Too Cool....

Well not really - the weather has been really hot actually and I really wish that Ray would let me use the A/C that we spent a fortune putting in......

I don't have alot to share this week at all. I just haven't been anywhere near as scrappy minded as I have wanted to be. Thought I would share this one from the Top 50 CC which just ended.

The challenge was to use some recycled items on your page. I kinda went to town on this. My base is an old manilla folder that I ripped in half. I am not sure what important paperwork is now loose in the filing cabinet, but I am sure that Ray will let me know sooner or later ;D I also ripped up an old sun protector thing for the car. The string was from a tag off some clothing, and the cards and the bulldog clips were just laying around. The staples and dabomb post it are just regular office supplies. The alphas and the tape are the only 'true' scrappy supplies - oh and the glimmer mist. I really need to get a better photo - but when the weather has been good, I haven't been home to get one. Grrrr.

Also - I just paid a visit to my LSSs' blog and discovered this:

- if you want to win this

...all you have to do is go here, leave a Birthday wish, follow the Scrapville blog and spread the word about this give away and Janet's birthday sale. That is pretty easy right!?

Nothing else for today - TFL

MWAH

Anthea

xox

No tears

This is my LO for the dare challenge over at Top50.

THIS LO HAS BEEN

REMOVED

FOR

PUBLICATION

:D

I had a lot of fun with this. The LO had to be grungy, use a rainbow, use wire and only one piece of cardstock and 1 piece of patterned paper. This took ages to create, but I do love the effect of the rainbow being unzippered from the clouds.

Have good one all,

MWAH

Anthea

xoxo

New LO

This is a pic of Matthew taken when he was 6 months old. I have always loved this pic and found the Annalee papers at my2angels to be really great for showcasing it. I basically cut the middle out of the top part of the paper and let the photo come through like a photo frame effect. The flowers were cut on the cricut and layered on top of eachother and slightly inked to kind of blend in with the page...but still stand out...if you know what I mean. The charms and brads are also available at my2angels.

Also: I am a bit slow in posting....but check out this awesome give away here.
It is amazing!

Have a good one everyone.

Hugs

Anthea

xox

My scrap area is tidy

....

that's all I wanted to say.

MWAH

Anthea

xox

Come check this out.

If you are interested in selling or buying some really cute handmade stuff in which to beautify your LOs. You really need to come and check this out. You will be sure to love what these gals have created.

I wont be selling anything - but I will sure be coming along to have a browse and maybe spend some money.....maybe :P

MWAH
Anthea
xox

Some new LOs

Hi all. A new month brings with it a new set of challenges. The monthlies are up at Top50 and are sure to bring in some interesting results. My challenge this month is based on this LO and can be found here.

Basically I really wanted to stretch everyone out of their comfort zone and see some stamping on your LOs....go on give it a go! I dare you - it isn't easy!

The prize for this challenge is a $20 voucher to Wicked Princess.

Speaking of dare challenges.

Every month at Top50, we put the call out for 4 criteria that we, the DT, must use on a LO or card - the catch is - whoever selects the criteria must do the challenge too. This is a fun challenge with nothing to win other than prooving that yes - you can do the dare. OK -there might be a RAK involved too ;) - Why don't you see if you have what it takes to succeed.

Next is actually a LO for Vicki's sketch challenge last month. I started this LO really hating it, but a bit of glimmermist and a quick raid of Sam's stash a bit of stitching and voilla - one LO that I am really happy with. (Fank you Sam!)

Well not much more to add. Hope everyone is well. Hugs all round.

MWAH

Anthea

xox

PS: Yet again Blogger will not let me format this properly.....GRRRRRRR!

For you Sam!

I will admit it. The only reason I am updating tonight is 'cause Sam guilted me into it.

I have been to two retreats since my last update, both of which were really, really fun and involved some serious lack of sleep. By the time I got home from both of them, all I wanted to do was sleep.

I had great fun meeting people that I had only ever 'spoken' to on forums and such, learning new techniques, catching up with friends that I know from up here and meeting a bunch of other people. Bring on next year and the next round of retreats....I am in!

Thanks to both Kathy and Janet for organising them

Another thing that I have to admit is that I really haven't done much scrapping except for what I have done at the retreats. I have been taking lots of pics though and have a new pile just waiting to be scrapped.

Here is some of the stuff I have done over the past few months.

This one was one of my favs from Scraphappykat's 1st retreat. I usually hate purple - but I love this LO and will no doubt use this colour combo again. This was my entry into on of Sue's challenges at Top50, in which we had to take inspiration from a piece of clothing.

I used the t-shirt I was wearing at the time.

