EAJC #s 42, 43, 44,45 AND 46...

Just a couple of Emily's challenges to post :) So behind!!
#42, Grateful Week...
Grateful for so many little things: Nath being patient with me while I scrapped till midnight to meet a deadline (knowing I would be super cranky in the morning), doing readers with Mikaela and her class mates, walking Kaela to school, getting Ali's book, family movie night... you know all the little things make me very grateful :)

#43, Scary...
It is SO SO SO scary how quickly Josh is growing... and the scull and bones tshirt is OH so VERY scary (scary CUTE!).

#44, Home...
My home is with these three, my heart belongs to them. Such is life!

#45, Self Realisation...
It struck me so hard one day early in 2005... I had been working a LONG time to get there... Here, I suddenly realised that my ENTIRE life was my choice... I decided how to spend my days, my attitude... EVERYTHING. It sounds so simple, I know. Even obvious but it took me a long time to understand this at a very deep (soul) level. So glad I did because my life has been a dream since!

#46, Rejuvenation...
I LOVE to get a massage to rejuvenate, unfortunately I only manage one or two a year {TOO much spending on scrapping supplies!} Mostly I just have a Loooooonnnnggg soak in the bath ALONE (no kids) or a pedicure :)

So there you have them.. and for a couple of days... I am up-to-date!
I LOVE Em's challenges, love her art, her concept... her heart and down-right Aussie self! All good is the Ems!

Oh "Hiya Rossco, yes *YOU* I know you are reading this :)... we'll see you in January and March, so set aside some time for us {and your "great god son"...is there such a thing?} I am sure there is!

Toodil iw...
Love out...
Bx

EAJC #41, Magic Carpet...

Where would I want a magic carpet to take me to right now???... Italy.

Actually it is ALWAYS Italy! I have loved many places we have travelled to, but my heart belongs in Italy.

I hope one day we'll own a villa in Tuscany. Maybe you'll see us on the LifeStyle channel renovating LOL!!!

Thanks for another great challenge Em.
Happy Monday peeps.
Bx

EAJC #40, Not Anymore...

Emily's challenge this week was "Not Anymore", what is not anymore in your life?

For me my NOT ANYMORE is that once upon a time, I did not think of myself as "worthy" to have the life I dreamed of. SoulMates were for other people, my friends... but I would not have one. A job that both inspired AND paid well was not something I "deserved". To have a happy, content and well adjusted family. To really **LOVE** myself was not even in the realms of possibility... these fears and feelings were left over from my childhood, which was pretty traumatic. I grew up in fear. My mother was (and still is today) a herion addict and alcholic. I spent 17 years in pretty awful conditions and the situations that her addictions exposed me (and my siblings) to... I would not wish upon anyone.

That feels like a lifetime ago now to how my life is today.

That is not to say that the scars do not remain, they are there... and every now and again something will trigger me to revisit some of the most violent and terrible times in my childhood. Thats okay. I have learnt it is okay to have had such experiences so long as I do not allow them to define me. I *am* defined by how I have dealt with these experiences, by how I have overcome them. I am the person I am today in spite of my experiences but not because of them. Today I have the strength to be honest about my abusive childhood, it happened, it is real... it is not "who I am" I do not need to feel judged for the wrong doing of adults in my life, especially since I was just an innocent child. The more we talk... the more we can heal and help others...

I came to a point in my life where I realised that I was the one in control. I could not change the past... but I could change and take control of the future... of today. Of my behaviour, of myself. To be a survior and not a victim for the rest of my life. That is all I have ever wished for my mother, but you can not take responsiblitly for others... only for yourself.

That is when my life took a major turn for the better. I became grateful for all my good decisions. I treasured my life and my daughter, my friends, my career... MYSELF!! and things have been on the up and up ever since...

That is why my blog is full of gratitude and all the bits and pieces of my life that make me happy and even proud.

Proud to have broken the addiciton and pain that had been part of my family history for at least 3 generations I know of.

Proud for creating a better *me* and a wonderful, bright future for myself, my family and my children.

Life really is what we make it.
THAT is why I am SO grateful... and why my "not anymore" is that I no longer consider myself "unworthy" to live the life I dream of.

