Inside My Black h'Art

The grey in the middle...

2011-07-08T22:25:00.000-07:00

Hello dear bloggers, just a quick note to show you what I have been up to for the Black with Two DT. This fortnights challenge is "black and white with stripes". Hmmmmm black and white with stripes, sounds plain but you should see what the awesome DT has come up with: and here is mine.

I must say I am really happy with how the stamping technique turned out. I have it hanging on the wall because the effect is best when looked at from a distance. To be completely biased, how could I not love that layout when my beautiful princess is looking out at me. There is still time for you to enter for the prize pack for this challenge so hop on over get some ideas and get striping!!

I am going to Perth tomorrow and will be going to a retreat in the south-west where we are being tutored by the most talented Nina Bagley!!!!!!!!!!! I am so excited!!!!!!!!!!!!! I think this is what I have been needing for the longest time. Time for myself to focus, inspiration and nurturing from someone who has beauty emanating from all she does. After that I will be flying to Camp Mojo with my beautiful soul sisters Jenny Burns and Mel Connell to meet up with all the lovely ladies from around the country to share laughs and layouts and have an experience that I am sure will help to shape the person I am from here. And a big thanks to Anne-Marie Cox, one of the most fantastic ladies you will ever have the blessing to know for building the excitement and keeping us all focused on the end task: PPPPPAAAAAARRRRRTTTTTYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!! What this all means however is that I will not be around for a while as we will be away from home till the first week of August and while I thought I would endeavour to share along the way, I think I will take this opportunity to put myself in voluntary black out so as to fully commit myself to the goings on around me. Thank you all for your understanding and support!
While I'm gone:

Take care of each other,
see you soon!
M xx

Baby Blues!

2011-06-17T03:25:00.000-07:00

Baby blue would not have been one of the first choices of colour I would normally work with. Actually baby anything isn't really my usual style!! I didn't even dress my babies in baby colours, I was always more inclined to put them in really deep or vibrant colours. But never the less this fortnights challenge at BW2 is "BABY BLUE WITH HEARTS"!! And you should see the girls work!! Pop over and be inspired and get your layout up for your chance to win a great prize!!!!
So do you want to see what I did...?

I used an embossing folder and a rolling pin for the embossing around the edge of the page and then highlighted it with a treasure gold (only a blue one!). And of course I can't go past a WOW chippy title, they always have the right thing to say!!! The love hearts are just cut on my Big Shot. I coloured the large chipboard hearts and title with iridescent medium tinted with paint and I spread it on thickly with a palette knife to give it some texture. I have to say I love the simplicity of this layout, I think it describes how I feel about those three boys exactly... I just love love love them!!!!!!!!!!!!
Take care of each other,
see you soon!
Megan B xx

Only a couple of days left!!!!!!!!

2011-05-10T17:51:00.000-07:00

Hey girls you've only got a couple of days left to get an entry in to the Black With 2 challenge this month!! The criteria is black with gold and multiple photos! Easy peasy! Some great prizes are to be had for those they give it try!
And here is my attempt:

Lots of pics and shiny gold stickers and of course a very fitting title thanks to WOW chipboard!
I love this layout because it was such a fantastic day and these pics will forever remind me how lovely it is to be surrounded by true friends and those who share in the same passion as you!
Take care of each other,
see you soon!
M xx

Leaves you feeling dimensional!

2011-04-22T19:22:00.000-07:00

Well, I hope everyone is in the middle of a very happy and safe Easter and I hope the Easter Bilby visits you with lots of sweet goodness tomorrow morning!!

I just thought I'd put up a couple of pics of a mirror I have done with some more WOW chipboard. I have used a a bit of chipboard fraying to make the leaves and butterflies look more dimensional and give them a bit of depth and movement. If you'd like to see the technique please drop over to the WOW DT blog and have a look, I have left detailed steps with pics!! I have tried to give you some different views here so you can get the feel for the dimension. The back ground is some lovely printed napkins!

Take care of each other,

see you soon!

Megan x

Black With Two... April 15??

2011-04-19T21:22:00.000-07:00

Sorry Girls, I'm a bit late with this again, but better late than never!

How striking is a black background? I just love it, it makes everything pop! I think it can be intimidating sometimes to try using soft colours with black but rather than over powering the gentle hues I actually think it gives a beautiful clean background that helps deepen all of your colours. So here is my BW2 layout for this challenge...

That is my baby girl meeting my baby boy, seems like only yesterday!

This layout's criteria was black with fabric and yellow! I truly did struggle with that because yellow is NOT my favourite colour. But I am pretty pleased with how it come out. I actually have had a heap of fun getting totally off track with hand dying! As I didn't have any yellow pigments AT ALL (no paint, no ink, no dye, no nothing, not even a piece of yellow paper!!!!) and with no LSS to pop into I had to be a bit creative and so I hand dyed some open weave muslin with some household products and food! It was great fun!! And I think it worked really well! And I dyed a beautiful piece of vintage floral print fabric I had yellow as well and used it as my mats! So come on girls get your creative caps on and get over to BW2 with a link to your entry, can't wait to see them all!

Take care of each other,

see you soon.

Megan B xx

April 1 Black with 2

2011-04-03T02:59:00.000-07:00

I'm so sorry this didn't go out on the 1st like it was suppose to! It loaded without pics! But I arrived home last night, so here are the pics!!

The challenge this month was BLACK WITH LAVENDER AND GLITTER!! What an awesome challenge and here is my layout:

I did the background with my Prima masks and Tsukineko glue pad and Mica D'Lights (the bestest most grown up glitter EVER!! Yum!)

I love how this layout turned out. I am hoping to get the time to explain why I used what I did to create this layout, it completely describes my Kassidy, he is such a complicated, deep boy! Dressing up and surprising me at the assembly just made him so happy, I love being apart of his journey!!

Hope to see all your layouts up on the Black with 2 site really soon! Don't forget there will be another challenge on the 15th of the month!

Take care of each other,

see you soon!

Megan B xx

Yeeeehaaaaa!!

2011-03-20T04:39:00.000-07:00

Ok, I just wanted to shout out to EVERYBODY who doesn't already know that I have been extremely lucky enough to be appointed to the Black with 2 Challenge Design Team!!!!!!!!! I feel so incredibly lucky to be working with a terrifically talented team on a terrific challenge site! I really hope you will join in the fun and get in the running for some great prizes from our terrific sponsor, so pop over to the blog and keep up to date with the news and get on board!! Our first challenge is going out on APRIL 1, so get ready girls!!

And to celebrate, here's a layout I have done for the other fantastic design team I am spoilt enough to be involved in: WOW!! With the chipboard I ran it through my zyron and then dusted it with Perfect Pearls!

I have to let you in on a little trick I found out too! I wanted to do a bit of embossing but didn't have any blue embossing powder, SO, I mixed a little Antiquities Frosted White embossing powder with Perfect Pearls Blue Smoke. I think it worked really well, I was very happy with it!!

Take care of each other,

see you soon!

M xx

Like Lightning!!

2011-03-16T04:02:00.000-07:00

Ok, this is gonna be short and sweet!! No seriously!! I really mean it... well if you don't believe me, just look!

If you want a LO to be eye catching, a FABULISCIOUS title really helps!! So, this is of course a wonderful WOW title and I think it just helps make the whole layout POP!

I had the same shot printed at two different sizes because, to be honest, at first I had no idea what I was going to do with this pic. But I just love Kassidy's little baby face and his dead pan expression. I wanted the big pic but it drowned out everything out. So that the big picture didn't take over the whole layout, I just put it under some vellum, so it's still there, but him getting his certificate takes your eye first... Well, it would, if I didn't have an almighty flash mark in it! My bad photography :0|

I have some more fantastic news, but I can't share yet! So stay close, I'll be letting you in on the secret really soon!

Take care of each other,

see you soon.

Megan B

Not that room, this room!

2011-03-01T05:20:00.000-08:00

This has a multi point start this story.
Road 1. My husband (who is far too opinionated for his own good sometimes, LOL!!) thinks it isn't fair for me to decorate our house. See, according to him, we should all have some say in the decorations and they should display all of our personalities; we should all feel like this is our space and we should all feel like it is for us and a part of us. You see I am not the only one living in this house... and you can tell that by the dozens of giant Ford Car posters that decorate my living room that help him feel this is "his" space, you know help him represent "his" personality! The question is, how to make decorations around the house that aren't just for me?!?!
Road 2. We live in a tiny house, just a wee bit bigger than the even tinier house we lived in whilst we were in Perth. However, even in this small house my children get lost. It never happens in the clear light of day, always in the middle of the night when small, soft hands rub at puffy, heavy eyes, or when some scrape or bump brings tears to those eyes and make the world seem blurry and harsh. So I have put up door plaques to help jog their memories!! The problem with the "communal" doors is that I have 5 age groups and 6 personalities to deal with -_- ! Not easy, let me tell you.

So, I have made a plaque for the children's bathroom. I have kept the background earthy and grungy and not too many embellishments, to cater for my two big boys (12 and 8, cause they are far too cool for baby/girlie stuff) and I have used the awesome WOW chipboard word with bubbles and a gorgeous little ducky to cater for my two littlies (5 and 3), and the two biggest in the house will have to make another bathroom plaque for theirs. Tehehe!

Now there are a lot of new paint type products out on the market, and I have to say I am a bit of product junky, BUT I am sort of a bit of a drive away from my local shop so I can't indulge like I would like too! However, while standing at the counter of the local chemist the other day looking at the fabulous discount/discontinued basket on the counter, I had a stroke of... well I nearly had a stroke! It came to me in a panting, hand flapping, screeching, giggling way, as some good ideas do! In the basket was a kit that was 60% off!! How can I walk past something that was 60% off?? 6 for $10!! SIX FOR TEN!!! Oh I had to had them... Gorgeous, kitsch, shiny NAIL POLISHES!!!!!!!! And then what did I do with that nail polish... coloured my chipboard of course!! And I love the effect, nice and shiny and metallic AND it behaves a bit like Dimensional Magic in that you can drip it on ridiculously thick and the surface tension holds it in a dome shape. And the little bubbles that appeared, just sand down and one more quick thin coat to cover and if only you could see in the pic the effect, really, really happy with it! And some terrific colours to play with!!

