on the farm

can now reveal. Published in Scrapbook Creations Issue 67

this is a shot of Sean about 14 months ago. That how far behind I am LOL. not that I mind. I will always have a photo or 2 to scrap. I'll never be stuck wanting to scrap but not having any photos to do so.

anyway. This was not long after I got my Canon 400D. So was pretty stoked to jag this shot.

I have kept the LO very clean, very unadorned to focus on the journaling.

ps just love the Fiskars Threading Water punch with the cooking twine. looks like the paddock furrows for the little tractor to travel over. LOL

Im home

hiya all.
have got home today from a whirlwind week.

left here about 9.30a Sat morn. shopped at Spotlight in Whyalla. Dropped in to my brother's new home in Port Augusta to drop off 3 boxes of clothes for their little princess that Annie grew out of ages ago. Have been saving them especially for B. Left 2 bags of wheat screenings for Brett's MIL. He should be in the good books for a while.

Drove on and stayed at Crystal Brook with my Grandmother in her home. Still spry and so with it at 88. Left after morning coffee and went to Black Point on YP to drop off Annie for the night. Kym's Mum had a shack (errrr) house, there on the beach with his sister and her 2 girls 8 shacks down the beach. So I knew Annie would have a blast with them.

Made our way from there with Sean in tow after lunch to Adelaide. Checked in at the CWA accommodation on the park lands. What a beautiful grand house so well maintained. Had tea with G and K. G is a mate from Kym's childhood. Great couple and beaut kids.

Monday morning saw us at the Womens and Childrens Hospital with our early appointments.
More blood tests and skin pricks.

I am sooooo happy to say that out of the 20 odds skin pricks he has had (and hated it) we have only had one slight reaction. So with fingers crossed I hope Sean is not as severe an asthmatic as I thought he may have been. (no attacks during harvest on the farm either. so glad of that).

Went to visit Nat IRL at Simply Scrapping in Colonial Light Gardens . What a fantastic lady. She is exactly how I thought she would be. Right done to the voice. I am so grateful that Kym drove my down there to meet her as I don't drive Adelaide. (claustrophobic).

Back to Black Point for the next couple of days. Great to be out of the car.

Christmas Eve saw Annie and her two Cousins sing an impromptu concert of Carols for us. Even the shack next door gave their applause. So proud of Annie. She sang solos while the other two sang duets.

Christmas morning at BlackPoint then to Maitland for late arvo lunch. Lots of photos. I need to sort through, errrr 300 odd, before I post any.

Packed up boxing day and stayed at Port Augusta with brother Brett and Sonnie. Kids had a ball in the spa and playing together.

got home late this arvo. went through spotlight again today as it was 20% today only. I wish I knew of it before I visited there on my way over. Should have guessed something like it I spose.
I got myself a threading water fiskars punch for $15. cant go wrong with that.

home and invited to tea at our neighbours home. So fantastic of them to think of us as there is nothing in the fridge save a litre of milk I bought on the way home for breakfast.

so there it is in a nut shell without the pics.
will post some when i dump them off the camera and go through them.

hope you all had a great festive time of it all.

we are back for a week before we head off again for our summer pilgrimage to Tumby Bay for a couple of weeks. Complete with the horse in tow (LOL)

xx

see

I couldnt sleep as my mind is tossing over our next few days away. So to get the fuzz out of my head I scrapped.

ta da.

now I am defientaly 'out of office' LOL

A very Scrappy Christmas

I would like to wish you all a very Scrappy Christmas and a Creative New Year.

I will be 'Out of Office' from Saturday for the next few days but make sure you check back shortly after Christmas.

Stay safe

Tiff

where the wildflowers are.

Earth laughs in flowers. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson, "Hamatreya"

straight off the camera. No touching up with Photoshop.

:D

Butterfly Award.

My forum and blog mate Nat has sent me a butterfly award.

Thank you so much Nat. It means a lot to me.

Part of the requirements is to send it on to 5 blogs that I admire. Nat has also sent one to Meredith and Amanda, so bugga, there goes 2 of my choices.

