Widget fun!

In case you're not a Mac user, like, say, 95% of my readers, you've got no idea what I"m talking about. Widgets are cute litle mac programs like the one I'm using to write this, without having to do all the tedious blogger stuff. Although, of course, I can't post a picture with this. 

Ok, get this. I get one of those irritating Indian tele-sales calls just now.... you know, the huge long pause and the click, you know you're not being called locally, put it that way... and he says, in his thick Indian accent, my name is John Fisher. I mean, hello. I believe that? And no, I don't want a free phone, nor do I want to change my phone plan.

Just thought I'd mention it :)

Oh, and btw, the dog is again, fine. Phew. But we're going to let her sleep inside the really cold nights from now on, as she is 6 1/2 now. Even if she has more fur than a polar bear. 

Later people :)

Summer heat...

Yeah, only kidding!

This photo is definitely NOT current :)

Papers and elements from Ashley Olson's Summer Farewell kit, white stitching and barcode from ScrapArtists Summer splash. Fonts used are Jane Austen and snowshoe. Created in Cs2.

Meanwhile, today started with a bit of drama. My darling dog was yelping and limping very badly, but like any good child, when distracted with food she got over it. Just going to keep a careful eye on her, but it was a very cold morning and it was just as likely a cramp or something. I was a good girl and walked the kids to and from school today, about 2kms round trip. Worked from 11 - 2, it was totally quiet and peaceful, and, dare I say it, boring lol...

Meanwhile, it's late and I'm taking my sore throat off to bed - BIG day tomorrow at work.

Later everyone!! :)

Day off!!

Time to get some scrapping done, which will be popping up over the next week.

In other news, the family and I had a couple of long-needed shopping trips, late night shopping in the city on Friday and then down to the huge shopping centre at Marion Sunday afternoon, where we nearly, but not quite, bought a new x-box 360. Why we need one of these, I'm still not sure, but I guess it's only a matter of time. Although, having just discovered the fun of Sing-star, I'd rather have a playstation lol...

Bought some other basic, silly things. I got a new wallet, which has more room for all my cards and stuff. Yay! Got *skip* some shirt and tie sets as he wears soooo many business shirts through the week. And got me some *ahem* new underthings that were also long awaited. Oh, and bought something else, which I still might scrap about, so you'll have to stay tuned for that one. Actually I've got quite a bit of layout fodder that's just sitting around, waiting it's turn. Not to mention that I just re-discovered a whole packet of photos that I forgot we had. When I got it developed, I paid for it to be burnt to cd, but a year later the gold off the cd actually melted and flaked off, so it's been missing from the collection sitting on my hard-drive. Not to mention that they didn't do it very good quality so I'd rather re-scan the ones I want to use.

Oh, ok, the layout then!

Did you catch the big exciting news? Suzy is now selling at www.SweetShoppeDesigns.com - and she's so excited about the move. Come and check out what she's selling HERE!

And NOW for the layouts!

Papers, elements and alpha from Winterberry Wood by Suzy Nunes at www.sweetshoppedesigns.com, the cool journalling block is from her Carnaval kit. Font used is Kookalicious by Meredith Fenwick. Created in Cs2.

In case you're wondering (Mum & Dad!) we haven't caved in and gotten Tyson a puppy, yet. This gorgeous little guy belongs to our neighbours and he got loose on a cold dark night last week. So, of course, we had to bring him in and cuddle him for a while lol.... Although his and Tyson's eyes are a perfect match!

Paper and elements from Suzy Nunes Crisp Cotton Hideaway at www.sweetshoppedesigns.com. Baby alpha brush also by Suzy from her Carnaval kit, and the Vellum 3 is from her Vellum Alpha. Fonts used are Digs my hart and snowshoe. Created in Cs2.

And once again, NO I'm not expecting rofl... this is actually 7 years ago! But don't you just LOVE that lace in this kit?

