Living my dream

A mish mash of what's going on in my mind

I haven't been here to my blog in a few days. Lots has been going on. But nothing too. You know, the norm. But my brain has been on overload. Dealing with all the new information it's given. Wondering, pondering, working out, and also failing to work out things. Grin.

Where do I start?

The kids....we had parent/teacher interviews today. They went brilliantly. We are lucky to have 3 kids who are dedicated to their learning and really love school, their teachers and what they do each day. I feel lucky that while our school has it's issues (don't they all?!), most of the time, it's a place where I feel safe leaving my children to learn and grow.

This time round Matt got a 'B' for effort in his maths work. When telling him, he was most  agrieved. Maths is his most favourite subject and he is in the excelleration group. He couldn't figure it out. We tried to explain, but were met with hystrionics as he thought we were telling him he wasn't trying hard enough. So we left it for today to explain a bit better. He finally understood when I said your teacher knows that you are more clever than your work is showing right now. Do you think you're trying as hard as you could? He looked at me with a sheepish grin and said 'no'. We got through.

I left each of them books on their bed as a wee congratulation present for their excellent reports. Sarah's is called 'Nobody's perfect'. She has this thought that she has to be perfect. And if not, then well, that's just not acceptable. Wonder where she gets that from?! She read it in just half an hour or so. I asked her if she liked it. She said 'so-so'. I then asked her what she did like. "It was interesting". Well, that was good! Then I asked what she didn't like? "That I'm not perfect". ROFL! I love it. The message got through and in a humerous way.

SENZ: Once again at class time I have product all over my lounge. I got the question today....'when is this over T?'. LOL.

I seem to have ordered more than I need. Which is good and bad. Good cause I might have a chance to make up some kits to sell after SENZ (brand new, different classes) and bad, cause well, do I have time to do that? Let me know what you think......

Bring lists are up on the SENZ site for some of my classes. More will be hopefully by the end of the week. I'll put them up here asap.

Today I was looking for photos for my multiphoto class. I started off looking at birthday photos. I found this one from Dan's 3rd birthday. Just adore it.

Health.... just as I'm getting over my whiplash, I put my back out. ARGH! I'm falling apart. I'm now having physio on that. At least I can move today. But no bootcamp for the rest of the week.

Aussie.....tomorrow is Uncle Warwicks funeral. I decided not to go. I wish I could be there, but realistically, it wasn't going to happen. My thoughts have been with Dad all week as he deals with everything and the loss of his big brother. We had a lovely talk on Monday, and it brought up so many different feelings. From those surrounding loss to how siblings are and so often regress to their childhood ways of behaving when they don't have an alternative.

It also brought up so many questions about what this life is really all about, why are we here, what happens when we die, how should we live our lives, you know, just the everyday simple things.....Grin. I have my base beliefs. Chritianity grounds me in those. But it's the everyday things that have really got me thinking. And how we deviate from those when we don't mean to. How frustrating things can be. How we get side tracked by others around us when we need to just keep looking ahead at our own goals.

One thing that keeps bringing me back to myself, is that I believe there is room in this world for everyone. NZ may seem like a small place, and it is, but so is the world! And there is still room for us all. The underhand tactics that I see politicians use, are in fact used by everyday people in every industry, in every part of the world. Why? Really? I don't get it. There is room for us all if we just concentrate on what we ourselves are wanting/doing/hoping for/being.

A few things have left me feeling down lately. Not horrible, just flat. You know? I've had to tell myself not to worry about those whose actions have allowed the doubt to creep in. But to keep being strong in my own beliefs. It's been an interesting realisation. I hope I can stay true to myself.

Well, I haven't even got the half of what I thought I would down here. But it's just started to pour down outside and I want to go and listen to the rain on the roof.

In the meantime I'm going to leave this picture of my treasures. Taken again on Dan's 3rd birthday. I am lucky indeed.

A birthday cake

Today we shared some time with Pene to say happy birthday. Pene is my step mother. Dad has been in Australia so she didn't have him close. Dad has been over there looking after his brother (my uncle) and his wife as they were both very sick. Val died a couple of weeks ago and uncle Warwick today. My thoughts and hugs go out to Dad as he copes with the change this brings.

While Dad was coping with today's sadness, we were sharing a lunch with Pene. It gave me another chance to try out some cake decorating. And we all know how much I love to do that!

The cake I made was the same one I made last week. And I've got to say it's become a fast favourite. It's sooooo darn easy to make too.

