Kylie's Collection

Feb Sneak peeks!! For Ah Scrap

2012-02-02T19:48:00.000+11:00

Here is a sneak peek of some of the new bottle caps and butterflies at Ah scrap, and they will be selling this month in their sale.

So make sure you drop on by ..........................Ah Scrap

Sale Sale Sale

2012-02-02T19:39:00.000+11:00

Ah Scrap is having a SALE

Feb 15th at 7pm on their blog, drop on over

and check out their lovely hand-made

embellishments ;)

http://www.ahscrap.blogspot.com.au/

DT Work

2012-02-02T17:04:00.000+11:00

After some time spent with the family, hence the lack of blogging/scrapping. I am finally posting something new.

Today I shall be sharing another DT layout for Ah Scrap , on this layout I used the cute fabric flag.

Here is the gorgous little gingham fabric flag made but the girls at Ah Scrap . They come in a pack of 6 for $2 there are three colour in the pack teal, purple and yellow gingham.

In this photo you can see how I have tucked the journaling tag behind the photo and pattern paper.

And here is the journaling, which I printed from my computer.

Thanks for dropping by, Cheers Kylie x

Work to Share

2012-01-10T22:10:00.001+11:00

Here are a couple of layouts I completed this week that I would like to share.

Self Portrait - This layout is completed with Kaisercraft Bonjour Collection, assorted flowers, Autumn Leaves Stamps, Heidi Swapp Alpha's, Marianne Creatable Die - English Rose

Carols By Candlelight - This layout was completed with Kaisercraft Cheer Paper Collection (old stock), Kaisercraft wooden embellishment, Bella Journaling Tag, Making Memories Stickers.

Thanks for looking and Cheers Kylie

DT Layouts

2012-01-10T21:41:00.000+11:00

Tonight I would like to share my 2 DT layouts I made for Ah Scrap

So here they are ;)

In this one I used the stripped banner. This was such a fun embellishment to use I just has to use it with these party photo's I had taken.

And with this layout I used the purple button lollipop as flowers and to as to the layout I made my own string and button sun.

Well that all for now, but I have plenty more embellies to play with so stay tuned for more pieces of work. :)

Oh What Do I See Here!!

2011-12-19T22:10:00.000+11:00

Oh look what I see.....I see me as the guest dt for Ah Scraps!! Yippee!!

I received a wonderful batch of goodies to play with today in the mail, and I'm so glad my hubby came home at lunch and retrieved them from the mailbox as we had one truly soggy day.
So over the next few months I shall be scrapping some layouts and various items to share with fellow Ah Scrap fellow scrappers.

So some and check out their blog and their Facebook page :)

Created

2011-12-04T21:43:00.000+11:00

Ok here are a couple of layouts I squeezed in last week, the sad thing is they might be the last ones for the year too. As we a so busy at this time of the year, I see my chances of myself scrapping dwindling away. :(

Beep, Beep, Beep

Red Lipstick

Woooohhooooo Me!!

2011-12-04T20:23:00.000+11:00

This afternoon I decided to log onto Facebook via my hubbies iPhone to see that I had two messages, one I was expecting, but the other one not.

To my surprise I got a message from a fellow scrapper that's my friend via FB (Facebook) and she was asking me if I was interested in becoming the new guest designer for Ah Scraps....WOW what a great way to finish a weekend getting a message like this has just lifted my sprits so much more, and only on Friday a purchased a copy of Scrapbooking Memories Vol 14 issue 2

to see one of my double paged layouts published and now to be asked to be a guest designer for a pretty cool Internet site that make awesome and cute embellishments, which I get to play with is great... actually better then great its awesome.....Wooooohhhhoooooo Me!!

Scraps

2011-11-21T23:35:00.000+11:00

Here is a quick post to show off my latest layout, which really isn't that new to me as it has been sitting on the easel on my scrap desk for at least two weeks. Or new to the web hence being posted on Scrapbook.com. in my gallery, but it sure is new to the blogging world :)

Soccer Trophy Day

Products : Dynmo Labeller, Kaiser craft Pattern Paper, Ribbon, Assorted Buttons. Corrugated Card, Wooden Soccer Balls, Zig Writer, White and Purple Bazzill Cardstock.

Thanks for taking the time to check it out

Cheers Kylie xxx

Jam Packed Calendar

2011-11-21T22:53:00.000+11:00

WOW..its November already...well its almost the end of November to state and obvious fact. :(

The next two months leading up to Christmas and with school finishing the week of Christmas, we are going to one busy busy busy family. We have a Grade 6 leaver, and a Grade 10 leaver which have our calendar pretty much booked out with events. I also have a grade 1 that has more then one end of year excursions which of course mummy will have to attend, and we have our grade 7'er that is committed to the grade 7/8 combined school band and he has performance coming up on the calendar.

WOW I really feel that the family calendar will be jammed pack and with next month 6 family birthdays included, its going to be one roller coaster ride.

Um is this why they call it the silly season.....I think so!

17 Years

2011-11-20T21:00:00.022+11:00

Yesterday the 19th of November, I married this amazing young man. :)

Now today 17 years later I am still married to that amazing man, but we aren't that young any more.
But I'm not sad about the age of us, I am proud to say that I am still married to my one and only soul mate. Our lives together has been a roller-coaster for the past 17 years with massive pumps and wee little ones. But what a fantastic ride it has been and I could not wish to spend time on this ride then with no other then my best, best friend and husband Lance.

I love you xxxx

Thank you for loving and cherishing me for that last 17 years and thank you for these beautiful flowers. xxx

Efforts For An Afternoon

2011-10-30T16:53:00.000+11:00

Here is a layout I made this afternoon to share.

Products : Kaisercraft 13th Hour Collection, Technique Tuesday Stamps, Kaiser paint, Buttons, Dymo Labeller, Inkadinkado Stamps, Tread, Vera Inks Black and Purple, Metal Photo Corners.

Thanks for stopping on by. Cheers Kylie

BOO

2011-10-29T19:20:00.000+11:00

Just share with you this evening the Halloween ATC's I made this afternoon.

Gosh they where such fun to make, I really enjoyed the whole stamping, cutting and inking process to these atc's.

Here are the products I used to create this atc's : Kaisercraft Grunge Alpha Stamps, Kelly Panacci Twit Twoo Stamp, Versafine Black Ink, Ezcut Paper Dies, See d's Stamp, 7/8 Circle Punch. Astorted Cardstock

Thanks for dropping by to check these out ;)

Cheers Kylie xxx

Shaping It Up For Summer.

2011-10-18T17:39:00.000+11:00

In the last two months I have been putting my body through a massive work out for the up and coming summer.

I really want to look good in my bathers this year. I looked ok last year as I had lost 9 kg, but I still looked out of shape and there was a lot of toning to be done. Well that's what this month has been all about toning. 80 crunches, 2 minute planking, lats work out from hell, and a cardio work out to make you sweat, that your sopping wet to boot!
And Yay I can see the results!

I can sure tell to that I'm much stronger, oh and now when I suck my tummy in it actually sucks it...how cool it that. LOL

me not sucking my tummy in...LOL

Well this was just a entry to basically say YAY! me, I'm really pleased with my progress...look out summer the new me is on the way!!

Cheers Kylie

Finished And Time To Share

2011-10-16T17:06:00.000+11:00

The layout I just posted a photo of in my last post is finished, and I'm quite pleased with it. So here it is for show and tell.

Going out in style : Graphic 45 patterned papers, Times Nouveau Collection, Fashionista Collection and Curtain Call Collection, Jenni Bowlin paper, assorted flowers, paper dollies, BG chipboard Alpha, Heidi Swapp chipboard alpha and ghost clock, ink, Delish metal embellishment and Bella distressing tool.

Distressing on this layout was done with the Bella distressing tool, purchased from spotlight for only $5 bargain!! and something cool to add to my caddy of tools. :)

Here I used the insides of the g's and o's in the title to create a dotted swirl.

The cute little Delish metal embellishment .....perfect!

Thanks for looking and cheers Kylie xxxx

Time to Complete

2011-10-16T13:24:00.000+11:00

Well after a busy week and two weekends, I'm now going to try and complete a couple of projects.

One of these has been sitting on my desk since last weekend, when my awesome friend Allison and her beautiful family from Burnie came and stayed with us last weekend. Also with a week of organising Shannon's Grade 10 leavers dinner outfit, Zach spending extra time with high school commitments, organising and coaching a basketball team for Grace's Grade 5/6 Basketball team and making sure Sarah doesn't miss her first ever Trophy presentation day. I think it time for me sit back and relax.

Shannon's Leavers (check)
Zachary Performance night (check)
Basketball Tournament (check)
Soccer Trophy Presentation (check)
its time to complete some other things a bit of me time is in order.

Here is a layout that I'm working on and I'm hoping to complete this, this afternoon,and then I'm going to make some Halloween ATC's .

As I look out my study window and see the rain pouring down I see this as a perfect day to slip on my slippers and get tucked into some great scrapping.

Jammed Pack Weekend!

2011-10-16T12:59:00.000+11:00

Cheers to another jammed packed weekend with my children....ok it was only really two of them and Grace was the main one for three of the days.

We survived a basketball tournament all weekend, and one very soggy and wet soccer trophy presentation today.

This weekend I had the pleasure of coaching 6 really cool and always motivated girls. These girls represented their school with great honour this weekend, and even in the defeat of 4 games they still held their heads high. This is what makes me enjoy being a part of my children and other children's memories and goals. They showed true sportsmanship and great honour in their school sports uniform. I was one very proud parent/coach/manager.
I would also like to say thanks to our school P.E teacher for turning up on the weekend to score for our team, its awesome to see that he was will to give up his free time to come and support the girls. And the parents that came to support their daughters, they should all be very proud.
WOW what a great school we do have, and its with events like this that make me proud to me a Bowen Road Primary School mum.

I'm always so proud of my children, and both Lance and I always support and encourage our children to participate in a team sport, and this winter just passed we encourage Sarah to participate in the Under 7 school soccer team. Today was her soccer trophy presentation day, so of coursed armed with the camera in hand to catch this moment, we turned up to a cold and rainy presentation. I'm so proud of her for proving to both myself and her father that she has the sportsmanship and courage to get up on incredible cold and freezing mornings to run around a soccer field and have a blast with her fellow team mates. So this afternoon in prime position on the mantel piece we have Sarah first ever trophy and hopefully not the last.

Congrats, Sarah for giving your best in your first every sport, we will support you with many more years of fun! That what parents are for ;)

Clear Mini Album

2011-10-09T15:28:00.000+11:00

This afternoon I thought I would share with you this little playing card sized clear mini album I made last weekend.

Products used : Scrapping Clearly Playing Card Clear Album, Cherry Arte patterned paper - His Legacy, Kaisercraft - Flowers, gems, small letters and alpha stickers, Playing cards, Sliver ring, Ribbon and fabric.

I would also like to say thanks to Nat from Scrappers Heaven for giving me this little album to make for my family. THanks :) xxx

Cheers Kylie xxx

Creations For Last Month.

2011-10-09T14:43:00.000+11:00

New layout for last month!

I have scrapped some of these photo's before, but while messing around with my printing program for my Canon PIXMA iP3000 printer, I printed these cute little index photo and though they would look great on a layout and wal-la I came up with this layout.

Products used on this layout are : Kaisercraft paint, Kaisercraft timeless paper, wooden lady birds, sheer leaves (brought from Kmart) Assorted chipboard letters, SFX chipboard tree, playing card 8 x 8 scalloped Cardstock, mini wooden pegs and chipboard bird.

Also to share with you is my ATC for last month. The theme last month for the local swap I'm in was lace, so here is my take on it.

Thanks for dropping by to check out some of my work ;)

Cheers Kylie xxx

Ya another layout!

2011-09-13T17:40:00.000+10:00

I did it! I sort of ignored the kids and scrapped today. YA!!

Its not often I get the chance to sit in my scraproom of late and scrap specially during the day with all the kids home.

So here it is :

123 Unwrap - Kaisercraft paint, assorted scrap paper from my scrap draw, Bella Paper clip, Ribbon and Bella Chipboard alphabet.

