"A Pene for your thoughts..."

One Little Word for 2012...

2012-01-08T13:08:00.001+11:00

My One Little Word for this year is Serenity - "Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference'.

I made a LO of my word using Vintage Berry by Booland Designs and Gimme Layers Vol.17 Template by Cluster Queen Creations:

This LO is also used for the January Colour Challenge at Digiridoo. Sarah Barber is the challenge sponsor this month, so be sure to come and check out her goodies!

The Design Team have done it again this month with their gorgeous collab Venice Vibes. It's yours free with any purchase over $10 from the shop.

Here is a LO I did with it inspired by the song Shake It Up by Florence + the Machine.

Litabells Designs has released the fabulous Handmade Home this week at scrap Orchard. I really love this kit!

Here is a LO I made with it about my Kaiserwood collection:

Thanks for looking!

A new look for the New Year!

2011-12-30T19:59:00.000+11:00

I decided it was time for a blog make over in an effort to encourage me to use my blog more!

Still tweaking, but happy with how it's coming together so far!

Digiridoo Scraps Progressive Blog Train

2011-12-14T17:11:00.000+11:00

Welcome to the December Progressive Blog Challenge, hosted by Digiridoo Scraps staff members. What is a progressive blog challenge I hear you ask? Easy! You hop from blog to blog, download a few items from each. At the end of the blog hop, you make a layout using AT LEAST ONE ITEM from each download, post your layout in our Progressive Blog Challenge gallery and win a prize!

The blog hop starts now - 14th December. You can collect the parts from the 14th -21st December and your layout must be in the gallery no later than the 25th December.

First prize is the gorgeous kit you will have collected on the way! There are some other great prizes up for grabs including a store voucher and coupons.

You are here at A Pene For Your Thoughts. There are several stops along the way. You should have gotten here from DigiDesigned by Wilma. Here is my portion for your layout! Remember, you must use at least one piece from each download in your layout :)

You can download it here.

Next you should be on your way to Designs by Tina. As we are spread out over several time zones, please be patient if you run into a stop that isn't up yet. In case you get lost, you can check in here in the forum for the full blog train list.

Thanks for stopping by and wishing you and yours a happy and safe Christmas!

Welcome to the DRS 2nd Birthday Blog Train!!!

2011-06-13T12:01:00.038+10:00

Welcome to the Big Two-Riffic Birthday Blog Train, hosted by Digiridoo Scraps staff members. You are here at stop #4. I hope you're having a great trip. We're having a blast celebrating DRS' 2nd birthday and hope you are having as much fun as we are! There are several stops along the way. You should have gotten here from Sharon. And now that you're here, here is my portion of this two-riffic blog train. I have made two cards that all you need to do is open, print, cut out and fold!

Download here!

You are now on your way to stop #5, the lovely Jeanette. As we are spread out over several time zones, please be patient if you run into a stop that isn't up yet. In case you get lost, you can check in here for the full blog train list.

Happy travels and happy birthday Digiridoo Scraps!!!

Hybrid Paper Flowers

2011-06-08T14:15:00.001+10:00

The Kusudama Ball I made inspired me to want to make other paper flowers, and as my daughter's kinder teacher was leaving I thought it would be a good time to try some!

Here is the finished vase of flowers using Oopsie-Paisley by Scrap'it Designs:

I have written up a tutorial in the Hybrid Happy Forum with all the supplies and instructions on how to make and links to where I found the original tutorials.

Thanks for looking!

June Featured Designers at Digiridoo Scraps!

2011-06-07T16:36:00.000+10:00

This month we are featuring two of our gorgeous Designers, Vicki of Dana's Footprint Designs and Jewel of Mad Genius Designs.

I made a couple of hybrid projects using kits by these wonderful designers.

The first is a Kusudama Ball with patterned papers from Bit's of Yesterday by Dana's Footprint Designs.

I used a tutorial at Folding Trees and you can see all the information in the Hybrid Happy Forum at Digiridoo Scraps.

I also made this Hybrid Cuckoo Clock using Adventure 365 February by Mad Genius Designs. I bought on special at Spotlight for $13!!! I love a bargain!

For all the information and supply list, please see the Hybrid Happy Forum.

Thanks for looking!

Scrap'it Designs Goodness!

2011-06-02T21:59:00.000+10:00

Bree has released a couple of new kits since she has returned to designing, both available at her shop at Digiridoo Scraps.

Summer Serenity:

Here is a LO I made with this gorgeous kit and Strawberries and Cream Template by Valarie Ostrom:

Oopsie-Paisley:

And my LO, (which is also for the June Font Challenge at Digiridoo) and the Artsian Notebook April Template Challenge freebie by Fiddle-Dee-Dee Designs :

I also made a vase of beautiful paper flowers using this kit for my daughter's kinder teacher who is leaving next week:

I will be posting a tutorial next week on how to make these - there are roses, daisies, carnations, tulips and kusudama flowers.

I also wanted to share some recent LO's I have made with some of Bree's other kits.

Using Blue Horizon and Artisana Set 2 Template by Fiddle-Dee-Dee Designs:

Using Softest Touch and based on a template from the Eclectic set by Fiddle-Dee-Dee Designs:

Using Heart and Soul, photo mask from Masked Bandits Vol.1, also by Scrap'it Designs.

Template from Templates Set.1 by An Artsy Indaba and Vintage Honey photo action by CoffeeShop:

In the LO above I have used Bree's awesome photo masks from Masked Bandits Vol.1 :

Thanks so much for looking!!

Halfway through the year already!!

2011-06-01T21:37:00.000+10:00

Today is the 1st of June!!

So much has been happening and I am so behind in blogging...so I'm going to start fresh with the latest news and post my layouts from previous months over the next couple of weeks. I have lots of hybrid goodness to share too!

First piece of big news is that my gorgeous friend and designing superstar Brianna Cox of Scrap'it Designs is back!!! She has some stunning new kits out, so check out her blog with the link above, her store at Digiridoo, and 'like' her on Facebook to be kept up to date with all the news.

Second piece of big news is that Digiridoo Scraps is turning two!!! There are huge celebrations going on including Bingo, Scavenger Hunt, Pass the Parcel game, Speed Scraps (one of which will be hosted by yours truly!), a blog hop, an amazing Birthday Grab Bag yours free with any purchase over $10, and a whole lot more!! You can check out the Events Forum for all the festivities.

On a personal note, my baby turned one in April...the time went by so quickly! Here is one of my favourite photos of him taken on his first birthday and Naming Day by the beautiful Sharon Dale:

If you still follow my blog, thank you for your patience! And I am going to make much more of an effort to post regularly, so I hope to see more of you soon!

February Fancies...

2011-02-01T13:56:00.000+11:00

Come and join me for the February Font Challenge at Digiridoo Scraps!

The challenge is to use a "blocky" font like Network Vampires (from Dafont) that I used in my LO:

For this LO I used the fabulous CRAZY YOU, the February team collab by our incredible designers at Digiridoo Scraps. I love seeing what these girls come up with each month, it just keeps getting better! You can get Crazy You FREE by spending $5 in the shop in the month of February.

You will receive this gorgeous participation prize by Bucket of Butterflies for playing along:

Don't forget to check out the other great challenges on offer this month, including Sarah Barber's Art Journal Challenge, and Ren's Colour Challenge to name a few.

January Layouts.

2011-01-31T09:37:00.000+11:00

Well, January is almost at an end, so I though I should update the LO's I have made for the month.

Using Ancient Solitude by Feli Designs, available at Digiridoo Scraps.

Using Just the Boy by Band Geek Designs, available at Digiridoo Scraps. I also used It's Only Words v.2 Templates by Band Geek Designs.

Using Shabby Forest by Chocolate Geranium Digital Designs, available at Digiridoo Scraps. Template by Shilo Designs, available at Scrappity-Doo-Dah.

Using P365 : All My Life by by Band Geek Designs, available at Digiridoo Scraps.

Using About Time, the fabulous January Collab by the designers at Digiridoo Scraps.

This uses About Time as well and a template by Pom's Breathing Room.

Using A Sister's Heart by Cindy Ritter, available at Digiridoo Scraps. Template by Shilo Designs, available at Scrappity-Doo-Dah.

Using Boys by by Chocolate Geranium Digital Designs, available at Digiridoo Scraps.

Thanks for looking!!

Pay it Forward - 2011

2011-01-13T16:54:00.000+11:00

I saw this on Becky's blog and decided it was a great thing to join in with!

"I promise something handmade to the FIRST 5 people who leave a comment here.

However, to be eligible, you must repost this message, offering something handmade to 5 other people. The rules are that it must be handmade by you, and it must be sent to your 5 giftees sometime in 2011. Ready, set, GO!"

Now I know I don't have many followers, but I'm hoping five of you are up for the challenge!

January Collab Mega Kit from the Digiridoo Team!!

2011-01-02T17:19:00.000+11:00

You seriously have to look at the gorgeous January collab the girls have made this month. It's called About Time and is absolutely stunning!

It can be use free with any purchase of $5 or more in the store. I have just downloaded it, so watch this space for some layouts!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

2011-01-01T14:11:00.000+11:00

Yes, it is 2011!!!
I hope you and your family have a fabulous 2011 with lots of love and laughter, family and friends, good health and good times!
To get the ball rolling, I am hosting the Inspiration Challenge at Digiridoo Scraps. You could journal about your hopes for the new year, or reflect on the year gone by...think about time, family, resolutions...I hope this inspires you in someway.

I have used the glorious Ancient Solitude by Feli Designs, who is our Featured Designer this month.

You will receive this fabulous participation prize by the lovely Helen (LittleWelshGirl Designs). Remember that all our participation prizes coordinate, so the more you do the bigger the kit you receive at the end of the month!

There will also be a poll posted in the last week of the month and the most voted LO will be published in our newsletter.

Happy New Year to you and yours, I hope your 2011 will be full of love and laughter, family and friends and may all your paths lead to happiness. Oh, and I hope there are lots of photo opportunities and pages scrapped!!!

2010-11-06T07:21:00.000+11:00

Hello and welcome to stop #4 on the Digiridoo Scraps DSD Blog Train!!

Did you enjoy your stop at Anna's blog? I hope that you are enjoying all of the Digital Scrapbooking Day festivities throughout digi-land and that we are adding to your fun.

I have a quick page for you:

You can download it here!

This was made from DRS' new collab, Tranquility. And you get it for free when you spend just $5 in the store (in one purchase)

Your next stop is the lovely Feli, you know she's going to have something beautiful!!

In case you lose your way, here is a list of all the stops:

Tropt {via DRS blog}
Katie
Anna
Pene (you're here now!)
Feli
Helen
Vicki
Wilma
Michelle

If you haven't been to our forum, you should check it out! We have many festivities this weekend! Sales galore (of course), BINGO!!, 5 different speed scraps, and a scavenger hunt! There are prizes on top of prizes this weekend, so make sure to check them out!!

Happy DSD!!

DSD at Digiridoo Scraps!!!!

2010-11-05T20:47:00.000+11:00

Digital Scrapbooking Day is here tomorrow!! Come and join in the fun at Digiridoo!!!

