Christmas Cards started

I had a great day yesterday at the StampIn Up Workshop. Thanks Paula and Gayle for a great day. And I am now Christmas 17 cards down. Only 100 + to go. I did think this year I would just make some cards for friends and then buy shop ones for others. But then who would I give a handmade card to and shop bought one too????? I realised that if I am giving a card there is a good reason for it so they will all be handmade again this year.

Here are 3 of the cards I did. I will scan the other in later - loaned it to a friend.

I have an extremely busy next few weeks. I have to read the last 4 modules of my study before the end of this week - have an assignment done and posted before 23rd November (not even started yet) - finish making Kirsty a bean bag for her birthday in 4 weeks - start and finish making her another gift (can't say as it is a surprise, it is a sewing thing) - attend a couple of party plans at friends - birthday parties this weekend - scrapbooking on the weekend - a weekend away at Caloundra (can't wait for this one).

Gee not sure if I will get it all done but will certainly give it a good go.

Have a great week all. xxxx

Glad to be HOME

What a fantastic week we had at Big Camp (that's what the kids call it). It would be unreal to get an aeiral photo of the camp grounds. From memory there were over 3,000 campers on the grounds and on each Sabbath there were over 7,000. Unbelievable

The girls had a great time. Kirsty was in Juniors this year which meant more activities and night meetings. Therefore lots of walking to take them to their meetings and picking them up. They went to Wet n Wild on one of the days which I think she just loved.

Makayla couldn't wait to get there though I'm sure she didn't remember what it was about from last year. She loved morning worship where they sang songs for an hour and to my amazement she even joined in with all the actions. And in the afternoons they have an hour of playgroup where they get to do all sorts of things. Her face would light up in the mornings when they mentioned playgroup.

We survived the 2 dust storms while we were camping. Though I am glad they were dust storms and not rain storms. Rain would have been a lot worse when packing up. My poor washing machine was non stop from Sunday night to Wednesday afternoon with all the clothes and linen we took with us. I had to wash everything even if we didn't use it. Yeah........ It will probably take until Sunday to totally finish unpacking and putting everything away for next time.

First night (Thursday) we slept in the car - long story but the girls apparently had a great and comfortable sleep. However Mum probably got 2 hours sleep as she was freezing cold as I gave the girls all the blankets and was very uncomfortable in the front seat. We were certainly camping on the first night. A picture of part of the inside of our tent.

Kirsty and Makayla enjoying the moment. And Kirsty with 2 of her friends at camp - Ashlyn and Che.

Makayla and Soloman (Makayla's best friend at camp) They played together so well. And what a cutie is he. Oh Nicole I really do love his hair. Kirsty took Makayla to have her face painted. By the time I got to see it she had scratched it off. Thank you Kirsty for taking a photo before she removed it. Makayla is joining in here in the morning worship. She is doing the actions to "My God is So Great"

This is a picture of the dust storm we went through on the Wednesday. The one we got on the Saturday was lots worse.

I can't believe we are in the final term for this year at school. Where has this year gone I ask???? Makayla is starting Pre-Prep next year hopefully. Just waiting to see if the building will be finished. Makayla is really looking forward to going next year.

Enjoy the last few days of holidays.

Look what I won........

What a busy month. I can't believe it has been over a month since I last blogged. I must admit I do spent a bit of time on the computer but it is generally for work so when I have finished I like to turn the computer off and do something more constructive - like sewing or scrapbooking etc.

The girls are doing really well. We all can't wait until the school holidays as Kirsty, Makayla and I are heading off to our church camp again this year. We had a fantastic time last year and Kirsty is really looking forward to camp again this year. Cameron gets to stay home unfortunately as he is way too busy this time of year to take holidays. And hopefully this year I won't loose Makayla. She can be a little wanderer sometimes - so I have threatened to go to the vet to have her microchipped. LOL

Kirsty just handed in her school project the other week. They had to build a diorama of the rain forest. I do believe she did a great job. She painted the box by herself and decorated it as well all by herself. It took a lot a will power and biting of the tongue to leave her to her own creativity. And well she did a fantastic job. Well done Kirsty.

