ANNETTE IN OZ

Plans Necklace

2012-01-22T11:30:00.001+09:30

I had my last day off yesterday and unwilling have to return to work this arvo. We had spent the previous few days going out to Kakadu and then down to Mataranka. Both areas are so beautiful in the Wet season and both had little or no tourists. That left me with one day off to have a play in my room and release some built up creativity blocked by last years relative invasion that saw my art room occupied from May till December. I loved every minute of having visitors here though it did keep me from being as creative as I like.
As usual I had no idea what I was going to make and the thought that maybe I had better "plan" my projects popped in my head...well that led me to think of all the things we plan in life...like plans to create, plans to marry, plans to build a home and so on and so on....before I knew it my necklace arose from thinking about plans. Like a little light bulb being turned on, ideas for its creation sprung to mind. I picked up a gorgous house shaped glass pendent that I got from Amarkintime and away I went. Anywho here it is...light bulb and all.
This is side one...a creator waiting for his light bulb moment and his plans sealed in glass above him...

And here is side two...a couple planning their future. Maybe the light bulb for them is the old style flash going off or the moment they realized they had become husband and wife.

One necklace down and many more to come this year I hope.
hugs
Annette In Oz.

Just Charming

2012-01-16T12:19:00.000+09:30

When I went to New Zealand last September we gave each other hand made charms. Some are too delicate to be used as wearable art but others were perfect. ...so yesterday I stole some ME time and made a charm bracelet. I added some of my own handmade charms, ice resined bezels and ice resined paint brushes to fill it in. I think I shall add more things as time goes by. Here are lots of images..

I also made a card for my friend.

Well I am off to Kakadu for the night with grant. We shall do the 12km bark walk tomorrow. In this heat it may be a challenge LOL but I love bush walking. When I am home I want to add the remainder of the NZ charms to a little handmade book the folks gave from NZ as well. I'm looking forward to a creative year to come...the best kind of year for me :o)
hugs
Annette In Oz

What A Day!!!

2011-12-12T15:30:00.000+09:30

Firstly thanks for anyone who voted for Missy...she won the monthly finals and now goes into the semi finals...one step away from winning now...how amazing and she does look gorgeous in that photo. Carlia and Cory have made it safely to Adeliade and are happy. I miss all our visitors this year and hugely miss my daughters *sigh*. Carlia may have a new job there soon too so that is excellent!!
Well then the universe balances the good with evil hey? Cause a tree just killed my car!!! One hell of a reason to have to call in as not being able to make it to work this arvo.

Still I am thankful no one got hurt and it brushed past the verandah but didn't destroy it. It was termite damaged and may have fallen on the house not the car in the next big storm....RIP "sardine" my name for the Ford. There are certain disadvantages to having a hubby who is a greeny and he said "the saplings (from1993) will never get big enough to cause damage to the house or cars". Eat your words honey.
hugs
Annette In Oz

PLEASE Vote For Melissa Again

2011-12-10T16:11:00.000+09:30

Hi all
can you all please vote for Missy (Melissa) again in The Look Of Love Competition. She is in the quarter finals now and voting ends tonight. You can win a trip to Paris yourself :o). She is at the right...the balck and white photo.
http://lookoflove.com.au/vote
Thanks
hugs
Annette In Oz

Cream and Black Cards

2011-11-21T21:56:00.002+09:30

When I was in New Zealand Joan gave me a book of anaglypta wall paper. I had tried for ages to get some here but it was sssoo darn expensive just for a piece so to receive this book as a gift took my breath away. It is full of heavily textured pages and you just want to run your hand all over it. While the house was mine today I made my way to my desk and pulled out a sheet of it. It has a slightly cream look so I decided to make some more cream and black cards using the anaglypta as the base. The image is from a Steampunk page I got from Altered Pages. I chose Martha as her name as she was surrounded by gears and cogs like the Martha Trizzy befriended in the Bunngings shop in New Zealand.

I love the texture all over this card

Sing like nobody can hear...well its the only time I sing as nobody would want to hear me LOL. I added some black and cream stitching for a textured look to this one

and dance like nobody can see was the last one. This gorgeous bling trim was from a shop in New Zealand. It hasn't photographed well but the flowers at the bottom are silver glass like and I applied some Kindy Glitz to the center of each one plus some on her wings.

My room will be totally mine again from the 2nd of December...that's 11 days, 2hours, 10minutes and 5seconds away...but who is counting ROFL. Carlia and Cory will take the bed from the room with them. I'm hoping to get another solid table to go in there then so I can have a separate work area for jewellery making and the other for paper crafts. I'll be making another etched metal house to give away once I have my room back...maybe as a hanging necklace or maybe not...maybe round or maybe not....thinking thinking thinking...

Hugs

Annette In Oz

Party Animal

2011-11-14T22:23:00.000+09:30

It had been struggling to get free for months and months...taunting me knowing people had been in my art room since May and it would not be mine again till December...it niggled at me as I passed my art room and shot me come hither looks and whined...."come and play with your inks and metal"..."come in and sit at your desk".....it crept into my mind as I fell asleep at night and was still there first thing in the morning....niggling, nagging and begging....and today....the 49th year to this day I have been on this precious Earth I gave in to my creative muse. So while my daughter and her boyfriend were at work I piled their belongs on one side of the room...and the Party Animal card was set free LOL.
The man in the image just looked so serious I thought underneath he must be a party animal. The watch dial at the upper left does move and can be placed right over his eye.

The next few show the card textures closer. Just had to get a little light bulb in there at the bottom right.

I think the muse just busted loose and could not be contained any longer due to the wonderful presents I got from Grant today for my birthday. I'm now the much anticipated owner of a Pepe circle punch set at last.

I also received a wonderful dapping block set...I have ideas already for some etched circular projects.

I also got some Gilders Paste ! Wahoo. Grant also gave me some perfume. What a sweetheart he is.

The kids gave me some chocolates(so they can eat them LOL) and a gorgeous jade and silver necklace. So along with my creative burst, a yummy grilled Barramundi meal at the local tavern for dinner and my most excellent presents I have had a lovely birthday indeed. I hope the person who is receiving Party Animal loves it too.

hugs

Annette In Oz

New Zealand part2

2011-11-10T00:20:00.003+09:30

Trizzy has kindly sent me some of her photos to use for this post too. I kept forgetting to take photos and Trizzy hijacked my camera for a day and took lots for me as well. So firstly there are a few more class ones. There is Joan the missing photo I had of her doing the class.

and in this one you can see Sharnie at the left...Sharnie was also missing in my first NZ post.

A lovely shot of Mz Jinny who cared for and looked after me so well, pre, during and after the retreat.

Jinny and the ever smiling Trizzy.

Sharon and Trizzy :o)

Trizzy and Kristi.

Jessie LOL. This was at Jinny's after the retreat...there was much laughter, sampling the New Zealand wines a many and lots of lovely food with the most excellent of company.

John is at left, Jessie husband Mark next to him and Jessie at the top....Allen and Jinny have their backs to the camera....wine bottles front and centre *grin*.

Trizzy and me. Who would have thought New Zealanders need a fan LOL.

Jinny's house had all sorts of light and textures. I was fascinated by her chandelier

and closer.

This armoured insect is a New Zealand Weta..... very ancient looking and reminds me of the Ozzie Mole Cricket.

and this is a Leopard slug...kind of cute and slimy LOL.

We had a couple of days to see some shops around Wellington and beyond. Trizzy and I had to stop and take a photo of this sign as Trizzy lives in the Blue Mountains area of NSW Australia!!!

As we had a look see in NZ Bunning's Trizzy befriended the door girl Martha. I'm sure she thinks us Ozzies are crazy.

The World cup was happening in NZ at the same time I was there and the local Bunning's was celebrating with flags of all the countries playing. There is little ole me underneath them all.

and more flags.....the New Zealand flags look like Aussie ones at the left but are red in the stars (thanks Glenda)

A funny sign we passed....I mean are the people or the cars dead or alive??

While out and about the weather became gloomy and very cold...next thing sleet filled the air and covered the cars.

the streets

and the hill tops LOL. So different from my Dry hot humid home!

The cost of petrol was very exy too to home...we pay around $1.50 per litre in the north of Oz and diesel is ten cents more then that here not less.

This is the Rimutaka hills...no kidding the Kiwis call mountains like this hills. We did a lovely day trip over said hills to the arty farty communities at the base of the hills and beyond like Featherston, Greytown and Carterton were Paua World is located. the next few photos show our journey over these ~~mountains~~ hills LOL.

There is a look out you can stop at and this intriguing path thru the bush

Trizzy and Jinny on the path...it went for ages and we gave up wandering along it as time was short.

A survey marker at the look out.

View as we come down the ~~mountain~~ hill.

Driving across the valley you catch glimpses of snow covered mountains in the distance

a closer look

An old building...they fascinate me as Darwin was wipped out by Cyclone Tracy in 1974 and we have just a few old buildings left that were made of stone and even fewer old wooden ones.

An antique shop with an old bike out front.

An old church now used as a shop.

I wonder who's art work is in the old printers tray.

At our lunch stop we spy a moss covered table and chairs and have to have a look.

The sun thru the skylight above us where we had lunch.

Trizzy next to an old yoke that could be seen as an enlarged female body part by some but surely not me LOL.

I was delighted to see this lovely old house nestled in a field...its for sale too!! Well rather I think the land is for sale and house for demolition.

Trizzy snapping herself in the back of the car. A great shot of her!!

Where ever we went the hills had little yellow flowers on them. Jinny says they are weeds but they do look nice.

A stop at Wainuiomata lookout reveals another fun side to the Kiwis on the sign LOL.

Said spot over looking the picture perfect Wellington.

A stop at a shop that is filled with so much stuff like charms, material, beads and coloured wigs. Bought some great tea spoon charms, trims, material etc rtc....the cc is still burning

It's near my time to leave.I sneak out of Jinny's and up her drive to her mail box. I like this photo as I know how to find her in Google Earth with her street number there for me to see. Since I came back to Oz I do google earth her and stand outside and smile.

Jinny's backyard with its remnants of family life...grandkids toys and a summer seat...

overlooking the houses on Jinny's verandah at the back

an antique bolt

gorgeous moss patterns in her driveway.

Milo the Bells' funny and cute cat.

and a glorious sunset to see me off.

I will never forget my trip to New Zealand and the wonderful folks I met. I do hope I get to go another time...in summer of course. I think I may have missed a photo or two still of NZ...I'll check and add anymore in the AM if I need too.

Coming home was a sad event for me with my niece Lisa loosing her fight with Leukaemia a week after I got back. She was only 36 and has left behind three kids. It threw me completely with the death of my sister Robin only being 1 yr past the same month that Lisa died. I think its taken me till now to get to some sort of acceptance of it all again. I tell my kids I love them everyday and hug that starnge creature known as the 16yr old son when he allows (where do they go at that age LOL).

I feel a great need to get making jewellery and art again as it truly calms me and makes me feel happy...but this will not happen for another 3 weeks yet as my art room invasion by relos has continued. Me nephew and his girlfriend have moved on and are on their way to Broome WA to live but then my daughter Carlia and her boyfriend Cory have moved into the room for three weeks before they too move on to Adelaide to live *sigh*...I will miss all my visitors and do not begrudge the room being filled with others since May...I just miss being creative and having my own space to do so.

hugs

Annette In Oz

My Daughter Melissa-please can you vote for her

2011-10-27T11:06:00.000+09:30

My second eldest daughter Melissa has been chosen as a finalist in a photo competition . If she wins she will win a Photoshoot in Paris worth $26,000. To help her win all you need do is vote for her at http://lookoflove.com.au/vote (copy and paste to browser if the link wont work or just click here) before 30th of the month. As a reward every person who votes for her is automatically entered in the ‘Win a holiday in Paris for 2 people’ promotion valued at $8000.

Please vote for her and forward this onto all your family and friends to help her out. Votes count for her until midnight Saturday 29th October September 2011. She really deserves a break and has been struggling in Adelaide trying to get a job since Febuarary. Besides I think this photo of her below is the best of the finalists....Mother's pride or what LOL

Thanks for your help :o)

hugs

Annette in Oz

Good luck Missy XXXXX

New Zealand...had a ball!!! Part 1

2011-10-25T17:20:00.003+09:30

Hello blogglanders...been a while but I have not been idle. I was sssooo surprised to be asked to go to New Zealand by Jessie Scherf and teach at a retreat in New Zealand this September. She had done one last year with another wonderful Aussie lady Teresa Crouch (hi Trizzy...waving madly I am to Trizzy in the Blue Mountains in Sydney) as the teacher and then Jessie asked me this year. It was truly an honor to be asked and I at first said no but after lots of gentle persuasion by Jessie I agreed to come. Having never taught before the thought of it all scared the hell out of me but I love creating and love to share the arty farty love so eventually I threw caution to the wind and said yes.
The theme was set as shrines which opened up a wide variety of things I could do and teach. I hadn't really thought of who I am now as an artist but I think it's safe to say I am a mixed media one or at least a creator out of the box LOL...come to think of it I'm not sure I was ever in the box ROFL. On one of the first phone conversations I had with Jessie I scribbled down and drew ideas like altering a sardine can, etching metal for the door, fabric heart shrine made from Vilene and tissue, necklace shrine and a Mexican shrine to alter some way. These initial ideas and drawings became the basis of what I did make and teach and the images are in previous posts. The weeks flew past as examples were made, instructions/supply lists were done and items sourced to make it all happen (both from here and in New Zealand). A wonderful NZ man Denis, even made wooden shrines for us all to alter at a later date...these are about 40cms high and 23cms wide and have doors and a recessed inner part.
Before I knew it September had come around and I was on a plane from Darwin to Sydney and then Sydney to New Zealand. My bags were bulging with supplies and very little clothing LOL. I was so excited as I could slowly make out ice capped mountains which I later found out were the Southern alps of the South Island. Then we came closer and closer to the gorgeous city of Wellington. Everything looked so green and beautiful to me compared to home. I loved the mountains...eerrr hills to the Kiwi's but def mountains to me LOL....surrounding the city as its very flat and dry were I live.
Getting thru Customs was a bit of a pain as I had to explain over and over the heavy package of cut, prepared and stamped brass (it came up as a dense object in their scanner) but I eventually emerged to the smiling faces of Jessie and Trizzy. Trizzy had loved her stint at teaching and decided to come back for this year but in the class this time. We then went over the hill (mountain!!) to Wainuiomata where Jinny and Allen Bell's house is. Trizzy and I would stay with Jinny and Allen during my time in NZ. I had never met Jinny and Allen before but grew to love and adore them...just amazing people who had let a complete stranger in their home and treated me like family. Oh and Allen can and did cook some yummy meals for us all too.
Jessie, Jinny and many others had put in so much work before I even got there and I am sure Jessie was stressed to all heck organizing it all. Jessie was meant to stay with us too but she had been unwell pre me coming and remained unwell while I was there so I didn't get to know her as well as I would have liked....Jessie and I had known of each other for many years though on line and we had also been on various groups and in some swaps together too. The first night we spent getting to know each other and sorting supplies for the projects in what became a huge production line. Thankfully Jinny had an huge art room and big tables for us to work on.