TLF xxx

Inspiration

2011-09-13T13:01:00.000+10:00

I would like with this post to thank Sharmaine Kruijver for the wonderful inspiration she has been posting on her blog (http://skruijver.blogspot.com/) and Facebook of late.
I think that its the little bits and pieces that make Sharmaine's layout pop, and I love the simplicity that really brings out the elements to the photo she uses.

They really inspired me to create this layout I am sharing with you all today.

Blow - American Craft, Pebbles & Simple Stories pattern paper

Twine, Brads, Kaisercraft Paint, Stamps & chipboard Alphabets, EK large circle punch, metal rim tag, and journaling pen.

Doing it 1920's Style

2011-09-05T13:34:00.001+10:00

On the weekend I attended a girlfriends 40th Birthday party at Irish Murphy's and of course it was a fancy dress event.

I decided that I was going to go as a Flapper from the 1920's, and thank to my wardrobe my outfit only cost me $30. I already had the dress and the shoes, all I had to purchase was a pair of fishnet stockings, some cheap strings of pearls, a feathered boa, and a fancy head band.

And I was set for an amazing evening with great food, great music and fantastic company.
A night to remember!

The End Of An Affair

2011-08-18T21:56:00.000+10:00

Yep its over! this long term affair I have had for many years, is soon to end. The nights where I have snuck out, and the weekends away. The moments where I have been lost in the passion and also the times I have been happy to just sit and chat, is all about to come to an end.

Scrappers Heaven is closing down! ARRRRGGGHHHHH

This little quaint and cute store owned by Natalie, Val and Heather, 3 amazing ladies is closing on the 27th of this month. :(

If it wasn't for this little store I don't think I would of continued with this amazing craft of scrapbooking I enjoy today. I would also like to thank these wonderful ladies for giving me the chance to teach and show off my work. I loved every single lesson, from the beginners to school holiday programs with 12 - 15 excited giggling girls and the just the chance to share my ideas with fellow scrappers. Over the years thanks to Scrappers Heaven I have meet some amazing ladies that also enjoy this amazing craft of scrapbooking, and made some wonderful friendships.
I know that these beautiful ladies have put their heart and souls into this wonderful store that sometimes I use to call home.You have given me two wonderful and side cracking retreats to remember. I'm going to miss driving down the road for a piece of card stock or something more, you know that missing bit to a layout and also a quick chat. I don't know how many times I would say to them don't print me a receipt otherwise Lance will find out how much money I'd have spend in there!

Girls you have giving me such great memories and helped me so much along the years, you have even help me through the hard times in my own personal life.

Oh and before I go also like to shout out to Janet, another wonderful lady that worked for the girls. I would like to say that you have one of the most loving and kindest souls I have ever met and it was a pleasure working with you. xxxx

Its an end of an era, a end of a life style that I have wedge well into my heart and life. I will miss this part of my life I will miss our occasional retail affair.

Good Luck Ladies. xxxx

Thirteen

2011-08-07T17:11:00.001+10:00

Yep we have another teenager in the house, so now there is a total of two.....oh boy here we go!!!!

Posing with one of your presents.

I hope you enjoy reading this and it

has all the facts you need when looking up and animal.

All the awesome stuff you got for your birthday so far .

Today is Zachary's 13th birthday, wow where has that time gone. I remember bringing home this little bundle of joy from hospital, and now I have this noisy, crazy kid! But I would not trade a single day having you in my life or in all of our lives for a matter of fact. Every day you bring a smile to our faces, with your awesome sence of humour, you also sometimes bring a headache to your mothers head, but hey I take a nurofen and tell you to use your inside voice and we move on...LOL.

WOW today you have reached teenage status how cool is that! I can't wait to start scrapping layouts about you and your teenage drama's and triumphs. I bet most of them will be about you not being able to complete some curtain game on the PlayStation or Wii. I know that your such an easy going kid that the bathroom issues with two girls in the house will not be and issue!

I hope you have had a great day Zac and that you enjoyed your mate Jesse staying last night for a sleep over, and the yummy dinner Dad is cooking for you right now, roast turkey roll, baked potatoes, caramelised sweet potatoes and cauliflower and broccoli bake, and your Banana caramel cake for dessert! WOW make sure you save me some!

Happy Birthday Zachary, I hope you have enjoyed your day! and that you enjoy your teenage hood.
Love Mum xxx

12 going on 21

2011-08-05T16:42:00.000+10:00

Yep its Grace's 12th birthday! and this is a belated post for her birthday which was the 21st of last month. She had a great day with opening pressies in the morning before school, so Dad could see them. Then it was off to school armed with two containers full of cupcakes for her class mates and friends. Then in the evening she had her favourite cooked meal, home-made cataloni, with salad and chips and and ice-ream birthday cake for desert and also a home-made marble cake that Dad made for her.

Opening Presents

Your first camera how cool!

All your cool stuff!

Yummy your marbled chocolate cake!

Feel the warmth from all those candles.

I think Dad is going to have to make a bigger cake

next year.

We have been so busy here in the Cornish house hold. We have had two school excursions, heaps of band practice for both Zac and Grace. School winters sports with Grace (netball) also netball try outs for Grace. Grace also has had two band concerts, one was a tour to our school and another primary school, and the other was to play in fount of some parliamentary members that came to the girls school to open their new library and other buildings that have just been completed. We have been organising work experience for Shannon and also Shannon got his first job this week. YA! Congrats Shannon!
I have been in the full swing with my Active After School Sport (AASS) afternoons, we have just completed week 6 out of 9, and I'm having a blast and I think the kids are enjoying them too!

Well this is me for now, I hope all you fellow bloggers and blog readers have had a wonderful and fulling life as I have in the last few weeks ;)

Cheers

Canvas Art (She Art # 7)

2011-08-04T15:40:00.000+10:00

Here is last months She Art effort.

I really wanted to create a party themed canvas, so what better way then to have a banner across the canvas.

TFL xxx

Creations For The Week

2011-07-23T18:32:00.001+10:00

Here is this weeks effort for scrapping, I made myself a couple of mixed media canvases, and a really cute little matchbox.

This is my first mixed media canvas house, I really enjoyed making this and I think I shall make some more they will make lovely gifts from some of my friends.

Here are the close up photo's to show off the detail.

I also made a SHE ART this week.

Here are the close up photo's to show off the detail.

And last to share is my mini Matchbox. I must say that these can be fiddly to make but once they are, they are so cute you want to make more.;)

I found a template for this Matchbox here http://blog.swap-bot.com/rachels-matchbox-template/ so enjoy making one yourself if you already haven't ;)

THE HORROR!! THE BLOOD!!

2011-07-17T15:51:00.001+10:00

(warning for those that don't like blood LOOK AWAY NOW)

Yes its the Zombie March!

Yesterday my 4 children participated in the annual Hobart Zombie March with friends, and I tagged along as the make-up and blood roadie oh and camera person too! :)

What a gory bunch for gorgeous zombies.

Sarah doing her best zombie impression

Zachary brain dead stare!

Grace with shocking bed hair!

Shazz giving that evil stare!

Now they are all gored up and ready to lurch into the city!

And now the city is about to be over run with Zombies RUN !!!!

(For more photo's you can check our my facebook album Zombie March 2011 )

Altered Matchbox

2011-07-10T15:10:00.000+10:00

This is my first ever altered matchbox, I made it to swap with Allison (Allisonaussie) from Scrapbook.com (SB) and one of my best friends. It's been awhile since Alli and I did a swap and the other day while checking out Alli's gallery on SB I saw that she had made an altered matchbox. I messaged her straight away and asked if she would like to make another and swap with me, and of course she said yes! :)

So here is my altered matchbox and matching tag.

Here is the template to this Matchbox matchbox template.pdf

Here Fishy, Fishy

2011-07-10T14:36:00.000+10:00

Here is my latest ATC's for the local swap here in Tasmania. I jumped a month ahead and did August's theme "Under The Sea".

I found this cute little image of this fish while surfing the Internet, and I didn't have the appropriate stamp for this project, so I printed it in wallet size x 9 on a A4 sheet of paper which is perfect for ATC's and then I used my watercolour pencils to colour the image in.

Ingredients - White cardstock, assorted Tim Holtz mists, Kaisercraft paint, ink, tissue paper, printed fish, watercolour pencils, Kindyglitz, Dimensional magic.

I know that I should really be working on this months theme which is "Things I Love" and at the the moment I can not decide what to scrap about I have way to many choices. I'm lucky its still only the beginning of the month and I still have time to complete them.

Something For Winter

2011-07-10T13:59:00.001+10:00

Brrr all weekend it has been freezing here with rain, snow on the mountain and chilling winds, so to share with you all today I'm posting a acrylic album I made last year. That is just so suitable for this weekend and the view from my scraproom window.

Mt Wellington, brrr look at that snow.

So here is my album to share :)

Thanks for looking ;)

Nothing For Show But Something To Tell

2011-07-03T20:54:00.003+10:00

Well this entry I have nothing to show as I haven't created anything this week, scrapbooking wise that is :( So this week is only a tell post.

I've been a bit distracted this week with reading up on Basketball rules and organising myself for my AASP (Active after School Program) sessions at the kids primary school.

I really wanted to make sure that my first session with 25 + children was going to go off without any hitches, but alas with my nerves on high I did find the first session a bit daunting. Not everything I had gone to plan and the teacher that helps run the session asked if I could change a few things while teaching. But like a true coach I was able to change my sessions too accommodate what they wanted for this first session. I'm hoping with my first session under my belt that it’s going to be easier, as they say the more and more you attempted something the better you shall become at it! ;)

So with that happening this week and with running around after my 4 very busy children, I haven't had time to sit at my scrap desk and create. I also haven't even had the chance to even start my scrap-room Reno’s. I'm not sure what to do first maybe create something, or start to pull my room apart so I can start preparations ...argh!

Maybe I've picked the wrong time to start my scrap-room Reno’s, I want to put some of my furniture in the kids rumpus room and right now with it being winter the kids are hanging out more in there and well its not really fair taking up room in their chill zone! Maybe I might have to put my Reno’s on the back burner?

Well this week I'm going to attempt to make something, even if it's some more ATC's for the swap I'm in, or start the Matchbox Challenge that Allison (Allisonaussie) from Scrapbook.com has messaged me about. So let’s see what this week brings.

Time For A Change

2011-06-23T22:13:00.002+10:00

Yep, that's it tonight I've decided that my scraproom really needs a make over. I want to change the colour on the walls and I want to sort out my space.
Just of late I have felt as though my room is to crowded, which it is! I only have a small room and of late with all the products and creations I've made I feel like I'm running out of room. I'm not financial able to go out and by new furniture, but I think I can work with what I have and change it to make it better. I have been scrapping in this room for the last 6 years and really nothing has change other then adding a more and more scapbooking products..LOL.
So I think its time to make a change, the only problem I can see with doing this is that my scrapping will slow down or maybe even stop for awhile, oh unless I take over the dinning table of a night, yeah that sounds like a plan maybe hubby will be happy to see me of a night, even if its not our Snuggle/tv night together.

Here are some photos of my scraproom. Wow I can't believe now looking back at them on, just how much more stuff I have crammed into this small room of mine. :o

Here is my scrap room in the beginning of the year 2006

This is at the end of 2006 with my new storage boxes and new cupboard and computer desk behind my scrap desk.

And this is now!! I know I could of tidy my room first, but this is what I walk into every time I have a project underway and sometime it looks more worse then this as there is normally stuff all over the floor. So here goes 2011 I really do think that its time for a change.

Spread Your Wings and Fly xxx

2011-06-19T18:03:00.000+10:00

Today's scrap efforts was to finish some ATC's I started yesterday, these ones are "wing" theme for the swap I have joined with 9 other local Tasmanian ladies.

This time round while scrapping I took photos of the process of putting these ones together. The only stages I missed out on was the beginning prep, which was stamping, misting and a lot of cutting out. I did start these yesterday before I had the brain wave of taking photos while make them. drrr LOL

So here we go this is putting them together!

Here I have just finished stamping the background and misting it with paint, perfect pearl, and also glimmer mist. The cardstock is bent from being heated with a heat gun to dry them. I have inked the edges and also attached the scraps from an old story book on to the cardstock.

I have just completed inking the edges of the wings and the bust.

I'm attaching the wings to the cards, I have only used tape on the tops as when I attach the bust cut outs I would like the wings to sit under the shoulder but wrap around the front of the bust.

