its a nice day for...

Lounging in loose fitting flannelette PJs and scrappin... haha.. and... you know what? Im sitting here happily in Matts Angry Monkey PJ bottoms and a T, scrapping... eating chocolate cake and listening to loads of music, tossing messages back and forth with a new friend and having the best time.

It makes me wonder what others are doing.. do they have the pleasantries of their favourite music, the over indulgent flavours of something yummy... are they relaxed & comfy...have they talked to someone they like... and... most importantly... are they happy!?
Anywho... MEA has come out with the chocolate cake and is requesting a slice for herself.. soooo.. you know what? I may very well go have a second slice.. i'll worry about those scales tomorrow! ~L~
This is what i've so far accoplished today...
Its a photo of Kiera and Jamie (my B1&2).. they were upon a huge rock out in the middle of a rock platform at the base of Norah Head light house... Even though Jamie looks smothered and you cant see his face all that well.. it makes me warm... reminds me of how all hugs ought to be!
This other, is of my sweet Jamie D.., my boi child.. It was taken by me at Jerrabombera Duck Pond near the ACT boarder (just across the street from where we were living at the time)... I took one of each of the three kids on a post like this one... love how they turned out. I first envisioned that they would all three be scrapped side by side on the one layout though that has not been the case. oh well.. these things happen.. right!? ~L~

Loving the 6x12's and 11x8.5s!!!

And... lastly.. before i go and watch Manly Kick The Melbourne Storms arses in the 2007 NRL grand Finals... a COOOO-EEEEE to Lyn.
Don't know what your up to.. but i miss you girl. Hope that if you and Dave are still up at the camp that you are having a ball and safe.

Regardless.. Hope your well. Love you girl xxxx

GO THE MIGHTY
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAGLES!!!!!!!
i know.. i know... Bailey looks rediculous and no animal, no matter what it is, should not be subjected to the ludicrest dressing in human clothes.. no matter what the occasion... I'm sorry my sweet Bai-bee, buuuuuuut...in my defence... this one time... when the eagles have made it to the grand finals.. ive not had a little person small enough to put into this gernsy, given to Kiera when she was first born by her Manly Supporting (insert me bowing) Grandfather..

I know.. im going to hell! HAHA.. but when i do, it will be with another premiership under our belts! woooooot wooooot wooooot!
_________________________________

11 sleeps and counting!!!

a Lil Saturday Share-sy

Scrapping was the last thing i thought i would be doing today though since dinner plans were posponed so i figured what a better way to fill in a saturday afternoon then a little scrap-therapy..

I have been wanting to try a layout using 12x6 for a while and today, i finally did it..
(and used some of my sacred stash of prima rack blossoms - well worth it)
Anyway... here it is..
Hope your saturday is seeing you spending it woth those you love, eating yummy food and perhaps sharing a glass of something as well..

For us... its BBQ ... First one of the season and hopefully, far from the last!!
Yipppeeee!!!!

Spreadin' the love

Not only would i like to stop in for a moment and spread the love with you all, but i will also be adding this wonderful lil find to my pimpin' list!!

Finally, i have got my self the long saught after tool of tools... the Making Memories instant setter.. (insert cheers and excited claps here)... While admittedly it is not in my hot little hands.. yet, it has been committed to and paid for by using the "buy now" option in ebay.

Why is this such a big deal? Well.. simply because this is definately the buy of the century (when not won at rediculously cheap ebay prices)... and including postage is cheaper than wholesale prices.. Anyway, here is the link... Scrap -n- crop check it out.
Obviously, because i cannot vouch for this seller as i have not recieved my goods yet, though from all that i read, and what my gut tells me.. she is above board and the genuine article.. so the old rule of buyer beware must always be forthmost when shoping on ebay as we all konw..

Anyway... thats it for me... too excited to think.. .and other than weeding an entire garden bed today, have nothing of interest to share with you.. sooooooo..

Love n hugs

me.

xxx

_______________________________

14 sleeps til my scrap-shop-n' be silly with mate arrives..

Hurry up and get here already!!! haha.

xxx

The well of positivity

Want to help make a difference? Mount Franklin has started a well of positivity in order to help raise money for the breast cancer foundation. Want to help and get closer to being able to find a prevention as well as a cure to this brutal disease that takes so many lives of women all over the world...Here is your chance.

Click the link to e The well of Positivity and simply leave a positive note and for each postive note left Mount Franklin Pure Water will donate $1 and while you are there, why not add a little extra by way of monetry donation yourself..

Come on.. help make it happen!

:)

err, Houston.. we have a problem..

Ha.. Matt told me i had an obsession with ribbon though i never really believed him, instead laughing and thinking of Alisons ribbon stash and how it would always put me to shame.. *bowing to the almighty Ribbon Stash Master*
although, today, after again running out of the dozens we r memory keepers, american craft and franchville ribbon spools that have been generously donated to me by Al, i have again run out and still have a huge amount of ribbon to roll.

You know what i have discovered!? That.. um.. err.. *cough cough* *whisperin'* perhaps the man is right!!
How many rolls does one actually need to have to be considered a ribbon junkie!?

At a rough count i have 174 spools... (insert pulled face here) omg.. when i actually say that out loud.. its like.. my goodness girl.. that is not an obsession.. that is a serious addiction.. and.. that is not counting what would be rolled if... i had not run out of spools... nor the ribbon i envsiage that i will return from paperific from.. or the ribbon that i have been eyeing off at The Ribbon Palace and the many that i recently saw up close in person after peeking in at the Ribbon Stash Masters new catch and saying "i want i want too".
Have you seen the ribbon that Simone has there!? That place is dangerous.. though... last month i discovered a place at DFO at Essedon which i would happily forever sit on a shelf in an urn, BUT.. now... wrap me in ribbons! hahah.

It has got me to thinking... i wonder how much ribbon every one else has.

Anyway... i got sidetracked ... i actually started this post while i tried to get myself motivated to scrap something. I have been visitng Caths blog tonight and felt oh-so-lazy after seeing all that she has been scrapping.. and figured that i best do something.. though.. this post has only inspired me to count ribbons, look at the basket that houses all the spooless ones that are helplessly looking at me... and totally mind-tracked away from scrapping. ~L~ Oh well.. perhaps its time to go look at more ribbons online!

Night..

21 sleeps til Paperific...

woooohooo!

Hey Hi Hello...

Well... the absent-minded blogger returns again.. haha.

can you believe that with everything else that is happening in my life at the moment that i totally forgot about blogging!? Well... not entirely... but.. it seems that i forgot time somewhere, because there hasn't seemed to be any left over for me to drop in here and leave my mark..

I've been trotting back and forth between Scrappit with classes and home, doctors and even a trip or three to the hospital to visit with my pre-geriatric man who hurt his back and found himself laid up for a few days. I just don't seem to be able to find enough hours in each day.. and to top it all off, B1 & B2 now do rock climbing on monday nights.

They are loving it and i've been told that i have two fair dinkum spiders on my hands with the say that they scale the indoor rock walls. palease, tell me something that i didn't already know. I discovered that atleast about Jamie when he was just walking and decided that the back yard was not enough of an adventure that he had to explore the screen door until he got to the op and then could not figure how to get himself back down.. not long after, i found him attop an 8 foot high wall... Falling from tree's at school, busting lips that required stitches were not even any feat for him as he would find himself falling out of the very same tree the next time he got back to school.

Miss M was even showing a keen interest in wanting to go vertical.. even though she was not hooked to a rope let alone booked into a class she was climbing the first of the walls every time we took our eyes off her for a second.... so, i'm thinking that we will have three kids doing their best spiderman impressions soon.

Anyway... thought i would share my latest Layout with whom ever is bored enough to be prowling at ab-imo-pectore.. (for those that need a translations... that means.. from the heart! ~L~).. even though i think that its rather different for me, Alison picked it a mile away as my work..

I'm thrilled with how it has turned out.. its bohemian, moulin-rouge-i-ness reminds me of a olde french hat box!

(I just need to find the right y-o-u to add beneath the "adore" and it will be totally finished and in the mag in-boxes. Even if it is rejeted all round, i have to say.. this layout is one that i am really.. truely happy with and will love no matter what happens.

Love..

