Scrap Pile.......................

October sketch

and my example

Head on over to Scrap Pile and check out the other October challenges.

Cheers................................Leanne

Forgot..............

to upload some work in recent months :-(
 Scrap Pile June Sketch

   

 

Scrap Pile July Technique ~ Rubons

Scrap Pile August Sketch

And a couple of just because layouts.

That's all for now
Cheers...............................Leanne

Finally...........................

I have scrapped again. I have been totally devoid of scrapping motivation in the past couple of months, but today was the day. I finished three layouts for Scrap Pile and have ordered some more goodies.
The layouts below feature Lily Bee Design papers:

I have also set the September Technique challenge at Scrap Pile ~ create a layout using altered chipboard. Check out my examples HERE.

That's all for now, but it sure feels good to have scrapped again :-)

cheers....................................Leanne

May Inspiration Challenge........................

at Scrap Pile is all about Mothers to celebrate Mothers Day. The challenge is to create a layout that celebrates motherhood. This may be Mothers Day photos, a proud mummy moment etc. I have scrapped last years Mothers Day photos ~ terrible blurry photos, but they were the only ones of breakfast in bed that we had, and despite being blurry, the memories are preserved. 

 Happy Mothers Day to all the mums out there. Hope you were spoilt.


Cheers...................................Leanne

Miracles do happen...........................

it's been over a month, but I have scrapped and I ENJOYED it!!! Was beginning to think my scrapping days were over, but in the past few days the desire to scrap has returned. I have completed my latest assignment for Scrap Pile using a Bo Bunny Timepiece and a selection of Graphic 45 papers, as well as a couple of just because layouts.
And the results:

It's good to be back on the horse...............................

Cheers..........................Leanne

New Residents.............................

It has been 12 months since DS really started banging on about getting a pet lizard, and now we have not one but two!!!!
"Henry" and "Lawson" have come to live with us, so named after their scientific name of Pogona Henry Lawsoni.
Never thought I would find reptiles endearing but these little critters are huge time wasters and I spend almost as much time looking at and talking to them as I do the dogs ~ think I've gone a little bit balmy!!! Anyway here they are: 

DS thinks they are adorable and spends hours with them and we have the lizard Taj Mahal in the games room.

Cheers...........................Leanne

April Sketch Challenge...............................

over at Scrap Pile is my responsibility this month.
So the sketch:

and my layout using up some older stash:

The twist is to use a textile or haberdashery item on the layout.

Cheers...................................Leanne

Oooooooops........................................

what happened to the rest of February and March?????? Feels like i have just blinked and now it is April although it has been mighty busy at work with a VET audit pending. Only one more week and I will be on holidays ~ woohoo looking forward to that and I only have a few minor work tasks to complete.
Whilst I haven't been very creative on the scrapping front (mojo is awol at the moment) I have been playing around with a couple of bears. Think I am ready to start making them again ~ on my terms this time though, not to order and not to a schedule. Here are a couple of photos of the most recent creations:

Will be heading down to the Central Coast for a workshop that I have been booked into since the Xmas holidays. The workshops are organised by Sherry Mendoza of Your Creative Journey. The workshop is a mixed media canvas with international artist Nathalie Kalbach.
Not much else planned, maybe some shopping. Have promised DS we will go investigating lizard habitats ~ I've caved and said he can have a pet lizard. Need to apply for my reptile license (didn't see that one coming!!!) this week.

Anyhow, need to get off here and get the sketch challenge for Scrap Pile sorted.......................

Cheers.................................Leanne

More Layouts...........................

somehow in the business of Christmas and the holidays I forgot to load these layouts. The first was my example for the December sketch challenge at Scrap Pile and the second was for the January Inspiration challenge also at Scrap Pile:

Okay, off to bed I've had a big day and lots to achieve tomorrow.................................

Love Scrappin' Layouts.............

the DT challenge at Love Scrappin this month was to create Christmas themed layouts and to feature a paper techinque. I had the gorgeous Pink Paislee Christmas collection to work with and the images just screamed to be cut out so my paper technique was fussy cutting.
And the results:

Head on over the Love Scrappin blog and check out the paper tips.

Cheers for now.......................................Leanne

Back at Work......................

for one week and my blogging has gone to hell in a handbag!! Note to self ~ get that fixed!! Work has been OK despite a heatwave since Australia Day where the daytime temps haven't dropped below 39C and the overnight low has been 28C. A cool change expected late tomorrow afternoon and then down to 26C on Monday ~ bring it on. Given the recent catastrophic weather conditions and resulting damage and loss of life in QLD, I'm not complaining , just making note.
On the scrapping front I am in charge of the Sketch Challenge over at Scrap Pile this month:

and my example layout:

Off to draw up plans for the completion of our landscaping......................

