NZDares #34

As a result of my Cosy layout I was asked to be guest designer for this challenge. The challenge was to alter a photo digitally and scrap it. I altered this photo to black and white.

NZ Dares #33

This challenge was to scrap using just 2 colours so i chose Brown and Pink. The scan isn't very good unfortunately. The buttons are all different shades of pink.

So bloggin behind

How do I get so far behind! Never mind, here is the update. Last weekend we had SENZ (Scrapbooking Expo New Zealand) held in Christchurch. A friend, Jenny, was travelling down from Wellington so we decided to room together for the weekend. Go cheapo accommodation at the Riccarton Park Motor Camp, which was basic but certainly adequate for spending two nights at.

Had a major problem on the Friday as when I checked in and started to unpack I discovered that I had forgotten my medication - horror or horrors! Rang Jock and discovered that I had left it all behind in the drawer of my bedside table - stupid me.

Jenny's plane was over an hour late in arriving and by the time I met her I was a blithering mess wondering how I was going to fit a 3 hour round trip to home and back to pick up meds. Fortunately I missed the turn off to the motor camp and at the next set of lights Jenny noticed a Drs and Pharmacy so we pulled off and went there. After being told the situation the receptionist suggested that I phone my Dr and get the meds faxed through to the Pharmacy. Great, fantastic suggestion. Rang Drs to speak to the nurse and after a heated discussion she said they would fax the meds through. Felt a bit more relieved after that.

However, we only had an hour or so to look around before starting voluntary work on the information desk. Worked until 4.30pm then went back to Pharmacy to pick up my meds and we also picked up a Chinese takeaway. We had a banquet when we got back to the cottage, Lindeur Fraise, bread, oil, dukkah, rice crackers, sundried tomato dip - problem - we didn't sleep well and still wonder if the Chinese was loaded with MSG.

Worked with SBO on the Saturday until our class at 11.30a.m. which was to do with patterned paper. It was cr*p. Jenny walked out. Now isn't it strange that if I was in a restaurant and got served a raw steak instead of a medium rare then I would walk out. Now why didn't I walk out of this class? Sometimes, I just have have to ask myself why? Anyway, the class was cr*p.

Went back to work with SBO and helped out Yolande with her recipe tin class. Turns out that I am the first ever person to help her out in a class and she was wrapped with me! Take a bow Irene.

Had dinner at the venue and shared table with SBO team - what a great bunch of ladies from down South (and North). Lots of laughs

Sunday, took a photography class with Mandi Haines, great value, lots of info and plenty to learn. Another hour to shop before working back on the info desk and then dropping Jenny off at the airport and then 'home'. Absolutely shattered when I got home but such a lovely weekend.

Maybe Wellington next year, who knows................

NZ Dares #32 challenge

The challenge up at NZDares is to Scrap a Mood.

Here is my layout for this challenge

Jack Me Up #5 challenge

Another challenge is up at Jack Me Up and a photo came to mind straight away. Here is my layout that I have done.

Local Spring Show

On 14th September 2007 our local area held the Spring Show. The main focus are the spring blooms but they have sections for the children from the local school and baking and arts and crafts. I usually enter some things into the craft section and this year was no exception.

Although this item didn't win the most outstanding item in the craft section, I was mighty pleased with what I had produced. I have decided that I will never repeat this exercise and this little beaded decoration will now officially be known as the 'family heirloom'

I entered 4 scrapbooking layouts and an album I have been working on for my great niece plus a decorated word that I made at ScrapCamp last year. In total I ended up with most points for the craft section and brought home the cup for the third year in a row!

Where I go walking

Hmm, well nearly a month ago, I took my camera with me when I set out for my walk. I walk downhill going out and around as far as this one lane bridge














Along the way I say Good morning to my 'friends' - nosy little beggars they are!

Once I get to the one lane bridge I usually turn around and that of course is all uphill

So all in all it is about a 4.5km round trip and on top of that it is pure country air!

NZDares #29 - 1,2,3,4

NZDares current challenge is to use 1 piece of patterned paper, 2 rub ons, 3 pieces of ribbon or material and 4 embellishments the same.

Here is my layout for this challenge. One flower cut out from Basicgrey Black Tie collection; 3 pieces of ribbon; 4 sequins and 2 rub ons after the 'chillin' out'

Sorry it doesn't show up very well because it is on white card 12 x 12

Another great Dare.

Spring is in the air

A bit late in posting this, which I meant to do after my morning walk. Spring is definitely in the air. Have noticed all week that the blossom is out, the wattle is out, the tree Lucerne is out and the willow trees are in bud. The lambs are all running around in the sun. Jeepers it is just so beautiful to be able to go out for a walk in conditions like this.

I have been going for a 4 to 5km walk about 5 days of the week and it feels so good. Took some photos the other day which I will upload another day. Everywhere is starting to look so green

Dare #28 - All from scraps

With 3 hours to spare I have managed to do this layout by using just scraps and believe me, I have a whole stash of scraps!

