Confessions of a Designated Driver

I Can't Believe A Month Has Gone By

2010-07-09T08:03:00.002+10:00

And this is happening again. At least this time Photobucket is playing nice and I can show you this -

So much more to add but it being school holidays and all, haven't had the time to put it all in here...

Weekend Ahead

2010-06-11T11:42:00.002+10:00

Bummer! I was going to upload the latest poster for this, but Photobucket is not playing fair today! So this is going to be a colourless lifeless post to say I have a weekend of Scrapbooking and Footy Supporting (big Queen's Birthday match between The Mighty Pies and Melbourne) ahead of me.
I hope the actual weekend will be more exciting than it looks like in this post! Happy long weekend to my fellow Aussies (except all you in WA, where I'm lead to believe you don't celebrate the birthday of our Monarch this weekend).

My Baby Turns 5!

2010-05-24T09:55:00.006+10:00

Exclamation point required for this title. Where the hell did those five years go? On Saturday we had a Yo Gabba Gabba birthday party for our Little Miss Chief (theme picked by Rascal Boy, and a good choice too!) and had about 12 little kiddies running riot in our unit.
This has been the first year in which she understood the concept of having a birthday and boy did she shine in the spotlight! For example....

Guests were greeted at the door by "DJ Lance Miss Chief"

Goody bags standing to attention

The Boombox cake (I'm pretty chuffed with myself over this design)

A bit of craft

This is a dozen kids let loose in a room full of toys

Cake time!

We've had people scoff at us with the idea of having a dozen little kids in our home running riot, me spending two days to create a themed cake, and going to the trouble of creating matching goody bags, games and music. So why do we do it?
We do it for this face!

Happy Birthday gorgeous girl!

Don't Be Late For This Very Important Date!

2010-04-09T08:32:00.002+10:00

Click on the poster and find out more!

Better Late Than Never!

2010-04-07T12:03:00.003+10:00

OK, so it took me longer than expected but it's school holidays so it's a wonder I'm getting any time on the computer at all. Rascal Boy has given me ten minutes on the computer (lucky me), so I'm going with the theory of "a picture is worth a thousand words" in portraying what we've all been up to in the last month or so.

First of all we had my birthday. My parents came for a visit up to Sydney and DH took the day off so we could go out to my choice of activity. I couldn't go past the 80s exhibition at the Powerhouse Museum.

This was the entrance - a wall of records. Have a close look. How many do you have?

Little Miss Chief found some Barbies that she has at home, inherited from her Auntie's collection.

Little Miss Chief had a trip to the hospital where we found out that not only does have asthma, but that she's had it for a while! All unbeknownst to us. As we weren't expecting her to stay overnight at the hospital we didn't bring any of her favourite toys to sleep with. However she did manage to make a new friend until Da could bring in her friends from home.

Isn't he a cutie? And look at what a trooper she was. She's such a brave little cookie.

Next came the footy. Yeah! Footy season is back! Sure it wasn't Collingwood we saw live but after being starved of our favourite game all Summer it was great to be back in the thick of it.

And don't worry about the outward appearance, Little Miss and I are still Black and White through and through!

DH and I had a night out - without children! And what a night it was. It was a show at the Opera House but rather than sitting in the audience watching the actors, we were part of the show. It was called Apollo 13 Mission Control, and for anyone who's seen the movie, you should have a good idea of what it was about. For us smart people who shelled out the extra $4 for a console seat, we were one of the many people charged with the responsibility of bringing the astronauts home.

Here's DH and I in our "official" capacity. (We took our jobs very seriously)

The famous "square peg in a round hole". If you don't know what I mean then you should hire the movie - It's really good!

We rocketed!!

And just this weekend we had the Easter show. Mainly to meet Scotty from Prank Patrol (what do you mean "who?!")

Rascal Boy was the one who wanted to meet him but even Scotty wasn't enough to remove a strong photo-phobia. So Little Miss stepped in. As long as Scotty was in it, that's all that matters!

Then we had our first ever ride at the show - the Ferris Wheel!

Little Miss nearly exploded with excitement

And we even snuck a photo of Rascal Boy hehehe.

After all that I think I might have actually wrote 1000 words!

Finally!

2010-04-05T14:31:00.002+10:00

It's taken a while but finally I have found the time to update the look of my blog. It's taken scratching everything else of my schedule (including, I kid you not, getting dressed. I'm typing this in my bathrobe). It also took having my husband home from work to fill in for me on other tasks like, you know, raising the kids 'n' all that.
I hope you like it. I was looking for a nice sharp, clean look and I think I've achieved that. I also had to update the photos as the kids had aged about two years since I last updated (DH and I have probably aged about 10 years in that time)
I've made the header and background up from a digital scrapbooking kit from Kaiser Crafts named "Tag This".
Now if only I could find the time to post an update....
Maybe tomorrow...

If You're Reading This It Probably Doesn't Apply To You

2010-03-02T10:38:00.004+11:00

My favourite footballing philospher, Harry O put a story up on his new website this morning about a woman who was giving him a bit of a rant about the evils of social media, ie. Facebook, Twitter and the like.
Anybody who knows me (in both the virtual and the real worlds) knows that I feel my life would be a lot more isolated if I didn't participate in all of these mediums. You can go to Harry's site to check out what he wrote and what I and a few others replied. But if you're in a bit of a hurry, below is my two cents worth to the argument -

I find people who say things like that have never really used it. I get tired of the same old line "it's making everyone anti-social" - it makes my blood boil!
I'm a SAHM to two autistic children, so going out to "socialise" is not really an opportunity that comes up very often. FB, Twitter and forums have put me in touch with so many people (yes, you are one Harry!) with whom I share many common interests and have forged "real" friendships with. I can't tell you how it has saved my sanity in a situation which can be extremely isolating.
As for people who say "whatever happened to having a chat with someone on a bus" (Angela Catterns - I'm looking at you!) -
1) If that person turns out to be a bit of a psycho, it's not so easy to turn your back on them.
2) Not everyone you see on a bus wants to chat with you, but people who go on FB are volunteering to chat with you.
3) How is chatting on a bus that different to chatting on FB? Apart from the above two points it is both an example of two people coming together to communicate.
4) I don't get much time to ride the bus these days (or train, or plane, or whatever...)
5) A bus is not much of a forum for someone like you who can inspire many people at once.
To those people, like the one you met Harry, I say - Don't turn the computer on, don't join these sites, no one's making you and we won't really miss your presence!

Time to get off my soapbox (and the internet) now!

My Precious Baby-Doll

2010-02-04T10:02:00.003+11:00

Once again the universe has thrown us a curve-ball. Little Miss Chief was taken for diagnosos at the Disability Servises Unit and, while the stopped short of giving us a definate diagnosis yet pending further testing, it looks like she might fall into the autism spectrum.
At the start of the assesment I was asked what I hoped to get out of it. While I would have loved to say "I want you to tell me I have a normal child" I gave my true answer: "I want you to tell me the truth. I want to know what the future holds for her." At the end of the assesment I got my answer. By the time she reaches adulthood, her intellectual abilities will be that of a 11 or 12 year old girl.
I really thought I was prepared for the worst but I guess we never really are. I guess we all push our doubts to the back of our minds and keep hope at the forefront. As parents we truly want to believe anything is possible for our children. I'm not sure I will ever lose hope but I have to accept that she will never be "normal".
She has another, more autism-focased, assesment in a couple of weeks but I think that's just to confirm what already know now and I'm not getting my hopes up for a better prognosis.
I used to joke that she was my baby and she's not allowed to grow up, she'll always be my baby doll. What can I say? Be careful what you wish for!

Back To Routine

2010-01-29T10:32:00.002+11:00

Sometimes it seems too politically incorrect to say this but I'm going to go ahead and say it anyway - I'm so glad the school holidays are over! Now don't get me wrong, I love my kiddies to bits, and Little Miss Chief isn't even going to primary school yet (but she has increased to three days of preschool this year), but this family is one that thrives on routine. One thing school holidays lack is routine.
Things were compounded somewhat by Rascal Boy spending the last three weeks of the holidays with both legs plastered up to the knee. After years of toe walking (a common symptom of Asperger's/Autism) his leg muscles had tightened up to the point that he could no longer keep his heels on the ground even if he wanted to (which he didn't). He got one day every week to be cast-free which we used to reward him for his bravery. Naturally he chose to visit aquariums. That's right folks - Rascal Boy has a new "special interest" (read: obsession) - sea life.
It started when, in the last term of last year, his teacher decided to theme all the school work on sea life. The classroom was made to look like under the sea (shades of the school dance in Back To The Future), she kept goldfish on her desk and based all the class work - art, maths, reading, you name it - on sea life. It flicked a switch in Rascal Boy's brain and now he is a walking, talking encyclopedia on all things ocean related. A marine biologist at age 7.
As for me, I hope to fit a few more things in to my schedule now school is back and I have an extra day up my sleeve with Little Miss spending three days a week in preschool.
First is to go back to ballet classes. I miss it and was just unable to get there for all of 2009. I just hope I can still fit into my leotard!
Secondly is to go for a 30 minute walk and do resistance training for each of my "days off" - NO EXCUSES!! Scheduled in like an unbreakable appointment. I'm feeling the effects of yesterday's session as I type this. This should also make it easier to squeeze into the aforementioned leotard.
Thirdly (is that a word?) is to partake in as much of this as possible -

Last year's LSBS challenge required one layout (or other project) a week. Needless to say, I didn't make it! This is 40 challenges for the whole year, leaving breaks for school holidays. Certainly more doable, but I'm not going to pressure myself. I still have hope of finishing the 52 from last year at some stage too!
And lastly, I need to keep up with the housework. Impossible when there is kids in the house, but I find the state of my house reflects the state of my mind. When it's messy, my mind is foggy and I can't seem to get it together. When the house is tidy my mind is clear and I feel like I can breath again. And with three days a week with no kids to mess it up again all day, I should be able to achieve all the other stuff listed above.
Well that is the plan....

