Made by Madge

Join for just $169

2011-09-04T13:06:00.000+10:00

Join for just $169

During September, you can join the Stampin’ Up!® family as a demonstrator for only $169! The limited-time mini Starter Kit—valued at over $310—comes with the high-quality products listed below.
• Easy Events Clear-Mount Set*
• Pennant Parade Wood-Mount Set*
• Basic Black Classic Stampin’ Pad®
• Old Olive Classic Stampin’ Pad
• Pumpkin Pie Classic Stampin’ Pad
• Real Red Classic Stampin’ Pad
• A4 Smooth Card Stock Assortment
• Just Add Cake Designer Series Paper*
• Chocolate Chip 1/2" Scallop Dots Ribbon*
• Notes Cards (20)
• Clear-Mount Block C
• Blender Pen (1)
• SNAIL Adhesive®
• Business supplies
Want the full Starter Kit? Get it 20% off during September only!

So if you have ever considered taking the opportunity to purchase your own supplies at a 20% discount, being able to prepurchase new products or to start your own business contact me now to take advantage of this limited time offer

Join Me!

2011-09-01T10:32:00.001+10:00

hi everyone,

Today is an exciting day... it is the first day of the new Stampin' Up! Idea Book and Catalogue!! Yipee. But wait that's not all! Today is also the first day of their new promotion where you can join up for only $169! Now that's a double Yipee! All the details are here and if you would like to go for it then please email me (madebymadgeatyahoodotcomdotau) and come join the crafting fun!

Retirement

2011-08-01T22:44:00.000+10:00

Not mine though!

It's time to say goodbye! Hundreds of products from the Stampin' Up! 2010-2011 Idea Book & Catalogue are retiring, and now is the time for you to get them before they're gone.

The full list can be found here. These items are only available until the end of the month or before if sold out. There's some fabulous savings of 25 - 40% off some of the products as well, which is a lovely idea isn't it?!

If there is anything you like the look of, just email me your order, or give me a call and I can order it for you.

This part is really exciting...

I am now taking orders for the 2011/2012 Idea Book and Catalogue!

These will be distributed when preordered copies arrive during August. For the special price of $16.00 including postage during August, I will mail your catalogue to you anywhere in Australia. Or you can pop out and pick it up for $9. Just email me or call me to place your catalogue order.

Happy Crafting

Margaret

Gingerbread House

2011-07-31T03:05:00.002+10:00

Hello again,
It's been a very long time since I've been here and lots has happened!
Today I had a few friends around and we made Gingerbread Houses - took a while but the results were good. Loved the efforts of the 12 year old - she put snow on her roof and curtains in her windows - the creative mind of a child is so beautiful.

The little box is a candy wrapper... very simple and great for a xmas table or even birthdays or weddings.
Even though we have the mini milk carton die, I chose to hand cut this gingerbread house using the template found here
M

new craft room

2011-02-16T11:15:00.001+11:00

I have finally sorted myself out into a new craft room and if I may say so it is now my happy place! I think it's important to have a happy place, don't you?

I have a few different ways of storing ribbon. One way is in this tool box. My sons love looking in this box.

This is the view from our bedroom. It's so peaceful to wake up to this every morning.

Another storage system for ribbons - these are all my Stampin' Up! ribbons. Having them in this box makes them easy to cart around to parties.

And yet another ribbon storage system - all the offcuts go in here. I love looking at the colours. These bottles (with the lids) once belonged to Jack's great great grandmother and was used in her cafe.

And here are my Stampin' Up ink pads. My refills are missing! I think they are on top and out of shot. The cupboard beside this one houses my envelopes and projects on the go. And yes, there are my beautiful watercolour crayons - having lots of fun at the moment with those.

this was my valentine's present to DH - a magic box of love!

These are my fat / quilters quarters. My stepmother owns a fabric and craft shop in Tassie and sent me these for you! If you would like to buy them they are only $2 (plain), $4 and $6 (patterned) a quarter.

As you can see I now have a happy place for my creativity.

M

family time

2011-02-16T09:46:00.002+11:00

We took some guests over to the Blowering Dam on the last day of Jack's school holidays. Had a great time in the lovely warm water.

Christmas

2011-01-16T10:48:00.001+11:00

some photos of our family christmas

Caitlin, Noel, Liam, Me and Jack, Noddy, Shirley, Bruce and Anne. John and Paul were behind the lens.

My beautiful friend, Janet, came to visit us with her family.

John and Dave and kids.

Sammy! and Mr Blue of course.

Caitlin and Liam conversing on the benefits of sunscreen.

Christmas morning, pre excitement.

Jack singing at the Batlow Carols by Candlelight.

Two of my beautiful boys, Liam and Jack... having a bit of fun on the tires at the Dam. Then they discovered the water!

Caitlin and Paul setting up the picnic at Blowering Dam.

Hope you had a merry christmas and wishing you a safe new year.
Margaret

2011-01-16T10:22:00.000+11:00

We finished moving Bruce and Shirley into their new home, downsizing 52 years of memories into a one bedroom flat, putting in new carpet and rearranging furniture and memories, adding a lovely deck with a veiw that looks out over the farm. I think they are happy.

The Big House

2010-10-21T10:09:00.002+11:00

after 2 weeks of sifting, sorting and moving, we have Shirley and Bruce settled in their new home... the granny flat at the end of their old house. Now it's our turn to sift, sort and move our home into The Big House. I must say that it was an enormous task to pack away 52 years of memories, and it would not have been done except with the help of Anne and Noel. Noel built a beautiful new deck onto the granny flat where they can sit in the sunshine and watch the activities around them. Anne sifted and sorted and packed and moved... and I helped! Jack and Liam were wonderful - such good boys.

Noel has now officially worked in ALL weather - sun, rain, sleet, hail, floods and snow. We had torrential rain here last week and Adelong, Tumbarumba and Tumut were flooded and some parts evacuated. Only Batlow survived. Adelong was declared a natural disaster. The day after the flooding, we woke up to snow! Today was a frost... crazy!

M

The new catalogue is here!

2010-09-03T13:58:00.001+10:00

The 2010 - 2011 Idea Book & Catalogue is finally here! It's a gorgeous catalogue with lots and lots of new products. There are 60 brand new stamp sets, 7 new punches, heaps of new ribbons, new colours, new accessories..... I can't stop drooling!

If you'd like a copy of the catalogue just contact me today and for $12.95 I can mail one out to you. If you're local to me feel free to drop in and pick up your copy.

Join me on Sunday 26 September at 11am at the RSL for the Idea Book & Catalogue launch and have a play with some of the new products. Everyone is welcome, just let me know you are coming!

M

Sneak Peek

2010-08-14T15:31:00.001+10:00

hi everyone,

Due to the illness in our house, Stephanie's Last Chance Stampin' Up! party was postponed. Just to prove to her that I really DID try to prepare for her party, here is a sneak peek at the samples....

Timber

2010-08-14T15:06:00.002+10:00

with all the wild weather last week came another historical event on Adamilla... we have 4 rather large and old pine trees towering above and behind our house. They were planted by John's grandmother, Ethel, on the occasion of her first daughter, Janet's, birth. That makes them 82 years old. This week one of them fell down. Or rather half of one of them fell down. Narrowly missed the house and our car.

M

Last Chance List

2010-08-12T03:59:00.004+10:00

With the extra long 2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalogue it's been a long time coming but we've finally reached the last month. To make room for all the fantastic new products along with the Colour Renovation that will be in the 2010 - 2011 Idea Book & Catalogue Stampin' Up! has announced its Last Chance List.

Click here to view the full list.

Products on this list are only available until the end of August or until stocks run out. If there's something on this list that you can't live without then contact me today to order your last chance items.

It's a very long list but many of the items refer to the retiring colours. Some of the products are simply being repackaged or redesigned - like punches changing to the new punch format - so the list looks a lot more drastic than it is!

The new Idea Book & Catalogue is only a few days away. If you'd like to reserve a copy then contact me today.

M

christmas in july

2010-07-11T14:55:00.004+10:00

I decided to make this drawer box for my christmas in july class on 24 July in Tumut. There's a surprise inside.

M

July specials

2010-07-09T07:39:00.007+10:00

Stampin' Up!'s Two-Step Stampin' sets allow you to quickly and easily take your creativity to the next level. And from 1-31 July, you'll get 20% off select Two-Step Stampin' sets from our current catalogues - no limit, no minimum purchase required!

Choose from any of the stamp sets listed below:

page 39 Loads of Love was $39.95 now $31.96
page 42 Big Bold Birthday** was $53.95 now $43.16
page 78 A Rose is a Rose** was $66.95 now $53.56
page 86 Playful Petals** was $52.95 now $42.36
page 98 Cheep Talk was $47.95 now $38.36
page 115 Wonderful Favourites was $39.95 now $31.96
page 14* Tiny Tags (wood-mount)was $38.95 now $31.16
page 14* Tiny Tags (clear-mount)was $28.95 now $23.16
page 31* Cottage Garden (wood-mount was $28.95 now $26.36
page 31* Cottage Garden (clear-mount)was $24.95 now $19.96

*From 2010 Autumn-Winter Mini Catalogue
**Retiring stamp sets!

