Our own royal wedding...

Tonight we will witness the marriage ceremony of Prince William and Kate Middleton...and I for one am excited!! I still remember watching Prince Charles and Lady Diana marry when I was a little girl. The images of her walking down the aisle in that gorgeous taffeta dress with the big puffy sleeves and endless train have stuck with me forever.  My Granny gave me a book commemorating their wedding, and I would pour over those images for hours. Watching Lady Diana become a princess had an everlasting impact on me...and tonight, I will watch the wedding of her son to the love of his life with my own daughter.  Time to crack out the tiaras and settle in for a good night...best go find some tissues...

This is our own story.  As anyone who plans a wedding knows...what can go wrong, will go wrong...and our wedding is living proof of that!  Andrew and I married on 5 May 2001...10 years ago next week.  We planned a beautiful garden ceremony at the Camellia Gardens, Caringbah...although Mother Nature had other plans.  The morning of our wedding was absolutely beautiful...not a cloud in the sky. As we drove home from having our hair and makeup done (the bridal party that is, not Andrew), the heavens opened up!! Not just a sprinkle, but a torrential downpour! The sky had turned that ominous grey/green...I don't think I've ever seen it that colour again. People kept reassuring me that rain is good luck...well, we should have won the lotto by now, it was raining that heavy. lol.  Andrew was so worried that I would be upset...it didn't matter...I wanted to marry my best friend, no matter the location. Mind you, I had been a bit of a bridezilla in the days leading up to our wedding.

So, our service was delayed by 3/4 hour to give the guests time to make it to the reception venue instead. I still remember my poor cousin Sam standing in the rain and redirecting people. He was soaked through to the bone! My Dad walked me down the "aisle" of the dance floor as a bagpipe player piped "Amazing Grace". My family were in tears...as all good Scots people are when hearing the bagpipes.  Dad had to hold me back...I was walking so fast, he thought I'd break out into a sprint.  I just wanted to get to Andrew.  He looked so handsome in his suit and cravat...the second one he picked up that week because the suit hire place had given him the wrong one! He hadn't noticed, but bridezilla had.  Incidentally, the piper had a sprained ankle from falling over in the bath that morning! oops.

We stood together at the end of the dance floor surrounded by family and friends and took our vows. Overhead was a sea of colourful balloons with silver streamers trickling down.  Our celebrant was hilarious...not in comedic content, but that she sounded nothing like she had when we'd met her to discuss the wedding. She must of had a "performance" voice she used. lol. She did a great job though, and we were married. My Aunty Lorna and Andrew's Aunty Pat did the readings. Beautiful verses of poetry that spoke of love. "...Love is the surge of tide pulled by the moon, a lake where silence dwells. Love is ever constant and ever changing." (unknown).   "...stand together yet not too near together; for the pillars of the temple stand apart, and the oak tree and the cypress grow not in each other's shadow." from "The Prophet" by Kahlil Gibran.  Once the service finished, the rain took a break, so we headed out to Carss Cottage to try and take some photos...

Our attendants were Andrew's brother Nathan and cousin Justin, and my sister Beth and Andrew's sister Katy. Love that we shared our special day with family.  I wouldn't have had it any other way.  Not four months earlier we had been in London for my sister's wedding to Edi in freezing -2 degree weather. Us Heyhoe girls know how to make a day memorable!  Andrew's brother Nathan will be marrying his fiance Racheal at the end of this year...I can't wait...but that's another story.  The girls wore dark grey dresses that ended up looking two-toned.  They started soaking up the rainwater while we were having our photos taken!  I think we were only gone an hour and a half, and by the time we got back to the reception, most of the guests had had too much to drink!  Time to party...

Our reception was held at Carss Park Bowling Club, and there was so much food! While we were having our photos taken, the guests nibbled on canapes. Then it was onto the sit down portion. Seafood bon bons or fresh tortellini for entrees; beef fillet topped with braised prawns and hollandaise or chicken breast stuff with camembert for mains and then dessert...which I can't remember for some reason. Was there brandy snaps with fruit salad and cream or sticky date pudding...something along those lines.  I do however remember our cake. Three tiers...alternate chocolate mud and fruit cake.  Our poor cake maker fell over with the cake the day before the wedding and smashed all the icing flowers...and her knee! She was in serious pain, but pulled it together and re-iced the cakes and made new flowers. In some parts, the icing was over one inch thick. lol.

