PARTY TIME!

Ethan had his first ever school friend's party last weekend.

He was so excited - he celebrated at the LEGO Education Centre and being the Lego and Star Wars fan that he is, this was the invitation I created for the BIG DAY!

Ethan helped me set up the shot and nervously I lit the candles and ran back to take this photo.

Had some fun with the blurb on the back of the card too.

Just moments before all his friends arrived.

These were in place of lolly bags - little chocolate LEGO men.

And the cupcakes all ribboned up.

And then ready to eat - white chocolate with hundreds and thousands LEGO pieces.

And the token birthday photo taken on the way back to the car.

He had a great time ... and I'm glad - he's a good kid!

At last ......

Some of you who follow my blog may remember a while ago that I was going to create a layout about by 95 year old grandmother, Anastasia. I wanted to do an interview style layout. So many of you helped me out with suggestions for questions I should ask her. I sent the layout off to Scrapbook Creations and THIS MONTH it's been published. I've yet to get my hands on a copy, coming in the mail soon, but I am so excited to show it to her.

Here's how it turned out:

A visit to Forest Lake

Last weekend, we ventured out to Forest Lake and enjoyed a walk around the beautiful lake that this estate is built around. The boys took their bikes and Manuel and I walked briskly behind them occasionally stopping Joshua from going to0 fast and from crashing

- since he doesn't know how to use his brakes.

It's a great location and I'm looking forward to doing a

family photo shoot there in about a month.

I'd love to hear from my blogger friends - seems like my last post didn't

spark too many comments - maybe these photos will ;)

New Product + A visit to the scrap show .....

New Product + A visit to the scrap show .... EQUALS a new layout and a card.


Yes, between coming home from the Brisbane Scrapbook Convention and going out with some of the girls that night, I managed to start a layout using one of my new purchases from the Scrapbook Show.

I finished it today along with a card but I can only show you some snippets since it's heading in to Scrapbooking Memories for one of their Scrap Sketch Challenges.

It was a good Scrapbook Show - heaps and heaps of people, and I managed to meet some online friends and also bump into some old friends too. There were heaps of new products to look at and buy. It isn't unusual for me to be attracted to the woodgrain adhesive strips by Paislee Press. I love the look of woodgrain and it looks really good for outdoor earthy photos. The paper is by Cosmo Cricket and available at scrap'n'craft with T - it's called Nature Walk (part of the Mr campy range).

Speaking of scrap'n'craft with T,

I have a created a 2 new kits that are available to buy over there and you'll be able to create either a layout like this ......

or some cards like this .....

Apart from that, I'm enjoying a long weekend here - The Queens Birthday Weekend

and I'm loving it. Hope yours is great too.

Happy Birthday!

Some great news for Tanyah's online scrap store - scrap'n'craft with T
- it's turning ONE and there are some great things happening over at the site.

I've had the pleasure of being part of the Design team there - always creating with some beautiful products and knowing that Tanyah has a good idea for colour herself, gives me the confidence to let her choose whatever she thinks co-ordinates with my goodies.

Happy Scrapping and I'm looking forward to catching up tomorrow at the Scrapbook Convention and Exhibition.

Scrapbooking Memories layouts/cards

I'm always excited to share new layouts and cards here.

A while ago, Scrapbooking Memories asked me if I'd like to be part of the XYRON Challenge and so they sent me a XYRON machine and asked me to create a card and a layout.

It was the first time I'd ever used one.

That little device is a godsend - not sure how I ever scrapped all those years without one.

Here is my card as feautured in Vol 11. No 2

I Xyroned the foam circles

I Xyroned the aqua mini circle strip

I Xyroned the Hambly overlay

I Xyroned the scalloped paper edging.

It's a dream machine for all those intricate little pieces and I just loved how it attached all my journaling strips so perfectly on my layout as well as that hot pink strip.

Layout featured in Vol 11 No 2.

Then there is this layout that I created using Kaisercraft papers and my favourite Hambly rubon strips. This photo of Joshua is a favourite. Featured in Vol 11 No 1.



Looking forward to seeing heaps of new products at the Brisbane Scrapbooking Convention this weekend and maybe even seeing some familiar faces and some new ones too.
Is anyone planning on going - I'd love to say hello - drop me a note if you are please!

Been tagged!

My dear friend Severine tagged me recently with a request to post my first ever layout.

After I photographed this, I looked at what I created back in 2003 and thought about all the elements on the page. White background, borders around photos, white space, classic title and some journalling - I guess not much has changed in almost 6 years.

So glad I started this hobby - it's given me so much enjoyment and now I get to watch the boys read about their childhood and reminisce..

I was also tagged by 2 other friends, Michelle and Alyssa.

I have to answer these questions and then tag 8 other bloggers, so here goes.....

