Life & All That Stuff: December 2009

Sunday, December 27, 2009

My Homage to the Basic Grey 2010 Calendar Kit

Last year I fell in love with the Basic Grey 2009 Calendar Kit. And what's not to love? Everything you need to complete each little page is included in the kit for around AUD$35. A perfect gift. Last Christmas I made up three - one for each set of Grandies (yes, three - don't ask!). But it seems so did the rest of the scrapping world. Do you know how hard they were to get hold of this year? I could only get 1!!!

We were going to get some other present for the other two sets of grandies, but then a request came in at the last minute. And how can you say no to a Nana that wants to look at piccies of her grandkids all year long????

So I did what any resourceful scrapper would do . . . I made my own. That is to say that I made up the Basic Grey kit and sent it off to Grandad Queensland, then used the template for inspiration to make up the remaining two calendars. Sort of like a sketch. The kicker is though, that EVERYTHING WAS FROM MY STASH! Every last strip of paper, embellishment and the like. We didn't spend a cent! Well, we bought the Cardstock from OfficeWorks to print the calendar template on, and $4 at the printer on the 23rd of December for the binding (for both calendars).

I printed the calendars on to A4 210gsm white card (using the automatic Calendar generator in MS Publisher 2007). Then printed an 8"x8" square on the back of each month to provide the "workspace" for the scrappy part. And this was the result. The original Basic Grey image is on the left, and my "homage" on the right.

From Scrapping Stuff

I am pretty happy with the overall result. And they were well received. Nice to know that all the effort that goes into a handmade gift is well received :)

Thanks for stopping by, and I hope your Christmas was truly magical.

See you all on the flipside LOL

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Sit down, grab a cuppa, we're gonna be here for a while . . .

Well, I have just realised that it has been nearly two weeks since my last post so I have a bit of catching up to do and quite a few pics to share.

First up in scrappy news, I decided to do a handmade Christmas gift for DS5's teacher this year and I am totally thrilled with the way it turned out! My Tuesday Clubbers are probably sick of hearing me banging on about the whole gift situation so I won't bore you with the details. Let's just say that I felt that coughing up $50 per family to put in for a group gift was extravagant to say the least. And this one cost me precisely $2.50. Well in a manner of speaking. Everything was in my stash except for the florists foam. So, that was quite an introduction, hope it lives up to it LOL:

From Scrapping Stuff

So that is actually all the scrapping I have done in the last oooo, three weeks! Sad but true. In fact my scrap gear has sat in the trunk of the car in between visits to Tuesday Club.

On to other news. If you read this post you would know that DS5 was going to be a shepherd in his school nativity play. So that has come and gone and here are the pics

From Life

Too, too cute. I got very emotional even before my child had done anything at all. They are so little and innocent, and yet growing up so much all the time.

Another lovely touch was the "Graduation" ceremony. Each Pre-Primary student was presented with a certificate from the Principal while their teachers read out a personalised message highlighting the child's individual qualites. So lovely to hear what others see in your child.

From Life

The Principal is giggling in this shot. DS5 had been waiting ever so patiently for his name to be called out. And with a Surname starting with "W" that is a very long time! So when they finally called his name he decided to dispense with the steps at the side of the stage and opted with jumping straight off the front and running to the Principal!

More fun activities. Many of you know that our family are mad keen supporters of the Fremantle Football Club and the club had it's Family Chritmas Party this weekend. Oh, my what excitement!!! I opted out this year but the boys went and had a fabulous time. DH was very impressed by how well organised it was. All the kids were divided into age groups and the players ran games with them. How cool! Though DH was a bit grumpy that DS5 was more interested in the free flavoured milk he was given than one of the big name players walking by!

From Life

Just for you Vikki! Chris Tarrant and Paul Haselby!!!!

And of course the Christmas Tree went up last week. I have a bit of a love affair with my tree. I get more excited than the kids I think. I love the whole ritual, the carols the dressing of the tree. Luuuurve it! And I was soooooo good this year. I am usually rather anally retentive about decorating, but I let the kids put the trinkets wherever they wanted and - cross my heart - I have not rearranged anything :)

From Life

Isn't she pretty?!

We've also gone a little crazy on the Christmas lights for the house this year. Having said that, I would like to add to the collection LOL.

From Life

I spent a whole day (yes a whole day!) getting them to look just so. The things we do during the silly season huh?

So that about wraps it up. If you have stuck with me for this entire post then you are truly lovely. And if you didn't, then who could blame you LOL!!!!

Thanks for stopping by :)