ME :)

PS: Paperific is getting closer... which means... Miss Cath.. Have you started to pack yet!? :D

Sneek Peek

Well... i did it... finally.. though the lighting is not that good, being that it was well after 5pm this afternnon when i got around to it.. i have got a few piccies to show of my reno-in-progress. ~Laughs~
See that horrible busy fabric of the sofa? That is the biggest thing on my reno target list... and the colour that my now oh-so-yummy cream chair in my scrap room WAS. What a transformation huh!?
The long cabinet originated the same colour as the lamp table is (though not for much longer).. so it too has gone through a huge transformation.. I have to say.. i love love LURVE the door handles on it now.. sure beats the timber that they initially were. The small cabinet is a delectable provincial beige.. and the long one with the yummy handles is the same colour, though has the slightest tint of green. (could not help myself! hahaha)
I so can't wait for it to all be done and over now so i can just enjoy it!
:)

Just a quicky..

I know.. i know... im the worst blogger ever lately..
Will saying that i have been flat out busy compensate for anything!? ~L~... Just check out my class schedule... i promise... im telling the truth! hahah.

Just thought i would say hello.. and wish you all a wonderful weekend... (even though its officially now half way over).. and let you know that i have not slipped off the face of the earth...

Ooooh... and guess what!? Finally.. the furniture Renos are coming along nice enough that we have one piece fully finished... (i'll get some piccies to show it off).. and another, almost ready to bring back inside.
There have been tonnes of dramas with the suade that i am using for the sofa and chair in the living room.. though hopefully before long it will be in my hot little hands... though not if Spotlight keeps up the way they have been going.. i swear.. what a bunch of idiots. Grrr..
Well... have had a huge HUGE HUGE day so im gonna call it exactly that and say good night before i crawl off to bed to hybernate.

~hugs n loves~

xxx

Beauty comes in all forms..

The postal courier just arrived at my house... totally totally TOTALLY unexpected i must add. I have just had beauty delivered to me in the most wonderful form of a stunning mini album, filled with the most gorgeous quotes. decorated with divine little bits.. From velvet to glitter.. to butterflies and tags.. it has it all.
It is now taking pride of place on a very empty top of a set of chipboard filled drawers.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart to the beautiful lady that sent it my way..
Love you to pieces.. though you know that already..

counting down the days angel.
xxx

Sausage Dog Sausages

Tonight was a quick easy dinner since by the time o got home from Scrappit, and dropped into the supermarket to do my grocery shopping, it was rather late. (6.30) so, it was hot dogs!! Yummmmm. Anyway.. while i was making them, Miranda was sitting with Matt while they were talking to me and Matt was editing some new photos, Miranda asked her daddy the funniest question. "Where do sausages come from!?" "Sausage dogs?". Matt by this time trying to stop laughter.. sadly, i didnt even hear the quesion. Because we were having "hot Dogs" she put two and two together and came up with the thought that sausages for hot dogs came from sausages dogs. ~LMAO~ what the!? Aussies done eat dog! ~L~
Matt was just amazed that she was thinking so deeply about how what where and why.. you know?

Re my scrap teaching... im thrilled.. the owner of the store is thrilled and all the ladies that i have met since becoming the store teacher the ladies that pop in love me... my classes so far have been welcomed with open arms and seats are filling up quickly.. so so chuffed!

Just a quicky tonight..
~hugs~

Honk Honk Toot Toot... Beep Beep

and a SQUEAL even...

Soooooooooooo...... what is the secret??? Is that all that you are hanging around for!? ~LMAO~... Well... Since its obvious that you need a hobby, i will tell you all so that you can get on with life... haha...

I GOT A JOB!!! Not just any job.... I got a job teaching in the local scrapping store... im totally over the moon... seems that my stars are all aligned for once... and what a wonderful alignment its appeaing to be...
publications, acceptances, job offers...

but that is not the only great thing that has been happening in my tiny corner of the world... Kiera has been asked to continue a writing task into a short story for publication through the school and Jamie has made it to regionals for High Jumps...

Im such a proud mama...
who wouldnt be.. right!?

okay... well.. im off to continue my play with Paper.. my first Class is at 10am tomorrow morning and i have to finish off the final touches of my latest work..
(atleast this "work" business will keep me out of trouble and scrapping again, huh!? )

Irony.. or is that fate!?

Why is it that when you are glued to a deadline your printer decides to run out of ink!?

Perhaps its fate instead of Alison giving me a kick up the bum tonight.. haha.. i seem to have a habit of leaving things right to the very last minute...
Like the Christmas Book that i subbed to For Keeps the other night.. i had aaaaages to complete it, though here i was... around about this time of the night, the night that it had to emailed to them by, working my ass off to actually get it there.
Nothing moves you like time.. thats for sure...
what can i say... i work well under pressure... though its harder to work when your cartridge is empty.

The moral of this story is... make sure that you have a sparey tucked away for such an emergency.

Why am i stressing!? Ah.. no reason other than i have to catch the morning mail!!! ~making msn shocked face~

I guess... im going to have to do a mad morning dash next door with a good cup of coffee to butter up the neighbour! hahaha.

Well.. im gonna get back to finishing what i can.

nighty night.
xxx

Secret Stuff

gah... i have a secret... anyway... i am the best secret keeper if it is someone elses secret... though... when they are mine.. i suck.. totally, right royally SUCK.

I'm so excited i could bust... and almost busting because... i want to tell someone.. though.... its a secret so i can't really tell anyone... yet. You know!?
But.. at the same time.. i had to write something... for the sake of doing something so that i don't spill the beans... hahah.
At christmas time, Matt normally knows well before time what he is getting.. because i can't keep the secret right until the day.. though last year i surprised him big time.. i kept the best secret EVER... (but had to sms him to tell him i had a secret!) go figure!?! ~LMAO~
Fathers day is normally celebrated with presents to replace the presents to replace the presents that i have bought him prior and given him because i could not keep the secret. Im totally freakin' hopeless, huh!?
oooh.. ~light bulb moment~ hold that thought!!!! i kept two secrets recently.. Kiera with the Harry potter book that i bought her for her birthday and Jamie with the two matrix ps2 games he desperately wanted.. though.. it was tough.. i tell you.
Perhaps i'm getting better!?

Anyway.. just wanted to say i guess, I HAVE A SECRET!!!!!

hahaha.

PS: We have been renovating our furniture instead of buying new stuff.. anyway.. the reno's so far are coming along very nicely.. the sideboard is almost done... looks fantabulous.. coffee table has its undercoat.
Have to go and buy some bees wax for the table top, some timber beading for something ive decided to add to the side board and screw the hinges back on tomorrow.. and then.. its onto the next thing... two huge book shelves!!! :S
Will have to post a few pictures i feel to show you what we have been up to! Maybe tomorrow..

xxlove ya!

and again....

What a week!
As you would have read i submitted a few things to For keeps. Two things to be exact.. Well while i recieved a congratulatory note in my email about the summer book i was still waiting to hear back about another one.
Dissapointment at reading a Thanks but no thanks from Scrapbooking Memories suddenly turned into squealing all round when i re opened my inbox after closing the note from SM to find a CONGRATULATIONS letter from For Keeps.
Im so so so so over the moon right now.. i cant explain the rush.. from a great start yesterday comes a continuation of wonderfulness..
Here is a sneek!
;)
In total, there are 46 photos, 17 hidden areas & only 7 board pages including front and back cover = 12 scrap pages total... all this in 7.5 x 5.5 inches!

I have to say a huge huge thanks to Alison for kicking my arse enough to get me to complete this for the call out.. as well as her generous, open invitation to her ribbon stash... the home of most of the ribbons used and that glorious beaded trim! I owe ya!!!! Thank you sweetheart!
PS: This one will be in the Christmas Gallery in the same Edition as the Summer one, #61

Anyway.. here is to wonderful Fridays... hope that you are all having one.. i know that i am.. and its just getting better.
I got two movie tickets the other day from the sweetest Lady (she knows who she is) and Matt has just suggested that he take me out to dinner and then go watch a movie... so... 2 layouts accepted and a date night and its not even my birthday... how cool is that!?
hahaha.

love n hugs~
me :)

Miss You Much....

If i could tell you anything today.. it would be that you are missed dearly.. that your little girl still, after 14 years thinks about you every day and wishes things were different and misses you beyond words.
Though... things sadly were not different...

You are there and i am here and all that i have are the memories of the best father a little girl could have ever wished to have.
You have missed so much... so many things that i know.. you would be proud of... exciting milestones that i know that you looked forward to though never got to experience.. three children every day demonstrate the gentleness, compassion and love that they have inherited from you..though, through my eyes.. i hope that you do see... and dont miss a second.

