because I'm the Mum, that's why.

I'm moving...

2006-08-13T11:20:00.000+10:00

I'm on the move. Well, more specifically, my blog is.
From here to there: http://karenahunt.wordpress.com/

Drop by - I'd love you to come say hi.

Catch ya over there...
K

Like a bargain...?

2006-08-11T08:09:00.000+10:00

$4 each! Can't do better than that. July and August Megakits at PDW.

Catch ya...
K

How could you not...

2006-08-10T08:20:00.000+10:00

love this kid.... Am I biased? Yes. But he's sooooo cute.
Can't wait until summer and I can get some photos of Mr L too. Not enough daylight at the moment and I hate the flash.

Catch ya...
K

Everything old...

2006-08-09T13:34:00.000+10:00

is new again.
Paper piecing. I've been having fun with paper piecing, but without the tracing, cutting, gluing etc. It works along the same line as the page templates that are wildly popular at the moment. I've made a layered TIFF file, but if you can't use that, individual PNG files as well. And it includes inked edges, just for that little something more. The paper isn't included - you can add any paper you like.

These are some that I've got at PDW. And just so you can give them a test run and see if they work for you, here's a freebie.

If you change the colour of the inking, the layer mode to soft light, add some embossing, the possibilities are endless.

Have fun!

Catch ya...
K

Tell me...

2006-08-09T10:56:00.000+10:00

Ok, tell me - is anyone else having trouble getting pics up on Blogger these days?? I'm pulling my hair out! Driving me crazy, to the point I'm thinking maybe Typepad is the way to go... Any thoughts from the wider community out there...?

And speaking of telling, we've just had the Australian Census last night. We ticked the box saying that in 99 years our information from last night can be released on the public record. I'm sure that was a part put there for scrapbookers and family historians. So we've lodged our form online, telling all our juicy details (yes, we do have someone in our house who is incapable of feeding and toileting themselves - we call him the baby) and I hope our great great grandkids will check us out one day.

Catch ya...
K

Another...

2006-08-07T21:32:00.000+10:00

I was tempted to title this post "Priscilla: Queen of the Template" but that reference might be lost on most of you...

Priscilla has come up with another sensational free template on her blog. How cool is that?? I've altered it a bit, but as the "bones" were there it took no time at all.

The papers are Huggy, from PDW. Super bright, super colourful, but then again, so is my nephew.

Feels like Spring has come early this year. It was a beautiful day today but it's a freezing clear night outside tonight. The daffodils are up in our garden, and there are blossoms in the trees. Now there's a thought. I should head out with the camera and Mr A in the pram. I'm sure he'd be up to it - sleep doesn't seem like a high priority on his wish list these days.

Catch ya...
K

Happy Monday...

2006-08-07T08:11:00.000+10:00

Good morning! The start of another week already??

Mr L is treading very thin ice with me this morning. And it all started because he wanted to keep a piece of plastic that came with a t-shirt yesterday. *sigh* I just don't get it.

Mr A, on the other hand, sounds like an expresso machine, with all his gurgling and frothing. He is desperately trying to crawl. Last night he wore himself out laughing, in absolute hysterics over Mr L's dancing. Such a lovely sound.

I've been working on some paper piecings patterns, and needed some nice paper to show them off, so I made some paper packs over the weekend. Loving the bright colours of Chirpy and the patterns of Snuffy. Makes me smile.
Don't ask me about the names. I have no idea either.

And here's this week's freebie... I need to get my act together and put the matching papers up at SBB. So many ideas, so little time...

Catch ya...
K

Saturday night's alright...

2006-08-05T22:00:00.000+10:00

For making a new paper pack...

For scrapping...

And for going to snuggle up in bed...

Catch ya...
K

Templates-a-go-go....

2006-08-04T17:23:00.000+10:00

Template courtesy of the clever Priscilla... talk about a great freebie!

Made with stuff from my Beach Towel kit at SBB....

Catch ya...
K

Up...

2006-08-03T13:12:00.000+10:00

Thanks to everyone for their posts about my last rant. It ended up being a good day, despite the start. I wasn't going to post it, but thought, nope, this is it - this is how it is - and I know I'm not alone either.

Mr L behaved well at school, despite the feral start. When I collected him, I heard this gem from his teacher....

Mrs I: We did spelling today - the word was "up" - wait till I tell you what his sentence was...

Me: (thinking between the chucking "up" of last week, and the constant chucking "up" of Mr A, I'd have a fair idea of what he'd say) Okaaaaaay........

Mrs I: I asked him to use "up" in a sentence, and his sentence was "My opinion of school hasn't exactly rocketed up lately". (peals of laughter from Mrs I who knows my son very well)

What the...?? Mr L is a Prep - he's 6! No idea where he got "rocketed up" from, but that was his sentence. Only my kid would say that...

Catch ya...
K

The "Mother of the Year" award...

2006-08-02T10:25:00.000+10:00

Will not be awarded to me.

Mr L went nuts before school. It all started because I would only let him read one chapter of his reader to me, not the entire book. And it went down hill from there.

Mr A, on the other hand, is so confident in my parenting abilities that he doesn't want me to leave him alone. Ever. Not be out of eyesight, not be in the next room, not in the laundry popping the washing on. Screams like a banshee unless I'm there giving him 100% attention. Only a new development, and one I'm not overly fond of so far.

I'm also unlikely to be winning "Pet Owner of the Year" - I'm ready to throttle the two kitties who are roaming my house yowling for reasons unknown.

*sigh*

Such an exotic and exciting life I lead... And my dear Mr G has just popped in, to see I was ok. Thank goodness. Love him to bits. Love them all. It's just part of the trials and tribulations, right?

Catch ya...
K

Holey moley...

