Best blogging buddies

Well, I won't bore you all with complaints about my backache - but if this 3rd antibiotic tablet doesn't show some improvement in the morning, then I am not going to wait until Monday to go back to the doctor, I'll be going in the morning!

On to more pleasant things. I got an award!! From Jan (intensemagic) and isn't it just too cute!
And no strings attached to this one.


I have lots of blogging buddies, but first it goes to

Dinphy - who will hopefully forgive me for not wishing her a HAPPY BIRTHDAY yesterday. I had every intention of remembering it on the right day, but...

Leigh is next. ooh and check out Leigh's blog today, she has had a beautiful kit made in her honour - I love the name of it "Leigh goes Hippity hoppity Hopp!"

Danyale is next up - she writes some great posts and has really great layouts - shame I can't give her a gallery standout too, but I only see them on her blog!

And if you are in my side bar - your blog is one I love so please grab this too and pass it on!
This blogging world most certainly is global, and a very friendly place to be, I love it!

So let me think, what else I wanted to write about.
The snow is still here but I think it is slowly melting, might make the roads treacherous in the morning, if it freezes over night. It was icy enough this morning on the paths (we walked to Kindergarden again), the boys were quite disappointed cause they couldn't really pick the snow up this morning, if it wasn't iced together it was really powdery! BUT that meant we got there and back a lot quicker today!

Bye 4 now

Snow, snow and more snow!

Yep, that is what we woke up to this morning, and it hasn't stopped snowing all day long! The boys thought it was great, I wish I could say the same, that and my backache have made for a very grumpy me today, the poor boys couldn't do much right for me today!
I did take them out in it and we built a snowman (be back later with a layout of it!), but when they wanted to stay out in the dark, I insisted we came in. We were all dressed up in our winter overalls, looking very very bulky. Luckily I was the one with the camera!

Credits:
A Snowy Evening - DigitalArts Cafe December Collab Kit (my portion)

We walked to and from Kindergarden today, and of course the walk home took forever as they insisted that they play in every bit of snow, and since it was everywhere it took forever (well, 30 minutes for a 5-10 minute walk!)

Before I go downstairs, I want to show you some more from my Tots Rule-OK kit!
This first one is from Dinphy - Rollercoaster! I love it all, don't you!


And this one is from Benita, the journalling reads something like "even waiting at the bus stop is fun with you!" (correct me if I am wrong Benita?!) Again another one I love.



OK, its getting cold up here now, so I am off into the warm and onto the laptop. And I need to take my antibiotics before I forget, not really feeling any improvement yet, maybe the second tablet will work!
Bye 4 now

Thank you, thank you!

Wow, 41 (!!!!) comments in 24 hours, that is a record for me! Thank you all so much, do you realise you make my day?!
Glad you all like the freebies and I hope you are having fun on the rest of the blogtrain! I still have lots to visit!

I have something to show everyone today, two of my online friends also know how to make my day, and now may officially call themselves my CT! look what I got from Dinphy and Benita (I have two more, but I am saving them for tomorrow! hihi!) using my kit "Tots Rule - OK" now available at DigitalArts Cafe.
This one is from Benita, it is her darling granddaughter at the library, isn't it just great! I love how she has her leaning out of the frame reading. This was the first time I saw my alpha in action, and I love it! Thanks again Benita for making my day!


And this one is from Dinphy, this is Tom her son having fun on his tractor at the playground! I love the photos, and I love how Dinphy has wrapped the tots around one corner! And thank you Dinphy for this wonderful layout!


Speaking of Dinphy, have you stopped off at her blog on the DAC Blogtrain?! Her kit and my kit coordinate. We chose our colourswatch together, well, I left Dinphy with the hard task of choosing the colours and agreed they were great and perfect! ;)
But for you it means that you get a lot more matching elements and papers for your scrapping needs!
here is Dinphy's preview, it is linked to her blog, where you can download and leave her some love! (sorry it is so small, not sure why that is, but Dinphy has a bigger version on her blog!)

So have you wondered what I have been up to these past few days, well, apart from checking my downloads and comments, nothing that exciting. I had to go to the doctors this morning, somehow I have managed to get myself "pyelitis" (had to look that one up) it basically means it hurts to wee and I have terrible back ache. I thought the back ache was due to the fact that we need a new mattress, but it turns out, it wasn't just a bladder infection I had been trying to cure with lots of water. oops! So now I am on antibiotics and will hopefully be feeling fine in a day or two!
So needless to say, we haven't ventured far these past couple of days, played a lot of games, made paper chains (after Robert threw a paddy, when he couldn't get it to work and Richard could) and read some stories. Just a normal day in a household with toddlers I think!
That's all for today
Bye 4 now

BIG NEWS!! DigitalArts Cafe Blog Train - Christmas Convoy 2008

So you are here for the DigitalArts Cafe Blogtrain? the Christmas Convoy? My chit chat?!

