Stop me l'm on a roll

OK, so two posts in one day!, either l have something to share or nothing else to do (ha!). It's something to share. If you like photo editing, check this site out: Picnik l do a lot of my photo editing here, since l don't as yet have Photoshop elements 6. Picnik is easy to use, and free. Of course like everything else you can upgrade for a cost and get more features but what they have for free is pretty amazing as it is. I was playing around and did this cool Polaroid border. It's definitely worth checking out.

Photo Book from Blurb.com

As l mentioned in my photo a day shots, l found out about Blurb.com while blog surfing and so decided to give it a go. Blurb is like Shutterfly only a little cheaper in price. I haven't made any books through Shutterfly as yet, but l have had the opportunity to see some that friends have made. As l see it, both Blurb and Shutterfly books are great, the quality in both is outstanding. I found that Blurb was cheaper in price, however Shutterfly does have sales occasionally and if you plan ahead you could create your books then wait for a sale before you order them. The only disadvantage that both companies have is that their international shipping costs are ridiculously high.


I decided to start with something a little small like our Bali vacation from way back in 2001(l know, l know, I'm way behind!). Since this was my first ever attempt at putting together a book, it did take me sometime! However l really enjoyed looking back at all the photos, and reading the notes Darren had taken on our trip. Let me tell you, that man is very thorough, l mean not only did he write where we ate but also what we ate (l love him for it). So along with the trip down memory lane and scanning photos l had taken with a cheap underwater camera, my book finally arrived. In all honesty it only took 9 days, but it felt longer to me.


I highly recommend giving Blurb a try, the quality of the album is very professional ( it really looks like you just bought it in a book shop). The website is easy to understand and work on, they guide you all the way. Of course if you are the adventures type and good at photoshop there is no limit to what you can create. There is also a FAQ page with lots of input by people that are willing to help or offer advise and ideas. I chanced on Robin's blog and got a wealth of info that l can't wait to try for my next book (did you really think l was stopping at just one?).Click on her name and you should link up to her blog.You need to check out her honeymoon album, it's to die for.Robin is kind enough to include templates that you can download and work on photoshop.


My album ended up being 28 pages, l could have gone to 40 pages for the same price, however l didn't really have many high resolution photos, and so kept them mostly small. As you will see when browsing Blurb, there are many albums out there with full page photos (I'll save it for my next album). Again what you create is only limited by you, you're free to write as much or as little as you want, and include as many photos as you want. But enough with me telling you about it, just visit their site, and for now l leave you with some photos of my book.


Enjoy.

Back of Book Sleeve

copyright page and first page of book

pages of the book

inside of back sleeve

Days 48,49,50 etc etc.

Here are my Photo a day shots. It's been fun to look back and see what my weeks have entailed. This week saw the kids getting some sort of gastroenteritis which seems to be going around. Happy to say we are all feeling much better.

Day 57

OK, so it was to be expected, if Liam was sick, Maddy was soon to follow and she did.Came home Monday after school and was up most of the night. Thankfully it only lasted about 24 hours for her.

Day 56

Poor thing he started feeling sick Saturday night, was up all night, couldn't eat all day Sunday, and woke up Monday morning still not 100% good. What's a mum to do, but keep him home.

Day 55

This little puppy (a miniature schnauzer) will soon be joining our family. The kids are very excited. More to come soon.

Day 54

We went and saw The Spider wick Chronicles. Not a movie l would have gone to see and the kids weren't too enthusiastic about it either. However we really ended up enjoying it. Highly recommend seeing it.

Day 53

We had a Fajitas dinner with the Fentons. I made beef and Laura made chicken. We had all the trimmings too and they turned out really delicious. Of course we played cards after.

Day 52

Really excited to get this book. I found out about Blurb.com through blog surfing. So l decided to give it a go. I started with our trip to Bali since it would be a small-ish project (took me days!!). So after about 10 days it came in the mail. I'm very happy with the end result, looks really professional and very reasonably priced. Worth checking it out for yourself.

Day 51

We weren't too sure we would get to see this, since it was pretty cloudy today, but right at 9pm the sky cleared and we got to see it. It was pretty amazing. Unfortunately Darren was down in Montevideo and so we couldn't see it through the telescope.

Day 50

Went to lunch and the movies with Anna. We say Definitely, Maybe. A very cute and romantic film. Left feeling good.

Day 49

Sometimes it feels like l just loaded this thing up a minute ago, and here l am loading it up again.

Day 48

I have a few shows l like watching. Sunday nights is my Brothers and Sisters night. Love the whole large family dynamic.

Happy Anniversary!

To my sister Tiz and my brother in law Paul. Congratulations on your 9th wedding anniversary.

Happy Birthday Jessica

My niece is turning the big 10 today.

There's nothing like kids to remind you of just how fast time zips by.

