eight is enough

You can do this...

2012-02-01T12:00:00.001+11:00

So...this week we have had some news about mum...she actually has lumphoma and she is getting a biopsy done this month...we will know more from then as far as treatment goes...thanks to many of you for your kind thoughts and concern...

School is back as of monday...i am homeschooling Jacob and Maddie, Connor started high school and Lachlan is in his last and biggest year of school...year 12...it should be a very busy year...

As far as art goes I have tried to do Leslies challenge of art each day and that has been a no goer...sorry Leslie...

But I have done a little and will try to follow Liz Hick's art journal challenge of which is only once a week which i hope I can manage...

So...the first challenge that Liz said was make a page with a positive encouragement word or phrase you give to people...I say you can do this all the time to people...never really thought about it til just then...
used water colour and kindy glitz and waterproof ink pen...

I will also be linking this with paint party friday...so many amazing talents to check out...

Until next time

lots of it

Mandy

xxx

Two Best Friends...PPF

2012-01-20T08:21:00.000+11:00

Well...in my goal to give many of my pieces away, I have been going quite well! It was my nieces birthday on monday and i got quite busy. This is a larger canvas, it needed to be to fit the two of them on. I must say it doesn't look like them, but at no point did i try to make them look correct...always representations...but...it made me think i would like to paint picture, a portrait and make it realistic...sort of!!!. I will see how that goal goes....

So, this piece was made with a layer of tissue paper...pink with tiny dots, then gesso and then i used graphite pencil, acrylics and water suluable wax crayons...it's about 17 by 11 ish inches..so, yep...theres another give away...i am going well...2 already and i have 3 almost finished,,,yay!!!

one shot shows terrible lighting, the other i just clicked auto enhance on my photo editor...

thanks so much for all the wonderful comments,,,some of you thought esthers prize i won was my art...oops...i was going to put joannas prize i won but it will have to be another post...sorry joanna...i would hate to get credit for your beautiful work...

i am linking this to PAINT PARTY FRIDAY...the loveliest and amazingly talented group oif artists...love checking your work ...

until next time
lots of it
mandy
xxx

PPF and achieving my aim...

2012-01-13T18:15:00.001+11:00

Last week I decided that a big goal for this year was to give away more of my attempts of getting my art on....i am in the process of making 4 pieces for friends and family...
this is the photo of one almost done...the colour is a bit brighter in this photo maybe.

It has lots of layers of stuff...maybe a bit too much...lol..but i am learning...ha ha ha...it says...you make me happy, when skies are grey....

I am linking this to PPF...

I would also love to give a big huge cyber hug to Esther ..i was such a lucky girl to have won a competition she had running...honestly, i have loved E.s work from the word go...i call her E and also the queen of texture....go check her out, she is an inspiration, and a gorgeous girl to boot!!!Thanks E...xxx

Until next time
lots of it
Mandy
xxx

Stuff....and ppf

2012-01-09T19:02:00.001+11:00

So, i have an amazing friend who at times in my life has been the best therapy, she is a brave brave girl for so so many reasons....

Last year she moved to another state and i went to visit her the weekend just gone....

it is tradition now that for her birthday and whenever i give her a piece i have made.....

i recently watched a christy tomlinson tute on making a little girl canvas...i love it so much i thought i would give it a go my self....

here is my try at something in the christy t inspired....

my friend was so happy with it, she was leant up against the wall straight away...

it is so rewarding giving people pieces i have made for gifts...that was 3 this christmas, and i have some more i wish to gift too...

and even tho its so late i will link this to ppf...the place i turn to when i need inspiration, and gee i need it today as we have just found out the test results for my mama...she has lymphoma...for those of you who have given me loving thoughts when i talked about my mum last post....................
sorry to those who i have not visited of late, been rather crazy mad busy with way too much stuff and alot of it yukky stuff...

thanks again to all of you who give me such encouraging comments, your kind words are so appreciated...

ok
until next time
lots of it
(love i mean!)
mandy
xxx

and they sparkled...ppf

2011-12-21T15:32:00.002+11:00

So...here is a little story to go with my latest art..

.My sister asked my mum last week if she had a nice memory of when she was little. My mum didn't have her dad in her life but she used to visit his mum...her grandma...she had a house and in the backyard her grandma had a sand pit...my mum would visit her grandma and go and play in the sandpit ...mostly building sandcastles ...this one particular day mum was feeling a little bit dissatisfied with her castle...so she popped off into her grandmas house and went straight to her jewelry drawer..and as luck would have it there was a wonderful pile of pretty coloured beads..of which mum grabbed a handful of...she raced out to her castle and began placing the beads around her castle to decorate it...i have never heard this story about mum and feel so blessed to have heard this little snapshot of her life....my mum had a pretty tough childhood so for me, and now all ny sisters this story is a wonderful image to have...My mummy has alzheimers..she has had it for 6 years...she us now currently going through tests to find out what else is wrong with her...after receiving a not so good bloodtest result...we are all hoping everything will be ok...

here is my piece for my sister for christmas...we do a secret santa for the adults and i pulled her name out of the hat...I know she won't see this, but just in case i can't show you the present i bought her...it's gorgeous....and this little art will go with it...

it says on it..

and they sparkled like a rainbow of diamonds...i love arting, yes, it's childlike, but you know what, i think this is my style...at last...i can't seem to do anything else....i got so much joy from doing this piece for my sister...

I have linked ths to ppf...

Until next time
lots of it
mandy
xxx

NOEL SISTERS...PPF

2011-12-02T18:14:00.000+11:00

So, this is something that I did alittle while ago and it was one of the very first ARTY sort of things I did since I was a kid. I used pigment pen and drew little images on cardstock then I used water colour, cut them out and created this scrapbook page of my sisters and I. I really loved it back then and I still love it now.I think I will do some more of this style because it;s something that I thoroughly enjoy. I have framed it in a black box frame and I put it up at Christmas...

I am linking this to ppf..I know it's sorta cheating but I consider this as when I sorta started getting arty again and wanted to share it with you all...thanks again for all your lovely encouraging words...i love them...

ok
until next time
lots of it
Mandy
xxx

PPF...and a partridge in a pear tree...

2011-11-25T11:21:00.001+11:00

So...i finally got to paint something...i thought i'd get into the spirit of christmas and paint a girl getting her christmas on...the colour here is a bit weird probably because it's rainy and dull here...oh well...i am sure you get the jist of it!!!

Can you see the little partridge??? she is hiding...well...it's my version of a partridge...i had plans of doing each of the 12 days of christmas but seriously, i was going to do that with the mama painting too...then reality kicked in...time my friends...can anyone suggest how i can get some more???

Anyhoos, i am linking this to paint party friday, after too many weeks of missing it, so i am really looking forward to checking out some wonderful art..

.

Okies, well until next time
lots of it
mandy
xxx

sculptures by the sea...bondi beach

2011-11-22T00:00:00.000+11:00

last monday we had a great outing into the city...it has kinda become an annual tradition now...we started the day at icebergs, i am sure the best place in ausrtalia to have a beer and enjoy a meal at...because of the amazing view...anyhoos...we fed the kids up and had a couple of beers, then we were off looking at the beautiful scenery and sculptures....i had a few favs...i won't show you all the photos either, and i only took my phone camera, no REAL camera as such....after a very hot day we sat down to a delicious dinner( if you go there try the chilli prawn linguin) iand headed off home...a very long day for sure, but sucking up that art, yummy food, great company and an icy cold beer...seriously, what more could a girl ask for...

until next time

lots of it

mandy

xxx

Happy Halloween

2011-10-31T23:53:00.002+11:00

I said i wouldn't do it...but...here are the kids dressed and ready to go trick or treating..we did it a couple of years ago and there was hardly anyone out doing it too. Well,this year there was alot..
The kids had a ball..we were only out for around an hour all up...
But the got some loot , and i really had a great time talking to the neighbours. All in all it was a lovely community spirit sort of night.
Having said that this morning was quite eventful in a baffled way...poor Connor woke up this morning having great difficulty breathing...and BAM...he had a pretty bad croup episode...so out of the blue ...so we were off to the drs. For both he and Jacob...so Connor only walked for half of that time tonight.
Here are a few photos...i have discovered they turn out crappy from my phone..but hey..i'll fix it up later...

Until next time
Lots of it
Mandy
Xxx

Hello friend

2011-10-29T17:56:00.001+11:00

So...last Tuesday an old friend text me. We haven't been in touch in years . It was such a wonderful surprise . I really missed her. She introduced me to scrapbooking and was always there for me. So..she had a look at my blog and loved maddies butterfly scrap page ..so here are 2 i did for her very cute little girls...
Ok..this is the first time from my phone ..i will cross my fingers and hope it works...lol...
Until next time
Lots of it
Mandy
Xxx

A Mamas Love #1 is finished!

2011-10-04T18:26:00.001+11:00

Here is the finished piece. I included both Maddie and Jacob's miracle blankets on the line. If you missed my last post these were the little snuggly blankets that kept them safe and warm,snuggled and alive when they were on life support as we nearly lost them. It was a miracle that they survived thus "miracle blankets".
Here is an update, I thought I'd enter it in PAINT PARTY FRIDAY...there are so many gorgeous links to look at...why not enter as well and have a bit of fun...

I am quite happy with it, I love the texture and the multitude of layering of paper and then paint. My clothes line has much bigger sized clothes on it now, and yes I still have cricket bats and tennis balls and lots of other toys scattered around my yard....and yes..I really know I am not as skinny as my painting...lol...I wish!!!ha ha ha...but this is what I do...with 6 kids you can imagine my washing...and I HATE DOING WASHING!!! but I do it because I love my family, along with so many other things we do out of love for our family. That is why I am going to do a series of everyday things we do out of love..those unsung things we do all the time...so that is why this is called A MAMAS LOVE #1...

Here it is!!!

(Kristin, that birdie is for you!lol...)

Ok...well that's it for now.

Untile next time

lots of it

Mandy

xxx

A Mama's Love #1

2011-10-03T20:15:00.000+11:00

So...here is a little piece I have been working on..it's not finished yet....I had this very old fashioned print and I thought enough is enough. I am going to do a piece of laundry art. It may inspire me to fix up my laundry a bit...
There are so many layers on this, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't! I wanted to paint an everyday scene of my life as I see it as a mum...I think I am going to paint a series of these things, and call them a mama's love #...this one is number 1. It;s been fun so far, my hubbty says it's not one of his favs, oh well....

That yellow thing on the line is Maddie's miracle blanket...we call it that because it was with her through the time she was on life support,,,it has little stars on it and her name embroidered on it too...my sister gave the twins one each when they were on life support,Jjacob's is white with little clouds...they love them...

Ok..well...here are some shots of... a mama's love #1..

I was so into cows at one stage, this is what I took down from my wall in the laundry...
well...
until next time
lots of it
(love I mean)
Mandy
xxx

Quality Time in the Holidays

2011-09-29T18:44:00.000+10:00

So. we are in school holidays at the moment and with Jacob unwell we are trying to do things for the kids at home. Last friday we borrowed this amazing book called...the Usborne Complete Book of Art Ideas by Fiona Watt. Let me tell you, if your kids love art this book is amazing. I actually ordered it from the Book Depository, with free postage everywhere....

They said to use magazine cut outs to create a city scene...I used my multitude of scrapbook paper scraps...Maddie and I began this today and it proved to be a tricky task for her to cut out perfectly, so we went for rustic...it is still not finished, but for now it is, until Jacob gets better...

Daniele, I told you I love little houses...lol...this was planned before I saw your beautiful artwork...hee hee hee...mine is not so much arty as crafty I know, but all family members are thinking it's quite cute...we still are to do a little road with a car and bus on it, that goes across the front, thus the white space still there.

It's wonderful having kids that are into arts and craftiness...hopefully by next week Jacob will be a bit better and this rainy weather has improved and we'll get to do something a tad more exciting for the kids...
until next time
lots of it
mandy
xxx

Life on the edge

2011-09-26T14:17:00.001+10:00

In all honesty, I shouldn't really complain. You see, we have had the best year ever with Jacob. He has hardly picked up any viruses this year, in turn that has lead to no life threatening episodes, Earlier in the year we had a few, what we call, crossover episodes, in which his steroids kick in before his airways close over.
But, first day of the school holidays, and he has woken up unwell. With the kind of cough that says, uh oh,,,be ready with his meds...and I am. It is going to be a tough few days coming up, and I really don't like living on the edge. It makes me feel sick!

On another note, here is something that I very quickly made in about 10 minutes. I have bought this new ladder type shelving unit for our front room once it's finished, and I have put it in the entry. It will have all neutral shades on it. Here is what it looks like now, and here are some simple photos to show how I made the brown paper covered books. I love them, for now anyway!!!lol...

