Oliviagrace designs

apologies

noreply@blogger.com (Debbie) — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 16:09:00 +0000

sorry im not posting much here lately but if you want to catch up with me on a day to day basis im more than often over at my other homey blog www.countryheartandhome.blogspot.com I started the other so that i could post on some different websites i visit where i didnt really want pics of me and the kid plastered all over iykwim.

Hope you pop over and see what ive been up to and i will update this one with more about family and scrapping soon once things have settled down a little at home - long story and involves moving within the next month!! :)

Race for Life

noreply@blogger.com (Debbie) — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 12:48:00 +0000

Ok blatant pimping here but in honor of my dad im doing the race for life and im trying to raise sponsorship from online only as im doing it with my sister who will get family and friends who are offline to sponsor her. If you would like to donate please visit my page to sponsor online..... http://www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/deborahnicholas

Thank you so much - it is going to a good cause and very much appreciated!!

getting back on track....

noreply@blogger.com (Debbie) — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 12:11:00 +0000

Things are starting to get back to normal around here and its Jakes birthday on saturday so lots of suprises planned :) He hasnt asked for anything in particular so is ending up with a spiderman robosapien (sp?) - he loves spiderman and robots so what could be better!! lol

I have been busy making some doorstops - sis wanted one but wasnt going to pay the £45 price tag in JL (department store!). Thats where having a sister with handy sewing machine skills comes in i suppose! lol

Bye dad xxx

noreply@blogger.com (Debbie) — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 18:09:00 +0000

My dad passed away at 2am Sunday morning. Thank you to everyone who sent messages and love this way during the past year xxx

2 days!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Debbie) — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 18:11:00 +0000

My first OU assignment is due in in 2 days!! ARgghh where the heck have the last couple of months gone!! Sorry for the short post but i dont want to get kicked out of the course on the first assignment! LOL Will leave you with a pic of a cosy corner of my kitchen where im going to go write 1200 words on the difference in chair capabilities and then make my own chair out of cardboard - sheesh, any hoops i need to jump through too??! lol
See you soon!! (i hope!) xxx

Finished dresser project

noreply@blogger.com (Debbie) — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 16:47:00 +0000

.....and i love it!! :D :D So pleased with how it has turned out, painted with Craig & Rose Pale Mortlake Cream paint and the shelves are covered with £1 wrapping paper from Primark!! What do i start on next???

New project

noreply@blogger.com (Debbie) — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 16:44:00 +0000

I was surfing ebay and came across a fab dresser that was only 5 mins from my house and pick up only so no bids!! I got a real bargain and paid almost nothing for it yet its going to be a wonderful project i am so looking forward to starting!It is going to be sanded and painted with Craig & Rose Pale Mortlake Cream paint to give a real shabby chic feel which will then house some of my more special plates, vases, cups etc :)

New look banner!!

noreply@blogger.com (Debbie) — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 21:01:00 +0000

Isnt my banner just gorgeous!! Unfortunately i cant take ANY credit for it as a lovely friend (who wishes to remain anon - i think shes scared she will get inundated with requests!! lol) made it for me. In no stretch of the imagination could i have done anything like it - give me a bench full of cooking ingredients or a table full of fabrics and i can do anything but put something technical infront of me and i turn to mush!! The banner is made using a Nitwit digi kit so thank you to them too for making such scrummy goodies!! :)

Well, i havent done much scrapping as the weather has been good enough to be out flying and taking aerial shots so thats what we have been doing. These pictures were taken in the grounds of where mum and dad have their retirement home. Its a run down old castle with would be fabulous if it had the money ploughed into it to take it back to its former glory! *sigh*The two older boys are still at their grandparents so we have had a relatively quiet week and ive thoroughly enjoyed playing 'little kid' games - you know, colouring in, racing around the living rooms with cars and general messing infant style :)

I did do one layout and ive been asked to create a canvas for my sisters newly decorated dining room so im off tomorrow to check out the decoration and work something that will go well - wish me luck! lol
Please excuse the glare on the photo, i think my camera is on its last legs as i just cant seem to get the settings right and no matter how much i fiddle with the flash etc its just not playing nice!!

