It's been one of those days...

So today was another busy

So today was another busy one. Mum stuff. Taxi type stuff. Running the kiddos all over the place. Just like most other Mums. And I washed my car. Seriously, no really, I did. Santa gave us a box of car cleaning equipment for Christmas in the hopes that the car , which lives outside and grows moss and other green living things, would get a little love. Here we were, near on 6 months later and still the car had no love. Santa had such good intentions. So I cleaned. My car is actually a nice shade of blue. Abby drew on the footpath with chalk while I scrubbed that car. The next door neighbour drove past on her way home from getting her groceries and just about drove off the road at the sight of me cleaning the car. ONce she got home she came over to my house with a camera to capture the moment. I'm glad she did. It may not happen again.

I have added a new link in my sidebar - it's so good to have the NZ stores supporting the sale of my book. So I have added Kiwiscraps to my sidebar, they are taking pre-orders and have had such a good response that they have managed to get a price reduction with the distributors - so thankyou Kiwiscraps! That link will take you straight to the book on their site, with editorial reviews etc. If you see my book for sale on any other NZ sites (or anywhere else, for that matter!) please link me and I'll link in my sidebar. Nothing like supporting those that support you :o)

And yes. I have now taken the book into the big bad world and the smile is slowly creeping across my face. Braden's teacher loved it. LOL. She didn't give it back! My baby is having it's first night away. lol you should have seen me when Braden came home from school, I was holding my hand out for it. "Um she kept it over night". Holy Moly. Stress a mother out.

Anyhoooo
Emily cards - These are the pics I tried to upload the other day.
This is my 'note to self'. yep I'm doing them out of order and yep this one survived the NZ post test. All delivered back home safely date stamped. Cool.

Did anyone else enter the Scrapbook Creations Colour comp? I think it closes tomorrow. I did an entry. I saw Viv Bonder talking about it at some point and decided to put it in my list of 'assignments to do' - if I do that, it actually gets done, lol. I enjoyed the challenge. I did green and black.

For those of you with teenagers there is a new blog for ideas etc Scrap the Teenz Lianne Gray, Jo Kneller Lee Thoreson and Kim Archer are behind this blog.

Don't forget the tarisota Designer competition - details in the post below.

Oh - one last thing - naomi - Dunedin - anyone know her email address? Email me! nic.paul (at) xtra.co.nz I'll be extremely grateful!

Laters.

So today was another busy

So today was another busy one. Mum stuff. Taxi type stuff. Running the kiddos all over the place. Just like most other Mums. And I washed my car. Seriously, no really, I did. Santa gave us a box of car cleaning equipment for Christmas in the hopes that the car , which lives outside and grows moss and other green living things, would get a little love. Here we were, near on 6 months later and still the car had no love. Santa had such good intentions. So I cleaned. My car is actually a nice shade of blue. Abby drew on the footpath with chalk while I scrubbed that car. The next door neighbour drove past on her way home from getting her groceries and just about drove off the road at the sight of me cleaning the car. ONce she got home she came over to my house with a camera to capture the moment. I'm glad she did. It may not happen again.

I have added a new link in my sidebar - it's so good to have the NZ stores supporting the sale of my book. So I have added Kiwiscraps to my sidebar, they are taking pre-orders and have had such a good response that they have managed to get a price reduction with the distributors - so thankyou Kiwiscraps! That link will take you straight to the book on their site, with editorial reviews etc. If you see my book for sale on any other NZ sites (or anywhere else, for that matter!) please link me and I'll link in my sidebar. Nothing like supporting those that support you :o)

And yes. I have now taken the book into the big bad world and the smile is slowly creeping across my face. Braden's teacher loved it. LOL. She didn't give it back! My baby is having it's first night away. lol you should have seen me when Braden came home from school, I was holding my hand out for it. "Um she kept it over night". Holy Moly. Stress a mother out.

Anyhoooo
Emily cards - These are the pics I tried to upload the other day.
This is my 'note to self'. yep I'm doing them out of order and yep this one survived the NZ post test. All delivered back home safely date stamped. Cool.

