Goodbye and Farewell...2008

The end of the year...another year come and gone....with it reflection...I looked back at my resolutions way back in my January post.

"New Years Resolutions 2008... Contentment, Strength, Love, Faith, Patience, Hope, Joy, Fortitude, Creativity, Understanding, Health. I think that covers alot so if I get half way through the list I would have achieved something."

The year was full up ups and downs not just for me but for other friends and family.It was at times a difficult year but with fortitude and strength each and everyone has been able to pull through. As to my list I believe I was able to achieve more than half...A Dear Friend "K" sent me this email which I would like to share.


"My Wish for You in 2009"


May peace break into your house and may thieves come to steal your debts. May the pockets of your jeans become a magnet of $100 bills. May love stick to your face like Vaseline and may laughter assault your lips! May your clothes smell of success like smoking tires and may happiness slap you across the face and may your tears be that of joy. May the problems you had, forget your home address! In simple words ............


May 2009 be the best year of your life!!!


Farewell 2008 and Bring On 2009
So from Me to You
Happy New Year

Merry Christmas

To all My Family and Friends,
Wishing You all the Joy and Happiness
at this Special time of the Year.
Merry Christmas from Me to You!!!

Take Time

A couple of weeks ago I got a gorgeous Little Book, beautifully bound called "Take Time". With the lead up to Christmas I know myself, everything seems a little caotic. Finishing all the Chrissy shopping, finalising all things connected with work, and also enjoying all the Parties and celebrations that occur during this time of the year. So I thought I would share a little of it here.....

TAKE TIME FOR FAMILY
Treasure each other in the recognition that we do not know how long we shall have each other.

TAKE TIME FOR INTUITION
Your Heart often knows things before your mind does.

TAKE TIME FOR LAUGHTER
Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.

TAKE TIME FOR YOUR SPIRIT
Just put your ear down next to your soul and listen hard.

TAKE TIME TO PLAY
Never lose your child's heart.

TAKE TIME FOR LOVE
Live simply; love lavishly.

TAKE TIME FOR FRIENDSHIP
A friend is one of the nicest things you can have, and one of the best things you can be.

TAKE TIME FOR YOUR MEMORIES
They are part of your past, present and yet to be your future.

Creative Scrappers

Exciting news to share…I am now on the Design Team for an Awesome Sketch site called Creative Scrappers.

Each week a new Sketch is posted with the Design team sharing their interpretations….This is a great site for Inspiration and Creativity…So pop on over and have a look around…See you there Soon

Little Wonders

Christmas is literally around the corner (14 days to be exact)...and sadly I have just started my Chrissy shopping...I have a list, I've checked it twice, now to do the shopping and find everything...just need to find the time...I had an awesome weekend, back to back Christmas parties (4 in total, still recovering hahahaha).My nephew and niece came over early Sunday morning and together we put up the Christmas tree and all the decorations around the house with carols playing in the background.The munchkins were so excited and so very good all day, definately Great Little Helpers. Plus as an added bonus I did a little photo shoot with them, all dressed up (will post photos later in the week).When you see the Pure Joy in a Childs face with the excitement of Christmas, and all it entails, you have to stop and realise how Blessed you are to be apart of it all. So to my Little Darlings, Thank you for the Little Wonders that You are.

The following Layouts are both from the Baby Album series that I have been teaching, both featuring my niece.

Friendship and a Very Squishy Face

These are Layouts from The Advanced "Whatever Course" that I can now share. So thats the first of the Advanced course fininshed and now Im currently teaching a "Celebration" Course....featuring all those special times throughout the year ie: Easter, New Years Eve,Mothers Day etc...So stay tuned but for now...Hope You like these.

Friendship is a Rare Gift that should always be valued through the hard times and the good times..."M" has been my Rock and "R" my Comic Relief (she will hate me for this hahahaha)...This was the 3 of Us on a recent Weekend away.

A Few Close-Up Shots



This is not a very flattering picture of Me ...my face is all squished up from my niece giving me a Huge Bear Hug....but I love Her smile in this photo and it's just so her....Definately Two Peas in a Pod.I used the "Everbloom" Collection from Kaiser which was such a pretty range to work with.

