The Maze

Hope you are all enjoying the school holidays so far, I know I am. Yesterday we went to

The Maze . What a fantastic place. The kids and Colin & I had a ball. There are about 6 mazes and all of them look okay but are deceptively challenging. Not too hard that you can't do them but you just need to put on your thinking cap. Even Joshua (who is 5) enjoyed it. Especially the big maze because when you get to the top of the tower there is a slide to go down. A fast slide if you use a sack to slide on. The kids loved this bit. There is heaps of shade and lots of room for a picnic or BBQ. The BBQ's are free which is also cool. Anyway I think this place is cool and worth checking out.

Anyway today Alex and her friend are off to a card class at Tomorrow's Memories and then Alex, Josh and I are off to the movies.

Have a great week everyone. :-)

Yay school holidays

Yay the school holidays are here. No more routines, no more getting up early (although getting my kids to understand this is proving tough) no more lunches to make in the morning and no more after school sports. Well at least for 2 weeks.


Today I am suffering badly. Every muscle hurts, even the ones I didn't kno I had. We mulched the front and back gardens yesterday, yes all in one day. And my butt hurst to prove it.


Anyway enough of that, I am quite excited we are off to "the Maze" today for a picnic. Can't remember the last time we went for a picnic just us, me, the hubby and two kids. I have always wanted to go but somehow just never made it. Oh well hope my butt can survive.

And just thought I would share another LO that I have done using the MM hallowheen line. Plus I used my new hero arts hallowheen stamps. This is my little boy when he was three telling us that he is not Joshua but that he is Harry. Love stuff like this.

have a great Monday :-)

Scrapjacked entry

Aussie Scrapjacked is a great online site where you can get heaps of inspiration. Every month they choose an australian scrapper and one of their LO for you to scraplift. There are great prizes up for grabs and lots of inspiration. I have been watching this site for ages, and seeing all the great work that scrappers do out there but this is the first time that I have entered. This is my LO based on Nikala O'Brien's LO who is this month scrapjack. Seriously check out the site and maybe have a go yourself.
Enjoy your Saturday everyone.

My week and collaborative update

Its been a busy week (whats new about that) for me. Staff meeting on Monday to discuss the next class schedule and to Welcome Evana Willis and Kristen Sparkes to our team. These ladies hare extremely talented and fab ladies to boot. Its going to be great working with them and getting to know them.

I did the excursion roster this week to AQUA with my sons pre-primary class. They had a ball but I can tell you it was nice to get back home, make a cuppa, put my feet up and turn on Oprah. Yes, I will admit that I just love Oprah, but I haven't watched one of her shows for about and year and half so it was nice to just sit and watch.

Before I knew it Wednesday was here and it was back to work. Lucky I love my job so much. And today back at work but we got a new shipment of "Thickers" in so it was fun looking at them.

I checked the Collaborative site and its been updated showing my bit that I added. I have now passed in onto Evana Willis for her to have a play with. Can't wait to see what she does with it.

Keep checking the collaborative blog to see the progress, it will be great to watch it grow as people from all over the place add their bit.

Have a great Friday

Its a Twiddleybitz christmas

Well here is my DT projects for Twiddleybitz using their Xmas range. I love the christmas trees I think they are just so cute. So cute I couldn't stop using them as you will see.

This is my christmas card using the tree and twiddleybitz alphas, which I also find very cute.

This is the same tree but larger and although it is hard to tell I have embossed the tree with silver embossing powder to give it a shimmery feel. And of course I used my favourite paper from Pink Paislee.
This would have to be my favourite though. Its christmas tree ornament for baby's first christmas. After painting it pink is used the pearl glimmer mist and then silver foil on top of that. Its really pretty and girly. But this would look just as great in baby blue.

Hope you like these little peeks. Have a great Tuesday.

collaborative work done

In my last post I mentioned Collaborative Work hosted my Mandi Miles. As promised here it is with my little mark added. I used some of the new Twiddleybitz flowers and added a definition. I thought the word grow seemed appropriate as this project will continue to grow and bloom as each person does there bit. This was really fun. Because you only had to add a small bit there wasn't alot of pressure to do something "big". Although as with Jo I did find it hard to stop at that one little piece. Can't wait to see how it finishes up. Thanks again Mandi for letting me play. I am off now to find someone to pass it onto.

Have a great Monday.

collaborative work

Hi all, had a very relaxing day, i played nearly all day, lucky me.

I have finished 3 of my DT projects for Twiddleybitz so I will post them tomorrow when the light is better to take photo's. Its using some of their new Xmas range. All I can say is... very nice.

