Life!

Hey Everyone in Scrappyland
Humble apologies for my lack of blogging this year....actually there goes my new years resolution and I definitely did not conquer that one!!! I might have had more luck at loosing weight, giving up drinking coffee (ok wine!) cooking more etc etc, but hey has anyone actually succeeded at new years resolutions....I don't think so
Anyway a catch up since August...
We went to Sydney for a few days, we haven't been there for quite a few years but you know apart from some new buildings and a few new restaurants nothing seems to change. Love their transport system it is so easy to get from A to B, and yes even I could find my way if I had to especially when I was almost left on the platform after the others all run for the train and I was a bit slow almost got caught in the doors.....laugh was on the train tho, cos I would of done more damage to the doors than it would of done to me! Sherie came over with us for the few days as a surprise to Mike and Yes he was surprised but it was great spending time with them both, eating sightseeing and of course a little drinking (had to be done!) It was our 31st wedding anniversary and Trevs 51st birthday while we were there and hey the All Blacks beat Aussie 51 - 20 so good times all round.

Sherie's 1st visit to Sydney...A huge surprise for Mike

Birdcage alley in central Sydney....every different kind of birdcage you could imagine!

 

ferry ride from Circular Key to Darling Harbour

 nothing like being on holiday!

Manly Beach

 Ritchie McCaw congratulating Trev on his Birthday (actually after match speech on tv)

 

from our visit to the Taronga Zoo....nice pic aye (got it off a poster, cos the lions were no where to be seen!)

Almost home time, walking down the main street before heading to the airport

 



Sept was a very busy month with putting final things together for Chris and Anna's wedding...you know all those last minute things that cant really be done till the last minute, its not like they were going to a place that was all set for weddings so walk in walk out scenario it was at Chris Rugby club and was very casual, infact up until an hour before the wedding we weren't sure if it was going to be inside or out, Trev made the final decision and had everything organised so the Bride could walk down the aisle not having known the lead up to her doing that.
Anyway onto the wedding...
It was very casual like I said everyone was just standing round and gathered closer for the nuptials. Hydro Chris's black lab was also in the wedding party as the ring bearer and I must say he did a wonderful job and was a very good boy.
The boys Chris had as his men have been good friends since school and were a great choice, the girls Anna had were school friends of hers as well as her Sister Claire ( Claire was a treat and made a wonderful speech at the "Breakfast")
The wedding went off without a hitch and the evening progressed as planned.
The next day was taken up with being at the venue at 10am cranking up the BBQ and getting all the drinks etc out and ready for the crowd to arrive, Annas Mum and ladies made salads etc and I stayed well clear from any kitchen jobs...infact I found a seat had a drink and tried to watch Bathurst on my phone, thank god my friend Noeline kept me up to date with the racing throughout the day.....Yes I know who gets married on Bathurst weekend? obviously someone who doesn't like car racing but anyway that was the date they chose so had to live with it ....put on my big girl panties, smiled politely and just had another drink!
It was however a long day from 10am till 10pm - incase you didn't realise the Bells and associates are never the first to leave a party so the day wore into night we did end up at Thai Hanoi for a late dinner tho and then home to bed.
To the friends and family of ours that travelled for the wedding THANK YOU it was awesome spending time with you all although the time does fly by and I don't think I sat in one place for longer than 5mins so I apologise if I didn't get to talk to you to long....but we will catch up.

 

 

 

Trev giving Chris a pep talk.....ok then maybe not

 

Time to go boys....looking very nice

The Boys all dressed up and rearing to go. Chris, Jamie Riordan, Willie and Mitchell Lake and Garth Swan

 

looking a little sombre

 Hydro sporting the collar and tie I made him, the rings were tied to the top

 

Saying "I Do"

 

Mike and Me

The 3 of us and Hydro

Emz and Jayden....nice photo

 

2 New Daughters in law and of course Photo bombing Trev in the background!

 



Getting sorted for the dreaded "Family Photos"

Yep there you go the dreaded "family Photo"

Nice photo except Anna's not looking

Old Mrs Bell with newest Mrs Bell

Look out girls...I have set the standard you have to live up to now looking after my Boys!



