I recently finished Kelly Purkey's Sketchbook 2 class and here are a couple of layouts I completed from the sketches she emailed. This one above of my son Neven, I absolutely LOVE. I guess just because it says what's in my heart, there are two great photos and I didn't buy anything for it. Neven has a few behavioural issues which means it's hard for him to make and keep friends but he really is the sweetest little boy. He picks flowers for me, whispers "i love you mummy" in my ear so no-one else will hear, and he can be painfully shy sometimes.

I've scrapped this photo of my sisters and I (on the right) before but I love it and had a spare laying around so had another go. I used spray on ink to mask the cages above and continued that line with the ink and glitzed cage. Again, very pleased with using up some of my stash.

I've signed up for May Flaums Use Your Stash class which started this week and I'm really looking forward to doing just that!!

Have a super weekend everyone!!

Purple Pumpkin!!

If you love handmade kits and embellishments then you HAVE to checkout
Purple Pumpkin.
Sam designs, creates and sells some the cutest embellishments ever and
right now
is having a giveaway. Check it out here.

Lots of rain here and with a few public holidays I've had time to scrap! Will put up pics when the sun comes out....Happy humpday! :)

Elle's Studio Journaling Class

Don't forget!!!
Elle's Studio's Journaling class starts today and they've started with a bang by having a HUGE giveaway... Make sure to leave a comment to be in to win one of the fabulous prizes being offered by their sponsors.

Giveaway!

Scrap the Boys are have a gorgeous prize to giveaway to anyone who posts this picture and links it back to their blog. They have heaps of inspiration on their blog and the sketches are awesome! Check them out and become a follower!!

I-Rock Giveaway!

I'd love an i-rock tool! The ability to bling anywhere, on anything so easily is so very appealing! I already have a long list of things I want to bling!
So I was very happy to enter a giveaway on the Imaginisce blog for not just an i-rock but one of their gorgeous 12x12 albums here. You have multiple chances of winning, just by spreading the word!

Free Online Elle's Studio Class

Remember when I blogged about having trouble with journaling and titles here?
Well, you can imagine how happy I was to hear that Elle's studio will be holding a three week on-line tutorial on journaling!

Held from the 8th to 28th of August they will feature 12 amazing scrapbookers who will provide tips and techniques on how to journal on your pages....:-D

You can read about it here and be sure to mark it on your calendar!!

I'm blog surfing while sitting in bed suffering from tonsilitis and chills. NOT an ideal start to my weekend but I still have lots on. Hope you are all enjoying your weekend!

Chatter Chatter

Nate, our resident Darling, is at that stage where is tries to copy every word you put to him. I just wanted to put down a list of his words at the moment.

Mom - Mum
Da - Dad
Nona - Siona
Roww - Tyrell
NeNe - Neven
Dot - Dog
Boo - Bird
Shoes and Socks
Nom Nom - Food
Ar Ta - Put your laptop up Mum!
Car
Bolo - Bottle
Hum Ear - Come hear
Ars ee Ooh - I see you!
Ba! - bath or Bye!
See You!

I'm a Survivor!

Yes, the school holidays are nearly over and my children go back to school tomorrow. I do love having them home but my lack of motivation and energy lately means we barely utilise the time we have together effectively. By that I mean that I wish the TV was off and we were out more often!!
So this week I'm going to look into a multivitamin to address that issue.

In other news, since I want to start the laundry service, I'll be looking at childcare options for Nate over the coming weeks. I'm usually a bit teary as we get to this stage but I know he's bored senseless and I am finding it difficult to keep up with him so I think everything will be fine.

But first, back to fitness classes!! I've gained weight over the holidays and I'm keen to move it! So as soon as I drop the kids off tomorrow morning, I'll be ready for class.

Sadness...

Today we had to tell Tyrell that one of his class mates had died in a car accident over the school holidays. It was difficult because even though we are very open about death (as per our upbringings) we just haven't suffered any deaths in our families. My heart goes out to the surviving family members as they bear such a tragic loss. Tyrell has chosen to go to the funeral to say goodbye to 'one of my best mates'....

Nook Special

All of the above are from the DT at My Scrapbook Nook as either classes with full instructions or shared in the Gallery.

At the moment the Nook is running a special for new kit club members, only while stocks last! Join up from June 23 for a full year and you will receive a free June kit as well as the normal special of receiving your 13th month free!

The Nook's DT post classes to inspire you how to use your Kits as well as being accessible through their super-friendly message board. Returning customers also get 10% off all purchases from the shop including Kit add ons.

