My Life, My Way

Soooooo.....

2007-02-13T22:03:00.000+11:00

OK I suck at blogging, i guess this will just have to be a when i remember/when i can be bothered type thing!

so what has happened since I last blogged?

Another year has come, i have turned another year older, Andrew and I have chosen a house after looking at many, many different display houses and are at the early stages of getting that in progress. The soil test on out land has been done, wait for the results of that, and we just got the colour booklets today so we can start picking the colours of everything from the roof titles, to the walls, carpets, door handles etc. Which is a fun, but daunting task.

Another of my scrap layouts has been accepted for publication and will be in Scrapbooking Memories in may for the Mothers day issue.

My Absense

2006-12-14T23:30:00.000+11:00

I have had so much going on lately. So it's no real surprise to see I haven't blogged since October 9th! Eeek!

We have had 2 deaths in the family, one a suicide and the other a stillbirth. There has been lots of upheavil and I think I just needed some time out in my own head.

My computer died the other week too. Hopefully I will get my new one by the end of this week, so i dont have to sit on Andrew's computer again, as for one his chair totally sucks, its uncomfortable, its creaky and Its in the one place in the house that I can't use whenever i wish.

A few quick updates;

I have had 2 of my layouts published in 2 different magazines, 1 in Scrapbook Creations and another in the current Scrapbooking Memories (both Australian Mags)

Katrina is talking lots and lots and lots and did I mentions ever so cute.

This is just a heads up that i am still alive, just in case anyone does read or subscribe to my blog. Hopefully i can get a bit more active with this again.

Some bad and good news

2006-10-09T15:37:00.000+10:00

Today I experienced the first moment where I wish i could have sheltered Katrina from something. Mum & I were out for a walk with Katrina in her stroller and we seen a poor little dog run out on to the road in front of as and was hit by a car. The dog died as a result of this right in front of our eyes. Katrina said 'dog sleeping' and mum and myself just said yeah the doggy has lied down to have a sleep. I don't know how much of this incident Katrina would understand and what sort of impression it has left on her, so I just wish i could have kept her from seeing it somehow. I has tears streaming down my face and just felt sick inside at this, especially since the driver stopped way up further for a sec and then continued to drive off without even seeing how the dog was. I know it was an accident, but wow what an awful thing to do by just driving off. I just hope Katrina didn't notice any of the blood we could see coming out of it's mouth, as i can still picture it now. I just hope the little dog is in a nice doggy heaven right now.

Now that that awful stuff is said and done I will say that after awhile of Andrew and I not spending much time together and not communicating all that well as of late we had a big talk and I feel much better about things and feel close to him again. I think the sooner I get a possible job my next door neighbor is trying to set me up for the better, as then we will be able to start building a house on our land and eventually be able to move in and really be a family together not the sort of mis mash that goes on now while we are at my parents. it also helped hearing what's on his mind and him expressing exactly how he feels about me and Katrina, as it's one thing to assume and another to really know. So I am feeling rather positive today except for the little incident earlier.

Also Katrina has used the potty twice today. I started getting her to sit on it a while back, but just wasn't consistent. Today I got her to sit on it in the morning and she did #2s and this afternoon she said she wanted to go on the potty and after a few Min's of playing around she did #1s so hopefully this leads to a proper route of potty training. I know I have to be more consistent every day and hopefully she will get the hang of it all.

Updates

2006-09-27T23:47:00.000+10:00

I have been a super bad blogger (i think thats just how I am though).

Katrina and I had been sick for a while and somewhere along the lines I got lazy as far as blogging goes.

On Sep 19th Katrina turned 2 years old. Wow I still can't believe it.

She had 2 little parties. 1 on the weekend before her birthday at her Grandma's House, where we had a barbecue and a cake with family. Grandma got a lovely Dora The Explorer cake and poor Katrina was quite upset that we cut up and ate Dora and Boots.

Then On Tuesday(the day of her birthday) we gave her her presents and had a few friends over and had another cake and I picked a Hi-5 one for her. She was so excited to see them on the cake, so I made sure that it was cut while she wasn't looking this time!

We went to the Royal Melbourne Show yesterday and it was lovely esp since it was Katrina's first time. Katrina really enjoyed the day and Andrew looked after all our stuff while Katrina and I went on a kiddies Train ride. She loved it and was saying chugga, chugga, toot, toot! all the way through. She loved seeing all the animals and she was able to pat some Dogs and a rat. We got bored of the cows easily as they weren't doing too much.

When we got home we opened up the few show bags we got. They were so expensive this year as to the point they really weren't worth getting but you can't go to the show and not get show bags so we got the 2 different Dora show bags and the Hi-5 one. I would have got the wiggles one but it was sold out.

She loves the instruments that were in the Hi-5 one. Our ears might not have the same feeling though as she has been bashing the symbols, rattling the tambourine and shaking the maracas. So good to see her having so much fun though.

I just finished up a PSD Template layout for a freebie. Don't know if anyone will want it though but here it is: Template Download
Please leave me a comment if you download and send me a link via email if you use it too.

Here is a layout I did using the template, though i have altered my layout slightly. Credits can be found here.

Sick and Busy

2006-09-01T20:24:00.000+10:00

So I have been suffering the last few days with a cold I must have picked up off Katrina. Katrina also seems to have got the symptoms back so it's been ohhh so fun. Yes that was being sarcastic.

But in the Digi scrap world things have been super busy. I have been working on this weeks Diva Dares Challenge... it's almost ready to post.

I have been a little impatiently waiting for the DSD Grand Re-opening. It's at midnight for me so hopefully Katrina stay asleep and Andrew doesn't bug me for the computer or anything else.

I applied for Shannon Lee Carlson's DT knowing full well I wouldn't be accepted and I wasn't but I received a $20 gift certificate for her designs at PDW what a beautiful soul she is. The best rejection I have ever received. Now I have to make some to to spend it!

DigiScrapDivas (DSD) Grand Re-Opening pt2

2006-08-31T00:35:00.000+10:00

So I have been a busy girl scrapping wise. But unfortunately I can't show you what I have been working on until the 1st.

