HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SOPHIA

Yesterday was Sophia's birthday - the big 40!! I love this little quote - just for you: -

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME

I LOVE WHAT I SEE
LOTS OF PRESENTS AND JUNK FOOD
AND IT'S ALL ABOUT ME ...

Happy Birthday, my friend. May you enjoy many more and can't wait to celebrate with you on Saturday ...

Please go along to her blog and wish Sophs - after all, the day of our birth is most certainly a time of celebration ...

And speaking of birth days ... Andrea Robertson welcomed a little boy (Nicholas) into her family on Tuesday - congratulations, Robertson family - may you be blessed over and over by the birth of this little angel ....

I am feeling great today - no more miz and very little pain - going to Gynae later for a checkup and also taking Bryce to Orthodontist to have spacers fitted for his braces which will be fixed next week - he is pretty excited!!.

Thanks for all your warm wishes, girls - I appreciate your care.

When I am feeling a little less emotional, I will post more about how I feel right now - after all, life is made up of the GOOD, the BAD and the UGLY and the VERY BEST OF EVERYTHING in between.

By the way, as soon as I am completely back on track, I must share some amazing blogs with you - quite a number of ladies have been visiting me and they also have stunning blogs - will go through them and add to my faves soon.

Later this week I will be posting another challenge relating to our BOM, so come back soon!!

Love,

BOM CHALLENGE No. 3

ON THE DAY THAT YOU WERE BORN ... (the angels in heaven celebrated with our Heavenly Father ...)

Use this opportunity to document your first few days on this planet. What did you weigh and how tall were you? Were you recognizably more like one or the other parent? Where were you born and at which Hospital? Did your mom have a natural birth or were you born by Cesarean? Were both your parents present? If you are lucky enough to still have them with you, ask your parents what they remember about the day you were born and how they felt when they saw you for the first time. Was it sunny or cold? Was it early morning or late evening? How long was your mother in labour for? Find out about something interesting or meaningful that happened in the world on the same day that you were born. This challenge is as much a part of who we are as our family resemblances are also a part of us. Try and record as much information as you can obtain about this special day, after all, this was the beginning of your story. I know there are some of you who were raised by somebody special, other than your natural parents – perhaps this can be a document of how you came to be with them and what their feelings were when they first knew they would be entrusted with your care and when they first saw you. Try and get as much information about your birth parents and your birth as possible. This may be a painful reminder for some of you, but I believe this may even be the greatest part of Your Story.

This challenge ends at midnight on the 10th August 2008 so be sure to send me your LO's before then.

I am so enjoying getting to know you and I plan to become even more acquainted with every one of you as time goes on so although the first 3 challenges have been somewhat disrupted by my computer crashing and my illness over the last few weeks, be prepared for some really exciting and emotional times over the next couple of months.

Much love,

I'M BACK!!

Well, you haven't heard from me for a while ... I have had this hectic head cold and then to crown it all, I was admitted to Hospital on Saturday for an emergency laparoscopy for an ectopic pregnancy. The op went well (thanks so much to Prof Bagratee - you are the master ...) and I am now at home recovering - I have been a little tender but I am well and am looking forward to getting back on my feet again - and back to taking care of my family and scrapbooking, of course ...

Let me give you the lowdown ...

I had this same head cold a while ago and I managed to get rid of it without too much effort and, bearing in mind that I very seldom get colds or flu, I thought I got pretty lucky as most people I know who have had it have been sick for months even after antibiotics. Unluckily for me, I had a relapse last week and after visiting the doctor on Tuesday and getting meds, I was still not feeling any better by Thursday so I went back to the GP. For some reason he suspected I may be pregnant even though I didn't think this could be - I had started bleeding two weeks after my last period, but I thought it may be the meds or stress or something else - I did not suspect pregnancy. He did a blood test and phoned me at about 6.30 pm on Thursday to say that he had made arrangements with a Gynae at St Augustine's for me to go along and see him immediately. I went along to the Hospital and saw Prof Bagratee (he is apparently a renowned fertility specialist and he very graciously saw me at about 8.30 on Thursday evening). He examined me and said that I should rest and go back and see him on Saturday morning after having more blood tests taken as he suspected I was having a miscarriage or a possible ectopic pregnancy. I phoned Greg in Zambia because I was really scared but I still did not believe I could be pregnant and in any event, I thought I may already have miscarried as there was no evidence of a pregnancy on the scan.

