SUNDAY OUTING

By the time Sunday rolled around this weekend I just needed to get out of the house and take my mind off of things. Alex and I couldn't think of what to do so we just decided to do a couple of odd little jobs, like checking out the local thrift shops (which were all closed anyway), and just see what we felt like afterwards. On our way home we noticed it was getting close to lunch time and neither of us wanted to go home yet. After some umming and ahhing we both decided it would be a nice day to go to the bay side for fish and chips and it's only a half hour drive, so off we went. We went to Wellington Point, a place that I have been going to with my family since I was little, it is always so nice there and I love it.

We started out with a walk along the jetty

We then watched some of the locals

It was then time for lunch

After luch we decided to go for a walk out to King Island. When the tide goes out you can walk along a sand bank out to a little Island. There isn't much out there but it is fun to do.

Alex on our walk

COMPLETE!

Ok, I have just finished the mixed media art piece I was working on yesterday. I don't think it is great, but it is my first try and I can only improve. I am looking forward to starting a new piece and will hopefully be able to show you some more stuff in the near future.

ART THERAPY

OMG! I have just had the best art therapy ever. I would just like to thank my lovely Mum for introducing me to Kelly Rae Roberts. What an inspiration! I have just read her book Taking Flight and I absolutely loved it. She has inspired me to venture out of my comfort zone and try something else. I have always loved painting but have never been able to find an area that I am happy and comfortable with. Recently my mum started doing some mixed media collage paintings and it caught my eye. I haven't really seen much of this type of artwork before but something about it interested me so Mum loaned me her book (Taking Flight by Kelly Rae Roberts) and encouraged me to give it a go. I have already ordered a copy for myself I loved it that much.

I have been pretty upset and down in the dumps since getting some bad news yesterday but Mum said it's the perfect time to give this type of artwork a go as it will take my mind off of everything and help me release some stress. After a little bit of hesitation I did it. I decided to start a piece using the book for inspiration. I had heaps of fun doing it and can't wait to finish my piece. I just need to get a few supplies tomorrow at the shops before I can continue. I have added a few photos below of my artwork in progress. I hope you like it.

The Background

Adding a few details

Trying to get and idea of where to place things

This book wasn't far from my side

STOP! PARTY TIME!

Yesterday (Sunday) we had a bit of a family bash to celebrate my Mum's 50th birthday. My lovely Uncle (Mum's brother) and Aunt offered to have the get together at their house at Beaudessert as they live on property. My Mum had no idea what was coming as we all decided to keep it a surprise, and I have to say it worked out pretty well. It was really hard not to accidentally slip up and say something though.

Mum thought she was off to Mount Tambourine for the day with all of her kids, and she was so excited as she has been wanting a family outing for a while now. We were pretending to be going to Mount Tambourine as it's in the same direction as my Uncle's property so we were praying she wouldn't get suspicious. She didn't know until we were pulling into their driveway that something was going on and then all she could say was "what have you done?". When we got out of the car everyone came outside to wish her happy birthday. Mum was totally stunned and the happy tears began. We haven't really properly seen my Uncle and Aunt and their family for over 4 years now so Mum was so happy and shocked to see them all. My Grandma and Grandad where there as well as some old friends. It was a wonderful day for everyone.

Mum about to cut her cake

Alex, Me, Beau, Mum, Reece, Aaron and Bradley

Mum with Grandma and Grandad

Mum with Uncle Billy and Aunty Debbie

Mum with Uncle Billy and Aunty Debbie's Kids

Alex and I

Aaron (my baby brother) and I

Me and my Brother Reece

Me and my Brother Beau

HAPPY 50TH BIRTHDAY MUM!!!!!

WOW! I can't believe my mummy is 50 today! You seriously don't look it though. Even after raising 5 kids on your own (which I must say you did an excellent job at) you are still looking more fabulous then ever!!

We all love you and think you are a great person. I couldn't be prouder to call you my Mum. Happy Birthday Mum I hope you have a great day!

Mum as a teenager

Mum and Baby Me (I was always a Mummy's girl)

You are so Beautiful

Mum and Grandma

A BIRTHDAY LUNCH

It was my Birthday this Saturday just past and although I didn't do much on the actual day because of the rainy weather, my Mum took us out to a lovely lunch at a restaurant on the Sunday. We decided to try out the new Indian restaurant in town and we all agree that it was the perfect choice. We all had a lovely time and the food was delicious. Although my younger brother Reece and his girlfriend Sarina couldn't be there for lunch we met them back at Mum's house later in the day to have yummy pavlova (my favourite). It was a great birthday!

Mum and Aaron

Bradley

Beau

Alex and I

Digging in

THANKS BAD WEATHER FOR MY EARLY BIRTHDAY PRESENT!!!

YAY!!! I am so excited! I finally got a Wii! I have been wanting one for ages and have been waiting to have a bit of money spare so we could get one and, today was that day. Alex has a weeks holiday from work and it was suppose to be a week of lazing at the beach getting glorious tans but, a cyclone has formed off the coast and has brought with it a lot of dark skies and rain for the entire time. Sitting at home with nothing to do and dreams of the beach only a distant memory, we decided it was time. We had planned to move house this month but, have decided to stay on a while longer. The money saved for the moving expenses was now going on a gaming console and, since it's my Birthday this Saturday we thought...why not?

Alex in the Wii zone

BACK TO WORK AND LITTLE VISITORS

I've been back in the sewing room this week making a couple more dolls. It has been slow going though because of some back pain, but I can't wait to see how they turn out. I decided to post some photos to show you my sewing room, it's not great but it does the job for now.

I even had a little visitor on my shoulder yesterday while I was stuffing some doll parts and listening to music.

I Introduce...ANNIE!

Alex and I own two lovely little budgies: Annie (girl) and Iggy (boy). Annie, who we have had for a couple of years now, loves to sit and watch me do my crafts especially when I have some music playing. I often open up their cage during the day and Annie will fly in and sit on my shoulder or watch me from the couch. We bought Iggy about a year after we got Annie and he still likes to stick to himself. They are great birds and without them my house would be very quite.

This is little Iggy

A WEEKEND OF FUN IN THE SUN

I had a really nice weekend and am now feeling refreshed and happy. Alex and I went up to the Sunshine Coast on Saturday as it was Alex's brother's 18th birthday and his family lives up in Nambour. After our drive we headed straight for the beach and spent the day lazing on the sand. We couldn't have asked for nicer weather and although I was in the shade I still managed to get quite burnt :( It was so nice to get out of the house and view some of natures beauty. I really needed a refresher as I have been in a creative slump for the past couple of weeks and just haven't been able to get motivated.

We rented a small cabin for Saturday night and, although I wasn't expecting five star accommodation because we were on a budget, we were both shocked at the rooms condition. I don't think either me nor Alex got much sleep that night, I was too afraid of being carried away by the creepy-crawlies we were sharing our cabin with. I don't think we will be going back there again. We did however have a lovely dinner out that night with the family at one of the surf clubs by the beach, and spent a lot of time catching up.

The next day we met up with the family to spend another day at the beach and, again the weather was perfect. We had a great day swimming and playing some beach ping pong. For lunch we had fish and chips at a beach side restaurant and, I have to say that they had the nicest fish I have ever tasted (and I'm not a big fan of fish). After that Alex and I said our goodbyes and headed back to Brissy. Now I am ready to begin a brand new week of creating and sewing.

The Beautiful Beach

Alex and I at the Beach

Alex, Kate and Graham playing beach ping pong