Me and Mine...

Moving LOL

2006-11-20T21:44:00.000+11:00

We're moving.. over to Squarespace..

Here's the new addy, visit me there!

http://www.rachaelscholz.squarespace.com

Eidted this post as I am a dick and had the link above linking back to here for a few days!! PMSL

Rach xx

Freestyle Week LOL!

2006-11-19T19:59:00.000+11:00

This weekend I've had the luxury of scrapping up a storm!! B has been occupied all weekend by my nephew Josh so it gave me a great opportunity to get stuck into my pile of deadlines. Never be disillusioned that DT gigs aren't hard work LOL they are! But so rewarding at the same time!!!!! I'm feelin' a bit Freestyle today, almost every layout I have to share is in a 'freestyle' sorta feel.. probably because I had a fair few rounds of Elsie Challenges to catch up at Embellished LOL it has been fun though I must say! Doing something different.. sorta like scrapping different photos for a change, it was inspiring! LOL

This layout Dream the Impossible is for an Elsie Challenge at Embellished, the challenge was to customise a ribbon border. I went all out on the Elsie LOL and even doodled! I love the vibrance of the lime green and aqua on this one, ofset with the touches of red. And the quote OMG I love that quote! hehe

Those pics were taken on the foreshore at Williamstown. Pretty much my first real opportunity to try out the 400D when I first got it. The pics of the LOs aren't that great so it doesn't show how great the pics actually are! LOL

The next layout using the scrumptious Crate Paper Cowgirl Collection at Scraptacular, is one about the very special Suse from EB. Have met Susan a few times now and even had a sleep over with her and Jen at her house PMSL She's a good chick and I will miss her when she moves up to Sydney in a month. Love how the LO flows around the flower. Thats one from the Fancy Pants Big Boards chipboard packs - love those! Really happy with how that LO came out even though it sorta ended up with an 'anything' title LOL The title I intended on calling it wouldn't fit so I ended up just using a HS silhouette word 'US'... lol

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!! Blogger won't upload anymore photos LOL so I will try again later.... had lots to show too!!

Rach xx

Amandas Challenge

2006-11-17T21:45:00.000+11:00

What do you know? LOL Here I am again! On a blogging roll PMSL !!!

The girls on EB have been setting little blog challenges LOL Mel kicked it off, and Amanda posted another one.

This is what it's call about:

Ok girls i have a new blog challenge up.

Take it if you dare

Name (or link in) a song to you blog that you consider 'sexy' (makes you want to dance or feel kinda naughty )

Cant wait to see what you all pick LOL

So in true EB tradition here is my song.. PMSL

Music Video Codes - MySpace Codes - Funny Videos

I'm trying to scrap, but I also wanted to remember to do this LOL

Hope to have something new to show by next post!

Rach xx

One of those days...

2006-11-15T13:20:00.000+11:00

Well, its official.. I'm over it!

Everything.. life in general..

Over the 'rat race' which is the reality of my life.

Sorry for the sad post girls.. I'm not one to normally right these posts, venting yes LOL, but sad no... but I am really feeling low today and I needed to get that out!

DISCLAIMER: This will sound like a very weird post to some... and some will understand it LOL Sorry to those that don't understand it.. in time I will explain.

On a brighter note:

A very Happy Birthday to the boss lady "Miss Ali" LOL Hope you have a fabbo day darl.. make it special!

Thats enough for know.. maybe come back later..

Rach xx

Two posts in one day! Give the girl a medal LMAO

2006-11-13T00:53:00.000+11:00

Just coming in for a bit of a toot! How embarassing!! LOL

But I have a LO in SC this month and it's very cool cause i got a whole page!! Colours are a bit paler than IRL but it's there!!!! LOL

Thats all - better go to bed :O

Rach xx

Fell off the Blog Wagon LOL

2006-11-08T23:21:00.000+11:00

I did....

Sorry! Contemplated giving this whole blogging idea the arse.. but here I am... LOL again.. I'm a sucker for things like this..

Here's some things that have happened since I last posted:

- I did a Guest DT role for Michelle at Sissey Kits. This fabulous new monthly subscription kit company is great, she has all the latest stuff in her kits at an affordable price. They will keep you creating for ages. A big thanks to Michelle for this wonderful opportunity :) Check her out here

- Bella turned TWO! The big 2!! I can't believe it's been two years since I had her.. Has lots of attitude which I'm right into LOL She just pushes my buttons sometimes! She is getting quite funny.. laughs at herself and crazy stuff like that. Funny fish LOL

- I have had NO news from Scrapbooking Memories about the Masters!! LOL I appreciate everyone asking but I really have no idea... if I knew I would tell you.. I wish I knew!!!!!

- Met the lovely Susan from EB at the Dylan Hartung Fundraiser, had a fab day, lots of prizes, comps and stuff to be won. Raised a fantastic amount of money for this adorable little boy, a great job done by the organisers. The lovely Ruey and Michelle were there too. A funny... Angela Warren (Lime Tart DT) scrapper extroidannaire... LOL was at the Dylan day.. read on for how much we see each other over the next 10 days by pure co-incidence..

- Had a Sensational at Scraptacular.. what a blast! LOL These girls are fun fun fun!! Got a crappy LO done and started another - but that was all from me. More fluffing! I'm terrible..

- Finished Mum's website! Yeaahaaaa!! That's all I'll say about that Mum has made me sick with "How's that web goin?" LOL

- Heres some LOs I did this weekend.. most using the lovely MME Bohemian PPs - I am officially IN LOVE with this range!! To die for! The boys are Jack & Luke, the lovely Susan's boys.. hope you like it Suse :)

The last LO is the sketch challenge from EBs Cyber Crop!!

Promise to blog more PMSL...

Rach xx

Happy Birthday to ya!!!

2006-10-13T08:25:00.000+10:00

It's my beautiful friend Amandas birthday today!!! So a big Happy Birthday to her!

Hope you have a beautiful day chick. You're a gorgeous person and deserve a lovely day. I really appreciate your help, love and support over the last couple of months. With any luck we may just get to meet IRL in a few months. Finger crossed anyway LOL Thankyou for being the beautiful person that you are! *mwah mwah*

Be back later with more..

Rach xx

I'm a lucky girl!!!!

2006-10-09T10:40:00.000+10:00

Well what a week!

I am a lucky girl. I am indeed. With all the crap stuff thats been happening in my life, I am so excited to report some good stuff! Lots of it in fact!!

{ Scraptacular Design Team }

Jodie asked me to join the DT late last week whilst I was at the shop! Yeeha! I am in the company of some very very talented scrappers like Kim Ogden, Kerry O'Toole and Claire Daly! And thats just the beginning, there are more girls to come yet! So I am soo stoked about this you have no idea! AND the fact they've wanted me for a while and have been waiting for the 'right time' to ask (with all my private life crap) makes me feel soooo wanted! What a beautiful feeling! So thanks Jodie and the girls, I really appreciate the offer!!!

{ Guest DT Spot }

I have also been lucky enough to be invited to do a Guest DT spot with a new site that is being launched later this month! Will give you more info on that as it gets closer to the date! Lots of yummy products to worth with though, I will say that much!

{ New baby - Canon 400D }

Yes! I've joined the world of SLR!!!!

I got myself a Canon 400D Twin Lens Kit yesterday!!!! Whoooooooooohooo! It's black and its a beauty! LOL

Anyone with one that has any hot tips, please leave me a comment! Especially you Clair LOL

As soon as I get using it, indeed I will be showing off some pics! hehe

{ Scrapbook Creations }

Was lucky enough to get not one, but two emails from SC on Friday for acceptance of two layouts! Rapt indeed LOL

One is my Me page that I did for Embellished and the other an A-Z Competition Layout! LOL

So in the scrapping world, things are FANTASTIC!

Will update again soon about me and B LOL

Rach xx

Would this bring your mojo back? LMAO

2006-10-05T09:53:00.000+10:00

So heres the full review!

2006-10-04T09:43:00.000+10:00

Heres a detailed run down of the weekend!! Feel free to not read the post if you're not interested, cause it's a long one! LOL

{ Friday }

Finished work at 3pm and had to run down to Scraptacular to get some more supplies for the classes (which I ended up not doing LMAO). Also got some photos printed, bought some sharpies (to alter my crocs) and get some creative juice (Jim Beam in my case hehe) and stuff like that..

When I got to where we were staying the scrap room was packed full just about!! My roomy Mish was already in there and she very graciously came up to the room to say hello. So I unloaded all my shit (which was nothing in comparison to some - Kimmy/Mish/Kerry LOL) and we joined everyone in the rooms.

Then it was a quick trip over the road to get some take away for tea and some more creative juice (sensing a pattern here ladies?? LOL).

The scrap room was fabulous (and very crowded). Nearly everything was pink!! Kerry made a cute little Scraptacular mascot a little bunny and all the lollies were pink, pink EVERYTHING! So anyway, Friday night consisted of lots of fluffing and not much scrapping. But lots of chatting, drinking and smoking LMAO Kim Ogden, Kerry O'Toole, Michelle Staffieri, Allie and Shazza (hello Mavis!) are some of the funniest chicks I've had the pleasure of meeting in my whole life! We were STARVING by the time 11pm rolled around and do you think we could get a pizza delivered BY ANYONE? I think not LOL So we gave up trying to order at about 1am. Chatted some more and hi the sack at 3am but Shell and I chatted to about 4am LOL

{ Saturday }

Up and am em early for breaky at 9am. Can you believe that? Then another quick trip to the shop for more supplies (not me this time - Shell). And to get some pink supplies for our Saturday night outfits!!

There was a class Saturday, but I didn't do it LOL Just some more fluffing and chatting hehe. It was Debs birthday too, so some Happy Birthday Deb's were happening LOL Her gorgeous son bought some flowers into a room filled with scrappers for her too - how sweet of him!

We did have a visit from the Police too (Shells DH is a copper and he organised some officers to bring down MORE supplies LOL). So we got lots of great pics with them and the cop car, even with the little mascot in there! LOL Don't have those pics to show yet though - as soon as I do I will!

I did alter my crocs on Saturday though and did a LO which took ALL DAY to do.. it wasn't actually finished until about 10pm that night! LMAO

6pm rolled around and it was time to get ready!! So off we went to our rooms to get kitted up! Then down to the restaurant for dinner. If I may say so myself we all looked fabulous! Everyone put in an amazing effort to get 'pinked up'. Well done ladies! Shell won the 'Think Pink' dress up comp and she was one of my favs, along with Adrienne - sexy baby!! LOL

We didn't spend long in the restaurant, and to be honest, I wasn't a fan of the food! I even spelt "pizza" and "shit" with my beans LMAO The potatoes tasted soooooooo waterlogged, like they'd been sitting in a pot of water all day! So as soon as we got back to the scrap room Shell, Kim, Kerry and myself ordered pizza! Yummo!!!!!!!!!!

We did some Karaoke which was a LAUGH and a half! Some of the groups were even clever enough to turn the lyrics in scrap related ones, which was VERY funny! Was hard seperating Allie and Glitz from the microphone at stages, but fun nevertheless! PMSL

As some of the ladies went to bed, the room got louder (how does that work?) and Shell began prank calling Allie and Kate's (Gemma/Emma LOL) friends. Some weird and wonderful phonecalls were taking place believe me!

When the drunks (PMSL) got themselves off to bed, Shazza and I began our deep and meaningful (this started at about 3am). So we didn't get ourselves to bed until, wait for it, 6am!!!!!!!!!!!!! Are we crazy??

{ Sunday }

Well couldn't get myself up too early LOL So it was about 10am. Down to the scrap room we went (Shell & I) and lets just say there were some sad and sorry faces down there! LOL As the day went on, us drunks picked up and there were lots and fun and games. We played bingo, had a silent auction, etc, etc. There was also a class, which I started LOL but didn't (and still haven't) finished. My defence is I used a different sized photo and it still needs a little tweeking...

Packing up all the crap was a nightmare! Shell isn't the most organised person so there was stuff EVERYWHERE! Took a good hour and a half to pack up. But all worth the weekend for sure!!

We packed up the car, said our goodbyes and all promised to get to crops more often to catch up! LOL

It was a fabulous weekend and Jodie and her team did an amazing job! What a big job it would've been for them all! So hats off to you ladies!! Especially you Sares, you poor thing (she had a whole family sick with gastro including herself - so had to leave early).

Whoah that was a mammoth post! Thanks for reading if you've got this far!!

Rach xx

I'm Baaaaaaaaaaaaack! LOL

2006-10-02T16:48:00.000+10:00

What a weekend! The Scraptacular Weekend away was friggin amazing, awesome, excellent!

I am soooo stuffed today - recovery is happening so slowly LOL

So I'm not going to do a run down today, I'll try to do it tomorrow. I will say that I had an absolute scream, some of the Mavis' (just the 'ladies' for the non-scraptacular girls - everyone is named Mavis hehe) are sooooooo precious, lots of 'creative juice' was consumed, plenty of laughs, prizes and long time friendships created!! The only thing I didn't do alot of was scrap! Kim and I spent alot of time 'fluffing' along with other girls. Sleeping - didnt get alot of that either.

Will leave two pics for you to squizz at until I have enough energy to do the 'weekend in review' post! Kim took the group one (and I just pinched it off the Scraptacular site LOL) and the other is a pic of my 'altered' crocs! (I won the comp LOL)

Catch you all soon once I've recovered!

Rach xx

Goodbye for now! hehe

2006-09-29T14:13:00.000+10:00

Well girls I am off!

Heading of to the Scraptacular Retreat and just quietly, I CANNOT WAIT! LOL

This is what its all about:

http://www.scraptacular.com.au/webcontent20.htm

Still haven't finished my homework, so I better get to it or I'll never get there!

Bye girls! Have a great weekend!

Fill you in as soon as I get back, will have some wacko pics to share I think! PMSL

Rach xx

Layout Share!

2006-09-26T15:23:00.000+10:00

So I've obviously been scrapping LOL Here's my latest:

Glorious Golden Leaves is the new MM Cheeky range, thats a LO I did for the Embellished CC, the other one I wasn't that happy with so won't show it here LOL

Ain't no Other Man: That was a LO I did for Embellished's DT Challenges. This month's was use song lyrics in your title. I quite like this one LOL It's a little funky!

Sweet Memories: This LO was done using the new BG LilyKate PP. Its just a cute, simple one. But I LOVE that pic of B!

Star: This LO was going to be called "You've got soul" LOL Dunno why I went with star in the end, seemed fitting with the design I guess!

Pure Innocence: This ones a double using the bright and colourful BG Gypsy/Romani range! This range is to die for I just love love love it!