and into the album they go :)

noreply@blogger.com (Debbie) — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 16:59:00 +0000

It feels so good to be putting layouts in an album again and to actually enjoy working on something! I really did think for a while there any artistic qualities i thought i had had got up and done a runner! Im off to play with some glue and scissors before it realises im back for good! ;)

We went to visit my mum and dad today for the first time since Christmas. In January they leave their home for 5 weeks and return after a well earned break and usually a hot holiday in Portugal!! For those that didnt read about my dad, he has cancer and went through chemo last year, all was well and the drugs worked their magic! He was given glowing reports towards the end of last year and then the news came during one of his appts in Jan that the cancer is back and theres nothing they can do now......he tried a new drug form of chemo but it isnt working so now he is off that and is now in Gods hands.
Having seen him today i feel a lot better as he looked really well, i had been building up to seeing a shell of how he was but he looked good, he had colour in his cheeks and laughed with us, said he wasnt that unwell that they couldnt drive down here to see us soon! Thank you to all those who are keeping us in their prayers!

oh how i wish........

noreply@blogger.com (Debbie) — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 05:58:00 +0000

These are seriously cool!! I wish we had Target stores over here in the UK!! Its probably old news now but have you seen these adorable little mailboxes for $1 ......how cute and possibly worth the airfare over to grab some!! lol

I am back in the scrapping zone! Mojo left me for a while but it has returned with a new passion and even made me want new goodies to play with, i havent scrap shopped in about 4 maybe 5 months so right now EVERYTHING out there is new!! Yaaayyyyyy!! Will upload some scrapping sneak peeks later today as im just waiting on my new white pen to do some doodles and then its finished!

We took the heli up again yesterday, this time at Finchale Priory. Anne who owns the site was so nice and explained about it now being a retirement village and boy would it be a gorgeous place to live - wish mum and dad had known about it before moving so far away :( Anyways here are a couple of pics i took of the Abbey with my canon 350d.

Have a lovely day today, its 6am here and looks as though it might actually be a nice day!

Debbie
x

and then there was 8!!

noreply@blogger.com (Debbie) — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 14:49:00 +0000

Dont get any ideas!! 4 kids is more than enough!! lol The title of the post refers to the amount of albums i have now filled, yep 8 full albums and countless others that are only semi full (those 14 dont count though so it doesnt sound so bad! lol ;)

Sharing a couple of layouts i have made over the past few weeks as i feel like i havent scrapped for ages and i feel the bug coming back to me - yayyy!!

These are some of the photographs taken over Christmas and projects designed for Make the moment last store - i was guest designer for January along with Annette :) Thank you for having me Jackie :)

That wind has a bite to it....

noreply@blogger.com (Debbie) — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 13:07:00 +0000

I swear i could have worn 5 layers and i still would have been frozen yesterday! We took E out with us while we tried the heli in the air for some aerial shots of Gateshead causeway, not too good since the signal between the heli and the camera wouldnt connect but still managed a couple of shots. I got some good shots of the scenery and E wrapped up warm - he had a field day and loved every minute of it......almost as much as DH i think, me?? I kinda came around to liking it - no matter how much i promised not too!! lol We had permission to drive along the walkway and you should have seen some of the looks we got!! Sheesh - surely they must have known we were given keys to the gate to get through as there was no other way in and the gate was padlocked but NOoooooo, boy if looks could kill!! lol

pics as promised.

noreply@blogger.com (Debbie) — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 17:44:00 +0000

Here is the latest project i have been working on. Im struggling with a bag i bough as the handles are way too small and i have to carry it instead of slinging it over my shoulder! The colours of the fabric here are exactly what i was after so if i thought why the heck not just make one yourself! Soooo here it is.......

Still not sure if i like the orange button, im thinking it maybe needs a big cream one, or brown, or green .........lol

Girlie Weekend....

noreply@blogger.com (Debbie) — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 13:38:00 +0000

Sorry i couldnt update before now but ive been staying at my sisters since friday after a phonecall offering a kid free weekend!! Who in their right mind would decline! lol

Friday night saw us visit the cinema to see Sweeny Todd and although it starred the gorgeous Johnny Depp i wasnt that impressed and we almost walked out half way through! Fab acting by the cast but just not something i would go to see again, i love musicals but it was just kinda annoying (and yucky!)

