Leafygal

NOIR indeed!

Had a bit of a race to finish my ATC's for the Noir Chunky book.
I ambitiously decided to do 2 rounds so was faced with producing 50 cards!

The background was fun with black acrylic swiped one then a foam brush dabbed gold and silver acrylic all over. I loved the effect.

I had already chosen the slightly sinister pictures from my book of Art Deco illustrations and decided to add a sea shell and some funky furry yarn to each.
I only had enough shells for about half, so used my newly aquired bead wire to string some beads and add those to the rest.  Another new technique conquered!!

Walking in the Dark

Once again I foolishly agreed to be the Team Leader for our our BREAST group's Relay for Life Team.
Titled BREAST Buddies we have been fund raising with film nights, choccy drives and a wine sale throughout the year.

My mini team, Gillian's Gals, was the designated overnight group, (1am to 6am) the relay goes from Midday Saturday to Midday Sunday.  Our other mini teams were Lyn's Lot, Marion's Merry Men, Carolyn's Charmers,  Judiths Gang and Charmaine's Cruisers. Dianne did a sterling job as a mini team of her own.
The Survivor's walk lead the way for the first round and then the relay proper was on for one and all.
One of the best parts is the Candlelight vigil where we all light candles in paper bags to commemorate those who have lost their battles to cancer, or in support of those still waging the war.

I was there from 9am helping to set up our tent and gazebo, and feeling very glad to be walking in the shade of night as  Saturday was quite hot.  Our new Banner made by Charmaine was considerably remarked upon. I think we have found a new fundraising idea!!

I had a bit of time to read my new camera instruction book and so have finally given it a bit of a workout.

I can't write an entry here without mentioning the food so  - Sandwiches by Lyn for Lunch, Cold sausages and quiche and salad for Gillian's Gals for dinner - not forgetting the bubbly!  Supper included cake, cheese scones, rum balls (irresistable) and a few concessions to health like cheese and fruit!
Breakfast saw a queue at the rotary caravan for egg and bacon sangers, more at the yummy yoghurt cart and yet another coffee from the guys who kept us going through the night.

I haven't tallied all our group's fund raising yet, but I am guessing at about $3000, which is very good for our small group of 7 people, compared with the highest fundraisers who managed $13,000 with corporate backing.
I'm very proud of all the team!

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The morning after the night before - 3 sisters in urgent need of a place to scrub the fuzzy teeth!

Musical gardens

Spent several happy Sunday evenings in the Geelong Botanical Gardens with friends I & S at the Music in the Gardens series.

I mentioned the Jazz one before. We started with Jazz and a picnic procured at the Famer's Market the day before - Pork pies and Scotch eggs Duck and Orange Terrine and a delicious salad all washed down with the odd glass of wine or two.  Excellent cheeses and home made xmas cake finished us off nicely!
The Jazz wasn't bad either!

The next week was  Irish night where we also took sister P and partner G.  Food - A BBQ chook and a BBQ Pork Hock with pull apart bread, salads, crostoli,  more wine, tea and coffee.
Some Scottish country dancing was attempted to the mainly Irish music!

Third Sunday we celebrated the Classical world with a candelabra on our table and a string quartet for our musical delectation.
We took Pepper the Wonder dog with us, she behaved reasonably well and joined in the applause at the end of each piece with a few well aimed high pitched barks.
Our picnic of home made quiche (thanks I!) paled into the background when the nice lady sitting near us, and obviously besotted with dogs asked if Pepper would care to finish off their pate!  What a silly question - one very mucky face and empty pate container later Pepper was a very happy puppy.
What a great way to wind down on these very pleasantly balmy evenings