My Tribute and feelings for the 9-11 Disaster.

To all those not in Australia this may appear a day early but in Australia it is now Saturday 11th September.

You don't have to read this if you wish it's up to you but it was the way I felt and feel at this tragic time and had to express it with these words.  They may not make sense to some but each time I read it I feel shivers in my body because it brings back the feelings I had that were so strong then and still are today-I admire all who have gotten on with their lives and tried to put this way behind them but there are some that will never get over it and my heart really goes out to them.

Like most others I was deeply touched by the happenings on September 11 2001. I remember waking on that morning our time to hear the news and see the footage over and over on the T.V. - not being able to believe what was happening and even though we where seeing it could not fully accept it for quite a while. My 11 year old son just could not understand and I had a hard time trying to help him when I didn't understand either- how could someone do this?.

Being a  volunteer member of the Country Fire Authority in Victoria, Australia (one of the fire services of our state) I am fully aware of the dangers that are encountered by those who also serve the community no matter where they live or the role in which they do it - whether they are like me a fire person or a police or ambulance officer or one of the rescue team members-  when they go out to help.

I know of many that also risked their lives to assist in the devastating fires we had in Victoria in February 2009 - I helped in that campaign for two weeks doing communications for aircraft- including working with some lovely Canadian, New Zealand, American and Australian crews who were actually in the aircraft-(helicopters) doing the work from up above. Thank you guys your work was greatly appreciated. (Communications is what I normally do and it is a reasonably safe position but you just never know what is going to happen or when)

This poem was written in the memory of ALL THOSE lost in 9-11 and dedicated to them and all Emergency Service Personnel and their families -either paid or volunteers - who risk or risked their lives everyday trying to help others. I also would like to express my thoughts to those who were not involved in the emergency services who also assisted and those that lost their lives as innocent victims of this event.

We don't always get thanked but we don't expect it either- we are here to help when needed and get on with the job at hand. I wrote this just after that fateful day and even though we are miles away it touched our hearts very deeply- we held and still hold memorial services and prayers for all those involved.

 

America Attacked

“America attacked” that’s what they said

ALL the papers when they were read

A plane, no two have hit a building in New York

Both full of innocent passengers and civilians at work

Not just any building it was discovered

But the World Trade Centre, the Twin Towers,

No goodbyes or I love you

So unexpected for all involved

Except the ones who planned this deed

Fire everywhere – the heat intense it’s melting steel all around

Even more news comes across

The Pentagon has been hit too - another plane

More people dead

Confusion is all around

Not only for Americans but for the world

WHY?

Who would do this terrible thing?

What is going to happen now?

Questions lots of them to be answered

Who will solve this puzzle?

Another plane has gone down

This time the passengers have reported to say goodbye

Or I love you knowing they were going to die

It’s crashed into a forest all on board dead

Reports keep coming back of despair

Of Death Destruction EVERYWHERE

People try to help, some in vain

No one believes or gives up hope

Police, Fire fighters, Paramedics too

All do their job and march straight in

Get people out their only thought

Help as many as you can

Then more Despair the buildings just crumble

Like a pack of cards

Get out, Get out

We can’t leave them there

We have to help it’s what we do

Regardless of what WE are going through

HOPE is what keeps us going

We pray and work and keep on trying

Just one more trip and one more life

But no it’s too late – we are gone – goodbye

The dust it settles, the people stare

Tears and words just don’t come

We can’t believe it, it can’t be true

It’s some bad movie – it’s just not real

But yes it’s true – we must go on.

We hope the world will stay at peace

No more attacks – no more devastation

We just need to get on, clean up the mess

Maybe someone is still alive

We must check, we hope, we pray

We’ll never forget this tragic day

World war 3 – is this start?

Somewhere down inside our hearts

We hope it’s not - we try to think

Another’s life - we must care

Find out who has done this thing

And punish him / her - and only them

Families, friends we must unite

Think of all those who died - they must help us too

Keep positive and hope the best

Don’t let them all have died in vain

Thousands of innocent lives gone .

Women, children, men all are parts of families

Genes may not relate us

But we are part of the human race

Think of the survivors - those who have lost

We may not want to but we must

Are they to die too- for Revenge

It can’t happen – not again

Remember Gallipoli

Remember France and London

DON’T let Evil win

Give GOOD a winning chance

Peace is what it has to be

But How?

A week has gone by – still no answers

No one else found alive – we can’t give up

People offering – insisting on helping

Clear the rubble – search, search

Dogs, Police, Fire-fighters hard at work

The heat still there- we must go on we cannot rest

Maybe the next piece of rubble may uncover a friend

A loved one – We all hope and pray

Masks must be worn there may be asbestos or worse

We can’t rest

On the other side of the world

We watch this on TV

Our brothers’, sisters’ in the emergency services

Have died or disappeared doing their jobs

We bow our heads and hold our hands

We hug and pray for their families

For them

And all the ones they were trying to save

It could be us we‘re volunteers

Just like some of those who died.