This was another fav. This was my LO for the dare challenge over at top50. I LOVE my treasure chest and keep saying I should try and sub it.....I haven't yet though. I am not sure I could part with it if they did accept it....

A close up of the treasure chest....or chesure trest.....depending on who is saying it. Thank you sooooo much Treens for the coins and mirror to make it a reality.....smashing those mirrors might bring me bad luck....but it was worth it!

There were other LOs that I did that I loved, one in particular, that I can't seem to find a photo of, is the class ran by Tracy at My2angels. I will take another photo and try to remember to show you next time I upload.

This next LO was a challenge set by me in which we had to rescrap an old LO or use a new technique. I chose to rescrap this LO from my very early days of scrapping. I love the photo and the design, it was just really plain. In all honesty I am still not sure which one I like best. I think I prefer the red than the pink....but love the overall look of the second one. Maybe I will do it a third time and get it the way I really want it?

This LO challenge called for lots of white space. I love how this turned out. The title is "the little things" and there is hidden journalling behind the photo which explains how excited we all were, when because of a bit of thought in planning the new bathroom, Tori could finally brush her teeth on her own and turn the taps on. Like I said, it is 'the little things' that make us truly happy.

This LO was for the dare challenge and again I had to use purple....I love how it turned out. Very simple...but nice! I think the photo speaks for itself in this one!

Oh! If Matthew sees that I have put this next one here, I will be killed instantly! He was soooo mad with me for making him pose for the photo and when he saw the LO he was even madder. I still love it and it actually won the challenge that it was made for.

This next one was my challenge sample for our recent Lyrics and Music CC. It was a really fun theme and I think we all enjoyed it immensely. This was about misheard lyrics - in case you couldn't figure it out.

Everything on this LO was either provided by or available at my2angels.
I do have to make a mention of that amazing crushed glass that I coated my stars with...it looks amazing IRL and my photos do NOT do it justice. If you want a direct link to it....you can find it here.

This next one is yet another CC challenge. I don't think I need to say too much about this LO. I just love the way Tori's eyes pop in it.....I will be using blue again on her LOs.

My sample LO for this months CC at Top50.
Really it is showing the love that these two have for one another. Tori really does idolise Matthew. It is also showing how they also enjoy the very simple things in life....like covering themselves with a 'pile of stones'.

Almost EVERYTHING on this page was provided by Tracy at my2angels.

This next LO was for last months scrap whispers at top50. Where someone does a LO and passes it on to the next person who then scraplifts it and so on down the line till the end. Seeing how it evolves is actually pretty cool. In this case mine was last and this one was first.

I love how this turned out.

If you want to play - we have been playing most months so come and join in!

The flowers in this come from my2angels - they are a favourite of mine right now.

And finally - one last OTP (which I NEVER do!)

I did this for a class run by the one and only Melinda. She actually ran the class with completely different papers, but was happy for me to use my own. It is a photo of my nephew and his girlfriend Chelsie, that I took at her deb ball. I gave this to Chelsie as a gift and I think she really liked it. Thanks sooo much Mel I love it!

Well - if you have got this far you are doing very well. I will sign off for now. Hugs to you all and hope you are all well.

MWAH

Anthea

xoxo

A few LOs to share

It has been a while huh? Here are some LOs that I haven't as yet shared - in no particular order. This first one was for a challenge over at top50 It was based on an advertisement, it required pinwheels, rubons and something else - but I can not for the life of me remember what right now.

This next one I did for another challenge - again I can not remember the details, but I really like how it came out. The 'endure the elements' acetate tag is a play on words as Matthew loves his Element shoes.

This next one was my challenge for last months CC (that is how far behind I am in blogging.) All the stuff on/in the LO comes from My2Angels. If you have never been there, I suggest you check it out - Tracy has some amazing stuff for really great prices too.

Just to show you the hidden journalling.

This one was another Top50 challenge and yet again I can not remember the requirements for it. Once again - most stuff on here is from My2Angels. If you are like me and just love the flowers on this LO and the last one - the gardenias are here and the star flowers are here. But don't think that is all she has in the way of flowers. Take a look around - you will be amazed.

This one was our opening night challenge for last months CC. I think it came up pretty good. We were required to use a food inspired title (ie: you are the apple of my eye), an embelishment that represented that food and a LO smaller than 12 x12. The nuts on my LO are literally some hazel nuts that I cracked open and then dimensional 'magiced' together - I think they look pretty neat. (Self praise is the best kind!)

Well - I have more to share - but will do it in another post. Thanks for checking these ones out. MWAH to you all.

