The reason why...

This is the reason why I persevere with the gym and training. This is the reason why you never see full length photos of me as I am now. Yep, that's me - in the black, approximately 10 or so years ago. So if I ramble on about my training and the pain, this is why! I want this back! I don't care how much pain I have to go through to get there. It is going to happen!!! The difference between then and now is about 40-50 kilograms. I've got a new trainer and new motivation - it's now or never...

Busy and in pain (-:

Ok. I have layouts to share and I am doing this now as I know I will not get a chance all weekend. We are going to be very busy with kids parties (dressing up as farm animals) and catching up with a girlfriend or two at a local park for a picnic. Plus the dreaded grocery shopping. And the fact that I will be too sore to move most of the weekend thanks to my new Personal Trainer Justin Daniels. OMG!!!!! Training with him is SO DIFFERENT to training with the trainers at Fernwood. I hurt very, very much, and I am thinking Saturday, and especially Sunday, is going to be fairly rough. (-: But he didn't kill me, for that I am thank-ful. But he certainly did push me. Round two begins next Friday. (-: Anyway, back to the topic - this layout is for the Aussie Pub Calls Roadmaps August Sketch.

Messing around with some Bo-Bunny scraps and this is what I came up with. One Xmas card done, how many more to go? Ha! Ha! Ha!

Here's my layout for the Aussie Pub Calls August Kit. This was created using Creative Imaginations papers and embellishments.

This month, the theme at Blossie's is "Stamping with paint and ink. My first layout is titled "From baby...to little lady." I stamped the flourishes and frames with Staz-On ink on acetate.

My second layout is titled "Flowers for me?" I used paint and bubbllewrap to create my background.

My third layout is titled "Cherish". I stamped my journalling lines using paint and the thin side of a ruler.

Last but not least, here is my White With 1 July Challenge. The criteria was to use white, purple, and circles. I've got a couple more to share, but I have to wait another week or so before I can reveal them.

Forever Pink!

I LOVE this woman! I went to the PINK concert last night, and just fell in love all over again. (-: She is one of the most amazing performers that I have ever seen. This year's concert was a lot different from last year's. Last year was much more about getting up and "dancing in the aisles" (plus I had standing tickets). This year was much more about the theatrics and performance, and I had seated gold tickets. I have decided that the standing tickets are the way to go. Plus a new camera wouldn't be a bad option either. I'm so OVER my camera - it's time to upgrade to something that can take the quality of photos that I am after (thank-goodness I have a birthday coming up soon). Hee! Hee! Hee!

So I apologise for the quality of the photos. It's not me, it's the camera!!! Ha! Ha! Ha! Here's some of the better photos. And when she comes back for her next performance, I'm taking both my daughters with me (they adore PINK almost as much as me). (-:

She is hot! She has the most amzing body - it's to die for!!! And she is cheeky, bubbly and full of energy. And she can move, beautifully.....

Look at this body! WOW! And that doesn't even begin to describe it. I'd love to know how many hours she puts in training. Better still, can I just have her trainer please!

So worth every cent. And yes, I'll be there for the next one (hopefully sooner rather than later). I will be a PINK fan forever...

Recovery time...

I've found some more layouts that I have forgotten to put up on my blog (and I know there are still a stack more of them - I will get around to them one day) (-: Here's three that I've done recently for Blossie's. The first is titled " My Girls" and is one of my favourite photos from my wedding day (back in 2000). Sounds like such a long time ago. I guess it means I've been married nine years, come this September. And to think, I've been scrapping for nearly 3 1/2 years of those 9 years. Sounds good when I say it that way. (-:

The second is titled "Beautiful". The photos are from Malayla's end of school play, last year.

The third is titled "Attitude @ 5". This is my youngest Keana showing her displeasure at her Grandmother, who wouldn't let her get her own way. too funny!!!

This layout is based on a Pencil Lines sketch that I did a couple of months ago. I really enjoyed just playing with the black and white elements. I think I should do that more often. actually, I have another similar layout coming up soon for the next round of Blossie's layouts. I'll post it on the 1st August, so stay tuned for that one.

