Gotta love a girly weekend!

My friend, Mandy is getting married next weekend, so this weekend was her Hen's night. We all headed to the Gold Coast for a weekend of fun. It started Saturday morning with a trip to the day spa. Most of us had something done. I had a Deluxe pedicure and it was divine. I actually fell asleep through it. If you haven't been to a day Spa, you don't know what you're missing. I thoroughly recommend it!!
Off to do a little retail therapy and back to check in to the hotel before the AFL Grand Final. Was great to see the Cats win, they thoroughly deserved it, but didn't think they'd beat Port quite so convincingly!! A great win!

Then get ready and head out for dinner at the Casino. After dinner had a few drinks there and off to find a band and have a bit of a dance and a few more drinks!! A very fun night, and Mandy had a ball, so our job was done!

Here's a pic of Tracey(my SIL)and I, just before we walked out the door to dinner!!


On the way home I stopped at the Paper Arts Festival and had a little retail therapy of the Scrapping kind. Got a few bargains...not too busy in there today, so it was a pleasure shopping.

Home to see my little family, spray more Bindi's and get Jase ready for his trip back down to Melbourne tomorrow for the majority of the week, then settle in for a big night in front of the telly, to watch the Storm win, and they did...in spectacular fashion!! Well done.
2 out of 2 for me...Geelong and the Storm...Couldn't have asked for a better result!

Chat soon,
Chelle Xx

All Brisbane Scrappers!!

My friend Amanda, is organising a Fundraiser for Girls Night in. All the details are below. Hope you can come, it's a great fundraiser for Breast cancer research.
You can find Amanda in my side bar to let her know you are coming, or can help out in any way!

DETAILS - GIRLS NIGHT IN CROP
Brisbane scrappers lets all get together to spend a few hours scrapping/card making to raise money for women's cancer on Saturday 13th October - 7pm 'til Midnight at St George's Anglican Church Hall, Thorne Rd & Victor St Birkdale!

I'm hoping you (and all your friends) can join us on the night - bring your scrapping/card making goodies (including your cutting board) to make what you'd like on the night.

I'd love you to bring along (or make on the night) a hand-made Christmas/birthday/greeting card/s to sell on the night to help raise a few extra dollars.

$10 entry fee. All funds raised will go to the Cancer Council (after minimal hall & insurance fees are paid). There will be lucky door prizes - so if you'd like to donate ANYTHING for that - let me know!

Already have the following prizes donated - leather handbag, Tupperware, bottles of wine, the beginnings of a scrap goodies hamper.....

Here's a link to Google Map of the church location http://maps.google.com.au/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=33+Thorne+Road,+Birkdale+4159&sll=-25.335448,135.745076&sspn=54.815423,62.929688&ie=UTF8&om=1&ll=-27.490837,153.218722&spn=0.015494,0.028582&z=15&iwloc=addr
Hint - you can get directions to the hall from your place by entering your details in the speech bubble on Google Map!

I'll put extra details here about the crop over the coming weeks!

This event is linked with a CyberCrop (online scrap weekend) being held Friday 12 - Sunday 14 October at Little Scrapbook Shop - check out the forum for lots more information (including an altered bra competition!)

Please let me know ASAP if you can make it or help in anyway!

Update

To the girls I am making a Pay it Forward gift for...Witch, PT and Lou...it is coming. I have made a start on them tonight. I haven't forgotten about you, it was just down the list a little. They are looking fab, I so hope you like them. I'm not giving anything away, at all...you'll have to wait and see what they are. :)

I have been voted out of Embellished Idol after Round 6. I got down to the final 11, which I was stoked about. I did last week's Challenge, but not sure if I'll have enough time for the last Round's challenge. Here's my layout from last week...


and here's a few I've done recently...