2006-08-01T15:01:00.000+10:00

I put these up at Plain Digital Wrapper last night - pierced hole thingys. Not sure how to describe them - they're .PNG files that you can put on your layout, just like any element, but they make the paper underneath look like it's been pierced. Like you've run a sewing machine over it, with no thread in it, leaving the pattern made of holes. It doesn't actually make holes on your layout, just the appearance of it. It gives a subtle look - just something a little different.

Here's a close up. I'm so pleased with the way they turned out.

And did you subscribe to the PDW newsletter? Goodies galore, including... 25% off all my PDW stuff with code kh25off. Enjoy!

Catch ya...
K

Happy Monday...

2006-07-31T11:01:00.000+10:00

It's cold, damp and just right for being inside here today. Been out, got the bread and the milk, the latest CK was in the mail, and going to settle in for a quiet day with Mr Rolly Polly, when he gets up. The kitties are already in position on the couch, and it's still well under 10 degrees. Winter, at last.

I've got a few more things for PDW, but will wait a day or two before putting them up. Been fun, making stuff. Ooo, and check out SBB too - retiring a few things, they'll be all gone at the end of the 31st!

And on that note, I can hear Mr A waking, so grab your freebie, go hug your loved ones and have a good week!

Catch ya...
K

On a roll...

2006-07-30T20:14:00.000+10:00

Things are on a roll here. Literally.

Mr A has started to roll. *sigh* It's happened all too quickly. He thinks he's the cleverest baby in the world to be able to do this, of course, and has such a proud look on his face when he hurls himself onto his tummy. He rolls, and rolls again and again, just to do it. Mr L rolled once and went, right, what's next? Which is, oddly, how he still is. Does something once and looks for the next challenge.

I was on a roll too - got some stuff finished for PDW. Basic Necessities - just the basics. Cardstock, stitches, buttons, stamps, flowers, tape and notebook paper for starters. Good simple, fun stuff. I made this layout with some things I put up today. Loving the tape in the corner.

Catch ya...
K

Have you...

2006-07-28T10:05:00.000+10:00

signed up for the PDW newsletter?

Good things are happening...

Coming home...

2006-07-27T20:23:00.000+10:00

Mr A and I had a great day out, but boy, is it good to come home.

Miss E has grown in leaps and bounds and is just gorgeous. Shame she doesn't sleep... We tried to go to Krispy Kreme, to see what the fuss was about, but there was such a fuss that we couldn't get near the place. Queue of 15 cars outside and at least 30 people inside. Krazy.

And, while it's lovely to head close to the big smoke for the day, it's lovely to come home and see the sky in my part of the world.

(You wouldn't know there's a dirty big power station to the left of this picture - it's all in the framing of the shot... ;) )

Catch ya...
K

Tired...

2006-07-26T21:59:00.000+10:00

I'm tired. Long days, sick family. Mr L back at school, Mr A increasingly frustrated with the inability to roll and Mr G home from work with a sore throat. I need to go to bed.

I'm so excited to have a day out tomorrow. Mr A and I are going to hang with my best friend and her gorgeous daughter Miss E. Can't wait. Will it make me more tired? Probably, but I'm going anyway, so I shouldn't complain.

There are not enough hours in the day. Did you know that?? Working intermittently today on stuff for PDW - getting there, but not fast enough for me. Here's a sneaky peek.

It's been fun making stuff - it's the time thing that's against me at the moment.

Better go to bed. My head will just hit the pillow and Mr A will want to be fed... again...

Catch ya...
K

Tuesday photos...

2006-07-25T07:34:00.000+10:00

When Mr L was born, all those years ago, on a cold Wednesday in May, we started the tradition of "Wednesday Photos". Every Wednesday, for the first year, I took a photo of him. I tried to get a picture of him doing something that was new for the week, or capture him in a situation typical of that stage in his development.

So, when Mr A arrived, I began the "Tuesday Photos". It's incredible to look back on the past 21 weeks to see how much he's changed. Here's his first 20 weeks...

A couple of rules I have - must be in colour (even if the whole thing clashes), must be square, and must be mainly a head shot. I use Picassa to organise my photos, so I add in a caption when I upload the photo just to make a note of what he's been up to. Then every few weeks I whip out Photoshop, drop the photo into a template I've made, change the date, the caption and save. Here's Week 20's...

I'm getting the first 20 weeks printed at the moment - I'm getting them done as 4x6 photos, and I'll trim off the excess 2 inches and put them in one of these:

4x4 All My Memories album in yummy Kiwi. Easy peasy. Even for me.

Catch ya...
K

Evolution..

2006-07-24T19:59:00.000+10:00

Time to retire some older stuff - so get yourself a bargain. There's heaps of stuff half price. And yes, selected is spelt wrong...

Catch ya...
K

Happy Monday...

2006-07-24T10:13:00.000+10:00

Good morning! Hope everyone is well on this fine Monday.

In between looking after the kiddo's and keeping everything running around here, I'm trying to get some paper packs done to go with The Sewing Box line I've got happening at SBB. Pretty pleased with them so far. I'm also knee deep in doing getting some stuff ready for PDW too. Busy, busy, in a good way.

While I've got you here (tee hee) - have you seen these? Buttons, buttons... and more buttons. 7 styles, 40 colours, you do the math. So much fun. They're part of The Sewing Box line, so they coordinate with everything including...

This weeks freebie. I realised something. I got this freebie ready last week, chose the colours, did the preview etc. Last night, I organised the colours of The Sewing Box into groups of 6 to make paper packs. The colours from last weeks freebie ended up all together in Set One. This weeks, all together in Set Two... Spooky coincidence... I guess that means I'll have to give away seven sets of circle stitches so they go with the paper packs, huh? ;) Enjoy!

