Just for me

It's been a long time since I scrapped just for me. My mojo was MIA for a long time and everything I managed to pull together was to fulfll my CT obligations.

Well last week I scrapped just for me and it felt really good. I received Ali Edward's Life Artist book for Christmas and found it very inspiring. Just what I needed. AND I went back into my stash and used some beautiful designs that I had never used before. The Xmas LO is using a Michelle Coleman kit that I bought on sale LAST Christmas.

This LO is directly inspired by Ali and her painted pages. I love these photos that I took of Thomas in the bath. His facial expressions are just so funny these days.

This one is for the current (and final) Lift with Twist. I just love this photo of Thomas in front of the Chistmas tree. By the way, that's his "smile for the camera" face. :)

Click on images for full credits and journaling.

Have to do some more scapping for me - I forgot how much fun it is. Now thatmy CT period with Dani is coming to an end I should have more time - that is if I can fit it in around this baby brewing in my belly, major renovations on my house and running after a two ear old. :)

2008 is going to be one crazy year.

Happy new year everyone!
Nicole

Christmas Recap

This year was a lot of fun - mainly because Thomas was really into the whole Santa thing. And he loves opening presents. I was talking to a friend of mine who said they had to keep stopping while opening the presents to give their son time to play with his toys for a little while. Not Thomas. he wanted to open them all first and then think about playing later. :)

I think the whole thing must have been way too exciting because Thomas decided not to take a nap at all - much to our dismay. I had this whole plan to cook dinner while he was napping but I suppose you can't really plan when you are relying on a toddler to stick to his routine.

We ended up eating dinner at around 5:30pm but we had been snacking on antipasto for the rest of the day. Kei and I have the same idea of what makes a holiday special - decadent food and not too much pressure. I cooked a Prime Rib roast for the very first time and have to say it was pretty darn good, even as left overs a couple of days later.

Thomas did quite well for christmas - a new bike with two wheels that doesn't have pedals. It's supposed to teach balance without training wheels. He hasn't quite warmed up to it yet but we plan to take it slow. He also got some books and a game called "Hullaballoo" from the people who make cranium. That one was for the whole family. We played it last night and it was loads of fun and also educational as it teaches colors and shapes AND makes the players move around the room. I also bought him a Fisher Price Little People set. Thomas loves the one at daycare and it's really fun to watch him using his imagination. In fact I went and bought him another set (a farm) that was on sale this morning. He loves it and it has kept him occupied for at least an hour. See? Everyone's a winner. :)

I did well also - lots of books (and a GC for more) so you can't beat that! I also got a monopod for my DSLR from my dear husband and photography book. I guess I have really icnreased the interest in photography over the last few months. The best thing is that it's a hobby the whole family can enjoy - that's my excuse anyway. :)

My mum and mother-in-law each received their Shutterfly books in plenty of time for Xmas and they both loved them. We haven't had much contact with my mother-in-law over the past few years (she lives in Japan) and she has never met her grandson so it nice to be able to share this with her. I think she was really touched.

So now onto the photos of our small family Xmas.

Presents under the tree - most are for Thomas.


Snacks for Santa - we only had baby carrots for the Reindeer but they didn't seem to mind.





Santa has been and left a large elephant sitting on a new bike for Thomas. Of course Thomas assumed the bike belonged to the elephant...



Opening presents



Awwww.



A few more days off work next week which is great. Kei is taking the whole week off to look after Thomas and I have Monday as a holiday. It will be so nice to spend some time together and refresh before we begin a very busy 2008.

Until next time
Nicole

Merry Christmas

Hope yours was a good one too. :)

Merry Christmas Aussies

Christmas comes a day early in Australia. I'll be talking to my family later today and thinking about them as they all get together on the other side of the world.

Here is the text from the book we have been reading nightly in our house to make sure Thomas is aware that Santa doesn't always wear the hot furry suit and a lot of Australian homes don't have fireplaces (he comes in through the window). And in Australia we leave beer for Santa, not milk (at least we did in my house :)). Some may be a little difficult for American's to understand so here is a link to an Aussie dictionary to help you along.

AN AUSSIE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS

'Twas the night before christmas;
there wasn't a sound.
Not a possum was stirring; no-one was around.

We'd left on the table
some tucker and beer,
Hoping that Santa Claus
soon would be here;

We children were snuggled up safe in our beds,
While dreams of pavlova danced 'round in our heads;
And Mum in her nightie,
and Dad in his shorts,
Had just settled down to watch TV sports.

