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'

 





“Kaisercraft Design Team 2014 Entry”

Hi Everybody in Scrappyland

Has anybody realised how much Kaisercraft have changed over the last few years, the papers and embellishments were "ok" but now....well we have been bought some amazing Collections from Key to My Heart, Bonjour, Blubelle, Hunt and Gather, Base Coat (for the Men) Curiosity and my all time favourite Art of Life.

the secrets out... I have applied for the Kaisercraft Design Team for the 2014/2015 Term. I would love to be given the opportunity to use and promote their products and I feel very excited about what the future will bring us "Scrappers" as far as the  goodies they have planned.

here is a few of my favourite items  I have created using some of the Collections, of course these are for the
Artfull Crafts Design team who also brings us the latest and greatest collections from Kaiser as soon as they are released.

"Base Coat" Card

"Base Coat" Layout

"Base Coat" Layout

OTP Book created for SENZ 2013

Exploding Box created for SENZ 2013

"Art of Life" Card

 "Art of Life" Layout

"Art of Life" Puzzle piece

So there we go, my entry is in. to be given the opportunity to apply is amazing and I would be truly privileged if I was chosen. So wish me luck! I think with so many talented Scrappers out there I would have to be very lucky.
Until then
Happi Scrappin"

Another month gone...did you know its only...

31 weeks to Christmas!!!
We had class (part 1) last weekend here in Dunedin and part 2 will be this coming sunday in Balclutha.
Is a horrible situation when all you want to do is teach a particular class and then the papers never arrive..... waiting, waiting and waiting some more. Anyway I have managed to sort enough for the class to go ahead and I am pretty sure the ladies that came along on Saturday loved it. We finally made the Marion Smith Nirvana Double Page layout. I love the colours all old vintage colourings that lend themselves to either older photos and even modern day ones work well.

 

where you will see all the black pieces is where the photos can be put, although one of my ladies is putting a 5x7 portrait photo on the centre left page.... a very good idea!

Over the last few days I have been putting the finishing touches on the projects for SENZ it is getting very close
 (4-6th July) and its all very exciting. I cant wait to bring my goodies to Auckland and have the Ladies create their own pieces of art.
My spare room at present has boxes overflowing and pieces of paper with counted numbers of every die cut piece that everyone will need for the chosen project.....good thing to do on a cold wet wintery Dunedin night....die cut hundreds of butterflies, cogs, hearts etc etc but I love it....trev doesn't but I do!

In fact here's a little sneaky of some of the class bits....but no more until the classes are released on the 28th or I might get in trouble lol.

 



not going to  tell you what the classes are but if you cant make the classes at SENZ there will be a little few xtra kits available for sale through the site (I think) or email me and I will sort one for you.

Ok that's it for this blog post....Sharon Milford Janine Shaw, Denise Curtain and myself are heading to CAD in Auckland next weekend, so look out you North Islanders the Mainlanders are coming at ya!!! its going to be heaps of fun and the classes should be amazing as you know I'm a bit of a Graphic 45 nut so that's the main drawcard for me this time but there's also classes from Bazzill Basics and Teresa Collins and then NZs own Trina McClune....and then there's always the Bar !!!
Until Then
Take Care and Happi Scrappin"
xxx

Hey There Everyone in Scrappyland....

What's New?
...Well I have a little news ...not much just a little
here's the last months class layout we created, it was very exciting to see how everyone that came along attacked the layout, some were of themselves others of family members and others of children and everyone was so totally different it was amazing.
It was wonderful to have the Ladies from Timaru come down to Dunedin for the day and I think they enjoyed the class
we had a lot of laughs (as we do) and a lot of stories were told but then that is part and parcel of a bunch of like minded ladies getting together.

so heres the layout we used Graphic 45 - Couture line

 

 

this layout is the first one I have created using some of the 682 photos I managed to "obtain" from the wedding. There is so many layers to it but you cant really see that from the pic.

 

here is the top tight hand corner and there is about 5 layers to this!

 

Ok now its time for me to show some of the Family pics from Mike and Sheries wedding, it was a truly amazing day and I loved every minute of it. Although i must confess I  did not wear the Anna Stretton dress - I wore a really nice black dress and silver jacket/coat very high shoes and even had my legs tanned (another story for another day...) Trev even scrubbed up ok....so here you are

 



 Final moments as a free man!

 Mikes Tie - this is called the Eldridge Knot

 Hey Guess What......We're Married!

