Scrap N chat

2012-01-14T03:02:00.000-08:00

Well time is rushing by ..not long till school starts, im back at work and Jack starts grade one...all very excitng except....

I have a problem with Jack which stems from his..ASD..

HE HATES WEARING SHOES, SAYS HIS FEET ITCH...he grew out of his old ones and wont wear any others, they all have problems but at the moment its itchy feet...we go back to school in a week and my son wont put shoes on...and if i force them on..we have a major meltdown for hours....so i take them off as people in the street stare at me and jack, especially when i have to drag around a screaming child...any one have any suggestions?

Anyways....
I have a few last layots of 2011 to share....

Okies off to bed..chow!!!!

2012-01-03T17:26:00.000-08:00

Back again....i have done a couple of layouts for some sites, scrap the boys and white with one...

So to begin with i have my SCRAP THE BOYS challenge layout..

we had to use as inspiration these colours..

And here is my layout...
I really loved those colours together...The photo was taken at a friends farm thought we would do kids and animals,,,it was fun..though the poor lam didnt look like he was enjoying it and jack just wanted to let him go...

Now my challenge for white with one was White + chritmas themed +Christmas photo..
here is my layout..

Love christmas colours and this stray cat loved jack....
So off now to scrap some more challenges..yay..i love holidays..

2011-12-31T12:23:00.000-08:00

Well as promised im back...

Happy new year to all....

Last year wasnt a great year..losing my mum was so hard and still so difficult..but we still move on....i miss her very much. Its hard loosing ur mum , because like so many mother daughter relationships, we had our ups and downs and our fair share of arguements..And i often sit and wonder, if i had done more, been more compassionate, more loving, would i feel different/...Dont get me wrong, i loved my mum dearly, but in saying that we could only be together for small amounts of time before i had a meltdown.. Our parenting styles were different, i was a late baby for my parents at 42, they came from a very strict time, and i must say i didnt suffer from the occassonal smack, in fact i respected my parents so much, especially when i became a parent..but my parenting skills changed with each child..and by the time i had Jack at 39, i wasnt so tough on him..Perhaps because i didnt have the stamina or strength to run after him....time out is now my parenting style, especially with jacks autism...im still learning what works though...always learning as i get older...learning that as a mum there is nothing my kids could do or say that would never make me stop loving them in some way..So as i reflect on my own mother, im sure she feels the same way about me, her wayward daughter...

ut efore i go some more of 2011 scrapping....

Cheers...

2011-12-30T20:40:00.000-08:00

Well once again its just been too long....So where to start....

Well lets see in short...
August... my son wrote my car off.....He walked away from it with gravel rash...I do believe an angel watched over him...(my mother.)...photos to follow in my next post...

We moved into our new house...lots of plans....not much time to convey these plans into my vision...but these holidays ive started...will keep an update on our progress....

Went on retreat, got some scrapping done..yay!!!!

Brought new car.....not as cool as my old one..but im learning to love it..slowly....

And now its christmas holidays time to catch up...on everything..without my mum its so hard...

So this is a short blog post...but i wanted to show some of my scrapping have managed to do..

Cheers..

now i promise i will be ack later......sooner than later....

2011-08-20T17:17:00.000-07:00

PDD-NOS.Jacks diagnosis...

The diagnostic category pervasive developmental disorders (PDD) refers to delays in the development of multiple basic functions including socialization and communication. Parents may note symptoms of PDD in children as early as infancy, and typically onset is prior to three years of age.
Pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS), which includes atypical autism (or is also called atypical autism).

Because of the "NOS", which means "not otherwise specified", it is hard to describe what PDD-NOS is, other than its being an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Some people diagnosed with PDD-NOS are close to having Asperger syndrome, but do not quite fit. Others have near full fledged autism, but without some of its symptoms. The psychology field is considering creating several subclasses within PDD-NOS.

I knew from the very beginning that things just werent right...Slow to reach all his milestones...Not talking properly, not walking properly, not communicating, or eating well.

But everyone always gave me an excuse.."He has older siblings, he doesnt need to talk or walk"..He is spoilt, this is why he behaves the way he does....Always some reason...

Well i didnt sit back and listen...i worried, i cried when he was otrasized at daycare, no friends, prefered his own company, never particiapted, never had anything to show, bit people, spat on people, licked everything in sight. Smelt people, ate things he shouldnt, didnt like loud noises, low pain tolerance and no idea of consequences...

And fianlly someone who has listened, who took time to watch, who asked questions, who now has put us all on a path to understanding, to learning,to success...

So my advice to parents who may think their child has a problem, keep looking, keep asking questions and dont listen to those who have no understanding of what your talking about..

Mums know...listen to your instincts...

2011-08-19T21:05:00.001-07:00

Well this weekend ive been scrapping up a storm...and its only Saturday!!!!

So i have a few to share..

The to one is a fav of mine, a sketch over at Scraplounge. Jack held his own tupperware party. It was a cooking party. All the kids got aprons and hats and made playdough...It was fun...

This first one is for chookscraps sketch challenge, i also put it in as a second layout in scraplounge Be Inspired

This next one is for Chookscraps CC challenge to scraplift from the gallery...

Next is for Scraplounge CC, another scraplift challenge..It also talks aout our diagnosis with Jack..

Once again Chookscraps CC challenge..they are basing their theme on Dustin Hoffman movies, you should check it out..makes for some interesting challenges... ---------->

This is the entry for the challenge for the Amazing race over at Chookscraps..

To use red and yellow..very challenging...

Scraplounge monthly challenge to doodle.

My first entry into the scraplounge Be Inspired challenge, to use some of my fav colours of the moment..

Well thats all for now...Still doing some more challenges, praying mojo holds out....

Till next time...cheers

2011-08-16T18:55:00.000-07:00

Well once again its been to long...

My gorgeous mother, mum, friend, confidant, passed away on July 2nd 2011.Its still hard to even write this, the pain still raw, cutting. My loss so great, it matches my sadness. Getting old is so painful, seeing someone you love with all your heart die from cancer...so soul destroying...

But she did have a long, loving life. She was 87. Her life was not easy, as most people of her era would tell you... She saw so much change, cars, telephones, computers, supermarkets, the stories she could tell. We used to roll our eyes, as the same stories would resurface time and again. But now.......

What i wouldnt get to hear her speak to me, to tell a story, to smell her, to touch her, to tell her one last time how much i loved her......

I miss you mum....

My mum is in the middle...check out those bikes...

1941...my mum was 16..here..

With my dad who was waiting in heaven for her...

Mum and me...

Jack and mum not long before she passed away..

We miss you mum....

Ill be back with some scrapping later.....

2011-06-24T15:08:00.000-07:00

wooohooo holidays!!!!!

yes today is the first day of the two week mid year holidays....and yes im up early...what the!!!! oh well am putting it to good use..blogging!!!

Just a quick share of some scrapping of done recently....

For chookscraps amazing race, New Zealand...

Just because....

Chookscraps sketch...

Scraplounge challenge...

Well im off to blog hop!!!!

cheers...

2011-06-18T19:59:00.000-07:00

Been fishing....

love the colours in this fish i caught..a parrot fish..apparently they are delicious to eat,but im not sure i want to eat such a pretty fish...

But i will definately be scrapping the photos..lol

well have done some more scrapping..so here is another quick share...
This one was for over at chookscraps....their amazing race comp....

another amazing race entry....

A challenge at scraplounge..

Thats all for now thanx for visiting....

2011-06-15T01:00:00.000-07:00

Just a quick post....
Im loving double layouts at the moment...
Love this;

Ive decided to join the blog..scrap that baby

Trying to get all jacks baby photos done, as a i have a new photo editing program thought id go back and fix up some photos and scrapthem...
We all love the baby photos..
So will be doing that for a while...
cheers..

2011-06-12T21:48:00.001-07:00

I got a new editing program for my photos so couldnt wait to try it here are some i have taken recently and photoshopped, i soo love photography..

Jack had a tupperware party...yeh i know,but he put hisa hand up for one so he had a making playdough party..the kids even got to keep the hat and apron..pretty coolhey...

Blue playdough

At a vacantlot on a cool winters day..

Jacks stepsister Katelyn..

Love how the colours have comeout...

Cheeky smile....

Black and whites always special....

Sports day and Jack had new orthotics sofor the first time he was running...so proud i was...not a first place in sight for him but he enjoyed everyminute of this new found freedom...

Im loving this day off!!!!!

2011-06-11T23:28:00.000-07:00

Gee its been so long.....work takes upsomuch time in my life,and then there is Jack...He is enjoying his second year in prep, and he is starting to catch on with a few things. His diagnosis of GDD still makes life tough for him,but he is getting there..
So to share some layouts ive completed in between working and life....

Here is one i did for Chook scraps using their sketch..

This one was a sketch over at scraplounge..
Another scraplounge layout..in theri beinspired comp...
And my fav for now...this one was for the chookscraps amazing race challenge....
well nearly school holidays hope to catch up before then..so see you soon....

2011-01-24T00:29:00.000-08:00

Well im back at work, so fast went my holidays i reay wonder what i did in all that time??? One thing thoough i did manage to do some scrapping, yay, so have heaps to share...And also fixed up my scrapping space, so the holidays werent all that wasted...hehehehehehehe...

Jack started prep today again.....Why is that i hear you ask?..My gorgeous boy has GDD...Global Developemental Delay. In my next post ill enlighten you all..Very complicated but needless to say he needed to repeat prep, but he seems a lot happier for it.

So here are some of my scrapping layouts...
This was for a chokscraps challenge, love the colours in this...

This was for the scraplounges new weekly challenges, called "Be Inspired", i actuaslly won the weeks comp for this one, so pop in and take a look they have one challenge weekly...Gets the mojo going...

And this is my scrap space. Scrapbook savvy are having a little challenge to show your scrapping space, so here is mine, in the garage, but at least i can have peace and quite cause no one comes in there..lol

Thats all for now, more next time..

Cheers....

2011-01-15T21:45:00.000-08:00

Wow once again time is flying by..way to fast...am loving my holidays but all so sad they must come to an end..in two days....back to reality, timetables, appointments, packing lunches, washing uniforms, homework, getting up early, cooking dinners and trying to get some routine including exercise back into our days...there goes summer...though our summer here in queensland, has been less than perfect, in fact not really summer.. We have had torrential downpours, doona cover night weather, floods and more rain and more flooding, especially our lovely river city Brisbane...this has consumed our everyday life to see how it all unfolded...

Here are some photos of my own little community and the wider areas...

Beaudesert.

This wasnt taken by me but made me laugh at the humour even in adversity.

Albert River. on our way to pick Jack up at Beenleigh. Had to find another way around..

Well next time i will have some layouts to share..

Cheers

2011-01-04T23:20:00.000-08:00

well back again, and already the year is off and racing, how long till i go back to work?....i dont wanna know!!!!!

Any way ive been scrapping up a storm lately, love holidays....

So will share what ive been up tooooo.

Firstly this one is for Scrapbook savvy, a favourite photo..

This was for chookscraps

And this was for Scraplounge, there Be inspired ...new competiton....

Well thats all for now, just a quick update, hmmmmmm, my life must be a bit boring right now, but thyats ok it wont last for long.....lol

cheers....

2011-01-01T14:36:00.000-08:00

Well ive been madly blog hopping and have come across another great challenge blog....
pagemaps....
http://pagemaps.blogspot.com/
so i entered this comp as well, love that im scrapping...
Here is the sketch you use,

And here is my layout...
Now to link it back to page maps..lol

I also entered it over at storyboard kits, another site ive bloghopped too..lol

http://www.storyboardkits.blogspot.com/

check them out..

cheers

2010-12-29T21:40:00.000-08:00

Well ive decided to give the kraft it up blog challenge a go..http://kraftitup.blogspot.com/2010/12/december-challenge.html
This month your challenge is to scrap a CHRISTMAS PHOTO using NON TRADITIONAL COLOURS and you also need to incorporate KNOTS on your layout, whether it is with ribbon, fabric, twine, lace etc...

So i went with browns and greens..

Jackson in his santa hat...

