Living my dream

Saturday sketch day

Its been a while huh?! Yep, this week has been pretty busy and my mind has been full of alsorts of things. Unfortunately not blog stuff as there has been a heap of 'cute' type things happening and a chicken escape which I've now forgotten about.

But I've been scrapping up a storm and have one I can share with you.

This is something I 'threw together' today, literally. I can't believe how easily it came together. But then I should have known since it was using some of my favourite product from Prima. Divine!

I created it for No 8 Wired, the Kiwi dares for Jo's stamping dare. I used stamps in three places. But my favourite is the Stampin' Up! word stamp which is part of the journaling.

Also created this week are a couple of sketches. This one is for Fiskars:

And this one is for SBO:

I hope you're making the most of this incredibly awful weather, scrapping lots of memories, or creating more.

Will come back with some more Trina stuff asap.

Later.

Saturday Sketch day

Cor these Saturdays roll around fast! I remember as a teenager how slowly time would go sometimes. Now it seems the older I get the faster it goes. Anyone else have that experience? Anyway....

Sketches...

I've done two for this weekend. One for SBO:

Which I have to admit was taken from my SBO DT work this week. There is a big long story behind it, but suffice to say I was at a crop and I had Nic on one side of me and Lesley at the other table and I decided to do a LO in 'Lesley's style'. So between Nic, Lesley, Ilka and myself, I came up with this LO which is totally different to my own usual style

I used mostly the SBO June kit to do this LO, with the intention of highlighting the glimmermist spray which was in the kit. And IRL it looks great, but is a bit subtle and I'm not sure if you can see it very well here.

I also created this sketch for Fiskars:

I took this sketch from a LO done a year or so back? It has doodling around the edges and that scroll at the bottom is done with paint and stamps.

You can see I've gone pretty 'simple' this week on my sketches. Trying out something new.

Would love to see if you give either of them a go.

Have a great Saturday.

New Dare - sponsored by Stampin' Up!

Oh wow! The new dare was posted at No 8 Wired last night by Jo and its sooooo good that I thought it deserved a post all of its own! Yep, it really is a goodie! We have a fantastic new sponsor

Yes, Stampin' Up! are sponsoring this dare and what a HUGE prize they are giving......

Stampin' Up! have the most incredible stamps, gorgeous papers, inks to die for and lots of pretty cool 'stuff' (like their square glue stick, notepad edge punch and scallop punch!).

So if you want more details, go see the dare by clicking here.

BOM Tuesday on a Thursday

Hehehehe. You know I've had such a full on week and still getting back into things after our holiday this one slipped right on past me. So to get you thinking I'm gonna do a prompt and even a sketch to help you along....

This week we're staying with technology and thinking about phones. The reason we're doing this is I realised on Tuesday how important my mobile is cause its not working! I dropped it a couple of times in the weekend and it seems to have gone kaput. Sigh. I'm taking it in to be looked at later. Lets hope its salvagable.

But anyway, I remember having dial phones. You know those ones that you put your finger in a hole and turned the wheel and it would dial that number? There was one phone in particular that worked well for me. You see as a teenager I was a radio competition junkie. Dare I say it?! LOL. And I would ring in and win stuff alllllll the time. But I would only ever win if I used the downstairs phone. So if I heard the call on the radio for a comp, I'd jump up, race down the stairs (nearly breaking several limbs as I did it), run around the corner, scream at who was on the phone to get off (cringe), and then start dialing. I would get through just about every time. Well it felt like it back then. Certainly more than if I used the upstairs phone.

But this is what I'm getting at.....these phones were connected to a point and couldn't be moved. We had to go to them. I remember having conversations with a good friend of mine and our code was 'hows school'. It meant we couldn't talk cause someone else was around.

And in the country there were party lines. Anyone along the line could pick up the phone and listen in to what was being said. I imagine you'd either have to be reallllllly good friends with your neighbours or they could cause some almighty trouble sometimes! LOL.

Now everyone has mobile phones in their house and on the street. Cor, we can now even get iphones which are incredible.

So have a think, what do you remember about phones, how did they impact on your life? What was special about getting that first mobile? Did you have one of those giant mobiles which everyone called a 'brick' cause thats what it looked like. Would love to hear your stories, or if you get a chance use this sketch to tell the story.....

You can see with this sketch I've actually taken one from last week and turned it around, and added in some scallops and done it ever so slightly differently. This is to give you an idea of how you can do this with your actual LO's too.

Enjoy.

So many firsts in the last few days

Well, a few anyway.... lol.