The dj kicked off the tunes for our first dance as Husband and Wife... Etta James' "At last"...sweet and romantic, then it was all up on the dance floor to boogie the night away.  The conversation and alcohol was flowing freely...thanks to Andrew's Dad and my Dad topping up the bar tab every opportunity...it was a BIG party.  By the end of the reception we were exhausted and couldn't wait to get back to our hotel room.  Andrew had arranged for a limousine to pick us up and whisk us off to a secret location...just one problem...the driver forgot and was sitting at home in his pyjamas! dóh! All was good in the end. The driver came and got us and we spent our wedding night at Rydges Cronulla...picking the 100+ bobby pins out of my hair.  Seriously, it was just a comedy of errors, but it didn't matter...we had planned a marriage, not just a wedding....and we're still living happily ever after.


Cheers, Lis.

ps Don't forget to share your own wedding story and link up to Three Lil' Princesses.

Meme | The Royal Wedding!

Kellie over at Three Lil' Princesses is hosting a Royal Wedding meme and pyjama party in celebration of Wills and Kate tying the knot!  Want to play along?  All you need to do is post your own wedding story to your blog and link up to Kellie's post. Click on the image above to read everyone else's stories.

If you’d like to be part of the Royal Wedding meme, simply:

• Grab the button located at Three Lil' Princesses, (created by me :-) ) to add to your blog post.
• Link up your wedding story (old or new) or your story about preparing for your big day to Three Lil' Princesses with the linky tool at the end of Kellie's post.
• Spread the comment love by commenting on at least three other wedding stories.
• An optional step, but feel free to take part in our Royal Wedding Pyjama Party tonight. We’ll share some laughs, gossip about the wedding (of course) and chat about the wedding stories linked up.

I don't know about you...but I can't wait to see Wills and Kate get married!  I'll be attending the pyjama party with tiara firmly fixed in place...and as one of the panelists...best go brush up on my royal speak.

Posted by
Lady Agnes Bozzie-Verdun
(ie.Lisa)

ps. To formulate your own royal title...take Lord or Lady, then the name of a grandparent, and add a double barrelled surname by combining the name of your first pet and your first street!  What did you end up with?

Discover | decluttering 101

Meet my third drawer down...everyone has one right?!  The drawer that gets highly ignored and ends up filled with crap you don't really need.  Inspired by the Organised Housewife, I have been taking the "De-clutter 52 things" challenge. I think I could have decluttered 52 things from this one drawer alone! If I only did the 52, I wouldn't get very far at all.  The 52 relates to categories or spaces, not individual items alone.

Today, it was the third drawer's time to get the decluttering treatment.  Step one, open the drawer and recoil in horror!  Step two, empty the contents onto the bench...I didn't realise my drawer was bottomless! The stuff falling out of it kept coming and coming!!  Step three, rope hubby and child into helping me decide what to keep and what to toss.  Step four, wash out drawer and dividers...yes, there were dividers under all of that crap!

The stuff I discovered was amazing! Who knew that I had six pairs of tongs, two potato mashers, multiple serving spoons, four sets of measuring spoons...the list goes on!  Since I've started baking, I've been scouring the shops to find a zester, and have been using a mini grater in the interim.  Guess what? I found a zester in the drawer! lol.

We have lived in this house for 10 years next week, and obviously as we couldn't find stuff, we'd just buy another one.  Not any more. As you can see, the drawer is gorgeously organised!

I've culled it down to two pairs of tongs, two measuring spoon sets (for wet and dry ingredients), one potato masher, etc.  The realisation that we don't need ALL of this stuff has been life changing.  Attacking it one drawer at a time has made it easy and only takes a few minutes out of my day.  Its all about small, continuous steps...quality management principles in the home.

On Sunday I decluttered my baking drawer, disposing of anything that was crappy silicone or metal baking dishes...only my Chef's Toolbox silicone from now on. I don't need the rest...ahhhh, life changing! (nb. I am not a Chef's Toolbox demonstrator...I just love the stuff!)

