Home At Last!!!

We finally returned home today. After 8 days of no scrapping and having to use my husband's very slow and frustrating computer, I am finally sitting at my desk, blogging and scrapping. Absolute heaven!!! And so, I thought I'd would share some photos from Christmas and our holidays. This is where we stayed on the Gold Coast - Sands Turtle Beach Resort. We had so many BBQ's that the girls actually refused to eat anything that was BBQ'd on the last couple of days. (-:

Here's Malayla expressing her jubilation at one of her Chrsitmas presents. Yes, both my girls got spoilt, but considering I rarely buy them toys during the year (except for birthdays), I don't feel too guilty about it.

Here's Keana absolutely thrilled to bits (as you can see, she was hugging the present) at receiving a pair of roller blades from Santa. Now all she has to do is work out how to balance in them! (-:

I didn't feel like cooking for Christmas since we were on holidays, so we went to Sizzler's Restaurant at Mermaid Beach for our Christmas Lunch. It was so very yummy!!! Lots of seafood, ham, puddings, profiteroles, and everything imaginable. Yes, we overindulged and went home feeling very, very full. I think we might do it again next year.

And finally, here's the layout I submitted as part of my Pencil Lines DT application. It was created using Sketch #161, and lots of Bo-Bunny goodness. Titled: You Stole My Heart.

The Secret Is...

I have been fortunate enough to be chosen as part of the 2010 Pencil Lines Design Team. Yes, little old me!!! (-: I am so deliriously happy. I know, I was planning on spending this year doing my own thing, but this opportunity presented itself to me, and I couldn't say no. All the details are up on the PencilLines blog. Here. I am really looking forward to working with the Pencil Lines Team. I can't wait to see what this year brings.

Shhhhh....

I have a secret!!! I have some very exciting and HUGE news to share with you but you will just have to wait a couple more days...make sure you drop back to find out what the secret is!!!!

Three Strikes And Your Out!!!

It's so not like me to admit defeat. But at the same point, it's also not like me to keep banging my head against a brick wall. And in this case, Murphy's Law wins!!! I am sitting here typing this post on my husbands laptop because mine is not co-operating. I should have known better than to bring my computer with me on holidays. I should have known that what I wanted to do, and what actually happens, would not be the same thing. I was so excited because I thought I was finally going to get some time to dabble in digital scrapping. Ha! Ha! As if!!! Firstly, I forgot to bring my camera cord to download my photos onto my laptop. So hubby and I came up with a plan to bluetooth some photos across to my laptop, from his. Nice try!!! But that doesn't work when his uses bluetooth and mine uses infrared. Secondly, I injured my back a couple of days before Chrsitmas, and it is getting worse, not better, so I can't even sit for a long enough period to try digi-scrapping. In fact, I've just sent hubby and daughters to the chemist to purchase some Voltaren and a heat pack. Hopefully, this will ease the pain. Thirdly, my virus protection on my computer is telling me it's expired. Three strikes and your out!!! (-:

On a brighter note, hubby gave me book one and two of "The Vampire Diaries" for Christmas. I read them both yesterday. Took me about 7 hours (much to his dismay). So I have asked him (very nicely) if he can stop at a bookstore on his way back from the chemist and purchase me books 3 and 4. (-: I have to have something to read while my back is too sore for me to do anything else (that's my excuse and I'm sticking with it!!!).

Our daughters are having a blast. They have been swimming everyday, watched a movie at the cinema (on site at the resort), had pizza for dinner at the resort restaurant, and made lots of friends. They also love having access to Nickelodean (did I spell that right?), and Animal Planet channels. In beween, playing their new Nintendo DS games that Santa dropped off for Christmas. So, all in all, we are having a wonderful, laid back time. Tomorrow, we hope to take the girls to the beach and do some shopping (if my back improves).

Since I can't download any photos, I will have to share those with you once we get back home (at the end of the month). I hope you are all enjoying the holiday season with your families and friends. Have fun and keep smiling!!! (-:

Last minute rush...