Here are all the shrines Denis made for us all

Organized chaos LOL

We got there in the end. Trizzy and I were on "Australian time" and spent the first of many nights sitting up late chatting and exploring Jinny's wonderful art space. Trizzy was great company and I am so glad she came across the ditch too. The next night I got to go and see the utterly amazing World Of Wearable Art show...OMG that was truly freakin amazing. All the clothes are made to themes and there was even some steampunk ones there. If you are ever in NZ when this is on you have to go to it. I drooled, my jaw dropped many times and my eyes were as wide as plates!!!. I had wanted to see this for years and still can't get over that I was there and what I saw. Shame you can't take photos though.
Before I knew it we were off to Forrest lakes on the Friday were the retreat would be held. It was in a lovely rural setting. There was a great open area for the classes and then the rooms spread out to the left and right from the main room. This is the lake behind us.

After my initial fear I just started talking and the classes flew by...I wasn't nervous after all as I always thought I would have been. It quickly became apparent to me that the New Zealand folks were all so warm, easy going, thoughtful, kind, patient and funny :o). I really loved meeting them all and still smile as I look at the photos from classes and their now familiar faces. I did hit several problems with the weather being colder and things not quite working as easily as they do for me at home...who would have known Masonite goes like cement in the cold sheesh!! We all worked out ways around the problems though just as I do when I am at home alone.
Next are some photos from the classes...in no particular order. That's Anne who kindly kept us Aussie's warm with lovely snugly bedding.

and here is Jessie(end of table),Ruth, Kate and Catherine

on the opposite side of the table is Julie, Jenny and Doreen

On the other side of the room there was Sandra, Heather, Yvonne, Kristi and Bridget.

Denise-head conveniently turned to side LOL, Bridget and Sharon...Sharon is a Kiwi living in Oz. She lost allot when her house got flooded in the QLD floods and the Kiwis raised money for her to come. How awesome is that and a great artist herself too.

This is Shirley trying to make sense of my instructions and Heather looking on too.

and this is Sally

Denis the wooden shrine maker and his gorgeous partner Berenice....the kitchen fairy!!! Berenice isn't greatly into paper arts so was always flitting around the kitchen preparing stuff for us all. All the food was bought by people attending as well.

Denis :o)

Denis made a shrine from the wooden ones he made for all of us. This is his shrine from the front. Denis used to drive racing cars when he was younger so he based his shrine on that and it was wonderful!

with the doors open

Denise and me

The wonderful Jinny

Me and Jinny

We all made and gave each other a charm. Here are some of them.

Me with Catherine

Me, Jinny and Jessie

Everyone made an arty page each and then made it into a book that they gave to me and Jessie. I love it and it just brings back awesome memories looking thru it.

It was amazing how quickly the time went and Sunday afternoon came around way too soon. It was hard saying bye to everyone. We were all trying to pack up and say goodbye all at once. Anne and Trizzy grab a goodbye hug

Kristi and Sharon

Jinny, Trizzy, Sharon at back and me and Jessie at front

Me and Sharon

Jessi's hubby Mark, me and Jessie

Joan (cludgie?sp....Scotswoman *grin*), me and Jinny

Trizzy, Kristi, Me and Yvonne

Here I am in my ever present fluro pink shoes that kept my toes warm while I was in NZ LOL.

Here is poor Mark with every ones cameras taking group shots for us all

and lastly all of us together. Sharnie is standing to my left...missed her and Joan in class shots some how.

After the retreat it all felt surreal. I really enjoyed the company of all the people I met and they will be forever welcome in my own small humble home should they venture across the ditch to Oz. I got to know Trizzy, Joan and her hubby John, Jinny and Allen further after the retreat and they all have a special place in my heart. None of that would have happened if it wasn't for Jessie asking me though and her insistence I could do it....thank you Jessie. I did do it and I think I'm in love with NZ and its people...our neighbours and some of the people my friends...across the ditch.

hugs

Annette In Oz xxx

PS If anyone has finished a project from class can you send me an image of it please?

Types of Transfers

2011-10-15T23:01:00.005+09:30

HEEELLLOOO bloglanders...I can't believe I have not had a chance to get in here for so long. I went to New Zealand and taught my first ever classes and absolutely loved the place and people. I'm working on a post about that with some photos too but for today I thought I would put up a list of some of the transfers I know of and use for my art. Of course there are many many more then these but here you go...
Types of transfers
Transfers make your art seamless. There will be no ridges as you would get using the actual image. They look as if they were printed on the surface itself. Most transfers are transparent in lighter areas so when done over patterns or lettering these will show thru the transfers lighter areas for interesting effects. Images with increased contrast transfer best.
Heat Transfers
Use heat to transfer images. You can use Creative hot Marks or Creative Versa Tool by Walnut Hollow or other brand of heat tool. Opals Embossing Enamel and Utee also do heat transfers. Remember to reverse text when you print your images for use with a heat tool. An ordinary craft dedicated iron or oven can be used for some transfers as well.
Opals and Utee transfers: You can transfer toner printed images, magazine images, some wrapping papers and some serviettes. You don’t need to reverse images/text when printing them. Use silicone muffin tray and separate each muffin part. Nick a small “V” in top edge to act as a pourer. Place this on the stove in a craft dedicated fry pan on low heat and pour in Utee or Opals (Franklin clear and Sandstone work well) into the muffin holder. Let this melt.
While melting apply a very wet coat of Versamark watermark ink all over the image so its shinny looking. Place image side up on Galdbake. Pour the melted Opals or Utee over the image. If not completely covered or lumpy reheat the Opals or Utee with a heat gun and move it around as desired once molten. Allow it to cool thoroughly. Peel off as much paper as you can. Place in warm water and rub off any remaining paper. Colour with alcohol inks, paints and permanent markers.
Try pouring the molten Opals or Utee thru decorative metal frames. Use cookie cutters to make shaped images by applying Versamark to the cookie cutter edges and pressing it into the poured molten Opals or Utee, leave till set and then remove it. You can of course melt Opals and Utee on Gladbake building up the amount you have with each melt and pour or use a Meltpot.
Heat tools: will transfer toner printed images to wood, glass, ceramics, gourds, card stock, mat board, vellum, fabric etc. With the heat tools lay your toner based printed image face down on the receiving surface and rub over the back with the heated heat tool till image is transferred. Keep moving the tool to avoid scorch marks on the receiving surface. Take care that receiving surface wont melt. If transferring and image to glass allow the tool to heat up on the glass to stop glass cracking. To transfer to metal it has to be sand papered with fine grit sand paper first. Spritz the metal with acetone, place image side down on metal and then apply the heated heat tool.
Iron or oven: Can transfer toner printed images and magazine images. You don’t need to reverse images/text when printing them. Have iron heated up on a hot dry setting with the steam turned off. Then place Translucent liquid Sculpey over a toner printed image laying on Gladbake. Use your finger to spread out a nice even layer. Leave it ti rest for 5 mins so it flatens. Fold Gladbake back over the top laying it down gently and evenly on top of the TLS from left to right to decrease bubbles. Apply gentle pressure and iron all over where the image is. Flip it all over and iron at the back. Turn back to the front and increase pressure and iron some more. Keep moving the iron. The TLS will go from milky to clear. Allow it all to cool and peel up the now set and transferred TLS.
You can colour TLS before hand with powdered pigments, Pearl-ex etc. You can lay lace, skeleton leaves and sheer materials onto the spread out TLS before you iron it and the image will then be on the item on top of it. These transfers are flexible and can be sewn thru, cut with scissors and so on. Transfer can also be done by applying the TLS to a sheet of glass, lay image on top gently to reduce bubbles. Leave it to rest for 5 mins. Bake in a craft dedicated oven as per manufactures instructions (usually 130-140C degrees). Once cooked peel up transfer while glass is still hot. Place it on Gladbake till cool.
Translucent polymer clay will transfer toner images as well. Lay image side down on kneaded and rolled clay and bake as per manufacturer’s instructions in a craft dedicated oven. Peel off paper and the transfer will now be on the clay surface. Colour as desired.
Another thing to try: I’ve laid down gold foil on balck and white toner printed images and then ironed that between Gladbake. The gold sticks to the toner areas. This looks great coloured with water colour washes in the plain areas.

Inkjet Printer Transfers
Images printed with an inkjet printer can be transferred with water, Gin and Stewart Superior Transfer Ink. Stewart Superior Transfer Ink will also transfer images stamped with Stewart Superior India Ink. These all make great transfer to fabric.
Sponge on Gin or water to receiving surface. Place image face down. Burnish well with a bone folder or the back of a spoon. Peek under to see if transfer complete. If not burnish more. When using fabric you can turn it over and check if water or gin have evenly coated the material. Sponge on more from the back as needed. Burnish till the transfer is completed. Some solutions require a careful balance between not enough or too much solution and its best to practice on scarp receiving surface first for a few images. Try also adjusting your contrast on the printed images. Blacks and dark blues bleed easily. Gin produces a crisper transfer then water.
Inkjet Printer images printed on Inkjet dedicated overhead transparencies can be transferred with gel medium-I prefer Golden regular matte gel medium for these. Images are printed on the rough side of the OHT. They work well on fabric and smooth water colour paper. Apply gel medium to the receiving surface. Place image face side down and burnish the back with a bone folder or spoon. Peek under and continue burnishing till image transfers. Allow it to dry. Makes crisp image transfers. Needs some practice to get the right amount of gel medium to use.

Wash Of Paper Method
General method: Apply a coat of medium to the receiving surface and let this set completely. Apply another coat of medium generously to receiving surface. Lay image face down and burnish well. Allow it to dry thoroughly. Use an old cloth or sponge. Wet it with water and squeeze out excess. Wipe over the back of the image and then rub to remove the paper baking from the image. Keep wetting and rubbing till all paper and fibres are removed.
Medium Transfers: These use some sort of medium such a gel medium-Golden regular Matte works well, Caulk, Mod Podge, water based Polyurethane Matte etc as the transfer carrier and then water is used to soak the paper baking off. You need to reverse the text/image for this type of transfer when printing the image. Use toner images or magazine images.
Polyurethane gives a clear accurate smooth finish. Gel medium transfers give accurate smooth matte finished transfers. If using gel medium, Mod Podge or Caulk transfers in altered books etc some brands stay sticky even when cured so use Gladbake between the surfaces of your book so pages won’t stick. The stickiness wears off in time.
Alternatively you can paint on a layer of gel medium directly to the image being transferred, let it dry, add another layer in the opposite direction and let that dry. Build up 6 layers. Wet the back of the image and rub off the backing paper till you have a thin transfer. Now apply a layer of gel medium to the receiving surface, lay transfer on top and let it all dry.
Clear Adhesive Transfers: These use clear packaging tape, cold laminate or Clear Book Covering adhesive like Coverseal. Black and white toner copied images work best. Apply it over image and burnish very well. Soak and gently rub backing paper off with a damp cloth. Adhere in place. Be care to not rub too hard. Use packaging tape for small images and the cold laminate or Coverseal for larger images.
Decals: Like Lazertran. Use type specific for your printer. You can get Inkjet or Laser printer ones. Print images onto the paper as per instructions that come with it. Allow it to dry. Applying a thin layer of gel medium to the receiving surface helps it to stick better. It has its own sticky backing when wet but it’s not always adhesive enough. Lay the printed image in some warm water. The backing paper will soften after a few seconds. Pick up image and slide it into place on the receiving surface while removing the backing paper at the same time. Smooth out any bubbles and leave it to dry.

Solvent Transfers
These have odours and can cause asthma or other respiratory problems with people sensitive to fumes. Always work in well ventilated areas and read labels carefully. Types of solvents are pure acetone, lacquer thinners, citrus cleaners& citrus paint removers, Oil of Wintergreen, Xylene etc.
Generally you use a toner copied image and lay it face down onto a receiving surface. Saturate the back using cotton wool. Burnish well with a bone folder or the back of a spoon. Peek under to see if transfer complete. If not add more solution and burnish more till the transfer is completed.
Some solutions require a careful balance between not enough or too much solution. Some produce grainy partial transfers only. Care has to be taken that the image doesn’t slide while being burnished as the transfer will be blurry. Citrus cleaners leave a discolouration on the receiving surface.

Transfer Paper
Such as The Studio Paper by US Art Quest-use with inkjet printer and reverse text. Print onto the transfer paper. Take care not to touch it as it will remain wet. Lay image side down onto the receiving surface. Lightly burnish with your finger. Once transfer completed lift paper vertically off. Gives a crisp transfer with a grainy finish.
Sheer Heaven Paper: Print image using an inkjet printer to the rough side of sheer heaven. Receiving surface needs to be porous such as hot press water colour paper, card stock, muslin, tissue wrapping paper, handmade paper, bisque fired unglazed tiles etc etc. Use 70 percent isopropyl rubbing alcohol like Isocol in a fine mist spray bottle. Spritz the image with the rubbing alcohol. Hold it under the light to see if you have missed any areas. Aim for a glass like look to the surface. Lay image face down onto the receiving surface. Burnish with the side of your hand and then with a bone folder. Lift edge to check if the image has transferred. If not spritz the untransferred area again with the rubbing alcohol, lay it back down and burnish again.
T-Shirt Transfer Paper: Buy specific to your type of printer. Good for crisp true transfers to materials, cardstock and water colour paper. Need to reverse text. Print as per instructions with your paper. Trim corners so they are slightly rounded. Place image side down on receiving surface on a firm background. Have iron on suggested setting as per instructions with your paper. Iron firmly all over and constantly move iron as you go. Iron as per time suggested with your papers instructions. Check under an edge. If transfer not complete iron some more. Peel off backing and let it cool. This transfer can be washed and sewn thru.

Beeswax Transfers
Print black and white images and photos with a toner based printer. Build up a beeswax collage using torn old papers, old dress patterns and tissue printed paper that you apply beeswax over the top of. I like to use beeswax sheets and melt it onto and over the paper using a Clover mini iron. You can melt the beeswax with a melt pot etc. Place printed image face down on top of the beeswax in the location you want. Rub the back with the handle of your paintbrush or a bone folder until its all transferred to the wax.

Hope these help someone.
hugs
Annette In Oz

Lampwork beads, a necklace and some yummy mail.