Finally Chickenee is laying. Really laying. We thought she had a few weeks ago, but we now KNOW she is. You see I went down there to feed them and I couldn't find her. So I'm thinking she must be sick. She's always around. And I look in the hen house and there she is. Sitting in the nesting box. She was making a few clucking sounds and I went around to open the window and heard this clunk like something dropping. Sure enough I went back to open the nesting box and babang there is a beautiful little egg. Best thing is that today there was another one. That means yesterday and today we've got 3 eggs each day! YEAH!

Andy recons she must've heard us talking over the weekend. He was saying she had to go and I was like no, shes our pet. And he's like nope, she was brought to lay and she's not earning her keep. And I was like yeah, but toast (our cat) does nothing but eat and he's not kicked out. It was quite an interesting conversation which lead to no firm answer. I was being such a wuss. Even the kids were happy to think that Chickenee was being sent to a farm to 'learn to lay'. LOL! Thank goodness she learnt real fast right here at home!

Then, today we started our first fire for the year. Yep, we've held out as it just hasn't been cold enough, but it was freezing today so thats it. The kids loved it. They helped me bring in the wood, pull the pinecones out of their hiding hole, squish up the paper. It was lovely.

Poor ole Dan hasn't been himself the last couple of days. Think he's got another virus or something? High temps, and clingy. I hope he's ok.

Hey, you watching the new show by Oprah? Its called 'the big give'. Man oh man. Has me in tears. To see what they can do in just 5 days! Changing peoples lives. Amazing.

Alrighty, before I go, thought I'd show you an ultra quick invite I made tonight using some gorgeous product from Fiskars. In particular the stamp press and free stamp set which is being sold at K-Mart throughout June. Check it out.....

For more information, check out the Fiskars blog.

Saturday Sketch Day

I'm off to a crop today. Can't wait. Still deciding what I'm going to do, so probably taking scrapping supplies and old photos to sort. Hmmmmm. Should decide before I go!

Here are this weeks sketches....

For Fiskars:

For SBO:

And a LO using a variety of products found at SBO:

Have a great day.

T

Thursday

Life seems to be settling down into a nice little groove again. The chooks are good, and I've finally found out who is laying where. Dora is the nesting box girl. Such a good girl! LOL. Bob is still behind the bushes. Lovely. Chickenee still hasn't laid any that we know of.  The pot has been taken out of the cupboard a couple of times, but I just don't think thats going to work? The kids will know if we swap her out for another one. LOL! Besides which I've got quite attached to her.

The kids are all back at daycare and loving it. Fitting straight back in like they hadn't left. Love that place! We also got some photos back from the photo shoot that Fiona Pierson did there. I have been wanting her to take some pics of my kids for such a long time. She took some great ones when they were 6 months old at NZ Scrapbook, and I've coveted her photography ever since. I wasn't disappointed with these new pics. They are stunning! And Matt has a real smile. So cool.

Scrap wise I was too annoyed yesterday to scrap. I tried, then walked away, then tried again and walked away again, then tried again etc etc. I finally got about 2 pieces of paper down and some pics. Its a start. My kids are in that whingy, won't do anything you ask, won't listen, won't 'anything I want them to' stage and I was just peeved. LOL. I'm sure as mothers we all go through this, frequently, but it never ceases to astound me how they change all the time so I have to learn to change with them. That the boundaries are new and changing. But there are still some that are not moving (our family rules) and they still have the thinking chair for that.

But today is a new day. And we managed to do a bit better this morning. Whew.

I've got the HRV guys here right now and I can't wait until that is all installed. We were going to wait until we rennovated, but realised that might still be a few years away so decided to get it done now as we can move it into the new place anyway.

And on that note, I'm gonna go see if I can put some more paper down on that LO.

Have a good one. 

BOM Tuesday

Well since I'm sitting here on the computer I thought thinking about computers and how they affect our lives might just make a great BOM page. Whadda ya think?

Yep, go back to the beginning - which actually wasn't that long ago and think about when they were first in our lives. I remember going to a club during lunch time at school once or twice to see what these new things were and how they worked. But I just didn't get them then (or now if the truth be told! LOL) so I stopped going. I think the next couple of times they were part of my life was at university. Typing out essays. Much better than having to type on a machine where you could make mistakes and have to start again.

But it was only really once I started to scrap that they became a part of my everyday personal life. I found forums, online scrap communities, and later blogs and yahoo forums. OOoooooh how they changed my life. LOL!

And during this short time I've had at least 3 computers each one getting faster and faster. Andy still talks about one he used to work on which was the size of a room. Amazing how our ipods now have more power than that huge computer! Wow.

So with all these thoughts swirling around, why not pop them down into a LO so you can remember this time. The huge changes, and I imagine, look back from the future and laugh at the things you've remembered and talked about in your LO. Why not even stick some prices down. Now that will be something really good to remember.