Really happy with how this one turned out..

Theres a bit of Nicole Rayner inspired 3Ding on this one!

It's been a while! Sorry!

2006-09-26T14:08:00.000+10:00

Well girls it has been a while! I know someone is checking to see if I've posted cause I've had 100 hits in a week! LOL

So to all you girls I apologise!

{ Where have I been? }

There's lots, too much happening in my life ATM. Some of which I'm not ready to blog about yet. But the time will come, and I'll fill you all in. Everyone is A-OK and just fine so please don't start worrying about us when you read this post! We're fine!

Before I change topics, I do want to thank some very important people in my life. Ones that make bad days easier. My rock Amanda. And some other very good friends Kays, Mel and Ali - I don't know what I would do without you girls, you mean the world to me, so thanks! Now thats enough of that mushy stuff LOL.

{ Embellished Idol! }

Embellished Idol is now in full swing! With over 50 contenstants registering this was sure to be an amazing competition! And that it has been! Round one entries are coming in thick and fast, and whooooah! the talent in there is AMAZING! I can't imagine how we are going to shorten the list for the next round! Thank God it's not my decision and the members will all be voting (OK I do get a few votes LOL)... First round was "Vintage", again I have to say the entrants have done such a great job, the layouts are sooo diverse!

{ Embellished DT News! }

I got a huge pack of DT stuff in the mail last week off Ali, she is incredibly generous! Thanks again chick!! So I have been scrapping up a storm! I've done a LO for the Gypsy pack (Pure Innoncence) and a LO with the GinX stuff (Star) so far, but have got soooo many ideas running through my head!

I've done another two LOs with next months kit!! Which I am sooo happy with (just quietly LOL) but I can't show them yet!! So as soon as I can, you'll all be the first to see them! PMSL

So got lots to do, but as usual, no time, no time! LOL

{ Scraptacular Retreat }

Sooo looking forward to the Retreat this weekend! It's my first, so I really have no idea what I'm in for LOL Knowing Sares and the team down there, I'm in for a big weekend LMAO But anyone that knows me IRL knows I'm a 'refined' party animal anyway! PMSL

As usual with me, I leave things to the last minute, so I haven't even started my homework, nor have I organised my gear for the classes, bought my crocs OR organised anything for the 'think pink' dinner on Saturday night! Get your butt into gear Rach!!! LOL

{ Royal Melbourne Show }

Mum & I plan on taking B and Josh to the show on Thursday night.. always been a bit of a tradition to go every year with our mob. Well, Mum's always taken us as kids soo it seemed natural to get the whole thing happening with the grandkids LOL

Hopefully the weather holds out for us! More on that later in the week!!

Okies, well I best be off! Will be back shortly to do a post of my LOs I've done lately!

Bye! Rach xx

Tagged Again! LOL

2006-09-10T00:32:00.000+10:00

I've been tagged again! LOL This time by Kate Mason so I thought I'd better get it done LOL

So the rules of the first tag are: List 5 weird things about yourself or your pets. Tag 5 friends and list them. Then, those people need to write on their blogs about 5 weird things, and state the rules, and tag 5 more people. Dont forget to let the people you tag know by posting a comment on their blog!

Okies, so I will Tag: Amanda, Kim, Kaysie, Cat, Clair!

Weird things about me:

1. I don't eat fat, any fat LOL Or jelly, or custard, oysters - yuck! Basically anything with that 'jelly type' consitancy or slimy LOL, it makes me feel ill! PMSL

2. I hate having to close the back door at night LOL For some reason, DP has a habit of leaving it open and going to bed, then I'll go out the back to get some scrap stuff and see the door open.. then come the visions of the Grim Reaper waiting for me! PMSL

3. I can't drive the car without music! There MUST be music.. even if its totally crap and daggy... just gotta have some tunes!

4. When buying PP, I have to buy the whole PP range LOL I have this weird logic that its better to buy all of it, and not decide you need it when you get home.. when the LSS is likely to be closed and it's just extra petrol making the trip back now isn't it? LMAO

5. I can only wink with one eye... the other ones 'unco' and won't work!!

And the second tag is a bit more serious. Or supposed to be serious..

1. Which famous person would you most like to learn that you are descended from?

Hmm.. thats a hard one! Someone wealthy.. so I don't have a budget LOL I can buy one of everything and anything (oh hey, two of everything!).. who's filthy rich..? Trump! He'll do... LOL

2. Which famous person would you hate to learn that you are descended from?

At the moment.. don't know if she's classed as celebrity, I certainly don't put her in that basket, but Germaine Greer.. That woman doesn't know when to shut up... Or a politican.. anyone of them.. they all BORE ME TO TEARS!

3. If you could be ancestor to any living famous person, who would it be and why?

A sports person.. a very famous tennis player! Anyone will do (providing theyre not telling me how good the are every 5 minutes like some athletes Steffi Graf.. she was a great tennis player! Reason being, my grandparents had always wanted a tennis player in the family LOL Don't ask me why! PMSL

4. If you could go back in time and meet any known ancestor(s) of yours, who would it be?

My Opa (Grandfather in German).. there is soo much I wanted to tell him.. so much I had wished I said.. after he died unexpectedly. Would love another 24 hours with him!

Still haven't scrapped and it's now 1am Better get outta here!

Bye all! Rach xx

Update On B!

2006-09-10T00:20:00.000+10:00

Thanks girls for all your comments, messages, PMs and calls, it means so much to know that you all care about lil Miss B. We were lucky enough to catch this abcsess nice and early, so she just has to continue oral ABs for 10 days. Of course, like last time, she hated the drip, but at least this time it was only 24 hours. So all this means no surgery! Yay! That was soo hard last time..

Here we are a day later and she's as good as gold. Not complaining that it hurts or antyhing like that. Just back to her boistrous self!!! Yep nice and full on LOL

To see if we can shed any light on why these are re-occuring (doc says perhaps it could still be coincidence at this stage considering this is only the 2nd time - but 2 times to many for my liking!!) we will be have bloods done. All three of us, for the blood to be screened for all the nasties, both W & I may be carriers which therefore she has no immunity too.. but thats down the track.. we don't know if that is the case yet, so no point worrying at this stage.

So glad this sorted itself out quite easily, it was hard on us all last time :(

I still haven't got any scrapping done this weekend (unless scrap shopping counts LMAO), so best I get outta here and get my butt into gear..

Might be back with something to show...

Rach xx

Tagged LOL

2006-09-04T23:58:00.000+10:00

I was reading Amanda's blog and she answered this questionaire and then tagged anyone else who was reading it - so heres my answers LOL

A) Four jobs I have had in my life:

1. First job (very glamourous - I start at the top PMSL) checkout chick at Kmart
2. Checkout chick (it was my forte LOL) at a chemist during school holidays
3. Admin Trainee at International Glass (importing architectural glass - boring!)
4. Office Manager at RJP (the car repairer where I am now)

B) Four movies I could/would watch over and over:

Hmm.. dont watch alot of movies LOL Can I pass? hehe Um.. gosh this is hard..

Yep gotta pass here LOL, I'd be struggling to be able to tell you 4 I've watched in the last 5 years and that doesn't mean I'd watch them again! LMAO

C) Four places I have lived:

1. Altona North, Victoria
2. Werribee, Victoria
3. Endeavour Hills, Victoria
4. Noble Park, Victoria

D) Four TV shows I love to watch:

1. Big Brother
2. Australian Idol (sensing a pattern here? LOL)
3. The Contender (US reality TV boxing show - reality again LOL)
4. Neighbours (just to be different hehe)

E) Four places I have been on vacation:

1. Bali
2. Germany
3. Austria
4. Queensland

F) Four websites I visit daily:

1. Embellished
2. Essential Baby
3. Various blogs to catch up on goss!
4. Blogger (to blog or try too)

G) Four of my favourite foods:

1. Chocolate
2. Tuna, Lettuce and Onion Rolls with heaps of salt and pepper (PMSL)
3. Spaghetti Bolognese
4. Scampi (sorta half prawn half lobster if that makes ANY sense!)

H) Four places I would rather be right now:

1. Amanda's
2. Anywhere with summery weather
3. Asleep - way too many late nights!
4. Heidi Swapps scrap room (with full use of it of course)

I) Four friends I think will respond:

Cant say Amanda! Not fair! LOL And Ali and JulieH are busy!! Lucky chicks!

1. Kaysie
2. Ang
3. J2 Julie
4. Kelley

Okies, I'd better leave it at that - the house is asleep and I'm soooooooo tired LOL

Just a few hollers before I go:

- Amanda I will get onto that challenge tomorrow! Have fun skinny shopping! LOL
- Deb, hope Ari's had a safe trip home to Indonesia!!
- Kaysie, congrats on the 12 week mark, such an important milestone, enjoy the next few weeks!!

OK night all, Rach xx

Edited to add: Only 4 more sleeps until the Embellished Cyber Crop!! This Friday @ 7pm! Whooohoo! Hope to see all you girls there!

Happy Fathers Day!

2006-09-03T22:43:00.000+10:00

{ Fathers Day }

Well, it's that time of the year again! I just about let it pass me without even realising, not having a father all my life it's never been a date to remember!! (for those that didn't know - don't be sorry for me or anything, its OK I'm cool about it) Warrick really doesn't get into the hype of these sorts of days, just the way he was brought up, which I think is a shame really. I was bought up the complete opposite, where we always made a huge effort to make that persons day 'special' LOL. This morning W was up early with B and I slept in! LOL Hows that for a good Mummy making sure Daddy has a good day? PMSL He made ME bacon and eggs! LMAO B spent the day following W around and playing around together doing goofy stuff, they really are the cutest together! This bad scrapping Mummy didn't even make W a card! LMAO How bad is that? I brought one!! Ahh well, it wasn't about the card, it was all about the new Nikes he got LOL Men! B made him a lovely art portfolio she had put together at creche. They really are the best place! They do heaps of activities with the kids and always make really cool presents for the kids to give us Mothers Day, Fathers Day, Christmas, Easter..

{ Lazy Weekend }

Been really lazy this weekend LOL Haven't done much at all!

No scrapping anyway! Deplorable effort! Promise I'll fire up during the week LOL

{ New Look }

Thanks to Kaysie for helping me out with my banner! I asked her if she had time to do a two second favour for me this arvo, about three hours later PMSL she sends me this! And I love it!! I would've done it myself, but I forgot to bring the Photoshop disc home from work to install on my PC! LOL Must make a mental note to do that (ask me in six weeks - bet I still haven't bought the disc home LOL)

I spent hours and hours changing the look and adding the links, music and slide thingy, so I hope you like! Oh, and the every so clever Ali made that DT Blinkie in my sidebar, isn't it cute?

I better get myself off to bed, B has just woken for the second time tonight! Grr!

Edited to add: B's up so I can't take a pic of the art portfolio, will show you tomorrow!

Rach xx

Random Thoughts..

2006-09-02T21:31:00.000+10:00

{ Publication News }

More good news about this weeks acceptances as the talented Kelley Forrester and I are sharing a gallery! We both have LOs appearing in the "Art" call, and you know what, I think Dee does too! So a big congrats to you all!

{ Comments & The Good Girls }

A big hidy-ho to the good girls that confessed to reading this babble! PMSL So glad you read!! And to the naughty girls PMSL that don't leave a comment (I know who you are LMAO) I try to comment on everyones blogs that comments on mine as I appreciate it, but I'm just not as good at it as some of the pro's like Julie (J2) who comments nearly daily! Best comment leaver 2006 I say, puts my one comment a fortnight to shame! LMAO

{ The case of the missing two year old & her Grandma!! }

B had swimming this morning, MIL takes her. Generally, MIL comes and collects B and returns her sometime after swimming (sounds like I'm talking about a library book or something doesnt it? hehe). Today, it was pushing 3pm (like an hour or so later than usual) and still no MIL.. no B.. I was chatting to Mel at the time when I realised der! I'm using a dial up connection ATM until the new ADSL modem comes next week.. (better be here by cybercrop! :insert-watch-out-bigpond-emoticon here: lol) which means internet OR telephone, not both at once LOL They were probably trying to call! But I called and spoke to SIL, shes said she was bringing B home, but she was at the nursery with MIL and she was waiting for them to come home. Long story short LOL I told her I was connecting to the net (ie. no phone) and she said "OK see you when I get there".

Well! 5pm rolls around and my baby still isn't home! Where has MIL gone with her? To a flower nursery for 3 hours?!? Bit odd.. PMSL Turns out MIL came here to drop her off but I was out the back hanging out the washing! PMSL So she took B to BILs down the road (where Warrick was anyway). Found this out after I DISCONNECTED the net and called MILs..

Then MILs Partner (Pete) has the nerve to give me some attitude on the phone about it! Like I had left B at the shopping centre all alone or something?!?!?? Gosh those two have been shitting me lately! Anyways, thats another story in itself, better leave it there! Just had to get it out!! LOL

{ !!NEW!! Embellished Continual Swap }

Julie H (J1) has launched a new swap on Embellished, it's really cool. It's a continual swap. Someone starts with a pack, posts a pic, then someone claims it. That someone then puts together then own pack and 'offers it'. Someone claims it and they do the same, etc, etc. A really really cool and exiciting idea I think!! Last night I was in the forum at just the right time (for a change LOL) and Alice posted her offer! Whoohoo! My chance to offer a pack to someone (I've been looking foward to the chance since Jules first told the DT about it)! Alice offered a sticker pack which would be perfect for little Riana or one of the EB girls little girls! hehe My offer was a MME Kaleidescope II "Play" Pack!! Isn't it a cute pack? And guess who got it? The other Julie!! J2!! PMSL like 50 secs after I posted!! Can you believe that lightening fast reaction? Or was it chance! LOL Anyway Julie, I'll get that off to you Monday, can't wait to see what you create!! And always remember to check that part of the forum out girls, you'll never know what you might pick up!

Alrighty! Time to run.. I gotta go scrap! LOL The crazy woman starts at 10pm?!? LOL

Rach xx

ETA: Bloggers not co-operating! Grr! Can't post a pic of that pack, I will try again tomorrow!

Whoohoo! Another LO picked up!

2006-09-02T01:06:00.000+10:00

Yay! Got another layout picked up by Krys @ SM today, so that's two from her this week!! Fantastic, I'm soo stoked! I subbed a heap out this month, so it was good to get a few picked up. Lots of friends have had acceptances too with SM and SC so a huge congrats to you all, you know who you are!

So, fess up? Who's not leaving me comments?? LOL 50 views in one day and no comments?!? LOL How am I supposed to tell who was here? Oh too funny! The intrigue of the internet..

