Ramblings of a Creative Mum

31/366 - 31-01-2012

2012-02-01T06:39:00.007+10:00

31/366 - 31-01-2012, a photo by skyecosti on Flickr.

Well we made it to the end of the first month! This was my daughter and her pappou sharing his birthday cake.

30/366 - 30-01-2012

2012-02-01T06:39:00.005+10:00

30/366 - 30-01-2012, a photo by skyecosti on Flickr.

Playing with playdough at playgroup.

29/366 - 29-01-2012

2012-02-01T06:39:00.003+10:00

29/366 - 29-01-2012, a photo by skyecosti on Flickr.

The beginning of part of my favourite homemade dinners - Chicken with green sauce and roasted cherry tomatoes. :)

28/366 - 28-01-2012

2012-02-01T06:39:00.001+10:00

28/366 - 28-01-2012, a photo by skyecosti on Flickr.

Lazy weekend lunch!

27/366 - 27-01-2012

2012-02-01T06:38:00.007+10:00

27/366 - 27-01-2012, a photo by skyecosti on Flickr.

Lexie's nouno having a tea party with her.

26/366 - 26-01-2012

2012-02-01T06:38:00.005+10:00

26/366 - 26-01-2012, a photo by skyecosti on Flickr.

My daughter and I in the pool at Bribie Island having an awesome time, even though the water was freezing.

25/366 - 25-01-2012

2012-02-01T06:38:00.003+10:00

25/366 - 25-01-2012, a photo by skyecosti on Flickr.

Baking Chocolate Australia biscuits for Australia Day tomorrow.

24/366 - 24-01-2012

2012-02-01T06:38:00.001+10:00

24/366 - 24-01-2012, a photo by skyecosti on Flickr.

Crazy rainy weather we are having. The park is already flooded and it is nearly up to the walkway bridge. Usually that area that is all water is all grass and the creek is not visible from the road.

23/366 - 23-01-2012

2012-02-01T06:37:00.007+10:00

23/366 - 23-01-2012, a photo by skyecosti on Flickr.

It was a rainy, rainy day for my brother's birthday suprise lunch. What better way to have fun after the rain stopped then all play in the water fountains. LOL (notice we are all adults)

22/366 - 22-01-2012

2012-02-01T06:37:00.005+10:00

22/366 - 22-01-2012, a photo by skyecosti on Flickr.

I turned around to look at my daughter at dinner and this is what I saw. I almost died laughing and couldn't get mad at her after laughing at her. She is so lucky she is cute!

21/366 - 21-01-2012

2012-02-01T06:37:00.003+10:00

21/366 - 21-01-2012, a photo by skyecosti on Flickr.

My daughter having a ride on the neighbour's grandkids electric quad.

20-366 - 20-01-2012

2012-02-01T06:37:00.001+10:00

20-366 - 20-01-2012, a photo by skyecosti on Flickr.

Unfortunately I cannot tell you the name of this drink in here because it is one of those drinks with a rude name, but it was yummy.

19/366 - 19-01-2012

2012-02-01T06:36:00.007+10:00

19/366 - 19-01-2012, a photo by skyecosti on Flickr.

My daughter's first Sizzler experience tonight when we went there with friends for dinner.

18/366 - 18-01-2012

2012-02-01T06:36:00.005+10:00

18/366 - 18-01-2012, a photo by skyecosti on Flickr.

Lunch at a local cafe with my daughter.

17/366 - 17-01-2012

2012-02-01T06:36:00.003+10:00

17/366 - 17-01-2012, a photo by skyecosti on Flickr.

My daughter's first time wearing goggles for swimming - they look a bit big or something LOL

16/366 - 16-01-2012

2012-02-01T06:36:00.001+10:00

16/366 - 16-01-2012, a photo by skyecosti on Flickr.

Teaching my daughter how to give a thumbs up with her cool sunnies on!

15/366 - 15-01-2012

2012-02-01T06:35:00.005+10:00

15/366 - 15-01-2012, a photo by skyecosti on Flickr.

There was a real sudden heavy downpour today and it is the heaviest I have seen in a long while, the drainpipe just couldn't take the volume.
This also follows the Capture your 365 prompt - framed by a doorway - or in my case a window frame.

14/366 - 14-01-2012

2012-02-01T06:35:00.003+10:00

14/366 - 14-01-2012, a photo by skyecosti on Flickr.

My brother playing with my daughter. Sorry brother, too cute not to share. lol

13/366

2012-02-01T06:35:00.001+10:00

13/366, a photo by skyecosti on Flickr.

This is more than one photo yes, but this is using the prompt from Capture Your 365 and Take Twelve, which involves taking 12 photos of the 12th day of the month for 12 months. Yes it is the 13th today, but shhh don't tell anyone. :)

12/366 - 12-01-2012

2012-01-12T23:09:00.001+10:00

12/366 - 12-01-2012, a photo by skyecosti on Flickr.

Had some Mummy alone time and had sushi for lunch before picking up Lexie from kindy.

11/366 - 11-01-2012

2012-01-12T23:08:00.003+10:00

11/366 - 11-01-2012, a photo by skyecosti on Flickr.

Having a nice morning tea with relatives at Highfields

10/366 - 10-01-2012

2012-01-12T23:08:00.001+10:00

10/366 - 10-01-2012, a photo by skyecosti on Flickr.

My cousin who allowed me to practice my photography.

09/366 - 09-01-2012

2012-01-12T23:07:00.003+10:00

09/366 - 09-01-2012, a photo by skyecosti on Flickr.

Water play is always fun!

08/366 - 08-01-2012

2012-01-12T23:07:00.001+10:00

08/366 - 08-01-2012, a photo by skyecosti on Flickr.

Thank god for movie frame extractors, otherwise I would have missed my first day for the year.

Week 1 - 2012

2012-01-07T22:49:00.001+10:00

Week 1 - 2012, a photo by skyecosti on Flickr.

My digital layout for week 1 - 2012 is done! We are off to a good start peoples!

7/366 - 07-01-2012 - "remember"

2012-01-07T22:43:00.001+10:00

7/366 - 07-01-2012 - "remember", a photo by skyecosti on Flickr.

