Happy New Year

Well another year has passed and I am so looking forward to 2009! I have so much to be thankful for.........wonderful family, good health, great job, and this fantastic hobby called scrapbooking!!!! Scrap the Boys has posted their first challenge - to use the new banner for inspiration to scrap your boy layout ie: bricks, skulls, colour, grunge etc. Fabbo prizes up for grabs, so pop on over and check it all out. Can't wait to see your entries. Here's my first LO as one of the new CT!!!

Scrap the Boys is back.............

and I was lucky enough to be chosen as one of the new CT!!!!! Lots of awesome talent there now to share some inspiration each month.....go check out the blog January 1st is the date for the first challenge to be posted!!
Scrap the Boys CT for the next 6 months is:
Susan Longman
Peta McBeth
Tammy Milborn
Kellie Lusted
Leanne Trigg
Wendy Smith
Kerryn Fry
Emma Allen
Hannah Blair
and ME!!

Christmas Cards

I have been making a few cards of late and thought I would share. Very simple but I think they have turned out OK considering I haven't made a lot of cards before.
Now my DH just has to make me send them to people. He thought it was hilarious that I was making cards!! (I am also known for being slack and not sending out my Christmas cards!!) I am going to be good this year.....but I think it's getting late and if I post tomorrow they still might not make it to their destination by Christmas LOL.....maybe next year!!!

My exciting news....

It is now official.....I am one of the new designers at Creative Scrappers (Located in Canada) Thanks Susan.... I think the link thing works now!!! It is also great to see a few other Aussie girls there as well. I am really looking forward to working with the sketches over the next 3 months. Here is the list of all the designers.

Artist in the Spotlight

Finally got my copy of Scrapbook Creations issue 61 where I am featured as "Artist in the Spotlight". I was really excited to be asked to feature in this section and they have included 2 of my layouts as well. Here'a a couple of pics to share.

I have some more important news to share too.............stay tuned!!!!

The Festive Season.....

is almost here and so is the hot weather. Extremely hot here today and really humid. I got up early this morning and decided to scrap before it got too hot. I got some Christmas photo's from Kimberley of the two babies and used one of Erin to do my entry in the December White with 1 challenge which is to use white with festive colours and bling. OOHhhh and I forgot to mention that I was lucky enough to win last months challenge and received a $30 voucher from the lovely Delana at Uproar to scrapmore. Also on the home front.....today I put up our Christmas Tree and with the help of DGS Matthew. It actually felt special again, as CHristmas is all about family and traditions. I will post some photo's shortly.

Here are a couple of the photo's that were taken by Kim Cross of Matthew and Erin, and my layout for the WW1 Challenge and also a Christmas card I made this afternoon. On the layout I have used kindy glitz and paint splatters, a few gems and I also added gems and glitz to the Kaiser bauble rubons. The little red butterflies are printed onto transperancy but I actually scanned the layout and they look like they are sitting flat, IRL they have dimension and their wings sit up nicely. Unfortunately the scan doesn't do the layout justice, but I hope you can get the effect.

One Sunday afternoon..............

I got to scrap!!!! I have worked full time for the last couple of weeks and just haven't had the energy or motivation to scrap, but today I completed the November White with 1 Challenge. Caught this gorgeous photo of Erin laughing at Matthew. Love how this one has come together and I'm likin' the lime too.
DS Liam was home from Gladstone for the weekend and it was great to catch up with them.

Not long now.....

Christmas is almost here and another year will have passed. I don't know where time goes. THis Wednesday 12 November will be the fourth anniversary of my wonderful Father's passing. It all seems like yesterday when we heard the news that his cancer had spread and that there was nothing more they could do and I remember driving to the hospital everyday to spend time with him like it was only a few days ago. I miss him terribly and still shed a tear everyday when I think of him. Losing a parent is a difficult thing to cope with and it does get easier but that tug on your heart strings is always present. Love you always Dad.

I scrapped yesterday with my good friend Colleen and got two layouts done and my first Christmas card of the season. I bought this wonderful product called "SHeer Delights" from KI memories and wow it is so good to work with. I love this photo of Emma, Emily and Morgan taken at Erin's Christening. These 3 gorgeous girls are my 3 sons girlfriends. The pink Layout is my entry over at Aussie Pub Calls Roadmaps for the month of November. Princess Erin in her Christening outfit!!!