I can tell you it is all with fab stuff which will be avaiable at the DSD Grand Re-Opening on Sep 1st. If you don't know about it yet (where have you been??!)

What You Need to Know:
Be at www.digiscrapdivas.com on Friday Sep 1st at 9am EST. What is the purpose of this 15 straight hours of FUN, FUN, FUN!!!

It will be a fun-filled day of crops, games and prizes as it will be a day to chat it up with each of the new designers. All chats will be held in the OPEN chat room. First chat begins at 9 am eastern and the last chat begins at 11 pm eastern. Please see the home page for a complete listing of all chat events.

Now I have to go and convert Melbourne, Australia time to EST so I can see just how much of it can join in on myself.
[edited to add]: 9a.m. Friday September 1, 2006 in EST converts to
12:00 Midnight Saturday September 2, 2006 in Australia/Melbourne... so looks like Im going to be up half the night at least and suffering the next day!

Should be lots and lots of fun though. Can't wait!

DigiScrapDivas (DSD) Grand Re-Opening

2006-08-29T13:21:00.000+10:00

As I am Part of the DSD CT, I have a slight privy to seeing and knowing a little about the Grand re-opening and all I can say is WOW!

Everyone is going to love the kits I have already seen including the September Mega Kit.

All the New and exisiting designers are fab and there are challenges ahoy to come too, not to mention prizes and did I mention lots of Fun!

DSD is such a great freindly place I just love that it's my digi home.

Paper scrapping

2006-08-26T18:43:00.000+10:00

Well laziness and Katrina's 2 weeks of being sick has kept me away from blogging.

First she had a bad cold and then it turned into gastro during the second week with bad nappy rash, so I was starting to feel like a nurse. But things have calmed down and she is almost 100% again.

I have been doing a few layouts here and there and I actually had a reason to pull out my paper supplies last night. My aunt was holding her monthly scrap night and I happened to be free to go along. They are all back in the day when you would cut up your photos into little squares and put it back together leaving a small gap to make a mosaic effect. I would love to get through to these people that you sooooo shouldn't do this, but since it's run as a class type thing by a family friend I don't want to turn up once in a blue moon and tell people what and how to scrap especially when most of the girls there are very much beginners and probably feel comfortable getting any sort of assistance.

I had my print outs of 30 or so of my layouts, so at least they got to see my work and see that there are better styles out there. Not that my work is something to be copied or admired more than others but at least it doesn't require mutilation of your photos. I was also helping spread the digi word which is important to me.

It was good to just use paper and photos, cutting matts and paper trimmers for a change. I even opened and used a prima like flower and brad for the centre in an effort to A. Use some supplies and B. Show them a little lumpy bumpy style, even if my layout was pretty crap.

Unwell

2006-08-10T16:21:00.000+10:00

Katrina has come down with a cold, so things haven't been fun the last 24 hours. She had some phlegm on her chest and trying to bring it up cause here to throw up all over her sheets and toys in her cot at 3am. She's now got a runny nose and a cough so it looks like I will be busy with looking after her for the next few days.

In scrapping news...

I made it as the Layout of the Day over at Digiscrapdivas for 9th August.

Also if you are up for a challenge check out my current Diva Dares Challenge for layouts with Multiple Photos here

New Look, a Few Kinks (fixed)

2006-08-03T23:38:00.000+10:00

I got a little bored with the old look so here's something new.

I used Kathy Moore's In Bloom kit for the title banner and color scheme. Thanks Kathy :)

I do have a little kink in all this though.

the new look required me to change the BG color from white to black. No problem there.

But now i have some weird white border around my banner title image and i can't see anywhere (perhaps I am blind) how to get rid of it or at least make it black so it won't stand out.
If you can help me in this problem I would be super dooper happy.

Thanks in advance for any tips.

[edited to add]: Thanks so much to Genevieve over at DSD who helped me out with the problem as you can see it's all fixed now. Thanks ever so much.

My week so far

2006-08-03T20:35:00.000+10:00

OK I have had a good week. Didn't do much Monday or Tuesday. Yesterday I went to visit my favorite Aunt. It had been a while since I seen her and little Chelsea (her grandchild that she has custody of) has been looking forward to seeing Katrina since I mentioned I would pop over soon. I stayed for about 5 hours and enjoyed a lovely and peaceful afternoon chatting and watching the girls play together, even if it did mean breaking up a few tantrums from both girls because one had a toy the other wanted. Chelsea is almost 4 but doesn't quite understand that Katrina is younger than her and doesn't understand things the way she does. The fact Katrina is probably 1 cm shorter than her doesn't help, poor thing she's quite short for her age, but it runs on that side of the family.

Today I had tickets for the Mattel factory again. I wasn't as happy this time as I was after an Elmo of some sort and last time there were a few of them, this time not a single Elmo to be found. Damn. But I got a cool remote control pound puppy, a pick me pound puppy some Barbie stuff and a few books for Katrina's Power touch baby thinngie. So I'm sure over the next year or so the things that aren't suitable for Katrina can be given out as presents. we also got 30% off the already discounted prices which was just even more of an excuse to buy things to put away. lol.

Katrina is going through a Hi-5 craze this week. Good because it gives poor Dora a rest, though not totally. She is hooked on the Grow song and Dream on and keep s on asking me to sing them and she will try and sing along and dance with me. She gets so excited about it all too. So damn cute i tell you, but also rather annoying after the 50th time in a row of singing these 2 songs and she's still requesting you sing them again!

I'm feeling down...

2006-07-28T23:49:00.000+10:00

I have been in a depressed mood most of the day. It's finally easing down now but the afternoon was rather tragic.

Andrew was going out with friends tonight so I decided to see what some of my Friends were up to and catch up. Everyone flaked and said what about lunch tomorrow, which I can't do so it started from there and i guess from lack of sleep (I stayed up until almost 4AM finishing off reading a book)

I know it's a silly thing to get so deflated from, but it's the truth. I guess I was looking forward to some girl talk, some reminiscing (we always end up talking about high school yr 12 in particular) and some laughs.

