Not much doing

Well after a great nights sleep the day started with me heading off for a blood test to see how the Diabetes is going - should know on Friday when I ring for the results.

Then home for breakfast with the gang followed by general household chores and then the girlies and I headed off shopping. The girls had some vouchers to spend at their fave jewelery store "Diva" so 1 hour later - well it seemed like that - they finally purchased what they were happy with. We made it home for a late lunch to join the boys. They have been working out in the shed all day on Josh's bike - fixing lots of bits and pieces on it - they finally finished and after tea tonight they decided to take it for a test run. It was a hit!!!! Josh came home with a grin from ear to ear - he had a bit of a stack Sean said but soon got back on and headed off on another adventure.

Hopefully tomorrow is another lazy day and then catching up with friends for New Year. Looking forward to it.

Take care everyone.

Luv Sandie

Sorry about that chief

Well - just for something NEW.................NOT!!!!!!! Blogger is still trying to change the layout of my photos - so I loaded them onto PhotoBucket and then uploaded them and they are larger than life. Please put up with the large images until I get a chance to alter them once again through photobucket - this little black duck is a bit tired to try and do it now so I shall endeavour to attempt it tomorrow.

Have a great sleep everyone - I know I will!!!!!!!

Luv Sandie

CrissCross Cards

Here are some of the CrissCross cards I created to send to family. I found the template on You Tube. It is a very simple technique - there are a couple of different methods - one is to use a 12 x 12 card and the other is to use an A5 card - I opted for the A5 card as it is much, much easier and quicker to create. This is also the card I taught at Said Simply just before Christmas. It was a hit and the girls ended up making about 4 cards each I think.

This card would be ideal for any occasion - especially a thank you for a New Baby or thank you for a Wedding - include a photo of the baby or a wedding photo and send it off to everyone.

Thanks for popping in.

Luv Sandie

We've been away

Well we've just had a few days away. We left on Christmas afternoon after stacks of fun opening up presents and a great lunch at home.

We firstly headed to Mum and Dad's place to stop the night which was fun catching up with all my family. Then Boxing Day we headed off to Sean's family for a 3 night stop over.
We had the bestest weather there and managed to get out in Sean's brother's boat and the kids had a couple of days of swimming - a little sunburnt mind you which is not ideal but they had stacks of fun with their cousins.

As I always say - "it's great to go away - but it's even better when you get back to your own home".

So lots of presents, food and fun later - it's back to normality for a couple of days and then New Year's celebrations.

What is everyone up to for New Year?

Great to be back!!!!!

Luv Sandie

With only minutes to go....................

I would like to thank all my readers of my Blog and wish you all a very Happy Christmas. Don't forget to remember the "reason for the season" - take time to reflect. I especially think of all the lonely people, hungry and poor people. Christmas to me is spending time with loved ones and being thankful for what we have. I know i am truly grateful!!!!

I am sending you some good luck for the New Year. It's gunna be a beauty - I just know it!!!!!

May God keep you all safe on the roads.

Til I'm talking to ya next.

All my luv

Sandie

Speaking of lucky

I was getting the car checked the other day and sat in the waiting room and picked up a first edition of a local magazine/flyer. I was reading away and found this competiton that you could enter on-line. So I took it home entered the competition. Within a couple of days of entering there was a lovely message left on our answering machine saying that I was the last entry in the competiton and the first one drawn out. How cool!!!!! I won a double pass to the movies - so I reckon Sean and I NEED to go on a date. Look out here we come!!!!! A New Year present to each other I reckon.

I shall let you know what we end up seeing.

Luv Sandie

I was lucky enough

to see the film "Australia" 2 nights ago. A few mums from school and I took off to see Australia. We all absolutely loved it. It has received mixed reviews but all I can say is that I would see it again. I was just left feeling so many things. Definately a movie for the big screen with so much gorgeous scenery and great shots and of course anything with Hugh Jackman in it is alright by me.

I remember the first time I saw him acting was on the ABC in a mini series Corelli. He was amazing and he was also acting along side his now wife. Sean dubbed him "sexy eyes" quite sometime ago too. I used to say he was gorgeous and had beautiful eyes - so anytime Sean sees him he says "hey - there's your sexy eyed mate!!!!"...................LOL.

Luv Sandie

......and some more!!!!

Fair dinkum unbelievable!!!!!!!! Why is it when I don't have enough time to fix things - the stupid images decide to go topsy turvy.......well I shall just have to leave them for now - but you get the general idea anyway!!!!!

Luv Sandie

Just SOME of the many cards I made this year

This is just a snippet of the cards that I made this year for Christmas. Thank goodness for my Cuttlebug - phew!!!!

Thanks for looking luv Sandie

Speaking of goofing around..........

Emily was being silly - just for something different.................LOL. She drew on her knee and popped Rudy's nose and antlers on...........LOL. Of course we had to take a shot of that!!!!

