Silent Night....Holy Night....

Shhh....Santa's sleeping ....he needs all the rest he can get.  He's going to have one super long long busy night in front of him....so he takes the chance to snooze when he can.    hehehe..let's just quietly tiptoe around my house to see my Christmas decorations.

Halo I and Halo II.  No...I didn't name them that.  I used to collect Beanie babies. No no no...not when I was little......when I was an adult...when I was a mother.  Yes...I collected Beanies.   I started off collecting the Skansen Beanie Kids....and had quite a good collection include Blackie the Expo Bear number 1!!!  Then I got a bit bored with Beanie Kids...so I sold off my collection...co-incidently to the mother of a girl who would end up being Jordan's classmate!  So I started collecting Ty Beanie Babies.  I still have quite a lot of them!  So yes...Halo 1 and Halo 2 come out once a year during the Christmas time.  They're so pretty!

Garlands...I have two.  One stretching across the top of our sliding doors in the family/computer room.  And one more on the other end of the room....in the L window of the loungeroom.  I bought the Garlands a while ago and when I change Christmas decor colours...I have to redo the garland as well.  Love love love the beaded wire stars!!

I did these a few Christmases ago.  When Basic Grey first brought out their bauble kit...I had to get it and even assembled them at work while the baby napped.  That first christmas, those paper balls were displayed in a big wide bowl on my dining table.  Then the following Christmas, BG brought out those star ornaments....had to get those too...and I assembled them and then bought the silver spinning diamonds and orbs and put it all together with fishing line and hung them from the ceiling.  OK...DH helped a lot with that task.  I have two clusters of these ornaments.  4 strings in my loungeroom...and then 2 strings in the dining room.  I love the shadows these cast on the walls at night.

More to share later...toodles!!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.....

Thought I'd share some photos each day in the lead up to Christmas of the decorations in the house.  This is just a little bowl of colourful baubles and candy canes.  Some of the candy canes were done at Scrapware using their gorgeous Christmas products. So totally yummy!!!

oh by the way Santa....

Dear Santa

Please delete number 3 from my wish list.  I've succumbed and purchased myself a subscription to the Real Living magazine.  And now I'm in trouble with Mrs Vass because she thinks I'm not doing a proper wish list.  A wish list just for wishing.  For me.. a wish list is like a 'to buy' list.  Ok...so after a bit of a think....I have other things to add to my wish list....

3. clear vases (big tall wide cylindrical ones)

4.  Big bundle of decorative twigs and sticks - oh I don't know what exactly they are called...but I've seen them in homeware stores.  Big enough to make a striking display.

5. Scrapbook Trends Digital Scrapbooking ideas book

6. Stampin Up Deer Friends set

7. Hero Arts Sparkle embossing powder

8. Medium Bag optimiser from bagorganiser.com.au

lots of love

Ruey - who promises to try and not knock off anymore items off her wish list until 2009

Shania in the spotlight!!

Yay...issue 73 of For Keeps Creative Paper is finally out.  Big congrats to Vita for her amazing cover!!  All the projects look fantastic together!!

Anyways....I was asked to do a Finishing Touch Ideas advertorial focussing mainly on their embellishments.  hehehe...can you tell how much fun I had?  I love brads...and buttons...so I really was in my element.   I was really pleased with how the layouts turned out.  Love love love those cutie pie pics of Shania.  And trust me....this little girl is not very girly at all.  I'm always in stitches watching her antics on facebook.  Thanks Sis for taking lots of videos for me.

I also did a Craftools advertorial on the Tonic Cutting system.  This system was lots of fun and really easy to use.  Totally love the wavy cutter.  And yep...it's a bright bright Rose Moka New York layout.  Man....I love this layout...yah...I know it's simple...but all the colours really sing to me!!

And last project in the mag is this....a summer party feature.  Icy pole invites, lolly baskets, lolly bag and sunny boys!!  This is the first time I have ever had so much stuff in the one mag.  And I'm sure it wasn't planned ....as I was asked to do the things fairly spaced apart.  But it was good. 

Friday was another impromptu scrapbooking night.   Mich, Vita and Lyndal came over.  Vita gave us a pizza box tutorial - yay...another cutesy little thing I know how to make!!  The main reason for the impromptu crop was that I was itching to zutter....so I invited Mich around so I could use and abuse her brand new zutter...yes it was brand new...still in packet new....brand spanking new.  But of course....I let her use it first and then I had lots of fun with it.