So, if you've ever thought about joining a Kit Club may I thoroughly recommend My Scrapbook Nook? :)

More Sharing

This was a layout by Tanya for the June Nook Kit. I turned mine abit but it's mostly lifted.

I actually thought this one out from start to finish. Used a chippie embellishment to trace the 'trees'.

This was from a class by Gail Linder at Blossies. Pics are four years old now but still so cute. I love the papers.

Another one I did on my own (pat on the back) just because I love this photo.

So, I'm thinking of calling myself a scraplifter instead of a scrapbooker. :) It's been such a while since I actually created something completely of my own. I love the creative process but lately I've been in a rut. I barely have time to pack for classes let alone sit down and think something out from start to finish. That's why I thought I'd add some of my own today, because it's been such a long time since I did any...lol

One week left of school holidays. I'm taking the kids to my fitness class tomorrow and might stop at the park on my way home. Shannon is having the day off on Tuesday and he'll take the kids to the movies. We have a few other outings planned and hopefully they won't get too bored or spend too much time in front of a monitor.

Sharing!

A bought this Birdcage shilouette at K-Mart as a pack of wall murals. Such a lovely embellie and I could always use others as masks as they're are vinyl.

A simple layout to celebrate my younger sister.

Unfussy but with a few layers. My boys and their cousin. Managed to mix a few manufacturers here: Cosmo Cricket, Hambly, Jenny Bowlin and Sassafrass.

More to come as I try to catch up.

Da da da daaaaaa!

Gail told me today that she had read my blog!! She's the first person who has viewed it without my prompting! That makes two readers other than me....:)

I wonder who will be my first commenter??

Redemption??

Sorry bout the bad pictures, I was going to make the most of some lovely light this arvo and then my camera battery died! Anyway, I spent some of today at Blossie's doing Gail Lindners 'Gimme 5' class. Five layouts in four hours! I have to commit myself to only putting down the basic structure and not playing around with the details in order to get the whole five done but it's always worth the push.
Above, my nephew Te Manea AKA Hundle Bundle.

Quentin and my boys at the park. The top left pic was hanging in a montage frame on the wall until an hour before the class...lol It's a sweet moment I wanted them to remember so I'm glad it's done.

And old pictures of my nearly 14 year old. Not totally happy with the result (colour-wise) but still glad that they are done.

All pages use the June Nook Kit + Bazzill and assorted accessories. I will upload more from today and those from last weeks class with Yvette.

TIme flies.....

Gosh, such a long time since my last post....Bad blogger! :)

Have lots of L/O's to share but first..........today is your last chance to win with Samantha Hauzer, a very talented lady who teaches as Blossies!! She has an amazing prize from Imaginisce to give away to one lucky follower here! Please take some time to browse her blog she has some
wonderful skills to show off..:)

Kid Speak

A little convo in the car on our way home from school...

Me: We have to call in to the chemist.
Neven: Aww the chemist is far, far away.
Tyrell: No, Hollywood is far away.
Neven: No, South Africa is far away.
Both: YEAH!

10 Things I Dislike About Me....

1. I'm not a very motivated person. It takes me ages to do anything; get out of bed, pay my bills, visit the dentist.

2. I'm a whinger. Ok not a complete whinger but I do wish I was more of a 'happy 'bout everything, never a bad word' person.

3. I wish I would cook more. As per number one, I'm not motivated enough to put in a few hours in the kitchen every day. My tastebuds suffer daily....:(

4. I swear profusely!!! It's such a horrid habit. Wish I could control it.

5. I'm a smoker and it sucks. It messes up everything. I've been trying to quit for months (my hundredth attempt) and am down to only doing it on the weekends but I don't even wanna do that.

6. Road rage. 'Nuff said.

7. I wear glasses. I do admit they can be a nice fashion statement but I would like the choice to not wear them. Laser surgery would be cool.

8. I don't back-up enough. I have had more than one close call and thought it would learn me but no.

9. Even though I say I don't, I do care what other people think of me.

10. I have waaaaaaayyy too much scrap stuff.

And with that, I'm off to a friends for the night tomorrow. Time to de-stress a bit even though I'll have Nate with me. Enjoy your weekend!

Make It Crafty Giveaway!

If you haven't seen this blog before you really need to go have a look, there are some fantastic beauties to be had. If that isn't motivation enough, there is a HUGE give-away that ends TONIGHT so rush on over to enter.

Above is an example of what kind of work you might find. This card is darling and that little horsie? He actually rocks! I love paper engineering (pop-up books etc) and so this handmade wonder is clever and cool.

Head on over and check it out now at Make It Crafty.

I've had a busy week of working out (yay) and keeping house (grr).

