Still Alive ...

Boy. It's been a while. No excuse other than life has been busy....and I guess that's the way you want it, isn't it!

Weather has turned decidedly cold, too cold for Sydney, but it's great weather to be inside and catch up on all those chores that need to be done.

So what has been happening in the last few months:

• I've had a birthday, and celebrated with some special friends
• I've been featured in Scrapbooking Memories - Portrait of a Digi Scrapper (Vol13.No7)
  
• I've had 3 more layouts published
• Aidan has been volunteering at AbbaWorld at the Powerhouse Museum, Sydney
• He has also been to Bangkok to catch up with some old school friends
• Emma has started playing Netball on the weekends. She loves it, and won Player of the Week 2 weeks ago
• She's been busy with friends, playdays, sleepovers...having lots of fun!

I'm in clean-out mode, and am trying madly to clear out cupboards and wardrobes, and generally de-clutter! Both Aidan and Em are hoarders! I used to be, but 3 in the one family is just way too much! My word this year is Simplify...and I see de-cluttering as a major part of that. It's June, so I think by the end of the year I should just about have got through everything I need to.

I'll leave you with some layouts I've created with this week's new releases. Each layout is linked to the designer's product in their store.

Using Reach For the Sky by Lyndsay Riches


Using Little Mr Tough Guy by Amy Stoffel


Using Summer Afternoon by Nikki Epperson


Using Sorbet by Litabells Designs

30 Days of Blogging - Day 12

Hmmmm....what I Believe. Very philosophical!

I believe things happen for a reason.
I believe you have the ability to create your own destiny.
I believe the decisions you make affect your life and the life of those around you.
I believe there is a GOD, and he/she means different things to different people.
I believe in life after death.
I believe that we have been on this earth before.
I believe that I am a good person.

..........and so much more. But that will do for now!


And here's a little layout I've done this week, using the gorgeous Where Poppies Bloom by Amy Stoffel at Scrap Matters and SHCO.

Some Scrapping Shares

Some awesome kits being released today!

Just love this wedding/engagement themed kit by Lyndsay Riches, available at Scrap Orchard.



And here's a layout I created with it.



And how gorgeous is this release Sweet Serenity from Amy Stoffel at Gotta Pixel. I love this kit, and the layout I created is very special to me.






And lastly, I created a layout from my Day 3 of blogging post about my first love. I think it's turned out great. I used Up In The Air, and Sweet Starts Photoless by Nikki Epperson at The Digi Chick.

30 Days of Blogging - Day 5

So today I have to share my favourite recipes.

I have to admit, I'm not a very good cook. I do like to cook....but I'm just not very good at it. And these days, anything I cook needs to be quick and easy!

Here's one of my favourite summer recipes, Zucchini Slice. It's from the Womens Weekly Best Ever Recipes Cook Book.


I've used La Cucina by Amy Stoffel to create the recipe card. You download the recipe card here.

one day only...don't miss it! ...

If you don't do any more digi shopping this year....you can't miss this offer.

Amy Stoffel is having a 50% off everything sale over at Scrap Orchard.


....and it includes new releases........

But it's for 1 day only......02 December (US time). Don't miss it!

Till next time,
Di xx

win a $25 coupon to amy's store ...

That's right. You could win a $25 coupon to Amy Stoffel's store at Scrap Orchard. All you have to do is create a layout from Amy's template using her products to be in the running. And if you don't win the $25, there's a 2nd and 3rd prize of $15 and $10 respectively.

So what are you waiting for. You've got till 25September to enter. See Amy's blog here for all the details.

And here's a layout I've created with the template.


Till next time,
Di xx

retiring sale at scrap orchard ...

Just a quick post to let you know that Amy Stoffel is retiring some of her kits at Scrap Orchard, and they're going out at just a tiny US$2.99. That has to be the best deal around.

Be sure to check them out here.

Till next time,
Di xx

new month - new look, and some scrapping ...

Well the blog makeover is finished. I ended up going with a Zoe Pearn Blog in a Box design. I love the awesome colours. Let me know what you think.

