Flying kites...

I'm such a good mother... the journalling on this layout has a terrible confession....

Sammy made this kite at a Kindy end of year excursion, in 2003. Seriously. This kite is 2 years old, and it's NEVER been flown before.

I need to lift my game a little :P

But it's a great layout I think.... really enjoyed the strong colours.



Layout created with Fernlilis new kit (currently on sale, grab it quick), Cup a Cheer. I still say she's the element QUEEN, her ribbons, tags, metals always rock!

Inked edge action from Atomic Cupcake. Fonts used were Al Charisma, SF Foxboro Script, Tin Birdhouse, Problem Secretary, Embossing Tape, FB Peach and FB Flamingo. Created in PS7.

Meanwhile, my connection has been seriously fritzing, maybe due to the unusually HOT weather.

42degrees in Adelaide today. That's celsius. 107.6 degrees Farenheit. Sizzling.

We're having a very late dinner, *skip*'s volunteered to cook on the bbq cos the house is stinking hot. Thanks honey!

So I'd better go chop some onions and stuff.....

Can you smell it Dad? It's going to be a good one!! *luv ya lots*

Progress report

I'm up to level 43.... and I'm stumped.

I'm hot, tired, and truth be told, grumpy.

I'm gonna scrap now..... :) - it's easier than this!!

And I'd better watch out, Sharon's catching up fast!!

*evil chuckle*

Hehehe Sharon....

You can't say I didn't give you fair warning!!

But email me and I'll give you all the hints you need, until of course, you overtake me....

Current update... Level 33.

Can't talk, can't scrap, Qwyzzling......

Qwyzzle........

Ok, if you have somewhere to be over the next week, stop reading. Come back tomorrow, or later on or something and I'll have a pretty picture for you.

Otherwise, let me introduce you to the latest and greatest craze going around the internet... This thing will drive you totally bonkers.

Just a quick warning though, it won't work in Firefox, so swop over to IE and run amok.

You can "cheat" as much as you like, as most of the answers will need some serious googling to find - and a lot of them are d'oh moments too. I'm only up to level 28, currently stalled waiting for the boss to come home with a printed out maze for me.... Not allowed to draw on the monitor lol.

Go forth and Qwyzzle!! and don't come back saying I didn't warn you....

Qwyzzle

Hints

Let me know how you are getting on!!

Recharge my mojo

We had a busy few days with *skip* off work (he's back today *waving* hi honey). On Monday we went to Mannum to visit some friends who were camping up there. Mannum Caravan park is right on the Murray River, so there were lots of chances for piccies, as well as the usual games of cards and sitting around just chatting. Some baby cuddling was also involved, of course!








There will, of course, be plenty of layouts to come, not to mention more pictures to come.

Here's just a teaser from Saturday. We went to the beach with some friends and the dogs. It was blowing an absolute gale, you got instant exfoliation from all the sand, and the sea was really rough and choppy. Didn't deter Sammy though, even if he did end up frozen solid.

Papers from Meredith Fenwicks True Colours Collection (recoloured) Frame and stamped alpha from ScrapArtist. Fonts used are Texas Hero, 4990810, Scribble, Pine Casual, Tom’s New Roman. Created in PS7.

Thanks for dropping in everyone!

Whew..... finished!!

*skip* and I have been having a bit of a marathon lately, we have been re-modelling our disaster of a front yard....

Here's the before picture....


and now, what it looked like as of 12noon today. A total of 14 days exactly, and hours and hours of gut breaking (not to mention back breaking) work.




Saturday 2 weeks ago, the dingo digger guy took away all the old "lawn" that never grew properly, and then levelled out what was left.

Then we had to install the brick edge and path, run a new irrigation line along the new lawn edge.

*skip* took yesterday and today off work, yesterday was 1 trailer of bark (not enough, but a start) and 2 trailers of soil. We're still waiting on some old couch grass that got into the garden bed to die.... stupid weed-killer takes 2 weeks, and then we'll finish off the bark.

9.30 this morning, with a thunderstorm threatening, the lawn arrived.... and we had it all rolled out and concrete rollered, watered, etc... by lunchtime.