2011-08-08T12:05:00.000+09:30

I can't believe how fast paced my life has been this year. Having visitors here for nearly 2 and a half months has reduced ny arty adventures as my art room has had people sleeping in there with beds literaly tucked right up too and under my desk LOL. My influx of visitors coincided with a wonderful friend Gail Hart from Tasmania staying at her sons place here in Darwin. I couldn't get up to see Gail till the last few weeks but when I did go I was in for a real treat as she has taught me the basics of lamp work bead making...and another door to arty goodness opens.
I'm still a huge novice but I LOVED the whole process and Gail is helping me set up the basic requirements to continue playing in this area. I can now make smallish round beads Ok but the stringers and adding them plus making larger beads awaits further practice practice practice. Gail is an amazing glass bead artists and I could have just stood there watching her all day making the beads....she leaves for home Wednesday Wah...I do hope she comes back again :o). Gail is such a kind, lovely person and VERY patient when teaching someone like me who has shaky hands with glass and gas around *grin*. Thank you Gail. Here are the beads so far...the larger one and the heart plus some others were made by Gail.

My nephew and his girlfriend have been staying in town for this week so I had a few days to get in the art room and sort stuff for trip to New Zealand next month which is fast approaching. There are plastic bags of brass, charms, Yuzen papers, tassels and so on all over the place!!. While clearing the desk to post said items I found a partly finished leaf form dancer necklace so finished making her. She has ice resin over paper like the others I have made. Her body has the words "infinite passion for life" in it.

Just because I can't do much art at the moment doesn't mean I don't think about and buy art supplies LOL. Just look at this awesome stuff from the retrocafe that has come. The Vari-tone ink used with stencils or other things LOL gives graduated ageing spots...the more ink and heat the darker the aged look.

OMG I sssoo love old German doll parts. I have never seen such a small frozen Charlotte and doll arms make great hangers for necklaces....and then there are those amazing glass eyes...

More shrines and trinkets to await altering..

tiny watch part vials....one even has some small watch parts still in it yeha

and old optical lenses and acrylic cut charms...oh how I love that shop LOL

Now all I need is time to get some art done and my art space back to do so. It will all come together sooner or later :o). On the other hand we may have been busy but we have loved having the visitors here too as we don't see relatives for years at a time. It just happened that we got 7 visiting all around the same time!!!. Oh and did I mention the oldest daughetr Carlia and her boyfriend are now back living with us too?. I didn't change the locks quick enough LOL.
hugs
Annette In Oz

Heart and Mexican Wing Themed Shrine

2011-07-24T00:34:00.000+09:30

My nephew and his lovely girlfriend are staying with us at the moment for several weeks and I keep forgetting or running out of time to get these images up. Anywho here are the last 2 shrines we will be making in NZ....the first is a 2 hr class so I kept this one simple and had a love theme for it. The large heart is Vilene and Cuttlebug embossed with a matchbox draw under the door. I used metallic paints, primary elements powders and angelina fibres on it so its quite shimmery IRL.

Then the last class is an all day one. I went for a Mexican style altered shrine with a wings theme and grunged it all up using stamps, paint, embossing, resin filled bezel and so on.

Next thing I need to do is get in my room and start sorting and making things I need to bring with me to NZ. There is my son in there at the moment while our guests use his room but it will all get done one way or another LOL. May sneak in some jewellery too as I have wanted to make another resin leaf form dancer for myself since I gave away my other two!
hugs
Annette In Oz

Oriental/Asian Themed Shrine

2011-07-14T00:28:00.000+09:30

We had a month of family visiting and then 2 weeks break and I finally got a few days to myself to complete the last three shrines we will make in New Zealand. The Engineer necklace shrine will be the first and this will be the second one. I went for some recycled elements and used an empty but clean sardine tin as the shrine base. It's an oriental or Asian themed shrine.
The door is etched metal.

Frame holds an Pipedreamink Opals embossing enamel frame.

Under the door is an inkjet water transfer to calico.

Contents in the rear of the shrine.

Just had to add a scroll LOL.

Will show you the last two shrines soon. My lovely nephew Craig and his lovely girlfriend Lisa have just arrived for a few weeks now....maybe its the Universes way of keeping me from freaking out about going to NZ to teach for the first time *grin*
hugs
Annette In Oz

Hand Made Cards

2011-06-19T13:10:00.001+09:30

Oh my I got so side tracked with visitors for last few months that I forgot 2 peoples birthdays. Here are a few more cards made recently. The first one I have used some of my grungy bg I made a few days ago. Image is from Creative Individuals. Gail Hart sells their stuff in Oz. Missed this persons birthday by a week!. It will be in the mail tomorrow.

A closer view.

We then got a call from Grant's Mum and she let us know we forgot Grant's nephew Ryan's birthday as well. So I made a lovely messy bluish grungy bg.

Then I added this sad or sorry looking boy. His crown looks "whole" in real life.I used some mica powder on it and the light isn't reflecting off the whole crown when I take a photo. I'm a month late with this one!!!. It too will be in the mail tomorrow.

Closer view.

This one I actually made and sent on time LOL. It was for Jen Crossley whom I also made the friendship necklace for.

It was very daunting making Jen a card and necklace as she is humungously talented herself. I even managed to send this one early LOL. Hope I do better during the year with birthdays.
hugs
Annette In Oz

Arty Ironing Ideas

2011-06-17T14:35:00.014+09:30

Hi all
I was meant to be ironing and got side tracked thinking of all the arty things you can do with an iron so started a list in Facebook. Here is the list so far. Anyone got some more?
(NOTE: Gladbake is baking parchment and Gladwrap is plastic food wrap...the cheaper brands work best!!)
(1) Heat transferring images to card, metal etc. To do it onto metal sand with fine sand paper, spritz with acetone , place toner printed image side down and iron on hot setting no steam to transfer the image to the metal
(2) Ironing patterns in Angelina fibres with stamps-place fibres on top of stamp, cover with Gladbake and iron on hot setting no steam. Image will imprint into the fused fibres
(3) Same with velvet by spritzing fury side of velvet first with water, lay wet side down on top of stamp, add sheet Gladbake and then iron firmly no steam....image will imprint in the velvet
(4) Ironing Opals embossing enamels to make Opals paper and then - sprinkle opals onto Vilene with or without tissue material on top or on material itself and iron between Gladbake...opals melt and embed in the base...opals paper
(5) Can use Lumiere paints or alcohol inks to colour Opals paper, Cuttlebug emboss it, sew thru it, place over a stamp add Gladbake and iron on top, leave till cool and peel up stamp to imprint image into the opals paper
(6) Heat transferring foil onto toner images-place foil over toner printed image, Gladbake on top and iron. The foil will stay on the image
(7) Ironing crayon shavings onto water colour paper
(8) Making T-shirt transfers-use the T-shirt paper, print image on top and iron image to other surfaces...not necessarily onto a T-shirt LOL
(9) Making Opals embossing enamel transfers from toner images-apply a very wet layer of Versamark watermark ink to a toner printed image, glossy mag image or wrapping paper etc. Sprinkle on clear Franklin opals and iron or pour pre melted Franklin on top. Leave till cool. Opals will sink into the paper a bit. Place opals/image in warm water and rub off the back. Image will be transfered to the opals. Can colour it with Lumiere paint, alcohol inks etc
(10) Ironing tissue paper, material etc to vilene with vliesofix ready for colour wash spraying, Can sew it, stamp it, Cuttlebug emboss it etc
(11) Drying wet card stock
(12) Ironing pleats etc into wet cardstock or paper
(13) 'altering' shopping bags between 2 sheets baking parchment
(14) Iron 4 or 5 layers of bubble wrap together (one layer at a time between baking parchment !) creates interesting plastic that can be punched
(15) Making toasted sandwiches in a hotel room ! (Iron between baking parchment !)
(16) Ironing Lumiered and stamped Gladwrap to card etc between Gladbake
(17) Faux batik-stamp with clear ink or pale ink of choice onto water colour paper. Sprinkle on clear embossing powder and heat set/melt it with heat gun. Sponge on colour with inks, spray washes etc. Place paper towel on top and then Gladbake on top of that and iron-raised embossing powder disappears=faux batik
(18) Encaustic wax painting
(19) Apply water colour crayon to stamp, put cardstock on top and iron
(20) Encasing glitter, shiny shiva mirrors, tiny shiny plastic shapes and Angelina fibres etc between organza or other sheer material. Use Vliesofix on base material, sprinkle on the shiny things, organza on top, Gladbake on top of that and iron on a lower heat....crazy stitch away or not *grin*
(21) Squeeze lemon juice and use as an ink on cardstock or paper..it’s invisible till heat applied with heat gun or iron...use lemon juice sponged onto card with a sea sponge and then iron for interesting effect
(22) Varitone ink sponged thru stencils and ironed makes for cool aged looking backgrounds...the more heat you apply the darker it gets. I got some from
http://www.retrocafeart.com/ and the cutest tiny 1inch frozen charlotte plus other amazing altered retro art bits.
(23) Faux carnival glass as per Zeborah Loray(an amazingly arty friend in USA). Apply 3 layers of black Currawong Opals embossing enamel (or other dark colour)onto a base like card, glass, wood, metal etc using an iron or heat gun. On top molten layer apply Fantasy film or other. When cool apply 2-3 layers Franklin clear opals on top with iron or heat gun. Press a stamp on top while molten and leave to cool. Peel stamp up and tada faux carnival glass
(24) Found this one out when I was ironing Fantasy Film or Angelina film...if you have yr iron too hot it makes tiny honey comb effects with the shiny film. Makes a gorgeous bg
(25) Squeeze out some transluscent liquid sculpey onto some Gladbake, spread it out evenly with finger and ensure there are no air bubbles, lay toner image face down on top, add another sheet Gladbake and iron on hot with no steam till TLS sets. Peel off image and it will transfer to TLS. You can cut, Cuttlebug emboss it, sew it, colour it etc. Ohh...I've coloured the TLS with mica powders pre transfer and also applied TLS on a base first like skeleton leaves or sheer material for interesting effects. Can apply the TLS directly to the toner image first as well.
(26) Nappy linner rubbing. Use cheap nappy(diaper liners) liners and make a rubbing from a textured surface with Shiva paint sticks. Place rubbing over base card or material, Gladbake on top and iron-no steam. Nappy liner will melt in parts and stick to base
(27) Just remembered Press-n-peel used for transferring an image of a circuit board plan onto copper pre etching. Could use the same idea but use family photos made into digital "stamps" in photoshop...there is a how too at art-e-zine here Make digi stamp, print it on Press-n-peel, place image side down on prepared base metal and iron on hot setting no steam with firm pressure. Image is now on metal and has a built in resist so can be etched!!. Here is a longer how too and more info about it
(28) Tyvek-iron between 2 sheets Gladbake. One side becomes 'bobbly' and the other 'spider-webby' Oh and remember there are a couple of types of Tyvek. Smooth- thick and thin. Textured- Linen like and industrial. All VERY ineteresting !
(29) You can use Gladwrap as a glue to bind 2 things together. Just put a sheet between two peices of cardstock, cardstock and paper, 2 pieces material etc . Iron between Gladbake. The plastic melts and "glues" the items together
(30) Reynolds freezer paper- has a plastic coating that melts so can be used as a binder when ironed. I esp like to use this when I want to feed material thru the printer. Cut material and freezer paper to A4 size. Place material on top and iron between Gladbake. The material will now be stuck on the freezer paper and can be fed into the printer(ensure any loose threads are cut close to the freezer paper edge). It easily peels off again when you need to use the printed fabric!
(31) Making "stary night scene" on black painted cardstock or black materials etc using Super mend sprinkled on(its like fine sand and is a glue in powder form used on material..or otherLOL) and then iron gold, silver or hologram foil over top(with Gladbake between foil and iron). Foil sticks to Super mend sprinkles= stary night!!
(32) Faux stained glass. Use heat reistive film for laser printer-sticky backed clear if you can get it. Stamp an open pattern on smooth side with Stazon black ink. Press lead lighting strips onto the stamped image lines. Iron fantasy film, angelina film etc chunks to rear inside the lead strip guides. Sprinkle on Franklin clear Opals and iron between Gladbake

hugs
Annette In Oz
who just got some awesome stuff from the http://www.retrocafeart.com/ today...will share photos later...I really have to get the house work DONE!!!!

Getting My grunge On

2011-06-15T21:19:00.001+09:30

I'm working on several projects at once on my desk. As a part dries on one I work on another. In amongst the growing mess I quickly made a 50th birthday card for my brother Steven. The image is him at 7 months old.I adjusted the colour in Photoshop. Here is the original.

I got all ink and paint stained doing the next part but I loved it LOL. I made a grungy background for the image to go on. I was reminded about making a grungy bg when I visited Chris Arlingtons blog post.

Add some stained gauze, some cogs, a wing, dictionary words for "brother", a fuse, an old tape measure and a party hat and tada

Better get it in the post tomorrow...only a week late but better late then never.
hugs
Annette In Oz

Visitors Galore and Silversmithing No More

2011-06-14T15:45:00.001+09:30

We have had a busy but great time with My Mum and Aunty Marg here for 2 weeks followed by my sister. Colleen and her hubby Jim for another 2 weeks. We did all the tourists spots with both so had 2 trips tp glorious Kakadu, Litchfield, Katherine Gorge etc etc. Here is Col and Jim in front of a rather large Cathedral Termite mound.Jim is around 6ft tall so you get an idea of the mounds real height!!!

Col and Jim at Ubirr in Kakadu with the flood plains behind them

We stayed and watched the sun set. It was quite over-caste but we watched...and waited...

aaahhhh another glorious sunset over the Northern Territory of Oz

While Col and Jim did the Katherine Gorge cruise Grant and I went on a walk above the escarpment and found this curious rock monster by the path. I think someone had too much time on their hands LOL.

Along with visitors leaving I did my last Silversmithing class this week gone. I had made two diffrent sterling silver wire twists. I made one into a bracelet as I actualy didn't own any bracelets.

and the other piece was smaller so once I had rolled it I made a set of hoop ear-rings out of it.

I'm already missing my visitors as we do not see people we know for years at times. Col and Jim had never been to the NT and loved it so hope they come back and see us again soon. Well the house has just been cleaned, 6 loads of washing done and all the guest linen etc put away. HHHmmm maybe tomorrow I can get into that art room and sort thru some of the half finished projects on my desk!!
hugs
Annette In Oz

Friendship Necklace

2011-06-05T21:29:00.001+09:30

Last night I made a friendship necklace from one of the caste textured resin pieces I had previously done. I used the clear small one at top left.