My children, your beautiful grand children know all there is to know about their poppy and even they did not have the opportunity to know you nor meet you.. they are rich still for the memories that i have. and for what i can tell them of the man that will always be my hero.
I can't promise no more tears though i can promise to continue to be the mother that you would have hoped me to be, I hope that i make you proud.
Miss you much dad...and love you for always.
Your little Girl.
xx

Chasing Storms...

Ever since watching Wizzard of Oz as a child i have had a fascination with storms and cloud formations.. and after watching the movie Tiwster many years ago have said that i would before i die love to go storm chasing.. Ofcourse, its not something i would do just by myself... id happily pay to join one of the teams that chase storms across the Unite States... after seeing these pictures that Matt sent me via email this morning (he knows me WAY to well!), my dream of doing such is even stronger than it was.. how amazing are these pictures!?
Some people want to bungee jump, some people want to climb huge mountains, some people want to swim with sharks..
Give me storms, white water Rapids, a parachute and plane, or better still, some serious G's in a fighter jet and i will be a happy happy camper!


Check them out!!!! Aren't they just spectacular!?

Just sharing ...

Wooohooo... I thought i would share my excitement of the morning with you all... I'm being published again, though this time, its For Keeps that has picked me up.
I didnt check my mail yesterday and this morning when i woke and checked it.. there it was... an acceptance for issue 61 later this year - Summer Gallery.
I will give you a sneek peek of the Album that is being published... when i send it off, i will replace it with the published banner.. k!?

Just had to share my excitement...

In Print!

Well.. its official... i'm in print. My first ever accepted Layout has become magazine print!
I got the sms message on friday last week at 6.45am from one very very excited Cath to let me know that my Layout was looking gorgeous on page 32 of this months scrapbooking Memories Mag (i think that is the page)...Thank you sweet heart.. only one other way better to be woken up.. hahaha.. although, it wasn't until last night, courtesty of Alisons wonderful hubby whom brought a copy all the way across town did i actually see it. WOW.. im so so excited... even more impressed. The colours are perfect! I could not be more excited unless ofcourse, it was being used as the picture to the title page of the swirls and flourishes gallery or on the from page itself. Now.. just to get my hands on my own copy of it..

PS: Its ALLAN, not Allen! ;)

PPS: I dont know if i can put the picture back up here yet.. anyone know the protocol!?

a chip in the eye is worth...

well you know the saying.. a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush... i dont know if a chip in the eye is worth anything but lots of laughter and tonnes more stinging from the salt that was on it.
It was too funny not to share and im sure that my purple headed giggle pot of a friend will be laughing her arse off at my stupidity... so.. here i am... still blushing from embarrassment, eyes wet from tears of laughter... and red from salt reaction.
Tonight we decided to have an easy dinner since Matt and i got out into our front yard, did some weeding and mowed the lawns that were well and truely in need of some TLC. So... just for those that see easy as ducking to the fish and chip shop, let me clarify.. we are talking box fish and mc cains crunchy fish and chip shop style crunchy chips.. tossing them in the oven is easy... means i can toss the kids into the bath and shower while its cooking and then there is no waiting for people to come eat.. ANYWAY.. (im rambling)... i quality control tested these so called crunchy chips tonight.. and... you know what!? They are super crunchy. For some unknown reason.. (i do lots of dumb things after all)... i held the chip between my thumb and fore finger at each end and pushed hard... the thing just was not going to snap in two.. (and it was not over cooked)... then.. all of a sudden.. snap... wham... OUCH... it snapped...& hit me right in the eye ... while it was open still no less... thus the ouch!
Hope you get as much of a laugh as the guys did... they thought it hysterical.. didnt matter that my eye was on fire with the sting of salt and i couldnt see because my eye chose the moments after to snap shut and refuse to open again! ~L~

It made me think almost immediately to the Book of me challenge that i have set over at Froggy Todd. "Through these eyes" & "behind these eyes".
Jamie definately thought i should get my picture taken and scrap it... i think not! ~L~
I seriously dont think i need to document for future generations ALL my stupidity, besides.. i have no doubt there will be many other oportunities.. dont you?

Scrapboxx & a Scrap Box

Well....
yesterday i did it... i broke the drought! Would you believe that the last time i REALLY played with paper and did anything more than a card or two was in MAY!!!!????
Yesterday i recieved the latest scrapboxx newsletter (which i have to say i look forward to every month. Thanks Maria :D) and fell in love with a LO that Kim Archer had done for the back to Bassix challenge.. i had to have it... the first time ever i have scrap lifted in entirety a LO, but since its for my own personal use, wont be published online.. not even in my blog, i didnt think there was any harm... and i have given the artist full credit. I hope that she see's it as the greatest form of flattery... today, i love you Kim!!
Without this newsletter and this gorgeous (i hope it is going to be published) LO, i would have still been deep in drought.
I had all the items to create the layout & make the embellishment... i didnt go any further than my scrap-box. (no pun intended)
It has been the longest time since ive created anything and it felt so good. In April i got sick and by May i was unable to scrap... as i started to get better, i had to see my doctor about my hands since they were hurting around the clock and it got to the stage that i was almost unable to hold a craft knife let alone hold a ruler still. To a scrapper... and a serious scrapper at that, this was a nightmare. I became depressed about the thought of not being able to do one of my favourite things again.. my other, is quilting... just as depressing was the thought... i found it harder and harder to be inspired, to be creative as i knew that even if i was inspired, i could not do much because my hands would ache so badly and i would regret it days after.
Anyway... my worst nightmare became reality when i was diagnosed with Rheumatoid athritis... but it doesnt stop there... after a series of xrays was taken, it was discovered that while i dont have serious degenerative changes yet, i have a god aweful cyst in my wrist (on the hand side) that is pressing on muscles and restricting movement in my fingers.
I also found that i had a deficiency in b1, b2, b12, a low white blood count and was iron deficient which was associated to chronic tiredness, i have two bone growths on my left foot that are growing into soft tissue.. While, this means that i cant walk very far some days when the pain is so bad, it means that i should be able to sit and scrap.
Medication has eased the effects of the deficiencies, pain medication and anti-inflamitories are helping with the pain and Kim Archer, it seems is helping with the inspiration.
Between them all, i think i will be okay!
:)
Happy humpday everyone... i have some scrapping to do!

Birthday wishes for the birthday Girl.

Happy birthday to you...
Happy birthday to you...
Happy birthday my sweet lil lady..
Happy birthday to you!

I cant believe it.. my first born is 14... i dont where the time went. You know..i still remember every detail (well.. all but what was blurred by huge doses of drugs)... i remember how i felt (other than numb and sick! ~L~) what she smelt like..(beautiful) what the weather was like.. (hailing).. like it was only yesterday that i held my gorgeous baby in my arms.. even though she is now, quiet litterally, a young lady.. she will be very much, like Jamie and Miranda, my baby for always.

You make me proud with everything you say and do.. your tollerance of those around you.. your beliefs and determination and the wisdom beyond the years..
Love you baby girl.

Craeeeeeeee-zeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

:-o

As a few people know, my mum has come to visit.. and ultimately become my warden for a few weeks... this is NOT good. While i love my mum... i love my space, my quiet and my own time way too much to share an ounce of it with anyone outside my immediate family for more than say... a week.. though, why is it that the visit span of mum's should never be any longer than the shelf life of fresh meat!? ~lol~
i say two days maximum.. that is a weekend visit that would normally fly by, though 2 weeks? What was i thinkin'!? Not that i really had a say in the whole warden thing.. but... you know.. right?
Insane.

i made a poem up that explains the situation completely..

Crazy's taken her crazy pills and boarded the crazy train. Crazy is no longer crazy she totally insane!

5 sleeps and counting..
hahaha

ground hog day... almost...

Happy Birthday to you...
Happy birthday to you..
Happy birthday my mini hunka hunka man...
Happy birthday to you!

