Family picnic

Had a lovely picnic today in a park in Essendon by the Maribyrnong River. Was a bit windy but we found a shady spot under a big palm tree and made sure we ate our salad quickly before it blew away. Jo and Matthew joined Peter and I and spent a few enjoyable hours with Peter's sisters, Ann and Fay, Ann's husband Darryl, their daughters Kate and Louise and Louise's partner, Neil. We met Clara (Louise's scottie) for the first time. She is adorable. Jasper would love to meet her I'm sure.

No pictures as everyone seemed a bit camera shy (although I probably could have snapped a few of Clara)!

Dorrigo National Park

But indeed it is not so much for its beauty that the forest makes its claim upon men's hearts, as for that subtle something, that quality of the air that emanates from the old trees, that so wonderfully changes and renews a weary spirit.
.. Robert Louis Stevenson

I took the photograph in January 2008 at the Dorrigo Rainforest Centre in Dorrigo National Park, New South Wales, Australia.

credits:
background photograph blended with plain papers from Dusk Dew by Franziska Altmann
stamp cluster Lindsay Jane Designs
silver swirl MRE assemble your own beads
tag Ellie Lash what's your hang up
fonts times new roman and vladimir script

Sail Away - Broome Harbour 2006

I downloaded this complimentary collab kit from Scrapbook Bytes a couple of days ago and decided it was just right for these photos.

Broome Harbour July 2006. After a wonderful afternoon relaxing on the lugger 'Willie', we were treated to a glorious sunset as we sailed back to Broome.

credits:
template and kit: with compliments collab from SBB
font: journal

I hope you dance

My wish, then and now, for Katie Joy.

credits:
template free template challenge #3 by Sine
paper and elements from Enchanting Indigo by Ziggle Designs
lyrics by L A Womack
fonts are Jane Austen and Scriptina

I Hope You Dance - by Lee Ann Womack
I hope you never lose your sense of wonder,
You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger,
May you never take one single breath for granted,
GOD forbid love ever leave you empty handed,
I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean,
Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens,
Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance,
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

I hope you dance....I hope you dance

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance,
Never settle for the path of least resistance,
Livin' might mean takin' chances but they're worth takin',
Lovin' might be a mistake but it's worth makin',
Don't let some hell bent heart leave you bitter,
When you come close to sellin' out reconsider,
Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance,
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

I hope you dance....I hope you dance
I hope you dance....I hope you dance
(Time is a wheel in constant motion always rolling us along,
Tell me who wants to look back on their years and wonder where those years have gone.)

I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean,
Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens,
Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance,
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

Dance....I hope you dance
I hope you dance....I hope you dance
I hope you dance....I hope you dance
(Time is a wheel in constant motion always rolling us along,
Tell me who wants to look back on their years and wonder where those years have gone.)

On the beach

These photos are from my trip to Kangaroo Island in South Australia in April 2008. It was bitterly cold on the beach that day but the sea lions just lay around keeping a close eye on the visitors. The pups play together just like little children with mum or dad occasionally having to pull them into line.

On a roll now

Well it is past 2.00am but I have finally finished uploading another layout to all my galleries.

I love the look of concentration and determination on Katie's face.

credits: template: SO spacious by Sine
papers: from giggle, dazzled and rebeccas art 2 collections by ksharonk designs
string and beads: Britt-ish Designs September grab bag
ribbon and date slider: Ellie Lash barely sliding by
stamp: AWI brush set my descriptions
fonts: pharmacy (title) and angelina

A photo I just had to scrap

This photograph was probably taken in about 1965, not long before we emigrated to Australia. My sisters and I are sitting in the front garden in Summer Road enjoying iced lollies (icy poles) amongst the flowers. Mum and Dad enjoyed gardening and always had a lovely show of blooms. Unfortunately the actual photograph is quite small although I have managed to enlarge it a little. When I found the quote I knew this was the photo I wanted to use it with.
credits: scrap matters say it with bling daily download kit (various designers)
ribbon: ellie lash dulcet too
journalling paper: ksharonkdesigns small packages notepapers4
fonts are windsong and bradley hand ITC
quote: unknown author

Koala layout

In September 2004 I came home to find a koala sitting on my back fence. Our dog, Jasper was not amused to find a trespasser in HIS garden and complained very loudly. The koala moved on back to the bush after a few days in the gum trees.
credits: template SO wordy by Sine
elements and green paper from freebie downunder mini kit and other papers from tattered paper essentials by ksharonkdesigns
string from Britt-ish Designs Sept grab bag
memories captured brush stamp from AWI Brush Set My Descriptions
fonts are pharmacy (title) and tahoma (journalling)

GingerScraps

Ginger at GingerScraps is feeling the frustration of a server that just won't stay up. Once again the store is down so we all have to be patient and wait for the technical problems to be resolved. Drop Ginger a message at her blog to help keep her spirits up.

Think Pink

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I thought I'd sport a flair button I found on Ellie's Angels blog. Thanks angels!