Almost a month has gone by........

and I haven't posted!!!! I haven't had a lot of time this month to get much scrapping done, although I have been working on a couple of projects in the "Product Challenge" for an upcoming edition of Scrapbooking Memories. Can't share those for obvious reasons, but you will see them soon. I did manage to do the White With 1 October challenge which was to use mainly white with orange and some stamping. This one is of our Granddaughter Erin on her Christening Day.

Finished at Last!

I have just finished the final assignment at The Nook University!!!! I am so proud of myself for completing all the set tasks and I have had such a blast. Here are a couple more to share with you. "Inocencia" is my Foriegn Langauge Assignment and "Sugar Baby Love" is for my Music Assignment. YOu can check out all of my LO's for this challenge here -

On the home front, DD Kimberley, the kids and I went to Noosa for the night to visit DS Michael and his girlfriend EMily. Did lots of shopping and spent too much money but it was fun anyway. It was really nice to spend time with them. DS Liam and his girlfriend shifted into a new house in Gladstone on the weekend so can't wait to go up and see them as well. Hopefully all the family will be home in a couple of weeks.

Done for this week!!!

I have mananged to meet the deadline for this week over at the Nook U. Here are my last two for the week.......Graphics/Computer Technology Elective - I can't do digi layouts so we could use 3 alternatives. I have altered my photo, use 5 lines of computer written journalling and printed a computer graphic (butterfly on transperency). I am really happy with how this has turned out, well I am a bit of a "White Background" freak!!! The second one is for the Physical Ed/Health Elective and the layout had to include some sort of movement. I have used photo's of Matthew on his swing (took photo's for this yesterday - just happen to have my camera when I went to visit !!!!). I changed the colour of the photo's and the buttons to help give the impression of movement. Another one I am really happy with.

Oh and before I forget.......Our wonderful neighbours have been blessed with the birth of a beautiful baby girl on Friday. Welcome "Ella Beth" and congratulations to Chris, Leisa and little Joshua!!!Yippee...more pics to scrap.

More Assignments!!

Here are two more LO's for My ScrapbookNook University. The first one is my science assignment - all about Chemistry with someone. I have written a Love Letter to my DH (don't laugh) and the second one is for the Psychology/sociology elective (sounds funny doesn't it) and it was to be something about routines etc. It's been a bit hectic for the last week or so but I am coping and having lots of fun at the same time.

MADLY SCRAPPING!!

Been really busy this week trying to keep up my schedule for My Scrapbook Nook University! Lots of subjects to do and I'm having a blast. I am slowly working my way through the core subjects and also managing to do most of the electives and extra credits so far. I am really happy with my results so far as well. 9/10 for English, 9/10 for maths and 10/10 for my Art assignment!!!! Here are a couple more that I have completed this week.

Another two layouts...

I had the best day today.........I scrapped with my good friend Colleen and managed to complete another two LO's. Colleen hasn't scrapped for a while now and it is so good to see her back into it again. We both started scrapping together and have always encouraged one another and it is just not the same if we don't get together and scrap occasionally. Thanks for a great day Colleen. These two LO's are part of my assignments for My Scrapbook Nook University challenges.

Just a quick share........

It's now 10.20pm Tuesday night and I have just completed 2 layouts and thought I'd share before I hit the bed. First one is of DS Michael and his partner and the second is of DGD Erin starting to become mobile on the floor.

Another Week gone!

Another week has passed and I was able to scrap some more. I completed my final LO for the Sizzlin Summer contest over at http://mycreativescrapbook.com. THis one was anything to do with food. BBQ's, fav recipe etc: I've really enjoyed the last six weeks and it was good to have something to inspire me to scrap. Thanks to Liz for inviting my to be a part of the fun.
Oh and had another interesting thing happen this week too.....I was invited to "5 mins on the lounge" by the lovely ladies at http://scraplounge.com. Not exactly sure why they wanted to chat with little old me, but thanks girls it was lots of fun.
I also managed to finally complete my CJ's for the girls at Country Papercraft. Thanks for being so patient with me girls, even though I got behind with these,they will now be on their way in the post this week.
ONly working half a day tomorrow as we have to head down to Tewantin for a funeral and then hopefully catch up with oldest DS before we head home again tomorrow night.
Hope everyone has a great week and thanks for stopping by.....don't forget to leave me a message, I won't bite!!! LOL

Being a Mother......