Here is the bust attached and the wings sit under the shoulders and the bottom of them sit around the waist.

And here I have finished by adding quote to the top corner of the ATC saying "Spread your wings & fly xxx" So now they are all finished and ready to be swapped.

What have I been up too?

2011-06-18T14:26:00.002+10:00

Well I've been scrapping this week and I completed my prac for my coaches course on Wesnesday and passed YA!!

I really enjoy the practical session we had and working with younger children was an eye opener for me. I normally work with older children when I coach basketball, so doing this one on one activity with younger children really taught me, that even at a really young age you can guide and excite them about playing sport for fun.

Here are my latest scrapbooking projects that I've been working on this week too. A new double page layout I made for my DD Seventh birthday, and two new series of ATC's, oriental and recycled.

Double Page layout - Seven - Made with Heidi Grace pattern paper, Thickers Alpha's, Crafterchoice Birthday embellishments, and cardstock and string.

Its not that often I do double paged layouts, but thanks to a $2 issue of For Keep I pick up at the newsagent the other day that inspired me to work on a double layout for my daughter 7th birthday. I'm really pleased the way it turned out and I especially love the banner made from the pp and cardstock.

Oriental ATC's

Here are some photo's of a new series of ATC's I made for a local swap I just joined. Every month we have a designated theme and for the Month of April it is Oriental theme. The group is a little behind in months so this has given me a chance to catch up.

These ATC's are made using Kaisercraft pattern paper Lush Collections, cardstock, ink, and oriental coin.

Recycled ATC's

Here is my series of Recycled ATC's for the month of May. This is my take on recycled, and I thought that using an old playing card was a great way to recycle, as we have plenty of old decks of cards that missing a card here or there thanks to the kids and they make a great pre-cut trading card.

I have used old playing cards for these and I used and old story book and some left over felt from another project and and assorted old buttons, mixed tags and some old cord that I found rummaging through a draw in the kitchen.

I'm really pleased with this series and I'm really looking forward to making this months which is themed wings. I think I shall start them this afternoon I'm really in the mood for some scrapping and creating fun.

I hope you are all having a lovely weekend ;)

ATC again

2011-06-12T22:15:00.001+10:00

Here is a new ATC I made last Friday night.

I really have been enjoying making ATC's these miniature pieces of art work are so fun and quick to make I think that's why I enjoy them so much. Plus I get to swap them with other creative scrappers.

This ATC's was created using an image from graphicsfairy.blogspot.com and the new Kaisercraft Timeless pattern paper, and assorted stamps.

Kaisercraft -Timeless

Wanting to be Somebody?

2011-06-12T16:20:00.003+10:00

WOW this afternoon I was reading some blogs of some amazing scrappers this afternoon and I also saw some amazing pieces of work, and its got me thinking, and asking myself how can I make myself one of those amazing scrappers one of those amazing people that inspire me to create. I would like to be one of those ladies you see in the magazine creating and posting information about this amazing craft. I know in the past I had my chances to make a difference in my scrapbook life style, (teaching and being published) but I let it slip away when I feel out of passion for the craft and life a little. So now I'm kicking myself, and now that I have gotten the bug again to create I want to see more from this craft. Am I asking for to much, or should I just take a step back again and remember that this craft is not about becoming someone known, but creating something that brings out the passion within me to create treasures for my family and generations to follow?? Have a just answered my own question??

Completed!

2011-06-07T22:08:00.002+10:00

YA!! I completed my online coaches course this evening.

I can now go to my practical session next Wednesday and learn how to put all that reading and testing into practices. I hope I complete that with flying colours too. I really want this opportunity to do the After School Activities at my children's school, plus it helps me with my coaching skill for the grade 5/6 Basketball team that I have coached for the last two years.

I'm really proud of myself for completing this, its been along time since I've had to sit testing, and its been awhile since I have received a certificate for completing something. YA me!! Now when I blow my whistle, I can blow it with pride! :)

Two More

2011-06-05T16:44:00.005+10:00

WOW what a weekend!

I have finally started my online coaches course for the kids school so I can teach basketball in the After School Activity Sessions. I have completed 3 modules on Friday night, but once the brain started to turn a bit mushy at 10.30pm it was time to call it quits. I have another two modules to go I think :/

Gosh I have never read so much information in one go in along time, the last time would of been way back in the day of college maybe...LOL, but it did feel great to pass each test after I read and completed each module so far! YA ME!!!

But the best thing about this weekends is I completed to more "She Arts"......YIPPEEEEEEE

These two are for my beautiful girls.

I did "She is still learning" for Sarah, because she is only 7 I though that this "she art" quote was perfect for her as she is still learning every day of her young life, and I made a fun and playful background for this one. I'd had seen many types of this background done on other "she arts" and though this one would give me a great chance to have a play with this form. I completed the back ground using coloured tissue paper this time to create the sun and the ground, I also used paint to brighten them.

The next one is for my eldest daughter who is 11 and really into music and playing music quite loudly in or rumpus room when ever she gets the chance, oh and dancing. So of course this "she art" is called " She Loves To Rock" I tried to give this one a really grunge look and added cute little musical note to it to complete that music feel to it!

I am really enjoying making this new art forms, the whole idea of getting messy just seem so much fun. I really enjoy the fact with this is it doesn't have to be perfect, you can mess it up and it looks OK, or you just layer over it and start again. I also love that you can quote something about someone that means a lot and how they make me feel about them.

She Art No 2

2011-06-02T23:19:00.003+10:00

I made my second "She Art" this evening....YA me!!!

This one has a Paris theme hence the "She dreams of Paris"

I found this great template of a paper doll on the internet to night and I decided to use this as my girl on my "she art", I haven't really done a lot of free hand drawing in a very long time so I wanted to make this one look better then my first girl on my first canvas.

I can see myself making a few of these specially for gifts, so I really should one night or the next time I have free time practiced my free hand drawing and draw girls so they look super cute for these super cute canvases !

First "She Art" revised

2011-06-02T23:09:00.004+10:00

This is my revised version of my first "She Art"

I added the "she" writing which completes a "She Art" canvas.

She will always laugh.

She Art

2011-05-31T21:40:00.004+10:00

Ya me, I just completed my first She Art Canvas and it only took me 2 hours!

almost finished

Finished

Ok it was only a small canvas, but I'm still impressed I taught myself to do it!! WOOOHHHOOO

I have seen these posted on Scrapbook.com and if you Google image them, heaps come up and they are so stunning!

I so cant wait to make a larger one, but alas tonight I must clean up, I sure have made a mess on my scraproom, oh and on my hands. LOL

Broken again :(

2011-05-29T15:25:00.004+10:00

Oh Lance what’s the deal!

Another trip to the hospital, yep Lance's heart went into A-fib (atrial fibrillation) again.

Our day started off like any other Monday morning, Lance and I sitting in the lounge enjoying a coffee before work. When Lance turns to me and says "that my heart is feeling funny" I leaned over to listen to his heart and it was racing a hundred mile per hour, and all he was doing was sitting on the lounge. I knew straight away that his heart was in A-fib again and I knew straight away to call the doctors. We got an appointment straight way so I took the kids to school; Lance went into work to tell him he had an appointment with the doctors straight away. We both meet in the doctor surgery, where the doctor did an ECG (echo cardiograph) on him and then the next thing Lance was being taken to hospital in an ambulance. AARRRGGHHHH

The feeling of why Lance!, hit me why is it a healthy 38 year old guy who is fit and looks after himself with good eating and all that, be suffering from heart problems. We wanted answers; we both wanted to know what the deal with this A-fib was and could be control with out his heart having to be started again like the last procedure.

Lance spent 3 days in hospital being connected to a mobile heart machine, and being heavily medicated to get his heart back into rhythm and also thinning his blood so no blood clots would form and cause Lance to have a stroke. One of the drugs that he is on is warphin and it’s such a strong drug that Lance has to have is bloods tested twice a week to see how his blood is thinning.

We have a long road a head of us at the moment with Lance having to have many appointments with a heart specialist to see what the deal is and why this is happening. I know that Lance is scared he tries to not show it, but I can see it I can see when he his sitting down in the lounge room or having moments to himself, that he his thinking why him? What will this do to him, will his active and adventurous life style end. He wants answers he wants to know will he be on medication for the rest of his life. Can they fix it so the threat of stroke will not have to be an every playing fear on his mind?

All I can say is that I'm going to be here for him 110% I will go through ever step with him, I will attend every doctor’s appointment if he needs me; remind him to take every pill. I will help Lance deal with this and I'll be his shoulder to cry on, and an ear to help him vent, a diary to help him remember.

That is what our vows mean to me!

Post those layouts

2011-05-29T15:02:00.004+10:00

Ok its time to post my new layouts that I have done to share with blog land.

This layout of my DD and her besties spending some time on our boat fishing, the photo's were perfect for the Echo Park paper range, it is bright and reminds me of summer and spending time outside. I keep the embellishments to a minimum on this layout as I used two photos and I want them to be the main focus and plus they took up a lot of room on this single page layout.

This layout is of my eldest DS and I had to just scrap this picture of him wearing a tie....Yep ties are cool! Specially colored ties, and wearing a collared shirt over another collared shirt, its a teenage thing...LOL

With this layout I used scraps and used my new Tim Holtz mask again, this time I just rubbed an ink pad over it to get the masking effect.

ATC's

2011-05-28T22:25:00.004+10:00

In the last two weeks I've really been enjoying making ATC's (Artist Trading Cards) again.

Here are the few that I've made and I would like to share them on my blog.

Love Grows

Eiffle Tower

Strong (Boy ATC's)

Travel

More then just another layout!

2011-05-08T21:28:00.002+10:00

U only have 1 heart

This layout to me this month means more to me then just another layout to add to the album.

This layout describes how I felt about my husband after he was diagnosed with Atrial fibrillation and that we had to rush him into hospital for an evening for blood testing, heart machines and chest x-rays. You also had to see a heart surgeon to organize for your heart to be restarted back into rhythm (defibrillator).

I have never felt so useless in my life knowing that I couldn't fix you, knowing that you where struggling to walk at times because you heart was not working well. When I would see you sitting in the chair of an evening after being at work all day you looked so exhausted, it looked like you had run a mile when all you had done was a normal day at your job.

It was an eye opening to see you like this and it made me realise that if anything was going to happen to you, that I wouldn't cope alone. We needed you Lance, we needed you to be here for us and we needed you strong and well. I needed you, you are my soul mate! Our vows say in sickness and in health and I never thought you would take them so serious. But like it was written and said on our wedding day, I never left your side and I was with you in sickness and in health.

Its now been two weeks since your procedure and you are back to your normal self to some aspects. You can handle a day at work and come home will still have a bounce in your step. But I know deep down inside that you are worried and that sometimes that old heart of yours still aches. I think that you don't know that I know, but I do thats what a wife does. If it means that there is more time in hospital to fix this ticker of yours, I'm going to go through it with you all the way.

I will be with you in sickness and in health!

I love you!

New layouts

2011-05-08T20:46:00.006+10:00

Here are some new layouts I have completed. At the moment I'm really into misting and masking, I've been using a few different mediums for this, I have used Kaiser paint, water and perfect pearls in a mini mister, tattered angels glimmer mist and Tim Holtz, colour wash.

Beautiful - This layout was created using Kaisercraft paint (raw umber) and water in a mini mister. I used a Kaisercraft wood flourish to create the stencil of the dress making doll.

I used tulle to layer the punched out bird and fine delicate leaves to add some softness to this layout.

Cousins - With this layout I used Kaisercraft paint (black), perfect pearls powder, and water in a mini mister. I also used Kaisercraft wood butterflies.

I really like that with this layout I added mirrors as embellishments and I also kinder glitz the edges.

Oh so Pretty - With this layout I use tatter Angel glimmer mist (Cherub Pink), I really like that this is such a soft glitter mist. I can see myself using this quite a lot of my daughters layouts.

Changes within you - I use the Tim Holtz colour wash (lettuce) on this layout.

As you can see in this photo how the spray looks on the paper.

With all the misting and masking I do on my layouts I used a heat gun to dry the mediums.

Sarah's Birthday Party

2011-04-11T19:46:00.008+10:00

Well its the day after Sarah big fairy party, and what can I say about that....THANK GOD!!

