XOXO Lovefest - Friendship

This is the title of the current challenge happening over at Caardvarks blog. This is a very simple little card, but turned out quite pretty with that gorgeous, old fave colour combination of blue and brown.





Jacob lost his 5th tooth yesterday, and we were thrilled to see that the Tooth Fairy DID come. Somehow, last time he lost a tooth, the Tooth Fairy failed to put in an appearance two nights in a row. This co-incided with me being on Night Duty, and Steve forgetting all about it. Explaining this took quite a bit of creative thinking while under pressure.

Catching up...

I need to catch up with my blog posts, my current challenges, and life in general! I swear things were a lot easier when I was on annual leave in January. Paid employment just gets in the way of my social life, my crafting and my train of thought. However, it does pay for all of the above, so that's handy!

On Thursday I took the train down to Melbourne to play with Kazzy for the day. It was such fun! We had a lovely long lunch (and scoffed down a bottle of wine between us!) then had a brief look at some shops. Next time I'll try to do it on a day when Steve is home, so I can leave earlier than after school drop off. The kids had a fun time at other people's houses after school while they waited for me to come home, so everyone had a blast. I was sooooo tired that night though. The old grey mare she aint what she used to be...

Here's a card I made for CPS #53. Love, love, love this sketch. I'll be using it again for sure.

This next one came about as I make a concerted effort to use up all my scraps. The scrap drawers is overflowing (and then some) so I doubt if I'll ever use them ALL up.

Remember When Paper Company has started a Ribbon Club. It's a monthly subscription service with the option of receiving matching Bazzill as well. If you love ribbon as much as I do, you should check this out. The red and tan ribbon on the card above is from this month's pack.

Right, I had better keep moving. I want to organise my new MM Carousel. Oh, this is seriously to die for. Once I have it looking gorgeous I will take a pic.

I've been tagged.

I have been tagged by Kazzy

A: The rules of the game are posted at the beginning.
B: Each player answers the questions about themselves.
C: At the end of the post, the player then tags 3 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog

10 years ago: I was trying to get pregnant and failing miserably. I was living in Brisbane, had been married to Steve for just over 12 months.

5 Things on my to-do-list today:
1. Organise Lara's party
2. Work this afternoon
3. Clean the windows
4. post "baby" card
5. look into weekend away at winery

What I would do if I was suddenly a billionaire: Oooooh. Firstly, I'd be sharing the love, big time! New cars, new house, plenty of toys and treats. Holidays...

Three of my bad habits:
1. Drinking wine
2. Not putting my clothes away (I can live out of the clothes basket)
3. Procrastinating

Three places I have lived:
1. Wangaratta, Victoria
2. Brisbane, Queensland
3. Derby, Western Australia

5 jobs that I have had:KFC Chick, Personal Care assistant to a grumpy old lady, ICU nurse, Mum, high priced hooker (sorry, couldn't think of #5 so I made it up).

5 things people dont know about me: I love my cups of tea and can be quite the tea snob, my feet grew one size after I had kids, I cut off the tip of my R) little finger when I was 7, my hair is 70% grey these days, I have a phobia about cotton balls or tissues being in people's mouths.

Sketch this: cards #42

Another week has flown by. Here's my take on Sketch #42 over at Sketch this:cards.

I've just been out walking with my neighbour. The route we chose was challenging, lots of hills etc. Then, just so I could finish my conversation, I walked into her house with her... Two hours, two Cosmo's and another set of neighbours later, here I am! So we undid our good work with the walk, but we shared some quality time, so it's all good.

CPS #52

Here's a card I made for sketch challenge #52 over at CPS. A very simple one, but I just love red and green together.

As promised, a pic of the Birthday Princess.

I'm off to work this afternoon, saving lives etc etc. This one is an extra shift for me, so the Sunday rates will be nice.

Another birthday...

February is such a busy month for us. Lara turned 9 today! It's all been very low key today, just us and one of her friends, some cake etc. She'll have a larger party next week. I can't believe that my firstborn is 9 years old. Ack! When I start lying about my age, I'll have to lie about her age too, otherwise people will do the math and it just won't work!!

Here's a little card I made for a challenge over at Papertake Weekly. The card had to have a "spring" theme. I KNOW that we are about to head into Autumn, but it's spring over there!! This one is for Mother's Day.

I'll post pics of the birthday girl later. I embarked upon a massive clean up of my scrap room today, and I'm just so pleased with how tidy and inviting it is. I may just be out here creating stuff all night now.

X0X0 - Anniversary

This is the title of this week's challenge at Caardvark's blog. Here's my card...


I will share with you a shocking secret. Last week was my own 11th wedding anniversary and I have to admit that I didn't give my husband a card. He doesn't really see what all the fuss is about with cards. He throws them straight in the bin, and would never buy one for anyone else. He is super supportive of me making cards, he just has no desire to give or receive cards himself.

In other news, I just spent a small fortune on Stampin' Up supplies! My dear friend Kazzy is now a SU rep, and she has always been good at encouraging me to part with my money. LOL I am beside myself with excitement, waiting for the new Basic Grey to hit Aussie shores.

Finally, I have a cold :( I am being a very big baby about it, although as usual, no one at my house really cares much. As long as I continue to get food, look for lost items, and give the occasional cuddle the kids couldn't really care if my nose won't stop running, or that my throat feels as though it has 4 large razor blades lodged in it. Waaaaaaah. Off to find more tissues.

Tuesday...

Wow, work really interferes with a girl's blogging capabilities! I've been working since Friday night, and thus have done very little in the way of cardmaking or scrapping. Oscar had his 6th birthday party on Saturday. He had the most awesome time, as did all 15 of his friends who attended. This pic shows an excited Oscar, and a silly-faced Jude!

