Sassys Scrap Haven

The Long Road Home

2011-12-04T18:29:00.001+11:00

Sometimes the longest journey we embark on is the one that brings us home again, and this is certainly the case with my blog. This time year ago I'd just found out I would need a second spinal surgery (after the first in July) but with one thing and another here I am only now returning to my blog after that long awaited fusion that will hopefully enable me to regain some quality of life (read allow me to sit for long hours scrapbooking) *grin*. I still wouldn't be sitting her now without the help of Lesley, or Tailz as I'm more likely to call her, from Nutkin Tailz Designs. She not only designs the beautiful kits I work with but has also become a dear friend, the kind that doesn't wait to be asked but rolls her sleeves up and gets a job done that she can see needs doing. And I thank her for jumping in and revamping my blog all ready for me to come back to as I'm able to.

Meanwhile I'm currently restricted to 5 minute layouts, but being the quotaholic that I am that hasn't been too big a drama, and over the coming weeks I'll be posting some of the layouts I've worked on during the past year that just didn't make it to my blog :)

Today's layouts feature Aidan's Reef by Nutkin Tailz Designs a wonderfully tropical kit based on summer sunset colours. A mixture of realistic elements makes this kit a must for all your summer layouts. Kit contains 30 12x12 papers and 74 embellishments. Everything is 300dpi with Shadows added for preview purposes only. Scrap for Hire OK and available at both Nuts4Digi and Digital Design Den

Ostara Odyssey

2010-04-10T14:11:00.006+10:00

One of many kits in her Wheel of the Year Series, ancient pagan and modern christian traditions are beautifully interwoven in this ode to spring. Ostara was the ancient holiday that celebrated the eternal cycle of rebirth and renewal, and the colors and textures of this kit reflect the freshness of the season whichever way you celebrate it. You'll notice that this kit can also be used for Easter but it's so versatile that you could also use it for a unisex baby layouts.

16 papers and 41 elements all at 300dpi. Shadows for display purposes only.

Ostara Odyssey by Nutkin Tailz Designs is available now at Nuts4Digi

the delightful Mz Chloe and her first easter

Mz Chloe meets the Easter Bunny

a lesson nature to be learnt from nature

and saving the best for last ... my sister's first grandchild

Carter James and his mother Stacey

Nutkin Tailz Designs now at NUTS4DIGI

2010-04-06T20:13:00.008+10:00

Exciting NEWS!!!

Nutkintailz Designs can now be purchased at Nuts4Digi

There are 3 kits instore right now but here's Sand n Sea, inspired by our holiday last November when we spent a week taking photos so Lesley could design a kit for our holiday snaps!

SAND n SEA

(click on the images to enlarge)

A beautiful kit inspired by a holiday to Shoal Bay in NSW with my good friend and designer Lesley at Nutkintailz Designs. All the pictures for the backgrounds and the elements in this kit were taken in the local area of Pt Stephens NSW. A kit perfect for your holiday snaps or could be used for any number of layouts. Over 20 papers and 40 elements all at 300dpi. Shadows for preview purposes only.

And to celebrate I've got a wordart using the gorgeous starfish from her new kit Sand n Sea you can pick up here for one week only, after which it will be !

After you pick up your wordart be sure to pop along to the store to check out Nutkin Tailz Designs

2010-04-01T07:23:00.005+11:00

Sometimes life has a way of getting in the way of what we really want to be doing, and thats certainly been the case for the first quarter of this year! By christmas I was in so exhuasted from the chronic pain I'd been experiencing from what was put down my "arthritis" I was ready to cut off my arms and legs just to get relief. But rather than do this I went back to my old doctor for a second opinion and this lead to 2 months of exhaustive investigations which finally resulted in a diagnosis of FMS, for which there is no cure, just a long haul of treatment protocols ahead. After almost a month now on immunosuppressants I can say the pain is being managed reasonably well and I've regained the energy I was so lacking for so long. Life is indeed good again and its been reflected in a renewed motivation for scrapbooking. Lesley from Nutkintailz Designs also has been on sabbatical while she sorted out issues in her life but is back designing so you will be seeing a lot of kits here again. But for now here's a couple a layouts inspired by the journey ahead, and to serve as reminders when my spirits flag.