No... im not losing my mind and singing birthday songs again for Matt... Besides.. he packed up this morning and went to the snow :( leaving me at home for 7 sleeps... though... its my other mans birthday today.
If i get too reminiscent, im going to cry... though, it's hard to believe that 12 years ago today, born in the wee hours of the morning our boy child graced us with his presence.. i was a new mama to the sweetest little boy that i had ever laid eyes on... 12 years though.. how did that happen!?
The girls are sick sick sick... i think im not far behind... its blustery cold outside today... so while this is not going to be the best, funnest out doorys type birthday... it will surely give him way enough time to try out all the playstation games that he got last night at his lil family birthday party we had.
Sometimes, just doing what you want to do on your birthday makes it a birthday to remember.. huh!?
Anyway...
Happy birthday Sweet man... so proud to be your mum... Love you to the moon and back! x

Since Matt was going to be away, we did birthday dinner, cake and pressies last night.. though... Matt has take the pics with him on the camera i think so i will put up pics later.

Hope y'all have a great sunday!
Stay warm!!!

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to You...
Happy Birthday to You.
Happy Birthday my Hunka-Hunka Man
Happy Birthday to You!

Let me say.. that my man is so lucky that he is at work at the moment when i am in the totally crazy mood to want to sing to him. Lucky for him, lucky for his ears... lucky for the neighbours to.o.
Though.. even though i sit here and joke...(when i should have on my mummy face and be in the kitchen doing lunches and supervising 3 drag-m'-bottom-in -the-mornin' kids to get dressed, i hope he knows what he means to me, how much i love him and how glad i am, after ALL these years to be beside him to share yet another birthday with his birthday-aging butt. (even now that we have to alert the fire-brigade to birthday activities).

Love you Baby.. you mean the planets to me, as well as the world. HAPPY BIRTHDAY.

xxx

Got her head screwed on straight...

I have to share this... it is too brilliant to not. Her thoughts... her hate for stuff says it all.... exactly how i would love my house some days... Matt and i have a real issue with stuff just hanging around... the kids how ever... obviously see it as interior decorating skills... bra's hanging on bed posts, shoes not on their rack, school bags dumped at the front door... notes strewn across a perfectly clean, spotless, BARE bench.. BLEH.. not me... i see it... as annoyance..
My scrap room on the other hand... now... that is one place sacred that is allowed to have... stuff..
I have to say though, that i dont have photos on display, though it is something that i long for a moment or two in my ever growing list of "projects" to do... but minimilistic is definately the way to be.

anyway... This is written by Erica Glover... in my eyes... a genius in her thinking! ~L~

"I HATE STUFF. Especially piles of stuff. Paperwork, washing & folding, toys etc. You get the drift. I hate it. In my house, everything has it;s place and everything had better be put back in its place. Or else! Clutter terrifies me. I have nightmares about it. Seriously. So i throw things out. And i delete. A lot. Too much probably. If it hasn't been used in a while, it doesn't need to be in my home. Piling up, needing to be cleaned, or washed, or dusted, or put away, or replied to, or filed, or backed up. I am the ultimate deleter/disposer. I don't save emails. I don;t save documents. I don't save bags or boxes or receipts or mail. I hate stuff. Come into my home, open any drawer, open any cupboard, and what will you find? A whole lotta shelf! And maybe one or two items, or three or four. Neatly folded, just the way i like it. Sure, the kids follow me around, like a shadow undoing all that i do. But i persist. Clothes that haven;t fit in a while, toys that havenn;t been placyed with, things that are too dirty to clean, anything that doesn't make the cut turf turf turf. My kitchen bench is totally bare. No mil on the bench, no toaster nor kettle available for easy access, no photos or nik naks on display. Nothing on the windowsill. Nothing anywhere. I crave a clear head. But my life is hectic, I can't keep up no matter what i do. I am constantly chasing my tail, constantly playing catch up, constantly trying to keep my head above water and constantly failing. And failing sucks. So i delete, and i spring clean, and i remove anything that i possibly can that is unnecessary. If it doesn't fit properly, or it has a stain, or it doesn't match, give me any excuse and i will turf it. I know i am anal. I know i am a nightmare to live with and that there are far more important things in the world than a clean bench, a bare fridge and an empty inbox. I can't stop. I don't think i want to. I really hate stuff".

How many of you have ever wished your house to be so simple... so crisp, clean and fresh!?
I do... atleast daily.

Tag Time.

The Crazy Kat hastagged me,... a tag of any kind is a first for me... so here goes...

The rules:
Each player starts with 7 random facts/habits about themselves. People who are tagged need to write on their own blog about their seven things, as well as these rules. At the end of your blog, you need to choose other people to get tagged and list their names. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them that they have been tagged and to read your blog! (it is meant to be seven, though.. since i don't have that many to tag, im not worrying about trying to find 7)

The Facts:
1- I'm Obsessive. Weather it is cleaning or my routine of how things are to be done, or what ever... i can't help obsessing... totally a pain in the arse at times... i swear..

2- Im a list writer. I don't seem to function unless i have a gazillion lists happening. I guess it would help if i read them more often than just writing them. Taht way, i definately would not be the woman standing at the checkout of the supermarket doing a great impersonation of a blonde as i try and remember EXACTLY what i had to go in there for and instead being the well organised woman that is not buying all the "just incase" items! (no offence to my blonde friends)

3- I'm not a very trusting person. While i rate myself highly as being extremely trustworthy, it takes me a long long time to trust anyone. Not because i think there is or may be something about them... i just find that its an easy way not to be let down.

4- I Adore butterflies, but am totally phobic of moths! I once had a huge (im talking two hand span in size, no kidding) moth fly up under my dress and was flapping around. I seriously thought i was going to die!

5- As a child i wanted to be an astronaut. Even as a teen i wanted nothing more than to become a NASA astronaut.. brains let me down. :( The of such though still fascinates me. Perhaps in another life.

6- I used to be a serious planner. If i was going somewhere, i had to know every little detail and plan accordingly for it. I could not just fly by the seat of my pants. I would stress.. These days, while i still stress, im trying to be more easy going and just follow my feet and see where the day takes me apposed to planning every aspect of it. (again.. i guess that falls under obsessive, huh?)

7- A day is not complete without millions of kid-kisses, three kiss kisses from Matt, wet kisses from Bai and Music..

Now... for my unsuspecting victims...
Miss Cath, Miss Nance, Lisa (S-Witch), Tara
....
:P

Rollercoasters, Rain Clouds & Pink PJs

By now, you guys are possibly thinking that im one of the slackest bloggers of our time... ha, i do... though you know what!? Im here now.. and really.. that is all that matters.. right? hahaha.

So... where have i been since last time i blogged? I dont know... my memory sucks... though i'm trying hard to play more regular blogging again.. okay?

This i promise is not going to be as gloomy an entry as the title may suggest... quiet the opposite... for the most.

The one thing that i didnt add in my title was SUNSHINE... because... well... it didnt sound good in the title...(haha) THOUGH.... i have had sunshine in the form of one gorgeous Cathy... and her darlin' family whom surprised me last week and dropped in on me for a lunchtime visit with a present no less... may i add... they came all the way from New South Wales to give me a "hug"!!!!

While the visit was short... and very tear jerking (on my part) saying goodbye after a few hours, it was absolutely wonderful. This is one lady that knows how important she is in my life, and one lady that i thank my lucky star every day for knowing. A lady that whispered something in my ear as i got my last hug before she left that put a HUGE smile on my dial... she is coming for a sleep over play date again very very soon!!!!! i cant wait!!!!!
I love ya sweety... (and thanks for letting me steal our pic off your blog! ;) Mwah!!)

I think that i have seen as much rain in the last few months as what i did for a wet season in Darwin. While it is not monsoonal, or terential like it was up there, its regular... and its good soaking rain.. just what we all need to pull us out of the drought. I have a lawn! When we moved here in December, as Alison could vouch, our newly laid turf crunched!!!! Well... its now got to the stage that you can walk on the grass though i am not game enough to stand still just incase i sink and vanish! ~L~
While i love winter... love the ability to just snuggle up and stay warm and cosy... i have to sadly say that this year.. im getting over it and looking with excitement to spring... Canberra was chilly, though i think because we live near the water here.. its a different chilly entirely... moreso because of the horendous winds that seem to blow almost constantly. Nothing worse than feeling like you have walked through a wind storm just to retrieve the mail. ~laughin~
So... to make those winds bearable i think that winter needs to come to an end... i love my slippers, though i found a pair of my thongs (flip flops for Lyn ;) ) in the wardrobe this morning and had this yearning to wear them again.. hurry up summer!

