Wow! I can hardly believe that it was this time two years ago that I made the brave step of sharing my art with the world!  So much has changed in me throughout the process.  So much of my artwork has changed along the way too!  I find myself each month looking at my stall as we set up for the Handmade Expo in Rocky and seeing my progression as an artist and how much I have transformed into my own person.  I love it!

I do have to thank two super special people who have travelled this journey with me and that's my sweet husband Stephen and my mum Laurelle.  They come with me to every Expo and help set up and sell my art.  They are my on scene cheerleaders who make the process a whole lot smoother.  And then there are my home based cheerleaders, my children - Jacob, Bywa, Sariah, Bianca, Isaac, Adam, Hannah and Rebecca and my dad, Michael.  They are so supportive at home and I know I can rely on them to keep the ship afloat when I get snowed under with commissions and Expo preparations and if I get stuck on a canvas I know I can go to them for suggestions.  Dad is my sounding board, my go-to-guy when I need something created or cut or simply just advice.  Dad always comes up with things that I never even thought of.  And lastly, but certainly not the least there are you guys.  My stalwart supporters!  My friends!  Some of you I have known for forever and others I have met along this journey.  Some of you have purchased my artwork and creations and some of you goo over them.

For you all I am so very grateful!  You have all made this journey all the more easier and a whole lot more fun!  You are a blessing to me and I am thankful for you. 

So to celebrate our birthday I have refreshed the blog to better reflect ME!  I am committing myself to posting here more often.  I find I am the worlds biggest procrastinator when it comes to posting and would rather hide in my creative space, but this is no more!  I am determined to be more involved in this side of my business and I know it's only me that can make it happen and that no "non-tech savvy excuse" is good enough.....I have to get educated! Lol!  Having said that, if anyone out there knows how to create a "blinkie" for my blog I would love your help!

Well that's it for me today........but tomorrow I will have an exciting announcement to make.....so watch this space my sweet friends!

Warmly, Toni XX

Hello Friends!!!!  Wow where has the time gone??  I can hardly believe it's been nearly two months since my last post!  So much has happened in that time.

Our family celebrated the arrival of a new nephew.  We said goodbye to basketball and netball for another term.  I have had medical problems come and go and some that just don't want to go!  My husband has had a huge change in his role at work.  Adam got his first job working at KFC.  Hannah is now taller than me!  Now that's never a good sign when your 12 year old daughter becomes taller than you!  Musical is now only 2 weeks away......Isaac and Hannah have not stopped singing around the house since they were selected for roles.  Our oldest son Jacob turns 21 in two weeks as well.  I can't believe how much of a wonderful man he has grown to become!  So, so proud of him! And our oldest daughter Sariah celebrated her 19th birthday and is now venturing out and spreading her wings and discovering new and exciting things!  She is amazing!!!

Stephen and I were also very fortunate to attend a special friends sealing down at the Sydney temple.  This was the first trip away for just the two of us in a while so this made it all the more exciting!

We stayed in Darling Harbour and spent most of our time walking along the harbour and just enjoying the atmosphere and the food.  We were lucky enough to be there while they were celebrating Christmas in July and they had an outdoor ice skating rink, a beautiful snow cave filled with fairy lights and Christmas trees.  I think I looked the part of a wintery wonderland because I was totally freezing my butt off!!! Lol!  I just couldn't get warm even with a scarf and beanie!  But it was a most wonderful time for both of us.

Also, during my blog absence I attended a wonderful scrapbooking/crafting weekend away with my Mum and gorgeous sister in-law Genevieve at our friend Sharon's property in Gogango.  There were I think 18 of us in total.  We had such an amazing time seeing old friends and making new one's.  There's nothing quite like a group of women creating together!

So, knowing what I'm like about playing with new products, Genevieve picked offered to pick up some linen canvas boards that I had eyed off last time I was in Brisbane.  I have to say, I am totally loving the softness of the linen and there's something that makes me all giddy happy about playing with new products!  Colour me crazy I know!!!  Anyway, I am who I am right??

Needless to say, these girls will be going up on my shop page very soon.  But in the mean time if you're interested in purchasing the original just send me an email or post in the comments below.

