It's been one of those days...

Project life, washi tape, spring edition classes and the fight over the cola lollipop.

It's science project time in the Howard home.  I have one son measuring temperatures of hot drinks, an hour at a time at regular intervals, and another measuring the height of grass growing in old milk bottles.  Both experiements have been well thought out - did you know cold milk helps keep your hot drink hotter than cold water?  Did you know that adding worms underneath your crops will increase the growing speed considerably?  Me neither.  But I've been hearing about it for weeks.

And so science fair time drives us crazy.  Some mothers guide their kids through very single step.  Some leave the kids totally on their own.   While I don't *help* my sons with their science fair projects, I am a constant sound board for them.  I throw devil's advocate questions and talk them constantly through what they are doing.  I guide them through making plans and I nag the living heck out of them to go through with what they planned.  After all is said and done, I stand and guard my cardstock supplies with my life... I went out on Sunday fora  few hours and when I came home there were cardstock scraps all over the lounge.  My fault for not putting a lock on the door.

It's just one of the things going on in the Howard home, and I have to say I am Looooving documenting the boring and mundane (but fun to look back on) via Project life. 

Here is week 2... I'm up to week 5, just a little slow on uploading.  Because, you know, I've been too busy guarding cardstock...

The left side of the layout.  Love this girl!



The right side of the layout.  I love the pic of Abby and her "school BFF".  The caption underneath says "Since when do you two play pillow fights?" "Since I said to Abby 'let's have a pillow fight!"

Yep.  Seriously.

And put them together and they are a week in the life of the Howard family.  Well.  Minus the yelling, the fighting over the TV remote, the arguments over the cola flavoured lollipops and missing out the piles of washing... (some of that stuff will actually make it into these layouts though, you watch).

Anyway.  Loving it.  Loving it so much that I'm offering a class at Spring Edition "Introduction to Project Life"

I've been asked several times how I include so much text on my little cards.  Nope, I don't bother with text boxes or tricky stuff.  I have a doc in Word that has the margins set to fit one of the little journaling cards.  I type what I want and print it out on plain printer paper.  Then I use a temporary tape runner to adhere my little journaling card to the printer paper and I run it back through.  Just.like.that.

Just some quick things - I have Washi tape for sale, see that here.  It's super cheap, $2.50 a roll (NZD) and I can fit LOTS in a courier bag.  Spread the word for me, please, the more I sell, the more I can afford to get in, let me hear all the Washi addicts say 'yeeeeeaaaaaaa'... and Aussie is super cheap to send to as well (the exhange rate works in your favour!).  Facebook it, pin it, spread the word, like I say, the more I sell, the more designs I can afford to bring in.

Free Washi tape webinar showing all the fabulous uses for Washi is here, Thurs Noon for NZ ladies...

Molds for sale via trademe - more designs due this week.  You can also just email me with the codes (at the end of the title of each auction) if you want to buy direct.

Spring Edition classes are open for registration. 

That's all for this time.  Washi tape to pack.  Couriers to call.  Love being busy.

laters.

 

 

Winter, vegemite sandwiches and the webster's blog

Things are fairly standard here in the Howard home.  Week 5 of the second term.  Winter has tightened it's grips around us, which is interesting since theoretically it's still Autumn, and I'm giving in and lighting the fire early most days.  Personally I'm enjoying the incredible amount of routine this time of year brings but at the same time mourning the summer socialising. 

Summertime I love to be sitting out under our neighbourhood cherry tree with drink in hand, friends chattering and kids playing cricket on the road til the late evening hours.  Wintertime I just want to sit ina  beanbag in a patch of sun eating Vegemite & chip sandwiches and reading a good book. 

In fact yesterday I got stuck in a beanbag for 3 hours.  I had to text my neighbour and BFF to bring me a drink.   ;) It was obviously a good book.

No idea where I was going with this except to say that I have found my scrapping happy place right now.  It might be because I'm happy to be inside.  Happy to sit and be creative. Despite the fact I'm ignoring the craving for Vegemite and chippie sandwiches. 

I can hear some of you dissing the vegemite and chippie sandwiches.  Seriously.  I'd live on them if I could.

But I digress.  I'm leaving you with a little Webster's Pages love in the form of... look at that, it's their "In love" collection.  I considered using their "in Love" collection to create a card to the makers of my favourite Eta Chicken Chips, but that wouldn't quite have been something universally understood on the Webster's Blog, now would it?

Laters

The the pitter patter of tiny feet in the Howard home...

Well.  Not quite.  It's not the pitter patter of little feet but I do have a new baby.  It's the pitter patter of tiny index cards as I shuffle through them trying to complete my latest Project Life page.  I'm such a convert.  I haven't been this excited since I discovered Mr Whippy will put sherbert on a Flake cone. 