I've spent hours on this PC tonight, doing NOTHING! Very productive... However, it was fun having a chat to the girls tonight, looooove being able to chat to Amanda and Kays at home and Kim you CRACK ME UP! This woman is a total blast! PMSL

Not much happening around here this weekend I don't imagine. B has swimming Saturday morning (was about to say tomorrow, but its already 1am) with MIL. I think DP and I are doing the gorcery shopping whilst she's gone, so definately nothing special!! LOL

Hope to get some scrapping done tomorrow, we'll see if I can get something to show hey?

Take care all.. Rach xx

Dial up is painful!

2006-08-31T22:57:00.000+10:00

How painful is dial up??? Grrrr! I'm falling asleep in front of the PC waiting for this screen to load! PMSL

Just a randomish-nothing-much-to-say-type post - LMAO!!!!!!

Few things I'm looking forward to:

Scrapping with the new "MME Bohemian" stuff I scored from the very lovely Kim this week! The most beautiful PPs, rubons, tags, little cards, and the cutest little transperancy overlay I've ever seen! It was a lovely surprise to get in the mail! Thanks Kim, you're a real sweetie!
Catching up with Susan (from EB) for some chatting and some scrapping next weekend, and why not throw some scrap shopping in for good measure! LOL
The next Cybercrop on EMBELLISHED, next Friday, 8th September. It'll be my first one, so I'm really looking forward to it!
The Escape-tacular retreat (with my LSS Scraptacular) which is coming up in a month!!!!! Can hardly wait! Jodie and the girls are running some really cool comps which will be a huge laugh! Theres a 'Croc Comp' where we have to 'alter' a pair of Crocs shoes during the weekend, how cool does that sound? Doodle heaven LMAO! Theres also a 'pink' theme for Saturday nights dinner which is intresting, LOL, pinks definately not my colour! I'm going to go all out and make a complete dick of myself in a pink outfit and wig! LMAO!! Its going to be a DANGEROUS weekend! PMSL

Other than that not much to add! Work is really giving me the shits this week. I'm training a new girl and anyone who trains new employees (at any job - whatever it may be) knows what a hassle it is! I know everyone has to start somewhere, we're all new once and all that jazz, but I just wish it wasn't me doing the teaching this week LOL For some reason its really peeved me off! LOL

On that 'lovely' note LOL I'm off! Talk to you all tomorrow!

Rach xx

Layout Share

2006-08-30T15:51:00.000+10:00

These are the Layouts I did last weekend (just gone). How lazy am I? Its Wednesday and Im just posting them on the blog now! hehe But I have been busy so I do have an excuse!

Lots of things happening in the background at Embellished, exciting stuff, so I've had lots of organising to do, but I can't tell you about that just yet!

A few randowm thoughts:

- My chick Amanda is back! Yayyyyyyyyyyyyyy! Missed you badly! LOL
- The sex on legs Idol guy has a name "Dean Geyer" we can refer to him by his name now! LMAO

Thats all for now! Byyye! Rach xx

Loving these tunes!

2006-08-29T14:32:00.000+10:00

A silly post - PMSL - but just had to do it, Australian Idol inspired me I guess.. hehe

I am love love lovin "Wish I was a Punk Rocker (with flowers in my hair)" by Sandi Thom.. is anyone else lovin this??? The last girl on Idol sang it last night (the cute Heidi girl LOL)

Also loving "Unfaithful" by Rhianna, you know, the one that goes "I dont wanna do this anymore, I dont wanna be..... a murderer"

LOL Youre very lucky I'm typing those lyrics out, not singing them, PMSL, cause I can tell you now I am TERRIBLE!

Also loving my Pete Murray as usual, don't think I'll ever get over that sex on legs!

Oh, speaking of sex on legs, the South African boy on Idol is gonna go places! Big places!! Thats my hot prediction for this year! PMSL

Okies, better go...

Introducing...

2006-08-28T16:58:00.000+10:00

The newest additions to our family (no girls - not mine! LOL)

... Ben & Will...

aren't they just THE CUTEST!?!

That's all today LOL - I've scrapped over the weekend, my LOs are in my DT Gallery at Embellished...

What a week! Yay! The weekends here!

2006-08-25T15:47:00.000+10:00

Gosh what a week! And the good news keeps rolling in at Embellished, lots of fun things coming up and some awesome opportunities for me (but will tell you more about that soon - not just yet).

Plan to scrap up a storm again this weekend. I scrapped a little differently last weekend in an endeavour to get more LOs done (which actually worked LOL). So will try the new technique again this weekend and see if last weekends efforts were a fluke or not! hehe

My mum's coming over tonight, and bringing the boys, Josh & Jaxson (my nephews). B is just going to LOVE it, only trouble is they make a huge mess! LOL Get every single toy, book, everything (grrr!) in Bella's room and cover the whole floor with it... and generally leave it for me to clean up!

Other than that I don't have alot planned. Yay! LOL

Hope everyone has lovely weekends... will catch up with you all Monday!

Rach xx

What a HUGE few days!

2006-08-24T15:34:00.000+10:00

I've got sooo much to update on, its not funny!

{ Embellished DT Spot }

OK, so you girls have heard the good news about this. It's actually a little more exciting than you know LOL I will be involved alot with the Kit side of things. Ali is launching a new part of the Embellished site soon, where kits will be available. A huge range of prices and also OTP stuff! So this is a huge opportunity for me, I'm really looking forward to it!

I can't wait to start creating with the kits and getting to know the fellow DT girls better. I'm still in shock that I am on a team with such talented scrappers. I have Nicole Rayner on MSN!!!! How star struck am I? PMSL She's sooooo lovely!

So a huge thankyou for the lovely comments and encouragement you girls have left for me. It means alot to me, one day I may be able to express in words just how much! LOL

{ Latest Layouts }

In this post is a bunch of LOs I did over the weekend. Not too fond of the "Cutiepie You" one LOL I don't know, just doesn't work for me! LOL I love, love, love the "Summer Suits You" and am soooo happy that Scrapbooking Memories have picked it up for publication!! I also love the "Puppy Dog Eyes" one!

{ Publication Congrats }

Some of the girls I know have some awesome LOs in the current mags. A big congrats to all of you, but a special mention to my chick, Amanda, for her "Dream" LO in FK... looks fantastic, a whole page spread too! Awesome!

{ Blog Update }

I've decided its too much to do all at once, so I'll be doing it bit by bit over the next few days.. A new blog skin, a new banner, a hit counter and an updated blog roll! Thats the plan anyways!

{ Family Update }

Miss B is doing good, she's my little songbird at the moment. Always singing a tune (or mumbling one LMAO). And complete with hand actions too! Afterall, a song isnt a song without hand actions! Her favs ATM are Twinkle Twinkle, Row Row Row your boat, and don't know the name of the last one LOL It goes, I love you, you love me, we are friends as friends should be..... yada yada LOL

W is his same old self, all in all we're well, injury and sickness free for a change!

On Monday we had some new additions to the family! Twin boys! Benjamin and William, will show you pics as soon as I have some! Both healthy, one weighed 6pd the other 5pd 2oz!

Okies, thats all for me today, more tomorrow!

Rach xx

OMFG! Whooohooo!

2006-08-22T16:58:00.000+10:00

Finally I can write about this! (If only I had the time too PMSL)

On my way to the tax man, but just quickly:

I am a member of Embellished Scrapbook Shoppe Design Team!

Tell you more tomorrow, thats all I have time for!

Rach xx

Blogger finally co-operates!

2006-08-18T13:49:00.000+10:00

{ Play Centre Pics }

Well finally! Only taken a few days, but Mr Blogger is co-operating!

Here are some pics of the divine Miss B at the Buzy Kids Playcentre the other day. How small does B look in that HUGE Jumping Castle? LOL It was sooo nice to catch up with Shayla, we were busy chatting the whole time and the kids were soo good playing together!! I even managed to convert her into a scrapper! PMSL I offered to bring my albums along for her to have a squizz at, and she just loved them, oohing and aaahing at everything. I love seeing the excitement of a newbie scrapper, it all comes rushing back to when I started scrapping. The fantastic creative outlet it was and remains to be. What it has added to my life, the beautiful people I've met, the shopping, the creative 'buzz' you get, the list is endless. Scrapbooking has changed my life, thats for sure! Gee, I went off topic there didn't I (LMAO).

We got to the Playcentre at 10am and didn't leave until 2-3pm so it was a huge day! B was in bed by 6pm that night, and not a sound (aside from snoring) was heard from her until 7:30am the following morning!! Hows that for a sedative? PMSL

{ Publication Congrats }

Wanted to congratulate a few of the girls on their acceptances this week!!!! None in my mailbox BTW.. PMSL But Clair, Amanda, Dani, Anthea, Julie, Ali and Sarah have all had LOs picked up this week with various magazines! So you go girls!!!!!! Great stuff!

{ Embellished DT Call }

The Embellished DT call closed on Sunday. Believe it or not, it was a mad rush to finish the double in the end! LOL I'm really happy with my entries, the can be viewed in the DT Gallery if anyone that hasn't seen them wants a squizz.. LOL Apparently the shortlisted entrants will be notified by weeks end, and the two lucky girls announced on September 1st... Gosh I hate waiting... I'm such an impatient person! (So nothing personal if you read this Ali - hehe) So cross your fingers for me, I'd love the job! PMSL

{ Layout Share}

Because my latest stuff has been for Masters and DT calls, I don't seem to be showing much in here! Which is a real shame.. So, I do have a LO to share today! Yay! And I do plan to bombard you all with some more LOs Monday.. we'll see how we go!

I love this photo of Bella.. on the Perfection LO.. its simple.. but exactly what I wanted!

{ JonBenet Ramsay }

I can't believe they have a new suspect in this case, almost 10 years on. I remember this story, it affected me deeply when she was found that Xmas, I was only 16 at the time, so Im not entirely sure why, not a Maternal thing I guess is what I'm trying to say. The thing that gets me now, is that poor Patsy lost her fight to cancer this year.. So she will never have the opportunity to see this man pay for what he did to her darling little girl. On one token though, they are re-united in heaven at least. May you both be at peace now.

{ Child Free Evening }

I am having a B Free Night tonight! hehe Little Miss starts her swimming lessons with MIL tomorrow, and she loves having B overnight at any opportunity that arises, so shes having her tonight.. no reason really LOL I plan to scrap scrap scrap! DP better not foil my plans - I'll kill him! LMAO!

{ Nanny / Bella Thursday Night }

My mum comes over every Thursday night, she lives about an hour away. B really looks forward to it, its the only day of the week I think she REALLY knows LOL My Mum, just like most Nannies, is hot on the "spoiling idea", so B gets lots of new presents everytime she comes over.. Last night we needed to get B some new bathers, but Nanny couldn't resist buying some extra things (Grrr!) so we came home with a new outfit from Pumpkin Patch and a new Einsten Caterpillar which sings "Twinkle Twinkle" (her fav song) and counts to ten! Heres some pics...

I'd better go now, if you've got this far you most certainly deserve a reward of some kind!! PMSL

Have a great weekend all, especially the lucky ducks that have gone to Kiwi Scraps!

Rach xx

Weekend Round Up

2006-08-14T16:42:00.000+10:00

What a weekend! Busy Bella had me running all over town! hehe

We had a fabulous time at the Playcentre! We were there for just about six hours, can you believe that? Got heaps of pics of B playing which was awesome.. wanted to show you a few but Blogger isn't co-operating! LOL

Will be back tomorrow with a better update and pics!

Rach xx

Whatcha doing this weekend huh?

2006-08-11T16:49:00.000+10:00

So whats everyone up to? hehe Whatever you are all doing, I hope its lots of fun and relaxing, just as weekend activities should be (but never are in my neck of the woods LOL).

I've got a little bit on, but not alot LOL Just plan to scrap scrap scrap! Which I haven't been able to this week as I've felt so damn sick. No doubt W will have 800 household duties listed just to spoil my plans! Hmm, men!

I've gotta get these DT projects done for Embellished.. they're due on Sunday, so I've got the double LO and the single 'Me' LO to go... have a few ideas for the Me page actually.. I've thought alot about 'Me' style pages for my BOM (Book of Me) that we're running with EB, although I still haven't done a BOM page yet!! Naughty naughty! LOL So it's given me lots of ideas for the Embellished DT call. What a job poor Ali's got in judging!! I wouldn't want to do it - thats for sure!

Saturday morning, B & I are meeting some great friends down out the Playcentre. I haven't seen her for nearly a year, due to a poisonous friend we had (thanks Cil - grrrr!). So it's going to be sooooo much fun to catch up with Shayla. Last time we seen S, her daughter Eva and B were getting along like a house on fire, so it will be good to see that relationship blossom again. I can't wait - really looking forward to it.

Other than that, a quick trip to my Oma's (Grandma in German) on Sunday to take her a birthday card (it was yesterday though) and so she can drool, oooh, and ahhhh, over B, as Grandma's do.... hehe You should see them together - it's just beautiful LOL

Another holler out to anyone that knows how to get emoticons for blogs?? Or someone invent it - you'll make a fortune!!!! ;)

And just a quick, so so happy for you to the Hall family... Amanda's had a rough week, and just about the whole family has come up trumps, just keeping fingers crossed for her SIL now. But the big worry of Poppa is over so thats super! Girls, the update is on Amanda's blog if you haven't already seen it...

Okies, its Beer-O-Clock (LOL), I'd better run!

Have a great weekend you girls!!

Byyye, Rach xx

Just feel bleugh!

2006-08-11T13:41:00.000+10:00

Yep, I feel horrible!

I've had the rotten flu for a few weeks now, got it off my little darling Bella, why do we teach kids to share? PMSL..

So anyway, thought I was doing OK until yesterday. Started with a rotten cough, a dry one, where your throat is constantly itchy.. now I have a constant feeling of a fur ball in my throat, my stomach is soooo tender from coughing it's not funny, I continually feel like I'm going to throw up.

Not that this post will help me get any better any quicker LOL But I need to whinge to someone! LMAO

I have just drank half a bottle of Robitusson DX (the super heavy duty shit) so we'll see how I go over the next few hours!

Will be back later for an update on whats planned for the weekend!

Rach xx

For my friends (how funny is this!)

2006-08-09T15:42:00.000+10:00

The very dear Amanda sent this too me today.... how friggin funny is it????

"Friendship is like pissing your pants, Everybody can see it but only you can feel it's true warmth, Thankyou for being the piss in my pants"

Sorry, have read this 50 times today and I still LMAO everytime! Just had to share!!

Bye again! Rach xx

How cute is this? LOL

2006-08-09T15:38:00.000+10:00

On the way to work/creche this morning, I'm driving along (as you do), Miss B says "Mummy, me pretty"...

