SCRAPSISTER

I know, I know...

2011-03-29T10:48:00.001+10:00

I know, I know. I said I would be a better blogger in 2011. Well, it seems I lied. I had good intentions...don't we always!? But life is just manic these days.

Today this sweet little guy turns 7:

And a couple of weeks ago this gorgeous little man turned 9:

In between these two, the Husbeast had a birthday, making for a very busy month indeed!

I am now permanently contracted to my full time job and am loving it. It makes for an incredibly busy life: juggling work, family, scrapbooking committments, fitness, a scant social life, kid's activities, housework etc! I often feel like I'm chasing my tail, but we are settling into a smoother routine lately, and I am getting on top of things again.

I have missed scrapbooking desperately! I manage to (mostly) do what I need to do for classes, but not much else. But I have actually scrapped a few layouts just for fun recently and it felt very good. The real crux of the problem is not having many photos to scrap! If I don't have time to take photos, there is nothing to scrap!So I am taking time to get my camera out more often, like I used to, and documenting our every day again. I have missed it!

Speaking of Scrapbooking...I am thrilled and honoured to be teaching classes and hosting Scrapbooking Memories Magazine Studio Talks at the upcoming Scrapbooking and Papercraft Expo and Convention in June! I am so excited at the prospect of teaching classes at this amazing expo. It is always a fantastic weekend of gorgeous Scrapbooking goodies, inspiring displays, awesome classes and a great big social catch-up with my scrapping buddies. I can't wait! Bookings will open very soon, so be sure to secure your spot in a class or 2 :)

My camera is not being friendly with my computer at the moment so I only have iPhone images to share. Hopefully I can get them to behave and can share some layouts soon!

"We've been waiting for you"...

2011-02-16T23:08:00.001+10:00

...is the very first thing I said to my newborn nephew when I held him yesterday. Cooper Owen was born to my sister Tracey and her husband Kevin yesterday at 11.15am. He is adorable...delicate, sweet, handsome and very, very loved :)

Cooper weighed 7 lb 8 oz, a featherweight effort compared to his big brother Lachlan who weighed in at 10 lb 11 1/2 ounces! Yikes!

Lachlan was quite fascinated to think that 'Bubby' was now on the outside of Mummy's belly :)Quite a concept for a 2 year old!

Mmmmm Breastaurant! This kid has it all worked out already ;)

Bestill my throbbing uterus (my husband loves that term!). Sweet, smooshed up newborn faces just do me in :)

Little baby feet, all wrinkled, peeling and not yet washed. Amazing!

And me. So beside myself happpy to meet my new nephew. One week overdue and so very wanted and waited for.

Isn't he amazing? :)

Friday Funny :)

2011-01-21T14:30:00.000+10:00

Today I am sharing a hilarious article sent to me by my friend Lisa...(there's your shout out my Maxical loving friend!)
It is brilliantly written and fall off your chair funny...hope it cheers up your Friday as it did mine :)

____________________________________________________

ABOUT THE WRITER:

Dave Barry is a Pulitzer Prize-winning humor columnist for the Miami Herald.

Colonoscopy Journal:
I called my friend Andy Sable, a gastroenterologist, to make an appointment for a colonoscopy.

A few days later, in his office, Andy showed me a color diagram of the colon, a lengthy organ that appears to go all over the place, at one point passing briefly through Jefferson, Ohio .

Then Andy explained the colonoscopy procedure to me in a thorough, reassuring and patient manner.

I nodded thoughtfully, but I didn't really hear anything he said, because my brain was shrieking, 'HE'S GOING TO STICK A TUBE 17,000 FEET UP YOUR BEHIND!'

I left Andy's office with some written instructions, and a prescription for a product called 'MoviPrep,' which comes in a box large enough to hold a microwave oven. I will discuss MoviPrep in detail later; for now suffice it to say that we must never allow it to fall into the hands of America 's enemies.

I spent the next several days productively sitting around being nervous.

Then, on the day before my colonoscopy, I began my preparation. In accordance with my instructions, I didn't eat any solid food that day; all I had was chicken broth, which is basically water, only with less flavor.

Then, in the evening, I took the MoviPrep. You mix two packets of powder together in a one-liter plastic jug, then you fill it with lukewarm water. (For those unfamiliar with the metric system, a liter is about 32 gallons). Then you have to drink the whole jug. This takes about an hour, because MoviPrep tastes - and here I am being kind - like a mixture of goat spit and urinal cleanser, with just a hint of lemon..

The instructions for MoviPrep, clearly written by somebody with a great sense of humor, state that after you drink it, 'a loose, watery bowel movement may result.'

This is kind of like saying that after you jump off your roof, you may experience contact with the ground.

MoviPrep is a nuclear laxative. I don't want to be too graphic, here, but, have you ever seen a space-shuttle launch? This is pretty much the MoviPrep experience, with you as the shuttle. There are times when you wish the commode had a seat belt. You spend several hours pretty much confined to the bathroom, spurting violently. You eliminate everything. And then, when you figure you must be totally empty, you have to drink another liter of MoviPrep, at which point, as far as I can tell, your bowels travel into the future and start eliminating food that you have not even eaten yet.

After an action-packed evening, I finally got to sleep.

The next morning my wife drove me to the clinic. I was very nervous. Not only was I worried about the procedure, but I had been experiencing occasional return bouts of MoviPrep spurtage. I was thinking, 'What if I spurt on Andy?' How do you apologize to a friend for something like that? Flowers would not be enough.

At the clinic I had to sign many forms acknowledging that I understood and totally agreed with whatever the heck the forms said. Then they led me to a room full of other colonoscopy people, where I went inside a little curtained space and took off my clothes and put on one of those hospital garments designed by sadist perverts, the kind that, when you put it on, makes you feel even more naked than when you are actually naked..

Then a nurse named Eddie put a little needle in a vein in my left hand. Ordinarily I would have fainted, but Eddie was very good, and I was already lying down. Eddie also told me that some people put vodka in their MoviPrep.

At first I was ticked off that I hadn't thought of this, but then I pondered what would happen if you got yourself too tipsy to make it to the bathroom, so you were staggering around in full Fire Hose Mode. You would have no choice but to burn your house.

When everything was ready, Eddie wheeled me into the procedure room, where Andy was waiting with a nurse and an anesthesiologist. I did not see the 17,000-foot tube, but I knew Andy had it hidden around there somewhere... I was seriously nervous at this point.

Andy had me roll over on my left side, and the anesthesiologist began hooking something up to the needle in my hand.

There was music playing in the room, and I realized that the song was "Dancing Queen" by ABBA. I remarked to Andy that, of all the songs that could be playing during this particular procedure, "Dancing Queen" had to be the least appropriate.

'You want me to turn it up?' said Andy, from somewhere behind me.

'Ha ha,' I said. And then it was time, the moment I had been dreading for more than a decade. If you are squeamish, prepare yourself, because I am going to tell you, in explicit detail, exactly what it was like.

I have no idea. Really.. I slept through it. One moment, ABBA was yelling 'Dancing Queen, feel the beat of the tambourine,' and the next moment, I was back in the other room, waking up in a very mellow mood.

Andy was looking down at me and asking me how I felt. I felt excellent. I felt even more excellent when Andy told me that IT was all over, and that my colon had passed with flying colors. I have never been prouder of an internal organ.

On the subject of Colonoscopies...

Colonoscopies are no joke, but these comments during the exam were quite humorous..... A physician claimed that the following are actual comments made by his patients (predominately male) while he was performing their colonoscopies:

1. 'Take it easy, Doc. You're boldly going where no man has gone before!'

2. 'Find Amelia Earhart yet?'

3. 'Can you hear me NOW?'

4. 'Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are we there yet?'

5. 'You know, in Arkansas , we're now legally married.'

6. 'Any sign of the trapped miners, Chief?'

7. 'You put your left hand in, you take your left hand out...'

8. 'Hey! Now I know how a Muppet feels!'

9. 'If your hand doesn't fit, you must quit!'

10. 'Hey Doc, let me know if you find my dignity.'

11. 'You used to be an executive at Enron, didn't you?'

And the best one of all:

13.. 'Could you write a note for my wife saying that my head is not up there?'

Remember Bradley?

2011-01-04T15:07:00.001+10:00

If you've been reading my blog for a while you may remember my letter to Bradley (text pasted below). Bradley is a check-out operator at my local Woolworths...bless his heart! His questionable hygiene practices lead me to writing him an open letter which I published here but never actually sent.

As it happened, I never saw young Bradley again...until yesterday! He's back...serving the public! I wonder where he's been?...The Fresh Food People's School of Food Handling I hope. I dodged his near empty queue to join a much longer one as I just couldn't bring myself to put my fresh produce in his hands.

Maybe I'm being too judgemental...basing my opinion of Dear Bradley on just one experience. But how many times can you contend with boogers on your avocados, really?! Maybe I'll give him another chance to redeem himself...maybe.

Stay tuned.

Hmmmmm?

_________________________________________________________

Letter to Bradley:

I know your name because it is on your nametag. You seem like a really nice young man, and I do regret having to write this letter, but there are a few things you need to know if you wish to become a truly excellent Woolworths check-out operator. Firstly let me say how lovely it was that you asked me how my day was and had I had a nice weekend. It wasn't so good, however, when you continued on without a breath to tell me exactly how 'seriously awesome' your Saturday night had been and how seedy you felt when you woke up on some stranger's verandah. Top marks to you though for dragging your sorry self to work!

