Happy New Year and some Birthday wishes

It's New Years Eve, and the excitement is building to bring in 2009!
I hope 2009 is a better year than 2008 has been, with the World Credit Crisis and all that it effects! Personally, it hasn't been a bad year, actually quite a good one for me especially with Masters and Zac completing his first yr at school. Just to name a few things!

I'm off to a cocktail party at Tracey and Barries, my SIL and BIL's place. It should be a very fun night with a few drinks and being cocktails I'm bound to have a sore head tomorrow...just what I need to spend Christmas with my family! LOL
We have another busy few days coming up!

I also want to wish 2 special people Birthday wishes.
Today is my SIL Tracey's Birthday...many happy returns Trace. Looking forward to spending New Years and bringing in 2009 with you!

Also, to my friend Leanne, who celebrated the BIG 40 on Monday! I know you had a good Birthday, but thought I'd send you Birthday wishes online as well!

So, to all my family, friends and everyone who reads my blog...Thanks for checking in on me in 2008! I hope you pop back in 2009!
Happy New Year everyone!


Chat soon,
Chelle Xx

Christmas at Grandma and Grandpa's

We had Christmas at Grandma and Grandpa's today, with Jase's side of the family. Always a fun day. The kids were exhausted tonight...again! They'll need a few quiet days to recover for New Years! LOL

It is nice being together, just sitting, chatting, laughing, a little Wii, and of course eating and drinking!! I was knocked off my perch as the Hula hoop Queen on Wii this afternoon by my 11yr old niece Mel, then my BIL Barrie shattered that record a little later. So, I have some work to do to get my title back...LOL

The kids had a ball, and the game of the day was Nerf!
Zac got it as a gift for Christmas from his cousins, who also got one for Christmas. The boys, and girls(big and small) had a ball playing it in the backyard!


I also must Thank the gorgeous Rubyrox for the recipe for these little Christmas puds! They were a huge hit!

I hope you had a great weekend!

Chat soon,
Chelle Xx

Tangalooma

I love Tangalooma Wild Dolphin Resort. One of my favourite places!
For those not from SE Qld, Tangalooma is on Moreton Island, about a 1hr 20min Catamaran ride across the Bay from Brisbane.

It's beautiful white sandy beaches and clear blue water...there's something refreshing about it. Totally recharges the soul!

Always great to meet up with family and have a fun, action packed day together!
We had a Wild Banana ride, and I got the jump seat in the front. So much fun. Ella and Zac stayed with Nana while we had some fun, and Ella was worried we weren't coming back?? LOL A little reassuring from Nana and she kept playing in the water and building sandcastles, til we got back.
My sister took some pics, so I'll have to wait til she gets home and gives me some. Promise I'll share when I get a pic.

A lovely leisurely lunch, another swim and it was time to get ready to catch the boat back! The day went so fast...always does when you're having a blast!

The kids just love the water, as you'll see in the pics...especially Ella. Beach babies both of them! Love it...I'd have it no other way living in Qld!

Here's some pics from today...
On the way over, you pass by the Port of Brisbane. Zac was quite taken by some of these huge ships.


On Tangalooma...



You know it's Christmas time when you see this many boats!
Last time we were here, there was about 5. Mum lost count at 40 this morning!

Ella had a ball!

My sister Kellie and me

Just before we boarded the boat for home...kids were tired. Can you tell?

Ella actually fell asleep before we left the jetty and headed for home.
A big day for all of us!

Tomorrow we are off to Grandma and Grandpa's for Christmas with Jase's family!
So, there will be another big pic post tomorrow night! LOL

Chat soon,
Chelle Xx

Christmas Wrap and Flashback Friday

Today is friday, but I'll get to my flashback shortly!

We had a lovely Christmas Day yesterday, just the 4 of us and Aunty Manda for a while! We woke up around 6am and Ella stumbled out about 10mins later, but we had to wake Zac. Who was more excited do you think?? LOL

After checking what Santa had left in the Santa sacks, we found a note. It said to check the backyard, so 2 kids bolted out to see what was there...they found this!!

Santa had answered their prayers and delivered to them a trampoline! :)
Zac was a little concerned how Santa towed it all the way to our place, but we assured him, Santa found a way! He is Santa after all!

