{ Dreams and more }

~ DREAMS ARE ILLUSTRATIONS ~

Had lots of fun making this layout and have always loved that pic of Quinn, I really enjoyed experimenting and what I ended up with, it shows up a little bit light on the compressed version though. I used brushes by Hybrid-Genesis and a mesh brush by Denise Docherty.

Quote Reads: Dreams are Illustrations....from the book your soul is writing about you - Marsha Norman.
CLICK FOR A LARGER VIEW



~ CAMERA ~
Yay I have my camera back!!!! Woohoo, it is perfectly alright with no sign of the muck that was all over the sensor, I am so lucky and feel very very relieved and thankful to have it back....life is good ;-) I took some pics at a pool party that we went to yesterday/last night but haven't downloaded them yet, must get to that....

~ STRANGER THAN FICTION ~
Went to the movies on Friday with my cousin and my auntie and saw Stranger Than Fiction, I wasn't overly keen as I really don't like Will Farrell, not that I have seen him in much, but the sort of movies he is in just aren't my thing. Thankfully, the movies I had to choose from were narrow as I was time challenged and was going to struggle to get back in time to get the girls from school, so I was kinda forced to see this or nothing. Well what a FABULOUS movie it was, so refreshingly different, sweet, funny and sad all at once. It had some REALLY great actors in it and there was a real potential for Will Farrell to overact, but he didn't, his performance was beautifully subtle and I think I can safely say, I am a convert. If you get a chance, go see it. Dave, my cousin thought it was the best movie he had seen in the last 5 years, I wasn't quite there, but was very impressed nonetheless.
ROFL, I just read that back and I sound like I should be on The Movie Show with Margaret Pomerance! hehe!

~ SOME OTHER STUFF ~
Found these links over the last few days, this first one is via a blog link that Lis provided at MAC, not one of those links, but 1 I found via one of those links (boy that was a mouthful, not even sure I know what I mean LOL). Anyway I am addicted, it's quite fascinating watching all these people tell a stranger about their lives. This man is from England and has decided to meet someone new every day for the next 30 years and ask them 3 questions check out Thirty Year Project.com I'd love to see what you think. It actually reminds me of a show that used to be on SBS a few years back where a guy would just stop people in the street and ask them about their lives. It was amazing how open and honest people were, the name escapes me now and I know it will annoy me for days...if you know the name please put me out of my misery ;-)

Next is a movie poster that was posted at Photoshop Top Secrets.com on the blog there, it is a really great effect on the poster and I am going to try and incorporate something similar in a layout (yeah, sure I am ;-) ). Anyway there is a thumbnail to the left of the poster, you can click for a larger view or go check out the blog.






Also found these cute little camera bags on Donna Downey's website, they are way to small for all my stuff but I thought they were cute anyway. Would be nice to have one for a day trip I guess where you only need 1 lens and no flash.


Anyway that's it for me, hope you had a great weekend and if the pics are anything special I'll come back and add them to this post!

~ PARTY PICS ~

OK So I'm back LOL. These three are my favs. First one is Quinn and then my Bronte Boo and the last is my 'neice' Harriet, how striking are those eyes!

And did you notice? There is not a spot on these pics....*sigh*...... thank you Mr Camera Fixer Man :)
BFN!

{ Chance Meetings }

~ LAYOUTS ~
First a couple of layouts, the first one is my baby, Bronte and I used a song by Van Morrison in this one, which I love, called, Into The Mystic. Love the dreamy look on her face in this pic.
Credits: Textured Overlay from Scrap Artist. I also grunged it up a bit more with standard PS brushes.

Next one is my bigger baby Quinn, this is the pic I posted last time, which I just love. The frame is by C Borgfield, but I am not sure where it is from, sorry, also the brushes are just free downloads from somewhere, but I can't remember where. I wish people would name their brushes so I can give due credit. The background and word art are by me.


~ BREAK ~
Hope you all had a great Australia Day and long weekend. We came back a day early as the weather wasn’t great and was going to get worse. But it was nice while it lasted! Got to finish my audible book and got lots of relaxing in, and a lovely walk along the beach and we also got to sit on the beach, all snuggled up with the girls and watch the comet which was pretty spesh, so we did fit a lot in for the short time we were there!

