a Slice of my Life...

Jack's 1st Sports Day...

2010-09-18T09:54:00.000+09:30

Can't believe our boy had his first sports day yesterday. He was very excited and VERY nervous. He was most looking forward to the Long Jump and Hurdles.

Here he is in is House area, singing the House Chant.

Barker, Barker, we're the best

We will put you to the test,

We will beat you on the field,

We will win the mighty shield,

GO BARKER!

B.A.R.K.E.R. BARKER!

With the Commonwealth Games being held in Delhi this year, they did a tribute to the Indian Culture with a Parade.

First up was the relay.

This is Jack demonstrating how to grab the baton.

And how to run with it.

Jack was the last runner in his team.

Barker came in first and Jack was wrapped.

Waiting patiently for the sprints.

Jack tied for first place in his group of 4.

The long awaited Long Jump was next on the list.

A few ripper jumps.

Hurdles was the next event.

In the skipping, they needed to see how many consecutive skips they could do in 30 seconds. If they stepped on the rope they had to start again. They all tried SO hard. I think Jack managed 12.

In the Rebound Event they they had to throw the ball against the net 10 times and it was recorded how many times they dropped it. Out of 2 sets of ten, Jack didn't drop any, he was really happy. Although it didn't surprise me with the amount of time that boy has a ball in his hands these days!

Last up was the Team Games, a bit like a relay but with collecting bean bags and putting them into hoops.

It was a really great day and he made us very proud. Jack was chuffed with his two 1st ribbons for relay and sprints. (they didn't give any out for the other events). It was pretty special when he gave Dad one of his ribbons!

What made me the happiest was when I was putting Jack to bed and the last thing he said to me was, 'Mum, I was really proud of myself today.' I left the room with a very fuzzy feeling. Jxx

2 Big Buses, LOTS of kids, Toy Story 3 and Ten Pin Bowling equals...

2010-08-18T21:58:00.001+09:30

a really cool excursion - especially when you're in Reception. They are pretty lucky really. I don't remember doing either of things things until I was at least 12! Here are some pics from Bowland... FRIDAY 13 AUGUST 2010

Wet day in the Riverland...and a FARM visit...

2010-08-18T21:31:00.000+09:30

and Jack decided to walk to school on his own. The rain didn't deter him! Although in the 50m between our house and the Front Office, he forgot to drop off his Epipens! Jxx

Although the farmers probably don't share my opinion, I was kind of glad the rain cleared this afternoon. Gem and I hopped on the bus from Childcare for the Annual Childcare/Kindy visit to a local farm that's been happening for 35 years now. Grant remembered going as a kid.

Here is Gem on the bus, ready to go. Do you think she was a little bit excited?

The infamous big tyre shot we have taken 3 years in a row...

Love this shot...took a great shot of Jack in the exact same spot, last year - right up on top of the bales.

checking out the shearing...

hmmm....future shearer?

these pics were from
LAST YEAR:

Such a good afternoon for the kids (and adults!). It was great that they took the bus out this year. I went with Jack on a school excursion on Friday just been. We went to Renmark to the Chaffey theatre to see Toy Story 3 and then back to Berri Bowland in the afternoon. It was nice to be able to go somewhere with Gem too, and the bus just makes it that little bit more exciting.

Happy Birthday Daddy D! THIS IS FUNNY...

2010-07-23T22:07:00.000+09:30

Grant's off playing hockey at Berri tonight, but we've managed to squeeze in a Bed Birthday Party this morning before he left for work and Cup Cakes tonight before Hockey. Last night I realised the kids hadn't quite finished their cards for Dad. I left the cards and the pencils in their room, so they could finish them before coming in to our room in the morning. At the last minute, I had the idea of leaving them Party hats, whistle and streamers so we could have a Bed birthday Party.
I was up with Gem around midnight and while I was laying in Gem's bed putting her back to sleep, Jack woke up to go to the toilet. I told him about the party supplies near the cards. About 3.30am, yes 3.30 AM, I heard some very excited voices. I jumped out of bed realising that if I didn't act quickly, we would whistles being blowing in our ears and streamers flying around our bedroom within minutes! Sure enough, I opened their door to find them half undressed, party hats on and cards finished and ready to go in envelopes!
I was a bit unsure how I was going to go getting them back to sleep once I broke the bad news they had another 4 hours of sleeping left to go, but amazingly enough they did and this is what we were greeted with a few hours later...they didn't bother getting dressed this time, in case they were sent back to bed again!