When outside the house
a mad ruckus arose;
Loud squeaking and banging
woke us from our doze.
We ran to the screen door,
peeked cautiously out,
snuck onto the deck,
then let out a shout.

Guess what had woken us up from our snooze,
But a rusty old ute
pulled by eight mighty 'roos.

The cheerful man driving
was giggling with glee,
And we both knew at once
who this plump bloke must be.

Now, I'm telling the truth
it's all dinki-di,
Those eight kangaroos fairly soared through the sky.
Santa leaned out the window
to pull at the reins,
And encouraged the 'roos,
by calling their names.

'Now, Kylie! Now, Kirsty!
Now, Shazza and Shane!
On Kipper! On, Skipper!
On, Bazza and Wayne!
Park up on that water tank.
Grab a quick drink,
I'll scoot down the gum tree.
Be back in a wink!'

So up to the tank those eight kangaroos flew,
With the ute full of toys,
and Santa Claus too.
He slid down the gum tree
and jumped to the ground,
Then in through the window
he sprang with a bound.

He had bright sunburned cheeks
and a milky white beard.
A jolly old joker
was how he appeared.
He wore red stubby shorts
and old thongs on his feet,
And a hat of deep crimson
as shade from the heat.

His eyes - bright as opals -
Oh! how they twinkled!
And, like a goanna,
his skin was quite wrinkled!
His shirt was stretched over
a round bulging belly
Which shook when he moved,
like a plate full of jelly.

A fat stack of prezzies
he flung from his back,
And he looked like a swaggie
unfastening his pack.
He spoke not a word,
but bent down on one knee,
To position our goodies
beneath the yule tree.

Surfboard and footy-ball shapes
for us two.
And for Dad, tongs to use
on the new barbeque.
A mysterious package
he left for our Mum,
Then he turned and he winked
and he held up his thumb;

He strolled out on deck and his 'roos
came on cue;
Flung his sack in the back and prepared to shoot through.
He bellowed out loud
as they swooped past the gates-

'MERRY CHRISTMAS to all,
and goodonya, MATES!'

Merry Christmas!

Nicole

Top 7 of '07

Inspired by this post by Kirsty Wiseman to share my top seven photos of 2007. When I look back through the photos I have taken (and there are a LOT!) I am actually pretty proud of the progress I have made with my photography. I think my blog browsing this year has paid off - given me great ideas for new, interesting shots and, of course, motivated me to buy my new camera. :)

And of course I had more than seven favourites so I have included a link below to my 42 favourites in my Picasa album.

Click below to see the full album of favourites

Top 7 of '07

Thanks for indulging my look back. :)
Nicole

A little Lauren Love

Good morning everyone,

Can you believe it's just 6 sleeps until Christmas? I am more excited this year than I have been in a long time. May be because Thomas is really into it. He has even started feeling the presents under the tree to try and work out what's inside. I had to tell him that some of the presents for Mummy and Daddy (yes, only some) - although most are for him, let's face it. I had to make myself stop buying things.

Onto scrappy things. Lauren's wonky templates are featured on Disctalk radio this week. To celebrate she is offering 20% off with coupon code dishin20. Available only until Xmas Eve though so you have to be quick.

Now I don't have a LO with the Wonky Templates, but I do have a page I created for the current Hump Day lift on the team blog. Great lift this week and something I have been wanting to scrap for a long time - the year of the pirate, aaargh!

Click on the image for credits.

Today is my day off and Thomas and I are going to hang out. May do some shopping so I can make Shepherd's Pie for dinner tonight (I have a craving) and perhaps a visit to the library. It's pretty miserable outside so I think we will need to get out of the house a couple of times to avoid driving each other crazy. Oh, and have to wrap the last of the Xmas presents while he naps.

Have a great day!

Nicole

Blogged Out

Not only do I have this blog, but I also have a blog that I share with my family (consisting mainly of Thomas updates). In addition to that I have been posting on the Design by Dani Girltalk blog once a month although my term is just about over. Add to that an internal work blog that I am posting on all this week and my Mojo posts for Lauren's creative team and I am just about blogged out. I have absolutely nothing left to say.

Well, maybe tomorrow. In the meantime check out my profound (LOL) post at Mojo To Gogo and enjoy some quick pics of my very first christmas tree of my very own (trees when living with parents don't count).

Until then

Nicole

Check this out!

Click on the image to go directly to the store.

Nicole

Crazy Busy

I have no idea where December is going. It has been a crazy month and doesn't look like it is going to get any easier in the near future. I am so glad that we are staying at home for Christmas this year because I'm not sure how we would squeeze a vacation in amongst all this craziness.

