AT MY BEST...

WOW

True XOXO "Baby, You're a Firework" Challange - January 2013

2:51 PM

WOW

If Its Groovy Birthday Blog Hop - True XOXO

10:30 AM

WOW

True XOXO "December Baby" Challenge - December 2012

12:51 PM

Now that I am back on the air, after all of the wedding planning and the perfect day, I can finally start crafting again.

Over at True XOXO Scrapbooking, we are doing a slightly different version of December Daily. Every day this month, we are showcasing ideas for Christmas. They aren't just scrapbooking pages. There are OTP albums, repurposed items, Family Christmas cards and gift ideas.

My repurposed idea was showcased on my wedding day, which was very appropriate as these signs were made for the wedding walkway.

The start of December is all wedding for me. Christmas can happen after this weekend!!

With the wedding getting closer, I have put a bit of creative effort into signs that will be placed against tree trunks on the long walk into the gardens where the ceremony will take place. They can then be taken to the cocktail style reception to be put on display too.

These large old paintings cost me about $10 each. I have sprayed the frames white with a bit of gold then rubbed back in places to show some of the original timber, giving it a vintage look. I have cut burlap to fit the space and used spray adhesive to attach over the original painting. After typing the text on the computer, printing and cutting each letter out to make a template, I have traced them in lead pencil, then the outline in black texter to give a clean line. The last thing was to paint the letters and the heart. The end result would have cost under $20 each and I cant believe how well they turned out. It makes me smile.

These were a personal touch on the day, and I can tell you, I didn't realise that they would be so popular. To the point that one of these was stolen by "some drunk" at the end of the night, to hang on the wall in their new house!! Even if you as time poor as I have been this Christmas, head over and check out the brilliant ideas that the girls have been posting. There is definitely something to inspire you this Christmas, and who knows, you may just find the idea for that last Christmas idea!! TFL xx

Thanksgiving - A Time to Reflect and Be Thankful

12:02 PM

Today all of my beautiful American friends will be celebrating Thanksgiving. I have started to see some of their photos coming through on facebook and instagram and they all look like they are surrounded by family and friends having a wonderful time.

I know there is a whole history in America to Thanksgiving, but it is such a beautiful holiday. No gifts, just being surrounded by people you love and being thankful for things in your life.

So I thought in celebration of Thanksgiving, I would list a few things that I am thankful for.

1. My beautiful man - He is my rock, my best friend and soon to be husband. He has settled me and been my strength when I have none left. He is my shoulder to cry on and the one I laugh with. Through ups and downs he has stood beside me.

2. My gorgeous friends - They say if you can count 5 genuine friends on one hand you are a rich person. I am close to that and even though we don't see each other all the time, we know we are there for each other in times of need and times of celebration. I will see some of you lovely ladies tomorrow!

3. Health and happiness - All of those surrounding me are happy and healthy and for this I am thankful. There are too many people being touched by illness these days and I can say that we are all good.

4. Family - I have found that even when there are communication problems, and you don't talk as often as you should or would like, they are still always there. Organising a wedding has brought out the best in my family. They have been there when I have needed them and that is an important quality in a family.

5. Life Skills - I am very very thankful for my organisational skills and attention to detail at the moment. Organising a wedding isn't easy these days. It's all the little details that I put so much time and effort into that I love and come the day, I really hope others not only notice them, but love them too. It has been an experience with many ups and downs but I know on the day I will not have time to take it all in. If everyone around me can do that for me I will be so happy. Lets just hope I don't forget anything on any of my lists too!

6. The amazing country that we live in - Australia is such a wonderful country. We are made up of so many diverse backgrounds, and mostly we live in harmony. We have amazing places to visit and the ability to learn about other cultures without leaving our own shores.

7. Music - I live and breathe for music. It is the soundtrack to our lives. It creates emotion and memories. There are so many pieces of music that mean so much. I am one about the lyrics, not just a good tune. The lyrics give such an insight to the writer and their life, and most of us can associate with the feelings that are expressed at particular points in our life.

8. Smiles - There is not better feeling than walking down the street and smiling at a stranger, and receiving a smile in return. Sometimes its enough to lift another person without you even knowing. And it warms your heart that you have made someone smile. Sometimes its just the little things in life!!!

9. Community - We are very lucky to live in a wonderful community. This was shown last weekend with the i98fm Camp Quality Convoy raising over $1 million dollars for kids with cancer in one weekend. Such an amazing achievement. I am also very proud to say that I am a member of the scrapbooking community, locally in the Illawarra, in Australia and with the wonderful True XOXO design team in the USA. We have amazing people around us, even if you have never met any of them in real life or even ever. We all make a difference to each other.

10. Lastly this one is a bit of an odd thing to be thankful for.... I am very thankful for all of the people that have come into my life and left, for the heartbreaks and the let downs. Without all of these things happening to each of us in our lives, we would not be the people we are today. These make us strong. They make us realise that if we didn't like being treated a particular way, that we should never treat anyone else like that either. They make us make mistakes and learn from them. They teach us lessons in life, both good and bad. They make us amazing people who have been through ups and downs and come out the other side a much better person.

Sorry, a few turned into many!! I know that we are not American, but take the time today to reflect on the things in your life you are thankful for. It gives your heart a warm fuzzy feeling for the day.

TFL xx

XOXO

True XOXO "Timeline" Challenge - November 2012

10:30 PM

Poor Neglected Blog

9:30 PM

Heidi Swapp - Vintage Chic

5:44 PM

The Last Few

9:36 AM

WOW

True XOXO "Boo! or Not..." Challenge - October 2012

9:56 PM

Head First Towards the Long Weekend

10:22 AM

Time to Share - Savvy Delights Retreat 2012

3:12 PM

Savvy Delights Retreat 2012

4:11 PM

What can I say... Another year, a whole lot of crazy, so much talent, next to no sleep, chocolate and food galore, laughs, dancing, scrapping (of course) and the friendships that grow each year. To have all of that wrapped up in one weekend a year, makes for so many fantastic memories, and make us all know that we are surrounded by friends even when we cant see them all of the time.

Last year was my first year and can I say, I got a little overwhelmed to start with. I wanted to pull out at last minute. I wasnt going to really know anyone. I didnt care who I sat with or roomed with, but the fear of the unknown kicking in for a minute. There were newbies or "retreat virgins" again this year, as every year, and to hear them talk about that fear, that feeling in the lead up to the weekend, I understood exactly how they felt.

Take two in 2012, and I was like I saw everyone last year. Laughing, chatting, scrapping, wandering, sharing... It is such a wonderful feeling to sit in a large room with such a talented bunch of beautiful people and fit in. I finally felt like I belonged. I was able to wander around the room and chat to other people. I was met with hugs from girls I only met for the first time last year. I met more new people. I could sit with anyone at meals and be able to chat and laugh and feel totally comfortable....

I did set a target for myself to complete at retreat. No, it wasnt a specific number (but I did want to top last years total of 14 layouts and 1 card). It was to keep up with speed scrapper Wendy Smith. Can I say, everything this gorgeous girl produces is beautiful. It looks fantastic.... even perfect. I knew I had set myself a challenge and a half, but one I stuck to. I can safely say that my retreat tally is 24 layouts, 2 cards and 1 tag. I would say Wendy got me by maybe 2 layouts which would have been done on Sunday morning.

I will be back to show off some of the 24, but until I have decent light to photograph them, here is a photo of our wall.... Pretty spectacular I think!!