TTFN xxx

Just a quick post to let you know I will be missing for a while :)

My little family and I are taking a break to enjoy the summer sunshine, spend some time with our extended families, have a farmstay :) , do a little scrapbooking, stitch some stitches and generally just enjoy the month of January!

Thank you for visiting throughout 2009, and I'll be back in 2010 with (hopefully) lots of handmade goodness to share.

Somehow it doesn't seem right to end my post with the same letters as my heading, but.....


TTFN xxx

Before I forget....

...I must show you these :)

I made these gorgeous little shoes for my newest nephew for Christmas. The pattern is from an older issue of Homespun magazine that I borrowed from the library...sorry I can't give credit to the designer :(

They are made from felt, and feel so warm and toasty! Hopefully they will fit him when the cooler weather comes in a few months time.

Hope you all had a wonderful, magical Christmas...such a special time of year :)

TTFN xxx

Christmas Eve

It's almost here! The carrots and water are out on the front lawn, a snack has been carefully prepared, and the children are all tucked snugly into their beds.

To you and your family, have a very...

Merry Christmas!

Hope you all have a wonderful festive season, and that Santa is good to you :)

Thank you for reading, for all your lovely comments during the year, and most of all for your friendship throughout 2009.

TTFN xxx

Do I dare say the words out loud???

Up to date....there, I said it! Well typed it, anyway :) Yes folks, as of right now, my December Daily album is up to date.....WOOOOOOOOOOHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

DAY 18 (just for you Lisa and Linda!)...

...which was Friday night. DH and I were lucky enough to be invited to a Christmas Ball, and I can't tell you just how much fun it was to get dressed up and go out, just DH and I! I even bought some sparkly silver sandals to wear...Lydia was shocked and sort of disgusted (!!) that I would wear heels, which shows you just how often we go out ;)

DAY 19...

...was pretty unexciting, so I documented one of the new Christmas decorations that I bought this year to celebrate our new home!

DAY 20 (that would be ....TODAY!!!!) is about catching up. I've been printing off these recipes each day from the Tarisota blog, and am hoping to make an album to put them in (which reminds me, there is a 'typo' on that page that I must fix!) Check them out if you get a chance at www.tarisota.typepad.com . You can even enrol in a free class to complete the album! I have enrolled, just not started yet :)

Two posts in one day? Must be time to get out of the house!

TTFN xxx

December Daily Overload :)

I have to admit, keeping up with my December Daily album has been a bit of a challenge this last week! December was getting a tad out of control...can you relate?

However, a slower pace today has meant that I am almost up-to-date...here's what we've been up to.
DAY 12...

Last Saturday we celebrated one of my beautiful friend's 40th birthday at our house...we had an absolute ball! Some of the girls (and their kids) stayed for a sleepover which was so much fun...must do it more often :) I added extra journaling space for this double page, as I wanted to include lots of photos.

This shows the back of the journaling page.

DAY 13 was recovery day...you may remember my blog entry on that day :)

I love the combination of colours on this page...who says pink and red shouldn't be used together? The green envelope contains my favourite Rum Ball recipe....yuuuummmm!

DAY 14 is all about our Monday baking session...I love Christmas cooking :) (p.s. if you see any ideas that you'd like to use...go for it!)


DAY 15...

...we had a little Christmas crafting session, and made the Basic Grey cupcakes from the Nook and Pantry line. I was wishing I had bought another kit, as they were so much fun to make! DAY 16 above is ruled up, ready to journal about our day spent visiting the kids old school. It's a little personal, so I will do that later :)

DAY16 we had our annual Santa photo taken. The tab at the top of the photo is attached to a journal block, where I've written some thoughts about Santa, and some things the kids told him :)

DAY 17 was the last day of school!

So, that gets me up to Friday, which was a hugely big day...I met up with some lovely blogging buddies, and attended a Christmas Ball in the evening. Good times!

How are your holiday preparations going? Only 4 more full days to go now (after today)!

Before I go....pop over to www.threadsoffriendship.blogspot.com ... they are having a Christmas giveaway which would be worth winning!

