Stamping ....

After reading Ali Edwards latest newsletter i decided to take the weekly challenge and use 3 different stamps on my page. I do love stamping, so didn't find this difficult. I realised reading her article that I use stamps alot too. I love her advice it is so appropriate to developing your own sense of personal style and creativity.

I scrapbooked this photo of my baby sister taken last week on her birthday. She is a cool chick and we have alot in common, its been so great having her living here and spending time together.

We got our new car yesterday, i do feel a bit posh driving around in it - Gary is a car guy so he organised it all, I just have to drive it - LOL!

these photos are for friends and family who have been here, we have built in a mini wall where the ballustrade was upstairs, we are going to create a study area for the girls - which I'm excited about because all their mess will be OFF the breakfast bar.

OK, its saturday and I have a heap of things to do today, so better get a move on!

Enjoy your weekend

U2 rock the house ....

Last night I saw this man, doing what he does best ... entertaining - thousands of adoring fans! What an amazing concert, I was totally in heaven and really really had such a blast. I didn't think I was going to be able to talk today we were singing SO loud and yelling and screaming, it was epic! I am on such a total high - thank you U2 for a wikid night! There were 8 of us together and we had such a fun night .... so cool to share something so cool with your friends. It is one of those nights that will go down in history!




I am seriously tired today tho, its been a BIG 24 hours. I went to a Melbourne cup lunch yesterday. Didn't win, but enjoyed a delicious lunch.



This morning at 9am, Kathy and I went and had breakfast with Bill Granger - celebrity chef. OK, so it wasn't like the 3 of us, it was a heap of people - ok, a book signing with breaky too .... he is such a great guy. Really positive, motivated and grounded. I enjoyed hearing him speak about food, his family and life in general. It was one of those uplifting experiences where you feel like you learn something from what you hear and it makes you think about things. It was at Watt Restaurant, which is stunning and I am going to take Gary back there as I know he'll love it.
ok ... i have seriously been living life HARD this past week, time to have a few quieter days, and chill out. It has been so fun tho .... I have had a friend staying, a girl I went to primary school with. We have known each other for such a long time ... and have re-connected recently (within 5yrs or so) we have had such a great time together, its been so great spending some time together (even tho it flew by) she is such a great person and such a positive personality to be around, i really enjoyed her company and can't wait to be able to catch up again soon. She had her 2 little girls with her, and all our girls together had such fun. So there has been alot happening in this house lately! Life is fun ...
I have my first project to work on for the new Design Team for Craft Products which I'm excited about, so that will get the creative juices flowing! On that note, I am going to go to bed - nighty night!

friendship ....
i have a friend staying from NZ ... we went to primary school together. So funny to have so much history with a person. She is staying with her two little girls, we are having such a fun time, all the girls are loving it. We went shopping today to the new extension of our mall down the road ... so cool, i love it. There are alot of new, funky shops - yay! I did refrain from purchasing - but did find one particular shop I loved.

this was from friday night .... for Sheri's birthday!


We are just about to get a "chick flick" out to watch tonight, seen as Grey's has finished - boo hoo! I have made this delicious bill granger desert .... so its going to be a delicious night! Icaptured a photo of the moon last night .. it looked amazing!
have to go kiss my girls goodnight ....

its raining

and man, we need to rain. So good to see the wet weather. A slow start to the day so far, after going out celebrating my sister's birthday last night. We all went for a family dinner for mexican, i do love mexican food - the girls love it too! I made her a chocolate cake - yum! which we had for desert. In case you are wondering "clinkers" make up the "S" because they are her fav lollie!

I do have some more photos which will post later, of us all before going out into the Valley for a boogie. I do love a dance .... so interesting watching people out on the town. Anyway, we had a blast - and that might be contributing to why we are a bit slow off the mark today LOL!


I made this little "love" in a box yesterday, it was inspired from heidi 's latest newsletter where she made "boo in a box" for halloween ... its was cute and made me think of other ways of doing it.

for a laugh ....

i posted a photo this morning (see post below) and as I'm putting on my mudpack I'm thinking ... ok, this will give everyone is blog world a laugh ... so this is me RIGHT NOW! looking after my skin ...

