Here is a recap of all the sales taking place:

Our November Spotlight Designer: Chocolate Geranium Digital Designs: 40% off, entire month of November
Designs by Angie: 50% off, 1-10 November
Charlie’s Digiscraps: 40% off all CU, entire month of November
Sarah Barber Design: 50% off, 4-8 November
LouCee Creations: 55% off, 4-7 November
Sweet Mesquite Designs: 33% off, 4-8 November
digiDesigns by Denise: 40% off, 4-8 November
Feli Designs: 35% off, 4-8 November
Key of D Designs: 40% off, 6-7 November
Caffeine Created Designs: 50%, 5-14 November
Dana’s Footprint: 40%, 6-8 November
Scrappin’ Addict Designs: 30% on CU, 50% on PU
digidesigned byWilma: 40%, 5-8 November

There will be 5 Speedscraps:

Speed Scrap #1 – Hostess: Kelley (Caffeine Created Designs)
PST: Friday, Nov 5 @ 7pm
CST : Friday, Nov 5 @ 9pm
EST: Friday Nov 5 @ 10pm
Central Europe: Sat @ 3am
Melbourne: Sat Nov 6 @ 1pm

Speed Scrap #2 – Hostess: Pene (That's me!!!!!)
PST: Saturday, Nov 6 @ 3am
CST: Saturday Nov 6 @ 5am
EST: Saturday, Nov 6 @ 6am
Central Europe: Saturday, Nov 6 @ 11am
Melbourne : Sat Nov 6 @ 9pm

Speed Scrap #3 – Hostess: Sarah C (our resident RPatz lover).
PST: Sat Nov 6 @ 1pm
EST: Sat Nov 6 @ 4pm
Central Europe: Sat Nov 6 @ 9pm
Melbourne: Sun Nov 7 @7am
Speed Scrap #4 – Hostess: Michelle
PST: Sun Nov 7 @ 12 pm
EST: Sun Nov 7 @ 3pm
Central Europe: Sun Nov 7 @ 9pm
Melbourne: Mon Nov 8 @ 5am

Speed Scrap #5 – Hostess: Michelle
PST: Sun Nov 7 @ 8 pm
EST: Sun Nov 7 @ 11 pm
Central Europe: Sun Nov 7 @ 5 am
Melbourne: Mon Nov 8 @ 1 pm

Then there is Bingo, which is promising to be loads of fun if the chatter in the forum already is anything to go by! Check it out here, there is still time to get your cards in!

There is also a scavenger hunt and a blog train, where you can pick up some awesome freebies by the Digiridoo CT using the beautiful November Team Collab Tranquility....

So watch this space and join in the fun!!!!

Yikes!!! Nearly November already???!!!

2010-10-26T10:33:00.000+11:00

I seriously am having a hard time dealing with how fast time is ripping by! I cannot believe it almost November already and as of yesterday (25th) there are two months until Christmas.

I thought I'd take a few minutes this morning to upload the LO's I have made this month before October is gone!

Using Ooh La Lollipop, the gorgeous Team Collab by the amazing gals at Digiridoo (this can still be yours free with any purchase from the shop until the end of the month, so hurry!!! I also used the fabulous template by Color with Caryn for the October Template Challenge at Digiridoo.

I have used Boys in my Backyard by Stacy's Backdoor Designs, and also one of Stacy's Triple Threat Templates.

My lift for the October Scraplift Challenge, based on Tine's LO Fall.
My 3 year old daughter has more shoes than I do and these are the latest and favourite in her collection!
Digital supplies from the Messy Girl Collab by Designs by Sweet Mesquite and Berry Sweet Designs.

I used the stunning Happiness by Designs by Angie and the Creative Juice No.23 Template by Biograffiti.

My LO for the October Font Challenge.
Digital supplies from Blessed by Color with Caryn.
Template by Color with Caryn (October Template Challenge).
Fonts used were Film Cryptic, Be Safe and Jazz LET, all from DaFont.
Lyrics from Before You Came Along by Kasey Chambers, Poppa Bill And The Little Hillbillies.

Using the gorgeous new Fall at the Farm by Color with Caryn.

I'll get back sometime this week with some hybrid goodies as well!!

October goodness at Digiridoo Scraps!

2010-10-01T18:51:00.000+10:00

BLINK....there goes September...welcome October!!!

Take a look at this beauty Ooh La Lollipop!

How can you get your hands on this awesome kit? Easy!! It's your free, yes FREE, with any purchase from the Digiridoo Scraps Shop during the month of October!!

I am also hosting the Journaling Challenge this month, you can check it out here. The challenge is to journal about firsts....first time you saw your partner, the first time you saw your baby (ultrasound or in the flesh), the first time you drove a car, the first time you had a coffee at your favourite cafe, the first pair of high heels you bought etc. Anything you like so long as it was the first time you saw it or did it.

I made this LO of when I first saw my husband...

You will get this awesome participation prize, brought to you by the gorgeous DigiDesigns by Denise. Don't forget that all the participation prizes co-ordinate, so the more challenges you do, the bigger the kit you will have at the end of the month!

Hope to see you at Digiridoo!!!

Hybrid Project - Strawberry Delight Box

2010-09-28T16:21:00.000+10:00

Lina of LDrag Designs has re-released the delicious Strawberry Delight kit, available from Scrap Matters.

I made this hybrid wooden box with it :

Only three months until Christmas!!!!!

Hybrid - For John Photo Cube

2010-09-15T13:13:00.000+10:00

My friend Jen had her second baby a few months ago. He is a precious little bundle! I used For John by LDrag Designs, available at Scrap Matters to make this photo cube.

Here is the beautiful kit:

And here is the photo cube!

Top.

Side.

Front.

I made the front panel extend to display some more photos.

Thanks for looking!!

September Template Challenge at Digiridoo!

2010-09-10T11:17:00.000+10:00

Color with Caryn is hosting the September Template Challenge at Digiridoo and here is the template she has so kindly provided:

I made this LO using the new kit from LiseteScrap called "Green Soul".

Don't forget that the participation prizes for all the challenges at Digiridoo Scraps coordinate, so the more you do, the bigger the kit you receive at the end of the month. So check out the Corrobooree Centre now!

September Font Challenge!

2010-09-03T17:14:00.001+10:00

Come and play with me for the September Font Challenge at Digiridoo Scraps!

The font challenge for September is to use two fonts, one of which must be a chunky, grungy font.
In the LO below, I have used Stalker 2 and Action of the Time, both available at DaFont.

For playing along, you get this beautiful Participation Prize by the lovely Darlene of Studio4 Design Works.

Remember that all the participation prizes for the monthly challenges co-ordinate, so the more challenges you do, the bigger the kit you'll have at the end of the month!

So check out the Corroborree Centre for this month's challenges!

September at Digiridoo!!

2010-09-02T13:30:00.000+10:00

Oops, I blinked and now it's September!!! Where is the year going??
There is plenty of news to share from Digiridoo Scraps.
First, there is an amazingly awesome new Welcome Kit called Cyber Buddies.

To receive your copy of Cyber Buddies FREE, simply register in our forum and introduce yourself here, then make 4 other posts in the gallery or forum and email us at admin@digiridooscraps.com with WELCOME KIT as the subject. Please include your Digiridoo user name in the email and we'll send you your download link!! Already a member, introduced yourself in our forum and have 5 or more posts?? Don't worry, you won't miss out!! Email your user name to admin@digiridooscraps.com with WELCOME KIT as the subject and you'll get the kit free too!!!

How awesome is that!! Thanks to our incredibly generous and talented designers who contributed to this amazing kit!

With the new month comes a new team collab, and this month the girls have outdone themselves! This is Tree Hugger and is yours FREE with any purchase in the store for the month of September!

I must go and pick up my son from kinder, but I'll be back soon with some more news!

I made LOTD at Scrappity-Doo-Dah!!

2010-08-31T12:06:00.001+10:00

I was absolutely tickled pink to have received the Layout of the Day at Scrappity-Doo-Dah on the 29th of August with my Sweet Baby Blue LO using Feli's beautiful Blue Like That kit.
Thanks to Caits and Darlene for the inspiration, as I made this LO for the August Scraplift Challenge at Digiridoo.
Here is the LO again:

And I get a special blinky to wear with pride!

I actually managed a LO!

2010-08-28T21:23:00.000+10:00

What a cold, wet, windy and miserable month it has been!
I have had three out of four kids sick over the last three weeks, including Jeremy with his first chest infection and first course of antibiotics. It has been so exhausting, yet nothing stops, so I feel like I haven't done anything for the month.
But tonight I actually scrapped a LO using the beautiful Summer Skies by Katie of Key of D Designs, available at Digiridoo Scraps. This is Katie's graduation kit, so a big congratulations to Katie for completing the apprenticeship program!

Katie is also offering a gorgeous add on as a freebie, so be sure to check out her shop!

Here is a LO I did with it, also using her Solo Shot Template set:

Thanks for looking!

Blue Like That - new kit by Feli

2010-08-18T13:12:00.000+10:00

Congratulations to our very own Feli, who has released this beautiful kit Blue Like That as her graduation kit from the Apprenticeship Program at Digiridoo!

Check out the bundle you can get here:

Here is a LO I did using it for the August Scraplift Challenge at Digiridoo:

Testing, testing

2010-08-06T12:31:00.002+10:00

Trying to see if I've got the blog to link to facebook!!!!

CT call for LDrag Designs!

2010-08-05T21:05:00.002+10:00

Woo hoo! Check it out! You still have time to get your applications in!
I was lucky enough to work with Lina at Digiridoo and now I work with her beautiful kits with hybrid projects.
Here are a couple of examples of my work with Lina's fabulous kits:

Don't get a shock!!

2010-08-04T22:18:00.004+10:00

Cough, cough....it sure is dusty in here - 8 months since I've posted anything!!!!

I have updated my blog's look with the beautiful New Beginnings kit and blogwear by LiseteScrap. I thought it was the right kit to use with the new beginning of my blog! I have updated all the information on my blog - new slide show with my LO's so far for 2010, Digiridoo Scraps Blogroll, other sites and blogs I visit plus stamping sites.

I lost my mojo for a while there, then I had another baby! We were very happy to welcome Jeremy to our family on the 14th of April 2010.

So life is pretty crazy and wonderful with four kids!

From a creative point of view, I am on the creative and hybrid team for Digiridoo Scraps, and I also do hybrid for LDrag Designs. I am so lucky to be able to work with these amazingly talented people!!!

My goal is to blog at least once a week, but I'm hoping to do a bit more than that as time goes on. So thanks to my patient followers - I hope no one gets too much of a shock when they get the feed of this LOL!!!

But for now, here is my fabulous family in July of 2010...

68 papers and 97 elements - FREE!!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-12-02T07:47:00.009+11:00

Yes, that's right - the incredible Design Team at Digiridoo Scraps have made an awesome December collab called "Where's Rudolf?". 68 papers and 97 elements and it's yours free with any purchase from the store during the month of December!!

Here's the kit in more detail:

I'm also hosting the December Journaling Challenge - I would like you to journal about what Christmas means to you. Here is my LO for the challenge, using "Where's Rudolf?"

There will be some hybrid christmas projects coming this way very soon as well!

What a great weekend!

2009-11-10T07:57:00.004+11:00

I hope you hopped on the blog train and got all the gorgeous pages for the Brag Book!!!

The speed scrap hosted by Maz was...challenging..... but loads of fun! Thanks Maz for making us work hard for our beautiful participation prize!

Here is the LO I made, using Great Outdoors by KD Designs.

The brush was Stormy Seas by Midnight Touch from Brusheezy, and the brackets were from Blue Jeans by Vicki Parker, which I clipped a paper to.

I've got some cool hybrid projects on the go, I'm going to be sharing a whole lot of gift bags and boxes that will be handy with the coming Christmas Season.

And I finally got inspired by my friend Kate to make up my Fira Drawers from Ikea. I just need to add the paper and pretty it up and I'll be posting the pics in the next few days.

I had a bout of Gastro yesterday and feel pretty stiff and sore today, plus it another day of 34 degrees, so bear with me if I take today to be a little sloth like!!!!!

Digital Scrapbooking Day and Blog Train!

2009-11-07T01:00:00.000+11:00

It's that time of year again!! Join us at Digiridoo Scraps for loads of fun!!

Maz is hosting a Speed Scrap (Saturday 7th at 1pm for us Aussies) and don't forget you get the awesome "The Dark Side of Autumn" Designer collab FREE with any purchase from the store for the month of November. And with a 50% sale storewide, you'd be mad to miss it!!