Greg drove for a straight 22 hours and arrived home at 2am on Saturday. We went off to have blood tests and then to see the Prof and he confirmed that my hormone levels had not increased sufficiently to conclude a normal pregnancy but that they were also not dropping which meant that I was still pregnant. He immediately made arrangements for me to go into theatre on Saturday afternoon. Thanks heavens Greg was home - I don't think I would have made it emotionally without him.

I was really nervous but everything went well and I was released on Monday morning. Greg has been fantastic looking after me like a china doll and I am reminded of how blessed I am to have such an amazing man in my life. He is my everything ... thank you, hon - I love you very much.

I am also extremely grateful that the problem was diagnosed and rectified so early as I have heard that an undetected ectopic pregnancy can be life-threatening.

Anyway, besides a bit of tenderness, I am starting to feel great so I thought I should post the 3rd challenge. I will post it under a new post today and all of you who have already joined will also receive it by e-mail today - thanks for being so patient. Needless to say, I have not yet completed my second LO but I will get onto that next week with the 3rd one.

Take care and cherish your loved ones every moment of every day ...

Love,

SOPHIA MEANS "WISDOM"

Here is Sophia's second challenge - such beautiful colours, Sophs - you can see you have girls to scrap - yummy - ice-cream colours ...

Sophs' journalling: -

"What does my name mean...

Gender: Feminine

Usage: English, Greek, German, Ancient Greek

Means "wisdom" in Greek. This was the name of an early, probably mythical, saint who died of grief after her three daughters were martyred. Legends about her probably arose as a result of a medieval misunderstanding of the phrase Hagia Sophia "Holy Wisdom", which was the name of a large basilica in Constantinople.

This name was common among continental European royalty during the Middle Ages, and it was popularized in Britain by the German House of Hanover when they inherited the British throne in the 18th century. It was the name of characters in the novels 'Tom Jones' (1749) by Henry Fielding and 'The Vicar of Wakefield' (1766) by Oliver Goldsmith.

As to why my parents chose it for me...it is a simple one, nothing too fancy or meaningful here. My mom liked the actress Sophia Loren at the time, so between them both they decided to name me after her. My Mom wanted to spell it Sophie in French, but as they were living in an English country she thought they would call me Sophia and would not be able to pronounce it the French way."

Thanks, Sophs.

I am not my usual poetic (?) self as I have not been well but I will most certainly update you once I am back to normal.

By the way, I am so excited to say that Andrea Robertson, ex-SA Scrapkits has tracked me down and will be joining our BOM challenge - YIPPEE - Welcome, Andrea - will be in touch real soon.

Love,

YIKES - YOU GIRLS ARE FAST

and I do not mean "Fast Asleep". Here is Desire's second LO: -

Oh wow!! Oh wow!! I say no more ...

Desire has sent me her journalling and I would love for you to read about this interesting lady, so here it is: -

Unfortunately, I have never asked my late foster parents (Roelof & Phoebe Walters) specifically how they came to my name. As far as I know my biological parents named me Desire (without the accent on the í ) and my foster parents added the accent to the í which changed the pronunciation from {DEZ-a-ray} to {DIZ-ea-ray}. How they came across this specific pronunciation I don’t know and am very sad that I don’t have the opportunity anymore to quiz them about this. The name is French derived from Latin Desiderata ‘desired’. This name was given by early Christians to a longed-for child, but the French form is now often taken as suggesting that the bearer will grow into a ‘desirable’ woman. The ‘longed-for child’ is actually very apt from my foster parents’ point of view. My foster mom and dad only had one biological daughter. My mom gave birth to a second child, a boy, who only survived for a few days. Following this my mom had numerous miscarriages and they obviously yearned for more children. So it was then that they adopted me (at the age of 3½) many years later, late in their forties and chose to name me Desíre which means ‘desired’ i.e. their desire to have another child.

