Day 15 of 30

Day 15 – Something you don’t leave the house without

So, I've had to take a break from the 30 days meme due to the flu...which will explain my list of must haves. lol. Apart from the obvious, like house keys and my purse...the are my definite, must have, don't leave the house without it items...

1. Tissues. Ok, so I've had the flu for over a week now and the tissues are an essential. At the moment there are three packets in my handbag. Having two children equals snotty noses, so I never leave home without these.

2. Hair bands. I always start out with the intention of leaving my long hair out every day. Usually by morning tea time, it is driving me crazy, so up in a ponytail or bun it goes. I really should just cut it off. If its not the heat of it on my back, or the wind blowing it in my face...it just gets annoying!  Eme has crazy, fly away hair too, so after it starts getting ratty looking, I put that up too.

3. Pain killers. I suffer from terrible headaches and migraines quite regularly, and if I catch it early enough with panadol, then I'm ok. Sometimes its a matter of dosing myself up enough so I can get home and go to sleep. Thank goodness for the purse pack! Its a definite life saver. Guaranteed, if its not in my handbag, that will be the day that I have a migraine. Go Murphy!!

What things do you always take with you?

Cheers, Lis.

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Scrapware share...home decor

Whenever it comes to off the page, its simple all the way for me. I just don't seem to have the shabby chic gene in me like some of the Scrapware girls here. lol. I like art pieces with a graphic nature, and thought I might create something for my new nephew. I wanted to create a piece that my sister would be happy to hang in his room for many many years.  I love the look of this piece, but thought it needed dimension. That's where Scrapware's new large Impact lettering came in!

To start, I purchased a flat white canvas board measuring 11"x14".  I then went through and cut out the letters I needed for his name, Cameron.

For each row, I popped out the letters either side of the letters spelling his name. I moved them around until I was happy with the format and to be sure each row started and ended with a different letter. All up, I have used two sheets of lettering.  I have used a mix of chipboard and correboard letters to mix it up a bit.

Then, row by row, I removed the letters and spritzed them with Studio Calico's new Mister Huey's colour mists. The coverage they give is unbelievable!  The black letters were coated in Warm Calico, and the green letters were sprayed in Calico White, then Applejack. I love the matt finish of the sprays...very masculine.

Once dry, I glued them back in place.  I removed the glass from an 11"x14" white frame and inserted the canvas.  Voila! One easy, yet effective art piece.  Now that I've made one for Cameron, I think I'll make one for each of my own children!

Scrapware products used:

AZ12 - Impact Large LC (chipboard)

AZ14 - Impact Large CB Craft (correboard)

Stay tuned tomorrow for another Scrapware home decor post.

Cheers, Lisa

White with one...

I recently applied for a possie on the White With 1 creative team, and I'm absolutely thrilled that they've asked me to join their team!  So, what is White With 1?  Its a challenge blog with a difference.  Each month scrappers are challenged to create a layout that contains the basic colour scheme of white with... one other colour and one other requirement ...this could be an element, technique, product type, anything really, thats the challenge

I can't wait to get started...the first challenge will be posted in November. In the meantime, here's the layouts I submitted for the call.

Criteria #1

Use WHITE as your dominant colour + Turquoise + Stamping

This pic of the kids was taken at Kiama blowhole. They're starting to get to that age where they like to muck around instead of posing nicely for mummy. lol. Usually I let them be silly for a bit, then they're happy to sit and smile. I love how fun they are together...that is until they start fighting. Ahhh...don't you love the sibling dynamic.

Criteria #2
Use WHITE as your dominant colour + Red + Rub Ons

These pics were taken on 5 August 2010 while my sister was in labour. I was lucky enough to share this experience with Beth and Edi. Poor Beth was in labour for over 30 hours when they decided to deliver my nephew by c-section.  Waiting, waiting, waiting...I thought he'd never come out! Thankfully both mum and bub were fine, and my nephew is now 12 weeks old! Time flies.

Make sure you pop over to White With 1 and see who else made the team. Each day, a new creative team member is being revealed. I know for sure that you will be inspired!

tfl, Lis.



Day 14 of 30

Day 14 – A TV show you’re currently addicted to

I've been trying to cut down on watching television, but its just not working! Damn you television...be less entertaining!!  Here's a sampling of the shows I'm currently addicted to...

Having said that...I don't own a recorder, so if I miss an episode, its no big deal...it gives me something to look forward to during rerun season!

Cheers, Lis


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Day 13 of 30

Day 13 – Your favourite musician and why?

