Friday, March 31, 2006

Oops I forgot - Ive been tagged

Well it was quite a while ago actually (sorry for taking so long Katie!!!) but all the kids are in bed, Ive finished one of those LO that I wnated to get done, and so I may as well rack my poor old brain and answer these questions. Here goes............

What scrapbook lines/products, etc. do you dislike?
Stickers - unless they are alpha ones, and really bright papers - its not that I dislike them, just that I really struggle to use them.

What is the hardest thing you have ever had to scrap?
Probably LO on life altering moments for a BOM. It was about my gorgeous god-daughter being diagnosed with west syndrome, and coming to terms with the long term implications of this.

What technique do you use more than anything else?
Sewing, sanding & inking - I just love that aged look (on my LOs LOL) so just about everyone gets the once over with at least one of these techniques.

What is the smallest scrap of paper you save?
Just about everything - not sure why though, I hardly ever use them - except to fill my scrap drawers :o)

Finish this sentence, "If I wasn't a scrapbooker/stamper, I would spend my money on..."
It used to be on quilting fabrics, so probably I would still be doing that. Otherwise things for my home.

Give us your best storage or organizational idea.
I love playing around with various storage options and trying to find something that is practical. My latest storage solution is video cases - I have most of my chipboard in them now. They stand neatly on my shelf and fit in my drawers. I also have my foam stamps in them. Its also easy to chuck stuff back into them - a plus when your a slacker at packing away as you go like I am!

You just won a week long scrapbooking cruise for 5. Who is going with you?
My best friend Sabine - even though shes not a scrapper, I couldn't go away on a cruise with out her. (Since she isnt a scrapper I dont think she counts in my five LOL)
Katie - cause I love her scrapping style, and I want to smuggle her home in my suit case to take piccies of my kids LOL
Rozzie - she is just the nicest person and would love to get the chance to spend more time with her
Shell - she is just SO funny,and so nice as such an optimist. She would have everyone happy and
laughing.
Kathie - so we could go have a break from being mummies for just a little while (we would take our bubbies and their Daddies could look after them all day while we scrapped, but we could go for kisses and cuddles (from J & I!) when ever we wanted. [ HA, HA,HA this definately has no credability now!!!!]
All the rest of my wonderful scrapping friends, especially all of you who come here to visit my blog. Im so loaded that I could afford to buy you all tickets as well (this already had lost any sense of vague possibility when I started on about DHs looking after babies all day while we scrapped - so I thought Id just run with complete unbelievability!!!)


When you received your first publication notification, who did you tell?
Anyone who would listen - I was so excited

After answering the questions, tag four of your buddies.
I think you have all done this one already!!!

OK its getting late and I think Im starting to get the sillys and ramble so Im going to love ya and leave ya.
Nighty night
Nic xxx

PS ((((Big hugs)))) and HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY to Michelle's little man Daniel. Hope you had a great day.

Too much MoJo

My head is just spinning with scrapping at the moment - great you might say - well normally I would be extatic about having all this inspiration BUT Im not getting anything finished. Ive got three LO sitting on my scrap desk, from the last couple of days, which are only half finished. I keep getting all these new ideas when Im only half way through a LO, and Im striking while the iron is hot, printing out the pics and getting a start. The unfinished LOs only need to be stuck down, or have a few little finishing touches added but in the same form of the last couple of days Im ready to print out another pic tonight and start yet another. The boys each have a friend over for a sleep over tonight so I should have plenty of scrapping time later - who knows I might even get something finished (if I can find an unoccupied space on my desk!)

The boys had their school sports day today. Umfortunately the running races in the afternoon got rained out, but they got all the tabloid events done in the morning. Just love this shot of Caleb doing the long jump! He got third in the 600m, third in the high jump and came first in his heat of the 100m, so he was pretty happy with himself. Nathan still just gets to play all sorts of 'games' with all the reception, yr 1 & yr 2 kids. He enjoyed it, but he cant wait to be in year 3 next year and get to do all the other events.

Thursday, March 23, 2006

Dribble pot

Isaac is becoming quite a dribble pot lately. He is always chewing on his hands, his fingers or anything else he can manage to keep hold of long enough to get to his mouth...I think he looks just adorable when he is sucking his fingers, chatting away to himself and gives me a cheeky grin all at the same time.

I have been giving him a bit more tummy time lately as well and he is getting quite used to it. He looks so much like Caleb at the same age, with his head up grinning that cheeky little grin.



Thought Id share a few pics I took last week. I cant believe he is four months old already - where did that go?


He also loves sitting on my lap while Im on the computer. He quite often falls asllep in my arms. He is starting to take a lot more notice of the screen too. He was chatting away and smiling at these baby pics of Jamie on Kathies blog the other week. It was just like when we hold him up in front of the mirror - too cute!