Would you love to make money while stamping, set your own hours, and supplement your income with a successful home business? Being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator means you'll enjoy all of this and more. Whether you'd like to earn money to pay for your stamping supplies, create a full or part-time career, or simply get a discount on your stamping supplies, Stampin' Up! will help you do it.

And now, from 21 May-31 July, get a 20 percent discount off the Starter Kit when you join Stampin' Up! as a demonstrator!

If you would like to join my team and for more information on what goodies are in the starter kit, click here.

M

The Crafter's Commandments

2010-07-06T21:10:00.004+10:00

1. I will not stuff craft supplies in every corner of my house.
2. I will not keep 9 projects going at one time
3. I will not pick more buttons, lace or fabric when I have a ton at home
4. I will not let my crafting area look like a condemned area
5. I will not attend craft shows just to get more ideas
6. I will not relegate the kitchen table to crafts
7. I will not stock up on more craft supplies just because they are on sale.
8. I will not go off on a tangent when anyone mentions import
9. I will not let my crafting distract me from fixing dinner.
10. I will not stay up all night crafting.
11. I will not save dryer lint, empty cereal boxes detergent scoops etc.
12. I will not buy every craft magazine I see.
13. I will not make promises I cannot keep ........

See you at a craft show.

cheers birdies

2010-07-02T11:22:00.006+10:00

hi everyone,
We were busy in the craft room yesterday making these beautiful little houses. Lori and I made the run of the mill bird house, but Megan stepped it up a notch and made it a bar complete with martini and dacquiri ... cheers birds!

once in a blue moon

2010-06-29T14:37:00.004+10:00

Once in a blue moon I clean my craft room - I'm now ready for a class tomorrow with Lori!

weather report and craft update

2010-06-28T10:13:00.004+10:00

I was inspired by Valita to make these book Easel cards which are just beautiful, don't you think?

This was the view from my backyard looking towards Batlow this weekend. We've had rain, fog, ice and sunshine.

happy crafting!

M

2010-06-17T12:47:00.002+10:00

With the Deals of the Week, you'll get up to 50 percent off a selection of products from the 2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalogue! This week's deal is:

A Happy Heart stamp set was $41.95 now $20.98 (page 34 IB&C)

Greetings Eight stamp set was $49.95 now $24.98 (page 57 IB&C)

Bella's Bloom stamp set was $24.95 now $14.97 (page 78 IB&C)

Enjoy Every Moment stamp set was $53.95 now $26.98 (page 97 IB&C)

All Scallops stamp set was $55.95 now $27.98 (page 57 IB&C)

Be sure to check the Stampin' Up! web site each Wednesday in June to see what new deals are up for grabs that week, then contact me if you would like to order something.

M

Deal of the Week #2

2010-06-11T14:00:00.002+10:00

For those of you who have been hanging out for this week's deal - here it is:

Get up to 40% off these selected designer series papers:

Haiku Designer Series paper regular price: $16.95- SALE price $10.17
Pink Flamingo Designer paper regular price: $16.95-SALE price $11.02

Tea Party Designer Series paper regular price: $16.95-SALE price $10.17

Raspberry Tart Designer Series paper regular price $16.95-SALE price $11.02
Sweet Slumber Specialty Designer Series paper regular price $22.95-SALE price $14.92

This deal is available now until 15th June-please contact me if you would like to order these gorgeous papers.

M

Liam Henry

2009-10-16T11:26:00.004+11:00

well he's arrived - thank God safely.
our little boy was 6lb 9oz and 53cm and his name is Liam Henry Wilkinson.

M

FREE Ribbon and Designer Series Paper

2009-10-16T10:41:00.006+11:00

If you've ever thought of joining up as a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator now is a great time to do just that. Not only do you get some a FREE pack of Raspberry Tart Designer Series Paper AND a Pretty in Pink stampin ink pad, you also support a great cause!! Click here if you want more info on this great demonstrator opportunity...

World Card Making Day

2009-10-15T11:31:00.001+11:00

In celebration of World Card Making Day, Stampin' Up! is offering the following promotion throughout the entire month of October: buy a Simply Sent Card Elements kit and get 20 percent off the coordinating stamp set--no limit!

Buy a Simply Sent Card Elements kit:

Item	Page	Description	Price
112028	140	Flower Power Card Elements	$30.95
112021	141	Rock Star Card Elements	$30.95

Get one of the following stamp sets at 20% off:

Item	Page	Description	Regular Price	Discount Price
116779	140	Wow Flowers stamp set	$24.95	$19.96
116777	141	Starring You stamp set	$24.95	$19.96

Click here for more information.

More Cards

2009-06-05T10:36:00.003+10:00

More creating (but very bad photography sorry). Above is a card demonstrating the stampamajig and two step stamping using Riding Hood Red and Pretty in Pink, also showcasing the Bella Rose Designer Series Paper.

And here is my beautiful (if it was photographed correctly) tea bag holders that I gave as gifts to all the attendees of Sunday's StampinUp party. I used So Saffron and Pretty in Pink with the new Tea Party Designer Series Paper. I know the stamp used is from the previous catalogue, but I told them about it and they were impressed anyway!

This is a birthday card using the Wild About You and A little Birthday Cheer stamp sets. Colours used are ballet blue, pumpkin pie, really rust, old olive, certainly celery and basic black.

Excuse the photography please as I was in a hurry to capture the image and it was late at night and the lighting was atrocious. Improvements next time!!

regards
Margaret

Cards

2009-06-05T10:07:00.003+10:00

I have finally found the 'cord to the camera' and have uploaded some of my latest creations for you to see...
Above is a pull treat (with chocolate enclosed) made by the lovely ladies at Sunday's StampinUp party. Below is a thank you card created for a friend.

Margaret

Would you like $110 of FREE product !

2009-06-03T12:56:00.005+10:00

Stampin' Up! has just announced an excellent promotion for Workshop hosts in June and July - an extra $40 to spend on anything you choose from the Stampin' Up! Catalogue.

If you host a workshop in June or July, and the workshop reaches $600 in sales, or more, then you'll get an extra $40 worth of hostess benefits, which means you'll have $110 to spend on whatever you choose from the Catalogue. That's as well as your exclusive Hostess stamp set and your free copy of the Idea Book.

If that sounds good to you, then please contact me soon to book your workshop for June or July!

Margaret

madebymadge[at]yahoo[dot]com[dot]au
0421 613 501

PS. If you're not local to me you don't have to host a workshop to receive the $110 free. Simply place an order for $600 before the end of July to qualify - Ask me about catalogue workshops.

around the farm

2009-05-17T20:36:00.003+10:00

this is Noddy. our 11 week old kelpie. his parents are both purebred working dogs and he comes from a sheep station just off the snowy mountains highway, wagga side. he's naughty and he has big ears and sharp teeth. He's nearly 4 months old now and we've had to separate him from Jack. Jack will not stop teasing him and wrestling him and Noddy will not stop nipping him on the cheek. I'm at my wits end. So we've separated them to save an accident. He's a brilliant dog but 4 year olds and dogs don't mix.

This is the haybaling that took place this year. 87 bales = a very good year. That will keep our cows in feed for 2 or 3 winters.

M

photos

2009-05-17T20:10:00.004+10:00

I have found a cord for my camera and now I can show you where we live. Very beautiful place I think! The first photo is our driveway - .8km long and has two peaks, the second of which is where our house is perched. The house you can see in the middle of the photo belongs to John's parents and is where he grew up. The second photo is the view out east from our verandah, overlooking the valley.

M

for Helen

2009-04-27T07:22:00.004+10:00

we've just finished the harvest for this year - bumper crop for the district and the weather held out til the last day. We've had a friend staying with us (Brenda) and she and John managed to get the crop off the trees in time. Brenda is travelling around Australia, working as she goes.... She's going to paint 'our' house and Shirley's too while she's here. Since picking finished on Thursday, we've had over 3 inches of rain in the last 3 days... Anzac Day was appalling - we stood in the rain and listened to the service. I don't know why they don't issue the servicemen on duty with a rain coat?

I'm slowly settling in to life on this farm. I find it hard that I can't go and visit Lincraft at lunchtime... I have to drive an hour and a half to Spotlight, or ring Mum and wait a week for the parcel to be delivered in the mail. Takes a bit of organising. Last night we ran out of soap and I nearly had kittens... That's a once a week drive to the supermarket... but I found a spare cake in my travel bag...phew!

While Brenda and Rosie (a friend of Brenda's daughter, Kylie) are here we have been cooking up a storm... homemade bread (for which I won First Prize at the Batlow Show this year), pumpkin soup, ham and cheese muffins, blueberry muffins, stir fry's and thai dishes... lasagne is next.

I also won First Prize for my greeting card at the Batlow Show and Second Prize for my ATC in the section "any craft using paper"... I'll post photos when I find the cord to connect the camera to the computer...

M

2009-03-20T15:32:00.003+11:00

well it's taken a while but I'm back in cyberspace thanks to a lightning strike that took out all the farms electronics and an incompetent insurance company (that took 5 months to post a cheque).