Cheers...................................Leanne

Happy days .....................................

WOOHOO ~ this was just delivered to my place:

2011 Honda Accord..........................

Chat later I'm taking her for a spin..............................

Cheers......................................Leanne

Mmmmmmmmmmm...............

I'd like to say I've been busy and that's why this poor blog has been neglected, but I can't!! I am however very rested and have caught up on all the trashy day time TV that I miss when I'm at work. The past week has been busy though. DP's daughter came to visit from NZ so we did some nice things:
Monday ~ sightseeing in Sydney, including lunch at the Sydney Tower revolving restaurant
Wednesday ~ retail therapy at Charlestown Square and Westfield Kotara
Friday ~ Waterpark and beach (beach was amazingly GOOD)
Saturday ~ out for dinner
Sunday ~ more retail therapy
The visit went well and some questions answered.
DS came home from his trip to Perth with his Dad.
Needless to say I didn't have much opportunity to do any crafting, but I did finish some DT layouts for Scrap Pile:

I had the pleasure of working with the gorgeous Bo Bunny Noel papers and embellishments.

Have been experiencing a yearning for more tactile crafting of late, and as much as I've tried I just can't get into my teddy bears again, so I'm looking at some new options for creative expression...................

Cheers..........................Leanne

Loving..............................

Etsy!! I have bought a few items from Etsy (I could buy a few items everyday - there are so many gorgeous items on there - my favourites list grows everyday!!) ~ some mini canvases and a couple of necklaces ~ one for my Mum for Xmas that she absolutely loved.
Yesterday I ordered a variation of this from the Etsy store Shabby Chic Designs

 I am only having the long bar, pearl and gem. My 2011 word "Balance" will be stamped on the bar. Should be here in 2-3 weeks.

Cheers.............................Leanne

One Little Word.........................

In the vein of Ali Edwards and her One Little Word concept I have decided my word for 2011 is

 BALANCE

In particular I need to regain a work / life balance. 

In 2010 work took priority and even though my hours of work are 8.20am - 3pm I was regularly at work by 7.30am and often not leaving until 5.30pm-6pm. That has to stop in 2011.

There will be new challenges in 2011, but those challenges need to be met during working hours.

So that is my resolve

Cheers......................................Leanne

Goodbye 2010, Hello 2011..................

We had a lovely New Years gathering here last night with the neighbours ~ oh, how nice it is to have neighbours we want to socialise with!! Had planned to have a big night, but 1 cocktail and 2 red wines later, it was rather tame, but I am thankful for that today.
2010 seemed to disappear in the blink of an eye, but on reflection it has been a massive year for me and us. Our year in review:

January ~Happy 9th birthday

April ~ Easter Bunny arrived and we arrived at a major decision ~ to sell up and move out of town. Real Estate agent contacted, house listed.

May ~ the Masterchef phenoenom hit our house and Riley developed an interest in cooking ~ and it has continued.

June ~ this gorgeous creature joined our family. A rescue dog from the RSPCA. Tammy is delightful and an amazing dog.

July ~ we moved from here...........................

to here................. 2 gorgeous acres, 10 minutes from town. Sheer heaven on earth!!

September ~ Riley and I went off to his first school camp ~ happy days

and we had two camping trips to Riverwood Downs ~ more happy days

October ~ we visited these ~ woohoo

and this. Two amazing weeks in Egypt ~ priceless

November ~ Ummmmm what happened?? How did this amazing, beautiful girl get all growed up??? Off to her first formal, and clever too, scooped the pool at presentation day. WTG Meggy!!

December ~ Newcastle Bikers Charity Toy Ride

and my beautiful friend Kay retires. Happy Retirement Kay, sure will be different without you.

Christmas Delight

 Only a snippet of what has transpired in the last 12 months. My work has now become a career again with a clear path to promotion. Beginning in 2010 as the co-ordinator of a major program, my role is being expanded in 2011, with a pay rise, and a new challenge. On a personal note I reconcilled with my grandmother after 9 years. A highly emotional time, but a step I am so thankful I took. I can never get those 9 years back, but I can make the most of what time is left. My greatest regret is that she doesn't really know Riley and that is a tragedy, I'll always have my memories and those who meddled can never take those away.

So all that is left to say is goodbye 2010 and hello 2011

Cheers.............................Leanne