Inspired!

I have just read the best tutorial on making interesting backgrounds with spray inks. Check this out over at OLW. I can see a few of these popping up in my next LO's :)

From Blog Bits

Two Birds . . . One Stone

From Scrapping Stuff

So here is my offering for the OLW challenge for this week. Yes I made it this time! The "word up" was Beauty. And what more beautiful subject than my own DD3?

I have also combined this challenge with the Pagemaps sketch for this fortnight too. Here's the sketch:

From Scrapping Stuff

I luuurve Becky's sketches. They're so interesting, modern and open to interpretation.

So if you are feeling a little inspired by either of these challenges, you should pop over to either of the sites and have a go! There's still plenty of time :)

TFL

From Blog Bits

UFO Completed - Finally

UFO - in crafting circles aka Un finished Objects.

This one has been hanging around for a while, so I am very glad to have finally completed it :)

It is a place to keep all those recipes I have a habit of collecting. The only problem being that I have nearly filled it already!

From Scrapping Stuff

From Scrapping Stuff

From Scrapping Stuff

The only decision now is do I curb my collecting urges, or make a new tin? Hmmm, I think there's not really any decision to make is there? LOL

TFL

From Blog Bits

Stash and Treasure

I had the realisation this week that I am acquiring "stuff" faster than I can use it! So, I am challenging myself to use my stash! And though scaled back in recent months, it is still ample LOL.

I found a great way of using up my bits and pieces, on particular the stuff that I am not in love with anymore, but can't bring myself to give to the kids for their "scrapping".

As well as scrapbooking gear, I also collect recipes. So here I have combined the two and made recipe cards (which will eventually go in my yet to be completed recipe tin).

The trick, in my mind at least, is to not be too fussy or artistic. I mean, I am only going to be looking at them when I am cooking that particular recipe - so as long as they are somewhat respectable looking, I'm happy ☺

I knocked over ten of these in about an hour. You may notice that I was so hasty that I didn't even let the glue dry before putting them in their little pockets LOL

From Scrapping Stuff

TFL

From Blog Bits

Always read the instructions!

Well, I have stuffed up :P I was all excited about finding a new international challenge blog (One Little Word) and all inspired to create a LO based on this month's word "Play". I started working on the LO at Tuesday Club yesterday, but didn't finish it - no surprises there LOL

Anyway, did my usual thing of checking all my fave sites when I got home, and found that the judging was already completed ☹ I had missed the mark by 4 whole days! What a wally!

I had a little time up my sleeve this afternoon so I thought I would finish it off anyway. I am seriously happy with the end result

From Scrapping Stuff

And I must, must, must credit the very talented Jodie Butler for the little hand made flower. Check out Jodie's Etsy Store for some amazing crafty treats!

TFL

From Blog Bits

Sharing again . . .

Here is a LO for this months Roadmaps

From Scrapping Stuff

And the sketch

From Scrapping Stuff

Probably my most literal take on a sketch ever, but I still had to jazz it up a bit LOL

TFL

From Blog Bits

mmmmmm, parcel . . . .

I got a little parcel today from Susan at White With 1. I was thrilled to get a prize in last months' Purple challenge with this LO.

From Scrapping Stuff

Anyway, just had to share :)

From Life

It's vintage embellie pack that Susan supplied herself - I don't know where to start, there's so much to look at!!!! I can't wait to get stuck into it!!!!

TFL

From Blog Bits

More to Share!

Woohoo!!!! For the first time in ages I managed to complete a LO from start to finish at Tuesday Club! That's 2 and a half hours of scrapping time folks, though when you factor in that I was a little late, and all the chatting time - it's probably more like half an hour of scrapping LOL.

So this is my take on the Ann Lederhose jack at ASJ this month:

From Scrapping Stuff

I am totally loving the Lemonade range form Basic Grey atm - Yum!!!!

Now I'm off to do some real work! LOL, TFL

From Blog Bits

Photo A Day {Monday}

From Life

Introducing my sweet boy Banjo. He's our #2 baby, turning 8 in a few weeks time :) We were looking for a friend/mate for our #1 baby Molly. We took a visit to our local pet shop, and there he was. Last of his litter and seemed a lot older than the other pups there. He was also on special LOL (as in marked down, reduced, on sale).

The sales assistant took him out of his little glass cabinet and put him in the play pen. He ran round and round in circles and couldn't stop peeing himself! We thought he was adorable.

We told the sales assistant we were going to have a think about it, got in the car and only as far as the end of the car park driveway, we turned around, went back and took him home :)

BTW, he still does his "pony circles" and pees himself. Adorable at 12 weeks, at 8yo - not so much LOL.

