Shave for A Cure

I am shaving my head for the Leukaemia Foundation Shave For A Cure. My mother in law suffered from leukaemia for the past 5 years and has very recently passed away. She was a wonderful, wonderful lady and will be missed so dearly by so many.

In a way to show my love and support, I am shaving my head and taking part in Shave For A Cure to raise support and gather donations as Leukaemia can effect so many people, young and old. That, and the fact that I loved my mother in law so much, shaving my head is the least I can do.

I do believe that I am going to look like a woman prisoner, either that or I had a huge case of head lice and shaved my head. I don't mind either way though. I have my husbands full support, it took him a while to get his head around the fact I wanted to do it, but he came around 5 mins later. I think he was scared that people may think his wife may have just come out of prison or that I had a bad case of head lice. he he

It would be great if you could help support me and this cause, I have attached the link to the Leukaemia Foundation. Here's a photo of me on my wedding day with Mr Happiness and my beautiful Mother In Law - Robyn, who is finally at rest...Love you. You will be cherished now and forever always xo

http://my.imisfriendraising.com.au/personalPage.aspx?SID=90671

Almost Over

Holidays are almost over and I hate to say it, but I cant wait till my 'mosters' go back to school. I love being home with them, (when the aren't fighting) but then I hate that I haven't 'occupied' them enough. 6 weeks is a long time for holidays. When I was a kid, I thought it was the best thing in the world, watching movies all day, hanging out with all the kids in the street and having a few outings with my parents during the week or over the weekend. These holidays haven't been that bad. The boys go to vacation care once a week, to socialise with their friends and for me to have a day to myself, they've gone bowling, movies, have caught up with some friends, Christmas, Boxing Day, then there is the lead up to Christmas and Boxing Day, trips to Sandgate for walks on the beach and a swim, fishing, crab potting. I am sure there is more fun that was had, but the holidays have been so long I cant remember what we have done. But I (we) have nearly 2 more weeks of holidays to go to pack lots of fun in..a trip to the museum and Southbank is on the cards, then my mum is taking them to the movies and another trip to the beach is in order as well. Then theres covering the books, putting names on every single school item..and before we know it, holidays will be over and then back to school, back to some 'normality'. Normality in our house means - making school lunch's, finding socks, finding shoes, school uniforms and then theres a mission to actually get out of the house and into the car. Oh yay, I cant wait until school is back :)

Here are some pics of what I have been up to. I am still planing on going to the markets in mid February, I cant wait..I am buying myself a beach umbrella as the gazebo I want is about $110. Maybe I will buy 2 or 3 beach umbrella's. I have a list of many more things I want to create before the 'big day'. I have found that if I make a list of what I want to achieve by the end of the week works really well. I just wish my head would stop popping ideas into it so much all the time, because I have trouble catching up.

Op Shop Spree

Today, I treated myself to a op shop 'spree'. Now, when I say spree, I'm not talking heaps of $$, just 20. Which is my little treat for working 12 hrs on a Sunday at work. So I had $20 in hand and had a few things in mind as to what I wanted to buy. I went in the same shop a week before Christmas and saw a girl guide sash with all the badges on it and a collection of Sesame Street Encyclopedia's, 13 encyclopedia's for $5. BARGAIN. At the time, I didn't have enough cash as they didn't take eftpos, then I totally forgot about going back there..silly season and all.

So I went back there today with $20 and my 2 little monsters, which were on their best behaviour believe it or not. I think someone had snapped up the Girl Guides badges and sash and the 2 metres of elastic (for $3). But I did find a metre of ric rac ($1), a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle curtains, a Noddy sheet and a great notebook. Oh and I searched and searched for the Sesame St Encyclopedia's, which I found, down side to finding them was that the wernt $5 the lot they were $10 the lot.

I have read alot of blogs and craft interviews recently and have found that ALOT of people go to the op shops for their materials. I think that this is a great idea. Makes your work very unique. I love op shops, always have. I remember living at the Sunshine Coast when I was younger and every Saturday me, my mum and my brother would hit all the op shops that covered the coast, I loved it. I am so happy my mum taught me to be 'thrifty'. Since having kids, I am a huge op shop (and flee market) shopper more than what I already was.

I have put some pic's up of my $20 Op Shop Spree. Not sure what I am going to do with the TMNT and Noddy material/sheets. I am thinking of nappy boomers (covers) or cute library or tote bags..will let you know what the outcome.

Oh and big things to come for Kazza's Happiness...! Watch this space :)

Ready for 2010 ??

Goodbye 2009 and welcome 2010.

This is the first year in a long time that I actually know what I would like to do (I shall keep you updated when (or if) I actually have much luck with any of the below). I am almost certain that I have forgotten many more...but I shall keep you updated with those aswell.

