Living my dream

I'm back!

Yep, we got back this afternoon from our summer weeks camping. And this is what I spent a bit of time doing. It was lovely. We went with my sis and her family and 2 other families who are friends with them. We managed to hang out. Enjoy the sun. Get some fishing done (not many biggies caught, lots of littlies). Play on the boat. Sea biscuit - yeah! Go to Kawhau Island. And enjoy a life of camping - cooking outside, toasting marshmellows, waking up in a hot tent. We really enjoy our weeks camping. Have done it now for the last 3-4 years! Been trying to remember if its been 3 or 4? LOL. The kids just adore it! They are totally in their element. And since they've been doing it since they are teeny tiny, its easy for them too.

While I was away I managed to take some photos for Liannes number photo idea.

 

 

 

Got lots to catch up on, but wanted to say g'day. Will try and update with some other 'holiday snaps' over the next few days.

Hope you've had a great week.

T

Something new and exciting!!!!!!

Ok, so its not that often that I do this many posts in one day, but I've been given the ok to let you in on a little something new.

I'm really really excited. And hope you will be too.  

Check out this new site.

Something new, something exciting, something for us Kiwis, something that we can all be proud of and support.

More to follow as soon as I can.

Have you seen....

Have you seen Liannes blog? She's got a cool idea waiting for people. I'm keen. Are you? Check it out!

Also thought I'd put a couple of promos up for some cool new product from CHA.....

Prima. Well, any scrapper that knows me knows how much I LOVE Prima product. Sigh. Hehehe. So you can imagine how I've been in heaven watching all the new sneak peeks coming out. Just adore the new stitched papers, the butterflies, the flowers, the cardboard, the transparencies, the flowers. Oh the flowers! And well everything. Each time they show a new range I think to myself. It can't get any better. Surely not? But it does! Seriously! So cool. Can't wait to see it starting to come out in the shops.

Also loving these from Queen and Co.....buckets of product. Such cute buckets which could be used for other things once empty. And cheap cheap cheap bling. Gotta love bling, but more so when its a reasonable price. Go Queen and Co!

Pink Paislee - have the most divine boys collection out! Seriously cool papers. Ones that you could use over and over. And for BOYS! Its called Fetching and its just that! Its so easy to create gorgeous girl LO's projects when there is so much pink and pretty around, but I've always found boys more difficult. I can't wait to see this IRL!

And then I saw their 'Fascinating' range and thought....hmmmmm, love this too!

Also saw the first sneak peek from Hambly. Butterflies. Ahhhhhh, lovely!

Ok, ok, so I don't normally do this kinda thing, but just had to have a wee sing out cause I love shiny new stuff. Just ask Andy ;)

T

Last day

Today was the last day for Matt and Sarah at their daycare. Wow. Such a wonderful place for them to grow and learn. To feel happy and safe. We were so lucky to have this place and they will profit from it for the rest of their lives.

At the end of the day today, they got to show everyone their 'memory books'. Books that are made by the teachers for each of the children to record things they do at daycare. They are then allowed to help the teacher read the last story before everyone leaves.

It was great to see them glowing about the different things they have done. To see them compare their hand prints from when they were 3 to now. Andy came too and he got as much from it as I did. Such a magical time for everyone.

And I have to admit, once it was all over and we were walking back to the car, I had a few tears. I know that I'll be going back again with Daniel. And I'm sure M&S will come when its school holidays for drop offs etc, but it really is the end of something old and the beginning of something new for them.

Because my back was sore, I asked Linn to make a cake to take for lunch. She did that with Daniel and then together we all decorated it.

 

Sarah said it was 'just exactly what she wanted', which from her is high praise! It was really cool to be able to do this for them.

I also got a photo of the two of them with their teachers

I've managed to do some scrapping too.

  (The photograph I've used was taken by Fiona Pierson at the kids daycare)

 

I decided that I'd do another LO being 'frugal'. LOL. The backing of this LO is from the package of a Prima transparency. I cut it down to 12x12 and tada. A great piece of cardstock.

I then used the plastic bag that the transparency was in as a ribbon and scrunched it up and laid it across the bottom of the photo, then stitched it on.