All the Bell girls - Emz, Myself, Anna Jac, and Sherie

Look out Calendar girls you might have competition!

                                                                             Cutting the awesome cake



With the cake maker, Sharon Milford

what an amazing job she did creating the ppl and the trophy and yep the bottom layer was lollie cake and extremely yummi...well the little bit I got was yummi! and of course one layer was Gluten Free for those that suffer from having to be GF free and it was yummi 2.

 





Ok so that's it for now I promise to be back later this week with updated photos of  the last classes and maybe a sneaky of next months one.
Until then
Take Care and
Happi Scrapping

Well its finally happened...

  Yep that's right....I cleaned up my scrap room!!!
I never knew I had so much stuff, you know how it happens...come on I know you agree with me ... that "Special" piece of paper or embellie you have to keep for a layout, card or OTP that requires that "Special" item you have kept for god knows how long ....well I found I must have a million of those just particular items.
So after culling (god I sound like a farmer) a whole lot of special pieces I now feel like I can start again!...is that not how it works?
Anyway I had a good cleanout changed the room round, went to Briscoes sale yesterday, bought overkill on plastic containers and now have the room as I want it......However Trev said (now its in writing so it must be true...) that I can have the much longed for Butchers Block with cubbies, and racks etc etc and a top for scrapping but it will have to be on wheels as I don't like scrapping in my room... I like the lounge , the kitchen, the ....well any room with other mortals that I can annoy with my constant chatting, humming, singing etc etc
Apparently I am the only person in the universe with over 500 punches.....(a slight exaggeration I think) and then the question comes "what the heck do you do with them all....they are all the same! then he says I'm going to ask the Ladies next year at SENZ how many punches do they all have and what do they use them for....so Ladies get counting!
and the ones you have as extras incase the first one breaks is only counted as 1 (lol)

so here is the before and after pics of the room...more carpet space now

 

Old Room....



Bit messy aye!....but I could find everything

 

 



 Nice new room...

.check out the holder for the punches...how could I possibly have 500+ in there lol

very tidy and everything in its place just have to make sure I clean up after each lot of scrapping or kitting so it stays tidy!

 

Ok that's it short and sweet Trevor and Myself are away to Sydney for a long weekend (well that's what it was supposed to be ) but its turned into a week, Mike is flying down on Thursday to join us for the few days and then he leaves on Monday back to the Gold Coast when we do so will be great fun to catch up and spend some time....hey the V8's are on in Sydney this coming weekend as well... so you know we might end up there for a day....would be rude not to

and I suppose we should be finding a bar somewhere to watch the 2nd Bledisloe Cup game ....however the All Blacks better play a hell of a lot better than they did this last weekend.

 

Until Next Time

Take Care and Happi Scrappin

xxx





 

 



Technology and Me dont mix well!!!

I wrote up a post not long after SENZ had photos and everything
and have just realised it didn't POST!
Trevor reckons and tells me on quite a regular basis that I should stay away from anything electronic because as soon as I get my hands on it the gremlins come out and everything goes haywire....things move, things get deleted, things get added, just things happen!
Anyway...
A huge thank you to Keri and Trevor for being my Girl and Man Friday and yep in the Botanical Tea Mini Album class  "he was RIGHT" (thought I would put that in for those of you that know what its about)
SENZ was so much fun and both Trevor and Myself thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience and I have already planned my classes for next year....but its a secret lets just say they will be heaps of fun! A couple of different options are rattling round in the old grey matter, however before all that happens we have AE in Taupo. I have only ever been to Taupo once and that was for a very  quick visit with a group of friends we had lunch and then drove back to Rotorua so I am really looking forward to seeing what the area has to offer.
The classes I will be teaching are going to be "not for the light hearted" but will be cool when finished, and there might even be a card class.