Chat soon,
Chelle Xx

Busy scrapping weekend

I got heaps of scrapping done this weekend. I created a cool Cj for a swap on Scrapbooking Memories forum. My theme is ...What's your favourite song, right here, right now!
I chose Mika - Love Today to do my page about. Love that song...very catching and it's been stuck in my heads for days! LOL
Our albums had to be made from a cardboard box...something totally different to the norm! I love my Elsie products, so I had to use them on this project.
This CJ is bound for Perth this week...Look out mel, it'll be on it's way shortly!

Here's a few pics...




A cute mini for Gypsy...


On the home front...haven't got up to much. Watched the footy yesterday/last night...I'm addicted to AFL, so after next weekend, I'll have withdrawal! Go the Cats...hope they win, they've played well all year!

We headed over to Wynnumm today, for the kids to have a play, and to have some lunch. Bit cool here in Brissy...well it was at Wynnumm...very cold on the jetty! But a nice outing, none the less.

Home for Nana naps this arvo, then I sprayed the dreaded "bindi's" late this afternoon. I hope this stuff kills them...the man at Bunnings assured me they will be dead in a week! Hope he's right! Seems everyone was killing Bindi's yesterday, the poor Bunnings man kept getting asking thousands of questions. I think he was permanently in that aisle for the day! LOL

Got a little bit more scrapping to share tomorrow....just a few layouts!

Chat soon,
Chelle Xx

Ella's 2nd Birthday Party

On Sunday, we finally had Ella's Birthday Party....a Wiggles party! She LOVES the Wiggles, and knows them all! We headed over to Rocks Riverside Park, which is a beautiful big park, but never has enough table and chairs....Hey Kellie? My dear sister was there at some ungodly hr to reserve the area. Camping out next year, Kel?

Anyway, she had a great time...lots of fun and games with friends and family. The best way to spend the day!

Here's some pics...




As you can see, she also likes Dora!

Chat soon,
Chelle Xx

School Fete and Michael's Birthday BBQ

So, after Soccer we headed back to my sister, Kellie's then off to Michael's School fete. Ella had crashed by now, so Daddy stayed at Kel's while Ella had a sleep, and Zac and I went with the others to the Fete.

Zac loved the rides. He had two turns on the Jumping castle, the Teacup ride and we visited the Animal farm. All lots of fun. It was a beautiful day. Last year it poured rain. I even got a little bit sunburnt.







Then we headed back to Kellie's for a BBQ, as Michael was turning 11 on Sunday. A nice night, catching up with both sides of the family....and a delicious chocolate cake!



Chat soon,
Chelle Xx

Michael's Grand Final

Well, Saturday started with my nephew, Michael's U/11's Soccer Grand Final. A very hot day, so glad the season is finished, now. We have watched him play a few times this year, and he's really improved. They have so much more structure in the game now, not all just hovering around the ball, like a cluster of bees. LOL

This was Michael's first ever Grand final, and the team they were playing had beaten them all season. Michael's team stuck to their guns, and beat them in the Semi's, to go straight through to the Grand final. There were plenty of us there to support him on Saturday, with Aunt's, Uncle's, cousins and a lightening visit from Pop to see him play. A huge cheer squad...just what they needed for such a BIG game.

I am happy to say, that through all the high's, low's and stressful parts of the game...they came through. They won, 2-1. It was so exciting!!

Congratulations Michael...a well deserved win!





I'll be back later to tell you some more...:)

Chat soon,
Chelle Xx

Goodbye Holly!

We had a Disco at Daycare tonight for Ella's teacher, Holly. She's moving to the Gold Coast, which is very sad. She's a great teacher and a lovely person...We'll miss you, Holly!
Holly was Zac's teacher last year...so she's been with our two for quite a while.

So, in her honour a Disco was held tonight. The kids had a ball. Ella especially loved dancing and the mirror ball. You couldn't keep her off the dance floor. Zac on the other hand was more intrested in the balloons and glow sticks! Boys are apparently way to cool to dance. LOL

Here's a couple of pics.

