Christmas Eve Madness!!!

I'm finishing work today at midday and Abbey will be with my in laws so I'm going to use that time to quickly (and I say that in the hope I can somehow defeat all odds and get in and out) pick up a few fresh food items to do us a couple of days as well as stop at the local BWS to get some vouchers for friends that have very generously helped us over the last couple of months looking after Abbey of an afternoon since I went back to work and then....wait for it....I'm officially finished with Christmas shopping!!!!!!!!! YAYYYYYY

We have presents hidden everywhere....tonight once Abbey goes to bed we'll be putting things together and wrapping whilst having a very quiet drink with some friends.

I'm so knackered, I can't wait for 10 days off :)

If I don't get another chance to post ....Merry Christmas from my family to yours. 

May your day be filled with those you care most about, I know mine will!!!!!!!!!

could this be our christmas card for 2010??

would you look at that beautifully blurred tree in the background!?!?!?!?  I have to say I'm not overly fond of the pic of Abbey (sshhh she's in her PJ's) but that background, LOVE IT!!!

busy busy busy!!!

The weeks are just flying by with work, Christmas shopping and spending time with my family.  Abbey has been booked out for the last 3 weekends.  She loves being invited over to put up everyone's Christmas trees.  Week 1 was our own tree, last week it was Aunty's (my Aunt, her great Aunt and godmother) and today it was Nanny and Poppy's tree.  Every year they invite all the grandkids over for a fun filled couple of hours of Christmas tree prep and fun in the sun.  Normally we hang around and watch but Hayles and I left the daddies with the kids decided to take the opportunity to get some more Chrissy shopping done without the kids....bliss!!

I'll leave you with a couple of Chrissy pics I've taken this weekend.  Trying to choose one for our Christmas cards is hard work when you love them all!!

look at all those presents!!!!  Shame none of them are for the little elf hiding among them!

Hopefully I'll get some scrapping done soon...I miss it!!

Shell x

Grandparents Day

What a treat for Abbey this year to have both Nanny and Poppy at school for Grandparent's Day to have a look around her class room, check out some of her work and to participate in games and other things they had set up for the Grandparents. 

Here's my layout... created at the Storyboard Crop last Friday night - I've used the November Sketch from Anna's Craft Cupboard again.  Love this sketch!

It's the little things like hanging out with your Nanny and Poppy that create the best memories.  Whether it be at a function like Grandparent's Day or just getting stuck into Poppy's special ice-cream when we visit ....always lots of fun!!!

TFL, Shell xx

Go Dragons!

Last Friday night was the first crop night hosted by Lisa Warren of Storyboard kits.  Lisa started Storyboard Kits 6 months ago and has already gathered a huge following from local girls as well as girls from all over the country.  It was really lovely to meet up with quite a few of the Storyboard shoppers on Friday night.  We chatted and enjoyed the bliss that is scrapping without husbands or children.  I did 2 and a half layouts (the half is still a half, will hopefully get it finished this weekend).  Here is my first layout of the night.

I love these pics of Daniel and Abbey enjoying what is one of the best feelings...your footy team winning a grand final!!!

Hopefully I'll have time to share the other layout a little later this week.  Christmas is just around the corner and I really need to get organised.  That means not a lot of scrapping for me :(

hope you're all enjoying the approach of Christmas :)

Shell x

Anna's Craft Cupboard

I love a good sketch and Wendy always seems to get my mojo going with the sketches she does for Anna's Craft Cupboard!  This was another layout completed at my Scrappy day with Hayles last weekend.

I've used a mix of a couple of kits from Storyboard for this layout as well as some old October Afternoon embellishments.  I'm really happy with the way it turned out.

TFL, Shell x

White with 1

I had a fab scrappy afternoon/evening with Hayles over the weekend.  I did this layout for the White with 1 challenge which was to use White with Yellow and to journal directly onto the layout without the use of journal blocks/cards. 

I've used an IB sketch for this layout....love the way it turned out!!

TFL, Shell x

A Sad Week

This past week has been a long and sad one.. as we waited with anticipation to see if all 29 miners were rescued we heard the sad news that another explosion had gone off and there would be no survivors.  A few hours afterward I saw this little Facebook and thought I'd upload it for those that may not have seen it.

