Artastic Challenge Blog DT layout

Hello dear friends, hope you and your families are well and warm, super cold here in Ipswich it is 11am Sunday here and Nate and I are still in our Pj's - I am not sure if I should be ashamed to say this or not.....never stayed this long in them.

This is my DT submission for arTastic Challenge Blog for August.This month
Becci Sunberg from Lime Tree Creations gave us some gorgeous products to work with, those doilies are made so beautifully, you just have to pop over and check this lady's amazing products.   Criteria for August is 1 ribbon - I used the gorgeous product from Lime Tree Creations. 2nd criteria - a child playing - Well this is playing to my little man - I have to add that the Whipper Snipper or SHIMP SHIMP as he calls it was not plugged in. 3rd criteria was to put paint on your background, I love the colour blue and used it on my Kaiser grid stamp.

Mum and dad recently came back from Cape York for a holiday and she bought Nate lots of goodies, but in the packet was a little tiny crocodile figurine but mum said to him "careful he bites" and this is Nate pensively openning the bag and he just laughed when he openned it.

Because I print out my blog I have started to add achievements of Joy that I receive so when it is printed I can see them. I was honoured to be mentioned on the Get Picky site for this layout from July. Wow I was stoked.

I am getting much better at the time management thing and looking forward to spending time catching up with you all, your work so inspires me. Thanks for your friendship. Melxx

From Screen to Scrap,

 Hello dear friends, you haven't seen me around this week I just had so many work committments to complete, alot of these I do from home but I am finding cutting off from work mode a little hard, I am not shifting from this chair until I have visited you all today though.

This is my entry for From Screen 2 scrap and the criteria this month was to add 4 coloured arrows, some hearts and a photo ith 1/2 or 1/4 face in it. I used this photo to document that every 2nd Friday Nate comes to work with me and whilst I am delivery the week's programme to the mother's Nate attends Hippy School, the co-ordinator of the creche school is amazing and the kids have an amazing time. It goes for 3 hours and Nate says he goes to school now....

In this phot Nate is openning a gorgeous RAK I got from Lynnda, his face says it all. We watched Evan Almighty together (on tv) last night, wow we both loved this movie. Going to have to buy it now because Nate wants to watch it again.

Aunty Jan is still very active despite her illnesses (she is a chronic Asthmatic) but of course kids don't understand, Nate is starting to get bigger and we talk about making the most of this little man wanting to be on our shoulders.....

Jan and Col were never able to have children so Nate is an amazing blessing in their life, I have so many blessings in my life, and this includes the wonderful friends I have made just by enjoying scrapping, thanks for being a part of my life, you all mean the world to me. Love to you and your families, Melxx

Get Picky

 Hello everyone, hope your week started out well today. Work for me today and tomorrow and Nate to Kindy.

This is my Get Picky layout for the last half, I just had to use bright colours on it, I really enjoyed doing this whilst it was raining and the sketch gave me reason to use my wonderful chippie circles.

Hate sometimes loves to have a (weak) cup of tea....I think he actually loves saying Cheers and the tea is just a sideline to say it.

Here Nate is telling me that Maxi is his favourite Hoggy, and I couldn't resist sharing it with you.  By the way, I have seen Transformers I & 2 - 12 times now, so I bought him the cartoon episodes (the entire season - 17 dvd's) big mistake by the way, that is all he wants to watch in his sleepy/quiet times....thankfully he is such an outdoorsy boy....

He always wants to help so we started last week by practicing peeling potatoes. He is so precise, and enjoyed his new challenge and he then couldn't wait to eat them which was a great thing too.

Hope you are all well, I have noticed on lots of blogs you are all struggling with time committments and I know I am certainly feeling the same, I still think about blogging and scrapping everyday, just don't seem to find the time to sit and do it....

Will be over to visit you all during the week ahead. Love Melxx


My sister had to put her darling little Maltese doggy "Snowy" to sleep on Saturday, pray for her strength to get her through this tough time, he was 14 and had cancer very bad, her and hubby Morrie are not going to have children and he was her little man. Thanks Melxx

Do More with Less - Lynnda's challenge,

Hello dear friends, I have got a bit of mojo back thanks to dear friend Lyndda this week, she is Guest DT at Yvonne's blog "Do more with Less" and this is definately my sort of challenge. I feel I always struggle with the less is more thing. I used my RW circles and coated them with my Ranger crackle from My2angels (almost finished now as I am using it heaps) and I used some fussy cut flowers out of Bo Bunny's Flower child range and some MME brads that are Halloween orientated but they fit well.