This photo of my sweet little daughter fast asleep this afternoon, is something I would like to remember. How sweet they are when they are asleep. This also goes with the capture your 365 prompt "remember"

6/366 - 06-01-2010

2012-01-07T22:41:00.001+10:00

6/366 - 06-01-2010, a photo by skyecosti on Flickr.

Wellington Point Beach - My daughter is growing up way to fast. She looks so grown up in this photo. I am going to match this photo with the "With a who cares aperture" prompt from Capture Your 365. As I don't understand all that yet, as I am too busy photographing to read books about it LOL and I have no idea what aperature I actually used. Just turned the dials til I found what I liked :)

5/366 - 05/01/2012

2012-01-07T22:40:00.001+10:00

5/366 - 05/01/2012, a photo by skyecosti on Flickr.

Lexie showing her friend Elmo all the things outside. Soooo cute, especially when she was pointing the moon and looking at Elmo saying "Moon, see."

4/366 - 04/02/2012

2012-01-04T22:03:00.001+10:00

4/366 - 04/02/2012, a photo by skyecosti on Flickr.

Day 4 - still haven't missed a day. WOOP! I am usually pretty good for most of January anyway , it's usually the other months that I will miss a day here or there.

Day 3/366

2012-01-04T16:21:00.001+10:00

3/366 my daughter having fun in the water, a photo by skyecosti on Flickr.

Put some water in Lexie's half shell and placed her small slide into it = fun!

Project 366 2012 - 2/366

2012-01-04T16:19:00.002+10:00

Project 366-2012_2/366_02-02-2012, a photo by skyecosti on Flickr.

Used the Capture Your 365 Daily Prompt - "What's for Breakfast?" - Well today it was Bacon, Egg, Fried tomatoes and toast on the back deck.

Via Flickr:
Breakfast on the deck
Also used the "What's the breakfast prompt?" from Capture Your 365.

Hello 2012 - Project 366 - Here we go again! 1/366

2012-01-04T16:16:00.002+10:00

Hello 2012 - 1/366 - 01-01-2012, a photo by skyecosti on Flickr.

Let's see if I can actually post my pictures at least every week. I have done this now for the past 3 years. Taken a photo everyday 98% of the time. Haven't missed many. But don't always remember to post them to flick, etc.

Welcome 2012! Goodbye 2011!

2012-01-04T16:10:00.000+10:00

Well it has been an interesting past year to say the least. Floods in January at our home and the homes of many others. Then there was all sorts of natural disasters in all parts of the world earthquakes, tsunamis, etc and I was starting to wonder if it was going to be a monthly occurrence.

It was also a year of a lot of violence, protests and oh yes a Royal Wedding.

<p>&amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://video.news.com.au/2176914456/A-revolutionary-and-disastrous-year"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;VIDEO: A revolutionary and disastrous year&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;gt;</p>

So I wonder what the new year 2012 holds for us all. I for one hope to never EVER see crutches ever again. The knee is healing well and I no longer need to walk around on my party sticks (which I festively decorated with lights and tinsel for Christmas) I haven't set an resolutions as such for the new year just some goals of what I would like to try and achieve. With my consistent failure to implement, I try to not set myself up for a massive fall. LOL. So I just have some things I would like to try and complete and finish for the year.

Such as:

Complete our wedding album. LOL yes it has only been almost 5 years since we got married and I will finish this.
Complete Mum and Dad's WA album from 2007. I have just about finished this one its just the last few collage pages to use up all the photos. At least they have the album.
Complete any other albums or get them close to finished and there is a few, like my friends wedding album and my Auntie's 50th album.
Maintain and/or lose more weight.
Be a more active mummy and wife.
Compile all family history info to make a book for my family.
Organise the thousands of photos I have and ensure all are backed up accordingly.

That's all I can think of for now. I am sure I have others. :)

Here are some of my favourite pics from 2011.

It was very hard to choose only this many, so think yourselves lucky. LOL. As I look back over these pics I am amazed at how much Lexie has changed from the beginning of 2011 to the end. They really do grow up way too fast.

Hip Hip Hooray!

2011-11-06T21:09:00.000+10:00

Well it's been a trying and testing time over the last few weeks following my knee surgery, including having to have an ultrasound to rule out DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis). This was after I had some weird pain in the bottom half of my calf. All clear though.

But anyway something that I have been very happy and excited about is that I have been lucky enough to have been chosen for the Kate Hadfield Digital Stamp Design Team. This means I will be creating 2-3 projects a month from Kate's digital stamps.

The new releases stamps were Scarecrow Sidney and Scarecrow Sally and you can purchase them here.

Aren't they cute? I was racking my brain since I received the stamps and was wondering what to make. Then it came to me at 2am when I couldn't sleep the other night for some reason. LOL. So I decided to make a Scarecaterpillar Herb Garden Kit. I say scarecaterpillar because I think my cute little scarecrows would be too small to scare away a bird, but a caterpillar, well just maybe.

I made two larger scarecrows, and then four smaller oval shapes to be used as name plaques. I hand-coloured them all with my Derwents and then laminated them to avoid them getting wet and ruined. I also made some seed packet covers that you can place seed packets in to give to as a gift to someone. The template was from Microsoft Online and can be found here. Then I just opened the template in word and added the frame element from Kate Hadfield's August Blog Train freebie and the Scarecrow stamps, plus some sentiments from Tiddly Inks. I am quite happy with how it turned out and look forward to creating more projects with Kate's great stamps and getting to know the other designers.

Hambo Hoedown - Sketch Challenge

2011-10-24T18:25:00.000+10:00

Here is my card for this weeks Hambo Hoedown Sketch Challenge.

The image we were kindly given by Hambo Stamps to use this week was Zombie Bunny.

The cobweb borders are a great freebie from Birds Cards.
The Trick or Treat tag was a awesome freebie from Kate Hadfield Designs.
Some torn cardstock and paper and some inked edges and wah-la.

3 weeks down, about 10 more to go!

2011-10-19T17:52:00.001+10:00

Well it has been a tough 3 weeks to say the least. It's has been 3 weeks and two days since my surgery (not that I am counting) and some days I just break down and cry as I am not dealing with being couch ridden and dependent on everyone else for almost everything. Thankfully I can shower and use the toilet myself otherwise I definitely would not be in a very happy place. It has been tough on my loved ones as well and I hate having to depend on them.