Not so much a musician, but a band...Noiseworks! They have been rockin' it since the 80s (when all music was good, no matter how daggy). The first concert I went to without parents was the Noiseworks "Touch" tour at the Hordern Pavillion in 1988. Loved it!!

These pics were taken last year at Shellharbour Workers Club...front row thank you very much!

I have every record, single, cd, video (yes, I'm ancient now) ever released. I used to have their album covers blutacked to my walls as art. I could tell some very embarrassing stories of my youth here, but I'll refrain. One of my most favourite memories though occured in 1991. My school teacher, Mr Howitt, was writing a new book for his History of the Rock and Roll Years class. He was interviewing Jon Stevens (Noiseworks frontman) and asked if I wanted to come along and take the photos...hell yes!! I had the best time, sitting there, listening to Jon tell stories from his youth. Definitely the highlight of my year.

Even now when I hear their music on the radio, it just warms my soul and I have to sing along. Every note, every lyric, every guitar solo just moves me.

Those days we left behind, will always be around

For in this heart of mine, I will never forget the times

In my youth - always dreamin'

In my youth - I believe in

Innocence was mine - in my youth

Thanks for the trip down memory lane meme...ahhhh...

Cheers, Lis.

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Day 12 of 30

Day 12 – A photograph of the town you live in

We drive up this street nearly everyday when we're heading home. I just love that the streets are leafy, and there's gorgeous views of the Illawarra escarpment as far as the eye can see! We are so happy living in our sleepy suburb on the outskirts of Wollongong.

Cheers, Lis

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Layouts to share...

Last week I went along to a Pink Ribbon crop night and got creative with all my scrappy friends. I wasn't all that productive, only creating 5 layouts in the 9 hours we were there, but I had a great time chatting away and catching up! Here's the layouts I created...

First up, these pics were taken at Seth's mate's birthday party. He had an absolute ball! It was held at Cataract Scout camp, where they took the kids through the obstacle course! Talk about a muddy good time...

This one was the pink ribbon recipe challenge...2 x cardstock, 3 x patterned paper, brads, feather, pin, metal embellie, pink buttons, 2 x lettering, ink/misting/paint and journaling. Love how it turned out! This pic of Eme and I was taken on her 5th birthday recently. I still find it hard to believe that this beautiful girl is my daughter!

The next few layouts were created using "Dennison", the October kit from Storyboard Kits. So far I've created 5 layouts out of the kit and I have plenty of stuff left for at least 1 or 2 more. Excellent value if I do say so myself. There are still a couple left if you want to pick one up for yourself!

This pic was taken at Taronga Zoo. After the bird show, this little galah sits there waiting for your donations. Seth held out the dollar coin, and the bird grabbed it out of his hand and popped it in the money box. Well, Seth thought this was fantastic and kept wanting more and more money to give the bird! lol.

One recent morning, I asked Andrew to take a pic of me on the front porch (since I was feeling pretty good about the way I was looking that day. lol). Seth decided to jump in the pic and give me a hug. Gosh I love that little boy! I will never say no to a hug from my Sethy-boy.

Lastly, these pics were taken last year when Seth lost his first tooth! He had been wobbling it for ages, so I decided to give it a yank and pull it out. At first he had this look of shock on his face, then realised that his tooth was out! He was so happy, he ran out the front flailing his arms around yelling "DAD, DAD!!". Poor Andrew...he was mowing the lawn at the time and all he could see was Seth jumping around, waving his arms...with blood pouring out his mouth! lol. He turned off the mower and ran over thinking that Seth had been injured. All was good, and the tooth fairy delivered $5 that night.

Its funny that straight after I created this layout, Seth finally lost his fourth tooth. He's losing them all out of sequence. He's lost three on the bottom, and now the one on top...not a middle one though, its off to the side. He has another three loose teeth on the top, so no doubt he'll be looking very gappy, very soon. Can anyone sing...all I want for Christmas is my four front teeth...lol.

tfl, Lis.

Mum stuff | Books for boys...

Seth absolutely loves reading. For a while there he was reading nothing but factual books. He'd come home from the library with books about reptiles and birds and hurricanes. He even brought home a book about diabetes and bronchitis one day. lol. Not normal reading for a seven year old imho. That boy has a mind like a sponge and his thirst for and retention of knowledge is incredible.

We thought it might be good to broaden his reading with novels instead. I headed off to the book store in search of a book that was suitable for his age group. Most of the books I found didn't seem all that challenging. As funny as Diary of a Wimpy Kid looked, it was mostly pictures.