TTFN xxx

An early Christmas present...just for you!

SALE SALE SALE SALE SALE SALE at Tomorrows Memories! Check this out.....

This Thursday 17th, Friday 18th & Saturday 19th 20% OFF Storewide(Floor stock only:Diecutting/Embossing machines excluded:No further discounts) AND… You could WIN this for Christmas!

For every $20.00 you spend you will go in the draw to WIN this amazing Sizzix Embossing Boutique!!
PLUS
You will receive a Further 20% OFF all “Specials” items which will be on display in the classroom – That’s below cost!!!!

Wooohooooo....love a good sale :)

TTFN xxx

The dreaded DAY 10 :)

Yep, I've reached the dreaded Day 10 of December Daily. After Day 10, I have not prepared any pages for the album (which sort of defeats the purpose of DD in the first place...that being to have an album prepared where you only have to pop in a photo and some journaling).

I made this polka dot double page last night...polka dots make me happy!

Still have a bit of catching up to do, but I am not giving up!

My DH is due to fly in tomorrow for his Christmas break, and has just texted me that there is
a cyclone warning current where he is, and that he may not make it...keep your fingers crossed for us!

TTFN xxx

Christmas preparations are in full swing!

And how could they not be, when I am reminded every single morning just how few days it is until Santa comes? These chocolate advent calendars can be very unsettling for a Mum who is NOT a morning person :)

With the kids into their final few days of school, I have been working super fast to get organised. I finally sent out my Christmas newsletters yesterday, and they looked like this...

Little Christmas trees cut with my Slice, from Basic Grey Eskimo Kisses papers, topped with a little bling. The middle tree is Bazzill Swiss Dots, highlighted with Kindyglitz for a little extra Christmas sparkle :)

These are actually folders rather than cards, and when opened out look like this...

...with a family newsletter, for friends that may not be up with all our happenings throughout the year. Not sure what I was thinking with all the hot pink (even the staples are hot pink!) but they are done. And posted in their hot pink envelopes. Phew.

Class parties have been going on all week, and the "snowmen cupcakes" issue was raised again! I really don't know why I racked my brain to come up with ideas...

...as Merryn had a picture in HER head of what they were going to look like, LOL, and would not be swayed. So here we have snowmen cupcakes, decorated with care by Merryn.

Not quite what I had in mind, but she was very happy with the finished result (which is really all that matters, right?)

I couldn't resist making these little puddings again this year...

...so easy, and so so cute! Riley took them to his class today. Lydia had to bring a savoury plate (which is not nearly so much fun!) and requested Cheesy Vegemite Scrolls...no photo, because they are pretty unexciting and un-Christmassy!

And then there were these...

...rum balls. I have been making these by the dozen for teachers gifts...not just current teachers, but also the teachers from the kids other school that they left in Term 3 this year. I must be seriously crazy.

Hopefully that is IT from the kitchen for a little while...back to my very neglected December Daily album soon :)

TTFN xxx

EXACTLY where I need to be :)

Earlier I was thinking about how very far behind I am with where I planned to be with my Christmas preparations. My Christmas cards are half done. December Daily is a few days behind. I still have gift tags to make, gifts to finish, and cooking to do.

I looked at my kids laying beside me on a mat on our lounge room floor. Our hair was still wet from hours spent playing in the pool. We were watching a DVD and eating ice cream cones, resting after a hectic weekend spent with our closest friends.

And it suddenly occurred to me.

I am EXACTLY where I need to be :)


TTFN xxx

Reindeer Cupcakes

Is there anything cuter than reindeer cupcakes at Christmas time?


I'm thinking not :) I saw this idea last year somewhere, and kept it stored away in my brain, ready to pull out and make my kids laugh their heads off this year! These are sure to tickle Lydia's funny bone (and quite honestly, it doesn't take much for that little gigglepot!) Merryn and I have been working on these this morning, ready to take them to Lydia's classroom this afternoon when we are on roster. I liked the full-on antlers (pictured above) but was out-voted...

...the plain antlers won. I made a couple of the reindeers cross-eyed, just for fun :)

DAY 8 of December Daily...

