Johanna had her birthday party last Saturday, she had 7 friend sleep over. She found alternative accommodation for her sisters and brother and 11 and 12year old girls took over my house. We decorated miniature cakes with all sorts of sugary goodies and then they painted pillowcases with Ranger Dauber paints and stencils made with my faithful cuttlebug. Needless to say we were both shattered on Sunday.

Kia Ora! Its been so long since I posted, I'm sorry if you were hanging out for my exciting updates, he he he.

A lot has happened since my last post. I am still working at Scrapbook Studio and enjoying the access to Lisa's gorgeous fabric choices as well as the papers of course.

I have attached a photo of some toys I've been making. The owls were for my girls for Christmas and are stuffed with mini polystyrene balls for squishyness. I made up the pattern after seeing some cute owls on etsy. Check out my ancient sewing machine behind. Its vintage you know?

The Bunnies (or monsters) are made from socks with faces embroidered for cuteness. I donated a family of them to church and have some left to give to another charity my friend Emma recommended.

I am so glad I have gotten back to blogging, I find some really cool ideas by visiting others blogs.

Betz Flowers

Here are the flowers I made copying Betz Whites blog tutorial. I put them onto a layout with Heidi Swapp paper and to grunge it up a bit I put on some twine. I hope you like it, I'm planning on putting some of these flowers onto a Christmas Decoration, I'll let you know if this plan is achieved.

Scrapbooking Challenge!

Finally I've found time to post! I challenged myself to create a layout using as many raw or naked products as I could and still make an interesting page. It wasnt easy and I still think I need to add more stitching for colour, but I'm too scared to ruin it by going over the top. Amazingly I have even avoided using any adhesive too! Check it out below, and if you want to challenge yourself let me know.

Hello again!

It's been a while sorry, I've had computer issues. Yes computer issues not user issues! While I've been out of contact I've created a couple of new classes for September. The Leafy Wreath above and a Christmas Planner Diary, that can be reused every year!!! If you'd like to make either one check out http://www.scrapbookingbydesign.co.nz/ classes.

So strange to be thinking about Christmas already! My mate next door Emma got me thinking about the festive season when she showed me this awesome book she's just got called "Sew Green" by Betz White. Great ideas for "economical" (not cheap) Christmas Gifts! I've been looking at Betz White's blog and it's got so many cool ideas! Check it out! I'm in the process of making some cool felt creations, keep checking in to see them complete.

Kiwiana

Here's what I've been up to this weekend. I created this layout using a flax mat, pohutakawa fabric and 3scrappers NZ paper. Quite simple but I think it'll look good on the wall in my house.

August ATC Dare

Lisa's Scrapbook Studio ATC Dare Theme is METAL! I was so excited and went through my stash to find everything metal. ATC's are so small, I tried really hard to fit everything on but alas I still have some bits and pieces left. You can make an ATC too and submit it on the Scrapbook Studio website to win a prize, coz we all love free stuff and can never have too many crafty supplies!

I grew a tree in a weekend!

I'm patting myself on the back after this creation (coz no one else will). In the weekend I made this TREE or Coat stand out of MDF. I had seen a flash designer one in a posh interior shop in town for $1200 so thought I'd put a Nickie twist on it and created my own unique one! Way cheaper too!

Scrap surfing

I've been surfing the internet tonight, looking for ideas. I found some cool blogs to follow. I'm loving fabric on my layouts at the moment so loved http://www.melnunn.typepad.com/. Also thought my crafty mate Emma would like http://www.thejanellewindcollection.typepad.com/, very funky and inspirational, I must sharpen up my sewing skills.

Sassafrasslasssss????

The thing about working in such an inspirational place is that I come home with my mind buzzing with ideas!!! Unfortunately I dont have as much time as I'd like to get these ideas out of my head and into a creation. Tonight I made this layout with fabric, the new Sassafrasslass paper and cute, tiny gipsophila (??spelling??) flowers. It's Grace and our new puppy Jay Jay. The puppy is now 4months old, really fluffy and super cute, but still needs to learn that the backyard is her toilet, hmmmm.

More Metal Works

Check out what I created this evening, the kids went to bed and I made a mess on the kitchen bench. And yes it is my attempt at making a felt cupcake.

It was such a gorgeous afternoon today I had to stop and take some photos around where we live.