I mounted the lettering onto transparency and placed it over the top of the layout. I hope you like it.

Here is Master Hog - 16 years and still going super strong, he is on a cane chair in my bedroom with lots of covers and can stay there until about 10am and then goes out and sits in the sun......Who said it's a dogs life.

And here is Junior Hog, Stan, he is on the spare bed, wow, this cold weather snap has us all snuggled up in this house, although at night time it is 2 hogs, 1 mum and a small boy on the lounge......

Here we are just about to go into the Ben 10 play last Saturday and I have to inform you that I have now seen Transformers 1 & 2 - 12 times.....I am so hoping his obsession with Optimus Prime and BumbleBee dies off soon...but in saying this, we love snuggling on the lounge and after a day's work it is so relaxing and of course Josh Duhamel is perfect for this mum's eye candy......

Don't forget Shell's 2nd candy and all you have to do is follow her......

Until next time my friends, thanks for all the inspiration on your blogs and I look forward to catching up with you all. Mel and Nate, Max and Stan.......xxxx

a2z Scraplets July sketch challenge, Ben 10

 Hi everyone, it is super cold here this weekend so what better time to scrap, I just love A2Z scraplets challenges, they always have gorgeous sketches, for this challenge, I layered some papers over a My2angels felt frame, they are so versatile, I misted the centre of the page with a LYB mask, and had some gorgeous screw brads to add to the centres of the cogs. You don't have to use A2Z products on your layout but I have lots. I just couldn't resist using the little My2angels phone charm, how cute is it....

Nate is here talking with Jan on the phone, gosh at 4 and already hogging the phone.......

Here is the gorgeous sketch for the A2Z challenge. 

 On Saturday I took my boy to the BEN 10 Time Machine live show here in Ipswich, he had a blast, and it made me understand the show as I have never watched an episode.

Of course they have all the merchandise (super expensive) lol but I got him a show bag - $25 mind you and he was super excited. He wanted to dress himself for the show and decided on his skivvy with his Spiderman shirt over the top........??

 Here is a pic of what the play was like, lots of lights, noise and that ventolin type smoke that comes out at you.....So all the kids had a ball.










The showbag had a phone in it, so when it rings he thinks Ben is on the phone, and it is so cute, he says "Hi Ben" - these are the things that make me smile as a mum, he is still so cute and innocent......

If you haven't already checked out arTastic's challenge this month you can find it HERE.

Okay some housework and washing and then I am going to scrap.....cooking a pork roast for tea which should be nice....no masterchef here though.

Love to you all, getting better with the juggling, Melxx

Get Picky, Shell's candy.

 Hi everyone, I really don't know how you mothers who work full time manage, still juggling time this end, but managed to do the Get Picky challenge this month, wanted to try to use a busy background paper, not sure if because my mojo has been a little low is the reason I was not 100% happy with it. Needed to scrap though. Just click here to see the Challenge Poster for inspiration.

Here is little man, after he wakes at 8am on my work mornings, still in his Broncos pj's, making a toast and peannut butter breakfast that he just has to do himself of course.

Was super happy QLD won the State of Origin rugby league challenge for the 6th consecutive year......it's a record. Wow what a great game, I hate missing my Criminal Minds but I had to channel surf.....

Good friend Shell - who is an awesome scrapper has this gorgeous stash to send to someone, she has heaps of prizes and all you have to do is to follow her blog. How easy is that, she lives in Texas USA and this prize is open for International followers too.

I was fortunate to win the A2Z Scraplets Blog Hop sketch challenge last month with this layout, just love their chippy bits and look forward to doing their next challenge. Just pop over HERE to see it.

Well we went to see Transformers III and it was awesome except that each night since last Friday I have watched either I & II each night. I think I have seen them at least 8 times each now. At least Josh Duchemel offers that little bit of eye candy to look at.

Will so try to be better with my blogging, miss you all so much. Melx

ARTastic Challenge DT Layout,

Hello everyone, hope this post finds you and your family happy and healthy, this is my ARTastic DT layout for this month, using the gorgeous inspiration picture below as inspiration, the criteria is to use a photo of yourself, shades of red or maroon, and have a hat or glove on the page. I chose to use a gorgeous My2Angels hat charm for mine.

