Local Heroes!

Kate - 2nd from right, back row - and six school friends made the local radio news this week after they presented the Inverell Breast Cancer Support Group with a cheque for an incredible $3700.

They raised the money by producing the Gum Flat Kids Calendar, and holding a photography exhibition and auction.

Proves that amazing things can be achieved if you have the will!

THE GUM FLAT AND INVERELL COMMUNTY IS SO PROUD OF YOU GIRLS

XXXXXXXX

Our Weekends

....have been rather full - and if you have kids who do stuff I'm sure yours have been just as crazy!

I tell you - kids have the best social life!

We've had a Blue Light Disco, a birthday party, a sleepover, a "just because" party, and there's more to come!

A few weekends ago we planted our vegie beds.....

Then it flooded. This is the causeway we have to drive over to get out of our property - more like a river!!!

The Macintyre River broke it's banks. Water came up into the park in town.....people were bracing themselves, but thankfully it stopped short of businesses and houses....

A planned fishing trip and picnic for a friend's birthday was kinda ruined by all the rain - we ended up at their house instead. The kids were determined to get in the water - and there was plenty of that to keep them happy....

Sometime in the middle we went to the launch of the Gum Flat Country Kids Calendar....the Year 5/6 girls designed and photographed the calendar, got a grant from Community Mutual to print it, and decided to give all the proceeds to the local Breast Cancer Support Group.

The calendar looked fabulous, as did the photography exhibition they held, plus they raised over $2000 for their chosen charity!!!

A truly amazing and inspiring effort by 7 young girls and their wonderful teachers.





Beth performed in her end of year guitar concert on Sat night....

She did "Rockin Robin" with 3 other kids - and she was also on vocals! So beautiful! She inspires me to keep plugging away with my guitar. With her help I can now play about 3 chords quite well! Whoopie!

Speaking of concerts...a certain someone in our family is counting down the days for this....

This weekend we have a Little Athletics Zone Carnival, dance concert and Archery Xmas Party....more photo opportunities!

Hey, remember these organza flowers with the melted edges that were all the go a while back? I bet you have some hanging around the place.

Dig them out (or make some new ones!) and stay tuned for the SUYS Try This Challenge annoucement. The sketch challenge is already up.....check out details here.

Catch you soon!

xxx

Breaking Dawn + Layout

OK I admit it - I was one of those Twilight crazies who was at the cinema Wednesday night in the early hours for the Breaking Dawn premiere....

Eclipse was first at 9.30 (good to get a refresher) then Breaking Dawn Part 1 began at midnight. My friend Polly and I came prepared with our pillows and so glad we did! The film twisted up and broke down one hour into the movie so we sat from 1am to 2am waiting....waiting.....waiting.

Can you believe in this day and age the projectionist had to painstakingly unwind then wind on metres and metres of film to correct it?? You'd think it would all be digital, hey?

Anyhow - it was such a fun vibe in the cinema - and the movie didn't disappoint.

The 4th instalment had all the elements we love about the Twilight films.....

Spectacular scenery.

Corny jokes.

Spunky wolf boys.

Wooden acting.

Weird facial expressions.

Swoony romance.

And this one had the added extras of a gruesome birth scene, corpse-like anorexic Bella and a demon baby!

Bring on BD Part 2!!!!

Oh, here's my layout I promised you....

Join in the fun here!

Blanket Stitch + Share

Blanket stitch looks really cute when done on cardstock as part of your layout. I like it best when it's a little bit wonky (translation - I can't sew neat!)....

It's the Try This challenge during November over at Show Us Your Stuff and above is a peak of my DT layout. I'll reveal it tomorrow!

If you can't remember how to start off your blanket stitch - or you've never tried before, this link takes you to a tutorial on YouTube.

I think I forgot to show you my "stuff" for last month's SUYS challenge.....we had to use circles, flowers and misting. My misting was more like sponging and blobbing paint all over the place - but there you have it!

"Bran Nu Dae" was the track Gum Flat School danced to for this year's Eisteddfod, hence the title for these photos of the girls dressed up for their performance. 

Enjoy today's heat!

xxx

How could you not love 'em?

What's fun, rainbow-bright and too delicious to resist?

These gorgeous goodies from Purple Pumpkin, that's what!

Even better - they're giving them away!

