My Art's Desire

Amazing generosity

2008-10-10T08:08:00.003+13:00

Once again I am reminded how the scrapbooking rallies together for a friend in need.
Emily Falconbridge has put together a number of auctions to raise money for our friend Kimberly. My heart jumped with joy when I saw what the amounts where up to already. Please go here if you are after some amazing artwork made my Emily.

Why do the good ones always seem to go first?

2008-10-09T07:31:00.003+13:00

Not the happiest of posts to revive this blog with but being across the world from a friend in need this is all I can do at the moment. I am part of a small and very close knit scrapbooking community and our little world has been rocked by the tragic and unexpected death of one of my dear friend's husband and soulmate. He was only 38 and leaves behind his wife and two young boys aged 4 and 7. To say that we are all in shock is an understatement. I cannot even begin to imagine the pain she must be experiencing. She always said he was the best thing that ever happened to her and now she is faced with raising their two boys alone. I cannot even type this without the tears starting to stream from my eyes again. She just doesn't deserve this. It is not fair.
We are all spread out across the world and are trying to do our bit to help. We've all made donations to help ease the financial burden she will be faced with. But we want to do more. Lisa Pace is having an auction on her blog to help our friend. Please follow this link to the auction. It's all we can do for our friend, for now.

PSA

2008-07-23T22:21:00.002+12:00

Buzz and Bloom is turning five and to celebrate we are having a 12 hour crop. Come and join the Design Team on Sunday 21 September from 10 am to 10pm Melbourne time. So for us in New Zealand that would be 12 to 12. It's promising to be a great day with prizes, live chat, scavanger hunt and sneak peeks at new product! Click here for full details.
Also the DT search will be open from that date. Closing 30 October. Helene and Devorah are amazing to work for so go for it!

roll call

2008-07-07T22:54:00.006+12:00

yep I'm still scrapping, but not as much as I'd like to. Life has been crazy busy. Hasn't the year just flown by?

It's encouraging to see that there are still a few 'die-hards' that visit my poorly neglected blog on a regular basis. Now that is commitment! Thank you, whoever you are. Can I call all you lurkers out of the shadows and do a roll call? Please leave a comment. I'd love to know who hasn't given up on me yet. :-).

Scrapping. Hmmm, other than my Buzz and Bloom assignments nothing much has been coming out of my hands lately. Which is a shame really as I do love creating so much. But a new venture has been taking up the little spare time that I have. More later.

I really love my latest Buzz and Bloom projects. Can't show you the most recent ones on my blog. You'll have to go here to see all my entries to the blog. But I can post projects from the last few months so here you go. (flood alert)

style folio to keep clipping in of things that inspire me and clock for my study:

couple of layouts:

reversed canvas (like a shadow box really) and a wall hanging:

guestbook I made for a work collegue's weekend house and layout about her orchard there.

Now for my new venture.

I have been a photo enthousiast for many years. There were times that the camera sat forgotten in a drawer but it would always find a way back into my hands again. I used to have a film SLR many years ago. Then the digital camera's came along and after saving for it I bought myself a "high-end" point and shoot that allowed some manual settings. But eventhough the picture quality was great I very quickly got frustrated with the enormous shutter delay on it, especially when using manual settings. For my 38th birthday I bought myself my first digital SLR, a Nikon D80, on a 3 years interest free deal. Yes I am still paying for it. The remaining balance is about the same as that camera now costs new... but that's the way it goes with electronics.

My interest in and passion for photography bloomed again and I started reading - LOTS. Oh how I love the internet. And I practised what I'd learned. And from there the idea of going 'pro' popped up again. An idea I'd toyed with, but never seriously persued, when still at uni.

I have just taken the first step towards my dream. I am portfolio building! I am exited and nervous at the same time. I have invested some money and endless hours of my time in this. I bought a pro lens second hand and the photographer I bought it from practically gifted me her old Fuji S3 Pro with it. And opportunity too good to pass up. Even my dad has pitched in an gifted me a flash. Thanks dad!

My new venture can be found here. Not totally sold on the name yet, Kaleidoscope Images, but without a name I couldn't move forward. The blogsite is a work in progress and I'll work on it to make it 'mine'. In due time I'll have to get a proper website but for now the free blog option will have to do. Tell me what you think okay?

Eh.......

2008-05-19T22:33:00.002+12:00

A good 2,5 months later..... and I can say I haven't done a whole lot of scrapping. In fact everything I've done in that time you can find right here. Easy right? All in one spot for you. All for Buzz and Bloom. That's it. No more, no less. How pathetic huh?
I cannot find the inspiration or motivation to do much. I sure hope I'll snap out of that funk soon. Can't have a room full of supplies just sit and collect dust now can I?

Buzz and Bloom still rocks my world. The latest release has some pretty cool stuff with it. Personally I think I love the Head Start stuff the most. And that 3D stuff is right up my alley too. Think I'll need to get me that Retro vine too and Up the Garden Path and.... uhm well you get my drift.

I'm finding my patterned paper stash doesn't appeal that much whenever I do reach for my supplies. I gravitate towards my paints and inks. Love experimenting with it. Do get a bit sick of certain people commenting on what I'm doing when I go to a crop these days. No it's not conventional scrapbooking what I do but that doesn't give you the right to ridicule my work. Sigh.

I'm busy with all sorts of stuff. Studying a bit. Researching. Working towards setting up my own business. Not enough hours in the day to do it all. There's my 'real' job too. It's only part time but seems to take up the better part of the day anway. And the kids seem to take more of my time as they grow older. How does that work? I thought it would get better? But there is the hockey for T and swimming lessons for both and Pippins for A which takes us to the end of the week. And somewhere in between I'm supposed to do the housework and provide them with regular nutricious meals. LOL

T is getting so big. He told me the other day he wants one ear pierced. Eeeek! I told him he wasn't allowed that until he was 14. But this same boy also proclaimed he never wanted to learn how to drive because he thought driving was "freaky" (his words). ... I'm sure that will change by the time he's allowed to make decisions about piercing ears (and preferably not other body parts).

M

Playing catch up

2008-03-04T20:52:00.005+13:00

Let's see if blogger wants to play nice tonight and let me upload some recent layouts...

February and March Scrapgal newsletter layouts:

Big shock to learn that Scrapgal has been sold to a new owner. Not sure what that means for my position on the Design Team to be honest. Time will tell.

I'm loving my spot on the Buzz and Bloom DT. There is no greater pleasure than receiving an enveloppe every month stuffed with stuff you would have bought anyway! One happy girl here. You should really check out the blog on a regular basis as every couple of days there will be a new post up filled with inspiration. My latest one can be seen here.

I've been struck by the worst tummy bug so am about to head back to bed. One of the hazards of working in a couple of Kindergartens: you catch just about every bug that goes around in the community. Ugh.

Ahem... is this thing on??

2008-02-17T22:37:00.002+13:00

Uhm... so it's been more than 2 months. What can I say? This is always a busy time of the year? Mind you I'm not one to just post for the sake of posting so when I have nothing to say I just stay quiet. For two months if I have to, LOL.
So 2008 eh? I'm another year older, can't say I'm getting any wiser. What's been happening? I'll give you the short version.
1. Got selected for the Buzz and Bloom Design Team.
2. I'm no longer with Lime Tart.
3. Got my pride hurt. Oh how I despise hypocracy and the hidden agendas in this industry.
4. Moved my scrap area (ongoing process - still boxes of stuff everywhere. may have something to do with changing the kids' rooms too)
5. Photographed my first maternity session as a portfolio exercise - boy do I have a lot to learn.
6. photographed my first new born, again as a portfolio exercise - boy do I have a lot to learn.
7. Created my first blog post for Buzz and Bloom, see here.
8. Created some layouts but have been in a bit of a 'low'. Haven't been nearly as productive as I'd planned to be. Small sampling to follow the bottom of this post.

Must say I'm somewhat surprised to see my blog still gets visited every day even after not posting for so long. *insert puzzled look here*

Not feeling chatty tonight. Just thought I'd better get around to throwing some layouts on this blog of mine before the account got pulled for inactivity (just kidding!).

Nope, this post remains without pictures. Blogger doesn't let me upload tonight. Grrrrr.
'Night all.

can't think of a good title

2007-12-09T19:45:00.001+13:00

So we'll just leave it as is.

Time just keeps ticking by. December already. Christmas chaos. My kids have told Santa what they want and I think I've got most of it covered. This is the first year that they both express definite wishes and it seems they kind of expect to get it too. I don't know what happened. In previous years they could care less and wanted it all to be a surprise. I have a feeling that this may be T's last year of believing in Santa. We will see. It will be so disappointing when he doesn't believe anymore. Kind of takes the magic away. At least A should have a few more years left in her.

The tree is up in our house. Kids helped decorate it so it's a funny mixture of hand made ornaments by the kids and bits and pieces of stuff from previous years. They each got to choose an ornament and T choose a glass angel that is now at the top of the tree with a light in it to make it glow all pretty. LOL. A choose a bright pink and purple fabric middle eastern looking ball with glitters and gems on it. Very girly. It's still a mystery to me how I produced such a girlie girl. I wanted to be a boy up until age 12 or so. Never played with dolls and absolutely despised barbies. Her favourite toys are her barbies....

Gefeliciteerd met je verjaardag voor mijn zusje Marjolein. Ik hoop dat je er een fantastische dag van maakt! (Happy birthday to my little sister Marjolein! Hope you have a fabulous day.)

I really thought I'd have more time to scrap once A went to school but it seems that 'spare' time gets easily taken up by other things. I am busier than ever.

Currently have the Lime Tart December Full Tart on my desk. Very fun kit. Also already have the January Half Tart in my possession already to keep me busy over the holidays.

Missed sharing my Scrapgal newsletter projects for November and December. tsk tsk tsk. You can see them below.
November theme 'gather': the first one is a mini album with pics of T at the beach. Bound with the 'bind it all' that KiwiScraps very kindly let me use . I think I want one for Christmas...

December theme 'entertain':

I am totally loving getting messy with Tim Holtz colour wash at the moment. Fantastic stuff and I wish I could have every colour. Just spray and see the effect. It's never the same and great to mix two or more together. Another current favourite at the moment is Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist. How I'd love to get my hands on the black, lime and silver ones to compliment the 7 (!) colours I already have. Just can't resist the sparkle. Had to use those on all four layouts. He he. Can't go past the Buzz and Bloom chipboard either. It's finally for sale at Scrapgal after causing quite a stir when my layouts with it started appearing in the gallery. He he.

Ack! Sorry... one month later....

2007-11-19T20:29:00.000+13:00

Ugh I am so bad at blogging. Especially for someone who used to write in her diary on a daily basis when young. Hmm, should have a good dig around in all those boxes and see if I actually lugged them to New Zealand with me. Should be entertaining to read....

I have a 'to do-list' about a mile long so will try and keep it short and sweet.
Lots of layouts to share as I'm hopelessly behind with that.

I hear Crafting Connection was a success once again. I didn't go to any of the classes. Too close to Christmas to be able to swing that. Did go out on Saturday night with Kirsty, Ali, Wendy and Joanne. Was so good to catch up with them. Hadn't seen Wendy since she moved to Chch and must admit I've been really bad with keeping in touch. Vowed to do better from now on...

Great night, plenty of wine, nice food, and a 111 call.... Ali did her good deed for the day and sent a 4 man strong police unit to a near drowning. Anyway, it was such a good night that I left the car in town, got sloshed and got a ride home with Joanne.