Feeling inspired?  Tackle that third drawer down today. You know you'll feel better.

Cheers, Lis.

Scrapware | Mother's Day gifts

This week on the Scrapware blog, the team will be showcasing ideas for Mother's Day gifts (look away now Mum!).  For my mum, I have created this little gift box using Scrapware's 4x4" box kit.  I love the size of this box...perfect for some jewellery, chocolates or a gift card.

I just adore Scrapware's flourish butterflies! The wings come separate to the base so that you can bend them up and add dimension. They look extra sweet covered in Martha Stewart glitters.  Here you can see a sneak peek of the pressie my Mum is receiving this year...

The rosette trim and organza ribbons were picked up at Scrapbooking Delights the other night while I was cropping away with the girls. They add that perfect softness to the box, and still allow the striped patterned paper peek through.

Scrapware products used:

KT63 4x4" Box Kit

CH422 3D Butterfly flourish small

AZ10 Mini Antique lowercase

Head on over to the Scrapware blog to see the instructions for creating your own gift box, and for more inspiration from the Scrapware team.

Cheers, Lis.

Layouts | multiphoto

Well, I'm certainly getting my money's worth out of Crate Paper's "Neighborhood" collection!  So far I've created five layouts with it and there's plenty more in the pack.  Love love love the bright, happy colours...loads of yellow, which is right up my alley.  Thought I'd share a couple here...

First up, Isla Mae...my gorgeous new baby cousin.  We're so thrilled for Michelle and David on the birth of Isla...she's going to be one very loved little girl. Earlier this month, we headed up to Sydney to meet her and indulge in some cuddles.  Couldn't resist snapping some pics of the happy family...

Next up, Fun Fusion. What is fun fushion, you might ask...its like beado's, but small tubes. You place them in a pattern on the grid, then iron them together to fuse them.  I like to have crafty stuff in the cupboard for when the kids are bored or the weather turns bad and they can't play outside.  Seth had a blast creating away!  First he created this monkey, based on the template...then he went freestyle! He made a hat for the monkey and a little cake and a table...they were great!

I feel like my mojo is finally returning! I can't wait to get creating again. It certainly helps when you're playing with product that you love!  What collections are inspiring you at the moment?

Cheers, Lis.

Inspired Blueprints | Sketches #70 & #71

Did you know that Inspired Blueprints now releases sketches every single week?!  Well, its true, and this week Sketch #71 has been revealed on the IB blog.  Here's my layout. I have rotated the sketch to suit my portrait orientation photos.

A few weeks ago, I got to meet my cousin's baby girl Isla. These pics are of my Aunty and her gorgeous granddaughter...such a sweetie! Love the soft colours in Crate Paper's "Neighborhood" collection.  Here's the sketch if you want to play along...

Now that Inspired is releasing sketches every week, I'm only rostered on to create sketches on the odd numbers. Doesn't mean I don't want to play along with the evens too.  This layout is based on Sketch #70 which was released last week.

Once again I have used Crate Paper's "Neighborhood" collection. Love that gorgeous dark blue!  These pics were taken at my mother-in-law's 60th birthday lunch last month...a delicious lunch at Bombora restaurant followed by cake lovingly made by Nathan and Racheal.

...and here's the sketch...

As always, you have the chance to win a great monthly prize just by sharing your layouts based on Inspired Blueprints sketches. All you need to do is join the IB community and upload your takes into the gallery. Simple. This month's prize is sponsored by Storyboard Kits!  Entries close midnight, 30 April 2011.

Looking forward to seeing your layouts!
Cheers, Lis.

Blog This | Challenge 72

If you were boss of the world, what is one thing you would change?
Just one.


This is challenge #72 at Blog This ... yes I'm a bit slow on the uptake ... but let's face it, the internet is huge! How am I meant to know or find every single fabulous item on there. Having said that, I'm working on it...


There are so many things in the world that I would like to change or should change, but this one is SO close to my heart.  I want to share my own story with you...