Lexie although seems to have adapted well and even knows that if I am here by myself for a while and need to change her nappy that instead of going to her change table she needs to go to her bed and lie down so I can change it. Last night she also helped Mummy while I was in the shower by getting my towel and passing it to me and then passing my clothes to me when I needed to get dressed. She even knows that if she wants me to go somewhere with her or I am getting up that I need my crutches and she will pass them to me. Sometimes just her being around being her makes this all bearable.

Tomorrow I go to visit my surgeon for my post-op appointment and I am SOOOOO glad that I will finally get to remove the damn dressing and this massive brace, for hopefully a more streamlined brace. Also to get rid of the TED stocking will be great too.

At least last night was my last injection of blood thinners so I will no longer have to do that every night. I have a couple of bruises from those injections. It will also be nice to finally wash my leg that was operated on and have a somewhat normal shower. Even though I have to sit on a chair and use the shower hose and stick my leg outside the shower curtain as I can't bend that knee and it doesnt fit inside the shower space.

Let's just say at the end of this 3 months I will be gladly throwing the crutches away. I suppose over the next few weeks it will get slowly better as I can start slowly placing more and more weight on my leg.

Well that is my gripe for now.

X-ray of the hardware in my knee now.

My creations have been shared!

2011-10-19T16:57:00.000+10:00

Just a quick post to let you all know how proud I am that some of my cards were shown on the TLC Creations Blog. The post can be seen if you click here.

The lady behind the blog is so generous and gives away almost daily free digital images for us to use. So we love sharing our creations with her using her images.

Challenge #80 Meljen's Challenge

2011-10-19T16:37:00.000+10:00

For this week's challenge at Meljens Designs Design Team & Challenge Blog we had to use a ribbon on our project. So here is my card that I created using the Birthday Cup Mouse. I made it a Christmas card colouring the digi stamp in Christmas colours and I think it still works well as a Christmas card.

The card fold used was a Criss Cross card and I found the tutorial at Splitcoaststampers. I really like this card fold and I am really enjoying trying different folds at present.

Challenge #104 - Inspired by a Song - Mo's Digital Challenge

2011-10-19T12:56:00.000+10:00

I am enjoying getting some cardmaking done very much. It's a nice distraction from not being able to do much else.

This card is for Mo's Digital Challenge. The challenge theme this week was "inspired by a song". So looking through my digi stamp collection from Mo's - I decided to use the Kansas digi stamp with Dorothy and Toto. Then use the words from "Somewhere over the Rainbow" on the card to tie it all together. I love this image. She is just too cute. I also added a lightly coloured rainbow background behind her. Decided to try a pocket fold card this time and the sentiment is on the card insert, where you can write your message. A simple yet effective card fold.

It's nice to be able to do some cards again!

2011-10-17T21:38:00.000+10:00

I must say it is nice to be making cards again, even though the reason I am able to at the moment is because I am pretty much couch-ridden with being on crutches after my cartilage transplant and osteotemy on my knee 3 weeks ago.

Here is my card that I created today for the weekly Designed to Delight challenge. This week however I am also entering it in the weekly Designer's Challenge at Designed to Delight as well as the Stamptacular Sunday Challenge.

I was really pleased with how the card worked out.

The fold of the card is one that I haven't tried before called Joy Fold Card. I liked how it turned out. I got the tutorial for the card from Split Coast Stampers. They have heaps of fantastic tutorials.

Inside of the card

I made the front of the card raised up with different levels behind the digi stamps with foam tape. The bats in the corners also act as "latches" to hold the card closed.

The pumpkin and frame digi stamps is from the weekly challenge at Designed to Delight

The two boy digi stamps are Har Repotter the chosen one and Hween Brat devil from Bugaboo Stamps

The sentiment inside the card is from TLC Creations

Hambo Hoedown - Colour Challenge

2011-10-17T21:03:00.002+10:00

I have been trying to finish a project for these challenges for quite a while now but keep forgetting to upload before the deadline. Well this week I have actually made a project and am uploading it on time.

This weeks challenge was a colour challenge and we had to use purple, orange, black and green as our main colours.

So here is my card.

Inside of the card. This flap also lifts up so a gift card can be placed underneath.

The colours are not showing up as vibrant, but being on crutches its a little harder to access my big camera.

The sentiment is from TLC Creations and I thought it suited the digi stamp purrfectly. (heehee)
The image is Cool Cat digi from Hambo Stamps (which they generously have as a freebie for people to participate in their challenge.

Designed to Delight Weekly Challenge - Hope Butterfly

2011-10-14T09:52:00.000+10:00

Well my surgery went okay and I am slowly recovering. More about that later though as for now I have a card challenge post.

This one is for the weekly challenge at Designed to delight.

It's using the Hope Butterfly from the Hope 2011 Cancer Awareness set.

I cute out the inside of the wings and placed some pink glitter paper behind, added some pink lace and pink pearls and waala!

Surgery and other stuff

2011-09-18T22:27:00.002+10:00

I had my arthroscopy on my knee on Friday 19th August. It is the first step to fixing the cartlidge problem in my knee, where it has worn down in one area of my knee to the bone. The next step will be a cartlidge transplant and an osteotomy, which involves cutting a wedge out of one of my leg bones to reduce the wight bearing down on the affected cartlidge.

I have planned to have it done after Lexie's birthday. So on the 26th of September I will be going in bright and early at 6am for my surgery. It was originally going to be done two days later on the Wednesday and then I would have had a little bit longer to play with my soon to be two year old, but oh well. There is some info on what an osteotomy involves here. I am not looking forward to it as it will mean three months on crutches. I just wish it was when Lexie was a little more independent and older. But I have already enlisted the help of the Costi and Petrou clan and have said to my mum etc that if they have a day off come visit and take Lexie and I somewhere. LOL.

This is another link to a website with x-rays of what will be going on during the Osteotomy.