Now for the Brag Book Blog Train!! You will have come here from Chantel's Blog. Here is my Brag Book page for you, using The Dark Side of Autumn kit.

You can download it here!!!

Next stop on the blog train is the beautiful Wilma!

Enjoy and don't forget to check out the bargains in the shop :)

Don't get a shock, but I'm blogging again!!!

2009-11-04T22:08:00.006+11:00

I know... it's a little strange, two days in a row that I have blogged??? I think I must be coming down with something!! LOL

I've made a couple of LO's today, one for the Font Challenge and the other for the Journaling challenge, both held at Digiridoo Scraps. The challenges are a great idea to kick start an idea for a LO. I haven't felt much mojo the past few months, but these two LO's I did today have really made me feel good!

The first one is for Sarah's November Font Challenge. The font is Gim by Typo5. All supplies for the LO are from Lina's (LDrag Designs) gorgeous Butterfly's Whisper kit, available here.

This LO is for Katie's November Journaling Challenge. I have used the lovely Tendency kit by Pixel Pisces Designs, available here. The photo action is Lomo by Coffee Shop.

I have to share the CoffeeShop link with you! If you're a Photoshop Elements user like myself, you'll know how hard it is to get good, free actions! Well, this site is like Christmas for us!!! The actions Rita has made available are just amazing!! So have a look and enjoy!

The Dark Side of Autumn!

2009-11-03T12:55:00.013+11:00

Check out the awesome collab by the amazing Design Team at Digiridoo Scraps! It's called The Dark Side of Autumn, and it's yours FREE - yes, FREE - with any purchase you make in the shop through the month of November!!

Here is a LO I did with this amazing kit, from 2005 when I had pink, purple and blue streaks in my hair!!

So to get this kit, make a purchase in the store and it will be added to your cart when you check out. And it is available for November only, so don't miss out!!

On to some card making news - I have been a Stampin' Up demonstrator for 3 months now and loving it! I have done 1 party with a group of teenage girls where we made 4 different projects. I have also done 2 workshops in Geelong, one with my best friend's Mum, and one last night with one of her friends. I love showing off the fabulous products and meeting new people. I love showing people a technique they haven't seen and hearing them ooo and ahhh! But most of all I love how at the start of the night people say, "I don't know how to do it and I'll probably be no good at it" to seeing their smiles and pride when the are holding the card they have made at the end!!!

Here are a few of the cards I've made lately.

This one was for my son's mate for his birthday. I used "In the stars" from a few mini catalogues ago. The colours are all from Bold Brights - YoYo Yellow, Only Orange and Brilliant Blue. I used the blue Chunky Sprinkles on the stars.

And because we are fast approaching the silly season, I've started making Christmas Cards. These are a few I have done so far. This one uses Many Merry Messages for the sentiment and the poinsettia from Season of Joy.

This uses the sentiment from Season of Joy and the baubles from Tree Trimmings (this is only available until the end of November, so if you were thinking of ordering it, do it soon!!)

And this uses one of my favorite wheels, Classic Stars, one of the most versatile wheels there is! I've used the green Chunky Sprinkles on the star, and the sentiment from the Short and Sweet set, which I punched out using the Word Window punch.

All the cards use Ruby Red cardstock and ink, Old Olive cardstock, ink and grosgrain ribbon and whisper white cardstock. The patterned paper is from the Holiday Treasures Designer Paper Series.

Back soon with some more!

A treat for you!!

2009-10-31T20:50:00.004+11:00

Wait until you see the new Collab kit by the amazing team at Digiridoo Scraps! It's called The Dark Side of Autumn and is available FREE, yes, FREE with any purchase you make from the store throughout November.

You'll have to come back tomorrow to see the kit, but trust me, it is so worth it!!!

2009-10-19T16:18:00.002+11:00

Sign up for the Digiridoo Scraps Newletter before October 31st and receive a coupon for 20% off all personal use products in store!!! So not only do you get an awesome newsletter, but a discount on our fab products as well!!!!!

Click here to go to the shop and you will see the News section on the right hand side. What are you waiting for???????

September Cyber Crop at Digiridoo Scraps!!!

2009-09-04T23:55:00.004+10:00

Welcome to the Digiridoo Scraps September Progressive Blog Challenge!! Basically, the PBC is a blogtrain that you follow along to pick up all the freebies and then use them to create a layout. Upload to the Digiridoo Cyber Crop Gallery and post a link to the finished product in Cyber Crop Forum before 9am Monday 7th September (GMT+10). It's heaps of fun and you get all of the freebies along the way!

PLUS this fabulous Participation Prize!!

As we are co-ordinating this across quite a few different time zones, please be patient if all of the stops are not yet posted. In case you've lost your way, or need to skip back, here are all of the stops on the train:-

Stop 1 - SZILVIA
Stop 2 - MAZ
Stop 3 - KELLEY
Stop 4 - MICHELLE
Stop 5- WILMA
Stop 6 - BREE
Stop 7 - MELISSA
Stop 8 - KELLY
Stop 9 - LINNIE
Stop 10 - SHARON
Stop 11 - LINA

There is even the very first Hybrid Project, hosted by yours truly! I have made a 'DAD' frame for Fathers Day, available in 2 files - one with the papers pre-clipped, and another with just the template, so you can make it your own by clipping the papers of your choice to it. Check it out here.

Don't forget.....we have a whole heap of fun stuff happening in the forums for the Cyber Crop this weekend, including 2 speed scraps, Scrap Bingo, and a Scraplift challenge!!

Hope to see you there!

Dusting off the cobwebs...

2009-08-29T16:15:00.006+10:00

My poor neglected blog....I promise to do better! (I recall saying that last post too, but today is a new day!!)

To the exciting news first! I am now officially a Stampin' Up demonstrator! I have been using Stampin' Up products for so long, thanks to Yvonne (if you need inspiration, check out her blog here), and decided to become a demonstrator myself. So if you want to host a party, order any products (view the amazing Idea Book & Catalogue here), drop me a line and I'd be happy to help!

I've also had some major mojo loss the last month and decided that it was time to work without it! Which was a little scary, but I'm happy with what I've made in the last few days. Here they are:

Rachel when she was 3 days old.... all supplies from Enjoy Spring by Felicia Staulters, available in the Digiridoo Scraps Shop.

From the family photo shot we had done in July, aren't they gorgeous? All supplies from Basic Instincts by Brianna Cox of Scrap'it Designs, available at Digiridoo Scraps.

Rachel at the Wild Action Show, not too sure about the turtle! I used this for the August Font Challenge at Digiridoo Scraps, using a fabulous font called Scrubble (find it here at DaFont). All other supplies are from A Little Bit Punk by Keira of Northern Lights Designs, as well as Keira's Template Set 1, all available at Digiridoo Scraps.

This LO was my entry for Becky's August Journaling Challenge. We had to journal about a truth, so I did a LO about my Twilight Obsession! I so love those books, and this explains why I am so obsessed. All supplies from Twilight by Sarah of Sarah Barber Design (another Twilight fan LOL), available at Digiridoo Scraps.

Also from our family photos, our wedding almost 10 years ago was the last time we had professional photos together! All supplies from Creating a Dream by Tiffany of Inspired by Dominic Designs, available at Digiridoo Scraps.

Thanks for looking and take care!

August Cyber Crop at Digiridoo Scraps!!!

2009-08-07T22:47:00.006+10:00

It's that time again - it's the Digiridoo Scraps August Progressive Blog Challenge!! Follow the blog train to pick up all the freebies and then use them to create a layout. Upload to the Digiridoo Cyber Crop Gallery and post a link to the finished product in cybercrop forum before 9am Monday 10th August (GMT+10). It's heaps of fun and you get all of the freebies along the way,

(not all items shown in preview)

PLUS this fabulous Participation Prize!!

As we are co-ordinating this across quite a few different time zones, please

be patient if all of the stops are not yet posted. Here are all of the stops on the train:-

Stop 1 - KATIE
Stop 2 - KELLY
Stop 3 - SZILVIA
Stop 4 - MAZ
Stop 5 - WILMA
Stop 6 - SHARON
Stop 7 - KRISTIE
Stop 8 - SARAH
Stop 9 - BREE
Stop 10 - KELLEY
Stop 11 - MELISSA

Don't forget.....we have a whole heap of fun stuff happening in the forums for the Cyber Crop this weekend, including 2 speed scraps, Scrap Bingo and a Scraplift challenge!!

Such a bad, bad, blogger :(

2009-08-07T22:43:00.003+10:00

Mmmmmm, just came to post about the August Cyber Crop at Digiridoo Scraps and see that the last post I made was for the July Cybercrop!

Lots has been happening - school holidays, sick kids, sick me, working on the garden, getting organised to become a Stampin' Up demonstrator.........

I'm going to be swapping my blog to a website in the next month or so, it's all getting exciting!

Back after the weekend with my digi LO's (not too many as my mojo up and left again :( ) and my latest hybrid and off the page projects!

Hope everyone is well in Digiland :)

Digiridoo Scraps Cyber Cropping Goodness!!!

2009-07-04T08:18:00.004+10:00

This weekend is the July Cyber Crop at Digiridoo Scraps. Check out the amazing kit you can collect on the Progressive Blog Challenge!! Pick up all the freebies and then use them to create a layout. Upload to the Digiridoo Cyber Crop Gallery and post a link to the finished product in cybercrop forum before 9am Monday 6th July (GMT+10). It's heaps of fun and you get all of the freebies along the way,

PLUS this fabulous Participation Prize!!

Here are the list of stops on the train. Remember that we are co-ordinating across

different time zones, so they might not all be up at the same time.

Stop 1 - CARYN
Stop 2 - MELISSA
Stop 3 - SHARON
Stop 4 - KELLY
Stop 5 - SZILVIA
Stop 6 - KRISTIE
Stop 7 - MARIANNE
Stop 8 - KELLEY
Stop 9 - BREE
Stop 10 - WILMA

Don't forget.....we have a whole heap of fun stuff happening in the forums for the Cyber Crop this weekend, including 2 speed scraps, Scrap Bingo and a username challenge!!

Hope to see you there!!

It's that time again!!!!

2009-07-03T14:03:00.001+10:00

Woot! Hope to see you there :)

My first attempt at designing!

2009-06-25T15:35:00.010+10:00

Woo hoo! Today I spent some time on my first ever attempt at designing. Bree runs a Design Me This monthly challenge at Digiridoo Scraps, with fabulous, easy to understand tutorials and some great resources to use. I've been meaning to do it, but today I made the time to give it a go before I got any further behind. This is what I came up with, using a swatch from Kuler called Coffee and a Paper by Webchitect.

May's challenge

June's challenge

So I need LOADS more practice, but I really enjoyed it!

Not sure that anyone would want them, but you can download them here:

May Papers

June Paper

And check this out:

Here are a few of my LO's for the various challenges:

Tuesday Template Challenge - using Colors of Spring by KD Designs (Available here at Digiridoo Scraps) and template by Mychl's Flights of Fancy.

Journaling Challenge - using Moments by Cintia Tavares (available here at Digiridoo Scraps)

And here is a LO I did for Rachel's 21st LMAO!!! I used Tropical Daiquiri by Brianna Cox of Scrap'it Designs (available here at Digiridoo Scraps)

I also picked up the childcare photos of Ben and Rachel and our family photos this week, plus we've had Christopher's 6th birthday, so plenty to scrap coming soon!!!!

And just to tease you, Color with Caryn will be releasing a new kit this week called New Day, and it is AWESOME!!!!!!!!!! Watch this space.....

Hybrid Gratitude Journal - June

2009-06-15T16:46:00.005+10:00

Ready for the next installment of the Hybrid Gratitude Journal? I have chosen Family (extended) as the inspiration for this month - I chose my Mum because I am so grateful to her! She provides every kind of support there is, has a wicked sense of humor and is my friend as well. Love you Mum!