Zac and me before leaving home, for the Disco. He has a thing about taking photos of late. After we took this photo, he took about 3 photos of the washing basket!! LOL


Ella on the dancefloor(in the hot pink top)


Ella and Miss Holly - Ella has this "thing" at the moment of putting her head on the side and saying "cheese". Miss Holly did it with her!


We have a huge weekend, so I'll chat to at the end of it!

Chelle Xx

Embellished Idol - Round 6

I've made it into Round 6 of Embellished Idol, and still can't believe it. Some fabulous layouts over there. A great comp as well...lots of very interesting challenges!

This week we had to create a "hybrid" layout, using both paper and a computer. A real challenge for me, but we got there. I'm definately a paper scrapper!

So, here's my entry this week.



There's only 11 girls left with two rounds to go. Not feeling very confident this week, but we'll see how we go.

Chat soon,
Chelle Xx

FIRE!!

I was working on my latest Embellished Layout last night, while watching Rove, when a Fire truck went screaming down our street. Not that out of the ordinary, as they cut through our street sometimes as a bit of a short cut. I didn't take much notice, except that it was a fire truck. When another went down a few minutes later and I could hear police sirens very close, I went out to investigate.

There was a house on fire towards the end of our street. I mean a huge fire. We could see flames and plumes of smoke coming from a building. Couldn't quite make out which building it was, as there are a few units down there, but with this house in the middle. It's a old Queenslander than is Heritage listed and that an Accountant has his business in...our accountant actually.

By this time, lots of our neighbours were out, chatting about what was going on. I met some lovely girls I hadn't met before, who live across the road from our accountant. Intresting how you meet people.

I had to go down the PO today and there is not much left of the house. The firies were there doing Investigations this afternoon, and our poor Accountant was down there looking very rattled! How devastating for this poor man, who works day and night, especially this time of year. He also lives in our street, about 100m from us.
Staff only heard about it when they arrived for work this morning, unsure about their job's future.

It was on the news tonight. Apparently it was busy on this side of town as there was also another house fire in the next suburb as well. Luckily no one was hurt in this one either.

In an ironic twist, my Tax return arrived today. I had just been down to see Tom about three weeks ago. So many records lost...I'm sure he'll reopen for business soon, as he's a great accountant.

Chat soon,
Chelle Xx

Relay for Life

This weekend I participated in Relay for Life. It's the second year I've done it. We battled the rain, the cold and lack of sleep, but still had heaps of fun!

Relay for Life is a major fundraiser for the Cancer Council around Australia. This year, here at the Brisbane event, $127,000 was raised with more donations expected over the next month. A huge effort to organise such an event, but they did it with ease. The idea is to get people to sponsor you/your team. We then walk, in a relay for 18 hrs...yes, that long. At least one member of the team must be walking at all times. It started at 3pm on Saturday and ended at 9am this morning. A long night...and it was cold! I grabbed a bit of sleep in between walks and then came home for a big snooze this afternoon.

Thought I'd share a few pics...

My sweet sister in law, Tracey and me


Our theme was Witches and Wizards...this is Mikey, Nadine, Mel and Jacinta in costume.


The Relay underway


The candlelight ceremony, to remember those fighting the battle, and to remember those lost. A very moving ceremony.


Me and my little sister, Kellie this morning...looking a little sleep deprived!


Once again, a big Thankyou to Jodie for organising our team again this year. It's such a huge job, but you take it all in your stride. I know it's a cause very close to your heart.

Chat soon,
Chelle Xx

Happy Birthday Ella

Our little Ella turned 2 today!

It's all very exciting. She knows all about Birthdays, and has been talking about hers for weeks. She knows you have a cake, presents and a party. We are having a little party for her next weekend, as this weekend very busy with Relay for Life.

Ella just loves Dora the explorer. When I saw this Dora talking house, it was perfect for her. She and Zac have been playing with it all day today.

Here's a few pics of her opening her presents this morning.







Here's one of Ella blowing out her candles on the cake tonight! Yum...mud cake!



