Jesse Blake...

This cheeky nephew of ours turns 6 today! Hip, hip, hooray! Can't wait to give you a cuddle and a BIG sloppy kiss! Happy Birthday Jess!

We hope you have a "funtabulous" day!

Cream, blue and brown left overs...

Look what I managed to do with the left overs of the previous layout of Liam (meet Mr. Chitter Chat - see below). All paper and cardstock used here was what was left behind - Kaiser Craft and Bazzill. I already had a pre-made journalling block and these letters were just begging to be used. Add some haberdashery and you get a whole heap of fun at your fingertips!

I know! I'm so frugal! Lol! I just can't seem to want to throw such nice paper out! Now I just have to find the perfect pics for that green and red paper I used as well! Thanks for looking.

Create...

The two older kids are at school and Ethan is asleep. What better time is there to create! Here are two layouts I've just completed.

Tahlia loved this bikini. She wore it until it was no longer practical (and she probably still has it stashed away at the back of her cupboard!). The journalling says: She wore an Itsy bitsy bikini and she wanted to play. And now I have that song in my head! Lol!!

The next one is of my big boy Liam, who promptly told his father we visited the local scrapbooking shop for this paper, ... just to see what reaction he could get out of his dad. Mark did the whole "WHAT?!" thing, and got a giggle out of Liam. All Liam got from me was, "Just wait boy... You've got it coming to you!" Lol! Of course he doesn't know what it is, that's coming! Lol!

Journalling says: Meet Mr Chitter Chat, self-confessed, non-stop talker. And here is some detail...

Thanks for looking.

Sunshine...

Today the sun is out and so are we... We are going to spend some time in the outdoors and get some fresh air!

Have a good weekend!

It's raining, it's pouring...

Yes, we have more rain! The water tank is over flowing, the hollows in the grass are filling up and the tadpoles are loving it!!! For those of you who do not know, our house is built near a nature reserve where the developers found a rare and endangered species of froglet! The kids love this... and so does the dog! Lol! The frogs however, are of the singing kind, in fact one of their names suggests that!

The local council is all for protecting this species of frog. I have no problem with that. And this is where bureaucracy goes crazy! We are very restricted on our block of land as to where we can build. We reside on 3/4 acre of property and can only have permanent structures in the very front of the block so as not to DISTURB the frogs! This however, does not stop the council driving their tractor behind our property, with their slasher in tow, ...and you can figure out the rest!

So, the froglets in our backyard are loving the rain!

And on a different note, I managed to scrap that photo of Ethan and the camera, yesterday.

I am trying my best to use up my surplus of supplies without the layout looking too drab. I really like the colours in this one though. And of course, I have to thank my hand model, who wanted a piece of the action this morning! Lol!

Thanks for looking.

Create...

Here's a little something that has been sitting around on my scrapping table for a while now. I think it is inspired (subconsciously, maybe...) by Helen K's work. At least that's what I am seeing, looking at it now. Her work is gorgeous so I can only hope to aspire to what she creates!

Thanks for looking!

Happy Birthday Nanny...

Sadly this morning, Mum flew back home to NQ, after spending a lovely amount of time with us. Sad also because today is her birthday! She turned "**" years old! (Whoops!) As if I was actually going to type THAT number for the world to see! LOL! So we had very little time to celebrate with her today. But we did manage to go out to dinner last night.

We celebrated the way we usually do, with lots of noise, presents, good fun and food!

Hope you have a good restful flight home. We know you probably need another holiday now, after spending time and endless amounts of energy, with your grandkids!

Happy Birthday!

Introducing Leah Emma...

Today (and last night) I have been scrambling to complete a mini album for my Mum to take home with her tomorrow. It's an album about my new niece, Mum's sixth grandchild! I have never started an album like this before, let alone complete one!!! But since she had the pleasure of spending time with the new baby in Darwin, Mum has been looking at her photos over and over.

So let me introduce the newest member of our family...Miss Leah Emma.

Little girls need soft pinks, green and a few swirls... and of course, a touch of attitude!

Grrrr! Computers and cables being cut...

Okay...I've been off-line for a few days due to the Optus cable cutting debacle! But I'm now BACK! Yay! Maybe this blogging thing is as addictive as scrapbooking...No-one told me that! LOL! Yet, there I was pacing the floor, waiting EVER so patiently for my hubby to come home to fix this silly machine, hoping and praying that the next time I turned it on... it would miraculously have fixed itself. Well, as I found out... it really doesn't work like that! LOL!

Now I am much happier I've had my fix for the day! After all, I've got a lot of catching up to do!

So, here is another flower for all those who have been patient with me (and Optus)... Thanks for visiting!

Budding photographer...

I really don't influence him... Honestly... I have "NO" idea where he might get the message to pick up a camera and snap away... Honestly!

Create...

It has been a busy weekend, trying to make up for the rest of the school holidays because the kids were sick for most of it. Unfortunately for Tahlia and Liam, they are back at school on Tuesday. So, we have crammed in a trip to the park, visit to Grandma and Granddad's, an ice-cream treat, shopping expedition and an arts and craft adventure!

