Card class tomorrow

Tomorrow I'm off to teach a card class at the Burpengary library. This therefore combines a few of my favourite things -

-something crafty
- teaching
- giving a little back by volunteering my skills
- talking to others about craft & life
- being in the library

I love books. I love words - words are amazing things.

They can comfort, amuse, entertain, persuade, hurt and anger.
How lucky I am to not only have free access to so many wordsmiths (authors) creations through the library, but to also have a bit of the gift of the gab.

This afternoon I'm meeting up with my gal pals for coffee & there will be 'some' conversation involved. We will talk, share and laugh non-stop for 1-2 hours. Yay!

Cuppa & a chat anyone?
Jane

Looking like Christmas

Yes, I know it's ages away (though I have started putting pressies away for it), but it's been like Christmas at my place.

Boxes of goodies are turning up from all over the country for the Create For A Cause charity crop. It's been great fun unpacking them to discover the generosity of people who are moved to contribute in some way to a very good cause.

Pop over to the blog for a sneak peak at items for the goodie bags, lucky door, bingo and raffle prizes- http://create-4acause.blogspot.com/

I know I'm optomistic but it's lovely to know that people DO care.

May you all have a wonderful day - I can't help smiling.

Totally chuffed,
Jane

Teaching and teachers

I’m off to teach a scrapbooking class at Stamp Art Studio tomorrow and I’m really looking forward to it!

The class is called Triple Play and I’m sharing one of my favourite all time designs that can be adapted into hundreds of pages. I should know...it’s been very useful over the last 6 or so years.

Why “triple”? If anyone is in the mood they can get 3 pages completed in the 2 hour class, but I have provided sketches and/or samples for 12. That ought keep everyone busy. Did I say I believe in value for money??

Then again, it’s not about how many you get done. It doesn’t matter if you get ½ a page done as long as you enjoy yourself.

Afterall, you can take the handout home and use it to make 6 or more layouts. Class time is for social reasons too and the interaction with someone to help guide and inspire – not just me, but all the scrappers. We can learn from each other.

It’s time you have to yourself – me time – be creative, chat, relax and express yourself through paper, photos and words. What more could you want? (Besides the big lotto win!)

Remember that all teachers are different, as all people are different. I bet you didn’t love every teacher in high school? I sure didn’t!

So if you didn’t like your last class, try someone else. It could be fun and inspirational. The layout above is of my 4 scrapbooking essentials. What's yours??

Getting inspired,
Jane

Finding happiness

I subscribe to the "find happiness in the everyday" frame of mind. I look for happiness, things that make me smile, laugh or just be grateful to be alive, and so I find it.

I believe a pessimist finds the bad because that's what he or she is looking for. I have one of those close to me and I have had this theory proved to myself over and over.

This doesn't mean I'm a continuously smiling & laughing, but if something good happens - I will see it. Today's Calvin & Hobbes comic in the paper got me started on this track. I think Calvin is a wonderfully creative boy and his imagination rocks!

Hope you find a bit of happiness today,

Jane

Housesitting, er cat/dog sitting?

Well, I babysit a lot, but this week I've been house sitting for friends. Quite frankly the house takes care of itself. The 2 dogs and the cat are another story.

We animal lovers can't tootle off without getting someone to stay & look after the pets or popping them in a kennel...as much as we love them they cannot open tins/bags of food no matter how clever we think them.

We've got a routine going now and I've become OJ the daschound's new friend, he follows me everywhere and I mean everywhere! Luckily I'm used to that because our silky terrier dog Maggie likes to go with you to the loo and the bathroom too. It surprises visitors sometimes as you might imagine.

Maggie has got so good she can open the door with her nose, a trick our other dog Annie can do with heavy sliding doors. Comes as quite a shock in the en suite bathroom! But I digress...

The best or most exciting part so far has been Caedy the cat bringing me a pressie Thursday night. Yes, the thought was there, and I do appreciate that, but I don't have too many uses for a field mouse at 8pm - or any other time to be completely honest.

Obviously no grudges were held because last night she climbed up onto my lap, circled her body and calmly went to the land of nod. My cat Elliott does just the same. Ahh, it was so sweet and much nicer than the mouse incident.

My housesitting finishes tomorrow but I feel I've made some great new 4- legged friends.

Have a great day,
Jane

It's a challenge!

Well, you may apply that to life, but at the moment Sharon, Lindy & I are getting involved in creating the scrapbook and card sketch challenges for the Create For A Cause day...

We have 5-6 weeks to do it and Sharon got hers done this weekend. THAT"S striking while the iron is hot! Good on you Girlfriend.

Inspired by this I made 2 cards last night. Yay! No sneak peak though, sorry. Card makers should bring their fave stamps to play with on the day. They will come in handy teamed with your goodie bag.

Hey, did you see we are on the website of Scrapbooking Memories?? Cool!http://www.scrapbookingmemories.com.au/out_about.php

Happy Easter to you all. I had an orange almond, gluten free, dairy free, cane sugar free cake for easter treat, Man, I miss chocolate. Eat some for me please!

Choc-a-holic not off the wagon,
Jane

Remember when...

All this preparation for the Create for a Cause charity crop is making me remember when...Amelie was just born.

Now she's alive, healthy and happy, over 12 kg, over 77cm long and 16 1/2 months old.

Donations have come in for the charity crop so if you want to have a peak, just check out the blog
http://create-4acause.blogspot.com/

Happy Easter to all. Stay safe and pace yourself with those easter eggs!

Jane

Frog Surprise

It's not everyday your prince charming arrives!

So last night was quite a surprise when I found him in my shower cubicle...

Too bad it was a real frog and no, I didn't kiss him.

The frog prince was returned to the great outdoors and wished well with his endeavours.

This happened a couple of years ago and all I can say is that little frogs must get into the shower drain outside then crawl up the pipe and out into the shower. They push the capping off. Pretty tricky hey?

After my life teaching in far north Queensland - home of the million frogs - one frog doesn't worry me. Afterall, it didn't jump up on my bottom while sitting on the loo. Yes, that was a daily event in a previous life.

Obviously we are very popular with the local wildlife currently because ants have invaded the larder cupboard in the laundry. No doubt they love sugar and baking supplies as most of us do!

Create for a Cause has its own blog as you can read updates...have a peak at
http://create-4acause.blogspot.com/

In touch with nature,
Jane