The church bells rang 29 times so we knew it was final & the end of the line. Now 29 miners are at heaven's gate with coal silt dirty faces asking "Is it to late?" When God replies with a grin "No my children come on in!" They place their mining lights gently on heaven's floor then God said "Job well done. leave your boots at the door" R.I.P GUYS. xx

I come from a family of underground coal miners.  A few years ago we lost my uncle to a mining accident and my grandfather was lucky to have only lost a finger rather than his life in a mining accident and both of my brothers and my step father are underground coal miners.  Every time something like this happens I think of the men in my family that have suffered injury or worse because of their job and thank my lucky stars that my brothers and step father are safe.  Spare a thought for those families left behind from this disaster and others like it....these men were just doing their jobs!!!

no scrapping

Since I started working full time scrapbooking has taken a back seat.  The only way I can see me getting any done right now is if I take it to work and scrap in my lunch break but I don't fancy beetroot juice or drinks being splattered on my layouts as I'm working on them. 

Working full time has been great so far, I am really enjoying it, the girls at work are wonderful and it's really nice to get out of the house every day and get dressed up, put on some heals, being able to read for a full hour in my lunch break every day and to top it off, earning some money.  That part is certainly going to help at Christmas time!! 

Our Christmas holidays to Melbourne have had to be cancelled due to work commitments but we're planning a wonderful family holiday for mid next year and we're all really looking forward to that.

I went to a book club meeting last night for the first time in 6 months and had a really fun night.  It was great catching up with all the girls again and I look forward to reading all our wonderful book choices for next year.  We meet at the Lagoon Seafood Restaurant and every time I'm there I have the most beautiful vege stack....I know it's a seafood restaurant but give me char grilled eggplant and zucchini with a sprinkle of cracked pepper any day of the week and I'm happy :)

Right now I'm reading



I'm only up to page 12 but the story has me hooked so far and I can't wait for my lunch hour to read some more of it.

Hope you're all having a great week :)

Shell x

I finished this book yesterday

Call Me Elizabeth: Wife, Mother, Escort by Dawn Annandale


My rating: 5 of 5 stars


loved it!!!!




View all my reviews

Layla Jane

here is my gorgeous new cousin.....how cute is she!!

We have a new baby in the family....

... my cousin delivered a little girl this afternoon, Layla Jane, 7lb 4oz.  I have no pics of the bubs but thought I might share with you all some pics of the belly.  Aren't these pregnancy pics just gorgeous!!?!!

Will share some pics of the new bubs soon.  I can't wait to meet her tomorrow.

congrats guys xoxo

Yesterday...

....we spent the afternoon/evening with Damo, Hayles and the kids.  I didn't actually realise how much time we spend together or talk on the phone to each other until they went away for a week, we missed them so much!  They got home last night and Abbey was absolutely BUSTING to go and play with her cousins. 

While we were there Hayles and I got to talking about how Nate really is looking so much like a little boy now...not a baby anymore and when I got home and went through my photos I found this one.  I couldn't believe how much he has changed recently and what a little heart breaker he'll be in a few years time.

I'm sure you'll agree he's absolutely adorable!!

Hayles, I hope you like this pic, I'll print a copy up for you through the week.

Shell x

My first attempt at Vintage!

I've been putting this off for a while now but I couldn't put it off any longer.  This layout HAD to be vintage. 

It took me hours - it was so far out of my comfort zone I can't even begin to explain and I don't even want to get into the mess I made on my study/scrap room floor from all that distressing.  It took me ages to clean it up too lol

This layout is for the Number challenge at Challenge Heaven. 
Head over and check out the rest of the entries here.
With 7 great prizes to be won this month, you'd be crazy not to put an entry in.  It's a random draw so give it a go!

TFL,
Shell x

Cover Girl

This layout is for the Song Challenge at Challenge Heaven this month. 

This was a fun one to do, I had so many cool songs going through my head but none of them seem to fit these photos so in the end I chose a song by New Kids on the Block called Cover Girl....I know NKOTB would have to be one of the daggiest 'boy' bands of the 80's but this title just fit!

Why don't you give this challenge a go?  Head over to the Forum and check out the criteria. 

All prizes are randomly drawn.  You gotta be in it to win it!

TFL, Shell x

A new look....

for my blog.

What do you think?

I LOVE IT!!!


(thought I might put a pic of what it looks like right now.  It might be interesting to look back on, who knows how many blog make overs I'll do between now and the end of my blogging days!)

Kraft it Up

I loved the challenge this month at Kraft it Up and knew what I was going to do as soon as I saw it. 

I took these pics of Abbey on our recent trip to Taronga Zoo.  She hadn't been on a ferry before and was really excited her first time and was a typical tourist....couldn't stop taking photos of the gorgeous sites.

TFL,
Shell x

Halloween 2010

This year was the first year of actually celebrating Halloween.  Abbey dressed in her witch outfit and we painted her face green and off we went for an afternoon of Trick or Treating with her cousins.  They came home with a full bag of lollies and chocolate each and were so happy we couldn't wipe the smiles from their scary little faces. 