I would have completed it last pm had I not made a big boo boo...one I'll share now in case others make the same error. I used Dimensional Magic to bond the Collections image to the resin in the oval....all went well and after it dried I put more Dimensional Magic at the back of the image. I then attached an etched brass piece to the back of the image. I put that aside to dry only to find my image had gone from sepia tones to bluish and yellow blobs...OMG.....
I unassembled the necklace to find the Dimensional Magic had reacted with the brass causing it to oxidize...groan. I had to scrub the image off the back of the resin, reattach another Collections image using more resin this time and leave it overnight to harden. Finally this morning I could reattach the etched brass back to finish this one. I love the textured resin front.

Hope whoever gets this likes it.
My Mum and Aunty had been here for 2 weeks and have gone home now...I miss them both already and loved their visit. We went to Kakadu, Litchfield and so on...I never get sick of going to the sites around here. Sunsets in NT are so gorgeous at this time of the year. Here is two from a harbour cruise 10 mins apart and another two from Mindil beach looking out to the harbour 10 mins apart. Enjoy.

hugs
Annette In Oz

Silversmithing,WIP and Mail

2011-06-04T11:17:00.000+09:30

I'm slowly getting back my Mo and Jo and just in time I think. Of course though now I tidied, decluttered and moved rooms with my stash I can't find a bloomin thing LOL. Silversmithing classes and a relo invasion from the East Coast have been keeping me on the non stop go but I have been getting in my new art space a little bit...slowly making a lovely untidy mess on my desk YEHA. In silversmithing I have now made a pair of textured sterling silver hoop ear-rings to match my cuff and ring....sorry my photos are crap though...must learn how to take better shots of shiny stuff!!. This Wednesday is my last class and I'll be making 2 twisted wire bracelets...I think LOL.

I also ordered a few things that have been arriving in the last week...some new stamps for etching from Jen C

and Kerin Gale's book...plus doing 2 of her on line classes...her work and book reminds me of Stephanie Lee's work and book Semi Precious Salvage. It was Stephanie Lee's book that got me making nesty jewellery and where I first read about etching metal.

In Kerin's book and her classes I'm learning how to make texture with epoxy clay, silicone moulds and resin....right up my ally *grin*. Of course I then needed some vintage finery to get some cool texture from. I have ordered 5 of these Ambrotype photos in ornate tooled leather cases. 2 have come and I adore these...the images are on glass, with clear glass on top and they have gorgeous embossed copper around them. They come in wonderful leather cases and are from the 1850's

Can't wait till the other three arrive. Last night I used some Pinkysil I got from Jen C's shop and made some moulds from the covers. I then tried some old Liquid Glass resin that had gone amber and some ice resin in the moulds. Today I'll try some polymer clay in the moulds....then who knows....

The amber small resin at top right has small bubbles I forgot to burn off with my butane so when I use that one I'll just cut the oval out!

In amongst loosing a half day with shopping for Carlia's 21st birthday (on the 18th June) yesterday and mucking around with the moulds and resin I also got Carlia's 21st card made...she doesn't look in here so I am safe to share this today. The image is Carlia as a toddler.

Hope she likes it and her gifts. Time to hang the washing out and then I have the rest of the day to myself to get into my room and mess it all up so I can find stuff again :o)
hugs
Annette In Oz

Sterling Silver Textured Cuff

2011-05-19T10:43:00.000+09:30

It took 2 lessons to get my next sterling silver jewellery project made. I had wanted to do a textured looking cuff like my ring and a pod with pearls on top but it would have been a bit beyond my scope yet so I went for a slightly raised cup on the cuff instead. The tricky part was setting it up for the soldering but with my tutors help I got it all together. Sterling silver is hard to photograph so forgive the shody shots but here is my cuff....

The cuff is 15cm long and 3cm wide so its nice and heavy. I'm really enjoying playing with and learning about sterling silver. Of course it all can be applied to my junk jewellery making. The lady teaching us will be doing a class casting with the lost wax technique later in the year and I can't wait to learn that too!
hugs
Annette In Oz

Hi Ho Hi Ho A Silversmithing Annette Goes

2011-05-04T23:43:00.002+09:30

I've just started a 6 week silver smithing course right here in Darwin!!!. My first class was tonight and I had a ball.Our first thing was to make a sterling silver ring by measuring and using a jewellers saw to cut a strip. Next we soldered it, hammered a pattern and then polished it. I was amazed at how it all came together. I didn't break any saw blades but still manged to drop and tip over stuff left right and centre....all in the name of art I say *grin*. Who knew you can use cheap house hold items as a flux and pickle solutions!!!

Here is my first sterling silver ring. Not perfect but it fits and I love it.

I think there will be more sterling silver creations to come now and another door opens in my creative life :o).

Hugs

Annette In Oz

My Arty Space

2011-04-28T14:11:00.001+09:30

I've just finished sorting thru my zillion beads and had a huge bag of beads to donate afterwards. 1/2 way thru the last task of sorting thru ribbons and fabric and then my nice clean clear desk is in for some serious arty play!. Okies here are some pictures of the area I have now. There is my desk.I have draws under it and to the side. The side draws are on rollers so if I want to work on metal I just roll it to the other side and if I want to do paper crafts roll them the other way. The one under the desk has my acrylic paints and painting mediums. Still two empty draws here and I thew out four draws. I have a daylight lamp at each end as the lighting is crap in the room.

To the left is stackable containers with draws containing embellishments, vintage images and paper crafts stuff.I decreased my stash here by 6 containers. There are three draws still empty.

To the right are books, magazines and cabinets for metal work, soldering, ice resin stuff, etching stuff, Opals embossing enamels, Cuttlebug and accessories, glues, tapes, paints and mediums. On top of the book shelf that I have cut off ggrrr is my pyramid of life piece, my rusty clock and some gorgeous art work that my friend Robin in USA gave me.

There is a large cupboard to the right too for stamps.Ill slowly swap them from folders to loop and tape and then put them in DVD cases for easier storage. My beads and metal embellishments are in here too and my stamp making machine, solvents, fabric inks, sewing machine etc.

Here are some of the doors open on the cupboards below the book shelf.

I'll get Grant to permanently attach my dremel to the desk and have two cork boards still to hang but I'm pretty happy with it all. There is a single bed in the room too which I shall change to a sofa bed lounge later in the year.
hugs
Annette In Oz

The Stash is Moved At Last

2011-04-22T16:47:00.000+09:30

Well I have sorted, tossed, decluttered, agonized and got frustrated but my stash is all in the spare room now at last. I had no idea how much crap I had hidden away and never used nor how darn long it would take me. I've donated a huge amount of staff to the aged care facility I work at, to use in their activity programmes. I've also decided to get rid of all my Australian "Stamping and papercrafts" mags, Australian Paperarts mags and Rubber Gazette mags. If anyone wants a specific issue or issues just drop me an e-mail. You pay the postage and I'll pop them in the mail.
hugs
Annette In Oz

The devotion of dogs!!

2011-03-18T10:34:00.003+09:30

Floods, loss of life and cyclones here, earthquake, destruction and more loss of life in Christchurch New Zealand...our friends across the "ditch" and now the still unfolding tragedy after the awful earthquake and huge tsunami that has affected Japan....so many lives lost and whole towns no longer standing. My heart goes out to all those affected. So much sadness has befallen our neighbours since the start of the year!
I'm still sorting my stash but I stop and watch the news every time I come out of the spare room or after work. Last night I saw this video via Jen's son Matthew fb page and it just made me so sad for all the animals affected as well.

The vidoe isn't showing the full screen in blogger so here is the youtube link as well.
Take care all my friends across the globe and lets hope the reactors in Japan can be cooled and fixed!!
hugs
Annette In Oz

The Move Begins!!!

2011-03-09T11:58:00.002+09:30

Well my big stash move has begun. I think I'll just drag it all into the spare room and then declutter (if I can LOL) as I find new spots for my stash to live in. I'm hopping to have a metal work section and a paperarts, paint and fabric areas. Well that is the plan. May have a few things to give away too yet :o).

I started this card for my very ill and much loved neice Lisa a few days ago. Lisa has three kids and is in her late 30's. She was diagnosed with acute myloid leukaemia a few weeks ago and will be in hospital for 6 months. At this stage they think it was too advanced when she was diagnosed and they can't cure her. So terribly sad. Her kids are 15, 13 and 6. As she is in another state and I can't visit her I thought I would make her a card. I was relocating my Stamping and Papercrafts mags on Mon and I sat on the floor for 2 hrs flicking thru some and came across a pull tab card I used to love to make. I used that for her card. It sits flat but opens to reveal the images in a shadow box effect. Shame I got glue on the right tab but I may cover that yet.
I used twinkling H2O's to paint the butterfly frame. I gave the butterflies a 3D effect by adding another stamped butterfly to the base frame ones and some wire antennae.

The tabs at the side slide to move the front stamped section up and away to either side and reveal the image underneath. The image is a gorgeous Gothic fairy stamped and then painted with water colour pastels.

Here is the image a bit closer.

Another find when moving stuff was a beaded crazy bracelet I made many years ago in a sea theme. I really loved making them and must try to make another once I'm settled in my new art space.

Off to move some more.

hugs

Annette In Oz

Wet Season Photos

2011-03-06T14:10:00.006+09:30

Its official we have and are having the wettest Wet Season on record. So far over 2000mls of rain have fallen. Up here in the Nrth of Oz we have only 2 seasons....the Wet and the Dry. The Wet is our rainy season and with it there is a flourish of plants and animals everywhere. Here are some photos we have taken over the current Wet.

A rare sighting of a black wallaroo at Kakadu before the flooding cut the highway and became impassable to cars.

Berry Creek. Grant couldn't get to work for 2 days. The Wildlife Park he works at is on the other side of the creek.

Giraween Rd. My road to work. Fortunately ....hhhmm or not LOL I could get to work by driving the long way round on another road.

Croc trap in the creek on Giraween Rd. Locals usually swim in here in the Wet...not this year I hope, though we see stupid fishermen thigh deep in water next to the trap everyday!!!

Florence Falls

Tolmer Falls

Wangi Falls

Green ants piled up on a leaf trying to escape the water in my driveway.

Leichaardts grasshopper at Kakadu. We only see these for a few weeks of the year.

Litoria Microbelis frog in full song. Man the frogs have been loud this year.

and lastly a tawny frog mouth on the fence that joins our block to next doors.

Shame I couldn't suck up some of that water and send it where it could do some good. Will be a bumper fishing season to come. Our bedroom is painted and tomorrow we will go back there and then I'll have to spare room at last wahoo.
hugs
Annette In Oz

Enquiring mind here...can you help?

2011-03-04T14:05:00.001+09:30

Hi folks
I'm having break in moving yet more furniture around and thought I would ask....I like the way some of you have added tabs at the top of your blogs....how do you do this? Any help greatly appreciated.
hugs
Annette In Oz

Pyramid Of Life

2011-03-02T12:51:00.001+09:30

My days off have been filled with moving furniture as Grant paints the house room by room. The bathroom and toilet walls are now lagoon teal in colour. My soon to be craft room is a rich cream and these last 2 days Tim's room got painted a gorgeous sky blue. Next Saturday and Sunday Grant will paint our bedroom and after that I can claim the spare room at last and move my stash in. At the moment there are still cupboards and stuff everywhere in the lounge/dinning area where my art desk is. I've never really kept much in the way of paper crafts that I have made in the past and thought I would make myself a project to display in my new room when I move in. It took several days to get completed with all the other disruptions going on but I like the way it turned out.
I had some painted and Cuttlebug embossed backgrounds on my desk from a past project so used some as my backgrounds on my pyramid. My mind is still stuck on shrines I think as a simple triangle card got turned into a pyramid with removable little draws LOL. I could work on each triangle side while flat and then each draw and once all dry I simply popped the draws in place and glued the whole thing together. I'd been thinking about what I need in my life as a theme for this project. Not the have to haves like water or food but what I need for my heart and soul type of things. So one side was "I need creative ideas". Cogs, light bulbs, fuses and watch parts for time as well, were all incorporated into it.

The lens can be moved up to see the contents of the draw underneath.

The bulb closer. It can be moved side ways or straight up and down.

The ideas draw contents closer.

and the lens covering the recess before the draw was put back in.

"I need love" side. Has a small bottle for my love potion number 9 mix, flowers, hearts and of course some cupids. The draw has a vintage couple embraced in a kiss and a tiny key. We all need a key to our hearts.

The little love potion bottle closer.

The love drawer contents closer.

The last side I chose "I need music". A troop of musicians filled my draw, notes, instruments and music scattered around.

Detail closer.

The music draw contents closer.

Probabaly wont be able to get inky for a fortnight now, till I have my stash moved. I'm looking forward to having my own space at last though so the wait is worth it. :o)

hugs

Annette In Oz

Heart card and "The Engineer" necklace

2011-02-16T21:09:00.007+09:30

I've been sad with my second eldest daughter Melissa moving to Adelaide last Saturday to start her own life path attending University there...I've cleaned up her room and it will become my art room at last but for now it's emptiness and me missing her just brings tears to my eyes. I was sad when Carlia (eldest daughter) left too but she still lives in Darwin and while Missy was here the room was still full of life. I guess once its my room the sadness will lesson...well I hope it does.

Grant will paint it next week and then I shall move my arty crafty stuff from the kitchen table area to there and set up a paper craft desk and a metal working one. Hopefully at last this will clear space for me to create in as I usually have just a 20cm square clear LOL. Often when I am sad I have learnt that creating makes me feel better. Today I needed a "band aid" or a hug and looked to creating again to heal myself. It's my Mum's birthday tomorrow so this evening after dinner I got too and made her a card. You can't see it in the photo but the bg is very bright and shimmery as its fantasy film with Opals Franklin Embossing Enamel on the top. I also ran it thru the Cuttlebug plus added the gold adhesive lattice for texture.The purple bg is also shimmery due to me using Luminarte Polished Pigments.

The top heart folds back to tuck under the butterfly on the inner page so the card stands up.

Here is a better image of the bottom or inner part of the card.

Happy Birthday Mum...I'll get it in the post when the PO opens again after the small Cyclone over Darwin moves on...hopefully Friday.

I've been asked to go over "the ditch" to New Zealand in September to teach at a craft retreat. The theme will be shrines. My immediate reaction was NO WAY as I have never taught before but after loosing my sister last year I vowed I would jump both feet into life and follow new paths if they came up so eventually said YES. I'm scared and excited all at once *grin*.

Anywho I've started to think about shrines and what to teach. It was stressing me a bit...after I completed Mum's card I just decided to sit and play...not necessarily what I will teach but just get me in the shrine mood. I went for making a necklace...of course LOL. I used a small shrine necklace from Coffee Break designs. They are Masonite and I got mine from Jen's shop. These are tiny and cute at about 3.5cms high by 2.5cm wide. There is a base a mid section and the top. They are quiet deep in the end. Mine is a bit steampunkery (I love watch cogs...I do LOL). I called it The Engineer necklace.