So, what else is new? Not a lot. Work is officially getting quieter due to the person who was on leave coming back tomorrow, so I'll be back down to my proper 8-10 hours a week. Much better. I worked out that at the end of my shift tomorrow I'll have worked over 40 hours in a fortnight, which is a lot when you haven't 'worked' for 9 years lol. But I'm finding my feet. Slowly.

*skip* has an appt tonight to get his Tax done, so I've been busy finding paperwork and bits and pieces for him to take. I can't believe that this time next year I'll be going along with him. That's a bit of a change, but a nice one, cos it means that I've been PAID!

And I think that's enough rambling from me for now... thanks for reading :)

Ex-haus-ted.....

I am so worn out from the extra shifts I have been working this week, and then today I got asked to stay an extra hour because we were just too flat out to be one man down until the next shift arrived... People everywhere, asking millions of questions. Of course, they were all reasonably nice and patient, as they could see we were busy and doing our best. But I was really counting on that extra hour at home to do some work. Now I'm here, totally unmotivated and so beat. I worked from 9.30 to 3.00, on my feet, flat out, and no lunch. No wonder I've lost another Kg since I started there 3 weeks ago.

Ok, enough whining.... have a layout instead.

Papers and elements all from Ashley Olson's new kit, September rain, at SBB. Sorry stamps from Miss Mint's Xerox alpha. Font used is Kookalicious by Meredith Fenwick. Created in Cs2.

This layout really did just fall together and I really love it. I especially love the colours and wonderful grunge that Ash put into this kit...

And I have a couple of toots to let out as well. A good acceptance email, or two, is a fantastic cure for the feeling that I had when I got home today!! So after dinner sometime I"ll have to wander around the internet covering up layouts. A pleasant chore :)

And finally, look what Mrs Amy made for us all.....

Ain't it cute?!?.... I'll have to add that to my sidebar and signatures when I get a chance :) And then I'll definitely have to put up the CT team FULL sign... Maybe... lol.

Ok, enough slacking. Time to have some lunch? Afternoon tea? an early dinner? I have no idea anymore... and then do the floors.

I know Sharon, you said I'd regret it. But next week will be a LOT better. :)

Sunshine!!

We had sunshine today and I got 2 huge loads of washing done... I'm working all the rest of this week, so it was wash now or run out of socks lol... But, as I am still having trouble with my washing machine, I had plenty of time to scrap in between pegging sessions.

Isn't she just the cutest little thing? I'd have her on toast if I could!

Papers and elements from Fernlilis Funky new kit, Bandana Pajama, out now at the Emporium!! Date stamp by the wonderful Danielle Catalano-Titus from Something Blue Studios, M stamp by Christine Smith (TDC). Fonts used are snowshoe and Footlight MT Light.

Make sure you stop by the Emporium, because Fernlili also has another great Freebie kit out, called Pity Party. As usual, it's got amazing elements and I'm hoping to scrap with it sometime this week!

Ok, child dramas here, have to go! Talk to you all later....

Cool off!

Ok, so it's not that warm here right now, but looking at these photos, can't you feel the 30+ degree heat, the cool water, the sparkling light dancing in your eyes?

Congrats to my girl, Amy, who's finally got her new kit instore at TheDigiChick. Go girl!

Check out her kits HERE! and keep checking back because there is more awesome stuff in the works!

Papers, elements, alpha all from Amy Kneppers new Young & Carefree kit from TheDigiChick, font used is HighStrung.

And a huge shoutout to Jessica who just made it onto the Shabby Princess's Altered team. Wow, what a fantastic job that is! Don't forget us now you're playing with the in-crowd Jess! rofl....

Ka-ching!!

Man, I forgot how good it feels to check the bank balance and find that you've been PAID! Becuase I started right at the start of the f/n roster, I had to work my butt off before-hand, but I got paid yesterday and it did feel GOOD! I owe *skip* a small fortune for my Photoshop Cs2 for Mac, but with the extra hours I've had to put in with another girl on 2 weeks leave, I hope to clear that off soon. And I HAD to buy a new pair of shoes this afternoon, as I was wearing boots which were ok, but at the end of 6 hours, not so ok.... not to mention that I was wearing the heel down at a steady rate.