Before I go any further I do have to wish my sweet husband a very Happy Birthday. I won't tell you how old he is... OK... 36! As long as he continues to stay older than me then our relationship will prevail. :) No fancy card from me today unfortunately. My best wishes will have to do.

The good news on the the to do list. I am mailing the last of my Christmas presents today (Yippee). When you have family in Australia in Japan then you have to be somewhat organised. Today is the last day to send packages abroad so that they make it there in time for Xmas. My Shutterfly books arrived just yesterday so I was cutting it fine - although some may call it perfect timing. :) My goal next year is to have everything done by Thanksgiving.

The books look fantastic! I ordered 8x8 and they are the perfect size. My mother only reads my family blog so I think it's safe to post the cover and back page of my book here. The back page was a favourite LO I created a while ago and I made a cover to match.

Front Cover

Back Cover

Papers and most elements are from the Weeds and Wildflowers Seeing Stars pack. The frame on the front is from Nancy Comelab and the frame on the back and the ribbon is from Christina Renee (Stand up and Scrap kit). Alpha and paint brush is from MandaJ Designs (Evan Kit).

And I have a new LO to share using Tara's Holly Days kit - a collab with Andie Smith. I opened this kit and the first thing that struck me were the gorgeous papers. Tara has really outdone herself with this one. I used a couple of things from other designers (eg. the overlay and alpha) but most of this is from the kit. Click on the image for full credits.

Finally a few quick (unedited) pics from our short walk through the Bybee Wetlands on Sunday. Such a great place to see wome wildlife and experience a little bit of nature near the heart of the city. We even saw a couple of Beavers.

I'll be back to post some photos of our very first Ishida family Christmas tree. Yes, Kei and I have nearly been married for nine years and this is the first year we will have a tree of our own.

I am feeling so festive!

Have a great day

Nicole

Xmas Tree Trains and Scrapping Madness

All Aboard the Xmas Tree Train
We have lived in Oregon for about 4 years now and have not enjoyed the fun of the Mt Hood Railway - until last Saturday when we boarded the special Xmas Tree train. Thomas loved it! The best part? About two feet of snow at our destination which made me wish we had regular snowfall for Thomas' benefit - well for about five minutes anyway until I received the first snowball attack courtesy of my loving husband.

Only other downside was that my camera battery ran out right before we got back on the train which meant I missed pics of Good Old St Nick who came to say Hi. Thomas was a little tentative at first and kept saying that Santa was scary but apparently all it takes is the gift of a candy cane to have Thomas as a friend for life.

While we didn't pick up a Xmas tree (and still haven't got around to it) we did have a fun few hours together as a family which is what it is all about after all.

I picked up my wreath today. I had seen some special Eucalyptus wreaths at Trader Joe's a few weeks ago and thankfully they still had some this morning. After I hang it you will be able to experience the smell of an Aussie Xmas as you walk through my front door. Heaven!

Xmas tree is being purchased and decorated on Saturday before friends arrive for pre-Xmas dinner. Can't wait!

Been a Scrappin'

Yes - I have finally been doing some scrapping. I feel bad that I have been neglecting my CTs but I feel the tide turning. Tara's designs deserve some love and are next on my list.

Here are a few of my latest to share. Click on images for credits.


I used PINK! Not sure if that has ever happened before. :)

Love this pic.

And my new Favourite LO created to complete my Shutterfly album. Can't wait until it arrives!

And there's even more but this would become the longest post in history if I showed them all so I will wait until next time.

Until Then - Have a great Day!

Nicole

Thanksgiving Weekend in Photos

Better late than never right?

OMSI - From Polar Bears to Penguins Exhibit



Thomas "Being" A Penguin


Feeding the Ducks - Thanksgiving Morning

The Duck feed is a mix of wholegrain rice (uncooked) and unpopped corn - park approved duck feed.


A photo of me? How did that get in there?




The last leaf barely holding on - sigh! Winter is here.


Llamas



Thomas Running From The Baby Llama. He didn't spend much time at ground level.




And I love this one - looks like the Llama is smiling at me. :)


And this is beautiful


A random one from Sunday


We have plans to drive into the Gorge tomorrow but it looks like the weather is going to be pretty nasty. They are expecting snow and ice so off to buy some snow tires tonight. The good news is that we won't have to stray far from the freeway so we should be OK. Wish us luck! If all goes well I should have some fun pics to share on Monday - and a Xmas tree in my living room. So exciting!

Have a great weekend everyone.
Nicole