Canvasses

After seeing a few vintage canvasses in some very gorgeous blogs I decided I would love to try my hand at a vintage canvas. I have a dear friend who I know love anything old, I knew vintage was right up her alley, so I invited her over for a day of vintage canvassing. We started by having lunch together yesterday and doing a wee bit of vintage shopping b4 lunch. We bought the most cutest little tiny canvas on their own easels , a linen canvas and the only way we could get the right size for what we wanted to do was to buy a kids painting canvas with piccy drawn on the canvas and little pots of paints. We then raided our stash of bits from our mums and mother in laws "stuff" (doilies - plastic and crochet & lace hankies) even found some of our grandma's buttons add to that some ric rac, lace an braid and we were ready to create vintage. let me tell you we didn't think we were going to get anywhere in the beginning as nothing was working, vintage is not a natural thing or me/us . But by lunch time we were on our way. I am really happy with how mine turned out. Haylee was working on old photos of John's family and I worked on my families photos. And then to have a bit of fun I did a contemporary mini canvas to finish the day.

The first canvas is my parents wedding, the second is a family Christmas but b4 I was born - I simply love this photo, take a look at the joy on my siblings faces and the way Stuart is clutching at his gift like it is the most special thing eh has ever been given, love those hats too. The mini canvas was taken Boxing day 2007 when Roz visited us from Qld with her two children Jack & Ellen, we hadn't seen them since b4 Ellen went to school, so this moment had to be captured.

the last two canvasses were made by Haylee, I haven't taken a photo of the contemporary canvas she made and boy did she whip that one up in no time. The first is of John's father as a boy and his mum & dad etc (he is the biggest boy) and the 2nd is his parents Wedding. We decided that I would do my family and Haylee would do Johns.

New Shopping bag

On Tuesday while I was searching through my "special" fabric stash - looking for something for a 12 year old to sew (we found pink fur and made a hearts cuddly) I found two pieces of this scrap vinyl fabric that I bought years ago - when vinyl bags were all the rage - & I decided on the spur of the moment that I needed a new shopping bag. So I turned that scrap fabric into this bag. I am quite happy with how it turned out. I still have some Leftover so I thought I might make a few little purses with it for make-upcoins, etc.

AND THE WINNER IS................................

Sue from Home of Creative treasures is the winner of my Layered mini Album.

Congratulations Sue could you please email me your address to gcom31@msn.com and I will get your Mini album in the post.

Thank you all for supporting my blog and helping me celebrate my 3 year blogiversary.

Stay tuned as I do have a few ideas for future giveaways.

ONE LAST CHANCE

I will be drawing the winner for my Layered mini album after dinner tonight. So pop back later to see if you are the winner. If you haven't entered go to the first post announcing my blogiversary and leave a comment.

Givaway reminder - 3 days till draw

There are only 3 days to go to enter my draw for the pictured mini album, I will be drawing it on Wednesday. This album is ready for you to add your pics and embellishments to. All you need to do is go to this post http://missnance.blogspot.com/2009/04/happy-blogiversary-to-me.html & leave a comment. If you would like a chance to win an embellishment pack to go with the album copy and paste the album pic in your blog and come back to the above link and leave a link to your blog. Anyone who comes from your blog will earn you an extra entry.

Paper bag swap sneak peak

This is the last week for Sam's Paper bag swap. I have sent a bag of goodies to Allison and she sent me this bag of goodies. I have to turn them into something that Allison may like well love I hope.

I have put a few hours in this morning and am happy where I am at. I have to tell you that until this morning I did not know what the centre that I finished yesterday was going to be. it sat on my cutting table with borders around it and it was going to be one thing BUT all of a sudden it said NO I want to be a ..................................... So that's what it almost is. I am loving how it turned out and hope that Allison does too.


Here's a quick peak at what it looked like this morning. It has developed a little more since then.

SWS retreat

Last weekend was the Scrapping with Soul retreat at Waterslea on the Shoalhaven River.
This is the best scrapping retreat, the girls are so wonderful and make you feel very very special. There were 62 guests and the team and of course we have Rose-Anne form Cropworks come with her amazing shop that I spent way too much money at (but I do have a very large tin of flowers of every colour). Rosie gave an inspiring and challenging talk on "our hidden stories", she used the story of the Samaritan woman and the prostitute who wash Jesus feet with her tears and wiped them dry with her hair, he knew into the hearts of these women. Rosie encouraged each of us to take our hidden stories to Jesus not matter how bad they are, nothing will shock him, he already knows them.

