Lyn's thoughts..........

Happy Birthday TIM! 26 years young today....

Our youngest boy Tim....turns 26 today....I took this pic on Saturday whilst I had the chance before Tim headed off to Aaron Brooke's Wedding.......he just looks so darn pleased that his mum asked for a pic......LOL!

This time last year Tim was in LONDON working....so nice to have him home to celebrate with family this year!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TIM!!

March is a month of birthdays in our family with Tim,Mike and I all celebrating on days that have a "1" in them....how cool......Mike(1st), me (21st) and Tim (31st).... The BLUE LOTUS WATERGARDEN closes today in about 3/4 of an hour....woohoo.......it will then re-open in mid November to the public!

Want to know how to use the NEW FISKARS Twist and Flip Punch ?.....you can see my detailed description on-line now at Scrapbooking Memories Technique Corner

Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show & Mike wins Grand Final

 

We are off to the Annual Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show later this week.

Rod and I have been given free passes by one of the organisers who visited us today....what a lovely guy!

He came up to the WATERGARDEN and wants us to come down and have lunch with him....so of course we are going......we go each year anyway as both Rod and I are passionate gardeners....but this year we have free passes and free luncheon by the organisers......amazing how opportunities arise when you least expect them....who knows what this may lead to.

So we have been invited for dinner with the organisers...how cool!

We love this show......last year it was cancelled due to really bad weather conditions so we are really looking forward to our annual trip into the city......visit the Show....have dinner....and then stay in the city!

For any one interested here a re a few more details.....

1st April - 5th April 2009

The Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show, ranked in the top five flower shows in the world, is presented by the Mighty Helpful Mitre 10.

The world renowned flower and garden Show is entering its 14th year and is now regarded as the largest and most successful horticultural event in the Southern Hemisphere.

Featuring the best landcsape and floral talent that Australia has to offer along side an extensive array of garden retail products, the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show is a celebration of Australian lifestyle and our great outdoors.

Staged within the world heritage listed Royal Exhibition Building and surrounding south Carlton Gardens in Carlton, this prestigious Show is well established in the psyche of Australians as a "must see" event.

FAMILY NEWS
Woori Yallock won the Cricket Grand Final today!

Well done to all the Woori Yallock guys!!
Michael got them into the Grand Final by his 90 runs in the Semi Final...well done Mike!

He also played well in the Grand Final although only scoring 10 runs his fielding was outstanding as always....he is also a real TEAM PLAYER! He has always been our quiet achiever.....not as outgoing as the other three boys......but just as talented and an excellent Sportsman and Clubman!

Here he is this afternoon still with the medallion around his neck......29 and still gets a kick out of winning a Grand Final! I grabbed this photo opportunity before he headed back to the clubrooms for celebrations.....LOL!

The BLUE LOTUS WATERGARDEN closes for the season this coming Tuesday MARCH 31st......also Tim's birthday......Rod will only have the flower Market Thursday morning and then he has finished for the season.....we shall be packing up things and putting them away ready for next season...pulling up some of our carpet....having new carpet laid on April 6th....then heading off for some time in PAYNESVILLE for a well earned rest and break.

Having EASTER in PAYNESVILLE ........after I have taught the KIDS CLASS at SIMPLY SCRAPBOOKING on April 7th we head off....yeh!!

Back again on April 14th ready for my next KIDS CLASS @ SIMPLY SCRAPBOOKING .

I love teaching these kids to craft........it's fun ...it's a great LSS to work in....and I reap the rewards of knowing I have helped these kids in their crafting journey.....so rewarding.......teaching is in my blood....if I'm not able to do it I become stifled....so I love the opportunity to teach others.

Nature's beauty ~ My garden awaits me! and a RAK

Looking out our back door I am reminded of how beautiful nature can be.....and how hard work reaps these wonderful rewards...... Gardening is something that both Rod and I love....

Rod brought me the plant above for my birthday......knowing I love rare and different plants.......my heart lightens up each time I look at our garden.....it's nice to have this passion...."to garden is to bring life into this world!"

So I'm surrounding myself in my beautiful garden the next few days....just enjoying it....and getting lost in my own little piece of paradise.........the world can pass me by.....LOL!
  ....and I have already picked a couple of strawberries from here this morning.....sh.....sh......

If you wish to view a FISKARS GARDENING site then click here

Feel free to leave a comment to let me know you dropped by....or what you think of our garden......and I'll send out some FUN CRAFTING PRODUCT to 2 visitors to my Blog.......love to "give" and love to "share"

If you wish to see my "Technique Corner"  Article over at Scrapbooking Memories you can go here

KIDS CLASSES @ Simply Scrapbooking

I'm looking forward to teaching my next lot of KIDS SCRAPBOOKING classes at Simply Scrapbooking in Eltham on April 7th from 10am -12noon and then again on April 15th from 10am -12 noon.

