Finished this

Finished this scrap canvas today of our previous dog Barney (a west highland white terrier who was like my first child! lol)
He was a real character and I still miss him...hadnt done anything about him til now and have several other LOs planned too. Ive used the sassafras papers from my Tarisota collection.
Have a safe and cheerful New years eve everyone...we are off to friends for a BBQ and am leaving our kids there overnight (they are sleeping in a tent) so big sleep in for me tomorrow..yeehaa!

A to Z of me

A to Z of me!


A-Age: 39
B-Bed size: Queen
C-Chore you hate: Ironing and avoid it at all times..even putting clothes in the dryer before wearing so I don’t have to!
D-Dessert you love: Cheesecake, Lemon meringue pie, apple pie, trifle, fresh fruit, chocolate anything, gateaux…cant pick just one out of these as love them all,
E-Essential start your day item: Computer and coffee together
F-Favourite actor: Temuera Morrison (NZ), Nicholas Cage (didn’t like to start with but do now)(overseas)
G-Gold or Silver: Gold
H-Height: 160cm
I-Instruments you play: Piano very badly
J-Job title: Sharemilker, taxi driving Mum and Domestic Goddess as Mel puts it.
K-Kids: 2, Rhys (11) and Jennifer (8)
L-Living arrangements: Living on Mums farm in 3 bedroom newly redecorated house.
M-Mum's name: Kathleen (Kath)
N-Name something you love to do: lol ditto Yolande! Scrapbooking, going to the beach, socialising with friends and reading.
O-Overnight hospital stay other than birth: With Jennifer when she was 14 months old and she had bronchitis. Very scary asthma like attacks. Thankfully none since.
P-Phobia: Hate moths or anything flying into my face.
Q-Quote you like: When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on. (Franklin D Roosevelt)
R-Right or left handed: Right
S-Siblings: Older Sister and Brother.
T-Time you woke up today: 7am- sleep in!
U-Unique habit: Waking myself up snoring and blaming my awake husband on snoring! Lol!
V-Vegetable you hate: Brussell sprouts
W-Worst habit: Like food and wine too much!
X-X-rays you've had: none! But have routine breast xrays/ultrasounds as have family history of breast cancer.
Y-Yummy food you can make: Triple choc cheesecake, like baking too and cake decorating. Am very boring with family meals but do like to do lots of pastry or fiddly stuff when having people over for dinner.
Z- Zodiac Sign: Gemini

lunchpail album

Gave this to Andrea for her birthday yesterday. I didnt decorate inside as it is her book of me album and she has to do it! I Didnt take a photo of the otherside! Grrr..so will have to go over to her place to take a photo..lol!

Happy Birthday Andrea

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANDREA! 29 AGAIN!

Just had to post this wonderful pic of hubby fresh from the shed watching my dd and her friend on the tramp ..he couldnt resist pinching dd friends hat....

A couple of pics from yesterday... Jennifer and Rhys thought they were the bees knees to get some bubbles (sparkling grape juice) lol! We had the real stuff.....not to much though as just couldnt fit it in ...I ate sooo much...we reckoned we couldve fed another 6 people at our table...the amount of food we had!! lol...well you have to have leftovers dont you? We had a lovely day and got some lovely pressies. Later in the afternoon, we went to the beach for a swim(kids) and a walk along the beach to walk off our lunch...went to bed early last night...just shattered all of us!
Well better get to these Boxing day sales or all the best things will be gone! The kids have vouchers to spend as does hubby. Im buying a wedding present today for someone overseas but other than that wont be getting much for me..hehehe

Countdown mode

Had a bit of a hiccup yesterday...was taking the kids to the local pool for a swim and decided to stop iinto the local liquorland ..pick up a few supplies..lol! Came out ...car wouldnt start!! Oh no! rang my Dh, my sister and my Mum on their cellphones...no one was answering! grr just as well I have a phone book in my car and rang our garage..got him to come pick up my car and fix it...he thought I wouldnt have a car until next Wednesday...but it ended up just being the battery...yay and I have it back minus $140 (the cost- yikes!) managed to get hold of my sister who picked us up and took us home (thanks Andrea!) Hubbys excuse (he was mowing a paddock for silage and didnt hear it over the tractor noise-alright I accept that one)...my Mums excuse (her cellphone was at home charging-she was in town) and Andreas excuse (she did hear it but it was in the back of her ute and she couldnt get it in time)lol! didnt get to the pool though!
Just been to the supermarket and it is madness in there already...all the trolleys gone inside...Im glad I went early. Ive been to the Berry farm too and got our berries so just got to clean the house, wrap one more present and Im done!
Im taking the kids to see Narnia this afternoon. Jennifer and I have already seen it but Rhys hasnt yet.
Have a very merry Christmas everyone!!!