As my friends would know, ive been riding a rather icky rollercoster over the last few months.. well i wish i could say that its stopped and i can climb off, though it seems that some where... when i was not looking, i was given a double ride pass.. Bleh.
On top of the other things that i have been dealing with...routine blood tests turned into regular... i am now having to learn to cope with weekly blood tests and more medicine than i think i want to ever take. :(
Hopefully on Thursday i will have some of both mine and the doctors questions answered as to what the hell is happening with me...
For now though... i will just keep taking my medicine like a good girl and hope that with every dose that im closer to being able to stop that and the tests.
~L~ Did i tell you how much im scared of needles!?

Through all the nastly pathologists there has been an Angel in Pink PJs, weather its via 4.25 hour long phone calls or in person to make me laugh and take my mind of everything.. to whom im forever, eternally greatful... though... i swear, i am going to educate that girl in the way of music if its the last thing i do!!! MAHAHAHA. >:P

You know those days where you just wish you could just stay in your Jammas all day and not worry about anything!? Well... in my neck of the woods, that has become an official day of the week.. while so far, its been a monday, the day is negotiable.. though the attire isnt... its pink Jammas... no... ifs... no buts.... hahah.. and i have to say... im sure we are a dashing site to see... specially the on lookers when we have ventured outside of the house.. fluffy pink sox t'boot!
Though.. you know what!? I think everyone should have a day where PJ's is the uniform... there would definately be a lot more relaxed happy people in the world.
Alison... my Pink Pyjama companion... you broaden my thoughts.. widen my scopes and show me that anything is possible if i use my imagination.

And... last, but not least... ive even done some scrapping. I have promised Wendy that i would have it in the gallery for you to see... promise you will all get a squiz soon.

So... there you have it... i will leave you with this quote, since its starting up at me from some Chatter box transperancy tags that i have left to scrap for the FTC DT.



Smile to yourself until you have warmed
your own heart with the sunshine of
your cheery counterance. Then
go out - and radiate your smile.

~Bruno Hagspeil~

Quote of the MONTH

As many of you may have realised by now, i have not been around for some time.
For those of you whom have stopped by and found a very quiet blog.. im sorry...
Where i've been or what i've been up to, doesnt matter... I will not go into details, for i don't feel inclined...
For my friends that have been there, even if it was simply noticing my absence, i thank you from the bottom of my heart... you each in your own way know what part you play in my life and know what you mean to me.
Lyn, i shall just say... love you girl!

So much more time than a month seems to have past since i last blogged... i guess that happens sometimes huh!? Time, seems to have truely been lost.

So much, i could write, if only i had the inclination, though instead, i shall just close with....

~The only way to deal with the future is to function efficiently in the Now~
~GITA BELLIN~

xxx

published...again

Well... having my first acceptance for publication was not a fluke afterall...
After submitting my felt Layout to Scrapbooking memories at the same time as i uploaded it online for the felt competition, i recieved an email today telling me that they loved my layout and could i please send it in for further concideration for publication... wooohooooo.. im so so excited!!
_______________________________________________________________

Update: Well... i didnt win the felt LO comp, though as far as im concerned... im a winner anyway, being published instead! Yipppeeeee!!!

_______________________________________________________________

28th June 2007: I have received my Layout, Poser back from Scrapbooking memories... Now im just waiting on details of when it will be published. I know at this stage that it will appear in the "girls Gallery"...
I'll be sure to keep you posted!
mwah!
xx

a storm is a brewin...

of the scrappin' kind!

Im a slow scrapper... bah.. we all knew that.. though.. on sunday, i was able to complete yet another challenge from the FTC CC... honestly.. its something i really dont care if anyone else likes.. because.. to me... its perfect.. it complements her so well.. and.. im not talking from a scappers view.. im talking souly from that of a smitten mama.. She was so tired, though still so willing to be infront of the camera... the paper reminds me of that sweet soft skin... and just makes me smile when i look at it. Hopefully in years to come is will give me the same pleasure, the same warmness that it does now..

And.. then there was felt! What is it with this stuff that has the scrapping world so crazy about it!? Sure.. its different.. its texture.. but its felt.. ~L~... Anyway.. i decided that it was about time that i caved and gave it a go... It has been entered into a store comp for the felt challenge
While i dont expect to win, i have to say, i enjoyed playing with it.. though... honestly.. i enjoyed hand stitching again.. a whole lot more. ~L~ The photos though.. arent they gorgeous? Matt took them of Miranda while she was sitting in a huge tunnel tube thing attached to some play equiptment a few weeks back when we went on a day trip to Mornington peninsula.. She is definately a poser... though... gorgeous t'boot! Hahaha..



now... onto a dark storm front.
There has been a lot of crap happening at Scrapbooking Memories Forum that apparently allegations have been made in which i am to be blamed for the trouble making and bullying.
Ha.. if i only had the time..or the inclination for that matter, though, for the record... emotionally, i am not of the mind to be buggered with the crap that seems to be taking over that forum. I would like though for the allegations towards me to cease though.. you would not think that it would be a tough ask.. though apparently someone has a vendetta out towards me and wants to bury me alive in lies and bullshit. What does it take.. seriously? Defamation charges to be laid up them or for me to have a total nervous break?
Ive had emails up to my ears, from gutless people too scared to show their real names.. threatening me, accusing me of everything but sinking the titanic... the next one i get, im afraid i will be taking action on. I am over it.

She

This is sofar the only layout that i have been able to manage for the Froggy Todd Cyber Crop this weekend.. Figured since i made the challenges that i best do something.. even though for the most of the last three days ive been struggling with a migrane that just does not seem to fully want to leave me..
This photo was taken of Kiera a few years ago, though as soon as i saw her through the view finder the Song, She by Elvis Costello played in my head and has done so every single time that i have looked it... anything else i dont think would have done this photo justice from my perspective..
I have another one that i created a few weeks ago that im busting to share with you though since it was made to be released with this months FTC newsletter i guess i have to wait.. just a little longer! ~L~
anyway...

~hugs~

Quote of the Day

Life gives us brief moments with another...
but sometimes its in those brief moments,
we get memories that last a lifetime.

The saddest News...

This message today goes out with the heaviest of hearts....

To MY wonderful American Family... you are in my heart as well as my thoughts.. always... Love you especially sweet sweet lady..

You can shed tears that she is gone,
or you can smile because she has lived.
You can close your eyes and pray that she'll come back,
or you can open your eyes and see all she's left.
Your heart can be empty because you can't see her,
or you can be full of the love you shared.
You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday,
or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.
You can remember her only that she is gone,
or you can cherish her memory and let it live on.
You can cry and close your mind,
be empty and turn your back.
Or you can do what she'd want:
smile, open your eyes, love and go on.


if you need me... i'm here... love you girl. xxx

Thank goodness green is my favourite colour!

This is my boy... I'm just so proud... He scares me a little... (especially when this face was made when mama was just trying to give him a kiss and say "i love you" on mothers day! )

I got this for mothers day... what did you get!? ~L~

Ofcourse, he really wasnt angry... he was being the silly billy that he usually is... the title fitted though.. ~L~

FROGGY TOOD CREATIONS MAY CYBER CROP

This Months Cyber Crop is ready to get underway in just over 30 minutes from now.
There are stacks of challenges and some totally fabulous prizes up for grabs..
You would be crazy to miss out on it.

For this weekend only, the BIG rego Raffle is getting bigger as we give everyone participating in the cyber crop this weekend a Double Take!

Pop over to our forum and check out May Cyber Crop for more details on how you too join in on our Double take!!!

Look forward to seeing old faces, meeting new faces and having a great weekend with you all!!

Cheers!!!!
SJ

Lions and Tigers and Bears.... oh my!!!

What a day we had!!!! We have just arrived back from the Melbourne zoo... totally exhausted and ready for sleep. Seriously.. i didnt realise that place was so big... seriously .. i dont think i even did that much excercise in my 2 hours gym cram sessions with my trainer.. seriously.. would anyone realise if i just passed out here!? ~L~

To see the childrens faces with the animals was so wonderful.. Kiera and Jamie were only both very small when they last went to Taronga Zoo in Sydney... Mirandas face was priceless... i only discovered this morning that she thought that Elephants were only a pretend animal... how wrong she was... She was so excited to see all the animals that she pours over in her books coming to life... though i think the highlight of the day would have been the visit to the butterfly house... oh my goodness.... i thought i was promptly going to cry... serious.. those who know me know my fascination with these creatures.. right? Well almost the instant i closed the door behind me some flew over, circled me and promptly landed on my head.. ofcourse, Matt and the camera were off paying rediculous prices for some dispossy batteries since the rechargables for the flash of our babie died. So... innitially, he missed the excitement.. the squeal od Kiera and Miranda as they saw them land while Jamie rushed to hurry Matt back to snap photos.. This photo was taken, as we walked through their sanctuary... it seemed quiet at home and had been there, sitting on my head for most of my visit...at that stage... shortly after.. Matt was having Northern Territory flash backs and had to leave... it was just so humid in there... the kids and i however, spent a good hour in total.. just surrounded by these beautiful creatures....