I've been completely excited all week to hear that one of my dearest childhood friends has moved to Australia and will be coming up tonight to stay for the weekend!!! (insert happy dance)
We haven't seen each other in, oh....16 years!!!!

I've been thinking about our friendship and how much influence she had on me growing up, even though she probably never knew it. X (her name really does start with X!) was always smarter than me, faster, better at netball, gorgeous! but SUCH a sweet, sweet person!!! I could almost dislike her for always pipping me at everything but she's just so darn lovely!!! I can't WAIT to see her again, see her smile and hear her laugh. Together with another friend we were the three amigos. It's bittersweet that she is coming but Lorr isn't here as well. For both of them I can honestly say that...She is my friend, my sister, my daughter and my mother.

A new find while I was blog-hopping. Introducing Paisleys and Polks Dots who supply pre-designed layouts, mini-albums and card kits using some of the hottest and most beautiful products out!

I can so see myself ordering a few of these just for the ease of use and the fact that I don't have to engage my brain too much...lol.

Yummy Lolly

Yes, yummy indeed!! I felt like a change of scenery so just performed my first template download/unzip/upload/and customize. :D It was super easy thanks to Yummy Lolly and the easy-peasy instructions provided. Please go take a look and tell me what you think.

Well, we had a busy weekend!! I went out for drinks with a couple friends on Friday night. I'm not much of a going out girl so it was my first ever time at our local clubs. Frankly, I'm surprised that such a small town provides so many entertainment options.

I had a scrap class on Saturday morning but got my times mixed up so my wonderful man took all the kids to rugby on the Coast while I had a nice, quiet morning. I went to watch my nephew play soccer then had coffee and croissants with his mum.

By the time I'd finished being indulgent, I had to get home to pack for my GlimmerMist class being held at Blossies and led by Gail. I was lucky enough to finish two layouts but even better, I only spent $7 on supplies!! Budget win!! I love when I take the time to check out the layouts and grab paper and card from my huge stash. I've promised to not buy anything until I use heaps of what I've got. (((But I do love having a go-to supply in my scrap room)))

Then after that fun, we had a BBQ to celebrate Ed's birthday... Just a bunch of Kiwis having drinks and playing guitar. Great night, awesome company.

Sunday was a complete bludge day for me. Stayed in my dressing gown all day. Kids lay about of the living room floor watching TV. Didn't do any laundry or cleaning or cooking.

So, has some fun, some relaxing, some learning and lots of laughs. How about you??

Kaisercraft Hey Birdie Giveaway!!

One of my favourite-ist bloggers, and most talented scrappers is hosting a giveaway on her blog.
Head on over to Tanya's blog 'Sweet About Me' to see how you can win this super-cute pack.

Reminiscing....

I came across my online journal of Nate's first 9 months with us and it bought a tear to my eye. Even though I am a mother of four children I still find it hard to comprehend just how much I love each of them.

Here is the entry that made me cry:

It's a little late but here is a quickie for the time poor (like me!):

I love the way he finds the breast in the dark, like how lovers find lips.
He hasn't refused any food yet.
His skin is amazingly and impossibly soft.
He hasn't had any reactions whatsoever to his needles ('cept for few tears)
We both had a cold recently. He looks how I feel (..like CRAP!)
He still throws his arms around when he's breastfeeding, like a drowning sailor.
He loves having showers with Mum.
Still doesn't poo often, even though he eats every day.
He met his cousin Angel AKA Beatrice
Still tiny compared to his siblings at the same age.
Still gives me those eyes when he's in someone else's arms

My baby.

'Those eyes' were those big, brown possum eyes he'd bore into me if ever I gave him to someone
else to hold. They had this look of, 'Mama, save me!'

He's not a baby anymore but he's still my baby.
<3>

Brrrrrr!

The weather here in Brisbane is getting cooler. Lately we've been waking up to 15 degrees and struggling to get over 24 degrees. I find it veeeerrrrry hard to get motivated in the mornings during winter. As it is, it's 7.20am and I am still under the covers, wearing my dressing gown and playing on the computer. I have to get up and sort out my children, get ready for an Abs, Bum and Legs class and take care of the normal housework etc. But........brrrrrrr!! It's so cold!! Hope the weather is nice where you are!

Confessional

This is a layout I made using the American Crafts Heidi Swapp fabric paper.

Made with my April Nook Kit. Photo taken at our local park. It's such a gorgeous area and we are truly blessed to live so close to it. We all visit here atleast twice a week and I'm still discovering my favourite parts of the park.

Used KaiserCraft paints for the stamped frame and tried folding double-sided paper for something different.

Ok, confession time.
First, I have NO idea how to upload my photos in the order I want them displayed and then to add text where I want it to be. I am still learning things about blogging.