A Few Close-Up Shots

All things Pink

A while between posts...a fairly hard personal week for Me..so I packed myself off to a friends place down in the Southern Highlands for the whole weekend for alittle T.L.C.....Thank-you "C" and "J" for the most relaxing weekend I have had in a long time.I was completely spoilt (did the girlie things such as Pedicure, Massage and Shopping), fantastic food, enjoyed the serenity of the outdoors as well as vegging out in their amazing outdoor spa...But the Best Part is that I have discovered my new Favourite Choice of Drink "Slushy Margaritas" Yum Yum Yum...

So in saying all of that here are some layouts I can share with you now...They are both layouts that I taught as classes....Pink being the colour of choice..


My Little Niece dressed up as the Cutest Bunny and Me (Of course I had to dress up alittle...Bunny Tail and all)...Just a Soft ,Feminine Girlie Layout, with lots of Flowers, Ribbons and Lace.


This Layout was completed for the White Album that I'm teaching...The cuttlebug was used for the embossed and diecut sections...and all the elements were lifted to give alot of depth....The swirls were painted then finished off with a layer of Silver Kindy Glitz...Its amazing how much my niece has grown since both Photos were taken

Terra Incognizant

I received many beautiful gifts on my birthday, amongst them a surprise! This was a card with an enclosed note. I read it many times taking in its content. It stirred a Rockpool of Memories, most that I had tried so hard to supress....yet other memories always there........ It made me wonder how many people exist without Living the lives they really want? Or taking the steps to return to where they had previously experienced Joy and Real Happiness…. Now they look back and wonder if they could try again? It’s a hard place to be in… Wanting to know but not knowing, wanting to Reach out, not knowing How or which Path to take. But some times continuing to Break the Ice after that first initial step has been taken is maybe where Strength comes into play and that Strength has to come from Within, to Trust that inner core. It’s a difficult Step. The part of You that’s still Alive needs to Know and Believe, that the next move can be taken, no matter how hard it seems.

Birthday Hugs

Its amazing how fast your Birthday comes around each year...and yes mine has arrived...with it reflection of the year that has past and thoughts of the year yet to be.I normally dont write about the weather but I have to admit between storms,wind and freezing weather I have never experienced such bad weather at this time of the year (You always know what to expect around your Birthday)....So from a Picnic in the Park...to a BBQ at home...My whole family helped me celebrate my Day....Lots of Laughs, Playing silly games and a Lovely Fun Filled Day....As for the Photos...My nephew has discovered a new smile...Closed Eyes and a Cheeky grin...so this one is the best of the lot...My Nose looks like Rudolf's and Face/Eyes all swollen as I had the Worst Hay Fever/Allegies possible (Blaming the Weather )BUT hey you cant win them all.My Wish for the Year ahead.....Happiness in all areas of My Life.

Kreativ Blogger

The Very Talented Carole Janson has kindly nominated me for this Award.She is always a source of such amazing inspiration....and her creativity unbelievable.

So with receiving this award I have to pass it on with these Rules
1. The winner may put the logo on their blog.
2. Put a link to the person who sent you the award.
3. Nominate 5 blogs.
4. Put links to their blogs.
5. Leave a message for your nominees.

OK so here goes:

Tracey Jackson
Nat 9248
Scrappdingue
Vintage Me (Jamie)
Tamara Jensen

All are very extremely Talented and Gifted Artists.Thanks again Carole,don't forget to drop by the Blogs (Links are on the side bar)..I haven't worked out how to add links to my posts yet LOL...so If someone out there could help me out...it would help Little Blonde Me

Guest Designer

A while ago I was approached by Kristine from Creative Scrappers if I would like to be a Guest Designer and do a Layout based on a sketch by Julie Bonner.It was a great honour to be asked and I had so much fun working on the project.So if you have a chance pop over to the website and have a look at all the other amazing layouts and sketch ideas.

