It's been one of those days...

Kits...kits...kits...

As the year ends, I've found myself planning for next year and tidying up the remains of the classes I taught over the place in 2008.  I've had several requests for kits lately, so I figure I'll offer some up for sale!

I know times are tough and there are a lot of empty wallets after Christmas - but maybe some of you have got Christmas money to spend OR are going to get some time to scrap over the next few weeks, the kits might be perfect.

Alrighty.  All classes come with instructions on CD. 

Postage is $5 flat rate - I can combine postage.

If anyone wants to buy a group of classes to teach at a retreat or scrap event, let me know and I'll work out a price for you.

I won't be posting every day so please be understanding that kits may take up to a week to get to you since there are a lot of stat holidays etc in there at the moment.

Please email me with specifics on what you want, and if your class includes Glimmer Mist, let m know full bottle or part bottle and your preferences of colours!

All in One:  Layout with Mini Book. (I have 15 of these available)
$30

YEA!  A layout that has it all - amazing detail plus room for plenty of photos! In this layout class you will learn how easy it is to get multiple photos on one layout by building a little mini book right there on your page.   Gorgeous papers from various manufacturers, paired with Hambly Transparencies and various embellishments result in a stunning layout that will suit most themes. A full alphabet is provided to be sure you can customise your layout to any theme that suits the brown, teal and red colour scheme! The layout fits one portrait orientation 6x4 photo plus there will be room to add many more 3x3 photos later! 

 

 

So tell me... Mini Album. (I have 8 of these available)

$39

 

As taught at Scrapbook Art in Christchurch - just the products in this kit are worth up around the $40 mark.  One of my favourite classes this year.

Description:

Whether you are looking to capture a point in time with your child, or want to create a fabulous gift for that special someone (father, teacher, grandparent, sister, friend, auntie...) for Christmas.  This class opens your mind to a fun way to look at the subject of your mini album and this new perspective will result in something fun that no doubt will inspire you again and again.   

 

 

 

Prima Paintables class (I have 7 of these...)

$35 includes a part bottle of Glimmer Mist
$45 includes a full bottle of Glimmer Mist

- Jam Packed with technique, this class explores the world of paintables by PrimaMarketing Inc. Join Nic in using Glimmermist, watercolours, gorgeous flowers, lace and bling to create a beautiful detailed layout and bonus project that will simply shine in your album. This class is definitely technique based, you will embellish to your heart’s desire and will all walk away artists ‐ no two layouts will be the same! A generous class pack is included with plenty of leftovers to keepcreating with your new found inspiration long after.

(Note watercolour pencils not included)
Examples of the kind of layout we created...

Christmas Card Buffet: (I have 11 of these available)

(note that this class really doesn't have to be Christmas based, it's all about techique and fun)
$35 includes a part bottle of Glimmer Mist
or $45 includes a full bottle of Glimmer Mist

 

Join Nic Howard in her latest fun class - the Christmas Card buffet!  Create cards with gorgeous papers, lace, flowers, Glimmer Mist and the 'buffet of Prima goodness'...all laid out complete with crystals,  leaves, buttons, ribbon, bling and flowers in every colour you can cr-EAT-e with! It's certainly different from your average class,  it's a little bit of everything - it's good old scrapbooking fun... it's  sure to inspire!  You'll receive sketches for a possible 20 different cards - we'll complete 5 in class plus several small decorated gift bags but you'll leave with plenty of technique and product inspiration to keep on creating for hours.

(Note class pack doesn't include everything from the buffet but a small range will be included)

 

 

 

The Calm before the storm

All is quiet in the Howard home.  I've picked up the kids from school, both the boys have said goodbye to wonderful fabulous teachers and I've picked up my baby from Kindy for the last time.  I dropped off a Kindy girl this morning and as we left  this afternoon Abby skipped down the driveaway, as I followed just a few steps behind wiping the tears as I went, "I'm a SCHOOL girl, now, Mummy!!"  After 3 kids have gone through Kindy, it was hard to walk away. 

