Sunday, May 27, 2007

Very quickly...

Busy, busy, busy!!! Sorry for the lack of updates but I have been working full time for the last two week, as the teacher I tandem with has been on holiday in New Zealand- lucky her!!!!

However- I spend ALL day today at the Craft and Quilt Fair with my mother-in-law. It was a wonderful day, no hubby, no kids and lots of time to browse about in a crafty environment- bliss!!! There was very little scrapbooking this year however there was the most amazing display of Carole Janson's scrapping- in real life it is even more amazing than in the magazines. And Carole was there in person- woo hoo!!! What a gorgeous lady- we had a lovely chat- waving *hello* Carole!!

Here we are looking glamorous!!!! Can you see some of Carole's fantastic work behind us- what an talented lady!!
Anyway- I must fly- I have school uniforms to iron for school tomorrow-(groan)
Have a fantastic day- will update properly soon!!!
Love Janine xxx

Sunday, May 20, 2007

Warning- LONG post but also some LOs to share!!!

Hi there!
Let me start by sharing the LO I completed last night during Janine Kaye's online class!It was such a fun class but boy did Janine have us working fast! Honestly, I didn't even have time to drink my glass of wine!!! Aren't the papers just the yummiest!! Janine surprised us by sending through more instructions to make a second LO and a card with all our left over bits! I haven't got to the bonus bits yet- LOL, been doing other stuff! I have actually journalled in the journalling box but took the photo before and then couldn't be bothered rephotographing it!
This pink LO is actually a 6x6 LO that I completed for an album over at EMM. Shazz is organizing an album for a lady called Bridgette who has cancer. Shazz asked people to make a pink LO which included an appropriate quote. Here is mine- for more info check out the EMM forum.

Now this LO makes me happy because looking at these three smiling cuties makes me happy- gorgeous aren't they!!! This is my scrapjack for this month's Aussie Scrapjack. It is a scrap of Mardi's LO called 'Fun with Granny' I totally loved scrapping Mardi's LO- there were so many I could have easily picked!!!

OK- this next bit is a bit long, so I have left the last LO I am sharing this post to after this bit. If you don't wish to read this long bit, skip down to the last LO!!!

Yesterday we had a bit of an 'incident' with Sarah. She went a bit funny, told me she had a sore tummy and didn't want to do acrobatics. This surprised me as she loves acro and I actually felt that she wasn't really sick but hey- give her the benefit!
Anyway I took her home and she got straight out of the car and went off and hopped into bed- so I thought that maybe I was wrong and she was feeling unwell. I checked on her after about 30 minutes and she was laying there with her eyes closed- asleep I assumed.
I checked on her again, about 30 minutes on, and this time she had her eyes open but as soon as she saw me, looked away. I instantly felt that there was something else wrong (mother's intuition). I went in, sat down and started talking to her- well my initial thoughts were correct- she wasn't sick.
I need to go back a bit here, so you know where I'm coming from.
Sarah is academically very bright. Last year her WALNA results (state testing) was very good. In two of the four subjects tested she was above the shaded area, which indicates she scored in the top 10% of the state. In the remaining two area she scored very high as well. After those results we were not surprised when this year, she was selected to be tested for the school's Gifted and Talented program. She was accepted and absolutely LOVES going. The G&T teacher spoke to me a while back about having her tested further to find out exactly what level she was at, so possibly the school could adjust its teaching to suit her- all sounded good to me. Adam and I discussed this and eventually agreed but were very selective in the information we gave Sarah. I wasn't too keen on her knowing too much incase others found out- not all kids like the smart kid- IYKWIM. Anyway, yesterday morning was the extra testing. Adam took Sarah to the test while I stayed home with Emma and then took Em to her acrobatics. We had planned for Adam to drop Sarah straight to acro with me- so she could do her class! Sarah's feeling 'sick' started after Adam dropped her with me and I started asking her about the test.
Well to cut a long story short, Sarah's 'feeling sick' was actually a knotted stomach from stress- you see by not giving Sarah all the information about this test she assumed some. The test was actually hard for her- well it should be - it is based at a year 8 level. Sarah was stressed because she found the test hard, she presumed that she may not do as well as she hoped and consequently be removed from the G&T program. So her 'sore tummy' was her stressing. Poor kid- my tummy felt sore and knotted listening to her. Once I explained that it didn't effect her position in the G&T program- she felt heaps better- amazing huh! BUT- the good thing was, we kept on talking. It was SO good. We talked about all sorts of things- it was as if I had opened flood gates. She told me all sorts of other things that are going on in her life- to do with school, friends, sports etc WOW- I didn't realized that a nine year old would have so many worries and concerns. We talked through lots of them and discussed how she could handle certain things. It was such an eye opener for me but I'm SO pleased it all happened. We made a little pact to have these talks more often. Today, it is like a weigh has been lifted off her shoulders- she is just so happy. We have had a delightful day. When she is happy- I am happy. This morning I sat in her room while she practiced clarinet-and I really enjoyed listening to her. I know this sounds silly- but it is like we have 'discovered' each other!! I am SO proud of her! Happy Mummy moment!!!