Oh yes! And finally haircuts for two young boys!!! The barber cut off enough hair between the two of them that would make a balding man cry!

And now for a layout I completed a few days ago...


I wanted to try placing more than one photo on the 8.5" x 11" page. I am still playing with this size and I am still loving it!!!LOL!



Thanks for looking!

So, here's a question...

Do you carry the camera around too much when your youngest sees you with it and automatically says..."Say CHEEEEESE Mum. CHEEEEEEESE!" ? And does the same question apply when the said youngest organises his siblings to pose?

My in-laws will get a kick out of this! And I can already hear them yelling "YES!". But I'm still glad I have easy access to the camera because of moments like this.

Create...

Just a short post to share a layout I finished yesterday.

Tahlia is getting quite a collection of shoes this winter. Normally she would get a nice pair of boots for her birthday in May, to last her the year (which she did - Black Bratz). But this year she has also fallen in love with these sweet ballet type slip ons, the army canvas shoes and of course there's some Hannah Montana influence as well!

The layout follows a sketch from Karen's Scrappin' Kupboard. I think I may have to use this sketch again sometime.

Thanks for looking.

The sun shines again...

Yay!!! We have sunshine and clear blue skies! Thank goodness the kids can finally go outside for some fresh air (while Mum has some peace and quiet!). We decided to take advantage of the breeze and blow some bubbles. The kids and dog go crazy trying to catch them!

Liam was running around...still covered in chicken pox spots but feeling somewhat better...

And we are getting ready to say goodbye to Nanny. Mum is excitedly off to Darwin to see her new granddaughter (& our new niece).

But she will be back next week, for a few days, before she goes home again.

Create...

So... On the bright side of being in quarantine! I've managed to put together these two layouts. I am still playing with the 8.5" x 11" size layout and I am still loving it!!

This one is about the bond Tahlia and Liam genuinely share as brother and sister. Sure they have their moments... but this photo captured the affection between them. Can't wait to show it to them when they are teenagers! Hah!

The next is about a nick name Liam has for Ethan. He calls his little brother Cheeky E! I think Liam may have it right too! This boy knows when he has everyone's attention!

I am also enjoying using patterned paper/cardstock for the main background at the moment. The ones used here are from American Crafts. Thanks for looking.

What else?!...

I'm afraid that these school holidays have been really lousy for my kids. What with me being sick and unable to do anything, it has also been raining (and don't get me wrong, we NEED the rain, but added to everything else...sheesh!). On top of my illness and the rain, the kids have been restricted to the house and grounds anyway because...believe it or not, my boys have caught chicken pox!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

They have had all their play dates cancelled :(. Hockey practice has been cancelled :(. And any trips we were planning for the beach... have been cancelled :(.

But we will get over this and the next school holidays will automatically be brilliant! I've no pressure to outdo myself in planning the spectacular for the September school holidays because even a trip to the local grocery store will rank as "The Best Time Ever!!!". (I'm sure of it.) hehehe!!!!

Hope everyone else is having a better time than we are! LOL!!

Share...

Yesterday was my wedding anniversary. We have been married nine years! Wow! Where does the time go? We had a lovely dinner and movie scenario planned for the evening. You know, just the two of us, away from the kids. Something we haven't done for ages. My mum is staying with us and she was more than happy to push us out the door, so she could spend some good ole "Nanny time" with them! However, I did say had...

I've been really sick with tonsillitis. Yuck! For three days I've been fighting a losing battle but hopefully now with the "horse pills" I'm taking, I'll be on the mend! Soon.

On the bright side, our sweet and very sensitive eight year old daughter wanted to make me feel better. So she got out her scrapbooking supplies and made us this...

She is a really good kid and feels bad that we didn't get to have our night out. Never mind. Our ten year anniversary better be a REALLY good one! LOL!!!!

And because I'm feeling better today, I finished off this layout of Ethan and my niece Olivia. She will be four in October and is the closest in age to Ethan (2), out of his cousins living locally.

The journalling says: Together they share many things... Ethan, Olivia & their secrets. xxx

And here's some of the detail...

Thanks for looking.

Thankyou...

I have been getting some wonderful comments lately from some truly amazing and talented people. I am somewhat surprised they would take the time to have a look at my site but I LOVE reading these special messages! I am daily encouraged, to write down and document our family history. Something I guess, I have been doing subconsciously from the copious amounts of photos I take and the pile of journals I've jotted notes down in. Having found this craft is a true God-send for me. And I love it!!!!

I have never submitted a layout to a magazine, and only recently have been brave enough to post one lone layout into an internet gallery! Placing my work on this blog allows me to step back and share without the face-to-face comments from those who would make them if they were flipping through an album. Criticism or praise doesn't sit well with me. The first because I would take it too personally, and the second plainly because I would feel awkward! LOL!!! I can't win! But I love reading the kind words left behind from those in the scrapbooking industry and of course family.

So this is for you...those who have taken the time to look at my version of this family history!

Thanks again and continue coming to visit me here! I look forward to your future messages!

Creative license...

Hello July! Are we really six months into the year already?!!!! Who knew that time could pass so quickly. I think I need to slow down and appreciate all that surrounds me.