Oh and if you managed to get to reading this.... you deserve to know about my RAK :-)

Love and Peace
Choose Happiness...
I did.
Bx

EAJC #37, 38 and 39...

Been a while since I had time to get these done... tho I had them in my mind for a while :-) As always I love Em's challenges, and these were no exception...

Emily's challenge #37, Draw Something...

Emily's challenge #38, I wonder...

Emily's challenge #39, Someone Spec...

REALLY happy to just be able to get this small amount of creative fun complete... MAYBE I will get a couple of layouts done soon... all about Joshua of course :-) Go here to see more of our new little man :-) And here if you want birthing details EIK! LOL!

We have school holidays here at the moment... we are off to a major park with some friends... will share later :-)

Love and Joy to you all...
Bx

EAJC #36, Life is Beautiful....

YES, yes it is :-)
Em's latest challenge is a good one indeedy... here is my take on it:

Thanks Ems.
All good here, just tired and waiting, or waiting and tired... or tired of waiting!
*smile*
Love and Peace.
Bx

EAJC #35, Strength...

Em has yet another great prompt (and card to inspire) this week... what is your idea of strength, what do you consider your strengths to be?
My card is made up of torn japanese paper adhered with mod podge, some $2 letter stickers from the newsagent, mine freestyle word quote by Margaret Mead and the ever trusty monthly calendar from my Sududo desk diary...

I consider my main strength to be that I am an optimist. I am the one to always see the silver lining. It kinda drives my friends a bit mad at times, but mostly they are totally loving it, especially when I get it right against all the odds. Thats real fun!

I like this strength in me.
It is who I am.
Only, sometimes this strength can lead to great disappointment by others inability to turn a bad situation to gold.... but hey, thats what makes *me* ME and them ::them:: I suppose *smile* AND I have learned not to hold expectations on others, just myself.

Of course... I DO have crap, blue, rotten, funky days, but ultimately I will always see a better solution than the one I was thinking of...

Life is as good as you make it, believe and realise... its just that simple.
Enjoy
Bx

EAJC 34, Funny Ha HA...

Ems challenge this week is Funny Haha... here's my card:

Jodes took this photo of us on Saturday. Even tho it is a blurry photo, I love it as it captures the moment perfectly. Nath is nestling into my boob... SUCH A BOY! Nath is always doing silly things like that to get me laughing.
And it always works!!

In fact... Nath prides himself on being able to make me laugh more than anyone else, and its true most the time.

He TOTALLY LOVES the fact that if we have an argument he can always make me crack into a smile. I at times find this SO ANNOYING, but in a "how can I possibly be annoyed kinda way" - puts things in perspective!

Nath is especially pleased with himself if he manages to get me to snort, as thats what I do when I find something (or him) EXTREMELY funny. Not a very graceful habit - but funny.

I'll take fun over grace anyday :-)
Thanks Ems for another great challenge...
Happy Monday.
Bx

EAJC #33, 10 minutes...

Wow, this was EXACTLY what I needed today :-) Why is it, when we have time on our hands to "spare" we get all funky and unable to concentrate??? I dunno!
Actually, may have a LOT to do with me not sleeping well due to indigestion and being so big with this babe of ours... LOL!

Anywhooos... I *LOVED* Emily's latest card challenge. 10 minutes to get a card done, here's mine:
When I first started this art challenge, I painted all 52 cards straight up, so check, that part was done.
What I did in the 10 minutes:
* cut the three words live, love, laugh out of some 12x12 + stapled
* cut the calendar out of the suduko desk thingy I have + stapled
* applied some red crayon around the edges
* Stamped the following:
- Rhonna Farrer's Botanicals acrylics,
- Heidi Swapp "adore" journal block acrylic
- Cherry Art dragon fly acrylic
* stapled some ribbon on to the side (from my latest Sissey kit, which arrived today and is AMAZING!!)
* scribbled in some journaling "A beautiful time in our lives"... Can't wait for baby to arrive! Getting so big and sleeping on the couch"
* journaling on the back about indigestion and other such pregnancy related JOYS (NOT)... to make me acutally LOOK FORWARD to labour LOL! I am really looking forward to meeting our happy and healthy (still 2 weeks larger than dates).... very soon!