Well that about wraps this post up my sweet friends!  I promise not to leave it sooooo long between posts and will try and have some more of my work up in the shop very soon.  Until next time, take care xxxx

Hello Friends!!!  I know what you're thinking!  Holy cow....Toni has blogged twice in a week....and even on the same day!!!! Lol!

Well it would be totally remiss of me to not share with you that our baby girl Rebecca has just turned 9!  I can hardly believe it myself!  You see, Rebecca was kind of our miracle baby.  Stephen and I were told while trying to fall pregnant with our fifth child, Hannah, that we wouldn't be able to have anymore.  And despite planning for 6 children we resolved ourselves to this news and were content in feeling blessed with the five beautiful children that God had entrusted us with.

Fast-forward three years later.  We were purchasing a new car and were debating between a seven or eight seater and Steve jokingly said "we'll get the eight seater hun....just incase we have any accidents." I held his hand, looked him square in the eyes and reassured him the doctors said there would be no more babies....we bought the eight seater!  Shortly after we went on a family holiday down to the Gold Coast and on the return drive Steve and I were talking and made plans (my decision to do something for myself) for me to get a personal trainer and try and get myself back to my usual size.  Two weeks after we returned home I noticed I was feeling a little bloated in my lower abdomen, so, feeling rather foolish I went to the doctor......I was pregnant!!! 

No don't get me wrong....I was excited.....but man it took a lot to undo my brain from thinking we couldn't have anymore, and accepting it....to then tell myself it was possible all along!  I have learnt that things happen not in our time but in the Lords time.  I know there are no mistakes.....I know our beautiful girl was sent to us to bless and enrich our family.....and she fulfils this every single day.

So I say thank my Heavenly Father for the past 9 years of an ongoing blessing....and I thank my Rebecca Mary (aka BooBoo) for being such an important part of our lives.

Hug your children.....tell them you love them, over and over again...they can never hear it enough!!!!

Peace and love xxx

Hello friends!!!! Wow what a busy week I have had!  Last weekend was a long four day weekend for us which presented an opportunity to sneak off for some much needed "MË time".  I was invited to spend the weekend with other like-minded creative women who also enjoy scrapbooking.  And whilst I didn't do one shred of scrapping I did get busy making some canvases.  This is something I hadn't done for several weeks due to lack of motivation and focus.  It seemed that every time I would feel the urge to venture into my studio I would just end up sitting there for a while and just stare blankly at my supplies, then feeling disgruntled I'd leave the studio and plonk myself back onto the lounge and continue to flick through sites on my IPad.  Very depressing for me I must say!  I like to feel productive. I like to be able to show Stephen what I have achieved for the day.....but it seems that at the moment I have to be happy with just getting through the day!  Hhhhhhhmmmmmmm.....life keeps moving forward and so must I.

So with all this time, I got to thinking.  Some of my fondest childhood memories are me at dance classes and performance's, playing netball and hockey.  Although the activity was enjoyable what I loved most about it all was seeing my Mum and Dad on the sideline.  I remember looking over at them after scoring a goal or at the end of a performance and feeling my chest fill as though they were injecting me with the pride and love they felt for me in that moment......these are the emotions that we carry with us into adulthood......these are the same feelings I want to instil in our children.

This week marked the last week of the netball season for Hannah (pictured first on the left) and her team.  This is the first season that Hannah has ever played.....she never missed a game.....I never missed a game.  And on their last game......the family didn't miss the game!

I can't begin to describe what it was like to watch Hannah play on the same courts I played on at her age.....to watch her learn to play the game as she played.....her skills developed quickly and she became a valuable member of a team of beautiful girls.....and all while I sat eagerly glued to her on the court, calling out instructions and encouragement......all the while feeling my chest swell with pride and hoping she too would feel what I felt.  And while they didn't make it into the finals.  In fact they only won one game.  These girls had the time of their lives on the court every week!  I am so very proud of Hannah.....and her team!

This week also marked the semi-finals for Isaac's senior A-grade basketball team.  Isaac is the bearded young man on the far left.  And much to the boys excitement they have made it through to the grand finals in two weeks time!!!  I can't tell you how excited Isaac is to be a part of such a great team of boys!

This is Isaac's second season of basketball.  Crazy I know considering he's 6'6" and wearing size 16US shoes....the kid was built for basketball.  But until he hit grade 11, despite all our previous encouragement he was not interested in playing. INSANE I know!!!!  Now he can't get enough of it.  So our plan is to get him into club basketball next season as he is currently in the school musical "Treasure Island" and playing the role of Billy Bones as well as the Bearded Lady.....hence the beard. 