Anthea

xoxox

Wowsers

Check out here for an amazing give away!

Not to mention she has some very cool stamps and stuff there.

Very, very cool!

xoxox

Some LOs to share

Hi all, just thought I would share my LO for my challenge over at Top50. I had fun creating this LO.

OK - I know I need a pic here...but this LO has been removed for publication....woohoo me.

The page was created using mostly products supplied by My2Angels. The papers used were Rose Moka Pattern Papers . Embellies were the pink and white felt hearts and stars, that gorgeous velvet pink ric rac, the bling chain down the side and lots and lots of rhinestones. These products lent themselves perfectly to this LO of Tori in one of her moods - don't you agree?

This next LO was created for Scrapville with the wonderful Sassafrass Lass pack available this month (well until stocks run out - which they often do!) I have a second LO here too if you would like to see it. The other monthly kit is a gorgeous kit using Webster's Pages....yum, yum. Check out everyone LOs if you get a chance - you won't be disappointed.

This LO was created for Sue's monthly challenge over at Top50. Sue loves grunge and she set a challenge to reflect that. If you are looking for a seriously fun challenge....check it out here.
Plus all the other monthly challenges are pretty fun too....

Ohhhhh and I nearly forgot.....here is my monthly challenge for Top50. I LURVE this LO soooooo much. He really is a sexy roman gladiator.

This last LO is another for Scrapville.

This was a sketch challenge based on a design by the lovely Melinda.

Go on, give it ago, all you have to do is e-mail it to Janet and you will be in the running to win yourself something.

I love how this page came together, it was my first double in I don't know how long. I couldn't decide what pics to use of the kids and their cousins, so I went with most of them....hence the reason for me s-t-r-e-t-c-h-i-n-g the sketch out a bit. Also if you just LURVE those butterflies as much as me, Janet has them available and she will post them out to you! (& No I don't get commission for saying that...LOL!)

Well, that is it for now.

Happy Scrapping.

MWAH and TFL

Anthea

xox

Top50 CC Tonight....

Don't forget the Top50 CC is tonight (well it will be tonight in about 45 minutes).

Come along for some fun and laughs and a prize or two. Looking forward to showing you my LO and challenge this month - had a blast with the kit provided by Tracy at My2Angels.

Hope to see you there....

MWAH

Anthea

xox

Big Belated Scrappy News.

OK! I got a little sidetracked last post. This one is all scrap stuff - I promise!

The first thing that I wanted to do is share with you all my scrappy news and the news is BIG.

Firstly:

I am now officially one of the design team over at Scrapbooking Top50. To be a part of such a wonderful and fun team is really exciting, especially because I already hung out there all the time anyway. Now when Ray says what are you doing...I say, "DT stuff" and that seems to suffice.

If you have never visited there I suggest you pop by to say hi! In fact........(and this is one of those impromptu decisions that I make on occasion) I will send out a small RAK to one lucky person who leaves a comment here and comes and introduces themselves to us here!

The design team over at Top50 is now made up of Vicki (the boss lady), Sue and myself. Each month we also have a guest DT member who is chosen by their involvement in the previous months CC! So....if you join in this month, next month it could be you in the spotlight. Wouldn't you love to work with us!?

Secondly:

I also have been given the honour of being a guest DT member at my LSS, Scrapville. This is also very exciting and I get to work with some really talented ladies here too. Melinda and Marg are the two key DT members over there and their work is incredible to say the least! You can check out Melinda's work here, and Marg's work here - I am sure you will not be disappointed.

So, all in all a good couple of months scrapping wise, to put a smile on my face after not having so much luck job wise. To both Vicki and Janet (the boss lady at Scrapville), I hope that I can do you proud and put out something that you are happy to show off!

Now for some LOs....better show something huh?

This one was Vicki's monthly challenge at Top50. I love how it turned out. I know, the photo is bad but I am hoping you get the idea.

This one is from Kathie's CC challenge at Top50.

This was Kathie's last challenge as DT over at Top50, the person who I am stepping in for. I have very big boots to fill!

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this page!

The papers and butterfly punch (which were purchased at Scrapville) are to die for and I think it would be hard to get a LO too wrong with them!

This next page was the opening night challenge for last months CC at Top50. This was my first official challenge as DT. I know it is very simple, but I love it too!


This was for our first scrapwhispers game at Top50. So much fun. We are currently running another one and I suspect there will be another one after that is anyone is interested! Don't you love those alpha's?

This challenge set by Vicki in last months CC really put me WAY out of my comfort zone. I have never done anything like it. I tried the quilling after being totally inspired by Melinda. I think it is a kinda cute LO, the title reads "Fly like a bird"

There are a few other LOs that I have done, but I am not quite able to show them here. I hope you are all well. Hugs all round.