Here's my last layout for 2009. This one is Pencil Lines Sketch #165. And it is titled: Reflections of You. We leave for our holidays in the morning, so there will be no more scrapping for 8 days or so. Now admittedly, that thought scares me just a little bit. Hubby told me to get control of myself and read a book, or go for a swim, instead. Little does he realise, I can quite easily hi-jack his laptop and start dabbling in digital scrapbooking. (-: Hee! Hee! Hee!

And on that note, I would like to say "Merry Christmas!!! And may your NEW YEAR be filled with love, laughter, happiness and joy". If you are travelling, please be careful, and please stay safe. And I hope Santa is very good, to one and all!!!

Prima December BAP layout...and funny stuff!

Here it is (finally!!!). I've finished my Prima December BAP after having it sit on my desk for nearly 4 days. I've been so busy with the "Silly Season" I haven't had time to scrap. Plus my mojo seems to think it's time to go on holidays. That definitely doesn't help. There's lots of layering and textures in this one. Titled: Once Upon A Time.

A funny thing happened to my husband this afternoon. Because we are going away for 8 days over the holidays, my pot plants needed to be dropped off at my dad's place for watering. So hubby piled the pot plants, and my two daughters (aged 6 and 7) into the car, and departed. He got less than 30 seconds up the road, when all hell broke loose. A stick insect that had been on one of my plants, decided that my daughters pillow was a much better option. Keana didn't feel the same way. She absolutely lost the plot and started screaming. Then of course she realised she was actually LOCKED in the car with the stick insect, so arms and legs began to flail everywhere, as the screaming pitch increased. Hubby nearly lost control of the car and had an accident. While trying to pull over, he nearly ran over some guy blowing leaves off the middle of the road, with a leaf blower. (What was he doing in the middle of the road anyway? Weird!!!). But he managed to save the day by flicking the stick insect out the door. Fortunately, the rest of the drive to my dad's place was uneventful. (-: So the moral of the story - don't lock stick insects and daughters in a car together, because they definitely don't mix!!!

Clucky???

My DH finally got home on Saturday afternoon (he has been away for nearly 6 weeks). And this is what I get greeted with!!! Our friend Deanne came over for dinner with her little ones, including Chrsitian who is about 12 weeks (I think???). Anyway, here's my hubby in full clucky mode - he fed him, burped him, and rocked him to sleep, and definitely didn't want to hand him back to Deanne at any point. Seriously, Deanne almost had to beg to get him back. How much did this freak me out? Let's not even go there, because I start to hyperventilate every time I think about it. Or every time my husband looks at me with "THAT LOOK"!!! Aaarrgghhhhhh!!!!! I want to run in the opposite direction.

OMG!!! How content does he look? Dear readers, don't even think about it, or wish for it, and definitely don't pray for it, because it is NOT going to happen. I am done with reproducing!!! Now, I'm off to find something else to distract my husband with, other than babies...

And the winner is...

With a little help from my daughters, I have four winners for my Christmas Blog Candy giveaway. My two daughters had the honour of pulling two names each from the hat (well, I used a bowl actually!!!). It was so funny, because they thought the prizes were for themselves, not for my blog followers. (-: So they are a little disappointed with the whole deal. Thank goodness Santa will arrive in a few days.

Anyway, without further ado, these are the names that were drawn: DOMNA, INGRID, WENDY AND JODI. So congratulations ladies, and please e-mail me with your addresses (click on my profile for the email link), and I will get your prize posted out to you as soon as possible.

Thank-you everyone for joining in the fun. I will definitely be doing this again sometime next year. Which means, you will all have another chance at winning then!!! Merry Christmas, one and all!!! (-:

One...plus photos.

Here's my last ever layout for the White With 1 challenge blog. Titled: "LickMe!". Due to lack of sponsorship, Susan has decided to close down the site. )-: So sad because it was one of my favourite challenge blogs.

I took these photos earlier in the week, but haven't had a chance to upload them yet (due to me running around like crazy doing Christmas stuff!!!). Here's Missy Moo's tutorial on how to lick a cake bowl clean. Step 1: Lick as if there is no tomorrow. lick! Lick! Lick! And then lick some more!