I had trouble uploading some of the photos earlier today ... this is some of this weeks creations :

this one above is a page I did of Gary back in Jan

Katya's 8th birthday is the story here ........

this one is from one of my good friend's recent birthdays! We celebrated with a breakfast at their house.

ok ... time to take my mudpack off .... did get out for a run, didn't feel so great today, still good for my body to go. We took the dog for a walk too, and the older girls rode their bikes, we used to do it alot when they were little, so good for your brain to have some outdoor time.

pedicure anyone?

its been an unusal week so far .... life changes when one of your kids gets sick. The littest girl has been sick - she gets really bad croupe - poor thing! So life has been very "homebound" this week. I have done a bit of scrapbooking and have the creative juices flowing, so that is cool .. but excercise and general other stuff is suffering a bit. And I've been consuming a large amount of chocolate .... which does taste sensational, shame about the side effects! Why does everything that tastes so good go to your hips?????? I will try and get out for a run this afternoon, hopefully Gary will be home in time!!!! I did Goggle about PMS .... you know, i figure if its happening to me I need to find out more! Not so happy about some of the things I found out, but hey ... that is life! This photo here - self portrait is for Chris who visited my blog and has challenged us all in blog world to photograph ourselves in the raw, natural state in which we are!!!!! so here am I! funny!


Yesterday we had pedicures! I had this HUGE list going this week of things to do ... and I have been powering through it - "pedicure" was on there as I haven't had time to go to my cheap nail shop down the road, so needed to do my own nail work!




Both Emra and Gianna benefitted from this, and loved it - who wouldn't? We did the whole footspa thing and everything!







Am going to share some scrapbooking I've done, finally finished this LO I started in like Jan of Gary at this stage in his life. I needed to interview him for his favourite things, and its taken this long ... LOL! how sad! I don't do very many double pages, so chalk this up!!!!
also have a stack of photos on my desk to scrap, so did this one from the other week at the beach. Next time Gary will have to take some photos of me windsurfing - HELLO! Do love orange and also green at the moment .. they are my favs! So the orange sail made this an easy page for me to enjoy! OK .. I am really supposed to be working .... not in the mood! Can you tell? Might have to go scrapbook quickly with some of the new products that just arrived - don't you love internet shopping!!!! Dangerous!
i am having trouble uploading my last couple of pics, will try again later! :-(

Grey's tonight .... yay!

This year is seriously going fast .... i mean even the weekends just fly by. I am glad to see the end of Monday ... its just not my favourite day of the week. I have been feeling a bit flat too ... that time of the month I think (sadly) I never used to be hormonal ... but i think that has changed - LOL!
It was one of my good friend's birthdays yesterday and we had breaky with them to celebrate. It was so nice to start the day that way .... I am going to scrap the occassion so will post that this week (hopefully)
Did do this LO today, its sketch #4 for pencil lines .... I really love green at the moment, and I love the way this turned out. These photos I took of my nana when we were in NZ ... such a good time.
OK .. its Grey's final tonight, of course I am hanging out for it. I can't believe its finishing already (boo hoo)

special gifts ....
you know how much I love fridays ... i really do, they are my days for trying to enjoy the moment and cruize a bit for the week. Having another great friday.
I realise this week i have had some wonderful special gifts come my way, one today was really a surprise and totally unexpected but so totally very cool and I love it. It really did make my day.
My sister offered to babysit the kids tonight so we can have a "date night" - cool! such a special gift ...
Gary wrote me a cute note I found on my bike before I went riding on thurs morning .... so thoughtful!
Emra made me at least 10 letters, just for me ... cute! There are more, I just can't remember all of them, but you know what ... i just feel so blessed to have wonderful people in my life, people who make my life better when I'm with them and that is awesome.
OK have to get dressed for my date ... going to this cool restaurant. So nice when someone else cooks! Did this LO last night it is Sketch #3 for the pencil lines challenges i felt totally inspired after reading Allie Edwards latest newsletter about being creative .... she is such a talent.

5am ....

this is a photo of me at 5am today, before I went for a ride. I have just come across it sending a pic thru for work ....
the things we do! LOL!

making time for the best in life ....