This one had me at hello...the title was something that would grab Seth's attention straight away, and he loves dogs...win, win.  The Dog that Dumped on my Doona by Barry Jonsberg was hilarious!


Description
When Marcus is woken by a dog doing a poo on his bed, he is understandably upset. And Blacky (the dog) has other surprises in store. Soon Marcus and his disruptive friend Dylan are on a mission to rescue God - a sick pygmy bearded dragon - from the local pet shop. But time is running out...
And then there is Rose who thrives on terrorising her little brother. She is the sister from hell, but revenge will be sweet. Or so Marcus thinks.

Seth thoroughly enjoyed it. He'd read a chapter to us each night before bed. It was so funny listening to him put on different voices for each character. Love a story of a talking dog with attitude and a book with an environmental message. Now I'm on the search for another novel. It is hard finding books for boys without them being too violent. Do you have any books you can recommend for the 8-12 age group?

Cheers, Lis.

Day 11 of 30

Day 11 – What’s in your makeup bag?

I bought this makeup bag a few years ago from Target. I just love the soft colours, satin pleating and colourful bling on the top! Its so me...and despite how small it looks, it holds a multitude! When I travel, I take away a lot more than what's pictured below...

These are my everyday essentials...

• two hairbrushes...one wood, and the other just like my dad's hairbrush. When I was little, I used to love brushing my hair with my dad's hairbrush and once I moved out of home, I looked high and low for one just like it! Its the perfect brush to get a nice smooth finish.
• Vaseline intensive care for dry skin.
• brown/black eyeliner and mascara. I've been a Great Lash wearer for years. Other mascaras just make my eyes itchy!
• hairbands
• perfume...Elizabeth Arden's Beauty is a current fav.
• foundation and eyeshadows...only worn for special occasions.
• my meds...luvox...they've been a part of my daily routine for nearly 2 years.
• seven lipsticks...yes seven. I always like to coordinate my lipstick with my outfit and you just can't wear a nice bright pink in winter. lol. I have loads more in a lipstick caddy on the vanity.

There you have it. A little sneak peek into my makeup bag. I'm really lazy when it comes to makeup. Eyeliner, mascara and lipstick is pretty much it everyday...and I don't leave the house with it! lol.

Cheers, Lis.

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Day 10 of 30

Day 10 – A photo of our favourite place to eat

You know, I lead a pretty simple life and the best meals I've ever had, have not been at a fancy restaurant. I just don't appreciate big white plates with little foods in the centre. I like good, wholesome, filling, rustic foods. That's just me.

Every Friday I look forward to Market Day in Wollongong. It truly is my favourite place to eat! From the steamed dim sims, springrolls, panang and green curries and fish cakes, to baklava, to caramel slice...its all good and there's so many vendors to choose from!

Yesterday I had every intention of grabbing some panang at lunchtime, however my boss told me to go home. I've come down with a terrible head cold and feel pretty crappy. Andrew went and grabbed me a short soup...the broth does wonders, but it just wasn't panang! Looks like I'll have to salivate another week for it!

Cheers, Lis.

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Day 9 of 30

Day 9 – A photo of the item you last purchased

I could seriously excite you with a picture of my shopping trip to Coles where up picked up the essentials like bread, milk, dog food and toilet paper...but I packed it away before I thought about it. lol.

Here's a pic of my most recent favourite purchase. I found this piece on etsy and its painted by the very talented Cari Humphry. She paints with acrylics and oils on canvas, and I particularly love her series of cows. Who knew a cow could be so adorable! I think a cow painting might be in our future.

When I first saw the nest painting, it just spoke to me. It was painted especially for us and Cari customised it to include the number of eggs...one for each member of our family.  To me it says home. I love it! At the moment its hanging in our bedroom, but it will move out to the living room once the room is repainted.

Have a great day!
Cheers, Lis.

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Day 8 of 30

Day 8 – A song to match your mood.

Today I am missing my hubby, and its only been one night! So my song today is Love Song by the Cure.

whenever i'm alone with you, you make me feel like i am home again

whenever i'm alone with you, you make me feel like i am whole again

whenever i'm alone with you, you make me feel like i am young again

whenever i'm alone with you, you make me feel like i am fun again

however far away i will always love you

however long i stay i will always love you

whatever words i say i will always love you

i will always love you...