Catch ya...
K

This may have happened...

2006-07-23T22:06:00.000+10:00

a) I spent 5 minutes looking at the little hologram label on a Sandisk box.
b) Mr G rushed into the room thinking that either Mr A or the cat was in pain... but it turned out it was me singing along to some opera.
c) I dyed my hair... it's natural colour.
d) all of the above

If you answered d), you'd be correct.

The hologram was really cool. I can't sing. And the grey hair is hidden - for 8 washes at least.

Mr L won't be attending school tomorrow. He's had a piece of bread - but that's all since Thursday. Fingers crossed one more day of rest will see him ok. The whole weekend has been spent making sure he's ok, but that's alright. This is the sickest he's ever been, and we all know, when you're sick, you need mum.

And on that note, this mum better get to bed. See you in the morning for some Monday freebies... ;)

Catch ya...
K

A lot of nothing...

2006-07-22T21:51:00.000+10:00

Yep, that's been the last few days. A lot of nothing.

Mr A is better - thank goodness. He's back to his hysterically happy little self.
Mr L - well, he's 100% better than he was this morning, and he hasn't chucked for over 12 hours now! Apparently there's something going around - we met one of his teachers in the chemist this morning and lots of kids have been away with the same thing. You know he's not well when he has a cuddle with you and doesn't want to discus the Theory of Relativity or why there are laws or why cooking is really chemistry... He was chatting away this evening, and it was lovely to hear - means he's getting better.

So now I'm going to be selling stuff at PDW... I'd better start making stuff, huh? I've spent this evening making stuff, and had a break to check out Jen Caputo's sketch templates.
OMG, they rock! So easy to use - I'm soooo impressed. This one with Mr L took no time at all with this template - it was perfect to line up the series of photos I took of him landing his first fish (the extraction job to get the fish over the top of them is a little dodgy, so don't look closely...).
And then, because I got so excited about how easy it was, I downloaded another template and made another layout. Too easy. She's got a set for sale at PDW - check them out- makes creating great pages a piece of cake.

(I used an Atomic Cupcake action for the title in the top one, and the papers for the bottom one are all from my Big Boy paper pack at SBB.)

And on that note, it's time for bed. Fingers crossed for a reasonably uninterrupted nights sleep. This is the best chance of it we've had all week...

Catch ya...
K

Secrets out...

2006-07-21T08:39:00.000+10:00

Yep, the secret's out. I'm so excited! Can't wait to get creating.

On the home front, Mr A is on the mend, Mr L is home from school after chucking twice in the night. Fun, fun, fun - not. I hate it when they're sick. At least it looks like they won't be at their worst at the same time, so that's a little considerate.

Ok, off to hang with the sickies. Have a good day everyone!

Catch ya...
K

Phew...

2006-07-20T20:14:00.000+10:00

What a day. 1 1/2 hrs in the doctor's rooms, waiting with a sick Mr A. Then off to the chemist ~~to give them all my money~~ to get medicine. Throat infection. Poor little man.

Fast forward several hours. Mr L, just in the door from school, is reading his reader to Mr A, Mr G is just in the door, and I am ready to walk out of it and go do the grocery shopping. Mr L stands up, and, entirely unannounced, chucks everywhere. Twice. Okaaaaaay..... Mr G looks like a startled wombat in the headlights at the thought of me leaving him alone with two potential vomit machines. And yet I left. And did the grocery shopping. And they all survived.

Somewhere in all the chaos Mr A slept for an hour, so I whipped out the kraft cardstock again (I'm addicted to this sheet, I think) and did another quick layout. Used the Atomic Cupcake foam stamp action for the title (awesome). The rest is my own stuff from SBB. I think I'm hooked on the Missed Stitches too.

Off to do a spot of work for a minute and then an evening in front of the TV.

Catch ya...
K

And she scraps...

2006-07-19T13:47:00.000+10:00

10 minutes. Love that. All stuff by me. Crooked stitches from SBB, single stitches and stitched corner are Missed Stitches from SBB, giant fabric flower and centre are from the Whackin' Huge Flower set at SBB and the baby is mine (not available at SBB).

Oh, and the kraft paper is by me too. That's from as yet unnamed future line. Available soon ;)

Catch ya...
K

Wowzers...

2006-07-19T13:03:00.000+10:00

If it wasn't for a sick little baby, this would be a GOOD day.

First, I'm so overwhelmed by your response to my stitched circles. You've made me sew happy (tee hee, you guys are funny). Glad you're enjoying them!

I often complain about Mr L and his inability to switch his brain off. Um... I think I know where he gets it.... I'm lying in bed last night, listening to my poor little Mr A moaning in his sleep, thinking... Oooo, good idea for papers... Yep, that would work... how could I do it? My head is ready to burst with ideas! I love it when that happens, I really do. (I was also concerned about Mr A, promise - I'm a mum, I can think more than one thing at a time ;) )

And I have some exciting news. Can't tell. Not yet. Soon. But I'm sooooo excited. It's a good, good, happy thing for me!

Catch ya...
K

Happy Monday...

2006-07-17T14:20:00.000+10:00

Happy Monday, everyone!

My brain feels like it's exploding with ideas at the moment. These are the first lot of a new line called The Sewing Box I'll be putting up at SBB over the next few days.

I love, love, love sewing on pages, whether it's paper or digital. Gotta admit, digital's a whole lot easier! These ones are a piece of cake - rows of stitches in 40 different colors. A color for every occasion. And the whole lot coordinates, so the pins 'n' patches that will go up soon match with the stitches and they match the ribbons and it all goes together. Love that.