Ok...well that's it from me...gotta go and get busy...
until next time
lots of it
Mandy
xxx

what makes you smile

2011-09-21T20:03:00.002+10:00

Well, what makes me smile is my spring garden...seriously, I do love a white bloom, and I walked out to my garden this afternoon and was overcome with the gorgeous smell of orange blossoms...I seriously wish you could smell it. It's amazing how a smell can have such a positive effect on you. Sometimes life gets overwhelming, and for me that simple sweet smell brought so much happiness, and yes, I did smile,,,a whole lot. I just pottered about clicking with my phone. My land isn't huge, and the garden is not perfect, but I LOVE it, one of my favourite things about my home. I thought I would hang my sewn together squares on the tree to show where I am up to...still to go to the shops and buy a border that matches, and wadding, and backing.lol...I think it will make a perfect throw to lie on or have a picnic on...

ok...well that's it from me...I have a busy day tomorrow and hope you have a good one too...hope you get to smile like I did!

until next time

lots of it

Mandy

xxx

big plans for this little pile

2011-09-18T12:48:00.000+10:00

Well....after hearing about the death yesterday, of a very young beautiful person that was liked by all who knew her, I hit a bit of a downer. I was teary all day and have woken this morning feeling very down. Sometimes you ask yourself WHY?. Sometimes life isn't fair,

So as silent tears fell down my face last night I decided to do something that would take my mind a little off what had happened. Quite a few years back I ordered some Amy Butler fabric from the US. It is so darn expensive here in australia....
I have had it sitting there not doing anything, I recently made this stool frill with some of the greens I bought, but last night I decided that I would make a simple quilt, a colourful quilt, one that would be achievable for me!!!

I quickly went through my fabrics, and came up with this bundle...It's all cut, by scissors, ouch, and sorted and hopefully looks good once it's done.

We are getting a new bigger lounge set for our front room, which currently is only used for the kids to play the playstation in...it's a waste...so this new lounge is going in there once it comes in...we still have to degrout, regrout...(a horribly job!!!), paint, new skirting...my head hurts thinking about it, but it will be wonderful once it's finished, and the new colourful quilt won't match it, but it will make it cosy.

I will show you it once it's done, but it will take me a while...

Ok...well, that;s it for now

Until next time

lots of it

Mandy

xxx

Brown Paper Packages Tied up In String...

2011-09-13T16:46:00.001+10:00

These are a few of my favourite things....
I am missing getting creative...honestly...but I am ok with it. I have had a busy couple of months with my mil getting very ill then passing away and now my mummy had a mini stroke sunday night and my life is consumed with hospital....
She is a little better now, but mix an illness with alzheimers and its a tad stressful...
Anyhoos....
I feel i haven't scrapped or done anything creative for too long...and I miss putting happy things on my blog...so I thought I'd rehash ( is that the right word???!!!) some of my old favs....sorry to bore those of you who have already seen it...

OK...well...here is to getting creative very soon...

Until next time

lots of it

Mandy

xxx

A sad Goodbye

2011-08-27T21:00:00.000+10:00

I have been very quiet in the blogging world...
A few weeks ago I had a call from my mother in law. She was talking about how happy she was that ray and i were together and telling me how wonderful hugh, my father in law is...
She spoke about the kids and how happy she was about our little family, well big family...
She spoke of her new reading glasses and how they will be wonderful because she is doing a lot of reading lately...
A week later my husband left for a week to visit his mum in another state..we in sydney, she in adelaide...
A day after he came back from his visit she was in hospital...the next day she was very unwell...
A few days later my mother in law passed away...
She was an artist, a wife, she was a grandmother a mother and adventurer who travelled half way around the world with her young family for a better life...she was caring and thoughtful,
and so much more...
She said goodbye to me on the phone a few weeks ago...
I never knew it would be her last time saying it to me....
goodbye raymond's mum...we'll all miss you...

I can sing a rainbow...

2011-08-08T08:22:00.002+10:00

Well, I have thoroughly enjoyed the sumer of colour that was hosted by Kristin, over at twinkle twinkle...thank you so much Kristin...your challenges have pushed me into doing things I woud have never tried, and I have some wonderful art pieces up around my house....

This lasyt week of the challenge was to do a showcase in some form of all the pieces...I am happy to say I have done each of the colours...yay!!!

I thought the easiest way to show you is to just put up mu photos of my work...a quick glimpse of what I have created...some i loved, and some I was just ok with...in any case, I enjoyed each piece I created...

here goes...

BLUE

GREEN

PINK

YELLOW

BROWN

RED

PURPLE

ORANGE

Until next time

lots of it

Mandy

xxx

more than the stars in the sky...orange...

2011-08-01T09:45:00.005+10:00

Well...orange is one of my favourite colours to scrap with...I had originally planned to do something totally different, but you know how art goes!!

I ended up doing a faceless me (inspired by all those who have been doing these gorgeous girls) with my arms spread out ...I would say to my babies I love you more than the blades of grass, I love you more than the sand on the beach, I love you more than the stars in the sky...there are 6 stars in my sky, one for each of my children...this is on a 12 by 10 canvas board...

This week I was over at Esther's blog and she had a little photo of a dandelion...I call them wish flowers as if you blow all the seeds out in one blow you get to make a wish....

the story goes a little like this...
one day I was sitting out the front on our driveway watching the kids play...when suddenly out of the corner of my eye I see a little movement ...upon closer inspection , there was a little ant carrying a seed from the dandelion just like a little umbrella...I went nuts and quickly got my camera and clicked away...here is my interpretation of it...and the song HIGH HOPES ...you know the ant who could move a rubber tree plant...well...here is my little version of that... My dandelion seed was inspired by a little stamp I once had...tho nowhere near as nice as it....lol...

Thankyou once again to Kristin at summer of colour ... and thanks once again to all who pop on into my blog and say hi, leave a lovely comment, or even stop by for a quick little look...all are greatly appreciated...

oh...I had a great birthday, getting a lovely pandora bracelet, some lovely charms to go on it and some wonderful birthday money to buy some art goodies and other things...some dvds and some comfy jammie pants...gotta love birthdays, oh, and I am FINALLY starting to get better...it's about time really, so thanks to you all for asking after me and wishing me a happy birthday...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO CONNOR..he turned 12 on sunday...Harry Potter's birthday!!!lol...

until next time

lots of it

Mandy

xxx

love is all you need...purple...

2011-07-25T13:13:00.000+10:00

Well...I didn't think I would make my purple piece but just this minute I finished sticking my crystals onto the flowers in her hair...I forced myself to do this as I couldn't NOT do it...

Thankyou to you all who asked after my health this week...seriously, I have been and still am the sickest I have been since I had pneumonia ten years ago...and it's only the flu!!!with asthma thrown in I have had minimal sleep, but on the brighter note I have had it for so long it's got to get better soon...my only hope is that Jacob does not get it....

OK...enough about me..lol...and onto my art...I have to tell you I tried to make balloons on a gift bag, and because the gift bag was brown it looked blah!!!!!

So, luckily that only took me about half an hour to do and it was when I didn't reach my pinnacle of illness, so today I just went for it...drew up my hippie with flowers in her hair, I used water soluable wax crayons and acrylics and some water colour pencils, I used a paper doily and a punched butterfly and some gorgeous kaisercraft rhinestones....

at first I was going to write on it ...let us live like hippies and live on love...but Jacob thought it sounded too ewww!!!...lol...!!! and husband suggested why don't you write ...love is all you need...going with the whole beatles theme suited me to a tee...

so...there you have it...
my hippie girl living on love...oh...if only life were that simple...

guess what...tomorrow is my birthday...won't tell you how old I am but off my sisters I get money...lol...guess what that is buying...some art supplies, amongst other things...yay me...life is good...hee hee hee

until next time
lots of it
Mandy
xxx

ps...i will be sending out the things from my cushion cover giveaway and the random act of kindness...will be asking you guys to give me your address very soon....

its amazing what you can do in ten minutes...RED...

2011-07-17T18:37:00.000+10:00

Well...I had such high hopes for my red pieces this week in the summer of colour challenge...I had planned a skirt to wear over black tights and a modern piece of art...feeling a bit under the weather with flu left me uninspired and no motivation to do anything...

So, knowing that I was taking the kids to see Harry Potter at the movies today I thought I have no other chance to do my red piece so I whiopped out this $7 white frame, sized the paper inside, tore a very thin and not great piece from one of the kids cheap journals and began to draw....

Out came a very small vase filled wioth flowers, I spent about one minute drawing that, then began to spray a few colours around using my water colour wax crayons....I remembered I had a cheap set of oil paints in my cupboard so a few splashes of that around and there you have it...i think I'll call it love, because red roses symbolise love, and of course my beloved turquoise...lol...

its only small...I am guessing 5 by 5 inches, but I actually am happy with it, I have never used oils before nor have I ever painted anything like this...as I said, for ten minutes work, I actuallu am happy with it and will put it on my wall of art when I get to paintng the room!!!

Thanks agin to Kristin for the wonderful inspiration and to all who visit me, I certainly don't say this lightly but I greatly appreciate every visit and it certainly lifts the spirit.

Now I can't wait to visit every one's red pieces.
Until next time
lots of it
andy
xxx

brown beatnik...

2011-07-10T11:27:00.000+10:00

So...this weeks colour over at twinkle twinkle with the ever gorgeous kristin hosting the summer of colour is brown...brown you say....yes brown we all chorus back...you know when i was young brown was the colour of my school uniform and seriously I never bought any clothes in brown, and to this day am very reluctant to as well...brown reminds me of nature and I was contemplating doing an out back of australia style painting..but this hip beatnik idea singong and playing her guitar in a cafe of the 60's...one of those ones where poetry was read an origiunal songs were played...well...this is she....brown in the end was a guitar...i own 2 of them, in the colour of brown, and i love them...i have had my pretty classical one for 28 years and it hardly has a scratch on it...and then a few years ago i got a new acoustic from my man...i love her too...so...is she me...well...maybe, as i would have loved to live through these years and been drinking strong coffee and listening to the latest offerings of the poets of the world...dream dream...

she is on a canvas 15 by 12 inches and i used my water colour wax crayons and a bit of acrylics, paintbrushes and brayer and pencil....the splash of bright colour is turquoise...my fav colour to look at at the moment...hope you like my beatnik....

I am really loving this adventure and i am constantly inspired by all of you...THANKYOU...also the overwheling support from you all is fabulous....

Until next time
lots of it
Mandy
xxx

and they were all yellow....

2011-07-03T19:46:00.001+10:00

Thankyou all so much for your wonderfully encouraging words yet again...it's amazing what a few words of kindness and encouragement does to make a girl feel happy and up...and now I look forward to visiting each of you to see what wonderful pieces you all create...

Thanks again Kristin...you have helped to create a wonderful network of people, kindred spirits...it is a wonderful experience...thankyou...

... It's yellow week at summer of colour...and really,,,yellow...it's not my best colour to use, in fact, I can honestly say that I have only ever done one other thing in yellow....my scrapbook page...it did get published which is always wonderful, but yellow is not me at all...so IT WAS A CHALLENGE...having a bad week with a funeral, my mum unwell and my son having a bit of trouble at his workplace, well...life hasn't been peachy sweet at all for me, so getting a bit of art in was a therapy I desperately needed....

So...YELLOW...with metalic...the metalic for me was a no brainer, I have had gold leaf there for about a year, waiting to use it....

BELIEVE...

I needed this as a message to myself...lol...especially this week...

The photos are not great as it's quite dark here at the moment...so I this is mixed media, acrylics, water colour wax crayons, patterned paper, pencils, gold leaf and rhinestones....

Here is my scrappy page I was talking about...

very bad photo...i'll fix it up tomorrow I guess...it was published in scrapbook creations issue 80...

Well...

until next time

lots of it

Mandy

xxx

Pink Snow...summer of colour

2011-06-27T07:48:00.000+10:00

Her is where she sits in my house, with very bad lighting and my dodgy phone camera...lol...

So...far removed from what I usually do, well from what I have been doing for the summer of colour, but I must admit I did enjoy doing this...Yes, I could point out to you all the imperfections, but that is what makes it mine..lol...

The wax that I used was a pupleish birthday candle...I went around the outside edge of herand highlighted some spots...the highlighted spots are the quite deep puple ones...hard tpo see over the top of so much texture...she is on an inch and a half thick, 15 by 15 inch canvas.....