This time I tried a new technique. Chocolate slab sides. I'm sure the technique has got a proper name, but I don't know it!

You just melt the chocolate, spread it out on some baking paper, wait for it to set a little bit, then cut before it sets too hard and becomes brittle. Then pop the chocolate in the fridge to set properly.

Then once the cake is iced, you just pop it on the sides. Of course being my first try, I had forgotten that the measurements would change after the cake was iced! Silly! So I had gaps at each corner and the bottom, so I decided to make the most of that and add a bit of extra decoration, and to be honest, think it turned out splendidly.

I made a ton of roses. 24 for around the edges, then another few for the middle. My roses still leave a lot to be desired! Oh dear! I think my icing is too stiff still. Instead of nice clean edges, they are a bit 'ruffled', but that's ok. They still look quite similar to roses. Sort of. LOL.

I thought since it's become such a fast favourite that I just had to share the receipe with you.... Check it out here.

Dad our thoughts go out to you today. I know how hard these last few weeks have been for you, but I also know how special it's been to spend this time with Uncle Warwick. Hugs.

Motat

The other day the twins class went to M.O.T.A.T (Museum of transport and technology). I went with them as a parent helper.

It was a fascinating day. The kids were so into it and I learnt a heap. I have to admit to not really looking forward to it. I have been really busy and it was just another day that I couldn't do my normal things. I also thought I'd be bored.

As a child, I got bored with Motat. There is one particular photo of me on an old fire engine with the most sulky look on my face. I obviously didn't want to be there. Such a change from the kids on this class trip.

One of the places they found particularly interesting was the schoolhouse. Sitting at the desks, reading the rules on the board (they checked fingernails every morning!). Girls had to sit with their knees together and boys had to wear hats, but not inside!

The teachers had rules too...

I had to laugh at this! Especially as the twins teacher was wearing a turquoise leather jacket - bright colour! They all thought it was very funny and couldn't wait to tell her all about it. Seems she broke a few of the rules of old.

This particular notice found at the back of the school on the notice board really hit home for me at how lucky we are now. Sarah also found it very offensive (thankfully!).

It, along with the other things we saw that day reminded me how lucky we are to live now. To have a shower, we just turn on the water. It comes out of taps into our home, WARM!

To get warm or cool, we flick a switch. To cook dinner the same. And washing, well that's particularly easy nowadays. Things that would take all day in days gone by, take us half an hour or less.

It got me thinking about time. About what we do now vs what people did then. About how we all feel so rushed. Its no wonder. I mean looking back at time and what is built into our genes, we are used to taking things slowly. Cutting wood, building a fire to heat water to wash clothes. It wasn't a quick thing. It took ALL day. Yet now we're fitting that in amongst the other billion things we 'have' to do each day.

One of the other Mums and I got talking about her aunt who lives in Croatia. She lives in a little village and is the only one who has a phone in the village. If someone wants to speak with someone in the village, they call her aunt. Whoever answers the phone, steps outside and hollers for the person required. 5 mins later, they toddle on up to the house and have a conversation. After the phone call is finished, they stay and chat for a while, having a drink or something to eat.

The path in the village goes by everyones house. If someone goes to the 'shops', they walk past each house seeing if anyone wants anything.

They sound like they work as a large family.

It sounds beautiful.

They sound like people who take the time to know one another. Who care about the people that they share the world with.

I'm sure there are issues they have with each other, but by the sounds of it, it doesn't happen often as they have to live with each other. They have to make it work.

A bit like that 'saying' I've been seeing on facebook. It goes something like this....

A couple celebrating their 60th anniversary are asked what their secret to a good marriage it. The wife answers.... we were born in the day when if things were broken we fixed them, not threw them away.

Makes you think huh?!

Now if someone annoys us, we just stop emailing them or defriend them on facebook. We can easily avoid them by taking another entrance at the shops or waiting somewhere new to collect our kids after school. The other person doesn't have a chance. You never work it out. One day you are friends, the next you're not.

Sometimes you may even know what went wrong, but no one takes the step to fix it. It's too hard.

It makes me sad for what we have lost as a human race.

Anyway, getting all a bit deep and meaningful. Don't worry, nothing new here. No gossip to spread. Grin. The trip just really got me thinking. And I loved it for that. I loved being grateful for being alive now when women have a much more even playing field to work on. Where we can turn on a tap and have a shower. Where dinner can turn up 30 minutes after making a phone call.