So I turn around, and there shes is with mocha brown lipstick all over her face, caked between her teeth and all! LOL

She'd got into my makeup bag on the way obviously!! Why do kids always do naughty things so damn quietly? hehe

And the worst thing? No damn camera!!!!!!

Was just a quick post from me today, I'm knee deep in invoices from 2004 at the moment so I'd better go!

Byyyye! Rach xx

A week in review..

2006-08-08T13:32:00.000+10:00

I need to blog this way cause I haven't blogged for over a week LOL How bad am I?

I will be good in future! I promise.. hehe

*** Warning: This post contains profanity LOL ***

{ New Home }

Or new look I think it should be. The reason I haven't updated my blog as I want to is dopey fucking me cannot remember who's blog I liked the template of!!!!!! So hence I haven't made the new banner or anything. So I haven't forgotten about it, and believe me, I'm dying to get rid of this look... its very, I dont know, GOTH! And I dont like it! :P

{ Scrap Space }

When I was supposed to update on what I'd done last weekend I was going to tell you I cleaned out my scrap space!!!! Yay! I just can't work with shit everywhere and thats the problem with my stuff ATM - crap everywhere!!! I got these really handy cheap boxes from Safeway and have stored all my stored all my stuff in there. My PP slot box I made is getting a re-vamp into a 48 slot one, its already taken two weeks longer than first predicted, but hey, thats what happens when you give a job to W.. should've known better hey? Anyhoo.. I'll get it one day I'm sure..

On that topic, what is it with men wanting to fix things that aren't broken anyway? There was nothing wrong with my 12 slot one.... hehe

{ Blog Emoticons }

LOL Heres a sporadic thought LMAO, does anyone know if they make emoticons for blogs? You girls would understand my expressions a little better if I had a few funny faces to help me out!

{ Competitions }

Well, we've got Masters out of the way... theres a good sign! Decided not to enter the SC Scrapbook Makeover one.. I was running very close to the deadline, and thought about it, unless it was a free extension to the house its not really going to help me! PMSL It is a beautiful desk and everything, don't get me wrong.. I just don't really need it! hehe

Not sure about the EDM comp, certainly not thinking about it anytime soon anyway!

Just finishing off the last of my DT entries for Embellished. Have got the OTP task and the "Free Choice" Single done, just the double and the 'Me' LOs need doing.

{ New Yummy Stuff }

My huge Blue Bazaar order was delivered yesterday.. A huge big box waiting for me in the hallway when I got home. Gotta love W, he always puts it right in front of the door so I can't miss it on the way in! hehe He knows how to make me happy! PMSL

I treated myself to some of the Prima Crown Jewels Flowers and OMG they are divine! They're not silk either, they are a really lucious velvet-ish material.. Bella LOVES them! hehe She was sooo cute helping me last night, she'd bring every box/packet over to me and say, "Mummy, open?", too cute! She thought my new American Crafts albums made good reading books too (as you do when you're two I guess :P)

The new Doodlebug silk flowers are too too too cute! Wait till you see them, complete with little polka dots!! Just too cute... :D

Alrighty, I better leave it there, friggin Bigpond is not worth two knobs of goat shit today!!! I'm likely to push "Publish" and never see any of this again.. so I'm publishing now whilst I know the overrated Bigpond service is up and running! Now, just incase I haven't bagged Bigpond enough, I HATE TELSTRA BIGPOND! Just wanted to get you all clear on that one LMAO!

Take care girls, don't forget to leave a comment!! I'll be checking on you with the new look site, hehe, I'm putting a hit counter on! PMSL..

Okies, better go, (gosh I ramble)..

Rach xx

OMG What a week!

2006-08-01T14:55:00.000+10:00

Well ladies, sorry I haven't blogged much, but it has been an absolute mad house in my world!

Whats been happening you ask, well:

{ SM Masters Competition }

I was lucky enough to get shortlisted this year! Yay! I got a call last Thursday at work, I couldn't believe it and to be honest, still can't believe it now! I've got my stuff just about ready to go... I've typed up the materials list and the statement of inspiration too (gosh, a task in itself LOL). So another wait I guess.. supposed to hear if you've been made a Master or had an Honourable Mention by November... could they drag it out any longer? LOL I am incredibly stoked with this shortlisting, but being human LOL, want more now I've got this far!! But I'll honestly be OK nothing, this truely is a feat. Apparently SM had over 1000 entries, so only 10% got in... so a shortlishing is HUGE!

{ Blue Bazaar Amazing Race }

Don't know if I've posted about this (and cant be bothered going back and looking LOL) but Amanda and I run a great race, but were pipped at the post by just ONE POINT for 1st Place! Not too worry, we still got a $20 voucher each and ended up with some really great LOs. And as a pair, gosh we ROCK! lol The "A Team" all the way! LMAO

{ Magazine Submissions }

This week has really been one of good news! I got an email from Krys today confirming that my two LOs they were considering are infact being accepted! They're in photography now apparently, no issue numbers yet, but not really bothered there!

{ Life is Beautiful! }

Things are just flowing at the moment, my life has great balance. I have worked out a time thing thats suits me.. time to scrap, time to clean, time to work, time to spend with Bella, etc. At the moment, its all flowung just beautifully! Sure that won't last long though! hehe

That's all for me today.. I did lots of things on the weekend, which I will tell you about tomorrow!

Rach xx

Happy Birthday Babe!

2006-07-25T14:06:00.000+10:00

Well I still haven't gotten around to updating this blog, but I will! Just been literally run off my feet... hehe

Just wanted to make a quick post to say a:

Very Happy Birthday to my Warrick. He is an inspirational, caring, supporting, loving man whom I am happy to say is my partner for life. Even when he farts, complains, goes out, whinges, yells, etc, he's still Warrick, he's still mine. I love you babe. Hope todays a special one for you.

Will catch up with the rest of you folk tomorrow!

Say goodbye...

2006-07-18T14:16:00.000+10:00

Don't fret girls... I'm not going anywhere LOL

But the 'look' of this blog is.... hehe

{ Blog Skin }

I've been tossing up whether or not to keep this blog skin for the last few weeks now. And today I've finally decided to get rid of it (probably cause youre not online to change my mind Amanda hehe).

I like the look of it, I'm just not sure about the window area that the posts display in.. I don't like being inhibited by the width...

I will leave this one for another 24 hours or so, until I can get a new banner done for the new blog look.. just downloading some new brushes now!

{ Baby Boom }

The Essential Baby scrappers are making babies like there is no tomorrow! It better not be catchy I tell you! Just not interested in more kids ATM.. One day I will be. I want Bella to have a brother and/or sister.. I want to watch a relationship like that grow, the close bond associated, etc. But not today, LOL, well not in nine months either. LOL. In 18-24 months maybe. Oh no! Ive put a time frame on it - big no no! LOL

As you all know, Kaysie is pregnant, and so is Tanja, shes a little further along than Kays, due 11 December.. She has three boys, so a girl would be nice for her. And Net's just found out she's pregnant too! She has two boys, so a girl would be nice for her too, thats what they were trying for anyway! So congrats to you Net, enjoy the next eight or so months (if you can LOL)..

{ Scrapping }

I've photographed the Anniversary Album now, and have the pics here ready to load, but I might wait until tomorrow when I re-vamp the blog. LOL

Tonight I have two Blue Bazaar Amazing Race LOs to do.. and a friendship LO if I can find my mojo! Have no idea where I'm going with all three LOs! So wish me luck girls...

Thats all for now I think...

Rach xx

Great News! Forgot to say....

2006-07-14T11:13:00.000+10:00

I have some huge news I forgot to add to my last post, I only just realised when I read a few posts back on my blog, my "Wishing" post from a week or so ago.. any of you remember that? LOL

Well, I was hoping for a pregnancy this time around for my good mate Kaysie (and Jay of course LOL)

Well... the embryo was planted... the two week wait commenced.. D day came... and........

Kaysie is pregnant! Whoooooooho!

I am so happy for you mate, you have no idea. I have shared in your tears, your one too many disappointments, your countless blood tests, learnt more than I need to know about IVF and the relevant procedures and finally shared the joyous moment of a BFP (Big Fat Positive)!

I thankyou for being so open about your trials and tribulations, for letting me share such a precious part of you.

I pray that the next eight months are nice and boring (LOL), and a very uneventful trouble-free pregnancy and birth is on the horizons for you and Bub.

You've been a great mate over the last few months and I look forward to getting to know you more as our friendship grows. Thankyou for being such a great friend chick! *mwah*

2006-07-14T08:45:00.000+10:00

With CHA less than a week away in the States, SAM have began a pre-order section of all the new stock coming out. Thought I might have a drool and type up a wish list at the same time LOL

I must make a mental note to personally thank Heidi Swapp or the ladies from Queen & Co for sending me broke if I ever get the chance to meet either of them IRL!

Here's what I want (not much LOL):

Heidi Swapp Rub On Alphabet (New Font! Habitat)
Heidi Swapp BLING! (to die for LOL) Frames Clear Circles
Heidi Swapp BLING! Words Clear Girl
Heidi Swapp Chipboard Alphabet (New Fonts! Lemonade Stand & Newsprint)
Heidi Swapp Chipboard Clocks!!!!!! (Loooooooooooooooove these!)
Heidi Swapp Chipboard Tags Girl (These are very cute! The baby ones look divine)
Heidi Swapp Variety Flowers (I don't really need these LOL But they are a good idea.. two of each colour in each pack LOL)
Heidi Swapp Iron-On Themes (These are a great idea.. all 'new' themes too, like Home, You, Sentiments, Thanks, Happy Birthday)
Heidi Swapp Rub Ons Themed (These are awesome, all 'new' themes like the iron ons, but with our old favs, like Girl, Baby, Boy, etc. These are so awesome cause they have borders, words and accents all on the one sheet! I want EVERY theme PMSL)
OMG! Dirty Laundry PP and ribbon, how cool is this?? Want it! All of it! LOL
Queen & Co Alpha Betty Acrylic Alphabet
Queen & Co Anchorettes (these are cute! Little photo turns with different patterns & colours)
Queen & Co Beadifuls (OK so I don't NEED these, and probably would never use them LOL, but they come in the cutest little lip gloss looking container!)
Queen & Co Sprinkles (Now these are damn cute! Theyre coloured and printed brads in a little nail polish bottle! awww!)
Queen & Co Chic Charms (These are little smooth matt acrylic yes you guessed it - charms! LOL)
Queen & Co Fontastics (These are fantastic! LOL Theyre chippy letters in patterns and solid colours, packed in the cutest little translucent purse!)
Queen & Co Love Letters (Like Heidi Swapps Ghost alphas but different colours in the one pack and you get three complete alphabets plus extra vowels! Super Value!!)
Queen & Co Mini Sprinkles (Yep, you guessed it! Theyre mini brads.. super cute container too and stackable! LOL)
Queen & Co The Perfect Bag (How can I buy all the Q & Co products and not buy the matching make up bag? PMSL) There is a pic of that at the start of this post LOL

Okies, I'd better leave it there, before I have to re-morgage my home! LMAO

Rach xx

Wooohooo! She's gone....

2006-07-13T16:15:00.000+10:00

A funny little post this afternoon LOL

This little beauty is GONE! Out of here.. thank God for that! I must say, I really enjoy doing competitions, love the challenge, but this one was a little different. The pace over the last few days has been ridiculous, and as I mentioned the other day, I've been up till at least 1am every night doing my best to get it finished.

I still had a fair bit more than I realised (in finishing touches) to do today. But my fabulous, fabulous boss (love you Graham) let me spend a few hours of work time finishing it off today. LOL Come to think of it.. I spent a big slice of my day doing things that weren't work related! Graham and his wife are renewing their vows for their 40th Wedding Anniversary this Saturday, so I've been making them a certificate in Photoshop. Hours and hours have been spent there LOL Digi scrapping is definately NOT for me! PMSL And I'm off tonight to Officeworks to have the certificate printed for him, then off to the Plaza to buy a frame (and maybe an embellishment or two for the corner of the frame LOL).

I still need to get their album finished too. But I kept it simple, minimal embellishments, as I knew I'd be short on time with the Masters Competition being on. Good thinking 99! *wink wink* So I should be right to finish the balance tomorrow night and have it all ready to go for the big party Saturday!

Oh gosh, I can't believe how good it feels to have it done! It felt good when the A-Z Album was done too, but not this good! LOL Ahhhh, I may just get a chance to scrap for myself this year! LOL

Next projects on the agenda are (in random order LOL) BB Amazing Race Major and Minor's, SC Scrapbook Makeover, DT Tasks for Embellished, Ghost Challenge at my LSS and anything else that I have no doubt forgotten all about! LOL

I'd best be off now, it's Thursday, that means Nanny's coming over! LOL (Thats what I say to Bella when I pick her up from creche on Thursdays LOL)

Rach xx

Exhausted!

2006-07-11T08:12:00.000+10:00

Beware! Mammoth post ahead!

{ Hospital }

Sorry I've been MIA again guys, but I do have a good excuse this time unfortunately!

Little Bella hasn't been well.

It all started with a little pimple on her bum LOL

To make a long story short, the pimple became infected and turned into an abcess. On Thursday of last week, she began not wanting to walk on her leg, it was obviously paining her.

A trip to the GP confirmed she needed antibiotics via IV rather than orally (which she had been perscribed) so off to the A&E we went. First to Dandenong Hospital.. They wouldnt perform the op though and sent us to Monash. All in all I spent 17 hours in A&E Departments that day.. one of the longest days of my life!

Bella was operated on to remove the abcess Friday afternoon, the IV Antibiotics worked a treat and she was back to her normal self in just a few days.

But she did look very cute in her sick state, I've loaded a few pics..

It was a very scary experience though and I don't look forward to the next one! But the nurses, surgeons and all the staff were fantastic, Bella had the best nurse the day she was discharged, Lena, she even gave her a hand puppet, and it was a nurse character of course! LOL

The lack of sleep did hit me like a steam train in the end, surely 6 hours of sleep in 72 hours is going to catch up with you sooner or later!

{ Change the world }

Watch out.. wierdo alert LOL

Just want to write about this quickly as I plan on doing a LO about this one day and will have the journalling sorted then..

Don't even know why I'm talking about this, but it has stuck in my head since it happened.

Last night we walked the dog to the park. It was a windy windy night and absolutely freezing! So Bella had a little blanket over her legs in the pram. On the way home whilst it was blowing a gale, the blanket went to fly off her legs. Bella reached out and caught the blanket. OK, so its just a blanket, not a ball thrown by Shane Warne or anything LOL but its the first time I've seen my little girl change the outcome of something. All by herself, without my help or instruction. That is huge for me. It was the moment I realised my little girl can and probably will change the world. OK, I'm not talking huge socio-economic changes or anything, even political, or superstar celebrity status. But she will indeed change the lives of many, just by knowing them, and that makes me happy. So very happy.