MWAH
Anthea
xox

PS: If this post isn't formatted properly - blame blogger. It is peeving me off tonight!!!! GRRRR!

The claytons update post.....

.....You know, 'the post that is an update that really isn't an update post.....!'

OK! So I have been a bit slack the last little bit...but that doesn't mean that I haven't been doing anything. (edit - this post started as an update post but ended up a little different - sorry!)

I have, as most of you would know, resigned from my position as an oncology nurse. It was a big decision to make and definately not made in haste (but one has to know when it is time to move on) and it WAS time for me to move on! I would like to say that it was sad to say goodbye, but I didn't really say goodbye - I just up and left.

In leaving, I am taking away many years of very fond memories and saying goodbye to many wonderful collegues. I am also walking away from some of the most inspiring people I know - my patients. To be a part of so many wonderful peoples lives and to have had some impact on them is something that I will treasure forever. Many people have said to me over the years "It must be a sad job" or "You must be an angel, how do you do it?" To them I say it can be sad. There are times where you know that even if you give everything you have, the end result will not be what anyone wants.

There are times where you come home and just want to cry....when the 40 year old woman with breast cancer, with the 1 and 3 year old children dies; when the husband or wife of someone married for 40, 50 and even 60 years dies; when the 50 year old with teenage children dies; when the 21 year old with sarcoma is told they wont see another year; when someone looses a Mother, Father, Brother, Sister, Best friend or anyone they love or worse someone they never told they loved; when a young woman or man is told they will never have children of their own - Yes it is sad!

BUT ....... it can be amazing too!

We often see people as they REALLY are.....we see into their very hearts and souls. If we are lucky enough to be allowed in, we get to know their hopes and dreams, their fears, their regrets, their achievements. We really get to see the love that they have for their families and the love that their families have for them. We get to hold their hand and give them a hug when it seems all hope is lost, sometimes that is all we can do!

Cancer patients have a different way of looking at life, they have taught me to literally not sweat the small stuff. When someone complains about grey hairs I think they are lucky to have hair. When someone is complaining about getting another year older I think it is better than not getting another year older. When my kids are annoying the bejesus out of me, I try to remember I am lucky to be here to witness them growing up.

Another thing to remember is not all cancer patients die! Some actually walk out and never ever have to see us again. To be told by a patient "Thank you - I hope I never see you again" are words that maybe only a oncology nurse/doctor etc. could appreciate! To walk down the street and be greeted by someone with a huge hug and 'Hello Anthea (and you have no idea who I am because I have hair, colour, weight, energy, etc.)' is a wonderful feeling. And when a patient does die - the honour of being by their bedside; often with their family and knowing that you have done everything you can do to make them as comfortable as possible is a feeling that I can not even begin to explain.

To my collegues - most of you are people I will continue to call a friend and I look forward to our future get togethers. To my patients; no - I did not say goodbye, for that I am truly sorry! Please remember though, I will never ever forget you all and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the lessons, laughs and love that you have given me over the past ten years.

May the "Chemo Angel" we made keep watching over you all! ;)

xoxoxox

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Well! Righteo! That was Miss T. having some fun on the computer. She was pretty proud of herself! I had just logged in when a friend arrived and this is what we got when I went to answer the door. Hmmmm - pretty profound if you ask me - she is certainly on a level that I can't reach!

Just thought I would say hi! It has been a while since I have been here and I thought it would be nice to show you all that yes - I am still alive!

We have officially moved into the new house and despite some minor teething pains, we are settling in quite nicely. Tori enjoyed visiting our horse neighbours yesterday and our kangaroo neighbours are also fun to spy on. We have missed the cows a bit as they seem to have been moved to another paddock - I am sure they will be back though!

As of two weeks ago - I am also now a 'lady of leisure'. Still trying to work out what that means. I seriously have not stopped for a second to catch my breath since resigning my position of 7 years. Oh! Yes! Hang on! I lie! I did watch Master Chef last night and the night before!

Scrapping wise I have actually been a bit quiet...but here is some of the stuff that I have done - mostly for the Top50 CC and monthly challenges last month!

This one was for the 'Scrapwhispers' game over at Top50 - if you would like to be a part of the next one - put your name here (you will have to be registered though!) It was a lot of fun and I can honestly say that the first and last LO so far look nothing alike.

This next one was based on the movie poster "Avatar". Yep -it is my cranky pants Matthew.