Do you remember the photo I had of the 'stuff' on my desk (last post?) Hmmm, quite a different end product huh?! LOL! Always the way. But fun to see the progression.

So all in all, today has been pretty productive.

Now just crossing fingers that my back is better for tomorrow.

Later.

Sore back

I have got such a sore back. Crazy considering I haven't done anything to it. Often the way huh?!

Started yesterday but worse today. Voltaren not helping. Will try and see a physio/osteo asap. Maybe that will help.

So not here too long.

But just a couple of things.....

I watched the inauguration of President Obama live yesterday morning. Then had much of the parade on for the rest of the day. It made my heart sing. The way he smiles, the way he speaks, the way he acknowledges people. He looks so noble, but also real - like when there was the stumble in his oath. I know he's only human, but by golly its exciting.

I particularly loved seeing his youngest daughter do little half skips as she came out of the white house holding her Daddy's hand going into the viewing box for the parade.

Such a wonderful historical day.

Ok, so today I have these bits and pieces on my desk.....

I'm hoping to make them into a LO. We'll see. I've been told that its not good to go to bed with a bad back, but to keep it active, so that's the plan. We'll see how long I last.

Oh, and yesterday I was told by Matt I was a 'pretty good' Mum. I asked him if I was a GREAT Mum or just a 'pretty good' Mum and he replied 'Pretty good'. ROFL! I wonder what makes a great Mum?

Have a great day!

T

Lookee here

Top left corner - my girl!

Yesterday I sent a couple of photos into the NZ Herald for their summer photo competition.

This morning I got a phone call from Andy on his way to work to go check out the back page of the paper. And there it was. A photo of Sarah. His brother had seen it and rung Andy who rang me. LOL.

You can't see it so well here, but her goggles are half full of water. She thought that was really funny and wanted a photo. My friend Lucy was there at the time and we both giggled and giggled when we saw the photo on the back of the camera. Too cute.

Matt has very proudly taken the back page of the paper off to daycare today to show for news (second to last day today!).

Anyway, just had to share.

Have a good one.

Gosh I'm excited

As I head to bed tonight, I know I will awake to a new world tomorrow. Or at least the promise of one.

I know that one man alone can't stop the recession which is hitting the countries around the world, but the hope and the belief that this man brings is astounding.

I am proud to be getting up early tomorrow morning to watch history being made with President elect Barack Obama being sworn into government in USA.

What an incredible moment, an incredible day. I wonder who would have thought this could ever happen just 50 years ago?

To those that fought for such freedom. I thank you.

One of the joys Scrapbooking has brought to my life....

Friends whose children become friends with my children.

Today we were lucky enough to have a visit from Vicky and her gorgeous boys. Gosh they are a wonderful family. I count myself blessed to have found many friends through scrapbooking and it was so neat to spend the day with one of them today.

Here's a couple of quirky things my kids have been saying lately:

Linn to Sarah the other day: What are you going to be when you grow up Sarah?

Sarah: A scrapbooker. Just like Mummy.

(This conversation was repeated today with Vicky! So cute!).

Matt: Dancing in the heavy downpour today singing: "I'm dancing in the rain, just dancing in the rain, what a beautiful feeling to be dancing in the rain".

He was singing at the top of his voice, with his arms stretched wide just reveling in the sudden heavy rain drops that appeared from no where. I smiled for a long time after that!

Daniel: Pulling at my hand....'follow me, follow me'. Leading me nowhere in particular just wanting me to follow him around.

Daniel (who is very much a 'daddy's boy' at the moment): replying to my request to say Hi Mummy. Looks at me sideways, then grins at his dad and says "Hi Daddy".

Yep, my kids sure are characters. As are most kids their ages. Just love it.

Ok, off now. Have a great night.

T

A LO share and some pics

Finally got some photos to add to my blog! All that writing gets a bit boring huh?! LOL.

So here is a LO I finished yesterday. I saw the Prima 'Frugal Scrapper' competition and thought why not? For me it was about doing something for me. Doing something fun and different.

