LOTS OF CATCHING UP TO DO!!

Its been a bit quiet on the blog-front these past few days.....but I've been working away! I cant reveal my creations yet until after Friday night....and that will depend if I get time! I'm flying off to Melbourne for a couple of reasons (on Fri night), firstly to join the girls from SCRAP THERAPY for CROP FOR KIDS , yes, we have booked our table and on Saturday 4th April, we'll be doing a little 'scrappin' together between 10am till 5pm! It was just coincidence that I had to be in Melbourne secondly for work on Monday through to Good Friday. Dont you just love it when a plan comes together!! It will be great to meet these girls for the first time!! I wonder how much scrapping I'll get done??? lol! DAISY D'S KIT CLASS Talking about Scrap Therapy , I taught a layout kit class last night using Daisyd's papers. Its pretty and feminine and uses loads and loads of techniques rolled into one. If you'd like to take a look then click here .

SCRAPPING THE MUSIC #79

The song this week is EVERYDAY

Go check out the lyrics and I'm sure you'd love to join in the fun!!

Hannah and Paige laughing, tickling and frolicking in the back yard! Such a happy noise!

STEP BY STEP LAYOUT

Here's a class you can follow that I've created for Scrap Therapy - you can find it here

Poor Hannah gets snowed under by homework at times. But she ploughs through it. 28TH MARCH JOURNAL PAGE

A welcome break to the day when a neighbour pops in for a cuppa, a chat and a biscuit!! Gotta love that!

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It was reduced (truly it was!!!) And I've always wanted one! Now I've just got to find the time to sit down and see how it works!!! 30TH MARCH JOURNAL PAGE

Just was one of 'those' days! I'm glad its nearly over!! I've just got sooo much to prepare before I go to Melbourne.....it just feels like I'm running out of time. When I sit on that plane...I'll take a big deep breath and RELAX!!!

SATU, My Blind Scrap Sample (and journal pages)

SATU I'm soooo HAPPY to use Prima's Flirty Little Secret Paper for SCRAPPING ACROSS THE UNIVERSE We were encouraged to scrap about 'best friends' and I couldnt go past my own daughters. I'm so proud of their relationship - its one of caring and sharing - its incredibly close. (click to enlarge) I couldnt wait to scrap a whole heap of these photos I'd taken of the girls last Sunday.

MY BLIND SCRAP SAMPLE FOR SCRAP THERAPY

This was great fun to share the girls at Scrap Therapy! Cant wait to see everyone's LO's in the gallery

24th March Journalling Page

Its so wonderful when former students behave like daughters and check in when they come home!! LOL! 25th March Journalling Page

Oh gosh....I've been sooooo waiting for Flirty Little Secrets and some of the flowers by PRIMA! I got a wonderful parcel in the post from USA! Oooooooh just FABULOUS!

26 March Journalling Page

You know how it is when the phone doesnt stop ringing all day and no matter how much you try to get done the phone calls take so long that the day is almost over before it began.....that was this day.

27th March Journalling Page

Another headache - its part of the norm for me. It can be very frustrating to get through the day. Grin and bear it mostly works.......but just sometimes......its can be too much. So far I'm 'handling' it okay today. Hopefully another good nights sleep will see it gone by tomorrow.

AdThis AND Who'd like to come Blind Scrapping with ME??

Here's my DT Sample for AdThis - Go check it out!!! (big smile) I've used an old braille page as the background, loving glimmer mist and vintage pages as borders. Slap a bit of paint around - and I'm happy!!

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BLIND SCRAPPING WED 25TH MARCH AT SCRAP THERAPY

INGREDIENTS:

*Background paper : either patterned or plain

*Fabric square: approx 8x7inches either patterned or plain to coordinate with paper (mines 8.5x7) It would be good if its a tiny bit fray-able

*Co-ordinating RicRac: enough to measure around all sides of the fabric

*6x4 portrait photo

*Journaling block: approx the length of the photo (will only need a strip)

*2 sets of alpha

*Embellie cluster: of your own choice.

*Contrasting ink and distressor

**** the fabric can be new and bold (mine actually is!!) or vintage. It can be something that you have thats worn out and you dont want to throw away, but scrapping it may help!! There is no sewing - though you could if you felt inclined....totally up to you!

It will be a fairly easy quick Blind Scrap cos it will be starting a little later than usual (got somthing on prior to it) Sooooooo start time will be around 9.15pm for Vic/NSW

It will be a quick, easy and very effective LO

To check out the thread - click here

SCRAPPING THE MUSIC #78 (and journaling photos)

The song this week is 'White Horses' with some very scrapable lyrics!! This was Paige (2yrs) sound asleep in her nursery bed. Gotta love Prima products - Yum! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I didnt have time over the weekend to scrap my journaling pages, so I will write on these photos, hole-punch them and pop them into my folder. 20TH MARCH PHOTO Meaghan arrived from Sydney to watch her little sister perform in 'Pirates of Penzance'. It was great to just relax that night on the veranda having a few drinks. Isnt she gorgeous! 21ST MARCH PHOTO A very special hug from Grandma after the performance. Grandma, Aunty Heather and cousin Sophie also travelled to see Closing Night' Her last performance received a standing ovation. This was such a fabulous high note to finish on. Hannah's group of the 'Police' (similar to the Keystone Cops style lol) stole the show!! This was evident in the many rounds of clapping and cheering everytime they stepped foot on stage! 22 MARCH 09 PHOTO

Hannah and Paige enjoyed this Sunday together. They were inseperable all day. Its been such a long time since Hannah had a weekend day off since being committed to the 'Pirates'

I love to watch them being together. You would be hard pressed to find closer sisters (but I'm biased!) big smile!