Sadly... it left our visit with the Orangutans shorter than the hours Matt had envisiaged spending with them... though.. priceless... breathtaking... gorgeous creatures they were. While this picture is very blurry, it is one that i think Jamie will treasure for ever. This orangutan had been walking around like a twit on the enclosures ground entertaining the crowds for the longest time with the sheet rightly pulled over its head... arms swaying in the air... bumping into everything and anything before plonking down like a 2 year old on tantrum and pulling the sheet around its head like a bonnet..

All the while.. Jamie stood in the gallery upstairs with his face smooched to the glass in awe of the darlin below... all of a sudden it springs to its feet, grabs a rope and hoists itself up to the platform on the otherside of the glass... eyes intently on Jamie.. by this stage Matt is running like a wild man through the crowd who were moving in for a better look. tears forming in his eyes as he could see exactly what i could see ready to happen... the grin.. OH my god.. Matt was like a kid in a candy store.. he loves these guys!!! The orangutan smooched its face directly in front of Jamies, sharing the very same bit of glass.... the glass was litterally the only thing that seperated them!! I think... it scared Jamie a little.. or.. started him atleast that he was so close.. that he shifted back quickly, just as the camera snapped. The reflection from the flash has made it hard to see.. though its something that in all honesty, will stay with us all for ever!

Quote of the Day

Wise men talk because they have soemthing to say...
... fools talk because they have to say Something.

~PLATO~

How slack have i been?

Hi guys... i am almost ashamed at my slackness where my blog is concerned.. i think this absence has been the longest by far. It was actually the gorgeous miss Kat that pointed out that i had not updated in the longest time. Im so sorry for not atleast checking in.
Yes.. im alive, i have all limbs, fingers, toes and eyes.. and i breath..
Ive just been caught up in the whirlwind of life, teaching & preparing classes, froggy Todd Creations Design Team stuff and scrapping.. And, between you and i.. .. im scrapping up a storm.

Some of my most recent stuff will be released along with the latest edition of the FTC newsletter which is going to be hitting emails everywhere.. anyday... so please be patient... trust me.. im finding it hard to take my own advice.. im busting to show you all that while my style has been morphing a lot over the last few months.. ive finally fallen into my own... and quietly, i think i like it!!!
Anywho...
just wanted to say hi... that i have not fallen off the face of the earth... hope to get into the swing again.. quickly.

I have a post or two still in draft stages... (Cath.. namely, documenting the chaotic fun of two friends when they get together)

~hugs~
SJ

Caths Visit

(she went back yesterday)

sleep kept me from blogging though already i miss her dearly.. :( :(


While most of our time was spent scrapping... quietly... and one day spent visiting Mornington.. and getting slightly... errr... well lets say we took the scenic less travelled route there.. ~L~ Add sugar in the form of pink icing left over from Mirandas birthday cake and that quiet suddenly dissapears... I dont think i have ever... seriously laughed as much... or as hard as i did .... we had a case of the 3.30pm munchies and decided... since the cupboards were looking less than interesting that we would pull out a pack of cinnamon crunch bickies and the icing and share with the kids for afternoon tea... well.. lets say... anything and everything became the subject to be topped with this sickly sweet pink concoction... even in Kieras case a Banana... while Cath discretely whispers that it didnt look anything LIKE a banana... (thanks for that Cath!)
I cant wait to have this wonderful.. beautiful lady visit with me again.. though next time.. it will have to be for so much longer...

Miss you already girl!!
Love ya!!!!

My Babys first kiss

well Miss Mirandas 6th birthday party was a raging sucess... so much so that we had tears from a few when mummies and daddies started arriving at the end.. though, two were inseperable... Miranda her and "friend" Joel.

Apparently his mum hears nothing but miranda this and miranda that all the time at home and last night miranda painstakenly chose the "best" lollies to put in his lolly bag. Joel is all i hear about here at home too..
so, birthday cake comes out.. he pushes through to sit next to Miranda and helps her blow out her #6 candle. Miranda knows the house rule that if the knife comes out dirty she must kiss the first boy... well at this stage all the boys stepped back, .though this darling little boy that is smitten with my sweet girl as much as she, him, stood firm and waiting for the knife to come out... with a grin he waited while miranda had a marshmallow off her cake before being delivered that awaited kiss.
Was so cute.. and best still.. i have it on the camera and plan to scrap it over the weekend!!!

(will show y'all the pic later)

Tin Box Creations Stamps

I discovered these Tin Box Creations Stamps a little while ago at FTC and i'm now hanging to get them all, they are fantastic. They are clear like the autumleaves stamps though so much more stickier.. i dont have an acrylic block yet though without a problem they cling to the face of an old CD case without fail, every single time.
I could rave on about these all day...they not only come in a gorgeous lil CD tin, they were created to stimulate and inspire by a lil company in Canada... and FTC are lucky to be the only store that stock these here in Australia... yay for being first to discover these.


I created this dragonfly out of the stamps in the laugh-lines set... one of the many things that ive been making with the array of little bits and pieces that fills the tin. Its truely creativity in a tin.. With so many different stamps on the market now, and me loving so many of them, i have to say these by far were the best find... definately a cheap and easy way to create a stamp made by ME instead of having the very same stamp as everyone else..
You so have to get yourselves some and have a play.. you really... truely dont know what your missing out on..


PSSST... wanna know a secret?
A lil birdy whispered in my ear and told me, if you go and visit Miss Wendy over at the shop from sunday she is putting the full range that we have in stock on sale at 10% off until the 30th of April. Just have to make sure that payment is received within 24 hours to be able to benifit from the special.

im sure if you cant wait that long though, if you poke your nose into her email she may very well help you with your need to buy earlier.. though ... shhhhh... ~hahaha~

Meet us at the frog hop!

It's on again, the monthly Cyber Crop at Froggy Todd Creations... 7.30pm is when it will kick off... as usual, there will be awesome prizes up for grabs, lots of fun things and great challenges that will not only get you scrapping but inspired and doing something perhaps a little out of the ordinary as well...
These are something that i look forward to every month and this month is no different.. soooooo can't wait!!!!

If your not a member yet and want to join in the fun, register a little before time so that you wil be able to chat with everyone on the forums before it all begins..
all are welcome.. the more the merrier.. Look forward to seeing you all in a few hours!!!

MWAH!!!!

Double-up & Double-over

As anyone that has been in any proximity to me lately would know, ive been taking in the sights and sounds of the Melbourne comedy festival in a huge way.. not only did i meet some brilliant comedians, Pete Sharkey, David Tulk, Scott McAteer (LOVE THIS GUY) and Jono KT at their show, Grab the 86 to 303, i also got to listen to the hilariously funny Nik Coppin. If you can get to see this guy live... do yourself the favour and take yourself along to his show.. He is BRILLIANT!!!
To many, this would sound like a little bit of a comedy overload, seeing that we saw these 5 all in the one night, though it doesnt stop there...

I have just returned from the Athenium (SP?)Theatre in the city where we went earlier tonight to see the Umbilical brothers... oh my goodness, i thought i was going to crack a rib watching these two on stage.. from the second we sat down (we were running a little late due to traffic) til the time we were clapping them good bye we were in stitches.. i dont think i have seen anything more hilarious in all my life. For those that dont know, The umbilical Brothrs are two very talented Australian Comedians that work mime with their own made sound overs. Totally Crazy, Totally hysterical..
If this was not good enough, as we were leaving, we found ourselves being ushered into front row, top level seats (right over the stage) to was Jimoin!
I was slightly dissapointed with his performance.. i thought he would be funnier, though.. i guess, after just coming out from watching the Umbies, anything has to pale a little in comparison, right!? Still... The man in his own right is a funny funny man and im sure at some stage i'll definately watch a show again.. i guess the difference is, he did not seem to work from a script, it was random.. unrehearsed humour.
We still have Akmal to see, hopefully the scared weird little guys and the last show that the umbilical brothers will be doing through the festival. (id sell a kidney to see these guys again.. IM A HUGE FAN!)

