Santa came early...

for a certain young man in our household...

For 2 years Kel has wanted his own dog. After Sassy passed Darren & I weren't ready... finally now for Kel we are. She was supposed to be a birthday present, but we found her earlier and knowing she was perfect had to grab her then and there. Kel originally wanted to save an older dog, but this little girl was just what he had been hoping for... sometimes plans change when things are meant to be.

Her name is Cocoa {we are so original I know} and she's a Chocolate Labrador with a little bit of Border Collie thrown in, she's only 7 weeks old and missing her brothers and sisters...




but she's starting to settle in already, especially if we are on the floor with her.

It's safe for us down there on the floor... she has a toe fettish otherwise!

Until next time, take care of you.

Sweet Angels

Thought I'd share these with you... for the last 3 years Kel has bought me a present from his saved lunch money change to buy me a Mother's Day gift from the stall at school. And each year it's been an Angel Praying. Never my 'thing' before... now they sit by me while I scrap, and are my favourite treasures.

He can be just the sweetest thing.

Until next time, take care of you.

Making a list...

and hopefully finishing it!

I need to get some Christmas Spirit happening, but my mind is still off in DeNile ;-) so thought a list might come in handy... might help, or create a mild panic attack LOL!

Get the Christmas Tree up: can't have Christmas without it! This also involves moving the lounge and dining room around so we can fit the tree in; which then involves me cleaning both rooms because once you move something you find 'hidden' things, it's going to take all day. Sigh... should have put the tree up in June LOL!

Send Cards: I think I've left this kinda late... better get my skates on!

Buy Presents... luckily I only have to get 2 more Secret Santa ones for Darren's side of the family and I know what they want. One is on it's way already. I have my niece and nephews already, my sister and I aren't swapping this year... so that just leaves mum and dad. Easy Peasy. Then there is Kel, there's not much he wants... but he loves opening pressies and there's only going to be a couple to open. He's such a good kid, doesn't care about branding, doesn't care if we spend a lot or not... just like to open pressies and misses Santa! And then we have his birthday on the 31st which I wanted to be a huge thing for him, I had all these cool plans for his 13th and now... nothing. He wants a dog, that's all... so after Christmas we'll be looking at the animal refuge for a new family member. Big step for all of us there. And again... he's such a good kid when it comes to these things... he doesn't care if there's not party, so long as he gets his dog {and it doesn't even have to be a puppy because he wants to 'save' one}, and a cake and happy birthday sung to him. Oh... I digressed, back to the 'list' girl!

Buy Presents: {take 2} Chillax Missy, there's not many to get!

Wrap Presents: I think this is where my Christmas Spirit is hiding, I LOVE wrapping presents.

Plan Christmas Eve: New for this year, we are staying home alone. Might have one of Darren's mates over, will see what happens. But I get to plan some yummies for dinner... if that doesn't get my Christmas Spirit happening then nothing will!

Christmas Day: Get up, chill out... go to mum's, have a swim up the river and enjoy a wonderful day with the people I love the most in this world.

Is there a twinge of excitement... not yet {although Christmas Day itself does}, but I'm going to start writing a thorough list at least. Planning Christmas Eve dinner will help the happy bug, I love planning yummies! But I am calm, I''m not stressing... that's a good thing!

Until next time, take care of you.

Some more LO sharing... went to Tomorrow's Memories again on Friday night for their moonlight crop, had such a lovely time as always... and I won another prize, talk about lucky, I don't usually win things but I've done well lately at TM's. I bought a FAB headband that Evana made, I just need to alter it a little bit because I have a fat head!

Sadly mojo wandered away for the night,... we're having a few dramas with Kel and they all clicked into place on Friday. He is having a rough time, we're going to see if we can get him a referral for some counselling. He's been distraught to the point of sobbing about going to school {and other places}, because he thinks something bad is going to happen. Looking back over the last 6 weeks all the symptoms/excuses are showing signs of anxiety of some form and my heart is breaking that I can't just put a bandaid on it and fix it. So I'm not sure if he's even going to be able to finish the year, which is so sad... but I'd rather not force the issue if there is a problem. There's no bullying happening at school that the teacher is aware of and Kel says there isn't... so maybe him talking to someone that isn't mum or dad might help him. But I am glad now that I've realised we have a possible 'problem' nice and early and can get some help... it's very likely all the BIG changes happening soon that have triggered it; becoming a teenager, going to high school... all the unknown things etc. Hopefully if we are lucky he can start high school all afresh with some management procedures in place.

But we've all had a calm, if not extremely hot weekend {aircon died last weekend... great, talk about timing} and he's talking about going to school tomorrow. So I'll get him up in the morning, and if he gets there, then great... if not we'll try again Tuesday.

