Living my dream

Class on Live with Prima TODAY!

Hi there! Well, it's another stunning summers day here in New Zealand and I'm all set for my class this afternoon on Live with Prima. I can't wait to share how I decorated this delightful wooden bird house....

Times: NZ time, 3.30pm this afternoon / Sydney 1.30pm today / 6:30pm PT/ 9:30pm ET
1/31-2:30am GMT (be there or be square - haha joke - see below)

I'll be showing you how to decorate the square version of this, but will also then talk about how I also created the round version as you see above. So you almost get "two for the price of one", grin.

Lots of close up shots and a good glimpse of Prima's gorgeous new line Stationer's Desk. Can't wait!!!

And, because I can't seem to do a class without a prize, I've made a gorgeous wee canvas baggie which I'll pop some gorgeous Prima product in for a lucky person. 

To win this prize, all you need to do is leave a comment here on this blog post and in a couple of days I'll pick a random winner.

See you there!

We went to Hobbiton

I've never been a huge Hobbiton fan. Don't get me wrong. I truely enjoyed the books as a child and have loved seeing the movies with my children as an adult, but I didn't think too much about all the hype about the movie set until my niece shared her excitement about going. I said, let's go then and we arranged to go in the holidays and boy am I glad!!!!

 

 

It was just stunning! We had a bit of a funny start with my silly GPS taking us way off the beaten track to get there. But again, it was so worth it. Stunning scenery! Then getting there, having some lunch at the cafe (delicious!!!), then jumping on a typical old NZ country school bus to get to the set.

 

 

We learnt so much from that bus journey and the wonderful driver. All about where things were set up, how the set was found and so on. It was so interesting!

Our guide (Dan) was also full of energy and keen to show us all the set with fun and information. 

 

 

My sister and I kept going "wow, this is so beautiful". We really couldn't believe how amazing this part of the country was and how well they had preserved the set. We both commented to each other how realistic it looked and that we were expecting a pack of rampaging Orcs on horseback to come riding over the hills.

 

 

 

The kids enjoyed the tour as much as us adults, if not more.

One of the things I found so amazing was Peter Jacksons attention to detail. In the book, it talked about hobbits sitting around under plum trees. Well, the farm had pears and apples, not plums. So they took off each pear, each apple, each leaf and replaced them with plums and plum leaves. Just for a 3 second part in the movie.

 

 

The tree above Bilbo Baggins house had 220,000 leaves added to it. Amazing! Who would like to have that job? Not me! But it was done for authenticity and I have to say wow to someone with such focus and vision.

 

 

The Green dragon was FANTASTIC. A great way to end the tour. I wish we had more time there to leisurely drink and eat in such glorious surroundings.

 

 

We went on a day that was drizzling on and off. Overcast. Not sunny. But it was still one of, if not my most favourite 'tour' taken in NZ. I think if you have just one day here in New Zealand, and you want to see the countryside and a bit of special magic, then this is the tour to do. And if you're a kiwi and haven't been yet. Set some time aside and make the trip. So very very worth it!

To find out more, just click on the tour website.

Another Cupcake class coming up at Scrapaholics

If you missed my Christmas cupcake class at Scrapaholics, and were hoping to try your hand at some fun cupcakes, then we've got good news for you. 

 

On Thursday 13th February, Scrapaholics and I will be hosting another cupcake class. This time, with Valentines in mind. 

Not only will you complete these four cupcakes in perfect time for the following day, but you'll learn a ton of techniques which you can apply to other cupcake making ventures. 

1. Embossing
2. Creating tiny roses
3. Creating 'camoflauge' style (joining fondant colours together) toppers
4. Making your own love heart/s
5. Creating an elegant pin cushion design

If we get time, we may have another couple of bonus ideas to share with you too.

And of course you'll get to learn how I made the cupcake in a heart shape!

To find out more, just take a look at Scrapaholics latest newsletter (being released today).

Another layout for Prima for CHA - Stationers Desk

I had this layout sitting on my desk for over a week before I finally just sat down and finished it. I just couldn't seem to finish it. I'm still not entirely sure it's done. But I'm happy with it for now.

I've used Prima's new Stationers Desk range. LOVE this. I've been wanting red in a collection forever and while this range is more maroon, it still gives me that colour palette to work with.

I adore all the new resin frames that are coming out this release. So easy to use for photos or just because.

I used some gorgeous dies to create layers on this layout. Above you'll see a gate by Spellbinders and grass by Cheery Lyn across the bottom of the gate. Cute.

See the doily under at the bottom of this cluster? It's a lace sticker, and it's GOR . GE . OUS! There are a ton of new lace stickers coming out and they are so quick and easy to use and allow you to add layers without too much texture. Divine.

In the photo above you can see a new stencil I've used with some modeling paste, plus a frame with some paper as it's background and a gorgeous new lamp post which I've painted to give it a distressed look.

So many new and interesting things to play with.

Pop on over to the Prima blog as they are showcasing a whole lot of different embellishments today.

Enjoy!

A new card for PaperHaus Magazine

PaperHaus took a wee break over the Xmas holidays but is back up and running now and the first post for the year is a goodie! A sketch by Annelie, tons of inspiration from the DT AND two prizes. To check it out, just click here.