Now you have all seen this photo before - but being inspired by the latest 'Alice in Wonderland' poster - this is what I came up with! I love how it turned out! BTW - this one actually won me a prize over at Top50. You gotta like that!

This next one was part of the monthly challenges and was set by guest DT member Judith.
Thanks Judith - awesome challenge. This is the first time I have used a banner and I love how it turned out.

This next one was set by Vicki - Love this Vick! Thanks! The journalling is hidden in the tag on the right and basically says how Tori was proud to show off these clothes that were made especially for her.

This next one was a sketch challenge set by the lovely Sue. Another fun LO to do.

Well - that is it for now. Hope everyone is well. I will try to be a more regular blogger, but I aint promising nothing!

Hugs all 'round.

Anthea

xox

A cool give away and some LOs

Wow - you should check out the cool give away over at Sam's blog. Check it out to be in the running to win this.

Also - just wanted to share some more LOs. Firstly, here is one that I did for the May Top50 monthly challenges, had a lot of fun doing this one...it is a LO of all the colours and swatches (or representations of) everything in the new house. I really like how it turned out.

Next is a LO I did with the May kit from my local LSS, Scrapville. This is actually the second LO I have done with this kit and I still have heaps of product left. I love how this LO turned out.

This is a close up of the cool little apple I made....thought I would try something completly original (if it has been done by anyone else I haven't seen it) and I really like how it turned out...and it was so easy to do!

Next is the first challenge for the May CC over at Top50, "Lights, Camera, Action". In this challenge we had to do a LO based on a movie poster of one of our favourite movies and it had to me smaller than 12 x12.

This is the poster I chose - from one of my all time favourite movies "The Slipper and The Rose". As a side note, if you are a romantic soul and don't mind singing and dancing in a movie, then this is the perfect movie for you. It is the story of Cinderella in a way you have never seen before. I recommend you grab a wine and a blanket, turn up the TV loud and be wisked away into a world of make believe. Anyways - I digress.

I was, of course, inspired by the LO of the poster and used it as a kind of sketch, but there are several other elements in the LO that are not quite so obvious. I tried masking around the photo and papers to imitate the look of the flourishes in the poster (OK - you can't really see it, but I tried none-the-less). The title was also inspired by the theme of the movie and the flowers by the title. This was a really quick LO and I really like how it turned out.

Well, that is it for tonight. I will have more to share by the end of the week I hope as the challenges for this months CC at Top50 are awesome - you should go check them out. I have done 1 and really want to get the other 3 done.

Hugs to everyone...MWAH

xox

I am still here....

I am still here, just busy with the house and all......sooooo close now. They are thinking in about 2 weeks we will be finally moving in. *waiting, waiting, waiting*. Firstly a pic from Easter that I took and am yet to scrap. Don't you love it? OK - maybe not - but I think it is adorable.

OK - enough of the over proud Mummy act. I also wanted to show you some stuff I have been doing. You may remember from my last post I was a guest DT at the Top50 site. My second LO in that role was based on the CC 'Reflections'. This was my example LO. I love how it turned out.

This next LO was to use a reflective material in the LO among other things. I used foil on the crown (just in case you hadn't noticed!). I am not overly thrilled with this LO, something is missing - but I don't hate it either.

Next we had to do a heritage based LO. I chose to scrap this photo of my Grandparents wedding. Still trying to work out why they used such a black backround? It makes my Grandfather and his Groomsman seem to disappear - but boy - don't the gals look great?

Unfortuantly - that was all I could manage for the crop, but I did manage to get the monthly challenges done....

This first one we had to use an imperfect photo and use a smaller size in our LO. I like how this turned out.

This next one had a few criteria, and I have met them all. I LOVE how this LO turned out.

These are some little embellies I made for the April Embellishment swap. I think they came up pretty good. The photo in this is a Redant original - one day when I become known for my amazing photography, you can tell everyone you knew me when......

Next are these adorable flowers that I made. How cute huh? If you go to the Top 50 site, you can find the link to how to make them.

I have also just completed a LO for my LSS Scrapville. My LO isn't up yet, but will be soon. I really like how it came together.

Janet, the boss lady over at Scrapville, has some of the most amazing monthly kits, so if you are interested, go and check them out. This months kit is just awesome and I have already created one LO with it (which I can't show right now) and I already have a second LO planned for it!. If you are interested in this months kit, this LO by Melinda can be made with it. Don't you just adore it?

I almost forgot to mention - the Scrapbooking Top 50 is looking for a new DT member here. I know there are a few of you out there who would be perfect for the job, so why not give it a go.


Anyways - better go now...lots of things to do. Hugs to everyone.
Anthea
xox