Thanks Kristin...I am not a pink painter but I did enjoy splashing texture paste and other bits and pieces all over her...

thanks for all the wonderful comments you have been giving me..it keeps a girl going...and I am certainly looking forward to seeing all your wonderful work again IN PINK!!!

until next time
lots of it
Mandy
xxx

It's not easy being green

2011-06-19T10:46:00.001+10:00

Or so Kermit the frog sang many years ago...But I disagree....I LOVE green...green is my colour of choice when its comes to decorating...I have had all manner of greens in my house, now in my back room there is a very pale green on my lower walls...I occassionly splash out and try different colours, well blue...(like when we were building our house 12 years ago and I went blue for all the wet area tiles!!!!!that was pregnancy brain decision!!!!)I like to wear it too...though I generally have black and denim...lol...for this weeks colour assignment over at twinkle twinkle in the summer of colour I have been inspired to create 3 items....
1. My little chair cover...it looks like a skirt don't you think...I have had these amy butler fabfics for years now, and I only had a very small amount of them, so I am going to make 4 of these covers with different colours as inspiration...as I have stated before, I am certainly not the best sewer in the world and just invent as I go along, thus, a creation...I am pretty happy with it...

2. All we are saying is give peace a chance...I am a huge beatles fan and always have been....I wanted to show my love in a simple piece that will go into my back room...these frames from ikea are fabulous...they make anything look good...these are all individually diecut on my cuttlebug and stuck down...it took me forever...the turquoise butterfly as opposed to the green shows that one person can make a difference...well that's what i wanted to say in this piece...lol...

3. My journal page...i wanted to express something that has been really getting to me lately...with all the beautiful blogs out there, art blogs, home decor blogs etc...it is so easy to feel inadequate, not good enough, hopeless, jealous...this page was to remind myself that what I have is very good indeed...to try and appreciate what I have and be happy...

it says the grass is greener...so they say ...but...be thankful for what you have what you can do...list...family friends love life playing being able to create listeniung to music parenting etc...

This page is from the blue week...i forgot to post...i am sorta new to the whole journaling thing and get a bit anxious putting pages out there...''ok...looking forward to seeing what everyone else posts...don't forget too if you want my little cat cushion let me know...i have 3 to give and only one person said they want it...otherwise I'll just throw them out...

until next time

lots of it

Mandy

xxx

Tea Towel Tote Plus Giveaway

2011-06-17T17:10:00.000+10:00

How's that for alliteration!!!

As promised here is a very simple tutorial on how to make a shopping tote/bag out of a tea towel and a small piece of fabric or two...I am really not a sewer as you will see...lol...

you'll need
a tea towel
another piece of fabric 14cm wide x width of fabric
a piece of fabric the same size as the tea towel
scissors
sewing machine
iron

1.Take your t towel(tt) and your piece of fabric and cut the fabric the same size as the tt.

2.Cut a piece of fabric the whole width of a piece of the fabric 14 cm..I just tore mine...makes life easier...

3. Fold onto itself and stitch down the length of the strip using a 1cm seam.

4. Turn inside out and iron. Then cut in half...this creates the 2 handles.

5. Fold the tt in half good side facing in and then sew down the 2 sides...I just stitched at the edge of the tt seam...
6. Around 7cm up from the bottom corneryou need to fold the seem over onto itself and about 7 cms up sew across the corner...best l;ooking at the photo..its hard to describe it...lol...

7. Do the exact same for the lining.

8. Join the two bags together folding down a 1cm(or so) hem and pin together lining uip both seams and placing the handles in as shown.

9. Sew around the top about half a cm from the top.
10. Give it a shake and there you have it. I am probably going to sew the handles in a bit more actually, although it has been holding my shopping all week with no problems so far...

Would love to hear if you make one of these.

Ok...A quick giveaway too. Yesterday whilst out shopping for a book Target was having a flurry of pallets of bits and bbs on sale...Needless to say the mention of sale drew my attention as I was passing by a whole heap of women so I hung around and got a couple of bargains..I picked up a dozen cushions for 87 cents each!!!!!Seriously some were beautiful and some not quite my style but I still grabbed them for the inserts... A couple were like this, cats not being one of my fav thing on a cushion, but when they rung them through at the checkput the sales assistant goes...OHHHH!!!AREN"T THESE LOVELY...so...I know many of you love cats out there...I thought maybe some of you girls might like one...just the cover though ...just let me know and I am happy to post anywhere...I have 3...if more than 3 of you want them I'll just draw out of a hat...

Ok...

Well

until next time

lots of it

Mandy

xxx

Summer of colour...lessons in life

2011-06-13T16:34:00.001+10:00

LESSONS IN LIFE

Mama bird said...stay away from those trees without the leaves...I mean...seriously...who wants to rest on electrical lines???!!!
Well..I have been so excited about Kristin's Summer of colour party she is having over on her blog twinkle twinkle...

I had to sneek one of my birdies in...just for you Kristin...hee hee hee...and I had this dream wooden word there for a while...the colour in the photo is a little different in real life, but honestly...it matches beautifully!!!

I actually made this bunting out of a whole heap of colour sample swatches I got from bunnings, I have been contemplating all manner of colours on my walls...and these are some of them I was looking at...well, the mid to lighter ones anyway...

I love to draw, and love to watercolour and love to stick bits and pieces on paper...I guess that makes this a mixed media piece...lol...

This photo is how it is sitting on some cupboards from ikea!!!LOVE THAT SHOP!!!!...will aim to get t up on the wall and fix up all the other frames around it...

ok...on another front...remember those tea towels that I showed you a few posts back...the blue inspired me as well and I made an earth friendly shopping bag...I am getting a good collection of bags now...this bag really didn't take long to make...I'll give a little tutorial later on in the week...so so easy....it cost all of about $2.30 for the tea towel...I got them on special from target and I had all the other material at home...

Well...I am really looking forward to seeing what everyone else does..

Until next time
lots of it
Mandy
xx

save our earth by jacob...

2011-06-12T17:29:00.002+10:00

Hi there...
For Jacob's English work he had to read the book FERN GULLY by Diana Young. As part of his unit he had to make a poster or some other form a media to present to his family, community, and show how important it is to do useful things to help stop global warming. After a whole day of researching and recording this is what he came up with...

it features a bag that I won off dianapantz...this bag has traveled with me nearly every day I have been out...it holds my bits and pieces for the day, and then every other day its holds my groceries...well...some of them anyhow...thanks dianapantz...

until next time

lots of it

Mandy

xxx

I am excited...

2011-06-06T19:06:00.000+10:00

Sometimes you need a kick in the pants to get yor creative juices flowing...and Kristin over at twinkle twinkle has done just that...
She is having a summer of colour...(even nthough its winter here in australia!!!lol...)
So...today we must tell what we are working with...and guess what!!!!
I am doing a bit of everything...I just can't decide what media to use, so...Ill be doing a bit of it all...from scrapbooking to drawings, to bits of paper on more paper,,,,lol...maybe even a little bit of fabricy stuff...(you can tell I am such a professional with all my technical terminology...lol...)
So...if you want to go check it out...click on the photo or the words twinkle twinkle and it will take you there,
so
until next time
lots of it
Mandy
xxx

big plans....

2011-06-05T16:12:00.001+10:00

I must admit I am a sucker for pretty tea towels...I takes alot of self control not to buy them...but I really couldn't pass up these beauties from 3 separate trips to target recently...my dear husband is great help in the kitchen but he has a bad habit of using the tea towel he wiped up with to wipe down the sink and bench as well...thus the once beautiful tea towels get stains...so I thought these ones are just too pretty to stain..they are more like designer fabric...so with this in mind I was thinking...cushions.. does anyone have any suggestions or tutorials that they could recommend?..I am all ears....aren't the colours just beautiful....hopefully the next time you see them they will be something pretty...until next time...lots if it...mandy...xxx:.

she is not invisible

2011-05-31T16:06:00.000+10:00

So...she is not invisible...nor will she ever be...
I made this using the wonderful mixed media sets I won last week ...the faber castell ones...check out the sets a few posts back......
This has a lot of meaning for me. Both in my past and now...when I was a kid I was one if those kids that just stood in the background of life...never in trouble..never doing anything amazing...just quietly existing with my pencil and notebook in hand...I secretly wanted to noticed...but..oh well...doing plenty of that now ..lol....

until next time signing off from my phone
Lots of it
Mandy
Xxx

"Go get a snack from the backyard!"

2011-05-30T11:35:00.000+10:00

I love to be able to say this to my kids when they get the munchies...

we don't have a huge block of land...large for our suburb though!!!lol...it's 631 m2..our house isn't huge but big enough so it takes up a bit of the land and we also have a small inground pool...having said that I always wanted to have a productive garden, one where we could grow food as well as being easy to look after and also a little pretty...I do need some more white flowers that I can put into vases..I love my federation daisies!!!! but they don't grow all the time!!!I also have had random vege patches...with not an overly amount of success...but thats coming very soon to our backyard!

But the best thing about my garden is that we are finally starting to get some good food from it...I can now say...go pick a piece of fruit from the yard...

Yeah...it might be a mandarin at the moment..

.lucky for me we all like mandarins...lol...I have a lemon tree where I have been making the most delish lemon butter,

or lemon curd and on the weekend I made some lemon cordial...let me tell you if you like tangy this one is for you...we all love it...

got the recipe from a self sufficient life

I suggest you give it a try if you have lots of lemons dropping off your tree!!!

and we jhave an orange tree which I plan to make orange marmalade when they are ready...made some last year and it was very yummo...

We have many more trees and vines in our small block...a lime tree, cherrry , passionfruit, red delicious apple, granny smith apple, peach, and olives...the last 6 still yet to give full on fruit, but this should happen within the next 2 seasons....it is so rewardinmg growing your own fruit...would love to hear if anyone else does it...and any suggestions for me on any other I can plant...

until next time
lots of it
Mandy
xxx

Better late than never.....

2011-05-29T11:04:00.000+10:00

Hi there...I did a big post on Cam's 18th birthday at the beginning of this month, and in the hecticness of May I have been slack and not put in one for Jess, who turned 21 Jacob who turned 10 and Maddie who turned 10...all on the 4th of May...we had a bit of a family and a few friends get together, around 50, at my place that weekend...lots of fun was had and yummy food was eaten...I made little banners for the kids cakes...and they were delicious chocolate mud cakes I whipped up...so delish...as you can see our family, well it was my family..lol...are quite huggy!!!In my family, we have now the grand total os 36 peeps....we all live close by and are a very close family...Esther, this post is prompted by you as you said you liked my little banners so I thought I'd show you the ones on the cakes...hee hee hee...

until next time

lots of it

Mandy

xxx

people make this a home

2011-05-23T19:43:00.000+10:00

Just a quick post via my phone....photo isn't great as its night time here...just a little experiment really..had fun drawing this little house using black pigment pen and water colour pencils...I think I will frame it and put it in my/ new lounge room when its done..
until next time
Lots of it
Mandy
Xxx

SUPERHERO....NOT...

2011-05-21T08:58:00.000+10:00

I wish I was a super hero...then life wouldn't be so tricky...I'd have enough energy and time to get all the things in my house done that I need to and still be able to have loads of time up my sleeve, and do it all with ease....
Sadly, I am not....

The reason for my long absence is that Jacob has been sick again...he still is, which means I get little sleep because I am up as long as I can stay awake every night watching making sure he doesn't stop breathing! I do eventually sleep and then wake up with a start in the moring hoping that I have not missed him having an episode...It's a horrible rollercoaster ride...

On a better note, Jacob and I have found a homeschooling group that he gets together with every thursday..he evn went when he was ill...last friday he went to a huge indoor playgym and they had a fabulous reptile show...he got to pat all manner of reptiles...needlass to say he is so excited he has found these other kids...me too just quietly as he now finally can experience socialisation with people his own age!

My great nephew turns 1 this week and he is having a super hero party...I was busy yesterday morning making some very simple capes for Jacob, Maddie and Connor...took 2 hours all up to make, which I thought wasn't too bad, and only cost 6 dollars per outfit including the masks!!!If you want to know how to make it just email me...happy to help!!!

I also have been reorganising how my house is set up, which has lead me to do spome painting of some ugly dark wood bookshelves I have, and also now I am going to paint...the colour I am more than likely picking is just behind the bookshelf...I have white lounges from Ikea and I am going to do black frames all over the wall...I already have black cushions...

WHAT DO YOU THINK? Do you like the colour?

Ok...well, better go and get organised for the party..I'll leave you with some photos of what I have been up to...

Oh...thanks so much to Misty over at Creative Itch...I won an incredible mixed media set...

Take care and have a wonderful weekend every one.