Present time is always exciting. Jack in particular, has been thinking about his tummy again and the liquorice we give Dad each year, they look like hungry PATIENT baby birds waiting to be fed!

When Grant was in bed I hung up a big banner in the kitchen.

And these photos make my heart happy...

Can't wait for the weekend, when we can chill out at Freeling with Grant's brother's family. Hopefully Gem is feeling better in the morning. Jack has had croup during the week. She was a bit average this afternoon and I have a feeling she may have mild croup....winter sux! Jxx

Finally... some scrapbooking....

2010-07-23T21:12:00.000+09:30

I am having a HUGE problem being motivated to scrap at the moment. My days are busy and it's freezing cold here and I just basically can't be bothered by the night time. The cruel thing is that I keep having all the ideas - just no motivation...that really sucks! A big create fest is brewing......although I did manage to finish a baby gift for my friend's little girl. I have created something similar for her two other girls. It's cut 8x10inch to fit in a photo frame, to make for easy hanging/displaying.

P.S. And how cute is that little girl....if I wasn't feeling so buggered, I could nearly and I said NEARLY, get clucky again...Jxx

Dirt and Cubby Houses...what more can a kid ask for....

2010-07-23T21:06:00.000+09:30

After digging up some dirt to lay down some sub surface irrigation - this pile of dirt has been come the favourite place to play. Grant gave Jack and Gem some wood, carpet etc - and they made a cubby - complete with a flower garden (see below). Each night this week, we've had different versions. It's the first place Jack had taken his school mates, even bi passing the kitchen for an after school snack, can you believe!!

My girl's growing up...

2010-07-23T21:01:00.000+09:30

Can't believe Gem will be doing Kindy visits next term. It only feels like yesterday, I was taking Jack down for the first time. She is SO ready though - she keeps telling us she is going there to make some girlfriends. She is a real socialite...everyday she asks who we are going to visit or have come to play. I was worried when Jack had his new school friends to play, she wouldn't fit it - but she's right there in the thick of it. That's my girl...This photo was taken on the trampoline Wednesday night with Jack and one of his new school mates. Popcorn and Cordial. Jxx

Cartoons and lego...

2010-07-23T20:44:00.000+09:30

Oh....to be a kid again...Jxx

Speaking of motorbikes...

2010-07-17T22:22:00.000+09:30

I dug these photos out to show the kids ther day. I'll have to try and find some earlier ones (Mum, if you are reading - is there any from the day I got it?) My bike is the red and blue Honda QR50. In the top photo, I'm off picking oranges with my Dad. The second photo is near the river somewhere, figure we were just having a day out, that's Mum in the background cooking the BBQ. The girl in the photos lived next door to us at Sunlands and had the white Yamaha. The last photo is Lindsay and I riding again.

Today was a good day...

2010-07-17T21:54:00.000+09:30

Friends, kids, dirt, cake, treasure hunts, balls, bikes, go-karts, buggies and motorbikes, what more could you ask for! It was Jack and Gemma's friend Chloe's 6th Birthday. Chloe got a 4 wheeler and everyone brought their 'toys' for a play. It was so much fun. Definitely makes up my mind to get Jack a motorbike for his birthday next year. One girl there today was only 4 and going great guns on a tiny 4 wheeler. Seems so small, but then again I was riding at 5. It was such a relaxing day, we got there at 11am but ended up reheating the sausages for an early tea because everyone was having so much fun! Here's some shots from today:

Would love to share so many more, (I was asked to be the unofficial photographer so I have stacks!) but still not to sure about putting photos of other people on my blog...don't want to offend anyone. Jxx

Jack and Mum's Trip to Adelaide (for Jack's sleep study)...

