last day of school ....

yay .... we are officially on Christmas holidays - yahoo! The girls and I have this little tradition where we go out for lunch (as school finishes at 12) on the last day of school each year. We have a little cafe down the road we go to .... its fun. We order milkshakes and yummy food!

Even this afternoon has been so nice and cruizy ... just going with the flow. Had a chat with a friend on the phone for like 50mins - I never do that, but was just great to touch base and plan a few things. I already have some truely excitely and fun things to look forward to in 2007 - it really will be a year to remember! YAY!

The big girls have always had sleepovers in the holidays, so tonight is no exception - although Gianna being all of 2 decided to be in on the act - too too cute! we trialled it, and even put her cot mattress in on the floor - but it was never going to happen in reality. Now she is back in her room and the other two are trying to wind down and go to sleep (yeh right)

here is the update from my advent album: am really enjoying doing this. I have another cool family project on the go too - its another version of an advent idea - will photograph it tomorrow.

Gary has gone to get us a movie to watch tonight, nice to have a quiet one in together.

no work for me ....

today is supposed to be my work day ... WELL, i just couldn't fire up today! I am still in cruize mode after my trip and couldn't focus on the job at hand. So instead I scrapbooked - I did do some washing tho! I wasn't completely useless! LOL!

I want to share some pics from Sydney. If you look really closely at this pic of the QVC building you will see an enormous christmas tree right up the centre of the building - seriously amazing. It was difficult to photograph - you will see the base of it in this next photo. The whole thing was covered with chrystals - wikid!

this is Elisa (left) and me at the base of the tree

I had to snap these hangers, how cute are they? and then the Christmas windows in David Jones were so cool ... my girls would have loved them!


now onto the shopping .... I spent a fortune in the Lindt shop - my fav! How cute is this babushka doll (sp?) inside there are heaps of lil ones ... too cute for words - an absolutely delicious (as I've eaten 3 today! hmmmm - have to go swimming tomorrow)

I have just finished the LO i started this afternoon. Its a competition for our local Scrapbook shop - i have to drop it off tomorrow. I don't usually post them till after its finished, but I am happy with this one, it was fun to do

Good news - our design team work is up today on the website - this is the link

http://www.craftonline.com.au/design-team01.html

i do have advent album pics to post too ... but won't overload my blog now, will do that tomorrow

This afternoon had to pleasure of joining a friend to toast the new dance studio she has bought. Its so exciting for them - its where our girls dance, so its going to be great to see it evolve!

Gary cooked a roast on the bbq tonight ... I think he was pretty proud of himself - it was delicious - ok thats me, over and out!

seriously fun ....
i am back from Sydney. I love that city! It has so much going on, so much happening ... so many people - so seriously cool! Had a fantastic time. We shopped and shopped. I was very good tho, I really didn't need alot of things and I was happy I didn't buy things just for the sake of it ... good self control for a change. Elisa was in full swing and on a shopping mission. She needed to re-fit her wardrobe so I had heaps of fun helping her - don't get me wrong, I did buy a pair of shoes (1/2 price we love that) and underware (25% off - we love that too) and some sleepware - so i still had fun. I also had a pedicure - bliss. I mean really bliss .... I really lived in the moment with it, enjoyed every minute - it was so worth it and my nails look great!
I took her to Bills for breaky, and guess what Bill was there - too cool. I can't upload my photos, blogger isn't working so will have to wait till tomorrow.
anyways just wanted to share the fun .... so nice to have 2 days break - especially at this time of the year, I feel so blessed. Gary is so awesome, he really is the best father - and he even did washing this time (far exceeded my expectation) its always awesome to come back home to your family - makes you feel so loved and needed - its the best feeling in the world.
Will post photos of advent album tomorrow too ....

off to sydney ...

yay, yay, yay ... i'm off to sydney! Will quickly post these pics then have to go make breaky for my little family (I know they will want hotcakes) and get organised! how cute are my girls .... I was so proud of them - they have both improved so much, and they just love dancing. Katya was sad yesterday that it was all over ... sweet!

here is page 2 and page 3 of my album - I will post 4 and 5 when I get back (and get them finished - LOL) I am using this cool cool cool stamp (thanks K) on each page to have uniformity! (page 3 looks taller, its an optical illusion - its only because the ribbon sticks up above the page)

ok .. its sunday night, and I'm trying to blog - and its not working properly! Not happy! I have my next two advent pages to post and also a pic of the girls ready for their concert! Will try again in the morning!
I am off to Sydney tomorrow with a friend, last min thing (she has to go for work so I'm taggin along for the ride - yahoo!) will be nice to have a couple of days of change! I love Sydney too!
ok .. have to catch some sleep - its been a busy few days
nighty night!

