Titles..

Hey - no wonder my kids can't spell - I keep stealing the letters out of their jigsaws for my titles..I love it when you can use "non - scrapbooking" stuff on a layout!

Why do kids get sick in time for holidays??

My beautiful girl...who is currently ill with the famous 24 vomiting bug....she's devastated - last day of school was today and it was pizza and games day!!!

Inspired by..

the very clever Emily Falconbridge.
Her lo's are so free and creative - I have scraplifted this lo from one of hers - have you ever seen a lo and thought - "I have to go and do that" straightaway???
I hope she doesn't mind!!
I just love her idea of painting over everything. I haven't quite pulled it off though...hmmmn.

when??

I love this candid photo of my little boy - so proudly counting to 11. Boy they really grow up so quick!!

nearly on holidays..

finally I really did do a layout about me. you know I'm just NOT photogenic. I look much better cut up!!

same photo, different album

but in colour..

who said pastel was the new black?

..not this little black duck!
I'm having a brights and whites phase I think..

oooh got it

...scrapjacking that is... here is my version of the very talented Erica Glovers layout on the new Aussie scrapjacked site...

nature girl

funny how some kids REALLY love animals - I mean all kids like animals - but my daughter is fanatical for anything from a bird eating spider (yeah mum, why can't we get one?)... preying mantises to the usual puppies.
Five minutes of playing in the back yard and she has always caught some creature or other..
She could be one of a new generation of Wildlife Warriors...go Steve what a great legacy!

scrapjacking???

will check it out....is that where you put a gun to someone's head and steal their half finished layout??
sounds like a lot of effort.
???

bloggin' on

yep - another post...well I have to keep up with the blog Queen Petrina ( yeah right- she's a Super Blogger! I have created a Blogmonster)
Just another week - nothing exciting happening, just going through the motions...have to admit that it pretty good to be alive though! I'm getting very excited about my upcoming scrap weekends - 2 (yes - TWO) IN A ROW!!! YAY>>
First we have the local scrap retreat with the Blogmonster and Crew....great laugh and very dodgy wardrobes... and then The Freestyle Convention in Sydney.
Really
Very
EXCITED.

Oh and 2 weeks hols from work in between. I do love Autumn!!
New LO - a moment of rare peace before the usual sibling thing starts..

how could you live without...

a huge bowl of flowers and a Bambi pencil holder???? - these are my two new treasures from work today...How tacky is Bambi - it's soo revolting that it is gorgeous!!!

Clock Fetish

Okay, I admit it - I have a clock fetish 16 clocks in my house- (all on different times- I really should sort that out) My husband is REALLY not a morning person, and everyday he struggles to remember which one is the right time..

...just keep scrapping....just keep scrapping...

have just spent a lazy weekend with my head underwater off Lady Elliot Island - WOW the reef is truly amazing - I swam with turtles, every type of nemo-esque fish you can imagine - and a huge leopard shark... no...not scared at all..not me..
We had a lovely time - first time in 7 years we have had a night together with no kids!!
hmmn...
anyway - would highly recommend it for any nature lovers - but luxury it is NOT - such a shame that nature in its true form is so SMELLY - huge resident group of Noddys (like black seagulls) -and the birdcrap and smell was overwhelming....
as long as your head is under the water it's great!!!!

guess who forgot her camera?????

OMG!!

okay - I know - how slack am I??? No excuses...just life in the way.
Well it's already a quarter of the year over, and I am still not organised!! I have been scrapping up a STORM though...9 layouts last weekend alone!
I'm having a "TEAL" phase... cardstock, stickers, plates, tops - you name it it's teal in my house at the moment...
Anyway - as Julie Anthony would say: "here are a few of my favourite things"...

layouts, layouts,layouts...

Happy New Year!!

Well another year over and we all get to start again - kind of handy really!! Four days in and I have done 2 layouts. I am on a scrap mission. At least 3 LO's a week - more if possible. I have made a rule that I can only buy goodies after finishing 5 (yes FIVE!) Layouts.
..good for the creativity I think!!
Look at these beautiful flowers.
It's good to be alive....

Ho Ho Ho

So, everything went smoothly this year...delegating out food made it a lot easier..plastic plates and cutlery made it a WHOLE lot easier..tacky- I know- bad for the environment- I know, but sometimes taste and politcal correctness has to make way for sheer exhaustion.
Everyone seems happy with gifts etc,,YAYAYAAY all over for another year...

Except now we have DS's birthday this Saturday. Crappy time for a birthday.
Anyway - 1 minor detail - I did not take one single photo on Christmas day.
Bugger.
I will take some this afternoon - it is still Christmas time isn't it?????
Lucky the tree is till up - I tend to get into a frenzy and tear it all down as soon as Boxing Day is over.
Oh well I will just fake it - I mean who will know???