8 Things I Look Forward To.

1. The weekend, I always love the weekend.

2. Dinner tonight

3. A fresh hair cut and colour

4. Christmas...I love this time of year!

5. Finishing a layout

6. Taking a photo that I'm really happy with

7. A clean house

8. Nap time

8 Things I Did Yesterday

1. Wished Ethan a hppy 6th birthday.

2. Played Hot Wheels in the morning.

3. Set up our first birthday party in the park

4. Crashed on the lounge in the afternoon

5. Downloaded 140+ photos

6. Ate warm seafood salad for dinner - mmm nice!

7. Watched Masterchef Australia

8. Emptied my computer of files and burnt DVD's

8 Things I wish I could Do.

1. Enjoy doing the ironing.

2. Enjoy mopping the floors.

3. Enjoy loading the dishwasher

4. Enjoy making luches

5. Enjoy vaccuming

6. Enjoy washing the dishes

7. Use my straightening iron to curl my hair

8. Remeber things better

8 Things Or Shows I've Watched Lately

1. Masterchef Australia

2.Baby turtles cracking out of their shells and running to the surf at nightime - YOU TUBE

3. Find my family

4. ABC kids

5. Brainy Baby Animals

nothing else really - don't watch alot of TV

So now you might know a bit more about me - if you feel like playing along with me, take the challenge and list your 8 things about you or maybe even show your very first layout.

A lovely birthday party!

Ethan celebrated his SIXTH birthday today.

I can hardly believe where the time has gone.

He woke early this morning and couldn't wait to open his presents.

I love his expression here.



Some Bakugans (did I say that right?)

Then the family all enjoyed morning tea at a gorgeous park with the most amazing winter day.

Yes, that's right - this in winter where we live!

My six year old!

Happy Birthday to you!

My food colouring didn't turn out red like I was hoping, but no-one seemed to mind.

Joshua happily blew bubbles until they ran out.


And we all had a lovely day!
:)

Scrapbook Creations Layouts

I scrapped a layout yesterday and I love it - unfortunately I can't share it because it's part of an article that I'm writing for Scrapbook Creations in an up and coming issue. So, I thought I'd upload some layouts that were recently featured in the magazine instead

- no fun having a post without a layout, right?

188 - this is the height that Joshua might be when he's an adult.

I remember reading somewhere that if you double the height of a child at age 2years

then that will be their height when they are fully grown - I have a few years to wait and see.

BREAKING THE HABIT - this was the layout I created for KEEPING IT SIMPLE article

that I write with Helen Karanfilovski and Belinda Venables. The theme was LARGE PHOTOS.

There is heaps to look at in Issue 65 - I'm always amazed at how differently everyone scraps

and I love reading the journalling behind the layouts.

What do you like most about looking at layouts?

Is the design, photo or journalling or are you are product junky?

:)

Family photo shoot

Last weekend, I had the pleasure of taking photos of this lovely family.

It was a gift to Nancy who was turning 60 from her family - what a great idea!

Amanda, Tracey, Jason and Scott - her 4 children.

The entire family including 6 grandchildren.

I love this photo of Nancy and Mike - they are such a lovely couple.

Seth had the most gorgeous eyes.

Zac and Ella - seasoned models

and Miss Ella

Thank you for a lovely day!

UPDATE PART 2

I'm overwhelmed with the number of good wishes left by friends about the floading here in Brisbane.

We are all well and safe and apart from some major inconvenience everything should sort itself out with time. Fortunately the insurance company came yesterday and were pretty good - now I need to get quotes for everything that needs replacing.

I've spent this morning running to IKEA and other stores getting quotes for all the stuff that was damaged. The carpets have been ripped up (only 2 rooms affected - my study being one of them) and will be replaced brand new - I'm happy with that since they were starting to smell Musty yesterday afternoon. We have an industrial blower currently trying to dry out the concrete in the 2 rooms.

Good news is, nothing sentimental was lost - that means alot to me.
My albums are safe - I can't imagine how that would feel if they weren't.

So, I'm in the library using internet again and hopefully over the weekend, I'll set up a temporary area for my computer and maybe even get some internet connection as well.

I hope all the rest of my Australian friends are not affected by this heavy rain. It seems to be pretty OK today and things may be on the improve.

Thank you again for your kind thoughts.

The Update

As some of you may know, Queensland has had some major rainfall.
In fact, ONE THIRD of the year's rainfall fell in just one night.
Many roads have floaded and properties are under water.

We are fortunate to be on a high piece of land but the combination of water and strong winds caused lots of water to enter the lower level of our home and damage wooden toys, bookcases and carpets. My study was one of those rooms and I have had to disconnect the computer and remove all furniture from the room while the water is being extracted from the carpet. It's no fun at all.

So I'm at the library using the computer to log in and update my blog and check my emails. Hopefully I'll be up and running soon even though the carpet man told me that apparently more rain is on it's way - 'the worst is yet to come' is what he said.