Other interesting facts:There are 15 variant forms of Desirée: Desarae, Desaree, Deseray, Desideria, Desir, Desirae, Desirat, Desiray, Desire, Desirea, Desiri, Desyre, Dezirae, Deziray and Deziree. Mine is probably the 16th variant form i.e. Desíre The English form of DÉSIRÉE was popularized in the English-speaking world by the movie 'Désirée' in 1954.

A Desiree is also a red-skinned potato.

There is also the song DESIREE written by Neil Diamond during the 1970’s.

There was also a Desiree Clary, a French woman who became Queen of Sweden. She was once the fiancée of Napoleon but they broke off the engagement due to parental opposition. Her husband (Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte) was one of Napoleon's generals and he was elected King of Sweden. The Swedes wanted a soldier as king due to the threat of a Russian invasion. During the early part of her husband's reign, she refused to live in Sweden due to the harsh climate. She moved to Sweden in her later life but never learned Swedish.

Thanks, Desire - well researched and totally unique - love it!!

Love,

WOW - HOW "ON THE BALL" IS THIS GIRL?

I woke this morning and, upon checking my mails, was thrilled to see that Michelle had sent me her second BOM challenge LO. Do you sleep, Michelle? So, without further ado, here it is ...

I love that you have hand-journalled ...

Here is what Michelle says about herself ... " i enjoy doing things - scrapping, baking, making teddies, being with friends and having a good time (and I know how to do that!!) reading, race walking (done quite a few with Desire) and am now doing gym with my husband".

This is an excerpt from her journalling ... "The French meaning of "Michelle" is "Gift from God", and is the feminine form of Michael. The Hebrew meaning is "Close to God" and "Who is like God?" It was a popular name when first used in the 1940's and made even more so by the Beatles' famous song "Michelle" in the 1970's (I love the Beatles music by the way!!) My second name "Frances" is from French origin and means "Free".

How did my parents decide on my name?

Well, they liked the name "Michael" and i was a girl, so was named "Michelle". In the 1060's it was quite a unique name".

Well done, Michelle!! Now, I need to get my A into G and complete my second LO. You may notice that I have not posted my first LO - give me a break, I am trying to get it scanned properly and my printer is not co-operating ... I am obviously not a techno-girl!!??!! I don't bake either (just a bit of useless info so early in the am ...).

By the way, my cousin Trent got engaged over the weekend - congrats to the both of you - may you be as happy forever as you were when you first felt that "tingling" feeling for each other. I have not yet met his fiancee but I believe she is great, especially because she is a bit of a "bargain-hunter" like me. If I were to define bargain hunter I would say that a "bargain" does not mean "cheap or tasteless" just that it is a jewel of a find at a price that does not require my Bank Manager (read husband) to be around when I purchase it - and it looks real good.

I have had a fairly normal and quiet weekend excepting that I am under a tremendous amount of stress with some personal family issues and I am trying real hard not to let it get to me to the point where I need to just shut out the world for a bit!!! I am hanging in there and more especially because I have the most amazing husband and intuitive 11-year son who understand me and accept me even when I'm a little out of control. Thanks Greg and Bryce - I love you both more than all the grains of sand on the beach ...

Bryce and I decided that we would go out for a waffle late yesterday afternoon. Whilst reversing out of the driveway, I shattered my right-hand side mirror - I was sooooo mad at myself!!! You have to understand that I have the skinniest driveway on the planet and I have a HUGE (ok, big) car and my dogs are always trying to escape and .... Drama over, I am going to have it fixed this morning. Thanks, Annie for being so calm and kind when I was in such a state - you are right, it is just a piece of mirror - not the end of the Planet as I always remind everybody else. And my Brycie boy, you are so in tune with me. When Annie asked him if he was upset because we were no longer going out for a waffle, he calmly said "no, but it's okay - it's just one of those things". I love you sooooo much and I am so proud of you, my boy ....