I wanted to make notebooks and mini albums for family and non scrapping friends and for teachers etc.  Little token gifts....so whipped these up.  Well...I just cut and zuttered things!  I also did 3 christmas albums and 4 post it note holders.  And these are just notebooks and minialbums which are super easy to make.  I have a lot of 'system cards' which go into index file boxes.  So those lined sheets are my pages.  With the notebooks which are bound at the top, I've just bought some cheap notepads from the elcheapo shop and just made covers for them.  It's not that I am trying to be cheap....I just want something that is useful.  A non scrapbooking person might not appreciate a mini album which they have to fill out themselves...but everyone needs notebooks and post it note holders.  Handy gifts which are easy to make.  It's a win win situation!!



I have more to show...so I'll take more pics tomorrow to share.

Cards published!!!

I've had more cards published in the last 2 issues of Creative Cardmaking and papercraft.  I've really been enjoying cardmaking in the last 6 months.  These cards were in Issues 14 and 15.

Pop up cards - in a boy theme.  Very easy to make and lots of fun to make.  I used the Inque Boutique stamps....available from Kiti Q.  hehehe

Tri-fold card.  Opens up to say Just because ....I miss you... a bunch.  I think I need to make another one of these as I really like it and it also uses up a lot of small odd pieces of scraps!
Ultra simple card.  No patterned paper at all.  Stamped heat embossed image of the bird which I cut out and coloured.  Used those big Heidi Swapp flowers everyone has in their stash and the card base just has a simple stamped heat embossed flourish.  And of course some bling.
A belated birthday card.  Everyone should have a couple of these in their stash...it's just too easy to make and lots of fun.  Is it bad to plan a belated card???
A pop out card.  Oh so easy and cute cute cute!!  Yet again another boyish card.  It's too easy to make girls cards......but boys cards are so much harder to make esp those cutesy ones for kids under 7.

It all starts with a letter to Santa....

Yes, it's scary how close Christmas is!!!  I'm not ready for Christmas.  I still need to make another dozen or so cards.  I haven't put up the christmas tree .....not because I don't want to...anyone who knows me knows how much I love christmas.  I can't put up the christmas tree because I don't have room for it.  My tree is very tall...it touches the ceiling and it's not one of those slim trees.....I need to reserve around 2m square for the base of the tree.  And I don't have a spare corner in our living areas that big!  So I don't know what I am going to do.  I made a little advent christmas tree for Jeromel.....love how it turned out.  Maybe that can be our tree?  It's the spirit that counts right???

Anyways, before I forget and before I do something silly like post this on another blog (which I did *blush*)....here is my letter to Santa....inspired by Mich.

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Dear Santa

I've never written to you before and I don't think you know who I am. So why now are you receiving a letter from a 40 year old who is definately not a child anymore? Because of my friend Michelle Vass. See, she might pick me to win a prize if I write a letter to you. So why not....I might get a pressie from you and I might get a pressie from her. It's a win win situation right? I honestly thought coming up with a wish list would be very easy...but it was hard. Really hard!

Ok...with the naughty and nice list....let me tell you Santa....honestly...sometimes I'm naughty ...I'm no saint....but I'm mostly nice. Let me explain... I'm a Mum.....I like to think I'm a great Mum...I cook, clean, drive, teach, ....and then I also yell and ignore them from time to time. Still...more nice than naughty. And....I've also been a wife for 21 years...yes...anniversary was last Friday. 21 years.....definately nice right? As a friend....I think my friends will vouch that I am more nice than naughty (girls....those shopping sprees and tempting you to buy things.....you don't hold that against me do you?).  Santa, I'm happy to leave it in your capable hands and let you be the judge.

If you think I am nice...nice enough to get a visit from you on Christmas eve....I would love to receive:

1. Sizzix Big Shot - I know I have the cuttlebug...but I also love the Bigz XL dies.

2. Coluzzle starter kit and the nested circle templates 

3. For something non scrapbooking related....a subsciption to Real Living magazine would be appreciated (Jane F got me into this one!)

Thanks Santa!!

