What a Beautiful Day

Today was a day for walking.  Of course, it helped that I didn't have the car today!

I'm sure the people around town now recognise me as the strange lady who never wears a coat but this morning was particularly funny - I was in short sleeves with Cappuchin all rugged up in his pram with the wind cover on!  I noticed several double takes from cars which was funny for me.  Still, I was comfortable and enjoying the walk once I dropped off the nattering Spidermonkey.  The sun was lovely with no wind - and that's the kicker.  When there is wind, at least a long sleeve shirt is needed ;-)

This afternoon, Cappuchin decided he didn't want to be in the pram whilst Spidermonkey and I walked.  He walked almost all the way to the park from the school (about 3 long blocks).  We then had a play in the park.  I was dreading leaving as I knew Cappuchin would not cooperate.  He certainly put up a fight as I tried to get him back in the pram but as soon as he was buckled in, dummy in mouth, all was good.  He has been sitting very quietly ever since, watching Hi - 5.  I think we wore him out!

Here are some pics of the adventure:

I really must remember to get out on these sunny days more often.  It certainly lifts the pall that can creep in during the cold winter.

Hope you all had a fabulous day too!

Some Photos and A Challenge Entry

First, my Challenge Entry.  I promised you something "From My Own Brain" so here it is:

This is for the jac-inks Papercraft Challenges #11 which was to use the inspirational photo on their blog.

I used a few Stampin Up products - Ink:  Soft Sky Blue, Cardstock:  Whisper White, Stamp:  Lovely as a Tree.  The base card is DCWV Luxury Stack.  The image was produced by stamping with Studio Multi Medium, spritzing with Perfect Pearls Mist (Pearl colour) and then drying with a heat tool.  I then added layers of colour using Distress Inks (Pumice Stone, Weathered Wood, Broken China, Chipped Sapphire and Stormy Sky) sprayed with water to help with blending.  I felt a "moon" was needed so I added a flower centre from Prima to make the moon.  The sentiment is stamped on a tag from Spellbinders with the addition of inking and Perfect pearls.  I don't know about you guys but I like the finished look - I wasn't too sure at first but as the inks dried and softened, I grew to like it!

Here is a look at the card from an angle so that you can see the shine:

So it was also haircut day today for Declan.  This is why:

This was taken on Sunday after his nap!  Wild Man Decs was what Drew dubbed him for the rest of the day.  Poor kid has more cow licks than a Kansas stock yard in winter!  He is going to HATE his hair when he grows up  because he has the trademark swirl at the back plus two cow licks in the front, one on either side.  Makes it really hard to get a proper hair cut too because it refuses to lay down properly at the front.  However, the lady who cut it today did a lovely job - even with him squirming all over my lap (so much so that the cape she put on me was useless - I wore Cappuchin's hair for the rest of the day).  So here is the after shot:

And, no, it's not uneven at the front.  It's those darn cow licks!  Sure wish I could find out where that cow was hiding in my house so it would stop licking Cappuchin's hair ;0)

Oh My Goodness!

It does still exist!  Albeit in copying someone else's work, but I still have some mojo!!!  I set up some easy to do samples on my laptop last night so that I had no excuse to not do some crafting while the Cappuchin slept.  So here is what I did.

This first card is taken directly from paw2ink ( http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/1675183?&cat=10720&perpage=96&thumbsonly=0 ).  I changed up the colour scheme to some of the new SU colours and added a ribbon:

The next is taken from Joanna Munster (www.inspiredbystampin.com).  Again, I changed the colour a little bit but otherwise, it was her idea :)

So tomorrow I hope to do a little something that is "From My Own Brain" with my new stuff that I got while shopping in Sydney.  Stay tuned!

