.....
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the customers who have emailed, rung or come in to wish me well in the sale of the shop "Memories in the Making" and for my future. As you can all imagine this has been a major decision for me.
It has been a very rewarding 5 years building this business to where it is now and I know that the next steps someone can take with it ie: expanding the website etc, would be a very exciting time.
In the meantime, I will set you a challenge - SCRAP, SCRAP, SCRAP. Get out your scraps and use them to create a gorgeous layout or layouts!! We all keep our scraps so why not use them!
Here's a tip for you...
Frosting Charms
Frosting adds a unique touch to all of your metal charms and is very easy to do. It creates a softened look suitable for baby and grandparent scrapbooks.
To create a frosted charm look, sprinkle embossing powder and glitter on the metal charms and heat using a heat gun. Repeat this process again, before the item has a chance to cool. Attach the charms to your scrapbook once they cool completely.
Try it out and let me know how you went, better still send us a copy of any layout that you'd like to show here in my blog.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Melbourne...
.....
It's been a couple of weeks since I have written and alot has been happening in that time...
Our family went to Melbourne over the long weekend to my sister-in-law's wedding.
It was the first time that both the girls have flown and we had enough frequent flyer points to fly down business class which was a real treat for us all.
Lozzy was extremely excited, not an ounce of nerves, she spent the entire trip hanging out the window taking photos. Madi on the other hand was very nervous, declaring on take off "I so don't like this!!". Once we were in the air the nerves lifted and she even sat next to the window for awhile.
We spent Friday and Saturday catching up with rels and driving a little around Melbourne. (I'm biased but I much prefer Sydney - and Melbourne drivers are absolutely crazy).
The wedding on the Sunday was a beautiful sunny day (apparently Melbourne hadn't had such a nice October day in many years) so Julie and Chris were able to be married on the deck of the restaurant which overlooked the water and was a stunning location.
My girls looked fabulous in their formal dresses with jewellery that they had both made themselves. I was an extremely proud mum of two girls who conducted themselves beautifully and had many comments on how lovely they looked.
On the Monday we took the kids including my 17 year old brother-in-law to the open range zoo at Werribee where we saw a variety of lions, giraffes, hippo's, rhino's, meerkats etc etc. As an avid scrapbooker, yes, I took a gazillion photos and have another project on my hands now.
Tuesday, we spent in the city. We caught the City Central tram and hit Lygon Street in Carlton (little Italy) which, with a name like Gatto and an Italian background we had to visit of course. We had a fabulous plate of Ravioli at a great restaurant named Brunetti's. We then went to the Old Melbourne gaol including a tour of the watch house where a very strict, no nonsence Sargent showed us around. I don't know what it is about my family, even though the four of us were seperated in a line up he managed to pick on each one of us and no one else on the tour.
Madison he told off quite serverley for gigling around (that's our Madi - never sits or stands still!!) while being charged in the watch house. He had her face the wall and left her there when we went on to the next phase of the tour. When she followed us he told her off again and took her back to the wall and left her there.
I was the next to cop it - he called me out and asked me questions from a charge card he had given us earlier. My name was Tran Le and when he asked my age I couldn't tell him as it wasn't on the card. The guy had been so technical and literal all the way through the tour that I didn't realise he meant my real age and I was desperately trying to find or guess an age when he told me off.
Lauren was asked a question and got an ear full when she replied "I don't know" (but that is so Lozzy - she always answers I don't know to everything!!) and Steve was told to step forward out of the line up and had his hands checked for drugs (apparently criminals smuggled drugs in to jail, between their fingers). He then got told he was clean and had lovely hands - No telling off for him!!
Anyway, it was all in fun and after Madi was told to rejoin us we were all locked in a cell with the lights out - no fun if your claustrophobic!! We then toured the old gaol and saw where Ned Kelly and many others were hung. Not a nice place but steeped in history and once again a photographic paradise. Another project for me to do.
We flew back home on Tuesday night in the Qantas Airbus 330 which when you are flying business class was a very nice flight home. I wish we could all fly business class all the time, it would make flying that bit more enjoyable, especially if you were flying a long distance. We can only but dream!!
On the shop front... we spent a very enjoyable weekend at the Rocking Horse Renaissance open weekend. I saw a few of our regular customers out there enjoying the day.
The decision to put Memories in the Making on the market has been a very difficult one for me. This place is a very big part of my life and has been for the past 5 years. I have made some lovely friends along the way and have enjoyed all the joy that helping my customers has given me. I hope that there is someone out there who can take over the reins and stamp their personality on what is a great little shop in a fantastic industry. In the meantime, it is business as usual - all classes will continue with both Sharon and Vikki, Friday nights and Saturday marathons will still be on and of course we will be keeping up to date with new products for you. Next week I will have some tips and a you beaut challenge for you.