I have read a few inspiring blogs lately, one in particular about the visions we have for our kids and their lives ... has made me think alot about making time to jot down some thoughts on this matter. You know life gets so busy with just "living" and i don't want to miss enjoying the journey. Both Gary and I have been trying to "enjoy the journey" its our little mantra at the moment, and I do feel like life is heaps more fun. Especially now, this busy stage of life with 3 little girls, as they get bigger life just gets busier and I want to enjoy each day for what it is!
So today, I am going to have fun with them when they get home from school .... and make sure I give them some of my time - cause I think as human beings that is what we all need, someone to give us some of their time and make us feel special.
Hope to do some scrapbooking tonight .... I have my album to finish - have a few unfinished projects on the go.
OK ... time for a cup of tea I think!
p.s. forgot to comment on how great Grey's Anatomy was this week ... that show is fabulous!

melbourne cup dresses & cake n coffee ......

had morning tea with some of my friends this morning, there is the cutest little coffee shop just down the road from my house (its my fav spot to go now) they do real homemade food ... yum!
Its also a gift shop too, and I found a dress for my Melbourne Cup lunch. So happy about that, its totally cute and wasn't expensive either - oh I love it when that happens!
So now I have to get some work done ....
Finished covering my circle journal which is going to start soon ... I have all these unfinished projects on my desk and this was one of them! So good when you get stuff done.
ok ... over and out!

enjoy the journey ....

have had another fun fun fun weekend. When we were away, Gary and I had time to talk (on our travels around NZ) and decided that this life isn't long and you have to be loving life and enjoying the journey. Since getting back I think we are both doing so much more of that. We made the plan of Saturdays being our "jobs, clean up around the house" sort of day. Try and get some things crossed off the list each week.

Then Sundays are our "family" day - but get out and live in this great world we are blessed with. Last weekend we were surfing at Kings Beach, this weekend we were windsurfing at Golden Beach. We used to be competitive windsurfers before kids, and both spent so so so much time windsurfing. It is such a blast to get out there again and blow the cobwebs out. I took some great photos today, i have posted a couple. I am loving my new camera, its awesome! I feel totally spent now, and am going to go to bed ... as seriously I am struggling to keep my eyes open. I feel so energised (not physically right now) but mentally for having such a fun day. It was really windy today, so those conditions challenge my ability to windsurf so much more, makes me want to do it again tho, so good to fuel the fire! We had a productive day yesterday, Gary cleaned out the garage ... man, we have some gear! There was stuff everywhere. I tackled the hall cupboard .... it was a major, and I am sorry to say that I have a bit of finishing off to do yet, but the bulk of it is done. We got two DVD's out to watch last night, and have lost the remote and can't operate it ....hmmm! Not good.

So I ended up doing a bit of tidying at my desk and throwing together this page, didn't take long, but the photo was just sitting there, and I do love it.

ok, seriously have to go to bed ... good night!

flower child ....

I took these photos of Gianna when we were in NZ at Gary's dad's house. He has a flower garden and the girls had a great time picking all his flowers. Ems was calling her the flower alien baby ... so funny (with the flowers on both sides) I love the bright colours, they look so happy!
I finished this last night ... am just making a few cards now (as I've run out of time) we had our colour consultant back again today to advise us inside the house this time. Really interesting getting an outsiders oppinion. Caught up with my friends this morning which is always good, after running around doing errands ... the day has seriously gone nowhere.
We have friends over for a bbq tonight, and I decided to get a jump start and am semi organised (for a change) the girls want to go swimming after school so at least I can sit out by the pool and relax.... gotta love Fridays!

life is good ....
its been a busy couple of weeks, just seem to have heaps on my plate at the moment. Haven't even had much time to get my camera out, so took some photos of the girls playing this afternoon. Kids have so much fun, its such a great lesson for us adults ... we should have fun everyday too! I find myself getting tied up in my commitments and work, jobs etc ... i am going to make sure I play more! (especially during the week - i like to play on the weekends) I have just finished a LO finally ... i haven't had much time for scrapbooking this week, so good to get a page done. I will post the photo tomorrow.

I signed up for Heidi's new online classes that are going to start next year ... i am really excited, its going to be fun.
I got a tonne of work done today ... feels so good to have it behind me. I am looking forward to tomorrow .... love fridays!