Check it out!

Been a while....

.....but each time I think about posting an update I'm overwhelmed by how far behind I am! But, today is the day.

Life has been running away on me.....we've had two trips to Taree, one to Yamba and one to Sydney in the last 2 months.....spring has definitely sprung along with allergies all round.....the farm is looking beautiful with fat cows and gorgeous babies everywhere.....the new vegie gardens are finally done and ready to plant.....swimming lessons have begun for Bethie and Mimi....Kate has started Little Athletics.....music practice madly happening in prep for end of year concerts.....and Kate is increasingly excited (and Mum increasingly stressed) about going into high school next year.

Some photos:

Book Week

Mia as Lola from Charlie & Lola, complete with pink milk...

Beth as the Queen of Hearts from Alice in Wonderland

(how's that evil pose!)...

Kate as Malificent, the wicked fairy from Sleeping Beauty (that see-through mask was SO creepy!)...

Yamba Camping Holiday

   

This is the perfect holiday park for families - so much to do!

 State Athletics

We made the huge trip to Sydney for our little Gum Flat relay team to compete at Homebush....

It was a day to remember forever.....summed up perfectly in this letter my Mum wrote to our school principal....

"Good Morning, Mr Bloch,

I am writing to tell you that I had the pleasure and privilege of attending the PSSA sports championships at Sydney Olympic Park with Penny and my three granddaughters, Kate, Bethany and Mia Hackney.

The relay team from Gum Flat made me so proud! These fine young people were a joy to be associated with, their good manners, their friendly team spirit, their courage and aplomb while dealing with the disappointment of the results in the Semi Final, showed a maturity far beyond their years.

They did so well in the heats and were only point four of a second behind the fastest team. Without a proper track to train on at home, this in itself was a remarkable feat. It was so exciting to witness! They were looking forward to success in the semi-final, but when there was a fumbled baton pass between Lydia and Kate, we all held our breath.............Kate was devastated, and she has blamed herself for the error. However, the team ran on, valiantly and finished the race. The girls were inconsolable, and slowly made their way back to us, arms around each other, and in tears...........it was heartbreaking and we felt their pain. Alex and Campbell were gallant and very calm and mature and sympathetic to the girls although they must have been mightily disappointed at losing out on a chance to enter the final. They set an example of true mateship that many more famous sportsmen might need to follow.

I feel compelled to write to you, to congratulate you and your staff on the training of these little sporting heroes. The experience of being on the spot made me so pround of Alex, Campbell, Kate and Lydia, they are fine young people and this day will stay in my memory for ever. I want to thank the four of them for allowing me to be a part of this fantastic occasion. The future success of Gum Flat community will be secure in the hands of these young people, I am sure. Well done to you all.

Sincerely,
Angie Budden Watt (aka 'Martha') Grandma of Kate, Beth and Mia."

 After such an emotional and exhausting day on the track, it was off next door to the Olympic Pool for a bit of fun.....this place is AWESOME.....you have to go if you get the chance!

 

Gardening

I got to drive a tip truck for a day.....I reckon it could be my new career.....such fun!

Apart from driving trucks around the place.....I've been picking up my guitar each evening (determined to learn those chords!)....and have gotten hooked on Ancestry.com.....so interesting and addictive.....chews up hours of time though! Have gone as far back as my Great Great Great Grandparents and still discovering!

I'll leave with a reminder about the latest Show Us Your Stuff challenge....a lovely sketch. Find out here.

Have a joyous day.

xxx

Sad News

My dear old Gran passed away peacefully in her bed last night with Mum and Dennis by her side.
At 96 and a half - she is and always will be an inspiration to me and my girls.
Love you Grandma.
Rest in peace.

 On a happier note, I have scrapping to show you.
My creative efforts have slowed down to once a month - I just struggle to get the spare time these days.
Thank goodness for my DT gig with SHOW US YOUR STUFF to keep me going.

A simple little "recipe" for the September #2 Challenge.........

Multi photos (i.e. - more than one!)

Stripes

And of course something handmade

How cute are these handmade flowers?

I found them for the SUYS Try This Technique.

SO cute and SO easy. 

How gorgeous would they be on a hairclip or headband?

More news and pics to come.....Book Week, Kate's BD, etc.

See you soon!