Until then... Happy Scrapping.
It's been a couple of weeks since I have written and alot has been happening in that time...
Our family went to Melbourne over the long weekend to my sister-in-law's wedding.
It was the first time that both the girls have flown and we had enough frequent flyer points to fly down business class which was a real treat for us all.
Lozzy was extremely excited, not an ounce of nerves, she spent the entire trip hanging out the window taking photos. Madi on the other hand was very nervous, declaring on take off "I so don't like this!!". Once we were in the air the nerves lifted and she even sat next to the window for awhile.
We spent Friday and Saturday catching up with rels and driving a little around Melbourne. (I'm biased but I much prefer Sydney - and Melbourne drivers are absolutely crazy).
The wedding on the Sunday was a beautiful sunny day (apparently Melbourne hadn't had such a nice October day in many years) so Julie and Chris were able to be married on the deck of the restaurant which overlooked the water and was a stunning location.
My girls looked fabulous in their formal dresses with jewellery that they had both made themselves. I was an extremely proud mum of two girls who conducted themselves beautifully and had many comments on how lovely they looked.
On the Monday we took the kids including my 17 year old brother-in-law to the open range zoo at Werribee where we saw a variety of lions, giraffes, hippo's, rhino's, meerkats etc etc. As an avid scrapbooker, yes, I took a gazillion photos and have another project on my hands now.
Tuesday, we spent in the city. We caught the City Central tram and hit Lygon Street in Carlton (little Italy) which, with a name like Gatto and an Italian background we had to visit of course. We had a fabulous plate of Ravioli at a great restaurant named Brunetti's. We then went to the Old Melbourne gaol including a tour of the watch house where a very strict, no nonsence Sargent showed us around. I don't know what it is about my family, even though the four of us were seperated in a line up he managed to pick on each one of us and no one else on the tour.
Madison he told off quite serverley for gigling around (that's our Madi - never sits or stands still!!) while being charged in the watch house. He had her face the wall and left her there when we went on to the next phase of the tour. When she followed us he told her off again and took her back to the wall and left her there.
I was the next to cop it - he called me out and asked me questions from a charge card he had given us earlier. My name was Tran Le and when he asked my age I couldn't tell him as it wasn't on the card. The guy had been so technical and literal all the way through the tour that I didn't realise he meant my real age and I was desperately trying to find or guess an age when he told me off.
Lauren was asked a question and got an ear full when she replied "I don't know" (but that is so Lozzy - she always answers I don't know to everything!!) and Steve was told to step forward out of the line up and had his hands checked for drugs (apparently criminals smuggled drugs in to jail, between their fingers). He then got told he was clean and had lovely hands - No telling off for him!!
Anyway, it was all in fun and after Madi was told to rejoin us we were all locked in a cell with the lights out - no fun if your claustrophobic!! We then toured the old gaol and saw where Ned Kelly and many others were hung. Not a nice place but steeped in history and once again a photographic paradise. Another project for me to do.
We flew back home on Tuesday night in the Qantas Airbus 330 which when you are flying business class was a very nice flight home. I wish we could all fly business class all the time, it would make flying that bit more enjoyable, especially if you were flying a long distance. We can only but dream!!
On the shop front... we spent a very enjoyable weekend at the Rocking Horse Renaissance open weekend. I saw a few of our regular customers out there enjoying the day.
The decision to put Memories in the Making on the market has been a very difficult one for me. This place is a very big part of my life and has been for the past 5 years. I have made some lovely friends along the way and have enjoyed all the joy that helping my customers has given me. I hope that there is someone out there who can take over the reins and stamp their personality on what is a great little shop in a fantastic industry. In the meantime, it is business as usual - all classes will continue with both Sharon and Vikki, Friday nights and Saturday marathons will still be on and of course we will be keeping up to date with new products for you. Next week I will have some tips and a you beaut challenge for you.
Until then... Happy Scrapping.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Challenge...
....
How did you go with your challenge? Hopefully I inspired some of you to think about the layouts you do and try different ways to go about creating them.
I'm feeling really guilty right now as I have just stuffed myself stupid with hot chips and gravy -something that is a big NO NO for me and will certainly send my blood glucose levels totally out of whack...but it's a miserable day and I was hungry as I walked past the take away shop and I had eaten my lunch at 11.30 which was way too early, so I splurged and broke the ridged "eating right" rules.
I must say they were the best chips and gravy I've had for a long time (even though they are the only chips and gravy I've had for a long time).
Isn't it funny how guilty we find ourselves feeling when we go off track with something...and you know at the end of the day it's normal, actually part of life to go off track.
