A layout and an update...

Its my turn to upload a project to the Scrapware blog...so here 'tis! I just love Scrapware's Tree Trunk. Its open branches allow you to create as many or as few leaves to fill its canopy. In this project, I have showcased a few of my favourite family photos by trimming them into a large leaf shape. I have cut additional leaves from coordinating patterned paper - these leaves have been folded in half, inked in brown and mounted on foam tape to add dimension.

Scrapware products featured:
CH31 - Tree Trunk Large
CHmini-k - Mini Birds

One of Scrapware's Mini Birds is nestled in the tree trunk.
I will be teaching this project at Scrapbooking Delights in February - check out the blog for more details soon...keep an eye out too for our mega sale! You local scrappers won't want to miss out.

IN OTHER NEWS:
Our fruit and vege garden is still flourishing...and to our surprise, we've actually managed to grow a rockmelon (cantaloupe)! Oh, it was so sweet and juicy and the kids loved it - it weighed over a 1kg! There's something incredibly special about devouring your own produce. We have a fridge full of tomatoes, and plenty of broccollini, spinach, chillis, corn and even a watermelon about to ripen. btw - this is my 365 photo for today.
Yesterday, Sethy-boy started back at school. We can't believe he's in Year 1 already!! Before we know it, Eme will be there too. Seth likes his new teacher and appears to have had a good day back...however his favourite response to "what did you do today?" is "I don't remember". Typical boy...its like pulling teeth trying to get an answer from him. He's still the shortest in his grade, but I noticed a smaller boy who started kindy, so at least Seth's not the smallest in the school anymore. lol. Nanny bought him some new school shoes in size 10, and they're still too big! We're hoping he's going to have a growth spurt this year...he's about due, and he's been eating like there's no tomorrow...so maybe it'll be soon. Here he is...lining up, ready to start the new school year.
I hope this week finds you well...I'm feeling really good and am on holidays this week! Its been really really hot (for me), but at least I'm not in Adelaide or Melbourne! I really feel for you - 40+ everyday this week! Insane...bring on winter!

Inspired Blueprints - bonus sketch!

How great is that!?!! This month, since Kraft Girl Kits were sponsoring us, we decided to throw in a bonus sketch! We know how many photos everyone takes at Christmas time, so we thought it might be good to have some added inspiration. I hope you enjoy my sketch...there's some great inspiration on the IB blog by the DT girls.Here's my take...I used a Ki Memories sheer for the first time ever and I love it...I'm not so good at photographing it however.lol. The layout is a lot brighter in person. For ages I've been wanting to show some of my favourite Christmas ornaments, so here they are. My oldest ornament is a partridge in a gold birdhouse (top left of photo cluster) which was a gift from my Nanny who passed away when I was 5. My newest ornament is a funky looking reindeer (middle row on right) which I bought at the Wollongong markets...its actually a key chain and when I told the seller I was going to put it on my tree, he thought I was nuts...its a fun little ornament though. He has a chocolate coloured friend too.
I have a lot of ornaments from all over the world...mostly brought home by my sister. I'm also starting to receive homemade ones from my kids and I just love them. My dad came home from England and Singapore this week and he tells me he's bought me another 7 home from the Harrods sales! My sister and brother-in-law are currently visiting Albania, Egypt and England and I'm hoping she's found a couple more along the way too. I can't wait to see them and put them on my tree Christmas 2009. Can you tell I love Christmas? I had to put my tree down this week and my corner looks very sad and bare now.

Remember, you have until 31 January 2009 at 11.59pm (IB time - check the blog) to upload your versions to the gallery - there's a fab Kraft Girl Kit on offer!

Obviously, I spend a lot of time watching the box...