...time to cut my losses and post out the Christmas cards I had actually finished! If you are expecting a card from me and don't receive one in the next few days...don't panic. I still have quite a few to make :)

Better go and get ready to re-home these reindeer

TTFN xxx

Back on schedule...

...with December Daily. Phew.

So we have DAY 6...

I knew when I made these pages that the 6th would be busy, so allowed two pages and a journaling page instead of just one :)

( Blurred faces again...I don't like to include pics of people unless I have their permission). I matted the photo onto cardstock, and tucked the Carols in the Park flyer behind it.

DAY 7...

We had the BEST day yesterday! Merryn had her friend over for the day, and she was such a funny little girl...had us laughing all day long! We made lots of cupcakes, ready for class parties and Christmas events. My hubby went to roster in Lydia's classroom, and created havoc I think :) They are doing Christmas activities each day, and he was in charge of the chocolate truffles...BIG mistake :) I'm going for Wednesday's activities...hope I have as much fun as he did!

Have a holly jolly day :)

TTFN xxx

Thank goodness it's Monday?!?

After a very hectic weekend, I have to admit it's sort of a relief to get to Monday :) Isn't that ridiculous?

Also a bit ridiculous is the fact that it's only the 7th of December, and already I am playing catch-up with my December Daily album...predictable, but ridiculous all the same.

So, here is where I'm up to...
DAY 4

and DAY 5...

Working on Day 6, and have printed a photo for Day 7. Hmmm....the scary bit is when I get past Day 10, and have no pages prepared....LOL....I think I may have mentioned that already.

Have a great day

TTFN xxx

Quick update..

Have been without internet for a day, so am now a day behind...hahaha! Hopefully I will catch up tomorrow, but for now, here is Day 3 of my December Daily album...


(I've blurred the face of Lydia's friend for this post)

Hope you are having a great weekend.

TTFN xxx

Which direction to run in?

That seems to be the question I ask myself as I wake up each morning...life sure is hectic at the moment! So I took a little time out today to do some creating...

I bought these Creative Cafe tags from Tomorrows Memories a few weeks back in the hope of finding time to decorate them for Christmas :) I cut all the words and images from the MM Slice FaLaLa memory card...too easy!


Day 2 of December Daily...(this is called a "on-a-roll" LOL)

Riley snapped these shots of me doing Lydia's hair for her dance dress rehearsal last night...dance is a big part of our lives at the moment, so it's a perfect topic to include!

Take some time out for yourself today...do something that you love :)

TTFN xxx

So far, so good :)

Day 1 of December Daily completed....

I love that the page took very little effort, since it was pre-made. Hate that I've still only done up to Day 10 in the album, and it doesn't have any covers yet LOL. Off to dance concert rehearsals....sigh...it must be December.

TTFN xxx

Happy December!

Do those words make you feel excited? Or just a little panicked? LOL

Whichever way you look at it, today IS December 1st, and that means (among other things in our house)....

...ADVENT CALENDARS! As you can see by the PJs, the advent calendars came out first thing this morning with much excitement and anticipation...Christmas is coming! The tree and decorations will be pulled out this afternoon, and then I really won't be able to deny how close it is :)

Panicking? Hmmmmm.....maybe :)

TTFN xxx

Too much fun!

Yesterday we spent a fantastic day celebrating Christmas with the staff and families of Tomorrows Memories...

...there were gifts for the kids, lots of laughter, photos, yummy food and drinks, games....

...and a massive waterfight to finish the day! Thanks to everyone who shared the day....we had a ball!

Not much getting done on the crafting front, which could be due in part to a very messy work area! My craft room has been overtaken by Christmas gifts, wrapping paper, and many projects in various stages of completion. I've made a few more Christmas cards...

...but not nearly enough! Maybe tomorrow?

Must tell you about a giveaway happening over at the Quilt Fabric Delights blog, and while you're there, be sure to check out Sarah's fabulous photos from the Quilt Market...so many yummy new fabric goodies!

TTFN xxx

P.S. A hugely humungous congratulations to my gorgeous nephew Harrison...we are all SO proud of you!!!

