The week that was

Here is the week 6 SE ultimate scrapper layout. This week we were challenged to use a 'technique' It took me a while to decide on what I was going to do. I love altering chipboard. I have done a bit of doodling on recent layouts, I could have done stamping, sewing and many other things. In the end it was the photo that gave me the inspiration. I thought with the ruined tape I could use ribbon to look like the tape ribbon. I am really happy with how it turned out! Steve had quite a bit of input into this one. He actually suggested the ribbon around the photo. Originally I had 3 4x6 photos but once I put the ribbon around the middle one I knew that had to be the focus.


This is the week 5 SE ultimate scrapper entry. We were challenged to do a double layout about a challenge in our life. I chose to do about our time in the States, so far away from friends and family and having Isaac early and the incredibly special nurses who have become very special friends. I am so happy to have this scrapped. I love the layout! It didn't photograph very well, I think the light background with the dark photos confused the camera, even though I was doing it manually. There is silver doodling around the photo of the hands which is very hard to see. The photo of the hands is Steve's wedding ring on Isaacs arm. The ring actually slid right up his arm! This photo was Nurse Sues idea so that we could send it home to family and friends so they could get an idea of how small he was.

Ilka, notice the silver butterfly? Isn't it just so cute! I recieved this in my PIF parcel from Ilka, so lovely.




There is only one week left of the comp and I am in two minds about how I feel about it. I will miss the challenges because I have learnt so much about how I scrap. I will miss the Wednesday morning reveals and seeing all the a mazing work on the site. BUT, my family will be pleased to have the house in more order. I started my spring clean last Friday and slowly over the next couple of weeks I will finish it. So far the kitchen is looking lovely and sparkly clean.

As for the PIF's only one person hasn't said not to PIF them, so Mrs Frizz if you would like to be a PIFee send me a pm on SE. Other than that I think I will PIF some new scrappers here in town.

My class went really well. It was so much fun. There were 7 people and I think I have got another 4 new scrapbookers out of it! I let them choose there own colours and it was so cool to see there personalitys coming through with what they chose. Even though they basically followed my layout they all looked so different and cool.

On other news, my big boy got onto the year 4 quiz team. He got equal top score with his best friend. It is so wonderful to see him blooming with his new teacher. He also had his final hockey game on Sat. They won, what a great way to end the season. They ended up being 5th in division 1, a great effort considering this was there 1st year in division 1 and it is a combined team from 2 schools and range in age from 8-11. Steve gave them all certificates and made them personal. He gave Tobyn Most Enthusiastic player, Tobyn was so chuffed with this!

On Sunday we took Tobyn and his friend Thomas to there 1st rugby game. It was Manawatu vs Otago. Manawatu played really well and it was a draw. the best thing about the game for the boys was when they caught one of the balls kicked into the crowd. After the game they took the ball and got the players to sign it, the players were surprised to see 2 little boys with a ball! They will remember that for a long time!

Have a great weekend everyone TTFN.

PIF a Class and a cutie

There is a fun thing going around the place at the moment call Play it forward. I guess a take on the Pay it Forward idea from the movie of the same same that I enjoyed. So what happens is someone sends me something or does something special and then I do the same for someone else. So for anyone that leaves a message on my blog I will pick 3 people to PIF to. The only catch is that you then PIF to 3 other people. It is fun and people love being treated special once in a while.

Tonight I am teaching a class at our Mums group. I foolishly suggested to Kaila that maybe I could do a page about me with them. We usually talk about our parenting and how we can be better parents, so what about us, a leagacy for our children. Kaila said 'Oh what a fantastic idea, what about our next meeting?' I had been stressing about it! I have never done anything like this before. Will they like it, what do I do, how do I organise the stuff, how many people will turn up and on and on. Last week I was lucky to find some paper very cheap at Spotlight, nice American Crafts stuff it was too. Yesterday I finally put the page idea together, see the pic. I like it. It is very simple, but I don't know if it is too simple. I will let you know after tonight how it goes.



Look at what Isaac spent a lot of yesterday afternoon doing. He spent ages puting these tiny little Mickey Mouse characters in and out of the cab of the truck. Opening and shutting the doors. He was so engrossed he didn't know I was taking pics for ages.