Also met these lovely people that were camping behind our friends, I was in the van and heard Brian chatting to them, and came out and had a short chat, I thought they mentioned something about lambs and that they were from Thorpdale, so I assumed they were Sheep Farmers, then they went off to cook dinner and we ate ours. During dinner Brian mentioned that they were actually potato farmers, I said that Shez’s parents were from Thorpdale and they probably knew Shez’s family, later on we started chatting again.
I said “I have a friend whose parents are potato farmers in Thorpdale, you might know her family. I can’t remember her maiden name but her married name is Sherryll Ray, do you know them?”
The lady (Joan), said “Sherryll Ray…hmmmm….OH!!!! Sherryll Ray, that’s our daughter!!!!!!!”
ROFL!!!
Then they asked my name, which I said, and before I had a chance to explain how I knew Shez, they both exclaimed “You're Lee!!! You’re to blame for our daughters’ obsession!”
“That’s me”, I say sheepishly! LOL. What a small, small world we live in! They are just the loveliest people, not that I am surprised, their daughter is very special and a great, true and loyal friend to boot!

We are busy today doing more stuff around the house, painting old pots and clearing a few more boxes from the garage, we are also clearing a spot for one of those slimline sheds in the backyard, mainly to house the lawn mower and maybe the bikes, if they fit. I would dearly love to be able to move in our garage, but it is chock full of CRAP! LOL Then we are going to do a bit of plant shopping tomorrow, severely restrained by our budget, we are also in desperate need of a doorbell, all our friends have taken to ignoring the front door and coming straight round the back as we never hear it!! LOL

~ CAMERA CLUB ~
Shez, Tenille (a friend from Brian's work), and I all went off to the Coal Country Camera Club meeting on Tuesday night. It was a great night and I look forward to more meetings. They have field trips and weekends away and best of all, families are welcome on the trips! The level of skill there is amazing and more than a little intimidating, but I just know I will learn heaps and best of all the people were lovely!

~ INTERESTING STUFF ~
Well, at least I was interested LOL. First this blog had me in hysterics http://www.thingsmyboyfriendsays.com/ it could be my sense of humour but I hope you get a giggle too, I should mention that there is some 'colourful' language going on here, so beware.
Also thought this was pretty groovy too, some interesting effects...http://www.typorganism.com/asciiomatic/ . This is a blog I stumbled across, I have no idea how, but I did http://dooce.com/, the interesting thing I liked on this blog was this series of pics here http://www.3situations.com/BillSullivanWorks/MT4.html loved the candid looks on all the faces, wish I had the courage to set up and take pics of random people like this. I found myself wondering about each persons life and where they are going and where they are now...like I said, interesting, at least to me... ;-)

Have a great day and go spread some happiness ;-)

{ A Christmas Birthday }

As a kid, having a birthday on Christmas Day really, well there's no other way to say it, sucked. Big Time. I only ever remember having one party. And while my parents tried to separate it, Christmas in the morning, Birthday in the evening, there really is no getting away from the fact that you share your special day with everyone else's special Christmas Day.
The last two years there has been a bit of a turn around though, and while it has been a long time coming, I have noticed a benefit. Mostly, when people find out when my birthday is, they groan and say "Oh no, I suppose you get combined presents?". Well as a rule I usually didn't, but the past two years I have and they have both been the BEST presents EVER!
If you are a regular reader of my blog (all 10 of you ;) ), you will know that last year I got a Nikon D70s Digital SLR, no complaining about that! Woohoo, I just love it!

Anyway, this year I got.....

A 30gb VIDEO iPOD!!! Yay. And I am loving it! I have already filled 10gb with music and a good handful of Photoshop TV Video Podcasts, so I can watch them when I do school pick up or take the kids to Tennis Lessons etc etc.

I am already almost half way through my first Audible Book, called Water for Elephants which I am just loving. I thought my mind would wander while listening but I just get lost in a new world! It's great.

We had a lovely, but very hectic Christmas Day, having both lunch and dinner here. The morning started early, which was OK, because for a change, we weren't up until 3am wrapping presents. Brian and I have both decided that Christmas should be on a Monday every year. Girls came hurtling down the hallway at 6am, but were coaxed back into bed with us for another half an hour. They got stuck into there presents as soon as we said OK... they had a good day, present wise, a little too good, we think! Both getting, from us, MP3 players, iDogs, Doona Covers, gorgeous Clocks which I bought at Southbank while on the MAC conference, a portable DVD, with two separate screens for the car ( I like this one, because they can't nag us to watch it, I don't like them watching too much TV and they can't really use it unless we go on long trips, sneaky I now), they also got a Netball Ring, a ridiculous amount of clothes from Pumpkin Patch.

From Santa they got an array of things, mostly from the Australian Geographic Shop I think, the elves must pick up stuff from there too...) from, Spyrograph Machine, Kaleidoscope Makings Kits, Fibre Optic Torches, a watch, booklights, even a pedestal fan each for their rooms (Santa obviously likes to keep them cool, fun and practical! LOL), also Squiggle notepads (they are great, think Mr Squiggle), and Nipple Balls The family got a MP3/Stereo radio for the family room, and a Stunt Kite. Brian got an MP3 player and Travel Scrabble too.