Whatever it is, I am so pleased to see you here, because, before I give you TWO yes TWO freebies, one for the DigitalArts Cafe Blogtrain and one for the Christmas Convoy - I have some REALLY, REALLY exciting news!

Today my Store at DigitalArts Cafe opens! Isn't that exciting! And this is what is there so far, working hard on other things to go in there, but check these out. First was my 2nd Entry to the contest at DigitalArts Cafe, so if you didn't get it then, when it was a freebie, then now is your chance.

And I have also made a brag book to go with it (with a little help from my friend Leigh - thanks Leigh!), which you can also get at DAC.

And for the first time I got to participate in the Mega Collab Kit for DigitalArts Cafe, and I am so pleased with what I created that I have to show you that too - also available at DAC. The theme was a snowy evening and we all had the same colour swatch! you should see the kit you will get for only $6.50, and now for a limited time only $4.55. Check it out here.

OK, enough of the plugging, time to get to those freebies.
First up, my contribution to the DAC Blog Train.
I have made a "German" style kit. There aren't many kits out there with St. Nikolaus, so here is one for you. So last time I did a German kit, I gave you Wikipedia description all about it, so here it is this time:

• In Germany, Nikolaus is usually celebrated on a small scale. Many children put a boot, called Nikolaus-Stiefel, outside the front door on the night of December 5 to December 6 . St. Nicholas fills the boot with gifts, and at the same time checks up on the children to see if they were good. If they were not, they will have a tree branch (rute) in their boots instead. Sometimes, a disguised Nikolaus also visits the children at school or in their homes and asks them if they "have been good" (sometimes ostensibly checking a book for their record), handing out presents on a per-behaviour basis. This has become more lenient in recent decades.

We, having lived here for nearly 30 years adopted the good bits about this tradition, so the boys will wake up and find some fruit and a little present in the boot!
But now, here is the kit, with traditional christmas stuff too!

Download Part 1 here
Download Part 2 here

And to find the other links to the Blog Train participants (about 60!) please click here for the up to date list (but I will list them here too, but you should check, I don't want you to miss anyone!), you really don't want to miss it! And I know Helen (1Iceprincess) has made some Quickpages with this kit!
(and don't forget I promised TWO freebies!)

1. Melothria - http://www.digitalarts-cafe.com/blog/
2. Rhondogg - http://tea4twophotos.blogspot.com/
3. shellistep - http://shellistep.blogspot.com/
4. ---->>> YOU ARE HERE!!! KayJay - http://kayjaysdays.blogspot.com/
   
5. Mozz - http://forevermorecreations.blogspot.com/
6. arnydia - http://mis-myscraps.blogspot.com/
7. Tiamama - http://boxerdoglove.blogspot.com/
8. Rachael - http://memoryscraps.wordpress.com/
9. A-liya - http://a-liya.blogspot.com/
10. Adelina - http://adelinascrap.blogspot.com/
11. mels_world1 - http://mels-world1.blogspot.com/
12. wornoutmumoftwo - http://funwithdigiscrap.blogspot.com/
13. Tirza - http://tirzastreasurescrap.blogspot.com/
14. Dinphy - http://dinphy.blogspot.com/
15. 1IcePrincess - http://iceprincessfl.blogspot.com/
16. Aneta - http://www.hotspotbyaneta.blogspot.com/
17. mutchlp - http://grandmasscrap2.blogspot.com/
18. lynnirene - http://themathematiciansassistant.com/
19. SerenitySheri - http://serenitysheri.blogspot.com/
20. swordascrappin - http://swordascrappin.blogspot.com/
21. MegaDoodle - http://megadoodleinspired.com/
22. jgibson9890 - http://www.statementsbyjodi.com/
23. manuscraps - http://manu-scraps.blogspot.com/
24. Leggs79 - http://desertdesigns.org/blog/
25. MaryE - http://barkingpenguinscraps.blogspot.com/
26. bluevelvet - http://nutnbutdezigns.blogspot.com/
27. Chris Lee - http://scrapslee.blogspot.com/
28. CottageStella - http://stellarificcreations.blogspot.com/
29. plainmnm5 - http://bitsoscrap.blogspot.com/
30. kittenb - http://kittenzkreationz.com/wordpress/
31. squeaky - http://squeakyscraps.wordpress.com/
32. HollyinPa - http://www.hollyinpa.blogspot.com/
33. tjmuse - http://acorn-designs.blogspot.com/ & http://acorndesigns2.blogspot.com/
34. (be sure to check out both sites)
35. Auntie Social - http://www.auntiesc.blogspot.com/
36. bddots - http://decemberdaydream.blogspot.com/
37. Juliemomof4 - http://mycrazylifeasamomandawife.blogspot.com/
38. patchas - http://scrapsofsunshine.blogspot.com/
39. ljd2007 - http://lindajd.blogspot.com/
40. luv2scrap82 - http://purelypixels.blogspot.com/
41. rags2r - http://scrapsfrommyheart.blogspot.com/
42. Aquarius - http://www.aquariusscrapability.blogspot.com/
43. LeahO_74 - http://www.leaho74.blogspot.com/
44. mom2maddie - http://priddysweetscraps.blogspot.com/
45. okekeca - http://fwts.blogspot.com/
46. thescrappywife - http://thescrappywife.wordpress.com/
47. shebadoo ¬- http://www.azonefordigiscraps.com/
48. pinky7 - http://thepfamilyepisodes.blogspot.com/
49. Enaideel - http://thescrappytimes.wordpress.com/
50. javiara4227 - http://brandibeaver.blogspot.com/