Thanks again Nat.

hmmm 5 blogs.

Well Maryanne would have to be one.

Leanne Stamatellos would also be one.

Angela must get one too.

Lisa is due for one.

And Sonia deserves one.

and two more because they have to have one too.

Escape2Create

Rita of Coffeeshop Free PS/PSE Actions. This is one hell of a site. visit her. Its a must for PS users.

so congrats girls. U are my choices.

Rambler Christmas Tree

Our footy and netball club (GO RAMBLERS) have a Christmas Tree event each year since as long as I can remember. I have been involved for the last few years since my kids have been around.

It is a very casual gathering of usually mostly Mums as the fellas are still supposed to be on the headers at this time of year. Well there were a few Dads and Grandfathers there today, but not that many. In fact I thought the crowd was down a bit from last year. Not as many kids there for Father Christmas to give them their gifts this year. I am not sure why.

So Annie waited with excitement

while Sean clung like a leech as he had just jammed his finger in the sheep yards out on the showgrounds. I really thought that I would need to lead him to FC for his pressie but he proved me wrong.

Sean was a bit upset by the big red guy last year, but he fair sprinted up to climb into the lap this time round.

Phew. I had asked Meredith to be on standby for the pics in case I was busy with Sean, but she wasn't required. Bless his little socks.

He got heaps of beach toys (bucket, spades, moulds etc) and Annie just loved her makeup with a little wooden shelving unit to store it all in.

Score one, Father Christmas. U must have been reading the kids letters they posted to you

:)

peep

Was mucking around with this pic and the Jenny Bowlin Tangerine Bookprint PP when I spotted how many words were on it about seeing IE. saw, sight, peeped, looked etc.

So that sealed it. It just had to be used with this photo about peeping out between the blinds.

To be honest I don't recall taking this photo, I have no idea where Sean was or what he was looking at.

I sewed under all the words that relate to seeing to emphasise them, distressed the edges a bit for a tattered look (something that I am loving atm) and threw in some perfectly coloured Prima leaves to match the Basic Grey PP.

Topped it all of with the red map pin, the red foam Carolee Creation letters and the red bazzil.

Viola.

goals

Do u set goals for yourself and then try to make them a reality.

I do.

I find it extremely self fulfilling to achieve one. In fact it gives me great satisfaction to say to myself 'if I want it bad enough, and I work hard enough, I'll get it'

Well I achieved a goal on Thursday. I had a bet with myself that by the end of 2008 that I would have a LO accepted by all 4 Aussie scrapbooking mags.

Whoo Hoooo. I did it. With only 16 days to spare.

I dont produce LOs to suit sub calls. Hell no. I scrap for me. If they like it - great. If they dont - so what, its for me in the first place.

I had to turn down an acceptance a little while ago by CK as I was lucky enough to have it picked up by SC.

I dont mean to sound as if I'm gloating, not at all. If you know me in irl that is so not me, but hell I am enjoying the ride atm.

So I need to set myself a new goal. Of this I am not at all sure. I dont scrap well under pressure. It seems to sap my creativity. So I am not sure which path to take next.

Any suggestions??

brimming

can now reveal


I just love the welling of unshed tears in Sean's eyes in this one so I wanted to keep it really simple so nothing detracted from his glistening eyes.

So I used a transparency that I ran thru the cuttlebug and did the same to Heidi Swapp ghost letter to keep it all co-ordinated.

The letters were a little lost on the page so I outlined them in red.

Pretty tickled with how it all turned out.

knowing me, knowing you (Chris Brown lyrics)

I found this survey on Meredith's blog and thought I'd give it a go too.


Learn 50 things about your friends, and let them learn 50 things about you .