Thank god its was a success and thank god that its all done with for another year. I had forgotten what it was like to host a children's birthday party at home, its been a while!

All the awesome prep I did for her big day came together so well and I was so please that the girls had a great time and that Sarah was so happy. There is nothing better then a feeling that all the effort I did was so worth it because Sarah loved every minute of the Birthday party.

We started the party off by playing Pass the parcel, and Pin the wings on the fairy. We then all decided that it was food time, and with a table full of yummy party food all you could hear from the dinning table was giggles and laughter, I think the big hit on the table was the homemade cupcakes and the frog in a pond, and the piles of food were going down a treat. After the food I took all the girls outside to play treasure hunt and then after that game I thought it would be good to come back inside and have Sarah's birthday cake. Then to finish off the party we all went outside and played with bubble that the girls all won when playing games. As I was watching the girls play with bubbles I knew that the girls where really happy with Sarah's birthday party and it was a great success!

Maybe next year I might do it again...we'll see.

Sarah's table placing

The hand made Tinkerbell Banner I made.

Setting up before the guest arrive

The Birthday girl

Pass the parcel

Time to eat

Yum Yum Yum Party Food

Cake time

Blowing bubbles in the front yard!

Sarah's Birthday

2011-04-08T22:42:00.001+10:00

As the title says, its Sarah's birthday....WOOOOHOOOOO she is 7!!!!!!!!!!!!

wow she is 7 gosh how that time as flown, my baby girl is growing up so fast.

This year for her birthday she really wanted Tinkerbell, so Tinkerbell was what she got. She also got these new toys called Squinkies, they are these little figurines that are plastic and you collect them. They also come with special containers that you can hold them in, the one that Sarah received from us was a cute little teapot that you used just like a gum-ball machine. Oh it was sooooo cute!

Sarah was also super happy to because this year she didn't only get to celebrate her birthday on her birthday day. On the weekend she was having her first official birthday party at home with friends from school and of course the theme is going to be Tinkerbell!

Tinkerbell DVD set and a very cute Tinkerbell doll

Squinkies lots and lots of squinkies!

Yum a Freddo Frog ice cream cake after dinner, Lasagna, chips and salad which you choose.

It was a great choice to Sarah because everyone likes lasagna and it went down a treat!

Yum eating the cake off the candles and Zac and Grace ready to dive into the cake, good luck with that Sarah has to cut it first...LOL

One Month

2011-03-27T19:00:00.009+11:00

Well here it is, it's almost the end of March and I'm entering a blog entry. Ive decided that on Sunday nights I will make time to do an entry so this should mean that I'm updating more often, lets hope it works.

Wow what a busy month we have had, camping trip, sporting events, school camps, after school sports, and birthday party organising. Plus I squeezed in a couple of layouts and some prep for Sarah's Easter class activity. I have offered my creativity for Sarahs class next month to make Easter milk carton bunny and chickens for the children.

Another thing that we have done this month was getting away camping and fishing on our boat. It was an interesting weekend with Friday night the first night, Lance being abused and assaulted by a disrespectful youth at Gordon where we normally camp. This meant we packed up on Saturday and decide to go home or move camping site. The decision in the end was to move to a new camp site at Egg and Bacon Bay, and what a great decision that was. We ended up having a brilliant weekend. The kids had a chance to get some great fishing in, there was a beach for the kids to play and swim at and the locals in the area where so lovely that we felt at ease all weekend. So for the rest of the long weekend we had a great time away.

Lance's Shiner

Zac with the catch of the day (Kelpie)

Sarah playing on the beach

Camp at Egg and Bacon Bay

The girls playing in the beautiful sunshine.

Back To School

2011-03-08T22:19:00.004+11:00

Here is the start to my Back to School layouts and one of Sarah last years at her first running carnival. I've been a bit slack and only created two of this year when I really should have five layouts to add to the scrapbook album. I still need to complete a layout for Grace being in grade 6, one of Sarah starting grade 1 and one of all the kids together starting the new year of learning, achievements and friendships.

Seventh Grade - Here is Zac and this layout represent a big milestone for him, the start of High School. I'm looking forward to seeing Zachary grow this year into a teenager.

Grade 10 - This layout of Shannon is another milestone for the album, this is the final year for Shannon in school, this will be the last year with the studies he has and the friends he has made through out high school. This is the year of exams, leavers dinners, preparing for college, learners licence and getting a job! Wow its been such a long time since I had to go through that, I hope that Shannon realizes that we are here for him ever step of the way. Good luck Shannon.

Running Carnival - While I was in the mood to do school layouts I drag out this photo from last year and completed this layout of Sarah at her first running carnival. I used in this layout the new Kaisercraft "Class of 87" collection and I must say with all the primary colours in this range was perfect for this photo. Its a good thing that she is in a great school sport house of Tasman hence the red t-shirt! GO TASMAN!!!!!

Second Month

2011-02-06T20:14:00.006+11:00

Here we are its February, and I'm posting my second layout...how slack!

{The Rock pool, made with Kaiser Seaside collection range}

I thought with school holidays I would be scrapping more, but alas I haven't :(

Instead I've been living it up with the kids, we've been swimming heaps at the pool (great for me with exercise routine), celebrating Australia day with family and friends. A very special wedding of a very special teacher, to two of my children. We have also been visiting and we have gotten ourselves ready for school with a massive shopping expedition for new shoes, hats, lunch boxes, new socks and and so on, one major event with 4 children in school.

{Australia Day}

{Miss Walshe's Wedding} (Now Mrs Johnston)

{Getting Ready For School}

We now only have a week and a half left of school holidays so we are going to lap up our free time with a camping trip. The kids, myself and Lance love camping we are even more excited as we are taking our boat with us this time. Lance has been very busy this weekend making sure the trailer is in order, the fishing gear is ready and during the rest of the week he will be making sure the boat is ready. I know that the kids are really looking forward to this weekend. Specially because our last camping trip at the beginning of the year was ruined by me getting ill and having to come home early.

So with the last of the holiday looming over our heads we will be busy little beavers getting the last of the kids school products with book pick this week. Camp preparing, making sure all the camp gear is packed and ready to so, oh and weather watching, there is no point fishing and camping if the weathers going to be bad.

I hope also to get some scrapbooking in too, so once I've finished posting this blog entry I will be turning around to my scrap desk and getting busy! I hope :)

First Layout For 2011

2011-01-12T19:59:00.003+11:00

Here is my First layout for 2011. Its only a simple layout, but I think this year or should I say for the start of the year I'm going to keep my layouts simple and clean, they seem so much quicker to make. I think for me this is a good thing, I was so busy last year changing my life style that I really didn't have much time to scrap. Well this year I'm going to keep the healthy life style, with the gym, good healthy food, not smoking, fun runs, and general running around after my husband and children...mostly the children....LOL I will do more scrapping, I've found that I've really missed it.

Well enough of me gabbing for now, here is my layout!

Oh and I must remember to update and use my blog more!

Christmas Morning In Our House

2010-12-27T22:26:00.005+11:00

Well finally here are some snap shots from our house Christmas morning. Just like many others on Christmas morning with children there is the noise of excitement and squeals of joy and lots and lots of mess, we have Christmas wrapping paper everywhere toys and assorted gifts all over the place. But the best thing we have on Christmas morning is lots of love, laughter and smiles!

More Layouts

2010-12-01T20:09:00.001+11:00

Here are some of the layout I have done lately!

My Winter Wonder

HIKE

Close up photo of my layout HIKE, this is to show the distressing on this layout.

Together they Explore

Our Air Bud

Completed!!!

2010-11-22T21:01:00.001+11:00

As the title of this blog entry says I COMPLETED!! The Point to Pinnacle!! YAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!

I have never completed something that was so challenging before, it was just not physical but mentally too.

I started off slow and then I picked up the pace, and I even handled the base of the mountain well. But 17.5 km of the way up near the Chalet the body started to ache and journey seemed to never end thats when my body wanted give up. In my mind I was saying no don't give up you can do this, but oh I'm hurting and when will this end! I remember my hips aching from constant moving, I thought I could feel a giant blisters forming on the bottom of my feet. All I could remember telling myself what left foot, right foot. I tried to keep my mind of my pain by listening to my iPod, but come the last 2km I was really starting to feel the strain of this massive advent I has entered. I was starting to get emotional I could feel tear welling in my eyes. I knew it wasn't long until the finish, but I was hurting so bad, I want not to give up I want to show myself that "I can do this" I remember my children saying to me "mummy you can do this". I really need to push every bit of my energy on completing, I wanted to ring my husband as soon as I finished to say I completed! I wanted to be a winner in my books even though it wasn't a race.

It came to the last 1 km and I could feel the finish line wasn't far. I knew I could complete this event of human endurance and achievement. I only ran a 1 km on the treadmill Friday and it wasn't far. As I was getting closer I could feel myself slowing down (I was still hurting), and I could hear people behind me about to pass but at that stage I didn't care I knew that I was going to finish in a good time, and I was going to finish! About 500 m from the finish line there was a guy taking photos and I was starting to get even more teary, I was about to finish this amazing and challenging event I have every completed in my life. I knew I was about to ring my family and tell them that I finished! they where talking to a person that just completed a event that was achievement and a half for an ex smoking over weight lady! I completed in 3 hours and 28 minutes and 3 seconds. Not bad since we all had 4 hours and 20 minutes to complete it!! YA!!! my first time and I did it under the official completion time. I'm so glad they has buses for us to ride back down, there was no way in hell I was going to do any more walking. LOL

I have a confession to make I want to complete this event again next year and I would love it if my husband Lance will complete it with me.

http://tasmanianphotos.ifp3.com/site/#/gallery/ptp-10-30-10-45-finish-time/b216193/

Here is a link to some of the official photos that were taken at the almost finish line.

Setting a Challenge

2010-10-29T20:25:00.002+11:00

OK Its official I'm either stupid or crazy....hold on I'm both....LOL

OK....No its me setting a challenge that needed to be set. I wanted to prove to myself that all this hard work I'm doing to my body and my mind is for the best, and also to prove that giving up smoking has made me fitter and stronger. I am completing "or should I say try to complete" the Point to Pinnacle, a 21.4 km walk all the way up Mt Wellington all up hill, all the way.

As I went into town to get my entry form today I knew that I was setting myself a big challenge and I also knew I would have to get my butt into gear and do some training. I needed to complete this for myself and also for my children to show them that when you put your mind to something you can achieve it.

Well wish me luck I will be participate in this challenge of mine on the 21st of November.

oh and here is my proof ;)

Update.....Update....Update

2010-08-15T15:41:00.003+10:00

Yep I'm finally on my blog again and here I go with and update for you all.

I'm still not smoking...WOOOOOHOOOOOO its now been 3 months with out a stinky cigarette hanging out of mouth. I am feeling fantastic, I smell fantastic too...oh even though I sweat my ass off at the gym now...so sometimes I can smell. LOL
Oh taking about the gym I have a trainer and my god I so have noticed the difference with my fitness, body shape and general well being. I only have my trainer once a week which is a bit of a shame because he really keeps me motivated while working out, plus he is cute so it worth having him around while working out...LOL I also have changed my eating habits and this is helping heaps with my work outs and my weight loss. In total I've lost 5.5 Kilo's in 10 weeks..... YEAH!!!! I'm still on a mission to lose another 6 kilo's so I'm working hard every week, and I'm motivated too. I've very pleased with my progress and I must say so is hubby. ;) ;)

As for my other side of life "scrapping". I have completed 4 new layouts. With my new fitness life style I have been really busy throwing myself into sports...e.g netball twice a week, basketball training and the gym, I've only completed 4 layouts. I am in the process of working out away to have time to scrap and time for fitness. I've worked out that I can still have my Sundays and go to the gym. I just have to make sure I get up early on Sundays to do that.

Well I should jump off the computer and turn around to my scrap desk and get another layout on the way. I have an idea in my head and I really need to get it onto some paper I think.

Happy Sunday everyone ;)

New Layout

2010-05-31T14:33:00.004+10:00

I created another new layout this weekend, this one was Sunday nights effort.

Beautiful in all shades - I had these photos printed for awhile and I printed one in colour, one sepia, and one black and white. I did this so when it came to make a layout I could pick any papers for the black and while, lovely neutrals for the sepia photo and then coloured pattern paper for the coloured photo. Well I thought since why daughter looked so beautiful in these photo's no matter how it was printed, I would show that off.