Ive put a link up to the site over there------------------------->

Ive not been there before but im really starting to enjoy using the kraft paper, its a nice texture and colour..so its a great blog to check out to see what everyone is creating with Kraft...
So now im looking for other challenges to inspire me these holidays....

Cheers....

2010-12-29T16:59:00.000-08:00

Well another christmas done and dusted...Its always so hectic, with shopping for presents, trying to find the right gift for evryone, the MIL who has everything, the right size undies for your growing children, the right gift for the teenage sons, cause undies are a no no..or so i thought until last christmas..

Last christmas i decided not to buy my eldest son Michael (who had moved out of home) undies, as i thought it was pretty lame and was always met with the same response, " Just what i needed thanx mum"...well i thought i wont buy any undies this year, ill get something different, so at least they will be surprised. Well i was surprised!......as i watched in anticipation for mike to open the present that took weeks searching for, his response was not what i expected..

"Thanx for the great present but.....wheres my undies???"

What the? He then proceeded to tell me that christmas was the only time he got underwear, saved him from buying them and he looked forward to his new stash every year, like some unheard of personal tradition...

Well so be it, it was back to undies and aftershaves..lol..and so the tradition lives on....

Here is a xmas layout i just finished for chokkscraps monthly sketch...

Ill be back later.....

Cheers

2010-12-21T16:37:00.000-08:00

Yes im back..again, loving school holidays and the oppurtunity to catch up on blogging and blog hop around some awesome sites....
NEWS FLASH!!!
Well ive re aquainted myself with Ally Edwards blog......http://aliedwards.com/blog/
She is awesome, and her december daily journal is fab, im thinking maybe i ciyld do a similair thing, as i have a few spare weeks comming..lol.But check it out !! So much to read and look at!!
MY RAMBLINGS:(or what ive been up to in the my real, partner, housewife, teacher, world).
Babies, of the fluffy kitten variety..Born two nights ago..
I think i should have been a midwife..We put her out as usual for the night, her name being Bunny, easter egg bunny is her official name as she was given to jack last easter..any ways, i was scrapbooking and heard her crying, so let her in for some milk, when i noticed she was walking funny.Yes she was in labour. So i set up a spot under my scrapping table where she proceeded to give birth. With me on the sidelines encouraging her to breathe, relax, rubbing her belly and generally just being her support person. Brad came down stairs to see what i was up too, he thought that i had let the cat in??? who me??, i gave in and told him i had and that she was in labour, he laughed at my antics and hung around to watch her give birth to the first one,,,four later and i went to bed..Feeling very happy...So now we have five little bundles of joy!!! Any one want one??

WHAT IVE BEEN UP TO! (in the scrapping world).Ive been scrapping up a storm....This first one was for chookscraps CC on the weekend.Ising black white grey and another colour..

This was for a sketch challenge over at Scraplounge..

And this was for the xmas challenge over at Scraplounge, using scalloped edge and a cluster embellishment..

Thats it for today im off to blog hop and leave some l;ove, maybe i will pop into your blog,,But before i go another little pearl of wisdom..

"" Not every page has to be a masterpiece.""
Author: The Master

2010-12-19T17:41:00.000-08:00

Yeh back again!!!!

NEWS FLASH!!!

Found this great blog, which most people know but really have enjoyed the step by step yags he has made..love it!! Well worth a look if you have never been there....http://timholtz.typepad.com/my_weblog/2010/11/12-tags-of-christmasday-1.html

MY RAMBLINGS:(or what ive been up to in the my real, partner, housewife, teacher, world).

Well the christmas party at our house was amazing..Our first official engagement as a couple ...Both our friends mixed so well. We sang well into the night, drank heaps, the food was great, and my gorgeous daughter even dropped in to join in. Now that in itself is amazing as at 22 she thinks my friends are soo old..But she was quite the personality and made me very proud.

Oh and to have a day without drama would be asking to much. Just as we were setting up for the party, cooking madly and trying to set up the tent in a thunderstorm, my 19 year old son comes out with blood pouring down his leg. What the !!!!.. Great so now we need a trip to the hospital, but ive got thirty guests comming in an hour, and sooo much to do..So i help wrap his leg, put ice on it, sit him on the lounge and tell him to wait. Meanwhile you would think that a shark took off his leg, but ive got other things on my mind, he can sit and ponder on how silly he was, he tripped up the tiled stairs whilst using his phone to text..

"See i told you texting was dangerous!"

Well Brad kindly offered to drop hi off at the emergency department, whilst on his way for some ice and drinks..does that make me a bad mum? well no time to ponder that one, guests are a comming....

So with a kiss on his cheek, a new wrap on his leg, and a helping hand out the door, i wave goodbye..now time to get dressed.

Well they stitched his leg, i picked him up and he sat quietly for the rest of the night watching movies in his room, no way he is joining in with old people...lol

WHAT IVE BEEN UP TO! (in the scrapping world).

Well still catching up withlayouts so here are a few more..cheers..

And time to leave you with a pearl of wisdom.....

""Scrapbooking is cheaper than a therapist.""
Author: UnKnown

chow!!!!

2010-12-15T22:29:00.000-08:00

NEWS FLASH!!!

I stumbled upon this great blog...http://whatisoldisnew.blogspot.com/

Some great kits and some lovely layouts, well worth a visit...

MY RAMBLINGS:(or what ive been up to in the my real, partner, housewife, teacher, world).

Yes christmas is comming and quickly,and ive got a party to organise by tommorrow night..Oh why do i get myself into these things..Seemed like a great idea a few weeks ago, but now the day is nearly here starting to panic. Have invited work friends, girlfriends, old mates and my new partners friends and relatives and am hoping that they all get on together...

So im not the best cook, in fact i suck at cooking, just ask my kids!!! and i have to cook , or at least look like i can, so bbq chickens from the chicken shop, salads from the deli, my son is cooking the desserts, alcohol all round and more, brad is doing the bbq, and entrees from woolworths. So i really dont have cook ....do i?....ok feel better now..Just hope thay all get along!!!!

WHAT IVE BEEN UP TO! (in the scrapping world).

Well im on holidays and i have my mojo back...yeeehaaa, and ive completed a couple but im still wading through some old ones, so here are a few i did in the last few months...

QUOTE OF THE DAY:

""life is like a scrapbook, creative and unique.""
Author: scrapbookinllama

Cheers

2010-12-13T13:54:00.000-08:00

Is it just me or do other people suffer the likes of a mother who frequently airs her opinions, wether we like them or not?

Dont get me wrong i really love my mother soooo very much but.....

My mother is 87 and lately im scared to bring her home to visit.

I knew it was going to be a bad visit when she started complaining the doctors, who of course know nothing, and are to young, and at her age she is not going into hospital, as she might not come out..point taken..
At home the teenagers, cant do anything right this weekend, better they stay out of sight, my gorgeous step daughter is in the firing line. Poor girl, here is an introduction to the granny from hell, best you stay away this weekend too..

Well my handsome , do everything for any one man, also caught mums tongue. I thought he looked very handsome for his daughters formal, but mum couldnt help herself and shot him down in flames with a remark about his shoes...

Well i quickly ushered him out the door..

The only person not to cop her darkened demenour this weekend was Jack.

Yes the child from hell..

He swears, he spits, he chucks tantys a mile long, he always gets his own way..and yet my mother adores him..

Now if i had spoken a word that sounded like a curse id have been flogged on the spot, if i thrown a tatrum i would have felt the swiftness of my mothers hand across my legs, and probably left to rot in the shopping center.
But not Jack, for some strange reason, Jack brightens her life, makes her laugh and keeps her from getting on my back.

Thankgod for little boys!!!

2010-12-12T14:39:00.000-08:00

Decorating the house for xmas!!!! love xmas so much..Last year was such a disaster.. I didnt realise how bad until i was looking for jacks xmas photos for last year and realised i had none!!! nothing to show!!! i didnt do anything ,,no photos nuttin, only the tree was up..but this year its back to business..

So some photos to share....

christmas cheers!!!!

2010-12-03T13:56:00.000-08:00

Wow its been a long time between posts, but its nearly the school holidays so i can get back to scrappin and bloggin..lol

I did get a bit creative back in September, went to stick and giggle retreat at Noosa..so good to do nothin but scrap and chat...
Got some great pages done which i will share...

Nothing much happening here just work, and more work..but its nearly over for the year!!!

Bring on christmas!!!

Love this last one, the colours are so subtle..

Any way promise to update soon..and get all christmassy!!!

2010-08-08T17:19:00.001-07:00

Oh ive been scrapping...love that ive found my mojo after all this time!!!

So here they are..

And some old ones i love and not sure if ive shared!!!

2010-07-28T01:44:00.000-07:00

Well im back and need to just let people know that my last few posts are a reflection on my horrible year, 2009, not this year..hope that cleared that up..

Ok so following on with what happened last year, after the car accident, i finally got a new car and then the worse phone call a parent could receive, your child was in an accident and is in hospital, the burns unit in a critical condition.

My world once again spun out of control. I recall the first moment i saw my son, wrapped up not recognisable, burnt all over, and the smell...we wont go there...lots of drugs later he was moved to anothe room, he was in soo much pain, but he was going to be in so much more before his stay in hospital was over..

First up debriding, where they scrub the burns to take off the dead skin...so much pain...but he was recognisable, his skin red raw. his face and neck was ok only flash burns, thank god for small miracles, his right arm his chest were severly burnt and his legs were burnt so severly, they hoped they could save them.

First day of skin grafts, he went in and came out, again so much pain. They took the grafts from his back for his chest and legs, but ran out of skin. He was to go back in and have the skin from his buttocks and groin removed for more grafting of his arms.

More operations more pain.

My life was a blur, hospitals, home, work, hospital, weekends spent in the hospital tending to his needs. My home life struggled without me, i neglected Jack i didnt cook, i didnt clean, i didnt sleep, i didnt eat. One night i was comming home from hospital and nearly crashed the car, that was a wake up call. I worked out a plan with his father, i would do weekedays he would do weekends..

A small miracle though had occured in my home without me hardly recognising it. One day after comming home at midnight, i walked into a clean house with a freezer full of meals cooked and reaqdy to go...

The most amazing people who i worked with had come and cleaned and cooked for me and my family..I cried for the first time, really cried. The support for me and my family made me stronger.

Michael physically improved and his spirits also..

Body suits were made to order, bandages came off, months later he was ready to go home, but once again i was unprepared for the out comes....

More on that later..

Here are some photos of my brave son...

Quite a few hours after settling into a room, day one...

after debridement... day three

I have done some scrapping..will share later...

2010-07-05T17:34:00.000-07:00

Well another month..time is flying..So to continue on with my journey from my last blog, August came..I went to visit my in laws in coffs harbour. With Jack and Alex in tow....Always lovely down there, and decided to return to Brisbane Sunday night. The drive home, five hours was great until.....I was on the Canungra road, it was black, people kept leaving on their high beams and this was annotying me . The road is windy and hilly with no lights. I came around a corner doing 80 when someone flashed their highbeams, my only thought was what the !!!! then a it felt like we hit a wall, then nothing..i blacked out for a minute or two. When i realised what was happening the car was full of what i thought was smoke...I couldnt see any thing or breathe, i could hear jack crying and Alex yelling. The car had stopped running..I yelled at Alex to get jack out the car, i couldnt get my belt undone and couldnt see why...I thought the car was on fire..I saw lights of a semi coming over the hill and prayed i was on the right side of the road. The semi stopped. Alex got jack out the car..i was trapped. Someone finally got the door open and my seat belt off. I still was having trouble breathing from the smoke and the pain in my chest, and back, which i later realised was friom the sudden stop and the seat belt. I got out the car and round the back to where jack and alwx were. I saw someone running up the hill to me, and heard a woman screaming... i was coughing and still couldnt breath.i then saw flashing lights and sirens, police and firemen and ambulance on the scene. What had happened? When i turned around a saw a person bending over a large shape on the road. My god i thought ive killed someone!!!! i was yelling, but wasnt sure what i was yelling. A woman grabbed me and told me it was a cow, we were lucky to be alive!! I stepped back and turned to look at my ford sedan which now resembled a honda civic, crushed and dented and smashed..

