My name is Angie and this is my slice of the internet. I started GnomeAngel.com in 2008 and while the topics that I’ve covered have been in constant evolution the one thing that hasn’t changed is my passion for sharing, inspiring and creating. I love writing about the things that are captivating me, intriguing me and just causing me to run around the house like a lunatic.

This is me in a nutshell:

  • I am a Christian. I attend the Reformed Church of Canberra.
  • I’m a 1977 baby.
  • I live in the capital of Australia (no, not Sydney), Canberra.
  • I am Australian born and breed.
  • I’m a wife, mother, daughter and a part-time wannabe comedian.

If you’d like to read more about me then I’ve put together a little biography below. In the meantime, if you’d rather connect via social media you can find me in the following places: Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest | Twitter. Alternatively if you’d like to drop me a hello in my inbox simply click here.

The goal of GnomeAngel is to inspire people to follow their dreams through the sharing of my passion for being creative, seeing the brighter (and funnier) side of life and answering the age old question “How hard can it be?”

the long version

I was born in 1977 in a mining town situated right near the Queensland border. My family moved to a coastal town in Queensland when I was 3. I consider it my home town. I grew up in a family that consisted of a Mother, Father and a younger Brother. We lived in a few homes during my childhood, but they were always filled with laughter and love. My parents have run their own business for the majority of my life. It taught me a lot and gave me some pretty amazing experiences.

I dabbled with university before leaving for a job with the Australian Public Service. I liked it so much I stayed with them for 20+ years. In 2002 I took a job promotion and moved to Canberra in the Australian Capital Territory. I adore living in Canberra. It’s the best of a big city with a small town feel. It’s got culture, food and nature right at its doorstep. All the big ticket items of my life have happened right here in Canberra.

I met a lovely young man who worked in the cubicle next to mine. We’ve been together since 2002. We married in 2005 and it’s been the best of times, the worst of times and everything in-between. In 2012 we welcomed our son after 6 years of fertility treatments, surgeries and lots of tears and inappropriate laughter. I consider the 6 years of infertility treatment we went through to have our son in 2012 one of the best things that ever happened to me; it taught me to appreciate how great my life is, that I’m stronger than I will ever truly understand and miracles occur every day.

We’re now a family of 5; 2 adults, 1 super awesome kid and 2 seriously spoiled cats. In 2019 we took a surprise family vacation to Disneyland (LA) and it was the best time ever. I’ve loved Disney animation since I was a kid and to finally be able to go and spend a week at Disneyland was a dream come true. Of all the places we’ve travelled and the things we’ve done this trip is my favourite so far. I hope we’ll be able to visit all the other Disneyland’s one day.

I have Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome and Endometriosis.  In 2009 I had an ovarian cyst removed that was the size of an American football and weighed 2.5kg.  It’s the biggest thing I’ve ever grown! But I’m hoping that I’ll be able to top that with a pumpkin from our veggie patch one day. In 2018 I had a hysterectomy and it’s been the best thing to happen to my body since it got its first hit of saturated fats.

I’m a Presbyterian who constantly thinks of her faith and is doing what she can to be what her God wants her to be. I am perpetually grateful for the grace that the Lord has extended to me.

I have a killer appetite for anything highly preserved, enhanced with additives and bound to make me diabetic just by looking at it.  My weight became such an issue in my life that I opted to have 80% of my stomach removed to try and extend my life.  It’s the second best decision I’ve ever made.

I’m a total klutz. If you can trip over it, fall down it, break it or be impaled on it – I’ll do it. I think exercise is a form of taxation.  I constantly prove that Newton’s Three Laws of Motion are based in sound proven fact. A lot of my time is spent trying to remember where I got that mystery bruise from.

I’m a born again Quilter. I’ve always lusted after quilts when I’ve seen them in movies, television or other people’s homes but I flunked out of Home Economics in High School so the thought of making a quilt scared me witless. (Who knew you could get -3 out of 100 on a sewing exam!) My Nana gifted me her sewing machine and it made me think that maybe I should make a quilt. In 2010 I made my first patchwork quilt top.

My Nana saw what I’d done and requested one of her own. I made her one because she’s wonderful and a quilt is the least I could do for the woman that made me mismatched panel shorts for my teenage years! So in 2011 I made my Nana a quilt.  The experience made me think that maybe I should take a Beginner’s Quilt Course if I didn’t want to sew my fingers together.

In July 2011 I started something that would change my life in ways that I never would have imagined; I did a beginners quilting course. (When people ask me the secret to my IVF success I tell them 2 things: pineapple juice and taking a beginners quilt class! Our little miracle was conceived via IVF at the same time I was taking my beginners quilt course – obviously not IN the class, but I attribute my relaxed and laid back attitude during the treatment to the fact I was learning to be a quilter.)

In 2012 I made a decision to enter the Canberra Quilters Annual Quilt Exhibition and it was the catalyst for awaking a passion in me that I have never had about anything (other than chocolate, trashy television and baking) in my life.  In 2013 I made a commitment to make a quilt top a month and it was the best thing I could have done – now I’m obsessed with fabrics, growing a massive to-do list of quilt patterns and meeting some of the most wonderful, inspiring and creative people I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing.

The greatest compliment I can ever be paid is when someone tells me I’ve inspired them and given them the courage to try something they’ve been dreaming of doing. Life’s too short to die wondering… and besides what’s the worse thing that could happen?

that time i made a youtube video…

No, not that kind of video! I’ll leave that to Kim Kardashian and Paris Hilton. I made this video as my audition into Sewvivor and it’s probably the closest thing to getting a glimpse into how my mind works. Enjoy the crazy!