Ingenious and practical… or just a little bit creepy?

You can buy it here if you’re interested.
http://www.thegreenhead.com/2008/01/zaky-hand-pillow.php

Some new and unique and some not so much…

• This little Project. So Interesting!
• For Colour Lovers (and love that the web address has a “u” in colour :))
• Fun T-shirts – now if only I had the courage (and let’s face it, the body right now) to wear one.
• Wondertime Magazine – specifically this heartfelt blog
• Urban Baby Photography – inspiring
• This book that I am reading right now. The topic (Motherhood in all its forms) is very timely. A very easy read which is vital givn my short attention span.

And finally, this song. Madonna and Justin Timberlake – what’s not to like? I am a pop music fan and proud of it!

I have had a lucky week in the Digi World. Not only did I win one of the blog challenges at Little Dreamer Designs with this LO, but I also won a random number generated prize from Jen Wilson – a GC from giftcertificates.com (cashed it in for a Barnes and Noble GC – recommendations on good books appreciated.)

If you haven’t had a chance to check out Jen’s new line yet, you definitely should head over there. The Sock Monster finds are fabulous and only 75c per pack. Of course I could spend a fortune in that store (and, to be honest, I think I have over the past few months).

I have also been taking part in the regular challenges for the new line. They are just so inspirational and help me scrap those things I ususally don’t take time for… uh… like myself. I usually hate creating pages about myself. I feel so much pressure to create something meaningful that my children will cherish that I feel like I lose who I really am. I am not very touchy feely. I am not a hugger (although cuddles with Thomas are a different matter). I don’t like putting my sentiments into words. Actually I think that’s what my next page will be about. Jen has challenged us to an all about me page and I think I just have to be honest… I am just not good at all about me pages. 🙂

Anyway, my first two challenge LOs (images are clickable for a closer look).

I want to know if anyone else has the same problem. Do you LIKE creating pages about yourself? Hate it? What do you do to record stories about yourself? Or are all the stories you create in some way a reflection of you without an “all about me” page?

Let me know if I’m alone. 🙂

Nicole

Yes, it’s Valentine’s Day. I have been marrie for nearly nine years and long ago gave up any romantic notion about this day. Not that I’m complianing. I mean EVERY day should be like Valentine’s Day right? And I would prefer to receive flowers at a time when they won’t die after 24 hours and when my favourite Gereberas are blooming.

The good news is that Digi Scrapping designers give a little extra love on this day and who can complain about that?

• Lauren Reid is giving away some free word art on the CT blog. VERY cool love quotes. AND if you leave a comment you may win a GC.
• Tara Sroka is giving away a free kit to someone who leaves her some love today
• Jen Wilson has a very Valentine OneDerful wednesday. Most of her new V-day stuff is just $1
• A loads more than I haven’t even found yet…

But you don’t have much time…. (and I am on Pacific time so you actually have even less time time than you thought).

And, finally, a little love in the form of a cartoon. My husband would tell you that this is very me. Guess I’m not very romantic either. 🙂

…at SISTV. One of my LOs was picked for the very first time from the SISTV gallery. And it just happens to be my new fav. Yay me! 🙂

I do have anotehr one to share. This one is for the current Hump Day lift on the Lauren Reid team blog. There’s a Lauren GC up for grabs if you play along.

I did not become very interested in politics until I moved to America. I don’t know why – possibly because I moved here when I was in my late 20s and my adult life had truly just begun. Probably because I now have 1.75 children and the state of the world is something that is constantly on my mind. Also likely because so many things have happened in this country (America) since I moved here in 2002 (exactly one year after 9/11) that have appalled me and made me want to see, and make, change.

So our little family has been making small changes – setting aside funds to donate to charities that are important to us, eating more organic, local foods to help support the community, being more environmentally responsible (we still only have one car and Kei rides his bike to work as much as he can) and just being more aware. The one thing I have not done that has been on my mind for some time is get my US Citizenship. I would NEVER give up my Aussie citizenship, but I am able to have both – in fact Thomas is already a dual citizen. I would like to ensure I have a say in the things that happen in the country I live in – especially when this country has such an incredible impact on the rest of the world.

So I am putting it here in writing to make myslef accountable. I am going to get off my lazy behind and apply for my US citizenship. I’m not sure it will come in time for the election but at least I will be moving in that direction.

I work in internal communications and part of my job involves creating inspiring pieces of media for our company meetings. I only wish we could make something this amazing. It sends shivers up my spine and was the primary inspiration behind this post.

It doesn’t matter that it is Barack Obama giving the speech or whether you are democrat or republican – the message is the key. (and for the record, I am torn between Barack and Hillary :)).

Thanks for stopping by
Nicole

I have been feeling a little unispired with my scrapping lately – not knowing where to start and not feeling it with the photos I have been taking (although I love the pics I have been taking for my P365 project – go figure).

I have been doing a little digi shopping – apparently the scrapper’s block has not affected my ability to find a good bargain. Of course I won all of Jen Wilson’s new stuff and then went shopping at the lilypad for parts of their new BYOC and even bought some of Traci Murphy’s drop shadows thanks to her 50% off sale.

So then I just felt like I HAD to scrap with some of this new stuff so I went in search of a couple of challenges to help inspire. (images are clickable).

This one was for the Hodge Podge challenge – use three different frames on a multi photo LO.

And this one for Little Dreamer – to use a white background with a splash of colour to make an impact. I actually LOVE this one. It is one of my favourite pages.

So the moral of the story – do more challenges to get the creative juices flowing. 🙂

Back to work tomorrow – ugh. Hoping for a snow day – although with remote computer access is there really such a thing anymore? I really just feel like sleeping in and lying around on the couch for a few hours. Can someone please cancel Monday?

Happy Australia Day – Jan 26th.

I am totally addicted to this song. I know it was a big hit in Australia and the UK a while ago. I picked up the CD while I was in Aus last August and have listened to it…oh… about 500 times since. Poor Thomas has had to dance to it around the house.

I have just started hearing it on TV promos here in the states so maybe it is starting to catch on. And now that I am able to post links to YOU Tube I can share it here.

And no, I am not ashamed of my obviously very POP music leanings. I have learned to embrace my love for all things pop without fear of retribution from Music snobs (my husband included). There is a reason it is called POP – as in popular.

And catchy. Try and get this out of your head after listening to it a couple of times (no apologies for that either. :))

Nicole