Luv Sandie

Photo shoot Christmas 2008

These are some of the shots I took of the kids to send off photos with Christmas cards this year.

Mostly goofing around.....LOL!!!!

Luv Sandie

Teacher's Presents

I made these little calendars last week. I copied them from a website - just can't remember which one. They were reasonably quick to make. Must make myself one too.

I am really cross because the camera hasn't been liking focusing lately - argggghhhhhhh so the photos are all fuzzy - oh well.

Luv Sandie

These are a few of my favourite things....

These glass ornaments were my Nan's - I put them out every year and remember her!!!!

I have just taken some pics of some of the fave things that are spread out around our home.

The two little angels are nearly as old as I am. I used to play with these and talk to them when I was a little girl. My mum gave them to me a few years ago as she thought I'd like them for sentimental reasons - it's so nice to have them in my home now!!!! Lucky me!!!!

The other bits and pieces have either been presents or just things that I have picked up here and there.

Luv Sandie

Em's Rotary Award

Ok - finally I am getting around to updating.

Here is the photo of Emily on the night of the School Christmas Concert when she received her Rotary Award and Cheque. We are so, so proud of her achievements.

Good on ya Em!!!!!!

Luv Sandie

Just a quick pop-in

Just a quick pop-in girlies. Thought I'd better say gidday to everyone!!!!! So................Gidday!!!!!!!

I have been flat out as I'm sure everyone is - the girls finished Primary School yesterday. I gotta tell ya that all the kids were rather emotional too. Lots of tears from both girls and boys.
I actually didn't cry which is amazing for me. I think its just been such a big year and I was glad to see it finish. The girls are definately ready to move on.

My camera is getting full of bits and pieces to share with you - just have to find the time to upload them. Should find some time over the weekend I hope.

Take care.

Luv Sandie

Yay, yay, yay

Yay I say!!!!! I have actually squeezed in some time to create - mind you it was out of necessity.
I decided I would make the school teachers something this year so I have just finished 3 Mini Calendars. I shall take some pics in the morn when the light is better.
I have kept them fairly simple but I reckon they've turned out alright.

Luv Sandie

Too funny!!!!!!!!!!

A friend of mine just sent me this to me so I HAD to share it with you all.



"A father passing by his son's bedroom, was astonished to see the bed was nicely made, and everything was picked up. Then, he saw an envelope, propped up prominently on the pillow. It was addressed, 'Dad.' With the worst premonition, he opened the envelope and read the letter, with trembling hands.
Dear, Dad
It is with great regret and sorrow that I'm writing you. I had to elope with my new girlfriend, because I wanted to avoid a scene with Mum and you. I've been finding real passion with Stacy, and she is so nice, but I knew you would not approve of her, because of all her piercing's, tattoos, her tight Motorcycle clothes, and because she is so much older than I am.
But it's not only the passion, Dad . She's pregnant. Stacy said that we will be very happy. She owns a trailer in the woods, and has a stack of firewood for the whole winter. We share a dream of having many more children.
Stacy has opened my eyes to the fact that marijuana doesn't, really hurt anyone. We'll be growing it for ourselves, and trading it with the other people in the commune, for all the cocaine and ecstasy we want.
In the meantime, we'll pray that science will find a cure for AIDS, so Stacy can get better. She sure deserves it! Don't worry Dad , I'm 15, and I know how to take care of myself. Someday, I'm sure we'll be back to visit, so you can get to know your many grandchildren.
Love, your son, Joshua

P.S. Dad , none of the above is true. I'm over at Jason's house. I just wanted to remind you that there are worse things in life than the school report that's on the kitchen table.
Call when it is safe for me to come home :)"


Who knows what's ahead of us ............... as long as we can still laugh I suppose we shall stay sane.

LOL.

Luv Sandie

"It's a Red-Shoe Day!!!!!!" Yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good news aplenty today. I managed to get my Credit Card back - thankfully I rang the branch and it had been retrieved by the machine. Phew!!!!!

I said to the kids this morning "it's a red-shoe day kids".............they just laughed at me. I followed on to say "you know what I say about a red-shoe day don't you?" They just smiled at me - and we all said together "a red-shoe day is a good day!!!!!!". Well it turned out to be just that. I drove 25 mins to collect my card, came back home and had a Craft Group Christmas break up which took us through to school pickup. Came home to have a nice coffee with Sean, cooked dinner for him and the kids and then I went off to school for the School Board Christmas break up. Cool as. We had a beautiful dinner which was all prepared by the School Principal and his daughter. Yummothedidilio!!!!!!!

The kids break up for the year on Thursday so I have a couple of days up my sleeve to get myself organized. Must use the time wisely.

Well off to have a cuppa with Sean before retiring.

