Just for me layout

Hello everyone, wow it is freezing here, been 0 degrees all day, wow I wore a scarf today and have a pair of socks and slippers on, wow it is so not a pretty site, I forgot to mention the pink flanellette pj's with bears on and a hot pink dressing gown....but I am warm.

I just created the first layout for me, I loved this gorgeous paper and have had some Little Yellow Bicycle transparency overlays for ages so I cut up the words and they read, I will love you today, tomorrow and forever and the pic is of Nate sitting on a openair mini train at the Ipswich Museum, it is one of my favourites of him.

My friend Teru, who I got to meet being on Design Dollies site, asked me to share the page in the Scrapbook Creations this month, so Teru here it is my friend, I hope you like it, if you get a chance, click on his name, he is so young, lives in Sweeden - and is such a talented scrapbooker, he does his pages in 8" x 8" size, and whilst your their, check out his two gorgeous boys (well they are real to him and you know what I have come to know them as real little boys also).

The bottom layout is really old, but I thought I might share it with you, probably about 18 months ago, it is one of the ones I feel comfortable sharing as some are just shocking to me now days. I still love the memories in the old ones but well - you may know what I am trying to say....

Just a few things to share, Nate had his first horse ride (I didn't have my camera can you believe), went to the Handmade markets on Saturday and bought my farm produce and homemade cakes & Monday Nate rode his bike while I walked the dogs. Well that's about all the news, will pop over to your blogs and see what you have all been up to. Love to you all dear friends, Love Melxx

Noel Mignon White space layout, soccer boy

Good morning to you all hope this post finds you happy and healthy, well it's Sunday morning here, rugged up and it's cold and overcast, and I am guessing you are sweltering over the other side of the world. Wow the cold has slowed this scrapper down heaps, I still sit and cut out at night time but the actual finding of the photos and glueing down is eluding me, after checking out your blogs I am sort of thinking whether it is stinking hot or freezing cold we are all feeling the effects of the weather in our lives. Thank you so much for the gorgeous comments you all leave me, I read them over again and they make me so happy to know I have so many gorgeous friends.

Nate was awesome at soccer on Friday night, but unfortunately two weeks holiday now as school is out for two weeks. I actually enjoy soccer as I feel so proud watching him on the field.

Uncle Col had a little windfall last week on lotto, he won $860 and because giving makes him so happy he gave Nate and I $100 to spend, the Handmade expo was on Saturday so I bought us all a little something with the money, Max and Stan got handknitted jumpers, Nate got a car from the "Cars" movie and well I bought a Studio Calico kit. After the markets where Jan and I purchase handmade cakes and farm fruit and veges we came home and to watch this little boy jump out of the car and run to Uncle Col is just so beautiful, money really is nothing, time is everything and Uncle Col dedicates his full attention to Nate when he comes for a visit, they roll on the grass, play tricks on Jan and I, throw balls to Max and Stan, garden, mow, it's just beautiful to see how this man who has never been able to have children of his own, loves my little man with all his heart.

I forgot to mention I was published for the first time in this month's Scrapbook Creations, in the Blue section. I got the biggest thrill showing Nate his picture in the mag, he must be so used to me reading the mags at first I think he didn't even notice. He rode a horse yesterday also at the markets and now says "I ride the horse mumma" how cute, I am so in love with my 3 year old.

The above Easter layout is a white space challenge on the Noel Mignon challenge blog, I love the challenges here.

Love to you all, you mean the world to me and your comments always touch my heart. Melissaxxxx

doing tacos, poodle cuddles

Hello my dear friends, hope this post finds you in good spirits, not too cold if you are in Australia and not to hot if you are like some of my blogger friends in the USA. Wow I am in a bit of shock, this happens when you don't watch the news and when I went to bed last night we had a man as Prime Minister of our Country and this morning upon waking find out we now have a lady Prime Minister, yay for the girls, I have always liked Julia, saw her story on tv one night and she seems very down to earth....anyway just hope things work out for us all, not really into politics...

The layouts today are one of myself and dearest Stanley Poodle, he is 8 now and larger than his dad Max but is still my baby, how sad hey, as they are starting to get on in age I do worry I have enough documentation to look back on to remember them. I have Nate and 14 year old max here right now running around like madmen. Sounds like a heard of elephants, when we go shopping Nate always wants to buy Max and stanley a toy and so they have almost as big a collection of toys as Nate himself. I am struggling putting a page together at the moment, just so content sitting in front of the tv and cutting things out, but this is coming to an end as I just have so many cut outs and I have to stick them on to a page.

