the ART of my LIFE

life is CRAZY!

While most people are snuggled up at home during the winter months - up here we are out and about with sporting commitments.  Time at home on a Saturday is non existant as we race around getting kids (and ourselves) to sport on time.  Sunday is a nicer day with lazy mornings and breakfast as a family AND computer time (YAY).  So as I sit and sip my coffee I thought Id take the time to update this blog that I pay for but dont use so much.

Jayk is getting ready to head to Perth for the Young Leaders Program at Curtin.  Im still feeling apprehensive that he will be flying solo but I know he will be in very safe hands.  Noah has just finished training and playing in the tri-school Eagles Cup (AFL).  He was captain of the team and although they didnt make the finals he had a good day, setting up a goal for his team in rough circumstances - his participation in the team was a real surprise for us as he has NEVER shown any inclination toward footy in any way. Ellie is mid season with her first year in Netball.  She plays on the wing and Centre and I can spot her a mile away as she zips, ducks and weaves her way around the court giggling all the way!  She has shown interest in trying basketball and think she will do well - she is NOT afraid of the ball and the Emmerton/Chapman competitive streak is strong in this one.

Marcus and I are heading off to the Sunshine Coast in a couple of weeks for the wedding of one of our closest friends.  This is a long overdue trip for us and will be only the second time that we have been away just the two of us in fifteen years!  Marcus' parents are coming up from Tas to stay with the kids and then have a holiday with us - we are all looking forward to them coming and Noah is very excited to have his Mimmi close at hand to cook for him ha ha.  I cant compare to the home cooked goodness of Marcus' mum.  She is a legend in the kitchen (and Im looking forward to her meals too ha ha!!)

I have a couple of project shares for you from Aussie:

Scenic Route is always a favourite and went perfectly with this very funny shot of my Daughter.  Even when she is cranky and bored she still takes a beautiful photo.

Teresa Collins has a new range called Documented and I used it to create this Heritage LO - I have so many photos to scrap that belonged to my Mum and now I have photos from my Grandmother too.  TCD Documented range fits perfectly.

This Rose Moka range is another good one for those tween age boy pages.  No cutsie in site and fits well with those masculine pages without seeming 'to old' for the subject.  I used glimmermist over Tim Holtz masks, which tied in well (I think) with the paint splatter on the main background paper.

Thats it - more LO's to come.  Just have to wait til they go up on the Aussie site first.

later

Design Team Pick - Aussie WRM Tiffany's

Im sure I say I love every range that comes my way BUT I really do mean it ... promise... especially this one!

WRM Tifffany range is so so nice.  Perfect for those princess pages with a great mix of solids and pattern papers to choose from.  I got to use the scrap pad and let me just say that the amount of papers that you get in the pad is incredible as well as two types of alphas and two pages of diecuts as well.  So much value!!  AND have I mentioned the grommets and brads??? and the chipboard elements??? WHOA - did anyone say clusters?? Happy Happy Happy.

I tell you I could have kept going with projects - its one of 'those' ranges that gets your creative juices flowing.  This is one range I really recommend especially the Scrap Pad.  Look into it through your LSS.

I have been busy with kids, scrapping AND photo shoots.  I have put up a sneak peak of the latest shoots that Ive proofed and finalised so if youre interested follow the link to the left which will take you to my photography site and then once on site select the weblog link for a little look.  A couple of clicks that youre there!

I think thats it for now ... so later :)

Lift time and other things ...

Kim Archer lift - this woman is so lovely and friendly.  It was a pleasure to 'lift' her.

Kims

Mine

Home News:
Early last term Jayk was offered the chance to apply for a placement in the Sir Charles Court Young Leaders Program at Curtin Uni (Perth).  There were limited placements and all WA SHS's were able to nominate up to three students.  Jayks HS only offered one and it was his.  The application form was the stuff that nightmares are made of with 5 questions of no more than 200 words fulfilling the selection criteria.  He did a wonderful job and after the school added their blurb the application was sent off to the Uni for them to choose the final placements.  Jayk received news today from his Principal and the teacher that put him forward that he was successful.  So in the July school holidays he is heading off on an all expenses paid trip to Perth to stay at the Uni to attend the course.  He was a little shell shocked when he arrived home and told me his news - and being the Mother I am I did the only thing I could, I teared up ha ha.  Im so very proud of him and his acheivements (of all my children - just in case you thought I had favourites!!) but I must admit I am full of butterflies at the thought of him travelling to Perth to stay at a Uni campus without his parents.  I know they are fully chaperoned BUT I cant help seeing the chubby faced little boy that he used to be.  Im still getting head around it all but to my credit I am putting on a big smile and encouraging him all the way ... even though inside my heart is in turmoil.  Am I pathetic?? Or am I just a normal Mum who is now seeing that 'the future - of leaving home and heading to Uni' is now only two and a half years away.  Why so quick ... why so soon. 

Ill admit it - I need some reassurance PLEASE!!!!

ANTM

I am a bad person, I laughed when Frankie & Lola 'took off' Cassi while going through her wardrobe AND wearing her hideous black and pink satin number. Nasty.

Clair and Laura M blitzed the photoshoot - such pretty girls. 

Leah has gone (who is surprised huh!) Yee Ha

the good - the nutrutionist speaking to the girls about the importance of being healthy not stick thin and emaciated! Although I doubt much will change in their lives.

the bad -  silly girls behaving like silly girls; Cassie & Mikarla.

the ugly - Cassi, how can you whinge about not being fit and wanting to get fit then duck out for a cigi!! WTH!! stupid girl

I love Tuesdays YAY!!

