Living my dream

More pages from my perpetual calendar

I thought it might be nice to show a couple more of the pages I did in my new G45 perpetual calendar. And I have to say, I think I like these ones even more than the last ones. I often find this, that I like newer stuff more than older stuff. Do you feel the same?

Anyway, here is March:  I love the purple and green. Gosh I love it. I used to say purple was the hardest colour to scrap with. But as of a few years ago, it became one of my favourites, when combined with green.

Add in some beautiful birds, lovely leaves and it makes for a great combination.

 

And the next few pictures show what April looks like:

Unfortunately for us kiwis, the months are all 'wrong' for the pictures they show. i.e. spring for us is in September. But I figure, it doesn't matter. It can just be about pretty designs.  I was worried about how I was going to layer the daffodils seeing as how they had long stems, but by hiding the base of the stem under another flower/leaf, it worked out really well.

What I think I love most about the calendar is how even though each page is different, there are pieces that link them all together. Like the stamps, the title, and the lace ribbon.

So that's it for today. I'll show some more another day. If you'd like to see my previous pages, you just need to click on this link.

Til next time.

A mini die cut purse.... so cute!

While I was watching the cricket last night, I kinda had the urge to scrapbook. I couldn't just sit by and watch the boys fight so hard and not make a dent in the amazing Aussie innings.

So I got up and went across to my desk and looked at what was there, and decided to just have a little play.

The last stuff that I used was still sitting there. It was the left over papers and 'stuff' from my G45 audition. So that was easy. I'll use that. But what to make? A card? No, can't be bothered. A layout? No, take too long. I know! I'll use the new die I got yesterday.

Ahhhhh, great idea! So I set to and made this cute little tiny purse using a Stampin Up die (by Sizzix)....

Oh my goodness. It opens up and everything....

But I'm getting ahead of myself. It's such a teeny tiny little bitty purse, that I knew I didn't want to over decorate. So I added some muslin around the bottom, a punched border, a flower, leaf and some Prima crystals, and called it done.

To zhoosh up the bags opening, I added some liquid pearls and also a tiny Prima brad for the clasp of the bag.

Inside, I added a little 'letter'. I thought for the future it might make a great card, or even an invitation.

I also decided to adhere the handle using brads.

It was pretty simple to make and so cute. I think I might just have to make a few more!

Tomorrow I'll be showing you some more from my perpetual calendar. So come back and see what I did for March and April.

Til then..... have a wonderful day!

 

Graphic 45 Design Team Audition 2015

Well, hello there! Thanks for visiting my blog.

Today I have something a little different happening, its the Graphic 45 DT audition and yep, I'm throwing my hat in the ring.

Over the last few days I've put together the following projects to showcase my work using Graphic 45's beautiful designs. From a card, to a layout. Something "off the page" and something similar to a mini album (let's just call it that shall we?!). I had such fun creating these items and am super excited to have the chance to audition.

So without further ado, let's take a look at what I've created.....

First is a Graphic 45 shadowbox which I decorated using the sublime Precious Memories collection....

The photo is of my twins at 6 months old. I had noticed in one of the stamps that there was a picture of twins, and I just couldn't resist tying the two together!

In this next photo you'll see layers upon layers of gorgeous product. Chipboard, resin, flowers, a doily. It all just fitted in so perfectly to the wee square and I loved being able to use both the 'It's a girl' and 'It's a boy' chipboard tags.

Behind some of the decorations, I used a gorgeous die cut hexagonal pattern. I felt it gave a bit more dimension to the piece without taking away from the main designs.

And in this next piece, I cut out the same picture 4 times, then layered them slightly overlapping each other so it's really dimensional.

Across the top I added some gorgeous flowers, and more die cuts.

My next project is a fun little mail box. Traditional 'American' style. I found a free template online to cut out my papers, then I glued it all together and added some cool decorations. I have used the Precious Memories collection again.

I loved the 'Special Delivery' sticker which matched the mailbox perfectly! Inside I put a little envelope which was part of the collection.

