I will be missing for a while.....

because our world has been turned up side down. A couple of weeks ago our daughter Debbie was diagoised with Acute Leukemia and will be in hospital for around 8 months receiving treatment after which, she will spend a further 2 months for a transplant. Debbie and Craig have 2 little boys 6 & 3 with special needs and are going to need extra help in the months ahead.

We have been considering moving back down closer to our family and friends and this latest event has made the decission to move ASAP much easier. So we have put our house on the market and now the waiting game starts.

In the meantime, we will be travelling down to Brisbane mainly during the school holidays to help out with the boys and give Craig and his family a break and also to give our precious daughter all the support we can.

Not only that, it will also give us quality time to strengthen our bond with our grandsons. When you live so far away, 9 hours by car, we only get to see these gorgeous, loving boys a couple of times a year.

So I don't know when I will be posting agian. My scrapbooking has been put on hold but I am journaling so there maybe a mini album in the future.

To all my wonderful scrapbook friends who have visited my blog, I say a warm thankyou and I hope that you will all still be around when I come back.

It's so Confussing.......

whenever I take a photo. I don't have a SLR but my camera does have manual settings - it's just that I get so bamboozled with the aperture and shutter speed that I revert back to AUTO. I would love to be able to snap those perfect shots and I do realize that using the manual settings I can get a greater shot.
Well, thanks to Kayla Lamoreaux of Digiscrap 101 I found a link to muddyboots where I found a link to this awesome site.
There is a SimCam where you can try out different apertures and shutter speeds to see what effects they have on the "sample" image. I found it a lot of fun as well as learning to understand the applications.
All of the links I have given you today are packed full of tutorials to help everyone from digi scrappers to hybrid scrappers to beginner photographers so I highly recommend you go take a look for yourself.

Gotta be quick.....

if you want a chance of winning this Mandala Reflections Board. For more info on how to win, click on the image in the "Candy Bar".








It is designed for card makers but really, anyone who crafts with paper will be inspired by this board. I can already think of several ways I can use it. So, if you would like to know more about this board, then I suggest that you visit ikki's cuttlebug cupboard where you will find more inspiration and heaps of great tips on how to use your Cuttlebug.

If it looks lika a snake.......

and it moves like a snake, then it must be a snake. Well not exactly. A couple of days ago, I was about to fly out the door to rescue my washing from a pending storm but I stopped dead in my tracks. There, under the clothes line, was this reptile warming it's belly on the pebble concrete. At first I thought "SNAKE" but it didn't look quite right.



Bec took a photo of it and researched it on the web and found it to be a Burtons legless lizard. Their average length is 29cm and this one was a monster at around 60cm. Mind you, I had no intention of getting the excat measurement.

I've said it before.......

"I'm Back". Well this time I think I have out done myself. When I looked at the last time I posted I was shocked. So many reasons (or are they just excuses?) why I have been away for so long. I am a very organized individual (NOT) and well, life has been very busy and so much has happened - all good.

At the moment I am working on an album that I want to document a trip/holiday we had last year. I am trying to follow Noell's Task Batching to help me finish it in record time. At the moment I am tackling the journaling, next will come the photos and finally the embellishments.

If you are looking for a site that is packed full of video tutorials, examples, techniques and very entertaining podcasts, then I highly recommend that you visit Paperclipping.

Well, that's all from me today - better not go overboard on my first post in eons.
Now back to my Task Batching and to finish my cup of tea before it gets cold.

p.s. It's good to be back.

Find something good in each day and enjoy...........
Irene

Introducing Ella Joy

Last week my niece Melissa and hubby Richard were blessed with a precious little baby girl Ella Joy. Both baby and mother are doing very well. The look on Melissa's face says it all. I know that the years to come are going to be filled with so much love and happiness and priceless memories.

This is a card that I made for the baby. I looked at all the baby cards that you can buy but I really wanted to make one. I struggle when it comes to making cards so I have kept it simple.

Thanks for stopping by,
Hugs, Irene xx

My Tasmanian Holiday

Last week the Annual National Mah Jong Tournament was held in Hobart, Tasmania. The venue for the competition was Wrest Point Casino and most of the players stayed there too. We had 4 half days of competition and while we played, the husbands that came along were free to do a bit of sight seeing.

Wrest Point Casino by night. Our room was the

top left of the 3 level Water Edge wing.

This is the amazing view from our room. Each morning we would draw back the curtains and feel the window to see how cold it was outside. I think that I will be painting this view as a reminder

of our first visit to Hobart.

The main reason for being in Hobart was to play Mah Jong.

Here are a few of the 120 ladies that participated.

The Dinner and Presentation Evening was a Winter Wonderland theme and there were many wonderful costumes. I went as the Snow Queen (always knew I had royalty in my blood LOL). There were penguins, snowmen, snow flakes and icicles, but I was lucky enough to be awarded First Place.

