thing again, it went missing again for a while, around the time I was trying to get this finished.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ypSX-vFTTKg/TyzoN7aoBJI/AAAAAAAACCY/vmuNqGRt0rc/s1600/Camera1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ypSX-vFTTKg/TyzoN7aoBJI/AAAAAAAACCY/vmuNqGRt0rc/s640/Camera1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Some new patterns are uploaded on my <a href="http://www.spoonflower.com/profiles/designed_to_a_t?filter_action=freshtastic&info_action=&nav_action=all&shop_selection=all_freshtastic&sub_action=new_freshtastic" target="_blank">Spoonflower account</a>. I've ordered samples of a few of my recent patterns and hopefully they will arrive this week.<br />
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<a href="http://frankieandswiss.com.au/" target="_blank">Frankie & Swiss</a> are a Melbourne outfit who do the same as Spoonflower, digitally print fabrics in both large and small runs. Which is fantastic for fledgling surface designers like me. Michelle has been really helpful, but I'm yet to order a sample from her. I'll wait until the Spoonflower samples arrive, as she suggested sending a cutting would give her an idea of what I am trying to achieve in colourways for the fabrics.<br />
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Plenty of time has been spent on Illustrator making patterns as things come to mind, but I'm planning on doing complimentary patterns for some of them. Mainly with the patterns I would like to use as fabrics for my 'jane on jane st' products.<br />
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Here's one I'm pretty happy with. I call it 'Flare'. The pattern on the right is a basic repeat of the motif. I was thinking there could possibly be a couple of complimentary patterns from this, as each of the elements, or a combination of a couple, would easily create some contrast and interest.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PYi_41BnU0o/Ty39sFL1GzI/AAAAAAAACCw/DuUV722qffM/s1600/Flare+single+proof.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PYi_41BnU0o/Ty39sFL1GzI/AAAAAAAACCw/DuUV722qffM/s200/Flare+single+proof.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kVkWciJpNB4/Ty39m5fs2_I/AAAAAAAACCo/3W04tmhJuyI/s1600/Flare+proof.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kVkWciJpNB4/Ty39m5fs2_I/AAAAAAAACCo/3W04tmhJuyI/s200/Flare+proof.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>My 'Diamonds and Pearls' pattern has been around for a while now. In fact it's now my blog header. I revamped the blog quite a few months ago, while I was trying to figure out how to do a repeat of the 'Diamond' pattern for a complimentary fabric. I still don't quite have the repeat figured out, it's a bit tricky but I'm nearly there with it. It's been very much trial and error, so I'll see if it works.<br />
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The 'Chevron' pattern that is part of this story is loaded in my account on Spoonflower. There is another pattern that goes with this, but it's not finished yet. The purple is more prominent in the 4th one of this story, unlike the 'Pearls' pattern below, where the brown charcoal colour stands out.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">"Chevron" "Pearls" "Diamonds" </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GH2iaGHVb64/Ty396OW4TpI/AAAAAAAACC4/8muqrRN0S8I/s1600/chevron+aqua.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GH2iaGHVb64/Ty396OW4TpI/AAAAAAAACC4/8muqrRN0S8I/s200/chevron+aqua.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zOcjRdRYD94/Ty3-JR7avcI/AAAAAAAACDA/mfdQSc8IpV4/s1600/diamond+chevron+aqua.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zOcjRdRYD94/Ty3-JR7avcI/AAAAAAAACDA/mfdQSc8IpV4/s200/diamond+chevron+aqua.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kOcIlwP2RBg/Ty3-aSQ7L0I/AAAAAAAACDI/1zAwhzMESDU/s1600/Pearls+olive+aqua.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kOcIlwP2RBg/Ty3-aSQ7L0I/AAAAAAAACDI/1zAwhzMESDU/s200/Pearls+olive+aqua.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
The screenprinting gear came out again about a month ago. I tested three new prints, and here are two of them, 'Eat' and 'Mid-north Beaches' scroll.<br />
<span id="goog_1373094385"></span><span id="goog_1373094386"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DvKbvSf65Kg/Ty4Ig9qdyJI/AAAAAAAACDY/qBDiRQuUfG4/s1600/DSCF2721.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DvKbvSf65Kg/Ty4Ig9qdyJI/AAAAAAAACDY/qBDiRQuUfG4/s400/DSCF2721.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yJnVnqPG1-M/Ty4FYXENxsI/AAAAAAAACDQ/0CyfUc8oC8o/s1600/DSCF2716.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yJnVnqPG1-M/Ty4FYXENxsI/AAAAAAAACDQ/0CyfUc8oC8o/s400/DSCF2716.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Keep your eye out for the Giveaway I'm planning. It has something to do with the 'Eat' print. My blog was 2 years old on January 24th, so it might just be something to celebrate. <br />
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The tote bags are test samples. My idea was to test the prints, then line the bags with contrasting fabrics. They are all earmarked for 'giving' away, but the next batch will become part of the product line on my 'Made it' store. I've closed all the items on the store for the moment, as I am in the process of getting quotes for labels and swing tags.<br />
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They will all have, what now seems to be, the trademark aqua colour for 'designed to a T' and 'jane on jane st'. Here's a sneak peek.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ffsbEckdMAg/Ty4WMNWElDI/AAAAAAAACDw/vQkKbC8WOV4/s1600/jane+Label.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ffsbEckdMAg/Ty4WMNWElDI/AAAAAAAACDw/vQkKbC8WOV4/s200/jane+Label.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pLkUuEYV_7o/Ty4WGBSbldI/AAAAAAAACDg/RyIIh-zOrbQ/s1600/designed+Label.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pLkUuEYV_7o/Ty4WGBSbldI/AAAAAAAACDg/RyIIh-zOrbQ/s200/designed+Label.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y-G-Pa3u8Uc/Ty4WIk-u7CI/AAAAAAAACDo/_rXeC52G4qY/s1600/designed+Tag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="100" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y-G-Pa3u8Uc/Ty4WIk-u7CI/AAAAAAAACDo/_rXeC52G4qY/s200/designed+Tag.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4x9WD39KSqw/Ty4WSJt8NtI/AAAAAAAACD4/m_ZIQbwzk5w/s1600/jane+tag+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4x9WD39KSqw/Ty4WSJt8NtI/AAAAAAAACD4/m_ZIQbwzk5w/s200/jane+tag+2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Very plain and simple styles was all I was after. The 'jane' tag matches the blog page.<br />
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The screenprints were very pleasing in the end, so permanent screens are next on the list. At the moment, I'm still testing all my designs by preparing the print with a sun exposed screen. A very satisfying process, but the screens don't last very long without the emulsion being 'set' so you are able to use it over and over again.<br />
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Interestingly, the young lady who taught me how to do sun exposure is the daughter of a printer who worked for the famous Florence Broadhurst. So screenprinting has been in her blood from a young age. Her business commercially prepares screens for large and small business.<br />
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So, after all that, the motivation to write about what I've been doing certainly had left me, but I've kept busy. Holidays are coming up soon, with some relaxation in the garden and at the beach (if the weather holds up).<br />
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The Giveaway will be up on the blog later in the month, so keep watching here, on my <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/designedtoat" target="_blank">Twitter</a> account, and on my <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/designed-to-a-T/190284144329284?ref=tn_tnmn" target="_blank">Facebook page</a> for how to enter.<br />
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Have a great week everyone!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/120/DD18DFF5F1B0F5C22F9E63D639690845.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03354550357128384777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1276950196234099151.post-37944608722099902312011-12-17T12:00:00.000+11:002011-12-17T12:00:25.336+11:00The White Shed - Online...<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thewhiteshed.com.au/" target="_blank"><img alt="The White Shed" src="http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd432/LullilooDesigns/White%20Shed%20Images/Button-2.gif" /></a></div><br />
