Teacher Aides: Super-workmates

I hear a lot of people grumble and bitch

 about the people they work with.

This makes me feel sad for them,

and all the more appreciative of what I have.

There is one person in particular 

who enables my workplace

 to function smoothly and happily.

Maybe you are lucky enough

 to have one of those people in your work place?

 They are always happy.

They will always to do what ever is needed.

They find the time for everyone.

They are supportive.

They are generous and graceful.

My super-workmate and friend

is the art assistant / teacher aide at our college.

She works tirelessly and is always positive.

Teacher aides are the backbone of our schools

and so often unrecognised for their efforts.

I love our chats about creativity, family.. whatever!

Teacher aides are the backbone of our schools

and so often unrecognised for their efforts.

So today I made her a little thank-you gift.

A metrocard wallet with one of her favourite singers-Pink.

Its not much but I hope it gives her a smile.

Reindeers and Elves: Handmade Cards

Well, there is a reason for my blogging absence...

Work.

Life.

Family.

and Instagram is faster and more immediate :)

Another reason is my commitment

 to making and gifting handmade this year.

No "Made in China" for me this year.

Oh,  one exception:

 I can't handmake a trampoline for the kids.

Here is a card I made tonight from

a vintage 1976 Golden Book 

 "Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer"

Are you into Christmas this year?

Or maybe you just couldn't be christmarsed!

(got to love the Urban Dictionary)

Spooky Halloween Bunting Giveaway

Halloween is in 13 days -spooky.

We don't have much time...

So I'll cut to the chase.

I'm giving a way some handmade

Book Bunting.

The book is vintage 1981,

"The Great Bear Scare"

There is a tag...

the giveaway is only for
Elle and Lou Facebook supporters.

So pop over, hit 'like' & this handmade bunting maybe heading your way next week. 

The competition closes on Wednesday morning at 10am and is only open to Australian and New Zealand residents.

Communication in the Office - a true gift

Work dynamics are interesting to watch.

This probably explains the reason why "The Office"

 has enjoyed so much success all over the world.

I am so incredibly lucky to work with the best people.

Our office is casual, and happy, 

a place where you can speak your mind without fear of offending others

 or stepping on toes.

We laugh constantly and

I must say if you have a thing for political correctness....

it is probably best that you are not a regular visitor.

Maybe it is because there are are only 5 of us.

Maybe it is because we support each other,

and come to work with a positive attitude and are prepared to laugh at ourselves.

 I guess to some degree we are like minded-we are all about visual art.

In any case, 

when we began the term, I decided chocolate was in order!

So, I found a 1970's book,

sprouting outdated ideas about what an office involved

and how we 'communicated'.

I mod-podged the images onto the canister of chocolate

and placed it on our staff- kitchen table.

Like a good family,

I think work mates can come together around food.

What does your work place look like?

Sharing this Elle and Lou post here:
http://www.myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/
http://debbie-debbiedoos.blogspot.com.au/

Cinderella and Prince Charming Luggage Tags

My love of retro papers, microfiche and eco-cycling have been a marriage made in heaven

at least I think so :)

His and Hers luggage tags for the Bride and Groom to be.

Can you think of a Cinderella and Prince Charming, planning a long haul flight?

Valentine's Teacher Gift: Heart Bookmark

If you are looking for a simple, super quick Valentine's gift idea

for a teacher, friend or lover...

this is it.

 It works with any type of paper all you need is a square shape.

Old atlas pages work well,

 but these are just

origami style prints.

 To learn how to fold a heart go here.

Then a square of cardboard holds the bookmark well

and gives you room for a message.

My children wrote a personal message to their teacher on the back too.

There it is in a nut shell.

All up it takes about 10 mins.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Linking Elle and Lou up with these sites:

http://www.vwbblog.com/search/label/%7Btalent%20tuesday%7D
http://www.SugarBeeCrafts.com/
http://www.hopestudios.blogspot.com.au/
http://www.homemakeronadime.com/

Alice in Wonderland - Bunting Decor

If I had a world of my own, everything would be nonsense.

 Nothing would be what it is because everything would be what it isn't.

 And contrary-wise; what it is it wouldn't be, and what it wouldn't be, it would. 