You know...I've just made a decision (yep, just now, right this minute) I'm not going to feel guilty anymore.
So what if I occasionally (and in my case this one needs to be occasional) eat something I'm not supposed to or I spend more than I should have (especially on scrapbook supplies) or I decide to have a life and leave the kids in my hubby's capable hands for an evening and go out with the girls (and not worry) or leave the washing up for someone else to do (I like this one) or I sleep in on a Sunday morning (I really like this one)...yeah so what!!
I am not going to feel GUILTY anymore for anything that I decide to do in my life. After all, at the end of the day, it is my life!!
Gee whiz I enjoyed those hot chips and I especially enjoyed that gravy...MMMM....
How did you go with your challenge? Hopefully I inspired some of you to think about the layouts you do and try different ways to go about creating them.
I'm feeling really guilty right now as I have just stuffed myself stupid with hot chips and gravy -something that is a big NO NO for me and will certainly send my blood glucose levels totally out of whack...but it's a miserable day and I was hungry as I walked past the take away shop and I had eaten my lunch at 11.30 which was way too early, so I splurged and broke the ridged "eating right" rules.
I must say they were the best chips and gravy I've had for a long time (even though they are the only chips and gravy I've had for a long time).
Isn't it funny how guilty we find ourselves feeling when we go off track with something...and you know at the end of the day it's normal, actually part of life to go off track.
You know...I've just made a decision (yep, just now, right this minute) I'm not going to feel guilty anymore.
So what if I occasionally (and in my case this one needs to be occasional) eat something I'm not supposed to or I spend more than I should have (especially on scrapbook supplies) or I decide to have a life and leave the kids in my hubby's capable hands for an evening and go out with the girls (and not worry) or leave the washing up for someone else to do (I like this one) or I sleep in on a Sunday morning (I really like this one)...yeah so what!!
I am not going to feel GUILTY anymore for anything that I decide to do in my life. After all, at the end of the day, it is my life!!
Gee whiz I enjoyed those hot chips and I especially enjoyed that gravy...MMMM....
Monday, September 15, 2008
A challenge for you...
.....
Today I'm issuing a challenge to you all. Let me know how you do...
Think about music and how it affects your life. Do you bop around the house to your favourite tune while cleaning (I do)?Maybe you enjoy karaoke and can't resist the urge to get up and have a go (I definitely don't). Does a particular tune on the radio evoke emotions and memories that are special? Is it an old disco number or maybe a song from a movie. Why not incorporate song lyrics or journaling about how a song moves you into your pages.
Here are some ideas:
* Holidays. Is there a song that embodies your emotions about the holiday season? Maybe the lyrics remind you of your childhood or a special time in your life.
* Love. What song speaks the most to you and your significant other? Why?
* Inspiration. When you need a boost of confidence, what music do you turn to? What words inspire you the most?
* Comfort. Is there a sad song that speaks to your soul when it needs a little comfort?
* Children. Is there a lullaby you sing to your child? Do the words hold special meaning? Maybe it was a song sung to you by your own mother. Does it still touch you now?
What is your life's soundtrack? Think about songs that have meaning to you, those specials songs or a new song that touches you. Why not write down your feelings about it.
Have a go at designing a page this week based on how music touches you...
Today I'm issuing a challenge to you all. Let me know how you do...
Think about music and how it affects your life. Do you bop around the house to your favourite tune while cleaning (I do)?Maybe you enjoy karaoke and can't resist the urge to get up and have a go (I definitely don't). Does a particular tune on the radio evoke emotions and memories that are special? Is it an old disco number or maybe a song from a movie. Why not incorporate song lyrics or journaling about how a song moves you into your pages.
Here are some ideas:
* Holidays. Is there a song that embodies your emotions about the holiday season? Maybe the lyrics remind you of your childhood or a special time in your life.
* Love. What song speaks the most to you and your significant other? Why?
* Inspiration. When you need a boost of confidence, what music do you turn to? What words inspire you the most?
* Comfort. Is there a sad song that speaks to your soul when it needs a little comfort?
* Children. Is there a lullaby you sing to your child? Do the words hold special meaning? Maybe it was a song sung to you by your own mother. Does it still touch you now?
What is your life's soundtrack? Think about songs that have meaning to you, those specials songs or a new song that touches you. Why not write down your feelings about it.
Have a go at designing a page this week based on how music touches you...
Monday, September 8, 2008
Wild weekend...
.....
What a wild weekend we had!!!
We went away over the weekend. We left on Friday night and stayed with the in-laws in Newcastle on Friday night and then headed to our on-site van at Anna Bay on Saturday morning. I'm not sure what we were thinking...but we promised the kids we would go and we had already cancelled last month when we were all sick.
