Bella BLVD | Splash...

Hello Friends!  phew.  So far we have had a very busy week-end in the Allinson household and it is still early morning here on a Sunday!  lol!  Tahlia has now finished up her dance commitments for another year and we can finally relax and not worry about getting to dance 3-4 times a week! yay!  Last night she had her final dance concert.  It was a beautiful tribute to her teacher who, after six years of teaching Tahlia to dance, is leaving to go to the US.  *very sad face*

 

Anyway... Today I wanted to share a little Bella BLVD.  The Saturday Sketch is live and I got the chance to play along!

 

 

Here's my take on the sketch...

 

 

"Splash"

 

products used: cs - Stampin' Up, Kaisercraft; pp - Bella BLVD (Kiss Me); alpha - Bella BLVD; other - Bella BLVD: designer tapes & stickers; tools - typewriter, machine stitching, black pen.

 

 

 

 

I've turned the sketch on it's side and created a feature out of the designer tapes.  The tapes were adhered to white cardstock before being added to the layout.  If you would like to see a few more details, head on over to the Bella BLVD website. 

 

Thanks so much for visiting..x

 

 





Bella BLVD | Mini Album...

Hello Everyone!! Today I am excited to share with you my little mini album created for Bella BLVD and the Basically Bare team up!  I am also a little aprehensive too because I don't normally venture outside of scrapbooking layouts.  But I figure, if I don't challenge myself every now and then, how will I know what I can achieve!  *grin*..  So here goes...

 "Home Away from Home"

My main objective with this mini was to create something I can keep all of our favourite camping memories in.  We go camping a lot.  And the kids love these adventures.  So... I really needed to create a space for these memories to be kept together and of the main camp sites we visit over and over again.

The first few pages are half the size of the Basically Bare album itself.  I wanted to document things we always do regardless of where we spend time camping - bike riding, bush walking, swimming and setting up the tent.

The mini album came with envelope inserts and in these I have kept essential information and details such as location, contact details and price lists. :)  It will be interesting to be able to compare these things in a few years time.

What I have found that I love the most about this mini, is that I can continue to add to it...  The more adventures we have, the more places I can document about.  Sort of a bucket list to tick off as we travel and explore.

If you would like to see more photos, please visit this blog post over at Bella BLVD.  Thanks for visiting...x

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products used: mini album - basically bare - bare Booklets; cs - DCWV, Kaisercraft; pp - Bella BLVD: Thankful, Finally Fall, Sophisticates; alpha - Bella BLVD; other - Bella BLVD: crochet flowers (juniper), ciao chips, designer tapes & flags, basically bare: chipboard embellishments (stack-a-bellies birds and happy little houses), kaisercraft: pearl flourish & ink, Tim Holtz distress stain, Greatest View: twine, chevron & sunburst badges, Mister Huey's color mists, versacolor ink, Fancy That Dies: mixed Leaves, recycled map.

As Promised...

*ahem - photo heavy post*... :D 

Those in the Scrapping Community, who visit to see my creations, may not be terribly interested in my family exploits! LOL!!  But I share these stories here on my blog for friends and family.  And for me.  So I can remember the details of what, where, when, how and sometimes why.  I guess it is my time capsule of sorts.  Just like scrapbooking.  Minus the pretty paper and gorgeous embellishments! But I'm cool with that.  Because when I go to use the paper and scissors, I have the documentation already completed.  And those of you who visit my blog on a regular basis, know how important the story is to me.

I have considered starting another blog, just for family and friends who are interested.  But as of yet I haven't decided. It may be a new venture in 2012.  I'll mull over it for a while. :)

So.... Here goes.  As promised (Mum...) :D

Camping at Wivenhoe.

The Captain Logan campsite at Wivenhoe Dam, is fast becoming a favourite place for us to camp at.  Not only does it have HOT showers, flushing toilets and allocated sites... but there is the ultimate attraction of the water.  hee hee.. oh!  and throw in the added bonus of a taipan slithering about and the rest is all gravy.

Bushland on one side..

Water on the other...

Okay... So I wasn't thrilled when I learnt about the snake.  The on-site Ranger called in to see how we were getting along with setting up and warned us about the potentially deadly neighbour...  Not fun.

But back to the water.  We love it here because the kids can swim and kayak to their hearts content without the fear of being run over by a motorboat.  Here they can jump, emerge and float happily...

...water guns in hand, of course! LOL!

We set up camp on the hottest day of the Summer.  Typical.  The heatwave hit us at just the wrong time! LOL!  I think the temperature got  up to 42 degrees... in. the. shade!!!!  OMGosh!  It was a stinker.  So hot that we all just walked into the water with out getting changed into our swimming gear first.

The rest of the week wasn't as bad.  We still had some hot days but later in the week it got quite cool! How are we suppose to plan for a camping trip if the weather isn't going to behave for us! LOL! 

We took a day trip to the Queensland Workshops Rail Museum in Ipswich while we were so close.  The kids loved it.  

Cam especially with his total adoration of all things train.

And Liam because of the scientific displays and interactive experiments he could get involved with!!

So, back at camp.. besides having dirty faced kids..

or wet kids..

 or cheeky sunglass stealing kids...

or zinc covered kids...

...we all had a rather relaxing week away from the normal routine of work and home duties.  Even Mark, with his arm in plaster for the first little bit.  I'm glad we managed to get away, in spite of it being incredibly hectic during the school holidays.  Now it is a matter of trying to get some washing dry (2 days of rain doesn't help) and to sort out the school books for the coming year.  Back to school on Monday.

Thanks for visiting..x

Kids in kayaks...

Hello Friends.  I just wanted to share a few family shots from  the week-end.  We went away camping, for two nights out at Wivenhoe and wet the kids kayaks for the first time! 

  

We only purchased two kid sized kayaks (they carry up to 60kg).  Tahlia and Liam were ecstatic when they were brought home and promptly named them after holidays or significant dates from the months they were born in.  Liam's birthday is this Friday.  Remembrance Day.  Hence naming his "boat" Remembrance.

Tahlia's birthday is in May.  And maybe a little more thought should have gone into it but....  her "boat" is called..... MayDay!!!!  LOL!

And.... Because we only purchased two... we now think we will have issues the very next time we hit the water.

We didn't get one for Ethan.  He is terrified of the water.  He usually will only go so far as to get his feet wet.  It seems he has a lot more confidence than we gave him credit for... We are very proud of him for trying something new. :)  And he is very good at kayaking too!!

So the three older kids had a fabulous time on the water.  And when they weren't floating around on the "boats", they spent most of their time floating and playing in the water!

Cam too...  although his style is a little more sedate... :)

It always feels too short when we go away for a week-end.  :)  Plans are already in the works for a longer and more leisurely holiday in the near future.  The very near future if my hubby has anything to say about it! LOL! 

But of course after going away camping there's always the inevitable pile of laundry waiting to be decontaminated!  sigh... I guess someone has to do the dirty work.... SIGH!  hee hee..

And lastly... before I sign off, I have to give credit to our VERY good friends, Cindy & Calvin (but mostly Calvin!!!) for finding this wonderful camping spot.  

Happy now, Cal?  LOL!

**edited - okay... so Calvin ALSO needs credit for this week-end retreat too.  LOL! Men!!!  Are they ever happy??! LOL! **

Thanks for visiting..x