Quiet, but fun playing with new presents and spending time together...very relaxing. Ate too much of course and Jase and I even gave the trampoline a whirl. Sorry to say we both have lost skin on it...me on my elbow(from learning to somersault) and Jase his head!
Break dancing moves will do that too you, hey Jase! LOL

Not your typical Christmas for us, as we have family away, so we are having Christmas with them a little later. They went to Moreton Island, so we are visitng them tomorrow at Tangalooma, and we can't wait!
Apparently, Jase and I are already booked on the wild banana ride, so should be an action packed day! LOL
I'll tell you about that tomorrow night!

Everyone was exhausted last night and headed to bed early so I hopped on the computer and had a play with a new kit I bought recently from Catscraps. It's the same kit I made my blog header from! Very cool kit!!


Jase played golf this morning, as he does every Boxing Day. It's a ritual these days!
He tried out his new bag and goodies we bought for him! :)

So, while the kids played on the trampoline outside, I scrapped inside.
I finished off a few things and did this double. All about Relay for Life, back in Sept this year!
So, I was quite productive!

Now, our busy few days begins...

I picked this for my flashback today. It's from 1984, I think?? It's Christnmas Day, and my most memorable Christmas ever, I think?
I wwas horse crazy when I was a youngster, still love them, just not quite so obsessed these days!
I remember having a saddle under the tree. We lived on our farm at the time and our Nanny goat was due to have her kids Christmas Day, so Mum told me to go out and check on her, when I saw a pony in the paddock...I nearly died!!
I was so excited and everybody rode her that day...well, all the kids anyway!

I remember this day like it were yesterday.


Chat soon,
Chelle Xx

Merry Christmas

I just wanted to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas for tomorrow.
May it be a special one for you and your family, with lots of presents, fun, laughter and of course plenty of food!

I hope the Big fella in red finds your place!

From our family to yours...We wishing you a very Merry Christmas!

Here's a little video Zac and I made tonight.
He wanted me to video him and put it on my blog!
The joy of modern technology! LOL



Have a great day tomorrow!
I'm actually all organised and ready to go.
I can't wait to dig into that Seafood in my fridge!

Chat soon,
Chelle Xx

Check out the Jamieson Elf family!!

I have no idea who the other elf is...I swear there's only 4 of us in the Jamieson family!! LOL
I think he just joins in to make up the dance numbers!! LOL

Go on, do it...you know you want to!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Flashback Friday

Just a quick post tonight.
We had Ella's Daycare Christmas party tonight and everyone is exhausted. A fun night with a visit from Santa. It was nice to catch up with some other families. Everyone is so busy on drop-offs and pick-ups. It was nice having a chat!

Today's flashback is from January 2005. We took Zac and my niece Melanie to the Ipswich Railway Museum. They had Thomas the Tank engine there...lots of fabulous stuff for the kids do do there! If you live in SE Qld, it's well worth a visit!

How little was Zac?? He was about 18mths here, and I was just pregnant with Ella.
This doesn't seem that long ago, but the kids have certainly grown. I haven't changed that much?? I don't think?? LOL



Have a good weekend!

Chat soon,
Chelle Xx

Awards

I've received several awards from blogging and scrap friends over recent weeks, and I'm finally getting to do them and passing them on!
I'll do them one at a time...

Tonight's is:

A Kreativ Blogger award from Rose-Anne, and Belynda!
Thanks guys...I'm glad you like my blog. You made my day!



I need to award this to 5 people.
The rules for receiving the award are simple:
1. the winner may put the logo on their blog;
2. put a link to the person who sent you the award;
3. nominate 5 blogs;
4. put links to their blogs; and
5. leave a message for your nominees.
So here are my blogs:

1.Kayla - A sweet teenage scrapper, with HUGE talent that I have had the pleasure of meeting IRL. Love your work, chicky!!
2. Robyn - Love this girl's ART...An Aussie living in the UAE and who is a local Brissy girl and a good friend! She's missing home, so leave her some lovin'!
3. Sara - A good friend who amazes me with the amount of Scrap Goodness she creates!
4. Nic - a very funky and creative Scrapper, with a new bubba in their family! Love your work, gf!!
5. Maz - a special friend, who's curently posting about her trip to Vietnam and Cambodia! Some fab pics...