I wonder if one day in the future. People look back at our time and think the same thing?

My first scrapbooking online video

I've been meaning to do some tutorials for so long I can't even remember when I first started to think about it. LOL. So to get me started, I created the following video of a journal I made yesterday following instructions by Stephanie Miller in one of her videos on her blog.

Stephanie is a new Prima Educator, just like me and her journal is just divine. It really got me inspired. And my version only took maybe an hour all up to create.

If you're after something quick and easy, that looks hard (grin!), then give Stephanie's journal a go.

In the meantime, here's a look at my version.....

 

Be on the look out right here for more online videos, I'll be creating tutorials starting soon!

For now, please go easy on me in my first vid. Grin.

Last cake from Milly's Kitchen - Wilton cake course

I have still got so much to learn, and I'm so amateurish, but it was so much fun creating all those roses and things for this cake.

I have to admit the colours are a bit wrong. Yellow and green? What was I thinking? I should've perhaps done something else? But that's ok. There will always be a next time.

So my four week course is over. Thinking perhaps of doing part two or three later in the year? But it's quite stressful getting all that icing prepared each week, so maybe not just yet. LOL.

Thrilled to still be part of the Prima team

Prima announced it's new DT earlier this week. What an amazing team it is! I can't wait to see what they come up with this year.

I must admit I was incredibly sad to have my time with them end as I've had the time of my life working with them for the last two years. But change is a good thing and the good news is this....I'm not really leaving, just changing roles. Grin. I am incredibly lucky and will still be part of the Prima family. This coming year I'll be working as part of the Prima Educator team. Whaaaahoooooo!!!

What does this mean?

For me? Well, I get to play with beautiful Prima goodies for another year. I get to teach with their product and I get to be part of the Prima family for another year. I am lucky indeed!!!

What does this mean for you? It means I'm going to be teaching (hopefully) more. Tutorials on the educator blog. Actual live classes and maybe even classes online.

So if you want to see me at your local shop, get in touch with either me, or Prima. Let's see if we can sort something out.

And don't forget to keep an eye on my blog right here, or the Prima Educator blog. There is lots of cool stuff coming up and I look forward to sharing my first video tutorial soon!

Cakes never go to waste

For a while now my friend Mandy has been teasing me about making her a cake or something for when she comes up. So to surprise her, I did....

At the last decorating evening I discovered how to use one of the new decorating nozzles I own.  So I decided that I would try to create something using it for Mandy.

And of course I had to add a little edible glitter!

Unfortunately Mandy is sick and couldn't make it! However, a cake can never go to waste... There is always someone that needs a cake. And so I took it next door to our neighbour whose husband is in hospital. Thought it might cheer her up.

So Mandy, next time you're up this way, I owe you a cake!

In the meantime, get well my friend! We miss you this weekend! 

Spellbinders blog post

I've got another blog post up on the Spellbinders blog.

All about weddings.

Come and visit me and the team here.

In the meantime here's a little sneak of what you'll see over there.

Cake decorating class 3

Had our 3rd class last night and it was all about different nozzles and what they can do. We learnt a few things, but I have to say my favourite new nozzle is Wilton 233 - the one that makes grass.

Here's what I finished up with last night (well actually a few are missing....lunch boxes....and..)

I love those little monsters. I also love the grass and I love the little sugar flowers I made! OMG, I'm so happy I'm doing this course.

Here's a close up of each cupcake.

 Uses tip 2D. Lots of big stars close together, makes it look like one big flower.

Love the little slug up on top of the icing. Cute.

Monsters were a theme of the night. I think this one is really cute!

And another monster.

But I think this is my all time favourite. I even made those little sugar flowers. So stoked. I've been buying them. But from now on? I'm going to make them. Yay!

So much fun.

Clothing swap

Thought anyone in Auckland might be interested in this. What a great idea. Bring along 10 items, pay $10 and get to take away 10 items. They could be childrens, mens, womens, shoes, whatever. Swap it over, get some new clothes. LOVE it.

And for me the best part is the charity at the end. Cause in these things there's always something left over. And this time, it's getting donated to Hospice. A very worthy cause.

A video collage by Vicky Gibson Photography

A McClune Sunday Morning from Vicky Gibson on Vimeo.

I do not have the words to thank Vicky for this incredible look into our lives. She has captured us all perfectly. Not only as a family, but as individuals living together.