While on the topic of dragging, it might be worth pointing out the benefits of tissues. While I understand that those boogers sure are bothersome up there, it is best to use a tissue to pick them out instead of the fingers that are handling my avocados. Yes, they are already green, but I quite like them sans DNA.

Those same fingers are probably best kept away from adjusting your crotch during my transaction. The three times I managed to cop an eyeful of movement was more than distracting and I had to shake my head at least twice to clear my vision. This was not pleasant. I am sure you have breaks - maybe use them to adjust yourself....in a bathroom. Woolworths also sell underwear...perhaps you may invest in some newer, more comfortable ones?

Last of all I would like to use this opportunity to educate you a little on feminine hygiene products. They are not dirty. You do not need to flinch, shudder or wipe your hands after scanning tampons. They are in a packet...in fact they came home cleaner than my avocados. Perhaps you can pretend they are beer - you seem to like beer.

I hope this letter may help you to better serve your customers. I fear that Woolworths will be unable to maintain their position as the Fresh Food People if you continue with the unseemly practices you are currently displaying. I look forward to watching you perform your duties as I scan my own groceries next week.

With thanks,

Kerryn Leworthy.

My New Year's Resolution...

2010-12-31T16:44:00.001+10:00

...is to actually blog! Regularly. About scintillating and fascinating stuff.

I promise...

The big reveal....

2010-12-01T15:58:00.004+10:00

That's right...I'm a Scrapbooking Memories Master for 2011! I am so excited to be able to let the proverbial cat out of the proverbial bag and share my news.

When I found out in September I was in my office at work. I had only been working full time for a month and was still finding my feet...when Kristy called and told me I was one of the Masters. I muffled a squeal and tore off up the hallway telling her I was peeing my pants...not very professional!

I have diligently held my secret until now and then yesterday when I could finally share my news, I was so snowed under at work, I completely forgot! But now it is all out in the open and I am thrilled :)

The amazing list of Masters for 2011 are:

Bridgette Hatton

Emma Allen

Fran Tynan

Kathleen Glossop

Kerryn Leworthy (that's me!)

Lauren Bell

Michelle Winston

Tara Scobie

Tatum Woodroffe

Tiff Sawyer

So many amazing and talented ladies to share the ride with! I love the magazine and I can't wait to see what the year brings :)

2010-11-25T16:18:00.001+10:00

Hey! Remember me? I am swamped right now...drowning not waving...
I promise a proper update this weekend...surely...hopefully ;)

And because no post is complete without a picture...my new Facebook Profile pic. Angelic, yes? Don't be fooled! hehe

When the 15 year old offers to play lego with the six year old....

2010-10-17T19:24:00.001+10:00

...You just know it's going to end badly...

I forgot to post these here last week. Should I be concerned about the teen's violent tendancies or just be pleased he's entertaining his brother? Quandry!

Cosmo Cricket

2010-10-17T14:09:00.000+10:00

I was very pleasantly surprised to receive a comment telling me that my layout is featured on the Cosmo Cricket blog! You can have a look here :)How exciting! I love the DeLovely range of papers...so bright and funky.

Thanks so much Melissa for pointing it out!

Almost famous...

2010-10-12T00:41:00.000+10:00

I very occasionally post my layouts to the Two Peas in a Bucket gallery. Very occasionally. This time it was more to test if my computer could upload to it as I have been having issues uploading things lately.

I uploaded three layouts yesterday and today I have two of them in the top three of all featured categories! Top 2 in Most Viewed, Top 2 in Most Liked and Numbers 1 and 3 in Most Bookmarked! Yikes! Maybe I should upload more often!

See how technically savvy I am to take a screenshot?..so savvy that you can see the 'how to take a screenshot' text window still opened in my screenshot *blush*.

I can so see myself randomly taking screenshots of pretty much everything now that I know how.

*In the time it has taken me to type this post, they are all now in the top 2!*

My husband is flying out to Thailand next week for work and I am very sad to be staying home this year. I am particularly sad to be missing out on the trek to Laos they are taking. I only spent a day there last year and am desperate to see more...maybe next year.

In any case, he will be gone, and I am on a one woman mission to declutter and purge. The house is really not too bad, but has some troubling hot spots since I started work full time.

Like clothes...they breed. I swear they tangle themselves together in the wee small hours and procreate. We have way too many clothes, even for a family of six. I can do with some brutal culling in all of the closets, especially now with all of the kids at school where they wear uniforms 5 days a week.

Connor lives his life in a Superhero costume when he isn't at school, so he should be the easiest. His closet contains mostly lycra! It's a serious fire hazard now that I think about it...

Now the Divine Miss M, she's another story. More shoes and handbags reside in her room than in mine. And that is not right. Time to revert to the natural order of things!

Now to don my cape (or apron) and get to it. No promises, but I'll try my best to take some photos and record my progress. I am quite excited to start getting things more organised and streamlined around here.

Wish me luck!

2010-10-09T22:33:00.000+10:00

Tomorrow is the last day to vote for my Smile photo! It would be remiss of me to not give you another opportunity to vote for my top 100 entry in the national Smile with Centro photo competition because you could miss out on the $2000 voting prize!

What sort of friend would I be if I didn't plead with you to click on the link above and fill out the quick, simple voting form and help me win up to $5000? A bad friend, that's what!

Thanks for those who have voted...I really appreciate it. Here it is again in case you missed it the first three times ;)

I haven't shared any scrapping for a while and there's a very good reason for that...I just haven't done much! I have done a few things for classes and upcoming DT work, but little else. I have just started to get back into the swing of things by moving my little scrap nook from the garage into the house.

Sharing my scrapping space with a People Mover and a washing machine does little for one's creativity, let's be honest! Since I moved my things indoors, I have been much more motivated to create :)

I don't think I shared this layout I did for Little Scrapbook Shop a while back using Basic Grey's Oliver range.

Need some scrapping inspiration this weekend?

I created this layout for this month's Cybercrop at Little Scrapbook Shop which is happening this very weekend. Pop in here to check out my sketch and challenge. I also designed the poster above. Designing the Cybercrop posters is always lots of fun with Nic's unique and creative theme ideas :)

I have a few new layouts I can share very soon. In the mean time I have a load of domestic chores to catch upon while the man of the house plays lego. Germaine Greer would have a coronary...

Urban Angel

2010-09-27T19:52:00.001+10:00

I borrowed some gorgeous wings from a friend the other day as they instantly screamed 'photo shoot' as soon as I laid eyes on them! I convinced Miss Mikaela to pose for me in a gorgeous little bushland area near our house.

I really like the way they turned out with the vintage summer edit. I might see if I can con one of the boys to go next. Yeah....good luck with that...

The voting opened today for the Smile With Centro Photo competition! Click on the link to take you to the voting page. It is fast and easy and you can win cash just for voting...why not!? Please vote for my photo...it's the last one in the gallery.
That has to be lucky, right?
Thanks :)
Here is is again in case you forget what it looks like ;)

Smile, I'm in the Top 100!

2010-09-24T23:12:00.000+10:00

This Photo.....

....has been shortlisted as a top 100 finalist in the National Smile With Centro photography competition! I was a finalist last year in my local competition but this year have made the final top 100 entries!
Public voting opens on Monday for a $10,000 prize....wow, that is a lot of shoes :)
Stand by for shameless pleas for votes and some happy dancing :)

Free Retro Printable Shopping List

2010-09-12T01:01:00.000+10:00

I have designed this free printable shopping list by request of this awesome lady.

You can download a copy of this A3 sized printable here. It is designed to be printed and laminated, making a cute little whiteboard to write your weekely shopping list on as you run out of something. I have created it as an A3 sized file but it can be printed smaller if you wish.

It is similar to the other free printables I have made in the past. Just in case you missed out on them the first time, here are the links below.

Download the Family Chore Chart Here.

Download the Menu Planner here

Download the Weekly Study Planner here.

* These printables are for personal use only and are not to be sold or reproduced for profit.

Layouts, LSBS and lots more

2010-09-08T16:42:00.000+10:00

Actually, the 'lots more' bit is just work really. Lots and lots of work. I am loving my new job and feel like I am hitting my groove now that I am over a month in.

It helped to have had the chance to escape for a few days to the 4th Annual Little Scrapbook Shop Retreat a couple of weeks ago...what a fantastic weekend!

I managed to scrap quite a bit between, teaching, chatting and helping out around the place. It was the best retreat, seriously...so relaxing and fun with just enough naughtiness to make it hilarious!
I am sure I lost my uterus sometime during Belle's Ball...oh my! I will never look at rub-ons in quite the same way ;) And that's as much as I'll say about that...

I have even managed to have a few of my retreat layouts accepted for publication which is a great feeling...I haven't submitted anything for some time.

I was asked to teach at this year's retreat and chose the gorgeous Basic Grey Olivia collection for my class. I love this line and the class went really well...the ladies produced some amazing layouts.

Cath has the stunning new Prima lines instore right now and I managed to snaffle some at the retreat and have a play.