Thats it ... 10 mins up!
Done!
Just in time to collect Kaela from school and go feed some ducks in the sunshine.
Peace and jOY out lovelies...
Thanks Ems for another great challenge!
Bx

EAJC #s 27, 30, 31 and 32....

Playing catch up here... and I forgot to post Ali's one from some weeks ago... sheez!

EAJC #27 was a challenge set by Ali, to use junk mail... This was the weekend when Nath's parents were visiting from Adelaide and we went to buy our baby furniture and items, there was a lot of looking at the "junk mail" of baby catalogues that weekend.

EAJC #30, Count them... your blessings: * My family, He, She, Me and baby on the way
* Having a great pregnancy
* Our Health, SO SO SO grateful
* My sisters unconditional love
* My "sisterhood"... lifer friends who are my sisters
* Our city, neighbourhood, lifestyle
* The best life partner EVER!
* Our happy home
* My strength, compassion, optimism
* My life, making GOOD decisions and choices.

EAJC #31, No Regrets... I dont regret being honest and truthful, even when it hurts. Life is not a fairy tale, life is real. I would rather tell the truth and know I am on solid ground with whatever the outcome, then to lie and live a life on false, fake and ultimately shaky grounding.

EAJC #32, Quiet... We have just over 5 weeks until our baby is expected. This weekend we managed to set up the nursery. I find myself going in there numerous times a day, just to look at all the tiny clothes and soaking it all in. Its gorgeous. Right now it's very quiet, but not for long!!

I have added all my "Emily Art Journal Challenge" cards to my SIS Portfolio too, go here to have a look-see. I am up to date, feels so good :-) !!

ALSO at my SIS Portfolio.... is a mini-album, or not so mini, tis about 10" x 10"... an Emily Falconbridge mini album, Shiny Happy People. I did her SHP class at KiwiScraps Freestyle in Sydney April 2007. I finished this album in May and found it TODAY. Go take a peek if you like. It is very shiny, and happy!

I feel so accomplished having done all this today LOL!

Happy Monday
Bx

EAJC #29, define perfection...

Firstly, thanks so much for all the SMSs and emails in my unplanned absence of late. I am certainly feeling lots of love right now :-) Everything here at the ranch is great - I have just been super busy.

Baby is wonderful... infact baby is a big one we are told :) Not long now....

Anyways, in the meantime, I have much to share and so I begin with this little post.

Operation Organisation.... was a HUGE hit - I got 47 layouts prepared, papers and journaling all set to go. PLUS 7 mini albums. Actually I won a gift (a very kewl tote bag) at this weekends retreat for being the most orgainsed... chuffed am I :-)

GreenHills weekend was f.a.b.u.l.o.u.s... I only managed to get about 12 layouts and 3 of the mini - albums completed, all good. Still have lots of lovely stuff for me to play with :) Will share my completed art soon.

So Em's promt for the 22nd July... was PERFECT, to define what you consider to be perfection. Happened to be the same day that Nath, Mikaela and I went to Corin Forest with a number of friends for some bobsleding and snow fun. Here is my card to celebrate what I consider to be perfect: NATH is the PERFECT stepdad, the kind we all dream of {especially for our own child/ren} The kind every child deserves. The very very best kind. Mikaela and I are so blessed to have Nath in our lives... of this I am acutely aware and super grateful for my good decisions and blessings.

Nath is the BOMB!
More to share soon, so come back, I promise I will have updated :)
Oh and to see some more of my work... go here.

EDIT.. this day was also the one year anniversary of the death of my step-bro Brett... you are missed dearly and I know he would have been happy we were celebrating the life we have created for ourselves. Hugs and Love to Bec and Wade.
Bx

Enjoying hanging with Mikaela this week...

NOT so enjoying working at the same time… and coming out to an ALMOST totally demolished house at times LOL! No, not really, Mikaela is pretty good… and I do take her out for lunch dates. She hangs out with me in my studio/office and works on little art projects.

We do get out and about, tho its so cold here that there is not a LOT of outdoors time we can tolerate anyways… a quick ride down to the local shops and we are near frozen!!!

So I am doing a fair few hours, after-hours and my house remains a tad neglected.
Oh well, thankfully the cleaner is coming today. Its all good.

