My Life As I Know It

Now This One Is DEFINITELY A Winner!!

2012-01-30T15:18:00.005+11:00

Hi all,
Hope you had a relaxing weekend and are getting the kids all settled and back to school with minimum fuss :)
I don't know about you but I always find the transition from school holidays to back to school quite hard. I've always loved having my kids home and who doesn't love that 'no routine' kind of thing?

Remember I said I had some more scrappy 'secret squirrel business' to share?
Well here it is!
The lovely Tiff Sawyer from Scrap Sanity has started a wonderful blog brimming full of eye candy and creative inspiration.
The creative team is sensational and a bit of a star studded line-up on the red carpet (sshhh don't tell them I said that!) and I am honoured to be creating alongside these girls.

So...without further ado...introducing:
This One's A Winner

And here's my project I created to share.
Loved working with the Stuff 2 Scrap chipboard and creating lots of textures on this one.

So quick! Head on over and check out the eye candy the girls have created for you this month. Grab a cuppa first...you'll be there a while!
S
xx

Some more challenges

2012-01-27T21:21:00.003+11:00

Hey all,
Well this is the reason why I LOVE school holidays!
I get to scrap!!
And...I love nothing more than to scrap challenges :)

So...in the past week I've got through another 3 monthly challenges...all my favourite ones to do.

The first one I did was for Kraft It Up.
This months challenge was to use Kraft (of course) with the colours: red, blue, yellow and green.
I had this photo of Jack that we took at last years Sydney Royal Easter show that was just perfect!

Secondly, I got around to the Jan. White With 1 challenge...which is always one of my faves.
This month was white with lime green....one of my favourite colours ever :)

Thirdly, I had a go at the Scrap the Girls Jan. challenge which is simply to scrap a monochromatic page. Orange is one of my favourite colours so I scrapped this one of moi :)

So this month...lots of my favourite things to play with.
Hope you're getting through some January challenges.
S
xx

Purple Pumpkin Jan. sketch challenge

2012-01-25T20:36:00.003+11:00

Hi all,
Hope you've been getting some scrappy time in?
Due to the rain I've had a chance to sneak down my studio and get a couple of sketch challenges done for January.
This one is for Purple Pumpkins January challenge:

The photo is of my son and I last year at his Year 12 Graduation.
We were so proud of him that night.

Thats it for this post but I'll be sharing some more very soon.
Take Care
S
xx

Daring You to Scrap

2012-01-15T09:25:00.004+11:00

Hi all,
Hoping you all had a fabulous Christmas and a very Happy New Year!
We had a very quiet one this year which was absolutely perfect after the running around of the past few months.

Remember last post I told you about the new challenge blog run by Kayla?
Well I've just popped in to show my 1st challenge layout and to ask you again to pop over and take a look at all the yummy inspiration from the other DT girls and have a go yourself.

Our very first challenge was to create a page using paper scraps as a background. I loved this challenge and knew instantly I would make it grungy and use photos of my son that I've wanted to scrap for ages.

With some heavy distressing, lots of ink and a whole lot of boy embellishments the page turned out perfect for the photos.

Why not head over and take a look for yourself?
Link is on sidebar along with the talented DT's blogs :)
Stay safe,
Sharryn xx

Bad Blogger me...

2011-12-26T19:40:00.004+11:00

Hey all,

Merry Xmas!

Yes that's how long it's been since I've blogged....bad, bad blogger me!

Now...lots and lots has happened since my last post but this update is purely a scrapping one.

I just want to share a few things but promise to get back soon and blog about all the exciting (and not so exciting) things that have been happening in the Thomson world.

Firstly...I've been scrapping again YAY!! Can't believe how much you miss it when you've been away from it for so long.

I have a couple to share that I've done just for me:

This first one is a photo of my daughter and her gorgeous little dog, Teddy. He is just adorable and very, very spoilt!

This one is a friends gorgeous little girl who I did a vintage photoshoot for a while back and just had to scrap these photos:

And this one is a photo of my son who broke so many stumps last cricket season the coach ran out!

One that I've done for a challenge sketch for Purple Pumpkin. I've recently found this little handmade business and LOVE it! Little fabric buttons and handmade embellishments that are so cute!

If you haven't checked them out then do yourself a favour and go have a sticky beak :)

http://purplepumpkincrafts.blogspot.com

I also have a little exciting scrappy news to share...I made the DT for Daring You To Scrap.

It's a great new monthly challenge site run by Kayla MacAulay with lots and lots of fabbo challenges for you to do.

I can't share this page yet until the 1st of January but I can say I'm very excited to be creating alongside a very talented bunch of ladies :)

Head on over for a sneaky peek at who'll be playing along.

http://www.daringyoutoscrap.blogspot.com/

So I've been having lots of fun playing around with different ideas, techniques and challenges and having an absolute BALL!

I never understand when I have a creative break why I have such long breaks! Beats me....

I'll be back very soon to share some more news.

Until then...stay safe.

Shaz xx

Quick share

2011-04-21T07:59:00.004+10:00

Hi all,
Can't believe a whole month has flown by almost since my last post but to be honest I just haven't had much time to scrap!
I've been so busy with the boys, getting my photography business registered and up and running finally...oh and I'd love for you to go and check it out... Sassy Snaps Photography, photoshoots and I've also just landed a job with Advanced Photography working weekends doing event photography so theres been training days and so much to learn for that. On top of that theres the Rising Waters Flood Appeal that is taking up quite a lot of time but more on that when I update that blog.

So....here's a quick share of the last layout I did for the April Stuff 2 Scrap blog challenge which is a really cool sketch this month.

Part of the challenge is the layout has to be about YOU so I scrapped this photo of me as this is where I am in my life right now.

So if you haven't entered the challenge yet...get on to it right away for your chance to win some yummy chipboard!!

Well I'm off to get some housework done and hopefully I'll get some scrapping done over the Easter holidays.
Wishing you a very happy and safe Easter.
Sharryn xx

A new day dawns...

2011-03-24T09:00:00.005+11:00

Hi all,
Seeing as it's my turn to blog this week and share projects over at the Stuff to Scrap blog I've been having a ball getting some layouts finished.
I really wanted to use this awesome Sun'N'Clouds pack designed by Leeann Pearce with this photo I took of a glorious sunrise and love the finished piece after adding lots of little bits of dimensional textures.

So here you have my entry for this months Kraft It Up challenge which was to use the words 'There is no greater gift than today' in either your title or journalling.

After looking at this photo...there truly was no greater gift than that sunrise.

Stay safe,
Shaz
xx

March WW1 challenge

2011-03-21T18:30:00.003+11:00

Hey hey,
Hope you've been well...it feels like ages since I've had a share for you...in fact it feels like ages since I've done anything in the slightest creative!!
Well theres only so long a girl can go without scrappin' so...it was down the craft room I went over the wet weekend we've just had and created a page for this months White With 1 challenge.

I've just had the pleasure of photographing a friends 5 day old brand new adorable baby girl and of course I wanted to scrap a photo so this challenge was just perfect for it as it is to use white, hot pink and an artisan label.
So voila! Here's my entry:

I have sooooooo much to share with you...it's been AGES since I've done a 'normal' blog post and I hope to get one done this week some time so stay tuned.....
Chat soon
Shaz
xx

A new challenge and prize up for grabs

2011-03-02T09:16:00.003+11:00

Hi all,
Hope you are all well.
Busy, busy, busy here as usual but hey what's new?

I want to let you know about a cool new monthly challenge and giveaway being held over at the new Stuff 2 Scrap blog.
Each month a DT member will come up with a challenge for you to take part in to win a whole heap of chipboard love.
This month the very talented Leeann Pearce has set the challenge which is to go above and beyond in embellishing a piece of chipboard.
We usually ink it, paint it or cover it in patterned paper but why not take it to the next level and embellish it as well?

I decided to alter a wooden letter T for this challenge. I started a collection of letter T's late last year (T for Thomson) and have them grouped in my lounge room. I had this put away for a while just begging to be scrapped.
So I pulled it out and gave it a coat of cream paint then covered it in vintage sheet music paper.
Wanting to create a vintage whimsy look I lightly inked my chipboard with Tim Holtz Distress inks then went around the edges again for added definition.
I used a scalloped border on the top of the T and embellished it with pretty pearls and a lovely trim.

Using the funky Retro Grass pack I played around with placement at the bottom of the T. I added a tree rub-on to the sheet music for a litle something extra then layered all the chipboard elements with some hand dyed doillies I'd previously made.
I embellished the Retro Grass plant with clear buttons and added a pearl to the centre of the flower. I then put the little chipboard heart in the pack on top of the grass and added a sentiment finishing this little cluster off with some punched sheet music butterflies, leaves and more pearls.

To finish off my project I used the sweet butterfly in the Retro Grass pack and adhered another sheet music punched butterfly on top for added definition.
And the end result.....

So why not head over to Stuff 2 Scrap and have a play for your chance to win, win, win and of course to check out the eye candy on display with the DT's fabulous creations!

This month Stuff 2 Scrap is also sponsoring a prize on the Scrap the Girls challenge site so be sure to check it out for another chance to win some awesome chippie goodness.

Chat soon,
Sharryn
xx

White with 1

2011-02-22T17:32:00.003+11:00

FINALLY got this challenge finished today after starting the layout last Thursday!

I must admit I didn't know how I'd go with this colour combo as I have a bit of a 'thing' with white and creams on a vintage style page but I really like how this has turned out.
The challenge this month is to use the colour BROWN with white and something vintage. I have quite a few vintage items on this page so I think I have this covered. ;P

I love this photo of my eldest son, Josh and me taken at my daughters 21st last May.

Chat soon,
S

xx

It's a CONCRETE JUNGLE out there...

2011-02-16T07:11:00.004+11:00

...but don't worry Paper Inklings has it covered!

Introducing the brand new and very first Paper Inklings Design Team....

*Danielle Sheehan
*Monique Fox
*Belinda Achatz
*Kim Kendell
*Leah Cameron
*Sandra Wilkinson
and....ME!

We've all been very busy creating with the awesome new range called CONCRETE JUNGLE which is, in true Paper Inklings style, AMAZING!!
I love the grungy look of these papers and this collection is one of a kind!
Something for all boys on wheels whether it be scooters, BMX bikes or motor bikes. Of course, not just limited to boys these papers would work well with girls too.
Here is a layout I've created with the scooter collection:

Very cool!

I've added links to all the new Design Team on my sidebar so why not check out their creations today?
Plus, Paper Inklings now has their own blog underway which you'll also find on my sidebar.
Be sure to check back soon for some more Paper Inklings grungy goodness.
Sharryn xx

Kraft It Up challenge

2011-02-10T18:17:00.003+11:00

Woohoo! I managed to get this months Kraft It Up challenge done today!!
Seeing as I spent almost the WHOLE day on the phone to a pack of morons yesterday trying to work out computer issues....grrrrrrrrrrrrr
I decided to reward myself with some creative time :)

This months challenge is a colour combo:

To be honest the layout turned out 100% different to when I had a bit of time to push paper and photos around yesterday afternoon and the ideas I had in my head last night. I completely turned the whole thing around, upside down to what I originally had planned to be honest and I'm really happy with the way it turned out.
Sometimes if you're not happy with the way something is coming together, I think it's best to walk away and come back to it later. This usally ALWAYS works for me.
Anyway...I scrapped some cool photos I took of Michael blowing bubbles on a family picnic last month. He really is just a big kid at heart :)

Wanting to stay with the bubble/circle theme I used a funky bubble border designed by Leeann Pearce and made it the focal embellishment. I painted it, then stamped on it with some cool circle stamps then used mesh and patterned paper behind some of the circles for added texture and dimension. I then used a couple of the circles as journalling spots. Very versatile piece of chipboard indeed!

Hope you like it!
Cheers
S
xx

New blog for yummy products and a share

2011-02-08T12:10:00.004+11:00

Hi all,
Just letting you know Stuff 2 Scrap has a brand new blog where you can come and check out the Creative Teams awesome layouts and keep up to date with all the cool new designs!
Chipboard eye candy or what??
http://stuff2scrap.blogspot.com/
Why not become a follower of the blog to guarantee you keep up with the latest and greatest designs?

Speaking of yummy Stuff 2 Scrap chipboard I had a play with some more and used some on Antheas February sketch challenge over at http://www.scrapbooksavvy.com.au
Really cute sketch it was too :)
Here it is:

And my interpretation. I played with some Tim Holtz Distress Inks to get the vintage effect I wanted on the chipboard and to match the beautiful Bo Bunny papers I used.

Hope you had a scrappy weekend.
Shaz
xx

Playing with chipboard...

2011-02-04T09:55:00.003+11:00

Hi all,

Well we're at the end of another week and February already?? Gosh time flies...especially when you're having fun as I have been doing with my AWESOME Stuff 2 Scrap goodies.
My biggest problem was what to use first!

I had this photo of Jedd printed out that I absolutely LOVE. It's a photo of him trying on his hoodie that he received off his Pop for Christmas and I think he looks preeettyyy hhhooottt and definitely ROCKS his hoodie!! LOL

I was dying to use the funky barbed wire chipboard on this page but wanted to do something a little different with it so I applied Mod Podge to it and covered it in tissue paper just for a little bit of texture. I then wrapped twine around it for detail.

I cut some flame chipboard and added a single inked piece just for added visual interest and a pop of colour:

Then finally, in keeping with the grungy feel I added a piece of cross hatch chipboard to the top left corner of the papers and added some more twine for texture.

I'm just loving playing around with grunge at the moment, especially as I scrap a lot of teenage boy pages.

Did you know http://www.stuff2scrap.com.au/ is a retail site? Why not head on over for a sticky beak at their cool designs?

Cheers
Sharryn xx

It's official....

2011-02-01T10:23:00.002+11:00

I have some very exciting news to share....
I'm on the Creative Team for Stuff 2 Scrap!! *squeal*
I am soooooo excited it's not even funny and looking really forward to be working alongside these wonderfully talented girls:

Chantal Vandenberg
Chantelle Huizenga
Felicity Wilson
Jess Mackenzie
Sharryn Thomson
Tracey St Johnwood
Leeann Pearce

Chipboard is my HUGE weakness and favourite scrapbooking product OF ALL TIME so I am feeling really blessed to be a part of this great company and designing for Annmarie and Warren.
Why not head over to the web site and check out the awesome designs?
http://www.stuff2scrap.com.au/I can't wait to see what they have in store for us.
Be back soon with more designs,
Shaz
xx

A layout for DJ...

2011-01-27T21:08:00.002+11:00

Just a quick post to share a recent layout I did for a special little dude named DJ.
I've been promising that I'd do one just for him for ages...just so he can be a 'puter star like his sister.

Little Mr DJ is into anything Star Wars at the moment so I scrapped this photo I took of him with some crazy cool space ship chipboard. Too cute :)

So here you go Deej...love from Aunty Shaz
Mwaaaahhhhhhh xxxxx

Layout share

2011-01-23T18:20:00.004+11:00

Hi all,
Hope you've all had a fun filled weekend full of whatever it is you love doing best.
We had cricket all weekend although I got a day off yesterday as my father came up for the weekend just for a very brief visit.

So I have 2 more layouts to share both http://www.blogger.com/www.scrapbooksavvy.com.au challenges. The first one is for Antheas second sketch challenge for January. Such a cool sketch and very versatile.
Here's the sketch:

And my interpretation:

Photo of my gorgeous niece and nephew on a day I took them to the duck pond for the morning.

The second challenge was Saras colour combo for January which was Kraft, pink and grey. Very nice colours.

This is my layout using the combo. I did struggle a bit with this as I didn't have much in the way of sof pink or grey in my stash but I'm quite happy with the way it turned out. It's a photo of my bestie Cathi and I taken last year (July 31) on our way to a school reunion.

Chat soon
Shaz
xx

Layout shares and some news

2011-01-20T10:53:00.004+11:00

Hi lovelies,
Hope you've been keeping well.
All is good here.
We had some great news this week, our boy Jedd has scored himself an apprenticeship as a sheet metal worker and we couldn't be any happier for him.
He started this morning and I must admit it felt a bit weird taking him to 'work' and knowing he's not just helping someone out anymore...he really is a big working boy now. A very proud mummy moment but another 'where have the years gone' one too.
So congratulations to our Jedd xx

I took Jack, Jye and a couple of other kids to the 20/20 KFC Big Bash cricket game in at Homebush last night which was heaps of fun. The boys were playing 'spotto' in the crowd and finding people we knew so I could get a photo of them and tage them on Facebook which is no mean feat when they are bays away and theres a million and one peoples heads I had to get the lens past. LOL

I've kept my 365 Project going so far and haven't forgotten a day yet. Fingers crossed I don't but it gets really hard when the boys go back to school.

I've finished a layout for Antheas sketch challenge over at Scrapbook Savvy. It took me 3 days as I just didn't have the time! 3 days!!
I LOVE the sketch though and am sure I'll use it again. Head on over to Savvy for a looksee at this months challenges. www.scrapbooksavvy.com.au
So this is the sketch:

And my interpretation:

Photo is of Rhiannon and Steve taken on Xmas Day.

These are a couple of layouts I've managed for the Rising Waters appeal.

I'm really amazed at the support being shown for the appeal and projects have already started trickling in. If you haven't seen the details for the appeal yet, take a look on my sidebar at the link to Rising Waters.

Well thats it for me...off to see if I can start another layout.
Cheers
Shaz
xx

Inspired Blueprints January

2011-01-16T22:54:00.004+11:00

Seems this must be the month of 'firsts' with a lot of the challenges for me so I decided to give the Inspired Blueprints January sketch challenge a go also.
A nice sketch using 3 photos so I thought I'd scrap Jaydens graduation night photos.
This is the sketch:

And my interpretation:

Why not give it a go?
Cheers
Sharryn :)

Appeal and a quick share...

2011-01-13T14:06:00.004+11:00

Hi lovelies,
Well it just doesn't seem right to have that as a topic for this post but I have two things I want to share and need to upload the layout so I can link it to a gallery.

Firstly and most importantly is the blog I've set up for the Queensland flood victims. As the rest of Australia sits by helplessly I thought it would be great to get the crafting community banded together as we have before with the Black Saturday bushfires and other other appeals and get crafting some gifts of love for the people affected and their families.
As this is a quick post I won't go into too much detail here but please go and check out the blog. I have been overwhelmed by the kindness and support shown so far and eagerly await the first lot of projects to be organised into a care package. I just know our flood victims are going to really appreciate it.
The link to the blog is on my side bar called Rising Waters Flood Appeal for Crafters. Please share the love and post it on your blog and let family and friends know that it's not just for papercrafters, but ALL crafters.

Secondly, I'm just uploading my challenge layout for Kraft It Ups January challenge which was to use the word SUMMER on your page. Seems very ironic to be considering the first part of the post ;P
Anyway, it's a photo of my Jacky boy relaxing on Austinmer beach and boy do I wish I was there right now!!

Cheers
Shaz
xx

Challenges completed

2011-01-09T17:50:00.004+11:00

Wow two blog posts in one day...I must be on a roll.
This one is purely to upload some layouts so I can add them to their respective challenge sites.

First time I've completed the White With 1 challenge and had a ball with this considering royal or navy blue really aren't my favourite colours and to be honest I didn't have much of it in my stash but 'think outside the square' girls...
Photos are of my boy Jack when he was school sports captain and had to dress up for the swimming carnival. I'm sure he'll kill me for this but ah well...
Banner was made with denim.

The second challenge I completed was also a first for me it was for the Stuck! sketch which I just loved.
Photo of all of us taken on Christmas Day.

I have a heap of links on my sidebar for challenge sites so if you're looking for a bit of inspiration pick one and go for it!

Thanks for coming over for a look.
Sharryn :)

DT calls

2011-01-09T10:46:00.004+11:00

Scrappers there are two DT calls going on at the moment that you don't want to miss!

Firstly, Paper Inklings is having their very first DT call so why not have a go and be part of the original dt?
They are looking for 6 DT members for a 6 month period using their awesome range of papers, chipboard, rub-ons etc.
Those interested simply email create@paperinklings.com.au
You will need to send 2 of your favourite single page layouts (products do not have to be Paper Inklings) however they would like to see creative use of papers and chipboard, 1 double layout (requirements as before) and 1 project of choice. This could be anything you choose.
A brief bio of yourself including your name, suburb and state and whether you are on any other DT's or have been and a link to your blog if you have one.
Paper Inklings are encouraging everyone to have a go so even if you're new to scrapbooking please still give it a go. To check out their awesome range of products there is a link on the side bar of my blog. Good luck!

The second DT call is a new business run by the very talented Bridgette Hatton. This is a monthly kit club and the requirements are as follows (From the blog):

Please email me three pages and one off the page, this could be anything such as a card, a mini album etc its up to you
You need to have a blog, be confident in your self to set challenges on the blog, if you have an idea as to how to put a sketch together that would be an added bonus but is not essential, as i may call on you to provide a few sketches.

Your pieces need to showcase your best work, I am looking for techniques, the way you coordinate your colours together and also placement and design of your LO’s
Please provide your postage address, your blog address and a bit of information about yourself, such as how long you have been scrapping what got you started, what gets you motivated to scrap, your family life and who else you design for? Please do not apply if you are already a design team member for another kit club
My email address is
enquiries@thepolkadotplace.com.au

Closing date is 20th January

To take a look at the kits put out so far there is a link to The Polka Dot Place blog on my sidebar as well.

So get scrapping and get applying!!
Good luck,
Shaz
xx

1st layout of the year...woohoo!!

2011-01-06T16:08:00.003+11:00

I, Sharryn Thomson, hereby declare this is the first of many layouts scrapped by me for the duration of the year 2011.
Signed
Me ;P

So I've finished my very first layout which has taken me 3 days on and off in between all the domestic duties a doting mother and loving wife performs.

