Discovery Break

Hey there bloggers,
Well what a fab long weekend ( I know, I know, we've just had two long weekends in a row and then we go away the weekend after - what can I say, third time's a charm ;)

Some of you already know that  we have been getting a bit of assistance from an organization called CAP (Christians Against Poverty).  When Dion and I lost our jobs one after the other a couple of years ago they were there to help us get our finances under control and start to get back on our feet.
They are a wonderful group of people that do all that they can to support people that are having a hard time and even though Dion and I were very upfront in saying that we weren't Christian they have never judged us or pushed us.

Anyway, the point of this rambling is to say that they nominated us as a family to go away on what they call a Discovery Break.  Basically a chance for families having it a bit tough to get away for a few days as a family and relax and have some fun - all expenses paid.

So we went down to the Gold Coast on Thursday late afternoon and came back Sunday lunch time.  We stayed at the Paradise Resort and had a great time.  There were activities for the kids, playgrounds, pools, a spa, and on Saturday a trip to Sea World.

Dion playing coy with the walrus

super cute penguins

Hamish showing off his best penguin moves

proboscis fish

super cute boys ;)

Attacking scurvy pirates at castaway bay

Hamish had to be pulled off the stage when he tried to kiss Grover good-bye (I don't blame him Grover's a hottie ;)

Connor reveals hitherto undiscovered strength in the strong man competition and is rewarded with the coveted fuzzy puffer fish toy

 

Playing on the playground at the resort

I would have taken more pics but my camera battery died and I forgot to take the charger with me (aarggh)
We had such a wonderful time.  It was the first time that the 4 of us had done anything like that together.  We met some lovely people, genuine and warm and they all certainly left an impression on us, we are so grateful to have had the opportunity to go.

Anyway,
I'm off to make Connor's birthday party invites (can you believe he will be 12??!!) have a great Wednesday!
B

Quick Pic of My Babies ;)

First let me warn Kylie that she may want to look away ;)

I know I've been a complete blog-slacker (technical term ;) my only excuse is that I feel like I've had the plague (which one? All of them! ;) and that I've been busy, busy, busy trying to finish classes in time for the new schedule, finish Mag stuff by deadline (snort!) and simultaneously explain to the children why they can't have corn chips for breakfast.
So I thought that I'd distract you all with a quick pic that I took a couple of days ago of my babies, well 3 of them.  The pic's a bit dodgy but I was trying to take it with one hand and  make sure the others didn't escape with the other.  But how could I resist when they looked like they were doing a froggie congo line?  Exactly.

 

Aren't they adorable?  I just wish I'd gotten a pic the day one of them decided he wanted to spend the day sitting on one of the other frogs head.  All day, even when the poor sap on the bottom was shuffling around going places.  Freakin' hilarious.
Have I distracted you from the fact I haven't posted a crafty pic in ages?  Didn't think so ;) Don't worry, there will be crafty pics this afternoon.
Anyway, I'm off to have a breakfast intervention.  
Have a great Tuesday!
B

Long Time No See ;)

Hey there bloggers.
I've decided to ignore the 'flu I'm battling to post some pics of some cards I've made for the new schedule.  They are very cute and easy to make.

The only trouble I've had with them is that people keep pulling the tag out on the one filled with mini M&M's while it's hanging up and M&M's go everywhere!

I've almost finished the Take-Away Menu Folder that I'm making and will post some more pics soon.  Anyway, I'm off to finish all of my instructions before I'm beaten with a stick ;)
Have a great Monday!
B

What's in them?