{ Masters Competition }

The deadline is looming! Grrr! Today is Tuesday.. needs to be there by close of business Friday :O Uh oh as Bella would say! LOL

With B's ilness, it has set me waaaaaaay back.. so I've been working till Midnight every night on it.. which is wearing VERY thin.. I'm soo tired during the day! LOL

But heres the latest update:

Monogram: Done! I actually did two for this.. (submittable ones that is - hehe) Let Amanda choose the better one LOL Just going to add a few 'finishing touches' to that to set it off (hopefully thats what it does LMAO)..

Journey LO: Anyone that reads this blog knows I've done this LO a million times.. well surprise surprise, this ones a beauty! LOL Had to strike it lucky after 6 attempts didn't I? LMAO Just need to stick a few things down and add some journalling to this one.

Celebration LO: Also finished - but 100% this one! LOL Was telling Amanda today, the more I look at this one the more I like it LOL

OTP: My OTP was the first thing I did.. completed it bar a few photo's.. its still waiting for those few photos! PMSL... I am such a procrastinator! Will organise that tonight!

New Technique/Element: I am sooooo hoping someone doesn't 'think' of what I thought of LOL Its not really a scrapbooking thing though, so I'm hoping the rest of the nation is chanelling there thoughts in that direction.. Fingers crossed it's still new by the time they judge the Masters! LOL

All in all though, it's been ALOT of fun, I've learnt some new stuff, and probably most importantly, this process has made me realise I am way to hard on myself. I don't think thats something I'll change, or can change LOL, but it's nice to think I am aware of it.. I honestly don't think it'll change the "ahhh that is shit!" comments.. even if others love it! LOL

It would be an amazing effort to make the short list, thats what I'm silently hoping for anyway, but just getting it done is an achievement in itself with the crap my lifes been dealing me! LOL

{ Other Scrapping }

Still got lots to do on the scrapping front. Lots of deadlines to meet. Lots of competitions to enter, etc, etc. LOL Will update you more on that tomorrow.

{ The Wonderful Clair @ CBPhotography }

If I could recommend this woman more highly I would! She is an absolute pleasure to have at your home.. she takes the most exquisite photographs.. is extremely affordable and is totally professional!

Tell me, what more do you want from your photographer?

I received the CD on Friday and the photos are fantastic, every single one of them melts my heart. Shes captured precious family moments which we can keep forever. Watch out for some new LOs coming soon using these beautiful pics! LOL

Thanks again Clair, you are precious!

{ My LSS is online! www.scraptacular.com.au }

OK theyve always been online LOL But now they are BIGGER and BETTER than ever! Theyve got all there new products on there now to purchase, so you girls that want the stuff I buy can just order it yourself! LOL Easy.... hehe

They will have a forum soon too, so make sure you all pop in to say Hi! They've got some great girls on their DT as well, like the very talented Kim Ogden!

There is a gallery as well, where you will find one of my LOs! LOL

Be back with more news tomorrow!

Rach xx

And the wins keep coming.. hehe

2006-07-03T16:33:00.000+10:00

If I've never been a lucky woman my luck has certainly changed! LOL

Today I came to work to be greeted by the message "RACH - yay you won the BB AR Minor! Yay! We are second" on Amanda's MSN... LOL

So that is very pleasing, Amanda & I are only one point behind the winners at the moment, so it'll be a real race to the finish... better pull my finger out and come up with something awesome LOL (If that is at all possible).

A weekend of scrapping gave me the chance to put a big hole in my pile of due dates..

Murphys Law - hmmm, who invented that? I did that original Journey layout that I decided wasn't 'good enough', submitted it for publication after all the girls pressured me to do so, low and behold, the damn thing gets accepted... So I'm back at the drawing board.. Since then I have done another three layouts and I hate them all! Grrrrr! Murphy's friggin Law... pffft! LOL

So I will attempt my 5th and final Journey layout tonight, if it doesn't turn out as planned, oh well, it's getting sent in anyway - I AM OVER THE MASTERS COMPETITION! PMSL....

Made a good start to Graham's anniversary album too.. I have the cutest photos of them as a young couple, so I've used the new Junkitz Love Lines PP.. very retro loving!!! Will show you some of that tomorrow..

Have a lovely night all!

Rach xx

Its a lovely day!

2006-06-30T13:53:00.000+10:00

Today is a LOVELY day! LOL

I've spoken with my mates I've missed over the last few days, we've had soo much to catch up on, so it's been fun! hehe

I am also jumping for joy beacuse I got another LO accepted. Which is my third in a week! This one is the "Are You Looking for a Reindeer" LO due to appear in the Christmas Gallery of Scrapbook Creations Issue 36. When it rains it pours is the saying isn't it? I am just so exstatic about it its not funny LOL Still to crack that bloody For Keeps though! One day.... hehe.

Its was my LSS, the one and only Scraptacular's 4th Birthday this month and they have the most amazing little basket filled with goodies up for grabs (I think I mentioned it before). So I did my LO, I'm actally happy with it, but totally forgot to scan it before handing it over! LOL That'd be right! I always do that.. Not sure if they're keeping the LOs or giving them back (Sarah are you reading this? LOL Can you answer this question? LOL) If not, I'm sure Jodie wouldn't mind me borrowing it back just to scan. hehe

My weekends plan invlove scrap, scrap, scrapping as usual! LMAO

I must get my Masters Entry finished THIS WEEKEND! (I'm typing this here so I do not procrastinate on this one *wink*)

Will leave it there for today I think, take care all!

Rach xx

Here we go....! Grrr!

2006-06-28T15:08:00.000+10:00

Last night my left eye was bugging me. The outer corner was very tender to touch, almost as if it was bruised. As you do, I was scrapping away last night and could actually feel it swelling. By the time I went to bed, it had swollen enough to notice it slightly.

This morning I woke up and the whole left hand side of my face is swollen like a balloon.

So off to the doctors I go..

Doctor says I have a crack/laceration on the skin on the inside of my eye lid (how the hell does that happen?!?) and dust/dirt has got in there and now it's infected. The infection is a little fierce, hence the whole swollen face..

Luckily the swelling to my face has gone down a fair bit, I just have a huge shiner (but not blue) LOL I also have a patch on my eye LOL Ahoy me mateys! Rach is a pirate now... LMAO! It is soooooo fucking painful (had to swear, sorry!) it is coming close to my sinus infection earlier this year! Ouuuch!

A quick funny before I head home (supposed to be sick but I bet I scrap LOL)..

As you know B has that black eye, I have this swollen bung eye, complete stangers would think Warrick is an evil man whilst our 'injured' family walk down the street! LOL Don't you think? hehe

Chat to you all tomorrow (or the next day if I feel shit tomorrow hehe)

Rach xx

Wish them luck.. :)

2006-06-27T16:19:00.000+10:00

Today I'm going to do some wishing.. see how far it gets me! LOL

My good friend Amanda is teaching her first class at her LSS tonight.. a distressing class which she is the absolute master of! So you go girl! I know you're going to be an inspirational teacher! If you can teach me things on MSN, God surely you can teach people IRL! Can't wait to hear the report tomorrow.. so Good Luck chick (not that you need it - you're one talented chickie!)

Another good friend Kays is having IVF treatment again. They recently harvested eggs (ouch! Kays) but a record number ever have fertilised, so thats a great sign.. Just gotta wait and see how many of these suckers live after growing for 5 days.. as many as possible I'm wishing and hoping for.. a sticky one!

Best of luck to both of you! :D

Talk to you all tomorrow!

Rach xx

Ouch!

2006-06-26T16:36:00.000+10:00

Just a very quick post today.

Just wanted to share a pic of poor little Bella! She's got herself her first 'shiner'.. Funniest thing is I was standing about 15cm away from her when she done this...

Silly kids, get themselves over tired, then can't do anything right.. Miss B can't even walk straight when tired! So you guessed it! She just fell into the cupboard door.. Poor lil Darlin!

Anyways, must go, more from me tomorrow!

Rach xx

OMG! Another LO for SM..

2006-06-23T16:22:00.000+10:00

Yes two posts in one day!

But OMG... its worth it!

Just got another email from Krys at Scrapbooking Memories... another consideration for acceptance! I cannot believe it.. they way I'm going, I won't get another LO published until 2017!!!! LMAO

So this is a great start to the weekend and sure as heel gives me alot more confidence when tackling this Masters... LOL

A quick one for Amanda.. so wished you weren't working today chick! Wouldve been soo special to share it with you first hand.. Oh well, next time (in 2017 *wink*)..

Have a great weekend all!

Rach xx

OMG! SM are considering a Layout!

2006-06-23T08:59:00.000+10:00

Awesome news today!

Yesterday I submitted my "Journey" LO for publication. And guess what? LOL I got an email from Krys at Scrapbooking Memories saying my LO is lovely and she is thrilled to consider it for the Final Encore Gallery and can I send the LO and materials list, tip, etc, to her ASAP!

Hell Yes! Of course I can.. LOL

So I am stoked to say the least hehe and they haven't even said "YES!"yet.. LOL

And it also gets me a little closer to the goal I set at the start of 2006 that I thought would never become reality, getting a LO submitted to all three Australian Magazines.. so just about two down, and one to go! Yippee! Although, I've got high hopes if I think I'm going to get into For Keeps!!!!!!! LMAO

Thanks again to the girls that comment on my blog, it hasn't been too postitive lately, the thing with Tristan really shook me up, so I cannot tell you how much your kind words mean... Love ya chicks!! *mwah*

Thank God its Friday, as I have lots and lots of scrapping deadlines to meet in the next few weeks. I'm going to list them here LOL so I don't forget what to get done LOL

- Masters OTP (Due July)
- Masters Journey LO (Due July)
- Masters Celebration LO (Due July)
- Masters Monogram (Due July)
- Scraptacular LO (Due 30/06)
- Special LO (can't say what LOL, you'll see in a little while) (Due ASAP)
- BB Amazing Race Minor LO (Due 21/07)
- BB Amazing Race Major LO (Due 21/07)
- Book of Me June LO (Due 30/06)
- 40th Wedding Anniversary Album for my boss (Due Mid July)

And I think that is it, OMG I hope that is it! Where will I find the time? LOL Nightowling... LOL

Supposed to be heading around to a friends place for Dinner tonight. I really need to stay home and scrap LOL But somehow I don't think Warrick will want to go alone and make excuses for me. Bella is cutting her eye teeth at the moment and has been a bit warm temperature wise.. If she's no good tonight I definately won't be going.. can you hear me making excuses already? LMAO

Gotta run, have a great weekend all!

Rach xx

Two posts in one day! (This one not so good)

2006-06-22T12:02:00.000+10:00

My Mum just called with some sad news.

There was a MVA the other day where a Mother and her 12 year old daughter were struck by a car crossing the road. I just found out my little brother was a passenger in the vehicle that struck the pair.

He was also the one that checked for a pulse on the Mother, she was killed on impact.

I feel sooo sorry for the family of the two.. its very sad, but also a big wake up call that we, as pedestrians, need to take more care when crossing the road.

The police have cleared the driver of any wrong doing.

It's been very hard on my brother though, he is having continual visions of the accident, the mother, the fact that they thought/and were told originally that the young girl had lost her life too, she's actually still fighting, but in a critical condition in hospital.

This is a terrible thing for anyone to encounter. I just hope my little bro will be OK, love you Trist!

Rach xx

Warning: Lots to say! LOL

2006-06-22T08:32:00.000+10:00

{ Help Support Ngaire Bartlam & Cancer Research }

Has anyone read Ngaire Bartlam's blog recently? http://scrapblogmebaby.typepad.com/blog_me_baby/2006/06/ She is doing an awesome job at raising money for Cancer Research.. I don't know if you guys are aware, but she's been shaving her head for years to raise money for the foundation. This year she is running a raffle which has FANTASTIC prizes in it, wait till you see them, you'll agree, trust me! There is heaps to be won, but more importantly, a fantastic opportunity to help support Cancer Research in Australia. There is no doubt Cancer does not discriminate, it sadly affects many, most of us have had to deal with the fear of Cancer, not always directly where its happening to us, but through loved ones, friends, family.

My MIL is a Breast Cancer Survivor.

She managed to beat this awful demon that invades our bodies. I am so happy for her, for us, for Bella, that she had the opportunity to know her Grandma. Had Sue not beaten the cancer, she would have never met her beautiful Grand-daughter.

Sorry for rambling, but this is an important issue to me, so I thought I could do my bit for Ngaire's cause (which is so lovely and selfless) and discuss it on my blog. And of course I will be buying some raffle tickets!!! So come on girls, buy a couple too!

{ Thankyou }

I also wanted to say a big thanks to the girls that comment here.. It's nice to know I'm not talking to myself LMAO.. I thankyou for the time you take out of your busy schedules to say Hi! It really means alot..

{ Blue Bazaar Amazing Race }

The last leg of the race has started.. its a mad dash to the finish line with two LOs due in 9 days. And no team work either (no time for mailing I guess) so we're all alone now! It's been lots and lots of fun though. So thanks Amanda.. I couldn't have a better partner to have entered the race with. Win or lose, I'm a winner anyway. I got an opportunity to work closly with a scrapper that is going places, and to get closer to a awesome woman I am proud to call my FRIEND. *mwah* Love ya chick!

{ Big Brother!! }

OMFG! Did you watch the Intruders Incoming show last night? How funny is Perry! LOL She had me in stitches the whole show! Too funny.. I think she reminds me of my Mum LOL Loud, outspoken, opinionated, generally trying to be 10 years younger, the whole bit LOL

I loved this comment she made when asked how old she was:

"How old, darling?" (Rob pipes up and says it's rude to ask someones age) "Nah, thats OK, I can answer that", then she says "29 plus GST, work it out darling"

LMAO!!!!! How funny is that? PMSL..

{ Masters Update }

Actually got my OTP started last night... Yippee! Very happy with how its coming along, but it is only early stages.. LOL Yes Ive changed my mind a million times, but hey, as a well known scrapper told me (wink wink Kim lol) "it's a womans perogative".. hehe Hoping to get the OTP and at least one LO or the monogram finished over the weekend.

{ Other Scrapping }

This is a LO I did originally for the Masters. I didn't have the photo I wanted to use printed. So I had a play around and came up with this. IT IS NOT PART OF MY MASTERS ENTRY! hehe

Might try submitting some LOs to Magazine calls today. Why not? LOL You never know your luck.. All a numbers game I guess.