Photos of a dear family friends gorgeous little daughter. Isn't she adorable?

Bye for now,

Shaz

xx

Another year over.....

2010-12-31T10:40:00.008+11:00

Another year has flown by. Seems these days if you blink you miss days, even weeks at a time. The world just continues to carry on without us if we do happen to blink twice. Such is life.
I'm not one for making New Years Resolutions I tend to just go with the flow of life and see what the Universe has in store for me. I'm not one to diet or sweat my butt of exercising so why stress myself? I am what I am...flaws and all.

In saying that though, what is your New Years Resolution?

I didn't get a Xmas blog done so I'll just do a quick one here. We had a lovely, quiet Xmas with family...yummy food...my beloved Scotch and great company. This year we did a Xmas brunch with all the kids as Rhiannon and Steve were heading down the South Coast for dinner with Steves family. The brunch was so yummy and something I might even do again as it kept the boys full till dinner...LOL

I did manage to get a nice photo of the 8 of us though thanks to Steve. xx

Then it was off to Michaels sisters house for dinner and more pressies. She had this awesome Santa suit that you know I just had to have a go at...hehehe...

The 27th was Jye's 15th birthday but unfortunately we spent the best part of the morning up the hospital with him as he had a migraine poor little possum. He spent the rest of the day asleep. Not much of a birthday for him. I only managed a couple of shots of him as the camera flash was hurting his eyes so I took his birthday portrait of him asleep on the lounge. :(

Yesterday was Michaels birthday and he spent that fixing the van with his father and I'm very happy and grateful to say they got it working...woohoo!! So I never killed it after all.

I have a special someone I'd like to introduce you too...Renee (Nay Nay) our second Princess. She and Jayden have been going out for some time now and they are in luuuuurrrve as 17 year olds are these days. So cute xx Isn't she gorgeous?

I have some layout shares as well this post. I've had a bit of a chance to play and must say I'm loving the time I get to scrap.
I made this wall hanging for Renee. I made it all vintage and put an antique action over the photo.

This layout I did of Jedd as he has just turned Sweet 16 on the 12th of December.

I printed out a photo of my 3 cricketers and scrapped this:

This next one was of me in the Super Sized Santa suit. Not very happy with this one but oh well:

And this last one of my great nephew in his uncles work boots trying to get into the garden:

Well thats it for me...my last post for 2010.
Wishing everyone happiness and good health for the New Year.
Stay safe.
Love Shaz
xx

Masters 2011

2010-12-16T10:11:00.003+11:00

FINALLY the winners are announced and the mag is out! Congrats to the 10 Masters I'm really looking forward to seeing you work through the year. Congrats also to the girls that got HM's.

Woohoo! I got a HM for my OTP which unfortunately I don't have a good photo of but you can see it in the mag.

I can now share my single and double so here we go.

Single is titled 'Feeding the Ducks'.

Double is titled 'Once Upon a Time'.

Sorry for the rushed post but must fly.

Cheers

Shaz

One bitch of a day!

2010-12-14T18:00:00.003+11:00

So I'm starting to think I've run over a Chinaman or pissed off an undercover evil witch (no points for guessing who THAT might be by the way) but somewhere along the line the planets have aligned to wreak havoc on my world at the moment. Everything and anything goes...well actually that's the wrong term to use it's more like everything and anything DOESN'T friggen go!!

Computers blowing up, postman leaving more bills than a fucking duck pond, things breaking left, right and centre and the rain...OMFG THE RAIN which means Michael doesn't work = no pay = the STRESS!! but not just once a week but EVERY SINGLE DAY for the past few weeks this has been happening!

Today though...today was the icing on the cake. Everything was going great this morning getting Jedd ready for a big job interview which we had to go to a Burwood agency for. Jye and Jack decided they'd come for the drive, which in hindsight I remeember telling them to come as it would be an adventure and little did I know how much of a friggen adventure!
We decided to leave earlier in case of traffic jams and to find a good parking spot and not to have Jedd stressed out about running late etc etc.
I went the Hume Highway route as it's the way I know best and turned off at Woodville Rd to head down towards Parramatta Rd. Those of you that know Woodville Rd will know it's busy, busy, busy even out of peak hour time and it was jam packed today.

So...we get to Guildford and we're stopped at traffic lights...the lights went green and I put my foot down to accelerate and the van didn't move. At first I thought I'd stalled it (yes you can stall an auto) but then when I tried to kick it over it wouldn't start. So...here we were in the right hand lane of a perilously busy intersection in a van that had decided to give up the ghost with asshole upon asshole beeping at me to move. It was right at that point that my Guardian Angel must have landed on my shoulder because instead of getting out on that main road at that busy intersection and screaming from the top of my lungs with a crowbar in hand at the assholes beeping at me I calmly assessed the situation, put the hazard lights on and told the boys to sit tight and not move as they couldn't get out of the van and to leave their seatbelts on, just in case one of the aforementioned assholes wasn't watching and rammed up our ass!

Then, just like in a movie, two real life Guardian Angels pulled up behind us in a RTA patrol van and OMG they were brilliant! One of them told me they'd tow us to safety, across three lanes of bumper to bumper traffic, through the busy intersection and I could've kissed his feet right there and then. He then asked if I minded if he steered which of course I didn't but that posed the question of how I was going to get my fat ass in the back of the van without getting it cut in half! So it was either throwing it up in the air, up and over into the back of the van or him stopping the other two lanes of traffic while I walked around and jumped in. I opted for stopping the traffic. Believe it or not while this guy was obviously helping me the assholes were STILL beeping and yelling!

So they towed me around the corner out of harms way (well kind of it was still extremely busy) and let me use their phone to ring Michael as yet again I had no credit. Of course, he didn't answer the phone! Right at that moment my own mobile rang and it was the guy from the agency confirming Jedds interview. Couldn't have picked a better time hey? Thankfully he was sympathetic to our cause and asked me to ring him when I got home and not to worry about coming in.

The RTA guys went on their merry way and left me to ponder our choices, which weren't many let me tell you. It was either leave the van right there, throw a match at it and walk off or take stock of the situation and come up with something better. I spotted an auto mechanic on the other corner so Jack and I walked over to ahem...BEG for help. On first impressions, the hooked nosed skinny little guy leaning on the counter drinking coffee wasn't good. On the second glance though I noticed this Liberace style gold crucifix hanging around his neck and an I Love Jesus sticker on his massive toolbox and almost dropped to my knees signing the Hallelujah! I must say though that after telling him about our plight he was initially very disinterested and a bit rude. Cut a long story short he turned out to be yet another Angel in disguise and came over for a look at the van where he soon determined it was the timing belt that had shat itself and that there really wasn't much he could do about it. Again the light match and flee idea kicked in but no...I put my big girls panties on yet again. I asked him if he knew any tow truck drivers who would help me and he got on his phone and although I have no idea how to speak Lebanese I could tell that he was buttering up some poor bugger. He managed to get a tow for me for $100- which from Guildford to Campbelltown is quite a good price.
So I left the keys with this guy and set about getting myself and the boys home.

After giving us directions to the nearest train station ( which I was kind of hoping my Lebanese Angel would offer us a lift as it was stinking hot) we set off on the long walk to Guildford station, parched as Arabs and no friggen shop in sight for ages. Let me tell you when we did finally manage to find a shop it was the best can of Coke we've ever had!!

Upon reaching the train station I had to ask some guy where to buy the tickets, which of course was right over the other side! So up at least 30 stairs and down the other side we got to the ticket window just as the station guy put the sign up saying use the machine I'll be back in 5. So I asked him politely if he would sell me the tickets as our train was about to come in but he said no I'd have to use the machine as he had to help someone off the said train. It was right at this point that I FUCKING LOST IT!! I have no fucking idea how to use the machine to buy tickets...I haven't caught a train in FUCKING years...I've had a PRICK of a day mate NOW FUCKING SERVE ME!!!!!!!!!
He threw his hands up and pointed at the machine and walked off!! It took all of my energy and willpower that was left and let me say it wasn't much, not to push that motherf****r in front of an oncoming train!!

So I stood there with tears in my eyes having no idea how to use a ticket machine while people were staring at me and watching the train that we should've been on sail past.
I had to wait till a girl of all of about 15 used the machine and then show me how to do it God bless her. Got our tickets and went back up those 30 stairs and down to the other side to sit and wait the 30 minutes for the next train. Time was on my side though as I remembered I didn't even have a house key anyway as Josh had it so hey...we were locked out when we got home anyway!

Finally we made it back to Campbelltown and thought about how we were getting home from there as apart from not catching trains for years...I don't know the local bus service very well either and had yet again no idea where or what one to catch. So we walked up to the Mall where I could get the poor buggers something to eat before jumping in a cab as I had to get home in case my van was here and the tow truck driver was sitting out the front waiting for his $100-.

Michael and Josh are now home so we are all inside but there is still no sign of my van. It is now 7.30p.m and I left it at 1.30p.m. Do I want it to find it's way home? Hmmmmm...hopefully the Universe thats so against me at the moment makes that decision for me. Let's just hope it's a good one.

Hope your day was better than mine but hey...tomorrow is another day
God Bless
xx

Change, changes everywhere....

2010-12-03T13:44:00.004+11:00

Hi all,
I know I've been such a bad blogger but so many things have happened in the past 7 weeks or so it's been mind spinning.
So we've now moved and are (almost) settled into our new house...just a few more boxes to unpack or get rid of and we'll be right. (OMFG if I see another one of these I'm going to cry!!)

So far we're loving it. It's smaller than our last house but I think because the last house had a massive L-shaped lounge/dining room/ family room you could've put us in a mansion and it would feel smaller. We've fit almost everything in so that's the main thing.
This house has such a country kind of feel to it and my furniture looks so much better here than it ever did at the other house and OMG it's so much easier to keep clean. No more carpets!! Yippee...

The move itself was friggen horrific! The crap we had after 10 years of being at the other house and 6 kids was unbelievable! I vow and declare...unless there is bloody good reason, I won't be moving again for another 10 years!!

We had great help but due to us also having cricket all weekend it was a bit harder than usual. Michael still had to play on the Saturday afternoon so most of our unpacking was done during the week. On top of that our bed fell off the truck during the move and instead of buying a new one Michael spent his afternoons rebuilding the old one and it's absolutely GORGEOUS!!

From this:

To this:

Isn't he just the cleverest??

Anyway on to a different subject I so dont like talking about moving...LOL

We now have two young men who have finished school this year which only leaves two at school. Gawd I remember counting the days down till they all started! So we're looking for a mechanics apprenticeship for Jedd at the moment and Nug is having a some time off from just finishing his HSC.

We also now have our big boy Josh back home too :)

Speaking of changes, today marks the day of 1 year of massive changes for us as this is the day we found out I was pregnant. Since then it's just been a massive whirlwind of changes, some bad but most great.

I really don't embrace change very well but in hindsight I can reflect on some things that have happened in the past year and see how they have been for the best. Life really is a funny thing sometimes isn't it?

I've been doing some sewing and made some mobiles for this house and also some Xmas gifts but I can't share them as yet as there are stickybeaks around. ;P

I can share this though, it's a vintage little Xmas tree I made for Handmade magazine for the Country Christmas issue but forgot to send it in...oops.

Made from doilies and fabric stiffener, a gift box that I crackle painted and tied some ribbon around and a painted chipboard star for the top. It's very sweet.

Well that's it from me for now but I'll be back again soon.

Take Care

Shaz xx

Bridgettes Chinese Whispers...

2010-10-25T08:51:00.004+11:00

Bridge Hatton organised a round of Chinese Whispers a while back which was so fun to be a part of.

For those of you that don't know what Chinese Whispers is about it's basically started by someone doing a layout and sending it on to the next person on the list. That person does their own layout giving it a bit of their own style and flair and passes it on to the next person on the list and so on and so on...

I was whispered to by Bernie Dodd and created this layout...

I then whispered it on to Tatum Woodroffe. Check out this link to see her gorgeous layout. http://tatumwoodroffe.typepad.com/my_creative_life/2010/10/scrap-scrapping-whispers.html

Shaz xx

The Last Post

2010-10-14T08:55:00.002+11:00

Well this is it...my very last blog post from this house. Tomorrow we set off to our new house and I really must admit, I don't think I'm going to miss this house. I am filled with a lot of trepidation about the new place for various reasons but if I look at it positively then all should be good.

We have had 11 good years here, lots of birthdays, Christmas's and celebrated a lot of milestones. We've been lucky enought to have the best neighbours ever although over the past couple of years a lot of 'originals' have moved so the little street has changed so much. Right at this very minute, the bloke at the top of the street is about to walk out his front door to move after many years of living here so there really is only one 'original' left here in the street.

My kids have made some great friends here, the children (now grown adults) in the street have always been great and all got on so well. Even the ones that have moved keep in contact. Jack had only just turned 3 when we moved in here and was the baby of the street. Now he's a teenager.

In hindsight, it really doesn't feel like we've been here for 11 years although those that know me well know that I've never really 'settled' here. It's just never really felt like home. It is, however, an and of an era for us. The house that all our kids grew into teenagers and for Josh and Rhiannon, adults.

So I shall continue packing the last of it, head down bum up, until we move and I can post again. (Which hopefully won't be too long).

Thank you house for the last 11 years of memories that we will never forget.
The Thomsons xx

September

2010-10-08T10:52:00.006+11:00

Well September has come and gone in the blink of an eye and for us has brought many changes. Being one who doesn't adapt to or embrace change very well it's been a bit of a whirlwind personally but I am looking forward to what life has in store for us.

September, for the best part, was all about our Jayden (Nugget if I revert back to slang...LOL). Graduating from Yr 12 brought lots of memories flooding back for all of us. It seems like yesterday that he was starting Kindy. Here's the little possum in his first year of school:

How times change. This is him on the night of his Graduation Mass and presentation. We are so proud of him and what he has acheived and wish all the very best for his upcoming HSC exams.

Then of course was the Yr 12 Formal. We are very lucky that our school invites the parents to the kids Yr 12 Formal so we can all sit together as families, share a meal, cry and laugh about our childrens accompliments, reminisce about their younger days and generally share in each others pride of our gorgeous kids.
Of course, I had to do a photoshoot so we headed off down to a local park for the first lot of photos. Here are a few favourites I took:

The three of us:

My handsome men:

Then it was off to another park where we met up with some of Nug's mates to get some group shots. Of course I took this opportunity for some more of Jayden on his own.

Then to The Cube at the Catholic club for the Formal. The room looked absolutely amazing, the food was delicious and the company fabulous. Jayden has been friends with his mate Dale since primary school and his mother is one of my dearest friends so I was really happy that we got to sit on the same table.

Dales girlfriend and her parents also sat with us and I had to laugh when Jayden told me her parents were warned about Michelle and I together...LOL (Hey we were on our best behaviour!!) We did have fun on the dance floor though an even had our own little photoshoot. ;P

It was an awesome night but the best part was the first dance which was mother/son or father/daughter. Just lovely. Here's Nug and I:

JTCHS graduating class of 2010

A huge change in our lives has come in the form of a house move! We have been here for 11 years last week but the time has come for us to move so I'm packing like crazy for the big move ahead but I'll post more on that later.

On the creative side of things I haven't been very constructive as I've been too busy with everything else but I have managed to get a few things done. I wanted an updated canvas with new photos of everyone and something a bit brighter so I made this:

I created this layout of my good friends gorgeous daughter:

And last but not least I entered the 1,2,3 challenge fo last month with the criteria being you had to use orange, handmade flowers and the word BLOOM in the title. This was my entry.

Well that's it for me for now but I'll be posting again soon about our big move.
Hugs to all,
Shaz
xx

Fibromyalgia, CFS and me

2010-09-02T08:44:00.002+10:00

I've had a few people PM me on Facebook and send me emails asking what this muscle condition I have is and I realised I've never really spoken about it in depth before. I really want to raise awareness of Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome as they are both evil, silent chronic illnesses that I hope you, or any of your loved ones never have to deal with.

Firstly, a little bit about fibromyalgia which I will refer to from now on as FMS. Fibro - fibrous tissues + myalgia - muscle = chronic muscle and connective tissue pain. However, FMS symptoms are not just restricted to pain, there is also the debilitating fatigue, bladder and bowel abnormalities, sleep disturbance, joint stiffness, myofacial pain, numbness and tingling and the dreaded 'fibro fog'. These are just a few of the symptoms people with FMS may suffer.
Although the muscles hurt everywhere, they are not the only cause of the pain. Symptoms are greatly magnified by malfunctions in the way the nervous system processes pain.

My story with FMS began about 12-13 years ago now THAT I CAN REMEMBER. In hindsight, I'd had symptoms way before that but around the 12-13 year mark I'd been to a few doctors complaining of aches and pains all over. Long story short but I was always told it was just stress and what did I expect having so many kids blah blah blah. At that stage, Josh being the eldest was around 10yrs old and Jack had only been born so we had 6 kids under 10yrs old. So I was kind of used to having kids and knew that no I wasn't stressed or under anymore undue strain or pressure that I hadn't normally been under I was just very sore and I knew that it wasn't normal. Believe me, back in those days when the kids were all that small I was much more organised and efficient than I am now...LOL

Almost 12 years ago we moved here and I remember chatting to my next door neighbour about it and she told me to go and see her doctor just around the corner. I remember the first time I ever met Brian, who is still my doctor to this day. This fabulous man changed my life and for a long while there he was my God. I don't see him as much now as he has moved to a busy medical centre and is a much sought after doctor.
I remember the first time I told him about these 'aches and pains' and how I couldn't really describe them. I remember saying it was my muscles and it was all over and how it felt like someone was sticking hot knives in me sometimes. Not the kind of pain you feel when you've been to the gym and had a hard session, it is a deep, deep muscle pain. After a few months of me whinging and whineing and researching on the Internet I came across an article on FMS, It was like a light bulb moment! So armed with this new information I went back to Brian who, before I could even show him what I had, he said I think you have a condition called fibromyalgia. I nearly fell off the chair! It was just bizarre. So I started looking into it even more and reading about different treatments and was really happy that now I had a diagnosis I could fix the problem and get on with life. How wrong was I??

Over time the symptoms got worse and worse to the point where I literally couldn't move. The FMS had manifested itself into Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and this, my friends, you wouldn't wish on your worst enemy. Day after day after day I would lie there unable to get up, unable to do anything that involved even the slightest bit of exertion. Josh was an apprentice chef at the time and didn't have his license so I used to have to drive him the 40min round trip to work at 1.30p.m and pick him up again in the night when the restaurant had shut which was mostly around midnight. I would have to save all my energy just to do that. When I dropped him off in the afternoon I'd head straight to the school to wait for the other kids. I was lucky my good fried was one of the lollipop ladies at the school as I would fall asleep as soon as I got there and she'd come and wake me up when the bell went.
I would drag myself off to watch Jye and Jack play footy on the weekends. Michael would set my chair up and within 10 minutes I'd be asleep. You know hard it would be to sleep on one of those canvas chairs right? Well I had it mastered!! I can look back now and laugh at the times Michael would gently push me and say 'You're dribbling' or 'You're snoring'. I'm sure people must have thought I was a junkie or something! I was determined not to let it rule my life though so I went off every weekend to watch my boys and never missed a game.
I was and am very lucky and very appreciative of Michael, my kids and my father who helped me through the 'three years I spent on the lounge' as I call it. I know it wasn't easy for them but they supported me and each other and we all got through it. Funny thing, I'd become very attached to this lounge. We had two 2 seaters and a 3 seater setting and the 3 seater was MINE. The lounge suite was quite old and the two 2 seaters were literally falling apart and Michael was at me to get a new lounge. There was no way I was giving my lounge up though! Long story short again, in the end we had to as the two 2 seaters were literally propped up with milk crates but like I said I'd grown so attached to my 3 seater I couldn't bear to part with it...heheheehe.. Finding a new lounge for me was a story in itself but I won't go into that now.

Over this time I was havng vitamin injections, acupuncture, massage, on special diets...you name it I did it. Nothing worked. It was one of the most depressing things I have ever been through. To lie there watching your family go about their business and not being able to do anything to help is heartbreaking. My mind said 'Get up...you can do it' but my body said 'Don't bother'.
I read books on FMS and chronic fatigue (CFS)...when I could hold them, I surfed the Internet looking for information on them...when I could sit upright and I spoke to my doctor about different treatments...when I had the energy to go and see him. At my very worst and even now when I get stressed or have a lot on my plate or when there are a lot of changes in my life, I get 'fibro fog' which is freakin' horrific! The only way to describe it is like there is a beanie on my head and where that beanie sits on my head, it's a fog. You can't remember anything, you can't retain information, you do stupid things because you just can't think straight. It's like you have a numb brain.

Slowly but surely the chronic fatigue started to lift so that I could do more and over time it got to he point where I thought it was gone forever. Wrong again! However, as I'd spent so much time lying down I threw myself into anything and everything. I think just to prove to myself that I could do it. At one stage I was on three different committees as Secretary and for a while there everything was working out OK.
I even started to think 'Wow might even go back to work now'. So I did. Lucky for me I walked into a dream job and worked with the most beautiful girls you could ever wish to work for. The only thing I absolutely couldn't cope with was the travel. It took so much out of me. Then coming home and racing the boys off to cricket training....arghhh
As most of you know our boys are very involved in cricket and 9 times out of 10 on the weekends we are at games from 8.00a.m Saturday mornings till 6-7.00p.m Saturday nights and then from say 9.00a.m Sunday morning till 5.00p.m Sunday night so basically it's our whole weekend. This almost KILLS me! I literally crawl inside after cricket and lay back on my lounge until I have to go again the next morning, even now. Everyone is always commenting on how Michael is so organised as he packs the Eskys and gets the food ready for the day but the poor bugger has just had to learn to do it all himself over the years and now he just does it on auto pilot God love him.