I also came home with some Basic Grey Wander papers and embellishments...so good for the little man in your life and perfect for travel pages.

This layout is one I did for a 45 minute challenge at the retreat. One layout completed in 3/4 of an hour...sure thing. That's what die cut papers are made for!

I got to use some of my strawberry photos on a double layout. Who could resist some October Afternoon with it's sweet strawberry diecuts! A simple, straightforward layout, this one :)

I love Studio Calico and their paper ranges. Ecclectic mixes of pattern and colour right up my alley.

Gorgeous new My Minds Eye ranges with glitter galore. We were all covered with the stuff!

One of the best Sassafrass ranges for some time. I love this gorgeous range with it's stunning colours and slightly understated patterns, compared to their usual stuff.

This layout is one I used to host my challenge at the Clayton's Retreat...the retreat for those who did not make it to retreat!

It's been fantastic to scrap again after a few weeks of very little. I am planning to pull out my supplies a little more often and have some crafty time to myself now that I am finding a better work/life/family balance....well here's hoping!

I also plan to spend some quality time with my new camera this weekend...can't wait to get better acquainted with my new baby.

Strawberry Sunday

2010-08-22T22:04:00.000+10:00

Wow. I have been absent huh?!
This full time working gig is consuming...I haven't had 2 seconds spare to scratch, yet alone blog. I do apologise but there really has been little to share!

One very exciting thing I have done in the last few weeks is purchase these little babies...

Bestill my beatng heart! I literally had an asthma attack handing over the money for these but I am in sweet, sweet love with this combination.

I added a little tax time refund to the prize money I won early his year for the Australia Day Photographic competition and made the plunge. So far I am loving this camera and am finding my way around it's features.

Here are some of the photos I have taken so far.

Today I bought some sweet, gorgeous strawberries from the local fruit market and couldn't resist taking a few photos of Miss Mikaela.

I am looking forward to having some more time to play soon. I am heading off to the Little Scrapbook Shop retreat on thursday which I am desperately looking forward to! It should be a whole lot of fun and a little breather from work for a few days. I absolutely love my new job but am in need of a little R and R. (That stands for raunch and rabble by th way ;)

Urban Angels

2010-08-01T22:26:00.000+10:00

When my friend Melissa showed me the amazing photos she took of her son the other day I just had to stage a little photo shoot of my own. She had found the funkiest graffiti wall in a near-by industrial estate, and it was the perfect backdrop for some urban shots of the hooded childerbeasts after church.

I was thrilled to get some nice shots of the feral fifteen year old. Many of the shots are a bit bright as it was the middle of the day, but I like them despite the technical issues ;)

Beggars can't be choosers and all that!

This kid is hysterical. No prompting needed...he broke out into 'Gangsta' mode and did the perfect Zoolander impression...LOVE! I have so many blurry shots from laughing!

I think he's meditating here...or something....

Not the best photos but pretty fun all the same. I'll definitely be going back for some more at a better time. I am in the market for a new camera and lens in the next few weeks so I might just wait and see what the tax man can do for me ;)

Mummy Guilt (or...foray into the full-time workforce)

2010-07-29T22:27:00.003+10:00

It always amazes me to see that little blog counter still ticking over when I haven't posted in so long. I do have a good excuse this time though...I have re-entered the world of full-time work for the first time in fifteen years!
I have always worked part-time or casual jobs between birthing babies but this is my first full-time role in a decade and a half!
A month or so ago our Church Campus pastor asked me to step in as his new PA while his current (incredible) PA goes on maternity leave. I prayed long and hard about it as it was a huge decision....an awesome, humbling opportunity - but a massive change for our family.
But, in the end, I decided to bite the proverbial bullet and go for it! I have been training for three weeks and start officially on my own on Monday...*exhale*....yikes! Plus I will continue to teach scrapbooking classes on a Monday morning and a monthly Saturday.
The kids are all at school this year, and Rich has some flexibility in his job, which makes for an easier time. However...we are having to make some big changes to how we operate.
First big challenge was the change in the way I dressed every day.
Suffice to say that I have gone from looking like this...

...to EXACTLY this....seriously!

This little number was already a busy member of our family but has been utilised with increasing frequency lately.

A great little tip for all those busy working Mums...try turning it on before you go in the morning. Amazing what forgetting to do that just the once will teach you...imagine doing it twice. Yep, that's right *sigh*.

I'm drinking plenty of this...

Doing a whole lot of this....

And trying to avoid this...

So far, so good. I have a little pang of guilt every now and then but then I remember that I have been a full-time, school volunteering, taxi driving, hands-on mother of four for a long time and that this is a new season.
After all, it is only a maternity leave position. How long could that possible last?
...Mine only lasted fifteen years ;)

Roast Pumpkin, Bacon and Feta Frittata

2010-07-17T22:04:00.000+10:00

Every now and then a recipe comes along that becomes a family staple. This recipe is one my sister Tracey first introduced to our family and it has become an absolute favourite. I make this every few weeks for my lunch during the week, or for a light, yummy dinner with a salad. It's the perfect recipe for a pot luck dinner or to make for a friend who is under the weather....which is what I am doing right now, prompting me to post this :)

My sister actually won a contest with this recipe recently for Philadelphia light cream for cooking!

These photos were taken on the day she created the recipe entry...recipes are nothing without photos don't you think?

Roast Pumpkin, Bacon and Feta Frittata

INGREDIENTS
½ cup (40g) finely grated parmesan cheese
600g pumpkin, peeled, chopped coarsely
1 tablespoon olive oil
6 green onions (green shallots)
4 bacon rashers, chopped coarsely
1 clove garlic, crushed
6 eggs
2 teaspoons cornflour
½ cup (125ml) cream (Philadelphia light cooking cream of course!)
salt and pepper
100g fetta cheese

METHOD
1. Preheat the oven to hot (200°C). Coat a small baking dish with cooking oil spray, sprinkle the base and sides with half of the parmesan cheese.

2. Combine the pumpkin and oil in a large baking dish. Bake, uncovered, in a hot oven, for 15 minutes. Cut the green onions into 1cm pieces. Add the bacon, garlic and shallots to the dish and bake for a further 15 minutes or until pumpkin and bacon are browned lightly.

3. Spoon the pumpkin mixture into the prepared pan. Reduce the oven temperature to moderate (180°C).

4. Whisk the eggs and remaining parmesan with the combined cornflour and cream in a medium bowl, season with salt and pepper. Pour egg mixture over the pumpkin mixture and sprinkle with crumbled fetta cheese.

5.Bake, uncovered, in a moderate oven for about 45 minutes or until set. Stand frittata in pan for 10 minutes before turning out.

6.Serve warm or cold with salad, if desired.

AWOL

2010-07-11T20:58:00.000+10:00

I've been AWOL, I know. We have just returned from a whirlwind week away in Sydney. My husband and I are the children's Pastors for the Hillsong Church Brisbane campus and we had our church's annual conference last week. It was a brilliant week of speakers such as Bishop TD jakes, Andy Stanley and Judah Smith...incredible stuff.

We work in the Kidsong program where we look after all of the conference delegate's kids for the week....over 1000 of them!

Rich and I ran the outdoor programs with big scale games like 'World Cup Soccer' on the program. I am still trying to get the grass stains out of our clothes from that game!

Before I left I managed to create a few layouts at a small crop with some great friends. It was lovely to catch up and scrap away with a lot of laughs and good food to share :)

Miss Mikaela with some beautiful Bo Bunny papers. This Mamarazzi range is stunning. I know the title strip has the American spelling of Colour but I loved the quote so much I went with it ;)

I have been loving the look of these Studio Calico papers. Perfect for Lethal Ethan's Sports Day layout :)

This is my layout for this month's July Cybercrop at Little Scrapbook Shop. I set a challenge to use a word that defines you - a word that is descriptive of what you believe, stand for or just simply describes you. The challenge also asked to use the dictionary definition of the word and a self portrait on your layout.

This last layout is one I created for our gorgeous little friend Danielle who's birthday party I photographed a few weeks ago. I made this layout for her and framed it for her bedroom as a reminder of her wonderful day. I hops she likes it!

I have a few new projects going up at A2Z Scraplets this week and will share them as soon as they are released. I also have some new class projects for work to share as soon as I have photographed them.
In the meantime I have loads of washing to catch up on from our week away. The kids have a pupil free day tomorrow and Rich has a day off so I may enlist some laundry assistants ;)
Got a good tip for removing those stubborn grass stains with minimal effort?

Layout Shares

2010-06-24T11:21:00.000+10:00

These layouts are some recent ones I haven't shared yet. A few are class examples from Scrapbooks Etc and some are just for fun.
This one uses some of the gorgeous Crate Paper Pink Plum range. So fresh and bright...I love it.

Miss Mikaela and my niece Jenna with some sweet Upsy Daisy Designs papers.

A cute piccie of Ethan and his little mates from church...love them :)

A class example for Scrapbooks Etc for Lyndal's amazing Sketched class. A double layout featuring photos from my visit to Laos last year and 7 Gypsies papers.

A layouts used for the front display at the shop. Yummy Jillibean Soup papers.

And one of Miss Mikaela using some My Mind's Eye, Prima and Websters goodies. This one feels a bit *meh* but I included it anyway ;) I'm all for keeping it real...