Cheers, Lis

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Storyboard Kits...sneak peek

Storyboard Kits (my baby) is going from strength to strength, and next month sees the release of my 5th kit! I can't believe its been nearly 5 months already. Here's a sneak peek of November's kit "Evanthe"...

 

Sneaks by Kim Arnold

Head on over to the Storyboard Kits blog for more information.

Cheers, Lis.

Day 7 of 30

Day 7 – Your dream wedding

My brother in law is currently planning his wedding to the gorgeous Racheal and its actually made me wonder what I would choose for my wedding if it were now. Even though its only been 9.5 years since Andrew and I tied the knot, styles have changed so much and I'm a totally different person to who I was then.  There's so many options!

Totally love this colour scheme! Might use this as a jumping off point.

[image source]

The Fashion
Obviously the first thing I'd go shopping for would be a dress. Love this trumpet style dress by Monique Lhuillier (Fall 2011 Collection). So much detail! Loving that latte coloured bow too...very romantic.

Photograph by firstVIEW.

This time around, I wouldn't force Andrew to wear a cravat (lol)...see I'm assuming when I remarry, I would be marrying Andrew...can't imagine marrying anyone else! Thinking just a nice suit, no jacket, casual yet spunky.

[image source]

A girl's got to have bridesmaids too! Totally fun and flirty frocks that are individual and wearable.

[image source]

The Flowers

Gotta love a bit of bling! This bouquet is made up entirely of vintage brooches and bits and bobs. Love it! The pops of colour are just beautiful.

[image source]

The Reception

Love the idea of an outdoor wedding with loads of vintage inspiration.  Love those chandeliers! Mind you, Andrew and I planned an outdoor service for our wedding, and it was absolutely teeming with rain. lol. I wouldn't change the food though, because it was so delicious and the portions were excellent. There was beef topped with king prawns and hollandaise, chicken stuffed with camembert and proscuito, fresh seasonal veges, pastries, yummo!

[image source]

Let them eat cake! I love all the detail on this cake, yet its still quite simple. Its got to be milk chocolate mud filled though. My friend Jenna makes an absolutely rocking milk chocolate mud!

[image source]

The Photographer
Its got be Janine! I just love the wedding photos she captures.  I totally wish she had taken our wedding photos. I'll have to book in for a family portrait soon...maybe for our 10th anniversary next year.

What else is there...
- invitations, handmade of course
- music, has to be a live band with lots of fun music and dancing
- cars, couldn't really care less...maybe it'll be somewhere we can walk to

Actually, does it really matter what your dream wedding is? A wedding is just one day, a marriage is for life. Its nice to dream, but I think the fact that I got to marry my best friend is perfect enough for me.  Love you Andrew...awhhh, soppy.

Cheers, Lis.

ps. I just watched Trish Suhr get married on the Style Network! I totally have to try that "trash the dress" thing!! Check out this gorgeous underwater image they captured. Stunning!

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Day 6 of 30

Day 6 – A photo of an animal you’d love to keep as a pet

Seriously, who doesn't want a baby pygmy hippo as a pet? Two problems with this plan...1. They grow up to be adult sized pygmy hippos, and although they are 1/5th the size of a common hippo, they are still mighty big! 2. I don't have a pond in the backyard...oh well, that rules that one out.

What about a peacock? They are such beautiful birds and I love their feathers, but they are so noisy! As a child my family used to holiday at the same caravan park every year and there were peacocks there. The first few years I thought there was a woman yelling out BILL BILL all the time. lol. So no, not a peacock.

Monkeys are pretty cute, but having seen the helper monkeys on the Simpsons and Malcolm In The Middle, I can't see that this could end up in a good place!

I already have these pets at home...lol.  Sheepdog Seth, lil' piggy Eme and Andrew the Ram.

I think the decision is pretty obvious, and he scratches at the glass door everyday to let us know he's outside! The pet I'd most like to have is one that is already a part of our family. Marley Hindmarsh Warren, the scruffy mutt with a heart of gold. Yes he smells, yes he digs up the backyard, yes he runs inside the house at every opportunity, but he is adorable and he's grown on me over the years. I think we'll keep him. How could you not fall in love with that little face?!!

What pet would you most like to have?

Cheers, Lis.

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Day 5 of 30

Day 5 – A photo of yourself two years ago.

Doesn't seem all that long ago that this pic was taken! Time really does fly. This photo was taken in March 2008. We were on a harbour cruise to celebrate my m.i.l, s.i.l and my birthdays, which all happen within a week of each other. Great day! My sister took this pic of me and we were mucking around pretending to squash Sydney Tower. lol.