Did anyone else enter the Scrapbook Creations Colour comp? I think it closes tomorrow. I did an entry. I saw Viv Bonder talking about it at some point and decided to put it in my list of 'assignments to do' - if I do that, it actually gets done, lol. I enjoyed the challenge. I did green and black.

For those of you with teenagers there is a new blog for ideas etc Scrap the Teenz Lianne Gray, Jo Kneller Lee Thoreson and Kim Archer are behind this blog.

Don't forget the tarisota Designer competition - details in the post below.

Oh - one last thing - naomi - Dunedin - anyone know her email address? Email me! nic.paul (at) xtra.co.nz I'll be extremely grateful!

Laters.

I didn't think a few

I didn't think a few years ago that I'd call myself a writer. And actually as I stood at SENZ this weekend and talked to someone about my book and she wrote my name down and wrote "author of.." I nearly stopped her. No. Um. You got that wrong. I'm a Mum. I have to be back home by about 2pm because my kidlets would have lost the plot by then. I have dinner to cook and it looks like it's raining over my way so I need to get in the washing. But I didn't. She wrote it, I noticed it, and it hasn't left my mind since.

Which leads me to my next thing - I have a copy of my book in my hands - or actually sitting on the desk beside me - and I've had it for days. I hadn't told anybody really. Cos it's freakin me out. It's been years since the writing, there's that word, starting forming itself in my mind and it was so much work creating this book and now it is here. And there is a lot of me in this book. Actually literally. lol. Who'd of thought I had that many pics of myself, but seriously there is a lot of me in this book. And I guess that bears repeating. I'm freakin out.

Anyhow - I have a point. Last week I wrote a proposal for an article for a U.S. magazine. Just tonight I wrote an article for Scrapbooking Memories. I just finished up what I was doing as Paul finished up his assignment, and he says to me "have you finishd your writing?". Yep. I said. Writing. That is that word again. Actually I've only just started ;o)

Emily challenge - I was going to show you my latest but clearly I'm not because photobucket aren't hosting too well tonight. ;O) tomorrow maybe.

For those of you asking about my classes (as per comments left) I know there are plans for them to be available to buy online in NZ soon and I will most certainly keep you updated!

So - long blog post tonight sorry - cos apparantly I like talking.

So... Taristoa. The Tarisota Designer Discovery comp - I hope that link works. Here is the small print . You only have til June 3rd. Hurry up.

laters.

We want to showcase new talent from Australia or New Zealand - This
competition is for those scrapbookers who have been published once,
twice three times at a push or not at all - and who have never been
part of a design team.
If you have held back from entering competitions in the past, if you
have never experienced the publishing /design team side of
scrapping... and you are FABULOUSLY talented...WE WANT YOU!!!!!!
Not only will you have all the fun of designing with a Tarisota Collection
that you don’t have to pay for – you will also receive some fab prizes
and join the growing Tarisota Guest Designer Gallery!
What do you need to do?
Send by email to [email protected] by 3rd June at 9.00am
Your work …
Clear images of:
• a current layout ( single or double)
• a beyond the page or mini album
• an accent or a card
Please include a textured or up close shot as well as a complete shot -
maximum of 6 images in total of work only. Images need to be no
bigger than 600 x 600 jpgs
About You ..
Biography of yourself and details of how long you have been
scrapping for, what style you have and why you think you’d be the
perfect Discovery for Tarisota?- maximum 400 words.
A photo of yourself – headshot please ALL Emails MUST be labelled:
TDD – your name ie. TDD – Tamar Bostock I ask that you do this so your
emails don’t get lost in the inbox

I didn't think a few

I didn't think a few years ago that I'd call myself a writer. And actually as I stood at SENZ this weekend and talked to someone about my book and she wrote my name down and wrote "author of.." I nearly stopped her. No. Um. You got that wrong. I'm a Mum. I have to be back home by about 2pm because my kidlets would have lost the plot by then. I have dinner to cook and it looks like it's raining over my way so I need to get in the washing. But I didn't. She wrote it, I noticed it, and it hasn't left my mind since.