This is My Youngest Brother and I at a recent Christening. As the Journalling says " My Brother, My Friend"....Hugs to You "M".....I just love all the new lace cardstock hitting the shelves, here I used one from Creative Imaginations. The PP is the latest amazing range from Collage Press.I always love working with Red, and with the black as a background, it lead to a classy layout (well at least I think so LOL)

A Few Close-Up Shots

Adorable Princess

My Darling Little Niece on her 2nd Birthday...definately an Adorable Princess.She looked so Beautiful in her Birthday dress that once my camera came out she just kept on smiling....a Butterfly Cake,pretty little cupcakes, family and friends all together to celebrate her special day.Love You My Darling.

This Layout was a work in Progress but I must say My Absolute Favourite to Date. The Bird with the swirl was hand cut and painted over with Making Memories Glitter Paint to give it a whimpsical Look, as was the Clear Heart and the torn edges. After cutting the circles out, I used a decorative punch to scallop around the edges, then I sanded all the exposed edges to bring back some more white into the layout.I must say cutting out the flower PP was a gruelling delicate proceess but once placed I loved it.Most of the PP and the embellishments were lifted to add depth to the Layout.(Stash No.35)

A Few Close-Up Shots

Sugar and Spice

Normally my niece will always smile when I have my Camera out....yet this was one of those times that she wasnt in the mood...then she told me that she wanted her photo taken but with a small smile LOL....I just Love her little personality....definately a mixture of Sugar and Spice.My Stash is slowly on the decline this is No. 36....but I recently recieved some awesome papers from an online challenge that I won ...Im so tempted to cut into them...well maybe another day...

I loved these papers from "We R Memory Keepers"..the colours were perfect for these photos (the pics have come out alittle darker on the download)...I did alot of cutting to layer the flowers and make the swirls pop, I choose to ink in black to lift all the vibrant colours of the Printed papers.

A Few Close-up Shots

White with 2.....

White with 2...That is to say 2 Layouts from my White Album series that Im teaching.These are my takes on Red and Neutral (earthy colours)....and then the home run will be with White/Pink and lastly White/Multicolour...so stay tuned for those layouts which will be coming soon

Aside from Scrapping, Life is a little caotic with work, external audits, always a stressful time of the year,bring on next Thursday when life returns to normal.I havent posted layouts for a while due to work commitments....but I needed some time out...so here goes.


Last year for my Birthday I had a Scrap Party with all my friends that I teach and work with at Scrapbook Dreams...It was a Full House with lots of Laughter, Silliness and crazy games...Everyone had a Glitter heart painted on their faces and the night was fantastic...Here is me with 2 of my buddies "K" and "H".This was my take on White with Neutral ...Lots of Stamping,Tearing and Earthy tones.

A Few Close-Up Shots


Another Party for my Birthday but this time with my family....My S.I.L made this wonderful Tiramasu cake which my Nephew wanted to feed me...but one spoon in he decided that he didnt want to share my cake...go figure, needless to say the 30 photos that were taken were very funny...and that piece of cake remained on the spoon , not on the floor.These are a few of the photos.....The layout obviously features red....Lots of Swirls,Ladybugs and Red Pearls.


A Few Close-Up Shots

Words to Live Your Life By

This is a list of quotes posted on Oprah's website, I read them on Tracey Jacksons Blog . I also wanted to share them and hopefully do a layout down the track with these quotes.

1. What you put out comes back all the time, no matter what.
2. You define your own life. Don't let other people write your script.
3. Whatever someone did to you in the past has no power over the present.Only you give it power.
4. When people show you who they are, believe them the first time.
5. Worrying is wasted time. Use the same energy for doing something about whatever worries you.
6. What you believe has more power than what you dream or wish or hope for. You become what you believe.
7. If the only prayer you ever say is thank you, that will be enough.
8. The happiness you feel is in the direct proportion to the love you give.
9. Failure is a signpost to turn you in another direction.
10. If you make a choice that goes against what everyone else thinks, the world will not fall apart.
11. Trust your instincts. Intuition doesn't lie.
12. Love yourself and then learn to extend that love to others in every encounter.
13. Let passion drive your profession.
14. Find a way to get paid for doing what you love. Then every paycheck will be a bonus.
15. Love doesn't hurt. It feels really good.
16. Every day brings a chance to start over.
17. Being a mother is the hardest job on earth. Women everywhere must declare it so.
18. Doubt means don't. Don't move. Don't answer. Don't rush forward.
19. When you don't know what to do, get still. The answer will come.
20. "Trouble don't last always."