Everything was in place - Sharon was working at the shop on Saturday morning, the bags were packed on Thursday night, Steve had done the weeks washing on Friday, the girls had a multitude of games ready for a family games weekend and there was a bit of rain. By the time we arrived in Newcastle it wasn't just a bit of rain it was bucketing down. In the 10 metres from our car to my in-laws front door we all ended up soaked. Just what the in-laws needed 2 wet children with 2 wet kids of their own and the added bonus of 2 wet dogs along for the ride. Lucky for us they are tolerant and had a fabulous meal waiting!!
The trip up was Bronson's (now 21 weeks) first long distance trip in the car and unfortunately he was car sick...and car sick again on the 45 min trip over to Anna Bay on Saturday morning. Lucky our dogs are crate trained and this is how they travel so it is very easy to clean up. Thank goodness.
So, we arrived at Anna Bay the same way we arrived in Newcastle the previous evening WET!!
We unpacked in the rain , towel dried ourselves, blow dried the dogs, went shopping for food and finally settled in for the weekend.
Saturday afternoon we played board games with the girls and they enjoyed that. The rain was so loud on the roof that we could hardly hear the TV but we watched the movie Transformers that the girls borrowed from their Uncle Matthew (aged 17 - he is only 2 years older than Lauren) even though you couldn't hear most of it.
Saturday night we lit a fire in the combustion heater but as we only had fire starters and logs (the kindling was all wet) it didn't really take and we resorted to the electric fan heater. In a small area it works a treat and we were all cosy under our doonas and slept really well that night.
Imagine our surprise to awake on Fathers Day and see the sun...BLISS. It was a lovely day and we enjoyed fresh prawns and salad for lunch - the seafood being delivered direct to our door by the "seafood man" that drives around the park with a little bell on his van.
We went walking along the beach with kids and dogs and really enjoyed the spring weather.
Let's hope it lasts...
Although scrapping wasn't done this weekend we all have memories of our adventure to Anna Bay in the wind and rain. Normally we go with swimmers, shorts, t-shirts, boogie boards and plenty of sunscreen so this weekend certainly was something different for the girls (I think the dogs are totally over it!!) to experience.
No challenges etc this week as I think everyone is probably busy catching up on the washing....
What a wild weekend we had!!!
We went away over the weekend. We left on Friday night and stayed with the in-laws in Newcastle on Friday night and then headed to our on-site van at Anna Bay on Saturday morning. I'm not sure what we were thinking...but we promised the kids we would go and we had already cancelled last month when we were all sick.
Everything was in place - Sharon was working at the shop on Saturday morning, the bags were packed on Thursday night, Steve had done the weeks washing on Friday, the girls had a multitude of games ready for a family games weekend and there was a bit of rain. By the time we arrived in Newcastle it wasn't just a bit of rain it was bucketing down. In the 10 metres from our car to my in-laws front door we all ended up soaked. Just what the in-laws needed 2 wet children with 2 wet kids of their own and the added bonus of 2 wet dogs along for the ride. Lucky for us they are tolerant and had a fabulous meal waiting!!
The trip up was Bronson's (now 21 weeks) first long distance trip in the car and unfortunately he was car sick...and car sick again on the 45 min trip over to Anna Bay on Saturday morning. Lucky our dogs are crate trained and this is how they travel so it is very easy to clean up. Thank goodness.
So, we arrived at Anna Bay the same way we arrived in Newcastle the previous evening WET!!
We unpacked in the rain , towel dried ourselves, blow dried the dogs, went shopping for food and finally settled in for the weekend.
Saturday afternoon we played board games with the girls and they enjoyed that. The rain was so loud on the roof that we could hardly hear the TV but we watched the movie Transformers that the girls borrowed from their Uncle Matthew (aged 17 - he is only 2 years older than Lauren) even though you couldn't hear most of it.
Saturday night we lit a fire in the combustion heater but as we only had fire starters and logs (the kindling was all wet) it didn't really take and we resorted to the electric fan heater. In a small area it works a treat and we were all cosy under our doonas and slept really well that night.
Imagine our surprise to awake on Fathers Day and see the sun...BLISS. It was a lovely day and we enjoyed fresh prawns and salad for lunch - the seafood being delivered direct to our door by the "seafood man" that drives around the park with a little bell on his van.
We went walking along the beach with kids and dogs and really enjoyed the spring weather.
Let's hope it lasts...
Although scrapping wasn't done this weekend we all have memories of our adventure to Anna Bay in the wind and rain. Normally we go with swimmers, shorts, t-shirts, boogie boards and plenty of sunscreen so this weekend certainly was something different for the girls (I think the dogs are totally over it!!) to experience.