So if you would like to book your child in for a fun , filled 2 hour workshop then give the girls a call on: 94313959

But wait until Wednesday this week as due to the recent flood damage the girls have issued the following advice on their website.....

Following advice from our Insurers we have had to push back our re-opening to WEDNESDAY 25TH MARCH instead of Tue 24/3 as previously advertised.  We look forward to seeing you all at our SPRING CLEANING SALE which begins on SATURDAY 28th March ~  20% OFF STOREWIDE for 1 week only as well as massive savings off excess class stock & tools!  Come in & check out our photos of the big flood!

I only teach classes over at Eltham in the School Holidays and I love every minute of it.....besides Joy and Nicole are  so nice to work for and the Kids and I have a blast every class.

If you would like to book me to teach classes at your store or event then please feel free to email me .

I have also recently created some fun Kids Workshops for FISKARS that we shall be offering at the Sydney,Brisbane and Melbourne Craft and Quilt Fairs this year with Expertise EVENTS in the Creative Zone section of the Craft and Quilt Fair........

Here's a sneak peek...I believe that school groups will have preference for these Kids Workshops and these classes will have limited numbers(20) so if you are interested then you will be able to book on-line at the Craft and Quilt Fair website shortly for Sydney Show.

.......FISKARS KIDS WORKSHOPS shall only run once each day of the Fair and the Workshops goes for an hour....the Kids will learn how to stamp,punch,distress and they shall be encouraged to "have-a-go" at creating a fun and funky Mini Album in a Box.....embellishing to their hearts content with some Heidi Grace Designs products ,some Cloud 9 Board Books in a Box  and of course some wonderful FISKARS TOOLS including the PUSH and PRINT STAMP FACTORY and the TWIST and FLIP 2 in 1 PUNCH,trimmer,scissors  and a variety of stamps and squeeze punches!

Some card shares and my birthday today!

I have had a lovely relaxing day today.......had lunch with the family at the WATERGARDEN for my birthday....yes....you know the saying....you are only as old as you feel.....LOL!

I was given some lovely vouchers for clothing and movie tickets as well as some yummy chocolates...thanks to my lovely family and to my good friend Rosemary for your call wishing me happy birthday! My family mean the world to me.....nice to feel loved and respected by those who know me well.

Then Rod and I went out for tea tonight to our local Chinese Restaurant.......Lorraine(owner) is just lovely......so she spoilt us.

I also got to catch up with Sally and Brendan who are just so delighted to becoming parents in September......Sally's due date is Sept.18th.

Mike's Cricket Team continue in their GRAND FINAL tomorrow....they have already batted andhave 1 of the Healseville batsmen already out 1for 30...so let's hope they can get the rest out tomorrow for under 230 runs.....it's an achievable task....but they dropped an easy catch today from the opening batsmen...and it could prove costly.....we'll wait and see tomorrow......GO WOORI YALLOCK TIGERS!!

Here are a few cards that I have made this past few days whilst down in PAYNESVILLE for a FISKARS Demonstration in Bairnsdale..........I just played around with some felt scraps....my FISKARS pinking shears......and some acrylic stamps.......

checking in from sunny PAYNESVILLE S and C Show Melbourne

Thought I'd share some pics from the recent Melbourne Stitches and Craft Show that I took with permission last Thursday..

I loved the whole new look of the Stitches and Craft Show this year......I really believe that Living Creatively have given this Show the extra life it so badly needed...and now I have to say....things like this Creative Craft Menu at the CRAFT BAR......was such a novel and fun idea.........

There were 4 Craft BARS.........SEWING/PAPERCRAFT/KNITTING AND EMBROIDERY...YOU COULD ROCK UP ANY TIME DURING THE DAY......sit on a bar stool....and craft away with the help of some Volunteers......

So Carolyn and I had fun Bar Seat hopping and doing some other Workshops all day.......we arrived at 9:30am and I didn't leave until around 5:15pm......a great day out........

It was lovely to catch up with Angela,Claire, Anna and Paul from Living Creatively......and to then meet Ruey on the train station going home.........

Claire came running up for a hug.,.....love this lady......she is such a talented presenter and such a fun person........

I really LOVE where Living Creatively are taking craft.......I believe in what they are doing.......getting people to have-a-go at handmade craft......is the right thing to do in my opinion........ I was able to chat with Angela in some length....love what you guys are doing.

....so if some of my readers are from Sydney and Brisbane........which I know there are many.....make sure you visit the Stitches and Craft Show when it comes your way this year.....it's well worth the day out......in fact Carolyn and I both decided that next year......