Hope everyone else is ok!
I'll check in again soon.

Last Stack

So we've been a NO NAPPY FAMILY (DIAPER for my American friends), for about a month now and I had to create a layout about the last stack of nappies that remained in the house - it's a strange feeling to know that those days are behind us.

I loved using so many products from my stash as well as this cute new Patterned paper that I recently bought. The cute little butterfly is from a great pack that's available from Scrap 'n' Craft with T - it's actually in my newest kit that I've created and should be available for sale pretty soon here !

A close up of that cute little butterfly.

Mostly I create my layouts as I go along and work with my embellishments or photos but this time I had seen a sketch challenge on Anna's Scrapbook Cupboard and I guess subconsciously after I created the layout I could see quite a few elements that tied in with the sketch. So, I posted it on her site and had my first official play - I think I like this way of scrapping :)

A Wedding!

Don't you just love weddings?

Last Saturday my first cousin got married - it was a great wedding with lots and lots of family!

There were 300 guests ... yes that's right!

But that's not too unusual when you have Greek heritage.

Here are a couple of photos of Manuel and I all dressed up for the big day!

Oh and I don't normally look like this ... in case you think you see me walking down the street

- lots of hair and makeup going on here for the special day - LOL!

Hope your Mother's Day was lovely!

Lovelier!

Aren't these even lovelier than when I received them 5 days ago!

They really brighten the house.

Looking forward to completing a layout today while Joshua naps - fingers crossed that I can share it here before the weekend.

The truth!

I actually forgot that I had a giveaway on my blog - and I had full intentions of taking a photo of Ethan or Joshua pulling the name out of a bowl, but since they're both in bed now I've had to do it myself ... no photo sorry.


Congratulations go to,

LYNDALL - Love this LO Leanne. The photos you have taken of your niece's birthday are great.


I'd love to send you out that packet of diecut flowers - they are so cute. Can you leave me your email address so I can contact you ?
Thank you to everyone who had a play along.


Oh and thanks also to everyone that checked out the Studio Calico blog and tried to win the 6 month subscription - sadly we didn't win but you'll find some great inspiration there and be tempted to start subscribing to those gorgeous kits.

And I know how boring it is when I don't upload a layout with a post so here is a recent one that was in SCRAPBOOKING MEMORIES magazine. It was part of a XYRON CHALLENGE - I'm almost embarrased to admit that this was the first time I had ever used a XYRON before. I don't know how I ever lived without one.



Hopefully I'm off to create a new layout tonight - with all that paper, I have no excuses, right?

NSD - National Scrapbooking Day

I seem to be in a rush these last couple of days when I go to post on my blog. I have good reason tonight. I'm off to dinner with Manuel to celebrate our 18th wedding anniversary - I can hardly believe where the time has gone. And yesterday when I came upstairs, this is what i found on the dining table ...



I wasn't expecting anything at all since our anniversary is actually on Tuesday 5 May next week. On top of that, he organised my sister to come and babysit the boys while we go out for dinner. I'm so looking forward to that.

Yesterday, after swimming lessons, I had great fun at Scrapbooks Etc buying some new product. I had been given a $50 gift voucher for Christmas from my secret santa and it was time to use it. This is what I got - nice!

And because it was National Scrapbook Day on May 2, I took part in a challenge that the talented Tina Cockburn suggested over at Studio Calico. It was all about using white space - she's a big fan and as you know, I am too :)

This is my layout for the challenge - CONSTRUCTION!



Well, I better go and spruce myself up - I have 1 hour before I relax and enjoy a lovely night out.

A cool chance!

I'm running out the door for swimming lessons today for Ethan and Joshua but I had to post this great chacne to win a 6 month subscription to STUDIO CALICO kits. They are more than amazing and I know I would love to win this prize.

The best part is that if you win the prize, then I win one too - how cool is that?
And it's all because today - May 2nd - we are celebrating National Scrapbooking Day.

All you need to do, is to go here and log in and say you're new, with YOUR NAME, and also MY NAME. Then we both have a chance. And if you let your blog friends know to do the same thing then you'll have more chances. Have a browse around this site and you'll see some pretty cool inspiration - let me know what you think OK?

Off to swimming lessons and to buy a whole heap of new scrapping goodies - woohoo!
Happy weekend!

It's a layout - woohoo!

Yes I have a layout that I can finally share - that has not been submitted for publication anywhere yet and I can safely post it here for SHOW AND TELL!

This layout was fun to do - using my favourite AMerican Crafts Kennedy jnr alphas and also Heidi Swapp Centre of Attention outline alphas. The best part was that I got to use this super cute laser cut flower from FIVE KIDS AND A DOG. I've been wanting to use it for ages. In fact, I have an extra packet of them and I'd love to give them to someone to enjoy. So, leave me a comment and I'll draw the lucky person on Sunday morning (Australian time).