Peek-a-Boo

Just a few bits and pieces....I have quite a few new layouts to upload but I just haven't had the time to take the Pics yet...External Audits within the next 2 weeks....stressful time...but on a lighter note the Munchkins are doing well growing up way to fast and coming out with the funniest things...New Scooters over the weekend, very funny watching both of them trying to manuover them....and they did so well. These are some photos that I took of them playing Peek-a-Boo through the Fern Leaves.

Butterfly Album

When these little Mini books first came out from Kaiser I couldn't wait to get my hands on them, as I had just taken alot of photos of my little niece...but the best part is that when the 2 munchkins come over to visit they love going into my scrap room and grabbing their own little books that I have made for them....sitting down and looking at them...for little ones these mini books are such a great tangible way to look and see.This album is from a double class that I taught...I had heaps of fun teaching it and all the girls were so happy with what they had done.

Each page was sanded, edges painted white then inked.I used the "Crate Paper Sweet Branch" range throught out the book, but changed the photos to black/white as I didnt want the pink to clash with the tones of the PP on the inside pages.After adhering all the PP, I adhered the photos then bladed the excess off, that way the photos blended in with the shape of the Butterfly Wings.I placed cut out Flowers and Stamped words throughout the pages.I'm usually not a ribbon kind of girl but I raided my stash to finish of the the Butterfly album.



Closeup Shots of the Inside Pages.

Blue Awning

Way back in June I posted Sneak peaks of these Layouts. They are from the Advanced course that I have teaching of at Scrapbook Dreams. I'm glad to be able to share these with you now. Personally I loved designing these layouts, this range "Blue Awning" from K&Company was fantastic to work with .Hope you like them.

The Little Man on a Sunny winters day(Love his smile).I used a variety of different punches for this layout, a Scallop for the outside edges, an intricate punch for the inner PP ( I then placed coloured cardstock behind so that the detail could be seen),finishing those edges with an fancy corner punch to finish the edges of.All the PP was inked to add to the earthiness of the papers.I cut sections of the PP tucking on the side of the Photo and the chipboard swirls were inked. The lace was adhered to the side of the PP and also bunched up in the bottom corner with an crushed silk ribbon held together with a gold buckle.

A Few Close-up Shots

I had this crazy idea of a see-through door on a Layout for ages and when I was starting this design I knew his range would be perfect for it.I took photos of the Layout outside so you could see that there is an area that can be looked through. The door consists of two frames from the Printed paper and one from cardstock with a sheet of transparency adhered in the middle.The door opens up revealing another two sets of photos (photos on the back of the frame and then again on the transparency.With the rest of the layout I either tore the edges or cut out the patterns from the PP, overlapping them as I went along. The "Memories" title PP was adhered to cardstock,lifted and held in place with the threaded string and eyelets.

A Few Close-up shots

Tagged Again...

Ive been tagged again...this time by Susan Goetter...an absolutely amazing creative scrapper.Thanks Susan.I meet her through Scrapbook.com. and her been an avid fan of her work.
So this time Im going to cheat a little...if your reading this your tagged:
Here are the rules
(1) You can put the "I :heart: your blog" logo on your blog.
(2) Link the person you received your award from.
(3) Nominate at least 7 other blogs.
(4) Put links of those on yours.
(5) Leave a message on the blogs you’ve nominated.

Thanks again Susan don't forget to drop by her Blog (Link is on the side bar..I haven't worked out how to add link to my posts yet LOL.

October around the Corner

I can't belive October is only a few days away...the year has definately flown by so fast...Tonight I taught my Monday group of girls and it was a blast (as I hadn't seen them for a while)...it was great to catch up with all of them.My Count down continues from my stash...so heres my efforts No.35 and 34.Only 4 more days till the Long weekend. I'm currently working on the stores next course "Celebrations" all those special events throughout the year that we all look forward to, using the new ranges from Basic Grey...I will be able to share with you some sneak peaks hopefully soon.

