Jack off to school....Mum didn't even cry??

I just had to include the pic of Jack having to stop and kill a few locusts before we could get going...such a typical boy thing to do!! I just love it...

We're into the second week now. A new era....and it's taking a bit of adjusting on every one's behalf. Jack is unbelievably tired when he comes home and Gem is hanging out to play on the trampoline (which they generally spend half their waking hours on). Jack is busy telling us about his day, showing us his reader etc and poor Gem is completely put out. When he finally gets around to playing, they usually start fighting.....never mind, I'm sure it will sort itself out.

On the upside, Gem and I are spending some really nice time together. I was worried how it would be with just the two of us, since Jack and her played so well all day but I am really enjoying it. Living only 2 houses from the Primary School definitely has it's advantages. Gem is making a name for herself with a new dress up outfit, bike or pram with dolls that accompany us on our 2-3 walks over to the school each day.

The challenge is feeling comfortable with Jack being safe (because of his allergies to Peanuts and Cows Milk). But the anxiety is slowly easing with the staff being really cooperative. With Jack being at Child Care and Kindy for so long now, we were so used to the way things were. Another reason why living so close to the school is great, since I have already gotten home twice and realised I had left the Epipens at the Front Office.

I really expected that I would cry...I had a lump in my throat that morning and held a few tears back when I said he might bring a reader home but I was happy to leave him. I know he is ready for it and knowing he is in good hands helps. (His teacher has taught Grant's brother, myself and my brother!!) They are also doing a topic on dinosaurs this term so he is in his element. Having 2 three day weeks to begin with is also helping. When he is going full time I think I am really going to miss having him around....Jxx

A Fresh Start

With life becoming increasingly busy and the kids still going so through so many unreal milestones, I've decided to have a crack at blogging again. I'm hoping it may relieve some scrapping guilt, because I simply cannot keep up with the number of ideas/stories my mind seems to come up with and the sheer number of photos I continue to take! Usually this is replaced with blogging guilt but I am going to keep up the 'something is better than nothing' affirmations and see how I go...Jxx

Mum's entry for Lime Tart competition

As Mum doesn't have a blog I am uploading this unreal LO she has done of my Great, Great Grandfather & Grandmother on their wedding day. The criteria was black, white and one other colour. I love the result. Check out the comp here - winner is picked by random and there is a December Full Tart Kit worth $59.95!!

by Leanne Kroschel

Very slack....

A friend asked me on the weekend to see some of my layouts, which is great because it has motivated me to update my blog! It's pretty hard to fit 5 months of scrapping in 1 post but I'll give it ago. It's been a busy few months....been scrapping a lot more 12x12's and have really been loving the space to play and create. Mum and I also went to the Creative Edge classes in September in Adelaide, will post pics of our creations soon. Jxx

I made the flowers in the LO below. The butterfly comes from some material I found at our local sewing shop that I fell in love with.

This was for a pink, red and yellow challenge on The Boxx . I had been wanting to scrap these photos for AGES.

My Hanson Bay layout was a challenge to scrap holiday photos on The Boxx.

This was one of the first 12x12's I had done in a long time.

The next few are layouts done for the Scraptherapy Make Believe Masters Comp.

I mananged to win the round with this Layout:
I also had a crack at becoming a Design Team member on the Boxx, I was lucky enought to get through a few rounds, here are my entries :

Well, that's it for now - I know there are so many more that I haven't put up.....I really want to concentrate on some more of my Library of Memories for a few week and Christmas Cards. Jxx

So much for backing off...

I have nearly done a page a day since my last post! A couple 12x12's which I haven't done in AGES and I really enjoyed. Finally scrapped Gem's 2nd Bday from Jan...will post in the next few days when I get around to photographing. Here are the 8.5 x 11's:
this one below is for the ColorCombos Galore challenge this week:

I think I'm seriously addicted....

I think I have come to the conclusion that I spend WAY too much time scrapbooking so, I'm going to back off a little (at least until we get our new kitchen in!). In the mean time here are a few of my more recent creations...
This one here of Grant and Jack was for my Library of Memories homework. I have always wanted to scrap these and make this connection between the photos and thanks to Stacy Julian, now I have!! If you want to know more about Library of Memories/Photo Freedom check out Stacy's blog here.

This one was also for my Library of Memories (LOM) homework as well (All About US) I can really start to see Stacy's philosophy working. I found this photos behind the 'Mum and Me' tab in the All About US Drawer and was blown away that I had 3 photos a year apart so similar!

This one of Ma and Gemmy I created for my LOM homework (People We Love):

Pumpkin Pink

Check out these cute new zoo animal chipboard embellishments from Pumpkin Pink designs. My faves are the elephant, tiger and giraffe. There are endless things you could create with these little beauties. I love the fact you can leave them as is or personlise them to match your design. Head over and check them out...