Lime Tart November Half Tart, red and purple. Red I LOVE, purple... not so much. But I may have to review that opinion because it worked really well together. Had to use my spray inks and glimmer mist. I'm addicted to those at the moment. So much fun, so versatile, and yeah messy too so right up my alley. ;-)

Visit the Lime Tart November gallery for all the projects. Here's some sneeks:

Hmmm, look at the time. Will have to save Scrapgal and Last Scrapper Standing layouts for later this week. Ha ha, perhaps that's one way of getting you to come back to my blog. Off to create something. Haven't scrapped in almost a week.

sporadic poster

2007-10-21T15:13:00.000+13:00

yeah, that would be me.

A has had 2 weeks of school and is loving it. She comes bouncing out of the classroom every day. Not too bad on the tired tantrums. Yet?? *knock on wood But she's certainly trying out her new found independence. Love the attitude that goes with it. Have to try and snap a picture when she stands in front of me, hands on hips and a look of 'what are you going to do about it' on her face.

T is proving to be a very caring big brother and on the two (yes that's right just two days of no rain in two weeks) occassions that they were able to go outside for lunch he and his mates have been playing with her at lunch time. How sweet. Can't help but wonder when the novelty will wear off for him though. But it does make me so proud to see him so caring for his little sister. They really are becoming great mates now.

Lime Tart gallery went up last week. Man I loved that kit. I am still playing with it eventhough the Half Tart for November has already arrived on my doorstep. (yay)

For a complete view all projects please check out the October gallery.

I'm loving using masks on my layouts at the moment. Some old Christmas bow material has proven to be very useful!

I made it through the second round of Last Scrapper Standing. Yay! Had to do a project about 7 random things. I choose to do a layout with 7 random thoughts that went through my head on A's first day of school. Would you believe I got the date wrong! Ouch. The '9' in the title should be '10' for September. I've changed it on the layout but am too lazy to take a pic of it again. But you get the picture.
Bit sad to see that Lianne and Lesley didn't make it through. Am I the only New Zealander left now?
Next challenge is 'ribbon galore'. HELP! I'm ribbon challenged. Honestly I am. I have plenty of it but hardly ever use it. I find it hard to use ribbon in a new and innovative way. I have an idea of two but am still pondering my options.

Scrapgal. A little while ago we started a blog to share inspiration from the DT. It's proving to be a huge hit. I know I'm biased but I think we have a great variation of styles represented on our team. Such a talented group of women. And I love being part of such a great, fun and caring community. Such a shame that I'll probably never be able to catch up with any of them in person.

And the winner of my blog challenge is.....

2007-10-08T20:45:00.000+13:00

Marcie!!
Congratulations. I need you to email me your contact details, ie last name and address please. Your prize will be sent to you direct from Just Johanna.

Want to know how I did the draw? I wrote the names on small strips of paper, folded them up and threw them into the air above the table. Only one fell off it on the floor which was declared to be the winner, in this case Marcie.

All participants are of course still in the drawing for the GRAND PRIZE. Just imagine winning that US$250 shopping spree... (must admit to being a bit bummed I don't get to go into the draw for that one....)

World Card Making Day Challenge - "clearly painted

2007-10-07T10:33:00.001+13:00

My turn to host a challenge on my blog for World Card Making Day as a guest of Just Johanna. Check out their forum for lots of other fun card challenges!

I like to use paint, ink and other messy stuff on my projects. Cards are no exception. Lately I've been having fun with paint on transparency. So simple, yet so effective. So that's your challenge for today: make a card using painted transparency. Either as the card's base, or as an element. And it must be obvious that you've used a transparency. Have fun!

You are not playing for nothing either! There are prizes to be won:

Once your card is ready please post it on your blog and post a link to your project in the comment section here on my blog! The deadline for entries is midnight California time tomorrow, 10/7/07, or Monday 8pm New Zealand time. One lucky winner taken randomly from my comments will win a limited edition justjohanna image created specially for this event! You may enter as many projects as you like! Each linked project will count as one entry into the drawing.
You can check out the other justjohanna festivites happening today! The grand prize (one lucky winner taken from ALL the entries world wide!) is a $250 justjohanna shopping spree! Who wouldn't want that?
justjohanna and Limetart employees are not elegible to win. We're just posting examples to inspire! If you have a question about the challenge, post here and I will check in every so often to answer. Don't have a blog? You can post your project in the gallery here and link back that way!

So, in short these are the prizes:

One limited edition stamp for doing this challenge.

One Grand Prize of $250 justjohanna shopping spree

One $50 justjohanna shopping spree,

and Five 25% off your order coupons for the justjohanna web site

Here's my example: I've used a transparency as the base of the card and painted it roughly with acrylic paint. Stamped the strawberry image and coloured it in with watercolour pencils. Cut out the stamped image and coated with paper glass and sprinkled some red glitter over the strawberries only (not the little leaves) while the paper glass was still wet. Once dry mounted onto the card using pop dots to make them stand out more and printed a simple sentiment to go underneath. The fruit was placed behind the card to show the effect of a transparent card. You can glue a piece of paper on the inside slightly smaller as your painted area to write your message.

$200 worth in stamps

2007-10-06T00:03:00.000+13:00

Yep! That's what you can win. It's Lime Tart's second birthday this month and in conjunction with justjohanna, we have a fabulous prize to give away. Are you ready for this?! A prize pack of woodmounted justjohanna stamps valued at $200AUD!! Yes I'm serious!
All you have to do is purchase a Lime Tart/justjohanna A la Tarte before 14th October 2007 from here and you are in the draw! Alternatively, spend $45 or more on justjohanna stamps, and we'll also place you in the draw.
Stamps are chosen by Lime Tart and are not subject to change. Draw will take place on 15th October 2007 and winner notified by email.
A la Tarte kits are limited in stock so don't miss out.

But that's not all!
This Saturday (that would be tomorrow for this part of the world) is World Card Making Day. The justjohanna and Lime Tart design teams are hosting challenges all day with lots of limited edition stamps up for grabs. Plus a main prize of a $250USD shopping spree! See all the details here.

My challenge will be up on my blog on Sunday morning 11 am. See you there! :-)

All or nothing

2007-10-04T22:44:00.000+13:00

Hmmm, seems I save up my posts and then have lots to say in one blog post rather than spreading it out a bit. I still have hopes of getting a bit more organised once A goes to school next week! Eek, freaking out slightly here. It should take me a good month at least to get my stuff together. I'm thinking of re-arranging all the bedrooms again. Not sure if all my scrapping stuff etc is going to fit in what is currently A's bedroom though... It's smaller than most people's walk in wardrobes! We'll see.

I'm doing Last Scrapper Standing again. Just got confirmation that I'm through to the second round. Pretty cool. I just want to see how far I can get this time. Last year I was one of the final 25 and then basically choked in the last round. It will be pretty hard to pull that off again.

Oh and I see that Lianne is through too! Yay! Congrats girl. Go the Kiwis!

We had to use 8 transparencies. And that is harder than it sounds! Here's my entry. For explanation what/where these 8 are go here.

I'm heavily into masking lately. Having lots of fun with paint and ink and just making a right mess. The October theme for Scrapgal is pretend. The newsletter comes out on the first of every month. You can sign up here. Trust me it's worth it. Great ideas and layouts every month. And we have blog that regularly gets updated with inspirational pieces.

I seem to scrap in bursts. I'll do something every day for a couple of weeks and then do nothing for a week or so. The Lime Tart October full tart has been sitting on my desk unopened for weeks now. The other day I finally opened it and made card. LOL. Well it's a start! Am planning a bit of a marathon tomorrow actually. Can't wait to sink my teeth into all that glorious American Crafts.

Saturday is World Card Making Day. Well that would be Sunday in our part of the world. Just Johanna (sold through Lime Tart) is celebrating with a host of challenges. They should be fun. Of course in typical Marieke fashion I forgot to sign up to host a challenge for them too. I truly meant to and then forgot. Doh! Check it out though, very cool prize to be won if you're into stamping.

Right, I'm off to bed and listen to the storm that's been battering us this last week of the school holidays. I'll leave you with another layout done for Scrapgal last week. Again, masking and lots of mess involved. ;-)

Oh no before I forget a special shout out to my dear friend Lyne. She's an amazing woman and I am truly thankful to have her in my life. She is such a kind and giving person. I know she reads my blog from time to time. The kindness she shows me really should come back to her three-fold. Lyne you are the best! Ik houd van jou (yes she speaks a bit of Dutch)

Uhm....

2007-09-18T20:38:00.000+12:00

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

2007-09-08T21:25:00.000+12:00

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.

A few sneaky peeks

2007-08-13T16:06:00.000+12:00

I need a new name for my blog. I came up with the current one on a whim just as I was setting up this blog and quickly needed a name. I have never really liked it. It's not me. It's too pretentious and pompous and well, it just doesn't sound right. But I haven't changed it because quite frankly I suck at coming up with names/titles. Must be the procrastinator in me, I just can't seem to make decisions easily. This is where you, dear reader (hello? anybody out there? LOL) come in. I'll send a RAK to the person who comes up with the name I like the best. It can be about me and/or my style or something completely random. I'm open to suggestions!

Tomorrow the August gallery at Lime Tart gets revealed. I worked with the bright, funky and urban Half Tart. Here are some sneaky peeks. Check out the gallery for everyone's eye candy tomorrow.

Talk about a major shock

2007-08-02T12:18:00.001+12:00

I just got an email from Philippa something about cute layouts. I had no idea what she was talking about until I scrolled down in the email and found attached Donna Downey's newsletter: she mentions me!! ME! Can you believe it? I sure can't. My chin just about hit the keyboard that's how far my mouth fell open.

I'm dying to know how she found my blog... if you have any idea please let me know!

So I thought I'd better update my blog. I've been meaning to for a while.

So here we go. I set a challenge at Scrapgal to do a layout with at least five photos on one page. Here's mine.

And one for No 8 Wired, our very own NZ dare blog. We just celebrated our first birthday. Wow I can't believe it's been a year already! Our anniversary theme was Everyday Moments. I decided to record one of the many sayings that Annabel's been coming out with lately. She's making me laugh. I love how her language has exploded again in the past few months and she speaks a whole lot clearer now too. Still working on saying the full words though, especially ending in s, t or d but at least she won't be so noticeably different to her peers after all when she starts school in term 4.

More Scrapgal goodness. This month's theme is "connect". Love what our incredible design team has come up with again. The newsletter was just dripping with eye candy. Here's my contribution:

A layout about the wonderful relationship that Thomas has with his cousin.

And a record of his first black eye (and second and third....)

I'll have to find a way to create a photo gallery or something for all my Lime Tart stuff too. Just received the August Half Tart and can't wait to delve into it!

Post mark date for Memory Makers Masters passed a couple of days ago. Now the hype begins. Not for me though, as I didn't enter but I'll be quietely cheering from the side line for those I know who entered.

Okay I'd better get my act together and get back to reality. I have a 7th birthday party to organise for Saturday!

Reminiscing

2007-07-16T20:01:00.000+12:00

I was going through some old photographs and came upon a photo of the house I grew up in, covered in snow. It brought back so many memories of playing in the snow, riding our sleds with all the neighbourhood kids in the woods and that one year everything turned into one giant skate rink. We used our skates to get to school and we could even ice skate on what we called the 'race track' (for our bikes) in the woods opposite our house.

I had looked through the photos for a challenge on Scrapgal and decided to also use this challenge for a tribute page for Rachael who served four months as a guest designer on the Design Team at Scrapgal. I tried to copy her style as I saw it: long linear lines and a one ( or highligthed) word title.

I used some of the left-overs from my Lime Tart July kit and just added some gesso to stipple the background cardstock, HS plastic letters and a swirl rub-on.

It's sharing time!