Hope you like the layouts, used some old Luxe papers on the layout of myself and stanley and the 2nd layout is one I just had to create with photos I took of Nate eating tacos for the very first time. Bit of doodling on this one, not sure exactly if I like it or not, you know how you have those ones. But it's all about capturing the memories and looking at these photos just make me smile.

I have been a shocking blogger this week time has just flown for me here, will check in on you all and see what you have all created and look forward to catching up. Love to you all. Melxx

Kraft it up, Noel Mignon

Morning dear friends, wow a little chilly here this morning, and I am off for my fortnightly scrap day with Amanda Taylor, the photo above shows Amanda's boy Connor doing sound for Master Nate while he sings, he is so excited to be going and has been saying all night "I go to Con's now?". I just try to explain he has to sleep first...

The layout titled "Beautiful Grins" is my entry for KRAFT IT UP this month, the criteria is you have to use a Kraft background and utilise heaps of white space. The layout titled "While you were sleeping" is using a Noel Mignon technique where you use the default letters from their casings and mist. I just love this idea and am actually going to use this again today. When we come home from our day trips with Jan and Col, we always bet how long before Nate falls asleep, he is usually so quiet, which is just the opposite on the going to trip, he now yells 'DUCK' when we go underneath every bridge, which Uncle Col taught him to say, but this day he just crashed and it was my turn to have a little fun without him knowing.

Well I must be off, time to leave for Amanda's, heaps of traffic usually, and so many bridges to DUCK UNDER. Hope you all have a great day. Look forward to catching up with all of you soon. Love Melxx

Screen to Scrap entry

Hi everyone, raining here today, wow this is just perfect weather for staying inside and scrapping hey! wish I could. errands to run this morning, but this arvo I have to put some finishing touches on some layouts. The layout above is for SCREEN TO SCRAP challenge this month, the criteria is white rabbits, a fob watch and a "drink me" bottle, I used my favourite perfume photo, the theme is "Alice in Wonderland". I used a template and misted the background and then doodled some black circles randomly and traced around a scolloped shape to get the yellow and pink cardboard shapes. I handcut the letters for the "my very own" part of the title and everything else came in the gorgeous Noel Mignon kit this month.

The photo of Nate and his old dog happenned the other night, tried to watch the State of Origin, Maxi had his Bronco coat on and Nate his State of Origin pants, but neither could make it, I thought it was so cute both of them on the end of the lounge. Stanley poodle sits with me which is this side of Nate and I cut out things and he has his head on my lap. Well that's our nights here everyone. And I wouldn't change a thing.....Have a great day everyone. Off to check out what you have all been up to. Love Melxxx

Just for me layout- Action Jackson

Hello my friends, hope everyone is well and scrapping up a storm, been a bad blogger last couple of days, mowing needed doing, dr's visit, Amanda's for a scrap day, lots of things on. But all seems back to normal today, so back into the routine. Had a great day at Amanda's house, I did 3 layouts, but with a few little things to add, this is a milestone for me, the layout I am showing you today is a "just for me" I call Nate Action Jackson, and just wanted to put this on a layout somehow.

Nate runs on all 8 cylinders all day until he drops usually, but he says the cutest things, yesterday he came out of the blue and said to Pat, Amanda's husband, "Excuse me man" and well we just cracked up. Wrote it down immediately so I would remember it. Oh the fun begins, we were in Bunnings the other day and of course, Jan and I turned around and Nate had his pants down doing a little wee in the ferns in the garden section there, omg how embarrassing, what can you do, no toilets around for mums with kids toilet training and they have little control I believe at 3, when he has to go, he means "now".

Starting to get a little colder here at nights and mornings, 3 degrees yesterday morning, but it is still gorgeous during the day. Jan is coming down tomorrow, all day (Nate keeps reminding me) so I should finish the final touches to my layouts to share with you all. Love Melxx

Creative Scrapers Sketch #107

Hi everyone, hope you are all healthy and happy, it's a long weekend here in Queensland for the Queen's birthday!!! I have just got home from soccer, turns out it wasn't on tonight. I am sort of glad, Nate is in bed, it's almost 8pm and I am not far away myself, quite cold here tonight too.

The layout above is for the Creative Scrappers blog sketch #107, my dear blogger friend Wendy Turner the guest designer this week and I just had to try this sketch, had heaps of fun with Jillibean, October Afternoon and Pink Paislee's patterned papers from the last Noel Mignon kit. I don't actually measure anything I do, so am every so glad things are pretty even with the front page panels. This is Nate's superman outfit and we made some playdough this day and he had heaps of fun with it. You know I cannot remember my mum doing any of those sort of things with me.

