{time with us}

an update

So back when I started this blog I use to blog a lot about what was generally going on in my life. Over time, as I got more and more involved in scrapbooking, it changed into a blog focused on scrapbooking.  I thought I would give a little bit of an update about what's been going on in my life (if you are solely here for scrapping, this might be where you leave - lol!).

In April we went to Europe - London, Paris and Rome.  It was a wonderful holiday where we got to celebrate my little sister's wedding and Gary and I got some romantic couple time (thanks Mum and Dad!).   Before we left I got myself a new camera - a Nikon D800.  It is amazing - I love it to bits and it performed A+++ during the trip.  I am in the process of plowing through hundreds of photos at the moment and will be working on a project for Aussie Scrap Source with them this weekend.

Benson is now in grade 2 and having just had a parent teacher interview, I am happy to say that he is doing really well across the board.  He is also achieving really well in swimming at the moment.  His Coeliacs is 100% under control and he is growing like a weed.

We had some photos taken with Janine Kaye before she left to move to Perth (sob) and I loved them (as always) ...

Gary and I both are continuing to eat well and exercise hard.  I passed my 50kg goal and was heading down even further until the trip to Europe slowed things a bit.  A little heath issue since coming back saw me regain a couple of kgs, but I am hovering around the 50kgs lost at the moment and now working towards 60kgs loss, which is my next goal.

I am still scrapbooking up a storm - though mainly DT and magazine work.  I am off to a retreat this weekend, so you just never know what I might get up to while I am away!

Well that is it for now!

Cheers
Kim x

News!

We have just finished our 6 week challenge at Contours and I had set a goal of 10kg weight loss.  I knew that this was a big goal, but I felt if I worked hard at it I could achieve it.  Well I am pleased to say that today I weighed in 9.9kgs lighter than my first weigh in!  I was stoked.  Watching what I ate (not starving myself) and exercising hard paid off.  Total weight loss is now 45kg so getting close to my next goal of 50kgs (and my iPad which is my reward at 50kgs).

Things kids say.  In the car driving home from the gym this morning and it was on the news that in America a juvenile can be jailed for life with no parole for murder (excuse me if I am a little wrong on this).  So this prompted a discussion about life in jail and what this would mean.  I said to Benson that the worst part would never being able to fall in love, get married and have a family - as that is the most amazing thing to experience (deep and meaningful there from Mummy).  Benson announced "no Mum, having a day off school is the best thing ever!".  Obviously a day off due to teacher strikes tops the cake when you are 6!!!

A layout ...

Feels good to be back bloggin again - this is going to become a habit!

Kim xxx

PS - got to go and pull a baked cheesecake out of the oven - YUM (Donna Hay Salted Caramel)

 

A great weekend

So we had a super lovely weekend - with good weather, lots of exercise, family time, time with friends and a lovely father's day.  The house is a mess - but oh well, the other stuff is more important!

I took the opportunity on father's day to get a few snaps of us ...

I have now lost 44kgs - so thought it about time I shared a full length photo of me too ...

I still have a long way to go on my weight loss journey, but I am getting there.  Here is a full length shot of me in December 2009 before I started trying to lose weight (it is a beautiful photo by Janine Kaye but I never liked myself in it) ...

You will be seeing all of these photos coming up on some layouts soon!

Cheers
Kim

39 and feeling fine!

I turned 39 on the weekend and my bestie Daniela kindly took some photos of me.  We found this lovely coloured wall on the side of the toilet block at the park!!!

I really appreciate being able to get photos of me on each of my birthdays.  I had a super weekend with dinner out on Friday night, morning at the park, picnic lunch, shopping with my bestie and a delicious homecooked seafood dinner on Saturday, a nice 6km run and exploring waterfalls on Sunday!  Perfect.

Now a layout ... done for Lily Bee

Cheers
Kim

A big catch up ...

So what have I been up to this long weekend?

Well, I have:

• had some great family time;
• celebrated my little man's 6th birthday;
• coordinated the first visit by the tooth fairy;
• enjoyed a wonderful Easter morning through the eyes of a child;
• snorkeled in Kiama pools (yes it was cold) and watched Benson chase schools of tiny silver fish;
• bought a new pair of togs in preparation for our trip to Fiji;
• ate lots of chocolate (though not as much as hubby and child!);
• went on 2 x 5km runs;
• walked for 1.5hrs with a friend;
• went to a bosu/boxing class organised by the gym;
• drank lots of coffee and went out to lunch lots;
• had friends over for dinner;
• relaxed in the sunshine;
• took lots of photos;
• rediscovered an absolute LOVE of scrapbooking (again after a bit of a lull); and...
• drew the winner of my GCD prize giveaway.

 

and the winner is ....

 

 

Jane Butler!  Congrats Jane!!!!  Please email me with your address details and I will be sending a parcel your way.

I also have another giveaway for Cass who wanted to pass on her prize to a dear friend if she were fortunate enough to win.  Well she did not win, but such generousity should not go unrewarded, so I will be sending a parcel Kathy's way as well.

Thanks to everyone that participated in the giveaway - I had so many wonderful comments left, I wish I could give everyone something.  I also did not get a chance to respond to everyone, but I do want to say thankyou and that I appreciate everyone that drops by.

One other thing I did on the weekend was purge a HEAP of new unused past DT products that I will just never in 100 years be able to use all of, so watch this space for an upcoming Jillibean Soup giveaway!

