Dance Buddies

Love this photo taken in the dressing rooms at our dance concert. Aimee is a special girl, and she insisted we looked like twins, maybe Arnie and Danny, but the photo turned out well. All decked out with our stage makeup. Aimee was already in one of her costumes but I was still in civvies....

Two kids; two santa los...

is a must. So whipped this one up last night. I cut out the flower from a Basic Grey paper called Santa's sleigh and then just stamped around it. I painted a frame for the photo and added some alphas and hey presto the second lo was complete. I am in love with stickles (another brand like kindglitz) and find it really easy to use, so the flower and some of the stamped swirls are adorned with this marvelous product.

A day to scrap....

With today being a public holiday and all the chores done after Xmas celebrations, I took the opportunity to scrap. This layout is for Scrapbooking Premiere's December challenge. They threw in the colour blue on a lo for a Xmas tradition. We also had to use the colour red, felt and stamping on the title and photo plus some hand stitching.

The second lo came from a kit from Tarisota. (Why it is at the top of by post I do not know, but I imagine there is a glitch in the system!!) I only used their design as a guide as I just wanted a very simple lo to show the ladies group after the concert in November. I do not usually put a lot of journalling on my los but decided to put a little story on this one just to remember how we actually got to be in the end of year concert and how much effort each one of the ladies put into this. Most of us also had children dancing so it was really interesting having to dress kids and ourselves, but like the real troopers they are they all came up trumps. I am proud to be associated with each and every one of them.

A Christmas Wish...

To all of you who visit my blog:

MAY EVERY CLOUD ABOVE YOU,

GIVE WAY TO SKIES OF BLUE,

AND ON THIS CHRISTMAS MORNING,

LET ONLY JOY SHINE THROUGH!

All my best wishes for this festive season....

Scrapbooking Premiere Challenge December

This sketch was such a simple one, I thought I do have time to do just one more lo before Christmas, and I must say I did relax whilst I did it. Not much of the relaxing thing happening for me for the next two weeks. I will probably run and adrenalin as sleep won't be an option, however the two photos I have used on the lo called for a simple background. The two girls took no encouragement to pose back stage at this year's concert. I think the older they get the more they like the interaction with each other both off and on stage. I only used bazzill c/s and alphas plus a paint dabber. So quick, easy and simply. Enjoy your lead up to Christmas everyone...

LO drought broken, only slightly...

Even though I worked yesterday morning, I just needed to do some sort of creativity to get me out of this nightmare mind set of Christmas chaos. I cannot believe how much stress we put ourselves through. It has been an emotional couple of weeks for me and I still feel a little raw around the edges, so doing this lo helped me a little. It shows the ladies jazz class in action at the eisteddfod, such nice memories to scrap by yesterday. I hope every one's Xmas preparations are going smoothly, (boy is there such a thing!). Enjoy the balmy summer...

Over for another year...

Our dance studio concert performances finished last night at the MECC. Kids performed really well and we oldies did not do too bad either. It is a lot of work for everyone but the rewards for the end result make it all worthwhile. I was really lucky to have some great people helping me with the kids in the dressing room and to Jess and Charli my heartiest thanks; I could not have done it without you both. Dana and Kendall were suitably impressed by your expertise. Look out I think they want you there next year as well! We move on now; I have to play at a concert next Friday evening and we then have some break ups as well. Oh well tis the season to be jolly (busy) afterall!!! Have a great Sunday!

Mother and Daughter effort...

last night to make a few Christmas cards for our family members. Dana enjoyed it just as much as I did and it was nice to have one on one time with her. This coming week is so busy none of us will have time to think, just do......oh well it won't be dull anyway!

Scrap Therapy Sketch November

For a non sketch girl I have done quite a few lately. The latest sketch from Scrap Therapy was quite inspiring so I thought I would use a couple of photos from the Eisteddfod to finish the sketch and for a lo completed on a Sunday night it did not turn out too badly...