I was taken to the ambulance with the boys and found i was having an asthma attack due to the fine mist that had come from the air bags in the car which had gone off on impact... and due to the sealt belt crushing my ribs.. we were taken to hospital..we all walked away from the accident, which according to the firemen and police we were so very lucky. A rather large cow had been standing in the centre of my lane just around the corner, someone had flashed to let me know, only i didnt realise what they were on about, and didnt see the black cow on the road,he was put down at the scene, poor thing. Well needless to say my car was a rifght off, the insurance guy was impressed that i was walikng, when i saw my car i cried, The cow had hit the front, onto the bonnet pushing that up into the car and up the windsecreen, which didnt break, he rooled over the top and down the back and off the rear. scratching or denting most panels and causing the car to be severly out of alignment, the motor had been pushed into the car and that whay my door wouldnt open. We had someone watching over us that night...

I thought how lucky i was, my friends helped me out with transport, and for a while things were running smoothly..But once again things change in the blink of an eye and by october our lives took another beating.....

More of that later..we just got back from the snow....sooo cold in NSW at the moment...but we had a ball...here are some photos of our trip...

Mount Selwyn

Canberra

Sydney

Harbour Bridge

Big Guitar Tamworth.

Stanthorpe, first stop.

Well thats all for now..got heaps of photos to edit..

And lots to scrap!

2010-06-21T23:28:00.000-07:00

Well here i am back before the end of the month, im doing well!!

Now as I wrote in my last blog... May came and brought with it a new horror.

I had always had psoriasis, but only in small doses, small scaly spots here and there, treatable with lotions. Usually during a stressful time they would appear in greater numbers but nothing too bad i couldnt deal with.. But in May my whole body broke out in a classic psoriasis condition. My legs, my back, and my arms were covered in what could be called chicken pox looking blisters, that turned scaly and hung around, becoming itchy and red.. I would look in the mirror and cry, as nothing seemed to get rid of them and the more i read about it the more depressed i became. I didnt go out , lucky it was winter as i could cover myself, and no one knew how debilitationg it was. I dreaded summer, and thought i would never meet any one who wouldnt be revolted by my body...Also no more tattooos as i wouldnt be able to have them done, or show them as i didnt want anyone to see these horrible sores that covered my body.. I remember laughing when my doctor asked if id had a lot of stress lately...hahahahaha..im not one to cry, or scream or lash out , i take everything in my stride and move on, but my body rebels and when the stress got way to much my psoriasis got way out of hand.

So May turned into June, into July, August then bang!!!!!!! Another road block and i was still dealing with other issues, my life wasnt looking so great.

More on the next major blow next time...

But on a lighter note, i found this fabulous web site...The colour room..its fantastic for a challenge...take a look...

http://thecolorroom.ning.com/

And some more scrapping ive been up too...Some are oldies and some new for some latest comps...

Ok so im to check out some blogs..catch you all later!

2010-06-14T02:21:00.000-07:00

Well i thought perhaps it was about time i talked about my disasterous year that was 2009.. Many people have asked what happened, why havnt i scrapped, where have i been...soooo.lets start at the begining shall we..

The year started out fine, January rolled into February and everything seemed great. I had been given the chance to work permanently in the country and we were looking at moving house. Jack was seeing a speech therapist and was due to go on for more surgery, but everything else seemed ok to me..

Funny how what you think is happening in your life and the reality dont always have the same path..

March came and at the end went, but not first without taking a large part of my life and my security. Seems the man i thought was going to be there for life had stolen more than just money and goods from myself, his son and extended family he also stole my belief in men, and people in general. He left me with an eviction notice hanging over my head, no money in any accounts, debt on my credit card, and my sons life in tatters. He was a gambler and i didnt realise how big till he lost everything we had then walked out on us...i felt used..and abused, and that i couldnt trust anyone..

But i under estimated the fantastic community which i was about to move into .I turned my back on this man who said he loved me, but showed me nothing but pain.....and struck on my own with my two younger sons in tow...the older ones also left home to start their own lives closer to the city...

..A small town has soo much to offer, the people are real, their friendships true and their generosity amazing...My family and new collegues helped me through dark times and into what i thought was a brighter year..

Ooops like i said, funny how life does not always give you what you ask for or what you even think you have ..i thought that May and june would see me getting out of this rut and getting my life back on course but i was wrong....May brought with it a new problem to complicate my already complicated start to the year.....

Well thats enough for one night....

Now for something more pleasant some layouts ive been doing....

2010-06-10T01:46:00.000-07:00

Wow its been so long, i must be the worse blogger in cyber land..

But my life has been so hectic, but now is starting to settle back down, just in time for xmas!!!

Well its hectic beause my kids all left home late last year, was only Jack and myself. Then at christmas nik came home, only for xmas he says...and he is still here 7 months later. Mike comes home for new yaers with his girlfriend and asks if he can stay, i say sure, he says forever?...lol..sure i say.....what else can i say? So with three teenagers back in the house, its just not big enough!!!!!

So my scrapping room was delegated to the garage, hot in summer and freezing right now, so im typing fast!!!!

Ive begun to do a little more scrapping, perhaps its the cold, scrapping fast keeps me warm!!

So ill share some recent layouts...

Ok promising to be a better blogger!!!!

2010-02-26T18:27:00.001-08:00

Well here we are another month gone by...but at last im scrapping!!!!! yay!!!
so i have some to share this month...

so till next month enjoy!!!

2010-01-27T02:00:00.001-08:00

My goodness its been so long.......but here i am back again....

Now i havnt got much to show in theway of scrapping but i have some photos to share..Jack started prep today so very exciting!!!

I hope to be back with some scrapping soon!!

2009-07-18T03:16:00.000-07:00

Gee doesnt time fly!!!!
im back at work, another term, one week down nine to go..hey but whose counting right?

Well i havnt scrapped much so ill just throw up some ones i did a while back but havnt shown...this is just a quickie post as im now addicted to FACE BOOK!!!!! New i shouldnt have joined up..lol...

ok so just a quick share...

So ill pop back in tommorrow and have a little more time...

2009-07-03T03:59:00.000-07:00

Well i know its been quite some time, and i didnt die or fall off the earth, but i have had a lot of changes in my life...

But apart from the many changes ive scrapped a wee bit...not much but i thought id start with a share and ill tell my story later.....

Well thats all for now, till i get back in the swing of things...cheers scrapcat!!!

2009-02-28T00:36:00.000-08:00

Wow here we are the end of the month already!!!

Well ive had a couple of hectic days...

its taken me a day to get over..lol Yester day jack had two appointments at the mater childrens hospital, one for hearing and one for speech. Last week we had our first speech appoinment after a year of waiting and me telling everyone he had a problem and everyone saying, no he doesnt.. but guess what..he does have a problem quite a big one or two... so before they could do a formal speech assessment he needed his hearing checked as Alex had grommets at his age and his speech could be related to hearing loss. So i left at 8am just me and jack (as craig started new job yesterday.)left early so could get carpark, food for jack and find exactly where to go with time to spare..or so i thought.....what should have been a 40 minute drive turned into two hours due to a break down on the M1 in peak hour....grrrr, i get to the hospital 10 minutes late by now to find the car parks fulll...what the !!!!! had yto park at the mater private parking..just got in before they closed that...turned up late, hot and sweaty for running around looking and jack starving.... go in for check look in ears, only to hear the doctor say..he has something wedged in his ear, blocking it.... great..just great i murmer. after two other doctors look at it they inform me its not wax but a foreign body.(yes there was probably an opening for a joke there but i wasnt in the mood, still angry over the car parks full, how you supposed to get to appoinments....) any how i digress,,,the doctor informs me....needs to be removed...but we will givve him the hearing test and see what happens..well left ear is pefect right ear, where foreign body is holidaying we cant give a positive reading as he isnt responding to testing in this ear which could be because of the blockage pr perhaps somthing else...so they ring ENT could they look at it...no we need a refferal from a GP..what!!!! im at the hospital surely they can reffer me?..oh no..i can go to emergency and wait to get looked at but they seem to think its going to need surgical removal due to where it is and jacks age (not good for keeping still) ok so then we go off to our speech appoinmetn only to be told we cant do formal assessment until hearing test is done... what the!!!!! yes by this time its 1pm and i am going home..what a waste... but on the other hand i went to day care and got jack in ..so today he had his first day at day care and he loved it...yay!!!!!! couple of photos to share...

Now here is a link to a blog that has some interesting stuff on it!!!
HOUSE OF 3

Now for an end of month share...

And here is an advertisement for our Cyber crop over at scrapping4less: ill be hosting it next month (March)hope you can pop by...

Well thats all for now..cheers Fran

2009-02-14T22:31:00.000-08:00

Hi all...

Gee the weeks are flying..3 weeks of school already over...The kids have settled in to thier new home wonderfully and we are looking at moving next month...

Over at Scrapbooking for less ill be hosting The March CC so i hope you will join us, there is a link on the side bar and ill put more information closer to the day..

At Scraplounge they have put up the new blog, great reading go take a looksie..

scraplounge blog

Also our CC is on this weekend of 20th, 21st and 22nd so come and join us for some scrapping time...will have some hints soon..

Well this time around id like you to take a look at this blog....S4L`s pink with 1

Its a challenge blog for scrapbooking 4 less, a girly one but all the gilrs can do this one..

Now for some shares

Over at scraplounge i whipped up this sketch for this month..

Why dont you whip up a layout and enter it into the monthly sketch comp..

And this is my take on the sketch using Jacks world papers from "3 angels scrapping."..who are this months sponsors at scraplounge...

And from our sponsors more gorgeous papers and a couple of layouts...

And from over at Scrapbooking for less this month DT pack. They have a competition for monthly packs so go and grab one and join the fun!

And some just for fun......

Well hope you had a wonderful valentines day...catch you later on...

cheers

2009-01-25T20:51:00.000-08:00

Happy Australia day aussies!!!!!

And happy birthday to my man..he is the big 40 today...wooohoo baby!!!

Well ive been back to work and this week the kids are back to school, so no more holidays for ten weeks. So perhaps not as much scrapping getting done..

But i have done my DT work and done some competition scrapping as well.

But before i have a share of what ive been scrapping here is a site to go and check out.. Its a paper peircing site that has lots of cute stuff for cards and layouts..go check it out.

Precious piercings by Lisa.

Now a few layouts to share.....

This was for white with one:

This was for the sketch challenge at scrap n art.

And this was for sketch challenge at Mystical.

Cheers and have a great day..and if the weather is better than ours an aussie BBQ!!!

2009-01-13T04:01:00.000-08:00

Just a short note to show you my prize from winning Jingle all the way over at

Mystical scrapbooks:

Gorgeous isnt it..lots to scrap with!!!! Thankyou Donna!!!

Also as promised everytime i make an entry i put in an inspiring blog or the like...try this one:

A new sketch blog..........A PAGE FROM MY SKETCH BOOK!

nOW......Some layouts to share..

Thats all for now..cheers Fran

2009-01-08T20:40:00.000-08:00

Hi all its Friday here, not long till school goes back now!!!

Well as its Friday SCRAPBOOKING 4 LESS is having thier cyber crop tonight..So why not pop on over and check out the challenges..here is a link....CYBERCROP!!!!

If your looking for a good blog to check out try this one....HELLO MY NAME IS HEATHER..

Its a very pretty blog and quite inspiring..

And a layout share...

Cheers and have a great weekend!!!

2009-01-05T01:36:00.001-08:00

Well its finally happened, my eldest kids have moved outta home!!!!!!

Now i know ive been waiting for this day with anticipation,,,,two spare rooms, means a scrap room, smaller food bills, no worrying about them being out late, no arguements and no more sibling rivalry...

But....

But,,,,

im feeling very lonely and ...hmmmm, childless.

Yes i know i have two others at home, still when i think of my babies..lol, out in the big world, i feel a page of my lfe has turned, a chapter closed....

and when i told craig just how i felt, with my little chickens flying the coup...

his reply was

......lets feather the nest with more chicks!

Now i do hope he means the feathered variety, or perhaps a puppy or kitten....