Here is a detailed photo of the layout to show the usage of two of my Fiskars Border Punches. I love the way they create this lovely border and can really enhance the layout and the paper.

Day 2

2010-05-31T14:08:00.004+10:00

OK its day two with my personal trainer at the gym.....and OH MY GOD!!!

I knew that I wasn't fit....I knew that I had no upper body strength. Well I got another reminder today that it all was not up to shape for a work out. We started of with a light 5 minute row on the rowing machine to warm up....that was cool I could handle that, then it was time to go and work with some free weights and some dips. The dips were cool, I could handle them. I know that my strongest part of my body is my legs......BUT!! It all went down hill from there. He had me sitting on a fit ball to strengthen my core. But he had me lifting weights. And lets say I'm having trouble moving my arm above my head....gosh it’s a good thing my keyboard, is lower then my shoulder...LOL. After an intense work out on my arms, my personal trainer thought it would be good to give some boxing ago....How exciting, I get to vent some of my frustration about not smoking and I could clear my head while punching away! Well I was wrong with those thoughts!! I was totally shag! Who knew that boxing could be a whole body work out? You have to make sure you have the right stance for it and keep that in mind while making sure to keep a great posture and also keep your arms in the right position....IT KILLED ME!! I sweated buckets, I got hot and I found that my left arm is no where strong enough for a bout of boxing. But I booked my personal trainer again for next Monday.....SO BRING IT ON!!!! You know the old saying no pain no gain....I'm a sucker for it!! LOL

Keeping My Hands Busy

2010-05-30T18:41:00.005+10:00

Yes I'm keeping my hands busy. I've been scrapbooking this weekend, to take my mind off not smoking. In some ways its been good, but in others its been bad. I normally go outside for a smoke while waiting for paint to dry. Well I did it.....I scrapped and only just had the urge to smoke and when I did I still went outside for fresh air not smoky air. Its day 3 today and I'm now proud to be a "QUITTER!" I can do this!!

Grade 9 - This is a photo of my eldest all ready for the first day of School this year.

2010 - This is a photo of the other 3 ready for the beginning of the new year for school!
I know both these layouts are late, but sometime scrapping is not about scrapping the event straight away, sometime you have to wait until that perfect pattern paper comes along or that perfect embellishment.

Chucking the Fags away!

2010-05-29T14:57:00.003+10:00

Ya its Day 2 on my mission to give up smoking...and boy can I tell you it's a ride and a half! I started the transition to give up on Thursday last week, I started taking Zyban and it was helping me cut down on the amount of smokes I was having each day, and it was making them taste darn right awful. But the big moment was after day 7 I had to not even smoke one....I was going great guns. I got up early and hit the gym for an hour or so, then I came home to do house work and all was well. But it all feel apart when I made Lance and myself a coffee in the afternoon when he came home. I couldn't believe the feeling that came over me. I was finding it hard to breath, my chest was hurting, my heart was racing. I was going into panic mode...all because at that moment it hit me...I would normally have a smoke then and have a chat with Lance to catch up on our day.... and I couldn't!!! OH my I didn't realise how shocking was my habit of smoking until that moment, I could believe how much the had control of me.
I went through the motions and rode the wave of panic that came over me. I keep telling myself "I'm doing the right thing"....."I need to do this not just from me, but for your family too". For almost and hour I was feeling like the my world was crumbling in. It left me feeling drained and worried that what was happening to me, would happen every day during my giving up efforts. I just want the day to end..so come 9pm I was in bed hoping that in the morning I would wake feeling better. Well its the next day and I'm feeling better. I still feel the urge to smoke but I know now that I can do this and I will do this....I'M A NON SMOKER!!

Feeling Better

2010-05-21T21:39:00.008+10:00

Tonight this post is about how I am feeling after that shocking day I had Tuesday.

For all you blog followers, and causal readers out there. I am feeling great! I saw my GP (Doctor) on Wednesday and I am now on Zyban to give up my smoking habit. I think that it’s working already. I have noticed that the taste of them, are not too good, and that is a great sign that the end is near, because I already want to smoke less!

I have kept up with my gym routine this week even though I have not been loosing any weight in awhile. I have also just found out from the GP that because of my smoking, I am not eating to well and this could or should be the reason why I am not losing any more weight. Therefore, I am now making a conscious effort to eat three meals a day, and to eat in general (no more "skipping" meals for me). I have also booked myself a personal trainer once a week to get my butt really into gear at the gym. Therefore, if I cannot lose weight in 6 months there has to be something wrong with me.

I am pleased with my efforts so far and I am pleased with my motivation. Lance told me today that he is so proud of me, and he pleased to see the old Kylie, that would let this eat away at me and give up, is none existent. I am going to give 110% to this. I mean really what so bad about losing some more weight...and really giving up the cigarettes is bloody brilliant...If it means I get more of a life to live with my kids and family. I am going to give it my all!

New Layout.....New Toys

2010-05-18T19:58:00.003+10:00

Last week I made a new purchase of some new scrapbooking items. Instead of buying new papers or new embellishment, NO I brought new toys...they might not be new on the market, but they are new to my stash. And it was great to have something new to play with. These products where an Aqua pen, and a Mini Mister, of course this weekend on my lovely Sundays I have hibernating in my scrap room I had a chance to play with them.

I made a couple of cards using the Aqua pen. The pens are just filled with water and they are great to use with watercolour pencils. They are great with that faded colouring look.

The Mini misters are a great toy too. With the new layout I created I used it to spray a mist of water down paint on to the layout. You can use ink in them, put I find that I have a great range of Kaiser paints and when you water them down in the Mini Mister you get a great spray effect.

I think both of these new toys will be a great asset to my scrapbooking tools of the trade.

Kicked In The Guts

2010-05-18T19:35:00.004+10:00

Well its time to blog again and this blog entry is similar to the last one. Its all about me struggling to lose weight. Today I had an appointment to see a plastic surgeon, about having a tummy tuck. It was great today to find out that I'm a great candidate for one. Its just a shame that I'm not ready for it. I was told today that I have to drop more weight. God I felt like I had been kicked in the gut today when I was told I'm over weight and I also have an abdominal hernia. Bloody pregnancy really can do havoc to a women's body. I knew having 4 c sections would be traumatic to my body, but I never thought they would be traumatic to my mind as well! I now have 6 months to lose 5 kg minim but preferable 10 kg and to give up my disgusting habit of smoking. I've already rang my GP this morning and made an appointment to see what we can do about my weight lose and drug habit. I want this tummy tuck not just for vanity, I want it for me I would love to have my body looking semi normal (PRE BABIES) and I want to look sexy for my DH. I think that its time now that my children are growing up for me to think about myself. I know that my low self esteem as a lot to do with my body shape, and there is a way for me to fix it. I will do everything in my power to achieve it goal. I need this.....no wait...I want this! Wish me luck fellow blog reads.

Monday's

2010-05-03T12:30:00.002+10:00

Well it Monday all right, I've done the whole get the kids ready for school, drop them off and then hit the gym for and hour. I weighted myself this morning, and it looks like I've plateaued. WHAT THE!! I go three times a week plus throw in some netball and you think I would be trimming down nicely. GOD I don't even eat junk food, I'm really careful with what I eat. I can see changes in my body like my hips don't look as big...but why the hell hasn't my weight dropped...I think our scales are broken.....yep thats it......and thats what I'm sticking with...LOL.

I can't believe it today I normally run around with my head cut off after going to the gym, getting on with house work, but today I'm having a I can't be stuffed day. Don't get me wrong I have done house work, all the washings done and out on the line drying, the kids rooms are clean and so is the rumpus. Even thought I did ask the kids to clean that room yesterday. I've even caught up on the folding form the weekend. But really is this the consistent of my day today. Normally it wouldn't bother me. But today things just seem either to hard or...more to the point "why bother" I know as soon as the kids get home it all going to turn into a big mess again.
Ah yes this is me venting a bit...I should just pull my head in and just get one with my day.
I think the reason I'm procrastinating is because I know I have some mending today and I really cant be bother. The thought of setting up the sewing machine just seems to hard, plus I don't want to move the layout on my desk to set up the sewing machine. I did two layouts yesterday and started another last night before I went to bed. Maybe its a sign that I should make myself a coffee and finish this layout that is on my desk... um

Well it something to think about while I make myself some lunch....but I just know I'll end up getting the sewing machine out and repair several items of clothing that need mending. Gosh mending...it so old fashion!! specially in a throw away society. I'm a dying breed of woman that is still willing to fix something before tossing it. I think I must be.

Oh before I go here are the two new layouts I did yesterday, the photo's aren't the best as I took then last night and the lighting wasn't the best.

Camera Savy

Summer Fun

No Class

2010-04-29T13:36:00.006+10:00

Well as the title says "No Class" for me tonight. Oh well more time to scrap at home tonight. I have dinner already cooking in the slow cooker, so there really isn't much to do this afternoon. I was going to get ready to head into Scrappers Heaven for my class tonight, but I don't have enough booked in, so the girls called it off. Its not the first time I've had a class canceled, and I'm cool with it. The only thing that makes me disappointed is that I don't get to hang with all the lovely ladies that scrap there and I don't get the chance to help other scrappers, but those are the breaks.

I got some early mothers day gifts today from my darling husband this afternoon and they are of course scrapbooking items, I got a new cuttlebug embossing folder, and I got some adorable owl brads. Hubby knows that I'm really into owls right now, and its just not scrapping items, I have t-shirts, key chains, and magnets, and one lovely owl candle burner. If I could I would have a room full of them.

I have been making cards again, I'm hoping that I will be able to sell these some how, I'm not sure yet how...but I will work something out. I'm really love making them, the are quick andeasy and its a great way of using up your scraps.

Well thats it for me for now, I'm about to go and pick the kids up from school, so let the noise, fighting, and the mess begin...LOL

Yep its another layout

2010-04-18T19:36:00.003+10:00

It sure is, another layout for my Super Sunday. I mentioned before in my last post that I was working on another layout. Well here it is, I completed it even with stopping for a roast turkey roll that Lance cooked for dinner with all the roast veggie trimmings....YUMMO

So here it is.

I'm really getting into the distressing of my boy layouts I do...it really does give it that roughness need to portray a boys life.
I also love these photo's of Zac jumping off the jetty at Gordon, where we go camping of a summer. Its funny when Zac and is sister starting this they were as scared as hell to do it...but once the first jump was over and done with, we couldn't get them to stop!

Well that it for me, I'm off to start another layout. ;)

A Sunday Afternoon Effort.

2010-04-18T17:13:00.005+10:00

I love my Sunday, and the reason for this is. My husband, this is the one day a week I don't have to do anything if I don't want to and it is also the one day I can sit in my scrap room and create, or just relax and sort through my stash which this then inspires me to scrap a layout...(I know how cool is it that...and no I'm not going to share my hubby....LOL)

Well this afternoon my mojo is flowing again. I have created one layout and I'm about to start another one. But before I get into the swing of the second one I would like to share the layout I created this afternoon with all you other bloggers out there.

So here it is.

I love this photo of Zac and Grace together and as soon as I saw it printed the first thought that came to mind was "boy these two look like bobble heads" So that inspired my title for this layout.

Thanks for coming by and checking it out. I'm off to complete another layout before dinner.

My MOJO is on fire!

2010-04-15T12:30:00.005+10:00

Yep just like the title for this post says....My mojo is back baby!
This Easter we couldn't get away, so instead we plodded around home for the break. The kids chilled eating easter eggs that the Easter bunny left all over my house from them. Hubby chilled playing a new pc game which was great for him, as he started a new job just after the break. And well for me I scrapped my little heart out!...and loved ever minute of it. So now my mojo is fully back into the swing of things, I have completed about 9 layouts and I love every single one of them.

So here are some of the following new layouts I did over the Easter long weekend.

I have also uploaded more layouts to my gallery at Scrapbook.com

Scrapbooking

2010-02-11T19:38:00.005+11:00

I know the other night I posted some pics of my layouts that I have worked on since I last posted on here last year. Well tonight I'm going to link my Gallery at Scrapbook.com on her tonight. So for those that follow my blog or just stubble across my blog can check out the work that I have been doing. I might of not been bloging but I sure have been scrapping! I have been making cards to sell, a few off the page projects and also layouts. The only work you wont see in my gallery will be work that I have had published and also my layouts and off the page projects I have made for my classes at Scrappers Heaven.

