A Moment to Share

Hello 2010!!!

well Here we are in 2010. This time 10yrs ago I was 9mths pregnant awaiting to have my baby girl Gabriella.

Here I am 10 years later a nanna of an almost 1 yr old grandson and an inherited granddaughter, who would have ever seen that coming! Sometimes it makes you wonder what will transpire in my next 10yrs! I hope whatever it is that life will be kind to me and my family with God's continued blessing on our lives.

Well Miss Ruthy hasn't been blogging of late because she has been having some major computer issues and as we speak the internet isn't playing very nice either! So I'll be giving a brief overview in photos of Christmas, which we celebrated in Warwick once again, this time without my eldest girl Emily who is currently in England on a 2yr working visa and sadly our eldest son wasn't present either. Christmas really nails home how family dynamics are being played out. But my life-long dream is that I'll one day all my kids and their extended will be together on Christmas Day (amongst other times)

But the rest of our family got together and it was made extra special because it was my grandson's 1st Christmas. I don't think he had much idea what all the excitement was about but his big sis did and they were all suitably spoiled well! Its true what they say Christmas is for kids! Well I say its all the better with them around.

guess who is walking at 10 1/2 mths! Since Christmas day he has become a pro at it. Here he was taking a few independant steps and than purposely crashing into us LOL!

Logan is a natural for the camera and is it any wonder as he has had in front of him since he entered this world- go Nonnie !

Dad/Poppie- Brett, younger son Daniel (daddy to Logan and step dad to Alexis) Me (mum/Nonnie Ruthy) Lindsie (Daniel's partner and mum to Logan and Alexis) daughter Courtney nursing nephew Logan and our youngest daughter Gabriella. (missing for Christmas- Benjamin our eldest son and Emily - overseas, our eldest daughter)

Our granddaughter Alexis- got her smiling- she usually sees the camera and closes her eyes or sticks her tongue out, ocassionally I get lucky with some good shots :

Of course there are heaps more but this is taking forever to get together so I won't bore you all with anymore. Onto other things to see.
While I spent some time in Warwick, Julie my SIL and I managed to find some time (a rare event in deed our 2nd time I reckon in a year) to do some scrapping together.They are all heck simple style as ever but hey I find myself being drawn consistantly to the less cluttered and plain look. Its for me anyways not everyone's cup of tea though. Now there is some repeat of designs too because some are for our family 12" album and others for my grandkids albums. I also find looking back that there starts to be a continuing theme (or some might call it a rut LOL!) But never the less here are my efforts.

Nonnie Cuddles (one for Alexis album)

Nonnie cuddles (one for Logan's Album)

Baby Steps (for Logan's Album)

same in the larger size- just goes to show that some designs can easily be worked out in either format.

Mr Blue Eyes (one Logan's Album)

The Little Man is Standing (another for Logan's album)

My 1st 2 Homes (yep one for Logan's album)

Smile(one for our family album)

Lil Mates (Logan's cousin Abigail - Julie's granddaughter)

Fairy Girl (i took this photo of my youngest jan 09- one of my favs)(Julie gave me a wonderful tip with the string of beads/pearls instead of having to place each one individually which would not only prove to be an expensive exercise, not forgetting tedious- use those pearl strips which can be shaped into any sort of curves. Just goes to show no matter how long one has been scrapping there is always something new to try!)

Grad (another awesome moment of 2009- Emily's Graduation from College)

At the moment I'm on holidays and really working at getting all those things done that one doesn't have the time or energy for when our day jobs take more of our time. Thankfully we have finished and painted our daughters bedroom and she has moved in Yay!!! (will put some pics up when all the final touches are in place) and now we are getting our hallway painted and finally some photos and patchwork will be able to adorn our home again, adding some homely feel around here after 2 yrs of buying this place!