The weather is slowing my mojo down at the moment, hope it's not affecting you in the same way, hopefully my Monday scrapfest at Amanda's will kick start the week for me. Planning to scrap tomorrow with Jan, so hopefully will have another layout to show by Sunday night. By the way, dear friend Cathy Cafun mentioned an event this weekend she was going to, I have realised that event she was referring to is the Scrapbook and Craft Fair, thanks for the reminder Cathy, not sure if I will be going as yet will let you know if I go and we can possibly meet up.

Have a great weekend everyone, I will be spending this weekend catching up on visiting your great blogs. Take care. Love Melxx

Noel Mignon - Challenge

Good morning everyone, hope you are all well this morning, I have a layout to share with you I am submitting for the Noel Mignon Challenge this week, you had to use one sheet of patterned paper, I used a piece of Jenny Bowlin and I have to tell you this layout took nearly a week with each night a little more achieved. I cut all the frames out, then black zigged around the outside, then liquid paper and frame doodled, but I had heaps of fun. I used this opportunity to mention some of the funny things Nate says as he is getting a handle on our language, a lot of what he says he just misses the pronunciation of the first letter, but it is all in the learning process.

The other pic is of my little boy (oh I just cannot believe the rate he is growing) right before my eyes, he loves to climb, loves extreme sports, has so many scars already, oh wow what next...... he enjoys everything he does, until you here the "Mumma Mumma" and you have to rescue. I love it but at the same time recognise he has no fear factor, he tries everything then realises it might be a littler harder than he thought, wow, I wonder if I was like that once or have I always stood back as it looked just way out of my comfort zone?

I have some beautiful candy to share also, Amanda is giving away some beautiful lollipop flowers she makes, they are just gorgeous, all you have to do is pop to her blog, (just click on her name here....Amanda) and it will take you there, become a follower and leave a comment, super easy, no advertising on your blog for those that struggle with this part. The candy will be drawn on Monday by me at her place for our fortnightly scrapfest.

Hope you all have a wonderful day, we are off to Sizzler for my dad's 70th Birthday, I missed going on Sunday as I was sick, so mum, dad, Nate and I are off their today. Will check out what you have all been up to when I get back this arvo. Love Melxxx

Soccer boy

Hello everyone, I am feeling great today, and it is a lovely sunny day here, the weather says it is coming in rain so I hope my washing machine man fixes my machine today, I bought a new large water saver in the upright style and have to say I have had a couple of things wrong with it, just glad it is under warranty but just wish I had taken out the extended warranty. Have lots of washing to do but he has just called to say he is on his way....

The layout above is another layout just for me, using some very old Pink Martini papers, I love the bright colours on the papers and the bits of bling are some Doodlebug ric rac I bought ages ago at a shop sale. Alas, no shops left in Ipswich, except Spotlight and I don't go their much, so I just get the Noel Mignon kit these days and that does me for the month.

The pic of Nate is his first night at Soccer, he is wearing shin guards and hasn't got his bib on here, but I just wanted to show you what a 3 year old soccer player looks like, I thought this was fairly rare but a lot of you are telling me your children/grandchildren start playing at this age. It is so cute watching them on the field, Nate has the attention span of a green ant (lol) and so sometimes just goes off on his own and other times joins in someone else's team, and just cannot make the full session, we leave about 15 minutes before it's finished. He is just so tired poor kid and is usually so worn out he falls asleep in the car on the way home, and we only have a 2 minute drive home.

Hope you are all enjoying the cooler mornings and nights, and for those of you that are starting your summer, lucky you, a good friend of mine mentioned in an email this morning how she didn't realise how much her blog meant to her, I have to agree totally, you guys mean the world to me. Thanks for sharing my life with me. Love Melxx

Creative Scrappers #105 and #106

Hi everyone, have woken to a wonderful day today, missed 36 hours as Nate and I both had the vomitting and diahorrea that is apparently going around, wow missed Wednesday completely, but we are just fine today (fri) and although staying home from Soccer tonight I think, just don't want to risk it.

I have just put the finishing doodles and journalling on my Creative Scrappers Sketch's #105 and #106. I have been doing more of my original style of late, usually when I just have the one photo, not sure the reason just enjoying the change. By the way the titles of the layouts are YELLOW CAB AND I THINK IT'S LOVE, PUPPY LOVE
Not so much to tell as we have been out of action but a funny thing happenned last night as Nate was playing "Going to work" he did the usual putting on his helmut and came over and said "I go to work now" and puckered up and then off he goes but he hit his hip on the protruding indoor garden holder (it's used now for storing his toys) and he turned around and was upset and he said "I can't go to work now" and I just laughed as he came back for a cuddle. I couldn't help laughing and know that I have to document this little game as it is too gorgeous, by the way, I have actually had some time to rethink how I do my journalling (or not) because I never seem to add much more than a date, well I have to change, their is so much I have to tell him. So stay tuned for the new style of showing my handwriting on my pages, going to be hard at first but too many great stories to tell him.

