Reflections

{Friday} 'Scraps' Card Challenge - Basic Grey 'Two Scoops'

Goodness . . . it's Friday - where has the week gone? I've just got back from town after making sure I had everything I need for James' birthday tomorrow - including supplies to bake the requested Chocolate Sponge Birthday Cake . . . I just can't believe that he is going to be 9!

Stuart and I are getting him a Meccano Remote Control Car (you build it and then you can drive it - complete with sound & light show too I might add), a photo album (to store all those photos he's taken and that we recently got printed for only 9 cents each!  Drop me an email if you'd like to find out where we got them processed) and a couple of other little things.  Adam is getting him some Pokemon Cards (the latest craze at school . . . some schools end up banning them because the kids get unfair with their 'trading' to the younger kids but at the moment they are allowed to bring them. My parents are getting him the new version 5 Tamagotchi and some Balsa Wood . . . so know doubt he'll be plenty busy over the weekend building this and that. Stuart's mum and sister were planning on giving him a gift card too and that way he could go shopping for a new PSP game or whatever he liked . . . so as you can see, he's going to get spoilt rotten! Oh well - isn't that what birthday's are all about?

James asked for a birthday cake with Go Karts on it, which I thought . . . easy . . . I'd seen a number of Hot Wheels ones around before Christmas that I could add to the top of the cake BUT do you think I can find them now? NOPE! Not at all! So . . . he's going to have to compromise . . . I'll create him a drag racing strip instead with these other little Hot Wheels cars I found today . . . I'm sure he won't really mind . . . hopefully!

On the scrapping front . . . I know it's been a little while, but I've finally managed another {Friday} 'Scraps' Card Challenge - this time using some of my left over Basic Grey 'Two Scoops' pattern paper from the February CLUB Scrappit.

Here's a close-up shot of the wooden scroll to which I applied two coats of 'Kindy Glitz' and the green flowers are some of the KaiserCraft Fozz Felt that I cut apart into individual pieces! The 'Happy Birthday' is a clear Mrs Grossman's Greeting Sticker - I grabbed some of the 'Merry Christmas' & 'Happy Birthday' ones near the end of last year and I have to say that they are just perfect for card greetings!

Well - that's it for me today - I'm off to sit down and watch the Aussies 'hopefully' win in the cricket!

Until next time . . .

   

CLUB Scrappit - Basic Grey 'Two Scoops'

Finally . . . a chance to update my blog! I thought I had better let you all know that I hadn't fallen off the face of the earth - *grin* - I've just been busy with a number of things.

Friday saw me helping out at the school for most of the morning - distributing books for Book Club, cutting up fruit for 'Free Fruit Friday' and then helping out in Adam's classroom . . . one of the things I told him I wouldn't be able to do if we continued to have tears. Thankfully, we are now having tear free days . . . "No tears today" he greets me with on most afternoons - *grin*. Once I'd finished at school, it was into town to do some shopping and then back to school for pick-up. I must admit that day seemed to pass in a blurr!

Saturday saw me catching up on things at home - I'd been out scrapping all day Thursday and then being so busy on the Friday I needed get things back into order once again - *grin* - and then James had the start of his Go Karting season beginning on Sunday.

Here's one of the pics I took of him at the track on the weekend - James is in the No. 5 Kart

He had a great day and managed a personal best time (although it wasn't quite as fast as some of his competitors) BUT Dad has learnt a couple of things now that he's going to try and see if they make a difference when he takes him back to the track for a practice this weekend.

Yesterday was nice and relaxing . . . Stuart had an RDO (Rostered Day Off) but with the boys having school, we watched the American Nascars on Fox, Stuart did some Go Karting research - *grin* - and I did some web work and then before we looked around it was time to pick the boys up again. Gee the days can go quickly sometimes!

And today - well . . . it's been another catch-up day with washing, ironing, lawn mowing and a spot of gardening taking place before I got stuck into some more web work! Don't you just love all the repiticious work like washing and lawn mowing . . . you just seem to get it done and then it needs doing all over again - *grin*

On the scrapping front, I finally finished all my projects using the gorgeous Basic Grey "Two Scoops' range that is in the February CLUB Scrappit - here's one of my favourites that I've been wanting to create for a while now and as soon as I saw the papers, I new they were perfect - I just love a blue & green colour combination!