I haven't taken photos of my last couple of month's classes so I will share those soon. I am currently designing July's classes with some fantastic Crate Paper goodies and lots of girly touches. Love, love, love!

Celebration!

2010-06-23T16:02:00.001+10:00

A few posts back I lodged a shameless plea for votes in the Scrapbooking and Papercraft Convention 'Celebrate' layout competition....well I am pleased to say that I was the winner of the digital layout section!

This is my winning layout featuring my adorable niece Piper :)

There is a $250 cash prize which is a blessing right now...so exciting! There were so many amazing entries and the paper layout competition was especially fierce! Many thanks to Scrapbooking Memories magazine and Expertise events for a great convention and competition :)
There were so many stunning layouts. This was my top 20 entry in the paper layout category.

I'm looking forward to spending the prize money on something fabulous...something really exciting...something out of the ordinary and spontaneous. Yep, that's right. I'm getting the car serviced...woohoo!

Oh the glamour *sigh*

World's worst blogger

2010-06-21T20:58:00.001+10:00

uh...that would be me :(
How slack have I been? The truth is I am flat out crazy busy, the interwebs in my area have been tangled and in a mess and I have a stack of unfinished projects that rivals my wash pile!
The commissioned album for QUT is almost done and I am very excited to hand it over at the end of the week :)
I have a few projects I can share very soon but until then I'll share some photos from a very special birthday party we attended on the weekend.
Miss D is a sweet little lady that celebrated her 5th birthday a few weeks back. Unfortunately her Mum and Dad had to cancel her party a couple of times as she was in hospital. Miss D has been fighting leukaemia for six months now and is in the last round of this stage of treatment. She unfortunately had a few health issues which led to the party being postponed, but on Friday night she was finally released and we celebrated in a big way!

Wishing you blue skies and balloons from here on in, our beautiful little lady :)

My kids had a ball at the party...we blew bubbles, kayaked on the lake, ate lots of yummy treats and played for hours. What a brilliant day, made all the more significant for the celebration of life itself!

And one of Connor....just because.

M.I.A

2010-06-10T13:21:00.001+10:00

First of all I will start with a shameless plea for votes! ;)

This weekend brings the Scrapbook and Papercraft Convention here is Brisbane and I am going again this year!

I have two projects of mine selected in the top 20 in the Convention's layout competitions! I have a digital layout, and also a paper layout, selected which is very exciting. You can vote for my layouts if you visit the show...there are cash prizes up for grabs which would be lovely! The voting is anonymous as the layouts will be numbered instead of named...so you will have to guess which ones are mine!
Miss Shan and I plan on catching up with friends, shopping, having dinners and taking classes at the Expo this year which is always a great time :)
Please come and say hello if you see me at the show!

I've been missing in action, I know. I am snowed under a pile of patterned paper, lace and hat pins as I plough my way through one of the biggest scrapbooking projects I have undertaken.
I have been commissioned to scrapbook an album for Queensland University of Technology.
The album showcases over 100 years of photographs, cards and memorabilia related to female graduates. The photographs, cards and postcards I am scrapbooking are absolutely fascinating. To read the words handwritten a century ago is incredible. To see these women, captured in sepia print, dressed in cap and gown with diplomas in hand, has been a wonderful journey through time.
To think of how life was for many women a century ago, and to then consider the likelihood of a woman graduating University, is awe inspiring. What is commonplace and normal for women these days was a very big deal 100 years ago! Being able to compile these images and showcase them in a beautiful scrapbook is an honour...and a great task!
I am getting through and will have it finished by the end of the month. most of my own scrapbooking has taken a back seat in the meantime but I plan to get a few other projects done this week.

This week my first born turned 15...Oh my. 15 is so big. 15 is halfway through the teens...15 is unbelievable. All he wanted for his birthday was a Nintendo DSi so my family all pitched in and bought it for him.

Master Connor, six, has been wanting a DS For-ev-er and Jarred had promised him his old DS when he got a new one. Finally the big day arrived and Jarred received his DSi...and look how Connor reacted...

He stood there waiting for that present to be opened and for the offcial hand-over of the old console to take place. Like a 21st century right of passage...the big brother passes the old technology to the youngest sibling. Love it!
Happy birthday my sweet, generous boy. That was a mighty fine thing you did for your baby brother.

Move Over Martha Stewart!

2010-05-31T22:50:00.000+10:00

In the quest to become the world's most domesticated woman - or at least one that can train my kids well enough to do myself out of a job - I have created a new family chore chart. I have created it as an A3 printable to be laminated and used as a whiteboard like my menu planner.

I have also created a school morning routine chart as a visual prompt for my little guys. I have updated our routine a little now that the kids are all at school and wanted something they can read and mentally tick off each day. I have created a blank one that you can fill in with whatever routine suits your family :)

You can download each of my charts for free.

Family Chore Chart

School Morning Routine Chart

Take that Martha...now I just need to knock the Supernanny off her perch and get the kids to follow the routines.

Prima cards

2010-05-27T10:11:00.001+10:00

This is just a few of the cards I have been commissioned to make this week. I have used some more gorgeous Prima papers and embellishments for these cards.

I have been doing some scrapbooking but it is all for work or publication at the moment. I had a layout picked up by Scrapbooking Memories this week which is one of my favourite ever layouts...it's always exciting to have work accepted but it's especially lovely when it is such a favourite :)

I have a few photos I am keen to scrap for myself this week so will pop back with some shares when I get a few spare minutes to play!

There are just not enough hours in the day to do everything I need to do...I need a wife!

Free Menu Planner Download

2010-05-19T19:51:00.001+10:00

I have used all sorts of menu planning boards and documents over the years and have never found one that works well for long...

So I designed this laminated A3 sized menu planner to place on the front of my refrigerator. I have been slack with my menu planning lately and really need to get back to organising my meals more efficiently. We have been so busy with after school activites, church and work recently that meals are often rushed, unimaginative and not very well planned.

I have also pledged to get the kids more involved with planning, preparing and cooking the meals we make, not only as a necessary life skill, but to have them take some ownership over the task.

Having the meals for the week written down and in plain sight prevents the inevitable daily "Mum, what's for dinner?" questions.

It won't, however, prevent the kids from complaining about your cooking. That, my friend, I can't help you with ;)

You can download a free copy of my menu planner here. It is designed as an A3 document so you may need to get it printed at a copyshop if you don't have access to a large printer. I laminated it and plan to write on it with an erasable whiteboard marker. It is the perfect size for the top section of my fridge but you could easily alter the size of the document to suit your needs.

Let me know if this planner works for you and if you have any other ideas for free printables to make life a little more organised! I also designed this sign which is yet to attract any offers....typical *sigh* ;)

Cards galore!

2010-05-18T10:13:00.001+10:00

Excuse me if my typing is a little off, the neighbours wayward kitty is perched on my lap and resting his head on my wrist. Not very conducive to typing!
I have never been a cat person but this little fella is terribly cute and sunggly :) I am quite enjoying him in small doses...the pet you have when you don't have a pet!
I have been on a bit of a card making frenzy again this week. I have well and truly been bitten by the card bug. I made a range of simple birthday cards to have on stand-by. I always end up making a card at the last minute for birthdays so wanted to have a stash ready to go when I need them.
I used a heap of leftover October Afternoon papers for all of these cards.

These were easy and quick to make and used up a lot of scraps. If yoou like the look of the Happy Birthday tags I have made in Photoshop, you can download the 2 page document here for free, ready to print at home :) There are a range of colours and fonts included in the document.

I plan to do another session this week to make some masculine cards. I haven't done many manly cards so that should be interesting! I'll have to tap into my testosterone supply to pull that one off ;)

I am the host at this week's Autumn Challenge at Little Scrapbook Shop's The Seasoned Scrapper challenge. I have challenged the participants to create a layout using two different threading or stitching techniques using thread, fibre, wool, string etc.

This photo below is purely to prove that I do in fact have a teenager. This species is rarely photographed and never unplugged from one electronic device or another. He is also in desperate need of a haircut but insists on the shaggy, orphaned look that is so popular with teen boys everywhere right now.

Just when I was reaching the point of dispair last night, his sister told him that he looks like Justin Bieber...he immediately agreed to a haircut! God bless the little sister!

I can't wait to see what his forehead looks like again :)

2010-05-03T14:44:00.000+10:00

It is the Labor Day holiday here in Queensland today. It has always bemused me to think that the day that is also known as International Workers Day is celebrated with a day off! No complaints from me, however, as I have had a lovely relaxing day. I even had some time to scrap a layout of the Mikaela's kitty photos.

Love this October Afternoon Fly a Kite range. I have been waiting for these new October Afternoon lines for so long and they are just gorgeous. Click on the link to see the full range instore at Little Scrapbook Shop.

Well it seems the holiday is over...the housework needs some serious attention. I might get the kids on board and make the most of their help...we'll call it Child Labor Day :)

Tutu cute!...and loads to share :)

2010-05-02T17:08:00.002+10:00

First up is the cute bit...Miss Mikaela and the tutu she conned me into buying for her yesterday because-it-is-all-I've-ever-wanted-and-I-promise-I'll-wear-it-forever-and-ever. *sigh*.

