Reflections

Kart Magazine - My Claim To Fame!

2009-11-11T14:15:51+11:00

Issue No. 73 of Kart Magazine is out now and whilst some of my Bairnsdale Kart Club photos have been featured in the past couple of issues along with our race results, this issue gave me a very big surprise!

You see . . . do you remember this photo that I captured back at our September race day where one of the Midget race drivers nearly had a roll over?

Well . . . it would seem that after I sent copies of the photos to the family of the driver, they have somehow ended up in the hands of Kart Magazine (not that I mind at all of course) and just look at what has been featured on pages 62 & 63!

The whole series of photos that I captured of the incident! I just wish the fence hadn't gotten in the way BUT it all just happened way too quickly!

Here's what it says:

The Stack Report. Photos by Shirley Fyfe

Midget driver Aaron ______ had a close encounter with the asphalt at the recent Bairnsdale September Club Day. His #73 Kart nearly rolled following an incident coming out of a turn that Bairnsdale Kart Club photographer Shirley Fyfe captured perfectly. Aaron walked away unscathed.

How exciting! I'd actually missed that this was in the magazine - I'd just peeked at the race results section and it wasn't until Stuart was reading the magazine later on that he commented that I hadn't read through it very well! He then showed me what was inside! I couldn't believe it!

Now I just need to find out who actually sent the photos into Kart Magazine to say 'Thank-you' to them!

Blossoms & Hand Stitched Frame

2009-11-09T10:52:00+11:00

Phew! It looks like summer is about to descend early upon us! It's expected to be 30 degrees celcius both today and tomorrow - and then again later in the week as well . . . just what the garden and fruit trees need at this time of the year . . . mmm . . . not really! Looks like I'll be hand watering later tonight and first thing in the morning!

On the creative front, I finally finished off this page for Jan at Scrappit to display at Paperific this weekend - I just love those Tara Blossoms!

Whilst it doesn't show it clearly in the above image, the background of this page is actually white, to which I lightly inked the edge in aqua blue followed by a smear of aqua blue paint along the very outside edge as well.

The butterflies on this page are actually transparency ones that I have cut out, folded in half and then sewn to the page before finishing each one off with KaiserCraft Pearl antennae. I love how they sit up on the page like that - they add a lovely dimension - oh - and they look fantastic on cards too!

Well - the washing is all done, so I guess it's about time I tackled some of my ironing . . . it's just not going to get done on it's own now is it? Sigh!

Until next time . . . I hope you are enjoying a wonderful day!

Jayco 'Flamingo' Outback Camper Trailer

2009-11-07T21:32:00+11:00

After pricing new campers and looking at second hand options and even placing a bid on one on eBay but not winning it, you'll never guess what we did today . . .

We put down a deposit on this Jayco 'Flamingo Outback Camper Trailer! So very exciting!

The only downside to the day was the fact that it's still sitting at Jayco and that we have to wait a little over a week before we can go and pick it up! The awning has to be fitted to it first, then it has to go through the detailers AND we have to get electric brakes fitted to our car before we can tow it!

Oh well - it will be worth the wait - we're so looking forward to our first trip away!

November Scrappitpack

2009-11-04T09:01:00+11:00

What a gorgeous Scrappitpack I got sent to work with this month - it features the very lovely Bliss collection from Crate Paper.

I'd like to thank Mary Warner for allowing me to use one of the gorgeous photos she sent me of her daughter on this page too - Zoe is such a sweetie!

As you can see, the colour contrast is so much better (and truer to life) in the close-up images BUT I'm sure you get the general idea!

Surprise Mary & Jan - I hope you like what I've done on this page and I'll let the two of you fight over which one gets to keep it - grin!

In other news, we've been looking in to maybe investing in a camper trailer - the Jayco/Goldstream style with the beds that 'pop' out the ends and the roof that drops down when you are towing. There's been a number of them on Ebay which have only been used a few times too so maybe investing in a good second hand one might be an option too. Whenever we go away on holidays we usually stay in Park Cabins, which, depending on the actual location, can get quite pricey! Having our own camper would mean that much more freedom to just get away for a weekend here and there (which I think we need to do more of) and have everything we need ready to go. Several years ago we looked into maybe getting a tent BUT having been to Melbourne Leisurefest early last month, we're definitely hooked on the idea of a camper. There are aspects of both Jayco and Goldstream that we like and dislike but the Jayco is way more economical - I guess only time will tell what we do . . .

Webster's Pages

2009-11-02T06:40:00+11:00

Today is another catch-up post - earlier last month one of the Scrappit Design Team Challenges was to Journal using one of the 5 senses.

I couldn't go past the sense of smell and my love of the Daphne plant and it's wonderful perfume - oh - and I can't take credit for the photo I used on this page either - it's one I found on the internet.

The pattern paper on this one is one from Webster's Pages - I love the old world charm of these papers and seem to be building up a wonderful collection of them too!

By not creating a 12 x 12 page, I was able to cut the right hand side from the pattern paper, then cut around the floral/squirrel image and then overlay it with foam tape down the right hand side of my page, I love the depth and dimension doing this has created. I'll admit it was a little time consuming but I do so love the results!

The little butterfly was also cut out, leaving just a thin border of the background around the outside edge, then folded in half and adhered to the page using some liquid glue just down the centre fold line - a simple technique but now it's wings stay in place just perfectly!

One common feature I've been doing on nearly all of my scrapbooking pages of late is strip journaling - I love the way I can either print it on the same colour background and have my text just blend away (like I did on this page) OR I can make it stand out (like I did on my 'Percy' page yesterday). It's also a great way to space out your journaling a little more without it looking too blocky - IYKWIM

Until next time . . . have a fantastic day!