1. Do you like blue cheese? hell no. blaagghhhh
2. Have you ever smoked heroin? hell no.
3. Do you own a gun? yep. too damn scared to stand that close to a snake with a bit of wire.
4. Wax or Shave your body parts? shave and use clippers. :O
5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? nup
6 Real or fake nails? Real. often grotty after riding the horse.
7. Favourite Christmas song? Silent night
8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? cold cold ice coffee (of course)
9. Can you do push ups? yep Splits too when socially lubricated. Cant feel it then.
10. What's your favourite piece of jewellery? Engagement ring and my grandmothers diamond and emerald eternity ring.
11. Favourite hobby? scrapbooking
12. Do you have A.D.D.? No.
13. What's one trait that you hate about yourself? not being able to love my Mum
14. Middle Name? Michelle
15. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment? It's late (1.35am), shit my back hurts, and I need to give Kym a cuddle.
16. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink? Ice coffee, cider, white wine.
17. Current worry right now? should have got the 07/08 tax done by now.
18. Current hate right now? my garden getting away on me. since the scrap bug bit, i dont garden at all other than to mow the lawn.
19. Favourite place to be? In bed.
20. How did you bring in the New Year? to be honest. I cant remember.
21. Like to run? hell no.
22. Name three people who will read this? Meredith, Amanda, Sue!
23. Do you own slippers? Yep. big head tweety birds. Bright yellow.
24. What colour shirt are you wearing? black
25. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? too damn slippery. Tried a running jump to be funny once and slid straight over to the other side and fell off. Very funny.
26. Can you whistle? Yes
27. Favourite colour? purple
28. Would you be a pirate? how about Captain Jack Sparrow's wench.
29. What songs do you sing in the shower? None
30. Favourite girl's name? Annie
31. Favourite boy's name? Sean, James.
32. What's in your pocket right now? ciggie lighter
33. Last thing that made you laugh? the girls at scrapping in Lincoln tonight. That's why I am up so late.
33. Best toy or collection as a kid? Microscope
34. Worst injury you've ever had? Total knee reconstruction
35. Do you love where you live? Hell yeah.
36. How many TV's do you have in your house? 2
37. Who is your loudest friend? Dont have any loud ones that stand out
38. How many pets do you have? Horse, 4 chooks, 2 peacocks.
39. Does someone have a crush on you? how flattering but I really doubt it.
40. What is your favourite book? Spy Catcher
41. What is your favourite lolly? anything chocolitie.
42. Favourite Sports Team? Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
43. What were you doing at 6:00pm? dashing around Lincoln to get stuff done before scrapping at Scrapworkz.
44. What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up? bloody alarm clock.
45. Worst habit? DH says scrapbooking ;-) (have to agree with Meredith on this one)
46. Do you play an instrument. used to play the flute very badly.
47. How long does it take you to get to work? as soon as my feet hit the floor. My family is my work of love
48. Plans for the weekend? Traders night cancelled so hoping the 4 amigos can hook up for Christmas Drinks, not sure about Saturday, Sunday is Rambler Christmas Tree for the kids.
49. If you could eat anything in the world right this second, what would it be? Mexican
50. Do you like who sent this to you? Found this on Meredith's blog. Love her to bits.

I am so excited.

I have been wanting to try out some maternity photography for awhile.

I have a friend who unbeknown to me wanted some maternity photos done.

Long story short, we both had the same thoughts again on the same day when we saw each other and 'discovered' our common goal

so today was the day.

I am a very lucky chick as she has allowed me to post some of the pics on my blog.

Thank you very much. I am very grateful for letting me have a go with the photos, for trusting me and for saying yes to show you off.

Enjoy your sneek peek.

skid lid

this one had me stumped for a while. But when I found the splats brush on Photoshop I had a germ of an idea. This one looks so simple but took me ages. I dont know why. It just did.

Really pleased how the splats printed out. Was a bit worried they would look purple against the red, but have come out fairly navy.

