Bright & Funky - The latest Willro&Co Kit

Surprise Surprise - two uploads in two days.

I got to digi scrap all afternoon this afternoon - guilty free. Steve has been really busy preparing work books for the course he is teaching for CQU next week, so I have spent the afternoon at school with him, helping him with some of the typing, scanning and also doing a PowerPoint presentation for him. In between doing all of that I had plenty of time to have a play with Rowena's new kit, "Bright & Funky" and I just loved it. I really love this kit, it is so ME. Love these bright colours.

Credits for "Perfect Gift"

Willro&Co " - Bright & Funky" Kit.

Notepad Paper - Unknown.

Credits for "Crazy in Love"

Willro&Co - "Bright & Funky" Kit

Frame: Willro&Co - Embellishment Kit

Credits: for "Pete's First Set of Wheels"

Willro&Co - "Bright & Funky" Kt

Frame: - unknown

Willro&Co Kits can purchase her designs at these stores:

A Cherry on Top

Divine Digital

Faith Sisters

Nuts 4 Digi

Scrapdish

Blue Bazaar

and a selection at: Country Scrapbooking

Finally this last layout was just a quick layout honouring a couple of really good friends of mine. My friend Jenni (in the middle) is moving to Brissie next year - I will really miss her, we have been good friends now for over 20 years.

Credits:

"Origami" Kit by Akiloune

Petit moineauxSweet Made,Mitia Assef,Kim B, Carol Abram

Elegant Word Art

I'm on Holidays - Yah.

Nice feeling tonight - finally on two weeks holiday. It has been a busy and long term, so I am really looking for to these couple of weeks off. Life has been good at school this year though and although I am looking forward to the holidays, I really am enjoying my job in the library - so much so that it is hard to beleive that half of this year has gone already. It has been just the change I have needed.

I am also doing a little Happy dance tonight, our son sat his final exam today - all being well ( we will know for sure in two weeks time when final results come out) He will have finally completed his degree. It has been a long time coming. I have been to numerous graduations in my time as a RLO, but I can tell you his graduation is one I won't miss, and it will be even more special than the ones I have attended in the past.

I have been busy creating again this week. A coulple of digital layouts using Willro&Co kits.

I used the doodle alpha kit for this layout. Love the way you can fill the alpha with colours to match your layouts.

Credits for this layout are

Willro&Co Doodle Alpha

Terry Logan - "April Showers" (pink bracket paper)

Amy Fenner - Green Patterned Paper

KSKD - Stationary Plus Patterned Paper

Lindsay Jane Designs "Symphony of Stars" Denim scallop border.

Ribbon - unknown

For this second layout I used the new Willro&Co "Complicated" kit. This was a great kit to work with and I can see myself using it again.

I alos managed to do a little paper scrapbooking this week also. This first layout is one I started on our scrapbooking retreat and finally managed to finish it. The second layout is the one I did for the Scrap of Faith for June. It is all about sharing our faith.

Not a lot more news. I am looking forward to catching up with a few friends for coffee and lunch during the holidays. Chloe and I will also be meeting with the dressmaker to decide on her formal dress. I'm also planning to do some scrapbooking and hope to fit in a massage or pedicure. The nicest part of being on holidays is going to be the sleep ins - no getting up early to rush off to work.

The second week we are heading off to Brissie to catch with our kids - haven't seen them for a few months now so are really looking forward to spending some time with them. Also hoping to get the formal shopping done for Chloe as well as catch up with a few friends and our parents.

I booked into a photography course today and I start this on 21st July - Looking forward to getting to know my new camera a little better and hoping to use it a bit more in the future.

Willro&co Designs.

Have really got the bug for this Digital Scrapbooking - and have been working on a few more layouts. I felt pretty honoured this week when Ro from Willco&ro Designs asked me if I would like to be on her Creative Team - I mean I still have SO MUCH to learn when it comes to doing things digitally, but I much admit I am loving the challenge of learning new things.