It was hard to do the embossing any justice in these pics either. All over the fussy cut embellishment and in that whole bottom right corner I have sprinkled Judikins Extreme Peacock Embossing Powder and heated it because I love the sprinkly rainbow effect. I really think it helps with the "watery" look. With the WOW words so shiny and metallic looking I think the embossed area helps tie in the texture and look of the words, with the backgrounds being rough and grungy.

The little ducky was coloured with Magical Mica's only the most awesome colours I have ever had the joy of using!! He is lovely and shiny too!!

Just one more word to all the friends, family and neighbours of ours that have been suffering through the floods, fires and earthquakes that have rocked the places near and dear to us in recent times. You are very much in our hearts and prayers.

See you soon,
take care of each other,
Megan B xx

Turn the page

2011-02-22T01:14:00.000-08:00

Hello my friends! If you would like to see my latest creations please visit the WOW DT Blog!
I just also wanted to say that we hold all the family and friends that are amidst the Christchurch earthquake in our hearts and prayers and are sending love and thoughts to all of their family and friends worrying about them from all corners of the world.
In this time of chaos and destruction, please, please take care of each other.
Megan B xxx

Major, maajjoorr, MAJOR upheaval!

2011-01-20T00:50:00.000-08:00

Well this could be a really long post, so I am going to get straight to the point... we have had a major upheaval. I'm not sure if the title gave it away?!?!?
I think everyone who has read my blog or facebook would well and truly know that Kev has been working in a "FIFO" (Fly-in-fly-out) position in the mines in Newman since April this year. When Kev took this job it was for a new lease on life. After owning our own business or working for himself for the entire time we have been together he had had enough. 14 hour days, 7 day weeks. Never knowing what next week would bring. We spoke to a lot of people. We thought getting settled in our business early would mean the time would come when we could step back a bit, but everyone we ever spoke to said the same thing. It never ends. Our business did really well, and it was a hard decision to let it go, but he decided being able to spend time with the family was more important, so a job in the mines would suit our needs. We thought it was definitely best for me to stay in Perth because of the kids (I hadn't really thought about how much I would feel like a single parent because of his absence). Our biggest boy was graduating primary school and we got him into the high school we really like, our baby needed help with a delay in his speech, and we had all those after school activities that they would miss out on if we moved to a small country town. So, sensible thought won out and off Kev went at the start of the year. And although I put on a brave face, it was one hell of a year. Not only was Kev only with me one week out of three but to add a little more to the mix, my mum, who lives with us, fell and broke her arm (for the second time in 6 months) in May. Now to a normal person this would be an inconvenience. But in case you've never met me, there is very little "normal" about me and this extends to my mother. She has Lupus and various serious complications that go along with the title. Breaking her arm actually meant she was unable to walk because she uses and aide. And due to uber heavy drugs they pump into her she has the immune system of a grain of sand. Anyway, due to some heavy complications Mum was really very unwell for quite a bit of last year and I felt oddly lonely for most of it because my soul mate was 100's of kms away. Now to fill in that blank I have to let you know that Kevin and I are still majorly in our honeymoon phase (I can hear you A-M, lol!). Until the first swing, where he was gone for 15 days, we hadn't been apart for 15 days in total since we first met. Literally! We are the kind of couple who still hold hands walking around the shops. We still sit next to each other on the couch every night. We go to bed at the same time every night, brush our teeth standing together around our tiny little basin. I think you get the picture. I almost lost my mum and I felt a bit like I had lost my best friend/lover/partner. Not only was I feeling lonely and scared but my heart was breaking for my man because of the pain I knew he was in, so very lonely going back every night, after 13 hours of work every day, to an empty room. Waiting patiently for our phone call every night just to hear our voices and feel like he was still apart of our day. Feeling miserable and helpless because he couldn't put his arms around me as I sobbed on the phone most nights with fear, loneliness and heart ache. So we had a change of heart. We decided to go where the family could be together. It was always going to be better for the kids to have their parents together as this is the way we work best. Kev was approached to apply for a couple of jobs from a couple of different company's and that is what he did and then we just waited. I kept "breaking the news" to everyone but was almost disappointed - no shock value there, everyone who knew me, who knew me & Kev, could see it coming. Another hiccup- sure why not!! - I couldn't bring Mum with me. She can't get her medical treatment here and she needs to stay closer to my Nana. So it was not an easy decision but it was one we all made. And now here we are in Newman. It really has been the best decision we could make. And thankfully to all the beautiful family and friends that I have, my Mum will never be alone. They are all chipping in to help keep her company and help her out where needed. They know who they are and I can't thank them enough from the bottom of my heart, I just couldn't have left without knowing they love and care for my mum just as they do for me. I know it doesn't make Mum's heart as full as having all of us around but it will only be for a couple of years.

What will I do up here? Well, Kev thought, considering I have always held down a job (going back after each of our four children) aswell as working in our business, and looking after the kids and Mum, that now might be the time I could spend on furthering the thing that means the most to me (other than my loved ones)... My art. But what to do and where to start? Oh the plans! Hmmmm... Well, I decided when I saw the call out to drop a quick line to Suzanne from Words or Whatever, and here I am the extremely chuffed last DT member! So this is a MAJOR good news post. I have to say a huge thank you to Suzanne for being so patient with me while I fell into the black hole of communication that enveloped me while we were in the process of the relocation, your an absolute GEM xoxo. I absolutely can't wait to get stuck into that corner of my head where the creative stuff lives and put it to good use. I can't leave without a picture so I have just put up a couple of sneaky's of my scrap space. As always it is in the middle of our living area, Kev has allotted me a good space so that I can be right next to him while he is on X-Box or puter or TV! (*sigh* peace and love reign again)

Man, I love these old faux ivory handles on my vintage buffet!!

Please take care of each other,
see you soon!
M x

Part 2: Did I answer the call...

2010-10-19T01:54:00.000-07:00

OK, so this will be longer than yesterday. Stay with me, won't you?
When my sister died (along time ago) amongst all her things were dozens upon dozens of notes. Little kitschy note pads and journals and loose leaves with pretty pictures printed on them, filled with everything from heartfelt journal entries to shopping lists. These notes and lists were so much a part of our lives. They were our lifestyle. Notes to mum explaining where you were going and when you'd be home, remember this is in a family of 5, pre-mobile phone times. And lists of things she shouldn't forget, and memories or feelings she wasn't ready to let go of. This was partly because of her make up and partly because of the aluminium poisoning that ravaged her memories. But, whether it was because of her immensely strong will that she showed me everyday, or whether there is some little, tiny, microscopic piece of protein in our DNA that makes us this way, I'm afraid to say, this too is my craziness. I am always writing things. I have always got little books and note pads at the ready for me to store away those thoughts that I am so scared that I will lose. I think this is also a connection to my trinket box fascination. I feel the need, so desperately, to contain my memories, to have a place where they belong. I have many notepads and journals of my own going back 20+ years. Some of them are artistic, some are wordy, some are childish and some are so beyond me that when I look back at them I can hardly believe it is my hand that wrote it. Maybe this is why I keep them. Some I decorated. Some were bought because I thought they were so beautiful to start with that I had to have them in my collection. So now, is this what I do? Well it is part of it. And probably very much part of my "scrapbooking". The pages I have done strictly for me have little to no embellishment on them. They are just photos with my memories written with them. I keep these memories, maybe not so much for "them" but for myself. Maybe one day I'll lose them and this will be the list I look back on to remind myself.
When I make a "journal" I just do the covers. I have no intention of putting anything on the inside. If the journal is for me, then the crisp, clean pages are just like a crisp, clean sheet pulled across a freshly made bed; it's somewhere I want to jump into, to feel safe. I can pull the pages over my consciousness like a doona up over my ears and block out the deafening noise of all the pain around me. I can hide my face in them, close my eyes to shut out the light from the world that burns into my mind and scorches it with it's hostility. Those pages, scented and brittle, smooth and clean are there to shelter me from the world outside. They will catch my tears. But they will not betray my thoughts. Such a promise from something heartless, breathless, unconscious.
I really like making things that are going to be used. If someone else is to take my journal then part of this objects journey is to fill a spot in that persons day. To take a list, or record a thought. Or be doodle in, to have an appointment scribbled on it with a shaky hand. To give something so unfinished is to give the possibility of something greater. Is to give the opportunity for something more. My journals are not eclectic pages that I have created but safe places to go for the heart of who has it.

So... I had a miscarriage a couple of weeks ago. Of course, as soon as Kev jumped on the plane. And although it wasn't a baby that we had planned and yearned for, I can't help but feel the broken heart of someone who has lost something so connected to themselves and the promise of something so much more than themselves. Maybe it is because I know how in love Kevin and I are with the people that we have brought into to the world, I fret for the love. Maybe it is more the smell of a newborns head or the first gurgling smile that you wait for, gazing upon every little milky pore on their face, calling over anyone who will pause and absorb the grace of this wonderful fruit of our hearts. I'm not sure. I thought I was very steeled against this type of disappointment (this is the fourth baby Kevin and I have lost), and yet as my body betrays me (as always) and goes through the purging process so my heart goes through the mourning. Maybe it's just because without Kevin's arms to cradle me and his chest for me to smother my wails and absorb my tears I feel so very, very vulnerable. Or maybe it's just hormones. Drugs will cure my physical ailments, time will cure my heart ache and I am strong.
I'm so so sorry, I can't bloody stand people that wah wah wah. What a freakin' whinger, LOL!! {Thank you to those who have let me have my vulnerable paranoid moments. Honestly, everyday [at about the same time] I thank God for you. xx}

Anyway, this is a box I did recently. I felt I just had to jump on the "steampunk" bandwagon. It really isn't my style so much. I love the period pictures but I am much more aligned in my heart with the nature side of things than the mechanical (which is absolutely hilarious. I know soooooo too much about machinery for my own liking!! Bloody things rule our lives!!)