But i really cant complain cause they have been home every day since they moved out on Wednesday..lol..

Phone rings..."mum how do we put on the electricity?..."..

Phone rings... "mum could you come over and bring my clothes out of the washing machine...?"

Phone rings....."mum how does the washing machine work?"

Phone rings....."ummmmmm do we have gas or electricity????"

car pulls in drive way, all the kids pile out...'mum can you make us a list of all the things we will need in the kitchen....

"mum do we need a shopping list?

what do we put on the shopping list?

how much will it cost?

how do we pay bills?

can you come shopping?

yes this was day one and the others have been pretty much the same...

and this is monday and still two kids are here, getting dinner, cause they havnt planned out who will be cooking what days... using the dryer, the computer, asking for some money...

Hmmm so much for moving out....lol..

so i really shouldnt complain!!!!

now i have some layouts to share...

The layout above was from a sketch over at scrapn art>>>>>>over in my side bar..check it out

And a blog that ive come across that you may be interested in.....

Janet hopkins, its all in the details...

she has a great range of OTP that looks devine and is very inspiring..go check it out!!!

thats all for now..cheers and catch you all later!!!

2008-12-31T13:43:00.000-08:00

This layout used October afternoon..

Happy new year everyone!!!!

And i have some news i can now share...
I made the DT for Scraplounge....HERE!!!

And my duties start today!!

First up i created the sketch...

and here is my example..
so pop on over and have a go at it and go in the competition...

And here are my DT designs using october afternoon..very pretty papers but easy to use for a young boy as well....

So how was your new year?

Mine was quite.....but i loved it!

cheers...

2008-12-28T01:59:00.000-08:00

Wanting a place to check out..i came across this site the other day and cant help but keep going back....i love kits they are sooo easy when its all done fore you.....

Sweet Spuds

Yay i can share my DT work from scrapbooking 4 less. This month i was the card maker..so here are my cards using Creative imaginations paper.

Hope you all had a wonderful xmas....

and just a few layouts to share

So chow till next time....

2008-12-22T23:26:00.000-08:00

Check this out..A great Aussie Christmas song!!!!

2008-12-22T21:08:00.000-08:00

Well i have two great pieces of news to tell, and another i have to wait to tell....ooooohhhh i cant keep secrets...just ask my kids...any whooo..

The first is im officially a member of Scrapbooking 4 less design team

Go HERE to read their newsletter.

So ive already done some scrapping for them..will show as soon as possible...

Second piece of news....

I came first over at Mysticals jingle all the way comp...

Wow was i stoked....
here are a few of my last layouts...

As you can see ive changed my blog....loving red at the moment!!!!

Now as for a blog or site i love to visit...

MELISSA FRANCES..

Her work and design team work are gorgeous, go check it out for some serious inspiration for the xmas season!!!!

For now ill just leave you with some layouts ive done recently....

When i get back on i hope i can share some more news....

cheers!!!!

2008-12-07T02:17:00.000-08:00

Once again ive been a bit slack....

Ive had two birthdays this week...

one son turned 15..happy birthday gorgeous boy...

and eldest son turned 21....yes 21..

OMG, im now officially old!!!!!

and he is so handsome and truely im so lucky to have him...very blessed..

and its the last week of school..so..

ive been very busy..

Now ive been taking xmas photos to find one for the xmas cards, seems only jack wants to join in this year..well i knew it was comming....so will share some of my faves....

We had our end of year singing concert...and i used my new camera and got some very freaky shots...will share....
And have been entering in Mystical scrapbooks Jingle ALL THE WAY COMPETITION AND LOVE USING ALL THE OLD XMAS PHOTOS.... so thats been fun...

But the most exciting news for me is.......

I decided id like to join a design team again and applied and got as position with
SCRAPBOOKING 4 LESS...

check them out..cant wait to start designing for them...

Oh and i nearly forgot..

A cool blog to check out is.............

Koko vanilla designs..

Her stuff is gorgeous and you can purchase it.....

Well thats all for now...

cheers Fran

2008-11-29T23:23:00.000-08:00

Oh its been way too long i know..and so much to catch up on...so dot point will have to do....

have job next year at beaudesert, so still moving
Nick graduated year 12 and had his formal...see pics below.
i received my new camera, nikon D60
Alexs 15th birthday on tuesday..
Mikes 21st birthday on Sat 6th...he doesnt want a party so going out to his fav resturant for dinner...
Brought myself a sizzix big shot so i could have embossed cards..have made one so far and love it!!! see pic below....
Had our xmas crop day at jodys on sat just gone..always have fun..
And im joining in at Mysticals jingle all the way comp...love using all last years xmas photos before i start this years...
But ooops have already started taking this years..
we put up the tree today..its always been in red and gold but Steph wanted a change so now its apple green, blue and silver...
Oh and we have set a date for our wedding...April 4th 2009...

Well thats about all ......

Oh dont forget to pop on over to another blog i love to visit....

Shimelle.....check her out...

I also have some layouts and photos to share..

Niks formal....

My first card using my sizzix machine...

well thats all for now..ill try and post again this week..cheers

2008-10-26T03:23:00.000-07:00

Well time is just flying by....

I seem to loose track of blogging..naughty blogger i am...

School year is coming to an end, tests for my class and end of year formal for middle son....racing around paying money here there and everywhere...and of course the usual christmas shopping..but one thing i dont have to worry about is food..Our chrisco order arrives very soon and once again the cupboards will be stocked for a couple of weeks over the christmas holidays..yay for chrisco!!!

Now on the scrapping front........
Everytime i post id like to put up an interesting blog that ive come across, here is one i know you will love...
I came across this most devine scrapper whilst out and about on the net...

Inglvid...

Go take a look! i think her work is gorgeous!!!

As for my scrapping , im happy to say my mojo is slowly comming out to play and ive been happily doing some layouts...

Ive been entered into two comps..one is at

3ANGELS SCRAPPING

Which i cant show just yet but you can pop over to the gallery and look at all the amazing entries..

Also over at SCRAPPING AROUND im in their colour comp, here are a few to share...

And so here is my just scrapping share..

Well thats about it..

Oh and this is one of my fav layouts this week.Its an entry over at The scraplounge monthly comp...

It makes me smile.....

cheers...

2008-10-12T05:35:00.000-07:00

Well ive had a shocker of a time..since my last post..soooo long ago....

my computer died, and all my photos and class work with it.

Jack has been very sick, with temps of 38.8 for a couple of days.

now craig is very sick, he cant see too well as he has some allergy affecting his eyes.

So im hoping to stay out of the sick zone myself.

This was my last weekend, before school started this week:

after two weeks of holidays i decided to leave until sunday, my ironing of work clothes, my sorting of first weeks lessons, dying my hair(damn greys) and finishing off some challenges...

but noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Jack had been off colour all week and last night the temp started to rise...

so nurofen and cool drinks he finally fell asleep in bed with me at 3.30am this morning he was up at 8am and feeling warm so more nurofen and he lay in my bed whilst i started on school work. he slumbered on and off till about 1pm when he woke uop with red cheeks and very hot,

temp of 38.9... tried to put him in shower, nope....tried a cool bath....

nope..then he started throwing up and was getting all floppy...

so into hot car we get and off to doctors with air con on full...

his temp dropped in the cool doctors to 38.3..doc says looks like a viral infection going around...

nurofen and panadol will do...

he looks at old flustered me and he asks... is this your first?

hahahahahahahahahahaha give me the panadol i feel a headache coming on..

okay i admit i panicked a bit.

in the reception..

wanting my son looked at before the old man and the pregnant woman..

they can wait, my son is nearly passing out!!!!!

so no doctor this is not my first...

hmphhhhhhh at least he didnt ask if i was baby sitting my grandson which craig and i have encountered before

any who as im in the surgery the phone rings..

ex husband from sydney informs me boys will be home at airport at 6pm//

what the!!!!!!! its 3.30 now...

ring eldest son, he is on the coast and traffic is bumper to bumper....

get home make jack comfortable and leave for airport...

rush,,,rush rush,

get in terminal,

dying of thirst and hunger..

no time for coffee plane due to land....soon...

OMG!!!! which plane is he on???

qantas, jetstar and virgin all have planes in from sydney at 6pm...

ring ex husband...

no one answering..

ring craig...no idea

ring eldest son....dont know.....

ring alex on plane..phone turned off...

hmmmmmm eeenny meeny miny moe....

virgin..

yes i should have stayed a virgin and i wouldnt have had such a day!!!!!

can you tell me if my sons are on this flight..

nope cant give out that information..

great..will head up to arrivals and hope ex was mean and chose cheap virgin..

excuse me miss, man in uniform stops me...

thinking thinkiing,,

nope no knives in handbag that i know off, only drugs are panadol...

you have been selected for a random explosives check

do i look like im gonna explode!!!!!!

hmm dont answer that....

read this please..what the......

i havnt got my glassess,

he says netither does he but if i dont agree to it i cant go upstairs...

great..

as long as i dont have to strip off (didnt wera sexy undies) and as long as i dont have to be probed..

he looks at me...

im not joking..

he smiles i will only be touching you with this..

he pulls out a thing that looks like a gun with a cotton swab on the end..

only thing your gonna get is baby puke and shitty nappy particles..

he smiles..

i dont..

great run up escalator...hehehehehehe yeh ok get on escalotor and ride to the top..

gate 58..

yep right down there................

closer..closer....closer...

hmmmm like some movie where the corridor never ends...

beeeeep...beeeeppppp..beeepppp..

what the!!!

what now..loud peircing beeps..

oh no a terrorist...

no one else cares, or seems to notice..

why is everyone looking so sad milling around something..

looking up at somthing...

i cant get through...let me through..

i must find my sons before the airport blows up....

finally reach the middle of the crowd...

i follow everyones mournfull stares..i dont want to look..the beeping stops..

i look.. football..

the airport stops for football..

damn that manly!!!!

fianlly make it to the gate. puffed , red faced and disheveled...

my boys..

has the p[lane landed..

pleasse be on this flight..

oh madam its 30 minutes late due in about twn minutes!!!!!!

OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!

all that panic for nothing..

still no answer from any one..

getting dark outside..

is that a plane pulling in?

wait wait..everyone getting off...

still waiting...

stewadess looks down the long aisle..

noone else??

where are my boys!!!!

of course thay wanted to be last off!!!!!!!!!!

ive never been so excited and releived to see the two scally wags..

whats wrong mum...

you look upset...........................

no baby boys im fine.......

now lets go......

am happy now....

till i get outside and see the long line of bumper to bumper traffic......

oh well, i dont need ironed clothes for work...

do i?

HAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHA can laugh now.....

Oh big congrats too to Jolene, on my side bar,---------------->

who is having another baby..yay!!!! She just does the most gorgeous girl layouts im hoping she has a boy so i can drool over boy layouts as well...Go check out her blog, its full of inspiration....

I have scrapped some things but lost a lot of photos with layouts , so illll share the few i have taken in the last week or two..

Ive also been wanting to do a clear album for so long so im going to try and do our mid year trip to Coffs harbour as one as i have quite a few photos. I have been looking everywhere for inspiration and found it here..Ali Edwards

Ali Edwards, who always has soo many fabulous things to create and do...

Also Melanie also on my side bar-------------------------------------------->

had made a gorgeous one a while back...

go check that out as well.....

So im off next week to hunt down some transparencies...

till then..happy scrapping......

2008-09-07T03:31:00.000-07:00

My entry into the scraptacular competition, "so you think you can scrap?"
The requirements were listed as:
- Hand cutting of PP designs
- Edge Distressing
- Layering
- Use of 'white/negative' space
- Texture
- Non Standard size photos (eg not 4x6 or 5x7 or 6x8)
- Clustering

Just follow the blinkie over on the side bar to find out more and see all the great layouts in the gallery...!
Thats all to share today!
cheers!!!!!

2008-09-06T03:44:00.001-07:00

Hmmm well never a dull moment in my house is there...

Craigs new job means he leaves home at 11.pm every night and ive been staying up to make sure he leaves on time as he sleeps through the afternoon and evening. So im usually crawling into bed about midnight, most nights lately...

