Kitten Love

Nothing says 'I Love You' like a bouquet of kittens for your 4th Wedding Anniversary/Valentines Day.

They are kind of perfect: they don't need to be watered, or fed, and they will stay adorable forever, cute little bonsai cats. And there's no problem with sending them in the post!

Love you too babe xx

Step by Step

If you have been following my Instagram any time in the last year, you will have noticed a lot of pics of my shoes. (if you haven't been following me, you should! I'm neat! @craftygirl_tk)  I've been walking A LOT. Aiming for the daily goal of 10,000 steps per day. Yep, you heard it. Ten. Thousand.

That's the 'average' daily amount that you should walk to maintain fitness, set by someone, somewhere.

I have a bunch of weight to get rid of, and walking is just so convenient and cost effective, so it's my exercise of choice at the moment.

I don't get to 10,000 every day, but I don't beat myself up about it.

Trying to create a new lifestyle with new habits is a hard, slow process, especially when you have things so ingrained. It has to be done though. I have been told I have IRS, Insulin Resistance Syndrome. And I really don't want it to get to diabetes any time soon.

After a year of walking pretty much every day, I've slowly noticed improvements - I can walk further, and I can carry on a conversation at the same time as well. Hills and steps are definitely still my nemesis, but they are getting easier. And all of this activity is helping to keep the Black Dog at bay, too.

So if you need me, I'll probably be out walking ;)

Tracey xox

Feeling Low

Today I'm feeling pretty low.

Last night our little scrapping community lost a very dear and talented friend. I knew Deb when I was working at Scrapbook HQ, and she was so supportive and kind to me throughout the whole Dizzy Izzy experience. She was a scrapper with a fantastic eye for colour and a knack for putting together really great layouts.

I'll never forget how she pulled her very first 'all nighter' at our May retreat this year, and went kind of loopy towards the end. She was so proud of herself for making it!

I will miss laughing with my lovely, kind, crafty friend.

xox

Floods & Fires

This week we had a HUGE storm in Sydney, and a friend's house was damaged by a flash flood. Her family were lucky to make it out of their house before the downstairs was completely submerged in water. Seriously, they were on the news and everything.

Seeing the pictures of their destroyed house has brought back some memories for me of the year that my family went through some devastation of our own.

Back when I was 10, our year contained both a flood AND a fire.

We were staying at a friends property for the Easter holidays when it and the neighbouring properties flooded. All of the kids were sent to higher ground, so I don't have many memories of the actual flood, but I do know that they travelled around in boats, trying to get things sorted and to save the stuff that was washing away.

After that drama, our year was relatively quiet (as far as I recall) until the end of November when we lost most of our home in a house fire.

We were all home, Mum out sewing a dress for a dancing competition, my sister was in bed and I was watching a video with Dad and our neighbour who I was having a sleepover with.  The fire started in garage, so luckily we weren't trapped and there was time for us to leave safely once we noticed it.  Unfortunately Dad lost all of his music equipment, tools, Square Dance records, and we lost our bikes and even my beloved roller skates!

our garage was on the left, that's the garage door frame laying on the driveway

our lounge room - you can see through to the garage

It was a really scary night, and it wasn't just the fire that caused damage - we lost many family photos and electrical items to water damage.  Our insurance only covered the building, none of the contents. We were lucky enough to have lots of our neighbours, family and friends rally around us to support us. An army of people showed up the next day to clear the house out. We had people take clothes and other items to clean them, and my parents Square Dancing friends held fundraisers for us to help buy the major white goods.  People gave us copies of photos to help replace the memories that we lost. I've since learnt, after seeing it many, many times on the TV, that this is the true Aussie spirit showing through.

the kitchen with the roof caved in

even in the rooms that weren't burnt, you can see the smoke and water damage. dig those retro arches!

We rebuilt, and moved about 4 years later into the house that my parents still live in, a new area, new schools (ha, I remember changing school being WAY more traumatic than the fire). And it will be 26 years ago in a few weeks. Some things stay with you though. I ALWAYS try to seek out the source if I smell smoke. I'm overly attached to the precious photos that we were able to replace.  Deep down I know though, that you will always be okay, even if you lose everything, as long as you survive, because the days go on, and roller skates can be replaced, and one day you realise that you haven't thought about it in so long that it was nearly forgotten.