The digital supplies I have used are from A Vision of Beauty by Designs by Pebbles available at the Digiridoo Scraps Shop. For all the details, check out the Project 12 forum here.

Thanks for looking!

Color with Caryn opens at Scrappity-doo-dah!

2009-06-14T13:09:00.005+10:00

Woo hoo - the news is out and I'm officially allowed to share - Color with Cayn has opend a new shop at Scrappity-doo-dah!! Be sure to check out the opening specials:

I'm so proud of Caryn, she has spread her designing wings and will go far! And I'm happy to be on her CT (I think I'm officially her worst CT member for getting things done on time, and being on the forum...sorry, and I'm trying to do better!) Congratulations Caryn!!!!!

Free Photo Editing Class...

2009-06-13T08:31:00.008+10:00

Yes, that's right! Jessica Sprague is running a free Photo Editing class! Registration opens on the 22nd of July and having done many of Jessica's classes, I can highly recommend them. Here is some info, and check out Jessica's website for all the details.

On to other news. Last night, we had family portraits done - first since 2006! I pick them up on the 24th, I can't wait!

It has been a cold, miserable week in Melbourne, but nice to see some rain. The windchill factor on the other hand was not so nice - so bitter and makes your eyes water. So the scarves, beanies and gloves are out, and I have to allow an extra 10 minutes for the school pick up and drop off to bundle everyone up! But check out this awesome sunrise yesterday...

And some BIG NEWS coming from Color with Caryn....stay tuned!!!!!!!

I'll be back later with some LOs :)

A fabulous weekend!

2009-06-10T19:16:00.006+10:00

The grand opening Cybercrop at Digiridoo Scraps, was a weekend chock full of scrappy goodness!

New friends have been made, Sharon (skyezac) is the new Bingo Queen in what must have been the closest bingo game ever and some awesome LO's have been posted in the gallery.

Here are the LO's I did as part of the fun.

This was for the Progressive Blog Challenge - hopped on the train and picked up all the great goodies!

This was for the Scraplift challenge hosted by Michelle, who even provided the awesome template. All supplies for this are from Color with Caryn's All Boy Kit (check it out here).

This next one is from the Speed Scrap hosted by lovely Maz on saturday. I have used the fabulous Spice of Life team kit, available here at Digiridoo Scraps.

And this one is from the Speed Scrap hosted by the talented Sarah Barber, at 6am our time! I was a little late for it, but I got there! I have used Enchanted Forest by Vicki Parker of A Work in Progress and Sara Belmont of Sweet Blossom Designs.

I can't wait for the next Cyber Crop - they will be held monthly so I will keep you posted! I wouldn't mind wearing the Bingo Queen blinkie myself......

GRAND OPENING AT DIGIRIDOO SCRAPS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-06-05T14:31:00.008+10:00

Oh my goodness - it's finally here!!!!!

Did you know that Digiridoo Scraps is having a Grand Opening Cybercrop Progressive Blog Challenge!! Here's the deal! Basically, the PBC is a blogtrain that you follow along to pick up all the freebies and then use them to create a layout. Upload to the Digiridoo Cyber Crop Gallery and post a link to the finished product in cybercrop forum before 9am Monday 8th June (GMT+10). It's heaps of fun and you get all of the freebies along the way.

PLUS this fabulous Participation Prize!!

The first stop is at Szilvia's blog, so click here to get there!
As we are co-ordinating this across quite a few different time zones, please be patient if all of the stops are not yet posted. In case you've lost your way, or need to skip back, here are all of the stops on the train:-
Stop 1 – Szilvia
Stop 2 - Felicia
Stop 3 - Kelly
Stop 4 - Bree
Stop 5 - Kris
Stop 6 - Marianne
Stop 7 – Melissa
Stop 8 – Sharon
Stop 9 - Keira
Stop 10 – Marilyn
Stop 11 – Katie
Stop 12 - Tiffany

Don't forget.....we have a whole heap of fun stuff happening in the forums over the weekend, including speed scraps, scavenger hunt, Scrap Bingo and much more!! And remember, you can grab this awesome Digiridoo Collab kit free with every purchase of $10 (in the one transaction)!!

So come along and join in the fun!!!!

Birthdays, LO's and Hybrid!!!

2009-05-29T13:45:00.005+10:00

Wow, another busy week, flown by while I blinked and now it's friday again! The kids are all

recovered, and playgroup, swimming, kinder and childcare has resumed. But, horror of horror's - now Laban has it....say no more (in case he reads this LOL)!!!

Yesterday was my birthday - 34 years old. I feel no different to when I was about 28, but hopefully I'm a little wiser. I still have fun, learn, love and laugh, can't ask for much more than that! I got my beautiful iMac - so, so, so, so nice! The screen is amazing, so big and clear, it runs so fast and quietly and I love it! Still working out a few differences in the platforms, but getting there. Also got some Pandora beads, chocolate (yum), PJ's, candles, a book called Thanks for the Mammaries (a fundraiser for Breast Cancer, will tell you more about it when I've read it) and other bits and pieces. I'm going to the local pub tomorrow with some family and friends, so it's all good in my world! And thanks to everyone for their birthday wishes, sure makes a girl feel special!

On to business - here's a LO I did using How Does Your Garden Grow? by Kris Mazy of Scrap Warrior, available here at Digiridoo Scraps. I also used a Sepia with Colour Photo Action by Melissa Renfro of Scrapgirls, and Fresh Foliage Brushes by Jason Gaynor.

I know I'm biased, but seriously, how beautiful is she??? Oh, that's another thing - we're toilet training at the moment! Rachel has been telling me for weeks when she needs to go and has been having dry nappies, so I bit the bullet and bought a whole lot of tiny weeny undies for her, and some more track pants, and we're doing it. Clever little chicken has been doing a great job.

I've also posted the first part of my hybrid Project 12 at Digiridoo Scraps. You can see the forum here, but I though I'd post the photos here as well. I'm making a Gratitude Journal, somewhere to turn when the doom and gloom gets so much you have trouble remembering the good things. I really hoping it inspires others to give Hybrid a go...

Front Cover (made with Sarah Barber's Urban Chic kit)

Inside (using Ferntree Fairies by Brianna Cox of Scrap'it Designs)

May - Family (using How Does Your Garden Grow? by Kris Mazy of Scrap Warrior, available here at Digiridoo Scraps.

Each month will be a new idea/inspiration for the album page, with a challenge on what to use - this month the challenge is to print and use two digital papers and two digital elements. So hopefully people join in (otherwise I might be out of a job LOL).

Well I guess I'd better get organised for the school pickup. That's another thing to share - I'm helping out on Friday mornings at Christopher's school with literacy. At the moment I've been listening to the kids read their readers and helping where required. It's great fun!

Take care till next time xoxo

Catching up

2009-05-19T16:35:00.004+10:00

Yes, I must be the slackest blogger alive, but seriously it's been a full on couple of weeks. First Christopher sick, then Ben and Rachel, and now me! The three kids have had ear infections ( I wish I could but antibiotics in bulk!), plus Ben and Rachel have had an awful cough. Ben's was so bad the doctor thought it was asthma and gave me asthma stuff for him, but when I went back a few days later, he said his chest was ok. But I swear I have been up every hour of the night with one or the other and I'm stuffed! You know the cotton wool head, forgetting stuff, bone tired feeling? That's me! I've even had a few naps in the afternoon given the opportunity!

So I have a few things to catch up on.

First is a fab collab kit by Color with Caryn, Scrappyweiss and Mel Hains called Make Believe. To get your freebie and the links to the other girl's freebies, this link will take you to Caryn's blog.

And here is the next piece of exciting news....

I am working on my album for my special Project 12! Well, in this case it will be Project 8 as it will take us up to the end of the year! Don't want to give too much away, but you'll be seeing more soon...

Hybrid bodysuits and Charlie's first Speed Scrap!

2009-05-11T11:33:00.005+10:00

I have kicked off Hybrid Happy by making a couple of very cute bodysuits (babygrows, onesies as I have been told by my international friends they are also called) for my best friend's sister -in-law's baby. I used word art from Ferntree Fairies by Brianna Cox of Scrap'it Designs and transfer paper, and I'm so pleased with how they turned out. Here are the instructions on Digiridoo Scraps.

And on thursday, Charlie of Charlie's Digiscraps, hosted her very first Speed Scrap at Enchanted Studio Scraps. It was great fun and here is my LO:

I have used the amazing Urban Chic by Sarah Barber Designs, available here at Digiridoo Scraps.
I hope all the wonderful mothers who read this had a happy Mother's Day! We deserve to be spoilt! I had a great day, with some awesome gifts made by my kids! And my hubby spoilt me too of course!

Digiridoo Scraps goes LIVE!!!!!!!

2009-05-02T11:59:00.003+10:00

Woo hoo! The site has gone live! Check it out here.

There will be a Grand Opening on the 5th of June, but some of the challenges are up and running now and the forums are rocking already! So come on over and register and join in the fun.

And for those of you who don't know, I am proud to announce that I am the Hybrid Coordinator for Digiridoo! I will be doing a Project 12 album each month as well as Hybrid Happy, a smaller monthly project with a tutorial. You can check out my home on the site here.

I'm also on the Creative Team, getting to work with all the beautiful new kits available in the shop! Please bear in mind that the site only went live yesterday and the designers are still loading their kits, so be sure to keep checking back.

Here are my new blinkies:

So be sure to come on over and check out the site!

Beautiful Ben

2009-04-29T17:08:00.004+10:00

Ben is seriously a nice boy. He is so kind, giving up his toys for others (sometimes reluctantly, especially if it's a Ben 10 thing LOL), sharing his lollies, giving hugs and kisses spontaneously, and loves to spread good news to everyone else, so they get to share in the joy. He's funny, clever, and has the most contagious laugh, it always makes me smile to hear it. That's not to say he doesn't have his moments, but on the whole, he's pretty awesome! I got this photo of him at his cousin's birthday in Geelong at the start of April, and it has captured his kind beautiful face perfectly, so of course I scrapped it!

The kit I have used is a brand new release called "It's a Boy Thing" by Color with Caryn. Check out Caryn's blog here, and this link will take you to her store at Enchanted Studio Scraps.

Here's my beautiful Ben...

Christopher, my other angel, is being extremely "challenging" at the moment! I could call it something else but I try not to swear LOL. Last night he threw the biggest wobbly ever, which resulted in him going to bed at 6.15pm, with him then crying for the next hour - things like "Nobody likes me", "I need to get out of here", "Mummy, I need you" and my personal favourite "My heart is breaking" (where he got that from I'd love to know LOL). I'm not sure what is going on with him, is it a almost 6 thing? A prep thing? Just a general it's time to see what I can get away with? All I can do is be consistant, patient (heaven help me, it's not my best virtue LOL) and loving, so he knows that even when I'm cross I still love him, but I won't put up with behaviour that is not OK. I'm hoping it passes pretty quickly...

National Scrapbooking Day at Enchanted Studio Scraps!

2009-04-28T12:42:00.002+10:00

Well, it's almost that time again, when scrapbookers across the globe becomed frenzied with challenges, activities, freebies and everything scrapping!
Enchanted Studio Scraps is no exception, check out the following timetable of events:

Date: Friday, May 1 thru Monday, May 4
Event: Brag Book Blog Train by the Enchanted Pixies
Start Time: 12:00 pm EDT (Friday)End Time: 11:59 pm EDT (Monday)
Link to event: http://enchantedstudioscraps.wordpress.com/

Date: Friday, May 1 thru Monday, May 4Event: Scrap-a-thon
Start Time: 9:00 am EDT (Friday)
End Time: 11:59 pm EDT (Monday)
Link to Event: http://enchantedstudioscraps.com/forums/
***Prizes for the winners

Date: Friday, May 1 thru Monday, May 4
Event: NSD Storewide Sale--50% OFF!
Start Time: 12:01 am EDT (Friday)
End Time: 11:59 pm EDT (Monday)
Link to Event: http://www.enchantedstudioscraps.com/xcart/
***Spend $10 in the store and receive a never-before-released Mega by the ESS Designers!