It's a start :)

It seems that this week is actually the last week in November.....eeek! I won't even start on where the time has gone, but realise that I really need to get moving if I am going to send hand made Christmas cards this year!

So here is my start...

I received these Cuttlebug embossed pieces as part of a swap over at Scrapsidaisy, and thought they would make a good start to the Christmas cards! The design above was inspired by the lovely Hope, who also received the swap goodies and made a simple but very classy card with her piece....thanks Hope!

This was another piece from the swap....such gorgeous folders!

So now a decision has to be made. Do I rush out and buy the folders so that I can make more (I usually choose a design and make them in bulk each Christmas) , or do I work with the supplies that I have on hand to create individual cards this year?

Do you make all your cards the same? Or do you create one-of-a-kind cards for everyone on your Christmas card list? Just wondering :)

TTFN xxx

Progress...

A few more pages that I've been working on for my December Daily album...

I found the rings in my stash....peeerrrrfect colour :) I'm using rings on this album (rather than the Bind It All) because I want to be able to add more pages if required when we get to December. It's a bit hard to predict just how many photos or how much journaling I might want to add!

The journal page from the front...

...and from the back.

As you can see, I'm not sticking with any particular brand as far as paper and embellishments go, just using stuff from my stash.

These journal blocks are from Making Memories Noteworthy II...nice and bright!

These ones are from Making Memories Paperie, the red strip is felt, and the pink and aqua are fabric pieces.

Even with just these few pages, my little album is starting to feel quite fat! I probably should put this project aside and work on Christmas cards......or not!!

TTFN xxx

December Daily.

See....I told you I was inspired LOL! For several years now, I have been meaning to make a December Daily album a la Ali Edwards, but have never quite got there. In 2007, I made an Advent album (which documented our Christmas activities leading up to the big day) but have never made an "actual" December Daily...until now :)

And these little tags made my resolve even stronger....


Irresistable, really. So today I made a start...

...and I am having WAY too much fun with it! The tags look great with Basic Grey Eskimo Kisses, and also with some of the fabrics I'm using for my Little Bluebirds quilt....all my favourite colours!

I'm going for bright colours and textures...fabrics, felt, pins, zig zag edges, textured cardstocks, fraying...

....and using up bits and pieces from the "Christmas Embellishment" section of my stash. Love that.

Are you making a December Daily album this year? Leave me a comment so I can check it out :)

TTFN xxx

p.s. Kids are feeling a bit better now thankfully....thanks for all your well wishes xxxx

Down on the Farm

I have finally released my grip on the Twilight saga :) and am a little stunned at how fast a week flies by when you have your head stuck in a book...or four! Now I'm thinking I'll have to start on the movies....that might take a little less time.

Our plans for the weekend have been suspended due to sick kids, so I found myself with some unexpected time to scrap today (YAY!!!)

I was informed recently that everyone has their own little scrapbook except me!!! so I set to work on a little gift for under the Christmas tree..

The new Farm Fresh line from October Afternoon was so perfect for my little book about our trip to Landsdale farm with Merryn's Kindy a couple of months back.

My never-been-used Bind It All even made it's debut appearance to bind the album. Can't say it was a stress-free experience, but love the finished result :)

Here are some of the filler pages. I used a piece of Creative Cafe coloured chipboard for the covers, and just covered the front with patterned paper.

I kept it very simple, as sometimes pretty embellishments are just too tempting for little Miss to resist pulling off :)

I'd planned to use lots of the paper from the Farm Fresh range, but in the end used mostly the cardstock stickers and journaling cards to embellish...keeping it simple. Making a mini-book from scratch gives you lots more freedom in the style of your pages. Instead of tossing the leftover cardstock, I made smaller in-between pages to hold more photos or journaling.

It didn't take too long to complete, and has me all inspired to continue with my Christmas pressies...inspiration that was desperately required at this point :)

A big thank you to Linda for hosting a lovely night of crafting last night...a night of laughter with like-minded girls is so good for my soul :)

Enjoy your weekend

TTFN xxx