I managed to finish 4 Lo's and one very large OTP.

This first LO was done b4 the retreat as a "Woman of Faith " display as I was teaching a class at the retreat.

My first project that took me all of Friday night and most of Saturday was a set of altered building blocks. These were so fiddly as they were only

1 1/4" high. I have left some plain as I felt it would have been TOO busy and too much to look at if each block had word or pics on them.

I also started my wedding album. We have Johns mum's album of our wedding photos now so I thought I would scrap them. This may take me a while - i do not do that many LO's.

This is the title Page - I didn't think it needed any embellishments as I wanted the photo to do the talking.

This LO is of my sister and niece. We got married on their combined birthdays.

I also made a start on my Psalms album.

I have had this Lo planned for a long time but only just managed to get it done on the weekend.

The first photo was taken by Caleb Graham and is the sunrise over the Shoalhaven river. The sunset was taken by Haylee and is at Greenwell Point over the Crookhaven River.

I have used Ps 113.3 From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the Lords name is to be praised.

How cute is this pic of the puppy under the wings of the mumma chicken. When Gayle(from SOF) led me to this photo on the web I knew I had to use it for my LO of Ps 91:4 "He will cover you with his feathers and under his wings you will find refuge. His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart."

Our stories Album

This the completed and embellished Layered mini Album that I taught at the SWS retreat last Saturday. Each lady in my class (15) went away with the book completed but not embellished. I am hoping they all remember to send me pics of their embellished albums. The story I have told in this book is of my relationship with God. So really its His story as he has done it all. even my faith is a gift from God.

This is the same album done in another Kaiser range and tells the story of the combers. I am really happy with how these albums turned out. They were totally my design even down to the chipboard word (with help from Rose-Anne http://cropworks.blogspot.com/). I have to thank my dear Friend Rowena http://willrownco.blogspot.com/ for her great work on the transparency frames.

And the winners are...............................

Haylee just helped me draw the winners of my Cushion Cover and the fatq's.

So the winners are...................

Cushion Cover - Karen L

FatQ's - missy mack.

Congratulations girls. Will get them in the post by the end of this week.

The reveal

Finally I am able to show you the picture of my first blogiversary giveaway.

This is an altered mini album ready for you to add your photos and embellishments to.

To enter to have a chance to win you need to leave a message on this post.

http://missnance.blogspot.com/2009/04/happy-blogiversary-to-me.html

Also I have decided to add a little extra to the giveaway. If you put a pic of my giveaway on your blog I will give you an extra entry, also if you win the prize I will add a pack of embellishments to your prize. This will consist of ribbon, flowers, brads, pearls and rhinestones. Leave me a message with the link to your blog BUT NOT ON THIS POST on the above link.

When I get home from work tonight I will draw the prize for the cushion cover & fatq's.

Check out this awesome giveaway

Robyn from Daisy quilts has this awesome giveaway just follow my link and do what she says.

http://daisyquilts.blogspot.com/2009/05/im-having-giveaway.html

2 more winners

Haylee helped me draw the winners of the Pattern & flowers giveaway. And they are .....................

Pattern - Tozz

Flowers - Cass

Wiil have these in the post very shortly.

Thanks for joining in on my blogiversary giveaway.

Wednesdays giveaway

Today's giveaway is two co-ordinating FatQ's. The first is a print of quilts hanging between trees (very very nice) and the other is its background companion.

To enter just leave a message on this post and if you want an extra entry blog about it and let me know, also if anyone mentions they have come form your blog you will get an extra entry.

This is the last of my "week of giveaways" but stay tuned as you just never know when the gift giving bug might hit again.

Don't forget my major draw at this post http://missnance.blogspot.com/2009/04/happy-blogiversary-to-me.html

And the winners are................................

Haylee & John helped me draw the winners to my first three giveaways.

The Tin goes to ..................... Missymack - please let me know your prefered FAtq colour.

The Buttons go to ......................BevC

and the ribbons, ric rac and lace go to ..................... Tozz.