Phew.

Now I can concentrate on some real scrapping, as my back is just DEAD!

But, I have to admit, it looks FANTASTIC!!

On a lighter note.... all my hard work and labour was totally rewarded yesterday...

It finally happened!!!

Now I know what a Krys acceptance email looks like - wahoo wahoo wahooo!!!!!

I was a bit bored on Wednesday, and I sent her a random submission of my Hills Hoist layout, didn't even expect ANY answer considering the time of year it is... but it only took her just over a day to say YES! Not only that, she want's it for the Final Encore gallery - the layouts of exceptional quality/execution/ideas.....

Wahoo wahoo wahoo.... Scrapbooking Memories HERE I COME!

Off to cover and conceal!

De-Clutter!!

Ok, so I promised my Dad I would post this info... hope he gives it a go *wink*....

I found this great site link over on Amy's blog, and love the theory.... have been putting it into practice already, bathroom cupboards, kitchen cupboards...

Got rid of my favourite frypan because I can't use it on my fancy Halogen stove, and haven't used it for nearly 4 years (since we've been in this house). Lots of new cupboard space opening up, and I feel about a ton lighter myself as a result.

Organized home

They have great articles on everything from how to clean your cupboards out, (love the 4 box method) to how to manage the daily avalanche of paperwork that makes its way into your house everyday.... creeping up on you and snowing under every available flat surface.

And not only that I'm beginning to realise the motivation BEHIND my hoarding, and to let go of it. To give myself permission to RELEASE..... and it feels great. The more I chuck, the better I feel, the more I chuck, the less I have....

Pretty soon it's going to be just me and the computer in here.... I'll chuck the kids next week ROFL.

Not to sound like I'm pointing fingers (Fig and Mig), but I hoard because of my parents. They are world class hoarders. But they hoard because of having been brought up in the Great Depression era, where EVERYTHING was valuable and you could repair, re-use or might need next year. Which is fair enough. And I was brought up definitely a Second-hand rose. Still am to a certain extent... but just because someone GAVE me some clothes, doesn't mean I have to take them, especially when they are 2 sizes too small. How much of my wardrobe was taken up with stuff that I kept because I couldn't afford to go out and replace it. But the ironic thing being, I didn't WEAR it anyway because it didn't fit/look good/make me feel good in it.

Same goes for most of the stuff in my cupboards. *skip* reckons I must have sucker printed on my head, cos everytime anyone has a cupboard clean out they call me and off-load stuff on to me. Some of it I might want, but I end up with MOST of it because I can't offend by saying, no, don't want those 3 things, but would love to have THAT. I know, I know.... I'm soft.

But lovable too!!

Ok, enough raved.....

Have a layout instead! ;)

I have been working on this one on and off all week, trying to get it just right. It's again, fundamentally inspired by one of Bree's Scrap-maps, but nothing like it in the final execution. But hey, inspiration is all I ask, I'll take care of the rest *wink*

Papers from Trish Jones Eclectic Mix CD, this one was Cinnamon Toast. White overlay by Jen Wilson from her New Look Freebie. Inked edge action by Atomic Cupcake. Fonts used were Carpenter ICG, Artistamp Medium, SBC Love Mom.

Glad to have finally got this one finished and *out*..... it's been in my head for a while. And woohoo - it's got 2 photos and journalling on it.... and it doesn't look dreadful. My skills are improving. hehehehe...

Thanks for all the visits and the comments on the new look. Glad it's such a hit!! & was worth all the fiddling around keeping all my links and stuff ;)

Ok, night then!

Thankyou BREE!!!!

I'm not sure if I blogged about this before, but while we are on the topic of Scrapping Inspiration, I have to share this website with you all....

Scrap-maps.com by the wonderful Bree Clarkson.

These sketches are AWESOME!

I don't know if anyone else has noticed this, but I have a real weakness when it comes to fitting in more than one photo on a layout. And then as soon as I try to fit in some journalling too, well, forget it. My layouts almost always look yuck. But I'm running out of single photo *moment* layouts and it's time to scrap some EVENTS instead. So quite late last night, I jumped onto Bree's site and started hunting for ideas.