2007-07-14T20:00:00.000+12:00

It may be school holidays but that doesn't mean I've been sitting on my hands for the past 2 weeks. Let me direct your attention to the Lime Tart gallery here.
Lucky girls Melissa Phillips and guest designer Celeste Vermeend got to play with the Amy Butler papers in the Half Tart. So pretty! Mel Nunn and I sunk our teeth into the Full Tart full of browns, greens and blues. I'm actually still going with this kit. Have an almost finished layout on my desk using more of it which I'll share in a day or two.

(grrr, blogger won't let me upload any images at the moment so no peek to share of my work with the July kit)

Memory Makers Masters deadline is getting close. I know plenty of people that have entered this year and I wish them the best of luck! Despite my best intentions I didn't pull it off this year either. Life and my poor time planning skills got in the way. I'm hopeless at planning my time. Always think I can achieve more in a day or evening than I actually do. Wish I wasn't such a hopelessly slow scrapper. I really admire those people that participate in 'layout a day' challenges and come up with something presentable in just one night. I just can't do it. I have to look at it for a length of time, shuffling things around, replacing items, going backwards and forward to the computer, get a drink, etc. Procrastinator extraordinaire! That would be me.

T's 7th birthday in 3 weeks... he wants a Harry Potter party again like last year. Couldn't come
more timely with the new movie just out and the last book due out next week. Am considering letting him take 5 or 6 friends to see the HP movie. How's that for an easy way out? I think he's getting a bit old for a party at home. Don't particularly want a troop of his friends tearing through the house. Last year after the party I was utterly exhausted! Had heaps of games but if it wasn't their turn they got bored easily and half of them rather played with the new birthday toys. I'm thinking 5 or 6 max. at home for cake and pressies. Then off to the movies and I'll take them home after that. I remember how much fun it was being driven home by the birthday girls parents after a party. We'd always argue who'd be dropped off first.

Adding years to her age

2007-07-13T15:57:00.000+12:00

Little girls grow up... Annabel got glasses last week:

I'll have more to share in a few days hopefully.

Quickly sharing

2007-07-02T21:39:00.000+12:00

My shoulder is shot again. Had a cortisone injection today so it should feel better very soon. Typing is painful so I'll keep it brief. Just sharing my two layouts for the July Scrapgal newsletter. "Excite" is the word for this month.

I had to cover up all the people and distractions in the background so used gesso to keep the focus on the action. Background is painted too. Here's my boy (then 5) trying out his boxing gloves on Christmas morning on "Santa".

And (another) layout about T's excitement of having a wiggly tooth last March. (it took almost 3 months for that thing to come out).

Filling in the gaps

2007-06-19T22:29:00.000+12:00

I've had a few questions where I got the little tin with the 12 containers. I bought it from KiwiScraps. You can find it here. All papers, ribbon, brads and some of the chipboard are from the Gourmet Tart, available at Lime Tart. Other chipboard from my stash.
I'll fill each numbered container with the corresponding tooth as it comes out, together with the date and a tiny picture of my son. And yes I'll be hiding that tin until the magic of the tooth fairy no longer lives in his imagination.

Gourmet gallery

2007-06-18T23:23:00.000+12:00

Wah, would you believe I just put this whole post on the wrong blog? Oops. Tried to copy it from No 8 Wired that i'd accidentally posted it to but missed a few bits. You're now getting the shorter version.

I have permission to post the creations that I made with 'my' Gourmet kit from Lime Tart here on my blog. Wonderful warm colours, lovely rich textures.
To start of I made this little tin with 12 mini tins inside it. One for each of the regular baby teeth that Thomas is to lose. We're at two now, with another one shortly to follow I'm sure.

Love that pic of my boy with all his teeth still intact. Haven't been able to snap a decent picture of him with the gap down below. He keeps grimacing really weird. *sigh. So much for documenting that for prosperity.

Then there's this idea file to jot ideas down in. Can you believe that after almost 3 years of scrapping I've never had one? Sorry about the wrinkled bed sheet underneath it. The light was fading fast and I didn't have time to iron it out.

Then there's a couple of layouts. That little boy is my nephew Jack. He's dynamite. Never sits still. The idea was to get some pics with his cousins. yeah right, didn't happen. None usuable anyway. The other one is just a restored picture of little old me. I really like this layout. I speaks to me. Maybe more for sentimental reasons than anything else. I dunno. It does have lot of my favourite things on it. Buzz and Bloom chipboard (my recent 'discovery'), paint, AC thickers, HS damask sticker. Hmm, all I miss is the stitching and a little bit of glitter.

Made a couple of cards too, but blogger won't let me upload more. They'll be in the gallery soon.

Am getting back in to using fabric too a little. It's made its way on to two of my recent layouts after writing an article about it for the June Scrapgal newsletter.

June gallery at Lime Tart is up. Every month I'm blown away by the diversity and talent on this team. Susanne Tonga was our guest designer and I love what she did with the Full Tart this month. She made the most gorgeous purse album.

Alright, better off to bed now. My little ones are early risers.

Relax

2007-06-02T22:29:00.000+12:00

Relax, that would be the theme for the month of June over at Scrapgal. Wish I could say that I am relaxed but it's more the complete opposite. T's bug developed into a chest infection for me so I haven't been feeling too well. But now that my cocktail of meds have begun to kick in life is a bit more pleasant.

Am neglecting my photocamera dreadfully. Am paying the baby off so I should be playing with it every day really but can't say that I am. Better improve on that, I have so much to learn! And I can do with some new pics for future layouts too. LOL. Seems that many of my photos aren't very suitable, doesn't help the kids don't co-operate really so plenty of out of focus, stick your tongue out, close your eyes or throw a tantrum photos. Sigh. I need to clean my lens too, it has sticky fingers on it. Will have to find out the best way to do that.

Anyway, hope you're having a relaxing Queen's Birthday Weekend. I'll leave you with my two layouts for the newsletter:

This one is Annabel in the paddling pool. The chipboard elements are from the lastest release by Buzz and Bloom. And I LOVE them. Buzz and Bloom are a recent discovery for me, thanks to Philippa. Yeah I know, I'm not at all up with what's hot in 'the industry'. Nobody ever tells me anything! lol. Lime Tart has B&B chipboard for sale. And what's not on the site she can possibly get in for you as she has the contacts at Buzz and Bloom. I covered both the flower and the little crown with white gliter, but it doesn't really show on the photograph. I'm liking my glitter at the moment.

This one documents a rule I've set for myself: no more housework after 8pm. When both kids are in bed that is MY time. That's when I scrap or do whatever I want. Of course that means my house is generally a mess so I'd prefer a little bit of warning if you're planning to come over :-p. Anyone know how to get kids to tidy up after themselves? I think I need the super nanny. Haven't quite got that part under control yet. (just kidding, well only a little - about the super nanny, not about that mess, that is very real)

"My" Kit

2007-05-29T19:42:00.000+12:00

The Gourmet Tart that I put together is now on sale at Lime Tart for (AUS)$29.95. I think shipping to NZ is another $10 but you can always combine shipping. I'm madly creating with "my" kit. It's so much fun to actually feel the items that you've choosen just by looking at a computer screen. You never really know if it's going to 'work' together, but I must say this kit is singing to me. LOL. Love the heavy weight paper from Crate. Nice and sturdy. Here, see for yourself: (or follow the link above)

The new dare is up for No 8 Wired. Multi photo layouts. And we mean more than 6 per page. So if you're doing a 2-pager it will have to have at least 12 pictures on it! I will be sitting this one out. I have too many other commitments the next couple of weeks. And considering my very poor time management skills I am hopelessly behind with everything. Argh! Doesn't help that the sickies have been lingering at my house for far too long. First it was T with a nasty cough and needing inhalers and midnight A&E visits. Now he's kindly passed it on to A and me. No midnight trips yet for either of us thankfully but I'm very ready for this bug to leave us. It's been hanging around for 3+ weeks. Enough is enough!

Anyway, here's my layout from the last dare of scrapping a childhood photo. Since I hadn't shared it here yet. Don't look too closely at the journaling. I need to fix it up as I made a bad mistake when translating my wedding function title from Dutch to English. Oy! Will have to find some Un-do as apparently that can rub off the pen I used on the transparency.

Those shoes must be my earliest memory. I am 2.5 years old in this picture and I vividly remember getting them out of the wardrobe and begging my mama if I could please pretty please wear them yet. But no, they had to be saved for the big day when I was going to be a flower girl (uhm, yeah that's the word I should have used) at my aunt's wedding. I love how this LO has turned out. I'm always a bit concerned about the end result when I whip out the paints like I did for the background here but I think it totally works.

Think I'd better go and update my little slide show thingy down the side there. It needs some fresh layouts I think.

This and that

2007-05-15T10:08:00.000+12:00

Lime Tart has a new blog that has everything all in the one place. Easier to navigate and you can find the monthly sketches and project instructions all in one place. Plus of course all the relevant links. I love it! And I like that you can leave comments. It's nice to read customer's comments on the kits and on the DT's creations. :-)

I'm anxiously awaiting the arrival of my Gourmet Tart. Can't wait to start creating with it. Ideas have been brewing for this one for quite some time. It's grunge and masculine and a textural feast. Limited quantities available so be quick!

I've just picked up some more hours at work until the end of the term. So a little bit more 'play money' but no time left to play, LOL. Just as well I think as I've got a dehumidifier running non-stop so I'm dreading what that will do to the energy bill. Anyone have experience with one of those condensation + heating systems? I'm wondering if that's the way to go for my draughty old villa.

T's tooth has still not come out. I'm keeping the camera ready for that moment as that's a milestone that just has to be scrapped.

I'll leave you with some peaks of the May Full Tart.

Shameless plug

2007-05-11T21:13:00.000+12:00

He he, don't say I didn't warn you: sales pitch to follow. :-)

My own Designer Kit is now for sale at Lime Tart. Crate Paper, American Crafts letter stickers and because I'm a bit of an addict lots and lots of chipboard from Li'l Davis and Everlasting Keepsakes. And lets not forget a sprinkling of Heidi Swapp (brads) and luscious velvet ribbon and ricrac by Maya Road and even a couple of Fontwerks Journaling tags. And all that for just $29.95 (Aus)! And a clever scrapper would combine postage with one of the other three kits to choose from right?
I'm working on the Full Tart this month. Had hoped to be finished by now but a nasty bout of the flu has zapped all the energy right out of me and I've been going to bed at the same time as the kids the last few nights. In fact, I spent most of yesterday in bed with a fever. Have been popping Cold and Flu tablets and they have certainly helped. Magical things those! But am off to bed again, I'm zonked. How sad, this is normally the time at night that inspiration finally comes knocking.

Still waiting

2007-05-06T22:33:00.000+12:00

Thank you for those of you who've asked if T's tooth has come out yet. The answer is no. I have to check it about twice a day for him. Maybe he's hoping that me checking it's "wiggliness" will make it come out faster, LOL! The other bottom one had showed signs of being wiggly too but had firmed up in the gums again. But he started sucking his thumb, again. So I knew something was up. Tonight at bed time and the required tooth check I decided to check out the others too. And what do you know, we have FOUR wiggly teeth! And two big chompers have broken through the gums behind the milk teeth at the bottom. He quickly made the comparison to a shark who apparently has 100 rows of teeth. LOL. My little man is over the moon and can't wait to tell his friends at school tomorrow. I'm a bit worried about the gaping hole that will appear if all four come out at the same time though.

Another thing I'm waiting for is this:
It's only another 8 weeks away. You can order it on Amazon (just search for Nic Howard) and I'm sure it will be available locally as well. I've got 3 layouts in there. Was so honored to be asked to contribute. The layouts are over a year old by now and I have to say that a lot has changed since then. I wasn't in a very good place when I created them. It was the beginning of the end of my 13 year relationship. Inspiration/creativity had taken an extended holiday. If I could do them again I'd do them completely differently. And I don't say that very often of my own layouts. But.... those three are just a small part of what is an awesome book. To quote the description on Amazon:
"With its fresh, humorous approach to the seemingly mundane, That's Life offers scrapbookers insightful ways to depict their everyday lives through their art. Divided into chapters dedicated to each day of the week, this day-planner-inspired format offers up endearing anecdotes, unique prompts, and charming ideas as well as example pages that will inspire the reader to create scrapbooks that are more authentic, organic and genuine than ever before."