Christopher's business is now chugging along quite well and I am doing the office work so Christopher can at least spend some time with us when he gets home. It's kind of good to be "working" again and having another purpose, other than Mother and Wife. Lexie has also started daycare every Thursday and every second Friday. This is much needed time away from each other, I think she and I both needed it. She really enjoys it from what I can tell and the reports I get from Kelly, the family daycarer that looks after Lexie.

Cards I sent out the other day for the aussie card swap

The cards plus one of mine from the American swap.

I have recently participated in a few card swaps. One in America and one here in Oz. I got the cards back from the American swap the other day and the other ladies did fantastic jobs on their cards. I sent the other ones of for the Aussie swap last week, and have heard that the return cards will be arriving soon. It's a nice way to share you work with others and get some fantastic handmade cards in return.

Lexie recently moved up in her swim classes from the splashers class to the squids class, and I have noticed she is getting more used to the new class and the new activities, very quickly now. It is also nice not having to be at swimming at 8:30am. Although it isn't as bad now that the weather has warmed up.

I have also been taking a lot of photos of Lexie lately too. Not that that is anything out of the usual. Alana came along at the end of July to be my "photography assistant" and we took some pictures at the University of Qld at St Lucia for her 2nd Birthday invites. They turned out great and the buildings at the uni are not just for weddings.
I also took some pics of her doing her cake smash and the other day dressed her to look like Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz for some photos at the Oxley Creek Common, which is a really nice local spot for a picnic or BBQ.

My little girl will be two this coming Saturday and I cannot belive how much she changes each and everyday. She is not my little baby anymore. But she is generally a pleasure to be around (when she is not throwing a two year old tantie). Some of the expressions on her face at times are priceless. The cutest thing at the moment is when she says Bye or Goodnight to someone and then says "Wuv you" after it. It is sooo cute and can be to anyone including shopkeepers. I must remember to try and get it on video soon.

I also finished of my league bowling last Wednesday. I had to pre-bowl some of the my games so that I have some for after the school holidays. But with my knee surgery it looks like I won't be returning to that for at least another 6-9 months afterwards. Which kinda sucks as I love bowling with my oldies (and I mean that in the most endearing way). But hopefully my team will keep my spot and I can return when I am able. I was determined before I finished up to get another 200 game and I did in one of my pre-bowls. Woop woop!

We also went to Bribie last weekend with my mum, brother and his girlfriend Emma. It was blowing an absolute gale on Saturday, but was much more pleasant on Sunday. Marshall and Emma cooked us a yummy breakfast and then we went for a walk along the beach. Marshall actually got Lexie to walk on the sand (even though she was in shoes) instead of having a breakdown on the beach. It was a good weekend, although I am not sure the pub will let us back after singing karaoke there. LOL (Was my first time singing karaoke in public, so I had an excuse LOL). There was also a charity drive on Sunday and Mum, Lexie and I all went to check out all the hot rods. There was also a free baby animal farm, which Lexie enjoyed.

Well I think that is all for now.

Free Stamp of the Month Challenge – July Week 3 – “Christmas in July”

2011-07-29T10:32:00.000+10:00

Here is my card for the challenge this week at Designed to Delight - its a diamond fold card.

Mo's Challenge #92 - Summer Vacation

2011-07-26T22:06:00.000+10:00

This week's challenges at Mo's - was summer vacation so here is my "Summery" card using the Lacie with Icecream image

I won a Prize!!!

2011-07-25T13:52:00.000+10:00

Well the week long Christmas in July challenges at Bugaboo Stamps are over. But I won 2nd Place in Friday's Anything Goes Challenge and won 5 free digi stamps from Bugaboo. WOOHOO for me.

And here is the card that came in Second Place.

It was only chosen by random selection. But still makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. :)

Friday - Anything Goes - Christmas Related!

2011-07-23T15:26:00.000+10:00

Well its the last challenge in the week-long Christmas in July Challenges at Bugaboo. Here is my card for the anything goes-christmas related challenge.

Friday’s Freebie Challenge – Peacock Beauty

2011-07-22T11:42:00.000+10:00

Well this week we were given a beautiful Peacock Digital Stamp from Designed to Delight for participating in last week's challenge.

I was excited about this image and had lots of ideas of how to colour it beautifully and make it very pretty. Some glitter and rhinestones also helped. :)

Thursday -Snow Busisness - Any project with Snow!

2011-07-22T11:37:00.000+10:00

Here is my card for Thursdays Challenge at Bugaboo's Christmas in July Week.

This time it is a snow theme and this is my card - This card was really giving me the irks by the end as it was my first time making a card with the clear treat box and I of course did it the hard way. LOL.

Wednesday Sketch Challenge

2011-07-21T10:06:00.000+10:00

This is my card for Wednesday's Challenge at Bugaboo Stamps Christmas in July Celebrations.

Wednesday's Challenge was a Sketch Challenge and below is the sketch we were to use for our inspiration.

So here is my card I created using Stella Christmas - Boy List stamp.

Tuesday - use freebie provided to create a project!

2011-07-20T13:15:00.000+10:00

So here is my card for Tuesday's Challenge at the Catch the Bug Christmas in July Challenges.

We had to use the free image provided to create a project so here is my card.

Monday - Non Traditional Christmas Colors

2011-07-19T13:34:00.000+10:00

It is Christmas in July at Bugaboo Stamps this week and there are lots of challenges, fun and prizes.

Below is my entry for the Monday Non-Traditional Christmas Colours Challenge

.
The colours I chose were Orange and Purple and I used the Gus - Pimp my Sled Image.

I hope you like it and stayed tuned for Tuesday's challenge.

Front of the card

Inside the card

Some more pics from June

2011-07-09T20:40:00.000+10:00

This was near Murphy's Creek behind me there is actually a huge gully and there is still debris way up this tree after the January floods

At Grantham

A non-crafty post

2011-07-09T20:34:00.000+10:00

I haven't had a non-crafty post in a little while, so I will do a little review of the last month or so.