A Quickie!

2010-01-15T09:21:00.001+11:00

First post for the year and it's just a quickie to announce this starting tonight

Post Christmas Post

2009-12-28T14:22:00.002+11:00

It just flew by didn't it? Do we say that every year?

I thought I might do a bit of showing off, so here is my pressie haul for 2009 -

First we have a USB turntable to convert my vinyl collection into MP3s for my 'Pod. Pity Santa couldn't have also provided more memory for it all to fit! When are Apple gonna come up with a memory upgrade invention, like you can do with digital cameras?

Next we have things of which I don't know the name of (and have thrown out the packaging so can't check), but they are yet more 'Pod accessories.
One is for charging it no matter where I am (as long as there is a power point nearby!) People who were hasselled by me on this year's LSBS Retreat will be thankful I now have one of these.
The other is to plug into the loungeroom stereo so I can play all my songs through the main household speakers. Very important for the songs I have that only exist in MP3 form.

And the last one is technically NOT a present but as it was purchased using some Christmas money (which covered about three quarters of the total price) Ima gonna let it slide. We'll just call this one a present from myself to myself.

Now I'm the first to admit I know nothing about sewing machines and Spotlight on the day after Boxing Day is not exactly buzzing with workers ready to have an in-depth discussion and help you pick out the right machine for you, so, you know what? I just picked the CUTEST one they had (in my budget of course!)

Happy New Year blog surfers! See you in 2010!

I Almost Forgot!

2009-12-15T16:12:00.003+11:00

Can't go through Christmas without one of these!

It's That Time Of The Year Again, Folks!

2009-12-14T10:13:00.002+11:00

Yep, the time of the year when people freak me out with THIS -

You know what I'm talking about...

And making it black and white doesn't improve the situation AT ALL!

I Really, REALLY Want...

2009-12-12T15:06:00.002+11:00

...to have time to participate in this this weekend

We Have Had Some Visitors

2009-11-17T10:03:00.002+11:00

Who says living in the city does not keep you in touch with Mother Nature? Even living in the Inner West of Sydney, her gentle hand can reach out to you in a most wonderous way, like this

We are on the top floor of a two story block of units and we are fortunate enough to have a downstairs unit with a Banksia (? Correct me if I'm wrong) tree growing in the backyard that reaches up to our balcony. The flowers are providing breakfast, lunch and dinner for a local flock of Rainbow Lorikeets.

Little Miss Chief is absolutely beside herself with excitement whenever they come for a visit. "Lainbow lollykeets again Mumma!!" she screams, jumping up and down with joy.

I sometimes wonder if the birds are squeeling to each other "Look Mumma! That excited little human again!!"

Speaking of Little Miss...
Have you ever heard of the website Cats That Look Like Hitler? I think I could start one called Preschoolers who look like Hitler, after someone got into my purple lipgloss.

And finally, another look into the mind of Rascal Boy's Aspergian mind.
He recently decided to tile our hallway with my old Notebook Magazine collection.

As much as I liked the look of it, it just wasn't practical to walk on so we have had to revert back to the old carpet.

Add This One To Your Dictionary Folks!

2009-10-21T09:57:00.005+11:00

Today is going to be 31C. Way too hot for Rascal Boy to be wearing his navy blue tracksuit uniform pants to school, but he has been showing resistance to wearing shorts so far this year.
Yesterday the temperature jumped into the high twenties and I picked up a very hot and bothered boy from school, all red cheeked and sweaty, and way too cranky to be agreeable to anything, let alone homework. I wasn't about to go through that again, with the temperature rising by another few degrees.
I pulled out every pair of shorts Rascal Boy owns. I started with the navy blue ones (including denim) to try and get as close to school uniform colours as possible. The first two were woefully loose around his skinny frame. The third pair were some boardies that were hand-me-downs from my sister's boys and therefore slightly worn in. Rascal Boy hates the feel of new clothes. He slipped them on and, with the waist fitting snuggly around him, I thought we had success.
"They feel too sifty" he announces, squirming around.
"They feel wha'?" I respond.
"Sifty, they feel too sifty" he repeats, as if his mother is either deaf or stupid.
"And can you explain what sifty feels like?" I ask, hoping there is an answer to this, as sometimes there is not.
"Sifty is like an icypole stick" Of course that explains everything - NOT!
"Can you describe what that feels like?" I plead.
"You know when you hold an icypole stick? What the stick feels like on your fingers, that's sifty."
"Oh OK" I say, pretending I know exactly what he's talking about. A new one for the Asperger Dictionary.
Thankfully the fourth pair of shorts passed the test and even though they are not blue, the principal is just going to have to suck it up because I know I'll be picking up a cool, happy child from school this arvo.

A Little Bit Of Colour

2009-10-09T15:12:00.003+11:00

I love this guy. His music is so happy and colourful. But just in case anyone out there doubts Mika's talent, here is a little clip of how the artwork on his album covers is conceived. It makes me wanna rip out all my craft stash and get creative.

How Quickly The Month Rolls Around

2009-10-08T17:05:00.002+11:00

Because this is a'happnin' again!

Feel free to join in.

School Holidays - Day 1

2009-10-06T12:34:00.003+11:00

First of all I should point out that the title of this post should in no way indicate that I'll be posting every day of the school holidays. I'll be lucky if I get to post even one more time before the kids are back at school. Just thought I should make that clear.
Now the yummy part of this post.
As Little Miss Chief was at preschool today (due to the fact that - thank the Lord - they don't close for school holidays) I thought I'd take Rascal Boy out for a treat. Ever since he saw a chocolate cafe on the Kitchen Job (New Zealand's version of one of those "fix up my failing restaurant" shows) he's been wanting to go to one. At first I think he thought they were just a made up thing on TV. His face lit up when I told him they really do exist and I'd take him to one in the school holidays. I felt obligated to take him to the best - The Lindt Choclate Cafe in Martin Place.
Of course there was always the big risk of a very sick boy on the train ride home but he had two weeks to recover and I've had worse things happen to me that my son vomiting in a public place so I let him have Carte Blanche over the menu.
Surprisingly he took my advise and had something vaguely sensible first. In a chocolate cafe that translates as a croissant and jam. Then, having been dazzled by the array of colours in the macaroon display cabinet, he couldn't go passed ordering two of those, in Milk Chocolate of course.

This was all washed down with a chocolate mikshake so thick and rich, I felt ill after one tiny sip. He polished it off.
I was far more conservative in my choices - sourdough toast, a cake named "Wimbeldon" that looked a bit like this -

(I couldn't find an actual picture of it, but this looks very close), washed down with a sensible latte (skim of course, wouldn't like to have anything too fattening!)
Amazingly he is not bouncing off the walls after all that sugar and cocoa. Maybe the fat content has counteracted the effects. I know I could go for a nice long kip right now!
But if you haven't tried the Lindt cafe, Rascal Boy and I highly recommend it. (Although I'd personally warn you to steer clear of the milkshake)

Why I'm Going For St Kilda In The Grand Final

2009-09-22T12:55:00.003+10:00

This is my Mum

She is a St Kilda supporter. Sure she would probably struggle to name more than one current player, but she does remember a lot of the players names from "back in her day". (Apparently Neil Roberts had sexy legs.) Collingwood were knocked out of the race last week leaving me Geelong and the Saints to chose from for this weekend's Grand Final.
So let's put it into perspective - My Mum has just had her 66th birthday. In the middle of the year, she and Dad celebrated 43 years of marriage. My oldest sibling had his 42nd birthday earlier this year. When St Kilda won their last premiership she was a very young newly wed with out any children. Isn't it about time these supporters had some joy in their football barracking lives?
Come on Saints - it's your turn!

It's Finished!!!

2009-09-14T14:30:00.002+10:00

The three exclaimation marks in the title of this post should convey my disbelief in the fact that we have finally finished the kitchen! There was a time where I thought I might be walking on rough concrete for the rest of my days. It is so incredibly satisfying to stand at the door now and look at what we've accomplished (and by "we" I mean DH, with me standing by barking colours and placement instructions at him).
But first let's take our minds back to where it all began....the before photos -

OK, enough of that! Let's get to the brag book photos! Let me present....the after photos (as of this morning) -

(I've wanted a kitchen floor like this since I was a little tacker)
So there you have it! I don't know what we're going to do with ourselves now!

Man Day

2009-09-11T12:24:00.002+10:00

Seeing that September is Man Day month, the good people at LSBS have dedicated this month's cybercrop to all things masculine -

I just hope I can find a few photos of DH floating around the house....
Click on the poster and join us, won't you?