For me going back to the workforce was a little daunting, it has been a while and leaving Nate was probably the hardest thing, but with lots of wonderful supporting words from you guys it has turned out to be wonderful for both of us. 

 
 I absolutely love my job, I am a H.I.P.P.Y tutor and am loving every minute of my position. Starting from grass roots to bring this education programme to Ipswich is so rewarding.
Nate is loving Kindy, although my mum stays with him whilst school holidays are on. Part of my position is working from home also, I find on these days putting on a Transformers DVD occupies my little man whilst I
work.

My friend Bernadette went with her family to visit her parents in South Africa a few weeks ago and when I found out her mum made dog jackets, I immediately ordered 4 for the hounds. They are just beautifully made and the dogs are so warm.

This is the gorgeous inspiration picture to base our challenge at ARTastic on, this was meant to be under my layout but I just couldn't move it. lol 

A few weeks ago we found out it was Charlie's bday, (blonde on right) and it co-incided with my good friend Alana and her little girl Summer coming over, some quick thinking, and I made a doughnut cake.....oh wow the sugar....but the kids had fun and of course Nate with his addiction to blowing out candles was there to lend Charlie (3) a hand......

We went to see Transformers 3 this week and it was great. I have now seen Transformers 1 & 2 about 6 times......the things you do.


Look forward to getting on top of the blogging by tonight's end. Work tomorrow. Love to you all, Melxxx

A2Z Scraplets sketch challenge,

 Hello dear friends, firstly I want to apologize for absence from the blogger scene, I have a new computer now so hopefully no more technical problems and my job is in full swing now so I will be able to go back to my original 3 days per week next week.

The above layout is one I made just on Sunday for the A2Z scraplets sketch challenge, I did the awesome blog hop with them and this is the challenge for the month, I was fortunate to win last month and this is the awesome frame that was in the gorgeous stash I was sent as a prize. I used some amazing Ranger Distress crackle paint I got from Tracy at My2angels, and used the Toy box papers from Crate, again I layered everything and was happy with the result.

Here are Ambers gorgeous twin girls born 2 weeks ago, Issabella on the left and Matilda on the right. They are so cute, Amber is well but instead of a planned caeser she had them naturally,  oh the pain briefly enters my mind. But all are super well and happy.

Lynnda Hosni you are a naughty girl sending Nate these amazing gifts of Lego but can you see from his face how much he loves them. Thanks Lynnda you are an awesome blogger friend. I might add I picked up the gorgeous Playground kit from Echo park from the Post Office from  this arvo from this amazing girl and thanks Lynnda you have motivated this girl to no end.

Nate says a special "Hi" to Matin who is Lynnda's son, he says he is his bestest friend....

I just wanted to share how excited I was this morning to pop into "Bird is the Word" and find my layout (left) was featured this month, oh wow, it has been an amazing week. Work is full on, but so fulfilling. Life is good this end, tonight I will be hopping over to all your blogs, I am so sorry I have been out of action but I have so missed each and every one of you. Love Melxx

Bird is the word, cracking nuts

 Hi everyone, a wonderful sunny but cold day here today, this is my Bird is the Word layout using the word AMAZING, when waiting for a meal never fear Nate will find a way to occupy himself....lol

It was Ipswich Cup Day today and I always love this day as we are only 1 street away from the Race Track and cars line our street, you see the gorgeous suits and ladies fascinators and dresses (short was the fashion this year...) walking to the races but the trip home is a different story, often the girls are not wearing their shoes but holding them. And whilst they await taxis and Limos they are always jovial and merry......We instead went shopping, and spent the arvo at my friend's house, her mum carries oxygen and whilst shopping she was so impressed how Nate held her hand and carried her oxygen bottle for her....boy this made me proud. We are home now, super cold tonight and just going to put Transformers on....he loves this movie.

Here is my boy after we collected Macadamia's from our tree, he has been cracking his own nuts for over 18 months and has got very good at it. Yes I do cringe a little but I have told him how to secure the nuts and hold the hammer and the rest they say is experience.

This is his prize, he loves them and gets so excited when he gets a full one out of the shell whole. These are the things that I hope he will remember doing with me in years to come.

Okay, I will be over to check out your blogs soon, but Transformers awaits and I bought some popcorn so we could make it even more special, although I have watched this movie with him about 3 times before.....

Tonight it is just the 4 of us on the lounge, Max, Stan, Nate and I.