I had two wishes while in Tasmania. 1) Was to touch a Koala. DH took several photos but this is the only one that came out. I think it might be time to start researching a new camera.

AND

2) Was to see snow. There were 5 of us in the car including my Best Friend Trish, and as we climbed higher and higher up Mt. Wellington the excitement grew. It was freezing, between -3deg to 3deg, thick with fog and a biting wind but it would take more than that to cool my fun.



Gloves off, I had to feel the snow and even made and threw snowballs. In minutes, my hands were numb but I had the best time EVER !!!!


On our Bus Tour, we visited historical Richmond. It is full of wonderful old buildings. My only regret is that we didn't have much time here. This is the oldest bridge in Australia which was built by the convicts. I couldn't help but notice the contrast of the bitumen road and the hand made sandstone of the bridge.



Our last free day was spent at Port Arthur. We spent most of
the day wandering around. So much to see and feel. This photo
of the Church, is one of hundreds that I took.

Well, that is only a tiny glimpse into my holiday in Tasmania. Thanks for stopping by and sharing my adventure.

Hugs, Irene xx

It's GREAT to be back

OK, I know that I have been away from blogger land for a few weeks but I needed a break. There were no dramas (I am blessed with a happy secure life), I just needed a little time to breath. The past few months have been packed so full of "stuff" that I needed a break.

A couple of days ago, when I got back from a fantastic holiday in Tasmania, I was catching up on some of my favorite blogs when I came across a great give away. If you would like a chance of winning a Shadow Box, then pop over to Leah's blog where she is giving away a ShadowCase designer kit of your choice. There a so many styles to choose from.

So go check it out but don't tell too many people hehehehehehe 'cause I want to win it.

I'd love you all to come back soon because I lots to share.

Hugs,

Irene xx

Let's Get Shabby Challenge 13

I have finally completed my project for this month's Lets Get Shabby Challenge No 13. This month, Lets Get Shabby is celebrating their 1st Birthday so it's not surprising that the challenge is all about birthdays and stamping (since this month's sponser is Purple Onion).

As I have mentioned in the previous post, I found this little basket. It stands 29cm high and 13cm wide. My creation is all about family birthdays. I wanted to showcase each member of my family during their birthday month.

The concept is that if someone is having a birthday in a particular month, then their photo will be incerted into the frame and hung in place of pride. I made a little "file" booklet where each page is a pocket that holds each individual photo so it are easily found as the months come along.

I have used stamping to create lables, frames etc on the front, outer sides, inner sides, back of photo frame and the front of the booklet. I have had so much fun with this challenge and I want to thank the girls for putting up these fabulous challenges each month. If it wasn't for them, I wouldn't have this Birthday Basket which means so very much to me.

Thank you for your patience. I realise that there are a lot of photos but I just couldn't help myself. LOL

Thanks for stopping by,

Hugs, Irene xx

A Bit of This and That

Thought I would give you a little peek at a project I am working on at the moment for the Lets Get Shabby monthly challenge. There is a huge prize this month so head on over to find out more.
I came across this little basket at our local Vinnies shop. It looked rather sad, covered in dust and unpainted with a bamboo handle. I looked at it last Saturday morning (the shop closes at midday) and put it back. When I got home I couldn't stop thinking about it and then I got this great "idea" how I could use it.
I should have bought it there and then. I had this vision of a long line of little old ladies that extended out the door and down the footpath wanting to buy it. My only hope was that it was high up on the top shelf. So you know where I was at 9am Monday morning.

To my huge relief, it was still there so I pounced on it, then started looking for a small photo frame. After rummaging through a bin of unwanted frames, I spotted this little treasure. If I had commissioned someone to make it for me, this is what I would have asked for. So, feeling very pleased with myself, I headed over to the counter to pay for my findings. Can you believe that I got both items for a huge sum of $2.50.

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I think that I am treading a fine line here. On one side, I could be called crazy but on the other side I could be called amazing. Do I have blood in my veins, or do I have scrapbooking products running through my system. It all started like this.....................

This morning I was about to throw away one of my favorite handbags but first I wanted to keep the little key that dangled off the front of it. Then I found that the hinges actually screwed off so I kept them, next came the buckles........so on and so on.
By the time I had finished, this is what my handbag looked like. Looks like my handbag has had an autopsy !!!! But, look at all those gorgeous bits and pieces that are now going to get a new life.


Thanks for stopping by,

Hugs, Irene xx

June was a good month

I can't believe it !!! My name was drawn out over at Challenge Heaven monthly challenges for the month of June and I get to have a little shopping therapy at D-Lish Scraps. I also get to display this gorgeous little badge on my blog.