In June my brother, Marshall, my mum, Lexie and I all drove to Toowoomba for the weekend to visit the Amons. It was a pleasant drive and nice to catch up with them all and visit them in Toowoomba for once. It was pretty good weather too and thankfully wasn't too cold the weekend we were up there. After mum going a yes I'm coming, no I won't, oh maybe I will, nah I'm not and then at the last minute when we were already on the road going back to get her as she decided to come(sorry Mum I had to mention it, it is too funny), we finally left and arrived in Toowoomba at about 7:30pm. My aunty had made homemade pizzas and spare ribs for dinner. Then we all hung out while mum got a little tipsy on Champagne (hahahah again sorry mum). We all eventually went to bed at about 11:30pm even Lexie, who did not want to miss out on a thing and was enjoying exploring (read: snooping) around my Auntie's house.

The next day after mum woke me up at 6:30am to see the sunrise (and I also hurt my knee somehow doing that) we went for a drive to the shops to have a look around and we saw where all the water rushed through the streets in the January floods although you wouldn't really know unless you were told or were there at the time. Marshall went for a ride with Uncle Sean on his Harley. After spending a long time walking around at the shops Mum, Lexie and I headed to the Japanese Gardens, while my aunty took Teesha and Jayden to Teesha's volleyball game. After we all went back to my aunties and had a rest we decided to have dinner at the City Golf Club . We enjoyed a nice meal, yummy Lick icecream for dessert and Lexie enjoyed dancing with the live band. Then it was back to the courtesy bus driven by Harry Potter and off to Hogwarts....hmmm I mean our cars to go home.

The next day we went to the Queensland Day Festival in Toowoomba at Picnic Point and this was the first time in Tba that it was actually really cold and windy. It was a nice day otherwise with lots of free food and kids rides although Lexie didn't want anything to do with them. Then it was time to drive home and we decided to drive through Grantham and Gatton on the way home to see the magnitude of the water from the January floods. It is unbelievable how high the water got!!

We also got stuck on the Warrego Highway with plenty of other motorists after an accident with a truck and a bicycle! We all had our engines off and were just chillin with everyone else for 45mins or so till we were allowed to go through.

Then at the end of June, Christopher, Lexie and I finally headed to the "COSTIS UNIT" in Bribie for the weekend. It's about time and now we know why Mum, Dad, Stephania and Pantelis all use it soo much. It is lovely up there. A very very short walk to a beautiful beach, lovely views, nice little shops and restaurants within walking distance and the unit itself is Ooh La La. (Yes I know I could be a real estate agent LOL) Oh and yes there is also an awesome SCRAPBOOKING shop within walking distance of the unit. I know trust me to find one HAHAHA. Friday night there I cooked Kilpatrick Oysters that rival those of the Norman and the Morrison. YUMMO. (We got the Oysters fresh from The Fish Factory at Morningside on the way to Bribie and Lexie and I were introduced to a lovely lady there called Suzy and Lexie probably likes her even more now as she was given a "Duuce" (Juice) by her. It was a lovely weekend all in all. I also found out that Lexie really REALLY dislikes the surf (even though it was tiny) LOL.

Last Wednesday, Lexie and I drove to Seaworld and met my aunty, uncle, Teesha and Jayden there and enjoyed the day there. The new penguin exhibit is quite good. There is barely any rides there anymore. The pirate ship is gone, so too is the Bermuda Triangle (well it is still there but no longer runs). The Corkscrew is now called the Sea Viper and I think it is almost the same track just a different coaster. The Jet Ski Rescue roller coaster is SUPERCALAFRIGGENAWESOME and goes way faster than the stupid Sea Viper. I also went on the kiddies rides with Lexie although she didnt like the Carosel horses. The new Buccaneer Bay is pretty cool, but it was too cold to go on the boats or to squirt people on them. The GIANT climbing gym thing is pretty awesome although is a BIG workout. Lexie and I watched the dolphin show while my cousins and my uncle went on the rope course harness thingy :). Oh and the monorail and gondalas were not going for most of the day as it was too windy. The ski show is now a pirate show which was pretty good. It was quite a good, although big day.

The next day Lexie, my nanny and I all went to the Coast again to visit the Amons again in their unit. We went and played at an awesome park nearby had a little play on the Beach and had an awesome $10.00 lunch deal of a woodfired pizza, garlic bread and a drink. Then we had delicious gelato before heading back to my aunties unit for a quick rest before heading home.

The last few days I have been quite sick with some sort of germy cold. Feeling much better now but if only I can get rid of my blocked sinuses now. On Tuesday next week I have an MRI scan to get done on my knee, to check that I haven't torn the cartlidge in my knee again. The ACL is stable and fine though which is good. So if I have damaged the cartlidge again it will just be day surgery and I can walk out afterwards without any crutches. Well that's all for now.

Catch the Bug Challenge - Anything Goes & Designed to Delight - Strawberries

2011-07-09T17:20:00.000+10:00

After I saw some picnic baskets that some other very creative ladies made. I had to make one and I also really liked the strawberry boxes I have seen made. So I found a pattern for a picnic basket and the stawberry boxes and made them. I love how they turned out.

This week's challenge at Bugaboo Challenges was anything goes. So I used the Bugaboo Berry Fairy Cupcake and Berry Fairy Strawberry Stamps as I thought these would work well with my Strawberry Basket.

This week's Designed to Delight Challenge is also Strawberries, and I thought these would look nice with my project also.

So here it is.

Designed to Delight Image Challenge - Flip Flops

2011-07-08T13:41:00.000+10:00

So after finally venturing out of the house today quickly after being inside on the couch with some sort of cold or flu type thing for the last 3 days I remembered this weeks Designed to Delight Challenge with 1 hour to go til the deadline!!! (Insert light expletives here :) )

So here it is and after I quickly post this and have some lunch I will come back with some details about it.

Designed to Delight - Image Challenge - Tropical Summer

2011-07-01T12:44:00.000+10:00

This week was very busy with going to Seaworld and the Coast - so I almost forgot about the challenge this week and decided to create a quick bookmark using this weeks image for the Designed to Delight Challenge. Not very happy with it but it will do. :(

Create with TLC Design Team Call

2011-06-24T10:25:00.000+10:00

Here is a card I have created for the Create with TLC design team call.
I used Dressing Up Image Freebie and the Invisible Crown Sentiment Freebie from TLC Creations. Then used some pretty baby pink glitter cardstock and some pretty patterned paper scraps from my box a bit of ribbon and tada ...a very pretty card. :)

Designed to Delight - Image Challenge - Fresh Cut

2011-06-24T10:18:00.000+10:00

Here is my card for this weeksDesigned to Delight Challenge using the Fresh Cuts image.