Papers: Echo Park -Little Boy; Playground 

            Cosmo Cricket- Salt Air

Stamps: (cupcake) Stamps by Judith

Clear Compacts: Tattered Angels
Ribbons: Vandoras

Australian Scrapbook Ideas Issue 6

Hey there bloggers!
I got my copy of ASI Issue 6 this week and am so happy with how my double layouts look!  If you get one you HAVE to see the hilarious photos of my Hubby Dion in it.  He's dressed as a Stormtrooper (from Star Wars for all you non-geeks out there) and is looking very handsome ;) (you can see a bit of it at the top of the mag cover) There's also a pic of me in my scanties (oops, just scared you back off again ;) it's the other pic from the photo shoot I did with Sherbet Birdie that compliments the one on my blog header. (Don't worry, it's a fully-covering corset and I'm heavily air-brushed ;)
You also get a set of free stamps with this Issue (as well as the paper pack) could it be that my incessant searching for a decent Congratulations stamp is at an end??? Have to try that bad boy out ;)
Anyway, I'm off to make Connor's gourmet breakfast (cheesy toast with 2 sauces no less ;) have a great Wednesday!
B

Vintage Panels Class Tomorrow

Hey there Bloggers.  Just thought I'd do a quick post of a class I'm teaching tomorrow.  It's from a class I did with Jane Tregenza a little while ago.  I had to alter it a little to suit the stock we have in store but I still love it.

 

It's a 3-hour rather than a 2-hour class as there are alot of techniques involved, so I might have to stock up on Berocca ;)

I also finally finished my last technique card (so the class is a trio rather than a duo) and that is running for the first time this Sunday.

Love those retro colours!  There's something about orange and brown that really appeals to me. Much to everyone else's dismay ;)

Anyway, time to get the kids organised for the day.  Have a great Wednesday!
B

What's in it?

Vintage Panels

Papers:Graphic 45, Kaisercraft.  Chipboard: Imaginarium Designs. Stamps: Delish, Hero Arts.  Flowers: Prima. Words: Collections.

Technique Trio

Stamps: Stampendous, Hero Arts.  Ribbon: Prima, Vandoras.  Patterned Paper: MME.  Ink and Ink Pads:  Tim Hotlz.

Just a Quick Hello

Hey there bloggers!  Sorry I've been a slacker in the posting department ;) it's been chaos around here, I keep optimistically waiting for it to settle down a bit (snort) I don't like my chances any time soon.
I thought that I would quickly post some pics of the Jane Tregenza class I went to last week.

The ladies hard at work ;)

Hmmm...I do look a little over-excited and stalker-ish ;)

I sat next to the lovely Deborah Dowling

What a ghastly pic!  I look 9 months pregnant urrghh!

 Anyway, ignoring the ghastly pics ;) I had a fabulous time - as I always do in Jane's classes.  She taught us how to make a book (which I'm holding above) I've just got to finish adding some finishing touches and then I shall post some pics of the finished product. 
Have a great night,
B

Getting There

Hey Bloggers, long time, no see ;) Sorry it's been a bit since my last post, but I've still been feeling a bit off-colour (walking around like the Hunchback of Notre Dame is never attractive.) But I'm getting there. I thought I'd share some show and tell today.  The first card is another one for the Technique Trio class that I'll be teaching, it's using Tim Holtz's Cut'n'Dry Felt (as seen on his 12 tags of Christmas).  I cracked out my new Designer Woodgrain stamp for this one (I am so obsessed by woodgrain)

 I'm still playing around with my photography so don't mock me too much ;)

This next was just me mucking around - trying to cull some of my scraps by making some quick cards.  The stamp is a Tim Holtz that I bought ages ago and still hadn't used (shameful)

The final one is a layout that I did because this LYB paper just arrived in the store and I fell in love!  The baby is my eldest Connor when he was just a few hours old.

Not a terribly good pic of it, but you get the idea.  Anyhoo, I'm off to make dinner, can't wait for tomorrow, I'm going to another trade class with Jane Tregenza (yay!)
Have a great Sunday,
B

What's in it?

Stamps: Hero Arts; Tim Holtz Distress Inks and Re-Inkers;Ribbon:Prima; Button: Kaisercraft

Stamps:Tim Holtz (Urban Grunge); Pattered Paper: Collections

Stamps: Stampendous (small leaves)
Patterned Papers: Little Yellow Bicycle, My Mind's Eye
Flowers: Kaisercraft (paper) Prima (resin & fabric leaves); Ribbon:Prima; Acetate:LYB