For those of you who haven't visited Letitia Linke's 'The White Shed', you should '<a href="http://www.thewhiteshed.com.au/" target="_blank">click</a>' on over to view the beautiful range of homewares, furniture and other goodies.<br />
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Letitia has just announced her store will go solely online in 2012. There is currently a 'shed', and an online store. I'd love to have a shed like her's!<br />
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I've only bought a Butler's Table from Letitia, but there are many other items I am coveting for when the renovation starts.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-li0ELgByrsw/Tuvok6uxKhI/AAAAAAAACAA/LOONxmpwy2Q/s1600/Butlers+Table.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-li0ELgByrsw/Tuvok6uxKhI/AAAAAAAACAA/LOONxmpwy2Q/s320/Butlers+Table.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
Letitia's service is second to none and she is very gracious with her time. She returned emails promptly with answers to my questions and sent a reminder email when the tables where in stock, so I could complete my online order.<br />
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The parcel arrived in record time and at minimal cost for the size of the item. Thanks Letitia and good luck with the change in your business and family life. I know this will give you more time to spend with the family.<br />
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All the best to you for The White Shed in 2012!<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/120/DD18DFF5F1B0F5C22F9E63D639690845.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03354550357128384777noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1276950196234099151.post-37237555237614740942011-12-15T19:30:00.001+11:002011-12-15T19:30:01.448+11:00Lights, Camera, Action...Brendon has been writing a short film for a little while now. Refining the scenes, the dialogue, the direction.<br />
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It's all coming together.<br />
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He recently took advantage of some time off, and drove to the house at Pacific Palms to do some test shots and to determine lighting requirements. His friend Tass came with him, so it was also a bit of a break for him, and a chance for Tass to see Forster, Seal Rocks and a few other sights in the area. It was lovely to finally meet him. Brendon and Tass have been friends for years but I've never actually met him. I fell like I've known him for all that time anyway.<br />
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The two of them are off on a trek in Nepal sometime in the next year or so, and have been 'training' for more than 12 months now. They can only do so much in the fitness area, it's a bit difficult to train for the altitude though.<br />
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Brendon felt the test shots went well and even though we had organized extra lighting for him, it wasn't needed.<br />
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The plan now is to put the shots together in a B&W trailer, just to see how it all looks. If it's a success, I suppose I'll have to try and organize hair and makeup trailers for when the 'artists' arrive for the shooting schedule. Oh and the catering truck, Director's chair (no, have one of those), costume department....<br />
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Anyone know if Ashton Kutcher has to get rid of his trailer in the settlement?? From what I've heard, the size of it could cater for everything we'd need!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FqbmdNj7JMU/TuawPPiGX0I/AAAAAAAAB_4/BCYd2S2I3Zg/s1600/Film+Shoot+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FqbmdNj7JMU/TuawPPiGX0I/AAAAAAAAB_4/BCYd2S2I3Zg/s400/Film+Shoot+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/120/DD18DFF5F1B0F5C22F9E63D639690845.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03354550357128384777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1276950196234099151.post-25318818865031526522011-12-14T19:30:00.002+11:002011-12-14T19:30:05.266+11:00Some colour to brighten the day...For no particular reason, except that I loved the colours together, I bought these gorgeous Gerberas at Woolworths a few weeks ago.<br />
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They looked so refreshingly colourful, I grabbed my little point and shoot to capture them.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aZevmYxLs6g/TuadADn2yzI/AAAAAAAAB-g/ihVEydGG_Go/s1600/Gerbera+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aZevmYxLs6g/TuadADn2yzI/AAAAAAAAB-g/ihVEydGG_Go/s320/Gerbera+collage.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mlm-zEfmKu8/TuadF8hTZvI/AAAAAAAAB-o/vqnesjm1LRo/s1600/Gerberas+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mlm-zEfmKu8/TuadF8hTZvI/AAAAAAAAB-o/vqnesjm1LRo/s320/Gerberas+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/120/DD18DFF5F1B0F5C22F9E63D639690845.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03354550357128384777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1276950196234099151.post-68786426601628638962011-12-13T19:30:00.002+11:002011-12-13T19:30:02.438+11:00I'm so proud!......of both of my sons!<br />
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You all should have heard me gushing about the birth of my beautiful grandson, Archie Michael, to my youngest son Darren and his lovely partner, Natalie. If not, you can read about the event <a href="http://designed-to-a-t.blogspot.com/2011/11/hes-arrived.html">here</a>. <br />
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Well I thought I'd also gush about how proud I am of my eldest son Brendon and the photography work he does. And that he recently received recognition with a promotion! We are all so happy for him being promoted to Production Manager where he works.<br />
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Brendon and his girlfriend Sarah visited Darren, Natalie and Archie a few weeks after the birth and, of course, took some photos.<br />
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Birth announcement cards had been discussed and investigated, with Darren and Nat deciding on a company to go with. Brendon was talking to them about it and offered to do the cards for them.<br />
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Here is the result...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lFVCVJKbcCo/TuaUNfuvajI/AAAAAAAAB-Y/u3RF75MiyBc/s1600/Card1B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lFVCVJKbcCo/TuaUNfuvajI/AAAAAAAAB-Y/u3RF75MiyBc/s400/Card1B.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Isn't it beautiful! You can all see why I'm so proud, can't you?! Little Archie captured so perfectly!<br />
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If you are in the Brisbane area and looking for a photographer (shameless promotion here!), please check out Brendon's website and blog <a href="http://www.brendongrove.com/">here</a>. He'd be only to happy to come and meet with you to discuss your event and give you a quote.<br />
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<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/120/DD18DFF5F1B0F5C22F9E63D639690845.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03354550357128384777noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1276950196234099151.post-7142377784478172622011-11-13T15:18:00.146+11:002011-11-28T12:40:16.995+11:00Weekend thoughts...'Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus'<span style="font-size: small;">I wrote this post </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> and published it </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">a little while ago. Some of you may have read it. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">My decision to remove it for a period was based on something personal that happened a few days after writing it. I did not remove it because I felt I had said anything wrong. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Something happened that made me want to give myself some time to re-read it and make sure I had written what I actually meant.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">In this post there is reference to 'suffering through' the Christmas season. It's a fact of life that some people do. Christmas for some people can be a lonely time, even if you are with other family or friends.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">I'm one of those people and this explanation, and the post, is another piece of me that you wouldn't normally see on my blog. I've only ever written about personal feelings a couple of times here.