I came across this movie list on Laura's blog, and thought I'd give it a go...I didn't realise I've watched so many movies and there's still so many out there! I actually don't watch a lot of movies anymore, so its surprising how many I've crossed off the list. During the school holidays I have taken the kids to see Madagascar 2 and Bolt - both of which were entertaining...but I would like to see a movie aimed at adults occasionally (lol). I'd love to go and see Marley and Me, Bride Wars, Vicky Cristina Barcelona, Australia and Role Models (just for a laugh)...but knowing me, they'll all be on dvd by the time I get around to it! Here's the list...how many have you seen? Be warned...its long!

(x) Rocky Horror Picture Show
(x) Grease
(x) Pirates of the Caribbean
( ) Pirates of the Caribbean 2: Dead Man's Chest
( ) Boondock Saints
( ) Fight Club
( ) Starsky and Hutch
(x) Neverending Story
(x) Blazing Saddles
(x) Airplane
Total: 6
(x) The Princess Bride
(x) Anchorman
(x) Napoleon Dynamite
(x) Labyrinth
( ) Saw
( ) Saw II
( ) White Noise
( ) White Oleander
(x) Anger Management
(x) 50 First Dates
(x) The Princess Diaries
(x)The Princess Diaries 2: Royal EngagementTotal
so far: 14
(x) Scream
(x) Scream 2
(x) Scream 3
(x) Scary Movie 2
(x) Scary Movie 3 (or whichever of these movies is always on Comedy Central)
(x) Scary Movie 4
(x) American Pie
(x) American Pie 2
(x) American Wedding
( ) American Pie Band Camp
Total so far: 23
(x) Harry Potter 1
( ) Harry Potter 2
( ) Harry Potter 3
( ) Harry Potter 4
( ) Resident Evil 1
( ) Resident Evil 2
(x) The Wedding Singer
( ) Little Black Book
( ) The Village
(x) Lilo & Stitch
Total so far: 26
(x) Finding Nemo
(x) Finding Neverland
( ) Signs
( ) The Grinch
(x) Texas Chainsaw Massacre
( ) Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning
(x) White Chicks
( ) Butterfly Effect
(x) 13 Going on 30
( ) I, Robot
(x) Robots
Total so far: 32
(x) Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story
( ) Universal Soldier
( ) Lemony Snicket: A Series Of Unfortunate Events
(x) Along Came Polly
(x) Deep Impact
(x) KingPin
(x) Never Been Kissed
(x) Meet The Parents
(x) Meet the Fockers
( ) Eight Crazy Nights
(x) Joe Dirt
( ) KING KONG
Total so far: 40
(x) A Cinderella Story
( ) The Terminal
(x) The Lizzie McGuire Movie
( ) Passport to Paris
(x) Dumb & Dumber
(x) Dumber & Dumberer
(x) Final Destination
(x) Final Destination 2
(x) Final Destination 3
( ) Halloween
(x) The Ring
( ) The Ring 2
( ) Surviving X-MAS
(x) Flubber
Total so far: 49
( ) Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle
(x) Practical Magic
( ) Chicago
( ) Ghost Ship
( ) From Hell
(x) Hellboy
( ) Secret Window
(x) I Am Sam
(x) The Whole Nine Yards
( ) The Whole Ten Yards
Total so far: 53
(x) The Day After Tomorrow
(x) Child's Play
( ) Seed of Chucky
(x) Bride of Chucky
(x) Ten Things I Hate About You
(x) Just Married
( ) Gothika
(x) Nightmare on Elm Street
(x) Sixteen Candles
( ) Remember the Titans
( ) Coach Carter
( ) The Grudge
( ) The Grudge 2
(x) The Mask
(x) Son Of The Mask
Total so far: 62
(x) Bad Boys
(x) Bad Boys 2
( ) Joy Ride
( ) Lucky Number Slevin
( ) Ocean's Eleven
( ) Ocean's Twelve
(x) Bourne Identity
( ) Bourne Supremecy
( ) Lone Star
( ) Bedazzled
( ) Predator I