I've also started to cull my mailbox which has been helped along very easily by the reason that I no longer have access to my old computer. I'm trying to make my 'net' life a bit less busy, so culling on all those online newsletters and keeping to just a couple. I've somewhat downsized my scrapping commitments and will further review this direction with my remaining DT commitments this year. Just trying to free my life up and make time for forming some friendships in person, not forgetting the wonderful friends I have developed online. To be honest Facebook has been a wonderful instant tool for staying in touch with the net world and friends!

Anyways Happy New Year to you all and I hope and pray that its an even better year than 2009 was!

Love and God Bless

Ruthy xo

Posted at 15:23 | Permalink | Comments (8)

November- 'the Event Month'

........ that makes us even busier than December these days, concerts and end of year breakups etc etc.

Hi Everyone

Yes well November is a pretty full on and exciting time for us and very busy for our youngest Gabriella who will be featured in two concerts, the first starting with her School's Centenary celebrations- 100 years of Rangeville!!!! My mother attended this school too from years 1935 -1944 and yep though mum is still alive, in good health and only lives an hour away unfortunately will not attend, still we will have a lovely day just the same. It will be nice to get an inlook as to how things were when the school started out. It boasts number of around 800+ studends these days - a very busy and proud school.

On November the 7th they will have their school celebrations in the form of a fair etc and than at night there will be a gala performance at the Emphire where Gabriella will be singing in the special choir. The kids are all dressing up in old era clothes and I can't wait to take the photos naturally!!!!

The Following weekend Gabriella will also be performing in her 1st ballet concert - A Christmas Carol again at the Emphire. The costumes are gorgeous and I had a input towards them by making 8 beaded tiaras- quite a feat when I'm not a beader (and no I'm not taking it up as my new craft either LOL!) but the girls alll have them now and are pleased with my efforts - phew!!! Here is a few shots of these darling projects !!!! Like a lot of things they look better in real life.

Now because I'm trying to stay ahead of life's game re: scrapbooking before the insanity scheduls of December kicks in I've done my work for Piggy Tales and 3M ready for the start of November. A few more additions for my grandkids baby albums- Alexis and Logan's and a couple for our family yearly albums.

LULU- (using the Itsy Bitsy Spider collection)

I stamped on the chipboard lettering title- LULU, to give them some extra interest!

A Week At Nonnie's (using the Yankee Doodle Dandy collection)

and one for Logan's A4 baby album

A Week At Nonnie's (from the Yankee Doodle Dandy collection)

Little Jolly Jumper (using the Its Raining Its Pouring collection)

Magazine Baby (using the Yankee Doodle Dandy collection)

and a card for our cousin from hubby's side of the family- Raymond's 50th

Happy 50th Birthday card (using the Yankee Doodle Dandy collection)

So Yeah that's my bit for the start of November and I suppose that means there is only 55 days till christmas-Yakes!!!! and guess who has barely made a mark on it as yet, hasn't helped that we've had the toughest year financially ever, thankfully Brett has work again but by gee the catch up game isn't nice hey, still we're all plugging on! I'm looking to having some sort of Christmas celebration with our family in our home this year.

Take care, love and God Bless

Ruthy xo

Posted at 08:03 | Permalink | Comments (1)

Just before its over.....

.... well October that is!

Hi Everyone

I have finally found some energy to get a post together before October is complete. I think after all thats been happening in the last couple of months- Hubby with no work, daughter overseas, looking after an extended family member recuperating from an opt, juggling health issues in particular with my hands and finishing a bigger project with a quick time restraint, while fitting in a daytime job, I suffered a bit of burnt out and for the first time since May 2006, I hadn't scrapped for 2+ months or visited really any scrapping forums. I was beginning to be a little concern that this period of time out might actually last longer, but I know I needed it and partly still do. I'm also glad that this year haven't not entered any major scrapping comps ie. masters and Elite etc, I am relaxing and not sitting on the edge of the seat waiting for the phone to ring LOL! and boy I got to tell you this feeling beats that any day! Having said that I wish all those well, who have ventured in that direction this year and especially those who have had the endurance to enter after multiple years of it- may your dreams be realized!