Date: Saturday, May 2 thru Wednesday, May 6
Event: NSD Speed Scraps
Schedule:
Friday the 1st: 1-Mel (A+ Designs) 10pm EST

Saturday the 2nd: 1-Dani (danimoy) 10am EST
2- Christy(christypooh402) 3pm EST
3- krisi (krisi616) 12am (midnight) EST

Sunday the 3rd: 1-Jenn (Jennmurphy) 12 EST (noon)
2- Mari (scrapmami) 10 pm EST

Monday the 4th: 1-Mari (scrapmami) 1 pm EST
2-Christy 9pm EST

Tuesday the 5th: 1- Erin (scrappyweiss) 11am EST
2- Laura (simply.scraps) 2pm EST

Wednesday the 6th:1- Melissa (dolbydawgs) 1pm EST
2- Charlie (Charlie's digiscraps) 11pm EST

Link to Event: http://enchantedstudioscraps.com/forums/

Look at all that scrapping goodness! And I can even make some of the speed scraps! You know, come to think of it, I haven't done one speed scrap this year, that is truely terrible....
Anyway, stay tuned and I'll share any further info that may come!

Random photos

2009-04-22T08:03:00.009+10:00

Here are a few photos (unedited!) from over the holidays...
Love this one, came into the lounge from the kitchen to see this, ran and got the camera to catch it before they moved:

Easter egg hunt:

At the zoo:

Now to get scrapping LOL

It's getting closer.....

2009-04-21T07:54:00.004+10:00

The site is progressing in leaps and bounds, many exciting things happening and it's great to be part of it all!
School holidays are over and things are getting back to normal. I love my husband so much, but when he's home on holidays all routine goes out the window!! So getting on top of everything again this week.
I'm off to swimming lessons with Ben and Rachel this morning, I'll be back later to post a few random pics from over the holidays. We didn't go away but had a few outings and some great time at home all lying on beanbags watching DVDs. Best cuddles happen then, especially from Rachel, she's a little smoocher :-). Catch you soon!

New kit by Color with Caryn

2009-04-06T19:35:00.003+10:00

Caryn has released a beautiful new kit at Enchanted Studio Scraps called "Happily", based on her wedding colours. It's a lovely kit and you can buy it from her store at ESS here. And be sure to check out Caryn's blog, as there is a great freebie to go with the kit.

I made the following LO using Happily:

Awwww.....10 years next January!

Cheeky face...

2009-04-04T08:08:00.004+11:00

I'd been hanging the washing out earlier in the week, and when I came in I found Rachel playing with the playdough table. Now technically, she's not meant to play with it unless I'm here because she still has a tendency to eat the playdough. So I caught her in the act:

When she heard the click of the camera, she turned around with the cheekiest look on her face! I can see a LO coming called "Who, me?"

Seriously, how cute is she?! Now that's the look she gives her brothers and Daddy, melting their hearts in an instant and all is forgiven! She has the boys in this house all sorted out... funny, doesn't work as well on me, but I must admit I have to harden my heart a little not to let it work LOL!!!

The digital mojo returns and some hybrid projects...

2009-04-02T11:15:00.011+11:00

After a month of not doing any digi LO's, this week I have made two in two days! My mojo seems to becoming back!

This morning I made this LO using Caryn's beautiful"Once Upon a Time" kit, available here at the store at Enchanted Studio Scraps.

Onto some hybrid goodies that I haven't posted yet.

Here is a little box in a bag that my lovely friend Yvonne, Stampin'Up Demonstrator extraordonaire, showed us how to make. I'm using mine for Christopher's teacher, fill it up with Easter eggs and away we go! The patterned paper was from the Funky Fresh March Collab at Snap and Scrap (sniff, sniff, they closed yesterday), Pink Passion Cardstock from Stampin’ Up, double sided tape, Bashful Blue Grosgrain ribbon from Stampin’ Up, Chunky Sprinkles glitter from Stampin’ Up, Tombo Liquid Glue, tab punch, cutter. Go here to find the original tutorial by Di Gibbs.

Then I've made this for my friend Michelle, who recently had her second boy Patrick. I saw him in hospital when he was 3 days old, nothing like holding a new born baby... Anyway, I made her this wall hanging using patterned papers from Fantasy Dreams by Charlie's Digiscraps. The chipboard tile frames were from Collections. Other supplies are all Stampin'Up - white embossing powder, chunky blue glitter, blue bayou ink for distressing, Bashful Blue Grosgrain ribbon. The flourish stamp I've embossed is from Baroque Motifs. Eyelets from Sharon's stash (thanks Sharon). The little alpha is Making Memories Tiny Aphabets.

And lastly, I have a pencil holder I made for the boys using Amy Riley's "I Love Art" kit. I love the bright, bold colours in this kit! I'm not sure if this will be available at Enchanted Studio Scraps, I'm waiting to hear from Amy and will link this when I know. I used Amy's patterned paper for the strips and the "I love art" stamp. The box cost about $3 from Spotlight, I used Kaiser Arcylic Paint in Scarlet, double sided tape and coated the whole thing in Mod Podge when finish for extra durability.

Color with Caryn!

2009-04-01T16:19:00.003+11:00

Some more exciting news to share - Caryn, formally from Snap and Scrap, has opened a store at Enchanted Studio Scraps! And she has asked me to join her creative team where I'll be doing hybrid and digital.

Here's a LO I did using "There was a little girl".

You can check out Caryn's blog here and see the stunning LO's the other CT members have made.

Exciting news that I can finally share!

2009-03-28T18:26:00.007+11:00

As you know, my beloved Snap and Scrap is closing in a few days time (by the way, there's still a huge sale on, so check out the shoppe while you have the chance!)

I wasn't sure what this meant for me, so I was just going to lay low for a while and see what came up. But then the dynamic duo of Bree and Maz, mother/daughter extraordinaires, contacted me about a project they were working on. At first, they weren't letting much out of the bag (and the suspense was killing me!) but today I received a very nice surprise in my inbox that I can share with you!

Introducing Digi_ridoo Scraps!!!! Calling all digital scrappers!!
We are looking for talented digiscrappers to join our team at a fun and exciting new digi scrapping site, opening soon!!
What we need
* Fun, energetic, proactive scrappers who are committed and willing to be a part of a dynamic team;
* Complete a minimum of 4 layouts per month;
* Active in Site forum, gallery and challenges;
* Post layouts at Digiridoo, DST and at least 4 other galleries;
* Participate in Site Blog updates and CT enabling; and
* Commit to a 6 month contract.
Please provide
* Link to your most complete gallery;
* List of current CT's and commitments;
* Link to your Blog (if you have one);
* A short Bio; and
* Why you would like to join our team.
What you get
* A fun new site with a great team to work with; and
* FULL SITE ACCESS TO ALL PRODUCTS!!!
If this sounds like a place you would like to call home, then we can't wait to hear from you!!
Contact us at creative@digiridooscraps.com
Calls close 19th April, 2009
So come on guys.......get those applications in!!!

But that's not all...

Calling all digital designers!! We are looking for new or established digital designers to join our team at a fun and exciting new digi scrapping site, opening soon!!
We are looking for Full, CU, PU, S4H/O, Template and QP designers.
What you Get
* A fun new site with a great team to work with;
* Site advertising and promotion of your products;
* Site CT;
* X-Cart for full control of your own shop;
* Access to your own private CT forum, if required;
* Full shop access to all of our products;
* 18% Commission for Exclusive Designs;
* 25% Commission for Non-Exclusive Designs; and
* A choice of payments via PayPal or Direct to your Bank account.
What we need
* Fun, energetic, proactive designers who are committed and willing to be a part of a dynamic team;
* Maintain products and pricing in your store;
* Participation in Mega Kits/Participation Prizes when required;
* Active in Site Forums and Galleries; and
* Maintain self promotion and participate in storewide events.
Please Provide* Samples of your work;
* Links to your shop/s (if any);
* Link to your Blog (if you have one);
* A short Bio; and
* Why you want to join our team.
If this sounds like a place you would like to call home, then we can't wait to hear from you!!
Contact us at designers@digiridooscraps.com
Calls close 19th April, 2009
We can give you lots of help and full instruction if you have never had a shop or used X-Cart before, so please don't let this put you off applying for a position with us!!

I am so excited and honoured to be part of a brand new site with an amazing line up of people (now that cat will have to stay in the bag a while longer!!)

Scrappers, it can be daunting to apply for a Creative Team, trust me, I applied for several before being asked to join Bree's fabulous team. But you'll never know if you don't try, so go on, put that application in! And all you designers, imagine a brand new shiny store to sell your kits, with admin support if you're new to a shop and don't know the ropes! Plus an awesome creative team (toot toot, blowing my own horn LOL!) Don't wait, apply now!!!!

MIA, but trying to join the human race again...

2009-03-17T09:27:00.004+11:00

Hello readers, if any of you are left! I've been missing in action for a month now (wow, has it been that long?). I miscarried our baby at 10 weeks and 2 days, requiring a curette, and then got an infection which I am still fighting now. It's been a devasting time in every way and I'm trying to join the human race again while letting myself grieve.
I haven't made much in the way of hybrid projects, done any LO's either digital or paper, haven't blogged or been reading my favourite blogs. I've been doing the daily routine, which has been good as I have to get out of bed and feed the kids, do the school/kinder runs, the washing, cooking etc. But I haven't been with it and I've been trying to pretend I'm OK when I'm not. I've been seeing a psychologist since late last year who has been helping me overcome depression, and when I saw him last week (the first session since all this happened) he made me realise that's it OK to not be OK and that this will take some time to deal with. So if I'm having a crappy day, I can admit it now without putting on my smiley face and pretending that everything is fine.
I had also applied for Uni this year to do a Bachelor of Teaching off campus through Deakin. I rang the course co-ordinator last year and told her what I had in the way of previous education and she said I was a good candidate for the course. However, I didn't get an offer and when I rang the Uni I found out that they don't actually offer a psychology stream there (which was one of my majors). Had I known this, I would have applied to other courses instead of putting all my eggs in one basket. So that's on hold for now while I research some more as to what I can do next year. When I didn't get in, I was disappointed, but as I was pregnant I thought maybe it was the universe's way of telling me to not put too much on my plate.
And my home away from home, my beloved Snap and Scrap, which gave me such joy last year when I was diagnosed with depression is closing at the end of this month. It's just not working out and Gillian (God bless her cotton socks for the amazing job she has done keeping it afloat for as long as it has) just can't put any more into it and has had to make the hard decision to close the site down.
So now all my plans and paths for this year are gone - no baby, no uni, no hybrid CT, so I'm feeling lost and uncertain. Which if I wasn't such a control freak and perfectionist to boot would probably be easier to deal with.
So I'm taking a day at a time and doing what I can and trusting that there is a lesson to be learnt in all this. Thank you for your patience and thank you to all my friends and family who have supported my family and I through this, even when I didn't talk to or see anyone for a week. I am grateful for the love.

I promise to only mention the heat ONCE!!!!

2009-02-07T10:42:00.006+11:00

OMGoodness - it is so HOT!! Expected top today of 44 degrees - needless to say I am hiding away inside and catching up on some scrapbooking!

The Cybercrop at Snap and Scrap last weekend was our best ever, loads of fun and new faces paticipating in all the challenges. Thanks for joining us if you were there!

Here is my LO for the Scraplift Challenge, using Bree's gorgeous new kit Tropical Daiquiri.

Here is my LO for the Progressive Blog Challenge using pieces from all the great freebies collected on the way:

And here is my entry for Challenge 9 of the ADSR 4. Please see The Aussie Gumnuts Blog for all the credits for this one, but I mainly used Cool Change by Brianna Cox of Scrap'it Designs.