Each photo has captured the essence of that moment. Each memory will be kept forever (and yes, Dan is soooooo in trouble for that much sugar on his pancakes! LOL).

I really don't know what else to say except thank you Vicky, from the bottom of my heart.

If you want to find out more about what Vicky does, check out Vicky's facebook page.

Evening the playing field

Since we released details of our event Scrapfest by the sea, we've been inundated with interest. We've been sending out registration forms thankful for all of you who want to come along. Thank you guys!

After we receive your registration, we send you out another wee something. We call it our 'nitty gritty' form. It gives you more information about the event that you might find helpful. Things like if you need special food, how we will pick you up at the airport. Little, but important, nice things. It also gives you information about things we need, like bank details.

Part of this form tells you about something very special, and we think unique to Scrapfest by the sea. We suddenly realised that not everyone is on the same playing field when getting this information. So we decided to tell you about our special offer now. Giving anyone who could be interested in this, the knowledge of it. Here it is.....

Scrapfest by the sea Tutor reveal

To say we are excited about the tutors we have lined up for Scrapfest by the sea would be an understatement.

Both Karola and Lowri are talented beyond words. Each of them different. Each of them unique. From Karola's romance to Lowri's boldness, Karola's whimsy to Lowri's linear. The two of them compliment each other perfectly. Throw into the mix myself and you can see there will be a class the pefect fit for everyone. 

We have already started talking classes and are excitedly thinking up fun and interesting ways we can intrique you. We're thinking mini albums, OTP projects, and of course LO's. Product will be coming from lots of different companies, but I think it's safe to say there will be some Prima shining through.

I'm so excited about the whole concept of what we're doing that I almost wish it was this August. But there is so much to organise, I know it's good we've got a bit more time.

Please visit our tutors blog and of course our facebook page to say hi and welcome them to Scrapfest by the sea!

Lowri: http://www.papervinenz.com/

Karola: http://karolakraftuje.blogspot.co.nz/

Scrapfest by the sea - Tutors

That got you going didn't it?! Grin.

Sorry to excite you just yet.

But we wanted to let you know that you should keep an eye on our facebook page tomorrow for a game that we'll be playing to guess who our tutors are.

No, no annoucement just yet, but there will be a prize and at the end of it you will know who they are.

Can't be much better than that, right?!

If you're not part of our group - Scrapfest by the sea, please let me know and I'll join you up, otherwise feel free to invite your friends.

Week 2 cake decorating course

I went to week two of the basic cake decorating course at Milly's last night. I had to prepare a cake, a design for the top and some icing to take.

I decided to do another of my tall cakes. Hmmmm, perhaps I should've started smaller. Then I might have had a chance to get the sides 'perfect'. 

The idea of this class was to learn how to transfer pictures onto your cake. It was actually quite easy. I chose a picture I found online. A basic flower.

So I prepared like I would for any class. I had ideas of colours and stuff in my head, and it all went a bit haywire when I forgot to save some white icing. Still the rest worked out ok.

I have to admit I'm not a big fan of little stars all over a cake. But think in this case it's worked out ok.

One of the things I discovered in last weeks class, is to get white icing, all you need to do is leave out the butter. So what do you put in butter icing that isn't butter? Shortening. In this case...Sno creme. Brought of course at Millys (and I'm sure a few other cake shops)! So that's fine, except, well, I don't really like the taste. And I've since discovered, neither do my kids. So I think I'll be back to my standard icing receipe unless I need white.

Did you notice the glitter above? Gosh it's cute. I just couldn't help myself. A little pottle found it's way to the counter and them home with me. Norty thing!

I tried to make a pink lemonade cake, but just about every single receipe I found had 'cake mix' as part of the receipe. Anyone who follows me on facebook will have seen the little rant I had about that. Anyway, I did find one 'scratch' pink lemonade cake, and even that had things like lemon extract. Why not actual lemon juice, from a lemon? I gave it a shot changing out those couple of things and it was 'ok'. I have to say not my best cake. But it does look cool!

I basically made two cakes. Then just cut them and alternated them in the 'build' of the cake. I think the look of it turned out pretty cool. I think next time though, I'd just use my standard 'butter cake' receipe and then add food colouring. Still was worth a shot to try something new.

Next week we have to take cupcakes. I've got my tried and true, super dooper easy, never fail receipe, but should I try something new again? Anyone got a great receipe I could try?