November Competition - Scrapbooking Premiere

I did not really know if I was going to take up this months challenge as the criteria seemed a little bit out there however I came up with lo using the 5 elements required:

1. Theme/Title - Water


2. Technique - Stamping with bubble wrap or use bubble wrap (I did both)


3. Product - use some form of mesh on the page


4. Colour - must have orange on the page


5. Misc - Use at least 5 different alphas in your title!

I will have trouble with my sail boarders when I put this in the album as they are standing up with the aid of the mesh and some 3D mounting tape, however I will work that out later.

Nothing like......

a good sketch to get the juices flowing. The November sketch challenge at http://www.scrapbookingpremiere.com.au/ is wonderful. In fact someone there must have known my doom and gloom when it comes to scrapbooking at the moment. I was able to use 4 eisteddfod studio shots on this lo, and also some beautiful crystals and sparkling embossing powder. I wanted to stay with the black and white colour scheme as the kids costumes made it difficult to get a suitable colour scheme. Thanks to Sandra and her team I think the mojo might be finding its way home!!!

Missing mojo....

I think I need to do a wanted poster for my mojo. I did this lo Tuesday, however had no enthusiasm, no mojo, no nothing. I think it is probably the time of year and I should just forget about scrapping until everything settles, however that will be January, and I don't think I can wait that long.....I love the photos of the girls and their tap costume was brilliant. At least Dana has the moment recorded even if it is not as elaborate as her mother would like!

Some days...

you would rather have not got out of bed at all, but you know it is necessary so you do it!!Today was one of those, however it is now nearly 6.00 p.m. and I have survived so all I can say is roll on tomorrow and see if it is better....LOL just had to get that off my chest. Hopefully a glass of wine awaits!!

Champions

This lo is from a kit from Tarisota; sometimes when you want to scrap but you don't want to think it is easier to use a kit and come out with a nice lo and no stress. I love the purple flowers. Tamar did not have a title on her lo but I used the purple as inspiration and added a title. I included on the back of the lo for future reference all the kids names, as in 10 years time I will not have a clue!!

Let's Get Shabby No.5

Homemade embellishments are a little bit tricky but seeing as the eisteddfod has just finished and I have copious photographs, both professional and amateur, why not build a stage. I used Bazzill black card stock and Pink Paislee "fetching" paper and Carole Lee Adorn It letters, and that's were the bought stuff ended. A little left over chocolate velveteen (from a monkey costume) for the stage curtains, a liitle lace for the curtain topper, some sequins both single and strung, some microsoft clip art for the stage lighting and a little ink. Voila, hand made embellishment, (a little larger than a normal embellishment), and a lo: "LIFE UPON THE WICKED STAGE!"

Scrap Therapy October Puzzle Challenge

I have heaps of photos, both professional and candid, from the eisteddfod, so any opportunity to scrap them is welcomed. The puzzle challenge from http://www.scraptherapy.com.au/ for this months was very basic and required hand journalling; so through the photos I went and came up with these two from backstage before the jazz solos. Love My Minds Eye - Laundry Line paper, and it was the inspirations for the opalling and the stickles.

October 123 Challenge

Just finished this lo. The 3 elements were one black and white and one colour photo, tearing and crumpling and 5 different papers. The photos - simple - the tearing and crumpling - easy - five co-ordinating paper which did not look cluttered - well it took a while, but I got there!!!

Grunge it Up!!

Not my style at all, however the October challenge at http://www.scrapbookingpremiere.com.au/ is a grunge page using 2 different overlays, paint and anything to grunge the page. I will probably never do another grunge page but the experience was different to say the least. I think I really need to go and do something in my own style very quickly as this lo just did my head in.....

Return of the Mojo...

With all that has been happening here over the past couple of weeks, scrapbooking has taken a non-existant stance; however with all these eisteddfod photos and a sketch challenge at http://scrapbookingpremiere.com.au/ how could I not hope for a mojo return. I now have glitter from one end of the office to the other, but hey that is creativity for you. I love all the candid shots you get back stage before the kids perform and this is one way of accomodating quite a few of them.

Rocky Horror rocks it in!!!

