My bad

I've been so busy with life, that my poor little blog has been badly neglected yet again.

Lots has been happening of late, but something kinda scrappy and something cute coming up. A card for my gorgeous niece's 1st Birthday and Christening, and a cute photo of her at her little lady bug party.

Picking strawberries

We had a gorgeous day today with my SIL and her little boy at a nearby strawberry farm. The kids loved picking their own too, and they were divine!! Just like we used to grow at home. I wish I'd known about this months ago, as they're closing for the season next week. :( We'll definitely be back next year though!









PS check out Erin's tongue in this last pic... do you think she's loving the chocolate dipping sauce??? Just like her Mummy :)

Saying goodbye

Today we had news that Al's Pop passed away. Pop was such an incredibly strong and patient man, who always wore a smile. He played such an important part in our lives, and we will miss him dearly. He loved the kids, and always asked after them. I am so thankful for the time I spent getting to know Pop through helping him collate a book of his past for Mayes Cottage a few years ago. Ever since then, we've shared a special bond, and we would often go around to help him with his latest computer problem. He would try almost anything, and embraced all the new technologies. He'd call me up to talk through his latest discovery on the computer or find out how to do something. I will dearly miss his phone calls and skype chats. I only wish I could have said goodbye and told him how much he meant to me!


Celebrating Mothers Day at our place in May. Pop's at the front with Nana.

Busy December

Last year we decided to spend every second Christmas at home so the kids can have a taste of both my family's traditional European Christmas and also of our Aussie Christmas anticipating Santa's arrival the night before. Up until this year, I had never actually experienced a proper Australian Christmas myself. Although I dearly missed being a part of my parents traditional Christmas Eve celebrations, it was actually nice not to have the stress of driving on Christmas Day.

We did get to Kingaroy on Boxing Day though, and had a nice relaxing time with all the family then, so all wasn't lost! Dana set up a round robbin tennis tournament, so that was a bit of fun, and then Dad, Dana, Al & I went for a pushie ride around the block to work off that Christmas Turkey!!

We celebrated Christmas Dinner with Al's family, and the kids had a great time tearing around the paddock.

We also had the Daycare Christmas Concert mid December. The kids loved showing us all their artwork and both loved performing, especially Aiden, who was a little stage shy last year, so that was really great to see!

The kids had a great time at the park in West End at our Playgroup Christmas break-up too! It was nice and relaxing and we actually got some really nice pics of us together as a family (although a little late for our Christmas card).

We also took the kids to see the Wiggles a couple of weeks back, which the kids really enjoyed. It was so much fun watching their little faces light up when they saw the Wiggles. We were lucky to get Hot Potato seats, so got some great photos and videos... shhhh....

We decided to brave Al's work Christmas party at Wet & Wild this year for the kids, and we all had such a great day. Even though we didn't get to go on many rides, it was worth it for the kids. They loved being in the water all day, and they even got to meet Santa!

Now that I've written it all down, I realise how busy December actually was this year! It did all end with a nice relaxing Christmas though! Phew!

Four Generations

This photo has taken a long time to come about, and I really wanted to do it justice by making a special layout with it. When I opened my DT kits this month from Scrap Pile, I saw the perfect opportunity! I especially loved the chipboard frame in this kit, which I covered with the gorgeous Carolee's Creations Timeless stripe paper!



The four generations are of our kids, Allan, Al's dad Geoff and his Pop, Dick Mayes. The photo was taken at Erin's 1st birthday party.

OTP Challenge

Just sharing my latest project for Scrap Pile. My challenge from Friday night was to scrap a "Highlight of 2007" on an off the page item using something from your stash that you bought in 2007 and haven't used before.

Here's the front cover of my sample project...



I used an old washer I had lying around that I'd bought from Bunnings as the name plate on the top right and some Doodlebug paper frills inside that I'd never used, but had sitting on my desk.

You can view the entire book in the CyberCrop Gallery at Scrap-Pile.

I'm looking forward to seeing all the lovely entries - due Friday midnight.

Officially addicted to rub-ons...

... and not just ordinary cheapish ones... the WRMK Foil, Glitter, Flock rub-ons. They are brilliant! I have never seen anything like them (apart from the other brands of course).

I did some mucking around on a journalling card for Scrap-Pile the other day and I am sooo loving the flocking effect and the intricate detail you can get with these rub-ons.

Here's a squiz at some flocking from the Promenade kit...


and I used the foil from the family kit on this LO... {mom, sister, brother, dad} and I am just in loooove with it! I can't believe how pretty it is IRL. Can't quite get the effect from a photo, but you get the idea.


Thanks for all your lovely comments too! Here's hoping I can keep up my side of the deal and keep it updated :)

I will try and put some of my LOs on a gallery. hmmmm not quite sure how, but that's why I love my job! There's always a challenge :)