Transforming Op Shop Jars...

It started with one glass jar...then another...before I knew it...there was a little collection growing....a collection of op shop finds!

They sat neglected for quite some time until recently I decided to dust them off and give them a new lease of life....

Here is my collection...all bargains picked up from various op shops for just a few dollars each...

Hidden away (from hubby's sight!!)  I have a little stash of craft bits n pieces...so I dragged them out....I had some hessian, lace, string, yarn, flowers, ribbon etc...  and my glue gun came in handy too!

I started on the first jar by cutting a piece of hessian long enough to fit around the jar and then glueing it in place...

Next I cut a piece of lace long enough to go around the jar and glued this in place too...

Lastly I attached some beautiful pink roses that I had to the front of the jar....

And then the jar was complete....

For the second jar I glued one end of a piece of twine to the top back of the jar....

And then I continued to wind the twine around the jar, adding dots of glue as necessary to keep it all in place...

Once I was finished I glued the end of the twine into place and added a lace ribbon to the jar, simply tied in a bow at the front and the jar was complete....

The third jar was quick and easy....I glued a piece of pink lace in place around the middle of the jar....

And finished it off by adding a big flower embellishment glued to the front...

The fourth was a tall bottle and again it was quick and easy.  I cut a small piece of hessian to fit around the middle of the bottle and glued it on...

I then cut a small piece of ribbon and glued that on over the hessian....

And lastly I tied a piece of string over the ribbon and tied it in a bow....

And this bottle was now finished....

The last bottle was a little more tricky.  I decided to wind yarn around the bottle, putting dots of glue as I went to hold it in place.  I started with a green yarn...

Then changed to a white yarn....

And finally I changed to a yellow yarn...

Once I got into a rhythm of wrapping the yarn it was not too hard.  The finished bottle looked like this....

Now I love my transformed jars and bottles!

Who Am I ???

Seems an easy enough question but it is really one that I struggle to answer.

I can fill you in on details like I was the youngest of 5 children....clearly a little 'oops' given the age differences between myself and my siblings.  I was raised in a Catholic family and attended both Catholic primary and high school.

I was quite studious, very shy, and always well behaved.  

I was the first in my family to go to university...I went more so because I had a lack of direction rather than those that go because they know exactly what career they want and this is the path to get there.

I read the list of uni courses and then re-read it....eliminated everything mathematical or science related, crossed out those that required drama or theatrical performances...and there I was left with the humanities. 

Uni was a mix of so many people and a lot of fun!   I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Psychology and haven't really used it to this day!

Took an office job in North Sydney in a claims department.  Some of the best people to work with!  Transferred to another department of the company in the city and was involved in organising training courses, running company orientations etc...  Liked the work but didn't really like the office politics.

Met my now hubby and we had moved in together after a few months.  He started his own business and I left work to do all the admin side of things.

We got married...nine months later we had a baby...a girl lol !!

Added another 4 daughters to the mix.  Never cared if they were boys or girls.

Sometimes I have thought of going back to study....but had no idea what I would study.
I thought about school counsellor but you have to study teaching first.  Feel too old to go through all of that!

Started this blog for a little 'me' space and enjoy it. 

Recently I started to look for ideas of things to blog about and found list upon list of ideas...which just managed to reaffirm that I still don't know who I am!!!

Some of the ideas were to write about your passion.....ummm do I have one?  I'm not sure??Or to write a how-to post....oh crap not sure what I could do that others can't already do better! Share a secret...something you've never told anybody....sadly I don't think I even have a secret!

I have thought long and hard over the past few weeks.....I like craft, I am hopeless at making decisions, I love chocolate, I prefer winter to summer........

So there you have it....seems I am a fence sitting, creatively challenged, introverted wanna be blogger sipping hot chocolate in ugg boots and trackie dacks............nice to meet you!!!

Tree Tops Adventures....

The girls were lucky enough to get a family voucher to Tree Tops Adventure Park in Sydney for Christmas....but as it was soon to expire we booked online for the Monday of the long weekend.  Sadly we had to attend the 9am session which meant leaving home around 8.15am to ensure we were there on time....not an easy task getting the girls and hubby up that early on a wintery long weekend!!!!

Since I had been the one to do the online booking it was hubby that was chosen to participate in the climb with the three older girls as one adult has to climb!!  And I was chosen to supervise the younger two girls from the ground as there must be one adult supervising....seemed all good to me!!!!!!

