Lisa Kate Colour Me Happy

Black is her colour

My Lilli..... almost 12 and so very grown up.

She has a mind of her own and is very strong willed (kinda like her mumma).  But she is also very quiet and dare I say the *s* word? shy, always has been.

Our middle child sometimes struggles with finding her place.  So when she started being very vocal about her love for all things black and her hate of skirts I had a bit of a chuckle.  I was quietly cheering her on, watching her find her own style, fitting in where she wanted and pretty much saying "this is who I am - and I like it!".

While her Dad and I were pleased that she was taking such a big step in her own social and emotional growth.  Someone who really doesn't know Lil well, commented in a negative way about the black (yes to my face people!) and was "concerned"..... I am sure it did come from a place of caring.  But needless to say it was an ignorant comment.  I politely told them that if all I had to worry about was Lilli's love of black - then I was a lucky mumma.

So today we are celebrating Lilli's determination to be herself, to challenge, to find her place..... isn't that what parents are meant to do?

Lisa

 

A Christmas like no other

This year our Christmas was very very different.  It involved just the five of us, in our own home - the WHOLE day!!!  It was amazing, a true gift to us.... it was just what we needed.

The decision to have our own Christmas was one that was very difficult to make, we had some external issues that meant we needed to make some changes so that our kids and us would have a wonderful day free of stress, anxiety and hurt. 

I am so thankful that my parents wholeheartedly encouraged our need to do things our way this year, I am so appreciative that they were willing to not spend the day with their Grandchildren on Christmas for the first time ever, so that as a family of five we could start to build our own traditions.  I can't even begin to express how thankful I am to have the most amazing, encouraging, supportive parents like I do.... they are so selfless in their love for me.  I hope to be a parent just like them.

In the spirit of really being present with each other during the day, I didn't have my camera in everyones faces.  I did take a very few quick snaps after all the presents had been unwrapped.... but that was it.  It felt good to let go of the "scrapbooker and memory writer" and just be a Mum enjoying the day.

The photo's we did get are far from perfect, but neither are we.... and they are who we are, not always in focus, sometimes a little wonky or off colour.  But that's ok with me.

I hope that your Christmas Day was full of love and laughter, and you took time to think on the reason we celebrate this precious day, the birth of Jesus.

Lisa x

Sending a little hug

My littlest one is having a bit of a rough time dealing with some hard stuff that has happened this year.  Our car accident, my injuries resulting from that accident, the sudden deaths of people she knew, mummy having to go away quickly and with no notice - lots of stuff for a little girl who thinks to hard.

My heart pretty much broke when she said that she was thinking in her head she was going to die.

She has been sad, and that has made me sad.

We have lots of support and help and strategies in place for her, and I know in time she will be back to her usual fun and happy self.  But in the meantime she needs a few reminders.

Today I put a *secret* note in her pocket for school.  She knew it was there, but I made her promise not to look at it till I had left.

It was just a reminder that I was thinking of her, and loving her and a little reminder of the prayers we pray for her and that she herself prays as well.

I think it helped this morning.

Lisa Kate

Handmade love

We have had our fair share of birthday parties in the last few months.  I'm always searching for a great gift idea, and generally after having a good think and searching the stores more and more often I come back to making something.

Something special just for the recipient.  Something pretty.  Something useful.  Something you can't buy in Target.

Does it save me money? NOPE!  Does it save me time?  NOPE! But I still find myself stitching something, or painting something.

This year for Christmas my children will get their fair share of store bought goods.  I tell myself every year I am going to do a FULL "hand made Christmas" but time never permits and to be honest there is always a gift they have their heart set on that I can't make.

On my list for my girls this year, is a pretty pencil roll and notepad cover.  I already stock the pencil rolls in my etsy store but as yet they don't own one. 

I recently gifted a pencil roll and notepad cover bundle to one of Livinia's special friends. In her fave colours.  I filled it with good pencils (my pet hate is cheapy ones that break!) and an art pad, and it was the perfect gift and happily recived too.

 

 

 

I will be stitching up a few for an etsy update in the next week.  If you want one in a special colour... be sure to let me know.

Lisa Kate

Playing Dress-Ups

It seems the last few weeks, there has been a large amount of dressing up around this house.  We have had book week, gold rush day, a dress up birthday party and also a dancing eisteddfod...

Lots of fun!!!

Here are some of the pictures.

Miss Alice in Wonderland

 

An Indian Girl

 

Gold Rush Day

 

A Cheeky Cheetah

 

We also had an appearance from Betty Boo..... but no photo's.... she will turn up soon again though.

Lisa Kate

x

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Kids Art and Craft Workshops ARE happening again these school holidays, times/dates/costs will all be revealed tonight on facebook.  You will need to be quick to grab a spot!

Monday Makings

I have a pile of pretty scraps of paper.  They usually end up on a mixed media project but after making a few cards for some very helpful friends, I thought it might be fun to share with you how to put together a pretty, scrappy, stitchy card.  Because I know all you crafters out there have PLENTY of scraps!!!

Gather your supplies

Paper scraps (captain obvious I know), embellishments like ribbon and brads, sewing machine and adhesive.  The super cute flower picture is from a set I bought in Typo.

 

Start Assembling

Fold your base in half and start layering up different papers, tags and any other bits you have.... don't adhere yet, just play with the format.  Trim any pieces or give them a decorative edge with a punch.

 

Sew it all together.

