Cold in the Wild West of Auckland

I know many think that Aucklander's are just great big wusses and we just might be - I know I am especially when it comes to being cold. This morning before I even got out of bed I just knew it was cold.  I was glad that it was a Saturday morning as this meant I could get a sleep in.  Brad and Grace we up as they head off to Grace's morning Zumba class over on the North Shore.

Anyway Brad was out warming up the truck when he came in to let me know there was some thick frost on the truck.  I bounced out of bed, grabbed some warm trousers and my dressing gown then like a good scrapbooker I grabbed my camera.

Yep sure enough there was a frost.  Thanks for the visit over night Jack, everything looks so pretty dressed in white in the morning.

 I loved how beautiful the frost was on the roof of the car.  I looked like really short grass all sticking upwards.  It was fun to gently run my finger across the top.

Then I turned my attention to the garden and sure enough there was frost everywhere.  It was impressive to see it on the dirt and my flowers.  I am sure it was probably thicker down country but I do like to frost even if I don't like being cold.

Even my poor relatively new veggie garden was dusted in Jack Frost's handy work.  The gardens by the house seemed fine though - phew LOL!

But the rest of the day has also been pretty cold, feels like I cannot leave the side of my little fan heater.

Stay warm everyone!

17th July 2014

Oh my goodness I have neglected my poor blog for well over a month.  I mean what with getting ready for SENZ, setting up for SENZ, having SENZ, then packing up.

Of course then there has been the after math, the rain, production rehearsals for my daughter and then to add insult to injury came issue with the hot-water valves that needed a plumber.

I don't feel like I have had a chance to breath let a long blog or even craft for crafting sake.

Mind you as soon as I get to craft I have some fun ideas I'd like to create.  I just hope I remember what I want to do when the time comes LOL!

One of the strangest things that did happen at SENZ was that my daughter and I were filmed for the 4:30 Show with Liam and Cameron.  Now I don't know if our section will make the cut to the actual show, but the filming process was great fun.  Apparently it is going to air next Friday so we will see.

Having fun with embossing

I came across this technique today and just had to share it.
As many of you know, the Teresa Collins Craftwell eBosser arrived not so long ago and I have really enjoyed using it.  So now is a great time to try some new embossing techniques.

Today I would like to share about embossing with glitter using embossing folders and embossing powders.

To start with use some Versa Mark ink and added it to the recessed side of your embossing folder. (this is the side where the detail is 'dug out')

Add your cardstock to the non-inked side and close your embossing folder.

Send your folder through your embossing machine

Create a mix of clear embossing powder and fine glitter - about 50/50 of each.  I used a micro-fine glitter for this.

Pour this mix over your embossed cardstock.  Shake off excess and heat set your embossing powder mix.

Create your card - very pretty!
I hope you will give this a go.

Have a great weekend of paper crafting!

Creative Adventure Downunder

I have just the BEST weekend.  Three days of scrapbooking, papercrafting, inspiration, making new friends, learning new techniques and having great fun.

Oh my goodness I am still buzzing from all the fun from the last couple of days, so much to share not really sure where to start.

I will be honest I was a big worried about getting to Ellerlie for 8am on Friday morning with all the traffic, so I left home at 6:45am.  There was traffic but not heavy enough anywhere to be actually stopped.  So I cruised through Rosebank and Avondale down to Waterview where getting on the motorway was slow but again not too bad.  Once on the motorway I just needed to be sure I was in the correct lane to get onto the Southern motorway.  The Southern motorway was flowing smoothly so made it to the Ibis Hotel in Ellerslie and parked by 7:15am - WOW!  Really early, what was I worrying about again LOL!

Once inside I registered and was keen and excited about the whole event. I met up with one of my ladies that gets my emails and we sat together with some friends of hers and by the end of the day we were all like old friends - thanks ladies (Sheree, Cathie and Irene)

My first class was Friday morning with the lovely Joey Guercio Otlo from Bazzill Basics.  We made a fun double layout and card (still have two cards to finish) using the stunning Vintage Lace collection.