Then mum was being a cow and Katrina was being difficult and it just added to it all.

Luckily one of my Friends Melanie who I live very close to, come past for about 20mins to return the street directory she borrowed from my mum the other day. I have really found comfort in her the last year or so. We were good friends though most of my teenage years but it's just now we have closer. She's the sort of friend I don't have to put on a happy face for. If I'm feeling down I can be honest with her (no matter how trivial it seems)and she'll listen and try to give me comfort and it's returned to her also. It's almost like she sensed I needed it today and she came at the moment i needed it most.

The day as it progressed from about 4:30pm got better slowly. Music is helping me right now. I'm listing to Smile - 2pac and Scarface it's kind of what I need having the reminder through the chorus saying smile for me.

which just made me think about how I have sad songs which i listen to when I am sad. I guess it's a comfort to know that others are going through similar things, or unhappiness too. Am I weird in doing that? Anyway I am trying to make sure i skip the sad ones at the moment and keep to the happy ones, but End of the Road -BoyzIIMen just came on and I love that song, sad as it is.

Layouts Printed

2006-07-27T22:48:00.000+10:00

Today I got about 30 of my digi layouts printed out at 8x8 size. After a total mishap from the last time I tried to get my digi layouts printed, where they were stretched and parts of them were cut off this time was perfect and I have worked out why. I joined rabbit photo's rewards club whereby I can get 8x10" prints at $3 AUS, which is a great deal.
". The trick is to make the hi-res .jpg file 8x8 then go and make the canvas size 10x8" so that each side has a little extra white space which I just cut off to make it a true 8x8". On my receipt is says that although for the 30 layouts I printed at $3 The total come to $90 and the discount came to $209.70 so thats good news for my wallet, especially since I have over a hundred more layout to print... eek!

It's so great viewing them in an album, I keep looking at them and Katrina was quite happy looking at them too. She kept looking at one of her and myself saying "me and mum ma" over and over. I can't wait to show them off to people, rather than just showing them to people on the computer or mini versions on my iPod.

I already need to go and buy either more albums or more page insert refills though. Hahaha!

Digi girls are an inspiration

2006-07-25T15:54:00.000+10:00

I am just loving all the opportunities the digi girls are getting at the moment. Quite a few of you are off doing paper lines and those of you who aren't are still stepping to the front by coming up with amazing designs and elements which are making me go WOW you are all so creative and are creating things which I'm sure the paper girls are a little envious of not having. And when you look in the galleries it's so amazing to see all this creative work, it all inspires me so much, but i just don't have the time to make it all transform into my own work. I wish i did.

Here are some of my layouts this week:
Today credits

Drawing outside credits
Run Katrina Run credits

Radiant smile credits

Random Thoughts

2006-07-19T16:03:00.000+10:00

Wow I have a bit of a headache right now. I seem to have had them the last few days, is it at all possible the fact I have tried to cut down my snaking on junk food could cause me headaches??

It's freezing here and im shivering, I would turn up the heater but mum is getting hot sweats (menopause) so I am stuck with being cold till it goes away.

I have been busy creating some layouts this week, so glad to get time to scrap. It's getting harder and harder to scrap, keep up with forums, blogs, emails etc. I seem to always be one of the last people to know whats going on in the digi world even though Im on and off the computer all day, most of the time.

Some of my most recent layouts:
All About Me Credits

Phone Talk Credits

Katrina&Mummy Credits

What I have been up to

2006-07-17T16:14:00.000+10:00

Yes I has been forever since I updated this thing. I could give a million excuses and what not but half the time i foget and the other half i am too busy or can't be bothered.

So What have I been up to? You may be wondering... or probably not! :P

I have been doing controlled cyring or teaching to sleep as some other people may call it with Katrina. It's something I have put off for far too long and after lots and lots of nights without much or at least no quality sleep and Katrina finding her way into our bed all the time, it just got to the point where I was never happy and neither was andrew. So after what was at first a half hearted promise to andrew to start controlled cyring, I finally started a week ago today. While the first night took a few hourse before she fell asleep, she sleept all the remainder of the night in her bed and I am happy to say she has done so everynight since. I forgot what a good sleep can do for you and a good relax for a few hours previous to going to sleep. I feel like a fool for not doing it earlier, but I was torturing myself thinking if i had to resort to this it was because I had failed. Now I see what I was putting up with was the failure and now I am at the begining of a success. I know I will have nights to come which will challenge me still but I really don't think I will be in a rush to bring her back into my bed and have to rock her off to sleep all the time.

Also while waiting it out through the crying parts of the night I finally picked up one of the books a friend lent me a while back and started reading again. I always read, but lately it has been magazines and newspapers and not a book and I had forgotten just how good books are and just how swept up in them I get. I just finished the book off this morning (the book is Rachel's Holiday by Marian Keyes, about a young woman named rachel who becomes a drug addict, and is in total denial but after nearly dying of an overdose is sent to a rehibilitaion clinic to clean up.) and while I was anoyed with the swaping back and forth from the Past to the current at the start of the book I got used to it and really enjoyed it. I will say i prefered the past bits quite a bit more probably because of the romantic factor and the tottaly in denial of her addiction parts but on the whole it was a good read and I know I just wouldn't have read something like this if it weren't loaned to me. I think I may make it a habbit of reading again more often. I have another of the same authors books here also so I am planning to start on that one tonight.

Now on to scrapbooking... I was upset at the thought of DSD closing down and with all the talk of staying open with new changes (of which I know about, but I am sworn to secrecy about) I think things will go from great to exceptional there in the not to distant future.

I have created a few layouts since my last post too, but I need to cook dinner now so I am far to restricted on time to post them here so I will point you in the direction of my gallery at DSD just in case you want to have a looksie.
juzzie's DSD Gallery

Weekend Updates

2006-06-26T20:05:00.000+10:00

Had a busy weekend. Dada had some painting to do so to keep Katrina away from the fumes we were barely home.

Spent lots of time at the in-laws and then we had a going away party and a visit to andrew's best friends place to see the new baby boy again and catch up with him before he goes to Perth for a few weeks for work.

