Weekender

Big weekend as usual. The local show is on this weekend and we are flat out. DH is all over the place and running everything :) I worked there for a few hours this morning and then took the kids this afternoon for a few rides and some junk....great combination that! Throw in pizza for dinner, a fireworks display and a Willy Wonka DVD and it makes for one interesting day LOL. DH was asked to do the ping pong ball drop this year from the fire engine extension ladder. He really enjoyed himself up there I think...throwing all those balls out to the kiddies :) The kids managed to not trample each other which is always nice. I am exhausted...too much junk food, flashing lights and whirling things for me. I am off to read a book and have an early night. The house is spotless, which is a miracle. I spent a good part of the week cleaning and reorganising - purging and shifting. Very satisfying to have a clean house and nothing to do.....for now. I am determined to keep on top of things with more work on these next few weeks. We even got the call up to cater for the Schoolies Chaplains again this year (November) ....over 600 people to feed each night for 2 weeks. Great money and a lot of fun too. Just need to juggle schedules and work out a few things to work full time for those couple of weeks. Goodnight...off to my book...maybe a bath even :)

Wacky Wednesday

What a hectic day I have had. I swear I have covered the length and breadth of the city doing errands and transporting children today. I managed to fit in a quick digi layout tonight by ignoring the dishes and leaving the towels in the dryer :) Creativity will come and go but towels will still be there tomorrow. It would be criminal to ignore the creative urge LOL. The rest of the week is shaping up to be just as busy with the local show starting this Friday. DH is vice president of the Show committee so we will all be very busy. Lethal E is going to submit a Lego sculpture into the children's art competition and Miss M is thinking about having another go at it. She won second place a couple of years ago. I am entering 5 scrap projects into the craft section for the first time. I have a canvas and 4 layouts to enter...when I manage to narrow down which ones to enter! My conscience is getting the better of me so I'd best be getting those towels out of the dryer after all.

Another digi layout

Another digi layout I made last night..forgot about this one :) Featuring Master C on Mother's day last year.

Another layout of my nieces

The photo in this layout is the one I used in my first ever digi layout. This is the same photo scrapped 'for real'. Love these Autumn Leaves Papers and journal cards.

Something else I have worked on this week is a new 'Home Journal'. It is a 2 ring binder that I have created a digital cover for (mounted onto PP). It is a folder containing all the necessary stuff needed to run this manic household. School notes, lists, routines, calenders, forms, checklists, recipes, menu plans etc etc. I have always used something like it, but this is by far the prettiest one I've had LOL. Little images are from the 'Martha Stewart' website...where else would one find such idealistic images of domesticity?

It'sssssss Tuesday!

Yes it is. Yesterday is over and a new day has begun...thank goodness :) I stayed up ridiculously late last night playing with some digi stuff and created this LO of my nieces. The photo used here is not terrific quality but it just so cute! I love my nieces to bits. It's lovely to have a couple of little tiny girls to scrap too. Huge domestic day here today. I am way behind with working the last few days so need to catch up on the home front...and here I am on the computer LOL. I bought a new slowcooker today and have managed to prepare dinner already. I can smell it simmering away right this minute as I type.......mmmmmmmmmm. With dancing lessons this afternoon not finishing until almost 6:00pm it is the perfect day for a roadtest. I managed to find a nice big one for our big family which is what I need! I'd like to say I spent my extra pay on fabulous new things this week, but a slowcooker it is...such is life. I did receive a gorgeous RAK from Tammy at SOF yesterday for a challenge she posted last week. I did the 'Colour my world' digi layout for it and Tammy sent lovely RAK of felt, ricrac and flowers...very nice. I can't wait to try them out. Better fly and get something constructive done. BBL

Wake me up........

When today is OVER!!!

What a day. Between funerals, feral kids and domestic undertakings I have done my dash today! Bring on Tuesday. I have ignored the folding tonight though, in favour of some Law and Order, a laptop on my knee and a digi layout...bliss :) I am going through some fave photos and doing digi layouts for fun. I love this pic of Lethal E and Mr C....so cute. Lovely and light and fluffy...just what I needed tonight. Off to bed to dream sweet dreams and good things...G'night.

A life ended way too soon...