A funny thing that happened with Tobyn this morning....

He went to his room to get dressed and there was a cockroach on the floor of his room. Steve went in and told him that he should keep his room tidier and make sure there wasn't any food in there. Well of course Tobyn wasn't happy with that comment because he never takes food into his room. I on the other hand said it probably came in the open toilet window from the woodshed. His room is right next to the toilet. He liked that idea better. After that he spent a few mins tidying his room. He came into the kitchen and we had the following conversation...

Tobyn: 'I think I know why the cockroach came into my room'
Mum: 'Why'
Tobyn: 'This book was on the floor'

Holds up a kids cookbook with a picture of an icecream sunday on the cover

Mum: 'Oh, why'
Tobyn: 'I think it liked the look of the picture on the front and thought it would taste good'

I couldn't help but laugh and write it down for the future!

Isaac and Apollo, so cute!

Man this was just so cute I had to blog about it, deffinately a memory to keep alive!

After his bath tonight Isaac always likes a 'cuggle' with Mummy. So I took him and sat on the couch just as 'The Zoo' was starting. Apollo came and climbed onto Isaacs lap and made himself comfortable. Steve got the first couple of photos because it was so cute. Next minute Isaac is saying 'Yummy', Apollo was licking his face. I said 'Apollo is giving you a kiss' so then Isaac was giving Apollo mouth kisses! He doesn't even give me a 'proper' kiss, always turns his head for me to kiss his cheek. He must REALLY love Apollo. SO cute!

The Music In Me

This is my layout for the first challenge at Neens The music in Me blog. Neen has started a blog with 2 challenges each month all to do with music. I know I am going to get lots of inspiration from this one!

This layout doesn't have wonderful photos on it! These were taken back in 1995 before we had an SLR and before I really knew much about how to take good pics! But the challenge using the title 'Ice Ice Baby' was perfect for these photos! So thank you Neen for a wonderful blog!

And I am so MAD, I just realised I spelt Melbourne wrong, ARGH! And the letters are stuck firm, they will be hard to change!!!

On a HIGH

I am so excited! I got 1st equal in this weeks scrapbook essentials ultimate scrapper comp. I am in shock! There were so many amazing and deserving layouts and I can't believe mine got chosen. Woohoo, doing a little happy dance!

Thank you for your kind thoughts for Isaac. He is much improved. After 1 dose of ibuprofen and a 3 hour sleep he was much better. He is now back to his cheeky rat big self. He still has a horrible chesty cough and an icky nose but I can will take that over the listless, sad little munchkin he was for 2 days. Last night I got my first night of full sleep in a week, so I am happy about that too. Unfortunately though I now have a horrible cough as well. C'est la vie, goes with the territory of being a Mum.

We have a very quiet weekend here, which I need after the last week. Steve is planning on taking the boys out this afternoon and giving me some space for an hour or so. Aaaah, looking forward to that.

ttfn

My poor wee boy!

Sorry for the following disjointed blog, I am going to blame it on lack of sleep! Isaac is very sick! He has a raging temp which we don't seem to be able to break. Right now he is actually sleeping on the couch, not me, so I can get a few moments to myself. I took him to the Dr on Tuesday and he said he had a chest infection and gave him an anti bot. But he hasn't got any better. I have had him sleeping with me for 3 nights now. Yesterday he didn't want me to put him down at all, he wouldn't even go to Daddy! Last night he seemed to be hallucinating. He would wake up start screaming and put his hands out in front of him "Lion, lion, lion" It took almost an hour to calm him down. He just did the same thing a few mins ago, this time saying "cat, cat, cat" but not as hysterically. I took him back to the Dr today. He said he isn't any worse and that the high temp is what is causing him all the problems and then prescribed ibuprophen. I hope he starts getting better soon, I hate seeing him so sick. I start to worry, especially because of the fears drummed into us about preemies and colds.

We had a lovely weekend with Steves sister Jane and wee Olivia. Though they were both tired and needing rest and relaxation. I hope that Jane felt a little relaxed after staying with 2 little boys. Olivia had a bit of a cold and wasn't feeding or sleeping well. By Sunday evening Jane phoned after hours and they said to bring her in. This little 12 week old was diagnosed with a chest infection and an ear infection. Poor wee thing, it is so hard to know with babies.

