Free Is All You Gotta Be

I am glad that I had time to play today
I am glad that I was able to create
I am glad that I was able to create this page

If you haven’t seen Debbie’s blog go check it out

her enthusiasm of life is amazing
and I am glad that I was able to spend some time with her when I was in Brisbane in June

used some printables from Shabby Chic Crafts 
and the gorgeous camera from Amy Tangerine’s new line with American Crafts 
but I removed the heart that was behind the camera

and some more journaling

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You Stay The Course You Hold The Line You Keep It All Together

If you have followed my blog for a length of time you will know that I talk on all manner of topics
and toilet paper has been a topic that got a lengthy look in
do a search on my blog if you don’t believe me lol
So when there was a Product Talk by Nuffnang offer to review Cottonelle Kleenex toilet paper I was thankful for the opportunity



I don’t know about you but on a typical day our household go through at least a roll a day
and Australians use over 30.7 billion metres of toilet paper each year
so it is great to see a product that keeps this in mind and does something about it
Kleenex Cottonelle promote sustainable forest management
and with a little panda on it’s packaging it gets a big tick from this family, who has at least one panda lovin’ child
the other very cool thing about the packaging is the gorgeous Labrador puppy
He is there because Kleenex Cottonelle has a long history of supporting Guide Dogs Australia
Also on the packaging, I noticed, is the fact that Kleenex Cottonelle toilet paper was safe to use in septic tanks
and being biodegradable was perfect
because our paper arrived just in time to take a sample to Mum and Dad’s shack, which has a septic system
With 11 bottoms at the shack I thought it was the perfect opportunity to get some umm feedback
Comments from the weekend were “it’s good”, “it’s soft” and “it’s nice”
just what you need for toilet paper feedback I guess lol
A few things I did note where:

* I have tried this toilet paper before
  and didn’t like it
  last time I found the paper was soft but had little balls of fluff paper all over the rolls
  and imagine, if you will (or won’t) what that leaves behind in your behind…
  but this pack was different
  no more soft balls of paper
  good to see they have obviously solved that problem

* that the paper doesn’t tear off right along the perforation mark
   It will rip along part then tear off under the perforation
   Not a biggy unless you are a perforation perfectionist in the lavatory
   but I noticed

* this toilet paper is so soft and thick that it bounces
   which is great if you drop it when the toilet lid is down
   doesn’t change things when it’s up though lol

* the last piece of paper stays stuck on the roll
   and in my book too much glue in the loo is a bad thing
   I don’t like wasted toilet paper and with the sustainable claims I liked it less

* it truly is lightly scented
   it doesn’t have that over powering “hi I am toilet paper” smell
   refreshing… if you get my drift lol

So that’s the scoop on my poopy paper review and I am grateful for the opportunity to try this Aussie made product
Thanks Nuffnang

_{Disclosure: This is not a paid sponsored post. I received complimentary pack of toilet paper for review purposes and all opinions expressed are purely my own.}

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Have You Ever Wanted To Look Beyond Clouds And The Stars

Today was declared pyjama day
only 2 accomplished it for the whole day
they also asked to scrap
and completed 8 pages between the 4 of them

I didn’t scrap then
but did later
and I completed this simple and quick page

used paper and alphas from the August and September Cocoa Daisy kits
and added this gorgeous bottle cap from D-Lish Scraps

and the journaling

Tomorrow is haircut day
followed by a visit to the supermarket
fun lol

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Mmm, Folks Won't Find Us Now Because

We are…

Scrapped this photo from Easter time
and today we are heading off to do some more of the same
Used pieces from the September Cocoa Daisy kit
Including this gorgeous handmade yo-yo flower
which I layered up with a Scrapmatts ships wheel, a Basic Grey petal (from the kit) and a button

love the Lily Bee paper and the thickers that are in the kit

used some more of the Scrapmatts Nautical Designs

and added some journaling

Don’t forget the giveaway that ends tomorrow night
Keep an eye on my facebook page for some photos of our time away
and see you when we get back

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And The First One Said To The Second One There I Hope You're Having Fun.

