NikkiAntonello

One for the believers........

If you have little cherubs who believe in Santa, then this one's for you........

The beautiful girls Robyn & Susy at kinder (Myrtleford Preschool) sent these gorgeous little bags home with Belle and Noah........

The little passage reads.....

"Make a wish and close your eyes tight   Then sprinkle on your lawn at night     As Santa's Reindeer fly and roam    This food will guide them to your home!"

How cute is that.  It's just a little bag filled with rolled oats...Belle's also has shiny stars in her bag too (of course) .....Just a really cute  idea for your little ones to sprinkle on Christmas eve......

I know how excited we are........ xx
 

Lilac Avenue Loveliness.......

From the very first moment that I saw this paper collection, I knew I was going to love it.....and I really have....I think it 's the softness of this collection and also the fact that there were lots of flowers and lovely flourishes to play with too....

This layout appeared on the Kaiser Blog a couple of days ago and was one of my favourites to create.  The photo is of Belle and was captured by accident really.  We were all out playing on the deck and I was happily snapping away....when I got inside I discovered this little gem....I think she is just sooo very beautiful.  I know I her mumma and I'm a bit biased.....

I had so much fun creating these flower clusters .....Some I just cut from the paper, I used the coloured rubons on acetate, I also used the acrylic stamps with some white StaZon Ink and Kindy glitz to create the clear sparkly flowers, some I raised with foam tape and some I glossed with dimensional magic.  This kind of creating for me is sheer bliss..... 

I know I've posted these before, but I thought I'd show all my Lilac Avenue creations together.....

In other news.....we are very happy to have finished kinda and childcare for the year....YAY!!!!! Our days are going to be much more relaxed and less pressured in the lead up to Christmas.  Just this mornings, the cherubs are very happy to potter and play in their rooms.  I think they are really tired from all the activity in the past couple of weeks.  I know I sure am!

Take care xxx

Oops I nearly forgot...head over to  Kaiser for a little sneak peak of the coming Q3 range.....it looks absolutely scrumptious........

Blog Award

I am a little bit excited.....hehehehe.....my very beautiful DT friend Tanya has sent me my very first BLOG award...how cool is that.....it does make me giggle a little as I am just not at all computer savvy, but I have enjoyed creating my blog.....let's just say it's a work in progress...hehehe.....

 

Now a couple of things about me that you didn't know.....hmmmmm..........

My children are actually more Italian than I am....(Stef's parents are both Italian, My Dad is, but my is Australian.    I am a middle child....although I don't think I suffer from any dreaded syndromes as a result...hehehe    I could probably sing every word from the Kenny Rogers music library .... lots of road trips as a child...some might classify this as child abuse....lol......   I am currently teaching Italian 1 day a week    Next year I'm going to learn the piano.....when I was little I used to play the organ and I actually majored in music at Uni...but have really let that go over the years.   I have only just learnt to eat and to cook Thai curry this year (thanks Al.H)..... I lead a sheltered life.......I don't know how to text message on my phone......yep its out there......I am a total technological nuffie.....I use my phone to make a call, usually to Stef, but much to girlfriends disgust, it is usually turned off or the battery is flat....hehehe.......

And now on to my awards...I really want to re-gift this award back to Tan because her work is really beautiful... and how she finds the time to continually post with a brand new bubba is just beyond   me..... but that would be a bit special...soooooo....to the following gorgeous gal's....I think your work is just awesome and I love the time spent gathering inspiration from you all ........

 1.Mel Field

2. Sam Hauzer

3. Kathie Link 

4. Renee Ludlow

5.Al Hannah 

6. Fran Tynan

7. Jolene Pienaar

Now I just have to work out how to paste the award into my sidebar...hmmmmm...(See told you...computer nuffie....)

Hope you all have a fantastic Sunday...the sun is shining here, so we plan to spend the day in garden with the cherubs...too nice!

Nik xxx

Journalling.......

This layout and the little blurb below appears on the Kaiser Blog at the moment.....with a fantastic post about journalling and some great ideas/ tips/ and stunning layouts from the DT girls....... 

My layout was one I did about Noah using the Pack Your Bags Paper Collection.....I wrote a little bit about Noah and how I come to journal his layouts in particular.  When I sent this information in, the very gorgeous Ali Wood (Kaiser) thanked me for sharing such a personal story....I smiled when I her little note  as I guess I don't even really think about that side of things any more......When we first had Noah, I know I was very sensitive about talking about him and sharing personal details, but as time has progressed I think that sharing our story actually makes coping with his situation easier....and to be perfectly honest, for the most part I don't even really think about his disabilities, we just see NOAH!  I guess it also help to raise a little awareness of people with disabilities.........Anyway....here's what I wrote....

