News & Updates from Vicki Avcin ~ AusCrafts · Page 2

Well hubby and my new toy…….. the Log Dog. Each year weve been splitting fire wood with a small log splitter(8 ton) but sometimes the hardwood just wont split usually because there is a knot in the timer.

So that means out comes the axe, or the block splitter that have to be swung to try and get a crack in it.

Australian hardwood is just that……hard! Some logs are way to big for the smaller splitter and they too need manual attack. Hubby has a bad back and after doing a few logs he is in so much pain that I put my foot down this year and said no more.

So as its coming into winter I went on the hunt for a larger one, Ended up with a 35 ton log splitter and it slices through huge hardwood logs like a hot knife through butter.

We just put the log onto a trolley and take it up, position the log and press the handle. I love it. Ill be doing most of the splitting this year so hopefully I will get through the stacked/seasoned logs in no time.

We can store all the split logs in the shed and just bring up what we need to refill in the house.

This week my designs are two gift pockets. Suitable for money or gift cards.

Well my name did. A few months ago I saw on the NASA website an offer to add your name that would go on an SD card that would be carried with the astronauts on their trip round the moon on Artemis II.

The SD card with me and over another 5 million names was put in a little mascot Rise and was taken on this exciting journey around the moon.

When I submitted my name I was sent a boarding pass with my name on it also. Ive been watching the journey live stream and feel proud that I got to see NASA go for another trip round the moon.

I remember watching the grainy pictures on TV fifty years ago when Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin first set foot on the moon on 20th July 1969.

I was at college and we were all allowed to go up to the conference room to watch. Its been exciting to once again see action around the moon.

Have loved watching the four astronauts do their interviews and go about their work but its about to all come to an end when they splash down on Friday (US time) which will be Saturday our time.

The trip has been pretty much faultless except for the loo which they had a few issues with. Amazing all that money and the loo has been the problem! This week my designs are both DL size card suitable for Mothers Day or a Birthday.

My daughter loves to play a joke at home, at work, given an opportunity she will do it. So imagine when I get a message been keeping a secret Mum go to my page. Now Im past playing jokes and wasnt even thinking about it being April Fools day.

I might also mention she also loves making little videos. So I go to her page and there is a little video with the Australian Survivor logo. It is a real shame I cant put the video up but it was exactly as they do the promos for the competitors on the real show.

Now with her athletic and sporty background I was convinced theyd picked her to go onto the show. So here I am congratulating her on her big secret and telling her how great shed be on the show……I was so excited.

She let it go for about 10 mins and then piped up……Mum its April Fools Day.

I was a bit deflated at that point but laughed hard at her joke. Oh well…….it was good while it lasted! She did manage to fool quite a few people though so Im not the only April Fool!!! This weeks designs are two lovely swan designs.

What is MVP you ask? It is the Most Valuable Player that is awarded to one of the team each week after their inline hockey game.

It is done for all the teams in both ice and inline hockey.

This week my daughters team (Dragons) won their match 4 – 2 against the home team Skate Paradise. Skate Paradise is the name of the rink where they skate also. This week my daughter was named MVP for scoring 2 of the 4 goals.The reward, a puck that has been spray painted gold on a Mr T type chain.

She gets to keep it for a week and then it will be given to someone next week after their game.

They have a tradition that whoever wins the MVP has to put up a photo on their club page in a most unusual surroundings or with another VIP.

Whether the two she put herself with (AI) are VIPs is up to the individual to decide!!

This weeks designs are Anniversary cards where a couple reflect back on the wedding day.

The garlic vine that is on the fence with our neighbour never fails to deliver when its in bloom. First the flowers start off as a very dark purple, then turn to lavender and then go white. When all three colours are on at once it is spectacular.

Its a fierce climber and as well as being along the fence, it has climbed up the trees right to the top (about 40 feet) and puts wonderful colours amongst the greenery.

The flowers have no scent but if you crush a leaf you get a hint of garlic smell. It loves tropical and sub tropical regions and hailing from northern south America it is used by people in the Amazon as food and for healing properties.

It is also considered to ward off evil and bring good luck. As for the western world it has been used in herbal medicine. What a pretty plant……..unless you are a vampire of course! This weeks designs are a couple from my Watercolour Floral and Cats designs