I am also enjoying these new found delights when I get a spare moment or two...
*Nic Howards blog

**Pencil Crayons blog This was in one of Ali's newsletters... I *love* the use of pencils and scrapping... fun fun!

Managed to squeeze in Emily's latest challenge, Goal of the week:
Mine remains "Operation Organisation" for my girlie scrapping weekend, which is only 9 sleeps away... slowly slowly I am getting there!

Not much else to share right now... tis supposed to snow today!!
And my sisters are coming to visit on the weekend... and that is about all.

(hugs) and love
Bx

EAJC #26, Celebrate Daughters...

Rightly SO... given that Ems just gave birth to another little daughter... this weeks challenge, set by Margie is Celebrating Daughters.

Thanks Margie, most fitting and SUCH an easy one :-)then I guess celebrating anyone you loves, loves loves... is easy, so here's mine...
I "thought" I wanted a son until she came into my life... as soon as I held her in my arms any thoughts of a son vanished. I had "his" name chosen and everything, I would refer to my unborn baby as Ethan for ages... a few months after Mikaela was born I could not, for the life of me ... remember "his" name, took some time before it came back to me LOL!

Mikaela is my dream come true.
For sure.
I am SO blessed to have such a wonderful daughter and so proud to be her Mum.
Love and Peace out...
Bx

EAJC #25 and #18...

So this week Tara has set the challenge... as Ems had moved house and has no internet access AND MAY be in labour, I think Tara eludes to that fact. How exciting!!! If she is... here's to hoping for a wonderful labour and a perfect baby girl. Go Ems!!!!!

Here are my latest cards, which brings me totally 100% up-to-date (with Ems challenges, nothing else... still feels good) LOL!

EAJC #25 is a photo that means something to you
Background to this photo is that it is Nath and my first New Years together... Mikaela was in Europe with her Dad... we took of to Thailand. New Years was at the Vertigo on the 61st floor of the Banyan Tree in Bangkok. NOT SURE, but I am thinking we were a "little" bit tipsy! This was one of the best nights of my life... a night I realised and accepted that dreams DO come true. I have been nurturing the dream ever since... and I always will *sappy grin* I love you babes [insert here "pathetic sappy pregnant woman" LOL!!]

Also included my EAJC #18, Nature... 6 May (just a little late)
I love autumn... I love the crisp sunny days and it reminds me of when Nath and I fell in love.

I am totally loving my new scanner, makes life so much easier. I have a little mini album to share... a surprise for Mikki Moo when the babe arrives (pretty sure she doesnt log in, so surprise will remain till then).

Soon.
Later dudes.
Bx

EAJC #'s 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24...

I could do a post for EACH card, but thought it best to just do all of them at once!!

There is one missing tho, #18 - Nature... every time I think to collect some beautiful autumn leaves (there are still a few about)... I am inside and its warm and its dark and cold outside LOL!

EAJC # 19…SURPRISE !!
Our biggest anticipated surprise for 2007 will be whether our babe is a boy or girl…

EAJC # 20…CHANGE…
I would say I initiate change often, guess that is why I am a consultant contractor, I like change… but I’d much rather a holiday anytime. Which is what I was doing at the time of this challenge :-)

EAJC # 21… Redeeming qualities…
Mmmmm – I found this one a tough one… maybe the word “redeeming” put me off !! After some thought I came up with: I am the person you want beside you during an unexpected crisis, especially one where you need results quickly. I love deeply, loyally and passionately. I am courageous and brave.

EAJC # 22… what would you like to learn?
Mainly for Mikaela… I’d love to learn French, she is into her 4th year learning at school… and is quite fluent. I’d like to help and support her as much as I can. Nath wants to learn too, so hopefully this is a project for 2008!

EAJC # 23… Right Now...
I am totally loving and enjoying my pregnancy… its wonderful RIGHT NOW! I know I will be uncomfortable soon, so I am savouring this stage. I still have energy and the baby is really active. I feel really good and we are all so excited.
>
EAJC # 24… Remember when…
Me and my sisters Meeges and Lee all had REALLY BIG hairstyles LMAO!! REALLY cant believe this photo was taken almost 16 years ago! WOWsers!

And NOW I am up-to-date with Emily's challenges... whooohooo.
Still to share: Ali's and "One Little Word"... coming soon.

JOY!
Bx

EAJC #17, bedroom...

