Living my dream

SENZ

I believe SENZ class details have opened up to those who have brought the early bird tickets???

How exciting! I can't wait to share with you what I'm teaching, just as soon as I can.

Hamilton. Here I come!

Scrapfest by the sea

It's here.

I sincerely hope you'll join us for an incredible weekend of fun & scrapping in a luxury venue.

Can't wait! 

PS: we'd love to see you on Facebook, ask to join our group 'Scrapfest by the sea'.

RAK Winner

Thanks for all your comments and interest in our exciting event next year. I've been talking with a couple of people today regarding teaching and can't wait to confirm what's going on so I can let you know.

But again, I'm getting ahead of myself.

Tomorrow is the day we will be announcing it 'for real'. So keep an eye here, on facebook and of course with Lyn Jordan on her blog too.

So who won the rak?

I did a random number generator and came up with this number:

True Random Number Generator Min: Max: Result: 26

That makes our winner SAM!

Sounds very exciting. Might have to keep a close eye on grab a seat for some flight specials.

Posted by: Sam | May 29, 2012 at 11:41 AM

And Sam, just quietly, I'd definitely keep your eye on some cheap flights. Will be worth it! Grin.

Sam, can you email me with your address and I'll get this rak off to you asap. CONGRATS!

Thanks.

Card day at Prima - a tutorial

Ok, so this feature was on the Prima blog a few days ago, but thought I'd show you what and how I created my card for this month...

A beautifully simple card, that looks tricky!

In fact, lets have a little tutorial?!

Ok, so to make these shaped cards is pretty simple. All you need to do is cut the card to the shape you want. I do this by using a die cut. In this instance Spellbinders Labels 5

Pop the card through your die cutting machine, with the die above the fold (so it doesn't cut through the fold).

Then cut a second piece of paper in the same size/shape/die and this becomes your base that will be attached to the card itself.

Once you have the base, you can start working on the decorations.

In this instance, I wanted to use a large Spellbinders butterfly die. So I cut that out in a similar but different colour - this gives it more definition against the background.

Next, I added a large flower behind the butterfly. However, I felt it was too much of the same colour tones, so decided to cut a scallop in a complimentary colour (which also happened to be on the butterfly) to put between the base and flower. It worked a treat.

Before I could put it all together though, I decided to stitch around the edge of the base paper. I wasn't sure how it would work as I haven't stitched around something so small with so many corners, but it was ok. Just take your time, and go slowly.

I also used a smaller butterfly (also cut from a die, or use a punch), a transparency, an alphabet and a small flower.

So we've got all the bits and pieces cut, lets start putting it together and layering it up.....

1. Adhere your scalloped paper to the middle of the card.

2. Adhere the large flower to the middle of the scallop.

3. Adhere your large butterfly to the middle of the flower (in this case I had to remove a pearl from the flower to successfully do this).

4. Adhere your small butterfly to the middle of the large butterfly.
5. Adhere a small flower to the small butterfly.

6. As this is a very dimensional card, it was always going to be hard to attach a greeting. So I used my latest favourite technique - transparencies. I cut a piece that would go across the card, added my sentiment, then attached it to the base using staples.

7. Cut the edges of the transparency to fit the design of the card.

8. Adhere your base paper to your card. Ensure the edges are matched up so it doesn't look like an extra piece.

And you are done!

Family photos - Vicky Gibson Photography

Yesterday my good friend Vicky came over to our place to take some family photos.

She has been taking photos professionally for a while, but is really starting to take it that next step. I was extremely excited to try her package that includes spending a few hours with us taking 'normal, everyday' shots.

Vicky loves to capture what's really going on in a family. The shots that make you clutch your heart and go wow, that's so us.

And yesterday she did that for us. She's already sent me a few photos and I want to share them with you.

I shared this one on FB last night as soon as I saw it. I just think it captures us as a family so perfectly. It's a great shot. Natural and us.

Andy standing strong, the man of the house, and also relaxed, comfortable. Sarah, being so earnest. Paying attention to whats going on around her. Dan the 'class clown'. So him. Me being a Mum. Talking to the kids. Matt, who is going through big changes right now, this fits him perfectly. He is part of the family, but watching alot right now. Seeing where he fits in, what's going on. Coming forward when he wants to and feels comfortable.

This next one captures the quiet side of Dan....