Zac and I've had a fun day at the pool catching up with my SIL Tracey, my niece Melanie and her 2 little friends, Kayla and Alexis!
All water logged but had a fun day and a nice cool off. It's gonna be HOT HOT HOT here tomorrow...35 degrees with a late storm.
Just what we need with the Kindy Christmas Party tomorrow night!

Chat soon,
Chelle Xx

Who knows what this is??

Just check out what arrived yesterday in the Jamieson household....a GIANT MUFFIN!!
The wine bottle is to you you an idea of the size of this thing...a whole 4kg!! Wowsers!!



No, just kidding...it's a Panettone. If you're not Italian you probably don't know what that is...like me!! (LOL) Thank god for Google!!

It's a Christmas tradition in Italy and a bread of Milan. And it's delicious!!
You can read more about it here.
We cut it open today and sampled some...Yum!! It smelt like fruit cake, which I'm not a big fan at all. But I was pleasantly surprised!

Jase's company deals with a big Italian company, which he has visited several times and they are just lovely. They sent this over for us for Christmas!
So, I've learnt something today!

I took the kids for their Santa photo today. All started well, but after being in line for over 90mins the patience was thinning. Ella was all psyched up to tell Santa all that she wanted, which she did, but pulled the pin when it came to sitting with him for the photo...NO WAY!! So, I'm in it, again!!

Late this afternoon we headed over to New Farm Park to snap some pics of the kids. Some in Christmas attire and some just everyday shots. It was fun, but we were all exhausted including me when we got home!
Here's a few favourites! (all unedited)








Do you think he'd had enough??


Then, you've got to love seeing this...on our way back to the car!


This time next week, the excitement will be in the air, on the big fella in red's arrival! Can you believe it??

Chat soon,
Chelle Xx

I've been playing tonight...

Yes, you are at the right place!
It is Memoirs of Michelle. LOL

I thought I'd give my blog a makeover for the new year!
Not sure I'm finished just yet??

I like the new look. Some absolutely delish digi kits over at Catscraps, where I picked up this beauty!! Created by Lynne-Marie and inspired by the awesome Celine Navarro...just loved it!!
They have some fabulous kits, so be sure to check them out!!

After not blogging for a few days, you got 2 posts in one night!!

Chat soon,
Chelle Xx

Busy Busy Busy....

I've been so busy I haven't had time to blog....not good!!

Lots going on with Christmas parties, shopping and play dates!
The kids are loving the school holidays, and so am I, secretly. The sleep-in's aren't bad at all!

Tomorrow I'm going to take on the Christmas crowds and get the kids Santa pic taken. Let's hope Ella is in a good mood. Last year's Christmas photo had me in it, too!!
She says she's going to sit on Santa's knee, but I think it will depend on the moment and her mood. She's a very strong willed 3 year old!
As for Zac, he goes with the flow and is quite happy to tell Santa what he'd like.

I did a couple of Calendars for Jason and my Grandparents. They are currently on their way to the southern states!
I'm safe sharing these ones, as the recipients are not of the cyber age! LOL
They loved them last year, so I'm sure they'll be a hit again this year.




So, wish me luck that Santa gets a good reception tomorrow!

Chat soon,
Chelle Xx

A heartfelt Thankyou

I really wanted to say a big Thankyou to all of my Scrap friends, online and IRL, for all your Congratulations, kind words and lovely messages. It really means a lot to me. I feel very humbled to have such wonderful friends. YOu have touched my heart...each and every one of you!
I can't Thank you guys enough, from the bottom of my heart.
You've all made me one very happy scrapper over the last few days.

I'm very excited about everything and can't wait to start working on some new projects for the magazine. :)

Onto today's flashback...
I thought I'd share a pic from Ella's Naming day, 2 and a half years ago, from April 2006. Seems like yesterday, but look how my baby girl has grown? She's 3 now!
This pic is of Jase, me, Ella and her godparents...yes, she has 4 godparents!