So we are a very happy little household here!

As the year ends, and a new one is about to begin, I realise what a big year this has been for us.
I started teaching Digital Scrapbooking classes and had the great pleasure of meeting some fabulous people through that, who have become very good friends.
I started a new and very rewarding job and look forward to developing that in the future as the girls get older.
We moved into our new home, which we just love, and I don't believe there is a day goes by that we don't thank our lucky stars for it.
I got to meet the BEST bunch of MAC girls ever, these girls have made me laugh, given me cyber hugs when I needed them and have just been there always, and make they make their presence felt in sometimes copious amounts of emails, and I wouldn't have it any other way. I have felt fierce support and friendship and getting to meet them was a privilege and one that I hope will happen again next year, but this time with the lovely Karen also!
I have met some lovely new cyber friends, especially at Pickleberrypop and via blogs too. This Art that is digiscrapping is a great one and I am glad that I do it, along with all these talented girls, I look forward to continuing these friendships and making more.

Lastly is a list of Movies that Suzy and I saw this year. I know I have missed a few and in 2007 I intend to keep a proper list. Can't say that any of them was bad, in fact, I really loved them all, in varying degrees. If I had to pick from the list though, I would say that "The Departed" and "Little Miss Sunshine" were the standouts. Although I could barely pick between the two, you could not get two more different movies.

Before I list them, I am putting a layout here so that the big white space is filled LOL.
This layout was done from pics I have wanted to use for ages of Quinn trying to help Bronte climb a tree. Background by me, flower brush, Rhonna Farrer.
Journaling Reads: If at first you don't succeed, then try, try again. Click on the image for a larger view.

Anyway, here goes.
*Beyond The Sea
The Lakehouse
*Walk The Line
*Capote
Failure To Launch
*Inside Man
Poseidon
*Brokeback Mountain
Kokoda
*Little Fish
Pride and Prejudice
Proof
Pirates of The Carribean 2
The Da Vinci Code
Seperate Lies
*Wah Wah
*The Departed
*Little Miss Sunshine
Thank you for Smoking

OK as I typed, I realised there were some "must sees" in there, I have put an asterick next to them, so try and see them if you can!

I hope you all had a Merry Christmas and I wish you a New Year filled with love, laughter and happiness!

Happy New Year!
Edited to add: As you can see, I have done yet another makeover on my blog, the credits are in the side panel! Feedback welcome.

{ Freaky }

OK, stop razzin' me, I know it's been a while! ;-)

This is just a quick random thought, oh and a layout.....
Where do my emails go, when they don't go to our group??? Several emails have come through to MAC in the last couple of days which were sent by me on the 4th of November, my thoughts are they have been either:

* to an Email Conference
* to a support group for Emails that have lost their way
* drinking Pina Coladas on a South Pacific Island
* got mugged and it has taken this long to get through the red tape at the Email Police
* in a coma
* sitting in the Lost Email Department at Yahoo
* completely distracted from getting to their destination because they went past the Creighton's abode and were distracted by the dreamy tones of Mr Hot Voice (aka Mad Mick) ;-)
* cracked the sads because it missed out on the MAC conference
* off having a fling with a hot little email, dressed in a tight, red font
* got dragged, unwittingly, into some email scam by an email from the wrong side of the tracks
* got dengi fever in Asia somewhere
* got stopped at email customs and was caught with 2 kg of marijuana in it's surf board case
* got caught up in schoolies week and fell off a balcony
* got slipped some GHB in it's drink and woke up on a beach in Surfers Paradise
* inadvertantly got on the same plane as the Primeminister and single handedly saved the day, Bruce Willis style, from a madman, and has since been recovering with the token blonde air hostess that helped save the day....

If you actually KNOW where my emails have been, please tell me!!!

Oh and I revamped this LO too....
Edited to add...Brushes by Anna Aspnes

{ Finally a Layout }

At last, I finally got a layout done! In fact I got 4 done over the weekend, when I was having Internet issues. Only gonna post one now, so I have something for the rest of the week. LOL ;)

~ BRIGHT EYES ~

The pic is one I took of Quinn a few months back at a home photo shoot.

The background is by me, the decorative font is called Silhouette, the script font is Porcelain. The gorgeous frame brush is from Scrap Artist - Flourish Frames (below) by Michelle Coleman.

They are gorgeous! Check them out!

(Click for a larger view)

Anyway, thanks to all the MAC girls that helped me improve on this one, your advice is always invaluable! An exceptionally talented bunch! IMHO!

~ DECK NEWS ~

There is none. LOL. It's going very slowly! Although we have 20 very deep holes out there. I am assured that the rest won't take long, dare I hope?

