3 DAYS OF SCRAPBOOKING

Yep ... 3 whole days.

This weekend (commencing Thursday night) i am off to the SCRAPBOOKnBITS RETREAT !

Hoping to get lots done (but will probably get lots of chatting done as usual) LOL!

Will be back to share next week.

Have a great weekend :O)

JULIE x

I REALLY MUST

try and update this thing a little more regularly.

The weeks just go way to fast ... i think i'm doing ok then realise that it has been over a week !

We've been busy (as usual) but not doing anything terribly exciting ...

Last Sunday i took Blake shopping for his Winter wardrobe. Once upon a time i looooved a day out shopping ... these days i treasure my time at home and shopping is a bit of a chore. But we did have a lovely afternoon together and came home with all that we set out for. Our shopping trip wasn't without drama though .... we had a hellraising experience with the new pay/ticket parking system at the shopping centre and almost had our car locked in .... but that is a whole other story that i won't go into !!

My hand is coming along well ... still has limits and lets me know if i'm "overdoing it" but on the whole i'm very happy with the progress.

Friday night i took Blake and two of his friends to the movies ... we were to go and see 'Indiana Jones' but at the last minute they decided they wanted to see 'Ironman' instead ... i was a little apprehensive thinking i would have to sit through one of them movies that would be so not me ... but ... i have to say that it was actually quite a good movie and i did enjoy it.

This weekend we have had a whole weekend of soccer. Yesterday was their normal game (2 all draw) and then the boys had to back-up today to play a 'washed out' game from a few weeks ago (nil all draw) ... so much for weekend plans!

We are starting to get very excited about our holiday to America .... we have received the final intinary and details from the travel agent and have spent lots of time on the internet looking at our accommodation/s, all the theme parks and other attractions we will be visiting, reading up on their "tipping system" (this is something that has got me a little worried cause i want to make sure we do the right thing), etc etc. All of this has stirred up lots of excitement and taken over the general topic of conversation in our house !! Bring on September !!

On the countdown for this week too .... this weekend is the Scrapbook'n'Bits Weekend Retreat .... Yipppee (Thursday to Sunday) ... three days of uninterrupted scrapping, chatting etc.

I'm all ready for the workshop i am hosting ... here are a few more sneak peaks...




Hope you have all had a lovely weekend ...
Have a great week.

JULIE x

THIS WEEK .....

I can't believe how quickly the end of week keeps rolling around .... here we are at Friday again.

Wednesday i went back to the specialist and all the bandages came off and stitches came out .... [sigh] what a great feeling!
My hand is going really well .... lots of exercises now to get things back to full working capacity. It is amazing what a difference just two days has made ... as of today i can touch my thumb to my little finger ... only just, but pretty happy about that! Hoping to do a little 'scrapbooking therapy' this weekend he he !!
I go back in 4 weeks for my next check-up, so hoping all is in order by then!

Just 2 weeks 'til the SnB Retreat .... really looking forward to this! A '3 nighter' this time .... hope to get lots done.
I am also hosting a 'Family Canvas Album' workshop ....
here is a sneak peak ...



If you want to join in on a little fun this weekend ... i am running a fun competition over at SnB .... it is really easy .... have a look HERE

Talk soon,
JULIE x

a MOTHERS DAY outing

Just a short post & few pics 'cause i'm "one handed" at the moment ...

Had a wonderful day starting with a yummy breakfast and lots of gorgeous presents; a mixture of shopping and gifts from the school Mother's Day Stall (so cute) but the most special being a hand stitched placemat with "i love u mum" done in needlework/embroidery (a school project) .... just melts your heart !!

Then we set off for a driving day (along with my mum & dad) up & around 'Barrington Tops'.

Mum + Blake


Us ... (i worked out how to use the timer) !



We stopped at a lovely little park at Stroud and enjoyed a homebaked morning tea; and once up in the National Park had a BBQ sausage sizzle with yummy damper!

The drive through Barrington Tops was beautiful .... a long journey but beautiful ... all the way through to the other side to Scone!!