So I have a few more layouts and photos with overlays to share with you again tonight.

Ro has just released another new kit and it really is divine. You can see it here.

Her new kit is on sale for a week at Divine for just $2!! Buy the kit andpost a LO to the divine diva deal crop gallery by 2nd July, and you'llreceive a little posting bonus!! Definately worth your while.

Here's my share.

Credits:

Layout 1:

Willro& Co "Lost in Space Kit"

Photo frame: Unknown.

Layout 2:

Willro & Co "Grunge Kit"

Stitching: Coutures Cadre

Layout 3:

Patterned Paper: Kim Higueria Designs.

Embellishments : "Origami Kit" by Akiloune Digi-Scrapouille

This photo of the Church of the Good Shepherd has lots of sentimental memories for me. I visited this little church on the south island of New Zealand in my late teens, and fell in love with it. It was the sort of place I would have loved to have got married in - that of course didn't happen but we did manage to visit it on our honeymoon. Steve went back to visit it when he was in NZ 18 months ago and took these photos for me. just had to scrap it. The view inside this church as you looked out over the lake to the snow capped mountains really calls you to worship its Creator. It is magnificent, and I still want to go back there some time in the future.

The above photos of Chloe are all old photos, but as much as she doesn't like them, I really do love the naturalness of her in them. Had fun putting overlays on them.

Also wanted to let you know that if you want a bargain then check out my SofF friend, Cass's blog. She has just started a new blog site where she'll be selling lots of scrapbooking goodies (and sometimes non-scrapping stuff too)... lots of packs, embelishments, and for a fantastic price! So add http://www.scrappybargains.blogspot.com/ to your bloglines.

Also to all you SofF Brissie girls who are getting together tomorrow (well today actually) have a great day - I will be thinking of you as you all get to gether to chat and scrap. We have our monthly get together today also, so I am looking forward to catching up with the girls I scrap with monthly and actually doing some PAPER scrapbooking for a change.

Life is starting to settle a little here - Chloe is now on three and a half weeks holiday although the poor kid has come down with the vomiting bug tonight. Steve has all the marking and reports behind him now, He still has three pupil free days to go before he starts holidays, just a lot of little loose ends to tie up, and he also needs to be working on the Course he is teaching for CQU in the Holidays. I still have one more week at school before I start my holidays but I must admit, it has been a long term, and although I am enjoying my work, I am looking forward to the break.

I thought it quite fitting to leave you with this little story that I found. As I am married to a teacher, I know just how hard he works and also just how much he gives to his students and enjoys seeing them learn, and do well. I also know how much it means to him to see the enthusiam of his students when they hand in work they are proud of. Even I get to see it.

