Popular Photographic Cards

Besides handmade, 'crafty' cards, I also sell photographic cards. I find that they appeal to a wide range of people. Some cards are photos adhered to quality cardstock, which cost $2.50 each, whilst the majority are produced cards which I have designed online from photographs I have taken. Most photographs are digital, some are from scans of older photographs and some are scans from 35mm negatives. Currently, produced photographic cards cost $3 each. For every $20 you spend on photographic cards at my market stall, you will receive a free photographic card of your choice up to the value of $2.50. Please mention this post.

More Making...

My stock was quite depleted by the end of the Queen's Birthday Long Weekend. It was so exciting to sell so many items to people from all walks of life. My cards were particularly popular, and it was great to receive so many compliments! I've recently been busy making some more items which cater to children. I love seeing their faces light up when they see inexpensive, beautiful items for them to purchase. Pictured above are hand-woven friendship bands starting at $1.50, and girls' bangles priced at a mere $2.50 each!

Pretty Excited!

Today I spent some time designing business-style paraphernalia for Green Gifts. Although I'm still a hobbyist at this stage, I would love for Green Gifts to become a full-time business in the oncoming years. I've been experimenting with branding and developing a business plan. This has all been very time-consuming, but a lot more enjoyable than my previous profession! I designed a vinyl stall banner, business cards and adhesive labels.

It's all a process and so fun to gradually build up ideas, designs and stall signs that can be used and reused. Most of the things I created for teaching were used only the once, which makes you wonder if life should really be spent that way (no matter how much money you're making). I'm certainly a happier person despite the loss of significant income :)

Great Artwork

I love this artwork by artist Natalie Perkins. None of us want to be ignored but I'll admit that sometimes I appreciate it. I seem to be the type of person who needs a lot of space, so when faced with the prospect of being ignored, it's not something I'll get all forlorn about. Being ignored certainly makes you question your own significance. To me, it's a humbling experience and helps me maintain a realistic view of self. When I have really cared about people and projects--I mean passionately cared, with limited positive response or feedback, I used to keep beating that dead horse in an effort to gain respect or approval. I've since learned that life's too short to care deeply about those who don't recognise it in the slightest. I'm learning to care more about those who, perhaps, I've ignored, and those who really, truly care about me...

A Small Tribute to Lee H. Montgomery

One of my favourite pastimes is web browsing. I find the most amazing things to read and view; sometimes, the most inane. I collect so many ideas then find myself out of time to act on them! Pretty sad, ay? Seriously though, I do need to curb my web-browsing addiction and use my time to create beautiful things, rather than dream about them...

Post Updated: Tuesday, 27th September, 2011

An example of one of my inane web-browsing journeys is when I've tried to find out what happened to the actor Lee Harcourt Montgomery. He was a child star who appeared in quite a number of films and TV shows, the most memorable (in my opinion) being his later role in the 1985 teen flick 'Girls Just Want To have Fun' (GJWTHF). Lee was around 24 when he played Jeff Malene in this movie and, for the genre, his acting was very natural and emotive. For various reasons, which I won't go into here, the film had quite an impact on me.

As there aren't many decent old pics of Lee on the web, I've made the effort to create a few screen captures from GJWTHF. He really was gorgeous and, I must rather embarrassingly confess, became my ideal for the kind of man I'd like to meet. In the process of creating these captures, I realised just how expressive Lee was as an actor. He had obviously continued to refine his talent since childhood and, had he kept performing, would have been an actor to be reckoned with.

On that note, I still haven't managed to find out anything much about Lee. Why did he decide to give up acting? Did he continue to audition for roles? Why doesn't he have a current web presence at all? There are a number of fans out there who continue to ask these questions. Someone mentioned that he has chosen to fade from the limelight altogether. Yet another stated that he lives in a houseboat near Las Vegas. One thing is for sure, it is impossible to find any recent photographs of Lee on the web. For someone who was once a teen heartthrob, he must certainly be keeping a low profile. That's definitely his prerogative.

A few sources confirm that Lee went into music production in the 1990's (obviously his main passion) and later composed the music for the movie 'Legend of the Phantom Rider' (2002) and the short film 'Trespasses' (2005). Just an observation, but Lee has been involved in a number of projects of the horror/thriller genre. I'm not sure if this has been out of choice, or merely the only work available to him over the years.

For now, we'll all just have to be satisfied with the memory of Lee Montgomery. We hope he's alive and well, enjoying life to the fullest and doing what he loves.

These screen captures from GJWTHF are in sequential order. Click on individual pics for a larger view:

Finding out about the Dance TV contest

Boyish good looks suited to the teen movie genre

Meeting his soon-to-be dance partner for the first time

Smiling at his sister's antics

Rehearsing with his dance partner, Janey, for the first time

Being invited by antagonist, Natalie, to her Debutante Ball

 Finding humour in the bedlam occurring at Natalie's Party
(with co-star Jonathan Silverman)

Meeting Janey to organise an official date

Be still, my beating heart

Protecting Janey from a guy who's moving in on her

After their first date - The scene of the first kiss

Honing their moves leading up to the big contest

 Being cornered by J.P. Sands, Natalie's Dad (Jeff's Dad's boss)

Giving in to the threats and letting Janey down

Jeff, discussing his dilemma with his father

Janey finally arrives at the TV studio

Psyching each other up for the final dance-off

Thank you for reading, and I hope you've enjoyed this nostalgic post about Lee Harcourt Montgomery, an actor who made an impact for a short time in the scheme of things, but who will not be forgotten. Constructive comments are most welcome. Please proof read and edit your comments before submitting. All comments are moderated prior to publishing.

Another Update: Tuesday, 4th October, 2011

Wow, I've really surprised myself this time. I have found a recent pic of Lee Montgomery on the web. He's alive and well and working at what he loves! I won't go into details because I don't want to infringe on his privacy. It's not a clear pic, but it is definitely him. He's looking pretty good for someone who's just about to turn 50!

Recent pic of Lee Harcourt Montgomery

I'm glad to find out that he's still involved in the industry and is able to share his experiences and talents on a wider scale. Good one, Lee! We will have to finally accept that acting on the big screen is merely a part of your past...

An example of my cards...

This is an example of the kinds of cards I was making a few years ago. Since that time, I have sold my cards at school open days, to a social group for birthday mail-outs, at a couple of annual fairs/festivals, and at the occasional market. Lately, I have been attending markets in the Blue Mountains more frequently and have been amazed by such positive responses from people purchasing my cards. It has encouraged me to diversify my designs even more, particularly in the area of collaged cards.

And about time too...

For someone who has been mucking around on computers for well over 20 years, this marks my very first blog entry...ever! I had a 'geocities' webpage many moons ago, but it was so difficult to create and alter back then--you had to know html in some depth (which I did know then, but the internet speeds were the worst problem!) I love the online community, but have never become an active part of it. I'm quite a private person who finds it difficult to put myself 'out there' and self-promote. Since leaving full-time teaching, I have been concentrating my energies on expanding 'Green Gifts' as a business concept. I first registered this name in 2003 but never had time to do anything serious with it. It's been amazing to now have the time to make nature-themed, handmade goods. I love leaves and trees and natural objects, and all of my creativity is just starting to be unleashed. I have so many ideas for things to design and make, and I've started selling them at local Blue Mountains' craft markets. At this point, I'm just a hobbyist but would love for this venture to become a viable business in the oncoming years. Please visit if you're interested in updates and photos of my latest creations...

~ Melanie