Permission granted

... to share my news :o)

I got an email from the lovely Kelly on Friday asking me to be a part of the design team at kiti q. I was pretty blown away that anyone would even know of me, let alone ask me to design for them! And I've gotta admit, I've kept an eye on the kiti q site waiting for a DT opening, cos they do stock very fun things.

So, I met Kelly and Danielle for a yummy chai latte at Ripe this afternoon, and picked up my first DT pack, full of yummy Love, Elsie goodies. I've already had a play - couldn't resist! The colours are so perfect for my boy! I'll share when I can.

Hopefully this will be the kick in the butt I need to get scrapping again. My mojo has been slowly returning, and some new product might be just what I need to get the inspiration happening.

So that's it - yay! I promise I'll be back with some piccies soon. Need to brighten up this place a little.

uninspired

Bit uninspired to post lately. Of course, been considering closing this thing down, but it is useful for jogging my memory (which is like a sieve) at times. So, I'll keep plodding along ;o)

Updates: Nanna is not good. She's home. They sent her home. To be comfortable. And we all know what that means.

Had a beautiful 'celebration' service for Roger's uncle last week. It was the loveliest service I've been to. Lots of laughing, sharing of memories and music. It did him justice.

My little man is keeping me occupied and amused. Although he's been a little cranky the past few days. I don't know whether it's the hot, stormy weather, his teeth on the move, or getting used to eating solids, but from lunchtime onwards he's a handful! It's an hour past his bedtime now, and he's whinging in bed... *sigh*

AND... wait for it... I've been scrapping!!!!!!!! It felt so nice! And to get me out of my rut, I did a 12x12. And I liked it! Don't think I'll go back there permanently, but all that space was so refreshing! Here they are, anyways:

OLD photos of one of my high school friend's wedding. And I learned how to scan and stitch a 12x12 layout. It really is easy. LOL.

And a very colourful New Year's Eve layout. The journalling basically says how NYE will never be the same now that we have a baby!

And yes, one of my resolutions is to use more than one photo on a layout. Going to still do some single photo layouts, cos I *love* the space, but if I need more pics to tell the story, then I'll use them.

Might even do some more tonight. Now that all my stuff is out, I might as well get some pages done until Rog cracks it over my stuff taking over the dining table.

Speaking of which... we have decided to sell our house!! OMG, SUCH a big decision for me - I HATE moving, SO much! But, we just don't fit in our house. It seems a little greedy - we have a three bedroom house and all - but it's so impractical for kids. Tiny lounge, STEEP backyard (can imagine lots of injuries!), no safe street to ride bikes on... So, we're going to pretty this place up and sell! I just want either an extra bedroom or an extra living area. Somewhere to put a sewing/craft table, the computer and work stuff, and some more babies!!

And no, I'm not pregnant again. LOL.

The boy has finally fallen asleep, the wrong way around in his cot. He can stay there. I'm going to go and enjoy a beer. Roger's off playing poker, and I'm going to relax. Aaaaahhhhh.

I'll leave you with the cutest thing I've seen all week ;o)

Break

So, obviously, I've been having a break. And, actually, I think I need more of a break. Despite not blogging, and being less active on some of the forums I frequent, I've still been spending as much time on the computer (especially thanks to Qwyzzle - up to level 96 - and similar puzzles - I'm a sucker for brainteasers). Oh, and add to that the time it takes me to find episodes of Grey's Anatomy to download, and then watch. I am so in love with that show - it has me in tears almost every time.

Anyway, my point is... well, I'm not really sure. I guess I'm still feeling a bit out of control - but then again, it IS Christmas, and that seems to be the point of Christmas these days. My house is a mess. I mean, it's clean, but my pantry needs arranging, our 'study' is in disarray, there's junk in my room that doesn't need to be there. I feel like if I could organise my house, my life would feel better. LOL. I am probably fooling myself.

I feel like it all came to a head tonight. I went to a rehearsal for our church's big carols event. I'm singing in the choir. I left D at home with Rog, so knew I'd have to be back in time for his next feed. Anyhow, I got to the rehearsal, and it was quite obvious that choir rehearsal wasn't going to begin for a good hour, and then would probably go for a good two hours. So, I'd have to leave before we got into it. So... I got completely stressed, and upset that I was letting people down because I couldn't be there. I went straight home since it wasn't worth staying, and cried all the way home.

After some soul searching in the car, I realised that I was upset because I was expecting too much from myself. How silly. Not upset that I couldn't do everything, but upset that I expected myself to be able to do everything. Argh. Is that a girl thing?

I was also upset that I was feeling guilty for making decisions that I feel are best for my baby. I choose not to bottle feed D at all, and when that inconveniences me or other people, I often feel guilty. Why is it not enough to be a mum? Why do I feel like I have to be or do so much else? See, I'm angry that I'm angry at myself! I think I need a therapist.

Phew.