A Week Of Living With Aspergers - The Morning Of Day 6

2009-09-03T11:20:00.002+10:00

I'm over my little dummy spit now. It doesn't take much, usually a comment from Rascal Boy or something he does. Alot of the time, like now, I don't even know what exactly it was, but it ends with me knowing that I wouldn't swap my Aspie boy for a normal boy for anything.
Mind you I was a bit concerned this morning whe he announce that he was not going to call me Mumma anymore, he would be calling me by my name. "Why?" I ask, as I look for his other shoe. "Becuase I'm getting to be a grown up now and I don't need to call you Mumma now." "OK," I reason, "What about just Mum then. Grown up kids say Mum instead of Mumma or Mummy." "No, I want to call you by your name." Hmpfr!! (I think that's how you spell the noise I made) I think I lost this round, but we'll see what he calls me when I pick him up from school. Or next time he gets hurt and needs comforting. Or next time I bake something yummy....

A Week Of Living With Aspergers - The Morning Of Day 5

2009-09-02T08:00:00.002+10:00

You may have noticed there was no day 4. I was in no mood for blogging yesterday afternoon after picking up Rascal Boy from school.
We had all spent the last two and a half days basking in the glory of throwing a ripper birthday party for him when out of the blue he yells at me, "You didn't let me make the instructions!!!" Apparently I wasn't suppose to call the kids into the kitchen so we could cut the cake. "I was going to do that and you just did it! That was my job!!!" This will now probably be the over-riding memory of his big day, me not follow his instructions, that existed only in his head.
The trip home from school only takes a few minutes but that's all it took for me to go from having a pleasent day to be down in the dumps. I ordered him out of the car and told him not to say another word. He was perplexed because in his mind, he's the one who has been wronged. I know this but my feelings are hurt, and while 99% of the time I can just let it run off my back, today I just feel hurt.
By the time I get inside, the tears are silently flowing down my cheeks and I retell the story to DH, who is thankfully home from work early. He talks to Rascal Boy about it and makes him apologize to me but I can see in his face he has no idea what he's apologizing for.
I realise it's one of those rare moments where I wish he was "normal" for just a few moments and could throw his arms around me and say, with honesty and understanding, "Thanks for the great party mum". That's what the tears are for. I'm mourning the fact that I may never hear those words from him.

A Week Of Living With Aspergers - The Evening Of Day 3

2009-08-31T19:34:00.002+10:00

We lost the tooth! When I arrived at school today he emerged with the tooth in hand and a guarded smile on his face. I took it from him for safe keeping and noticed his bottom lip starting to quiver. I took him inside the classroom, away from prying eyes, and allowed him some time to recover himself. He quickly got hold of his emotions.
He is now in the bathroom with Da discussing how he brushes his teeth these days. A bit of kiddie toothpaste for his baby teeth and a bit of grown-up toothpaste for his new teeth. Tonight is the first night of his new bedtime - 7:45, up from 7:30, "I'm seven now you know!", Yep! I think we know!

A Week Of Living With Aspergers - The Evening Of Day 2

2009-08-30T19:52:00.002+10:00

We survived it. Not just survived it, but thoroughly enjoyed it too. On top of that I had a question answered that I had been puzzling over for the previous week, "At what age to parents just drop their kids off at a party rather than just hang around for the duration?" The answer is - age 7. And having only kids to entertain makes the job so much easier!
A major concern in the lead up to the party for me was that Rascal Boy was so focused on how he wanted his party to happen that I worried he would spend most of it telling all the kids what to do. But as soon as that doorbell started to ring, the excitement of having all his friends over meant he literally forgot they were here for his Club Penguin party. He confessed to me later "I thought they were just visiting!", all said with a big grin on his face. It was one of those occasions where you really could say he didn't seem to have anything "wrong" with him. Nothing makes us happier.
So some photos...first from our camera -

The spyphone cake

Blowing out candles

Making pizza

A happy birthday boy!

And now some from Rascal Boy's camera, which the kids were in charge of!

Pillow fighting

More pillow fighting

[

Whippin' out the devil horns

I got a good laugh downloading all the photos from that camera. It was like the final scene in The Hangover.
After everything had returned to normal, we had a tired little boy with a very loose tooth (his second) who started to have a bit of a panic attack over whether it might fall out in his sleep and get swallowed. I held him in my arms and could feel his heart beating out of his chest at the fear of it. The trouble is he can't predict when and how it will fall out, and even though the first one came out easily and without fuss, that is not enough evidence in his eyes that this one will also.
We finally managed to calm him down and get him off to bed and as we speak the tooth is still hanging on by a thread, but he did go to bed a bit calmer tonight. Only after having all foods cut into bite size pieces, lest any of it touch the tooth!

A Week Of Living With Aspergers - The Morning Of Day 1

2009-08-29T09:27:00.003+10:00

Rascal Boy turns 7 today, so I thought it was an appropriate time to show you all some of what it's like to live with Aspergers on a daily basis. I haven't blogged for a while and that is partly due to me planning a Club Penguin party that lives up to the Aspergian perfect expectations. But more of that later...
I have had to tell a lot of people about Rascal Boy's Asperger Spectrum Disorder and two of the most common responses are, "Really? I would never have guessed. He seems so normal!" and "Oh yes, well we're all different though, aren't we." If I had a dollar for every time I'd heard those statements, I would be able to pay the bills for the psychiatric treatement I need from hearing them. I know people spit out these phrases because they don't know what else to say. They think they are being sympathetic, and I accept the statements with the good intentions in which they are offered, but quite frankly it feels like they are being very dismissive of the hard life DH and I have to live everyday. So, as a mother of an Aspergian, I thought maybe it's kind of my duty to help people understand what that is.
So let me tell you about the night we just had. As I mentioned, it's Rascal Boy's 7th birthday today and we are having a party. He has invited eight of his friends over and decided some time ago that it would be a Club Penguin party. For most kids this would involve a themed cake, maybe a bit of dress up and perhaps a Club Penguin picture on the goody bags. For Rascal Boy it means turning each room of our two bedroom unit into a part of the Club Penguin universe.
We have a night club going in our master bedroom, complete with disco ball and official Club Penguin music eminating from the computer. The kids beds are Gift Shop (for his presents to sit) and Sports Shop (god knows why, sports are not really the Aspergian's strong suit, but Club Penguin has one so...)
The kitchen is the Pizzatron 3000 - a pizza making game that we have translated to real life by getting the kids to make their own lunch, and the loungeroom is the Pizza restaurant-cum-cafe, and this is what prompted our rather sleepless night.
Somewhere around 1am, after about four hours sleep on Rascal Boy's part, only two on mine, his brain woke him up, ideas burning through his skull. Every half an hour or so he would come into our room and, thankfully, wake DH up with another idea about how the loungeroom would be set up. What he needed to achieve his vision, the types of food that would be served and, oh, can I open my presents now? Maybe just one?
My DH, in desparation for some meaningful sleep, set him up in the loungeroom with a DVD and a blanket hoping against hope that, as in times previous, he would relax and nod off. Times previous had not been the night before his birthday party. The half hourly updates continued unabated until 4.30am, when I thought a mother's intervention may be needed. By then DH was a bit out of his mind with sleep deprivation.
So I order DH back to bed and get up to see what sort of relaxing set up DH had created. What I walked into was like another world. When people use the phrase "it was as different as night and day" they didn't realise how accurately it would describe our situation. I walked from our dark, quiet, peaceful bedroom and opened the hallway door to a bustling restaurant. There were about ten "tables" set up using various footstools and kitchen chairs, each set up with plates, knives and forks and an espresso cup and saucer. "These will be for the hot chocolates Da has to make," I am assured. Harry's Practice is blaring from the TiVo with some gobbling turkey that had Rascal Boy in stiches, whilst I lowered the dimmer switch on the loungeroom light. In a soft voice I suggest that if he wants to be awake enough to enjoy his pizza restaurant, it might be an idea to come and have a quiet cuddle in bed with Mumma. Thankfully, he readily agreed.
It took a while, and a few more gentle reminders from me, for his brain to slow down and the eyes to close. At one stage he looked at the clock and said "oh no! It's only five-zero-zero (5am), it's going so slow!!" I assured him that if he closes his eyes and relaxes, something something...someth...I think I fell asleep first.
We were finally awoken at 7.15 to the sound of "Can I have my presents now??" Everyone in the family, except Rascal Boy, is exhausted, and we have yet to transform our house in to a penguin wonderland. Except the loungeroom/pizza restaurant/cafe, which is a picture of Aspergian perfection!

My Son, The Photojournalist

2009-07-01T14:40:00.002+10:00

This is my son, Rascal Boy (not his real name). He has Asperger's Spectrum Disorder and one of the funny little quirks that stems from that is that he hates having his photo taken. This one was a sneaky shot one of the kids at his sister's birthday party took. The batteries on his Kid Tough Camera were going flat so the "special effects" in this photo are a direct concequence of that. I think you call that a happy accident!

Despite his intense hate of getting his own photo taken, his own talents at photography continue to amaze his father and I. Last Sunday both our children had been invited to two seperate birthday parties and, so he felt like he wasn't missing out on anything, he asked me to take my camera so he could see the other party. I suggest he also take his along and share his party snaps with us. This is a selection of the photos he took. Remember he's not yet 7 years old and none of these have been edited in any way by anyone.