WHy is it so hard at times? We have just become "Empty Nesters" as of yesterday. After 26 years of children in the house, our youngest son moved out to live with his girlfriend. THey are only a couple of blocks away, but boy it is such a strange feeling. The house is so quiet and I can't stop tears welling up everytime it is mentioned. DH is laughing saying how good it is, but being a mother is so different. MOthers seem to be the ones who share all the joys, all the sad moments, all the moments we would rather forget, all the special achievements and all the emotion of life itself. I must say that we have been blessed with having 4 terrific kids and we are both so very proud of all of them. THey are all so independant and I hope have all taken on board the things that we have tried to instill in them growing up. Life sends us many challenges and being a Mother can sometimes be one of the most rewarding but Gee sometimes it is also one of the hardest!!!!!!

Let's get vertical.....

I actually scrapped 2 layouts today......Woo Hoo!!! It is really cold up here in Qld today and I have had the house to myself. The first LO is my entry in the SIzzlin SUmmer Contest at My Creative Scrapbook - Fav. Holiday. I have used 18 pics on this page and I love how it turned out. I picked out my fav shots from our recent holiday to Agnes Water and placed them all together vertically on my page. I love Daisy D paper and this is what I have used for my background. THe chipboard flower that I painted black is from ScrapFX and I added some blue beads to the centre.
The second LO is of Matthew meeting Erin for the first time. I decided to go vertical again and used 3 gorgeous photo's of the two of them. I really enjoy using bright PP against a white background. The little black frame under the bottom photo is something I picked up at Rubystreet Design.

Finally a Friday at home!!

I had my first Friday off work for about a month and I had a very relaxing day. Matthew slept over last night and I dropped him off at Day Care and then after a little housework (LOL) I drove to Kingaroy and visited my LSS and of course spent too much money! But I did pick up some gorgeous new stuff. THe chipboard tree and butterfly are from a Western Australian company called Twiddleybitz. You really must check them out and ask your LSS to order, they have some amazing stuff.. I scrapped when I got home and came up with this layout of Erin using a sketch by the ever so talented Liz Qualman. Love this PP by Cosmo Cricket and especially love the chipboard tree. I added some black sequins topped with coloured beads too.

A Little Different.....

Here's a LO I completed today for the Sizzlin' Summer Contest at http://mycreativescrapbook.com This is for the Family Section and it is one of DH and our 3 sons. THis lot are simply "Fishing" mad. DH has always been a keen fisherman and has passed on his obsession to the 3 boys. THe large photo of DH on the right has been printed onto a transparency. This LO is a little different to many of the LO's I have been doing of late as I have filled the whole page. I am happy with how it has turned out and also that I actually did some journaling as well LOL!! HOpe everyone has a great week!!
PS Grandchildren are home and there were lots of hugs and squeezy's all round!!!!

THE BEST WEEK!!

I just had the best week!!! Firstly I won the weekly draw at http://mycreativescrapbook.com/ in their Sizzling Summer Contest, and then I had my LO "Blue Eyes" accepted to be published at http://scrapstreet.com (online magazine in the US) and today I had another acceptance from Scrapbook Creations for my LO titled "Cuteness". It will also be in issue 61 along with two others of mine and this is also the issue that I am featured as "Artist in the Spotlight". So I will be stalking the newsagent in a couple of months when it comes out!. So I am going out tonight for dinner and I might even have a couple of drinks (this is a bit unusual for me, as alcohol and me just don't mix all that well) LOL
OK now that I have raved on a bit too much.........
Grandbabies come home from holiday tomorrow....YAY!! I have really missed them this week. DH and the boys have been negotiating to buy a boat and found out today that it was sold yesterday to someone else......not a happy bunch here tonight!!!
I finished work early today and have the weekend to myself now, so hopefully I can get some more scrapping done.

Memories of You Dad

This is my entry in the monthly challenge at http://www.whitewith1.blogspot.com To use white, yellow and flowers. This month the Cancer Council's Daffidol Day is held to support cancer research and I thought this was the perfect occasion to scrap this photo of my late Father and I on my Wedding Day. Dad passed away in November 2004 after suffering from Cancer and it was the hardest thing I have ever had to cope with. Losing a parent is more than just losing a relative, it is like losing part of your soul. Dad was so nervous and practised his speech everyday leading up to the Wedding and I remembering being so proud of him at the reception. His words are still with me 27 years later. Rest in Peace Dad, I will always love you.