From:  The more Nice than Naughty Ruey

ps...did you hear about the dyslexic satan worshipper?  He sold his soul to Santa

Back to winter again....

Yes....it's like winter is here again.  It was sooo cold and windy today!!  Ridiculously cold!!  It's been one of those weeks where I just blink and wham....it's thursday night and I'm wondering where my week went.

Did quite a bit of scrapping this week.  Got my secret santa gifts done and even did a regurgitation layout.  A what layout????  yah...u read right....regurgitation.  LOL  It's what I call a layout where I just chuck a whole heap of embellishments which were rattling around at the bottom of my scraps box.  I cut out those American craft flocked leaves for some cards I was working on..but decided not to use them.  I covered that little chipboard boy for a project then changed my mind.  Popped those mushrooms out of their sheet and then changed my mind.  Cut out those clouds, made the cabbage flower...yes and then changed my mind.  I do that a lot.  Change my mind that is....and then I don't want to turf them because I might want to use them one day.  Well that one day came!  

Quite happy with how it turned out actually....it's a layout I've been wanting to do for a while.....and a layout for me...not for an assignment.  Talk about assignments...two more assignments to do before 2nd week of December.  We have our Filipino Fiesta this saturday and then next week....our 21st wedding anniversary....then on saturday, we have an appointment in the morning, then we are entertaining vip superstar guests from overseas that afternoon and night and then on sunday....I might just want to curl up on the couch and veg.

Big announcement!!!!  The famous Ange of Scrapware has done up a new blog for Scrapware and it's fabulous and there is a big big birdhouse giveaway!!!  So quick, head over to the Scrapware blog and check it out!!

Proof that I have been scrapping.....

hahaha...ok....this is proof that I have been scrapping....although......they were done a few months ago.....at crops at Mich's and Jorja's place.  yes....months ago!  Because I did them at crops, I didn't quite finish them off.  Things like journalling etc.  So this past week, I've had two pretty big projects for two mags that I was working on and once that was done and the last lot was mailed off yesterday, last night I decided to go through my pizza box that was full of these unfinished layouts and layouts that I have to file away in my albums.

So today, I finished the rest off and thought I better take pics of them to share....layouts just for me...just for fun....and I love them!

J3 loves to paint.  He's creative like me.  I love how at 7 years old, he can plan properly....he will put on his art smock, spread newspapers on his table, get all his things out...paint and then....clean up!
J3 loves Ben 10 Alien Force, so this is his currency at the moment.  If he does all his English, Maths and Japanese homework and has a minimum of 4 readers for the week...he gets to watch the latest episode which I religiously download for him.  Getting to watch it on my mac is extra special to him.
oooh yes....those who know me know I love my coffee.  My daily fix!  The coffee was from Dunkin Donuts (French Vanilla) and the little espresso machine was redeemed with my Flybuy points.  It has since gone to the Philippines to be put at work in an internet cafe, but I'll soon replace it with a slightly better model.

hehehe...yes....I can even scrap about a new school bag.  Just a pretty simple layout using up lots of old papers and embellishments.  Love the little 7gypsies rub on people which I applied on the alphas.  Actually J3 has to have a bag which is different from the usual school bag because of his anaphylaxis.  Teachers and aides have to be able to identify his bag quickly to grab his medication if he needs it.
Another ultra simple layout.  Love the Ki Memories lace cardstock full of words.  Very suitable for his layout.  Love how he is learning to read without sounding out too many of the letters.  Thanks Mich for the Maya road sheer journalling block.
Another ultra simple layout with a collage of photos.  Took these photos inside his classroom of things that he had made and the house chart, birthday chart and bag hook.  BTW...the sports house system are named after Japanese islands, Hokkaido, Kyushu, Shikoku and Honshu.  Pretty good huh?

That's it for now!!

I set out to shock you....

hehehe....two posts in a day!!!  How's that?

A couple of weeks ago on a Friday, I was chatting on the phone to Lyndal ensuring her that I really hadn't been captured by aliens when on the spur of the moment, I invited her to come and scrap that night.  I had been making cards and could do with some company.  I then sent a quick email out to invite Mich, Jorja, Jane and Vita too.  It was very short notice and to my delight....this group of very special friends all came and scrapped with me that night.    We started around 7.30pm and Lyndal was the last to leave close to 3am!!  I got a few cards done that night and had lots of fun heat embossing!!  Vita brought her Bind it All as Jorja wanted a demonstration.  Jorja and Mich both placed pre-orders for the new Bind it All at Paperific - lucky ducks!!

