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

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.

anyone for pizza? and a sale...

Another month passes...and I think it's time for a blog makeover. That's my mission for this weekend. I'll have to go searching to see what I can find.

Just thought I'd pop in to share Lyndsay's new release, Pizza Fresca!



It's 20% off at Scrap Orchard this week, and if you're quick, you can get these quick pages for free!



I love the rich, warm colours in this new kit. Here's the layout I created.




It's Lyndsay's birthday this weekend, and she's having a sale on selected items in her store. A massive 34% off. Be sure to take a look.



And you should go and check her blog for a fantastic birthday freebie. Lyndsay's team have created a birthday brag book, and it's free for you to download. Here's a preview, but you'll need to go to her blog for the download links. While you're there, be sure to sign up for her newsletter, so you are first to know about all her goodies.




Well today is Friday 13th, Black Friday. I'm not usually superstitious, but I do follow some of the usual old wives tales such as I would never even consider walking under a ladder, and if I see a black cat I turn the other way. I just don't want to tempt fate! What about you? Do you have any superstitions you follow?

Hope you have a great weekend.
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

it's Lyndsay's birthday and there's a sale and a freebie ...

Lyndsay has just turned 33, and she's got her store at Scrap Orchard on sale...everything is 33% off. But you'll have to be quick...it's only until Monday.

And we've all created a template from our favourite Lyndsay layout. Be sure to check Lyndsay's blog for the link to pick up your freebie.

What a great deal.

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

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

somethin' fishy ...

Have a look at this gorgeous new kit by Lyndsay Riches. Perfect for those water/beach/bath pics. It's just $3.00 this weekend at both Digital Candy and ScrapDish. WOW...that's 40% off.

And here's a layout I created from the kit. Emma enjoying some fun on the beach at Coffs Harbour, when we on holiday last year.

Till next time,
Di xx