So, it's Monday. And I've got a freebie. Big one this time.
When I was making The Sewing Box, I made these circle stitches too - but, if you work out 10 circles x 40 color and look at the file size...well, let's just say nope, too big. So, rather than hit the delete button, I'm going to put three colors to a set, and give some of them away for the next four weeks. This week is white, baby boy blue and baby girl pink.
Yep, give them away. Why? Absolutely no reason, other than I like giving stuff like this away. They coordinate with The Sewing Box line, so if you have any of that, these will go perfectly. And as always, if you use them, I'd love to see what you make! You can download them here.

Have a good week everyone!

Catch ya...
K

My family and other animals...

2006-07-16T18:55:00.000+10:00

Had a family weekend this weekend. Caught up with lots of our family.

Firstly, my brother and his son came for dinner last night. Mr T is soooooo cute, and has grown up so much since we saw him a month or so ago. My brother does a WONDERFUL job raising him on his own. He makes me so proud.

And then today we caught up with Mr G's family. Only 18 of them! His parents were in Qld and the oldest niece and nephew were working, but the rest of us were there. Good fun, and so good to see them all. After lunch, we went fishing at a trout farm - and guess who caught a fish?? Ok, it was like shooting fish in a barrel, but that didn't diminish the delight for Mr L, who has been talking about going fishing for weeks.

Mr A was beautifully behaved for the day too, so we all had a good time. Got passed from aunt to aunt to cousin and round again and loved it. Charmed the pants of everyone. Dog tired now though. As are we!

Back to work/school/whatever it is Mr A and I do tomorrow, and the start of another week. Can't believe how fast this month has gone.

Catch ya...
K

One year ago today...

2006-07-13T20:18:00.000+10:00

...our little world changed.

For the better.

Found out that the impossible had happened, and I was pregnant. I remember looking at the two lines and bursting into tears. So pleased and excited and scared and nervous. But so happy. So, so happy.

Wondering if it was a boy or a girl. Wondering how Mr L would cope. Wondering how I would cope. Hoping everything was going to be ok. Thinking 9 months is such a short time.

Fast forward...

Can't remember what life was like without Mr A. He's just fitted right in. Like he belonged.

And he's made my little family complete.

Catch ya...
K

Today...

2006-07-13T20:13:00.000+10:00

I am...

drinking: Pepsi Max
listening: an aria called Porgi Amor
feeling: a little tired after a late night last night
reading: Lost for Words by Hugh Lunn (all about Australian sayings - this will deserve it's own post, just to show the world that there's more to Australians than "g'day")
thinking: what else can I make to go in my Sewing Box?
doing: making ribbons for the Sewing Box
wanting: more hours in the day so I can make ribbons AND watch The West Wing
laughing: the Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest. Fantastic.
smelling: Mr G's hair (used work shampoo - smells nice)
needing: to return emails, esp to my fab creative team to say what a good job they've been doing.
loving: my CT member Kylie Clark's new kit Pink Cotton. Stunning. Almost made me wish I had girls...
enjoying: the thought of seeing family on the weekend. 2 of mine on Sat, and 20 of Mr G's on Sunday.
finding: the desire to introduce Mr L to the music we listened to at his age. Custom CD in the works for him...
teaching: Mr A about the Bananas In Pyjamas. Love those Bananas.
humming: "In the Hall of the Mountain King" by Grieg (having a classical day today)
wishing: that Mr A slept for 4 hours every day.

The Sewing Box is coming together. Here's a little sneak peak. Has been fun. Lots of stitches, cloth patches, buttons and button holes, pins, ribbons - in 40 different colours. Stuff I like to use - so I suppose I kinda made it for myself really. Would like to pair it with matching papers. Better finish these bits first though!

Catch ya...
K

Nous aimons le Tour...

2006-07-12T22:17:00.000+10:00

C'est notre événement sportif de favori!
(No, I don't speak French, but I am quite fluent in Internet - thanks to Babelfish...)

There are events in our year that are like seasons to us. There's October, when my brother, husband and I have our birthdays within a week of each other. That signals that it's nearly the end of the school year and Summer starts and Christmas is around the corner. There's Eurovision, that wonderfully kitsch event, that signals that the Tour is getting closer.
And then there's Le Tour de France. The Tour. The central event that our year seems to revolve around.

It's a bit of a family tradition in this house, and for some reason it's the pivotal event of the year that all others seem to be measured by. There's the year before the Tour and the year after the Tour. And in January it's "Ooo, only 6 months until the Tour!"

My husband cycles. Has since I've known him, and I've known him nearly 20 years. So when we hooked up 10 years ago, the Tour became part of my life too. This year is Mr L's 7th Tour. He's been watching it with us for 7 years. It's wonderful to watch him get into it too - until this year he could only name bike riders, no other sporting people. After one season of Auskick (Aussie rules footy for kiddos) he's a little more into footy players (he's more of a statistician than a player), but the bikes still reign supreme in this house. Mr A has sat through a few stages so far in his little life - and will be enduring a lot more I dare say!

My DH is predicting an Australian on the podium on the Champs-Elysées. Michael Rogers or Cadel Evans. Fingers crossed. And Robbie McEwan in green of course. The mountain stages start tonight, so that will mean a few late nights for us. So good that we can see it live. Mr G is on the couch eating corn chips happily watching as I type.

And the ultimate? Well I can't speak for Mr A, but Mr L, I think, won't be riding in the Tour some day. Just not his thing (and he wants to run the CSIRO anyway, not race). And the chances of Mr A making it are slim at best (can't ride up Alpe d'Huez with your fist shoved down your own throat and covered in dribble - things could change...). So the very, very long term plan is to join the massive crowds that flock to watch the race, hire a campervan and queue for 8 hours on the roads each day to get a carpark and watch the peloton whiz by in 15 seconds.

Can't wait.

Catch ya...
K

You're lucky...