To my delight...Vita decided to leave her Bind it All for me to play with and play....I did!!!  I never knew how useful a Bind it All was!!!  I made a 6x12" album for house decor/building ideas.  I used lots of papers from my stash that I wasn't too keen on using for layouts anymore.  It's pretty and of course I used the Ki Memories sheer delights for the cover...good protection.

Then I decided to raid my pizza box full of scrap papers to make a smaller album using the remaining bit of wire that I had left over from making my big album.  Decided to make Jeromel's school excursion to the Melbourne Zoo mini album.  Yes, I got to go along on the excursion too - loved it heaps!!

So here is the mini album 

Cover done with Ki Memories Sheer delights available here for only $3.50 per sheet! (little plug for my shop!)

I swear...this gorilla was just soooo adorable!!!  He was like that for quite a long time!!!  At times he would look at his fingernails!!!
Yes...this is my little monkey hamming it up for the mamarazzi.  Isn't that Scrapware monkey cute??
I love zebras heaps!!!  This one was a magnificent looking zebra!!  The kids were all fascinated looking at the giraffes and zebras in that enclosure.

And here are some of my christmas cards.  I've made 35 so far...and I made myself use my old old old ancient stash of christmas papers and embellishments.  Very simple cards but I'm ultra pleased with how they turned out.  wdyt??

At long last...an update

Yes, I'm here.....alive....and updating my blog!!!  Wondering if there is anyone still reading my blog though.  It's been a very long time since I've posted pics ....so here are some pretty things for you to look at.

Teacher's day was 31st October and it was around 11pm when I suddenly remembered, so it was a mad dash to get these simple things done for Jeromel's teachers.  Why 6?  It's because he wanted to say 'thank you' to 6 teachers - his classroom teacher, her aide, his Japanese teacher, his aide, the Principal and his Japanese drama teacher.  Each little pack had some tea bags, a chocolate, some mints and some coffee lollies.   Nice, quick and easy to make.  The pockets were ultra easy to make but I couldn't find anymore of those clear bags.  But while hunting for them I found something else I was missing.  

I have new shelves!!!  Yes, at long last, I have proper storage as my old scrapping desk was becoming storage.  I've searched high and low for proper storage for my scrap supplies and Kiti Q shop stock.  I nearly bought the Ikea expedit but the size of each cube was a tad small for me...they're 33cm square.  These ones are 37cm square which are perfect as they will take the large plastic cube that the Kiti Q papers are stored in.  So now, my old scrap table has been given to Jeromel which he is so happy about.  Since the photo was taken, all the cubes have been filled!!

On the publishing front, I have been super busy.  I am still making cards on a monthly basis for Creative Cards and Papercraft.  This month, I have these in the magazine.
Totally heart this rocket card - it has a diamond pop out fold and the colours make me so happy.  I've also had some layouts in Scrapbook Creations and Scrapbooking Memories in the last couple of months which were accepted a while ago.

This one was for the K&Co Blue Awning product challenge.  I must say i wanted to cry when I saw the embellishments and some of the papers.  Not all of the papers are me....but in the end....i was happy with the layout that I did.

In the past couple of months, I've also done quite a few layouts and projects for Creative Paper, Scrapbooking Memories and Scrapbook Creations....will share these when the mags come out - it's kept me busy and at times a bit stressed but all in all, I enjoy being invited to contribute and love what I end up creating, so it's a big plus

On the Kiti Q front.....the blog is up and running!!!  Click here to check out the blog!!!

I just remembered that I have more pics to share...so I'll be back to do another post as this one is getting a tad long!!

Captured by aliens!!

Ok...seriously I don't know where time has gone!!  A blink and it's September...and end of September!!  I think I've been captured by aliens.  yes, it might be the only explanation......because I don't know where a month has gone!!