This layout was inspired by one of her sketches.... it's not the same, but it was definitely an *aha* moment.

Not to mention that it suddenly evolved into a 2 pager, which is a rare thing for me... and most other digi-scrappers I know.... I don't know what the percentage is, but the vast majority of layouts are singles.

But this was GREAT FUN and I loved doing it and will be doing it again!!

Credits: Papers and stuff from Playtime Maxim by Trish Jones (from the Eclectic Mix CD again). Tag template from the AWESOME new set for sale at ScrapArtist.com. Loving their sale at the moment! Fonts used were Another, CK Mixnmatch, 4990810. As always, created in Photoshop7. I am especially proud of my ribbon that is wrapped around the photo block on page2.... my skills are definitely improving.

On a side note, these photos, were of course, taken with my baby camera.... and seriously, you can't tell that much of a difference. Canon quality!!

After this was finished, I actually got another layout *done* but I'm still not sure if it's finished or not, so you'll just have to be patient a bit longer!! *wink*

So, stay tuned!!

Oh, and BY THE WAY!! How do you like the new look? Let me know, ok??

Ho-hum...

And so, the school holidays begin. *whimper*

I'll be in and out here probably less than more for a while, as I feel that this time I am actually going to DO all those things that I dream of doing next holidays and then don't. Beach trips. Pool trips. Baking. a Monopoly marathon possibly.

Will have to go to the library and stock Tyson up on books too.... that's always a winner.

My mother used to do that with me - for the week that the library was closed between xmas and new year, we'd max out all our cards, and I'd still run out before the 4th day. What can I say, I like to read! Glad that is one of my better qualities that Tyson has inherited. :) *smirk*. We won't discuss the lesser qualities..... hehehe

Ok, now.... have an old layout to look at.

Background, mat paper, tag, ric-rac, Alpha, file tab and brads from Spring fling kit from DDE. Inked overlay from Scrapartist.com. Paper clip from Grandeur of spring kit, designer unknown. Fonts used are AL Postmaster and Porcelain.

This is from back in August.... Just having a muck around with the camera...

Ok Kids are trashing the house. better go and continue my reign of terror! *wink*

Channeling

I am a victim to the newest disease to hit the internet....

Jen Wilson Callitis.....

Caused by extreme tension over an extended period, this disease manifests itself with an inability to leave the computer and a convulsive refreshing of email screens. Coupled with a thirst for coffee to feed the nervous tension, and a massive craving for lots of dark chocolate to ease the pain of the rejection that is just around the corner!!

I would love to share my layouts with you, but I won't... well, I can't, one of them is removed for publication, and I'm sure you've seen the other two.

I know I should just let this be, but I can't. And I'm in such a state I can't scrap either.

So I am channeling all this nervous sitting on the computer time into something constructive!!

GALLERY COMMENTING!!

And my challenge to all you gals that are feeling the same way, do it also. Make someone's day. Spread a bit of kindness. 20 comments, at least. That should be easy for most of us.

Let me know how you went with it!!

(oh, btw, it wasn't blogger that was busted last night, it was firefox. I downloaded an updated version and I'm back in business. phew.)

Meanwhile, here's the other old layout from SC 24 for my dear Dad....



Background, stripe paper, stamp mount from smdesigns.net (Michelle Coleman, now at Scrapartist). Adorable overlay from Rhonna Farrer's 2 peas free kit for April. Ribbon and knot from Kim Hill, Cgessentials.com Tag from Designerdigitals.com (recoloured) S type key from scrapmonkey.com. Font used is Andrewscript.

This one also was created back in July..... Wow. I feel like I've come so far. But I do still love this one.

Ok, off to refresh my email some more.... *twitch* *twitch*

Oh-oh

I went to town yesterday as Tyson and I both had appointments, and I discovered that I'm in trouble with my daddy!! ;)

I took my copy of Scrapbook Creations (24) to show them, as I couldn't remember if they'd seen my published layouts...

Not only had they not seen them, but Dad couldn't even remember them, and was very disappointed in me.