Last week was very eventful in that I was heading out Thursday night to have dinner with Tammy and Nicole as it was Tammy's birthday and I was running late picking up Tammy. I got into the car and reversed out the driveway. Unfortunately I forgot to lift the roll a door. So yes I reversed into the roll a door and did a job on it. I was close to tears but my husband soon made me feel good. He just laughed and said he didn't feel so bad now for putting a ding in my car. Got to love them hey. Anyway I did not think that he was going to get the door back on as the top of the door was in place but the bottom of the door was now moulded to the shape of the car. But when I returned it was all fixed with some minor dings in the door - and it still goes up and down. Unfortunately I didn't even think to take photos of the door. What a page that would have been. Never mind maybe next time. Yeah I will probably do it again. LOL

I collected a parcel from the post office today and well I was blown away as some months ago I entered into a competition in the Homespun Magazine. And well this is what I won. I am so excited as I just love Sally Giblin designs and have some of the winning patterns. Mmmmm now to choose who to give the double ups to....... Well I just think getting this little package today might inspire me to get back into sewing. I haven't sewn for some weeks. Just too busy.

Well I hope all the Dad's out there had a great day on Sunday. I know Cameron had a relaxing day and of course we did spoil him.

No more Driving

Well as quickly as I was given the OK to drive it was taken away from me today. Yes I am not allowed to drive again. My hand has gone backwards and my strength is now below 10kgs. And the therapist thinks I could have torn the cartlidge slightly due to the pain I was in when I first tried to drive a few weeks ago. So you can imagine how I felt.

Though she has given me only limited driving power. That is I am only allowed to pick up Kirsty from school and that is it. So hopefully next Friday when I see her my hand will be back up to strength.

Cameron is now back on chauffer duties.

I survived.......

What a day. I decided to get to Target at 8am for the toy sale. Well I got there 10 minutes late and so glad I did from what I was told as I walked in. A gentleman reckoned he was bruised down his side from the swarm of ladies grabbing at boxes. It was rather busy but I did manage to get what I wanted. I found some really great bargins. Can't wait till Christmas to share them. By far the better than KMart and Big W's Toy Sale.

So if you are thinking of going to Target you will be safe in Bundaberg as the mad rush could be over. Happy Toy Shopping.........

And thank you to those that called yesterday regarding Sean and Jeannie. Yes they were related, they are Cameron's cousins. They left Bundaberg before Easter this year to travel around Australia. They weren't actually missing for 3 weeks they just hadn't been heard of. They were heading into the Flinders Ranges for only a couple of days and as they don't have an agenda they must have decided to stay longer. And as there was no mobile or internet service they were just oblivious to those who were getting rather worried. But they are all safe. Not the best way to get famous. LOL

Back to School :-(

Unfortunately all good things come to an end. And the school holidays have come to a screaming end. Kirsty went back to school today. She really didn't want to go. I think 3 weeks of holidays was just too good. Though we told her that it is a shorter term this one and at the end we go camping. She seemed slightly happy but I think only for that fact that we are going camping.

I was just looking back over the photos over the holidays and I can't believe I didn't take the camera out much. The girls had a great holiday. They spent a lot of time at Lake Ellen Park which they love. They made several batches of GingerBread Biscuits (Makayla's favourite) and Choc Chip Cornflake Biscuits (which is Kirsty's favourite). We spent watching DVD's together, playing cubby houses, having friends over to play and sleep overs, we even went Roller Skating and did a little bit of sewing.

I have been busy making cards. I love my Sunday outings to the StampIn Up workshop each month run by Gayle and Paula. We make some great projects and also cards. For just $20 for the day you come away with some great ideas. And the company is just great. I have put some photos of the cards we just made Sunday.

