Update on the box in a bag!

After making the box in a bag I decided that this would make a nice present for a work-mate who is turning 40! (I hope she doesn't read my blog!!)

I have made matching tags for other staff to write birthday messages on added lots of bling and it all fits beautifully inside the bag.

I am very pleased with how it has all turned out.

Box in a Bag

My project for today - to make a 'box in a bag'. My friend (and Stampin Up! Demonstrator) Sandra had posted the directions for this on her blog ( http://www.sandrawetzel.com/blog.html ) and I had been meaning to try it ever since I had seen it. I just used some old papers I had here - didn't want to muck up the 'good' stuff until I was sure I understood the directions.I'm quite happy with the results!

We went over to Leeton yesterday for a card making class and learnt some 3D techniques - A bit fiddley but fun to do Sorry the photos aren't straight but you get the idea!

Another Great Weekend - Happy Australia Day!!

Had another great weekend - as well as celebrating the Australia Day weekend, we celebrated grand daughter Sam's 18th birthday at the lake on Saturday - mostly with her father's family - we haven't done that since she was about 2. She had a wonderful time celebrating with her families!

Anna & Isaac stayed the night with us in the van and our family came back out for tea on Sunday night along with some other friends - very low key but most enjoyable.

I even took the canoe out for a row around the lake Monday morning - no photos though.... I'm the photographer!! Lol

So now I'm washing and catching up with emails, downloading photos.. You know... all the important stuff!!

Change in the Wind?

As I listened to Barack Obama give his speech at his inauguration I couldn't help but see the parallels between America and Australia. It is time that we also as a nation need to realise that we have serious challenges ahead and that we must chose hope over fear, and unity of conflict. May God bless him as he leads his nation into the future.

He said, ( in part, you can see it here ) ....

America has carried on not simply because of the skill or vision of those in high office, but because we, the people, have remained faithful to the ideals of our forbearers, and true to our founding documents.

So it has been. So it must be with this generation of Americans.

Serious challenges

That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood. Our nation is at war, against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred. Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age. Homes have been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered. Our health care is too costly; our schools fail too many; and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet.

We have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord

These are the indicators of crisis, subject to data and statistics. Less measurable but no less profound is a sapping of confidence across our land - a nagging fear that America's decline is inevitable, and that the next generation must lower its sights.

Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America - they will be met.

On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord.

I have finally scrapped!!

My first layout for 2009!

I had forgotten how to scrap - it has been so long, so its not my best effort but with the help of the sketch from www.pencillines.com (sketch 117) I have managed this simple layout.

The photos was taken last Christmas - yes 2007, I'm THAT far behind!! It is Zachary ( Jason & Belinda's eldest) and Isaac, (the eldest of Michelle's boys)

I really need to make an effort to do a little bit more scrapping - it is very satisfying and I love looking through our family history.

Choices

I was thinking today - yes I do that occassionally! As I sorted through papers etc to get together for the accountant - they were in a mess - it gave me plenty of time to think.

Our lives are a sum of the choices that we make each day - some days we make good, wise choices and other days our choices leave a lot to be desired.

We can choose life and blessing,living each day abundantly, or we can focus on the negative things that happens to us all. This year I have resolved to live abundantly - to concentrate on all the wonderful people that are in my life, all the blessings that I have and know that I am loved beyond measure.

(I have also resolved not to let my papers get in such a mess again! lol)

Isn't he gorgeous?

Kaiden is growing so quickly!

I looked after him for a couple of hours yesterday - he slept most of the time but he was awake long enough to play with Grandma's camera!

He is nine weeks old and is growing steadily - Sam is doing a wonderful job as a mum and Kaiden is thriving with all the love and attention he gets from his extended family.