That is serious excitment. 

Sharing my first week with you.  Single pages first and then what they look like together.  A week in the Howard home.  Kazinga.  Just. like. that.  Lovin it.

(Title card downloaded from Pinterest, days of the week digital overlays from www.thelilypad.com just days cards, cute kids have been mine for years :)

See - very cool.  Love. love. love it.

And a week all at once...

Not bad for a beginner?  Yes? 

Laters

A 30 minute layout, new kits for sale and why can't dogs count?

Before we got a puppy I was told many times it was the same as having another small child in the house.  I've since discovered this to be true.  Penny will do things naughty, just to be told off by the kids, then she'll act all sorry and they melt and they'll give her big cuddles. She wins.

When the kids were small it was raisins and half-eaten muesli bars I might find stashed in the car or in random places around the home.  Penny, on the other hand, doesn't stash things in the car, but she stashes things everywhere else.  Her "Bury the food, save it for later" instinct is strong.  I find tux dog biscuits in the strangest of places.  She can very carefully line them up behind curtains, she can push a cushion over, place one behind and push the cushion back in place.  My favourite though?  She tries to bury them in beanbags.  I apologise in advance to anyone visiting my home that finds a month old tux dog biscuit as a companion.

Ahh yes.  You all warned me that getting a puppy was like getting another child.  WHY is it though, when I demand "Penny, come!" in my best authority-like voice, that she takes one look and slinks the other way.  She knows if I walk one way around the table, that she can take off around the other side.  I'm not going to play that game for long.  My biggest question though?  If dogs are so much like kids, why doesn't she respond to the thing that all kids respond to?  I can't tell you how many times I've got to the end of my patience with her not coming to me and starting with "one....two...."  doesn't work with pups though, does it?

Leaving you with a 30 minute layout.  Totally unrelated to anything puppy.  For full isntructions see the FancyPants blog!

Oh!  And click the link in the toolbar - I have more kits for sale, many from Autumn Escape!

laters...

 

Double Take - Class giveaway...

<< Giveaway closed - winner is Sherie as below - I'll be emailing you, Congrats! - class opens tomorrow - regsiter now if you were thinking of doing so! >>

I looked at my schedule and realised May was here, yep it usually follows right after April but somehow I didn't expect it just yet, and then I realised I have an online class in just over a week.  The worst part?  I haven't given away a spot in class - bad me!

Alright - so the details for the class are here:  You can tell I was deathly sick in that photo - Lordy me... I think I was about 2 steps away from being admitted to hospital last year.  Anyway... go visit the page, you might even want to watch the dodgey video (May and I don't claim to be video extraordinaires - it's fairly dodge, but FUN at the same time!).. anyway, do that and come back and visit me.  Leave a comment and tell me what exactly it is about the class that makes you think you'd enjoy it.  

Apart from the fact you might see more of those amazing videos, note the sarcasm.  Which actually, is very likely. 

Giveaway closes Sunday 6th May.

Leaving you with one of my fav pages from the class - there are many, many, many more though!
Laters

AE Spring Edition 2012

Because one event wasn't enough.  Because we are always sold out 10 months in advance every year.  Because it makes us sad to see a huge waiting list and scrapbookers turned away, and because we just can't wait a whole 12 months inbetween events...

We're right back into it.  We have one of the BEST mixed media, scrapbookey type, vintage lovin' tutors available to spend 3 days with us.  Paula Cheney is the amazing mind behind much of the 7Gypsies artwork and products and she already has huge shipments of 7Gypsies products headed our way for the classes and the retail store...

What are AE retreats?   They are the best.  We hire out one of the most amazing conference centres in the country .. with everything on site, hot pool, huge conference and classrooms, cosy bars, wonderful accomadation and staff that know us well and cater to our every need.

It's all about being creative.  Being social.  Hanging out with a whole group of women that are quickly becoming old friends.  (I'm becoming especially old this year... *sigh*) .. Spend some time with Lucy, the AE Crew and myself as we do it all over again - this time in Spring.  More details here. 

Facebook group is here.  Join us, even if you aren't coming along to the retreats, because you need another group of scrapbookers that talk far too much about scrapbooking, bargains and the next hot thing in this wonderful craft of ours.

laters

Have you seen my keys?

It's been one of those days.  You know.  When you decide to nip into the book store quickly while still in your gym gear... noone will see me.  And they do.  Once back to the car I couldn't find my car keys.  They were in my hand.  Once in the car I reached back for my seatbelt and reached and reached and couldn't locate it.  I look around and I was already wearing it.  I'm a step behind myself today.  However, spirits are still high,  I've had some blessings lately so I'm happy to take the good with the bad. Actually it's more like vague.  What was I saying?! 

