Mum stuff | missing my babies...

Last weekend I had the opportunity to spend a whole four days thinking of and looking after nobody but myself. No one asking me for drinks or where their shoes are (oh wait, that's usually me asking Andrew...oops). A scrapbooking retreat is just what the doctor ordered to refind my mojo...at Camp Mojo to be precise.  But, as it happens, all I did was think about my babies! Why is it when you're presented with some "adult" time, your kids still invade your thoughts...but in a good way iykwim.  So, here I was in the company of about 80ish women, and reminiscing about all the wonderful things our family has done over the years, and sharing my photos with my friends.  It made me so homesick...I never get homesick.!!  In fact, when I went overseas during high school, I didn't call my parents for nearly three weeks and they were sick with worry (sorry!). Go figure.  I will share some of the layouts I created over the weekend over the next couple of weeks.

First up... "Sweet Dreams"

This photo was taken approximately 5 years ago.  We'd been out for a long drive...no doubt to mum and dad's house, and once again, the kids had fallen asleep in the car.  What I wouldn't give for a comfy car seat with side head rests some days...anyhoo, I digress.  Both Seth and Eme have always been great sleepers. We could get them out of the car and put them into their beds or onto the lounge without ever waking them up. I'm so glad we captured this special moment. I wish I could squeeze those chubby baby and toddler cheeks one more time. Oh, and the dummy...sigh.  It really wasn't that long ago...but it seems like a lifetime. I know we won't be having any more babies, and it makes me a little sad that those days are gone.

This layout was created for a vintage pack challenge. I managed to use every single piece from that pack! Vintage book paper, doily, Prima flowers, shipping tag, lace and calico.  I found a sheet of Girls Paperie paper in my stash, and the colours matched the flowers perfectly!  My friend San has a thing for unfinished buttons and always bugs me about not sewing them down...and now it turns out I have a thing for unfinished flowers! I had fun digging through my embellies for flower centres...brads, little resin flowers, etc.  Don't they look pretty...

Next... "Two Cheeky Monkeys"
These photos were taken on the morning of Seth's 8th birthday. The birthday photos are generally the same every year.  The pile of presents, the portrait of the birthday person, the unwrapping of pressies (usually blurry because its hard to capture the lightning speed tearing!), then a shot with the sibling.  Seth and Eme are always happy to oblige with at least one smiley photo and then they go crazy! lol.  I had thought about not using the blurry one at the bottom, but that is SO them!  I was showing Andrew my layouts once I got home, and he agreed that although the top photo is most definitely a keeper, its the bottom one that warms both our hearts. So sweet.  Its hard to imagine that those two babies in the first layout, are these two ratbags now. lol.

This layout was also created for a challenge at Mojo...using orange, a diecut and something else (can't remember what it was, but its on there. lol), and is based on Inspired Blueprints sketch #75.  I have coloured Scrapware Impact chippy letters in pink marker and glaze, then scored the top to add a little interest.

I've also used a Scrapware bookplate and butterflies. btw - those Girls Paperie crepe paper flowers are one of my new favourite products...even if they have been out for a while!  So very pretty and fun...

So, I guess this is where scrapbooking and family collide.  Scrapbooking is a great creative outlet for me, but deep down I've always known that scrapbooking is more about documenting your family stories.  For me, its also a way of making me appreciate my family even more...particularly when they're not around.  Its good to reminisce.  People, get out those photos, and step back in time...