When we arrived hubby, Miss 16, Miss 15 and Miss 13 were harnessed up and given an intensive lesson about very important climbing stuff.  Miss 9 and Miss 5 were also harnessed up over in the childrens' course and given a lesson in how to use their harness.

Eventually hubby and his troops set off on their tree tops adventure and I began my parental supervision duties of my two.  Miss 9 who is not a huge fan of heights (which quite possibly stems from the one time we went to Paris...right to the top of the Eiffel Tower on a windy winters day some 6 years ago....and I squeezed her hand so tight as we cowered in the doorway that led to the open air area trying to force myself to take that first step out...but then again it could be totally unrelated!!) started tentatively but soon she had done the first course and was off to the second and third.  Miss 5 on the other hand wasn't quite so trusting of the belay safety system that she was hooked up to and when she reached the part of the course where she had to step out on a tight rope wire it took a lot of convincing from her instructor to get her across. 

With the help of her instructor she made it to the end of this first course...supposedly the easy course....and there she was faced with the dilemna that the only way to the ground was to leap off a perfectly sound platform albeit a few metres above the ground...and flying fox it to the ground.  With a gentle push from her instructor she was off....and she loved it!!

Miss 9 was by now up to the third course but Miss 5 had to repeat the first course until she could do it confidently as each course progressed in difficulty and height!  Once again she needed assistance come to the tight rope wire...and at this point I thought maybe this wasn't going to be such a great day!  She made it to the end with assistance and so we decided to do the first course one more time...this time with Miss 9 behind her for moral support.  She got to the end with only a little assistance from her sister and it was time to progress to the second course!

A short way in to the second challenge I thought that perhaps we had made a big mistake taking Miss 5 on this one!!  My neck was seriously getting sore looking up constantly issuing words of encouragement to keep her going!  Her legs could barely reach from one log to the next in some areas...not to mention that the logs were swaying as she tried to reach them!

Much to my surprise she made it to the end of the course and down the flying fox to the end, followed closely by Miss 9.

Miss 9 wanted to do the third course one last time before our time was up...and full of self confidence Miss 5 decided that she would do it too.  Eeek....I looked up at the obstacles and was not feeling too confident that Miss 5 would be able to make it....but she insisted and off she went....very, very slowly and with encouragement from nearly every adult left on the ground she made her way from one obstacle to the next.  

Even I had my heart in my mouth when she had to let go of ropes and but her faith into her harness system to get from one plank to the next....and with Miss 9 following closely behind her she made it to the final flying fox....and down she went!!!

Miss 9 and Miss 5 were totally on an adrenaline high!!!  I think they were both amazed by what they had achieved....I know that I was completely blown away by what they did.....and I was completely thrilled that I got to stay on the ground!!

About half an hour after we finished our course (lol I say 'we' !!)  hubby, Miss 16, Miss 15 and Miss 13 returned!  They had had a great time as well and had completed obstacles similar to the younger girls though at a much greater height and a much greater difficulty level!

Overall it was a great day out....it would be quite pricey if we hadn't had the voucher so I'm glad we were able to make use of that!  And I am glad that I got to remain on the ground the whole time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Losing my Mind!!!

I'm pretty sure that Miss 14 has soccer photos this weekend...just not sure of the time or the location.

I think Miss 13 and Miss 9's netball photos are coming up...I remember reading that they are on a Wednesday night....just not sure which Wednesday that is.

I definitely know that there is a mini dance concert coming up....mid June....being held local....just have to find out what Miss 5 is supposed to wear, how her hair is supposed to be done, what date rehearsals are and I must remember to go online and buy tickets...

Miss 13 has two violin concerts in June.  I am yet to remember the dates and venues but I know that I need to buy tickets.

Miss 16 has two school excursions coming up and for one of them she needs to take the digital camera.  Now where is the charger for that?

Miss 9 makes her First Holy Communion in about three weeks.  We have to attend weekly sessions, a Church tour and a rehearsal.  Also need to find somewhere to buy a dress, jacket and shoes that won't cost a fortune.

It is Miss 14's birthday in less than two weeks.  Need to buy her some gifts and will need to tidy up before the in-laws come over to have dinner for her birthday.