Gianna has discovered a love for the trampoline, its just so damn cute. Check out this pic ... its just makes me smile! don't you love her little crocs ... too cute!

fashion parade ....
what a busy day .... i don't really like mondays, actually its my least favourite day of the week ... only because its so busy, and its stuff that is "jobs" like grocery shopping, cleaning, organising etc etc ... anyway, there has been an upside of today (i mean don't get me wrong I'm not moping about the place or anything - i am still happy me) I did go swimming - that was good, enjoyed the coffee afterwards too! I went to a Fashion Parade tonight, I love fashion. The food was spectacular ... i mean really tasty! And I LOVE food! so that was impressive. So I haven't been home long, am pretty tired now - but happy as it was so fun to go out to a great evening.
Had a great weekend ... it was totally fun too! Went to the beach yesterday and went for a surf, i am happy to say that I am improving - yay, and I love it! Called in on my aunty on the way home (some of my family are over from NZ) so was cool to see them. Had friends for dinner both friday and sat nights, it was a really fun, social weekend ... just the type of weekend I love! OK .... so now I'm totally spent, and need some beauty sleep!

Pencil Lines Sketch .....

this is a new concept from my friends on the other side of the world ... they are such fun, and so clever ... i love seeing what they are doing over there. Check out the site here for challenges its cool. Here is the first one, I finally got around to scrapping last night .... this week has been so busy there has been no time or energy for being creative. Even tho I was dead tired last night (after riding yesterday morning ... not fit after my holiday) I really really wanted to do this sketch. Once I got going I just HAD to finish it.
OK ... its before breaky and I have to go get ready for the day. I am having a day off swimming today, and am going to my fav. shop to probably purchase something funky!
I love fridays, they rock!

getting there ....

you know I've had one of those days where I feel like I haven't achieved too much, even tho I actually have gotten a few things done - I still have a heap of work to do! There seems so much going on at the moment!
Wanted to share a few photos from yesterday. Had such fun with the girls, creating their door handles. They were really very creative and loved doing it.

I was pretty exhausted by the end of it tho - it was a busy day! Katya was out on her roller blades before school this morning, I love it when they get a present they really want and they get in and use it straight away - so cool! Well, I am going to see if I can get a little more done .... worth a try!

Am hoping to scrap tonight (if I have an ounce of energy left)

8 years ago ....

I had a one hour old baby, my first one ... I remember how amazing it was staring at this little one, who was staring back at me with those big eyes - she was angelic (still is) I can't believe it was 8 years ago tho ... man, life is flying by - i must be having fun as its going very fast!
Here she is with her new roller blades (from mum and dad) she has wanted some for a long time (since my brother bought her two left feet ones about 3 years ago ... ha! we joke about Blair's gift giving!) so she was very excited and was outside giving them a try before breakfast. I iced the 8 cake last night - cute hey! She is having 4 friends over after school, they are painting and decorating "door hangers" to then take home. She chose who was coming, each year it seems to change depending on who's in her class! She's pretty excited, like most kids are about their birthdays. I did an example for them for Gianna's room ... so I will post later their creations.
I have had a busy couple of days. School going back is just FULL ON! I have been back into swimming, running and riding too - so have been a bit tired. Am going for a nana nap shortly as I am so buggered after swimming today!

Went to my favourite clothing shop's Fashion Night on Monday night, so fun, and won a lucky door prize (thanks to a friends help) $50 voucher and cute purse .... lucky me!

Last night went to the movies with my sister and a friend to see The Devil wears Prada - so so so good. Really loved it, actually I think I'll see it again! So haven't had much time to spare lately. Did make Katya a quick card last night, but will have to show you later. OK ... I'm off for a nap, get my energy before these little girls arrive!!!!

as promised ....
here is my new hair cut. Gary finally photographed me tonight as I know a few people are waiting to see. I am not completely used to it yet, another week or so I guess.
Had a nice Sunday, went for a picnic to New Farm park with some friends, really nice and relaxing and so good to see them. The girls loved getting out and about. I did clean the office out, so sick of the mess ... I am on a bit of a "spring clean" frenzy at the moment! Seems to take so much time to do tho ... I'll get there eventually! Happy to be chilling out on this sunday night!

i love weekends ....