2006-07-12T13:55:00.000+10:00

if I make a kit WITHOUT stripes. I love stripes. Naturally gravitate towards them.
I was taking Mr A's Tuesday photo yesterday - I will post more about that soon - when I noticed the lovely mix of stripes. Knitted jumper in mustard, olive, grey, navy and cream, tastefully combined with an orange, lime, blue and white jumpsuit. Not pictured are the white, aqua, tan and olive striped socks.
I'm sure there's a lesson to be learnt here. I can, however, assure you I WILL NOT be deriving inspiration from this outfit for papers. Promise.

And on Mr A news, he was on the floor this morning, attempting to move like a slug. Such a good look. Was a pretty effective move though - managed to get almost half a body length along the floor. Must hurt is head, but he persists. And all this still fails to impress his brother. Oh well. And I should mention he did it with his hand in his mouth, chewing like crazy. Makes it an even more impressive feat.

Mr L came home from school at lunch yesterday. Bad blood nose. Poor kiddo. Missed a school excursion, but got to play on the computer, so it wasn't that bad after all.

Better get back to PS while Mr A is napping. Got some new stuff in the works. Fun, fun.

Catch ya...
K

Happy Monday...

2006-07-10T18:34:00.000+10:00

Another Monday? Already? This year is flying by.

Today I'm thinking about:

how babies stick their hands so far into their mouths they gag.
how many bibs Mr A goes through a day - I call him Mr Dribbles.
how I created 224 stitched buttons - that I am in the process of deleting and redoing as I'm not happy with them. Can you say "perfectionist"?
how my parents are as far away as they can possibly be from us... and still be in the same country.
how my brother is a good dad. The best.
how windy it is. And I'm crossing my fingers for rain.
how nice it was to talk to Sue today.
how it's Amber's birthday today (Happy Birthday!) and Nicole asked some people to make tags and here's mine:
how good my husband is to get bread for us on the way home from work.
and how we cooked dinner last night and there's enough for leftovers tonight - that means no cooking!

Hope you all have a good week!

Catch ya...
K

PS. Ha! Didn't forget the freebie! I promised a series of 4, and here's the last one - a funky heart doodle. And if you like doodles, check out my store at SBB - I've got lots of doodle papers and brushes there.

And my next lot of freebies will be stitched circles... starting next week...

***Edited*** Fixed the link - thanks for pointing that out Deb!

Do you like waffles...?

2006-07-07T07:52:00.000+10:00

Click on the picture and I dare you not to be singing it for the rest of the day...

Lesson #348...

2006-07-06T12:45:00.000+10:00

Children's Clothes
When purchasing kids clothing, check BOTH sides of the clothes. What might look like a perfectly innocent pair of navy track pants at the front could have words written on the backside. Who knew...
Hence, I have a 4 mo old with pirate pants...

Catch ya...
K

Solid...

2006-07-06T09:28:00.000+10:00

Bit of a misnomer, isn't it? Solids. Nothing solid about what's going into this kiddo's mouth. Mush would be more appropriate. There's much interest in it - lots of rolling it over his tongue and swirling it about in his mouth. There may have even been some swallowing. There was definitely some mess. He's ready though - so interested in us eating, and smacks his lips when he sees it appear. At at a whopping 18lb+, bottles aren't cutting it any more. He needs a little something more.

The big boy's off at school. Happy to be going. Even happier to be going to a friends house to play tomorrow night. They have a little baby too, three months older than Mr A. Will be interesting to see how that aspect of his visit goes... He still shows little to no interest in the perfectly good baby he has at home.

The big shops are having their toy sales at the moment - I think I've decided what to get Mr A, but Mr L.... that's another story. How much Lego does one kid need? And he's not a kid that's easy to shop for - he'd get something like a Transformer and go, wow, cool! But would hardly give it a second glance later on. Whereas a good book, or Lego, or a science set.... hours and hours of fun. He's still playing daily with Santa's gift from last year - an electronics set. I see Hot Wheels has put out a speed detection radar, which is something that Mr L would love. He's such a statistician. Decision, decisions...

Even more exciting that Christmas shopping in July... we had a little bit of rain, and I think it's going to rain again in a minute. Haven't had a lot lately - the driest June on record for years - and considering it's Winter, a little rain is most welcome.

Catch ya...
K

Finding a happy thing...

2006-07-04T20:29:00.000+10:00

Have you got a happy thing? Something that cheers you up when you see it, lets you know all is right with the world?
My "thing", my happy thing, is birds. Birds of prey, to be precise. Eagles, hawks, falcons, hobbys. I am lucky that we live in an area abundant in bird life of all kinds, but I do love my birds of prey.
There's something that I love about driving about - whether to the shops, or to school or anywhere really - and spotting a bird out hunting.
My favourite is the black shouldered kite (that's not my pic BTW). These little fellows are everywhere about, often in pairs, hovering beside the road. I can often see 5 on the way in to do the shopping each week. I know which trees beside the road they favour and look for them there.
I also know which power pole the brown falcon likes to sit on, which trees the wedge tail eagles sit, which paddock the swamp harriers are likely to be in and where to spot the little hobbys on the power lines.
I wouldn't say it's an obsession, looking out for them. It's my comfort thing, my happy thing. They make me smile when I spot them, make me think all is right with my world. Odd? Maybe. Good? Definately. We all need a little happy thing, right?

My other happy thing is (fingers crossed) my new computer returning home tomorrow. A RAM issue, apparently, that is now fixed. Can't wait. Can't wait to get this old beast off the kitchen table either. Not quite as good as seeing a white bellied sea eagle hunting on a summers day, but pretty exciting all the same. :)

Catch ya...
K

Happy Monday...