I was going to give you a bit of a run down on the hinges but, I'm not feeling quite up to it at the minute & and am sure you are completely over it too. I will though, so stay tuned.

Thank you for getting to the end of this. And I do apologise for taking up so much of your time.

Take care of each other,
see you soon!
M xx

That call was for me. Yep, it said "wake up"!!

2010-10-18T04:00:00.000-07:00

I have had some wonderful conversations of late, with some wonderfully blessed and wise people. And it has all got me thinking. I know, that's dangerous, isn't it?!
One of these wonderful people asked me what I did. What a terrific question! So simple, so obvious and yet this question has made me lose sleep, has made me question so many things that I thought were constants in my life. It's the kind of question you can answer in a second- straight off the cuff- have it wash straight over you like water off a ducks back. Or it's the kind of question that when you go to answer, you realise you don't know the answer and trying to work it out it becomes so hard that it makes you reassess everything going on. I really liked that question!
So I am going to explain just a little bit about what I do. As it seems to me today.
I spent quite a lot of time with my Nana when I was younger while my Mum spent a lot of time at the hospital with my older sister. On the mantle in her kitchen she had about four old tea caddy tins. I think this was the start of it. That and Charlie Brown (a close relative) rolling smokes with one hand with baccy out of his little blue tin that he balanced in the hand that didn't have all his fingers. It's so funny how some of your childhood memories can be so abstract and yet so, so, so vivid. And so because these are two of those beautifully vivid memories I am sure that is where I got my "addiction" to tins. I have always collected tins. And that grew as I got older to trinket boxes and jewellery boxes and old bottles and jars. Oh I love them. I actually have an old Bex bottle with the label still on!! That is one of my favourites. So when I do my arty type thing (I'm not pretentious enough yet to call myself an artist LOL!!! And truth be known, I don't think we can ever imbue ourselves with that title, I think it is for others to judge) what I do is "alterations" and my favourite places to do it are on boxes and tins and books (that is for another post!). So in case you didn't see it, I put my Wax Box on my blog a while ago, that is definitely one of my favourites. Now, what I am showing you isn't a box, but it is still more "Meganesque" (LOL!! you-know-who) than some other things I have done lately. It's so funny, I am NOT a gardener but I always create with leaves and flowers and all things of nature, work that out!?

This is my "Secluded Gardens" Canvas. I am not even going to try to list some of the techniques, cause to be honest it's a mish-mash. 101 techniques on a canvas, LOL!!

Now when I say it, I don't just say it to hear myself speak (read myself type)- I say it because I sincerely hope as a world, as people in a community, as women (I don't think I have many man reading my blog, please let me know if you are a bloke reading this!), as family members, as friends that we learn to look after each other, because when we do, I believe, that is when we will make awesome things happen! So...
Take care of each other,
see you soon!
Mxx

I finally got a title - Phew!

2010-10-05T03:07:00.000-07:00

Mmmmmm, gotta love the Lumiere Paints

Take care and all the rest, Mx!

Kraft IT Up for October

2010-10-03T05:21:00.000-07:00

This is my effort for the Kraft-It Up October Challenge. I have used an Ikea place mat to mask those cute little love hearts and made a daisy chain from chipboard flowers and lace. I really like the way they both worked out!!

This layout was about my Mother's Day morning. I was feeling a bit down because Kev wasn't home, he usually spoils me so. Lonely and unspoilt was the mood. However, I woke up to this beautiful sight, the big boys came through and off their own back made such a beautiful, heart felt effort. It meant so much to me. Waking up to this beautiful sight on my bedside table; a picked flower in a cup, a necklace made in my favourite colours, a card drawn and coloured by hand and a hot cup of tea! What a wonderful day, and oh how spoilt I felt.

Take care of each other,

see you soon.

An Oldie but a Goodie

2010-10-02T05:31:00.000-07:00

I think everyone has got at least one layout using up all the "spare parts" from chipboard letters or shapes or what ever is left over. I thoguht it was appropriate to use the chipboard letters for a school days layout. I mean what else can you do with royal blue uniforms?! Except the October Afternoon paper is very suitable and absolutely gorgeous!!

My little baby girl looks so grown up on her first day of kindy! Can't believe she'll be full time in just one more term- where does the time go?

Take care of each other,

see you soon!

Happy 21st

2010-10-01T09:01:00.000-07:00

This is a card that I made for a very dear friend of mine who turned 21 last month. I have literally known her since she was born and it has been a wonderful thing to be able to watch her grow into such a lovely young lady. Hope you had a great night Rach, love you lots! xxx

So the next step is the album to commemorate that wonderful night and all her memories of this exciting time!! Yay!!

Take care of each other,
see you soon!
M
x

Nicknames

2010-09-17T03:36:00.000-07:00

This months challenge at "Scrap the Boys" was about what you call your boy, what their nicknames are. All four of my children have nicknames, so this was a great challenge for me. We had a friend who had a wee lisp and would call Kassidy "Bashidy", which is where Kassidy got Bash from. However, most people think it is because he is so boisterous. Which he is! But the flip side to Bash is his super sensitive, nurturing side. He really is one of the most loving and affectionate little boys I have ever met. He just has all his personality traits turned up to 11 - if he is being one of the boys, he is the loudest and most rambunctious, if he is being tender and caring he is like a little angel with light and love just glowing in him. What an exciting person he is to have in my life.

And yes, that is paper pleating on my layout!! Not something I do very often, as everyone knows i am too lazy! The piece I pleated was actually the border of the round paper I have as a mat and I pleated it in order to made a straight border out of it! Worked a treat, I think! Sorry about the dodgy photo, for some reason I couldn't get rid of the glare of the flash today, so I had to take it with out the flash. Hence, the slight blur.

Take care of each other,
see you soon!
M
x

Too Much Cake. Is that even possible?

2010-09-13T04:05:00.000-07:00

This week we are celebrating Mel-Belle's birthday, Angus's birthday, Father's Day and Mitch's Confirmation! What does this all mean?
CAKE!!
Oh my Lordy, if I have a weakness it's cake!! Oh I just love it! I have hunted down the best cake shops! I will go to extremes to get it! If there is cake in the house, I'll eat it for breakfast lunch and dinner! Thick moist mud! Light fluffy mousse! Baked cheesecake! Continental cheesecake! Hummingbird! Kugloff! Jaffa! Chocolate! Vanilla! Strawberry! Lime Brulee! With extra cream! And of course smothered in ganache! Sometimes I'll eat it just for the ganache icing!
*sigh*
Some of us have crosses to bear, addictions - monkeys on our backs! What can I do, I'm only human!
The worst thing is... I've passed my addiction onto my daughter! Poor little chunky chops...what hope does she have!!??

These flowers were made with the Cuttlebug cut and emboss die. and the ribbon was out of a Webster's ribbon pack.

These are little paper ribbon buckles cut from a Spellbinder's die. I love them, they are sooooo cute!

Well I'm off to eat all the Milky Way that is left, followed by dessert. Eclair torte! Nom nom nom!!

Take care of each other, share your cake!!

See you soon,

Do more with Shrinky Dink!!

2010-09-07T19:24:00.000-07:00

There are just a few spots left in my MYO Embellishment class on Sunday at Scraptivate. In this class I am going to be showing the super awesome trick I have found that makes Shrinky Dink so much easier to use and giving you some ideas on how to incorporate them in your art, on layouts, cards and everywhere else.

And with all your samples you get to put together a cute in tag collection. In which ever theme or colour tickles your fancy. So give the store a call of 9444 6626 to get your seat!

Take care of each other,

see you soon!

It needs a title

2010-08-21T04:00:00.000-07:00

Do you ever have those days? Or weeks? Or that project that just won't get finished no matter how hard you try? Well, I have one of those. I have done the title on this layout twice already. Chipboarded, painted, stickled, sanded, the whole she-bang!! Twice the whole she-banged title has gone awry!! Maybe this is a message that I picked the wrong title? I titled it "Little Helper", feel free to let me know if you think it should something else, maybe I just got it wrong... Titles have never been my forte!

Take care of each other,

see you soon.

You've got to see these flowers!

2010-08-11T08:24:00.000-07:00

This is a layout I did recently and I have to say there is a couple of things I think worked out really well. I started with a Heidi Swapp embossed board and I layered about 100 Glimmer Mists over it and then Rub and Buff. It came up really well, probably better in real life.

These flowers are the "#1", "Star-of-the-Day", "Holy-Moly! That worked!" part of the layout I love!! They are calico cut with the Tim Holtz Tattered Flowers die. Glimmer Misted and layered up to make 3D flowers and then just arranged in a little posy!!

Mmmmm, yum!! Get ready to see these flowers around a bit more, in fact you'll know my work from one hundred paces... I can hear it now... "Oh Megan and those bloody calico tattered flowers. Is she ever gonna get over them!?" Nah! Well not until the next fantastic thing comes along, LOL!!!

Take care of each other,
see you soon.
M
x

Not Brand New

2010-08-02T03:11:00.000-07:00

I did these two layouts a while ago. One was for my Scrap-a-Sketch class and one was for Scraptivate DT (I think). I haven't posted them till now because I am not altogether happy with the photos I took, I get the feeling that it might have been a late night shoot!

I just never get sick of chipboard and Glimmer Mists, and although I like strong colours, this bright layout would normally not have been on my radar, but it just suits Eliza to a T.

Yep, more chipboard and Glimmer Mists. And of course LEAVES! For someone who doesn't like gardening, man, I love flowers and leaves. I still have to have a chuckle when I see this, yep I got out the corner rounder, and used it for... corner rounding! A little bit CM for my usual taste.