She does love it, and she has asked for one for a while. Now she just has to deliver on the wear it forever and ever bit ;)

And now for some scrapping shares. I have done quite a bit lately and haven't shared for a while so there is a few!

This one is Miss M again with our part-time pet...the cat from next door. She is way too fond of this little kitty and it practically lives here.

If it wasn't for the fact that she is quite allergic to her and her eyes swell shut, I'd be fine with it!

My adorable nephew Laclan :) Is he not just the sweetest thing? Yummy new October Afternoon Thrift Shop papers here.

A card using some lovely Websters Pages papers. I am seriously liking this card making thing. I might have been converted!

More Thrift Shop loveliness :)Yep, Miss M again. I do have other children but they are not very camera happy at the moment.

Here's another snap of Miss M and the kitty...this is rather sweet. Right before the eye swelling I mean ;)

A set of cards using Cosmo Cricket's Garden Variety range for Little Scrapbook Shop this month.

And a layout too. See, there's one of my other kids. See, I don't really favour the girl child.

A challenge for Little Scrapbook Shop for Mothers Day. A pic of my Hubby and his Mum :)

And my layout for The Seasoned Scrapper challenge over at Little Scrapbook Shop. I challenged the group to create a layout inspired by quilts. Autumn is the perfect time for creating downy quilts for Winter so this is a great choice for a challenge I think!

And a design team layout for A-Z Scraplets featuring the sweet Made With Love chipboard words. So easy to paint and use on layouts for quick, gorgeous layouts. Too easy! Hmmm there's that girl child again!

I have scrapped some of the boys this month but they are for work and publication. I'll be sure to pop back in and prove I don't really play favourites ;)

Scrapbooking Saves Lives! Warning - Snake pictures ahead

2010-04-28T21:46:00.003+10:00

Every now and then you have a day that throws you a curve ball that gets the heart racing. Today was one of those days.

Connor was home sick from school, which meant that I was at home when I would normally be out. Around lunch time I heard a blood curdling scream coming from the toilet where Connor was perched with his pants down around his ankles.

He was screaming "Snake, snake!" at full volume.

I soon realised he was not referring to his boy bits (as any mother of boys would immediately think), but to an actual snake!

There was a long, thin snake slithering along the skirting boards in the hallway.

In true Mother of the Year style, I immediately panicked and called Richard, while leaving Connor perched on the loo screaming his little head off. I figured he was safer there than anywhere else! I do admit that I grabbed my camera around this time while my lastborn son remained glued to his porcelain throne. I am ashamed to say that the scrapbooker in me took over.

Rich miraculously answered the phone (he hardly ever does, and for sure never will again) to the sound of hysterical screaming, magnified tenfold by the powerful bathroom acoustics. I demanded he race home and save us from the mammoth serpent currently residing in my hallway. He was less than impressed with my demands but raced home nonetheless, directing me to keep an eye on it until he got home.

At this point the little testosterone that inhabits my body kicked in and I had the idea to throw a blanket over the snake. I folded up a heavy throw rug and tossed it onto the snake, all Steve Irwin like!
And this is where the scrapbooking bit comes in...are you ready?
I dragged my super-heavy scrapbooking tote over to the blanketed snake and plonked it right on top! That little sucker was pinned tight.

Who knew that amassing hundreds of dollars worth of paper and embellishments could be so darn useful in a reptilian emergency!?
With the snake now contained, Connor's testosterone levels also peaked. He became very brave, wielding a coat hanger to 'smoosh him' if he emerged.

I shoved towels under all of the nearby doors to make sure he couldn't get into a bedroom if he did get out!

After about 20 minutes Rich arrived home to assert his rightful place as chief snake wrangler. He lifted the tote and blanket to find a very angry little snake! The snake took off into the bathroom where Rich chased him around for a bit with a vacuum pipe, esky and a floor sweeper. Funnily enough, these are the only snake handling tools we own.

And then...victory!

The hero of the story takes the offending reptile outside...excellent.

Note Connor in all of the photos, shadowing his Dad as he learns the fine art of snake wrangling.

Now in my research into snakes this afternoon, I found out that of all people bitten by snakes, men have the highest bite rate. This does not surprise me. What else do you do after catching a very angry snake in a plastic box but open the lid to have another look!? Good grief! What woman would do that?

After taking it to work to grunt a little and show off his catch,
he was able to confirm his suspicions that it was a brown snake. The brown snake is the second most venomous snake in the world and we had the privilege of hosting one in our home. It was a very young snake, thankfully, and uncharacteristically late in the season to be out and about.

So the morals of this very long story are to keep your 6 year olds home from school and marry a man who carries some Steve Irwin like traits.

*This has been a public service announcement. No reptiles were harmed in the filming of this story*

On the cards...

2010-04-15T14:36:00.000+10:00

I feel that I should start this post with a little disclaimer

*I am not a card maker*

Well at least I didn't think I was a card maker. Until I embarked on a little endeavour to earn a few dollars making some Mothers Day cards. A few people recently asked me to make cards for them and I have obliged. The people I make cards for are always thrilled with them and comment on how lovely they are, but yet I always saw my card making skills as somewhat lacking. That small space to work with always threw me I think ;)

My Mother-in-law asked me to make some cards for the Ladies at her work and so I made a bit of an effort and this is the result...

The cards will sell at her workplace so I thought a sweet little display was called for. The only card holding receptacle I could find at short notice was this flower pot...cute huh?

There's envelopes, ziplock bags and a cash envelope behind the cards for a self-service card centre. Hopefully they'll all sell!

My Mum is also going to sell some for me at her work and I might try and con some of the school Mums and teachers too...why not?

If all goes well I might even start to call myself a card maker.

Whod have thought?!

A layout love-in :)

2010-04-10T12:51:00.001+10:00

I worked a 6pm - midnight moonlighting crop at work last night and was fortunate enough to have time to scrap a coupld of layouts. I know, it's a hard job ;)

I loved this Little Yellow Bicycle range as soon as I saw it and it suited this pic of Mikaela perfectly.

This one is Miss Jenna, my niece, using some yummy Dear Lizzy products by American Crafts...yum!

And the adorable nephew. He makes me laugh :)

Little Scrapbook Shop is hosting their monthly Cybercrop this weekend featuring an Alice in Wonderland theme. Head on over if you need a little mojo boost! This is my challenge for the weekend. I have designed this image as inspiration for a layout featuring a conversation.

OK, back to the daily grind. It's Saturday and I am still in my PJ's procrastinating over the 300 things that need doing today. I'd better restock the cupboards with something edible and do something about tackling Mt Washmore.
Or I could just scrapbook some more.......hmmmm.

April class layouts

2010-04-07T10:10:00.001+10:00

Here are the two layouts I will be teaching at Scrapbooks Etc this month as part of my regular Take 2 class.

This Be Loved range by My Mind's Eye is so sweet. I have incorporated photos of the boys in both layouts though, so it is useable for the boys too, if you don't mind some hearts and flowers in the mix ;)
We have a whole lot of new ranges instore right now so if you are on the southside of Brisbane, pop in and replenish your stash :)
There are still class places available for some classes this month so give us a call if you'd like to join us for a class or maybe a crop.

Shameless Plea for Votes!

2010-04-05T22:03:00.003+10:00

I have three photographs shortlisted in The Exchange Festival art and film festival that was held yesterday. Voting for the art and films is now open and I am hoping some of my readers might vote for me! The three photos below are featured here. Scroll right down to find my photos and click on the white heart to cast your vote. No registration needed and you can vote for all three :)

You may recall that I made canvases for the art exhibit but the photographs are what I actually submitted for judging.

Thanks for your votes. Gloria Jeans is the sponsor for the festival so I thank you in advance for helping me sustain my caffeine habit ;)

__________________________________________

OK, now that the shameless voting plea is out of the way, I have a digi layout to share. Rich had a few testosterone fuelled blokes over to watch the Soccer (or football if you please) the other night and I snuck off to play with my laptop ;)

A cute little photo of Connor on his birthday.

These next two photos are a sneaky peek at a collaborative blog project I've been working on with a couple of very special people ;) Keep an eye out for further information here soon.

And an Easter snap. Lethal Ethan and his usual elusive manner of late. I'm thinking we won't have much of a record of his eighth year!

I hope you had a wonderful Easter weekend. I am always humbled and in awe as I take time to reflect on the incredible gift of life we have in the victory of our risen saviour!
....and the chocolate sure is good too ;)

This is what I am asking the Easter Bunny for next year....

I deserve it, right?

Cybercropping in Wonderland!

2010-04-03T20:46:00.003+10:00

Fab Four Easter Challenge

2010-04-01T20:12:00.000+10:00

Little Scrapbook Shop is hosting an Easter weekend of challenges to whet the creative appetite amidst all that chocolate consumption! If you would like a little creative kick, check in here for five fab challenges...featuring the original Fab Four!

There are five scrapbooking challenges - one for each of the Beatles and one extra challenge which I am hosting featuring this iconic image...

The challenge is to draw inspiration from this image and create a layout. I have firstly used the famous zebra crossing as inspiration for my patterned paper strips. I adhered multiple strips of patterned paper to replicate this effect.