The birthday boy. I do love a devil's salute from a seven year old!

I've stared at this long and hard and I still don't know what it is. And no, there is no point in asking Rascal Boy. He's over it already.

This was the most exciting thing that happened in his day. He described it as "the man" in his friend's car. They are Rascal Boy's shoes on either side.

The Pinata. I love the framing of this shot.

Obviously the cake got eaten too quickly to make it into a photo...

I think this butterfly tried to fly away when it spotted the camera.

One of Rascal Boy's special interests is lights. This one had him very excited.

Remember bobbing for apples? I haven't done that since I was in primary school!

Needless to say, my photos looked a little inadequate compared to these artistic masterpieces. I hope he never "tries" to take a good picture. His instinct is so true right now when he doesn't put any thought into it.

I'm A Teensy Bit Excited

2009-06-18T18:53:00.003+10:00

Ok - I HUGELY excited! In less than two months I'll be heading off to this -

I went last year and it hugely out did my expectations. I think I signed up for this year's the day after I got back. (I would have done it the day I got back but I needed a little bit of sleep first). So go on, click on the poster and join us!
But the big thing that really has me jumping out of my skin this week is this -

The Mighty Magpies are heading up north to Sydney providing me with my one and only chance to see them live for the year. To add to the excitement they are doing a "meet the players" thing at Broadway shopping centre. I have no idea who is coming but I'll have my camera and black pen at the ready. DH and I will bring along Little Miss Chief's guernsey with the hope that Jack "Sevens" Anthony will be there to sign it. I, of course, would love Daisy's siggy on my #13, but I'm not holding out to much hope. Look out for the photos next week!

New 'Do

2009-06-06T17:23:00.003+10:00

My hair has finally admitted that Summer is over and I'm feeling very much better for it.

Before

After

What do you think?

We All Know I Love Something A Bit Different...

2009-06-05T12:50:00.004+10:00

...Which probably resulted in me giving birth to this -

Yep! That's our Little Miss Chief in her Sunday best. It is also my new Avatar for this -

So Much Going On At Once!

2009-05-27T13:58:00.006+10:00

We've been having a lot of fun in this family lately, particularly Little Miss Chief, who turned 4 on Saturday. My baby! 4!!
So of course we had to have a big blowout fairy party for her, and what started out as four of her friends from preschool turned into a full on bash with 10 invited guests. Plus our two. In a two-bedroom unit. You can imagine. But just in case you can't here are some photos...

Some crafting

It was meant to be on an elf lolly box but, hey, she's a fairy, so it's not at all inappropriate that she has sparkles on her face!

The (handmade) fairy cake

And the anticipation of eating a handmade fairy cake

In the morning she had been given her pressies - a set of glasses (or, more truthfully plastics) for her toy kitchen, a Barbie and clothes to dress her in and this fabulous footy guernsey...

...with Jack Anthony's number on the back

(and yes that is a birthday cake hat on her head - dontcha just love Ikea?)

I also managed to snap a couple of photos featuring the ever elusive Rascal Boy - one with his sister

And, miracle of all miracles, one by himself

The week before all this action, Little Miss Chief and I finally got to go to the long awaited Yo Gabba Gabba concert. And oh! It was worth the wait! Here she is having a dance with her light sabre (well that's what it looked like to me!)

And the whole trip was worth it just to capture this photo alone

How cool is that? Seriously the most enjoyable kids concert I've ever been to!

It's That Time Of The Month Again

2009-05-07T07:25:00.001+10:00

No, not that time! This time...

Oh You Could Just Play All Day!

2009-04-22T08:28:00.002+10:00

I'm still suffering from a scorching case of conjunctivitis so I'll leave you with this to play with
http://lab.andre-michelle.com/tonematrix
Another one from LOTD

I'm A Happy Chicky Tonight

2009-04-17T22:36:00.003+10:00

At last my Maggies lifted their game and got their second win for the season. It was my first game back with the SCSC and I'd like to think that had a fair bit of influence over the result - LOL.
We had a big, BIG day out at the Easter Show, seeing what must be the world's most humungous bulls. We got some showbags and wore the kiddies out. I don't think we'll be woken up too early tomorrow morning.
I have a bit of scrapping to catch up on now because this started tonight while I was out shouting at the big screen TV at the Camelia Grove Hotel -

"I'm A Star, I'm A Star, A Big Bright Shining Star"

2009-03-27T07:29:00.002+11:00

Check me out on List Of The Day in their FOLOTD section. And while you're there, just check it out in general. I do every day, and rarely leave without having had a good belly laugh (you know the kind where snot comes flying out your nose).

Wooo HOOO!!!!

2009-03-25T07:24:00.002+11:00

I just hit 4000 visitors!!
Once again - thanks to all who have taken the time to drop by and special thanks to those who've left comments. It's those comments that keep this blogger blogging.

I Love This

2009-03-24T07:23:00.002+11:00

Found this on List Of The Day
Axis Of Awesome

It's A Landmark Day

2009-03-21T14:47:00.003+11:00

And this is why...

Yes folks! I gave my first "birds and the bees" talk. It's been coming for a couple of weeks with questions about "how do babies get into the Mumma's tummies?" I've been fielding them in a casual manner but knew there was only one way to do this well and that is the method by which I learned - Where Did I Come From.
So we sat on the bed and read the book together and had a few more questions and answers on the way and then he took it away to read and look at the pictures by himself.
I think the whole thing was a great success and nowhere near as frightening as I once thought it would be. But then again we have always been a very open family here so he's never felt afraid to ask us anything. It made me very proud of our parenting (so far).
One down; one to go!

HUGE Etsy Restock!

2009-03-16T18:59:00.002+11:00

I've been a busy bee this arvo uploading some new pieces into my Etsy shop. It's actually two lots, as I never got around to uploading the last batch I made. I've since made some more so I've put it all up in one go. Phew! Take a look, any feedback is appreciated. I had a lot of fun experimenting and crafting these. Just click on the banner!

But Where Is Brother Grahame In All Of This?

2009-03-16T07:50:00.004+11:00

I love the song, love the band, love this clip (and not just because I know a few of the people in it), but where for art thou Brother Grahame?
There is no logical reason why this should not be a huge hit, but then since when have the "charts" been logical?

Dr Seuss Is On The Loose!

2009-03-13T08:08:00.002+11:00

How cool is this poster?

Doesn't is make you wanna just go out and be creative? Click on it and you can!

The Aftermath

2009-03-12T11:45:00.002+11:00

It's all over for another year...bummer!
I had fun though. First, the cake. As promised, a picture of the real thing; as predicted, I didn't get one before we all started scoffing it. It may not look as pretty as the magazine pic but it sure tasted magnificent!
Half eaten -

Just a slither -

Then after feeding our faces we left the kiddies with my visiting parents and headed of to the Gruen Transfer. It was funny and interesting and I got to stare at Todd Sampson for three hours - nice pressie to myself, that!
We got a bit of a rude shock when we arrived and were told they were full already. Wha? Nowhere in my email was it mentioned that that was a possibility! So I pulled the birthday card (not a birthday card...) and the door bitch took sympathy and let us in. Happy days!
We sat front row centre and were entertained by the crazy Tommy Dean. Due to a few technical difficulties (it being the ABC 'n'all) we got a lengthy stand up routine from him. I was in stitches.
Will came out and had a chat and discussed some of the segments with us. We played a game of "What's this ad for?" and I got a high-5 off Will for being a clever cookie (read "smart arse"). Then the electronics of the studio seemed to be up and running again and the taping began.
I think they must have taped 1.5 to 2 hours of discussion that will now have to be edited into a half hour show. Those editors will be earning their money! I don't know what part of the witty repartee you would snip out.
Then when the show was over we were allowed to take photos. I was surprised by how many people didn't. I went straight up to my crush to get a photo...

:sigh: Shame it's a bad quality mobile phone photo, but still, he's alright isn't he?

This photo's even worse quality - I think I look like a ghost

And finally I thought I'd better get a snap with who most people would consider the star of the show (I think you know who I think really is...)

I truly had no idea he'd pulled that face and point thing until I saw the photo later. Do you think he does this thing alot? :LOL:

The show is scheduled to air on the 2nd April so look out for DH and I in the front row!
Finally, a thanks to everyone who sent me birthday wishes. I really feel loved!

My Favourite Month!

2009-03-02T10:49:00.003+11:00

It's March, my favourite month! Can you guess why? It's my birthday next week, that's why! Truly I am not one of these people who hide their age or don't make a fuss over their birthday - never have been, never will be! I'd have one every month if I could.
Now one of the most important aspects of birthday celebration is the chosing of the cake. This is my choice this year -

Now it will be up to my DH to replicate that. I will post pictures of the result, if in fact it doesn't get eaten before I get a chance to take any.
My folks are coming up the day before and leaving the day after...mmm...will leave that there I think...
They will be here to babysit for us on Wednesday night (my birthday) so DH and I can head into the hallowed halls of the ABC's Ultimo studios for a taping of one of our favourite shows, The Gruen Transfer. Funny how one of the highest rating shows on Australian television is about advertising, on a station that can't carry advertising...what does that say about us I wonder?
So there you have it - the coundown to the 11/3 is on! You have been warned...