Anyway here is a few photos from my SENZ experience

 

getting the tables ready.....

For those that know me well you will know that Presentation to me is everything and there is nothing better than walking into the classroom and seeing a wrapped up box of hidden goodies and little gifts waiting for you

 here is a pic of the goodies that went with the class boxes

the little wooden box was for the Puzzle (Wall Art) class, the Glass Jar was for the Botanical Tea Mini Album class and the little handbag was for the Double Layout class

Ladies very busy in the Wall Art Class

 



My Tutor Wall

 

Ok that's it short and sweet but I promise to come back soon and show sum sneakys of the next kit for Class on the 6th Sept.....however just before that we are heading to Sydney for a few days for our Anniversary (31yrs) and Trev's birthday

yep he's old but I still luv him as much as when we were 13.

Until We catch up again

Happi Scrapin' 



Busy...Busy...Busy!

Hey Everyone in Scrappyland
just a quick update on the SENZ progress......if your booked into a class or ordered a kit
Don't Panic....I'm doing enough of that for all of us because once the pallet is loaded and sent its out of my control....now come on lets face it, if a woman was in control it would get to the Ellerslie
Events Centre be unpacked and all in its place ready to go by next Thursday....however I think the Truck driver is a male....should I be worried (probably!)
ANYWAY...what will be will be.....'Que Sera Sera'

If all goes according to plan the pallet will arrive safe and sound and be waiting for us at a friends warehouse so we can unload and upload to have everything sorted....Nup we are all in good hands...Trevs on the case...see below

 

Trev had a good system going creating all the resin frames for the Wall Art Class

he was getting one ready to pour as soon as the previous one was dry!

 

And while he was creating the resins I was busy "cupping" the 3x4 ATC papers for the Wall Art kits

you can see some of the resins in the cups along with flowers....

 

It really doesn't matter how much organising you put into something....something always goes pear shaped and some of the flowers haven't arrived yet, so looks like there will be extra bags of flowers travelling on the lane next week with us.

 

Anyway hope you are all well and getting your scrapping kits together and ready for SENZ and hopefully I will see you there, please come say "hello"

 

Until Then

Take Care and

Happi Scrappin

Finalist Entry Kaisercraft DT 2014/15.......

Am I nervous???...too right I am!
with the papers only arriving on Tuesday and the deadline extended to today for my entries I have had to do a "no procrastinating: just do it, don't think about it : just do it" job and I must admit I am actually very happy with the outcome of all 3 projects.

Am I excited???...too right I am! In all my years (geez I sound like a seasoned pro lol) of scrapbooking I have seen the industry change some for the worse, some for the better and  Kaisercraft have done a super fantastic job of not so much as keeping up with the Joneses as surpassing them.
Some of their recent lines Basecoat and Art of Life (my all time favourites....until I opened my package on Tuesday) just gives the Scrappers, Cardmakers and OTPagers so many options at their fingertips and even down to the embellishments that are also produced are totally amazing and at times mindblowing.

What a wonderful opportunity it would be to be part of what is ahead in the industry for Kaisercraft
as part of their 2014/15 DT and if the papers they have sent out for the entries is anything to go by then all of us are in very good hands of having our well earned pennies being spent on such amazing collections as the new upcoming Basecoat Christmas and Teddy Bears Picnic.

So here is what I have created using both these collections...unfortunately I did run out of time to create anything more than the Layout for the Basecoat Christmas, but am intending on being creative with some more of the papers after I finish classes this weekend and get the pallet away to Auckland on Monday.