I am so sick right now. Right this minute a funeral is being held here at Church for a little girl who attended our school and church. She was the same age and grade as Master J (12) and tragically killed in a car accident in NZ last week. I am watching the little school children walk up the car park to pay their respects and to farewell their friend who's life ended way too soon. I am heartbroken for her parents. Her Mum is fighting serious illness and was not with her children in NZ. Her Father was there when it happened and is struggling desperately to deal with his grief and guilt. She leaves behind a twin brother which must be so terribly difficult - for him and his parents too. Their eldest son has been incredibly brave and strong...something he should not have to be. Our friend and colleague Chris is taking the Service today and I am full of anguish for him too. I pray he can impart some comfort and solace. He has spent every spare minute with the family this week and it has taken it's toll, I know. I pray they will somehow move on from here and be able to keep on going. Things will never be the same, but I hope they will continue to find pleasure in their boys and be able to see a future for their family. I pray that their guilt be will be relieved and that they will find peace and happiness again. Farewell Alicia - gorgeous, dynamic, bright and amazing girl. We will never forget you...rest in peace sweet girl.

And now it's Frantic Friday!

The week has just flown by this week...between work, kids, school, church...it is a big blur LOL. I have a funeral to cater for tomorrow and it is a big one...at least 150 people. I am getting organised today and churning cookies through the oven as we speak...or read...or type :) Master J is looking forward to the release of harry Potter tomorrow. I'll be lining him up and ducking off for a coffee I think. We won't see him for days when he gets his hands on that book. Better fly and take the next lot of cookies out...BBL.

Just another Manic Monday

Yes it is a manic Monday. Trying desperately to catch up after the school holidays and reorganise the house *eek*. Just wanted to post a digital LO I worked on last night...not a favourite, but fun.

Better get back to the household grind. BBL

Another big weekend

This has been another big weekend as usual. Between church and kid's committments, shopping, housework and a cybercrop I am pooped! The LSBS cybercrop has been on all weekend and I have managed a few challenges. Directly above is the digi challenge and there are 2 'real' layouts above. I have just received a CD of photos from our friends we travelled to the US with last year and have spent a good hour trawling through photos and reminiscing about memories - from Times Square at midnight to cycling the Golden gate Bridge in San Francisco. I can hardly believe it has been a year already. I can't wait to go back and travel some more. Heading into a big week and have lots of work on. Hoping to get a few of these US photos scrapped too...that has been a slow task!

Very first toot!

Well what a day I am having today. As you can see below, I have my very first acceptance from Scrapbooking Memories magazine for publication! It is the second ever digi layout I have done so I am shocked and thrilled. I also received my Little Book of Big Memories prize today for the Finishing Touch Ideas section of this LSBS competition. The prize is absolutely amazing. Big cheer to cath for the amazing prize and great comp. I received so much stuff I nearly cried LOL. Gorgeous FTI products plus PP's, rub-ons, stickers, alphas, ribbons etc...so blessed! Clever Cath managed to send an array of boy's stuff which I always need. Today is a great big awesome day and it is only 11am :) Having dinner tonight at Mum and Dad's as my Aunty and Uncle are here from SA...so excited to see them. She wants to see all my scrapping albums...hope they've got a few hours LOL.

My first effort at digi scrapping is the 'Sweet Sisters' layout. Very one dimensional and basic. Next came the 'Evidence of an age gap' layout which was fun. By the time I did the 'Ethan' layout I had worked out how to do some drop shadows to make it more dimensional. I have just invested in some digital kits to give me some more elements to work with.

First post for July...how slack!

Finally popped in for a blog entry. The school holidays have just consumed my days. It has been lovely to have a change in routine and to have a break from the school routine, but it has been very hectic. Back to school tomorrow though, so looking forward to that LOL. I have to tell you about my newest discovery...digital scrapbooking. I know it isn't new, just new to me. I have been taking the GIMP tutorials over at LSBS by Tara and am loving it. I have managed to work out enough to do a few layouts and even a banner for this blog! I will post a few layouts above that I have done in GIMP. It is so much fun and pretty straightforward once you get the gist of all the different functions. Not doing too much scrapping lately with the kids home and also because my little scrapnook is freezing at night when I usually scrap. BBL with the LO's.