There is so much more information available to people now about FMS and CFS than what there was say 10 years ago. Every now and again I'll trawl through the Internet to see what's new and if they've discovered some kind of cure for it or what new treatments are out there. Basically, I've just learnt to live with it. I have gotten much better over time... it's still there, my muscles are still always sore and I'm still always tired. Being just sore and tired though I can live with...being 'fatigued' is something I can't. There is a MASSIVE difference between being tired and being fatigued so much so that your muscles feel like dead weights and even lying on a bed or a lounge takes so much effort. Every now and again, like now, I'll have a bad flare up but it makes me appreciate the times when I'm just sore and tired.

Well I hope I've given you some insight into living with FMS and CFS and if you've read this far, you deserve a star. I hope I've explained it so you can understand it a bit better to the point where if you do know someone who has either of these illnesses or both, just give them a big hug and say 'Now I understand'.

Cheers
Shaz
xx

Spring has sprung...

2010-09-01T09:45:00.006+10:00

FINALLY that cold, awful winter is over! Although you couldn't tell that here today as it's still chilly and very overcast. We have had some beautiful days lately though and I've been using them to get some fabulous photos!

I was very inspired by a photo that Tiff Firth took of a bee so early Sunday morning I took my camera out the front in search of one. Usually around this time when the flowers are starting to bloom there are hundreds of the little buggers but I only managed to find one on a neighbours lavender bush. Thankfully he didn't mind posing for me although I did have to chase him a bit...hehehehe...
Here are a couple of pics I took:

A couple of weekends ago I had the pleasure of doing a photoshoot for a very good friend of mine and her gorgeous children. We had the best day and it was really fun driving around looking for great shoot locations. No stone was left unturned in our quest and we ended up in a graveyard and on the railway tracks. Ahhh the things you do for a good photo. :)
Here are a couple of my faves from the day. Be warned there are a few...I took over 300 photos on the day and I absolutely LOVED them all.

Unfortunately I don't have anything 'creative' in the way of scrapping that I can share but being the first of the month all the new challenges are up so I'm sure I'll get something done soon.

Have an awesome Spring everyone and fingers crossed it's a warm one.
S
xx

Scrap the boys AND girls

2010-08-16T10:18:00.003+10:00

Got both these challenges done again this month...woohoo!

The Scrap the Boys challenge for August is to use flowers on a boy layout.
I made some out of old book paper and buttons.

The Scrap the Girls challenge is to use photos that aren't so ladylike and also to use a 'messy' medium such as ink, Glimmer Mist or paint.
Mind you my photo of this layout is a little skew whiff also ;P

Check out both blogs for some eye candy and to give the challenges a go yourself.

Happy Scrappin'
S
xx

August 12th

2010-08-12T08:43:00.002+10:00

For the past 6 and a half months I've been dreading today but now it has come around I feel a sense of peace. I feel that now the day has come I can finally have closure. I feel that the past 9 months have been an open chapter of a book of my life that was never going to have a happy ending. But at least now I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Today is the day our baby was due.

The past 7-8 months have brought so many changes. Not only did I lose my baby, I lost the job I loved so much, I lost a lot of respect and I lost my way in the world more than once.

Although I don't know why God ever gave us that baby and took it away just as quick, I realise He must have had His reasons and one day I'll know what they were. I do know that the breakdown I suffered because of it will eventually make me a stronger person. Not just yet, it's all still a bit raw.

Maybe it happened so I could resign from work and spend more time with the kids? Things were so hectic, I'd drive home from work pick up which ever one had sport training that night and literally fly back out again. I truely think I was running on adrenalin and you just can't live like that. So leaving work has given me the chance to slow down, just a little bit.

Maybe it happened to make me a stronger person for the job I was going to pursue in the long run? Most of you know I've always wanted to work in the funeral industry and a couple of months ago I was given that opportunity. I was worried that it might've been too soon but I rolled up my sleeves and got in there like I'd been doing it for years. From preparing the deceased to attending the actual service, I rocked it. That particular place didn't quite work out though as after the day I was told it was only an 'observation' day and they weren't going to pay me. WTF? I worked 5 and a half hours, ALL hands on deck and they called it observation? You look with your eyes not your hands. Cut a long story short, at that time of my life I just wasn't strong enough to argue so I let it go. One day I'll give it another shot.

I'm just very grateful that although I lost myself and my way in the world more than once over the past months, I'm beginning to find myself again. It hasn't been an easy slog, it's been a very long road but at least now I can read the signs along the way. Who knows where they'll eventually lead me?

One thing I do know that does give me great comfort is knowing that there is another little Angel in Heaven to cuddle when I get there.

Projects and parties

2010-08-10T09:15:00.011+10:00

Hi all,
Hope everyone has been well since my last blog post which again was just over a month ago!
Kaszazz and kids have been keeping me very busy so not much time left for anything else really.

At the time of writing this, the little Princess Kiesha Abrahams is still missing. I have been following her case since she disappeared and it breaks my heart. I have my own beliefs as to what has happened to her but I won't share them here. I just hope and pray that she is found alive and very soon as the clock is ticking. Please people, keep your eyes and ears open..who knows something you might hear or see just might help to bring this little girl home.

July was an extremely social month for me and being one who doesn't go out much it certaily took it's toll.
My gorgeous friend had her 40th which was an 'oh what a night' moment. With an 80's DJ there was a lot of dancing and for me this turned out to be an 'oh what a week' recovery! Man was I sore and sorry!! Best night (and next morning) EVER!!

The following weekend I went to a school reunion and FINALLY caught up with my best friend since high school, Cathi. I hadn't seen her for 4 and a half years due to distance so this was a major highlight. Here we are together again at last.

Here is Cathi, Leeanne and I are before we left and it all got too messy...LOL
In our younger years when we used to hit the dance floors we used to get ready here at Lee's so it brought back so many wonderful memories.

We caught up with our mate Greg who is also one of our childhood friends.

Unfortunately I don't have high res. pics of the rest of the photos yet so these are all I can share.
Great night. So good in fact that they've organised another one for the end of October. Can't wait. :)

Sunday night we had a surprise 60th for our dear friend, Cheryl. To say she was suprised is an understatement! Blown out of the water more like it...hehehe
Was a great night and the best Chinese food I've had in a very long time. Was also fun to catch up with some people I haven't seen for a few months. Here she is in all her party gear and after she'd composed herself from the shock..LOL

So it's been party after party and a whole heap of fun catching up with old friends.

I've done a few projects, mostly things for Camp Mojo. We're doing challenges every month leading up to the actual Retreat next July. The first one was a sketch challenge so I thought I'd get the party started with this layout:

The second challenge I was lucky enough to be on the DT for and the challenge was to create two projects using only the colours red, white and blue. To be honest I was a bit worried about this as they aren't usually colours I'd use together but I'm really happy with what I did. The first is a wall hanging of one of our wedding photos.

The second is an ATC using the gorgeous Tim Holtz Distress inks.

I also have two projects in Handmade magazine this month. The first one is an old box I salvaged off my brother in law and turned it into a shadow box wall display. This isn't the best photo of it there's a bit of camera flash but I'm sure you'll get the drift.

The second is a tea cup pin cushion for the magazines High Tea theme.

I've actually had a few projects published in Handmade but keep forgetting to show you so here are a few. This is a phone/IPod sock I knitted:

Some yummy pincushions:

And some wall plaques that again the photos don't give justice too:

I've had a few people ask me for a link to the topiary tree tutorial I did so I'm going to make a permanent link on my page.

Well Michael has just come home early due to the rain and is cooking bacon and eggs so I'm off to have some...hehe
Take care and stay safe,
S
xx

Scrap the Girls and some other layouts

2010-07-06T10:13:00.004+10:00

Well I didn't want to leave the girls out this month so I scrapped a layout for the Scrap the Girls blog as well!
Nice and simple sketch challenge this month and some gorgeous inspiration to be had on the blog.
Check it out here: www.scrapthegirls.blogspot.com
Photo is of my gorgeous princess, Rhiannon :)

Seeing as I'm home alone this week I've been madly scrapping and having a ball!
Here's one I did of Jayden the day he got his L's:

And this one is Josh and Rhiannon 20 years ago and now:

I've also made another bunting for Rhiannon's BF's sisters new baby, Hugo again with the stunning FAMILY range from Paper Inklings.

Chat soon,
Shaz xx

Scrap the Boys - July challenge

2010-07-05T10:48:00.003+10:00

So glad to see Scrap the Boys back up and running again :)
This month's criteria is to scrap a portrait shot of a non-event photo and record some quirky facts and/or statistics.

I chose to scrap this photo of Jayden that I just love and is 'so him' right now.

So if you're in need of some inspiration for boy layouts why not head on over to the blog and get some? www.scraptheboys.blogspot.com

See ya
S
xx

Jolly June

2010-07-02T10:05:00.005+10:00

Hi all,
Hope you have all been well and keeping warm in this horrid cold snap.
Brrrr...how cold has it been?
Sorry for the slackness in blogging (yet again) but there really hasn't been much to talk about.
Birthdays are all over until September thank goodness, once again I was getting all caked out..LOL

Last post I mentioned I had become a Kaszazz consultant and I'm absolutely LOVING it!! If you haven't seen a Kaszazz catalogue lately do yourselves a favour and get your hands on one. I guarantee you'll be pleasantly surprised!! The boys are going away for the first week of the school holidays so I've booked some demos in and can't wait to catch up with some gorgeous friends while doing them. Oh and I've started a blog to document my journey with Kaszazz and would love for you to pop in and see how I'm doing. www.shazkaszazz.blogspot.com

I went on a Retreat with crazy Chrissy Collier organised by the lovely Belinda Howlett last weekend at Long Point in Macquarie Fields. Living only 20 minutes away I was surprised that I'd never heard of the place but it was just lovely. The cabins were so cute and cosy and the place is immaculate. The kitchen even had a log fire for the cold nights and the guy that runs the place made a campfire for us to all sit around on the Saturday night however it was far too cold to do. We got to sit with amazingly talented Jen Hall which was great for inspiration for the whole weekend. Man that girl is talented!!
Here are a couple of pics:

Chrissy and I found this sweet little wooden cubby and just had to get some photos in it.

These are photos of the grounds and cabins with their gorgeous gardens and the sweet little loungeroom in them. Too cute..

I managed to get 4 layouts done, some bunting for a new bub and a bit of a mini album which surprisingly is very productive for me on a Retreat. Here are 2 of the layouts, the other 2 you might see later. ;P
P.S I need to re-print this photo as my printer decided to run out of ink just before I left. Doh!!

Before I go I'd like to share this gift I received from Jedd with you. He jumped in the car the other day from school with a big cheesy grin on his dial telling me he'd made me a present in woodwork. So I got all excited as the last one he made was a stool that is so cute. Imagine my surprise (and my face) when he proudly presented this? Gotta love boys...LMAO

That's it for now stay safe and chat soon
S
xx

More birthdays...

2010-05-28T12:36:00.004+10:00

Hi all,
Hope you have been keeping well and much better than we have in this dormitory!

Literally since Rhiannon's 21st there has been someone sick in this house and it's been awful!!
The following night of the party Jedd woke up with the most violent stomach bug ever which had him down for the count for 48 hours. Monday night Michael started to feel unwell and by Tuesday night he was gone with the same thing and Josh got it Tuesday afternoon. Ewwwwwww...
Had to laugh when a telemarketer came to the door though...our bedroom is right next to the front door and all you could hear was Michael being rather intimate but very loud with a bucket and Josh echoing from the bathroom down the hallway doing the same thing. I can't believe this guy stood there and asked me if he could come back!!

Then the filthy flu found it's way in and smug 'ol me who thought it was great that I didn't get the above virus was in for a very rude shock.
Anyway enough of all the illness talk...

As I've mentioned before May is a massive month for us. My birthday was on the 18th and I was spoilt rotten by my lovely family. Michael cooked an awesome dinner...garlic, chilli prawns with Pepper steak and delish veges. I got some lovely pressies...a Tom Ang Photography book and a Pandora bead from Michael and the boys (which says Forever Always...nawwwww), a Cuttlebug I bought from Josh and Rhiannons birthday money and some yummy new scrapping stuff from my daddys birthday money. :)

Here I am sick as a mangy dog and not far off Rookwood with my cake...and yes I was 21 so don't even ask!! P.S Look where Michael has put the knife...I wasn't that sick love!!

And with all my boys...who look so excited to have a photo taken with me don't they? PMSL

Jayden's birthday was the 22nd and he was 17! We had a homemade pizza party which was mmmmmmmmmm.....and this fabulous white choc and passionfruit cheesecake. OMG it was divine...

Here's my beautiful birthday boy:

And what's a 17th birthday cake without a Thomas candle? Hehehehe...

Unfortunately I haven't had much time to scrap but I managed to get this one done. Isn't she just the cutest little possum ever?

I have some news I'd like to share as well. I have just become a Kaszazz consultant! I am so excited and haven't even got my kit yet, it will come some time next week so it's very new news...LOL
Will chat more about this when I know more but just wanted to tell you.

Have a good weekend all and stay safe in this horrid wet weather if you're getting all the rain.
S
xx

Layout share

2010-05-14T13:10:00.006+10:00

Wow it's been a while since I've been able to use that as my title...LOL

Hope you're all good and looking forward to a relaxing weekend ahead.
We have two cricket presentations to go too but I'm not sure we'll go to one of them. Two in one weekend is a bit much I think especially as they'll both go for at least 4 hours each.

I've been lucky enough to get some scrapping done this week. I'm loving the whole process from choosing the photo to deciding on what papers and embellies to use but most of all I'm having a ball coming up with new and innovative ways to use things from my stash that I've had for a while. I've recently been through it and gave a heap of stuff away to soeone who's just starting out in scrapbooking but I still have so much stuff to get through before I race out and buy anymore new things. So...to solve this dilemma...I'll just scrap more. :)

This layout I completed for a colour challenge; white, yellow, light blue/aqua and grey. Not really colours that I'd usually use but I'm very happy with the way it turned out. This photo was taken by Chrissy Collier at the last Forever Always Retreat we went on with a 70's theme. Was awesome fun!

I did this one for a sketch challenge. I adore Scrapware chipboard and have been trying to use what I have in my stash...how cute is this whale? Check out the cool chipboard journalling spot by Tammy Templetons Pumpkin Pink line. Very cooolllll.....

This one is a just for me layout. I bought some Webster's Pages papers last weekend and was busting to use them. I scrapped this stunning photo of my niece and daughter and added a few little extras. Also loving the paper doilies by Paper Inklings at the moment. They are so versatile and come in heaps of differnet shapes and sizes.

I only finished this layout last night. It's a photo of my spunky boy, Jayden that was taken about 2 years ago. I added an action to it in PS and the result was really cool. See the fabbo chipboard shapes framing the photo? Their from Paper Inklings also and are awesome for boy pages!

I had the pleasure of spending time with these two little little poppets yesterday morning and I took them down to feed the ducks. I got some great photos of them so I have plenty to scrap.

This is a really fun little park to take kids as the ducks come right up when you feed them.

Have a safe, relaxing and fun weekend everyone.
Chat next week
S
xx

Happy Mothers Day

2010-05-10T11:00:00.006+10:00

Hi everyone,
Did you all have a nice Mothers Day? I hope you did. :)
We just took the boys down to the local park to ride their scooters and for some lunch.
Jack has croup at the moment so I'm a bit wary about taking him too far with the weather changing all the time as it has been lately. Jayden has the flu too so he didn't feel like doing too much either.

Saturday my father gave me my birthday money early (woot woot!!) so I took myself scrap shopping. I went to one of my LSS who I hadn't been to for ages and wow...I had so much fun. I really haven't done that for ages. I bought lots of papers...mostly vintage as I love anything and everything vintage. Can't wait to have a play with it.

As I've mentioned I've done some designing for the lovely Kris Pace from Paper Inklings. I just love the AWESOME BOY range as it's grungy and bright and suits my boys perfectly. I had a ball grunging up the chipboard title with inks and paints too.
Here's a layout I did with the range:

And an acrylic album I made for Jedd as his prize posession at the moment is his scooter:

Speaking of Jedd and his scooter, he had a stack and a half last night and fell, hitting the side of his eye on his friends scooter. He is very lucky it didn't hit his eye. Here's some pics that don't really do the size of the lump justice as I was trying to keep the flash out of his eyes...hehehe

So as you can imagine the poor kid has a pretty big black eye this morning. ;(

Well that's it for another post...have a great week and we'll chat again soon.
Sharryn
xx

Tutorial - Topiary tree table decoration

2010-05-05T11:56:00.014+10:00

Hey hey :)
Wow 2 blog posts in 2 days...go me!

Last Saturday night was our daughter's 21st birthday and I wanted to make my own decorations just to add a more personal touch. I decided on topiary tree table decorations as I love topiary trees and think they lend a touch of class. So I made my own and took photos along the way for those of you interested in perhaps making your own one day as they are much more cost efficient than purchasing them. With the basic steps, you can create your own topiary tree to suit any occasion.

YOU WILL NEED:
2 x Styrofoam balls (depending on the finished size you want)
1 length of 6mm dowel
1 x paper mache gift box
bag of glass crystals
patterned papers in colours of choice
acrylic paint
ribbons
small flowers
chipboard butterflies
ink
clear drying craft glue
flower punch

TO MAKE:
1)Paint your styrofoam ball in a colour to match the patterned papers you will be using. This will hide any unneccessary white patches that you may not fill. Set aside to dry.

2)Take your paper mache gift box:

Paint the lid and the main part two different colours. The lid will become a holder for the bottom of the box. Set both pieces aside to dry.

3)Take your large flower punch and start punching flowers from different co-ordinating patterned papers.

Mark a hole where the dowel rod will go on the styrofoam ball so as not to cover with the flowers.
Using a clear, strong craft glue attach the punched flowers to the styrofoam ball.I only glued the centre of my flowers as I wanted a 3D effect on the finished product.

Continue glueing flowers on until the styrofoam ball is completely covered.

4) Measure the length of dowel you will need and paint to suit colour scheme. Set aside to dry.

5) Get your small flowers and other embellishments for your styrofoam ball ready. I didn't have the right colour flowers I needed so I inked some small paper flowers silver.

Ink some small chipboard butterflies to suit. (I then added some 21 embellishments over the top however you can change this to suit the occasion).

6) Now that your dowel rod is dry,glue the end and pierce it through the styrofoam ball at the spot previously marked.

Take the second stryofoam ball and cut it to fit inside the paper mache gift box. Take care with this step as pieces of styrofoam will harm small children if swallowed so be sure to clean up properly. It doesn't matter at this stage if the styrofoam in the box looks a bit skew whiff as it will be covered later. Just ensure it is a snug fit and will hold the topiary tree upright. Glue the end of the dowel rod as in the previous step and insert it through the styrofoam in the box. Hold gently for a few minutes to ensure it dries in the correct position.

7) Now that your topiary tree is in place, add your small paper flowers and chipboard embellishments. This gives you a better idea of placement.

8) Now the fun, but very messy part. Pour some glass crystals on to a paper plate. You might want to grab yourself a spoon at this stage!

Pour some clear, strong craft glue over the glass crystals and mix up with your hands ensuring the glue covers all the crystals. (Ewww...I really don't like this part) TIP: If you can't find glass crystals you can use spanish moss.

Spoon the mixture carefully over the styrofoam base making sure to get into all cracks and crevices. Keep adding crystals until they are level with the top of the paper mache box lip. Again, gently hold the topiary tree in place for a few minutes so it will dry in place. The crystals took a couple of hours to dry completely.

9) Measure the length from the base of the topiary tree ball to the top of the crystals and cut lengths of co-ordinating ribbon.

Tie them in a knot around the base letting them fall freely.

10) Let topiary tree completely dry then enjoy your lovely new table decoration.

I hope this tutorial was clear enough to understand, if not just email me and ask away.
Cheers
Shaz
xx

A 21st birthday and some scrapping...

2010-05-04T10:18:00.006+10:00

Hey all :)
Hope you've been well and settled into the new month of May.
May is one of those months for us where it's just go, go, go...and spend, spend, spend!
We have Rhiannons', Jayden's, my, our niece, my father, Michael's little sister and her mums birthdays all in May. We have both cars due for rego one day apart and then there's Mothers Day. Plus all the boys friends seem to have a birthday in May as well. Grrrr......
Speaking of birthdays it's our gorgeous girl Rhiannons's 21st birthday today :)
We had a family party for her on Saturday night which was heaps of fun. She wanted a purple and silver theme so purple and silver it was. (Keep in mind...purple would have to be one of the hardest colours for a party theme...LOL)
I thought we managed to do OK though as we had purple and silver balloons, cutlery and plates, I made purple and silver topiary tree table decorations and 21st birthday balloon table decorations and instead of a 21st key I made a book that everyone cold sign and she can later put her photos in. I even made a trip to the cake decorating store and bought purple icing and silver dust to paint on the tiny flowers. Here'a s peek at the decorations. The topiary trees:

The balloons: (TIP: I bought a balloon pump for $5.50 at Spartys and let me tell you it made our lives so much easier!!)These are only the table decorations I made we had HEAPS of balloons hanging from the top of the decking.

The sign-in book:

The cupcakes:

The champers....mmmmmmmm

Our girl and us:

Just before getting organised for the 21st I was busy, busy, busy getting some layouts and BTP items done for the lovely Kris Pace of Paper Inklings for SIA. Her new FAMILY range is just gorgeous.
I posted one in my last blog post but here are a few more:

I also made a canvas featuring my three gorgeous nieces. Unfortunately the photo I took made the Mod Podge over the photos look like some sort of filter but I'm sure you get the drift.