Inside I added another little note...

Here's a closer look at the side of the mailbox.

Isn't that stamp just divine? Sigh.

For my next project I've changed collections and am using "Time to Flourish". If you haven't seen this collection, you need to take a look. There are two pages for each month meaning you can use them for yearly type projects.

Which is exactly what I did. I've wanted to create a perpetual calendar for birthdays for a long time. We did have one, but in the move it was lost somewhere. So that's what I did.

I've kept the 'basic' design the same on each monthly page with stamps or similar across the bottom of the page, the dates on one side of the page and flowers/patterns on the side of the page.

Each month the dates change sides of the page....

 

Here's what I did with August....

And finally December (otherwise we'd be here forever!):

My next project is a card. I was aiming for dimension and think I've achieved it. What do you think?

Each layer is one piece of 6x6 paper which has a graduated sized hole die cut in the middle of it. I then layered them with the smallest hole on the bottom and the largest hole on the top.

Here's a closer look.

Inside I added a sticker over a doily, and one of the negative pieces from the die cut holes from the front of the card. Was great to keep the cards continuity going on the inside.

My final project is a layout using the Time to Flourish collection again.

I've used a couple of photos of my daughter and I as the base of the layout, then embellished with the Time to Flourish collection.

Well, that's it.

I hope you've enjoyed taking a look at what I've created, and possibly even get some inspiration from them.

All the very best wishes to anyone who is auditioning for the G45 team. It's an amazing company and one I would be honored to represent. 

Prima's March Special Delivery Kit

Hey all, I just realized I hadn't put this up on my blog for those who don't have facebook, and heck, for those who do, but missed it......Prima's newest Special Delivery Kit is here and I must say is looking amazing!

To see exactly what is in the kit, check out the picture below:

Or visit the Live with Prima website.

If you're after this kit, just get in touch. Normal deal. $75.90 for shipping in NZ and $87.90 for shipping to Aussie. Please only contact me if you're committed to buying the kits as I am not a shop and do this as a courtesy to everyone to bring in the kits so they aren't as expensive.

I'll be putting in the order in the next couple of days....

Have a great week.

Winners.....

Thanks for all your smiles and comments the other day! LOVED it! And excited to be giving away some goodies.

So I did a random number generator and for my blog comments I got number 11 which is

Min: Max: Result: 11 (not sure why it says max 100, as that's not what I put in. Anyway....)

Heidi: Sending you a hug and big smiles Trina. Sometimes life throws us a heck of a lot all at once,
sometimes we manage, sometimes we don't. I hope you can find your happy again soon.

And for my facebook page I got number 40 which is:

Min: Max: Result: 40

Caroline Gilbert

Can you two lovely people please get in touch with me with your addresses so I can get the prizes in the post to you asap.

Thanks again everyone. I was having a shocker of a week, and this give away and your comments surely did help!

Have a wonderful weekend!

RAK - GIVEAWAY - GORGEOUS GOODIES

Hey all. Well, I've had a pretty average week....Keeping it real. What with being inundated with sprays and their effects (feeling the ole M.E. coming back slightly), a virus, house issues (nothing major, but a pain), kid issues (you saw my contract on facebook right?!), and well, other stuff.

So I thought, what's the best way to snap out of this downward spiral? This funk? And you know what I thought about? I thought about how giving always makes me feel better and it was you. My social media family that I want to give to.

So I thought it's about time I did a RAK. Then I thought, but wait....there's more..... what could be better than a single RAK? Why TWO RAKS of course. So that's what I'm doing.

All you need to do is leave me a comment on my blog to be in the draw for one RAK and a comment on THIS post on my facebook page to be in the draw for my second RAK. I will do a random draw from both areas (yes you can enter once in each place if you want to) and someone/two will win the goodies below.

Easy peasy lemon squeezy. No joining commitments, no 'have to do's'. Just say hi, or bye, or send me a smile. Ok?

Right. Let's see what I can give away?

 

AND

 PS: YES, it's open to everyone around the world. Internationals welcome!