Just Breath by Raspberry Road Designs

Dreamcatcher by Elisa's Bits at Digiridoo Scraps

inspired by the march Inspiration challenge at Digiridoo Scraps

Lavender Bits by LDrag Designs at Digiridoo Scraps

Dreamcatcher by Elisa's Bits at Digiridoo Scraps

Digital Craft Cottage

2010-03-28T17:09:00.004+11:00

It's with a heavy heart that I'm removing all links to Digital Craft Cottage from my blog and I ask that anyone who wishes to purchase any of the kits designed by Nutkintailz Designs go directly to her blog rather than the Digital Craft Cottage.

Lesley (Nutkikintailz Designs) put all her gorgeously unique work and her faith and trust in the DCC shoppe and its owner, only to have to fight to get payment for her sales. However since October of last year the owner, Lisa has refused to reply to any emails, site messages, etc, and I've now been made aware that this has also been done to other designers in the shoppe.

The scrapbooking community is largely an honorable and harmonious one but it's situations like this that leave a sour taste in the mouth. I hope this is resolved soon but in the meantime I ask again that if you wish to purchase the kits I use please go directly to Nutkintailz Designs. and deal directly with Lesley.

Beltane Beauty

2009-11-21T08:11:00.006+11:00

We went back to Shoal Bay for our first wedding anniversary this month (at Beltane) and Tailz from Nutkintailz Designs joined us up there for a week so its been a slow beginning to the month for my CT layouts but since September she has released THREE new kits! Beltane Beauty was created a year ago for her personal use when she designed some layouts for my handfasting/wedding and now she has released a taster with a full kit coming next year so stay tuned for that.

Evoking images of Dancing the Maypole with its colorful ribbons, Beltane welcomes the early days of summer. This taster is a prelude to the full kit which will be released at May Day next year and includes symbols of this ancient celtic festival and the rich colors of the mulberry tree and the ivy, both so prevalent at this time of year.

Nutkintailz Designs now at AUSSIE SCRAPS

2009-09-19T08:32:00.004+10:00

Such exciting news for Tailz over at Nutkintailz Designs, her kits are now available at Aussie Scraps and right now they have a 50% sale until 30th September! So if you loved Sunburnt Country (made especially with aussie layouts in mind) head on over there and grab it at half price!

Here's a taste of Sunburnt Country revisited !

Remembrance of Times Past

2009-08-29T20:31:00.006+10:00

Over the last year my niece Alicia has been researching our family history and was able to trace back to the 1700's in Britain on both sides, so I was very excited when Lesley at Nutkintailz Designs released her new kit "Remembrance of Time Past". Remembrance of Times Past is exactly that...remembering of our heritage whether it be family or our culture. This kit contains 40 embelishments of which 32 are completely unqiue and different. This kit is in the gorgeous hues of dark heritage green and red with beige added to compliment and highlight all your scrapping layouts and you can get it over at Nutkintailz Designs. To see more of my family history you can visit My Tribal History

Sweet Intimidation

2009-08-28T19:36:00.003+10:00

credits: Angelflight Scraps - Recipes

Digiridoo Scraps challenged its members this month to "Scrap something true that you might never have scrapped before - it could be something deep, something funny, something embarrassing, whatever you like as long as it's your truth." and I decided to create a layout around how intimidated I've always been by pastry cooking ... 52 years on this earth and only ever made pies and tarts with store bought pastry shells ...but that all changed after Australia's first Masterchef series where they showed how easy it really is!

The Divine Ms Chloe

2009-08-23T12:16:00.005+10:00

This week I was inspired to use the Divine Ms Chloe, a friend's little cherub, to illustrate two of my layouts for wordart/quote challenges .

kit: Cafe by Lily Designs

journalling: lyrics by Wendy Rule

kit: Imbolc Inspirations buy Nutkintailz Designs

overlay: JoeG

wordart: Scrapbook Max

The next two layouts were inspired by this gorgeous picture that came to me in an email, I couldnt decide which quote to use so I did both.

kit: Sunburnt Country by Nutkintailz Designs

quote: Henry David Thoreau

kit: Sunburnt Country by Nutkintailz Designs

quote: Frederick George Scott

oh and last but not least... I forgot to upload these two from last weekend when we celebrated my husband's birthday with a family lunch

Two Awards in One Day!!