ANTM is here baby!!

Its here its here - and I am a happy girl.

I have been hooked on this show for the past three seasons and I couldn't wait for this season to start.
It promised so much going off the gossip sites (although the lead up ad campaign was a bit ho hum) and going off the first show it looks like it will give all that it promises. 

I have my favourites already - Frankie, Claire and the very very exotic Laura M.  I also like Eloise and Im watching Adele too (does anyone else think she has a resemblance to past winner Alice) It has become a bit of a home competition as we each choose our favourites (and no one can have the same as you!!) and the trash talk begins ha ha.  I have high hopes for my faves ... go girls!!

the good - viewing all these beautiful natural young women and of course choosing the faves of the show.  Sarah Murdoch taking the lead, she is definitely the right choice for presenter IMO

the bad -  the F*bomb being dropped while one of the girls walked the catwalk WTH!! and of course Claire's comment when in the house going through all her goodies was "Ive got a beaver!!" ... yes Claire we KNOW you have a beaver ... don't brag hon. and of course the VERY witty Charlotte's comment to Leah - embrace your mole DONT be a mole hear hear!

the ugly - the nasty picky behaviour (already) towards Cassi - she isn't a favourite of mine but she is a young immature 16 year old so what do you expect - and Claire - just because a young girl shows confidence and self assurance don't cut her down. Stupid behaviour from past winner (still cant believe this girl won) Demelza, laughing and carrying on while the new girls walked the catwalk.  Is it any wonder no one has caught a whiff of her since last season ended.

I love Tuesdays YAY!!

Quickie lift share

Aussie upload this week was scraplift of Heidi Swapp. 

Hers:

Mine:

cheers.

hello lovelies

the massive response to the LYB baby album give away was astounding ha ha.  Kidding kidding.

Jodie - I will email you to get all your details and get the album in the post by Monday. enjoy

Aussie showcase this weekend is We R Memory Keepers.  I got to use the very bright and quite delicious Heart Attack.  Lovely lovely lovely.

 

thanks

Jaimie

scrap it flaunt it class

Ive been having some fun creating a class kit for Scrap It Flaunt It in Perth.  Its for their budget buster series of classes and I have enjoyed using up left overs in my stash that would otherwise end up in my daughters craft box.  I dont have details on when this class will be run or whether it will be run as a combined class OR as two seperate classes, but if youre interested just give the shop a call on 94980097, the lovely girls will give you all the info.

Heres a little sneak peak of the budget buster class.

 

cheers

new blog couture and em falconbridge lift

My blog has become tired and samey so I thought a change was in order.  Like most I'd heard all about the House of 3 and all their funky digi kits and blog couture so it wasnt a stretch of the budget to purchase the background and banner from the site.  The great thing is that the girls have free tutorials available to make adding the digi couture to your blog easy.  I went for the yellow as I think its fresh - although I have my eye on the black postcard and tapestry blog couture ... we'll see.  A big thankyou to Steph for helping me set the background such a sweetheart.

This week at Aussie we have lifted Em Falconbridge - I am really enjoying this new round of lift challenges.  I chose this LO of Em's to lift.

My version.

While not an Em masterpiece Im happy with the results.  I used a fancy serviette and decopaged it to pink paislee background paper, added my title and those buttons & brads (how cute are they!!).  I used an older photo of my daughter - still cant believe how little she looks, such a cutie pie.

well Im off to scrap ... after I do my floors *grrrrr*

cheers xxx

Little Yellow Bicycle and an Easter giveaway.

Yes Im a fan - yes Im glad I got this challenge at Aussie - Yes there are lots of photos with this post.

The first little matchbook album was made for a friend so she could put photos of their new baby so the Dad could show it off at work

 

Giveaway alert ... -->

This second album is one I made for the heck of it.  There is a bit of a population explosion here in town atm and a girl I thought was having a boy actually had a girl!! SO I now have an album that is just sitting here gathering dust.  Its made from a Tink Ink Peek-a-boo album and LYB baby safari boy paper and embellishments.  If its something you would like or know someone that would then leave a comment and Ill get back to you after Easter!

Thanks :)

Life is good

Ive just celebrated my birthday - and at my age Ive decided that it should be a birthday week - and as such my week has now ended as from yesterday.

Im now in my very last year of my 30's and I have to say as far as circumstances go - Life is good.  I only know of a few women that can say that with sincerity and it is liberating to be one of those few.  Dont get me wrong I dont live a charmed life and have the same struggles as the next person, the thing is that the good outweighs the bad and at my age that is very liberating.

Things to be thankful for:

• a husband that supports and loves me (we've just celebrated 15 years of marriage)
• three kids that actually do as theyre told (even though they may argue about it)
• family living closer and getting to see my niece and nephew grow (this was harder to get used to than I thought!!!)
• Three friends that I would give my life for - seriously
• the ability to be able to do what I love doing (scrapping, teaching & photography)
• FINALLY being comfortable in my own (sagging) skin
• owning a pair of Christian Louboutin pumps (Manolo's are next baby!)
• having time to read and relax - having me time without the guilts

I wonder what you're thankful for? 

Happy Easter my friends - enjoy yourselves and your famiy and friends.

xx