I've decided to take the full picture down. Simply because it might be interpreted the wrong way. I love my boy and how he loves life to the fullest, and thus the reason for the page I created. I want to remember that and I want him to know that we are proud of him, especially when he does what he loves. Am leaving the close ups though. Hey, they look pretty cool. LOL!

   

You have to use a part of their packaging on your LO. I got a 'Say it in Crystals' packet, and chopped the front header off to use as the name tag. I covered the logo that was on it with pp so it could be used for the name.

I then used the back of the card. I punched out the little white circles on the back and added beads to scatter across the LO. I then inked the rest of that piece of packaging and put it under the left side of the photo, filling the punched holes with some more beaded circles.

The PP I used is all (bar the yellow journaling spot) from previous projects, as is the half flower on the name tag.

It was a fun challenge. I'd recommend anyone give it a go!

Not too impressed by the rain today. We had a great day lined up. Might not go ahead as planned. Will have to see.

Yesterday however, was another goodie! We dug up some potatoes. Was great fun and very rewarding!

 

There was a wide range of sizes, from teeny tiny to bigger than my fist. Very cool.

Have you heard the news about Fiskars? They are going back to basics. ie. they will stop making and distributing consumables (paper, stickers, rubons etc) and concentrate on their original core business the tools. I think its a great move for Fiskars. But of course will miss their cool paper lines. You can find out more here

I can hear Sarah and Andy in the kitchen using her new 'Fairy Cookbook'. Must go and help (isn't that what taking photos is?).

Have a great Sunday.

Vaccination time

My two poor kiddies went through an "awful" time this afternoon. It was time for their 5 year old vacinations and they didn't like it.

Matt volunteered to go first, even after being told what was going to happen and then tried to swat the needle away. Jeepers, how'd he get that hand out?

He screamed blue murder when the needle went in and didn't stop until the jelly bean jar came out.

He did keep very still though and was rewarded with a sticker for that too.

Sarah started crying as soon as Matt started, and didn't stop until after she got her jelly beans. She really felt the effects of it, and called me a 'mean Mummy'.

I said I would never do anything awful to them. And she screamed at me "but it was AWFUL". I really stuffed up the wording of that comment!

She is now telling me she's never going back to the doctors again!

But they were rewarded with an icecream as well and have gone to bed none the worse for wear. Whew.

And miracle of the day was the plane in USA. WOWEE. If you were ever going to be on a plane crash, thats the one you'd want to be on huh?! What an amazing pilot to get the plane grounded without hitting any buildings, and no one dying. I even heard reports that he went through the plane twice looking for people before getting off. Huge kudos to that man!

And miracle for me....I've been going through a bit of a rough time coming to grips with something thats been on my mind since late last year. I finally put it to rest yesterday. It has been making me incredibly sad, but I'm pleased and relieved that I can try and move on now. One day down, how many more to go?

Also finished a bunch of LO's/projects for things coming up. Approx 10 all up. Sorry can't share yet, but will asap. Feels good to think that the next time I scrap I'll be doing it for myself. hehehe.

Ok, its late. I'm off. Have a good one.

Later.

PS: did you see Simple Scrapbooks are shutting down. They are amalgamating with CK. Wow.

Thoughts running around my head

Yesterday morning after dropping the kids at daycare, I went for a walk. It was a stunning day. Much like today. Clear blue skies, sun shining, beautifully warm. There were a few people out and about. A child on a bike, a women walking to the beach and an old man wandering across the reserve. As I passed him I said 'Good morning' and he replied. 'yes a beautiful day'. We had a little bit of conversation as you do when passing by people, before he finished with, "pity the worlds gone crazy".

That random comment had me thinking all day long. But particularly on the rest of my walk. As I realised there are people in countries getting bombed. Children growing up with fear as their main emotion. They will never know the freedom of going out and not having to worry about bombs dropping. Wondering where they can hide. Running in fields behind butterflies is out, cause there might be mines.

Then there was the talk of the rental car guy charging the family of the two brothers who died when part of a glacier crashed down on them. Or the Turkish man in Invercargill asking some Israeli women to leave his shop in protest over the bombing in Israel/Gazza.