I did lots of challenges this weekend, so I will photograph everything tomorrow and get it posted up here on the blog.

OK, I am off to organise dinner.  Enjoy the last evening of your super long weekend if you live in Australia ...

Kim  :o)

3 Announcements!

I have three annoucements that I need to make:

1. I will be teaching two classes at Scraploot in Sydney on the 19th of March.  Please contact the store if you would like to attend ... I would love to see you there.  Phone number is 9688 3391.  I will have some sneak peaks of the classes up on my blog soon.
2. Inspired Blueprints is having a DT call - full details below.
3. GCD Studios is having a DT call as well.  I can't believe that my 1 year term with GCD is now over.  It went soooo quickly.  If you are interested in applying the full details can be found here.

* * * * *

Inspired Blueprints DT call

Are you passionate about scrapping? Do you love using sketches? We'd love to have you on our team! Inspired Blueprints is an awesome sketch inspiration blog and we're looking to add to our team of talented designers.

The period of commitment is from April 2011 through September 2011, with the possibility of extension.

We are looking for:

• Five 12x12 layout designers
• Two 8.5x11 layout designers
• Two digital layout designers

The Responsibilities:

• Create one layout every two weeks based on the sketch provided. On average, we have two new sketches every month.
• Meet deadlines for submitting layouts.
• Participate ACTIVELY and REGULARLY in our online community by giving positive comments on layouts and welcoming new members.
• You will also have the opportunity to provide prototype layouts for new sketches, however this is not an essential requirement.

The Perks:

• The opportunity to be part of our inspiring and growing sketch blog and community.
• There is no designer remuneration but you may get to work with sponsor products from time to time. 

Please note:

• If successful, we ask that you will not design for, or apply to be on, any other sketch blog during your term with Inspired Blueprints.

How to apply
Create a new layout based on this sketch...

Please also include in your application

• Your Name
• Address
• Email address
• The position you are applying for
• Link to your Blog or Online Gallery
• List of current design teams

International applicants welcome.  The Inspired Blueprints design team covers all four corners of the world.

Send your application to [email protected] no later than 15 March 2011. Please put "DESIGNER CALL" as your email subject. New designers will be notified by email on 20 March 2011.

Good luck!

* * * * *

That's it from me today.  Will post another layout very soon!

Kim

A milestone!

Today I had my weight watchers weigh in and I have now officially lost 30kg - basically in the last 7 months.  To say I am stoked is an understatement, however, there is still a long way to go ... and I am up for it!!!!

What excites me even more is my increased fitness and energy.  I even shocked (in a good way) my trainer at the gym on saturday morning when I completely rocked an ab exercise that she said "I am not sure if anyone is going to be able to do this one, but give it a go".  YEY me!

I will let you all know when I pass 40kgs!

Also finalised bookings for our June Fiji holiday to Treasure Island today - yey!  Definitely going to have lost at least another 10kgs before we head off there and I spend 10 days in swimmers!

Ok, now onto scrapbooking ...

This layout is using products mainly from the latest Studio Calico kit.  Got myself a little bit arty with the paint and stamp!

 

I LOVED this kit - I have used everything but a few scraps - made so many layouts from it.

I am off to watch Top Gear!
Cheers
Kim

How times change

I was thinking this morning how different things are now from 6 months ago!  I woke up this morning to a very overcast, hot and muggy day - a perfect day for lounging around inside with the air conditioning on.  But no, I got up, got the family organised and we headed off to the pool to swim laps.  I figured it was a hot day so who cared if it rained a little while we had a swim!  I swam 1km (20laps) while Gary kept an eye on Benson and then Gary swam his laps while I walked up and down the pool with a large 5 year old clinging to me!

We then got washed and changed (me into my walking gear) enjoyed a coffee and then I walked 45 mins home while Gary and Benson drove home.  I feel great!  Although a little tired this afternoon.  Now I am going to enjoy some scrapping time in the aircon.  Cause man was it HOT walking home and the occassional shower only made it WORSE!

What amazed me is how good I felt when I got home - yes, I was hot, tired and sweaty - but I felt good.  6 months ago, I could not have even done the swim, flat out contemplated a 45 min walk afterwards (mind you, it would have taken me considerably longer than 45 mins 6 months ago too).

At the moment I try to walk a couple of times a week (usually in excess of an hour each time), swim at least 1km two times a week, gym 5 to 6 times a week.  Soon Zumba will start again so that will be once a week, and outdoor training sessions begin mid February on a Saturday morning.  So the mix will change a little in a couple of weeks.  However, I like mixing it up and I think I get better results that way.

After a bit of thinking, I have some goals for this year:

• run 5km by the end of the year.  I want to lose a little more weight and then I will seriously start working towards this.  I have a training friend who is keen to do this too so that will definitely help me
• lose at least another 20kg - though I would like it to be closer to 30 - by the end of 2011
• start scuba diving again - we are holidaying in Fiji in June and I plan on doing heaps of diving!

I think that is it - can you see my change in focus - all goals are fitness focused!  Don't worry there will still be plenty of scrapping going on.  I have already done 10 layouts this year, though a few are for DT commitments so I can't share them yet.

Talking about scrapping, here is one of my layouts using the January Storyboard Kits kit (which is sold out - sorry!) ...

I am off to watch a movie and scrap.  Have a great afternoon.

Kim  :o)