Last night our ladies jazz class performed at the eisteddfod. We had been working on the routine since Feb this year with our great teacher Krysten Ortt. Although a little nervous and apprehensive we performed subperbly and romped in with 1st place and 90 points. It is great to belong to such a wonderful group of people. A really big thanks goes to Paul for playing Rocky, and thank you to Karen for lending him to us.

We actually surprised everyone including the dance school principa.!!!! Roll on 2010.

Eisteddfod continues:

I know it has been over a week since I posted, however the kids solo events are now over and we just have groups to go. The performed really well, so proud of them for just being able to get up on stage and remember all the steps. We are at the eisteddfod all weekend and a couple of days next week and then I suppose we will go into end of year concert mode, then of course followed by Xmas. One day we will slow down, but I suppose I will be on a walking frame by then. The photo is from Monday when the kids did their jazz solos. Dana's duo partner is the one in the middle.

Out of action

Will be out of action for a couple of weeks due to the Mackay Eisteddfod starting on Monday. Will be alternating between work, rehearsals and the entertainment centre. Hopefully I will have some really great photos to scrap at the end of it all.....

Lets Get Shabby no 4

The girls have outdone themselves with this challenge. Covering the visual senses as well as using something vintage; the imagination just runs riot. My take for this challenge used quite a few vintage items, including the photo which was taken in my grandparents front yard around 42 years ago. I have used Bella paper as the base and Jenni Bowlin's XOXO card. The 3/- admit one tickets, tea bridge ticket and buttons and flowers were all from Ruby St Design packages (love this vintage stuff!), the frame is a Lil Davis Designs and I used a little Glimmer mist under the muslin for effect and to help it stick to the page. I don't often get to do photos of me so this challenge was a perfect way to get one in....

Butterfly Theme for this Weekend

As you can see, I have used the butterfly theme this weekend....although I must say it does fit with the photos very well. My last lo for the weekend is Good Times-Remember. I hope the kids will remember this flight. The fact that it was on their birthday will probably help. I have hand written the journalling just to add a little personal touch, although Kendall tells me he can't read my running writing. Everything is always different at school for them.....maybe I could become a spy and write secret messages, as the kids generation would not be able to decipher them. Have a great Sunday...

Another lo....on a roll

This layout is also from Tarisota teckni kit. I have used a bigger photo and used the class as a guide. The kids were in the cockpit ready for takeoff in this photo and a thought the butterflies help symbolise flight. I have really liked using plain cardstock as a background. I have never used bubblewrap and paint to make a pattern before so this is my first lo using this technique.

Tarisota Teckni

This is one of the los from the Tarisota Teckni kits for September. I have not been truly faithful to the instructions as I wanted to use 6x4 photos whereas the lo has smaller photos and used 3 in a film strip type mode. However I do like using white as a background and spiffing it up with inks etc. Hopefully this weekend will see a couple more los. Have been very time constricted of late and the photos just keep mounting up.......lol will I ever catch up!!!!

Scrapbooking Premiere Sketch

No really a sketch girl but this will be my second lo done from sketch. Scrapbooking Premiere have introduced a sketch challenge as well as their lo challenge so I thought I would have a go. The photos were only taken yesterday when the kids went for their joy flight. Love the coloured ribbon; just sets off the black and white background and red circle nicely!!!

A Special Day Tomorrow

Two of the special people in my life have a birthday tomorrow. My beautiful twins turn 9 on the 13th. We have had a very busy day today and tomorrow will be no different. Off to breakfast with the grandies in the morning and a bbq with friends tomorrow night. I have done the cake as well. Not as elaborate as other years due to time restraints, but a cake none the less.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY YOU TWO....May your lives be filled with love and joy....

My First Sketch Challenge

Scrap Therapy has a sketch challenge and here is my take. I usually don't work from a sketch so this was quite interesting for me. Helps when the mojo is lagging I can tell you...

