Sketch Layouts...And Lazy Mornings!

Here's this month's sketch from over at Crafty Sketches. This one was created by my dear friend, Jodi Dolbel.

And here's my interpretation of the sketch. Titled: Always Believe In Yourself. I had a big accident with this layout, so it hasn't turned out the way I wanted it to. You see that strip of polka-dot paper across the bottom? Well, originally, it was a green and blue plaid piece of paper that matched with the layout much better. But when I adhered it to the page, I adhered it upside down so that the back side of the paper was face up (and it was green). And that definitely didn't work. So I tried to remove it, but that just wasn't going to happen - it tore! And I only had one more then strip of that paper left but it had to be trimeed to the right size - and of course the paper slipped while I was trimming it, so it was all crooked. It was at this point that I was tearing my hair out. So, I just had to take a deep breathe and go with the second option - polka-dot paper. Blah! I don't like it nearly as much...never mind.

We are having a slow morning this morning. And Lego is the toy of choice for today. Along with the cartoons playing on tv. (-: I love cartoons - we are watching "Josie and The Pussycats", and my absolute favourite, "Scooby-Do!", is next. (-:

Malayla is about to loose another bottom tooth. She can't keep her hand out of her mouth and keeps wiggling her tooth every chance she gets. I expect she will have it out by tomorrow. (-:

I love this photo of Missy Moo. Don't you just love the bed-hair!!! She just looks so sweet. But I am biased, as a mother should be!!! (-: After lunch we are off to my dad's place. I'm going to leave the girls there for a couple of hours while I get my groceries - so much easier to do without the girls wanting to help me. Enjoy your weekend.

Prima Has A Secret...

Ooohhhh!!!! I love secrets. They are so exciting. I'm guessing that it is the Prima DT call for 2010. But why not check it out for yourself here. And don't forget to click on the purple curtain for an extra clue. (-:

And they have two bags of $100 worth of goodies up for grabs. Now, who wouldn't be a happy girl to win one of these??? Please pick me!!! (-:

Prima Product Picks - In Pink!!!

Sigh! It's all pink. How I wish I was a lucky person...(-: This is almost too good to be true. Just wander over to Prima for your chance to win. Simply follow the competion rules and you might just become a lucky peron!!! (-:

Green With Envy...

Yes, I am absolutely green with envy. Why? Check this out here. I've already sent my husband an email putting my order in for one of these. I'm waiting to see what his reaction is. (-: Hey, honey, if you are reading this, just remember one thing - "a happy wife means a happy life!!!. So, when are we starting renovations?...

Hello Sunshine! and we are DONE!!!

Woo-hoo! It's finally finished. This is one of the mini books I started to make, in one of the classes I attended, with Jodi Holbrook from Making Memories (back in June 2009). The album has been created using the packaging from one of the Making Memories packages as the base.

I must have forgotten to photograph the first page (and I am too lazy to go back and do it now), so here is page two instead. (-:

And page 3. That's the last page as this was meant to be a small and portable mini book. I think this will make the perfect gift for my mother - her new brag book!!!

And finally, this is what the album looks like open and standing up. I still have one more of these to make, along with a notebook, and one more layout. Then I will finally be done with all the projects from the Making Memories classes. I'm fairly certain persistance is the key to getting all these completed!!! (-:

Bits And Pieces...

This layout was another one that I created just for me. It is titled: Sugar Sweet. Just after starting it, my mojo disappeared and I got stuck, so I had to wait a day or two until inspiration hit me again, so that I could finish it. Believe me, at one point I thought that was never going to happen, as I just couldn't get it to "gel" together. I've used lots of bits and pieces on this one - Prima flowers, Making Memories tickets and sticker alphas, AC Thickers, Sassafras papers, K and Co papers and stickers, and 2Crafty chipboard, plus my beloved Glimmermist. (-: Man, I would be lost without that stuff. And I have used some Shimmerz Blingz on the flowers for something different.

How To Amuse The Children...

Did I mention that I got a new oven a few weeks back? Well, today, I decided it was time to try it out. And the girls were more than willing to help me with that. So after school, we made chocolate patty cakes, with mini chocolate melts on top. This photo is the evidence. (-: What the girls don't know, is that the muffins mummy made earlier during the day, and which they devoured with relish for afternoon tea, was actually date loaf done up in mini muffin cases. They didn't actually ask me what flavour it was, and I have no idea what I am going to tell them if they do...I guess we'll cross that bridge if we get to it.