OK let's move on!!! If you still with me- well done and I have one more LO to share.

This LO 'Cute as a Cupcake' is my last challenge for the Scrapapple Scraproom challenge. This week was 'Anything' goes. I have had this idea about creating a felt cupcake for ages and this was the perfect opportunity to use it- I'm really pleased with how it turned out- in fact I love it!!! The patty pan is an actual scan of a real patty pan from a recipe book!!!

Anyway- I have had a GREAT day and I hope you did too. Go and hug your kids and tell them that you love them!!!
Love Janine xxx

Saturday, May 19, 2007

Busy, busy!!

Wow, it has been a week since I have updated- my life just gets busier!!!
OK- let me start with Mother's Day- what a wonderful day! I was woken up by my gorgeous girls armed with little surprises for me! Sarah had made a card at school, in which she wrote this amazing poem about her and I and our relationship- it blew me away- this girl is SO switched on!!! She had also bought me the cutest little snow globe from the school's Mother's Day stall which has two angels inside- a Mum and baby- so sweet. AND- when Adam took them shopping she bought me this gorgeous bracelet- from her favourite shop- LOL! It is really hard to describe, I will have to take a 'show and tell' photo.
Emma's teacher is the most amazing teacher on this planet. She taught the children a song to sing to their Mums. I went all teary when my precious girl sang "You Are My Sunshine' to me. The words had been slightly modified so the song was about Mums- just beautiful!!! She also bought me (from the school stall) a groovy bumble bee shopping list- she knows me- I'm such a LIST person. LOL! While shopping with Adam she bought a lavender room smelly thing- very sweet. Adam also bought me a present- a Red Door gift box. How lucky am I!!!

We got up and Adam made breakfast- eggs and mushrooms on toast- mmmm so delicious!
Then we packed a picnic lunch, including a bottle of my fav wine and drove to Serpentine Falls. We left the picnic in the car and went on a hike- yes - a hike, it was GREAT!!! We climbed Baldwin Bluff- about a 2 hour round trip. It was beautiful. Of course my camera came with me!!! Here are just a few of my happy snaps!!


The hike was so refreshing and then we tucked into a yummo picnic lunch and bottle of wine- hmmm, so delish!
I have managed to finish a few pages too! This first one, SHE, is my take on Kim Archer's sketch for the SketchesOz blog. I so love the new sketch by Chris Millar- but I have not got around to scrapping that one yet! It is on my to-do-list!

This next LO, Always Bloom is from an online class at The Craft Attic that Kim instructed- Thanks Kim- great class! Yes I know the M in Bloom is crooked but once those stickers go down- that's it!!!

This last one, Chocolicious, is again for The Craft Attic- this time their Attic Inspirations comp which has just begun. You had to include- 2 pp, rub ons(not alphas), buttons and a rectangular embellishment.
LOL- if you are still reading- well done!!! I am booked in to do an online class with Janine Kaye tonight over at Shop and Crop - I am SO looking forward to it. The kit includes the yummiest papers ever!!!
I think that's enough for one post- I can hear snoring noises from here!! LOL!
Happy scrapping-
Love Janine xxx

Saturday, May 12, 2007

Be grateful....

Mother's Day is tomorrow and I can't help but think of Kate McCann- the mother of 4 year old Maeleine who is missing in Portugal. I can't even begin to image what it would be like for her. I feel teary and my voice quivers when I talk about it. I so wish for this precious little girl be found, quickly and unharmed.

I know this is 'American' but you get what I'm wishing you.