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">I love the Christmas spirit of love and giving, and decorating the home and table. I even go as far each year to have a theme for my wrapping under the tree. That all goes a bit pear shaped when the other gifts are piled up under the tree when the family arrives. All in different colours to my theme!!! </span><span style="font-size: small;">NOT an OCD moment...I think...not sure. Anyway I digress. LOL</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">I just don't have any connection to the lead up to Christmas because most years I don't have my immediate family with me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">I have a broken marriage, fact. I still find it very hard to let go of some things from that time, even though it's been a while now. But I have to let go, I know I do, for my own peace of mind. It's important to take into consideration that he and I are completely different people, we think and feel differently and put our priorities in a different order. I have to make that not bother me any more. It's very hard to do that, when sometimes you hear in your head, 'Did any of it mean anything?'</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Sorry, rambling here! I'll stop now.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Suffice to say, in this post I mentioned briefly that I have set myself the task of getting over things related to my mindset of the breakup and the subsequent years.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">I've done really well in the career department all these years, but still find the emotional part of me needs some soothing. It's tough when you'd been with that person since you were 17 years old. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Brendon, my eldest son, was recently here for a couple of days and showed me his first tattoo, an anatomical depiction of the heart. When I asked him what it meant to him, he said it's because he wears his heart on his sleeve. He does... and so do I. My heart is too open to being hurt or broken. It's interesting that both my sons have selected tattoos that are true to their characters. Darren has a large tree on his right side, from under his arm to his hip. When I asked him what it meant, he said, strength, endurance, dependable. We all wear our hearts on our sleeves though!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">I've re-read the original post and I'm happy that I expressed what I was feeling at the time. Some of it is no reflection on anyone else but me, how I feel and what I think about (or actually dwell on sometimes, which is not good).</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Christmas for me is a period of getting by until it's over. For those of you who read my blog, thank you for 'listening' and here is the original post.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Merry Christmas to you and your families, sincerely!</span> <br />
<a href="http://www.lettersofnote.com/2009/12/yes-virginia-there-is-santa-claus.html"><span style="font-size: large;">Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus...</span></a><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kxuYN_zPbjk/Tr9BsFFSCCI/AAAAAAAAB9w/tiI3hyDGyWU/s1600/yes+virginia.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kxuYN_zPbjk/Tr9BsFFSCCI/AAAAAAAAB9w/tiI3hyDGyWU/s400/yes+virginia.png" width="83" /></a>'... He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus! It would be as dreary as if there were no Virginias. There would be no child-like faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.' <br />
</span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">{excerpt from the letter Virginia O'Hanlan wrote to the Editor of New York's 'The Sun' newspaper in 1897} </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">It's been ages since I wrote a 'Weekend Thoughts' post, life has been so busy. <br />
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Where did the year go!<br />
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Over the last few days I've been catching up on my blog reading and 'revitalizing' my own blog. During my travels through blogland, I've noticed references to Christmas popping up. In fact, I've even started wishing blog authors Merry Christmas in my comments! Mainly because we are getting to the pointy end of the 'silly season' and I'm not sure if I'm going to get back to those authors to pass on my wishes closer to the Christmas event.<br />
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It gave me pause for thought about how we each think about, feel, suffer (yes 'suffer'...some of us do), enjoy, celebrate, worship, look forward to, dread the clean up (!)...of Christmas.<br />
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Which is the reason I come back to the letter from 8 year old Virginia all those years ago.<br />
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Even if there isn't a Santa Claus, and I'm not saying there is or isn't...how long before Christmas becomes, or became a frenzy, in your family? And I mean, the fun went out of it and it ended up being a mad rush to have everything organized, to select that perfect gift for that particular person..so on and so on!<br />
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It's hard to explain to littlies why there are SO many Santa's? When will my new baby grandson, Archie start to realize where his gifts actually come from. Will he be younger than Virginia's 8 years?<br />
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I ask these questions because I'm sure you've all noticed HOW MUCH EARLIER we see the 'gift giving seasons' become visible in the shops. Surely this gives it away!<br />
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We see Christmas decorations and 'Christmas Shops' in department stores popping up in October!!! We have no sooner finished with Christmas and the Easter season is upon us.<br />
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It's this sort of commercial trade that will have our babies wondering 'Is there a Santa or an Easter Bunny', earlier than we'd like.<br />
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You know what though, no matter whether they believe or not, it is still such a joy to see the look on their faces on Christmas morning.<br />
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Now I know some of you out there, like me, find the holiday season tough to get through, without family around, or from circumstances that have happened throughout the year, beyond any one's control, but being able to wake up on Christmas morning to the sounds of squeals of delight (not too early I hope), is something I'm hoping to have a lot of with little Archie (and whoever else comes along in the years to come).<br />
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I haven't had Christmas with one or both of my boys for three years and Christmas is something I dread most years, because of the distances between us. I miss them so much, they are so far away. One of those circumstances beyond any one's control.<br />
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Good news, <a href="http://www.brendongrove.com/">Brendon</a>, is coming to Sydney for Christmas. Only for a couple of days though. Perhaps we can do something, just the 2 of us. I've got my thinking cap on. Maybe the Harry Potter exhibition.<br />
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Darren, Natalie and Archie are staying in Mackay for Christmas, and it looks like the boy's Dad (my ex) is going to spend a couple of days with them. He hasn't seen Archie yet, and even though it's another year where he's been able to see Darren for Christmas and I won't, I have to find a piece of my heart that will wish him joy when he finally meets his grandson (yes, you can read disappointment in my tone, not a good breakup, so yes, I sometimes find it hard to let go).<br />
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I still have family to celebrate Christmas with each year, but it isn't one of my favourite times of the year. I prefer birthdays. Brendon is 30 in March and I'm looking forward to that. As it just so happens I have a month off, with his birthday right in the middle of my annual leave. And my niece is 21 at the end of February!<br />
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I'm so looking forward to Christmas mornings with Archie (and brothers or sisters, cousins). It's going to be rare but cherished as we are all over the place. Darren - Mackay, Brendon - Brisbane, their Dad - Bundaberg, me - Sydney, Natalie's family - Parkes, Sarah's family - Toowoomba (Brendon's girlfriend).<br />