Saturday is Swimming Day

I know it's an important skill for children to learn but I often dread Saturdays.  Not only do I have to get up like it's a normal day, but I have to get into a swimsuit and show myself in public =0. Now, I can hear you say, it can't be that bad.  Well, you are right and wrong!  I'm fine as long as I have my towel wrapped around me.  Once that comes off, the cringe worthy moment stretches until I have submerged myself in the pool with DS2.  I suppose the part that gets me the most is people looking at me.  I can't tell if they are looking at my tattoo and thinking "Wow!" or even "Is she crazy?" OR if they are looking at all the cellulite my beautifully aged legs have and thinking "How do you get so many lumps and bumps in one place at one time?!" What makes it worse is that I EARNED these legs; pregnancy wasn't just for the addition of a child.  I earned my spots (or in this case, lumps and bumps), even if I didn't really want them..  Either way, it makes for a very long cringe worthy moment; even though it's only about 4 steps to the pool!

In addition, I often have to get grumpy with DS1 (forthwith to be called Spidermonkey) to get him out of the house on time, all the while dealing with DS2 (forthwith to be called Cappuchin) who has decided that whatever noisy, large toy he has hold of has to come with us or there will be a tantrum to be had.  Once we get there, I have Spidermokey to get sorted for his lesson (why do they never understand the concept of 'in a hurry'?) all the while reminding him that he needs to be ABOVE water to hear the instructor.  When he is in the pool, Cappuchin and I play in the parents room (whose idea was it to have their lessons an hour apart? *sheepishly raises hand*).  I have my fingers crossed the whole time we are playing that Cappuchin is in the mood to swim, otherwise the whole routine - from changing to lesson and back again - can be a real challenge.  Who knew that a nearly 2 year old had the ability to turn himself into a slippery eel and have the power of a ninja at the same time?

Luckily, today was a good day.  After the usual rush of getting out of the house, Spidermonkey was able to move quickly and paid attention in his lesson.  Cappuchin was an absolute joy!  He played the change game and had a ball in the pool.  Not a single crying session throughout the entire time.  So, what did I do either last night or today that was different?  No, really, someone needs to tell me cause I have NO clue!!!!

I Got Out of the Car and Saw...

This beautiful little bud...

I tried to take the photo with my phone camera but just couldn't get what I wanted.  Luckily DS2 was willing to let me go back out with my macro lens and take some shots.  I used the Canon Macro Lens EF-S 60mm for those who are interested.  With a little tiny play in Photoshop, and here the bud is for you to see! 

As I was walking back into the house, I saw these:

Chewie didn't want to sit still so I only got part of his face but I like it anyway.  I don't know what it is about flowers that draw me in.  Maybe it's the vibrant colours. 



When I came back in, DS2 wanted a photo too so I obliged:

A macro lens is not my first choice for portraits!  But he wouldn't let me get away from the door until I took the picture.  I had to stay standing too as when I got down to his level, he had his nose right in the lens.  It's cute though, at least I think so :)  Now I just have to find something other than my children and flowers to take pictures of!

Some Recent Photography Work

So here are some of my latest shots.  I currently focus on the boys more than anything but I make an effort to take other stuff when I get the chance.  I love the one of my oldest boy (thanks Angie Baxter for the tips and class - and to Drew for giving it as a gift).  The others are things I have taken around the area, either from the garden or on walks.  The one of the bird was seriously played with but I like how it turned out.  Thanks for looking.

Recent Work

So I have decided to share some recent work with you.  These are my favourite results from a recent weekend away for crafting (thanks Chantal and MUFOG).  They are both very simple layouts and all I have really done is let the Webster's Pages Lullaby Lane designs do the work.  The single layout involved cutting out the frame, adding some trim and flowers, and then adding the title.  With the double page layout, I turned the pages until the design made an hourglass shape in the middle and then made my title run across the two pages. A few rubons and some buttons with mesh and viola!

Hope you like and thank you for looking.

It's been a while...

I guess I'm not very good at keeping up with this blogging thing!  I wanted to set this up to help capture all the silly happenings in my home as well as sharing my passions - particularly my photography and crafting.  However, it seems that, life - as it often does - has taken over!

I shall endeavour to be better at recording the goings on in the crazy place that is my house!  And I have to make time to do the crafting that I love and share it here.  There are so many blogs with competitions that I want to participate in so I will attempt to get some crafting time in too!

If nothing else, it will be a place for me to share and vent for me!