A MERRY CHRISTMAS CARD for you!

I've made this card with love for my wonderful online friends who visit often, and especially who always leave messages because I love reading each and every one of them (hug) And especially especially who have become my friends outside of blog-land (hug hug)..... Merry merry Christmas, have a safe and joyous season with your families xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

AN AWARD from Julie

This is called The Proximity Award."These blogs invest and believe in PROXIMITY - nearness in space, time and relationships! These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. I need to pass this onto eight wonderful scrappy bloggers.....but at this late stage Christmas Eve...time is (well you know how it is) though I want to thank Julie who is the epitome of this award!!

GROW (I've been busy today....)

I'm sooo thrilled how this turned out. I'm learning to make those flowers and I love it! I should be doing Christmassy preparation stuff here at home...but after coming in from the garden....weeeeeell, I just felt like scrapping....and fiddling with flowers!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS xxxx

Well the silly season is upon us, and we are all busy with preparations for the big day. I've been scrapping, but nothing I can show you here yet - I've got secrets!! All will be revealed in the New Year along with new LO's in the pipeline. (big smile) I played with this one of Paige this morning - another lovely under the Christmas tree!! Dont you just love Christmas!!!

SCRAPPING ACROSS THE UNIVERSE #5

This is really different style for me - but the subject dictated it! Here's the challenge. I felt challenged to scrap a part of my career I dislike - the lead up to 'Curtain Up' .......taking the colour out of the photo gave a coldness creating the mood.......its pre-production time- the details that take well into the night, night after night............the perfectionism that will end up delighting the audience .........and the nervousness and overwhelm-ness I feel to the pit of my stomach right up until the curtain opens............no it doesnt open on me.......it opens on escape, while I'm in the darkness with headsets on, watching and directing every sound and movement like a cat on a hot tin roof

SCRAPPING THE MUSIC #66

The new song is ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS and I've used the lyrics 'Underneath the Christmas Tree'. It suits Paige perfectly sitting under our Christmas tree a couple of nights ago in a reflective mood....very photograph-able moment!

AUSSIE SCRAPJACK (and picked as a FAVE!!!!)whoohoo!

I adore Louise Nelson's work - so I set about looking through her LO's to see which one I'd like to scrap - TALK about DECISIONS!! So so so many fabulous creations!! Anyway I chose this one and the inspiration came from the lacework, the gold and the leaves - I love its intricacy but yet simplicity of her LO and tried to recreate this really important element. Therefore, this is what evolved! Thanks Lou! (The gold is hard to see - click to enlarge) And yes - yet more finch photos - but they are sooooo photograph-able and scrap-able!! Thats Scrappy in the front with Booky sitting on nest behind!

123 Challenge AND Purple Onion Gift Wrapping Challenge

Above is my 123 December Sample Layout: I know I scrap my little finches alot - but they are just sooooo darned cute especially since sitting on eggs. Poor ole Scrappy (in foreground) has been somewhat plucked from behind her neck so that Booky can feather the nest - despite being given recommended materials to do so!!!! She's been a little bit more left alone since putting cotton wool in there! They are funny little things! Now then girls - this month 123 has the most FABULOUS Criteria!! A Christmas Tree A big splash of paint LOTS of bling! 

                                           --------------------------------------------------

PURPLE ONION STAMPS

have a gift wrapping challenge on over at their blog

I absoloutely LOVE their stamps!!!

Here's my entry! I've been able to use what I love - RIBBON, gold, texture texture texture!!!

Arent those little stamps cute!!! Note to self - NO PEEKING!! (hopeless!!)

Another Christmas Giftbag

This is another one of my giftbags made from one sheet of pp. This is Christmas paper from MM - just love the glitter - everything super Chrismassy about it!! I've cut and placed an acetate window in it so it displays yummy shortbread!

Paige is working with her dad to make special treats for her teachers at school. They do this together every year. Who loves Chocolate Royals!!!

A LYB chrissy card - and a quick little wreath. Any excuse to splash paint around. The inside of the card was too 'white' - nothing a bit of cream paint cant fix!!

 

 

 

Dec OTP kit

This is a little kit class I ran tonight at Scrap Therapy. I'm really hoping for a new sewing machine for Christmas!! My just conked out after many years!

SCRAPPING THE MUSIC #64

This week's song is 'Peace on Earth' and what perfect title for my two little finches nesting on 3 little December eggs They are the picture of 'Peace on Earth'

OLW - Miracle-YAY IT MADE THE FAVOURITES LIST!!!

This was just the inspiration to record how 'Blackie' came into our family. He was feral, he had been abused, and even eight years later there is only one person he trusts...... me. The only time he will climb into my lap is when I'm on the computer. He knows when I'm sick and he knows when I need a cuddle. He's lost many of his nine lives. I doubt if he has any left. It was Christmas morning of 2000 when we were unwrapping presents that a faint 'meow' could be heard. The night before dh had nailed the last plank down of our new back veranda......and this tiny skinny little black cat had been stuck underneath. He was so lucky we heard him as that afternoon we were leaving to go away on holiday and he would have surely perished horribly. We let him out, I fed him, (much to dh disgust!) and when we returned off holidays, he was still there, still skinny - he adopted me. It took him 18months before he would jump up onto my lap and it took 2-3yrs before he trusted me. The re-education of a feral cat takes patience and years. We have an extraordinary relationship that I doubt I'd ever have from a domesticated cat.