THE CREATION OF THE TEACHER

Author Unknown
The Good Lord was creating teachers. It was His sixth day of 'overtime' and He knew that this was a tremendous responsibility for teachers would touch the lives of so many impressionable young children. An angel appeared to Him and said, "You are taking a long time to figure this one out."
"Yes," said the Lord, " but have you read the specs on this order?"
TEACHER:
must stand above all students, yet be on their level... must be able to do 180 things not connected with the subject being taught... must run on coffee and leftovers,... must communicate vital knowledge to all students daily and be right most of the time... must have more time for others than for herself/himself... must have a smile that can endure through pay cuts, problematic children, and worried parents... must go on teaching when parents question every move and others are not supportive... must have 6 pair of hands.
"Six pair of hands, " said the angel, "that's impossible""Well, " said the Lord, " it is not the hands that are the problem. It is the three pairs of eyes that are presenting the most difficulty!"
The angel looked incredulous, " Three pairs of eyes...on a standard model?"
The Lord nodded His head, " One pair can see a student for what he is and not what others have labelled him as. Another pair of eyes is in the back of the teacher's head to see what should not be seen, but what must be known. The eyes in the front are only to look at the child as he/she 'acts out' in order to reflect, " I understand and I still believe in you", without so much as saying a word to the child."
"Lord, " said the angel, " this is a very large project and I think you should work on it tomorrow".
"I can't," said the Lord, " for I have come very close to creating something much like Myself. I have one that comes to work when he/she is sick.....teaches a class of children that do not want to learn....has a special place in his/her heart for children who are not his/her own.....understands the struggles of those who have difficulty....never takes the students for granted..."
The angel looked closely at the model the Lord was creating. "It is too soft-hearted, " said the angel.
"Yes," said the Lord, " but also tough, You can not imagine what this teacher can endure or do, if necessary".
"Can this teacher think?" asked the angel.
"Not only think," said the Lord,. "but reason and compromise."
The angel came closer to have a better look at the model and ran his finger over the teacher's cheek.
"Well, Lord, " said the angel, your job looks fine but there is a leak. I told you that you were putting too much into this model. You can not imagine the stress that will be placed upon the teacher."
The Lord moved in closer and lifted the drop of moisture from the teacher's cheek. It shone and glistened in the light.
"It is not a leak," He said, "It is a tear."
"A tear? What is that?" asked the angel, "What is a tear for?"
The Lord replied with great thought, " It is for the joy and pride of seeing a child accomplish even the smallest task. It is for the loneliness of children who have a hard time to fit in and it is for compassion for the feelings of their parents. It comes from the pain of not being able to reach some children and the disappointment those children feel in themselves. It comes often when a teacher has been with a class for a year and must say good-bye to those students and get ready to welcome a new class."
"My, " said the angel, " The tear thing is a great idea...You are a genius!!"The Lord looked somber, "I didn't put it there."

Have a great weekend.

I'm lovin' this digi scrapbooking.

Well I am on a roll with this digi scrapbooking at the moment. I created another three layouts last weekend and I am real excited that I've learn't how to use overlays and put text on photos, so quess what I've got to share with you this week.

It has been a pretty busy time here the last couple of weeks - more to do with work and meetings than anything else, but life is a little quieter this week. Steve has finally finished all his marking and reports this evening (after spending the last three weekends back at work, and then sitting up till after 2am each night- trying to meet deadlines) Tonight we have had a rather nice relaxed evening together. Scrapbooking again this Saturday - the month seems to roll around way to quickly, so I'll have to organise a couple of paper layouts to do for the weekend. Hoping I might have a CJ here and be able to get on top of them.

Anyway here are my layouts.

This was such an easy layout to do and I am so happy with the way it turned out. Love that there is no mess with digi scrapbooking and you can reuse eveything over and over again - often with it looking quite different.

Credits:

Pattern Papers: "Origami Kit" by Akiloune Digi-Scrapouille

Frame: "Rainydaysun - funky frame" by Acbleser.

Embellishments: - Krystal Hartley.

Bracket: Designs by Vicki (digidvicki)

Journalling strips: Kyrstal Harley

Another pretty simple layout - need to do some more work or making my own titles. Still pretty happy with the way it turned out, and so quick, I was able to do this layout in under half an hour.

Credits:

Pattern Patterns: "Origami Kit" by Akiloune Digi-Scrapouille

Orange P/Paper: "Festival" by Shabby Princess designs.

Title: Elegant Word Art.

Stitching: Coutures Cadre

Flowers: "Paint it Up" by tara dunstan designs.

Frame: "Shineangel" by Carde Caiton.

Third and final layout. I love how you can change the colour of the stitching to match the papers or embellishments on the layout.

Credits:

Patterned Papers: "Origami Kit" by Akiloune Digi-Scrapouille

Red P/Paper: "All Twitterpated" Cherie Mask

Journalling Block: "All Twitterpated" Cherie Mask

Frame: "Pink October" by Cherie Mask

Hearts: "Pink October" by Cherie Mask

Stitching: Coutures Cadre

Now just a couple of shares of photos that I have added overlays to. A couple of these are old photos but I just love the way they have turned out and this sure is something I am going to have a bit more of a play around with.