From Blog Bits

Photo A Day {Sunday} and LO's to Share

OK, So I missed Saturday - big Whoop!!!! LOL. Never mind, I think though that I am going continue on with this challenge. It's a lot of fun and sort of helps to open your eyes to the ordinary and everyday things that are actually quite special :) So here is today's photo:

From Life

Just a cute little set of Russian Dolls that we picked up for DD3 at the Queen Victoria Markets in Melbourne. A few of the pieces have been missing, but they have had a family reunion this week :)

And now the scrapping:

From Scrapping Stuff

This one is for this month's Scrap the Girls challenge. Sort of commemorates the year so far of just DD3 and I at home together this year. Just couldn't seem to fit the journalling in though - DOH!

From Scrapping Stuff

And this one is for Aussie Scrap Jack. There are two really great scrappers to Jack this month. If I'm honest though, I really struggled pulling this one together and still not sure if I'm all that happy with it :{

TFL

From Blog Bits

Photo A Day {Friday} - Whoops, a bit Late!

From Life

I did actually take this photo yesterday. Just forgot to actually upload it. DS5 had the day off school "sick". He did have a pretty bad night, but funny how they perk up when they realise they're not going to school :) So what does a sick boy do with all this spare time? Why play dollies with his 3 year old sister and her 2 and a half year old friend LOL.

He also played pet dog to the two and a half year old. I suspect he was a little embarrassed when I spied him crawling around on all fours, but was having too much fun to care.

Note to self: Tidy up ironing pile before taking photo that is going public next time ROFLOL

From Blog Bits

Photo A Day {Thursday}

Well, you may have noticed a change in the format of my blog. I have spent untold hours today getting it just right :P If you want to get some gorgeous free blog candy, as well as helpful tips to get it all working head over to Shabby Blogs . Seriously cool

And now the photo of the day:

From Life

From Life

I think every Mum in Australia probably bought these lollypops last week! 100 Lollypops for $1! That is a whole lot of leverage for mums nation wide. Thank you Coles!!!!

What I really wish I had photographed today was the dreadlocked, hippie clothed, patchouli smelling lady I saw in the health food store today. She was every bit the stereotypical tree-hugging earthmother. But guess what folks? She was carrying her groceries in PLASTIC SHOPPING BAGS! Oh well, I guess we can't all be perfect all of the time LOL!

From Blog Bits

Test 3 :) Still no header!!!!!

From Blog Bits

Test 2, No if I could just get my header image to work!

From Blog Bits

Testing signature

Photo a Day {Wednesday}

From Life

From Life

From Life

I have become very used to the town we live in. It has all the facilities of the city without the crowds. We live in a new housing estate with new houses, and manicured gardens. I sometimes forget that it's not the city. But every now and then I get a reminder that this is indeed a country town. I mean, that is the high school oval in the background of the first pic!

These were taken literally a stone's throw from our house, on the way home from school, on DS5's "short cut".

Ah, the serenity :)

Photo a Day {Tuesday}

I have been inspired by Jodie and have taken up the Photo a Day (you'll have to scroll right to the end of the post for the details, but there is a lotta eye candy for scrappers lol) for a week challenge. OK. so I'm a little late, but here's a doozie.

I have just made the yummiest home-made potato gnocchi with pumpkin sauce. First time ever I have attempted making my own pasta, but it was great fun and not as scary as I thought.

Check out this little video - very helpful.

Italian:
How To Make Gnocchi

And the recipe (I know it looks a bit much, but they have literally typed out the instructions form the video verbatim)

Gnocchi

Ingredients:

1 kg potatoes

1 egg

300 g flour

rock salt

pepper

olive oil

Directions:

Boil the potatoes
Place 1 kilogram of unpeeled potatoes into a large saucepan and add enough water to cover them. Place on a high heat, add 3 teaspoons of rock salt, then leave to boil.

WARNING
Don't put the potatoes into the pan once the water is boiling, this will cause the skin to split, and make the potatoes soggy.

When the potatoes are tender, after about 20 minutes of boiling, turn the heat off and tip them into a colander to drain.

To protect your hands use a tea towel to hold the potatoes as you peel away the skins with a knife.

Pass the still hot potatoes through a passatutto. This method is recommended as air gets trapped in the potatoes making for a lighter gnocchi. If you don't have one you can, of course, use a masher but the end result won't be as good

Add 2 generous pinches of salt and a pinch of pepper. Crack the egg and stir in quickly before the temperature of the potato cooks it. Add 2 handfuls of the 300 grams of 00 flour. And mix until it's all absorbed

Turn the potato onto a wooden surface and tip the rest of the flour on top. Use your hands to mix it together. After a minute or two it will form into a dough. Knead lightly. When it reaches a pliable consistency, it's ready

Sprinkle the surface with flour. Slice a fist sized piece from the dough ball and roll out into lengths that are about 3 centimetres thick. Use a flexible knife to cut off 2 centimetre pieces. Slice off another fist sized piece and repeat until you have used all of the dough. Work quickly, the dough should still be warm.