Last but not least I made a sweet little banner for Michaels' cousins new baby girl, Layla.

Forever Always held it's very last cycber crop last weekend which is a bit sad as I've had some great times there over the years and met some of the most wonderful women ever.
This layout I did for a challenge using only sepia tones. Just a simple one.

This one was for a 'Good Old Days' challenge where we had to use those words as either the title or in the journalling. I used it as my title and scrapped photos of us all when we were on the FA DT together...they really were 'The Good Old Days'. (Sorry again for the flash on your face Paula but you know it's not there IRL...LOL)

Well that's it from me for now.
Off to do a blog hop to see what you've all been up too.
Stay safe
S
xx

She's scrappin'

2010-04-22T09:22:00.004+10:00

Hey hey :)
How is everyone? Well I hope :)
All is well here at the moment and I'm really enjoying the slowed down pace of the cricket off season. Jack has soccer but that's nowhere near as frantic as the cricket season.

I must say thank you to the people that sent emails, wrote comments etc for my last post. I absolutely LOVED it (well as much as loving can be in that industry) and I'm really keen.
I really am a little confused though as I thought I was actually starting there. It turns out it was training and they are also trialling a couple of other ladies for positions. Wish they had've been a little more specific as I've been a little bit...shall we say impatient for their phone call.
I have sent my Resume out to other places but it's a very closed industry and male dominant so I'll just have to sit and bide my time. I'm not the most patient person on the planet so that's easier said than done.

Rhiannon and Steve have moved into their own little terrace house in the city and it's just gorgeous. It's over 100 years old and is full of history, in a beatiful leafy street across the road from a big park. It reminds me so much of the houses my Nan lived in when I was a little girl. I love terrace houses, they are beautiful and this one has been really looked after.

I had a bit of a break from sewing over the school holidays I just found I couldn't concentrate with the boys running in and out and wanting to go here and there. So...I picked up some paper and glue and scrapped! Woohoo! I even remembered how to do it...LOL
I've had a layout sitting around for literally months not finished so I started with that. Not sure I like it but it was doing my head in so I finished it as quick as I could. Pic is of my gorgeous little niece.

I've been very impressed with The Colour Room and thought I'd give the second challenge a go and came up with this. This is a pic of Jayden I took before he went to a 21st birthday dinner for The Junction Works, a place he helps out and goes away with once a year helping disabled people.

I've done a few others for SIA that I forgot to take photos of before handing them over and an acrylic album but I can show you this one. This is from the absolutely STUNNING new range from Paper Inklings called FAMILY. The colours in this collection are simply beautiful and the embellishments to match divine.
This is a pic of a family member and her new baby girl.

Well that's about it for now. Until next time, stay safe.
Shaz xx

On the eve of a life long dream...

2010-03-24T08:28:00.003+11:00

Hi everyone,
Sorry again for the long delay between posts.
I have an urge this morning to record my feelings before tomorrow so it will probably be a long winded post.

Tomorrow. I have waited so long for this. I can't even remember when I first decided that this is what I wanted to do. Am I ready? I really can't answer that. Emotionally, I'm doing OK but still have my moments and sometimes whole days. Physically, I'm actually having a bit of a FMS flare up at the moment and I'm so, so sore and exhausted. That I've learnt to live with over the years.
I've always said I would do this once Jack started high school. When he was a baby this seemed a lifetime away. Now he is in high school, it seems like only in the blink of an eye ago.

Tomorrow. Am I really ready to return to work yet? I've wrapped myself in a cosy coccoon since the miscarriage, I don't go out, I rarely have visitors, I spend my days alone in the house with my sewing machine as my best friend.

Tomorrow. Today is the closest thing that I'm sure I've felt to being a child in many years. This must be how kids feel Xmas Eve. I'm excited about what tomorrow will bring, I'm nervous and I'm worried that after wanting this for so long, it won't be exactly what I thought it would be.

Tomorrow. I start my new job as a funeral attendant. It's something I've wanted to do forever. I actually want to be a mortician but I guess I have to start somewhere. I think back at all the times I've spoken to people in the industry about this over the years. One conversation will always stick with me. Many years ago I spoke to an embalmer, once when I thought I was ready to go back to work. She told me how a little boy had been hit by a car and killed instantly and how the family wanted a viewing. The poor little possum was that banged up he was almost unrecognisable. So she had to work off a photo. I thought that was one of the greatest gifts I had ever heard of. Imagine being able to do that and give those parents that last gift? That last look at their precious little son. I thought that was beautiful.

Tomorrow. I'm sure I will have many mixed feelings as I go about my duties whatever they will be. One feeling I'm looking forward to is the one of pride. Proud of myself for finally following my life long dream. As different as my dream may seem, it's mine and I'm doing it.

Today. On the eve of my life long dream I am feeling a little bit apprehensive, very nervous and a tad worried that I won't be cut out for it. Deep down I know I'll be fine but it's obviously something where there is no place for errors. Not even slight ones. So it's with deep breaths and sweaty palms that I face the day ahead of me.

S
xx
P.S This is a layout I did a few years ago. I just thought it was relevant to the post. :)

Cops, candles and junk

2010-02-26T13:37:00.003+11:00

Hi all,
Hope this post finds you all well. You should at least be relaxed anyway seeing as it's Friday afternoon. ;P

So what's been happening around here? As usual busy, busy, busy although the pace has slowed down somewhat now that I've left work. Also because Jye hasn't been playing cricket due to a knee injury. Been to the orth. paed. surgeon and had MRI and thank goodness it's not as bad as we initially were told it might be and it looks like no operation will be needed although there will be a fair bit of physio.

Our gorgeous 'big boy' Josh turned 23 on Valentine's Day. Far out the years have flown. Here he is blowing out the candles on his cake. Yes he's still made to sit down at the table while we all sing etc etc etc...hehehehe

Last Monday I had a surge of energy which I'm not sure where it came from. I decided I wanted to change the lounge / family room around which is no mean feat seeing as it's all one huge L-shaped room with not one miniscule spot for anything else. Lucky for me, Michael and Josh came home from work early so I roped them in to help me. In hindsight, there is now way possible I could've done it on my own. I have so much stuff, in drawers, cupboards everywhere you look! Paperwork a mile high from researching my family history for 15 years and folder upon folder of information. Poor Michael had to bring the fridge trolley in to move most things...bet he wished he had've stayed at work...LOL
Anyway, I brought the lounge in from off the decking which was just going to waste under a tarp as I decided I wanted to make a little 'studio'. This was frowned upon however it didn't take Jayden long to park his butt on it!!

Speaking of Jayden, he and I went for a drive down to Goulburn Police Academy last Sunday for career information and he was pulled over for an RBT not 200metres from the academy. Of course, being his first RBT I had to get a photo so I've reached for my camera and was ready to point and shoot at the same time asking the officer if he minded if I took a photo. His response? 'I'd appreciate it if you asked first'. Silly man...funny though :) Poor bugger might have thought I was a nutter wanting to take a photo of something like that.

I'm still sewing madly and still loving it. I love the feeling you get when something is finished and I can stand there and admire what I've done. (Well the boys just go mehhhh...so I have to tell myself how nice it is )
Here is a mini quilt I made late last year for a very special friend who'd had a horrific year. We held a benefit night for her and her kids but I wanted to give her something more personal so I made this.

I've just got home from a fabric shopping trip which was fun, fun, fun. I also took myself junking through the local op-shops and am really happy with what I picked up. There is one op-shop near here that is absolutely AMAZING! Only thing is though, because it's in a semi-rural area and everyone is after vintage they put the prices up ridiculously!! Anyway I managed to grab these. Now check out the lady on the right. As soon as I spotted this I thought 'Oh look...there's a Jilly G G doll'...PMSL
So of course I had to buy her :)

What are your plans for the weekend? We have Jack's indoor soccer grand final on tonight and cricket semis all day Sunday. So sport, sport and more sport as usual.
Have a fabbo weekend and stay safe.
S
xx

Fun with fabric

2010-02-19T09:42:00.003+11:00

Hi all,
As promised, it's time to show you all what I've been sewing.
Head on over to www.patchedrabbit.blogspot.com to see what I've been up too.
I'd love it if you could leave a comment and let me know what you think.
Take Care
S
xx

Farewell old life...hello new!

2010-02-08T09:35:00.005+11:00

Hi all,
Hope you are all well.
Lots of changes around, some good...some not so good.
First of all,it is with a very sad heart that I say farewell to working on the team at SBM. It was a huge decision to make and one that took a lot of soul searching but in the end I decided I couldn't give myself or my family 100% let alone Kristy and Cass. Those two girls totally deserve the very best and unfortunately I felt I just couldn't give it. I miss them and Express so much that it hurts but at the end of the day I know I've made the right decision for everyone.
I also wish Sherry Mendoza all the very best in her new role as technical editor for the mag and I just know she will be wonderful for the position. So please make Sherry feel as welcome as you made me when I first started. :)

Jack has started high school! He is absolutely LOVING it and I hope he keeps loving it for the next 5 years...
Here he is all ready for Yr 7.

We now have the four youngest in high school, no more primary school. Woot woot! What an achievement...
I took this photo the day they all went back together and did the usual tallest to shortest however this time Jedd has shot up over Jayden even though they are 2 years apart. He's going to be a unit and a half this boy of mine!!

We are also excited that Rhiannon is moving back to Sydney to finish her studies. She is moving to Leichardt just as soon as she gets a position up here with work. She recently went on a 10 day cruise to Noumea, Vila etc and loved it...lucky girl.

I've been a little creative lately, it's kept my mind off a lot.
I haven't taken photos of the most recent BTP I've made but I have a couple of things to share that I haven't already.
Does anyone remember this stack of fabric from way back?

Well I'm happy to report that I finished my first every quilt! I finished it last year, all quilted and bound by moi. It's only a lap size quilt but I love it to death and it now sits on the back of our lounge.

I'm so addicted to sewing at the moment and having fun with fabric.
I also attended a Retreat last August and actually scrapped! Here's a few layouts I managed to get done.
This one is a pic of my gorgeous friend Cathy and I that was taken on a night out for primary school mothers.

This is Jack on his twelth birthday.

Another one of Jack when he dressed up as a cowboy for a school book week day last year (or the year before). When I printed these photos out Michael said 'I have a title for that layout. Brokeback Mountain'...LOL Shhh...don't tell Jack.

Last but not least is a layout I did with a photo of Michael and I. Awwww...

That's all I have at the moment but stay tuned there will be more as I get some sewing done.

Can I just say one more time, thank you all so much for your kind words, prayers and support during our recent difficult time. I appreciated it all so much.
I'm happy to say though that I'm feeling better and getting stronger every day.
And for those that know me well and know what I really want to do with my life...I made enquiries this morning. Let's just say that in the very near future I'll be swapping my paper, scissors and craft mat for a bottle of formaldehyde and a make-up kit. :P

Stay safe
S
xx

Today I'm going to...

2010-01-22T07:46:00.002+11:00

* Wash my hair
* Do some housework
* Take the boys to the beach for a couple of hours
* Realise that although I can't change the way I feel, I can feel change

Not necessarily in that order.

xx

Another week on...

2010-01-21T12:40:00.002+11:00

Hi all,
So it's another week on and another week no wiser. I have learnt a few things though.
I've learnt that most doctors really have no feelings or brains.
I've re-lived the past 3 weeks all over again in one day, thanks to the incompetent assholes at CAMPBELLTOWN hospital.
I've cried a million more tears, been confused beyond confusion and had my heart ripped out all over again, thanks to the incompetent assholes at CAMPBELLTOWN hospital.
I've also learnt that I have an inner strength I never knew existed and that my curious nature and thirst for knowledge is a good thing to have, thanks to the incompetent assholes at CAMPBELLTOWN hospital.

So when I finally get my head around all this, which may not be today, tomorrow or next week I will use that inner strength I never knew I had and turn it into something positive.
Just so the next poor woman doesn't have to go through what I just did, thanks to the incompetent assholes at CAMPBELLTOWN hospital.

Stay safe
S
xx

New beginnings

2010-01-08T09:42:00.006+11:00

Hi all,
Hope everyone is relaxed and ready for the new year ahead.
I, for one, am glad to see the back of 2009 and have decided this is a year for new beginnings. I'm not really one for change and don't embrace it very easily however the last couple of months have changed a lot of things.

After the events of Christmas I wasn't going to go to Newcastle for the cricket tournament but I'm so glad I did. If anything it took the edge off the heartache.
Spending the last 6 days with some of the best 14yr old boys I know has been great. They really are a credit to their parents and a constant source of entertainment whether on or off the field. I just love the camaraderie of the team and how they encourage each other all the way. No stars, all players of the one team. Great kids.
I took these photos of Jye just after he took a wicket. Look at them all gathering around to congratulate him. I love it.

The team came fourth this year which was a great effort considering the weather was crap and against them most of the time.
These photos from Day 1 show how bad the weather had been. The game was supposed to start at 10.00a.m but they didn't get on till 12.30p.m and that was after one of the dads borrowed about 50 towels from the motel to literally sop up the water off the pitch.

Day 2 wasn't much better but the council guy was talked into going around the field on his ride on again and another of the dads scored a whipper snipper and blower from God knows where and the pitch was ready for play.

Thank you all so much for your messages of love, prayers and support whether it be via my blog, email, SMS, phone or any other way. You will never know how much your words meant to me or how comforting they were and I can't thank you all enough.

Today I will pack the Xmas tree and decorations away. It's a job I've always loathed but this time it will be a little healing ceremony. I'll be packing away 2009.
Have a great 2010 everyone.

S
xx

7th {Heaven}

2009-12-30T10:05:00.003+11:00

Merry Xmas to everyone and so sorry it's been such a long time between posts. Life has been so very busy for us especially during the cricket season.

My last update was way back in June and I have been very mindful of the timelapse but never in my wildest dreams did I think my next blog post would be along these lines.

December 3rd we found out we were expecting child number 7. It was a complete 'suprise' although a lovely one and one we felt very blessed to receive. We decided to tell the kids early on for personal reasons and they were all very, very excited.

We found out extremely early (that early in fact I was joking we must have found out 5 minutes after I was pregnant) and things seemed to be progressing nicely. My HCG levels weren't rising 'text book style' however I've never been one to worry too much about these levels, as long as they are rising it's all good I've come to realise with the others. The first ultrasound was too early to see anything apart from some thickening of lining where it was meant to be, the 2nd ultrasound showed the gestational sac and the last ultrasound I had on the 23rd of December showed a sweet little flickering heartbeat. All good.

I'd made a Xmas e-card to send to family and friends for the last couple of years and decided to add a special little note this year to tell the world our news. Funny, it just didn't feel right sending the e-card with the 6 kids on it when there was going to be 7. Maybe it was too early to share our news. Is there a standard procedure though? Is it so bad that you just want to scream from the rooftops and let everyone know how happy this tiny little being that's only been in your life for such a short time has made you? To see the joy on your other kids faces is an amazing thing. Why not share some of that joy especially at Xmas? God knows, the world needs as much joy and love spread around this time of year as it can get.

I'd had a few 'niggly pains'and a bit of spotting for over a week that I hadn't said anything about, especially after driving the car. I'd seen my GP about it but he assured me everything was OK.
Sadly on Boxing Day the spotting turned into something more sinister and I spent most of the morning at the hospital. Obviously at such an early stage there wasn't anything they or I could do, just rest.

Michael and the boys were going away on the 27th, which was Jye's birthday, to Tottenham which is in Central NSW. The boys were looking really forward to it. We'd bought Jedd a present for Xmas that he could only use on a property such as the one in Tottenham so it was decided that they still go. I was sure everything would be fine, it was just a bit of a setback. So they set off at 6.00a.m that morning. It's a huge drive and were only there a short time before the rain had flooded them in and they couldn't even get off the property.

The morning of the 28th things had gotten progressively worse so Josh drove me back up the hospital. This time they didn't muck around they took me straight in, put me on a drip and did test after test. I think it was the longest few hours of my life. Eventually the gyno came in and I was given the results, not good.
So they prepped me for theatre then and there. The rest, as they say, is history. :(

I don't understand why, after all these years, this happened. Why would we be given such a gift only to have it torn from us such a short time later? Had I done something bad? Was it a lesson? If so, what for because I really don't get the gist of it. I've racked my brain and I can't think of anything I've done to deserve this happening. One of the nurses said that maybe it was meant to be. WTF? So, you get pregnant 12 years after your last child then 7 1/2 weeks later you lose it and that's meant to be? Why? Was it meant to be that it happened when my whole family were away? On any given day there usually isn't a moment in my life when I turn my head and at least three people are there. I am always surrounded by people. So why did this happen when there was no-one around? Was that just meant to be?

I guess God will be the only one to ever know the why's and what-if's. I just wish He had've given me a bit of a heads up. That way I could've prepared myself to deal with the pain in my heart I have right now.

Cards n dolls

2009-06-28T09:05:00.006+10:00

Morning all,
Compliments of the day to you. :)
Hmmm...I hope you get better compliments than me!
Michael is just out the front getting ready to take Jye to Winter Development cricket training and has a car full of kids, including some from the street as there is a bike track near the cricket field and they are going bike riding.
So I've walked out in my bright pink flanny PJ's n slippers only to have one of the kids laugh and say to my boys 'Look at your Mums hair'. Don't hold back Ryan...LOL
Nothing like an early morning kick in the reality butt!!

Nothing too much apart from the daily grind has been happening around here. We went away over the long weekend camping in the bush which is always fun and a great getaway. Bloody cold though!!

Jack has just been on his Yr 6 camp to Canberra. He'd been sick and off school before he left and came back even sicker!! Apparently most of the kids were crook. I just can't see why they take the kids in the middle of bloody winter?? They only visit the snow for just over an hour so it's hardly worth it. I asked him when I picked him up what he thought of the snow as it was his first time down there and his answer was 'Oh it was OK but it was a bit gay'. Theres that gay word again...LOL

My father came up for a visit a couple of weekends ago and I made hime a canvas for his wall at home with photos I'd taken when we were down there.
I tried a few different techniques on it and although it was a real rush job I don't mind the way it turned out.

I'm still having a ball on swap-bot swapping ATC's and Dotee dolls. They are just something you can whip up in no time which saves having to pull everything out.
Here are some of the things I've made:
ATC's
This one for Ancient Egypt swap:

Mushroom ATC swap:

Christian ATC swap

Tree ATC swap:

Butterflies ATC swap

Nursery rhyme ATC swap:

A Dotee doll I made for a clown swap:

These are some that have been made for me. This one for the clown swap.

This one for the fairy swap. I'm really disappointed that I took a pic of mine before I sent her but it didn't turn out. I'll have to contact the lady I sent it to and see if she'll take one for me.

This one for the polk-a-dotee swap:

I've only done one layout recently as I'm having too much fun with the ATC's and dolls but here it is.

Well thats it for me...I'm off to do the washing. Grrrrrrrrr.....
Chat soon and take care
Sharryn
xx

Bits n bobs and braces

2009-06-04T13:24:00.005+10:00

Hey hey
Hope you've been keeping well :)
Things have been hectic here as usual. May is 'the month' for us with a million and one birthdays, Mothers Day and 2 car regos within 1 day of each other! Aargh.....
Rhiannon turned 20, Jayden turned sweet 16 and I turned 21! Woohoo! LOL
Rhiannon came up from Canberra and her and Steve came over for a lovely dinner of her choice which was the same as it has been for the past 10 years or so...my chicken and vege pie, caulirflower Au Gratin and baked veges. Yum...
Heres a pic of Rhiannon with the cake we almost forgot to get so ran up to Woolies for one...PMSL

The pics of Nugs birthday are on the other camera which has no charged batteries so will have to share those later.
Mothers Day was spent at the park with Michaels family. We go every year for breakfast and stay till lunch and it's always a great day for the cousins to all catch up.
Also a good day to let the inner child out...hehehehe
The toddlers park had new equipment fitted and there was one thing I just had to have a go on. Remember those spinning things you used to stand on and push like a scooter to make it go around? Like a roundabout type of thing? Well this thing was similar only you sat on it and have someone spin you around. Was really fun but I didn't quite feel the same after I came off it for a long while...must have been the bacon and eggs I'd had for breakfast...LOL Highly recommended though. Next time you're in a park and you really want to have a go...just do it!! You know you want too. :)

A fortnight ago I travelled to Nowra with Jack for the District cross country. This track is apparently a training track for the elite cross country-ists and man it's hard. Basically, it's on a mans property in North Nowra so the kids literally run through paddocks. The car pack is also one of the paddocks on the property.
The good thing about it is you can run from fence to fence to get pics of your child throughout the course which is what everyone does. Unfortunately the million and one kids down there on the day do the same thing to cheer their school mates along so you're trying to juggle the camera trying not to push the kids out of the way (hehe) while also trying to not to end up face down in a cow pat!!
So I've broken into a bit of a trot to get from one vantage point to the next when my left ankle went (I have the weakest ankles in the world!!), went to put my weight on my right ankle and that went!! It hurt like crazy!! So did my teeth going through my bottom lip when I was trying not to burst forth with a million expletives around the hundreds kids who couldn't care less that I was crippled!! It was then that I did that thing you do when you've hurt or embarrased yourself but you're kind of hoping that no-one has noticed. You kind of look around and act all casual...try and make out that you're really just brushing the hair out of your eyes or something.
I managed to hobble off like Forrest Gump to the next fence so it could hold me up!! Far out...I HATE that!
Heres Jack on the last leg of the cross country, determination on his face and me yelling...well whispering by now as I didn't want to draw any more attention to myself...willing him on to the end.