No challenges etc this week as I think everyone is probably busy catching up on the washing....
Monday, September 1, 2008
Spring has arrived...
It shouldn't be long before we see alot more sunny days, the days will start becoming longer and we will have some lovely weather in which to take some great photos.
Father's Day this weekend will present a photo shoot opportunity. Dad's opening pressy's, kids cuddling granddads, families enjoying meals together etc etc. Have you made your Father's Day cards yet? I have...I used the fabulous Kaisercraft papers and card packs to make these fab cards for my dad and father-in-law.
I have been busy working on a project this week which will be put on the class program shortly as it would make a fabulous gift especially with Christmas fast approaching.
It is a book with pages made from envelopes and beautiful K & Co papers. The idea is that you can store your cards (homemade or store bought) ready to give to family and friends in the envelope that is appropriate to their month of birth. Each page has a list for you to write when their birthday is so you will never forget to send a birthday card ever again. I just need to finish the cover and then I can add it to the class calendar.
This week has been crazy at our place - Madi is being a typical 11 year old with major ATTITUDE and was actually grounded 5 out of the 7 days this last week.
Last Sunday afternoon after a major tantrum I grounded her from all friends contact including playing with, talking on msn and the phone.
Well, she was very upset and told me she would much prefer being banned from TV - Madi is not a TV girl and normally I would not negotiate with her as keeping in touch with her friends is way more important than TV, BUT she loves Australian Idol which was starting it's new season that evening so I told her OK she can be banned from TV.
Well, you should have seen the smirk (cheeky so and so) as she skipped happily away from me until I said "of course, that includes being grounded from watching Australian Idol tonight".
Talk about a turn around - she got very upset and begged me to change the grounding back to the original terms. I'm sorry kid, that's ten points to Mum!!
This is an instance in which keeping one step ahead of your kids paid off, unfortunately I think Madi's hormones have kicked in with such force that keeping one step ahead is going to be very exhausting for a long while.
I did an attitude layout on Madi some time ago which I had on display in the shop for some time, I think I'll go home and pull it out and post it here during the week for you to see my typical mad Madison.
Olympics still sorted but not started - to many other projects this week. Hopefully I will start next week.
TIP OF THE DAY: This is an oldie but a goodie -
"Be good to your Mother"
and I better say Father as well seeing it's their week this week.
Enjoy spoiling the dad's of the world.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Quick note...
.....
Just a quick note today....
I have been busy, busy, busy. We are starting to organise all the Christmas projects that we will be doing in the shop during the pre-chrissy gift organising time. I spent Thursday night and Friday starting and finishing our Christmas Traditions Book which will be a fantastic 4 hour Saturday afternoon class we will be holding during Oct / Nov. It has been so much fun to do this project and I'm looking forward to getting started on the rest...
Olympic Project Update - Yes, I have pulled the box out from under the desk and I have started to organise!! Yay - it's a start.
Tip - Here's a tip before I go - If you have a die cutting machine eg: Xyron Personal Cutter, Wishblade or similar, save your old cutting mats that are no longer sticky enough to cut on and use them for holding small project pieces (ie: punched paper shapes, die cut letters etc) in place while painting them, putting glitter on them or embossing.
Enjoy scrapping this week.
Just a quick note today....
I have been busy, busy, busy. We are starting to organise all the Christmas projects that we will be doing in the shop during the pre-chrissy gift organising time. I spent Thursday night and Friday starting and finishing our Christmas Traditions Book which will be a fantastic 4 hour Saturday afternoon class we will be holding during Oct / Nov. It has been so much fun to do this project and I'm looking forward to getting started on the rest...
Olympic Project Update - Yes, I have pulled the box out from under the desk and I have started to organise!! Yay - it's a start.
Tip - Here's a tip before I go - If you have a die cutting machine eg: Xyron Personal Cutter, Wishblade or similar, save your old cutting mats that are no longer sticky enough to cut on and use them for holding small project pieces (ie: punched paper shapes, die cut letters etc) in place while painting them, putting glitter on them or embossing.
Enjoy scrapping this week.
Monday, August 18, 2008
What a week...
.....
You know that lovely restful weekend that I was going to have to get over my illness? Well... Isn't it always the way...I spent till 2am on Saturday with Lauren at the hospital. The diagnoses is asthma and that makes both the kids now!! Sunday I slept almost all day and the rest of the week our whole family spent slowly recovering from the dreaded lurgy.
There hasn't been alot of time for scrapbooking because along with recuperating we have been watching the Olympics. We loooooooooovvvvvvvvvve the Olympics!!!
