What a big surprise

I am learning that the wool can be pulled over my eyes way to easily.  I have just had the second biggest surprise happen to me.  The first was years ago when my husband and pen-pal surprised me with the visit of my pen-pal and his wife.  Brad had kept this quiet for months and I had NO idea.  I knew then that Brad could be really sneaky.

Well I have just had the second biggest surprise.  As many of you know I have got into running and Zumba.  What you might not be aware of is I have also discovered I enjoy cycling as well.  But I have been having to use my youngest daughter's bike.  All my family have a bike but me as I did not think it was something I would enjoy.  They would all go mountain biking and I would have no problem staying home and crafting.  But recently I thought biking around the neighbourhood would be fun so started off going with Grace.  So Grace would go on her bike and I would ride Melissa's.  I would also use Melissa's helmet and Grace's gloves (Grace would then use Brad's gloves).  Then Melissa started school holidays and I thought it would be fun for the three of us to go for a ride, but there inlay a problem, they had a bike but I didn't (I could not fit Brad's bike but also he has special pedals).

For Christmas my wonderful family was able to get me a lovely red helmet and some lovely green gloves so at least I would not have to keep borrowing theirs.  Then this afternoon as I was cleaning the craft room my Mum popped by.  I still did not suspect anything.  I should mention she also rang yesterday to talk to Brad but I did not pick that anything was 'up'.  When Mum and come round this afternoon, Brad had 'popped' out, still I had no idea.  I invited Mum in and offered a drink.  So we started chatting and I showed her my new helmet and told her that I planned to go for a ride to try out my helmet using Melissa's bike tomorrow morning.  She asked about us all going for a ride in the morning and I said how that would not work.  But she kept saying, "but what if you could"  Finally I twigged something was up as Brad had come home by now.

Sure enough I popped outside and there was my new bike.  Similar to Melissa's but red like my helmet - AWESOME!  I was and still am soooo excited (Can you tell by the look on my face in the photo below - such an awful photo but it does show the excitement LOL!)  So hopefully it will stop raining soon so I can take it for a test ride.

Do I have the most awesome Mum of what!

My new red  Black Thunder bike

So to my wonderful Mum and sneaky assistant Brad, thank you, thank you , thank you, I really love it.  I have not had my own bike since my blue 10 speed back in high school.  My new bike is way better.

Hmmm now I might just have to really think about doing a duathlon in 2013.  Whoop whoop I am going to be really fit in 2013 that is for sure.

Ok gotta go try out my new bike :)

Treat Tree

I was catching up with one of my scrapbooking student's Mum the other day at my youngest daughters end of year prize giving at school.  She was telling me about what she was doing last week for some children in her neighbourhood.

Mrs G has a lovely tree that is planted outside her house near the street.  she decided she wanted to do something special for the children that go to the school that is pretty much right outside her gate.  Each day she would go out to her tree and hang little treats for the children.  Each day she tried to make it a bit different.  What a lovely idea this is.  She hung lollipops, and candy canes.  It did not take long for the children to realise these were left for them.

What was also really special was that one of the children left a lovely card for Mrs G as a thank you for all the treats of last week.  Personally I think it is really cool and a great way to share the Christmas spirit at this time of year.

Better Scrapbooking Christmas Workshop

Reindeer Noses How To ...

I have been requested to share how I put together my reindeer noses topper so here you go.  The plastic bags are some I had lying around but they measured 5" across the top edge.

You will need a square piece of cardstock mine was a 5" square, you will want to measure your plastic bag across the opening and use that measurement to make your square.

A piece of 1 7/8 strip of coloured cardstock - green
1 2" circle - a different shade of green
1 reindeer punch - brown

Score and fold your square cardstock in half, this is the base you will be building for your reindeer nose topper.

Take your green 17/8" strip of green cardstock and slot it through the back of a flourish note punch (or use a fancy template to create your fancy edge) and punch.

Ink your green strip and your folded topper, I used pinecone brown.  Adhere your green strip so your fancy edge is down the left-hand side.  Don't worry if it does not go all the way across the topper it is going to be covered by the circle shortly.

Adhere your reindeer punch shape to the front of your 2" circle using foam tape for some dimension.

Adhere your 2" circle to the right hand edge of your topper.  You may like to add a red bling to your reindeer's nose.

Add your title and or sentiment to your topper.  To attach to your bag of chocolate just use your stapler.

Enjoy and I hope you have as much fun making yours as I did with mine.

The chocolates that I used were Maltesers and Jaffas - YUM!
Remember you can have a treat whilst making these ... though just one or two (handfuls LOL!

Teacher Gifts

Seeing as this is the end of Grace's High School experience we decided that she should give some little gifts to her teachers and dean.  Here is what we came up with.  It was inspired from Pinterest, the pin board of inspiration for all crafters.  Here are enough for two noses per reindeer (in case they need a spare one LOL!)