Advent Album ~
its late, I am tired ... its been a big day. We didn't get home till 9.05pm from the dancing rehersal ... man!
I have decided to start (and complete) the idea from heidi from LAST christmas. I had the intention of doing it last year and it didn't happen. Her idea was to create an Advent Album of family traditions you do throughout this season! COOL! So I had my album ready to go - easy. So even tho I'm tired here is my first page - last night we decorated our tree (it counts as day #1)
OK .... seriously have to hit the sack, am so tired and its going to be a big day again tomorrow. Wish me luck! The girls are so excited, I'm so proud of them!

oh christmas tree, oh christmas tree ....



OK I know we are a day early, but there is totally a reason for this, tomorrow after school the girls have their big stage rehersal before the big dance concerts on Sat ... full on! So we have just put up our christmas tree - yahoo! It will need a bit of adjusting, as Gianna was putting all her stars right next to each other (too cute) the kids were so so so excited ... its just the best time, when kids are jumping out of themselves to do things - its infectious. I will post a photo of the mess I have left upstairs .... oh man, i don't want to go back up there! I'm hoping I'll go back up there and the cleaning fairy might have stopped by ...... sigh!





this is a little ceramic hand painted decoration. I did a heap of them when I was going thru my ceramic painting phase .. they are so very cute, and my precious decorations (only due to sentimental reasons)

Just played with my photo editor (first time so pretty basic I know) will have to spend some time playing with it.
Managed to cram a run in this afternoon, so am starting to feel a bit tired ... want to go scrapbook quickly too, as didn't get time this afternoon. The days go so fast (especially the days Emra is at pre-school - what is that?????)

I got my replacement wok today (long story) its better than the old one (good score) I did a pork stir fry tonight and it was the best stirfry I've done ... wikid! I was so happy ... because cooking good food does bring me joy! I mean I even photographed our dinner ... cool!

this is our tree ... i promise you, there will be more adjustments yet ....

ok .... better deal to the mess ... i mean check it out - it doesn't even look as bad as what it is!!!!!!

have just stumbled on this great blog, have to share its called kiddley great ideas to do with your kids ... check it out!

some things I love at the moment ....


1. my donna hay magazine, love to cook & more so i LOVE to eat.

2. running shoes after my run this morning

3. frangapani flowers I picked on the way home from my run

4. my anniversary gift from Gary (from last year) but I love it .... love love love it!

5. our little nativity scene ... its on our breakfast bar, looking cute. The girls love it!

its 34 degrees here today, hot hot hot ... nice tho! I love the heat. I am such a summer girl. Had friends over this morning for a swim, so we've been in the pool all morning - so nice for the middle of the week. I have just made my christmas cake ... well its cooking! YAY! This is a little decoration for our tree when it goes up on Friday. ciao

yay for monday ....
another great monday .... how cool! Yes I am coming around to the idea that Mondays CAN be fun! Did it different today - didn't go swimming, decided to listen to my body and give myself one more day. Had a pretty fun weekend, but a late night out dancing on Sat night has held me up a couple of days - SAD! I ended up at the Press Club with a few of the girls, and had a fun time boogying! Its a fun place to go, will have to take Gary there one night (after I've banked some sleep - ha)
So yesterday I was pretty slow off the mark! We had Lawn Bowls scheduled in with some friends - great fun, I do love a bit of bowling (obviously have the genes from my Pop I think) and we turned up in our whites - only style in this family!!!! LOL! I must say, i was NOT on form tho at all. It was really hot - like, 32 degrees and I actually just wanted to be swimming in my pool, but in all honesty it was a fun bunch of people and an enjoyable afternoon by all (except for lil Grace who got sand in her eyes - poor luv)
So anyway, I am blabbing on ... blah blah blah .... I could bore you all night seriously, I get in these moods, that also runs in the family - being able to talk under water! LOL!
ok .... am going to go do some more of my Christmas Decorations, hopefully I'll have some pics tomorrow!

its feeling like christmas ....

you know I love fridays, such a fun day - and it has been again! I went to the shops after school this morning and found a few gorgeous things! I am loving the new part of our mall .... its great! Wheel and Barrow have such cute stuff, and I picked up this gorgeous wreath - I am going to use it as a centre-peice for the table ... its stunning. Will post a pic next time (too lazy to go upstairs now - slack) Gi and I had a fun time browsing and shopping - I don't do that very often at all, but I must confess that when I do I really enjoy it - I do have to add that it is VERY much a worry tho, as the budget got a hammering today - ops!