I recently watched an episode of Ruby, a reality show documenting Ruby Gettinger's ongoing weight loss journey. Talk about one heck of an inspiring woman! Starting out at over 700lbs (320kg+), Ruby has lost close to an incredible 400lbs!! AMAZING! Yet, people still look at her in disgust, and she still doubts herself.


One thing really stuck in my mind...the vast disparity in how we perceive woman. An anorexic woman is seen as ill and desperately needing help. People are concerned that they may die and drastic action needs to be taken.  Compare that to the morbidly obese woman.  An obese woman is seen as disgusting, as deserving to be that way because they have "done it to themselves".  People will turn away in horror, or laugh and make fun of them. It breaks my heart.


I will admit,  I too am morbidly obese. At my heaviest, I weighed 142.5kg. I don't know the exact weight because my scales only show 0.5 increments after 100kg.  Only 4 years ago, I weighed 89kg. What happened?  Depression. Evil evil depression. It wasn't the food. I wasn't hungry, but there was something inside me that needed to be fed.  The food isn't the problem, the problem lies within.  Over two years on antidepressants and a lot of soul searching later and I do feel that I am starting to lift above that depression cloud. I am starting to lose weight.


My weight has been an issue since I was a teenager. I was constantly picked on in high school, and my self esteem was at an all time low. I had absolutely no confidence and never thought I was attractive to the opposite sex.  I met a person who wasn't very good for me, that cut me off from my family and friends and told me that he would leave if I ever put on weight. He was mentally and physically abusive and I was so depressed that I thought no one else would ever love me. My coping mechanism...put on weight. I was engaged to be married to that person and I could see no way out. In a moment of clarity, I left him. Not because of the abuse, but because he didn't congratulate me on a promotion. Silly I know, but there's always a straw that breaks the camel's back. I guess I was lucky. Other woman don't get the chance to walk away.


Then along came Andrew. When we met, I was a healthy size 10. By the time we were a couple, I was an 18. Once again I was picked on, but this time by perfect strangers. I would walk down the street and people would shout out obscenities at me...like "f#%k, who's been eating all the pies then!".  Most afternoons, I would be in tears.  Is this the way a young woman should live?


This has all resulted in years and years of yo yo dieting, leaving me bigger than when I started. Yes, just four years ago at 89kg, people would be happy to talk to me and tell me how great I looked.  They also felt it necessary to point out how big I used to be. Thanks. When I stacked the weight back on, those same people stopped talking to me. Obviously I made them feel incredibly uncomfortable.


Now I see the same weight issues starting to pop up in my own daughter. My beautiful, perfectly healthy five year old daughter.  Late last year her daycare centre conducted health checks on all the children, and her result...obese! WHAT!!! My daughter is far from obese. She's definitely not stick thin, but she is normal.  I have questions from her already...am I too fat, do I look fat in this, etc. She's concerned about what she eats.  I will never promote dieting to her as an option.  For us, its about a healthy lifestyle and making sensible decisions. Instead of biscuits, chips and lollies, she snacks on carrots, natural yogurt, apples and drinks loads of water. Not because I make her...she can pick what she likes out of the fridge...its because that's the decision she's made for herself. We are educating her to be healthy, and to love who she is, and in the long run, she will be a much happier person.


I too am working on it. Its a battle every day. One that I am not going to give up on. I try not to compare myself to others and I try not to be so hard on myself. One thing I know is that I am blessed. Andrew loves me for who I am. He never criticises my size, and he supports me no matter what.  I have been luck enough to have no major health issues and I've been able to give birth to two beautiful children. I am alive, and I am a worthy person.  I will be the change I want to see in the world.


The next time you see a morbidly obese person, don't point and laugh, or shout at them to stop eating. They are a human being...just like you.


To quote Kobi Yamada..."She discovered her real measurements had nothing to do with numbers or statistics".  Its true.


tfl, Lis.

Mum stuff | Easter treats...

Aside from Christmas, Easter is one of my favourite times of the year...I mean, what's not to like about a holiday that is celebrated with chocolate.  The kids are at that age now where they get VERY excited about the Easter Bunny coming. I'm not sure if Seth fully believes anymore, but he's playing it very cool.  I remember when I first found out that Santa and the Easter Bunny weren't real...it definitely sucked a lot of the fun out of it. I say...the longer they "believe", the better the holiday will be for them.