Thanks for the challenge

NZDare #27 - Being Kiwi

NZ Dares have the current dare up all about celebrating our Kiwi-ness!

Ok I have rattled my dags and come up with this layout about My Kiwi Bloke




Doing the first layout got me thinking about where I came from and the sayings we had so I decided to base my Liverpool heritage against my Kiwi status and came up with the following which I will also enter the NZDare. Scouser is someone that comes from Liverpool

The Song Thrush

The song thrush has a beautiful tune and has been serenading us from the very top of the Macracapa tree at the edge of our section. Just look at that head thrown back and imagine the tuneful whistle being sung.


We don't know whether it is a he or a she but we hope it finds a mate soon otherwise it will have no voice left!

It has been a week of..............

recovering - from Jock's 60th birthday party! His birthday was on the 27th and we had the party on the 28th. The venue was the boat shed which Jock had closed in to keep us all nice and warm. It was a 3pm kick off and seeing as the sun was shining we were able to sit/stand outside for a while until the sun went down.

There was a ton of food for everyone as you might see from all the plates on the table!

Sometimes, when Jock has had a few drinks he likes to pretend he is a member of the Shadows and this has previously been carried out by using a round cast iron fry pan! I thought it was time to update him to modern technology - so here he is for all the world to see - the new member of the Shadows!

So, a good time was had by all, except 2 people forgot to go to bed and I wasn't one of them so who was it? I think this photo sums it all up - 11a.m. the following day - I think it's time you called it a day Jock!

Wow - great change in the weather

Today we have had a fantastic sunny and warmish day. Such a change after all the miserable days and continuous rain. Good to get the washing flapping on the line and dry as well.

The change in weather made me motivated to start cleaning the house in preparation for Jock's 60th birthday party on Saturday. Not that we are having it in the house but I like to think that if anybody wants to come inside then everything is spik and span!

I had an early start to the day because Lady (our dog) had a seizure at 4am this morning. She is on medication for Epilepsy but it would appear that the dose she is on might not be sufficient now which is a pity because if it is increased it will slow her down again. The past couple of weeks she has been running on our daily walk which has been a delight to see. Ah well, she is 12.5 years old so not doing bad really.

NZ Dares Challenge No. 26

Another new challenge is up at http://nzdares.blogspot.com/. This time it is to scrapbook something that represents everday moments. I had a lot of fun doing this digital layout. The background is a close up of my keyboard, the photo is of my screen.

Kiwi Jack me up

OK I have now decided that I am completely on the way to madness! Another challenge is up at www.kiwijackmeup.blogspot.com . When I said I didn't really understand what I had to do, this was the reply:

"Just scraplift the layout that is featured for the month….it doesn’t have to be exactly the same, just be inspired by some elements from the layout then take a pic and put it on your blog and add a link to it in the comments of the Jack Me Up post…and you are done! "

So, on that basis here is what I have come up with!

Yuck

It has been, and still is, hailing and sleeting here. I don't want it to snow because I want to go out scrapbooking tomorrow for my monthly crop and meet up with my friends and have a few laughs!

The other day my man blew up our microwave because he turned it on without putting something in it first grr! So, that means I have to look for a new microwave whilst I am out tomorrow as well.

NZ Dares current Dare

The current dare is to do a page, using no photos but some memorabilia to help tell the story.


So, it seems that I manage to come up with something for these Dares and this time I came up with 2 layouts, nothing flash, just recording the event! What I really like about these Dares, is that all names go into a draw and the winner is drawn out. This, to me, makes us all equal, so we don't have to be the BEST scrapbooker in the world!

Looking after ME

I have had a couple of setbacks this week so as this morning dawned mild, I decided to grit my teeth and overcome the pain barrier to take myself on my long walk = 4km. It was just so beautiful, the birds were out singing (I just love the Bellbird), the sun was shining and the cattle all came up to the fence and stared at me!LOL

I find the walking really good for clearing my head and getting me motivated again.

On Friday 29 June 2007 we had 40ml of rainfall so as you might well imagine, everywhere is very wet underfoot now.

Digi Scrapping - Lesson 2

Lesson 2 - final lesson on this topic. I have never, ever explored the area of Brushes and I didn't realise just what you could do with them, that you could make your own so easily.

This layout was created based on the handout for the lesson.

If you want to get into digital scrapbooking then get out there and just DO IT!

Digi Scrapping

Ok I have only dabbled in this so far, however, I signed up to do a Brushworks Class with Big Picture Scrapbooking http://www.bigpicturescrapbooking.com/ and yesterday afternoon I started looking at the lesson plan. It is about using the brushes in Photoshop and the different effects you can create.

Today I have completed the layout that was in the class pack.

I so enjoyed playing around that I decided to do a similar one for my niece using some of the photos from her 21st.

