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!