One of the things i love is seeing wildlife in their natural enviroment.

some of these ...


and these (a bit blurry but i'm sure you can see it's a kookabura LOL !!)


and you know your in the country when you have to stop for these gorgeous things ...



Feeling good after breathing in all that fresh country air :O) ... off for a shower, pj's and an early night.

Hope all you super women (aka - mothers) had a wonderful day.

JULIE x

In the past two weeks ....

i have obviously been very sidetracked and haven't blogged!

May the truth be known ... i have been around ... just hadn't gotten to updating.

Since my last post:

* The sun has come out .... yeah!! I am sure i absorb lots of happy energy from the sun ... i know we need rain but it makes me irritable and agitated.

* My Mum & Dad have come home ... Mum is on the improve but in the midst of organising lots of tests etc to find out what is going on. Thinking positive that nothing is majorly wrong and they'll be able to set off again real soon to continue holidaying.

* We celebrated Mum's birthday - 1st May (nice to have her home for this) ... Happy Birthday Mum! (sorry about the blurry photo)


* Blake is back at school ... that means we are back into the routine of uniforms, lunches, homework etc etc.

* I have done a truckload of scrapping ...

These LO's just for the fun of it


This is my niece Jessica and these gorgeous papers are the DreamStreet Birdie Bits range from S'n'B. I have used one of the long journalling diecuts to create a lift flap and this is the underneath.


Using the scrummy new fancy Pants range ... this is a LO of Blake when he was about 4. He used to love answering the phone but would always pick it up and not even say 'hello' ... just "Who Is It?".


Last week was the 3 night 'Mega All Boyz Workshop' for SnB .... here are the 6 layouts and OTP projects ...










Joined in on the fun at the SnB National Scrapbook Day CyberCrop last night ... what a great bunch of ladies ... lots of madness & laughter (and a little bit of scrapbooking) as well as the hilarious 'Sexy Slippers' competition (which i 'didn't win ... i think it was poor attempt of photo editing to make my
legs un-hairy he he !!)

... and if your wondering why i'm wearing odd slippers, that's becuase i couldn't decided which ones i liked best !! LOL

I am currently finishing off a few projects for my committments during May 'cause on Tuesday i have surgery on my hand and will be out of action for a few weeks (hopefully i'll still pop and and say 'hi' and test out my one handed typing skills LOL!)

Hope you've all had a great weekend.

Keep smiling :O)

JULIE x

RAIN, RAIN GO AWAY ....

... I CAN NOT STAND ANOTHER DAY !!

If you are reading this and live in an area where rain is desperately needed i apologise in advance for sounding ungrateful ... but .... this rain is driving me insane !?@#*!!

Two weeks of continuous (sometimes torrential) wet weather has taken it's toll ... i feel irritable, agitated and generally crabby .... i need some sunshine!

On a different note .... after my last post about the S'n'B site being compromised but 'up & running' again, that night it was hacked again with irrepairable damage. Poor Karen, it was a nightmare ... but ... GREAT NEWS ... all is back to normal, all re-built, new Web host, all good .... and ...



Whilst the site was down lots more yummy scrummy products arrived including the new Teresa Collins, Pink Paislee, Crate Paper, Making Memories etc ... this stuff is gorgeous ... you gotta take a peak HERE

The 2nd week of the school hols has been pretty uneventful ... the weather makes activities a little impossible but Blake has had a great time anyway, between sleepovers, movies, playstations and pancakes for breakfast, he's happy!

My Mum & Dad are only 2 months into their 12 month travelling holiday but sadly for them they are on their way home ... basically everything imaginable has gone wrong for them but the main thing being that Mum has been very sick and spent several weeks in a few different hospitals in WA. Mum is hoping and trying to last the trip home in order to accompany Dad so he won't have to do the drive on his own; however, they will be across the Nullabor tomorrow and then re-assess whether to keep going or fly Mum home.