 Joey was such a beautiful and vibrant teacher.  It was fun to hear that she and I have daughters the same age - such fun!  It was really nice to be able to create a fun girly page, though when I was choosing my photos I realized I don't have that many girly photos - a challenge for me now is to take more girly photos.  I was really pleased with my layout and box closure card.

Here is a lovely photo of Joey and I after class.

My next class was Teresa Collins Pocket Page album class which was a lovely 6 hour class - we did have some breaks.  Poor Teresa did not have her samples or tools for our class due to issues with her luggage and flights - they did arrive in time for the other group for their class with Teresa - but that was OK, it was just wonderful to have Teresa teaching and sharing with us.  I love Teresa's classes

Here is my table working on our Teresa Collins Pocket page album and look there is Teresa teaching in the background.

This class was a real challenge with all the pockets but I rose to that challenge and was very pleased with the result.  I can see I will be incorporating this form of scrapbooking with my usual pages as well.  Loved all the ideas for decorating pockets.

One of the things we did do during this class was use some gold spray paint - we all know how much Teresa loves gold things.  So we went outside with the gold spray paint and some boxes so as not to create a mess in the hotel conference room but in bringing back all our sprayed items the fumes followed us.  Suffice as to say we all seemed to get extra happy with those fumes, well not really but it was kinda funny.  It was a fun way to change things and bring in that gold look to the project.

Here is a brief look at one of the pages I did during this class.

Also during the class Teresa was giving out prizes - always fun and guess what ... I won something ... I won a packet of her beautiful sequins - these will certainly be using in more of these albums.  I loved how we used them with the pockets to create floating embellishments.

We had until about 6pm for this class but we all started hitting the scrapbooking wall just after 5pm.  I kept going for about another half hour before my brain just gave out.

We had a Friday night dinner and entertainment which was a 70's theme.  Lots of people really got into it with their costumes.  I ran out of time to put anything decent together but it was great to see people really go all out.

Dinner was nice this year and the entertainment was a good laugh.  We were graced with a performance from the Abba-ettes (Larissa, Michelle and Michele)  Thank you ladies for a fun performance and a good laugh.  It was just after this that I had to go home as I was just so tired, but apparently there was a lovely dance put on by Michelle's daughter and then some fun make'n'takes with Graphics 45 and Teresa Collins - such a shame but I was really beat.

The following day, Saturday I was lucky enough that my wonderful Mum have me a ride to Ellerslie due to Brad needing the truck to take Grace to her Zumba class on the North Shore.  Thank you Mum for your help getting me to CAD on Saturday morning. Though in my haste to get to CAD I did forget my cutting mat and phone (camera) but I made it work LOL!

Day two was just as full on with two wonderful classes with Graphics 45. We had the mother and daughter team Diane Schultz and Aimee Filimoehala from Graphics 45 - what an inspiration these ladies are and oh so elegant.

We started of with a beautiful little ATC box and cards.  This was so much fun.  I loved working on this project.  Not only was it cute but I loved working with the metal embellishments.

After morning tea we started this lovely little Tea Album from some fun tags.  This was a full on class and we didn't quite finish the project.  I did have a bit of time at the end of the day with Irene to finish of some bits for this class and finished putting the album together at home that night.  I love the way it all came together.

Thank you so much Diane and Aimee for these two stunning classes and all your beautiful products

Saturday afternoon I had another fun class with Joey from Bazzill Basics where we created a funtastic little travel book.  Not that I travel but maybe one day when I get to travel I will be able to use it.  This was a fun class as this little book had lots of fun flip pages and pockets.  I also liked the use of a poly-envelope.

Also during Joey's class she gave away some amazing prizes/gifts to everyone.  I recieved a lovely pack of Bazzill cardstock, a sheet of stickers, a packet of metal tags and a packet of chipboard antique frames.  Awesome!