I told you that I love using metal for titles, here is another example. This layout is the Scrapbook Studio July Monthly kit. Its a photo of my talented daughter Maria. She's snapped herself in the mirror and unknown to her I found the photo and had to use it. I just love the Damask Hambly Transperancy too.

Gateway Layout

I know I'm going on about SENZ a lot so I'll try to make this my last post about it. Still buzzing sorry, my Stamping Up friend Karen just got an ear bashing at our card making class.
Just thought I'd show you the layout I taught at the event I will no longer talk about. This was the adult layout, the photos of my kids class are on another computer so cant show that one sorry. If you like this layout I am repeating it as a class at Scrapbook Studio in August. It is created using loads of different techniques, my fave being covering chipboard letters with brown metal foil and then embossing them in the Cuttlebug. I'm sure I'll be using it loads.

Torso Necklace

Check out my latest creation. I covered a small chipboard torso with paper and stamped my fave stamps with stazon, put on a cute rose and some German Scrap and then I covered it with Dimensional Magic (or Glossy Accents). When it dried I bent it until it cracked and then put another thin layer over it to seal it. I had some broken necklaces I sniped some bits off and joined it together with some black cord. Producing a cheep and cheerful necklace. I had started making this pendant to wear at SENZ but got too busy to complete it, wish I could have showed it off at the awesome event. I met some lovely ladies and saw some cool stuff. I heard it may be the last SENZ, boo hoo, hope its only a rumour. My blog mate Emma has posted a lovely compliment, check her out at angeltizane.blogspot.com, her sweetie daughter Evie came to one of my kids classes at Scrapbook Studio and created a very cool canvas.

SENZ preparation

I'm back at work after a lovely week off with my kiddies, (thank goodness for boardgames for rainy days). Since returning to work we've been full-on with preparation for SENZ. I'm going to be teaching a couple of classes, one for kids and one for grown ups. It's going to be a fantastic weekend.

Big time catch up!

This is my latest ATC creation. Lisa Walker (my current boss) chose "Favourite Quote" as the theme and after discovering the website www.lisasalteredart.com and using Blonde Moment Embossing Powder on the window frame I am really pleased with how it all worked together. I still miss my mates in the UK and am reminded of Dy my old (I mean past, she'd hate this slip up) boss and her girls everytime I use their fab Blonde Moments crafty products. I love all the colours of her paints and embossing powders, check them out on www.afth.co.uk , they have a gorgeous gallery of ideas too.

The Shadow box below was created by sticking "Collections" miniture boxes together and then putting an old photo of my Oma (grandma). I thought it looked a bit like looking through a window into the past (blah blah). Of course I had to add lots of little extras, I love all the vintage stuff at the moment.

Dinning or Sewing Table?

I moved the kids rooms around (again) and had a big chuck out, I also bought new bed covers for Ethan and Grace. Couldn't afford all the gorgeous accessories so I decided to attempt making some. I dusted off my Sewing Machine, old faithful, I've had it since my 21st birthday and it was second hand then. I cant do much more than straight and zigzag stitches. The kids were stoked with these cushions, bless them.

ATC Dares February - June 2009

Hi there, finally fought off my kids to get at the computer and post what I've been up to.

These are some of the ATC's I've created for swaps and dares during the year. I really love creating ATC's coz they're small (2 1/2" x 3 1/2") and everythings in miniature

Above is an ATC swap with an Asian Theme, I've used a cocktail umbrella, fabric and you'll see that I just love to use German Scrap I buy from the UK.

This one was the first swap I did, it was a "Sea" theme. Had to stop myself from putting too much on, paua, beads, bling phew!

This ATC was for a work Dare. The theme was "Home", I just love this Paper Arsty stamp of houses and again with the german scrap.

Another work ATC Dare, "Places". I hope you can guess where I was thinking of?

This one was loads of fun, it was a bit of a twist on the theme "Masquerade". I used my photo and disguised myself. This is the best I've looked for a long time!!!! I used a chain to connect the monocle (cant spell) to the photo and a Hambly rub on mostache, fun!

Like a virgin, blogging for the very first time.

Mate this is super new!
Had a little help from my sweetie daughter Maria, thanks honey, now get ready for bed!
I hope I'll be able to entertain you with my fabulously exciting life! He he he
Well, how do i start this?
Chat soon.