( ) Predator II
( ) The Fog
(x) Ice Age
(x) Ice Age 2: The Meltdown
(x) Curious George
Total so far: 68
(x) Independence Day
(x) Cujo
( ) A Bronx Tale
( ) Darkness Falls
( ) Christine
(x) ET
(x) Children of the Corn
(x) My Bosses Daughter
(x) Maid in Manhattan
( ) War of the Worlds
(x) Rush Hour
(x) Rush Hour 2
Total so far: 76
( ) Best Bet
(x) How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
(x) She's All That
( ) Calendar Girls
( ) Sideways
( ) Mars Attacks
( ) Event Horizon
(x) Ever After
(x) Wizard of Oz
(x) Forrest Gump
(x) Big Trouble in Little China
(x) The Terminator
(x) The Terminator 2
(x) The Terminator 3
Total so far: 85
( ) X-Men
( ) X-2
( ) X-3
(x) Spider-Man
(x) Spider-Man 2
(x) Sky High
( ) Jeepers Creepers
( ) Jeepers Creepers 2
(x) Catch Me If You Can
(x) The Little Mermaid
(x) Freaky Friday (the original, not Lindsey Lohan)
( ) Reign of Fire
( ) The Skulls
(x) Cruel Intentions
( ) Cruel Intentions 2
(x) The Hot Chick
(x) Shrek
(x) Shrek 2
Total so far: 95
(x) Swimfan
(x) Miracle on 34th street
(x) Old School
(x) The Notebook
( ) K-Pax
( ) Krippendorf's Tribe
(x) A Walk to Remember
(x) Ice Castles
( ) Boogeyman
(x) The 40-year-old Virgin
Total so far: 102
( ) Lord of the Rings Fellowship of the Ring
( ) Lord of the Rings The Two Towers
( ) Lord of the Rings Return Of the King
(x) Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark
(x) Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
(x) Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
Total so far: 105
(x) Baseketball
( ) Hostel
( ) Waiting for Guffman
( ) House of 1000 Corpses
( ) Devils Rejects
(x) Elf
(x) Highlander
( ) Mothman Prophecies
( ) American History X
( ) Three
Total so Far: 108
( ) The Jacket
( ) Kung Fu Hustle
( ) Shaolin Soccer
( ) Night Watch
(x) Monsters Inc.
(x) Titanic
(x) Monty Python and the Holy Grail
( ) Shaun Of the Dead
( ) Willard
Total so far: 111
( ) High Tension
( ) Club Dread
(x) Hulk
( ) Dawn Of the Dead
(x) Hook
( ) Chronicles Of Narnia: The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe
( ) 28 days later
(x) Orgazmo
(x) Phantasm
(x) Waterworld
Total so far: 116
( ) Kill Bill vol 1
( ) Kill Bill vol 2
( ) Mortal Kombat
( ) Wolf Creek
( ) Kingdom of Heaven
( ) the Hills Have Eyes
( ) I Spit on Your Grave aka the Day of the Woman
( ) The Last House on the Left
(x) Re-Animator
(x) Army of Darkness
Total so far: 118
( ) Star Wars Ep. I The Phantom Menace
( ) Star Wars Ep. II Attack of the Clones
( ) Star Wars Ep. III Revenge of the Sith
(x) Star Wars Ep. IV A New Hope
(x) Star Wars Ep. V The Empire Strikes Back
(x) Star Wars Ep. VI Return of the Jedi
( ) Ewoks Caravan Of Courage
( ) Ewoks The Battle For Endor
Total so far: 121
( ) The Matrix
( ) The Matrix Reloaded
( ) The Matrix Revolutions
( ) Animatrix
(x) Evil Dead
(x) Evil Dead 2
(x) Team America: World Police
( ) Red Dragon
(x) Silence of the Lambs
(x) Hannibal
Total: 126
So, out of 239 films, I've seen more than half...what does that say about me? Well, I guess it proves that I love chick flicks and stupid/toilet humour comedies, I've seen way too many children movies and horror films and I don't really go for science fiction/comic book hero/triology style movies. What does your list say about you?