Until next time
lots of it
Mandy
xxx

happy mother's day

2011-05-08T11:10:00.001+10:00

Happy mother's day to all you mamas out there....we had a little party/50 or so here at my place last night to celebrate the kids...x4birthdays......my mummy had a great time..which is lovely for all of her family because her alzheimers is getting worse....she was in tears crying on my shoulder yesterday because she is getting so frustrated..i must say its tough to watch your mama get to that stage..but the scary thing is it's going to get so much worse...alzheimers sucks....we are all getting together again today for mothers day..our family is amazing....so...here's to you my beautifu lmama...thanks for molding us all into the caring girls that we 5 girls are and providing us with the tools to bring up all your 21 grandchildren, each and evry one of them absolutely amazing, ..we are definitely a " the village raises the children" type family...and for that I am truly thankful...
Love you mum...

til next time
lots of it

Mandy

Again with the Happy Birthday...

2011-05-05T14:31:00.000+10:00

Yes...I didn't plan it too well...lol...but on the 4th May Jessica, Jacob and Maddie celebrated their birthdays...3 days after Camerons...needless to say its a busy week at our household...this saturday we are having a little party to celebrate the 4 birthdays...Jessica's 21st and Cameron's 18th plus the twins turning double digits...the twins were due in july, but 10 weeks early, so Jessica was pretty upset that the early arrival of the twins put a holt to the slumber party we had planned for hewr 11th birthday!!!!!
It's ten years later...WoW!!!!where did the time go!!!???

Happy birthday to my 3 beautiful babies...you are all amazing and awesome and I am so proud of you all...xxx
until next time
lots of it
Mandy
xxx

seriously...time flies...

2011-05-01T21:35:00.001+10:00

So...huge happy birthday to my 2nd child,Cameron..he turned 18 today. Which makes me officially mum to 2 adults now...do you know how weird that feels? It only seems like yesterday that I was holding him in my arms at the hospital...and now...here he is a man...

Until next time
Lots of it
Mandy
Xxx

I'll tell you a little secret...

2011-04-29T13:34:00.000+10:00

When I was younger I was a huge royalist...I know...hard to believe right!!!!I bought every book there was on the royals, but mostly about Lady Diana. My dream was to have a cup of tea with her one day. I watched her wedding in absolute awe. She was just so beautiful and such a wonderful human, so loving and caring, and the fact that she came from a sinilar profession as I did probably had alot to do with it!!!

I have long since gotten rid of my royal books and I'm not much of a royalist these days, though I was devastated the day she died and remember exactly where I was standing when I heard the news...

well...today that special lady's little boy is getting married..William was the first portrait I ever drew...the one where he is dressed in the little puffy white suit with blue trim ..lol..i digress!!!. In fact, that pencil drawing has long gone too...but what I will be doing is watching that brave little boy who walked all that way at his mum's funeral, now an adult, have the happiest day of his life...i will be watching the Royal Wedding tonight...maybe even partaking in a wine to celebrate!!!!

I hope the day is smooth, no dramas from morons, and I hope Kate's dress looks spectacular on her...I hope love prevails with this union and they live HAPPILY EVER AFTER...I mean...what girl doesn't like a happy ending.

Will you be watching it????

Until next time

lots of it

Mandy

xxx

happy easter

2011-04-24T20:44:00.000+10:00

Hi there ...I sewed up these cute little rabbits...i made one for jacob and maddie, and made one each for the 2 new babies that visited my house today, my nephew and my great nephew...think that's what you call him..
thehandmadehome gave me the idea, slightly not as wonderful as hers...lol..but none the less i love them still...so do the twins and the mummas of the babies...

i know i have posted this before but i thought i'd try putting it up again on a cute decorating blog for link purposes..lol...i like to try new things...what can i say!!!i love this and love how it looks up, believe me, the photo doesn't do it justice...this will be going into maddies room when the eeaster period is over and we redo her room...addicted to decorating has a little decor link up happening...i'm adding mine to it, maybe you have something you could add too...

ok...well, i hope your easter was filled with lots of love and laughter

until next time

lots of it

Mandy

xxx

Simple Garland to Make, and my little birdie..

2011-04-22T08:06:00.000+10:00

Hi there
Hope Good Friday is fabulous for you...I am up having my traditional quiet coffee and hot cross buns for Easter Friday...
I have been known to paint little birds...well..I thought I'd try my hand at sewing some...I got to make one...it was quite quick and easy, but i did put the string in the wrong spot...the next one will be better balanced..it's not too bad though!!!

I also made some simple garland...all I did was get some pretty twine in a pale green colour, and threaded some buttons on it evenly spaced, they stayed there without anything else being done to them...so SIMPLE...

Also, over at POPPYTALK...I found a cute little tutorial on how to make this little bunting out of old cereal boxes...well...I made it simpler so the twins could do it, just used paper and glue...how CUTE does it look...great job Jacob and Maddie...

Finally...I have made another garland, over the next couple of months I will try and get a few things made and place them on etsy...you never know right, and in all honesty, I have nothing to lose...I just love pretty garlands, I made 3 for the new babies in our family, I have made an Easter one and now a spare one...they are quite addictive...lol...

Until next time

happy Easter

and lots of it

love that is!!!

Mandy

xxx

Easter Bunting...

2011-04-19T11:03:00.000+10:00

Hi there beautiful people....
Today I have made some easter bunting, well, it's actually multipurposed as I will give it to maddie when easter is over and she can pop it into her bedroom...i have made bunting before but today i decided to add very simple flowers cut out and hand stitched on adding a little pink button...this is the first time i have used bias binding too, it made it so much quicker...and i have actually cut our enough of the pretty pinks to make another bunting....maybe thinking of putting some on etsy...i'll see how kind time is to me...
still some more easter projects up my sleeve, so hopefully i'll post some other pretties very soon..
until next time
lots of it
Mandy
xxx

My Favs...

2011-04-16T10:18:00.000+10:00

Over the last couple of years I have done alot of different crafts and arts...i really like doing bits of everything, scrapbooking probably the one i do the most because i just love photos and love my family and think scrapbooking is one of the best ways to preserve memories...
i thought i'd do a blog post of my favourite things, besides my family shots, of the things i have created...
here goes...no words, just photos,

The Beach

With eyes wide open

Standing on the beach

Waves trickling along the sand

Just out of reach.

Taking one step forward

Then another one

Running back so quicky

Beginning to have fun.

Shoes and socks are off now

Sand between the toes

Venturing a little closer

Confidence grows.

One more step closer

Foam tickles the skin

Just one last step

and finally in.

Kicking up heels

Splashing water everywhere

Jumping and squeeling

Breathing in sea air.

Mandy Snow

Maybe there is a challenge there...lol....why not put up a post of all your own favourite stuff you've done..i would really love to see it....i still have all my published pages to go, which are probably the things i have created that i am most proud of...
until next time
lots of it
Mandy
xxx

If life gives you lemons....

2011-04-11T14:48:00.000+10:00

Make lemon butter...

We heve a lemon tree...it's not huge yet, but it has a few lemons on it that sometimes go off because we don't use many lemons. So, I went internet searching for a great lemon butter recipe. I haven't made lemon butter ever, but I always buy it at fetes and shows..it's just too yummy on hot toast.

So, I went down the street and bought a glass bowl to sit at the top of my pots...BUT...it was too small and didn't sit on top of the pot, so, I whipped out a glass pie dish and placed it on top of a pot of boiling , well simmering actually, water... Then placed in

4 eggs

3/4 cup white sugar

It doesn't get overly hot, but if you constantly whisk it the sugar will dissolve.

Once it does, about 10 minutes all up, and I didn't constantly whisk, you then add

1/2 cup fresh lemon juice

finely grated zest of 1 lemon( their recipe called for 2 teaspoons)

125 grams...which is half a small block of butter, chopped into small pieces

Now you whisk this , quite constantly, until the butter melts and it thickens, close to 15 to 20 minutes.

Once its thick I took it off the pot and let it cool a bit, then poured it into some sterilised mocconna coffee jars.

So easy and so delicious...

Thanks to best recipes for the recipe...its delicious!!!!

Until next time

lots of it

Mandy

xxx

Jacob and Maddie's Story Final Part

2011-04-09T11:34:00.000+10:00

You can find part one HERE

Part 2 HERE
Part 3 HERE
Part 4 HERE
Part 5 HERE

Five am. Things were progressively worse. The doctors decided that the ventilator wasn't working and that she needed to go back onto the other one. The same apprehension went through my body. Not again! That ventilator was our last hope. What now?
When the ventilator was swapped back Maddie's oxygen levels began to rise. They continued to rise until they got to 85.% Generally not a good level, but for her, at that moment...it was wonderful!!! The doctors assumed that the oscellating ventilator must have shaken some mucus plugs out of her tiny lungs, enough for them to be working a little better.

The doctors were so excited. Raymond and I were in raptures. I guess the relief was so overpowering. I began to think she was going to make it.

It was still touch and go for a long time. She had fluid throughout her body...her organs were failing...the sepsis was still present. But as the days went by, she got better and better. The drugs became less and less. It was so relieviving when the paralysing drugs were stopped. That meant she could open her eyes. The first time she groggily opened her eyes and looked at me face it felt like my heart literally soared. The ventilator was stopped...and ...she coped! Her lungs were still quite consolidated with mucus, and she had air pockets in the lining of her lungs from the continual pressure of the ventilators, but that should heal with time.

Jacob, Maddie my husband and I spent just over a week in the isolation ward( as rsv is contagious). It was so exciting to have them back together again. They both had a photo of the other on the side of their crib the whole time, a little thing I thought might help them feel as though they were with the other. but they were really back together now. Maddie still had rapid breathing and a very fast heart rate, but the doctors said that was part of their recovery. She was slowly weaned off oxygen too. This was a huge relief, as we were told she would probably go home needing it. I was extremely wary of the monitors coming off her as these were my assurance that things were ok. I coped without them, but more importantly Maddie coped.

On July 26th, my birthday, 2001, I took my babies home. I don't recall sleeping much of those first few weeks home. My body was used to only resting over the last 4 weeks anyway. I vigilantly sat, stood or rested beside them every night...I think I ate. But I coped. I can't believe it, but I did!

I am so proud of Jacob and Maddie. They went through so much. How such tiny little bodies fought against such an immense illness is beyond me. Even one doctor told us to go and buy a lottery ticket...you see every year the children's hospital loses a baby or two from rsv...and our babies were it that year!!! But they made it, and we already knew we had won the lottery!

I have such hopes and dreams for them. They were obviously meant to be here for a reason. But, mostly I am thankful. That they are here. I don't know what the future will hold for them Some brain damage could have occurred. Their lungs may never be the same. But you know what???My babies defied everything that should have happened. I have faith they will be ok. Oh...I now have a great photo of all my kids in our entry....one af all of them...my precious miracles..

So,,,this story was written about 9 years ago, and we know now that some damage occured to the twins...They both have reactive airways and get very sick whenevr they have a virus, Maddie nearly drowns in mucus at night when she is ill, and they both have around ten weeks each year off school because of their lungs. Maddie has hearing loss from the low oxygen, which killed some of the nerve endings in her ears, so she wears hearing aids, she needed occupational thearapy and physio therapy, she was late to do many milestones and still suffers with receptive and expressive language, but she is getting better...and guess what..SHE IS AVERAGE...do you know how exciting that is, compared to what could have been!!!

Jacob is home schooled because of how quickly he stops breathing, his title is acute, life threatening spasmodic croup..like an anaphylactic response to viruses...life is tough yeah, but I tell you what...I'd rather be visiting doctors and specialists, than visiting their graves...

So, there it is...if you have followed my story to here..I thankyou from the bottom of my heart.....

until next time

hug your babies, even though they may be gigantic now

lots of it

Mandy

xxx

Here's what I have been working on...

2011-04-08T17:01:00.000+10:00

Hi there...well, we are officially in holiday mode and already Maddie has whinged that she is bored and its only been an hour since she came home from school...lol...our easter break is 2 weeks long...i love it..the weather is perfect, just getting a little cooler at nights, toasting marshmellows on our little outdoor chimanea...gotta love it...

here are a few moleskine pages....

this one is just swishes of water colour and then doodled over the top

This one has only just begun, using my water soluable crayons...lol....just noticed her eyes are lopsided...oh well!!!

here is a page i just felt like doing...i have to thank...mmm...maybe nicole again for these gorgeous butterflies....

well, hope you enjoyed the glimpse of a few pages from my moleskine, which I LOVE!!!!I love looking at other peoples art journals..the great thing is because they're in a book you can keep them forever and not lose them on bits of papers...

until next time

lots of it

Mandy

xxx

so wanna win this...lol...