This Feels Good

2009-02-23T22:32:00.000+11:00

All For A Good Cause

2009-02-16T23:18:00.003+11:00

Look what we did!

And look what I got!

Another Brief Encounter With My Blog

2009-02-13T19:04:00.003+11:00

I'm going through some family difficulties at the moment but I couldn't possibly go more than a month without a post on here. Nor could I go without this -

So hop on over and join us. I've even got a picture of my "Valentine" as my avatar there.

Have A Bit Of Fun

2009-01-13T08:04:00.000+11:00

Life's too short NOT to play with this!

R.I.P. (For The Second Time This Week)

2009-01-07T08:33:00.003+11:00

Ron Asheton, guitarist with seminal punk demigods The Stooges, has been found dead at the age of 60 at his Ann Arbor, Michigan home. It is believed he died sometime around New Years Eve/Day.
How could someone like that be dead for days without being found? Thank God he has a PA.
For someone like me, with a Radio Birdman tattoo on my back, this is a sad day.

52 Done And Dusted!!

2009-01-03T12:26:00.003+11:00

Here it is folks!
Challenge 52 - Embellish a ribbon.

I don't even really want to talk about this LO I'm just sooo over the whole thing! I'm not setting any specific challenges for myself this year. If I learned nothing else from this 52 Challenges (and I did actually learn alot more!) it is to not put so much pressure on myself.
2009 is the year I relaxxxx...

ps. RIP Jett Travolta

51 Down; 1 To Go!!!!

2008-12-30T14:04:00.003+11:00

And one day to complete it. I have made a start so it looks like I will complete the 52 Challenges on time and without a moment to spare - phew!
But let's not count our chickens yet...
Challenge 50 - Just tell a great story.
I've just finished writing this story on the LO so don't really want to go into it again, but needless to say that storm was pretty full on and made it a tad difficult to drive.

Challenge 51 - Cover a background
I cheated and did a 8x8 LO but only because I wanted to scrap these photos for my late Dooshy's tribute album and it's an 8x8. However I have just aquired a whole pile of American Craft rubons so I applied them quite liberally.

Try This At Home!

2008-12-23T14:52:00.003+11:00

You are meant to bold the ones you've done

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelos David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a cheque
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day

It's hard to remember some of them but I'm going with the "probably" on those. This was from Ngiarre's blog.

Etsy Shop Now Open For Business!

2008-12-21T15:55:00.004+11:00

The first seven items for my Etsy shop have now gone on sale. Click on my Esty shop banner to browse my wares.

These items were something I quickly whipped together this week and in future there will be some different styles making their way onto my "shelves". There will be more items added as I get around to making them so keep checking in to see what else appears.

Is It Hot In Here Or Is It Just Him...

2008-12-18T23:33:00.002+11:00

This clip is like porn for women - and it doesn't involve men doing housework. I had a huge crush on him when I was about 10 (my first love?) and now I can remember why. Enjoy (and please wipe your seat down when you leave)

49 Down; 3 To Go - Yikes!

2008-12-18T11:50:00.007+11:00

There has also been progress on the Etsy front as you can see - That's me working hard at my desk putting some rings and bracelets together. Now comes the hardest part - pricing! I'm dying to put them in the shop right now but I still need to work out a price and postage costs. Buyers tend to be curious about these things apparently... Challenge 47 - Inspiration from home decor My walls are red. A lot of my LOs end up on red cardstock simply because alot of my photos are taken in our living room. This one, however was purposely done on red to mimic the wall colour for this challenge. It is in someone else's house! Challenge 48 - Inspiration from clothes I don't even feel inspired by my clothes to dress in them let alone make a LO based on them! But I forgot this little number in the back - (That's not me modelling it BTW!) - and suddenly realized how much it looked like this American Crafts PP Perfect eh? Challenge 49 - Make your own photo corners. This LO had been sitting at my desk, half done, since the LSBS retreat in August. So I stuck a couple of photo corners and a title on it and called it a day! Now I only have three more to go. I'm getting the house to myself on Saturday so it's scrapping and jewellery making ahoy!

We Have A Winner (Sort Of) - The Secret Is Revealed!

2008-12-14T10:33:00.004+11:00

We didn't get an exact winner, but art is not an exact science so near enough is good enough. The closest answer we got was this -

Missty said...
I'm going to guess you are going to start selling something you have made, maybe your fastenators (If I recall they were popular)
December 13, 2008 5:18 PM

So I declare Missty the winner! And what have you won, you may very well ask? You have won one item of your choice from here -

That's right folks - the big secret is I'm opening my own Etsy shop to sell handmade jewellery. The shelves are empty at the moment but in the new year they will be filling up with lovely, kitschy, chunky, pop-culture-referencing jewellery!

A Busy Weekend Ahead

2008-12-12T16:51:00.002+11:00

and this is why

Why Are They Doing This To Me?

2008-12-12T11:05:00.005+11:00

I keep finding these things and it's creeping me out. What is the connection between buttons (shivering as I type the word) and wreaths? This one is worse than Martha's. Maybe I need to start a whole new creepy blog on button wreaths. eew!

ps. Don't forget to have a guess in the post below - time runs out tomorrow midnight.

Guessing Game (If You're Game)

2008-12-07T21:11:00.002+11:00

Mizbear left me a message asking if she can guess what my secret is. It got me thinking - why not make a competition out of it?
So you have to the end of the week (that's Midnight Saturday night/Sunday morning) to guess what my secret is. All will be revealed on Sunday, the secret and the winner.
And the prize? A little special somethin' that may or may not be connected to the secret!
Over to you!

Freeeeky!

2008-12-06T15:15:00.000+11:00

smauge took the free ColorQuiz.com personality test!

"Intense, vital, and animated, taking a delight in ..."

Click here to read the rest of the results.

Helllppp!!!!

2008-12-05T13:23:00.004+11:00

I have so much to say and so little time but I had to get on here just to say this is freaking me out!!! You know what I mean!!

It's from Matha Stewart's website and she can consider herself crossed off my Christmas list!

Merry You Know What Blah Blah Blah

2008-12-01T14:49:00.002+11:00

I present to you the dullest Christmas header in the history of blogging. What the hell happened? My CorelDRAW has decided not to play "let's make a festive header" this year, so this is far as I got. At least I've got the elves. At least this isn't the big secret that I will reveal soon.
My eyes are going to get a malenoma if I don't stop staring at this computer screen. Must be time to put up the tree!

This Is Not The Secret But Enjoy Anyway

2008-12-01T13:23:00.001+11:00

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Well, well, well....

2008-12-01T09:30:00.001+11:00

I think I got more comments overnight for that last post than I have for any other in 12 months of blogging! Aren't you an inquisitive lot then?
I'm keeping it secret for a teensy bit longer...

I Got A Secret...

2008-11-30T22:05:00.001+11:00

SShhhh!

House Proud

2008-11-28T19:09:00.003+11:00

I got this off Deanne's Blog.

What Your Home Says About You

You come across as very intellectual. People take your wisdom seriously.

Your hygiene is passable, but you may be hiding some dirty secrets.

You are a very domestic person. You enjoy decorating, cooking, and making things homey.

You are not a nurturing person by nature, but you can easily take care of someone you truly love.

You feel settled in your life. You have enough time to focus on little details.

You are a very self sufficient person. You can get along well without much help.

Your friends see you as courageous, dynamic, and bright.

What Does Your Home Say About You?

Not sure if I believe it or not, but I'll take it as a pat on the back!

Brave Anonymous Is Back!

2008-11-26T19:24:00.002+11:00

I quote -
"What do you think "you people" stands for,you stupid bitch! it stands for you NON-AMERICANS! or if you are an American, then it stand (sic) for "you ugly and stupid cunts!" there, print that!"
Well, if you insist! I'm happy to print that up in a post - if only to point out to everyone your spelling mistakes and bad grammar.

Andre 3000 (and Counting!)

2008-11-24T07:14:00.002+11:00

Right on! I've had a rush of visitors in the last couple of days, alot from the US and Canada (which I suspect may be connected to the blog award given out) and overnight I have reached, and surpassed, 3000 visitors to my blog!
It's so nice to know I'm not talking to myself. Thanks for dropping by and thanks to all my fellow bloggers who've left messages over the past 12 months. I look forward to reading and sharing many more!

Ya Gotta Laugh!!

2008-11-23T15:58:00.003+11:00

I just realised someone left a comment on my brief post about Obama. It goes thus -
"you are a idiot!we (sic) don't give a hoot what YOU PEOPLE think!"
and if that wasn't intelligent enough, it was then signed anonymous...
Very brave indeed. I'm not sure what "YOU PEOPLE" anon is talking about but I dare say we don't give a toss what anon thinks either.
I'm thinking of getting a Tshirt made up of this quote - what do you think? Or do you not give a hoot? hehehehehe

My Very First Blog Award!

2008-11-23T11:42:00.003+11:00

Big BIG thanks to Sandie for awarding me with my very first blog award! I feel like I've won a Logie!
I'm not sure what this award is called but the picture is saved under the name blogawardrenee so I'm going with that.

The name of the game is to spread the love to 7 more bloggers so I am going to share this with
Holly Sarah
Helen Dardik
Kerryn
Rachel
Wirgie (creative blog)
Scrapwitch
Lexi
Now go fellow bloggers! Share the love!