Also, I may have seen more, but don't know...a lot of flicks get renamed when they hit Australian shores. For example, "Airport" became "Flying High"; "13 going on 30" became "Suddenly 30"; "Adventures in Babysitting" became "A Night on the Town"; and most recently "Four Christmases" became "Four Holidays". Why do they do that? Strange.

I have real issues...

...parting with my children's clothes and shoes! Seth is now 5.5 and I have never disposed of the shoes he has grown out of!! Last week, a family that goes to Eme's daycare lost everything in a house fire...and their contents weren't insured! Totally devastating for them! Their son is only 1, so I thought I'd go through Seth's things and pass them on. As you can see from the pic below, we can certainly spare a few pairs. It motivated me to sort them into piles of still wearable, donate, ebay and totally trashed and no longer good to anyone! Seth is now down to only a few pairs and I feel a lot better! btw...this picture doesn't show all of them!While I was at it...I sorted out Eme's as well! They're all so tiny and sweet, and I'm so attached to them, but I have to let it go! We're not having any more babies, so no point hanging onto them. I have kept their first pair of shoes for their memory box. Check out how brown Eme's legs are compared to Seth's!I have been teaching some school holiday scrappy projects at Scrapbooking Delights over the last couple of weekends...and now its time to share. This first one is a photo frame by Kaiser, using Kaiser papers, bling, flourish and flowers. Super easy to make and the girls loved it! This next one is a hanging keepsake (again by Kaiser) with paper and lettering by Bella. Another simple project that can be completed in less than 2 hours and looks delightful as either a door or wall hanging. This one is now hung above Eme's bed, and she loves it! In fact, she was really annoyed that I had to take it into the shop to teach it! lol.

This weekend I'll be showing the girls how to make a couple of layouts and a card...will share once the class if finished.

How's your Project 365 going? I'm going strong and haven't missed a photo since I started on 28/12/08! So proud of myself - I really feel like I'm going to finish this project. I'm still deciding how to put them all together, but I have started printing them off and keeping them in order. I've also been making a diary note each note so I don't forget what I took a photo of and why!

Cheers, Lis.

Inspired Blueprints Sketch #8

Sketch 8 is up at Inspired Blueprints and its one of mine! Yay!! I had visions of enlarging a portrait and cropping it really close...and you know I love journaling, so there's two spots! Enjoy.
Here's my version...I've used products from the December Kraft Girl Kit (except the Hambly sticker). Love that bright and bold Christmas paper. Love that pic of Sethy-boy too...all festive and waiting for Santa.lol. The pic is another one by Janine...sure am getting lots of value out of that mini session...I love all of them!Don't forget...upload your take on Sketch 7 or 8 here by the end of the month to go into the draw for a Kraft Girl Kit of your very own!

resolutions

Whoopi Goldberg made an interesting point on The View recently...why wait until the beginning of a new year to make a resolution? I say, why not? The start of 2009 seems as good a time as any to start being happy, and this is something I resolve to do, not just this year, but everyday for the rest of my life. You all know that one of the things that makes me happy is scrapbooking...so here's a layout to commemorate that decision.
Sandra and I scrapped our resolutions at the same time, and we both happened to select the same shade of green - what do you suppose that means? Renewal...starting afresh perhaps? Either way, I just love that Little Yellow Bicycle patterned paper! I've also dug into my Scrapware stash and Elle's Studio tags. Both Scrapbooking Delights and Noel Mignon have set the challenge to scrap your resolutions...what have you resolved to do this year? Drop me a note and let me know. Cheers, Lis.

just a few photos

Ok...so its a lot of photos! lol. I've been meaning to upload some Chrissy photos, and its been a while, so thought it best to put them all in one post and get them over and done with.