2011-04-08T07:13:00.000+10:00

Head off over here if you want to win this...I am feeling in the mood for a bit of sewing.....

http://raggedystation.blogspot.com/2011/04/giveaway.html

The rest of Jacob and Maddie's story will follow tonight....
lots of it
Mandy
xxx

Jacob and Maddie's Story Part 5

2011-04-07T06:28:00.000+10:00

Part 1 HERE

Part 2 HERE

Part 3 HERE

Part 4 HERE

We waited for them to turn on the machine, that we thought, would take our baby's life. I was tense, almost vomiting. I looked at my husband and shook my head and mumbled.
"She's not going to make it, is she?"
He just shook his head and looked down.
My baby, my beautiful baby girl...oh Maddie, you haven't even smiled yet! You were nearly there. Maybe a couple more days and you would have been there. Now you'll never get to smile. What a loss of such a beautiful life. All the things you won't get to do. My body is about to explode.

I don't recall even breathing when the ventilator was turned on. Would it take seconds, minutes, hours?

After minutes her sats began to drop. Only one per cent at first, then another and another. I tried to remain hopeful...maybe they would go up. She may just be adjusting to the new machine. Her sats steadily dropped as the hours passed. Several emergencies occurred when her sats dropped down to the fifties (they should be %100). The doctors would race in and frantic drug episodes would follow. I really learnt to appreciate adrenalin that night, amongst other drugs, that would pull her through each time. At one stage, Maddie had 14 different drugs being pumped into her. I am generally apprehensive about any drug. What are the side effects...you know thw drill. But not this night. If there was a drug that could prolong her life, and gave us a glimmer of hope, I wanted her to have it.

The night becomes agony. I can barely breathe. She is not going to make it. I panic! Oh God! I don't even have a photo of all my 6 children together. No memory of our family with the eight of us. How can we afford a beautiful funeral for her? I should have joined that funeral fund.

Her oxygen levels were still dropping. I won't express my milk tonight..I have kept it up the whole time they have been sick. How will I tell the other kids their baby sister has died?

More hours of agony watching her die slowly pass...I don't think I can handle the pain of it any longer, and momentaril,y, it crosses my mind o tell the doctors to just let her go. Just turn off the machines and let her go in peace. ( A thought which I now suffer so much guilt over.)Then I tried to convince myself that she wasn't as bad as I thought. So I should let her fight. She's too beautiful to die.

Dr Anne appears. It's ten to three in the morning.
"Are you religious?"
"I don't know...why?"
"Would you like us to call someone so you can have Maddie christened?"
Oh God! I don't want to think of it!I looked at Raymond and started sobbing. I shook my head. That would mean defeat. That I've given up. I can't do that! I don't want to make it real...my baby girl dying...I couldn't do it..I couldn't face the reality of it yet...
"No thank you..." I spoke for both of us. I couldn't admit defeat yet. I wasn't ready for it.
"OK then...do you want anything...a cuppa?"
"Yes thanks..."..then I realise things must be bad if a dr is offering me a cuppa.

I want to call my sister and get her to bring the other kids up so they can see Maddie one more time...alive...so they can say goodbye to their little sister. I suddenly want all my family to come and say goodbye to Maddie before she dies. Don't be silly...it's too late..think medically...stay detached...be positive...

I ask," Will this prolonged low oxygen have an effect on her brain?"
"Let's just get through the night first."
More confirmation things are bad.

I need to sing to her. I love to sing lullabies to my babies..I might never get the chance to do it again. I'm anxious and slightly embarrassed. A nurse is close by typing her observations of Maddie into a computer. It's now or never. I walk up to her crib She looks terrible. I so gently touch her forearm and bend, so my lips are close to her ear. This is the closest I have been to her in a very long time...she looks terrible...I begin to sob..

" Rain drops on roses....and whiskers on kittens..." I'm barely breathing. My voice is raspy, and I suddenly can't believe I am going to lose her. The tears are teaming down my face. One falls on her shoulder. I hope it didn't hurt her.

"Bright copper kettles and warm woollen mittens..." I hum the next bit..I can't finish...I look at her...I am never taking my eyes off her....

Okies....
my goodness...I remember so vividly...
what a painful time....
until next time
part 6 will follow tomorrow...the last part of the twins story....
lots of it
Mandy
xxx

A Mixed media canvas...

2011-04-04T09:24:00.000+10:00

Hi there

A blog that I regularly visit has a post where she is after some hand made goodies to sell for a fundraiser...A little girl, the age of my twins,10, had a stroke and the family have alot of medical bills, in particular that of the physio that is required to get Lizzy back on track...Leslie, over at words of me project is organising it...I said I would help out and this is what I have done, really my first try at alot of things...I had alot of fun and let me tell you there are alot of layers on this one!!!!
The two hearts beat as one can mean many things and I hope that everyone can see something in it. I also placed little mirrors on so the hearts can represent the person looking at the piece.
I know its not great, but it was made with love and I hope thast it can help out in some little way...
ps..think I am going to have to make another one because Maddie loves it...lol...
until next time
lots of it
Mandy
xxx

Maddie and Jacob's Story Part 4

2011-04-02T13:29:00.000+11:00

Part 1 Is HERE

Part 2 Is HERE

Part 3 Is HERE

So much happened those first 5 days of the babies being on life support. It went by in a tired sleepless blur, that felt surreal. On day 6 in the ICU the doctors thought Jacob might be ready for his ventilator to be taken off. (extubated). They don't like people being on them for too long, as it becomes harder to take them off. As soon as the breathing tube was taken out I noticed that he was really struggling to breathe. He had a deep recession in his chest with every breath, and a strange sound coming from his throat. The nurses told me that this was quite common and it was caused by swelling in the throat from the ventilaror tube. His respiritory distress increased as the day went on. The doctors decided to re-tube him. He needed life support again...he was in a very bad way. They advised me not to be present during the procedure as it might be destressing to see. There was no way I was going to leave my baby. He needed me. He wasn't going to be alone during this.

" I want to be here for him."

I move back to give them room. It will be difficult because he is so tiny, and he has the swelling as well.

"I can't get it in. Quick...get a smaller tube. I CAN"T GET IT IN"

The doctors and nurses are calmly frantic. They are working around him. Something is so wrong. I know it. He was moved yesterday to this room. I heard a mother scream and cry and weep half the night as she lost her little one to heart failure in this room. I didn't want Jacob moved to this room...away from Maddie...all by himself...in THIS room. I walk to Maddie's room and walk in crazed circles.

"He's going to die. He's going to die." I nurse asks me what's wrong. I nearly vomit.I can't answer her. I rush back to Jacob's room. I can't see him. There are too many people around him. It's so crowded. I'm going to burst with fear. I can't breathe. they still can't get the tube in. They rush the crash cart into his room. He's stopped breathing. He's getting heart massage. My GOD...he's dead. I still can't see him. I see the doctor softly pump his body to keep Jacob's heart beating. I want to push them all out of the way and at the same time I want to run away from it. I do want to see him. They are all still blocking my view. He's my baby damn it! I try to see around them. I can't.

Raymond...where are you....I want you here...I need you here... I can't do this alone. I'm hyperventilating. I hear the fateful words..almost shouted by a doctor...."It's in...I got it in!"...The breathing tube was finally getting air into his lungs...

The doctor was very relieved. He had to use a much smaller tube than he would have liked. He had no choice though, as Jacob's throat was so swollen. He even said to me he was shitting himself...in those words...they are human after all...

I'll love that man forever...his name was Patrick.

Jacob was a very sick little boy, so I was advised to ring my husband to get him to come and support me. He arrived at 2.00am. we sat and watched Jacob for hours.

*****

Jacob's recovery, thankfully, came along nicely. He was soon off the ventilator for good. He would pull no more, well almost no more, surprises on us. What a little fighter...he was so clever.

*****

Maddie was tiny. Much smaller than Jacob , and the illness hit her much harder. She developed a pneumonia and sepsis, where bacteria infects the whole body. She was still in a critacal condition.

Maddie's eighth night on life support proved to be the toughest night of her, and my, life. She was so ill that she regressed to a nitric gas ventilator, which helps to open the lungs just that little bit more. She was slowly dying before my very eyes. Her sats were so low and dropping steadily. Her carbon dioxide levels in her blood were dangerously high. She was unable to be moved. Or even touched, as her sats would drop. Suctioning...a procedure that removed mucus from the tube and upper airways was out of the question. We had nearly lost Maddie on two previous suctioning episodes. The mucus needs to be removed from the tube so it doesn't block the air going into the lungs. If it blocks, she dies. I would try and be present for every suctioning. At this stage, Jacob was placed into a different ward, and it was very difficult trying to be in two places at once. If I was in with Jacob, I would insist upon a phone call, so I could attend Maddie's suctioning...I would run the 214 steps it took to get to ICU. I am sure I flew some days.

Maddie got so bad that they mentioned another sort of ventilator..the third one...that they may try basically as a last resort. It was an oscilating ventilator that basically shook a constant flow of air into the lungs. They weren't sure how she would react to it, so they were trying to avoid it. It could possibly kill her. Surely it wouldn't get to that...

At 5.00pm the doctoer said, "Let's do it!"

How can I say how I felt. To know your child was going to die. You can't even imagine what it's like, unless you have been through it yourself. I didn't cry...I had cried so much of their short lives. I think I had no more tears left. All I could do was stare in bewilderment. I was a zombie. I began to totally distance myself emotionally from her, even more so if that was possible.

Doctors, nurses and technicians were involved with the huge production of taking her off one ventilator and placing her on another. Raymond and I sat in chairs about three metres away from her bed, just holding hands...and watching. We looked at each other, unable to say a word...the tears began to flow...from both of us. I did have more tears after all....

Ok...people...here ends part 4...i am teary again and re-living it all over...It was such a painful thing to live through...

Here are a couple more photos of the beautiful babies who fought the battle of their life!!!

So...I'll give you a hint...Maddie made it...this is her a couple of days after her horibble night...she still looks very very sick, but believe me...she looks much better than what she did...

The healthier looking baby is jacob...he was very skinny, but in a normal ward....Aren't they beautiful....Jacob actually had another scary incident,,,some very silly nurse cut his nasal prong that delivered oxygen through his nose...because she didn't move it way from his nostril, when she cut it it flung up his nose and got lodged somewhere in his upper airways...that could have killed him...he had to have a small procedure to remove it...

Ok..until next time..catch you all soon..Hope you are enjoying this ...take care

Mandy

xxx

Maddie and Jacob's story part 3...

2011-04-02T09:06:00.000+11:00

My babies just coming out of NICU aged 5 weeks..the other photos are those of a little album I did for them in recognition of their struggle and fight for life and how pproud I am of them....

Hi again...you can find part 1 of their story here

You can find part 2 HERE...

When they arrive, they get the relevent information and hook him up onto some oxygen. They are amazingly calm. My sister stays with my other children, while I take the trip in the ambulance with Jacob. They work on him in the back, "bagging" him all the way. I sit in the front, turning to the back constantly asking them..."Is he alright?"

"He'll be OK love."

We arrive at the hospital 15 minutes later. So much happens. It's like watching ER, but it's happening to me and my baby. I've set myself into a kind of a limbo state. I guess I have detached my emotions from my body. Thats how I cope with situations I know I can't handle. Drs work on him. Nurses are everywhere. We are in the recuss room. I can't believe what's happening. It seems so dreamlike. The Drs try and put a canula in his tiny, delicate hand. I should be fine with this precedure...I nearly vomit. They tried C-Pap...it didn't work. The Dr says he will intubate him. Not knowing much about ventilators I didn't realise the significance of this action. I went along with everything they said...they were the doctors.

It took close to four hours to stabilise him so that he could be transferred to the children's hospital. Once he was stabilised I was told I could go up to him. I was scared. I didn't want to get emotional. I could not have coped if he.....

I walked up to him, such a little thing on such a huge bed. So much equipment surrounding him. I gently stroked his little arm with my finger...so softly and slowly. I sobbed. I sobbed because when he left hospital 3 weeks ago I promised him he would never be in pain again. Never hurt again. I broke my promise. I am so sorry little man.

The transport team arrived, and , after about an hour of organising, Jacob left for the children's hospital. My husband turned up with Maddie at some stage. I recall going to a "quiet " room and making a phonecall to him to meet me at the hospital right away. There was no helicopter available, and no room in the ambulance for passengers, so we had to make the long journey seperated from our baby, not knowing what was going to happen to him on the way...for all we knew he may not even make the journey...it was just horrible.

The trust that is required in situations like this is amazing. I am the type of person that has a panic attack if my children ever travel with someone else. So, to let my baby go by himself was a huge deal to me.

We arrived at the hospital 25 minutes later. We checked at the information desk to see if Jacob had arrived. He hadn't. I had images of my baby dead at the side of the freeway, due to equipment failure We decided to get Maddie checked out in the emergency room while we were there waiting for Jacob to arrive, as she was a little unwell. Her oxygen levels were down, so they decided to keep her in a ward overnight for observation.