I have done a few LO's over the past week (at least one positive thing about wet weather is that it is a good opportunity to scrap LOL) ... but i haven't taken any pics ... will share in my next post.

Hope you are all well and enjoying the last few days of the school hols (for those in NSW).

Keep Smiling :O)
JULIE x

GOOD & BAD

GOOD - School holidays have started and even though we have 'hit the ground' running with activities, i soooo looooove school holidays ( i know i keep saying this but it is totally true!!)

GOOD - Blake attended a soccer coaching clinic the last three days (9am to 12pm) with lots of his school/soccer mates and totally loved it.

BAD - Us mums observing for the 3 days nearly 'froze to death' ... but all part of the love for our kids eh!

GOOD - This afternoon we went to the movies with approx 10 Blake's little mates and some of their mums to see 'The Waterhorse'. This was a pretty good show (some parts a little unrealistic but i guess acceptable to create some fantasy in a kids movie) .. certainly enjoyed it all the same and the kids were very impressed!

BAD - Fell down a driveway at work the other day ... i'm quite fine ... just a sore rump and plenty of bark off my elbow :O(

GOOD - Found some time to do some more scrapbooking ... can't share just yet but here's a little sneak peak of my upcoming class kit (over at S'n'B)for a Mother's Day Gift idea ...



GOOD & BAD - Went back to the specialist this week and confirmed details regarding my hand. Surgery should happen early to mid May ... whilst i'm not looking forward to surgery or the recovery, i am so looking forward to my 'day to day' struggle and living on anti-inflammetries to be over. My few weeks of recovery will be a bit of a killer - no activities or scrapbooking [sigh] ...

GOOD - The cooler weather is well and truly upon us ... i love winter ... bring it on!!

GOOD - This week i have spent some lazy time on the net looking at differenct places and activities in America we will be experiencing .... it still feels like we have such a long time to wait but it is very exciting.

VERY BAD - Karen at S'n'B has had a hell time for the last week recovery from the site being maliciously compromised. Apparantly there has been a spait (sp?) of scrapbooking websites hacked in the past week or two. This is like the electronic version of vandalism .... there are some real low-life dispicable people out there.
The site has been down for a week but as of today, is 'up & running' with just a few more small adjustments to be made to the forum. Hang in there chicken ... it'll all be fine :O)

Hope everyone has had a good week.

Chat soon,
JULIE x

GOSH .... i blinked and ...

IT'S APRIL !!

We seemed to have 'hit the ground running' since Easter.

Just the usual routines of work, school & home.

Soccer season is underway for another year. Last weekend Blake had 2 trial games (won one, lost one) and the season officially starts on Anzac Weekend.

I have been very busy scrapping to finish some upcoming workshops etc for SCRAPBOOKnBITS ...

Over 3 nights ALL BOYZ workshop is taking place - 6 layouts and 1 OTP



The kit is 'jam packed' with products (including loads of new CHA stuff - Cosmo Cricket, Fancy Pants, Cherry Arte, Thickers, Fancy Pants BigBoard etc etc) ... i loved working with these products ... totally scrumptious!! More sneak peaks HERE !

You may recall my previous post/s mentioning the monthly SCRAP YOUR STASH challenge over at SnB.



A challenge is set each month with an example layout focusing on different product/s and encouraging you to delve into your stash.
It costs nothing to participate and at the end of each month all participants that display their creations in the gallery go in the draw to WIN a $10 S'n'B VOUCHER to buy more yummy products for their stash !!

Last month we focused on using left over chipboard letters & frames ... this was my example LO:



This month's SCRAP YOUR STASH focus is on ribbons & eyelets.

Here is a sneak peak of this month's example LO ...


Click HERE for all the details.

More scrapbooking ... a quick share of the 2 layouts completed in last months free workshop ... the theme was 'Rustic'!





Looking forward the school holidays starting at the end of this week ... i loooove school holidays. Really looking forward to a break from uniforms, homework, lunches, assignments etc etc.

So much for the quick post i planned to do tonight ... he he ...