For the first time ever, I've decided to decorate the house a little.  It all started last week week when I spied the most adorable, glittery foam eggs at Target. I just had to buy them...and at $6, not that big a spend. I had no idea what I was going to do with them. All I knew is that they were pretty.  Eme fell in love with them instantly too...that's my girl.  This afternoon, my plan came to life.  I was walking past Magnolia Florist and they had the most delightful apricot and lilac lisianthus for sale. Those pretty pastels just screamed Easter!  In the bucket next to them were some pale pink and purple carnations (which I hate), but I just knew they had to go together. The florist whipped this bunch up for me and added in some Easter daisies and yellow gerberas.  One thing you should know is that I own about 12 vases, and NEVER buy flowers, but today, it just had to be done.  I love them. It makes me smile.  I then went out into the backyard and grabbed a couple of suitable branches from underneath the wattle tree.  They look so pretty with the eggs hanging from them. Love that they've been given a second chance.

Also on the buffet are the kids new Easter baskets, plus the little paper ones they made at school, some birds and Easter finger puppets (too cute).  I can't wait until Sunday when those baskets are full of chocolatey goodness.

Speaking of goodies...I've been baking!  There was a recipe booklet attached to the Woman's Day (a couple of weeks ago)...all Easter feasts from sweet to savoury.  The kids have been begging me to try something out the booklet, so we thought we'd tackle these...

Carrot-top cupcakes

Makes 12 | Preparation 10 minutes | Cooking 20 minutes

1 cup self-raising flour

1 teaspoon mixed spice

3/4 cup brown sugar

150g butter, melted

2 eggs

2 cups grated carrot, firmly packed

1/2 cup sultanas

1/2 cup walnuts, chopped

Icing

250g cream cheese, chopped

1/4 cup icing sugar

2 tablespoons orange juice

2 teaspoons grated orange zest

Here's how...

1. Preheat oven to 180C. Line a 12-hole muffin pan with paper patty cases.
2. Sift flour and spice together in a large bowl. Mix in sugar.
3. In a jug, whisk butter and eggs together. Lightly fold through flour mixture with carrot, sultanas and walnuts.
4. Spoon mixture into patty cases until two-thirds full. Bake 15-20 minutes, until cooked when tested. Cool cupcakes in pan 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
5. ICING  In a small bowl, using an electric mixer, beat cream cheese, icing sugar, juice and zest together until smooth. Spread over cooled cakes. Decorate with carrots. Store in an airtight container.

Notes

• The walnuts weren't in the original recipe, so I added them in...they taste good and add crunch.
• The "carrots" on top are gummy carrots purchased from Big W.  If you're talented enough, or have the time, you could make them out of fondant.  We chose the easy path, and decorating the tops is the step the kids really wanted to help with.
• The cupcakes would look a heck of a lot better if I piped the icing....a) I don't own a piping bag; and b) I wouldn't have a clue how to use a piping bag even if I did have one.
• The kids weren't fussed on the icing, but Andrew and I thought it was delicious.  The kids however, loved the cake!  If you have fussy eaters, you could just sprinkle the top with icing sugar.

There you have it...hippity hoppity...Easter's on its way...and so is more activities with the kids and more holiday foods to try out.

How are you planning to celebrate Easter with your family?  Do you have a favourite recipe that you bust out over the holidays?

Cheers, Lis.

Tuesday | Ten

Today's category: Ten great things about being a kid

1. Bandaids fix everything
2. Riding your bike for fun not exercise
3. Never ever getting tired of knock knock jokes
4. Believing in Santa and the Easter Bunny
5. Someone else brushing your hair
6. Singing, dancing and twirling whenever the mood strikes
7. Everything tasting better with tomato sauce on it
8. School holidays
9. Being chauffeured everywhere
10. Sleeping with a teddy bear (or twenty)

Oh, to be a child again...

Lis.

Storyboard Kits | Jarvis cont...