Jolly Bollocks

Ho Ho Ho - is it over yet???
really - I am very festive, just a bit over it (but in a seasonal way).
I have been erecting Xmas trees at work since end of October....kinda drags it out a bit.
So what do you give to the kid who only wants (quote) "to meet the real Santa, and go for a ride on the sleigh" ?
When asked "but do you want Santa to bring you any toys/"...."no - I just want to meet him"
I think she is suspicious....very crafty that one. It's a bit self destructive though...if only they realized that in their quest for the truth - they destroy the fairytale. (still get the goodies though- except you can complain about them when they are from Mum and Dad and not the big S!!)
Another 2 birthdays this week - why did everyone in family celebrate Easter by Shagging???- the whole family is born in December!!!
Here's Jeff waiting for turtles at Mon Repos.

this time I mean it!!!

yeah - well my intentions are good!!! Still trying to get into the rhythm of working full time - two kids - housework etc and still find ME time.. Hmmm...any suggestions???
December has come and with another birthday.35. That's OK. I feel fine about 35. It's very grown up though!!
I have been considering my news years resolutions. So far I have decided that I need to have more fun...and the kids and hubby need to have more fun.
(remember fun?)
How hard can it be to have fun??? Not the contrived, spend a fortune on a day out fun, but the spontaneous fall about laughing kind of fun???
Well, I'm working on it.
I think I should eat better exercise more..blah blah blah blah spew....
who cares? I WILL NOT join a gym I WILL NOT count bloody calories....and I WILL NOT give up anything with chocolate, sugar or alcohol..I WILL NOT spend my only day off as a slave to housework. (as long as you wear shoes inside so stuff doesn't stick to your feet - you can hardly notice.)
I WILL stay up late, I WILL give the kids Maccas sometimes..and I WILL give myself a break.
Hey - that's new years reso's almost done.
probably need a few more positives in there. I WILL be positive..
OK> that works for me. Maybe this year I will actually KEEP them!!
hahahahahahahaha...(the chocolate and alcohol one is no prob!)

By the way - this is Trevor the Frog. He joins us and watches TV through the window most nights...

what's wrong with people???

I am amazed to hear the goings on on some Aussie blog sites!!! All the criticism of scrapbookers work and personal life> people should mind their own business!! If you don't like someones work...so??? They didn't make it for you!!! If you don't like someone's personal choices...so??? Comments that say " well they are public figures so blah blah..." is rubbish. These ecrapbookers share very personal pages about their private lives with us...if you don't like them, I suggest you turn the page!!!
Anyway I feel better now. :)
Well I am back in the swing of things now - I will be blogging again on a regular basis...
These photos were of a holiday at the English seaside!!

I am so slack!!

Where have the last months gone??? I have started a new job - and still trying to settle into a rhythm...but I am back to blogger!!! I haven't had much scrapping time - but that is going to be sorted out too... The job is great - good hours and great work environment. It's so nice to be working for people who aren't chasing the almighty dollar all the time, but who are actually trying to help others..
here is a LO done last Scrapping Sunday...

Shaving Foam

I have tried the shaving foam technique from hot-scrapbooking-idea.com and come up with this layout - it was great fun, and turned out much better than I thought>>

If I was a fishy....

Sometimes the photo that isn't quite right is the one that really catches the moment. DD is always in the water when we are at the beach - she comes up for air with a huge gulp - and then the face goes back into the water!!

Hot - Scrapbooking-Idea

Yay - I am on the design team of a great new scrapbooking site called hot-scrapbooking-idea.com
it's all free ideas and tips for scrapbookers - with monthly challenges and reviews. We'd love to hear any great tips or ideas that you would like to share. There is a forum coming soon - so check it out!!!

Changing...

It's amazing when I look back how my style has COMPLETELY changed over the last year. I think I have finally settled into "my" style....for now anyway. There was a time when nothing went onto my LO's without ink on it - and certainly no bright colours!!!
I think basic grey can be held responsible for bringing me out of the browns and into the brights - their ranges are just gorgeous, and seem to work for any theme or style..
still love polka dots though - except now they are everywhere!! yay!
K

Recycle, repaint, reuse

I just LOVE old things..my whole house is full of treasures that I find at the dump and charity shops. I love the feel of old things - they are like old friends!!
This pile of my beloved suitcases (one of a few..) is all from the dumpshop - even the gorgeous old enamel pitcher and bowl. How could you throw that away??? I prefer this to any top of the line Harvey Norman furniture anyday!!
(poor hubby - he puts up with a lot!!)
K

More Everyday Moments

Life really is great..I love these photos of the kids - the really do capture their personalities.
These are my latest efforts for the Everyday Moments Comp..it's great fun. Sometimes it really helps to have restrictions and deadlines - it really makes you be creative.
K

my lttle clown

ah...yet another day of fancy dress.
It is amazing what you can do with some charity shop overalls and a foot supporters wig. She had a BALL!!!

