Stamp Camp

It's taken over 2 years but finally I managed to attend Stamp Camp in the Hunter Valley this year from 7th - 9th September. It's always held on a weekend in September and as the majority of my family members birthdays occur during this month, I haven't been able to go ... until now!

I arrived on Friday night after working all day, just in time for dinner. I spent the weekend with a lovely group of ladies, some I'd met before and others I met through various online groups.

On Saturday, the lovely Rachel Greig from Darkroom Door (http://www.rachelgreig.typepad.com)
spent the day teaching us different techniques to make cards.  When we weren't in the classroom, our time was our own to finish off other projects.

All in all the weekend was just what I need to recharge and get back in balance with a little bit of creativity.

Below some photos of the cards made in Rachel's class, some ATC completed and a pic of my Stamp Camp buddies. From L to R Bev Charter, Therese Davis, Me, Dorothy Leach, Heather Askitis & Carolyn Passfield.

 

Keep smiling and keep creating!



Another birthday ...

My brother David celebrated his birthday on 1st September, so we had a family gathering at O'Cobhthaigh House the night before.

 

Mum and dad drove back from Queensland for the event and as all the bedrooms were accounted for with guests, they camped out in their motorhome in the street.

 

We also had German Visitors Theresa and Marcus come and stay.

 

It was a fun night all in all ... some pics:

1) Mum & David

2) Dad with Theresa & Marcus

3) David & Nat

4) Me & Ferg

5) David with Tyrone

6) blowing out the candles

 

 

Turning 6 ...

For a month from mid-August until mid-September, our direct family celebrates 4 birthdays ... so a busy month for gifts and catching up with the family.

Our niece Alexis turned 6 on 26th August. Ferg, David and I made the trip up north for the weekend to join mum & dad and lavish Alexis with our presence and presents ... of course.

Some pics below:
1) Alexis in her party clothes
2) She'd be able to get a job in a circus
3) Cutting the cake with mummy right behind
4) Mum/Oma also getting in on the circus act, juggling against the wall.
5) Family pic

 

Keep the circus going inside you, keep it going, don't take anything too seriously, it'll all work out in the end.

~David Niven~

Happy Birthday ...

On 17th August my dad turned 69 - Happy Birthday Dad!

We didn't get to see him on the day as he was in Queensland, but here he is with his present from all of us.

 

"Any man can be a father, but it takes a special person to be a dad!"

~Proverb~

Bay Walk

Beau and I got up early on Sunday 5th August and made our way to Leichhardt to participate in the annual Bay Run.

Normally it takes me around 1 hour 15 minutes to complete the walk, but we were in the section of competitors with dogs and Beau wanted to keep up with the other pooches.

We finished in 1:01:35 and Beau had a ball hanging out with the crowd.

Below are a couple of pics from the day ... enjoy the sunshine!

 

"Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine.”
~ Anthony J. D'Angelo ~

Pride & Joy ...

Caught up with Jean again in July and managed to get one layout finished. This layout is of my Opa's garden when I visited in 2007 ... amazing what changes in 5 years.  He loved his garden and I loved the beautiful flowers and my favourite meal was always his home grown boerenkool ... met worst ... of course.

"If wrinkles must be written upon our brow, let them not be written upon the heart; the spirit should never grow old."

~James A. Garfield~