I hope you are all well and having fantastic days. Love to you all. Melxx

Noel Mignon Kit - Camp

Morning everyone, hope you are having sunshiney weather where you are, we truly are lucky, it's the first day of Winter today and it is just glorious outside, and we get to pick up our new DVD player which was playing up and they have just replaced it for us. Nate just loves to watch a DVD each day, and Toy Story is the DVD of choice at the moment, and each day for the last week I have had to show him their is no DVD player their for him to watch it. I bought him a Buzz Lightyear torso play suit and it had blow up wings also, so he puts these on and just looks super cute in it. The other night he got out the Police helmut and his suit on and made a makeship door next to where I was scrapping on the coffee table and said "I'm off to work now, and puckers up for a kiss, just melted my heart and then closes his helmut and off he goes, problem is he is back within 60 seconds and saying "Home from work now and puckering for the next kiss" and then this scenario gets repeated about 30 times. But I have to tell you Nate and my older dog - 15 year old Max, have just formed a bond like I cannot believe, they play out in the yard, upstairs and it's like Max is a puppy again, he runs and his tongue is hanging out and Nate is belly laughing with him chasing him. I guess he is like a brother to Nate.

The layout above is my attempt at a block sketch using the gorgeous October Afternoon, Pink Paislee and Lillibee patterned papers in the Noel Mignon kit, everything I have used here is from the kit. I really enjoyed doing this one, and of course the gorgeous Melissa Frances frame is just divine, I had to put a little mist on it though to highlight the ornate edging as it blended into the white background. The pic is of us at Currimundi for the camp we went on, I went for a canoe ride and when I got back Nate wanted to have a little try.

Went to Amanda's yesterday and had a great day. Accomplished 3 layouts and am super happy with all of them, got to watch her complete a fantastic layout, my favourite so far using the gorgeous new Kaiser papers, not a big fan of Kaiser but wow they are now bringing out some "Wow" stuff, the boys played together and Nate was asleep within 60 seconds of leaving Amanda's house, the proof that a great day for mum and boy was had.

Off to check out what you have all been up to now. Take care and stay well. Love Melxx

Screen to Scrap May entry

Hi everyone, a wet soggy rainy day here today, but there is a glint in my eye because it's perfect scrapping weather. Jan has said she will come down and do some scrapping so about to do some routine housework and then some blogging and then some scrapping and I can't wait. I just do not know how I fulfilled my life before Nate and Scrapbooking!

This layout is for this month's Screen to Scrap Challenge, I used a cropped photo of Amanda and myself, I go to Amanda's Monday for our fortnightly scrap day and I thoroughly look forward to it, Nate plays with her son Connor, and usually starts saying "Play Con" or "Go Con" Sunday afternoon and Amanda says Connor says "Gate come" so the boys amidst a bit of normal sharing issues with toys just love their play day together so the mums can talk scrap all day. And we do too.

Having been doing the DT layouts for next month this week, Mojo has been a little better, I actually changed scrapping to the big coffee table I have in the lounge and this is working out a little better, more room to spread out. Have you ever thought about how wonderful the internet is, at this very moment I can say I have scrapping friends in Sweeden, USA, Mexico, Brazil, Malaysia, England, and all around Australia, I am not sure how I would ever have met any of you if it wasn't for this ingenious invention?

Nate played Soccer last night and was just so tired, he misses his arvo sleep and sort of loses his attention span completely by 6pm, he fell asleep in the car on the way home and mind you it takes all of 90 secs in the car to get home. I sort of wish it would be on Saturday mornings as he is so alive then. Anyway, looking forward to catching up with you all, watched "While you were sleeping" again for the 60th time (lol) last night and then read for an hour so I am super tired, need another coffee and a good scrapping session to aliven me. Love to you all, have a wonderful weekend. Love Melxx

Just for me layout

Hi all, I have been really slack this week, at nights I have been sitting down and cutting out from my papers instead of actually putting them together as a layout, this has been really nice, but today was Scrapping Wednesday and that means Aunty Jan comes down (well 8 houses actually) and we scrap all day - in between playing with Nate. I placed all my embellies on the page but never got to stick it down so that is a tomorrow job.

A friend Tanya Tahir is having a great candy give away, (the picture is at the bottom of my post) I just love these gorgeous papers and she is giving away the whole matching set. Very generous hey. If you would like to be in with a chance just click on her name and it will take you right to her blog, a couple of posts down and your there, while you're their check out her amazing gorgeous work. (I am definately a fan)

I have to let you all know something funny that Nate said today, well this afternoon we were out playing with the dogs and he had his hand over his shoulder blade and was scratching, I said "what's up" and he said "I have an itchy crack" well Jan and I just cracked up, firstly that he actually said that and then wondering where on earth he has picked this up from, the only thing I can think of is he watches the Simpsons sometimes at tea time. I knew there was a reason why I said I would never let him watch it. Was super funny though.