Lots happening at Scrap Orchard. All the designers have put a Grab Bag into the store. I especially love Amy's and Lyndsay's...such great value for money. You can grab Amy's here for just US$4 (there's over $22 value inside), and Lyndsay's here for just US$3.49 (over $16 value).

Here's the grab bags and some inspiration.







On the home front, Em had a sleepover at her dancing school last night. There were around 140 kids aged from 6 years. I take my hat off to the adults who supervised...it must have been bedlam. She had a ball of course, although I don't think there was much sleeping going on. She tells me she can't wait until the next one. I, of course, had a really restless night, hoping she was OK. No need to worry so much mum. Your baby is growing up!

Aidan has his final performance of his play tonight. I'm quite pleased it's coming to an end, 5 months is enough to have him away 3 nights each week. He's had a blast though, and I'm sure he'll want to do it again. It will be nice to have some routine back. The play has received some really good reviews, and he's been told he is a natural. I'm so pleased that he's found his creative outlet.

Till next time,
Di xx

fresh fruit friday at the orchard ...

Well it's Friday, and that means Fresh Fruit day at Scrap Orchard, and both Lyndsay and Amy have gorgeous new releases today.

First Lyndsay's kit is called Playful and I love all the fun elements in this kit...perfect for all those park pictures. I had the perfect picture to go with this kit, Em enjoying a swing.

Here's the kit, and also a layout I created.

And Amy's release this week is called Sunday. The theme kind of reminds me of taking a long leisurely walk, or enjoying a fun afternoon at the beach...and so that's what I created. The kit is so versatile, you could really scrap any theme.

Here's the kit, and my layouts.

This last layout is one of my very faves at the moment. It is so simple, yet really powerful. And I'm so pleased I was able to capture the special friendship Em has with her friend.

Well that's about it from me for the moment. I'm off to see Aidan's play tomorrow night, so will be back on Sunday to let you know how it went.

Till next time,
Di xx

new release and a favourite song ...

Amy has a very cute new release at Scrap Orchard today called Creative Me. Perfect for all the pics of your little artist. The kit is gorgeous...but wait till you see all the addons. She's captured elements for every creative moment.


And here's a layout that I've done:


And I thought I'd leave you with my favourite song at the moment. It's Mama Do, by Pixie Lott. She's only 18, but has such richness in her voice. I just think it's a really cute song, with a great beat.

Enjoy!



Till next time,
Di xx

i'm a white with 1 winner...

I very rarely enter challenges, but I've always loved the White With 1 challenge site, and used to support it when I owned Savvy.

The July challenge was White and Purple with Circles. Now I'm not a purple person, so thought this was a real challenge for me. I immediately thought of Amy Stoffel's Simple Memories and Color Pop:Purple - and they were absolutely perfect.

Here's my winning layout




So excited.

Till next time,
Di xx

did i mention? ...

Can't remember whether I mentioned or not...but I've had 2 layouts accepted by Scrapbooking Memories Magazine. I'm over the moon. I don't usually sub, but there was a call for multiple photo layouts, and I have done quite a few recently. So I sent off some layouts...and they've picked up two. It's going to be my first time published, so is really exciting. I still have a couple of months to wait before they are in print. They are currently selling Vol11 #4, and I'll be published in Vol11 #8. Oh well...waiting, waiting, waiting!

On the scrapping front, Amy has released a new kit at Scrap Orchard called A Life So Beautiful, and I must say this is one of the most beautiful kits I have ever scrapped with.

The colours are so serene, and I had the perfect photo to go with it. I'm really happy with the result.



Till next time,
Di x

a new digi home and a blog train ...

Two of my designers have moved to a new digi home. Congratulations to Amy Stoffel and Lyndsay Riches who are both now exclusive at Scrap Orchard, along with another 6 or so new designers.

To celebrate, Scrap Orchard is having a 35% off sale.


And how gorgeous is this blog train freebie - Girlfriends - that has been designed by the Scrap Orchard Designers. Click on the preview below to be taken to Lyndsay's blog...and start the train to collect all the pieces.

Till next time,
Di x

catch-up and happy birthday to me ...