Today Katrina and I spend well over an hour outside drwing chalk art on the footpath, riding her little bike and just enjoying the sunshine. It was a great way of taking heaps of photos also.

I also just go a layout done of it all today too;

for all the details visit here

New Site Discovery

2006-06-23T00:55:00.000+10:00

I just found a great site which I am seriously thinking of joing up. It's in no way scrapbooking related but rather music. It's called Mog and basically it scans your harddrive for your music, but unlike other programs it's not to share files, but rather share your playlist and talk about music. You can search what other people are listning to and find recomendations to stuff you may not have come across or heard of yet but may like. Sort of like the world giving you music recomendations instead of asking your friends what they are liking right now.

On a scrapbooking note here are some links to my 2 newest layouts... yes right now I am too lazy to post them here, might edit this tomorrow and put them in.

iPod=love

Chalk Artist

Scrap Ramblings

2006-06-22T12:52:00.000+10:00

I got another DT rejection lastnight... ahhh well the DT's I am on rawk and I have to wonder if I truely could fot it all in with some time to do layouts with kit's i have bought.

So I have been doing a bit of blog reading today and well... everyone's lives sound so much more interesting than mine! It seems everyone is busy doing lots of things and still got time to scrap! My big question is how do you fit it all in??

I got woken up by the phone this morning, I was not happy at all especially since they hung up before I could answer.

I just thought of an idea, does anyone wanna scraplift me and I'll scraplift you and then we will both try and scraplift the scraplifts each other did and see if it really comes anything like the original or if it comes out completely different.
If it sounds like fun to you, leave me a comment.

Oh and I finally checked my sitemeter which i installed the other day and wow, people have visited me here from places I didn't even think of like Netherlands and Japan and Ireland so Hi to everyone *wave*

The Bad News... The good News...

2006-06-19T21:28:00.000+10:00

The Bad News is... I applied for some DTs over the last few weeks mainly to see if I am considered good enough. A coupple of them I am not good enough or not what they are looking for apparently. That's fine, I really didn't expect to be, but i guess you never can know if you don't try huh.

Good news though is one of my layouts will be in an upcomming issue of Scrapbook Creations issue 34 I believe and I have another one possibly going to Scrapbooking Memories, so at least the aussie mags seem to think I am ok! :)

Layout Updates

2006-06-15T21:47:00.000+10:00

Now that my Mojo has returned i feel more like myself this week. I think I went and lost the plot and my mind last week!

I had Andrew's Birthday On Sat which was good but otherwise not much to really update about.

This was the mojo breaker:

Cozy & warm:

Kit name: Mimosa Designer: Eve Recinella Available at: 3Scrapateers.com Fonts: Century Gothic , Pea Jenny Script Notes: Also Used Kathy Moore's wavy brown stitch

80s Fasion:

DSD June 06 Megakit Fonts: Pea Amy Notes: Also used Kathy Moore's Heavy Inked Edge and Kim Hill's Torn Edge

Mojo Returns

2006-06-13T23:39:00.000+10:00

I have my mojo back... stay tuned as I will be posting updates and layouts soon. :)

Please help me find my mojo

2006-06-06T21:32:00.000+10:00

It seems my creative mojo has run away, if you find it please send it home to me.

I am trying, really trying but everything looks like poop! So im going to vacate this computer and hopefully find some inspiration and my mojo elsewhere for now.

Weekend Updates

2006-06-05T15:37:00.000+10:00

I had an ordinary weekend. Went to Liz's BBQ on sat night which was good, but nothing special. Did the in laws on sunday, which went like normal, so no major news there either.

I did get an email reply from an aussie scrapbooking magazine interested in one of my layouts I submited so at least there is interest in 1 of the 10 I submitted the other day. :)

My Day and some Plugs

2006-06-02T00:58:00.000+10:00

I have had a good Thursday (though technically it's Friday morning now!)

I forgot to go back to Kmart yesterday to get a playdoh activity table I seen for $69 as It would make a perfect birthday or Xmas present for Katrina in the coming months. I woke up had some breakfast started flicking through the catalogs and while looking through the Kmart one seen the activity table pictured. I was showing my dad it when I noticed the price $39 and the sale started today. So I rushed through my breakfast got dressed in the quickest possible time and drove to Kmart 5 mins away from my house. Searched for a trolley as it's too big for me to carry and when I got there I scored the lucky last one, Katrina also did well by getting a medium sized soft Dora toy too as it was quite cheap.
Then after lunch dad had to go and collect some money from Medicare and mum decided to go with him. Katrina got all excited pointing at the car through the door when she seen Dad pick up the keys so they decided to take her with them, while I finished doing some housework. Wahhhooo. I turned the music up full blast, bopped away while I vacuumed and did the dishes and then had a VERY long shower. Man that was good, I could do with that more often! I even had some time to spare when I got out to dry my hair and play on the computer before they got back :) I really miss the me time I have always had oodles of it my entire life as I am an only child so having Katrina around almost 24/7 has been a huge adjustment for me.
Then I went to My friend Melissa's house for a surprise cake and cuppa for Mich's Birthday. She didn't wanna do anything as she feels a bit sad about turning 25, but we couldn't just forget her so we did it in a way that wasn't such a big deal but still made her feel special for the day, even if it was a day latter than her actual birthday. It was great catching up with all the girls and having some adult conversation all in all today has been one of the better day I have had for a while. It's funny how sometimes the simple things really do make a difference to our overall wellbeing and state of mind.

I also discovered how easy it is to rip my Cd's to mp3s so I can put them on my iPod today. (i know, i know how behind am i!) So at least i wont have to purchase lots of stuff again as i have 100s of Albums and singles just sitting in a tub under my bed, I may as well be getting some use out of that music.

Finally on to a scrapbooking topic... The lovely Peta Stokes has created a forum for Digi Scrappers from Down Under so we are talking Australia and New Zealand, so if you are from this region go check it out as I'm sure within a few weeks it will be the Down Under Hub for all us Digi scrappers in this area. Go to Digital Scrapbooking Down Under right now OK!