When I was a girl in 1976 I kept a scrapbook of the Montreal (Canada) Olympic games. Back then a scrapbook consisted of a large book with off white pages with many pictures, photos and memorabilia stuck in with Perkins Paste. I treasured that scrapbook and I can still tell you facts from that year - the Olympic flame went out when it rained heavily, many African nations boycotted the games after New Zealand was allowed to compete (can't remember exact details but I'm sure you could google the reason) and the Soviet Union won the most medals with 49 gold and 125 overall. Australia was not in the top ten medal count and only had about 180 athletes compete. How times have changed.
In 2000, I went mad with collecting STUFF about the games. Steve and I landed tickets to the Opening Ceremony rehearsal (the only thing missing from the real thing was the athletes and the goodie bag), Steve was lucky to get invited to several events (really good ones too) through work and clients, Lauren (who was 8) and I went to the Equestrian - I was devastated to miss out on Swimming and Gymnastics through the ballot thingy they ran for tickets BUT I was lucky with the Paralympics, where I was given tickets for the Opening ceremony and the athletics events where Lauren and Madi were excited to cheer Louise Savage to victory in her events and the girls had their photos taken with several athletes and even wore their medals for photos with them (every scrapbookers dream). The Paralympic athletes were incredibly kind and generous to my two little ones and it is an experience they will never forget.
Have I scrapped all these memories I might hear you ask. I scrapped the page of Lozzy and I at the equestrian everything else is sadly still in a huge box under my desk.
So, I guess it's challenge time again...although this time I'll need more than a week.
I promise I will pull the box out from under the desk by the end of the week!!
Just kidding!! I will get everything sorted by the end of the Olympics (GULP) and then start my scrapbook. I will keep you posted on how it's going.
Your challenge...what do you have in the way of a large event that you have been putting off? Get it out and have it sorted by the time the Oympic closing ceremony has ended and then you can get going on the actual page or pages. Good luck.
I have two new features to my blog (both are on the right hand side of the blog) - one is called Creative Scrapbooking which is a collection of layouts and will feature a new layout each day, the second is Scrapbooking Quotes which will also update each day. I hope you enjoy looking at them.
Till next time....Happy Scrapbooking!!
You know that lovely restful weekend that I was going to have to get over my illness? Well... Isn't it always the way...I spent till 2am on Saturday with Lauren at the hospital. The diagnoses is asthma and that makes both the kids now!! Sunday I slept almost all day and the rest of the week our whole family spent slowly recovering from the dreaded lurgy.
There hasn't been alot of time for scrapbooking because along with recuperating we have been watching the Olympics. We loooooooooovvvvvvvvvve the Olympics!!!
When I was a girl in 1976 I kept a scrapbook of the Montreal (Canada) Olympic games. Back then a scrapbook consisted of a large book with off white pages with many pictures, photos and memorabilia stuck in with Perkins Paste. I treasured that scrapbook and I can still tell you facts from that year - the Olympic flame went out when it rained heavily, many African nations boycotted the games after New Zealand was allowed to compete (can't remember exact details but I'm sure you could google the reason) and the Soviet Union won the most medals with 49 gold and 125 overall. Australia was not in the top ten medal count and only had about 180 athletes compete. How times have changed.
In 2000, I went mad with collecting STUFF about the games. Steve and I landed tickets to the Opening Ceremony rehearsal (the only thing missing from the real thing was the athletes and the goodie bag), Steve was lucky to get invited to several events (really good ones too) through work and clients, Lauren (who was 8) and I went to the Equestrian - I was devastated to miss out on Swimming and Gymnastics through the ballot thingy they ran for tickets BUT I was lucky with the Paralympics, where I was given tickets for the Opening ceremony and the athletics events where Lauren and Madi were excited to cheer Louise Savage to victory in her events and the girls had their photos taken with several athletes and even wore their medals for photos with them (every scrapbookers dream). The Paralympic athletes were incredibly kind and generous to my two little ones and it is an experience they will never forget.
Have I scrapped all these memories I might hear you ask. I scrapped the page of Lozzy and I at the equestrian everything else is sadly still in a huge box under my desk.
So, I guess it's challenge time again...although this time I'll need more than a week.
I promise I will pull the box out from under the desk by the end of the week!!
Just kidding!! I will get everything sorted by the end of the Olympics (GULP) and then start my scrapbook. I will keep you posted on how it's going.
Your challenge...what do you have in the way of a large event that you have been putting off? Get it out and have it sorted by the time the Oympic closing ceremony has ended and then you can get going on the actual page or pages. Good luck.
I have two new features to my blog (both are on the right hand side of the blog) - one is called Creative Scrapbooking which is a collection of layouts and will feature a new layout each day, the second is Scrapbooking Quotes which will also update each day. I hope you enjoy looking at them.
Till next time....Happy Scrapbooking!!