2006-07-03T12:38:00.000+10:00

Happy Monday everyone! It's a lovely winters day here, and Mr A is having a nap. Thank goodness for that. Fingers crossed for more than 1 hour.

L has gone back to school today, so it's very quiet here. Kinda nice having him home, and very nice not having to go out everyday! L's just a little bit whingy and upset, as the grandparents are off on a little cross country sojourn for 6 weeks, and he's missing them already. Hope he's being sensible at school then. Never can tell...

And because it's Monday, here's a freebie for you. I had another kit nearly done on my new computer when it unceremoniously died on me, so I'm just pottering and doing little things until it returns to me. Hard to go from 2GB RAM back to 512MB, I tell you!

Have a good week!

Catch ya...
K

Taxing...

2006-06-30T08:28:00.000+10:00

Phew, school holidays are taxing. And it's the end of the financial year in Australia today.
Soooooo, for one day only (with coupon code "tax25") ...

Have a good day!

Catch ya...
K

And announcing...

2006-06-28T22:24:00.000+10:00

Iara Baer to my clever creative team. Sorry it's taken so long to add you to the list Iara!

More baby giggles today. Not too many though, as he had immunisations (poor kid) and then got weighed (a whopper at 8.1 kgs!). He's snuggled in bed in his new baby sleeping bag.

My other boy is at the grandparents. Even better, they called tonight and begged to keep him for another night. Who am I to say no??

Past my bedtime tonight. Better go and get some sleep before I'm up for the next feed. At over 8 kgs, it's any wonder I'm still doing night feeds... he's a hungry boy.

Catch ya...
K

He giggled...

2006-06-27T19:47:00.000+10:00

And my heart melted.
Unfortunately I made him giggle too much and he chucked up a fair whack of his bottle, but he sounded so cute.
So you know what I'll be doing tomorrow? (Aside from immunisation and 4 month check ups...)
Spending a lot of time attempting to induce more baby giggles.

Catch ya...
K

Happy Monday...

2006-06-26T07:51:00.000+10:00

Good morning! Still below freezing here - ice on the ground and clear skies.

Had a good weekend with the boys. Mr A must be going through a growth spurt as he had TWO feeds last night. Phew. I'd got used to one. Mr L is pottering about this morning, debating whether he wants a chicken pox immunization tomorrow. Yes, well...

My computer is up and running - and unbelievably capable. Lovely to have more than one piece of software open at a time, and to have things happen the same day I start them. ;)

And because it's Monday, a freebie... the link from last weeks freebie still works, and this other one does too. I need to put links on the side, don't I?

Have a good week!

Catch ya...
K

Crazy boy...

2006-06-24T10:28:00.000+10:00

This kid is crazy. Seriously crazy.
Yesterday I found him writing out sums. A sheet full of sums. And what was he doing? Making up an "exam" for himself. Seriously.
He's six. SIX. What on earth does he think he's doing??
L loves to learn. More than anyone I've ever met. He's a sponge for knowledge, for information.
On the whole, it's a good thing, I think. But part of me worries that he'll get bored eventually. He is still only six. He sleeps with a teletubby, plays with Lego, and refuses to eat mushrooms. He's six. But there's this bit of him that's so much older. He's such a mix of ages.
*sigh* I love him. He's such a funny boy, with such a sense of humor. And talk, oh my, does he talk. His brain never turns off, and neither does his mouth some days. He drives me crazy, and yet I'd be lost without him.

My parents are back from their jaunt around the countryside. For a week at least. We're off to visit this afternoon. I know they're waiting to see the boys.

Catch ya...
K

Announcing...

2006-06-23T10:12:00.000+10:00

After much dileberation, I'm thrilled to announce these talented ladies as part of my creative team...

Tania Cordova
Kirsty Blinston
Kylie Clark
Cammy Plummer
Michelle Pearson
Sue Jones
Priscilla Halliday

I'm so excited that they have agreed to work with my stuff. They will each bring something different to my kits - which is exactly what I'm after I think.

I'd like to publicly thank all the people who applied - I really do understand what a big thing it is to try out for something like a creative team. To put a bit of yourself out there. I would have loved to take a lot more people on. There's so much talent out there in the scrapping world!

I'm off to hang with my boys. It's school holidays here, 10am on Friday and cold and dreary out. I'm here in my warm house, with a new computer sitting in boxes on the floor beside me, waiting for the planets to align so I'll have time to unpack it and play. Maybe when hubby comes home tonight. Much more fun to play with the boys... as it should be...

Catch ya...
K

This is why...

2006-06-21T10:41:00.000+10:00

I do what I do. Why I scrap. Why I get through each day and look forward to the next. These two little boys.

When L was born, I started taking his photo on a Wednesday (he was born on a Wednesday). We called them, creatively enough, his Wednesday photos. It's a wonderful record of his first year of life. So with A, we're doing Tuesday photos. Equally as fascinating. L, being home on holidays, jumped into the shot for A's Tuesday photos this week.

They're not going to win any awards for artistic merit, but they are a true snapshot of our life, right now.
And that counts.

Catch ya...
K

Happy Monday...

2006-06-19T13:45:00.000+10:00

Happy Monday everyone. Surviving the first day of school holidays - even though A's a bit out of whack with his sleeps because we went out this morning. L spent his birthday money on Lego (what else?), a Fly Wheel and a "Choose Your Own Adventure" book. He's a happy boy.

And aside from the excitement of one of my photos appearing in the Sunday paper (wahoo!), it's been a nice, quiet few days. Got things on every day this week, so I'm sure it will fly by.

My plan for this evening? To sit down and have a look/read of all the CT applications. I'm a lucky girl. I can't thank everyone enough for sticking up their hand, willing to have a go. Got some tricky decisions to make. I hate saying No to people brave enough to try. I will be emailing you ALL personally, so stick with me, ok?