Saturday i spent the day in the university while sis went to a tutorial for her OU course and then we went to try on party frocks and Oscar acceptance dresses........found the one i want and now all i need is to be in a movie....any Spielberg offers welcome!! mwahahhhaa

Home today and back to reality though of running round after 4 kiddos (ok 5 if you include dh) ;) So its catch up time on whats happening on the PS3 and an all out shoot em up on Call of Duty - catch you later for some pics of what ive been creating!

Catching up...

noreply@blogger.com (Debbie) — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 17:55:00 +0000

You know some times when you just need a break - well, ive been and done and had it, so im back! :)

Seems funny writing about Christmas now when it was so long ago so i will keep it short and simple - see pic below for how much the boys enjoyed it!! lol Needless to say storage space has become an issue! lol
Ethan was rather taken with Captain Jacks outfit!
Me and my little sis, she hates having her picture taken but i think shes finally realised its easier to give in than have me follow her round all day!

Im cracking out the sewing machine tonight for the first time in well over a month and im worried im not going to be able to sew anymore - does that seem wierd?!? I have so many ideas and drawings etc but actually making them into something seems is scaring me a litle at the minute! Best go make a start and i promise to post sneeky peeks tomorrow....yes i will be trying to update everyday from here on in, my online diary of sorts even if its just a hi/bye type post :)

Christmas rush!

noreply@blogger.com (Debbie) — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 11:35:00 +0000

Why is it no matter how much i think i have prepared for christmas sometime else seems to get added to the list! I swear everytime i tick something off, another is added lol

Here we go with the family christmas card this year - another tick off the list!

oopsie and update!

noreply@blogger.com (Debbie) — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 20:31:00 +0000

oops forgot to change my blog from invite only after a couple of days break sorry! Im back though and so so busy its unreal....what with Christmas prep and all the kids activities this month i dont have time to sleep! lol

Im being a real good girl and have stuck to the diet since last monday and come the beginning of this week i had lost 4lb!! WAHOOO lets hope a few more pounds drop before Christmas and i can enjoy some of the naughties i really shouldnt be eating! ;)

will add some piccies of recent projects soon but for now blogger is acting up!! GRRrrrr

making some decorations this year :)

noreply@blogger.com (Debbie) — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 09:16:00 +0000

All wrapped up!

noreply@blogger.com (Debbie) — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 16:09:00 +0000

YEP you read that right! Not only have i finished my Christmas shopping but they are all wrapped up and Santa took them away to the North Pole ready to redeliver on Christmas Eve! (ok, so they are all bagged and stashed away in the garage but the kids dont need to know that do they? LOL) At the grand old age of 9, Scott still believes in Santa but took a knock the other day when someone said he wasnt real - mum to the rescue! I made a letter from Santa himself, inked and aged it then sealed it with some wax and a 'Santa was here' stamp - needless to say, to Scott Santa now is very much alive and kicking, oh and WAY COOL!! LOL

I had a little bump in the stash diet road but on the whole im doing well, only a little spend and now i have 17 of the 50 layouts under my belt! Here are a couple of things i have been working on lately :)

Jacob Lizard Tongue - I swear ive never seen a pointier tongue in my life! lol

He who stands in front of the TV when Johnny and the Sprites is on will get this face pulled at them until they move! lol Ethan feeding the ducks by hand - yep he was the only one doing it that way, everyone else was throwing the crumbs!

poorly kiddos :(

noreply@blogger.com (Debbie) — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 22:19:00 +0000

Ack its like sick central here lately!! Jake was ill all of last week, we had one day break and now Ethan is projectile :( Anways i have washing to do and brows to mop so will leave you with a couple of pics for now.....
Jacob with his little lizard tongue..........Ethan watching TV looking rather angelic..........Santa Rules, Scott is a year round Christmas fan..........Christmas 06, Jake opening up his Christmas eve pressie of new pjs and chocolate in anticipation of Santa arriving.....
....Scott the night before we flew to Majorca, he got himself all worked up and didnt want to go - which of course was all forgotten about 2 mins into the flight!!