So how many reindeer can you name?
Can you tell I like my reindeer punch LOL!  What else can I use it on I wonder ...

Christmas Tags

Every year I like to hand make my Christmas gift tags.  Usually I wait until I have some wrapped gifts ready for going under the tree.  This year I have decided to try and be a bit more organised so I have made my gift tags already.  I may have gone over board with the amount but I always seem to run out.

So here is what I did:

I die-cut loads of gift tags, punched circles in green and red, then punched a herd of reindeer.  I layered these with the reindeer on foam tape for some dimension.  Then I added red bling for the nose (I was going to use glitter but this was way faster, much better)  and lastly I added some red bakers twine.

Very pleased with the way they have turned out!

Do you make gift tags for your Christmas gifts?  I would love to see what you create.  Feel free to share your tags with me.

Scrapbooking Layout Boy Discovers World by Jennie Coull

Here is a layout Jennie has created for our newsletter using the ScrapPack

This is a video Jennie showing her creative process for this layout.

Scrapbooking Layout Dad by Jennie Coull

Here is a layout Jennie has created for our newsletter using the ScrapPack.

This is a video Jennie created showing her creative process for this layout

Scrapbooking Layout 1st Day by Jennie Coull

Here is a layout that Jennie has create for this months newsletter using the latest ScrapPack.

 This is a video Jennie created showing her creative process for this layout.

Scrapbooking Layout Playing in the Grass by Jennie Coull

Here is one of the layouts Jennie has kindly created for our newsletter using this months ScrapPack.

This is a video Jennie created as she put this layout together so you can see how she did it and use some of this process to create a similar layout for yourself.

Diamond Fold Card Base

 This week I have been having fun with this months Spectrum Noir Monthly Kit.  This month we have been working with the set of blue pens.  With this kit there was a really fun diamond folded card (the I made the base and included in the kits).  I thought you would all like to see how to make this fun card.  Truly it is really easy to make.

To make just the base of this card you will need:

1 piece of 4"x12" cardstock or pattern paper of your choice

Scoreboard

Instructions:

Place your strip of 4"x 12" cardstock or pattern paper onto your scoreboard so that it is long ways and score at 2",4", 8" and 10"

Mark on your paper where 6" is at the top and bottom of your paper

Take your paper strip off your scoreboard and turn in over.  Take one side and fold so the top edge lines up with the 6" markings.

Now fold so the other half of the top edge lines up with the 6" markings and looks like the photo above.

Turn your paper 180 degrees and repeat the last two steps.

Turn your paper so the right side is showing and fold up at the 2" and 10" score lines   Your paper will naturally want to start making the diamond in the middle now.

Pinch beside your diamond to help fold back the edges of the paper to define your diamond.

This is how your finished base should look.  You can now decorate it wish plain papers and stamped images and other fun embellishments.

I would love to see what you create using this card folding technique.  You can email through your photos to: megan@betterscrapbooking.co.nz

Happy card making everyone!

Graduation

It has been a little while since I have posted.  Sorry about that, seems like we have been pretty busy with birthdays (still one to come this weekend), and life in general lately.  We have had a special event that does not happen very often.  Last week my eldest daughter graduated High School.

It felt so strange for them to be breaking up for the end of the year and for the end of year exams and to be having their graduation.  This year has truly flown by.  We have ... ok let's rephrase that ... she has been very aware this year was to be her final year at high school, but it still came to soon (for many of us).

I have to say I have been very impressed with our high school - Green Bay High School.  We have had a very positive time there.  I like that the teachers are more often than not, there for the kids.  Wanting the kids to do their best.  Having a really good variety of subjects available and willing to help accommodate students needs wherever they could.

Thankfully, my youngest daughter is having her first year of high school at the same school this year, so we have another four more (positive) years to come.

 Grace receiving her graduation certificate.

 Grace and her lovely form teacher of 5 years.  Thank you Gail for everything.

Grace and her Dean Mr Woodward.  Thank Mr Woodward for being available to all the kids over the past 5 years.  We wish you all the best for the next year and all the challenges it brings.

Baby layout Video using new Pavlova Papers

I just remembered this video that I managed to do this month and thought I should share it here on my blog.  I had so much fun putting this together.  So lovely to work with some older photos of my youngest daughter.

I hope you enjoy this video!

Please leave a comment below and let me know what you think.

The papers I used here were:

Pavlova Papers - Pink Daisies

$2.30 per sheet
Click here to order yours!

Also available in blue

Pavlova Papers - Owl Family Pink

$2.30 per sheet
Click here to order yours!

Also available in blue

Pavlova Papers - Owl Ribbons Pink
$2.30 per sheet
Click here to order yours!

