Last week I took LOADS of photos of five families, here is the first batch, my friend Martha and her boys, 3 under 2 not many can do... but Martha did/does so very well. She is such a constant inspiration to me:
I had such a blast taking photos of this family, they are seriously high energy boys... give me a taste of my life in a few years LOL!
There are another four families for me to process... and they are all so fabulous!
Hugs
Bxo
recently, me and my girl...
I am so lucky! I miss her on Sunday mornings.
Lots to do today as I spent most of the weekend at HandMade, and we have friends coming over for a a barbie!
Love & hugs
Bxo
Here is the other half of the album...
Day 14, more bella chipboard with scalloped edges:
Day 15... It doesnt snow at Christmas time in Australia, but still I use the snowflakes page, go figure!
Day 16, simple pretty pink cardstock:
Day 17 another quarter piece of a 12x12 double sided cardstock...
Day 18 another bella page...
Day 19, a MLYB photo overlay...
Page 20 a light green cardstock...
Day 21, quarter page of a 12 x12 cardstock...
Day 22, bella chipboard and a transparent photo overlay by MLYB...
Day 23, plain water colour paper...
Day 24, small quarter of a 12 x12 cardstock...
Day 25, another overlay and the NOEL...
Lift the overlay to find the chipboard tree and gifts... cute cute!...
I also have a pile of supplies to include in the building of the album process. And, as with last year, some plastic footy card sleeves.
Ready to get started... Dear Days of December, please don't go to fast, let me keep up!
I find early preparation is an advantage, but not so much... I mean honestly I could get this album prepared on Boxing Day for the following year and still, nothing can quite prepare me for the onslaught of December each year. LOL!!
FOR FREE DIGITAL CHRISTMAS scrapbook kits, go here. I have downloaded these and may incorporate some into this album too. shrug. dunno. OR next year I may do an entire 25 days digi album? Choices, choices people.
Oh and I will TRY to do this too:
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By the way... tonight I am at HandMade Christmas Market at Yarralumla Woolshed - 5 to 9pm for a Twilight Market and again tomorrow, 10 to 4. I hope to see you there.
Bxo
I've had this sitting about for a few weeks, thought I'd add some stitching to some of the pages, then thought better of it... can do so as I am building the album each day.
Here are pages 1 to 13:
I used a Teresa Collins album cover.
Page one is water colour paper left over from some other project...
That's a Bella chipboard page there for day 2...
Day 3 is an acrylic page with scalloped edges, loving the scallops!
Day 4 is a quarter of a 12x12 page:
Another bella chipboard page for Day 5, I'll stitch the cardstock onto it...
An A5 chocolate brown envelope for Day 6...
Day 7 has a photo overlay, these are super cute, with glitter by My Little Yellow Bicycle...
Beneath the transparent overlay is watercolour paper again...
Day 8, simple green cardstock...
Day 9, another quarter of a 12x12 page:
Day 10 water colour paper with another transparent overlay by MLYB...
Day 11, some cardstock and a torn piece of sheet music...
Day 12, third quarter of a 12x12 page...
Day 13 is just the transparent photo overlay, no water colour paper backing...
I really enjoy the mix and match way of putting this album together. I store pieces for Christmas from the year before and through out the year if I find anything that catches my eye.
I guess now I have started this album, I really should finish last years one... I did really well until we got on the road at Day 22 to drive over to Adelaide, away from my printer I found it difficult to complete. Still 11 months later a few pages need finishing!!! Naughty me!
This year I will try very hard to keep up with it, upside is that we are not going on holidays until after Christmas Day, down side is that we are moving house half way through December.
See how I go. Tomorrow I'll post days 14-25. I love seeing all the before and after shots, so if you are doing this album too, I'd love to see your "naked" album.
Hugs
Bxo
Since I got my CS4 recently I've been having so much fun playing with actions and getting further into the whole digi scrapping scene {there was a time when I would never have thought I'd say that!}. I've always loved InDesign, but these days I am getting into PhotoShop more and I am really enjoying it.
A few reasons why I am loving digi scrapping...
I still have a ways to go and have lots to learn, but I am enjoying myself:) along the way. Playing.
These are some layouts I've done recently using the most fabulous FREE products from ShabbyPrincess (they have a shop too), there are about 12 kits you can download and they are lovely:
Some elements are Ali Edwards you can find at Designer Digital. The layout above is Ali's and I got that from her SongBird kit she sponsored back in April.
I can see myself doing a LOT more digi scrapping and turning them into books... kinda like my blog, via Blurb, that I started doing BEFORE JOSHUA was born, and still not done. And that's my first blog, not this one. First blog 3 years... this one will be the same by the time I get the first one done!!! Yikes! 2010 goal of the year. Blurb my blogs!!!
Hugs
Bxo
Here I am set up at Mathilda's @ Manuka Oval this past Sunday:
Nath came by with the children, they made themselves at home behind the table, drawing (of course!):
I got myself these two vests for the boys (I KNOW, dressing them identically is nerdy, but I couldn't resist):
I also got this adorable bag, I intend to use it for a photo shoot I am doing tomorrow, fill it with jelly beans. Super CUTEness!