You know you just have to have it! Can't imagine what Nic must be going through herself. Such a mammoth project, her brain child, just weeks away from being released. I'm not sure I'd be able to sleep at night.

Spend a glorious 12, or rather just about 14 hours scrapping yesterday. National Scrapbooking Day in the States. Didn't achieve much, came away with one finished card and one almost finished layout that needed some machine sewing. Also tried using crackle medium again, unsuccesfully. Must find another way to finish that layout that I brough along half finished and took home in the same state again. Spent the day in great company. Had lots of laughs and far too much good food. Days like that are good for the soul.

Oh I forgot. I've been tagged by my Lime Tart buddy Mel. I'll hopefully get around to that tomorrow or otherwise Tuesday. Sorry Mel!

Purging

2007-05-02T19:32:00.000+12:00

I've got more space in my house now. Over the past couple of days John has been moving his stuff out. He's finally got his own flat. There's not much that I will miss. I'd forgotten how wide my hallway really is now that the old double bed is not cluttering it up anymore. And there were some other bits and pieces that didn't really serve much purpose but were just really taking over the living spaces. There is one item I will miss. My scrapping table. It was an old fold away table that belonged to his parents. Not the most sturdy but a perfect fit for the little corner I had it in. I'll have to get used to cleaning up when I'm done for the night now that I'm going to have to resort back to the kitchen table. Mind you this might be a good thing. At least I'll be away from the computer! I tend to get too easily distracted and in stead of scrapping I'll just be reading or talking about scrapping on the message boards, lol.

I'm thinking I need to do a major purge of all the junk cluttering up my house. There is so much I don't use or need anymore. Just have to find the time and then Trade Me here I come!

The May newsletter at Scrapgal has just come out. This month's theme is 'giggle'. Quite honestly I struggled with it. But managed to squeeze out a couple of layouts anyway. I was kind of expecting someone to do a layout about 'Tickle me Elmo' but nope.

This is a layout about my BIL's son Jack. The best way for one of those infectious baby giggles is to turn him upside down.

This one is my attempt at being organised and taking Christmas pictures last December. They didn't turn out as a success as this layout attests to. Oh yeah, the white cardstock in the background was just there for photographing purposes. I didn't think my kitchen floor would make the nicest backdrop.

Well, I'd better delve into the Lime Tart May kit. If you've been thinking about getting either the Half Tart or the Full Tart then you'd better make up your mind quickly. They've been very popular. Only 2 Half Tarts and 6 Full Tarts left as of this afternoon.

In my street

2007-04-27T21:56:00.000+12:00

I live in the suburbs, but it's pretty anonymous living here really. In my street there's a real mixture of people and housing: villa's, flats and everything in between. Today I learned that my neighbour, just 2 doors down passed away just over 2 weeks ago. I knew his name and sometimes we exchanged pleasantries like 'how are you' or 'nice day, isnt' it', but that was it. Mind you he pretty much kept to himself. But anyway, apparently he had moved to a care facility a couple of months back and he died there at age 92. I must say I was wondering where he was as I hadn't seen him in a while. But then I knew he had always wanted to visit his daughters in Australia so I thought that maybe he'd finally gone to see them as he'd been planning to for a while. It makes me sad that I had no idea he'd moved to a care facility, let alone died. Makes me realise how I miss having neighbours that you know. I barely know my next door neighbours. On one side I sort of know them and their little girl and Annabel have recently become friends (yay!) but until today I hadn't been in their house since they bought it about 2 years ago. And my neighbour on the other side (an elderly lady) I don't even know her name! How sad is that?When I grew up we had so many kids in the street. Everybody knew each other and parents would often just pop over for a coffee or something. I wish I had that here. Then again, I don't feel comfortable letting my kids play out on the street like I used to when I was little, eventhough my street is a dead-end cars still come hooning down it (esp. the guy in the flat behind my house). Don't really know where I"m going with this post. I'm just not accepting of the fact that this is a sign of the times we live in now? Each to their own? Or perhaps it has more to do with the demographic of my street? Great variety of socio-economic backgrounds, ethnicity, age, etc.

Happy Mail Day

2007-04-23T19:45:00.000+12:00

Got the May kit for Lime Tart today. I am in heaven! Take my word for it, you will seriously want to order this kit. It is divine!

On a completely different note: how long does it take for a wiggly tooth to come out? T's tooth has been a little bit wiggly for 3 weeks now and it doesn't look like the tooth fairy will have to make an appearance any day soon. Which is just as well as I'm not quite sure what the going rate for a tooth is these days, let alone the first one. And it gives me time to actually make that little container I was going to make him to hold the tooth. I've been putting that off for at least a couple of weeks now. I'm just in denial he's really growing up...

2007-04-22T14:09:00.000+12:00

I'm a bit slow. Lime Tart gallery has been out for a week and only now do I get around to posting a few teasers on my blog. Go here for the full monty.

I was creating with the funky and bright papers from Tinkering Ink. A bit different for me as lately the colours I seem to use are a bit more subdued.

Am very much looking forward to the delivery of the May kit! (hurry up NZ post).

Got a taste of the Freestyle Down Under event this morning. I got to do one class after all so despite the early hour I was a very happy chicca. Did Wall Art by Emily Falconbridge, very relaxed class and fun to let go of scrapping inhibitions.

Uhm, what else did I get up to over the last couple of weeks? Oh yeah, made this cute little coupon holder for a challenge I hosted on Scrapgal.

I've decided I need to show off this passion/hobby of mine and want more stuff displayed around my house or just make things for every day use. This little box is to hold all the coupons that come on the back of my supermarket receipts. Some of them are quite useful, like the 'rent one get one free dvd' one, especially considering we're just finishing the school holidays!

I've been looking at my site meter recently and was surprised to find visitors from all over the world really. My blog has been getting a few 'hits' from France recently. I don't know anybody there so was quite surprised. I'd love for any of my visitors to say 'hi' if you stop by. Just curious I guess as to who reads my blog.

In need of a clever title

2007-04-05T21:06:00.000+12:00

Not sure what to call this post. Just a bit of 'this and that'.

The newsletter at Scrapgal has been out for a few days now so it's about time I shared my layouts for that on here too. This month's theme was "Confess", which I might add tied in nicely with No 8 Wired's dare of scrapping a secret. So yeah, I cheated and used one layout for both. Hey what can I say? My scrapping time is pretty limited so if I can cut corners I will.

Did you see the Freestyle dare we had going over on No 8 Wired? Sorry I should have posted about it 2 weeks ago. It was so cool to see everyone's interpretations. I choose to lift Wendy's layout and this is what I came up with.

If you've got the opportunity I strongly recommend you to book a class or two or three or six for this amazing event. You've got to hurry though, it's less than 2 weeks away! More info here. Not even sure if there are still places available but knowing David at KiwiScraps he'll do his best to fit you in if at all possible. The tutor line up is fantastic! Man I wish I could go, but it's not to be this time around. Hopefully I'll be able to go to the next one.

Also have to mention that Lime Tart is going to come out with a Stampers Kit! Oh yeah. There's a little competition which is about to close. If you come up with a clever kit name you get the first inaugural kit valued at AU$59.95 for free! So far we have the Full Tart, Half Tart and the Gourmet Tart for our other kits. It's up to you to come up with something for the stampers kit. I am hopeless when it comes to these things but I am sure that a clever word smith can come up with something fitting. Anyway, you have until tomorrow (April 6) to send in your suggestions to admin@limetart.com. Good luck!

Anyone else going nuts over all of the new CHA releases? I am getting so greedy when I see all the goodies. But then I look at my stash and a pang of guilt hits me. I have plenty of stuff just sitting there.... patterned paper anyone? Still I can't help it and just have to order a few bits and pieces. Which probably explains why I can't afford Freestyle, lol.
Anyway, I have a crafty couple of days planned with the kids. Thomas decided at the last minute that we need to decorate the house for Easter. Should be good fun.. or highly stressful. My 4 year old is quite a handful at the moment. We're at loggerheads most of the time. What happened to my easy going quiet child? I'd forgotten what it was like and it's quite a shock to the system I must admit. But everyone says it is normal for her to be going through this phase. Enter mantra: this too shall pass, this too shall pass....

Gourmet Tart

2007-03-23T18:37:00.000+12:00

In case you hadn't seen it yet, Lime Tart is now also offering limited edition Gourment Tarts. Mel put together this rocking kit! I love what she's done with it too. Check it out! The good news is that you can have it shipped with your regular April kit so you'll save on shipping.

I see the HOF 07 list has gone up. Very excited and oh so happy for Lea Lawson who's a regular at Scrapgal. Also huge congrats to Marci Lambert who's on the DT there with me and got an HM.

Oh and something else to show you too here. Okay, that will do me for a post full of links. (sorry about that). Hopefully I'll get some scrapping done tonight. I've been surfing on the computer the last couple of nights and I have a project I really need to finish. Hope the lure of the computer isn't too strong. ;-)

First try at digital scrapping

2007-03-17T18:37:00.000+13:00

My printer has been playing up which meant major stress for my own dare at No 8 Wired. But once again it seems I function better when under stress and decided to give digi scrapping a go. After all I'd been downloading all those brushes in the past and hadn't really used them yet... So I set to work and tried to create a piece of 'Street Art' or graffiti on the computer. And you know what? I LOVE how it's come out! I was able to get the 'paint' layers exactly how I wanted and I doubt I would have been able to do that with the real stuff.

The image of my kiddo's is supposed to resemble a template image like taggers sometimes use. And the attitude just completely tops it in my opinion.

So am I going digi now? Not likely, but I am inspired to at least have a good look at all that I have downloaded over the past year or so and perhaps incorporate it in my regular work. Besides, this one took me just about as long as a regular layout, there was so much stuff I had no idea how to achieve and had to 'google'. LOL

The Zest of it

2007-03-14T20:59:00.000+13:00

Yup it's that time again. The Lime Tart gallery is up. See all the yummie goodness here.

Loved working with the Full Tart this month. MME is right up my alley, one of my all time favourite manufacterers. And the good news (for me anyway) is that I still have heaps left over even after making 7 projects with it.

There are a few changes happening with the kits, but only in name. The 12x12 will now be called a Full Tart. The 6x6 a Half Tart. The difference being that the paper won't be chopped up anymore for the Half Tart (former 6x6 kit). You still get the same amount of paper, cardstock and embellishments and for the same price. It's just going to be more versatile to work with when the chopping is left to you ;-).

Still have plenty of ideas for the left-overs. Here are some sneaks of a couple of my projects for this month. For the full monty you'll have to go over to the Lime Tart gallery. Oh and don't forget to check out the Zest News either. Also watch out for the Limited Edition Kit designed by Mel later this month.

Mini toot

2007-03-08T20:47:00.000+13:00

Got SC 40 in the letterbox a couple of days ago. Unreal to see such a familiar face staring back at me from the cover, LOL. Of course Thomas wants a cover now too....

Many thanks to Rett for scanning this for me when I found out I had a cover.

Also got an email from the Maya Road DT co-ordinator (I think that's what she is, I could be wrong). I sent her an image of the Secret Box I created for Lime Tart last month on the recommendation of Lisa who's on the Scrapgal DT with me and who also happens to be on the Maya Road DT <---- Lucky, lucky girl (and immensely talented I might add). Anyway, I digress. They put it up on the DT blog. Such fun. That's my tidbit of info for today. Back to the April kit. As you can see that one is right up my alley. Love MME!