Step 2: Do not waste any!!! Use your hands and fingers to get every last ounce of cake batter out of the bowl.

Step 3: Relish and enjoy!!! (-: Mmm...yummy!!!

Here's my little fuzzy wuzzy doing a great impersonation of a "poochie"!!! This is what happens when I am too lazy to wet down her hair (which needs to be done everyday, if I want curls). Otherwise, all I get is frizzy and fuzzy!!!

Woo-hoo!!! I'm published again...

I've got two layouts published in the recent Scrapbook Creations (issue 73) and I didn't even realise. I only found out by mistake. Anyway, the first one is titled "It's All About The Fun!", and is on page 102. I actually created this layout in April 2008. So it's an oldie.

And the second layout is on page 119 and is titled "Black & White". It's an oldie too - I created this one back in September 2007.

Don't forget about my blog candy giveaway!

Don't forget to get in on the fun and enter my Chrsitmas Blog Cangy Giveaway. Go Here!!! You only have about 7 days left before it closes.

Free Digital Christmas Tags...

I have been informed of a lovely blogger who is giving away free digital christmas tags that can be downloaded and printed. Go here if you are interested. They are super cute and come in two ranges of colours. And please don't forget to leave a comment to say thank-you!

Only one to share...

Do you recognise the papers in this layout? They are the scraps from my Star Christmas wreath. This layout has been created for the Scrap The Girls December Challenge. The criteria was to use Christmas carol lyrics in your title, jewels and/or bling, orange paper or cardstcok, and a yellow embellishment.

I've also finished another layout using the new Bo-Bunny Love Bandit papers (and oh my goodness, they are so, so cute!!!). But I can't share that one with you until the 1st January 2010.

Prima December Product Picks...

Here's the Prima product picks for December. Just go here to find out the details on how you can win this amazing selection of goodies. So very yummy...

But not as yummy as this!!! Oh my goodness, the count down is on again. (-: Honestly, the wait is probably going to drive me crazy. By about May next year, my husband will be ready to sedate me, lol!!! Yes, I know I am addicted and infatuated with the whole Twilight concept, but I DON'T CARE!!! This is my happy place and I'm not giving it up for anyone or anything. EVER!!!

And before I go, don't forget my Blog Candy give-away here! I have four packs of goodies to give away and its open to everyone around the world. But you've got to be in it to win it!!!

Well, hello Christmas!!!

Please forgive me for not blogging recently, dear readers, but this is why. I've been busy trying to finish off my Chrsitmas wreath before Christmas actually arrives. This is a Kaisercraft chipboard wreath, that I have covered in old Karen Foster papers (because I didn't want boring traditional green and red), sprayed with gold glimmermist, edged with kindy glitz, added rhinestones, buttons, and ribbons, and ended up with this finished product. Now considereing I rarely do OTP stuff, I'm fairly damn proud of myself for actually finishing this (I have hundreds of unfinished projects in my cupboard still calling my name). Well, at least it's different! (-:

I went shopping yesterday at Brookside and found these. They are repositionable wall decals (stickers) with trees, birds and cages. I am so excited about this little find and can't wait to get them up on the wall. I will share some photos once that happens. They are just going to look so gorgeous!!!

Here's another coloured version that I found. I might put this one in the matser bedroom. I love them so much I am tempted to go back for some more. How much you might ask. a very reasonable $22.00 each. Much cheaper than painting a bedroom wall. (-:

Look at these pretties!!!

I'm in LOVE!!! Have a look at what I found on Ngaire's blog here. I am so getting one - just have to choose a colour. And I'm getting one each for my daughters - a yellow one, and a blue one. So pretty, just got to have one... if you are a big girl at heart, or have little girls of your own, you will not be able to resist. Or you can go directly here too! as they say - love at first sight!!! (-:

Seriously???

