Sorry, but I'm busy washing my hair....

After many years of tears, hair washes at our house have finally settled down. Thank goodness!

It's actually quite a pleasure now. Happy kids, happy to dunk their own heads in the water. Lying back pretending to be mermaids - except for the very grown up mer-dude of course. He no longer allows a camera into the bathroom. Very manly, except that he screams like a girl when I try LOL.

It's when I get to spend one on one time with each of my lovelies. Personal time. Time for a quiet chat. Time to just sit and have a yack about whatever they want.

Usually we are joined by the cat who has always loved to watch bathtime. Now we are also joined by the puppy so it gets quite cozy in the bathroom.

We smell the shampoo and conditioner and try to guess what's in them.  We observe their 'nanna' fingers and toes from being in too long. We giggle at the puppy trying to climb in the bath. We shoo her and the cat out so there's room for a wriggly body to jump out and wrap up in a towel.

It's the only bathtime that I get to help. They're all quite independent now. They pretty much fend for themselves.  All too soon for this mama.

Soon they'll be washing their own hair. Hopefully they'll still let me sit on the little stool next to the bath and chat while they do it.

Making a splash into the new year...

Wonderful first day of the year. Napping, eating, splashing.

Here's to 2012...may she be kind to you and yours xxxx

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

and....'the closer to Christmas the gooder I get'!!!  (not that I've been bad, if you're listening Santa!)

November has been one I'm glad to put behind me. If there's a word for beyond hectic that's what I'd use to describe it and I'm not coming away from it unscathed. Roll on December and good times!  To celebrate the arrival of December, I've got lots of Christmassy goodies to share with you in the next week or so.

Check out this WOW chipboard title. Sometimes the hardest thing to pull a page together is the title. WOW has many to choose from to help you out. They're easy to decorate. This one I've just coloured in with a green texta. Easy peasy!

If you're looking for more Christmas inspiration head on over the the WOW Blog! The design team have been scrapping up a Christmassy storm to share with you.

And here??.....well, there's more to come, so stay tuned!!!

That darn peacock!



I was very lucky to receive this peacock to work with from Suzanne over at WOW chipboard, but what to do with it?  I loved the peacock so much I wanted it to be used on a very special layout. I also loved it so much, that it gave me creative block!

I wandered around the shops, trying to find peacock feathers to buy to use with it. Found some but they looked so chewed up I didn't bother. I should add that I absolutely hate birds and feathers, if one touches me I freak out so this, for me, was a brave thing to do.  

I googled 'peacocks' to check out their colours and patterns. Still no inspiration.....even though I'm quite the peacock expert now.

While at the Little Scrapbook Shop retreat, I was lucky enough to sit next to Lucy and Evelyn. They were full of ideas and gave me the inspiration to work magic with the peacock. Evelyn suggested the use of flowers for feathers, Lucy gave me ideas for a layout. Even though I didn't finish a layout with it on that weekend, I took 'Evelyn's peacock' home and pondered on the layout for weeks.....yes, weeks!

This weekend, I took a mental health day to scrap. Chaos went on around me and I just sat and looked at that darn peacock and just played and played and played with it.  I used a totally different layout idea I first had and went with it. I added lots of bits of ephemera. Some Tattered Inspirations, some stuff I have received in Scrap Girls kits and some old, old stuff that I've had for a very long time.

I love that darn peacock....and all of the inspiration surrounding it. This is a layout I will never forget.....for good reasons.

SamWow strikes again!

It was my turn on the Words or Whatever WOW blog this week. If you'd like to know how to add this flowery banner to your pages follow the link and pop on over the blog for a blow by blow description.

I love this photo of my cousins and I. It was taken at a family reunion about five years ago now. We all grew up together, playing and having fun. Makes me happy in my heart to see this photo of us all grown up. I haven't added journalling yet, I'm slowly writing it. I want my feelings about it to show to future generations who (hopefully) will read it.  I love these girls xxx

He's still cute

I can't remember the reason for this photo. I think it was a scrapbooking mama set-up for a Christmas layout. That was back in the day when he would be happy to have his photo taken. Now he hides behind his long, long fringe with a grimace. Occassionally I'll get lucky. He'll be happy to pose for one or two happy shots. Very, very occassionally.

I think my mission for today will be to recreate this cute pic with an older boy.....bribery will work, I'm sure....hah! Who am I kidding!!!!

I've used some cool Words or Whatever 12x12 Cog Frame kit for this layout. Two different shades of brown ink and some crackle glue to make it look rusty. Great boy chippie!!!

Tea for two

Having a cup of tea with the in-laws was always a formal occasion. Cups and saucers, teapot, sugar bowl & milk jug. Tea made by Grandad in his own special way.  When I first visited I thought I'd landed in an alien nation. Used to any old mug, a tea bag and milk straight out of the carton! Then, after a while, I realised that it was their special ritual. She did everything for him, but this was his 'thing' that he did especially for his love. This was a cup of love x

I've used Words or Whatever's gorgeous intricate clock.....and intricate it is! So fine and delicate. I'm always amazed at the detail in their chipboard pieces.  To prettify it, I've inked in two different colours. Adds a special touch to a special layout.