Thredbo

Here is the LO that I have used as a DT example for this months challenge over on The Cupboard Trilogy blog.

The challenge this month is called "Lead by Example" I would be thrilled if you could visit the blog & bowled over if you would join in, there is a lovely patterned paper pad up for grabs this month.

All you have to do is look through the Design Team examples, then choose one to use as your inspiration. You can unashameably copy it, be inspired by how it is designed, or it's colour combo. Then link to the blog & tell us who's design you used as inspiration ... Easy right?

The photographs in this LO were taken in 2000 when I went to Australia the 1st time, they are called Threadbo Mountains & the only place in Australia where you can ever see snow. The mountains are also the start of the irrigation system that NSW uses to be able to grow crops. 

The papers are by Rusty Pickle & I think they are called French Market, that big snowflake I made myself by tracing around a huge brad on to a piece of chipboard, I cut it out & used some tiny files to file away at the edges, then painted it & added some pen lines.

The rub on snowflakes & the title are placed on acetate as an overlay, which in real life looks quite dimensional & helps bring the somewhat boring photos to life.

Thanks for visiting

~ Jane ~

Saying goodbye to 2012 ....

Last year for me, had it's highs & lows, plus a huge change in lifestyle too.

Cripple Camp in May was brilliant, I am not being unkind by calling it that, it's just the pet name that we call ourselves. We are a small group of people that have all spent some time in the Royal Mineral Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases in Bath. I spent 2 weeks in the hospital in October of 2011 & met some lovely ladies from all around the UK, who quickly became friends & wanted to remain in touch, Katy set up a closed facebook group where we can visit to support each other on the hard days & share the good days & generally just have a good old chin wag. In May some of us met up in a Bristol hotel for a weekend, a few I hadn't met before but, they quickly became my good friends too. We all have different conditions, some similar symptoms between us & some are more disabled than others, but we all support each other & accept the way we are & don't expect anything of anyone. Roll on the next meet up!

In June, I started my own challenge blog called The Cupboard Trilogy, this is something that I have wanted to do for a long time, but not quite had the courage to do it. So far it is proving to be active & entry numbers are growing monthly, I am sure this is down to the wonderful work of my fab Design Team, who continue to produce fabulous examples every month. We have a new prize challenge start on the 1st day of each month & paper crafters everywhere are all very welcome to play along, please visit us HERE to join in.

I was made a grandmother again in September, when Skyla Esme Beau was born, being my 4th grandaughter to join my other 9 grandchildren that I am very blessed to have in my family. The ages of my 10 darlings range from 14yrs down to tender age of Skyla, still a babe in arms. I have been told that their will not be anymore grandchildren now, because my 4 wonderful sons families are now complete.

September also saw the breakdown of my 12yr relationship with Alex. Where we lived together was on the edge of a village, although not remote public transport was very poor & I would have become very isolated, so I needed to look at moving into a nearby town where it would allow me to be more independent. I don't own my home, it's a housing association property, so I started to look for a mutual exchange. Within a week I had found a little 1 bedroom flat where I thought I would be happy to live & the occupant wanted my little bungalow, so we put in for the exchange to take place.

October 1st Alex moved out & on the 27th I moved into my flat, I felt comfortable immediately, everything I need is on my doorstep, which is great because of my limited mobility. This move meant such a big change for me in more ways than 1, because it's the 1st time in all of my 52 yrs that I have ever lived completely alone. I quickly had to learn to budget & any other things that would have until now, been done jointly, but I am managing it just fine so far.

The year was topped off by spending Christmas with my sons & seeing in the New Year with Alex, we remain good friends & hopefully always will.

So come on 2013 bring it on, let's see what you have in store for me during the next 12 months .... I am ready!

Happy New Year to you all, I hope it brings you health & happiness, as well as a comfortably balanced life .....

~ Jane ~

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