I am at a loss for the sheer stupidity of some people. I live near the highway, and continuously struggle to understand why people have to merge onto the highway at a speed below that of the speed limit. You see, the problem with merging at a speed less than that of the highway limit, is that the cars already on the highway, doing the speed limit (which is usually 100 kms) have to suddenly slam on their brakes, and try to avoid hitting the idiot, who has decided to merge onto the highway in front at them, 10 or 20, or even 30 kms below the speed limit. And lord forbid if it's a truck that has to suddenly slam on it's brakes. Seriously? Are people really this stupid? And if they are, why in hell's name are they allowed to have a licence? Do I sound a little peeved? That might be because of the bloody moron (on Saturday morning) who decided to stop his car in the middle of the road, on the "on ramp" that merges onto the highway. With no warning, this idiot has slammed on his brakes, gotten out of his car, looked towards the back of his car, gotten back in his car, and taken off again, all with 10 or so cars behind him that were probably doing 70 or 80kms an hour, as we were gathering speed to merge onto the highway. Seriously??? What is wrong with people? If you can give me an explanation as to why idiots do this sort of thing, I am listening, because I am completely dumbfounded as to what is (or maybe it isn't?) going through their heads!!! They keep telling us speed is the major factor in accidents and road deaths. I don't think so - I think the major factor is pure and utter stupidity!!!

Scrap The Girls results...

I've been lucky enough to win third prize for the November challenge over at Scrap The Girls. Here's my winning layout - Destiny. This months challenge is up too!

And don't forget to enter my Christmas Blog Candy competition here! I've been shopping and added Prima stamps to the collection, plus a few other goodies that I have found along the way. But you have to be in it to win it, and at this point, you only have about 14 days left to enter.

Pretty Little Ballerinas...

Today was the Aspire Dance Academy end of year dance concert. And these are just a few of my favourite photos from the event. This is my two darlings, all done up and looking pretty, for their Hannah Montana "Best Of Both Worlds" jazz dance.

Here's a full length shot showing the full costume. I volunteered as a backstage mother for both the Matinee and Evening performance, so I didn't actually get to see the concert at all. Thank goodness I am purchasing the DVD that will be made. I had 14 little girls in my care, with two other mothers. I have lost count of how many tights, shoes, costumes and headpieces I have had to change today. Plus I was in charge of hair and lipstick as well. And each child can be in any number of dances. Fortunately, most were only in two dances.

It was a long day. We started preparing about 10am this morning, and didn't get home and into bed until after 9:30pm. And tomorrow my two are supposed to attend a birthday party at 11am. I am dreading finding out just how tired they are going to be. I hope they can hold it together. But they will definitely be having an early night Sunday night. (-:

Here'a a full length photo of the costume for their ballet dance. they danced to "We're Off To See The Wizard" from the Wizard of Oz.

Here's my youngest looking dramatic and gorgeous. The best thing about today (and actually, most of this week) is all the new photos I have to scrap. I have taken hundreds of photos with all the activities that we have attended. So maybe now that everything is finished, I can finally find some time to scrap again, because believe me, it's been very scarce for the past week. (-:

Beautiful and inspiring...

If you love beautiful photography, then check this out here. So glad I found this site (and a big thank-you to Miss Ngaire Bartlam for pointing me in the right direction). I don't know how she does it, but Ngaire finds some of the most amazing blogs and sites, ever!!! I just don't know what I'd do without her. (-:

One Proud Mama...

Well, school is finally over for another year. It's kind of sad because next year, my baby will no longer be a Preppie. She will be a big girl in year one. I love the Preppie's classes because they are so much fun, and the children are so innocent and inquisitive, and of course, very, very funny. I will miss that. But this is how my baby finished her year as a Prep student - she was chosen from her whole class to read the statement (below) at the end of year assembly. And as a very proud mama, I would like to point out that she actually did read it, by herself, without help, and without her teacher (Mrs McGraw) having to prompt her at all. See, the funny thing about Keana, is that once she saw her older sister reading, she decided she wanted to read as well. So she actually went and taught herself. She just made up her mind, and started to read, without me teaching her, like I had to teach her sister. So you can imagine the shock I got when she started reading her sister's books without any help. She's one very clever cookie, this one!!!