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Both the girl's parents are the loveliest people and I get on quite well with them. It may just be that some years we'll have a combined Christmas here in NSW or in QLD. Or maybe someone has Christmas Day and the others have Boxing Day, who knows. Consultation on who goes where for Christmas, from now on, is probably going to be a tricky conversation, with someone feeling left out somewhere along the line each year. But that's how it is.<br />
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Thank goodness for Skype!<br />
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Merry Christmas everyone if I don't get to stop by and comment or pass on my holiday wishes. I hope it is all you want it to be.<br />
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One last indulgence, another photo of Archie, taken by Brendon last weekend when he visited Mackay to meet his little nephew.</span><br />
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</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DKc_u4ZQuJY/Tr9Dqv3WwfI/AAAAAAAAB94/XmH_E6sN2rM/s1600/archie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DKc_u4ZQuJY/Tr9Dqv3WwfI/AAAAAAAAB94/XmH_E6sN2rM/s400/archie.jpg" width="266" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.brendongrove.com/"><span style="font-size: x-small;">{Image: brendongrove.com}</span></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/120/DD18DFF5F1B0F5C22F9E63D639690845.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03354550357128384777noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1276950196234099151.post-85316248381847825982011-11-12T17:19:00.000+11:002011-11-12T17:19:20.799+11:00'jane on jane st' - getting back in to gear!<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I've been so slack with posts on my other blog 'jane on jane st'. But to be honest, I haven't been doing much towards what I originally set it up for.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The idea was to complete fabric designs through the name 'designed to a T' and make the fabrics into handmade products for sale under the name 'jane on jane st' homewares.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I need to get back on track! Starting <a href="http://jane-st.blogspot.com/2011/11/time-to-get-back-in-to-gear.html">here</a>! I'm also on the hunt for a semi-industrial sewing machine! This is all about the lead up to my 2013 deadline of decisions decisions....</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Head on over to '</span><a href="http://jane-st.blogspot.com/" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">jane on jane st</a><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">', if you are interested, to hear my musings...oh and here are some hints for you... </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x-TX830ch_o/Tr4NKMdf3DI/AAAAAAAAB4w/HXObEpPVkRY/s1600/DSCF2626.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x-TX830ch_o/Tr4NKMdf3DI/AAAAAAAAB4w/HXObEpPVkRY/s320/DSCF2626.JPG" width="254" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IhIUnOTvr4s/Tr4NPvgZs1I/AAAAAAAAB44/ZOua1pI_cYs/s1600/DSCF2625.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IhIUnOTvr4s/Tr4NPvgZs1I/AAAAAAAAB44/ZOua1pI_cYs/s320/DSCF2625.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LxlA1LVOac4/Tr4NWNkfbWI/AAAAAAAAB5A/P3F-oHTFyb0/s1600/DSCF2636.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LxlA1LVOac4/Tr4NWNkfbWI/AAAAAAAAB5A/P3F-oHTFyb0/s320/DSCF2636.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5i8MYnxYBWM/Tr4NcPfv_wI/AAAAAAAAB5I/_nccDtIuFHI/s1600/DSCF2635.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5i8MYnxYBWM/Tr4NcPfv_wI/AAAAAAAAB5I/_nccDtIuFHI/s320/DSCF2635.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/120/DD18DFF5F1B0F5C22F9E63D639690845.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03354550357128384777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1276950196234099151.post-68122181469285532772011-11-06T16:04:00.000+11:002011-11-06T16:04:58.078+11:00You know you live in paradise when.......you don't have to pay for a whale watch tour when you can see this from the local beach!!!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9mVYhpkY96s/TrYNkgiqj5I/AAAAAAAAB1s/eocOXHlGjyA/s1600/tail+slap+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9mVYhpkY96s/TrYNkgiqj5I/AAAAAAAAB1s/eocOXHlGjyA/s1600/tail+slap+3.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3wTh7xsvAmY/TrYNlVXO9KI/AAAAAAAAB10/6bO5WNB2SlI/s1600/tail+slap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3wTh7xsvAmY/TrYNlVXO9KI/AAAAAAAAB10/6bO5WNB2SlI/s1600/tail+slap.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9Jhd0tcRkCE/TrYNmECUqMI/AAAAAAAAB14/wbpXvuANMao/s1600/tail+slap+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9Jhd0tcRkCE/TrYNmECUqMI/AAAAAAAAB14/wbpXvuANMao/s1600/tail+slap+2.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">{Google images</span>}</div>I wish I'd had my phone or camera with me to take some photos, so I've searched for some on the internet to give you an idea of what we saw.<br />
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We were just sitting on the beach reading and enjoying the sun. Apart from the sound of the waves you could also hear a 'thump', quite regularly.<br />
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When we looked out past the breakers, there was 2 humpbacks tail slapping! This was the noise you could hear. The sound carried with the wind and you could hear the delayed 'thump' after we'd seen it happen. They were frolicking around and every now and then you'd see them 'blow'. We didn't see any breaching though.<br />
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They tail slapped for about 10 minutes, then moved on down a bit further, had a bit more of a play, then...no more. They were gone, on their way home down south, no doubt. We had a free 30 minute display in total. but it was hard to tell if it was mother and calf. They stayed in one area for quite a while, then disappeared and came up a little bit further down. Both tails were quite big, so it could have been 2 adults. And they were only tail slapping, so I'm not sure what this meant.<br />
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This is not the first time we've seen whales. We visited Seal Rocks when one of my sons was visiting a few years back, and saw them from the lighthouse lookout. Another time was at Crescent Head.<br />
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Here's a link to the <a href="http://g.co/maps/usmbs">Google map of Elizabeth Beach</a>. They were out in line with the furthest point on the right hand side of the beach.<br />
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Dolphins are a regular sight also in the area, surfing through the breakers. I haven't seen any for a while, and it is usually at my beach combing place, Seven Mile Beach that I've seen them surfing, like this.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3Y68V7Ot9Ss/TrYTgkQ4naI/AAAAAAAAB2E/b01VDfuBbic/s1600/dolphins+surfing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3Y68V7Ot9Ss/TrYTgkQ4naI/AAAAAAAAB2E/b01VDfuBbic/s1600/dolphins+surfing.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">{Google image}</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">I'm definitely going to make sure I have my camera with me next time I'm at the beach. It's around this time of the year we see a few whales on their way home. I will go armed and ready from now on...so hopefully next time I can show you the real thing and not Google images to help describe such an amazing sight.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Gotta love it!!!</span></span></div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/120/DD18DFF5F1B0F5C22F9E63D639690845.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03354550357128384777noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1276950196234099151.post-22433298354738359212011-11-05T18:07:00.000+11:002011-11-05T18:07:59.117+11:00The fun begins...<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">...with Christmas just around the corner!</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Now that my grandson has arrived...(you can read about the event <a href="http://designed-to-a-t.blogspot.com/2011/11/hes-arrived.html">here</a>), I'd better get started on Christmas presents for him so I can take them with me when I visit Mackay in a couple of weeks. That will be my time to spend a week with Mum, Dad (my son) and baby...all...by...myself!