Bag Swap tease 2

(Evil Grin)

Oh I am having so much fun doing this bag!

Retreat Layouts part 2

The last and final layout from the retreat - hope to scrap a bit more often at home. This was when we went to Melbourne for a weekend. I really did not want to be doing a layout of each little event. This way I can have all the memories scrapped with out the extra work. There is journaling around the sides...

(Blushing here)

I have been awarded two blog awards - I am so new to blogging and feel humble. I knew bogging would be so good but it has been even better than I thought. BUT where do all these lovely bloggers have the time to look at so many amazing blogs! Seriously blogging has to a craft of its own LOL.

Maree from On My Verandah has nominated me for Glenice Weblog Award. Thank you Maree : )



Now I have to nominate seven blogs I enjoy reading - this was hard - I read a lot of blogs! (NOT in any order!).

1. Jo in Tas - Jo got me started in blogging
2. Hop Skip Jump - a good read when she gets time to blog!
3. Maria at Sew love to sew - a new blog friend
4. The Stitching Room - a lot of fun
5. All Stitched Up - swaps and swaps and more swaps
6. Aunties Quaint Quilts - Tassie blogger - woo hoo
7. Helena at Syverkstan - another new blogging friend


Helen from Hugs n Kisses nominated me for



Now I have to nominate seven blogs for this!!!! Again in no order : )

1. Smitten Kitchen - recepies to die for!
2. L'Atelier Perdu de Nataliejo - her work is AMAZING
3. Lynette Anderson - Just delicious work
4. Leannes House - love her style
5. Moonstitches - something different
6. A Spoonful of Sugar - yummy blog
7. Loobylu - a good read and lots of fun

Oh yes and Farmyard Crafts is having a give away if anyone wants to have a go!

Retreat Layouts Part 1

As promised I am sharing the layouts I did at Kylies Scrapgirls Retreat...

We were given a challenge. I LIKE challenges : ). We were given 45 minutes to complete a layout from start to finish. I had NO idea how long I actually spend on a layout. They would call out 30 minutes, 20, 15, 10. When they said 15 I was like OH MY GOSH. It took me by surprise. I had actually scraped a solid 45 minutes on this layout and under pressure. I don't IRL have time to spend 45 minutes doing a layout! They were judged and the winner received a $25 gift voucher from the shop. I WON!!!! I bought myself x2 clear stamp sets and an embellishment.



This one took me a LONG time to put together - I had been putting this in the to hard basket for months. I was so proud when I did finish because
1. I used what I had and did not buy anything
2. I completed it!!!!





We were also given a challenge pack of papers etc. The colour suited the colour in Oliver's hair so I gave it a go. I also submitted it into the challenge layout competition. There were only two of us using this kit and I lost (lol). BUT I felt like I had won - I used what I had and I had completed it.

What made me smile ... day seven

Ahhh the last 'What makes me smile' post.

I have no photo - I know shame!

After mumbling and moaning about walking the dogs - I did. It was early am. The sun was rising, the birds were chirping and boys riding their bikes. The scenery was beautiful. No one NO CAMERA but the dogs and us.

I hope you all found something that made you smile and thank you for reading ; )

What made me smile ... day six

I am involved in a choir for disadvantaged people. I don't sing, instead I help in the catering and social side. It is the thing I do to give back to the community. Tonight we had a social night for them all and it had an African theme. This gorgeous man came and gave us a WOW of a show with his traditional drum. You could see the delight in his face when he got really loud (lol). His muscles rippled with the energy and demand of the drum (hope my hubby does not read this!). A group of us could not help ourselves and danced to the rhythm. Good for the soul stuff.

What makes me smile.... day five

This made me giggle for a few hours. The girls (including Jo) and I went to see Mamma Mia at the Cinemas. Not any Cinemas - we went to GOLD Class Cinemas - very plush chairs (which lift your feet and go way back) and people serving you goodies any time of the movie, blankets, pillows etc etc. This is a sneak peak... I was so close to dancing in the aisle - Melo said I was not allowed to sing aloud unless I knew the song lyrics so I behaved (grin).

What makes me smile.... day four

I finished my Lynette Anderson Stitchery! My lovely 86 year old neighbour said he will make me a frame to put it in to hang - I am so lucky! Christine how is your going?

What makes me smile... day three

This was at my front door early this am...



Look Jo! Our books arrived - WOO HOO. I promise no to open yours (or even have a peak - promise) and will bring them Friday.



I am off to read in front of the fire tonight. Hope you all are keeping warm.

What makes me smile... day two

After I sent last nights post I was sitting in front of the fire enjoying the warmth- I decided it had to be added to today's post...



But this is what made me smile this am (besides seeing my boys coming into bed for a morning cuddle)



Apple and Yogurt muffins. They are for my youngest sons morning tea stall today. They are doing an enquiry about food - where it comes from and how it gets to us and how shops operate etc. So they are running their own stall of goodies to sell. Money they raise will go to a charity or the Quaker service. I find it difficult to keep up with all the 'expectations' I have of myself as a mother of boys going to school (you know canteen duty, food choices, parent help, excursions, gatherings, violin lessons, reader books etc etc etc). But I managed to make these and do it properly - and that was really satisfying.

Things that make me smile... day one

I discovered this blog - not sure how... A Spoonful of Sugar asked... what made you smile today? This is what made me smile the next morning on my return home.



It is the first crop since we have moved here. When our dogs had access to the vegie patch it never survived. Now they are sectioned away from the patch I have been eagerly watching the 'babies' grow. With the rising cost of food I have decided we need to take growing our own food more seriously then we have in the past. So we have planted lots of fruit trees and got this vegetable patch going. We hope to do another one in the front this spring.

I have decided I will do a photo of what made me smile everyday for a week. Do you think you are up to this? If you are let me know! I would love to see what made you smile.