Also If you scrap girls, or you are a girl (now this applies to 98% of the scrapbooking world ATM) then check out this months Fab Mega kit at Digiscrapdivas.com it's very girl and huge so you would get plenty of pages created with this kit alone so go and get it now!

Thanks

2006-06-01T01:17:00.000+10:00

Thanks so much for the advice on my pp design girls, i appreciate it. I haven't had a chance to play with it again due to CT commitments and well life. but when i finish it up and if i create a few more they will be comming your way ok.

well i just recieved some lovely new kits to work with so im going to leave at this for now... but i'll hopefull do a proper update in the morning.

What do you think of this?

2006-05-26T18:38:00.000+10:00

I was playing around with designing a pattern paper and below is what I come up with. Now here is where I need your input. Do you think this this is any good? Would you use something like this? Any constructive critisim is welcome. I'm not sure I am 100% happy with it so I am asking for some input. who knows I may even send you the file when im done if you leave me a comment answering my questions of giving some sort of feedback.

Thanks in advance.

Scrap Goals

2006-05-25T20:18:00.000+10:00

I have been thinking about my scrapping goals lately.

After all my big one was to be published and I have done that and I have another layout comming to Scrapbook Creations Issue 34 soon.

So What do I wan't to achieve with my scrapping other than what I get out if it personally, which is creative outlet, a hobby and preserving memories and moments.

So Here is the start of a list of thing's I would live to achieve in the scrapping world.

1. Since I am on the Creative Design Teams of Kathy Moore, LaWanna Desjardin and Digiscrapdivas I would love to be Published in magazines or e-zines with layouts I have created using the Kits they so generously donate to me.

2. I set a goal of 100 layouts for the year as a resolution and as I am close to that already I am going to up it to 200 and see how close I get!

3. I would love to branch out and try more styles and even achieve layouts that are more digital in style than inspired by paper scrap styles/trends to see wether i like it or not.

4. Scrap more about myself and my family rather than mainly focusing on Katrina all the time.

5. I'm kind of dreaming here, but get some freelance work in a scrap magazine or something similar.

6. Pehaps create layouts/albums for other people for money. (still need to look into that some more)

7. I would love to design some kits or elements though I'm not sure it's something I want to keep myself too busy doing or wether it's just for my own personal use or for freebies.

So there are a few things to aim for. It doesn't matter if I don't achieve any of these but it sure would be wonderful to at least do 2 or 3 of these in the not too distant future.

OK so here are a few of my recent layouts:

Bottle - Kit name: Washed, Worn & Faded, Vol.1 Designer: Kathy Moore Fonts: Pea Carrie

This is how you... Brush your teeth Kit name: Pure of Heart Designer: LaWanna Desjardin Fonts: Hurricane & Pea Whinney Skinney Notes: Inspired by Amy Martin's Earings layout.

Smile - Kit name: Hello Chickee Designer: Gina Cabrera Fonts: Pea Rachael

Kit name: Sunny Side Up Page Set Designer: Kathy Moore Fonts: Pea Randa and Pea Stacy's Doodle Script Also Used: stiching from Kathy's Let your light shine kit and alpha for true from Kathy's Washed, Worn & Faded, Vol. 1 kit. Some of these papers & elements have been recolored.

Bad Blogger!

2006-05-22T18:41:00.000+10:00

I know, I know... I've been a bad blogger!

I have been a little depressed this past week and busy working on Andrew's business website (part of the reason for being depressed, as it had been a struggle and caused a few arguements).

Though I had a terrific day yesterday although I didn't do too much. It was good spending time at home just Andrew, Katrina & Myself for a while. No rushing around to go to Andrew's Parents house. I actually enjoyed just reading the Sunday paper and eating my breakfast without being rushed.

I have found some time along the way to scrap though... I'll post those layouts in a little bit.

The Good... Then The Bad

2006-05-07T19:35:00.000+10:00

Yesterday Andrew and I had a wedding for one of the guy's in his car club, whom he's good friends with. The wedding went really well and the reception was great. I enjoyed talking with the girl next to me which was a relief. The food was great and after some feelings of not really wanting to go I'm glad I did.

On a sad note Andrew's Grandfather passed away last night, though we didn't get the news until today as he lives in India (Andrew is part Indian although you would never in a million years guess it by looking at him).
I don't know what will happen because of this, the family or at least Andrew's mum may have to go over to India for a funeral, so I am just waiting to hear what will be happening.

Hearing this news has brought up a lot of feelings I have about all the family members who have passed away in the last 5 1/2 years, so I have had a bit of a cry for both his grandpa and those who I have lost today, which was good for getting the emotion out but as always left me tired and drained from it all, so I took a nap with Katrina this afternoon.

Shopping & Scrapping

2006-05-04T19:58:00.000+10:00

Ahhhh... my two favourite things to do!
Today more of the aluminum windows were being installed and since it's been a cold day, I decided to take Katrina and go shopping of course! Today's destination was DFO (Direct Factory Outlets). I was looking for a possible outfit to wear for the wedding I'm going to on Saturday, but no such luck. Katrina scored big, with 3 pairs of jeans, 1 paid of pretty flared flower pattern track pants, 2 long sleeve tops with nice flower patterns on them and a pink cap with the words cutie in fake diamonds(it's still a little big, but she loves caps and this one was perfect) all from Pumpkin Patch and she also got 2 Giant books one Jasper the Cat and Danny the Duck, which are from the same series as her beloved Giant Sam the Dog book.

I have just finished downloading the Newest kit from Kathy Moore - Sunny Side Up at Digidiva Designs and am loving the colors and feel of this one. Now I just need to scour my photos for something to match.

{Edited to Add}
Well I couldn't help myself... i just had to use the kit so here is a layout I just did using it:
Simply You:

Layout Share

2006-05-03T14:29:00.000+10:00

Ok so I haven't posted any layouts in a while... bad little me!

