Finally some creativity

Finally after moving from chilly Ballarat to the tropics of Darwin, I have managed to finally finish off a book I have been working on.
The frames are chipboard that my dear clever friend Jen Crossley has had made up for us all who love the antique album look without the hefty price tag of a real one (if you can get one) and shipping them from the states. This is the largest of her wonderful frames, and has other sizes and shapes available. Check out her blog for more.
Heres what I did with some of her frames. An album names "Beth".

Part 2

The last 3 houses

Here are the last 3 houses for the house swap that I am in. The Music house for Linda, Mother's house for Glenda and The dragons den for Evelyn. Again girls sorry it has taken me this long to complete them for you..
Ok now that they are done, I am off to pack up the junk/craft room ready for the big move north..
Love Sarah
xx0x0x0x0

Asian House and finally some creativity.

Finally I have been creative. I almost forgot how to use glue and paper. LOL Sorry girls for taking so long on creating the houses for the swap. I am 3 down, 3 more to go which I am hoping to have done by the weekend. Thank you for being so patient with me. This Asian house is for the lovely Kylie Mell who organised and co-ordinated this wonderful swap. Thank you very much Kylie.

Fabric House

This is my fabric house for my internet chat buddy Ness that makes me laugh with her koala jokes..LOL

Bird House

Finally another house for the lovely Philippa.

Beautiful locks

Are these not the most stunning padlocks you have ever seen. My man sent them to me along with this traditional Afganistan necklace. I adore these sorts of treasures from far away places. Thank you Mr Hansome.

...Suaunter...

Suaunter is one of Imogen's Imogenism's.(you know kids coming up with their own ideas of things). I think she hit the nail on the head today with this one. **SUAUNTER**. She says to me whilst I was driving. "Mum today is very much like Suaunter." Ok I say, what is Suaunter?? She says, the weather today, its a bit of summer, a bit of autumn and a bit of winter all in one... And yes she was right, it was 3 seasons in one day here today, so today was very Sauauntereous!!!
Had to share this!!LOL
Love Sarah
x0x0x0x0x0

I'm still around

Just letting you all know that I am still around, though not creating anything at the moment as my motivation has taken flight and gone on what looks like a long hoilday. Unfortunately because of a whole heap of stuff that is happening around here, and lack of above, I have resigned from Aussies Dares as I just cant give my all at the moment. Thank you Rebecca for letting me play along with all the dares, I enjoyed the challenges greatly.
I also had to cancel a few other commitments that were due later in the year, and to a certain lady, and a bunch of girls (you all know who you are..LOL) I am so sorry and know that you understand with whats going on here. (nothing serious people) so dont think anything bad..LOL
No doubt the inspiration to create again will return, when I dont know, soon I hope. But for now I have nothing to share other than this photo of my motivation being flown off to a warmer climate no doubt...
Perhaps a new blog look will be the start of some creativity at least for now.
Love Sarah
x0x0x0x0x0

In Loving memory of Coco

Unfortunatly we had to make a decision yesterday to put to rest one of our beautiful dogs Coco. He has been ageing for quite some time, but over the weekend he went down hill far too fast. We are so saddened, but happy that he wont suffer anymore. Thank you Coco for the last 14 years of joy, protection, happiness, laughter and companionship to us. We miss you..

Coastal adventures

We spent most of this week down at wonderful Warrnambool. Just the 3 of us, relaxing, sight seeing, meeting great friends and having the best adventures possible.

Here is Imogen over looking Lady Bay, where it was just a little bit too cold to swim in, luckly there was a fabulous hotel pool where we stayed and spent most of one afternoon in. We travelled the long way there via the 12 Apostles where it was very sea misty but stunning all the same. I was suprised at how many tourists were there though.

I also got to meet a long time internet buddy the lovely Peta and her lovely husband Norman. We spent a lovely evening over dinner and good wine. It felt like we had known each other a lifetime. Barry even got to ride in Norman's treasured chevy, which he loved.. Thank you Peta and Norman for great time, I do hope we can meet up again before we move mid year. And thank you Peta for the lovely blog award too.. Your spoiling me you know.

