Santa's on his way

Well here it is - Christmas Eve - and Santa is on his way!


I'd like to wish my fellow bloggers, readers and followers a safe and happy Christmas for tomorrow in whatever way you celebrate.

Christmas is only 2!! days away - can you believe it. Anyway Miss A and myself have just come in from streetwalking - no not that type - Christmas lights and yes a bit of exercise - we parked the car and walked around the block looking and taking photos (hope they turn out ok) of all the beautiful, colourful and flashing lights. I love this time of year.

GIVE AWAY TIME

Another giveaway!! Love these and just in time for Chrissy (not long now). Head over to Swift Jan - 1,2,3,4 Kicked my toe on the door and check out this fantastic giveaway.

Just a quick post today.

While participating in our family tradition

watching muppet Christmas Carol, I created some pages and got some inspiration for a project that hopefully will come to fruition in Feb (watch this space).

Anyway here are some pics.

It's Saturday! - yeah I'm now officially on HOLIDAYS!!! for 3 weeks.

I came home with lots - I mean heaps - of gifts from my darling babies this year. It makes being a teacher just that little bit special and to feel loved. I also received this beautiful bouqet


- just happens to be my fav. colour.

I also have a huge decision to make - I know some of you are saying no, no, but others are saying yes, yes and at the moment I feel torn between the two. You see I have been given the opportunity to advance (with more study) to eventually become the director. Do I want the job - yes and no. The director would like me ready so that when she leaves I can take over. She hasn't given a date but she is wanting to teach me everything and she says that I can do it - I just need the experience and confidence and that will all come over time. I actually enjoy the little bits of extra tasks I do - as at the moment I am the next most qualified staff member - but to have the total responsibility on my shoulders - anyway more thinking, and praying need to happen.

Also thought I'd share this photo that I took of my new Nativity


and then I discovered Miss A has been at it again.

Until next time

Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas......

Only 2 days left until holidays for 3 weeks.

Busy, busy, everywhere you go. The shops are jam packed and make lunchtime 1hr break shopping interesting, and the lineup to get the much needed cappucino! I have finally - totally - I hope - finished all my shopping - now for the wrapping.....

My wonderful mother found some gorgeous fairy lights (solar) for us - cant wait until they're up! Emptied my room (part of the end of year cleanup as we close for 3 glorious weeks) at work so have more decorations to put up at home as well - have I mentioned how much I looovvveeee Christmas - one week to go!


Today was party mode at work. My assistant is leaving so the whole centre celebrated with a going away party. I have also come home with a couple of pressies that I have put under the tree and tonight we have the staff Christmas Party at the Thai Orchid and a Secret Santa.....

I am soooooo excited:)

As you can see, I have been experimenting with my blog layout instead of making pages. I am not totally happy with it, but these are the designs that I have come up with. I would appreciate it if you know of other designs that I might like to look at. I like the Shabby and pink of course - but I am only new to this so I don't want anything too complicated to upload - anyway I will live with this for a couple of days while I keep blog hopping and see if I can find anything else.

Exciting news - well I think it's exciting. During my lunchbreak the mailman came - yeah - school reports - nope - but my boy received his TAFE Cert 2 I.T.

Photos!!

Ok.... so here are photos that I promised.

I decked the hall,


made a page - still needs title and embellishing.....

but you get it ......7 swans a swimming ......

made a new friend ........

Moishe from Where the Wild Things Are - can't wait to see the movie.

The boy even decorated his room with lights.........




and a GOLD tree! Will get a better photo during daylight hours!

Anyway I am off now to watch The Hangover.

What a day! It started with a sleep in till 7.30am - mind you I didn't sleep that well as I saw the clock several times throughout the night. But when I did wake - still no mojo. I looked everywhere but it was nowhere to be found - so I decided to hit the shops and do some Christmas shopping - yeah! almost finished - just another Ikea matter to sort! When I got home again I "Decked some Halls" - hubby not happy, had a headache. The neighbours were in full swing with a party that has gone on all day and is still going - rather loudly! But...... I have made a page - not as many I had been intending, but one came together for me - photo still to come. Plus while I was out shopping I found another friend that just had to come and live with us. Photos will be posted once I charge up the camera battery.

It's Friday yet again - these weeks are just flying by - only two more weeks until I'm on holidays (not that I'm doing anything exciting). I am sitting here staring at the mass of paper before me and nothing happens! I hate that - I want to make pages but there is nothing in me - no desire or inspiration, sadly mojo has left for the night. I am always full of ideas at work, if only I didn't have to go...., I could start on my lunchbreak.... or when I get home..... but when I do get home I just collapse and stare at the paper.