Tracey xox

Retreating... to a Crafty Zone

I'm heading off to a Scrap Retreat this weekend hosted by the Little Scrapbook Shop. It will be (hopefully) a lovely girly weekend with some crafty friends. I am aiming to upload some of my pages as I go, so hopefully I will have something to show for all of the time it has taken me to get organised and packed!

Time away with my own thoughts and crafty encouragement is just what I need at the moment. I'm still struggling with a continual headache (since March), and life is a little hectic at the moment. I definitely need to recharge a little to get my focus back for the second half of the year.

Wish me luck!

Tracey xx

Meet & Greet with Becky Higgins!

Last Tuesday I skipped work and headed off to Lidcombe Spotlight to meet a scrapping idol of mine, Becky Higgins. This is certainly not my usual Tuesday morning, but was an opportunity I couldn't pass up.

You may be familiar with Becky through her industry-revolutionising scrapping system Project Life. I'm only new to Project Life and pocket scrapping this year, but I've been a fan of Becky's for over 10 years.

When I first started scrapping, the goto source of inspiration was definitely Creating Keepsakes Magazine (which is sadly no longer published). I can remember spending hours pouring over the submitted layouts, copying the ones I liked, and wondering why I couldn't get my scrapping to look as 'finished' as the published layouts.

Remember, this is way before blogs, Instagram and Pinterest. It was way harder to find great sources of scrap inspiration than it is today. I was also the only one I knew who scrapbooked - it was before I found my lovely scrapping community.

Then I discovered Becky's sketches. Each month she would have an article in CK featuring one of her sketches, and different interpretations of the sketch.

CLICK!

It was like a light bulb seeing those sketch designs! They guided me through my first steps into page design, and pretty soon I was doing my own rough little sketches in my sketch book. As Becky said, 'that was what worked for you at the time!'

Of course, now I've come full circle and get to see my sketches come to life at the Dizzy Izzy Crafternoons & Retreats. It's always such a thrill to see how others interpret something I've created!

I took along my copies of Becky's Sketches books for her to sign. These books were like my scrapping bibles, and are now quite well used/loved. It was so exciting to sit next to Becky, and chat with her about my scrapping journey, and about Dizzy Izzy Scrapbooking.

I love this! A pic of Ness taking a pic of Becky & Kell

Kell & Ness were also there, and I got to meet some other lovely scrappers, including Ruth from Polly! Scrap Kits.  Becky was gracious enough to answer all of our questions, and then she got stuck into signing goodies like journal cards and core kits.

The first of many days of signing for Becky on this trip

Ruth from Polly! Scrap Kits

I had seen her on Creative Live, and I'm familiar with her mantra of 'Cultivate A Good Life & Record It', but I was pretty blown away. With Becky, what you see is what you get. One question I asked, as a scrapping entrepreneur myself, was how many hours a day does she work on the business. She spoke about when they first started the business, and the kids were smaller, that they would put them to bed, and she & David would be working until 3am. Every Night.  Now, she said, she has a bigger network and support team, but she still feels like she puts in hours & hours. Every Day.

 Becky also mentioned there were some big announcements coming in April and then in a few months - I can't wait to see what she has planned next!

As a scrapper, and as a woman, I completely admire Becky for both her business sense and also her work/life balance. It's something that I hope to work on and I definitely aim to be more like Becky.

Here is to Cultivating a Good Life, and Recording It.

Tracey xox

My Scrapbook Beginnings Part 1

I did my first ever 'official' scrapbooking class while I lived (briefly) in Queensland when I was 24, but I had kept scrapbooks before.

My first scrapbook was started when I was about 12 and my uncle gave me a large notebook as a gift, and it featured all of the celebrities that I was in love with at the time. I loved magazines like TV Hits & Smash Hits, and would scour them looking for the right photos to cut out.

I do still think Johny Depp is a spunk.
NKOTB on the other hand....

I was definitely an early Neighbours fan,
but my parents wouldn't let me watch it

Still love ya Kylie, and you dress waaay better now love.

The Hoff. 'Nuff said.

I was pretty crushed when they turned out to be giant fakes...

It was certainly a Pro-Corey zone

90210 - the original and the best.

Hours and hours were spent cutting and pasting, and not much has changed between now and then. I still love Johnny Depp and I still love cutting and pasting, but now my papers are waaay prettier. And I use better quality adhesive.

Did anyone else have a scrapbook like this?

Tracey xox

February Round Up

February found me back in the full swing of work, Grandpa duties and keeping up with life.