Anyway we had a fabulous trip, horse riding along the beach and sand dunes was surely the best adventure. Imogen controlled her horse like a pro considering she had only ever gone on pony rides before, and those sand dunes were hard going and yes I have a sore behind, found out that I still do have stomach muscles Ouch!! and back muscles that I didnt know I had.

Love Sarah

x0x0x0x0x0

***HOT HOT HOT*** Aussie Dares

I used an old book. Burnt a big hole using a butane torch and concentrated the flame just in the centre of the paper pages to make if you like a niche.. I inserted an old tin type photo of a young girl, a few dried jasmine flowers and used Utee that had been cooked for approx 10 hours until it went an amber colour. I poured the melted Utee in until it was all covered. Then I embellished the book with aged brass mesh, a few parts from an old type writer and dictionary paper quote.

I love the look of all these burn pages all stacked upon another.

Aged fine copper mesh was used here on the left, it almost looks as if its still on fire with its coppery hues.

Jump on over to Aussie Dares to see more wonderful artwork created by the girls.

Love Sarah

x0x0x0x0x

Melting Pot goodness..

Last week when my Melting pot arrived I couldnt wait to play and make these fabulous Leandra Beads that you can see on the PaperArtsy blog. They didnt quite turn out as fabulous as as seen on the PaperArtsy blog, but they are pretty darn cool never the less. Encapsulating little things suspended in the Utee is so much fun. Next week I will have another creation using the melting pot that I have made for next months Aussies Dares theme.

Ok off to swelter some more, no not in my melting pot, but in this 1 in 100 year heat wave we are having.. Oh the joys.. And my man comes home tonight for a few days... So so so happy...

Love Sarah

x0x0x0x0x

Collections 1 for 1 swap

This is my Collection for 1 for 1 swap that I am participating in. You had to make something using the majority of Collections goodies.

The lovely Greta was who I had to make something special for, and for me it wasnt all that hard knowing she loved all things Frenchie just like me.

I am having issues that I cant stop using transparent items of late, and they just dont photograph well, so you cant see the beautiful red indian mica well on the outside frame and behind it lace, muslin and french script text.

Here is the bundle rusty french provincal frame all bundled up ready to post off to Greta.

Happy Creating..

Love Sarah

x0x0x0x0x

Aussie Dares-Jan**WET**

This months theme for Aussie Dares is "Wet."
For my piece I wanted to create something that had the look that it had been weathered and damp over a period of time.

I started with an old cabinet card photo album page (or did I???) aged the paper with inks, water and a bit of distressing.

Added bark covered in Lichen, hand dyed muslin, added some embellisments like these gorgeous tiny watch makers glass vials with a pic of a tiny little boy inside.

A vintage pic, with transparency that had holes made with a candle, then mica placed over the top. I used PVA to create more of a weathered appearence by spreading it on the frame with my finger, then getting my paint stripper heat gun, and making it all bubble and crack while it was still wet. Perfect appearence for something that is wet..

I love this Lichen, it grows so freely here in the colder months, it has so much texture and muted colours. And lastly it hangs with chain that I have been making over the last couple of weeks..

Love Sarah

x0x0x0x0

January Art Journal

This is my 1st page ever for my 1st art journal ever. Blue Bazaar are running a year long Art Journal Challenge, so I decided to jump in and play along. This months theme was to do an abstract background and draw a focal point.. Well I cant draw to save myself so I copied a birdcage stamp from BLine Designs.. Not original I know but if you saw my 1st attempts you would be glad I copied. However I did draw scomewhat scribbly with wire across the both pages and added some circles with pencil.. That was all me..LOL

I think my journal shall be called a "Journey" as this something right out of my league and comfort zone. My Journey into Art Journalling has only began, so lets hope my talents improve in coming months..

Love Sarah

x00x0xx0

Dear Friend this one is for you!!