This Friday night was spent hanging with some friends, having dinner, scrapbooking and managing eight children! Luckily the girls were all occupied scrapbooking too, and the boys...well, they were doing what boys do best...annoying the girls and playing with Lego. lol.

The only product I played with all night was my Jarvis kit from Storyboard Kits. I swear, this is the most value I've ever gotten out of a kit, with only a couple of scraps of paper left over. I completely used a sheet of Basic Grey stickers over the seven layouts...yes, seven!  Here's the last three...

Seth was two when I took these photos. I was pregnant with Eme at the time and we were having an impromptu photoshoot in the backyard, using red frogs as bribery. Look at those curls!! I was so sad when they dropped out.  In a "nesting" frenzy, I just had to get his hair cut...the day before Eme was born, and it hasn't been curly ever since.

These random photos definitely have meaning. On Eme's last day at daycare, I was a mess! I started crying...hard. I had my camera with me and just started snapping away, hoping to capture some of the things that reminded me of daycare so that we wouldn't forget the past four years. The photos I managed were pretty ordinary...lol, hence this random collection. I sobbed all the way home too...what a sook! hehe.

Lastly, another pic taken by my sister. I purchased Bruno Mars' cd this week and this song just resonated with me and I had to use the lyrics on a layout. The sentiment is so true though.

There you have it. One kit, seven layouts.  Head on over to the Storyboard store to pick up a kit for yourself.

Cheers, Lis.

Storyboard Kits | Jarvis

This month, "Jarvis" was released at Storyboard Kits...and I've finally had a chance to play with my own kit! lol. I really enjoyed coordinating this kit and the colours are soft and lovely. So far I've created four layouts using Jarvis, and I have loads of product left to create at least another two-three layouts. Talk about great value!

I just love bunting, and the flag shaped journaling tag just inspired me to go the whole hog. These pics were taken out on the jetty at Lake Illawarra. I only just noticed how similar the kids smiles are! Freaky...cheeky little monkeys...just adore you to bits!

My sister did a photoshoot for us at the end of February and this photo is probably my absolute favourite. The kids adore each other (in between fights...lol), and I love that this photo captured their sensitive side. Beth is located in the Sutherland Shire and has really reasonable portrait prices...you can check out here work here.

These photos were taken when Eme was 2 and Seth was 4...aren't they cute! I've been dipping into my older photos lately and reminiscing. The kids were playing at the park in the big row boat, and Andrew was jiggling it up and down. The kids loved it and were laughing and giggling so hard! I can still remember that day like it was yesterday...how quickly time passes. I bet if we were to go there today and got them in the boat, they would still be laughing their bums off. lol.

This photo was taken last year when Eme was admitted to hospital following a very nasty asthmatic episode. To make matters worse, the poor little chicken had school sores and had to be completely isolated. In the hospital's wisdom, they gave her a room without a bathroom, so every time she had to go to the loo or have a bath, they had to clear out another room. I hate seeing her this way and feel completely helpless. Thankfully we haven't been to the hospital this year (yet)...touch wood.

I can't wait to play with this kit some more, and I'll share some more layouts soon.  In the meantime, head on over to the Storyboard store and pick up a kit for yourself! There are still a few available and they are ready to ship.  For information about how the layouts were created, head on over to the Storyboard blog.

Cheers, Lis.

Tuesday | Ten

This week's category: Ten weird facts about you

1. Whenever I have rice, or mashed potato, or custard for that matter, I have to have it on the side. I don't like it all mixed together!
2. My "getting ready" routine is always the same...brush hair, brush teeth, put on wedding rings, blow dry hair and style, perfume, accessorise, then makeup last.
3. Despite my size, when I'm at the pool, I refuse to cover up my dimply thighs with board shorts. Its a one piece swimsuit for me and if you're offended by my thighs, then its your problem.
4. I'm a really lazy driver and will use the cruise control at every given opportunity.
5. I am obsessed with my iPhone...way more than I thought I would ever be! I used to hassle Andrew for how often he was on his phone, and now I completely understand why. I take it all back!
6. Growing up, my mum would come and sit in my room while I cleaned it...otherwise it didn't happen. Even now, I prefer someone's company for motivation.
7. I hate indoor plants. IMHO, plants belong outside as God intended.
8. I like to sleep with my arm under Andrew's pillow...poor guy. If he's away, I like to sleep on his pillow and lay across the bed with my feet dangling off.
9. Sometimes I swear a bit too much, especially when stressed...but let's face it, the f-bomb is a great adjective sometimes.
10. I can cry at the drop of a hat. Last night I cried all through the Biggest Loser and then Supernatural. I've been known to cry watching Telstra adds or listening to Taylor Swift. lol.