We see a problem we go to help

We know what it’s all about

Our families know it’s what we train to do

But things like this bring the reality home, a family all together

Disaster, Sadness Everywhere – we can’t believe it

We see it over and over again

That plane- those crumbling towers

People running – trying to escape

Those fire trucks, ambulances

Police cars, Buildings – all crumbled like toys

Cranes are lifting; trucks are carrying it all away

To be sifted through in hope to find the answers

None are coming – only more questions

News time comes and goes- more tragedy

Australia, the World is in mourning

Will the world ever be right again?

Children cannot understand- we’re saying sorry

But why? - We did nothing wrong

Explanations just can’t justify any reason

Hope is coming it has to be

We can’t live in fear and sadness

We will remember September 11^th 2001

FOREVER.

By Kathleen Smullen 2001

Thanks for visiting and I hope I haven't upset or offended anyone with this post. I had to post it just so others know it is not only America that feel for people who suffered with this event but it spread all around the world.

Catch you later

Regards

Kathy S

How Sweet

  Gee am I happy three days three posts- this post was such fun to do -I've had this set of stamps for ages like about 12 months or more and have never really used it but I thought of it as soon as I decided to play in a couple of this weeks challenges.

The finished card is  just has I had planned which is unusual for me I usually start one way and finish in a completely different direction.

The colours are so cheerful- I think I'm looking forward to spring because I've started using brighter colours. This is for a couple of challenges CPS challenge- CPS 181 Part 1-this is the sketch; Flourishes-  Permanent Link to Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge(FTTC81)! - this one required lace and wee Memories Challenge #19 - Sponsored by May Arts- which required something sweet - I think I missed the time frame for one or two but will post it anyway LOL.

Sorry there are lots of pictures but I wasn't sure which to post and I wanted to show all the different parts of it - so here goes

  

the first two show the front looking straight on-the second showing a bit of the flap and the next two show behind the flap which I made the hinges from  lace stickers 

       then the inside of the flap and the last shows the inside of the card

Thank you for visiting and hope you enjoyed my card and my interpretation of the sketch.

    I was trying to get these done so I'm sorry if the pictures aren't very clear- I think I'll have to take photography lessons-or get a better camera and make a photo box. :)

Card info:- Cardstock- is some green card I've had for ages think it's Quell, Papers- K&Company-and bits from my stash; Stamps- Flourishes set- Cakes- not sure of the actual name of the set- It's quite an old one. Inks- several generic stamp pads from Kmart including- red,green,yellow,light blue and purple; and Whispers Brush markers-brown,red,olive and bottle green. Other Bits- Gold embossing powder, Zing Clear embossing powder; Stickers- The paper mill (lace) and from stash; Lace- from my stash its a short piece I purchased with a heap at the local charity shop; Micro beads- various colours and brands- had them fpr ages and thought they looked like sprinkles.;Kindy Glitz-Crystalina,Faber Castell -Glitter Glue-to add a touch of sparkle;

 

Thanks for visiting

Catch you later

Kathy S

 

Just for you

 

Wow two posts in two days- I think I'm getting back in the groovel - lets hope it stays that way Hehehehe ;} - does that sound very 70's  'cause that's a bit of how I feel with this card-

I just couldn't go past this cute unscripted sketch- I had so many ideas running through my head when I saw it I didn't know where to start- thanks for helping me get my mojo back-Although I'm not totally happy with it I think it would be a cute card just to give someone just to say hi or something for everyday use not a special occasion like a  birthday.   I had fun doing the background for it as I used all sorts of jar/bottle bottoms and lids dipped in ink pads and stamped onto the card stock I think it sort of looks funky but that's just my opinion.

I cut a couple of tiny hearts in half to make the leaves for the flowers and used some ribbon for the stems not that you can really tell in this picture but this was the best one I took and because it is so dark and gloomy here at the moment-we are expecting another big rain/thunder storm any time.

This card is actually for two challenges the UNSCRIPTED SKETCHES #69 – WITH A PIGGYBACK CHALLENGE - I tried several ideas for the flowers and decided on hearts and I may even do another with something else I'm thinking of but it won't be in time for the challenge I don't think and the JUGS #47 - A Color Challenge 

Cardstock- a generic card packet I bought from somewhere ages ago- sorry can't remember where or the brand but it was just one of those multiple card packets that are reasonably cheap- I seem to use a lot of them and they are great for when I need a card in a hurry.

Papers-Kaiser craft Utopia Collection and Hey Birdie Collection-which is sort of appropriate as I used a bird for the card although I didn't realize it at the time I was choosing my papers.