He loves his chicken Blah, and he LOVES his garden. We watched as he took Blah out of their area, and popped her on top of the stick in his garden to be near him. Then he went searching for some beans. Seeing if his vines were producing yet. Vicky saw it too and captured this perfect shot. I just can't believe how much this shot touches me. It's so Dan. So our little boy.

The same goes for this shot. Look at the catch light in Matts eyes. The love in his expression. And look at how he and the bird (our new araucana Mullet) have the same sort of expression. Too funny! Matt is fully relaxed. At ease and it shows in the photo.

And Sarah.

So beautiful. Showing her love to one of our new babies (meet Puffy). I don't have words for this one. Sarah, just doing her thing. Hanging out with the chooks. Just stunning.

I am really really looking forward to seeing what else Vicky captured in our day to day (it wasn't all chickens!).

If you want to see more of Vicky's stunning work, check out her Facebook page.

Rak from yesterday - picture

Just thought I'd share the picture of what is being given away in yesterdays post.

So what's there? A Prima clear stamp (it's a doily and it's gorgeous but I have one already so this one needs a new home!), some ZVA crystals, a Bo-Bunny puzzle album, a Prima headband, some random tags, and Pink Paislee buttons, a packet of Glitz paper layers and lastly a sheet of October Afternoon label stickers.

All of these items have been used in my classes and are 'left overs' so very much cool, loved products. You will enjoy them.

Just take a look at the previous post to see what it's all about.

Anyone up for a game?

Ok, so this was already planned before my spectacular trip and fall but obviously my brain shake has got me going so here's the deal.

A few days ago Lyn and I put up this picture.....

Since then, we've kept quiet. But there is madness in our method (gosh, there's just plan madness if you ask me! Grin).

And I've now added a little more information in my sidebar.....

See that bit to the side where it says 'Where I'm teaching'? Check it out.

Sounds interesting huh? So christmas, scrapping and a weekend.... I'm in.

So in the picture above, it gives you the name of our wonderful surprise (you'll have to have a good look, or be sneaky and scroll to the bottom)...

And the sidebar gives you our 'themed' details.

What we're doing today though is giving away a rak to celebrate something new coming to the South Island next year. Anyone who wants to win it, can leave us a comment. Here, on my FB page or The Scrapbook Stores blog (hmmmm, that's another clue as to who the collaborators of this new venture are! Lots of bits coming out today).

So leave us a comment and I'll draw a winner on Wed.

And just because we can, here's another wee clue that will be coming out next week sometime.

Another cake

Using Pinterest again, I decided to make another ombre cake. This time for the kids schools quizz night.

My friend Sarah is on the PTA and was the organiser and I offered to help. So spent a lot of the night running around 'helping'. It was a lot of fun. And I think all the parents who came along had a great time.

One of the things I offered to do was bake a cake.

Here's what I came up with...

Now, the photos were all taken at night, so are pretty bad, but I think  you get the idea...

I used a basic butter cake receipe for the cake itself, then created ombre colouring for the layers inside and the icing outside...

I'm really enjoying creating all these different variations on the cakes I'm making at the moment and my new small tins are my all time favourites.

One of the ladies who saw my cake said "Oh wow, it's just like the ones at Little and Friday". I was pretty touched by that. Even though I haven't been there, I hear it's an amazing cafe and so if any of my baking is even half of what they serve there, I'd be pretty happy.

I didn't get to bed til after 1am so am pretty tired today, so off to have a cup of tea with my feet up and my new book "Insurgent". Loving it!

Later.

 

Heytell

OMG, have you guys heard of HeyTell???

It's the coolest app ever. Now as you know I'm a technophobe, but it was sooooo darn easy to install and use!

It's like doing a text with your voice. They call it instant voice messaging. All you have to do is press the record button, say what you want to say, release the button and it sends your message off.

PERFECT for when you want to say a bit, but don't want to type it all out. Also perfect for when you're in a hurry and can't stop to talk, but can pass on a message.

And best of all, it's free!

I LOVE it. Now I just need more people on it so I can use it. Grin.

Tell me if you use it and what you think.

T

Little things, big things....

It's funny how big the little things become when you don't have a big thing to worry about.

Well tonight I had a big thing to worry about. My husband had a nasty reaction to a medicine he was given for a badly torn and bruised ankle (that's a whole other story!).