Today I am going to try and get some scrapping done ... am so far behind but hopefully I'll make some progress today.

Have a great day!

Love,

BOM LO FROM MICHELLE RAMSAY

Introducing ... Michelle Ramsay: -

MICHELLE RAMSAY

What a beautiful photo and such stunning colours ... Unfortunately I was unable to read the first chapter of Michelle's life, so Michelle, if you have anything interesting about yourself to share with us, please leave a comment and I will publish it. (I can't get your LO any bigger on my PC and my eyes are not what they used to be ...).

BOOK OF ME CHALLENGE - COME AND JOIN US!

We are only on the second challenge in our Book of Me (BOM) challenge so there is still loads of time to join us. If you look alongside here you will see the topics for the two challenges - my older posts on the 3rd and 17th July will give you a more in-depth look at the challenges with loads of suggestions for each. Come on, it's time you scrapped your story ....

Love,

DESIRE'S BOM LO1

Here is Desire's first LO for the BOM challenge - divine colouring - quite different to your normal style, Desire - already we are extending our brains - well done!!

DESIRE FOURIE

An interesting fact about Desire - she has on an online Scrapbooking Shop. Visit her at www.doinglife.co.za

That's all folks!

BOOK of ME - CHALLENGE No. 2

Before I give you your next challenge, I would like to welcome Desire, Michelle and Jacqui to our BOM challenge - I am thrilled that you have decided to join us and I hope that you get as much satisfaction out of this as I do. Who will tell our story if you don't?

Desire, please e-mail me your layout again as I inadvertantly deleted it from my mails - sorry - silly me ....

Take a look at these talented ladies' first BOM LO's .... gorgeous ....

SOPHIA ALLISON

An interesting fact about Sophs - she turns 40 soon (you look soooo good, girl!) and has a French Mauritian heritage ...

JACQUI BOURNE

An interesting fact about Jacqui - she is a full time mom to 2 young girls AND still finds time to study towards her teaching degree (way to go, Jacqui) ...

Thanks for your help in posting my first images into text, Sophs - as usual, you are the Master - ALL HAIL SOPHIA!!!!

Okay, down to business ....

BOM CHALLENGE No. 2: -

This week requires a little research - use your favourite search engine to find out the meaning of your name or go along to your local library (when last did you enter the hallowed halls of a library?) and research the meaning of your name. Do you like your name? Do you think that the meaning of your name somehow reflects a little bit of who you are? How did your parents select your name - is there a romantic/funny/endearing/strange story behind the selection of your name? If you could change your name which name would you choose? Tell the story. You do not necessarily need to put any photos on this page – you are merely documenting the story of your name.

Remember always that these are simply guidelines and suggestions - use your imagination and creativity to add information about your name to your LO.

But most of all, ENJOY THE JOURNEY ...

Have a fantabulous day!!

A QUICK HELLO

Just a quick hello from me today - got my computer upgraded and all looks good so far but I am so tired so will not post BOM challenge or LO's tonight. Please check back with me tomorrow.

To all of you who wished me well for my Driver's - thanks so much - I really appreciate your support. Sad to say, I did not even leave the testing grounds - I was so nervous - BUT there is always a next time!! I was really upset last week, so although I am over the anger and the disappointment, I don't want to re-visit this too much - will keep you updated.

Greg is on his way to Zambia (driving this time) and he sms'd me earlier saying that he had to stop on a road in Botswana to let a herd of elephants cross the road - how awesome is that? We are truly blessed to be able to co-exist with such amazing animals - I just love elephants - scared of them in real life - but LOVE them.

Thanks so much to Sophs for posting while my computer was down - you are a true friend!!

We have a few new ladies who have joined the BOM Challenge since my last post. Will update and welcome everybody tomorrow.

