Woo Hoo .... I'm a winner!

I left a comment on the talented Julie Van Oosten's blog and won a selection of her yet to be released new products.
The really funny thing is she is based in Perth, Western Australia and I was there at the time my name was drawn. If I had found out a little earlier I could have personally picked my prize up.

I had a great w'end in Perth, catching up with an old stamping buddy. It was a last minute trip, and I'm so glad I did it.

More Mother's Day goodies

Just stumbled across Lisa Vollrath's website again, and yet another download available
Pretty!

Feeling loved

Last Sunday was Mothers Day, and I was spoilt!

I think DH's recent travels reaffirmed how special "family time" is.
(He was not impressed that he was alone, in another country, for his b'day)

I love that he took the time to come up with creative ways to present gifts to me.
I love how he used "old" family photos as well as brand new ones.
I love that he made me breakfast - including the best ever Hot Chocolate.
Oh, and the new phone aint bad either :)

My quest to scrapbook

I think all my "poo-pooing" scrapbooking in years past has come back to bite me on the @ss. With DH away for work and my laptop acting up I decided to spend my "internet hours" crafting. Not only did I want to make a mother's day card, but my pal Kristy inspired me with the projects/subjects she needed for her upcoming Asian scrapbooking book.

For the first time ever, complete layouts came together in my mind. I woke up in the middle of the night thinking about layouts.

First problem: I don't have any 12x12 paper, and I was definately planning that size
Second problem: Rather than use original photos I wanted to print off copies - but could I find them on DH's computer???
Third problem: The LSS was shut on ... National Scrapbooking Day!!! Can you believe it??? (When I went down there again y'day they didn't have what I wanted anyway, so will have to make the trip into the big store later this week)

The never ending birthday

Ms A is 8 today. It's amazing to look at what a sincere, caring, beautiful, and fun loving girl she has become. Love you lots, my one and only gorgeous girl!

MsA hasn't had a proper party for at least 3 yrs, so we thought we would go all out this year. We started early with a surprise trip to Fullerton Hotel on Friday night for the chocolate buffet. Mmm... yum! Highlights: hot chocolate bar with at least 8 different types of choc to choose/mix and match; the bread and butter pudding; some kind of mousse/pudding; and of course the choc fountain.

On Saturday we had her official birthday party at the ice skating rink. There were 17 kids in all (I didn't expect everyone to come since it was a 4 day long weekend), and they all seemed to have fun. I, on the otherhand was in a foul mood as not only did the ice rink fail in every aspect of customer service, I didn't get any b'day cake as DH threw the last piece out as he helped to clean up. :(

I was very proud of MsA. She received heaps of presents. She unwrapped them all, but didn't protest when we told her she could only open one new gift a day. She also sat down with Daddy and printed off photos of each of her guests to send with a personal thankyou note.

Today - the official bday - has been a pretty low key affair. We went into Orchard Rd and had brunch at Swenson's before watching a Maori cultural performance. Daddy was going to take the kids to the movies this afternoon, but being a public holiday, the cinemas were packed so he gave it a pass.