Check out the gingerbread house the kids and I made! So proud of us!! I've never made one before, so was a bit clueless. I made the gingerbread from scratch and cooked it in the Chefs Toolbox gingerbread house mould. Love the log cabin effect on the outside - too cute! I made a mountain of icing (as per the recipe). I probably could have decorated the outside of my own house too. I didn't really think the whole gingerbread house/transport thing out too well though because I had to nurse it on my lap for 2 hours in the car! Every bump we hit, I thought I would lose it. lol. It was delicious, and we went Hansel and Gretel all over that house!
Christmas morning is always a blur and I always take bad, bad photos! Here's a collection of the "best". lol. Seth fully understands that to unwrap a present, one must rip and tear! There was paper flying everywhere!! Eme was on the hunt for the Tinkerbell dvd she had asked Santa for. She looked in her big bag of presents and opened what she thought was it, only to be disappointed by a Barbie dvd. Em couldn't quite understand that Santa brings more stuff than what you actually ask for...and yes, Santa did deliver the much desired Tinkerbell dvd (and we have watched it constantly since!). The kids were spoilt rotten (of course) with both getting numerous pressies, but their favourites were scooters and a wii console. Lucky I don't really care about my timber floors, because they've been riding them all through the house.

We caught up with the Warren family a few days prior to Christmas, and we got to meet Andrew's cousin's son for the first time - he's now 18 months (I think?)! Where does the time go?!! Katy came down for a visit too, and the kids loved having her here. Seth and Eme loved playing with their cousins - its a shame we don't get to see them more often.Boxing Day was spent in the pool at my parents house. I didn't go in though - too much sun the day before and a flu - didn't want to risk getting any more sunburnt or sick! I haven't spent much time with my cousins over the last couple of years, so it was fun to sit and chat and be silly. My uncle was given the best gift for Christmas...all of his home movies converted to dvd! We sat down after lunch and watched them all...there was me was a baby and as a little girl...I get teary just thinking about it. Seth and Eme loved watching it and Eme kept saying "there's baby Mummy!". I didn't realise until then how much Seth is like me as a young child. The Heyhoe gene is strong in that one!

As you may have read, I missed out on buying the Project 365 kit, however, much to my delight, Becky Higgins has offered it as a free download on her blog! To say I'm happy about this is an understatement! I had continued taking photos anyway and had planned on putting my own together - now I don't have to! YAY!! I'm up to day 16 of taking photos and its become a real habit. The first few days were difficult, but now its second nature. The photos are simple to say the least, but represent us and I love it. I'm still continuing with the 12 of 12, and have taken a few photos today. One thing I have noticed is that petrol has dropped from about $1.27/L in November to under a dollar today! Amazing.Lastly, here's some pics of Eme from yesterday. She went to a birthday party yesterday - the first time she's been invited to a party without her brother! Lavender Lily entertained the children, sang, danced, painted their faces and made bead bracelets - Eme had a ball! Her party dress was a gift from Aunty Ros - doesn't she look gorgeous! The balloon dress thing looks adorable on her. Less photos, more layouts next post - promise.
Cheers, Lis.

Inspired Blueprints - Sketch #7

Sketch 7 at Inspired Blueprints has been released!...and here's my take. I used the sketch to showcase my 12 of 12 photos for December 2008. I'm loving the challenge and already I've noticed quite a number of significant changes from last month and a few things that have stayed the same. I can't wait until I've done a year's worth, so I can sit back and reflect on the year that was.
This month, Inspired Blueprints is being sponsored by Kraft Girl Kits (which rock by the way!). Pam of KGK graciously supplied us with her December kit to play with and I've been having so much fun with it. Pam has a knack of being able to mix up the manufacturers perfectly and there's kraft cardstock in every kit! What more could you want?!! Thanks Pam!

Kraft Girl Kits are offering their January kit as this month's prize, so why not create your own layout based on the sketch and upload it to the Inspired Blueprints gallery. Can't wait to see your take.

Cheers, Lis.

and now back to regular programming...

I've gotten out the paper and glue again and it feels good! I've had a 3 week break from scrapping and I must say, I've missed it terribly. There's something incredibly therapeutic about ripping bits of paper and doodling and re-living the goods times through photos and stories.