The Little Princess had only been walking for a short time when I took these photos and when I spent a day at their house we played chasings in their backyard. Some of the photos are out of focus but I wanted to add them into the mix. I actually cropped the larger one to the side so I could incorporate the other miniature ones on the main Photo (for a different look)...My Favourite part of the layout is the Crystal and Pearl Butterfly which I have had in my stash for ages.

A Few Close-Up Shots

I really enjoy moving between Feminine and Masculine pages as it gives you such diversity.This is a Photo of my God-sons and their father (the whole family are very special to me...S&Z are also my dear nieces God-parents....LOL... We are all intermingled).On this layout I have used the Boho West Collection of Papers from Stampin up. I paneled the Paper up with some tearing, interlocked the string down the left hand side. then added some dimension with the panels.

A Few Close-Up Shots

Live with Intention

My Little Nephew growing up very fast...way too fast.Such a serious look on his face. My favourite Layout at the moment...a little different to what I normally do.Ok this is from my countdown list, Number 37.

With the Printed Paper (Creative Imaginations) I bladed around the entire borderand also within a few areas of the Paper. The Black Card stock was scoured around all the edges.With the corrugated cardboard I firstly sanded the edges, I then applied two different colours of Tim Holtz Crackle Paint, rubbed several different shades of brown inks into the cracks and all around the edges,it was then layered with the Number cardstock. The Photo mount was also distressed with some sanding and hole punches.. Finally Metal elements again from Tim Holtz were added to the top of the Photo as well as some Basic Grey Rubons.


A Few Close-Up Shots.

Finally the Stash is Getting a Look In....40,39,38

Recently I thought I would finally get some order into my scrap room (A Massive undertaking)...and after a while realised I had a staggering 42 Layouts that still were not finished. Either Photos needed to be picked, Embellishments to be added, sections cut out, the list goes on. Its just that there is always so many fantastic ranges coming out that I cant stop myself starting a new Layout and putting the others to the side. So I have made a pact the Pile must be done in the next 2 months (in between my other projects for classes,fulltime work,going out,family time,etc etc hahahaha) So here are NUMBERS 40,39,38. It’s a start.


For everyone that knows Me well, they know that I love all things RED...So when this range came out from Basic Grey..I grabbed it straight away...Designed it...nearly finished it...then I got stuck...Which Photo to put into it? (I often do layouts without a photo in mind...silly I know)...then a was going through my S.I.L's wedding photos and thought the Picture I chose was perfect for the Layout...Since this Posting this has also been picked up by Basic Grey for their Online Gallery (Yeh It's always a hard one to get into)

A Few Close-up Shots


My Dear friend and her Niece (also my dear friends daughter).The inspiration for lacing up the Printed paper came from Spinnvild (Love her Work) and the rest slowly came together....this is one of my layouts that has been hibernating in my "Please Finish Me" Pile.

A Few Close-up Shots

Christmas Already?

When walking through the shopping centres over the last couple of days I was surprised to see the Christmas decorations already being put up on display...I thought to myself...Christmas Already? WOW where has the year gone! So here are some of my Chrissy projects that I have completed. Now I have to think of my Letter to Santa ( hahahahahaha).

This Christmas Tree took me forever (My friend Brenda taught this as a class...and helped me with it at a scrap night)...will I make another one...Probably.This was also published in Scrap'n Art Magazine an awesome ezine (Vol 1 Issue 4)


You can't go past Christmas without Santa (and they were definately a hit with the munchkins).


One of my Projects that I taught at Scrapbook Dreams.This range from Karen Foster had so many great Colours to work with and elements to highlight.


When I was trying to decide what word to use for my Christmas project which would be displayed on my mantle at home I couldn't go past the word "Peace"...For me Christmas wishes for friends,Family and myself has always been for Happiness,Good Health and Peace...it's a word that has so many meanings.


This is My Christmas Mini Book from last Year. Again I have used the"My Minds Eye" range of papers..and I must admit this range was lovely to use.Again I layered elements on the front cover ( I just cant do flat hahahaha)



One of My Christmas Mini Books. I have used the "My Minds Eye" Christmas Range of Papers. Elements on the front cover were cut out and lifted to give dimension. With a little bit of Bling, Glitter and Glossy accents it finished of Santa and the Christamas Tree.