Then to add to my joy, after having sushi for lunch - I did some scrapbooking. Was totally working on my Christmas projects for the Craft Online DT. I am feeling much better now as I got a heap done and am pretty happy with how they are turning out. So I feel uplifted now!

I realise now I haven't blogged for a couple of days! I have more news to tell .... My sister in Hobart, surprised me with this gorgeous rose (which arrived yesterday by courier) Gary was a bit suspicious LOL! not really! She won this competition and nominated ME - I felt so lucky! Thanks SIS! It really is stunning!

I had a really embarressing moment yesterday! I felt VERY blond and just wanted to crawl into a hole and disappear. I was sewing Katya's dancing outfit a couple of weeks ago, and my machine would only do a stitch at a time ... very frustrated I was, but persevered and got it done. Took the machine into the shop to get it fixed, and the lovely, nice man - quickly pointed out to me that the bobbin had been flicked over and therefore my machine was actually fine! I MAN I was so embarressed. I thanked him quickly and laughed (thru my blushing cheeks) and got in the car as fast as I could. Oh dear!!!!! At least he didn't charge me anything - LOL!

I snapped this little cutie in her mermaid outfit dancing yesterday arvo ... too cute for words!

I know there is more to report about ... but I just cannot remember what has happened the past couple of days! Its very busy at the moment, and my memory retention is like 5%!
The girls have their school disco tonight .... they cannot wait. I might need a glass of wine to help me get thru it - LOL! enjoy your weekend - I know I will!

i am disguisted .....
with myself!!!! today I cleaned my oven, and I can tell you it was SO SO SO bad, that I was totally disguisted with myself for leaving it so long. I am going to try and do it more often, as I am so happy now that I can look in the window again - oh how sad!!!!! Anyway, isn't it good when the little things in life make you happy ... chuckle!
Went swimming today and suffered, just tired ... but I went (which is not my plan when I woke up) so that is all good. Gary is feeling unwell, so I am about to have my dinner by myself .. and then scrapbook. Because of my "spring cleaning" bug I have not been able to scrapbook as often ... that is the price you pay hey! Hopefully I'll have some pics to post tomorrow.
P.S. went to a Stampin Up party last night, I was invited and tagged a friend along with me. Of course I purchase some really cute stamps ... will show you when I get them, chairs, and dresses .... too cute.
Also more BIG news, Gianna went wees on the toilet 5 times today - YAHOO!

roses are red, violets are blue ....

what I love about my world has to be you .... - isn't that cool? I just read it off my Billabong catalogue and loved it! Can see it being used in the future on a valentine's day card or something!
I have had a seriously busy Monday, but I have acheived so so so much ... I mean I am realling from how full on it was, but I enjoyed it ... and that is more than what I can say about most Mondays. I am making PEACE with Mondays finally.

I have had a few cool highlights tho. First being my Heidi Swapp Masks arrived and I am totally addicted to them now, used the letters to make a quick card for my bro-in-law (i know its basic but I had like 5 mins - seriously)

I am really looking forward to playing with them this week. Will show you what I make!

Then next highlight was a call from Gary, he was at the Billabong shop and asked if I wanted anything .... cool, so I quickly jumped online and asked for a dress and bikini ... both very cute!

what a great guy hey!

then we ended up having dinner with our good friends (i invited us - as Katya has ballet right around the corner from them) so I made lasanga and everyone benefitted from the situation. it was fun, and didn't feel like a monday night.

so now, i have a sweet craving .... i am going to have to go find something delicious.

so you think you can dance ...

its sunday night, and we are watching "so you think you can dance" it is seriously entertaining. I knew it would be like Idol and have some people that thought they were amazing when really they are not .... funny. I do love to dance .... its such a fun thing to do.

have had a fun weekend - its nearly over! I have actually crossed off a few things I wanted to get done which is fab - I did this lo yesterday for the local scrapbooking shop, they have a monthly challenge.

When I was coming home from my run last night I picked these frangapani flowers, they are gorgeous and we love them. It feels like summer when they bloom. I just had to photograph them, now they are on my window sill in the kitchen.

we got indian takeaway last night, and watched When Harry met Sally - its the first time both of us had seen it (i know that is sad) it was a great film to watch. Was so nice to have a quiet night together.

This morning started off early with our church having an outdoor mass at Mt Cootha. Was really beautiful as the scenery was stunning and so nice to have a change - I am loving that at the moment, just things being different. They had a big bacon and egg cook up afterwards ... yum. We took the girls up to the lookout at the top of the mountain where you can see over the city, and we had ice-creams!