I have also just finished my bit on a "collaborative work" hosted by Mandi Miles from Saint George, UT. Maybe you have heard of collaboration journals. or that game where you start a story then pass it on to the next storyteller, well this is her take except we each put our mark on a page and then send it on. I am the third person, coming after mandi herself and Jo Kay from Tomorrow's Memories. Will share the result tomorrow. Anyone can play so check out the site or speak to Jo or myself.

Have a great Monday. :-)

My favourite Teacher

Firstly thanks for another great moonlight. You girls really know how to make me laugh and a special mention to Penny (you know who you are) for the "jokes", they certainly gave us a real laugh.

I have had so many good laughs this week which has been great, I have really needed them. I could do with some more so if you have any funny's that you would like to share please leave a comment. I would love to hear about them

Just thought I would share another LO that I did yesterday about my daughters teacher. Miss D certainly has been a wonderful teacher for Alex this year and has put in alot of time with her which I appreciate very much. I got my daughter to journal on this layout, listing 5 reasons why Alex says tha she is her favourite teacher. I think having my daughters journalling on the LO is a nice touch. I have used Jenni Bowlin and of course Pink Paislee. I also did some stamping.

I am off to watch my daughter play her Basketball grand final. Have a great weekend and remember... do something creative. :)

Tummy Time

Just thought I would share this LO that I started last week and managed to finish last night. Its another one of my daughter when she was a baby. I used to put her on her tummy everynight while I had my dinner. She would kick and play and have such a great time. After all that exercise I would give her a bath, a bottle and then she would go off to sleep. Oh the memories this photo has brought back.

I'm glad I made you all laugh yesterday about my bus experience. It was funny though. Oh god now I have started to laugh again. And you can stop laughing now Sonya... it wasn't that funny... okay maybe it was.

Off for another day of shopping. Love that :)

What a day! I spent the day shopping with a friend today at Midland, and boy did we have a great time. I can't remember the last time I went to the shops just for fun and with a friend. Rosemary helped me spend my money just nicely and I found the perfect dress to wear for New Year on our Cruise. I just need some bling and I'm set... can't wait, only 3 months to go.

Felt like playing last night, which I haven't done for a while and I used my all time favourite paper Pink Paislee. This is my son with his very first trophy. He got it from playing football although I don't think he is going to be a football player but he gave it his best and thats all thats important.

And for a laugh...

Yesterday I went for a walk (yes yesterday, the day it rained cats and dogs). I thought I was doing okay, only my shoes and below my knees were wet, but thanks to my umbrella the rest of me was okay. I was nearly home and looking forward to a nice hot shower when a bus went passed. Then a huge tital wave washed over me and I was drenched, yes drenched from head to toe. I first I gave a mouthful of abuse and then I realised what it must have look liked. I started laughing, really laughing, belly laughing. It was great, just what I needed... the laugh I mean.

Have a great Friday :)

Special Grandparents

A few weeks ago I found these photos of my daughter when she was only 6 months old. I was about to go out with my brother to celebrate his 30th Birthday and Mum & Dad were looking after Alex. I guess this page is a thank you to them for always being there to help me when I needed it especially back in the early days of being a Mum. Thanks again Mum & Dad for being such a huge part of my life and always knowing when I need your help. I am the person I am today because of you.

Also I would just like to say thankyou to Linda (you know who you are) for my hug yesterday, you don't know how much I appreciated it. And thanks for the huge laugh as well.

Have a great day everyone :-)

Phew!!! what a day

funny isn't it, I haven't blogged for several days and here is my third for today. I am sitting in my scrap room, my newly cleaned and nearly sorted out scrap room. Yes for 2 days I have sorted, moved and restacked stuff. I have sorted photo's (not finished this one yet but working towards the end) and have now put them in one place so I always no where they are. But more importantly I have thrown stuff out. Yes OUT. This was the hardest thing to do because I just kept thinking about all that money I have wasted (and it was a good shock as well, it has made me rethink how I spend my money) by not using any of this stuff. But the way I look at it now is that I have learnt a good lesson and besides that the money has already been spent so no use in going on about it, just get rid of it. Keeping things just because it cost money or someone gave it to you or you might use it later is not a good reason. Be realistic, if you haven't used in within a few months of purchase you are not going to. So either give it away or throw it out. Its very liberating. I just wish I had done it earlier.
One of the best things though was coming across photo's I had completely forgotton about. It brought back so many memories (good and bad) and even a couple of belly laughs.
Well I feel great, really good and ready to move on... weight watchers tomorrow?????

Things you find

While cleaning out my scrap room I came accross a quote (I collect them) and part of my cleaning process is to put all the quotes in one place so I can find them when I need them. But this one hit me, I guess its just a reminder that I am doing the right thing.