2010-07-15T20:53:00.000+09:30

After approximately 2 years of waiting Jack was finally booked into the Women's & Children's Hospital on Monday night to complete a full sleep study. Jack had always had a lot of problems with breathing and sleeping at night. At one point it was so bad that he just wasn't getting a proper night's sleep at all - and neither was I. He was always waking up and calling out, which I think happened when he was holding his breath. He would kind of startle himself. And then there was the twitching and moving. It was really insane. The poor guy was so tired most of the time. The allergist we see, Dr Quinn, suggested we try a nasal spray called Nasonex. Within 2 nights we were all sleeping properly. But if we missed it for even a couple nights he would be really unsettled. So we have been giving it to him religiously for 2 years.
We took him off it for 2 weeks before this sleep study to make sure it wouldn't interfere with the results and I was SO nervous as to how he would handle it. Especially one of those weeks being his last week of his first term of school and he was already so tired! But it really wasn't too bad, so I am hoping that his airways have opened up and grown a little, and whatever may have been causing any inflammation is no longer a problem.
Unfortunately we won't know the results of the study until the end of the month when the Dr Kennedy is back from overseas. I'm a bit unsure of how much data they managed to collect because he was awake a fair bit overnight. Cross our fingers it's enough.
Here are some photos of our trip and Jack all wired up.

I had said to Jack we could spend some time talking on the way, we weren't even down the end of Thompson St before he said, 'Can we talk about something, Mum?' I asked if he didn't mind waiting until we at least got he highway! Needless to say we had LOTS of conversation on the way.

We spent Monday afternoon at Elizabeth Shopping Centre. Jack was spoilt with Maccas and a Berrilicious Sorbet (gotta love Wendy's and their Dairy Free Sorbets!)

Then it was off to BIG W to spend 2 lots of Tooth Fairy money as well as $5 from Nanna. One big Transformer (Backfire) and 2 little ones (Perceptor and Hardshell) was what he chose. Perceptor and Hardshell had a real flogging for the next 2 days. Jack carried them EVERYWHERE, threw them and bashed them against everything and he even slept with them!

Myers had a Lego colouring in competition, so we stopped for a break. We also had to guess how many pieces went into making this huge Lion that was there, which I forgot to take a photo of.

Then it was off to Maccas for tea before heading to the Women's and Children's to begin the wiring up process, which took about an hour. Fortunately they have portable DVD players, which makes the experience a little less difficult. Jack chose Shrek 3 and Rugrats.

The toys he collected over the day kept watch...

He really was brave - it must have been a bit frightening having all those things attached to you. This was the end result.

A few more minutes of Rugrats before trying to get to sleep. An hour and half after arriving. He had a bit of trouble getting to sleep. It was about 10.30pm before he finally drifted off.

He kept pulling the plugs out his nose in his sleep, so we had people coming in out all night, machines beeping, babies next door crying and then woken up at 5.30am to start the unplugging process. Not the best night's sleep I've had. This was our room.

We had a shower and tried to scrub all the paste from his hair and sticky bits from everywhere else and we landed back outside by 6.30AM! This is Jack up on the top level of the Car park. We always try to park here but a lot of the time it's full. The view hadn't changed from last night since it was still dark - but it was pretty cool looking out over the city and the cathedral in the dark. I kind of wished I had my good camera with me- my little point and shoot didn't hold up to the challenge!

We headed to - you guessed it - Maccas for breakfast, then to Carrisbrooke Park for a run around.

Then onto Munno Para for a quick look in K Mart. Jack wangled a Bouncy Ball for him and Gem out of me, which hasn't left his sight since. If Jack had no other toys but balls at the moment he would be happy.

We then headed to Freeling to visit Mel and Joel. The two boys had an awesome play while Mel and I had a good catch up. Love these photos:

It was so nice to spend all this time with Jack. Even if it was for Medical purposes! Love my boy...Jxx

Giggle & Hoot...

2010-07-10T13:57:00.000+09:30

Jack and Gem have been so good at keeping themselves busy these last few days. Making, creating, building, jumping on the trampoline, colouring in, making cubbies, drawing faces on balloons and playing with them- you name it. They are so good at keeping themselves occupied. Yesterday morning they wanted to draw some pictures to send in to the Giggle & Hoot Gallery (kids show on ABC2). Here's what they came up with, they both drew Jimmy Giggle and Hoot.

It made me remember how I was so proud of myself for sending in an entry to a competition on Cartoon Connections when I was a kid. I would watch every morning to see if I had won...until I realised that I had forgotten to write my name and address on the envelope! It was to win a talking dog...I can't remember what they were called but they were big in their day.
And anyone remember, waiting for their name to be called out on Romper Room. Jodie obviously wasn't very popular, because I NEVER, EVER heard it.....ripped off!

Enduro

2010-07-10T13:37:00.000+09:30

The off road buggies are racing just out of Waikerie this weekend. We were hoping to go out and have a look at the prologue today but Grant is still working and it is really crappy weather. Hopefully we'll get out tomorrow and check out the race. We went down to the scruntineering at the footy oval last night to have a close up look at the buggies...and a run around since we have been cooped up in the house for a few days. We were meant to catch up with some friends Friday morning but Jack had been vomiting over night, so we didn't want to spread any germs. Unfortunately Grant's having a bad on call weekend and was still working when we went down.

Out of the Hat - July Challenge...

2010-07-10T12:53:00.000+09:30

Criteria this month is: 1. A little critter (bug, butterfly, etc)
2. Incorporate a rainbow somewhere
3. Use chipboard raw
Check out the other entries here: Out of the Hat

oh gem, you just had a bath!

Men in the making...

2010-07-05T20:07:00.001+09:30

these photos are really gorgeous...next I need to scrap the actual camping weekend.

Journalling reads: James and Jack after just arriving back in Morgan from a 3 night camping trip with Pop, Grant and Mick at Pine Valley Station, where Scott was managing. Easter Long Weekend. APRIL 2010

A kid who doesn't like lollies?....what the???!!!

2010-06-26T13:28:00.000+09:30

she's got the look....

2010-06-26T13:22:00.001+09:30

I have always wanted to do the bunting thing, but OMG did it take a long time. I thought I had learnt more patience as I've gotten older but definitely not - I don't like fiddly, repetitive stuff. But I do like how it turned out...Jxx

Kindy Photos...

2010-06-26T13:18:00.000+09:30

Thought I would get around to scrapping some of the photos from Jack's first day of Kindy back in 2009. It's funny, I seem to be better at scrapping the everyday stuff as opposed to the 'event' type photos. I'm not sure why that is but I still have Christmas photos on the camera that I just can't deal with. I'm going to try this week! Jxx

Out of the Hat...June Challenge - Helping dad unload the wood...

2010-06-25T23:09:00.000+09:30

The three criteria were mixed alpha title, multi photos - more than three, doodling and staples.

Check out the blog here: http://www.outofthehat.spruz.com/

DANCE...

2010-06-24T09:04:00.000+09:30

Another one I did last night, just needed to wait to photograph it this morning. Gem and Dolly rockin' it out in the lounge room.

Love these photos...

2010-06-23T23:14:00.001+09:30

and have loved this free paper that came in a past Scrapbooking Memories mag. Both had been sitting on my desk for weeks - tonight it occurred to me they would go together really well. Love that Fancy Pants flower paper too. Simple page but good memories. Jxx

(playing with Tommy)

Out with the paints again....

2010-06-22T21:27:00.001+09:30

I used a piece of rubber foam with holes as a mask for this one (thanks to my scrapping friend Tracey St Johnwood who sent this to me in a RAK a awhile ago). I do like using paint but I'm a bit lazy and impatient so the waiting for it to dry and the cleaning up doesn't really enthrall me but I'm happy with the results...Jxx

(the lego house)

A hybrid layout for something different...

2010-06-22T21:18:00.000+09:30

I found these really cool Anna Aspnes brushes and had to use them straight away (I mean literally I had this page done within a hour or so of taking the photo!) I am really pleased with how this one turned out. This is almost like a tatoo I would like to get one day...Jxx

feeling a little clucky...

2010-06-10T21:21:00.000+09:30

and coming across old layouts like this one doesn't exactly help the feeling! How cute is this???!!

using up some scraps....

2010-06-10T21:16:00.001+09:30

and scrapping some old photos:

A couple new layouts...

2010-06-06T12:33:00.000+09:30

Gem in another cute op shop find...

2010-06-05T09:40:00.000+09:30

Gem and I went to the Op Shop to find some old camping clothes for the kids and Gem found this red hat and denim dress. She looks SO cute. She had all the ladies and customers in the Op Shop laughing again with her running commentary on colours of clothes, pretty high heel shoes and things that are 'perfect'!

Gem's got the dolly bug...

2010-05-25T23:47:00.000+09:30

It seems to have happened since our good friends had their 3rd baby not long ago. She's a busy little Mum- packing, organising, changing nappies and clothes and going all sorts of places. But this cracked me up when I saw this. I did eventually persuade her to use a pram...Jxx

Princess Tinkerbell Cinderella Fairy...

2010-05-22T00:06:00.000+09:30

...is what Gem wants to be when she grows up! After we had dropped Jack at school yesterday, she came home and started adorning everything she could find related to this once again. She said to me, "Jack's eyes will pop out when he comes home from school and sees me wearing al these 'bootiful' things! I think he will fall on the ground!"

But she got very grumpy when I asked her to say 'Bibbidy, Bobbidy, Boo!' and do some magic.

'I only do pretend magic, Mum - it's not real.'

Then she proceeded to lock me out the house while I was looking for my lens cap, the cheeky devil!

But how could you not forgive her when she looks like this:

i really do love this girl...

2010-05-20T14:19:00.002+09:30

I started this layout a couple weeks ago and finally got around to finishing last night.

Gem I went to the Op Shop and found this dress for $2! She wears it most days....

Jxx

All dressed up and nowhere to go...

2010-05-14T23:26:00.002+09:30

I turned 32 on Tuesday, and although for the last few years I have been feeling really old, it has just dawned on me that in fact I am quite young. I am glad I have had this revelation as I seem to have a renewed energy for life just lately. I am finally giving hockey ago - until my back conks it anyway and even applying for some part time jobs and to top it off looking at doing some study!!
Notice our lovely renovations in the background. This is where the old kitchen used to be and is now the dining room. It will be nice when the taps are no longer hanging out the wall and they are plastered and painted.

I had a great day. Jack was at school and Gem and I picked up Grandma and Grant to have lunch at the Waikerie Cafe. We had friends for tea, which we was really nice. Thanks Bel for the yummy cake, Felicity for the drawings, Dave for the bottle of 'Aged' Port and Adele for the newborn cuddles. Sorry Hailey but there's no thanks for vomiting! Poor Darl...luckily it was towards the end of the night and so far we have been lucky to not catch the bug.

The kids wanted to dress up for my birthday and as soon as we had come home from dropping Jack off at school, Gem put every piece of Fairy/Princess/Cinderella dress up she could find. The only problem was it was only 10.30AM!! She finally resorted to watching some TV before we went out for lunch. She got a few comments that's for sure. Very cute....

This last photo is 'so' Gem in a sulky mood....

I was very spoilt this Birthday. With a few people chipping in, I FINALLY have an EXPEDIT book case from IKEA. I was only meant to get the 4x4 - which meant I would have 16 cubes but I 'accidentally' brought home the 5x5. It only JUST fit along the wall where I wanted it. But now I have 25 CUBES!!