Life is very different - there's a story about a wombat, a new puppy, plenty of mice stories, the electric fence story, the roof, the garden, the cow poo's and the new craft group I have joined.

I will fill you in on all that has happened shortly - one little boy has just awakened and requires refreshment.

Photos follow I promise - the views are magnificent.

M

ten hours

2008-09-09T21:21:00.004+10:00

Ten Hours. That's how long it took to load the first 8 tonne load onto the truck. The boys have just left now for the first trip back to the farm. Chocablok full - my hubby is the king of packing (and also a bowerbird extraordinaire!).

Thank you so much Claudia for feeding us and encouraging me when it all got a bit tiring (really early on in the piece!).

**ring, ring, "Hello is that Revolve? Great, would you come and get lots of stuff? Excellent!"**

my knees are killing me.

M

Melbourne

2008-08-09T16:12:00.004+10:00

Last weekend saw Jack and I winging our way down to Melbourne to visit my good friend Janet to spend time crafting with her, with a quick stop in on family - Kellie, Dave, Will, Ruby, Miranda, Ryan and Poppy.

Here's some photos of the weekend. 1. The Family - great photo! 2. Sam - he's a beautiful happy smiley little boy. 3. Chin Chin girlfriend! 4. Mitch, Jack and Campbell playing piano. Very interesting because if we're in a house with a piano in it, Jack will always find it. Piano lessons coming up oh child o' mine!

M

On the Move

2008-08-08T18:07:00.001+10:00

Well we've finally decided to bite the bullet and move back to our farm in Batlow - 'Adamilla'.

When I met up with John again in 1996 (I met him when I was 20) and we got together, I always knew that at some point we would be moving back to the farm and I would be a fair dinkum farmer's wife full time. John's mum and dad still reside on the property and we go back regularly to do the heavy jobs ie. hay carting, apple picking, cow sorting (is there such a thing?) etc. And after 4 years of travelling a 14 hour return trip and 6 years of a 6 hour return trip we are finally upping roots and moving to the farm permanently.

I can't wait - seriously!

I'm going to have a great big vegie garden, a great huge craft studio, a guest bedroom, a fantastic view of the mountains, a mother-in-law a few hundred metres up the road (my MIL is awesome) who is THE best cook I've ever met besides my brother-in-law who is THE best chef I've ever met, a slow combustion stove (plus an electric one because I'm not that good boys and girls!) and my very own sunroom complete with rocking chair and loads of sunshine!

All I have to do is pack. pack, pack, pack.

I will still be available to take orders from all my lovely StampinUp! customers, and by the way there is a new StampinUp mini catalogue, and if you would like the catalogue just email me at madebymadge[at]yahoo[dot]com.

If you would like to purchase ribbon from StampinUp! but can't see yourself using all 13 metres of one colour then perhaps you would like to join my ribbon club. All you have to do is purchase one spool of ribbon, we put all the spools together, and then we take a few metres of each colour for each person. That way we get multiple colours for the price of one spool of ribbon! Good idea or not?! If you would like to join then just email me and we can begin our collection!

must go, the cardboard boxes beckon!

M

Beijing Torch Relay

2008-05-24T16:40:00.006+10:00

Yep. That's right. It came here, right past my work. Bit of an anti relay really. Took me bloody ages to get to work by bus that day, the bus driver was seriously on something and nearly killed us a couple of times - he forgot half his route so had to do a u-ie in the middle of the highway, almost side swiping two cars, and ran a red light. A bus running a red light? By the time we got to the city he had been reported via mobile at least twice (bless those canberrans). Something was upsetting him really bad and I heard him telling a bloke that his wife was taken away in an ambulance that morning and he was worried... why did they make him work???

Anyway, tourists everywhere - all with red flags in their hands and on their faces... all chinese and thousands of them! I heard/saw firsthand a few tussles with the free tibet protestors and most of the people on my bus felt "good on them, they'll only get one chance with the whole world looking at them".

Half my work colleagues were at an official 'relay breakfast' at parliament house, the other half were fighting the traffic or working from home.

Anyway I got a few photos... really crapping again but photos nonetheless because I WAS THERE! So for my beloved nephew, here are my photos of the Beijing Olympics 2008 Torch Relay that came to Canberra on 24 April 2008 and passed right by my work in Allara Street.

Photo 1 - the relay passing down the highway (past the swimming pool) and in view from my office window.
Photo 2 - on its way (missed it again) up the highway and around the corner to Parliament House.
Photo 3 - arriving on stage via Ian Thorpe - my, my how tall he is!
Photo 4 - the Australian National Anthem sung by Jonathon Welch (the Choir of Hard Knocks) - beautiful, beautiful voice, and me (not so beautiful voice but very loud) coz there weren't no other locals there - just me and him, oh and thorpey.
Photo 5 - the crowd singing the Chinese Anthem - unbelievably stirring and patriotic (if one can call communism that) and they missed a verse too! See it's not just us aussies that forget!

So there we have it for another 4 years.

M

made by me

2008-05-24T11:41:00.003+10:00

more cards made by me recently for workshops and a friend.

M

Harvest 2008

2008-05-24T03:26:00.004+10:00

And while I'm updating this blog thing, I must put down my thoughts about harvest 2008. Batlow was hit with a hailstorm just after christmas 2007. We had just driven out of the driveway on our way to visit Craig and Donna. 10 minutes later the storm hit (we didn't get any rain on our drive, we must have been in front of it) and wiped out the apple harvest in Batlow. The district was about 8 weeks away from picking. The storm was 3 kms wide and was vicious. Anne and Noel were still at the farm and helped get all the machinery under cover - thank goodness. A hailstorm is really quite disturbing. The Batlow Fruit Cooperative Ltd usually packs something around 180,000 bins of fruit a year. This year it packed 10,000. So the district, which is still recovering from an ongoing drought, now has to deal with the effects of a hail storm. Heart breaking.

We usually pick around 30 bins in our small orchard. This year we picked 9. I still sold bags of fruit at work to my colleagues, and they still loved them and wanted more. But very damaged fruit.

Here's some photos of the harvest (we picked the week after Easter - first week in April just for the record). Look how tall Jack is!

love
M

Birthday box

2008-05-24T03:03:00.005+10:00

I was also recently asked by a colleague to make a gift box for his wife. He had bought her a present and wanted a nice box to put it in. It beats me why the jewelry shop didn't provide him with one when he purchased a REAL string of pearls and earrings to match. He asked me if I wanted to keep the pearls while I made the box. I declined. I thought about running away to the bermuda triangle for about 2 seconds, but then I thought... "No, I wouldn't make it out the door"...

He's a lovely man, who obviously adores his wife. So I went away and thought about it for months and eventually produced this in the nick of time. He told me it was for her birthday, he'd bought pearls, and she liked purple. I was sweating on this one! - sometimes if you know a bit about the person you can't see past their 'perceived' opinion to create it for them! Yes, and that is flocking you can see on the body of the box. Velvet flocking. So decadent!

I hope she likes it. My critic (she knows who she is) tells me that his wife will love the fact that he asked someone to make a box for her gift. Apparently she has a chronic illness, so that makes it more poignant.

M

30 years

2008-05-24T02:33:00.005+10:00

I was asked to do an album for the Boss who has just clocked over 30 years with our firm. I was chatting with someone one day and we both thought it would be a good idea. So I went away and stewed on it for about 2 months, started emailing his mates that he'd worked with over the years and asked them for stories... I received a great response - Lots of funny stories - Most of which should have been edited by the political police, but weren't! He's a nice bloke - really hard working, intense and loves a laugh, a beer and a good footy match! I made it black and white for his beloved 'Pies. I used old photos I found around the office and left lots of white space and black space for people to write messages. I passed it around the office with a black pen and a white pen - it took days because everyone wanted to read it first! Apparently he liked it but he's not sure because its still going around the office for signatures!!

I hurriedly took photos but they're awful because it was late at night and my hands were shaking (bloody camera). If someone could teach me how to do a mosaic of photos I would be grateful!

M

Eye Candy

2008-05-24T02:14:00.004+10:00

I started StampinUp demonstrating in February this year and it has been going great. I love creating the make and takes for the workshops. So here are some samples I have created, demonstrated, swapped with other members of my SU team, Katie, Tanya and others. Using the palette o' prints designer series paper, of course!

M

DigestEasy

2008-05-12T01:25:00.006+10:00

As you would have read (that is if you read my blog) I have been using DigestEasy on Jack, who is dairy intolerant. Well I thought I had better do an update for all of you who are interested. Some interesting points:

- If some 'turkey' has fed Jack ice cream or a candy cane lolly or a drink of cows milk (don't ask!) I have up to 48 hours to get DigestEasy into him and it will stop any ear infection / green mucus appearing. That's a good result!

- I put a few drops in to anything I am cooking (I use the cap on the bottle) while it is on the stove, or even in the mixing dish, and it will not give Jack any reactions. I thought the heat/cooking would kill any good it would do - but NO not this stuff!

- I have taken to using So Good Soy milk in my cooking. So Good Soy milk does not make a good white sauce for lasagne, so I use half that and half cows milk (*gulp*) and a few drops of DigestEasy, heaps of cheese (*gulp, gulp*) and he DOES NOT REACT.