On a stash diet!!

noreply@blogger.com (Debbie) — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 15:51:00 +0000

I have admitted i have a problem, no its not serious but it could end up in me having to climb out from under a mountain of stash should it all topple over! My name is Debbie and im a stash-o-holic therefore im now on a stash diet until i have completed at least 50 layouts! How brave am I?!?!

Here are the first 3 ..... Naughty or Nice? layout based around whether Jake will hit the naughty or nice list this year, the chipboard halo is painted gold and made into a little step but its just not working out on the photo :(

Number 2 is Scott @ age 9 - just a few of his favourite things at this age :)

Number 3 is Jake @ age 4 - he is both full of mischief and full of fun (generally both at the same time, hes our little tasmanian devil!!) lol

DCM and Dream Street Papers...

noreply@blogger.com (Debbie) — Sun, 28 Oct 2007 11:04:00 +0000

Im loving all these challenges around and to tell you the truth its this thats made me really love this hobby!! Not just going through the motions of scrapping for an album but pushing myself to do things i wouldnt normally do and i think ive finally found a style im happy with, ive tried simple layouts and it just wasnt me.....ive tried loads of patterened papers and it just looked messy! Now im working on the cluster of embellies look and it is sitting well with me - im finally happy with how im scrapping and thats all that matters isnt it? :)

Here is a card for the daring card makers ribbon challenge this week, first time ive taken part but not the last, i should have done this ages ago!!

creation station!!

noreply@blogger.com (Debbie) — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 11:29:00 +0000

I think my creative train is on full steam ahead!! I am loving 'doing things' again....dont get me wrong there hasnt been a point when i have disliked it but im now at the 'ok what can i make next' bit!! I made a few bits for halloween including a tin for my niece, filled with candy and bearing a DIVA logo im sure it will go down a treat :)

I love the look on Jakes face in this picture, so wide eyed and innocent (believe me he isnt - behind that smile and those sparkly eyes are pure devil child, the cheeky laugh that goes with the mischief is all part of his charm!!) lol

My mum rocks!! lol

noreply@blogger.com (Debbie) — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 17:31:00 +0000

Well i could hardly pass up the opportunity to get Jake this T-shirt - even if he doesnt quite think so when he is older and i have the photos to make him squirm!! lol I love paper piecing (should i have whispered that??) - i dont mean the teddy bears and random scrapping circa 1990, i mean punch shapes and making scenes like the one below. This is a snowscene capped of with snow via the ink daubers (how cool are they and why have i just discovered them!!) made for the Design Collective christmas extras :)
Collectively Yours dare this week was elemental - you know, water, air, fire and earth. Well since during the summer we spend an awful lot of time at the beach (yeah they are all water babes!) it seemed the only way to go with a beach shot. Jake is terrible for not wanting to get wet and had us in fits of laughter with his genius way of skipping that 'wet trouser bottoms' syndrome!! lol

What time is it??

noreply@blogger.com (Debbie) — Sun, 21 Oct 2007 21:32:00 +0000

SCRAPTIME!! Now whenever i look at the clock it tells me to go scrap, make art - whatever, its scraptime! lol This was a project for the papercraftjunkies design team challenge. Tracy set the challenge this week about time and this clock was just shouting out to be altered - it already has pride of place on the wall in my studio!

The Bad Girl Kits forum set the october challenge to use journaling on your layout, these are more pics of the boys at the beach and some notes on the usual routine. You know the kind, skimming stones, jumping waves, being told not to get wet and falling face first into the water - that kind of thing!! lolOh and im absolutely covered in magnolia paint splashes why cant someone invent a non-splatter roller!!?? Im completely whitewashing the house in the hope it will sell quicker, what is it all those 'sell your house' programmes say......'make it neutral and cream' well yes the life is being sucked out of our house in the hope someone can fall in love with it the way we did.....funny how life makes sudden twists isnt it!