Have to get my LO done for my LSS's Birthday challenge! http://www.scraptacular.com.au Scraptacular has been open 4 years now, and they have an awesome pack up for grabs for the winner! The lovely Kim Ogden has let me use a picture of the girls she took for my LO, so hopefully I can come up with something decent! LOL

OK, this was a mammoth post, I'd better go! LOL

Rach xx

Isn't she gorgeous?

2006-06-19T16:34:00.000+10:00

{ The Long Awaited Photo Shoot }

The lovely Clair came over yesteday and took some awesome shots of Bella!

As always, Bella never slept when she was supposed to, and feel asleep about 10 minutes before Clair arrived! Damn kids.. hehe So she was pretty cranky when I woke her up! She settled though, about 30 minutes later, and we had some great shots..

Check out Clair's blog http://missymuh.typepad.com for a few sneak peaks!

Obviously I can't wait to scrap every single one of them!

{ SM Masters Competition }

OK, you girls that are entering, how many times have you changed your original plans? OMG, I have done it sooo many times already it is doing my head in!!!!

I am very happy to say, I am finally *happy* with what I have come up with.. and I am over the moon to say I have a technique sorted, and it's a new one too! Who woulda thought? LOL

I'm very excited about my OTP, I think my last idea lacked substance, sure it would've looked good but thats about it.. I wanted more than that.

So, basically I'm back at the starting blocks.. unless you include my 'failed attempts' so far... :D

{ Life }

Things are getting back to normal quick fast. Warrick has been back at work a few weeks now, which is great, financially we are normal people again, which is such a great feeling..

My Oma (Grandma in German) has been pretty sick, but I spoke to her last night and she is feeling much better. She's been battling a few ulcers on her leg (which she's had before) that wouldn't budge, but it seems the doctors have worked out the right 'concoction' of drugs to combat it now.. So thats great!

I packed up all of Bella's old toys on the weekend. My God, she really has too much of everything, but its sooo hard not to buy for her, I'm a compulsive shopper, there, I confessed! I decided to keep all the baby-newborn stuff for Sheree and Cam (for the twins), and then the 6+ stuff for Jaxson and the rest of the crap can go to creche. I'm surprised more Mums don't give away their old stuff to the creche.. I mean, give it to the salvos or give it to creche, I know which I prefer... at least I know it is actually GOING TO USE... I wonder about the Salvo's sometimes..

Anyways, I best be off, be back tomorrow with some, I don't know, stuff I guess! LOL

Rach xx

Published!

2006-06-14T14:23:00.000+10:00

{Finally Published...}

OMG girls, finally, I have a copy of Scrapbook Creations Issue 31!

I am soo happy with the LO, the colouring is perfect, a really good shot by the photographer (thanks mate hehe). And I even got a mention in the blurb bit at the front of the Quick Grabs gallery, can you believe it?

There is an awesome feature on digital imaging in there, using brushes to alter your photographs, some really cool effects shown, I can't wait to try them!

Given that I've had a LO published now, it's really inspiring me to get some more accepted! I would love, love, love to be on a Design Team, hey, LOL, I'm jumping a bit ahead of myself aren't I? LMAO

{ SM Masters Competition }

Have been scrapping a little here and there, oh well, it's all I've done really.. Just haven't got much to "show" for it as alot of it was planning and stuff for the Masters.

I have done the "journey inspired" LO, but I'm not sure if I like it.. I'm trying to keep 'true' to my style, I mean, I'm sure you could fool anyone with ONE great LO (in another style) but not 12 months worth of scrapping! I'm happy that the LO is definately 'me' in style, but just not sure if I should scrap the idea and start again.. Probably just being over-critical which I tend to do with competitions.. LOL

My OTP item seems to be eluding me... I have seen hundreds of these bloody things around whilst shopping in the past, now I want one, do you think I can find one, just one of the friggin thing ANYWHERE?!?!? Grrr! Problem solved though, Warrick's going to make me one tonight! Thank God for my Babe! hehe

I'm happy with how my Monogram is turning out, and am happy enough that the "celebration" LO will be good!! So, all in all, we're OK with the Masters for the moment! LMAO, probably not for long.... hehe

{ Beautiful Photos }

I'm pretty certain Clair is coming for a shoot this weekend (if not, its the following LOL)

I love love love Clair's photographs, she has a great style and an awesome talent to "capture the moments", the ones that matter, the glances, the looks, the ones you want to remember in years to come, not those povvo Pixi Photo crap babies covered in Geberas stuff! Yuk! Not having a go at anyone there LOL I've wasted my money on them too!!!!!

Anyways, leave it there for today.. will come in tomorrow and show off some stuff that I dont have time to scan right now! LOL

Rach xx

Bad Blogger! LOL

2006-06-13T16:56:00.000+10:00

Here I am, lol, a BAD BLOGGER!

Well, it has been a long weekend, so am I excused? LOL

Not much happening really, it was my Mums brithday yesterday, so Happy Birthday Mum-a-Doo-Dah!

Oh, Issue 31 of Scrapbook Creations came out today and it's the first magazine I've been published in! Whoooho! I haven't seen it in the flesh yet, but Tanja (who is also published in that issue for the first time - Congrats Tan lol) scanned and emailled me a copy..

Will show you all tomorrow and fill in a few more details of whats been happening! :D

Rach xx

OK Fess up, who stole my DP? LOL

2006-05-31T13:31:00.000+10:00

So come on, tell me! LOL

Last night I got home from work, and I was hoping that my new yummy products I ordered from Blue Bazaar had arrived.. Indeed they did, a pizza box was sitting on the kitchen table.

My problem is, Warrick did not stop for a minute to ask me where the hell this pizza box came from... no "How much did you spend this time", no "Scrap shit again?!?", no words, nothing. And I opened the god damn box right in front of his EYES! Lucky he didn't catch a glimpse of the $98.15 receipt!

Time to order again me thinks! PMSL........

It's the last day of the month today. A hellish day at work, every month, without fail. No wonder I don't enjoy coming to work on the last day of the month! Pfft! I dont enjoy coming in ANY DAY. Nah! LOL I love my job!! I love that I have the freedom to be able to chat, blog, dream about scrapping, get an EB fix, etc, all during my working day! But gosh, I make a rod for my own back at the same time too, sometimes I'm trying to extend myself further than I can stretch IYKWIM?

Speaking of which, gotta get these statements done... off I go!

Rach xx

My girl can FLY!

2006-05-30T13:42:00.000+10:00

My baby girl can fly! Yes you read right!! LOL

OK.. she can't *really* fly, but she impersonates a plane really well!!

It was sooo funny to watch her last night, she put her arms up behind her back, dropped her head down (for maximum flying speed obviously - aerodynamics girls!!) and flew all around the loungeroom making "ssssshwoooosh" noices. Very funny indeed.

Made me realise though, just how big my little girl is getting. She is becoming independent, a sure sign of a grown up little girl.

Warricks arm is out of plaster, it's a stiff as a board though, so no work for him - STILL! This injury is going to be a total 12 weeks off work! Can you believe that? No wonder the poor guy is bored shitless! I would be too!

I had my nephews on Saturday night. OMG it was the night from hell!

Joshua is 4.5, he can handle himself, Bella just loves following Joshie around, doing exactly what he does. So the two of them together, no problem. Jaxson however, spells problems! Aunty Rach does love you darling, you're just a pain in the arse ATM!! You know that stage, all babies go through it... Jax would start bawling, so Bella would, then I couldn't shut either of them up. Jax got to the point where he was crying so much he was hyperventilating.. scary stuff! Warrick eventually got him to sleep... hours later.

Then I notice Miss B isnt in the loungeroom... Uh oh!! I look up and there she is, walking back into the lounge, she's looking VERY sheepish and saying "Ssssshhh". You know exactly what I thought, don't you? You little!!!!!!! She'd woken him up......

So off we went on the merry-go-round again..

10:30 rolled around and I had had ENOUGH! Enough I tell you!! PMSL Jax finally went to sleep in the rocker (Warrick was pushing it though, I had done an hour long shif and my foot was going to fall off!) so it was off to bed for us all. Thankfully Jax didnt wake till 8:30am, so that was good going.

In the morning, I sit on the couch where Josh slept and felt my bum was damp when I got up. So I ask Joshie "Did you wee on the couch mate? It's OK.. tell me", before I'm finished the question he blurts out, "It's sweat Aunty Rach, you know I get very hot!" Oh yes Josh (wink wink) it's boiling in this house isn't it!!! So then I spent Sunday cleaning the upholstery on MY COUCH!

Lets just say, that little 'experience' put me off having more kids anytime soon!

So I haven't chatted scrapping have I?

Not much happening there really! Well there is, but there isn't IYKWIM hehe

We got the points for the first leg of the BB Amazing Race, which I must say I was BLOWN away by, as that LO is not Amanda & I's best effort, not by far.. This pleases me! hehe

I've got a bit of stuff 'in the pipelines'. Working on my entry for the Masters, this months challenges for BB Amazing Race, want to do a few challenges for my LSS...

Tomorrow we'll be up to Thread #100 on Essential Baby (that's my guess anyways) so then I'll have a new LO to show.. We're all doing LOs about friendships we've made, how our scrapping has evolved, etc, etc, since the first thread. I wasn't there for number One.... BUT I can't believe I've *known* these girls for nearly a year now! They are my bestest friends, its great!!

Okies, gotta run, phew, that was a mammoth post!

Rach xx

Yay! The weekends here...

2006-05-26T17:17:00.000+10:00

Just a really quick post.. running out of time today.

I've got my nephews Josh and Jaxson, 4 years and 5 months, on Saturday night. Miss B is going to LOVE it!

We came an equal first with Ruey's team in the first round of the BB Amazing Race.

Warrick got his plaster off, but 6 weeks of physio now :( Oh well!

Gotta leave it at that, sorry!

Full report Monday though hehe Have a great weekend all!

Rach xx

Money Bags... PMSL (not me obviously)

2006-05-25T16:15:00.000+10:00

I knew there was something I had forgotton when I last posted!

Miss Bella has a new name......................................................"money bags".

I sold all of her Summer wardrobe on Ebay last week and you are not going to believe just how much money she made!

OK, wait for it, an amazing $1,003.45!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Can you believe that? I certainly couldn't!

Although, her Financial Advisor (Mummy hehe) has already invested $620 of it at Pumpkin Patch and Target on a winter wardrobe! PMSL.. The kid has to wear clothes you know! hehe

Anyhow, better get back to it, work is not fun at the moment, there's just too much to do!

Rach xx

Just catching up...

2006-05-25T09:22:00.000+10:00

Well here I am.. just catching up on news.

{ Scrapping News }

Not much happening here! Not much at all.. I did a partial scraplift the other day... and I cannot credit the original artist as her name wasn't listed. No doubt she's talented, the layout was screaming "talent" LOL And my guess is she's on the Lil Davis design team.. maybe it was Jenni Bowlin? I don't know... I shouldn't guess. Here's my version anyway! The original is quite different I guess.. it was done in American colour tones of Blue Red and White, and the LO was showcasing Lil Davis' new tape... there was a big star behind the photo, and no wings.

Yesterday I was blog surfing lol, and I came across this "Motherhood Album" on Amy Bergman's blog, you can see it here. OMFG girls, how cool is that? From what I can tell, Amy hosted a fundraiser (can't quite work out for which organsation/charity though) and the biggest of biggest in the scrapping world did a LO for this album which they raffled... One of the SAM DT girls won it.. gosh, I soo wish I had have come across Amy's blog earlier cause I would've bought about 100 tickets!!!! Who wouldn't want to win that? Like a Circle Journal done by the stars... OMG I'm still drooling.....

Amanda & I got our challenges up in time - Thank God! It was a close call, closer than Amanda knows anyway (wink wink). I went to MILs to upload the LOs... then OMG... that feeling of "I've forgotten something" overcome my body.... the leads for the friggin camera! How was I going to download them? Of course MIL couldnt find her bloody leads (she'd lose her head if it wasn't screwed on) so she went down to the Chemist for me and saved them to Kodak CD.. *phew* That was just the start of the problems though LOL then I continued to spend 2 hours on the friggin BB website re-sizing and uploading the images into the gallery! It kept saying the file was too large, how bloody small do you want these pictures? People need to see them you know!!!! Gosh.. OK vent over... PMSL. Judging results haven't come through yet, so nothing to report there. Next challenge is RIBBON! Something that Amanda & I are a very familiar with... so shouldn't have any problems there LOL The minor challenge is recipe tags... something I could struggle with, just the recipe bit, cause I HATE COOKING! PMSL..

{ On the Homefront }

Today is the day! The day Warricks plaster FINALLY comes off his arm. I am soooooo over broken arms.. broken anything actually! It doesn't mean an immediate return to work unfortunately, he'll need a 'little' physio at least. Which means I'll be putting up with the whinging from being bored at home a little longer.. GREAT! lol

I promised I'd show you a picture of Bella's new earrings... she's such a beautiful little girl.. here she is..

Not a fabulous photo, lol, she wasn't interested in getting one taken and I only had 'one shot' cause the batteries we fast going flat in the camera.

Thats all I can think of for today, and I'm rambling lol, so I'm outta here!

Rach xx *mwah*

Been a while! (again)

2006-05-22T16:13:00.000+10:00

Gosh! I promised myself I wouldn't have to make another post like this! And here I am, AGAIN, apologising for not posting. *slapping myself around* Promise never to do that again (yeah yeah I here you saying lol)

Not much has happened either! LOL

I got Bellas ears pierced on Friday night, gosh she looks cute.

Amanda and I also got our BB Amazing Race stuff done.. so must show you all that too.

Will do a very "detailed" update tomorrow! LOL

Rach xx

It's over, the fat lady has sung!

2006-05-12T16:15:00.000+10:00

Well it's over alright.. LOL.. the fat lady has sung her song.

{ For Keeps A-Z Album Competition }

My A-Z album was returned to me yesterday. I didn't win, no big deal really. I'm actually quite excited that I have a whole bunch of LOs to submit to magazines now..

Pouring over it again last night, I was quite proud of the effort, endless hours, blood, sweat and tears that had gone into it. It's a huge, mammoth project, so to start it and actually finish it is an achievement in itself.

However, I will say one thing.. I am totally overwhelmed by my mates at EB. They have left messages for me all day saying that the FK staff are crazy, how could they over look my talent, etc. You guys will never know how much that means to me! You are all precious. Thankyou again.

Next week I will begin the tedious task of scanning all 26 layouts.. they will be in a gallery here for you to look at.