This is where i should say a HUGE HUGE thankyou to a very gorgeous lady for making the Comedy Festival, one to truely remember! Your a gem!

phew... im pooooped. Night y'all!!!

Good things come to those who wait

As some of you would know, ive been on a Design Team in the past, which i had to leave because of life commitments and a little to much chaos in my life. Chaos, Bleh... anyway, since leaving there i have entered competitions to two different Stores (at different times) to see weather i would be accepted to be part of a design team again... while the first atempt was not as sucessful as one would hope.. it was not a complete failure either, making it 4 rounds of 6 .. rather impressive effort i thoughts... this time, my last attempt though came up gold!!!

Your now listening to the one half of the new Design team for Froggy Todd Creations... i'm so excited, though more so... so astounded that i was so impressively voted for by the community there,taking out 33% of the votes by myself.. ~insert blush here~ obviously i have done something that they like... lets hope that i can continue to come up with things that they love, huh!?

Anyway... thats my little bit of news for today... like that is not news enough.. huh!? ~L~
Hope that you guys are having a super day as well... we are off to see a few comedians in Northcote now...

~hugs n kisses~

My Enchanting lil Imp..

I thought i (a doting, very bias mother) would share with you one of my most favourite photos taken of Miranda in our butterfly photo shoot on the weekend.. this is what happens when you tell a little girl-imp to smile for mama when she really doesnt want to! ~Laughs~ Though... i think this is better than any photo i could have captured with a smile for i think that i really captured her spirit by capturing this shot of her being 100% herself. I'd give so much to learn of some of the mystery and magic that shimmers unspoken within those gorgeous dark blue eyes of hers. She knows so much more about this universe than she lets on.... she is knowledgable beyond her years.. she is my Bella Mia.. my beautiful Miranda.
May she always have spirit... may she always dare to be herself!

xxx

PS:

<---- that is a pic of the wings she is wearing, though in true colour.. they are more like the colour behind her in this picture ----->

Totally freesyle and girly

Lately ive found that my style is morphing yet again... becoming more free and less organised... im following in the steps of a few of my idols and letting the pages talk to me and tell me what they want... this is the latest Layout that i have done.. it was actually a challenge for Froggy Todd Creations. The challenge was for there to be no adhesive used, hand made patterned paper a stamp, but not a flourish, hand journalling and a photo but not of a person... I had made the photo open up and plan to put two more photos behind... it is themed on Miss Mirandas passion for make believe.. she is so girly... i think this LO expresses that girly-ness so much. I have to say, that i had so much fun creating this Layout... it was great just to let go and just add and play... anyway.. dont know what y'all think of it but im rather proud.
Once i have done the page inside i plan on submitting it to For Keeps for their Dress Up call and to Scrapbooking Memories. Who knows.. i may just get lucky with one of them, huh!? (this inside was completed on the 10th, which happens to be the deadline for the Dress Up Call.. what can i say, i work well under pressure. ~LMAO~ I also submitted this to SM, wonder if i can be so lucky!)

UPDATE: I just found out that i won the challenge.. how cool... it has just made a perfect day even more perfect-er!!!

Note to self: Make sure to always use the same light when two photos of one Layout are required. The first picture, of the closed LO is true to colour.

Butterfly Queen

While at the Markets this morning we found a face painter that was painting faces ..courtesy of the council, since it was the first market for the area... this lady was painting fairies and butterfly themed faces and while we started by getting Mirandas face painted which was perfectly timed since we had plans on doing a photo of her with wings on to go with the LO that ive been working on, the face just topped it off Kiera thought that she would like to get hers done as well... doesnt she look totally gorgoeus!?








Heartfelt thoughts: Be still my heart... The beauty that i see when i look at this photo both makes me delirious with pride as well as so very terrified...It takes my breath away to see that my sweet little girl is quickly growing into a stunning young lady.

Hello April.

Wow.. can you believe how fast this year seems to be zooming along!?
I can't believe that in 22 short days im going to be putting another birthday candle on my babies cake (6) and spending a few days with Cathy (miss Cath). It seems that the count down for her visit has been happening for so long... i dont know how im going to hold out for so much longer.. arrrggh.

The last few months have been a total roller coaster for us... With the move, Jamies finger, the kids all starting a new school.. sadness has touched on us as well with the totally distressing news that my dear friends cousin (mentioned at christmas time) has once again been touched by cancer, this time, inoperable... sadly, her days are slipping away fast.. making me realise how important it is to make the most of those that you have... my thoughts are with the sweet lady who must watch one of her dearst friends slip away.. i love you girl.. you know that!

Thankfully Jamie was given the thumbs up from the rehab staff on thursday and no longer is required to do occupational therapy. He has lost 5% use of his finger.. a lot less than what they expected... totally wonderful if you ask me since there was a stage when we were unsure weather he would lose it.
I can now breath a little... ive been working on an entry for Froggy Todds design team for the last few weeks and since the dead line for that was last night.. now is simply a waiting game to see weather i have been sucessful..
fingers crossed.

Today we have had the most awesome day as a family, getting up super early to bath
Mister Bai, who smelled totally too much like a dog and less like one of us (he is a dog by the way) and went for a sunday walk in the sunshine.. i must add, that whilst Mister Bai loved his walk, socialising with over Cavaliers, like him but in puppy form.. he is now totally zonked under my desk. ~L~ It really is a Dogs life!!

Hey Hi Hello...

I know.. i know... ive been so so slack when it comes to my blog this week... i'm sorry for all those that visit and have found nothing new... :(

Ive uploaded a few posts that i had to finish off etc, so there are a few new things... though.. im my life... nothing much has changed, same ol.. same ol... ooooooh.. other than the fact that yet another perk has come my way which sees me as a VIP in the Pit area at all the motor events that i can drag myself too.. including .... omg.... the V8s. Those who REALLY know me, know that im a closet petrol head and have a very very big soft spot for the V8s. GO HOLDEN!!!!!

So many doors and opportunities have opened up to us since we have moved down here... When i moved, i was very unsure of what life would bring, other than scrap days with someone i no longer choose to associate with, and when her and i stopped speaking.. i realised that even though we had not spent that much time together (had got together 2 times) i didnt need her to survive in Melbourne, like it was suggested to methat i would...pphhhft. As a couple, Matt and i have done so much on our own... and so much is still happening.. Which, again, for those who know us, would not surprise you, since we have never been the kind to be dependant on others for anything. Matt is in negotiations at the moment for something rather huge, though until signatures hit the dotted line, i would rather not say anything... and... something very very exciting is happening in my own "lil world" too. Again... cant say anything incase i jinx it... lets just say, things are looking wonderful! (i could not be takin' the risk of bursting with excitement, so ive let slip my secret to a few...they know who they are.. hahah)

So... i guess i will rephrase that opening line to say... ive been busy, flat out almost.. so much is happening that i've not had a minute to post!? ~LMAO~ Hmmm... that may work!

Life is good!

Don't Mess with Grandma

This is too funny.. thought i would give you a laugh for the day if you have not had one by now... or... simply add to the laughs you have already had.
love n Hugs
~s
xx

P.S. I love you...

well... Matt to be exact... but that is the title of my newest Layout.
P.S. I love you [like the song] What can i say.. im am an I am Sam fan... this is something that Matt and i have said to each other, many times over the years...
so finally.. a layout to preserve the wonderful words... forever..

Love n hugs
S
xx

UPDATE: 2nd May. Sorry Guys, this image has been removed for Publication (insert WOOOHOOOS and happy dances here)... i promise to return it as soon as it can be put back here!

Melbourne Comedy Festival

I cant believe how unbelievably lucky i am sometimes to be married to such a clever man. Not only is he a great daddy, wonderful husband.. he is so very talented.. so much so that he has been asked to take the promotional photographs for some of the comedians that will b e working the Melbourne Comedy Festival. If that is not good enough, this job comes with perks... tickets plentiful enough to wall paper a room.. to anything and everything happening here in melbourne at the moment... one of my favourite thoughts at the moment is that i WILL be going to see the umbilical brothers live.. though.. only days before that, we have been invited to a bar where all the comedians wind down after the shows, as special guests of a few of the comedians, to meet others... including the umbilical brothers... im so envious, even of myself at the moment.. if that is even possible! ~L~

i so so so so so so so cant wait!!!