You see? 

Classic lines...

Classic characters... 

 Alice, The Cheshire Cat

 and a  kooky Queen.

In my primary school play, I scored the role as The Mad Hatter.

In retrospect, maybe I was typecast?!

mmmmmm...

It's the images of this particular version that really take me back.

Walt Disney's colours are bold.

They make great subject matter for bedroom decor,

or party decorations.

 

Or a personal gift for a sweet little girl.

Sharing Elle and Lou with:

http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com
http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com.au/
http://www.serenitynowblog.com/
Monday
http://debbie-debbiedoos.blogspot.com.au/
http://creatingreallyawesomefreethings.com/
http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com.au/
Tuesday
http://www.vwbblog.com/search/label/%7Btalent%20tuesday%7D
http://www.SugarBeeCrafts.com/
http://www.hopestudios.blogspot.com.au/
http://www.homemakeronadime.com/

Children's Gift Tags: Retro and laminate up-cycling

The new school year is only a few weeks old here in Australia.

Already, the weekends are filling up with class parties for my children's friends.

Presents to buy.

Presents to  wrap.

Presents to decorate.

Presents that need gift tags!

Lets face it- kids aren't really interested in cards.

They are usually just tossed to one side.

But a gift tag on the other hand....

A child will turn over a tag over, searching for THEIR name on it.

They love bright colours.

And these retro images will still captivate this new generation.

This new generation will also reap other benefits,

 because these gift tags are up-cycled & eco-friendly!

They began their life as laminate sample discards-destined for landfill.

That is until I got my scissors and hole punch to them.

With paper on the back to write a short message on and a ribbon, they begin to take shape.

Naturally, the sweet images are also up-cycled from an old kids book.

I am officially gift tag ready!

Now, I guess I should go a buy a few gifts to attach the tags on to.

Monday

Hating Martha

http://makingtheworldcuter.blogspot.com/

http://www.thegirlcreative.com

http://www.creatingreallyawesomefreethings.com/

http://www.craftskeepmesane.blogspot.com/

http://www.skiptomylou.org/

http://sumossweetstuff.blogspot.com/

http://craftomaniac.blogspot.com/

http://www.lifemadelovely-blog.com/

http://debbie-debbiedoos.blogspot.com.au/

Christmas Cards - Free Vintage Download

My Christmas Card Recipe

1. Source some traditional Christmas sheet music 
2. Add one large (but wise looking) moose head.
3. Decorate with shiny red retro baubles.
4. Serve with some French language references 

The great thing about this card recipe is that it is original and economical.

My Christmoose design is a 6x4,

perfect for development at the local photo-lab 

Then I simply glued the photos onto some card stock.

The cards came out at a grand total of 30 cents each, including the envelope...

that warms the cockles of my heart!

If you would like to spread the Christmoose cheer you are invited to use my original image for your cards (personal use only of course) . I would appreciate it if you follow Elle and Lou in return for using my design please.

Many thanks to The Graphics Fairy whose daily vintage images are an inspiring starting place.

Merry Christmas!

Linking up with:

Homestories A to Z

Hating Martha

Debbiedoos Blogging and Babbling
MeiJo's JOY

Tuesday

http://carolynshomework.blogspot.com/

http://funkypolkadotgiraffe.blogspot.com/

http://www.sugarbeecrafts.com/

http://www.tipjunkie.com/

http://todayscreativeblog.net/

Friday

http://shabbynest.blogspot.com/

http://romantichome.blogspot.com/

http://www.findingfabulousblog.com/

http://www.chiconashoestringdecorating.blogspot.com/

http://www.releasemecreations.com

OMG!

OMG!

I forgot to blog!

Not really-just busy with paid work!
Life has got the better of me and actually I am still  in the processes of changing my blog URL , setting up an Etsy site and all the time-consuming learning that goes with all this.
Won't be too much longer though, promise.

In the meantime, this is a card I made for a friend's 40th.
The image comes from this fabulous book of Oscar moments and the lettering from those kids' pencil-cases that you cut the letters out to spell you name- I really love that green and that dame, Miss Lovelace!


Linking with:
Debbiedoos Blogging and Babbling