Living my dream

Sunday Shake up

For some reason this week, I can't get fruit trees out of my mind. I feel like we don't have enough fruit trees growing around our country.

I wonder if we had more fruit trees lining the streets would kids be going hungry?

What if we had fruit trees in schools? The kids could go and pick an apple for morning tea. Makes sense right? So why doesn't something so simple happen?

So my challenge to you this week, is to plant a tree. Not just any tree. But something that will bring food to the world.

A pear, apple, orange, nectarine, apricot, plum, nashi, lemon, lime, mandarin, avacado, fig.....the list is endless and depending on where you are, will determine what you can/can't plant.

Also, being NZ in winter, I'm figuring it might not be the best time to plant a new tree, so why not get a gorgeous small plant, pop it in a pot and care for it over winter in a nice sheltered place in the sun, letting it grow, then come summer, you can put it in the ground?

I dunno, this is just one of those way out ideas I have, but I figure if we all do something like this, then it can't hurt right?

Dare ya.

FINALLY, I can give you the winner of my little hand made goodie bag with Prima goodies inside.

Using a random number generator, I can give you the following winner:

True Random Number GeneratorMin:Max:Result:7Powered by RANDOM.ORG

Making my winner ROMY!

It's such a fabulous card. I love the fun star shape.
Thank you so much for the chance to win that gorgeous goodiebag!

Posted by: Romy | June 08, 2013 at 06:29 AM

THANKS so much to everyone who left me a comment. I really appreciated everyone of them! Don't worry I will have another give away on my blog, so stay tuned.

Romy, can you please email me (click on link above) and send me your address and I'll get it in the post to you quick smart.

This is what is coming your way....

I just adore that huge flower. Romy, feel free to pull all the flowers/leaves off and use on your own projects, or keep the bag for yourself, or pass on to someone else. Just enjoy in the way you see fit!!!

Prima Artventure NZ class release!

Classes are released today for Prima's Artventure NZ... Yay!

I'm super excited about the altered book class "Pandora's box". LOVE how this is looking!

And of course I love teaching my layout classes.

Plus there are a ton of classes by Janine, Nic, Louise and Rachel as well. I wonder if I can sneak in to one of Louises? Grin.

So proud and excited to be part of this amazing event, I hope you'll join us!

 

Sunday Shake up

Manners. Are they a thing of the past?

Yesterday as I was walking back to the car I noticed a car waiting politely with it's indicator on, showing it was going to take a spot being vacated by another car. I noticed because it was only a couple of cars away from mine and I had to be careful that I didn't walk in front of it.

As I watched, a third car came zooming up the row of cars and took the space. They were easily able to as the car backing out was in the way of the car waiting.

I waved at the car that took the space as I walked by showing them that there was a car waiting, and they continued to park.

I was really upset by this. Don't ask me why. It had nothing to do with me. But as the two people got out of their car, I called out.... hey guys, you've taken a spot that that car was waiting for.

At which point the man (who was not driving) started to have a go at me. "We've been driving around for ages, we need a car park to, why didn't they drive into the car park if they were waiting for it"..... and on and on. I pointed out that they were actually in the wrong to which I got more abuse.

But as they walked away I got more and more angry.

The people who were waiting, were giving me the thumbs up and waving and saying thanks to me, and as I got in my car (two cars down), they took my spot instead and we had a smile and another wave at each other. But I was so upset. They could have had my spot. It would have taken 2 seconds. And 3 sets of people would all have been happy.

Instead they were totally rude and took what they thought was rightfully theirs, when in fact it wasn't. It is THIS type of attitude that I believe is driving this world to ruin. Ok, ok, so that's over dramatic. But really, what was sooooo important that these people thought they could take someones car park who had been waiting patiently with their indicator on?

What made their time more valuable?

What gave them the right to be so rude to another couple and then have a go at me when they were confronted by their wrong?

Unfortunately, I'm seeing more and more and more of this behaviour (and from older people who should know better! and not just with cars, this is just one example) and to be honest, it makes me incredibly sad. The world is becoming sooooo selfish. And I've had enough of it.

So this week my challenge to you is to be polite. To use your manners. To teach your children to, and to pull them up when they don't.