46 Down; 6 To Go

2008-11-21T14:01:00.003+11:00

Frightening isn't it? No wonder I'm tired...
Challenge 46 - Play with paint.
Probably my least favourite thing to do in scrapbooking. It's messy, you have to wait until it dries...but I'm a good sport so I did it anyway.

Another one for the BOM. Now I'm off to have a nanna nap.

Happy Anniversary To Me!

2008-11-18T21:34:00.002+11:00

It's a bit late for a full blog this evening but I thought I should pop in here and make you all aware that it is my first Blogaversary. I wondered if it would coincide with my 3000th visitor, but alas that celebration still eludes me...

45 Down; 7 To Go

2008-11-10T20:09:00.004+11:00

And speaking of 7...Today is DH and my 7th wedding anniversary. This morning before he left for work he woke me to give my some copper gifts (copper and wool are the traditional gifts for the 7th anniversary). While he was at work I combined them with some wool felt and created an art journal page. I don't often share my art journal with the general public but I thought this would make a nice header for the rest of the month - what do you think?
Anyway, on with the challenges...
Challenge 44 - make a distinctive photo matte.
Still playing with Noel as you can see.

Challenge 45 - Add an arrow.
Also I've run out of photo paper so I have to scrap that big pile of preprinted photos back from my film camera days.

I think I'm almost out of Santa photos and it's not even December!

Sanity Has Prevailed

2008-11-05T16:00:00.003+11:00

I am sitting here listening to the live broadcast of President Barack Obama's victory speech. Well done Americans - I have faith in you again!

Any Excuse To Put This Face On My Blog

2008-11-02T18:51:00.004+11:00

Can I just say - good choice Kerryn for choosing this handsome face for the next LSBS Cybercrop poster.

I try to ignore the fact that he will grow old and end up looking like Frank Costanza; I sure hope Marcia Brady can.

43 Down; 9 (Gasp) To Go!

2008-10-29T13:19:00.003+11:00

wooHOO! Single figures!
Challenge 43 - Scrapbook your favourite food.
I'm not sure this actually qualifies as food but here goes -

In case you can't work out what Rascal Boy is eating here (the day before his 2nd birthday party), it's cake mix. That's right folks, not cake, but the mix. It is my life long fantasy to one day mix up a cake batter and scoff the whole lot. It will happen!
Elsie suggests you might like to scrap book your least favourite food. er...I don't think I'll be scrapbooking a plate of peas any time soon. Merely looking at them will make me feel ill. This LO makes my mouth water...mmm...

42 Down; 10 To Go (and some other stuff)

2008-10-26T19:13:00.003+11:00

I'm dancing...almost into single figures...but first some snapshots of our life at the mo.
It's been a while since I posted a progress on my kitchen (to save you looking it up - it was March) but DH has been putting in the hard yards lately and it's done all but the floor and splashback. Here is a picture of what is usually going on there on Sunday mornings. (if you are wondering where I am when this photo was taken, I'm in bed with the Sunday Tele waiting for my pancakes hehe)

Behind our kitchen door there now resides my latest eBay bargain. It is called the Lifestyle Ironing Centre (meaning if your lifestyle is living in a cramped unit with no room for an ironing board you need this). I got it for $100 less than what Howards Storage World were asking for it so I'm pretty chuffed with myself. We can now store an ironing board in the kitchen and open the door up wide enough for everyone to see how superb our new kitchen is.

Next time I do some ironing I'll post a picture of it in action. Don't hold your breath...
And next we have Elsie Challenge 42 - Create an interesting photo frame.
I pondered this on for a while, then I got an order in for some Elsie Noel I'd purchased and it came to me. This photo is back in the day when Rascal Boy would A) Sit on Santa's knee and B) Get his photo taken.

And finally, this, my Little Miss Chief as we know and love her, posing for her Da.

How Much Have You Changed In A Year?

2008-10-20T08:08:00.002+11:00

Another one found on cyberspace...
Some might say stagnant, some might say content...
1) How old were you? 36
2) Where did you go to school? I finished 20 years ago
3) Where did you work? At home
4) Where did you live? Dulwich Hill in our bitchin' unit
5) Where did you hang out? Gloria Jeans
6) Did you wear glasses? For reading
7) Who was your best friend? Kat and Nat and the Mums group gals
8) How many tattoos did you have? 2
9) How many piercings did you have? 2 in one ear, three in the other, 1 nose, 1 bellybutton
10) What car did you drive? Nimbus
11) Had you been to a party? Probably not!
12) Were you in love? Yup!
13) Single/Taken/Married/Divorced? Married

-------------------Today--------------------

1) How old are you? 37
2) Where do you go to school?I finished 21 years ago
3) Where do you work? Still at home
4) Where do you live? Still my bitchin' unit!
5) Where do you hang out? Broadway
6) Do you wear glasses? gotta get me some new ones
7) Who are your best friends? Same as before but with added Dann
8) Do you talk to your old friends? I try too
9) How many piercings do you have? Same as before
10) How many tattoos? Same but wanting #3
11) Had you been to a party? YES!!
12) Has your heart been broken? no - thankfully
13)Single/Taken/Married/Divorced? Married now and forever...

That's Better!

2008-10-19T15:58:00.003+11:00

I think I'm happy with the background now. I had to reduce the header a bit to fit it in and it probably could be a tad wider but I've sweated over it long enough today! Time to actually do something worthwhile with my day...

Check Me Out!!

2008-10-18T10:33:00.001+11:00

I made my own background!! I'm going to tinker with it a bit because I'm not 100% happy with it yet. But I am pretty chuffed with myself I must say!

41 Down; 11 To Go

2008-10-15T15:43:00.003+11:00

Challenge 41 - Scrapbook a major accomplishment.
The unexpected life change of Challenge 29 and the major accomplishment were a bit interchangable to me. In the end I decided that me being a succesful Avon lady would be hard to imagine for anyone who knew me ten or fifteen years ago and a move interstate could be considered more "major".
I moved to Sydney on my own simply because I wanted to - no job, not much money, hardly anyone I could even call an aquaintance let alone a friend - but I did it and it's by far the best decision I have ever made!
Princess Tamara set a blind challenge over on Scrap Therapy that suited this to a T - it also provided me with the perfect subject to finally use these lovely papers!

Amazing Who You Bump In To...

2008-10-13T15:49:00.003+11:00

I popped into the city the other day and look who I ran in to...

Ok...he was there for a book signing and, as you can see from my apparel, I knew about it in advance.
But it was a thrill, none the less, to meet one of the greatest players Collingwood, nay, the AFL has ever produced.

Can You Feel It?

2008-10-09T19:44:00.002+11:00

Some people believe that creative pursuits should be left to the young and as we get older some of us believe that growing up means putting away these "childish pursuits" and knuckle down to a career. I am clearly not one of these people!
And neither is Donna Downey. She has provided us all with a badge to wear proudly on the puffed up chests of our blogs to remember the importance of exercising the left side of our brain. Care to join us?

Something Different

2008-10-08T08:21:00.002+11:00

I act 24 years old - oh dear...I'm not...

[x] You know how to make a pot of coffee
[x] You keep track of dates using a calendar
[x] You own a credit/debit card
[x] You can handle your own money
[ ] You know how to change the oil in a car
[x] You've done your own laundry
[x] You can vote in an election
[x] You can cook for yourself
[x] You think politics are exciting

TOTAL SO FAR: 8

[ ] You show up for school late a lot
[x] You always carry a pen in your bag/purse/pocket
[x] You have never gotten a detention
[ ] You have forgotten your own birthday at least once
[ ] You like to take jogs by yourself
[x] You know what credibility means, without looking it up
[x] You drink caffeine at least once a week

TOTAL SO FAR: 12

[x] You know how to do the dishes
[x] You can count to 10 in another language
[x] When you say you're going to do something you do it
[x] You can mow the lawn
[ ] You study when you HAVE to
[x] you've hand washed a car before

TOTAL SO FAR: 17

[x]You can spell experience, without looking it up
[x] The people at Gloria Jeans know you by name
[ ] Your favorite kind of food is take out
[ ] The first thing you do when you wake up is get caffeine
[x] you can go to the store without getting something you don't need
[x] You understand political jokes the first time they are said
[ ] You can type pretty quick

TOTAL SO FAR: 21

[ ] Your only friends are from your place of employment
[ ] You have been to a Tupperware party
[ ]You have been to purse/jewelry party's
[ ]You have realized that no one will take you seriously unless you are over the age of 25 and have a job
[x] You have more bills than you can pay
[x] You use the internet every day/ or try to
[x] You make your own bed

TOTAL : 24

NOW REPOST AS: I act __ years old

40 Down; 12 (gasp!) To Go

2008-10-04T15:39:00.005+10:00

Can you believe there's only twelve more weeks left of the year?? Neither can I!
Challenge 40 - Use supplies unexpectedly.
I really wanted to use something that I have had since Jesus was playing full forward for the Jerusalem Under 12's, and on searching my embellisment box I discovered my slide mounts.
I remember when I bought this big box of slide mounts in every shade imaginable, I thought "I'll never have to buy slide mounds again!" Damn sure! I never use the bloody things!
So I looked at them and thought they could make a nice buckle. I used a sketch from LSBS for the basis and was chugging along nicely when I realised I hadn't actually put in my slide mount buckle!
I hope it doesn't look as crammed in as it was! At least I used up a couple of those damn slide mounts!