Spending too much time on the computer is also leeching my creativity, and I haven't scrapped much lately. I have, however, reached the final round of the search for a design team member comp over at Scrapboxx. I feel a certain loyalty to Scrapboxx because it is the first site I found when I started scrapping. Without it, I probably would never have got into scrapping like I did. I was truly addicted to the forum for a good few months, but now mostly lurk. The competition is anonymous, but I don't mind 'outing' myself. I figure that if people are going to vote for me, or not vote for me because of who I am, or am not... well, I've got no problem with that. It won't kill me if I don't get on the team. I'll be sad - noone likes to lose - but I'm sure I'll get over it. I'm not expecting to win... and I've got bets on who will!

And my last bit of news is that I'm now a Tupperware lady - ROTFL!!!! I've gotta admit that I never saw myself as a party plan kind of chick, but a bit of extra cash would be really nice to relieve the pressure on the budget, and I don't want to go back to proper work for a good while yet, and, well, I love Tupperware, so it all just happened! I start early next year... so if anyone knows anyone in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne who wants to have a TW party, point them in my direction! LOL. I still can't believe I actually signed up! I do like the free diary though...

Um, well, congrats if you read all of my dribble. I'll leave you with a layout as a reward :o)


And if I don't get around to blogging before Christmas, Merry Christmas girls! I could never have dreamt of finding such amazing people on the internet!!! I really appreciate the comments, emails and chats, and hope to get to know you all even better next year. Love yas!

*Sigh*

That's a bit how I feel today. Unmotivated, lethargic... I think hayfever's got a lot to do with it. Damn itchy eyes and runny nose. And perhaps my mile-long to-do list is also playing a part.

Shouldn't have browsed the 2Peas message board today. Gee whiz those girls get nasty. For no reason. Worse than what has been going on in Au. Made me want to scrap in bright colours ;o)

The December issue of For Keeps ROCKS. Loved all the beautiful Christmas OTP stuff. LOVED Sarah Van Wijck's stuff in 'introducing'. Lots of great layouts and beautiful photography.

Having a dinner party tomorrow. Gluten-intolerant guest. Should be ok! Desperately need to clean the house though.

Heading to Scrap to the Max on Saturday for an all-day crop. Really hoping that D behaves himself. Not expecting to get much scrapping done!

Did this yesterday. Turned out kinda wierd.



And look how big my gorgeous boy is now! We had him weighed and measured yesterday - 6.3kg and 63cm long. Just over average. Just perfect.


Impossible to get a photo of him *without* his hands in or near his mouth. I love the sound of him sucking on his fists.

Gotta go and hang some washing out. Preparing for a HOT day - predicting 36. Beautiful outside at the moment, though...

Scrappin and sewin

Been doing a bit of both. Finished up another cute nappy - still haven't got a piccie of D in it - it's now been christened and is in the wash. And did this last night while watching Amazing Race:

F-f-f-f-freezing

It is freaking freezing in Melbourne. We had a top of about 7 yesterday - with huge hailstorms and icy wind. I had to go out for mum's group at 2pm, and all of a sudden it all cleared, and the world looked so lovely and wet, and green and fresh! It's all grey today, but I'm doing some washing in spite of it all.

How's this for a 'small world of scrapping' story... I linked to a random blog from Roz's blog the other day. Went back to read it yesterday, as I really loved her scrapping style and she also makes *precious* little girl's clothes, and a picture jumped out at me - a boy who went to my high school who happens to be her husband. I think I actually jumped! She also went to my high school, and lives about 2 minutes from me.

In other random news, I'm so excited to be heading to Moe in 2 weeks to go to the Scrap to the Max all-day crop. After missing Nic and Amber when we passed through a few weeks ago, I was determined to make it there for a visit. It's a good one and a quarter hour drive, and I'll have to take D cos he's not on a bottle at all... so, it might not be such a productive day, but I am looking forward it!

Must go and get this washing done. Have a bit of scrapping to catch up on, and I'm planning to make a few more nappies for Diesel, as he is very quickly growing out of the ones he has! I'll have to take a piccie of him in his cute nappies - they're just too gorgeous :o)

Idol

OK... I've been pretty quiet about Idol on my blog, for no particular reason, because I'm just as addicted as I always have been. I just wanted to say...

WELCOME BACK DEAN!

Phew... I don't know what happened to him the past few weeks, but he was BACK tonight! Hot, hot, HOT! I know he doesn't sing that great (although tonight was pretty good), but he's just got *something*. That last song was fabbo!

I also love Damien - his voice is absolutely spectacular. I have cried multiple times when he has sung, and I think I would buy his album. He is a star, and so humble. I would love it to be Dean and Damien at the final, but I fear that Jess will get through.

And... here's a page I scrapped today for the Scrap of Faith cyber crop challenge - had to have a handmade photo corner, doodling, and an accent made out of patterned paper. BTW, my style - I found it again. Phew. I thought it had disappeared for good. Back in my comfort zone, baby ;o)

First ever

First ever layout completed at a cyber crop! It was the early bird challenge. I'm working on the other challenge at the moment. Had a ball, got to bed way too late, and feeling pretty ordinary this morning. Especially since D woke at 5am this morning! K... gotta get back to my scrapping :o)