Not too weird, right...right? lol. I'd love to read your lists...go on, share.
Cheers, Lis.

Discover | Seeing clearly...

If it wasn't for Alex Perry, I don't think I would have had my eyes retested!  Over the last couple of months, my eye sight has been absolutely terrible!  Years of working at a computer and scrapbooking have damaged my poor little eyeballs to the point where I now need glasses.  This morning, I finally went back to Specsavers and picked out my new frames. No boring, plain black for me. My criteria were slimline, plastic frames with bling...and the new collection of frames by Alex Perry fit the bill perfectly!!  Its all about form and function.  I picked out these pairs...spunky huh!

I can't wait to pick them up!  Only another week and these babies will be mine...and I will be able to actually see again! Yippee!!!

Cheers, Lis.

Tuesday | Ten

Today's category: Ten things you wish you knew how to do

1. Play the guitar
2. Decorate cakes with fondant
3. Drive a manual car
4. Create an iphone app
5. Shoot photos in manual mode
6. Organise my scrap supplies
7. Market my business better
8. Braid my own hair
9. Exercise more patience
10. Speak Japanese fluently

What's on your list?

Cheers, Lis.

Inspired Blueprints | Sketch #69

Exciting times at Inspired Blueprints...a new design team, a new sponsor and we're increasing the number of sketches released each month!! Now you'll have four sketches a month keep you inspired!

Here's my take on Sketch 69. I have used Jillibean Soup's new Spotted Owl Soup collection. I just love that adorable owl and the bright colours!  These pics were taken at Seth's friend's birthday party last year. Emily made Darcy a fab Gogo Crazy Bones castle...and it tasted as good as it looked!

Here's the sketch if you want to play along. The trend of using bunting continues with loads of manufacturers now including bunting designs in their collections. I have trimmed out a couple from Jillibean's "Unwrapped Presents" patterned paper to include on my layout above. The bunting is raised up on foam tape and twine attached to the ends.

Big congratulations go out to our new design team at Inspired Blueprints! It was such a hard decision this time around with so many talented scrapbookers applying. Our team contains a great mix of styles and I know you will be as inspired by their work as we are.

Head on over to the Inspired Blueprints blog and meet them one by one over the next few days...then get creating! We'd love to see your layouts in the gallery.

Cheers, Lis.

Scrapware | Card sheets

This week on the Scrapware blog, the design team are showcasing projects using "little things".  This month sees the release of Scrapware's new card sheet collection!  Beautiful chipboard designs for boys, girls and babies.  The following three cards were created using the one chipboard sheet and there is still shapes leftover to create another card! Talk about great value.  To create these cards, you only need one sheet of cardstock and one sheet of patterned paper.  First, trim a 12"x4" strip from your cardstock and fold in half. Then trim the remainder so that you have two 6"x8" pieces. Fold these in half too. Each card front will measure 6"x4"...perfect for a standard sized envelope.  The patterned paper on the front of each card measure 5.5"x3.5".

I have coated the chipboard in texta, then dimensional magic or glitter glue. I'm absolutely loving Martha Stewart glitter glues! The colours are amazing!!.  Isn't that robot just adorable!  I bent his claws so that he'd hold the chipboard words.

Love this super cute rocket!  I defined the areas first with a craft knife and then filled with colour.  Brads fill the holes perfectly and add a little more dimension.

Just because a piece of chipboard is flat, doesn't mean you can't add definition. I have used four different colours on the planet to define the curve of the planet.

Product used: Scrapware's Boy Card Kit CH471

Seth is already deciding which card he wants for his birthday! lol. Head on over to the Scrapware blog to check out the design team's inspiring work with chipboard!

Cheers, Lisa.