Im still feeding him (obviously!!!! breastfeeding I mean LOL) and am getting ready for when he starts on solids. I want to wait as long as I can, but I can see the time drawing nearer - he hasnt really seemed satisfied with just his milk for the last couple of days. I will give it a bit longer in case its just a bit of a growth spurt or something and it settles down again. There is no turning back once the progression to solids is made! I have been getting hold of any fruit or veggies that are in season at the moment and cooking them up, pureeing them and freezing them for when the time comes. Its a veritable gourmet restaurant in the freezer - beans (fresh from grandpas garden), apples, pears, peaches & plums, tomato, sweet pototoe & zucchini...so far! Hope he likes his friut and veg!!!! Its bizzar how when your a scrapbooker you look at things so differently (wierdly obsesed might be a better term LOL) as Im popping the little gourmet (well Im sure Isaac will consider pureed mush gourmet!) goodies out of their ice cube trays and into snap lock bags Im admiring the lovely colours, imagining how I can sit one of each on a plate...mmmm which plate should I use?....... to photograph them, and trying to put together a basic plan in my head about the page I will scrap about them!!!

Just as well most of you who read this are scrappers and I know you will completely understand!!!


Thursday, March 16, 2006

funny email

Since most of you that would I would send this onto pop in here occasionally I thought I may as well just post this here. Its a great one to read when your having one of THOSE moments (days/weeks etc!!! LOL) with DH!!!!!

15 PIECES OF ADVICE TO BE PASSED ON TO YOUR MUM, YOUR DAUGHTERS OR GRANDDAUGHTERS, NIECES, AUNTS, GIRLFRIENDS, ETC.

1. Don't imagine you can change a man - unless he's in nappies. (even then I reckon there isnt much chance!)
2. What do you do if your boyfriend walks out? You shut the door. (quickly)
3. If they put a man on the moon - they should be able to put them all up there.
4. Never let your man's mind wander - it's too little to be out alone.
5. Go for the younger man. You might as well, they never mature anyway.
6. Men are all the same - they just have different faces, so that you can tell them apart.
7. Definition of a bachelor: a man who has missed the opportunity to make some woman miserable.
8. Women don't make fools of men - most of them are the do-it-yourself types.
9. Best way to get a man to do something is to suggest he is too old for it.
10. Love is blind, but marriage is a real eye-opener.
11. If you want a committed man, look in a mental hospital.
12. The children of Israel wandered around the desert for 40 years. Even in Biblical times, men wouldn't ask for directions.
13. If he asks what sort of books you're interested in, tell him cheque books.
14. Remember a sense of humor does not mean that you tell him jokes, it means that you laugh at his.
15. Sadly, all men are created equal.

Dont get me wrong I love my DH dearly BUT...yoiu know what men can be like sometimes LOL

Hope you got a giggle out of this like I did.

Back to my little man now!
Nic xxx

Monday, March 13, 2006

LOs

Here are the two LOs from this weekend. TFL!







This was a very quick one I did (it only took about 45min form start to finish!) so I could have somewhere to put Isaacs hospital ID band in his album. I used the prima flowers on three of the four LOs I did this weekend, they are so versitile - even on boy pages, dont know how I lived so long with out any LOL. Must track down some of the next size up in the mixed colours for my stash now!




This one is another quicky to tell the story about Isaac having difficulties settling now he isnt being wrapped, and the things Ive been trying in a bid to help him learn to put himself off to sleep again.

I had actually settled him with his teddy, and when Caleb went in to check on him about an hour later he was still cuddled up with it. Caleb came tearing down to me so excited, and told me to hurry up and get the camera and come with him. (hes learning well about the obsessive photo opportunities that are the nature of the scrapping mummy!!!!!) Admitedly he did look VERY cute!

Sunday, March 12, 2006

They named the new BG after my kids LOL

I thought I was going a bit batty today, when I was writing the materials list on the back of my finished LOs I noticed that two of the baby boy papers are named Isaac & Nathan LOL I had to recheck it three times to make sure I was reading it right! and yes I know Im being way to organised writing the lists straight on, but in my list of goals for this year I promised myself to do it as soon as I finished a LO...we will see how long it lasts! I know I said I would share my LO about my intentions for 2006 BUT the LO had a bit of a run in with the printer!!!! The text ended up half off the page and it was pretty much all finished except for the list..it was unsalvagable...I spat the dummy a chucked it, and havn't got around to re doing it as yet. I have the list though so I guess thats the main thing!