 

 

As many of you might know...... Noah my now 6 year old (my how time flies) has Down Syndrome and Mild Autism.  I love creating layouts of him and what is happening in his little world, but his layouts serve a dual purpose for me.  While I wouldn't say I approach these layouts more thoughtfully than I do any other,  I use my journaling here as a form of therapy I guess.  It's my opportunity to reflect on they way I feel about what's happening in Noah's life and in our family life as a result and while I know he may not be able to read them himself, I love to go back and see where I was at that time and also one day, for Josh and Belle to better understand what was happening with Noah at the time. One of the characteristics of Noah having Downs is that he has had developmental delays right from birth and his biggest delay is a severe speech disorder.  While we have worked particularly hard to help his development through a variety of therapies, his progress has been quite measured.  I think that is probably why I celebrate day to day activities and achievements  that may seem insignificant to many.

 

 

So how do I do this.......lots of ways. 

In this layout of Noah I focused my journaling on how far he has come in the past year in particular and also the fact that he is entering a new chapter of his life.  Next year he will be starting school and I really wanted to record my thoughts about that. 

If we were to dissect my layout...here's how I've incorporate little written messages to explore my thoughts and feelings.

Title.........I used my cutting machine and some patterned paper to create a larger title.  Having to wait so long for Noah to achieve different things really has helped us focus on the amazing journey he has undertaken and the many important steps along the way, which I think my title reflects perfectly.

KC Freebies / Die Cuts/Embellishments/Rubons.... Just by carefully choosing embellishments, you can add to the sentiment and express more of what you are feeling.....  I loved how the fine print on the "Adventure Ticket" say "Admits ONE person to amazing journeys and priceless memories"......to the quote on the Freebies emblem and also my rubon frame around the photo of Noah.

Hidden Journaling.....I cut this shape from the patterned paper and used a punch to make the notebook edge.  I decided to use this as a place to record my personal thoughts about Noah starting school.  Not necessarily because I wanted them to remain private, but more so because I didn't want this journalling to be part of my layout.

 

a close up......

As I said earlier.....some of the other DT girls have created the most beautiful layouts featuring journalling and the tips are well worth a look.....

 

Take care xxxx

Kaiser Christmas

A little bit of Christmas..... 

Well Christmas is almost here and while it seems to have arrived so very quickly, I can honestly say I am sooooooo looking forward to a chance to slow down and relax a little.  My cherubs have been ridiculously excited by all the Chrissie decorations adorning our home at the moment.  Pre -children I would pride myself on the tree decoration.....all carefully and evenly distributed baubles around the tree.....the perfectly wrapped presents with ribbons and bows....(I do love Christmas....LOL)  

To the past 2 years, where Isabelle and Noah have helped with all the decorating......Our tree now has the bulk of the decorations hanging from the lower tree branches...some with 2 -3 ornaments per branch and there are NO presents under the tree....just toooooo tempting for Noah and Josh!   Oh well........

As for my Chrissie layouts....these have appeared on the Kaiser Blog along with lots of other really beautiful layouts from the DT. 

Belle Paper Collection

These photos are of Noah's very first Christmas photo shoot.....being a new Mum, I carefully arranged and organised this elaborate setting.....all he was interested in doing was eating the tinsel and decorations.....lol...as it turns out, the situation made the most beautiful photos.....

Dear Santa Paper Collection

This layout is of my brother Michael and my 5 year old niece Madi.....At the time of creating this layout my CHrissie wish for her was to receive some good news about her Leukemia treatment...which I am happy to say seems to be coming true.....Madi will conclude her treatment early next year and will need blood tests for a couple of months to follow, which we're hoping will be the end of what's been the most difficult of journeys for someone so little.  Through it all she has been absolutely amazing, courageous and inspirational in her acceptance of what has needed to be done....and Michael and Nikki (Especially Nik) have been exceptional.  Lets's hope next year sees a little bit of normality return to their lives.

up close......On the Kaiser Blog last Tuesday I did my Technique tips on how to create the flowers you see on this particular layout.  If you need more info and step by step pictures....pop over there! 

Christmas Carnival Paper Collection

When I first looked at these papers, I have to say they were my least favourite...that is until I started to work with them and have since changed my mind.....This layout came together so easily and the vibrant colours created such a fun layout....I have also made My Christmas Recipe book with these papers and I was just as pleased with the end result there too......

and up close.....

Well that's it for now....will pop back later with another post on some jounalling...