I also drew inspiration from the use of repetition in the image. Just as there are four people walking in formation, the stripes in the crossing, numerous cars in the street, lines of trees lining the road etc. I have likewise repeated elements in my layout.

I have used multiple circle elements, multiple number 3's and replicated the look of the doily like edge with a real doily tucked under the photo and a scalloped journaling spot.

Pop on over and register to play along with us. There are five $50 value prize packages on offer!

Art on canvas

2010-03-31T11:02:00.002+10:00

These Prima patterned papers, flowers and leaves are absolutely stunning. I picked up the papers at last week's craft show here in Brisbane knowing they would be perfect for this project!

These canvases are for the Hillsong eXchange art and film festival. I have had four photographs shortlisted in the show and was able to create canvases to showcase two of the photos. The art eXchange features films, photography and artwork that feature these Easter related themes -
SACRIFICE / RESURRECTION / FORGIVENESS / REDEMPTION / FAITH / HOPE / LOVE.

My four pieces are formed around the themes Faith, Hope, redemption and Love. The festival will be a fantastic night so if you are in Brisbane this Easter weekend, come along and experience a family friendly night of art, film, photography, food and fellowship :)There is a program for the kids too!
More details here.

My baby is six!

2010-03-28T23:38:00.001+10:00

Six years ago today this little man emerged from the world sunny side up. He was destined to go against the grain from the very beginning and has stayed true to form ever since.

He lives his life in costume and character, playing with his Lego and weaving elaborate stories and games.

Happy 6th Birthday Master Connor.

Connor leveled up in swimming this week and has conquered his fear of diving into the deep end! This has been quite a big deal seeing as he wouldn't even step into the water a year ago!

We had an early family birthday party today with all of the little cousins and assorted Aunties, Uncles and Grandparents in attendance. We had pizza and cake in the park with a dose of soccer thrown in for good measure. Connor had a blast and loved all of his presents. The Toy Story Lego sets were a hit and are already sitting proudly on his shelf :)

While at the park today, my gorgeous nephew Lachlan showed off his newly acquired walking skills, enabling me to snap a few pictures. I struck gold with this little beauty!

Is he not the cutest thing you have ever seen with his little puppy? Rich says he looks like a doll in this shot with his porcelain skin and pused little lips...love it!

Here he is demonstrating his other new love - pointing. He ppoints at everything and is rather happy with himself ;)

And just for fun - a sweet photo of the birthday boy and his long-suffering sister at swimming lessons this week. Mikaela has graduated to squad this week and is a very happy little swimmer.

Mind you, seeing as this is how she spends a good portion of her time there, I have no idea how she leveled up....she's such a shy, delicate little flower *sigh*....

Well I'd better go...I have presents to wrap and cupcakes to decorate. A mother's work is never done.

Sack Racing, Russian dolls and other Random Events...

2010-03-23T08:58:00.001+10:00

I love this new range by Sassafrass called Apple Jack. The gorgeous colours and prints lend themselves beautifully to all of those photos from Lachlan's circus birthday party.

A couple of weeks ago I flew to Sydney for a few days to attend the amazing Colour conference as I do every year. It was a brilliant weekend escape and the line up of speakers were awesome as usual. I especially adore Priscilla Shirer who I have seen a couple of times now. She is simply incredible.

While there I picked up three new families to bring home. These sweet little Russian Dolls were at Paddys Markets. Very basic little sets but they fit in here just fine. The third set was snaffled by Miss Mikaela...the pink set, naturally ;)

Yesterday began as a truly horrid day. It was a series of one dismal event after another resulting in us being late for school and way beyond frazzled. I was indesperate need of a good coffee and a Nurofen cocktail.

I managed to find not just good coffee, but GREAT coffee at the French Twist Cafe in South Brisbane. They have multiple locations throughout Brisbane and supply the most velvety Latte I have ever tasted. Thanks to my friend Jill for this discovery and also for taking me to the Queensland Fine Foods trade show.

I swear I sampled so many foods that I rolled out of there. I ate about 100 samples that well and truly what added up to a full meal.

This was my favourite little sample of the day.

Who doesn't need an emergency cookie now and then! Especially a Peanut butter and Choc-chip one...bliss! Needless to say after the way yesterday started out...that cookie was gone by last night ;)

Jillian has a fantastic new food blog for any fellow foodies out there. I have worked casually with Jill in her catering business for quite a few years now and she has some gorgeous recipes and ideas. Check her out!

Anyway, back to regular programming...the house looks like a scene from Beirut circa 1982. I am channeling Martha today in the bid to get this place in order. I can not tell you how excited this makes me *sigh*...

Clowning Around

2010-03-15T11:50:00.002+10:00

Little Scrapbook Shop's Cybercrop was held this past weekend and I designed a step by step paper pleating tutorial for my challenge. You can find the steps here if you'd like to give this simple, effective technique a go :)

And just for fun - my latest self portrait and Facebook profile picture. I get sick of looking at the same picture for too long so I played with some Fresco filters to create this image. Love that canvas texture :)

Treasure tins and other things

2010-03-01T18:37:00.002+10:00

I was lucky enough to have a little crop day with Shan last week and managed only one single layout between chats, coffee and lunch LOL! It was so lovely to catch up though which made the lack of creating quite OK ;)

Don't forget to join us at the Little Scrapbook Shop cybercrop on March the 12th. Loads of good, bad and ugly challenges to tackle if you need a little creative push :)

Yes, that is my gorgeous daughter in the poster below. Such a shy, delicate little flower she is!

This sweet film tin is for a new class I am teaching at Scrapbooks etc. I haven't taught much OTP stuff before so this is a little daunting for me! I have to dmit it stretched me to create an OTP class after teaching layouts for so long so I hope it goes OK!

Cutest measuring cups ever!

2010-02-27T22:47:00.001+10:00

I've had my eye on these online for quite a while and always balked at the price tag. I already have lovely measuring cups...gorgeous red and white ceramic cups. They are indulgent, fancy measuring cups that are more than adequate for all of my measuring needs.

But these little sweeties are different.

They are Matryoshka measuring cups! The tops and bottoms are all different sized cups that fit inside each other like little Russian Goddesses of baking!

Even better was that they were only $20. They are too good to actually use though, of course. They will just have to stay lined up on my bench, keeping guard over my ceramic measuring cups.

Sometimes...

2010-02-27T15:00:00.000+10:00

...You read something and it changes the way you view the world. I happened upon this blog post today and it has changed. my. world.
I cried and cried throughout the entire post, not only for the beautifully written story, but for the amazing photographs that so succinctly capture the entire event. You just have to read this. I wonder what my reaction would have been in that same situation?

Dreaming in Digital

2010-02-16T22:53:00.004+10:00

Ever since my Photoshop was fixed I have been playing with my new digital kits. I love being able to scrap with my laptop in front of the TV or under the doona...even though it is sweltering hot here right now and no-one is under a doona in this house!

This layout features Mikaela and Jenna at lachie's circus party last week...so cute!

And one of Lachie and Jenna on the same day. Aren't they sweet? Jenna is Little Miss Elusive as far as taking photos go, so the fact that I have 2 gorgeous photos of my niece to scrap is a lovely miracle ;)

Digi, OTP and traditional in one post!

2010-02-10T23:34:00.001+10:00

I seriously need a medal for my efforts this week. I do. No such medal exists of course, but if one did I'd have earned it :)

I finally managed to get my Photoshop working properly and sourced some new gorgeous digi kits today (thanks to my more digi savvy sister :) I decided to digi scrap this photo of Mikaela taken on her 11th birthday.

I also managed to create a layout using the new Basic Grey Origins range. Oh.My.Goodness! This range is amazing. I tend to get a little gushy over all sorts of paper ranges but this one is just stunning. I adore yellow and use it a lot lately so this range particularly appealed to me right now.

Miss Piper, my niece, on a visit to my pplace recently. This kid is seriously hilarious :)

*Layout Removed for Publication*

While playing with this yummy range I made a sweet framed layout for my friends using photos I took of their cute little girls a few weeks back.

One more layout to share - one that I forgot to share a few weeks back after the Scrapbook Princess 'reunion' crop. One of the boys with my Dad :)

It is very late and I have had a huge week already. I am thinking it's time to get into bed with my old primary school friend Trixie.

Did you not just love Trixie Belden? Any other fans out there? My awesome Uncle and Aunty are second hand book dealers and sourced these for me. They smell old and funky and downright fabulous as only old paperbacks can. Love, love, love delving into my childhood faves.

Roll up, Roll up!

2010-02-06T23:24:00.000+10:00

Today was my nephew Lachlan's 1st birthday party :) My amazing sister threw a spectacular circus themed party and we had a brilliant time! I was in charge of taking photos which was a lot of fun with so much colour and action!

Gorgeous popcorn cupcakes with mini marshmallows fashioned into 'popcorn'. So clever and delicious too!

Lots of circus themed decorations. Rich and I were able to provide popcorn, slushy and fairy floss machines from church which added to the circus feel.

Hot dog stand and prize table.

The photo booth. I spent a good portion of my day taking photos of every single guest in the booth. The kids especially loved it! Lots of costume items in there to dress up in for a photo :)

Mikaela

Ethan

Connor

Jarred

Rich and I hehe...