But before you click over that way, here's a look at the card I made using Annelie's sketch 

Inside I've added a cute little pop up from some dies I got in Bay of Plenty last year.

I love having these little surprises in my cards, and being a die, it's so easy to do!

Make sure you pop on over to see what the rest of the team have created....and be in to win.

A little bit excited to share my latest layout using the new Cartographer collection from Prima

This collection is actually more than a little bit special to me as it's designed by my good friend Frank Garcia. He is not only a talented scrapbooker, but a kind and loyal person. So it was with pleasure that I saw his designs and was able to make this layout with them.....

What I was trying to do here was show off every single piece of paper, both sides. And I managed to achieve it. 

The photos of Sarah were taken on New Years eve (just gone). I think she is just stunning. But I may be a wee bit biased. Grin.

It's so nice to be working with new Prima product and I encourage you to take a look at the Prima blog to see the beautiful designs by the rest of the educators and DT. A couple of my personal favourites in todays blog post are Frank's Gateway album, Delaina's decorated word and layout, Keren's altered travel box (check out her 'Free Spirit' layout too. Divine!), and Janines set of tags. 

With CHA right around the corner there are so many amazing collections to look at and I think it's going to be hard on the ole wallet. 

Enjoy!

A new card by Prima's latest collection by Jodie Lee Designs..... Princess

We all have a beautiful Princess in our lives (even if it's ourselves - but we won't get into that topic just here about how important it is to scrap ourselves right ladies?!) who needs this delightful range of new product from Prima.

If you want to see how the Prima DT have used it, just click here...... But before you do, let's take a little look at the card I made using it.

Because it's going to CHA, I wanted to make something a little different from the 'standard' card that opens, and created an easel card.

They are very easy to make, and I've even taught this design a couple of times, though I can't claim it as my original idea.

Again, some hand cutting for my title. 

I also used some clear cabachons, backed with Princess paper to be used as the 'stopper' to keep the card open.

And one of Prima's older vines, with some flowers interspersed is the perfect way to zhoosh (word? You know - make it pretty) it up a bit.

To create all the layers, I started off with a white base, covered it with a piece of Princess paper, then using my Spellbinders dies, I cut out a couple of beautiful square layers, then added a doily, a flower and the main point of interest a small square cut from the collage paper out in this collection.

Make sure you pop on over to the Prima blog to check out all the new releases that are happening. There's lots of goodies to look at and prizes to win.

A new Prima collection - Something Blue

With CHA just around the corner, Prima and many other companies are showcasing their latest releases. Today on the Prima blog you can see the "Something Blue" range. It's a beautiful range designed with weddings in mind. But as usual, I took it and made it my own by making a lovely 'Sunset' page with it...

I've used a new mask/stencil on the base of my layout as well.

And because I don't have a fancy cutting machine, my title is hand cut.

I've used a little bit of stitching, a ton of patterned paper and a beautiful die from Spellbinders.

I think it's one of my favourite projects from my CHA creating this time around.

To view more designs using this paper range, just click here and you'll be taken through to the Prima reveal on their blog....

Have a great day.

Visit the Prima Blog for a 2013 round up - my layout here.

Prima have done an awesome round up on their blog featuring their designers and educators. It's a serious inspiration overload.

Being a Prima educator, my latest layout is part of the over view. Here it is.....

See that gorgeous masking? It's using one of Prima's brand new masks being released at CHA soon! I LOVE it. I also used some Aleene's True Snow to give the effect of 'snow' on my page. Cause that's what it's all about. I was introduced to this product via the lovely Janine Koczwara and just adore it. 

I've used a ton of older products/flowers mixed in with the new mask, and kept it really white. Again, trying to keep it snow themed.

This Christmas I felt drawn to a 'white Christmas'. No I didn't have one, but I feel the need for one again in the future someday. Here's hoping.

To see all the other gorgeous designers and educators, please visit Prima's blog. Gotta say I fell in love with Louise Nelson's style all over again when I saw her layout up there! And there are some new educators added to the team. Welcome!!! To book myself or any of the educators, just flick the individual an email and see what you can tee up. I'm sure I / they would love to teach for you wherever you are in the world!

Santa Photos

Since I was just back on Xmas, thought I'd share the santa photos we had taken this year. I was absolutely stoked with them.

We normally head into Smith and Caughey's, but this year, even getting there just as the doors opened, the ques were so long we decided to flag it.

So instead we decided to go to our local mall and have them done there. The kids choice. And I have to say how thrilled I am with them.

This next one is my all time favourite.

This year, we decided to 'pay it forward' and paid for the person who was behind us, photos too. The photographer/elf couldn't believe we were doing this, and the lady who was after us, chased us down to thank us. Was a little embarressing, but quite special. I hope it made her day, like it did ours.

Looking back at these photos makes me freak out a bit. The kids are just growing up so quickly.

Anyway, last night was New Years eve for us here in NZ. Was talking to a friend in the States this morning and he said I was "from the future", interesting thought.... so Happy new year to you all! I hope you have a wonderful night (if you're still to go through it) and a safe and prosperous 2014! But above all, may your health be strong and good.