One such blessing was the opportunity to be involved in True Scrap 3.  True Scrap has come and gone, a whole lot of fun was had and I'm thrilled I learnt a whole pile of stuff.   I enjoyed listening to Becky Higgins talk through Project Life (I'm now a complete convert) but my favourite class of all was Shimelle's "The Perfect Collection - using your favourite collection to the very last scrap".  Most of us only use a part of a collection we buy, me included, but Shimelle is a genius. She showed us how to make the most of the whole collection.  Seriously, to the last scrap. 

I have only managed to sit through some of the classes, I have about 9 to go.  Lucklily they are all recorded and I'll be playing them while I work today.  Inspiration on tap :)

Anyway... I've been asked when the classes will be available individually, they are usually available as individual classes about a month after the event, I'll keep ya posted.  If you want to see how they sell individually (and make the most of some awesome classes?) take a look here for True Scrap 1 classes individually, and True Scrap 2 individually here.  Here is the link for True Scrap 3 if you want to look what was on offer. 

(And for those Lain Ehmann fans out there - she has opened the Layout a Day registration for May - 31 layouts in 31 days... it's about 80% full I think, but still time to hop on board... I personally did the whole "It's only a one month commitment and 31 layouts done" vs "I'll never get it done" angel-devil argument... but apparently,according to those that have done it previously , it's one of the most motivating classes out there, so I may join in yet!
But then I'm the girl that couldn't find her keys when they were in her hand and couldn't find my seatbelt when I was wearing it - don't know how I'd manage 31 days?  Still thinking!

Fun. Serious fun.  And did you pick up on the Project Life thing?  Yes.  I have everything I need thanks to the Crafthouse team and I will be jumping in on the 1st of May.  Something new for me but really looking forward to it.  I feel the guilt growing wings and taking off already.

Laters

Oh!  Wait!  Kits for Flower Frenzy still available!  The last 3 kits are available at $39 each - next batch due in soon and the price may have to rise slightly! (And I have TWO new kits in the process of being created...busy times...busy times...)

Staying inspired. Websters. Easily done.

It's amazing what being in a room fullof 145 inspirational women for a weekend can do for one's creativity.  I am LOVING creating right now.  The guest Design Team spot at Websters has been a whole lot of fun and the weekend seeing so many amazing creations at AE Autumn Escape was just the push I need to create. 

Some of you will recognise the format of this layout.

How cute are those girls. 

Love the little cameo accents - Websters have a whole range that go with each collection called "Perfect accents"

Anyway. Websters.  Loved it.  Inspiration from being at Autumn Escape with all you lovely ladies.  Awesome.  Thanks so much for the kickstart this week!

laters

Websters, Grids and Moro Gold Caramel max.

I made it home from Taupo and Autumn Escape, with registration for AE Spring Edition opening on the Sunday, I didn't think that things would slow down for me anytime soon.

I was wrong.  Maybe it was the inspiration I saw at Autumn Escape.  Maybe it was the teaching of classes, maybe it was seeing amazing pages being created, maybe it was the Moro Gold Caramel Max. I don't know but I sat down to scrapbook on Monday, gorgeous Webster's product in hand, and it was the most relaxing FUN scrapbooking I've done in a long, long time.

I've created painter's tray type layouts before.  I had the 'Palm Beach' collection to work with though, and the little cards in there were begging to be gridded on a layout.  That and I was inspired by Piradee Talvanna's classes at Autumn Escape... I haven't sat and cut, glued, sand along to my radio and enjoyed myself as much as I have this last MOnday in a LONG time.

Cute product helps.  As does inspiration.  As does those Moro Gold Caramel Max.  You all tried them yet?

Thanks for the opportunity, Websters!

Checking in quickly.

Checking in quickly, because quickly is all I have these days.  I think constantly about things I'd like to say on my blog.  I always have stories to tell.  They are always ticking over in my mind.  It seems like an age since I've chatted on my blog.  Told stories, celebrated the silly things the kids say.  Celebrated the silly things I say. 

I know time will return.  I leave for Autumn Escape in 36 hours.  This time next week it will be all over.

For now I'll leave you with two things.

Firstly, a reminder that i have a new kit for sale. 
'Flower Frenzy" all details here.  I have about a dozen left.  Email me ASAP if you are interested, if you need one, I'll put it in the mail before I go.

Lastly, a thank you.  A thank you for all of our Autumn Escape sponsors for making it so much easier for us.  Sponsors like Prima... what would we do without them?

laters