I am kinda vest mad at the moment... these are for the boys and my friend is making a blue one for Mikaela also (these ones are for next winter, nothing like being prepared):
If you missed me at Mathilda's, be sure to come see me at HandMade for Christmas... details are over there in the sidebar >>>
Hugs
Bxo
Month anniversary to you my girl!
What's been going on for you this past month? Let's see:
You were being picked on by a boy at school, thankfully this month he has been moved to another class.
You are doing really well in basketball and score a couple of times each game.
You have started little athletics which you love.
You are enjoying your friendships at school with Abbey and Ali.
You are enjoying Benjamin more and more as he gets older and more animated.
You love teaching Joshua things and as a result he is counting, not always correctly, but he tries. So sweet.
You switch between having a pristine bedroom to having it look as tho a bomb hit it :)
You are helpful without me asking... like cleaning the kitchen bench, thankyou.
You had your school fete recently and loved going on the "claw" with Abbey.
You also did a dance performance at the fete, you get so excited and nervous and we can all tell how much you are enjoying yourself. Super cute!
You are quite adventurous as far as theme park rides go. No fear at all. Reminds me of when I took you to the Canberra Royal Show, on the HUGE ferris wheel. Jodes and Jake on one side. Jodes cool as a cucumber, Jake slightly terrified. You and me on the other side. Me almost crying and totally freaking out... you totally fine and looking at me like I was a freak! We really should have switched kids briefly then!
You are really looking forward to our holiday and the theme parks, very much.
You have been set a challenge... take exceptional care of your hair until end of term and we will get it permanently straightened. Burning the crap out of it with my GHD {and the 2 hours it takes to do so} really is not good for your hair.
You continue to want everything smiggle.
You are reading heaps these days... lately you've opted for books from the library, you're giving Enid a break.
You are loving everything blue right now, it is your favourite colour!
You are a back-chatter at times and it drives me slightly nuts! Okay like totally nutz really!
You continue to be affectionate and sweet most days.
You are curious, inquisitive, seeking of answers to a myriad of things.
You are strong and beautiful.
You are very loved by one and all in your family.
You remain my little ray of sunshine that has come into this world.
You continue to be my teacher as I teach you.
You are my blessing for sure, my angel sent. Thank you.
Hugs
Mum xo
These are part of another new collection I've been working on lately...
They are on 12x12" gallery style canvases, with the 1.5 inch deep sides.
I think Mikaela is hoping I don't sell the blue one, I am going to surprise her and make her one for her room in the new house. Plus give her the butterfly mobile which has been in the baby's {who we now know is Benjamin} room. Blue Butterfly Bedroom is what Mikaela's heart desires. I think I can manage it :)
So you can get yourself one of these (and all other art I have been featuring lately) at Mathilda's today, or HandMade next weekend. Details are over that-a-way >>>
Hugs
Bxo
... I took during the retreat. My photos don't do justice to the setting and surroundings... but I share anyways.
This little boy was so adorable and very patient with us all:
This was a fabulous idea and Barb's photos in black and white were amazing {to me anyways} she has such a good eye for design. Mine I like, but I don't love, there is much room for improvement in my composition and photography in general.
I just love taking photos!
Hugs
Bxo
Boy oh boy have you hit the 2s!
You are 26 months today and certainly a little mischief boy! You have the aged two attitude down pat.
You are impossible to get a good photograph of, seriously difficult my little dude. Hence I was so surprised at how keen you were with 22 photographers all snapping at you at once. You even said "okay ready now" as you sat on your tricycle and gave a cheesy, turning your head to each and every one, much like one of those clowns that you put the ball into at a theme park.
You are funny! You intentionally do things to make us laugh all the time. Funny little walks you do where you dip your shoulder down in front of you from side to side before you take off running, break dancing, general 2 year old shenanigans.
You are quite the chat-ster - talking so much, to us, yourself, your trains, anyone really. You love to say "Hi Guys" to complete strangers as we walk by... again back to the previous note!
You are really good on the telephone, when asked what you've been up to, your response is always "my trains".
You are loving on Ben quite some these days, tho I did have to give you a big rouse the other day when you put a cloth over his face, and pushed down with your hands for good measure! Cheeky boy!
You are really testing your boundaries and seeing what you can get away with. You will squeal if I don't give you something you want during the day, intention to wake up Ben and it most often works, much to my dismay!
You are super independant and at the stage where you really want to do most everything on your own. Both endearing and frustrating for us both at times.
You are very good at displaying certain behaviours for particular people, like when you are all lovey-dovey towards Ben infront of your Dad... he says oh look at him babe, Josh just loves Ben so much!! I say mmmmm, yes, that's because today he smacked him in the face.
You are so cheeky right now, totally 2 years old, full of confidence and "noooooo"s.
You are finally saying your name, "I Josh" you say as you point to yourself. After months of telling us your name is "me" when asked, this month you have Josh down pat.
We love you endlessly Joshua, you are our sunshine, you bring us joy and laughter. 26 months only... feels like always and yesterday since you came into our lives. We are blessed beyond measure by you daily my boy!
Hugs and Love
Mumma xoxoxo