 Jackie and Myself ....looking stunning (lol)

 Chris and Anna - they are next

 Jackie, Trev Myself and Brian (Jackie and Brian are Trevs Brother and his Wife)

 The Happy Couple away for Photos

 A private moment between Mum and Son

 Mike photo bombing the girls photo

 Very proud Parents of the Groom

Photo shoot time 

 Come on Chris its Photo time...doesn't look happy aye?

 Trev's Monaro as one of the wedding cars

 Mike, Dan, Euan and of course Sammy

 Chris deep in thought....who does he look like sitting there all "royal" like

 Michael! what do you mean your wearing the pants in this relationship???

 Emma and Jayden

 The Rings seal the deal

 Amazing Wedding Cake made by my awesome friend Sharon Milford complete with super hero cake toppers

Sharon and Steve Milford

 

Ok so that's it for this blog post, hopefully sometime in the next week I will be receiving my papers for the Marion Smith class which is scheduled for the 1st weekend in May....however things are not looking good and I might have to transfer the class to the 2nd weekend, fingers crossed this wont happen but cant help things that are out of our control.

 

Ok back to creating the goodies for SENZ and I must admit the classes are looking really really exciting and I cant wait for July to come round....however before that Trev and I are away to Auckland after Easter for the V8 Supercars and that is so super exciting I almost cant wait. I will blog some pics from it in the week after and let you know about the Next class at the same time

Until Then - Take Care and

Happi Scrappin'

 





March Class

Hey Everyone in Scrappyland...
a quickie today to let you know about the next round of classes.
Dunedin is on the 1st March and Balclutha is on the 9th March

Its a card class and we will be making about 6 cards possibly a 7th will be ready to add to the kit by then if the papers arrive. We were supposed to be doing a Marion Smith Nirvana double page layout but Guess What....the papers didn't arrive so that's now the April Class so  a card class it is for March

I hope you like the look of the 3 cards attached...

 

 Click on the picture to get a better view of them all 

classes will run from 10am till about 2.30 - 3pm and
the cost is $35. I can courier kits out to anyone that wants to buy one at the same cost
and these will be ready next week

lets know if you would like to join us for either day or if you might like a kit.
Remember that for every kit purchased you get one entry into that months class prize and then the same prize is in the hamper at the Christmas class. So if purchase 2 kits get 2 entries etc etc

Hope you are having a wonderful day and enjoying this special bit of sun that's about this week.
I have to go back to the vets this afternoon to find out how Pip is getting on...she had to stay there last night and have her head drained after it swelling back up to double the size on Monday night and now they are saying it could be a cancer growth or liver problems.....funny didn't think the liver and the eye were connected, cancer I can see a connection....anyway the house was very quiet last night so hopefully I get to bring her home today alive and not in a box!

Until Next time (and hopefully with some better news)
Happi Scrappin"

Almost March!!!....No Way!

Hey Everyone in Scrappyland
What Ya been up to?....me.. well I think somewhere between December and Feb I must still be tucked up in my duvet covers and mountains of pillows dreaming of being on a warm beach with copious amounts of free cocktails and men at my beck and call......ahh don't wake me up!

But instead its into reality and its almost March... The month where our Middle Son is getting Married, he is now in his late 20's and is finally ready to settle down after finding a very special partner in Sherie. Im sure photos will follow so you can all see how wonderful they look and me well I'm wearing a dress....Yes a dress actually a Anna Stretton dress and its gorgeous and I have vintage type shoes and a fascinator...oh yes that's right its not about me its about the Kids getting Married
Then of course later in the Year ...(October) Chris and Anna are set to get Married as well so a year full of weddings in the Bell Household.

 

But there is other exciting news on the horizon as well...but you will have to keep an eye out and watch this space for further news.....oh what could it be??? And no I'm not going to be a GRANDMOTHER

Anyway I procrastinate  to much....the reason for my blog update (finally) is to show you the last class we had in Dunedin and tell you about the new upcoming one, the 1st weekend of March for Dunedin Ladies and the 2nd weekend for the Balclutha Ladies.

here is a  little pics of the last class we had. It was to honour ourselves and set ourselves some "Goals" for 2014 with the intention of coming back later in the year and ticking the boxes.

 

this shows one of the little folders that was to house your Goals and then put in pics to verify the outcome....totally a personal diary.

 

This is a very special cake that my very good friend Sharon Milford made me for my Birthday. It was delicious and was a shame to cut into it....but trust me it didn't take long to demolish lol

Anyway Sharon is making Mike and Sherie's Wedding cake so watch this space once again its guna be a masterpiece!