Teach your children to open doors for others, stand up for older people when seats are full on a bus/train and do it yourself!

Say please and thank you and most importantly, when you say 'excuse me' add 'please' to the end - you are asking someone to move, it's only polite to say please! (another one of my pet peeves! But lets not get started on that or we'll be here all day)!

They are very very simple things, they don't hurt us. In fact when you get a smile from the person you're interacting with you often feel so much better about yourself. So why not?!

And before I leave this post, I'm going to leave you with a story of the opposite behaviour that warmed my heart.

The star was a little girl that could barely walk. She was tiny. Can't have been much more than 2? We were both in a supermarket, and she was carrying a basket that was almost as big as her. As she walked past me to get to her grandmother she bumped me with the basket. She turned around to me and with a HUGE smile she said "I'm sorry". Apart from the face that was so cute, the manners she had were impecable. It really did melt my heart and I was so impressed that I stopped her grandmother and explained what happened and what beautiful manners she had.

See the difference in the two stories? Yeah.

Have a wonderful Sunday!

Been a while, a quick update..

Gosh, I didn't realise how long it's been since I last blogged. I even missed Sunday Shake up. Well, that could be because I've been laid low the last week or so. First migraines, then a cold. Nothing major, but enough to cut out the stuff that doesn't 'have' to happen.

Anyway, thought I'd do a wee update...

Scrapfest by the sea - not long now!! It's been forever coming. But we've got a wonderful community going on facebook with regular challenges and ideas and sharing of all sorts. I can't wait to all hang out together over the weekend.

Lyn was here last week and we got a ton of work done. Lots of product ordered for the shop. Ideas formed and put into action. It's a wonderful thing.

There is a new sketch on the Prima blog. I decided to give it a whirl. Here's what I came up with for Paperhaus as part of their Remember Me post each month....

The photo was taken in bad lighting so please excuse it!

I love creating layouts about my own past. It somehow makes things a bit more real. I always try to encourage people to make more layouts about themselves. So I'm going to do it again now. Make your next layout about you! Ok?!

For prompts (if you get stuck), just google 'book of me prompts' and you'll get a ton of ideas you may not have thought about.

For more close up shots of my layout, take a look on PaperHaus.

Hmmmm, what else? Create for a Cause is only just over a week away. I'm excited to be meeting up with new friends and old down there and of course teach my class. It's a gorgeous PINK layout. We've had such a great response that the class has been split so we can fit more people in. Awesome!

If you want to come, there are still spaces. Join us on facebook or get in touch with Janine. I know that the classes have been very popular and due to demand we're splitting my class into two classes to fit everyone in.

Ok, that's about it for now. Take care out there NZ. I can feel it getting colder already.

Sunday Shake Up

Gosh, it's Sunday again already. Where do the days go?

I had a bit of stress on for a couple of days and the kids felt it this week. So did I with a headache/migraine that plagued me for a couple of days. Ugh. Thankfully today it was mostly gone. Just that niggle at the back of your eyes left over. WHEW!

Anyway, I realised that the stress was probably a major trigger of the headache plus I got an email reminding me about a seminar that Dr Libby is putting on called Rushing womans syndrome. I remember hearing about this when I first heard of Dr Libby. And it's really interesting. Especially in today's world where we all are so busy.

Stress has so much to do with how we cope.

And I've said this in another Sunday Shake Up, but I think it's so important that I'm going to say it again (and it probably won't be the last time), but this week I want you to take a little extra care of yourself. Sit down and read a book when you should be doing the dishes. Have a cup of tea when you're meant to be vacumming. Take a bath when you should be cooking dinner. These things we 'should' be doing can wait. But our health can't. Take some time for you. It'll be worth it.

Dare ya.

PaperHaus Magazine release blog hop. Welcome!

Welcome to the PaperHaus Magazine Summer Delight Blog Hop!

We are excited that you are hopping with us and we would like to thank you for hopping along! We are celebrating the release of the Summer Issue of PaperHaus Magazine!

There is SO much inspiration, techniques, projects, and exclusive artist interviews inside! Not only that but it’s an issue filled with amazing Mixed Media projects from people from all over the world!