Now Craig has been driving my car as he realised his is out of rego...how you forget something like that i dont know, so over the weekend he took mine to work as i didnt need it...

Well Sunday night i get a phone call at just after midnight from an unknown number...Just dozing off, cant really read the number, deciding if i should answer..well its late and that usually means an emergency..

"Hello"

Craigs ex wife is on the other end telling me that Craigs wallet, keys and phone have been stolen at work...only number he recalled, can i bring spare car keys.. yeh see you ..hang up..

bum poo crap..what the....... i dont have spares for my car.....arghhhhhhhhhhhh

whack on slippers, pull on trackie dacks...oh what a look, no bra..who cares...hope cops dont pull me over..cause i have to drive craigs car to his work...just fabulous!!!!!!!!!!

oh by the way where does he work....???..well i have really no idea..i know he works at a large shopping complex, but ive never been there..well 40 minutes later it looms before me...but where is he?...five story carpark, where the hell could he be? drive around for 20 minutes, up down, dead ends, pitch black car parks, finally i spy a police station, park car run across road..oh yeh did i mention my great look, well the look on the police faces was to remind me of how i must look, forgot to brush hair as well..and was busting to use the toilet...after a quick show and tell used their toilet and let them know how dirty it was and needed cleqaning...so once again in to car, look around, still no idea..crying..cursing...praying..petrol dwindling, speech becoming incoherent, babbling , cursing..i spy an icecream milk truck..parking..yay..but by the time i get there..he is gone..will wait..then i see security guard, screech car to stop, jump out, running, screaming, dont go, he looks at me and for one moment visions of horror movies run through my mind, yoiu know the kind where the girl is being chased by a psycho and finally sees help only to have the security guard chopped in half or stabbed to death right before her eyes,,well that was my vision, but i made it to him, he took me to craig, and $200.00 later new keys and on way home..4am get in bed..and 6am alarm goes off to go to work...yay!!

oh and the best thing was, no one had stolen his keys and wallet and phone, another worker who was leaving, saw them and locked them in the utilities room, for safe keeping...oh yeh!

never a dull moment!!!!!!!!

on the scrapping front!

Well some scrapping happening, as SO YOU THINK YOU CAN SCRAP ,,,has started and also Battle of the scrappers at 3 angels scrapping......Im very excited to say that i won the first round of battle of the scrappers!!! Woohooo and a lovely prize pack of their design team kit..very excited..But i cant show my layout here so here is the link...3 angels scrapping

And here are some layouts i have completed...

Well till next time
cheers!!!!!

2008-08-22T23:33:00.000-07:00

Well some things in this world we just take for granted...like washing machines, dishwashers, showers, baths, hot water, running water, or in my case any water...

Our hot water service died last weekend, i didnt realise when i hoped in the bath saturday night that the lack of hot water wasnt due to five teenagers in the house..No..But when sunday night came and everyone was complaining of no hot water i thought something was up..So a phone call late Sunday let us know that due to ekka show day on monday noone could get out to look at it..So darling man of the house thought he could fix the leak....Yay!!! Well we thought the handy man had fixed the problem till we had no water!!!! Yes his fix it up job on the hot water system had caused a small explosion in the side causing all the hot water, in fact any water to pour out into the garden. So water was turned off at the mains...No water sunday , now no water monday..Tuesday morning turn on water for one hour, no hot water but at least running water..Daughter is disgusted and stays at boyfriends, eldest boys also stay at friends. Guy who was to deliver water system doesnt turn up on tuesday...so no hot water tuesday.. Mean while washing is pilling up, dishes are too, jack is using the sink with kettle to boil water...lol takeaway is looking good just use the wraping it comes in..Wednesday, cant contact the guy delivering said already paid for hot water system...Thursday, starting to feel like perhaps we all smell, talcum powder and deodorant not cutting it,,havnt seen teenage kids in days, jack hates the tiny sink and ive lost the laundry and kitchen sink....Finally hot water system arrives with many appologies....yeh right mate just hook it up...

Friday morning very early still no hot water grrrrrrrr!!!!!!!! what now..Call an electrician, arrange to come out around lunch...

cold morning head into shower, outside temperature 6 degrees shower temp...bloody freezing..wash hair very quickly go to work , pray for a miracle. come home

HOT WATER!!!!!!!!

i will never take it for granted again, as i plow into the laundry taking deep breathes as i dive under in search of washing machine.

And here is some scrapping ive been doing whilst having no showers...

Well that it for now!
Oh and ive joined up over at Scraptacular and am hoping to take part in their competition so you think you can scrap...
check it out!

2008-08-11T05:38:00.001-07:00

well here is my entry for the white with 1 blog challenge this month..

white, flowers and yellow..i quite enjoyed this challenge..i really had been waiting to make those little flowers after seeing them on numerous layouts,,and i love em!

cheers....

2008-08-09T18:57:00.000-07:00

Well its been a while..life is just speeding by....where do the days go?
On the home front.....Recently my darling daughter had us all wondering how she will survive once she leaves home..One morning last week i heard her scream from the laundry...
"Mum come quick! Jack has just put a glass of water in the washing machine"....
Hmmm i thought...."Well just pick out the cup"...
No she yells back he just tipped the water in"...
Ok no problem.."Are there any clothes in there to be washed i yell back?"
Yes comes the reply,,,but he poured water in the machine, and its not on! came her reply.. "tHATS OK JUST TURN ON THE MACHINE, A BIT OF WATER WANT HURT"..I YELL BACK AS I GET UP TO GO AND SEE WHATS THE Problem...
And from the depths of the laundry comes a scared voice.."but what if it blows up?...
" What i laugh as i catch her peering into the machine..
"It might blow up now, he put water in it and its not on."
...Ummm sweetheart i answer as serious as i can be..its a washing machine, you put water in it to wash clothes, thats what it does, uses water...she stood staring at me....then on came the light..oh yeh..hahahaha, silly me....
Hmmmmmm watch out world, here comes my daughter..lol
In my scrapping world, not a lot of scrapping happening...
I had a fabulous time at the retreat..with all my great friends and new ones...great food, scrapbooking..what more could a girl want?.
Look at the views from Mount Tambourine,,stunning...
See those red trees?...how gorgeous are they!!!!!!!!!

Oh i sooooo want a new camera..i have the funds i just dont know what i want..an SLR is top on my list but what type?..any one have any ideas on good cameras that dont need a degree in special languages,,id love some input...
Have some sharing to do , some from the retreat and some ive forgotten where from..lol..

Well i also forgot my second layout for idol so im out...but im enjoyibg all the layouts that have been created over there... Well till next time..
cheers

2008-07-09T22:20:00.000-07:00

Well its begun!!!!

What you say?

Embellished idol of course..FOLLOW THIS LINK...

Here is my first entry, lets hoping its not my last: but there is sooo much talent in the competition...i did really enjoy the sketch from Ali..fantastic, got to use up the holiday photos..

Ok so im all packed and ready to roll.IM OFF ON RETREAT TOMMORROW!!!!

Off to mount tambourine, its sooo lovely there. Have so many kits packed so hopefully will have lots to share when i get back...So till then..cheers Fran...

2008-07-06T20:35:00.000-07:00

Wow its all too exciting!!!!! Ive just started the embellished idol journey.. Oh and what a corker for the first challenge..A double sketch with heaps of photos.. So ive been and got photos, some more much needed(ahem) papers and goodies.. Now i have an idea, but where to start??

Well the comp this year is so much bigger and better and soooo different to the last few years. This year the public get to vote in an open forum on the embellished blog.. So if you follow this link...EMBELLISHED BLOG.... and have nothing to do..... go and have a look and whilst your there, on the weekends is voting!!!!!.. And id love to stay in a while longer, (hint hint, shameless plug). oH AND aLI HAS SOME GREAT PARTICIPATION PRIZES JUST FOR VISITING THE BLOG..sO GO ON WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR..GO LOOK..

And i have a few more layouts to share...

So now im off to try and get my layout for idol done..wish me luck!!!

2008-07-04T03:38:00.001-07:00

Embellished idol....
ooohhh forgot to say that id joined up once again for the embellished idol, it always gets me scrapping outside my zone..i love it...

go here to check it out....
cheers!!!

2008-07-03T18:58:00.000-07:00

Wow its been a long time i know!!!

I started full time work as a teacher and have been flat out !

I also resigned from all my design teams as it wasnt fair as i had no time to scrap for the first few weeks till i settled in.and it was time for some new designers to have a go...

But now im organised and itching to scrap!!!

Its the holidays and time to scrap..i also have a retreat coming up which should help the mojo...

I have done some scrapping here and there..

So ill just do a quick catch up and share...

Its been so long i cant remember what they were for..lol..
well ill catch up again in a few days..i need to go and blog surf for a while and catch up on other blogs...

2008-04-09T05:45:00.000-07:00

Oh its school holidays!!! yay!!! And its raining..but thats ok: as your kids get older its not really an issue anymore, as two work full time now and the two at school go out with their mates and that just leaves Jack, who needs to go to daycare!!!!

So apart from doing nothing ive decided to reaarange our room and get new furniture. Out with the old and in with the new....

So we have been perusing the shops and im loving ikea at the moment.. I want something light in colour, east to mathc and nothing to clutter the room. So ive decided to go from the wood and black we have now to white...yep just white with red and black accentsd and terracotta colours...Now criag is blaming the TV for this change, as we got foxtel not long ago and i love the do it shows, like house renovating and gardening. So everytime i say to Craig, "Babe i was just watching this show and i have an idea", he cringes and groans..lol..well our new mattress arrives tommorrow and we pick up our bed next week. But before that i need to empty the room and it has all my scrapping stuff in it!!! what a mess..lol Oh well im sure it will look so much better after the change...

Now i have some sharing to do..

From over at Direct to u scrapbooking some DT work i have done..

This is from EMM, their longe legends guest designer layout..thankyou Grace..
I won a prize with this layout over at Mystical scrapbooking for thier easter monthly layout...
This layout is for thier potion competition challenge ..
And this was for the weekend CC at mystical..

The last two were more for EMM s lounge legends awards...

Well thats all for now, time to do some more foxtel shows on renovationg...lol

"Oh babe i have an idea!! i was watching this show........"

2008-03-29T02:11:00.000-07:00

Chookscraps!!!!!

Thought id put up some layouts from over at chookscraps..

We are near the end of our survivor competition. And wow the entries sure are hotting up!!!!

This round three are eliminated leaving two to scrap it out for the final prize...

Cant wait to see who it will be....

These first two layouts are DT work using the chooks packs.

This was from a class Loorraine took on patch work..

Thi8s was for survivor: a double layout with lots of distressing.
This was from the last CC the DT challenge..
This was last weekends surprise challenge..A sketch from Jan.
Well thats all for now...
Had a fantastic friday night at Jodys place scrapping with friends..I love tio unwind with great company doing something ai love..Thanx Jody. She is holding a scrap day on Saturday april the 12th at Booval: Brisbane...... if you want details let me know would love to meet more friends from online...
cheers!!!!!

2008-03-25T00:22:00.000-07:00

Here are a few easter photos!!!

scrapn chat

2008-03-24T06:41:00.001-07:00

Easter Glitter Graphics

2008-03-20T21:34:00.000-07:00

Im a new DT member over at DIRECT 2 U SCRAPBOOKING..!!!!

Its a great, fairly new forum and store so go on over and check it out!

Now they have a got a sketch challenge happening over there at the moment, you have a choice of two sketches and guess what??? Its nearly the end of the month and they havnt got many entries, so that means your in with a good chance if you upload one..and you could win a $20.00 voucher. How cool is that!! SO BE QUICK!!

Here is my example of one of the sketches:

They also have a fantastic sale on at the moment, so go and have a look around..

Now i havnt been scrapping a lot as ive been busy working,,but time to share those i have completed..

Embellished Sketch
Colour challenge Mystical
Scraplounge CC, i won a prize with this one..thanx Rondell
Just some pages i love..

Scraplounge Sketch

So thats it for now..dont forget to check out direct 2 u scrapbooking and get a sketch in!