so nice to relax after the week, especially as Gary had such a busy one. I went for a ride this morning, back on the bike in at least 4 weeks, so the legs were not too happy, but hey that is life. Good to catch up with my riding friends, cycling is so great as its so social, lots of chatting - such fun. I will admit I have been a bit tired tho, just unfit I guess. Emra had a princess party to go to this afternoon, and after seeing the 12 dancing princesses, went as one of those ... too cute. Girls are so lovely!
I did scrap a LO too, printed off a few pics from the NZ trip. Do like how this turned out ... i did have a few new products to use, which is always fun. There are "ghost" snowflakes on there too, you can't see them very well! I have only just photographed it, so hasn't come out very clearly just cause its at night.
Gary has just put up another shelf in the office, we are in a bit of a "spring clean" mood and trying to organise our house ... man, its time consuming. So I am going to try and organise this office now .... its a bit sad on Sat night, but I have the organising "bug" at the moment .... who knows what that is all about!!!!
I promise Tirz that I'll post a pic tomorrow, I haven't had anyone here to photograph me, and I am way too tired now to do it (don't want to show you the bags under my eyes - LOL)

summer is here ....
this photo I took this morning of my sis and my lil girls going for a dip in the pool. Such a gorgeous day ... and I was inside working - boo hoo! I was quiet motivated actually, and happy to get back on top of things after being away for a couple of weeks. Maybe that's what it is, i am refreshed after my holiday - i feel like i can conquer the world! LOOKOUT!



Did finish this board book, that I started when I was in NZ. It is inspired by Ali Edwards and Heidi Swapp's ideas .. I sort of gelled them together. It was an old children's board book that I got Gary to cut in half and then I scrapped it. I finished putting the photos in it last night. The idea is if someone was to pick it up they would get an insight into who I am and what I stand for ... i thought that was a cool concept.

OK ... have just got in from the hairdresser, my sis has just coloured my hair ... don't you love the hairdresser - its so relaxing, both my sisters are hairdressers - not me, i got no hairdressing skills at all! promise I'll post a photo of the new doo tomorrow!

tagged ....
have been tagged by Cath ... here goes ....
The rules are: List 5 weird things about yourself or your pets.Tag 5 friends and list them. Then, those people need to write on their blogs about 5 weird things, and state the rules, and tag 5 more people.I am tagging Kathy, Annie, Anna, Kay

1. I'm a bit obsessive about exercise ... i know alot of people hate to do it, not me I love it!

2. I love sambucca

3. I love to cook because I love to eat good food ... that is sad isn't it, i totally think about my stomach ALL the time!

4. I have to sleep with ear plugs - i have super sensitive hearing - also don't like the light .... so that is pretty wierd! I am a bad sleeper!

5. I have to have a cup of earl grey tea as soon as i wake in the morning (unless I exercise first - then I have one when I get back) I'm sure that is not really weird but rather more civilised!!!

That was tough, as the things that are weird I think are just normal everyday life stuff ... there is probably more I just can't think of it! Thanks Cath!

I have NEWS .... I cut my hair! This is the photo that made me decide ... I will post a pic of my new doo ... I have had my hair long for years and years ... and thought I would be sad to cut it, but its so much easier and I feel like a new woman! Its cool!

My friend went home this arvo, I am a bit sad and feel flat. We have had fun, and the house has been so busy with 6 lil girls ....
that is what life is all about, sharing with the people you love! so lucky to have wonderful friends in my life, I feel so blessed!
Have more exciting news too, I have been asked to be on a Design Team ... can't say anything more yet, but I am really looking forward to it - it will give me motivation and keep the creative juices flowing ... too cool! picked up the latest challenge pack from my local scrap shop, so that will get me back into it too ... too tired tonight, and don't have the omf! will chill instead!

M.I.A

back from NZ ... have been missing in action (MIA) .... had a fab time. The snow was primo and such fun. Here is the team on the last day .... cool fun!
Got to see all the family and catch up, stayed with my nana at Whangamata ... such a cool place, we love it there. this photo is at Paeroa in front of the L&P bottle .... on the way down to Gary's dads house. The girls had lots of fun at mum and dad with all the animals out there. How green is it ... so beautiful the NZ countryside.
It is nice to be back to the sunshine again tho .... even tho the weather was great in NZ, our summer has started and I just love love love the sun and summer. Suz and the girls were staying here while we were away and its been fun having them here to come back to. We went to the beach for the day yesterday and I went for a surf .... i am loving surfing and want to go again later this week (if I can organise it)
Today is there last day and we are about to take the kids to see the Garfield movie. OK better get organised ... I have been tagged by Cath so will do that this arvo when these guys have left. here are the girls hanging out together having ice blocks ... they have been swimming in our pool ... too cold for me!!!