Take care xxxx

Pink Cupcakes and Puddles......

What's not to love about Pink Cupcakes....

I decided to make cupcakes this morning with my little cherubs....an activity they enjoy immensely in our home.  What  spurred me on is the fact that the past few weeks have been so terribly busy and I just wanted something simple to do with them that I knew they would enjoy and to spend a little bit of quality time together. So....up on the bench beside me Isabelle and Josh sat.....Noah is now only really interested in the end product that contains icing.....hehehe.....so he didn't want to help. 

Now....I also have to say that the only reason they really want to help me is so they can lick the spoons, the beaters and the bowl.....and has little to do with spending time with me.....but I can live with that!  One dozen cupcakes later, I had three very happy little children.  You've got to be chuffed when all it takes to bring so much enjoyment is a tray of cupcakes!  I do know however, that by this afternoon, they will be a distant memory......but I don't mind.......

Oh and here's a little something I did last night.  I have long been craving the time to sit and play without having any obligation/deadline....and I had the nicest time.....just to create for the sake of it!  These photos were taken ages ago, Belle was only 2 and Noah was about 3 and a half......I love them.....I had smiles the entire time I was making this layout and I LOVE the pics of Bellie's little muddy smile....who eats mud.....I mean really.....I still remember how pleased they both looked when I spotted them...they had an absolute ball....Just PRICELESS really!

Trinket Box

Lilac Avenue

I made this trinket box as part of my DT work for Kaiser.....it's actually meant to be an Advent calendar, but I chose to make it a trinket box for Belle instead  Here's what I wrote as my inspiration for the piece.......

Isabelle is your very typical little four year old girl who loves collecting little bits and pieces of everything.  She has the most vivid imagination and fills her days with adventures of  fairies and make believe.  All the little things she collects,  she then deems as some sort of wonderful magical treasure.  When I saw all the little boxes in the calendar, I knew they would make the most perfect draws for her to store her treasures in.  I chose to decorate the box in Lilac Avenue paper as they are just so very pretty and I wanted this to be a really girlie keepsake for her.  The photo was one I'd taken earlier of her in the garden, which prompted me to create a setting to suit that.  As there were lots of flowers on the paper, I didn't have to look too far for what I could cut out and layer.  The rest of the setting I just drew and created myself.  This was such a fun piece to create....a little flight of fantasy......which Isabelle  absolutely adores!

Some closer pictures

and a little layering.....

Head over to the Kaiser Blog to check out some of the beautiful work from the other Design Team girls ...... Tanya created a gorgeous calendar using Rewind papers and Alicia made a beautiful Advent Calendar using Christmas Carnival papers....

GLEE .......

Glee.....

"By it's very definition,

 

    GLEE is about opening

 

  yourself up to joy."

 

How much am I LOVING my new GLEE soundtrack...hmmm...sad I know...hehehe.  Stef actually got me onto watching it after the first episode and I am just loving it.....Really, you've gotta love something that doesn't take itself too seriously ......and as for the music.....I cannot tell you how good I sound singing along to the music playing as I'm driving in my car......( I always sound good when I sing this way...lol)........

Here's also a little pic of my latest Saturday sketch that appeared on Kaiser's Blog  this weekend and also one of my layouts using the new Q2 papers....both co-coincidently using the new REWIND paper collection....gotta love these papers for beautiful boys layouts....

I love how this layout of Noah came together.  The focus on him being his own little person....I used quotes and rubons to portray this.  And as it so happens....the rewind papers have a sheet (Play-list) that is filled with lots of little quotes ...the one I chose is a definition of individual, which reads..." adjective. distinguished by special, singular or markedly different personal characteristics".....which just soooo suited the feeling of this page.  The gorgeous photo was taken earlier this year at Mum and Dad's in their garden and I just love it....probably why I was so chuffed with this page.....

This layout also appeared on the blog last week and again......am just lovin these papers :) This photo was taken one weekend while Stef and I were gardening ....Belle and Noah decided it would be fun to slide down a mound of topsoil in our garden....They had an absolute ball and were so very grubby by the end of it.....it took some serious soaking to get the dirt out too!

Here's a little close up.....
I love the new metal tag embellishment too...I used one of the Rewind rubons and it worked a treat!

 Anyway.......Be sure to enjoy the rest of your weekend....the weather has been soooo warm here, I think the swimming season is upon us.....

Take care and be sure to stop by the Kaiser blog for lots of great projects and tips....

Nikki xx

Where oh where have I been???????