Finally, I read this devotion on Gail's blog earlier this week, and it really spoke to me and encouraged me, especially as it has been the little things that have been getting to me lately.

This devotion is from Joni Eareckson Tada and can be found in the Women's Devotional Bible. It is based on Psalm 103:13. A beautiful picture of a loving God & father.

Is God concerned about the details of your life? Does he care about the "little things"?Piles of dishes need to be done. The washer leaks a big soapy puddle on the floor - and you've got people coming in an hour. Little things.Nobody else seems to notice, or pay that much mind..... So why should God? After all, isn't he the God of BIG things? Isn't he the one who spoke swirling galaxies into vast frontiers of space, who measured the waters in the hollow of his hand and calculated the dust of the earth (Isaiah 40:12)?Why should this great, awesome God notice the tears that came to my eyes this morning at breakfast - when no one else noticed? Why would the creator of the universe care about my worries that kept me awake until two in the morning? Why should the almighty Sovereign of eternity be concerned about the fact that I'm late for an appointment and can't find a parking place?Sure, the Bible says he has compassion for his people. But isn't that sort of "general" compassion for humankind? Isn't that an arms-length kind of compassion? Just how intimately is God involved in our small, petty problems? David says he has the compassion of a father.I remember my father having a kind intimate, heartfelt compassion with me. Often when my dad would be busy at his easel, I'd sit on the floor at his side with my crayons and colouring book. Sometimes he'd set his brushes aside, reach down and lift me into his lap. Then he'd fix my hand on one of his brushes and he would enfold his larger, stronger hand around mine. ever so gently, he would guide my hand and the brush, and I would watch in amazement as, together, we made something beautiful.This is the kind of love our God has for us. Fatherlove. The kind, gentle compassion of a dad who deeply cares for his sons and daughters. Maybe you never had a dad like that............. but you do have such a father.Let God's big hand close gently over yours. With his help, even the discouraging scribbles of your life can become a masterpiece. Nothing would delight a father's heart more.

I hope that this encourages you as much as it has encouraged me.

More Digi Pages

You can tell I've got the bug. Two uploads in two days, this must almost be a record for me.

I have more layouts to share tonight as well as a plug for "Heaven Sent Scrapbooking"

Here are the three layouts I did tonight. Have to find a better system though of storing my files - takes me more time to find what I want to use on my page than actually doing the page itself.

Credits:
PP: Miss Vivi – Electric boy
PP: “Brown Flowers” by Bassinet Elements
Flowers – Unknown
Notepad – “Douceurenivrante”
Ribbon: - Kalince ribbons.
Star: - “Rainy Day” - acbleser.
Butterfly - KPU Butterfly
Button - Faded Freebies - Designer - ksharonk
Doddle: Krystal Hartley

Credits for Layout No 2.

Flowers & Doodle: “Picnic elements” designed by Krista
PP: “Almost Solids” "Designs by Angelica E."
Scripture Verse: Krystal HartleyFrame: Unknown

Credits for Layout No. 3

PP: “Restore Wind” by A Fenner.
Frames: Lindsay Jane Designs.
Heading: Picnic - "designs by krista"
Journal Strips – unknown.
Heart:- EMB Designs.

Last night we had a girls night out to celebrate my friend Jenni's birthday. Six of us went out to dinner and then for coffee afterwards. We had a lovely evening - pretty low key, just a good chat - the nicest part was the company. We just went to "The Brunswick" and the service was fantasic, our meal was dished up within 10 minutes of giving the order, and it was a huge meal - more than we could eat and only $13 which was really quite incredibly cheap. It was so big had to take a photo.

Jenni unwrapping her birthday presents. Unfortunately Jenni and her husband are moving to Brissie next year - we have been good friends now for over 20 years so I will really miss her when she goes.