This layout is for the colour challenge at Challenge Heaven this month to use Halloween colours on your layout....it doesn't have to be a Halloween layout though....check out the gallery to see what everyone has done.
TFL,
Shell x

Nicknames

The Theme challenge at Challenge Heaven this month is Nicknames.  Most of us have had at least 1 in our lives and if you're anything like me, your children have had many over the years but right now, Abbey's nickname is Abbsy Dabs.  It all started when Poppy nicknamed her 'Abbey-Dabby-Doo' and it kind of rubbed off on me and then it just got too long to say so now I call her Abbsy Dabs.  Not flattering, not sweet and probably sounds pretty awful but she loves it and that's all that matters.

 Come join in at Challenge Heaven and tell us about yours or your kids nicknames.

 TFL,
Shell x

my little cutie

Abbey had her Hip Hop and Broadway dance recital this morning.  Her and her little group did a fantastic job.  We're so proud!!

Here she is all dressed and ready to go...what a funky little monkey she is, that hat is so cute!

Hope you're all having a great day

Shell x

The Last One

Here is my last and 8th layout using the October Storyboard Kit.  This kit has kept me occupied all month.  I loved the colours and everything about this kit and I wanted to use every single thing I got in it.  I made the flower with a purple paper doiley and the paper ribbon that came with the kit.  I painted the ribbon in that lime green colour as well as the scrapware frame.  I've used no patterned paper on this layout at all but I love the way it turned out!!

This was a lift of Kim Arnold's DT layout. 

The new Storyboard Kit will be released on Monday 1st November at 6pm.  Be ready at 6pm or you might miss out!!

TFL,
Shell x

My 7th layout

I managed to add a doiley and a piece of cardstock to my storyboard kit left overs and created a 7th layout!  This is a lift of a layout Storyboard DT memberTatum did.  LOVE the purple doiley on the black background and the pp's matched perfectly with this photo of Abbey's 7th birthday party. 

Oh how much my girl has changed and grown up in 1 year!

It's a gorgeous Saturday here, we're off to the shops to get a couple of birthday presents and the exciting task of buying new summer sheets.  I'll have to stop for a coffee along the way.  Have a great weekend.
Shell x

1 Happy Family

I have created yet another layout with my October Storyboard Kit.  This didn't exactly turn out the way i had it in my head but it's growing on me.  I keep thinking of things to do but then in the end I think, leave it, no one is going to care in 50 years when I'm no longer here.  All they will care about is the photo and the journaling.  This photo was taken at Abbey's 8th birthday dinner.  It was an important time in our lives, we celebrated our gorgeous daughter's birthday and in doing so were reminded that no matter what drama is going on around us, Abbey is the most important thing and we are 1 happy family!!!

TFL,
Shell x

Mission Day 2010

Today is Mission day at Abbey's school and the kids had to dress as if they were students of Mary Mackillop.  It took me a few days and 2different secpnd hand shops to find all the bits and pieces I needed to create an outfit for her.  She was so pleased with the end result!

Here she is with her brown (ladies size 10 skirt with 20 safety pins in it) skirt, white cheesecloth blouse (that was originally a dress that has been cut off) , calico shawl (that was originally a curtain) and plaits with cute little martha stewart ribbon bows

At assembly this morning the kids were all so happy to see the teachers had also dressed up and they had to march into class rather than walk - complete with marching music!  It was all very cute.

They will have lots of games and things today pretending they are living in the 1800's.  They even have to write with their right hand which is going to be quite difficult for Abbey being a lefty!!

Hope she has an really fun day.
Shell x

Our Girly Days

This layout is a scraplift of this layout by Lisa Warren.  I loved the way she used all of these pp's together and seeing as I have the same kit I thought I'd give it a shot.  It's slightly different....I have a CS base but other than that and the trim, it's pretty much the same.  Thanks Lis for the constant inspiration you give me, I love the way this layout turned out!!

I got 6 layouts out of the Storyboard Kit this month.!  I have a few bits and pieces left, with the addition of a piece of CS I could probably get a 7th I reckon ...that's value!!  I can't wait to get my hands on the November kit, it will be released on Monday.  Head over and check out the site and ask for a subscription so you don't miss out!!

TFL, Shell x

Hi Ho Hi Ho....

..... off to work I go!



Wish me luck everyone. 

Hope you all have a great day

Shell xx

My name is Michelle and I have an addiction.....

to McCafe cappuccinos. 