- John can take Jack to the farm on friday night, let Nanna feed him heaps of food he's intolerant to (don't ask) and bring him home on Monday, and I can still save him with a measured dose (.5ml per 1kg of body weight) and no ear infections. That's a good result!

- we travelled to Tasmania with a tiny bottle of DigestEasy wrapped in a wet towel, packed in a ziplock bag. Canberra to Melbourne with an unscheduled overnight stopover, then onto Hobart and back to Melbourne, then Canberra. That bottle was in and out of suitcases and fridges and had its own unscheduled stopover overnight in Jack's suitcase. It was alright until the second week and then it just didn't seem to work (and let me just say my pulse rate escalated at that point). I think that's a question for Professor Cliff Hawkins. Maybe he could sell travel bottles or maybe I should have put it in an esky bag thingy.

I am also experimenting with John who gets WILD hay fever at the farm (and we are going to move there soon so go figure). I've given it to him once before he mowed the lawn and he was good but he's also a *bloody, stupid* smoker, so I have to think about it a bit. He eats what Jack and I eat (ie. lots of DigestEasy) and come to think of it, his hayfever hasn't been that bad lately.

Can I just say that I love Professor Cliff Hawkins! He has changed my life and saved my little boy's life!

If you have allergies / food intolerances (dairy, egg etc.) and you're looking for something to help or thinking about trying this out, or your child gets bad ear infections... then get some DigestEasy NOW. RIGHT NOW. Don't hesitate. It's brilliant.

email: cliff.hawkins[at]bigpond[dot]com or write PO Box 86 Archerfield QLD 4108.

M

Buzz!

2008-05-07T19:18:00.001+10:00

I had a bit of a win today.

After 9 weeks without a functioning washing machine - yes that's right NINE WEEKS... N.I.N.E. W.E.E.K.S. without a washing machine, I have been offered a brand new one for $245.00 payable immeGIATELY. I have had visits from 4 different repair men, 6 different parts on order and one was even sourced from Japan (go figure) but no-one could fix it

Yesterday was the last straw... I welcomed the repair man into my home, set my child up in the lounge with an exciting toy (blocks) and asked him to play while mummy swept the floor in the kitchen (all the while keeping a quiet eye on the repair man - don't worry, he was about 90 not out and shrivelled) and listed to what he was doing to my beloved stupid machine.

heard a bit of tinkering, (he took the face, the sides, the back off) and then I heard a click and a loud BUZZZZZ and a quiet YOW! and went in to find the man standing in a puddle of water with a puzzled look on his face. He had 'blown up' yet another control board. I said

"areyoualrightdidyoublowanotherboardupIhopeIdon'thavetopayforthat?"

Well the end of the story is that after my concerned phone call to Electrolux the Manufacturer, and my lodgement of a timeline of the circus, Electrolux have offered me a new machine for $245.

I said

"THANKYOUVERYMUCHWHENWILLITBEDELIVERED?!"

Tomorrow. "

Well I got my new machine, plugged it in and away we go again on the roundabout of life in my laundry - 10 loads a week.

M

what's free?

2008-04-01T21:10:00.007+11:00

I've been hybernating in a quiet corner with my new StampinUp catalogue. It is just beautiful and crammed full of really gorgeous ideas - I'm drooling and my hands are itching to get at my craft stuff! There's a set of new In Colors (wild wasabi, purely pomegranate, groovy guava, blue bayou, river rock and soft sky), chipboard and rubons, a tin of "pretties" which includes fabric flowers and hat pins with pearl heads, and a huge new range of ribbons (grosgrain, double stitched, striped, gingham and taffeta) and the new scallop punch. That's right, a scallop punch! They also have a new stamp set called "labelicious" that goes with the new tab punch and another new stamp set called "totally tabs" that goes with last year's round tab punch. My Wish List is very long!

If you would like the 2008-09 Idea Book & Catalogue for $12.95, feel free to email me on madebymadge[at]yahoo[dot]com[dot]au. But if you would like the catalogue for FREE then all you have to do is book a workshop with me.

I think there's a fairy who adds to my wish list when I'm not looking - I agree with all her choices though!

M

Hug a Chook

2008-03-10T09:48:00.004+11:00

We spent 3 days at the farm - cleaning up the cabin for a new tenant, feeding the FIL, hugging chooks... yes that was Jack's 'thing' for the weekend - he chased them around their paddock and caught them just so he could hug them! we'd be sitting having a cup of tea on the verandah and around the side of the house would come Jack with a chook in his arms. It was SOOO funny! But we won't talk about pecking or birdflu...

I am doing another workshop next week and spent yesterday preparing (while John spent the day on the roof doing repairs - I got the best deal). Jack raced from me to John all day! Here are the cards I have prepared.

Also, StampinUp are releasing their new catalogue on 1 April and much of the current catalogue is 'retiring' (I giggled the first time I heard that!). If you'd like to know what is retiring and will never be available again, see the website for their list If you would like to place an order or book a workshop then feel free to email me.

M

40

2008-02-18T14:16:00.003+11:00

well thanks everyone for a great holiday! We've just returned from 2 weeks in familyland - visited mum and dad and stephen and danielle and val and david and kellie and william and ruby and miranda and ryan and poppy and richard and helen and janet and david and mitch and tahlia and campbell and sam! oh and its my birthday today and I'm 40. WuHu.

back to work and day care tomorrow for us all.

Aunty Madge

Happy Australia Day!

2008-01-29T16:05:00.000+11:00

here's a peek at the cards I made this week. And a shot of Jack showing off his bucket that was needed for a great day at the Cotter Dam. All Day. aaaallll day. we swam and swam and swam - it was fantastic and so relaxing - haven't done the family outing thing for a year or so - Australia Day public holiday. But answer me this.. why did they make Russell Crowe (Russell Crowe for God's Sake) an ambassador for Sydney ???? - he's a new zealander.

M

Thank You

2008-01-25T14:40:00.000+11:00

How do you make someone happy? You send them a parcel of ribbons from your shop!
Look what I got from mum this morning.... aren't they beautiful? So Beautiful. My head is buzzing with ideas...

must go make beautiful stuff.

M

Fantastic!

2008-01-24T09:25:00.000+11:00

I survived my very first workshop as a StampinUp Demonstrator and it went really well. The ladies were so nice to me and being tupperware demonstrators themselves, knew about the nerves of a newbie, and treated me with kid gloves. Thanks so much for an awesome evening - I learnt heaps (ie. pack calculator!) and have loads of great ideas for the 4 workshops they booked with me! StampinUp have a sale on this month - buy $100 worth and receive a free stamp set - great month to start my workshops in!

Thanks to Katie, my upline, for getting me over the line (ie. lend apron!) - so very appreciated.

These are the cards I made for the workshop, very basic, but made a little splash so I'm happy.

And would you look at this butterfly - John and Jack had a moment together (while I was out) and they had a visit from this beautiful butterfly. It made me smile because I believe Charlie's spirit is a butterfly. And the orange and the blue were the same colours as the wrap Charlie was buried in.

M

PS. I wondered if writing about Charlie would make people feel too sad to visit again, but that is what happened to us and being open about it helps me to grieve and move on. I'm having trouble moving on but thanks to a great counsellor and a really great boss I will get better.

DigestEasy

2008-01-19T20:11:00.000+11:00

Thought I'd let Professor Hawkins know that since receiving the DigestEasy, Jack has been going great - I give him 2.67ml every day, or I put a couple of drops into whatever I'm cooking. Seems to be working fine. Amazing. I made the mistake a giving it to him neat the very first time... I can hear you cringeing from here... couldn't believe I could be so stupid. It burns worse than a neat whiskey. But now he drinks it fine and it works great in the cooking - a bit of ginger in a stir fry is a good thing!

And my beloved husband bought me a starter kit for StampinUp for christmas this year. Awesome! I am teaching my first workshop on Tuesday night. They requested kids cards - I want it to be a really happy inspiring workshop so wish me luck. (Apparently some people I know think I'm angry and not fun to be around and not worth the trouble - well when you finally lose one of your children I might just repeat that back to you, you idiot.)

I'll leave you with this photo...

M

a post for my SIL

2008-01-10T20:53:00.000+11:00

hi Shelly and Ashabandha,

It was lovely having Bernard over for christmas. Everyone really appreciated his visit. We especially appreciated it when we brought the power lines down and we had our very own electrician to fix the huge, HUGE catastrophic problem of bringing the power lines down. We are now using travel hair dryers that suit the american wattage.

Christmas day was spent with Tracie, Barry, and the kids (Lochlin, Gareth, Alistair and Shayne), Shirley, Bruce, me, John and Jack. Heaps of fun, food and presents. Australian Monopoly arrived and Aunty Madge cleaned up, Lochlin found a hidey hole under the mat for his extra millions and Alistair learnt how to blackmail his uncle.

Boxing Day brought Anne, Noel and the two puppies from Adelaide (rookie and razoo) which pleased tipper no end (the farm dog).. and Paul and Bernard from Canberra. More presents, more food and the kitchen table extensions came out to seat all 15 of us. It took way too many visits to the supermarket for more food to feed us all for 2 weeks, 3 fridges, about 3 cases of wine and 2 of beer, endless loads of washing and we kept the slow combustion stove going (thank goodness for the colder weather) so that it would heat the gallons of hot water we needed.

