Lots to Share

First off...in my last post I mentioned a new forum...the Scrapbook Cupboard that my SM Online friend Lisa has just got up and running. Unfortunately, the forum has crashed over the weekend but I'm sure Lisa will be working hard to have it up and running again real soon. Poor Lisa hasn't had much luck with computers lately - she lost all her photos + a heap of business stuff on a recent crash!

Now some scrapping....it was the Craft Attic cyber crop this weekend and I managed to get two challenges completed for it.

Can you believe that the "little one" is my eldest DD Danah (had to scrap an old pre-scrap photo for this challenge)!

The second one - I could only use 10 items including the CS and photo for this challenge.

I also finished my final challenge for the 123 Cyber crop....had to use mixed alphabet, a technique of a supporting web forum (I did the stamped chipboard) and stripes.

I also completed my second LO for the Attic Inspiration competition - a LO about your Mum, with flowers & lots of journaling.

I'm pleased to report I got a 2nd place in the first round of the AI comp (with my LO "Trafalgar Square").

I'll be very very busy this week doing my part in the judging for the huge competition that's been happening at Little Scrapbook Shop....so no more scrapping for me this week until my judging committments are completed!

It seems there are challenge/competition blogs cropping up all the time. Love the first challenge on Creative Collective - about handbags. Also like the look of Aussie Scrapjacked.....

I'll leave you with this photo....of me....a long long time ago. The lovely Sara Pearcy posted some gorgeous photos on her blog of her daughter's participation in a weekend wedding as a flower girl and it reminded me of my efforts in this department. Apparently I stole the show especially at the reception with the dancing....or so the story goes.

Sometimes they just don't "work out"...

Another challenge for the 123 Cyber Crop....but just not sure about it!!! Love the Rhonna Farrer PP...but don't think I've done it justice! Maybe it's the photo....anyway...here it is :)

And here's poor Bazzill - after his operation....mending nicely and already "fighting" with his step sister (Heidi).

By the way....the tool is A TRACING WHEEL....thanks to those who let me know....yay!


Don't forget to check out the Scrapbook Cupboard....a fun new forum....very exclusive atm with just a few discerning scrappers having joined up ... come and play with us :)

What is it??

Who can solve the mystery??? This little tool - which I "found" in Mum's old (unused) sewing box years ago. I use it to run around the edge of cardstock - dipping it in ink/paint every run up the page (see insert from my Cheeky Chops LO)...but I'm not sure what it's called or it's real purpose!!

To prove how old it is - it still has the price tag on it!! Pre-decimal currency (one and six??) and when MYER was called Myer's!!!

Give me a correct name/role for it and then I can scrap it!!! LOL!

I seem to get a few visitors popping in BUT not leaving me comments - I'd love a simple "hello" just so I know who's dropping in and so I can visit your blogs too!

My mini retreat at the Craft Attic on Sunday was fabulous!!! Had a lovely day of chatting, scrapping, playing games and winning prizes (embarrassing actually). Donna did a great class for us making a flip box that I"m going to use later in the year as a "end of primary school" gift for Danah (eldest DD).

Debra was a generous and wonderful hostess - even if her bingo games weren't a hit!!! (I enjoyed the first one --- I won it!) I also won the lucky door prize, the first raffle draw and one other game!!! Came away with lots of goodies! Thank you Debra for a great day - it was lovely meeting all the other ladies! I'm looking forward to the next one :)

I also managed to do a couple of LO's. One's not quite finished (need to do the journaling) but did finish this one of Bazzill! (thanks for the arrow Debra) Love this photo. It's for a challenge @ 123's cyber crop.

Poor Bazzill is in "hospital" today having surgery (which is why I'm home from work). He had a big lump on his head and his eye was swollen (as a result of a fight with another cat I'm assuming!). So off to the vet this morning....waiting....waiting....yep - surgery required! By the time he was sorted I decided it was too late to go into the office as I'd have to come home early to get him anyway! Well that's my story and I'm sticking to it!!

Mum and Dad are having a great time in Hawaii - got a phone call on Sunday night (Dad bought a $5 phone card so we could speak for ages). They both recovered relatively quickly from their flight so they could enjoy the "warm" sights of Hawaii! They were visiting the Pearl Harbour memorial and then doing an around the island tour before flying to Vancouver in a day or so.

Before I go - just wanted share another photo - this one of my big girl (house captain) Danah at Junior School assembly on Friday. Her (on the right) and Kate were doing an 'advertisement' for a competition they are running for the younger children during lunch time this week! I'm so proud of her!