Really tired so I wish you all a Good Night - Sleep tight and happy Scrappy Dreams!

Technical Problems

Hi this is Sophia and I have hijacked Tracy's PC...lol (just kidding, she asked me to post quick for her).

Please bear with her as she has some computer problems, she should be up and running real soon...

The next BOM challenge will be posted this week, so check back here real soon!

NAGAAPIES OP DAGDIENS

Forgot I even posted something this morning after the long haul last night - was pretty tired. I snuggled up next to Greg with my icy cold feet only to have him get up and go and fetch some guys to help with building today - that was 8am. The next time I surfaced was 11.30am - was really hungry so made a peanut butter and syrup sandwich (never wanted them in my lunchbox as a child but can't get enough of them now - go figure ...) and read for about a 1/2 an hour. Fell asleep again and woke up at 1.45pm. I feel well rested now and so ready for the next one. Sophs still has some sand in her eyes, I believe, but I was very proud of her - she maintained well although she looked as though she needed matchsticks to keep those eyes open at around 3am. I compared her to that "nagaapie op dagdiens" (nightowl on day shift). As I said to her, that is normally my "dead" hour but we did it!!!!

I am excited to say that whilst browsing other blogs, I came across two stunning ideas for Sophs' 40th Birthday Party - she wants me to keep it as a surprise so I'll post pictures after the big day. Be sure to check back with me on around the 3rd August. I also offered to demonstrate a make-and-take for the ladies at her party so am working on this idea too. Will also post my dem afterwards. Why not go to Sophs' blog and join her RAK challenge - she is offering a parcel of yummy goodies as a lucky draw prize - so send those cards before it is too late ...

As I type, my mind is swirling with how I am going to fit everything into the next few weeks - I have so much to do: -

I am doing my Driver's Licence on Thursday of next week - excited about this - finally after 16 or so years of driving ... no comments please ... My Learner's Licence expires in about 6 months and I am pleased to say that I finally got my A into G and booked my Driver's. Unfortunately, my A fell out of G and I realised yesterday that the 10th July is next week Thursday. Panic!!! I haven't been for a single lesson and I know nothing about the K53 thing - I drive well but I have to get out the testing grounds with K53 knowledge so I went along to Pro Driving Tactics (long story short, we were in the area looking at some cladding and stone paving when I saw the Traffic Guy's car and remembered that I had to book some lessons) to find out if they could give me a couple of lessons next week. I met with the Traffic Guy himself (our chirpy traffic reporter on East Coast Radio) - he was very sweet although he seemed to agree with Greg that I am a high-maintenance woman (another story, another day). The Driving Instructor took pity on me (bless your heart) and I am meeting with him on Monday at 6am to go through what I need to know. Wish me luck ...

I also need to go and help my mom pack up her house as she will be staying with my brother for a few months from the end of July whilst we complete work on a granny flat for her at the back of our home. All those who know my mom and have helped her move (you will all be blessed a billion times over for helping with this mammoth task the MANY times she has moved - one day when I have at least 24 hours at my disposal I am going to try and work out how many times my mom has moved and how many homes I lived in as a child - it may take more than 24 hours and possibly 3 trees of paper) know that she is a serious packrat (Guess I know where I get it from) and she is moving from a big house into a granny flat so she will HAVE TO get rid of some of the junk - read MOST OF THE JUNK.

Then I also need to meet with a friend as we are putting holiday tins together with a mini album and need to work on the sample and get it out there so we can start teaching.

On top of that I have decided that I will start teaching here at home again and I need to complete some projects for those classes as well. Fun stuff, but the pressure is on ... as usual!

In between all of this I need to make time to take Bryce to the Wavehouse or something and keep him amused for a couple of days in the school holidays.

Obviously I will be burning the midnight oil for a few weeks but right now I am going to cook dinner - roast chicken - have to spend some time with the gorgeous duo (my boys) after all the me time lately!!

Chat Soon!