I'm quite fussy though, it's gotta be a tall skinny decaf cap, 1/4 strength and I savour every drop!!  My addiction has now rubbed off onto Daniel as well, as soon as I leave the house these days I get a text message or a phone call asking me to bring a coffee home.  I think it may be time to invest in our own machine - this addiction is more expensive than scrapbooking!

what are you addicted to - other than scrapbooking products??

First time Published :)

I couldn't wait to get my hands on Scrapbooking Memories magazine this month, as it was my first time published but I don't think anyone was as excited as my girl.  Seeing her own face staring back at her from a magazine page was such a thrill!!

We're both so proud!!
Hope you're having a fab Saturday.  It's gorgeous weather here and we're off for a swim :)
Shell x

On a go slow....

I have exceeded my internet downloads this month which means I'm down to the slowest of slow....dial up speed, hence my lack of blogging and commenting on blogs.  My internet is back up to full speed on the 25th so I'll be back then.

Amazingly, my housework is up to date, I have no ironing to be done, the washing basket is empty and I've cooked lots of lovely meals and I've been on the treadmill every day.  Interesting to see how much can get done when you don't have the internet to distract you!! hhmmmmm

Do you want to win....

...lots of Imaginisce goodies???  Of course you do!! 

Head over to Sam's blog and check out this post to be in the running.  You'd be crazy not to!

lots of emotion....

This past couple of weeks have been emotional for me.  I was so pleased to get a new job after having 6 months off I was ready to re-enter the work force and start contributing again at home (other than the cooking, cleaning, shopping etc) and then it hit me....for 4 months I'M GOING BACK TO FULL TIME WORK!!

All the coordination that full time work involves is really difficult and to try to arrange sitters/after school care etc without my little girl missing out on the after school activites she loves so much can cause a mum to go a little crazy!! 

I'm going to miss hanging out with this funny little munchkin every afternoon. 

Shell x

A fun day

yesterday was spent celebrating the upcoming birth of my cousin April's first baby.  Doesn't she look wonderful!!

We played fun games, ate glorious food and had a nice girly day together....all 22 of us :)  I won a bottle of Champagne and Abbey was the cutest little helper ever.  It was her job to take the orders for tea and coffee and tick them off as they were done.  My Nanna paid her $5 for the day, how cute!

Can't wait until this little bundle is here.  We haven't had a baby in the family (local) since Abbey was born, lots of cuddles for me!  Tell me....when your adult cousin has a baby, do you become a cousin to the baby or an aunt?

Shell x

The Circle of Life...

is the song I chose for this months song challenge at Challenge Heaven.  The challenge is to use a song from a kids movie and to put buttons on your layout.  I took this photo before I remembered about the button criteria so now I have to find a place to pop one....oops, I best pop one right in the middle of that big gorgeous flower.  Anyhoo, here's the layout.  Quite a good title I thought seeing as it's a photo of the 4 generations of women in my side of the family.  My Nanna (Margaret), my Mum (Joanne Margaret), me (Michelle Margaret)...see a trend here?? and Abbey JADE!  The trend stopped with Abbey. 

Once again I have used the October Storyboard Kit for this layout but this time I haven't added anything (I don't think).  pop over and get one, I think there a still a couple left....better be quick though!!

TFL, Shell x

This makes me smile

This is my take on the Word Challenge at Challenge Heaven.  I've used the October Storyboard Kit for this layout and added a couple of embellies from my stash.  This is my second layout from this kit with still plenty more left over to create a couple more layouts.

Thanks for stopping by.  Head over and join in the challenges at Challenge Heaven for your chance to win 1 of 7 vouchers up for grabs this month.
Shell x

She is ....

so special to me.  This is my BFF's Teenage daughter.  Isn't she just the prettiest girl!?!?  look at those cute freckles sprinkled across her gorgeous face.  I love this girl like my own daughter, I care for her so much and have an uncontrollable instinct to protect her. I cry with her when she's sad and get cranky at her when she's naughty  - I love her to bits!!!

I started this layout a month or so ago but just hadn't decided where I was going with my title.  I have now decided and here it is. 



I have used last months Storyboard Kit for this one. I have added a scrapware butterfly and the green alphas but other than that, I think the rest is the kit. Gorgeous colours!!


Today is really funny weather.  Windy, overcast/sometimes sunny with the threat of rain once again.  Abbey is doing some painting so I might take the opportunity to scrap another layout.

TFL, Shell x

WOW, That Cake!!

This is my take on the Theme Challenge at Challenge Heaven for this month.  The theme was an easy one...Birthdays with the criteria being to use a pic with a cake in it....I've got plenty of those to scrap!!

This one is of Abbey's recent birthday dinner with DH's side of the family and a couple friends.  My very talented SIL made this cake for Abbey and what a fab cake it was too.  Shame it took her about 5 goes to get it just right!!