L-R: Amanda, Tracey, Barrie, Ella, Jase, me and Nadine.
All Ella's godparents are family...Sister-in-laws and my brother-in-law!



Chat soon,
Chelle Xx

The secret is out....

The secret I have been keeping for the last 2 weeks is now out of the bag!

I've been selected as one of the Scrapbooking Memories Masters for 2008!!

Can you believe it? I can't!!
I was totally shell shocked when I received a call from Kristy!

And my face is on the cover?? That was a total surprise!!

Thank you to all my dear friends in the Scrap world who have called me, texted me or emailed me today. It's very exciting and I think I'm still on cloud nine...not sure it's really sunk in?

I also want to Shout out to all the other Masters for 2008...it's quite an impressive list!
With special mention to 2 dear friends....Alice and Anne Marie. I'm very excited for you guys...thoroughly deserved!

I'm still awaiting my copy of the mag, but a friend has shown me the cover and my projects...Thanks Kylie! :)
I'll be stalking the postie for the rest of the week!

Chat soon,
Chelle Xx

Weekend Wrap

We had a lovely weekend. We had a trip to the Christmas Cave for the kids to pick their decorations for this year and I picked up some other Christmas goodies. It's become a tradition for the kids to pick one decoration each to put on the tree each year. Quite the decision for little people.

Then it was the last day of Little Athletics until school goes back. Zac is in Under 6's and they do activites most weeks, prepapring them for the events. Well, this week they got to compete in their very first 70m running race. They were told all about the start and how you take your marks then the gun goes off. It was all very exciting! So, off they went and Zac came 3rd, and he's very proud of himself...it was awesome to watch. He had a grin from ear to ear, and is still telling everyone about it!

A quiet day yesterday...housework and then a late afternoon swim at my sister's place...OMG, was it HOT yesterday?? Thankfully today hasn't been as bad...overcast, rain and cooler!

Today saw our last day of gymnastics for the term. Ella loved going each Monday with her friend Joshua. I took this pic last week when I took my camera!
They have so much fun, and do different activites each week. It's heaps of fun!


I hope you are enjoying your Monday...first day of the school holidays for us...seeing it's raining, the DVD's are getting a work out!

Chat soon,
Chelle Xx

Flashback Friday

Today's flashback comes out of the vault from 1985!

Princess Diana and Prince Charles were visiting our little seaside town of Portland, celebrating 150 years at the time. All the school children had to dress up from times gone by. I remember this day like it were yesterday.
They visited the Aluminium Smelter as part of their trip before addressing the town on the foreshore. I don't think I'd ever seen so many people in Portland.

I even remember Princess Diana wore a white with navy pinstripe jacket and skirt with a hat. As for Charles, I have no idea?
Funny what you remember?

Here's my sister, Kellie and me before we left home...


Don't forget the Stamp Shak CC is on tonight. It's the last one for the year and it's a Christmas theme...Surprised??
I hope you can join us!

It's Zac's last day of Prep today. Wow, this year has flown by. My little boy is heading to Grade One next year, and he's very excited!
Now to make it through the holidays! LOL

Chat soon,
Chelle Xx

Latest Step by Step for Anna's Craft Cupboard...

is now up.
I absolutely adored these papers when I opened my box of goodies from Anna.
These Prima papers are some of my all time favourites!

Here's my layout...


You can see my Step by Step instructions here.
You may need to scroll down a little.

I hope you are enjoying your Tuesday!

Chat soon,
Chelle Xx

Exciting news to share....

So, I've kept some of you wondering what my news would be...haven't I?
Nothing like a little teaser to keep you coming back!! LOL

I'm happy to announce that I'm joining the Design Team at
Scrap'n'Craft with T.

The two other talented members of the team are Leanne Stamatellos and Tracey Thorne, who are both very good friends of mine....it's very exciting to be working with both of these gorgeous girls!

I'm the first cab off the rank this month, and my kits is filled with some of the beautiful Basic Grey - Ambrosia papers. My kit can be found here. It's on sale now!

Here's the layout you can create...

There are all step-by-step instructions included in the kit!

Thought I'd share my excitement with you!

Chat soon,
Chelle Xx