NIGHT OWL SCRAPPERS

We did it - we made the all-nighter! Sophia and I scrapped from 7pm Friday night to 7am Saturday morning and I am still awake - now 7.25am. Didn't get much done but giggled and chatted alot and had loads of fun! We'll do it again soon, Sophs. And thanks for helping me with stitching my layouts so I will soon be showing off my creative talent (when my mojo is around and not lurking in some or other place where I cannot find it) on my blog. Just want to practice a bit and then I will post some of my LO's.

We started this all-night scrapping session thing a couple of years ago and I have attended and hosted several since. So much fun! Why not organise one in your area soon! Imagine how many pages you could scrap in 12 solid hours?? Yeah, right - with all the talking, laughing and eating going on, we do not achieve what we think we will, but our souls are refreshed - the flesh may be weak at around 3am but our souls are willing. Thanks to all the girls who have shared an all-nighter with me in the past. If you want to do another one soon, let me know - I am always keen.

Good Night ... er ... Good Morning.

ANOTHER GLORIOUS WINTER'S DAY

How lucky am I? I have just spent the last two hours lying on a hammock in my front garden, reading a Tess Gerritsen novel (Body Double - enthralling). What could be better? Feel it with me: -

Imagine the beautiful winter's sun keeping my skin toasty warm and the sound of birds playing in the trees above me. Feel the soft and spongy grass under my feet as I move with the waning sun ... bliss ... Heaven on Earth! Peaceful, calm ... Now there is the noise of a lawnmower next door - somehow not intrusive, just comforting and NORMAL. Greg is busy cleaning out the pond and every so often I catch his eye and we share a smile - I see the love we share reflected in his eyes. I once again get lost in amongst the pages of the book. No worries for right now - I'll worry again tomorrow - or not!

Oh, how I love our Winter season - especially when the sun peeps through my windows about mid-morning and makes my bed all toasty and warm and when the same sun warms my chilly skin when I go outside for the first time in the morning - there is no place I would rather be right here, right now!

Make no mistake, it does get cold here - my Greg even brought my furry blankie out to me as the sun moved over our roof and the shadows fell onto the grass where I was slumbering - not quite sleeping - not quite reading - but just being ... delicious!!

I had to document these peaceful feelings because there are not enough of them - always rush, rush, rush or go, go, go ...

Perhaps I feel "free" because Bryce has gone on an overnight Church campout with his Grandfather and cousins - perhaps knowing that he'll be back before lunch tomorrow is somehow liberating too. Greg is home early from work and just relaxing in the garden and now infront of TV doing what he does best - flicking channels. It is great to see Greg chilled. I feel relaxed. I feel safe. I am happy!

The dining room table is a disaster zone and I have some friends coming over for an all-nighter tonight but I don't feel stressed - usually I would be tearing around the house trying to fix everything and make it perfect but today is not that day. Today I am just being ...

Hope you too have days or even a few hours like this where you can re-connect with yourself. Remember ...

TRACY'S LIFE LESSON No. 1 - the more you give to yourself with honesty and without regret, the more you can give of yourself to others ....

Bye for now.

P.S. Have already had a number of girls joining my BOM challenge - come on and join in the fun - do something for yourself!!

JOIN MY SCRAPBOOKING CHALLENGE

I have been toying with the idea of a "BOOK OF ME" (BOM) challenge for at least the last 3-4 years (I hope it doesn't take me this long to get all my ideas going ...). I came across the idea whilst browsing on the net a few years ago and I was intrigued by the challenges, especially because I think it is extremely important to document our lives for those who stay behind after we go. There are many ways of approaching this but this is how I am going to work mine ...

• I will post a challenge every two weeks (you will need to check in every two weeks)


• The challenges will be specific


• We will have two weeks, every 5th Challenge to CATCH UP with challenges we have not completed


• You can either participate on your own or "register" with me


• I will post your layouts on my blog (if you agree)


• I will post your stories on my blog (if you agree)


• I will post my progress on my blog

I will refine any hiccups along the way and I am always open to constructive and creative suggestions.

