A Mixed Bag

I thought it might be nice to start this blog post with a little plug for The Scrapbook Princess - the scrapbooking store where I work. We are having a 30% off sale right now which makes for a great saving on all of your scrapping goodies. You can find us on Beenleigh-Redland Bay Rd in Cornubia if you want to snaffle a bargain! Loads of gorgeous things like these little rolls of ribbon...like a bowl full of licorice allsorts...but not ;)

I captured a few pics of Connor this afternoon in the bid to practice using this new lens. I haven't had any time to really play with it so am taking a few snaps as often as I can. Despite the cheesy poses and the food around the mouth they are a bit cute ;) He is all eyes and eyebrows this kid!

Watch him lift off his head...great trick this!

We have a visitor staying with us at the weekend who has offered more photography opportunities than the kids! This is Koala Lou from the book 'Possum Magic'. Koala Lou is passed around Ethan's year two/three composite class as an exercise in journaling and documenting. Koala Lou comes everywhere with us for the entire weekend and Ethan will submit diary entries and pictures as a record of her visit. He is loving it! Koala Lou is strapped into the car everywhere we go and Ethan is taking his role as host/entertainer very seriously.

She has a bizarre resemblance to Olivia Newton John I think...

This layout is one I made for Little Scrapbook Shop this week using the My Mind's Eye Andrea Victoria range. I used the moody photo taken last week with a chocolate photo action run over it.

I also managed to get through to another round of Embellished Idol this week and made this layout for my week 5 entry. The criteria was to make a layout featuring a top 5 list of places you want to visit or things you want to do before you die LOL!

Simple style layout for this multi-photo layout. Now we wait and see if I get voted through another round...

Koala Lou needs to watch a DVD apparently...BRB...

A little excitement...

My work has been featured on the Craft Gossip website! I love this site and read it often so was surprised and thrilled when they asked to feature my work on their site! The section is a regular one called inspiration-du-jour...how completely posh and French and everything is that?! *wink*
http://scrapbooking.craftgossip.com/inspiration-du-jour-scrap-sister/2009/08/24/

I also managed to buy the new Scrapbooking Memories magazine today - not even knowing it was out yet - to find I have three projects in this month's issue. What an awesome day huh?!

Shooting the kids

I've been flat out all weekend and haven't had much of a chance to play with my new lens. I nabbed the kids for a little shoot today as I wanted to see what this lens can do when shooting wide open at f1.4. Obviously not suitable for group shots or even most portraits, but quite cool when you nail the focus on eyes or lashes for example.

Some of these are a bit soft and I am trying to get used to having so much more light! It is great fun getting used to a new lens and having a play with my settings. Now I just need a new camera to go with the lens....

Embellished Idol week 4

This week's challenge for Embellished Idol was to creat a layout with six criteria...yes..six!!
Paint, distressing, chipboard, stitching, layering and using a punch. I scrapped another Spidey pic of Connor (no surprise seeing as Spidey get-up is all he wears besides his school uniform).

I love these Cosmo Cricket papers and was glad to get another layout from them....the quote is especially cute ;) Now to see what challenge awaits me this week...if I get through that is ;)

I have new glass!

I am a wee bit excited! I bought a new lens today and am in lurve...truly, madly, deeply.
The Canon 50mm 1.4 is a sweet little portrait lens and a nice little upgrade from the 'Nifty Fifty' I have been using. I managed one pic with it this afternoon before it got dark....and look how thrilled my model is to be photgraphed *sigh*.

Looking forward to having a proper play this weekend...now for some smiles........

Dear 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.

Cybercropping!!

Little Scrapbook Shop is hosting a cybercrop this weekend and I have posted an inspiration challenge. The challenge is to create a peek-a-boo layout with a cut-out feature. I have backed my layout with acetate (OHT sheet from the newsagent) to create a window effect.

Pop on over and join us for a weekend of challenges, prizes and a whole lot of fun!

Portraits, Patty Cakes and Pancakes....