Don't remind me that I still have one or two tax returns to catch up on.

I am reasonably sure that I paid the last electricity bill....well kinda, sorta sure.

Miss 5 should be doing readers and sight words daily....mummy fail on that one big time!!

Yesterday I was sitting at a red light at a busy intersection watching the other cars driving at speed, some one turned right from the wrong lane, another braked at the last minute.  It was all a blur it was all happening so fast.  It was crazy!

It was exactly like what is constantly going on in my head and my life at the moment...chaos!!

There is too much to do, not enough time.  Constantly more and more things being added to the schedule and the to do list.  

With two of the girls playing netball on Saturdays and two playing soccer on Sundays weekends are no longer a chance to  enjoy bacon and egg breakfasts and lazy days they are just all consumed with activities and school preparations for the following week.

Seriously I cannot believe that it will be June by the end of this week.

I need to write myself some to do lists, I need to structure my days a a whole lot  more, I need to work smarter and plan better.

I am planning to be housebound for June (well apart from going to all of those concerts and sports games....oh and the school mass!!)......so that I can try to get some order into this chaos................before I go completely mad !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Change of Heart....

Do you know that feeling when you find out you are pregnant with your next baby before the memories of the last long and arduous labour have faded?

Well that was how I felt this week when I saw the recent television advertisement for the newest lot of stickers to collect at Woolworths. Instantly the memories of the still too recent animal card collection came back...and I was too strongly reminded of the whole ordeal...trying to collect the whole series, the pain of trying to find an album, oh and not to mention the 'f bomb' hiding in the find a word too....it was still all too fresh in my memory so I tuned out to the television commercial adamant that I was not interested.

The next day I find myself at Woolworths and when I was lined up at the checkout I caught a glimpse of the Jamie's Garden albums....oh my gosh I had to have it...well 2 in fact!  This is a quality book, hard covered and spiral bound...I loved it!  So there and then I had a change of heart...!!

Inside it is full of vibrant images...each page just grabs you!  There are details on how to grow your own herbs, fun facts about veggies, great recipes with easy to follow instructions, there are even games to play.  There is so much information I was amazed.  

And I love the fact that everything has been well thought out...for example if you cut out the cards to play the memory game the back of the page has been left free of information so you don't lose any great content!

The stickers come with a number printed on then which corresponds with where to stick them in your book.  Miss 5 has loved doing this on her own and it is simple enough for her to do it easily.  Her favourite so far is the scratch and sniff pineapple sticker!

I honestly love the whole concept and the product. Miss 5 has even taken this as her news today!  And I have sent messages to everyone I know whose children are either too old or too young for this collection and have asked them to collect stickers for us!

Miss 5 is not a good eater and hasn't been for the past 2 years or so, so I am hoping that a little something might rub off on her from being part of this fun and informative collection.

If you haven't got yours yet be sure to check it out when you are at Woolworths next (which is probably almost daily if you are anything like me!!).  By the way this is in no way a sponsored post...it's just ramblings from a crazy mum who loves the Jamie's garden collection and had to share !!!

Hope you like it too !

Are You Being Served??!!

Yesterday I experienced two very different extremes of customer service.

Here's a little background information on the first story...

Last week I went to our local Hot Dollar variety store to purchase a few extra gifts for our school Mother's Day stall.  This store would have to be one of my favourites as it always seems that when I have looked all over for something I go there and they have it (you think I'd figure out to go there first wouldn't you !!)  So I spent up big buying multiples of various items for the stall.  I was in a rush, as usual, so when I saw a cute little melamine tray for $2.50 I just picked up the whole bunch of them together and added them to my shopping.

Well when I arrived at the school for Mother's Day wrapping I realized that one of the trays was broken...which then led me to take a closer look at the remaining trays and I saw that a dozen of them had a tiny crack near the handle....in fact you would never have seen it if you weren't specifically looking for it.

So yesterday I went with my receipt in hand to return the damaged trays....only to be met with the barrage of abuse from the shopkeeper...okay so most of the conversation was to her son in another language but seriously the tone and volume she used indicated that she was none too happy with my suggestion that the items were damaged when I bought them.  Seriously I would not waste my time returning a dozen trays for the sheer fun of it.  I tried to reason with her and her son as you could only see the crack if you were really analysing the trays.  Whilst I'm pretty sure that her son believed my side of the story there was no way that the lady was having it and she simply concluded the shopping experience by loudly accusing me of dropping the trays on the ground and trying to bring them back for a refund.