Prima Special Delivery February Kit projects

I love this latest kit. I said to Frank when I first saw it, "Gosh, this kit is so going to suit us "'downunder' scrapbookers". It's so pretty. So "Prima".

When you see it, you'll know what I mean.....

Swoon. And yes, that stamp is one that we've all been looking for. Yes!

So I've made two projects with it so far. One has step by step instructions and can be found on the facebook page I've set up to share all SD projects and be inspired by others. Just search: "Prima Special Delivery Kits - a place to share ideas" on facebook.

This is what it looks like:

As I said, full instructions are available on the facebook page, under the files tab. Along with two other amazing ideas you can create using the kit.

As a note.... the idea to use the LP was originally floated when I was talking to a friend Wendy a few years ago. We were talking about different ideas of things we could make into layouts/OTP stuff. Then when we came to the LP idea, I said, oh man! That is gold. Do you mind if I do it as a class one day. It became my goal to do that, but as I haven't, this seemed like the perfect time.

The LP is one I brought in Vancouver. I arrived there at something like 3.30am after a long day of waiting and then driving and catching a ferry from Vancouver island. Due to the fog, out of Vancouver island I missed my flight and had to wait hours before deciding to drive and do the ferry idea. Then when I finally got to Vancouver I was waitlisted for my next flight. It was my birthday. I was feeling down, but I went into Vancouver to have a look around and enjoy my day. I found the most fabulous shop where I brought this LP. Thus the foggy photo on the front cover.

The other project I created with this months kit also has a bit of a story to it. Instead of telling it here. Let me show you the inside cover......

Inside are the postcards I sent home to the family each day. It was funny because even though I was away for over two weeks, there were still cards arriving when I got home. Each card was chosen for it's 'message' ie when I went to Universal Studios, I got a postcard from there. etc etc. It's almost like a diary.

I wanted a simple cover that still looks pretty, so I fussy cut some flowers and the banner off some of the papers in the kit, then did the same with the second piece of paper that comes in the kit and layered them slightly off centre from each other.

I also used some dies to create the centre 'cluster' of items and title area.

To bind it, I used the Zutter Bind it All. (LOVE that machine)! And for the covers I used a piece of cardboard given to me by Daniel from his latest Lego packaging.

He looked at the cardboard when it came out, and I could see his brain ticking over, then he said, Mum do you use cardboard in your scrapbooking? I replied: Yes. He then said, ok. Here you go. You can use this in your scrapbooking Mum. It was pretty precious and I knew no matter what I HAD to use that bit of cardboard somehow, somewhere.

Sooooo, please do join us on our facebook page. Get inspired by what people are up to using their kits, what step by step instructions are available to you from Prima and get involved in the fun!

If you want to buy a kit, just take a look at the "Shop" menu bar on the Live with Prima website.

I'm afraid I've done 'our' order for this kit, but if you are a Kiwi/Aussie and want to get them cheaper than being sent individually, keep an eye here or my facebook page for details of each kit each month (usually around the 15/16th). I put in group orders to keep the shipping down.  

Have a lovely day!

Stop feeling guilty Mums. Just stop.

I saw this idea about 6 months ago. I immediately gravitated to it. It's the type of thing I like to think I would do as a 'good' Mum. It's fun. It's exciting. It's long term. I decided that even though my kids were already born and lived many of their childhood years, I would do this.

6 months later, I see the idea again, I haven't done it. I think how amazing it would be to do and I start thinking of all the things I can add to the emails.

Then reality sets in.

1. You saw it 6 months ago and didn't do anything, why will you now?

2. What are you going to add?

3. If you start all three now, Dan will have more in his than the other two, that's not fair.

4. What on earth would I set their email as?

5. How will I remember to do this?

6. What if I forget?

7. I'm such a bad Mum.

8. Did I really just think that? Yes, I did. Because if I was a good Mum I would have started this 6 months ago and not forgotten.

And so it goes on. The guilt we bring on ourselves. The conversation above happened in about 10 seconds in my head. And to be honest, went on a lot longer and had a lot more negativity in it, than I'm showing you.