2009-08-17T23:20:00.005+10:00

Today wasnt one of my best, I've not been able to put any weight on my foot without pain for some time now and the doctor put it down to osteoarthritis which I also have all through my spine, but its got progressively worse over recent weeks and after an xray and ultrasound today it turns out I have spurs digging into the soft tissue and some early crumbling of the bones but I got home from all that to find I'd received awards from two scrapbooking sites I belong to (and which are fast becoming my favorite hangouts) What makes this even more exciting is that they're both aussie sites which I've only recently joined .. they sure know how to welcome their new members!! If you're looking for a fun place to hang out with some great challenges you can't go past Nuts4Digi or Digiridoo.

Layout of the Week at Nuts4Digi

credits: Imbolc Inspirations by Nutkintailz Designs

All Star Artist of the Week at Digiridoo

credits "All Worn Out" by Bubbles

What Inspires Me

2009-08-15T20:44:00.003+10:00

One of the scrapbooking sites I'm a member at - Nuts4Digi - is hosting a challenge right now and the challenge is to create a layout about what or whom inspires me, well I didnt have to think real hard about that one as I'm surrounded by some of this country's most inspiring people every day here I work at the Australian Red Cross Blood Service. The dedicated people I work with of course inspire me constantly but the donors who so freely give the Gift of Life to someone they will never meet are the ones that make me go that extra mile in my work. So this layout, although it highlights Glenn Orgias, a recipient of the blood they donate, is dedicated to the donors.

created with "Love Is" from Joanne Bain Designs

2009-08-15T06:57:00.007+10:00

SUNBURNT COUNTRY

Nutkintailz Designs has released another kit this week and although it has a distinct aussie feel this is the perfect kit for anyone who lives in a sunburnt country with its corrugated papers and aussie elements and the gorgeous baked earth papers. But the best news of all is that Lesley has a special offer on her new kit, "Sunburnt Country" which is a wonderful tribute to her native Australia. Purchase the kit and you will get the Quick Pages for FREE! Just toss 'em in your cart along with the kit and the price will be reflected as $0.00 upon checkout!

QPs - FREE with purchase when you buy this kit

for my non australian mates, this layout is just a few of our aussie icons

this exquisite sunset is at Long Jetty on the Central Coast of NSW

my beautiful sons playing the didgeridoo at Circular Quay on Sydney Harbour

National Tree Day

2009-08-02T12:10:00.004+10:00

Here in Australia its National Tree Day so be sure to give the earth a hug by planting a tree or even a shrub or a pot full of flowers or herbs for the balcony! Todays layout was inspired by Tree Day and is created using Imbolc Inspirations by Nutkintailz Designs.

For those who follow the calendar of the earth and the turning of the wheel of the earth's year ..may your days be inspired by the beauty of Earth Awakening and may Brighid's Blessing be on you always.

created using Imbolc Inspirations from Nutkintailz Designs

More Imbolc Inspirations

2009-08-01T11:18:00.005+10:00

Imbolc Inspirations by Nutkintailz Designs

my layout for the challenge

the beautiful Cherry from work who recently eloped and had a very intimate beach wedding, just the bride and groom

when I got this gorgeous photo in an email I had to scrap it! isnt she gorgeous?

and last but certainly not least the delightful Miss Chloe with her friend Caitlin

Imbolc Inspiration

2009-07-28T17:28:00.005+10:00

As the wheel of the year turns towards spring we notice signs around us of earth awakening after her winter slumber. The ancient celts considered this the first day of spring and their traditions centered around new beginnings and clearing out the old in anticipation of the new. Spring-cleaning typically takes place at this time. Imbolc is a festival of lights and candles are lit at dusk on Imbolc eve and placed in every window of the house. They are kept burning until dawn. This is symbolic of lighting the way in to the future and the coming season of spring and renewal. And to celebrate the fresh new energies of this season Lesley over atNutkintailz Designs will be releasing her newest kit Imbolc Inspirations on 1 August! I'm sure you'll agree the soft fresh colors are what we all need after the long dark days of winter, and I've got a couple of teasers for you today but be sure to pop into Nutkintailz Designs in a day or two to see the entire kit.