Today we picked up Megan
She had been at Band Camp since Monday

and she had an awesome time
There were about 70 kids there and they did a half hour performance before we left
AMAZING
Glad our chicky is home
and glad she had such a wonderful time
AND glad she learnt lots while she was there

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The Cycle Cycling

I had some fun with a Scrapmatts Floral Design
I misted it with “candy apple red” glimmer mist before adding some white Mr Huey

love how the white look like little blossoms

also painted some flowers with 2 shades of pink

loved this quote

and it was poignant because…

Had fun misting on this page too

Using the ‘throw away’ part of a sticker sheet to create the circles

added some stitching

covered the inside of a nested shape with some pattern paper,
added some paint and it became a journal spot

and I love the detail on the kite so I kept it raw so you could see it

and finally
I made this simple kraft on kraft card (my favourite to make)

love the detail on the topiaries
Sweet
Sweet
Sweet

If you head over to the Scrapmatts site you will find monthly challenges being run
Why not join in the fun, be inspired and give one a go?!

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Her Aching Knees Not Getting Any Younger

Some people think kids watch too much tv
Some people think kids watch the wrong things on tv
Our kids love to watch the program Renovators
I love that it’s repeated in a kid friendly 3.30pm time slot
and today I was glad they watch it
I had asked Elizabeth and Lucy to clean their room
Normally this task ends with Lucy throwing a wobbly and not doing any work
and with Elizabeth doing most of the work and getting cross that Lucy didn’t do her fair share
Well today I asked them to clean their room
I only asked once, usually it’s a billion times
Today I heard them in their room
and I heard them playing Renovators
I didn’t go in
I just left them to it because they were getting along and all sounded good
well blow me down I walked in and found this

OH MY!
I don’t think Lucy has ever made her bed before
You can see the floor
Their toys were all away
and they must have won the design challenge or something because they then went "shopping” to spend the “voucher” that they won
Wonder if I can exploit this
Wonder what other tv shows might impact with such good results??
Thanks Renovators for being good motivators! 

PS Don’t forget the giveaway I am running
you can enter here

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I Wanna Live Like We Live In The Summer

Spied a colour challenge on the Crate blog
The gorgeous Tara Anderson has some amazing examples
and here is my take

used some scraps, yes I keep them this small

misted an alpha mask
Used white Studio Calico “Mr Huey” and Candy apple glimmer mist 
to give a soft pink

some raspberry coloured thickers

and a little layering with Crate stickers and rubons

Yay for summer time!

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Review and Giveaway–My Memories Suite

My Memories Suite is an award winning  digital scrapbook software package 
Whether you are new to scrapbooking or have been scrapping for a long time, this package is easy to use
and once you have downloaded the suite you can use it to make digital scrapbook pages as well as cards, calendars.
But guess what?! You can also use it to make photo books AND videos.
I have had the privilege of having a play and one of the things I love is that I can incorporate the digi files I already have
So I quickly made this page, using Secret Stash Designs elements downloaded from 5 Star Digital Scrapbooking

I am still waiting for my new printer head to arrive
and am eager to use the software to print out elements so can make a hybrid page as well as some cards
Also the girls are excited about using it for school purely because of the video making capabilities lol
Over the next few days I will show you some other things I have made, using the software.
My Memories Suite Version 2 is rated #1 by amazon and TopTen Reviews for digital scrapbooking software and a $40US value
and I have some awesome news…
I have one to giveaway!!!!
To enter all you have to do is head over to My Memories, have a look at through the kits available
Pop back here and comment, on this post, telling me your favourite kit.

Once you’ve entered you can gain bonus entries by following My Memories on their
Blog- http://blog.mymemories.com/
Facebook- http://www.facebook.com/mymemoriessuite or
Twitter- http://twitter.com/#!/mymemoriessuite
Just leave a comment telling me which you’ve followed.
and another way you can get a bonus entry is by referring people to this giveaway
just comment with the link for another bonus entry

So there you go! 5 ways to get entries into this fabulous giveaway
which will close at 11.59pm (Aussie Time) on Sunday 11 September 2011
The winner will be drawn and announced after that and a special code will be sent to the winners email address
So make sure you give all the correct information when you enter.