I kicked off February with a girls day at Hair Time Hairdressers, hanging out with Jodie, Mum & Leasie. A much needed and long overdue haircut later, and I felt a little more human.

Early in Feb we celebrated our 3 year wedding anniversary. Apparently the traditional gift for 3 years is leather. But for us, it was sushi dinner. Much love and rice xxoo

I finally got to the Ramsgate Organic Foodies Market with Melle, where we sampled the wares, and of course had a Madame Pop!

Now that all of her munchkins are in school, I've been heading over to Louise's on a Friday to do some scrapping and chatting. Still working on the album for my cousin, but I'm really happy now with how it is shaping up. Still haven't started any more Project life, but I will get there. I think.

My sister has launched her own venture into business and started a Stampin Up business and blog. She has named her business Tracey's Sister, and I recommend you read her blog post here to find out all about it. I'm pretty proud of her now that she's "All growed up", LOL.

I'm still walking, though now I'm back at work its not as often as it should be.  And we snuck in a casual reunion BBQ for our old Rotaract crew.

It was definitely a busy, busy, busy month!

Tracey xox

Starting Project Life

I've taken the plunge and started a Project Life album.

So far I've only done a title page, but since I don't think I'm aiming for a traditional weekly spread I should be able to get January sorted soon. I've even printed some photos! (This is my biggest obstacle - I rarely remember to print photos. I'm so disorganised) 

I'm really just hoping to record more about our life and the crazy things we sometimes get up to, but also done of the day to day things that we sometimes overlook. Plus I assume there will be lots of photos of Turtle.

The cards I've used are a mix of MAMBI cards and Studio Calico. Matt gave me a subscription to the Studio Calico PL kit for Christmas. Lucky!

Anybody out there also starting to PL? 

Tracey* xox 

Resolutions, New Year Style.

2013.

I think I succinctly summed it up on my fb status as "Well, that's over."

We had some fun times, and happy days. But I spent the year fighting some big personal battles and eventually ended up with the news that I had to make massive lifestyle changes. Immediately.

Luckily I'm now a few weeks in to the 'New Me' and am feeling so much better.  So in the spirit of change here are my New Years Resolutions. I figure if they are here then I am more accountable and more likely to stick with them.  So of them are perennials for previous years, as why not?

• Wear more dresses
• Kiss more
• Walk every day
• Stick to my food plan
• Dive into Project Life
• Stay organised
• Be more comfortable with self promotion
• Post more on both blogs
• Less TV-more scrapping

I also have a few other goals that aren't really resolutions, such as save to get to CHA in 2015 (and save to get more in the house fund), increase our web traffic to the Dizzy Izzy store, expand our handmade items range, and continue our success with our Scrap Retreats.

My One Little Word for the year is TODAY. But I think I will still also revisit last years word as well, which was MAKE. Together, they pretty much sum up what I hope to get out of the year.

Lets see how it all goes.

Tracey xx

Scrap Catch Up

Some of my page kits have sold out at Dizzy Izzy Scrapbooking, so I thought I'd post a few pics if the layouts on my blog. 

This one is my dad and his brother & sister many, many years ago (lol) and used American Crafts 'Chap' papers and embellies. I love these colours, and I'm always partial to some flair and bunting! 

Tracey xxoo

Feeling Successful

Last weekend was a huge one - May Retreat for Dizzy Izzy Scrapbooking. Our first 3 night Retreat, and our first fully booked (with a waiting list!) Retreat. 

2 years ago my friend Fleur and I made the crazy decision to leap into this business, and I honestly think it's one of the best choices I've ever made. 

I have an amazing business partner and I am doing what I love - creating and helping others to create. 

We have gone from 'Lets have 1, maybe 2 Retreats per year' to having either a Crafternoon or Retreat each month. 

We are now about to embark on Phase 3 of our plans, and it's the scariest step yet. 

This time next year, who knows what might be happening? 

Thoughts

Gosh, I guess this blogging thing just isn't for me....

Now I've downloaded the Blogger App, perhaps I'll get into the habit of writing posts when I'm here, there and everywhere.

Life really is busy, what with my day job finishing because the business is closing and my real job really heating up and expanding. I'm working on so many secret projects, it's hard to keep track!

This is my first post from my phone, hopefully it works!

Enjoy this pic I snapped from my front lawn yesterday....

Love Trace xox

Sunday Afternoon...

Just scrapping away, playing with inks and sprays on this lovely sunny Sunday afternoon.