And here'a another Pencil Lines sketch based layout. I just LOVE these photos os Malayla. They are probably my favourite photo's to date. Although she has changed and grown a lot since these were taken (November 2008).

Anyway, it's time for sleep. I have just spent that last 48 hours madly trying to get my application for the Bo-Bunny design team finished and submitted. I didn't find out about it until Thursday (23rd) and it was due today, Saturday 25th. So my house and children have been neglected for two days. I thought about taking a photo of my house to show you the state it is in, but decided it was just TOO embarassing. From what I can tell, my daughters have spilt lemonade and soup in the dining area, so now I have a very sticky floor that needs washing, and I have 3 or 4 loads of washing waiting to be sorted and folded, and my cat is totally ignoring me because I haven't stopped to pat him in the last two days. So please, bring on tomorrow so I can get my house back in order. (-:

Oldies But Goodies...

Back in February this year, I was honoured to be asked to be a Guest Designer for Sweet Pea Scraps. Kristen (co-owner) sent me the kit, and this is what I came up with. The catch is, I only had 6 days to complete them. (-: Here are my layouts. I have been so slack in getting these up onto my blog, but better late than never...the first is titled " Lucky".
I have been a subscriber to their kits since November 2007. And even with the conversion rate and postage, I just LOVE their kits - it's like getting a surprise Christmas gift every month. They use and supply some amazing products, and everything is so well co-ordinated. The second is titled "1,2,3...Gone!"

The third is titled "Perfect Just The Way You Are"

The fourth is titled "Colour".

The fifth is titled "Beloved" and is based on the Twilight novels. My addiction to Twilight is all Kristen's fault, as that was part of the February theme. (-: But I love her for it!!! Wouldn't have my addiction any other way.

The sixth is titled "J'adore". So, thank you Sweet Pea Scraps for such a great opportunity. It was so much fun and I loved every minute.

Let them dress themselves?

It's amazing how different two sisters can be. Today was free dress day at the school and both girls were SO EXCITED!!!!! But the question for me was, do I let them choose and dress themselves? Amd I game? You see, sometimes my daughters can come up with the most unbelieveable dress creations, and I didn't know if today was going to be one of those days. But I bit my tongue and I allowed them to choose their own outfits. And I am glad to say, I think they chose well. But this is where the difference between the two is so obvious. Keana likes to wear skirts and be pretty. Malayla likes to wear jeans that have embroidery or sparkles on them. Never mind, I'm sure that will change once they are teenagers (sigh!)

My gym training is slowly coming along. I've finally got my self back into the routine of going to the gym 4 or 5 times a week. Sometimes I do classes, sometimes I do personal training sessions, and sometimes I just walk or run on the treadmill or other gym equipment. But as long as I am there doing something, then that is a good thing. I've made progress with my leg press which I am so very, very happy about. When I first started on it (about 18 months ago?) , I think I was on 50 or 60kgs. Yesterday, I hit 130kgs. As I said, very, very excited. My goal is 220kgs, so I have less than 100kgs to go. (-: And next week I will probably start working towards running again. And that makes me happy. (-:

Roar!!!

My girls signed up for the 8 week Auskick training this year, and today was the Gala Day celebrations. So Bernie the Lion (Brisbane Lions mascot) and some of the junior Lions in training, came along to keep the kids amused. Bernie found it just a little bit harder than expected to do push-ups with a junior sitting on top of him. But the kids found it hysterical.

Here's Malayla practising her tackles. They did hand-balls, catches, kicks, and zig-zag running as well. But she just LOVED the tackling, and was full of enthusiasm. The aim of this tackle, was to get the bag to the ground, and catch the ball that was balanced on top. She gave it her all!!!