Challenge Heaven is a great place where everyone is friendly and there is tons of fun to be had. Each month there is a list of challenges put up and you can do as many or as little as you like, but if you complete a minimum of 4, then you go into the random monthly draw where you
have several chances of winning a voucher.

The gallery is packed with some awesome layouts for inspiration, so COME ON have yourself some fun.

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I also belong to Paperclipping which is an international site for scrapbookers that focuses on design and techenques which are backed up with videos tutorials - some are free but members with subscriptions get extra in depth videos and have access to around 15o HD videos which can be saved to your PC.

Last month, the host Noell Hyman, ran the first Paperclipping Festival. She asked members to create a layout or project using one of her tutorials. You can imagine how excited I was when I saw my project featured on the blog. I almost fell off my chair.

Well, that wraps up the month of June. Lets see what July has in store.

Thanks for stopping by,

Hugs, Irene xx

A Couple of Layouts to Share

This first layout is of my granddaughters Isla and Mia. They were off to a "Fairy" Birthday Party and looked so cute. I wanted this page to be whimsical - as if there were fairies in the graden. I don't think that I have cut out as much as I did for this page but I am happy with the end result.


This next layout is so different. My Very Best Friend Trish sent me a beautiful card a couple of years ago and what better way to scrap my friend than use this card to show how special our friendship is.
I cut the card up into pieces (oh, it's not like it sounds) to form the matte for the photo and journaling card. The words in the card are very heart warming and I wanted to keep that part too, so I have hidden it under the matte and attached the little heart (that came with the card) so you can slide out the words.

Both these layouts are for the Challenge Heaven monthly challenges. I only have one more to complete for the month. If you have a few spare minutes, head on over to their site and you never know, you just might get inspired.

Thanks for stopping by,

Hugs, Irene xx

My Happy "RED" Day

As promised here is a sample of how my Birthday was spent. My very best friend Trish sent me a parcel for my birthday. It arrived last Wednesday. If anybody knows me, it was a miracle that I didn't open it before my birthday. My day starts at 6am with a cup of tea after which I attacked the parcel.
Trish is one of those people that doesn't just give one present so it was no surprise to find 3 presents all wrapped in red paper and the craziest card ever. Scary at how close it represented my friend and me.

In side parcel #1, I found this totally gorgeous evening clutch. In the photo is a little on the pinkish side but irl it is blood red. Looooooove it!!!

In parcel #2 came this funky mug. It has now become my favorite and together we will start each and every day. Parcel #3 was a box ofnotecards by Andrew Zuckerman. Thank you so much Trish, your gifts always blow me away.

By this time, hubby was coming down stairs with Rebecca and after hugs and a birthday song I opened more presents.

When I opened Ross's present and saw that it was Photoshop Elements 8 I was so thrilled. Up until I got my new computer, I have been using a photo editing program that came with my scanner. At first it was great but I have long since out grown it. YEAH.........I am going to have so much fun.

The bigger parcel was a combined gift from all 4 of my girls....a Bon Appetit Enamelled Cast Iron Dutch Oven. I can't tell you how long I have wanted one of these. It is huge and very heavy and with winter here, I can't wait to start using all of those yummy hearty recipes. So ladies, if you have a favorite recipe, please share.

Of cause I didn't forget to give Ross a HUGE hug and thank you for my present before he was off to work.

When Ross had left, Bec wanted to make me breakfast and asked what I wanted. Eggs Benedict of cause. Last Mother's Day, Bec gave me Julie Goodwin's cookbook and I have tried out her recipe for Hollandaise Sauce and let me tell you, it is the best ever. I would say that I now consider myself a critic where this sauce is involved.

The day was taken up with phone calls from friends and my girls, being fussed over by Bec (and I don't know how many times she sang happy birthday to me in an Ukranian accent) and playing with PSE8, picking up my Birthday Cake and a couple of bottles of Bubbly.

Our friends Ted and Kay come over on Firday nights for home made take-aways and a movie. Ross took us all out to the Endeavour Inn for dinner. They have the most amazing Chinese Cuisine with an authentic chef. Fortunately for Ross they do steak as well.

Around the table...Ross, Kay, Me, Rebecca, Ann-Marie, Ted. After eating Garlic Bread (best ever with grilled cheese on top), Entrees, Mains, Desert, wine, cocktails, we all carried our stomachs out the door moaning and groaning, heading back home were we planned to have coffee and Birthday Cake.

Ted (who is the thinnest of us all) was the only one who could manage to eat a piece. I sent some home with Ted and Kay and we enjoyed the rest for morning tea today.

I went to bed last night totally exhausted with the memory of the best day ever. Can't wait for next year. LOL

Thanks for stopping by,

Hugs, Irene xx