Feeling Good

Yesterday I figured that I had practically wasted this morning so after lunch I set about clearing out my huge box of scrap card and paper! 1 supermarket bag later I now have a tidy scrap box sorted by colour and more accessible by moving things around! Amazing what I can do when I set my mind to it. I can also see my desk top - had forgotten what it looked like!LOL

My problem is that because I have a craft room I don't tend to put things away when I have finished using them so stuff gets stacked on top of stuff.

Now, I need to tidy up my computer desk and do some filing.

The header

Yep, the header is 'home'. A panoramic view of the Motunau River at low tide with Motunau Island in the background. Our daily walk with the dogs takes us down to the river each day.



All fishing is governed by the tide because you need to go over the 'bar' to enter the sea. However, it is now a common sight to see boats being launched at the 'bar', which is something I personally am not in favour of. It's not that I am an A+ environmentalist but I really don't like what they are doing to the river area

New header - new resolution

Yay, I have got my own header up on my blog now! I am going to make a really big effort to keep this updated and share some of my cards and scrapbook layouts that I get done.

ScrapCamp 2007

That time of the year again, only this time it was a different time of the year! Held the last weekend in March.

Katrina and I travelled up from Christchurch together. Our flight was delayed by 15 minutes due to the late incoming plane. Pleasant flight up. Sent Jenny a text to say we had landed and there she was to meet us at the luggage area. Well we waited, and waited, and waited until Jenny went to see the baggage man who made an announcement to all passengers that there was a delay in the luggage being taken off the plane. A second announcement to let us all know that they were short staffed due to a Union Meeting! 50 minutes later, we saw our baggage. Took longer to retrieve our baggage than it did to fly up to Wellington!

The next surprise, well it wasn't really a surprise, because I had guessed that we were going to Sharlene's for lunch! Lots of cuddles with the NZScrappers newest member Jessica and she was such a good girl taking us all in.

Same venue, Forest Lakes at Otaki - needs a bit of a clean up now though.

An amazing denim bag full of goodies.

First game was to tear off how many pieces of toilet paper you thought you might need - the catch - however many pieces you took you had to introduce yourself and tell something about yourself for each piece. They didn't find out much about me because I only took one piece!LOL

Lots of scrapping took place despite the heat (yes it was really very, very hot) and the flies. Some time later I discovered I had forgotten to pack my deoderant - what a dilemma, wondering if spray perfume would do the job!

Some of us had lots of fun trying our hand at doodling - the latest craze to hit the scrapping world. Scraobooking Bingo game - I managed to win that!

Jo took a class on covering and decorating our large wooden letters - some had chosen a word and some had chosen letter.

The food was self catered this year and was very scrumptious and I must give credit to Jenny and Marie for making this happen.

Can you believe that one person stayed up until 5.30a.m. scrapping? Maybe the fact that she is a Kiwi turned Aussie might explain the insanity. Not only that, but she survived on only 3 hours sleep both nights (or rather mornings)!

Sunday was show and tell and judging for the best layout, best photograph, best journalling, best covered notebook and best decorated word. There was some seriously wonderful works of art and judging was indeed very difficult.

Time to depart and hit the road after cleaning up. Good run of traffic which meant we were at the airport early so had time to people and plane watch.

Can you believe that I had to drive part of the way home in rain again? At least there was no fog this year and I did get my baggage on the same flight as me.

By the way, I managed to do 14 pages over the weekend which must be a record for me! I still have to do some finishing off as you don't really take EVERYTHING with you when you are travelling by plane

ScrapCamp is looming up

Got quite a shock this weekend when I realised that I was due to fly to Wellington next Friday to attend ScrapCamp. Eek I don't have any photographs sorted, so what am I going to do? Well, fortunately, I have sorted my photos and have now got the card stock to match the photos so all I have to do during the week is purchase some pp to cover my wooden letters - phew!

Blog revival

Well I used to have a blog but it kind of got left behind towards the end of last year!

A friend gave me a link to a site where they have blog prompts and I thought that was a good way of getting started again :-)

Did you, or did you not, eat your vegetables as a youngster? What sorts of veggies will and won't you eat nowadays? Home garden grown, organic only, or anything goes?

Hmm well I have to be very honest and say that I was a terrible vegetable eater. My poor Mum must have pulled her hair out trying to make me eat them. I can remember that she used to mash cauliflower into the potatoes to disguise it! On the other hand, when I went to school in the UK we had what was called 'School Dinner'. These were paid for by the week and they would arrive at the in a van all cooked and ready to be served up. God knows where they were cooked but they certainly put me off eating a lot of food stuff. The vegetables would be soggy as and sometimes the dinners weren't very hot. Anyway, they really turned me off big time off boiled cabbage - I can't abide the smell of it now!

Today, I will eat or try almost any vegetable. I remember when I first went flatting and it was a case of eat it or starve! I just love stir fries where you can toss in heaps of vegies.

I'm not fussy how the vegetables are grown as long as they are fresh, so fresh from our own garden is a bonus