I love this boy soooo much. He is such a trial for me, but he is also such a treasure. I really don't think I would be here right now if it weren't for God giving him to me when he did. We are so alike, I know what he is thinking before he even gets to having the thought. He has come through for me soooo much in the last couple of months while Mum has been under the weather. While I am sooo proud of him, at the same time I am so broken hearted to see him grow up so much, I just know it brings me a step closer to when he leaves my nest to find his own way. I pray everyday that I am giving him enough of the tools he needs to be a happy, fulfilled, loving, responsible man.

Take care of each other,
see you soon.
M
x

Crown Fit for an Art Queen

2010-07-28T23:44:00.000-07:00

This is a project I recently finished after being inspired by Jenny and Mel to explore my Drama Queen side.

The Tiara is made from white Prima Flowers that I have coloured using ink and Glimmer Mists. The metal embellishments are all just assortments of brads (some Making Memories, some so old I can't quite remember). There is Twiddleybitz chipboard and some Dusty Attic chipboard some of which is covered with Angelina Film.

The wings at the side are some gorgeous vintage metal embellishments we have at Scraptivate.

Some times getting the right photo is soooo much harder than it should be. Especially when some 2-nearly-3-year-old is having fun waving his hand with a block in it in front of the camera and seeing it on the little screen. There is a reward for every challenge, 1) getting the right photo, 2) getting to see the enjoyment on his face at my inconvenience!!

Take care of each other,
see you soon!
M

I still love embossing

2010-07-26T06:32:00.000-07:00

It is an oldie but a goody. It has maximum impact for minimal effort. It has so many applications and so many different techniques can be dome with it. I love embossing!!

This blue flourish is cuttlebug embossing then gently wiped with the embossing ink pad (so it only hits the high points) and the gold embossing powder sprinkled and then cooked! This is my big boy when he was about 28 months old (he's turning 12 this year!).

The close up of the butterfly shows the effect of stamping in to UTEE. I used TA Glimmer Mist on the naked chipboard butterflies, then covered them in embossing ink sprinkled UTEE on them and cooked it. While it was molten I add more UTEE and cooked it until the butterfly had a really nice thick layer. Then on the last round, again, while the UTEE was still molten I pressed into it with a rubber stamp that I had inked up with the Stazon Metallic Gold Ink. Another thing that I love! MMmmmmmmmm Stazon Metallics... Yum!

I don't usually complain, but I must say that I don't think the colours in this have shown up pretty badly, maybe a look IRL would be better. Feel free to drop by the store and have a look sometime!!

Take care of each other,
see you soon.
M

DT Challenges 1 and 2

2010-07-11T06:14:00.000-07:00

Well this has been a week of DT challenges. Firstly, my DT challenge for Scraptivate.

This is a Kaiser Trinket Box. I have used the Krafty Lady moulds for the bust and wings and I have poured them with... BEESWAX!!

I was also given, as part of the the DT pack, some Collections chipboard labels and some of the new Scraptivate Embossed Borders and Trims (German Scrap).

The rest is Basic Grey papers, stamps, paint, Tim Holtz Tissue Tape, Beeswax and Treasure Gold. I think that is it. Sometimes it's hard to tell what I've used. When I'm in the creative flow I don't keep a list and I don't take a mental note, because I just add texture and colour until I feel it is ready. My bad!

I have also been one of the first two ladies to do a layout and card to help with the Camp Mojo Challenge. If you wold like to see what I did and the sketch that we were given, just pop over to the Camp Mojo site and have a look. Sandra Staples has also done an awesome layout and card so have a look at the ideas that are floating around out there. Must say it was a bit stressful, being first to do up a sample, the pressure was on. I loved the challenge though and I can't wait to go to camp and see all those awesomely talented ladies with all those awesome ideas bouncing around.

Please feel free to leave a comment and let me know what you think, or just say "Hi". It's nice to know you're out there!

Take care of each other,

see you soon.

How Much Do I Love...

2010-07-08T02:51:00.000-07:00

How much do I love the Stazon Metallics? HEAPS AND HEAPS AND HEAPS!! They are so lush and it sits on top so it shows up on EVERYTHING!! Yep, love it!!

This is the Silver Metallic Stazon on Acetate. YUM!

This one has Stazon Blazing Red under the Stazon, YUMMIER!! The fourth photo sits behind the third on the layout with the little black tab sticking out which is why I have dog eared the acetate, so you can reach the tab. I loved doing this LO, it's been nearly a year since my baby lost his curls, he looked so gorgeous with them. And I love the expression he has, so grown up!!

Take care of each other,

see you soon.

Join My Card Class

2010-07-05T02:47:00.000-07:00

These are the cards I am teaching Tuesday night (6-7-10) at Scraptivate. I will be showing you how to use Glue Pads and Glitter. I have figured out a couple of tricks and I can't wait to share with you!! Call 9444 6626 anytime tomorrow to book your seat. I am looking forward to seeing you there!

Take care of each other,

see you soon.

Today's Class

2010-07-03T18:09:00.000-07:00

This is just a quick post of the sample of the "Get Scraptivated" Intro Class I am teaching today. Of course by the end of the class no one has done the same layout as me. In fact there are 10+ ladies in the class today, so that means I will be buzzing around like a busy little bee running after 10+ ladies that are all doing their own thing! I chose 4 different colour kits last week and I must say, I was so happy with them I think I may have to use couple myself. I just know it will be a good day, with all this cold and cloud around a bit of nice hearty laughter should warm the cockles!!

Take care of each other,
see you soon.
M

Card Class 6 July

2010-06-26T05:23:00.000-07:00

This is the upcoming card class I am doing at the store. There are two cards, one feminine and floral-ee and one punky and grunge-ee. I love both of them! And I will be showing you heaps of ideas for using "Glitter and Glue Pads" AND we will make envelopes to match!! Yay, I'm so excited, this is going to be such a fun class!! Hope you can all make it!! Call 9444 6626 to make sure you get spot!

Take care of each other,
see you soon.
M

Bad Hair Day

2010-06-25T21:34:00.000-07:00

Don't you hate it, when you have a photo and you love it, and then you you do something with it and you love it. And then you see it hanging up and something catches your eye. And you realise that your 2 year old is in the most gorgeous real life pic sharing a touching moment with his Dad and he has THE MOST OBNOXIOUS, OBVIOUS, OVER-DONE MOHAWK EVER!!
Yep I had that moment too!

I can't get enough of Tim's cogs and I now have the cog Sizzix die and the Cuttlebug cog embossing folder so be ready to see cogs coming out my ears!

Take care of each other,
see you soon.
M

Catching Up

2010-06-16T08:59:00.000-07:00

I think it's about time I caught everyone up with the news around town...
Well, it's a big congratulations to all the new DT girls! I know it is that time of year where alot of people get the good news and in our little gang there has definitely been some good news. Our own beautiful Mel-Belle has been asked to join the Twiddleybitz Design Team, which is just awesome and I know she will do them proud. And the latest addition to the Scraptivate Team is the wonderfully talents Dawn Thomas. For those of you who aren't familiar with Dawn she does some gorgeous "off the page" projects like art dolls, journals, fabric creations and jewellery. I am sure you will be inspired and awestruck at her beautiful creations which you are sure to see around the store now. Now I know there are some other special guests and new members to Scraptivate and I am sure Natalie will be announcing them very soon, so hold your breath, it's going to be great! In the meantime, if you think you would like to join the "think tank" just follow the links at the store's site and get your submissions in. It would be lovely to see you all having a go!

And just a quickie from me...

This is Webster's paper with a special twist! I think is paper is just one of the most sweet children's ranges ever. It is so beautiful and I knew as soon as I saw it I had the perfect photo to put on it. I just love this photo of Kassidy, that little drop lip gets me every time. And the special twist? Well, I have seen all the card makers going crazy over "it" and I decided I just had to use "it" on a layout. This paper was an obvious choice because of the gorgeous little garland hanging from the balloons. So after fussy cutting and 3D-ing some of those charming little vintage images I got straight into the... Flower Soft!! Yep, I highlighted all those sweet little pastel garlands with the co ordinating Flower Soft and I must say I really like the effect.

My next class is the Scrap-a Sketch on Thursday 24 June, 2010. If your interested call the store on 9444 6626 to make a booking. And in the works is a great new class. But I'll talk about that next time.

Take care of each other,

see you soon.

Classes for me and by me!

2010-05-31T03:52:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to share with you a flooded canvas I made with the help and inspiration of the lovely, talented Linda Baldock. I am really happy with this, although in the end I did have some bubbling in the resin where it has reacted to some of the product I have rather bravely thrown in the mix. Sometimes these things are such a learning curve, I know now what I would and wouldn't do again. I think when you learn a new technique it's as much about what you learn not to do, as what you learn to do. And with this type of thing, where it is quite experimental, I don't think it's always good to get your hopes up on having a successful piece the first, second or even third time. I know for some that is a bit disheartening but when you are doing things not necessarily just for a page in your album or a card to give someone on their special day, but just for the sake of creating something, it is the process that is just as important as the final outcome.

I have some layouts to post too... will get to that asap!

Take care of each other,

see you soon.

A long time ago...

2010-05-17T05:09:00.000-07:00

I decided ages ago to submit an entry into a DT callout. I didn't make it :0( but it did inspire me to do this layout of some photos I had been holding onto. I just love the photos you get of real time, not posey, staged ones but the ones that really show how people are when no one is watching them. In my little old house I have a perfect vantage point from my dining room into my loungeroom and I often get to see and hear the kids doing things when they think no one else is around. They are the memories I want to keep, I want to share, I want to remember. It's not the most perfect photo but it is the perfect picture to tell the story of our family. I think everyone should remember scrapping isn't about making a pretty album it's about telling a story, YOUR story and you should scrap the photos that help to show what and who you are. Lace is lovely and glimmer mists are great but when it comes down to it I want to look back at my album and smile because of the memories it brings back, not because I got an A+ in my photography course and I have the most expensive embellishments on my pages.