Bon Voyage

Friday I took Mum and Dad to the airport as they head off on their very first overseas holiday! I so hope they have a fabulous time.

They had a stop in Sydney, were my Uncle, Aunty and one of Mum's friends went to see them, before jetting off to Hawaii for three days.

Dad found this cool site - with a live camera located on Waikiki Beach.....they are going to txt us when they visit the beach and wave to us!!!! We did get a quick txt on their arrival in Hawaii saying the flight was ok and they were a bit overwhelmed by it all!

Also jetting away....Chellejamo and her DH Jase....they're off to Airlie Beach for a week WITHOUT the children!! Have a fabulous holiday and I know you'll come back with heaps of amazing photos. I caught up with Chelle at her Friday job....in a northside scrap shop (stopped there on my way home from the airport).

I also went for a quick drive, on Saturday, down to Lisa Gibson's shop at Helensvale - the Scrapbook Cupboard. It was her (the shops) first birthday so wanted to support her and wish her "happy birthday" .... and take advantage of the 20% off. She was also launching the shops new web site and new forum....so if you love forums.....check it out. It's very new/quiet at the moment but I'm sure it'll be pumping before long. My scrap friend Megan (and my girls) came for the drive too....and we just HAD to stop for a baskin and robbins ice cream afterwards!

It's the LSBS Birthday weekend too....celebrating with a huge cyber crop....lots of fun and games happening (still) and some fabulous scrapping in the gallery already.

Here's the LO I did as an example for Challenge 2 (punctuation, rubons, wings/hearts, celebration).

I also set the digital challenge this CC - here's my LO for that. I asked everyone to complete a LO about a 'significant' male in their lives and journal about him (in support of our digital designer DebF who recently lost her DH in an accident).

We also have a DT challenge for the CC - which we asked all the members to set for us. The end result was we had to do a scraplift of another DT member.

I did mine from a LO by Steph Lim - I love her bright and funky LO's and she always has great titles so I've tried to "lift" that with this LO about my two 'cheeky chops' who happily posed for Chelle for this photo while we were all at the park in February.

Another digi LO to share....one I've completed for the US based site, 2 Croppin Cousinz, and the lovely Alicia's Page Plan Challenge.

Another circle journal entry for a long running Scrapbooking Memories Online swap....this one for Scrapdragon (Michelle)....in her "One Day I will...." CJ. Hope you like it Michelle.

Today I'm off to an all day crop (9-6) at the Craft Attic! Really looking forward to it as I know Debra has been working hard to get this up and running and I'm sure she's got lots of fun planned for us! So hopefully my next post will also be full of lots of pics of the goodies I make today!

New Blog....

Check out Finishing Touch Ideas new blog....they have a couple of competitions to check out....you never know your luck! I'm trying mine :)

Oh...and here's a quick digi LO I did based on a couple of the DT Inspiration Challenges at LSBS! The design for this one is based on a LO I found online by Marci Lambert.....just loved it so much I had to scraplift it!

More Teaching!

Yay...I'm teaching at another LSS (The Craft Attic)....I've so enjoying teaching the couple of classes I've done already so am rapt to be doing some "Off the Page" classes over the next few months. Watch out for my projects!

Happy Mother's Day

I hope everyone has enjoyed a lovely day with their Mum, being spoilt as a Mum or remembered their Mum's if they aren't nearby or with you anymore.

I got to sleep in (sort of), received a cuddly new winter dressing gown & DVD, and then had cinnamon toast & coffee made for me.

My Mum, Dad & brother came over for lunch....we even played Sing Star (woo hoo!).

Mum loved her mini brag book and the OS albums (see slide show). Won't share the brag book just yet...may end up doing a class for a LSS on this one.

Peter's Mum loved her teddy bear that we posted her....Danah picked it out as it was made by the "House of Moran" (our surname). SHe said she'd NEVER been given a teddy before!!

Also finished my two EK Success Art Blanche bags - a handbag and bowling bag - these too are for a class I have coming up at another LSS. Here's a sneak peak ....

Friday night Danah & I went rock climbing with the guides...had a fun night....watching! Oh and taking pics!

Trying to take photo's of my latest creations and Bazzill (the cat) had to get in on the act...snapped this pic which I love.

Don't forget to check out the LSBS Birthday Cyber Crop this Friday (18th May)....sure to be a hoot!

Sale on Now at LSBS

If you're looking for a bargain or ten....and who isn't??!!....check out the LSBS shop or the forums.

