Issue 5 is Here, and some Show & Tell

Well, in all the fun and games going on around here I forgot to mention that the latest Issue of Australian Scrapbook Ideas has hit the newsstand!
(That's my Buzz Lightyear layout in the top left corner)

I've also realised that I haven't actually put any of the layouts etc up on my blog from previous Issues.  So I shall start uploading them to my blog from time to time (and as I get them back)

 This layout was from Issue 2 of Australian Scrapbook Ideas. The article was interactive layouts.  There is hidden journaling on a tag behind the bottom photo and a 'postcard' I created behind the top photo (my computer didn't want to upload photos of them today so I'll add them at a later date)
Anyway gotta dash - I'm teaching my Twinchies class today.
Have a fab Friday!
B

They Say it's My Birthday (and 5 things I'm Lovin')

Hey there bloggers! Well today I turned 34  - say it loud and proud I say.  I've had a quiet but good Birthday - my boys were blessedly well-behaved, I had coffee with my Mother-in-Law and have so far racked up 4 (count 'em,4) Birthday cakes.  I guess that makes up for the couple of years where I didn't have one ;)

This week's faves revolve mostly around what I've been up to last week - leading up to my Birthday  so bare with me ;)





1. Panic Hair

 
My bestie Kylie has been hanging her head in shame in regards to me - I admit I only get my hair done once a year for my Birthday.  And recently I had to confess to her that I had cut my fringe with a pair of nail scissors in sheer frustration.  My excuse is that pre-children I had dead straight hair.  Now after 2 kids I have out of control curls (I mean really, what's that about?)  I hadn't been able to find a hairdresser that actually knew how to cut curly hair properly so I lived in sufference ;)
I finally succumbed and went to her Hairdresser on Thursday, and am now a convert.  I swear, if Kaycee moved to Zabizi I would follow her!  My hair looks fabulous! (if I do say so myself ;)
These guys are in St Lucia and are super fabulous (and they make you milkshakes or coffees)
To check them out click on the panic button ;)

2.Make Up School

I went to make-up school Friday!  Kylie and I booked in for Make-up 101 at Gorgeous Cosmetics in the city.  It was so much fun and actually very informative and useful.
I mean, I know how to do my make-up but I just wanted to learn a few different ways to do it and learn some tricks.  This was fabulous!
They sit you up with your own brush-roll and lighted mirror after you've been quizzed on the colour wheel (seriously, we were quizzed on Primary, Secondary and Complimentary colours) and the fab Tiffany taught us all her secrets.  She did one half, then we had to do the other - it was great, you learn about application, contouring, blending and a thousand other things.  You learn 4 different 'looks' and the best bit is that you then get your 'class' fee back in product!  Brilliant.  Highly recommend it.  Lots of fun.

3. Belly Dancing

Yes, I have been going to Belly Dancing lessons, Tribal belly dancing no less.  I look forward to the day that I will progress to balancing a sword on my head ;)
Seriously - that is on the cards, Dion is very excited but has informed me that none of his are up for grabs (spoilsport)
This is great, you have so much fun, there is no pressure or worries about your flobboly dobboly's (technical term) as you are meant to have a belly!  And great exercise - you really have to concentrate to make sure the top bits stay still while the bottom bits are doing their thang (and vica versa)

4. Adele

Dion is an avid Facebook-er and haunts You-Tube like no man's business.  In his cyber-travels he came across this fab singer (I realize that she is recent and popular at the moment but hey - we listen to radio stations that plays the 80's and Rage doesn't even get a look in in our house between Sponge Bob Square Pants and Despicable Me ;)
He bought me her latest CD '21' and I am lovin' it. You can check out one of her filmclips (complete with Ninja's) here.

5.  Sharlene

I'm always lovin' Sharlene, but she's leaving next week to go and live in Singapore for 2 years so I thought I'd put in a little homage to her.
For those of you who haven't met her she is seriously one of the most lovely, generous and wonderful people you'll EVER meet.
She is such a sweetheart.  Never an unkind word to say about anyone, always cheerful and basically an all-round wholesome individual (even if she does have an un-natural obsession with Bon jovi ;)
She is a talented Scrapbooker, always eager to lend a hand to help and very patient with the more challenging of customers (and work-mates ;) that she comes across.
I shall sorely miss her while she's off gallavanting through the fancy Scrap-Bars of Singapore.
We love you Sharlene!!