And I realised that actually I don't have to do this to be a good Mum.

WOW! What a revelation.

Yes, it is an AMAZING idea. Yes, it would be so much fun to do. Yes, it would be so fulfilling to see my children open up all those emails from years gone by.

But hey, I'm not super woman! Andy and I were just last night discussing how crazy life is right now. What with building and living in a rental and kids growing up and work and you know, we all live it right. The 'busy' syndrome is what I call it. And it's just not ok.  

I mean where would I get just another set of '5 minutes' (it's only 5 minutes a day right?! Ha!) to do it?

And then the 'positive' side of my brain kicked in.

"T, you know you're a good Mum right? You know you've already done this, just in a different way... right? "

"What do you mean?"

"Well, all those scrapbooks you've created. All those albums filled with pictures of your kids, pictures of their artwork, stories of their lives. That's the same thing".

"Oh, yeah! Right! But what if I hadn't done that? Why does doing this, making email addresses for my kids or scrapbooking make me a good Mum?"

"It doesn't."

"Huh?"

"Being a good Mum is about loving your kids. About being there for them. About helping them learn and grow. Teaching them right from wrong. Saying no. Saying yes. Being a good Mum is about jumping off flippin ridiculously high diving boards because you want to be part of their day. Part of their memories. Being a good Mum is just being you."

THAT conversation was a lot longer in time. There were a lot more gaps as my brain caught up with what it was saying to itself (yeah ok, I admit it, I talk to myself. A lot!). It was a harder conversation to have with myself.

Why is it so much easier to be negative to ourselves than positive? WHY?

And so I realised. I need to stop feeling guilty. I need to stop right now. And quite frankly so do you (yes, whoever you are reading this. You!).

We are doing the very best job we can do for ourselves and our kids. Right now. We are. And if we're not, then that's ok. We can take a deep breath. Ask ourselves. What can I do today? And tell ourselves that NO we don't have to feel guilty about the other days. The days that you literally fell asleep on the couch because you were so tired, or forgot to do something. Because those things and those days, although they feel like they happen all the time. Don't really. They are the few and far betweens. The love. The reliability of you being there for your kids every day. THAT is what the good bits are. That is what counts. And WE are doing it.

So. Stop. Put that guilty hat back in the cupboard and enjoy today for what it is. Cause this is our only today. This is our life. And just a heads up..... it's not a dress rehearsal. THIS IS IT.

Have a great day my friends. You are amazing! Tell yourself. Ok. Right now, out loud. "I am amazing"......and stop that guilt trip.

Later. 

 

Prima Art Venture Anaheim 2015

At the beginning of January, I was lucky enough to be in Anaheim, USA to teach for Prima at their biggest event. Art Venture Anaheim.

It was held at the Hilton, just next to the Anaheim Convention Centre which is where CHA is held. It made it really simple for all of us Scrapaholics to do both!

When I got there, I had a wee holiday first with some friends (must do a post on that! We had so much fun!), and so it was quite surreal to walk in after a day of fun and see the announcement board with details of the Prima event on it. 

You know that feeling when you know something's happening, but then you SEE it and it all becomes so much more real? That was this for me. Although to be honest,  it happened a number of times over the event! LOL!

Another one of those times was when I went downstairs to help set up and Denny pulled out the huge posters to show people what room each teacher was in.

Uh huh! That's little ole me on that there poster! I had to bring it home with me. It's going in my scrapbook room! And that's a story for another day!

And yes, we had a lot to set up and prepare for. I was lucky to have my friends help me later in the day.

Lucky for two reasons. One, we got finished so much quicker and two, they kept me laughing! Check this out!

There are just rows and rows of boxes! I think there was something like 150+ students at the event, and we had to repack the kits for each one of them.

I know we like to keep all the nitty gritty behind the scenes, but so much work goes into an event like this I thought it would be nice to see some of that!

And this is just what happens right before. Months before you're creating classes and writing instructions. Mine were 10 pages long!