22ND MARCH PHOTOMeaghan picked up her hire car and we had to say good-bye. It was sooooo wonderful to have her home again. She is off travelling overseas in a couple of weeks to Turkey and to spend the Dawn Service at Gallipoli. I'll be going up to visit her in Sydney on her return. I wish she didnt live so far away!

SCRAP-JACKED USA (and journal pages) plus WHATS NEW at Scrap Therapy!

SCRAP JACKED USA: Just loved Lu's inspiring page for this month!! It wasnt long before my LO fell into place!! 17th MARCH JOURNAL PAGE Dont you just hate coldsores! Luckily I managed to get my hands on a Pharmacists own brand...and wow - it worked! While I was away at scrappy camp, I'd noticed that in the photos from last year, I had one then!.....so I checked back the year before and sure enough in March, I had one then too!! So there's a pattern to be combatted!!! I'll be forearmed next February and we'll see what happens! 18th MARCH JOURNAL PAGE Out of my garden and onto the kitchen table. I love big bunches of flowers that fall everywhere.

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My morning ritual having breakfast on the veranda reading the morning paper looking out to sea. Yes, I love it.

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SCRAP THERAPY HAS SOME NEW GOODIES!!!

Wow Have you all been checking out What's new over at Therapy. I just did. Some great yummies there from My little yellow bicyle and Websters Pages. If you would like to grab some you had better pop on your running shoes though as I am sure if it is anything like the last time we had Websters in it won't be there for long.

OLW, SCRAPPING THE MUSIC (and journal pages)

OLW -REAL #47 (YAY - IT MADE THE FAVOURITES)!!!! The stories she creates - a gift, an incredible imagination SCRAPPING THE MUSIC #77

We Will Rock You' by 'Queen' is this weeks challenge.

Paige will take on the world some day. Its 'in' her!!!

15TH MARCH JOURNAL PAGE

It was a fab afternoon. The kids love getting amongst their cousins, and the older relatives smiling and watching on.

16TH MARCH JOURNAL PAGE

Honestly!! We were out in the back garden (and I had my camera as I tried to photograph a wallaby under my apple tree to no avail) and Cosmo ran out in front of me straight up a tree trunk - only about 3 feet off the ground - then screamed he couldnt get down! What a baby!

(I think it was more attention seeking than anything else!)

MIX IT UP CHALLENGE (and daily journal pages)

MIX-IT-UP CHALLENGE was to become inspired by the art piece that depicted 'spring'. All I could see were the flowers, then this photo jumped out at me! Look at my sleeping little cherubs. We were on holiday staying with my brother, and they shared a double bed. In the mornings, I always found them snuggled together. So so sweet, Hannah 5yrs and Paige 3yrs. 10TH MARCH JOURNAL PAGE This was a bit funny, I had my friend over for a cup of tea, and just as I'd gone in to get the tablecloth, Cosmo had jumped up onto a seat as if too take part!!! As soon as I poised my camera - and in true form- he looked away! He has 'had it' with my flashing lights!! (Yes he was made to get down!)

11TH MARCH JOURNAL PAGE Paige set off to Camp with her school. She was away for 2 nights and all was very quiet at home!! 12TH MARCH JOURNAL PAGE A terrible day for a headache! Two horrible days of it really, but this was the worst day. I went to bed and slept and slept! ITs definitely the best place! FRIDAY 13TH MARCH JOURNAL PAGE It might have been unlucky Friday the 13th - but it was a good day for me! After all but throw my camera into the river!!!! - I brought a DSLR!! AND it is HEAVEN after my rotten other one. Really I'm still having guilt after buying a new one so soon after not really having the 'other' one very long.......but how long does one have to feel bitter and twisted !!! LOL I detested every minute I picked the thing up to take a photo!! The man in the camera shop did say that he would never have sold me 'that' camera! It was just toooo hard to understand!

Anyway hopefully you will see some better photography soon!! Yippee!!

14TH MARCH JOURNAL PAGE After having kids with me the night before when I went to see Hannah perform in Pirates of Penzance and not seeing a lot of it because I was constantly distracted by them.....I took myself to see it the next night! It was delightful and I felt better I could enjoy it. Afterwards, dh, hannah and I went to an afterparty and it was sooo much fun and a great laugh! Hannah has so much self-confidence and a lot of new friends. Its been such a positive experience for her. The pic is Hannah all dressed to go partying! THANK YOU TO MY LOVELY ONLINE FRIENDS WHO HAVE HANDED ME THESE AWARDS.....