This is what Keana read at the assembly. And I am so proud of her for not faultering, stuttering, or even mumbling. She was perfect. In fact, she was just as good as some of the students in the older grades, if not better. I can't wait till she starts reading Harry Potter and Twilight with me. Now that will be fun!!! (-:

The Tiger debate...

Yes, it looks like he cheated, but who on earth gives the media (and us) the right to judge him and crucify him? Men cheat all the time (unfortunately). So, why aren't they all treated in the same manner as Tiger? Just because he is in the public eye doesn't make his indiscretion any worse than anyone else's indiscretion. As the saying goes, let the person who has not sinned throw the first rock. I'm not the only one who feels this way. Go and check out what MckMama has to say here.

Let There Be Colour...

Can you guess what I am working on? If not, you'll just have to wait and see. (-: I really hope to have it finished before the weekend. I am so in love with these colours, though. I've even kept all the scraps to make a layout (which I am already creating in my head). Yes, I know - I am actually doing an Off-The-Page project, something that I NEVER do! Shock! Horror! But get used to it - things are-a-changing around here!!! I've decided, that since I am not tied up with DT commitments anymore, then it's time to finish off all those projects from the past three years, that are still sitting here, unfinished. I can't wait to get them done (should only take a year or so at this rate!!!) (-:

The last ones...

After 2 years and 10 months, my time as a DT member for Blossie's has come to an end. This is my last month with them, and these are the last two layouts that I have created for them (the third layout is featured on a post below - titled Fun With Bo-Bunny). The theme this month is pockets and hidden things, fold outs etc. This layout is titled: Pictures Of You, and features a fold out mini book of photos.

The second layout is titled: Notes To My Daughter, and I have used an envelope to hold a letter that I have written to my daughter.

And this happened yesterday, too! Keana has now lost her second tooth, so now it is a race between my two daughters to see who can lose the third tooth first. The funny thing about this whole episode, is that she lost her tooth while I was tickling her. Which I did just moments after asking her how her tooth was going and if it was ready to come out. I guess I got my answer, then? (-:

Clowning around...and blog candy...

Today we went to a kiddies birthday party, and the entertainment was this pair of clowns. Peebo and Dagwood by name, and OMG!!!! They were BRILLIANT!!! seriously, I couldn't stop laughing.

And the kids absolutely loved them. But boy, was it noisy when the kids starting cheering and screaming and clapping. Ear plugs really would have been a good option. (-: Keana was absolutely fascinated by them, and watched them closely, enthralled by what they were doing.

Malayla was all for it, getting in on the action. They even chose her from the crowd to help with one of the magic acts. It made her day.

This is the, "Mummy, I don't want to do pretty photos, I want to do silly photos" look. Thank goodness for digital cameras. Several silly photos later, I finally got the pretty poses I was after, so we all left happy.

Don't forget about my blog candy competition. Go here for details on how to win.

Christmas fairies...and visitors...

Meet Fudge, one of the class mascots, who has been chosen to spend a night at our house (lucky me!!!). The deal is, I have to photograph Fudge doing all our family activities, then stick the photos in a scrap book, and return said book and fur-ball back to the school tomorrow. Nothing like a bit of pressure when I've already got way too much on my plate! Aaargghhh!!!!!

Here's my youngest dressed up for her Prep class Nativity performance. They held the play at the school this evening. We have just returned, and I must say, it was oh, so cute! The Preppies were just adorable.

While most of the class got to dress up in proper costumes organised by the school, Keana was a narrator, and was told to simply wear something red and green. Well I didn't think it was fair that the rest of the class got to dress up, while my daughter didn't. So I went and purchased a red and green fairy costume for her. Now, isn't she just the cutest Narrator,ever? Did I mention that she loved the microphone and really didn't want to part with it. Nope, she wasn't going to share it with the others, or let it out of her hands. (-: My daughter definitely isn't stage shy.

Here are my two sweet girls, all dressed up, and looking gorgeous. Malayla wore her new Christmas outfit. It has butterflies all over the skirt.

Here's Keana and Grace, one of Keana's closest friends. She has three best buddies- Grace, Veronica and Jessica (who's father Justin is my personal trainer). Talk about chalk and cheese with these two...(-: But they love each other dearly.