This morning Jye got his braces on. We've been waiting till his baby teeth all fell out before getting them on as he needs major orthodontic work. He decided on rainbow braces which means each tooth is a different colour. It looks quite funky actually :)

We had a cyber crop over at the Scrapbooking Memories forum the other weekend. It was great fun and was finally something to get me scrapping again. I managed to get 3layouts finished and had a ball with them. These pics are of my little sweet niece who unfortunately I don't get to see very often but was lucky enough to spend some time with recently.

This layout was for my 4th cousin. It's a photo of her lovely grand-daughter.

These are pics of the gorgeous girls I work with and I at the Canon Pixma party and also the night we met Melissa Frances.

I'm still playing on swap-bot with ATC's and dotee dolls. I'm just loving those sweet little dotte dolls at the moment :) This sweet flower faery dotee came all the way from Italy.

This one I made in a Polk-a-dotee swap and is about to be sent to England to live.

I've also finished the cardigan I knitted myself. I don't usually like variegated wool but I fell in love with the pattern as soon as I saw it and was lucky enough to score the last 10 balls of wool they had left in Spotlight that I needed and instead of paying $5- a ball I got them for $1- each! So along with the pattern book this cardigan cost me $13-60 to make...WOOHOO!

I've started a jumper for Rhiannon now...nothing better than sitting with your knitting on a cold winters night. :)
So thats whats been going on in our world. Oh, Jayden has a job interview this afternoon for after school so fingers crossed he gets it!
Have an awesome long weekend and stay safe.
S
xx

Another year older...

2009-05-19T19:10:00.003+10:00

Not sure about wiser but here are 42 things I did in the past year before turning 42.

1) Went back to work
2) Bought a new car
3) Had my eldest two kids move out within a week
4) Had my heart ripped out (when they moved out)
5) Had my eldest move back in
6) Made new friends
7) Never spoke to my mother or one of my brothers
8) Never seen my gorgeous grandfather
9) Watched a sunrise over the beach
10) Holidayed in Orange
11) Went on a scrapbooking Retreat
12) Lost an awesome friend to suicide
13) Attended a funeral
14) Took hundres of photos of my family
15) Participated in a swap
16) Loved much
17) Laughed often
18) Cried
19) Holidayed in Tuross Head
20) Never seen my best friend due to distance
21) Had a girls night out
22) Came home at 4.30a.m in the morning
23) Was Secretary of my boys cricket club
24) Was Secretary of my boys high schools P & F
25) Made a friend a hand made gift
26) Hand sewed a quilt top
27) Watched my kids play sport
28) Taught myself quilling
29) Learnt many new things
30) Had a hangover (or 3)
31) Had a ride on playground equipment designed for a toddler
32) Went fishing
33) Went Geocaching
34) Succumbed to the Pandora fad
35) Scrapbooked
36) Was a shoulder to cry on
37) Went to a 21st birthday party (or 2)
38) Swung on a hammock
39) Read a book
40) Made contact with old school friends
41) Went op-shopping
42) The day I turned 42 I supported my son in one of the hardest decisions he has had to make so far. I am very proud of his choices and know he made the right decision. Because of this, another child will no longer be bashed, intimidated, threatened, harassed or flogged by his filthy, stinking piece of shit step-father.

S
xx

Cardmakers, nudists and being a bogan

2009-05-14T09:08:00.004+10:00

Hi all,
Hope you're all well and looking forward to the weekend?
I know I am :) I've decided this weekend I'm making time to scrap!!

Speaking of being creative, Jacks soccer team is off to Canberra soon and us parents have been asked to think of fundraising ideas towards the costs of the camp. So I thought...hmmmmm...I guess I could make some cards and try to sell them at home games. Well that was a lot easier said than done! I just can't make cards!!
Whats the secret of churning out beautiful cards? Someone please tell me?
Kudos to the girls who can turn a card blank into a major work of art...
I then had a look on Etsy to see what the going rate was for selling hand made cards these days and some of them were around $5- US! WTF?? For a card???
I best come up with some fabbo designs if mine are going to be anywhere near that much...either that or mine will be the cheapest hand made cards in the entire world...LOL

I was so into my card making last night, actually I was stressing over the fact that I'd put my hand up to do all this when it was obviously not my forte, when I heard Michael and Josh out the front talking to an unfamiliar voice. My scrapping table is right under the lounge room window and not thinking I've just yelled out at the top of my voice 'Who you talking too?'. Michael calls back 'It's Jason from Kids (can't remember the next bit)...want to come out and talk to him?'...(obviously a telemarketer)...without skipping a beat or taking my eyes off the magazine I was skimming for card making inspiration I yelled back 'Is he selling?'. I heard Josh mumble something but being 'in the zone' I wasn't taking too much notice until they both walked inside a minute later shaking their heads and Josh said 'Mum you are such a bogan'.
It then hit me that to someone door knocking I must've sounded like one of those 'ol hillbilly women sitting inside on my rocking chair with a shotgun ready for some trespassing action.
'Get off my property ya yellow bellied varmint...can't ya see I'm making cards 'ere?' LOL

A few weeks back, during my extended blog relapse, Michael wanted to go for a drive to Goulburn one Saturday afternoon. He was going away for work for a week and wanted to see if he could get the truck down a certain road as a short cut. So he, Jye, Jack and I set off for an arvo drive.
I'd never been on the road he was talking about and heard that it was really pretty so of course the camera came for the drive as well. I'm glad I took it. We found a look out with the most gorgeous views of the Burragorang valley which were absolutely breathtaking.

Further along we stumbled across a tunnel through the mountains which was nothing short of awesome. A plaque near by told of how the tunnel was completed during 1899 and officially opened on the 29th of January 1900 as part of a new tourist road.
Inside the tunnel were carvings of names from people who had worked on the tunnel. Michael and the boys spent ages in their reading names and messages about these people from the past. Very interesting. Actually, just lately I've noticed this tunnel on a car advertisement!

The rocks overhanging the dirt road on one side of the tunnel were amazing and just showed how much work must have gone into making the tunnel all those years ago.

Once it had been established that there was no way Michael would get the truck down this road and after Jye's face had turned a sickly shade of green due to getting car sick from the windy road, we decided to head back home. I had noticed on the way down a sign for a camping spot with river views that I wanted to look at as it wasn't that far from home and was thinking that it would be nice to throw the canoe in one weekend when we didn't have sport on.
So I talked them into driving down another 3km winding dirt road for a squizz.
On the way down we were oohing and ahhing over the views and discussing how we'd get the van down there with the trailer and canoe without sliding off the side and marvelling over how they'd managed to get caravans and mobile homes down there in the first place. This was one narrow, dusty, winding road!! No room for error whatsoever.
This photo shows us about half way down so you can see we were still quite high up. The grass at the bottom of the photo is literally the side of the road...a massive drop to the bottom.

Anyway we're chatting away at how pretty it looked etc etc when we came to a sign that deserved no words...just a look at each other, then another one in the back seat to see if the boys had noticed it.

What was I thinking? Of course they had! So we were now in a situation where we still had at least another 300m drive doing about 5km's an hour down this windy, dirt road with nowhere to do a U-turn and two eagerly inquisitive boys in the back of the car. I swear I saw them rubbing their hands together in anticipation!!
So the conversation went something like this:
Mum: 'When we get to the bottom, if you see anyone, don't stare, don't even look at them'.
Jye: 'This is a one of those nudist places isn't it Mum?'
Michael: 'Just do as your mother said Jye and don't look if you see anything'.
Jack: 'Why don't people have to wear clothes here?'
Jye: 'Cos it's a nudist place stupid. Nudist means no clothes. Like der!!'
Jack: (with a smile as wide as any I've seen on his face 'Ooooohhhhhhhhh'.
Finally we got to the bottom and to my relief there was no-one to be seen, or so I thought.
In a cabin right in front of us was a lady and a man, stark naked, enjoying afternoon drinks on the verandah, as you do.
Michael: (while finally attempting a U-turn) 'Thank God there was no-one around'.
Mum: (whispering so the boys couldn't hear) 'Look over there, theres a bloke and a woman on the verandah'.
Michael: 'Oh..nah thats two blokes'. (through squinted eyes)
Jack: (in loudest, squeakiest voice I've ever heard) 'I can see them Mum'. (so much for me whispering)
Jye: 'I can too!'
Michael: 'Oh yep...that's definately a woman'.

Like....derrrrrrrrrrr!!

Chat soon
S xx

Broken blog

2009-05-07T09:35:00.001+10:00

Hmmmmmm...I seem to have broken my blog with my last post :(
All my links etc are at the bottom of the post rather than on the sidebar.
Any suggestions anyone...I'm ripping my hair out.....LOL

2009-05-06T18:49:00.017+10:00

Hey hey :)

Oh dear...where has the time gone this time? I've been the slackest blogger EVER!!

So where have I been? Just caught up in the web of life basically. Been so, so busy lately organising the cricket clubs presentation day which was on Sunday (thank God thats over!!)

It's such a huge job and one that I really love however the time has come for me to call it a day. Our junior club is merging with the seniors next month so once the AGM is over that'll be it for me. I've decided that I need more 'me' time to spend with my family or just chill, create, scrap...whatever the case I'm a bit over coming home from work and having to wade through at least an hours worth of emails, constant meetings and basically just the whole scene.

Running on adrenalin 24/7 just ain't a good thing...doesn't my poor 'ol body know that right now!!

Enough whinging...heres some pics of the trophies etc I took. (Just looking at them now makes me shudder...LOL)

>div>

I hope you all had a fabbo Easter! It seems so long ago now doesn't it? We spent Easter at my fathers down the south coast and had a lovely (but very brief) time.

Michael and the boys spent the majority of the time fishing out on the lake in the canoe however I chose to spend the time lying in a hammock knitting...LOL

I also decided to have a bit of a photography session with the local nature and I'm really pleased with some of the pics I got.

Heres' a couple I took:

The channel has closed between the ocean and the Tuross lake and this family of dolphins have been caught in the lake. They are quite famous actually, been all the major newspapers. They don't mind coming to the surface and showing off in front of the tourists but the cheeky buggers won't come all the way out so you only manage to catch their fins. Oh well...at least I got this I guess.

Michael and I got up early on the Saturday morning and went down to One Tree Point so I could get some pics of the sunrise. I'm so not a morning person and as sad as this may sound I think this is the very first sunrise I've seen that I've appreciated anyway. Not counting the ones back in the day staggering home from Sweethearts nightclub...PMSL So it was really worth getting up early for.

The photo above was just me playing with depth of field etc while watching the boys fish off the wharf. Love the pic though. :)

This last photo I captured on the afternoon we got there when Michael, my father and the boys took the canoe out for a late afternoon run on the lake. I love their silhouettes and the sparkling water and I really love how this is the actual photo...it hasn't been touched at all in PS. :)

Rhiannon turned 20 on Monday! OMG how old does that make me? LOL

She came up from Canberra on the weekend and we had a lovely dinner on Saturday night for her. Poor thing had a Uni exam on her birthday though...LOL

This afternoon we had Jack's high school interview for next year. I can't believe my baby, my last child is starting high school next year!! He is such an awesome kid, personality plus and I am so very proud of him. Did I tell you he made colour captain at school this year? Well he did. :)

We also changed his soccer club this year and he has made the Division One side. It's a fabbo club and the 2 coaches are fabulous!!

On the creative front...haven't had a lot of time to play but have rediscovered my love of ATC's. I've only just discovered Swap Bot...(yeah I know...deprived aren't I??) so I've joined a couple of swaps and so far have been having a ball with that.

Have only got a pic of this one I sent the other day to share but will be taking pics of others tomorrow.

This was an 'anything goes' swap so the theme could be whatever you please. I read my partners profile and she likes dark purple and green combos and birds were on her list so I made this for her. Hope she likes it :)

Another really cute thing I've discovered thanks to Swap bot is Dotee dolls. How sweet are they?

I made my very first one and love it!

Will be making more of these for sure. :) I just might even join a Dotee swap...LOL

On the scrapping side I just haven't been very eventful. I've found that dragging everything out for a layout hasn't been very fruitful hence the ATC's.

Here are a couple of shares though that I've done since my last blog post.

Well thats about it for me. I'm off to create some more ATC's and send them off around the globe...so much fun :)

Have an awesome Mothers Day everyone and I hope you all get totally spoilt and have the best day EVER!!

Take care and chat again soon xx

Scrappers / card makers unite!

2009-02-11T12:58:00.004+11:00

Hi all,
As everyone, I am saddened by the complete and utter devastation of the Victorian bushfires.
The loss of homes, businesses and whole communities but, more importantly, the loss of so many innocent lives.
I can not even begin to comprehend what those poor people endured all I can do is imagine it to be like hell on Earth.

There have been so many traumatic stories in the media this past couple of days but also many of bravery and comradeship.
Australians have a way of bandying together in terrible times like these and it makes me even more proud to call myself an Aussie.

There is also one particular breed of Aussies that make me even more proud and that is our scrapbookers and card makers. I don't think I've ever met or been involved with a more sincere, genuine, caring, giving or compassionate group than those.

One of these special girls is the lovely Sarah Gladman who is organising a wonderful tribute to those that have lost in Victoria by helping to re-build positive memories by way of scrapbooking layouts.
She has called the project Memory Gifts and is asking for all scrapbookers to help out with donations of layouts to be given to families affected by the fires.
Please check out Sarahs blog and if you can, help her out.

Card makers please don't feel left out as Scrapbooking Memories are organising a card drive where we are asking for cards to be sent in, with sentiments, to be distributed also to families who have lost. Perhaps you could also make some thank you cards to the dedicated, hard working firies who have been working their back sides off trying to save what they can. These guys and gals are all heroes. Check out the thread in the forum for more details.

However way you chose to help remember there is nothing too small. Every single thing counts.

Sharryn xx

Week 4 of 52

2009-02-03T22:31:00.004+11:00

Hey all :)
Hope your week is going well...just think tomorrow is HUMP DAY so only 2 more days till the weekend.
Just a quick post to share my Week 4 of Project 365:

Jan 22 - Back to school shopping (OMG I HATE this)
Jan 23 - Jayden chilling with his laptop and rorting my Internet!!
Jan 24 - NSW Speedblitz Blues win the KFC 20/20 comp...oh what a night!!
Jan 25 - Grandy's backyard just before the kids trash it...LOL
Jan 26 - The pav I made for Australia Day...yummmmmmmmm
Jan 27 - Jacks face!! He had Australia Day tattoos on his face and decided he didn't want them anymore so scrubbed them off that hard he took the top layer of skin off his cheeks!
Jan 28 - Jack goes back to school. Can't believe he is in Yr 6!!

I have also finished a layout during the week. I'm into hybrid scrapping at the moment and just LOVING it!! These are some pics of Jack taken on Jyes birthday (27th Dec) down at Bulli beach.

Well thats it...like I said..quick post.
Have a fabbo end of week :)
Stay safe
S
xx

Project 365...still going strong!

2009-01-30T22:54:00.006+11:00

Hi all,
Thanks for your kind words on my last post...nothing wrong, just me being a sookie la la for those that emailed and asked if everything is OK. :)
I kind of get a bit melancholy around the time my kids go back to school, especially after the long Xmas break. :(
Happy to say though they are all back and have settled in well. :)

Anyway...I'm pleased to report my Project 365 is still full steam ahead after 1 month..WOOHOO ME!! LOL
Almost forgot to take a pic tonight...woops. I got one though :)
So...heres' our Week 3:

Jan 15 - The boys win the Western cricket tournament...WOOHOO!!
Jan 16 - The cabin we stayed in on the morning we were leaving Orange.
Jan 17 - Home and back to club cricket...Jack having a bat.
Jan 18 - My gorgeous daughter and her spunky boyfriend.
Jan 19 - Michael returns to work after almost one month of holidays. :(
Jan 20 - My 5 sons and I...can you see me? Can you?? LOL
Jan 21 - Jye lazing around at home.

Now I need to just organise week 2 and 3 in my album.

I also want to share this little whimsy doll I made for my mother in law for her birthday back in December. I've been busting to make one of these little whimsy dolls and I just love this one whom I named Jemima :)

I have no scrapping to share unfortunately but I am working on a BTP that I hope to get finished this weekend.

Hope you all have a great weekend, stay safe and take care.
Sharryn
xx

Selfishness

2009-01-29T00:41:00.002+11:00

Hey :)
Have you ever come to a point in your life when you just have nothing else to give?
I don't mean family of course...just stuff.
For the past 12 years now I have enjoyed doing volunteer work in the community from a St Vinnies aid visiting homes to give food and financial support to school and sporting committees...but now I just want some 'me' time.
Is that selfish of me?
It's like I've set a precedence for myself.
But I'm getting tired again.
I don't want to get sick again.
Am I being selfish for not sharing my 'spare time'?
S
xx

Cricket and cruise control ;P

2009-01-25T12:10:00.009+11:00

Hey hey :)

Hope you are all well and are enjoying the long weekend?

I know I say this all the time but I just can't believe it's almost the end of January already! It was only just Xmas the other day...LOL

We've just spent a week in Orange for the Western cricket tournament for Jye. It was the best week ever and the icing on the cake was that our team won the whole carnival ! (Under 13 Camden District Rep. side). I was so proud of all the boys who played the 4 days straight in searing heat, putting on a performance for us each and every game...it was AWESOME! The games were 50 overs each so they started at 10.00a.m and finished around 5.30-6.00pm-ish...huge days for all of them. There were 12 teams involved from Wagga Wagga, Illawarra, Shoalhaven, Penrith and Orange (forget the rest) so it was a massive achievement for our boys to win outright! Woohoo!

Here are some pics of the week:

I also learnt something on the drive home. Michael picked up a tummy bug on the last day so I drove part of the way home and the subject of cruise control on the new car came up. Now I've been whingeing and whining since we bought the car that the cruise control didn't work but Michael kept assuring me it was working fine for him. I was complaining that every time I put it on I still had to keep my foot on the accelerator even though the cruise light was on. So I'm driving along and I showed him what I meant, sure enough the car slowed down.

I was quite bewildered when he started laughing and explained that yes the cruise control light was on but you then have to set it to what speed you want the car to drive at! Ohhhhhhhhhhhh.....now I get it!

Now I know how to use it properly I'm quite the cruise control user so if you see a white Subaru burning down the M5 on cruise control with a chick sitting in the drivers seat looking cool and grinning like a Cheshire cat...its me!! Give me a honk :)

My Project 365 is coming along nicely and I'm happy to say I haven't missed a day of taking a photo yet :)

Although I've only managed to put together up to Week 2 on PS...LOL

Here we go:

Jan 8 - Jye relaxing at home, on the lounge, with his cricket bat (this is a common scene the bat is more loved than me!!)

Jan 9 - Jack built a boat from a model he got from Grandpa and Maureen for Xmas.

Jan 10 - Celebrating Grandpa's birthday at Warragamba.

Jan 11 - Left for Orange and took the boys for a drive around Mt Panorama on the way.

Jan 12 - First day of the tournament and Jye bowling.

Jan 13 - Photo of us MOCS (mothers of cricketing sons) having a drink after the day.

Jan 14 - Jye bowling again (look at that air!!)

I've done some scrapping and got 2 done in one night last week...WOOHOO! Here's one I've done :) Sorry for the crooked pic but I'm sure you get the idea.

I've also been tagged by Sonia and Michelle...YAY!!

I think I have to tag people which is going to be really hard as I think everyone has already been tagged with this one...LOL

So I choose: Kathie, Beth, Ruby, Dee, Petrina and Louise (thats if you haven't already been tagged)

This second tag is a really cool one.

Here's how it works:
1. Go to the section of your computer where you store all of your photos.
2. Select the 6th folder.
3. Select the 6th photo from that folder.
4. Post and explain about that picture.
5. Tag 6 other people.

This photo is of Jayden not long after I got the Canon and was taken one day out the front when I was playing around with the settings and annoying the crap out of him :)

So I tag: Dee, Tammy, Louise, Mardi, Petrina and Ruby :)

Last night Michael, Jye, Jack and I went into ANZ stadium to watch the 20/20 Finals between NSW and VIC and I must say it was a game and a half! NSW won by 1 run from the very last ball and would have to be one of the best games of cricket I've seen for a while... GO THE BLUES!

Well thats all for me. Have an awesome Australia Day tomorrow and celebrate with PRIDE this great country of ours!

Till next time,

Hi ho hi ho...its back to work we go...

2009-01-08T14:25:00.005+11:00

Well we're into the first week of 2009 and that means back to work for most of us (don't groan!!)

Mind you if this past week is anything to go by then I'm in for one hell of a ride! NOT!!
While Geocaching with Jye the other day I found the cache which was under a wooden bridge and in my excitement to be the 'finder' I smashed my head into the pylon holding up the bridge and thought it was New Years Eve again!

Tuesday morning came and I was all set to go back to work, Xmas pressies in tow as I fell ill and didn't work my last day. I straightened my hair for the big day back and somehow managed to clip my arm in the tongs of the straightener and burnt the soft side of my wrist...LOL

Got to work, took the pressies out of the car and dropped my Secret Santa gift! Smashed the bloody thing to smithereens!! Far out! I'd done so well keeping the boys away from it too as the glass jar ornament had chocolate balls in it. :(
So I wandered in to work with my rather forlorn looking gift and handed it over with the message: Warning - may contain traces of glass. :(
Lucky she was very understanding...sorry Cass. At least the Santa didn't break though :)

This year I've decided to take on the Project 365 challenge however I'm not sure how I'll go.
I've completed the first week though so thats one down...51 to go.
For those of you who don't know what Project 365 is, it's a challenge where you take a photo a day to record your year. Kind of like keeping a diary but with photos.