Now having said that I still have committments to my DT post with Piggy Tales and so sometimes these challenges and expectations/obligations etc do push us back into finding some mojo. thank God last weekend it came back to me and I had a productive weekend. I can also say that my hubby has landed back with a job - casual but full time and is happy with his role in the building trade. I have also post-poned my opt till after the new year because the recovery time is 6wks and the retail trade doesn't shine to well on those who take time out on the christmas period etc. so we are getting somewhere. So without further ado here goes.....

So here is some work for my DT post with both Piggy Tales and 3M Scotch company.

Some doubles for our yearly album

Bye Emi -( from the Row Row Row Your Boat collection)

Gabbi's Swim Party -(from the Row Row Row Your Boat collection)

a few layouts for my granddaughter Alexis's album- gotta say love working with this A4 size!!!

Sleeping with Your Blankie -(from the Row Row Row your Boat collection)

Baby Muma' (taking a bit of liberty with the english language for this title)( from the - Row Row Row Your Boat collection)

'Hi there' - Card (from the Row Row Row Your Boat collection)

First Time At The Movies (from the Ants Go Marching In collection)

and now some for my grandson Logan's album

6M (meaning 6 months) (From the Row Row Row Your Boat Collection)

Clever Logi - (from the Ants Go Marching In collection)

Rollover (from the Its Raining Its Pouring collection)

Now I have done 3 other layouts too but I'm saving them for November. We are due for a new shipment of Piggy Tales papers and I have photos on standbye waiting for these gorgeous collections.

so I better rapt this post up and head off to work. have an awesome weekend everyone!

Love and God Bless

ruthy xo

Posted at 16:35 | Permalink | Comments (2)

Happy 21st Emily!!!

Hi everyone,

Here is a post dedicated to my eldest daughter on the ocassion of her 21st birthday!!! Emily became 21 yrs old as of 11.21am on the 17th of August. she had a special family dinner out with us before leaving for Europe and has also had a series of celebrations now while living in England! she said it has been a fantastic birthday and one she'll never forget, just what a mum loves to hear!

Here she is as she was at her special Bon Vogage/21st dinner while still in Australia in June!

Some special moments from the night. (Dad was away at the time hence why he's not photographed)

With younger bro Daniel!

Em with her bro Daniel and cousin Ryan

with little sis Courtney

with baby sister Gabriella

Emily with her Mumma (me)

Emily and Lindsie (Daniel's partner & my grandchildren's mum)

Emily's little nephew Logan even dressed up for the ocassion in a designer Peter Alexandra outfit!

and Aunty Julie with great nephew Logan

with special friends - Sigi & Jess

Lindsie with bubie Logan, Emily(and our furry baby LuLu) and Ryan's partner Jacinta with their baby girl - Abigail.

Now while Emily had a series of progressive gifts early for her 21st in Australia and in England she spent her actual date the 17th in London town checking out the tourist sites and London's Zoo. I will see some of those photos in the future. this one below is of Em when was not long in England visiting Osborne House and the Isle of Wight. She will be starting a good job at Wokingham on Sept 6th at a private prestige Bordering school as a dinning room assistant, she will be living in naturally and has time off to play tourist as well. She very much looking forward to the new venture.

Here is the birthday card I made for her which arrived in time too Phew- thank God!!!

During this month of Emily's birthday milestone I put together a special surprise 6" x 6" album to mark the ocassion. Several of our immediate family members wrote something in it including her dad which is the first time ever in her life that he has done something like that, so its very very special to her. Now that it has arrived into her hands and the reveal can happen!!

Emily's 21st Album

Front cover

had to include the very latest pic of Logan too!

Emily's sisters wrote on this one later when they got home from school before it was posted off to England!!!