Work is going well. I'm too busy this week to be inspired, although I am looking forward to Amy's debut at TheDigiChick really soon! I'm behind on my layout gallery commenting, everything, and I just don't care. Tuesday night I was doing washing at 11pm, last night at 10pm I was still making a chocolate mousse cake for tonight, so I'm just TIRED. Next week is even fuller, and then it will get quiet again. Phew.

So, there you go. That's about it for now. Apart from the usual.... helping kids with homework, cooking, shopping. All that ordinary stuff. I'm surviving on chocolate and Iced coffee at the moment. I had an ENORMOUS cleanout of my bathroom cupboard, got rid of old stale makeup, heaps of stuff. Felt good, but there's still no room in there for everything... figures!

Well, how's that for random dribble? Sorry to inflict it on you, maybe I'll have something worth writing about real soon!! :)

Whoa.....

What gives? It's only just after 9pm and I'm tired tired tired. I had to get a head start on all my housework today, cook 2 dinners etc as I've been asked to work another full shift tomorrow (10-5.30). The boys will go to After-school care, which they are loving, and I'll not get them (and me!) home until about 6. I know I shouldn't complain, because the work is fun, I get to talk about my favourite subject ALL day, and I get paid quite well for a casual I'm told, but I am just TIRED. It could be because, inspired by a couple of sunny days, yesterday we put up 30m of wire fence so the DOG would stay out of the garden... and today I started spring-cleaning my pantry. Big job!

So, without too much more ado, here's Mix-n-match Week 6. This layout nearly killed me this afternoon, particularly when photoshop CRASHED and I lost the previous 1/2 hours work. But these things happen.

Get ready for a HUGE list of credits! I used a bit of this and that and all the fun stuff on this!

Background paper, photo mat paper, mini alphas, pin all from Havana by Jan Crowley. Paper label by Jen Wilson. Stitching, Ribbons and staples by Jessica Bolton - Epiphany and Suigeneris Beach collections. Notepaper and date label also by Jessica Bolton, Unamused boys collection. Brush stroke by Meredith Fenwick. Tag from His collection by Kim and Meredith. Fonts used were Greer, DSP Pollyanna, DSP Old General store, Vaguely Repulsive, Times and Times again. Created in CS2.

Please Dad, don't hit me TOO hard for putting you up on the internet again!! Hehehehe...

Meanwhile, keep your eyes peeled because very soon, Mrs AmyK will be making her long-awaited debut at TheDigiChick. I've had a sneak peek and I'm loving her new stuff!

Later dudes! :)

Eclectic and gorgeous!!

I'm just loving Jessica's 2 new collections - Suigeneris Beach which is a LIMITED edition, and also Unamused Boys... So boyish. So textured. So grungy. So ME!!

I got this gorgeous candid photo of DS2 this weekend on our walk - stomping across the bridge.

Journalling reads:
A little game that I used to play
with my mother was the Three Billy
Goats Gruff crossing over the troll bridge.

Now, as a mother, I love to watch my
boys stomping across all the
bridges they can find.

Papers and elements from Suigeneris Beach Collection by Jessica Bolton. Alpha from her Unamused boys collection (available separately). Arrow from Jess's painted arrows set. Fonts used are Hotel Coral Essex, Vaguely Repuslive and VTPortable Remington. Created in Cs2.

None of these photos turned out very well (shock horror!) but they were too cute not to use... our SMALL 6 year old DS likes to take on more than he can handle (eg, his father!) and it's so much fun to watch!

Papers, elements and green alpha from Jessica Bolton (www.EclecticScraps.com) new Unamused boy kit. Tater Masher stamp also by Jessica. Messy paint strokes by Meredith Fenwick,at SBB. Stamped alpha by Nancie over at ScrapArtist. Dotted journalling stamp by yours truly!

Font used is Highland Perk. Inked action by AtomicCupcake, created in Cs2.

Contrary to popular comments on the first layout, I didn't duplicate the photo for the journalling, but actually cut the bottom off another photo that didn't turn out quite so well... but I still love the effect. Something a bit different.