As you can see the bottom has been chopped off in the scanning process - there's actually a little more of the background pattern paper showing under the title. The large 'C' is grungeboard and the cancer crab is a sew on motif which is actually shimmery in real life.

Here's a close-up

If you want to see some of my other creations using the February CLUB Scrappit just check out the February CLUB Scrappit Newsletter that was released last night . . . it certainly is a mega issue of ideas this month!

Well - if you happen to have read this far congratulations . . . I promise not to leave it so long between posts - *grin*

Until next time . . .

 

CLUB Scrappit - Basic Grey 'Two Scoops'

Longford Scrappers met today and we had a wonderful day - Janet showed us the 'Resist' technique and even though I've read how to do it, it was wonderful to see someone demonstrating it - I'm now looking forward to having a play with and I think we inspired a new scrapper to join us too - looking forward to having you scrap with us next time Tania!

I decorate a cute little notebook - which I haven't photographed yet, but I thought I would share this 'Happy Birthday' card I whipped up with supplies from the February CLUB Scrappit . . . I added some cardboard (chipboard) to some of the hearts to add a little visual dimension as well!

Here's a close-up shot too . . . as you can see the hearts have a little added bling as well!

I was browsing through my recent visitors and came across a beading blog - Beading For Beginners - that has actually featured one of my bracelets and then left a lovely comment about those that I'd made too! Thanks so much Sharon - how lovely of you!

Speaking of my bracelets . . . I've finally got those 'extra' ones listed in my Etsy Shop and I even got a local custom order for one of my green double stranded bracelets from the very lovely 'H' - all being well, I'll be able to give it to you on Monday 'H'.

Until next time . . .

CLUB Scrappit - Basic Grey 'Two Scoops'

It's just about time to release the February CLUB Scrappit Newsletter and I did promise last week that I'd share the page I'd given you a sneak peak to . . . so - here it is!

As you can see I've added hand stitching along the Basic Grey cardstock stickers and around the 5 x 7 photo. The word 'love' are American Crafts 'Thickers' and the 'You' Heidi Swapp Chipboard Alphas. The large heart has been adhered to thick cardboard (chipboard), cut out and then had it's edges sanded and the flowers are all Kaisercraft Fozz Felt . . . such a very ingenious product I think!

Until next time . . .

Handcrafted Beaded Bracelets

With the lovely weather over the weekend, yesterday and again this morning, I've managed to get a little more gardening done (oh and some lawn mowing) . . . although it's too hot out there now though - they were tipping 33 degress celcius for today and I'd say it's very close to that now. Despite it still being summer it's actually one of the first '30' days in quite some time . . . infact we even contemplated packing up the pool last week . . . I'm glad we didn't though, as the boys had a great time in yet yesterday after school and are looking forward to the same today too!

So . . . what else have I been up too? Well . . . not that I'm taking a break from scrapbooking or anything BUT I have been having a little play with some beads and have whipped up a number of cute little bracelets that I thought I would share with you . . .

 

The best thing for those that are interested, is that I've made some other ones to put in my Etsy Shop too! The designs are a little different to these ones BUT if anyone wants me to custom make one like mine to go in my Etsy Shop, please don't hesitate to drop me an email!

I hope to photograph the other ones and load them into the shop later today BUT I'll be sure to post a message here on my blog when they are there!

Oh and before I forget, the Longford Scrappers section has been updated for this week . . . sorry for the oversight girls! I'm really looking forward to having a play with Janet's 'Resist Technique later this week! See you then!

Until next time . . .

A *Sneak Peak* & an Award!

I've spent this morning at our Primary School Swimming Sports. This year was the first year that I've put my name down to assist - for the years prior I've just gone along in a supervisory role. This year though, James' grade was finally able to compete in the races as they start with the 'Under 9s'.

I assisted with the recording of the winners and in the handing out of the ribbons. It's so wonderful to see that look of achievement on the kids faces as they finally get out of the pool knowing that they've swam the whole length of it - most of the time it didn't even matter where they'd come, it was just the fact that they had made it all the way to the end!