Ive been so inspired over the past couple of days - dont know if its being surrounded by all the yummy new stuff from my last couple of shopping trips or what, but Ive finished four LOs in three days - a pretty unusual thing for me, Im normally a terrible procrastinator! Two I really love, and the other two are OK - dont love them, but I dont not like them either - they are both for Isaacs baby album - I will share when I take some pics tomorrow.

The other two will be the start of my little stash for this years masters. One of my intentions for this year is to put together an entry for this. I dont want to put up all of my LOs and start from scratch, so I thought I would start squirrling away a few so I have a choice when the time comes. Knowing my luck they will have really strict themes or something and none of my LOs will fit them LOL. Speaking of the masters, does anyone know when this years in launched? Realistically I dont think I have any chance of becoming a master, but you have to be in it to win it, and I would be absolutely extatic if I could manage just one little honourable mention...in fact I will have achieved my goal by just putting together an entry and sending it in!!!

Hope everyone is having a great weekend. Its a public holiday in little old Adelaide tomorrow, all so a few thousand people can go and watch a bunch of horses run around a track. DH works most public holidays anyway, so all it means around here is that I get an extra day to spend with my kids at home - YIPPEE!?!?!?!?! Hopefully I might even get a little more scrapping done.

Night all
Nic xxx

Tuesday, March 07, 2006

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

I Just wanted to wish my best friend Sabine and her hubby Pete all the best for their 8th wedding anniversary.
Love ya both heaps guys!!!!!
Nic xxx

Yummy stuff

Well finally my tax is done!!! What a relief, I hate leaving things this late, but being pregnant and having Isaac threw a bit of a spanner in the works so I guess Ill excuse myself this once.

Anyway after the accountant I headed down to Scrapbook Station. Janine has the most awesome range of stuff in there and the best prices!!! I picked up a few little goodies and had a great catch up with Janine. I just had to take a piccie and put on here, cause I so love seeing what everyone else has been buying on their blogs (especially Carol-lea, what a shop-a-holic LOL Id love to see her scraproom!!!) I love the new basic grey boys stuff, and the rubons are just to die for! Some chipboard, and my first ever primas!!! I dont know how I resisted the urge for so long to get some of these, they are just so gorgeous. I know they are probably a bit 'old hat' now but who cares LOL. Unfortunately they had sold out of the medium sized ones in the mixed colours , so I could only get the tiny ones. Some chatterbox papers and a few other bits and bobs! Cant wait to get scrapping - hopefully I will have some time tomorrow.

Well thats about all for now...no LOs I know but at least its an update for you Janine LOL!!!!!!!

Nic xxx

PS I also got Isaac one of those baby sleeping bag thingies - hopefully this will help him settle better now that he doesn't want to be wrapped. It will also stop him kicking off his rugs and ending up feeling like an icecube like last night! Hang on and Ill go take a photo............................................he looks so cute and snuggly! It makes me laugh how he sleeps all spead eagle like this - I think it has something to do with being wrapped up like a mummy for 3 1/2 months, now he figures he will spread right out just because he can.
Night night my sweet little bubby -night night, sleep tight, dont let the bedbugs bite! xxxxx

Sunday, March 05, 2006

Jump

Well I had so many plans today, and didn't really achieve much. Ive nearly got my tax finished though, so at least I achieved something. We had a really busy day Saturday and were away from home most of the day. When we got home at about 9pm I bathed Isaac, fed him and headed off to get some much needed sleep myself...the little treasure slept through till 3am - gotta love him!!! BUT the people down the road were having a big party and between the cars roaoring up and down our court, and the drunk people in the middle of the road talking VERY loudly (basically right outside my window) till 12.45am I didnt get my much needed sleep after all! I can't complain, its not as though they do it all the time, or it went particularly late...its just I wish I could have had my sleep.

I got the Jolly Jumper out for Isaac today and he really loved it!!! He had a wonderful time while I folded the washing, and worked out how to use my camera to take video - which was actually a really easy thing to do. Im not sure who had more fun though, Isaac or Caleb and Nathan, who loved getting him to laugh and jump! They really adore their baby brother and Im so greatful for all the help theygive me...most of the time that is LOL.

Gotta go and try and settle my little man to sleep now, he has decided he doesn't like being wrapped to sleep anymore, but is finding it difficult to put himself off to sleep without it. Im sure he will stop yelling and give me one of his heart melting smiles as soon as I walk in the door though - he knows how to wrap me around his little finger already LOL.

Wednesday, March 01, 2006

We're home

We had a wonderful trip away - I will admit it wasn't quite as relaxing as the last couple of years with a little baby to tend to, but it was just fantastic being surrounded by my boys and best friend and her family.