~ DAYLESFORD ~

Was a blast! Great bunch of girls, lots of drinking, laughing and shopping had by all, and lots of pampering had by some (not me, this year).

~ MAC-CONFERENCE ~

Less than 2 weeks now! Can't wait! Nuff said ;)

~ MEDICAL QUESTION ~

Why would a child have a sore cheek? I thought it could be sinusitis, but I'm not sure. Bronte has a slight cold at the moment, I gave her a hanky drenched in Eucalyptus this morning hoping that might help, but she said it didn't really make a difference. She hasn't been hit in the cheek, (or doesn't remember) and there is no bruising, I am stumped, any suggestions?

Have a great night all....

{ Layouts - by Quinn }

Well Quinn has followed one of my Digiscrapping tutorials and now has the bug. These 3 layouts were done using pictures Quinn took herself.
The tutuorial she followed was the koala one, the other two she acheived all on her lonesome! Clever IMHO!

The two sunset ones Quinn did from beginning to end, right down to the quotes she used (which she made up herself LOL).

I am very proud and think she has done a wonderful job.

Bronte has done a few too, but I'll need to get them off the other computer, they make me so proud, it's not easy to master photoshop, especially when you are 9 and 7 yo!

~ DAYLESFORD ~

I and 10 other girls are off to Daylesfor this weekend. This is the 3rd year we have done it and it is such a relaxing and fun weekend. There is no pressure to do anything but whatever you want, stay at the house, go for a beauty treatment, sit in a restaurant all day, explore the shops, play cards, scrabble, on the laptop.



Can't wait, but of course there is always a downside, I miss my family when I am gone, especially Sunday morning when it's time to come home, I just can't wait until I get here. Sad, I know!

The girls have Monday off school and I have taken the day off so I will have a day to recover before I go back to work, and then we are thinking of heading off camping for the following weekend, but we'll see. Have soooo much coming up soon, but I am not the only one, it's that time of year and Karen and Judy put me to shame! LOL ;)

Anyway, have a great night :)

{ Random Ramble }

~Homework~

Last night after school I was laying on my bed with my laptop on my knee talking on the phone to my cousin (who is a sister and best friend, all rolled into one). My kids call her their second auntie, because they think that's right, since she is the Mum of their second cousins (a strange kind of sense in there). We were just chatting about a million different things and while we were talking Quinn came in and sat next to me on the bed to do her homework.

This morning she came in and asked me to sign it. She had to write a list of set words and then use some in sentences. (The underlined words are the words she had to use in sentences).

Her first sentence was "Our house was filled with happiness on Christmas day." Nice, right?
This was the second sentence "Right now, at 4.50pm on Wednesday, Mum is on the phone with my second auntie, and from my opinion the situation sounds a bit boring".
LOL, I didn't think it was THAT boring, what a classic :)

Upon investigation, I found these other gem sentences, some of which I am not sure I want her teacher seeing!

"I heard Mum do a pop-off" (Not true)
"My Dad's hopeless at doing hair" (True)
"At Seaspray, sometimes the wind is so strong, it's blown me away almost" (Glad she clarified that with 'almost'.
"Everybody should swallow their food" (good advice)
"I think it's necessary to kiss Mum and Dad goodbye at school" (And hopefully enjoyable too)
"It's easy to seperate a Bratz dolls body from a Bratz dolls head" (Bit serial killerish)
"I think there is an episode on The Simpson Halloween where Ned Flanders is the daredevil because Homer wanted to eat a donut" (What the? and do you think she means devil?"
"I like to cook marshmellows but I don't like to eat them, so I give them to my cousin and they're usually burnt!!!"
"My sister and I argue a lot, sometimes we get soap in our mouths!" (True and True)
"Some people are very thoughtful and write a story 5 pages long while other people take a while to write a story two pages long" (I have no idea what this means?)
"I am going to a sleepover at my cousins tonight and my Mum will tell us to behave" (Always)
"At Seaspray there are rainbows EVEN when it doesn't rain!!!" (Freaky ;) )
"I don't like it when people pause movies"
"I think you are the greatest teacher in the whole universe (I'm not just saying this for a sentence, I mean it YOU ARE!!!)" (Bit of a brown nose LOL, but I must agree)
"Years ago the Italians thought the Earth was square" (Should that read 'flat'? LOL)
"When we go for walks in the mornings I like to hold cotton balls (so I can keep my hands warm)" (I was wondering myself....)
"Bronte Grace is a disgrace. (She wanted me to write it - didn't you Bronte? Yes (Bronte)" (they don't always argue...)

Well, I don't know why, but they tickled my fancy!

Hope this made you smile and also {{{ hugs }}} to Kate, I'm thinking of you.