Heres our first week:

Jan 1 - Jack swimming in Grandys pool where we spent the best part of New Years Day.
Jan 2 - Making the trek to Pop's house, a 5 hour drive.
Jan 3 - Jayden and I spent the best part of the day walking around Tuross.
Jan 4 - Canoeing and fishing on the Tuross River.
Jan 5 - Saying goodbye to Pop, not a long stay this time as Jye had cricket commitments.
Jan 6 - Michael and Jye go to the SCG for the 4th day of the 3rd Test. (Dougie Bollinger took his first Test wicket...WOOHOO!!)
Jan 7 - Trip to the hairdressers for Michael and the boys for haircuts.
So a week filled with fun for all. :)

We had a great time in Tuross even though it was only a short stay. Most of the time was spent by Michael and the boys canoeing and fishing and OMG I finally went in the canoe! I haven't been in once for about 7 years since Michael tipped one (he still reckons it was on purpose) and we all ended up in the Gerroa creek. I thought I was going to have a heart attack then and there!! I absolutely HATE not being able to see the bottom of the water and if it touches my feet OMFG look out!
I was promised this time around that he wouldn't tip the canoe so I got in, with my Canon can you believe it, and it actually wasn't so bad until we were grounded on a sand bar and there was no way known I was getting out and Michael had to drag the canoe back into the water with my fat ass still in it!

Sunday we head off to Orange for a cricket carnival for Jye. How exotic! LOL
I'm actually looking forward to it as we really had a great time last time we went away with the guys from cricket.

I haven't done anymore scrapping except this one for ASJ. Oh I finished one last night but haven't taken a pic of it yet.

OK well thats it from me for now. Enjoy your weekend and stay safe.

S xx

Happy New Year!!

2008-12-31T15:53:00.010+11:00

Hey all,
Heres hoping you all had a wonderful Xmas and that Santa was very good to you. :)
Our Xmas was quiet, just the way I like it. The kids were all totally spoilt yet again, just the way they like it. So I guess it was great all 'round. :)

I just have to share this gorgeous photo of Jack aka Joseph in the school play this year. I just love the cherubic 'butter-wouldn't-melt-in-my-mouth' look. Isn't he just the sweetest Joseph you've ever seen?

Just love that photo it makes me smile every time I look at it. :)

I managed to get the usual Xmas pics of the kids opening their pressies but trying to get one of them altogether?? Geez...thats totally another story. I finally got one...not the best but one of them altogether nonetheless.

Gotta love Josh's smile...NOT...LOL :)

Boxing Day was spent at Michaels fathers house and I took this as an opportunity to wander around taking photos on the Canon. I'm practising macro shots at the moment and love these random shots I took around their back yard.

The 27th was Jyes 13th birthday so we took the boys down to the beach for the day. Of all the sunny days we've had, this had to be the most overcast ever! How annoying!! They all managed a swim though which was good.

With Jye turning the big 13...we are now the proud parents of 4 teenagers...man...thats a deal and a half...LOL

Heres my big guy on his 13th birthday:

We've managed to fit in some Geocaching (for those of you that don't know what that is...stay tuned as I'm going to link soon to our blog).
And best of all...I've scrapped! Woohoo!!
I've done 2 layouts in the past couple of days and I'm so hoping that my mojo has returned!

Well I'm off to my mother in laws for NYE. I hope you all have a happy and prosperous New Year and please stay safe.
Chat soon
Sharryn xx
P.S Oh I've been meaning to tell you that Scrap the Boys is back up and running!! The lovely Susan Longman has done me a huge favour by taking up the blog and she has so many things in store for you so head on over for a look see.

Bad blogger me!

2008-12-12T18:48:00.007+11:00

Well haven't I been a slack blogger lately?
There just doesn't seem to be enough time in the day anymore to get anything done!
So it's a point form post tonight :)

*Firstly, it is my gorgeous boy Jedds 14th birthday today! I can't believe he is that old! Man these kids of mine are growing up at the rate of knots!
I managed to get this pic of him in what little lighting we have in this bat cave of a house!

Unfortunately it has poured down raining here all day so he didn't get to ride his new 'uber-cool' Razer Pro scooter he has been wanting for ages :( Hopefully I'll get some pics of him over the weekend riding it.
He chose KFC for his birthday dinner and we just had a chocolate birthday cake for him. A kids feast!

* My big boy Josh has come back home to his Mummy and Daddy :)
One of the boys that was sharing the house moved out which meant the cost went up for Josh so I suggested he come back home which he did. Now it seems he'd never moved out at all. Only down side to having him home is he's become addicted to the Internet so now it's someone else to fight over the computer with!

* Rhiannon received an early (and very expensive) Christmas present from Steve in the furry form of a new puppy named Teddy. He is way too cute and is a schnauzer.

A couple of weeks back Rhiannon won a competition on Mix 106.5 called the Ultimate Shopping Spree. It was for a day out shopping at several different outlets and shopping centres and chauffered around in a stretch Hummer. She took Jayden along with her as he has a 'thing' for Hummers at the moment.
I have to say though for the cost of the Hummer to hire for the day the vouchers the winners received for each place was a bit ordinary. $25- for each place except for the Good Guys where they got a $20- voucher. So much for the Ultimate Shopping Spree! Bring your own wallet more like it!!

* Jayden has had a huge month. He has just completed his School Certificate (Yr 10) and is a Senior now. The school put on a lovely Mass and awards presentation the other night but guess who's camera battery died just as he went on stage to receive his award?? Grrrrrrrr.........
We are so proud of him though and can't wait to see what his senior years of high school have in store for him.
I've mentioned before that every year since Yr 7 he has gone on a Retreat as a Group Leader looking after disabled kids and adults and this year was the organisations 21st birthday so they invited the boys along for the evening which was lovely of them. They paid for their tickets (thank God as they were $110- per head!) but it also meant new clothes etc 2 weeks before his Yr 10 Formal. So we've spent some time lately out clothes shopping with him which obviously he loves!
I'm so glad I took him for a photo shoot before he left for the function as the night of his Formal absolutely poured with rain and I hardly got any decent pics of him or the limo he went in. :(
Here is the little spunk on the night of the function. Isn't he just model material??

The photos I got weren't the best so I'm glad he got some done at the Formal which turned out great. I'll upload them when I get them.

* Jye has been a bit of a worry for us in the past few weeks due to illness. He, Jack and I all had some sort of stomach virus which wasn't one of those 'OMG I'm so sick type' but rather one of those awful stomach pain 'feel like crap' viruses but we couldn't eat which made it worse.On the Monday afternoon though Jye had this God awful rash all over his body that came on all of a sudden. His lips started going blue and he complained of a tight throat so I rushed him up to the Medical Centre, bypassing the hospital as I knew it would be a wait there. They took him straight into the treatment room and gave him a shot of adrenalin. The doctor said it was a severe allergic reaction to something, probably food, however he had hardly eaten for half a week. Michael had sprayed the back decking the afternoon before so I thought he might have been bitten by something to which the doctor agreed. They kept him there for a while and sent us home with strict isntructions to race him back if the rash came back and a pack of antihistamines. The next morning the rash had all but gone except for a mans hand size mark on the inside of his thigh so I took him up to the hospital as he was still complaining about his throat being tight. The Paed. registrar up there said he thought it was a reaction to food and kept him there for a 4 hour observation, again with instructions to bring him back if it recurred. By 3.30p.m that afternoon the rash came back with a vengeance along with the blue lips and tight throat so it was back up the hospital we went. The same Paed. registrar was on and nearly did a backflip when he seen how bad the rash was this time. He rushed him straight into the kids emergency room, gave him another adrenalin shot and tablets and again, kept him in for 4 hours observations. This time though another 'doctor' came and had a look at him. By this time, as you can imagine, I was slightly agitated with the whole thing and couldn't understand why they weren't doing something more to find the cause. So when this 'doctor', who fair dinkum had the bedside manner and personality of Elliot Goblet told me he had hives I couldn't hold it in any longer and told him he was a dead set idiot! I wasn't prepared for Jye's reaction to being told he had hives though as he literally jumped off the bed and in a loud voice said 'Do I have Aids?' WTF?? I remember the thought going through my mind 'How does a 12yr old kid associate hives with aids?' until we got home and he was still rather panicked when he was telling me that the day before was National hives Day and how the cricketers wore red ribbons on their sleeves for it. Thats when the penny finally dropped that it was, in fact, national HIV Day and thats where he'd gotten Aids from!! Far out! WRONG! LOL It took ages for Michael and I to get it through to him that no, HIV isn't short for hives, they are two totally unrelated things but I'm sure to this day he still doesn't believe us. I'm sure we'll find out soon enough over the Xmas school holidays when he doesn't get any invitations to friends houses!!

* Jack. Well what can I say about this kid at the moment. Wednesday he was elected colour captain at school which he was absolutely stoked about! He was so stressed that he wouldn't get his speech done as the kids that wanted to run for captains had to do their speeches at home but seeing he was sick one of the teachers rang up and said they were giving him special permission to write his speech at home. So he wrote it, he wrote it again, then he wrote it again. And again. And...again! When he finally got back to school on the Tuesday he was so pumped that when we got out of the car he WAVED TO THE LITTLE KID IN THE CAR NEXT TO US!! I fair dinkum thought he was going to start kissing babies!! He would've given Barack Obama a run for his money! They finally found out on Wednesday morning who was captain and I'm so glad he got it. He was just on top of the world!
Unfortunately that little world of his came shattering down on him Thursday morning though :(
I received a phone call at 8.00a.m with the shattering news that a gorgeous friend of mines husband, who was also Jacks best mates' dad, had passed away in tragic circumstances the night before. I had no idea what to tell him as he was quite close to this man and he and his friend are inseperable. I ended up taking him to school and telling him in the Principals office with the Principal. He was absolutely devastated and ended up spending the day with his mate at the family home. I am so, so proud of the way he has shown support to his friend and his family. This kid of mine is 11 years old but seems to have the wisdom of a very old soul, way beyond his years sometimes. He amazes me with his insight and the mature way he handles some things while still remaining quite young for his age socially. I guess thats what makes kids 'kids.'Well thats it for me for tonight. Just a catch up post. I'll be back soon with some Xmas pressie share pics. Have a great weekend and stay safe.
S xx

Pinch and a punch...

2008-11-01T18:28:00.005+11:00

For the 1st day of the month!! hehe...do you still do that with your kids?? :)
OMG...can you believe its November already? This year has absolutely FLOWN!!

I was just saying to Michael yesterday how many changes this year has brought for us which have all mostly been wonderful and positive for our family but I still can't help wondering what the last 2 months will bring. (Well apart from Santa of course )

So whats been happening here...lets start with the Pixma party. It was AWESOME! I got to meet and finally put names to faces, so many talented scrappers. It was just great.
Melissa Frances and her fiancee were so sweet and down to earth, she really is an inspirational woman. :)
She taught a class and everyone got to take home a make and take which was so cute.

Sara Pearcy, who is also one talented girl, taught a photography class that I was very happy to sit in and pick up some pointers along the way. Just made me love my new Canon camera even more. :)

Heres a pic (albeit not a very good one) of Melissa and myself:

Last Wednesday night I went on an annual dinner with our primary schools Mothers Club which is basically like your typical P&C. It really hit home that next year is our last year at the school after so many years of having kids there. An end of an era so to speak and I think it'll be quite sad the day Jack walks out the gates next year for the last time. :(
We had a great night though and stupid me forgot that I don't drink wine.....ooops...PMSL. So I wasn't in such high spirits the next day. Ah well...a girls gotta have some fun. :)

Jedd FINALLY has his plaster off! Yeehaa! The best news is his arm has healed very nicely so he won't be needing any further surgery thank God. I had to laugh at his reaction to his hairy Maclary arm though when the plaster came off...his face was priceless. :) It really was very hairy compared to the other one....LOL

Today I met up with my gorgeous friend Chrissy at Papercrafts and wandered around for the morning. I ended up with some bargains that were, of course, needs...not wants. :) I think the best thing about this year though was the fact that the quilt show was in the same building so I got to see that as well. Wow some of the work those women put into making them are unbelievable.

Speaking of quilts mine is coming along quite nicely. I've managed to hand sew 3 rows of the middle Puss in the Corner blocks already which I'm quite chuffed about. I even take my sewing bag to training now seeing its Daylight Savings and get even more done.

I've been stalking Janelle Winds' blog (link in my sidebar) lately just to see the gorgeous creations she comes up with. Man that girl can sew. I bought a copy of her Thelmas Day Out pattern for the bag and journal cover and made myself the bag for a present and I just ADORE it!! I used some vintage fabric that I've had for years that was given to me many years ago when I used to run a knitting group (the aqua floral of the main bag) and teamed that with denim and some cute new polka dot fabric I bought. Isn't it just the cutest? I'll definitely be making some for Xmas. :)

My biggest piece of news since my last post is that sadly, our Festiva died. :(
It just turned up its toes and gave up the ghost. Originally it was Michaels mothers car and we inherited it quite a few years ago as a second car. It's given us many memories, including our two eldest kids learning to drive in it. Unfortunately, it just couldn't handle our busy lifestyle any longer. R.I.P Festi...we will always remember you for your guts, determination, endurance and reliability.

(Last photo ever taken of the Festi at the car yard as we drove away :(

As the saying goes, life goes on so we bit the bullet and bought ourselves a Suburu Forrester on Wednesday...YEAH!! LOL It's an absolute pleasure to drive, built for comfort and actually doesn't groan when the 4 boys and I get in along with their school bags and cricket kits. I don't have any photos to share yet as I haven't had a chance to get one wihile its sitting still...we just can't stay out of it long enough!!

I don't have any scrapping to share this week for the simple reason I haven't done any. :(
I'm working on a Xmas pressie for my father though so hopefully next post I can show you that.
Well thats it from me.
Take care and stay safe.
Sharryn
xx

Our week

2008-10-13T18:24:00.011+11:00

Hey hey :)
Hope this post finds you all well.
Busy, busy here as usual. We spent the weekend at cricket which is in full swing now. (Excuse the pun...LOL)

I travelled up to Gosford with Jye yesterday for a Rep. trial match which was great as I got to catch up with one of my best friends who I've known since I was 11 and who is also the Godmother of our youngest child. We met in Yr 7 at high school and have been great friends ever since although she moved up North when we were in Yr 9. When I think of the times we've shared it makes me realise how lucky I am to have such wonderful friends that I've known since my school days. Lucky to have 1...absolutely blessed to have so many that I still keep in touch with :) Unfortunately we didn't get a photo together though :(

We had a loss yesterday but my boy took 2 wickets...WOOHOO! One kid was gigantic and there is NO WAY he was 12!! He had hair on his chin FFS!! At one stage he bent over to pick up the ball and you could see his muscles rippling through his shirt!
Well he might have thought he could pass for 12 and I don't care how old he was but it was my genuine 12 year old that got him out....LOL
This is a pic I got of Jye bowling and after the batter was caught behind...the comraderie of the team is awesome...I LOVE it!!

I love how I've captured the team all gathered around with the batsman, head down, making the long walk back.

One thing that did irk me a bit were some of the remarks made by players in the other team especially when their parents and coach was sitting right next to them and close enough to hear it. One of my pet hates is bad sportsmanship whether it be a friendly game or not. Very ordinary indeed.

We didn't leave Gosford till 5.30p.m and I really wasn't looking forward to the drive home but was pleasantly surprised to find hardly any traffic at all (although yes...I got lost AGAIN!!)
Just as we got on the freeway though there was a car that had just seemed to catch on fire right in front of us. Thankfully 2 cars had pulled over to help the occupants which as far as I could see were a lady and a young baby. Thank God they both got out OK.
Not sure if it was the scrapper or the sticky beak in me but seeing as I had the camera on the front seat next to me...as you do...I managed to get a couple of shots.
(Number plates and faces blocked out for privacy reasons)

I felt quite helpless and felt so bad for the poor people who owned the car. What a horrible end to what was probably a lovely family day out. :(

On the scrapping front I was quite chuffed to have been asked by the lovely Petrina McDonald to create some layouts using her gorgeous new chipboard designs. These are so cool, very lightweight and super easy to work with and the designs are just too cute.
Here are the 2 pages I finished. The first one I have used the cute little chick and the trees that I just LOVE!!
This next one I used the uber-cool cross hatch chipboard shape which is also available in a larger size...very funky and just perfect for grungy pages!!

To see the complete range of Petrinas great new chippie designs head on over to her blog (link on my sidebar) to find out where you can get yourself some.
Well done P...I'm really excited for you. :)

I also FINALLY managed to finish a little mini album I've been making for a special friend (well cousin) of mine. Her grand-daughter was born at 26 weeks (21st May) and has just come home on Friday. An amazing little fighter is little Ava and everyone is so very proud of her. Head on over to: www.littleava.com.au to read this gorgeous bubs birth story and amazing journey so far. Proud Dad, Brad has kept a record and journal from day one complete with the most amazing photos ever. It truly is an inspiring story and makes you wonder at the miracles of modern day medicine.
This is the cover of the album I made:
Look at that tiny little hand holding on to her Mummys...so sweet and precious :)

Don't forget to book those mammograms this month girlies...please stop by and let me know you at least made an appointment for a check up with your GP.
Stay safe.
Sharryn
xx

Rain grrrrrrrrrrrr!!

2008-10-06T15:23:00.007+11:00

I know its something thats needed in other parts of the State but why does it ALWAYS rain when we go camping??

I'm sure someone has a Voodoo rain doll of me and as soon as I start settling in when we go away...it RAINS!! Grrrrrrrr........

We took the boys camping on Thursday morning and this time I was actually looking forward to going. Michael packed the tent at least this time so I didn't have to sleep on a mattress on the back of the trailer which is quite comfortable when he makes it up but its not enclosed. The place we go camping is true blue bush, no electricity, no running water...NOTHING but a couple of lean-to's from the propertys' old cattle days.

The weather was perfect on Thursday and Friday so I guess we got those days in. Friday we drove down to a river we've been told about for a sticky beak. It was quite pretty but far too cold to swim although Jack and Jye managed a bit of a dip and the dog had a paddle.

Friday afternoon we cooked up a bush roast that was yummmmmmmmo...roast chicken done in the camp pot with spinach and corn cobs. We also wrapped potatoes in foil and cooked them under the coals. Delish!!

I must have been tired Friday night as I'd hardly slept on the Thursday night. I woke up and stuck my head out of the tent Saturday morning and felt like Noah! The rain was unbelievable! Everything was soaked. We packed as much as we could that was dry and Jack and I jumped in the car...LOL Michael and Jye had the great job of taking the tent down in the downpour (NOT!!) Oh well...if I'dve helped who would have been taking photos of them?? LOL

Whats made it worse though is its still raining here so we haven't had a chance to get everything dry or washed.

I've managed to get some more of my quilt done. Some more blocks. I also started another sewing project over the weekend for a belated birthday gift. Can't wait to finish it.

October is Breat Cancer Awareness month and I urge all you girls to book in for mammograms or check ups with your doctors. I can't stress how important these tests are in saving lives so do yourselves a favour and make an appointment today...not tomorrow.

Have a great week.
S
xx

Whirlwind fortnight

2008-09-28T16:51:00.011+10:00

Wow...stop the world...I'm getting dizzy!
What a whirlwind of a fortnight we've had.

I attended the most AMAZING Retreat last weekend with the Forever Always girls and had the best time ever. :)
Sonia outdone herself yet again. I really don't know how she does it each and every time but she does. Everything was just perfect and the little touches that she adds is just the icing on the cake.
Thanks chick for another great weekend. :)
I got to catch up with my gorgeous friends Chrissy and Dee and had a blast with the wonderful Louise, Amie and Paula . I met some lovely new friends, some who are brand new to scrapbooking which was lovely.
Finally got to meet Gab who is just so sweet.
AND I was on my best behaviour all weekend. :P Just ask Carol our massage girl who had dinner with us on Saturday night (and wanted to take me to the RSL to party after...LOL) She is awesome!!

The theme for the Retreat was Glitz and Glamour and Sonia organised a black, formal masked ball on the Saturday night including a sumptious 3 course meal with our very own waiters.
Heres some pics of the night. First one is Chrissy and I hamming it up for the camera.

Louise and Amie playing in the photo corner Sonia had set up which was so much fun.

Sonia with her cool mask at dinner.

One of our handsome waiters for the night, Bre-Arn aka Brian Sonias husband :)

And our 5 star chefs for the whole weekend in their adorable outfits with Sonia.
It truly was a great weekend and just what I needed. :) Thanks for the laughs everyone it'll be a weekend I'll remember for a long time. :)

On the home front. Jye has made the U/13 Rep. team for cricket which means lots of travelling in the next couple of months. He is also registered with one of my Under 16 teams to back them up on Sundays as we didn't have enough players as well as he's own club Under 13's that he plays for Saturday mornings. The 16's had a trial game last weekend and I rang from the Retreat to see how he and Jayden were going only to be told that Jye was playing with the Seniors. I almost dropped the phone!! They are men and he is all of 12 years old!! He held his own though as we knew he would or obviously we wouldn't let him play, taking a couple of wickets and scoring a decent amount of runs.

The local cricket comp started yesterday. Jacks team won and he took a wicket first ball of the over. Jyes team lost. Then today was Under 16's and the team Jye played for got hammered but Jaydens team won so a 50/50 weekend for us.

After the game yesterday Michael and Jack jumped in my BIL's ute and made the trip up to Queensland to Michaels Nans 90th birthday party. We were all going but the thought of driving up there with the boys just for a couple of days kind of did my head in a bit (can you imagine the complaining?) Are we there yet? Are we there yet? So in the end Jack was the only one who wanted to go. I expect that Michael will need a month off work when he gets home to book himself into the nearest nuthouse after copping Jack in his ear all the way there and back. The kid just NEVER stops talking!!