Stop Press

2007-03-05T13:45:00.000+13:00

LOL, I'm excited can you tell? Just got word from a couple of my Lime Tart buddies that a layout I created with my all time favourite pic of Annabel is ON THE COVER of Scrapbook Creations issue 40!!!
Woohoo, my first cover! I cannot wait to get half a dozen copies of this issue, so if you see it available in New Zealand please give me a shout!

(warning could be considered bragging ahead, stop reading now if you wish <--- don't know what's gotten into me, I'm in a funny mood today)
I have another one in there as well. Have got to say that my last submission session 6 months ago has proven very succesful. Out of the 7-8 I submitted 3 have been picked up. Have got to get my act together and make a habit of submitting my stuff. (please don't kick me any more for being so slack Mel, lol)

Quick share

2007-03-02T22:08:00.000+13:00

Can somebody please just wave their magic wand and get me more hours in my day to do all I want to achieve in a day. I can't cut out any more sleep or I'll become a walking zombie, not to mention very unpleasant in social interactions. With reference to the magic wand can you tell we're majorly back into Harry Potter in this household? I bought one of the books for Thomas to read to him at night. 700-something pages and am exercising all my will-power not to read ahead.

Anyway, the March newsletter is out at Scrapgal. This month the theme is Savour. The yanks spell it 'Savor' so I wonder how many comments I'll get on my funny spelling of the word, especially in that article of mine. LOL. Have got to say that the girls on the Design Team at Scrapgal are so immensely talented and I am so happy to be part of that team. I have a feeling that site is going to grow bigger and more popular over time and I just hope we won't lose that incredible sense of community we have now.

My layouts for the article:

Also by now I am sure you have seen last month's gallery at Lime Tart.
I'll give you some sneaks but for the full monty and the projects from the other girls make sure you check out the gallery. It's chocca with good stuff.

I am currently in heaven with the March 12 x 12 kit. Just started working with it tonight after lusting over it for the past week. But had to do the other DT stuff first. I am not the best time manager in the world, but seriously a few more hours in the day would make a huge difference, if not just to my mommy guilt. (and I'd get to go to bed at the right side of midnight too).

Also have you seen the CI alterables Philippa currently has available? More lusting there, especially the dress forms and jewellery case...

Better get back to that layout....

Long overdue update

2007-02-16T10:17:00.000+13:00

Bad blogger, uh-huh that would be me. What can I say? Just wishing for more hours in the day really.

Not scrapping nearly as much as I'd like to but I'm sure my time will come again. Just busy with life in general at the moment. Oh and trying to learn the ropes to my new digi SLR. Yup, I've treated myself to my dream. I've wanted one for so long now. At 3 years interest free I caved...

Quick share of some of my Scrapgal projects from the last 3 months! Excuse the rough look to how I've put them together. Just quickly thrown them together in Photoshop in order to share.

Will post some sneaks of my Lime Tart designs later today or tomorrow. Or just go to the gallery here and see what we've done with February's kit.

Oh and don't forget there's a new dare going up at No. 8 Wired this week too! I haven't contributed much in the last couple of months but yep I'm still part of it.

Here's mine from this last week, the hot/cold dare:

Explanation

2007-01-14T21:24:00.000+13:00

In case you are wondering why my projects aren't in the Lime Tart gallery for January: the kit took forever to be delivered. It was supposed to arrive before Christmas, but it didn't. I waited an extra day before going on holiday and didn't leave until mid day on the 29th to see if the courier would finally show up. But nope, no parcel and a slightly stressed out me especially since I couldn't contact Philippa who was on a very well deserved holiday herself. Arranged for a duplicate kit to be sent to my holiday destination. I harassed the poor local shop people daily about it, only to find out on the 9th of Jan that it wasn't coming at all. Just as well as I was getting pretty worked up about it, wondering how I'd ever manage to come up with something half decent in just 3-4 days while not completely neglecting my children and of course the beach that beckoned daily.
So... back home and there's a pizza box filled to the brim waiting for me to play with. (I really wonder how long it actually took to get here, will have to ask the neighbours who fed the cat for me). Give me a week or so and I should come up with something to add to what's there already. Mel, Lee and Debbie (who's replacing Ange) have already worked their magic on the 12x12 and 6x6 kits. The pressure is on! nah, just kidding.

Blown away by a random act of kindness

2007-01-13T22:06:00.000+13:00

I know I've been neglecting my blog and I will post a proper update soon I promise. But I just have to share and most of all thank someone for the most wonderful surprise I found when I got back from holiday tonight. A big pizza box filled with patterned paper including some of the yummie new BG Blush, tons of ribbon, loads of flowers, 2x lipgloss and plenty of other little treats. Naomi, thank you so very very much. I have no idea how you got my address so may have to interrogate a few people. Your message to me really did lift my spirits! I just find it hard to believe that someone would do that for me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. You have no idea how much it meant to me.
And now I'm off to try and contact you personally through a message board because I don't even have your email addy!

Better late than never

2006-12-08T16:05:00.000+13:00

A blog update that is. Sheez I swear time is running away on me. Like so many people life is just getting busier with the year just about to come to an end. I still have't done any of my Christmas shopping... am hoping to do one massive shop till you drop day next Monday. Wish me luck. Christmas cards haven't been made yet either and I'm thinking I'll be sending lots of e-cards instead. Apologies in advance if you receive one from me and are less than impressed. Both my time and monetary budget just won't allow for much else really.
Speaking of cards, what do you do with them? How do you display them during the festive season and what do you do with them afterwards? I've made a very handy mail box to display your cards in and when it's all over you can store the cards you've received in this same box if you wish. Next year you just pull out the box, update the tag with the current date or however else you like to customize it and use it again.
I'm sure the images will go up on the site soon but just in case here are some images for you.

I'll be teaching this class at KiwiScraps on Thursday the 14th. There are still plenty of spaces available in the class. Go here to book your spot. Could also be suitable as a gift for that hard to buy person.

Anyway, done pimping my class now ;-). Am otherwise having some fun with the December kit for Lime Tart. I'm doing the 6x6 kit this month and it's funky and dulled bright if that makes sense. Also seriously loving the 12x12 kit this month.

Wishing I was there

2006-11-18T20:32:00.000+13:00

Did that twice today. First this morning as I struggle for the third day in a row with an asthma attack and the kids are misbehaving and it just gets all a bit too much. Wishing I was at Scrap Camp, minus asthma attack obviously. (much better now, steroids have kicked in so doing better)
Second time late afternoon. Thomas came back all excited from a visit to the Porirua mall. There had been a Santa Parade and there were all sorts of activities happening under the canopy apparently. There was a performance by Ben from NZ Idol (4th place? not sure I'm going by my son's account of things) and Thomas and Annabel watched and danced. Then Ben pulled Thomas up on the stage with him where he danced and danced. I asked Thomas if it had made him nervous with all those people watching but he replied that he didn't mind it at all and actually enjoyed it! I so wished I could have seen him perform in front of all those people. I don't know what it is with that, even with the school production or just a simple school assembly where he goes up on stage to perform, I just get this big lump in my throat and often have to blink away the tears. He is such a natural, so full of life and confidence. Makes my heart burst with pride. And yes I admit it makes me a little reflective too. When and why did I lose that confidence, that believe in myself and my abilities? I think I know the answer but I'm not sure that I like it.

Zesty....

2006-11-14T15:47:00.000+13:00

For the past two weeks I have been playing with the yummie goodies that make up the Lime Tart November 12x12 kit. Deja View papers and co-ordinating Bazzills, Cosmo Cricket cigar box, ribbon gallore, Chipboard borders, rub ons... Just wonderful stuff in rich colours. I loved it and can't wait for next months kit. Philippa has great taste!
The girls all made some wonderful creations and I encourage you to check them out in the gallery. Oh and for some added inspiration there is the Zest News too!
Here's a sneeky peak of my projects. For the full versions you'll have to check out the Lime Tart gallery.

Oh and for those of you that already emailed me to say how wonderful the projects looked, thank you so much! It made my day :-)

World Wide Dare

2006-11-03T21:00:00.000+13:00

Would you believe it? We've pulled of a World Wide Dare! The girls from the four Dare blogs: The Effers (USA), How Dare You (Australia), Speshal (UK) and our very own No 8 Wired have joined forces to bring you a world wide dare. We all added our own dare and then had to create a layout using all of these:
scrap a childhood dream or memory
cover the entire page
use paint somewhere
title on the photo

Rummaging through my childhood photos certainly brought back a lot of memories and caused an even greater flood of emotions. I found it personally very hard. But I'm glad I did it!
Huge props to Lianne who has collated all our entries for this one. Some of us (me included) left it to the very very last minute to finish.
Before you run off to check all the layouts, here's mine:

Tribute layouts

2006-11-02T20:07:00.000+13:00

Two very talented ladies are leaving the Scrapgal Exec DT for other opportunities. I am sad to see them go but grateful at the same time as it has mean I am taking one place.;-). We all did a lift of their work as a final thank you. It's not a farewell as they have both assured us to still be around every day.
Here are my interpretations of their styles. I haven't lifted a particular layout for either of them, mainly because I majorly suck at scraplifting. I just can't do it!
So for the fabulously talented Celeste Smith a very clean layout (excuse the curve in the paper) with emphasis on the photo and title:

And for the loud (in a good way) and busy Leslie Ashe one with circles, buttons and black with white dots as that is what I see recurring in her layouts:

I made the above layout with the papers (Urban Lily) that Philippa had added to the November kit for Lime Tart as suprise goodies. Aren't I a lucky girl? Transparency is Hambly (yay I got the nerve to cut it!)

parcel

2006-10-31T23:31:00.000+13:00

I love finding a parcel at my door. Yesterday the courier brought me the November kit for Lime Tart! Suddenly it's real. I'm itching to get started on it but have a few other things to make first. Like a couple of tribute layouts for the outgoing DT members at Scrapgal. And the next No 8 Wired project too. All before Friday. November 3 is going to be a pretty exciting day on the dare front. Make sure you visit the blog!

I've been wondering..

2006-10-26T20:08:00.000+13:00

if good news comes in three's like bad news does after last week's double whammy. I guess it does because yesterday I was invited to join the Executive (=permanent) Design Team at Scrapgal. Yes that is the same place my guest DT spot was finishing this month. They are losing two of their incredibly talented designers - Leslie Ashe and Celeste Smith - who are moving on to other opportunities. I feel very honoured to be working with an insanely talented team of designers there. Life is good!

I added my challenge layout to the No 8 Wired blog too:

I suggest you keep an eye on the blog next week. We've got something pretty cool coming up!

And I wanted to share a layout with a favourite photo of mine that I finished last weekend at a very enjoyable, social and chatty crop. The picture isn't perfect, in fact far from it as it is quite blurry. But I love that expression on Thomas' face. And the whole attitude he's got going on.

It's been a good week!

2006-10-20T16:09:00.000+13:00

Very very happy and proud to report that I was chosen as one of four Lime Tarts! Together with Mel Nunn, Lee Woodside and Ange Warren I will be creating pages and projects with the delicious and creative kits with bite from Lime Tart for your inspiration.
I submitted two of the layouts I created for the For Keeps Awards for Excellence (that I didn't get to enter), plus the 2-pager I made after the time zone debacle a couple of posts back and another cool project that I'll share with you next week as I'm saving it for my Scrapgal challenge.
Mind you that time zone debacle wasn't the end of it. I submitted the 2-pager anyway and got an email last Wednesday that they wanted it for the Top 10 issue!! Oh yeah, my first time in CK. I'm a Fresh Face!

Now if that doesn't bring my mojo back I don't know what will....