There was lots of eating, swimming in the sea & pool, bike riding - we hired a tandem bike and took the kids on it, eating, fishing, a bit of shopping, eating, talking, drinking and more eating! The first night we just had a chicken and salad as the boys didnt end up getting up there till quite late - they had a flat tire, and when they had finally got the whole station wagon unpacked to change it they discovered the spare was flat too LOL Glad I wasn't there!!! Luckily they were at Pt Wakefield when it happened, and were able to get it pumped up.

Friday Craig took the older two out fishing early and Isaac & I got to have a sleep in. They didn't catch anything big enough to keep, but Nathan managed to catch a pigeon that flew out from under the jetty LOL (For all you pigeon lovers out there it managed to free its self without getting caught on the squid jag!)

Sabine, Pete & Monice went for a bike ride - they have got new mountain bikes and the coolest buggy for Monice to ride in. When I get the photos off her camera I will post one of it. Meanwhile we went into Kadina and got a new tire and the kids had a play on the playground for ages.

There was a bit of rain, but not enought to really cool anything down though. For tea we had a seafood BBQ. 1kg of bug tails, 1 kg of scallops and 1 kg of prawns on the BBQ and a salad - YUMMO!!! Yes we actually managed to get through it all too. Caleb loved the bug tails so he had quite a few of them!

Saturday saw more bike riding and fishing and a swim before we headed off to Kadina to the pub for lunch, and back to the very cool playground for another play. When we got back there was more bike riding, swimming and fishing. I seriously dont know where kids get their energy from - no sooner had they finished one thing they were wanting to do another - one plus though, even thought they went to bed late everynight, they were asleep as soon as their 'sweet' (?) little heads hit the pillows, and they didnt wake to early either. Tea was stuffed baby squid tubes.
We eat really well while we are away!!! Sabine is the bestest cook....it was all relatively simple to prepare and cook, but was absolutley delish!!!!

Sunday was looked like it might be quite cool and rainy, but it didn't take long for the temp to start climbing and the cloud to burn away. We all went out fishing on the breakwater, and caught quite a few king george & yellowfin whiting, but unfortunately they were all to small to keep. It was good fun though. There was more bike riding & swimming (its exhausting me just thinking about it all!) I took four mags up to read and only managed to read a few pages.
Caleb & Sabine went fishing on the little rocks in front of our units and Caleb managed to catch a seagull - what is it with birds and fishing line up there??!!! Sabine had to jump in the water and practiacally hold the bird under the water to stop it attacking her while she got it untangled and freed it!! Wish I hadn't been inside feeding Isaac at the time, would have loved to see the whole thing LOL.

While we were in the pool at about 4pm Nathan started crying and saying his ear hurt. It didnt really ease off even after a dose of pain stop. So at 7pm we headed off to the Wallaro hospital to see the doctor. It was an ear infection. (Last year we had to see the doctor with tonsilitis) Luckily it only flared up when it did, he didnt really miss out on anything. He got antibiotics & eardrops and has been fine ever since.

I got back and helped finish tea off - prawn pasta. Then when the kids were in bed we did the usual night time sit around drinking and chatting. It is so nice to go away with friends that you get along with so well, its just so relaxing and you can just be yourself. The conversation is highly amusing, sometimes a little heated, sometimes REALLY deep & meaningful, sometimes serious and sometimes side splittingly funny!!!

Isaac also rolled over from his tummy to his back for the first time on Sunday. I had just given him his bath, and was giving him a bit of a rub when over he went. He looked quite pleased with himself too. We managed to catch it on DVD when he did it again. He hasn't repeated the preformance since we have been home though. He was really good. We took up his little baby swing which he loves. He slept well in the potacot - although he was in our room, ... Im so glad at home he is at the other end of the house - he is such a noisy sleeper. It was nice not having to trapse to the other end of the house to put his dummy in or feed him though!!

Well if your still with me after that your doing really well. Sorry it went on so long, but it was really more to keep a record of the daily events for me and future journalling etc.

Now that Im over the holiday I have to get all my tax ready to do next week (still from 04/05!!!) then Im feeling all inspired about redecorating my scrap room/playroom. I picked up a heap of paint charts and I want to finally get around to strippng back the top of my desk. Im going to paint the bottom in a warm cream colour and leave the top timber. I want to rehash my shelving and sort out all my storage. I have great visions in my head..just hope I can make it all come together!!! My scrap space has been a work in progress. It started on the kitchen bench, then the dining table, then a card table and other bits that I used to have to move from the playroom into my bedroom each day and back out each night, then to my desk. Im a messy worker and I really need to rectify that. I think more organisation will be the key. My desk is a huge old one I picked up a while back so I really dont have any excuse! Check out the pics of my gradual accumulation of scrap stuff and space LOL Hopefully with in the next few months I will have a completed scraproom to post pics of.

Im off to check out a few more of your bloggs now!