Uh huh! Lots of tips and tricks as part of what I do.

Aren't the boxes delish?!

And yes, I did do some work too.... in my old smelly work out clothes.

I like to set up each class so it looks inviting and pretty. Welcoming my students.

Who spots one of my hand made goodie/prize bags? I love to give things away. So when I have stock left over, I put it aside, then when I have classes coming up, I make a bag, decorate it and do a prize draw in class.

And we all know what a prize draw in class means right? Oh yeah! Lots of shouting and whooping and clapping and fun! As usual when I teach somewhere new everyone was wondering what all the noise was about. Making it all the more fun when they finally joined the class and learnt the secret!

I also like to treat my students with home baking or when I'm overseas, NZ lollies/candy/chocolate.

So once the classroom was set up, it was time to teach. I created my projects with lots of little tips in mind. The idea being that people here in NZ/Aussie like to get a lot of layouts done in one class. Plus I was trying to give the students a point of difference, in that I knew no one else was doing layouts.  Due to the time frame, it made each individual layout quite 'simple', but you get a lot done in a short time and more importantly, you get lots and lots and lots of tips to help you as you continue to create.

This class was not planned as a big indepth project. But as lots of little bits to have fun with. 

This was by far my favourite layout. I loved how I used a stencil, glue and beads to create an amazing pattern across the page.

This one was all about design placement. Groups of items, design triangles etc.

This one was great in learning how to get more from your paper stash.

And this one was a bonus because I didn't think three layouts was enough! Gotta love a freebie.

Of course no event is complete without the people. Here's a few photos of the 'people'...

The organizer extraordinare...from Prima. Denny!

My friends Michelle and Pip with me.....

And checking in at registration....

During class.....

 

This clever lady on the right was worried about her language skills so brought an interpreter along to help out. I think we have another scrapbooking convert!

Lovely ladies.

This group of amazing ladies, traveled from all over the globe to meet at Art Venture and have some wonderful times together. Just LOVE it!

The very last class of the event. This is the 'brown' group (each group was a colour). I have to confess I was a little worried about the last class of the event. We'd all been working so hard, that I wasn't sure how it would go. People were tired! But we had a WONDERFUL class. We had many laughs and while I don't think we got a lot of the class done, it was fun and the learning continued.

And that was my event. It was a lot of fun and I met some wonderful people. Thanks everyone for making it so much fun!  I'm so pleased to have been given this opportunity. And hope that one day I will get a chance to go back and teach again.

 

**SOLD OUT in record time!** Kit for Sale - Pink Paislee

Thanks again for your support of my kits everyone. I will get in touch with those who put their names down first to confirm their order in the next couple of days.

Hi. Well, we're at the beginning of another month, so I thought I'd give you the opportunity to take a look at another kit I've made and have available for sale now.

Again, I've made two single layouts. This time using some beautiful older papers from Pink Paislee combined with some stunning Prima embellishments. Shall we have a look?

Layout one, a pretty, whimsical layout, with gorgeous green and gold hues that could be used for either girls or boy photos or as I've done for both! Grin.

It features a lovely new stencil by Prima, some divine die cuts and punches (which I will do for the kits!), and lots of my traditional fussy cutting.

Layout two:

Another layout featuring green and gold hues, with a bit of pink thrown in for good measure!

Again, there is the gorgeous stenciling (yes, the stencil is included in the kit!), stunning Prima flowers, fussy cutting, some of Primas new beads (designed by Frank Garcia) and more die cut pieces included in the kit.

So what will you need to complete these two layouts?

A standard scrapbook kit with adhesives, trimmer, scissors etc, texture paste, and some brown ink.

Optional is a hole punch.

The cost of the kit is $55 plus postage of $8

Unfortunately I've only got a few of these (way less than last month), sorry guys, but if you would like one, please flick me an email (see link above), or let me know on the facebook post where this pops up. I'm going to be away from the computer so won't be able to respond immediately, as usual they will be sold on a first in first serve basis.

Thanks for your support.

Have a wonderful Sunday!