So here one of them is, just for him. :)

I was going to publish both, however blogger is giving me all sorts of trouble and I'm not able to upload images the normal way. I have had to Picasa this one, and it doesn't seem to want to let me upload two at a time.... ANYONE got any suggestions, I"m all ears!!



This layout was my first ever COMPLETED and only THIRD ever attempted digital layout. I was pretty stoked that it got picked up for publication, as you can imagine.

Background paper, Ruby Linen from CottageArts.net. Patterned paper, ribbon, ring, stencil, brads, hinges, clips, journalling tag all from Shabby Princess Shabby Smiles kit. Fonts used were Harting and TheRoots.

I can't believe this layout isn't even 6 months old.... created 2nd July, 2005. Wonder what I'll be doing 2nd July next year?

Will post the other layout tomorrow! :) 

Had to share

For no apparent rhyme or reason.

Instead of scrapping, these days I seem to spend most of my time blog hopping. I found this GREAT link on Kim Hill (CG Essentials)'s blog.

Just ad inspiration by Kelly Schultz ADDRESS HAS BEEN UPDATED - SHE JUST OPENED HER NEW SITE!!

It is a fantastic scrapping resource, especially if you are faced with a bad case of the blahs....

Go forth, bookmark, share the link!

Happy scrapping!!

Hey Dad !!

Ok, vent over....

I just wanted to share my latest layout with you all. As usual it's had a mixed reception. No comments at SBB (surprise surprise). No comments at DSW (no surprise). and 4 very generous and enthusiastic comments at DigiScrapDivas.com, from gals that I really admire and respect the work of, Jess and Dani included. Thanks girls, you made my day!

Papers and elements from Dirty Boy kit by Fernlili. Inked edge action (which I put on everything except my cereal ) from AtomicCupcake.com. Fonts used are My Old Remington, Kristen ITC, LoveMeAvenue. Created in Photoshop 7.

This was a hysterical moment after dinner at the end of last term. Sammy's class had a relief teacher for the last 3 weeks of term, who, smart woman, was teaching them sign language to keep the classroom noise down to a dull roar. I don't know if it worked or not ;) but he did learn some great things.

Well, I finally did it.... I emailed off my Best and Brightest entry. 10 original, never before seen layouts. And I'm so happy with the vast majority of them. Really. Really happy. The way I figure it, even if I don't win, I've got some good things to submit to other magazines in the new year. So now I have to wait until then, but I'm not holding my breath. I only entered for the challenge.

Meanwhile, I am holding my breath, waiting for my Jen Wilson CT rejection.... I'm not normally negative, but I was blog surfing today and discovered some of the other entries, by scrappers that I seriously admire. She's got to pick them over me, I know I would. But I had fun, and hey, I tried. Now to go and find some rich dark chocolate and drown my sorrows.

Or, in fact, time to go get the muchkins from school.... later!!

Dear honey....

(In case you're wondering, I'm a huge fan of James Thurber. Go read some and laugh yourself silly).

Dear Honey,

I'm sorry there will be no dinner tonight. My cooking hand is out of action.

You know, I didn't object when you said, let's redo the front. Nor did I object when it was this weekend. I didn't even object to working out there all day Saturday and Sunday until 8pm at night, 3 nights in a row (Monday after dinner too).

I didn't complain when you said I hadn't bought enough/the right irrigation parts. I don't mind fixing the irrigation, I thought it was a kind a fun job.

However, as the scrape on the back of my hand festers, and the side of my face where I got whacked with a piece of pipe that came loose suddenly, throbs, I have had ENOUGH.

I didn't object to going to the hardware store at 8.30 this morning for more clips. I did NOT complain when I realised that I had forgotten about one corner that had to be dug up and changed from a sprinkler elbow to a closed elbow. I just did it. BY MYSELF.

I didn't object that I had to dig along the whole front kerb trying to find the t-pieces that you had left to be buried.

But when I finally discover TWO OF THEM, full of mud (because the only way to find one of them was to turn the hose on and actually LET the water come out), and BROKEN because you had hit them with the lawnmower AGAIN and cracked the t-pieces.... ok, now I object.