I received the most beautiful award from Ange too, she said some humbling things about me and I just wanted to let you know that it meant the world to me Ange. You made my day my friend.

The layout is using the gorgeous Lillibee, Jillibean Soup and Pink Paislee papers, these all came in the Noel Mignon Kit I get each month from the States. This layout is about Nate always saying "Come Col" whether it be at home or when we are on one of our trips away. And Col being the kind, generous "grandfather" figure he is always does what Nate wants. He is one lucky little boy to have Jan and Col in his life. I hope you like the layout. Will visit all your blogs over the next 24 hours, hope you are all well and happily scrapping up a storm. Love Melxx

Creative Scrappers sketch #103

Hi everyone, I hope you have had a great weekend, will go blogging soon to see what you have all been up to. Well I took Nate to Soccer on Friday night, it was boggy and threatened to storm, but we made it home and then had some beautiful rain. Nate did well at Soccer and each week I see improvement with his attention, he did quite a few of the set activities this time.

He is actually going through a stage at the moment where he imitates his dogs, he gets on his hands and knees and pretends, a little scary but he is only 3 and he has such fun with Max especially (the old one) they play and he just laughs his head off, you cannot hear anything else as they sound like a herd of elephants running in the house, so the above photo was him pretending....to eat dog biscuits. It is very funny to watch him though. I used the Creative Scrappers sketch#103 for my layout but as usual I think I deviated slightly.

Congratulations Adina from Design Dollies she had a gorgeous little boy this week and all is well even though he was born premi, Nate was premi also, he was 4wks and 3 days early.

Aunty Jan came down last night and we scrapped and talked and Uncle Col gave Nate a long piece of pine wood and put several types of nails and screws in it, I bought him a set of screwdrivers and he takes the screws in and out and is really quite good, we joke he is going to be a carpenter, so we had fun watching him and yelling yay everytime he gets a screw out also. And another big yay, he went his first night with no nappy on, we have been great during the day for ages but nights not so good. Jan and I didn't get to bed until 12.45am, we just talked and created, it was awesome. Pretty slow today, just pottered around, usual housework and washing. Might not scrap tonight, maybe Masterchef and then read in bed. Time to now go and check what you have all been up to. Love Melxx

Creative Scrappers sketch #104

Hi everyone, the above layout is for the sketch challenge at Creative Scrappers #104.
This is Nate reading to Puppy, pig (guinea pig) and Merr (lamby). Isn't he so cute, I just love him at this age, he is so funny the questions he asks. I used the papers from the last month's kit from Noel Mignon, and added some prima bling and 2 other hambly transparency bits and the gorgeous cut outs are from Sei.

I had the most frightening thing happen last night, at 9pm my bank phoned me and told me their was an unusual transaction withdrawal from my credit card, I felt sick, $1065.00 using Western Union. Of course I hadn't withdrawn this, but they were so good they stopped my account immediately as this isn't something that has ever occurred in my account. I have today filled out paper work, spoke to the police and I am not worried at all but wow how scary these things can happen, I did a very silly thing, I got an email from PayPal yesterday saying that my credit card had been cancelled and I had to fill out the details again, I swear everything looked so legitimate, but it wasn't. I have learned a valuable lesson and now have a new card coming and fortunately the fraudulent activity transacted from Ireland so my bank was super quick to pick up on it, anyway I feel super better tonight and my bad headache has dissapated, just proving I have been super stressed since hearing this.

Nate is fine, has a bit of a cough but is totally running a muck, and thank you so much for your shrek replies, I had no idea he was so popular. I also got a phone call this morning and Big W, gee they have been wonderful with customer service, and they said that they have the Shrek box set for me and are getting it sent to the store for me. Nate is one lucky little boy. Whilst I was there I couldn't resist buying a talking buzz and dress up buzz suit for him for Christmas. I know this sounds super early, but this is just what I do, usually I have all my Christmas presents by July.