{ Inspirational Scrapbook Convention }

Forget the A-Z comp, I got BIGGER news to report LOL

Warrick has agreed to let me head up to Sydney for this years ISC.. yay! We'd already discussed me going to the Melbourne one, but seeings all the girls are going to the Sydney one and we can make 'much more of a weekend' of it, I decided to change it to Sydney.

I am looking forward to it like you wouldn't believe!!! It's a great opportunity to meet the Sydney EB Scrappers and well, the scrapping, thats just a different story! The thought of being in a Kerrin Quall or Carol Lea Morgan (or any well known published scrapper for that matter) class is mind boggling!!! Can you imagine? *dream with me here girls LOL*

So keep your eyes peeled for more info on this!

{ Whats on for the weekend? }

Well what isn't on should be the question!!!

I have mountains of housework to do.. why I'm trying to forget about..

I've got heaps of scrapping things to get done. Need to complete the Minor & Major Challenges for the BB Amazing Race (which might I add, Amanda has done a fantastic job on), need to get Sophie Delezio's layout done, my mum's Mothers Day pressie, MIL's Mothers Day pressie. OMG, that looks like ALOT! hehe And, I'd love to get a layout or two done for me (to submit with a DT application)

{ Mother's Day }

To all my lovely friends, I hope you have a lovely Mothers Day.. that your DH/DPs spoil you all to bits, but most importantly you get to spend some lovely time with your kids and your Mums.

Hats off to you all for being great Mums, it's a hell of a job, but the bonus' are worth it.

Take care all..

Rach xx

Daddy Daughter Day

2006-05-10T10:35:00.000+10:00

Yesterday Bella didn't go to childcare, she stayed home with Daddy. Now this is an event that needs to be written on the calender! LOL Warrick never has Bella home with him if he's off work. They had a great day, played and packed up the 'Pop Onz' about 30 friggin times as Daddy said. PMSL. She looked at me really strangely when I walked in the door though, LOL, she knew something was different about the day, then I got LOTS of hugs from her which was cute.

Even when I dropped her off at creche this morning, she was super excited, like she hadn't been for a week LOL. Practically jumping out of her car seat, screaming "Creche, Creche" (she sounds very cute when she says it)..

The miners were rescused yesterday morning, such an amazing ordeal, I'm so glad they are out and on safe land. Very sad footage of Larry's funeral on the News last night, his poor family, I feel for them.

I received another CJ entry too. From the lovely Dee, and boy is it gorgeous! I will be posting pics of my CJ in an album here, but not until it's fully completed. I can't wait, it's going to look amazing!

Hope to get some scrapping done tonight.. I have an absyss (yucko!) on my neck which is causing me alot of pain ATM so I haven't really been in the mood to scrap (probably beacuse it kills to move, so I'm doing the stiff neck thing PMSL).

Mothers Day is on Sunday and I still haven't got Mums and MILs pressies ready. Will end up doing that Friday night I bet ya!

And last but not least, thanks to the gorgeous Kays for making my new banner!

Rach xx

How's that little Sophie girl?

2006-05-08T11:44:00.000+10:00

That has been the question I have asked everyone this weekend.

When I heard the news late Friday, it shocked me too the core.

How could one little girl have such a cruel life? It's made me question my faith (or lack of).. I've never really believed in God.. just that there is a 'higher being' of some decription. Now I ask myself, how nasty is this higher being? You'd have to be nasty to deal Sophie a life like that.

Her strength, is amazing, inspiring, miraclistic. She's fought hard once, and now, this gorgeous little girl has to do it all again. I'm feeling for her parents, they're hearts must be breaking for a second time all over again. Watching their innocent daughter suffer, it's just horrendous.

Debbie has organised us girls to make something.. I've thrown my name into the hat. We'll see what we come up with. It'll be full of emotion I'm sure.

Stay strong Sophie, you're a fighter, don't you forget that..

{ Scrapping }

Yay! Finally.. I scrapped for myself. Not for the A-Z, not for someone else, not for a application for a DT.. not for a Circle Journal.. just for ME! hehe

The Christmas one, I've been meaning to do for AGES.. Well, LOL, it is May (OMG), so about time!

The 'Diva' page.. well! LOL That's a way to describe Bella in one word!! She is such 'high maitenance' if she stays the same, I can see trouble in about 13 years!!!! PMSL..

Finally, the 'Another Precious Nephew' LO I'm pretty happy with. It's still feminine but not too girly. And Jaxson is soooo cute, he cries alot though.. quickly takes away the 'shine' of a new bubba.. LOL

Went to the LSS in my lunch break today.. Gosh there is some beautiful stuff hitting the shelves! Got myself some more of the MM Boho Chic (loving that) and some new Kelly Pannaci papers (cute and colourful) and some stuff for Kays.

{ Update on the weekend }

Besides scrap, I didn't get up too much. Went down the the local football and painted the kids faces (just my usual fortnighly thing). Oh, I made one of those Martha Stewart kimono tops like Clair.. turned out quite well, a little small though.. and I enlarged it to 18-24 months pattern? Ah, thats why I don't sew!! I have no idea what I'm doing PMSL...

I was pretty happy with John Wood finally getting his Gold Logie!!! I don't really follow him as an actor or anything, but he's good at what he does and ten years on the trot for being nominated, surely your turn has too come around!!!

Well thats it for today :-)

Rach xx

Hot Diggity Dog! It's like Christmas! LOL

2006-05-05T14:54:00.000+10:00

Yep, Hot Diggity Dog!

It's like Christmas here alright!!!

When I got home from work yesterday, there was a parcel waiting for me! Yay! And yep, it was my first Circle Journal entry!!! For those ladies not in it, the girls have LEFT ME TO LAST!! hehe Everyone had received a LO except me, thats probably why its such a big thing LOL

So thankyou Cat, its fantastic and the journalling is beautiful, really heartfelt stuff! Love ya xx

And the big news, wait for it... lol... I have scoured the whole country side looking for one of these, but had no luck. Today I get a call from our works Stationer and he can get it, a Script Wheel for my Dymo Labeller!!!!

Well, I lie, you can't buy the wheels by themselves anymore, so it's actually a whole new Dymo and two new wheels.. Who cares? Just give me that script wheel!!!! PMSL

Considering opportunities like this just don't come rushing in, I got one for my chick Amanda too LOL

Amanda: Hope my little chicklets get better this weekend.. Poor buggers! *mwah*

So thats my good news for one day..

And to my mate Kays, all the best for Sunday *mwah* Hope it all goes well.

Look at that hair! LOL

2006-05-04T13:27:00.000+10:00

How cute is Bella in this pic? (I'm not biased or anything lol)

I have a whole series of them.. taken in the bath the other night.

This is what she looks like after we take her piggy tails out of an evening (if she hasn't already done so earlier in the day lol)

Looks like she's been electrocuted doesn't she? LOL

I was saying to Amanda before, I feel like I've lost my mojo.. Doing heaps of Circle Journal entries, your thoughts are on a different track IYKWIM, you usually have limited space, they are heavily themed, etc. Now I want to get back to "scrapping for me" I can't. Before it was a time issue.. I had A-Z pressures (LMAO), challenges, etc, I had no time.. Now I have time but no mojo.. Aaarggh!

What else is happening? Not much! Not much at all LOL

Warrick's arm needs to be in plaster for another 3-4 weeks. The biggest downside is having to do the dishes a million times a week!!!! He's really good with household-ish duties, always been a helper (like how he vaccummed the house yesterday, hehe) but now that he can't get his arm wet, he can't help with the dishes, bathing Bella, anything like that. Not much I can do there I guess, so I'd better not worry myself with that!

Bellas growing to quickly.. thats another thing thats happening. She practically needs a whole new winter wardrobe. Those that know me, would be scared by that sentence LOL If there was a frequent flyers club at Pumpkin Patch or Fred Bare I would be issued with the #1 MEMBERSHIP, thats for sure.

Not much else to say, so I best be off before I start to waffle!

Rach xx

P.S. A big shout out to all my scrappy chicks reading this crap LOL I sooo appreciate you popping past and leaving comments. It makes me feel very loved *insert blush smily here* LOL

Decisions, decisions! LOL

2006-05-01T16:13:00.000+10:00

Amanda & I have been pouring over the Amazing Race stuff again.. yes again LOL

This time it even required a phone call PMSL.. Amanda rang me! Wow! She sounded nothing like I imagined.. she says the same.. to be expected I guess!

We have it sorted now! Sorted I tell ya! Amanda's nearly finished her half even!!!!

You'll see I've updated my blog listing.. will update it with more new addresses tomorrow. Check these girls blogs out!! They're worth the read, unlike mine! LOL

The big { D-Day } is drawing nearer..... they're going to announce the A-Z winners soon.. I'm shitting myself!!! LOL I have no idea why.. I just am.

Have you seen Aussie Scrap Sources new blog? It's in my links.. check it out, it's worth a look.. it has competitions.. you can submit to have work on their blog, etc, very cool!!!!

There are a few openings on Design Teams at the moment.. trying to pluck up the courage to apply.. may do.. we'll see! LOL

Oh, Bella is way too funny ATM!!! She is a talker, yada yada, waffle waffle.. only thing is.. we have NO IDEA WHAT SHE IS SAYING.. It is sooo funny to watch LOL Gosh I love her, she's such a dag!

Okies.. thats all for today.. be back tomorrow with some more ramblings.. lol

Who's a sneaky girl?

2006-04-27T16:18:00.000+10:00

Well now they've recieved them, I can finally talk about them! LMAO

Alanna has done a huge amount of organising over at EB.. not just on the CJ's, but she's done alot of work with the online crop, etc. So to say thanks, the girls at EB took a little collection and bought her some scrap supplies.. She was STOKED (as we thought she would be)..

And my number ONE chick Amanda did this unreal chart up for us making it very easy for people like me to understand.. It listed the requirements and sizes, etc, of everyones CJs. We did the same thankyou thing for her too. And she was just as happy as Alanna.

Both you girls deserve it, thats why we did it!

I wanna holler out a HUGE THANKYOU to the ever so lovely Cat, this was her idea, I was only the money collector, spender and poster PMSL so I can't take the credit for the lovely gesture! So thanks Cat, you're one-in-a-million!

Amanda and I have a very definitive plan for the major challenge in the BB Amazing Race, so I'm not as worried now.. We'll be right LOL

OK, must go, talk again soon! *mwah*

Long time between drinks..

2006-04-26T10:20:00.000+10:00

Sorry I havent posted for so long.. I ask myself, what is the point of a blog if you don't make regular entries? Slap, slap! LOL

I considered scrapping the whole idea.. but decided not too... I love blogging.. just a bit slack thats all PMSL

Since last time I posted I have been:

Super busy with Circle Journal entries
Extra extra busy organising a little surprise for two special someones
Doing my OTP challenge for Essential Baby (a canvas)
We got our own scrap forum at EB finally, YAY!!!!! And thanks to Karen (Brazen) for continually nagging for it..
Football has started, so I've been busy doing things for that, face painting at the home games, etc. Tell me, how is it that DP doesnt play at the club anymore and I'm still roped into helping? LOL
Dont know if I said this.. but I've sent my A-Z album off and received a letter saying it arrived in time.. now the anxious wait for the results.. surely I have no chance? PMSL
Oh, had another birthday.. Another one bites the dust LOL The girls at EB were lovely in sending me birthday wishes.. Debbie even made me a card which is gorgeous! I was soo thrilled to get a card in the mail.. I got lots of lovely presents INCLUDING a DVD Player! Yep, I've been living in the land of pre-hestoric for the last few years LMAO
Big Brother has started! Boy that show is infectious.. Lots of dopey chicks in there for me to laugh at.. always a plus! hehe
Tomorrow night we find out who the Biggest Loser is..... I would love to put in a hot tip for the winner, but I really have no idea, they are all sooo close.. I just hope that Wal comes in the biggest loser of the eliminated contestants, he's worked so hard.. :)
On a sader note, My infected sinus has returned! Ouch! They are soo bloody painful its not funny, so I spent most of this Anzac Day 'drugged up' on Panadiene Forte..
The BB Amazing Race has started.. I gotta admit.. I'm a little aprehensive about the whole thing.. just as Amanda is. Although, I'm sure once we get the ball rolling we'll be fine! First major challenge is doing half a LO each.. then assessembling it together.. the topic is A Time Capsule of the first half of 2006, cost of living, that sorta thing..

Ok, so we are now up-to-date, for now! hehe

Catch up with you all soon, I promise! :)

Wall to wall chocolate...

2006-04-18T11:59:00.000+10:00

Whoah! Glad we've got that out of the way.. What a big four days... hehe

Warrick ended up going to Mildura with the boys (thank God for that lol) so Bella and I had a 'girls weekend'. Bella was sooo well behaved, no whinging, no whining.. just perfect!

We spent Saturday shopping, got B some new winter clothes, when to the LSS for some wanted but not needed supplies LOL and had some photos printed.

I did alot of scrapping, got CJ entries finished, the tags, etc. Amanda's CJ theme is 'Life's Journey' whilst looking for photos for my entry I got a bit 'nostalgic' LOL and I have decided to scrap an album of my childhood. Probably just a 9 x 9, we'll see how I go.. Oh too much to do LMAO, I also want to get around to that pregnancy album! The one I wanted to start last year!!!!! Ooops.. LOL By the time I get around too it LOL, it'll have been 3 years since I was pregnant (how sad....)

We had lunch at Oma's on Easter Sunday, all my cousins were there with their kids, so the little ones had a ball! Bella really would love a brother or sister (blog readers DO NOT take this as a hint, it is not LOL) but she'll have to make do with her cousins for now. You can just see how much she enjoys Josh when he's around.

Bella got sooo many chocolate eggs it certainly isn't funny! Little eggs, big eggs, rabbits, ducks...

Monday I look her too the Zoo. We invited Grandma along with us and we really had a super time.. Bella loved all the animals, but was VERY impressed with the Orangatangs, Seals, Giraffe and good old seagulls (who greeted us at lunchtime LOL)....

Okies, by for now, hope everyone had a safe and Happy Easter..

Let the race begin..

2006-04-11T16:56:00.000+10:00

Amanda and I are entering Blue Bazaar's Amazing Race!

Condition of entry is that the pair cannot be from the same state, so with me in VIC and the chickadee in SA, it worked out perfect.. :)

I can't wait, it's going to be sooo much fun.

Warrick is healing, slowly LOL. It's only been a few days, so not much happening with him.

Miss B on the other hand is growing by the minute, she really is quite funny at the moment. Her lastest craze is shooooes. A real fascination for them! Off come the shoes, then the socks, she picks them up, walks over to you and says "shoooooes, shooooes". Yep, you guessed it, she wants them on again! LMAO

Anyways, not much else to report, so best I go..