A bit closer but more from the top looking down.

and with door open to the Engineer inside near a fuse and tiny embedded watch parts in jewellery grade resin over the top.

I'm looking forward to having 3 days off next week to get shrine making some more :o).

hugs

Annette In Oz

For The Bird Lovers and Prays For Queensland

2011-02-02T12:04:00.008+09:30

I've made another bubble necklace with a bird theme this time. I'm getting braver with drilling and my dangle is one of Jen Crossley gorgeous caste pewter branches that I have patina coloured and drilled a tiny hole thru each end.

This is the other side. It's very hard to take photos off due to the round bubble glass reflecting so sorry these are not the best images.

The Wet season here has been very wet indeed. About ten days ago we took Ryan to Kakadu. The Arnhem Highway to there was open then with just a small amount of water over the road in a few spots. Last week when Grant went out there to release some goannas from The Territory Wildlife Park he works at, the Arnhem Highway was flooded for long stretches. Grant took this photo from the 4wheel drive he was travelling in. So much water everywhere!!!.

I suspect more water is on the way as a gigantic and scary category 5 (the severest ratting), Cyclone Yasi heads to North Queensland. It's expected to cross onto the land at 10pm tonight and be as sever or worse then Cyclone Tracy that wiped Darwin off the map in 1974. This one is HUGE with a 35km wide eye and is approx 500km + wide. I'm scared for the folks over there indeed. It's awful that Queensland people have had so much to cope with this year already with the devastating floods already. Info can be seen here where there will be hourly updates.

I'll be a bit quieter over the next month or so as my second daughter Melissa will leave for Uni in Adelaide (South Australia) on the 12th February and while I struggle with feeling I shall miss her terribly, I'm also happy to finally have a room of my own to create in. We will paint the whole house and I'll be moving my crafts stuff from the kitchen to her room. I wont have access to my materials for a bit....It's been a 20 yr wait so a month more is no biggy LOL.

Please all my friends in north QLD take care!!! I'm not religious but we are all thinking of you at this time.

hugs

Annette In Oz

I See You necklace

2011-01-26T14:30:00.003+09:30

Happy Australia day everyone.Some of you may know but I have VERY shaky hands...it's why I never could solder in the past and why I had wanted to paint for years but thought I couldn't.Yet paint I have since done and soldering is no longer a problem either as I'm not aiming for neat...just joined and rough as guts LOL....Like this necklace.I used an old black coated metal ring as the bezel.
Here is the face closer.I love those little brass key holes I got from Jen Crossley.There are no specks on it IRL...I think I need to clean the scanner glass!!

The little glass vial is actually a tiny 3cm long test tube that I stuck an alcohol ink stained hanger on each end of, after I added my dictionary words.

The little glass bottle is just under 2.5cms long.It has "you" on one side and "vision" on the other.

Both the bottle and the test tube are from A Mark In Time.

Hope all you Aussie's had a great day and didn't drink too much.

hugs

Annette In Oz

Mo and Jo Return..bubble necklace

2011-01-24T18:54:00.006+09:30

Ryan is safely back in Sydney and I've had time to create these last two days but Mo and Jo(alias mojo the creative nymph) went missing yesterday...I sat at my desk and tried to channel Jen Crossley, Susan Lenart Kazmer etc but nothing would work so I gave up and ate chocolate instead LOL. I cleaned up my desk and remembered a much awaited parcel came from an order to Jen's shop-Amarkintime. I eagerly unwrapped it and Mo and Jo jumped right out at me. I had ordered two gorgeous bubble necklaces. They have high topped glass pebbles on each side and open to sandwich images inside. It was 10pm by then and I knew if I started playing I would stay awake all night so I left them on my desk with a few things and images till today.
Today is a new day and get creative I did. I used one bubble necklace to make this fun vintage children necklace. I love this image of vintage children playing and add the dictionary word "play" to it.

This second image on the reverse is from Collections...I adore that over sized bow on the girl. I think her or her Mum are dreaming "big" things for her LOL.

After a session of resin work last month my paint brush broke. I sat the remainder of the brush down and forgot about it. When it set I liked how the brush fibres were incased in the resin and kept it. I think it looks great as my dangle to hang the bubble from :o). Lastly I added some tiny silver dice beads and chain. I've another two necklaces almost made so shall upload them soon. There is ink under my nails and my hands are nice and dirty...I think I'm home in my zone again LOL.

hugs

Annette In Oz

Sharing an experiment

2011-01-19T15:19:00.008+09:30

2011 is charging full steam ahead. We have had Grant's 14 yr old nephew Ryan with us since the 9th so although I have had time of work I have had no spare time to get creative....doesn't stop me thinking about it all the time though LOL. Anyway I thought I would share something I experimented with at Christmas. I had run out of Inkjetset which is a solution you can soak material in, let it dry, attach it to freezer paper and run it thru your Inkjet printer. It makes the image waterproof, wont bleed and you can use layers of paints, inks etc over the top without it ruining the printed image. It's great for mixed media work.
Well I had decided to use an old angel image printed on fabric for my Christmas cards but as I had left making them so late I had no time to get more Inkjetset nor could I find alum powder here to make my own home made solution. I painted a section of unbleached calico with water proofing medium for fabric and left another one free. I attached these 2 pieces of calico to freezer paper so the centre overlapped. The image on the left, with dried water proofing medium pre printing, printed dull and washed out
.
To the centre one which had half waterproofing medium under it and half none I tried waterproofing medium on top of the printed image....it started to distort and wipe away with each brush stroke. Finally the last image printed on the right above was just plain printing on calico. To my surprise it printed well and was crisp so I sprayed it with Crystal Kote and then tried a wax rubbing and paint, dry brushed on top and all was well. My Christmas cards were saved. Below is the card I made and has a similar image printed on white ?cotton...it was fine weave like a sheet. It brang the colour out nicely and once sprayed with the Crystal Kote made the fabric a little stiffer so easily fed thru the Cuttlebug machine.

I doubt this type of printing would hold up well to paint washes and dye inks but it saved the day for me and maybe others if this helps someone...just sorry I made the cards so late they got to some folks after Christmas. Making Christmas cards early this year is my resolution LOL!!!.

While Ryan has been here we have done stuff nearly every day. It's awesome seeing the changes to the bush from the Dry to the Wet season....bulging waterfalls, animals, mushrooms and loads of green foliage everywhere. I'll try to share some images later on. Many of the walking tracks are closed due to local flooding but that's Ok...happens every year here. Monsoon overhead and non stop rain since Ryan came doesn't help but it has made it cooler somewhat. Ryan goes home Saturday so hope to get arty farty after that...I feel a need to get all inky and paint splattered...my hands are too clean LOL.

All you folks over on the East Coast side of Oz take care...my heart goes out to you all with rains, floods, loss of life and damage over there.

hugs

Annette In Oz

August Trip To Broome-part3.

2010-12-31T23:31:00.026+09:30

We arrive at Broome at last. We stay just a few blocks away from Cable Beach at The Beaches Of Broome backpackers...it's a long time since I stayed in a backpackers and back then the accommodation was ROUGH. This was not so and was luxurious, air conditioned, own TV and fridge etc and a welcome sight after a days drive. Here is Mum and Audrey slumming it.

The view over the pool from our balcony.

We have to stay here longer then planned as there were accommodation problems on the way back. As it turned out that was a blessing as you will see. We spend lazy days exploring the beauty of Broome and its surrounds. It's amazing to go for a short drive and be amongst glorious wide open sandy beaches with very few other tourists around.

This trip also had many firsts for us all. Audrey had never been up here along the North of Oz. Mum and Audrey had never been in a helicopter till they took the Bungle Bungle's flight. Tim and I had never been beyond Fitzroy Crossing. Grant had never had to travel with two older ladies and a teenage boy LOL.

Mum and Tim had never been on a Camel so what better place to do that then on the gorgeous Cable Beach pre sunset. They have such sweet faces but can be quite nasty bitters too.

Here is Tim with a "quieter" one.

Mum and Tim prepare for the upward rise.

It looks like his legs are sinking in the sand with the weight of it all ...will he make it.

Of course LOL.

The Camels stretching and reflecting across the low tides.

A rival group pass by.

Tim and Mum's shadow.

Grant and I go for a stroll as we wait their return. I find these curious "natures drawings" in the sand...they look like Boabs to me *grin*.

I sink my toes into the cool sand. I miss the ocean.

On another day we explore around Broome itself. We have come at a great time as there are extreme low tides there now. Some magic happens here at this time. We race off to Gantheum point to capture some of this. The view from there back along Cable Beach.

A light house Broome style at Gantheum Point...

also makes a great nesting site for an Osprey.

The weathered sandstone sentinels all over the point.

and at last the treasures of the point at low tide are exposed...Dinosaur prints!!

Sunset is apon us and we go back to Cable Beach and secure a spot on the high sand dunes to watch the fading light and eat yummy fish and chips by the sea. I'm in heaven.

Another beautiful day dawns. We spend it looking thru the quaint shops in China Town and the Museums. In the afternoon we make our way to Town Beach. It's nestled on a red Cliff wall and as the tide goes out the red washes into the sea to give this awesome contrast of colours.

We find a spot with a zillion other tourists and wait for another magical moment that occurs here at extreme low tides. We wouldn't have seen this if we hadn't of stayed the extra days. The sun sets at last and we all give a collective gasp as the moon rises over the mud flats. Its reflection across the extreme low tide mud flats cause a stair like sight, to the moon....it's a well known event and something I had wanted to see for many years. Stairway to moon crossed off my bucket list!!!. This isn''t my photo by the way as I forgot to put my setting to night time and my shots were crap but this IS what I saw. Thank goodness for Google.

Time is running out. The next day we go to Malcolm Douglas's Fauna Park.

Lots of animals to see and a several HUGE fat Salt Water crocodiles.

Then its off to Roebuck Bay for Tim to have his first ever Hover Craft ride.

It's low tide again and Tim got to see more Dinosaur prints. These were larger Diplodocus impressions left on the mud floor from ancient times past.

Before we all know it we are back on the road heading home again.

We stop to take this shot of a gorgeous Grenville in flower.

We stop at the same spots we went too on the way over but back at Kununurra we take the drive to Lake Argyle....such a pretty spot.

Leaving Western Australia and onward to home.

Home again...The Wet Season is in full swing. Minty scared this poor young Possum up the back door. It came down again Ok and waddled off to find it's Mum.

Before Mum and Audrey leave we take them for a day trip to Kakadu. Grant and his Mum on a bush walk while we were there. Another treasured memory for him, her and us.

The perfect holiday soon came to end...Audrey left and then my Mum. A holiday of fun, unimaginable beauty and a treasury of memories. 2010 has also come to end and 2011 sweeps her arms out to embrace us all. May she give you all peace and happiness.

hugs

Annette in Oz

August Trip To Broome-Part 2

2010-12-28T10:59:00.013+09:30

We leave Hall's Creek and make our way West to Fitzroy Crossing.When we travel Grant always spies his beloved reptiles.We stop to take a photo of this gorgeous Centralian Blue Tongue..he was a feisty little fella and flattened himself out,blue tongue dashing in and out in his attempt to scare us off.
Once settled in at Fitzroy crossing we take a short drive and go to Geikie Gorge.I have never been here.We catch one of the Geikie Gorge Cruises to be met by lime stone walls stained and ereoded away from the water as it raises in The Wet Season and lowers in The Dry Season.It's a beautiful place. Water ripples reflect along the walls and there are several Fresh Water Crocs lazying around.

Looking back along onew side of the Gorge.

and the other side looking back.

Unfortunately Audrey slipped on her way off the boat and fell between the boat and the landing area causing a large jagged skin tear to her leg.Poor thing...she was sssoo embarrassed and Grant's face went white as a ghost...you forget your parents are so frail as they age.I work as a Registered nurse with the elderly and had taken a large first aid kit with us so I cleaned the wound,dressed it and bandaged it up.

Next area to visit was Windjana Gorge.Mum and Audrey sat this one out.This is the entrance to the gorge thru a slit in the rocks.Tim and Grant are dwarfed by its size.I can just imagine the water running thru here in The Wet Season.

The rock faces of the gorge have been worn smooth by past rushing water.In one spot there is a large fossil preserved in it's grasp.

All thru the gorge there are Fresh water Crocs...they are used to humans passing by and you can get quite close to them.

Back at the Fitzroy Crossing Hotel we stayed at we spy a vintage car.It's a charity drive for the Starlight foundation to raise money for kids with cancer.I was fascinated by the rusty corrugated iron roof and that the cars(there were 3 we saw) looked so old and yet were still drivable.....hhhmm much like me LOL.

Next day we visit Tunnel Creek again.I'll only put a few photos of here in this time as we visited it in 2008 here.Boabs dot the landscape everywhere out here.They are very slow growing so larger ones are ancient.

Audrey getting close to some Boab's.

Looking back at the entrance of Tunnel Creek from just inside.

From the exit looking back.

The exit from inside.

No Freshies this time but as usual Grant finds a reptile in there.This time it's a Stimpson's python.

We leave Fitzroy Crossing and make our way to Broome. We do a quick trip up to Derby and stock up on supplies and fill scripts etc.There is another Prison Tree here.This one is ancient judging by it's size.

Back on the highway heading ever so closer to Broome we stop at Willare Roadhouse and are thankful this was someone eles's bill to pay and not ours!!!

1709 Kms (1061 miles) from home

and 166 Kms (103 miles) to go.

On our last trip over here we only went as far as Fitzroy Crossing so I was excited to be able to go to Broome.The landscape was slowly changing and becoming more sandy with lots of low shrubs.The beauty of Broome awaits us.

hugs

Annette In Oz

August Trip To Broome-Part one.

2010-12-27T15:50:00.014+09:30

At last I have had time to sort the photos from our road trip over to Broome in Western Australia and back, we did in August.We took Grant's Mum Audrey,my Mum Nancye and Tim.There is something magical with the light in the Kimberley area and all the colours seem richer.On the first day we left home early and made it to Kununurra just in time for sunset.We climbed up the old look out which is higher then the current one.It gives you a beautiful view over "Hidden Valley".This is a smaller version of the Bungle Bungle's (also known as Purnululu National Park).

Sunset form the look out looking West.

On the way back to our cabin we noticed the darkening sky was awash with flying bats off to feed for the night.

The next day we woke to find a fresh water crocodile basking in the sun near our cabin.

The view across the water to "sleeping Buddha elephant" rock.At certain angles it looks like a Buddha figure and an elephant at others.

We visited The Grotto again on our way to Wyndham.I stayed at the top with Mum and Audrey and Grant and Tim scampered down the worn stone steps to look about the bottom.