Here's one of the layouts I sent to Lime Tart. You will find it next to my name in the designers section of the site. It uses the beautiful MME Bohemia, ribbon, fabric and Heidi Swapp letters (love them!)

Random notes

2006-10-16T20:55:00.000+13:00

Had some exciting news today. But will have to keep it under wraps for another week or so. It's scrap related of course! It's been a good week actually as I also got a layout picked up by Scrapbook Creations for issue 40. I got my A into G so to speak last week and reeled off a couple of submissions of some layouts I just had sitting in my album and it paid of. Will make a point of doing that more regularly now.

I'm having some serious camera envy lately. I just hate my camera. It takes nice pictures but the shutter delay and other limitations are getting to me. So I am longingly looking at all the junkmail that fills my letter box with ads for digital SLR's. Saving up for one is proving near impossible. Not helped by the fact that I had to cut back on my work hours because I don't have any care for Annabel that I can afford. No point in paying for a sitter with the money you'd earn in that time period now is there?

The wee madam started morning kindy today. She was so excited! Spurred on by her brother who was making a huge deal out of it. He can be such a sweet and caring boy. He has only just begun to realise that she is different than other four year olds. He asked me the other day why Annabel couldn't talk properly, or run or jump. I tried to explain that she just takes a bit longer to learn new skills but that she'd get there eventually with lots of practice. He then started to think out loud what would happen when she went to school and wondered if she'd have a special helper too like a boy in his class. He even said that he'd look after her in the playground and make sure the other kids wouldn't hurt her. How sweet is that?
They are finally also beginning to play together. Yay! Although Thomas gets frustrated because Annabel doesn't want to play by his rules. Cracks me up to hear them arguing. It's a good thing because it means A is learning to stand up for herself. She's a little dragon though because she knows exactly how to push his buttons.

I'm still a bit in a creating rut but did do something sort of scrapbook related at the weekend. I'll leave you with a sneaky peek of it. I'm about to hit my desk and see if I can finally get inspired to design my next class project. I think (or should I say hope?) the scrapping bug may finally be finding it's way back to me.

Time zone debacle

2006-10-08T19:57:00.000+13:00

Just a quick upload of a layout I did for Scrapgal. It was my turn again for the 'Free For All Friday' challenge and I decided to set a challenge of creating a 2-page layout considering not many people seem to do these any more. Myself included. It was pretty hard and it took me a few days to complete.
A little bit of background why the 2-page layout all of a sudden. For the first time in ages I decided to submit a few pages to CK. I got an email on Tuesday asking if I'd been published by them before. I answered back saying no, with building excitement obviously. I was then asked to submit some of my favourite pages, including a 2-page layout to increase my chances of getting into the issue. Uhm, small problem as I haven't done a 2-page layout in oh like 2 years. So I emailed back asking if I could have a day or so to create a 2-pager for this opportunity. But... time zones were against me and overnight I received an email saying there was no time and I needed to send my pages immediately as they were 'going up the wall today'. I didn't see that email until 10 am Thursday morning and by then I figured it was too late as it was 4pm in the States. Quickly sent off some pages but haven't heard anything so I guess I missed the boat... Bugger! But lesson learned and kicking myself for not sending my favourite one pagers in with the request for more time to create a double. So if you want to be published in CK you'd better have some 2-page layouts to show as that seems to be the direction they are going.
Anyway I'd already started my 2-pager and it took me forever. I just couldn't decide and kept ending up with the dreaded trapped white space. Still it felt good to create something for me again, no pressure and hopefully I've got the spark back because of it. Now if only everything else would just fall into place...

edited: layout removed for publication

Fears, Foibles and Phobias

2006-10-01T21:39:00.000+13:00

That's the challenge theme this month over at Scrapgal. It will be my last month as a guest designer and I must say the time has flown by! I really enjoyed being a part of this enormously talented design team. But from November 1 there will be others taking over this spot.
For the newsletter it was my turn to write an article and I went way out of my comfort zone and decided to tackle 'The Artist's Medium'. Played with melted bee's wax and wax crayons again and got messy doing gel medium transfers. Very cool effects! (even if it took a few tries to get it right)
Anyway here are my projects for the newsletter. It's the only scrapping I've done lately.

Photo printed (dark - for silhouette effect) on transparency then transfered to cardstock using gel medium.

A card, using an image from a magazine (toner copy) and transfered with gel medium.

And melted bee's wax mixed with melted wax crayons painted directly over the photograph. I then took the heat gun to it again to smooth out the wax and make the colours bleed through a bit. After it had set I scratched the title directly into the wax. The background is made up from layers of tissue that I distressed and painted over with silver paint and gesso.

Time flies

2006-09-25T21:53:00.000+12:00

My baby will be 4 tomorrow.... wow I can hardly believe it.
She has come so far. The last two years have been hard but oh so rewarding. From uncertainty if she'd ever walk to this bouncy, cheeky, heart warming and gorgeous little girl that fills my house with laughter and my heart with joy. She's talking up a storm now and mostly people are actually able to understand what she says. Admittedly she is still well behind her peers but at least she communicates without me translating, which means she is starting to make friends now too! It makes me so happy to hear her talk about her friends at kindy and to hear from those girls' mothers that their daughters talk about Annabel at home too. All the therapies and constantly practising and incorporating physio and speech excercises at home has paid off. As exhausting as it can be she is catching up. Next month she starts morning kindy and I have to admit that I think it may be harder on me than on her. I am so used to having her around me all the time. She won't leave me out of her sight. And then next month she'll be gone all morning, I won't know myself!
I worry though, about her safety on the play fort and equipment. Granted she will have someone with her for half the sessions but they will have to divide their attention between Annabel and another child with special needs. I worry she'll get pushed aside by the big kids. Her sense of balance is pretty marginal. I mean she can't even walk up and down the steps without holding on to something. When I take her to the playground I still have to watch her like a hawk, always hovering, cathing her when she misses a sport on the ladder yet again. I worry she'll be overwhelmed by the noise and activity that comes with morning kindy. She doesn't deal with large groups easily. But I have to let her go. Trust that she'll be right. It will be good for her too. But secretly I'm happy that I work there in the office two mornings a week so I can keep an eye on her just to make sure ;-).

Check me out!!

2006-09-22T21:18:00.000+12:00

As promised finally my last entry for Last Scrapper Standing last month. Sheez has it really been that long? Anyway, had to use 10 patterned papers:

Okay, now on to more exciting stuff from the present. I saw a post on 2Peas today for someone urgently needing 'fillers' for their E-zine. Since I had some that filled the requirements I flicked her an email. She immediately emailed me back wanting all four layouts and asked if she could use me as their Featured Scrapper! The E-zine was due within an hour! As I was not familiar with their site I was a bit taken aback but agreed anyway, I mean what did I have to lose right? So I quickly typed up a bio, dug up the one and only decent picture I have of myself and sent it off. What a whirlwind afternoon. But check me out, on page two of the E-zine of Scrappin Trends. Go me!

I'll leave you with another little creation from last month I made for the Scrapgal September newsletter: a cute little mini key ring album made from two slides. If you came to a 12 hour crop last year at KiwiScraps you would have seen this in it's bare form. It was my make-n-take project. Was it the Christmas crop? Can't remember. Inside it has a few pages that I created digitally.

Feeling humbled

2006-09-21T21:31:00.000+12:00

It's about time I posted an update.
I just want to thank everyone who have left a comment on my previous post. It really means a lot that so many people are reaching out to me. Can I just say that scrappers are the most awesome people and in many cases friends that one could ask for? Seriously, I have offers of people babysitting for me if the need arises. I am floored. And you bet I'll be taking you up on those offers you local ones!

We are doing well, but I must admit that the school holidays starting tomorrow scare me a bit. I'm thinking lots of play dates and (cheap or free) outings! Please let the weather co-operate...

With all this turmoil going on I did not get to enter For Keeps Awards for Excellence. To say that I am disappointed would be an understatement. My head just wasn't in the right place to create. I did make an attempt at a last minute rush but I never really stood a chance with my painfully slow creating pace. So now I have 3 pretty cool layouts created over the past week (that's a record for me!) with no 'home'. Well of course they have a home in my album but you know what I mean. I may just have to spend all of tomorrow night pimping them everywhere to see if at least I can get one or more published anywhere.
Annabel is starting morning kindy the second week back after the holidays which means I should have some more time to actively submit my pages. I just somehow never get around to doing that. In fact I may just make that my goal until the end of the year: actively submit to publications until they get sick of seeing my name in their inbox and take pity on me and publish my general submission.

I have a layout in the latest Scrapbook Creations (#34). I was asked to contribute something for their Astrology Article by Jeni O'Connor. I haven't seen the mag yet even if Ali has already received her complimentary copy. If you see this layout you'll be able to tell that my current status as a solo mom doesn't exactly came out of the blue. I've got another one coming out in issue 38 - a scrap therapy layout that one is, created before the bubble burst so the commentary with it won't be exactly current.

Ill post my final entry for the Last Scrapper Standing in the next day or two as I never got around to posting that here. Unfortunately blogger won't let me upload it today.

A family of three now

2006-09-05T20:47:00.000+12:00

On Sunday (notice the irony here, Father's Day) John went to stay with his parents for a while. Mutual decision you could say. I won't go into all the details here in such a public place but those of you who know me a bit will know that we've been struggling as a couple for a very long time.
It may be a permanent situation, it may not be. I just don't know. I do know that a major stress factor complicating my life is now at least out of sight. I am in limbo but do know it is the right thing for me at this stage. No more frustration, no more resentment, no more arguments. That's a good thing right? So for now scrapping is going on the back burner and I have to focus on ME and my kids. Not saying I won't be doing any, just not putting any pressure on myself to create something wonderful and publish worthy all the time (not that I get any picked up anyway). However I do acknowledge the benefits of 'scrap therapy' and once my head is in a better place I'm sure I'll be doing plenty of that. But for the moment I'm focussing on the practical things like money and stuff.
Had a very emotional bedtime cuddle with Thomas today, gosh this is hard.

New blog banner

2006-09-04T21:45:00.000+12:00

I finally figured out how to replace my banner thanks to directions here by Lindsay Teague. It still took me forever though, flicking backwards and forwards to the directions and my template, but it's done!!
I won a RAK over at 2Peas a couple of weeks ago and Chris Jenkins made this one and another bonus one for me. Isn't she clever?
Not feeling chatty tonight. My life is a serious mess and I have to sort it out first, sigh.

Frustrated

2006-08-29T16:19:00.000+12:00

with life, scrapping, and everything else. Not a happy day today, wallowing in self-pity and allowing anger and resentment towards a certain someone to get the better of me. Not a pretty picture. I feel like screaming! In fact I did, this morning, just let it fly! It felt good for a few seconds until I saw the shocked look on my son's face who happened to witness it.... ouch, I felt really small then. Had to have a little re-assuring cuddle and talk with him about how grown ups sometimes lose their cool just like the little people do. I felt aweful.

Finally figured out a topic for the last round of Last Scrapper Standing and started to play around with some pictures. Decided I didn't have a good enough picture or two and tried to get the child in question to co-operate. No luck. Very frustrated with the shutter lag on my camera. It does have some semi-manual settings but as soon as you start playing with those the delay is even worse and everything I've got is blurred. Aaargh!

Thank you to all who have left such wonderful comments these past few days. It really boosts my confidence and I need that right now. And I'm getting to know new like minded people who apparently have found my blog through somewhere. Ah, the scrapping world is so small really, especially in New Zealand. Though going by the stat counter I've got on here I get visitors from all over the world! That's pretty cool.

Oh yeah and I want to give a huge shout out to Chris Jenkins who made me a banner for my blog, two actually. Chris I don't know if you'll be reading this but once I figure out how to replace the excisting one I'll put it up. It is just awesome and I am so grateful that you did that for me.