Been away

Well you may have noticed I haven't updated over the last few days - well that's because we took off for a few days to Geelong. We had the bestest time and we have now all re-charged the batteries in readiness for the silly season.

We camped at a Caravan Park in our tent which was lots of fun - very, very wet the first day and half but we managed to keep dry in our tent which was a bonus. On Sunday the kids managed to get a swim in which was an amazing turn around with the weather -they even got a touch of the sun. We also went for a great bike ride along the river - it was just beautiful. There is only one thing wrong with this story - I now have major "bike butt"....................LOL.

We were on our way home from our little break away and had to drop in and pick up Sean's car which we had put on gas - should notice the savings now!!!!. I had to pop into the bank and while Sean was waiting for me with the kids in the car - some nice bus driver ran into the back of our trailer. Some damage was done to the trailer, thankfully none to our car and none to Sean and the kids more importantly however its a nuisance this time of year and all. Oh well - some things are sent to try us. I had a bit of drama in the bank while I was there too. I lost our Credit Card which casued all sorts of drama but hopefully I will get a call from the bank today.

Last night was Em and Tam's Grade 6 Grauduation Mass followed by dinner and then disco. The mass was nice - the girls looked great - some girls mind you looked YEARS older than 12 and 13 year olds!!!!!!!
We then left the girls there for their dinner and disco and collected them at 9 o'clock. Let's just say all of us little black ducks were rather tired last night and we all had the bestest sleeps.

Today is a full on day again with many more "full on" days to come as I'm sure it is in your part of the world.

Have a great day everyone.

Talk again soon.

Luv Sandie

A VERY proud moment

We had the kids Christmas Concert on the school oval tonight. It was quite a pleasant night weather wise and especially entertainment wise.

Part of the ceremonies is to hand out awards.

Our dear Emily won a Citizen's Award from Rotary. It was for her efforts in making people feel welcome, for her compassion and for being a good leader. We were so, so pleased and proud of her. She has a heart of gold and shares it with everyone.

Luv ya big heaps Em!!!!!! We are very, very proud of you!!!!!

Luv Mum and Dad xoxoxoxoxoxo

(Photo to be added sometime over the weekend)

Sketch No.9 Weekly Sketch Challenge

Ok I've put this post at the top again as I have buried the other one by putting more posts after it.........LOL.

So here is the sketch again and Leesa has completed the first card. Good on ya Leesa. She has gone for a vintage feel to her card. It looks great!!!!

Don't forget to leave a comment to this post and a link to your card. Ta.

Luv Sandie

Another silly one

When we were in the city recently I stumbled across this postcard - it was a free one in a Food Court area - it certainly caught my eye. It tickles my fancy - just my kind of sense of humour.

LOL.

Luv Sandie

Mum and Dad's Wedding Photo

I have had this sitting in my draw for a long time. I reckon mum would go crook if she knew I put it up on my blog..............LOL..........but too bad. It is too nice not to share.

It's a little thank you note from their wedding back in 1964 I think.

Its just a little card with their photo inside - I reckon its rather classy - getting a little old looking but still great.

Dont ya just luv the photo? It's a rippa!!!!

Luv Sandie

Gigi's of South Melbourne

When Sean and I had our weekend away a couple of weeks ago we came across this gorgeous little shop near the Sth Melbourne Market. It was called Gig's. She sells mostly French goodies - old enamel basins and canisters and everything you can think of actually. I told her that her shop was fantastic -she explained that she has a Sister-in-law in France so she gets things shipped out from her. Lucky.

She had some postcards made up sitting in her shop for people to take so of course I had to snatch them up as a little memento of my visit there.

Luv Sandie

Angel of Love

Here is a gorgeous little Angel that my Em made me at school - dont ya just luv it? I do!!!!!!

Thanks Em.

Luv Sandie

Finally here is my Day 11 Card

This is my day 11 card for my 12 Days of Christmas - slack I know but life has been going nuts.

I have used a gorgeous house stamp by Maya Road, American Crafts pp and some green/red gingham ribbon from Craft Queen and then some other bits and pieces.

(the first image is a bit blurry but I was too lazy to go and re-take the photo)

Luv Sandie

PRICELESS!!!!!!!!!!! WARNING - VERY LONG BUT FUNNY!!!!!

Here is anothery I have been meaning to share for sometime now.