I have used an old IB sketch for this challenge along with some of the Delovely range of papers I've had here for ages and finally have used up some more of them.  Embellies from Storyboard Kits.

TFL, Shell x

My Husband was so happy yesterday!!!!!

His beloved St George Illawarra Dragons won the NRL Grand Final against the Rooster 32-8 in a great game of footy!!!

I think everyone that lives in the Illawarra was happy with the scoreboard and the way the boys played yesterday.  The weather was terrible yesterday so we stayed at home to watch the game and had a really fun afternoon.  Abbey was so funny with her red t-shirt on, asking me to put a white V on her shirt - even though it's supposed to be a white shirt with the big red V lol.

Hope you all cheered on the Dragons with us :)

Challenge Heaven October Sketch

For the October Challenge Heaven sketch I've used the Dennison kit from Storyboard Kits.  I'm not normally a 'purple' person at all but this purple background paper from Bo Bunny range is so pretty and everything from this Kit went perfectly with these photos of my Aunty with her birthday lamington.

head over to the site and check out the sketch, upload for your chance to win a fab prize from one of the 7 sponsors!!

Hope you're having a fab Sunday on this long weekend,
Shell x

Oh what a night!!

This morning I woke up at 7.30 wondering where the heck I was...I stayed at my brothers new place last night on a very uncomfortable air matress that had a slow leak so in actual fact...i slept on the floor and to top it off, I packed everything except pj's so I had to wear nathans clothes to bed....talk about reliving my early 20's lol

I can't even put into words how much fun I had last night. Meeting up with old school buddies was wonderful as was watching Australias greatest pub band at my old local haunt....waking up with that stamp on my arm made me giggle, and hanging out with my little brother was priceless. LOVED IT!
 

Today I am feeling tired and a little under the weather (a few too many drinks) so we're having a PJ day and about to watch a movie.

Hope you're all having a good day :)
Shell xx

Love ya like a sister.

I love the way this layout turned out.  This is a Wendy Smith sketch from Anna's Craft Cupboard from a couple months ago and I've used this sketch before but when you're using std 4x6 size pics this sketch perfect!

I have used mainly items from my Storyboard Kit as well as a couple other items from my own stash. 
TFL,
Shell xx

Taronga Zoo

We had such a fun day today at Taronga Zoo.  The baby elephant put a show on for us in the water, the chimps were hilarious and the giraffes and seals were amazing!  This was Abbey's first time at Taronga zoo and I'm so pleased I waited until now so she could really appreciate it.  She was smiling the whole day and didn't complain once about the heat or the amount of walking we had to do.  Getting such a big girl now!!

Here are a couple of pics of our day - non edited so the quality/colours are not great but you get the idea.  I took so many pics my memory card was full and Abbey took almost 200 on her camera....typical tourists!

TFL....can't wait to go through all the photos and work out which ones I'm going to scrap first.  I can see a massive order of new patterned paper and thickers being put in very soon!!

OK, time for bed....need to rest this weary head.
Shell x

My Little Witchy Poo

A couple weeks ago was book week and Abbey's school had a book week dress up day.  Abbey was so torn between The Wicked Witch of the West and Where's Wally but as you can see....the witch was the winner!

She LOVED dressing up with green face paint etc (I'm yet to journal on this layout) and she felt so pleased with end result - nothing like a $4 jar of facepaint to put a smile on your daughters face !!

This layout is for the Number Challenge at Challenge Heaven this month using up some of my very old Jillibean Soup papers and threw in a little old basic grey as well.  Gotta love using up your scraps!!

TFL,
Shell x

Lil' Heart Breaker

I LOVE how this layout turned out.  They are photos I took of Abbey on Monday when we took a trip to Kiama and as soon as I saw them I knew I had to print them straight away and do a layout, she looked so very pretty standing there watching the ocean - I especially love how the wind is blowing her hair around....this girl is gonna be a heart breaker!!

For this layout I used the latest Storyboard Kit as well as one of the Storyboard Sketches.  I had no glimmermist in a colour to match the layout so dragged out the paint and splattered it on my layout, on my shirt, on my dining table - you name it, it was splattered.  I also used this layout for the Word challenge over at Challenge Heaven.  This month the word is "Heart".

TFL,

Shell x

Step by Step

I can't remember which sketch I used for this one....it may have been creative scrappers!?  Anyway, it worked perfectly with this layout, I'm so happy with how it turned out.

A few of you asked if I made the flower on my last layout.  Yes, I used this punch

and I layered the flower using some dimensional dots.....easy peasy!

TFL,
Shell x