Hope your all having a good week :O)
Chat soon,
JULIE x

EASTER CATCH-UP !!

I know it's been nearly a week since the Easter break but i'm still catching up ...

We had a lovely time ... took the van down to the Central Coast (well DH took the van down, he had to work for the weekend; so he set up for Blake & I and then came back and collected us on Monday afternoon).

... and YES the Easter Bunny finds you even when you are away caravanning (much to Blake's relief !!).





We had the weekend with friends ... lots of fun and very relaxing but not long enough!


The kids had a great time ... Blake spent the weekend with his little shadow (our little godson)!
Nic just adores Blake and vice versa!!






Whilst the weather was a little overcast and cool on Friday & Saturday, there was still heaps to do as the park we stayed at had planned activities all weekend ... craft, movies, Easter egg hunts, plaster painting [and the list goes on] ....
The kids on our little strip also entertained themselves for hours with a bucket of chalk displaying their talents on the pavement (as it rained each night, this cleaned the canvas for new creations everyday !!).

Sunday started with a 'chocolate smorgasbord' for breakfast and the sun came out which meant lots of fun in the pool!
The weather was also lovely on Monday which allowed for more water fun!






This little guy (our godson) is such a cutie ... he has just turned 3 and is very entertaining (maybe his parents don't think so at times but we found him quite funny). You forget the funny little things they say and do ... it's been a while since we had a little person in our house but it does jolt the memory !!



One of the things that entertained us all weekend was his infatuation with being Superman (he did have a day as Spiderman but Superman is his preferred identity) he he !!



This little caped crusader was in action all weekend.

My Blake was never into superhero's or dressing up; but this little guy assured us all weekend "i'm Superman" ... how cute!!
My girlfriend advised (that much to her dismay) the costume has to be coaxed off him and he usually only co-operates to change into Superman PJ's at night!!!

Isn't it funny how their little minds work ??!! ... but that's ok cause he is certainly our little Superman !!

Hope you all had a great weekend too!

Keep smiling :O)

JULIE x

ANOTHER BIRTHDAY

The last of the Birthdays for our little family this year ....
yesterday was DH's birthday.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARK !



We had a fab day on the lake ... lots of friends, boats, bbqing, & fun.



The weather was magic and the water was beautiful!

We got back to the boat ramp just before dark ... to finish off a huge day this is how a few of the kids insisted on returning home ... all the way across Lake Macquarie being towed behind the boat to the boat ramp ... i'd love just half their energy !! LOL!



Hope you all had a great weekend too :O)

Lots to share ....

Wow time goes fast ... Middle of March already!

All the celebrations settled after Blake's birthday and now we get to do it all again this weekend for DH ... although ... he won't be quite as spoilt as Blake was ... it will be a little more 'low key'!!

Leading up to last weekend i vowed that i was going nowhere and i had planned to spend the weekend scrapbooking ... and that's exactly what i done (along with a little bit of housework but that's ok)!

I have to put in a shameless plug here and say that loads and loads of gorgeous, yummy WINTER CHA 2008 stuff has arrived and continues to arrive at SCRAPBOOKnBITS ... all the new DREAMSTREET, CHERRYARTE, PINK PAISLEE, COSMO CRICKET, all the yummy new THICKERS and the list goes on ... and have you heard about the new CORE'DINATIONS ... this stuff is awesome. Basically it is cardstock (but heaps cheaper than Bazzill) and each coloured cardstock has an inner core that is a slight varied shade of the main colour, which means if you sand it, scrunch it, distress it, etc, the core colour comes through! .... you've got to go and look, who could resist the temptation ... can you tell i'm a little bit excited!

So back to last weekend, here are some of my creations using some of my yummy new products:

This is my neice Jessica playing amongst flowers & pretending they were snow.



This is my nephew Jacob ... such a funny little guy!
The journalling reads: When Jessica and her friend decided to give each other a facial you wanted in on the action and asked for some face cream and cuFumber too!!