</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I probably should think about presents for his Mum and Dad too!</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I've got 3 of these little guys, all are the same, triplets...and will do a 3D artwork like the one I did for Sophia earlier in the year <a href="http://designed-to-a-t.blogspot.com/2011/04/my-creative-space-gift-for-sophia.html">here</a>.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5NFTbkWc_38/TrTbZyJTzuI/AAAAAAAAB08/dftS9SQtHTg/s1600/DSCF2618.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5NFTbkWc_38/TrTbZyJTzuI/AAAAAAAAB08/dftS9SQtHTg/s320/DSCF2618.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">After the workroom had a major cleanup this morning, I set to making Archie's Christmas stocking. I finished making the pattern and cutting it out last night, with the intention of starting on it first thing after breakfast this morning....didn't happen.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">My last visit to the holiday house, which is where I do the bulk of my projects, was 6 WEEKS AGO. I've been doing things in Sydney, went away for work to Orange, and had my trip to Mackay for Archie's birth.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Sooo.....my workroom and materials needed a bit of re-organization, to say the least! More to the point, I NEED MORE ROOM! But I suppose the more room you have, the more stuff you accumulate (i.e. materials and equipment...definitely not 'junk').</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Christmas Stocking finished...tick, a couple of tote bags unfinished, but hopefully finished by the end of tonight, another little dress and cap for Amelia for Christmas...on the agenda...maybe for next weekend when I come back to the house. I have a week in Port Macquarie before I head off to Mackay, so will spend two weekends in a row (this week and next week...very rare), then head off to Port from here. It's only an hour and a bit to drive there.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Here's Archie's Christmas Stocking hanging on the workroom door handle.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tPKy5pgA2aE/TrTbdfZAJcI/AAAAAAAAB1E/3KcWkojQ2uI/s1600/DSCF2611.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tPKy5pgA2aE/TrTbdfZAJcI/AAAAAAAAB1E/3KcWkojQ2uI/s320/DSCF2611.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eEWBa5fKYBA/TrTbgR3MS4I/AAAAAAAAB1M/GcyLq95W0CY/s1600/DSCF2612.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eEWBa5fKYBA/TrTbgR3MS4I/AAAAAAAAB1M/GcyLq95W0CY/s320/DSCF2612.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UBFnxzNbSF8/TrTbjbCkq8I/AAAAAAAAB1U/jfSd0EqXsGs/s1600/DSCF2614.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UBFnxzNbSF8/TrTbjbCkq8I/AAAAAAAAB1U/jfSd0EqXsGs/s320/DSCF2614.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RLtCMdTTtHw/TrTbmxfYVDI/AAAAAAAAB1c/YiWhtM-0-68/s1600/DSCF2615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RLtCMdTTtHw/TrTbmxfYVDI/AAAAAAAAB1c/YiWhtM-0-68/s320/DSCF2615.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B6GEzsRGJhg/TrTbsYbS6dI/AAAAAAAAB1k/BNRiTcUxO-g/s1600/DSCF2616.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B6GEzsRGJhg/TrTbsYbS6dI/AAAAAAAAB1k/BNRiTcUxO-g/s320/DSCF2616.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I'd like to refine the pattern a little...it's probably a bit too long and should be slightly wider I feel. It was a tad difficult to make sure the lining was sitting right, making it wider will probably help with that.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">A huge disclaimer on the embroidery sampler also...I am definitely NOT the needle work type o'gal!</div><br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/120/DD18DFF5F1B0F5C22F9E63D639690845.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03354550357128384777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1276950196234099151.post-34650061880560831892011-11-04T18:02:00.001+11:002011-11-05T09:37:37.362+11:00He's arrived!...A typical Grove boy! Late to arrive!<br />
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Like his father and uncle, my grandson, Archie Michael Grove finally arrived at 4.10pm Wednesday 26th October, 2011...about 13 days late. Depending on which date you believe.<br />
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All you Mum's out there probably know what I mean...there's the date from when you think you conceived and then there's the scan date. If we go by the scan, he was only 8 days late.<br />
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Still long enough for his Mum to send out the 'lease expiry' notice. Time to get out baby!<br />
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Well enough of that, I suppose you want to see photos...well here's a whole gallery for you all.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OK3gmwrR9Ls/TrOLxYwBevI/AAAAAAAAB00/VNrqS8Fh5Gc/s1600/Archie+on+his+birthday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OK3gmwrR9Ls/TrOLxYwBevI/AAAAAAAAB00/VNrqS8Fh5Gc/s320/Archie+on+his+birthday.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lDhj4lTgyAg/TrOLCPLgTnI/AAAAAAAABzc/XzB8JXLg6EY/s1600/DSCF2581.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lDhj4lTgyAg/TrOLCPLgTnI/AAAAAAAABzc/XzB8JXLg6EY/s320/DSCF2581.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g0m-GGu3ETA/TrOLwbv-IfI/AAAAAAAAB0s/_7GG8iYsqKE/s1600/DSCF2607.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zI0sadLWOWo/TrOLLFm5WpI/AAAAAAAABzk/pBzRaDl3KVQ/s1600/DSCF2577.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zI0sadLWOWo/TrOLLFm5WpI/AAAAAAAABzk/pBzRaDl3KVQ/s320/DSCF2577.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MzPSpjPpE5U/TrOLP6dnIwI/AAAAAAAABzs/Z4CWg46GlQs/s1600/DSCF2578.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MzPSpjPpE5U/TrOLP6dnIwI/AAAAAAAABzs/Z4CWg46GlQs/s320/DSCF2578.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZYcWV9cIKvU/TrOLThGJRnI/AAAAAAAABz0/WlOgIcSbJW4/s1600/DSCF2580.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZYcWV9cIKvU/TrOLThGJRnI/AAAAAAAABz0/WlOgIcSbJW4/s320/DSCF2580.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UVUnPLwLpcs/TrOLXIlOnqI/AAAAAAAABz8/KnqTEodi9OE/s1600/DSCF2584.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UVUnPLwLpcs/TrOLXIlOnqI/AAAAAAAABz8/KnqTEodi9OE/s320/DSCF2584.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0a2qgZjlTxM/TrOLbhHLrVI/AAAAAAAAB0E/UICdprTJROE/s1600/DSCF2594.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0a2qgZjlTxM/TrOLbhHLrVI/AAAAAAAAB0E/UICdprTJROE/s320/DSCF2594.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BdcNFSAaqLI/TrOLfyu7AXI/AAAAAAAAB0M/fQj-E0rVTSQ/s1600/DSCF2593.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BdcNFSAaqLI/TrOLfyu7AXI/AAAAAAAAB0M/fQj-E0rVTSQ/s320/DSCF2593.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GQ738goDFH0/TrOLjinlOJI/AAAAAAAAB0U/pB1vvRx21ro/s1600/DSCF2599.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GQ738goDFH0/TrOLjinlOJI/AAAAAAAAB0U/pB1vvRx21ro/s320/DSCF2599.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GWRcEZPaxw0/TrOLrs_KVQI/AAAAAAAAB0k/5Y5ECJU0dlI/s1600/DSCF2601.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GWRcEZPaxw0/TrOLrs_KVQI/AAAAAAAAB0k/5Y5ECJU0dlI/s320/DSCF2601.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>I'm biased because I'm his grandmother, but isn't he gorgeous!<br />
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<i>Sorry, I completely forgot the statistics...7lb 12 oz or 3.5 kgs, and 51.5 cms long</i>!!<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/120/DD18DFF5F1B0F5C22F9E63D639690845.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03354550357128384777noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1276950196234099151.post-85945175377449863882011-10-17T21:29:00.000+11:002011-10-17T21:29:23.419+11:00My, how time flies...My friend's little girl, <a href="http://designed-to-a-t.blogspot.com/2010/10/shes-arrived.html">Amelia</a> was one last week!!<br />
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Her birthday has crept up so quickly. I suppose I've been a bit pre-occupied with the arrival of Baby Grove. We are all still waiting for that to happen. His due date was last Thursday, October 13, but based on the scans it's closer to today or tomorrow.<br />
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Oh well...babies arrive when they want to!<br />