If you would you like to win a pack of scrapbooking products worth $ 50.00 pop over to Heaven-Sent Scrapbooking and become a registered member of the forum. (if you are already a member you can win too);- Promote the site ( http://www.heaven-sent.com.au/ ) on another site (your blog, another forum, etc.) Please make sure that the owner of the other site allows you to promote other sites and that they are cool with it ;- Include a link to either the main site/ the forum / the gallery / the shop of Heaven-Sent Scrapbooking (you choose, but a link HAS to be included and the link has to be working);- Reply to the announcement message on the forum with the address of the blog or site that you have promoted our site (so we can all check it out);- Do all this before midnight on June 30, 2008.On July 1, 2008 the names of the people that have replied to the message with a link to their 'promotional' message will be put in a hat. One name will drawn and that person will receive the mystery pack of scrapbooking products. How easy is that?

Sucked into Digi scrapbooking

Well I have spent the past weekend playing around with digi scrapbooking and I am hooked (although I wouldn't have said that on Sunday as it took me hours to do my header).

My header was my first real play with digi and I was pretty happy with the way it turned out, although it did take some playing with to get it to fit the header of this blog. This is what it looked like on my computer and I just couldn't get it to fit right accross. I am so thankful for good friends who have come to my aid in fixing it. Sal had a play with it last night for me and then Gayle came to the rescue today and fixed it. She is just a wonder woman when it comes to sorting out my mistakes on blogger. Thanks Gayle it is much appreciated.

Here are the three layouts I did last night and this afternoon.

this was my first attempt by myself. I was so inspired after watching Sal at our retreat last weekend that I just knew I wanted to master this. Now I still have a long way to go but I feel as if I am finally getting the hang of it.

Credits for this layout are

Background paper by "Almost Solids" - Angelica E.

Elegant Word Art,

Doodle by Arabeski,

Heart - All Twitterpated - Cherie Mask,

Ribbon - AWP Cinnamon Toast,

Knot - Ateets - sunporch,

Scalloped paper - August Designs.

Credits for the second layout

Background paper "Almost Solids" by Angelica E

Scalloped Paper - "August Designs

Elegant Word Art

Flower and Stem - "LLW Saturday in the Park" Kit

Frame & Journalling strips - "Misty Cato"

Hearts - "Douceurenvranteby Petitmoineaux"

Credits for Third Layout.

Background Paper - "Almost solids" by Angelica E.

Felt Circle - unknown

Frame "Miss Vivi" Kit

Bird - unkown

Stitching - "String Stitches"

Notepad - "Douceurenvranteby Petitmoineaux"

Now whilst I was having fun playing around with digi scrapbooking, this is what the rest of my family were doing.

Chloe had her Maths exam this morning so spent most of the weekend studying whilst Steve has spent all weekend marking exams. The poor guys was up and back at work from 9am in the morning often to 10- 10.30pm at night. Who says teachers have it easy - not the case in this household. This has been going on for weeks now, as assignments pour in and then the exams. Chloe has one more exam to go on Friday and then she has one week of school left and then three and a half weeks holiday. She can't wait.

Must fly - need to go get ready - going on a girls night out tonight. Should be fun.

Still Recovering and a Tag

Well those girls really wore me out last weekend and I am still recovering. For some reason I have been super tired this week and feeling quite lethargic. I did manage to finish off these three double page spreads of my "Norfolk Island" Holiday Album. It is three and a half years now since we went to Norfolk and it has been hard finishing the album cause my style has changed so much since I started this album - don't get me wrong I love this album, it was a very special holiday, we spent 10 days on Norfolk Island (childless) to celebrate our 25th Wedding Anniversary, but it has been hard completing it because the album is bascially double pages with lots of photos and a pretty simple style. I have now only one page to go to complete it - just have to find the flight tickets home and do a little more journalling and it will be done.