I scrapped my 3 half finished layouts from Friday night in the cool part of Saturday morning, and then Saturday evening started on next weeks DT project, which I LOVE... I'm so pleased with how it turned out.





This next one was for my Step by Step at Home and Scrapped, the girls have created some FAB layouts... I always get such a kick out of seeing what they create. I'll load the steps for this to my MaDscrapping Blog during the week.


So hopefully we have a less eventful week, I wish I could wave a magic wand for Kel and get rid of his anxiety... the last week of school is always such a treasure and I hate the thought that he could be missing such a wonderful time. But time will help...

I've put new clothes on the blog for Christmas... to try and get my Christmas Spirit happening. I'm really struggling this year, not only is there next to no money, but there's next to no family tradition as well because of Darren's brother, and that's the part that is really getting to me. We'll go see his mum & dad on Christmas Day though... but Christmas Eve is a non-event. But I'll try and do something special for us, have some nice treats for Christmas Eve dinner and just the 3 of us watch Christmas movies etc. And my mum is fussing now for Christmas Day. We're going to the river for a swim first, then back to her house for a late lunch/early dinner, of which the simple fare has ended up a full on deal... but that's mum, I love her passion for Christmas, she has always made it such a special day for us!

It's been a while since I've had a rabble on here... likely because nothing great is happening with our family life, other than we are family. We're all worn out, the 3 of us... we need to have a HUGE declutter and start afresh, it's been a rough year and it's showing around the edges; guess it's quite the same for a lot of us... I know that my close friends have been through the wringer this year but we keep on keeping on... because we have to! I'm hoping 2010 is a much better year for us all.

Until next time, take care of you.

More 3AS bits...

This month I got to set the challenge at 3AS; this is my LO for it. We're focussing on family, summer and the holidays this month so my challenge was set around family quirks, because we each have them! Pop over and see what it's all about, why not join in - there's fab prizes up for grabs!


This week was also our sketch week {I like sketch week} LOL! This is the sketch from So Sketchy.

And here is my LO based on it. This month I am working with Dream Street "Nostalgic" papers. Not something I would normally grab for myself... but the colours/patterns are very me and I've had a lot of fun with them so far.


And I made another one, because it was fun!

So, it's been a month as 3AS DT already and it's gone so fast, they say time flies when you're having fun and it's true, I am enjoying myself there without a doubt!

Until next time, take care of you.

12 Days of Christmas @ 3AS

We have been busy little bees coming up with Christmas Ideas at 3 Angels Scrapping. Here's a few of mine:

Table Setting using scrapping stuff - so easy these days with diecut sheets and tags, rhinestones and stickers!

I have used Pink Paislee's Mistletoe & Co Range here, it's my fave range so far this season.



A Birthday Calendar using a Daily Calendar Holder - I've only been working on this for years, well had the idea in my head - it finally got finished on the weekend!




A gorgeous {and easy peasy} Diary which could easily be used to make a mini album or journal. Instructions for this are available at Storm Scraps, my dear friend Heather created the tutorial for it so say howdy when you pop in!

Papers for this one are Webster's Pages - so so stunning!



There's heaps of ideas happening, so if you want some Chrissy Gift or Decoration ideas, pop over to 3 Angels 12 Days of Christmas Gallery and have a see!

Until next time, take care of you.

Starting Monday...

I'll be running a SBS over at Home&Scrapped as the December Challenge, so if you don't have the time or mojo is running low, pop on over and play along. A new step will be added each day, so by Sunday you'll have a completed LO with minimal effort and without having had spent hours procrastinating over what to stick where!

Hopefully I'll see you @ Home!!

Until next time, take care of you.

More Christmas Treats @ 3AS

My last projects using the yummy Crate Paper North Pole Range! I have had fun with these...

Santa's Knee was created as a technique feature - mine being distressing, naturally! What I'm going to pull out of my hat next month I have no idea, LOL, might have to go learn something!! ;-) Click on the pic to go right to the gallery where I have the how to's and what's on it list. This is my favourite LO of mine for a long time... love it!


Xmas Kind of Day was created for the fun of it! A bit different than my usual style, but I had a lot of fun creating it, Kel loves it and there's something about it that I love as well... I think it could be the kid in the photo - even though he's pushing those boundaries as far as he can at the moment, I adore this child of mine, especially when I get the "I Love You" look! {Yes, he has me wrapped around his little finger...}


So... tomorrow, I set my 1st challenge at 3AS. Only a LOT excited about that... is that sad, I mean it's not like I haven't set a challenge before, but still that excitement factor is there! There's prizes up for grabs as well so come have a see what I set, have a play and you could win something yummy!! And I'm excited about our 12 Days of Christmas starting tomorrow... so much happening all at once, love love love it!!

Until next time, take care of you.

November CC @ Home&Scrapped

I have been scrapping up a storm this weekend! The challenges set this month over at Home & Scrapped have been perfect fuel for the MOJO!

