Seconds, Minutes, Hours

*june & july*

June has been a much better month for me, a big thank you to everyone who dropped me an email...this was again a super busy month, I had ours & the company's tax to prepare, but I don't want to talk about that! While I have been busy with work & other stuff, I've  been taking a step back from the whole scrapbooking thing,  basically keeping up with my commitments with Shop & Crop.  While it has been nice to  take a break, I'm now itching to get back into the piles of photos that are mounting up. This is what I've been creating recently...

*I also had to update my computer, which was great as it is so much faster, but moving all my photos & doc's etc....has been the biggest pain EVER.

*On the home front we finally able to fill up one of our empty rooms with a new couch & TV, so our house isn't looking as bare as it was...

*I was also able to catch up with a friend and take some photos of her spunky little Zac man, check him out! he is just sooooo sweet...

*We have had snow in Ballarat and I didn't take any pictures, I'm now regretting that decision, well it wasn't actually a decision, it just sort of never happened! too be honest I've barely taken any photos at all! very slack...very slack...

*We visited the wildlife park in Ballarat over the school holidays and it was heaps of fun, we went with one of Chloe's friends family and I actually grabbed some photos this is one of my fav's even though it is a bit blurry, the look on Owen face cracks me up...

* Adele my bestest friend came to visit during the holidays and stayed a couple of nights, she is learning face painting and to my children's delight Adele painted their faces. the kids got along great and we all had heaps of fun laughing and talking, talking & laughing...I actually think our girls talked as much as us! this photo makes me smile as both Adele & I would love the girls to become as good as friends as what we are...

* I also over the school holidays drove to Warnambool for the the Kids Festival they hold every year, we stayed two nights and spent one whole day doing nothing but children's activities! and needless to say the kids thought it was great, and I must admit it was a pretty good setup

* July was a Harry Potter month for me, I seen the new movie twice, reread the Half Blood Prince to make sure I was ready for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, which for me was no disappointment, I picked up the book at little after 9:01am after standing in the line at BigW and I finished the book at 1:45am Sunday!?! I simply could not put it down. The kids must have picked up on my love for Harry Potter, as they brought me the DVD's for my birthday:)

See once I get started I can't stop:)

anyway thanks for stopping by my blog...hopefully I can keep it up...*fiona*

*dead plant*

Well I would have to say that this sums up may for me!?! I'm really looking forward to moving on to June, although that is normally such a crap month too, with all the tax doc that need to be sorted & prepared!

Don't get me wrong there has been some good stuff too..however I seem to have just have a  bad month...I feel as though everyone & every thing is running ahead and I'm running after everything trying to play catch up, I fix one problem and then there is another! I can't find any balance at all...and I started so well...anyway, moving on, at least my kids are happy & healthy...i must be doing something right?? Here is too next month..a new & fresh month....*fiona*

*fun....real fun*

That was our Easter...we were so creative:) I spent heaps of time with kids just doing stuff like sewing, baking & craft. Of course it all started with the bunnies found at Fiona's blog. Chloe was stoked with her bunny, she couldn't wait to finish it off the following day, hence the pj photo. Making those bunnies is very addictive, I had to make one too & it was hard just to stop at one! Once we were finished with the bunnies we moved onto working with clay and in between time, coloring & cut out pages printed from the net! I had a sewing bug...something I've not had since starting scrapbooking! I once use to sew to early hours of the morning making beautiful creations, mainly for Chloe, so with that fresh in my mind it was off to lincraft to make a new fairy dress for Chloe, she a concert/play to go to see with one of her friends from school. I think I had actually forgotten to sew!?! I was much slower than I remember, however come the day of the concert, Chloe was shimming & sparkling in a brand new creation...LOL...

We also entertained quite a few nights, I didn't realize have much fun I could have cooking up a storm in the kitchen, I guess having the room & a new kitchen helped! plus listening to the conversations flying across the dinner table was quite lovely...I wish had grabbed photos of all the muffins, biscuits & desserts I made, I even managed to impress myself...LOL... Also some exciting news on the scrapbooking front:) Sasha asked me to do an online class...I was very happy to say the least:) all the details can be find Here and a little sneak peak... and well that all for me now, hope everyone is having a good weekend...*fiona*

*april already*

it's hard to believe that Easter is almost here? My last year with my sweet little Owen is closing in. I thought at first I totally LOVED the idea that Owen was going to school next year, now however, I'm starting to feel really sad, I guess must Mums feel the same...

The Kids are all Easter at the moment, they are playing Easter Bunny games, counting down the days & planning how many chocolates the Bunny we bring, it is quite cute:) Owen also had his Easter Hat Parade at Kinder last week, sooo cute...