September Challenge Scrapbooking Premiere

Sandra and her team at http://www.scrapbookingpremiere.com.au/ have put up their September challenge. Quite a few elements required but they all came together nicely in this lo. I love Heidi Grace paper and have had this piece for quite a while just waiting for the right lo. What could be more girly than Dana dressed as Sharpay from High School Musical. I love using flowers and ribbons on girls pages and the chipboard corner with flowers and butterflies was also ideal. Have a great day....

September 123

The September 123 challenge is up and is very interesting. The three elements to be included in the lo are Bookpaper, the word "Smile" and a non scrappy item. Of course the first two elements are quite easy, but what to put on a page that is not considered a "scrappy" item. Whilst contemplating this I started playing in Photo Shop and cropped a number of photos with different people smiling in all different ways. The light bulb came on, I could use these photos for my lo. Still under a little cloud with the non scrappy items until the kids asked me to help floss their teeth. Aha!!!! dental floss is a non scrappy item and voila a lo is born....HAPPY FATHERS DAY!!!!

Book week take 2

Thanks to Michelle I have now added a hand sewn border to the bookweek lo although I have added an overcast stitch with my flat stitches for a little bit of unpredictability, (gosh is that a word). This really finished the lo off. Many thanks again Michelle.

1st book week layout

I wanted this lo for Kendall to be simple yet tell the story. I think I have done thate however I really think there is something missing. (Any suggestions gratefully received!). Photo does not show that it is Mr Bean's face Kendall is holding in front of him.

Still have Dana's lo to go but really can't decided what to do yet!!!!

Book Week

Walkerston Library celebrates book week in a big week and it culminates each year with a parade of school children in costume marching down the main street. This year was bigger and better than ever. I have the wonderful task of capturing the parade on film each year and then presenting the finished product to the library and the two school here. Credit has to be given to all the parents who dress their children up. No mean feat these days but I must say the costumes were very impressive this year. My two decided that they were not being very adventurous this year and dressed as Sharpay, from High School Musical, in the golfing gear no less and Mr Bean. Kendall has a warped sense of humour like his father and the two of them in front of any Mr Bean show is entertainment in itself. Here are a couple of shots taken at home before we went to parade yesterday. A few more photos to scrap now!!! The kids were absolutely exhausted last night as after parade it was back to school and then they both had a solo dance lesson. Oh to have their energy. Have a great weekend!!

Shabby Chic no 3

Wow!! Can't believe how quickly this came together. I freaked when I read the criteria for this challenge from Let's Get Shabby. I have never in 9 years of scrapping ever just used white and one colour. I have had this photo since my Grandma moved from her house to the retirement village and was never too sure what to do with it as it was damaged. Well here is the solution today!! Just love the Prima artistery and fiesta flowers and some old lace from the dress up box. The butterfly is to die for and yes I do have another one spare for another project. I think I will try this sort of project again as matching colours always takes time. I also love the great fiskars border punches; they make a plain piece of cardstock stunning. This was definitely a short but satisfying lo.

Scap Therapy...Puzzle Challenge..

I have been encouraged by Deb to join scrap therapy challenges. One of the ones for August is a puzzle challenge where they give you three puzzle pieces to include in a lo. The were polka dots, bows and paper clips. Here is my take on the challenge!!

Not a lot of scrapping happening....

due to this. Spent last Sunday making monkey costume for eisteddfod. Finished off the costume and head wear on Tuesday. (Need to press lining when ironing but not a big factor.) I scored my MIL's sewing machine which has maybe been used twice in its life. Sews like a dream. better than my old one (which I got for my 21st lots of years ago!). Hopefully I will get a couple of los done this weekend. Thought I had better touch base incase you thought I'd left the planet.

Scrapbooking Premiere _ August Challenge

Over at Scrapbooking Premiere, their August challenge is up and it is a vintage lo. (Vintage being open to interpretation.) I decided to go with vintage elements as the photo is of my Mum and her parents on her wedding day. I wanted happy colours which are really not "vintage" however by using vintage laces, the obligatory 3 birds on the wall, pearls and buttons I have created a vintage feel lo but still happy and bright, as wedding days should be.