What is it about us humans that do this to each other? Really what can it matter? Is someone elses opinion/feelings really so much less important than our own that we would hurt or maim that person to get our own way/confirm the way we feel/believe?

And it doesn't even have to be that 'big'. It can be simple little things like road rage on the Auckland roads. Or a disagreement with a friend. We as humans have really become so intolerant of people, thoughts, ideas that don't fit in with our own. I'm guilty of it too. But seeing it so clearly yesterday and this morning has made me feel sad. And asking what can I do to help? What can we do?

I have recently offered my time to volunteer somewhere. It may or may not come off, but its a little step in the right direction.

Last year I talked about paying it forward as a way of making our contribution to balancing the craziness in this world. So I wanted to challenge you to do it again. Maybe even more than once. Smile at someone you don't know 'just cause'. Send a card to a friend you know is feeling stressed. Take around some baking to another friend who's hubby is away. Send an email to a friend to say how much you value their friendship. Invite a friend over to hang out. Pay someones parking meter that you notice has ticked over time. Pay for the person behind you at a toll bridge.

I don't know? There are so many ways we can make someones day a little brighter. It just needs a little creative thinking.

What I do know is that these little actions are like ripples in a pond. They start small and keep growing.

So I wanna dare you to do it. And more than that, I'd love to hear your ideas so I can used them myself next time I'm wanting to 'pay it forward'.

Go on dare ya!

Bits and pieces

Starting off with a cool find today. Yep, was in Spotlight for some fabric and came across this little (or should I say big?) beauty.

 

Check out how big it is! I'm not going to need another for a long time! yay!

Another yay - from a friend across in Aussie - hi Shirley! - She gave me the following award on her blog.

 

"This award is given to a blog that invests and believes in PROXIMITY - nearness in space, time and relationships! These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind of bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers!"

I was truely grateful and blown away that she awarded me with this. Shirley you made my day. Now hopefully I can make a couple of others......

Donna

Vicky

Andrea

Evana

Ok, and this is where I get stuck. I could name 30 more people without even thinking. I have been lucky enough to meet some wonderful people through blogs and scrapping, but I'm gonna leave it here in case I miss someone. Lets just say that I treasure and admire all the blogs I read.

Ok, what else? Daycare started again today. Boy I don't know who was more relieved me or the kids? LOL. They had such a wonderful day. Came out with so much chatter. Before they went Matt was really into working out how many more days they had there before school. We were both surprised when we worked it out as only 5. So today being over means just 4 more. I'm incredibly sad about it. And more than a little grateful that Dan is still going there so its not such a big 'goodbye'.

We spent the afternoon in the neighbours pool. Was great fun. They even had me doing some 'canon balls' (bombs!). OMG! Not a pretty sight. LOL.

For dinner Dan and I went into the garden and picked beans, peas, tomatoes, & cucumber for the vege bit.

Then Sarah and I went back out to collect strawberries and blueberries for their desert.

It felt incredible to be able to do that.

On top of that, we got 5, yep FIVE eggs today. We are finally back on track. Yes. And we think we worked out another piece of the puzzle. Its not just that the mites are gone. We figure its the extra stuff we're putting in their water. Aha! Yep, we had a friends father over who farms chickens in England and he suggested we give them some extra herbs and vitamins. So I brought some, put it in their water and they look so much healthier. Their little combs are standing up better and are so much redder. Yay!

And talking of animals. We may give Dan another name.....squirrel. He seems to get into bed, then gather things around him into his bed before going to sleep. When we go in to kiss him goodnight. He has a variety of weird and wonderful things beside and around him. Usually the clothes from his draws. But lately books too. Tonight its wipes. Sigh. LOL!

Alrighty, I think that's enough for now. Luv ya and leave ya.

Have a good Thurs.

T

PS: We are thinking we might have a painting party and actually keep those images from the other day on the wall, plus add others. I know, not what you would normally do. And we're not sure if we will. But could be lots of fun!

PPS: Anyone in the RAK group, just to let you know the list was sent out on Sunday morning. If you don't have it, can you please let me know and/or check your spam folders? For some reason my emails are still playing up.

Later!