Last Saturday we visited my Uncle & Aunt for a small party that they had, totally *ace* day...My Aunt & Uncle hired a small farm for the kids & it was a blast:) so much so that Chloe is going to have that for her birthday party this year, needless to say that we could end up having a lot of kids!?! sharing a few photos from the day...

Lastly my *April Sketch* is up at Shop & Crop, so why not try your luck at a $15 store voucher, here is my version of the sketch... plus soon we are starting a new challenge, which will be run by Julie, Kylie & Jeni, it's a great challenge...for all the details check out the Message Board...

Until when ever...have a safe & Happy Easter...*fiona*

*I'm back*

Well so much for balance....everything here is just totally out of control...I'm almost scared to say that I believe I'm catching up:)

hmmm...what's been happening?? Chloe is having trouble with her Maths at School which is really hard to believe@!?! we are going to school earlier every morning for special classes to see if that can help her out, I was so upset when I was first notified but I now seem to be less stressed about the whole situation! At least she healthy & happy, I must be ding some things right...

Owen has settled in to Kinder soooo well I'm still in shock, I do however believe it something to do with his new friend Lachie, it is nice to think that when I drop him off int he morning he is not going to be crying...

Last weekend Chloe & I went shopping together, as Owen was at a birthday party, it was really nice just her & I spending time together...Anyway we found this little sewing machine! I can't tell you how cute it is...so we brought it...LOL Andrew said he didn't know who was more happier Chloe or I, so my little peach & I have been spending heaps of time together sewing up a storm. Here is a photo... How cute is that machine??

WE have also been to a family reunion for Andrew..I wasn't very keen on going to tell you the truth, but we had a great weekend & Andrew's family were super nice! I have a photo to share of Chloe & her cousin Natasha, they actually go to the same school and while they are not best of friends, they look out for one other & Chloe tells me that when Tash sees her at school she says "hello, Cousin" and then they giggle...girls!?! When I look at the photo I can't help but think they look  alike & I've never notice it before?? Opps wrong image this is the layout I did for Carolyn at Shop & Crop...thanks again Caz, it was heaps of fun...now for that photo:)

Since I'm on the subject...There is heaps to do at Shop & Crop if you like a challenge, first we have my sketch challenge & now we are running a Survivor Challenge, there are plenty of prizes up for grabs, so what are you waiting for??...plus Sasha has all the yummy fancy pants CHA goodies in store..I was lucky enough to receive the Girls 8 x 8 chipboard box album..here is what I created...

Next...Man, this must be one of my biggest posts...I wanted to say a REALLY big congrats Chris who not only has made the Aussie Scrap Source DT, but the Junkitz DT as well..;plus the very lovely Jaimie has also made the Aussie Scrap Source DT... WTG guys:)

...well I think that is just about it for me...hope everyone is having a *fab* weekend...

*fiona*

*school & kinder*

And so in a flash it's time to go back to school and kinder!?! Both the kids have been really tired, Owen is enjoying his kinder & Chloe is taking a bit of time to settle back into things, especially things like the reader when she gets home, however I'm sure that she will be ok in a week or so!?! Just a couple of photos to share, Owen didn't want his photo taken & Chloe was a little over the whole thing as well...I think she said some thing like this "Mummy DO you ALWAYS have to take photos"...& I think my response went something like this..."yes I do & you might appreciate what I do one day".... So while I'm sort of on this subject, I just need to share that I'm trying really hard this year to find some balance...sometimes it is just really hard to fit everything into your life...motherhood, being a wife, a sister, a daughter, a friend, work...the list just goes on....but creating is important to me, I feel more complete...somehow?? Anyway enough babble...on to the Art Journal, man, I'm having heaps of fun:) Finally I have caught up, cause I was WAY behind...You will notice that mine are not playing cards, I've decided that my 4 x 4 scraps will be OK, so here are mine up to Week 5....enjoy what's left of the week;)

*art journal*

I'm joining emily in her art journal challenge...every week she is going to give out a different prompt and you just create your thoughts on a deck of cards, sounds cool don't you think?? I'm not sure about the deck of cards, cause they are soooo rectangle!?! But I thought I might give my 4 x 4 scraps of paper a go...Jaimie is joining in as well in fact it was her idea, plus I think I've convinced Mel to join too:) I'm off to the Freestyle tour in April, I wasn't nearly going to go, freestyle isn't exactly 'me' but [I know this sounds a little odd] the classes sounded so good & I had so much fun last year...The down side is it will be a flying visit, I'll get there friday morning and leave saturday afternoon, not enough time to catch up with everyone, but that time will have to do:)

I've been busy creating again this week, finally finished the SM product challenge, plus my I did a layout for Shop & Crop our theme was what we like about being an Aussie....here is my layout...the rest of the teams can be viewed here and they are so *stunning*.. Jaimie and Maree had the product showcase of the Heidi Swapp clocks, and of course their layouts are *divine*...Plus it was my turn for the crop kit, and let me tell you it was beautifully put together & very easy to use you can see a sneak peek here and yes that is BG you can see, but thats all I'm saying!?!