Too hot for much else today, so catch up soon if I don't melt today! Have a good one and stay cool!!

February Collab Kit from Snap and Scrap

2009-02-06T09:24:00.003+11:00

Check out this awesome collab kit by the team at Snap and Scrap!

There are two ways to get this scrappy goodness - by checking out the blog each day and getting it as a daily download, or by spending $10 in the shoppe and getting it for FREE!!! Can you believe it??!! Watch this space for some hybrid cards I'll be making for Valentine's Day with this gorgeous kit!

Stop #6 on the Progressive Blog Challenge!

2009-01-30T00:01:00.004+11:00

Welcome to the January Snap and Scrap Cybercrop Progressive Blog Challenge!!

You've just arrived at stop #6. If you're just jumping aboard, here's the deal. Basically, the PBC is a blogtrain that you follow along to pick up all the freebies and then use them to create a layout. Upload to the Snap & Scrap Cyber Crop Gallery and post a link to the finished product in cybercrop forum before 9am Monday 2nd February. It's heaps of fun and you get all of the freebies along the way, PLUS this fabulous co-ordinating Participation Prize!

Here's your PBC freebie. At my stop you'll get the elements and at Szilvia's you'll get the papers from this preview. A big thank you to Szilvia for sharing her elements with me!

http://www.4shared.com/file/77564388/a33fac5/ss_decemberpbcele_szilvia.html

Remember, you MUST use at least 1 thing from this download on your layout.

Once you've finished downloading, head on over to stop #7, it's the fabulous Bree!

As we are co-ordinating this across quite a few different time zones, please be patient if all of the stops are not yet posted.In case you've lost your way, or need to skip ahead, here are all of the stops on the train:

Stop 1 - Szilvia

Stop 2 - Katie

Stop 3 - Sharon

Stop 4 - Christina

Stop 5 - Charlie

Stop 6 - Pene (you're here right now!)

Stop 7 - Bree

Thanks so much for stopping by and I can't wait to see your LO's in the gallery! Have fun!!!

Hot, hot hot...

2009-01-29T09:35:00.007+11:00

It is so HOT!!!! We are in a record breaking heat wave, the hottest it's been for the longest time in 100 years! Last night we all slpet badly because it just didn't cool down at all. The top yesterday reached 44 degrees and I think it only got down to 33 last night. The same for today, and tomorrow and the day after...they're not sure when it will break. So Scrubbie, if you're reading this - I'II send some heat your way if you send some cold mine! Check out Scrubbie's blog to see what I'm talking about.

Tomorrow is Laban's and my 9th wedding anniversary and Monday is also Labe's birthday. So we're off loading the kids and heading out for a night on the town - nice dinner somewhere fancy and a ride on the big ferris wheel at Docklands (Labe doesn't know about that yet, my mum bought him tickets for his birthday, shhhhhh...). Then lunch at the pub on sunday with family.
And Monday is Christopher's first day of school!! OMGoodness........

We're halfway through the Amazing Digi Scrapping Race, here are my entries for the last few challenges. See our blog, The Aussie Gumnuts, for credits.

Challenge 5

Challenge 6

Challenge 7

Challenge 8

Off to sit in front of the aircon and think cool thoughts!

We're baaaaaack......

2009-01-27T09:27:00.013+11:00

After a few problems at Snap and Scrap involving servers/hosts and things I don't really get, the site is up and running with a vengence!!!! Put a note in your diaries for this weekend - check this out! I'm stop #6, so be sure to stop by for your Progressive Blog Challenge goodies.

For all the fun and more information, check out the Snap and Scrap Cybercrop forum!

Lots to catch up on!

2009-01-20T23:28:00.007+11:00

Oh my goodness, I don't know where the time is going at the moment! It seems there are not enough hours in the day! I'm looking forward to school going back so we can get back into routine; at the moment everything is all over the place!

ADSR 4 has been fabulous - I was really stretched by challenge 4 but got there in the end and I'm actually really happy how it turned out. We had to do an artsy/altered LO, not my usual style at all. But this is what I came up with and all credits can be found at our ADSR blog The Aussie Gumnuts.

Snap and Scrap is back up and running - Gillian has been working round the clock to get everything right again! So glad to have the site back, I really did miss it! Such a lovely community of people and Gillian is a superwoman for all she's done. On ya Gillian!!! I have made a Star Album for a hybrid project this month using the Jan collab kit Oh Baby. Here is a sneak peak and you can view the tutorial on how to make it here.

One of my favourite designers is a lovely lady named Sara of Sweet Blossom Designs. I've applied to be on her creative team, so fingers crossed! Applications close on the 26th.

It's late now and I know had other things to tell you, but they'll have to wait! Catch you soon :-)

Hello, I'm back!

2009-01-06T09:37:00.005+11:00

Wow, 6 days into the New Year already! Wishing everyone a fabulous 2009 and may all your paths lead to happiness :-)
Lot's happening since my last post - New Year's Eve was pretty quiet, we stayed home and had a couple of drinks and watched the fireworks on TV. There was plenty of fireworks in Melton too, but it seems no one could wait until midnight, because they were going off left, right and centre from about 10pm lol!
Christopher has been at Mathoura for a holiday with his Grandma and Pa (Labe's mum and stepdad). They went fishing and swimming and generally had a great time. He was away for three nights and wanted a cake and a sign to welcome him home! He didn't get one though. He and Ben missed each other, but within a nansecond of seeing each other they were back to normal - funny little kids!
We went to Bendigo yesterday to pick him up as that was the halfway point. I wish I'd thought to bring the camera - saw the most amazing church on the main road. Just beautiful, I'II have to ask Bree what it's called.
Also, this week is the start of the AMAZING DIGI SCRAPPING RACE SEASON 4!!!
The first challenge has been posted, see it at Hummie's World.
The challenge was to 'tear' a photo. I've never done that before digitally, so I was inspired to do two LOs. The first is the one I'm entering, made with Brianna Cox's Pretty Grungy kit, with the butterfly trail from Flutter By Me. The lyrics are from Guns and Roses - ah, the 80's, I miss them!!!

This one is made with Bree's Flutter By Me kit. And the torn templates in both LO's are from Hummie - check out the website for some great video tutorials on how to use them.

Can't wait to see what Sharon comes up with!

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-27T07:14:00.003+11:00

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and if you have to travel anywhere this holiday season, please stay safe!
Christmas was FABULOUS!!! Ben woke up at about 6.15am, so we woke everyone else up to see if Santa had been. First we checked the reindeer food - the water was all gone and so was most of the food. Then we checked the milk and cookies- all gone except for a few crumbs. And then we checked the tree and there were lots of presents!!! The boys went into a present frenzy - Ben's favorite present was a Starwars Lightsabre, while Christopher's was Fourarms from Ben10. Rachel's favorite was a vacuum cleaner - I know that sounds like a sexist toy - but she is obsessed when I vacuum, she walks along behind me pushing the hose to 'help' me! And she loves her little one - it lights up and spins glitter! Wish mine did that LOL!!!!
Laban and my favourite toy is the Wii - it is fantastic! I'm already a MarioKart champion, Laban is the resident tennis champ and Christopher bowls like you wouldn't believe! Ben just likes playing and Rachel is not at all fussed yet. The WiiFit is awesome too - I have sore muscles from 30 mins of different excercises! It graphs your progress and time spent training unlocks more excercises. Very clever technology!!!
We stayed home all day - Laban's mum and sister came out in the morning, my mum came for lunch and it was relaxed and peaceful and the kids got to play with their toys all day. It was fantastic!
Yesterday, we did pretty much the same - stayed home and relaxed and played with the Wii. Today we're off to Ballarat to see Laban's dad. Meant to be a warm one, so we'll go early to beat the heat.
On another note - the December Cybercrop has had to be postponed until next week due to technical difficulties at the site. If you've been over there, you'll see that the site look OK, but everything is locked out while the information is swapped to a new server. As we're not sure how long it will take, the easiest thig is to postpone until next weekend. So sorry about the disappointment, but stay tuned for next week! Bye for now :-)

Ah, Christmas Eve.....

2008-12-24T07:49:00.007+11:00

The excitement in our house has reached fever pitch! We made shortbread yesterday for Santa and have the reindeer food ready to put out tonight. Ben is seriously wriggling with excitement and he has the whole rest of the day to get through yet LOL!!!
A couple of things to note - ***SNAP AND SCRAP IS DOWN FOR MAINTENANCE*** - not sure for how long but I'II keep you posted.
And then:

Due to the holidays, we're running Crop Bingo and the Progressive Blog Challenge, and as an extra bonus, it'll be running until New Years Eve to give you some extra time! So check back here on Friday the 26th for my part of the Progressive Blog Challenge!
I'm not sure that I'll be back here again today or tomorrow, so in case I'm not - Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas and a happy and safe New Year. May there be many magical moments and lots of love and laughter shared with family and friends! Take care and be safe xoxoxo

The silly season has struck!

2008-12-22T21:26:00.006+11:00

Wow, what a busy few days it's been! On Saturday we had a picnic at Brimbank Park with my husband's family. His mother, her four kids and her six grandkids, plus the partners - quite a crowd! Here's a photo of the group (I'm not in it, I was taking the photo!)
Saturday night we had a few of our neighbours over for christmas drinks. I left them to it at about 10.30pm and went to bed! From what Laban can remember, they had a good night LOL!
On Sunday morning, we went to Geelong to Louise's parents place for morning tea. Louise is my best friend, a one in a million person who I'm lucky to have in my life. Her parents are the most amazing people; 6 kids of their own, another they have adopted and numerous foster children! Lou's eldest sister was there with her hubby - their second baby is due at the end of feb. Their first child was there but slept through our entire visit!
On Sunday night, we had our dear friends The Stones over for tea and a drive around to look at the Christmas lights once it got dark. The lights weren't as good as in previous years, but we found some nice houses to look at.
The kids are so excited - only 3 sleeps till Santa comes! Tomorrow we are going to make some shortbread for the grandparents and Santa. Nighty night for now :-)

6 sleeps till christmas!!!

2008-12-19T11:58:00.003+11:00

What I love most about Christmas these days is the excitement of my kids! It's so contagious and wonderful and really makes christmas magical again. Christopher and Ben had a funny conversation the other day about Santa; we saw Santa at the shops and Ben was all excited when Christopher says "That's not the real Santa". I was about to intervene when Christopher says with all the arrogance of a 5 year old "That's not the real Santa because the real Santa came to my kinder and now he's getting ready to bring us presents. He's too busy to be at the shops as well." So real Santa has time to visit Christopher at kinder, but no one else! Love it!
My other exciting news is that Sharon and I registered today to join the AMAZING DIGI SCRAPPING RACE season 4! Our team name is "The Aussie Gumnuts" and you can see our blog here (it's a work in progress, so be kind!) If you don't know about ADSR4 - check out the ADSR4 forum at Natural Designs in Scrapbooking. I'm so excited to be part of it! It starts on the 4th of January and you have until the 26th of December to register. Sounds like a blast!

I made a blinkie!

2008-12-17T23:35:00.004+11:00

I googled 'how to make a blinkie using Photoshop Elements 6.0' and found this easy tutorial on ScrapWhat.
So I had a play around and came up with the following. This is for my hubby, who now has a forum for his World of Warcraft Guild called We Are Furions. I made a header for it a couple of weeks ago, and matched the blinkie with it.

Then I made one for my blog using the beautiful Enchanted Forest by Vicki of A Work in Progress and the Add On by Sara of Sweet Blossom Designs.

I'm pretty please with how it turned out. My next challenge is to try my hand at making my own blogwear!

I'm married to the new Assistant Principal at The Grange P-12 College!