Well, that was quite a long post! But well worth it! And if you enjoyed this post, then check out my last post - another freebie in there too - The CHRISTMAS CONVOY post!!

Christmas Convoy 2008

So you made it through the above post, or did you get directly here? If you came directly here, you really do need to check out the post above (another Xmas Freebie! and some EXCITING news!)

Anyhow here is my part for the Christmas Convoy (7 papers - 3 patterned and 4 solids, and a beautiful glittering upper alpha and numerals)

Download here

And here are the other participants of the Convoy:

• 01 - SotoCreations http://twistedscrap per.blogspot. com/
• 02 - CurtisamCreations http://curtisamcrea tions.blogspot. com/
• 03 - WillowRaven http://purpledragon flycreations. blogspot. com
• 04 - Kez Creates http://kezcreates. blogspot. com
• 05 - The Queen and the Princess Designs http://thequeenandp rincessdesigns. blogspot. com/
• 06 - Carolyn at Digi Cyber Scraps http://www.digicybe rscraps.com
• 07 - DesignZ by DeDe http://designzbyded e.blogspot. com
• 08 - Scrapz By Christon http://www.havendes ignz.com/ scrapzbychriston /
• 09 - mITSYBELLE http://mitsybelle. blogspot. com/
• 10 - CuddleBeez Scraps http://cuddlebeezsc raps.blogspot. com
• 11 - Lizard Dau Designs http://liz-lizardda udesigns. blogspot. com/
• 12 - Outback Dezigns http://outbackdezig nsdigiscrap. blogspot. com/
• 13 - CandysTreasures http://www.candystr easures.blogspot .com
• 14 - Gemini Creationz http://geminicreati onz-byvickig. blogspot. com/
• 15 - Reeces Pieces Scraps http://reecesscraps .blogspot. com/
• 16 - LouCee Creations http://louclark. blogspot. com/
• 17 - Crafted by Gina http://craftedbygin a.blogspot. com/
• 18 - Twisted Angel http://twistedangel sscrapkits. blogspot. com/
• 19 - MIP Scraps http://mipscraps. blogspot. com
• 20 - PinkuPixie Digital Designs http://ppbits. blogspot. com
• 21 - Shawn Walter http://csuramsrule. blogspot. com/
• 22 - Moodz Scrapz http://moodzscrapz. blogspot. com/
• 23 - Bits N Bobs http://scrappingbit s.blogspot. com/
• 24 - Kolor Scapez http://www.kolorsca pez.com
• 25 - damc http://debscrapbook s.blogspot. com
• 26 - Debee Dezines http://debeedezines .blogspot. com
• 27 - JIC Creations http://JICCreations .blogspot. com
• 28 - Kcscrapper (Kathy Count) http://www.snapnscr apfreebies. com
• 29 - MoveFearlessly Designs http://movefearless ly.com/blog
• 30 - MoonBeam's Creations http://moonbeamskit sandkaboodles. blogspot. com
• 31 - Scrapping With Jen http://scrappingwit hjen.blogspot. com
• 32 - AJ’s Random Scraps http://ajsrandomscr aps.blogspot. com
• 33 - Designs by Amilyn http://designsbyami lyn.blogspot. com
• ------>>>>> YOU ARE HERE!!! 34 - KayJay http://kayjaysdays. blogspot. com
  