Before I forget (yet again), I meant to put up a post ages ago to let everyone know that I have sent all the RAKS out (as promised - even if they are running very late). I am really, really sorry for the lateness, we've just had a lot of family stuff going on which has taken a huge toll on my energy, patience and sanity. But I definitely posted everything earlier this month - not that I can remember what day or date!!! So it's on its way - if it hasn't already arrived. If you haven't received it by Easter, please let me know (because then I will be worried that it has gotten lost).

And I finally got my mojo back. It had me worried for a couple of days because it went missing. But it's back and now I have a lovely layout to share with you tomorrow...(-:

As Girly As They Come...

Wow! The weeks are just flying past. It will be Christmas again before we know it. How scary is that??? (-: Anyway, sketch #175 is up over at Pencil Lines, and this week, we have the design team from Scrapbook Nook joining in the fun. There is more inspiration than you could believe possible, and every person has taken a different approach to the sketch. It's amazing!!!

I went for the girly look at Pencil Lines this week. Yes, I know - very, very girly!!! (-: I haven't done a pink, girly page for quite some time, so I thought it was time. Plus I was sick and tired of having so many die cuts (Making Memories) lying around, waiting to be used, and this was the perfect opportunity. I managed to use 9 die cuts on one page - that's pretty good for me considering I usually only use one or two at the most. I'm not a huge die cut fan, and I'm still trying to learn how to get the most out of them. At least they're not as bad as epoxy stickers - I can't use those to save my life!!! Blah! Nope, I don't even bother buying them, no matter how pretty they are.

Guess what turned up today? Three, yes that's right - three boxes of goodies. (I still have 2 more coming). And I have no room left to put all the new stuff. My scrap space is officially full. And I honestly don't know what to do about it. I have re-arranged my space so many times to get the most out of it, that's there's simply nothing left to move or re-arrange. My albums (20 or so) are all full, so I've had to purchase two more - but there is no shelving or cupboard space on which to store them. I have about 1 1/2 inches (in thickness) of new papers, but my paper storage boxes are full. I have new Glimmermist, and my storage space for that is full too. Plus I have stamps, flowers, chipboard and ribbon to deal with too!!! HELP!!! Maybe I can just ignore it all and go and do some mini muffin baking instead? Yes, that sounds like a plan. I'm off to bake...

Quit While You're Ahead!!!

Yesterday was one of THOSE DAYS!!! You know the days. The days where you should quit while you are ahead, before you even get started. There was no scrapping yesterday. I tried, but I just couldn't get my head around it. What a waste of time...and we won't even mention the four hours I spent cleaning the girls toy room. Let's just say they won't be leaving it in that state EVER again! They've been warned that next time I will be giving away the toys to other children - and anyone who knows me, knows I follow through with my threats (and promises). Considering I was one of those children who kept my toy room clean and my Barbie dolls in pristine condition, I find it hard to deal with the wreckage that my girls produce. I'm not a happy mummy, to say the least!!!

But I did use those four hours of cleaning to my advantage - I got rid of any broken or damaged toys, and all the McDonalds junk toys. And all the make-up that people had purchased as gifts for my girls in the past. Hubby and I had a talk and decided we weren't comfortable with the whole make-up thing - so now it is gone. The only time they will be wearing make-u is when they are on stage performing at their dance concerts. I have only left a little bit of nail polish, and some lip glosses. That's it. No eye shadow - no rouge - no lipstick. I wonder how long it's going to take my little darlings to realise this? Ha! Ha! Ha! (Revenge is sweet...no more mess on my carpets!!!)

It's raining today so I am taking the girls to the Hippo House (kids play centre) up at Morayfield. They asked on Friday if I could take them there this weekend. So I agreed - on one condition - we have to go via the local scrap store so I can get the new Sassafrass for myself. Hopefully this will help my mojo to return. (-: Enjoy the rest of your weekend. I'm out of here, and off to play...

Pretty Blog Candy Up For Grabs...