Before I go waffling on .....I need to tell you about Kiti Q....Ki Memories Sheer Delights.  OMG...these are seriously seriously seriously gorgeous!!!  I was so surprised when I came home to find a big box from Ki Memories....it's early!!!  That's almost unheard of!!!  I wasn't expecting it until mid october!!  So I got dinner underway then opened up the box and melted into a big puddle of rapture!!!  They're not transparency, they're not paper, they're gorgeous transclucent patterned plastic!!!  They are the newest thing to hit the scrapbooking market!!  No one has done this before!!!  Layouts using Sheer Delights as their background are going to be so gorgeous and easily given to non scrapping friends too as they are sturdy enough to stand up.  Their transclucency is just spectacular.  (so spectacular that I can't spell anymore!) Seriously beautiful enough to decorate your home with this.   This is going to rock the people who love OTP projects!!  

let me see....if I blog I might just remember bits and pieces...

My Dad is here visiting...and was supposed to go home earlier but extended his trip as his house is being renovated.  So, we've enjoyed his company.  He keeps me busy too as I drive him around, talk to him a lot, etc....one more person in the house means more laundry.  Jordan is now sleeping in the computer room as he gave up his room for his grandfather.  

The last few weeks of school were so busy!!!  Jeromel had lots of rehearsals for his school play.  The school puts on a play every couple of years and it's a Japanese play as it's a Japanese bilingual school.   Yes, Jeromel learns Japanese....so did the older two boys.  But no...Joseph isn't Japanese.....no....I'm not Japanese either.....but the 3 boys know Japanese more than they know filipino or Chinese.  *shrugs* - maybe the aliens made me do it.  I dunno!!!  hehehe  

But it's a great school....it's not just a school where you learn Japanese as the 2nd language....it's a bilingual school...so they may do science in japanese today or art or maths or sports....they have teachers who only speak to them in Japanese.  They learn how to read, write, sing in Japanese and they learn so quickly.  It's amazing how kids are just like sponges!!!  By the time the older two boys finished Grade 6, they were at VCE standard of Japanese and in their senior year....they go to Japan with the school.  Very cool!!

So back to the topic....Japanese play.....it was called the Bamboo Princess - Kaguyahime.  Beautiful play and it was written by one of the teachers...she wrote the script, wrote the songs etc...it was fabulous!!  Jeromel's class were horses....very cute horses who wiggled their behinds!!  One of the highlights of the play was a taiko drum performance by some of the older grade 5 and 6 kids.  I'm a huge fan of taiko drums and each time I see them perform, I am amazed at how well they do it.  The taiko drummers get requested to perform at many schools and festivals now.  On the first day performance, they did it for the local high school for their japanese class and also for the caulfield japanese school.  The first night performance, our local politician Hong Lim and the Japanese Consulate General of Australia came.  And on the 2nd night performance, the VIP guest was the principal of the Melbourne Japanese school.  I took the camera....but the photos are pretty crapola coz our seats were crappola. Is Crappola spelt with one or two p's????  

On the scrapping front...yes....been scrapping but nothing I can share.  But I assure you...I have been scrapping!!!  I might try to find some photos to make this post look pretty....in the morning...right now...I'm sleeeepy!!  Nite nite!!

yes...it's time

For those of you who wondered what happened to my blog.....I have no idea too....one min it was all lovely and black...and the next....it was all white and plain.  In desperation...this blogger novice decided to jazz it up a bit...but it looks pathetic.  I need a new look.  Any colour suggestions?

And I've decided to start up a blog for Kiti Q...so I can post all of the new Kiti Q stock there.....you know...posts like this....

Rose Moka Alphas are now in stock - gorgeous Rose Pink, Orange, Brown and yellow.  They were the only colours that Rose Moka had in stock!!!  Obviously this new company has taken the scrapping world by storm and severly underestimated quantities they produced.    With those colours...and their fabulous mini style..they're fab for journalling and the colours mean they work well for all layouts...so stock up on them!  I know they will be a staple product in my scrap stash.

Scrapware - lots of yummy goodies like journalling bits....you have to check it out.

Elle's Studio Tags - these are totally fresh and funky!!!  If you haven't seen them...go check them out!!!  They were an absolute hit on Etsy and the designer decided to start her own shop!!

Toodles...have to go and plan this new blog....plan a dt call....maybe watch some tv...maybe fall asleep on the couch.  hehehe!!!  Happy Scrapping!!!