COLOR COMBO GALORE #99 Stage

A couple of moments caught on camera. I loved the pink blue and brown of Colour Combo this week....struggled a little bit with the tan colour! Everytime I put that tan up to the LO - it stood out like a sore thumb! But a button worked and the tan is in the photos!

Scrapping Across the Universe #4- OMG!!! IT WON!!!

It's nearly over - a sneak shot from side stage as the girls are positioning themselves for curtain calls as their end of year ballet production finally comes to a close. OH-MY-GOODNESS!!! And this is what they said: The Winner for Challenge #4 is mandysea. It was almost UNANIMOUS! We all loved your layout...

SCRAPPING THE MUSIC #64

This weeks song is 'In my Life' by the Beatles and I've used the opening lyrics of 'Places I'll remember. This is my Paige in my Parent's Christmas Loungeroom and its just one of those magical places our extended family gather together for Christmas Day. And while the photos aren't great, its still a memory captured and treasured. The little white porcelian Christmas tree in the middle is very sentimental as mum made it hereself and those little globes light up - the children love it.

MY SCRAP THERAPY CYBERCROP CHALLENGE

You can visit here to find all the challenges! Here's a MERRY little look at what your challenge will be tonight! And in keeping with Christmas and gift-giving - you need to create: - A Christmas Card A Gift Bag (or you can alter one) A Gift Card (for the bag) Here is my sample:

MY GIFT BAG instructions are here over at Scrap Therapy if you'd love to have a go at making them.

Little Christmas trees

Here's a merry little project I whipped up this morning.....one is Kaisercraft and the other Basic Grey - prefect for name place tags on the Christmas table. Easy peasy to make - just a few semi-circles, a toothpick and some trim & bling!

SCRAP THERAPY....

This weekend we have our 'SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS' Cybercrop at Scrap Therapy all planned out!!! (click on the link for some CLUES!)

See you there around 7pm as the first Challege goes up!!

Last weekend the Design Team revealed our creations on the new American Crafts Albums and here's mine:

Here's a close up....because for some reason the ribbons came out quite 'grey' in the photo above.

OLW: ENERGY #40

One Little Word - ENERGY. Our kids have it.......but some of us WISH we had it!! LOL Here's Hannah jumping through rows in the Dutch Iris field.

SCRAPPING THE MUSIC #63 AND IT WON!!!!!!

This week the song is called '5 o'clock' and I loved the lyrics 'There's a long haired girl' because that certainly fit Paige! She has the most beautiful long blonde hair. Everytime I suggest she might like to cut it - she's shocked at me! LOL! Love that shabby chic that K&Co help produce! (and love love love my lace - its everywhere in my scrapstudy!!!

  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  I've been soooo blessed to be given this Kreativ Award by Julie and Leanne (at the same time) - how lucky am I! Thanks so much - because getting a comment makes my day - and I've found I can count on both of you to do just that. (very big smile )

I'll pass on the rules to the Award as soon as I get a minute to breathe......

My workload is massive at the moment and after the 7th December I'm going to be able to catch up on everything and everyone.............because.....

I'LL BE ON HOLIDAYS - yippee!!!!!!

Design Experiment 'WHY' #36

We all remember those teenage years at high school when establishing and maintaining friendships were so hard. For my teenager, she just cant stand any of the silliness, nastiness and competitiveness of some of her peers. She will step back - then questions herself! I got to make sure she realises and believes she is a true and good person, and thats the reason why she doesnt participate.

SCRAPPING ACROSS THE UNIVERSE #3

Its all about first love at Scrapping Across the Universe. Mine, as a little girl was definitely ballet. I was about 8 or 9 years old here. Click to enlarge - that always helps.

Aussie Scrapjack - Kathie Link Jack (AND IT WON!!!) WHOO HOO!!

I've reposted this as AUSSIE SCRAPJACK has been revamped and given a new lease of life and it looks absoloutely fabulous!!! Soooooo, taking over where it was left last month was a Kathie Link's LO to be scrapjacked and we have been asked to leave a link to our blogs......and this LO was buried quite a few pages back!! I'm so pleased Louise has breathed life into the site again - it's definitely one of my favourites!

Step by Step Christmas Card

This weekend is Step by Step Projects at Scrap Therapy using American Crafts and I've created a non-traditional coloured Christmas Card. If you want to follow the steps - Click here

SCRAPPING THE MUSIC #62

This weeks song is 'Just a Girl' by No Doubt. I've picked from the lyrics 'step outside'. Luckily, fiddling with my camera (still working out how to use it) had accidently taken a couple of shots looking down - and yes there are my feet! - then thought to take a couple more because I could do something with them - and hey - good one Scrapping the Music!!!

