One Little Word for 2012...

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!

Digiridoo Scraps Progressive Blog Train

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!!!

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!!!

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

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!!

I actually managed a LO!

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!

Digital Scrapbooking Day and Blog Train!

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!!!

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!

September Cyber Crop at Digiridoo Scraps!!!

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...

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!!!

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!!

It's that time again!!!!

Woot! Hope to see you there :)

My first attempt at designing!

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.....

A fabulous weekend!

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!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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!!!

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

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...