 We hope you enjoy flipping through the pages as much as we enjoyed putting it together for you!

Below is the link to the summer issue, simply click on the cover to go there now! BUT Come back as we want to show you some amazing Summer projects!

Welcome back! We hope you were inspired, and here is some more inspiration too! Our Summer Delight event is all about fun summer days filled with scrapbooking and crafting! We want to share with you what we have made! Every day on the PaperHaus Blog (www.thepaperhaus.com) there will be amazing inspiration and tutorials so be sure to stop on by everyday in June!

And because you've come along to see some more inspiration, why not show you a card I created for the magazine?

I love to create shaped cards, and use Spellbinders dies to do it. This time being summer I thought some lovely blues/greens would suit. They remind me of the colours of the sea.

And of course it woudn't be a special card without a little something special inside.

Now if you're on the blog hop, pop along to the next blog..... Gina Rodgers http://gingerbread.typepad.com to get even more inspiration.

If you get lost along the way, then just pop back to the PaperHaus magazine blog and find the next blog on the list....

And if you haven't joined in yet, we've already had 6 days of hopping, so just check the blog for the last few days links to see even more inspiration from the team.

Finally, before you head off, I'd like to send someone a wee rak. It's going to be a wee baggie that I make from either canvas or muslin and will have a few scrapbooking goodies inside. And YES, internationals can enter. Just leave me a comment and I'll draw a winner in a few days.

(the bag will be similar to the one shown above)

Have a wonderful day!

A new mini album

Recently we started a new challenge on the Scrapfest by the sea facebook page. The challenge is to use the same photo to create something. Perhaps a layout, a mini album, a card? The choice is up to you. The idea is to see how we all come up with cool and creative ways to showcase one thing. The same thing.

To commemorate Scrapfest by the sea, we're using a photo of the venue.

Doesn't that look amazing?! I can't wait!

So I decided to make a mini album that I could take to Scrapfest and get everyone to sign and even put a photo in. I thought it would make a wonderful memorial of the event.

I'm still trying to decide what to put on the front in way of a 'title'. I've added Scrapfest to the back cover (you'll see in a minute), so thinking something else, but haven't worked it out yet.

Inside the front cover, I've add the photo we're using.

Here's the back where I've added 'Scrapfest'

The word was hand cut so it would fit the area perfectly.

I used a Zutter to bind it and have to say I love the effect.

Inside I've created blank pages using more Prima - paper. I've used traditional Xmas colours (red/white/green) although they are not Xmas patterns.

And it's done.

I think a few others may be making albums to bring along to do the same, perhaps this can be something we all do? Our own little 'autograph albums'. Grin.

Anyway, if you want to play along, all you need to do is create something using the photo above (also found in our facebook photos area) and link it to the post on our facebook page. I've suggested a week to complete the challenge, but really this one's about fun, so it's not fixed in stone.

Darien Gee, Author of The Avalon Ladies Scrapbooking Society DOES scrapbook

Yesterday I told you about a book that I had started reading and just LOVE.

It's called The Avalon Ladies Scrapbooking Society. It is written by author Darien Gee. Well, after I posted about it here, I flicked Darien an email just to say how much I am enjoying the book and I was surprised and thrilled that she emailed me back. She confirmed that she does indeed scrapbook and shared some of her work with me, which I'm allowed to share with you.....

Here's what Darien had to share about her scrapbooking....

A few pages from one of my rare 12 x 12 albums -- the cover has some stitching on it, which I love, and I added the vellum "Hawaii" sticker on the front.

The room card key holder for our hotel is on the left inside cover, and it expands to a full size map.

My Moleskine Smashbook/Journal (the lovely girl on the inside cover is my daughter). I journal almost every day, but also use it for notes, brainstorms, and inspiring quotes and images. The left page is usually a magazine image, the right whatever scribbles come to mind.

 

This album below was made for me for my novels Friendship Bread  and Avalon Ladies Scrapbooking Society. I add the photos and journal cards as I go (in this case, I have readers "sign" my scrapbook and decorate it however they wanted -- I had a portable "scrap" table with me!), and usually include flyers and notes from whatever book event I'm at. I went back and added the photos wherever I could with captions if I remembered who the person was.