Inspired by colours...

This is the advertisement for this month's challenge over at What's Ad About? Don't you just love the colours and patterns? Absolutely gorgeous inspiration.

And this is what I came up with from my inspiration. Thank-you Bo-Bunny for providing just the perfect choice of papers. (-: And of course Prima, for providing the perfect flowers for the finishing touches. (-: Titled: My Day To Shine.

Want to win this Christmas Blog Candy?

This year, I wanted to do something different for Christmas. I want to give away something that will hopefully make someone else very happy, to brighten their day a little. So I am offering four packs of this Blog Candy. They are not huge packs (due to a limited budget), and I hope to add a few more things between now and the deadline (if I can find the time to do some shopping). Each pack varies slightly in the colours, but includes a Kaisercraft chipboard album, some Prima pearls and flowers, some mini alpha stickers, Kaisercraft rhinestones, and a mixed bag of Prima Sultan and Rajah centres. Would you like the opportunity to win? If so, all you need to do is the following:

1. Leave a comment on this post telling me what you love most about Christmas.
2. Make a post about my blog candy on your blog, and share it with your friends.

The deadline for this draw is 2oth December (and will hopefully go into the mail the next day). This is open world wide. Yes, that means, anyone, anywhere in the world can participate. (-:

UPDATE: I have since added some Prima stamps, Prima bird and butterfly embellishments, and a few other items.

***UPDATE: THIS COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED!***

Fun with Bo-Bunny...

I decided to have a little fun with my stash of Bo-Bunny papers. They have been neglected lately, and I decided it was high time to get motivated, and use them. And here's the end result. For those who are wondering, the blue metallic ink you can see around the edge of the photo, and on the red leaves, is actually the new Smooch Inks. I purchased a couple of bottles earlier this week, and have been dying to try them. So this was the perfect opportunity. The verdict - I love them. The colours are gorgeous, and they are good for doodling, too. I even did hidden journalling on this layout, something I haven't done in ages. I love the deep, rich colours of the gypsy range. They are so vibrant, exotic and enticing.

Another one bites the dust!

Woo-hoo! Missy Moo lost another bottom tooth last night. She's a happy little duckie at the moment. Already trying to find the next tooth that is loose. (-: Now that she's got the hang of wiggling her teeth, she's all for it!!! I guess I had better go and warn the tooth fairy...(-:

New Moon review...

So I promised not to reveal any of the storyline for the new Twilight movie, New Moon. And I will keep that promise. What I can say is this - Jacob Black!!!! OH MY GOD!!!!!!!!! Seriously, Taylor Lautner is gorgeous, and has a huge future before him. He plays the role of Jacob brilliantly. And you know all these photos we've seen with his biceps and abs showing? Well, that's nothing. They don't do him justice at all. He is 100 times better looking in the movie. Honestly, I think he steals the show...(-: Vampires? What vampires??? I know what I'll be dreaming of tonight, and tomorrow night...and the one after...

Christmas project with a helping hand...

My eldest daughter came home from school on Friday and informed me that I had to make her a Christmas box before Monday morning. Say what?!?!?! After a few phone calls to other mothers to confirm this was actually the case, we went shopping for supplies. But I refused to do the whole thing myself as it was meant to be a school project. So I covered a large silver box in Kaisercraft papers, and added some twill ribbon around the top of the lid, to make it easier for little hands to grip it. I then cut out about 20 or so Chritsmas trees for my daughter to adhere to the box at a later date. I supplied her with pearls, rhinestones, alpha stickers, kindy glitz, photos and double sided tape. I then sent the box and all the supplies to school with her, so she could finish her projest in the classroom. Anyway, today the box came home finished (so I could photograph it). It goes back to the school tomorrow.

Here's a side view of the box. Malayla stuck on all these trees by herself, and decorate them with bling. Did I mention how happy she is with her box? She had a huge grin on her face when she showed it to me. It was just the sweetest thing to see her so happy with her handy-work.

Well, at least this is one Christmas project completed. My wreath is still waiting...(-: