Finally a layout :)

Not scrapping too much lately. I enjoy it so much once I start. Just the motivation to start is difficult.

All the products are available from Scraptastic South West.

Being quiet

I have sort of been very quiet on here. Had nothing much to say. I think I just wanted to hide after my surgery. Even though all results were positive.

I want to get to a place where I can be gratefull for every moment in life and not let small things overwhelm me. When this occurs I am very quiet and I don't talk to many people and retreat into my shell. So my blog has suffered.

So to make a start I thought that I just need to type something. Even though its nothing very exciting.I thought I would share a photo of my son and I. I had to buy scarves so I'm glad they are in fashion to cover up my scar. I think we look alike :)

Hopefully post again soon and include some layouts.

Long time no post.

Well my operation did get postponed again. I was so upset. Almost right at the last minute. When I was contacted with the next date I was prepared not to go in. But I did.

I did come home from my operation yesterday. So I am quite sore and stiff with bruises all over my arms and hands because I don't have good veins. I'm so glad it is over and done with. But I still have to wait for the test results to see if there is anything nasty. If there is the other thyroid will have to be taken out. So I still have a wait.

I have an excuse to shop when I am better to get some nice scarves as my neck looks awful. I'm glad I saw some in Sussans on line catologue.

I did finish my How Dare you challenge before I went in hospital.


Have a look at the challenge blog. The inspiration is amazing.

I finally have my operation date. Next Tuesday. The same week my son goes on a camp. I'm glad he is leaving on monday. It would be awful not seeing him off.

I am trying to organise my home hopefully before the operation. Mainly by reducing the amount of clutter that I have. I want to change how I live my paperwork is awful and I can never find anything. Also I have thought a lot recently on why I consume. I have always felt better when I had purchased something. Now I feel proud that I haven't. I will see how I go.

There is a use your stash challenge in the scrapbook section of Essential Baby so I hope to use up some of it. :)

I have a goal not to purchase anything until I have used a lot of my stash or give it a way.

My organising did not really go to plan.

I ended up seeing a friend instead. Very typical of me :)

We did get our taxes done. YAY.

Did get my layout finished. I used Cosmo Cricket range of papers from Scraptastic South West. I want my son to do the journaling when he can. I'm not so good at boy layouts. I hope to do more of Ethan so I hope I do improve :) I am sure Ethan will love this though. Thats the important thing.

Also other news I am on the creative team on the How Dare You blog. I am quite excited. Its not all about scrapbooking either. So I like this quite a lot. Some of the girls on the team are so creative.

I hope everyone is having a nice weekend. the weather is bright and sunny. We were meant to get rain which is so badly needed in certain areas. So I hope it does rain soon.

Things to do

I am hoping by making a list here today will help me do the things I have to today.

I received my wonderful papers from Scraptastic South West. Need to make a start on a layout. I have the Cosmo Cricket Cogsmo range. So will be great for layout of my son.

I need organise documents to FINALLY get out taxes done. Took so long for one of my husbands employers to get the group certificate in. Then for my husband to make the appointment. I suppose I could have but he is the one that works and has to take time off work.

I am not very organised. I did purchase a filling cabinet. With dividers that are quite nice. A robin egg blue with a bird and branch on it :) But they are sitting there and not used.

Everything is in a pile in the top drawer and some scrapping supplies that don't belong in the second drawer. I need to do myself a favour and organise. I hate it so much. I k now where most things are in my mess. Often when I do organise that is when I lose things.

I am meant to be in hospital now recovering from surgery. It was postponed to 'soon'. Maybe Tuesday next week. The organiser of it rings on Thursday. Just want to get it over and done with.

So hopefully I will post later with a layout and say that I have had a day of organising :)

Something unexpected

My Mixed Media Tree book page is going to be published here in the Art Trader Magazine.
The formalities still have to be done.
I'm so surprised. I had so much trouble with my page. I almost thought it wouldn't make it in the swap in time. So I am glad the organiser in the swap liked it enough to organise and publish it.

Feels nice :)

Another post in one day!

My mojo is coming back just a little. Enough to scrap a layout at least.

I used a paper kit from Enchanted Scrapbooking.

I'm hoping to do more layouts. It is a lot harder to scrap as Ella is getting older. I havn't been into scrapping at night really lately. This might have to change if I want to get some done.

Something to share

Finished some ATCs for a swap.

The theme: Fairy Swap inspired by Cicely Mary Barker.

Its nothing like the talent of her work. I used a stamp and watercolours. Vintage music and Glimmer Mist.

May be one of the reasons why I don't do much. This time it is Textas.



Here is a random one of George and Whiskers saying hello. (Whiskers is the bird)


George was about to get a bit impatient. He was getting his whiskers groomed by whiskers.

Little Snow Girl

A few weeks ago my husband wanted to camp out in the snow. I really didn't want him to go. Just makes me scared. As a compromise we went as a family for the day at Mt Stirling.

Ethan wasn't able to come because of his broken toe. Skiing would have been quite painful especially cross country, so he spent some time at a friends house.

I am amazed at Ella that she can skii so well. She went by herself so well. So much better than me when I first started. I was awful and I swore quite a few times.

Here are some photos.

Arghh

I am slowly getting through some things.

I am halfway through some of my Artist Trading Cards.

I have some Layouts that I need to make a start on as I have plenty of new photos.

Just so slow right now.

Such a boring blog. Well I am getting a bit bored with it.

Here are a few photos from the weekend.

Ethan and I. I wish I had just smiled would have been a better photo.


Ella and Ethan playing soft ball. Ella insists on keeping her bike helmet on.




Ella is so confident on her bike it will be a matter of time when I will take off her training wheels.


Thats all for now :)

A vent

Why don't cars stop at pedestrian crossings?

We were waiting to cross. I teach my children to wait and make sure the cars are going to stop.

Three cars went across while we were waiting. Happened last week as well. I yelled at the man in the car and he just waved at me. IDIOT! This is a crossing where a lot of Primary School children cross. Children do not always think to wait for the car to stop.

Also Ethan had fractured is toe a few weeks ago. He hurt it again. The doctor is quite sure it is ok.

Thats all for the moment.

ok

I did say in my other entry that I would be scrapbooking to keep my mind off the looming surgery. Well. It hasn't really happened. But I have been looking at the photos on my screen saver thinking. I must scrap this one and this one :)

I am published this month both in Scrapbook memories and Scrapbook creations. Hopefully looking through my new Magazine will inspire me as I havn't purchased one in quite a while. It does feel quite nice. I haven't tried for a while to get something published. Maybe just one :)

Here is the published layout at Scrapbook Creations. The kit I had used for a few for the paper was from Enchanted Scrapbooking who will be soon opening a shop.
Also I had finally completed my chunky book page. I had started it ages ago but still ended up finishing it at the last minute. I was so close in it not being accepted because I was late. I was so inspired when I first started my page then I had a complete mental block as it didn't turn out how I had expected it to. I did 10 of them.

Here is the front. It didn't scan very well.



The back. I think I like it better somehow. So much simpler.

I will hopefully post more soon. If I get around to it.

Still waiting on my phone call :( I hate waiting.

Bit Scared

I got the phone call today. My pre-op appointment is coming up soon. Which means my operation will most likely be on soon. I need to have at least my right thyroid removed.

So I'm going to make sure I will get a lot more scrapping done to keep my mind occupied.

Can't wait until it is all over with.

I'm still alive

I have been very quiet on here.

Haven't a lot to say really. My scrapbook mojo is falling through the cracks right now so I don't post if I don't have much to show.

Here is a layout I did for Scraptastic South West. Check out here for the comp details for a prize.

Here is another layout from one of the kits at Enchanted Scrapbooking.

Thats all for now.

Been so slack at blogging and scrapping in general. So hard to get my act into gear right now. Maybe because my daughter has been sick. My printer has run out of ink. Still have to go out and get some. I'm quite run down.

I did however get a page done of my forever family journal. At Forever Always. This is something that is important to me to finish. I'm not so concerned about the competition. Just want to finish at least one journal. Mini book whatever they are called.

I have however been given some kits from Enchanted Scrapbooking they are wonderful little kits. So hopefully tomorrow if Ella is better I can get some scrapping done.

Here is my Forever Family Journal page. the challenge was to make a page about extended family and include hidden journaling and use a transparency. My extended family in this case is all the wonderful friends I have through the years that have been like family to me. that have filled the gap. have been there for me through grief, sickness, divorce and happiness.

Thanks for looking :)

Scrapping wise I have had ups and downs. I was a design team member of a blog and now I am not. I was quite down about it but now I am quite happy. The whole thing was quite strange. A whole lot of other girls for the same.

I have started a challenge/comp at forever always to make a 'Forever Always, Forever Family' Book. Perfect for me right now. There are 6 challenges but my album has more than 6 pages so I will continue after the comp is finished.

Here is the cover.
Also a layout from a challenge at Bon Scraps.


Haven't got much more to say.

Have a nice Saturday.

Bonanza

Just started a new challenge. Well it started last week but just finished the layout.

Bon Scraps have a Scrap Bonanza happening. I'm having a shot at some of the challenges ( the layout ones at least).

My criteria was to use a monogram, use staples, journaling, arrange 3 or more photos in a shape. I wasn't adventurous had a photo strip shape. The paper had to be the same colour range as the photos.

Here is is.

Last year I did the Embellished Idol challenge. It is on again this year. I am thinking of giving it a try.

atc fun

Just finished 19 of these.

They are for a Swap in Blue Bazaar. The theme is Tactile. I just hope that my cards are tactile enough.

I hope the girls like them and I am looking forward to getting my cards. They are such a talented bunch.

Today 3 years ago

My beautiful little girl was born.

After being in hospital for a week because of Polyhydramnios (too much amniotic fluid) and being a footling breech. Ella was born C-Section.
She however didn't breath very well and couldn't feed so she had to be in ICU for a week. I am still so sad we didn't take any good photos. We have a few but not good quality.

Ethan is away with his Dad but will will be coming home this afternoon so we can celebrate together.

I am so grateful for my two children. My heart long for the ones I have lost. But so happy for the two I have got.

horsing around

Last night Ella was in her big girls bed for the first time. Well at least half the night :)
Sorry the picture is so dark. You can still see a bit.

It was sort of bittersweet because we had to take the the cot. There is a bit of an ache in my heart.

Also today we went to one of our favorite places St Kilda Beach and we also took Chloe for a run. She loved it. We also strolled through the markets. I really restrained myself and didn't purchase anything. the first time we went there, there was a lady that sold mounted rubber stamps. I really wish she would come back.

We took Ella on her first pony ride. I used to own horses. I miss riding so much. Well I am a bit rusty with them and as I led the pony my handbag fell a bit and the pony spooked. Ella fell off but very gently as she was relaxed and mark caught her. She was crying :(. I was always taught to get back on a horse if I had fallen off if I wasn't injured. So I cuddled her and put her back on. I was still cuddling her while back on the pony and she loved it.
You can see the offending handbag. In the photo. The poor pony got a fright when it fell off my shoulder. Very silly of me.

Another Post!

I did another layout very different to my normal style. It was the monthly mojo challenge at Scraptastic South West


My layout was very inspired by Kate O'brian right down to the minor details. I love her style. I'm inspired by her details in journalling.

Paint havoc and a layout

This is a layout of me as a little girl.

The papers and rubons are kaisercraft available at Scraptastic South West.
Ella thinks it is a photo of her.

Also we have had some paint fun today :)


Thats all for now :)

Not much to say

Haven't posted anything for quite awhile. I'm getting behind again.

Last Saturday night had a fantastic evening at the school ball. I danced half the night. I can't understand why I haven't the energy to walk around the block but I can dance for hours :)

A few days ago it was my birthday. Got a wonderful presant. But in green. :)


But most people I know forgot. So I was a bit sad. This included my mum in law. Feel hurt. But she did ring the next day. Times like this I miss my Dad so much.

Inspired

I have had a relaxing weekend. My husband worked yesterday (Saturday) so I was able to finish a layout.

I have been enjoying a certain blog called My Marrakesh. I just love it. It has brought back my passion for the potential for travel. There is an outside world. I still have a sense of adventure. Today. Ethan and I went to see the new Indiana Jones film. I love the adventure. There is more to life than being in the house every day. If only we had the money.

My husband and I have talked about traveling to Nepal. But before Ella was born. Maybe we could take her. Ethan would be fine. Mark would be so close to his dream. Mt Everest. He is a climber and has had a few friends who have climbed the mountain even some one who had died.



Now to completely change the topic here is a layout I have completed but has taken me so long to finish.

Grrrr

All morning I have spent cleaning. I had beautiful clean floors.

I did notice Ella playing with my material scrap basket. It didn't mother me really.

As I was reading Brenda's blog where children and mess are referenced to I realised there was glitter in the basket.

So I am typing this while Ella is cleaning up. Don't know how long its going to take to get rid of all the glitter.I had actually thought Ella had placed all the bits and pieces quite well :)

A relaxing Sunday

After being in bed just a bit too long and reading.

I finished my layout for Scraptastic South West this afternoon.

I really enjoyed using the Luci stamps they are great.

I can't believe another weekend has gone past and it's Monday again tomorrow.

Everyone take care.

Qtea

Here is my mini album or the beginnings of my mini album with this month's Qtea kit.

I find mini albums a huge challenge. Also creating anything for an older boy I find challenging even if the subject is cute. So I really have only done the covers (front and back).

Front

inside front cover

back

Thanks for looking.

Hope you are having a nice evening.

A lot of catching up to do and a new family addition.

Firstly this is one of the reasons I have been behind.

Parties
Doing the floorboards. Only half the house though.
Just before the sanding. I was so shocked the amount of dust that was produced.



Here is the new addition to our family. We don't know if the bird is a he or a she so is nameless right now.




Here is my latest layout. The castle and gold are from the latest Q Tea kit. I am still working on using the rest of the ephemera in the kit. Just had a look at the preview of the June kit and its looks beautiful.
Have a great day. thanks for looking.

Also I would love an opinion on birds names and also a colour to paint our walls which are so dull right now.

Can't think of a title right now

Here is my layout for Scraptastic South West.



Take a look in the forum for a chance to win a voucher :)

Guest Design Team Layout

Here is my first layout as a Guest Designer for Q Tea. I love their packs.

I have a few more projects with the kit. But this is my first one. I really struggle with boy layouts especially older boys. Here is a layout of Ethan dressed up in ice climbing/arctic gear.

On more of a personal note. I am having my pre op appointment soon to get ready for my surgery. I am quite nervous about it and can't wait until its all over with. I don't think I really realise day to day how much it is bringing me down. Its like walking through mud. I'm still thinking about this time last year I was pregnant again just a few months after losing a baby at 19 weeks gestation. The Doctor I went to today said that at first grief is like an elephant on your back and then eventually gets small enough to go into your pocket but it never goes away. Some days well I feel as though I am walking through mud with an elephant on my back. What a funny sight. On the other side of things I am free I do have 2 beautiful children that I am so grateful to have. I do need a kick up the butt at times.

Over my life I have had a lot of sadness. Just wish I could just get over it. Just be positive like so many people I know are.

Here is a quote that is on my mind a lot. From Margaret Atwood in the novel 'Cats Eye'.

But I began to think of time as having a shape, something you could see, like a series of liquid transparencies, one laid on top of another. You don't look back along time but down through it, like water. Sometimes this comes to the surface, sometimes nothing. Nothing goes away.

Finally catching up a little bit

I have finally posted my two 4 x 4 Inchies in the post today. They are so overdue for a swap I am involved with. I will have to take a break from swapping for a while I think.

Here they are.

Not quite a Mermaid

Alice in WonderlandAlso the May Challenge is up on the We Challenge You Blog. Really exciting as it is a new Challenge Blog. There is a Off the page challenge, a layout challenge and a card challenge each month.

This is my layout.
The products are from last months Q Tea Kit. It has come out quite crooked on here.

I also have work to do for this months Q Tea kit which is wonderful.

On the renovating front which was really just doing floorboards. But it is so hard when you are doing them all yourself and still living in the house with kids. Its all so worth it now. Ella spilt something on the floor and all I had to do was to wipe. No getting down on my hands and knees and and scrubbing. I just couldn't cope with the scrubbing as I have a herniated disc. I said to Mark we have to do the floor boards and so finally after removing the awful carpets about 4 years ago it is done.

Now just the bathroom. The tiles are falling off and the tap is so rusty it might come off as one did in the kitchen and water went everywhere. One step at a time. :)

I will post again soon with some more work that I am currently doing.

Thanks for looking :)

If you want to test your marriage

Do some renovating together.

I think we have passed the test but we haven't finished yet.

The floors were meant to be finished or at least drying this morning but no. Still have to do the final sand and put the polish on.

Mark didn't want me to take out the computer today but I did just to check up on things with groups I belong to. I don't think I have been missed really so all good. Its so hard to bend over on the floor typing.

Hopefully I will be getting some scrapping done. Just can't unpack because it isn't accessable.

Thats all for the moment.

Tash

Been a bit slow on the blogging again.

Life is going so fast I just cannot keep up with it.

Today I have a new design design team position for a challenge blog. Should get my Mojo happening as well as the other great challenge blogs.

Its called We Challenge You. Its just not only about scrapping but also card making and off the page items which is exciting. I wonder if card making could include atc's :)

I finished some Artist Trading Cards today for a swap and found the subject a bit of a challenge but I loved it. The theme is Dark Art, Raven Swap.

I purchased the skeleton ephemera from here.

I am a sucker for challenges.

Here is one I finished with the theme 'sweet' in Scrapbooking 4 Less.
Have a nice day.

Beautiful day

Last night I started a layout for a challenge. The word prompt was life. Rather than the obvious choice of a newborn baby. I chose a layout about my Dad. I spent half the night crying as a result. I think the emotions just build up. I miss him so much.

Here is the layout.

This morning we decided to go to St Kilda Beach. The weather was perfect not even a strong breeze. We also took Chloe our German Shorthaired Pointer. She is very energetic and I can't even take her for a walk without being exhausted especially having a toddler as well. We took so many photos. I feel so much better and refreshed after having a good cry and especially getting out of the house and seeing the Ocean.

Tash