Another Giveaway!!!!

Yeah, I love it when there are giveaways to be won! Of course I'm in it - this time just head over to liveitscrapit and check out the gorgous candy on offer.

Just a quick post this morning as I have my mojo back and I am going to chain it to the table! LOL:) I made a couple of scrapbook pages last night and am working on more now, but I wanted to share this one - not quite finished just needs the ribbon, buttons etc - but I finally have the photo scrapped - thats the main thing. I used Basic Grey - Stella Ruby for this one. Love Basic Grey papers and how it all coordinates. The title has also been raised to give a 3D look.

PS sorry for the flash!

I am very honoured to have received this Kreativ Blogger Award from Swift Jan. How exciting! Now it's my turn to pass it on to 7 of my fellow bloggettes who's blogs I love to read & admire.
So there are some things I am to do to receive this illustrious award -7 rules to keep it growing:


1. Copy picture and post on your blog
2. Thank the person who gave it to you and link to their blog.
3. Write 7 things about yourself we don't know: Here goes!

I enjoy crosswords and puzzle games - a good brain workout
I love English Breakfast and Earl Grey Tea
My favourite flower is a yellow rose
I love watching The Office with Steve Carrell - addicted almost
I collect candles - never burn them
I am not a shopaholic - only go when I have to - but buy up big when I go
I spend as little time as possible in the kitchen - I prefer to create not cook!

4. Choose 7 other bloggers to pass the award to.
5. Link to those 7 other bloggers.

hallmarkladybugs
cassiesscraps
aspoonfullofsugar
carolannesboutique
scrapthegirls
ascrapperslife
bittenbythebug

6. Notify your 7 bloggers
7. Have a happy day

Thanks again and to the new 7, enjoy your Kreativ Blog Award

Bring it on!!! - Give away time

I love it when I come across competitions and giveaways. Here I am at home on my lunchbreak just checking out all my favs and I came across this. To see what I am on about, head on over and check out Retromummy to have a look at whats on offer and for your chance to win some prettyness.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.....

Anyway, while we were waiting for our visitors to arrive (still waiting by the way)I gave the house a much needed spring clean - it is still November and technically spring (even though the temperature says otherwise). Inside the air was beautiful - yes we have air-conditioning - thank goodness - I am glad I am not in South Aust!!! So everything is now spick and span, bright and shiny and my creating area has been moved out into the rumpus area. The kids have now grown up and don't need me supervising their play anymore (but I am sure my creating space will once again evolve - I love being around my family while I create - not locked away somewhere. Now that I have moved out there is room for you guessed it - THE CHRISTMAS TREE - yes I have succumbed (2 weeks early) - not hard given my fetish for all things Christmas - only 34 days left. Why not enjoy it for as long as one can and after visiting as many Christmas shops as I could in the area (we have 2 specialist shops extremely locally) as well as the department stores and several new decorations later .......

A Christmas Carol?

Here I am organising to visit the handcrafties at Ipswich tomorrow (Sat) - when I have just heard news that I will be visited by Ghosts from the past!

Anyway back on Day 4 of my diet - will have my first weigh in today.

I can't believe it has been a whole week since I blogged, but there has been nothing to blog about - what a boring week! I guess we all have times like that. Miss A is back from Canberra - lots of good photos to scrap. Last night we had the highschool graduation - next year it will be my 1st baby's time to graduate - but as he quite rightly points out - lets get through this year first. I have still been creating (don't forget to check my ebay and my etsy shop) and am venturing into doll blankets at the moment and may even try my hand at sewing clothing as I am getting the bug for sewing from Miss A and another member of the family - but don't hold me to it as I have a busy life just being me at the moment.

I have just experienced every mothers nightmare - the chicken (aka Miss A) has flown (literally) the coop! She left this morning - very early start - awake at 2.00am to be at the airport by 4.00am - for a school excursion to Canberra. I now have a huge hole in my heart.

While looking for photos of 3 French Hens for my 12 Days of Christmas scrapbook challenge, I came across this photo - so I snapped it up immediately and decided that it deserves its own page!

I am sooo excited, I just won the sweepstake at work for the Melbourne Cup. I haven't felt this way since winning the sweepstake a couple of years back with Makybe Diva. - Wish I put a real bet on - I could have paid the house off, (mind drifts off) - especially with interest rates on the rise. Anyway its only a bit of fun - it could have quite easily gone the other way.