This handsome guy is my eldest son Jarred - aged 14. He is rarely seen in photographs - much like the elusive quokka or piglet squid. He dwells in his bedroom plugged into one digital device or another and is most often spotted ducking out of frame when confronted by a lens. The above capture is rare and unusual. Take a good look because you may not see him here again until he is 15....if he can help it anyway ;)


It is a public holiday here today for the Brisbane Ekka (our Brisbane show). The kids and Rich are all home today which has been mostly blissful.
Mikaela tested her baking skills today by making some Milo Choc Chip Cupcakes (or patty cakes to be pefectly patriotic). They are light as a feather and absolutely delicious....my girl can bake!
To be fair, I have to admit they were made from a chocolate chip packet cake mix with milo added to the mix and then vanilla frosted and sprinkled with Milo....mmmm. Thank You Betty Crocker!

While speaking of food, I made a pancake brekkie for the kids this morning complete with strawberries and icing sugar snowstorm. Connor said I should be on Masterchef....I love that kid.
This is my plate - see the crispy edges...that's how I like them....honest ;)

This week is round three of Embellished Idol (after being voted in for the next round after last week :) Our challenge this week is a monochromatic layout using black and white as accents if you wish. I scrapped this sweet photo of Lachie and quite like the way it turned out. Not as bright and colourful as my normal stuff so the the creative stretch was fun.

Now to wait for Sunday and see if I get through to another round......

Embellished Idol Round 2...and much, much more!

This layout is my entry for Embellished Idol Round 2 - The criteria was a circular layout featuring choice of three themes...I went with the 'seasons' theme and scrapped this winter layout of me....very daunting at first, but I like how it turned out.

On the weekend I attended the retreat for Scrapbook Princess where I work and teach. We had three gorgeous days of creating, laughing, learning and feasting at Brookfield on the outskirts of Brisbane...it was such a great weekend. It really felt like a retreat with the lovely women, great food, yummy products and relaxing bushland atmosphere.

I managed to create ten layouts on the weekend which is a pretty good effort considering the amount of talking and laughing I did :)

This one makes me giggle ;) We were at the Rocks Markets in Sydney for this photo and the kids were stuffed with fudge and more than a little troppo...

These new Traveller papers by Little Yellow Bicycle are so gorgeous.

This one of Connor is another photo from our Sydney trip using the new Road Maps range from October Afternoon. The travel themed papers are so cute. I love everything they make.

I also scrapped this sweet photo with October Afternoon papers ~ this time using the Ducks in a Row range. It is designed for babies but suits the feel of this photo of Ethan and Connor.




This layout of Ethan features one of my favourite recent photos.

I love this photo of my gorgeous nephew and the Sassafrass Lass Bungle Jungle range I've used. So many bright, funky prints to mix and match...just what I love!

Miss Mikaela at Curcular Quay eating ice cream in sub zero temperatures...well almost ;) Yummy Collage Press Sweet Shoppe papers and die-cuts make for a girly, fun feel I think.

This photo of Ethan is an older one which I hadn't got around to scrapping. I love the mesh I picked up on the weekend at the retreat....so much fun and really effective!!

The amazing Shan pointed me in the direction of these Making Memories Just Chillin` papers and they suited this photo of Jarred and Connor perfectly. I sewed the edges of the paper pieces for a patchwork effect and like the way it turned out. The sweet little chipboard 'brothers' piece is adorable.

The cute photos of my sister and nieces really suited these new Earth Love papers by Cosmo Cricket.

A rare holiday photo of me in Sydney as I actually relinquished my baby (the camera) for Rich to snap a pic. It turned out pretty OK actually and the October Afternoon Road Maps papers and die cuts came in handy again.

I have had a very exciting email this week for a project that will keep me busy for a while....I'll be able to share at some stage...just not yet ;) I also have some deadlines looming so will have some new layouts to share very soon....as soon as Mt Washmore is tackled anyway ;)

A little baby fix...

If your uterus is prone to skip a beat at the sight of a sweet, gorgeous baby...you'd best look away now.

I was able to take some photos of my adorable newphew on Sunday and these pics are so cute! I can't wait to scrap them...isn't he just amazing!? Yeah...biased. But that's OK...I'm allowed. It's my blog after all ;)