Now I can get back onto some of the other scrapbooking I want to finish. I am working on a special Friendship album for a girlfriend who is moving to Brissie next year. We have been friends for over twenty years and although we don't catch up as much as we used to I will miss her terribly. We are as different as chalk and cheese but have shared so much together with our kids all being similar in age and growing up together. We can talk pretty much about anything and have had some wonderful discussions together, and she is such a true and loyal friend. I have been blessed to have had her friendship over the years. Will share the little album a bit later when it is finished.

Have been tagged this week by the lovely Nat - here it is Nat

5 things found in my bag:

1. USB memory stick (with mainly photos on)

2. work keys

3. packet of Panadol extend

4. reading glasses and sunglasses

5. parachute silk shopping bags

(Mind you that is a lot of other stuff laying around in the bottom of my bag also)

5 favourite things in my craft room:

1. lots of yummy patterned paper

2. my sewing machine

3. paint

4. lots of photographs that really need sorting (and scrapping!!)

5. photo albums

5 things I have always wanted to do:

1. go on a cruise (probably never do this now)

2. go on a family holiday again with all our grown up kids

3. go to Canada and see Prince Edward Island ( from Anne of Green Gables fame)

4. have a three month holiday with my husband (hope to do that in 2010)

5. go to PNG and see our friends.

(You can see I am ready to take my long service - it all revolves around taking a holiday)

5 things I am currently into:

1. scrapbooking

2. watching Louie Giglio DVD's

3. reading Karen Kingsbury Novels

4. learning Libcode (New Library software program)

5. Photography (& playing around with digi scrapbooking & photoshop)

5 people I am tagging:

1. Gayle

2. Terrie

3. Carol

4. Beverley

5. Gail

Quote to Ponder
"If one puts aside the existence of God and the survival after life as too doubtful...one has to make up one's mind as to the use of life. If death ends all, if I have neither to hope for good nor to fear evil, I must ask myself what I am here for, and how in these circumstances I must conduct myself. Now the answer is plain, but so unpalatable that most will not face it. (Without God) there is no meaning for life, and thus life has no meaning."–Somerset Maugham

13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
Psalm 139:13-15 (New International Version)

11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Jeremiah 29:11-14 (New International Version)

Have a great week.

Totally Exhausted but what a great weekend

Sorry guys this is going to be a huge post - lots of piccies to share of our great weekend.

We had our annual scrapbooking retreat last weekend and it was doubly special for me cause Sal and Barb flew up for it, and I also got to scrap with a great bunch of girls whose friendships I truely appreciate.

Sal and Barb arrived around 9.30pm on Thursday night - wasn't hard to spot them at the airport as Barb was brightly dressed (should have thought to take the camera) Couldn't beleive how lightly Sal travels - her luggage weighed 11kgs, whilst Barb's weighed 27kgs - I guess that is the beauty of digi scrapbooking. By the time we got home, had some hot soup, finished icing some slices for the weekend and caught up on a good yatter it was 1am and I had to get up and go to work the following morning. Friday it rained all day - the girls stayed home and just chatted and got to know each other (also know they got to check out a few episodes of "One Tree Hill" ( the latest craze by one teenager in this house) When I got home at 3pm, they thought I had popped in to have lunch with them - they had totally missed it - can you beleive it. We took off about 4.30pm - a very slow trip to the coast as it rained the whole way (in fact it rained the whole weekend - great staying indoors weather and scrapbooking weather)

We settled in - had dinner and then drove up to the Hall to unload all our gear and start scrapbooking. We had a relatively early night and closed up about 12.30pm and headed off to bed. Saturday morning saw us sleep in a little as it was pouring rain, very overcast and generally just good sleeping in weather. Breakfast was at 8am and by 9am we were all back scrapbooking in the hall where we pretty much stayed all day.