I have the house to myself so I get to pick the soundtrack.

                                                  

I can recommend heading to his website getting a copy of this album for free... beautiful music from the lead singer of The Beautiful Girls.

Happy Scrapping,

Trace* xox

Sore Back = Time For Stitching

Last week I was pretty messed up with a bad back. An hour long deep tissue massage aggravated a long standing inflammation problem I have. Combine that with the set up and pack down involved in running a Crafternoon, and by Sunday night I couldn't sleep and could barely move.

The doctor prescribed a bunch of pills, rest and some physio sessions. This meant for the week I couldn't drive myself anywhere, or do much of anything, really.

For me, that much down time is scary and guilt inducing. Wasted time - not my idea of fun when there is so much to do!  So I passed the time by trying to complete some stitching projects that are way overdue. I really am a slow cross stitcher!

Luckily I had Turtle to keep me company! The 'Keep Calm' project was meant to be a gift for Fleur's 30th birthday - I've only got less than a month until it becomes 1 year overdue - luckily only one and a bit letters to go!

I will post some pics once they are all finished and framed, but since I go back to work tomorrow, who knows when that will happen??

Tracey* xox

OMG!!

On Sunday I got to meet and do a make n take with one of my scrapping idols Amy Tan. OMG!!!

If you aren't familiar with Amy's scrapping, she is the designer behind the Amy Tangerine lines from American Crafts, and you can check out her work here at her blog. I love her awesome use of colour, and her layouts and handmade embellishments really speak to me. And did I mention her Daybooks? Divine!

She is currently touring through Australia (and then NZ) through Spotlight to promote her lines now being sold at their stores. (ahem... they have been sold at Dizzy Izzy since Day 1!)

I dragged Matt along to Spotlight Miranda so he could take photos, and hung out near the Make N Take table they had set up, waiting for her to arrive like a creepy stalker.

With Amy

Amy and I chatted while we waited for the make n take to be set up. It was so exciting to tell her about my scrapping story and Dizzy Izzy. She laughed when I told her I have been too scared to post a comment on her blog, and encouraged me to blog more (and here it is, lol!).

The crazy thing is.... no one else came! Just weird considering she was swamped that morning in Melbourne. Oh well, I'm not going to lie... I loved it! I had Amy all to myself for an hour - who else can say that?? You hear that other people - you snooze, you loose!

Matt gets his craft on...

So Matt and I got to make a card with Amy, using her fun products. She taught Matt how to use a border punch and we got to chat some more about how she got started scrapping, and how her collaboration with American Crafts came about. We also heard about some of her favourite things coming out soon in the new Ready Set Go line like a date stamp & sheer letters - I can't wait to check them out in person.

Amy snapped this one 'just pretend you're being crafty'

 

I was even lucky enough to get a signed Amy Tangerine apron - you can bet that will be making an appearance at the Crafternoon this Saturday. PLUS she gave me a make n take kit to give away as a prize at the next retreat! Awesome!

Signing my apron

The big thing that I got from this was how much Amy loves creating - and it comes through in everything she does. She is living the crafty life and loves what she does. How lucky am I that I get to do what I love as well?

Happy Scrapping,

Tracey

a dog named Wendal

This week was a hard one for me.

It started out with us celebrating our dog Wendal's 16th birthday, we had a family bbq at my parents place and spent some time with him. I took some photos so I could have one for my Project 366.

Unfortunately on Wednesday Wendal passed away suddenly.

If you have ever lost a pet, you will know how heartbreaking it can be.

Farewell little buddha. I hope you get to have endless belly rubs and eat as much ice cream and licorice you want now. Good boy.

xox

sick, but still stitching!

I've been a little under the weather for the last week or so. After having a cold a few weeks ago, I thought I had finally shaken it, so I resumed swimming laps at the local pool.

I was wrong.

Unfortunately, the next 48 hours were awful. I dragged myself to work only to be told by the boss to go home (thanks, Dad! xox) and spent my time curled up on the lounge with a blankie and the cat, wishing I would die.

I have improved slightly, but the horrible, gross cough remains. Yuck.

On the bright side, I've caught up on some Dizzy Izzy work, played ALOT of Draw Something, AND I've been getting in a little cross stitching. Yay!

Here's some highlights:-

cat + blankie = toasty warm love

can you guess it? lol

what a poor me!

Easter breakfast made by My Man

just after I had to unpick a whole section... doh!

I hope you are all well out there!

XOXO