Fun fact: the lady on the very bottom used to work for Mrs. Grossman's (the sticker company) and bought a copy of the book for her and Andrea Grossman! I grew up saving my money to go and cut a strip of colorful stickers from the rolls at the stationary store. Wow, meeting her brought back memories, and in my little cow town!

best,

Darien

Isn't she clever?! Not just an incredible writer, but a fabulous scrapbooker too. I adore the way she uses momentos from the time she's scrapbooking and colours to highlight feelings. Just as she talks about in the book.

Her pages are full of memories and love. I love them!

And I'm extremely grateful that she has shared this with us. Thank you Darien.

And as you will have heard on our Scrapfest by the sea facebook page this morning, she has also said she will send us a couple of small "Bettie" type page kits. We'll be using them for some fun giveaways.... but you'll have to wait and see for that. Grin.

Again, thanks so much Darien. 

The Avalon Ladies Scrapbooking Society - book review

I can't remember where I first heard of this book? Perhaps another scrapbooker recommended it on facebook? Or I saw it when trawling through the Book Depository? Either way, I'm now half way through it and just HAD to come and tell all my friends about it.

Do you remember when you first started scrapbooking and the world opened up to you in a brand new way? You thought of all the possibilities that were in front of you. Memories came storming through your mind competing for what would be scrapped first. Going into a scrapbook shop was both joyful and painful as all the gorgeous products competed to be put in your bag to take home and your partner gnashed his teeth at yet another scrapbook purchase? Well, this book brings it all back.

Darrien Gee writes incredibly well and while Scrapbooking is front and centre so are the relationships that are formed as the ladies in the book meet and gather at each weekly/monthly (?) scrapbooking event.

The way Bettie talks to the ladies about scrapbooking tugs at my heart strings in a way I can't describe. Really bringing back to me the reason I scrapbook and inspiring me to keep going. Not to give up, and to bring those memories out of storage and onto a page.

It's one of those books that you don't want to put down. There are the usual relationship struggles and I can't wait to see how they end. Already I'm hoping it goes one way instead of another. But amongst it all is the importance of your life and how to stay close to that through scrapbooking.

It even talks about particular scrapbook companies through the journey and you can imagine my surprise and glee when I saw "Prima" pop into the sidelines of a storyline.

I don't know if the author Darien Gee scrapbooks, but she sure understands it. So much so that she's got me thinking about starting a monthly crop - anyone keen?

And so I find myself here at the end of my post not knowing how to end it as I could just keep raving about how inspiring I find this book.

So perhaps I'll just encourage you to put it on order at the library and give it a read.

Sunday Shake Up

This week I'm looking at how you find things on the internet. What makes you go back and how you find things full stop.

I realised I don't really use the internet like I used to when it comes to scrapbooking. To be honest, I don't really have the time. I have my facebook favs that when I see a blog post I go have a proper look and really, that's about it.

I used to use a blog reader list, but when it stopped working, I just stopped reading blogs.

But I'd like to start again. So I started thinking about how I was going to do this. And decided this could be a bit of fun for the Sunday Shake up to. To challenge you to find a few new crafty blogs or sites that you'd like to read. If you're not into craft, then perhaps it will be a little push to get you looking at things that you are into...books, movies, sport. Whatever it is.... Find something new. And when you do, share it with me here!

And/or, I can share something with you that isn't new to me, but might be for you and you can share right on back. Then we can help each other discover new and interesting inspiration....

So here's something that isn't new for me, but could be for you... It's the new release of Paperhaus magazine. It's a fantastic online FREE magazine. It has over 120 pages in it and a ton of amazing designers who have created just for it. Including an interview with Tim Holtz.

So click on the cover to take a look. I hope you like it (for those of you who want to take the 'finding some new crafty people a step further, why not join the blog hop that is happening this week at PaperHaus magazines blog)

Ok, now something new for me that I've found....

This link will take you through to a person who lists her top 10 apps for scrapbookers. Some of them you'll already know and love, others, will be well worth the visit. I guarantee you'll download one app. Grin.

So leave me a comment. Tell me what sites you love to visit and help me find even more inspiration in this amazing industry of ours.

Dare ya.