Well... i didnt think it would happen this weekend, since i was so exhausted after getting back from the stitches and craft show yesterday, though it happened...Froggy Todd has a Cyber Crop on this weekend.. so how could i resist... i scrapped! This is totally out side of my usual stuff but you know what? i think i like the freesyle-ness of it...

What a Fabbo Day!!!

The day ive been waiting so for finally arrived today when i met Bec (rih2002) from Scrapbooking Memories and Froggy Todd at the stitches and craft show... my god i didnt think two women could laugh as much as we have through out the day.. so much so that i STILL have sore sides as i write this. I dont think anyone will be able to remove the smile from my face any time soon... and... i know that you will be asking if i dont, so... here are a few pics from the day. Bec, dont kill me for posting both these... they are just too cool not to!
We were so exhausted, though still had enough energy to strike a pose, right in the midst of a case of the sillies!



Its so nice to have a friend, even if meeting them for the first time in real life, and have it feel like you have known them your entire life and today, is just another day catching up and goofing off.

Only neither of us could quite get enough courage up, we would have some very funny photos of us getting our shoes shined... sounds normal enough.. right? Until your wearing sandals or thongs.. then.. it becomes a hilarious thought.. perhaps next time!
Love ya gal!
xx

Pissed off... upset and totally... bewildered

okay.. so you guys heard about the crop that i was part of on the weekend.. right!? Who didnt.. it was the most scrapping ive done in one time frame in ages.. well.. the results are in... i didnt get close to winning.. though, that is not the reason for my pissy-ness... its the fact that it did not appear to go on effort and quality of the work but how many LOs that someone could throw together.. and when i say throw together, im saying that... very loosely.. where i spent hours on Layouts, some literally threw a photo (not even straight) onto cheap paper and used a texta marker to write a title.. (again. not straight). Each challenge created was apparently worth points... most points = winner. Obviously i did not find the thread with those details. Im so angry.. atleast i know that my work is loved by my family so i guess its not a weekend wasted..
Atleast when i get a reject letter from a mag, i understand that there are lots of very talented ladies out there who obviously had something that the mags wanted, but this is a bigger kick in the guts than getting rejects from mags.. simply because there was no effort justifying the winner... winning. grrrrrrr...

do i sound like a spoilt brat!?

Just had to vent.. sorry. :(

Crop 'til you drop

I think that this should be the name of one stores online cyber crop name... i found by chance a site in the United States that was having a cyber crop this weekend so i thought that it would be a little different and a tonne of fun to scrap with the Americans since it seems that they scrap a lot different than we seem to do down under... anyway.. here i was, niave and sheltered from all the aussie cyber crops, thinking that there would be a few games and 3-4 challenges.. this is pretty normal.. right!?! Wrong.. how VERY wrong i was... try games til you cant game any more and cropping til you litterally drop or have your fingers fall off. 15 Challenges!! Yep.. you read right... fifteen! What are these women thinking... are they insane!? I guess if i was a power scrapper






instead of a snail then i would not have a problem at all with 15 challenges but you guessed it... im struggling... i was on track until they threw 5 more up.. and then i thought.. yep.. this is cool.. i will be able to have 9 done by mid morning Monday (since its a public hol in Vic and the CC is due to end around then) WRONG... im sure they senced my sureness and confidence in scrapping way more than i think i've ever scrapped in a 48 hour period so they threw up another 5...

Gawd damn-it... my game plan is mud now.. ~L~...


Im still going to work on the challenges, even though i wont be able to submit them for the crop... here is what i have come up with so far..
Ive discovered that this is what cropping in a pure relaxed atmostphere while listening to blues creates.

Miss Mirandas ABC Puzzle

I made this puzzle and tin set i made Miranda for christmas but forgot to put it up and show y'all... honestly, until today i had not even got around to photographing it, but i read that For Keeps has a call for OTP things at the moment so i thought i would submit it and see how i go.It's not a usual puzzle, it is an alphabet puzzle made of 6 x 6 piece puzzle pieces. It has 24 sides and 10 flowers thrown in to make this a little more Tricky. It was inspired by Mirandas passion for puzzles, and her ability to do them and master them within the shortest amount of time. While she is the master in our house of puzzles she is not very good with her alphabet so i came up with the idea of this puzzle, not only to make her think a little deeper when doing her puzzle (with the fact that the patterned paper i used on the background is not all running the same way)
i have included flowers into the puzzle just to make it a little more tricky so that when she does master her alphabet it will not be a puzzle that she completes in a few minutes. I have also made it so that none of the pieces can be the same colour, beside, diagonally or two across to make the puzzle even that little more complicated. It has stumped a few adults though Miranda is still loving the challenge! ~L~ And.. yep... she has completed it... a few times actually.

BOM - Right Now

Thought i would share with you a page that i did yesterday in my newly started Book Of Me..
Thejournalling that i have allowed the world to see is a harsh blunt reality which Matt says could not be any more truethful if i tried... this is for me... my growth... my benifit... so.. you know what!? Harsh and Blunt is good.. it gives me something to look back on later and see how very far i have actually travelled on my lifes journey.. right!?
There is extra journalling under anything that is held down with photo turns! ;)

Anyway.. that is it for me..
hugs n kisses
xxx

D Day...

Can you believe that it has been six weeks since Jamies drama with his finger!? Some days it seems way longer.. like an eternity or two.. though yay for today, its D Day...

We have both been counting down the days until today would come around and this morning... no more sleeps!! We headed to the hospital about midday and have just not arrived home with the best news!!!

WE HAVE MOVEMENT!!!!

It took a few minutes of trying ... (with mummys heart in her throat) to get the movement.. but yep... it twitched.. then slowly but surely... he bent it.. only the slightest bit... but it MOVED... by the end of rehab he had progressed marginly, though... its happening... like they say, it may not happen overnight, but it will happen..
His finger looks rather putrid (not in the dirty, unclean sence either ~L~) though ive been assured that new skin will grow and the colour will return to normal. Please let it be sooner rather than later! Almost gag-worthy. ~L~

Everything went smoothly except for the doctor slipping with the grip of his pliers as he went to pull the pin out of Jamies finger, tearing the flesh at the tip a little.. before the pin was removed.. i probably should say this is done with no anasthetic.. anyway.. Jamie says the doctors lied when they said it didnt hurt..
my man was so brave, even though i could see the tears, he didnt fully cry.. he has decided that the pin must be scrapbooked along with the rest of the ickies from this journey.. yay for mum since she is the one that has to do it.. bleh bleh..

still weeks of rehab getting the finger to move properly.. months of aching as it strengthens... but we have been told as long as he follows the rehab orders of no basket ball or hard tasking, we should have a full recovery in a few months.. yay!!

Thank god that stage is all over!

81 Candles

Yet another year rolls by, another candle my father has earned, yet never again shall he be able to blow them out...

Today the 2nd of March, as every year, i find myself a little melancholy...though i fight through the day...i no longer find a solace in placing roses upon the marble rimmed plaque that mark where his earthly body remains...but more in the memories that the day provides...

Dad... do you remember the first time i ever made you a birthday cake? Remember how i stood at the oven door so impatiently for the cake to be done and was so upset that it had not risen an inch? I painstakenly made the icing, passionfruit, with the seeds included... and smiled through tears as you being you, laughed and blew out the candles anyway, saying that it was the best cake you had ever seen.
Remember how i promised to make the next birthday cake so much better? It rose, like a dream, though the icing, blue - was almost fluroescent it was so bright? Again you gave me praise like you have always done. It became tradition that i would make your cake, each year and thankfully they got better, though, slowly!. i have now mastered the art of cake making and can even make the icing the colour and shade i want it to be... you would be so proud.. though, im sure... you being you...no matter if it was hollow and sunken in the middle and resembled the colour of the mid day sun... you would love it... and eagerly blow those 81 candles out...

I miss making those cakes for you.. I miss you so much more.

Happy Birthday... i love you!

no other word for it...

than 100% CRAZY... me, this song...whatever... craaaaaaazeee!

What better way to start March than with a little bit.. or a lot... of Crazy!~L~

I thought i would share a little bit with you!

Llama Song