Friday, August 8, 2008
As you can all imagine - I love my job!!!
But sometimes , like today, I'm like everybody and just want to go home early.
"Why?" I hear you ask. Because just like everybody else...I'm sick with a terrible cold!!
I love winter!! I am a really typical winter girl - gloves, scarves, gorgeous winter coats and my favourite boots. I love bed socks, dressing gowns and my electric blanket and doona BUT I hate that when winter arrives so do all those coughs and sneezes and runny noses and I could really just take my head off at the neck right now, set it down and come back for it later when it's all better!
This time last year I had the worst flu ever. I don't think I've ever been that sick, I went to the business awards even though my doctor told me not to and I had to give a speech when we won our category even though I could hardly talk. This year I'm hoping to not get that ill so I'm taking Vitamin C and Echinacea and cough medicine and sucking on Strepsils.
Does this sound like you at the moment? If so, I hope you get to go home from work early, can rug up this weekend under a warm doona and watch DVD's and get better really quickly!!
Would you like a challenge this week?
If you are sick I challenge you to get well again (that's the challenge I'll be taking) and if you are well then how about scrapbooking yourself.
Yes, I did suggest scrapbooking yourself. Have a look at your albums...How many photos are you in. If your answer is not many then you need to be including yourself in your pages. Have a photo taken of yourself on your own, with your kids, with your partner, with your pets, with your neighbours, friends or family. It doesn't matter who you are with or not with just get yourself in those photos.
Why scrap everyone else and not you? Don't you think that future generations would like to see more of the person resposible for the wonderful gift of scrapbooking.
Don't forget that the girls here at Memories in the Making and myself love to see pages. Come in to the store and show them off or post them here for all of us to see. Be proud of your work and show it off!!
Till next week.
Happy recuperating or scrapping yourselves. (I know which one I'd prefer to be doing!!)
But sometimes , like today, I'm like everybody and just want to go home early.
"Why?" I hear you ask. Because just like everybody else...I'm sick with a terrible cold!!
I love winter!! I am a really typical winter girl - gloves, scarves, gorgeous winter coats and my favourite boots. I love bed socks, dressing gowns and my electric blanket and doona BUT I hate that when winter arrives so do all those coughs and sneezes and runny noses and I could really just take my head off at the neck right now, set it down and come back for it later when it's all better!
This time last year I had the worst flu ever. I don't think I've ever been that sick, I went to the business awards even though my doctor told me not to and I had to give a speech when we won our category even though I could hardly talk. This year I'm hoping to not get that ill so I'm taking Vitamin C and Echinacea and cough medicine and sucking on Strepsils.
Does this sound like you at the moment? If so, I hope you get to go home from work early, can rug up this weekend under a warm doona and watch DVD's and get better really quickly!!
Would you like a challenge this week?
If you are sick I challenge you to get well again (that's the challenge I'll be taking) and if you are well then how about scrapbooking yourself.
Yes, I did suggest scrapbooking yourself. Have a look at your albums...How many photos are you in. If your answer is not many then you need to be including yourself in your pages. Have a photo taken of yourself on your own, with your kids, with your partner, with your pets, with your neighbours, friends or family. It doesn't matter who you are with or not with just get yourself in those photos.
Why scrap everyone else and not you? Don't you think that future generations would like to see more of the person resposible for the wonderful gift of scrapbooking.
Don't forget that the girls here at Memories in the Making and myself love to see pages. Come in to the store and show them off or post them here for all of us to see. Be proud of your work and show it off!!
Till next week.
Happy recuperating or scrapping yourselves. (I know which one I'd prefer to be doing!!)
Friday, August 1, 2008
Double Page Layout...
.....I did it - created a double page layout this week. I wasn't sure I was going to finish it as I had a few problems with the title looking right but I eventually went with a chipboard title with the word EARS covered in cardstock and then I drew vine like flourishes in blue gel pen to try and match the background paper. The paper I used was (of course) my favourite Basic Grey from their brand new line Euphoria. I was wrapt to also use the buttons, glazed brads and chipboard flower stickers to match (you should be able to click on the picture to enlarge it to really see the details).
How did you all go this week? Did you get a layout done? Thanks to Rachel for leaving her comment and scrapbooking advice (click on "comments" below to see) and I hope she is having a successful scrapping week. It certainly is the weather for it. Rug up, heater on, scrapping supplies at the ready and away you go. Leave us a comment regarding your scrapping experiences or any experiences for that matter.
My page is of Loz getting her ears pierced. This is her second hole and it was only after they were done that she let me know that they're not allowed two holes at their school. Typical teen!!
I loved the fact that two of her friends met her at the chemist and held her hands to support her. It was really nice of them. She's very lucky to have great friends.