My niece Jenna

My other niece Piper. Such a wag :)

Sideshow Alley

Fairy Floss! Cotton Candy for my US readers ;)

Not quite ready to blow candles this year though he liked the flame!

Cream Pies...look out Uncle Kevin!!!!

What a great sport he was! Poor man was assaulted time after time with cream pies and still had a grin on his face ;)

Sack races

It was the best birthday party and we all had such a great time. All of the signs and posters were designed by my other sister Rachel. The whole party was just perfect. Can't wait to see what is in store for next year!

February Classes for Scrapbooks Etc

2010-02-01T19:04:00.000+10:00

I have two new layouts prepared for my February classes at Scrapbooks Etc this month and am in love with the gorgeous products Lyndal has chosen for the kit!

A lovely mix of Pink Paislee, Making Memories and Jenni Bowlin papers with some tags, tickets and tassles thrown in for good measure :)

There are a few places still available for my February classes so if you are in Brisbane and would like to make these two layouts, click on the link above for more details about how to book :)There are loads of other classes available all month long so check us out!

Promised shares!

2010-01-30T18:42:00.004+10:00

I have finally managed to install some software back onto my laptop and can share some recent layouts. This one is from the last Little Scrapbook Shop Freestyle themed cybercrop where I set a challenge to use a paint strip under the title.

These next few are from a recent crop I went to with the Girls I used to crop with at Scrapbook Princess before it closed. Loads of giggles and even a few layouts in between. It was the night before the media launch for the Australia Day campaign so I was fighting butterflies in my belly all night! I still managed to get these done, besides the queasiness!

I have some class examples to finish tonight and a couple of commissions to find inspiration for! Better get the kids off to bed so I can scrap some more ;)

The Seasoned Scrapper

2010-01-28T22:17:00.000+10:00

Looking for a scrapping challenge this year? Look no further!

Little Scrapbook Shop are hosting a year of unique and motivating challenges in our new initiative...The Seasoned Scrapper. It is basically 40 challenges that run during the school terms with breaks in between.
Click on the link to see how it all works and sign up for the challenge.
There are almost 50 people already signed up which means there will be a whole lot of inspiration and fellow Seasoned Scrappers to get to know!

I do have a whole lot of layouts to share but my computer is stripped bare with it's new hard drive. I am slowly reinstalling all of my programs so stay tuned for some shares very soon :)

2010-01-21T23:02:00.001+10:00

Miss Mikaela had her 11th birthday on Monday. We had a low-key day this year as she had a big bash for her 10th last year. The only thing she really wanted for her birthday was to get her ears pierced. She insists she was the very last female member of her entire year at school to have no holes in her lobes.

Whether that is actually true or not I have no idea but we let her go ahead and have them pierced. She does look terribly cute and she is over the moon happy.

A few recent layouts to share. I have some more but haven't photographed them yet.

Some adorable October Afternoon and my little niece Piper. So cute!

One of my favourite photos - from the Canon 5 photo competition from this year. Canon sent out 5 items and criteria to shoot and these hundreds-and-thousands were one of the items.

Some layouts for work - this is one of my January classes at Scrapbooks etc.

One for Lyndal's fantastic 'Sketched' class. A double no less! These photos were taken in a very simple and run-down classroom in Laos. I love these images.

And another class for January using more of the Making Memories Mistletoe collection.

My computer is still playing up and won't be fixed properly until Monday so I'll see how I go getting back in here to upload more layouts. Otherwise I'll see you when I get back from my long weekend in Sydney!!

I'm back!

2010-01-18T15:42:00.000+10:00

Have you missed me? I thought so ;)
My computer had a conniption a week ago and I have been offline and
suffering terrible withdrawl!
I have it all up and running for now so I hope it holds out a little until I can buy a new one....which is totally possible with my latest news!

You might remember my news a few weeks back about my photo being selected in the top 10 for the Living Australian Photographic Competition people's choice in New Idea magazine. Well, I didn't win :(.......
But I did get an email last week telling me I was selected in the overall top 20 images by the panel-judged major competition! The comp was judged by an expert panel who were looking for the image that best showcased Australian living....
AND I WON!!!
Here is a link to my announcement and my photo if you missed it before.
The Australia day council organised flights for Rich and I to fly to Sydney yesterday for the media launch of the Australia Day campaign where the day culminated in them announcing my photo as the winner!

If you google my name you will find all of the media images from the day
like this one - http://www.life.com/search/?q0=kerryn+leworthy

There are heaps more around as it was a full press conference! I am on page nine of the Courier Mail here in Brisbane today (half page!) and also in some other National papers etc.

It will also be in New Idea again next week and I am still interviewing for other mags and papers...crazy!
The whole thing is unbelievable! Rich and I fly back down to Sydney on the weekend for three nights at the Hilton shooting for Getty Images and loads of events etc.

I also have an opportunity to fly back to Sydney for another day during the year to do a one day internship shooting in any of the Getty Images departments...ooooh red carpet anyone! Seriously!

Oh and did I mention the $3000 cash prize...hello Macbook Pro :)

I am still in complete shock and can not believe my little backyard snap has created such a stir...amazing!

I will pop back in with some of my photos of yesterday's jaunt to Sydney...loads of celebrity encounters and incredibly talented industry people which was overwhelming!

Back soon.....

Mwah!

2009-12-31T20:25:00.000+10:00

I am cleaning the Tupperware cupboard tonight. This is the extent of my New Year's Eve celebrations. The excitement of my life is truly overwhelming!

I have great plans to maintain a better household routine this coming year and have utilised a funky old cabinet today that I found on the side of the road to create new storage spaces for the kid's craft supplies, homework materials, gift wrapping supplies etc. The pantry hosted a lot of that stuff previously so it awesome to have some space freed up and a purposeful area for that stuff to live now! I'll pop some pictures up soon.

I am kickstarting 2010 with a little reorganising which is so like me LOL ;)

I am always amazed at the number of reads this blog has. Currently I have around 1000 hits a month which astounds me!

I am very grateful for everyone who comments on my work, photos or posts and look forward to blogging into 2010. I love the opportunity to share and communicate that blogging gives me.

Thanks so much for reading :)

And because no post is complete without a photo - a little sparkler action from Jarred on Christmas day.

More Graphic 45!

2009-12-29T15:44:00.001+10:00

I finished another item using the Graphic 45 Domestic Goddess and thought I'd share it too. I made this calendar for the coming new year using this fun, vintage range.

Domestic Goddess

2009-12-28T18:45:00.001+10:00

Yes, Domestic Goddess is a given when you think of me, but this is actually the name of a gorgeous range of papers from Graphic 45. I love this range and have used it to make a few altered items.

I bought these cute little tin'gift bags' for 50% off at a local discount store today and immediately knew what I wanted to do with them!

I used the Graphic 45 papers and tags to decorate them, tying some ribbons to the handles to finish. I used Mod Podge to adhere the paper elements and then sealed the entire surface.

This little MDF money box is from Riot Art and Craft and was easily altered to make a little money box for my Laundry for all of the coins I find in pockets!

*Enabler Alert*

Little Scrapbook Shop has 50% off EVERYTHING in store right now including the entire Graphic 45 Domestic Goddess collection. If you want a Holiday bargain, pop on over to the shop for a little splurge. At half price it would be criminal not to shop!

There's nothing to see here...

2009-12-24T15:15:00.001+10:00

I lost the plot on the photo a day thing. It was seriously ambitious to begin something like that knowing the sort of December I would be having but for over half the month there I did OK...and then...yeah :(
Oh well. Maybe next year ;)
I have been scrapping a fair bit but it is all for classes, design team projects or magazine commissions! Nothing to share at all!

We are mid Christmas preparations right now and we have 34 people attending Christmas dinner tomorrow night! I have lots left to do so will leave you with this.

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a blessed new year.

Photo A Day #17 and #18

2009-12-20T15:37:00.000+10:00

Day #17 -

Basket Case. Self explanatory LOL.

Day #18 -

Miss Mikaela and her manky eye trick. She thought she was quite HILARIOUS with this scrunched up eye thing. She's such a shy. delicate little flower ;)

Photo A Day #14, #15 and #16

2009-12-17T09:38:00.000+10:00

Day #14 -

Lethal Ethan in the background running from the helicopter Rich just had to buy when we were in Thailand last month. Boys and their toys hey! It is almost dark in this photo so it's not so great but the kids just love that thing.

Day #15 -

My adorable niece Piper in the backyard when she came to play the other day. Isn't this sweet?

And a couple more from the same day because I couldn't choose ;)

Sweet Jenna, my other niece, blowing a very stubborn dandelion. I don't think it was quite ready for blowing, hence the very puffed out cheeks!

Day #16 -

Lethal Ethan at the end of a very, very long day at our staff Christmas party at the beach yesterday. Most of the photos I took have other people's kids in them so this is the only one I'll share from yesterday ;)

Aussie, Aussie, Aussie!

2009-12-15T21:06:00.001+10:00

I am a little bit beside myself today after receiving a very exciting phone call this afternoon. On the 1st of December I entered this photo in the 'Living Australia' Australia Day photo competition.

The photos are eventually judged by a professional panel and there are some amazing prizes on offer.