Well I hope your net hasn't had a melt down with that amount of photos but that is the album showcase complete. Of course some of the photography lightening isn't the best so it looks better in real life. Emily was very touched and surprised to receive it while she is in England and it was a pleasure to put together.

Hope you enjoy this post and don't forget to say hi if you drop by,

Love and God Bless

ruthy xo

Posted at 17:28 | Permalink | Comments (7)

August Oh August we art thou going!!!!!

Hi everyone

I thought I'd better get a post in for August before it is no more. August has been like no other August usually is for me, much warmer for starters more like spring weather, of which I'm most happy, Spring is my favourite time of the year. Its also been a busy one for me too. I started out the month with a lot of scrapping much of which I'll have to share in two posts here, I've also been working in my new transferred hours in daylight, not night shift anymore, great having the nights at home with my girls and weekends with my family- I have a life!!! Which is just as well because my life is full!!!!

I haven't been on the net much lately as I'm spending a bit of time with my Mother in-law who is staying with us recovering from a major operation. the company has been great and I'm sure the girls are banking up a bit of nanna time that we've missed since moving away from our former town. Plus Nanna has had the chance to chat with her other granddaughter Emily on the web while she's in England!

As I said earlier in the month I was on a roll with my scrapping and did quite a few layouts for both Piggy Tales and some for my grandson's baby album. Here goes.....

Best Friends- (one for our yearly family album)

same photos for Logan's baby album

Your Aunty Courtney

Party at the Gym

1st Time at the Movies

and some for Piggy Tales.....

A Day In The Park- (I used inspiration from some Becky Fleck sketches for these two)

School Arts

Recently I have been a featured Designer for the Piggy Tales blog which is great!

Also I have a feature in the recent Scrapbook Memories magazine Vol 11 No. 6 for the Kaisercraft special . I made a special mini acrylic album featuring "Just the Girls" (including us older girls) in our family. I added in some chipboard extra pages and covered them with the Playtime papers. The album was embellished by paper daisies, gems, droplets, ribbon, acrylic paint and felt trim.

My album has also been selected as the featured project for advertising the magazine. Check it out here- http://www.scrapbookingmemories.com.au/current_issue.php

Front cover

Front & Back cover

Other pages

Being that I've made a girlie album I thought I'd also make a boysie one too using Bo Bunny papers, cardstock stickers and matching cardstock!

Me and My Dad - mini album

Front cover

So its true I have been busy, sort of makes up for my quietness for the rest of the month, but besides the fact that I'm having issues with my hands (RSI syndrome) and I'm awaiting an operation within these next two months. it will be great to get a good nights sleep and back to doing things without the constant pain. Well enough of the whinging and onto another post shortly featuring my gorgeous Em and her milestone of 21 years!!!!

Take care, Love and God bless

Ruthy xo

Posted at 15:36 | Permalink | Comments (1)

a final from this series

of layouts using the Beauty and Beast collection from Piggy Tales for my niece's wedding.

Tom & Erin celebrate with Family

Hope you've enjoyed the daily updates of this collection

cheers

ruthy xo

Posted at 00:48 | Permalink | Comments (1)

Love this collection

from the Beauty and the Beast collection of Piggy Tales. It is the perfect papers for the wedding of my niece that I photographed mid May this year. I will be scrapping some other photos from the ocassion as well but had to share this one here for now. Inspired by a may Becky Fleck pagemap.

Tom & Erin

and a simple way to use up those barn doors or label style dyecuts-

1st Family Wedding - '09

Our Unique Wedding

some detail closeups

Love You Mum

and the details....

Enjoy

ruthy xo

Posted at 22:04 | Permalink | Comments (1)

Put your sunnies on!

for this little bright number LOL~!

Here is my take on a July Becky Fleck Page Map featuring my son when he had his tonsils out etc in 1994 (just a little while ago). I've used some more of the Basic Grey - Lime Rickey collection. the scan has cut off 1/4" off the bottom of the layout but you get the idea.

Dan's OPT -'94