Masters 2009

It's offical

they are


:-Alice Fettling
Anne Marie Cox
Celeste Vermeend
Julie Gordon
Kathie Link
Lynette Van Barello
Melleny Ams
Michelle Jamieson
Tammy Templeton
Toni Crane.

congrats to them all and congratulations to all that made the top 50. Not a mean feat in itself.

you got to be in it.....

whoo hooo.

http://www.scrapbookhub.com.au/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1


I joined the Scrabook Hub newsletter back in October (I think) thru Sandra ( I think) and I have just had an email saying that my name come out of the random draw for a free kit from Wicked Princess. I dont know which one tho.
Early Christmas pressie for me.
happy dance happy dance happy dance

let your light shine

Sometimes I manage to get a perfect shot and with a particular action in Photoshop to turn colour into the most awesome Black and White pics. I just adore the perfect soft folds of skin to make his ear but still able to keep the eyes intense.

The green damask PP is American Craft which are the exact same colour as the Daiquiri thickers. (gee funny about that.) and the Prima hydrangea and artful leaves are perfect too.

And before anyone asks the rubon alphas are no longer available. They were by Creative Imagination Art Warehouse Danielle Johnson Alpha Swatchbook and I had the devil of a time getting some ages ago.

Al Dente

can now reveal this LO. was published in Scrapbook Creations Issue 67.







A LO I did last night that I thought would be a good example for the E2C product challenges. So I have just posted Challenge 23 Sew Sew Sew
Had some fun with Photoshop on the title and journaling. Each line of text is in its own layer in Photoshop so I can move or change each line independently from the others.

father's day 07

I asked a online forum chick to describe my style and this is what she said.

Tiff.. all your pages look the same Well thats the wrong description.. you can tell you have created them all IYKWIM? The colour choices are always striking, the pages are very clean, the amount of different PPs you use is limited, your pics are larger, the page designs are very symmetrical and they always look 'polished'

At first I was a bit taken aback thinking .... what the, all look the same. But then I gave it some thought and dang me, she's right.

My style is called 'tiff'. I guess I was looking for some category to slot me in, (I couldn't find one) like minimalist or whimsy (lol A) or something.

But now I realise my pages are all very 'tiff'. So uniquely me.

And you know what? That's cool!!

So just to shake it up a bit I pulled together this one the other night. I tried to be opposite everything she said. But it still ends up very 'tiff'. LOL.

Master M and Miss M

I just happened to have my camera with me yesterday at the Craft Fair here in Cummins. Master M and Sean are about the same age (ish) and get along well together. While his Mum was busy with her stall I took him under my wing. He has the most impish smile. I just love him heaps.

And Miss M has THE most hugest blue eyes. I have always thought about try to catch the light in her eye with a camera.

Well yesterday was the day.

In between boys being boys running around the stage in the hall, Marcus falling off the edge, (he's fine) and those two disagreeing over a particular toy, I managed a few shots.

Well a few more than a few.

With B's permission I am showing you a select few for you.

taste testing by master chef firth

This was one of my first plays with Brushes in Photoshop. This pic is about 18 months old and I have only just caught up to it.

I fear that I will never get to the point of all my shots and LO's will happen here and now. Some do and they are fun while I am excited about the whole thing. But I reckon I would feel that I would be having to take photos all the time just so I have something to scrap. I would just hate not being able to scrap just cause I don't have any photos done.

I get my pics printed at Rabbit and as I am seldom in Lincoln during their business hours I just wouldn't be able to keep myself happy. Their quality and archival guarantee far out way any printing done at home. Although in saying that I have done a few prints at home, but I really fear that they will fade sooner than later. And they will. Then the impact of the photo on that LO is lost forever.

Anyway I still love this pic with the chocolate brush around the edge. He was cleaning up after my cooking something chocolaty... I think Paige would have a hand in this one.

Sean

so not fair.
more asthma. having a lot of trouble sleeping. is always coughing himself awake. He's currently on the couch having some Dad time after waking up (again) in distress (again).
just rips my heart out to see him suffer so.
He is a plucky little chap. Sean doesn't grizzle much. Not even when he feels like shite.
This is all he needs after tonsillitis last week. And I had that too.
It's gonna be a long long night tonight.

silver eyes

love this one.
Very clean for me.
Inspired by Peg Manrique.
Just love Ally's Barely Vintage Action. I have looked and looked on the Adobe Photoshop Support web sites and cant find it anymore. If u really really want it let me know your email address thru comments and I'll need to email it to you.

each letter in the journalling is individually stamped. Took ages but very happy with the results.