Now here's a prize that isn't technically a scrapbooking product, but could help you "see" with your scrapbooking!!! Would you like to win this? Well, Natalie over at Scrap Doctor is giving away a chance to win a lovely lamp... go here to check it out! The only problem is, there are too many to choose from. (-:

Prima Feature and Leftovers...

My January BAP layout has been featured on the Prima blog again. (-: I used the "Flirty Little Secret" range to create this layout.

Can anyone tell me where this sketch is from? I know it is a February sketch, but I have absolutely no idea from which site. For some reason I forgot to type in the name of the site when I saved it, and because I visit so many sites each month, I have no chance of remembering. Anyway, I used this sketch as my inspiration for the layout below.

I had lots and lots of leftovers from Sassafrass and I was sick of them lying about everywhere. So I gathered them all up and created this layout (using the above sketch as inspiration). Titled: Simply You. I just wanted to have some fun with this layout - I wanted bright and colourful, and I really wasn't concerned about all the colours matching. I just did this layout for me - no pressure. (-: I used 3 pink paper flowers to create my visual triangle.

I received an invite today to go and stay with a friend (Melissa) up at the Sunshine Coast (and yes, she's a scrapper). So sometime soon, the girls and I are going to go and keep her company (there are two pools where she lives so I doubt that I will even see my girls the whole time). I am really looking forward to this, as Melissa and I should have gotten together ages ago, but we both got busy with life.

And I received a lovely surprise from my wonderful friend Jodi Dolbel today. I am borrowing a book from Jodi (called Tell-Tale by Sam Hayes). Anyway, she posted it up to me, and it arrived today, but the surprise was that she filled the packing envelope with flowers before she posted it. So I have lots more glorious flowers to add to my scrapping collection. Thanks Jodi!!! (And Phillipa, I will be passing the book your way when I am finished).

Guess what arrived???

Guess what arrived on my doorstep yesterday? My PRIMA!!!! YAY!!!!! (Or should I say, some of my Prima - ther's still more to come). These flowers are just so pretty, especially the winter roses - just exquisite. I'm still waiting on another 4 boxes of stuff to arrive - mostly Prima and Websters, plus I am also waiting on a box of DT goodies from Pencil Lines (which includes more Prima). (-: Ok. I'm off to admire my pretty, pretty things...(-:

Sketches and Colours...

Yep, another week has already rolled around, and sketch #174 is up at Pencil Lines. Our guest designer this week is Sue Mylde. Make sure you pop on over to check out what all the other designers have been up to - there's a lot of inspiration to be found.

Here's my interpretation of the sketch. I wanted to go with something a little different, and I think the mix of Easter photos and Sassafrass goodies is the perfect combination. I am really, really happy with this layout. It's one of my favourites at the moment, and is titled: Easter Chickies. (-: Did I mention that I "LOVE" Sassafrass!!! So yummy!!!!!!

Here's the current colour combination (#142) over at Color Combos Galore. This one was posted by our very own Steph Caskey-Devlin.

And here's my interpretation of those colours. Yes, it is a very unusual colour combination, but I had a lot of fun with this layout, and I actually found the colours quite easy to work with (as long as I kept the purple to a minimum). This layout is titled: U Crack me Up. I have used a combination of papers and products - Making Memories, My Mind's Eye, Prima, Bo-Bunny, Bella! and Maya Road.

So Let's Share...

First of all - Happy Valentine's Day!!! Hope you have a lovely day...now on to the scrappy stuff (as you might have guessed, I'm not the sappy, sentimental kind-of-gal!!!). Here's the sketch for the Prima February Build-A-Page.

And here's my take on it. This layout is titled: Fun Laugh Play. Yes, I know the colours are so unlike me, but I think it kind of works. I've been struggling with the Prima BAPs recently, so I decided to take a new approach - totally out of my comfort zone. What do you think? I've painted, I've inked, and I've torn...does it work for me?

Here's my little fur-baby. Well, not so little anymore. Pandora is soooooo LONG!!!! She's such a pretty little girl, but she still doesn't like giving or receiving affection for more than 3 seconds at a time. (-:

Here she is - the HUNTER!!!!! She drives me crazy with her hunting instinct. Everything is fair game as far as she is concerned.

Did I mention that photographing a very active cat is a lot harder than photographing children? My neighbours must have thought I was crazy if any of them were looking out their windows. Ha! Ha! Ha!