I went out to dinner and to the movies with my sister on Sunday evening. It was nice to get out without the boys! We went to see 'I Now Pronounce you Chuck and Larry' it was funny and there were deffinately some laught out loud moments, but it wasn't one I would rave about.

Now for this weeks scrapbook essentials layout. I am very happy with this one, I love how it turned out. Though my sister will testify that I had to tell myself to stop with the doodling and stitching LOL. The website has been experiencing problems. Couldn't get on at all yesterday (not that Isaac would let me anyway) and today it is touch and go. Next week we have to do a double, ARGH!!!



My sisters husband came home from hospital yesterday after 2 and a half months. She said he tires easily. He is so lucky really, he will be close to 100% in a years time. For those that are new to my blog my BIL was in a head on collision back in June. He broke his collar bone, elbow, hip and both ankles. He has pins and plates in all of those joints.

so until next time, when I have some more totally inthralling news, have a wonderful week.

I got a spot prize!

Wow, what a shock I got this morning when I saw that I got a spot prize in the Ultimate scrapper comp. So entering this has been so worth while! I have got some layouts done that I would never have done otherwise plus I am going to get a little something in the post, YAY. The standard of layouts in this comp is so high and I am so impressed with what people can come up with in such a short amount of time while being pushed out of there 'normal' scrapping.

And just a cute photo of Isaac. Tobyn stuck this bow to Isaacs head and Isaac left it there for ages!

Latest Ultimate scrapper layout

So here is the latest creation for the Scrapbookessentials ultimate scrapper comp. As I said earlier the challenge this week was to use NO photos, yep, none, nada, zilch! I really struggled with this one. It took me ages to come up with an idea and when it did I thought it was going to work. My original idea was inspired by a piece of fabric I saw, it was different shades of blue circles on a white background. So I thought, ooh, blue circles on white, big words in the middle, journalling around the edge, telling the boys my hopes and dreams for them. I told Steve my inspired idea and he said "I don't generally like your layouts on white backgrounds, I know you do, but..." so I pulled out my layouts on white backgrounds and he liked 4 out of 6...go figure. Anyway I listened to him and decided to not use a white background and it didn't work! I wish I had stayed with my idea. On Sunday I ended up with a very sore back and had to give up working on it. On Monday I could hardly move and I wasn't going to be scrapping that day, especially as Steve had taken a few hours off to look after Isaac and get Tobyn to and from school and swimming. So I had to do the layout on Tuesday, and get it finished while it was still light so I could photograph it. I made a few balls ups e.g, the pale green rings are covering up some hideous yellow paint, which you can kind of see which now I think gives it a great grungy look. But I didn't have time to start again. I think my biggest thing with it is that it is incredibly different to anything that I have ever done before. The ladies in the comp are so sweet, I have had nothing but positive comments about that and I thank you all, it sure does make a girl feel good!

Meeting Olivia and 2 layouts

Today we went down to Paraparaumu and got to meet little Olivia. What a darling little girl. But poor Jane is tired. Olivia has got reflux and colic. Unfortunately I think all the cousins didn't help the littlest cousin to be settled, of course she wanted to be a part if the 'party'. I remember those 1st few weeks all to clearly! I remember coming home from the States when Isaac was 6 weeks old adjusted age. We had major issues with temporary accommodation. Isaac was not easy to breast feed and I had an unfortunate experience of the landlord walking in unannounced. I had a wonderful nurse who said don't stress about b'feeding, he has got 4 months so if you want to go to the bottle do it. Jane is doing an awesome job, I only wish I could be of more help for her.

Tobyn was smitten with her but a little nervous to hold her. He doesn't remember Isaac being that small and to think when he held Isaac for the 1st time he was only around 3lbs! Steve loved meeting his niece and I don't think he wanted to hand her back when she was upset and her Mum wanted her! Must be something about the little girl snuggles?

OK onto some layouts. This 1st one is my entry into the http://scrapbookessentials.co.nz comp. I love this, it turned out just the way I wanted. I imagined it very feminine with lots of flowers, though I thought about putting some bling on it and maybe I still will.

