Tuesday, February 27, 2007

Top 10! (well first 2)

I got this challenge from Kathie Link's blog.

I want you all to post in your blogs 10 of your layouts. It doesn't matter if you've already uploaded them to your blog before - just think of it as giving us all a "refresher".Now - these 10 layouts - they have to be a *certain* 10. I want to see the 10 layouts which are either:

(a) your favourite 10 layouts; or
(b) the 10 layouts that you're most proud of; or
(c) 10 layouts that have some really special significance*** ; or
(d) a combination of any of the above!*** I know that *all* our pages are special and signficant - but i'm referring to those layouts that really have that extra "meaning" to you...AND! finally!

add you link to your LO's here: http://alistafford.blogspot.com/2007/02/my-top-ten.html

I have only added two because I have to re-scan and re-stich my LO's. I hate stiching so I thought I would added the LO's as I find the time to stich the buggers together!

MY FIRST Layout: "Remember When". This is by far my most favourite layout of all time. It was published in CK US August 2005 edition. It took eight hours straight just to do the dots!


A close-up of those bloody dots:

My SECOND layout: "Postnatal Depression". This layout has so much meaning to me! It's my story about my struggle with postntal depression. I wanted it to be postive, as it's someting that all woman can overcome with help! (hence the reason for the quote, bright colours and sequins). This is such a "get real LO". I love that!

Ok more to come, I promise! I have so many old LO's that I love!

[WATCH THIS BLOG]


Sunday, February 25, 2007

My LO for the Aussie Dares Site :)

I did this LO for the Aussie Dares Site :) Be inspired by Asia!
While looking on the internet for inspiration I came across a site full of Chinese Proverbs. I found this one; "A book is like a garden carried in the pocket", and loved it! So this Chinese proverb became the inspiration behind this layout!

The layout is about my love of books!
~Books~ I love reading books about the things I am passioinate about. I only read non-fiction books, give me a fiction book and I would throw it at the wall! I am interested in books on human rights, war, cultural biographies, pyschology and buddism.The books I choose offen reflect my state of mind at the time. When I am inspired I love reading books about Nelson Mandela, his life and speeches. When I am sad, I turn to the Dalia Lama's books. When I want to learn, I read books on people's struggles with, life, death and mental illness. For an instant reality check I read books on the psycological effects of war and other cruel sufferings. Reading gives me a; "If they can get thru this, then I can do anything" attitude! What can be better then that>?

Favourite Books:
* Meaning of Life by Vicktor E. Frankl.
* Wheel of Life By Elizabeth Kubler-Ross.
* An Open Heart by the Dalia Lama.

Boys: The best lesson I can give you in life is this "Read". It will give you the power to believe in yourself > "That you can do anything attitude!"

Some close-ups:




TFL Lisa xoxox

Wednesday, February 21, 2007

My boys :)

OWEN
CALEB

Children!
I saw five newborns yesterday and two today! I saw one little baby at Caleb's daycare and I went up for a closer look! But that's it! It didn't make me want one at all, lol! God no, but they are so tiny and cute! Neil and I talked about children last night and I know I don't want anymore for sure! Six months and both my boys will be in school! I am independent, my own person now and I am free to do what I want when I want! And I am only 29! And I love that! Never had that before as I was only 21 when I got pregnant with Owen! Nat I couldn't possibly go back to nappies, bottles, tantrums and the toddler stage! I still have post traumatic stress disorder from the toddler stage, lol! I saw a little girl screaming her head off at the shops today, totally embarrasing her poor mama, :( Kids can be so horrible sometimes!
My boys are at that awesome age, 7 and nearly 5! They do what they are told (most of the time), they have manners and I am so proud of them! I could never say that with 100% honesty before! :)

Reward System:
My boys have to earn enough stickers to recieve a suprise at the end of the week! They have to get 10 or more stickers to get a toy. I tease them by placing the toy on top of the fridge! They know they can have it, if they work hard to get it! They get a sticker by doing good at school (I ask the teacher), tidying up their room, getting dressed in the morning without fighting, doing extra tasks, cleaning up for each other (lol!) etc, etc!

This is the sticker chart! A paper square with their photo on it!
At the moment they have 4 stickers each!



This is their presents waiting on the fridge!
The Bionicle and Star Wars is Owen's and the Batman is Caleb's.