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Here's a few photos of Amelia and her Mum and Dad, yesterday at her party by the beach. It's a bit hard to see, but Kasia has dressed Amelia in the outfit I made for her including the cap I finished and took to the party.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bSWLP5b-oJg/Tpv_qwxSKII/AAAAAAAABvs/8vSTb2pVBH8/s1600/DSCF2567.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bSWLP5b-oJg/Tpv_qwxSKII/AAAAAAAABvs/8vSTb2pVBH8/s320/DSCF2567.JPG" width="211" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Kasia and Amelia</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-adXc94Brm2Y/Tpv_vXIkcfI/AAAAAAAABv0/WH5z_389O3k/s1600/DSCF2562.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-adXc94Brm2Y/Tpv_vXIkcfI/AAAAAAAABv0/WH5z_389O3k/s320/DSCF2562.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Kuba with Amelia and her birthday cake in the foreground.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e3nfCbaJFjk/Tpv_xEfPbpI/AAAAAAAABv8/i4tWF3917o0/s1600/DSCF2563.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e3nfCbaJFjk/Tpv_xEfPbpI/AAAAAAAABv8/i4tWF3917o0/s320/DSCF2563.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Mum, Dad and Amelia - she is such a happy baby!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0NOzg_F81mo/Tpv_05vNeiI/AAAAAAAABwE/uKGkNaAPw9o/s1600/DSCF2565.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="307" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0NOzg_F81mo/Tpv_05vNeiI/AAAAAAAABwE/uKGkNaAPw9o/s320/DSCF2565.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>It was a bit difficult to take a good photo of the cake. It was delicious. Kasia made a triple decker black forest cake with marinated sour cherries and cream filling.<br />
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Here are a couple of photos of the dress and cap, if you missed it in my last post.<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/120/DD18DFF5F1B0F5C22F9E63D639690845.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03354550357128384777noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1276950196234099151.post-27721217165090456612011-10-08T20:40:00.001+11:002011-10-09T10:23:19.170+11:00It really is Just Plain Gorgeous<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">So, I've been away again for work, hence my absence for a couple of weeks.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">This time I did a quick trip to Brisbane, and will be back there in about a fortnight. While I was there I spent some time at my son <a href="http://www.brendongrove.com/">Brendon</a>'s place in Bulimba.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">What a lovely suburb. I know there are a few bloggers who live in and around this area, and I can certainly see why. If I didn't live in Sydney, I'd probably find somewhere around Bulimba (or surrounding suburbs). </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I've been following Simone from <a href="http://beachvintage.blogspot.com/">Beach Vintage</a> blog for a while and had some time this trip, to visit 'Just Plain Gorgeous', the store owned by Simone and her sisters.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Being the fabric and trim addict that I am, I'd been looking at purchasing some bias from Simone's online shop. I'm always reluctant to by online, so decided to wait until the next time I was in Brisbane.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">A remnant caught my eye that matched absolutely perfectly with a couple of the trims I'd been coveting. It's in beautiful light blue and green. Haven't decided what to make with them yet, so off they go to the 'stash', at least until holidays in November. Or I may make a dress for my girlfriend's little girl who turns 1 this month.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fgDRLvxi63c/TpALq5c3_LI/AAAAAAAABvE/HFfwJEHEKWA/s1600/DSCF2546.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fgDRLvxi63c/TpALq5c3_LI/AAAAAAAABvE/HFfwJEHEKWA/s320/DSCF2546.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The blue with white spot bias was one of the trims on my radar, but when I saw the green pom pom trim, I simply couldn't resist. It goes so beautifully with the fabric remnant. I also bought a few mtrs of a pink and white stripe ribbon and a lovely small floral bias trim in dark blue and taupe on a white background (with a natural colour lace edge).</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">My Home Beautiful arrived in the mail this week and you'll never guess who they featured. Yep, Just Plain Gorgeous. Here's a quick look for you.</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pS-SGR1Tjno/TpANhoEB1yI/AAAAAAAABvU/weGE4QzHkaA/s1600/DSCF2550.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pS-SGR1Tjno/TpANhoEB1yI/AAAAAAAABvU/weGE4QzHkaA/s320/DSCF2550.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--4dEvzqo20c/TpANlTBQygI/AAAAAAAABvY/Tass1yAgd8Y/s1600/DSCF2551.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--4dEvzqo20c/TpANlTBQygI/AAAAAAAABvY/Tass1yAgd8Y/s320/DSCF2551.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">There's a bird cage I spotted in the store, while I was there. If it's still there when I head back soon, it's mine!!</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">If you get a chance, you should visit the store. It's at 162 Oxford Street Bulimba, QLD.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">~~oo~~</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Postscript to last night's post, I stayed up, quite late, and made a sweet little dress for <a href="http://designed-to-a-t.blogspot.com/2010/10/shes-arrived.html">Amelia's</a> 1st birthday. She's 1 on Tuesday October 11, and I'll be in Orange, so won't catch up with her (and her Mum Kate) until Friday next week.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I was really pleased with the final result. The first photo is closest to the actual colours, I had trouble with uploading the re-touched photos.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Hope she likes it!...T</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tMP3lVKjpeQ/TpDaPzLBPCI/AAAAAAAABvc/y7hzQecIqrk/s1600/DSCF2556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tMP3lVKjpeQ/TpDaPzLBPCI/AAAAAAAABvc/y7hzQecIqrk/s320/DSCF2556.JPG" width="202" /></a></div><br />
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</div></div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/120/DD18DFF5F1B0F5C22F9E63D639690845.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03354550357128384777noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1276950196234099151.post-7652192741470867432011-09-19T00:02:00.000+10:002011-11-29T13:02:55.985+11:00A thought for you...from the Garden<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">
The first day of spring is one thing, and the first spring day is another.</div>
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The difference between them is sometimes as great as a month. ~Henry Van Dyke </div>
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Wow, hasn't that been the case this year. Here we are, more than half way through September, and we finally have some gorgeous Spring weather.</div>
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I thought I'd take some time today to do some quick snaps of the garden to show you.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yjN5aihLFJk/TnW5ecyXckI/AAAAAAAABt8/hqGRFFLlTCQ/s1600/DSCF2522.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yjN5aihLFJk/TnW5ecyXckI/AAAAAAAABt8/hqGRFFLlTCQ/s200/DSCF2522.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IeF7UCiCY6A/TnW5aIE6YmI/AAAAAAAABt4/5pIipNKsU84/s1600/DSCF2521.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IeF7UCiCY6A/TnW5aIE6YmI/AAAAAAAABt4/5pIipNKsU84/s200/DSCF2521.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">My Bay tree is coming along fine. The herb garden isn't very big, so I'm trying to make it in to a topiary so I can under plant with something else.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eDaCZDm_CUM/TnW5kulzRwI/AAAAAAAABuA/t-0keekWdIA/s1600/DSCF2523.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eDaCZDm_CUM/TnW5kulzRwI/AAAAAAAABuA/t-0keekWdIA/s200/DSCF2523.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wf058E3werw/TnW5pZ06rhI/AAAAAAAABuE/mTwspzecsw8/s1600/DSCF2524.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wf058E3werw/TnW5pZ06rhI/AAAAAAAABuE/mTwspzecsw8/s200/DSCF2524.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MdxP2KxGRSc/TnW5SAlpkLI/AAAAAAAABt0/zjoU8hMGYp4/s1600/DSCF2538.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MdxP2KxGRSc/TnW5SAlpkLI/AAAAAAAABt0/zjoU8hMGYp4/s200/DSCF2538.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
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Both curly and flat leaf parsley always do well here and I use it so much in salads and cooking. I have so much though, maybe a salsa verde is on the cards.</div>