If anyone can tell me how many weeks to Christmas, I think we will all be surprised. I am doing some scrapping tonight, need my daily dose of creativity. So hope their is something good on tv. By the way Tanya, I still haven't seen New Moon, but I will soon. Gee life seems so busy, always so much to do. Hope I am not the only one to feel this way. Going to do some blogging tonight and tomorrow morning so I can catch up on your latest news, which has become something I look so forward to in my daily routine. Love to you all Melissaxx

Design Dollies Sketch Challenge

Hi everyone, hope you are all well and happy, thank you so much for the wonderful well wishes for Nate, he is just fine now, he still has a large scab (sorry) where the gash was, but I was told by the GP this has healed up very quickly. Yesterday I went and spent the day with fellow scrapper Amanda Taylor, as usual we had a great time, kids fought on and off all day, but Amanda finished two gorgeous layouts and I I fully completed. (But I am a slow scrapper).

The layout you see above is for this month's design team for Design Dollies, this was the 2nd of my layouts for this sketch challenge, the layout you saw of mine last was the one I decided to go with.

We went on the search for Shrek today, I got the movie's out over the last few weeks and he just loved them, he asks every day for them, but apparently because of the 4th movie release, they have recalled all of them, so looks like he will just have to wait. I must admit, I love the movies too, I find myself laughing at the double meaning parts, especially from the Donkey.....

I am off now to read all your wonderful blogs and be inspired by your amazing creativity, then tea and some scrapping for this lady. Cannot wait. Love to you all. Melxx

Design Dollies Design Team - Sketch

This is the layout for the sketch challenge at Design Dollies, I just love their sketches, Kristy is so good at creating them. This is a pic of Nate laying on the floor and I was tickling him, I quickly grabbed the camera to try and catch the totally contagious laugh he has.


Well it's Sunday over here and a very bleak, overcast day, so I did some experimenting with some stamping and flowers and will show you a photo in the next couple of days, Jan came down and we were going through all your flower tutes and beautiful card ideas. We got full of wonderful creative ideas...I love these type of days.

On Thursday night Nate was playing with Stanley (poodle) and fell into our coffee table and well let's just say their was blood everywhere, I got a towel to the back of his head and took him 8 houses up the road to Col & Jans house and he seemed so excited to see Uncle Col that it was hard to stay worried. I think I suffered the most here, I didn't sleep all night, just laid and listened to him breathing, I had called the Hospital and they told me that I would have to endure a 4 hour wait at least because of an accident also. He is totally fine, all okay, took him to the GP Fri morning. So that is my excitement for late last week.


Haven't done as much scrapping as I would have liked, I have been watching Shrek with Nate, he just loves the movie and is asking lots of questions now. I think the little accident threw me a bit.


It was so interesting to hear the differences in what we call togs and sunnies pretty even depending on the area you live.

We missed soccer because of Nate's little accident and then Saturday went to the Handmade market, Aunty Jan spoilt Nate with a ride on the big cars, and took him to see the steam train, (no wonder he adores her) then got my new issue of Scrapbook Trends and have been dogearring pages in it when I get to read it.

I haven't blogged since last Thursday so I am going now to catch up with you all and see what you have been up to. Have missed it so much. Love Melxxxx

Noel Mignon Kit - Singing in the Rotunda

A few weeks ago I took Jan to an appointment she had in the centre of Ipswich, in the Mall, we don't usually go there, Nate spotted the Rotunda and just had to put on a performance for all to see. Sometimes he has the most amazing confidence, he was singing this song "Looooovvvveeee Muuuuummmmm" and "I cryyyyyyyyy" and please don't tell him but it is more of a wail, but super cute to watch. This is another layout I got from the Noel Mignon kit, I cannot wait for the next one, I have had to tighten my reigns the last few months here so getting her kit once a month gets me through each month and I still feel like I am getting new stash. Also buying the kit gets me bits and pieces of new products that if I was to buy the whole packet would work out super expensive for me. I see you all advertise such wonderful specials on your blogs from your great DT stores and once Nate is at school this mum is going back to work and then I am going to have a stash explosion buy, but I guess then comes the "no time" bit, it's super hard hey to balance time these days hey.

Nate is much better thank you very much, he just has the runny nose slightly, gee he gets over colds quickly, he hasn't (touch wood) been vommity sick for over two years and that was when I had it also, so I am very lucky, he is running a muck here with 2poodles with their jumpers on (yes jumpers are coats - that's for my dear friend Jocelyn who lives in USA) and in this case dogs are wearing fleecy lined ones as it is getting a little cold here. Funny how the english language seems to differ from country to country, even state to state over here, an example is:

Do you say: SUNNIES or SUNGLASSES

Do you say: TOGS, SWIMMERS OR BATHERS

or you may have another word completely for them.

I say sunnies, and togs and because I have learnt that as I was growing up just never thought of the differences in words like this. I'd be interested in hearing what you all say and perhaps if you do decide to mention, just put the state, country you are from beside it and I will mention the differences in our areas tomorrow.