Mum(at right) and Audrey at the top standing in front of a Kapoke tree that is in flower.The flowers smell like bubble gum!!.

In The Grotto Grant spied a Mertens water monitor soaking up the sun on the rocks.

We continued on to Wyndham to show Mum and Audrey The Prison Tree.On the way out to The Prison Tree we stopped at some Aboriginal rock art that Grant knew about.

I had forgot how big The Prison Tree was.It's an ancient Boab that had a window cut into it.It was hollow inside and was used as a crude prison.There are several littered thru the Kimberley and some had bars in the windows as well.That's Mum and Audrey standing at the front.

I climbed in and Mum and Audrey peered in framed by the black inner walls.

Where branches have died and fallen off they create natures sky lights.Here is one taken with the flash on from inside the tree.

and flash off with the sunlight streaming thru.

After Kununurra we drove to Hall's Creek and used that as a base to drive to other areas in the Kimberley.Near Hall's Creek there is this amazing natural quarts seam called "The China Wall", that has been exposed and looks like some ancient white wall amongst it's bush surrounds.

On the rocks we were standing on Grant found this cute ring tailed dragon.

The next day we went of to the Bungle Bungle's.Once again I was in awe of this ancient cone shaped mountain range that we visited a few years back.Here is Mum and Audrey at the entrance. I took some lovely photos the last time we were there and a little video.So iIwont put as many up this time.Besdies we couoldn't take the older ladies on some of the walks we did last time as they are not as agile as us.

The striated beehive cone mountain formations are everywhere and I take a zillion shots of them again...they have a magnetic pull...I love this place!!

Mum and Audrey have never been here before and they are as fascinated as I was at seeing this amazing place.Here is Mum flanked by the ancient mountain range.

I'll let the photos speak for themselves:-

Cathedral Gorge.

The entrance to Echidna Chasm.

Audrey dwarfed by the Echidna Chasm walls.

Tim, Audrey and I taking a cool breezy break in the Echidna Chasm.

Mum and THOSE beehive's again.

Aerial view from the helicopter ride Mum and Audrey took.

On the way out of the Bungle Bungle's we spied an iconic Dingo.

Part 2 to follow...a trip of treasured sights and memories.The Australian bush holds so much light,colour and ancient treasures.It's my dreaming and my muse.

hugs

Annette In Oz

Hand Made Cards-made sent and recieved!

2010-12-27T14:44:00.016+09:30

Merry Christmas.I hope you all had a great day (if you celebrate it).It's been a mad rush here these last few weeks.I decided I couldn't send store bought cards and spent most of my time pre Christmas making hand made cards.Family got cards with Minty the Jack Russel on the top...she paid to have her photo taken with Santa to support the RSPCA.

I've received some lovely cards from my arty friends this year....thank you to you all.This one was made by Louise Magetti from Queensland.

Alice Mc Kinney in Western Australia made this traditional vintage looking masterpiece.

Barb Porritt from Victoria made this amazing T slider construction card.You pull the tab at the right and the centre panel moves up and to the side to reveal a message underneath.I love it!!

Gail Hart from Tasmania made this lovely angel Christmas card and sent me a BIG surprise too.

Kat Palmer made a lovely embossed Christmas themed card.

Sue Gregory used shades of blue on white to make me this pretty long card.

Linda Aldred made this winter wonderland card...snow...I wish LOL.

and lastly but not least Riki Showell stamped and coloured this cute gum nut Christmas card for me.

Along with the Christmas cards there were some late but highly appreciated birthday cards.The first one is from Celeste who has made a lovely bird themed card...love the nest with eggs at the bottom and those cute bird punched shapes.

and Gail made me this gorgeous butterfly,bird and swirls card.

The next one is one I made for my friend Louise Magetti birthday.The hand carved bird stamp image in the centre was made by Jan Harris whom I did several classes with at the Creative Soul Art Retreat earlier this year.During class I had stamped the bird on tissue and then once home forgot about it till I was looking for an image to use on Louise's card.I've painted the bird with Daler Rowney iridescent inks.Polished pigments and Schmincke are on the bg so the card was very rich in colour and shimmer.I had to photograph it side on as it kept reflecting light in areas.

This is what I made for my arty friends this Christmas...sorry if they are still waiting for them but I didn't post some till boxing day!!!

Outside the weather has been WET WET WET.No as bad as the Eastern States were there has been heaps of flooding.Still its made for more magical happenings in the bush block we live on.There are thousands of these termite tubes that have popped up overnight.They are made of dirt and look like natures sky scrappers.I think they do these high because of the rain in case there is flooding.Its the exit for them after they evolve underground.When the time is right they knock the top off and fly away.I know they are a pest but I find it fascinating to see these dirt tubes everywhere.
Of course more mushrooms are popping up too.These orange ones are almost fluro!!!

What would Christmas be without babies being born? The Northern Blue Tongue has given birth to 9 babies.Grant has a handful of them here.

Sometimes I can't see the Forest for the trees and have only just noticed how to upload more then one photo at a time here LOL.I've been thinking I should get too and upload some pf my photos from our trip to Broome in August so now I know how to do more then one photo at a time I shall try to do that after dinner tonight.Tomorrow and the next day I have slotted to play at my desk.I hope 2011 brings you all love,laughter,good health and happiness.

hugs

Annette In Oz

Wet Season-Snails are Back and Loads of Mushroom's

2010-12-15T11:02:00.009+09:30

Wet season is in full swing. Hot humid days and thunder storms on and off are the call of day/night. The trees and plants are all green and there is sssooo much moisture every where. Along with the rains my snails are back and lots of mushrooms. My kids painted some snail backs three years ago. Last year three came back. Only the purple one is here so far but who knows how old the others were or if the paint finally wore off. I have no idea how long these snails live but I get a surprise each Wet season when they turn up again :o).

Then there are the mushrooms popping up everywhere. These nestling in a hole in a tree look like some cosmic planet. I love how nature paints any pallet of colour she chooses...blow the colour wheel...red and green here and I love it.

Red and yellow works for this mushroom too.

Even tiny orange mushrooms on moss green looks awesome....Divine!!!

In the pond Grant built we have some night flowering Lillie's. The saturated pink colour of the flowers is ssssooo gorgeous. I don't know why they bloom at night...maybe to attract a type of moth for cross pollination???. In the daytime the day flowering ones come up. They are purple but every time I take a photo of them they look washed out. I'll get Grant to take a shot of them with his camera as it is much better then mine.

The pond is starting to look more natural as the grass grows over the plastic and the bull rushes have come out. I'm hoping we get to do the waterfall next Dry season.

I'm off to do some back exercises and then it's MORE Christmas card making. When it gets too tedious I stop for 1/2 an hr and play with my jewellery...I just can't resist LOL. I have a partly done leaf form, tiny dancer done...she needs some arms...and a curious head of a man peeping thru a key hole. I'm partial to using some odd images and this one is odd LOL.

I've sold some of my other jewellery again. Tiny Dancer and the Copper Cuff have found new homes in the USA. Miss 6 necklace and her older sister cuff are going to a friends Mum for Christmas...hope she likes them. "Pardon" and "The Time Keeper" have found a new home in QLD. How amazing is that?. I'm still pinching myself that people even like my jewellery attempts and ask to buy them at all.....also amazed to set my inner critic free and accept people's offers to buy them...I have said I am not good enough sssooo many times I think I believed it...now I say a humble yes I will sell it and thank you!!!

hugs

Annette In Oz

Gail Hart Is Having a Give Away

2010-12-13T16:58:00.005+09:30

Hi all
My dear kind, magical friend and artist Gail Hart is having a give away at her blog.She will give away one of her gorgeous hand made glass beads...in this case a very beautiful fish.Gail makes amazingly gorgeous lamp work glass beads and sells her work in galleries so you can imagine the quality.I have some of her beads and they are sssooo yummy to look at,touch and wear!!.So go on over and enter and be in awe of her like me :o)
hugs
Annette In Oz

Specimen # 1

2010-12-10T22:45:00.004+09:30

When I was small I believed in fairy's that I imagined lived in the garden outside.I would write them notes sprinkled with glitter and try to set traps to capture one.Of course the fairy poem my Mum told me enforced this as a child.Even as an adult I never forgot them and often drew them and made up stories about them for my own children....as well as remembering and telling them the fairy poem of my youth.This little necklace has captured a fairy at last.She fought being caught and I had to sand her back 6 times,till finally she shone out of the resin...caught and caged...a true first specimen of my fairy.

She has gossamer wings and hides behind thin fibres...her gaze melts the human heart.She nests in amongst the tree branches.

I've had a HARD year and choose to believe in fairies again.....just for now.Rare and special just like us all :o)

hugs

Annette In Oz

For The Boys

2010-12-09T11:00:00.008+09:30

I've been trying to get into making Christmas cards but all the lovely ice resined bezels on my desk keep side tracking me.Yesterday I couldn't resit them any more LOL and made some "manly" necklaces...or maybe man themed necklaces as I would wear them myself!!!.I had the large used old bullet for ages and used it with an old Police badge plus a resin bezel with a vintage man inside.A brass base,sterling silver wire and a brass spike dangle to finish it off.

A bit closer...I've since moved the center dangle on the bullet to the left as it was too far to the right.

Then I made a simple necklace.The black metal bezel has a gorgeous little key hole in the centre with a vintage man looking out.I used three layers of resin and each time added some tiny little watch parts.It has more depth in real life then I can photograph.I just added a lined black cord with magnetic clasp as the necklace and kept it all simple.

Closer.

Grant was cleaning the verandah this morning and found this gorgeous Merten's water monitor behind a storage cupboard.We see the monitors rarely these days as their numbers have been badly affected by the cane toads, so it was great to have this one turn up.

I really need to get these cards done.....maybe I should hide all the bezels to stop me getting distracted LOL.

hugs

Annette In Oz

The Bird Cage

2010-11-27T11:19:00.003+09:30

Thanks everyone for your kind words and encouragement. Here is my latest necklace The Bird Cage. It took me a few days to nut out. I decided to TRY and make a rivet type of bird cage. In error I used a brass tube that was too tiny in the inner diameter for me to flair and use as a proper rivet. So after getting quite frustrated with myself and thinking I would just toss all the tube parts I had cut with my jewellers saw, I adapted the error and used wire to connect the tubes instead. Not as neat as the gorgeous bird cages I have seen made by the clever Jen Crossley's or Christine Atkin's but hey I am still new to all of this :o). I'm hoping Jen and Chris teach this one soon as I love the look of them and I love taking classes with Jen....to get to a class with both is my dream!!.

A bit closer.

It's quite fiddly and hard to make but I still loved the end result....hey and no ice resin in sight this time LOL. The bird inside does swing and heavy dangle at the bottom helps it stay level.

Just need to trim a few wire ends closer with my flush cutter I think.

Hugs

Annette In Oz

Etched Copper Cuff

2010-11-25T23:44:00.006+09:30

I etched a design into copper and left it awhile.It has a rich red tone to it.I decided to keep this cuff simple so just used a gently bent Vintaj frame as a bezel and added a lovely blue butterfly image and then filled it with Ice Resin

View from the sides.

I'm so excited to say I've just sold 2 of my necklaces.I've never sold anything before and when I was approached by an admirer of my humble jewellery attempts on line I wasn't sure what to do....but decided to sell them in the end.I am chuffed someone likes my work well enough to ask to buy it and excited to think of others wearing my jewellery...it was made for wearing after all!!.So tomorrow "pardon" and "time keeper" are off to new homes and I have a little money more for supplies...AWESOME!!!!

I need some feed back here......uuuummmm who am I as a jewellery maker and seller....like I'm thinking "rustic CHIC" or "connected in time" as Annette In Oz is the whole me but who am I for making a tag or something for my jewellery.Any help greatly accepted.

HUGE HUGS

Annette In Oz

I'm In Love and Cuff me !!!

2010-11-21T12:32:00.005+09:30

Yes it's true I am in love with my gorgeous hubby and also a secret love affair that has started to bloom....he is called a Dremmel...an amazing helper and I think soul mate LOL. For those who don't know a Dremmel is an up market crafter/artist drill. It also has many attachments you can buy to make creating easier like a flex shaft, sanding discs etc etc. What was taking me hours to do by hand (esp sanding) takes minutes now. It took me ages to get one as I hesitated at the cost and then after I did get one for my birthday last week I wasn't really sure how to use it. Then yesterday I thought "just do it"....so I got it out and turned it on, attached the sanding disc and the rest will be history *grin*
Here is a newly completed etched nickle/silver cuff with an old watch bezel filled with bird image, 3 fresh water pearls and then resin on top. I also added some ever so gently bent metal wings and some cogs.

Off to finish a copper cuff before I have to go to work.

Hugs

Annette In Oz

Two More Birthday Cards

2010-11-20T15:34:00.004+09:30

Another two gorgeous hand made cards came in the mail this week.There was this lovely ?coffee stained and sewn card from Marilena Stanton'

Then there was a wonderful construction card by Barb Porritt.

As you open the heart you push it back on a cs hinge and tuck the heart point under the butterfly.Love it.

Thanks Marilena and Barb :o)

hugs

Annette In Oz

Getting Glitzy Today

2010-11-17T15:41:00.011+09:30

We have had some lovely cooling rain nearly all day today. Lots of lightening and thunder to scare my poor Jack Russel silly with too. I have to work tomorrow so today after I went into town I was going to make some more bezels but got side tracked in my glass beads box. In there I had some gorgeous hand made glass beads made by the amazingly talented Gail Hart in Tasmania. Gail's beads are sold in Galleries down south so you can just imagine the quality. I'd had them for some time but just didn't think I was good enough at making jewellery to do them justice. I also had no sterling silver till recently as well. So here is the end product...a far cry from my beloved junk jewellery I think *grin*. Hope I did your beads justice Gail?.

The black and white beads on the bracelet and the red one on the necklace are the ones made by Gail. I've used crystal roundels and sterling silver wire on the necklace and the bracelet. Here is the bracelet closer being modelled by my lovely metal bird friend.

and closer

The necklace on its own....the red is beautiful IRL just not as dazzling in the photos due to the lighting here which is crap.

And just a bit closer.

I'm not a posh person and don't go to high end places much but next time we decide to have a night at the Casino I know what I will be wearing. Oh before I forget I had my tiny dancer and Mz 6 older sister cuff on today and the lady at the Jackson's Art shop wanted to buy them....how cool is that?... but I'm NOT good enough yet to sell stuff. When I am I told her I'll come back and she can have first pick. Back to junking it tomorrow.

hugs

Annette In Oz

Some Simple Cards

2010-11-16T13:58:00.006+09:30

Its really painful for me to sit and make cards these days but I have got three made by resorting to making easy quick cards.I just dry paint the bg cs with white folk art paint.Stamp in a corresponding ink to the cs all over.Run white card thru the Cuttlebug and drag the same ink pad over the surface.Cut this into a frame shape.Add image underneath and stick it to the bg with some ink stained gauze sticking ot at either edge.Add the flowers and stamped butterfly and done in 15mins.

and here is the same thing but in blue tones.