Stamp- Grace Taylor; Sentiment- I'm unsure where this came from I think it was a clear set that I got from a discount store a while ago but I like it and you will probably see it used a lot.

Inks-Archival Ink -Jet Black;  I have some generic stamp pads I bought when I was first starting my card making many many years ago and they have so many colours and don't seem to dry out that much either -I have put a drop of water in a couple just to regenerate them and they work ok now. I don't know who made them but I think I bought them from K Mart there were so many colours I think I bought about 15 of them and they are sort of like Versa Inks in size but not them just a cheap version. I used Aqua,Light green and Hot Pink-these are my names for them they didn't actually come with colours written on them.

Other- Embossing Powder-Judi Kins- Black Detail; Colours-Whispers Brush Markers,Ribbon-Sullivans Double sided satin; Punch- Fiskars 1" squueze punch circle, Hearts- three different sizes- unsure of brand; Jewels-stash; Glue- Helmar 450; Double sided tape and mounting tape.

Hope you enjoyed

 

 Thanks for visiting

Catch you later

Kathy S

 

Non traditional Christmas

I thought I'd make a non traditional Christmas gift card using colours in the Just Rite challenge and step out of my comfort zone of reds and greens I hope you like it- I made this for a couple of reasons-

I only have a few Just Rite stamps and the main ones are Christmas because I love this time of year and wanted to participate in their challenges both the Just Rite Friday Challenge 032- Color-I don't have these colours in copic markers-I only have a few earth colours and non of them matched these and this challenge Christmas Tags & Minis with JustRite Stampers   you can go directly to the Caardvark site by clicking on this link -I thought I'd better start making more Christmas cards and gift cards now we are nearly into September so it's not that far away-I don't have any appropriate caardvarks papers (I only have one pink and one blue piece) or I would have used them and because I thought I could use it for the challenge for me to help me get inspired- I am not totally happy with it but I think the colours came together really well even if it is for Christmas. I think I might tie some orange and green ribbon around the top somewhere just to finish it off- I just feel it's missing something and hopefully that might fix it. :)

Merry Christmas-

Card- size is 5 14/16th" x 3" (15x27.5cm)- This came from my stash that I have had for ages and kept because I liked the embossing on it.

Paper-Monte Marte watercolour paper,green and orange from my stash

Stamps Just Rite Christmas set 1 5/8"

Other: Embossing powder Judi Kins Black Detail; Ink-Distress Vintage photo; Colours- Whispers brush markers;Stickers-(the dark brown bits)-stash;Jewels- Kaiser craft and stash;Ribbon-Creative corner;Glitter-stash;Embossing folder- Cuttlebug -Argyle

 Thanks for visiting

catch you later

Kathy S

 

It's been soooo long between posts

Sorry I have been away so long but I don't seem to have had any time to myself lately- this is the first time I've had to even think about a post- I have so many emails left unread- I will gradually catch up on everyone else's news and blogs, I missed all the news and excitement from CHA and all the blog giveaways- I have been working flat out every day and again I take my hat off to all of you out there that can work full time raise a family do things with them and still have time to create and post things on blogs- by the time I get home of a night I have just wanted to relax but have still had meals to prepare and work to be done- I also have been babysitting my darling grandchildren and have also have been studying and preparing for the requirement of what is called "minimum skills" in the CFA -even though I have been doing communications for well over 20 years now I now have to have the requirement that any active fire fighter has when going into a fire area- even though I will not be any where near the fire because I do communications - but since we have had some bad seasons and incidents involving deaths in the fire service all personal are now required to have theses skills- I still have the practical side of the assessment to go through in a week or so but have done all the theory and things I hope. On top of all that I have this horrible cold that just won't go away- my head feels heavy and aching and I am tired continually-I have very little enthusiasm to even craft at the moment so have been catching up on what is going on in blog world- You guys are amazing and there are so many great new releases around I wish I could have all of them.

One blog I have caught up on is  Andrea's- another Australian and Victorian and also the owner of AnnaBelle Stamps she is celebrating 3 years blogging and has the following candy up for grabs but you'll have to be quick it finishes on the 14th of August- visit her blog http://www.stampinmoments.com/ to find out all the details but its a great lot of goodies - she is giving away 3 stamp sets some ribbon, some pearls and some sprinkles.

Sorry to bore you with all my whining I just feel so drained at the moment and wish I had the energy and enthusiasm to get up and do something but the weather here has been so cold and wet- which is good because we desperately need the rain but please let us get some spring weather soon- I am so glad we don't get snow where I live but the wind and the temperatures have been so cold it may as well have been snowing

Anyway that's it for this post hope I haven't bored you too much thanks for visiting and check out Andrea's blog for the candy- I hope you will call back again sometime

Catch you later

Kathy s

Christmas Just Rite

This card is using some adorable ribbon I discovered last year when I visited Costco- we had our first store open in Melbourne toward the end of last year so hubby and I decided to check it out- wow it's big and so many things- I did half my Christmas shopping in one day there but I fell in love with this ribbon even though I had to buy a whole roll of 50 yards it was only about $10 so I couldn't go past it- I was going to use it last year but I had most of my Christmas things already organized so this year it will feature a lot in decorations,cards and just about everything else.