I spent 10 minutes trying to get one of them out, because it had snapped neatly off inside the pipe. The only way to salvage it was to dig further, in the mud, with my hands, cut the piece off. Spend 5 minutes wiggling on a connector, then a new piece of pipe and only THEN could I get to the actual putting a new elbow on, and connecting the sprinkler.

PEOPLE OF AUSTRALIA help me!!

If you see this man going anywhere near a lawnmower, arrest him. He's a menace to irrigation systems everywhere. I'd rather mow the lawn myself, than dig up all these pipes one more time.

ENOUGH is ENOUGH.

And after you've finished making us all dinner, the sprinkler in the far corner needs to be totally dug up, before repairs can commence. I haven't even GOT as far as the ones in the middle.

And now I'm going to go and rest my hand in a bowl of dettol.... it's getting swollen.

Love
Cassie

Random Monday!!

Heres a whole lot of stuff, which is in no particular order....

The rail crossing near our house is closed for 2 days, which means that my 3 trips to the school (which I can SEE from our house) takes 10 minutes each way along a dangerous narrow windy back road. Grr.

It's been raining on and off all day which is crazy considering it was 36 yesterday. Sigh.

4 more days until the holidays and I can sleep in!! Woohoo!

I've been in a bit of a slump at the moment, have scrapped and toiled my little heart out... need to go on an excursion or something and shoot some new photos to inspire me. Or dig out some old ones and get working. Hmmm....?

Have been in a real house cleaning out mood - clothes, cupboards, the works. Feels fantastic. Letting go..... RELIEF.

I actually got to practice saying NO to something yesterday. I read about this book on Ali Edwards blog, and had a look at in on Amazon. Just reading the excerpt they have was enough to inspire me.... so when someone from Scholastic rang and offered me a free trial, with free gifts to keep yadda yadda I just said. NO. Thankyou but NO. and it felt good. Will have to practice that one some more. *EMPOWERING*

Ok.... now I don't feel so blah anymore. GOOD.

Will maybe post a layout or something soon. Honest.

Wahoo wahoo wahoo wahoo!!

Ok, this is an even bigger set of wahoos than my FK acceptance, and it's nothing to do with scrapping.

Every day this week I have faithfully trailed to the school to sit and watch, and quietly encourage Sammy, to dry him off and rub his back hard when he gets out because he's totally frozen solid. His swimming has slowly improved.... slowly.

His swimming teacher, the wonderfully patient #J#, and I were just totally blown away today.

Blown away.

All week, he's dipped his chin, and the surface of his goggles in the water. We've not pushed him.

Suddenly, today, she said, ok, let's put our faces in the water. And without further ado, he did. Up, over his ears. He re-surfaced, dripping, and grinning from ear to ear and I couldn't help myself. I cheered so hard! Then of course, fished the trusty baby camera out of the handbag, and said "Do it again!" Which he did. Again and Again.... he was putting his face in for so long I was starting to get worried.

I'm still in shock. Will post the pictures when I can find the right camera cable, but meantime you'll have to take my word for it!! ;)

What a MARVELLOUS DAY!!!!!

Happy Anniversary to us!!

I know I've been a slack blogger.... but things have been really piling up on me lately. I have to go to the school every day this week between 10 and 10.45 to watch Sammy swim, and get him dry and dressed afterwards.... He has always, even as a baby, suffered from the shivers, and this week of swimming in a pool which is barely heated to 20degrees, in an icy outdoor area in the Adeliade Hills - it's not good.

Every time he gets out he is shaking so bad I normally have to carry him. I can't imagine how wet he would be or sick he would get if I left him until his teacher (who is a wonderful woman) got around to him, as she does have 24 other kids to chase around.

So I go instead, and then I can be sure that he's ok.

Then there's the 3 weeks in a row I've done of canteen. The 2 excursions next week for end of year. The washing out towels and bathers every night for a 2 weeks now. I just feel totally snowed under. My wireless connection has been playing up big-time. I had to use *skip*s computer a couple of days ago, which was totally tragic - I miss all my bookmarks and stuff :(

Ok, enough whining.