I used the Docrafts Papermania A5 Door Card and sealed it closed to allow for my shaker box at the top of the window. When you open the window shutters there is this weeks image. I like how it turned out.

Scrapbooking Workshop and Top 5

2011-06-21T17:34:00.001+10:00

Sunday I had a wonderful day at Sandra's Scrap Workshop. I always do, what is better than sitting around gasbagging and scrapping all afternoon :).

I also made Top 5 from last weeks Meljens designs challenge. So now I get to proudly display this badge on my blog :). Yay for me. Last night we went to Kmart and bought a pushbike for me. GASP!!! Yes the first time since I have owned one since I was a teen. HAHAHA! So once Christopher has time to put it together (he won't let me do it :) LOL - why does he question my mechanic skills) I will go for a ride and get used to it before we put Lexie on the back in a bike seat (Also Christopher's idea about waiting - doesn't trust my riding abilities obviously LOL)

Soon we will get ready to head to Christopher's parents for family dinner night but before that I am posting a card for the Pollycraft DT Call - this would be a dream for me to create things for others to see and who knows maybe one day I will start making money off my creativeness again, but in a much more simpler less wrist breaking way than before (i.e sash making)

Front of Card

Close - Up of Front of Card

Inside Card

Under Inside Flap

The card template was thanks to Beccy's Place
Main Cardstock used: imaginisce -perfectly posh and
Stamp: Sonny's Party from Pollycraft
Card Sentiment (Inside Card) - Freebie from Ginger's House
Sentiment on Money Pocket - My own (see below)
Latticed Heart - Free SVG File from Miss Vicky's Cutting Crazy Blog

Also added some pretty ribbon and a bit of rhinestones for Bling. :)

As mentioned above the sentiment on the money pocket of this card was created by me and is my FIRST digistamp. Yay for me. You can have it as a freebie. :) One day I may be good enough to start selling my digi stamps and I am working on creating my own handrawn ones soon.

Download Here

Kenny K's Krafty Girlz Challenge # 49

2011-06-18T23:49:00.001+10:00

Here is my card for this weeks KennyK Krafty Girlz Challenges. The theme for this weeks challenge was

MY FAVORITE COLOR. We had to use our favourite colour on our project, mine being pink.

I used a citrus svg file to cut the card. Some glitter cardstock, lots of bling, a sentiment I made, some patterned cardstock from Kaisercraft's candy-lane collection which was soooo 80's :), plus Kenny K's Bling Baby Digi Stamp which I coloured with watercolour pencils, felt pens and some glitter glue.

I like how it all came together.

Please visit this lovely lady's blog

2011-06-18T17:19:00.001+10:00

TLC Creations Blog FIND HER HERE. Has wonderful Freebies regularly and you can purchase great priced products also. Great for cardmaking and scrapbooking. She is having a fantastic digi blog candy giveaway at the moment so what are you waiting for - become a follower of her blog and you may be in with a chance for some freebies.

The Blog Candy giveaway post can be found HERE.

Designed To Delight Image Challenge - Mary, Mary

2011-06-17T10:33:00.000+10:00

Here is my card for the Designed to Delight Weekly Challenge - Running really late for a date with a friend so details later. (Sorry will have to fix the rotation later) Stupid Blogger

I WON!!!

2011-06-16T23:18:00.000+10:00

Well just a quick blog to let everyone know I was randomly drawn to recieve a $15 voucher for the The Paper Shelter challenge I entered. Here is the link to the blog challenge announcing my name as winner :)YAY FOR ME!

Whimsy Stamps June new rubber release BLOG HOP!

2011-06-16T12:44:00.001+10:00

Go and Check out the Whimsy Stamps New Release Blog Hop

For all the mums

2011-06-15T17:28:00.000+10:00

For all the mums out there who sometimes get a bit of grief for not having a ridiculously spotless home here is something I found at The Smile Collective a few months ago.

You will notice that it has nothing mentioned about a spotless house. :)

The Paper Shelter Challenge #17 Celebrate!

2011-06-13T00:15:00.000+10:00

Okay my last post for tonight and then its off for some shut eye before Lexie wakes up early again!!!
This one is for the Paper Shelter Challenge and yes its another circle card with some bling. :) I guess you get bored of doing rectangle and squares all the time.

The theme for this week was Celebrate and the challenge to create a card using a celebration theme such as birthday, new arrival, wedding etc. I used the Curios Cake Digi Stamp which I love for its quirkiness.

It is probably a little plain for one of my cards but I like the simplicity of it and with no sentiment on the front of the card it could be used for a birthday or a wedding card if I wished.

Meljens Designs Challenge #62 and New Release

2011-06-13T00:06:00.000+10:00

Here is my card for the Meljens Designs Challenge Blog. The challenge this time was PINK & PEARLS. I used the Birthday Cup Mouse Digital Stamp which I think is just soooo cute - even though it is a rodent LOL. I cut some doily shapes with my cricut and even raised the heart cut outs from one of them and then stuck on some PEARLYS from Sullivans in white and pink. And yes if you have seen my last couple of card posts I am a little obsessed with circle cards today. :)

Pixie Dust Challenge #78 "Let's Cool Down"

2011-06-12T23:48:00.000+10:00

This is my card I created for the Pixie Dust Challenge Blog. This weeks challenge was to create Christmas/Winter themed card/project. This is mine using the Pixie Ginger and Friends Digi Stamp. I used some acetate in this card behind the front of the card and lots of bling and I love how it turned out.

Tiddly Inks -Challenge #53 - Going Goth - Create a fun dark card

2011-06-12T23:40:00.000+10:00

This is my card I made for the Tiddly Inks Weekly Challenge Blog- The theme this week was to create a fun dark card and I really enjoyed it.

I used the Everyday-Princess Stamp which I love and the Starry Paper Freebie for the background. I also layered her skirts which i think added a fun effect.

Pike's Playground Challenge - It's a Boy Thing!!!