BASECOAT CHRISTMAS COLLECTION

 



 

Miss Amelia (a Friends Granddaughter) has come along to help me so off this amazing Christmas range. Basecoat Christmas is what its called and the colours are a total winner

 

 

 This is a close up of the top of the layout, and I have added a Tim Holtz mini wreath, metal bell and lots of muslin, fibre and die cut embellishments

 

 

I have had this little bird in my stash for goodness knows how long and been waiting for the perfect layout to use it on....this is it! isn't he gorgeous

 

I have created this rosette using another of Tim Holtz dies - the poinsettia  and added of course my trademark flowers and extra "snow" like edges on the poinsettia

 

TEDDY BEARS PICNIC COLLECTION

 

Here is a card I made this morning before work...the middle piece is layered and little Timmy has come to help show off his friends

 

This shows the inside of the card...there is just to many real cool parts to this collection that you just cant help your self in using as many as possible

I stamped a saying from the Kaisercraft  - True Friendship set of stamps. I love giving the insides of my cards something a little more than just a flimsy piece of paper to stamp a saying on.

 

 

here is my layout I have created using as many parts of the papers I received as possible, my 2 friends Miss Emma and young Timmy had to come along for moral support. I love how the tartan goes with any thing to do with Teddy Bear's

 

I have double cut this piece with the teddies popping out of the suitcase and layered it up and added the little teddy in the middle (also on chipboard) just to give some dimension and added some black stickles to their eyes to make them more "real"

 

Can you see all the wee teddies jumping all over the cases, I cut them from the larger sheet and added chipboard to them to layer them up. I also double cut the lids on some of the cases to make them more lifelike.

 

 

Ok that's it for my finalist entry into the DT for Kaisercraft. I had so much fun playing with these 2 collections and I have more ideas for the leftovers....just need a little "Me" time to play.

I do wish all the other finalists the best of luck with their entries into the DT finals and look forward with anticipation to who makes the final cut, but I do know we are all in good "Kaiser" hands

for future inspiration!

 

Until Then

Take Care and Happi Scrappin









Yahoo! I'm a finalist for the ...

Can you see me.....I'm doing a happy happy dance!!! Jumping up and down and getting totally immersed in thinking:-

EXCITEMENT...

What papers will they send me to play with?

PONDERING...

I wonder what photos will work?

PANIC...

Oh My Gosh...what am I going to create?

then

EXCITEMENT!!!

starts all over again

 

until...

 

However when Stephanie from Kaisercraft  contacted me on the 27th May and told me I was one of the finalists and said they were sending a packet of papers (not yet released....oh I love sneaky's) and that I should receive it within the week and have all creations uploaded to the blog by last FRIDAY

for final judging...I thought yep sure no problem, got it sorted and was ready and waiting for the courier guy...well the week was up....no courier guy meant no parcel...lost in transit

So yep hurried emails back and forth and they very kindly sent me another parcel...it arrived on Tuesday (just past) and now have to have my goodies uploaded by this FRIDAY.

The papers are totally gorgeous and I couldn't believe how cool one set was....but cant share that yet

you will have to come back tomorrow and check out what I was able to create in a short period of time....but as many of you know I don't scrap fast and I change my mind like a million times

before glue and paper collide....so I'm thinking even I will be surprised with what get created...maybe those "helpful Scrappin Fairies" in the corner of my scrap room will help....Not a good week to loose mojo!

 

Along with finalizing all the kits for SENZ which have to be on the freight on Monday/Tuesday at the latest to get to Auckland in time and then there's class tomorrow night here in Dunedin and Sunday in Balclutha......................I'm sure the Kaiser entry will come up just fine!

 

So Please wish me luck

and keep your fingers crossed I can come up with something deserving of the papers!

 

Until Tomorrow...

Happi Scrappin'









Hey Everybody in Scrappyland...