Ok, other things. Fiskars had a wonderful time over the long Australian Queens birthday with lots of challenges. But with all my coming back down to earth after our holiday I forgot to mention it here, but hey, you can still go over and see the wonderful creations that the team have put together and lots from our friends who read the blog too.

I decided to make use of a great new stamp set which is currently being given away free in Stamp Press's at K-Mart and made the following two cards:

I also used the new finger craft knife. Gosh I love that tool! I use it just about every single day! and lots of ink and other Fiskars goodies.

Hey, has anyone else had emails turning up in their Xtra inboxes from months ago?! Hmmmm, yep, me too. Gosh all those emails that went missing a couple of months ago and we were told 'no nothings wrong' have suddenly just turned up. LOL! Gotta laugh.

Ok, off to do some more scrapping.

Monday and peace reigns in my house

Abby is here and has just left with the kids for a wee adventure. They are catching the bus into town, the ferry back to Devonport then the bus back here. Along the way they are going to stop at McD's for lunch. They are so excited and even have their own money to give to the bus driver and their morning teas packed (including the chocolate chip cookies we made yesterday). What a treat (for both them and me! LOL).

So the house is quiet. I can hear some birds, the taping of the keys on the computer and the kettle just going off the boil. Ahhhhhhhh. What to do now? Lets not go there, its too scary! LOL.

So we're back into the swing of things. Andy went off to work this morning and had a funny conversation with Sarah on the way out the door.....

A: Thanks for a great holiday guys, I'm off to work now.

S: Why?

A: So I can make some more money.

S: To go to China!

Yep, China is featuring high on the kids list of 'looking forward to'.

I've moved the dehumidifier, put some washing on, fed the chooks and collected an egg, set the dishwasher off and gone through a whole heap of emails.

Now I'm here, watching taped programmes and doing 'stuff' I need to. Soon I'm gonna start scrapping. Yeah. It feels like forever since I've done that.

Ok, another quick pic from the GC. Love this one.

Matt was soooooo into holding a croc it wasn't funny. This and feeding the elephants. He looks a little stilted here, but its only his 'smile for the camera face'. LOL. This croc is 2 years old. Wow! So little after so long. We saw some really old crocs about 60 odd years old. Wowee! Too cool.

Hey, with all the fuss of coming home, I didn't do my Saturday sketch day. Ooooops. So here is the sketch I designed for Fiskars this week....

And I had a lovely email from Sharon this morning. She had used one of my old sketches, found here to create the most gorgeous LO which you can see here.

Alrighty, must go and do some work. Have a great Monday! And if you're in the Manawatu make sure you check out Kelly Rotherhams blog. She's got a fun fun fun scrap day planned on June 20th. Check out the details here.

Later.

Honey, I'm hoooooommmmmmeeeeee.

Yep, we got home this afternoon from a week away on the sunny Gold Coast of Australia. So if it seems like I've been missing this week, I HAVE! LOL!

We had an absolutely AMAZING time. The plan was to go see all the theme parks and we sure did. We saw Movieworld, Seaworld, Australia Zoo, Dreamworld and back to Movieworld (kids choice!).

The kids were incredible. They actually held it together really well, even with the time difference and long days.

We were so lucky to catch up with Jill GG and Tamar on Sunday at Seaworld. Sooooooo much fun for both the kids and Andy & I. I just adore this industry where you meet people online, then get to hang out with them in real life. Can't wait to play with the photos. And you can just imagine how much fun it was huh?! 3 sets of twins all under 6.5 years old! Yeah! Running around, screaming, laughing, having a ball. TOTALLY FUN! Oh and that was the adults....ROFL!

Then last night we got to hang out with Tamar and her gorgeous family again for dinner. Wow, Tamar you are such a great cook! LOVED the chicken, salad and chocolate mouse. Toooooo divine! And I think its the latest our kids have ever been up. LOL!

Soooooo, there is heaps to catch up on and not much time. Trying to desperately get through all my emails and 'stuff' so I can do some scrapping. I feel some pages need to come out! LOL!

But before I go, thought I'd share this pic with you. If you don't like snakes, don't look now.....

A little background.... I'm afraid of snakes. Or should I say I used to be. Somehow on this trip alot of fears were gone. Literally just not there. Flying was a breeze! Rollercoasters were a breeze, snakes no worries. I mean it was just easy. I wonder if its cause I don't want my children to grow up with the same fears I have/had? Hmmmm, food for thought.

Poor Dan, he got dragged into all my photos. If there was a cartoon character (Bugs Bunny, Tweety Bird, Shrek, Dorothy, Wags, whoever) he would get dragged into it cause my older kids didn't want to. They were afraid. But even in this pic, I've gotta admit, Dan wasn't too comfortable. He just wasn't too sure about that snake. But what a great boy!