For those who aren't sure what they look like - here is a pic:

They are perfect for scrapbooking as you can fit 12x12 albums and papers in. Not many shelves are that deep. You can add drawers, baskets, cupboard doors to customise as you like. I would also like to get the desk that attaches:

When it is all tidy and organised I will post pics.

Grant and I put the shelves together a week earlier so I wasn't meant to get any pressies on the day. BUT I was spoilt and had a bare rooted Mauve coloured Tea Rose (Shocking Blue).

He had also found a beautiful photo frame with dragonflies on it (he knows me too well). Grandma also gave me a beautiful photo frame with a photo of the four of us and beautiful verse about family surrounding it. It is really unique.

Here's to being 32! Jxx

I am obsessed with this rose...

2010-05-14T22:27:00.001+09:30

It was planted in our front garden long before we bought the house and I have know idea of the variety but I just LOVE it - I have had to photograph it everyday since Grant picked it Tuesday night on my Birthday....Jxx

Last night's creation...

2010-05-04T13:09:00.002+09:30

(finger/body painting)

Gem inspired me to get the paint out which I haven't done in AGES....TFL...Jxx

Oldies I love...

2010-05-04T13:05:00.003+09:30

Came across these two layouts I did two years ago now....I really love these photos of Jack and Gem. Especially the top one....Jxx

Not your average Dad...

2010-05-04T09:38:00.007+09:30

I have been wanting to do this LO for ages! Scrapbooking Memories have a call out for a Father's Gallery which has forced me off my butt...I am really pleased with how it turned out. TFL...Jxx

Updated: June 2010 - Look out for this one in an upcoming issue of Creating Keepsakes (Aussie Reader Gallery). Jxx

NO CHICOS...baby!!

2010-05-01T23:44:00.002+09:30

Okay, so we learnt the hard way but it's probably not such a bad thing. My good friend took Jack to the local Footy today and returned him home when she was worried about him being extremely hot, itchy and coughing persistently. Good thing she did as he was having an anaphylactic reaction. After having the reaction during his Peanut Challenge at the Women's & Children's last week we recognised the cough straight away. Because we only live minutes from the hospital I raced him up there. We gave him Zyrtec and Ventolin via the Nebuliser which calmed things down, but we were oh so close to needing to use the Epipen. If we hadn't been so close to the hospital and the on call Doctor hadn't come so quickly it would have been used without a doubt. We finally worked out that the Chicos in his bag of mixed lollies were the culprit, containing Full Cream Milk Powder (thank goodness for Google!) We were surprised as we really didn't think he would react like that to such a small amount of cow's milk. So on one hand it's a little disappointing and on the other we feel thankful that we now know and that nothing too bad happened inthe process. Colourful mixed lollies from now on only!! The stupid thing is Strawberries & Cream and Milk Bottles contain no milk products, go figure!
I have stressed to my friend that she did a great job and please don't let it put her off of taking Jack. Right from the start I have never wanted to wrap Jack up in cotton wool. I want him to do as many things as possible. Today just makes everyone realise how important his Action Plan and Epipens are and that it's not a big deal to use them if needed. But he did scare me a bit today, the little bugger....I really do love him to bits.

Gemmy's finger painting session...very serious business!

2010-05-01T22:20:00.009+09:30

For those of you who know Gem well, you'd know she doesn't mind a bit of painting...she can also get very carried away, with no encouragement whatsover from Mum of course!

She has been nagging us for AGES to get the finger paints out that she was given from Aunty Polly at Christmas. This afternoon Jack went to Footy with Naishy so I thought it was a great time to get them out so she didn't feel left out. These are a few shots I took. I love how serious she is about what she is doing, such concentration on her face...except that little smirk when the paint went on her belly for Gem's famous belly painting. She actually started out quite neat and wanted a brush for the paint, then in went the finger, followed by hands, feet, arms and finally the belly! You go girl...

