Australia Holiday...

When we knew we were moving to New Zealand, it had been a secret (or maybe not so secret!) desire of mine to go visit Australia.  I mean, by airplane we are only 3 hours away so why not?  Another stamp in my passport, another country knocked off my list.  I was thrilled when we decided to attend the Australian Christian Convention and take some time sight seeing.  One of my favorite things to see was the Sydney Opera House.  I have a mental check list of things I'd like to see or do in my lifetime.  Hmmm....sounds like an upcoming scrapbook page for me....anyway, the Sydney Opera House was on that list.  CHECK!!  We also enjoyed the Sydney Wildlife world, the aquarium, Bondi beach and Coogee beach.  We spent all our time in Sydney so there is much more of Australia to see.  I didn't realize that it is the same size as the continental 48 States.  Maybe one day we will go back and see other parts of the country.  Another stamp in my passport awaits me!

Sketchy Thursdays...dedicated to Stephanie...

This past week has just flown by!  We have been gone on holiday in Australia and had a really great time.  My next post will be about that!  : )  I really wanted to get my layout done for the sketchythursdays challenge this week so here's my take on the sketch.  

Stephanie is one of my best friends.  She has influenced and changed my life more than she will ever know.  I am thankful that even while I'm living in New Zealand, we have stayed close through emails and skype.  Stephanie sent me a box of scrapping love not too long ago and these flowers were in it.  I thought it was appropriate to use them on this page dedicated to her.  Here's to you Stephanie!  Love you!

I almost forgot!!!

In my excitement to get the story of Bessy Ressy scrapbooked, I forgot to mention that I was again picked as a sketchy thursdays favorite for my "Life I love You" layout!  I'm digging being a favorite!  : )  And I'm loving that it is challenging me and my scrapbooking.  Yay for favorites!!

: )

Sketchy Thursdays...Will the real Bessy Ressy step forward...

This week I wanted to get my layout for sketchy thursdays  done early this week as we will be out of town all next week.  I loved this layout and it came together quickly for me.  I am dedicating this page to my two brothers, Troy and Joel.  The journaling reads as follows.....

"Who is Bessy Ressy?  No one really knows.  Well, someone knows but they aren't telling.  When we were kids, Bessy Ressy made her mark by signing her name to the padded part of a folding chair.  In INK!!  She must have really wanted to make a statement.  Naturally, since Bessy is a girl's name, I got blamed.  But I think it was really one of my brothers!  I think they just wanted to get me in trouble.  So who is Bessy Ressy?  I have my suspisions.....and NO it isn't me!  But I suppose we will never know for sure who the real Bessy Ressy is."

So this is the story of Bessy Ressy.  As adults, we have had many laughs over Bessy Ressy but no one has fessed up to being THE Bessy Ressy.  This past Christmas, I had a gift given to me that read "Bessy Ressy and Bryce (my husband)".  Hmmm...I think maybe Bessy Ressy decided to sign "her" name once more!  hahaha.....
: )

Sketchy Thursdays...

This week's sketch at sketchythursdays was a challenge for me.  I had been saving these pictures from when the boys and I were at the photo booth for a long time, not sure how I wanted to scrap them.  They had never been in one before and were a bit timid.  And if you know my boys, you know that is not like them!  Lucky for us, a couple of high school kids were just getting out and they saw how much fun they had.  We piled in and I quickly explained that they needed to look at the camera.  For the minute we were in that booth, we had a great time!  I'm so glad we got these pictures.  I would love to do it again!!

The original sketch was a two page one so I combined a bit of each page to put mine together.  My background mask was some mesh that came around our new propane gas BBQ tank.  After I sprayed it with my mist, the "chicken wire" pattern showed up.  My hubby was the one who thought I might want to have it for scrapping.  What a guy!  I was pleased with the finished product.  It felt good to get it out of my head and onto paper.   Ahh...onto the next project!

Spring in September???

Spring is definitely here!  Sunday, we experienced our first day lights savings time change.  It has been nice to have the sun out until about 8pm but it sure did feel strange to spring forward in September!  The temperatures are warmer and we have even shut off the heat pump and opened windows.  That is a nice change from gray, rainy, chilly days of winter.  In our yard we have tulips and daffodils blooming and around town are many flowering trees.  As I took my walk today I saw my first lilac bush!  I just love lilacs and was so excited to see one.  I can't wait until the blossoms are open and I can drink the deep smell of them.  Just that smell will take me back to my childhood days and my mom putting fresh lilacs in my bedroom and on the kitchen table.  Mmmm.....that is a nice memory.  The boys are home from school for a two week holiday between third and fourth terms of school.  One more 9 weeks (or so) and they will be off for summer break.  Summer in DECEMBER!?  That will also take some getting used to.  Yesterday we went to a big park in town called Hagley park.  The boys enjoyed playing soccer, feeding the ducks, and just exploring.  Today we went to their favorite beach at Sumner.  They just love climbing on the rocks and playing in the ocean.  Its been a good start to Spring!

Exciting stuff!!!

This week my layout for Sketchy Thursdays was chosen as a favorite by the design team!!  Woo Hoo!!
I am so honored to have been picked this week.
Prizes last week, favorites this week.....I can't start to wait on the next sketch!
Thank Sketchy Thursdays Design Team!
(the layout that was selected as a favorite is the one below this post
with the boys playing in the leaves at Grandma's house)

: )