I'm In Love...

Look what MckMama's giving away here. I so, so want one of these bags. I just LOVE, LOVE, LOVE them. How cool are they? Make sure you pop on over to leave a comment for a chance to win. But hurry, competition closes very, very soon.

Let's Get Blue...

This was a layout I created for a challenge over at the Scrap With V cyber crop that was held over the weekend. Titled: H2O Baby. If you want to join in, it's not to late - uploading of challenges doesn't close until this Saturday night. The challenge was to create a mainly "blue" layout, using the word water in the title, using a recycled item, and using some ink or paint. I've used nothing but scraps from my scrap box to creat this layout (except of course for the cardstock base and alphas). I used a really old piece of Urban Lilly for the flowers, some Making Memories, some Prima transparency, and some My Little Shoebox.

The next three layouts are layouts that I started back in June 2009 at the Scrapbook Convention Expo, when I did a couple of classes with Jodi Holbrook, from Making Memories. Yes, shame on me - they have been sitting in my box of stuff to get completed for that long!!! Here's the first one, titled: Things I Love About U. This one is about Keana and all the crazy things I love about her.

My second layout is simply titled: Me. It's about my wedding day, and how I felt about getting to be a "princess" for the day. This si probably my favourite layout of the three. I probably should point out that my layouts do look like Jodi's to a degree, but her style is much simpler, and features lots of photos of her sons. My style is much more girly and "blingy" (is that a word???). And pretty and decorated. I couldn't help it, I just had to add all the little bits and extras that I love on my layouts.

The final layout is titled: Missy Moo. It's about Malayla and her nickname (which she has had ever since she was a baby). I learnt a lot from Jodi - like how to get the most out of my papers, embellishments and products, how to scrap in a cleaner and more basic style, and how to have fun with my layout and not stress over the colours (Ngaire Bartlam has been trying to teach me this too!!!). (-: All in all, it was a great learning experience, and a lot of fun. And yes, I still have two more layouts to finish, and two mini books as well.

Sketch 173 at Pencil Lines

Woo-hoo! Sketch 173 is up over at Pencil Lines.

Here's my take on it - titled: Shh... I've used lots of lovely papers from My Little Bicycle. Some flowers from Prima, buttons from Amercian Crafts, and ghost shapes from Heidi Swapp. The DT have done an amazing interpretation of this sketch. Don't forget to go and check it out here.

Not As Planned...

Sorry, I have no layouts and no pictures. Why? Because my weekend didn't go as planned, and I've been too busy playing with my new toys. My printer starting causing me problems with printing photos about 3-4 months ago. Yesterday, I finally got a new one. So now I've got hundreds of photos to print out (and then scrap, of course!!!). Plus my oven died about 2 weeks ago. And because I am married to an electrician, he knows lots of other electricians, who have brand new ovens sitting in their garages, looking for new homes. So we had a friend come around this morning and install a new oven for me. I can hear you asking why my husband didn't do it? Well, he is a commercial and industrial electrician, where as the oven is classed as domestic, which is a diffferent ball game altogether.

And I've managed to injure myself again. I've busted and bruised the fourth toe on my right foot. It's black and sore. I kicked my toe while taking off my jeans. But I must have kicked it harder than I realised because I can only just walk on it. On the upside, I took the family to the movies to take my mind off the pain. We went and saw "Tooth Fairy". I am so glad we did, becuase I needed a good laugh, and it was seriously funny stuff. (-: My girls were thrilled, and so was hubby. I think I might buy it on DVD when it comes out. I think it will make a good present for someone's birthday.

My hubby learnt a very hard lesson today. Never, ever, ever assume that you will beat a child at Nintendo Wii, just because you are an adult. Keana seriously whipped Tony's butt in every game she played with him - tennis, bowling, golf, and baseball. He didn't win one game. Yes, you read that right - he did not win one game. Now can you imagine me trying to scrap while this is going on? No, I didn't think so. I was laughing so hard I could barely breath. It was some of the best free entertainment I've had in a long time. (-: Yes, hubby's ego is battered and bruised, but I know that it will get the better off him, and he'll be a sucker for more punishment, and will come back for another shot at trying to beat Keana. My money is on Keana!!! (Hee! Hee! Hee!).