Hmmmm, you know I would love to say that I've been relaxing on a beautiful beach somewhere exotic and remote..... and while I have just got back from a week in Merimbula....a family holiday with three little people in tow is perhaps not the same thing..........

So...what have I been up to?????   Lots of things, probably too much of late when I stop and think about it.  We've had something marked on every day of the calendar for the past month and November/December show little reprieve.....roll on Christmas I say!!!!!

Well, in spite of the craziness of my life, I've done quite a bit of scrapping lately.....lots of stuff for Kaiser, which I can begin to share in the next little bit. 

I made this mirror for one of Kaiser's Inspiration blog posts and it now sits happily on the wall in my new scrap room.  I love how it turned out, but I mostly love the quote.  It makes me smile each time I read it and prompts me to stop and think about how I view my world.....

Kaiser Christmas .........This was the recipe book show on the Kaiser Blog.   I used the long ticket album, but turned in long ways to create a little flip book.  The Christmas Carnival papers were perfect as they're so bright and cheery.  The inside of the book houses recipes and photos of some yummy treats we like to eat....I was going to say just a Christmas, bit we like treats all year round in our house...hehehe.....here's what the inside looks like....

 

This is a hat box / gift box that I covered using the beautiful Belle papers.  I made te top by layering lots of cut out pieces of the gorgeous flowers and swirls and am sooo happy with how this came together.  I'm going to line this with tissue paper and fill it with either choccies or Christmas bickies.....not sure which, but I think it'll make a really special gift!   Also.....If you're looking for a great new competition, head over the the Kaiser blog for the new  "Design a Rubon" comp'......It's a fantastic one!  I've got some other new layouts to share too, but I'll do that in the next little bit.

Thanks for stopping by,

Nik xx

What's been happening.....

Well, nothing particularly interesting or special has been happening here, just the craziness of a busy and active life!  We are gearing up for the beginning of all things school for Noah and Belle next year.  We just received our letter of welcome for Belle...she was very excited that the letter was also addressed to her...AND...we had our first planning meeting for Noah at Special School.  All in all things are progressing as they should be!  I'd love to say that I'm not approaching the New Year with an increased feeling of anxiety and nervousness, but that would be a fib.  As I cuddled Noah tonight before he went to bed and I held his little hand....I remember like yesterday cuddling this beautiful little baby boy in my arms......and my sensitive little soul Isabelle will be on her own in the wide world too.....I fear for them both in ways that are different, yet the same........

Saturday Sketch....

This was my Sketch from a week ago and is probably one of my favourite.  I love this photos of my beautiful Mum and Dad, taken at her 60th birthday.  I love what an inspiration they are to me every day and the fact that after almost 40 years of marriage, they still hold hands...too cute!  I used the Duchess Collection of papers and I just love how it turned out.  I made some of my pretty stamped flowers and and made an embellishment using the large clear stamp, some pearls and journalling.

Off Shore -  Water Babe

These photos are of my beautiful baby boy Noah enjoying the water in Mum and Dad's Spa.  I love the enjoyment in his face and the sheer joy from splashing in the water.  Ever since he was a bubba, Noah has enjoyed water....in any form...from the hose, a pool, a bucket, in puddles......

Penny Royale - Enjoy

This beautiful photo of Miss Isabelle was taken at Mum and Dad's on Mother's Day in the Autumn leaves.  My three gorgeous little cherubs had an absolute ball throwing leaves and playing in amongst the trees.  This little snapshot of Belle had her throwing leaves up into the air and laughing with glee as they fell around her.  She ran, chasing Noah with hands full of leaves....they had the most lovely time!

Q2 Launch

This photo was taken at the Q2 launch in Geelong a few weeks ago.  I stand here with 2 of the gorgeous DT girls, Renee Ludlow on the left and Rona Bailey on the right.  I had the loveliest time with these two girls ( and Rona's lovely friend Rachel) and chatted and giggled like I'd know them for some time.  I felt very lucky to be standing between two such talented artists.

Speaking of the Q2 launch....I had the loveliest stay in Geelong with the beautiful AL Hannah and her family.  When AL rang to ask if I'd like to stay, I was just beside myself.  This entire Kaisercraft journey for me has been so very much more than just scrapbooking.  When I applied for the DT position, it was the very first one I'd gone for and it was at a time when I really needed something for myself.  My Mum once said to me that God doesn't always give us what we want he gives us what we need!  I have made the most beautiful friendship that will last me much longer than my stay at Kaiser.  Al is such a beautiful soul and I feel so very lucky to have met her.  The sentiment also applies to the beautiful Mel K....
 

Anyway, that's about it for now,

Take care,  Nikki xx