I am now going to enjoy my earlier finish from work - grab a cuppa, sit back, feet up and ...... bloghop.

What a busy time I have had over the past couple of days. Friday was world teachers day and all the staff received a lovely gift - an indoor plant. Some received Parlour Palms and mine is "A Magic Bean". I wonder if it is anything like Jack and the Beanstalk .......

The table runner is still coming along - just need to bind it now. We bought another pattern for her to try. Still a simple design that will use up some of my stored fabric stash.

I am working on a couple more baby blankets - check my etsy store, as well as my handmade pages - ebay and etsy. I am also going to undertake a challenge again this year from Faithsisters.com. Last year I did "The Real Meaning of Christmas" and this year it is "The Twelve Days of Christmas" - not long to go now.

I of course have been out Christmas shopping every chance I get and have some gorgeous things to show. And finally I have purchased two more girls to add to my collection.

I have just come home with information overload from a seminar that I had to attend after work and desperately need to wind down. I was sooo looking forward to my earlier finish today but I guess professional development is more important! (I probaby would have only sat infront of the tv anyway). You see, I work in childcare, I don't think that I have ever mentioned that. And let me warn you, you who have little ones or ones about to enter any form of educational facility - there is a huge Australia wide reform taking place. Good or bad I'm unsure as I still have information overload and RSI from taking notes - fortunately I didn't have to speak infront of the microphone but others did. This reform is educationally wide - starting with early years hence prep, now early childcare including all forms yes C & K, long day care and family day care, with a curriculum change that will lead into schooling and is yes Australia wide, not just good old Queensland. On a brighter note, that might mean payrises and proper recognition? Anyway I have finished my whinge and am now one more blog towards 100.

Time to blog hop or maybe another Jerry Lewis movie. I also forgot to mention that all this movieness actually started with Alfred Hitchcock - we did those a few months ago. I guess we will eventually get through all the classics - can't wait for Audrey Hepburn, although I don't think my husband will be into these ones.

Until next time

I have just come home for my lunch break and decided to catch up with all my blogger friends and see what you've been up to. I only have 7 more weeks left of work (until Christmas) but whos counting?

I wish the sky would make up its mind. One minute it is dark, cloudy and rainy, and the next it is very sunny, blue sky and not a cloud to be seen. Anyway the bit of rain is nice and much needed - and giving our new gutter a work out before the major storms hit.

Miss A's Christmas table runner is coming along nicely. Just need to back it and quilt it. (Will add a photo when son comes home from school!! as I'm still learning how to add photos). I have had to rearrange my creating space - very limited area - to accommodate this sewing passion. Everyday she asks can we finish it - but it will have to wait until the weekend when I have finished work. I am just too tired when I get home. I think I must be getting old or something.

We have been having family movie nights - minus the 16yo - of late. It started with James Dean and has morphed into Jerry Lewis. I haven't laughed so much for ages. I can't wait to see what one is for tonight - yes I already mentioned I'm old. Anyway better go and eat before I have to head back - yes another late finish tonight.

Well here we are home from the craft show. You hang out all year - count the sleeps left and before you know it, it is all over for another year. It was soooo much fun, lots to see and do, and even catch up with likeminded people that you haven't seen for ages. It's amazing who you find at these events - and several $'s later we have more inspiration and goodies to add to our stash. My daughter has even discovered her newly found passion in life - patchwork - and has quickly become queen of my sewing machine. She is creating her own patchwork table runner - and she is doing it all by herself! I had to show her once and now she is up and running.

Jobs for today - scrapbooking (if I get a chance!)
- Finding all my long lost sewing paraphanalia (I haven't sewed for years and it has been packed away.) I might even get my quilt tops out that I used to make and have a look at them again.

It's great to be finally home from work and have a few minutes with a much needed cuppa to bloghop and a quick post while dinner is in the oven. (Shepherd's Pie - loaded with veges - shh don't tell the kids)

Only 2 more sleeps until the craft show.... but who's counting.

Haven't done much creating - still have mojo - don't have time as I have been on the late shift at work all week - but tonight.....

Anyway back to bloghopping.

My darlin husband was up on the roof doing some much needed gutter cleaning (before the storm season hits - looks like one developing on the horizon) - definately mans work - yuk! He noticed that one side of the guttering was almost rusted through - so job for the week - get new guttering. Not bad going considering the age of the house, and we really haven't had to do much maintenance in the whole time we have been here.