Looking forward to the start of a new week and more fun to come!

aezine challenge


i really enjoyed Ali's words on design and style this week. I have taken a few things that I know will stick with me .... in particular the following was fantastic


"Life is a process of continual discovery, and our surroundings should bear witness to the search. The best discoveries are those that are unique and exciting, with elements of the familiar and comforting. The same can be said for style, which can't be obtained by simply following a prescription. Good style is ultimately a found style - stumbled upon, discovered and collected over time. It is easier to hire a designer, choose to be either shocking or conservative, to use massive clutter or leave rooms nearly empty for effect. But homes that feature a true sense of style are most often those that have been lovingly assembled over time, piece by piece, matching old and new with creativity, common sense, thriftiness, and occasional humor."


I could apply it not only to scrapbooking but my quest for organising my house too.

It was as if Ali had ESP as I had been considering my design skills and wondering about what inspires me etc ... so I got alot out of reading her article. Life is a journey and its wonderful to be evolving ... I am reading Bono's book at the moment, and he is talking about the same thing - wonderful!



So here is my very first scrapbooking layout ever. Of course i saw the idea and copied it with my own add ins ... I realise now I have the skills to create my own things, when I first started scrapbooking I would copy ideas (scraplift) But as my journey progressed (I have been scrapbooking 3 years) I have learnt to go with what pushes my buttons and enjoy the process of creating what happens at the time ... its fun!


You can see on my blog my more recent work. ENJOY THE JOURNEY .... this is one of my life mantras! have a wonderful weekend!
p.s. I survived the Dancing Rehersal ... YAY!

enjoy the day ....

oh it is so sad seeing the pictures from Belinda Emmett's Funeral today. It just makes me think that I have to enjoy each day for what it is, as who knows what the future is to bring. She was so young ....

I can't believe how fast this week has gone, I have done my best to slow down and enjoy each day tho ... and I think I've done OK! Have been organising the house as I go, and that feels great. Busy busy finishing off dancing outfits for tomorrows Dress Rehersal .... will be glad to see the last sequin on! The girls are so excited about it.

I went swimming this morning, have been 3 times this week - which doesn't happen that offen, but am playing catch up after the past few weeks. Friends have asked me to do a triathlon in a few weeks, but really doubting that I'm fit enough, having been running much .... haven't decided yet. Got this great link from a friend in America its called MapMyRun and it worked here in Australia - seriously cool.

Read this fantastic article about personal design by Ali Edwards this week, made me think about what inspires me and how my scrapbooking style is evolving and how that is a great thing. We are a work in progress as we go thru life, and that is for all aspects of our life. I feel so blessed with what I have ..... I'm looking forward to a fab weekend.

busy times ...
this term is flying by, seriously busy busy busy. Things are booking in like there is no tomorrow. Its like everything has snuck up and we are in finishing up mode. I've been out the past two nights ... makes for a busy day, getting organised before heading out. Last night Sheridan had a function at her hairdressing salon - they have renovated it and were doing drinkys and delicious food. I won a lucky door prize ... YAHOO! It is a kids shampoo pack including a nit bomb for headlice ... lets hope I don't have to use it!!! HMMMM!

Have lots of exciting design stuff in the works ... have to make time to get stuff done, I'll do some work tonight. I am trying to finish off the girls dancing outfits for the dress rehersal this weekend .. ahhh! Trying to fit it all in .... there just doesn't seem to be enough hours in a day.

We have just had this big storm go over, we ended up being on the edge of it, so it wasn't bad here at all. I had the hatches battened down in preparation .... its was a bit of an anit-climax really!

Have finished this double page LO from our U2 concert - wikid night! It is also a Pencil lines sketch that Ali Edwards designed (I'm a bit slow i know)

Also finished a canvas for
the wall in our family room. I was inspired once again by Ali who had written an article about stamping and the idea she had is what I ran with. So this is the finished result:

ok ... better keep moving. So much to do, so little time! My new mantra for this week is "LESS IS MORE" I am so over the clutter in this house, I've been doing a big spring clean - it feels fantastic! I totally recommend it!

waterfalls ....

i am tired ... its been a fun day. We ventured afar to find these waterfalls - it was fun. It was about a 20min walk on a walking track to get to them, and we saw a snake on the way - which freaked Katya out. It was only a green tree snake, so all good.

The water was really cold and so refreshing, it was beautiful and you felt totally alive when you got out. Gary was happy to have the new car out for a big drive, and it was very comfortable.

if you look closely, Gary is sitting under the waterfall

the girls had a big swim in the pool here at home this afternoon, it was 33 degrees today so very good pool weather. Its been a great weekend ... i am tired, so it will be early to bed tonight. I am reading Bono's book at the moment, so am looking forward to reading tonight already.

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!