We all know I love the holidays and having the kids at home though.  Hello summer.

It's been a long time since I have caught up on forums anywhere, but today I stopped into 2peas and I saw a thread about CK HOF - apparently it is no more.  It's something that really bought home just how different scrapbooking is these days.  I became 'addicted' to scrapbooking during the frenzied years - almost like a honeymoon, I guess... seeing that HOF isn't around anymore made me realise how much I've settled into a comfortable hobby - if I can call it that - it's kinda weird.

After making sure I had the summer off somehow I have found myself busier than ever.  CHA is early this year and curently on my desk is the new BasicGrey, and the new Queen & Co and Tattered Angels - can Glimmer Mist get any better - will be here shortly.  I also have a Tarisota Tecknicolour class or two to create and a new BPS 4 week workshop to finalise. 

Oh - here is something I haven't mentioned before... Prima Precious Memories... it's a website that sells ready made layouts designed by well recognised designers...  It's pretty cool actually, you pick the layout you like and upload your photos to see what it would look like with your photos on it, then order the layout.  After you order the layout, it is handcrafted and shipped to you.  With or without pics.  There are 10 of us involved at the moment, but more designers are coming on board soon, i think. Whaddya know!  Something different, huh?!

Alrighty, with Christmas Carols reverbarating through the house (I love Abby's rendition of "Bring us a figgy pudding... she adds in "we won't go until we guts some" instead of "we won't go until we get some" ...so bring it right HERE!) it's time to go find a layout to post and start shuffling CHA papers.  And go kiss the kiddies goodnight.  Karate grading in the morning.  Wish my little yellow belts luck.  We want to see orange belts coming home.

Ok here's a layout done with Heidi Swapp stuff - not my usual but fun playing, all the same.  And that is what it is all about, right?!

laters

 

Quick Hello

I haven't disappeared off the face of the earth.I just shifted around it a little, just for a while. 

I've been to Australia - Brisbane to be most exact - with a great group of friends.  This time it wasn't a work trip.  It was a great get-together but I am shattered! 

It's been a crazy crazy week with invites to teach in Paris, who wouldn't love that?  I can't do it though... ugh... how hard was that to turn down?!, a crazy trip to Australia - oh just wait until you hear the stories from there - the witch doctor that pulled me aside into a side room at customs and read my palm as part of my 'pat down search' was just the icing on the cake of a crazy weekend really.

For those of you waiting for Christmas cards... um... not much chance of them happening.  Organising 3 kids birthday parties before Friday takes precedent really.  WHO had children with birthdays all in the school holidays so that they had to get parties organised before school is out?  and I'm not the type of person to do lots of bithday parties, the kids only get them on special birthdays... but WHO was the person who had children exactly 5 years and 3 days apart, so that they SHARE all the special birthdays?  Like when Jacob turns 10, Abby turns 5... when Jacob turns 21, Abby will be turning 16... it goes on.

Add that to the CHA work that I am doing (all to be done by Christmas this year!) and many other commitments... and Chrissy cards are not a possibility.  I suggest you grab a piece of paper from the printer right now, fold it in quarters, draw a fab christmas tree on the front and "love Nic, Paul and the kids" on the inside and put it with the rest of your cards.  Noone will ever know, really.

Quick post - I really shouldn't even be awake, but I have been since 2.30am - I don't think it's worth going to bed again now though?  Crazy Australian time zones messing with my body clock... or perhaps it was the witch doctor customs guy putting the curse of the overthinking scrapbooker on me.

Leaving you with some Teresa Collins and BasicGrey, a layout that went up on Aussie Scrap Source over the weekend.

Laters

 

On the 9th day of Christmas...

Ok so I'm sure it's not the 9th day of Christmas but it's the 9th of December and I still haven't done my Christmas cards yet but have you seen what they are doing over on the Tarisota blog?

Tamar is offering 25 days of stress free fabulous recipes and cooking ideas for this busy time of year.  Along with the Tarisota Designers and some of tarisota's friends ;) She have put together a totally scrummy cookbook for you to download and keep!  The link is here

And look at that.