We went from having a laugh one minute to being on the phone to a nurse the next and him 'blacked out' in my car the following as I sped through red lights to get to the A&E department as soon as possible.

They quickly looked after him. A jab in the butt, thigh and arm. Plus lots of monitors on him watching what was happening.

After a couple of hours we were allowed to come back home. The rash had just about disappeared. He didn't need to throw up anymore and he was definitely awake!

The little things that I was worried about yesterday I soon realised just didn't matter. My husband and family do. How lucky am I that he is ok.

Big thanks to the wonderful doctor and nurses who looked after us. And our very cool neighbours who looked after our kids at no notice.

We are lucky indeed.

Some baking

I haven't done any 'special' baking in a while so offered to do something for the kids cross country tomorrow. I decided to give the House on the hill cookie moulds I've had sitting here since Feb a whirl.

I was surprised at how easy it was to make these work.

I used a wonderful sugar cookie receipe that Bakerella recommended from Bake at 350.  Bakerella also has a really good tutorial on how to make these cookies. It certainly made it so much easier for me.

Ok, so they're not perfect. But for a first go, I'm quite pleased with them. And Andy even said they tasted good. And that's the most important part, right?!

 

Something exciting is coming to the South.....

Scraplifting a Prima flower girl

Prima are doing a fabulous feature on their blog this May. All the DT who wanted to were given another DT member and asked to scraplift a LO of theirs.

How nerve racking, but exciting!

I was given Trudi Harrison as the person I was to scraplift. I spent ages going through her gallery and looking at all her beautiful creations. And I got wowed over and over again. She is a true talent!

This is the LO of hers I chose to scraplift.

And below is my version of it.

I thoroughly enjoyed creating this LO. I think it's a little different to my norm, but also very similar. So it suited me to a 't'. Grin.

I loved adding the double banner! I can see that happening again! Such a lovely wee embellishment to 'fill a gap' and add some interest in a LO.

And of course a ton of beautuful Prima flowers. Ahhhh. I'm in heaven.

If you want to see what some of the other ladies came up with just check out this post here and this one here and don't forget to keep checking the blog for more to come!

Mothers day LO for Prima.

Prima had a feature for mothers day last week and I created the following layout...

I wanted to record that being a mother isn't always easy. That it's just down right hard some days. And I thought this quote fitted that perfectly. So I made my LO based around that quote. Pity the journaling looks so crooked. LOL.

I added photos from the days all my children were born and then embellished a little.

I used the brand new We R Memory Keepers lucky 8 punch. Wow, is it cool or what?! It's created the vanilla coloured base with hearts in it.

As you can tell, I'm still in love with Prima's resin treasures. They are so perfect to add to any project. And so pretty. Sigh.

You may have noticed that I didn't say anything on or around mothers day. It was too hard for me. Unfortunately I don't have the type of relationship I would like with my own mother and for some reason it hit particularly hard this year. However, I hope that you all had wonderful days with your friends, family and mothers. Cherish what you have. It is a wonderful thing!

Girls and growing up

Today it's photo day at school. Individual photos, class photos, group photos. I signed up my children and paid. Thinking that was that.

How silly of me.

Yesterday I heard Sarah muttering something about having her hair straightened. But didn't think anything of it. Until this morning when she asked me ever so nicely if she could have her hair straightened for the photos.

I intially said yes. Then as I sat there thought how it wouldn't be a record of how we see her everyday going off to school. So I explained that to her and offered her to have her hair straightened another day, and no today she would have her hair in a ponytail as 'normal'. She got upset. Obviously. And I understand. I had changed my mind.

Then she came and saw me and explained that all the girls were having their hair done this way and she'd feel left out.

I told her I'd speak with Andy and come back to her.

Andy was as he always is, very wise. He told me that we take photos of the kids just about every day. That she wants to look after herself and make herself feel good. So why not let her? I (reluctantly) agreed.

We spent some time straightening her hair, then pulling half of it back. She looked gorgeous. And was SOOOOOOO happy. She bounced around the house the rest of the morning.

But the whole time all I could think about was 'she's only 8! EIGHT!!! Really? Does it matter that much at 8? Where has my little girl gone?'

And do you want to know the answer I came up with?

She's gone into this beautiful young girl who is making her own decisions and choosing the way she wants to be seen.

And I am so proud of her.