It was this class that we just rocketed through and finished early.  It was also nice in that Brad and the girls picked me up at the end of the day so I brought Grace and Melissa through (to help me carry my bags) but they also were able to meet Joey.

Day three, Brad and the girls dropped me off as Brad need the truck again to take Grace to another Zumba class where she was filling in for someone at Contours Albany.  Anyway, I was doing better on Sunday as I remembered my cutting mat and I also borrowed Melissa's little camera for the day.

For my last class was the 3 n 1 layout class with Trina McClune.  I have never done one of Trina's classes before so was very excited.  Trina you are a beautiful person and I did enjoy your class.  

However I was only able to finish two out of the three layouts during the class.  Both the layouts I did complete were using Teresa Collin's modeling paste and templates so that was fun.

Again Trina was giving away a couple of prizes and this one was a draw using raffle tickets and as she was doing the draw I jokingly said and its number 9 and guess what ... it was ... I won!  So exciting!  The whole class gave a cheer - cause that is just what you do when someone wins.  Then the class next door were cheering so we did it again and we had a little cheering contest between classes - my class won!

Here is a picture of all the beautiful things I won over the weekend.  Thank you to everyone!

It was sad to finish the day but this was a fantastic event. But here are some pics of some of the wonderful friends I made

This is a photo of the pink team of ladies and our wonderful teachers.

Feeling like Christmas

Oh I have really enjoyed this week.

I have had two amazing boxes full of amazing products, some still to be shown.

Well this morning I had another box arrive and I was so excited.  I saw a video for this item early this year as it was being released at the Winter CHA in California this year.  Well it has finally arrived and I know I am going to enjoy playing with it this weekend and sharing some fun projects over the little while

So here is the box that arrived, the poor courier driver did not even make it up my front steps, as I ran down to meet him and open the workshop door - good thing too as this is heavy.

Here is what was in the box

So who wants to come over and give it a go LOL!

I will let you know how I get on ...

Until next time

Let's get creative!

Crafting Anywhere

On Wednesday's I take my eldest daughter to Onehunga where she teaches a Zumba class at the YMCA - yes she is working on getting her learner's driving license.

Anyway, I usually sit in the car for about 1 1/2 hours waiting.  During this time is when I get to write newsletters and blog entries.

Well, this week I had finished writing and thought it could be fun to get creative and play with a new tool that had arrived the day before.  I was hoping to have some extra time - normally I read my book but this time I packed the We R Memory Keepers Flower Punch Board, the Stem Kit and some papers.  I had not used the flower punch board before and this was the result.

I do recommend using you punch boards at home on a hard surface like a table rather than your knee in your car.  However it was kinda fun to take some time to play.

Of course the other problem was taking photos on my phone in the dark as the sun had just set.  So here is a better photo that I took the following morning at home.

I think I will just might have to make some more over the weekend.  It is also great to know that the stem kit is re-usable so here come a lovely fun bouquet of flowers.

You can purchase the We R Memory Keepers Flower Punch Board, Stem Kit and Enamel Dots from our online shop (click here)

Until next time

Let's get creative!

Today is going to be a good day!

I can always tell it is going to be a good day when I come down after my shower, all ready for the day and this is what I see at my front door.

I love getting boxes of lovely scrapbooking product.  I know many of you will also be excited.
Today I have heaps to do with writing instructions and getting ready for Creative Adventures Downunder but all I want to do it rip into this boxes ...

So that is what I did ...

Check these out ...

And these ...

And of course now all I want to do it play.  I might give one thing a go but then I must get some of these out today and get on with the rest of my working day.  I think though I will be finding time in my lunch hour to give some more a go.