Taking It All In:

Credits: DSD May 06 Megakit, Fonts: Digs My Hart

A Day At The Park:

Credits: DSD May 06 Megakit Fonts: Eight Fifteen

You Are My Everything:

Credits: My Everything Word Art - Julie Mead, Stiching - Kathy Moore, Doodle Border (recolored) - Gina Cabrera, Flower, brad & stiched labels - Danielle CT (shakespere in love kit) Fonts: Digs My Hart, CK Cursive & CK Jacque

Flowers

2006-05-01T12:31:00.000+10:00

Last Night when Andrew got home, he came in with 2 bunches of flowers for me and apologized, so I guess it had been on his mind too. I couldn't work out why he had 2 bunches, but he said he got a good deal (thats very typical of him). I would have been happy with just a sorry, but the flowers sure did make it all a little sweeter.

I have been looking through the scrap galleries and I have to say Stars are the new Flowers. I admit Flowers are still hot but Stars seem to be popping up everywhere.
I love Stars so its good, but I'm not sure they will have the staying power of Flowers, due to Flowers being more versatile.

Getting It Off My Chest

2006-04-30T14:24:00.000+10:00

Listning to: Just in case - JahiemI have been down in the dumps lately about a few things. 1. Living at home with my parents. They have been really getting to me lately and for the first time in my life being out of this house has never been more appealing to me. I also have been feeling the the meat between the sandwich on various issues between my parents and Andrew. Then there have been a few things i haven't been happy about due to Andrew's actions and attitude, but after a brief argument with him last night about something UN-related we started to discuss some of our feelings about other things and I feel like i got a lot off my chest and unusually we could both see things from each others points of view. I feel so much better just saying it all to him, rather than keeping it all inside, so that fact he could see where I was coming from was good too. I think her got some things he really needed to say out too so it was good for both of us.

I now feel much better today, or at least feel like some of the weight on my shoulders is gone. I know it's not all going to be perfect from here out, but I feel there is a light at the end of the tunnel now, whereas I wasn't thinking that way for a little while until now.

So to make things even better, no one is home Right now besides Katrina and she's happily playing so I have the music turned up (which always helps my moods) and I am enjoying the freedom of doing what I want, as I please for these few hours.

DSD May Megakit

2006-04-28T17:36:00.000+10:00

Listening To: Smile - Scarface and 2pac

I just finished downloading my copy of the DigiScrapDivas May Megakit and I must say its another great kit. It's not available for sale until 1st May, but I will just say that it's huge and summery themed. I hope that it's ok for me to mention that.
I have already comepleted a layout with it and I just finished downloading the kit just over an hour ago!

I am trying to be a better blogger again... but the weekends get busy and lately even the weekdays are fairly busy.

My Quick Review - This last week

2006-04-27T16:23:00.000+10:00

I know it has been too long since I last blogged. I have been really bad at this lately. I have had so much going on and yet not much of it has been overly important either.

Melissa's Birthday was fantastic, we bumped into a few people we all went to high school with, so it was rather interesting. I have caught up with Melissa most of this week actually, so its been fun, but considering i hadn't seen her much for a while, it was funny to be spending so many days in the last week with her.

I have been spoiling Katrina as I got her a lot of Dora the Explorer stuff this week (well she has not got everything as yet, i still have stuff in the car!) She got a Dora floating island for the bath, a swiper toy, 3 Dora DVDs, and a Dora & Boots figurine thinggys that can go in the bath also.

I have been enjoying my iPod so much lately, I think it has something to do with rediscovering old favorites, enjoying new songs and finding old songs which are new to me and discovering what some others may have enjoyed all along, which i had no idea about. I am also noticing that I have been connecting more with a lot of lyrics in songs and feel the emotions the songs are about myself. While I have always done this, I am finding it more in songs that i don't usually listen to or in song i normally wouldn't like if not for my connection with the lyrics.

It's Been A Long Time...

2006-04-21T00:49:00.000+10:00

I have been busy with lots of little things and been trying not to spend all day on the computer which has left me with less time to blog I guess.

I also have spent a huge chuck of last weekend at Andrew's parents house and then went to work with Andrew on Tuesday so he could show off bubs, so I have been out and about LOTS.

I went shopping today. I bought Katrina a cute pink parker (jacket) for those cold rainy days which are fast approaching and a cute green zip up top from Pumpkin Patch. It will go so well with her hair. I just love her in green.

I also bought the April Issue of Creaking Keepsakes and the May/June Simple Scrapbooks and a book Jungle Peepers for Katrina. She already has one like it which is her fav called Farm Peepers so I had to get this one to go with it... now I just need to find 2 more and I will have the set.

I bought a 1GB iPod Shuffle for Melissa's Birthday. I decided since the girls all put in $25 each we had $125 but the 512mb was $99 and 1 gb was $149 so I added a little extra as I felt bad that we couldn't afford a iPod Nano as they are so much better with the screen and the choice of picking which songs you want played etc...
I rang to wish he Happy Birthday Earlier and she told me she already has a list of 120 songs for download... she'll be so excited when she finds out she's got the bigger one and can fit more songs than that... roughly 240. I would still love to get her a $20 iTunes Card to go with it, but i have gone over budget as it is and i still need to buy a card and wrapping and a cake!

Im looking foward to her party tomorrow though as I am missing seeing all the girls and guys and just looking forward to having a drink and a parma and chips for dinner!

I have been doing some scrapping this last week too so Here's what I have come up with:

Credits: Kathy Moore's Spring Fling Kit @ ACOT Fonts: Boring Showers Also: used Amy Matrin's Corners set1 #4

Credits: Kit Name: Boho Chick Designer: Michelle Colleman Available at: scrapartist Fonts: Too Many Secrets, The Buns Scraplift of MizAmyLou

Credits: Kit Name: April Fools Designer: LaWanna Desjardin Fonts: Boring Showers Notes: Also Used: Kathy Moore's Inked Edge and Lawanna's Fresh Start Alpha Available at: Addicted To Digital

Credits: Elements - Gina Miller's Weathered & Worn Elements (My Hearts Wish & Playroom) and BG from Gina Miller's Earthy Vibe Freebie.Available at: scrapbook bytes store Fonts: CK Cursive & Arial Notes: inspired by hyperstarre's The Girl layout from 2peas

MIA

2006-04-14T00:59:00.000+10:00

Sorry I have been Missing In Action for just over a week! We had some Dramas with our new aluminium windows being installed and it just had to be the one behind my computer which meant that it had to be moved and unplugged till all was fixed.