Looking back, I really love the length of hair! I think I might have to head to the hairdressers and cut some off. I've also stacked on about 20kg since them. Awesome. NOT.
 
Thanks for popping by. I love that there's loads of bloggers playing along!
 
Cheers, Lis.
 
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Day 4 of 30

Day 4 – Your favourite photograph of your best friend

What can I say? My hubby is my best friend. I absolutely adore this photo! Eme was only one day old and Andrew was introducing Seth to her. I love the look on his face and how he's snuggling Seth so tight. It says it all about him. He adores his family, and I adore him. Enough said.

Cheers, Lis.

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Inspired Blueprints - Sketch #58

Sketch #58 has been revealed on the Inspired Blueprints blog! When I was designing this sketch, I really wanted to keep it simple and I love the way the design team have interpreted it. Check out their work here.

Here's my take. Our sponsor this month, EAD Designs, provided the team with product to play with and I have used their Damask background sticker on my layout. I have muddied up the sticker a little with ink and glimmermist to take the edge off the white. Love those stickers!

Seth's school celebrated Book Week last month and the kids had to dress up as a character from a book. We went through so many books trying to figure out what he could be, and he finally settled on The Man From Snowy River by Banjo Patterson. You can read the original poem here. Such an easy costume...put on some jeans and a button through shirt, then an Akubra hat, and some rope tied to his belt. All stuff found around the house...thank goodness because we only found out about it the night before! lol.  My journaling follows the flow of the original poem...

There was movement in the classroom,

for the word had passed around

That book week was about to get underway

Seth decided to go as a bushman and looked worth 1000 pound

And all the class had dressed up for the day...

Here's the sketch if you want to play along...

Remember to upload your takes into the Inspired Blueprints gallery by midnight 31 October 2010 to be in the running to win this month's prize from EAD Designs!

tfl, Lis.

Day 3 of 30

Day 3 – Your idea of the perfect first date.

Wow, that's a toughy! Its been so long since I've been on a date! All you mummas out there would know how it is. You spend all your time caring for family, and the rare moments you have alone with your special someone are spent talking about the kids. lol.  At this stage in my life (because I'm so old....hehe), my dream date would be to go to a nice restaurant...not fancy schmancy, but just good food, like Mylan in Wollongong.

...and then to see a rom-com. Something that I could snuggle up to hubby watching.  If it was up to Andrew, we'd be watching some kind of big budget action flick. Not my style really. I prefer something along these lines...

With Andrew, I knew instantly that I wanted to be with him forever. If he'd have asked me to marry him that first week, I would have said yes. We were both working in the city at the time and we would meet for lunch at the Botanic Gardens in Sydney everyday. My stomach would be so full of butterflies, I would only eat 1/2 a sandwich.  Awhhhh, sweet.  After 14 years with my hubby, we're well and truly into the comfortable stage of our relationship. We don't want the fuss, but its still fun to dress up occasionally and spend time together...alone...without the little ones.  We're heading off to Schonegg later in the year...the babysitter is sorted and we can't wait! Wine country here we come!

Cheers, Lis.

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Day 2 of 30

Day 2 – A photo of something you ate today.

One of my all time favourite sandwich fillings is chicken schnitzel and coleslaw with a little mayo and loads of black pepper on thick white bread! I was absolutely starving this morning, and headed up to Tuna Blue Cafe in Wollongong for an early lunch.

Let me tell you...it was delicious.
 
Cheers, Lis.
 
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Mum stuff | the lady beetle

This week, Eme befriended a lady beetle which she found sitting on a leaf in the backyard. She brought the lady beetle inside to show me how cute it was. She's a sweet girl and loves all things pretty, and this lady beetle was perfect to her. She took it back outside to "play with it"...not sure what level of play the beetle was up for, but Eme was happy. lol. After a while I hear screaming coming from the backyard! Here I am thinking that someone has broken an arm, but no...Eme had run over the lady beetle on her bike and squashed it flat! Oh the histrionics!

"Nutter! Nutter! My poor Nutter!" she cried. "Nutter funeral"...sob, sob, sob. I actually found it really funny, but didn't want to laugh out loud at her. Seth and Eme held a little funeral and Seth wrote a poem...

An ode to Nutter

One lady beetle has nine lives

One lady beetle has nine lives plus one

One lady beetle minus 10 lives equals

One sad little girl named Eme.

...I love you Nutter.