HOW DO WE START?

You will need to decide whether you are going to make up your own album or use an existing album (the size is up to you), bearing in mind that whatever you decide, you must be able to add pages to the album as we go along. I will post a detailed challenge, with hints and tips, every two weeks and you will need to complete a page (double or single - the choice is yours) based on your interpretation of that challenge. You have two weeks to complete the current challenge and then you will need to tackle the next one. You can elect to keep a single colour and theme throughout or you can do something different for each challenge - the choice is yours! Sounds easy, doesn't it? Just remember that this is called a "BOOK OF ME" so you are in control of it - I am just giving you "title" or "theme" ideas to make it a little easier. The first few challenges will be about introducing yourself on a fairly basic level, then I will start throwing in some "difficult" or more meaningful challenges which will require thought and insight into yourself. I will also throw in a few fun challenges along the way. I have enough ideas to keep us going for about a year or so (about 26 challenges) so I would like you to commit to at least a year. Any scrapper from anywhere in the world is welcome to join us - remember though that this is a family safe site and I can moderate comments and can choose whether or not to publish them so keep it tidy, people - I know all scrappers are sane but I am not sure about the rest of you out there .... (just kidding LOL).

HOW TO REGISTER: -

It would be awesome to follow you guys through this journey if you would let me. I love watching how this craft heals us and unites us - no I am NOT a stalker - yet!!! So, I'll make it very easy to follow. Registering your e-mail address with me (send me a post including your e-mail address) simply means the following: -

• I know how many people are taking part in the challenge


• I can offer encouragement


• We can get to know each other


• I will send you your next challenge via e-mail so you don't miss a single one


• I can post your LO's on my blog (if you agree)


• I can post your progress or touching moments on my blog (again, if you agree)


• I will send you details of my upcoming classes and projects


• I will assign each registered person with a "secret sista" (SS). You will be a SS to somebody and will be assigned a SS who will take care of you. Your duties as a SS include, but are not restricted to, encouragement, inspiration during times of need or even just because you can, scrapbooking tips and tricks, a once-a-month or once-a year or birthday goodie bag (you decide how often you want to treat your SS) which you send to the person you are assigned. You can choose whether you want to be a SS to somebody in S Africa or overseas (provided of course we get anybody interested from over the seas .. come on scrappers, UNITE!!) At the end of our BOM challenges you can arrange to meet or disclose who you are (OR NOT) - it is up to you. "Secret" means not disclosing who you are until the end so this is much like a "pen pal" but in secret. I have only a few requests - (a) that if you commit yourself as a SS you stay with it until the end, (b) you contact your SS once a month at the very least and (c) your identity remains a secret until the end ...

CHALLENGE No. 1 (for the 2 weeks ending 13th July 2008)

Introduction to me

This is a brief introductory page about you and must include a recent photo of yourself (eeek). I like to call this a quick "CV" or "brief description of you" page as we will go into much more detail during the course of the next year. This page must reflect who you are at a glance - use colours and embellishments to describe you, along with the words.

Hints and Tips of what you can include for Introduction to me: -

Full name/s

Date of birth and age
Where you were born
Parents name/s
How many siblings you have and their name/s
Colour of eyes
Colour of hair
Married / single?
Do you have children? If so, how many? Name/s
Where you live now - either specifically or just a City and Country Name
A single line stating your present Career
etc. etc.

As I think of more ideas I will post them on my blog .... Feel free to send me some ideas .... and check back here from time to time as I will include comments and suggestions from others.

Please also remember to send me your layouts and register your e-mail address with me (only if you want to, of course) and we can get the SS thing going. It may take a while for the SS to start as we can only assign SS if we have enough scrappers registered so please encourage friends to join quickly.

You may also join at any stage, provided you feel you can catch up with the previous challenges!

I guess this is all for now - let me go and plan some more and also start on my first page!!

GOOD LUCK and hope you feel inspired to join in the fun!