• 35 - Blind Sight Designs http://blind- sight.org/ blog/
• 36 - Hummie http://blog. hummiesworld. com/
• 37 - Foxylady Creations http://foxyladycrea tion.blogspot. com/
• 38 - Idgie's Heartsong http://scrappinidgi e.blogspot. com/
• 39 - Saskia / Supersuzi http://supersuziscr aps.blogspot. com/
• 40 - QueenBrat Designs http://bitsnpieceso fqbd.blogspot. com/
• 41 - Donna's Designs http://www.donna- designsbydonna. blogspot. com/
• 42 - Doreen http://doreensscrap blog.blogspot. com/
• 43 - TammyJo's Creations http://moondancersc reations. blogspot. com
• 44 - Angi's Place http://amtamburo. blogspot. com/

Remember we are all in different time zones, so you may have to go back to some of the participants! but I am sure it will be worth it!
And remember more freebies in the post above!
Bye 4 now

Father Christmas stopped by!

Despite everything - we had a nice time at my friends yesterday and were quite late back, as we stopped to have a meal with my parents and brother on the way home, and I never got around to updating the blog!
But today I have something fun to tell you all about. Last year we started a family tradition, that we have continued this year and expanding on it, so we can continue for years to come...
Last year Santa stopped by and picked up Robert's dummy, so that he knew that Robert was now a big boy and could have big boy presents. Last year it happened sometime at the beginning of November as Robert determined when he was giving his dummy up.
This year I have been working towards the 30th November. Santa stopped by and picked up Richard's dummies, and their juice bottles and their Xmas lists. They put it all on the doorstep and went upstairs to play. When they heard the doorbell (well Mummy calling really as it doesn't ring loud enough to hear it upstairs) they came down and peeped out of the window, but no one was there! When they opened the door they found an advent calendar and a Thomas the Tank Engine digger each! Richard was slightly disappointed that it wasn't the "puter" he had asked for on his list, but he cheered up, when we explained about the advent calendar counting us down for the BIG Santa visit!
They were really cute! Of course now with their juice bottles gone, they didn't drink much this afternoon. But I am sure they will get the hang of things soon. Now it will be interesting to see, how well Richard manages to fall asleep without his dummy. But he is sooooo tired today as we were late home last night, that I should think it won't be a problem!
So next year if we need them to give up any silly habits, we can do the same again, and if not, then this will be how we send the Xmas lists to Santa and get the advent calendars! Not bad,eh?!

So is everyone excited about tomorrow?! I know I am, but then again, a lot of you don't know what is going to happen tomorrow!! I think you'll be surprised!! I know I still am!!
And on that note, I am off downstairs to make us a pizza - yummy!
I'll be back later and post a layout of Robert peeping to see Santa!
and here it is, I did it also for the Mix My Scrapbook Challenge at Been there Scrapped That.
You had to use lots of papers, the word "Anticipation", a piece of tape and your own handwriting! Florian made me a font of my handwriting not so long ago, so that wasn't a problem, but I think I prefer other fonts to my scribble!

Credits:

Chill Out Remix by Colie's Corner at BTST
Tape from Back to School BTST collab kit

By the way, the Pizza was delicious (fresh mushrooms, leek, red peppers, olives and feta cheese!)

Got another layout done! This is the pair of them stood in front of the things for Santa! Looking so pleased with themselves. I did it for the Scrapper Say What Challenge at BTST. And addressed it to them!

Credits:
Chill Out Remix by Colies Corner at BTST

Bye 4 now

Not in blogging mood tonight, sorry!

Not sure where to start today, I had some really bad news from my best friend today, nothing that I will be going in to on my blog, but it has me really upset for her. Tomorrow we are all going there to be there for her. Unfortunately we now live too far apart, otherwise I would have been there instantly.
That is what is at the top of my thoughts today, and I am having difficulty coming up with my normal post. Sorry about that.
But then again, it was just a normal day in my life - made a little bit special, by the fact that Florian was with me (he's stood over me reading, watching and commenting- can you tell!!!), shopping in the morning and playing with the kids in the afternoon - we took them to the bakers, the playing one, as the boys call it.
And that was about it really.
Sorry just not up to blogging tonight...
Bye 4 now

Happy Thanksgiving

to all my American Friends! Hope you have a great day (seeing as yours is just getting started!) and - don't eat too much! ;)