Another Sunday Layout.....

Sunday seems to be the only day I have had time to scrap this week, not for the lack of wanting or trying to fit it in. Worked Friday again and then went to the markets in Nanango with Kimberley and the kids, home via Kingaroy and a visit to Zeniah's (LSS) and then went next door to celebrate Joshy's 5th Birthday. Today I had the day to myself mostly, Kimberley came up and we printed out Birthday invitations for Matthew's 2nd Birthday and then after she left I scrapped this page..........very simple but I seem to be doing a lot of simple one's of late. I saw an idea at LSS where someone had used scraps of ribbon and this is my version.
Hope you all have a wonderful week!

Determined!!!

I sat up until after midnight last night scrapping and it was simply freezing, but I wanted to complete a page and I didn't care that my toes were almost dropping off!! It is now 11.06pm tonight and I am still sitting here at this computer, but I scrapped another page!! DS Clinton has been complaining that I haven't done a page with him and his girlfriend, so here it is Wink (that's his pet name)
I really love how this turned out.......especially the colours!!!

Winter has arrived!!

Well winter certainly let us know what it is all about up here in Qld today!! We had rain, wind, hail and sleet!!! and the forecast is that it is going to get worse. What a joy that will be!! I have been having withdrawals because I haven't scrapped for over a week and I wasn't going to let the cold get the better of me. So what did I scrap........a pic of Matthew at the beach!!!

Tag from Paulien's Blog

Two names you go by: Sharon and Nanny

things you are wearing right now: Oh no, not a good time to ask this question as I have just got out of the shower........Let's just say a Robe!! LOL

Two of your favorite things to do: Scrap of course and spend time with my Grandchildren, Matthew and Erin.

Two things you want very badly at the moment: To see my two boys who live away from home; and have a whole week at home just to scrap.

Two Pets that you have or have had: My Silky Terrier Maggie who sadly died a couple of months ago and Jess who was a Blue Cattle Dog and who is no longer with us.

Two things you did last night: Sat here on the computer and watched "A Farmer wants a wife" on television.

Two things you did today: Went to work and ordered new stock; Cooked Rump Steak and Potato Bake for Dinner tonight.

Two things you ate today: A banana for breakfast and a toasted Ham Sandwich for lunch.

Two people you last talked to: Dennis (DH) and my friend Diane on the phone.

Two things you're doing tomorrow: Work again and I need to arrange a credit account with a Rural Merchandise company for our business. Oh and Matthew an Erin are having a sleep over with us tomorrow night....Woo Hoo

Two memorable vacations: In 2003 I went to the NOrthern Territory to spend some time with a friend I went to school with. Her and her DH run a huge cattle station and I had a blast. Last year I flew to Perth in Western Australia to attend a Scrapping Camp and met some of the girls from a scrapping site that I belong to.

Two favorite holidays: I love spending time with family at Christmas and New Year and we usually all go away together to the beach.


I will do what Paulien did and tag everyone who reads this blog.

Toot toot !!

I had an email today from Scrapbook Creations asking to publish two more of my layouts, and...............to feature me as the "Artist in the Spotlight" in issue 61!!!! A little bit of excitement happening here and now I apparently have to go and find a decent photo of myself.........ARRRGGHHHH

I also discovered the Haunted range of PP's from Cosmo Cricket, I am going to have to order some from somewhere. Go to Leah Killian's blog http://lifeaslou.blogsome.com/ and check out her layouts using this paper........wow. She has just been offered a positon on Cosmo's DT and she does such beautiful work. You can also find her at http://www.myscrapbooknook.com/ .

No scrapping pics to post today as I haven't scrapped all week, work work and more work. I even have to work the next two Saturday mornings as well!! I shouldn't complain.........more money to spend on scrapping supplies!

Thought I might share these two gorgeous photo's of my beautiful Grandbabies..........photo's taken by good friend Kym Cross!!

Guess What!!