This second layout was designed for a challenge I entered and it was a perfect chance to test run Imbolc Inspirations.

A Hint of Spring

2009-07-24T13:47:00.003+10:00

Theres'a real hint of spring in the air early this year with unseasonably warm temperatures and gorgeous crisp days. I walk in the park each day during my lunch break at work and I can see the signs of this early spring in the buds already opening that we wouldnt expect to see yet for some weeks and when I found this Designer Combo at Digital Craft Cottage with its "beautiful serene colors of green, relaxing colors" I was inspired to use it immediately!

both created using Sea Oats from Digital Craft Cottage

NutkinTailz Designs now For Sale!

2009-07-20T19:37:00.005+10:00

Very excited to announce that Nutkintailz Designs (see posts over the last few days) have been released for sale . But for now, here's a taste of Herbal Grimoire

2009-07-19T13:04:00.004+10:00

Having so much fun designing layouts for the new kit from Nutkintailz Designs. Blues aren't usually my color of choice for heritage layouts but I was pleasantly surprised to see that "All About Men" lent itself beautifully to the older photos of my uncle I used here. It was time to plan my August desktop and it again was perfect to use for photos of two of the most important men in my life. The deeper colors and textures remind me that my little boys have indeed become men.

kit is "All About Men" from Nutkintailz Designs

available at Digital Craft Cottage Shoppe on 22 July 2009

Countdown to Kit Release by Nutkintailz Designs

2009-07-18T17:36:00.007+10:00

On 22 July Lesley over at Nutkintailz Designs will release the first of her kits for sale and I hear she will also be giving away a freebie with each kit! So I've been working on a layout using her kit "All About Men" to give you a taste of things to come. This kit is perfectly suited to all those photos of the men in our lives, but I can see it being used for a lot more than scrapping our men. Be sure to come back next week to see a full preview of this kit.

upcoming kit "All About Men"by Nutkintailz Designs

Blogs n BrainSnaps

2009-07-11T22:02:00.006+10:00

Life has a way of getting in the road of doing what we really want to do doesnt it? All I wanted to do this weekend was scrap, scrap, scrap, and scrap some more but alas revamping my blog has taken more time (and brain snaps) than I could ever have anticipated! At any rate thanks to Harmony over at Twilight Harmony Scraps who came up with the gorgeous alpha for my header and Ivy over at Scrappy Blog Backgrounds, I've had a reprieve from having to design my own layout from scratch! Gotta love networking huh? Anyways for now just wanted to share a page I created recently using Joanne Bain's work, its my niece's little girl Jessica with my husband Chris. Don't they look at home with each other? You can see more of the delightful Jessica over at Alicia's Designs

Joanne Bain Designs

Redecorating this weekend

2009-07-10T21:24:00.005+10:00

What a week its been! Some of my scrapbooking friends found themselves in a position where they had to find a new home to share their scrapbooks recently and, while it flattened them for a while, all is unfolding as it should. One of them, my favorite Aussie designer - NutkinTailz - has been asked to design for the new site she joined and even more exciting, she's asked that I join her Creative Team, so you'll be seeing a lot more of her work around here in the near future! Meanwhile I will be spending this weekend redecorating my blog so it can showcase her kits as they deserve, so bear with me while I'm renovating and be sure to come back again soon because I can promise you will see some of the most unique and versatile kits around!