Cheers Lisa! xoxox

Tuesday, February 20, 2007

~Me stuff~

Uni and a job>?
My work load is starting to increase! Today, I have to enroll into two subjects at uni! (I am have been totally slack arse with this task! (Stupid site was down last time I went to enrol). Next I have to write a cover letter and resume for jobs! I really really want to get into a government job! I am not interested in anything else other then that! Once I get into a government job I will have the chance to more around and hopefullly land the job I really want! Once I have experience + my degree then I want a psycholoist job or similar, awesome! For now I will apply, do uni and I was thinking about doing some volunteer work and some courses (public speaking etc) to develop my skills! I am feeling very inspired!


Me:
I am off all medication and I am doing pretty good! Like Neil says I just have to deal with all of lifes issues myself. Hey; 'it's life'. I am more of a suffer of anxiety then anything else (as I have said a million times before). My ex completetly destroyed me emotionally and psychologically and I have been left to pick up the pieces. Sometimes I think it is so unfair! > But other times I don't because I have learnt so much from it all.

I hope everyone could get real! Life is good. It's not perfect.

Thanks for reading my blog! (I love the messages u leave)


~To know the road ahead, ask those coming back. ~

Saturday, February 17, 2007

Woman

"Imagine a woman who names her own gods.A woman who imagines the divine in her image and likeness.Who designs her own spirituality and allows it to inform her daily life.
Imagine a woman in love with her own body.A woman who believes her body is enough, just as it is.Who celebrates her body's rhythms and cycles as an exquisite resource.
Imagine a woman who honors the body of the Goddess in her changing body.A woman who celebrates the accumulation of her years and her wisdom.Who refuses to use her precious life-energy disguising the changes in her body and life.
Imagine a woman who values the women in her life.A woman who sits in circles of women.Who is reminded of the truth about herself when she forgets.
IMAGINE YOURSELF AS THIS WOMAN. "



I love this website 'Scrapjacked' (link down below). Love the artists on here as it's more about using art based products then displaying pre-made scrapbook items! They use 'original art products', 'turn PP and accents into works of art' > 'thank god they are thinking outside the square! Love that! > :)
http://scrapjacked.blogspot.com/

Just a bit of humor :) But it cracked me up!
Post again tommorrow!
Love me :)

Friday, February 16, 2007

Stuff


Friday:
I have almost finished cleaning the house from top to bottom. (don't ask about the walk-in-robe but, it's messy, I need to organise it and can't be bothered right now).
Just need to go to the shops to buy some food for the weekend and hire lots of DVD's! Neil will put up the pool / slip and slide when he gets home! I pick up my boys soon and we collect Callum from the city at 11pm! We have pizza for tea and we chilli out watching DVD's. Pretty cool!


Weekend:
Not to sure what we are doing with the boys yet! We have cool stuff for the boys set up outside and I brought 300 water ballons so they can go crazy! Last time we did water balloons, I splatted Neil in the face and had to RUN inside to safety! (lol, I am women).


Scrapbooking and stuff:
Late at night; I Plan on finishing off old Lo's that need completing. (boring). I am working on a birthday LO for Owen and this awesome metal art doll I found at a second hand store. I am also painting an aborginal inspired painting on canvas for my bedroom! (I do that bit by bit as it is totally time consuming). I am still in the planning /pratice stages :) I use old canvas to experiment! I am off to buy a big canvas for it tommorow! We will see how it turns out! :) Lots of stuff, but I get bored easy and when I do I moved on to the next project! (So I don't rush to get one project finished and destroy it in the process, lol).

Inspired by everything, including awesome funky shops like this one!
I have been totally inspired by fashion this past week :)




Last week owen got in trouble for not listening in class! I found this picture on the floor in my car this morning, little poo didn't show me! Anyway I think the pic rocks, I couldn't do it better myself! Lol!



Quote Today:
I believe you can't appreciate real love till you've been burned {Savage Garden}

Thursday, February 15, 2007

New Era; 2007


Most of you know that I seperated from my ex-partner about 18 months ago! Both of us now have totally different lives and new families! I have Neil and Callum (10) and Andrew has a new girflfriend who has two kids one boy (7) and a little girl (3). The pic in the layout above is my ex's girlfriends kids and mine! (My boy is the older blonde one at the back and the batman, lol). NEVER, EVER did I think that I would ever be doing a LO about this! Mmmmm but life moves on and things change! For the better in my case! My ex sucks but his girlfriend is nice and her kids are sweet!