Lastly a simple stamped and coloured spring up card made for my lovely brother in law Steve.The pebble look is made by running black card thru the Cuttlebug and then painted with Golden paints to give it a rust look.Schminke gold dusted over the top. I love that dog stamp...it reminds me of our boxer dog "gidget" we had when I was growing up.Image coloured with water colour pencils.

Back pain or not at least I got them done.Now off to make some more jewellery ( I can stand and do that :o)) before I have to scoot and get Tim from school.

hugs

Annette In Oz

Mail Has Arrived

2010-11-16T13:49:00.004+09:30

What lovely birthday mail came my way this last week.In amongst it were four hand made cards.This sweet blue and lemon one was from my Mum.She does make her own cards but bought this one as she didn't have time.Blue,lemon and white is a lovely colour scheme.

This lovely Paris themed purple and black card was made for me by Sue Gregory.

Riki Showell hand stitched this gorgeous pattern to make a big flower card.She is ever so patient.

And last but not least was this devine creation from Louise Monagetti

Thanks everyone for making my birthday special.

hugs

Annette In Oz

My Dream House

2010-11-12T20:57:00.002+09:30

I've been having a great time making my bezels by hand.The circular one was the hardest one I tried.Below is a house bezel that I've placed a gorgeous vintage child into.I gave her a key to her house and then filled the bezel with resin.The wings are attached with tiny screws and nuts.On the back I've used metal stamps to stamp "dream house" into the brass base.

and closer.

I have 6 small bought brass bezels that I'm hoping to make some more tiny dancers with next....my troop of Annette In Oz dancers LOL.Will see how I go anyway as the problem with my back is worsening unfortunately.

hugs

Annette In Oz

Pardon!

2010-11-10T22:05:00.006+09:30

Oh my goshie this one was HARD yet as I look at it now it looks so simple.This time I tried to make a circular bezel by hand....that was the hard part.How to get the ends to stay while I got the solder down had me stumped but after three days of trying I finally got it yeha.Its not a perfect circle but I tried and conquered *grin*.

Bezel has a cute vintage image of a lady looking like she did something she wouldn't normal do.So "pardon" was her dictionary word.I gave her a crown and then filled the bezel with ice resin.

The old chandelier glass has "smile" under it.

Will play with another hand made bezel in a different shape tomorrow.

hugs

Annette In Oz

Patience Necklace

2010-11-04T14:12:00.004+09:30

Don't know how I managed to get this one done today with grossssery shopping(yes I know it has a "c" in it but I just think its a gross job LOL), washing, ironing and just about to go to work but manage I did.Today's necklace is another hand made bezel soldered to brass base.Tin type image of a lady in the bezel, one of my Aunt Betty's old buttons at the top of her nestling on fibres, with the word "patience" on it and a brass pen nib at the bottom.I imagined she would wait patiently for days to hear from loved ones hand written letters in times gone by.Bezel was filled with ice resin of course.

and a little closer to her.

I'm REALLY enjoying my creative splurge at the moment.If I keep going I'll have a necklace for every day of the year LOL.Shame I have to go to work but that darn mortgage doesn't pay itself.

hugs

Annette In Oz

The Time Keeper Necklace

2010-11-03T20:55:00.006+09:30

Grant had a disused fob watch that the clock had stopped working in.So I snaffled it LOL.I pulled the innards out and filled it with ice resin, added the image with some watch bits and pieces stuck on it and the words "time keeper".

Here it is closer.

I had the great pleasure in dragging the talented and lovely Sarah away from her baking duties, to come to Bunning's with me to show me the things I needed, to help make my jewellery better.I now have a much anticipated Dremel at last, that Grant will put away for my birthday in a few weeks.I'm excited at that and can't thank Sarah enough for her help....thankyou, thankyou, thankyou Sarah.

We had some creatures visit tonight.There was a persistent dragonfly trying to get inside

and a lovely northern small eyed snake trying to catch something in the leaf litter outside.

I've had a few ice resin mishaps this last week.I had ice resined some bezels and had some resin left over so I scrapped it over some old paper.There was no more room on my desk so I put the resined paper on my chair.I went off to watch some Tv and then came back and sat to look across the bezels forgetting the resined paper till I stood and realized I had ice resined my bottom!!!Its not that easy to wash off and I had to sit awkwardly for ages till it wasn't sticky anymore LOL.AAAhhh life its never dull.

hugs

Annette In Oz

More Necklaces

2010-11-02T19:52:00.006+09:30

It was a lovely cool 25 degrees here today.A rarity I can tell you but perfect for getting creative.I've got two necklaces done today.The first one is a rectangular bezel with an old tin type in it, some little buttons nestling on fibres and a dictionary piece with the word tedious above the tin type.They are all encased in ice resin...I ssooo love that stuff.I made some links and added some of my iridescent beads that I had forgot I even had.

and closer to the ice resin filled bezel.

The next one is quirky and fun.I made a heart shaped bezel and soldered it to a brass bass.I was going to put a vintage image of a couple kissing in here but my daughters(whom like wacky images) wanted me to use this spooky eyed lady.Again ice resin used over the image.It hasn't got any white flecks on it in real life so I think the ones in the image below are from the scan bed.Sorry about that.

Keeping with the wackiness of the front I couldn't resist doing this for the back LOL

I think I shall try to photograph the next necklaces as the colours seem washed out in these images from the scan bed.I'm glad I tried a different shape for my bezel making and think there will be more heart shaped ones to come....maybe minus spooky images LOL.

hugs

Annette In Oz

Spider Spoon Necklace

2010-11-01T19:36:00.005+09:30

Wahoo...finally I got to make some more jewellery today.I've wanted to make a spoon necklace for ages so I gave it a go....I love that you can use the back and the front of these.I'm not sure why I used the metal spider LOL but I think I had been thinking wicked thoughts about someone at work *grin*.The spider has patina on it to darken it and its web is the soft downy fluff from our native Kapok tree up here.I've used sterling sliver to make the wrapped lace and Swarovski crystals part.

Here it is closer.I was worried the feet would break on the spider when I bent them around the spoon but they were fine.

If you flip it over this is the back where I've added words and then encased them in the lovely ice resin I got from Jen Crossley

Closer to the back.

This whole last week I have been making and filling bezels with ice resin and its all felt good.I'm not the best jewellery maker but I do like trying and I'm conquering my soldering at last.Will load some more as I get them onto chain.

hugs

Annette In Oz

Goodies Came In The Mail

2010-10-19T12:59:00.005+09:30

Last night I was having trouble falling asleep.I'm having a feeling of great need to get creative at the moment.I some how lost three hours looking at supplies in Etsy this AM LOL and then remembered some mail had arrived that I hadn't opened.I'd placed it on my desk when I had to rush away to Sydney for Rob's funeral.There it was waiting for me today when I finally felt like opening it and man am I glad I did.There was this tiny vintage mini tin type album I had purchased on Ebay.It's old red leather and gilded front and back just make me want to touch it

and inside were 80 tin types.The inner pages are worn so I'll remove the tin types and use them in my art work.

Then there were two other packages that had bracelet blanks,circle bezels,gears and cogs and lovely old china doll head and body...hhhmmm I think I need to get some mould making stuff and make a mould of the doll.

Now I just need to get some time to get started...maybe this evening I hope.

hugs

Annette In Oz

Dog gone it LOL

2010-10-10T11:44:00.006+09:30

I try to keep the blog for crafty stuff but just had to share these photos.The first is my rat bag and much loved long haired Jack Russel Minty.She had fallen asleep on my lap and when I got up and placed her down on the chair she stayed like this asleep for ages.What a hussy hey LOL?.

When we went to Sydney for Rob's funeral we stayed with Steve, Chris, Craig, David and the dawgs!!!They have four Daschund's.This is bear begging for his tummy to be scratched by Grant.

Here are all four asleep in a big happy dog pile

Each night Bear gets the blanket and sort of snuggles under it till he has a cover then the others lay around and on top.Snags is at the back and she is Mum to the other three.Millie is middle left and Daisy middle right.Millie,Daisy and Bear are all Snag's pups...amazing size difference to them hey?.I'm off to make Cory's(Carlia's boyfriend)21st invites before work this arvo.My back problem (degenerative discs squelching the nerve) is worsening unfortunately so may as well try to do them while I can.Have a great day folks :o)

hugs

Annette In Oz

Leonardo Da Vinci Paper Bag Collaborative Book Swap

2010-10-05T17:53:00.014+09:30

Healing art evaded me for a few weeks but these last two days I did get a little creative....and I do feel much better.I'll miss my Robyn for along time but I choose to remember her in a fun good way now.I thank you all for your kind words too.
I've had these Leonardo pages on my desk for nearly 2 months and finally made them into a book today.The pages are paper bags laid one way then the other and then sewn down the middle.The bag opening holds two pages back to back.For the cover I used the same Leo image I used on one of my pages, enlarged it and transferred it to material.Then I glued it to grunge board,painted and textured around the image and added a painted swirl.

Here is the completed book from the side.

and the back sign in slips.

Page 1-2.Mine on the left and Liz Gale on the right.

Pages 3-4.Maragret Rodgers left and Annie Mackay on the right.

Pages5-6.Debbie Reid on left and Annie Mackay on the right.

Pages 7-8.Wendy Kirk on the left and Adrienne Goodenough on the right.

Pages 9-10.Hilda Gale on the left and mine on the right.

Pages 11-12 from 1st pocket.Debbie Reid top and Wendy Kirk bottom.

Pages 13-14 from second pocket.Liz gale at top and Margret Rodgers at bottom.

Page 15 Hilda Gale.

Page 16 Adrienne Goodenough.

I really loved making the texture effect and colour for the covers....Golden paints just blend so nicely together.The pages look amazing in real life as many have textured areas and glimmer that do not show when they are being scanned. Thanks to all who participated.

hugs

Annette In Oz

Thanks

2010-09-14T12:07:00.002+09:30

Hi all
just wanted to say thankyou to you all for your thoughts and compassion.My Robyn was a huge part of my life(and many others) and she always knew how to "fix" anything and everyone.This will be one of the hardest weeks of my life and I still can't imagine my World without Robbie in it.I was blessed to have her as a sister.I know I will get to a place where this is Ok...just not now.Thankyou all again.
hugs
Annette In Oz

Robyn

2010-09-12T14:11:00.003+09:30

The sun is shinning outside and the wind is blowing softly but my heart is ice.My older sister Robyn died suddenly yesterday.I'm so devastated.She was only 51 and leaves behind her gorgeous husband Steve and three boys Chris,Graig and David.It's not fair and even though I know its true I don't want to believe it.Creativity has healed many things for me in the past and maybe this ache will heal too in time but I don't know how....Robbie was always there for her family and everyone and made all who knew her feel special....there is a huge void in my World.Tell your loved ones each and every day how much they mean to you.Life is way to short.
Robyn is third from left above.
love
Annette In Oz

Away In Western Australia

2010-08-23T22:19:00.003+09:30

Hi all
I didn't have time to say much before we left but we are on holidays in Western Australia with my Mum and Grants Mum.We are currently at Broome one street back from the gorgeous Cable Beach.I shall show you some pics when we get back Sat or Sunday coming.The weather has been gorgeous and it was great to see the Bungle Bungle's,Tunnel Creek,desert towns and other spots again.I have seen Geikie Gorge,Winjana Gorge and other places for the first time and this is my first time to Broome.Traveling with older ladies has been slow at times but we are getting there.Tomorrow is a camel ride on Cable Beach and sight seeing at Broome and then the next day hope to get to Cape Laveque(?sp).
On a bummer note I accidentally deleted over a hundred comments here GGGrrr as the internet cafe here signed me in a diff way....never mind....I know you know I am here and you know I love getting your comments.Hope all is well with everyone and I hope to get creating soon when I am back home.
hugs
Annette In Oz

Collections houses

2010-08-13T22:19:00.008+09:30

These are the houses Annette built LOL.Last year I had a purple faze but it was all because I needed to make an Aubergine house for a group submission to Somerset Studio for the Artyoz group.I got the first house colour wrong by thinking of Aubergine as a Regal colour rather then an eggplant colour so I ended up with two houses.

We used Collections chipboard houses and I used Opals embossing enamels on material as my roof and walls.

All the doors and windows open with hinges to reveal images underneath....eg the window to past hopes and dreams and the window to by gone innocence
.

and the kiss behind the door

and dance like nobody can see.

The house was accepted and did appear in SS but not sure when that was LOL.Some new mail also came this week in the form of my Leonardo collaborative paper bag book swap return pages.I'll try to get the book made and scan the photos soon between family dramas!!!.My gorgeous 20 yr old Carlia had her NEW Barina rear ended by a 4wheel drive today...poor kid...she is Ok, a bit sore but her car is a right off.

hugs

Annette In Oz

Varifying Things LOL

2010-08-08T23:27:00.002+09:30

Sorry folks I have had to put a verification thing on comments due to spam.If you are not a creative person then you are on the wrong blog!!!.Just an update my daughter is now out of hospital and on the mend yeha.Some more metal came for me on Friday....there is an arty thing brewing in my head....when will I set it free and play???.Hopefully in a day or so.Thankyou all for your comments and encouragement about my jewelry attempts and art...I'm learning as I go and stumble in the dark alot.I really need some of the right tools for jewelry like circle punches and mandrels etc.It would be great to make cuffs and stuff using friends loved ones for presents.I also want to try making other animal themed ones too.AAAhhh too many wants and now I am back at work, time is evading me :o).
hugs
Annette In Oz

Two Simple Etched Necklaces

2010-07-26T13:56:00.005+09:30

Good health is evading me and mine at the moment.I'm on my days off and have come down sick with a sinus infection and exacerbation of my asthma...oh well means I am staying in and in between the fog descending in my head I shall clean the house and create...or just create LOL.My beautiful older daughter Carlia(20yrs old) is in the local hospital at the moment and I feel bad I wont be able to go in and see her today...they are still not sure what is happening with her and have just done some tests...maybe gall bladder, kidney...I hope not as she only has one due to a birth defect or her appendix.It's awful not knowing what is happening but as a nurse I know she is in the best place to get it sorted out.
Anywho here are 2 simple etched necklaces.This one has a square bezel and ice resin trapped copy of a famous painting in the bezel.It's a bit hard to see but under the old chandelier glass it says "time" so Take time to smell the flowers...

and closer

The second one has a Collection's vintage image covered in ice resin inside a rusty old ring I found in the gold fields up here.

and closer

The weather up here has gone bonkers and last night was hot...I even have the air con today...very odd indeed.Come back "Dry" season...I like cool nights!!!

hugs

Annette In Oz

Etched and Woven Nest Set

2010-07-19T23:05:00.008+09:30

My time off is fast running out and I thought I wouldn't get to my nest set today as we have had computer trouble and I spent most of the day trying to sort it out. It's of course working now but maybe not tomorrow. Anyway I made my nest set again after dinner and here they are below. When I get some more sterling silver wire I'll make some ear-rings to go with them.