If you really can’t wait to try My Memories Suite V.2 you can also purchase the package from My Memories
all of my blog readers have the opportunity to save $10 
if you use this coupon code: STMMMS42434 at check out you will get the software for the discounted price

Disclosure: This is not a paid sponsored post. I received complimentary copy of the software for review purposes and all opinions expressed are purely my own.
Any purchase of the product, using the coupon code, will entitle me to a commission.

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Life Is Just What Happens To You, While Your Busy Making Other Plans

Day one of our school holidays
and the morning started like this
with a visit from one of the Beatles…

who helped do some crafting
there was a tiger

a motorbike rider

and a rabbit

day one is now ending as we watch Jamie Oliver cooking tapas…. yummmmm

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Boop Boop Dit-tem Dat-tem What-tem Chu!

Had a sick day today
Home instead of in the school canteen
still trying to get over the head cold that has been doing the rounds
Thought I would play along with the Kraft It Up challenge
Missed last month’s challenge
Crazy month it was
So I was really happy to accomplish this months challenge
Really happy to have this story on paper
Yes it is a really simple page
But I like it!
This story has two parts
The first part is that part I love
and that’s the part documented here

the second part goes something like this, and will accompany the layout
D: Try Some
L: Ok
L: Mmmmm yummy
D: Eat the rest
L: No, I don’t like it.

I like ruffling ribbon and running it through with the sewing machine

and I LOVE kraft on kraft

Today was the last day of term 2
Two weeks of school holidays
and very thankful for them am I!!

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A Singing Bird In An Open Cage

Today these boots

were finally given a workout
Quite a few weeks ago the Grade 6’s were meant to go on a hike on the mountain
it didn’t happen because of the weather
But today the weather wasn’t as bad and Megan was excited to finally go

they played in the snow, or what was left of it
and did some bushwalking
She told me she slipped a few times and I now have some ‘slime’ to wash off her hat, scarf, gloves and backpack
noice!!!!

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Rivers Always Reach The Sea

I love the Crafters Workshop number template that is an add on this month at Cocoa Daisy 
I used Candy Apple Glimmer Mist on the piece of Basic Grey  “Daily News”, that is in the main kit

Stitched on the GORGEOUS May Arts ribbon, available in the Stop The Presses Add On 

heat embossed the chipboard thickers

I used my hole punch to punch out the tiny numbers from the American Crafts Neat-O paper

Really wanted to print white journaling onto black cardstock but my printer wouldn’t let me
so white paper it was
Waiting for a new printer head to arrive
and I hope it is soon
because I have a few photos I want to print
smaller ones
having withdrawals from my small photos lol

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Nuffnang–Blog Day Blogging

and so I thought I would join in too
Here are 6  (new to me) blogs that I think are worth a read

1. Baby Bushnell is a blog I have only just started reading. Tricia’s husband and son both have EB, which is the skin condition our eldest has.
2.  A blog I have been wanting to read for a while, but sadly haven’t because of time, is Annie Bakes just thinking about her blog makes my mouth water!!
3. Little Arty Crafty Crow is a local blog that I stumbled upon while looking for information re a market that was on last weekend. Her work is AMAZING!
4. My Three Ring Circus is a blog I have also just found and was drawn in to read, gotta love when that happens!
5.  Hot Cross Mum is a UK blog and I love the way she writes
and lastly 6. Delightful Dozen is a blog with 12 bloggers and I just love strolling through their wonderment of photos.  

Happy blog day everyone, hope it is full of bloggity goodness!

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Don't Question Why She Needs To Be So Free

A super unproductive day today
although a handsome man did join me for lunch at home
Have you checked out the September Cocoa Daisy kit?
Here is my second page using the kit

I pulled off the backing sheet from the My Minds Eye alpha stickers
and used it on my page

adding some of the stickers back in, for the date
Painted the thickers yellow
I used a shipping tag as a template and cut out my journal tag from a piece of pattern paper

Hoping tomorrow is a little more productive
but glad of the quieter week

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