A summary of my year

Thanks Michelle for posting these ..I really enjoy doing these..gets you thinking and writing it down!!
Our year this year has been a great one compared to last year(flooded out) ..having said that I think we have cruised a bit this year and next year it is a time for us to step up the tempo abit and go for it.
We have really enjoyed being in our newly redecorated house and although it was challenging to choose colour schemes for a whole house..I enjoyed it! My colour sense has certainly improved as a result!
Our kids had a successful year at school and out of it. Rhys did well academically and with piano and succeeded in any scout activities he had to do. Jennifer really came into her own with her dancing and I cant believe how much her reading ability has improved out of sight! She gets stuck in there at cubs too and is not into dolls but loves the makeup thing and is already asking for a cellphone..yeah right!
I went to both kids camps and really enjoyed myself even doing the abseiling etc as just love to give it all a go...no regrets is my motto! I have enjoyed being a cub leader this year and will continue with it next year ..stepping up to being the senior leader. I have also taken on the chairperson job of our schools agricultural day..its got me out of my comfort zone as I always struggle in speaking in front of a crowd and will probably always will. Im a shy girl still at heart!
Weve been busy on the farm as is usual but have things more fined tuned this year and less stressful. We have just got a new sharemilking job for next year so that will be a good challenge for us. Although it means leaving my Mum in the process...we need to fly from the cocoon so to speak! She is all for us going as she wants us to progress too.
As for my scrapping...I have really decided on my style this year....I love altering stuff and love to think of new ways to do something...something thats a bit different. I just loved doing the circle journals and think Ive grown as a scrapbooker from doing them as I have tried out new techniques on them. I had trouble doing 12x12 Los after doing smaller formats and altering other stuff but am now back into the swing of it again. I am soooo lucky that I have some awesome teachers and friends who inspire me to do my best.
Roll on next year...my 40th next year!

3 sleeps to go.

Happy Birthday Michelle! Hope you have a great day today.
Im up early again (5am again this morning)as cant sleep at the moment...too excited about Christmas I expect! also my son has been hiffing his book overboard (in his sleep-Ive seen it!)in the early hours which wakes me up and then I cant get back to sleep.
I got Tamars RAK yesterday and Okay Im owning up and saying I opended it...its just fab! (wont spoil it all for you others who have got yours under the tree) Was just blown away with it!
Got an email yesterday from the Basic Grey website to say that they have put my crackers in their gallery so was excited to see that! Im off to Tauranga today with the kids to do their Christmas shopping for each other and the rest of us...probably everyone and their dog will be there too I expect...sigh!
Yesterday I tried doing those candles like in the latest for keeps...didnt end up putting a photo on coz my printer kept on eating the tissue paper...tried all sorts and then gave up in horror, black ink all over my hands from getting out the paper jams..grrr
Cant show you a pic as used some stuff from Tamars RAK...heehee.
Am going to clear my table today as have finished all my projects for the moment. Havent done half what I was going to do for my Sisters Birthday present but decided I will have another go after xmas day...am having trouble with my mojo on that front.
My family will probably die of shock to see a clean table! lol! Roll on my scrap room!!!
Well had better get these kids up so we can get to Tauranga early!!

Michelles Blog Chall

Michelle’s Blog Challenge.