Saturday night we had a "P" night - that meant that everything we had for dinner started with P. Roast pork, pumpkin, potatoes, potates (sweet), peas, punch, peach cobbler and pavlova for desert. We all dressed as characters beginning with "P" - it was great to see everyone get into the swing of things and dress up and we had lots of photos and lots of laughs. Saturday night saw everyone staying up a lot later - I think Sal and I took off for bed at about 1.45am and we certainly weren't the last to leave. Had to include these photos of the girls who I used to work with - I miss working with them. They are a great bunch of woman and I still love to spend time with them - the fact that they have a warpped sense of humor and we share a common interest in scrapbooking is also great. Also included a photo of my current boss in the library - love working with you Kaylene - also an added bonus that we have similar interests too.

Have to pay a special mention to the cooks - Friends of ours from church who gave up their weekend to come and cook fabulous meals for us. We are so blessed - they took special care of us all weekend - it was the little details, beautifully set tables, fresh flowers on the table - just little touches but so thoughtful - just lovely ladies who made our weekend so special. Sue ( another one of the girls who scrapbooked with us) brought along her cricut, and sizzix machine and spent ages showing everyone how to use it - she also helped Amy, our young kitchen hand put a little mini album together - such a special lady who gave up a lot of her own scrapbooking time.

On Sunday afternoon on our way home, we dropped into Yeppoon to show Barb the wonderful shop we discovered when we had our girls road trip a couple of months ago - Yeppoon is rather special to Barb as this is were she grew up and spent all the younger years of her life. This shop is rather special - it has amazing knick knacks, it's PINK (Barb's favourite colour) and it is very reasonably priced.

We got home to Rocky to find my sister and neice who had been in for the weekend staying with Steve and Chloe - lots of introductions, lots more chatting, and seeing we were all pretty exhausted, ended up going to the Brunswick for dinner. They have amazing meals at amazing prices - my sister, neice and Sal all ordered a crumbed steak, meal and we were gobsmacked - the steak was so HUGE it covered the whole plate - the girls were so suitabley impressed that they took a photo of it (wished I would have had my camera with me) - hopefully Sal will share.

We came home to more episodes of "One Tree Hill" and a makeover from Chloe.

I was so sad this morning - I have been looking forward to catching up with these guys for months - and suddenly the weekend was over, I had to go back to work and they were heading out to the airport to fly home and see their men and families - Got to thank John and Mark heaps for giving up a weekend with their girls - it was really special having them here. Nothing like a girls weekend.

Amidst all that I even managed to get 8 of my layouts completed (still have a few more sitting here started) plus make a little mini album that a couple of us will be teaching at our woman's retreat in August.

My first layout is a direct scraplift of a very young talented scrapbooker - Bonnie Kellner - love the way she uses paint and free hand drawing. I had the perfect photo for this layout. The second layout is about Chloe's new phone - she was so pleased the CDMA Network was going as she wanted a new phone that she could have 1cent text messages - previously her friends would all text her but it cost her 25c every time she responded - it was a big deal for her to get 1 cent text messaging. The third layout was a birthday layout - the little squares sewn together was also scraplifted - just can't remember who I scraplifted it off. The fourth layout was inspired by a layout on Kim Archer scrapbooked by Janelle Wind. Just loved the sewing between the two pieces of patterned paper. The fifth layout is about a special group of girls who have become wonderful friends. The sixth layout is my valentine's day layout for 2008 - my wonderful husband - our love is the forever kind of love. Seventh layout was also inspired by a layout I saw on an online gallery about their music playlist. As music is such a big thing to Chloe and she always has her i-pod wrapped around her neck, I thought it would be great to scraplift a list of some of her most popular music - will be great to look back on in 30-40 years. The last layout is photos from the High Tea we all went to back in April.

Also want to say a big thank you to Ann and Lesley also (my partners in crime who did so much work in also organising the weekend - I love spending time with you girls - I love the way we enjoy working together and enjoying each others company.

Sorry for the huge post but I really want to document this for the future, so if you managed to get through it you are quite amazing.

Thought I would keep with tradition and leave you with a quote again.

If youre in a situation that you will laugh about later - you may as well laugh now.

Author Unknown