Sarah also received two personalised canvasses. Emma made the bright pink one (her nickname for her sister is Booney) and MartheJane made the square one (note all the MartheJane photos!!!).

Sarah's Birthday

These are the hand made cards she received, from her Mum, Gail and cousins.

Luckily my swap pins turned up in Queensland so I didn't have to re-make them but I did have to re-do four puzzle pieces that I somehow managed to do backwards! This is my completed set.

The ATC's are an atc buddies art bag challenge, the only rule was that we had to use the silver rings provided, and of course imagination! I liked my houses so much I made extras and sent out a couple of RAK's.

June 2008

There are three reasons why I can't use my computer - 1. When the kids are doing exams and need my laptop, 2. When the computer is in for repair, usually with a virus and 3. when we go on holiday. All three of these occured in June. The worst was the virus that would not be cleansed until all files were wiped. Luckily I got to keep documents and photos (I have lost these previously) but I did lose all emails and contacts so it was a very quiet month. And I cannot understand how such an infection can occur when anti-virus stuff is up and running and I do not share files and download music like my 21 year old who was previously responsible for all these stuff ups.

A holiday to Torquay has restored my energies, walks on the beach, shopping and eating out! I did take my collaborative book pages to work on but didn't get a lot done. It was just too good staying in a brand new 5 star resort! The pic is of Emma and Sarah mucking about outside our room, across the road from the beautiful surf beach. It was cold, being mid winter but we are going back in summer to use their pools.

Puzzle pieces

A very successful "play day" at my place today, I finished off these puzzles to be sent across the countryside, hoping Australia Post can keep up. My last swap (the trading pins) sent to Queensland over two weeks ago have gone missing. If I can get my hands on some more clock hands I will try and re-do them, patience girls!

Bad Luck

I thought these things happened in "threes". I have had more than my fair share recently, starting with the washing machine flooding the house on Mother's Day. Then my clothes drier started to smell like it is on fire. I haven't used it since. Emma wrote her car off last week and is ***most importantly ***unhurt but is without wheels, reliant on parents again to drive her around. Adam told us the power had failed in our P.C. when it is in fact a blown motherboard and then the brakes of my car gave me a scare last night. I was going to fill up with petrol before the price went sky high but turned around and came straight home. My car is now in a queue at Mentone Mota works, waiting until they have a chance to look at it. It can just sit there until it is fixed, I can walk to work, even Southland if I have to!

And now for something completely different.....

No, not really, but I did put Monty Python in my car CD player this afternoon, much to Sarah's disgust.

These delicate little brooches are for an Arty Oz Pin Swap. I have been working on them for aaaaages. I have been tweeking with all sorts of things and they are not like I had originally planned (nothing ever is). It is the first time I have used Crackle Accent and am very happy with the results. The next problem is sending them to hostess Vanessa in Queensland.