Ps. I found a silver damask in my stash so yay, E2C challenge completed.

finally.... bon bons x 16

I am so over these boxes. So glad I got these out of the way early and not left to last minute as they have taken longer than I thought. I used the .5 inch cut offs from the bottom of the boxes to garnish the lids as well as the bows. I have attached a clear tag with every family members name to a box. All 16 of them.

I had some lovely elf helpers in the names of Ronnie and Denise who helped to construct a couple of bows each the other night at Scrapworkz. Mwah to you both.

so yay.... onwards to next project.

photos and more photos

I took a few shots of the kids for Christmas photo session. I hung a white sheet over my trellis and off we went. Forgot all about those pesky little flies. They were awful. Annie has hayfever eyes and couldn't handle the bright light for long. I reckon I managed 3 good ones out of 15. These ones are a variety of the good, the bad and the flies.

not the nose Sean.

ewwwww. more nasal excavation.

flies

mucking around with the aperture for depth of field. I have been using more manual settings lately to give myself a challenge.

different depth of field

the best.

have been a bit slack on the blog front. I have no scrap projects to show atm, but plenty in the works. Have finished 8 of the 17 boxes for Christmas bon bons on our Firth Christmas Day. My sister in law has made the contents of the bon bons for years and I thought these boxes would be a perfect idea for them. So 16 plus one extra was ordered. Will post a pic of them all done in due course. (Many thanks to a couple of helpers last night at the Scrapworkz scrap a thon. More on that later)

I have a page half done. Been that way for a few days now. need to get off my backside and get that one done and out the way.

Christmas tree shoot yesterday. Kym was in for a while off the header so i grabbed the chance to put the tree up. This is a job I just don't enjoy. I don't know why it just erks me. Probably the thought of the more I put up or out for Christmas, the more i have to put away later. I even used to climb the roof to hang fairy lights. Not any more. I left the last lot up there until they fell down. That took a couple of years. LOL.

I usually don't put the tree up until Annie bugs me enough. So yesterday was the day. She even found where I keep the tree and decorations in storage and had it all in the lounge room ready to go. Not bad for a 6 year old. (Somehow I think Dad may have had a hand in that ;) )

The blue teddy dec was given to Sean for his first Christmas by some special friends of ours. Annie's special pink bauble was given to her for her first Christmas by the same family. A bit of a story with that one. 3rd time lucky in getting one home for her from Adelaide. So that's why is has 2003 on it. The 2002 first and second ones didn't make the trip. The bauble is so thin and delicate you can just about see through it.

Scrap a thon @ Scrapworkz last night in Lincoln. Leonie hosted 16 scrappers for a 2pm to 2am session. I got there about 9.30pm after Kym had knocked off from the header. I showed a few ladies how to fold up a Christmas box and the PP twisted ribbon on top. So now I cant wait for Denise, Ronnie, Amy, Carmen and Chris to email me their pics of their boxes to put on the retreat blog. (fingers crossed). Special thanks to Denise and Ronnie for constructing some of the twisted bows for my boxes. Really appreciate that a heap.

Got some more pics of another photo session but that will do for now.
;)

whoo hoooo

scroll down!!!!!

big girls day in.

Sat down with the girls yesterday and scrapped. Haven't done a day of it for a while. And it felt sooooo good.
Meredith, Amanda, Sue and me knocked off (ermmm) a couple?? bottles of cold white wine, yummo dips and got a few pages done.

Great to sit, scrap a bit, chat a lot, laugh even more while all the kids (9 of them) had a blast. A perfect Saturday.

Gigglepot.

can now reveal

just love this one. Sewed some denim material onto Kraft card. (hint.. use some adhesive spray to fix it into place first=no wrinkles)

I unstitched a coin pocket from an old pair of my jeans to hold the Page Talker. The page talker has a recording of Sean giggling on it when he was 15 months old. Its so cute.

As Sue P said when she heard Sean laugh, it really brought the page to life.

I just love it.