My Gallery @ Scrapbook.com

So I hope you enjoy looking at my work, and for those fellow scrappers I hope it inspires you to keep on scrapping ;)

Back to School

2010-02-11T19:05:00.005+11:00

The kids posing for their Back To School photo's for me!

Well here it is Feb 2010, and the kids are back to school. And the big news is I have no kids at home, Shannon is in grade 9, Zac is in grade 6, Grace is in grade 5 and the big news is that Sarah is in Prep...OH my where did that time go. I cant believe that she is in full time school, it only feels like yesterday I we brought her home from hospital. My baby girl is a big girl now!
The first day went well for them all, and it sure did wear them out. I played netball last night and came home just after 9pm and they where all sound asleep and looking like angels, Lance said they went to bed with no issues and it was long and they were dreaming sweet dreams.

Zachary, Grace and Sarah

Shannon, my big teenage boy all ready for Grade 9

Sarah sitting on the mat in her new class room.

Sarah in the playing in the home corner! This is one of her favorite spots in her new class room and its only been two days.

So this is the beginnings of 2010 at school for the kids and a new adventure for me, having some me time for myself for awhile until I have to return to the work force.
But while I do have the time, I hope to take great advantage of it and get things done that I have wanted to archive last year but never got to them.

Lastest layouts.

2010-02-09T18:34:00.007+11:00

Here are some new layouts for 2010 and also some older layouts from last year that I had not posted on my blog.

Oldaker Falls 09

Not just housewives 2010

Her beauty 09

Handsome 09

Sprocket & Chain o9

My cute flower 09

Explore 2010

Everlasting Friends 2010

Retro Rockers 2010

She into the in things 2010

Always together 09

A Likeness I Like 2010

Thanks to those that come and check them out!

I'm really enjoying my scrapping at the moment and I cant wait to complete another layout or off the page project!

Never Forgotten.

2009-11-04T19:18:00.010+11:00

Yep that’s right blog world...I have not forgotten you. I've just been to busy to be with you.

But I suppose now is a good time to catch up since I’m lying in bed with a dam flu…ggrrr

There is so much to catch up on and where do I start...um

Well I’m not sure if I had the chance to mention that I was diagnosed with Depression a few months back. Let’s say that was an interesting part to life that I wish never to fall into again. I found that I completely lost myself. I was such a difficult thing to go through for both myself and my family. It seemed that while I was suffering I was making everyone else suffer too. The last straw that broke the camels back was me being very angry all the time. And then making matter worse I smashed a window with my bear hand. Now looking back, I couldn’t believe I put my family and friends though that. But thanks to medication and seeing a therapist I am feeling my normal self again. Everything looks so much brighter, and if possible it brighter then before.

I think a great thing that help me with my recover of depression was scrapping, and not just the drugs...LOL I did a Secret Keeper 12x12 layout about what I was going through.

12x12 Secret Keep

Finding Me

The Journaling reads:

Just recently I have been diagnosed with Depression

And after living with hell within myself,

I have realised how depressed I truly was.

The pain from losing my brother to a tragic accident,

Still weighed so very heavy on my heart and my mind.

The job situation on Lance’s front was looking grim too

And this seemed to play heavy on my mind and made me worry,

Wondering when the next pay cheque would come in.

And the scarcest of feelings was I didn’t like the fact that, I was

A mother. I found myself feeling very selfish for more me time,

I also found myself angry all the time and it showed itself

Within my actions and temper.

Now with the help of medication and seeing a psychologist,

I have learned to manage my fears, anger, and panic. I never realised

How sad I was. I knew within me that I wasn’t the normal happy go lucky

Person I usually am. Dealing with depression has taught me to relax and to take a

Step back. Not everything will crumble around me. It’s taught me to be proud of

My healthy and happy relationship with my husband and children

It has also taught me to smile again.

MIA

2009-03-15T18:08:00.002+11:00

Yep that right I've been Missing In Action again....

I have become a lounge lizard and a facebook addict....there I've said it!! it out there for all to read!!

I haven't really scrapped anything for ages, I've made a few cards here and there...but all my mojo is gone....I haven't even sat in the study until now! I know.... sad hey!!!!
I have started a layout this afternoon, but I've gotten so far and then nothing....god I want to scrap but every time I sit, I just cant....what the hell is wrong with me. I know that some of my problems are that I'm over thinking it. I should just relax and let it all come flooding back to me.... but no.....its not and its doing my head in........HELP!!!!!
I need scrapping therapy, I think it time to book myself into a couple of classes at work!
Talking about work the only classes I'm doing, is my beginners class on a Saturday and I feel so bad that I'm not teaching more, I feel like I'm letting the girls down at work.....my gosh I have to get my shit together! I'm throwing away this great opportunity for me to help other learn this amazing craft and for me to show off my work. Someone help me!! I've spent a fortune on this hobbie and I just cant give it up because of the moods I've been in and because of my poor time managment. Hubby would kill me if I just keep buying stuff and not using it!....he'll want the study back....LOL

There are a few things that has happened with my spare time that I have cherished, and thats we have done alot of family outings. We went away with the kids and it was the first time the kids have stayed away at a hotel, they loved it of course and Lance and I loved it because they did. We have done a few big day trips with the kids and taken them to see a few of the wonderful sites that Tasmania has to offer. The kids are loving it and I value every moment we have to share this with our childern. Now that the kids are that much older we want to show them this beautiful state we live in, just like my parents showed me, they need to learn that there is more things to life then there backyard, playstation and the computer!

If I had time this evening I would post photos from our outing but alas I have to get my butt of this computer and back into my scrapping, before I give up and go sit on the lounge!

I'll keep you posted once I finally scrap a layout to share ;)

signing out for now but not forever!!

First Layout For 2009

2009-01-06T18:03:00.003+11:00

Here is the first layout I did for 2009.

I really have been itching to scrap this photo of all of us...it was taken on one of our family outings. It such a great feeling when you scrap such happy memories!

After scrapping this layout I decided to make a couple of cards, this is a great way of using up your scraps of pattern paper.

New layouts....... New Style

2009-01-04T13:10:00.010+11:00

Before my injury I scrapped some new layouts.

As I was scrapping these, I thought I would change my style...well sort of change it any way. I was going for simple is better look...but I found it so hard not to keep adding more...

Here are some of my layouts I did last year.

mmm Yes I have Been Neglecting You Blog!!

2009-01-03T23:05:00.006+11:00

Alright I have a confession to make....I've been neglecting my poor old blog. I'm sorry blog for leaving you in the cold world of cyber space....I can confess that I have become a bit of Facebook "Junkie" and thats why you have been pushed to the side.
But no more will this happen...I need you blog...I need to put my thoughts down, I want to share my feeling and my emotions, I want to share those special moment in mine and my families life. Plus all the work I create with this crazy and expensive hobby of mine.

Gosh my last post was such a long time ago that its hard to look back and reflect on last year. My life last year was a chaotic mess, with many ups and downs. I thought at one stage there I was losing my marble, trying to be happy all the time when so many things just brought me down....but hey I pulled through those times and its a new year!! YA 2008 is over bring on 2009....two years of heart ache, sadness and unsettling times must be over. I know that life cant be easy going all the time. But all I'm asking is for a break!! PLEASE

For an update on last year brings me to tears, but I think I can do it...I will go through the tough times again in my mind and then bring myself back to the happier moment to finish this entry off...so here I go.

As from the last post from last year, it was the anniversary of my brother Christopher, death..even though time has passed it still hurts so much. I miss him every day and tear swell in my eyes when the thought of him comes into my mind. I find it also hard to say that the man that killed my brother walked away from this with out paying for the crime he committed....I don't understand any of this at all...all I wish for is karma, and that every time I break into tear over my brother...that in his mind he remembers that he took someones life.

My closest and dearest friend, marriage broke up and this rocked my world. Her and her partner had been married about the same time as Lance and myself, and we both have children of the same ages. It put the world of fear into me and I went though a stage of doubt about Lances commitment to both me and our relationship and this made Lance and I argue all time and say things that upset both of us. I felt so insecure and worried that if what was happening to them, could happen to us. But now I know that I should not judge Lance on other people behavior and that mine and Lance relationship is strong and full of love and commitment...we are best friends as well as husband and wife, and work harder on our communication skills and our emotions towards each other. Lance is my soul mate and we are life long partners and together we are stronger then any obstacle put in front of us!

I injured myself last year by crushing two disk in my neck and was trouble with the fact that I might of had to have neck surgery....the thought of that still scares me...but after many scans and many appointment with doctors and a Nero surgeon, I have been given the all clear. The only good side to injuring my neck was I got to spend time with my family, because all I could do was lounge around the house and take pain killers. I missed my scrapping though, I was tortured with the fact that I couldn't even do the one thing that gives me my time out. So that mean another down side of the year. I couldn't teach scrapping...I was missing that interaction with the girls from Scrappers Heaven, and I was missing my scrapping sessions with my friends too. I do have a happy note to this though before I injured my neck. I got three off to have my worked published, that had made before hurting myself, two are still pending on the decision of the editor with one magazine. The other should be published in March this year in Scrapbook Creations. This is the first time I've been published with this magazine and I'm so looking forward to seeing my art work in there.

Another major bomb shell for us this year was that Lance lost his job in November..It was scary the thought of losing our house because we couldn't pay the mortgage. It was hard for Lance to tell me that he didn't have a job anymore because the business he worked for went into administration. The kids were worried about Christmas even though this year I had been super mum and organised Christmas way before any of this happened...Fear had made the Cornish house a not so happy house. I went into penny pinching mode straight way...working out ways to pay the bills and still live if Lance had to go on unemployment payments. I was even gearing up the fact that I might of had to step into the work place. But someone was looking over us during this period. Because Lance lost his job on a Friday, Friday night he came home and applied for jobs that night. Got a phone call on the Monday for a interview for a job...he had the interview on the Tuesday and started a new job on Wednesday. I was so proud of Lance. So the panic stations went down and we could go back to enjoying a normal life of paying the bills and mortgage. And getting ourselves ready for the festive season.

Now for the Festive seasons the only down side to this is that Dad didn't want to spend Christmas with us. I was hoping that we would all get together, since we all don't normally get see each other all the time. I thought it would be nice to see Mum and Dad together at the same time. But Dad had been on a roller coaster of emotions since the verdict of Christoper murder case, and I think that is why Dad could not do Christmas day with us. It disappointed me and I think that the kids were a little disappointed too, they were looking forward to us all being together as a family like last year. But even with that dampener of Dad not being with us, the rest of us made the day an enjoyable event with plenty of memories to be share.

Well there you go, a run down of the "ups and downs" since my last blog entry...wow
I'm glad that over.

Good Bye 2008

Hello 2009

Tomorrow

2008-08-20T22:39:00.002+10:00

Tomorrow will be the one year anniversary of my brother's Death, and I already feel like running away and hiding. My emotions tonight have been high and low.
I talked to my mother tonight about what the plan is for tomorrow and I passed on my feelings about it all. I don't want a big gathering, I don't think that we should make a big hohar about it. I think that doing that is not remember him, its just creating another wake and bring back more sadness and painful memories for us..or should I say me!!! Mum has put in the newspaper a bereavement notice on behalf of us all, and I feel as though we should use tomorrow to reflect quietly about what has happen and remember Chris in our own special way. Christopher birthday is next week and I suggested that we did something special that day. I believe that doing something that day means that we are celebrating his life and not his death. I want to remember Christopher for the life that he had and for all the good times we spent with each other and specially the one of us growing up under the same roof! I don't want to remember why he was taken from us and how, it seem to cruel and wrong. I want to celerbrate his life with a beer and lots of laughter about the good time. If Chris was here he would do the same thing! I know it

I love you Chris and I will always...Your big sister xxx

New Layouts

2008-08-11T17:27:00.003+10:00

Here are some new layouts I have been working on since I last blogged.
I have a jam pack month this month with classes for work, so while I had some quite time to myself I got creative and busy!

These last two layout are using older original photo's of my eldest DS. I have been meaning for ages now to get some more of the kids baby and younger year photo's into there scrapping album, and now I think it is time.