Thanks so much for your wonderful friendship, I love you all, have a great day. Love Melxxx

Design Dollies Elements challenge

This layout was for last months DT challenge over at Design Dollies, this is the elements challenge, I love their challenges and they have such wonderful prizes. It's hard to believe June is the last month already there, doesn't time just spin you out. Nate woke up a little better this morning, had a good night's sleep, took him to the Animal Zoo here in Ipswich, and then to McDonald's where he and his little friend Hayley had a rage. Then he came home, I gave him a warm bath and then he went down for a nap. Bit whingy and clingy here tonight though and I was so looking forward to doing some scrapping tonight, hopefully going to get out some of my mags and do a lift, cannot wait to get my monthly kit from Noel Mignon, as I have been on a budget due to my bills, and this option has been great as I get all month from her wonderful kits.

Over at Rita's beautiful blog - Let's Embellish I won her mother's day RAK, so excited, you know how sometimes you think you may not have much of a chance, just do it anyway, this is such a wonderful surprise. Thanks so much Rita.

Over at Michelle's blog she has this fabulous giveaway candy to celebrate he 500th post, wow that is a lot, but if you have a look at her fabulous style and layouts she does you can understand why. Here is the link, I love Scrapping.

Design Dollies Sketch Challenge

Good morning everyone, we didn't have the best night last night here, Nate had a slight blocked nose and it must be so scary when he goes to breathe through it and it is blocked, so he was cuddly/whingy/restless all night. I love to see his face when we go to mini soccer but it is so cold down there on the open field and doesn't start until 5.45pm and dark now, and he won't wear a jumper because whilst he is running he gets hot but it's when he is still and the cold catches up with him that I worry about, a lot of mum's are in the same boat and I have seen dwindling numbers because of children's colds, guess I am lucky at this stage it is just a blocked nose so far. So a quiet day for us today, this mum is going to do some housework including washing (I hate this part) and then at quiet time after lunch, going to endeavour to scrap a bit.

The above layout is from the DT sketch challenge at Design Dollies last month, this is Aunty Jan and me, and I enjoyed this layout because I could use flowers, but I must tell you it is a bit girly for me. A short post today, hope you are all recovering from a wonderful Mother's Day. Love to you all. Melxx

Gotta Love his style - Noel Mignon

These are older photos of Nate, (pls excuse the terrible cropping - I am having trouble with this at the moment) when he was approx 14 months old, but I used the gorgeous papers in the Noel Mignon kit and now almost 2 years later he brings out that same guitar and sings to me, I usually dance to it (hope you can get that image out of your head) and he gives it his best shot but it really sounds like he is chanting like the Hari Krishners do - but I tell him how well he sings. I guess this is the reason for Mother's Day, the things we do for our kids that usually go unrewarded, the little white lies we tell them to boost their confidences and the food we have to bring ourselves to waste or chance becoming huge whilst they are developing their likes and dislikes. But to those of you that don't have kids, if you have a pet you love (Annmaree) happy mum's day to you too, your pets would be lost without you too and I think you deserve the title too.

Wow thank you so much for your advice with my posts, I have now looked and yay an "edit html" button, where did that come from, I am sure that I have been blogging almost a year and only noticed it when you all told me, for those of you that suggested just cutting and pasting without using it, my blogger just doesn't allow me to do it.. but I am so blown away so many of you, my dear friends, were their to help me with my computer problems, I usually am no help to anyone with these things.

Sounds like it is pretty half and half re: Edward and Jacob, but some of you have mentioned I may shift teams once I have seen the movie, and as good friend Tanya Tahir put it, give me "tanned and muscly over pastey and thin anyday" so not too hard to work out which team she is on what she has said definately offers food for thought.

I had plans to watch New Moon tonight but after Nate and I did the mowing, Aunty Jan got her new computer desk so I connected her devices back for her, then a little nap with Nate, now going to make some ATC's for Amandas Swap blog tonight, and just watch what's on tv.

I would like to share a dear friend's Rak of amazing goodies on her site. While your there have a look at her scrapping style, Samantha was one of the first people I met whilst blogging and she gives me awesome inspiration, not to mention the best blog candy.....She is also in Scrapbooking Memories this month.

I hope you have enjoyed this wonderful Saturday and tomorrow is equally wonderful for you. Catch up soon dear friends. Love Melxx

First and last layouts

Just worked out how to do this copying of candy etc, but if anyone knows how to change the insertion of your photos so they go underneath each other it would be great, this is the end of my blog post and it has popped up at the top, help.....
Anyway this is the candy Tracey Feeger has on her blog, I am not a dedicated stamper but this is awesome. Now I know how to do this I will show you some more when I see them.

Okay the top layout is the last layout I have done and the bottom is close to my first ever, well I can see a bit of a change, I think this was great to do Caz, thanks for setting the challenge out.