Hives of activity all around the place; the cousins (Lochlin, Gareth, Alistair and Jack) spent the week building go karts from parts found in the truck shed, the big shed, the metal pile, the black plastic pile and under the pine tree; the sisters and SILs cooked up a storm - corned beef silverside, roasts, roast vegies, lasagne, pavlova, coleslaw, omelettes and porridge for brekky; the brothers and BILs cleaned out the wood shed, chopped wood and stacked it in the shed, cut down the big gum tree threatening the house, put the power lines back where they should be (!), carted hay and loads of other things that I don't know about; the MIL sat quietly in the sun room trying to keep the pain of shingles at bay - so painful to her; the FIL carted the round hay bales into the hayshed.

I was really thankful for Bernard's visit back home because John was really missing him (amongst others) and needed to spend time with him. I had a whole day with him when he was in Canberra, enroute to Townsville to see Justine... very interesting conversationalist! I was amazed by the similarities between B and John - physically. I was astounded to note that John is taller than B (its funny what you remember!) So many moments and memories made. B took a lot of photos, as did I, which I will try to post on here and I hope to finish an album to send to you soon. I hope you like the books that are on their way to you via Bernard's suitcase. They are the books that the family society wrote. So interesting and lots of info about life in Australia as a pioneer. Bernard had to prise them away from me - they were my beloved possessions - no seriously I hope you enjoy them as I do and I hope they give you a clearer understanding of the Australian wing of your family.

There's more to say but will send an email to you. This photo is for Ashabandha - Lochlin and Gareth on the 4 wheeler on the driveway outside the cabin.

talk to you soon,
love
Margaret

Happy New Year

2008-01-10T16:40:00.000+11:00

hello everyone,
hope you had a wonderful christmas and you enjoyed your time off work. We went to the farm for christmas with everyone, even the BIL who returned from Hawaii for the first time in 12 years. We had 15 around the table for nearly 2 weeks... exhausting and expensive! We chopped wood for the winter, made new go karts for the littlest cousin, mowed and pruned and weeded, carted hay and trimmed the big tree that was threatening the house.. a hive of activity!

the crackers I made this year - noodle boxes with labels.

the cousins who loved playing with Jack

the wood

the hay - thank god for the hay!

this is Jack with his new 'cousin inspired' go kart, dad's chainsaw helmet and just before the big race!

most of us just minutes before some of us departed for another year.
may it be a good one.

Moo ey Christmas

2007-12-23T13:04:00.000+11:00

Is my son ignorant, brave, stupid or am I? He loves cows and I found him at 2 years old in the hay shed talking to the cows he'd let in. I was freaked out because he could have been trampled to death, because poppy should have been looking after him, because my instinct made me rush down to the cattle yards like a mad woman, because my instincts were right and he WAS in danger. Dad was in the race with another mad woman treating her for pinkeye. They all thought son was okay because he was on the other side of the fence, but they forgot that they were letting the cows out of the race onto the OTHER SIDE of the fence. hello?

This is said son in yet another paddock full of cows. oblivious. good farm kid. bad mummy.

The end of the story - my son just walked right on by that big brutey bull and didn't blink an eyelid, neither did the bull. However. when the other kids walked by... the big brutey bull got all funny and blinked at them. They screamed and ran. city kids. tut.

M

3 sleeps

2007-12-22T21:19:00.000+11:00

until my boy can open all the presents under the tree (even though they aren't his).
I hope the courier man recovered his brain and his ethics and redelivered the parcel to Big Dave's house in Melbourne. I also hope the courier man did the same thing for Little Dave in Tasmania.

Merry Christmas every one. Have a lovely day.
Thank you God for the rain, rain and more rain. Flooding here in Canberra and we are on a hill! Drive Safe, Eat Well, Drink Some and Be Nice To All.

sorry. I don't have any christmas shots saved on this puter. You'll have to put up with my easter shot (it was late, we'd had a few, and we still had to hide the eggs.... )

Oh, and AngiefromOZ - Gatton? You're from Gatton?!! Awesome. Have you had rain yet? We're drowning. Hope you are too. (metaphorically)

Merry Xmas everyone.

Madge

a gift

2007-12-13T21:43:00.000+11:00

After Charlie died the hospital put me into counselling and I had a last counselling session with my counsellor this week before she takes 6 months off. As usual it was gut wrenching because she made me get to the point. It's really hard to go back to work after a session - I usually get comments like "are you okay?"..no. But I really liked her and she was warm and comforting and made me feel calm again. She told me at the end of the session that she had a gift for me because she felt we were connected in a few ways... she lost her baby, so did I. She lost her mum, so did I. She buried her mum when I buried my son... She thought I would appreciate her gift because when Charlie died my sister gave me a butterfly brooch to wear in memory of him. I couldn't step out of my bedroom without that brooch pinned to my chest. If I did I broke down. I love that butterfly.
So she gave me a gift. A piece of blown glass from her mother's estate. It's clear, a tear shape, and has red pieces blown inside it. I love that piece of glass.

I have never received anything as beautiful as that butterfly and that piece of glass.

Thank you.

M

Merry Christmas!

2007-12-06T20:30:00.001+11:00

How much fun has this little boy had making a gingerbread house?! This is William, Jack's cousin in Melbourne. I bought home a gingerbread house in pieces today, thanks to Parul and Yuen Peng and the Uniting Church, and we will be decorating it this weekend. Jack can't wait!

M

So Green

2007-11-26T08:18:00.000+11:00

Finally got the backyard rotary hoed in preparation for an awesome garden (including vegies). This is my long suffering, hard working hubby. First he checked the pH level in the soil, then he limed it accordingly and here he's having his arms vibrated out of there sockets! Those rose bushes behind him are nearly 35 years old and they are the old variety - they have a beautiful strong scent, so lovely.
And this is the calendar swap I took part in. 13 of these pages - can you guess how many Stampinup products I used? And this is how green it is at the farm - that house in the distance, on top of the hill... that's our new house-to-be. Great big sun room and craft studio so it will be perfect for scrapbooking retreats for all my friends. Imagine scrapping with 360 degree views of the mountains. Anyone interested?

John and Jack and I went to the farm this weekend - New calves needed checking, 3 little bulls to mark - Murrumbateman to Yass to Gundagai still very dry but turn left at Gundagai and head for the mountains and it's lush. Yes LUSH and green. A sight for sore eyes after the terrible drought we've just endured (and some are still enduring).

will post more soon about the awesome Gluten Free and Allergy Show. Amazing.

M

Spread the Word - DigestEasy

2007-11-24T12:03:00.001+11:00

well we survived the car trip to Sydney - too much rubbish to eat on the way, too much pollution and way too much traffic! next time I go near that place I'm flying.

But the Show was fantastic, everywhere we went I learnt something new. Claudia was amazing - she knows her stuff. Every stall we visited (like, every one of them!) she said, "Now where can I buy this in Canberra?" By the end of the day I think everyone knew about us Canberrans and hopefully most of those stall holders will descend on our health food shops. I told everyone I met that there was a HUGE market in Canberra, JUST HUGE!!

There were 3 things I learnt that will help me...

1. Ogran. They make everything gluten free. Orgran are my friend.

2. Dairy free icecream tastes good believe it or not.

3. BioHawk. Drink this DigestEasy and you don't need anything else. Hard to believe I know but true. I met Professor Cliff Hawkins (BSc PhD DSc, CEO of Natbio and a lot more VERY impressive credentials) at his stall and after his off-sider gave me the spiel I said "WHY is everyone else here at this show? Why aren't you the only one here?" Sounds dumb but Professor Hawkins has discovered (after 40 years of research) that 'susceptibility to the diseases linked to food protein intolerance is genetically determined" and has created BioHawk DigestEasy (also known as Zb spices). You take it as a day and night tonic and use it in the preparation of food made from all those things you are intolerant of, and it breaks down the proteins that cause the food intolerance and allergies. Truly amazing.

How can it help? And I quote: "Biohawk's DigestEasy with its special blend of ginger spices is rich in enzymes designed by nature to break down proteins with structures that cause health and nutritional problems as well as over 200 other extensively studied bio-actives. The NatBio-bioHawk technology harvests the full potential of the ginger spices. The special blend of ginger spices eliminates the immune hypersensitivity to the proteins in particular foods and on the surfaces of micro-organisms. In addition, in order to obtain the benefits of Biohawk DigestEasy, the product can be taken orally, or added during the processing of food, for example when making bread or pasta."

If you want some then email cliff[dot]hawkins[at]bigpond[dot]com or write PO Box 86 Archerfield QLD 4108. Stupidly Claudia and I didn't have $20 between us (and believe me we turned our handbags inside out) to buy the smallest bottle.

This stuff is life changing. Spread the word.

