Books & Crafts with Brian Heinz

A little while ago I got an email from the children’s author, Brian Heinz, about a comment I made on his interview at Toby Speed’s blog. The email was informing me that I had in fact NOT won a signed copy of his new book. However, I was chosen out to pick one of his books and he would send me a free copy anyway. Uhh… how did I not win, right? Awesome!

So Chicken and I went to his website to pick out a book. Of course Chicken, being Chicken picked a book about beaches, learning, the environment, science and craft. Umm… perfect no?

The only thing Chicken found imperfect about the book was that Brian had written trash instead of garbage. How very unAustralian of him! Of course that’s probably because he’s American.. but anyway.
Instead of sending the girls one book he sent them THREE! Three, free, signed and delivered books! The girls were so excited that instead of eating the cookies they had in a big barrel on the kitchen table they read! Freakish children, choosing books over cookies. Brian’s clearly a fantastic author!

So here are our new, awesome books! The Alley Cat, Beachcraft Bonanza and Beachcrafts, Too! After going through the books dozens of times the girls and I got to work on our Thank you’s for Mr. Heinz.
 
Being both wildlife enthusiasts, Brian and I. I made him a specialised card for the occasion.  If you’re in to card-making I suggest you go on over to my dear Mummy’s blog, Stamping Still.
The girls pulled out their coloured pencils and set to work drawing some native Australian animals. Here we have Cookies’, rainbowed feet Echidna, Platypus and Kangaroo. And underneath, Chicken’s Tasmanian Devil.

Enjoy!

The Gallopers

After the Spring Festival, Andi and I wanted to go back to the Botanical Gardens to take some more photographs without so many people around. While there were people around (or rather more photographers) we did get a little while to shoot by ourselves.
I took a couple of far off shots of the Gallopers here, believed to be the second oldest steam-powered carousel in existence. You can see a close up shot of the Gallopers in my post, Spring Festival.
 
So today I say screw the Autumn leaves and pumpkins and bring on the florals! A nice change, no? And I had to take a snap of the beautiful water feature at the Gardens too.

Gorgeous

And of course any thoughts or encouragement on Kirsty Girl hosting linky parties would be much appreciated. :)

Whimsy & Parties?

How welcoming is that? These are (yes, I know, again!) a few photos I took at the Botanical Gardens. I love the place as you have probably noticed!


These photos make me think so much of the Secret Garden with all its archways and nooks. I love it! At the Festival there was a white rabbit, the Queen of Hearts and all so it even more so has such a whimsical effect.

In other news as I have almost reached the 200 followers mark, I have been wondering whether or not to start a blog party here at Kirsty Girl. I would really appreciate your comments on this. It just seems like such a great way to get to know all your blogs and for everyone to mingle. Which is one of the great things about blogging. Of course the biggest benefit to you would be getting some traffic! If all goes well I may showcase my favourites too.

Let me know your thoughts.

Linking up with Chic on a Shoestring Decorating & the lovely Holly at 504 Main. + I was featured there today for my Blog Button How To, post. =D

Now linking up with LambAround and Serenity Now.

Beach Locals

So today, I am going to be very boring and leave you all with a couple of photos I took on a trip to the local beach with Andi, as I am a complete sicko at the moment. Hope you all enjoy!


This trip to the beach, though short, was actually very wonderful because I found a bird I had been looking for for a LONG time! I’ll share him with you soon.

   

Here’s to hoping you all go out and explore some beachiness soon too!

Japanese Gardens

After walking around the Spring Festival, Andi and I decided to go somewhere a little quieter to take some photographs.  And here are my photos of the Japanese Gardens.

It took me a while to get this shot of the bridge because some loser guy kept getting in my way. After stumbling across the bridge for about a year he decided to splash around in the water…

This is a photo Andi took,  when we got back and looked at our photos I said “I wonder what that writing above me says.” Andi: “It says, Slut.” Now I realise how that makes the lovely Andi sound but I assure you it was in the best humour and I couldn’t stop laughing for ages!

   “Here’s to hoping you all have a fantastic sense of humour too!”