Diner duties are calling. See ya!

I made it!

2006-08-28T14:03:00.000+12:00

Me and 26 others are in the final round. I am stunned to have made it this far. Nervous too about having to create an absolute masterpiece with 10 different kinds of patterned paper. For some bizarre reason I feel like I've got a lot riding on this challenge. Kind of like a 'make it, or break it' kind of thing. Sad but true. Just tell me to get a life, lol. It is so easy to get caught up in all of this competitiveness and lose sight of what really matters.
But first things first and that is a project I have to finish urgently! So back to work for another hour before the kids get home from school and kindy.

waiting....

2006-08-27T22:18:00.000+12:00

sorry this post is all about me! Mwahahahaha. The layout for round 3.5 was so much fun and nothing like I'd ever done before but I think I'm hooked! We had to use a 'wet' medium and after looking around the house I thought I'd try melting the kid's crayons. After asking for a little bit of advice from Wendy and Dina I figured I had to add something to prevent them from setting too quickly so I found some old furniture bee's wax that I added to the mix. Loved the transparent yet vibrant colours it produced. I used it to paint over a picture and the effect was so cool! I'll definetely be doing that again, even if it did stink out the kitchen. Next time I may have to go and look at an art supply store to see if there's an alternative to my furniture polish though!
After looking through the entries (I love that you can check out the competition with this) to see what I'm up against I am not holding much hope. So many fantastic entries, with truly artistic examples of using a wet art medium. I should know more tomorrow...

and here's a close-up detail that shows the texture this gives:

Otherwise I'm pretty annoyed. My left shoulder is freezing up AGAIN. So painful! Not to mention bl**dy inconvenient as I've got a few things due in the next couple of weeks. So I'm popping anti-flams but going on past experience that's not going to help much. Last time it happened the doctor already said it would probably mean surgery if it happened again. Just give me the cortizone shot first I say because the waiting list for that is probably 8 months long! #$*^% public health system. Okay done whining now. May just have an early night and see my bed at the right side of midnight.

Last Scrapper Standing

2006-08-26T19:38:00.000+12:00

Seems today Blogger is willing to upload pictures so here you go: my entry for round 3 in Last Scrapper Standing and also an example of taking cardstock 3D for my 'Free For All Friday' challenge at Scrapgal. (nothing like combining a few things to tick them off my 'to do' list, lol)

I am currently struggling to throw something together for a sneaky round 3.5. Having lots of fun experimenting and have come out with a really cool picture. Now the question is how to scrap it?!! I think I need to go and open that bottle in the fridge and see if inspiration will magically strike.

Oh and thanks for inquiring about Annabel. She's doing great and using her hand more and more. Have heard back from radiologist and X-ray is fine, so just a sprain. *breathing big sigh of relief.

Ugh!

2006-08-24T21:51:00.000+12:00

What a day. Annabel fell of her little ride-on car, or rather she just fell over with the whole thing. She's getting too big for it but is still fighting over it with Thomas. Anyway, she cried and by the tone of it I knew something was wrong. So I ran to her and pick her up. She's very pale and very upset. She says her arm hurts. So I ice it. She tells me after five minutes it is 'all better now' so I put her in front of her beloved Blue's Clues morning show and quickly post my entry for the Last Scrapper Standing competition. I check on her. She doesn't look right, pale and very quiet. So I pick her up for a cuddle and she screams. Uh-oh.... ring the doctor and we're told to come in straight away. She's still in her jammies but I don't care.
Anyway, long story short: we're off to get X-rays and initial report is no fracture but films will be sent to specialist in town and in a couple of days we'll hear for definete result. She was fine with the X-rays until the $%^#@ technician grabs her arm by the wrist right where it hurts and turns her arm 90 degrees. My poor sweetie got a major shock, not to mention PAIN. And in fact I think she was suffering from a bit of shock because straight after while we were waiting for the initial report she went to sleep on my lap. Back to the doctor to get her arm bandaged and immobilized. She won't use it and flinches every time someone comes near it. She wants to be held and cuddled all the time but flinches when I pick her up. I don't know, my belly-boo (nic name) is a tough one and something tells me that is not normal for a sprained wrist or is that the paranoid mum talking?
Fingers crossed we'll make it through the night without drama.

btw, here's (sorry had to link it, blogger doesn't seem to want to upload my photos today) my entry for last scrapper standing. Circles! I will never again do something like this, I lost track of the hours I spent rolling the paper and then trying to glue it to the transparency. I said 10 in my entry but I'm sure it was more than that (sure felt like it). And you know what? I don't like this layout at all. And knew I wouldn't as I was assembling it but I didn't have any other ideas or time to do something else so there it is... shhh don't tell. Oh and excuse the dirty windows...

Bits and pieces

2006-08-19T20:01:00.000+12:00

Did I mention already I am participating in "Last Scrapper Standing" on the Effer blog? Now that is fun and definitely challenging! First round was using text directly on the photo. No problems with that, I do that fairly often. I was also fairly confident I'd make it through the first round after spying in on the competition (everyone was uploading into the gallery at 2Peas). Anyway I combined my No 8 Wired contribution with this one as it was just perfect for both.

Journaling coming out of the shower head reads: I am not a morning person. I am a night owl who's forced to get up early each morning when two litte kids wake up without fail at 6 am! And so I reluctantly drag myself out of bed and hide in the shower just so I don't have to deal with the morning mayhem immediately. I know I spend too long in the shower each day, the power bill is undeniable testament to that, but I need that time alone, not speaking to anyone, just time to think and mentally prepare for my day ahead. I just stand there until the water goes cold. It is definitely my favourite (title) Guilty Pleasure

And yes I made it through the first round. There were over 350 entries I believe. Anyway, on to round 2 for which we had to use 13 photos on the one layout. Now that was definitely wayyyyy out of my comfort zone. I'm a one perhaps two pictures per layout kind of girl. In the end and pushing the deadline I came up with this:

little pictures of all the things that need fixing or finishing in our house. I tell you, the work never finished when you own an old villa like ours. Pretty nervous to open up the Effer blog this morning and absolutely stoked to find my name on the list of people going through to round 3. And now major panic sets in. We're to use circles only, no straight lines if I interpret correctly. HELP! I've got the brain working over time already.

Scenic Route had a Design Team call out. I do believe this is their first open call. They've already handpicked some designers with very deservedly choosing Nic as one of them. I mean the girl is Scenic Route basically. And I would love to join her on that team. There aren't many manufacturer's that I absolutely adore and have to have every piece of paper of - in fact there are only two, Scenic Route being one of them; my first love really. So I've put my hat in the ring although I don't hold much hope as I've read today they had already received over 300 entries as of a couple of days ago. But you've got to be in to win. And considering how often I use it I only had to make one layout especially for this. My entry consists of the Guilty Pleasure one above, a canvas clock and layout of Annabel:

I included a detailed shot of the intricate flower with my submission. All going well I should be teaching this project as a class at KiwiScraps in the near future. I'll post the date here when it's confirmed. You don't want to miss this one, it's such a cool concept!

(layout removed for publication - look for me in issue 40 of Scrapbook Creations)

I shot this picture of Annabel last March and it really intimidated me it was so perfect! I was too afraid to scrap it but I finally got the nerve this week and got it out. It's no use having a pretty picture like that sitting in a folder for no one to see now is it? I didn't want to over-embellish it as to not take away from this stunning photo. Isn't she just the prettiest thing? Honestly I count myself lucky. Annabel is so photogenic. As for Thomas... argh can't take a decent picture of him even if I bribed him. As soon as the camera comes out he starts pulling faces. Distraction doesn't work long enough. The shutter lag on my camera is really very frustrating, 3 seconds if I've fiddled with the settings. It has a few manual settings which is great when you've got a static object... I'm saving for a digital SLR, but it will be a while yet.

Weekend re-cap

2006-08-17T17:05:00.000+12:00

Finally getting around to doing a quick re-cap about last weekend. Crafting Connections was absolutely fantastic again this year. I am already saving up for next year to make sure I can do a full registration in stead of the mini-event I did this year. I am so disappointed I didn't get to do many of the marvellous classes on offer.
I started off with the Mega Crop. See photo below for my table buddies. Thanks so much Jinny for making our masks! And thank you to the girls for providing lots of laughs.

Did two classes on Saturday: Wendy's doodling one and Ali E's Perspective. Shame I'm such a slacker with homework so these projects may end up on my 'to finish' pile, which admittedly still has projects from last years CC on it!

Saturday night was Janine's hen night. I was so lucky to get to spend the night in town as well in a penthouse appartment Janine herself had organised. Sheer luxury to sleep until 8 am. Mind you we didn't go to bed until 2.... Thank you so much for the laughs and just awesome night out to my partners in crime. I had a blast!! (and plenty to drink....)

And Ann and Lynda, I don't know if you'll be reading this but I'm still shaking my head about you girls treating me like a celebrity. Good grief that felt uncomfortable. But by all means send me the pic of me signing my layout, LOL. It was such an ego booster.

Sunday rolled around and a bit blurry eyed and fog headed I listened to Cathy Z. Must admit it wasn't anything new and slightly disappointed it was all taken directly from her book. But all in all a good weekend that went by way to fast.

Did I just lose a post?

2006-08-13T16:01:00.000+12:00

Hmmm, it might be tiredness taking over here from the weekend (more on that later when I'm actually able to put my thoughts into cohesive words, could be tomorrow) but have I lost a post on here? I was sure I'd put a layout on here I did for No 8 Wired blog for dare #4. Pretty sure I had comments on it as well. Tell me I'm not losing my mind!

Letting out a big sigh of relief

2006-08-05T21:07:00.000+12:00

Thank goodness that is over for another year. As much as I love my (now not so little anymore) boy, organising birthday parties at home for 8 of his friends who don't really appreciate the work that goes into it are just a waste of time and energy, really. But I feel I've done the wonderful mummy thing and have created a fun memory. I am so tired! But the big hug and kiss and heartfelt 'thank you mum, I love you' almost made it worth it. Next year I'm having a party elsewhere, you can keep me to that. Just remind me if I start uttering noises about another themed party. Okay? I mean, what was I thinking? Not only did I spend hours preparing party food and games but there was also the time invested in tidying up the house. Why did I bother? The place is an absolute bomb site and I know I should just get it over with and pick it all up today but I just don't have the energy anymore. So tomorrow morning the same mess is going to stare me in the face. Ugh!

Got a couple of projects to show you. First one is a clock I altered for Thomas' room. I did it for the ScrapGal newsletter. August is the month for star themed projects and challenges over there and this was my first contribution as a Design Team member.

Next one up is the layout I did for the New Zealand Dare Blog No 8 Wired and I combined it to also be the first challenge I set over at ScrapGal. Hey, the were due the same day and I was trying to get a party organised after all. They like their challenges over there, 3 each week with the occasional random one thrown in as well. I'd like to participate in more but there just aren't enough hours in the day. I really wanna learn to speed scrap!

Sorry, blogger seems to be playing up and I can't upload another picture. I'll try to edit this post tomorrow. You can view the layout on No 8 Wired too.

I was about to start working on my next class project for KiwiScraps: another altered clock but nothing like the one above. Class is on the 22nd... can you say late? In my defense I was under the impression that he was seriously considering not having any classes in August, with Crafting Connections and all. Boy was I wrong! But anyway, I pulled apart the clock but now I can't do much else as what I thought I had for the background isn't the right size . Sounds cryptic? That's because I don't want to give too much away.

I'm off to blog surf. Oh and a special wave to my extended family who are now also regularly checking my blog eventhough they don't understand any of the scrapbook talk.