Well, that's enough of that - those cakes wont eat themselves! ;)
B

I Miss My Camera

Happy Sunday Cyber-pals.  I just thought I'd quickly post about how fabulous last night was!  We had our very first Urban Women's Association meeting.  It's a brainchild I've been thinking about and talking about for ages.  It's my version of the CWA (Country Women's Association) except we're in the city ;)  It's a way for crafty ladies to get together and teach and learn different crafts and skills and support each other.  Last night we made heat packs (with everyone crammed into my place) and also made a few cards for the Heart Cards people. 
It's times like these that I miss my camera the most :( I'm hoping it can be fixed.  Meanwhile, I'm off to start getting ready for work, I'm teaching the Distress Ink Masterclass today.  Have a fab Sunday (Kids are back to school tomorrow!!!)
B

5 Fave Things Friday

Hey bloggers, I hope you are all surviving the floods that seemed to be determined to wash us all away at the moment, whenever it rains now you just can't help feeling that little bit scared that it's gonna happen all over again.
Fiona has teamed up with  a group called Heart Cards who are accepting donations of cards (Thank you & Blank Cards) to give to the victims of the flood so they may in turn thank the people who helped them. They were instrumental in doing the same thing in the Victorian Bushfire Crisis. If you would like to make some cards then please drop them in to the store and she will send them all off in one lot. If you would like to find out more you can check the group at http://heartcards.blogspot.com/  If you plan on making some cards just make sure you drop them off at the shop before February 20 so that we can get them out in time.
Anyway, I know I'm a bit late in the day but it's still Friday (for another 2 1/2 hrs ;) so it's time for this weeks 5 fave things:

1. Sherbet Birdie

 If you ever wondered about the portrait photo of me that is the banner for my blog (yes, that is me - it only took a few hrs and a ton of photo shop ;) well here you are.  Sherbet Birdie are the most fabulous group of gals, headed by the most lovely Sasha Dobies.  Sasha is such a lovely girl, when you go to have your photos done in her studio it's almost as much about the experience as it is about the photos.  She ply's you with champagne, mouth-watering morsels (cut small enough so as not to mess your lippy ;) your favourite chocolate and plays your favourite music while she transforms you into a saucy mumma!  (how does she know what are your faves?  She asks beforehand to make sure everything is perfect) Her team consists of a professional make-up artist and hair stylist and she has a great range of retro and vintage clothes, shoes and props for you to try for your look. Or you can take in your own.
She's based in Brisbane but also 'tours' the major cities so no-one missed out!  Click on this link to find out more.

2.  Twine

I finally received my twine in the mail that I ordered a couple of weeks ago, it's that classic red and white that I kept seeing everywhere and coveting, so I finally contacted a blog I follow and asked her where she got it.  I bought a 100m roll (over kill much) if you are interested you can get it in different colours and I got mine here.

3.  Crazy hats

 Look at those saucy eyes!  How is it that I do not own this hat???  Can't you just see me in either of these beauties? (I can see Kylie and Dion shaking their heads and muttering that there is no hope for me)  I can't remember at the mo where these pics came from, give me a day or so to track them down and I'll find out where they are from.

4. Retro

I was originally going to have a retro-themed Birthday party this year (in a couple of weeks - aargh) with fondue and crazy games but decided that there was too much happening at the moment, and really that I couldn't be bothered (sigh) so I think we shall have the oldie but a goodie moonlight picnic again.  I still may get that fab fondue kit I saw on ebay though...

5. Designer Woodgrain

I had been resisting buying this stamp for a while (for the life of me I can't remember why) and decided in a blinding flash of inspiration yesterday that I MUST have it and why don't I have it NOW!  Check out the cute card that was on the Hero Arts site - foxes are very popular at the moment - has the owl finally been replaced???

Well that's me!  I have my first UWA meeting tomorrow night  - a tad scared but very excited!  I shall post more about that next week.

We're Ok

Hey Bloggers,
I just wanted to quickly post that we are all ok.  With the river peaking much lower than expected we were well and truly safe from the waters.  I spent part of yesterday helping Fiona move everything out of the lower level of the shop and all of the papers and lower stock up high onto chairs and tables and then sandbagging the doors.  We hadn't been too concerned until we found out that the house next to the shop had flooded in the 1974 flood - and at that stage they were still expecting the levels to exceed that.
Thankyou to all of our concerned customers who rang the shop on Tuesday to see if we were ok. 
Also to everyone out there that wasn't as lucky as us in escaping the waters, my heart goes out to you all.  If there is anything that you need or that I can do to help, please let me know.  We really need to stick together and support each other so that we can recover as soon as possible.
Anyway, I'm just waiting to hear from a friend to see if she's ready for me to help move her out of her home until they get power back on, that's assuming I can reach her.
Keep safe, be strong, and don't hesitate to ask for (or give) help.
B

Five Things I'm Lovin' Friday (errr...Sunday ;)