Holiday Photos:

I wasn't going to let Makayla skate but she was adament that she needed to have skates on. So we went and got them for her. Once I did the laces up she thought she could stand up. Until she realised that she had no control on her feet. So Mum took her around the rink a few times (as much as my hand would allow). She had a great time except for the above photo when she wanted to do it herself. They are so priceless.

Kirsty loves skating but enjoyed just running around the rink bare foot. Lucky for us, our group was the only one there when we went. Though I tried to get Kirsty to wear Roller blades. No way according to Kirsty.

I do think that I have the 2 most beautiful girls. But a mother can be bias. Kirsty is growing so much into a beautiful girl. Thank goodness she won't be dating till she is 35. LOL If only, in less than 6 years I am sure she is going to want to start dating. How on earth am I going to cope with that............

Thank goodness Makayla is 7 years younger. I have quite a few more years before I need to worry about her. She is just a stunner and cheeky.

This is the start of the fairy dolls that Kirsty and I have been making. They are a little more involved than what I thought. We have sewn the tops up but just have to do some hand sewing. I have no idea how people make Barbie clothes. These ones are fiddly enough.

I just recently bought this magazine as I am always looking out for more things to do. Like I have the time to do them but you know sleep is over rated. LOL. I do love some of the projects in this magazine but unfortunately they don't show much of them. If you go to Melissa Goodsell's blog you can see them so much better.

I am really loving the sewing craft. I find it hard to decide if I will scrap book or sew. Lately the sewing is winning but I do find time to scrapbook. The Friday night get togethers have been here and there lately but hopefully soon we will all get back to maybe fortnightly.

This Sunday is the scrap club and we are having a swap. Xmas in July is the Theme and we have to make a tag or a journalling spot for the swap. I have had a sneak peak at some of the girls swaps and they are looking pretty good. I think I have now worked mine out so I just need to get started.

I went to a pamper party on Friday night at a girlfriends house. The back of my hands have never been smoother. And after the party (at 11pm) driving home I decided that I would call one of my mates and see what she was doing. And lucky for me she was up just waiting for my call. Now how many friends would get away with calling someone at 11pm at night. Thanks for the stamps Lorelle.

Well I'm off to clean the house and maybe do some crafty things this afternoon. Not sure if I will sew or scrapbook.

Watch out Bundy - I'm driving again........

Well on Friday I was giving the all clear to drive. Finally my hand registered 12kgs. YAHOO..... But no driving unless I have Cameron with me initially, just in case I can't cope. Well Saturday afternoon we headed off to the Botanical Gardens and when we returned home I decided it was as good a time to try driving. Well that was a HUGE mistake. No I didn't have an accident. I just for a moment forgot I can't drive how I used to. That being my left hand doesn't operate the same just yet. Well the first turn of the wheel I injured my wrist. Yeah I know. Slow and steady wins the race but I am just being impatient. Well I paid for it dearly that night as I didn't get to bed till 3.30am Sunday morning as the pain was quite high on the tolerance level. Anyway I might try again tonight but in my car this time. It won't be as heavy to drive.

On a much happier note, a few friends and I got together on Friday to scrap. The children played and the mums played also. It was great, but when everyone left that afternoon I decided that I would just continue to scrap well I put it all away this morning and I was so happy as I got to scrap 12 pages. I have to just finish off a couple of them with titles but I will do that early this week and take photos and post them on the blog. I realised while I was doing these pages that I soooooo much scrapbooking stuff that I don't need to buy anymore things for some time. Maybe even ever. Oh no wait, I will need card stock soon. That I am running out of. Might need to do an order shortly for that.

As I was up till 3.30am this morning I was nearly going to come out and scrapbook but the cold kept me in bed. So I decided to finish reading a book I started a few weeks ago. It was called My Beloved Son. Probably not the reading material for some but I really enjoyed reading it. Though I knew the ending I found that I couldn't put it down when I started reading it. It was written through the eyes of Mary about Jesus. It was very inspirational.

Well I am off to paint the girls nails.