50 things about me

2008-10-04T11:48:00.002+10:00

1. Do you like blue cheese? I can'tget past the fact that it is mould

2. Have you ever smoked heroin? Who smokes herion? Don't you shoot it up or snort it? No I haven't done it in any way

3. Do you own a gun? No

4. Wax or Shave your body parts? Veet, people, Veet!

5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? No

6 Real or fake nails? Revitanails! you'll never do acrylic again!

7. Favourite Christmas song? Any - I love Chrismas!

8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Coffee, tea or water and a squeeze of lemon

9. Can you do push ups? On my knees

10. What’s your favourite piece of jewellery? my tattooed wedding ring, my nose ring and my belly button ring, representing my husband, my son and my daughter respectively

11. Favourite hobby? Scrapbooking

12. Do you have A.D.D.? Probably, related to Asperger's

13. What’s one trait that you hate about yourself? That I can't just let my home be messy and be content with that

14. Middle Names? Ann (snore)

15. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment? I really have to get organized to deliver my Avon orders, I want to do some more scrapbooking and add to my art journal, I need more sleep...

16. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink? coffee, tea and water

17. Current worry right now? Will our kitchen ever be finished??

18. Current hate right now? Hate is a strong word - I don't think I dislike anything enough to use the word hate

19. Favourite place to be? At home

20. How did you bring in the New Year? Watching the tops of the firewworks from our balcony sipping champers

21. Like to go? to the USA

22. Name three people who will complete this? Fi, Min, Kat

23. Do you own slippers? Always - woolly ones in winter, open toe ones in summer

24. What colour shirt are you wearing? I'm still in my jarmies - it is Saturday!

25. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? I don't think I ever have so I don't know

26. Can you whistle? Barely

27. Favourite colour? purple

28. Would you be a pirate? Pirates actually exist and they are very nasty people, they murder innocent sailors to rob them, so, no.

29. What songs do you sing in the shower? I don't - that's what Singstar is for

30. Favourite girl’s name? Maisy

31. Favourite boy’s name? Mika

32. What’s in your pocket right now? No pockets - see Q24

33. Last thing that made you laugh? Maisy laughing

33. Best bed sheets as a kid? WHAT??

34. Worst injury you’ve ever had? Broken foot

35. Do you love where you live? ABSOLUTELY! Not a day goes by where I don't thank my lucky stars!

36. How many TV’s do you have in your house? 2

37. Who is your loudest friend? Natalie

38. How many pets do you have? 1 cat and several fleas

39. Does someone have a crush on you? I highly doubt it!! But the gay guy in #5 has a crush on my husband!

40. What is your favourite book? Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. Haven't read it? Go NOW to the book store and get it!!

41. What is your favourite lolly? Strawberries and cream

42. Favourite Sports Team? does anyone not already know this? Collingwood, the mighty Magpies, Love of my Life

43. What were you doing 12 A.M.? sleeping

44. What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up? What's the time? (6.30am)

45. Worst habit? Procrastinating

46. Do you play an instrument? Yes - do I play it well? no

47. How long does it take you to get to work? How long does it take me to roll out of bed?

48. Plans for the weekend? Avon deliveries and scrapbooking

49. If you could eat anything in the world right this second, what would it be? cake

50. Do you like who sent this to you? Bloody oath! But I don't get to see her enough any more It's been over 5 years now!!! Love you Amanda!

Forming a Hab-it (groan)

2008-10-01T22:34:00.002+10:00

Just popping in long enough to show this off

It's happening at LSBS and I'm really looking forward to bringin' out the felt. Felt is my new black.

37, 38, 39 Down; 13 To Go

2008-09-29T12:24:00.004+10:00

It's school holidays and I have to go to the shops so it's just dodgy pictures and even dodgier explainations today - hold on to your hats!
Challenge 37 - Make It Edgy
I'd never had the greatest success with decorative scissors but I said I was willing to give everything a go, so I blew the dust off them once again. Elsie suggests minimalism is the key and I was happy to go with that.

This is also my entry for the LSBS Sketch Challenge.
Challenge 38 - Start With A Number
I have a feeling Elsie meant to make something of a list (if the examples in the book are anything to go by) but I have waaaayy to many birthday photos to scrap to be making any self indulgent lists

Challenge 39 - Go Mega!
I just love these big chip alphas I got from Kmart! It was a pity I had already used the "B", but I'm good at improvising!

Now I'm ready for the 40's - makes you realise how little of the year is left, don't it?

After All These Years I thought I'd Do Better...

2008-09-27T18:28:00.003+10:00

I got this through Deanne's blog
27 words Typing Test
Now I would have thought after all these years bashing out on my keyboard here (including one as-yet-unpublished novel!) I might have made me a bit more competitive in the typing pool. Apparently not.

Tag - You're It!

2008-09-23T21:35:00.002+10:00

Elsie tagged anyone who wanted to play along and I'm now tagging everyone in my Fellow Bloggers list, so hop to it! I'll be checking up on you all!
Here 'tis...
7 very random facts about myself
1. I was once the lead singer in a punk pop band called Spoilt Little Shits.
2. I am seriously considering a third tattoo.
3. I love Cyndi Lauper and danced on stage with her a few years ago.
4. I'm a swinging voter.
5. I can't cook but I can bake like no one's business.
6. I have met several people I have considered idols.
7. I'm a cheapskate!

Don't Ask Me Why...

2008-09-20T18:49:00.003+10:00

...but I was looking up grits and bacon fat up on the 'net (for the record, I am on a diet and this was only wise in the fact that both are relatively unavailable here in Australia) and came across this description of "bacon grease" from this site - I just love the honesty! (I've made it a nice bacon colour too!)

A'hm a gonna go ahaid and say this sheeit raght now - if there'n be any gol-danged yankees readin' this here writeup, you maght want to go ahaid and avert y'all's sensitive little peepers. We's about to talk about some pig juice! WOOOO-WEEE!
All cheesy southern accents aside, bacon grease is a remarkably versatile seasoning and recipe addition, and when you get right down to the grits of the matter, no southern kitchen is quite complete without it. I imagine that there are some people out there cringing away from the monitor, right now, crying, "Bacon grease? BACON GREASE?! Are you people crazy?" To these people, I say, emphatically, YES, we are. You're looking at the culture that came up with deep fried LARD for chrissakes - compared to that, a pan of cornbread seasoned with bacon grease seems downright sensible.
Nutrition Information
Serving Size: 1 tsp (4 grams)
Calories: 35
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 4g 6%
Saturated Fat 2g 7%
Cholesterol 4mg 1%
Sodium 6mg 0%
Total Carboydrates 0g 0%
Dietary Fiber 0g ~
Sugars 0g ~
Protein 0g 0%
Vitamin A 0%
Vitamin C 0%
Iron 0%
Calcium 0%
These rather scientific sounding numbers confirm the obvious - bacon grease consists entirely of fat, mostly the bad kind, and is otherwise nutritionally devoid. But it tastes good! The Nutrition Data website says of the stuff, quite coyly, "Substituting another food for this one may improve the nutritional quality of your diet and/or make it easier for you to control the number of Calories that you consume." Put bluntly - this stuff isn't for health nuts. Of course, anyone who consumes enough bacon to have a decent amount of grease kept back for cooking probably doesn't care too much about their health anyway.
Bacon grease is traditionally kept in an empty Crisco can that sits on the back of the stove, but it is required that you let the grease cool before putting it in. A better solution is an old, percolater-style coffeepot. You can just keep it there, toss the grease in as soon as you're done cooking the bacon, and throw it on the burner to melt when needed. Bacon grease keeps damn near forever, assuming mice or bugs don't get in it, so don't even think of refridgerating it - it just isn't necessary. I've heard a story of a restaurant in Tennessee that fries their burgers in 85-year-old bacon grease, a tale I haven't had the stomach to confirm.
Bacon grease is used in many southern dishes. Cornbread is commonly seasoned with bacon grease, along with grits. Eggs, hashbrowns, and pan fried potatoes are commonly fried in it as well, and it is sometimes spooned over baked chicken to give the flavor that extra 'oomph'. It is also commonly poured, piping hot, over freshly cooked collard greens, although I prefer fatback grease for this purpose. Bacon grease also makes excellent gravy. Burgers can be cooked in bacon grease, along with fried chicken - just about anything that can be fried at a fairly low temperature can be fried in bacon grease. Low temperature is key - bacon grease has a relatively low smoke point, like most animal fats, therefore care must be taken to prevent fires. For an extra special treat, try making a fried onion sandwich out of onions fried in bacon grease - delicious!
For safety, it is not recommended that you fry anything in bacon grease, including bacon, while naked. Bacon grease tends to splatter something awful, and getting scalding hot animal fat on your delicate bits does not tend to be much fun.
Bacon grease is also apparently used as a cutting oil in metalwork, and occasionally as a lubricant in other situations, although I am quite "skeered" to delve too deeply into exactly what those situations are.