Cheers Fran

2008-03-16T21:40:00.000-07:00

Off to hospital!

Last week we finally had Jacks operation to correct his hypohpasia and to find and retrieve his lost testicle. We turned up at 7am he was first in at 8.30 am and we were told it was an hour to a 1 and half hour operation . By 11am we were worried. still no jack and no word, so we went and saw the nurse who told us he had just come out. tHE DOCTOR TOLD US IT WAS MORE COMPLICATED THAN FIRST THOUGHT, BUT ALL WENT WELL. Now when i asked the doctor if i could take a photo of his penis before the operation, you could have heard a pin drop..lol..but like a true scrapper i puller off his nappy and snapped away. Im a scrapper and know that hospital photos are a must as i never want to be there with Jack again. More pohotos once he coame out, threw up, slept most of the day and night and never once complained about how sore he was..So with catheta attatched we went home for a week.

So last wednesday we went back to hospital to have catheta removed. They say he is a good healer but his testicle has decided not to make an appearance, silly thing, doctor not happy about that...his poor man partsa are swollen and scabby..Hmmm a mans penis is not the most asthetically appealing part of the male physic and poor Jacks makes most men cringe..lol..but it all should go down and we go back in three weeks to see if we can find the elusive testicle!

This was just a short post.will come back later and post some exciting news!

cheers

2008-02-27T18:57:00.000-08:00

Well i admit it, being a mum again at 42 is hard..Well yes i did have Jack three years ago when i was 39, but i was still considered old and now, well i think im ready for the nursing home..lol..All my other children were disciplined severly for wrong doings, and they have turned out incredibly respectful of older memebers of the public, respectful of police and teachers and those in authority. They know right from wrong and have not gotten any police criminal or juvenile records..as of yet..lol..and im very proud of them..BUT..jack is a different kettle of fish..where once i did not permit the kids to eat in my lounge room..jack does it frequently, bottles and dummies were abandonerd at 18 months, Jack still has a night bottle, toilet training started at 18 months and was completed by 2 years, dry nights by three years..jack has yet to even see a potty. I would run and chase my kids for being naughty with a swift whack on the nappy and a good talking too..now im lucky to have gotten out of my seat and the wrongdoing is forgotten, i cant run as fast as him, he is cheeky no end, and most misdameanors go unpunished. Those that he is punished for, become a game and are repeated constantly, which just wears me down..So is this because im older, and less able to run as fast, is it beacuse i perhaps am a little more forgiving of the little things or is it beacause ive seen so many kids go wrong, have wondered about the law and its allowance of child punishment versus abuse.. where using a brand or product or practise was accepted now its frowned upon ie putting honey on dummies, or glyserine on them, not allowed now....Where once i would smack my kids and feel i had done the right thing now i just feel guilty..hmmm parenting sure has changed, or is it just me?

Ok enough of the philosophy of parenting on to some sharing...

This layout is for the embellished sketch..

This is for the colour challenge over at mystical scrapbooks
These couple were for the first cc over at the new scraplounge..

These are from the chook scraps site the first one is from the CC, the second is from survivor.

Th last two were from challenges at mystical.

well thats all for now have a great weekend!!!
cheers

2008-02-20T03:44:00.000-08:00

oooohhh its been so long..

Naughty blogger..

So busy with work and loving it..
Im a real teacher now..or so ive been told..lol

I finally got my first teachers badge from a school..You know it has your name and the school emblem and the school name and at the bottom it says teacher..

Yeh well im really proud to wear it and soo excited.. But alas my son got his year 12 badge on the same day..lol..So of course he thinks its better than mine..But mines bigger i say..mines gold he says..well i get paid to wear mine..well he says i didnt have to pay to wear mine..lol..ok you win i sigh..he then pipes up and says..so this means your a real teacher now?..Well ive been working there since last year,,i hope i am a real teacher now....hmmmm a small child also said that to me in the playground today..Oh miss she says in the cutest voice..you have a badge now does that make you a real teacher now?..lol out of the mouths of babes..

And so far behind in my sharing..

so here we go with a few layouts ive managed to completye in between being a real teacher ,, a real mum,,even though i dont have a badge to prove it i wear my stretch marks like a badge..lol.and also being the cook and the cleaner..again no badges for those jobs...

Firstky some DT work for chookscraps using the gorgeous monthly pack for February.

Stephanie and her boyfriend sharing a girly moment..too sweet..

A couple of 6x12 layouts which i enjoy doing..

These are for fun layouts and some comps as well.

Ok off to do some teacher work..seeing as im a real teacher now...lol

cheers

2008-01-14T20:31:00.000-08:00

Its raining again!

I love the rain sooo much..Its giving our poor dams which were down to 17% last year, giving them a wonderful top up..hopefully if it can contnue we will have lesser water restrictions. My garden is looking amazing. All the plants i thought had died are springing back to life..The only one complaining is Craig. This weather means cutting the grass once a week. But what once was a desert dustbowl front and back yard is now a rainforest..And i know why its raining too, See i got my electricity bill in december and nearly fainted.. Worked out it was because i was working and lazy and using the clothes dryer everyday..The clothes line was a forgotten relic of my past.. Lost in the backyard with no path leading to it anymore. A forgotten symbol of simpler times.. But..armed with my electricity bill i ventured out to find the long lost companion of many towelling nappies, countless school uniforms and basketfulls of underwear and childrens garments. And guess what? I found it. Nestled behind the house. A sorry sight with the lines sagging and the metal rusing. Cobwebs strewn all over..Not a peg to be seen!!! Oh old friend i have returned. I fixed the lines and scrapped off the rust, and hosed the cobwebs away. A trip to the shop and two packs of pegs later i was happily hanging out the washing.. The sun shone down and all was well.. Until the rains came..lol..so its farewell new friend and back to the dryer ..till this rain stops..

I have some sharing to do ...

Went to a crop yesterday at Jodys house. She has decided to open a shop herself from home, so good luck Jody..Had a great time yesterday, cant wait to go back..

Now dont forget this weekend at chookscraps we are having our cyber crop..

So pop on over and join in .

We have also strted a new competition, which im running. We had it last year called Chookscraps survivor island.. So much fun. This year its double the prizes, double the island and double the amount of challenges.. So come on and sign up. It starts friday the 25th of this month..

Now have done some DT work for chookscraps using their monthly pack..gorgeous papers. The pack is used in conjunction with the monthly scrap pack challenge. Another thing to look at whilst your over at chooks.

And here are some ive done over the past two weeks..

Well thats all for now..time to put another load of washing in the dryer..Whats that, i hear the whisperings of a desperate little voice coming from outside..its saying....."dont forget me..donet forget me..."...huh..me and my silly mind..

cheers

2008-01-05T01:38:00.000-08:00

Well the holidays are flying by and i dont seem to have scrapped as much as id like to.

The weather here is just perfect for scrapping, rain , rain, and more rain...yay!

Funny thing is we got Jack a large sand pit for xmas and he hasnt had more than 1 hour of use since xmas morn..I went to change the cover as it was full of water and when i lifted it off it was like the tide had come in on a beach..lol..the sand was covered in gorgeous clear rain water..I said to the boys, can you get some buckets and empty the water out of Jacks sand pit..Oh and pour the water over the garden...Doh!!! silly me as i look around: our back yard is half flooded and the garden and mulch have floated away sometime in the last two weeks. So as i chuckle to myself and my boys give me the, "what is she talking about- look"..i am still in water restriction mode and using my water wisely..lol..

So now for some scrapping:

I found a new web site ive been visiting called Mystical scrapbooks

So these are a few layouts ive done for it.....

Yes using all my christmas photos..

This was for the 123 challenge December:

Now chookscraps are having a cyber crop next weekend. I cant show you the layouts for the challenges just yet but i can give you a few sneak peaks.. well thats all for now..But before i go id just like to say thanks for all the gorgeous messages concerning mine and Craigs engagement..You have all been so gracious and loving..
Now to set a date!
cheers

2008-01-01T16:25:00.000-08:00

Well i wanted to take a photo of my engagement ring, but am unable to have it on my finger yet as it needs to be resized so here it is in the box.

As ive been married before i didnt want the traditional diamond solitaire so when we have looked at jewellery i like blue stones and a ring that wont get caught on anything in my busy schedual as a mum.. So i think Craig did a wonderful JOB AT CHOOSING THIS BEAUTIFUL RING.. And it is just a bit too small due to the fact that i ate way too much chrissy pudding and cakes..well thats my story and im sticking to it...lol

2007-12-31T05:32:00.001-08:00

christmas cake, pudding and tinsel:
Wow all over red rover for another year..

Well Alex had his alarm set for 5am and he camped in the lounge room, so as not to miss out on any excitement.

I was awake a 5.23 am, out of bed and into the lounge.

Alex was awake and ready to get things rolling.

I always have a coffee and christmas cake for breakfast whilst the unwrapping happens.

Alex ran upstairs to get Mike, Steph and Nik awake.

Then all of them traipsed into Jacks room where nanny was awake and getting out of bed.

But Jack was sound asleep.

A tickle and a kiss, still nothing.

Alex was not going to be put off, loud talking to Jack and move him around.

Jack woke up smiling. Why is everyone in my room?

Everyone piles into their spots in the lounge with Craig as the present giver. He says he hates christmas but he loves being the center of attention, the santa, the giver of gifts.

An hour or so later and its total choas in the room. Piles of paper and ribbon.

Where is Jack, hopefully not lost under all the paper.

Perhaps he is playing with his ride on shrek car, or his large dump truck or his blocks or any number of toys santa left.

But no we hear a gigle and a rustle of paper and in the kitchen on the floor is a happy little boy playing games. With an empty box and some cellophane..

Hmm would have saved santa a heap of money if he had put emptyboxes and paper on his christmas list.

Well lunch was prawn cocktails, ham, turkey, roast pork and all the trimmings.

with pudding, custard and trifle for dessert.

Craig curled up on the bed asleep with his chopper book in hand.

Alex upstairs playing his electric guitar.

Steph at boyfriends.

Mike asleep on the lounge with a silly cracker hat atop his head.

Nanny having a nap in with Jack asleep in his bed.

And me, well some little elf has to clean the dishes and put away the food. pack the crockery sweep the floor and find a place for all the paper.

and as i sit quietly smelling gorgeous from my new purfume, wearing a new shirt and slippers, i gaze at my hand and smile as i remeber this morning as my darling partner of many years proposed to me. In the quiet between the waking and the kids coming down, on bended knee he asked me to marry him.

i said yes.

so i sat back and pondered the makings of a wedding in the new year,

happy new year everyone..

2007-12-27T03:58:00.000-08:00

yes santa has been and flown home for another year..

merry christmas everyone!

2007-12-22T02:49:00.001-08:00

Hi all!!!

Its beginning to feel a lot like christmas...

Well havnt i been the worse blogger out!

Ive been working full time and just have had no energy or creativity in me..

And with christmas fast approaching i cant believe how fast this year has gone.

We did do our yearly secret santa..well its not so secret at our house..lol..Hoping this year my eldest son , who got his nanny to give a gift to, puts a bit more thought into his present than last year.. Last year he had Jack, who was all of 18 months old.. He bought him a Micheal Jackson CD. Ok he did this because he is Michael and Jack is jackson. Yes it took thought but Jack wont be using this CD for many years yet..Karma though has come round and Jack has Michael as his gift receiver this year. He got Michael a CD this year but more of Mikes music.

This years gift list goes like this

Craig(daddy) - chopper books to read,

Me - perfume

Mike - pool cue

Steph - camera

Nik - watch

Alex - electric guitar

Jack - anything that is loud and noisy..lol

so we will see just who has been naughty and who has been nice.....

Ive also taken some pre xmas shots which I will share..

These two layouts were done fro EMM as the guest designer..What a wonderful pack of goodies i got from Rondell..

These next layouts have been done for different CCs..and online comps

Not sure if ive shared these out of Stephs album. But here they are anyways...

ok, im off to do a photo shoot with the kids, so hopefully some more chrissy pics to scrap..

Oh i love christmas.

2007-11-02T22:27:00.000-07:00

I finally have some DT work to share with you!!