Take care everyone (if anyone actually reads this crap LOL)

Men!?!?!?!

2006-04-10T14:11:00.000+10:00

Well, this weekend was a disaster!

Phil's footy team was playing Cerberus on Saturday, down on their Navy base. They were short players so Warrick agreed to fill in. Now, this is a man that injures himself looking at the footy field, so why he agreed I have no idea!

The club like to "make a day of it" when they play down at Cerberus, so they hire a bus and we all travel together.. This was going to be fun for B, beacuse she's never been on a bus. And boy did she love it! So that was good..

They day turned sour when Warrick punched the ball to spoil the mark, AND BROKE HIS ARM! Great!

Being the stubborn male that he is, he refused to say it hurt, let alone acknowledge that it was broken so he didn't go to Emergency until the next morning. Out he comes with his arm in plaster! Six to eight weeks off work! Excatly what I need right now!

Oh well, gotta get back to work, will post again soon! Byyyyyyyyyyyyyye!

Been a while!

2006-04-05T16:43:00.000+10:00

Haven't written for a while. It's been a hectic week at work, so I just haven't had the time.

We get the net at home next month, YAY! Finally I'll be connected with the rest of the world LOL Then I'll be able to keep this blog more up to date.

Haven't got much to say anyways, so my blog entries would've been REALLY bloody boring! LMAO

Have joined in on the EB Circle Joural thingy which sounds like alot of fun! Here is the cover of my album.. My topic is "The Sisterhood of Scrapping - a celebration of friendships made through scrapping, both online and IRL"
Bye for now!

Could be better...

2006-03-29T16:29:00.000+11:00

I haven't posted for nearly a week, so I thought I'd better pop in for a quick one.

Things aren't great with my health. I have Shingles... I'm only 25 for Gods sake! I thought only old people got it, but apparently not. For those that don't know what Shingles is.. quick version is you develop a rash which is terribly painful, the disease is connected to your nervous system or something. It is bought about by the Chicken Pox virus which lays dormant in your body after you have it as a child.

I am terribly worried that Bella will get the chicken pox from me, obviously she can't get Shingles but she can contract the pox.

I'm on pain killers, they're helping, but it's definately a mental downer this pain.

Some good news, the A-Z Album is finished! Will post some pics some other time.

Stay safe everyone, and well, unlike me! hehe

It's that time of the week again!

2006-03-24T13:57:00.000+11:00

{ Infected Sinuses }

Tell me, how does one NEVER suffer from any sort of sinus problems, yet get two sinus infections in a month????? I have no idea! But if anyone does, please enlighten me! The tip of my nose is sooo sore, but I have dulled the pain somewhat by downing a few Panediene Fortes. Have leftover medicine from last time, so will start pumping those into the system tonight.. wish me luck! LOL

{ Whats on for the weekend? }

Dum dum dum dum, dum dum dum dum... *Hint hint*

A wedding! Yes another one! A little closer to home this time - thank god!

Bella's favourite childcare teacher is marrying her childhood sweetheart and really wants little B there.. so we're getting all dolled up and making a girls day of it. I can believe how big my baby is now. This walking has given her soo much independence, and has turned her from and baby into a little girl. I know I've blogged this before but its really hit me this week - my girl is nearly 1 and a half!!!!

{ Scrapping - Finishing the A to Z }

This weekend I WILL be finishing my A-Z. With the wedding and also Dinner at Warricks workmates it may be pushing it.. But I will make it work somehow! I've got other scrap projects I need to start and the A-Z deadline is fast approaching!!!

Okies, thats all from me, have a great weekend all... :)

OMG! It's Roz James!

2006-03-23T12:00:00.000+11:00

Pick me up off the floor! LMAO

This morning my lazy arse finally registered on the SAM Messageboards.. I have been lurking there for MONTHS and just never got around to registering. Well I did and posted in the newbies section introducing myself.

STOP THE PRESS! My first repsonse was from the one and only Roz James! Now isn't that nice? Not only is she a great scrapper, but she must be a top chick too! LOL Welcoming a newbie and all LMAO

Going to the LSS today... Off to buy some scrap supplies for the scrap-deprived-I-live-in-the-bush Sarah.. hehe She'll be in Melbourne on the weekend, so she'll pick them up then LOL. I'm sure no encouragement is needed to buy a few things for mwwahh! A few things will turn into ALOT of things no doubt, especially if they have the new Heidi Swapp! I desperately want some of the fuzzy rubons LOL

Okies, I must get back to work.. Will come back as soon as I can!

Well I did it!

2006-03-21T11:16:00.000+11:00

I overcome my fear of rejection LOL and emailed an application to Julia for the For Keeps Elite team. Dear God, I'm not holding my breath or anything but just thought, "Bite the bullet Rach! Gotta be in it to win it!"

So I sent her 8 of my most recent LOs.. My favs! hehe

Here is my "Flavour of the Month" LMAO

Oh, exciting news! We are organising a Melbourne meet with the EB Scrappers! I can't wait, I;m excited already I must say.. At this stage it looks as though it'll be at Susans. She's only in Frankston South so very easy for me!

Okay, well I must get back to work, so it's bye for me right now. Going to try to get a banner done too, this blog is a little boring, so not like me! LMAO

You've been tagged!

2006-03-20T09:46:00.000+11:00

Well as Amanda says, "anyone whos anybody" in the scrapping world is doing this in their blogs, hehe, so Amanda tagged me!

What scrapbook lines/products, etc. do you dislike?

Hmmm. I'm not a fan of Chatterbox papers. I don't know what it is about them. I just can't work them. Not really a fan of linen Bazzill either.

What is the hardest thing you have ever had to scrap?

Definately an altered book detailing my Grandfathers life. He passed just over 3 years ago. We were very close, so it bought to the surface alot of sad feelings, but on the contrary, did give me an opoortunity to remember 'him', the quirky things he did, etc. It was even harder giving it to my Mum, she cried alot, 'happy tears' though she says.

What technique do you use more than anything else?

Sanding and Inking! Nothing can be inked or sanded (and both usually) enough!

What is the smallest scrap of paper you save?

Ahh, now heres a sore spot! LOL I save anything bigger than say an inch x inch. I save any strip off PP more than an inch wide. All this hording if fast making me run out of room! hehe I was going to get rid of my little scraps and only keep 6x6 pieces or bigger, but doing the A-Z comp, I have used alot of my little pieces. So now I'm torn, to throw away or not to throw away.. The million dollar question! LOL

Have you ever had any scrapbook related injuries?

Once, LOL, I managed to put a needle through my finger when hand stitching. It was very funny, I didn't realise I had done it until I went to move my finger!! PMSL

Finish this sentence, "If I wasn't a scrapbooker/stamper, I wouldspend my money on..."

Clothes of course! I have always been a mad shopper. Especially for clothing. Although, that has taken a bit of a back seat to scrapping, can't have everything they say! hehe

Give us your best storage or organizational idea.

Oh gosh, I'm always trying to pinch other peoples storage ideas! An organisational tip - have everything stored away neatly in your scrap room.. You will spend less time looking for things and more time scrapping. I have all rubons together, all chipboard together, etc.

You just won a week long scrapbooking cruise for 5. Who is going withyou?
Oooh, ooh, ooh, when do we leave? PMSL! The very scrappy Amanda of course! Tanja, Sharon, and my SIL Jess.

When you received your first publication notification, who did youtell? And if you are not yet pubbed, who will be the first person you share the news with?

Well I was chatting Sharon at the time the email came through, so she was the first person to know, then Tanja, as she got accepted in the same issue and wanted to tell me, SNAP! I had news for her too! LOL But if I hadn't been chatting with them at the time, Amanda would've been first to know, she's my biggest supporter and inspiration! Aside from DP of course.. hehe

A long time between drinks..

2006-03-17T13:35:00.000+11:00

{ Latest on Me }

Sorry I haven't updated for a while. Things are a little hectic at the moment.

The relationship road is often rocky, I have hit soo many potholes the last week or so it really isn't funny.. I'm hoping for a smoother ride soon as my 'suspension' is packing it in.

I don't like discussing personal relationships on the WWW so I'll leave it at that, but I'd like to look back in the near future and think, "Wow, I got through all that!" (fingers crossed thats the outcome anyway).

{ Latest on Scrappin }

Have been plucking away at the A-Z album, getting there still LOL You must be sick of that comment by now! hehe As you can see, I went a bit wild with my Heidi Swapp mask, I only have the one, I really should buy more because I have got alot more use out of them than I first thought. On the 'One' LO I have traced it and used watercolour pencils to colour the design, 'colouring in' really bought me back to my high school days LOL Ohh the memories...

This weekend I will decide whether or not to submit layouts to For Keeps for the 2nd half of 2006's Elite Team. Not that I'd be in the running with the ever so talented scrappers out there. But who knows hey? I just might be what they are looking for this time around or.. Have a listen to me, LOL, gets one layout published, well, accepted I should say, hasn't been in the mag yet, and she's already talking design teams..!!! LMAO

{ Latest on Bella }

Well Finally!!! Miss B is walking around properly, all the time, and everywhere! I never thought it would happen, considering she is a very late walker at 17 months!

As I type, she is at her very first excursion! Can you believe it? My baby girl is on an excursion! The babies room at Childcare has gone to Myuna Farm.. a zoo with baby animals so to speak. She will be loving it!

More big girl news, Miss B's hair is now long enough for piggy tails! Yay! I can't stress how hard it was getting turning that 'mop' into something passable as a 'not-just-got-outta-bed-look' LOL The downside to this new look is that she doesn't look like my little baby anymore, my Bella looks like a big girl. It's got to happen sooner or later I guess.

Bye for now, hugs, Rach

Essential Baby Scrap Pack

2006-03-09T08:52:00.000+11:00

Scrappin Dreams have our scrap packs ready! Instead of a scrap swap, this time we've decided to buy the same materials and all scrap a layout.. A bit like the ever so talented girls at SAM do with the monthly packs. It'll be interesting to see how different all the LOs look!! I can't wait.

Debbie has organised this swap and there are 30 people in it! Wow! I've included a picture of the pack. Its from the new Basic Grey line, Colour Me Silly.. Not too sure what I'll do with it yet, although, saying that, I'm never really sure what I'm doing anytime I scrap. I just play with the papers and photos until inspiration hits. Thats me, LOL, spontaneous!

MIL dropped in my outfit for the wedding last night. I'm borrowing a dress from Taryn, (Warrick's sister) which she bought for a wedding recently. It is the most gorgeous halter neck dress I have ever seen, and the SHOES, OMG, I love shoes, but these are divine!

Still tossing up whether or not to go into the next round of Circle Journals. I love the idea, its great, don't know if I love the commitment though.. IYKWIM.. I'll ponder on that for a while I think.

Okies, thats all for me. Probably won't check back in until Tuesday.. with some pics of the wedding hopefully!

Scrapping, Sydney, Shopping..

2006-03-07T11:24:00.000+11:00

Well boy have I done some scrapping this week! Trying to plough through this A-Z Album, getting there, S-L-O-W-L-Y, still nine layouts to go... Hand stitching takes such effort! I envy Kerrin Quall for making it look so effortless! I am sooo in love with my T is for.. Those Eyes LO. I gotta say, it may be my favourite for the year so far.. using the scrumptious new SEI Winnies Walls paper! The photo is absolutely precious. The only one of Bella with baby blue eyes, at just over four weeks old.

Off to the Blue Mountains on Saturday morning, for Amy & Paddy's (B's godfather) wedding. I gotta say, even though Bella's 1 and a half, I'm still worried about leaving her.. She's never been away from me THIS long. Dropping her off Friday night and won't be picking her up until late on Sunday night. My flight is at 7:00am Saturday morning! Talk about a red eye special! That'll mean a 5:00am start, which I'm dreading.. I'm definately not a morning person! PMSL!

Good news though, as my flight gets in sooo early, I can do some scrap shopping in Sydney which I'm really looking forward too!

Okies, thats all for me today.. will hopefully pop back in before the big trip! Byyyyyeee..

More good news (for a change)

2006-03-03T08:36:00.000+11:00

I am pleased to say my good news keeps rolling in at the moment. Big difference from a month ago, nothing would work out right!

On the home front, our re-finance has gone through, yet another pile of paperwork to sign, but thats OK, it'll make Warrick happy.. he can get his new car, dirt bike and whatever else he has on that crazy list of his. A happy Warrick is a happy me!

I was talking with Linda from Windsor Cottage Botanicals about Basic Grey yesterday and she asked if I would be interested in featuring some of my work in her gallery for her new online store. Are you kidding Linda? Interested? LOL Of course I am! (that was part of my reply) LMAO

Okies, that's all for me today.. Got lots of scrapping to get done this weekend, Warrick is off fishing tomorrow and it's his Mother's (Sue) birthday Sunday, so we're off to Jells Park for a BBQ.

Oh, will just finish with some EXCELLENT news.. Peter's (Sue's partner) daughter Sheree is 13 weeks pregnant, she had her first scan yesterday and is expecting TWINS! Yay for Sheree and Cam. Not identical, but exciting just the same!

Okies, really going now, have a great weekend!

J is for... Just Like You

2006-03-02T09:39:00.000+11:00

My bestest online friend is fellow scrapper Amanda Hall. She lives in South Australia, has three daughters, a set of twins, Kelsey and Georgia, and little Piper. Piper and Bella look so similar it's definately uncanny!

I dedicated a page of Bella's A-Z album to their similarities. It's called Just Like You.. original ha? LOL

They are the most two beautiful girls you will ever see. Obviously Amanda and I aren't biased in our comments at all... hehe

Here it is anyways..

OMG! I've been accepted for publication!

2006-03-01T15:07:00.000+11:00

OMG! I don't believe it. Yesterday I recieved an email from Sam, filling in for Lorraine Bate at Scrapbook Creations.. One of my double layouts titled "Seven Sins" has been accepted for publication in Issue 31!!!

24 hours later, it's still FREAKING me out! This is my very first publication and I'm stoked to say the least. My main goal for 2006, aside from winning the For Keeps A-Z Album Competition is to be published in all three main magazines here in Australia.. we'll see, fingers crossed!

Hard to scrap at the moment, spending alot of the time with darling Bella. Only she's more like a devil than a darling at present, but not her fault, she's having a hard time cutting her molars. On the Bella front, still not walking, I mean she can, she's just too lazy too!

Not much else happening with me and mine.. Ploughing through the rest of the A-Z, about halfway. Have the very yummy new Basic Grey papers and rub ons in the mail to me at the moment.. can't wait!

Bye for now..