I have been shopping there for years, I have purchased in bulk for the past few Mother's Day and Father's Day stalls, birthday parties and the like but I will not be returning to that store again....yep that is my teeny tiny personal protest!!

So much for the customer always being right!!  I can appreciate that people would possibly try to return things that we broken after purchase etc.. but it is up to the shopkeeper to use their discretion...and at least be civil.

So then came shopping experience number two...

At about 3.40 pm Miss 16 informed me that she needed one more board game to finish her Design and Tech project that is due this week...and she needed it...well basically now!  

We had purchased the other board games from Salvo's so I said I'd try to get to the local one as soon as I had dropped Miss 5 off to dancing at 4.00 pm.  

I dropped Miss 5 off to dancing, got caught up with her needing to go to the toilet, then with her not wanting to do dancing today...thankfully the teacher prised her off my leg and I made my escape!

Rushing back to the car I called the closest Salvo's store to ask if they had a lot of board games at the moment...she informed me that they did but that they closed in 20 minutes so I'd have to be quick.

I was there within a few minutes, quickly made my way to the back of the store where there was a range of board games but not the kind that we needed...we need the type of board that when you put two together you will end up with a cube....if that makes sense!

I rushed back to the car, called the next closest Salvo's, which just so happened to be the one where we purchased some of the games previously, so I was kicking myself a little for not just going straight there!  They informed me that they too closed at 4.20pm.  Now I was at least a good 10 minutes drive away and that would be if the traffic lights were all kind to me!  

I started driving in the direction of the store but hit traffic straight away.  I thought about turning around and hoping that Kmart or Target had board games on special this week!  At that point I realized I had left my purse at home....a quick look in the centre console found a $5 note and I figured I might be able to find a few gold coins if I was lucky so I kept on in the direction of the Salvo's store like a woman on a mission!

At the first chance I pulled over and called the Salvo's store again to tell them that I desperately needed to get there to buy a board game....to which they replied that they were closing in 10 minutes.  I told them I was on my way, probably 10-15 minutes away so would there be any chance they could wait til say 4.25 pm?  They guy replied that they'd be counting the cash so if I was quick enough that should be okay.

Well every red light later...and the fact that they are located on the other side of the road to the way I was travelling which required driving past to the next set of lights and turning around...I pulled up in their car park at 4.24 pm and could see the lights just being turned off...I ran...yes I actually ran...to the door, thanked them a thousand times, ran to the back of the store, grabbed a box of Trivial Pursuit, checked that the board was in good enough condition and then made my way to the counter.

At this point I remember that I only had my $5 note and one gold coin that I'd found under the car seat.  Seriously I sounded like a crazy lady going on about needing a board game, leaving my purse at home, finding some change in the car...blah blah blah!!  

The gentleman gathered up my money and said that for today that could be the price of a board game...aah the relief!!!

Oh my gosh, I was so thankful for the Salvo's store just waiting those extra few minutes!!


So there you have my two opposing experiences of customer service in the same day. Now to find myself another variety store to frequent!!!!!

eBay Collections....totally loving it!

A few weeks ago I was introduced to eBay Collections by Nuffnang Blog Community....I got to be among some of the first people to pop over to eBay and build their own Collections...and I must say that I am loving it!

The premise is that you can set up your own themed collections and add items from eBay to these.....it's a bit like having a themed mood board (I have mood boards on the brain with three daughters in high school....it's one of the first projects that they have to complete!!) ...but this is even better because you can click on the items and actually buy them!

Creating the collections is easy...when you are looking at an item on eBay just click on 'add to collection'  then either name your collection or add the item to an existing collection...it is that easy!  

You can take a look at my eBay collections here and while you're at it...why not pop over to Explore Collections and take a look at all of the other wonderful collections....be prepared to lose a few hours....it is wonderful!  It is easy to follow the collections that take your fancy too.

The concept is great...it is like having a wishlist created for you!  I think these collections will definitely come in handy when shopping for birthdays and Christmas etc...

There's interior decorating, fashion, stationary, wedding ideas...the list is endless...go on... take a look and if you find some great collections to follow why not come back and share them so we can all have a peak!!