Chat soon,
Chelle Xx

A visit to see Nana

Jase's Nana is up here on holidays for a week, from Tamworth. Last time I saw Nan, I was heavily pregnant with Ella, at Jase's other Nana's funeral. So, it's been a while. She got to meet our little Ella today.

Nan couldn't get over how much Zac had grown. He was only 23mths last time she saw him, and now he's 4! How time flies.

We spent the morning with her. The kids played and she loved watching them giggle.

Here's a pic...



She's looking forward to the weekend, to see Jase and the kids again. He's away in Melbourne, at the moment. I'll be at Relay for Life at QE2, which raises money for Cancer research. I'll tell you all about it later!

Nice to see the rain, here in Brissy today...sure need it, so I'm not complaining!

Chat soon,
Chelle

Embellished Idol - Round 5

I made it through Round 4...Yay!! Quite an achievement, with so many fabulous scrappers over at Embellished.

This week's challenge is to create a layout without using adhesives. Oh my gosh...I love my Pritt glue and double-sided tape, so this was an ask!

Had fun with it though. This photo of Ella I took last week...how cute is she??



Chat soon,
Chelle Xx

Happy Fathers Day

Just wishing all the Dad's a very Happy Fathers day, including my Dad, Mike and Barry.

The Daddy in our house had a great day...nice and relaxing :)



Chat soon,
Chelle Xx

Go the Lions!

Well, that's what I was cheering last night, but they lost to Geelong. Not totally beaten though...our very own Jonothan Brown kicked his way to 7 goals to take the Coleman medal, for the most goals kicked in a season. Quite an achievement!!
We saw some of the fireworks, and sure heard the F1-11's! They are so spectacular, and the "dump and burn" is such an awesome sight!
We also said farewell to two great Brisbane players, Chris Johnson and Chris Scott. They did a lap of honour at the end of the game.
There was 13 of us that went last night, so we had a house full of bodies this morning. Some of the kids had never been before, so they were in awestruck! Our friends' boys are diehard rugby league players. so, this was a nice change...they really enjoyed themselves.
Although, there was a downside. We live at Alderley, about 6km from the centre of Brisbane city, so you wouldn't think it would take long to get to the game. For those that don't live in Brisbane, we can't park our cars at The Gabba...it's very restricted for parking, so we are encouraged to take public transport.
So, we set off at 5pm(with kick-off at 7.15pm), and left plenty of time. The Alderley train station is at the bottom of our street, so we had to walk about 500m to get there from our house. The station is closed for maintenance...the whole Ferny grove line actually. So, we wandered over to the bus stop, not far away. We get on a bus, provided by the Qld rail, which takes us to Bowen Hills station. From there we have to get on a train to go 3 stops to get to Roma St. From there we walk out and get a connecting bus to get on the new Busway(which is a bus only road) to get to the Gabba. We are pulled up at the lights, on the bus(standing room only) when the first F1-11 goes over. So, we have 15 mins to get in and seated before kickoff. Can you believe we got in there just as the hooter went for play to start!
So, my question is...Why would we put ourselves through that evry time we wanted to go somewhere?? Qld rail for one, has a lot to answer for. Why would they have maintenance on the tracks on one of the biggest nights of Brisbane's social calendar, with Riverfire and the Lions last home game?? I don't know...most frustrating!!
Lucky our trip home wasn't quite as eventful. We got there, it took longer than it should have...but with less people! So, we wandered in the door at home at 12:15pm...what a night!
We had fun once we got to the game, which is what counts! We had good seats on the boundary. We got a birds eye view of two streakers. The two girls were sitting right in front of us, and jumped the fence and away they went. Took a little while for the security guards to catch them! A good laugh and the crowd loved it!

Here are a couple of pics...

From the bounce


The great Jonothan Brown


The boys - Barney, Jase and Jay


Zac


Ryan, Jay, Zac and Barney on the field after the game! It was Barney, Ryan and Jay's first time to the Gabba and the Lions. Heaps of fun! :)


Chat soon,
Chelle Xx