Tuesday, December 30, 2008

From Melissa Kennedy's blog



I cannot begin to thank all of you who have contributed to the Southern Cross Kids Camp Layout challenge that I set.
Originally I started at 200 then raised it to 500 thinking that would be wonderful if we could get these for Julie but you girls have done over and above what was first thought.
We did a total of 1678 layouts and Im sure they will be put to great use during the January camps.
As mentioned at the beginning I would give the person who sent in the most to me 10 clear acrylic stamps set of their choice.
So Leonie Neal-Dawson hope you have chosen your ten as you gave over 350 layouts.
Also the two sets from commenting on the blog have been drawn and they go to Wendy Smith (mind you she managed to send over 250 layouts from Tasmania)
Thank you so much girls for what you have done and all the time and effort you have put in to create these layouts.


Thanks so much girls the networking amongst scrappers is amazing!
Thnks for putting smiles on children's faces..

last day of 2008

Wow I cannot believe it - Ella has finished her first year at school, Mia will begin Year 2

These are my goals for
I am going to use a friend's (the lovely GiGi)CATEGORIES she used at the beginning of 2007 I have added one to my list of goals

art -To be published in a scrapping mag in 2009
home - To be more organised in the home ie: meal planning, on top of domestic duties
body - To lose 8kgs
life - To find more patience in my life
heart - Keep my heart happy and balanced with relationship ie: going on regular "dates"with my husband, more family outings
spirit - more reflection time
community To continue to assist those in need in my community and to raise more money for Sam to purchase a racing wheelchair to achieve his paraolympic goals


You only need one short sentence for each. The trick is to keep it simple and achievable. No grandiose gestures - you need to keep it practical but fulfilling.

MIA TAKEN BEFORE CHRISTMAS

 
Mia says she never has a pic on my blog - so here it is Mia!
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Friday, December 19, 2008

OK rerun this one folks lol I am tired - and the bold kept wanting to be bold
60 out of 100 not bad hey
would love to see your answersxxxx
I've done the ones in BOLD
1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
- 6. Given more than you can afford to charity 7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo -
11. Bungee jumped -
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch -
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty -
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill
24. Built a snow fort - when I was living in London
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon - only in my nightmares
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run -
32. Been on a cruise -
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied - money doesn't bring true satisfaction
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelos David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a and want to go back!restaurant
44. Visited Africa -
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight

46. Been transported in an ambulance

47. Had your portrait painted -
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theatre
55. Been in a movie - but I've been an extra in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business -
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp - so sad
67. Bounced a check -
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades -
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person -
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House -
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone's life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous - met the Queen Mother, Hugh Jackman, Heidi Swapp, Imran Khan92.
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee -I am highly highly allergic to bees
100. Read an entire book in one day -

100 things

100 things to do

I have borrowed this list from Lyndal from her blog!

I've done the ones in BOLD1. Started your own blog2. Slept under the stars3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped -
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill -
24. Built a snow fort - whilst living in London
25. Held a lamb26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied - money doesn't bring true satisfaction
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
4
40. Seen Michelangelos David

41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
>45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance

47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie - but I've been an extra on Pharlap
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business -
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial -
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades -
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone's life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous - met the Queen Mother, Imran Khan, Hugh Jackman, Heidi Swapp
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee - no but my son has
100. Read an entire book in one day

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

this guy inspires me every day with quiet confidence

 
This is my special friend Sam, taken last Saturday with Ella - Sam is in training for the 2012 ParaOlympics and we are raising money for a racing wheelchair.
Stay tuned early in 2009 for all the details! I may even ask for your help (yet again ) please!
For those of you who don't know, Sam was involved in a BMX accident in September 2007 which has resulted in him being confined to a wheelchair. Has this stopped him? No way, his journey has been an amazing one, in a nutshell - he now drives his own car, plays his guitar and has the best sense of humour he is very special to me and always will be.
His family are the most supportive strong amazing group of people I am honoured to be a part of this family.
Sam's mum Jenny, taught Mia and Ella at our local Pre School so I have known her around 6 years but the bond between us since September last year is something out of this world - she and her husband Glenn along with their son Adam and daughter Kate are such inspirational people (although if they read this they would not agree).
I just wanted to give you a short overview of the McIntosh family so when and if I ask for your help you will know who I am referring to. A lot of readers have asked me who Sam McIntosh is as I list him as my daily inspiration..
Hugs to you Sam you rock!
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CREATE 08 HEIDI SWAPP WOW FAB WOW






Well, I am finally home after having 2 fabulous nights in Melbourne meeting my online buddies - in real life!Let me tell you these girls are the best such sweet ladies ......
Monday could not come quickly enough, after running around doing all the "last minute Mummy things" dropping the girls off at Dee Dee's (my sis) then heading up to the Melb Airport to pick up Peta (mmmwhaa) Michelle (mmmwhaa) and "JustTam" (lol mmmwhaa) we headed to the Quest apartments in Mont Albert to stay for 2 nights (YEAH)
wow we scrapped on Monday night and met other online buddies from Melbourne Bon (who I had met previously), Mal (oh she is sooo gorgeous) and Kerry (what a darling) and baby Taylah (4weeks) ooh such a sweet babe and Bon had Miss Lacey (9months) such a sweetie and crawling around! Sam from the forum also came to meet us all ! She is a lovely lady - it was nice to finally meet irl.
So we chatted, drank wine, ate Thai Chinese and drank more wine, scrapped and had an absolute ball
Then headed off to bed around 11pm. Tuesday morn we were up and ready to meet the lovely Heidi Swapp wow certainly no disappointment at all Heidi is such an inspirational lady - nothing was too much trouble, so head down and bottoms up 150 of us scrappers scrapped our way through the day.. then at 4pm the day class left and we helped Heidi and Chanel set up for the evening retailers class.
A small group of us shared pizza with Heidi and Chanel so yes sweet readers I had dinner with Heidi Swapp!!!!!
Then the retailer event started at 6pm with around 40 retailers attending - it was lovely and such a small intimate class - wow wow picked up some useful hints to use in the shop, and in classes!
So it was home to the apartment around 9.45pm and more scrapping and wine Bon came back and we talked (surprising I hear you say Marelle talk no way lol) and drank til 2am this morning !