The diary of Anne Frank

Did anyone watch this on TV1 last night? I kinda got hooked into it before I knew what was going on. I have previously read the book, and have even been to the very annexe in Amersterdam. I remember standing there and thinking how on earth did they do it? It was incredible how small it was. And as I sat there watching the movie I became sad that there are people in the world both from the past, currently and I imagine the future, who will or do torture, kill and destroy because of race. I just can't understand it. It was a reminder of just how quickly things can change.

So today we did a heap of things in the morning. I read heaps of books to the kids, we made cards for Granny (very industrious!), we walked up the road and posted them. We made marshmellow/chocolate/banana lollie snowmen and ate them for morning tea. It was a good morning.

 

Which very quickly turned around when I walked into the kids playroom and found this...

 

Full size pictures painted on the walls and windows of their playroom. Ok, so the photo is a shocker cause of the light from the windows, but you can see their 'artwork'. It was actually quite good. LOL.

So their 'make u up' box (which has all their craft items in it) has been moved out of the playroom. And they had to clean all the windows. I will clean the walls when I'm feeling a little less tired.

This afternoon we spent a couple of hours in the pool next door with Donna and her children. It was nice to be able to cool off! The kids are now so confident in water its scary! But a great way to spend the afternoon! 

I have to admit the kids are totally ready for school and have been pushing every boundary in every direction, so while I love them to bits, I'm also looking forward to the time when daycare starts up again. Wednesday... its only a couple of days away.

Ok, watching 'The Lake House' now. Between this, scrapping, making a cup of tea, watching the day turn to night. Have a good one.

T

PS: We got another bantam egg today! Yeah!

Finally something to share.

I had the chance to scrap today and decided I'd do something for me. I didn't want to have to think too hard. Or design anything. I just wanted to put one piece of coloured paper together with another. LOL.

I remembered the sketch that I saw in the Prima newsletter so decided that would be perfect. I even had a heap of Prima on my desk from some other LO's I'd just finished, so it was quick to put together. LOL.

Here's the sketch:

And my take on it.....

 

You can see I've twisted the sketch to its right and then used it pretty much as is - swapping some paper areas for photos.

And for the first time in agggggeeeeeessss I had to photograph it. Usually I scan my LO's but this one was just way to dimensional.

I've now gotta clean up my scrap desk. I've done about 5 LO's without cleaning up. Eeeeek and it really needs to be sorted, materials lists written out etc. So thats my job tonight.

Chicken news: A couple of weeks back I mentioned how they had mites. Well the action we took to get rid of them worked (big yay!) and today for the first time since then, we got a bantam egg. Whew. I was starting to think they were never going to lay again.

Yesterday we had a family get together on Andy's side of the family. It was lovely. I got to meet some people I've heard about many times, but not met. Always a good thing! And we all agreed it would be nice to try and get more of the McClunes together as a yearly 'thing'. So hopefully mid 2009 it will all come together.

Alrighty, gonna go attack that desk of mine. If I get enough of it cleaned up, I might just get a bit more scrapping time.

T

Saturday Sketch Day?

I've been taking a little holiday from sketches and thought I'd let you know that I'll be back into them in Feb.

In the meantime thought I'd share a LO I did for Maursie in Australia. She bid on an auction via the Fiskars blog to win a LO made by me for her, with her own photos.

This is what I created:

 

Materials List:

Fiskars Heidi Grace papers - Sunrise Smoothie range

Fiskars Punch - Threading water

Other: Prima Crystals, buttons, beads, ink, Basic Grey metal frame

I deliberately left it quite simple so the photos stood out. There were a lot of them, so it seemed to suit a double LO even though I'm a little scared of them now. LOL! Actually they are fine. I just don't seem to do them anymore. It was a nice change!

I've also left room for some journaling on the left hand side for Maursie to tell her sons story.

Changing the subject, if you're after a good story that is easy to read check out "The Wild Colonial Girl" by Ann Clancy. My Mum gave it to me for Xmas and I read it over the last couple of days. It was about Australia when it was getting settled, the gold rush etc. Was a good easy read.

And thanks to my sis Vonny for having my kids yesterday and last night. I really appreciated it and wanted to say "You Rock!".

Have a good Sat.