On a brighter note, it was our ninth wedding Anniversary yesterday. We are totally and utterly FLAT BROKE so we didn't do anything.... just watched a dvd together on the lounge and chilled. Which was a perfectly acceptable alternative.

And today I went to k-mart and put 6 more dvd's on layby - some favourite movies, and they were all so cheap! We've got an enormous collection of kids movies, and hardly any for us, time to even up the score.

So there you have it....

I'm nearly out of DT commitments for the month, everyone seems to be taking a break, so I've been doing more layouts for myself. Keeping them quiet for now though.

Other than that, nothing to report. Nothing to do really. I just seem to be overwhelmingly blah at the moment.... it will pass, it always does.

Later guys and gals!

Great big foghorn sized TOOOOOOTTTTTTTT

Wahoo!!! I get another Toot!! I haven't had enough of them to get blase about it yet.

I got an email on Friday from For Keeps magazine, and I had to wait a couple of days to clarify WHICH layout it was that they wanted.... which is now done!!

so

TOOT

The layout that they have accepted is my one from last month, the one that I blogged about being the most satisfiedest that I'd been with any layout in a LONG LONG time... at the time I did say to *skip* that this would be the one, if any of them, that got published next... it was just so PERFECT!

And apparently For Keeps thinks so too, because they want it for their Digital gallery in issue 41!! My first publication in FK TOOT!!!!! I bounced for about 10 minutes.... literally. physically. BOUNCED.

So, while I was on the phone to *K* rather excitedly sharing the news, another email came through.

Scrapbook Creations want my "Sammy's Friend" layout too!! I had one small heartattack that I thought maybe they want the same layout, but no, it was ok!! This one is for issue no 28, due out in March.....

So I got a double toot in one day!!!!!

And I'm still bouncing!!

boing

boing

boing

boing

Just call me tigger! ;)

New layouts for you all!!

WOW!!

The comments and support I've been getting over the past week have been fantastic!! Thanks so much everyone.... I do read and appreciate them all. :)

Here's a couple of layouts for you, they are both a bit different from each other, but hey, that's half the fun isn't it!

This first one is of my PARENTS (and they'll be really happy to be famous, I'm sure!! lol)

Papers, elements and stitching from Fernlilis Mothers Apron, Inked edge action from AtomicCupcake, fonts used were CK Bella, AL Postmaster and fontdiner.com

Here's another shot of the boys from our photoshoot. Posed, of course, but what the hey!

Papers and stamp from the absolutely gorgeous Digital Memories Magazine (DMM) Team Kit, Winter 2005. Inked edge (again!) and fonts used were Pharmacy, BN Pinky, Print Clearly and VTPortable Remington.

Ok, time to go and get dinner started.... not much to scrap at the moment, am having a bit of a 'break' for a day or two... but don't worry, I've got heaps of layouts queued up for you anyway..... Not counting special albums and special projects, I just counted up and I did over 30 layouts just for November... I've done well over 100 since I started on the 2nd July this year.... lets see how many I can have done by the end of the year!!

and I also have some more GREAT NEWS (TOOTY-TOOT), hopefully I can confirm it with you tomorrow!! Stay tuned!!

Thanks to you all!!

Wow, thanks for all the great supportive comments... from old friends and new ones in fact. I really appreciate you all taking the time to let me know that I matter just a little bit.

Here's something that might bring a smile to your faces....

I did four layouts yesterday, this was one of them. All papers from my new Trish Jones cd set - loving that. I whipped this out for the font challenge at SBB, I just can't resist them even though every week I think, Oh, I can't get to it this week... POP and there it is..

I took these amazing photos last week when I had that session with the boys (see earlier posts). Fiddled with the photos (a LOT!!) and then had some fun. Got virtual INK all over my fingers, this was a messy layout.

Papers and "Boy" stamp from RuffNReady by Trish Jones, Inked edge by Atomic Cupcake, Font used for the challenge was GFY ErinBurkett. Kewl, huh!

And I was listening to the radio as I was scrapping (I love my broadband streaming lol) and this song was playing that got stuck in my head, and ended up becoming my title/journalling!!

Hope you like it... I've got lots more to share, but am just going to sprinkle them around for a few more days.