Wasn't it only last week that we were in the hospital holding you and showing you off to your big sister and cousin?. No!

Well then I could swear it was only two days ago that you celebrated your 2nd birthday, so you see you couldn't be turning 10, you must be mistaken!

I know that for you Jess, 10 is not nearly fast enough, and that you can't wait to be an adult. But trust me Jess when l say take your time, slow down and enjoy every single day. Enjoy being 10 for all 365 days of it, cause soon enough l'll be writing about how another decade has just flown by and how unfair it is.

So for now Jess, have fun, continue being you! And know that no matter how far apart we are, we are always thinking of you and love you very much.

Happy Birthday Jess!

Big hugs and lots of kisses

Daniela,Darren,Maddy and Liam.

Days 46 and 47.

Just dropped Darren off at the airport, he's off to Montevideo. I'm baby sitting the Oakley kids and their dog Miss Dixie. It's been raining here most of the day. Stopping only while we were driving to the airport . The sky was a pretty golden orange colour and what should we see but a double rainbow. I only wish l had brought my camera with me, lesson learned.



Here are the photos for days 46 and 47.

Day 47

Miss Dixie (who belongs to the Oakleys) is gracing us with her presence this weekend. I have never met a dog more easy going than her. I love her little underbite.

Day 46

Ok, l have to preface that Valentines day is not something we really celebrate. So l was very surprised when Darren came home extra early yesterday and had got me these beautiful orange roses. Today l could not help but smile everytime l passed by them.

Happy Valentines Day, and more photo a day shots.

Happy Valentines Day

Not sure why l'm getting this underlining, it's really annoying so l will keep this pretty short.

Here are the rest of my "Photo a Day" shots.

I'm still going strong (and this underlining is really getting to me!!)

Day45

Liam holding a card l made for him and Maddy.

Day 44

We packaged and wrote 20 Valentine cards for Liam's class.

Day 43

Look who thinks they can come stay at my house, just because the weather is cold outside,

I don't think so!!

Glad to report, he has packed his bags and left after just one day!

Day 42

Ok, so l know l need this inorder to drive my car, but it dosen't mean l have to like it!, it's just such a waste of time for me, standing there waiting for it to fill up.

Day 41

My kids love to cook, so today Maddy wanted to make cupcakes. They taste as delicious as they look. Spice cake with cream cheese frosting topped with chopped walnuts and coconut.

Day40

Well it goes without saying (hey look the underlining has gone!) that l love this drink!

Day39

I painted and decorated this giant paper mache E for our little neighbour friend (note to self do more craft projecst).

Day38

Just when l was feeling a little down (Darren had to cancel our lunch for work reasons). Anna calls and asks to have breakfast with her at this yummy place. Talk about impeccible timing.

Day37

Another Sunny, warm day for winter, so how better to pass the day outside cleaning my trusty,hardworking minivan. Doesn't she look shiny!

Day36

I so love standard roses, especially iceberg. However l can't seem to find them easily. Occasionally Costco, surprises me and about 2 years ago l got two of them. Well lo and behold, what should l happen to find the other day but a lone standard iceberg rose. It was as if it was calling my name, l tell you.

Day35


Beautiful sunny day outside(it just doesn't seem to feel like winter) so l decided to clean up the garage a little. Let's see how long it will last, people! (you know who you are!)



P.S. Please excuse any spelling mistakes, but for some reason the spell checker isn't working, hey at least the underlining has gone. I guess you can't have everything.

Presenting Photo a day, 27,28,29....

Okay you get the idea. Here they are.....

Day 34

Priceless seeing the excitment these boys got from watching those last few seconds of the Super Bowl.

Day 33

He might claim to not know how to cook, but he sure makes a great sandwich.

Day 32

Busy checking all our throats for this funny little flap thingy that Laura noticed on Shane the other day. It had us all intrigued.

Day 31

Decided to treat myself to a delicious lunch.

Day 30

Quick shopping trip to Recollections, for their closing down sale, everything was at 60 to 80% off.

Day 29

So this is what my blog looks like. Finally took the plunge this year to start blogging..

Day 28

It's so nice to get something other than bills.

Day 27

Love things that help keep me organized.

You know you've lived here long enough when....

You sit and watch some of the Superbowl (not even sure if l spelled it right) and you get excited and start yelling at the TV. So happy the NY Giants won (always cheer for the underdog, and of course l just love New York). Loved watching Liam and Shane (his friend) get all excited and jumping up and down. Truth be told, l really thought the Patriots had it in the bag, but as l was reminded by my 9 year old and his friend: "don't think like that, you have to be positive, there's still time". So true, so very true. Thanks for the lesson boys.

Tomorrow l will post the rest of my "photo a day" which I've been taking everyday without fail, I'm just finding hard to post on a regular basis.