Which leads me to my next thing - I have a copy of my book in my hands - or actually sitting on the desk beside me - and I've had it for days. I hadn't told anybody really. Cos it's freakin me out. It's been years since the writing, there's that word, starting forming itself in my mind and it was so much work creating this book and now it is here. And there is a lot of me in this book. Actually literally. lol. Who'd of thought I had that many pics of myself, but seriously there is a lot of me in this book. And I guess that bears repeating. I'm freakin out.

Anyhow - I have a point. Last week I wrote a proposal for an article for a U.S. magazine. Just tonight I wrote an article for Scrapbooking Memories. I just finished up what I was doing as Paul finished up his assignment, and he says to me "have you finishd your writing?". Yep. I said. Writing. That is that word again. Actually I've only just started ;o)

Emily challenge - I was going to show you my latest but clearly I'm not because photobucket aren't hosting too well tonight. ;O) tomorrow maybe.

For those of you asking about my classes (as per comments left) I know there are plans for them to be available to buy online in NZ soon and I will most certainly keep you updated!

So - long blog post tonight sorry - cos apparantly I like talking.

So... Taristoa. The Tarisota Designer Discovery comp - I hope that link works. Here is the small print . You only have til June 3rd. Hurry up.

laters.

We want to showcase new talent from Australia or New Zealand - This
competition is for those scrapbookers who have been published once,
twice three times at a push or not at all - and who have never been
part of a design team.
If you have held back from entering competitions in the past, if you
have never experienced the publishing /design team side of
scrapping... and you are FABULOUSLY talented...WE WANT YOU!!!!!!
Not only will you have all the fun of designing with a Tarisota Collection
that you don’t have to pay for – you will also receive some fab prizes
and join the growing Tarisota Guest Designer Gallery!
What do you need to do?
Send by email to [email protected] by 3rd June at 9.00am
Your work …
Clear images of:
• a current layout ( single or double)
• a beyond the page or mini album
• an accent or a card
Please include a textured or up close shot as well as a complete shot -
maximum of 6 images in total of work only. Images need to be no
bigger than 600 x 600 jpgs
About You ..
Biography of yourself and details of how long you have been
scrapping for, what style you have and why you think you’d be the
perfect Discovery for Tarisota?- maximum 400 words.
A photo of yourself – headshot please ALL Emails MUST be labelled:
TDD – your name ie. TDD – Tamar Bostock I ask that you do this so your
emails don’t get lost in the inbox

Tonight I'm watching T.V. Not

Tonight I'm watching T.V. Not something I do alot, I've even given up trying to keep up with Grey's anatomy as the batcave seemed to call my name more and more at this time of night. However, this is the 3 hour finale of survivor. And although I have a tonne of stuff calling me from that scraproom, *guilt* I also have computer work to do (I always write with the TV on). And watching Survivor is always a bit of a lame thrill. It's 2/3 the way through and I'm thinking I am sooo glad I am sitting here watching the 38th - it is , isn't it? feels like it - season of Survivor (not). Winter arrived today, did anyone notice? (Linda, that jar of summer in my cupboard seems to run out or something...) Our fireplace is broken. We have no heating. JAcob just came through and asked if he was allowed to wear socks to bed. lol. Theoretically winter doesn't start for another 7 days, but I think it arrived today.

Scrapping - I have been busy. 3 days ago I got Paul to use a drop-saw and a drill on something that I will share in the near future. Who'd have thought when they bought their first diecuts and stickers that they'd need a dropsaw and drill sometime in their scrapping future? you did so buy diecuts. No denying that one. lol

Thanks for the comment on the headshot pics. Braden really has a talent. He composes such a good pic for a 6 yr old - I admit, I cropped them etc but compared to a lot of 6 yr olds, he does darn well. (And it was so cool to see the comments and who is out there reading!)