Love to you all dear friends. Melxx

Bird is the Word Challenge

 Hello everyone, hope this posts finds you well, this is my layout for Bird is the Word this month, you have to use the word LIFE, LIVE OR LIVING. I made the flowers myself, some spray mists, bit of tape measure, and had to scrap Nate telling us everytime we swing him"Go higher mumma" he is such a maniac, except when I am driving, you know when you go down a hill and it seems you are going faster! my little back seat
driver says, "Going too fast mum" immediately I look at the speedometer" and I am the one with the Rav 4 with the Baby on Board sticker still on the back window.......

This is him with his Bax (Max) this 16 yr old Hog has a dear friend with Nate, he loves him. poor old Stanley (max's son) is second best....

Granny and Grampsy went to Cape York recently and this is Nate with Cranky Croc and his new t-shirt, I know I am super biased, but he is so beautiful.

I started work today, paperwork mainly, security cards, credit cards, lap top and mobile phone applications, but the job is going to be a challenge but very rewarding as it is starting from an vacant school class room at Leichhardt School, no phone lines, no carpet, just a bare ugly room and once we are up and running it will be awesome to look back and see how far we have come. I rang him this arvo and he said "mum you've been away too long" how cute, but my mum was with him and she told me Charlie from next door was over all day so I am sure he had heaps of fun with her. I missed my little man today so am going to sit with him and try to get a movie in (Cats & Dogs 2) before I sneak it over the see Queensland beat New South Wales for the 6th year in a row....lol. May the best team win...Love to you all.

Mel and Natexxx

Show us your stuff, A2Z,ArTastic.

 Hello dear friends, this is my layout for Show us your stuff this month, firstly their was a gorgeous sketch by Sara, who hails from my area and I did one of my first classes with, apart from the sketch you had to scrap a winter photo, this is Col and Jan and me....on a cold day of recent weeks, I cooked them dinner and it is a rare photo of us just being together, these guys are my family and Nate loves them very much. Ipswich had it's coldest day on record last Thursday with a maximum of 13 degrees....our winter is here......gorgeous Rachel Funnell is the Guest DT for them this month too.

As you all know I have just recently printed out my blog and although sometimes looking at my gorgeous son doing some crazy things may not be scrappy creative, the book I received is a recap of my last 2 years so now I feel propelled to add a little photo of him each post, I am usually with him, but as I start work next week the whole routine we have had until now will change no doubt. He is so cute, even toothless....

I was stoked to find I won the DT Artastic layout for last month, what an awesome sight, so many great prizes each month, I am proud to be on this amazing DT.

The criteria for this month is HERE, check it out, the sponsors are amazing.

And I had the honour of winning the A2Z scraplets sketch challenge for May, I am again honoured to win this great challenge. Might I add, it has been a while since winning any challenges. lol

They have an awesome Blog hop starting tomorrow night at 8pm....I love a good Blog hop.

Hope you are all well, been dreary, overcast and at times rainy here today, thank goodness for scrapping and my favourite thing, blog hopping. Looking forward to your inspiration...Melxx

What flood, meet Edward,

 Hello everyone, I have had these photos above for over 2 years and finally decided it was time to use them, we had flash flooding back in Nov 08, and whilst we did the clean up Mr. Nate just slept.....I used my echo park papers and some older sass lass, my MM corrugated and gorgeous purple pumpkin flower.

Two weeks ago we took Nate to the Ashton's circus tricks activities held in Laidley, he had a ball and so did we, just watching him in action. Here he is doing the human pyramid. 

And here learning to walk the tightrope, this is one of the only shots I got of him looking where he was going, lol their was so much action he didn't know where to look first.

This boy has no fear of trying new things, you should of seen him on the trapeze, my camera battery of course went flat but he is a monkey I swear.

I printed out my blog and received it in the mail last week, so photos of other things we do on here seem so important, you know it is an awesome book and Nate and I are reading it at bed time now. Totally recommend it, it cost about $80 but is just amazing to see 2 years of journalling and layouts in a book format. Pics next post....

Meet Edward, he is helping me to get fit.....I got him last week and so hoping the novelty with Nate will wear off, they are so huge and it sits in my dining room so I can watch the tv, wish me luck....I don't like walking outside, I always feel like when we go for a walk, Nate might get tired and last time we went a dog came out of its yard and I picked Max and Stan up immediately .....just too scary.....

Hope you are all well. Melx