I had some major computer withdrawls... but I also got a few things accomplished in that time too.

I will get things back on track in the next few days... and will re post the links to the freebies as I have had some requests for them to be re posted.

Bed is calling now... so it will have to be done sometime in the next few days.

a little scrapping done

2006-04-05T22:02:00.000+10:00

Didn't get up to too much today, we had people here most of the day fitting new Aluminium windows in the house, so It was hard to do much of anything. I was planning on going on a shopping spree, but was tired and it's cold and I just couldn't be bothered lugging Katrina around while she was tired also. I will more than likely do it tomorrow while more of the windows are being fitted.

I picked up a laybuy full of clothes for Katrina today though. I have no idea where I am going to fit all the stuff... but you know I will make room for it somewhere!!

I came acroos this today and it was the inspiration I needed to scrap, even if it was a lift of papernscissors at 2peas.
Justine: 3 Months Old:

Supplies Used: wavy ltbrown stitch, leather corner frame, grungy solid BG Paper (altered slightly) -Kathy Moore's - Let Your Light Shine Page Set
creamy twill - Kathy Moore's Boat House Page Set
Pink Tab & Inked edge tab - Kathy Moore's Sweet feet pink accesories kit.
pinkypie Diamond Jewel - Gina Miller
holed edges note paper - Amy Martin
mintyfresh-flower - Chritsy Lyle (recolored slightly)
Pink decorative circles PP - me
Fonts: BigMisterC

Spring Fun Element Pack Freebie

2006-04-04T16:57:00.000+10:00

As Promised I have the Spring Fun Element Pack ready for download. Same deal, if you download it please leave me a comment so I have an idea how many people are interested in it, as I may share some other stuff in the future.

The pack includes 4 tags, 4 flowers, 4 photo corners & 4 ribbons and 2 buckles.

Download Here:

Undecided

2006-04-04T00:10:00.000+10:00

I have just been working on a layout quickly and I can't decide which version I like best. One is a floral background with some transparency to the textured background underneath and the other is just the textured background.
I'll post the pics here, let me know what you think is better as I am torn.

Kit Used: Shabby Princess' - Flea Market Chick, Font: Rockwell (OTT) and Textured BG - Me

I didn't get up to too much today, just some house work and time with Katrina. She has been a little grumpy today, but i think it's because of her teething.
Tomorrow I will more than likely upload the Spring Fun Accessory Pack for those interested. I would do it now but Katrina went to sleep VERY early for her, so I'm going to need some sleep as she will definitely get up early now.

Not much happening

2006-04-01T20:43:00.000+11:00

Nothing major happened today, I decided to stay home rather than go to the footy as it's so damn cold. I'm just not ready for the cold Melbourne weather just yet!

I am watching the game on the TV. Essendon are going well so far, so i hope that continues so I can Gloat with Dad when he and Andrew get home. Andrew is a Sydney supporter and that's who we are playing tonight.

It's amazing just how many people have commented to say they have downloaded my Freebie Paper Pack. So many people I don't know and wouldn't assume even knew my blog existed before now. So that's kind of cool.

I will continue to dig through my hard drive later for the elements pack to compliment those papers.

On to the Katrina report.... Katrina went back wards last night, she had a terrible night and was up from 3:30am till after 5am. She fidgets so much that its hard for her to go to sleep because she just doesn't allow herself to stop and relax and settle for sleep.

Spring Fun Paper Pack Freebie

2006-03-31T17:11:00.000+11:00

I was going through my files particularly Pattern Papers & elements in which I have created.

I found this paper pick I did for a down under crop at digiscrapdivas a long time ago. Not a lot of people received it and it's just sitting on my Hard Drive not being used, so if you like it... feel free to download it here

Here is a Preview:

Leave me a comment If you do download this, just so know if anyone at all was interested in it, as I have have some embellishments to go with it.

Progress with Katrina

2006-03-31T15:25:00.000+11:00

Last night Katrina slept in her bed in her new room for the whole night. She didn't wake up at all. Which meant I got a good sleep, but I also woke up at one stage wondering if everything was OK and wondering if the baby monitor was working properly, so I had to go and check on her, but all was fine.

I hope this continues, although I'm not expecting miracles just because it happened once last night.

Also this morning Katrina did poo on the potty for the first time. It was a tiny pebble poo, but still it was something and we all praised her for it, so that she knows it's a good thing to do from now on out.

Update

2006-03-31T01:30:00.000+11:00

On Wednesday I too Katrina for her 18 month Chickenpox immunization. She was such a good girl. She only cried a little and we back to running around happily within minutes.

That night was Katrina's first night in her room. She did well. She woke up 2 times, the first time she was quite scared, the second time was at 5:AM and she was a little teary but before long was clapping hands. I figured it was time for a bottle and that got her back off to sleep for a while.

It feels kind of sad, knowing that in the middle of the night I can't just lift my head a little and instantly see that she's OK and yet I really only need to enter the next room if I feel the need to check on her.

It's also pretty damn good to have my room back. I can get into my own wardrobe and access anything there I want (even if half of the clothes don't fit me!). The extra floorspace is great to have again and best of all a bedside table... Gosh I missed that.

I have been feeling flat as far as scrapping, so while I have been to DSD I haven't really participated or spent much time there, even if my computer has been logged in for half the day. I'm hoping a good sleep and some free time will change this feeling tomorrow.

Retail Therapy

2006-03-28T22:59:00.000+11:00

Today I went shopping. I needed to get out of the house as my mum has been driving me mad.

So Today I bought April Scrapbooks etc, Memory Makers best of the Masters Special edition magazines. Nursery rhymes Box set and Noddy toy for Katrina. I got myself a bead necklace and earrings, a bolero style black cardigan, a bluish-green tie up cardigan and a 3 1/4 sleeve top in colors black, white, teal and purple. Then I bought add on cartridges of Dora the explorer and blue's clues for Katrina's Learn through music toy (which I have put away for her birthday). I also got her some socks and I got a black hardcover journal (which would be perfect to alter).