This one is set by Josie, an evil timed card challenge and I'm sure she could hear the groans coming in from all over Aust... but I did it! 6 matched Christmas Cards in under 30 minutes... I did them in 25 and that included pic & upload time... I was the bomb {we'll not look at the fact they are dead simple though okies}



and then I read the instructions which said NO RED AND GREEN - oops, somedays the coffee just doesn't kick in quick enough! Hence Take 2:


This is for Heathers Sketch Challenge. Heather does fantabulous sketches, they always inspire me.


This is Joy's Challenge, which was a mixed challenge; bit of this, bit of that, some of that thrown in kind of thing. I used the kit I won at Tomorrow's Memories to scrap the pics of myself, Jules & Chrissie there. They are not really my kind of paper, but I had FUN with it... those stickers are fun fun fun to use!! This one is growing on me now, it's fun anyway and that reflects the time we had there together!


This next one was a doozy, set by our Jewels. We had a sketch to work from and had to incorporate 5 different colours and some exotic papers. So I dragged out the circle cutters, water spray and edge distresser and made a plethora of circles and made Angie's Flowers!


This was the first challenge of the weekend set by Mary, a Title Challenge: to be inspired by "Forever and Ever"... so my brain thinks washing, I am so obviously not a romantic! But I think the freedom given with this first challenge is what really got the mojo flowing... we've all scrapped up a storm this weekend, so great to see!


I've also done a LO for the December Challenge I am setting at 3AS, you'll all need your quirky hat for that one ;-) plus I've made a couple of things for the upcoming 3AS 12 Days of Christmas, the whole DT will be creating little ideas for Christmas Gifts and Decorations so pop on over if you need some ideas... I know there will be some great ones! And I finally made my SS pressie for Home&Scrapped, but I really like it so my SS'ee might not get it now... LOL!!

Until next time, take care of you.

Christmas Accordian Album

I love these these albums, they are quick and easy to make and are so so cute, so I decided to make one for my 1st OTP at 3 Angels Scrapping.

Click on the image to take you right to my 3AS Gallery, there's close ups pic, material list and a link to a downloadable PDF Tutorial on how to make them if you've not made one before.

Until next time, take care of you.

Sometimes...

we need to remember:

"Feelings are everywhere, be gentle" ~J Masai

I joined a FB group about Karma, {as you do} and this popped up on one of their updates. I like it, really like it, it hits a soft spot in my heart... wise words I want to keep in mind, hard as it can be.

Until next time, take care of you.

Home & Scrapped Cyber Crop

My little 2nd Home - Home and Scrapped - are having a Cyber Crop this weekend beginning Friday, 27th November at 1pm and finishing on Sunday 29th, and you have until midnight on Wednesday 2nd December to finish your challenges (all Australian Eastern Daylight Savings Time, which is +11 hours). So if you're in the mood for a few fun challenges with some of the loveliest ladies on the net, pop on over to Home and Scrapped, join up and check out the forum for all the details!!

Until next time, take care of you.

Cat {in a} Box

No more pics of this gorgeous little guy :-( He was so cute and inquisitive... and like all cats, can't resist a box!!

I have used: Pink Paislee Vintage Moon PP, Basic Grey Designer Cardstock, Basic Grey Recess PP, 2 Crafty Chipboard Shape, Basic Grey "Hip" Chipboard Alphas, Carolee's AdornIt Alpha Stickers, Inks, Starburst Stains and Luminarte Radiant Rain {Hot Cinnamon}.

A simple little LO, but that's all it needed to be.

{Forbidden} Love

Mum's budgie and rescued silly dove are in love... she tried to separate them but they pined for each other, so even though cross species loving isn't really accepted in the aviary, one can't deny someone their true love!

I have used: Basic Grey Designer Cardstock, Pink Paislee Vintage Moon PP, Rose Moka PP, Graphic 45 Renaissance Faire PP, Bella! Journal Card, Green Tara & Hero Arts Flowers, Q&Co Alphas, Hearts & Swirl, Basic Grey Opaline, Carolee's AdornIt Alpha Stickers {Burlap Rust}, Ink & Starburst Stains

Until next time, take care of you.

Missy Scrappin...

Until next time, take care of you.

3 Angels - Christmas Cards

This week at 3 Angels Scrapping we've created Christmas Cards. Naturally I have pretty much run out of my papers {being a PP hog and all}... but my kit is also jam packed with embies and had a pack of these Kaiser Wooden Flourishes perfect for Christmas Cards. I had a ball making these! The girls have made some stunning cards and have such great ideas, have a see at them all here.

So maybe there is a card maker inside of me somewhere, still buried deep... I think once I get over using my stamps instead of collecting them we might see something emerging!

Until next time, take care of you.