Good morning bloggers!  No I haven't gone mad (er) I know it's Sunday (going to work in T minus 2 hours) but I had an idea I wanted to do for the blog that I sort of stole off Elsie (I'm so in love with her right now) She does a weekly post called '10 things I love Sunday' So I thought I'd start smaller and do a '5 things I'm Lovin' Friday'.  Basically a totally random collection of things I've seen or done that I'm lovin' right now.  But I couldn't wait until next Friday so humour me and pretend for a moment that today is Friday!
(that's right, I'm dragging you into my madness ;)
So, with no further ado (or rambling) here is my first Friday-ish top 5:

1. How awesome are these!  Hop on over to the Make it and Love it blog (click on the pic or the link on the side of my blog)  for more hilarious pics of these cuties and also a link on how to get the pattern to make your own.



2. October Afternoon.

I've always LOVED their papers and products but I can't get enough of them at the moment!  I'm totally obsessed by their latest stuff especially Modern Homemaker, Thrift Shop, Seaside and Schoolhouse.

3.Woodland Fantasy

As usual Graphic 45 have produced a spectacular range that is like nothing else on the market.  I'm usually not a big girly-girl but even I can't resist these cuties.  (and besides check out the frog chatting to the fairy - I HAVE to have it)  I'm using these papers in my next Simply Cards feature.

4.Monster Hoodies by Polkadot Robot

Totally ridiculous, but I'm lovin them all the same.  If you want a laugh check out their entire range.  These are basically store-bought hoodies that they've altered, crazy and clever - I'll expect you all to be sporting them this winter ;)

5. Wombok Salad

Ok, so I'm on the weight-loss wagon (again) and salad is not normally my favourite food (unless it's a chocolate truffle salad...mmmm...chocolate) anyhoo, my fab mother-in-law introduced me to this salad years ago and it's become my staple lately to keep me sane.  It's so good that I actually had it for breakfast yesterday morning, I know, I'm a weirdo, and this from the woman who once had melted mars bar on toast (yech, I can't imagine why I need to lose 25kg ;)
The recipe is on the back of the fried noodle packet that is part of the recipe (the noodles, not the packet) but we've mixed it up a bit now and then and it's super delish.  So if you want - here's my adulterated version:
1 whole Chinese cabbage - chopped
Shallots - chopped (as little or as much as you want -I just use the top green bits from the ones in my garden)
1/2 bunch celery - finely chopped (now I thought I hated celery, but it really makes the salad)
100-200g slivered almonds (basically 1 or 2 pkts, depending on how nutty you're feeling ;)
Mix it all together.  This will keep together in your enormous tupperware bowl for up to a week,  when I serve it I add shredded cooked chicken, the fried noodles and then the dressing (to the individual bowls)- that way the noodles wont go soggy and ruin it for everyone ;)
The dressing is:
1/3 cup white vinegar
1/3 cup castor sugar
2 tblsp sesame oil
1-2 tblsp soy sauce
1/3 cup olive oil
1/3 cup boiling water
shake together and immediately drizzle over the salad.  The recipe on the packet says to cook the dressing to dissolve the sugar - but who can be bothered?  So I added boiling water to do the same thing and then add a few ice cubes after I've shaken it, to cool it down again. I also added a tblsp or so of Balsamic vinegar for something different.
If you don't like all that olive oil, I made mine last night by substituting the olive oil for water.  Dion had sliced mushrooms in his and really like it.
Muck around with it, make it your own, and enjoy!
ps - if you click on the pic it will take you to the Changs recipe.

Well I hope you enjoyed my faux Friday ;) let me know if you did or not, I'd hate to think I was torturing you all with my eclectic ramblings!
Happy Sunday!

Back to Work

Well, another year and another week full of classes!  I hope everyone had a fabulous start to their New Years.  We had a fairly quiet one - just a bit of a tipple and my best-y slept over.
This week I have 2 classes on Saturday.  In the morning is Kitsch Cards.  Just a bit of Retro fun to bring in the New Year ;)

(I've had a few people ask me what Kitsch means, and I think I confused them even more with my garbled explanations (you know, a bit cheesy...) so here's a quote from the dictionary: 'tasteless, garish or sentimental' 3 words that sum me up really ;)

The class in the afternoon is my Distress Ink Masterclass which had a bit of an accident but all has been restored. Here's some of them:

There are another 4 or 5, I shall add more photos soon.  Because it's a technique class, we don't make cards - just a variety of technique tags.  The stamp used is one of the preview stamps from Hero Arts.  I'm totally in love with it at the moment.
Well the children are screaming so that must be my cue to sign off ;) Don't you love the school holidays?
  Have a fab Wednesday!