Ok so leading off my last post of all things loose and 'Organic'; The other night I went out to the vegie patch to dig up a couple of carrots for dinner when these little fellows came out of the ground linked and interwined togeather.. My 1st thought was "OH!!!" Perhaps I disturbed them too soon!!!llol Dear friend says Hubby had been away for too long... hehehe I will leave it at that shall I....
Anyway, because they were linked togeather I thought I would add this chain that I have made. Yes I am into making chain. In fact I am rather enjoying sitting there hammering, twisting and twining metal into chain. Very theraputic.. Its still early days of wire work, but throughly enjoying the learning process..
Dear friend 2, (you know who you are) yes you have to move from Sydney, that way I could feed you good organic twisty carrots...LOL!!! Love your new piece for Bali, too talented I tell you.

This pic is of my new experiemental Art Journal I am doing through Blue Bazaar. I have completed it I think for this months theme, but after showing Dear Friend number 1 today I am a little scared of sharing my journey into the unknown of art journalling. I shall take pics tomorrow and hopefully the camera will perform magic.. I will tell you that I did loose focus on the theme for a bit and went off and did my own thing.. I also have a couple of other projects that need to be blogged about but they will have to wait until at least the weekend...
Love Sarah
x0x0x0x0x0x0

Bird Nest Ring

Last night when I was clearing my desk ready for my next project I came across a role of wire. Should I attempt to make something, or go to bed. Well as you can see I "Attempted" to make a birds nest ring. Not a bad a job considering it was 2am. I like to describe it as very "organic" in shape and structure with its "loose" form. (In other words, practice Sarah)

Though I do like this arty "organic" shot.
Love Sarah
x0x0x0x0x

House Book swaps for January

Lace house for Joanne


And Friendship house for Rhonda.

My Mini Martha

Here is my Mini Martha today, preparing the feast the 2 of us would share togeather tonight. Of course it was a simple Corned Beef or Silverside. But I am rather fussy with cooking it with the right balance of added ingredients for maximum flavour. So today I shared those secrets with my bebe, she was so into it, as this is one of her favourite meals. But it also was one big experiment for me as this was the 1st time I have used my new beautiful LeCreuset pot that I got for Christmas. How long would it take, would it be just as good as always, would it be better??? Mmmm getting hungry just thinking about it. Anyhow as it happens we spent the afternoon with a dear friend and her beautiful daughter, you know who you are, you are so special!! that I forgot to put the pot on.. So improvised dinner of odds and sods, and pot on to cook for tomorrow night.
Well I forgot I had the pot on until 9m tonight, because I finally got the pink VW bug out of garage for a dusting and drive around town and out in the country. I did take my camera to take some pics of our adventure, but again I was just in the driving spirit that no pics were taken. Perhaps over the weekend she may be more lucky. She may even get a wash and polish if the weather is kind.
Well tonight after realising at 10:30pm beef still in the hot pot, it was time to remove and carve. Oh wow beautiful, tender and so so tasty, Le Creuset has my seal of approval and I cant wait until dinner tomorrow night. My mini Martha will be so pleased with her culinary skills tomorrow...

Forget food for now (hard I know) and a big thank you to Sue
for this wonderful blog award. Your far too kind you know. But now I have the pleasure of giving you dear readers 5 blogs that I think that are just fabulous. So no secret here that I stalk these blogs for all their wonderful and inspiring creations these wonderful woman create and share with us.
Numer one of the ranks is that dear friend... Jen Crossley
Number two is Mixed Media Extroidenaire Judy Wilkenfeld
Number three is an amazing artist, love everything she creates, Viola
Number four is an ATC magical genious Gaby Bee
And number 5 is just too hard to come up with as there is so many so I will leave you with this link to one of my favourite stamp designers who again has bought out another must have range of stamps. Now the decision which ones to buy, all I can say is I wish the Aussie Dollar was better then I would get them all.

Love Sarah
x0x0x0x0x