Just Do It

I have been wanting to get on my blog here for the last couple of weeks but honestly life have just gotten in the way.  I have been helping Grace with her eight Zumba classes a week - I only do three a week myself but some I need to drive her to.  Also with the start of term 2 with school Melissa has school production rehearsals as well has her classical guitar classes.  Then work needs to fit in some where, let alone the daily chores and life.  I am trying not to make excuses but I figured I need to "JUST DO IT" so here I am.

I was sitting in car last night at the Onehunga YMCA where Grace was teaching and I just started writing.  I am learning to utilize the time where I can find it.

Last weekend I grabbed a bit of me time and created a couple of samples for my up and coming Me and Mum workshop and I just wanted to share them

These were really fun and I am looking forward to creating these with the attendee at the workshop just over a week away.

I chose one of the projects to be a 3D box card because they have been really popular round the place and the moment and look like a lot of fun - which it was.

I have also been working very hard this week on another kit, this time a Christmas card kit ... but it is only May I hear you say.  Well, yes it is, but this is the perfect time to get a jump start and create some cards before the crazy season hits.  It will also help you to feel better prepared for Christmas this year.

With this kit you will be able to make the 6 cards using the instructions that come with the kit as well as a Christmas layout, but there is enough product that you will be able to keep creating and using some of your own stash get at least another four cards - how cool is that!

I am currently working on the instructions so this will hopefully be ready some time next week.

Just a wee thank you

My family and I went away for the weekend last weekend.  It was really nice to be able to get away.  We went to Rotorua for the Xterra Festival of Rotorua.  It is a big sporting event with 5 km trail run, 11 km trail run, 26 km mountain bike ride, triathlon and team triathlon.  Brad took part in the 26 km individual mountain bike ride.  He did so very well.  He managed to ride the 26 km in just over 2 hours - what a fantastic time.  The Whakarewarewa forest is such a beautiful place for this event whether you are riding or running.

It was also my birthday, so again a great reason to go away.  The only thing was what to do with our two precious cats?
I asked a dear friend and her daughter if they would be able to come round and feed out cats and she said she could - phew!  It was a great relief to know someone was looking out and after my cats.

As a little thank you I grab the chance to play with my Silhouette Cameo and create this fun little thank you purse.

 I am really pleased with the result and hope my friends daughter likes it too :)

The coin purse design is available from the Silhouette online shop (design #56357)

Colouring Modeling Paste

I wanted to share with you a project I created on the weekend where I used some more of the Teresa Collins Modeling Paste - I am really loving this and adding texture to my projects.
I thought it would be fun to add a bit of colour so here is what I did.

I started with a blank canvas - this canvas is one of those flat ones.

Next I used some really fun spray inks.  I used three different makes and colours, Heidi Swap Colour Shine, Tattered Angels glimmer mist and my own home-made spray ink.
I sprayed all over the canvas, now because the surface of this canvas has been treated with Gesso (like most bought canvas') the ink did not seep into the canvas but rested on the top, so to dry it I used my heat too.  Love the effects I got with the blending of the inks, even the splotches look cool.

Next I grabbed one of my 6"x 6" Crafter's Workshop Templates and added some modeling paste just in white.

Then I wanted to add some colour to my modeling paste.  So I added some of the paste to a little plate, then using the spray ink that I used on my canvas I sprayed some colour to the modeling paste and mixed it together a bit.  Now because I had added some extra liquid to the paste it was a big more soft, almost sloppy so be careful how much ink you add.

I used two different templates with the coloured modeling paste, I used the Teresa Collins Scallop 12"x 12" stencil and a small journaling stencil for a last bit of interest in the bottom right corner.
Before drying the modeling paste with my heat tool, I went and washed all my templates, just with cold water and my fingers.
When using your heat tool to dry modeling paste be careful as some heat tools are too hot and can cause modeling pastes to start to bubble.  I also left this to dry overnight.

The following day I added some punched shapes using my Martha Stewart layering punches and a little bit of bling.  I am really pleased with the results.

I would love to see what you create with colouring some modeling paste for your next project.  Please leave a comment below and let me know what you think of this fun wee project.