Karen & myself with Mum!



and a simple, quick LO of Blake and some friends when they were little playing on the fire engine that the next door neighbour bought home from work one weekend!



And for a bit of fun .... JOLENE (S'n'B DT Member) has a fun competition going on the Forum at the moment GUESS THE SNIPPETS ... pop in and have some fun with us ... you could win a S'n'B Ribbon Pack !!

I have a couple of other projects on the go but can't share cause they are for a workshop and one is for the S'n'B RETREAT in May (3 whole days/nights of un-interrupted scrapping ... wooohoo !!)

Last but not least ...

Each month i host a FREE ONLINE CROP over at SnB ... anyone can join in, it costs nothing and you can use your own stash -OR- if you want to use the exact same product as i have used and create the exact same project/s, an optional kit is available.




Next Wednesday we are creating 2 Rustic LO's ... all the details HERE

I do have some other interesting news to share ... but won't make this post any longer than it already is (aaaahh ... i love suspense) ....

Will chat again soon .... keep smiling :O)

JULIE x

WHERE DID 11 YEARS GO ??!!

Yesterday my baby turned 11 !



Whilst i am typing this Blake is over my shoulder protesting "Muuuum, i'm not a baby anymore" !!

This weekend was busy with celebrating Blake's birthday ... Sunday, he had a party at Timezone (at Tuggerah) .. what a fab place for a boy party.



13 boys madly hyped & excited playing video games etc for 1.5 hours, half hour in the party room for food, drink, presents & birthday cake ... and all over!! Really easy ... the perfect birthday party!! LOL !!

Yesterday i got up nice and early and baked a choc birthday cake to share with his classmates; and Mark & I attended morning assembly to watch him receive his last primary school birthday certificate (a sad thought). As a treat he only had a half day at school then we went out for tea last night and more birthday cake!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BLAKE !!

NEWCASTLE JETS ARE THE CHAMPIONS !!!

GO THE JETS ... they won the Grandfinal !!




We have just arrived home from the soccer grandfinal ... what a great afternoon/night, fantastic atmosphere and THE JETS WON ( 1 - Nil ) !!!!

We left the stadium and travelled through Sydney at a "snail pace" with hundred of cars and buses filled with estatic jets fans waving flags out the windows and chanting for their champion team ... awesome!

Well done guys!

SCRAPPED & TAGGED !

Yes ... i've scrapped again ... and ... i've been tagged again !

Here is a share of the recent projects completed recently over at Scrapbook'n'Bits ...


This is the Bella Chipboard Clipboard transformed into a cute little noteboard. Had a bit of fun being creative with the painted background ... this was done with dragging a fork (yep, a simple piece of cutlery) through wet paint !!




Our first 'Scrap your Stash' challenge was completed last Sunday. Here is the LO i completed with items from my stash (with the main focus on using vellum & brads)



The next challenge has been set ... this time we delve into our stash and find a use for all those leftover chipboard letters & letter frames. We'd love you to join us ... click HERE


onto the next subject ...


I'VE BEEN TAGGED:-

I've been tagged by my blogger friend Leeanne.

You must post the rules before you give your answers. You must list one fact about yourself for each letter of your middle name. Each fact must begin with that letter. If you don't have a middle name, just use your maiden name. After you've been tagged, you need to up-date your blog with your middle name and answers. At the end of your post, you need to tag one person for each letter of your middle name. (Be sure to leave them a comment telling them they've been tagged and need to read your blog for details).

My middle name is Maree ... here goes:

MARRIED ... Happily married (most of the time LOL!) to my Husband Mark.
ATROCIOUS ... at keeping the ironing up to date!
READING ... is something i do for "me-time" when i am not scrapbooking.
ENJOYS ... friends, food and the occasional glass of white wine!
EAGERLY ... awaiting September 27th to fly to America for our dream holiday !

I tag;- Karen, Jane, Kelley, Michelle & Lexie.


We're off to Sydney on Sunday to watch the soccer grandfinal ... GO THE JETS !!

Have a great weekend everyone !!

JULIE x