Second, for about 8 months I have been uploading my photos into the wrong folder on my Photo Gallery so all those photos I'd thought I'd somehow misplaced have been found. Prepare for a mega upload in the coming days...:D

Third, today I invited a friend to come look at my blog. She is quite possibly my first ever reader. It is a daunting experience having your life and skills and experience open to discussion.
But it's not the scariest thing I've ever done.

Nookie Love

Flowers made from sewing pattern paper. I bought the pattern from a second-hand shop for $0.50 and have enough for a few hundred of these!! I just folded a few layers then cut a circle out. Secure the layers with a small brad.Crumple top layer right up, then second a little bit less and so on. I left the bottom two layers uncrumpled. Then smooth the layers out a little. I cut a big Kaiser gem on top of the brad and then sprayed with Raven Glimmer Mist.

While I was at the Secondhand shop I found this, 'The Fireside Book' published in 1978 and filled with these gorgeous hand painted images. I created a visual triangle with the birds to help the eye wander over the page. I also did the same thing with the flowers above.
And the completed layout! It's a class taught by the wonderful Tanya at the Scrapbook Nook using the May Kit. They are having a special for new customers for the month of May so please check it out here.

Right we are off for a BBQ soon so I'd better go and get some food ready! Happy Sunday!!

Bad, bad Blogger!!

First, some layouts!!

Noni and I had these photos taken at one of those photo booths that you can change the background, frame and text in while we were waiting at Christchurch Airport. Tiny pics (I had to share) but I think you get the feeling of their vibrancy from the bright colours I chose to use. I thought the vellum were actually rub-ons and was very disappointed after a few minutes of furiously rubbing at them. But they still look OK.

More NZ pics, this time at the Domain, one of my childhood haunts!! Love the photos and how well they look in the grid. Completed in class with Gail Lindner at Blossie's. The month tag is a part of Blossie's own range of journalling helpers. They can be bought as a sheet (white, Kraft) instore or as a pdf from the website.

And a quickie layout of Nate and his cousin Rewa. These guys are almost the same age and so sooooooo cute!! I haven't mentioned it before but I often have trouble with titles when I'm scrapbooking. In this layout there is NO connection between the journalling and the title. So I recently posted a topic on the Nook forum to ask where people get their inspiration for titles. I heard from Celeste who said she journals first then pulls a word or two from that to use as her title. Sounds so simple I can't believe I hadn't thought of it myself! Find other good tips here.

OK, we've been very busy with the business this week as we had a break-in. Nothing too serious but we've been run off our feet reinstating security measures. I've also started back at fitness classes after a one week hiatus and while it only takes up two hours of my day it stuffs me for the rest of it....lol But I'm slowly getting back in the swing of it and accomplishing other things as well.

The past week I haven't had much of my own mojo so followed a few classes from The Nook blog. Their designers are so talented and clever it almost seems naughty NOT to steal their creativity!

I received my May Nook kit and it is chockas full of October Afternoon beauties and I so HEART their retro vintage-yness...IYKWIM!!

Hopefully today I'll take some pics and upload but I have rugby with the boys this morning as well as watching my nephew Trae play soccer and then we have an over-night visitor so I may be pushing it...hehehe

Wish me luck!!

Theme Park Fun!

As part of Neven's birthday we'd promised to take the family to Dreamworld. It's long weekend here today and normally I dread the queues, the crowds and the heat but today was a definite exception!!

We waited no more than 10 minutes for rides and even got to try the new AVPX ride and the bigger kids got to try the park's newest ride, The Wedgie. I can tell you that it certainly lives up to it's name!

Dad drove home in silence as the rest of the car had fallen asleep!! Poor Daddy! Here's a few pics to share....
He's such a water baby!

One of our favourite rides!

Blue skies, all around....nice!

Happy National Scrapbook Day!

To celebrate my sister-in-law and I got together to do a project that I found at Big Picture Scrapbooking. The Mirror Project, Seeing The Beauty Within by Donna Kert has such a sweet and meaningful sentiment. Here is an excerpt from the intro:

As a girl grows, she is often bombarded with mixed messages about what real beauty is. If she listens to those messages, it can leave her vulnerable and lacking in self-confidence. It is so important to counter those messages with the most inspiring and empowering ones we can, as often as we can. When she learns to see that inner beauty, she will never look in the mirror the same again. Instead of only seeing a bad hair day or flawed skin, she will see strength, confidence, and truth shine through. She will learn to see her real beauty; it illuminates the world and makes it a better place.