Eme drew a picture underneath and covered it in bling and love heart stickers...then slept with it. There were tears streaming down her face and she was sobbing so hard. It really broke my heart. I gave her a big cuddle and tried to explain that everything would be okay. I promised we'd go looking for another one in the garden, and suggested that perhaps we don't go riding on our bikes with it. The drama...lol.

Seth on the other hand...here I am thinking how clever he was writing that poem...turns out he ripped off the Simpsons! haha...the episode where Lisa's cats keep dying. Well, I guess he is clever afterall...love being able to work in a Simpsons reference at any given opportunity!

Lisa: Snowball II, I can't believe you've gone. I wrote this poem for you - it's called "Cat Math". Four paws, plus one tail, plus nine lives equals one special cat. One special cat. One special cat minus nine lives equals one sad...little girl...

Cheers, Lis.

Day 1 of 30

Day 1 – A photo of yourself and a description of how your day was...

About the photo
This photo was taken last week and is my current facebook profile. I kind of like it. Andrew took it for me. The chins aren't in their multiples thanks to the angle it was taken on. lol. I really struggle to find nice, fashionable clothes that fit and that coral coloured t-shirt is kind of cute...plus there's bling on it...what girl wouldn't be happy with that! The necklace is just a bit of fun...I love costume jewellery. I didn't even touch up the stray grey hairs...its all me!

So today...
It didn't quite pan out the way I had planned. Today was a day to sort out my workspace and creative space, to print photos and get ready for this weekend's pink ribbon crop and to sort out myself. What happened was the polar opposite. I did nothing. I had an hour long therapeutic chat with my sister whilst laying in bed, procrastinated on the computer then had to pick up Seth from school.  The afternoon brought along another headache and thankfully it was nipped in the bud before turning into a full blown migraine. I'm tired now though. I really should be in bed!  Dinner was a favourite...chicken scallopini fettuccine with avocado and loads of black pepper. I watched my usual Wednesday night shows The Block and The United States Of Tara. I love both of them...one makes me want to get out the sledgehammer, the other leaves me hanging for next week's installment...you can make up your mind on that one.

Thoughts...
It has been occurring to me lately that my blog has become pretty much 100% scrapbooking and that's not what the intention was when I first started. Even hubby has said that he doesn't visit anymore because he used to like reading the stories. I know there's more to tell than the one line comments I post in facebook, so now is the time to make my blog more real. It was getting to the point where I wasn't posting anything for a week because I had nothing scrappy to share. Our other stories are just as important and I will be combining those from now on. So, while there'll still be loads of scrapbooking posts, there'll be a lot more life posts as well. I look forward to sharing our stories...some humorous, some happy, some sad, but all real. No more sugar coating.

Cheers, Lis.

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Kmart $20 challenge!

The idea of the Kmart $20 challenge is to look through the current online catalogue and pick out what items you would buy for your family with only $20. Why? For the chance to win a $20 Kmart voucher of course! (via Aussie Mummy Bloggers).

Well, you have to shop pretty smart to get your monies worth for $20, and I've poured through the catalogue a few times (noting some stuff to buy later too. lol).  Do I buy one big thing, or a few small things? I feel like a kid trying to spend their Christmas money and getting the best value! Here's what I decided on...

First up, being the crafty mumma I am, I chose the Crazy Craft Trunk. The kids and I are going to have a blast playing with all those bits and bobs...glitter glue, scissors, pom poms...I can just imagine them decorating empty toilet rolls ala Play School. Maybe we could make some handmade Christmas decorations this year. Total spent $15.00

Next up, I thought I'd pick up some photos to add to the mix so that we could do some cardmaking too. The kids love making cards for the grandparents, aunties and uncles. We'll need six photos. Total spent: $0.90, subtotal $15.90

All this crafting, makes a girl hungry! Well, they say a Mars a day helps you work rest and play...and I'm willing to test that theory! Twelve Mars bars in a packet, that's 3 each...excellent, nothing like a little treat to keep you going. Total spent $3.00; subtotal $18.90

Last but not least...a dollar spent on a packet of snakes. Lolly snakes are a staple in the Warren car when going on long drives, and Christmas day is one of the longest trips we make!  The return trip to see the rest of the family is over 2 hours and the snakes are a great sweet treat...and let's face it, you want the kids full of sugar by the time they get there!

There you have it. Look at all that family fun we're going to have, and for the bargain price of $20.  What would you spend your $20 on?

Cheers, Lis.