Anyway, enough of my prattling on. Kev is away again, so as usual I have big plans to get some serious paper type therapy done. But I won't make any promises, let's be pleasantly surprised rather than disappointed, tehehe!

Take care of each other,
see you soon.
M

Sorry it's bee awhile...

2010-05-08T01:51:00.000-07:00

Sorry it has been a while girls, my computer has gone all hay wire and I have to be honest I have had a major attack of techno-laziness... I have decided I am just going to have to wait till Kev gets back so he can spend the afternoon down on his knees, worming his way through 8 tonne of wire spaghetti, while on the phone to and international call centre trying desperately to get the putey fairy to come down and wave their magic mouse and make all things in the world-wide-web right again. In the meantime I am quickly dropping you a line from the work putey in my break! So it's quick and sweet today...

This was a layout of my beautiful girl, Eliza. When she was a baby she had the most amazing smile and what was even better about it was you only had to look at her and it would break out and beam across her face. She was so amazingly happy, the most smiley little baby I have ever seen. And to be honest she still has that beautiful smile and it is always there, it just makes you want to smile too!!

For those of you interested, I have my card class this Tuesday night, May 11 at 7.30pm. The focus technique is "using Edge Punches". We are going to be making three cards and I think I have managed to use the punches in three different ways!! If you'd like to join us, please contact the store, I would love to have you there!!

Take care of each other,
see you soon.
M

It's not too late!! And... if you'd like to we'd like you to!!

2010-04-16T23:08:00.000-07:00

Here is a lookee at the Get Scraptivated intro class I am teaching on Sunday, and it's not too late to book. The class starts at 12.30pm and I am happy this week to take people in the class right up to when we start. Just either give the store a call (9444 6626) this arvo or rock up tomorrow with your basic tool kit and an assortment of photos. We can't ususally fly by the seat of our pants like that but what the hey, let's do it, I say! Apart from the usual basics on design and technique my focus technique is embossing, in case you didn't notice, lol!! Yes everything on this layout ,except the laces, including the background paper, has been embossed. I love embossing!!

The other big news is that the Docrafts Scrapbook Apprentice site seems to be up and running which means we can finally get on board and vote for our beautiful, talented Miss Mel!! So if your up to it flick over to the site and put a tick in the box for our favourite girlie. GO MEL-BELLE, you rock and you know it... and now everyone else can see how you rock!!

Take care of each other,
see you soon.
M

Don't forget to ask...

2010-04-14T07:07:00.000-07:00

Don't forget to ask what our focus technique is going to be! Each class, I ask all the girls that are coming back the following month what technique or product they would like to learn about in the following class. This Sunday (April 18) I am doing the first part of a two part class on incorporating embossing on your layouts. Do you want to see a sneak peek?? Do you want to know about the special I negotiated with Natalie for all the ladies that come to my "Get Scraptivated" classes??

Little Echidnas

2010-04-12T19:20:00.000-07:00

This is a DT challenge I had recently from the store. This is the sweetest paper, and for the life of me I can't remember the name. I can't even look at what it is because the layout is in the store. But the challenge came from the idea that who ever got this DT pack had to leave the little echidnas intact. (I think the paper is english and they are actually hedgehogs but I'm going with the whole echidna thing, we have Easter Bilbys, not bunnys in this house). I was really glad I got it and I loved leaving the little treasures out for all to see, the paper is so sweet and it suited a baby layout to a T. This is my little princess just a couple of hours old. I glimmer misted and then used the beautiful tattered rose distress stickles along one edge to highlight those chipboard flourishes. I love distress stickles, they and the glam without the glitz. They are much gentler looking so they really suit the soft layouts.
Anyone who speaks to me for more than a minute will quickley find out I don't sew (on my pages anyway) and I don't cut out. Well I have done both on this layout, even if I did give it my own special twist. I punched holes with my big bite and "sewed" in that ribbon. I actually really like the look and I love that it was a lot easier than a needle and thread! I also cut out the leaves on the paper, but I only cut 2/3 of each, left them attached to the paper, and just curled them up to give it a bit of depth and texture. I touched the edges of all of those with the distress stickles again! I was on a roll!

I can't believe that is my little Eliza, I can hardly remember her being that little! Mind you she wasn't that little, she has been my biggest baby so far. She was a whopping 8lb 8oz which probably isn't very big for some babies but I am only 5ft myself! She (unlike the boys) has changed so much to look at since she was born.

Take care of each other,
see you soon.
M

I am back

2010-04-05T22:29:00.000-07:00

Not that you would have noticed I was gone, because I did still update my blog. But I am officially back. Lent is over so the internet is back in my daily diet. It has been an interesting journey over the past month and a half. There were issues and aspects I honestly didn't think of arising out of my fast. I wonder now, to a degree, whether this thing called the internet is even an option in our lives anymore, is it a bonus, an added extra, or has it become indelible in our lives, has it become a necessity to survive today? I am not sure I am at the end of that question, I am far, far from an answer in my life, but I think I am definately the better for realising that there is a lot of questions and I will continue to move forward, questioning and enjoying the journey.

I am posting photos today of a DT project I did with the My Little Shoebox "Little Ladies" papers and the Kaisercraft Paisley Mini Album.

I did really love doing this, I put a giant shaker in the scalloped paisley frame that came in the album. The colours and patterns in this paper range were so cute, girlie but not pink and frilly, which totally suits Eliza. And I lllllooooooooooovvvee Lady Bugs.
I sincerely hope everyone had a wonderful Easter, I hope you all had the opportunity to share time with your loved ones, had time to experience something memorable, had an experience to challenge and reaffirm your beliefs or even just had a good rest, either way I wish you all the peace and renewal this time of year offers to us all!!

Take care of each other,
see you soon.
M

New Old

2010-03-25T04:28:00.000-07:00

Do you remember shaker cards? I do! They were soooo in fashion a while back, all cutesy, full of glitter and teddy's and stuff. I've never been one to do "cute" but I always loved those shaker cards, they always looked so good!
Anyway... I decided to do my take on shaker cards!! But as usual, the non-conformist in me has made me break all the rules!! So come and see how I used capsules and the Cuttlebug and heat embossing to make some vintage/shabby/bohemian/??? shaker cards that I think put a new spin on old gorgeous! Call the store to book your seat, 9444 6626. Cant' wait, it's going to be so much fun!!

Take care of each other,
see you soon.
M

Ningin'

2010-03-21T05:34:00.000-07:00

So the theme is for our ning challenge this month is "She...", what a great theme! I decided to make it all about ME!!! I think it is soooo important to take time out and have a think about what is going on in our lives. Take a deep breath, look around, work out what we have, what we need, what we need to get rid of. I am always taking measure of what is in my life just so that I can take the time to be truly grateful for the simple joys and value not the aquisitions but the experiences. I am sooooo blessed because the one thing that makes me ME is the people around that I love and that love me. And my true blessing comes from knowing that I have the most wonderful people "on my side". The truest, deepest, stoic, faithful kind of friends, the ones that are so much more than a person who you happen to know. The kind of friends that make your heart sing when your in their space, make the world clearer and brighter, make it all make sense and if not, make it easier to accept. And of course, with out a doubt, number 1 is my beautiful Yang. It was such a lovely surprise to find this photo in a bunch of photos that my Dad has. I was really really uplifted to see in front of me such a display of affection (even though we are the most soppy, hand holdy, cuddly, kissy, fingers-down-your-throat-gaggy couple you've ever seen). Thank you dear friends, thank you soul sisters, thank you beautiful man who makes the air fill my lungs and my eyes open to the world everyday and makes my heart race (still to this day).

(Don't forget if you take part in our ning challenge you could win a $25 store voucher, so pop over here and join in!)

Take care of each other,
see you soon.
M

A break to catch up...

2010-03-18T21:05:00.000-07:00

It has been a quite a while since I have updated, but before you think I have forgotten about my blog I should have let you know that I have given up my internet for Lent. But 40 days seems like an awfully long time to not let you know how things are going. However, I am like a little mushroom at the moment, not having read anyones blogs, hearing all the good news secondhand (Linda's going to be getting a rather excited email soon!!!! 8-D ). I am not breaking my Lenten fast but I am going to give you a quickie-bite of something I have been up to.

This is my sketch interpretation from my first Scrap-a-Sketch class we had a few weeks ago. I will be taking my camera to my next class so I can show you some of the beautiful pages the girls are making. The Sketch class is really fantastic!! It's so social and fun and the girls are making their own pages, and (I hope) getting lots of useful tips and techniques too! They have set the bar high this fortnight, they would like to see crackle paint!! So a nice big crackly layout is on the cards this week!

Take care of each other,
see you soon!
M

So You Think You Can Scrap...

2010-02-11T17:26:00.000-08:00

So what does the staff from a scrapbook store do to celebrate the end of the year and spend quality time together for the festive season...?
Have a scrap of course!!! So at the end of last year we had a fantastic work scrap! It was Natalie, Kelsey, Mel, Jenny, Vicki (from our DT) and Me! What do we do to spice things up...? (I just know these are all questions you have been asking yourself this whole time, tehehe!) We have mystery challenge! Each of us bought in a pack from our own stash at home to the value of $10 or so, and we put them in and pulled one out each, lucky dip style, making sure not to grab our own (that would just be cheating). We then had an hour and a half to make something with what we had. We could add colour and bits and bobs but the bulk had to be out of our "pack". We then put it up for the customers to vote on and who ever got the most votes was in line for a most gorgeous tool tin that Jenny had made. And the winner was... ME!!!! Talk about blown away!! Thanks to all the girls that voted and in particular the ones who voted for my little canvas. Thanks to Jenny for packing in G45 paper, tags, dress form and wings! This thing just made itself!!