Talking of teens, one of Loz's friends is turning 15 next week and having a "party" at the park, the parents are not going to be there and she has some 'school' friends and some 'church' friends and some 'other' friends going including boys, a few being 17. So with this we have now reached the "do we let her go to this party" stage!! Luckily for us Loz's best friend isn't allowed to go and as we were talking about going away for the weekend Lozzy decided that she wouldn't go. Steve and I sighed with relief - until next time. I must admit Loz has been a pretty easy teen but I bet I won't be saying that about the wild child pre-teen that also resides at our house!!
Here's a tip published recently in an American mag.
Reader Dana Lowry from North Carolina said " Remember, it's better done than perfect. I absolutely love some of my pages, while others a just so-so. But my family is looking for the memories not perfection."
I'll leave you with that thought.
How did you all go this week? Did you get a layout done? Thanks to Rachel for leaving her comment and scrapbooking advice (click on "comments" below to see) and I hope she is having a successful scrapping week. It certainly is the weather for it. Rug up, heater on, scrapping supplies at the ready and away you go. Leave us a comment regarding your scrapping experiences or any experiences for that matter.
My page is of Loz getting her ears pierced. This is her second hole and it was only after they were done that she let me know that they're not allowed two holes at their school. Typical teen!!
I loved the fact that two of her friends met her at the chemist and held her hands to support her. It was really nice of them. She's very lucky to have great friends.
Talking of teens, one of Loz's friends is turning 15 next week and having a "party" at the park, the parents are not going to be there and she has some 'school' friends and some 'church' friends and some 'other' friends going including boys, a few being 17. So with this we have now reached the "do we let her go to this party" stage!! Luckily for us Loz's best friend isn't allowed to go and as we were talking about going away for the weekend Lozzy decided that she wouldn't go. Steve and I sighed with relief - until next time. I must admit Loz has been a pretty easy teen but I bet I won't be saying that about the wild child pre-teen that also resides at our house!!
Here's a tip published recently in an American mag.
Reader Dana Lowry from North Carolina said " Remember, it's better done than perfect. I absolutely love some of my pages, while others a just so-so. But my family is looking for the memories not perfection."
I'll leave you with that thought.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Welcome to my Blog
I have finally done it - created a BLOG!! I thought what better way to share my ramblings, thoughts, tips and tricks with you than to put them in a blog. So, here goes....
The kids have gone back to school after 3 weeks and 1 day on hols (and who is counting) we have finally got back into our routine. Steve can work again without being interrupted by the kids. The 14 week old pup Bronson is sleeping through the night, eating well, putting on weight and keeping Benji well and truly occupied. Life on the home front is once again ...dare I say it....NORMAL!!
At the shop I am getting used to our new hours and am enjoying opening all the new stock that has been arriving. I'm like a kid in a lolly shop each time I open a box - but scapbooking products are better than lollies!!
In the slideshow (on the right) I have included the photos from our Scrapbooking weekend away this year. Have a look - they're great!
Plans are under way for some exciting Christmas classes - we are already putting together the annual Christmas Card classes and we will once again have mini books and more off the page projects for everyone.
Sharon showed me an article this week that asks the question
The kids have gone back to school after 3 weeks and 1 day on hols (and who is counting) we have finally got back into our routine. Steve can work again without being interrupted by the kids. The 14 week old pup Bronson is sleeping through the night, eating well, putting on weight and keeping Benji well and truly occupied. Life on the home front is once again ...dare I say it....NORMAL!!
At the shop I am getting used to our new hours and am enjoying opening all the new stock that has been arriving. I'm like a kid in a lolly shop each time I open a box - but scapbooking products are better than lollies!!
In the slideshow (on the right) I have included the photos from our Scrapbooking weekend away this year. Have a look - they're great!
Plans are under way for some exciting Christmas classes - we are already putting together the annual Christmas Card classes and we will once again have mini books and more off the page projects for everyone.
Sharon showed me an article this week that asks the question
"What's The Best Scrapbooking Advice You've Ever Received?"
I'd love it if you would share with us all, here at my blog, the answer to that question. What advice have you been given or read in a mag somewhere that has helped you in your scrapping journey.
Here's my tip...I tell this to everyone, especially in my classes...
There are no mistakes in scrapbooking - if you think you've made one then look at it as the perfect opportunity to embellish!!
You know what I find the hardest thing is with scrapbooking - TIME - I know that we all find it hard to put aside time to do a page, so this week I am setting myself a goal to complete a double page layout by the end of the week. That's a simple enough task. (Isn't it?)
Why don't you do the same, go on, one double page FINISHED by next Friday!!
I'll show you mine then - here on my blog.
GOOD LUCK (I think I'll need it too).
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