Jack off to school....Mum didn't even cry??

2010-04-29T21:28:00.017+09:30

I just had to include the pic of Jack having to stop and kill a few locusts before we could get going...such a typical boy thing to do!! I just love it...

We're into the second week now. A new era....and it's taking a bit of adjusting on every one's behalf. Jack is unbelievably tired when he comes home and Gem is hanging out to play on the trampoline (which they generally spend half their waking hours on). Jack is busy telling us about his day, showing us his reader etc and poor Gem is completely put out. When he finally gets around to playing, they usually start fighting.....never mind, I'm sure it will sort itself out.

On the upside, Gem and I are spending some really nice time together. I was worried how it would be with just the two of us, since Jack and her played so well all day but I am really enjoying it. Living only 2 houses from the Primary School definitely has it's advantages. Gem is making a name for herself with a new dress up outfit, bike or pram with dolls that accompany us on our 2-3 walks over to the school each day.

The challenge is feeling comfortable with Jack being safe (because of his allergies to Peanuts and Cows Milk). But the anxiety is slowly easing with the staff being really cooperative. With Jack being at Child Care and Kindy for so long now, we were so used to the way things were. Another reason why living so close to the school is great, since I have already gotten home twice and realised I had left the Epipens at the Front Office.

I really expected that I would cry...I had a lump in my throat that morning and held a few tears back when I said he might bring a reader home but I was happy to leave him. I know he is ready for it and knowing he is in good hands helps. (His teacher has taught Grant's brother, myself and my brother!!) They are also doing a topic on dinosaurs this term so he is in his element. Having 2 three day weeks to begin with is also helping. When he is going full time I think I am really going to miss having him around....Jxx

A Fresh Start

2010-04-29T21:20:00.003+09:30

With life becoming increasingly busy and the kids still going so through so many unreal milestones, I've decided to have a crack at blogging again. I'm hoping it may relieve some scrapping guilt, because I simply cannot keep up with the number of ideas/stories my mind seems to come up with and the sheer number of photos I continue to take! Usually this is replaced with blogging guilt but I am going to keep up the 'something is better than nothing' affirmations and see how I go...Jxx

Mum's entry for Lime Tart competition

2009-11-18T18:01:00.004+10:30

As Mum doesn't have a blog I am uploading this unreal LO she has done of my Great, Great Grandfather & Grandmother on their wedding day. The criteria was black, white and one other colour. I love the result. Check out the comp here - winner is picked by random and there is a December Full Tart Kit worth $59.95!!

by Leanne Kroschel

Very slack....

2009-10-26T10:30:00.011+10:30

A friend asked me on the weekend to see some of my layouts, which is great because it has motivated me to update my blog! It's pretty hard to fit 5 months of scrapping in 1 post but I'll give it ago. It's been a busy few months....been scrapping a lot more 12x12's and have really been loving the space to play and create. Mum and I also went to the Creative Edge classes in September in Adelaide, will post pics of our creations soon. Jxx

I made the flowers in the LO below. The butterfly comes from some material I found at our local sewing shop that I fell in love with.

This was for a pink, red and yellow challenge on The Boxx . I had been wanting to scrap these photos for AGES.

My Hanson Bay layout was a challenge to scrap holiday photos on The Boxx.

This was one of the first 12x12's I had done in a long time.

The next few are layouts done for the Scraptherapy Make Believe Masters Comp.

I mananged to win the round with this Layout:
I also had a crack at becoming a Design Team member on the Boxx, I was lucky enought to get through a few rounds, here are my entries :

Well, that's it for now - I know there are so many more that I haven't put up.....I really want to concentrate on some more of my Library of Memories for a few week and Christmas Cards. Jxx

So much for backing off...

