Layouts Using Buzz & Bloom Embellishments

This layout on Basic Gray Papers, has a Buzz & Bloom Grapevine Border and a small Up The Garden Path chipboard embellishment from the Scrapbook Dreams shop. I coloured the pieces using various inks and brushes from my supplies.
I really love the serenity of this layout.

The journalling reads: "Look deep into nature and you will understand everything better." - Albert Einstein.

This layout uses a Buzz & Bloom Spinner and a Swirly Snail Pointer, both purchased at the Scrapbook Dreams shop. Again I coloured the pieces with inks.
So that the spinner could be used to select the kids names (Dan, Tas, Brad), I used double sided tape to secure it to the outside of the page protector when putting it in the album. Works for me :)

You suffer from other people ...

I was directed to this clip on You Tube today. I showed it to Liam and the single phrase he picked up was " ... you don't suffer from Aspbergers, you suffer from other people". Liam is only 10 and so wise for his years.

The Cuttlebug Challenge Blog is going to be giving previews of the new folders that are being released in the United States in August. Why not pop over to their blog and see what's going on ....



..... Click on the blinkie at the right-hand side to be redirected.

Home Sick

Liam and I are on day two of staying home. Neither of us has Swine Flu, or any other flu for that matter. Liam does, however have a very nasty cough and almost no voice. He keeps trying to talk because he is intrigued with the way he sounds. It's quite funny really.

It was was interesting to note that my horoscope said something about "work quietly at home today". So, I hope to make best use of the day by sewing rather than scrapping. I have been asked by a friend of a friend to make 2 bridesmaid's dresses for a wedding at the end of August. It is made easier by the fact that the girls are almost exactly the same size.

Right - no more procrastinating - I'm off to set the machines up. Have a happy Wednesday.

A Cracking Frost

A really chilly start to the day. Could not resist getting the camera out to try and capture it.

Bad Call

Liam has a real hang-up about "Bad Calls at Intersections" due to the power of TV advertising. He gets quite anxious about it at times.

Unfortunately, James did make a bad call but fortunately Liam was not in the car and it did not involve any sort of accident.
James felt he couldn't stop safely at an amber traffic signal - the policeman disagreed! Damn it!

A Night Off

I gave myself the night off!

I had dinner ready when James came home and after I had made lunches etc, I parked up on my bed amd watched TV. Such a rare treat for me.

I stayed off the phone, I stayed off the net (more or less) and only missed about 10 minutes of my program while I put a happy Liam to bed.

Liam went to sleep with a smile on his face while looking at his new Wiggles night-light, lol. We went into Spotlight after school yesterday and I am sure he found every piece of Wiggles merchandise they stock!

He came away with a cushion, a night-light, a toy bag, a pop-up hamper and face crayons!! At least the face crayons were on special. No wonder The Wiggles are multi-millionares! I am sure most of that money comes from us! In saying that though, his expression was priceless.
The cushion went to school with him today, inside the toy bag.

Having no issues getting Liam to school on time this week - it is his job to ring the bell! Sounds a bit silly, but I was so proud of him come 9am Monday morning, I had to ring James as soon as I got out to the car. Yes - a few tears did sneak out Andrea!

A Layout Completed

As a continuation of Scrapbook Dreams' Birthday, this beautiful sketch is being used as a chance to win a Birthday Present. I can't win, of course, cause it was my idea but that's not what motivates me anyway.


So - this is what I came up with:


I love the softness of this layout. I used some Prima Collage Flowers over inked plains ones and the Tim Holtz Mini Masks from the Scrapbook Dreams shop. I used Brushed Corduroy and Tattered Rose Distress Inks.
For the brown flourishes, I used the negative of the mask, taping over all the other open spaces. Then it became a stencil that matched the inked corner below the photo.
These masks are so cool. Can't wait to play with them a bit more.

Staying up Late on a School Night

Liam has a "thing" with not needing as much sleep as the rest of the household. As it is, his usual bed time routine doesn't kick in till 9pm which means it is often 9.30 or 10pm before he actually falls asleep. Fridays and Sturdays the routine is delayed by an hour so there is never an early night for anyone really.

The Sunday just gone he was awake till 11.30pm, Monday night was 12.30am and Tuesday night was a record breaking 2.30am!!!
With James studying for an exam and having to catch a train to work at 7am, I sent him off to the land of nod. He was trying to do his bit to stay up too but it was so hopless, I just had to laugh. Poor James.
I managed to get Liam to school on both Tuesday and Wednesday by about 10am. Not too bad, I thought.