Winter Recipes

2009-07-09T18:53:00.011+10:00

We've just passed the Winter Solstice here in Australia and the beautiful "Savory" kit over at Raspberry Road Designs has inspired me to get back to scrapbooking some of my family's favorite meals for the family recipe book.

kits: Savory by Raspberry Road Designs

Whats Cooking by Amber Gray Designs

kit: Savory by Raspberry Road Designs

Sail Away - Whale Song

2009-07-04T07:03:00.007+10:00

Wow how long has it been since I blogged! I joined a new scrapbooking site recently and the first challenge I joined was to create a page with the lyrics from Sail Away, so I put this together using photos from our honeymoon whale watch (a wedding present from my gorgeous sister Chez). The captain of the boat can be seen here singing the whales home on their journey south for the summer and if you look closely you can see a photo of one of the whales blended into the ocean.

kit: Weathered Beach House from Natural Designs in Scrapbooking

Thank You Vickie and Donna!

2008-11-20T17:08:00.006+11:00

How much more special can a woman feel than when she stands before the man who loves her and publicly professes her love for him? I didnt think it came much better than that, but then I forgot to factor in the specialness of friends and designers who share their work so graciously! These scrapbook pages were made by one of those friends using the exquisite "Romance" kit from Donna at Scrap Designs by Donna .

We Did !!

2008-11-10T13:17:00.003+11:00

credits: Summer Wedding from Bon Scrapatit

credits: Altered Melody by Irene Alexeeva

credits: Mariposa by Irene Alexeeva

Yellow Ribbon - Here for Life

2008-10-02T18:12:00.006+10:00

The Yellow Ribbon Program aims to educate youth so that they feel comfortable in asking for help within all kinds of typical, everyday situations; situations ranging from problems such as frustration, bullying, fears and phobias, family problems, school problems, homework, peer issues, sports problems, drug problems, anger problems, relationship difficulties, depression, sadness, grief to thoughts of self-harming behaviour. Yellow Ribbon also supports communities and families wishing to help young people through these difficult phases and times. And after I raised this issue at SBF during the International Suicide Prevention month of September some beautiful souls in the scrapbooking community have banded together to help Turn the Tide on Suicide by creating Charity Kits for the Yellow Ribbon Programme. To find out more about how you too can help go visit Leah at Leahs Frogs Creations Meanhwhile here's a preview of the charity kits on offer in return for a minimum $5 donation to the Yellow Ribbon programme.

oh and while you're there have your speakers on because Leah's music list rocks!

2008-09-30T20:28:00.003+10:00

After observing Ramadan for the past month my beautiful friend Arsia is about to celebrate Eid ul Fitr so today's scraps are for her and all muslims around the world. Thank you Arsia for all I've learnt from you about the spiritual path you walk.

September Blue

2008-09-22T16:50:00.005+10:00

As this time rolls around each year I feel the paradox of the joy of new life inherent in the spring equinox balanced by the sadness of the remembrance of times past. Each year I do a 'project' to honor Jason, some years it was spending time working at youth shelters, other years working with bereaved parents, but this year as a scrapper I decided to run a YELLOW RIBBON-HERE FOR LIFE challenge at SBF for the month of September which is International Suicide Prevention month. At the same time I entered an AWARENESS CAMPAIGN challenge in memory of someone we've lost, and I was incredibly emotional to find that one of my three pages had taken 2nd place in the challenge on Jason's anniversary of all days! But the most moving thing about it all is that one of my scrapper friends from across the ocean created a charity kit for suicide prevention on her blog. Please if you have ever been touched by or know someone who has been touched by suicide, pop along to Leah's blog for this kit. Make sure you tell her Sassy sent you and dont forget to show your appreciation for anything you find there.

Remembrance Candles

2008-08-24T15:25:00.004+10:00

How blessed are we that share our love of scrapbooking with others around the world with the same passion. In my case I'm doubly blessed by the creativity of these people. Lisadee over at SBF helped me with the design for Jason and Darren's remembrance candle to be lit at our wedding and then of course at every family occasion where their absence is felt. (Darren is my partner Chris's son, and Jason is my eldest son)

The butterflies and doodles on the back of the candle are from Linda Walton's exquisite Summer Wedding kit, made for her own daughter's wedding just last weekend. Thank you so much for sharing your creativity too Linda!
Overlay is Heavenly Holiday (unknown origin)

More of the Divine Miss Chloe

2008-08-18T20:43:00.003+10:00

This is an old photo but while I was on a roll yesterday I decided to do a QP for this one.