2009-05-31T22:28:00.006+09:30

I have nearly done a page a day since my last post! A couple 12x12's which I haven't done in AGES and I really enjoyed. Finally scrapped Gem's 2nd Bday from Jan...will post in the next few days when I get around to photographing. Here are the 8.5 x 11's:
this one below is for the ColorCombos Galore challenge this week:

I think I'm seriously addicted....

2009-05-26T23:14:00.008+09:30

I think I have come to the conclusion that I spend WAY too much time scrapbooking so, I'm going to back off a little (at least until we get our new kitchen in!). In the mean time here are a few of my more recent creations...
This one here of Grant and Jack was for my Library of Memories homework. I have always wanted to scrap these and make this connection between the photos and thanks to Stacy Julian, now I have!! If you want to know more about Library of Memories/Photo Freedom check out Stacy's blog here.

This one was also for my Library of Memories (LOM) homework as well (All About US) I can really start to see Stacy's philosophy working. I found this photos behind the 'Mum and Me' tab in the All About US Drawer and was blown away that I had 3 photos a year apart so similar!

This one of Ma and Gemmy I created for my LOM homework (People We Love):

Pumpkin Pink

2009-05-26T23:03:00.002+09:30

Check out these cute new zoo animal chipboard embellishments from Pumpkin Pink designs. My faves are the elephant, tiger and giraffe. There are endless things you could create with these little beauties. I love the fact you can leave them as is or personlise them to match your design. Head over and check them out...

On a roll...

2009-05-07T23:04:00.004+09:30

Managed to get 2 LO's done tonight - not masterpieces by any means but I just wanted to get the memories down....The next 4 weeks I will be concentrating on LO's for my Library of Memories course....see Stacy Julian's website for more info.

Last night's scrap-a-thon...

2009-05-07T09:02:00.004+09:30

Yesterday I decided I had too many photos, too many memories and not enough to show for the ideas I had - SO i decided to do 3 no frills pages with a 40 minute time limit for each...they are all photos from the last few days. I have been really drawn to the Project 365 for this reason - current thoughts and memories.....I want to do a lot more pages like this in the future.

Today's efforts....

2009-05-04T21:16:00.005+09:30

Since being motivated by the girls over at The Boxx, I am going to attempt to complete a Project 365 (Photo/Layout per day) - I do realise it's already May so I'm calling mine an Everyday Life Journal..... no frills scrapbooking...use up stash - not too much thought put into the design - as Ali Edwards says just concentrating on words + photos. I kind of like this idea - and I am going to modify it slightly - not everyday just whenever and I may keep it on going - since I have now taken on Stacy Julian's Photo Freedom and Library of Memories which is non chronological it will be kinda cool to have something on a yearly basis of everyday snapshots. The other thing that appeals to me is that I can use my everyday snapshots - which I do like but always end up editing for a 'good' layout - I kinda like looking back at our old family photo albums and seeing the kitchen table and what's on it. It's a real snapshot into everyday life and not so picture perfect.

Here's the 1st - not too sure of my format yet (this one is 8.5x11) but this could get a bit cumbersome - needs some extra thought.....

And the other one is a photo I have had laying on my desk for a couple of weeks and have had the 'zzzzzz' idea from Moi at The Boxx:

2009-05-04T00:00:00.009+09:30

Here are some of my latest creations:

Firstly for The Boxx weekly challenge - Brown, Pink Aqua and White:

And secondly for last weeks

challenge on The Boxx :

Finally....

2009-05-03T22:09:00.003+09:30

okay Tania - you can get off my case now - I have finally set up a new blog to showcase my creations. So where do I start? I'm in one of my 'got too many things on the go and don't know where to start' moods so here I am doing my usual thing and starting yet another project! Anyway, I'm hoping this blog will ease my creative burden so I can share things spontaneously and in no particular order - well that's the theory anyway....

So to begin with here are a couple of pics I took of the kids looking for puddles the other weekend. Mum probably should have checked there WERE puddles first before psyching the kids up to splash in them. They were nearly happy with my pretend puddle I spied but it didn't quite cut the grade - oh well, I tried...