Some of the specials include:

50% off - My Minds Eye, Chatterbox, Paper Salon
30% off - Making Memories
25% off - selected Prima flowers

Slide Show

If you're a regular visitor you may have 'heard' me talking about an album (well three actually) I've been working on for some time.

My parents are about to go overseas for the very first time and are taking two albums to distant relatives in the US that they are visiting on the way home. The third album is for them to keep and I'll add to it...pages from Mum's side of the family too.

Well I've given them the albums today and they are very happy with them. So I can share now...see the slide show in my side bar :)

Now I can do some more "normal" scrapbooking again!

Stitch

My LO for the May Monthly challenge at 123 Challenge - using 3 or more PP, transparency and flowers....based on a Becky Fleck sketch (March 2007)

And another LO (older photo of the girls - 2003) ...this time for LSBS....based on a sketch from LSBS (#5). My Minds Eye stuff is so easy to work with and love it all!!!

Sign

Over at 2 Croppin Cousinz they have a monthly thread with words to inspire photographs...one of the words this month is "sign".....here's the pic I used.....

We had a shower of rain on Monday morning and we were all hoping it was a SIGN that the drought might be over....didn't get much rain on Monday but overnight we did receive 7mm with a promise for more later in the week.

On another note...yet another sketch site - SketchesOz - sketch sites/blogs seem to be everywhere at the moment...thanks to Fran for telling me about this one.

I'm in the P!NK

What a concert! Youngest DD (11 - Danah) & I went to see P!NK last night....WOW! That lady knows how to R.O.C.K. Awesome first concert experience for Danah! It was great fun "people" watching as well....what an experience!

We had a fabulous time with Danah's school friend Olivia and her Mum (thanks Jennifer for the fabulous mosh pit tickets!!!).

Caught up with Chelle and Gypsy Karen (briefly) before hand for a yummy drinkie (alcoholic slurpie!!). Once down in the mosh pit caught up with the other SM Online Karen (Lexhar) and her friend....they bopped away the night with us!

Luckily I could take my camera in (legally - only cameras with detactable lens NOT allowed) and as we were so close got some pretty good shots!

Our excitment continued after the concert as we were leaving (30 minutes + to get out of the car park) we saw a Tarago heading out (with special treatment in escaping the traffic) so we chased after it on the highway sure it was P!nk on her way back to the Gold Coast....eventually caught up to it on the Gateway bridge....and......don't think it was P!nk BUT we're sure it was some of her band!!!

Other excitment this week has been the safe arrival of another "scrap" baby....Sara and Nathan have welcomed their first baby, a son Jet, into the world on Thursday 3 May 2007. Both Mum and Jet are doing well and home already! Jet's grandfather has already established a web site for pics....Wishing you all the greatest joy a baby can bring :)

I've had a win! Haven't won anything in ages...but I won a prize from the 123 Challenge cyber crop for my Tsunami LO (found in this blog post). Yay!!

My albums for the relatives overseas are ALMOST finished!!! Thank goodness - I'll be able to scrap other stuff once I get them done. I'll share one double page now from it and do up a slide show of all the pages once I've given them to Mum & Dad next weekend.

Danah's back playing Saturday netball - took my camera along this weekend...can't believe how quickly she's growing up!

Checked out another new scrap shop today....Cyberscraps...over near where Peter & I lived pre-children....lovely shop, good products, reasonable prices...might be a good crop options local ladies???

I'm having a go at the Craft Attic "Attic Inspiration" competition which goes over a long time but gives me a chance to do some extra LO's (not DT related). Here's my LO for the first challenge (2 PP, rubons - not alpha, buttons & rectangle embell's).

Okay --- I'm speeding at the moment --- tried a can of the caffeine drink "Mother" an hour or so ago.....I'll be scrappin' for hours tonight although not sure you're supposed to drink alcohol (Smirnoff black Ice premix) at the same time...ekk!!!

Short lived

Quick post....

Forget to mention in my last post....DD (11) has been ditched by the first boyfriend! I asked about him on Sunday and I could tell it was over by her response....she's not worried...said "he's the one missing out!" and that was that!

I'm sure all her break-ups won't be that pain-free.....but happy this one was ;)

Youngest DD (8) really enjoyed her first Brownies meeting yesterday. Spoke to her on the phone afterwards (I'm in Cairns) and she said she couldn't tell me much about it as they were doing Mother's Day 'stuff'....but I could hear her smile over the phone! So pleased she enjoyed it and her school friend who goes too made her feel really welcome!