Spring Festival

Lately the blogosphere has been a buzz with Autumn decorations, Halloween costumes, Fall wreaths and Pumpkin Carving. Today… here at Kirsty Girl… I offer you… none of that!

Last weekend, Andi and I attended the annual Spring Festival at the Botanical Gardens. It was the perfect time as it had only just turned warm and bright that weekend.

Usually this festival is called the Tulip Festival, however on our arrival we were informed that it could no longer be called the Tulip Festival because the gardens could not guarantee tulips due to our ever changing climate. There were many beautiful flowers out but I must say the tulips were definitely not at their best this year.

There was a lot to see and do at the gardens. Obviously aside from the usual prettiness the gardens have to offer, there were bands, rides and activities for the kids and lots and lots of food. Of course I just got a Co-Cola. Mmmm….

Anyway, the above band was definitely my favourite, afterwards we sat and watched a keyboardist/harmonist and tap dancer perform some Michael Jackson. They were… different. Haha

“Happy Spring Everybody!”

linking up with Chic on a Shoestring Decorating, 504 Main and LambAround.

Duke’s Barbie

I spy with my little eye… something that is black! Yep. It’s Duke. Duke had the time of his life on Saturday! Spring has finally come out and brought the beautifully warm weather with it. So as it was a lovely sunny day Duke was able to play outside. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone this excited. Not even Chicken and Cookie on Christmas… and that’s excited!

Andy, Dom, Duke and I had a delicious day in the sun. Eating our barbecued  tofu, mushroom and tomato kabobs. Dom was our personal chef for the day and he came up with the wonderful idea. How inspirational!


Duke was such a dear (dear, deer?) prancing and leaping through the flowers. After such an eventful day he was very ready for cuddling up and snoozing on Andy. Or rather passing out on him. Very sweet.

{How To} Blog Buttons

If you’re like me, then you’re slow to get around to making a blog button for yourself. Well, I finally got around to it yesterday and I am proud to introduce the Kirsty Girl blog button! *cheers*

 

<a href="http://kirstygirl7.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Kirsty Girl" src="http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/4386/picture358blogbutton.jpg" /></a>

 

So last night as I was trolling the internet trying to find an easy solution to my “Blog without a blog button” dilemma, I came across many, many posts about how to make your own blog button. Of course I already know how to write “Kirsty Girl” over a picture and to make my picture little enough, what I was having trouble with was the little “grab it” scrolly box underneath. All of the blogs I came across with the relevant tutorials were very long-winded and confusing. So I am going to show you how to make one, easily and simply.

• First of all you need to make a picture 125 pixels by 125 pixels. Okay, so mine was actually 125 by 126… so if you’re a little off, don’t worry.
• Secondly you need to upload your picture to somewhere you can get the URL for it, such as photobucket or imageshack (which is what I use).
• Then you go to “Design” in your Blogger Dashboard, click on “Add a Gadget” in your sidebar or wherever you want to show your pretty little button and find the “Configure HTML/Javascript” gadget.
• Now it’s time to copy and paste my code:

<div align="center"> <a href="http://kirstygirl7.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Kirsty Girl" src="http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/4386/picture358blogbutton.jpg" /></a>  </div> <div align="center"> <form><textarea rows="6" cols="20"><a href="http://kirstygirl7.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Kirsty Girl" src="http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/4386/picture358blogbutton.jpg" /></a></textarea></form>  </div>

• Now each time it says “http://kirstygirl7.blogspot.com” I want you to erase and put in your own page address.
• And where it says “http://img148.imageshack.us…” you need to put in your own pictures URL from the host that you uploaded your picture to.
• Where it says “Kirsty Girl” you can type in the name of your own blog or alternatively something like Grab My Button. It really doesn’t matter.
• Now simply type in the Title of your choice above and click Save, and of course “Save” again when you’re in the Page Elements window.
• And there you have it. Your very own Blog Button!

I hope this helps some of you, or you are inspired to create your own blog button if you haven’t already done so! Please feel free if you have any problems doing so to comment and I will get back to you. 

If you’re so inclined, please grab my blog button yourself. I’d be ever so grateful! 

linking up with:
Chic on a Shoestring Decorating
Serenity Now
and the awesome LambAround