QP can be found at Bubbles Babbles

Little Miss Chloe

2008-08-17T10:25:00.004+10:00

Miss Chloe Anne will have her first birthday soon and then her mummy will be returning to work, which we're all looking forward to but I'm not sure how Chloe or her mummy are going to cope!! Jodie sent me these photos of their visit to Featherdale Wildlife Park and I couldn't wait to scrap them. The expression on Chloe's face when she gets up close and personal with a koala is just priceless!

Both pages made using Flergs beautifully aussie themed kit "Gumnut Gully"

Recent Layouts

2008-08-01T22:17:00.004+10:00

Soooooooo busy lately but these are a few of my recent layouts from challenges I've entered at SBF. In the meantime its 3 months today until I am handfasted with Chris!

1st Place in the "A Few of My Favorite Things" challenge at SBF

Irene Alexeeva "Hot Chick" kit

Petit Moineux "Tendresse"

alphaframe is "Antique Silver Pink" of unknown origin

lyrics attributed to Julie Andrews

1st Place in the the Indigenous Australia challenge, the quote is from Nganyinytja on Reconciliation ~ from The Spirit of the Land Foundation (translated by Diana James, who is writing Nganyinytja's biography)Nganyinytja also says: "All people whose hearts are open to understanding each other's culture should come together"

artwork: unknown origin

kit: NutkinTailz Aussie Kit

overlay: heavenly holiday

The Dreaming - this one was created as part of a challenged I was running to "SCRAP ANOTHER SPIRITUALITY (not your own)

artwork by Colleen Wallace Nungari

journalling from the Australian Museum Online

kit is Stonewashed by JulieO

lyrics sung by The New Seekers

tree: Come Out To Play by digiscrappingqueen

bees: Baby Bumble Bee kit

paper: Dream Whispers by Jofia Defoe

dove: digikeepsakes (thanks for finding them for me Alicia)

Web of Wyrd

2008-07-15T17:26:00.006+10:00

"Wyrd, the old English word from which we gain our modern word, “weird” refers to a complex relationship between fate and free will. We are said to have our Wyrd, our destiny, but in many pre christian spiritualities it was thought we are obliged to work constructively with our Wyrd, seeking to understand it and seeking to work consciously in partnership with it. An understanding of Wyrd reveals that the true nature of time is non-linear. Behind apparent chaos there is invisible order, and behind randomness there is also order and design. All is interwoven, and this is the web of Wyrd."

These words from Russ Gardener sum up my deeply held philosophy about life. All is interconnected and all is as is meant to be. We are where we are meant to be when we are meant to be there, and if we are open to it, people come into our lives when we most need them to ... to facilitate lessons we are here to learn ... to share our joys or our sorrows ... to walk the journey we call life with us for a time. Whatever their purpose, there is a reason they are there at that time, as we too have a purpose for being in their lives at any given moment. I often use the term WoW, as in a WoW moment or I will hear a story and simply smile inside thinking "ah the WoW at work again"

Scrapbooking has been no exception. I came to this world just a year ago in response to a page my niece showed me of her daughter, and I began a journey that has had those moments of WoW. I've met people who I've learnt so much from, and I like to think my presence in their lives has had meaning for them too (in fact I know it has, but more of that another time). I do know that I will come across a designer or a kit or a QP at just the right time, or someone will contact me about a page I've published saying how it reflected what they were experiencing at that very time. But for now I just wanted to share today's scrap which depicts the WoW as I understand it.

The layout was created using a QP from Anita's "Simple Beauty" kit at Nana's Attic. You can get it and much more of her wonderful kits HERE

The Songmaster

2008-07-14T21:03:00.002+10:00

Tonight I'm taking a break from scrapping and spending some time on my other addiction .. reading! After reading my first Tamara McKinley novel I've become addicted to any book with early australian settlement as a theme. Di Morrisey doesnt necessarily fit that category but this contemporary novel had me hooked from the opening lines in the prologue .."The man was not old, nor young, but of an age that knew wisdom, knew pain, yet still moved forward with bright eyes and a hopeful heart" ... something we could all aspire to. Stay tuned for more quotes from this insightful and thought provoking novel! For now I'm off to curl up with it and its wisdoms.