Cards published!!!

This morning, the car was booked in to get new brakes at Kmart auto in Chadstone.  It was nice, went there right after I dropped everyone off at school/station.  Dropped the car off and I walked across the road into Chadstone and got my errands done quickly.  Postoffice to mail out Kiti Q packages,  sheets to return, medicare refund and then.....I went looking for Charlie Brown.  Ros left a comment for me giving me the link to those Tummy Tuck jeans...and I googled and found that Chadstone Charlie Brown stocks them.  

Now...with all the renovation that is going on in that place, I was wondering if the store was going to be there.  Anyways....I found the store.......found the jeans!!!  And oooh I couldn't wait to try them on.  Since I was the only customer in the store, I had the undivided attention of the sales lady....who told me that I would probably need a size 6 or a size 8.  OMG.....Lady...I love you!!!  hehehe....turns out....the size 8 was waaay too big....oh boy...did that feel good.  So I tried on the 6 and it fitted beautifully....to tell the truth....with the size 6 on....I couldn't feel the benefits of any tummy tuck effect that the jeans promise.....I mean....Fat wasn't deported.  So I bravely asked to try on the size 4....hehehe....I know...was I game or what????  

Ok....they were a bit snug to pull on....but I could still button it up....and I let out a big breath

 half expecting the button fly off the jeans and ricochet around the store like a lethal weapon breaking mirrors.  But it stayed put.....yay!!!  I could sit, bend down....they were tight...but the sales lady said that after a few washes, it would stretch a little.    The tummy tuck effect...yes...it worked...my flabby paunchy tummy...was flat...my butt was shaped....there was no gaping at the waist of my jeans....and no Lyndal...the fat didn't migrate from my tummy to my boobs....sadly...the boobs stayed a miserable B cup.  Sigh if only I got a tummy tuck and a boob job at the same time!! 

Ok..the price of the painfree tummy tuck was $247...or something like that....I spluttered and muttered something about thinking it over.   So ladies....would you pay that much for a pair of jeans?  Me.......I think the price is too steep.  Now that I know what size fits me....and which jeans  I like...I think I'll get them online.  

Ok..while I was at Chadstone, I stopped by Borders and hunted down a magazine.  This magazine. 

While I was in the process of buying Kiti Q, Jane referred me to the new editor of this magazine - Creative Cardmaking & papercraft.   The editor was none other than the previous editor of For Keeps - Julia Matthews!!  She needed someone to make some funky cards......and in return I would get a quarter page ad for Kiti Q!!    My first time getting cards published!!  I think it is the first time....hehehe...and I got 8 cards in the mag. Pretty pleased with how they turned out!  What do you think??

Anyways, if you have been meaning to try cardmaking, this magazine has plenty of variety and really clear instructions.  The supplies lists are detailed and the photography is amazing.  Julia Matthews, previously at For Keeps is now at Derwent Howard Media, and the new look for this magazine, has got her clean style all over it.  I also saw on Aussie Pub calls that she is looking for submissions and has made a call for a magazine DT.  It's past the deadline but she probably hasn't made any decision yet.  Send submissions to letters@creativecardmaking.com.au

Here's the press release from Julia:

Press Release

August 19 2008

We're very excited to be revamping Creative Cardmaking and Papercraft.  Our philosophy is simple.  We're filling the magazine with cards you will love to make and everything you need for foolproof results!

There's something for everyone and all levels of experience.  The spring issue is packed with projects, 50 cards to recreate plus scrapbooking layouts.  The magazine is beautiful to flick through but it's much more than a gallery, it's loaded with simple-to-follow instructions and many of the projects come with helpful 'step-by-step' photography to refer back to.  Each issue also features articles, interviews and reviews to enjoy leisurely over a cup of tea, and plenty of product reviews.  More than ever before, cardmakers can break out their supplies with total confidence, knowing that making great looking cards has never been easier!

Creative Cardmaking is onsale in newsagents nationally and in New Zealand.  Look out for free stickers on the cover!

Julia Matthews

Associate Publisher - Craft Division

Derwent Howard Media

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Trust me, if you're a scrapbooker who wants to make cards...be it to save money, use up your stash or just for a bit of fun....this magazine is for you!!!

Toodles.....till later....does anyone still read my blog???