Emily's challenge #17 is about your bedroom...

Such a cute challenge, my journalling is:
I've always had a bit of a "princess" bedroom. When I was young my bedroom had a brown cupboard which I collaged with photos of "pop-idols" most likely WHAM! and George Michael. My sisters and I would pin tie dyed sheets to the ceiling to create "clouds". I always shared my bedroom with one of my siblings.
When I lived by myself in my mid 20s I had a sheer piece of material with embroidered daisies I glued all over. Now I have two beautiful nude charcols... and *NATH* the best addition to my bedroom EVER!!!


Love and Peace out...
Bx

EAJC # 16, get someone else to contribute...

Emily's latest challenge is to get someone else to contribute to your card.

I got Sarah to do mine at KiwiScraps.
I love what she did, added some material, stitching and a button! Cute as!

LOVE IT!!!

Journaling is:
Sarah Abbott of Melb was my guest Artist for Emily's challenge this week. Sarah and I "knew" each other via blogging but this was our first meeting IRL (in real life). I LOVE that we have met now!!! KiwiScraps Freestylers was a great event. A creative smorgesboard of fun and friends.

I am hoping to post some more... some of the projects I did at KiwiScraps, my "Shiny Happy People" mini album I created from Emily's class.... such fun! Not sure how I will go with timing between now and our holidays, work etc, see how I go. DESPERATELY wanting to do Patty's challenges I have been missing them SO MUCH.
Will have to save them for my return I am afraid :-(

Also have a "travel journal" to share... both Mikaela and I have made one to take notes of our holiday experience. The before and after shots are sure to be fun.

Enjoy Art...
Bx

EAJC #15, Parents...

So Em's challenge last Sunday (running a bit behind) was parents.

Here is mine.
My parents were really young when they had me (arnt I cute!) Mum was only 16 and Dad 21. Unfortunately (for me) but I am sure most fortunate for them, they broke up when I was about 5years old. I lived with my Mum and saw my Dad often.

I have a strong relationship with both of them today. Maybe its because I am older and have my own child now. I realise that they are human and did the best they could. It is a matter of accepting people for who they are. Being aware of what will never change, and loving them unconditionally for who they are... my parents, and I do love them! Very much. They are more than parents, they are my friends and I can speak with both of them about anything, and everything... and often do!

I think I turned out pretty well, so they must have done something right *grin*

Peace out...
Bx

EAJC #14, birds...

I *WAS* going to use a photo of my sisters... they are great birds!
Instead I ended up with this... major use of Basic Grey Products, rub ons and paper... all BG plus, as always, the suduko desk calendar for the date.

We have a LOT of birds in my home town of Canberra. I am used to them so dont always notice, but when I travel and come home... its the first thing I notice. A major thing I miss.

I hope you all had beautiful Easter breaks.
Bx

EAJC #13, Whats on your mind...

Emily's challenge this week was "whats on your mind"...

For me its the obvious, BABY- baby & Baby... plus a multitude of other things, such as Nath, Mikaela, Family, our overseas holiday in May... which leads to finances, includes buying a house/investment??, My Sisters, Friendships, KiwiScraps FreeStylers (SO SOON, homework etc etc), Scrapping (pretty much always on my mind), GreenHills (another scrap weekend with my lovely gal pals.. cant wait for some relaxed scrapping)... Italy, Paris, London... mostly Italy. And Baby!

Lots of things on my mind... as always :-)
Love and hugs...
Bx

EAJC # 12, I believe...

How cute is this weeks challenge by Em?! Thing is I believe: what Em's card says!! I have used that quote so many times over... guess it was good because this made me "think" a bit more...

I believe: You can create the life you dream of!

Supplies:

Red acrylic paint, pebeo crystal touch 3D paint and EK Success Bookworks mini letters. Butterfly punched from an antique magazine. And thats all folks!

Journalling on the back:

Believe you have the right to the life you dream of! You do! The power of choice is yours, use it wisely. Be determined, have courage... do not give up on what is important to you. Place family first. Love with your entire being. Create yourself and family a life that is happy, contented and joyful (most of the time)... the life you want and deserve! Create the life you dream of. Believe that happiness is a choice. Joy is an option. Simple!

Bless...

Bx