This layout was created using NutkinTailz magnificent "Aussie Kit" (a rare and unique find) and can be found HERE

Steps to Our Wedding

2008-07-13T19:00:00.001+10:00

This weekend we again visited the site for our wedding ceremony and while we were there we got these impromptu shots on the steps where we will be married. Its so exciting to think in just 103 days we will be sitting there as man and wife!

This gorgeous QP is from Flergs and is called Cottage Chic. You can get it HERE

Nooks n Crannys at Experiment Farm

2008-07-12T22:12:00.001+10:00

One of the things I adore about Experiment Farm is all the shady nooks and crannys to be found when you stroll around the property, and how lovingly the grounds are tended by the volunteers and the National Trust. It's so exciting to think in just 104 days we will be married in this setting!

Both layouts were created using "Natural Things" by Tamara Pahlke at Tamis Scrapblog and the wordart is by Tina Chambers at Digital Scrapbooking Place

An Historic Australian Site for Our Wedding

2008-07-12T19:35:00.001+10:00

Experiment Farm Cottage stands on the site of the first land grant in Australia, made in 1789 by Governor Phillip to the former convict, James Ruse. By 1791 Ruse had successfully farmed the 30 acre site as an experiment in self-sufficiency, proving that a new settler could feed and shelter his family with relatively little assistance to get started.
The Indian-style bungalow there today was built by Surgeon John Harris, who purchased the land from Ruse in 1793 for ₤40. It is thought to have been built by c1835. It is one of Australia’s oldest standing properties, and features in an 1837 sketch and subsequent watercolour by Conrad Martens.
The house is furnished to reflect the home of Surgeon Harris, with simple but elegant pieces from the National Trust’s collection of early colonial furniture, the largest of its kind in Australia. In the year 2000, the National Trust landscaped and planted the immediate grounds, using evidence from early paintings, plant catalogues and photographs to recreate, as far as possible, an authentic setting for the cottage. Guided tours are available, and a permanent display in the cellar tells the story of the site in all phases of its occupation; indigenous and colonial to the present day.

We will be married on the front steps of the cottage followed by a cocktail party in the gardens or the courtyard.

This layout of Experiment Farm Cottage was made using the beautiful "Summer Wedding" kit by Linda Walton at Bon Scrapatit Designs.

Hambledon Cottage

2008-07-10T21:02:00.000+10:00

This layout, also using Linda Walton's "Summer Wedding" is Hambeldon Cottage, another beautiful historic site we looked at for our wedding. The great appeal for us was the 200 year old oak trees, the one in the layout was planted in 1850 and is just magnificent even when bare of leaves!

You can download this kit over at Bon Scrapatit Designs and be sure to leave some love for Linda when you do!

Summer Wedding !

2008-07-10T16:33:00.000+10:00

When Chris asked me to marry him just over 2 weeks ago Linda Walton at Bon Scrapatit Designs released her gorgeous "Summer Wedding" kit in the color of my dress so I've been busy creating layouts with some of the parts of it as I download them. This week I've done layouts for the three historic heritage sites we were looking at for the wedding. A bit more about the history of these beautiful sites later but for now here's the layout of Elizabeth Farm.

You can get SUMMER WEDDING at http://bonscrapatitdesigns.blogspot.com/
Thank you Linda for your generosity in sharing this with us especially at such a busy time for you!

Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time!

2008-07-05T20:40:00.000+10:00

Winter Solstice is a celebration of the returning Sun and warmth to the world as it makes its cycle around the earth. It is a time to share with friends and family, for fun and feasting and gifts. It is the festival of the Promise, of new life and hope after the darkest time. I was born on the Solstice and this 51st solstice of my time on this earth has special meaning for me as I take the first step into the next chapter of my life. On that day I agreed to marry my best friend, my lover, my soul mate! What better time to start blogging!

In an ironic twist of fate, I'd recently come across this beautiful QP and was just waiting for the perfect way to use it.

"Fresh Cut Flowers" can be found at Bon Scrapatit Designs.

Be sure to leave a comment for Linda if you download it.