2006-07-30T17:14:00.000+12:00

Day time scrapping

It is extremely rare for me to be able to scrap during the day, but today the stars and moon must have been aligned perfectly or whatever because everybody co-operated for me to indulge in a blissful 6 hour scrapping session. Admittedly interruped by daily life and such but I was in heaven. Certainly good for the soul these kind of days. And so I could participate in ScrapGals on-line crop, saying goodbye to the outgoing guest DT members in style. I had a ball doing the challenges, what do I say, in combining the challenges and produced two layouts. One a complete lift of the awesome Marci Lambert and another somewhat inspired by Jodi McLean.

Here's my tribute to Marci: a straight lift of her 'Struggle' layout, doing one of her challenges to use a child's artwork and/or item from a thrift store on a layout, plus the crop challenge of using unconventional colours on a layout. In this case pink (the tag) on a boy's layout.

The other one combined 3 challenges: lift Jodi (I took inspiration from her 'What I want to teach my kids' layout) , use 50 of something on a page (I did letter stickers) and use the given quote.

Annabel is feeling seriously left out and keeps asking me: "Where Me?" Too funny. With a bit of luck I may do another one tonight! I want to pay tribute to the wonderful Brenda-Mae Teo. Quite an impressive line-up of talent over on ScrapGal isn't it?

I must say this 'lifting' business sure helps to keep the prograstination in check. Although I still manage to agonize over photo and paper choices...

2006-07-25T20:17:00.001+12:00

Harry Potter Party

Thomas turns 6 in a week and a half. SIX! Suffice to say I'm freaking out a little, no make that a lot. Six is big, six is an age I can remember being.
For months he's been pestering me that he wants a Harry Potter birthday party. And I said, yes sure dear, thinking he'd forget all about it when the date was near. It appears he has not. So this past weekend we made invitations on old looking paper (torn and inked edges, woohoo for scrapping supplies), rolled them up and hand delivered them on Monday morning to the choosen few. If it was up to him he'd invite the whole class. I think not! Set my limit at 8. Surprisingly he invited girls, 3 of them. I always thought boys were of the opinion that girls were stupid. But maybe that age is still to come? Anyway, here I am tearing my hair out of what to do with this crowd Saturday next week. Thank goodness for the internet, I've done a quick google search for Harry Potter parties and an enormous list of sites came up. Will have to have a better browse a bit later. Must say that the games I've seen suggested so far seem a bit lame.
I think I'll let them decorate their own wizard or witches hat - at least 2o minutes filled he he.
Cake and pressies another 20 minutes.
Sorting Hat ritual (possibly divide them into the four houses or teams for other games)- about 5 minutes.
Find the Philosophers Stone in a dark and ghostly room (streamers and reflective stars from the ceiling, mock spider web?)- 15 minutes.
And that only fills one hour! Some more procrastinating is obviously needed.

Which brings me to Crafting Connections. I've signed up for the mini-event. Would have loved to do the big one but my budget won't allow it. I've come to the realisation I have to do homework for one of my classes (Perspective with Ali E) and I need pictures of me. Bugger. 1) I hate having my picture taken and 2)I'm not at my most photogenic at the moment with stress and sleep deprivation seriously marking my face. And then the homework itself, uhm, if I was to answer to questions seriously in my current state of mind it's going to be a thoroughly depressive read. I know it's all about capturing a moment in time but quite frankly I'd like to erase these past two years from my memory if I could. And it's not over yet.
And then there's the issue of swap pins. I was going to build on my theme from last year and do something jewellery related but with the latest For Keeps issue with Nic's awesome Queen & Co jewellery and with other jewellery themed projects popping up all over the place it's only going to look like a cheap rip-off. Besides, time is running out and I haven't got the energy at the moment to invest into making something really cool. I couldn't do something plain because that's just not my style. If I'm handing out something with my name on it I want to be proud of what I created if you know what I mean. So more than likely no swap pins from me this year...

2006-07-21T22:21:00.000+12:00

Cold you say?

So I'm sitting here getting very intimate with my little heater, rugged up in two jerseys and my coat. Yes the heater is on and I'm still freezing! Living in an old villa is not at all romantic when winter really strikes!
I should have gone to KiwiScraps tonight to crop. I'm having visions of their pellet heater. But I felt I had to stay home tonight, because it's John's birthday. Don't know why I bothered really, he went to bed at 7.30... Instead I've been sifting through my photos on the computer, looking for some to use and hoping for inspiration to strike. Had a play in PhotoShop with one of them to use on my next layout and just as I was happy with how it looked the program shut down! Aaaaargh! And nothing saved of course. I think I'll take this as a warning to do another back-up of my pics onto disc. Haven't done that in a while.

Dare #2 is up at No 8 Wired, go check it out! Here's my contribution for this weeks dare: You Did What? Another one with very little paper. The background is done with paint.

My layout is about John's struggle with mental illness. He suffers from bi-polar disorder which greatly affects and disrupts our daily life. We've been going through a rough patch these past months with his depression having a major impact on our relationship. I thought long and hard about making this the topic for this dare but we're pretty open about his illness and I hope to inspire others to also document the ugly side of life (though not necessarily in public like this) because I believe it shapes us into who we are.The journaling reads: I am so sick of this bi-polar beast ruling not just your life but also mine. How do you justify sleeping for 12-14 hours each night when you are a family man? Where's the balance? Let's just hope that in the future we can see the humour in it, but it's certainly no joke living it now!

In case you're wondering: I asked permission to post this publicly and he had no problems with it. Like I said, we're pretty open about it. This layout was very much a form of therapy for me.

2006-07-17T23:22:00.000+12:00

Temptation

This CHA business is just not good for me. I'm a sucker for pretty new things and I have seen so much that is just screaming 'buy me'! I mean, how can an alpha-aholic like me resist this and this? And then there are these little cuties and oh tell you what, I suggest you just follow the link and decide for yourself what you cannot live without. Or am I the only one who's in love with it all? I blame Nic for my afliction, she's the ultimate enabler. And then she starts talking about the Scenic Route chipboard and well, I'm a mess. And that's only two new lines... I'm afraid to open any post on message boards that say 'sneak peak' or 'CHA preview' because of the tempations inside.

If you were thinking I haven't done anything in the last two days you are wrong. I have one layout for a challenge on ScrapGal just about finished. Unfortunately I've decided I want my sewing machine, which has gone back to it's owner (MIL) for a bit of a drop of oil and yearly service. Funny woman, she insists on doing it herself, doesn't trust me with it and rightfully so I suppose. So will finish that when I get it back. Isn't it always the case, you don't use it for ages and then when it's gone you urgently need it. And tonight I've been getting messy with paint. Great fun! It's drying now and then it's just a matter of putting it all together. But I won't show you until Friday, ha ha as it's for the next dare.

Sorry for the link overload at the start of this post. I got a bit carried away.
You know I've been so humbled by all the lovely comments that people have left on my blog. I can now see how easily this becomes very addictive. My stat counter is showing me I get returning visits from Australia and even the USA as well. So if you stop by please don't be shy and just say hi, okay?

ETA: Links all fixed now! Thanks Trina.

2006-07-15T18:28:00.000+12:00

I got it!!

Yay, just received word that I got picked for a three month guest DT spot at ScrapGal. Go me! LOL. So that and No 8 Wired is going to keep me fairly busy in the next few months. Very cool to see the responses to the dareblog. The New Zealand scrapbooking community is abuzz.

Got some scrapping done last night. I had this awesome pic of Thomas that looked okay in colour but turned out really strong in black and white. So after successfully converting it in Photoshop I was itching to work with it. I actually finished it in one sitting! That doesn't happen very often for me. Anyway, it's pretty clean and graphic for me, but I felt embellishing it would just take away from the photo. Just love those Pressed Petals letters, I'm almost afraid to admit I have 8 different sets...

2006-07-15T09:38:00.000+12:00

No 8 Wired

And.... we're off! Check this out! I am so excited to be a part of this.

2006-07-13T22:01:00.000+12:00

Excitement is building

(thought I'd post this again in case you missed it underneath the layouts in my previous post)
Two more sleeps and counting down. Bursting with excitement, but am holding it in (only just). You'll have to wait until Saturday to find out the scoop. All will be revealed so check back in then. ;-)

2006-07-12T20:28:00.000+12:00

waiting.....

I applied for a store's DT last week at
ScrapGal. I've been part of their community for about 3 months now and totally loving that place. Not overwhelmingly big, genuinely nice people, oodles of talent and awesome challenges! (that I really should do more often). It's only for a guest DT spot for 3 months but I'd love to get 'the call'. Announcement on the 15th so am not so patiently checking my email about three times a day.
With mojo still nowhere in sight I just submitted some of my existing pages which they'd all seen before so not sure if that jeopardized my chances? Anyway, it's about time I added some pics to this blog so will share here too. You may have seen them in galleries elsewhere.

In other news: There's something exciting happening and I can't wait to share.
But will have to leave you guessing until Saturday morning. Check back here if you want to be in on the scoop.

2006-07-10T22:55:00.000+12:00

MMM

I've been thinking about Memory Makers Masters lately. The deadline is nearing and I have nothing created for it. I really wanted to give this another go this year after trying it last year (and not getting anywhere, except for my Joy & Comfort being published months later in the Babies issue). I'd like to think of that entry as the starting point for taking my scrapping a bit more seriously. I created a couple of layouts I was really happy with last month that I should have saved for MMM, but of course I was too keen to show them off to the world. Should really learn to control my impulses, LOL. Quite honestly I don't see how I could create five stunning pages in such a short amount of time. I have too much other (nsbr) energy sapping stuff happening in my life. Can't seem to get in the right frame of mind. So realistically I'm a non-entrant this year :-(. Must say I'm pretty bummed about that. Oh well, on to the next competition. For Keeps Awards for Excellence, due in September. That should give me plenty of time to prepare and hold back some pages.

Will have to add a pic of last years MMM Joy & Comfort tomorrow, little girl waking up and needing attention.

2006-07-10T10:13:00.000+12:00

Sweet!

What a learning curve this is proving to be. I can see many hours being dedicated to updating and personalizing my blog.
I seem to have lost my 'comments' option on my previous post? Weird....

Good news is that both Thomas and Annabel are out today until about 3.30pm, sweet! I love them to bits but it's nice to have some time to myself and hopefully achieve something. At least I'll have time to work on and hopefully finish my next class project before they come home again. Embarassingly late that project sample *blushing. Am using the brand new released Cherry Arte Party Days line. Bright and funky!
Having a hard time getting anything done lately. Feel like I'm constantly chasing my tail. Not enough hours in the day to do it all! How do real single moms do it?

2006-07-09T20:18:00.000+12:00

Whoa! Day two in blogging world and I have 10 comments on my first post?! That's freaky!
Uhm, just added some links just now.

Beautiful day today so I decided to take the kiddies to the park. Thomas is in serious need of practice to ride his bike without training wheels. Only second attempt today. Sigh, living in hilly Wellington doesn't make it any easier for him to try it. Even our street has a bit of a rise in it, which makes it very popular for skateboarders, esp since it's a dead-end, but not so ideal for a 5yo to learn to ride his bike.
They played beautifully together and it really made me feel like I'm doing something right after all. These holidays T has been a handful to put it mildly. Can't wait for school to start again.

John behaving his usual @*h self again. Living with a bi-polar partner is not good for your bloodpressure I tell you. I think the frustration of daily life at the moment has scared my creative spark away as well. Not much good is coming out of my hands these days, and what little I have done I usually hate the next day. In the past few weeks I have done two layouts three times over each. How sad is that?

Exciting stuff happening on the scrapping front pretty soon. I'll keep you posted.

2006-07-08T11:11:00.000+12:00

Well here I am, finally joining the blogging world. It was only a matter of time really... I bet it's going to be a steep lurning curve. ;-)