I am almost sure that they are all still at the store, scattered around for everyone to see, but I will also remind the other girls to put up something on their blogs so you can take a peek.
Take care of each other,
see you soon.
M

Sharing

2010-02-03T07:16:00.000-08:00

It has been awhile, but here is a quick update with a "share"!
I had a fantastic class on Sunday with the girls in my Intro/Basics class! We played with lots of design and layout ideas and then had a play with making our own embellishments with Opals! And I asked the girls what they would like to do in the next class... drum role please... CHIPBOARD!! So I am whipping up a sample, with heaps of ideas of what you can do with chipboard. If you'd like to come to the next Intro Class on Sunday February 28, 12.30-3.30pm, ring Scraptivate to make a booking.

And here is my "share"! This is a layout I did of some old photos of my Kassidy. He is 3 in these photos. I can't ever get over how I can melt just looking back at photos. He is such a character. It is so amazing and wonderful being able to watch him grow.

These photos were taken on an old phone and as such aren't such great quality. Instead of trying to correct them (especially when I know it isn't going to really make them very good) I have used the graininess to help give the photos an aged appearance. The photos of the photos actually makes them look pretty good! IRL they look grainy and I have faded out the colour just enough to make them look aged.

This Making Memories paper is gorgeous, I couldn't work out at first what I was going to do with them, I just knew I wanted to use them, and soon!

Take care of each other,
see you soon.
M

My Angel

2010-01-18T22:45:00.000-08:00

And no, I am not talking about my children! In case you didn't know we live in a very tiny house, and there is alot of us, so I don't put up a Christmas tree because there is no room. We decorate with all the beautiful things that are made by all of us in the family. Lots of school made stars and wreaths and this year an angel made by me. We got these foam cones in the store before Christmas and I think we all pondered what to do with them. Our talented Jenny saw a Christmas tree with cascading spiralled paper - me, I saw an angel!!

The wings are made from the Angelina Fibres which give them their beautiful colour and their gossamer appearance. Her face is not drawn in for a reason. You can't look on the face of an angel and so we left her face for our imagination.

If you want to see my Angel or Jenny's tree they are in the store on display. You can get some great ideas for next Christmas, can't believe I just said that, and yet I know it is screaming up to us at a cracking pace!!

Take care of each other,
see you soon.
M

Intro Classes, the Sisterhood and a Thank YOU!

2010-01-11T19:28:00.000-08:00

So this is the layout of the Intro Class I ran on January 3. They were a lovely group of girls to spend the afternoon with and we all had a great time. I had two mums with their daughters and I can't think of a better way of getting some girlie time together. I love having the opportunity to teach classes, not only because I love to see the "aha" moments the girls get when they realise how easy and how much fun scrapbooking is, but also because I get to spend time with some really amazing ladies that I would never have been able to meet otherwise. I am a strong believer that we have lost contact with our sisterhood, we have become far too competative with each other instead of teaching and nurturing. I will look for any excuse to make opportunities for girls to make connections with each other in an enviornment that reminds us that we are all walking in the same direction. How good is it when we can put out our hands and help each other along, isn't that what it is all about?
Absolutely have to show you the beawesome dragonfly stamp from the Tattered Angels Glimmer Screen and Stamp ranges. I have used the Tsukeniko Glue Pad and some fine glitter and it came up an absolute treat. Photos just don't do it justice. Those stamps are so huge, they a brilliant for Stampers and Scrapbookers and for those of us who do both and everything in between. And on the other side, you know around the edges!!

This is a "preview" of the Intro class I am teaching on January 31. I will be showing the girls in this class some basic heat embossing techniques as well as all the usual basics and not so basics. I am planning the classes so they roll on after each other that way the girls that are coming can get to know each other, and I will introduce a technique or product every month as well. Feel free to contact Scraptivate if you'd like to book in!

Got some more work and photos to share soon, but some of them will be on the Scraptivate Ning site, so feel free to have a look and join so you can have chat withh all of us from the store!

I should have, at the beginning of the blog done the usual apologies and excuses for leaving my poor blog neglected over the last few weeks, but I decided not to bother, as I am sure all of you out there know and understand without me having to say a thing. Instead I want to say thank you for coming back and having a look at my blog, I love that you do that, and I will try to keep in touch more often.

Take care of each other,
see you soon!
M

Intro Class

2009-12-05T23:05:00.000-08:00

I have just finished the sample for the introduction class that I am running on the 3 January and wanted to share a few sneak peeks. However, the peeks are a bit poor! I was was using Mitch's camera because it was within arms reach and unfortunately I don't have the macro setting down pat like with my little, old flasher.

I am looking forward to this class, I really love the layout. You can't see all the good things in the pics but let's just say it's rather large and sparkly!
If you have any questions or want to book this class or any of the other beautiful projects that are on the calendar, please visit Scraptivate or call, or even better call in and have a look in real life!!

Take care of each other,
see you soon!

M

Saturday Night

2009-11-29T03:34:00.000-08:00

On Saturday the lovely Judy B threw a wonderful end of year party for all her staff at the hospital and we were lucky enough to make it on to the exclusive invitation list, and we had a ball!!! Thank you so much Judy, for thinking of us. It was a great night!!!
This is Judy getting her "groove" on and boy can she groove!! Judy and Benedict absolutely rock when it comes to tripping the lights fantastic!

Mel-Belle and Natalie

Natalie and Michael (hahaha, looks like he is in trouble! He wasn't but I have managed to get photos mid expression on everyone, wait till you see the ones I scrap)

Kev and I (not the best photo, and would you believe 2 weddings and a dinner/dance later, not one decent photo of us. It is a conspiracy!!)

I swear I have some art to show you very soon, it must have just been one of those fortnights, can't seem to catch up. But I will post photos asap!!

Take care of each other,
see you soon.
M

Your cordially invited to have a look!

2009-11-12T05:06:00.000-08:00

Hello, just another quick update. Thought I would show you some invitations I knocked up the other day for display in Scraptivate.

Please excuse the photos, they were taken with my iphone (just gotta luurrve the iphone), and they were just sitting on my grubby old work mat.

Had big plans to show you a finished work of art I have made for the joyous season but unfortunately Angus got to it and broke my cone... lucky I am not short of adhesive type substances. It has put the completion off a little though! The joys of motherhood!!

Take card of each other,
see you soon!
M

Pride, Lessons and Laughter

2009-11-08T17:54:00.000-08:00

Sorry about the quality of the photo, yes, I took it in church... with my phone... UMMMM VAAAAAHHH - "Hail Mary full of Grace..." will say a few more of them to make up for it. Although I am sure that God understands how much I want to share my pride in my (not so big) boy.

Yes that is my Moo-Moo, first time as altar server. I am so proud he has taken on the responsibility and that he is learning about taking on a role of care and service within the community. Whether it be in the church, in the family or just in the wider community, I think it is soo important that I teach my children to take care of people and offer support and service to those that need it. Taking on a role like altar server just helps give the opportunity to put that in practice.

Father Bonaventure actually really helped my in his sermon on Saturday, he touched on a point that is something I struggle with on a day to day basis. Without prattling on I will pass on to you his gem of truth as I am sure this will make a lot of sense to alot of us no matter what your faith or convictions...
"When you win the rat race, you are still a rat."
Think I am ready to take 5 minutes out and have some time for peace and gratitude, how 'bout you?

Now on to something a bit lighter...

This is Anghee (2) being difficult, if I can't take photos of him now what is he going to be like as a teenager!?!

Take care of each other (and yourself),
see you soon.
M

I know what boys like...

2009-11-02T00:55:00.000-08:00

Does anyone else remember that song except me? "I know what boys like, I know what guys want, I know what boys like, boys like, boys like me, nah nah nah nah nah!" Eighties music, YUM!!!

Anyway, that is not quite where I was going. I was actually refering to the fact that I love Halloween because of all the great releases, ie. paper, stamps, ephemera. While we don't celebrate Halloween in the traditional/commercial sense, I love the Halloween stuff because most of it ROCKS when it comes to making cards, pages and OTP projects for boys! Here are a couple of 'boy' cards I have made for my big boys to use for some of their mates birthdays. BTW, I was also playing with UTEE and Opals!! Heellllooooo, how cool are they???!!! So happy with the drippy effect!! It took a while but I have it down to a fine art and here is a tip - it doesn't involve a melt pot!!! I layered a bit of black UTEE on the already melted Opals and then reheated it all to get the top of the bat wings. Loved this and am definately going to play with that a bit more, think that effect could really look gorgeous with the right colours and the right pattern!!

Take care of each other,
see you soon.
M

A couple of quickies!

2009-10-28T19:55:00.000-07:00

These are just a couple of quick cards I made recently, as usual one had to be in purple, I just can't help myself.

And the vintage one, which is using a photo stamp. I have a few of these and I never use them as much as I want. You know, it's just one of those things, so I am going to try to use them on some cards, especially after this one, because I think it has worked quite well.

More "stuff" soon.

Take care of each other,
see you soon.
M

How could I not take photos?!?!?

2009-10-26T19:10:00.000-07:00

How could I forget to take my camera to preserve the moment??? What was I thinking??? Mind you, how could I ever forget my first time, does anyone ever forget their first time. I don't think so, and I don't think I will be any different. Those lovely ladies will be with me now, everytime, and I thank them for giving me such a lovely memory. What am I talking about, I hear you ask... I taught my first class on Sunday, and it was absolutely fantastic. I had the most wonderful girls, who were sooo patient with me and so good at what they were doing it hardly felt like I was doing anything but have a crop with friends. And they all made the most gorgeous caddys. All the lusty, busty wenchy type girls on the front turned out great, and busty! Thank you to the girls that made it such an enjoyable experience for me and I sincerely hope they had as great a time as I did! Mwah, mwah, mwah!!!

Well next class is a double layout designed to give beginner scrappers a heads up to some of the techniques and tools used "in the trade". Feel free to have a look on the Scraptivate website, and I will post pictures later.