From over at chookscraps. This is the chookscraps pack for september/october..

Gorgeous papers and embellishments..head on over to the hen house and check out the packs and what the rest of the lovely design team are up too.

We also have two new designers..Jan and Jode..welcome chooks...

so from my pack i made up two layouts..

Now i have a few other layouts that ive managed to do in between working..

So ill quickly share those as well..

Jacks first day of daycare, and practically his last.. He cried non stop for two hours till we had to pick him up and after three weeks of this we decided to take him out as his whole routine was upset and he was getting distraught..Hmmm so much for the day care theory..lol..
These are old photos that were in a sleeve in his album that i finally scrapped..
I loved the red in this one...

Yes still scrapping last xmas photos..though down to the final three now i think...Ready to start all over again this year!

This was fathers day this year..We went for a bush walk and spent some time at our local park..was a nice way to end the day..

Ok thats all for now..

cheers and cath you all later..

2007-10-19T15:28:00.000-07:00

Oh i have been the naughtiest blogger!!

Ive been working back full time and when i get home and clean and feed the troops, ti feel too tired to do much else...

Whaaaaaaaa!!!!

I think this working deal is not all its cut out to be..yes i have more money to spend on scrapping goodies but no time to scrap!!!!

Also we decided to put Jack into day care..well he screamed and carried on so much that they rang us everyday after a few hours to pick him up..

Ive never had to put a child into day care before, it broke my heart to think how upset he was..

Daddy had drop off duty i was to pick up when i finished work.. .told craig not to ring me at work as i didnt want to know how he went till i got home,,, well got home thought id have a coffe then pick Jack up but guess what,,he was home already!!!!! he lasted from 8.30 till 11.30 .. But craig said he sobbed and sobbed when he left as i told craig to make sure he says goodbye to him..craig was heartbroken.. so next day off to work i go and come home and jAck is home.. ok i ask how long today? Craig sheepishly looks art me and says i didnt take him, i couldnt, i couldnt put him through it so i rang and told them he was sick...

"you didnt take him? cause you didnt want to put him through it? ok craig fesses up..craig couldnt go and leave him at daycare as it broke daddys little heart!!! oh my now what am i going to do???..lol poor daddy hey...lol

So daddy has decided that he wont be taking Jack as it upsets him too much..

So after four weeks of not so happy day care he has dropped out...yes day care drop out..lol...

such is life..

ok so now onto scrapping, these i did some weeks ago: before work started..

am loving the 6x12 size..too easy
Not so sure about the whole Love Elsie range, probably because im not a girly scrapper..

Also im trying to do more mutli photo layouts so am enjoying the blog, on multiple sketches, youll find it in my list on the sde, places i love to visit..take a look, very inspiring...
Till next time..
cheers

2007-09-28T14:54:00.001-07:00

Well its been awhile since ive been and blogged, guess thats what happens when you work and are totally unorganised..lol..

But in this entry i just wanted to post some work i have done and not been able to show.
Ive been in an idol competition at embellished, see link in side bar...

So now its over and i can share.. I got down to the final five, which from seventy entrants or so was pretty awesome i thought..
Congrats to Lali who won..well done and also to one of my most fav scrappers around Binxcat!!! love your work girl...
So here are my entries over the past seven weeks..

If you got nothing on this weekend pop over to chookscraps im hosting a CC..so come on ova!
Ok thats it for this weekend..

catch yas later..

2007-09-11T02:23:00.000-07:00

Well its another week ..gee bring on christmas..lol..only kidding...

ive done some scrapping and filed it away so i will have a big layout share...

But before i do put up any layout im happy to say i finally got back my layout i did for the scrapbook creations colour competition. Where i was a finalist..so here it is..As you can see i chose the colour combination of black and lime green..

These other layouts were for CCs and other competitions..

Enjoy.....

Thanx for looking ..cheers all...

2007-09-04T03:20:00.000-07:00

Just thought id add some of my DT work i have done lately..

Firstly the at Chookscraps i used those gorgeous cosmo cricket papers. So pop on over to chookscraps and have a browse in the shop..the papers are devine....

And if you pop into the gallery it will tell you on each layout what was used..too easy just follow these links..

shop..

Gallery

Ill put some other DT work in tommorrow..

cheers...

2007-08-28T16:43:00.000-07:00

Gee the weeks are flying past soo fast:, it seems like we are racing towards christmas, till the end of the year, to another birthday, to another year older..too fast I say, too fast!

So another layou share before i get much older...lol

I had entered a DT comp over at scrap n crazy, i got down to the final three, but alas didnt get the job, which is fine by me as i was up against what i would say, amazing talent: but now i can show you some of my work that i did over the weeks.

After another weekend of cyber cropping i have these to show..

Well thats it for today..

I forgot to pick my son up from school, so hes not talking to me so i need to go and do some serious grovelling...And i know your probably thinking, how did she forget to pick up her son??...lol..trust me i have a serious bad case of short term memory loss and unless i write things down i do tend to forget,,my boys usually catch the bus home but today i told Alex id pick him up...lol..oh well i did. but only after he rang me..in the old days i would have been walking home.no mobil phones back then to ring up and check..lol..

ok off to make up..lol

cheers

2007-08-22T17:40:00.000-07:00

Ok as i promised a layout share but boy oh boy have i got heaps, but before i go any further i always like to give you a new place to visit for inspiration and this posts inspiration is..

Just add inspiration..

Its a fantastic place to get ideas for layout design,,,so go on have a look, you may be surprised at how easy they can be to turn into a sketch..

Now large layout share ahead...

Now the first two are from the Chookscraps July challenge pack!!! Lorraine has outdone herself with this pack as there is just sooo much in it..Gorfeous Basic Grey....Ive done two layouts and still have enough for at least another two...So head on over to chooks scraps pick up a pack and try your luck at the challenge...

These next layouts are for the EMM emmies awards..

The monthly pack
progressive challenge
guest designer challenge

Have been trying my hand at the 6x12 size and am loving it...

ok blogger wont let me upload any more so this is it for today...cheers

2007-08-18T22:28:00.000-07:00

Stuck for an idea for a title?..check out this link....

PERFECT TITLE

Ok i know i have been a slack blogger but ive been so busy....doing......stuff...you know....hmmmm ...ok....nothing really....lol....

Oh yeh we headed into the EKKA, on Friday. For those of you not in the know, the EKKA is Brisbanes show day.
Well because of the horrible flu thats been devastating Brisbane this winter the show did not really go off with a bang. But it was great to walk around with no crowds, no lining up for anything, no pushing or shoving, just like going for a Sunday stoll. It was perfect.. Now Craig really didnt want to go to the EKKA. The thought of traipsing round crowds with five kids, all that money wasted, was not his idea of fun. But by the end of the day it was he who had to be dragged from side show alley, saying, just let me have one more turn, im just going to try and win another toy.

So for his 100.00 spent on side show alley he brought home a gorgeous 50cm dragon, worth ..oh id say...10.to 15 dollars in a cheap shop...lol...
yes and all those show bags, not even filled to the brim. He staggered out with about 15 showbags at a cost of 180.00,,,a bargain he told me, till he got home and weeded out the paper and rubbish...lol...

Oh well its all the fun of the rides isnt it..well not for Jack who screamed on the only ride we put him on,,the merry go round..

Well he doesnt have his mothers love of the wild rides. So on i went with Stephanie, and now i have put my back out, i am too old for fast and wild rides..gonna leave it to the young ones in future,.
lol and me being the scrapper i am took many photos, so at the end of the day, we have no money, five over tired, sugar hyped up kids, and sore feet..lol..but we all went to bed with a smile on our faces and a big green dragon to share our bed...

But i have done some scrapping and have purchased some lovely new BG so all is good in the scrapping world...

So next post will have a big share

2007-08-06T03:11:00.000-07:00

Oh its been such a long time. We have all been so sick here. The darn flu bug going round Brisbane.

I was so set on working and now this set back..oh well you would think i could scrap. But i didnt as i didnt have the energy to do anything. But someone had to look after Jack as all the others in the house were dying you know...lol..Hmmm..i was sick too but no time to actually be a sick patient..But we are all on the mend. even though its hanging for dear life this flu bug that has grown part of our family and really doesnt want to leave..grrrrrr

Now i have a few layouts to share, not much but here goes...

Ok thats all for now..cheers everyone

2007-07-16T15:32:00.000-07:00

Exciting, Excitng, Exciting!!!

Firstly:Yesterday i received my official acceptance into uni as post graduate in a special needs education course.Full time, so im back studying, which i love. Oh and of course ive had three job offers for contracts this week as well..no work last semester and three contract offers in a couple of days.. Which i had to say no to as i really want to go back to uni. And with Jack still little its the best oppurtunity.
Secondly: You know the other week when my son broke his foot and i was late for an appointment? Well...I was so surprised to find out id been asked to join a design team at "The scrapbook princess". That was the interveiw i was late for...lol Really didnt think i had a chance after my late appearance but....I was asked to join....Its one of my local scrapbook shops. So that will be fun..We have a meet and greet this weekend, so looking forward to meeting the other ladies on the team. They dont have a web site up and running as of yet but its on the books and when it does ill put up a link..

Thirdly:I taught my first online class last Friday at Chooks Scraps, and it was sooo much fun..And im happy to say quite a few joined in and even some new chooks in the hen house joined us..So i cant wait to do another class. Love teaching, wasnt as scary as i thought...

Here is the completed white space layout and a link to the gallery so you can see everyones layouts from the class..

Here is the link to the gallery:.......Chookscraps online class July..

Now i havnt really scrapped a lot as i thought id have a go at the for keeps Awards for excellence.Well thats thrown a spanner in my works.Ive found a few photos i love.. But thats it, im stuck for inspiration. I dont know what they look for?..And ive attempted a few, but then think, Is it good enough?..So ive sat and looked at photos, paper and mags, for a week now and cant seem to get anything done. Even so much so that i havnt really scrapped much at any ccs this week..

So here are the layouts i have completed

The photos i used in these two layout were old photos of Jack that i decided i just had to use again..lol For another album, his beach album..

So thats mynews and show and tell....lol.... Hope you all have a fabbo week and ill catch up later..

cheers Fran

2007-07-12T04:16:00.000-07:00

Have some exciting news,

Im hosting an online class at CHOOKSCRAPS on friday 13th July..

Its on white space. Now i know im one of those people that have to clutter up my page and never know when to stop..lol..

But i do love the simplicity of white space layouts, the elegant lines and the design of white space layouts. So if you arnt busy, and would like to step out of your comfort zone. Join me and the chooks over at chookscraps for a free, use your stash online class.

Here is a preveiw of what we will be creating

And here is the link to find out more.....ONLINE CLASS:

CHEERS fRAN

2007-07-03T18:40:00.000-07:00

Its always the way isnt it...a quite few days, rest and relax...one meeting to attend in the week have to be there at 10.30
Good time, enough to get up have coffee,shower: relax leave with time to spare..Easy..
OH NO!!!!

I am awaken at 8am by my 14 year old son, "mum there is no bus money are you driving us?" yeh hang on..
Just about to get out of bed, 20 year old son speaks up "Mum i need to go to the doctors"

Why? i ask..." I think ive broken my foot". How? "Last night at bowling, kicked a bowling ball.".

Oh great. pile kids in car, drop off at school get to doctors..doctor running late, and its already busy..wait...wait.. see doctor, need xrays..

great havnt put petrol in car and havnt got key card to get any..

panic about running out of fuel. get to xray, not even enough room to sit..

Get xray back, pile 20 year old son in car with crutches, tell him to make another appointment to see doctors this afternoon..

"but mum!"

I dont care, self inflicted silliness, had been drinking as well.

Bowling alleys and alcohol dont sound safe to me on a good day...

Im late!!!!! which i was by 30 minutes..

no coffee, no time to shower, no food, throw on clothes, grab portfolio...

panicking, grab fuel, speed, get there in a huff.... and they were so nice about it..

grrrrrrrrr, isnt it always the way...._________________

Any hooooo, i have some Chookscraps DT work to share

First off my finished layout from the pack i showed last month:

So much in the pack, enough to do a double with leftovers...