In the meantime, New Idea have selected 10 photos from the entries to feature in their magazine. The top 10 photos will be put to a public vote for the best representation of 'Living Australia' in the country...and my photo has been selected as one of them!

I was barely coherent on the phone today when the poor woman rang me and I have no idea of what the prizes even are for the New Idea section of the competition..ha! Who cares hey?!

The photo remains in the running for the major prizes too which is exciting.

I am a happy girl today.

The photo has all four kids in it too which is lovely. I always feel guilty when one child is featured over the others in these things!

Another lovely thing I have to share today is this blog award I have received from the gorgeous Chelle (check her Chelleybean Designs blog for amazing handmade goodies).

I also received this same award from the lovely Tanya Tahir, mum to a sweet little man and a gorgeous new baby boy...makes my uterus throb just a little ;) Both are super talented ladies and I am thrilled that they thought of me to pass this blog award to :)

So there are some things I am to do to receive this illustrious award - some rules to keep it growing:

1. Copy picture and post on your blog
2. Thank the person who gave it to you and link to their blog
3. Write 7 things about yourself we don't know:

Ok, so 7 things you don't know about me (or may not remember) hmmm -

1. I am the eldest of three girls and am very close to my sisters and family.

2. I am married to the amazing Richard who is the Children's Pastor at Hillsong Church here in Brisbane.

3. I have an unnatural love of B grade musical movies like 'Little Shop Of Horrors'. Love them!

4. I love the colour red and have splashes of it all over my house. Not splashes, literally...red elements I mean ;)

5. I love vanilla. Anything vanilla scented is heavenly to me. I am intolerant to Jasmine and oleander.

6. I often cross my big toes over my second toes. It is weird and I don't even know I am doing it.

7. I adore coffee and am in love with my coffee machine. My fave coffee is a double strength latte on skim...mmmmm.

OK now to pass it on to 7 other bloggers that I admire -

1. Shan whom I love (when she eventually blogs *sigh*)

2. Helen whom I also love and blogs more frequently than Shan ;)

3. Lisa who has the most gorgeous vintagy thing going on

4. Celeste who has four little princesses that will melt your heart

5. Jilly GG whom I share a lot in common with and makes me LOL

6. Mel who is the original domestic goddess

7. Kerryn who is my namesake and just as cool as me ;) hehe

Thanks again Ladies...that was fun :)

Scrapping the boys!

2009-12-14T12:15:00.003+10:00

I only managed a few layouts at the crops I attended on Saturday which is pretty darn slack isn't it? I did fit in multiple trips to the cheese platter, a delicious Thai dinner and some interpretive dance so the weekend wasn't completely wasted ;)

This layout uses new Fancypants papers now available at Scrapbooks etc. I love this range!

This sweet photo of Lachie and Jarred worked well with these Crate Paper papers I have had for a while now and was pleased to use up!

I have a few more to share for some releases coming up soon so stay tuned...maybe even some girly ones next ;)

*ooops* I forgot to share this one...not just boys either!

Photo A Day #12 and #13

2009-12-13T21:53:00.000+10:00

Day 12 -

The beautifully wrapped little packages inside the box I showed you a few days ago. Stay tuned for the contents of those little parcels...absolutely amazing!

Day 13 -

My gorgeous niece Piper coming to terms with turning three. It's a tough life ;)

And a bonus photo from today....love this one :) My niece Jenna with Connor, Ethan and Mikaela today at my sister's house....classic!

Photo A Day #10 and #11

2009-12-13T00:31:00.001+10:00

Just a few more photos to catch up on for my Photo A Day for December.

Day 10 - My little elf. This kid is hilarious ;)

Day 11 ....Christmas cupcakes. It's just not Christmas without cupcakes. These were for Miss Mikaela's class at school and were a big hit.

Cybercropping!

2009-12-11T22:13:00.000+10:00

This weekend is the Little Scrapbook Shop December Cybercrop. We have a White Christmas theme which called for the very vintage poster I put together for the weekend. I couldn't be having a poster that didn't go with my blog now could I?!

I have designed the sketch for this month's CC. Pop on over and sign up for the Cybercrop and win some great prizes and chat with a forum full of crazy women...bonus!

And the layout I created using the sketch....

Four more days...

2009-12-09T23:54:00.000+10:00

I am trying to keep my photo a day pics coming as fast as I can so I don't get too far behind!

Day 6 - My Secret Santa present from a very special lady! I am desperate to open it but am being a good girl ;)

Day 7 - The divine Miss M looking all glam and horribly grown up for her dance concert on Monday night. How funky is that fluro green...yep she voted for that colour. Doesn't she know her mother is a scrapbooker and no product company in their right mind makes patterned paper to match that colour!

Day 8 - Apples. Just because. We go through kilos of them and this basket is almost empty already!

Day 9 - Today. Love this one! We picked the dandelions on the way home from school and locked them in a lunchbox to protect the delicate seed so I could take some photos when I got home. Lethal Ethan was more than happy to comply :)

Kaisercraft Digital Kits

2009-12-07T10:32:00.001+10:00

Kaisercraft have released 2 awesome new digital kits this week. An amazing boy kit called Grunge and a sweet girly kit called Flutterby. Click on the links To see my, and other, layouts on the Kaisercraft blog.

Kaisercraft have a fantastic collection of digital kits, packed full of fun elements, all at affordable pries...in fact they have slashed their prices by 30%!
You just know you want to click here........

52 Pick-up #49 and more...

2009-12-06T20:45:00.000+10:00

It is my turn to host the 52 Pick-Up challenge at Little Scrapbook Shop this week and I have shared a tutorial to make these gorgeous punched circle flowers. You might remember them from a class layout I shared a few weeks back. Here is the step by step to make them.

And now a few more Photo a Day for December shares -

Day 3 - Connor hosting an outdoor concert....you may notice there is no music....he is so talented :)

Day 4 - The gorgeous little flowergirls at the wedding we attended on Friday. Aren't they the prettiest things you've ever seen?

Day 5 - Yesterday at my parent's place for my Mum's birthday. My nephew Lachie and his Poppy (my Dad). I love this one :)

December 2nd - Photo A Day

2009-12-02T22:46:00.003+10:00

Master J and my nephew lachlan at my sister's birthday celebration (Happy Birthday Rach!!)

...gorgeous red-headed cuteness :)

And a layout too :) The Feral Four. Enough said ;)

Photo A Day for December

2009-12-02T00:17:00.000+10:00

It is technically after midnight here but I am going to pop this up anyway ;) I am planning to do a photo a day project for the month of December. I may not upload them every single day but I will be taking them each day!

Today's photo is of Master Connor enjoying a very brief sun-shower late this afternoon. Look at those ribs! I think he might be getting some protein powder in his Christmas stocking this year LOL!!!

Sneak Peeks

2009-11-27T12:11:00.000+10:00

My new classes for December are open for bookings at Scrapbooks Etc and are filling fast! My November classes all filled, and went really well, which was wonderful. I am loving the Scrapbooks Etc team and really enjoy working in such an amazing and beautiful store packed with yummy new products.
Here are some peeks at my new class for next month...

I have used the gorgeous new Bella Blvd Super Stud range of papers, tags and stamps to create two fun boy themed layouts. Pop over here if you are in Brisbane and would like to do one of my classes...I'd love to have you there!

Bah Humbug!

2009-11-26T23:52:00.001+10:00

It's almost time to put out the annual Leworthy Christmas letter. A clever and witty three page newsletter, full of family photos and good news stories from the past year...at least that's what I'm going for ;)

And to accompany the writing of the annual Christmas letter is the yearly endeavour to capture the perfect photo of the feral four. Easier said than done!

This one is pretty much the closest thing to great that we are going to get. If you squint a little, it is pretty much perfect :) No-one is pinching or hitting their siblings, and the black and white hides the grass stains...nice!

This one is also not too bad...you'd never even guess that Jarred was muttering threats of mutiny under his breath would you?!

This is a more realistic representation of how the photo shot went down *sigh*

The choking child....

The hidden child....

...and the fallen child.

In the end I decided this was as close to Holiday Cheer we were going to get...and it made me smile :)...even if my Nanna will be horrified hehe...

Movember

2009-11-22T22:12:00.001+10:00

First of all, let me say that I gave it a really good go. I tried my very best...but failed dismally. It is currently November, and try as a might, I have not been able to grow a mo. So this is as good as it gets for me...

My mo for Movember. I'll try to do better next year.

Rustic Charm

2009-11-18T11:28:00.000+10:00

On the Kaisercraft blog today you will find a little sample of the fantastic digital mega-kit, Rustic Charm. My digital layout using this great kit is featured today, alongside Sandra's amazing hybrid cards. The elements were perfect for my photos of the kids from the weekend, especially after I created a vintage workflow in Photoshop to mute the colours in the photo to better match the soft-toned kit.

Do you need some new digi kits? I think you do...pop on over here for some great value kits and elements.

Hideaway

2009-11-17T21:53:00.002+10:00

Hideaway is a gorgeous new digital scrapbooking kit created by Kaisercraft Digital. My creative team layout using this kit was featured in this week's Kaisercraft newsletter.

Kaisercraft will be releasing many beautiful new kits in the coming weeks, so pop on over to stock up on new digi goodies. Many hybrid layouts and projects are due to be featured too, so keep an eye on their blog.