Productive & Social

Well … I had a very productive and social weekend - totally enjoyable. I actually ‘created’ AND I had fabulous company all weekend. Above are two samples of what I produced - Card from Saturday & Microscope slide from Sunday.

Saturday was a card making day for me - with a friend (Janice - my old high school bud) popping over for the afternoon/evening then another friend (Yvonne Rice from VicStampers) dropped by to pick up an order and stayed to ‘play’ too later that evening.

Today (Sunday) - I had a few people over from VicStampers seeing as there was no VicStampers meeting this month. I had organised Erica, who’s the Jewellery/Metalwork teacher from the school where I work, to give us a lesson on ‘soldering/tinning’ using the solder and flux method (non resin core). I’ve also done soldering with Jenny Crossley, but I picked up a few more tips via Erica and I feel more confident with soldering and using this method. Today’s attendees were - Bevlea Ross, Glenda Laing, Joan McAlpine, Kaye Wolf, Joy Welsh and myself (of course!). Erica was most impressed with us all and said we were so easy to teach - she too enjoyed it. Well all had fun - a great day!

1-4-1 Card Swap - VicStampers

Just made this card above this afternoon/evening for a VicStampers 1-4-1 Card Swap ... thought it a hoot (I'm easily amused - I guess). The leaf covering the 'lower anatomy' is slightly raised which added to my 'humour' (ie: grin) ... don't think the reduced scan shows it's 'full potential' - lol. I'll be making five more and will post out this weekend. Putting it up now as I don't 'advertise' my Blog - so I feel confident no one from VicStampers (who's participating in the 1-4-1 Swap) will see it till they get it in their mail - hopefully Monday.

On Saturday I made six cards on the 'conservativ'e side - *what an achievement*! Then Sunday I woke with a sore back and suffered with it for three very long days - absolutely no fun is an understatement. I've picked up today but I'm still taking it easy for the next few.

I Got Spoilt - Yesterday!

Yes … I’m still ‘here’ … just been the norm for me - ‘busy as’ or I’ve been tooooo pooped to do much else! But yesterday I got spoilt - lucky me. Marion E. and Jane T. ‘kidnapped’ me for the day … they took me out for coffee, cake AND chocolate to Hahndorf’s Fine Chocolates store in Montrose. Needless to say … great treat and fabulous company. When done - we then came back to my place for a ‘play afternoon/early evening’. It was just wonderful to ‘sit still’, ‘play’, ‘veg’ and ‘natter’.

In the past few weeks I’ve had PaperMates where we made two versions of a sliding card. Not all that much captures my attention but these two surely did! I didn’t make a completed card (no shock there - lol) but I did manage to do the two templates for future projects. Thanks Marion for the work you always put in - in showing us ‘How To’.

Then the following day I had a Stampin’ Up party at my home - which, had nothing to do with me … *got you wondering on that one - I’m sure* - lol. A friend of mine, the lovely Ruthie lives in a male dominated home (husband, two birth sons and an ‘adopted’ son) … not a serene environment for an all female afternoon … lol. Sooooo … I supplied the ‘venue’. Ruthie supplied the guests and ‘nibbles’ and ... she took home the ‘benefits’. I had a great afternoon not having to fuss over a single thing - lol.

Last weekend, my local Stampin’ Up ‘dealer’ - that Sue Collins (lol) … had yet another Stampers Stack gathering which focused on Male Cards. We made eight in all - all great but, being the perfectionist that I am - I haven’t got one for ‘show and tell’ this post as I messed up a few (ie: I was to heavy with the stamping, over did the ‘pricking’, etc, etc, etc) - lol.

Today I did manage to get a little bit ‘productive’ … I finished off some cards that I half started but not completed. Above are some samples of cards that I made. My aim with these sort of cards, that I am very slowly building up, is ... to put in the staff room at work to sell for ‘pocket money’ … ie: pay for some of my craft supplies. My craft spending waaaaaay exceeds anything I will ever sell … *feeling of shame* (lol)

Back to Work - *sigh*

Well I didn’t win Lotto last night so it’s back to the ‘Salt Mine’ tomorrow for me - *sigh*. Enjoyed my holidays but it wasn’t long enough. But … I got to catch up with those I had planned to. Still had a few things on my ‘To Do’ list that I didn’t manage to cross off - guess there’s next holidays (and counting - again … lol).

Caught up with Bevlea and Lucy on Monday … appreciate their visit, seeing as they live on the other side of town to me and it’s (almost) ‘pack your rations and bring a flare along’ for the drive over. Enjoyable company, as always - we did lunch ‘out’ and managed to get a few store visits along the way. Took them past the scenic route … past a cemetery - twice! lol

Tuesday I had my car serviced then visited my folks. Then … I got a phone call - more ‘dramas and sagas’ and with no connection to the previous one I had a few weeks back. Maaaan - I must of walked under a ladder, kicked a black cat, smashed a mirror, opened up an umbrella indoors, etc, etc, etc (lol) - surely this has to be the last (hopefully) in a very long while. Life is a challenge … and … yet another hurdle jumped! I survived! And … it had nothing to do with the car service bill … lol.

Wednesday I had lunch with my fav cousin, Ronnie … who used to wheel me in a pram when I just a babe (lol) - yes I was small once! I try and catch up with her every school holidays and do lunch. She’s off over to Europe with her husband for ten weeks (in a few weeks) - so I’ll miss her next school holidays!