Take care of each other,
see you soon.
M

2009-10-18T18:19:00.000-07:00

Guess what... my class is this coming Sunday!! Which means this is the last few days to book in to learn how to create this handy little handbag caddy, all girlie and florally and see how I dressed that shapely dress form with the bust I wish I had, lol!!! (Can't really see it in the picture but she's got a great rack ;-) ) This would make such a lovely present, or maybe just to display your own girliness!!

Please call Scraptivate to book, on 9444 6626.

Hope to see you there!!

Take care of each other,
see you soon!
M

What a thank you!!

2009-10-15T18:45:00.000-07:00

This is one of the amazing table centre pieces my sister-in-law Misty made for her wedding on the weekend, AND to say thank you for the invitiations, etc. I made she allowed me to take one home to use to share the most beautiful, simple pleasure that fresh flowers are!

I think you can see now where the hot pink and lime green came from now!!!!

The planter, by the way, is more than 1' long, the blooms are huge and vivd and most are still with us today, amazing, I know!!

Kev has decided we are going to put some herbs in the planter once the blooms have finished and we will be able to put it on our kitchen window sill. This pressie is going to be the type to keep giving. *Mwah* Thanx Mist!!!!

Take care of each other,
see you soon!
M

Congratulations Misty and Phil

2009-10-12T07:57:00.000-07:00

Anyone who has come within 200m of me lately would have heard about the invitations that I have been making for my lovely sister-in-law, Misty. You would have heard about it because to be truthful it has been a little bit of a stress. Doing the invites themselves wasn't the stress, it wast just that Misty had picked a colour combination and a paper that was very different to what I would have chosen which made it a real challenge. Misty had decided to have Oriental Lilys and so her colours were hot pink and lime green. And the focal paper is one aptly named Oriental Chinese Carpet. So after much ummmming and thinking and trialling and redoing, I finished everything and the wedding went off without a hitch on Sunday. I haven't taken a photo of the actual invite yet, but I will and I will put that up as well!!
This is one of the bomboniere tags. Lucky for us my mother-in-law (beautiful, warm lady she is, I really do love my mother-in-law), makes soaps and candles so Misty had beautiful pink and green soy candles in lovely little frosted glass holders, with guess what scent... Wedding Cake!! There was the most beautiful sweet cake smell all through the reception centre.

Place cards, yes, in case you didn't notice I hand stamped and embossed everything. The stamps are a Basic Grey set which was totally awesome because you could build any flourish you like out of the different small flourishes and there was a range of frame stamps that matched, how easy is that!!

Misty had originally left herself and her groom off the list, so I took it on myself to make this 8x8 canvas for there place card. I actually used pink mulberry paper to do the tissue paper background and it worked a treat!!

The happy couple, Misty and Phil!

We always wonder where Wal comes from because she looks so different to the boys, but she is soooo like her Aunty Misty!!!

PS Keep an eye out I am going to tell you about the discovery Mel-Belle and I made at work the other day... Border-ific-abilities!!!!!

A layout!

2009-10-07T06:44:00.000-07:00

I have to be honest and off the top of my head I can't remember the last time I did a layout, I am enjoying the off the page, cards and projects with no boundaries so much more at the moment, I have difficulty even getting my head around a 12 x 12 page. Except for my heritage photos, I haven't even been putting my photos on 12x12 pages. You'll actually see alot more 6x6, 8x8, and 8x12 pages in my collection, which also means that you can't buy a lot of albums off the shelf so it forces me to think outside of the box as far as how to display and store my pages goes.

Having said all of that, just recently as a challenge I created this layout. The specs were 12x12 and the colour scheme had to be bright. This may surprise some, but I actually struggled with "bright". While I always do "strong" colours, "bright", I thought was a bit of a stretch.

Anyway, I picked the papers first so I had some idea of where to go with it all. All the chipboard is Glimmer Misted (of course).
I have come to love these photos since doing this layout, I may have to do them again, but give them the "Megan" treatment and leave the Pina Colada paper alone.

One thing I love about my little house is that I can see my babies from the dining room and often they are completely unaware that I am watching them, to the point that I can catch these candid moments when they are being completely honest.

I've noticed too, that my children very rarely have a full set of clothes on in any of our home photos. For some reason the boys have gotten into the habit of not wearing a shirt around the house, and often only wearing their boxers, even if it is 2 degrees. Because of this Wal very rarely wears a shirt either which is a bit of a worry. She just hasn't realised she is a girl yet! I really hope she come to terms with the appropriatenss of clothes soon.

Take care of each other,
see you soon.
M

Kaiser Bag Caddy-Soooooo excited!!!

2009-09-30T18:56:00.000-07:00

I am sooooo excited to be teaching my first class at Scraptivate on Sunday October 25! It is this handy little Kaiser handbag caddy, I am sure you've all seen it at the shop. It's going to be a great class, full of ideas about how to get 3d effects from you flat paper embellishments (including shaping a beautiful bustier). I sincerely hope you'll all come and join me for what is sure to be a really fun class. For all the details hit the Scraptivate website or call the store on 9444 6626.

Surprise!!!

2009-09-25T18:10:00.000-07:00

This is a blank box I altered recently for a present, I haven't given in to the recipient yet so I really hope that she doesn't see the blog, mind you she is the only person I don't want to see my blog, to everyone else - PLEASE SEE MY BLOG!! Tehehe!!

The box itself was black, I am 99% sure it was Cosmo Cricket. Being black is AWESOME, I loved it. Wish I had've bought more than one now. And just for future reference, the stamping behind the heart/wings was done with the Brilliance Pearlescent Biege and it went on the black sooooo well, then I have just embossed it with clear embossing powder. it really worked well!

Inside a put a air dry crown from the Krafy Lady mould, and it is painted with Golden Micaceous Iron Oxide (YUMMMMMM, love that too!!)

Well, I hope she likes it when she gets it, and I hope you liked having a peek at it too!!

Take care of each other,

see you soon.

Because

2009-09-23T05:07:00.001-07:00

Thank you, Svetlana, xxxooo!!!

Yay, now that wasn't too long was it?

2009-09-22T02:47:00.000-07:00

So here is another quick update!! Are you all shocked?

This little album was a DT project given to me by Natalie from Scraptivate. It is the bright and funky "Zinnia" range from Little Yellow Bicycle. The title came directly off one of the papers, in fact, when the pack was handed to me at a staff crop, someone was waiting for me to read the lovely family quotes on the paper because they knew I would get a tear in my eye, but I got them... I waited till I got home to read them, tehehe!!! (And yes I did a little teary.)

I really do love this album because the papers are so fantastic (and they have oodles of my favourite colours, purple and orange, in them). The wide colour range meant I could use heaps of different photos without clashing with the paper, and no black and whites. It is my favourite mini album to date. I was looking through the multitudes of photos of my little family and I was blown away by just how openly affectionate they all are to each other, even without realising it. Whenever they are put close together even when they just sit on the couch together, they sit right up close to each other, put their arms around each other, just generally give love to one another and I absolutely love it!! I had to be picky about what photos I put in or else it would have been too thick to bind.

I must say too, knowing that Kev won't read this, I did make a point of using some flowers with the boys photos. And I think I pulled it off quite well. And, Yes, there is quite a bit of magenta too!

Well, if your interested in an up close look it, is in the store on display. Feel free to stop in and flick through the pages!

And to those who saw my FB comment on Monday, yes I rustled up a little something... I have completed a double layout which I am going to teach as an Introductory Scrapbooking Class in November at the store. I am sooooooooo excited, so wonderfully excited!! It is going to be awesome!!!!

Take care of each other,
see you soon.
M

FYI

2009-09-15T01:13:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to let you know, in case anyone ever asks, not to put too fine a point on it, even though I don't believe in labels... I am a "Papercraft Artisan" because I just like to make things out of paper!

Something is in the Air

2009-09-10T02:23:00.000-07:00

You know, when everything is just good, and everyone around you just seems to be bouncing positive energy back to you and the universe just seems to be going your way... It is like that a lot around us at the moment, my family is always a positive force in my life and I love work and feel so blessed to have such a supportive, uplifting, inspiring group of girls to work with. So much is moving and it is so amazing to feel like I am being swept up into something so much bigger than myself and yet I am apart of it, influencing it, creating it. Aaaaahhhhhh :-D

And one of the big moves is soooooooooooooo exciting for me. I will be teaching my first class at my fffaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaavourite scrapbook store (not that I am biased) in October. What a pleasure and an honour to have Natalie ask me to pass on the fun and knowledge in that great little Kaiser caddie that I created for Eliza a little while back. It has been on display in the shop for a bit now and thanks to you lovely ladies that commented and asked about it, it is now a class. But I will talk more about that another time.

Thought I would share with you a project I did a little while ago for Mitch's Godmother and my wonderful mate Krysta who has been working away on mine sites for the past few years. I thought she should have a little album of the kids, as she usally keeps photos of them up on her office wall. I thought that while she is shacked up in accomodation usually not much like a home she could use a bit of pretty to help her remember all the people that love her back home. Unfortunately for her, I took it back and it has been in the store for display for a while now. I will have to get my thinking cap on and rustle up something particularly spectacular for her birthday to say a big thanks for letting me borrow it back.

I had a ball making this because I chose to do it in my favourite colours - that spectacular teal that and that plush purple! Yay for the Folk Art Metallics, they make the colours look so rich!! And I already had sooooo many co-ordinating embellishments, in fact looking into my stash I can never believe how much of the same stuff I buy, I know I like something when I have walked into the store and bought the same thing on different occasions.

The album is a consertina and it came in it's own little box, I had to alter the lid a little in the end because I had made the book so chunky the lid wouldn't close, but I think it worked well in the end.

Well, I promised it wouldn't be so long, and so there you go!! Promise it won't be too long again. Now I have some better shots of some of the things I have to show you, I will be sure to put them up soon.

Take care of each other,

see you soon!!