Zac is Double Figures!!

2008-08-09T19:33:00.002+10:00

Zac is TEN ..Wohoo finally double figures!!

What an awesome event to celebrate!!!

It started with presents in the morning, how cool a new Stunt bike and new cool clothes, almost a new wardrobe for he's birthday. Then it was off to school, loaded with an arm full of cup cakes to share with the class. Thanks to my lovely friends Zac scored more presents after school. 2 tops from Kaylene with were so perfect for Zac and Cheryl gave in a shirt that he was itching tohave when he saw in a store which we shop at regularly and also this cute little dragon that he has to put together. When we got home Dad (Lance) was putting his new bike together while we all got ready for dinner. Zac choose the place which was Kings Buffet and all you can eat place. Zac was wrapped with that, 3 plates of food and 2 bowls of dessert.....Ah thats my growing boy...LOL
When we got home I said that I had and ice cream cake for him, but as all the kids sat on the lounge rubbing their very full bellies they turned it down and said "lets save it for the weekend".

Saturday morning came the first thing Zac did was drag his bike from is bedroom where it had been staying since he got it, and all he did all weekend was ride it and try to do some stunts on it! and then is was ice cream cake time...mmm mini freddo frogs!

I'm so glad that Zac had a wonderful birthday and really really loves his new Bike....Totally Awesome Dude.....LOL

aaahhhh A Quite Weekend!

2008-08-03T11:07:00.003+10:00

Its been so nice this weekend to spend the days home with nothing to rush round and do.
I don't know if I could really call it a quite weekend though, I can hear Sarah and Grace fighting...and Sarah is doing that 4 year old wow is me trick, even though I think Grace is being a cow to her. Other then that its nice to be able to sit around in my pj's for half the day and then to pot around the house with out a care. The only plan I have for today is scrapping. I haven't scrapped in two week and I have been missing it madly. I have been" scrapping shopping" though and that helps with my scrapping bug a bit...Now to hit my scrap desk and use all my new lovely stamps and pattern paper I brought over the last two weeks. Well this isn't scrapping this is me waffling away...LOL I think a coffee is in order and then a layoutor two or three! ;)

Slumber Party

2008-07-27T17:49:00.005+10:00

This week Grace turned 9 on Monday and to celerbrate it we all went out for dinner that night,
but the big plan was a slumber party...5 girls and lots of girly things to do!

Well is Sunday evening the girls are gone...my house is back to normal and the noise level has dropped my 90%.....(my kids are still here so they make up the 10% that missing....LOL)

The slumber party started Saturday afternoon at 2pm and it started off with a bit of sing star on the PS2....oh the noise that was coming from the rumpus room!!
Then the plan was for the kids to scrap some noodle boxes which were the lolly bags for the end of the slumber party...Well you should of seen my dinning table...it was trashed my you should of seen the joy on the kids faces when they finished they noodle boxes.

Then is was fashion show time....the girls showed off their strutting style and their noodle boxes too...

Then is was food and cake time....mmm kids and cream cake make for an interesting afternoon...LOL

Then the kids had time to chill for a bit we has a dancing comp...which I was impressed cause I won...YAY for me!!! LOL

Then it was time to hit the road with the kids and get some chick flick...I packed the van with giggling kids and hit the video store...oh my what was I thinking...LOL...we got there and they all wanted one hundred movies and then there was that typical line of "I've seen that"!! After spending about an hour picking out 3 movies we headed home.

Lance and I had already made plans that the kids and us would have pizza for tea...10 pizza's in total were spread all over the dinning table. Lets say with 10 pizza's the kids had pizza for lunch the next day.

After dinner it was time for facials and movies...I was so surprised on how well the facials went even Zac got into the swing of things and had a facial too....there was heaps of giggles when the cucumber keep falling off their eyes...and when they got me with the facial cream too!!!
While we were sitting around with our mask on, we watched a movie and ate our cucumber...LOL. The girls watch two movies and ate heaps of midnight snacks and told ghost stories until 1 in the morning.

The next morning the girls were all up at 7am....what were they thinking being up that early...Lance and I tried to ignore them until...they were running around the house hunting for breakfast. After the mission of feeding them all. They went off to paint there nails...put on make up and dance to the Pussy Cats Doll Cd!! ....Which I heard so many time this weekend....

Lunch came it and it was left over pizza time and then it was eye toy groove...we had more giggles when the girls could see themselves after they dancing.

After the day of event and as the girls starting leaving....I could see that Grace really enjoyed her sleep over and was sad that it was all finishing. Has she was getting sad I was getting relieved...it was time to turn my house back into a real house and not some girly apartment with clothes every where, make up every where and Cd's, movies ,Bratz dolls every where...Time for me to sit and reflect on what I hoped was a wonderful weekend for my beautiful Grace!

Happy Birthday Boo!!

I can see a mini album about this weekend is in order....hehehehe

I know I know...it confession time

2008-07-18T21:16:00.011+10:00

Alright I have a confession to make!!

I haven't blogged in ages.....ok more then ages...its been forever!

I have heaps and heaps to catch up on.

I went away to a scrapping retreat with Kaylene and that was organise by work.... there is lots to tell about that and lots of photo's to show you all and I should really do a whole post just about that. But I suppose I can give you a sneak peek!....LOL

I had to write my Victims of Crime statements for the trial of my brothers murder and that was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do, and now the trial was a hung jury so we all have to go through the pain of it all again....but I really don't want to go down that path tonight!!!

I have had a letter and photo published in one of favorite Aussie scrapping mags "Scrapbooking Memories"

I have been scrapping heaps and I mean heaps I have done a few off the page projects and also quite a few layouts....this could explain my absence from my blogging....hehehe
Here are just a few of my master pieces....LOL

I also have had another acceptance email from Scrapbooking Memories for another layout to be published ..... oh yes I'm over the moon about that!!! But sorry no Pic to show...You'll all have to wait till the magazine come out. ;)

I have been busy with work and have done quite a few classes. Also if it wasn't for Nat and Janet today talking about a blog for work, scrappers heaven tassie.blogspot.com which I'm helping with, I wouldn't of jumped on here tonight to fill you all in.

Here are a couple of layout I have taught over the last couple of months.

Life for me right now seems to be ok and busy......I know that its not perfect but it's ok and I can deal with that.

Emotional Wreck

2008-05-12T13:09:00.003+10:00

What a couple of months I have had...I have been up and I have been down...I suppose this is why they call life a roller coaster.
I have had several break downs and quite a few highs.
The break downs have shown me that I'm not that tough and that not everything can be fixed or not everything will go away (thought I was losing my marbles). I have had to deal with bringing up emotions again about the death of my brother. I have also had to deal with that little green eyed monster that inside of me towards my husband. I've had to deal with trust issues, I have also had to deal with the pressure of work and gaining the confident in meeting dead line and achieving goals and I have had to be emotional rock for some of my friends around me.

I think last two months I have never felt so tired and so drained. I have felt like locking myself away and running from all the decisions and discussions but I didn't. Until I broke down one night and lied everything out there did I get my head around all the emotions that have been trapped in my head and in my heart. With the support of Lance and my friends have I learnt to relax and not take on so much on by myself and that everyone was there for me, all I had to do was ask, I do feel the pressure releasing. I have giving myself a break from all my commitments on the internet, I have also taken some time away from my personal scrapping to get on with my work commitments done first. I have also taken valuable time to spend with my husband, my family and friends.

I am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel!!

With the highs over the last few months I have completed gorgeous projects for classes and I completed "some" personal scrapping, I have been working on a mini album about our Melbourne retreat and I have only one more photo to place and then the journaling to do and I have completed that.
I have also been asked to have an active roll in organising items for the retreat we are having with work at the end of this month. This will be such a great weekend and I feel very privilege to be apart of it all!
I have also had my first publications posted in Scrapbooking Memories. My Kaiser Family Time clock looks so good in there and it is a great feeling!
I have also had the high of having a blast with friends on the weekends and spending some great valuable time with them, and I also had a wonderful scrapping day with Kaylene, Jo and Cheryl. "Thanks girls for giving a really enjoyable day"
I have also had some wonderful quite nights with Lance and I think that we really have need this time together, just being able to talk and spend time together strengthen our relationship even more! " Thanks Lance for being there with me while I was going quietly insane"

Its funny when Life is starting to feel like it is getting to hard...remember that the good times will shine through and you can get through it...it just takes time and it also takes patience. Step out of the trouble and misery and look around...you will find the answer I sure did and I'm feeling better for it!

But hey I'm still on holidays from certain thing in my life....I will be back just give me some time!!

Design Team Layouts

2008-04-14T13:19:00.005+10:00

Last month I had the pleasure of being a Guest Design Team member for Scrap Pile.com.au In this month I had to create a layout using some gorgeous scrapping item that were new to the store and also a challenge layout. I also made a card from the left overs.

I really enjoyed my time at scrap pile and I love getting to know all the girls there too!

Rocking it out with "Queens of the Stone Age"

2008-04-06T13:32:00.009+10:00

Well again I went and saw another amazing band LIVE......."Queens of the Stone Age"
and this is my review......BLOODY AWESOME!!

Other then being kicked out of the building during the support band, cause the fire alarm went off!!! Cause of a stage light melting.... and being suck out side for an half hour, it was a awesome sight to see. The band went off and I mean off!! The lead singer Josh was hot to trot and really cool. He even keep the band on stage after some idiot threw something at him during there set!! "But he did jump off the stage to have a go at the bloke that threw something at him"....the crowd were right behind him in is action...I mean come on we have this world wide band that is massive come all the way to tassie for a tour and then some idiot in the crowd throw something at them....all I have to say about that person is that they are a "dick head"!!!

I have pic's and videos to share so here they are and enjoy....cause I sure did ;)

Josh Homme.....Lead singer

Song : Little Sister

Song : No One Knows

Its Been Awhile

2008-03-28T10:10:00.003+11:00

Ah yes it has been awhile since I have done some good old blogging...So much has happen since I have come back from our Melbourne Retreat.

The kids were right back into the swing of school, and my little....ok not so little boy started high school.

I have had Alli and her Family stay for the weekend....Which was fantastic!!!

I have been celebrating Birthdays with Friends!! oh and I mean celebrating..."merry merry drink drink"...LOL I have some really good and goofy pics to show you all...LOL

I have had to deal with very crappy family news...So that was my first downer for 2008. :(

I have been scrapping like a mad women..and also I have been a guest Design team member for scrap pile this month, and I have just started this year teaching the beginner class of a Saturday at Scrapper Heaven.

and getting my act together to finally have my Kaiser clock published. "jumping for joy here"....LOL

I have also been getting myself gear up for another rock concert I'm going too see..."Queen of the Stone age"....heheheheh

and we have just celebrated easter, wow what month!!!

So were do I start...mmm

I will be back to update and add pics ;)

R E T R E A T 2008 "a blast"

2008-02-18T12:54:00.008+11:00

This is it! Melbourne Retreat 2008

I can' believe that it is over, and what a fantastic time I had with theses amazing girls.

With nerves building I slept like crap the night before, so with 3 hours sleep I jumped on the red eye flight out of Hobart to Melbourne. We all meet at Melbourne airport and from there on in was laughter and heaps of chatting. When we were all together it felt as though we has all been together before, even though we has never meet face to face before.

I didn't at any time feel awkward around the girls. Even though at time Steph compared me to Kimmy off of Kath and Kim....LOL I felt I could be my true self around them.

What a jammed back weekend....My feet will never be the same again....LOL

It started with a walk into the city for some breakfast and then a tip to the markets, and then back to the hotel room for pre-dinner drinks....(hey Tracey!!...LOL)..and then out for dinner at Lygon St "Italian food here we come" It was such an enjoyable evening with the girls, Tracey and her spare rib's gave us a good old chuckle!

Saturday was the day we decided we have our photo shot, Tracey suggested the day before our tip for us all to pack a white top. I must say Tracey it was a brilliant idea your a legend!! ;)
With our white tops on we headed into the city for Starbucks coffee....Thanks Steph it was sooooo yummo and breakfast and a little bit of shopping. Then we armed ourselves with tram day passes and headed down to St Kilda beach for our photo shoot!