And … the sun shone again (no stress) on Thursday. I had lunch with two ex-bosses of mine. The wonderful Heather, who is one of the rare few (male or female) I truly admire - and a woman who inspires and leads by example (and has a great sense of humour too!). She came to our school as an Assistant Principal - came from being a Region ‘head’ (ie: big wig - lol) - but prior to that she was a Principal in a Primary school. Heather has covered all teaching areas in the Education Department. She’s also taught in a Special School … amazing resume - for sure! Trivial as it seems - one example of my ‘admiration’ for her, re: her ‘leading by example’ - she would, every day, go outside and supervise cleaning up the yard with the students and she would actually get her ‘hands dirty’ doing so, along side them - not pointing/directing them!

And Jill … who was our Business Manager up until just recently. Hard job co-ordinating a school of our size - with so many extra areas our school runs/operates within and out of school hours. She left retiring as one the top Business Managers in the Education Department of Victoria.

Been fluffing about making cards today. Mission … Birthday card for my daughter and a few ‘back up’ assorted cards (plural) … just chilling. Perfect day to just hang at home and play/veg - ie: in the warmth. Above is the card I made my daughter for her approaching 24th Birthday on July 31st and a ‘back up’ card, just because (lol)!

Holidays are Just THE Best!

Why is it … one day at work seems like an eternity but ... only one week of holidays goes in a blink of an eyelid? *go figure*

Anyway … it’s been a great week! Nothing grand but just wonderful. Firstly … let me just ‘sky write’ that (listen up ALL) … I finally finished my Paper Queens Jigsaw piece/s - *yay me - go me*! And PS to the above … I got them done before Bevlea - *dancing with glee!* (lol)

On Tuesday I went and visited my old-old boss (not that I'm calling her old). She was my boss two bosses ago. She was a great to work with and is one of the most nicest and most generous people about. Mind you ... initially I didn’t ‘warm’ to her - but I was happily proved wrong! Have been friends now for 10+ years.

On Wednesday I had Marion and Rita over for a Play Day and as always, a delightful day. Yapping, crafting and grazing on nibblies like cattle … lol.

Thursday … my daughter and I did a ‘Thelma & Louise’ (not quite all the way though - lol) … we did a ‘road trip’ on the new Eastlink! Well … I’m impressed! Took no time to get to Frankston (and beyond) … we went a little further but eventually turned back and stopped back at Frankston for lunch then tootled off home again.

Friday I just chilled ... started working on some Xmas Cards for a coming ‘event’ (event - not being Christmas though - sorta/kinda) - can’t share much about that one for now (top secret - lol).

Yesterday I fluffed about in the garden and pruned (butchered) my roses … and I have scars to prove it!

Today was VicStampers … and I was ‘IT’! This is partly what I wrote in a VicStampers email to the Group this evening: “ … And - and - and … apologies to all for being the Door Bitch today (lol)! Opening up, setting up, doing the ATC Challenge and collecting the money, introducing Marion to the Group, setting up the coffee/tea/cake, etc, etc, etc was all too much for my little brain to cope with (lol). I was soooooooo stressed over setting off the alarm (which I set off four times on my very first go!!!) ... but … I finally got it right!”

The pic above is just a quick card I made this evening for a friends up and coming wedding … it’s simple but I’m good with it.

So - till the next episode of Eva’s dull life (or should that read ‘DILL' life) - *yawn*

I ... survived!

I survived ... a twelve week term of school! *relief*

And … am now on a two week end of term school holiday break - *yay*. For those who don’t know me personally … I work in a high school in the administration side … student total of 1,200+, around 150 staff and … it’s a split shift school (ie: VCE students start later in the morning - around 10:50 am and end much later in the day). I do most things in the office but mostly AR (Accounts Receivable), produce the school newsletter, reception, school forms, etc, etc, etc. Never a dull moment - never without nothing to do … always busy/busy! I intend these school holidays to just be a ‘sloth’ - just chilling and hopefully lots of playing (ie: crafty stuff!).

Had a friend over yesterday - a long time friend from my own high school days! Went out for dinner and did Thai - fabulous food and as always, ate too much!!! She too works in a school but she’s off to Queensland for most of her school holidays - I’m just so looking forward to ‘standing still’.

And today … ditto to the above - ‘ate too much’ (again)! It was my mothers ‘anniversary’ to her coming/landing in Australia - 60 years today she arrived in Australia! Guess that makes her more Australian than many Australian’s - ie: those aged less than sixty … lol. Went to the Casino in town and had lunch, then strolled along the banks of the Yarra for a bit, then went on a river cruise (on a boat … of course) for about an hour. Had a totally wonderful day - my brother and his partner, my parents, myself and my daughter and her partner. A really enjoyable day - I felt so relaxed (and full!)

Above is a card/booklet I made for our Business Manager who took Long Service Leave/Retirement last term. It was in a booklet form with a page for each of us to sign and write a message. I didn’t want to have ‘Retirement’ on the card/booklet so I chose ‘Delight in Life’ in it’s place … reads more ‘exciting’ and less ‘aging’ (kinda thing).

PS: NO work tomorrow ... life is good (for the next two weaks at least!)