So, while L is engaged in Lego and A is asleep (I hope), here's a little something for you. In .ABR and .PNG format. Would be cool with patterned paper as the base layer... I'd try it but I nearly killed my computer doing the preview (it's slowly dying...).

Catch ya,
K

Wow...

2006-06-16T18:46:00.000+10:00

I am constantly amazed by scrapbooking. On so many levels.
Today, it's how global it is - especially digi.

Here's where you've been coming from. From all over the world, apparently! That is so cool. Warms this little geeks heart. So wonderful that one hobby can unite so many people. That so many people will have their stories and the stories of their family told. Amazing.

Checking out all the CT applications has reinforced this - scrappers from all over the world. I get such a kick when people use my kits or papers - and they live in countries I dream of visiting one day. That our experiences are all so different and varied and yet still so similar. Birthdays, first steps, love, pets - it's all good. Seeing that map with all those little dots, and checking out real people with real pages has just served to remind me what it's all about.

The last (I think!) in my Funky Doodle series has gone up at SBB. There was another set I was working on, but I'm not entirely happy with it for some reason, so might give it away as a freebie instead (when I polish it up a bit). Stay tuned. Might be a bit in coming, as school holidays began today - that means the next two weeks I have my two boys with me 24/7 - which is both good and bad.... Luckily G's taking a day off each week so we can hang together. He's wonderful. And I'll be glad of adult company by then I think!

But for now, that's all from me. L and I are kicking off the holidays with a sleepover on the loungeroom floor. You'd have thought I was taking him to Disneyland, he's so excited.

Catch ya...
K

CT Update...

2006-06-15T15:18:00.000+10:00

Thanks to all the people who've taken the time to apply for my Creative Team - I do appreciate it.

I'm thinking that it will be a pretty casual affair. I don't really want to say "Do this many a month", because, hey, I got family, I know how it goes. I'm thinking more along the lines of - if I put up something, and you've got the time, grab it and make something. I was thinking two or more things per kit - I'm not expecting copious numbers of layout from you - trust me!

One more day to go - if you're thinking of giving it a shot - go for it!!

Off to do the school pick up now - and then the dreaded grocery shopping... at least, thanks to my dh, I get to do that on my own...

Catch ya,
K

Tuesday night ramblings...

2006-06-13T18:04:00.000+10:00

15 weeks. I have no idea where they've gone - but here he is. Mr 15 Weeks. I know I'm in better shape all round than after L. I think I was officially loopy at the 15 week point. But not with A - 15 weeks and I'm feeling great.
He's gorgeous. Just gorgeous. Wants to roll over and crawl - but (thankfully) can't quite manage it yet. Tries so hard to do it though. So different from his brother. Not better - just different (ok, he doesn't cry - which his brother did a LOT of between 3 and 6 months - so that's better).

Been putting some finishing touches on a few more Funky Doodle brush sets. Having a little too much fun with these. Have a flower one I'm working on now and I'm done. I think. We'll see.

I have a long list of things I'm getting through this week - including returning emails, cleaning A's room to bring in the cot and take out the bassinet, preparing for a sleepover with L on Friday night and wading through the applicants for the CT. Oh my, talk about talent! I'll be posting later on to answer a few common questions people had about commitment requirements.

Catch ya...
K

Back to the regular scheduled program...

2006-06-09T12:52:00.000+10:00

Phew. Sidetracked a bit with all the digi stuff this week. Not that that's a bad thing, mind you.

A and I took my mum out on Tuesday (late Mothers Day present) to see an exhibition of Annemieke Mein's work. Absolutely breathtaking. Awesome. Exceeded my expectations entirely. She is such a gifted textile artist. Was well worth the trip.

L is doing well at school. School reports come out next week, and he's already crashed the system by reading off the reporting scale for Preps. Tee hee. He's a clever cookie, that one. And he'll be a happy camper tonight when he realizes Mapa are collecting him from school AND there's book club books waiting for him at home!

A is... well, A is sleeping in the day! I shouldn't say that, or he'll stop, but he's had decent sleeps all this week. Makes him happy, and me happier. He's blossomed in the last 3 weeks. So smiley, and chatty and just a joy. Love my boys.

Speaking of which, here's a pic of the boys with my dad. Dad, his beard and his boys. Mum wants me to get a photo of T with A and L - must remember to do that next time the three grandboys are together.

Hope you're all having a good week. Long weekend for us in this part of the world - although G has to work, L has no school Monday. And then, this time next week, school holidays. *sigh* And half a year is gone...

New Stuff...

2006-06-07T22:31:00.000+10:00

More Funky Doodles - just because they've been toooooo much fun to make! A brush set that coordinates with the his and her papers, a scroll brush set and a font.

Thanks for all your kind words about the freebie below - it was my pleasure. Keep an eye out for more in the future!

Karen

CT Call Details...

2006-06-07T11:37:00.000+10:00

I'm after a Creative Team. Some clever scrappers to work with my designs.

So if you...

can make 2 or 3 layouts per kit/paper pack
post to 3 online galleries (including SBB where I sell)
and would like to get my stuff for free

then I'd love you to email me with...

your name
your online username
a brief bio (including which country you're in!)
link/s to your galleries/blog
and any other CT's you're on.

I'll be taking applications until June 16, and will (hopefully!) announce the team on the 21st. If you have any questions at all, please feel free to email me.

Please don't be shy about trying out - I don't know what I'm looking for yet, but you might be it!

I'm looking forward to hearing from you and seeing your work.
Karen

Feeling the love...