M

Gluten Free and Allergy Show

2007-11-07T16:45:00.000+11:00

I'm off to the Gluten Free and Allergy Show in Sydney on November 17. Mum and I are driving up together - we've got the day off from the MOTHs and we're gonna burn rubber up to Sydney with a brain full of impertinent questions. If your child has food intolerances then maybe you should join us. There's two of us going and if you'd like to join the car pool then email me! She doesn't know it yet but while we are enjoying the fast moving scenery, I intend to get Mum to brain dump on me everything she knows - and after 3 kids she knows quite a bit! I mean, I'VE never heard of Kamut bread, have you?

If you can't join us but you want some answers, then email me your questions and I'll try to get the answers.

We have just discovered that Jack is dairy intolerant and I have a sneaky suspicion that he is gluten intolerant too - AARRRGGGHHH! Well I am asthmatic and John gets really bad hay fever so he smokes to disguise the symptoms (outside the house btw), so what did I expect? NOW that I know a bit, what did I expect?!!

Oh, and Katie - a drop toilet is an outside toilet - way up the back of the yard, with no lighting and no flush. Creep through the back yard with your candle, making sure that the breeze doesn't blow it out before you get there, open the dusty door and make sure the breeze doesn't blow your candle out, hold the candle high above your head and make sure you have no company and there are no eyes watching you, and then flush with a large helping of ashes, open the door quickly and make sure the breeze doesn't blow your candle out and then run like HELL back to the house and the safety of your warm bed and swear you'll go before sunset next time. That's a long drop toilet.

Madge

tagged!

2007-10-31T08:05:00.000+11:00

well the unthinkable has happened and I have been tagged - how funny! thanks Manon!

7 random things about me?

1. I'm currently reading "Children of a toxic harvest" by Eve Hillary - a biography about a woman who has an environmental illness. Very disturbing and a life changing read.

2. I grew up on farms (dairy, grapes, oranges, cattle) and my parents were self sufficient - we made our own cheese, butter, bread, grew our own vegies, meat, honey etc. Have you ever harvested honey - its a funny experience! We had an irigation channel on our property in WA that ran all the way past the school and on hot days in summer my sister and I used to jump in at the top (after school) and float all the way down the channel to home and then eat grapes til we got to the house. Dad would freak!

3. re No. 2 above, suffice to say we had a long drop toilet until I was 16 when I left home.

4. I always wanted to be a seamstress and almost had an opportunity to go to Paris. I still want to go to a fashion show in Milan or Paris one day, and I'll fill my suitcase with embellishments while I'm there. I was a seamstress for a few weeks with Hickory making lingerie, and I even prepared the garments for a fashion show but the dragon I worked for wouldn't let me watch it.

5. My step mum has a fabric shop and I want to work in it but she's in Tassie and I'm in Canberra.

6. I worked for 11 years for Foster's Group (Carlton and United) and we had the most amazing bar in the head office that went for miles - but guess who doesn't drink?!! How happy was my husband to get free beer every month?! I once had a special beer made for me for xmas by the brewers - it later became a very successful women's beer. I clicked over 10 years with Foster's on September 11, 2001. Needless to say I don't have that certificate on my wall.

7. My first date with John was Sandown (V8 supercars) and my second date with John was Bathurst (V8 supercars). I love them. I asked Peter Brock's wife, Beverly for her autograph and she signed it "peter brock" - what the?! I also had Russell Ingalls sign my boob. (it was covered by my t-shirt though)

so there we go. That's me for you. I tag Katie.

posted too soon

2007-10-16T06:50:00.000+10:00

more cards - all stamps from katie!

M

more stuff

2007-10-16T06:40:00.000+10:00

more cards - now I just have to concentrate on the calendar x 13 swap I'm in.

M

Christmas Cards

2007-10-15T07:51:00.000+10:00

Love my 5 in 1 template that I received from Katie and love it! Look what my christmas Cards look like this year..I'm going to send letters to my family instead of just a card, so I'll pop the letter inside these 'cards'.

M

an Album

2007-10-15T07:30:00.000+10:00

Manon came over on Friday night and I pulled out the cricut and the Bind-It-All. This is an album that I created.. not quite finished as I have to journal in it, but almost there. Thanks Manon!

M

Design Team Member in the making!

2007-10-11T22:26:00.000+10:00

this is Sarah proudly displaying her first journal. She used a StampinUp craft journal and turned it into a gorgeous travel journal of her trip to visit us in Canberra. Great colour scheme Sarah!
love you
M

William

2007-10-03T11:23:00.000+10:00

And this is for Aunty Jenny. A great shot of Jack's cousin William. William is about 6 months younger and a great mate of Jack's - they play wonderfully together. But let me just say that behind those gorgeous curls is an amazing mind. He can do jigsaw puzzles by himself and I saw him putting a 100 piece puzzle together. And I'm told he's a whizz at slot car racing.

Sarah

2007-10-03T11:11:00.002+10:00

And this is my beautiful niece, Sarah. She's pretty and sweet and thoughtful and kind and she loves SCRAPBOOKING! YAY!!!! We spent 5 hours one day (while her brother was at the AIS) creating paper art. It's not 'cut and paste' - it's paper art, Dave!
I took her to visit Lana at Keep It Simply Stamping and she was overwhelmed! We went home with lots of goodies (and I mean LOTS). Lana was pretty excited to see Sarah starting out on the creation journey that she was extremely generous and gave her a fantastic toolbox (about 5 stories high, with pull out boxes and handy clips to keep it all together) full of free goodies. So grateful to Lana for her encouragement. And Sarah went home with a StampinUp catalogue - oh my goodness - I'm going to have to save up for her christmas present!

David Fry

2007-10-03T10:34:00.001+10:00

Remember that name won't you - David Fry - because one day you'll see him at the Olympics! He's ambitious and pretty determined! Imagine his horror to find that upon visiting his Aunty Madge he realised that we didn't have a home gym, just a trampoline and a tractor or two. To keep 'fit' he started lifting Jack and Sarah and eventually got desparate and lifted me! That's 90kg me! Amazing. BTW his sport is soccer and he's an athlete with the Tasmania Institute of Sport in rowing. He went for a tour around the AIS and had a chat/tour with Mitch Punch around the AIS and saw them training. It was a really big ask of Mitch to do that for me but he did and David was so excited to meet him and to learn from him. SO EXCITED. STOKED. PUMPED. Now he can see his goal and I have no doubt that he'll get there.

These pictures are our feeble attempt to help David keep fit!

M

family

2007-10-03T10:21:00.000+10:00

my sister Tracy and her children David (little Dave)and Sarah, travelled from Hobart and my brother David (Big Dave)and his wife Kellie, and their little boy William, travelled 6 hours from Melbourne to come to Jack's birthday party. Thanks for spending time with us! Really appreciated.
This is a photo of the kids - Jack, William and Sarah, and the other little girl is Aliyah (she lives on our farm)

M

Jack's Birthday Party

2007-10-03T08:54:00.000+10:00

I've finally downloaded the photos from Jack's birthday party at the farm. This is how happy Jack was to have his party and go for pony rides. Thanks Stephanie!!

BLOGGER isn't working at the moment so I'll try later - heaps of artwork to follow.

M

10 minutes of fame

2007-09-30T07:53:00.000+10:00

My father-in-law, Bruce, appears on the Batlow Apples website twice and he's only 82! check out www.batlowapples.com.au and he's the old bloke right in front, centre with the white shirt on in the "meet our growers" photo!

Thanks again Manon for a great day of chatting, shopping, learning (tea, coffee, walnut staining) and a little bit of stamping! But next time I'll have to remember to bring not so much stuff, but the right stuff. Note to self - Pack paper trimmer!

Bought a mannequin from Philippa - I'm going to try and marahjohnson-it if I can!

M

LO

2007-08-26T13:19:00.000+10:00

I am making a mini album for my sister,Tracy to give to her when she visits me next month. This is one of the pages. And hopefully soon, after yesterday's visit to ACTSA, my pages will be more elaborate!

Thanks

2007-08-25T20:08:00.000+10:00

Can I just say thanks to Manon for joining me at the ACT Stamping Artists monthly meet and a great big thanks to Philippa for the Opal DreamInks and for the beautiful demo of gel medium. Seeing both your art is beautiful on online but so much more colourful in person!
I really enjoyed chatting with you today Manon and I bet you're just itching to start playing with your new stamps, aren't you?!

My head is buzzing with new ideas..and the Thomas song - Jack wants me to sing it to him when I put him to bed now "..Thomas and his friends..."

M

together

2007-08-24T21:23:00.000+10:00

Jack and I cooking dinner together.

Change

2007-08-24T21:11:00.000+10:00

Word for the week is Change. Everywhere in my life there is a decision to be made and a change coming.

I'm off to ACTSA tomorrow. Can't wait. How come it took me so long to find them?!

Must finish my ATC's to give to Philippa.