In the emergency ward, we bumped into the doctor that transported him to the children's hospital. She said that the journey went well and that he is now up in ICU. I just hugged her from relief and thanks...she probably though I was a bit of a nut. That was the least of my worries. My husband went to help him settle into the ICU while I stayed with Maddie.I was so torn...with one critacally ill baby and another very sick one. I was an absolute mess.

Over the next week, a whirlwind of events were to turn our world upside down. Twenty four hours after Jacob crashed, Maddie followed. It was no surprise to me that they decided to put her on life support as well. She was struggling with every breath too. The intensivists, the ICU doctors, warned us that babies die from RSV bronchialitis, a virus that produces mucus in the lungs, too much sometimes, for tiny, premature lungs not properly developed. It was only as time went on that I truly believed them.

Thus endeth this part....you know it's nearly ten years ago, but as I read this, which I wrote maybe a year or two after it happened, I recall every detail as though it was yesterday...the time has certainly flown...hope I'm not boring any of you with me story and if you have stayed this long, well I really appreciate it...this story is from my heart, and it was more therapy for me by writing it...I believe I still suffer a bit of post trauma stress from the whole incident...I remember the feelings so easily, as I read my story my heart races, I am bawling like a baby often,I vividly recall the spot on the ground, the moment I was allowed to go up to him after they'd worked on him , the whole kit and kaboodle,,,and I truly amaze myself that I was strong enough to make it through the whole event...yay me!!!!lol...
ok...well...I don'th ave many photos as the last thing I thought of doing was taking photos of them dying...I sort of regret it really, but my thought processes at the time were one track...coping with what was happening and that was my babies were slowly dying before my eyes...

until next time
lots of it
Mandy
xxx

Maddie and Jacob's story part 2

2011-04-01T12:49:00.000+11:00

This is Jacob when he was in the nicu...the below photo is of Maddie...

The next couple of weeks went by in euphoria. My tiny babies were home. We had plenty of visitors. They all enjoyed wearing the babies like a brooch. They were so tiny, thats what they looked like.

Two weeks after the babies were home they needed to see their paediatrician for a routine check up. They were both still quite sleepy and needed to be woken for their feeds...but that was pretty normal for premmies. They also had a bit of a runny nose, but that was about it.

The paediatrician assured me that all was fine, and he laughingly added they would be in hospital with bronchialitis within a week.

I thought nothing of it, as they basically had the snuffles. A little cold. 6 days later I took Jacob to my locval doctor. His feeding was not great and he was quite lethargic. He diagnosed bronchialitis, and prescribed atrovent through a nebuliser. This was to help his lungs a bit. That thursday night he was still not feeding well, and he had turned quite pale.

He slept through the night. I thought it best he get a good rest to help him recover. I checked him at 8.30am. He was very pale and he had a blue tinge around his eyes, nose and mouth. Alarm bells should have been ringing, but I was told that premmie babies often turn a bluey tinge when they have wind. Around 9.30 he still hadn't woken, so I decided to wake him and give him a feed.

He didn't want to feed. He didn't wake up properly. Did I imagine it...or did he just stop breathing??? No! Don't be stupid. You're being paranoid. I'll ring the Dr and see what he says. The Dr said he rang the paediatrician and he will see him next Friday. I tell the Dr I think my baby is going to die. He says go to the hospital. I ring my sister who lives a couple of minutes away, and ask her to come with me to the hospital, so she can sit beside him and shake him if he stops breathing. I give Jacob some ventolin in a nebuliser, I ask my sister to help as I gather Jacobs stuff to take to the hospital. " Mandy...I think he just stopped breathing" I drop his nappy bag and run to his side.I assure her, and myself, that he is breathing...but then I see it. The vapour is pouring out of the machine and not being inhaled. He HAS stopped breathing.

I panic, I have never called an ambulance before. I slightly shake him and he starts breathing again. I feel stupid thinking to call an ambulance. What if i am overreacting....He stops again. He can't start breathing again..............

I call 000 and scraem into the phone..." My babys not breathing!!!"

They begin to tell me what to do. I have forgotten how to do CPR. I relay the directions to my sister who is still holding him.

Put hin on the floor.

Turn him on his side.

Is he breathing?

No!

I tell them no.

Do a little puff in his mouth.

Then I decide that if my baby is going to die, I will be the one who has trried to save him. I pass the phone to my sister.

Check his chest.

I lifterd his singlet.

Is his chest going up and down?

NO!

Blow in his mouth.

I do this. He takes a few breaths, though very shallow.

He stops again.

Blow in his mouth.

I am frantic. I don't know what to do. My baby...my baby is going to die. What will I do? How will I handle it? I'll go insane. My other children are home from school, sick with asthma. They are jumping on the lounge going crazy screaming..."Jacob's going to die! Jacob's going to die!" They don't get it...they are too little.

Is he breathing?

NO!

Do it again.

I blow in his moth. I know if i do it too hard I could harm him...even burst his lungs. If I do it too softly, it could have no effect at all. He starts to take a couple of breaths. My sister hangs up the phone. They obviously think everything is ok. Its not. They assure her the ambulance will arrive soon.

I continue to give Jacob mouth to mouth until the ambulance arrives. It felt like a life time, and I was so relieved to hear the sirens. I will never forget the spot on the floor where he lay as I tried to keep my dear little boy alive. I often look at the spot and shake my head in disbelief.

This is so emotional for me to be honest...I still tear up thinking about all that happened those few months of our lives...
Stay tuned for the next part of Jacob and Maddie's story tomorrow...

Thanks for reading...until next time.

stay safe and give your little ones lots of hugs

Mandy

xxx

Jacob and Maddie's Story...Part 1

2011-03-31T07:51:00.000+11:00

Many of you know my little guy Jacob and how he suffers from a life threatening illness...some of you may know about Maddie...I feature her in many scrappy pages, she suffers from deafness...Here are Jacob and Maddie, they were born 10 weeks early, Maddie weighed 3lb 8oz and Jacob weighed 4lb 3 oz...They were tiny as I usually had big, healthy babies.....I was very upset and found the NICU quite scary, but soon got used to it....

I will now begin the story....

Precious Miracles

Jacob and Maddie are lying on their beautifully patchworked Noah's Ark quilt, with it's rich creams, reds, blues , yellows and greens. It pillows around their bodies, their matching pink and blue teddies, and their lime-washed cot that they share. A vast contrast to the harsh metals, plastic and sterile whites that surrounded them only months ago.

Jacob and Maddie were born on the 4th May, 2001, weighing only 4lb 3oz and 3lb 8oz. They were born ten weeks early. That in itself was a difficult time to live through. You have an expectation of how your baby, or babies, should look, and the motions you should go through when they are born. When something unplanned happens, and you need to deliver your babies early, the confusion and subsequent loss that you feel is overwhelming. The loss of ther ime in the womb. The loss of "normal sized" babies. The loss of the labour and birth. The loss of that perfect time in your life that you have been looking forward to since discovering the pregnancy.

My babies are usually big, beefy, bouncy babies. Not thin, scrawny, tiny things that resemble skinned rabbits. They didn't feel like they were mine. It was like they belonged to the hospital. Immediately after the birth, they were rushed to the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit). It was days before I actually got to hold my babies.

When I first saw them in the Unit, after they had been taken away from me, I was in shock. They were surrounded by tubes, monitors and machines, all of which my husband and I grew to rely on for the survival of our twins, but which seemed so scary and forieng at the time.

Alarms constantly going off became routine. You eventually got to know each sound, and knew when you needed to worry, or when you needed to tickle their feet to remind them to breathe. Oxygen saturation levels (sats), bradicardiacs, apneas, C-pap, long lines, canulas and catheters all became part of our language...part of our lives.

I didn't want to leave the post-natal ward of the hospital. A type of grief was lingering because I knew I would have to leave my babies behind. If you speak to any woman who has had a child, she will tell you that one of her most euphoric times is when her newborn baby is lying beside her in its crib, and she is adoringly lookin at it in wonderment and overwhelming love. Or, when she is wheeling her newborn through the doors of the hospital and on her way home.

I was to have none of that. I was sore from the caesar. I made my husband take the celebratory flowers, cards and gifts home a day prior, as there was no way I was walking out of the hospital with them, and no babies.

I did leave. I actually made it to the car with out crying. Once in the car I sobbed...for 4 hours. My husband stopped in the chemist on the way home to get a breastpump and other sterilising equipment. I couldn't do much for my babies, and I felt so guilty because of that. But the one thing I could do was supply my babies with the goodness of breastmilk.

This took a huge effort on my part, having to express for twins meant being at the breastpump every two to three hours ( feeling like a cow), for about half an hour. Then I would pour it into a small plastic container, then time and date the sometimes pitiful amount, add my name with 2 smiling faces, and place it into the fridge. Then twice a day would take the "preciuos cargo" , in its winnie the pooh wetpack, to the hospital and place it in the NICU fridge.

To keep this supply was extremely difficult, with so many stresses, and with them not being with me, but I persisted. They hardly ever needed a supplimentary feed of formula. Something I am quite proud of now.

The weeks went by, and my husband and I began to care more and more for the twins. Doing their cares was a routine that occured every 4 hours., an hour apart, to allow time for their feeding.

You would methodically get a wad of cotton wool and wet it with warm water from the tap, set that beside their crib, with sterile cotton wool buds soaked in sterile water, cotton balls soaked in saline and a nappy. You would start at the top of the baby, wiping their eyes with the balls, from the inside out. You would then clean their mouth, tongue and gums with the cotton bud, refesh their bottom with the cotton wool and put on their new nappy. Finally, you would change the site of their sats probe, as the bandage that held the probe in place would dig into their delicate skin( it was paper thin), and sometimes give incorrect readings. I always gave the old site a little massage, as i would have like someone do that for me. My babies were tiny. It didn't mean they felt no pain.

Handwashing became a necessity that you would perform like someone who had repetitive compulsive disorder. Cross infection was something you wanted to avoid. I washed my hands so often, that after a week, I developed dermatitis, which became infected...I still have brown scarring.

Maddie and Jacob became less and less dependent on oxygen, and the various drugs that helped them breath, digest their food, and keep their hearts beating. They made the progression from BAY 1, where the sickest babies go, to BAY 4, which is where the babies go to finish their growing and master feeding.

Before I knew it, there was mention of the twins going home. At this time I was warned not to take them to public places, and to make sure people washed their hands before handling them, for fear of germs and illness.fter a much hurried preparation on the eve of their departure from hospital, everything was ready. It seemed surreal at the time, as 5 full weeks had passed. It didn't seem like I had given birth to these babies, even though I was still sore from the caesar, let alone actually getting to take them home.

It was Friday morning when my daughter, Jess, and I walked the double pram throughthe doors of the hospital. I nestled the babies into their pram Seeing such a normal piece of equipment like a pram near them made me realise how tiny they really were. They looked like dolls lost in a giant pram.

I began to cry. From realisation. From grief. From fear. For the loss of the machines that told me my babies were ok. For the loss of the nurses who answered my every question and helped my babies finish their growth and development they needed outside the womb. For all the mums and dads that lost their little ones while we were in there. The NUM gave me a comforting hug. I cried even more.

I had made friendships with other mums of premmie babies. Those type of "situation" frindships you form throughout your life. I assume most people get over them. But, I find it emotional to get over them.

I cried because I would never see the obstetrician that saved my babies' lives...and my own. Nor the neonatalists, who kept my babies alive those few crucial weeks. I just wanted to hug them all and tell them how much I truly appreciated everything they did. I will for the rest of my life.

So. I cried for everything. For the loss of that particular part of my life that was over. Don't get me wrong. I was over the moon my babies were doing ok and that we could all have some sort of normal life together as a family. It was just the end of a part of my life. I'm hopeless with endings....that's all!!!

This is enough for now ...I will continue the story tomorrow....

Until then, take care

Mandy

xxx

Kraft it up and a thankyou...

2011-03-29T15:01:00.000+11:00

Hi there...this is my kraft it up entry for this month...I haven't really scrapped for a while, s a huge thankyou goes out to NICOLE AUSTIN...she sent me this amazing rainbow packets full of wonderful art and scrappy stuff...this really inspired me...thanks Nicole..
I love my beautiful mum...she suffers from alzhiemers...its not much fun for her at all, so I wanted to do a lovely page of her and I together...i just threw all this blue stuff together...even used a kaisercraft bit of packaging from the flowers I used on this page...
Until next time
lots of it
Mandy
xxx

Time Out

2011-03-21T19:36:00.000+11:00

My little guy is sick which means I have my hands full with caring for him, my heart filled with sadness because he has to go through the fear, and my brain is on "so full of information I can't cope mode"
so please forgive me for not reading your blogs, or posting on mine...just until he gets better..
until next time
lots of it
Mandy
xxx

A little birdie told me its my besties birthday...