It's been a busy few weeks at the Basnett house, and I've been a bit slack posting.

Em has been sick on and off for 2 weeks. First with headaches, then with Asthma, and now she's ended up with a stinking cold. I've got her topped up on kids echinacea and vitamin C, and hope that helps her get better. She's recently completed her first NAPLAN testing. We don't get the results until September, but I'm interested to see how she goes. The testing benchmarks the school and the child in literacy and numeracy against the school and national average. She's been busy with her dance practice - both school and private. She's got competitions coming up at the end of June and beginning July.

Aidan's theatre rehersals are picking up, as he is in the final preparations for his big acting debut! My thespian husband is playing 2 parts in an upcoming production of Arsenic and Old Lace at the Cronulla Arts Theatre. I'm really looking forward to seeing him perform.

And I celebrated my birthday on Saturday! Happy Birthday to me...yeah! We went down to the south coast for the weekend, to celebrate with my family. Had a great dinner at a very unique restaurant called Stonegrill - where you cook your own meal on a hot rock that is brought to the table. I had lots of calls, cards and well wishes....thanks everyone. I scored some new charms for my Pandora, a foot massager, some money, and a heap of scratchies that might just win me some moula!

On the scrapping front, I've had some exciting news. 2 of my layouts have been picked up by Scrapbooking Memores for publication. woot, woot! The first one won't appear for a couple of months, so there's a bit of a wait. I'll post here when I'mm allowed to.

And 2 of my designers have made it to the final round of SYTYCD at DigiScrapAddicts. Woo Hoo. It's down to the last 8, and either of them could easily be the winner. I have my fingers crossed for both of them. Good luck Amy and Lyndsay!

I'll leave you with some recent layouts. Each is clickable, if you want to see the credits.


Using Dino-Mite by Amy Stoffel



Using the June Collaboration kit by the DSC Designers




Using Recycled by Lyndsay Riches (SYTYCD)




Using A Day in Town by Serene by RW


Till next time,
Di x

sytycd ...

The So You Think You Can Design contest over at Digi Scrap Addicts is in full swing, and 2 of my designers have mde it through to week 2.

This week they had to create a Project 365 kit...which I thought was a bit of a weird ask! But who am I to questions...eh!

The first kit by Lyndsay Riches is in beautful neutral tones.


And here is what I've created with it. I thought the layout should have a '365' feel to it. I'm pleased with the result.


And the 2nd kit is by Amy Stoffel. Again in neutral, but warm, rich colours.

And the layout I completed.


This pic was taken on Sunday while we out at Mothers'Day lunch. I can't believe how grown up Miss Em looks.

You can download both of these kits for FREE from here. You will need to sign in. If you do, please make sure you go and leave a comment in the forum for these designers, as commenting is one of the criteria used in determing the winner(s).

Till next time,
Di xx

in need of your help ...

The very beautiful Amy Stoffel is a participant in the So You Think You Can Design (SYTYCD) contest over at Digi Scrap Addicts....and she needs your help.

She has created the most beautiful kit called Fresh Air, and she needs you to go and download it, and leave a comment for her. The best part is the kit is FREE!

Here's the kit:

And here's a layout I've created with it.

If you're not already a member of DSA, you will need to create an account and log in to be able to download the files.

Thanks in advance. And Amy thanks you as well.

Till next time,
Di xx

wish for it all week long ...

Inspiration Lane is having a promotion starting tomorrow (27April), where if you post your favourite product in their forum, you could win it! Now isn't that neat!

Here's the details:



Check all the details in the IL forum.




Till next time,
Di xx

i've done an extraction ...

A digi one...that is! You know, where the pic is pulled from the background of the photo.

I've been reading lots of tutorials, and admiring all the gorgeous layouts with extractions around the galleries, and finally got up the courage to do one myself. And this kit by Amy Stoffel just gave me the reason to give it a try.

Here's Emma enjoying some suds in the bath.

And here the gorgeous kit Rub a Dub by Amy Stoffel that gave me the inspiration. You can get it at Inspiration Lane or My Life and Scrap.

TIll next time,

Di xx