Wow quite a few Jacob fans in the comments too, look, honestly I think Edward is a nice boy and loved the tricks he can do, like climb to the top of a tree in 3 seconds, and I found the movie was one I could actually escape in, I find that hard to do, I am always saying to Jan, " I don't get that" whilst watching movies and she know me now, and explains away. So I found I did this myself with Twilight and looking forward to seeing "New Moon". I think I would love Avatar too, it looks like something I could escape to another world in too.

We went to the Plaza yesterday and I got my Coral Fleece Teal throws, well 2 actually, just to put away...I just love the feel of them, had a muffin and coffee at Muffin Break, and Nate must have exhausted himself because he had a sleep. Today I have some errands then to Hungry Jacks (it has a super play area right where we eat, so I can watch Nate super easy) I meet a friend there every Friday for lunch and he plays with her 2 kids. Then it is mini's soccor tonight. Then home to scrap........

I have met ScrapperCaz (caroline) through a blog site and she has a little challenge going on her blog to display your first ever layout, and then your last. So that is what I am doing today. How about those super huge letters. OM Goodness. It is fun, she has a wonderful prize for doing this too.

Sorry my posting is out of sequence but if anyone knows how to add the photos to go under each other rather than on top, please help... I hope you all have a wonderful day, I am going blogging this arvo so cannot wait to see what inspiration you have for me today. Love to you all. Melxxxx

Twilight - Edward Layout

Morning all, it's a beautiful day here today, sun is shining and all is well in this house as I hope it is in yours. Today we are going to Redbank Plaza, I bought this Teal Coral Fleece bedspread/throw about 4 years ago and I just love it, it has held up so well with a 3.5 year old and 2 poodles on it, so am going to buy myself another one, may buy some new cushions too. Aunty Jan came down yesterday and I did 2 layouts so I will show you them soon.

Twilight is the only movie besides Pretty Woman that I have voluntarily watched over 3 times so I thought I would document the fact so in the future Nate will know what his mum liked to watch. I have read New Moon but unfortunately not seen the movie yet so Saturday night is the night. I guess you could say that so far I am on Team Edward and this is my favourite pic of him captured from the side. I am not a fan like some, don't have any memorabillia to name but just enjoy looking at his gorgeous angelic lol face. I may be 42 but I can still admire.

I am still experiencing some computer glitches so bear with me, apparently my computer is over 4 years old now, and things are starting to wear out, isn't that disgusting considering the money I paid for it. Anyway I am excited for some of my blogger friends and get so excited when I see their layouts in the mags, Samantha Hauzer is in the latest Scrapbooking Memories and Amanda Taylor in the current Scrapbook Creations, I get so excited and proud for you when I see you. I love my blogger friends, you know how much you mean to me. Have a great day, love Melxxx

Yay! It's fixed

It was a new video card and fan problem, and $202.00 but I had to smile as I actually didn't care, just wanted to get back on and into the action. To recap the weekend we had, Sunday we had one of our wonderful drives with Col and Jan, went to Maroochydore and we sat on the beach (calm part) and just relaxed under a big tree as Nate found some friends to play with in the water. It was awesome and he had a ball, fish and chips for early tea, and early to bed when we got home. Then on Monday I went down to Amanda Taylor's house and scrapped up a storm with her, finished 2 layouts and really actually liked them, I seem to find so much mojo when I am scrapping with her, the boys played really well and we had a beautiful aussie bbq for lunch.

Took Nate to the speech Therapist yesterday morning and he is in the right place in his speech so put this mum at rest. He seems to be getting so talkative, drives you a little mad sometimes, but you know it won't be long before I am missing it. The computer man (Vince) told me his older boy was 8 before he stopped saying Love you mum, Love you dad, and still cuddled them, so I figure I have 4.5 years left and going to make the most of it.

I am now off to see all your gorgeous creations and see what you have been up to. Missed you all, love Mel.

By the way the above layout is for this months Artastic challenge Blog, the criteria is to take inspiration from the painting and add an Australian animal somewhere on the page. I did this page of my little man, although the shirt he is wearing looks like a dress, watching his Uncle Col do the whipping at our house. He wakes up at the moment saying "mum I go to work" great ethic Nate although apparently by the time he is old enough to go to work this has worn off. lol

Computer Broke

Hi everyone, I am sitting on a friend Amanda Taylor's laptop, my computer just decided to not turn on for me Saturday morning and because of the Public Holiday today I cannot get Vince (my computer man) over until tomorrow (Tuesday) night. Please bear with me, I am having blogger withdrawals here, but asap I will be back to see what you are all up to. Can't wait, keep well. Love Melxxx