The project that we will make together in class is a wonderfully tangible way to share our own insight with our girls and pass along the hopes and dreams that we have for them. Through the pages of a small book, we will celebrate who she is now and inspire her to be all that she dreams of becoming. This is very BIG!

The only supplies I had to buy were some thick chipboard for the covers and a small mirror. Having a 13 year old daughter I'm all too aware that the messages she gets from others aren't always healthy so I dove right into making this book. SIL's made her book for her 6 year old daughter so ours each looked very different.

I need a few pieces of cardstock to finish it off but I can't wait to show you!!

Some good, some not so good!

I don't actually like this L/O, something about the colours just doesn't gel. But I took the photo and put it on my Debit Card because I love it so much!

Celebrating Neven's 5th birthday at MovieWorld was a huge hit for him because he got to meet his idol, Batman.

A class sketch with Yvette at my LSS. Love the pic ('cept for my grotty old bathroom!)

Me trying to get the perfect family pic at the park. Finally settled on the picture in the layout above! lol

A layout I did just because our life does include mess but...It's OK!!

Baby Ga-Ga

Nate is trying earnestly to speak and we are trying just as hard to teach him new words.

His first word was 'no' quickly followed by 'Don't!'. He now says 'Eeeeeeee' as in 'Eeee YUCK!' and 'Poo'. Poo is usually acccompanied by clutching at his nappy. He knows what the following words mean: nose, eyes, ears, arero (tongue). Can say 'Nona' (Siona), A-ya (Aaliyah), Da (Dad), Boo (birds), shush (shoes), MY (mine). He shoves his feet in my face when he wants me to do This little Piggy and puts his hands in the air for Twinkle Twinkle. He LOVES to dance. He claps his hands and tries to do rolly pollies and pulls some pretty cool moves.

Birthday Pizza!

Today is my son's 7th birthday so we had a pizza party on the grounds of the park in which he and his brother train for rugby. He is feeling very spoilt today. Happy Birthday Neven, you make the sun shine on our family.


I once read an article on Birth Order. The theory being that there are certain characteristics given to each position and how being in their position affects each child. If there is a gap of 5 years or more then the Positioning starts over. Going by that theory I have 2 only children, 1 eldest1, and 2 youngest. Anyone want to guess how many kids I really do have? :)




Amazing what you can do with Scrap stuff?! Used some old Basic Gray Alphas to mask the cake then added some Cake Bling (sprinkles!)

Colorful Goodies

Ok, so this one was made with the freebies from the first Kaisercraft mag and a few other stash bits. I cut the bird on the left of the L/O from some gorgeous suede paper. Shannon's Nana died a few years ago and we still miss her.


I used watered down ink to spray and a chippie piece to mask. Love those SC cardstock embellishments.


My first fabric flower (made possible with a rubber band!) I painted the back of a Hambly transparency to make it stand our more.

Inspired thinking....

A L/O completed at a Sketch Class at my LSS, taught by the lovely Gail Lindner and featuring my favourite little boy, Nate!

This one was inspired Ali Edward's method of making the photos STAR!! I had originally cut these pics for a double L/O but didn't have the embellies or journalling to back it up so squished it on one page. Love how it turned out.

Drum roll please...

As promised I am slowly uploading some of my pages. To be honest, I am quite nervous about being judged by my peers so it may take a while before I even let ppl know! The page above is quite out of my NORMAL for many reasons:
a) it's very pink
b) it's very girly and pretty
c) it's very layered
d) it is quite busy
I've been scrapping long enough to know my style is clean, unfussy and simple. I simply don't have the patience or the time to put this much in every layout (props to those girls and boys who do though). That said, I really like this page because it got me out of my comfort zone.





On this page I was trying out some paint techniques (orange background, journalling lines). And it was one of those L/O's I rushed just to see the end result! lol I do really like the colours and super HART the Dragon sticker I have had in my stash for, oh......, 5 years!! Trouble is, my son isn't actually a Dragon so I'll be swapping his photo for one of myself, a Fire Dragon!!

Excitement!

Yay! Just got my Scrapbook Nook Kit. EXCITEMENT!!! So many gorgeous pretties!!!

I completely adore papers that have a very strong graphical design so HART HART HART the Zigzag Paper and Daring Dots from MME. And totally feeling the tessellations on Classy from lily bee.

Not only is it my son, Neven's, 7th Birthday today but I have birthday cards to make for two other family members who will be celebrating with us tonight and I can't wait to spread some Nookie LOVE on those cards...hehehehe!

Newbie!

Hi everyone,

If you're reading this that makes two of us! Welcome to my blog, somewhere for me to hopefully show off my scrapbooking, boast about my gorgeous family and wax lyrical when I feel like it.

More to come!!