2011-06-12T15:18:00.000+10:00

Here is my card for the Pike's Playground Challenge. This is my first Stepped card I have made and it was easier than I thought it was going to be. Again I am a lot better at creating girlie cards, but I still don't mind this one.

June’s FREE Stamp of the Month-Spring Fence

2011-06-10T13:52:00.000+10:00

Here is my card for the Designed to Delight Weekly Challenge

2011-06-07T14:57:00.000+10:00

I also got a mention on the Meljens Design Team & Challenge Blog as an Inspiration! :)
Here's the post with my card featured.

And I know get this special badge to feature on my blog. :)

WOOP WOOP WOOP!!!!

2011-06-07T14:54:00.000+10:00

I just checked in at the card challenges I entered last week and guess what - I WON ONE OF THEM!!!!
#51 Challenge Winner Post - That is the post to where it is in writing and proof that I WON!!! Hee Hee. So excited :)

Top 3 in the Stampfairy Challenge

2011-06-03T12:57:00.000+10:00

I also made the Top 3 in last weeks Stamp Fairy Challenge and now I can proudly display the badge on my blog :)

Here is the link to my post about my card that made Top 3

Fun Flowers/Big Bloom - Friday’s FREE Image Challenge

2011-06-03T12:51:00.000+10:00

Heading away for the weekend today to Toowoomba so literally ran out of time to create a card for this week's Designed to Delight Blog Challenge so created a quick A4 poster with the images instead.

Challenge #60 - Meljens Designs

2011-05-30T11:41:00.000+10:00

Here is my card for the Meljens Design Challenge - The challenge was to use KRAFT and one other colour - so I chose green. I used Meljen's A Girl and Her Overalls Stamp.

Tiddly Inks Challenge #51 - Manly Men

2011-05-30T11:35:00.000+10:00

Manly cards are always a little more difficult for me to create well. As I like bling and pink and pretty things way too much. But here is my card for the Tiddly Inks Challenge. I cut the spotted balloon from the image and placed the patterned paper behind and then cut the other two balloons out placing on on foam to created a layer effect. I also used wool for the string and added a cloud. I like the end result actually.

The Paper Shelter Challenge #15 Anything Goes

2011-05-30T11:28:00.000+10:00

Here is my card I created for the Paper Shelter Challenge - I decided to get in early for Father's Day and used their Cockatoo Rules Digi Stamp and I like how the card turned out.

Catch the Bug Challenge at Bugaboo

2011-05-30T11:17:00.000+10:00

Here is another card creation this one is for Catch the Bug Challenge for Bugaboo Stamps. I have used the New Flamingo Stamp from Bugaboo Stamps. The challenge was Bright Colours. Here is my card.

Challenge #24 at Stampfairy - It's My Party

2011-05-30T11:11:00.000+10:00

Here is my card for the challenge at Stamp Fairy - The theme this week was "It's my Party" and we had to include balloons in our project. I love her new Cheerleading Bear Stamp and used this and also made the cheerleaders pom poms 3d by using ribbon and wool.

I like how it all turned out.

Pike's Playground Challenge - Shades of Green

2011-05-29T10:28:00.000+10:00

Here is my card for the Pike's Playground Challenge - This time we had to use one of Dustin's images and use mainly green.

Here is mine

Friday’s Image Challenge – “Summer Days”

2011-05-26T23:14:00.000+10:00

Here is my card for this week's Friday Image Challenge "Summer Days" at Designed to Delight Blog

I hope you enjoy it.

April 2011

2011-05-23T20:23:00.001+10:00

April 2011, a photo by skyecosti on Flickr.

This is my April 2011 mosaic for the 365 Project. I only missed one day. WOOHOO!!!

Designed To Delight - Image Challenge - Skater Boy

2011-05-20T11:31:00.000+10:00

Here is my card for this weeks Designed to Delight Blog Challenge.

It is using the Skater Boy image.

Enjoy!

Kid

2011-05-19T10:45:00.000+10:00

Kid

This link is a great idea for those with young children. I of course will have to wait until Lexie is a bit older but I love the idea.

New Obsession plus a cool link.

2011-05-16T15:05:00.000+10:00

Well my new obession at the moment is documenting my life on a daily basis and I probably have been spending to much time on the computer researching ideas and products for doing this. I guess I just to remember every little day and have something in years to come when my hair is all grey and Lexie has her own children to look back on a remember the little things.

Well enough about that for now but I also came across this website today and I think it is a great idea. Basically it is a modern day way to write a letter to your future self. You type a letter and email it to yourself in a year or for your 30th etc. You can choose the date. Kinda cool I think! So go on have a go.

http://futureme.org/

Journal Jar #14

2011-05-12T12:03:00.000+10:00

Journal Jar #13

2011-05-12T12:01:00.000+10:00

Journal Jar #12

2011-05-12T12:00:00.000+10:00

Journal Jar #11

2011-05-12T11:58:00.000+10:00

Journal Jar #10

2011-05-12T11:57:00.000+10:00

I have also been a bit slack with my journal jar posts. I have decided to combine them with this blog rather than have them separately, it might just encourage me to keep implementing. LOL

I have handwritten a few, so here they are.

Excuse my slackness

2011-05-12T11:25:00.000+10:00

Well it has been a very long time since I have actually posted something other than crafty things.

So lets recap what I have been up to. Yesterday Lexie and I had a lovely lunch with Nanny, Grandad and my Brother, Marshall. Mum was supposed to be there too but she is sick :(. Get well soon Mum.

Sunday was Mother's Day and we spent it having a relatively lazy morning before I went and got Macca's for breakfast. (Hey I wasn't cooking) Then it was over to Mum & Dad Costi's House for lunch. It was yummy and we had a great time just hanging out. Then we came home and ended up having dinner with the Robbos (our lovely neighbours)

The weekend before we had our anniversary weekend away at Springbrook and this was our first time leaving Lexie for the night let alone two nights. But I heard she behaved very well at yiayia and pappou's house. We had a lovely time in Springbrook even if it was cold and raining most of the time. It was also nice for me not to have to worry what Lexie was getting into or what she was up to for a little while too. :)

We also had a friends 30th last weekend and it was sci fi themed, I decided very last minute to actually dress up and made an Alice costume from Resident Evil and Lexie wore her Supergirl outfit and looked very cute. Christopher just wore his Green Lantern shirt. LOL. But it was fun catching up with all our friends.