I have making more pages to sell and using up some of my stash (doesn't seem to have put much of a dent in it, anyway I'll keep plodding along) and I have been blog hopping again and getting so much inspiration from all the lovely crafty cleverness out there, my brain is going into meltdown, so many ideas, I wish I could keep these ideas for when mojo takes a holiday. I am happy to announce that he is visiting with me today and I am pushing out the creations - but you will have to visit ebay to take a look. I thought that I'd share some more of my creations - (not for sale).





Anyway mojo is a hollerin, better get back to it.

Well here it is, Sunday morning, yet again. These weeks are just flying by. I am now fully qualified with my Diploma - yeah (I have only been working on it for the past 4 years) and have updated my first aid cert again. - All for work. What have I done for me...... well, we have been watching (while I create of course) a couple of James Dean movies - what a tragedy for his life to end so young, of course Rock Hudson was in one of the movies also. Oh and I also caught up with Anne of Green Gables again, I haven't seen this one for a while - actually I haven't had much of a chance to see any movies for ages - having to share the tv with the family - who have very different tastes in their viewing.

If you have recently visited my etsy store you will notice that I have diversified into crochet blankets, I am currently working on another 4 all so very gorgeous and yes my daughter would like to claim them all, but she has decided to take up the crocheting bug and I have been teaching her - she is doing quite good at it.

I am also still selling my pages on ebay with listings being added all the time. I am just about to list my 400th page - quite a milestone for me.

Can't wait til next weekend - the Brisbane Craft Show - I love it - surrounded by people both buyers and sellers of like mindedness and stocking up on much needed or at least can't live without supplies. Husband says - not more, where are you going to keep that, are you ever going to use it.

Anyway better go and use some of my stash.

til next time
Happy Scrappin

Another week almost over, the days are just flying by. I am soooo happy, I received my actual Diploma in the mail yesterday - partay, no more study - for a little while at least. Actually there will be a party - the girls from work (and myself) are getting together for drinks. That leaves more time to ....... well, create!

As I am only new at this blogging, some problems have occurred e.g. photos not staying with the blog they refer to...... and I can't remember how to add photos ........ oh son - computer genius....... where are you. "What now he says....., hang on I will be with you shortly....." oops he just left for school.

Anyway will fix up my errors and add some more piccies of my latest creations. Just quickly before I go, I have mentioned previously how much I loooovvvveeeee Christmas anway yes I have been shopping - already, but I just noticed the NATIVITY scene my daughter is into at the moment and is now adorning our television set. I just had to get a photo after I stopped laughing!! PS She loves penguins - of all things.

Until next time
Happy scrappin

Wow! My first week on Etsy.com and this blogspot is over. What an exciting and big week for me. Don't know about you but the week just flew by for me. I have been a very busy bee buzzing around and creating - I will be listing more items a little later. I have also decided to diversify - what does this mean - well you will have to come over to my little shop and take a peek. A sneek peek I hear you ask - sorry - not quite ready yet.
Until next time.....

Just a quick post this morning to share something that I have created. I found these gorgeous papers and made this layout. It isn't quite finished, but I thought that I'd share it anyway.

It's great to finally be home from work. What a lovely day today turned out to be.... a bit warmer than the forecast said this morning and no dust, but apparently there is more on its way. I love Spring - beautiful weather, pretty flowers, cleaning - especially the pool ready for those hot days - can't wait.

I have spent several spare minutes or not so spare bloghopping - yes new word to my vocabulary. There are so many talented and creative people out there and I am a fan of you all. So much inspiring work that I want to create - but don't have the time now - '2 hours later' - makes me wish I was a SAHM once again - ah what a life that was (mind drifts off) - how life changes over 19 years (babies are no longer babies - can get learners permit in Nov - and that's the start of the cutting the apron strings).

Til next time,
Happy Scrappin

Welcome to my first blog (for the second time around) I first wrote something at 7.00am this morning and I mentioned how uncomputer and technological I am and everything keeps disappearing, and the computer keeps shutting down on me, and low and behold it has happened yet again and I lost my first blogging even though I did save it, it can not be found anywhere. So if someone out there has found it can you please return it to me. I was so proud of my first attempt, but alas I will have to make do with this one.

Today is the start of the 2nd week of school holidays and can you believe it only 12 weeks or 89 days left until CHRISTMAS. Yeah, can't wait. I love everything about Christmas and can't wait to hit the shops. But that also means only 12 weeks until school holidays again......for 6 weeks.

Anyway have just purchase DCWV new techno stack, can't wait to use it.

Until next time. Happy scrappin.