There is a nest necklace complete with one of Jen's caste pewter branches at the top. The light reflected off the dictionary word but it says "soar".

Nest ring from front

and side.

An etched brass cuff with a large nest and large eggs and some soft feathers. The large wings were gently bent to wrap around the contours of the cuff.

Cuff from one side

and the other.

Only 2 days of freedom left before its back to work for me but above my desks now hangs 6 new necklaces, four shimmery cuffs and 1 ring. Wonder how long they will stay there before my girls snaffle them as presents for their friends...but this time I'll ask for some money for them LOL. A gal needs money for more supplies you know LOL.

hugs

Annette In Oz

Lost In the Music...Ice Resin Bezel

2010-07-18T23:11:00.003+09:30

One more for today. I love this vintage dancer and have used her on many projects.....she looks lost in the music and dance. Into the bezel she went, filled it in with ice resin and backed it with some vintage music sheet. The little glass vile above her head was from Jen Crossley and had a minute rock sample in an inner capsule. On the outside it has "fitrite" on it. I rolled some of the old music sheet and put it in the capsule and filled that with ice resin.Then I filled the vial and pushed the capsule back in and corked it. I made a small hole in the cork to make sure it would still set.

I had some trouble working out how to attach it all as I don't have items to drill into the glass vial and there was no bevel on the vial to stop the wire falling off one end of it. Anywho there it is....lost in the music and me lost at my desk LOL.
hugs
Annette In Oz

An Ice Resin Necklace

2010-07-18T09:52:00.004+09:30

AAArrggg this flu isn't nice at all...at least its given me some time to get creative, though not the best way to spend your much awaited week off work being sick. I've been meaning to make another leaf form necklace for ages and finally got it finished this am. The two vintage children images are embedded in place with ice resin. The old dictionary parts also have ice resin on them...love the way it goes see thru and brownish when you ice resin old papers...the dictionary part in the body is for the word "lively" and in the arms it says "bright" and "things". Which really describes the person this is for. I used hammered annealed wire for the leaf parts.

It's for a friend in Melbourne who liked my original one when I was down there in March at the Creative Soul Retreat. Hope she likes it...if not she can send it back LOL. Onto some nests today and another vintage looking necklace to go with my copper cuff. Now what to do with all this jewellery LOL. Thanks to everyone for your encouraging comments too and well wishes :o).
hugs
Annette In Oz

Miss 6's Older Sister-etched brass cuff

2010-07-16T21:58:00.004+09:30

Well the cleaning of the kitchen cupboards is still a work in progress LOL. I've come down with a nasty flu and I was meant to go to a stamping week-end in town from this evening. I feel yucko and I don't want to make anyone else sick, so I stayed at home and I consoled myself with etching in the day and making another cuff after dinner. My little Miss 6 necklace came shopping with me on Thursday and I have never had so many people interested in my chest *grin*. Anyway I thought she would need a big sister to accompany her on visits to town in the future. As Miss 6 is rather out there, I imagined her sister would be a wee bit out there too. She has wings like her little sister and some cogs here and there. Her smiling face shines thru the ice resin from her large brass nut frame.

These two must have had an artistic Mum LOL...maybe a vintage dancer or a circus lady. I have some more etched brass to play with tomorrow. I really want to make another brass nest set as I gave my last set away to a dear friend who admired them. Then I need to get into a book for someone else. It feels good to create and even though the head is not clear it stops me thinking of how disappointed I am at not stamping all week-end with my friends!!

hugs

Annette In Oz

Copper Cuff and Soldered bezel

2010-07-15T22:29:00.010+09:30

Don't know how this happened....one minute I was taking out all the stuff in the kitchen cupboards to give them an annual clean...then I went to my desk to put yet another handy "kitchen item" on my craft desk....I swear aliens then abducted me as I lost three hours and came to my senses with some jewellery in my hands LOL. I made this etched copper cuff with stained gauze and an ice resin filled decorative frame. I love using the metal patina on the etched metal items these days. As you can see there is an air bubble on the ladies head but it doesn't show up in the light just in the camera light. The beauty with ice resin is you can sand imperfections and then "heal "the error with some more liquid ice resin if you have too.

Jen Crossley I did it!!!!.I finally gave soldering a try with Jen's help several times.(thanks JEN)....yes my hands shook and yes I redid it maybe four times...it looks rough and rustic but I got there. Here is my first soldered handmade bezel. This is one I sanded afterwards and then healed with the ice resin (Jen sells the resin here in Oz) as two small bugs had landed on the wet resin as it cured overnight. The photo was taken off centre and the half clock sticks out at the right but is not evident from the front on. I placed the bg in, did a layer of resin, let it set, added the clock, poured more resin, let it set, added the little girls and the ruler and then domed the resin on top and left it all to set.

Suppose I had better get back to the kitchen and complete the housework but making stuff is so much more fun LOL.

hugs

Annette In Oz

Miss 6

2010-07-08T23:46:00.007+09:30

It's funny how things can not mean much on their on but when placed near by they are transformed.I had an old medicine cup(what else would a registered nurse have, along with scalpel blades etc etc LOL)on my desk and it had a mix of metallic odds an ends in there like an Ice resin filled bezel with a small child image inside,some etched brass (Jen Crossley got me addicted to etching....and I am so glad she did),a twisted piece of annealed wire I had used to practice making circles with,a dangle thingo and a tiny brass number 6.I tipped them all out and they sort of fell in an art doll shape.HHHmmm what if I cut that etched brass into a torso and add the head wings and legs.....and a necklace called miss 6 evolved.Here she is image taken flash off.

and with flash on.

I think the right wing needs lowering but then again we as humans are asymmetrical ourselves so maybe I shall leave it.My hand made necklaces and rings etc are accumulating LOL but I sssoo love making these metal things.

My work life has been maniac like since January and its easy to forget the wonders that are all around us every day...slow down and look everyone....here is a gorgeous sunset at Lee Point here in Darwin taken a few days ago.

We are off to the Bungle Bungle's again next month with my Mum and Grant's Mum....the magic of our land allures me and I can't wait to go there again.

hugs

Annette In Oz

Leonardo Da Vinci Pages

2010-06-30T20:56:00.007+09:30

After my last post I got another call from work to say I was booked in for another 5 days of training which would start the next day.Then I was taken off the floor(my nursing shifts hands on) to implement what was learnt.SSSooo my"back to my usual shifts at last" went straight out the window and "no time to get creative" came right back in.My deadline for another collaborative paper bag book swap was fast approaching and they kindly gave me another week so I could still participate.On the last few days I finally got my pages done and sent
Leonardo Da Vinci was the theme and when we all delved the net looking for images and info you fast realize what an amazing man he was.He painted,drew, invented things,did studies of the human body and plants and so much more.For my first set of pages I chose one of his paintings-Madonna Lita.

I did an image transfer to material and then added various colours of Opals Embossing Enamels all around her.After three layers of Opals where added I added some metallic leaf, reheated it and stamped on the brick part and run the bottom section thru the Cuttlebug using a swirl embossing folder.Here is the page under the light flash off.

I did put it under the scanner but it just looked dull.The next page also looks dull and isn't.I used this drawing below which I have as a stamp.

I stamped and etched the image into brass as the focal point.Then it was stained and then sanded back so the brass shines thru again

The pages are on the way to England and it was sssooo good to get some art done again.While I was a week late with them Grant was doing something in the yard.....something he started 17yrs ago!!!.Finally I have a fish pond with water lilies and all.It still looks raw and not much but next Wet season it will look amazing.So glad he finally got in and got it to this point at last.At the back there will be a waterfall too.Today the lilies flowered and the water is now clear.When I can I'll take another photo.I don't call him him "gunna" Grant for nothing LOL.

hugs

Annette In Oz

Paper Bag Nature Swap Pages....at last

2010-06-16T11:18:00.018+09:30

Gosh time is flying for me this year with changes in the workplace, my stint in Jury Duty and extra training for work... my crafty pursuits are suffering.Hence my delays in getting this paper bag book together.I Finlay got to put the pages together last night.Basically the base pages are paper bags...you lay them one way then the other and join them in the middle so every second page is the opening of the bag which creates a pocket.You have a decorated page on each side and place two decorated pages back to back in the pockets.Here is the completed book.

My front cover.Its very shimmery as I used Daler Rowney pearlescent inks sponged on the bg before I stamped the leaves.The central stamped leaves are made from Opals Embossing Enamels .

The sign in page.The stamped floral piece at the bottom is Friendly Plastic, Angelina Film and Opals Embossing Enamels.

Page 1...the tab at the right is two pages attached to black card back to back to go in the pocket.I added the tab for easy removal as it was a tight fit.

Pages 2 & 3.

Page 4 & 5.

Page6 & 7.

Page 8 & 9.

Page 10 & 11.

Page 12 & 13.

Page 14 & 15.

Page 16.

Page 17 & 18 on pocket inserts.

Pages 19 & 20.

Pages 21 & 22.

Pages 23 & 24.

When the swap pages arrived back in March I thought they were all just lovely then. Last night as I sat putting the artworks on the paper bags and then sewed the pages in place I looked at each page in a new light and there is so much effort put in them all...they are more then lovely...they are gorgeous.

hugs

Annette In Oz

Jury Duty...the end at last!!!

2010-05-31T11:16:00.014+09:30

Jury Duty truly is a necessary evil but my 7 weeks of it have at last come to end.I spent yesterday cleaning the house,today I have worked on the last modules I have been trying to fit in for a self directed learning thing pre lectures in 2 weeks time.Now I am back to my usual life cycle and art is calling me loud and clear.It's been hard to fit time in for Grant and the kids let alone art these last 2 months but tomorrow I shall play!!!.A few weeks ago we did a trip out to Fogg Dam...it's only 20 mins from here and was a failed rice growing exercise that has a dam wall over the flood plains.Now it is a gorgeous animal and bird retreat.There are a few walks thru the forest areas pre dam wall and we hadn't done them since the kids were small.I had forgot how lush and pretty it was on the walk.
You used to be able to walk across the dam wall but now you can only drive over as there is a trap shy saltie in there.We drove over and then spied this little Tata lizard overseeing the birds below LOL.

Here we are on the walking track thru the forest.It was so cool, green and lush...oh yeh and full of Woman eating mozzies!!!...they couldn't get thru Grant's hairy legs.

These are some bush food berries.

Spoonbills and a lovely Jabiru...one of our largest water birds.

A closer look at the Jabiru and the wonderful colours on his head.

Some more Spoonbill's

I was intrigued by what looks like a flower encased in this leaf on the walking track.

There were fungi all over the place and this one could have acted as a fairy bath.

A few evening later we went for a walk to the lagoon behind us and on the way back spied a young, golden banded tree snake

Here's looking at you...

He was quick to climb the nearest tree and get away.

The Dry season has rolled in at last and the days are long and warm,humidity has dropped and the nights are cooler.Perfect days for creating I say!!

hugs

Annette In Oz

The Frog and The Snake...snake wins

2010-04-20T14:00:00.002+09:30

Grant was down at the lagoon behind us while I was at work the other night and took these shots of a hungry slatey grey snake stalking and then catching and eating a Dahl's frog.Here is Mr Slatey Grey.

slithering thru the water looking for a frog

stalking a frog upper left on the creek wall

frog he did catch

only the legs left hanging out

Grant takes some amazing photos of the animals and plants up here....must have a snoop in his album and see what else he has in there.

hugs

Annette In Oz

Post "The Retreat" Elizabeth and Cath

2010-04-19T20:46:00.000+09:30

Life is a swirl of work and trying to get the housework/cooking done each day at the moment.Should only be this hectic for another week as that is when we have accreditation at work and why I have been so busy.The retreat seems like years ago now.I have yet to get to my desk and finish my retreat projects but I will.Post retreat I stayed with Elizabeth Harms and her family for three days.Elizabeth has a room for her art creativity and storage and man oh man storage and art there was LOL.The room is an eclectic mix of creativity and supplies...the storage of which dominate the whole room.I could have stayed in there for three days and never found out what all the containers held.To me Elizabeth had her own art shop right there at her finger tips.As you enter and behind the door there is a hanging storage area with all sorts of embellishments in the pockets.There was also this lovely DJ Pettitt painted bag hanging there.

Here is some of the art around the room

every space a riot of colour and inspiration

book shelves and benches....no spare space unadorned

art dolls and masks

collaborative books and more

small section of the colour coded storage

...... and....more

I hope to0 have an art room myself one day...weather I will ever have the money to fill it like that is another story LOL.While there I spent a night at Cathy Daulman's house.I've adored Cath for years and credit her with opening the door to arty stamping all those years ago.I think I did nearly all of Cath's classes when I got to go to Stamping Down Under over the years and I love all her stamps and products from her My Stamps shop.Her use of colour just explodes in your eyes and I love how she can uses household items in her art.Here is just a small part of her art room with some of her work...I got so side tracked yacking and learning that I forgot to take more photos.

I loved going to Melbourne and can't thank Elizabeth enough for all her help and bot Cath and Elizabeth for letting me stay and disrupt theirs lives.It all went way too fast but I did miss Grant and the kids too and coming home there were other arty surprises awaiting me.There was this fantastic parcel of metal jewellery bits and a gorgeous Burgundy card from Evelyn Poole waiting for.Thanks Evvie I love it and the stash so much.Hope to get to QLD soon and catch up with you and John too.

My collaborative paper bag book swap retrun pages have also arrived.I'll make the cover this arov and try to bind it and get the photos up this evening.In between the 6 loads of washing!!!!.Got to love teenagers and bed making day...NOT

hugs

Annette In Oz

Melissa and Tim Discover Photoshop

2010-04-06T22:24:00.003+09:30

Last Christmas I bought Melissa and Tim a camera and now I miss them leaving me their evidence in my camera.Today I realized they hadn't left me anything in my camera but they did leave their tracks in my Photoshop programme LOL.Meet Melissa and Tim as Neon lights.

I've received all my swap page returns from the International Collaborative paper bag book swap and have just started to work out how to put it all together.I'll try and have it all together and up for a gander(look) tomorrow evening.
hugs
Annette In Oz