Journalling is at the back of the heart tag:

This photo represents a new era of society today.
A family break-up.->
Leads to the merging of *2* families units.
A new 'big' brother and ~little~ sister.
My boys "blessed" beyond belief.
Creates a BiGgIeR family unit > loving responsible parents,
and an unbreakable bond > parenthood!
Gives my children valueable life skills for their future.
Sharing, tolerance, acceptance and change.

~Photo taken 26th January 2007~


Here are some close-ups:
Journalling is at the back of this tag! It's a Basic Grey tag, I stuck on pink heart stickers and dotted around it with a silver gel pen! I also added a gold edge!
I love this foof-a-la paper!
I added green ink highlights to make it appear a little different,
and to also make it stand out a little!
Looks awesome against a mustard background I think!

Love these flowers by Peta-loo I got these super bright pink ones really cheap!
(Maybe cos nobody liked the colour).
I love it! I added white dots with a gel pen, heart stickers and a happy face button!


Just chipboard letters, with ribbon, heart stickers and gel pen added on!
Cool, makes them appear different and blends in well with the LO.


Just a title with journalling strips at the back for visual interest!


This is just a cute little circle border! I punched out the circles and gel pen doodled on them!
To add visual interest I added a PP piece with a sequin in between! :)

My bottom border: Is paint chips with dots, flower rub-ons (coloured in)
and a plastic circle strip! Down the bottom is just a ribbon!
Cheers Lisa :)

14th Feb 2007 :)

{Ohhh so cute, I love my man!} He booked us a table at Cafe Paradiso Hyde park (Adelaide)! The cafe is soooo yummy! We went here on our first date on the 13th May 2006 and we have been back many times since! I can't help put get the lasagne most of the time, as it is out of this world 'yummy' people! It is owned by two older Italian Ladies, need I say more!



I felt like a 'dick' taking this pic out the front, but I want to scrap it! (so who cares!)
Love my awesome LiFe
Lisa xoxox

Wednesday, February 14, 2007

Happy Valentines Day!

Wow! So great today! Sooo awesome having someone I love in my life! Feels wonderful! On this day 1 year ago at this exact time, I went for 1.5 hour walk! (I was so good back then with my exercise, not now, lol). Anyway, > I was feeling so sorry for myself! I could see couples hiring romantic movies, some having picnics and some dressed up all beautiful going out to tea!
Mate, I felt so bummed! Didn't make it much better when I got home and discovered these awesome flowers that the neighbours daughter got from her boyfriend! :(
Anyway it's my turn this year! I have the man of my dreams! He gave me flowers and a card when he got home from work! I gave him some boat mags and a card, ohh and he is having a bubble bath, reading the mag with a beer in hand as I write this! Lol! So cute, but so funny! Love it!
Going to cafe pardiso at Hyde Park for dinner! That cafe is totally yummy! I'll take some pics!
I'll post back tommorrow with more...... lots more! > :)
Hope everyone had a beautiful day!

Sunday, February 11, 2007

Evil one, scrapbooking and rockin eye wear!

Weight; > piss off!


I feel soooo bad! I weighed myself tonight! I have put on 12 kilos since I met Neil in May 06! Agh! I am so annoyed at myself! Meeting a new man and eatting out all the time has done this, grrrrr! Not happy!
Anyway it's going!!!!!
As of tommorrow it shall be gone!
The fat!
Goodbye evil one!!!!!

Scrapbooking! None this weekend :) I can't scrap all the time! I have so many other passions that I attend to! Thank god! Hobbies and art, esp art, is only good in moderation!

Rockin eye wear!
I am on the hunt for glasses! I want three pairs! I one for going out, one for (very) casual and one to wear with jeans! D&G and Dior and my fav's! Valentino has the best glasses, they are like mini pieces of art! (but I am looking for comfort ONLY). $250.00 so I will be only getting one pair at this point! I hate cheap glasses! Most are uncomfortable and cheap shit! As u can see I am shitty cos my glasses broke on Saturday night! I have spent about $300.00 in the past 18 months on 5 pairs and I have nothing to show for it!










I WANT THIS ONE:




























THIS ONE:









AND THIS ONE!