Boy of boy do I know how to spend up BIG!!

I just have to mention how much I love my iPod as well. I have a FM transmitter in my car, so I listen to my iPod through my car stereo and it's the best thing ever!! I was driving along, windows open and had my music up loud and I think it did wonders as I am in the best mood.

I am also in the process of getting Katrina in her own room at the moment. (I know, I know... about time!!) We have been super busy cleaning out the spare (junk) room.
and will have her cot in there by the afternoon. I hope we have a smooth transition, but who knows as she's getting through 4 or so teeth at the moment so the last few nights haven't exactly been wonderful.

Lucky Me

2006-03-28T00:17:00.000+11:00

Over at DSD there is a Blog roll! ~Who blogged today? thread and I posted my new blog and once that I updated. And lucky little me recieved a wonderul RAK just now from Kathy Moore which was a $5 Gift Voucher for use at The Shabby Shoppe! I couldn't believe how lucky I was just to be picked let alone get that as my RAK! Thanks so much Kathy. Thanks for making my day!

Just so you know this is what I got:

I just had to add the extra $1.50 and its downloading right now!
And I just poped on to see if I had any new email, thinking the usual P4D stuff etc.

Busy Little Scrapper

2006-03-26T23:28:00.000+11:00

I just did this whole post and stupidly stuffed it up and lost it... so here I go trying to re-create it!

Andrew wasn't feeling so great today so we didn't visit his parents today. His mum looked after Katrina last night, so at least they didn't miss out on seeing her.

I wish this could happen more often though, as I got 3 layouts and 2 cards completed!
2 of the layouts and 1 of the cards I can post just yet, but stay tuned for them at a later date.

Poor little Katrina tripped over when we went for a little walk outside this afternoon and grazed her leg. She didn't cry but let out a bit of a whine. Same when I cleaned her up with some dettol. She's a tough little girl. I would have been bawling! She was rather intrigued with the band-aid i put on her leg though, as she's never had one of those until now!

Layout Share:
Kit Used: DSD March 06 Megakit Fonts: Century gothic

Card Share:
Kit Used: My Hearts Wish Elements - Gina Miller Papers - Me Fonts: Trubble

{edited to add}: I just finished off another layout... another one which must remain unviewed until 1st April. I will say a few of these are using the DSD April Megakit. It's a Fab kit so go buy it April 1st!

The Comedy Club

2006-03-26T14:40:00.000+11:00

Last night I had my Uncle Paul's Surprise 50th Birthday at The Comedy Club. I had a fab night, and so did everyone else.

We were treated to The comedic Talents of MC for the night Matt Elsbury who's opening section was just too damn hilarious with his bagging of music and playing the sections in particular via iPod. I Loved it and as soon as he mentioned a lot of the songs I was aware of what he was going to comment on before he even said it, but had never thought about how stupid those lines are! Then we had Rowan Gazzard and finally Dave Grant All were extremely funny and made for a fab night.

It was great to catch up with some of my cousins too, as I haven't seen them in a while.

My Uncle was surprised but happy we were all there and for someone who didn't want to celebrate or make a big thing about his 50th had a great time and wasn't quite ready to call it quits for the night once the show was over!

This night had definitely wet my appetite to go to these type of things more often, as it was something I had wanted to do previously, but never really did anything about it. Now I'm off searching the Melboourne International Comedy festival Site for other things I can go and see soon.

2006-03-25T00:22:00.000+11:00

Katrina's 18 month check up went well. She seems to be doing everything she should and perhaps just a little more, so I'm glad that went well.

I managed to post the visor to Suzy too so I am starting to get on top of my stuff to do.

I went shopping with my mum this evening as she wanted some help in selecting a top for tomorrow night. She was in luck but I wasn't as I found a skirt I really liked. My mum even said it had a slimming effect for me, but we discovered it had a tear on the outside and it was the only one left in my size. Don't you just hate that!!

Tomorrow night I have my uncle's th Surprise Party and the Comedy Club, so hopefully it will be a great night and will be plenty of laughs.

To Do List
* Find out about any costs for Katrina's Chickenpox immunization & book her in for it
* Write up the Q&A section for the DSD newsletter once I get the answers

Enjoying the Quiet

2006-03-24T10:46:00.000+11:00

I just got up not long ago and for the first time in a long while I am the only one awake. Bubs is still napping and my Parents & Andrew aren't home.

So I am taking this moment to enjoy the quiet (which is a rare thing these days) and not having anyone around. I would love to do this more often!

This afternoon I have Katrina's 18 month check up. So hopefully all will be well with that.

I also need to remember to send Suzy the Shampoo Visor I got for her while I am out.

Layouts I Created This Week

2006-03-24T01:39:00.000+11:00

Here are the layouts I have Created this week:

1. Sexy Legs - Kit: Broken Hearted Smile Page Set - Kathy Moore

2. 3 Months - Kit Priceless Charity Kit @ DSD

3. Cry - Kit Ivy League - Traci Sims

4. Picking Flowers - Papers - Justine McCarthy (me, Chipboard Action - Atomic Cupcake, Flowers - Amy Martin, Doodles - Me, Flower Fix Doodle. - Anne Langpap(2peas)

If you like what you see here why don't you leave me a comment at my Gallery at DSD

Customised...Slightly

2006-03-24T01:04:00.000+11:00

OK I couldn't dare invite anyone here without at least customize the title banner.

Credits: DSD March 06 Mega kit available at www.digiscrapdivas.com/shop also used Thinking of You font.

New Beginnings

2006-03-23T23:38:00.000+11:00

Another Day... A New Blog.

I really don't know what happened with my old one. It just went blank and since I could no longer log in (due to it being blank) It is time to start over with a new beginning. It's taken me a month or two just to start this one, so hoefully I can update it often or at least once a week anyway.

So here goes... I guess Im gonna have to get busy and work out how to customize this one now too!!