December Daily & a bit...

So, my story is that I used to scrapbook but over the last couple of years I have not.  My creative juices flowed in a different direction - sewing and I enjoyed that more so I have concentrated on that for quite a while BUT when I saw all the December Daily albums popping up I thought I would have a go at making one for 2012.  I did have to purchase all my supplies for this (except for a few flowers, brads etc.) so it was a costly mini album for me to put together but it has been fun.  

I'm actually not finished yet and that doesn't bother me, I made notes through December so I know what I am scrapping and I am enjoying the process of doing a few pages at a time when I feel like it.  I thought I would share my first 5 pages with you today.

 My front cover

  

My first page

Day 1: Anthony and I spent the day together in the city and then went to my work Christmas party.

Day 2: The kids had birthday parties and cubs to attend and we saw Nonna.

 Day 3: Advent calendar and books.

Day 4: Our tree, this one is a double spread.

Day 5: New Christmas decorations.

I love my album it is simple and tells our story.  I used a Simple Stories Snap Binder for my album cover and their plastic inserts for every 2nd page.  The paper I used is called Merry and Bright by Carta Bella.  I ordered all my supplies online at Anna's Craft Cupboard. My inspiration for my album came from Gail Lindner (check out her blog here) and I created my front cover to be just like hers and my page order too.

Other stuff that's been going on:

Our super super wet weekend just before school started.  Emma had a blast playing in the puddles in the backyard.

 

My kids were lucky (and so was I) because they got to start school on the nominated day while some places were still closed due to flooding and power outages.

And our furry family member, Billy, had an operation to remove his blocked salivary glands.  He is all fixed up now so we will keep our fingers crossed that he stays that way!

Heaps more has been going on as well but I didn't want to bombard you with it all at once.  I am also working on my 20 ordinary things to do this year list.

Catch Up...

I can't believe how slack I have become with blogging...I don't know whether life has just gotten busier or I am slower at doing what we do.  Anyway whatever the reason I just can't find enough hours in the day to do everything I want to do.  I suppose everybody's life is like that at times.

We have done lots around here lately.  First of all her is Billy (a quick recap) before his haircut.

And this is what he looked like after.

He looks like such a different dog when he gets cut.  He really loves that bow being in his hair (NOT!) I had to redo it 3 times before photos and then gave up.  

Emma participated in her school talent quest and I wasn't there to see her but was told she did really well.

She did her dance from jazz class and she was very happy with herself and the two friends she did it with so that is all that matters to me.

We had a trip to the emergency room with Nathan because we thought he had broken his leg again, but after x rays he was given the all clear.

And of course there has been lots of cuddling with our gorgeous little Phoebe.

We also just had a long weekend away which I will share over the weekend.  Have a nice Friday!

Around here...

Around here at the moment we are looking forward to spring which is just around the corner as September creep closer and closer.  The sun has been shining beautifully lately and it has been nice to walk around our house etc and make plans for what we want to do in the gardens once spring comes around.

There are exciting things happening down amongst the fruit trees and the vege garden is ready to plant our summer crop. The plants are growing like crazy after 6 months of so much rain and now gorgeous sunshine.

The bananas are starting to grow.

And we have plums and peaches coming on.

  
And the mulberry tree is absolutely covered in young mulberries.

While I was out among the fruit trees I took some photos just around our place too.  

 The dam is full and the paddock is full of grass.

The sky is the most beautiful blue colour today

And I thought I would slip this photo in too, wherever I am Billy is always by my side at home so I get shots of him a lot.  I took this one though because he is getting a haircut on Monday so I thought I would do a before shot and then I'll share his after shot.  

Last Minute Sewing...

Well we are all ready for Santa to come to our house, well almost (we need to do his Santa plate and spread our reindeer food).  I had some extra time this afternoon, which I know is a miracle in itself, so I thought I would sew a couple of things that I had wanted to do but were not a necessity.


Firstly I embellished a t-shirt for Emma to go along with her Christmas skirt, so her set is now complete and ready to wear. This photo is so dark (the weather is so horrible today, it is a nice white shirt trust me!).

And I have wanted a stocking for our much loved dog Billy but I've had trouble finding one in the shops at a reasonable price so when I read my new book (Fa la la la Felt) I got the idea to make my own.  

I just traced a stocking we already had that was the size I wanted as a pattern and cut out some bones to pretty it up.  I then quickly embroidered his name on it to make it special.  Now Billy has a stocking too, all ready for his Christmas treat.

Merry Christmas everyone, I wish you all a happy and safe festive few days and I hope that Santa is kind to us all!  

Quick Update

We have really enjoyed our first week of school holidays in this house.  The weather has been so nice and sunny and warm that Emma had her first run around with the sprinkler on the weekend.

We celebrated Nathan's end of season of soccer with his trophy presentation and then an evening at Aussie World.  They hired Aussie World out for the soccer club and the kids had an absolute ball!  Anthony took Emma on the dodgem cars.

We caught up with friends with a picnic and swim at Bribie Island on Tuesday.  Another gorgeous day weather wise.

And today this little guy had a haircut.  This photo is what he looked like yesterday.

And these photos are what he looks like now.  He doesn't look very happy does he?  He really hates having those bows in his hair but he is so cute!  We actually had a scare with Billy this morning, when we woke up he had a tick on his ear.  He seems OK but we are keeping a close eye on him.

I think Emma could turn out to be quite a good photographer, she took this photo.

And now, we are getting ready to go away camping in our little van.  In fact I should be stocking it with supplies right now.  

We've also been to the movies and shopping etc etc.  I hope the next week of holidays is just as good.  I am sure it will be camping is always fun.


I'll be back after camping.  I'm sure there'll be plenty of photos and stories to share.