PRICELESS

One afternoon a man came home from work to find total mayhem in his house.
His 3 children were outside, still in their pj's, playing in the mud with empty food boxes and wrappers strewn all around the front yard. The door of his wife's car was open, as was the front door to the house and there was no sign of the dog.
Proceeding into the entry, he found an even bigger mess. A lamp had been knocked over and the throw rug was wadded against one wall. In the front room the TV was loudly blaring a cartoon channel, and the family room was strewn with toys and various items of clothing. In the kitchen dishes filled the sink, breakfast food was spilled on all bench tops, a broken glass lay under the table and a small pile of sand was spread by the back door.
He quickly headed up the stairs, stepping over toys and more piles of clothes looking for his wife. He was worried she may be ill or that something serious had happened.
He was met with a small trickle of water as it made its way out the bathroom door. As he peered inside he found wet towels, scummy soap and more toys strewn over the floor. Miles of toilet paper lay in a heap and toothpaste had been smeared over the mirror and walls.
As he rushed to the bedroom he found his wife still curled up in the bed in her pj's reading a novel.
She looked up at him, smiled, and asked how his day went. He look at her bewildered and asked "what happened here today?"
She again smiled and answered "You know every day when you come home from work and you ask me what in the world did I do today?"
"Yes" was his incredulous reply.
She answered "Well, today I didn't do it"

Priceless!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I cacked myself laughing when I originally read this one - its so, so true!!!!!!!

Today is going to be a "Show And Tell" day

I have decided that today I am going to take lots of photos of all the goodies I have bought over the last few months and "Show And Tell" them to you.

I have also been collecting little snippets here and there to share with you - clipouts, cards, kids artwork that sort of thing.

So be prepared - its gunna take a while............LOL.

The first one is a snippet taken from our local parish newspaper.

It goes something like this


"PASSING THE SPELL CHECK"

Eye halve a spelling chequer
It came with my pea sea
It plainly marques four my revue
Miss steaks eye kin knot sea

Eye strike a key and type a word
And weight four it two say
Weather eye am wrong oar write
It shows me strait a weigh

As soon as a mist ache is maid
It nose bee fore two long
And eye can put the error rite
Its rare lea ever wrong.

Eye have run this poem threw it
I am shore your pleased two no
Its letter perfect awl the weigh
My chequer tolled me sew.


This would have to be an absolute classic I reckon - I love it!!!!!!
Just wanted to share it with you - yes our computers are fantastic things - but even they can't pick up on this sort of stuff....................LOL.

Have you been published?????????????

Just wanted to let you all know that if you get published using one of my Handmade Daisies and you list them in the materials used as "Handmade Daisies by Sandie", let me know which issue/pulication and I will whisk a little something your way.

Good luck.

Luv Sandie

Orientation Day tomorrow - and update!!!!!

Well it's the girls Orientation Day tomorrow.

I don't think I filled you in on our decision. Earlier this year Sean and I looked into another school different than the one that we had them booked in to. It was a huge decision to make but this time we are going with our "gut feeling".
So their big visit is tomorrow. Em is a little worried - she has done very well this year repeating Grade 6 - that was a huge decision too for us to make but it has all worked out. She has a heart of gold and has really tried hard. It has been a BIG year.
This will mean that until there is a school bus I will be driving to and from school - which is only about 15 mins so that wont be too bad - I reckon the car will be in auto pilot in the end........LOL.

Tomorrow they will know which class they will be in for next year - the girls will be in separate classrooms which will be for the best. They can both make a fresh start.

Shall fill you in a bit more tomorrow when I know some more.

Luv Sandie

UPDATE: Today all went off well. I think I was just as anxious as the girls were this morning.
I dropped them off, lucked out with the Second Hand books - pooh cack, bought some uniform and then ducked home for a bit and then headed out to pick them up again.
Em came running towards me - I asked as she was appproaching "how did you go darl?" she gave me the big thumbs up and said "great - I made a friend!!!!!!".
I could have cried. That was the best news - the look on her face and the look in her eyes was just priceless!!!!!! Tammy went well too - she was a little apprehensive when she got there but when I picked her up she was full of the latest news.
All in all a brilliant day - phew..............now I can stop stressing - well until the next thing comes along!!!!!!! LOL.

Weekly Sketch No. 9

Well now that my "12 Days Of Christmas" has finished its time to play catch up with my Weekly Sketch Challenges.

I was being rather lazy this morning and just sketched a very simple photo, and what's even more lazier is that I just took the photo on my keyboard instead of going outside to take it, but it didn't turn out too bad.

I would like you to create a card including an ATC and an INCHIE on the face of the card - you don't necessarily have to lay it out as it is in the sketch - the ideas are totally up to you. You have til Sunday to upload your creation by leaving me a comment on this post and a link.

Enjoy!!!!!

Luv Sandie

(P.S. I have to mention that as you can see by the sketch - things are NOT to scale...............LOL - you know me and measuring - we are NOT friends!!!!! LOL)

I have changed email address

Just in case anyone has been trying to get through to me on my OLD email address I now have a NEW one. It's linked on My Profile on my blog.

Ta.

Luv Sandie

Better late than never

My dear friend Wirg managed to make 3 of my 12 Days of Christmas Challenge - thanks for joining in Wirg. They look fantastic using some of the yummy Fancy Pants pp.

Here they are.