This weeks challenge is to have no photos :0 I find this one very hard. One of the reasons I scrapbook is because I love taking photos. But I have come up with an idea that also means I get to leave a legacy for my boys which is another reason why I scrapbook.

This next layout is for the b&w + a colour photo monthly challenge at http://scrapbookoutletnz.co.nz again I am really happy with this layout! But I need to work on long titles, I just don't seem to get it right. I see others do titles with lots of words and they look great, definitely something to work on.

Have a lovely rest of the weekend and 'til nest time ttfn.

Oh and to all my 'anonymous' visitors, thanks for visiting! I would love to know who you are and if you have a blog of your own. I am sure that I can't have got over 1000 hits from my Mum and a couple 3 other regulars LOL!

I bet my time

Its me Tobyn >>>>>>I bet my time on the elliptical trainer #:O)<<<<<<. I am so happy. It was hard but it was worth it. I am trying to beat dad. bye.

Bubbly- Colbie Caillat

I have heard this song a few times but when I heard it this morning I knew I just loved it. It is so nice to have a song around that has NO bad words and it is totally positive. Gonna have to use this on a layout of Steve!

Some fun stuff

How's this for a fun thing to do. I wonder you can actually get one some where, ooh but I have an idea!



We had a wonderful day on Saturday with Steve's sister Clare and her family, Bryan, Hannah and Adam. We don't get to see them as often as we should and they only live an hour away. Not enough days in the week. It wasn't a particularly nice day weather wise so the day was spent playing with the cars, playing board games and sardines. Lots and lots of giggles playing sardines. For those that don't know, sardines is a hide and seek game, one person hides and everyone else has to find them, when you find them you have to hide with them, last person there is in next. Our place has quite a few cupboards and spaces for hiding so it is becoming the thing to do in our place, fun, fun, fun!

This weeks layouts are up at http://scrapbookessentials.co.nz I am very happy with my layout this week. Even Steve loves it and he is VERY honest! My plan for the next 5 is to have the idea before Sunday and then spend Sunday afternoon working on it, this way I have a couple of days up my sleeve if it doesn't go to plan. Fortunately Steve is in agreement with my plan, kind of revolves around him looking after the boys for a couple of hours. I'll be back later to load my layout for you to see.

When the hubby's away the wife can play

With her craft stuff!

I have had a pretty busy week scrapping, well busy for me! As I said earlier I have entered the Ultimate Champion at http://scrapbookessentials.co.nz/ there are some amazingly talented competitors and I don't expect to get any prizes, I just love the challenges and it makes me think about my scrapping a little bit differently. So last week I completed the warm up challenge. If you click on the link you should be able to read the journalling, if not and you want to read it leave me a comment and I will put it in here. I really enjoyed this challenge! I got Isaac and Tobyn to help by painting the background. I love the colours it is so bright and fun.




The first official challenge required us to make 2 of our own embellishments. It took me a couple of day to think of what to do and one morning it just popped into my head. SO I knew I was going to make some clay hearts and to a layout about Steve and I. I made the hearts that night but it then took me a few days to actually have the inspiration to do the layout It was a challenge just to find a photo of Steve and I, the most recent one was taken 4 years ago, so I decided to go with our 'engagement' photo. I am pleased with how it came out, though again it pales in comparison to some of the other ladies work.





So far each of my layouts has a little bit done my my kids. Tobyn made the heart in the middle of the layout. So now onto the next challenge.







On Saturday evening I joined the other ladies at http://scrapbookoutletnz.co.nz/ for the crop. It was a lot of fun and I have never scrapped as fast as I did that night!

I made these cards in 1 hour! And I love them. The challenge was to use one piece of patterned paper on a b'day card and a wedding card.




Then we had a scavenger hunt. And Jenny and I won, doodoodoodoo! Jenny and I worked hard on a hunt previously om SBO and Jenny got the final answers and kindly shared the monthly kit and add on with me. This time we did it completely on our own steam but sent our e-mails at the same time, and I won a voucher to use at the store YAY.