BevC can you please email me your addy at gcom31@msn

Tuesdays Giveaway & one last chance

Today's giveaway is this cushion cover made from Moda's Allspice Tapestry fabric. Yeah I finally got it made.

You know the drill leave a comment and if you want an extra chance, blog about it and leave me a link. Also if anyone mentions they came from your blog you will get another entry. I Will be drawing next Monday 18 may (not this Friday as first announced as I will be away for the weekend).

Also I will be drawing the Altered tin, Ribbon and button giveaways after 8pm tonight so if you haven't already leave a comment on each of those posts.

Sneak Peak & Mondays giveaway

Here is a sneak peak of the altered album I am giving away away on my first Blogiversary giveaway post http://missnance.blogspot.com/2009/04/happy-blogiversary-to-me.html. So if you want to be in the running for this prize please follow the link and leave a comment. If you REALLY want to win it, blog about it (you can even copy and paste this pic if you want) and come back to the original post leave a link & I will give you another entry, I will also give you an extra entry for anyone who tells me they came form your blog. On Monday I will show you a complete pic as it will be after I have taught my class at the SWS retreat.





Now to today's giveaway. I am giving away a pack of 100 mixed paper and fabric flowers (not necessarily those shown). You know the drill leave a comment. If you want an extra entry blog about it and leave a message to say you have. You will also gain an extra entry for anyone who says they saw it on your blog.

I have 2 more days of giveaways. You DON'T want to miss Wednesdays giveaway.

Also you can go back NOW and leave a message on any of my other giveaways - just check their draw date as I will be starting to draw Tuesday (that's tomorrow).

Happy Mothers day

Hope all you mothers have had a lovely mothers day and were spoilt by your family.
My day started with a sleep in and scrambled egg & smoked Salmon on a bagel for breaky. Halyee gave me a gift voucher for Ella Bache which I will possible use for a pedicure. We then drove to Berry for Lunch at Berrylicious. John & I shared a Mezza Plate, which was just yummy. Popped into he candle shop & stocked up on their amazing 9 hour tea lights We also had a look in the Cuckoo Clock shop. Loved the Babushka dolls and have decided I need another one at some point. Haven't seen Royce awake as yet as he left for Hockey b4 I got out of bed, came home while I as resting and is now crashed out in a recliner in the lounge room.

NOW to today giveaway. A Chook shed pattern called Miss Molly. Pattern has Miss Molly doll her quilt (25" X 25" ) and a best friends stitchery.

AS usual leave a comment to go in this draw. I will draw on Wednesday.

Saturdays giveaway

Todays Blogiversary giveaway is a pack of at least 5 metres of mixed ribbon , lace & ric rac (not necessarily those pictured). Leave a comment to be entered to receive an extra entry mention this giveaway on your blog. You will recieve an extra entry in to this draw AND for the Altered book draw for anyone who mentions they came from your blog.

I will draw this Wednesday 13 May.

Dont forget to leave a comment in this post http://missnance.blogspot.com/2009/04/happy-blogiversary-to-me.html for a chance to win my Dancing jewel altered album.

Fridays giveaway

Today's giveaway is a collection of 100 buttons (not necessarily those pictured). All you need to do is leave a comment on THIS post to be entered. Mention my giveaways on your blog & you will gain an extra entry if anyone mentions they came here by your blog. This one will be drawn next Tuesday also.

Don't forget to look at my other giveaways.

Another giveaway

Starting today for the next week I will be posting a new giveaway each day. All you have to do is leave a comment in THIS post to be eligible to win today's prize, this altered tin & a FAtQ in your choice of colours. I will draw this one next Tuesday 12 May.

I am not clever enough to make up a button but if you want an extra entry post a pic (copy and paste into a file on your PC) of my giveaway on your blog and leave a comment to say you have, with a link to the post on your blog.














Don't forget to leave a comment here
http://missnance.blogspot.com/2009/04/happy-blogiversary-to-me.html to go in the draw for my Dancing jewel altered layered mini album. Also anyone who you tell about this draw who leaves a comment saying you sent them will give you an extra entry.

I will draw on the 27 May for my album (my late mother's birthday).

Get real Baby - Today

Lusi's prompt for this week is "Today"

So today really I got out of bed at 6.10am (yay) and had my quiet time that started in the family room with the heater on and a flanny quilt around me.