It was great taking the girls down there, we had our photo taken in front of Luna Park, the girls got to see the very old Palace Theater. Then it was off to the beach. Thanks to the help of some lovely locals and tourist we got many group shots of us all having a blast!
What a brilliant way to send a Saturday afternoon, on the beach with great friends on a glorious day!! We wall up St Kilda road a for a boost and then trammed it back into the city, which there we said our sad goodbye to Tegan. All afternoon, while shopping again in the city we all felt that something was missing and that was you Tegan!! It was a shame you couldn't stay all weekend. :( After another spat of shopping we headed back to the hotel for some more pre-dinner drinks and decided we got to the Crown Casino for Dinner and our first stop before that would be Eureka Towers. Well all I can say about that was WOW what an amazing view of Melbourne, I had never been there before and I suggest to who ever read this blog you have to go there...Its such an amazing way to see Melbourne! It was such a great thing to experiences while in Melbourne....Oh and I hope I didn't make myself look to much like an idiot jumping up and down in the elevator...LOL

At dinner I really got to know the girls so much better, I found it easy to talk to the girls about the lose of my brother, even though I did break down to tears talking about it with them. I could tell that the girls felt my sadness and even though they didn't know my bother or my family they expressed nothing but sympathy and care for us all. For me to come out and tell you all the tragic details was hard and only my closest of friends knew. So girls I tell you now that I do hold our friendship close to my heart and for me to share that with you all made me feel that you girls are true close friends! XXX
Well after the tears it was time for desert on the go and facials all round...I must say Julie those photo of us with facial....cracks me up every time, and its funny when my children asked me who are those people...LOL
And then we called it a night!

Sunday morning came and it was time to say good bye to Terri and Tracey as they were the first to fly out...It funny when we went to the lobby to day good bye...we knew that our fun filled weekend was almost over...I really didn't want to say good bye to these beautiful girls that I had just spent 3 wonderful days with...I could feel the sadness in my heart grow. But with a tearful goodbye they left us for the trip to the airport.
Steph, Julie and I had time to kill before our fights home, so we decided to get some breakfast and go to the markets once more. We spent the morning walking around the markets getting our last minute gifts for our family and then it was time to go back to the hotel to say goodbye to Steph and Julie. The tear came out again to say good bye...it was becoming harder and harder to let go of these beautiful ladies, know that we wound see each other for a very long time was hard to comprehend. But that was it our most brilliant weekend was over... I felt that the bonds that were made that weekend were going to be long term bonds and that our Internet friendship has become much more then that.

I miss you girls....and even though it has taken me so long to finish this post and a month has passed..there is not a day were I don't think about you all and remember the amazing weekend in Melbourne with you all....I thank you girls for letting me be who I am, and you girls for showing me who you all are....I could not of asked for any better friends then you all!! XXX

2 Days to go!!

2008-02-13T10:25:00.000+11:00

My god the excitement of meeting the girls from Sb is building up so much I feel as though I'm going to burst!! (walking round with large smile on my face...cheeks are starting to hurt...LOL)

I started packing last night and my case was full! What the hell am I thinking, I look as though I'm going away for a week and not a weekend!! I know I need to leave room in my suitcase for shopping, a trip to Melbourne with out shopping is crazy!

I think today the plan is to do some major cutting back, and just make sure I have whats on my list..."Yes that right I'm a list maker"...If I don't have a list I'm stuffed!!! LOL
All this month I have had a list that is just for me...I even printed this month calender out so I could get my days sorted and also my head round what happening this month.
This is truly a brilliant month for me, brilliant things are happening in my life and I couldn't ask for anything more!

Oh except for Friday to roll on faster...LOL

3 Days to go!

2008-02-12T08:44:00.000+11:00

WOW!!

I cant believe it! Its only 3 days to go!! And I get to meet the other girls on Sb in Melbourne.
I think today after I have done all my mundane jobs I will start some packing, and go through my list of things to take and make sure I have them all ready.
This is going to be such a great weekend I can feel it in my heart and soul.
This weekend will be creating some wonderful friendship and also some wonderful memories that we will be able to cherish for many years to come!

Roll On Melbourne.....Roll on!!!

Oh by the way....I'm soooooo nervous and I know I'm not the only one!!
But hey that the joys of stepping out of your comfort zone and taking the leap to have a good time!!

Rocking Out with John Butler!!

2008-02-11T17:10:00.000+11:00

Thanks to my amazing friend Kaylene I went yesterday to the Botanical Gardens to see The Waifs and John Butler Trio.

Well lets say my whole afternoon/evening was AMAZING!!!!

Kaylene rang me Saturday night with the brilliant new that she had a spare ticket to see John Butler at the Botanical Garden and want to know if I loved her and if I wanted to come....Well from this blog entry you can see that if was a big HELL YEAH!!!

It started at 1 and we got there about 2 and started drinking and letting loose. It was such an enjoyable afternoon in the gardens, a few beers (ok a many beers...LOL) and some brilliant music an afternoon to remember for a long time. To top the evening off Kaylene and I got close up and personal with John Butler himself. I had my concert poster signed and I also got a set of lushes lips drawn on my cheek by John himself!! It was such a blow out to meet him and to find that he is such a cool and funny guy.

I have heaps of photos and video to share with you all...the only thing is some of the vids are
shaky...I must remember when filming a concert not to rock on to hard while filming...LOL

Kaylene enjoying a beer!!

Beer Tickets....4 of many..LOL

Luke and Chris...and thanks to Chris for the Spare ticket!! ;)
Which became mine!!

Yeah ROCKING OUT!!!

Remember to Stop and Breath

2008-02-04T10:24:00.000+11:00

This is the month that will either make me or break me!!

I cant believe how much stuff I have on this month. Everyday is filled with something to do. I couldn't believe that a month could be like that.

We are just coming up to the end of the kids school holidays, so I have all the running around for them to do! Uniforms pick ups and book collection, I have uniform washing to do, we have book covering to do to.

I have work twice this week, my canvas class and also my beginners class, I also have to pop into work today to see what I'm doing next month with Nat.

I'm back to playing netball to this month on Wednesday nights and thats on the calender of things to do!

Then there is the big trip to Melbourne to meet the Girls from Scrapbook.com. I have to pack for that and make sure that I have everything I need. I am so looking forward to this...This weekend of meeting the girl will be such a highlight for 2008!! We are all so excited....ok maybe I'm the most excited...LOL

I have Alli and here family coming down to stay the weekend after the retreat and I'm looking forward to catch up with Alli, Dwayne, Blake and Sarah.

I know that this month I'll be running around like the old staying (a chook with its head cut off), but I know that its going to be so worth it. I just have to remember to stop and breath at times.

WOW what a way to start a year!!! I'm loving 2008 already!

On top of all this I have been scrapping....I really need to get some of the photo's I have printed on to paper! Every quite minute were I'm not running around I come sit in my scraproom and chill by doing a layout.

Here are my latest efforts ;)

TFL! ;)

Australia Day

2008-01-27T19:47:00.000+11:00

Yet another Australia Day gathering at our place this year.

It sure is becoming a tradition for family and friends to rock up to our house for a snag on the bbq, listen to the Triple J top 100 and have a few beer and girlie drinks...This year we kicked it off at 10 am the same time as the top 100 and started to drink at 11 am LOL. We were good this year and remember to slip, slop, slap and wear hats and sit in the shade. We all didn't want a repeat of last year, drinks and sun stroke is not good...LOL

The true Aussie Cook!!

We had the Australian flag flying high all day and we celebrated the day with Aussie flag tattoo's, we had the hats, we had the classic blow up hands and Lance even went as far as getting flags for the car.

Come on Aussie Come on....The blow up Hands get a chair to themselves!!

We all participated in an Australian Citizen test thanks to Chris (a pom turned Aussie....LOL) and all passed with flying colours!!

Chris!! The pom turned Aussie....LOL

The kids thought that it was great when we said that this year they could jump in the pool....but that was after I had a bit of a dip myself.

An Aussie Dip on a truly Aussie Day!!

Spending Australia day like this makes me proud to be an Aussie and it make me think that its great to celebrate this day with family and friends....I cant wait to next year!!

Tracey decked out!! oi oi oi

Cheryl.....A top sheila!! ;)

Martin...The Aussie larakin!!

Tim...... enjoying a Beer

Anthony.....Slip slop slap!!

Amy........ and the infamous Aussie Tat!!

Me..... standing tall and proud to be an Australian!!

Summer Fun

2008-01-20T22:42:00.000+11:00

This year for Christmas the kids got a pool from Santa ands thanks to some really lovely weather here in Hobart the kids have been in it ever second day!
The kids keep telling Lance and I that its the best present Santa has ever giving them. I know that Santa was on the ball this year with a pool for them.
I must admit that it is great to jump in there on a hot day and cool the old body down. I really think that this year there might not be any trips to the beach as the kids have such a great time in there pool, playing chasing, snorkeling and messing around on all the floating gear they have for it.

Here are some photo of the Kids, Lance and my brother in the pool the other weekend.

Another Canvas Class

2008-01-13T17:12:00.000+11:00

Next month at work I will be teaching another Canvas class. The last class I did was Sarah Canvas and I had a full class. Everyone enjoyed scrapping a canvas and customer have been asking if I would do another canvas.....Well here it its....This will be the canvas I will be teaching in February!!

The Journaling reads : What makes a home?? Is it the rusty roof, the flaky paint or is it the love inside!!

I have used Kaiser papers, paints, fozz felt, and Bella flowers , chipboard, and Autumn leaves clear stamps.

Wish me luck!!

All Boy

2008-01-13T17:09:00.000+11:00

This is a layout I completed last week and I'm wrapped how it turned out!!

I find it hard at times to do boy layout, but working with these Kaiser- Rough & Tough papers I found that a grungy layout was the way to go....I love using paint on my layouts and I bit of sewing finished it off nicely!

More Trading Cards

2008-01-13T16:59:00.000+11:00

Last week I promised that I'd post the other set of trading cards I made for Janet...Well as you can tell time slipped away from me again and I forgot to post them...Well now that I'm here and posting my canvas for work I thought I'd post my trading cards too.

I made these about Janet, about what she is to me and others around her and also what I wish for her in life!

The Ball Rolling

2008-01-07T23:16:00.000+11:00

Last night I scrapped for the first time this year.

I thought I better get my act together and get the ball rolling as I have another canvas class next month and also a beginners class at Scrappers Heaven. I felt rusty sitting at my desk not sure knowing what to do...I had scrappers block....OH NO!!

I knew not to start my canvas for work first, cause I didnt want to get half way through it and feel that it wasn't up to scratch so I decided to do a layout for Sarah's album. Normally if I have a normal 6 x 4 photo I have been scrapping them in 8 x 8 album size. But to be different I thought I'd scrap it for her 12 x 12 album and keep it simple. Well it wasn't long and the ideas came flooding back and I knew and felt at ease scrapping again.

After completing this layout I started another set of ATC (Artist Trading Cards) for Janet at work. I have completed 3 of 6 so far and I am really pleased with them. If I don't say so myself...LOL By the end of this week I should have them finished and ready to post on here.

Ahhh it feels good to be scrapping again!!

2007 and its Almost over

2007-12-31T21:57:00.000+11:00

I'm glad that 2007 is almost over! I have found this year the hardest ever in my life.
I have had so many highs and lows.
The highs of being asked to teach at my local scrapping store, the high of getting a new car, and the high of hopefully being published.
The low of financial difficultly with Lance changing jobs. And of course the biggest low ever was losing my brother in August.
The sense of missing him has been heighten over this month, first being my birthday and not be able to hear him wish me happy birthday, I felt the whole day that I was missing something. Christmas made it hard too, even though we had a brilliant day, there was alway a lingering thought in the back of my mind that he was missing, and now there is tonight, not ringing each other to wish a Happy New Year.
These and other moment that are normally spent with family seem so hard. As I sit here writing this it give me time to reflect on how much of a great brother he was at "times".....yes thats right at times.....Baby brother can really push your buttons and he use to be our trouble maker. I remember him for all the good times we had and I think to myself that I'm proud to be his big sister and that even in death no one can take that way from me.
I say to 2007 good bye and I say another good bye to my brother tonight.....I miss you so Chris and in my heart you are always so near.
And hello 2008 I do not know what you have installed for me or my family, but I say bring it on.....you cant be as cruel as 2007.....Oh and 2008 I'm a stronger person now.....so watch out!!!