{Quote of the month}

"If you want children to keep their feet on the ground - put some responsibilty on their shoulders." Abigail Van Buren

Third Time Lucky!!

It took me three goes at this one..you know the layout that just won't work for you??!! Well I put away for a month and when I went back to it..voila...easy!!!!!

{Sweet Cheeks}

I'm very slowly making my way through these old baby photos..makes you realize how quickly time flies..

Double Layouts

Hey, I'm back onto doubles!! I had a little stint with single LO's and now I'm back...you can get a lot more photos done on doubles!!

My Chooks

I get such pleasure out of little things - collecting eggs from my chooks everyday and watching the kids scoff them for breakky is so satisfying. you can't beat fresh eggs - when I make quiche it looks like custard - the yolks are so yellow!!

In the Zone

What a great day - sun is shining - the sky is blue - I spent all day at a crop!! No washing, stacking dishwasher etc etc done AT ALL ..DH made dinner...
I had one of those scrapping days where everything flows..not the quickest mind you - Petrina did 8 LO's today at the scrap!! Very impressive. I did 3 and finished 1 UFO..that's fine by me..
It's a good life.
Here's my last Lo for July's comp..I used "everyday" photos..not the "hero" ones.. I can't seem to get the colour right in the photo...oh well - you get the idea!

princess for a day..

my beautiful daughter - I got such a shock when she was all dressed for a birthday party on the weekend - she looks so grown up!!! Hard to believe that she is only 5!!
I can't wait to scrap this photo!!!

Scraphappy

Already it's the end of July - I'm sure time speeds up as you get older!!! I have been busy busy..work is very busy this time of year, and I have got my scrap mojo back..I have entered the Everyday Moments Comp that For Keeps and Blue Bazaar are running, and it has really made me look at different ranges and challenge myself - I am having a ball..Here are the 2 LO's I have done so far..only one to go - by the end of July..I had better get a wriggle on..

just another day..

Just another day in Bundy...get up, kids to school, clean the house, go to work, pick up kids, make tea, bath, stories and bed...watch the news and get depressed by all the idiots in the world, and the poor families who pay the price...
How do I still find energy to sit and scrap...It's tempting to go to bed...maybe I'll just have one early night...
LO of DH and DD - isn't she the spitting image of him!!!
night night...

Whale season.....

I had to put a jumper on for the first time today - it's freezing!!! Amazing how you acclimatise..I think it was still about 16 degrees, we used to have picnics in England at 16 degrees!! We finally had some rain which was wonderful - I feel like hibernating..but kids,work, husband, house work...you know....
We have whales going past the coast at the moment. I watch these magnificent, gentle animals, and simply can not understand how anyone could kill or even harm them!!!There was a mother and calf at Bargara today - they frollicked close to shore for hours, cuddling and playing with each other.. What is it that draws us to marine mammals??? Why do we feel a connection to dolphins and whales?? Is it because of their intelligence, or that we, too are mammals - or is it simply awe?? You have to wonder who is the superior species!!!
Anyway - how priviledged are we to have this at our back door... This photo was taken from a friends backyard...yes backyard!!!

Christmas in July - WHY???

I just don't get the fascination for "Christmas in July". Christmas in December comes around quickly enough!!! I am just happy to be cool - positively freezing for us - down to 15 degrees..
Everyone in Bundaberg has a fleecy jumpy and woolly hat on. It is quite funny for those of you who live in cold climates. Great weather for scrapbooking though - pyjamas on, music on...scrapbooking Christmas photos in July..maybe...

{Quote of the month.}

Two may live together under the same roof, yet never really meet; and two others at first speech are old friends.-
Mary Catherwood

My Boys

What a handsome pair!! I have scrapped this photo about 5 times for various albums..amazing how different the LOs turn out. Once again - love the photo. Scrapbooking is so easy when you love the photo!! I have created a little doodled viney thing..not sure about it. Great to try new things though. I love the Lil Davis spotty flower. I started this whole lo with the photo and that flower!! It's a bit like buying the shoes before the dress.
K.

How time flies...

I can't believe that it is July already - it sort of sneaks up on us up here because we don't get cold...all of a sudden it is the second half of the year..
Well school hols are nearly over. I will be glad to get back into a routine - especially a children's bed time routine. It seems to have gone out of the window over the last two weeks. Having children up late eats up my scrapping time.. but I have managed to get a few layouts done.
I just love this photo - she was laughing at her Uncle on Christmas Eve.. I was working on it and went to bed, and when I came back to it the next day, I thought I should just leave it...pretty simple, but with a great photo subject - maybe less is more??
This colour card is in huge piles on my desk at the moment (thanks Petrina!!) Gumbo - it even sounds yummy. Looks great with colour and black and white. Thankfully I don't scrap my photos in order, or I would have a whole "gumbo" period..(very renaissance in a New Orleans sort of way..)
K.