Also available in blue

Friends Like You Easel Card

This is a really cute card that we have available as part of the Spectrum Noir Monthly Kit - Red pens.
I thought it would be fun to show you how you can make an easel card so you can make you own, with or without your stamps.  These cards are really fun and really easy.

You will need:
One 4 1/4" x 8 1/2" piece of cardstock
One 4 1/4" square piece of cardstock (same as above cardstock)
One 3 3/4" x 1 1/2" coordinating cardstock
Scoreboard
Adhesive Tape

Optional: Stamps, inks

How To:

Score the 4 1/4" x 8 1/2" piece of cardstock at 4 1/4" and 6 3/8"

Prefold all score lines so your cardstock looks like this

Place cardstock on table with the 4 1/4" side down so it looks like this and add a couple of strips of adhesive tape.

Adhere the 4 1/4" square cardstock to the base of your card.  Line up the top of the square with the top of the 2 1/8" x 4 1/4" section.  This is what your card will look like from side one.

Adhere your 3 3/4" x 1 1/2" coordinating cardstock to the bottom of the inside of your card.  This will help to hold up the easel part of your card.

Now you can decorate the front of your card and add a sentiment to the inside of your card that will show when your card is standing up.

Classes This Week

We have two classes this week.

Children's School Holiday Workshop
Thursday 11th October - 9:30am-12noon

Come and join us for a fun morning of paper crafting.
Each child will complete two fabulous mini albums, one being a fun pop-up mini book and the other a nice mini book style album.
Your child will need to bring some photos, how many is up to them but at least five for each project would be great.  If they do not have photos that is ok too, as they can add photos later.

Cost is $25 includes all materials and morning tea.
To book email:  megan@betterscrapbooking.co.nz
Space is limited so be sure to get in quick with your booking

Card Making Class
Saturday 13th October - 10am-12noon

Come and join us for a fun morning of card making.  This would be an ideal time to come and make some Christmas cards for those that need to be sent overseas - be in early before the cut off dates for overseas Christmas mail.
You will learn how to make an easel card and a border punch card, but you should have time to make others as well.

This class is $30 and includes a card-making kit
To book email: megan@betterscrapbooking.co.nz
Space is limited so be sure to get in quick with your booking

Loving Layouts

Workshops are a great place to be inspired and to get things done - most of the time LOL!  I was trying to create one project and it just was not coming together so I decided to put that aside and create some fun layouts.  Here is what I accomplished.

 This layout was kept very simple and clean.  I really like it.  It is not very often I do a layout with only one photo, though I have been doing a couple lately.  I do prefer more photos.

This layout still feels unfinished.  I need a title and I think I might add some flower embellishments I think.  I will also sit down and journal on this layout to really complete it.  We had so much fun that day, even if I had no bike.  The rest of the family went mountain biking and I fell in love with a book and read.  (books and I don't always get along, but when I find a good one they are hard to put down, and this was one of those.)

I am going to try and share more layouts and ideas with you.  I am in the process of putting a post together about embossing, so hope to have that up soon for you.

Children Let's Get Creative

Oh what a lovely creative couple of days I have had.  I guess it also helps to have had a workshop with wonderful ladies to inspire you.  It is wonderful be surrounded by so many creative ladies, not just in my workshop but within my circle of friends (you know who you are - Thank you!)

Well it is the start of the school holidays and I have been creative and getting some projects together for this Thursday class for the children.  I have three fun projects that we are going to do.

We are having our children's workshop this Thursday from 9:30am - 12noon at the Better Scrapbooking Ltd workshop.
The cost is only $25 per child and includes all the materials for the above three projects as well as a morning tea.  To book simply email me at: megan@betterscrapbooking.co.nz

Kits, classes and boo boos

Good grief what a week.  Last week I managed to sprain my left ankle on the inside of the foot.  So this week I have been spending a lot of time doing my physio exercises and visiting the physio (three time, twice for me and once for Melissa).  Looks like there is an improvement so hopefully I will be back and and running real soon.

Ok a long with sprained ankles I have had time to put together some classes.
This Sunday - September 16
2:30pm we have our Zutter Mini Book class.
The cost is $35 and includes all the materials required to make this cute little mini book.

As you can see this would make a really beautiful gift.  Colours may vary.

Next Wednesday night - 19th September
7:30pm we have our Black and White layout class
You will need two photos
The cost is $25 and includes the materials to make this layout.

Your photos can either be black and white like mine - ideal for heritage photos, or you can use your colour photos.  That will be your choice.

You can book for either of these classes by emailing me at: megan@betterscrapbooking.co.nz

Lastly I thought you might like to see this months kit for the Spectrum Noir Monthly Kit Club.

Each month you will receive a new set of 6 pens, at least two sets of stamped images, instruction on how to colour your images and enough product to make two beautiful cards.  All this for just $35 +postage and packaging.
Order yours by emailing me at: megan@betterscrapbooking.co.nz

Happy scrappin' everyone!