If you haven't noticed I've had a change of banners, man did I have fun doing this one...I actually felt like I could throw the computer out the window, but instead I rang my trusty friend Mel, not once but twice! and she worked me through my issues so  big, huge thanks:)

The kids are into going for a walk/ride with their Dad after dinner, so I'll leave you with some photos, of our sweet little darlings...*fiona*

*best fun holiday*

We have had the best time in the school days this year [and it's not finished] a little busy but really fun:) We spent 2 weeks in Apollo Bay, camping in our *new* but old caravan....The first night we stayed in the Van, Owen said to Andrew & I..."I don't like my room, I'm scared, can I sleep in your room" Andrew & I laughed and said Man, dude, it's just one BIG room...We visited the beach each day, Andrew tried has hand at Surfing something he has been talking about for ages, he also went diving and caught some crayfish....I picked up a book for the first in ages!?! Both Andrew's brother & sister came to stay, the kids adore, Aunt Dan, Uncle Craig & Laura, so they spent heaps of time with them. We all didn't want the holiday to finish, however with our new house we still had some unpacking to do & what not, so home we came home:(.A few of fav photos to share... Once we were home, there was heaps to catch up on, Mum needed me to take her to the airport and I caught up with Mel for a scrap... Celeste & the girls dropped in for a visit & a coffee, plus last Thurs I finally had the chance to meet Chris after emailing for so long,I dragged Mel along for he day and her sweet little darlings:) we totally had a great chat and we also meet Shirley & Michelle too, it was a very scrappy meet....LOL Mel & I then dragged ourselves off to The Paper 2 shop, let me tell you it was a loooooong drive and I'm not sure who was more tired us or the kids!?! but I'm glad we went, it has been something we have talking about for ages!

I've been bust scrapping too...a few projects for Shop & Crop, if you get the chance drop in & check out some of the things happening...Karen has started this really cool thread on photoshop effects and I for one am learning a few tricks;) Plus Julie is starting another game of Bingo soon and I have some exciting stuff starting soon as does Jeni! so stayed tuned for more info...Plus if that's not enough...check out this! Yes they are the *new* Ki stamps, I must admit that I went a little silly, but just have a look at them...LOL, BUT wait there's more....the pet shop & wild range...I know couldn't resit so here is the wild I grabbed..I simply CAN NOT wait to try out the stamps, however I'm being a good , I'll finish this product Challenge from SM, and I'm so going to use them....LOL here are my projects the first was a fashion inspiration piece and the other was my BTP project... Ok I think that just about covers LOTS! But just one more thing...Julie is helping out with a REALLY worthy cause, so please take the time to check out her blog & help out if you can:)

*fiona*

*New House*

Man....we are here:) Finally our new house:)...It's totally not finished...no curtains, no driveway, no fences, not cleaned and we have trouble with our Internet connection, I've been off line for what seems like FOREVER!?!, however I just LOVE our new house...it's so beautiful, I keep pinching myself, to make sure is real:)  And I have my own ROOM, a place for all my scrapping stuff....I think this is a dream....lol, plus I have those cute little lights that hang over your kitchen bench:)

Anyway enough about the house...My friend Celeste has made the front cover of this months Scrapbook Creations, I was soooo very excited to share her joy...[if are reading this thank you for ringing me]...

OK now some scrapping stuff....Big congrats to Kylie and Libby, on becoming Master's:)  and also congrats to Mel and Celeste on their HM's, very disappointed that these guys didn't become Master's as they inspire every day with their *stunning* work...and also Big Congrats to all the other Masters and HM's:) I can't wait too really have a good look at all the beautiful work....and lastly just sharing some photos of my stuff from the Master's .....*fiona*

Chloe has been doing Ballet none since May, I haven't always approved, however it was something she really wanted to do! Well her concert was on Sunday and I was so proud, I cried!?! Seeing up on stage must have been to much for me....LOL  So anyway sharing a photo, I too was a little freaked out over the amount of make they wear, Chloe thought she was beautiful:) and she was but I don't think the make up had anything to do with that:)

*fiona*