2011-03-17T15:46:00.001+11:00

I have a friend...her name is Karla...she is an amazing friend to have...everybody needs a friend like her...she is my rock...we try and catch up once a week, sometimes its tricky because we have very crazy lives...she has a little guy with special needs, just as we do....so, we understand that sometimes it's tough...our coffee gettogethers are the BEST!!!!!! We always laugh so hard we cry and then sometimes we just cry...we vent to each other...we love love love quiches and greek salad, and that is what i am making her for lunch tomorrow when she comes over....I also have some gifts to give her....

I made her this, I look at these little birdies and smile...they are bright

and colourful and so quick and easy to do....its on a thick canvas, I made the sides the blue with the writing stamp around it...

I made these little boxes...they were just cheap little brown boxes that i prettied up with co ordinating paints, kaisercraft writing stamp...
my new fav...and my little birdies on the top with the words, hope, joy and peace...hope being her word and peace being mine...lol...

top view with ribbon blocking it...lol...
also, I got her a little book of quotes of hope...she will like this!!!!
finally I got her a pandora bracelet......you know the ones you put the little charms on...so cute.....

until next time
lots of it
Mandy
xxx

Blackbird singing in the dead of night...

2011-03-14T21:00:00.000+11:00

So, here is a little painting I did....one of the little birdie paintings...they are quick and fun to do...

blackbird singing in the dead of night

I did this in my moleskine journal..its a4 sized, using water suluable crayons again....

I hav always been a beatles fan...the very first album I bought as a teen with my very own money was a beatles album...believe me, back when I was a teen the beatles were not very cool at all!!!!

but i have always loved them, along with so much other music, and always will....

If anyone wants to be in my pay it forward, just visit ny last entry,GO HERE,

I promise it will be nice, I have only 2 people joined up...please join in the gift ofgiving, it makes you feel so good...

until next time...

lots of it

mandy

xxx

Pay It Forward

2011-03-10T12:53:00.000+11:00

I heard this from...Sassy...who heard it from lumpkin and me

The first five people to comment on this blog post will receive a treat from MEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!within the next three months.

1. In return, you must first write a blog post explaining Pay It Forward 2011 and be willing to then do the same for five others that post to your blog.

2. You must spread the love and joy by sending out five handmade (by me)things.

Isn’t that simple? Easy?

What a way to have your heart runneth over!

The size, cost, amount or color of your handmade item matters none.

It is the SPIRIT of Paying It Forward.

You can choose to send your handmade item in a week, month, six months, or by the end of the year. That is entirely up to you.

Leave me your email address in your comment so I know how to contact you.

Tag.

You’re It.

Pass it On.

Share.

Tell your Friends and Family.

Make someone smile.

Pay It Forward 2011

so...what will you get...mmm...i have a lovely bought thing to go with whatever else i make for one lucky person...it will be a surprise...lol...

and i'll make you a surprise too...

hee hee hee

love this sort of stuff

until next time

lots of it

Mandy

xxx

and mamma said, "stay close little ones"

2011-03-07T17:59:00.000+11:00

...since a couple of you said you liked my little birdie, i thought i'd do another one...

I was going to title it "twins" but I really like the new title instead because i used to say that to my twins all the time, especially when we were out shopping, I even say it now to them, even though they are 9!!!!

and mamma said 'stay close little ones!'

hope you like it..the first shot is the finished picture, the next shot is how it looks before you add a little h2o....love both looks really...did i ever tell you i love my water soluable crayons...lol...only all the time...hee hee hee

i quite liked the dappled sunlight through the picture...hope you don't find it too distracting!!!

I love to juggle!!!

I am learning...i try to do it every day, it only takes 5 to ten minutes, sometimes even less!!!

i am up to three balls at a time...let me know if you like juggling!!!

(or is that just me!!!!!)

lol

okies beautiful people

until next time

lots of it

Mandy

xxx

And Mamma said 'Stay close little ones!'.

2011-03-07T11:28:00.001+11:00

...since a couple of you said you liked my little birdie, i thought i'd do another one...
I was going to title it "twins" but I really like the new title instead because i used to say that to my twisn all the time, especially when we were out shopping, I even say it now to them, even though they are 9!!!!

and mamma bird said 'stay close little ones!'

hope you like it..the first shot is the finished picture, the next shot is how it looks before you add a little h2o....love both looks really...did i ever tell you i love my water soluable crayons...lol...only all the time...hee hee hee

so..here is the before water shot...

i quite liked the dappled sunlight through the picture...hope you don't find it too distracting!!!

I love to juggle!!!

I am learning...i try to do it every day, it only takes 5 to ten minutes, sometimes even less!!!

i am up to three balls at a time...let me know if you like juggling!!!

(or is that just me!!!!!)

lol

okies beautiful people

until next time

lots of it

Mandy

xxx

Bits and Bobs

2011-03-05T18:37:00.000+11:00

Here is a little birdie I drew and painted using weater soluable crayons....simple but cute...lol...

So, I have recently been into doing bits and bobs in my journal...I love to have it on hand because I do get restless if I don't create, and my journal allows me to just grab something simple without taking a million bits out...I like to draw and use water colours and my water soluable crayons...what fun art is...I love that I am passing on this love to my three little ones...they are always drawing, painting too...heres a few things I have been up to....the first I will show you is a page inspired by Leslie...she has a challenge for 31 days over her blog...go check it out ....this is day 3 challenge...using the word...smile...

Here are some other things I've been having fun with...

Jennifer sent me this amazing parcel, with loads of wonderful old labels in it...i didn't want to open the parcel it was so beautiful, but what amazing labels..just perfect to use in all my crafting and arting expeditions!!!

Go check out her blog, it's full of mixed media bits and bobs as well as some lovely family happenings and bits and bobs....thanks so much again, I can't wait to use them...xxx

I was a lucky winner times 2 in the last owoh..lucky me...my second win was from a very talented artist, she makes gorgeous jewellry and her latest is an amazing sculpture...thanks Wanda for my gorgeous necklace..I have worn it nearly every day...xxx

And here is where I created today...don't you love these little flowers...my daughter Jess gave them to me last night...I was wondering what she wanted, but they were just because she loves me...they do surprise you sometimes...lol...

Okies...enough babbling from me...have a great weekend everyone, until next time...

lots of it

Mandy

xxx

Mel has an amazing Giveaway

2011-03-01T20:43:00.001+11:00

Hi there...I don't always enter giveaways, i do sometimes...but this one has particularly taken me...not only is it an amazing giveaway, but MEL is just an amazing strong, wonderful lady...go visit her blog and check it out!!!!

Ok...go on...you know you want to...lol...

Until next time

lots of it

Mandy

xxx

HOPE...

2011-02-18T14:42:00.000+11:00

Hi there...many of you know my plight with Jacob...well...last week we finally got a second opinion...I was over the moon with this specialists interest i n Jacob's illness...It sounded as thought he had a daughter many years ago who had difficulty with her airways..which means he has empathy...a knowledge of what it's like to have a child who can die when he hgets a cold...airway closure is a very scary thing...I mean to be able to breath is the most important thing in life!!!! When we were talking to him, you could see the wheels turning in his brain, and after the consultation he immediately sent him to have some blood tests which he hadn't previously had...for quite rare conditions.... he wanted to help us, and recognised how difficult and stressful our lives must be...you see, this is not a rare thing...I would say Jacob has had about 70 episodes, 30 ish hospital admissions and many many times just sitting in the waiting room waiting for his steroids to kick in...and not to mention the times we just stayed in the er....70 times my poor little guy has, well, I guess you could say, gone through the stress of thinking he was going to die...so have we...you can imagine how pivitol a good specialist is in our life...His new dr sounds like he will help us...so...I did a little art because this is the happiest I have felt in many many years...its called HOPE...water suluable crayons and water colours..just Jacobs little cheap set he got actually...

well...we got the test results yesterday, and they were all normal, which is good, but honestly it left me a little deflated...as it could have been the answer to why he gets sick...

oh well...we are seeing the dr next week to help us...will keep you posted...

here are a few other things I have done in my new moleskine journal..I am yet to do the writing, but will do verry soon, also some pages are still unfinished...lol...

okies...well...I am only beginning to do this sort of thing, so practise makes for better work...lol...

Until next time

lots of it

Mandy

xxx

ps...scroll down to next post, i have announced my OWOH winner!!!

MY ONE WORLD ONE HEART WINNER

2011-02-18T07:33:00.000+11:00

A big thankyou to all the lovelies who came to visit my blog during OWOH!!!!!
Thankyou Lisa for organising the 5th, and last OWOH event...I have had a blast visiting everyones blogs...if only I had enough time to visit each and every one on the humungus list...alas I did not , but got to a few hundred!!!!
Well, hope some of you keep coming back because there are many I would love to keep visiting myself..

Okies...without further ado.......

Gayle Page-Robak said...

Greetings!...So pleased to visit your lovely blog. I am a Canadian Mixed Media and Digital Artist and look forward to meeting a new friend. I hope you will visit my blog as well.

http://gaylepage-robak.blogspot.com or #230 on the OWOH list.

Thank you for including me in your wonderful gift draw

Congratulations...can you please email me with your address>>>

until next time
lots of it
Mandy
xxx

Happy Valentines Day and OWOH Giveaway Below

2011-02-14T07:29:00.001+11:00

Hi there
HAPPY VALENTINES DAY
I have not really been much into Valentines Day...as a kid and a teen I never really got cards, and for my USA visiters we didn't really do much here in Australia when I was growing up, but it certainly wasn't unheard of to get a card or a flower! But, in recent years I have started to give my kids little gifts and a card, nothing big, but just something to make them feel happy!!!I tell them I love them on a regular basis...daily ...but this is just a cute little gesture to make them smile....

I, and Jacob and Maddie, had fun cutting and sewing these garlands together yesterday...
so quick and easy,,,
Have a wonderful day...
May your today be filled with love and laughter, lots of hugs and kisses, and all the things you love...
these are a few photos of my house this morning.

until next time
lots of it
Mandy
xxx

ONE WORLD ONE HEART...MY GIVEAWAY

2011-02-07T14:26:00.000+11:00

Hi there to you all.....this is my first year of participating in this wonderful event, and sadly this is the last year Lisa is doing this event....Basically, its all about a whole lot of lovin' really...its a way to get to know other bloggers all around the world...go check out her site here...it will explain it all...

Alittle about me...

well

I am a mum to 6 kids, from 9 year old twins to 20 year old!!I home school one of my little boys because he has a life-threatening condition, which really lead me to needing a bit of me time...thus my dapple in the creative side of life and a little addiction to the computer!!!!

I love looking at other peoples lives and creations through their blogs...i try to comment on as many as I look at, tho must confess when my usage is up and the computer is soooo slow I can't comment as often as I would like...

I love to scrap book, my biggest love I think,having had around ten publications, which is very exciting as anm artist you would agree, but I am just beginning to discover that I love art and drawing and writing, I even sew a little and knit as well...you'll also catch me singing in the shower every day as well!!!my kids all love the creative and practical arts as well...

a short lifetime ago I was a teache...I live in Sydney Australia and can't wait to visit the rest of the blogs on Lisa's list...bring on the 8th I say, thats when my computer speeds up...

MY GIVEAWAY

It's only small, but I would sure love to win it....
All you have to do is...leave a comment on this post and make sure you have some sort of contact info for me so if you win I can let you know...

I'll use some sort of random generator to pick the winner and it will be drawn on
17th February
and posted no later than 3 days later!!!!

Just leave a comment...its that simple....
Go check out Lisa's blog, there are so many bloggers on her list its amazing!!!!
Included in my giveaway is
1 packet see d's large heart stamp set
1 8 sheet pack pink tissue paper
1 12 pack 6x6 paper pack
1 imaginations chipboard book
1 cute pink acrylic buttons set
1 36 piece chipboard alphabet set
not shown, but i have a little collection of metal charms, i will throw in some of these a s well...

I have shown some in detail....

Ok...well...until next time

lots of it

Mandy

xxx

A Few Quick Layouts to Donate to Flood Victims...

2011-01-21T14:28:00.000+11:00

Hi there ....

been doing a few pages for the flood victims of Queensland...Sharryn over at Rising Waters Flood Appeal has organised a blog to try and get together as many scrapping pages as possible for the peoiple of Qheensland who have lost everything in the floods.....the hope is I believe that once there houses are all fixed they can then consentrate on other special things that we hold so dear...one of them being photos...in this age of technology for those who have lost their precious photos ,it is hoped that they will be able to ask friends and relatives for photos and then they will be able to place them into the donated pages...its a beautiful thought and one that if in that same situation I would absolutely love it for myself...

so...i have done 5 pages and Maddie did one too...she was so happy to help it was adorable.... the last one is hers...