Which leads me to asking if anyone has a cheap digital camera to sell. Not for Braden, but for Jacob. We managed to get him enrolled into the Auckland Zoo to be assigned with a zookeeper for a day and they advise bringing a camera. Understandable. So I thought I might buy him one of the disposable cameras. But they are expensive, and then you have to develop the terrible 24 photos, and you can't even manipulate them. Well if you scan and print them you can, but that is spending even more money. It's starting to get expensive. And he is limited to 24. So if someone knows of somewhere to get a digital camera cheap, let me know.

Ok time to share. This time a layout that has gone up on the Aussie SS blog. Please check this blog out if you haven't already, the amount of inspirational projects posted on here is amazing, and it is updated a LOT. It is a constant source of stuff to look at.
This is hambly, and of course BasicGrey. And I know I am doing a lot of this colour scheme lately, but that's what it is all about. I love these colours, I'm going to play with them some more :o)

laters

Tonight I'm watching T.V. Not

Tonight I'm watching T.V. Not something I do alot, I've even given up trying to keep up with Grey's anatomy as the batcave seemed to call my name more and more at this time of night. However, this is the 3 hour finale of survivor. And although I have a tonne of stuff calling me from that scraproom, *guilt* I also have computer work to do (I always write with the TV on). And watching Survivor is always a bit of a lame thrill. It's 2/3 the way through and I'm thinking I am sooo glad I am sitting here watching the 38th - it is , isn't it? feels like it - season of Survivor (not). Winter arrived today, did anyone notice? (Linda, that jar of summer in my cupboard seems to run out or something...) Our fireplace is broken. We have no heating. JAcob just came through and asked if he was allowed to wear socks to bed. lol. Theoretically winter doesn't start for another 7 days, but I think it arrived today.

Scrapping - I have been busy. 3 days ago I got Paul to use a drop-saw and a drill on something that I will share in the near future. Who'd have thought when they bought their first diecuts and stickers that they'd need a dropsaw and drill sometime in their scrapping future? you did so buy diecuts. No denying that one. lol

Thanks for the comment on the headshot pics. Braden really has a talent. He composes such a good pic for a 6 yr old - I admit, I cropped them etc but compared to a lot of 6 yr olds, he does darn well. (And it was so cool to see the comments and who is out there reading!)

Which leads me to asking if anyone has a cheap digital camera to sell. Not for Braden, but for Jacob. We managed to get him enrolled into the Auckland Zoo to be assigned with a zookeeper for a day and they advise bringing a camera. Understandable. So I thought I might buy him one of the disposable cameras. But they are expensive, and then you have to develop the terrible 24 photos, and you can't even manipulate them. Well if you scan and print them you can, but that is spending even more money. It's starting to get expensive. And he is limited to 24. So if someone knows of somewhere to get a digital camera cheap, let me know.

Ok time to share. This time a layout that has gone up on the Aussie SS blog. Please check this blog out if you haven't already, the amount of inspirational projects posted on here is amazing, and it is updated a LOT. It is a constant source of stuff to look at.
This is hambly, and of course BasicGrey. And I know I am doing a lot of this colour scheme lately, but that's what it is all about. I love these colours, I'm going to play with them some more :o)

laters

Inspiration. Whichever form it may

Inspiration. Whichever form it may take, we all have our own inspiration...I have several CDs in my drawer that not many people know about. My biggest crime is probably owning both an Aqua CD and a Ace of Base CD - both played far too loud on a regular basis with a certain 3 year old singing to every single word. So there are CDs that have that -oh-my-goodness-I-should-have thrown-those-out-with-my-canvas-army-bag-covered-in-random-scribblings-about-whom-I-loved-at-the-time factor. Then there are those that are precious. Like my Cyndi Lauper CD. Love that CD to pieces and quite frankly I'm a little perturbed - had to look up how to spell that one I'm a little perturbed that Dove have taken one of my fav songs of all time and turned it into an advertisment. however. I need to gather my toys from where I threw them out the hypothetical sandpit and gather myself. It seems. Because just yesterday I saw this post on Ngai's blog. and I decided to go along for the ride.