Place the gnocchi onto a tray, leaving a space between each piece to prevent them from sticking together.

Fill a large pan with water and add 3 teaspoons of rock salt. Place over a high heat, put on the lid, and bring to the boil.

Tap the gnocchi from the tray into the boiling water. This method will stop the boiling water from splashing your hands. Give them a little stir and leave to cook.

When the gnocchi have all bobbed to the surface, they're ready to serve. Scoop them out with a sieve, shake off the water and transfer them to a tray. Drizzle over a little oil and give the tray a shake.

Stir the gnocchi into a warm sauce of your choice. Try VideoJug 'How to Make a Sausage and Porcini Sauce'. As a final touch you can grate a little Pecorino cheese over the top. This dish works exceptionally well with a rosé wine.

(Serves 8)

HANDY HINT
The cooked gnocchi can be stored in the fridge for 2 to 3 days.
It can also be frozen for up to 3 months. Cook from frozen for 6-7 minutes in boiling water.

It was just me and the kids tonight, so I have frozen my leftover gnocchi.

Now onto the photo of the day - Delicious gnocchi, big mess!

From Life

Well, that mountain of dishes is not going to do itself - unfortunately :( So I'm off!

Mission accomplished {finally!} and some news . . .

Well anyone that has spoken to me in the last couple of weeks is probably sick to death of me rabbiting on about my plans to introduce a chores roster and pocket money rewards system into the family routine. Well, guess what? I have finally got there!!!!! Yay!!!!

I had been wondering why the house was getting out of control, and why I was just not getting to all the jobs I needed to. I know I am busy with work and choir rehearsals for OLIVER! etc, but I have always felt that there are enough hours in the day. So I pulled out Shannon Lush's Speed Cleaning book (which I have owned for about three years now). I realised that I was getting completely bogged down in all of the daily repetitive jobs that the kids and DH are completely capable of doing. REVELATION! A cleaning roster!

It has takes some time to get the whole system up and running, but I stand by the fact that investing a little time and effort into planning does go a long way. However, it is only Day 3 LOL. So whether it works in the long term remains to be seen.

So here is how it works

The Roster

I have two columns, one for me and my movements so that I can schedule everything in, and one for the daily jobs that need to be done.

From Life

Pocket Money

This is a collaborative effort :) I had a number of suggestions, but one of the ones I loved the most (especially or a 3yo & 5yo who do not yet understand how money works) was to have all the pocket money in 20c pieces taped up on display, then take away 20c for each deduction. The practicality of having to get to the bank each week to get the change was a bit much to contemplate. And, as my neighbour pointed out, it may also be a bit tempting when needing change for lunch orders etc LOL.

I realised that I my mum had a given me an educational font that had currency dingbats, so no need for real money :)

Then DH thought of a chart in the shape of a piggy bank so that the kids could grasp the concept of saving. Brilliant!

My friend Vikki suggested googling for colouring pages to make the piggy bank.

So in the end this is what I have come up with:

From Life

From Life

At the end of the day it's more about everyone learning to take responsibility for themselves, there belongings and their behaviour. Cross your fingers for me :)

And in Scrappy news . . . .

Rochelle saw this post and convinced me to enter the LO into the Scrap the Girls challenge for this month as the colours perfectly fit the criteria. And guess what??? I won it!!!!! And the best part is the prize. This month's challenge was sponsored by What's Old is New. This is what I have won:

From Life

Man! As if I didn't have enough reason to stalk the postie already LOL. The poor bloke is going to get a complex :)

So now I had better get off my butt and check the roster! ROFL

TGIF

I am so, so, soooooo glad it's Friday :) And I can't think of a better way of spending a quiet night in than this:

From Life

A beer, a (slow cooked) curry and my mac. DH and BIL are fixed in front of a soccer match and the kids . . . . well, they're eating and entertaining themselves :)

I am so relaxed right now . . . one day I may share the curry recipe, but I don't want to kill my beer buzz LOL

Soon it will be bathtime and I think I will retire early and watch a chic flick in bed. Aaahh, sweet heaven.

Just Because

And finally a LO that was not for a challenge, but just because. What I love most is that I basically completed it at Tuesday Club this morning. I just had to stick on the "sleeping" and do the journalling when I got home. Love, love, luuuurve my Tuesday Club!!!

Most of the elements (PP's and embellies) are from the What's Old Is New July Kit called "Nothing But Sweetness" (Sorry scrappy ladies, SOLD OUT!!). These are great kits that combine hand made and vintage embellies that give a new twist on some well loved PP ranges. Very clever!

The vintage music score was a thrift find that perfectly fit with the photo. I didn't really read all of the titles when I bout the little music booklet, and it just happened to match up with the photo. What do they call that? Serendipity? Anyhow, just suits my sleepy little girl so well. LOL

From Scrapping Stuff

TFL :)