 

Now onto our bad news for the year,

 

 Pip must of gotten a bee sting or spider bite

and it has given her a real bad allergic reaction. Her face swelled up and closed over her eye and she was just miserable, so after repeated trips to the vet and numerous amounts of injections and very strong antibiotics she is finally coming right ...it is now 3 weeks  

 

this is what we are left with after the 3 weeks and it looks very sore and she doesn't like it being touched....understandable I think! she also absolutely hates her photos being taken so I had to sneak up on her while she was sleeping.....her eyes are open so I didn't do a very good job aye... lol

Isn't is a bit sad in our wonderful industry that so many scrap shops are having to move on or close as the world gets a little closer in everyone being able to purchase goods from overseas and sometimes a little cheaper than we can buy it personally from the NZ shops....I suppose it is a inevitable situation.

Ok that's it for this blog post keep a watchful eye out for early next week as I will bring you some sneaky's of the upcoming card class early March and some information if you would like a kit or join us at either class. Liz from Artfull Crafts is also bringing down her "Pop Up" shop for the day so there will be plenty of goodies around.
Until Then...
Happi Scrappin"



A Year in Review....(Wheres it gone???)

Hey Everyone in Scrappyland
are you feeling the same as me, and wondering "where has this year gone?"
it doesn't seem that long since I was fighting with Christmas lights and trying to fold them up nicely so when next required they would unfold in a seemly manner....NO! didn't happen...So
We are not having a Christmas Tree or Decorations this year....I have put up a Santa figure and a string for the cards but that's it....Have I lost the Christmas feeling?...well maybe a little, we are never home for Christmas Day and all the prezzies that I take so long to wrap beautifully end up squished in a box to travel to Wyndham where we have Christmas Lunch with Friends (we have done this for over 20yrs) and this year I'm just not feeling it...Maybe its because like I said earlier "where has the year gone". I'm still in about July lol
Anyway...What a year it has been. For us personally as a Family it has been a big year but not as big as next years, with 2 weddings happening in our Family. This year saw our Eldest Son Chris get engaged to Anna and they are planning to get married at Bathurst weekend Oct Next Year (who gets married at Bathurst weekend???). Mike and Sherie have been progressing with their wedding plans and have everything totally under control, the invites have not long gone out so now its just the waiting.
Emz has had an interesting year and all I can say is I hope that next year is her year. Trevor and I had a wonderful trip to the V8's in Pukekohe in April ---my 50th Birthday Prezzie and I have already purchased our tickets for next years racing. Trev fulfilled one of his "bucket" list items and that was to purchase a Holden Monaro....Hot House Green, 2 door Coupe, 6 speed manual and she goes and like all good women costs him money! I shouted Trev to the Bledisloe Cup Rugby in Wellington for his 50th back in August and here is with Red Noses for the red nose day appeal with my SIL Jackie.
Don't they look like a couple of clowns?

 

From my perspective I have had an amazing year with Scrapbooking and I have loved every minute teaching and especially at SENZ early July that has to be the highlight of my Teaching to date. Liz from Artful Crafts asked me to go up with the shop and take 2 classes. I met some lovely Ladies (and Gentlemen!) and would definitely love to go back in the future in a similar capacity. The thing that after all these years is that you give the Ladies the same packets of goodies and everyone's ends up so totally different.
Here is some pics from over the last couple of months and it shows the latest Exploding Box I created for Artful Crafts Christmas party last weekend...

This is some of the amazing bunch of Ladies from my Dunedin Classes and a whole lotta party food...no chocolate tho that's not good for our petite figures!

 This group of wonderful ladies is some that regularly turn up to the Balclutha Classes, we had party food as well but it was mostly healthy so no a good piccie to take lol

 This is the lid from the Exploding Box I created for Artful Crafts Christmas weekend recently and you will have to check their blog later in the week to see the rest of the insides.

It was an amazing weekend and a lot of laughs were had. 

A sneaky pic of a couple of the inside flaps,  super fantastic for a gift to hold lots of photos or like I created for Emz last year a great holder for vouchers. 







This is a little MDF box I had made and have covered the insides with some of the Kaisercraft "Looking Glass" papers and goodies. I even got adventurous and made Alice's dress and of course the Mad Hatters Hat (I love making them!). a little book can be seen on the table and the bottle of medicine as well.

I had so much fun creating this little box and even added a Tim Holtz Pocket Watch

 

I hope to bring you another blog post next week with some more pics from our recent classes and until then...

 

Take Care and

Happi Scrappin"