Okies...well thanks for popping by,,,don't forget to drop me a line and let me know if you've done a page or two and I'll put you in the draw for the fairy stamp.....until next time
lots of it
Mandy
xxx

Rising Waters Flood Appeal

2011-01-16T12:09:00.000+11:00

Here is the link to a wonderful blog...for those of you who don't know Australia has been torn apart by devastating floods, there are many states that have been affected, but in particular Queensland...for me...It has touched my heart...I have family and many scrappy friends that live in Queensland, and not only that, but while all the flood was unfolding, Cameron, my 17 year old son was in Queensland with his friends family and I was a nervous wreck the whole time...I was lucky and he was a distance away from the flooding but he still had to get home...with flooding along the route he had to take to get home...I know how I felt, so I can only begin to imagine how the families and people affected, with their whole houses going under....well..it would be soul crushing....

Sharryn over at rising flood waters appeal has set up this blog to help those who have lost so much.....

We are crafters, we love to help others in need and this is truly one of those times.....

Go check the blog...its about making pages, for those who have lost all their own photos but may be able to get photos from others, in the hope of just popping one of these "FOUND" photos on the layout and creating some instant beautiful memories...

MY personal goal is to make 10 pages today....I have all the gear there in my craft area so its not going to cost me anything, and I know I would truly love someone to do this for me if I were in this position....

This is from Sharryn's blog...

As you are all so eager to help, I have already organised a PO Box address for you to send things through to me.
Please send them too:
Rising Waters
C/O PO BOX 584X
LEUMEAH NSW 2560

***PLEASE DO NOT SEND CASH***.
This is for memory gifts ONLY.

Hope you can all help...even if everyone did one page just imagine the difference it coiuld make....I have haerd that 10% of our whole population of Australia have been affected by the floods in the past few weeks...thats unfathonable!!!!!!

Please help...

♥

Would love to haer if you can help....I have a gorgeous fairy stamp that I have bought double of before...If you let me know here you will do a page or ten I'll put you in the draw for this stamp...its so darn cute....
will take a phot for you later...until then
lots of it
Mandy
xxx

♥

I have missed you...

2011-01-04T10:54:00.000+11:00

Hi there...I have been gone a while...its not that my life has not been...because it has been so busy I can't even begin to tell you!!!the reality is I have not had an opportunity to be creative...well in the artsy kind anyway...no ART...no SCRAPBOOKING.....no WRITING... and I have to tell you....

              I AM MISSING IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My fingers and my creative side needs to get busy...the last thing I did was make the bunting for the 3 new babies in my family...and they were beautiful....I can see me making more for my twins....
but I need to get my hands

                          DIRTY!!!!!!!!!!
It won't be today...I am in the midst of cleaning up and organising my art and craft stuff...so once its done...look out world.....

But to all who have still been clicking onto my blog...

     THANKYOU THANKYOU THANKYOU

What would I do without you...

You are greatly appreciated...believe me....you peek your head into my life and I have to admit I never really thought anyone would be interested...but as it turns out...you are!!! so thankyou for caring...I guess is what it comes down to...

                I hope 2011 is filled with
                              LOVE
                          HAPPINESS
                          LAUGHTER
                 AND LOTS OF HUGS....

I promise I will get some creative things up for you very very soon...here is a photo or 2 of my Christmas celebrations...

until next time
lots of it
Mandy
xxx

Charity Santa Run

2010-12-03T22:08:00.000+11:00

So...my husband and my 2 biggest boys Lachlan and Cameron ran in a local charity santa run. It was the first time they have competed in it and I was so proud of them, as they are really not runners...( my boys are about 6 foot 2...maybe taller???!!!lol...) Cameron came in the top 20 ish, Lachlan shortly after and their dad shortly after that....below shows gwtting dressed in the park for the run...

Doing a quick santa photo...lol...the kids all had a nice time even though most of the day it was raining...they all want to run next year....

Until next time

lots of it

Mandy

xxx

Bunting...red white and blue

2010-11-30T08:38:00.000+11:00

So...with three new babies in my ever expanding family, which I love.....little Marshall, my little sister's new baby, Noah, my nieces baby and Brayden, my nephew's little guy, I thought I'd make them pressies for christmas. So, with so many pretty materials, it was a tad tricky to make boys bunting but I think I have gathered the right ones together yo make 3 lengths. After asking all the mums what colour the babies rooms will be....this is the first I have done...Marshall is going to have a red white and blue room...

Here is what I started with...

Made very simple triangles....

such a rewarding little gift to make because you know it will look so good up...

well...until next time

take care

Lots of it

Mandy

xxx

art, heart and healing 2nd try

2010-10-24T19:38:00.000+11:00

So...i am working with imited material so super pleased how my 2nd try worked out...check out the side bar for the link to this free online course...,truly its one of the best things i have done...taken me from being too scared to draw ike this to feeing great in ding it...Tam has a great way of teaching through video...

i put in some close ups too...

the second gir is where i taught jacob how to draw this girl...his turned out amazing!!!!...but i didn't want to waste the drawing so i took to it with some water colour pencils and here it is...
hope you get the chance to check out the course....
until next time
lots of it
mandy
xxx

a bit of art

2010-10-22T14:38:00.000+11:00

Hi...just a quick post to show you what i did today...it says...its wonderful to be unique but you can't be responsible for the universe... and about accepting me for my individualness if thats a word...and then trying not to et every itte thing in the universe get to me...as it does...o...

check out the heaing hearts side bar thingy and you will see what is all about....i have ony done a coupe of painting sort of things but i really loved doing this....

i am quite happy with it...
unti next time
lots of it
Mandy

xxx

Before and after and a recipe...yum!!!

2010-10-18T12:35:00.000+11:00

Well...the room is amost finished...I am quite happy with it...i love the new wall colours and we have been loving in this little room its so sunny and nice to be in...we are still to get the doors for the bookshelves and a rug for the floor....and a low lying tv unit....but Jacob happily does his schoolwork here now....so it has achieved its purpose...here are the befores and afters of where we kept his school work...and the befores and afters of the room....we alot of it anyway.....

Ok...here is a llittle photo of Maddie with her new violin...hope she learns how to play it nicely...lol...

Camembert and Spinach Quiche
sheet of pastry
6 eggs
pkt frozen spinach
1 tub low fat sour cream
1 cup low fat grated tasty cheese
1 spoon minced garlic
1/2 grated onion
1 camembert cheese

1. Spray with oil a quiche or pie dish and line the pastry into it.
2. Place spinach in its packet, into the microwave for 5 minutes.
3. Whist this cooks, mix the eggs, onion, cream, garlic and grated cheese with an egg whisk.
4. Squeeze excess water out of spinach and add to the mixture...mix well.
5. Pour into the lined dish and add slices of the camembert, or brie or even marinated fetta tastes awesome too.
6. Put cracked pepper over the top and cook in a hot oven for 20 minutes. turn oven down and cook until golden...turn oven off once cooked and let it stand in the oven for 10 minutes...this wi let it sette as it will pop up in the quiche dish...
Serve with greek salad...and there you have my just about favourite meal...

well...that's about it for now
lots of it
Mandy
xxx

Monday's Child

2010-10-12T19:45:00.001+11:00

My second post for the day...i am on a roll...

Dear Prudence, don't fret,
Don't feel glum, don't feel sad.
This potion will be the most delicious,
Scrumptous you have had.

We've added five green frogs legs,
6 toads warts, 2 mice eyes.
a four eyed spider, bat's blood,
and a boiling cup of flies.

3 scales from puff the dragon,
2 burger patties and fries,
some 2 year old toenails and,
over the top whispered some lies.

We boiled it til it bubbled.
Let it sit for just a bit.
Now its just the right temperature
" Prudence...take a little sip.

See, look at Magical Marvin,
now take a look at me!
Our figures sublime, power great!
Soon like us you'll be."

So Prudence took a sip
and her face began to twitch
her body started dancing
she vanished into mist.

and there before them stood,
(Marvin and Gertie blinked their eyes!)
Prudence as pretty as ever
could win a beauty pageant prize!!!

You see poor Gertie and Marvin
were getting on in years.
They forgot to wear their glasses
Poor prudence was in tears.

So the two set to work
to make a potion that would undo
the damage they had done
that made Prudence feel so blue!

They worked for 12 hours straight!!!
and finally got it right.
Prudence took a little sip
then disappeared out of sight.

Marvin and Gertie were surprised
by a knock upon the door,
for there stood Prudence
just as she was before.

a valuable lesson was learnt
by the magical three.
Be happy with who you are,
You be you, and I'll be me!

By Mandy Snow
Inspired by Mondays Child

til next time
lots of it
Mandy
xxx

some befores and afters...so far

2010-10-12T13:57:00.000+11:00

So...yesterday I painted the little back room...here you will see the before and the after...I am still yet to fix the skirting boards...but these will be done by tonight...i am also going to sand some of the boarder paint off to expose the wood behind the paint...give it a slightly beachy feel....lots more to come....

hope you like the befores and afters on the back frame...this frame is from ikea..it was ony 17 dollars...but it is a frame thats not meant to come apart...it was tricky, but you know me...i love colour....popped these little crocheted flowers in after painting over the top of the trees that were in the frame to begin with...cute don't think????

aso, this black frame is plastic..it cost $7....i put Jacobs art in it...how cool does it look????

well...thats it until i get the curtains and furniture in....check out the cute little light fitting...it was a do it yourselfer...gotta love those!!!

until next time

lots of it

Mandy

xxx

Here is" the room"

2010-10-11T11:09:00.000+11:00

Yes...our life has been a shambles lately with Jacob going into hospital and just ife really. So on the weekend I said to my husband we'll fix this room up for Jacob.. We are still waiting for the delivery of the furniture...but i'll show you where we sadly keep Jacob's school work...it was not always like this, its just come to being in a box of late...so...we trecked to ikea and bought some storage sheves and some new lounges to hang out on...i got a gorgeous nippon coour for the bottom half...nettle 2 ...in a dulux paint, and for the top we got moonight...just a slightly off white...i think you won't get to see the after shots til the the weekend....i hope...lol...but here is one sad before shot...oh...we are aso changing the skirting boards as well...also need some more decorations too...this will be a coupe of weeks...but i'l show you the progress...this is the priority to get his activity room done....its not a big room, but that doesn't mean we can't make it look ok...
until next time
lots of it
Mandy
xxx

Help me please and an award

2010-09-28T16:28:00.002+10:00

go to here for video

You'll see Jacob in hospital over an hour after he had his life saving medication...

Well...another absence from me...yes, you guessed it, my little guy was in hospital again...when I started my blog i had intention of finding someone else out there in the word who had a condition the same as my son's.... his official title is.....acute life threatening spasmodic croup...basically his upper airways, his voice box area, close over very quickly, within a few seconds sometimes...at any point in a cold or virus....many of you probaby have had one of your children or friends chidren have croup...the difference is that Jacob's airways can close within a few seconds and that he is now 9 and it is still happening and on such a regular basis...this is where I need your help. Because it is so rare, in fact his specialist doesn't really know of any one ever, anywhere having it as accutely at such an old age...I would love to hear if any one of you know anything about anyone with this illness...

I am really going quite insane because the treatment is to watch him 24 hours a day...its tiring and emotionaly draining. and now he looks at me and asks me is he going to die...it breaks my heart to think on such a regular basis he tinks he will die...I would like to know if there is some hope for him, that there may be a cure, a fix, or something out there that can help him and me!!!

I need to talk to someone too...just to vent and know that someone understands...

I carry with me everywhere an emergency bag with loads of drugs and oxygen tank...its blooming heavy and so ugy...but we affectionately call it our e bag!!!lol...

We have not been on a holiday, when we go places it can't be when he is sick, and because he has a crappy immunity, he is sick quite often....we have been on a coupe of few day trips to the beach when he has been well. so i shouldn't complain too mush...lol...we need to know that if we go anywhere there needs to be an amdulance very close!!!!but I still take him to the city for adventures....so we try not to make him m iss out too much...

He is homeschooled because of his condition and when his twin goes to regular school and he is desperate to go too...well...it makes life tough!!!

This video is of him after he has been given his nebulised adrenolin and he is in hospital still having difficulty, but the emergency is over...the other is of his e bag....
so please...if anyone can hep me. i think you would have no idea how much i would appreciate it...

also the beautiful kristin at
TWINKLE TWINKLE

has given me this lovely award....thanks kristin...i think this blog entry is long enough for today without saying stuff about me..next entry!!!!lol...

until next time...
lots of it
mandy

xxx