Really I caught up on computer work and sorted out some items that needed posting

Really I had my morning routine done (all but the bathrooms as they were clean) b4 I left home at 9.30.

Really I started work at 10 am and one of my first customers was just plain difficult. He wouldn't believe me that I couldn't trace the book he was looking for. By the time he left after saying "I will get that book and bring it back to prove to you its available" - I was so drained I walked out to the office closed the door and let out a very loud black hole (that's a scream with no noise).

Really this afternoon when another customer didn't believe me that I couldn't trace her book I almost burst into tears (US publication only).

Really I am waiting for my son to come home to cook tea.

Really I had 2 little girls over this afternoon while I taught one of them to sew. She made great progress today and finished her chenilled cushion cover.

Really I am tired -not enjoying waking up every 2 hours.

Really I should be sewing my paper bag swap or writing up my instructions for my class at the SWS retreat (next w/e) instead of playing in blogger and Face book.

Really I am looking forward to Australian Master Chef tonight.

Craft Forum bag swap

Have I ever mentioned b4 how much I love bags, I haven't, WELL.................. I LOVE BAGS. You can never have enough bags can you. Or the right bag, the right size, colour, mood reflecting, etc etc etc.

So with that in mind I joined the Craft forums bag swap. I swapped with Linda, who made me one of my favourite bags in another swap some years ago.

Anyway here is the bag I made for Linda. She wanted shabby chic, i think I delivered. This bag simply came out of my head. Found strip of fabric, lace, braid & ric rac to co-ordinate and started sewing.

Linda nearly did not get this bag as I loved it, as did my quilting group friends.

AND this is the bag that Linda made for me. I swear this lady must have met me somewhere along the line AS this is the perfect bag for me. Doesn't it have Gail written all over it. Actually, just be quiet for a moment, sit really really still and you will hear it quietly call my name, Gail Gail.

I really love this bag as I speak it is sitting, all filled waiting for me to take it to work with me.

Thank you Linda for being a great partner and making me the BESTEST bag ever.

Linda & I have also been paired in the upcoming cushion swap. I can't wait, I love cushions too.

I've been dancing while scrapping

Well really I've been scrapping with Kaisers Dancing Jewel papers. I just love these papers. I taught a few girls how to alter an vanity case and I produced this rather large one that is now sitting on a table with a few other altered items. The bottle is an aluminium wine bottle, I am so happy with how this turned out. I have had the little memo pad holder for about 2 years but only just altered it, it came empty so i had to cut the papers to fit it.

These papers are the papers I have used on the altered mini book I am giving away. See http://missnance.blogspot.com/2009/04/happy-blogiversary-to-me.html

Making your home a haven

http://www.tammysrecipes.com/
For this week's Making Your Home a Haven challenge, let's focus on tidying and cleaning the entrance way to our homes!
When your husband or children come through the door, are they stepping over toys, shoes, and crumpled rugs, or are they greeted by a clean, clear landing for their tired feet? :)
Let's organize, clear out, and clean around our doorway(s) and entrance(s)! Maybe you need to re-organize, or maybe your children need a training session about where their shoes, mittens, hats, etc. belong! ;)

This is one of those areas that we don't really have to work on. At the front door there is an old wicker laundry hamper that all shoes go in and that's all. the back door has a table outside it so sometime it gets things put on it. But again just inside the back door is a big plastic tub for shoes.

Tammy also challenge us last week to review our morning routine, bedtimes, evening routine and getting up times.

I am really happy with my morning routine - it gets done by 10am most mornings (often with extra jobs thrown in) but I don't do it at all on the weekends.

My bedtime is still good between 9.30 & 10pm most nights.

Evening routine just doesn't work for me. I really don't like to do anything in the evening so I have changed it to things I know I can do . So my NEW evening routine is soak oats for my breakfast bircher muesli, put away clothes, prepare clothes for next day, check emails, face book & forums.

The other problem area I have is my getting up time. I really would like to get up at between
6- 6.30 but am not sleeping well (waking every 2 hours) so am struggling to get out of bed at 7.30 (this morning I dragged myself out at 8am but I still managed to get my morning routine done by 11am).


BTW Don't forget my giveaway in the post b4 this one (you need to leave a commetn in THAT post and keep coming back over the next few weeks as I put up new giveaways.