Well in a months time Trevor and Myself will be winging our way to Auckland laden with boxes and boxes oh and some extra boxes full of Kits and loads of giveaways  and goodies for my 6 classes at the SENZ Expo from 4th -6th July

My wall Art classes have already sold out and had we not been booked to come home reasonably early on the Sunday I would have looked at another class however that's not to be......BUT WAIT!!! there's kits available for sale and they can be either couriered or collected from the show (kit cost is $65) just letz know if you might be interested.
The other Classes -
* Mini Album using the Graphic 45 Botanical Tea and lots and lots of goodies are selling ok and there's only a few spaces left in each (3 on the Friday and 8 on the Saturday) once again Kitz ($55) are available
* The Double Page Layout using the Prima Collection Stationers Desk, is also selling really well and has about 8 spaces left in each class, once again kits ($49) are available

Anyway this was just a quick heads up and to let you know how things are progressing
I cant wait to start the kitting process...that's happening after a glass of Wither Hills and of course a little chocolate
Until Then
Take Care and
Happi Scrappin'

 

 



Super Awesome Unforgettable Weekend!!!

Hey there everyone in Scrappyland
all I can say is WOW what a weekend at this years Creative Adventure Downunder Retreat in Auckland run by Jodi Tomlin and Michele Widdows. The tutors were Teresa Collins, Joey Otlo along with Trina McClune and who could forget the very elegant Ladies from graphic 45 Dianne Schultz and her amazing daughter Aimee. You know when you get a vision of how you expect someone to look or talk or dress etc etc well that was how the Graphic 45 Girls were....
Just Perfect! Dianne with her pearls, hat, black clothes and Aimee with her little hat and spotted blouse PERFECT!

The projects were amazing however my pet hate is Ladies leaving class with unfinished projects and that happened to many of us....the Project life class...yes I did it and didn't escape to the bar,  held its own and I can see after having a go at it that the idea has merit and is in itself a great way of scrapping a lot of photos on one subject in a hurry and with a little embellishing can be made to look quite spectacular...(Mine is not finished!).
The 2 Graphic 45 classes were really amazing and totally up my alley as I love OTP and the wee box and book were fun to make. The tutors were amazing with little hints and tricks along the way and the class prizes they gave out were mind blowing.
Joeys classes were very cool and I loved the travel journal, as I can see it has potential for other themes, however the layout was a little "simple" but I think once I get some goods together and put the "Robbi" factor to it I will be more happy with the finished project but hey that's what its all about ....taking something and changing it to suit yourself and your likes.
Trinas Class was very good except for the fact she got a little ill and she herself didn't enjoy the class but she struggled through and the Ladies were all very happy with their projects, once again some very simple but effective layouts done quickly and effectively. I loved the one with all the circles....finally got to do a layout on Trev's biking expeditions!

I am not putting up pics of them today as I haven't finished so you will have to wait to next week, as am hopefully going to finish them over the weekend.
But here is some of my fav pics from the weekend...It is super awesome when you can meet and talk to your idols in the business and now I have fulfilled mine over the last few years meeting Tim Holtz at the Brisbane Expo and now the Graphic 45 Ladies...could it get any better?......Yep I have a secret!

The Southern Girls with Teresa Collins - Denise Curtain, Sharon Milford, TC, Janine Shaw and of course Me

 

Aimee, Me and Dianne (yep first name basis lol) the amazing Elegant Ladies from Graphic 45

TC n Me (Whoever took this pic must have had the shakes, but its the best one I've got lol)

Joey Otlo from Bazzill Basics and Me (an amazing lady and just so friendly)

and of course NZ's very own Trina McClune, this pic was after we had practiced the perfect way to have a pic taken...then we gave up lol

Who else but Elvis and Priscilla have entered the building. Was heaps of fun to dress up with Sharon and I'm not sure to many people recognised me - Perfect!

this was my Pin for the "Make a Pin" competition

as many of you know I love the steampunk era so loved creating this little honey.

 

Ok that's it for today.....remember the SENZ classes go on sale tomorrow, check out my classes and if you like them book in and I will hopefully see you between the 4th and 6th July.

 

Until Then

Take Care and Happi Scrappin'