Meanwhile, these are just some things that I would like to achieve during 2010

Spend more time with my family
Being healthy
Attempt Pole Fitness & a hip hop dance class
Create and explore more
Learn new skills
Getting Kazza's Happiness out to the big scary world
Have market stalls
Having fun and laughing more
Complaining less

2010 will be my first year as a wife, and part time worker. Working part time is a huge step for me, I am no longer stuck in the '9-5 Grind' which will be an experience in itself.

So a huge CHEERS to you all and may 2010 bring you whatever you wish for (and a bit more)

Christmas in pictures

Family, kids, presents, yummy food, photos, toys, Christmas wishes, eating to much and lots of cuddles. Christmas 2009 was, like every other Christmas, special. Hope you all had a great Christmas, just like us.

Keith's in town

Ok, so I will be the first to admit it, I am not a country music fan. I'm more into pop, rock and a little bit of old school punk.

In saying that, I am more than happy to open my music vocabulary to a well known Australian county music singer. A great friend from Bundaberg told me that she had a spare ticket to the Keith Urban concert and invited me to join. At first I wasn't sure, but I would have hated to knock back the experience to see such a well known, Australian (living in USA) country music singer that every one knows, so I accepted the invite and rushed to the library to get Keith Urban Greatest Hits CD. The concert was last night and I will admit that Keith Urban is one hell of a guy. I wont go into all the details, but bottom line is that he is a great singer/entertainer. It was also a treat that Pete Murray was there and had a sing-a-long aswell. So next time, if someone offers you something that is out of your comfort zone, accept the offer because you may have found a new HAPPINESS that you never would have thought of before. Now, I'm not saying that I am a country music fan, Keith Urban will do me just fine for now.

I know that this is meant to be a craft blog and should be updating my crafty-ness but I have had so many distractions at the moment and Christmas is this coming week,the kids on holidays, not getting normal work hours yet, blah blah blah. I have however got many ideas, snipping, tracing and sewing to be done after the holidays. So bring on the holidays and let the new year begin so I can get my crafty butt into gear.

Tis the Season

Christmas is my favourite time of year. I go totally over board with all the decorations, wrapping presents, buying presents and generally getting into the Christmas spirit.

This year however, has been a huge year for myself and my family. At the beginning of the year I got made redundant from a job I was really starting to enjoy at a promotional company that was 5 Min's from home, although that put me back a bit, I found probably the best short term job I have done, I worked with 2 wonderful, lovely ladies, Julie and Philli in a very uneventful call centre. The job was cruisy but I think I only enjoyed going there before of those ladies.

In May, my husband and I decided that we should do something drastic, as in pack up and move 400kms away from Brisbane. So that's what we did. We moved to Bundaberg QLD (4 hour drive from Brisbane). We loved it, it was like starting a whole new life, Mr Happiness and I got great jobs, the kids school were one of the best in the area and best of all we met great people and got some great friends. Due to a family illness we moved back to Brisbane 6 months later.

So we are back in Brisbane, it is true what they say, 'you don't know what you got till its gone'. So, Brisbane, don't worry, I think that the Happiness Family is not moving anywhere outside of Brisbane for a long long time. I am very happy that we did move, even if it was for only a few months , we all grew and learnt from our experience, at least we know were our heart is: with family and friends.

Anyway, Christmas....due to lack of employment, Mr Happiness is still waiting for a transfer from his department, which is annoying as I for just once would like to be a stay at home mum, while working part time. So Christmas in the Happiness household this year is simple, laid back and full of family spirit. Whats good to know is that nearly every gift that was bought is handmade. Which is what makes this Christmas very special. That, and the fact that my big brother is coming up from ACT. So, if I don't say it before the big day...MERRY CHRISTMAS. Have a wonderful day with all your special friends and family

Welcome, to me.

So instead of following everyone else's blogs, I decided to make my own. It has taken me about 2 hours to work out how to edit and create this blog. I still have to figure out how to put photos on here but I am sure I will learn that in due time.

I started my own blog as I am getting addicted to looking at everyone else's. I have started a huge love affair with craft and other cool things that can be made. Oh and fabric, if i see wonderful, well priced, great looking fabric, I just have to get it, and do I know what I am going to do with it? Nope, not really, I just 'collect' it until I find that perfect project.

I have decided, that after working full time since my eldest was born (7 years ago) I am going to have a bit of time out and work a couple of days a week and concentrate on doing what I love, ie: making and creating. We will also be saving in child care fees and I get to drop off, pick up and actually talk to my kids teachers instead of having messages given to me thats has be sitting in the bottom of the school bags for 2 days. I feel myself very blessed to have this happen, as some families cant or are unable to stay at home. But while I can, I'll give it a go and fingeres crossed it all works out.

My aim is to have regular market stall at markets around Brisbane area,(a few trips to Bryon Bay would be good) Would love to be successful, the list goes on, but baby steps at the moment..Baby steps

So, enjoy, I am hoping to work out how to add some photos some time soon.