Last Saturday we also had dinner at Michelle & Jordan's house and they had another couple of friends there with their two year old daughter so Lexie had a playmate. At first I could see she was like who the hell is this girl and why is she pulling me around and taking my drink bottle. But by the end Lexie was joining in a bit more and being cheeky herself.

Other than that I don't think we have been doing an awful lot. Christopher has been working heaps, me and Lexie have been chilling and spending heaps (shhhh don't tell Christopher LOL). Plus I have been busy doing crafty scrapbooking things. Or dealing with regular headaches.

Oh and one week at bowling I scored a 215 in one of my games and had to take a pic of it. LOL

Journal Jar #2 - What was your favourite movie as a child, teen and adult?

2011-05-12T11:23:00.011+10:00

This believe it or not is quite a hard question as I don't really ever have favourites of anything. I like lots of things. As a teen I would have to say - 10 Things I Hate About You with Heath Ledger in it. Loved that movie. I also as a teen like Dirty Dancing with Patrick Swayze. "nobody puts Baby in the corner". They would be my two favourite movies from when I was a teen.

As a child..... hmmmm that is hard! I would have to say it was FernGully: The Last Rainforest. I enjoyed that movie a lot and I am actually suprised I remembered it.

As far as favourites now as an adult. I enjoy any by Adam Sandler but one movie I do enjoy watching is The Green Mile.

Journal Jar #7 - Describe your wedding dress, bridesmaids dresses and grooms attire

2011-05-12T11:23:00.010+10:00

My wedding dress was a Maggie Sottero dress from Abbey Brides in the City (now closed down). It was Ivory in colour and had a sweetheart neckline, strapless and was an A-line dress with a rather long train. It had a bustle at the back. The beading on it was beautiful and I especially loved the back of the dress with the exposed lacing and the beading. Then there were little bits of beading down the train as well.

The Bridesmaids wore fuchsia pink gowns sewn by my mum, that were strapless and were very simple with a sash feature at the waistline. Teesha was flower girl and had an ivory gown with a styling similar to mine and beading and a little jacket. The groomsmen also had long jackets suits (not as long as Christopher's) and had fuchsia ties to match the girls. Thomas had a little black suit on as a pageboy and looked very cute.

Christopher wore a long jacket suit with a gold vest and a fedora type hat and we even bought a cane for some of the photos - it looked great.

Just a post with a pic of my journal jar and journal

2011-05-12T11:23:00.009+10:00

#6 What is your favourite animal? Tell why.

2011-05-12T11:23:00.008+10:00

Hmmm favourite animal??? I am sure I have one but right now I am experiencing a bit of mind block. When I think about it I suppose I don't really have a favourite. I like a lot of animals. Baby animals are always cute, and I do enjoy being around farm animals, not horses though. Dogs are great to have as pets. I would have to say though after visiting the Western Plains Zoo with Christopher & Lexie last year I do really like monkeys and meerkats. Just because they are so interesting to watch. So there you go no real favourites, but Monkeys and Meerkats are at the top of the list.

Monkey at the Dubbo Zoo

Meerkat at the Dubbo Zoo

Journal Jar #9 - Describe one of your favourite recipes and tell where it comes from

2011-05-12T11:23:00.007+10:00

One of my very favourite recipes that I love to make is White Chocolate Marbled Cheesecake. I would love to say that it is a recipe that has passed down for generations, but it is just a recipe I found in a recipe magazine about 8 years ago or so. I have made it quite a few times for special occasions and it has always been a hit. It is something that is only for special occasions as it is quite rich and probably very fattening. I have added the recipe and a picture of one I made also.

White Chocolate Marble Cheesecake

Ingredients

185g (1 1/2 cups) crushed, plain chocolate biscuits
90g butter, melted
500g cream cheese, softened
400g can NESTLE Sweetened Condensed Milk
200g (1 1/3 cups) NESTLE White Melts, melted
300ml carton cream
1 tbsp gelatine
1/4cup boiling water
100g (2/3 cup) NESTLE Dark Melts, melted

Combine biscuit crumbs and butter, press into base of 23cm springform pan. Refridgerate unitl firm.
Beat cream cheese and NESTLE Sweetened Condensed Milk until smooth.
Beat in NESTLE White Melts, then beat in cream. Combine gelatine and water, stir until dissolved.
Beat gelatine into cheesecake mixture, spoon over crumb crust. Swirl NESTLE Dark Melts through cheesecake mixture, refridgerate until firm.

Welcome to the Journal Jar

2011-05-12T11:23:00.006+10:00

Hi to all my family who have received invites to participate in this blog. I would really love if I could get as many responses as possible especially from my side of the family (Mum, Nanny, Marshall, Maree, Teesha).

Basically a Journal Jar is a decorated jar with paper strips inside, each with a different question or "prompt" to help jog ones memory for something to write about in their journal. I am using mine this way but thought it would also be great to get some input from my family members as well and I can then slowly compile and have these "journals" as a nice memento to pass onto the future generations. (such as Lexie, etc).

So please feel to input everyday as I am doing or every week or as many times as you wish when you see a prompt you would like to respond to. The more the better!!!!

I hope we can have fun doing this project together, even if it is mostly over the Internet :)

I will post a pic of my journal jar when I have completed decorating it.

#5 - What activities do you enjoy doing today that you also enjoyed as a child? Describe them

2011-05-12T11:23:00.005+10:00

I would have to say Coloring In - It is creative and it still provides hours of fun and I find it very therapeutic. There are even Adult colouring books out now and I purchased a couple of handmade ones from a lady from etsy. I could sit for hours just colouring, while watching Lexie play, etc. Mandalas are good for colouring as well. Especially intricate patterned ones.

One of my Mandala Colour Ins

A precious memories colour in

Some good websites for free mandala colour ins
Mandala Colouring Pages

Scroll down to get the free ones!

http://www.free-mandala.com/en/mda/mda004.html