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?... Neither.
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?... He wraps them depending on what they are i.e. not if it’s a bike.
3. Colored lights on tree/house or white?... both but don’t have any up this year as we have a kitten!
4. Do you hang mistletoe?... nope
5. When do you put your decorations up?... 1st December. 6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)?... the Christmas ham on the bone…yummy!
7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child?... They were all good.
8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?... I learnt about Santa when I was 6 years old coz my brother told me and showed my sister (8) and I where Mum hid the Santa presents…I have never forgiven him for that!
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?... Nope
10. What kind of cookies does Santa get set out for him?... He gets a fruit mince pie or a shortbread (homemade)
11. Which do you prefer Giving or Receiving?...ummm both…I’m a shaker/prodder of all the presents under the tree person lol! ….but I just love to give- to see the faces of people as they open their presents is a treat for me!
12. What tops your tree?... a huge angel. We picked it out last year as our previous one went with all the decorations in our flood. It looks a trifle big for the tree I have to say so may buy another one in the sales.
13. Do you remember your favourite gift?... every year we got as part of our presents a box of choccies and a good quality towel.
14. What’s the most important thing about the Holidays for you?... Being together and not having to travel on Christmas day…just go next door or down the road.
15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert?... lol…see Mels answer and ditto for me…Mums Trifle! Especially for breakfast on Boxing Day…one year she put too much brandy in it and we could hardly eat it (but we managed! Lol)
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition?... Our kids make a Xmas decoration every year (and we buy one for them)
17. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum?...Like the Fruit Burst ones but not the others.

Christmas crackers

Well Jennifers production went well! 2 shows down...2 to go! She was just exhausted last night. She did really well and smiled the whole time. One Mum came up to me afterwards to tell me she thought Jennifer was just gorgeous and said her smile lit up the whole stage!!...aww Im so proud of her! After we got home, I finished off our Christmas crackers..went to bed at midnight..but at least they are finished! ..well almost just got to put the joke, little pressie and a choccie in (no hats Ive decided).

Jennifers Dance production

Is this weekend...4 shows of which Im helping in one, watching one and then have to milk cows tomorrow so hubby can see the production.
Have taken some photos already but didnt turn out too flash so need to take more today!
Jennifer is all in a tizz as they changed the order of her appearances...she does tap and jazz. Originally she was to have the jazz, then another group came on and then her tap came on. Well they changed it around..so now instead of just putting tap shoes on (easy) she has to put her jazz shoes on (laces)..she just freaked at rehearsal as she hasnt got alot of time, take off part of her costume, put her jazz shoes on and fix her head piece into a different shape. So I have just put elastic into her jazz shoes so its easy for her to put them on! Shes a happy little cherub now!
Im itching to do the LO already! Put that on the ever growing to do list.
This week I have to finish my xmas cracker, finish Jennifers journal, make a photo candle (from latest for keeps) and am trying something new with some coasters...dunno if it will work out. Not to mention that I havent started my sisters birthday present yet!!! arrgggh!
and OMG I have just discovered that I havent sent my xmas cards!!! must post them today!!!

Productive day

Had a productive day yesterday and finished a LO, and did this altered board book for hubby.(I wish BG would put out extra letters for their sticker sheets as I have used up all of my e's,m's and s's! )Most annoying!
Today I am doing my dds altered journal and doing my big shop for Christmas. Thank goodness for a Christmas club Ive been doing all year!

Tarisota Collections

OMG! Was reading Liannes blog and saw her link to this site.
It is soooo cool...I think Im gonna have to subscribe!!!..and the designers are some talented scrappers I reckon!
Thanks Lianne for putting it on your blog! Im drooling too!

Rained out

Got rained out for my Cub camp last night! Had a mad rush to get all parents there to pick up kids...and two sets were off to Tauranga on a function so had to get their grandparents to pick them up ...leaving messages on mobile phones and home phones in the process. Took 7 tents down hurredly in the rain and getting soaked...what fun.. (not)... anyway, at least I had a good night sleep in my own bed...2 G&Ts when I got home...and now have my Sunday free to go and see Narnia with the kids (and finish/start some more projects!)
DH is turning 40 on Wednesday so need to finish an altered board book for him, make him a cake (I do novelty cakes for my family and friends) and sort out what Im going to cook for his birthday! He didnt want a big 'do' but as Im 40 next June, we may have a combined one then.

Did this altered clipboard yesterday..took me half an hour max to do. Its for Rhys' piano teacher. Thanks Yolande for showing me! Finally managed to get a good pic of the kittten playing with the Xmas decortions...she hasnt ventured up the tree yet like our other cat did at her age but she might be working up to it maybe? lol

Bog Challenge-Christmas

Oh this is an easy one ...thanks Michelle!!! I just love Christmas!