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The Schwarzkopf are stunning. These are a succulent and have many varieties. This variety is 'Aeonium Arborium' and is sometimes called 'Black tree'. It can get a bit spindly, but when the warmer weather arrives it has a growth spurt. The colour is remarkable and it always looks so 'glossy'. Beautiful!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KZv_HUlMSdE/TnW5vR32MBI/AAAAAAAABuI/mv-2VIQXml0/s1600/DSCF2526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KZv_HUlMSdE/TnW5vR32MBI/AAAAAAAABuI/mv-2VIQXml0/s320/DSCF2526.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">One of the azaleas is completely covered in blooms. The others have been spot flowering for a little while now and are looking a bit sad, but they usually have second flowering.</span><br />
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In the corner there is a weeping maple. The colours of the leaves go from red to purple to green. It's been there for about 10 years now and doesn't get much taller as it is a standard. Also, because it's a weeping maple all the new branches tend to grow up, then gradually weeps.</div>
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I wish I could remember what this succulent was. It wasn't looking too healthy a while ago, but like the Schwarzkopf it seems to have found new life.</div>
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The magnolia has grown so tall. A deciduous variety would have taken over the area. Although this variety is still magnificent, the flowers are a creamy white, but only last for a day or two.</div>
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Propagating plants has become a necessity at the moment as there is such a huge area to be planted at the holiday house. Where the new boardwalk is being built under the house, we will have to plant it out extensively to keep the dust and dirt down.</div>
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Out of the 3 Yukkas that were purchased about seven years ago, I think there has been up to 20 more that have been propagated from off cuts and from the trunk of the largest one recently taken out of the garden.</div>
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Time has not been kind to the Bonsai collection. Having plants like these takes such dedication and time and unfortunately, there is not a lot of either at the moment. It hasn't stopped the wisteria from flowering though. Treat 'em mean, keep 'em keen...maybe.</div>
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Thank goodness for some warm Spring days to be able to enjoy the garden.</div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/120/DD18DFF5F1B0F5C22F9E63D639690845.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03354550357128384777noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1276950196234099151.post-50992909017722838972011-09-11T11:34:00.000+10:002011-09-11T11:34:58.412+10:00A thought for you...<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: left;">
Lest we forget...</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5bCIVwvwCo8/TmwNzFd35yI/AAAAAAAABtU/14oucc6QRwA/s1600/911.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="172" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5bCIVwvwCo8/TmwNzFd35yI/AAAAAAAABtU/14oucc6QRwA/s320/911.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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{<span style="font-size: x-small;">Source: <a href="http://www.911memorial.org/">New York 9/11 Memorial</a></span>}</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oPReh_UkFrY/TmwPRuY-vRI/AAAAAAAABtY/o7yt3bdnD7Y/s1600/911+pentagon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oPReh_UkFrY/TmwPRuY-vRI/AAAAAAAABtY/o7yt3bdnD7Y/s320/911+pentagon.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> {Source: <a href="http://pentagonmemorial.org/">Pentagon 9/11 Memorial</a>}</span></div>
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Today is one of the day of days to remember those who have been lost.</div>
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Many nationalities suffered on this day.</div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/120/DD18DFF5F1B0F5C22F9E63D639690845.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a> </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03354550357128384777noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1276950196234099151.post-9745388341340630122011-08-28T15:48:00.002+10:002011-08-28T15:55:09.070+10:00Intermission...<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I've had a fairly disjointed intermission in my blogging lately.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Other things have been going on.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">About the only thing I've been blogging regularly, is my weekly 'A thought for you...'. This was a commitment I'd made to myself when I did the '<a href="http://decor8eclasses.com/">Blogging Your Way</a>' course, to make sure I posted once a week. I suppose because I'd made a conscious decision to do a weekly thought, at least for the moment, this was going to be my 'once a week' connection to blogland.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Life has gotten a bit disjointed also. I didn't have a lot to talk about and I was in so much pain. Work is busy, home isn't so much, so I've been taking it pretty easy. My grandson arrives in less than 2 months, so I wanted to feel stronger for when he arrives. It would kill me if I couldn't pick him up, or play with him, or even bend over to change a nappy...hmmm, maybe I'll leave that one for my son. After all, as a grandmother, I have the privilege of being able to play and hand back!!!</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">For the past 8 years I've had an extremely bad back. In recent times, as in the last 2 years, I've been seeing a physio most weeks and it's only been in the last 6 weeks that I truly feel close to normal. It gets you down, having pain every day and night.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">About 6 weeks ago, I couldn't stand the pain, but I had to keep plugging away. Panadol became my right hand (wo)man. It's not very strong compared to what I've used before, and I think some psychological factor takes over in your brain when it comes to masking pain, but it got me through. I had to ween myself off stronger tablets as they were making me sick, with the possibility of an ulcer forming.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Then all of a sudden, almost as if 6 weeks ago was like the peak of a tempest, the pain started to go. My back feels better with less (sometime no) pain, my left knee is getting better (still not very strong in the quads though) and my left hip is finally starting to hurt less and less. The pain in my knee and hip are a result of not being able to walk normally from the back pain, so other parts of your body take over.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I have a slight curve of the spine (scoliosis) and soft tissue injuries (muscle tears, weakened muscles). It's hard to remember what year it started, all I can see looking back, is a day in Big W with the boys, when they were much younger. I went to walk around the end of a fixture and 'BANG', something went in the left hand side of my back.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">And I mean 'BANG'. It actually made that noise, probably amplified in my mind. I couldn't stand up straight for about 3 weeks. I was in agony. My boss booked me in to an Osteopath, didn't work. I went to a physio, which got me back on track, but didn't really fix the problem or help me arrest any more damage.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">As the years went on, it happened time and time again. I was losing strength in my legs, my stomach muscles, my upper body, more and more, because I was too scared to do anything. Sport stopped, exercise stopped, I put on weight...so on and so on. It made me tired, being in pain, not sleeping, all the usual stuff, including tiredness from now living such a sedentary life. Doing nothing or not much at all makes you tired.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I wish I knew why all of a sudden my back feels so good, because I'd make sure I kept doing it!</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I'm ready to get back into walking. Spring is coming, so maybe a bit of swimming. I might even change my physio sessions to a Personal Trainer session every now and then.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Being in pain has made me lazy. I know that...I see it all the time. I can hear my mind saying, 'You really should dust/vacuum/wash/cook, you know...Yeah I know, but I'm not going to, I'd rather read my book!'