36 Down; 16 To Go

2008-09-11T11:16:00.003+10:00

And this is it! With this LO I have finally caught up on the 52 week challenge! Now I can slow the pace a little and do one LO a week (except for cybercrop weekends, oh, and monthly challenges, um, and then there are kit challenges...)
Challenge 36 - Scrapbook a life long love (Yeah, like you can't guess what that would be!!)

oops! A bit of housekeeping...

2008-09-06T20:51:00.003+10:00

I neglected to mention the fabulous Cybercrop going on at Scrap Therapy, of which some of the LOs below were entries for. Why don't you come and join us?

30 - 35 Down; 17 To Go

2008-09-06T18:02:00.005+10:00

Gosh time gets away doesn't it? I didn't realise I had such a backlog to upload. So here goes...
Challenge 30 - Digitally alter a photograph
I spent more time studying my CorelDRAW manual than I did scrapping this one, but in the end I got what I was after; Making DH colour while the rest of the photo is in black and white.

Challenge 31 - Celebrate a great person
I used these photos in my mini album celebrating my grandfather's 95th birthday. I sent that one to him so this LO is for my own collection.

Challenge 32 - Play with photo proportions
Up until I started these challenges I hadn't really used a photo in such a large size but seeing several of Elsie's LOs in the book with such large photos has inspired me. In this challenge she specifically asks to use a photo as the dominant feature of the LO. I picked this cute photo of Rascal Boy and I.
Challenge 33 - Document yourself
ALARM BELLS!!! INTROSPECTION AHEAD!!!
I don't usually care for being the centre of attention on my pages but I do have a Book of Me (BoM) for times I am challenged to do so. My BoM pages are in 8"x11" format so any time you see a page in that size - you know where it's going!

Challenge 34 - Add someone else's handwriting.
I had the perfect idea for this challenge with something Rascal Boy wrote me but do you think I could find it? In looking for it, though, I did find this autograph of Australian cricketer Stuart MacGill I got on the day he presented free books at Rascal Boy's school. Now I'm kinda glad that's the one I went with.

Challenge 35 - Make it sparkle
Well, when do I ever not make it sparkle?

29 Down; 23 To Go

2008-08-31T15:43:00.003+10:00

And another one for today.
Challenge 29 - Scrapbook an unexpected turn.
This is appropriate, as even I didn't expect to get in to the Avon President's Club until I got notice that I was in. How'd that happen? I'd like to think I'm doing my bit to modernize the Avon Lady dowdy housewife image hehehe

23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 Down; 24 To Go! (Phew!)

2008-08-31T11:57:00.003+10:00

But first, Rascal Boy's birthday...
I made this fabulous cake...

...from the AWW Kids Party Cakes book (Simply divine cakes in this book - don't wait 'til you have kids!!). At the party we had it take off with Sparkler engines firing...

...and I even snuck a photo of Rascal Boy playing at his Indoor Playground party...

...ssshhhh! Don't tell him!

So now you know why it has taken me so long to put up these challenges! (because I know you are all waiting on every post with bated breath)
And now to the challenges!
Challenge 23 - Make your own buttons
I'd actually been looking forward to this one and eagerly took a trip out to Spotlight to find some paper clay. I didn't put any thought in to what I was going to cut them with. Elsie suggests cookie cutters, but seriously, how small do they make cookie cutters over there? Luckly I had a flash of brilliance and pulled out the kids' playdough bag. There I found some cute shape cutters that worked a treat. Still, they are the biggest buttons I've ever seen!

Challenge 24 - Design on white cardstock
I don't have a problem with white cardstock but the way she wrote this challenge suggests to me that alot of people do! Luckily there was some in the LSBS Monthly Kit so I was able to utilize that and get two challenges done for the price of one!

Challenge 25 - Inspirational art journal
Even with the pictures provided in the book I am still a bit clueless as to what and inspirational art journal is. So I just adapted it to something I find inspirational. I made a Sketch book. Anytime I find an inspiring sketch on the internet I will print it out and stick it in here for reference. I made a digi cover for it using sketches taken from LSBS Sketch Gallery.

Are you still with me? On we go then...
Challenge 26 - Make your own clear plastic flowers.
As with the buttons, I just loved the idea of this. Maybe it's because deep down, I am essentially a cheapskate. At the same time as coming across this challenge, Lisa Pate had put a cute idea using milk bottles as flower embellishments in the LSBS forum. I'm very please with the result and basically for free!

Which were then put to good use on...
Challenge 27 - Scrapbooking silly photos.
There must be an awful lot of serious scrapbookers and photographers out there because Elsie practically implores you to go and find a silly photo in your collection. Then she suggests if you can't find one, go and take one! Huh? It would have been more of a challenge to find a serious photo in this house!

And last but not least...
Challenge 28 - Document a day in your life.
Ok, this was a challenge. I have so many photos lying around waiting to be scrapped that I rarely take specific photos for a scrapping project. A few CyberCrops ago on LSBS, one of the design team asked us to document a day in our life for a step by step OTP project. I took the photos but didn't complete the album (due mainly to my dislike of all things OTP). I did get some great photos though, and was glad to put them to good use in this LO.

It just so happend it was Friday the 13th and it just so happened that I won CC Bingo that night - yay for me!

20, 21, 22 Down; 30 To Go!

2008-08-25T16:34:00.003+10:00

I know it seems like I'm doing these in triplicate now but really I'm still doing them one per day, but I'm so busy doing them I don't have time to get on here and show them off! You'll see why...
Challenge 20 - "Make your own patterned paper"
I'm pretty sure Elsie threw this one in here to prove to us all that we are not even close to being as talented as she and it's probably not even worth trying. All this does is confirm the fact that I won't be getting my own scrapbooking line anytime soon and I'll have to keep buying Elsie's. I was detirmined to use my handiwork anyway...but more on that later...
I call this masterpiece "Polka Face" (get it?)

Challenge 21 - "Cute Tin Mini-album"
Now before you point out the obvious, yes I am aware that this mini-album is not made of tin but one must be practical. The talented old bloke in this mini-album is my dear grandfather, Derm. Even though he still chops his own firewood, roustabouts when the younger folk are shearing and still gigs around the local towns with his own brand of country folk music, I don't think even he could tackle opening one of those CD tins they were selling at Spotlight. I'm nearly sixty years younger than him and I struggled. So I instead opted for this Kaiser mini tabbed album and I think it was much more suited to the photos of Derm's 95th birthday party held on my sister's farm. Nice rustic feel about it don't you agree?

And that brings us back to the magnificent patterned paper I created. I figure there's no point in creating it if I don't use it, so I did!
Challenge 22 - "Repeat a word in your journalling" (or something like that)
Elsie got all creative using Fresh in her journalling. Someone else showed an example using the word Free. As I'm feeling decidedly UNfresh and UNfree I had to make do with an old photo from Rascal Boy's playgroup days. The obvious word jumping out at me when I looked at this photo was COLOUR but try as I might I just couldn't come up with any creative repeditive journalling. Mostly due to the fact that the song "Colour My World" kept leaping into my head at a most inopportune moment. So what can one do but go with the flow. Elsie didn't say anything about being original.

18 & 19 Down; 33 To Go

2008-08-22T14:58:00.003+10:00

A double whammy this time. I had to go out last night to the Avon President's Club banquet (no less) so I crammed a couple in before I went out.
First #17 "Scraplift and alphabetical approach"

Well this couldn't have been any easier for me to come with an idea. With Rascal boy, Little Miss Chief and DH's names all starting with "M" (not to mention our surname!), I knew immediately how I was going to approach this challenge.
Executing it proved to be more problematic. I had so many ideas running around in my head I barely was able to concentrate on getting them down on paper. And then there was the problem of making them all work together. After much moving things around I finally settled on this result. It's starting to grow on me now (like warts...)
Challenge #18 "Scraplift a Page Design"

Look Elsie - I love you just as much as the next modern freestyle scrapper, but seriously I think a lot of these challenges are just another way of basically saying copy someone else's LO. Whether you colour it up as "design", "idea" or "shape" (which I think I've previously pointed out, she has used twice!) it all seems to mean the same thing. Just as well I don't mind a bit of scraplifting!
This was copied from a LO in the back of the book called "Faith" by Maria Grace Abuzman. I think the point of difference with this challenge is that she pinpointed three things in which she had scraplifted off someone else so I picked a LO that I could take three things from also. My version has copied the colour scheme, the basic sketch of the LO and the journalling style.
I am now officially in the 20's - won't belong before I have caught up on my slack.

17 Down; 35 To Go

2008-08-20T16:10:00.002+10:00

Another day; another Challenge. #16 "Scraplift a LO topic". Elsie had done a LO on some holiday bikkies she had baked and it instantly reminded me of when Rascal Boy and I baked some bread.

This kit is yet another divine monthly kit challenge from LSBS. I really inspired to do some sewing which I usually avoid like the plague and painting on LOs hehehe!

16 Down; 36 To Go

2008-08-19T12:37:00.003+10:00

Challenge #15 "Scraplift a Layout Idea"

I saw this fab LO in the book where Elsie had used a photo that covered the full length of the 12 x 12 page, then painted hearts all around the subjects and spilling off the top onto the background. My version is featuring Primitive Stars punched instead of painting, but the result is the same.
I've also used the LSBS Monthly Kit for this LO - another beautiful kit from LSBS!