Here's Keana doing the same thing. Except she didn't let go as the bag went down. She decided it was more fun to go down with the bag and straddle it. (-: Not bad for a little girl who didn't want to do this in the first place. And she kicked a point too! They had a mini game, and while she missed the goal, she was just as happy with the point. I was so proud of her!!! (-:

And here's some of the junior's doing push-ups. They had to do 50 of them, and the one closest in the photo was starting to struggle a little. But they did manage to complete them (I think it was done as a dare by one of the kids). So now I have two tired little girls who are sleeping so soundly tonight...sweet dreams...

It's all about comfort...

My girls and I LOVE lazy, stay-at-home days. Especially if I allow them to play Playstation, Nintendo or the computer. And today was one of those days (until about 2:30pm when I realised I had better go to the shops and buy some food so we could make something for dinner). But my youngest daughter does the comfort thing the best - it's all about comfort, plus a little bit of kiddie style. So Keana mixed her pink leggings, fairy outfit, dressing gown, and slippers, for the perfect outfit for a 5 year old to wear while playing Playstation. She cracks me up!!!

And since her younger sister refused point blank to hand over the controls for the Playstation, poor little Malayla had to find other ways to amuse herself. So she cornered Pandora (that would be my long sufferring cat with the "SAVE ME!!!" look on her face), found her Nintendo, and plonked herself on the lounge with a nice big warm blanket. So I had two happy girls, and one not-so-happy cat. (-:

Did I mention what happened when we went to the shops? Keana saw a magazine cover with a heavily pregnant Nicole Richie on the cover. And what does my daughter pipe up with? "Mum, she can't walk properly. Why can't you walk properly when you are pregnant, mum?" Seriously, where does this 5 year old come up with these questions? Fortunately, she got sick of waiting for me to stop laughing so I didn't have to explain (yet - she has a long memory).Oh, if only she knew...

Little ballerina's misbehaving...

My two girls both take Jazz and Ballet lessons. And recently they undertook their Level 1 Jazz exam. However, teaching them how to behave during exams was not as easy as it sounds. (-: While waiting for their respective turns in front of the examiner, the girls are supposed to sit silently, not looking at each other. As this photo shows, that stipulation is open to interpretation (hee! hee! hee!). The one with her legs in the air - that's my girl - Malayla (roll the eyes!) The one with her head on her knees, that's my other girl - Keana (sigh!). We'll find out in about 5 weeks if they managed to pass. (-:

Here's an "Up Close and Personal" shot of Malayla. This is her "I want something smooch". I just can't remember what it was on this occasion. She so has her daddy's eyes. (-:

Just before the end of term, Keana's Prep class had a Teddy Bears picnic morning at the school. So teddy and mummy both got dragged to school for lots of teddy bear activities. There was drawing, mask making, and biscuit making, finished off with a picnic on the lawn. And a wonderful time was had by all!!! (-: No teddy bears were lost, and they all returned home safely (thank goodness).

Don't hold your breathe, keep breathing....

I found this on Moon Ko's blog, and to quote her exactly "Holy cow.
Yes ladies. This would be the half-naked Edward Cullen in New Moon.
A mighty fine day, if you ask me. Now go talk amongst yourselves while I take a cold shower." My sentiments exactly!!!

Peace and quiet...

I actually managed to complete a Scrap With V monthly sketch challenge.This is the July challenge and you can find all the details in the forum. I haven't done one of these in a long time. (-:

I've started training back at the gym. I am SO SORE!!! Things went off course about 4 months ago - just a lot of stress and family crap. So I've changed gyms, got myself a new trainer (who is very wonderful eye candy and makes training much more pleasurable), and jumped back into my routine. So 5 days a week, every morning, that is where you can find me. My daughters love the new gym because it has a wonderful kids creche with it. They keep asking me when they can go again. (-:

And I finally have some peace and quiet in the house again. School started back today. My two darlings were so tired this morning because they spent 6 hours running around at Chipmunks playcentre on Sunday, and 2 1/2 hours running around and playing on the jungle gym yesterday. And they still have to get through dance lessons this afternoon before they get to crash and burn. Should be a quiet night too!!! (-:

New layouts to share...