Wednesday, I was just so shattered that I stayed home from work, thinking I would catch up on a bit of shut-eye - HUH! What was I thinking! I did try but gave up about mid-day. I was just getting more and more grumpy, lol.

It would seem that Liam sailed through his day at school like he had had 12hrs sleep. So not fair, haha.

My wonderful friend Anna turned up after school with the ingredients for dinner so I wouldn't have to think about it, let alone shop for anything. 3 courses too, would believe.
Pumkin and Parmessan Soup, Meatballs / Spagetti / Pasta Sauce to be followed by Apple and Rubarb Pie.
What an absolute honey she is, no wonder I love her dearly!!
Thanks so much my friend, xoxo.

A goodnight conversation

Liam talks a lot, and tells me a lot of things. We often have scripted roles and get 'told' if we stray from the correct wording but every now and then, like tonight, there is a genuine and loving conversation between us as he drifts off to sleep.

"Next time you get married, will you always be my mother?"
"Yes, baby. I will always be your mother!"
"And my sister's too?"
"Yes, I will always be your sister's mother too."
"I'm so glad you got married - you will always have a family."
"I'm glad too baby. You and your sister will always have a family too, you know?"
"Yes.....You are so beautiful."
"Thank you, baby."
"I am too."
"Indeed you are and I love you very much."
"Thank you."
"You are very welcome."

Not surprisingly, I left the room with tears flowing softly and my heart aching for this special boy who, as a rule, finds it so hard to express himself.

Paper Party Challenges

As part of Scrapbook Dreams' birthday month, Shell issued 2 challenges yesterday. The first one I completed was a card based on a sketch that she posted on the forum. This is what I came up with.


The second was a layout challenge, also based on a posted sketch. I fell in love with sketch however completing the layout itself turned into a complete nightmare.
I changed the photo's, the configuration, the elements, the colour scheme - OMG!
I would never have finished it without my good friend Anna's input! I am so grateful for her help.


I have very few photo's of myself that I actually like and in fact, Anna took these ones for me a few months ago.

Amazing Discovery

That glass panel on the oven door? It is supposed to be see-through! Who knew?

After an hour's hard slog, mine is anyway. I'm over it - the rest of the oven can wait!

Paper Party

Well, it's all go over at Scrapbook Dreams! Shell is having a cardstock and paper sale. Most sheets are only $1 and when you get to a $50 total (that's not just paper, of course) then the postage is FREE! Gota love that. Her shop can be found here: http://www.scrapbookdreams.co.nz/catalog/index.php

I figure I can spend the day popping in and out her shop while making it look like I am doing a bit of housework, if I'm crafty (which I am).

Poor James is head down in his text books and laptop, studying for an exam next week. I admire him for that, not easy to study and work and be a functioning member of the family. So, after he made me a lovely breakfast and cleaned up the kitchen, I let him go to it, haha.

Another sunny winter day today and there are lawn mowers going flat out around the neighborhood. I should be doing ours too but don't want to disturb the study so will clean the bathroom instead - one is just as exciting as the other - not!

Sleepless Night

Why is it, when you are most tired, you get less sleep?

It was windy last night and the flags on the roundabout flagpole, outside our house, could not have flapped more loudly! Darling son (not) couldn't get to sleep and was up again till 11pm so I was late to bed anyway. Then I heard the neighbor clip-clopping up the drive to start work at 3am and the cat decided it would be fun to bat a dead mouse around our bedroom at 4.30am!
I gave up at 6am when hubby got up for work so turned on the TV, hopped back into a warm bed and waited for the heat pump to warm up the living area. I was even spoiled with a coffee to sip while I watched the news, that kinda made up for a rough night.

I am looking forward to the "Paper Party" at Scrapbook Dreams tomorrow. Sale prices, challenges and RQ's (random questions)which can be a bit of an internet treasure hunt. I can see I will be far too busy to do housework - what a shame, lol.

Thought I would share a card I made last week that I think is kinda cool.



Not the best photo but I hope you can get the idea.

Have a Happy Friday!

Chilly Start

OMG - Zero degrees when I dropped Liam at school this morning but it had warmed up to a much more comfortable 1 degree by the time I got to work, haha!

I am really chuffed to have my first 3 followers! What a dagg! Thanks girls, now I feel important.

Here Goes Nothing

OK - if my scrapping friends can Blog - so can I .... I think.

Keep your eye out for a real post, haha.