This was an urban lily pack...im not a pink person but loved the outcome..

The rest are just layouts from the week to share...

So thats all from me for now..
But before i go just wanted to send my well wishes and love to Anthea, on her babys upcoming birth.....
cheers all..

2007-06-25T15:36:00.000-07:00

Well an uneventful week for me this week although i did get to a crop with the girls from EMM, and that was fantastic. Love chatting with other women who have a passion the same as mine...

Also EMM are having another retreat!!! Wooooohooo, yes ive circled the date on the calender, checked luggage is still in working order, let the family know i wont be home that weekend.Im going on another retreat!!!

And the response this time was.......
"You are so daggy mum...."

Hmmmmm wasnt the response i was expecting. Still how could i expect them to know the excitement i feel on geting away from nappies, washing, making meals, doing dishes, mopping floors and just general household mother duties...None of that on my retreat...nope..cant wait to get away.. Oh and yes that is about all of my social life for the year..

Except for the odd weekend here and there of Karaoke at the pub...And even then i hear,

"Oh mum your soooo embaressing"...lol...

So didnt do a lot this weekend, but as usual i have some to share, as i did do a lot of DT work which i cant show just yet...but...

Ill show you the gorgeous May chooks pack Lorraine sent me, just devine....couldnt wait to use it...have a look..

Had heaps of fun creating with the pack..
Now to share some layouts ive been doing..
This was for my BOM at EMMM Emmies: about my school days..I chose to do mine on a crush i had on my music teacher way back in year eleven....
And a mini book i made for my MIL....

Now for the exciting news from last blog entry.....

Last weekend i joined in a cyber crop at Scrapping Around...and i won a challenge but i was also asked to be their first guest designer ..wooohoooo So will be doing somthing special for thewm for August..very exciting..

Oh and also....

Acacia Paper craft sent me thier adverstising for Scrapbooks Creations August issue and they have used my layouts and mini books in the advertising...

Very cool i thought!!!!

So there you have it..till next time. keep safe!

cheers Fran..

2007-06-20T02:55:00.000-07:00

Oh Ive been a bad blogger, so i should make up for it..

Aint it cold...brrrrrrr, and i love it!!!!!!

Give me rain, give me snow, give me 10 degrees and below..

Give me a beanie, give me a scarf, sit round the fire have a good laugfh.

Too cold to wash or hang out the clothes, too cold to shop with my runny nose.

I love this weather please give me more:

Turn on the heater close the door,

Put on my slippers and my old dressing gown, the rain outside is pouring down.

Give me my coffee , my scrapping gear and my cake:

Time to play and have fun and create...

Hmmm that just came to me thought id just be a poet..lol.

Now last weekend i joined in some cyber crops

Chook Scraps had their cyber crop, and Lorraine always gives the best challenges...

123 had their cyber crop but i havnt started them yet as they are not due in till the end of the month but i have completed their monthly challenge.

Scrapbook city also had their cyber crop and i managed a couple there.

And a new scrap site ive found, Scrapping around, had their cyber crop on.. Some great challenges there also..

So now for show and tell.

These two layouts were for competitions at The craft attic and EMM.

So im being a bit quick today, as my fingers are a bit cold...

So i have some other news to share but ill pop back in tommorrow to share that...

Cheers

2007-06-12T21:26:00.000-07:00

Exciting news!!!!

I found out on the weekend that i was a finalist in the

SCRAPBOOK CREATIONS COLOUR COMPETITION!!!

Yay...dont get any thing for it,

but it was on display at the

Brisbane paper crafts festival..

Mine is second row fifth from the left....

I did the green and black challenge..
Thats good enough for me...lol

Now i dont have a photo to share of it as i didnt think to take one before i sent it in...

so will have to wait...

I do have some layouts to share.

From cyber crops and competitions.
So here goes...

Double layout for EMM sketch..

EMM challenge pack:

This layout was for a cyber crop over at Embellished.
Also from Embellished, the monthly competition asked for a moment layout..

Over at LSBS i joined in the cuber crop and managed one layout, a sketch...
This layout is for 123 CHALLENGE BLOG:using polka dots, birds and stamps
This layout was from Crafting in style cyber crop. It was Jolenes sketch, which i loved..
Ok so thats all for now..

cheers Fran

2007-06-09T22:10:00.000-07:00

This post is just to put up my mini album about me from the Make Believe Masters over at Scrap therapy, as their web site has been playing up and wont allow anyone to upload photos. So i have met the deadline and am uploading these photos to show i have completed the challenge..

Front page:
Inside pages.

Ok thats it for now...cheers Fran

2007-06-09T15:42:00.000-07:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JACKSON!!!!!

You turned two today. I cant beleive how fast it has gone. I love you my precious boy..

LOVE YOU!

2007-06-03T02:38:00.000-07:00

Exciting news for me!!!!

Well actually two lots of exciting news...

First off i was asked a while ago to do a guest design team stint for Acacia Ppaer Crafts. They sent me the most gorgeous papers from Daisy Buckets designs. Loved using the paper. aND SOME mAYA ROAD CHIPBOARD TAGS..Well it seems they loved my work so much they asked me to join their design team full time!!!! Yay..

So if you go to this link it will show my guest design work on their front page.

ACACIA PAPER CRAFT

So now i have my next package full of exciting papers to work with yay!!!

Now exciting news number two.

Ive finally been published....In SM vol 8 no 12......

Now i know that ive told people i wasnt interested and that was because i sent this one layout in, it was excepted, i sent it to be photographed and then i heard nothing. So i gave up and couldnt be bothered..lol

Now i see its in print....And its kinda exciting..lol

And it certainly was a surprise as i was told by Jolene, after congratulating her on being in the mag and she informs me that im in it too...lol.

too funny...

Now do i actually get paid for that??

It was actually on my list last year, to be published and join a design team. Ive done both and now im happy..

So here are a couple of layouts ive completed on the weekend.

Must go need to do dishes..
cheers all...

2007-05-29T22:34:00.000-07:00

Chris Millar sketch challenge at oz sketches.

Hot potato hot potato!!!, cold spaghetti, big red car? coloured skivvies and lots of other obscure visual imagery. Ring a bell? Well it seems i missed out with my kids on the wiggles..My kids watched Humphrey, big dog, fat cat and play school. But on the weekend we were given a wiggles CD. This was my down fall.
Craig was up on this new lingo and music. Jack seeemed to enjoy it. And the music was so contaigious i was singing hot potato all day. So far so good, till i was shopping and that darn song was going around and around in my head. So much so i didnt realise i was singing it. Till as i reached for the milk i was applauded by an older man for my musical interlude. But did that put an end to the song in my head noooooooooo. It was now there to torment me. To send me insane even. Every time i opened my mouth the words came out. Every moment of peace was ruined with the uine in my head!!!!!! Will it never cease???

Oh so that is how the wiggles got so big.

Brain washing!!!!

Yes brain wash the parents, the children the world!!!!!

So with this song still in my head i will upload my weeks worth of layouts..

This week i joined in the cyber crop over at EMM.

ALSO CONGRATS TO RONDELL AND FAMILY ON

THE BIRTH OF THEIR NEW DAUGHTER MEG ROSE!!!

I manged to complete two of the three challenges.

The first a baby layout.

The second was an orange challenge.
I also completed my last layout for the month on the Emmies at EMM.

It was to do a layout of something comforting.

And some layouts for 123 cybercrop,

And lastly my entry for Scrap therapys Make believe masters...A double layout..
Well thats all for now. I can hear my load of washing calling my name..

So till next time..

Hot potato hot potato!!!!!

2007-05-21T04:23:00.000-07:00

Well cant believe how fast the weeks are going...Nearly tax time..again...Jacks 2nd birthday next month..Ummming and arghinng over wether to have a party or just a morning tea, with a few little friends..

And he is still not talking. Everyone says dont worry, but i do.He is having some hearing tests soon to see if it could be his hearing. He also needs to go in for day surgery for his testes and we have also decided that his hypophasia can wait to be treated till he is older..Oh all this and not two yet..lol..

Anyways been doing some layouts...

These first ones are for the EMM site and the emmies challenge.

The emm scrap pack

The emm monthly guest designer challenge

The sketch challenge

Next couple of layouts were for weekend cyber crops at chookscraps and at LSBS.

Made the criteria fit for both..

This next layout was for Scrap therapy masters.

And this layout is for 1,2,3 monthly challenge..
Well thats all, hope everyone is fine, and did i mention its raining here..oh wow big news, and its cool..oh joy i love winter!!!!!!

cheers

2007-05-07T02:12:00.000-07:00

Oh the long weekend here in Brisbane, QLD....

Yay, another day off for my kids, grrrrr..

I remember when i was 18 and working in Coles in the city of Sydney. Ladies would come in complaining about how long the holidays were.

I used to think, how awful they were, didnt they love their children?..how could they say things like that. I would never say that.
Well 20 years later and i was constantly complaining about how long the holidays were. The kids get bored, eat me out of house and home, cost me a fortune on DVDs and takeaway...lol..

Then i became a teacher......

What a dilhema, i love school holidays and they are never long enough when your working...

But i hate school holidays as my children even though they are older start to argue and fight and still eat me out of house and home. By the end of the holidays, im begging for school to start, but not looking forward to working...lol..with more kids...lmao...

This time of year, we seem to have so many days off. Its not too bad though as i got to do some major scrapping on the weekend. My mojo has returned.

And as it was international scrapbook day on Saturday, i really got into it.Warned the family if they broke any bones, cut off any limbs or needed major surgery we did pay ambulance, and here is 40 cents to call when you are better...lol..

Well nothing happened except my scrapping.

So with seven kids in the house, i did manage to scrap my heart out.

So here is my layout share...

Ive been joining in a cyber crop over at Scrapworld and here are the layouts for the challenges..

The next few are from the top 50 cyber crop.I also incorporated the challenge of my mum with a challenge over at chookscraps for their mini cyber crop..

This final layout was for a challenge at Embellished. It was based on a sketch and had to have a feminine touch. ell i thought the photos of Jack strutting his stuff in my pink hat were feminine enough. Craig hated the photos but hey i think they are great

Well thats it for now, im actually having a look at the new site for sketches SKETCHES OZ, looks way cool so go and check it out. They have a new sketch by Kim Archer..till next time

cheers

2007-04-29T20:59:00.000-07:00

hI everyone:

Yes its that time of the month..and i do mean that time of the month..Feel like curling up with a good book and a cup of tea. But no!!! Not when you have kids...lol...They never let you have time alone, and then i get a wee bit grumpy, you know, nothing major, just things annoy me and i guess i might yell a bit...well thats what they say...lol

I remember when my boys were younger, if stephanie or i were having a bad day, they would yell out, "watch out its that time of the month", followed by giggles..hmmmm well i didnt really think they understood the meaning back then, now i never hear them yelling that out.And when i pronounce its that time of the month, you see them shrink away..I guess knowledge is not always a welcome thing..lol

I remember Alex when he was about 5/6 years old, running up the supermarket aisle, asking, "Do you need nappies mum?" and throwing in some pads into the trolley.He wouldnt be caught dead near that aisle now..lol

Another time when i was making Alex` bed, he was about 2/3 years old, i found three tampons and a lighter under his pillow. When i asked him why he had these he told me they were his smokes...lol..well that sure brought about a smile to my face and now a lifetime of paying out on the poor boy about his bad habit..smoking tampons...lol..luckily he couldnt use the lighter..

Well another week of scrapbooking..had a wonderful time at Rondells on the weekend. Rondell owns EMM, we had a crop night..good friends and a good time..and i got some layouts completed..

First up I am doing the book of life over at Shop and crop, this is my front page.9x9

I also completed a challenge over at 123 crop for their CC. It was an easter layout..So i did it on Jascks new bunny.

A few more layouts for cyber crops through the week..

This one had to have pink and flowers...Well flowers i can handle but PINK!!!!!...

Well thats all for now. Im off to find a warm spot in the sun, with a cuppa tea, whilst Jack sleeps and the others arent home. Oh and a good book to read..

cheers!!