The design team also set challenges to gradually do over the next week. The first one was due on Dunday evening. We were challenged to scrap about a name, could be it's meaning, nick names, etc I chose to list the other names we had for Tobyn. I did this layout in a couple of hours. I don't like scrapping so fast, I don't have enough time to really think about it, get the placement right etc. I do like the layout and I am glad I have done it. Tobyn found it very interesting too and wanted to know why we chose Tobyn not Jacob. So there is another layout to do!



Steve turned 40 on Tuesday! We went out for dinner with his parents and that was very nice. I gave him a handmade vouvher to buy a piece of artwork. I was going to get him a multi CD player but he went and bought himslef an 80GB iPod while he was away so there goes the need for a multi CD player! He said he is looking forward to going shopping for some artwork. Tobyn decided he wanted to get him a game. WHen we went looking he was looking more at games he would like to begin with, in the end he chose up-words and it is a great game for us all to play.



We are having a party but it isn't going to be until later in Sept. We are just too big procrastinators! But when it happens it is going to be alot of fun!!!



I have got the builder just arriving to fix the hole in the garage that is due to the dryer vent not being put in right and causing moisture that we didn't notice until the dark mould started showing through, grrrrrr! So better go talk to him, ciao for now

Player of the Day!!!

Finally after 14 weeks of hockey Tobyn gave the game his full effort and he was rewarded!
Steve is the coach of T's hockey team and with him being away things haven't gone quite as smoothly as he would have liked. Mind you if he had done the organising prior to leaving a bit better...? Last week the Dad that Steve had spoken too didn't realise he was it? Go figure. But he coached and was a great coach, and they drew and had a pretty great game. This week was a totally different story! Our team was playing the team that our really good friend coaches. I thought that would be OK and he would be understanding knowing that Steve was away. The game was at 10am and at 9.55 there were only 4 team members! It is 7 aside hockey so obviously that wasn't going to work. The other coach was happy to wait until 5 past and he also said that his daughter could play for our team if we needed. I thought that was very understanding. Fortunately we did end up with 6 players, but this meant that all the kids would have to play the WHOLE game, 20 mins/half. Normally they have 3 subs so we knew they were going to be exhausted. The first half they did great, backed each other, ran and even scored a goal. It was so wonderful to see T get in there and tackle and hit the ball and RUN! Half time came around and I said to the other coach that we were appreciative of R playing for us but we were still short, 2 players hadn't turned up. He said we couldn't use R again. So I suggested we play 6 aside and he said well the rules are.....Now I am all for rules at the right age group, these kids are 8,9 and 10, they just want to play, well at least our team do. Of course they all want to win but come on a little give and take. Anyway, our guys played 6 on 7 and they were troopers, they got whipped but they should take heart in the fact that they played, they all played a WHOLE game and they were a great TEAM! A couple of the Mums said that they wanted to give T the POD trophy and I said totally up to you, of course he would be thrilled and he hasn't received it yet. When they announced he was POD his face was priceless, he was so chuffed! And so was his Mum.

Of course I didn't have the camera so O took this photo after we got home. What a mission to get a photo, he hates having his photo taken and won't smile, so this was the best of about 40 photos. But at least I have the photo and there is a story behind that too.

Angel vs devil?

Look at this little man



I turned my back for a few seconds and he had his hands in the ashes bucket and a mouthful of ashes. I couldn't help but laugh and had to grab the camera! And before you all get up in arms, it was a bucketful of COLD ashes, had been there for a couple of days. Surprisingly he didn't gag and just carried on with his business playing. When I tried to clean him up he had a tantrum!

This is something I have to get used to with him, so totally the opposite of Tobyn.

And isn't this scene just heart warming? He just adores Apollo and he is such a laid back easy going kid and this position sums him up well.



I am looking forward to the weekend for a few reasons. First and most important Steve comes home, YAY. Secondly, we are going to the stage show Cats. Wish us luck though because we are taking Isaac. I think it will be enough exciting stuffgoing on to keep him interested and he loves music and dance, so fingers crossed. Thirdly I am going to drop in on the cyber crop at Scrapbook outlet and work on a couple of challenge layouts.

I hope you all have a great weekend, ttfn