Momentous Decisions Made

It has been something Jacky and I have thought so very long and hard about...
You have something that you have created, you know it could be made bigger and better, but you start at the beginning and try to work your way to your goal...
But sometimes, something steps in your way and says 'I can do better' and so, against every instinct, you hand over your baby.
There is such regret and sadness, a feeling of sickness in the pit of your stomach and tears in your eyes. You know that, given the chance this could have been something wonderful...
The memories that have been made, the people you have met, the friendships forged.. is that all gone now? Oh, you know all the mistakes you have made, the things that could have been done differently, better.
But, you never forget, YOU DID IT!


Someone may come along who can do it better, but we were always FIRST!


And so,

You face reality....


You pick yourself up....


Dust yourself off....


Surround yourself with those who love you most...


And forge on ahead to...


BIGGER AND BETTER THINGS

To all those who have supported us, shared in some amazing memories with us and been genuine, loyal friends...


THANKYOU, THANKYOU, THANKYOU!!!! WE LOVE YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF OUR HEARTS.

THIS IS JUST A FORK IN THE ROAD OF OUR LIFE. OUR PRIORITIES WILL CHANGE, OUR PATHS WILL BE ALTERED BUT WE WILL KEEP GOING...

WE WILL BE SAD, GOODBYES ARE ALWAYS SO SAD.

Dwellingup Retreat 2009

Our Dwellingup retreat is now available for viewing online and bookings can be made. We are already half full, so if it is something you would like to do, please do not delay. Here are a couple of sample pics.

This week heralds some new beginnings (caution - below is some language that may not be suitable for tender minds!)

Jacky and I have decided we will arm ourselves with a 'Fuck 'em all' attitude.

We are sick and tired with all the mind games, bitchiness and insenstivity that often abounds in many craft areas. The little 'clicky' groups that believe themselves above we mere mortals. From here on in we will look after ourselves first and foremost to ensure that we are able to offer the best of ourselves to our customers, friends and families. No longer will we allow the shallow attitudes of others to get us down.

This week is a new beginning for me as it is the end of a huge amount of dental work and as of tomorrow I will smile proudly and brightly! Prepare to be dazzled, hee hee!

We are also venturing out to new and unknown areas of art, experimenting, playing and discovering awesome new techniques to share with you all. I am so excited and itching to get stuck in to it all.

2009 is to be our year of growth, and a whole new attitude. I do apologise to those who may think this is cold and hard, but we have found we need to arm ourselves in this way or be destroyed by others.

That is all for now! Next post...
new smiles...
new discoveries...
secret missions... (little cross country trip planned for this weekend, Melbourne here we come!)............

Lots to think about

It has been well over two months since my last post, but I have been busy over that time. We are busily planning a lovely restful retreat at Dwellingup for later this year. Keep an eye on this space for more details soon, plus the new classes being added to our 2009 retreat in Sydney!


With all the tragedy in Melbourne being on the news, my heart went out to all those in flood ravaged Queensland. Please remember them if you are thinking of making donations. Check here to see how you can donate
http://www.disasterassist.gov.au/qld_floods_09/index.htm
These people have also lost homes, pets, livestock, business and unfortunately loved ones. They also face a long haul of rebuilding ahead of them.


I guess the whole world is now aware of the Victorian bushfires and our hearts go out to all affected both in Victoria and Queensland.
My daughter Courtney is on the student council at our local primary school, and on Friday they raised over $800 for the bushfire relief. With just one days notice and being a small school, I thought this was a massive effort.

I will do a more 'art' related post later this week.

Thinking of all my friends who have faced and survived Mother Natures fury!

Samara turns 18!

18 years ago today, I held my 5lb 14oz baby girl in my arms! Look at her now, all grown up. I know it is cliche, but time has really flown!!!
On Saturday night, Samara held a Roaring Twenties party to celebrate her 18th. It was a great night and everyone got in to the spirit and dressed up.

Here is Samara, with her friends Megan and Rhiannon.

And with me and her Dad.

The family. From left cousin Jake, Nana Jacky, Aunty Tina, Samara, cousin Shae, Aunty Richelle and Uncle John.

Same as above but with Uncle Kev on the left end.

The two of us! Happy Birthday my beautiful girl. May your life be overflowing with happiness, love good health and much laughter. I love you with all my heart!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

There is nothing like getting in to the Christmas spirit by decorating. We had so much fun arranging all these gorgeous Christmas items that have arrived in the shop.
Will have these in the online shop next week!

The house is next!!

Sammis Halloween Party

Bet you would never have thought of using your Caran D'Ache crayons as face paint!!!

Sammi went to a Halloween Party on Friday night, dressed as the girl from Prom night.

Ever the innovative girl, she decided to use my watercolour crayons to create this awesome blood effects. How scary does this girl look???

SWH workshop Day 1

Well, it took me a little longer to get back to this, flat out at the shop at the moment getting ready for Christmas!!

Here are a few pics from the Saturday of the workshop. This day focused primarily on journalling and getting in touch within and with what you needed to say.
Lots of lying on our backs, gazing up in to the trees, relaxing and re-energising.
I got a load of journalling done from the prompts that Sabrina gave us, it's great to look back on it now and re-read what i wrote. I can't wait to get it all down in the journal I created.

Here is Sabrina and Erin, Sabrina is such a gentle soul, very down to earth and unpretentious. I so enjoyed her company and felt relaxed right from the start.

After lunch we all found our own little 'workspaces' and started prepping the pages for our journals. We had a lot of fun sorting through everyone elses left over pages to add to our own journals.

Mandys workspace. It was a little difficult with the wind, but fortunately it was a lovely warm day. Also, the wind allowed all our pages to dry very quickly!

It was such a lovely bunch of girls in the workshop and so interesting to hear others take on the journal prompts. So very obviously affected by our various life experiences and the aspects of our present and past lives.

See the pages drying on the improvised clothes line???

Day one was awesome and obviously including so much more than what I have written!
I went home that night emotionally and physically drained but also very inspired and looking forward to day 2!!!