This one from Julie (mwah)

It is called The Premio Dardos Award that acknowledges the values that every blogger shows in their effort to transmit cultural, ethical, literary, and personal values every day. And this one from Jenneke (mwah too!)

I'M BACK FROM SCRAPPY CAMP!

Lots and lots to show and tell here....I managed to complete some of my wonderful blog challeges too! SCRAPPING THE MUSIC #76 Dt Sample The song this week is 'Hello' Go check it out!!! This is my escape - inside my scrap study where I have everything I need!! (big smile!) AdThis DT SAMPLE Check out this challenge!! Its all about MASKING!! Fabulous fun! I've masked my frame and the little bird! Paige dressed for a 60's-70's dance. She looked adorable!

123 CHALLENGE Dt Sample

CRITERIA:

Make your own flowers

Autumn Colours - Oranges, Yellows and Browns

Texture of some kind - felt, fabric, scrunched paper {for example}

I've used a lot of trims and tulle for texture, flowers are made from cotton laces and pearls. New Basic Grey Marrakech was perfect for the flower bases and background.

Meaghan helping Hannah with her make-up for Snugglepot and Cuddlepie! I love this photo!

SCRAPPING ACROSS THE UNIVERSE #10

Inspired by the song 'I Wanna Hold Your Hand', I had the perfect photo of Paige with dh at the zoo enjoying a lovely moment together. Even though she is 12yrs old, she will still take hold of our hands anywhere anytime.

MIX IT UP#9

Recycling was the main feature of this challenge....I've used a red onion bag as a butterfly net! Paige is in a little fairy costume and IMP describes her beautifully!!

DESIGN EXPERIMENT #43

The criteria is to create a layout in either yellow or red connecting with emotions. I went with yellow - it has a much more positive effect on me....

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SCRAP THERAPY has been busy with our CYBERCROP this past weekend. Even though the Cybercrop deadline has passed for prizes, there is still an opportunity to win another prize as the

CHALLENGE CHAMPION The catch is - you have to complete the most challenges on offer at Scrap Therapy - including having go with the cyberscrop ones!! ITs fun!

My DT Cybercrop Sample was for the Inspiration Challenge (the theme is 'Class is In')I focussed on school art. Here's an ADORABLE little Kinder Mary Poppins (Paige) dressed for bookweek with her own entry for the poster competition! She came first!

Paige's attempt at spelling and writing were (top) Paige Book (down the bottom) Jane, Micheal, Mary Poppins and Bert!! Wasnt she clever!!! (4.5 yrs old!)

BELLA is the MANUFACTURER OF THE MONTH! Therefore all the MONTHLY CHALLENGES has a focus on Bella!

Here's my MONTHLY INSPIRATIONAL DT sample (this time the inspiration came from the playground!) I also did a bit of a showcase on BELLA's GRACE line:

The diecut cardstock is very good quality! (I found it very hard to photograph the black and white and get true colours!!!) Hannah amongst the very white tulips!

Its hard to see, but I inked the white bits in 'vanilla' to give it more a black and cream, rather than black and white look. This is me at age 11-12 with my trusty little dog 'Bobby' I had him until I was 23 yrs. He thought he was human.

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I'm afraid I had no time to scrap my Journal pics....so they will be hole=-punched and written on the back etc - but I did still manage to take my photo a day!

Here they are!!

MARCH 4THNot really a great pic as I held the camera up in the air looking down and clicked!, but this is my Blackie who climbs up onto my lap when I sit at my computer first thing every morning. Being an ex feral - this was the very first place he 'voluntarily' got up on my lap. Its the ONLY place he will get up onto my lap. He always 'kisses' me under the chin before he snuggles down. He is an extraordinary cat with extraordinary senses I've not seen in the domestic cats I've owned.

MARCH 5TH Mostly Cosmo loves to be outside, but we had a cold snap and he decided snuggling on the couch under a blanket was best to remedy that! He's 16.5 years old and feels the cold now despite his very fluffy coat.

MARCH 6THYep, we could have jumped on the trampolines....but I parked my car, carted all my stuff inside and began what was the most fabulous, relaxing, inspiring SCRAPPY CAMP!! We do this twice a year with a bunch of wonderful ladies.

MARCH 7TH Here's my workspace at Scrappy Camp - over the other side I shared with my good friend Chris who is great fun!! We had a ball! Look at the ink and paint all over my mat!! Shows I use a LOT!

MARCH 8TH

Sunday roast!! It was beautiful - they sure do look after us!! Turkey or lamb - I had the lamb! I've darkened this photo right down (sorry) to make the girls a little anonymous. But you can see our tranquil surroundings! One of the girls were admiring the desert trolly - little meringues with cream and fruit.....YUM!

MARCH 9THOur last morning tea......my favourite - DEVONSHIRE TEA! This kind of spoiling did not stop!!

Other than breakfast, lunch and dinner......we had morning tea, afternoon tea AND supper!!!