Alrighty, gotta go. Hope you've had a great week. I'm hoping to catch up on everyones news over the next week.

You have got to check out this site!

I found it via Kirsty's blog at this link. Its a blog about actions. Mindy is the ladies name who runs it and her blog is stunning. Full of incredible photos and actions to help make yours look amazing too. Totally love it. And am just deciding which actions I 'need' to buy. LOL.

So what sites are you looking at right now? Send me a link. I'd love to check out some fun new sites.

Oranges

We have a lovely little orange tree sitting right outside our main lounge windows. Last year we got a few very small oranges off it, but this year, its laden and they are quite big. Must be all that good fertiliser we put around its base!

But I've got a question....when are they ready to eat? Ok, this might sound really dumb, but is it as simple as when they're orange they're ready to go? Cause right now, they're still a bit green in parts. Hope someones got some answers! I can't wait to get into them.

Actually they might have been handy when I was sick. LOL. Timing huh?!

Hey, I hear that Fiskars have got the Rotary trimmer additional blades in stock here in NZ now so if you're after a scallop, or wave or something else, give your local shop a call and ask them to get it in!

BOM Tuesday

School decisions....Take a think about how you left school and what you did afterwards. Was it all planned out by you, or your parents? Did you choose what you wanted to do? Did you go for further education via Uni or other, or take the opportunity to get a job? How did you come to these decisions? What was the driving force? Did you think about it hard, or was it always in you?

I've got to admit I went to Uni cause I didn't know what else to do. I wasn't ready for a job just then, and really had no idea what I wanted to do (truth be known I still don't, LOL). I had always thought I'd be a Mum. I know in todays enlightened ages, that may seem a little backward, but it was what I wanted (and still do) so anything I did was a stop gap. You know filling in time. In saying that, I filled in that time well and worked hard. But I look at some of the jobs that people do now and just go 'wow' where on earth would you get an idea like that. Very cool.

So take a think about it. Think about what you would do if given that time over, in todays age with alot more computer dominance. Then see if you can make a LO about it. But most of all have fun. Take a walk down memory lane and think about all you've achieved between then and now and give yourself a pat on the back. You've done good!

Actions in photoshop

Oh my goodness, why has it taken me so long to work these things out? Huh?! I should be shot for not discovering them sooner. LOL. Huge, big grins and thanks to Nic who sat with me at our crop the other day and showed me how to work them, download them etc. You are my hero (but hey, you know that anyway! LOL).

If you're into getting your photos to look better than they already do, but aren't as technologically minded (like me), then these little beauties will sure help. Just get some actions online and it will do all the necessary steps for you. Wowee. Love it.

I took this photo a few days ago. I love it, except that Sarah moved just as I took it so her face is all blurry. Well, with a little bit of tweaking, it actually looks kinda cool now. Certainly a heap better than it first was. And its just using a few actions. Love it. Check out the difference....

Well worth investigating huh?!

Funny things my kids have said recently

Happy 1st of June. Another month closer to Xmas! Eeeeeek. Thought I needed to remember some of my kids conversations lately. They sure are growing up, thinking more. Its pretty cool.

Sarah (while I was sick the other week): Mum take your medicine (sudafed).

Me: Yep, as soon as I've finished this.

Sarah (a few minutes later): Mum, take your medicine! I don't want to have to tell you again.

OMG!!!!!!!!!! You've got to laugh when they start sounding just like you huh?!

Sarah (on the phone to Andy): Hi Daddy, **silence**, we're playing 'I spy'. How was your day Daddy? Was it peace and quiet?

Ohhhhhh, who taught that girl such good etiquette? LOL!

Dan (in the car): ruck, ruck, ruck, RUCK!!!!!!! (as an extra big truck goes past).

I really would like him to start saying something else. LOL!

Matt (running down the hallway ball tucked under arm, about to 'score a try'): Look at me Mummy, look at me......SCORE!

Just as well we're going to rennovate one day as the carpet is getting worn thin by all the tries my little All Black is scoring!

As you can imagine with 2 x 4.5 year olds in the house, toilet humour and particularly farting is becoming quite the giggle in our house. So recently Andy shared a little story with me....

Kids in bed Andy reading them stories, sneaky fart escapes.

Sarah: Daddy whats that smell?

Andy: Must be Daniel (eeeek)

Sarah: No Daddy. Its you.

Can't run one past that girl!

Sarah talking to Andy about Koala's...

Andy: The last time I saw a koala was when I was 10.

Sarah: When you wasn't in love with Mummy.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhh.

Sarah racing around the house sighing: whoooosh, whooosh, Super Sarah!

Matt when he's in a good mood: Ahoy!

And: Yippee Yi Yo.

WHAT THE?! LOL.

Later.