2009-08-24T03:21:00.000-07:00

Hello, hello, hello!!! I know, I know, it has been a while hasn't it. I am not going to bore you with all the usual excuses and rhetoric, I am absolutely sure that you know how it gets to be so long between blogs. In fact I would like a vote of who thinks I should be the first person nominated to receive a"Blogging WITH obligation" tag. But enough of inflated apologies and guilt ridden explanations, let's get on with the blog...

So first of all, I quickly made a card last night for one of the TA's in Kassidy's class as way of a thank you to her for thinking of Kassidy. I wish now I hadn't already written in it when I took the photo because on the inside I had layered two of the pattern papers, one embossed and put lace over the join, just for somewhere pretty to write. It was such an easy card, the type of sketch you could do for any old scraps of paper you have and all the odds and ends of your ribbon and lace. On the Cuttlebug die ribbon tag I have placed one of the most beautiful butterflies out of the new K & Co stuff that we got into the shop just the other week. There of some of every size and variety in the box, all with a little bit of bling on them! They are just divine and if you know me, you know winged things are my thing!!

The top mat with the lace around it is mounted on foam mounting tape. As usual, much clearer irl, or if I was half way competent at photographing my artwork!

(PS the cut out rose in the bottom left corner was only put there because Angus (Master 2 in 3 weeks) BIT a chunk out of the base mat pattern paper, and it was all I had left of it, so there was my quick cover up... necessity is the mother of invention, ain't that the truth!!!)

Now the next thing I have for show and tell is a "flashback" or maybe a "classic" would be a nicer way to put it. This canvas I made as soon as that cool punky girl paper came into Scraptivate, back when I was on maternity leave. As you can see I am soooooo not getting the hang of photographing my stuff. Please don't pay any mind to the blinding flash spot that is taking up half of the canvas. That funky, punky style suits my children down to a tee, so I got very excited when it came out all pink and full of "trouble".

It's always such a learning curve looking back at older projects, I still keep this canvas on display because I absolutely love all the expressions Wal is pulling in all the photos, but you can't help but think, "gee I wish I had of... I should have put... that thing should have been over there... WHAT WAS I THINKING..." and also, as new products come out I am such a bugger for wanting to pull stuff apart to put new product on that suits the layout better than the old stuff. You know what I mean?! Still even if it's not to everyone's taste at the end of the day the only person who needs to love it is us, isn't it...?

And last (but hopefully not least and hopefully in a more timely manner than this time), I just had to share with you these photos of my big boy. He was honoured with the role of Jesus in this years Stations of the Cross at his school. Honest to goodness, I was so proud of him, I had tears in my eyes the whole time!! He did an absolutely amazing job, so much good feed back I think he has stars in his eyes, WAPA here he comes. It is so amazing to me everyday just how quickly my baby is growing into a young man and how scary it is as a mum, just hoping I've done enough to prepare him for his journey ahead. He really is a incredible person, so deep and so complex. And I just love him with all my heart.

Tell me if it is just me, but it doesn't seem to matter how big he gets, he still just seems like my baby. Changing and yet staying the same! Growing, but still being my boy...

Best get off this subject, if he sees this it will hit that rather large and extended humility bone that sticks out of all children around this age... "Maaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrr-uuuuuuuuummmmm, you're so embarrassing!!!!!"

Rachy's 18th

2009-03-31T00:37:00.000-07:00

So one night I was out, and my van got broken into!!! It was a most hurtful experience for two reasons:
1) My complete highway listening CD collection was rummaged through & then LEFT IN THE CAR!!! That's right, they didn't take any of mine or my husband's CDs. In fact they only took one and it was my boys 'Black Eyed Peas'. Can you believe it?? Not only were they criminal hoodlums, they also had no taste!!

2) (And on a more serious note) They stole the project I had made for my beautiful friend, Rachel's, 18th birthday. It was the wonderful '5' book by Compendium which I had altered the covers. I had all intention f her having it for a huge adventure she was about to set off on overseas. Unfortunately some uncivilised heathen got to enjoy all my hard work and good intention, maybe they read some of the quotes and pearls of wisdom and it changed their life and that's what the universe had in mind all along when I started creating this project. Or maybe they tore out the pages and used them to write down the phone numbers of their drug dealers... who knows...

It must have been at least 18 months since I did this. Still love it. Wish I could create replicas.

2009-03-23T21:29:00.000-07:00

It's all been a bit of a whirl wind, mad dash these last couple of weeks. Ill health and too much work, you know how it is! But I am sooooo back on track, catching up with paperwork (the not fun kind) and getting in lots of art (you know, the fun paperwork type). I have some photos for you but forgot to bring my flash drive to work today... maybe Thursday. This is just a short note to let you know I haven't forgotten!!

Blessed are we! and Pink Puppy

2009-01-14T22:01:00.000-08:00

We have had Angus baptised after all this time!

It came to my attention I was putting it off for all the wrong reasons. So a snap decision was made and we went head long into it with only 2 weeks preparation. And it was so easy, and such a beautiful day. Mitch and Kassidy did a reading together, and were amazing.

Even through Kassidy's obvious anxiety they both spoke so beautifully and with such conviction. And of course Eliza wouldn't let everyone else be the centre of attention so she followed them up and stood with them. Father Giosue has the patience of a saint (excuse the pun)! He got Mitch to help him with the anointing and because Eliza was following them around he then asked her to take the white vests and candles to all the families. How fantastic, so wonderful of him to include the children so whole heartedly with no concern. And she did not disappoint strolling up to everyone without a second thought. She will never be in anyone's shadow, of that I am sure.

As always these things give us a moment of pause to reflect and remind ourselves of what is important. Thank you Natalie, I know that Angus will never be left wanting for love and spiritual guidance with you in his life. You are so important to us and I am glad for the opportunity to bring us closer. Love you heaps.

And of course the photos... mmm, think I've got some scrappin' to do!

AND AS FOR THE PUPPY...

I have had this photo for a while and every time I see it, it stops me in my tracks. How cute is it? Ellie was having her face painted by the wonderful girls from Kater4Kids (if you haven't heard me rave about how wonderful they are, don't get me started). She wanted to be a puppy, with the distinction that she had to be "girl". Ellie knows her colours, but pink doesn't exist. It is simply "girl". And so she is a "girl" puppy!

With a little tear streak aswell!

PS Please excuse the fact that the photos are a bit all over the shop, am still getting the hang of this thing.

Second Post

2008-12-17T00:46:00.000-08:00

Not quite like the "last post", but I feel as though there is the same deafening silence!

So, it's that time of year, and here I am dreadfully unprepared as usual. About 3 weeks ago I came up with the notion that I would make the boys teachers their thank you gifts this year. Not unusual, have done this before. However, what I sort of hadn't considered was the fact that my pre-pri son had 4 staff members in his class this year, yes FOUR!! Four of the most amazing, affectionate, patient women who have the most infectious warmth and happiness that just made his year so bright and gave him the most wonderful thirst for school! So no scrimping on those girls! Come on now! The product was purchased, the plans were sketched.

And then all of a sudden the deadline is a week away. How did that happen? No worries, I am all organised and know exactly what I am going to do, I'll make it in time, easy!! A crop was planned and Natalie and I had a no chit-chat pact strictly in order to get things done, and it actually happened that way. By the time I left (at 2am) all four projects had been started and were well on the way.

So the following night, we had social plans. We never have social plans. I mean, never. Oh except of course if we have other social plans or if I have something that desperately needs to be done. You know how it is.

The next night, school concert, God bless all their white cotton school socks!!! So at 10pm the night before they are due, I have the decision to make: ignore the already 10-12 hours of painting and gluing already done and just get them chockies on the way to school in the morning or pull my finger out and start sticking on them paper flowers!!! I chose the latter.

I didn't get to sleep that night!

How is it that cutting paper and sticking on flowers takes sooooo much time! I was very good, hardly any procrastination, at least until about 4 when I was seeing double, lol!!! But finally they were complete. I was quite happy with the finished project, of course you can always see your own faults.

Made two quick sandwiches and wrapped the little beauties in cellophane and off to school we trundled. Left them on the desk when I dropped him off. Had big plans to snooze all day, but didn't quite turn out that way. Got a phone call from the school, could I please come in to see the teacher when I pick the boys up. Trust Bashy, the excitement probably got to him, been up to something he shouldn't have...

But...

The teacher called me to say how fantastic they thought the gifts were. They were truly appreciative.

Well for that I will give up a nights sleep.

I'd show you photos but didn't take any, too much of hurry!

2008-04-12T15:00:00.000-07:00

Well, everyone else seems to have one SO... here is mine. Please be patient as it is sure to take a couple of posts for me to get the hang of this. I am not a stupid person (by my own account) but I must say sometimes things just do my head in... let's hope this isn't one of them.

I am sitting at work and it has taken me at least 1/2 hour to get this up and running with all the bits and pieces and so I am getting in trouble for not getting on with work. Don't get me wrong, it's not that uncomfortable, "do some work or your fired" type of trouble. It's more the "don't complain to me later when you've got work up to your ears if all you've been doing for the last hour is facebook and blog!" Hmmmm... seems he might have a bit of a point there!

We have just finished birthday week and things a settling nicely into Christmas panic mode. Having our two eldest sons birthday in the last 4 days of November and my birthday the first of December generally means that it isn't until now that we can really focus on getting the Christmas stuff organised. Hahahahahaha, who am I kidding! ORGANISED! That is a rich exaggeration of level I get to, I think where I am is more on the line of barreling up totally unprepared, flying by the seat of our pants. Still, we get through and no one complains toooo much.

Well that is it for my first post. I would like to write more but I actually think I should get on with some of that work.

Just for the sake of it, I am posting a photo (a badly taken one, I might add) of one of my very first altered journals. I made it about 4 years ago, still proud of the effort even if all it shows was I had a long way to go. I would like to have posted the Christmas cards I have been putting together, but just am not organised enough... I think you'll get used to that.