I have managed a couple of cards over the past few days. This first one is for CPS Sketch #51. I'm not totally in love with it, but it is what it is!

This next one was a challenge posted over at Tami's blog. To use the orange/blue/green colour combo, to use bling, ribbon and stamping. Check, check, check, and check! I love these colours, they make me feel so happy.

The last pic is something else that makes me happy. My new trollbeads! Similar to Pandora beads, but I was attracted to the colour of these glass beads.

Paper Pesto challenge

Paper Pesto is the name of the sponsor for the current dare at Daring Cardmakers. The dare this time is a sketch, and we all know how I love a good sketch!

Here's my effort. I'm on a mission to use up scraps and left-overs at the moment. With all that goodness coming out of CHA, I need to make more room!

Sketch this: cards #41

This little card came together based on Sketch #41 over at Sketch this: cards.

I was reluctant to actually USE my Two Scoops (as opposed to just looking at it, or rolling around in it) but then I saw the five (5) new ranges coming out from Basic Grey! How do they do it?? Needless to say, I need to create some space in my BG Cropper Hopper (yes, I have one devoted purely to BG!!).

Just rambling...

So... life has settled into a nice routine for us now that the kids are all at school. I'm loving the social side of things (morning teas, long lunches etc), embracing the "me" time (exercise, crafting) and welcoming the ability to finally get the house clean! Those little jobs that never got done previously, like the dust on the top of the door frames... the 3 years of accumulation on the ceiling fan... you get the picture. I don't know if it's the psychological aspect of knowing I have kid-free days, or the physical aspect of getting fitter, but I have more energy to get things done even when I'm not alone. I'm loving it, and honestly feel more like 27 than 37 these days. If you'd asked me how old I felt 4 years ago, I would have said "47". LOL I am reminded of a photo I saw a few years ago. A friend took it not long after Oscar was born. We had 3 kids under 3, and boy did we look hammered! We looked so old and tired. No time for sleep, hairdresser, shopping, anything... it was all about our nearly 3 year old, our 18 month old and our newborn. Yikes. How far we have come. There were times when I seriously doubted my sanity, my sobriety, and the staying power of our marriage. However, we have both made it. Copious amounts of alcohol consumed in the meantime, a few antidepressants, and many nights spent figuring out how to make it as a single mother. LOL Fast forward to 2008, and I still drink too much wine, have been free of antidepressants for many years, and can't imagine a life without my boy (although we still have our moments, like any other couple who have been married for a long time). Speaking of which, it's our 11 year anniversary next week!

XOXO Lovefest - Baby Love

This is the current challenge at Caardvarks. As the name suggests, a baby card is in order. Here's my very girly contribution!

CPS #50

This card is based on sketch 50 over at CPS. I struggled to get my head around the bold pattern at first, but now I can see soooo many possibilities... Thankfully (for the sake of variety) I have used up most of this 3 bugs paper, and can now move on to other things! I do tend to get stuck on things for a while.

More cuteness...

I've been playing around making these cute little boxes.

This was just my first attempt. I'm making up a few to pop little treasures in, that Lara can give away as loot bags after her party next week. I feel that her 9 and 10 year old friends are grown up enough to appreciate this, and not just throw them in the bin when they get home.

My walking is getting easier and more enjoyable. This morning I headed out for a massive walk that took me approx 55 mins. I felt absolutely on top of the world when I finished. Surely, all this effort will soon be having an effect on the size of my bum. So please, if you think it's looking ever so slightly smaller, be sure to let me know - I need the encouragement. Alternatively, if you feel it's looking much the same, or even "bigger" just smile and lie through your teeth for me, will ya? (She types all this as she sits here eating popcorn.... yikes!)

Right, one last card to share and then I'm going to do a CPS challenge, before it's time for the next new one!

St. Valentine threw up here...

Well, that's what it feels like anyway. hehe I was sent a whopping parcel of goodies from Kathy and Rach at Remember When Paper Company. They are selling a kit to make some Valentine's cards. I was too hungover from my Night Duty's yesterday to play, but I got down and dirty with it today. I have heaps of papers left over, so be prepared to see many more cards in this theme (think back to my proliferation of Hang 10 cards!!!).

I'm very keen to work on more cards tonight, but I think I'm running out of time... we will see. First I need to attend to the mountain that is my scrapping desk.

Had to share...

Lara, who is about to turn 9, has been scrapping with me more and more lately. Yesterday she was happily working away while I sat at my desk and chatted to a neighbour who had dropped in. When I looked down, Lara had created this! I think it's her best card yet. She's incredibly proud of it!!

February already...

February is our busiest month of the year. Oscar has his 6th birthday on the 12th, it's our 11th Anniversary on the 15th, and Lara turns 9 on the 23rd. However, since I am the new queen of leisure, I should be able to have it all under control this year.


I've been making cards for challenges again. I hear you say (all two of you who read this blog!).

This first one is for the Daring Cardmakers challenge of making a Red and White card. It also fits with the Caardvarks challenge of making a "Valentine" themed card. Two for one!! I love a bargain. LOL



This next one is definately for the Caardvarks Valentine challenge. I am actually quite "Valentine-challenged" since we don't tend to celebrate Valentine's Day here in Australia. There are heaps of red roses around, and young lovers give cards, but most hardened Aussies just see it as a marketing spin. Bitter and cynical aren't we? Anyway, here it is:
The beautiful filigree butterfly is a laser cut chipboard shape from Remember When Paper Company.