And I've got more free entertainment heading my way tomorrow. Hubby is going to buddy with my personal trainer (Justin) for his weights training tomorrow. So it's not a full-on 1 hour training session like I do, but it could still be a lot of fun to watch. Why? because I get to sit on the sidelines and stir the pot. Or should I say, "stir my hubby"? Or if I was to get really bored, I guess I could train with them. We'll see - it depends on how my toe feels by then.

Anyway, I'm off to print more photos. I've got so much scrapping to do and I cannot wait!

Just This One..

I only have this one to share with you today. This one is titled: Our Little Babe, and was completed as part of a challenge over at the weScrap Cyber Crop from last weekend. The challenge was to leave "white space" on your layout, and that was right up my alley. I've used some old Collage Press papers and die cuts, a Teresa Collins journalling jotter, and lots of Stickles and rhinestones.

I am currently working on another layout for a challenge over at the Cyber Crop that Scrap With V is having this weekend. Hopefully, I will get it finished tonight. At this point, it looks like it is going to be created using nothing but scraps from my stash. (-:

Back To Scrapping...

This layout was created for one of the crop challenges over at weScrap last weekend. The challenge was to create a layout based on the colour swatch combination of red-brown, olive green and wheat. This one is simply titled: ADORE. I missed the deadline for finishing and uploading the completed challenges, but I will still complete them, regardless. It was a great weekend of fun, games and challenges, and I so can't wait for the next one.

Guess Where We Went Today?

There was lots of yummy food and drinks provided - at no cost! Breakfast rolls, foccacias, and cereals. And the fruit salad was absolutely, incredibly scrumptious...

An endless supply of clothes to choose from. Beautiful bright colours.

Cameras, cameras, and more cameras. Not to mention rigging, production crews, makeup artists and stylists...

Can you guess where we went? This is at 7am this morning. In New Farm. Did I mention that I had to get up at 5am to make this happen, and anyone who knows me, knows I am ABSOLUTELY NOT a morning person. The 5am start did not make me good company (just ask my husband!). Yes, we went to film the commercial that my youngest daughter is in. Here she is just chilling out with the director (his name is Grey) and Suzy the make-up artist. Doesn't Keana just look ridiculously comfortable with the whole situation! The commercial is for the QLD Department of Education, it is aimed at reading and literacy, and will be released on the 24th February.

Here she is dressed by wardrobe, just waiting for the call to start rolling for the shoot. Malayla did originally have a part in this commercial too, but they changed the script at the last minute, and several roles were cancelled, with her's being one of them. It was very disappointing (for her especially - she really had her heart set on it). But we took Malayla along with us this morning so that she could see how a commercial is made. It was a good experience for her (and her father), as neither of them had been on a set before. Afterwards, it was off to school (and a cat nap for mummy to catch up on missed sleep). (-:

On To The Next Sketch...

It's that time again - the next sketch is up over at Pencil Lines. This is sketch #172. Don't forget there is also a digital template for all those digi-scrappers out there.

Here's my take on the sketch. I have flipped the sketch over for this creation. TITLED: She Has Lips Like Rosebuds. And yes, I have resorted to my beloved Prima, yet again. But I promise to use something new on the next one. Maybe a Little Yellow Bicycle? Mmm...very yummy indeed!

Did I mention I went shopping for new goodies and tools over the weekend? Oh boy, I was very, very naughty. But I couldn't help myself with all the sales that are on. So shortly I will be the new owner of a Cuttlebug and a Zutter Bind-It-All. I've been wanting both of these tools for 18 months or so, and now the wait is nearly over. I am really looking forward to having a play with both of them.

And did I mention that I am SO OVER covering schoolbooks? Aarrghhhh!!!! I think I did 20 or so yesterday afternoon. It was so boring!!!! And repetitive!!! I made the girls put on a good movie (Home Alone) for me to watch while covering. Listening to their laughter while watching the show made it worth while. Keana was in fits of giggles. I was laughing more at her than at the show. (-:

Ooohhhh...I nearly forgot to mention that both my girls have been selected for a part in an upcoming commercial, for the Queensland Department of Education. We went for auditions last week, and they will be filming sometime this week. I don't know any details yet, but I will keep you posted.

Right. I really need to go and get some work done today. Life keeps getting in the way!!!