 

You can add a little adhesive behind the layers if you want.... I personally like to live on the edge and just hope they stay fairly still while I wizz the sewing machine around.  The messier the better with your stitching, just be sure to catch a little of everything so your card doesn't fall apart.

Finish it off

Now it's time to add your picture or image, some extra brads, and twine.  Finish with a sentiment and there you go.  One pretty scrappy stitchy card.

 

 After you have admired your pretty card, why don't you write a kind and thoughful message inside and post it to a friend??  It's nice to make someones day a little brighter don't you think??

Lisa Kate

x

 

 

 

 

The hard stuff

I can't just jump back to this blog and it's regular crafty/arty/mummy program without one very important post, a post I have been avoiding for a week.

I don't really know what to say.  All I know is that when I look down at my arm and see my Tattoo I smile and then I shake my head.  Why??  because a few months ago Helen and I were preparing to get some ink - my first, as we were talking with the artists and getting quotes  Matthew (Helens hubby) sent a text to  Helen and it read something like "Tell Lisa it's a gift from me, for being such a good friend to my wife"........

 

 

Little did we know that in a few short months I would be flying as quick as I could to be with Helen and her boys while they were dealing with the loss of Matthew in a car accident. With a funeral to arrange I put my secretarial skills to good use and got to it.  I am just so thankful that I could be with Helen and do the things she couldn't.  I know Matthew would have wanted me there too.

We will miss you Matthew.....

 

So tonight, why don't you give those around you an extra squeeze.

Lisa Kate

 

food frenzy

 

 

That's pretty much the best way to describe what happened in my kitchen on Sunday afternoon.

Gathering as much inspiration as possible from these two blog posts Here and Here (found via Pinterest) and with a very willing partner in crime aka My Husband.  We set about to make it happen.

The first thing we did was buy the groceries.  Bulk veges (potatoes, pumpkin, carrots, zucchini, mushrooms), meat for the slowcooker (chicken, beef and lamb), and an assortment of marinades, sauces, and other flavourings.... we also bought some of the HUGE zip lock bags.

Once home, we pumped up some music and poured a vodka and lime for me, and a beer and lime for Justin..... it's gotta be fun right??? I should probably add it was late afternoon :)

Then came the prep work.

Just before we started, Justin realised our fridge (which is on death row) needed some fixing..... so he pulled the freezer apart.... while I got to work.

First I lined up all the meats, and all the flavourings and decided what should go together.  Once that was done, it was just chopping up all the veges into chunks and the meat if needed.  Anything like Lamb that was on the bone, I left as is.... as it falls apart anyway in the slow cooker.

Then I assembled each meal into a zip lock bag and labbelled it.  Both the meat and the veges went in, and as I added the sauces and flavourings I made sure everything was coated well.

Most of the meals can go straight into the slowcooker FROZEN in the morning, and I will have a healthy yummy meal by the time dinner comes around.  Some will get put onto a tray for baking - tandoori chicken for example. A few others are simply meat for a stir fry already sliced and sitting in a marinade.

Each night I simply have to cook some rice or pasta for most meals, and a few extra veges.

and guess how long it took????  TWO HOURS!!!  that's it!!!  For a family who usually have two dinner seating's (due to Justins work hours) it means my time in the kitchen has been so drastically reduced each night.

What we put together -

Honey and Mustard Chicken x 2

Beef Strog x 2

Thai Chicken stir fry

Italian Beef and Vege x 2

Chicken Meatballs x 2

Lamb Curry x 2

Vege Curry x 2

Mexican Mince and Beans x 2

PLUS - because Justin pulled the freezer apart the following day I made another beef and vege curry x 2, a savory mince (ready to be made into whatever I want) and spaghetti bolognaise.

It was so worth it, just to see me freezer filled with healthy meals for every night for the next two weeks. I'm already looking forward to our next batch cooking time in a fortnight.

Lisa Kate.

**if you have any questions about my batch cooking, just leave a comment and I will come back to answer :) 

more than paper and glue ...

"It's just paper and glue people!!" is a common saying I use all the time.  Generally when there is a little princess action happening in the scrapbooking world.  It's become something my friends and I just banter about, and what it really means is "get some priority".

Today I was sorting through the MESS of my studio and found some boxes of photo's, the boxes were worse for wear, so I started putting everything in new plastic containers.

 

As Isifted through the photo's, years of my life were poured out in front of me.  Photo's pre-wedding, photo's of the birth of each of our children, all our holidays, first school days, chubby toddler cheeks, random funny photo's the kids had taken.

And it was all so good, just to sit and remember.

Then I got to thinking, that it is MORE than paper and glue.  And you know I haven't felt like that in years.  It was a job, an obligation another class to teach....... don't get me wrong I LOVE that part too.

But it was good to get my own perspective back, why I started scrapbooking in the first place.

So now I have a little pile of photo's on my desk, just for me, just for my family and I can't WAIT to start.

Happy Happy!!!

Lisa Kate

my vintage home - camera love

 

Old camera's.... such good things to find and display.  I love that they are usually battered and bruised from use.  I love that they are still sturdy enough for my girls to play with.  I really would love to know the story behind them though!!!

Again, I don't have a big collection at all.... THREE camera's only.  But what would the fun be if you collected something that was easy to find???

 

It's all about the search, the hunt.... and the eventual thrill when you find one.  Yes I know I can simply go to ebay and buy, but really I love searching for them myself.  It means every one has a story how I found it.

I love that.

Lisa Kate