It was a glorious day weather wise BUT the water was a little on the cool side still. Adam's grade spent some time at the park before walking to the pool where they played a number of water games and got to have some 'free play' time too - OH and guess what? There were no tears saying goodbye today either - YAY - just a little "I'm going to miss you Mum" - BUT - YAY - no tears!

James on the other hand, has had the most wonderful day. He entered 3 of the 4 swimming events - freestyle, backstroke and breaststroke (in the Under 9's) - he decided to not do the butterfly as he'd never done that before. Anyway - he managed a 2nd in both the freestyle and backstroke events and then managed a 1st in the breatstroke. Infact the child that had beaten him in the first two, came second in the breaststroke - it was funny watching them looking for one another whilst they were swimming. He was just so proud to have come first and to hear the kids in his class calling both their names towards the end. I'm sure he's going to be totally exhausted by tonight though!

On the scrapping front, I was delighted to learn that the lovely Toni has awarded me a 'Card Making Princess' title on her blog today. Thank-you Toni - how lovely of you!

I also thought, scrapbooking wise, I would give you a sneak peak of a page I've done for Scrappit - more details about it will come soon . . . as you can see - there's quite a bit of hand stitching on this one!

Until next time . . .

 

One World - One Heart Giveaway WINNER!

After printing all 127 comments, cutting them up and placing them in a basket, one lucky winner has been chosen tonight for my 'One World - One Heart Giveaway'.

A very CONGRATULATIONS goes to - Tania - who posted her lovely comment back on February 5th.

CONGRATULATIONS once again Tania . . . I do hope that you thoroughly enjoy filling this album with wonderful family photos & memories. I'll be in touch via email soon!

To everyone who entered . . . thank-you so much! I never imagined that there would be so much interest in my mini album and I do so appreciate each and every one of you taking the time to leave such lovely comments . . . I do hope that many of you will return in the future as well.

Until next time . . .

'Collections' Chipboard Owl

Yesterday 'H' and I got together for a scrapping session and I decided to get busy with the little challenge that Nicole Wright had given me at Longford Scrappers last week - to get creative with my 'Collections Owl Kit'.

As you will see I was very inspired by Nicole's use of felt and I decided to combine it with Basic Grey pattern paper - thanks so much Nic for the inspiration . . . I think she's just so cute!

The background is fawn felt stuck onto the chipboard and the wings, beak & eyes have been covered with piink felt. The gorgeous blue is some leftover pieces of Basic Grey 'Two Scoops' - I just love this pattern paper - that I've stuck onto the chipboard pieces with a liquid adhesive and then gently sanded the edges!

As you can see, I've created quite a bit of depth by mounting the eyes and the wings with small pieces of foam mounting tape - I wasn't sure it would stick to the felt BUT it does just perfectly!

I haven't decided what I'll use her on as yet BUT I'm thinking she just might need a friend too . . . what do you think? *grin*

Until next time . . .

Elise Flannigan's '52 Scrapbooking Challenges' - Week 7

We spent a lovely weekend out in the garden once again - it's so nice to look out from the house and see things looking nice and neat . . . I must get out there and take some photos now. It's always nice to look back on them and see how much plants have grown over time!

Today I manage finish another of Elise Flannigan's '52 Scrapbooking Challenges' that the Scrappit Design Team are featuring in the weekly Scrappit newsletter.

This week's challenge was to take an 'Artistic Photo' - I actually chose to use one that our eldest son James had taken last October when they took a visit to the 'Eureka Tower' in Melbourne - some of you might remember this photo that I shared back then?

I just loved the artistic nature of this photo and thought it was just perfect for this challenge!

And here's a close-up!

 

Oh and don't forget about my 'One World - One Heart Giveaway' - if you want to enter the draw for my cute little 6 x 6 mini album, just make sure you leave a comment by midnight on Wednesday - I'll announce the winner sometime on Thursday February 14th.

Actually I just went and took a peak and I can't believe that 108 people have actually entered my draw! Thank-you so much for your interest and for all your lovely emails too!

Until next time . . .

