Uhm....

what to 'title' this post? Not sure so will just leave it like that. I'm not good at coming up with clever titles or names. Hence why I still haven't changed the name of my blog. May need me some 'Dutch courage' as suggested earlier. ;-). It may also explain why I struggle to come up with titles for my scrapbook pages. I want to try and be different but wonder if I miss the mark at times. Anyway, I digress.

Off all the names suggested I like Lynda's Dutchy Downunder best, even if I don't think I'm going to use it. So Lynda send me your address at marieke (dot) mb (at) paradise (dot) net (dot) nz. Obviously replacing the words for the appropriate symbols etc and without the spaces. I'll send you a little something next week for your idea. Reason I like it is because my on line screen name on some forums is Dutchy and I've been going by that name since I moved to New Zealand 9 years ago. Eek, has it really been that long?

Lime Tart gallery went up 4 days ago already. Mel and Melis never cease to amaze me with their talent. Eye candy! Here is a little teaser for ya. Check out the gallery!

The vase was totally inspired by my friend Celeste who decorated a vase with letter stickers for Making Memories Idol a few months ago. Thanks C, you rock!

Big shout out again to Mel who got picked for the American Crafts DT. Colour me green! I actually tried out for this and October Afternoon as well but obviously didn't get picked. First time since last October I've applied for anything. Oh well... Have you seen the yumminess that is October Afternoon? It's just screaming my name and I'm itching to get my hands on some.

Okay, better go deal with the pig sty that is my living room. I have a birthday party to celebrate in there next Friday (last day of term) as Annabel will be turning five next week! Whoa! Freak me out! Just this morning it finally hit me that there is no way I can still call her 'my little girl'. Because she's not. Almost five... wow..... It made me a bit sad. I remember how quickly Thomas lost that last bit of innocence when he started school. No more 'babies'. Two kids at school. I won't know myself! But it will go nicely with the alarming amount of grey hairs I found the other day.

Oh no, the living room can wait. I need to quickly make something for her PT and OT tomorrow. Last visits with them. Lots of lasts these few weeks....

Bad, bad blogger

I know, I know, it's been almost a month. And I promise I haven't forgotten. I'm still thinking about the new name. I've had some good ones suggested but not quite 'it'. So if you want to have another go at it please do so. I came up with one myself that I'm still tossing up. It might be a good one, especially since I'm considering to get a bit more serious with my photography and look into some courses and stuff like that. But I'll keep that name to myself for the time being.


Not much to report. Crazy busy with life in general. Ah, only two more weeks until the school holidays. At least I won't be running out the door every morning for work. Although school holidays usually bring other stresses with them... This time around I have a birthday party to organise for my soon to be five year old. She wants a fairy princess party so that shouldn't be too hard. I'm predicting lots of pink and glitter! I guess I'd better get a move on with those invitations.... I think I'll chicken out this time and just buy some rather than make them. Could be a good job for tomorrow.


Working with the Lime Tart September Full Tart at the moment. It is packed with stuff and there is no way I can use it all in the 6-7 projects I'm planning on. He he he, I love lots of left-overs.

September newsletter went out at the beginning of the month at Scrapgal. Very exciting changes happening there at the moment as we've started a blog alongside the forum. The Design Team will be posting every Monday, Wednesday and Friday with challenges, inspiration, articles, etc. Forum members can create their own blog there too. Check it out. In my post you'll see a teensy wee sneak of the Lime Tart September Full Tart too ;-). Must say visiting the Aussie Dares after I'd done my article and project to go with it was a bit of a nasty surprise. Especially since this was the second challenge I'd dreamt up as the first one (making old patterned paper look new again) more or less got taken up by my fellow DT member Kimberly. *sulk (nah K it's okay, great minds think alike and all that, LOL). Anyway, just in case you're wondering, no I did not steal their idea. I came up with it after going through my own old layouts (like this one) and completed my article and card before they posted the challenge. I've emailed one of the contributors and explained the situation. Mind you I also remember Viv Bonder using lots of 'natural' or found materials. If I only had a tiny portion of her 'arty-ness' (is that a word?) I think it was her who used twigs for the spine of a mini album. Not sure, but it is totally something she'd do. Anyway, I digress.

I have made some other cards to be sent out to friends etc but haven't taken any pictures of it yet. So I'll just share the newsletter layouts and the card I made for my 'back to nature' challenge.