Day 9 is my Christmas recipe.  Enjoy!

 

I went Christmas shopping today.  I wanted to find a few new pieces of clothing too but fashion has turned against me.  The rows and rows of gorgeous summery strapey dresses jumped out and called my name but laughed at me when I tried them on.  The tops this year all seem to be flowing gorgeous prints with straps but by the end of the day I had given in and accepted the fact that fashion has outrun me.  I can't do sleeveless any better than I can do Urban Lily or Tinkering Ink.  Love the way it looks.  Love what everyone else can do.  Wish I could do it.  Accept it and move on. *sigh*

Great day at NZ Scrapbook on Saturday.  Nothing like fudge, scrapbooking product and 55 amazing ladies to make the day something special.  Thanks to everyone that sit in on the class with me.  There is nothing like tables and tables of amazing product to play with freely, huh?!

Here are some pics...Anyway... thanks to Els who not only completed the class with flying colours but invented a few twists to the projects that you may see in the class in the near future ;o) kidding. 

 

 

 

And a quickie layout with BasicGrey Wassail.  Who am I kidding, I don't do quick - this took flippin ages.  I loved this note that Jacob wrote to Santa last year.

laters

 

layouts, blogs, amazing grace and the goodnight kiwi

Once upon a time I knew which layouts I had put on my blog and which I hadn't.  I had a running list in my head of what I could post next.  At some point that mental list escaped me, it was perhaps replaced with the "Trying to get together a Christmas List" info that started to filter in.  You know the old situation though... too much info in and some starts to fall out.  Mentally I am shot to bits.   So I know I have lots to share with you.. I'm just not sure what.. I'll endeavour to do more sharing over the next few weeks though.

So.  Christchurch came and went.  I wasn't quite prepared for the 26 degrees it threw at me, but it was awesome all the same.  My only complaint was when I was asked where I wanted to go for lunch, and I answered Kaikoura , noone was very obliging. ;o) C'mon.. a little whale watching wouldn't have held us up much, would it?!  Great group of ladies, as usual.. it was all over in a blurr really.  Much like my kids' interest in the ghost bubbles toy they HAD to have 2 Christmases ago.  Thanks Christchurch for an awesome time.  I left a few class kits with Allanah at Scrapbook Art, and I have a few left here. I may have a class kit clearout sometime soon.

This weekend is the great NZ scrapbook Christmas Card buffet ... My room is overflowing with flowers and random glittery things.  I once saw a badge at a scrapbook convention that said "Yes I know I have glitter on my face".  I need one of those right now.

I woke up this morning to this link in my email - the kids love it - take a peek if you have time... how do I post youtube videos to my blog?  Anyway.. it's gorgeous.  I love Christmas and just want to embrace everything about it.  Believe it or not, I still have 3 kids that believe wholly in Santa ... well the oldest (nearly 10) is barely hanging in there, choosing to believe rather than really believing, but this may be our last Christmas where things can truly be magical.  I'm hoping to take full advantage of it! 

Did anyone else see the Telecom Christmas Tree in Vic park in Auckland?  it's a massive undertaking.  And there are old fashioned phone booths at the bottom for a direct line to Santa.  When the phone is hung up there is a line of lights that light up one by one from the booth up to the top of the tree so it looks like the wish is travelling up.

Ahh Christmas.

NOw if I'd made any Christmas cards or done Christmas shopping, I'd almost be happy.

OK.  BAck to the grindstone.  I'll leave you with this video.  Ahhh the memories, TVNZ are bringing back the Goodnight Kiwi over the Christmas period - 7.30 apparently - to tell the kiddos it is time to go to bed... for those of you that have no idea what it is... Before 24 hours TV the Good Night Kiwi used to signal the end of nightly broadcasts. The last airing of this animation was in 1994. Today the characters are regarded as icons of New Zealand culture.

and this layout from the Aussie Scrap Source blog about why I scrapbook.  it's all right there.

laters