Decorated Pocket Diary

I can't believe how quickly this week has flown by! It's been really strange weather wise too because whilst we are still in summer, the weather has turned cooler and we've been getting some rain here and there - just perfect for me to get my new 'Tanika' plants in the garden though!

It's been an interesting week for the boys at school - the walking school bus started back and Adam who had been really looking forward to going on it AND was just SO excited on the day, now isn't so sure. It seems it was the start of him feeling a bit more emotional about going to school and me not being there - *insert sad face here* - he spent Tuesday being very teary and missing his Mum quite a bit - *ohhh* When I came in at school pick up, I got the hugest cuddle but then the tears began to flow - *ohhh*

He had the next day at home as a rest day (just for the month of February, the Preps get a full day off on the Wednesday) and whilst he didn't want to go on the 'Walking School Bus' yesterday, he seemed fine about going to school. James went on 'the bus' though and Adam and I met him at school with his school bag. Today however, as I prepared to leave Adam at school, the tears began to well in his eyes once more . . .

*Oh no* . . . so I stayed long enough to give him some extra cuddles and promised him I'd come back at lunch time to see him. He was so excited to see me when the bell went for lunch - "You came . . . you came" as I was smothered in cuddles and kisses - *ohhh . . . so sweet* - I stayed whilst they had lunch and after saying that I was heading home to have lunch and do the vacuuming, I got a cuddle and a kiss and he headed off to play with his brother. I nearly made it to the gate, when I head running footsteps - *yep - you guessed it* - I turned to find a little sad face with tears welling in his eyes - *oh no again*

We had a bit of a chat and I told him all the boring things I was going to do at home before I had to come back and pick him up in a little while - he seemed ok after that and ran off to go find his brother BUT I left feeling kind of guilty and sad . . . it just seems so strange for him to be so emotional like this when he is so very familiar with the school - but then again (like the Principal said to me earlier today) whilst he's been at the school a lot over the past few years and is VERY familiar with it, it's always been with ME . . . now he's having to be there without me.

Hopefully it will only be something that he goes through in the short term and until he's feeling more comfortable with things - we're just going to give the 'Walking School Bus' a miss until he's ready . . . it's a bit of a bummer though, because I was looking forward to making it a part of my exercise regime - *grin*

On other home news - I spent several hours at the hairdressers this morning getting a new 'do' - I've had some more layers cut AND had my first every foils! *grin* - yep - nearly 40 and I've never had any! Infact, anyone who knows me really well, will know that I've never been very adventurous when it comes to my hair - the most extreme thing I've ever done was have a spiral perm way back when - *grin* Anyway - I'll have to take a pic and update my blog now won't I?

On the scrapping front, Longford Scrappers met yesterday and we had another great scrapping day - I've just got to finish the journaling on my page and then I can share - yep - I got one page nearly done for the day - if I didn't spend so much time hand sewing I guess I'd probably achieve a whole lot more now wouldn't I? *grin*

I got to spend yesterday sitting beside the very talented Nicole Wright, who challenged me to get creative with my little 'Collections Owl Kit' that I'd bought a little while ago and hadn't used yet . . . she was working on another cute little owl - 'Hooter' we named him - *grin* - BUT she already had a cute little pink one on a 'Whoo Loves You' mini album which she'd made - so adorable - you can actually see this one on the homepage here at the moment! So - now that I've told you about Nic challenging me, I WILL have to get out my little 'Collections Owl Kit' and get CREAIVE with it won't I?

Tonight though, I've got stuck into decorating a Pocket Diary for a dear friend of mine - we got together last year and decorated her 2007 one and I kindly offered to decorate one for her again this year!

I've used some Basic Grey 'Two Scoops' Pattern Paper, some silver Stickers and a painted Grungeboard 'D' - with a few stick on Rhinestones to compliment the beads & charms I used on the embroidery thread that hang from the spine. I decided to remove the staple that holds the whole pocket diary together and sew it instead - it will make it that much more durable I hope!

Anyway - I hope you like it Donna! I'll pop it in the post on Monday!

Phew! If you happen to have read this whole post - CONGRATULATIONS - this has turned into quite a long one - sorry about that . . . see what happens when I don't check in for a day or two - *grin*

Until next time . . .