2008-12-17T09:14:00.008+11:00

Woo Hoo! After about 20 applications and 10 interviews, Laban got an Assisitant Principal position at The Grange P-12 College in Tarneit (near Hoppers Crossing). He had the interview on Monday and came home thinking he wasn't what they wanted and as school finishes on Friday, it is unlikely any more jobs would come up this year. When they called Tuesday, he thought he'd get another knock back, so when they offered him the position, he nearly dropped the phone! We're so proud of you honey!
It makes me think that things do happen for a reason - the school is about 25 mins away from here; if we'd moved it would have been about 40 mins. So perhaps we were meant to stay in Melton!
This morning I've tried to get some pictures of the kids in Santa hats - notice I say tried? This is what I've got so far LOL.

I'll keep trying...

The end of an era and a new beginning...

2008-12-16T07:59:00.004+11:00

Ahhhhhh, it's been a busy few days. On Sunday, Mum looked after the kids while Laban and I went and finished our Christmas shopping. We came home and I wrapped it all, so apart from a few little bits and pieces to pick up through the week, we're all prepared! Monday was the last swimming lesson for the year for Ben and for a while for Christopher. I haven't enrolled him to continue next year, we'll see how school and little athletics goes before taking it up again. At 5, he doesn't need too much on his schedule! Ben is enrolled and Rachel is on the waiting list, both for 10.30am on Tuesdays next year.
Monday was also the last playgroup for Christopher - sad in a way as most of the members of our playgroup were our original mother's group when our babies were pretty new! 5 years down the track, most have had at least one more and Narelle is the only one to have a third like me. There's not many coming back next year, so it's sad that we'll inevitably lose touch with some as life moves on. There's a few I know I'II be able to keep in touch with, and a few coming back next year.
But all these endings make way for a new beginning - SCHOOL!!
We've also decided to take our house off the market. There are 8 houses in our court, 3 of which are now for sale! Ours has been up for about 2 months, several inspections in that time, but no offers. The house on the corner was bought by a couple about 18 months ago who gutted it and renovated it all and are now selling to move onto their next project. The other house was bought about 10 months ago by a lady who moved down from Queensland. Her daughter has just been diagnosed with cancer and she needs to sell to get back up there to support her. So it's not a good look to see our lovely court with all these houses for sale and as we're not in a rush to sell, we've decided to take it off the market and stay her for a couple more years. I feel really good about it, it would have been nice to get back to Sunbury, but at the same time, we love our house and we can now plan things for next year as we know where we'll be. And so much less stress not having to keep it tidy all the time with 3 kids!
To finish off my HUGE post today, here is a LO I did of Rachel looking too cute in her fairy wings she got from the Kris Kringle at Playgroup yeasterday. I've used the Enchanted Forest kit by Vicki of A Work in Progress and the add on by Sara of Sweet Blossom Designs. I've also used the tri-frame template by Jaydid Designs.

So today, I'm catching up with some washing and I'm going to pull out the beanbags and watch a couple of DVDs with the kids. Kung Fu Panda, here we come! Have a great day :-)

Twilight - no spoilers I promise!

2008-12-13T21:32:00.002+11:00

All I can say is OMG - go see it - AWESOME!!!!!!!!!! I LOVED it and am hoping to get the kids looked after so I can see it again on thursday with Yvonne and Gabbie! It was pretty close to the book, but obviously they can't put the whole book in the movie, so they did a good job I thought. And Edward - SWOON!!!!!!!!!!! Just as perfect as in the book, and when he looks at Bella, I so wish I was her LOL!!! Made me melt *sigh*. So in summary, all good, loved it and hope to see it again soon!

Rain, muses and a LO - we got it all!

2008-12-13T09:15:00.004+11:00

I love the rain; the fresh,clean smell, the sound on the roof while snuggled in bed, and the feel of it on my face (only because we haven't had any for a while and it feels good! I'm sure the novelty will wear off once I have to unload all three kids in it!) It's rained here most of yesterday, most of the night and is meant to continue today. We need it, so keep it coming!
Yesterday was Christopher's last ever day of Kinder. My first born is going to school next year! I have mixed feelings about it, as I'm sure every parent has! His excitement is contagious, so I'm sharing his joy. I worry about bullies - he's a sweet natured kid who wears his heart on his sleeve and he wears glasses - will that make him a target? It's an adjustment for me that my baby is growing up and might not need me so much any more. And I'm excited at the prospect of just having the two little ones at home - I think it will be good for Ben to do his own thing as he follows Christopher most of the time when they play, and Christopher is quick to tell him he's doing it wrong (which means he's not doing it Christopher's way!) And it'll mean more time for Rachel too with more time to do stuff at her level. I booked tickets for the Playgroup Concert in March next year - something Ben and Rachel will enjoy. I will have to try very hard to not cry when I leave him in his class room the first day, but it'll be a mix of pride and sadness and excitement as he enters this next stage of his life. I'm honoured to be a part of it and I look forward to watching him grow and learn and see more of the man he'll become. Big times ahead!
I'm off to Twilight this afternoon - lunch beforehand and Goldclass tickets - how spoilt am I! My sister in law saw it yesterday and was a little disappointed; but I'm going there with an open mind. I'II give you my review later!
Here's a LO I did of the kids yearly photo with Santa. Rachel leaned in for a cuddle, but she wouldn't smile! And check out the boys - trying to get on Santa's good side by sitting up straight with hands in their laps and 'butter wouldn't melt in our mouths' smiles!!!! Very cute though!

I have used Candied Christmas by Brianna Cox of Scrap'it designs, available at the Snap and Scrap Shoppe.

The Toose Family Elves

2008-12-11T15:51:00.001+11:00

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Thank you Kevin Rudd!

2008-12-10T22:56:00.002+11:00

Just a quick post before I go to bed. I'm typing this on the laptop in the lounge room while Laban is playing WoW in the study thanks to our new wireless router! Also got a new portable hard drive - 1 terabyte of memory to back everything up after our last one was unstable and we thought we'd lost everything (lucky a techie mate was able to get most of it back). Just doing our bit to help the economy - thanks again Mr Rudd!

Snap and Scrap December Newsletter and other stuff

2008-12-10T11:42:00.005+11:00

Back again! The Snap and Scrap December Newsletter is out! Subscribe here to get it delivered to your inbox. Otherwise, check out the link here.
My hybrid Christmas tote bag and card are featured in the newsletter - my first publication! And two of my LO's are in there as well! My head is swelling by the second, I'm very pleased with myself!
Other exciting news is that I'm doing my bit to help stimulate the economy by spending Kevin Rudd's bonus! I've ordered my pandora bracelet and a charm (I did it through Gillets and got a free charm valued at $30). Can't wait for it to arrive! And mum is looking after the kids on the weekend so Laban and I can finish the christmas shopping and might even catch "Australia" at the movies!
And on saturday I'm seeing TWILIGHT goldclass! So excited! Here's a LO I did a while back in honour of Twilight.
If you haven't read this series by Stephanie Meyers, you don't know what you're missing! There's even talk of a roadtrip to Queensland next year for the Twilght Convention amongst the stamping girls.....

Freebies!

2008-12-10T11:24:00.001+11:00

Check out these awesome freebies by Kristie, one of the Sugarplum Girls. She is new to designing and has released three, that's right, three digi kits for FREE! Check out her blog here.

Back later with some more exciting news...

Challenge #8 on the Snap and Scrap Christmas Countdown

2008-12-09T16:34:00.005+11:00

My turn for another Christmas Challenge at Snap and Scrap today and this is what I came up with :

I made the frames from thick cardboard - outside measurements are 8cm tall by 6.5cm wide. The inside measurements are 5cm tall by 3.5cms wide. I covered them with the patterned paper printed from Bree's Candied Christmas kit and sanded the edges for a neater look. The letters were Basic Grey undressed chipboard monograms - but any large alpha will do. Again, I covered these with patterned paper and sanded the edges. I added the star charm to the J with some wrapped around metallic string. The holly on the O was printed from Bree's kit . I've joined the frames together on the back with ribbon stuck down with double sided tape.
These photos are the first christmas' for each of my three children - scary when the baby in the first photo had his orientation day at school today! He had a ball, he's in a class with a few of his friends from Kinder and his teacher seems really nice. The kids are all 'big kids' now, ready for school, but I nearly cried when Christopher walked off with his teacher to see his classroom and he was holding hands with one of his kinder friends! Big kids, but still a little unsure...
Anyway, here is another frame I made a while ago for Rachel, just so you can see the variety with this idea:

And the other good news is that it is raining here and has been all afternoon! Send her down, we need all we can get! Bye for now :-)

Snap and Scrap Newsletter on the way!

2008-12-08T08:08:00.003+11:00

Thanks for everyone's concern over my clumsiness! My bruises are a lovely spectrum of colours, but I'm not as sore today LOL!
Keep your eyes open for this in the next few days:

Chock full of great info and freebies - plus my first contribution on the Hybrid Creative Team!
Off to swimming, playgroup and a kinder picnic in the park for lunch, so I'd better get the kids ready. Have a great day :-)

Falling down and a couple of Layouts.

2008-12-06T18:13:00.004+11:00

It's been a busy couple of days! Last night, we had Laban's work Christmas party at the Hobsons Bay Hotel in Willimastown. A lovely night out on the balcony with delicious food and no kids - they all a holiday at my Mum's for the night. We were on the second floor, and coming down the wooden stairs, I fell down! I've scrapped the skin off my left elbow, bruised my right arm - it's gonna be a ripper! I had such a huge lump on my arm that Laban was concerned I'd broken it and the lump was bone! I've also done my right leg a beauty too - more bruises! And the worst part was I only had one alcoholic beverage all night! If I was drunk I'd probably have navigated the stairs much better! I'm quite stiff and sore today :-(
This morning Laban went to the working bee at his school and I picked up the kids and mum and went to the Sunbury market. I stocked up on Gabbie's fabulous candles (check them out on her website, but you can only buy them at the markets now. The boys got face painted - spiderman for Christopher, Ben 10 for Ben.
Tonight I'm off to Yvonne's for a Christmas Extravangza - making all sorts of goodies which I'II post about tomorrow. Yvonne is incredibly talented - check out her blog here (but just so you know, she's offline at the moment while waiting for computer repairs).
But before I go, I just wanted to show you a couple of LO's I've made yesterday and today using a couple of Bree's gorgeous kits.
I made this LO for the Terrific Template Challenge at Snap and Scrap using one of Mitzie's beautiful templates (grab it form the blog here) and Bree's Cool Change kit (grab it in the shoppe here)

This LO was made using Bree's kit Zoolander (grab it here)

Better go - picking up Gabbie on the way to Yvonne's! Back tomorrow :-)

The news that has made my whole month!

2008-12-04T15:31:00.006+11:00

I am absolutely delighed to be joining the Creative Team of the amazingly talented Brianna Cox of Scrap'it Designs. We've got to know each other over the last couple of months primarily at Snap and Scrap, and I have always admired Bree's work. So when she asked if I would like to join her team, I jumped up and did the happy dance around the room, then composed myself and said a big resounding YES!!!!!
Here's a couple of LO's I've done with Bree's kits.
Using "Pretty Grungy".
Using "I love U beary much."
So thanks for having me Bree and I look forward to working with your designs!

And the universe smiles...

2008-12-02T07:57:00.006+11:00

Last night Venus, Jupiter and the crescent moon appeared together to make a smiley face in the night sky. It was an awe-inspiring thing to see, and gave me hope that things are going to be OK. I tried to take a few photos, but obviously need to work on my night photgraphy skills! This was the sight from my driveway at about 9pm.

I googled it this morning, and the event won't happen again for 5 years. Europe and Africa will miss it all together and for US readers, by the time you see it, the moon will be inverted and it will appear as a frown. Another example of the universe's sense of humour? LOL...

*****UPDATE*****
And how could I not scrap it?

Supplies - I wish I was the Moon by Amy Riley and sparkles from Ferntree Fairies by Brianna Cox (both available at Snap and Scrap).

Snap and Scrap off line

2008-12-02T06:59:00.002+11:00

Snap and Scrap is currently experiencing some issues while moving to a new server. Hopefully it won't be down for too long, so please bear with us!