Well, Robert woke up bright and early to sweep again, but much to his dismay and my delight, the snow has all but gone! Not that Robert was going back to sleep, but Florian got up with Robert and Richard and took them to Kindergarden, so I got a little lay in! Shame that our mattress is not as good as it used to be, cause I got up earlier than I may have otherwise, cause my back was hurting. I did phone IKEA up to see if the guarantee for 25 years was valid, when I bought my mattress back in 1994. Unfortunately there was only a years guarantee back then. Shame, I thought we were in for a free new mattress, but no! I suppose it is our fault for letting the then little Robert bounce on it!
Florian spent the morning making more wood for our log fire, and I spent the morning working on my Xmas cards. This afternoon Robert and Florian went for a little ride on their bikes and Richard and I build Lego airplanes. I even managed to build something that really resembles a helicopter, I am quite proud of myself. I am just hoping they don't want a tractor next, or a combine harvester!
OK, that's all for today, I have some exciting things coming up next week, so watch this space or blog! Off to be creative and warm up in front of the fire!
Bye 4 now

Bond - James Bond!!!

Yep, we got to go to the cinema this afternoon! The boys didn't go to Kindergarden today, instead we all drove down to my parents for the day. We even got to see Mia and my SIL there too. After lunch all together, we left the boys with Mum and Dad and went off to Frankfurt to the English Cinema to see "The Quantum Solace". It's been a while since we last went to the cinema, and considering we used to go every week, we sometimes get serious withdrawal symptoms. It felt great to be there again. And we really enjoyed the James Bond film. I don't think I have seen so many different chases in one film before, not an area they didn't cover. There were chases in a car, on foot across roof tops, on a motor bike, on boats and in the air! But it was fun!
Mum and Dad said the boys behaved themselves, and they had glued us a very pretty picture, they had cut and stamped it. So cute!
We were quite late back, so I scrapped before I blogged tonight.
Wendy from BrokenJar Creations, has just opened her own store and this is her latest kit in it
Carefree (image linked to the new store!)


And here are two layouts I have made with it:
This is Mum with Mia and Zoe at our place the other day.

Credits:
Carefree by BrokenJar Creations
Wordart by Jamie Dell Scraps

And this is Richard cuddling his teddy whilst watching TV (probably Madagascar) The quote reads: Teddy bears don't need hearts as they are already stuffed with Love!

Credits.
Carefree by BrokenJar Creations
Wordart by Valerie Ostrom Designs

Bye 4 now

More snow!

And an over-excited Robert this morning - he was wide awake at 5.30am this morning, and did not get it when I said that "Daddy will come and get you, when he wakes up!" - he had me in there every 10 minutes until Daddy did get him at 7.00am! So it was another short night for me. Although, Florian did sweep the snow with Robert and get Richard up and take them both to Kindergarden, whilst I had another hours sleep!
Florian was the busy one this morning - kids to Kindergarden, then hairdressers, then shopping, then home to saw up lots and lots of logs for our fire. Our neighbour came round with his chainsaw to help him, cause we don't have one. Now we should have enough wood for the winter!
After lunch I found out that Florian actually quite hurt himself doing it, he dropped one of the extremely large and heavy logs on his big toe - it's purple now! After dropping it, he went and put his safety shoes on - oops, should have been the other way round really!!

This afternoon was our family appointment at the dentists. We all have healthy teeth! It was Roberts second and Richard's first trip there. And both were good as gold. Robert even said "ahh" all the while his mouth was open, so cute! He obviously associates doctors and open mouths with the word "ahhh"!
Richard we now know has the last two bottom teeth just breaking through and last two top teeth still missing, maybe that explains the sleepless nights!
But I don't really think it explains his other annoying habit, the NOT going on the potty for the big business. I think there he may just be being awkward. I read somewhere that I should not be cross with him, but that I should show him that I feel with him and that it will all be better soon (do you know there is one word for all that in German - bedauern! Maybe I should introduce it, would save some typing time! but back to Richard's business!) but I don't really think that is working either! I certainly don't feel any better after that and having to clean up the mess! Oh well, it only took my brother 2 years to figure it out! HELP!!

Well, I was supposed to be blogging really late today, as I was supposed to be meeting my friends for a girls night out - BUT the weather put pay to that! Such a shame, it has now had to be postponed until January. My friend works shifts and with Florian away it doesn't leave many days that we can get together the three of us. So instead of a nice Italian meal, we had cup-a-soup and rolls for tea. It was nice too.
Bye 4 now