Here's my layout for the Black With 2 July Challenge. And what a challenge it was! Black, maroon, mustard yellow, and stamping (but no flowers on the layout). What was I thinking! Argh! This combination was definitely a challenge, but my perseverance paid off (I hope!) (-:

This layout's just for me. No challenge involved. I've been wanting to scrap this photo for a while, and these papers from the Sweet Pea Scraps June kit suited it perfectly. The story behind the title is that the only fruit Malayla ever wants is watermelon or strawberries. That's what she always asks for. (-: So I thought I had better put the story onto a layout for preservation.

I took my girls to see the Hannah Montana movie yesterday. I loved the soundtrack. I might have to buy it for the car (oops! I mean my girls!) Mustn't let them know that mummy really enjoys the music. (-:

Hello Princess...

Yesterday I decided to surprise my two girls with tickets to the Disney Princess Wishes on Ice. My poor ears (I think I am still deaf)- they were SO EXCITED!!! Lots of squealing. (-: Anyway, of course I got conned into buying them some merchandise. But I stood firm - only one thing each. So Keana got an Ariel necklace and Malayla got an Ariel figurine. I think they came to about $44. I watched a lot of parents spending a fortune on their daughters at ridiculous prices. I think Walt Disney would be mortified if he was alive to see how much these parents and children were expected to pay. Very sad indeed.

Here's Ariel and her prince in action. These aren't gret photos, but you get the idea. (-:

And all the pretty ladies at the palace ball with Cinderella and her Prince Charming. It was a great show for the children, really amazing. Beautiful stories and ice skating too. But I am glad it only comes around once a year. (-: Will we go next year? It depends. We'll wait and see what next year's theme is first.

Bring on those challenges...

I had lots of left-over bits and pieces from the Aussie Pub Calls Kit of the Month. So I decided to put them to good use - and this is what I came up with. It's titled "Baked With Love". (-: I have so many photos of all the cakes I have made for my girls over the years, and this time I got to use four of them on one layout, so I am very, very happy.

This layout was created for Sweet Pea Scraps - Challenge#2 - Just Hide It! It's called "Your Fun" and is about Keana's love of blowing bubbles. I haven't done a Sweet Pea challenge for so long now, it seems like forever. I've just been too busy, which is a shame because I used to do them every month. But here's my first attempt to get back into a routine of completing all my challenges each month.

Published, birthday moments, and a day-out.

Yay! Guess what! Thanks to the wonderful Scrapbook Creations, I have been published again. I really should spend more time submitting to magazines, but I have just been lazy. Maybe that can be my goal for next year? (-: Anyway, I am on page 35 of No. 68 (Vol 8 No 5). I created this layout "So Happy" a while ago (last year I think) using Kelly Panacci papers.

We did a day trip as a family. Something that we don't do often enough. I wanted to go and see my grandfather on the Gold Coast last Sunday, but decided to make a detour on the way via Mt Tamborine. After much complaining from my daughters, we actually got to stroll along and look at all the shops (with the bribery of mummy promising to buy them something on the way). (-: They ended up with some bright red sequined fairy shoes. And I ended up finding a lot of pretty stuff that I will probably go back for. It's very hard to shop with my husband and little girls in tow. But back to this photo. Malayla spotted this post (in front of the Cuckoo Clock House) which had been painted to look like an old man, and asked me to take her photo for her. So I obliged and did just that. (-: My poor baby Keana. She was SO TIRED this day and didn't want to walk as she had fallen asleep in the car. Which meant Tony had to carry her. He will not be able to do this much longer because she is probably nearly two thirds his height already, at just 5 years old. And I have no idea what she weighs. Probably between 25 and 30 kilograms. She was adamant that she was NOT going to wake up and enjoy herself. Too funny!!!

For her birthday, Malayla asked for a Hannah Montana wig. And since this is the only thing she requested, I obliged and got one for her. So here are the photos of both my daughters with long blonde hair. Definitely not what I expected! (-: I think it suits Malayla!

With Keana, I am not so sure. I think it might take a little bit of getting used to. (-: Oh well, at least they had fun and it keeps them amused.