Speaking of the little chatterbox, he had a parade for Book Week last Thursday and had his heart set on going as Shrek. Do you think I could find a costume to fit him? Grrrrrrrr......We ended up agreeing, albeit reluctantly on his part, on a cowboy costume. I thought he looked quite cute but he thought he looked 'gay'. What is it with kids of today and everything being gay??

I managed to get some photos of him before he left for school and so 'his mates couldn't see'.

I've got myself organised with a quilt I've decided to hand sew during the many hours of sitting at cricket ovals I'll spend this season. I had some gorgeous vintage fabric here in greens and oranges sitting here and I bought some contrast polka dot fabric from Spotlight last week. It's all been washed and ironed and cut last night. Today I stitched my first Puss in the Corner block...WOOHOO!

Here is the material I'll be using:

I've decided to call my quilt 'Spring Fling'. :) Not sure if you name it before or after you've made it but ah well...it has a name already..LOL

Well I'm sure there are a thousand other things thats happened over the past fortnight that I've missed but these are the things that have stuck in my mind. Have a fabbo week and stay safe.

Sharryn :)

Jack is 11

2008-09-14T09:52:00.011+10:00

Hi all,
How was your week? I hope you all had a good one. :)
It's been chaotic here as usual especially with cricket. Putting the teams together this year has been an absolute NIGHTMARE to say the least! Grrrrrrr...
I've literally been on the phone for a week now trying to accomodate the needs of the younger players who want to be in the same teams as their friends but theres only so many miracles you can perform. You just can't please everybody.

On the home front, my baby, Jack turned 11 on Fathers Day. I just can't believe he is that old!

I remember the days of cloth nappies on the line and sterilising bottles and folding mountains of little peoples clothes back when Jack was born and at that stage we had 6 kids under the age of 10. I never thought those days would end but they did and in hindsight, all too quick.

Jack wanted a party like Joshs 21st God love him where all Michaels family came and stayed the night so we did that on Saturday night.
He has a tendency to get way too excited about things though and made himself sick. He took himself in for a shower and came out ready for bed before we even cut his cake!
So here he is all decked out in his PJ's and dressing gown ...

He wanted, yet another, bike for his birthday so we took him for a ride Sunday afternoon.

Jedd is doing OK with his plaster on. He is still a little anxious about it but we've been back to the orthapaedic surgeon and apparently it looks good. We'll have to more x-rays this week and go back again to the surgeon but all seems OK so far. He explained to me that as the break is right on the growth plate it could prove to be a bit of a drama if he has damaged the cells but I'm going to be positive about it.
It really hasn't slowed Jedd down much and I cringe each and every time I see him doing things like riding his skateboard. Every mother of a boy knows you can't keep them still for long and this one is no exception. It really isn't as bad as it looks though. He jumps on it for about half a second then carries it around. I think he thinks it makes him look cool.

Down at the park we've been going to there is a pair of swans who have just had babies and they are just adorable. I've managed to get some good photos of them over a two week period and boy have they grown.
I love watching the mother and father duck under the water to get food for their babies. Its so cute. :) I could sit and watch them for hours.

This coming weekend I'm going on a scrapping Retreat with the gorgeous Forever Always girls and OMG I can't wait! I'm not sure how much actual scrapping I'll get done seeing as Dee and Chrissy will both be there (YAY the 3 of us together again...LOL) but I'm sure its going to be a heap of fun.

I've hardly had time to scratch myself let alone scrap but heres a few I've done for FA with a focus on brads.

This one was done from a sketch:
And this was a monochromatic blue page. I really don't 'do' monochromatic so I used the Fancy Pants paper as a background as it is distressed and has a bit of brown. Aren't I a cheat?? LOL

Lately I've been itching to do some sewing for some reason so I've decided in the upcoming cricket season I'm going to handstitch a quilt. There'll be plenty of time seeing as we'll have Jack and Jye playing Saturday mornings and Jayden all day Sundays. I have heaps of material here so thats a goal I've set for myself.
I have a quilt top that I made ages ago for Rhiannon sitting here waiting to be assembled and quilted that I'm going to try and get finished first. It's only a throw quilt so it shouldn't take too long.

I also bought myself a quilling tool and some papers in Spotlight yesterday for something to fiddle with. I had a go last night but me being a bit of a gumby with fiddly things turned out the weirdest shapes ever.

OK well thats it for me we're off to somewhere different this afternoon...CRICKET!! LOL
Have a great Sunday afternoon and an even better week.
Stay safe.
Sharryn
xx

2008-09-03T20:43:00.005+10:00

Why am I not shocked or surprised that the claws are out again?

The thing that annoys me the most is...why do I let it bother me?
Probably because I have a thing about fairness. Most importantly because I have a thing about being accused of wrongdoing.
Not sure why I let people that I don't even know get under my skin. I think its because I can't debate openly and honestly with someone who calls themself 'anonymous'. It's kind of like hitting your head against a brick wall. The wall wins each and every time but bit by bit it will eventually fall down. Thats called karma.

Now I wasn't going to address this but me being me just can't let it go.

Anonymous said...
I remember when Sharryn first joined Scrapboxx and I thought to myself then that she was trying too hard ... guess it got her where she wants to be. I always wonder when people have so many kids, especially ones with special needs, where they get the time to do anything let alone scrapping AND spending so much time on the computer. I've got two and the only chance I get to do anything is well after they've gone to bed.
September 2, 2008 8:29 PM

Well seeing ANONYMOUS as I have NFI who you are but you obviously know me I thought I'd answer this post here on my own blog as I wouldn't want you to be losing any sleep about it.

Hmmm...now where do I start with this?

I first joined Scrapboxx I think back in May 2003 or 4? That was when I first started scrapbooking. Obviously you were already a member. Seeing as I was member 141 or something like that, you must have been around for just under a year less than me.

Now my understanding of joining a forum is...and please...forgive me if i'm wrong...to chat. Sure you might like to share some of your work with others but a forum is a topical discussion group. So I chatted. I chatted some more and God forbid...I chatted even more!
I'm so very sorry if I offended you with my chatter but I can assure you that is my nature, I'm a chatterbox, please forgive me for TRYING TOO HARD.

Next part of the post...'I always wonder when people have so many kids, especially ones with special needs'....Again...does that put me in a position where I can't be involved in a forum to chat with like minded people who share my passion? Should I not be curled up in the foetal position because I have 6 children and people who have that many children couldn't possibly be that organised that they haven't got a bit of spare time to chat on a forum and again..God forbid...to SCRAPBOOK about their 6 children??

Is it only fair that people with say 2 or 3 children are allowed to spend a lot of time on their computers and scrapbook???

And OMFG...a special needs child to boot! What was I thinking? Why was I wasting my time on a forum, way too much obviously, spending the rest of my time scrapbooking.....while I had a special needs child?

Last part of ANONYMOUS post....'I've got two and the only chance I get to do anything is well after they've gone to bed'.

Now I could go on about being being super organised and having my 6 kids (including my special needs child) in a strict routine as most mothers do whether they have 1 or 10 children but to be honest I really don't think I need too.

I think with that last statement of yours ANONYMOUS you made your own bed.

Instead of worrying about MY time management, the fact that I have 6 CHILDREN compared to your 2 (oh and don't forget my special needs child that you felt was important enough to bring up), the fact that I scrapbook as a hobby...oh and before I go on did you also know I've been researching my family history for the past 15 years? Or that I'm also the Secretary of my boys cricket club...AND the Secretary of my boys high schools P & F...AND have only just given up the position of Secretary of my youngest sons schools Mothers Club...which I did and still do WHILST juggling 6 kids (one with special needs), chatting on forums AND scrapbook??

You say you only have 2 and don't get the chance to live life AND I'M THE ONE WITH THE PROBLEM??????????????

It would seem that you might need a hand with some time management and perhaps some parenting tips? Email me any time... tisher_6@hotmail.com and I'll see what I can do. All CONFIDENTIAL and ANONYMOUS of course. Something tells me I needn't bother waiting for your email though.

Anyway...enough about that idiot.

Whats been happening around here?
I've just spent the past 24 hours up the hospital with my darling (special needs...sorry couldn't help it) boy who broke his wrist 15 minutes after I got home from work yesterday.

He did a pretty good job on it too and required 2 operations for alignment. It was a Salter-Harris fracure. They gave him a reduction in Resuc. last night which was the most traumatic thing I have ever witnessed as a parent and something I won't get over for a very long time. To watch your child in that much pain is bad enough but to watch 3 doctors hold them down while they try and re-align their terribly disformed wrist is horrifying especially when you're told by said doctors that they can't feel any pain after being sedated and they won't remember a thing.
Then having to watch them undergo surgery again in less than 8 hours is absolutely heart breaking. He came through like a true champion though and like any boy is chuffed that he has his first plaster cast on.
He has to go back and get more x-rays in a weeks time and visit the orthapaedic surgeon also to make sure that the 2 realignments were successful.

Michael brought the camera up for me this morning and I got some pics of him before and after his second surgery.
This shows how swollen his fingers are after the first surgery but before the second:

This pic is Jedd just before going into theatre for his second op.

This is the poor little possum just after coming out of theatre.

So he has been through a pretty bad time in the past 24 hours but he is now resting and lapping up the luxury of having his brothers doting on him left, right and centre.

So thats it for me tonight. My eyes are hanging out of my head at the moment. Unfortunately even as a private patient the rooms aren't exactly 5 star at the hospital and I'll be looking forward to my own bed tonight.

Have a great 'end of week' and take care.

Sharryn :)

Howdy :)

2008-08-21T12:49:00.007+10:00

I can't believe we're almost at the end of August! Where has this year gone??
Seems like only yesterday we were eating our Xmas lunch!
Oh well...I guess its time to start organising for Xmas this year.
I've decided I'm going to be organised with Xmas gifts this year and I'd like to make handmade pressies for extended family and friends. I've started a folder for Xmas gift ideas to make it easier when the time comes.
It just seems to creep up on me every year!

On the home front...Rhiannon has been home almost every weekend and we've seen Josh twice since he moved out!
I can't believe it. AND he's only 5 minutes drive away from us.
We went and visited him on Monday and its a typical bachelor pad with the 3 guys living there.
Quite tidy actually but Josh always has been for a boy. :)

Not much else has been happening here (which is good) I like the quiet life.

I really haven't had time for much scrapping lately which is a bit sad. I seem to have a million and one projects on the go and nothing completed lately.
I've been crocheting flowers of a night while watching TV. Not sure why or what I'm going to do with them but its nice and cosy under the blanket.

I am off to the Stitches and Craft show tomorrow for a look which I'm really excited about as I've never been to one before. Can't wait to see what on offer and maybe get some ideas for those Xmas pressies I'm going to make.

Heres a couple of simple LO's I've managed to get done over the last couple of weeks.

The first two are of Josh. Looking through my albums I've realised I haven't scrapped as many pages of him as the others. Probably because he's the eldest??

This one is a layout I did on both Josh and Rhiannon about them both moving out within a week of each other. :(

And last but not least is this page I created with the absolutely GORGEOUS new Bella! range of called Me & You. It's so bright and colourful and makes you want to scrap with it as soon as you see it!

If you're not doing anything tonight and feel like a play head on over to Forever Always for a Recipe Scrap hosted by the lovely Kylene Hickey at 7.30p.m.

Hope to see you there.

Ciao for now

Sharryn

Hey :)

2008-07-31T12:38:00.002+10:00

Hey all :)
How has your week been? Hope your all travelling well.
Mine has had its ups and downs but mostly it's been fine.

On the home front, Joshua has informed us that he will be moving out and more than likely this weekend. Far out...if these kids of mine will have me in an asylum by the end of the year.
His mate moved into a house owned by a friend of his fathers at the beginning of the year and asked Josh to move in back then but his sister ended up moving in with him. She has just moved back in with her Mum so Josh has decided he wants to move in. As I did with Rhiannon, I'm sort of keeping it out of mind out of sight but I'm not sure thats the right way to do things as it hits you bad in the end.
The good thing with Josh is he will only be a suburb away and I know he won't stay away from his Mummy too long. :)

Rhiannon is coming up for the weekend. :)
The school fete is on again this Sunday so shes coming up for that. We'll have a nice dinner on Saturday night as well which I'm looking forward to.

Last night I had the pleasure of doing a demonstration for a company at a function organised by Spotlight in the city. Spotlight showcased all their new Xmas '08 ranges and let me tell you...it was MAGICAL! 100 out of 100 for style. It was amazing. The tables they had set up for Xmas, the Xmas trees, the lighting was absolutely perfect and to top it all off they organised a string quartet and choir singers. I really thought it was Xmas.

I have to say though while driving through Sydney yesterday afternoon and trying to find a parking spot (could you hear me scream??) I was amazed at the lack lustre appearance of the people walking around the streets. It was around 4.30p.m when I arrived so as you can imagine it was quite busy but I was really taken aback by the bleakness of the place.
Yes I know its winter and it was cold but hey...humans don't hibernate for winter! EVERYONE had black on and it just reminded me of a mass funeral. They were all like clones of one another, not one of them were smiling, they all had these dead pan faces and they all looked like aliens with the same heads, each one blending into the other in their blackness.
Come on people! It might be winter but get some colour into your lives and SMILE!!

Tonight I will be having a night in and playing over at Forever Always with the Recipe Scrap we have each week.
Sonia is hosting tonight and I just know it will be a great recipe.
So come on over for a chat and a play. :)

Thats it for me at the moment.
Stay safe.
S
xx

Mornin'

2008-07-28T08:53:00.004+10:00

Hey everyone :)
I hope you all had a good weekend and are all ready and relaxed for the week ahead :)

Our weekend was busy, busy with sport as usual although Jacks soccer team had a Bye on Saturday which was a Godsend to Michael and I...LOL Jye was meant to play Superleague cricket on Sat. night over at Miranda and that was cancelled too. Indoor was still on Friday night though and cricket regos started last weekend so I spent the best part of Sunday at the club signing them all up for the new upcoming season. Can't wait till the outdoor season starts this year...I'm so over Indoor. Grrrrrrr...LOL

Our primary school fete is on this coming Sunday and I'm so glad that I gave up that Home Made Lolly stall last year. After 14 years on the one stall I felt it was time for a break so this year all I'll be doing is pushing an icecream cart around selling icecreams. Michael has been roped into helping in the White Elephant stall which is right up his alley so he'll have a ball on the day.

Thanks to everyone for their well wishes for Rhiannon moving down to Canberra. On the Monday morning she received a phone call to see if she could start work that morning which of course she did so that was great. We weren't expecting her to be working for at least a week of her being down there so that was fantastic news. Steve went down for the weekend and they went to the snow (hard life isn't it??) So I'm pleased to report she is settling in well already in her first week which has taken a load off our minds.

Jayden is doing his Silver level for the Duke of Edinburgh awards and he went hiking over the weekend with the group he is going the Duke of Ed. with. We were told to pick them up at 3.00p.m at a certain place so Michael and I got there a bit earlier seeing as last hike they arrived back almost 3 hours before we were supposed to be there.

This time we waited and waited and drove up and down the track with the other parents and by the time they were 1 and a half hours late we were all starting to get a bit worried especially as we were in an area with no phone reception.
One of the parents of the girls we were meant to be bringing home turned up and said they were safe and sound at another location nowhere near where they were supposed to be so we followed him at least 13 k's away from where we were all waiting!
Seems they'd made a wrong turn on the Friday and ended up miles away...LOL
I did take my camera to get a pic of him but after the drama completely forgot to get one. :(

Well that was about our weekend in a nutshell. I haven't had ANY time for scrapping whatsoever this past week but I managed to get one finished the week before of Rhiannon's funky new gumboots I bought her to take to Canberra.

I love the story behind this layout that I did a couple of weeks back. Jack had stayed over at a friends house for a sleepover party and there was a little girl there that he met named Celine. Apparently she quickly took a liking to him and they became boyfriend and girlfriend until the next day when he dumped her seeing as they wouldn't see each other again as they go to different schools (as you do when you're a 10yr old boy!!)

Anyway when we got home I was telling Michael all about Jacks chick that he dumped in 24 hours and Michael asked him what her name was. I wish I had've had a camera when Jack replied 'Cecil' as Michaels face was priceless...LOL Obviously there was a layout to be had in that story:

Just too cute I thought. :)

Well thats it from me for now...stay safe till next time.

S xx

My girl has gone :(

2008-07-18T09:21:00.002+10:00

Well I forgot how much this blogging was therapeutic...especially as everyones at work and theres no-one to talk too. :(
Rhiannon has just left for Canberra this morning at 8.30a.m and OMG it feels like my heart has been ripped from me.
I thought I was being so strong about it all but last night it just hit me like a ton of bricks and I lost it big time.
She asked me to print some pics out for her to take and that was it for me.
This morning I got up to get ready for work and she was leaving at the same time and it was just awful.
I made it almost out of Campbelltown until I seen the signs to the Uni and I had to pull over. I just sat there and broke my heart.
I know she'll be fine and hey...I was almost a mother at her age but it doesn't stop the hurt you feel when they go.
So if you have little ones girls...hug them tight...they grow up way too fast. :(

Mornin'

2008-07-17T08:48:00.006+10:00

Good morning all :)
Well I have a day off today and its the last day before Rhiannon leaves so we are all doing something fun. Not sure yet as the idea of fun for the 4 boys, Rhiannon and myself are somewhat different...LOL

I desperately need to do a thorough house clean but I guess I'll be waiting till the kids go back to school for that.

I really wanted to go into the city today for World Youth Day but I just couldn't stand the throng of people. There were 150,000 in there on Tuesday apparently. Thats huge!

I want to get some scrapping done too but again...when the boys go back to school. This weekend cricket regos start so thats my Sunday gone plus Jye is playing in a 20-20 match. Saturday Jack has soccer (actually I think he has a make up game Sunday too) and Michael will be taking Rhiannons things down to Canberra so busy busy busy. No rest for the wicked.

I might at least get a page done tonight as the gorgeous Paula Perry is hosting our weekly Recipe Scrap over at Forever Always this week. Come on over and join in girls it really is a lot of fun. :)

Speaking of Forever Always our mid month newsletter came out a couple of days ago and this time the theme was Shabby Chic. Not sure I do this style justice but I'm happy with the LO of Rhiannon and I. I got to use the beautiful new Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist and co-ordinating stencils and if you haven't tried this medium yet girls...please do! It's lovely!

Wow I can't believe that photo was taken 19 years ago!

This month on Aussie Scrapjacked we jacked the lovely Zina Wright. I must admit when Dee first showed me the page we were doing I thought it was Ali Staffords'.

This is my jack:

Something else exciting I want to share with you lovely scrapbookers.Bella! have a new range out called Corkopia and its AWESOME! Funky cork alphas, borders and mini albums that are really innovative and unique and are so easy to work with...I just love it! I made my father this little album when he was up last weekend with new pics of the kids. Click on the image to enlarge for a much better view.
Well thats it for me today chicks...I'm off to play with my kids...LOL
Chat soon :)

Hi everyone :)

2008-07-12T18:23:00.002+10:00

Well hello there :)
Long time...no chat...LOL (like 9 months!!)
How are you all?

I'm not going to go into why I stopped blogging...all behind me now and no need to bring up things I don't need to re-hash so I'll just move along...

Well...where do I start after a 9 month absence?
So many changes have taken place and most of them in the last month...LOL
Our family is going through a few huge changes and so far...so good.
I have recently returned to work which has been great but has also been a MASSIVE change for all of us. The boys are coping well though and we seem to have settled into a great routine. I'm very lucky that Michael helps around the house a cooks a great meal when he has to.

One of the biggest things to happen is that Rhiannon has been accepted into a course at Uni BUT its down in Canberra and she leaves this coming week. :(
I'm really not looking forward to it but we are also lucky that Steve (her BF) has heaps of family down there to keep an eye on her.
We are also extremely proud of her. Still very hard to let your baby fly the coop though. :(

Josh is still working with Michael and LOVING it!! Who would've thought hey? From a chef to a concretor. And who can believe he's 21 now?

Jayden is doing well and is still an awesome kid. He is doing his Silver level now for his Duke of Edinburgh award and loving it. Especially going to police service every Thursday afternoon and the trips away they take.

Jedd...well Jedd is still Jedd...LOL Gotta love that boy...

Jye is a bit of a worry of late, he's been having bad migraines. I took him for a CT scan on Wednesday afternoon but they look clear so the doc says its migraines. :( Its awful watching them in so much pain. Jayden suffered from them (touch wood he hasn't had one for a while) but they are awful for adults let alone kids.

Jack scored his first goal in soccer today...WOOHOO! It's been coming for a while and FINALLY it went in!!

Michael is still working his butt off as usual, even more now that I've gone back to work. I tell him he'll make me a great house husband one day...LOL

Scrapbooking...well there have been a few changes in this area as well. I am now on the Forever Always DT am I'm having an absolute ball over there. The girls are all AWESOME and I still learn something new every day. It really is a great forum so if you haven't come over for a look yet...please do. Theres a CC on this weekend too so it's a great weekend to pop in and say hi.

Anyway...just a quick catch up for now...but I'll be back...LOL
xx

Fabulous fortnight

2007-10-14T19:25:00.000+10:00

What an awesome couple of weeks! Absolutely exhauting...but awesome all the same!
The boys have been on school holidays for the past fortnight and it has just been NON STOP!! We've had HEAPS of fun though.
I think I need another long weekend away to get over it!!
Last Sunday Rhiannon, the boys and I went with a good friend and her two boys to Luna Park! OMG...it was FANTASTIC!! I still have the bruises to prove it!!
I was actually really excited about going seeing as I haven't been there since I was a kid and I wanted to see how much the place had changed. Still so much history there and I too 400 photos!!