M

Roundaboutation

2007-08-21T21:47:00.000+10:00

OH MY GOD. Can I get off now? Life is a roundabout and it's going way too fast for me.
Today was my first day at work for the week and what happens? The boss quits at 2pm and is walked out the door at 5pm. Amazing. I think I'm seriously in danger of having some sort of nerve crisis!
So I thought I'd post this photo of Jack playing in the dirt in front of the cabin - the view is our farm and then beyond to our neighbour's orchard.
Beautiful don't you think?
M

Head Space

2007-08-20T12:45:00.000+10:00

I feel like I've lived a year in one weekend.
Friday at work I had a chat with the boss and had to relive the last 10 weeks with him - my hands wouldn't stop shaking until I'd had a nap. Saturday night we went to a friend's for dinner - hadn't seen them for 10 years and had a visit from other friends a few weeks ago who told us they lived directly opposite us! Wow. So we went for dinner and the person who opened the door was ANOTHER old friend! I got past the door and walked into the lounge and there was ANOTHER old friend. Amazing. Sunday morning we went to the markets and met ANOTHER old friend who offered John a new job. And then I escaped for a while in the afternoon and decided to visit KISS for the first time. How exciting is Lana's shop - love shops like that! I spent 3 hours there just looking and exploring. And now today John has gone off to talk to the 'new job people' and I have to find child care for Jack, starting tomorrow (gggrrrr John). And I was booked in for surgery on Wednesday and after speaking with the specialist (how lucky am I that he had the time to talk to me) and now I don't have to have it. SO RELIEVED. and then I checked www.limetart.com as I do every day and I WON! Thank you so much Philippa - it's not often that I am grateful for having grown up in Tassie!
what a weekend.
must away - new stamps to play with. don't know the name of them but they are clear, unmounted and gorgeous mini chickie babes in silhouette.
M

Artwork

2007-07-06T21:03:00.000+10:00

Have just finished some thank you cards - most of them are made from StampinUp supplies..

Apple Jack

2007-06-28T20:51:00.000+10:00

I found this recent photo of Jack, taken during the 2007 harvest just a few weeks ago - life was different then and so much has happened since.

M

Thank You

2007-06-25T17:43:00.000+10:00

It's been 16 days since Charlie left my life and I am slowly coming to terms with our loss.
I wanted to say thank you to you, my friends, who have shown your care of us and rung, or sent cards, or delivered flowers.
Thank you. Your care has been appreciated.

M

Bereft

2007-06-17T00:42:00.000+10:00

John and I lost our baby last saturday. I was 17 weeks pregnant. I gave birth to Charles at 7.30pm on Saturday 9 June 2007.

He had tricuspid atresia - only half a heart.

"He who is loved is never lost"

M

Crying

2007-04-12T20:25:00.000+10:00

I wondered why my sister hadn't returned my email.
That's because her husband has been diagnosed with leukemia.
I can't recall what type. Our conversation after "Tim has leukemia" is hazy.

Again, I am shattered. Gutted. So Sad.

M

Did you miss me?

2007-03-15T22:37:00.000+11:00

Well I'm back after a few months off - lots of things happening, but the main one is that the apple season is about to start and we are about to descend into the craziness of bloody hardwork, not much sleep, lots of travel to and from the farm, no sleep and apples, apples, apples everywhere.
Jack was on the road to recovery from GF but then he came down with an ear infection. No Cows Milk for Jack me thinks. He seems to have an intolerance so I'm on the lookout for a GOAT to milk. Anyone?
Oh, and I've discovered the wonderful, wonderful world of Stampin Up! Oh my, their ink pads are beautiful. I've just taken delivery of the stamp cleaner and its a dream to use. I used to wash my stamps in the kitchen sink (sacrilege I know) but now I 'squirt, wipe and put them away'...thanks Katie!
I shall leave you with a small sample of tonight's artwork courtesy of StampinUp.

M

How?

2007-01-28T21:00:00.000+11:00

How can a 2 year old get glandular fever?

Jack has had a high fever for 4 days, then he developed a rash all over his body. So we took him to the doctor to confirm what we thought was measles.... we came away with a diagnosis of Glandular Fever, or the Epstein-Barr virus infectious mononucleosis.

I am gutted.

All the doctor would say was 'don't let him play rough - his spleen might tear'.

His spleen?

You have no idea how gutted I am.
Oh, and the little line at the end of the information print-out says "periodically, the virus can reactivate..."

Gutted. Absolutely Gutted.

M

a tiny brag

2007-01-18T19:20:00.000+11:00

I did an ATC swap about how I see Mother England. I wrote a tiny ezine and put it in a minature envelope, addressed and with stamp. This is how I was rated by the people I swapped with.

this was the best ATC ever! creatively envisioned and executed. wonderful sentiments expressed with it. bekka
Oh Madge, your Mother E card was sooo beautiful and your letter was absolutely delightful. You are a talented writer! You get a 5+++++++. Thank you so much, it really brightened my day. I have it on my desk. Thank you and Merry Christmas! Kind Regards, Sue

the Mother England ACT - unfolded

the Fruity ATC, Carnivale ATC, Red White and Black ATC

the Mother England ATC with envelope.

Madge

So Relaxed...

2007-01-17T19:30:00.000+11:00

We've just returned from one of the best holidays we've ever had. Camping in the annex of the Thommo's caravan - 4 adults, 5 kids under 12, 3 water slides, 2 wahu vests, 1 blow up dinghy, a games room, a trip to the beach, a prawning expedition and a bike track that went around and around and returned back to the front door (thanks to the neighbours who kindly sent Jack back home) and one shower on average every 3 days for every 2 persons.... yes we had pool hair, beach hair, bed hair and wind hair - then finally we had clean hair!

We were really impressed with the organisation of a family with 4 kids - shelves and a spot for everything! But look out Donna - John is bringing his very own garbage bin next year - he was amused the first time he hit his head on the garbage bag hanging on the corner of the door of the annexe, annoyed the second time, angry the tenth time and next year he's bringing his own garbage system!

Excellent idea boys. go prawning in a 2 foot dinghy. (4 hours later it had a hole in the bottom)

And how funny is a game of cards with John instructing, Craig cheating, Margaret eating chocolate and telling rude jokes and Donna giggling. John never noticed how much chocolate I ate.

Thanks for an awesome pick-us-up holiday and great start to the year.

And finally, tell Janae that Jack does love her - he just needs to grow up a bit...

love
Madge

Merry Christmas from Jack!

2006-12-30T20:38:00.000+11:00

Very Merry Christmas had by all at Batlow. Shirley, Bruce, Justine, Miles, Caitlin, Paul, Anne, Noel, John, Margaret and Jack (who had many "kids, kids!" to play with (Miles) and we found them both on their way up the pine tree at one time). Lots and lots of food and plenty of wine from the Barossa. Caitlin shopped, scrapped, browsed and read. Miles read and walked and taught me all about his new hobby (I hope you spent your money wisely Miles!). Far too many presents for Jack - but he loves the jigsaw book of australian native animals (we read it every night), and the train that Arty helped to rescue (that's Jack for Aunty Justine). And we all went swimming at the Batlow pool and spent hours chasing Jack in and out of the pool. He loves a swim. I can relax now - I've bought him a Wahu Vest and he can swim on his own.

Oh and Happy Birthday Noel and John.

Tipper getting a cuddle from Miles.

Jack putting baubles on the christmas tree in Canberra - he LOVES christmas trees!

Caitlin scrapping away - just don't look at her clothes - it was cold and we didn't have too many warm clothes.

love
Madge

Splish Splash

2006-11-28T20:33:00.000+11:00

Oh my. I'm excited. The house painter arrives on Monday to paint the inside of the house. Oh My God - I've waited ages for this day. I can't wait to get ride of the mission brown fence paint that some idiot painted around all the door frames and window sills. And then I'm going to break it gently to my DH that we are getting new window furnishings. Curtains, blinds and lace. And new carpet and a new garden.

Madge

Rally, Family Rally that is...

2006-11-21T21:03:00.000+11:00

November saw Justine, Anne and Noel, Paul, John and Jack and I all descend on the farm. Good food, wine and company - busy beavers swarming all over the house.

Took me a while to get all the ducks lined up, but line up they did and the results were pretty good in the end. Jack was asleep and Bruce was awol.

Only a few weeks til Xmas. Can't wait to put up that Xmas tree - Shirley you are eventually going to have to let me put the tree up! You can't keep me from that box you know.

And a rally of other sorts - thank you Cheryl for your beautiful letter which came at the right moment. In the nic of time.

Madge

2006-11-04T22:00:00.000+11:00

A wonderful 4 days with David and Kellie and William. Jack and William spent the first day telling each other who was boss and the second day playing beautifully together. Really appreciated them driving 6.5 hours to get to the farm to spend some time with us.

All of us just before we all departed for our separate lives.

Jack learning to share his 'dig, dig, digger' with William - NOT!

Three generations and cousins.

And someone who was smug to the back gills at having changed the way rubbish became trash and was taken to the tip. or is that 'dump'. no sorry, recycling plant. Uncle David and Jack with the new rail. Top Effort Uncle Dave. Thanks a million.

Madge

Cousins

2006-10-26T19:23:00.000+10:00

We had a wonderful bbq with John's cousins - this was the first time (since childhood) that he'd seen Matt and the first time we had met his wife, Wendy, and also Karen's new baby, Taigh. So here they are Wendy, Matt, John, Karen and Paul, with Jack, Joel (on Karen's knee) and Taigh (on Paul's knee). I'm sure they're all used to a lot more glamour, but we had a great time chatting and playing with the boys in the park next door.

