Yesterday...

...all my troubles seemed so far away.

I need to work on my post titles don't I?

Yesterday was the 3 weekly Scrap Attack at Scrapbook Princess where Shan, Karen and I scrapped the day and night away. To top off a great day, Amanda and Lisa both popped in to say Hi which was extra lovely :)
I worked the 4pm til midnight shift which is great because I still get to sit a little between serving and even scrap a little ;)
I still only managed 4 layouts in 15 hours though LOL. This seems to be my magic number on a day when I work at a crop.
I have to admit to really liking these layouts. They all have photos I love, of people I adore and none of them are even of my own, immediate family LOL!!

This one is of my sister and BIL with my new gorgeous nephew. I love this one! I even had it planned out in my head for days ;)


Miss Mikaela embracing the very brief cool snap last weekend. When I say cool snap I really mean that it rained at the temperature dropped below 25 degrees. She is a little keen for winter, donning a jacket and a hat as soon as the sky clouds over ;)

This layout is made on some metallic K and Co. corrugated cardstock....stunning stuff!

Miss Piper on the swing...love these Amy Butler K and Co. papers and butterfly die-cuts. Yummy :)






And lastly, our sweet prince :) He makes me happy in my heart. How gorgeous is that little green singlet? *sigh*

My uterus is throbbing...just a little ;)

Digi layouts

Just a couple of digi layouts. I have recently bought some new digi kits and elements which has prompted me to get back into some digi scrapping.
Extra nice to scrap from the couch ;)

Recent photos

I have had a renewed interest in my camera recently with the arrival of my beautiful nephew. Unfortunately my trusty 50mm lens is having some focusing issues so they are all a little 'off' :(
I need to have it serviced I think...or buy a new lens. Hmmmmmm.............

3 of my 4...the other one scarpered...
Lucky for him...cannibals!


My beautiful niece Piper. Look at those curls *sigh* The man himself. How adorable is a boy in bonds?
My girl having a snuggle with her newest cousin.
And some jaundice treatment...bathed in light!
Coming soon to some layouts, no doubt!

Eggstreme behaviour

Yeah, OK it's a dumb post title LOL ;) ....but bear with me.

You would have no doubt noticed the appearance of Easter eggs in the supermarkets the very second the Back to School stuff disappeared off the shelves. The absolute instant the the pencil sharpeners are packed away these little wrapped packages of Cadbury goodness appear on the ends of every aisle.

I love these little oblate spheroid (I seriously remember that term from grade 4) shaped goodies to the point that the $6.78 price tag becomes a non-issue. I am so blinded by the shiny wrappers and smooth, individually wrapped chocolate morsels that I am willing to give up essential grocery items for them (does everyone really need toilet paper? Really?).

The fact that the equivalent amount of Cadbury Chocolate in block form is approximately half the prrice is negligible. It's not about that. It's about the shape...and the size...and peeling those wrappers.

Now if they brought these little beauties out the week or even two weeks before Easter, there would be little issue. I would maybe manage a packet or two in that time frame, but when they are put out to tempt me a full three months before easter, it is a definite issue.

I have bought my second pack of these today since they were released and even managed to convince myself that because I bought them at Coles, it was completely and perfectly justified - necessary even - to contribute my cash to the Bushfire relief money that Coles is donating from all profits today.

I had to do my bit after all. Didn't I? The private donations we have already made were beside the point. Right?

I think there are about 6 weeks or so left until Easter. I figure that makes for around 3 extra gym sessions a week. If I stay away from the Hot Cross Buns at least...

Totally worth it.

Get Real Baby

The gorgeous Lusi Austin has started a revolution...a reality revolution. On her blog she has challenged her readers to 'get real' about what their lives really entail and to share the nitty gritty details of everyday life without the gloss and shine we sometimes allow our posts to portray. Here is a link to her blog for more info.
I am taking up the challenge to get real and blog occasional posts detailing the ins and outs of my very real life. I even have Lusi's Get real Button up there in my sidebar...see ------------->
No gloss
No Mr Sheen
No home baked goods
Promise.
Pop over and let lusi know if you are joining in with us :)
Here we go then -

Really I undercooked the potatoes tonight as I was in a hurry to get the kids out of my hair and into bed.