I have made it to every game but one.....I have loved watching Isaac play and develop.  I have watched his frustration when he gets pulled up on fouls....I have watched the elated expression on his face when he finally manages to score a basket after a few attempts.....I am usually the most vocal person at their games!  Lol!

On one occasion several of the boys from their school sat in and watched a game.  I witnessed these boys mocking some of the team.  Isaac overheard one of the boys commenting on Isaac's inability to get a basket....I watched Isaac blow the comment off.....he then went on to score twice.  Can I just tell you......despite the points gained, these comments still haunt Isaac.  I have watched him pass the ball off so many times since instead of taking the chance and shooting.....I see that comment weigh on him.  We have had numerous discussions about this.....he is my softy....he is not infallible......his height doesn't give him and instant advantage.....he has to believe in himself first.

Win or loose....I will be his biggest fan......I will never stop believing in him.....I will continue to cheer the loudest from the sideline....for I know that it isn't about winning or loosing the game, it's about what is in your heart, that you speak with your mouth that will have the biggest impact on the long term outcome of a person.

Peace and love to you all my friends xxx

Hello Friends!! Sorry for the long gap in posts.  Let me explain....

So over the past few months (actually probably ten months if I'm being totally honest with myself!) I have had to learn to be extremely patient with myself.  It's not the easiest of things to do let me tell you!

You see.  My husband Stephen and I have been blessed with 6 beautiful children and now one gorgeous little grand-daughter.  So as you can imagine all of my time, attention and focus has been about them for the past 21 years.  I love my children to iddy biddy bits so naturally devoting myself to them and our marriage has never been a chore.

However, now I have developed a medical condition that has been brought on by outside factors and I find myself having to take a lot more time out for me.  I have to allow myself time to take a lot longer to do things that I would have ordinarily done in a day to now take a few days, a week or two and sometimes maybe even longer.  As you can imagine this is extremely frustrating for me!  Don't get me wrong....I know there are people out in the world who are a lot worse off than me, but this is nonetheless very difficult for me.

I am however, very blessed to have such and amazing, supportive husband and family who are very patient and together we are learning this journey of patience.  I am and forever will be eternally grateful for them.

So amongst all the BLAH that's been going on, Stephen and I have rekindled our passion for garage sales!  On one of our recent adventures we purchased an old chest of drawers (unfortunately I somehow deleted the photo! Sorry!).  Other than being old, tired and worn (much like how I'm feeling! lol!) it was in perfect working order! And we got it for a steal!  So after it sat in my carport for several weeks I finally plucked up both the courage and stamina to crack open the can of Annie Sloane chalk paint, in cream and gave the drawers a lick of paint. 

And let me tell you......it was like breathing life back into a tired old body!  Man I wish my numpty brain wouldn't be so numpty at times!!! I wish I had the before photo for you!  The transformation is amazing! I'll be honest....when I applied the first coat of chalk paint I was a little concerned because you could see the brush strokes.  I applied the second coat and the strokes were still visible.  Feeling defeated it took me another week and a half to go back to it! 

Figuring I was committed (and besides these drawers are taking up room in the family room!) I decided to start the process of waxing it.  This took me about four hours as I would start and then after 10 or 15 minutes I would loose focus and walk away and find something else to do.  Then, feeling like I really SHOULD get this done I would return to do some more.  Eventually the whole set of drawers were waxed.

About another week passed and I decided yet again that these drawers needed to be finished so I began sanding and distressing the drawers.  After a lot of off and on sanding (which by the way is normally a really quick process but because everything for me is slow it's taken a lot longer than normal!)the drawers were completely distressed! Yes!!!!! And then I decided to quickly rub the clear wax back over the distressed areas which fortunately I did rather quickly!

Then about three days later I plucked the courage up to put my own unique touch to the drawer fronts.  I adhered scrapbooking papers with decoupage  glue to the drawers and then scrapped gesso randomly over the top.  I also touched up the old handles with black paint.  I think it came up a real treat!!!! What do you think?? I really love them!!!

So I think I have found a new niche for myself.  The processes are easy....I just have to get my brain to work properly!!! Easier said than done...but I am determined not to let this get the better of me, no matter how long it takes!!