It was lovely to catch up with my lovely friends from Imagination Factory and to meet 2 other ladies from another forum I chat with Cherie and Angela (ooh you look so cute with your little preggy belly!)
I caught up very briefly with my pals from Kaiser (mmmmwhhhaaaa)and Wendy (MissPurple) (mmmmwwwhaaa)
Enough of my ravings about my fantastic inspirational few days with Heidi Swapp
I will share a couple of pics!

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

my cute fairies

 
Mia and Ella performed in their first play last Sunday
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This is my layout which was chosen to get me through to the second round at Kaiser 100-1 scrap off
We had 30 mins in which to complete the layout the pressure was ON!
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This is the back of the calendar
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my btp hon mention from kaiser 100-1

 
Here is a pic of my Beyond the Page project I made for the Kaiser scrap off - I was happy with it and it will be a teacher present. As I am not a lover of btp projects, I was happy with this one!
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Monday, December 8, 2008

tonight presentation evening

Tonight we are off to Mia and Ella's Presetation Evening (a huge deal) the children from the junior school are rehearsing in Geelong today for the event.
I am especially proud because Mia is receiving a CITIZENSHIP award - she is a sweet girl who helps everyone in the class and playground and never has a negative word to say about anyone..(her teacher's words) Mia has come so far from that weeny 740gm baby born facing a lot of touch and go moments in those first 3 months.

DH and I are very proud and I am excited the batteries are in the charger, the video camera is charging Mia's uniform is being washed ironed and any sewing fixed up today by moi and dh is going to shine her school shoes! My sister Dee ("Dee DEe" to the girls) is coming to the evening and also Mia's big brother Greg (25) and his gf will be there also!
It will be very joyous and magical - the choir will sing, the school orchestra will perform and lots of Christmas carols will be sung in full voice! I cannot wait I love Christmas xxxx
Hugs
PS: I am working all day at Create tomorrow so best get off this puta and organise myself.

another view of btp project

 
This is the back of the btp project!
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tues news

 
Here is a pic of my btp (beyond the page) entry into the Kaiser 100-1 comp - I received an honourable mention for this (which I was thrilled about as I don't usually enjoy btp projects) lol
I am going to give this to Mia's teacher for Christmas so thought I better get a pic
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Saturday, December 6, 2008

yesterday sat

 
Yesterday my gorgeous friend the one and only Charmane Koch (AKA Charm) and her gorgeous family travelled down to Geelong for Crop4acause at the Kaiser outlet! It was soo much fun - this girl is sooo special! The day was fab and Shell, Julie and Leeanne and I sat with Melissa Kennedy Richelle(Captain Obvious) the lovely Wendy from Fiskars,Shirl and Ally Angel well I have never laughed sooo much in all my life - I really needed that good old belly laugh! Those Kaiser girls - don't know how they managed to get any work done - they are hilarious - and the topics we covered - nothing was sacred! I managed to get 2 layouts done (I know, I talked and laughed my way through the the day/evening) so social !
We got to have a sneak peak (ooh yummo) of new papers other yumminess which will be released early next year - so girls hold onto your hats !!! Kaiser just keeps getting better and better!
I won a raffle prize!! whoo hoo and the lovely ladies managed to fill 4 baskets for hampers for 4 families in need this Christmas with the proceeds of the day going to the Leukemia Foundation - a most worthy cause.
I better run now, get into the shower and get the girls ready for their very first performance today in a play!
xxxhugs to everyone happy Sundayxxxx
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Thursday, December 4, 2008

Well - this band is amazing - the lead singer was born without eyes, it makes you realise when young guys like this make the most of what they have, we have absolutely NOTHING TO COMPLAIN ABOUT and we need to perhaps try a little harder in our lives whatever we feel we want to achieve ...... we can do it
and we can make a difference in this unstable world - just as Rohan has by giving these guys a break into the music industry.

fingers crossed this works peoples

PROUD MOMENT

I want to let you know about a very special and talented friend of our family
Rohan - he is an accomplished musician and he has been doing music therapy with a group of guys who have been touched with aspergers. Rohan has formed a band and raised money on his own to take this band to America and yesterday they played at the United Nations and drew a crowd bigger than Bono!!!!!
Might sound easy, but imagine travelling with a group of guys (very talented musically) who do not travel easily let alone other problems along the way.
The band is called Rudely Interrupted and my online friends in America have seen all the media coverage (which has been huge) and we are all keeping our fingers crossed that Oprah picks up on the story and they make it onto her show
Hugs to you boys and it just proves one person CAN make a difference!
xxxxxx
I am now trying to link the utube performance of the boys here - please be patient!

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

thursday already

Wow today I went on a road trip with my lovely scrapping friends Shell G and Julie (aka Jooles) after getting 3 hot chocs to go from my fave truck stop (lol jooles asked the lady could she have marshmellows with tha - sorry luv no marshmellows here lol) we hit the road - what a fun day - and boy can my darling friends shop! lol
Got some great bargains! so next year if you would like to come a warehouse shopping which includes scrapping supplies, and exclusive bath products at 80% off just let me know !!
xxxxx