We need 2 days to see everything as well as educate ourselves in some workshops.......

ok....I've just finished a FISKARS DEMONSTRATION in Spotlight Bairnsdale so off for some retail therapy and catching up with some friends down here....heading home tomorrow afternoon.

a layout share

ok....so I haven't scrapped a layout for months........and now I have 4 done in 2 days....amazing.....LOL! (Click on the image if you want to read the journaling)

 "Family BBQ" was about our annual "Cochrane" family get together held each year in January....this year it was held at my brother's WATERGARDEN.....Blue Lotus Watergarden

 Here are a few close ups.......I must admit I loved creating this.....I love to hand journal on my pages......so this Lil Davis Away We Go paper range is perfect for ME!

I used the FISKARS SEAL OF APPROVAL SCALLOP PUNCH (L) and the FISKARS (M) Circle Squeeze Punch to make my own embellishments....sanded around the edge and added some FISKARS FOAM ADHESIVE underneath.

 Then I punched out some holes with my Fiskars Eyelet Setter Punch.....I love using this for creating holes in my work so that the paper underneath shows through....hardly ever set eyelets with these.....LOL! I have also used alphas and sticker letters from the Li' Davis  "Away We Go" travel Range........such fun to use and makes putting a layout together much quicker.

Mike's Cricket Team in Grand Final

Woori Yallock Cricket Team are into the Grand Final next Saturday to play Healesville.

Mike top scored with 90 yesterday.....woohoo.....what a great effort!

Mike is the only one playing cricket this season....with Brendan, Tim and Brian having a break for the season!

GO TIGERS!!

How remiss of me not to mention GEELONG'S great win over COLLINGWOOD on the weekend in the AFL NAB CUP!

Let''s hope the CATS can take out the day flag this year........GO CATS!!  MIAOW...........

Crop For Kids- it's nearly here again

Well it's only 3 weeks until all the fun at CROP FOR KIDS begins again....remember last year when the Crop For Kids fundraiser raised over $12,000 for the Good Friday Appeal for the Royal Children's Hospital.

If you click on the website above you can see where to order your tickets from and there are also some fun exclusive Crop For Kids embellishments that Scrapware have created....they are so darn cute.......I know I'm ordering some!

There still tickets available so why not get a few friends together for a fun day out for YOU!

You can take whatever you are crafting at the moment....sit back and create in a great environment.....so whether you scrap,make cards,quilt,sew,papercraft,do altered art......it doesn't matter...you can come along and have a great day out whilst raising funds for the Good Friday Appeal!

Date:  Saturday April 4th

For further details of venue and starting time.....click on the link above!

ok I can officially announce that

I'm going to be a Nana .........I'm over the moon...it's been a long time coming....buy hey.....I'm stoked!!

It will be so nice to have some little pitter ,patter of feet around the place in the near future.

Sally and Brendan(my oldest child) are expecting their first child in September....how darn exciting.....we were told on Thursday evening but had to keep it quiet until all family and close friends were told....so now I can yell it from the rooftops.......woohoo...it's been the best news I could have received this past week.

I was even given a Baby Knitting book at the Stitches and Craft Show by Veronica Cunningham from LINCRAFT when she guessed what I was excited about.....she and I talked for about half and hour about our grown up kids and how our lives change now as we are able to pursue different things out of life....

Veronica was just as excited as I was.......I have known Veronica since Carolyn and I started as Volunteers for the Stiches and Craft Show.......same time I started with FISKARS........2003......so 7 years this year......ooh.....I'm not sure what to do first.....except I know I have already got an Altered Baby Tin here and a little Mini Album...now I can keep it for my own Grandchild........

I don't think the knitting needles will come out but it might just look at purchasing a new sewing machine.....anyone one know of a good one for about $200....as I don't want to spend too much on one as it won't get that much use but a new machine will encourage me to try new projects now............maybe a baby quilt.......cushion....bibs......ooh I so needed this new outlook on my life at the moment.....

Rod and Geoff have spent all weekend over at Tesselars Flower Farm at SILVAN at the Rare Plants Weekend....it bucketed down rain most of the weekend....but people still came out!

The WATERGARDEN SEASON is nearly over.....only a couple of weeks until closing for this season ......there are still Lotus and waterlily  in flower......and we still have some buses booked in this week and next....and then Rod will be hanging out to get down to PAYNESVILLE for a good break and to take the boat out!

We are both hanging out for our holiday in JUNE (23rd)when we are heading to DARWIN for a few days before we head across to BROOME in WA...........we love trying new and adventurous holidays whilst we are still active  have plenty of time together!

We haven't seen this part of AUSTRALIA....and are looking forward to seeing all the plant life around KAKADU and the Kimberleys....and being avid gardeners we are quite excited about what we may see!

I already know what I am going to do to record this holiday......I have been plotting and planning this for ages....well since we committed to going ......just have to pay for some accomodation and we are ready to go!

I have also been told that we'll be at CABLE BEACH at the right time of the month to see the staircase to the Moon....that is what they call it when the sunsets over cable beach....and the moonlight glows across the top of the water.......to resemble a staircase.........I can't wait!