October 'ScrappIt Now'

2009-11-01T06:02:00+11:00

Since I'm catching up on things here with my blog, I thought I had better share my creations using the October 'ScrappIt Now' Kit - such a cute pack featuring Imaginese and whilst I haven't used the girlie papers and rubons just yet, I've had a great time with the boy ones!

The train along the top of this one is actually a 12" rubon whilst the one along the bottom is actually a part of a pattern paper sheet!

Rather than adhering the pattern paper train direct to the background, I lifted the top section and used some Helmar Scrap Dots so that I created some added dimension.

Another of the projects I created with this pack was these cute 3D Shadow Box Frames!

I picked up these simple frames in a local discount store. Each one features a layered background with rubon images applied to some Bazzill for the very top layer! So simple don't you think?

My final projects for the October Newsletter were some Greeting Cards - simple and repetative in design but they sure were quick to put together!

A few KaiserCraft Pearls applied to the wheels gives some added dimension too!

So, there you have it - if you'd like to see more creations using this kit OR particularly some ideas featuring the girlie products, head on over to Scrappit and download the October 'ScrappIt Now' Newsletter!

Gippsland Show - Sale

2009-10-31T22:20:00+11:00

Today I thought I would share my achievement at our local show.

Do you remember this photo from our September Go Kart race day? It wasn't James in the kart BUT it was one of his fellow competitors . . . thankfully, both the boy in this kart and another child involved in the accident were OK.

Anyway - there was a sporting category I entered this into and whilst I didn't win - I did receive a 'Highly Commended' for this photo! It certainly was an amazing moment to capture that's for sure!

Scrapbooking wise, whilst I had good intentions of entering some pages, I just didn't get around to doing them in time. I did however, enter a card into the 'Off The Page' category which to my surprise ony had three entries and I went on to win!

As you can see, this card is very similar design to one of the other Christmas Cards I recently featured here on my blog, but I did change it up a little and added some extra layering and dimension!

I did enter one other category at the show and that was for cross stitching - actually, I've never entered any of my embroidery before but unfortunately it didn't place . . . oh well - there's always next year!

Gippsland Show - Sale

2009-10-30T22:47:00+11:00

What a super exciting day today was for the boys!

Our local show was happening and both James and Adam had entered items into the pavilion displays - James had some entries in photography that he was quite proud of and Adam had a Lego Construction.

So . . . how did they go?

Well - Adam was so excited to see that he was awarded 3rd place in the Primary 1 & 2 section of the Lego Construction! The look on his little face when he saw that ribbon was just priceless!

James also entered a Lego Construction into the Primary 3 and 4 section but unfortunately didn't place. He did however do VERY well with one of his photos.

There was a Junior category titled 'Grandma's Treasures' and after much discussion with James - he set up a mini photoshoot using an old Carnival Glass Bowl belonging to his Great Nana Pearless, an old crochet doiley and a heap of old Cotton Reels that belonged to his Great Nana Roberts.

Here's the photo that he captured and that ended up winning the Juniors 'Grandma's Treasures' section!

HOWEVER! Not only did he win this section with this photo, he ended up winning 'BEST JUNIOR PRINT IN SHOW' with it!

His smile says it all doesn't it? CONGRATULATIONS James - you really are showing some talent when it comes to Photography! I'd better watch out!

White Textured ATC

2009-10-29T23:28:00+11:00

If you've been a follower of my blog, you might remember my interest earlier this year in ATC's and this textured one that I made for myself.

Lots of Paper Perfect, Gesso, Flocking, Wire, Beads, Microbeads, KaiserCraft Pearls, Plastic Clear Chips, some printed text, a transparency butterfly and a Grungeboard Heart too!

Anyway - after seeing it in real lilfe, there was much interest from members of my Longford Scrappers group to demonstrate making one of these - TOTAY was finally the day! Since I knew the Paper Perfect would never dry on the day, I made up enough hearts for everyone in advance. The words were printed and all the other supplies were close at hand - all that was needed was a little creativity!

Well - creative they were AND everyone was so proud and thrilled with the project! I'm not sure what I'll do with my second one - it's identical to the one pictured above - maybe it might get a home on a notebook OR it might even get framed . . . mmm . . . I'll have to think about that a little more!

Thanks for a fantastic day everyone and I'm so glad you all enjoyed making your textured heart!

Christmas Cards - Webster's Petite Papers

2009-10-28T23:07:00+11:00

As promised . . . here's some more of those Christmas Cards I've made using the Webster's 6 x 6 Petite Pattern Papers!

You might notice the 2cm or so wide strip on the right hand side of the above card - it's simply the piece I cut off the right hand side of the pattern paper (so that it would fit my blank white card) that I've overlaid down the side, inked the edges of and then added some hand stitched detail to!

As you can see, a scattering of KaiserCraft pearls adds a lovely finishing touch to the tree too!

Isn't this little house the cutest and surprisingly, there really isn't much done to this card at all! A little layering of some flowers, some hand stitched detail, some bling and a greeting sticker - so simple - all the detail is already in the pattern papers!

This next one used a bit more scissor work and the detail doesn't show up all that well in the photo BUT once again I've layered many of the flowers using Helmar Scrap Dots - gee I love that product - actually, that reminds me, I think I'd better invest in another tube of it too!

The final card in this set features more of the cutting and layering - think paper tole here - as well as some hand stiching and inking too!

As you can see, I just can't help myself when it comes to adding a little hand stitching here or there - I love the way it creates visual dimension and texture all in one.

Actually, that reminds me - Deb recently asked in an email what thread I use when I'm hand stitching - it's just DMC thread and I usually use 2 strands for all my backstitching and just a single strand if I just want a subtle line like say on a butterfly antennae! I hope that helps Deb!

Until next time . . . happy creating!