So if you read Ngai's post it talks about getting a pic taken. I didn't even get a new headshot taken for my book. Ahhhh just use the old one my 4 year old took a year or so back. Danielle Q took some good pics in Aussie when I was there (one in my blog header) but they are more candid. I kinda thought I might kill 2 birds with one stone and get myself a new headshot too. Too late for the book so I dunno what I'll use it for...

Anyhow. So I hand the camera to my son who is now 6 years old. Fantastic photographer. And this is what he comes up with.

OK that look I am giving you is the wow-that-glare-off-the-roof-behind-you-is-killing-me-take-the-pic-already look. And yea that's my ranchslider door behind me, I pulled the curtain behind me (so you could see the white side of it) and sat outside. Braden wasn't meant to get the door handle, lol. Bad 6 year old photographer. lol.

And this one. I used the anti-crows-feet-tool in photoshop for this one. CAn you tell? lol Just pretend you can't.

And then Paul walks past and yells OH MY GOD look at those wrinkles! For God's sake, don't SMILE already, check out those crows feet!!
And Braden gets this one.

I'm kinda liking this last option...

laters.

Inspiration. Whichever form it may

Inspiration. Whichever form it may take, we all have our own inspiration...I have several CDs in my drawer that not many people know about. My biggest crime is probably owning both an Aqua CD and a Ace of Base CD - both played far too loud on a regular basis with a certain 3 year old singing to every single word. So there are CDs that have that -oh-my-goodness-I-should-have thrown-those-out-with-my-canvas-army-bag-covered-in-random-scribblings-about-whom-I-loved-at-the-time factor. Then there are those that are precious. Like my Cyndi Lauper CD. Love that CD to pieces and quite frankly I'm a little perturbed - had to look up how to spell that one I'm a little perturbed that Dove have taken one of my fav songs of all time and turned it into an advertisment. however. I need to gather my toys from where I threw them out the hypothetical sandpit and gather myself. It seems. Because just yesterday I saw this post on Ngai's blog. and I decided to go along for the ride.

So if you read Ngai's post it talks about getting a pic taken. I didn't even get a new headshot taken for my book. Ahhhh just use the old one my 4 year old took a year or so back. Danielle Q took some good pics in Aussie when I was there (one in my blog header) but they are more candid. I kinda thought I might kill 2 birds with one stone and get myself a new headshot too. Too late for the book so I dunno what I'll use it for...

Anyhow. So I hand the camera to my son who is now 6 years old. Fantastic photographer. And this is what he comes up with.

OK that look I am giving you is the wow-that-glare-off-the-roof-behind-you-is-killing-me-take-the-pic-already look. And yea that's my ranchslider door behind me, I pulled the curtain behind me (so you could see the white side of it) and sat outside. Braden wasn't meant to get the door handle, lol. Bad 6 year old photographer. lol.

And this one. I used the anti-crows-feet-tool in photoshop for this one. CAn you tell? lol Just pretend you can't.

And then Paul walks past and yells OH MY GOD look at those wrinkles! For God's sake, don't SMILE already, check out those crows feet!!
And Braden gets this one.

I'm kinda liking this last option...

laters.

I am safely tucked up

I am safely tucked up at home with a successful day at the zoo behind me. Behind us, I should say, it was a team effort. Plenty of patience, telling Jacob of what we are doing and warning of things that might differ from the plan, a great picnic lunch and off we go.

Highlights of the trip.
*For Abby - standing at the window and seeing the sea-lions zoom past over and over.
*For Jacob - the discovery of coy carp and dreaming of how easy it would be to catch those suckers.
*For Braden - the purchase of an otter soft toy on the way out
*For Paul - the fact that the Warriors were at the zoo to feed the tigers. (And perhaps that they bought their cheerleaders, but with the fact that those poor girls are half his age (not exaggerating) that is bordering on sicko.). Anyhow. He was impressed.
For me - getting a pic or two of the boys together. All 3 kids? um. no. Not acheivable. That's ok.. well I got one or two, but the light was bad etc, but they were HAPPY so I'll keep 'em! The pics too. lol.