This is for all the mothers who have sat up all night with sick toddlers in their arms, wiping up barf laced with Oscar Mayer wieners and cherry Kool-Aid saying, "It's OK honey, Mommy's here." when they keep crying and won't stop.This is for all the mothers who show up at work with spit-up in their hair and milk stains on their blouses and diapers in their purse.For all the mothers who run carpools and make cookies and sew Halloween costumes. And all the mothers who DON'T.This is for the mothers who gave birth to babies they'll never see. And the mothers who took those babies and gave them homes.This is for all the mothers who froze their buns off on metal bleachers at football or soccer games Friday night instead of watching from cars,so that when their kids asked, "Did you see me?" they could say, "Of course, I wouldn't have missed it for the World," and mean it.This is for all the mothers who yell at their kids in the grocery store and swat them in despair when they stomp their feet like a tired 2-year old who wants ice cream before dinner.This is for all the mothers who sat down with their children and explained all about making babies. And for all the mothers who wanted to but just couldn't. For all the mothers who read "Goodnight, Moon" twice a night for a year, and then read it again. "Just one more time."This is for all the mothers who taught their children to tie their shoelaces before they started school. And for all the mothers who opted for Velcro instead. This is for all the mothers who teach their sons to cook and their daughters to sink a jump shot.This is for all mothers whose heads turn automatically when a little voice calls " Mom ?" in a crowd, even though they know their own off spring are at home.This is for all the mothers who sent their kids to school with stomach aches, assuring them they'd be just FINE once they got there, only to get calls from the school nurse an hour later asking them to please pick them up right away.This is for mothers whose children have gone astray, who can't find the words to reach them.For all the mothers who bite their lips sometimes until they bleed--when their 14 year olds dye their hair green.What makes a good Mother anyway? Is it patience? Compassion? Broad hips? The ability to nurse a baby, cook dinner, and sew a button on a shirt, all at the same time?Or is it heart? Is it the ache you feel when you watch your son or daughter disappear down the street, walking to school alone for the very first time?The jolt that takes you from sleep to dread, from bed to crib 2 A.M. to put your hand on the back of a sleeping baby?The need to flee from wherever you are and hug your child when you hear news of a fire, a car accident, a child dying? For all the mothers of the victims of all these school shootings, and the mothers of those who did the shooting. For the mothers of the Survivors, and the mothers who sat in front of their TVs in horror, hugging their child who just came home from school safely.This is for mothers who put pinwheels and teddy bears on their children's graves.This is for young mothers stumbling through diaper changes and sleep deprivation. And mature mothers learning to let go.For working mothers and stay-at-home mothers. Single mothers and married Mothers. Mothers with money, mothers without.This is for you all. So hang in there. Please pass along to all the Moms in your life. "Home is what catches you when you fall - and we all fall."

Please hugs your kidlets tomorrow and be grateful for having them.

Love Janine xxx

Thursday, May 10, 2007

Quick post!!

Hi all,

Just a quick post because my 'to-do' list is getting longer by the minute!! Arrrggghh!

Scrapapple's challenge 4 was all about colour! Scrap a LO about 'colour' that you would display on your scrap room wall. I used my favourite two colours and my favourite two scrapping subjects- my girls. LOL!! NOTE- LO removed as it is off to SM! Yippee!
Here is a LO that I scrapped a few weeks ago that I haven't shared! Yes- this girl makes me happy!!! :)
Not much else is going on- life is far too busy, I have a million things to do- so I had better go and start!
Have a great Thursday-
Love Janine xxx

Wednesday, May 02, 2007

Wooo hoooo

First of all, let me say 'WOOOO HOOOO' to Kathie!!! Kathie took up my "First, First, Last challenge". She has put up on her blog, her first ever LO, her first published LO and her latest LO- go and check it out!!! Thanks Kathie- you're a gem!

More 'WOOO HOOO'. My 'flower box' (see post below) won this week's challenge over at Scrapapple. Boy was I surprised! I thought Julie's gorgeous button box or Marni's amazing clock would win- but there you go- you just never know!

Tonight I did an online class with Jen Hall. Gosh she is one talented lady! We made this funky mini album but mine isn't finished - I can't scrap as fast as Jen!!! I will upload when it is completed!

I was hanging out to find out who the next 'jackee' was going to be at Aussie Scrapjacked. I was thrilled to find out that it is Mardi- oh I can't wait to jack one of her LOs!! And I was equally thrilled to find out the Kim Archer is the first sketch artist at Sketched Oz- can't wait to use Kim's sketch either!!! Oh happy days!!!!

Quick update on my brother-in-law Brett. Brett ended up needing a skin graft operation on his foot however it went very well and he is still in good spirits and should be allowed home from hospital in about a week or so!

Have a wonderful day-
Love Janine xxx