Really I cursed driving the rubbishy old car I had to use today as our 18 month old car went into be repaired - for the same fault - for the fifth time.

Really I ate 6 biscuits after dinner. I wasn't really that hungry.

Really Ethan and Connor fought like animals before dinner and I threatened to send them off to Micronesia. It was the first place that popped into my head.

Really I chose Law and Order on Foxtel tonight over doing another load of washing.

And that's my first Get Real Baby post....stay tuned ;)

A little fun...

I was tagged by Kjirsten with a fun little activty. I don't usually participate in these tag things as I am lazy...no other excuse, I just am.

The idea is to go to the sixth photo folder on your P.C. and then you upload the sixth photo and explain what it's about. Then you tag six people and the saga continues.....too easy I thought.

Then I considered the likelihood of that particular photo being one of my children involving nudity, rude hand gestures or a really dodgy scrapbooking layout...the shame!

Luckily the appropriate photo is pretty cute. Even if the kids are upside down and it gives you vertigo just looking at it.

Now I get to tag 6 people to bother - I mean encourage to participate :)

I tag 6 of my blogging buddies -

Lisa

Helen

Shan

Rachel

Jillian

Amanda

Introducing Lachlan...

This is my adorable new nephew Lachlan Patrick born on Thursday to my sister Tracey and BIL Kevin. Is he not the most adorable little man? I am absolutely smitten with this long awaited bundle.
He weighed in at an impressive 10lb 110z! What an effort!

I look forward to many beautiful baby photos and layouts featuring this little guy...stay tuned ;)

Now to bigger guys....this is a digi layout of Jarred I did a few days ago. I love this photo of him and these Weeds and Wildflowers digi papers.




And I loved the kit so much I did one of Ethan last night too........

They are very similar layouts aren't they? I might need to step out of my digi box and stretch myself. I haven't done digi for a while and really enjoyed these. I might have to invest in some new kits......new baby to scrap and all :)

October Afternoon In February......

I love these little Maya Road House Binders and have made this one into an address book. The October Afternoon Papers are so cute. I love the bright funky colours and 50's newsprint...so cool! One section of the paper even has a column on housework...who has ever read their patterned paper that closely?

*Gone to be published - Creative Paper, the only Aussie mag I haven't been published in, wants this one. I have had a layout in For Keeps, before it became Creative Paper, but this is the first for the new mag :) How exciting!*



This is the afternoon activity of choice these days. The kids have set up stumps in the backyard and spend every evening playing cricket before dinner. We have lost numerous tennis balls into neighbour's yards and on the roof but the kids just love it.
We have opted for plastic bat this week with the idea that it might eliminate the big hits and keep at least a few balls in the yard....no such luck :(

I scrapped...

I have been so busy lately with back-to-school, work, settling into the new house etc, my nice new scrap nook has been sitting unused and neglected :(

I have hardly scrapped since we've been here and I have missed it. Thankfully I was able to attend a crop on Saturday with Shan and Amanda and we had such a great time (as usual!)
I packed almost all of my little scrap nook into my tote and managed to scrap some layouts between snacking and talking. I know anyone who knows me will have trouble believing I snack or talk very much at all.
I have a few more for DT projects which will appear on the LSBS site soon.

My poor long suffering Dad -


Master Connor on his first day of school (Prep)....so cute!

Ethan and Connor on Australia Day at my sister's place. They had a blast playing Guitar Hero :)

* Thanks for the heads up Smauge....I jumped the gun when I photographed this one *oops*.

I didn't have my second packet of this font with me at the crop so didn't have enough 'E's for this layout...had a new packet at home and have since popped it in there ;) Next time I'll complete the layout before photographing LOL.

****Gone for publication anyway.......E and all ;) *************

And Miss Mikaela on her 10th birthday. Isn't she getting all grown up and gorgeous? Am I a tad biased?...maybe.

Whoa...this was a quick one! I just subbed it and it has been snapped up by Scrapbooking Memories....like lightning!