Oh wait - one more funny thing - the tortoise feeding time. 35 yr old man tortoise and 38 year old lady tortoise eating celery and carrots - WOW they guts those things down, anyway, the food musta given Mr tortoise a little energy because he rambled over to Mrs tortoise took a while, they dont move fast and decided it was time to "What are they doing Daddy?" play a little leap-frog. "Them big ol' shells kept getting in the way I guess son, he aint going far"... Good Save, Daddy.

And just quietly, the real highlight of the day was that the courier dropped off the new Tarisota box this morning at 7.45am and that I love this collection - I know I go on about Tarisota but it is the one commitment I am truly looooving right now.

I'll leave you with some pics - humanity and peace has been restored in the Howard home. For now. It seems when there is attitude lurking that the mojo runs for cover. Hopefully tomorrow I might scrap something now.

All 3 kiddos - bad light - poor Abby squashed in there, she really is bigger IRL, Braden is just using her for a leaning post.

This pic says it all about my family. Braden is the quirky funny guy, Jacob being the responsible driver of the stroller, while Abby demands where she wants to go. The hot guy dis-owning us up the front is my hubby :o)

yea. A pic of the boys. Haven't got one for ages.

"All second grade and injured Warriors to the Zoo please".. ok so that was a low blow .. ok but there were 4 of them, 3 of them were 2nd grade and one was injured. lol. hey. but the cheerleaders were all first grade so paul says.

laters

I am safely tucked up

I am safely tucked up at home with a successful day at the zoo behind me. Behind us, I should say, it was a team effort. Plenty of patience, telling Jacob of what we are doing and warning of things that might differ from the plan, a great picnic lunch and off we go.

Highlights of the trip.
*For Abby - standing at the window and seeing the sea-lions zoom past over and over.
*For Jacob - the discovery of coy carp and dreaming of how easy it would be to catch those suckers.
*For Braden - the purchase of an otter soft toy on the way out
*For Paul - the fact that the Warriors were at the zoo to feed the tigers. (And perhaps that they bought their cheerleaders, but with the fact that those poor girls are half his age (not exaggerating) that is bordering on sicko.). Anyhow. He was impressed.
For me - getting a pic or two of the boys together. All 3 kids? um. no. Not acheivable. That's ok.. well I got one or two, but the light was bad etc, but they were HAPPY so I'll keep 'em! The pics too. lol.

Oh wait - one more funny thing - the tortoise feeding time. 35 yr old man tortoise and 38 year old lady tortoise eating celery and carrots - WOW they guts those things down, anyway, the food musta given Mr tortoise a little energy because he rambled over to Mrs tortoise took a while, they dont move fast and decided it was time to "What are they doing Daddy?" play a little leap-frog. "Them big ol' shells kept getting in the way I guess son, he aint going far"... Good Save, Daddy.

And just quietly, the real highlight of the day was that the courier dropped off the new Tarisota box this morning at 7.45am and that I love this collection - I know I go on about Tarisota but it is the one commitment I am truly looooving right now.

I'll leave you with some pics - humanity and peace has been restored in the Howard home. For now. It seems when there is attitude lurking that the mojo runs for cover. Hopefully tomorrow I might scrap something now.

All 3 kiddos - bad light - poor Abby squashed in there, she really is bigger IRL, Braden is just using her for a leaning post.

This pic says it all about my family. Braden is the quirky funny guy, Jacob being the responsible driver of the stroller, while Abby demands where she wants to go. The hot guy dis-owning us up the front is my hubby :o)

yea. A pic of the boys. Haven't got one for ages.

"All second grade and injured Warriors to the Zoo please".. ok so that was a low blow .. ok but there were 4 of them, 3 of them were 2nd grade and one was injured. lol. hey. but the cheerleaders were all first grade so paul says.

laters