This Album

This album was made
to last through the years
and touch the hearts
of my family so dear.

There are precious mementos
of our lives along the way
You'll see photos and vacations
and children out at play.

I will be proud to have
my future generations see
and treasure this album
made lovingly by me.

This is why we scrapbook or at least it should be "-)

coming out of the fog

Sorry there is no eye candy for this post just words.
For the past few weeks... probably months I have been feeling very, well, down and creatively challenged. Yes I have continued to put up samples of my work both at work and on my blog but I think I was just on automatic pilot. lately I have been feeling very overwhelmed with this "hobby". I have felt that there should be more to this and when did it stop being fun. I really did enjoy my hobby but somewhere its become a job (I don't by any means feel that my job has anything to do with this, because I must state very clearly I love my job and its my job that keeps me sane. It sounds funny though considering I am having a winging about my hobby feeling like a job). And I mean its become a job because I have this feeling that I must scrap each page extremely well and that all the things must match perfectly and there be no errors on it at all. My scrap room is filled with unfinished projects and loads of stuff from everyone else in my family and its a huge mess.
Well just recently I purchased the book "Photo Freedom" by Stacy Jullian. She explains about her process from taking the photo right to the end of its life, being a scrapbook album, photo frame, or stashed away at the back of the cupboard. Yes thats right, the back of the cupboard. She explains that not every photo needs to be scrapped and not every photo needs to be kept. Well I have read this book 4 times now cover to cover and I am starting to feel all refeshed again. So yesterday and today I have started pulling all my photos out from all the millions of places that I have them stashed. I have started sorting them (although this job will take several weeks and thats ok) but most of all I have faced the fact that not all photo's will be scrapped. Heavens... i even through some out!!!! At first I must say I felt as though I wanted to be sick, but as I started to feel the weight lift from my shoulders, throwing them in the trash was bliss. Unfinished projects that I obviously haven't done anything for for several years have been sealed with loved and a kiss and put at the back of the cupboard. Kits that I have brought and not used have been pulled apart, and the bits I like have been put with my stash and the rest out they went. Seems tough but you know what, its been bloody liberating.
My scrap room today is in a huge mess but the rubbish bag (several of them) are filling up and that makes me feel so much better.
Well sorry for that little outburst but it needed to be said and done. So I won't be posting much in the way of eye candy for a little while but I can tell you that I feel wonderful and ready to take on new challenges.
So ladies please remember, this is supposed to be a hobby, something that makes us happy. So do what you need to do to make this happen.
Enjoy your weekend and do something creative today just because you can. :-)

A card makers tea party

I am so excited to announce a new card class to be held once a month at Tomorrow's Memories.
In the class you will make 3 cards and then enjoy a morning tea with Scones, Jam and cream. What could be more inviting than that. Ok, so obviously I won't be dieting on those days but I will get back to my diet the very next day... I promise.
So please check the class schedule at Tomorrow's Memories for the new classes starting in October.
Have a great Friday :-)

ribbon club & a touch of fabric

The lovely ribbons for September's Ribbon Club are in and I just couldn't resist them. I have wanted to do a little book about my daughters 10th birthday for some time and these ribbons gave me the perfect excuse. I had so much fun choosing the fabrics to go with this little book. It was even more fun because my Mum came with me, its been awhile since we have had time out together. It was nice to create something using a different medium. My sewing isn't perfect (not by a long shot) and there are some things I would change if I did it again, but my daughter thinks this little book is just the coolest thing... and that's what really counts.

Enjoy your Tuesday :-)

It's here, and its signed

Its finally here, Ali Edwards' new book and its signed. I have had this ordered for some time and it arrived yesterday. Anyone who knows me, knows that Ali is my scrapooking idol. I love her style and her amazing way of telling stories. This book is all about mini books for busy people... which is definately me, and my other passion is mini albums so you can imagine how thrilled I was when I found out that her new book was about mini albums.

Thanks again Ali for again telling us that scrapbooking really is about telling the stories behind the photos.

and a very big thanks to the "ladies" from last nights moonlight at Tomorrow's Memories. It was a big, very big laugh.

Have a great weekend and to all the Dads out there have an amazing day on Sunday. :-)

My favourite paper

Pink Paislee... Its here and I am so excited. I just love everything about this paper so I will probably be showing alot over the next few weeks.
My apologies for not posting for a while but things have been, well, hectic to say the least. I have just about got all the final class samples in for the next schedule, only one more to go. And tonight I have just received a new design team pack for Twiddleybitz... its christmas stuff. Can't anything just yet but I will as soon as I am able. But just let me say, very nice.
Anyway happy September everyone, keep well and I will post again soon.:-)