I really thought that with starting work (I've already done 9 hours this week, with a FULL day on Saturday still to come) I'd be tired, burned out, whatever. But I actually think that having the time out of the house is letting my right brain come up with ideas because I feel so inspired... Look, I even put more than one photo on a layout, and how often does THAT happen? rofl...

But now I should go and eat lunch, clean my house etc etc. It's a beautiful sunny day, I need to go ENJOY it!

Too cool!!

Ash just made her whole team new blinkies... PERSONALISED no less!

Had to quick post to show it off... it's 4.45 and I'm finally eating lunch, so I'll run around and update all my signatures sometime after dinner.... at 1 am perhaps? lol....

Happy chicken dance !!!!

Ok, so after 5 hours at work that was just full-on all afternoon etc, I was just soooo tired this morning.

However, now I"m doing the happy chicken dance all around the house!!

You'll have to go HERE to find out why!!

And Scrapbooking Memories just accepted another layout. Did I even remember to mention last week that Scrapbook Creations took one as well?

Like I said,

Happy chicken dance for me!!!

Whew....

Well, that was a deafening HELLO from everyone! Glad to know you haven't all forgotten me and my little old bloggy....

Just a quick one today, posting up a layout from yesterday before I duck off to work... I've already done a load of washing, tidied up, hung up a pile of clothes, pressed pants etc, so I'm happy with this work thing so far. :) Dad was telling me off for not having taken any photos for a while, so for family time this week on Saturday we went off to the wetlands for a walk, and I got to try out my new telephoto lens....

Papers, elements and fab alphas all from Jessica Bolton's new Unamused Boys Collection at www.Eclecticscraps.com If you have boys, this collection is on your must buy list. Fonts used are AL Old Remington and DSP Old General Store. Created in Photoshop Cs2.

Ok, so I have to dash off and do my hair and have an early lunch - start at 12.30 today. It's the first day too for the boys to go to After school care, I'm a bit nervous for them... poor neglected brats - NOT lol.... Hopefully I'll be too busy to even think about them!

Catch you later everyone!

Behind on my blogging...

I've been scrapping, posting and so on, but I've neglected old bloggy. Probably because no-one reads all my ramblings, but anyhooo, here are some of my latest layout!

Jessica Bolton (Eclectic Scraps) is having a fantastic offer on this new Collection. It's a Limited Edition, at a BARGAIN PRICE!! Go here and check it!! Suigeneris Beach, I totally love this set.

Here's the layout I made with it!

These fantastic papers, elements and alpha all from Suigeneris Beach, a special new collection coming out this week at Eclectic Scraps from Jessica Bolton. Frame under the photo is from her Messy Paint strokes set. Font used is Highland Perk. Created in Cs2.

This second layout is from Ashley's new set at SBB - Charming Country Girl. Love the fabric/patchwork feel to this kit, with the awesome sheer ribbon and lace.


Papers, elements, alpha all from Charming Country Girl papers and elements by Ashley Olson from SBB. Created in Cs2.

And last, but certainly not least, is this layout from Suzy Nunes (PDW) new kit Carnaval. Bright and more bright, but oh, sool cool. I especially loved the alpha brushes and the journal boxes that come with this kit!

Papers and elements from Suzy Nunes at Plain Digital Wrapper - Carnaval. The mega kit is on sale right now and if you stop by her blog, you'll get a bonus little coupon!! http://www.suzynunes.com/ Fonts used are Harrison and headsurgery. Created in Cs2.

So, in other news, just to make this a really, really long post, my first day of work was on Wednesday and it went really well.

And I've joined up at Digishoptalk as a gold member (thanks *skip*).

And today the twins (and their mum, I'm not CRAZY) and I went shopping. All day. Man, did I score some major bargains! I'd take photos but the computer and the camera and I still don't have a good working relationship - we're looking into counselling ;)

Ok, thanks for reading and have a great weekend everyone! I'll be sure to enjoy it because it's the only Saturday I'll have off in 6 weeks. Oh well.