COLOR COMBO #97

The colours this time were an aqua, green, white and royal blue. My peacock photo was perfect!

INVITATION TO THE BALL

During rehearsal for 'Cinderella' - the girls, choreography, costumes, and sets are coming together! At last some light at the end of the tunnel!! I used American Craft products from Scrap Therapy

CHRISTMAS BAUBLES

Here's a little project you can do! Scrap therapy has a similar kit that even the children might like to do! I've had a play with it and added decoration. It was a bit of fun!!

6 Random Things About Me...

I've been tagged by Sar -hmmmn - Let me think! 1. Everyday I pick thistle for my little finches 2. Any sunny morning I eat breakfast on my front veranda, and read the newspaper 3. Loathe going into town 4. Every Tuesday I visit my girlfriend for a cuppa and 'show and tell' scrappy stuff! 5. Hate having hair appointments 6. Love the peace and quiet of a sleeping household - morning and night! Now I'll tag Julie, Leanne, Relsi, Princess Tamara, Shimano

123 Challenge November CT Sample Page

The criteria is: A scary face! Lace Mono (different shades of one colour used) If you want to have a go - click on the righthand sidebar '123 Challenge' and you have till the end of the month! (Poor ole Cosmo - and he thinks he has the birds bluffed!)

123 CYBERCROP Challenge 2

Over at 123 Challenge - Cybercropping due date is about up! Here's my second challenge entry which happens to be sponsored by Scrap Therapy! The criteria has to be My Minds Eye products (which is my paper) circles (I cant resist painting!) and printed journaling. Cosmo gets totally and utterly bored with posing for my Christmas shots!! Can you see the blankety blank stare!!!

COLOR COMBO GALORE #96

I love the colours this week - the green, white, grey and even the purple - which I dont usually scrap! The photo of Paige skipping through the Iris field helped this LO and its colours tremendously!

SCRAPPING THE MUSIC #61

This week's song is 'Video' by India Arie and I've pulled the lyrics 'go on and shine' out of it. This is Paige just arriving at her dressing room before a performance. She loves the stage - to dance but especially to sing.

SCRAPPING ACROSS THE UNIVERSE #2

I've used the song title for my LO and I love this photo of Hannah and Paige. It doesnt matter where they are or what they are doing, they always have time for a hug. I'm pretty proud of this, and as sisters they are soooooo close

New MANUFACTURER OF THE MONTH AT SCRAP THERAPY is American Crafts

I've used this photo before, but it was too perfect for AC's Amplified 'Moondog' pattern paper. All the products are AC except for the tiny tag - which is MME and the lace.

Completing some Cybercrop Challenges at Scrap Therapy

Relsi's challenge was to have at least 3 different sorts of flowers in the LO. It also gave me a last chance to use up any MME I've had in my stash as its been the Manufacturer of the Month.

This was Julie's sketch challenge....and keeping with the Spring Carnivale atmosphere the added criteria was to use hats in the layout. This was Paige when she performed in 'Trouble in Mermaid Island' She was 'Detective Dan'!

OLW #39 - LISTEN (yay - listed as one of the FAVOURITES!!!)

Wow, I've certainly found my mojo today!!! Paige took this photo of herself - she really had a great eye for composition! Its most definitely her 'I'm not listening to you' face! This LO may not have won, but it was listed as 'catching their eye' - (big smile!)

SCRAPPING THE MUSIC #60 - WHOOHOO AND IT WON!!

Had the perfect photos for this challenge! The song is 'Click, Click, Click, Click' by Bishop Allen. I've never heard it before - but its good! Very appropriate for scrapping. While on a driving holiday in Victoria, Paige sat in the back seat holding her camera up clicking away with self portrait! I had no idea what she had on her camera until I uploaded them to my computer! I had to giggle! She DOES love having pictures of her own!

COLOUR COMBO #95

I absolutely adored the colour combo this week of sienna(tan) - chartreuse(green) - straw - gray. It was perfect for my photos of the elephants at Melbourne Zoo who were heading back to get their afternoons feed! (It was almost closing time!) I think everyone falls in love with the slow sway of elephants! This LO kinda just 'evolved'!! It helped find my mojo.

123 CYBERCROP CHALLENGE ONE

I'm hoping to complete all 4 challenges for 123 cybercrop (due 14 nov). Here's my first one with the criteria being : Use some sort of gaffa tape (I used the fragile tape off a pizza box full of SB products!!) Create a stamped background (bubble wrap and corregated cardboard used with paint) No patterned paper (that one was easy)

Cybercrop at Scrap Therapy 7th-9th Nov

Here's my CHALLENGE for the weekend. Take inspiration from this picture. The only added requirement is to represent outdoor life. Here's my first sample which is the COLOUR from the picture. I've used paint on both LO's

Here is a horsey inspiration. This is my neice who has won Tasmania Horse of the Year 5 times!

My Minds Eye has been used here......and its 20% off until Sunday night. Hopefully we will see you at therapy!