What a great weekend!

2008-12-01T07:52:00.006+11:00

What a great weekend of Cybercropping goodness! An amazing amount of visits to my blog and downloads of the wondeful elements Bree was kind enough to share with me. I might try my hand at making quickpages so I can make one for the next Cybercrop!
And we got a lot of traffic on the gallery and forum at Snap and Scrap, so thanks to everyone who got involved in the challenges! Check out the Cybercrop Gallery!
Speaking of the challenges, here are my LO's for the weekend.

This is my take on Sharon's Scraplift Challenge. I've used Shabby Little Christmas and Mistletoe Magic available at the Snap and Scrap shoppe. Gold swirls are from Marcee Fairchild's Rhumba Kit.

This was my LO for the Progressive Blog Challenge. I love how varied each and every LO is considering we all started with the same kit! Some very creative people out there!

This was my take on Sarah's List It Challenge. This challenge was like a speed scrap - you get a list of instructions, but we had the weekend to complete the LO, not an hour like a speed scrap. Again - the varied LO's that were made with the same instructions is awesome! Supplies for this were Bohemian Summer Kit by Michelle Coleman and that gorgeous alpha was Bree's from the PBC.
Melissa was the lucky winner of Crop Bingo - I came close,I had two words to go! So did a few others, so the last few words were highly anticipated!! Congratulations Melissa!
So I think my first Cybercrop as part of the team at Snap and Scrap was heaps of fun and a huge success! Thank you to everyone who took the time to leave some love for the downloads, and thanks to everyone who particiapted. And a big hug and thanks to Bree (Brianna Cox) for all her hard work in getting the ball rolling and organising it. I can't wait till the next one!

Welcome to stop #6 on the Snap and Scrap Progressive Blog Challenge!

2008-11-29T00:01:00.009+11:00

Welcome to the Snap and Scrap Cybercrop Progressive Blog Challenge!! You've just arrived at stop #6. If you're just jumping aboard, here's the story.
Basically, the PBC is a blogtrain that you follow along to pick up all the freebies and then use them to create a layout. Upload to the Snap and Scrap Cyber Crop Gallery and post a link to the finished product in the Cybercrop forum before 9am Monday 1st Dec. It's heaps of fun and you get all of these freebies along the way:

PLUS this fabulous co-ordinating participation prize!!!

Here's your PBC freebie, courtesy of the lovely Bree. Remember, you MUST use at least 1 thing from this download on your layout!!

Download here

Once you've finished downloading, head on over to stop #7, it's the fabulous Bree! Click here to go to Bree's blog.

As we are co-ordinating this across quite a few different time zones, please be patient if all of the stops are not yet posted.

In case you've lost your way, or need to skip ahead, here are all of the stops on the train:-
Stop 1 - Katie
Stop 2 - Szilvia
Stop 3 - Gillian
Stop 4 - Charlie
Stop 5 - Christina
Stop 6 - Pene --------> You are Here
Stop 7 - Bree
Stop 8 - Sharon

Make sure you check out the other fun Cyber Crop Challenges!! and the fabulous Participation Prizes!!

Scrap Lift Participation Prize

Scrap Bingo Prize

List It Participation Prize

AND if that wasn't enough, if you stop by the shoppe and spend $10 or more, you get our AWESOME monthly team kit ABSOLUTELY FREE!!

Who says it's a merry christmas?

2008-11-28T15:02:00.004+11:00

This photo was taken in 2006 at the Bulla Railway Park where we went for our playgroup Christmas party. Ben wouldn't have a bar of Santa - and who is the mean mummy who left him there long enough to get a few photos?! LMAO! We're going there again this sunday, also for the playgroup party - wonder if I can get a shot like this of Rachel...
All supplies from the Shabby Little Christmas team kit available from the Snap and Scrap Shoppe!

2008-11-28T12:46:00.003+11:00

Woo hoo - nearly time! The exciting news is that I'm stop #6 on the Progressive Blog Challenge! Stop here tomorrow to get my part of the freebie, courtesy of the lovely Bree of Scrap'it Designs. So much going on for the Cybercrop - check it out here!!

Homer, please stay well!!!

2008-11-27T20:06:00.002+11:00

Today I drove to Oakleigh with Mum to pick up Homer. Homer is my new car (not brand new, but new to our family). He is a beautiful white 1999 Honda Odyessey 7 seater mummy car that we bought about 2 months ago. We had him checked out by our mechanic and he seemed to be pretty sound. Within a month of having him, he was sick and $520later for a radiator top, thermostat and the brakes machined, he was running well again. Last week, he suddenly started making a really bad grinding noise, I mean really, really bad. Our friend and mechanic came and had a look and as soon as we started the car he raised his eyebrows and said 'oh'. That 'oh' was because it sounded to him like the transmission. He rang a couple of his contacts for us, while we rang some of the local guys, and we got prices from $1500 to $4000. Needless to say that once I stood up from having fallen down in shock, I cried!!! So he chased a few more contacts and got us in touch with a place in Oakleigh that does repairs for Honda dealers. They said it was a pretty common problem in Honda's and they suggested a reconditioned transmission with a 12 month warrantee on parts and labour fully fitted for $1850. Plus because I would never have driven it so far with that grinding going on, they arranged a tow truck to pick it up for $100. I'd priced a tow truck with RACV - it would have cost just over $220. So they picked him up on wednesday and he was ready to come home today.
Mum had the morning off work and was able to take me over, but she had to get back to work by 11.30. We went to the car place where I left the car seats and then she dropped me off at Oakleigh Central shopping centre. Two and a half hours later, with three kids who were almost as bored as I was of the little shopping centre (just speciality shops, no KMart, Big W, Target - we'd even browsed the aisles at Coles and Safeway!) he finally called to say it was ready! By the time I walked there - no pram, I hadn't realised that Rachel had put on all the weight she lost when she was sick and then some - the boys who were niggling at each other and the heat, I just needed to be out of there!
Ben and Rachel were asleep within minutes, and we drove home with no problems. Homer is running well and touching all the wood near me, I hope he stays that way for a while now!
Thanks for letting me vent all that - I feel much better now! I think a shower and an early night are in order and tomorrow is a new day! Bye for now :-)

Mmmmmmmmmm.....

2008-11-26T16:03:00.006+11:00

I have just made the most incredible 'Tea and Fruit Loaf' from a Weightwatchers recipe. It has apricots, dates, figs, prunes, orange zest, cinnamon - smells absolutely divine! And don't think I won't share with you...

And that bit I cut off to show you inside - gone!!! Yum :-)

2008-11-25T22:31:00.003+11:00

I have just made this LO for the Template Challenge at Snap and Scrap. The template is by the fabulous Mitzie of Made by Mitzie and I have used the Paper Princess Kit by the incredibly talented Sharlene of Charlie's Digiscraps - both items available at Snap and Scrap. I've also used the Adventure Frame Brush by LivEdesigns, which was a freebie from Designer Digitals.

I'm not sure if Rachel does make more mess than the boys or if it's because I have the boys trained to tidy up after themselves (well, that sounds good in theory, but the practice is somewhat different LOL!!) But I can always tell where Rachel has been by the trail of stuff she leaves in her wake! And how cheeky is she in these photos? She thought she was very clever to have emptied the toys out of the tub so she could sit in it! I think she was waiting for Christopher to come and give her a ride on the tiles in it. I love her cheeky face - she is so beautiful!

Cyber Crop at Snap and Scrap - a weekend of cyber-scrappin' goodness!

2008-11-25T08:57:00.012+11:00

Yes, it's time for another Cyber Crop weekend at Snap and Scrap! Make sure you check back here over the week for another exciting announcement!

Christmas Countdown Challenge #4 at Snap and Scrap

2008-11-24T09:50:00.006+11:00

With a lot of excitment and an equal amount of nervousness, I have posted my first challenge as a member of the Hybrid Team at Snap and Scrap. Here is the link if you want to check it out: http://www.snapandscrap.tv/forum/showthread.php?t=2439
I made a christmas photo cube:

Hope it gets some good feedback - my confidence needs a little help!

2008-11-21T15:21:00.003+11:00

I wrote in yesterday's post that my mojo was gone. I'm not sure where or why, but it's been difficult for me create LO's for the last couple of weeks. The idea is in my mind, but I can't get it out and it is VERY frustrating! I can't seem to decide which kit to use, which colours, which elements etc, so I start a LO, delete it, start again and again until I throw my hands up in disgust and turn Photoshop off! So I'm trying not to stress about it, and I've made a few pencil sketches of my ideas and hope it all comes together some time soon.
Having said all that, I made this LO today (Ben's at childcare, Christopher is at kinder and Rachel had a sleep) which took me ages to do! Changed this and that, changed kits, colour schemes, word art, basically everything about 10 times. But I am happy with how it turned out EVENTUALLY!!!!!

I used the Kindness Returns mini by Scrapping with Katie (Snap and Scrap participation prize for last month's cyber crop). The frame and the Vintage Text paper (which I turned into an overlay) are by Katie Perteit of Designer Digitals.
I'll keep working on the mojo issue...

2008-11-20T21:55:00.004+11:00

Ben's birthday has been AWESOME!! We have all had a great day - even Christopher, despite a few teary periods because there were no presents for him! I understood his frustration and desperation to play with the new toys and Ben was pretty good about sharing most of them, but not the new OMNITRIX!!! It hasn't left his wrist all day LOL!
I just did a LO with the photos of today. There will be more photos as we catch up with other family members over the weekend, so no doubt a few more LO's to be made. I haven't done a LO for about a week (a LONG time for me) but my mojo has gone on holiday. I used a template for this by Anna Aspnes, a freebie from Designer Digitals to help the juices flow. The kit I've used is Live Out Loud by Amy Riley, available from Snap and Scrap. I love the bright colours in the kit.

And here is a photo of Ben when he was minutes old!

My, so much has happened in three years...

2008-11-20T08:35:00.002+11:00

Exciting times here today - my little boy Ben is 3 today! He is such a cool little boy, kind and generous and sweet, but he can throw a tanty with the best of them when required LOL!! He got a Bumblebee that talks and has about 2 steps to transform (finally a transformer I can work out how to change!!!!), a new Omnitrix that lights up and makes noises, Ben 10 figurines, undies and T-shirt - can you tell he's a Ben 10 fan? Christopher is being really good about it, but probably because there are enough things to share. So happy birthday to my darling boy Ben - have an awesome day!

2008-11-18T22:34:00.002+11:00

Not much to report today. Rachel was up at 5.30am :-( so I'm a bit tired! We have an inspection tomorrow, so I spent the day cutting grass, sweeping the driveway, weeding, dusting, vacumming and general tidy up. Think of all the Weight Watchers bonus points I earned with all that activity! We haven't had an inspection for about 2 weeks, I was starting to think we must have dropped off the map...
Christopher is being a little 'challenging' these days. I've been told about the terrible twos and frustrating fours, but no one said anything about Feral Fives ( good name hey?)!! Perhaps he saved it up till now because he's been pretty good most of the time LOL. And with Ben's third birthday on Thursday, it'll probably get worse! Ben is into Ben 10 in a BIG way, so his birthday pressies include a lot of Ben 10 toys. Christopher likes Ben 10 too, so there should be tears here at about 7am! But Ben is such a sweet kid, I bet he shares everything with Christopher. If the shoe was on the other foot, I couldn't say that Christopher would do the same!
We got all the school orientation handouts today for Christopher. It's a little hard to know what to do at this point. We have decided if we don't sell by the middle of January, we are going to take the house off the market and stay here until I finish Uni - approx 2 years. That's providing I get into Uni of course! Anyway, what will be will be!
I finished my photo cube for Snap and Scrap, but I'm not going to post it here until next week so I don't spoil the surprise. I must say I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out.
I think I'll head to bed now - sweet dreams :-)