1. Do you decorate your house this time of year? if so… how? ( a photo or description. )
We put up our tree on 1st Dec (see blog below for pic) ..other than that, I have a few other decorations and a small wreath to put up. We dont put up lights on the outside (although I would like to) as we are off the road and rural. Instead we go and see the light up your home competition every year in town....just beautiful...but lots of money! I reckon youd have to start off one or two a year and build up aye?
My kids make a christmas decoration for the tree every year (see below for their Light bulb Santas this year)

2. Have you ever been in a decoration competition? Nope but love what they do!

3. How much is too much? Well I guess you have to stop somewhere...but having said that, hubby reckons I go overboard every year...I think Im not too bad compared to others Ive heard of! I love to give and do it wholeheartedly.....

4. How do you celebrate this time of year?
All the family come over to our house for brekkie (pastries/fresh fruit/champers). The kids open their main present (from us and in previous years- Santa. This year there is no Santa -but they still have santa sack)..then we head over to Mums for lunch..open pressies just before lunch. We all contribute to the lunch so not too much for one person. Have a snooze in the afternoon before going for a walk on the beach/swim and have have leftovers for tea. Leftover boozy trifle for breakfast is definately a tradition in my family and as a kid, we would often have first in first serve policy on the trifle!

5.Whose job is it to wrap all the Christmas gifts? Will you (or whoever) use gift bags, or wrapping paper? Me ..I do enjoy it but Im not too good a wrapper I have to say!!! I make my own tags though and have made the christmas crackers for this year.

6. What do you dislike most about the holiday season?
The crowds definately...so Im all done before it all starts.

7. What are your top 3 Xmas songs. (ive edited this after putting some Xmas music on yesterday)
I saw Mummy kissing Santa Claus
Whose Zat? Santa Claus? by Louis Armstrong
Rudolf the red nosed reindeer.

and .....I absolutely hate Grandma got run over by a reindeer-but the kids love it!!!

8. Real tree or fake? Fake. Last year we had a real one as we lost all our decorations and tree in the flood (including all the ones the kids had made- more devastating than any other possession we lost really!). A friend of my Mum's heard this and gave us a real tree. Then I bought a fake one on special at the Wharehouse along with heaps of decorations! Why? Because I like to put it up so early and enjoy the whole Christmas thing as long as possible!!! Collecting unusual decorations again...this year I have bought a bungy jumping santa and reindeer...the kitten just loves it! We havent put lights on it this year for the safety aspect of have one kitten!!! lol!

Having a stressful week so far!

...and its only Tuesday! Its not going to get any easier and I havent done any scrapping this week yet ...so many projects to do before christmas!
Now I want you all to do a rain dance on Thursday night for me as Im having a cub camp on the weekend (but would much rather go to Jennifers dance school production of Hip hop...she is in the one next weekend (jazz and tap) but would love to see it as they are usually awesome) Aww I know the cubs would be soooo disappointed if I cancelled it! I have organised some plaster of paris as I am going to get them to push their face into the sand(Ohope Beach) and then we will be pouring some plaster of paris in until they set...digging them out carefully and drying them in the sun. Hope it works...I found the idea on the internet!
I have heaps of other games etc to do and they will be going fishing and swimming...any other ideas? Got to tire them out so they go to sleep at night( I will have 12 cubs)
Social events this week too so less time for scrapping...plan to scrap tomorrow and Thursday as want to finish Jens gfs diary (for her bday) and Hubbys altered board book (next week)..on that note..yesterday I got him his present early and bought him one of those push to talk mobiles...it is soo cool! ..tried to offer my one(1 year old) to him (and I take the new one)...I wonder why he didnt like the idea??? lol!
Anyway..Ive rambled enough!

Blackboard Canvas

Here is my Blackboard canvas that I did the other night...very easy to do! Just smells the place out! Jennifer has already written on the blackboard 'Jennifer rocks!' lol
Im off to Yolandes Christmas crop in Tauranga today with Andrea so hope to get lots done there. Also I am getting my CJ back today and giving Diannas to her, She is giving Karens back to her ...so exciting day for us! Im making my Christmas crackers today and have cut/folded them all ready for embellishing! Im taking my fireworks tin along in the hope of doing that too but dont know if I will get time.

Xmas Tree

Omg! The kids woke me up early this morning to punch me on the arm (pinch and punch thing) and to ask me when we were going to put up the Christmas tree...so at 7.30 am, the kids had it all up and looking pretty! Hubby even arrived home from the shed to help and I just took photo after photo!
They made their yearly Christmas decorations yesterday too...see below..(theyre supposed to be Santas) just have to put the gold cord around so it can hang on the tree. I got the idea from here