</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I have been doing things, just not household things. Well...I do them, but not as much as I should.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">My extra curricular activities have been sewing, making handmade gifts, some fabric designs, some typography designs...I found Pinterest! Great because it has beautiful images, not so great because you can spend hours on it, but it's given me some inspiration, especially for the arrival of Baby Grove.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Let me show you what I've been doing in the meantime...</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hHu4ubZUv84/Tlm4Pr8WHxI/AAAAAAAABr4/29jwKxWHPUs/s1600/DSCF2416.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hHu4ubZUv84/Tlm4Pr8WHxI/AAAAAAAABr4/29jwKxWHPUs/s200/DSCF2416.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> Home Made Rice Pudding...Yummm</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UjTS1pbY0UY/Tlm4yky_qgI/AAAAAAAABsA/2z9Z3SuBUC8/s1600/designed+to+a+T.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UjTS1pbY0UY/Tlm4yky_qgI/AAAAAAAABsA/2z9Z3SuBUC8/s200/designed+to+a+T.jpg" width="155" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">A fabric block for my grandson...now has the letters 'B' 'A' 'B' 'Y' on four sides.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JoOBMBcwy5o/Tlm46fyW50I/AAAAAAAABsI/Rn73JHFaSmY/s1600/DSCF2453.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JoOBMBcwy5o/Tlm46fyW50I/AAAAAAAABsI/Rn73JHFaSmY/s200/DSCF2453.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">'A whale of a time' 3D artwork... to go on my 'Made It' store.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ipJXopF2ePQ/Tlm4lDIY8VI/AAAAAAAABr8/hO6gXp4_aAc/s1600/DSCF2461.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ipJXopF2ePQ/Tlm4lDIY8VI/AAAAAAAABr8/hO6gXp4_aAc/s200/DSCF2461.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ziDK2HE6Fok/Tlm492-dbjI/AAAAAAAABsM/A8u3kq41C7E/s1600/DSCF2456.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ziDK2HE6Fok/Tlm492-dbjI/AAAAAAAABsM/A8u3kq41C7E/s200/DSCF2456.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">'Don't wish to be anything except what you are!' posters<br />
...still testing colours. They will go on 'Made It' when I'm happy with them. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">Using these clipboards is a great idea to showcase your kid's artworks. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">From Officeworks for a few dollars!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3XUD1-AKXgs/Tlm5AT5uXdI/AAAAAAAABsQ/dg98mJOfkTw/s1600/DSCF2478.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3XUD1-AKXgs/Tlm5AT5uXdI/AAAAAAAABsQ/dg98mJOfkTw/s200/DSCF2478.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZLpjSNvMBTw/Tlm5EHzX-GI/AAAAAAAABsU/ox3kripvG4M/s1600/DSCF2475.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZLpjSNvMBTw/Tlm5EHzX-GI/AAAAAAAABsU/ox3kripvG4M/s200/DSCF2475.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iHA056c4f-w/Tlm7NYnurQI/AAAAAAAABtQ/qgkJLIJnKZA/s1600/DSCF2464.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iHA056c4f-w/Tlm7NYnurQI/AAAAAAAABtQ/qgkJLIJnKZA/s200/DSCF2464.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mxXCmhOE8b0/Tlm7I_Gdw_I/AAAAAAAABtM/x8T8iFLDI7s/s1600/DSCF2463.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mxXCmhOE8b0/Tlm7I_Gdw_I/AAAAAAAABtM/x8T8iFLDI7s/s200/DSCF2463.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GS0ZiMSVNbo/Tlm6lmJJp0I/AAAAAAAABtI/fJjG1-FA3SM/s1600/DSCF2479.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GS0ZiMSVNbo/Tlm6lmJJp0I/AAAAAAAABtI/fJjG1-FA3SM/s200/DSCF2479.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">I participated in a Mail Swap with Sheree from <a href="http://seaweedandraine.blogspot.com/2011/07/sunshine-in-mail-swap.html">Seaweed and Raine</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">These are what I made and sent to Greta from <a href="http://ontopofalilypad.blogspot.com/">On Top of a Lily Pad</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3G8ZsjkH3UQ/Tlm5MfLkobI/AAAAAAAABsc/fNJOuoTdXTg/s1600/DSCF2499.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3G8ZsjkH3UQ/Tlm5MfLkobI/AAAAAAAABsc/fNJOuoTdXTg/s200/DSCF2499.jpg" width="200" /> </a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yKOahXLDvzc/Tlm5ovs-tMI/AAAAAAAABs8/06D1fKM2kIg/s1600/DSCF2491.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yKOahXLDvzc/Tlm5ovs-tMI/AAAAAAAABs8/06D1fKM2kIg/s200/DSCF2491.jpg" width="200" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hPeW7b4MEBk/Tlm5sZ7UKCI/AAAAAAAABtA/EYA5S90zy2Q/s1600/DSCF2494.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hPeW7b4MEBk/Tlm5sZ7UKCI/AAAAAAAABtA/EYA5S90zy2Q/s200/DSCF2494.jpg" width="200" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4fnoPp3M5S0/Tlm5w_ONBvI/AAAAAAAABtE/PfAWo5wdE74/s1600/DSCF2497.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4fnoPp3M5S0/Tlm5w_ONBvI/AAAAAAAABtE/PfAWo5wdE74/s200/DSCF2497.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">Burlap/Hessian Bunting ready for my 'Made It' store.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NRH6eS2QpOk/Tlm5UsFLdnI/AAAAAAAABsk/Xt9HFtW3vkk/s1600/DSCF2485.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NRH6eS2QpOk/Tlm5UsFLdnI/AAAAAAAABsk/Xt9HFtW3vkk/s200/DSCF2485.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YfoFg8GgAp0/Tlm5X1IQ9_I/AAAAAAAABso/7HYMElf977U/s1600/DSCF2486.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YfoFg8GgAp0/Tlm5X1IQ9_I/AAAAAAAABso/7HYMElf977U/s200/DSCF2486.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bimIPhgexYM/Tlm5kkOhdXI/AAAAAAAABs4/oDAz5AIxHPQ/s1600/DSCF2490.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bimIPhgexYM/Tlm5kkOhdXI/AAAAAAAABs4/oDAz5AIxHPQ/s200/DSCF2490.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">Reversible Bunting, also ready for my 'Made It' store.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">I have a few others in the process of completion, just need to trim the tips, turn them out, iron them and attach the trim and ties. Oh...and I decided to make one for my room too.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: left;">My fabric designs are coming along, and I've found a Melbourne printer, to be launched in a few weeks time, who just might be a good substitute for what I've been having done by Spoonflower in the US. <a href="http://www.facebook.com/frankieandswiss">Frankie and Swiss</a> is the name of the company. Their website is still under construction, but they have a Facebook page, so check them out. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Love the name for their printer, Florence (the machine). Hmmm...wondering if it's any coincidence the name is similar to </span><a href="http://www.florenceandthemachine.net/index" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Florence AND The Machine</a><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">. Great band, fabulous voice!!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Thank you so much for letting me get that off my chest. I don't talk a lot about myself here, maybe I should. Treat it as my therapy...haha! I have always wanted 'designed to a T' blog to be a positive space for me, so the little intermission has given me some space to find something to talk about. Something positive. I didn't want to be sounding defeated, or a whinger, which I know I do, whinge that is, or have done, because quite frankly, I haven't been well. Not 'sick' in the sense of the word, but generally not well.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Anyway, onward and upward as they say. October here I come, welcoming a new life into the world with the arrival of Baby Grove!</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/120/DD18DFF5F1B0F5C22F9E63D639690845.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03354550357128384777noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1276950196234099151.post-78777208834177100322011-08-27T18:04:00.000+10:002011-08-27T18:04:21.519+10:00A thought for you...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e30Bh8jxITw/Tlikpde1OSI/AAAAAAAABrk/nkxw6_ris0I/s1600/cappuccino.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e30Bh8jxITw/Tlikpde1OSI/AAAAAAAABrk/nkxw6_ris0I/s320/cappuccino.jpg" width="226" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Image: Terese Grove</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">ENJOY!</span></span></div><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/120/DD18DFF5F1B0F5C22F9E63D639690845.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03354550357128384777noreply@blogger.com0