2006-06-05T22:15:00.000+10:00

You know how sometimes a kind word goes a long way? I've had a couple of people email me and say nice things about my kits - and I really appreciate that (hi Peta and LeeAndra) .
So, seeing as I'm feeling the love, I've got a little freebie for y'all out there. People have made me feel good, and I'm paying it forward. If you do something with it, let me know - I'd love to see your work.
Download here.

And if you like freebies, check out Sue Jones' blog and her store. She's one clever chickie - and a very nice person to boot.

Off to bed now. A late night for me these days - but Chris Isaak was on "Enough Rope".... *sigh/drool*...

Shoes, cameras and phones...

2006-06-05T10:51:00.000+10:00

You know how there's this "thing" about women liking shoes?
I don't.
Slip on sandals in summer, sneakers in winter, pair of black flats, pair of black boots. That's it for me.
But cameras.... cameras are my "shoes". I'd have one in every room if I could. There's the old film camera - sadly neglected for the past 4 years. There's my first digital (a whopping 1 MP beast that weighs as much as my cat), my second digital (3MP and still does a fine job - L uses that now), the APS film (for panoramic pics on hols), my Canon (insert love symbols here) and now my phone.
I want my phone to make phone calls occasionally. Really, I do. Seems such an old fashioned use for a mobile in this day and ages, doesn't it? My old phone was slowly dying, so I went to get a new one. Pretty hard to get one without a camera in it these days. Dad said, get one with a camera. So I have. It's all set up now, so I can send pics to them when they travel. That is pretty cool, yes? The quality's nothing to get excited about - but it means that Mum and Dad can "see" us, even when they're somewhere in the outback. And with A growing and changing daily at the moment, I think that's a good thing.
Here's one of me and my boys - bit hard to judge to take, but here we are.
So there's yet another camera in the house now...

And now the font...

2006-06-03T21:36:00.000+10:00

Tell me, honestly now... is it cool?? Is it ok? It was FUN to make, and has been fun to use...

I've had a fun day hanging with the boys. A is very interested in moving. L seems to have turned into a 13 yr old when he turned 6. G collects pots - empty pot planters - like I collect scrap papers... Just another day...

Fixed...

2006-06-03T08:18:00.000+10:00

Ha, looked like all I needed was a reboot. Bl*#%y computer. That's why I'm getting a new one.
So, this is my funky doodle font. Not too sure about the M, might change it yet. But it was FUN to make, and goes with the papers nicely.

Grocery shopping beckons - why these boys need to eat is beyond me...

Doodling...

2006-06-02T22:27:00.000+10:00

So annoyed - I've made a really cool doodle font (well I think it is), and I can't get it to install properly. Too late to worry about it tonight. So here's the page it was going on, minus my cool font but another cool one in it's place.
*sigh*

Anyway, love this photo. My boy looks so much older now, with his new hair cut. And my other boy is losing his hair, in two patches either side of his head. Luckily he's got a bit to spare.

Off to bed now...

Funky Doodles...

2006-06-01T18:22:00.000+10:00

Talk about fun. I saw this incredible page that Amber did the other day, and got all inspired. Lots of doodling and drawing. It's amazing the amount of times she's inspired me. So, the computer and I sat down, and we made some Funky Doodles of our own. I'm so pleased with how they've come out - I can't wait to use the boy one! Got a whole lot of stamps/brushes that I'll do too, when I get around to it. So much fun to make. I did a him and her one - digging the colour schemes.

Not much else to report today. Grandpa dropped L at school and G collected him, so A and I got to stay in all day. Luxury. Then L and I went for a haircut - he looks so grown up with short hair, and a lot less like a British rock star now.

Might go and have a play with some funky doodles now I think...

What goes around...

2006-05-30T18:38:00.000+10:00

I walked past L's bedroom, and did a bit of a double take. He's sitting in there listening to Summer '87, which he'd brought back from his last stay at Mapa's. Oh my, a trip down memory lane. Cyndi Lauper, John Farnham, Bon Jovi, Pet Shop Boys... And what's funny is he's amazed I know the songs. Hello? It was my tape in the first place!

The point is, he's "discovered" it and loving it. Just like I did (albeit when I was a bit older) with my parents cassettes. Yes, this is a cassette - remember those?

In other news, A is 13 weeks old today. *sigh* Too fast. He was a bit feral today - screaming, which is very unusual for him. Lay down on the bed with him to settle him. Two hours later... let's just say we both must have needed a nap.

Everyone loves a bargain...

2006-05-29T08:10:00.000+10:00

Me too. Spend over $10 on any of my products from the SBB store and get 35% off. No coupon, no code - it'll be calculated at the checkout.

Good until the end of the month.

It's just a little thank you.

In the RAW...

2006-05-28T21:12:00.000+10:00

About 6 weeks ago, I decided to shoot using the RAW feature on my camera - not the JPG. Not sure why, just decided to have a play.
Oh boy, won't be going back to the old way! RAW rocks. I was pretty happy with my photos before but I'm in love with my camera all over again now. The colours are so much better, esp. skin tone. File size is a killer (6MB+) but it's been worth it so far. Here's Mr A, posing for the invisible man over my left shoulder (who gets more smiles than me).

Quiet day today, after the excitement of the party yesterday. And nothing planned for this week yet, aside from the usual. Now if Mr A would have a sleep in the daytime, I'd be a happy camper...

Plunging...

2006-05-27T18:41:00.000+10:00

Ok, since the rest of the English speaking world is blogging, it looks like it's my turn.

Good day today. Birthday party for L - bowling with 5 and 6 yr olds is always a guarantee of a good time. Mapa came along and looked after A, so G and I could supervise the chaos. Man, those boys had energy to burn.

And for the first time, I have birthday photos. Not real good at getting them - might even scrap them before the next birthday (ha!).

All's quiet - boys in bed, fires on, taking it easy. Love Saturday nights at home.