I will have to raid Mum's sewing draw for more lace etc off cuts as I have been doing quite a few shabby and vintage los recently and the supplies are running low. Anyhoo, hope you like it......

A little box

I got this kit in Brisbane and decided to put it together yesterday. It is quite intriguing to follow instructions which don't make sense, but finally I made a little sense of it and this is the finished product...

A Bit of Fun

Not a lot of scrapping this weekend, although I am working on covering an octagonal box. Too many kid things to do however did get the car cleaned. Just had a bit of a play with this, thanks to Ngaire's blog. Reminds me of paper dolls. A little way of experimenting with clothes hair styles and the like....hope your weekend was fun!!

A little 3D

I really did not know how I would scrap this photo of the place getters of the 800m at school...however by cutting around the boys' heads and mounting 3 layers of 3D tape underneath, I managed to get them standing out from the background. Other than that it is a very simple lo to record Kendall's victory.

Wow a day of scrapping.....

Just completed the August 123 challenge so thought I would upload it now as I will be pretty busy during the week. We had to include, metal, blurred or out of focus photo and at lease 5 staples. I found these photos on Kendall's computer. I must have taken them himself and they were just what I needed. Just goes to show you should not delete the fuzzy photos!!! LOL.

I had to do some coaxing to borrow the lego pieces and promise to give them back at the end of the month. (Maybe I will have to buy my own lego....not!!)

A Double LO for Kendall.

It is really hard to do a boy page after you have just finished doing a really girly page however I decided to go with the geometrical look and use diecut paper the same as the pattern on the base paper. Kendall loves to have his achievements scrapped as well so I hope he like this one. He has not seen it yet as he is on a bike ride with his dad.

A little Saturday evening scrap.

I have been a little slack lately not because I don't want to scrap but I am running out of time each day. Last night I bit the bullet and actually sat down and scrapped. One of my daughter's friends gave her this photo from sports day and I really wanted to do something nice with it. I have never owned a border punch but bought one at Spotlight last week, and I was really itching to use it. So everything came together last night. The girl's house colours are orange and yellow and the house name is Treacy, so this gives a little insight into the lo. I found some felt fozzies which I used the butterflies and the tree from and just inked them to suit. The base of the lo is actually yellow cardstock but it does not show up well in the photo.

I also found the instructions for this little box album in one of the scrapbooking mags and thought I would like to have a go at it last night. There is a lot of cutting and scoring involved and you must be really accurate otherwise the lid does not go on at all. However I must not have been too tired as the lid went on really well and now all I have to do is put some photos in it and then title the lid. I think this would be a really great present for Mothers Day or Birthdays etc as while it is sitting on a shelf it just looks like a little gift box but take the lid off and voila!!

Lets Get Shabby take two

I have had this photo of my Mum and my Grandma on Mum's wedding day for awhile. I scanned it from Mum's album some time ago and it has been sitting on my computer waiting for inspiration. Well yesterday the inspiration arrived from http://letsgetshabby.blogspot.com with their second challenge. Using gingham and florals. My first thought was Uggghhhh, however once the thinking cap went on and I checked my stash, the creative juices started flowing. The gingham paper is from Creative Memories Days, (so long ago now), but I did have gingham ribbon to match, and I have kept the Making Memories Vintage Rose Bouquet Crackle paper for just the right moment. I also dusted off the Cuttlebug and embossed the gingham paper with flowers just to give that extra "floral content". I am not one that usually scraps in this style but I am glad lets get shabby came along as I am now diversifying my styles a little. The hanging crystals just give it that yesteryear look as crystals were all the go when Mum got married.

Should be napping but.....

Could not resist using this My Mind's Eye Paper for the challenge at Scrapbooking Premiere for July. It is a free scrap this time, no guidelines just do it. The paper is beautiful and I have combined two pieces to form the base. The rub ons from this collection are so beautiful, they just had to be used, and now I only have to clean up the glitter from the craft table after using it on the Heidi Swapp letters for the title. Simple yet elegant, just like the two ladies in the photographs.......