My lovely friend Zarah has asked me to be a Guest Designer on her Sketch Blog - http://inspirascrap.blogspot.com/ She is a very very talented lady and her sketches are wonderful. I am honoured to be able to share some inspiration.....thanks Zarah. Here is the first layout I have completed of sketch no: 7 Do yourself a favour and go check out the site.

It's the Weekend!

After a long week at work (and very busy) I also had to work this morning. Seems like most of the weekend is gone and I have so much to do around the house.........LOL I scrapped tonight instead!!! This is my entry for the July sketch at Aussie Pub calls Roadmaps.

Just love love love these new flowers I found made by Prima. I wish I had bought more!

The lace across the bottom of the LO is actually lace tape by Christina Re! (very handy stuff)

Not much happening in my part of the world, might try scrapping again tomorrow if I get all my washing done!!!!!

PS: I also added some new songs to my fav's list here, hope you enjoy listening!!!!

A cold Saturday!

Haven't ventured outside much today as it has been drizzly and windy and COLD!! We really haven't had much cold weather up this way yet so it was to be expected. I was suppose to work to day to do stocktake, but my boss rang and said that they got most of it done yesterday, so I didn't have to come in..........YAY!! So I got stuck into the domestic duties (sort of anyway) and in between loads of washing and folding I manged to SCRAP!!! I completed this one for the July Challenge at http://whitewith1.blogspot.com/ This month it was to use mainly white with some black and a homemade embellishment. This is Erin's little feet in her Mummy's hand at 2 days old. I handmade the flowers from punched hearts, added some ink and gel pen and then covered them with dimesional magic. THanks for my good friend Colleen who taught me how to do them.

OOh and excitement, excitement........I won the June Challenge at White with 1!!!!!!!! I now have a $20 voucher to spend on scrapping supplies, which will be great as I haven't really gone shopping for a few months!!!!

Now, if there is anyone out there that actually reads my blog (I know it's not that exciting) please leave me a message, I love to see who has been visiting!!

Still scrapping!

Another two LO's done!! The first one is a sketch from Pencil lines by Debee Campos (Sweet Erin Claire) and the second one which I finished this afternoon is for the June challenge at white with 1 blog. (Blue Eyes) I think these challenges were just what I needed to get me into gear again. I certainly have missed my creative outlet over the last few months.





The White with 1 challenge was to use mainly white with one other colour (which was blue this month) and to add a paint technique. I used paint on my wooden mesh stamp and stamped onto the CS and also stamped onto the chipboard letters of the title for a different effect. I love this photo of Matthew taken while we were on holidays at Agnes Water in January. I altered the photo to focus on his beautiful blue eyes (pasting the B & W photo over the coloured photo and then using the eraser tool to rub out the eye area to bring the colour through to the top layer) I added blue sequins to the chipboard tree and scattered a few.





I am really happy with how the LO of Erin turned out using the Pencilline sketch. I have used no PP at all. I love using white backgrounds and B & W photo's and I think the colour of the flowers was just enough to make it pop.

Well the weekend is almost over and it is back to work tomorrow. Liam and Emma were home from Gladstone, it was good to spend some time with them. Of course I cried when they left to go home this afternoon, I am such sook!! I always cry when either Liam or Michael leave to go back to their own homes. I really miss them.

I suppose I should go and finish some housework and get dinner ready.

What's going on??

I have just completed my 3rd LO in as many days...........I seem to go from one extreme to the other!!! I love this LO of our beautiful Erin. I took this photo when she was one month old and decided to do something different with this LO. I wanted a vintage feel and I love trying out new things.

I would also like to wish my baby a Happy Birthday for yesterday........he is now 20 years old. OH how time flies, I don't know where the years have gone. We had our usual Monday night is "Fish Night" tea and Matthew helped Clinton blow out his candle (we used a tea light cause we didnt have a real birthday candle LOL) I left my purse at work so poor boy had to pay for his own birthday cake and the rest of the groceries!!! Happy Birthday Wink!! We love you!.

On a sad note, our community lost a young man in a car accident on the weekend. Such a tragic waste of a young life. Our thoughts go out to his family. RIP Mark.

Aussie Pub Calls Roadmaps - June Sketch

Just found this site and decided to try the fantastic sketch for the month of June. I have needed some extra inspiration to get me scrapping again. I like how this finished up.

I also scrapped last night and completed this one of Matthew and Erin.