I am learning that sometimes I just have to be more patient than others!!!

Much love and peace to you all.

Toni xxx

Hello Friends!!! I trust your weekend was wonderful!

My weekend was spent garage saleing with my hubby Stephen and our youngest daughter Rebecca (also affectionately referred to as Boo.  I love the excited feeling of anticipation.....are we going to find that something special, will we get it at a good price and who will we meet along the way?  Saturday was no exception!  I managed to find some lovely plants (albeit in need of some love)in large glazed pots... and I only paid $1 each, pot and all!!  These now sit nestled with my daisies, roses and lavender.

I have to tell you......daisies are my all time favourite flower, followed very closely by roses!  Why you ask??  Daisies are so simple!  Whenever I'm sitting around and a pen/pencil is nearby I always doodle daisies.....oh and trees!!! They remind me to keep life simple....to shed worries and not carry unnecessary burdens around with me......and they remind me that there is immense beauty in the simplest of things.

And there's something to be said about lavender and roses and just being outside and feeling nature.  Don't get me wrong, I'm not a tree hugger (not that there's anything wrong with that!), I just feel a deep sense of comfort in it.

But as with most things I do I don't do it small! Lol! I have to have a lot of flowery plants to swoon over!

I can't help but feel happy and uplifted when I sit amongst these little pretties!

Anyway.....So the rest of my weekend consisted of snuggles on the lounge with Steve and the kids, going to church on Sunday morning and having a wonderful dinner at home here with all of my family and their significant others and our gorgeous grand-daughter Lailah-Rose and my sweet parents.

And for the first time in I think ever I made my very own handmade (no bread machine!) fresh bread!! It was amazing! Not to mention it took me back to my childhood days when Mum used to grind her own wheat and make her own bread and rolls and wheat-meals.  I loved the walk home on these days because I could smell the aroma of fresh baked bread and I knew that it was coming from home and the thought of piping hot bread smothered in melted butter and honey fresh from our beehives would make the rest of the walk home feel like a magic carpet ride.  These are the memories I want for my children.

So today I feel myself reflecting on last week and how far I've come in my dream of having an online store and blog.  I think I've come leaps and bounds and although I know I will have some teething problems and little hurdles I know it's all a part of the process.

I also find myself feeling frustrated that due to a hand injury making my time to create become almost stagnant.....very frustrating!!  But it doesn't stop me from pooling ideas in my head ready to hit the ground running when my hand finally comes good. So for now I can only dabble with my feet in the pond and dream of big things.

But at the end of the day when I lay down under my colourful patchwork quilt, and I ponder.....I realize it's all those little things that happen during my day that make me who I am.  And having the capacity to be grateful for and recognize those things all have a place in my creation.  This makes me feel so blessed.

Welcome! Welcome friends!!!! I can't begin to tell you how super excited I am to finally have my online shop and blog up a running!  Please bare with me as I fuddle my way through....technology is quite the struggle for me!

Please take time to have a look around and check everything out.  I have put my links to my Facebook and Twitter sites for you to follow should you choose to.

So, let me begin by sharing with you my all time favourite place to create.  It's simple but makes me all skippity happy to spend time there!

I love flowers and feeling the openness of being outside.  Not to mention the amazing breeze we have making its way down the mountain and across the paddock adjacent to us.  The old wooden easel was an awesome find at a vintage home-wares shop and the old wooden table was a garage sale find.  Where we live is just on the outskirts of town, so while we are literally only a 5 minute drive into town we have the space and view like we are out rural! Win! Win!

It's an especially inviting place to sit in the afternoons.  I often feel it beckon me as I walk past the doorway.  So now, instead of fighting it's draw and simply grab a book some crochet or whatever is close at hand and sit and enjoy as I watch the last of the days sunlight slip behind the far mountains.  I mean, why wouldn't you when you have sunsets like these??

and these.....

Yes indeed.  There is something to be said for seeing the day disappear and the night move in.  It's almost a reward for the days efforts.

So today I leave you feeling very blessed to have such a wonderful calm place to call my own, and to have the opportunity to share it with you and invite you to come on my little journey with me. Life is indeed full of twists and turns, and this is one turn that I'm grateful I have followed the desire to take.  Until next time my friends xx