Rhiannon really wanted to go on the Rotor but that was one ride I had never been on and I was a little bit, well a lot, worried about going on it..LOL But, the challenge was thrown up and me being me...had to accept!! We walked into the round room and had to hold on to the wheel thing in the middle for the floor to rise up and thats when I realised I really should've taken some spare undies!!
OMFG...it was so scary!
When the ride started though it really wasn't that bad, the only scary thing was when you actually start sliding back down the wall to the floor when the Rotor starts to slow down. We ended up going on it twice in a row but it really wasn't a good idea for some...PMSL
I've never seen my daughter quite that shade of green before...LOL
I had to buy her a Slurpee to get a bit of colour back in her face!!

I'm sure all the rides in the world, all the junk food in the world and all the side shows in the world didn't come close to the excitement on Jedd's face when we found the Petting Zoo they had set up and he found the teeniest, tiniest baby goats we've ever seen!! They also had the Mumma goat which he just loved and I got some great pics of him with her.

It really was a great, fun day and it was nice to spend it with my good friend and her kids. :)

During the week I promised the boys and some of the kids in the street I'd take them down to the beach which we did on Friday. I couldn't believe it! Thursday was so hot but we couldn't go as I had cricket commitments, woke up Friday and it was bloody overcast and awful. Not wanting to disappoint a street full of kids I ended up packing the esky with everything I had bought the day before and we headed off. Jayden didn't want to come so he stayed here. OMFG...it was absolutely FREEZING down there and guess who didn't take jackets?? So I wrapped a big towel around me, gritted my teeth and trudged down to the beach with the kids. No sooner had we parked our butts on the sand, Jayden rang to say it was hailing at home!! He took the phone out the back and it was LOUD!! Apparently the street was absolutely white through hail stones! It wasn't looking that great where we were either and I told the kids at the first sign of rain I was outta there!! I had my camera in my bag and a heap of scrap mags and there was no way I was sacrificing them!!
We ended up staying on the beach for all of half an hour before the storm broke and we were running like crazy across the sand for cover. Amazing how fast you can actually run across sand when you have something to protect huh?? PMSL
So the day was cut quite short but I made it up to them by having a movie day back here when we got home which they thought was great seeing as I'm not really one for letting the kids in the street in my house to play :)

This morning we got up early to drive back down to Wollongong to watch Rhiannon and Steve sky dive! She's wanted to do it for so long now and booked it in.
She told us to be there by 9.00am which we were and I met up with 2 of her girlfriends who also drove down to watch them. Went into the office, like she told me too, to find out what time to expect them dropping out of the sky, and the girl looks at her watch and says...Ummm now! I just happened to look back over my shoulder and caught someone landing and I like to think it was Rhiannon...seeing as I missed everything else!!
Was a bit disappointing, but like Michael said..it was probably better that I didn't see it anyway, I was really nervous this morning about it all.
She bought the DVD and photos and they are amazing. She just loved the whole experience the dare devil she is and tells me I should go...not in this life time my darling girl!!
So all I managed to get was a pic of the pair of them after the jump in their gear but I'll get some of the DVD later to post.

We had to wait around for a while for the DVD so Michael and I took the boys to the playground there where I had a photo shoot with them...LOL Rhiannon, Steve and her friends went for breakfast at a cafe.
There was some sort of set-up under way in the park there with jumping castles etc which of course the boys wanted to go and investigate. Turns out it was some sort of Muslim festival and some guy told them they were welcome to go on all the stuff and join in. Well my boys don't need written invitations to these type of things, so we packed the esky away and went for a gander. They had some great entertainment and being only early, there weren't many people there so they took this to their full advantage and we ended up having an absolute ball!!
They had the inflatable bungee run which I really wanted a go of but didn't get around to it. Heaps of jumping castles and OMFG...they had the bull ride!!! You know the mechanical bull??? I've so wanted a go on one of these things since I very first ever laid eyes on them but I've never had the chance without a million people around. Seeing as it was still pretty quiet there, I 'took the bull by the horns' (LOL..excuse the pun) and jumped on!!
UNREAL!! Take a look at these really lady like photos...lucky I was wearing jeans!

So after gatecrashing the Muslim festival, we met back up with Rhiannon, Steve and friends for a while then decided to head back home to get everything ready for the boys school tommorow. Boo...fun times over till xmas hols :(

Jayden is going on a convention tomorrow for 3 days. His mates' mother is the CEO for a place called Junction Works where they look after disabled people. They take them away for 3 days down to Stanwell Park for the Spark Festival. He went last year and just loved it! He helps look after them and sees to their needs etc etc and I'm really, really proud of him for it! Not many 14 yr old boys would be involved in this sort of thing. He's a sweetheart my Nugget!!

In the scrapbooking world, I was really stoked that Sheena from Rasberry loved the LO's our DT did at Scrap N Crazy and took them with her to display at Paperific in Melbourne over the weekend. How cool!! Would've been great to see them but Dee got to go (the lucky duck!) and took some fabbo pics. Thanks chick. :)

Speaking of Scrap N Crazy, we are having a cyber crop this coming weekend so try and come and play. We have the best ever CC's over there, heaps of challenges and so much fun!!

Well I'm off. I'm buggered after these school holidays and I can tell you right now...this week I won't be doing much more than I have too...I need a rest..LOL
Have a great week and stay safe. :)
Cheers
Shaz
xx

WARNING Long post ahead...

2007-10-05T11:04:00.000+10:00

Hi everyone!
Yes...I'm alive!! LOL Just haven't had time to scratch myself lately with everything we have going on. Taking over as Club Secretary for the boys cricket club has taken up heaps and heaps of time, it's been so hectic and full on!! Unbelievable actually!
So...where to start..so much has happened.
OK..I'll start with a funny story. Jedd and Jye recently made their Confirmation. Jedd was supposed to make his last year but he just didn't 'get it' so I kept him back a year so he could do the program with Jye. All the kids had to pick a Saints name that they wanted as a Confirmation name so I told Jedd we would look on the Internet and do a bit of research so he could choose a Saint. Well, he wouldn't have a bar of that!! So after a couple of weeks when he just had to choose one he chose JOAN OF ARC!! LOL PMSL God love him!! He ended up going with John after we discussed the obvious with him.
Anyway, on the night, after the Mass which is co-celebrated with the Bishop, I lined the boys up for a photo with him. For those that don't know what a Catholic Bishop usually wears..see the layout below. Most of you know about Jedd and his Aspergers and his affliction with goats and hunting etc etc...Apparently the Bishop had a bit of string or something hanging from his Staff. Of course, Jedd seen it and turned to Michael and said: 'Look Dad...the Pope still has the price tag on his goat catcher'!! LOL How funny!!

Jack turned 10 at the beginning of September and we bought him a new bike. It's one of those bikes that actually look exactly the same as a motorbike and all he wanted to do for his birthday was go down to Bungonia to ride it through the bush. Seeing as it was APEC day, we packed up the kids, the dog, the bikes etc and headed down there for the night. Only catch was..it was raining!!
Most of the 2 and a half hour trip down to Bungonia from here is along the highway.
So we're driving along and the van felt like it was pulling for some reason..apart from the fact that we had so much stuff in tow!
Turns out one of the bloody wheels on the trailer shit itself half way there!
What to do, what to do...seeing as we didn't have a spare!!
Michael pulls over to the side of the highway, thank God there was a merging lane on the other side so there was a bit of a grassy area to park. After much discussion, we decided to unhook the trailer, leave me their with it and the dog, while he and the boys set off to the nearest town, hoping to get the tyre fixed. On a public holiday, in the middle of friggen nowhere! Hmmmmm...
Have you ever seen the movie Beverley Hillbillies? OMFG! Then, as if that wasn't bad enough, he would've been gone all of 1 minute when it started to absolutely PISS DOWN with rain!! So here I was, sat on the dune buggy on top of the trailer, the dog tied underneath with his water bowl close by in the pouring rain. Lucky there was an old sleeping bag to throw over my head 'cos I sat like that for over an hour!!

So you'd think when they came back and seen me sitting there like Granny bloody Clampett, they would've decided not to go on. Oh nooooo...not my boys!! We were still going camping!!
Now usually I pack enough clothes to last a lifetime but seeing as I'd learned my lesson more than once, where I'd had to wash everything even if it wasn't worn because of the camp fire smell, this time I came with basically the clothes on our backs and a couple of extra jumpers. And this was the night it had to rain the whole time we were there!! As they say, it doesn't rain...it pours...LOL Excuse the pun.
Needless to say, it wasn't the best night I've ever spent at Bungonia but it certainly was one I won't forget in a hurry!

Closer to home. Josh and Rhiannon are doing very well for themselves. Josh is still working with Michael and has just been put on full-time. He reckons he's enjoying it, I think it's the money he's enjoying more.
He went and bought himself a brand new motor bike recently that is his new baby. I've never seen anything get polished and stroked as much as this thing in my whole entire life!! Not the best pic below, but you can see by the smile on his face what he thinks of his new toy...with his car in the background.

Rhiannon is still working at Australia Post Head Office in the city where she is going to stay for a while now and apply for Nursing again a little bit later. She is far too busy having fun and spending time with her friends and Steven at the moment. They travel everywhere the pair of them. We were so proud of her a couple of weeks ago when she brought her very first BRAND NEW car!! A beep beep Barina.

Cute hey?? :)

The 4 younger boys are all doing well. Jayden has almost finished his Bronze level for the Duke of Ed. award. Jedd is..well just Jedd...LOL Jye is in his element at the moment seeing as the cricket season has just started and Jack is still nagging the crap out of us!!

My father has just moved back down the South Coast a couple of weeks ago and we went down there this past long weekend. It was amazing weather for Spring and we had a great time! Heaps of fishing, a bit of swimming..brrrrr...and I got a stack of new photos to scrap!!

On the scrapbooking side of things I can now share that I have just done a Guest DT spot for Scrappers Warehouse for September. They sent me an AWESOME kit that I really enjoyed playing with. I also have a Guest DT spot for October but can't say who with yet. :)

So thats us in a nutshell these past couple of weeks. I've more than likely left stuff out seeing as it just never seems to end in this house...always something going on and never a dull moment in a house of 8!!

Hope you're all well and will do a blog round soon.
Take Care
Sharryn :)

Hiya

2007-08-15T13:01:00.000+10:00

Hiddy hi,
Aren't I a bad blogger?
Far out...been really busy...still sickness in the house although it's on it's way out the door and believe me..I'll be slamming the bloody things shut behind it!
Michaels car also broke down so we've been trying to get that fixed too.
On a sadder note, Michaels' grandfather passed away last Friday God Bless him, Michael left yesterday morning with his sister and brother in law up to Queensland for the funeral on Thursday. He was 90 years old and had a good innings as they say but still very sad.
Which leaves me home alone with the darlings until Friday.
So..I've been busy with cricket registrations over the past week. We had a meeting on Monday night to place the teams...oh what joy!! The club should field 13 teams this year which is one up on last year.
Also been scrapping my butt off lately!!
Speaking of which...I can now reveal that I got a 3 month guest DT spot at Country Papercraft which I was delighted about.
The kits are lovely and really easy to work with.
Speaking of kits, Chelle sent us the BEST EVER kits for this month and I just can't wait to get it out and play with it!! Yummy stuff!!
I've also been meaning to mention Kim's 11 Things that is over at Scrap N Crazy. Kim is our photography guru and each month puts up a list of 11 Things that we have to interpret our own way and come up with a chart of pics of the 11 Things.
I've really been enjoying this and having a lot of fun with it.
Heres' June's 11 Things:

And July's:

Now to get Augusts done!!

Well thats it for me...hopefully will update again by the end of the week.
Take Care
Sharryn :)

It's over Red Rover!!

2007-08-05T20:11:00.000+10:00

FINALLY...the fete is over and done with!!
Was a great day and I sold everything but OMFG...I'm so, so glad it's over!
I definately know that was my last year on the home-made lollies stall...was my 12th year doing it and thats heaps as far as I'm concerned!
It really is a big effort and this year I found that I didn't enjoy it as much as other years so obviously that means it's time to hand over the reins to someone who will.
Yet again, Michael and the boys brought home a heap of shit (did I say that? I meant good stuff..LOL) from the White Elephant stall. Jack scored an old colour TV for free God love him, and right at this very moment he is laying in bed with Jedd watching it..LOL Apparently belonged to the Principal and works really well considering it came out with the Ark!!
The kids all had a ball on the rides. Every year we buy the ride bands for them and they get to ride all day. They usually have the Hurricane and Cha Cha and stuff like that so it keeps them happy for 10 minutes of the day anyway..LOL
Not sure who won the car this year. Every year a local car dealer gives away a 2nd hand car at the fete but it wasn't someone from the school who won.
We didn't win any raffles this year but I suppose thats OK. Last time we won anything it was a huge worm farm!!! LOL
So...I've just put together some pics to show you the stall..not the best but I'm too knackered.

Not nearly as much as I usually make but thanks to Master Jedd who shared a virus that I thought was going to wipe us all out during the week...I was too bloody crook to do anything else!
Jedd, Jye and Jack didn't go to school for the whole week they were that sick and the 4 of us layed on the lounges and didn't move almost.
I ended up with Jack up the hospital on Friday afternoon as he got croup out of it all and had to get a dose of Prednisone.
Talk about knock our socks off!!
So yesterday was spent packing the lollies, which should have been done at least last Wednesday/Thursday so it really put me behind.
Michael drove in to Five Dock to pick up the toffee apples for me which was a bit sad really as ever since the boys were little, we've driven in their together the day before the fete and picked them up, getting fresh, free toffee apples that are just to die for! Sort of like an annual pilgrimage really...LOL
Well..thats it for now but will update during the week with the rest of whats been going on and other news I might have.
Have an awesome week and take care
Sharryn
xx

Update

2007-07-23T10:15:00.000+10:00

Hi everyone,
Firstly...I would like to say a HUGE thank you to everyone who has left a comment, emailed me or rang me after my last post. Your thoughts and prayers have meant a lot to me and I truly appreciate it.
I've been meaning to update but as I'm absolutely flat out at the moment and have a sprained wrist, I just haven't gotten around to it. So I'll do this post in point form.

*The boys went back to school last Monday (thank goodness)..they were starting to get really bored and started arguing between themselves so yep...it was time to go back.

*Wednesday I had to go and get my wrist x-rayed after last Sunday night, and turns out it's sprained, compliments of my asshole brother!! Seeing as I broke it 18 months ago and it still aches from then, it's just what I needed...NOT!!

*Cooking for the fete is going well...I have finished all the chocolate lollies...peanut clusters, coconut roughs and rocky road. Have had to ask a friend to do some rocky road, which I really appreciate as she isn't very well at the moment. Bought all the ingredients to start the coconut ice this week then on to honeycomb and God only knows what else.

*Jack played soccer on Saturday and was goalie again for the 2nd time and OMFG...what a game!! It was awesome (for those that like soccer...not for me..LOL) and he did so well. Very proud of him.

*Both Jack and Jye have made the school soccer team and they are playing another school tomorrow so this should be good.

*Cricket regos started yesterday so was down the club for 3 hours signing people up. Same for the next 2 Sundays but the last one I won't be going to seeing as it's fete day...(Gawd..can't wait till the bloody fete is over this year..can you tell?? LOL)

*For Paolo...I still haven't seen the guy next door. The boys have though, he is a bit of a night owl apparently but it seems to me he doesn't stay there much. My neighbours came home from their 3 week holiday on Wednesday and were gobsmacked to find out he'd moved back into the street...so we are on 'Street Beat'..LOL at the moment...everyone peeping through curtains like Dorrie Evans!!

*Yesterday after cricket rego I came home to a phone call from a very dear friend who rang to let me know her gorgeous father passed away yestrday morning. It was a bit of a shock as this guy only went in for a routine angiogram a couple of weeks ago and just didn't come home. Still not sure what happened but the family is absolutely devastated. John was a true gentleman and a devoted family man and respected by so many people. He and his wife only rang me 3 weeks ago, just 2 days before he went into hospital to ask how my grandfather was doing and to offer any help to get my grandfather to his beloved Bingo games as they all go to the same club. Top bloke! So my thoughts and prayers are with Kerry and her family right now.

Well thats about it for me..I'm off to get the coconut ice started. Grrrrroannnnnn.
Have a great week all and take care.
Cheers
Sharryn :)

Hurt

2007-07-16T10:44:00.000+10:00

Have you ever been hurt by someone that much that it physically hurts? Betrayed by someone who you thought was always going to be there for you?
This weekend something happened that I don't want to go into here but at the moment I am so upset..so drained..and so hurt that words can't even begin to describe it.
This person (or I should say people) are supposed to be my family. The saying you can't pick your family springs to mind but I've been thinking that for 40 years now and I know it has finally come to an end. No more will I be hurt..no more will I be bullied...no more will I be intimidated by my own mother and brothers.
This is it..this is the end of any relationship I had with any of them.
Sad..I know..but thats life.
Sharryn

Bizarre happenings

2007-07-10T18:48:00.001+10:00

Whew!! Stop the world...I wanna get off!!
My head is spinning with all the things I'm trying to keep up with and do and then on top of that the most bizarre thing happened on the weekend that I just cannot, for the life of me, get my head around!!
We moved in to this house 7 years ago in November, it's a rental property and is in a cul-de-sac with only 12 houses, we are at the very end. Most of the neighbours in the street have been here for years before us and all fabbo neighbours.
Just after we moved in here though we were told by so many people about this guy that used to live in this house who apparently, the landlord had to get the sheriff to remove as he wasn't paying rent etc etc etc. He had all these dogs that trashed the house and when it all came out in the wash, he had a house full of stolen goods and word had it that he was a dealer. Keep in mind that this is quite a big house...it now houses 8 of us, so why would a young, single guy want a house that big for himself anyway?
So...our next door neighbours moved out about 4 weeks ago. Their house and this one is seperated by a laneway. Friday morning at 1.24 AM!! we heard this cars doors banging and looked outside our bedroom windown which is right at the very edge of the laneway kind of..to find people moving in!! At THAT time of the morning??
Saturday, my boys and some of the other kids in the street were talking to a girl who I'd assumed moved into the house next door, aged in her early 20's. They were looking at the dogs and making small talk, as you do, when a new neighbour moves in.
When I called them in for lunch however, one of my boys says, 'Oh..you know that new guy next door? He used to live in this house!'
'Cos we've been here so long now we've actually come to meet every single family thats ever lived here through the neighbours so I instantly had a hunch who my DS meant and after aksing his name I knew!!! OMFG!! What the??
I went next door (to the other side..LOL) and told them and I almost, literally, had to pick their jaws up off the ground!
Why would you come back to the same street, 7 years later, obviously doing the same thing as he doesn't stay there of a night (well hasn't so far), has a backyard full of dogs, a house or garage full of quad bikes and motorbikes, apparently has a plasma TV bigger than me...and doesn't work?? I know he doesn't work 'cos the young girl who they were talking too, who I still don't know who she is, obviously a friend of his, told them!
After having to be forcibly removed from a property by sherriffs, and in handcuffs, how could you possibly come back to the same street?? Either this guy has no shame or he's after something!!
My neighbours on the other side of him have gone away and left me with their house keys and stuff with instructions to feed animals etc etc and a little note to say don't worry about anything..we are insured..nothing can spoil our holiday!! Ummm...never say never!! They are going to absolutely die when they come home and find him in that house!!
I just can't get over it I really can't!!
Gosh I had so much to tell you since my last post but at the moment I have the boys watching a movie on surround sound and Michael watching a DVD on Jaydens laptop and its driving me nuts..all this friggen noise!!
Oh yes...something thats very exciting which I'll post about is that we are having a competition over at Scrapncrazy for a new, permanent DT member!!
This comp is going to be AWESOME and if you've ever wanted to be on a DT then come on over and join in the fun!
It's an awesome forum and the girls there are just so friendly and funny and the cyber crops are absolutely second to none!!
Head on over for a look-see..I'm sure you won't be disappointed: Scrapncrazy

Going to have to leave it here now as I seriously need to take a powder...PMPL
My head is aching!!
Have a great week
Sharryn :)

My Life As I Know It

Now This One Is DEFINITELY A Winner!!

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Purple Pumpkin Jan. sketch challenge

Daring You to Scrap

Bad Blogger me...

Quick share

A new day dawns...

March WW1 challenge

A new challenge and prize up for grabs

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Kraft It Up challenge

New blog for yummy products and a share

Playing with chipboard...

It's official....

A layout for DJ...

Layout share

Layout shares and some news

Inspired Blueprints January

Appeal and a quick share...

Challenges completed

DT calls

1st layout of the year...woohoo!!

Another year over.....

Masters 2011

One bitch of a day!

Change, changes everywhere....

Bridgettes Chinese Whispers...

The Last Post

September

Fibromyalgia, CFS and me

Spring has sprung...

Scrap the boys AND girls

August 12th

Projects and parties

Scrap the Girls and some other layouts

Scrap the Boys - July challenge

Jolly June

More birthdays...

Layout share

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Tutorial - Topiary tree table decoration

A 21st birthday and some scrapping...

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On the eve of a life long dream...

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Fun with fabric

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Today I'm going to...

Another week on...

New beginnings

7th {Heaven}

Cards n dolls

Bits n bobs and braces

Another year older...

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Project 365...still going strong!

Selfishness

Cricket and cruise control ;P

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Happy New Year!!

Bad blogger me!

Pinch and a punch...

Our week

Rain grrrrrrrrrrrr!!

Whirlwind fortnight

Jack is 11

Howdy :)

Hey :)

Mornin'

My girl has gone :(

Mornin'

Hi everyone :)

Fabulous fortnight

*WARNING* Long post ahead...

Hiya

WARNING Long post ahead...