I love this pic of Andrew and I (thank you Janine!), and it seemed a perfect fit for the challenge at Noel Mignon this month...to use a love song in your title. This song is from the 70's by The Stylistics and I just love it - you can listen to it here. I've used a whole heap of Heidi Swapp on this one, as well as my new stamps by Inque Boutique - all goodies from my trip up to Scraploot in December.
And while I've been dipping into my new stash, I just had to create this one with the photos from the Scraploot opening. All the products are Heidi Swapp, except for the ribbon and the pre-cut chipboard, which was in our goodie bag. I've stolen a few of the ideas from the layout Heidi created on the night - really going for it with the sanding around the border, stamping "Today" in the centre of the pre-printed frame, using the light grey pen to create a shadow on the stamped word, and wrapping the paper around the side of the layout to create a tab. Its amazing watching someone else scrap - you pick up so many tips and ideas.
I'm still going well with taking photos everyday. I'm not sure how I'm going to put it all together yet, but I'm getting a nice little collection of memories together...for now they will most likely go into one of those standard photo albums until I get my supplies ready. Seth has been helping me to take photos too and he's getting really good at it. He has a pretty good eye for photography actually and he's always taking my camera out of my handbag to play. He took the most gorgeous photo of Emeline recently. He tells me he pushed her onto the ground and stood above her to get the right angle...I think he's been hanging around me to long (lol), but I certainly don't condone pushing children onto the ground to get the perfect photo (I might ask them to, but I don't push...lol).

Thank you everyone who has left me sweet comments and sent emails about my last post. I feel like a weight has been lifted because I have let it out. It can be a burden to carry by yourself. Rest assured, I am taking it day by day and I feel truly blessed to be surrounded by such caring and understanding friends and family.

{{hugs}} Lis.

I'm on my way...

Photo by noflickr

From misery to happiness today...ahuh! Welcome to 2009! I couldn't wait for the calendar to click over from last year...2008 was such a trying year and I just know this year is going to be better.

Andrew was made a permanent employee after 3 years! Such fantastic news to receive on Christmas Eve. I know that he'll be much happier, and that in turn makes us all happy. He's about to have his first paid holiday in 5 years - that's a long time between breaks, and I know he's very much looking forward to it.

Seth successfully finished Kindergarten. I was so worried he'd be left behind because of his age, but he is surprising everyone with his abilities. It blows my mind that he can sit down and read a whole book! Not just a kiddy book; a proper novel with chapters and no pictures! That's awesome for a 5.5 yr old. He's met his Year 1 teacher already and he's really looking forward to going back to school at the end of January. He seems so much more grown up now, but thankfully he still loves a cuddle with is mamma.

Emeline is getting better...we haven't had a trip to the hospital for quite some time and she managed to hold off any asthma attacks during winter. Although she was diagnosed with whooping cough at the beginning of December, this hasn't turned into an asthmatic episode and for that, I am truly thankful. She's getting better everyday and is such a sweetie (despite her penchant for biting atm!).

As for me, I am working my way out of a funk. I can't wait to have a genuine smile on my face again and have a really good belly laugh - I miss that! I don't normally make resolutions, but this year I've decided to focus on things that make me happy. I'm going to find out my bliss! I'm going to be kinder to myself. I'm going to look after myself better. I'm going to try to not let people, or situations or little things bother me as much. I'm not making resolutions about exercising more or losing x amount of weight - they just don't work. I figure if I work on being happy, those other things will happen...and you know what? A happy me equals a happy mother, a happy wife, a happy house, a happy friend and a happy co-worker...its a happy result for everyone around me too.

2009 is going to be a good year...I can feel it in my waters.

I promise the next few posts will be chock full of photos from Christmas and a few layouts. I have started Project 365 and I'm really pushing myself to take a photo everyday that is meaningful to us. Unfortunately I missed out on buying the kit from CK, but I'm hopeful I will be able to in the future...if not, that's okay too because I know I can do it by myself (see - an example already of not letting situations bother me...yay, for me). Drop me a line if you're attempting the 365 - we can all keep each other inspired to continue!

In the meantime, take care of you and those who matter. Cheers, Lis.