   

Isn't this gold and maroon ribbon gorgeous the maroon is actually flock its just beautiful IRL. it sort of has a shimmer to the gold too which is not showing in the pictures.

This card is for the JUGS sketch A Just Rite Sketch Day! 40 using Just Rite stamps on the inside and the front -I used a bits and pieces from my stash I am slowly using all my little bits but they don't seem to get any less in volume-is that because I keep getting more off cuts from friends do you think.  Hope you like it.

This may be my last post for a while as I start work again on Monday-in Australia school goes back Monday from the mid year holidays and I am working all day for the next four weeks and with everything else I do blog entries have become lower on the priority list unfortunately. Thank you to all who visit and I hope you will call back occasionally to visit and leave a comment. I also have a couple of cards featured on Erin's blog- Inky Smiles for her Scrap My Scraps Challenge III Reveal- Kathy Smullen I thought this would be great fun to participate in and what a ball I had Erin is such great fun to work with and very patient for a novice blogger like me- Thanks for the chance Erin I had a blast. Although I was getting a bit concerned because my envelope hadn't arrived and the deadline was the 25th June and I only got my stuff the week before- It seemed like it took forever to arrive but I think I did ok- let me know what you think by visiting Erin's blog-just click on the link above -hopefully it should take you to her blog.

Info regarding the Christmas card above-

Card Base- Maroon Card stock; Papers- all of these were bits from my stash;

Ribbon-Kirkland signature(Costco), Lace- one piece from stash the other bits a St.Louis Trimming-Trimtex co.; Stamps-     Just Rite's Christmas Treasures Borders and Centres

Dies- Standard Classic Circle#4 and Scalloped Classic Circle#4; Ink Brilliance Rocket Red and Versamark watermark; Jewels-discount store; Embossing Powder-Zing Gold glitter finish, Alisonellisdesign-Firecracker Spark, Plain Gold-stash.

 

Thanks for visiting

Catch You Later

 

Kathy s

Apron card and bookmark.

   I finally got to spend 3 hours in my craft room last Friday morning because I needed a card to wish one of the teachers at school all the best because she was leaving- as I work in the food technology (or Home Economics as it used to be called) area and so did she I tried to think of something appropriate to make for her as well as include something small as a gift -I thought of a gift card but as she doesn't live in my area a gift card would probably have been a waste so I thought I would try something else. So I started checking my emails and other blogs for inspiration and came across the JustRite Inspiration Blog and they had a challenge for bookmarks a week or so ago-which gave me the idea of a gift- I know she reads and also enjoys cooking  then scrolling down I saw an entry from Jennifer Mitten who had designed her card in the shape of an apron and a bookmark as a circle so of course I just had neon lights flashing in my head and thought this was perfect for the gift and the card - you can find all the details at Jennifer's blog -Another JustRite Stampers Challenge and then I check my emails I can't believe that JUGS  ("Just us Girls") are having a challenge Jugs 39 - Template Challenge - I didn't use the template they provided but check it out it's a great one.

Sorry the pictures are a bit blurry as I really had to rush to get the card and bookmark made and then take the pictures as well as make something to eat for a small party they were giving her after school finished.  I hope you like these and thanks Jennifer for the inspiration. I tried to make the bookmark to look like a recipe book - I put magnets inside the folded cardstock and then covered them with paper so you couldn't see them and then thought I'd just write a small note inside saying" Let me keep your place" so they sort of clip over the top of the page and magnetize to each other holding the page on the spot. I put the bookmark in the pocket as in the photo            

Recipe: Pale Green Cardstock- Office works;Papers-DCWV-Endless Summer Matstack and The Glitter Stack;Brown Handmade paper- unsure of origin it was one of the first papers I bought years ago and have just resurrected from the bottom of my stash of browns, pink scraps from stash; Stamps -Just Rite stamps; Punch- Martha Stewart Doily Hearts; Other-Lace- from stash- dyed with Vintage Photo Distress Ink. Ink for stamp- Cre8tiv Gold; Glues and Tapes-double sided tape and foam mounting Tape and Helmar 450 Quick drying adhesive; Ribbon-Value Craft.

When I gave it to her she loved it and I had tied the ribbons at the back to make it look realistic- she didn't realize it was also a card LOL until I suggested she untie the ribbons- she was delighted and so were all the other staff there.

 

Thanks for visiting. Please feel free to leave a comment.

Catch You Later

 

Kathy S