Madg

Happy Birthday you beautiful boy!

2006-09-26T20:57:00.000+10:00

Jack has turned 2 and received some wonderful presents....we gave him a trike and Nana bought him another Careflight bear. A Bob jigsaw puzzle from Aunty Tracy and a great pop up book from Aunty Annie - Web the spider. A drum kit with musical things inside from Catherine, Cynthia and Trish, and an Elmo guitar from Alicia, Mikayla and Lorraine (he grooves to this!). And thanks to Cassie I now call my son, Mr Potato Head (thanks Cassie!) - he loved it and knows what all the bits and pieces are... he came and stood quietly in front of me one morning and it took me ages to work out what was different... can you tell? I laughed and laughed - he was so gorgeous !

Madge

Phantom Pains

2006-09-26T20:18:00.000+10:00

The MIL's 80th birthday party went really well. Everyone had a wonderful day. I made the invitations and inserted a little message card that could be brought with them to the party to insert into an album - all and more were returned to Shirley with the most wonderful messages of friendship and affection. Was way more successful than I thought and everyone enjoyed flicking through the album and reading everyone else's messages! MIL had a really nice time with all her loved ones around her. Photos are really bad because the DH used all the memory space on the camera for video. But if you know the MIL, you'll know the cats in the photos (to quote the SIL). We had a really nice meal at the Corner Restaurant, Batlow - excellent staff, really helpful and lots of nice food.

For the first time in 2 years I am bach-ing it. My DH and DS are at the farm. DH is doing a chemical users certificate for the orchard for two days. DS went with him to stay with Nana while Mum is at work. Oh me oh my. If I think about it I'll cry or pine or do both so I'll do the next best thing to drinking and that's scrapbooking!

Madge

Words

2006-09-24T22:40:00.000+10:00

I haven't kept a record of Jack's progress for a long time so I'll do it here. He speaks, but only in private with me and John, never in a crowd. He seems to be the observant type not the rowdy type. He loves to climb a tree and will get so high up the tree (in the front yard) that he's over my head. Loves any animals and is interested in "...nts!" at the moment - yes that's Jack-for-Ant. Except he keeps trying to squash them. Knows how to say - "Baa" (sheep), "Moo" (cow), "ggggg" for grrrgh lions, tigers, crocodiles etc., "Bum" (that's Mr Potato Head's Bum that all the little bits and pieces are kept in!), "NO!", "Mum", "Daaa" (that's Jack for where's Dad?), "Oh No" when something gets spilt, "Bye" (he chats on his phone and puts it down on the ground and says loudly, BYE! - do I do that??!), "Fly" for butterfly, "ZZZ" for bee, "dink" for drink, "skit" for biscuit (shame on you mummy), "Light", "s...wing" for please push me higher Mum!, "swim" for a swim in the bath, and "NOOOOOO" when he doesn't want to get out of the bath. If I try to change his nappy, he just pulls his trousers back up and runs off without a nappy, saying NOOOOOO! Toilet training coming right up! A girlfriend suggested I wait to summer and then the accidents can happen outside - happy with that idea!

He prefers to sleep in our bed with his arm around my neck and his face pressed up against mine, sucking his thumb. I have a story book called "I love you mummy" about lots of kids saying what they like about their mum and at the end it says "I love you mummy"... when I get to that line he reaches up and hugs me! beautiful

One day Jack and I were sitting at the kitchen table having an ice cream in a little square cone, when Daddy came in, sat down and said to Jack - "Can I have some of your icecream, Jack? Jack looked at him quietly, looked at me, looked down at his icecream and then he reached over, took the icecream out of my hands and gave it to John. How funny is that?! We laughed and laughed and laughed.

And he LOVES a wrestle with Dad - nothing is too rough! I get upset and make them stop - Jack pulls his hair and jumps up and down on his back and slaps his head - I wish I could do that to him but wives aren't allowed to are they?!

love you son,
Mummy Madge

Fruity ATCs

2006-09-14T20:45:00.000+10:00

Wow! I received the ATCs in the mail and they are so beautiful. I've shown them to all my scrapping mates and work mates! How exciting is that?! And to think that one of the participant's has a link to Batlow. Too Small a World! I'll upload a photo when the DH gets the camera sorted, until then, have a look on www.limetart.blogspot.com. I want to do another one.

Madge

Mr Potato Head Turns 2

2006-09-14T20:29:00.000+10:00

Jack has turned 2 and spent a wonderful day riding around on his new trike and entertaining the girls from next door. He loves his new Mr Potato Head (thanks Cassie!) and goes to bed with him on its own pillow next to his. He also spent an afternoon with a friend and his new jeep. That's Jack in the passenger seat hanging on to the seatbelt very tightly!
And what a week. I cannot believe how gutted I feel about Steve Irwin's death. Maybe its because I was 3 and my sister was 8 when our mum died. I just feel their pain.
And even though my first date with my DH was to Sandown to watch the V8s and our second date was to Bathurst, in my DH's Brock Commodore, I still feel sadder about Irwin than I do about Brockie.

Madge

Jack

2006-08-25T20:45:00.000+10:00

Isn't he gorgeous. He has the most beautiful eyes. And the sweetest nature. I've just discovered that I don't have any decent digital photos of Jack for the last 6 months... will have to rectify that tomorrow.

Marlborough Man

2006-08-15T22:25:00.000+10:00

he's gorgeous, obsessed with storage, can fix anything, creates an uproar when he laughs, smokes, drinks, shoots, and loves his friends, his farm, his animals and his shed - loves his shed, loves his computer, loves his son. loves me. now that's something worth bragging about. he loves me.

woohoo! My First Fruity ATC

2006-08-15T21:58:00.000+10:00

Here it is - my very first ATC (that's Artist Trading Card) and a fruity one at that. Just a snapshot for Philippa.

Madge

"You can't do that"!

2006-08-14T21:10:00.000+10:00

We've just returned from a wonderful 4 days in Melbourne. Visiting family and partying on with friends at the Vicroads Annual Ball.
Imagine this, 8 adults (supposed to be) in a people mover (funnily enough, owned by the couple who DON'T have children - 'you can't do that Roddy!'), high on the excitement of being together once again, once a year, all the girls dolled up to the nines and all the boys very smart indeed in their penguin/not so penguin suits, carrying a roadie and all talking all at once to each other and screaming with laughter. Roddy was instructing Bronnie how to get to Albert Park Lake using the GPS, Johnny overriding the GPS and making us 45 minutes late by taking us up Hoddle Street in peak hour on a saturday nighter after the football - 'You can't do that Johnny!". That was us sober. 6 hours later we're in the same van, laughing and carrying on and yelling about what happened to us during the night (enough squeaky fish for all the children, a beautiful cream dress and lots of red wine, a breathalyser and two silly wives, a husband, his dicky knee and loads of dancing ('you can't do that'!), and a silly husband and enough balloons for all the children AND their friends). Bronnie trying hard to drive safe (sober), Roddy in the passenger seat stuffing around with the GPS (definitely not sober), in the middle is Donnie and Johnny W trying to catch up on a year of childrearing stories, Morena trying not to climb out the window, actually who knows what Johnny W was doing, he was in the safe seat trying not to get car sick. In the back is Johnny F and Craig and I. I'd had meltdown hours ago, Craig was looking forward to an international flight in just under 4 hours later and Johnny? Johnny was yelling out the window to the L plater in the lane next to us 'you can't do that'! - the L plater's instructor was asleep in the seat beside her!
Another loud, happy year all together at the Vicroads Ball. bliss.

Shop Local

2006-07-30T21:43:00.000+10:00

So much has happened in the last fortnight that I don't know where to begin.
We've spent two weekends out of the last four at the farm - the last one being disastrous for Jack who was ill AGAIN with teething, flu, conjuctivitis and fevers of 40 degrees. I spent four days with him sleeping in my arms in the armchair in front of the fire or in our bed. We ended up in the surgery at Batlow with him and I met lots of locals who were so kind as to be concerned for him. Even going so far as to ask his grandparents in the street the next week how he was! Small towns are wonderful. Shop local I say. If you don't then don't expect the business to be there when you need it. Batlow has an amazing doctor who has two surgeries and gets locum/student doctors in from the big city, regularly. True blue battler he is. And if those snobby city doctors don't want to work in the country they don't deserve the food to land on their plates from the country farmers. I digress.
We had a great time though with DH's brother, sister, partner (who drove 13 hours from the Barossa Valley just to see us). Ever played trivial pursuit with three siblings who think they know everything? Really funny. Throw in a few bottles of wine, two spouses who object to their knowing everything and you have a really LOUD game!
DH took me shopping today - bought me some beautiful clothes. And last night he came home with a bunch of roses - all different colours and scents - red, pink, orange, yellow, white and watermelon. Beautiful. How lovely is he? This morning I showed them to DS who smelled each rose ever so carefully. I am proud to say that my DH is a malborough man/snag and my DS is a snag in the making. Does anyone know what a marlborough man is besides me?
And I've dobbed myself in for my first EVER ATC swap card thingy. How could I resist a theme of 'fruity'? Me, the orchardist's wife, doing a fruity ATC - Its the principle of the thing.

Madge