Goodbye 2009!

Where has the week gone, seems like only yesterday that it was Christmas Eve and now it is New Years Eve.  I haven't done anything crafty this week - been too busy working outside.  I recently had a lot of landscaping done and there is still a little bit left to do.  So this week has been spent outside as much as possible - not just working but enjoying the new garden and especially the new deck where we have been eating a lot of our meals.

Anyway on to the new year - I am trying to resist making a resolution because it won't last (If the 40-something previous years are anything to go by!) so I have taken an idea from here and my word is Believe.

I need to Believe in myself, Believe in my children and Believe in others.  I think it is a word filled with possibilities and I feel really energised by it.

I am also making something to hang on my wall with some other words on it that I need to focus on.  I'll post pictures when it is finished.

I wish everyone everywhere a Happy New Year - may you find what you are looking for in the coming year.

Christmas Eve - finally!

Where has the month gone.  Here we are the morning of Christmas Eve already.  I certainly haven't ticked everything off my 'To Do' list but I think I can live with what's left.

Summer has finally arrived in NZ - thank goodness I was beginning to wonder.  I have just had a lot of landscaping done so the warm weather is much appreciated - I need it for my new lawn!

I have finished my Christmas cards, and all but one of them have been posted.  Here is a selection of some of them

Oops - not a good photo sorry

I also found an old family photo - that is me in the highchair with my three sisters - which I framed for each of them.  I used different backing papers for each frame.  I know one of them has opened hers already - she cried, which wasn't the object of it but I guess it means she likes it. 

Now it is Christmas Eve.  All the presents are wrapped, all the shopping is done, there is baking and housework still to do.  Time to get the day underway so I can finally put my feet up when everything is finished, and enjoy this magical time of year.  Even though my boys are older now, I am so happy that they appreciate the family traditions of Christmas which we have been building over the years - it makes it all worthwhile.

I hope everyone has a peaceful and happy Christmas .

Collage

I finished a collage at the weekend.  Only my second attempt so I am slearning as I go.  It looks really good on the wall though and I suppose that is all that matters.

Not the best photo - will try again later when it is sunny.

Christmas candy

Hop on over to White Ribbon Cards to see Susies fab candy which she is giving away.  You can see the goodies in this picture.  It's easy to enter so why don't you visit her fab blog.

Why is it?

Why is it that the older you get the faster the years seem to roll by?  I remember when I was small that it felt like an eternity for Christmas and Birthdays to arrive.  Now it feels as though no longer is one birthday done and dusted when another one rolls around and the time in between seems less and less and you are able to achieve less and less.  The achieving of less and less could be because I seem to expect more and more of myself!  I wonder why that is.

In case you hadn't realised it's my birthday today.  I've had a great day even though the weather didn't play along and was miserable - cold and wet!  I received some really great gifts and went out for a delicious meal with friends and family tonight so all in all I've been a spoilt girl. Now I am looking forward to my favourite time of year - Christmas. Although I do have a lot of things to get done before then.  Watch this space.

Arty happenings

I have been attending a few art classes lately - not 'real art' but mixed media which is a wonderful art form for someone like me who can't draw to save herself!!

I completed this collage on Thursday. Quite difficult to get a decent photo but hopefully you get the idea!  I'm making another one which is about half finished - will post piccies when it is complete. 
These collages are so much fun to work on.  I am in danger of not getting any Christmas cards fnished!!

What else have I been doing in my self imposed time off? Well I've made some birthday cards - which for some reason I didn't photograph (must be getting forgetful in my old age..) I've been spring cleaning the house - we had a really therapeutic throwing out of old clothes today - bliss!  I have a lot of work going on outside at the moment.  We are building a deck as well as doing some landscaping - have a few things to make for outside too.

I have also been enjoying what little sunshine we've seen.  This photo was taken recently on one of our rare sunny days (Spring sucked so I hope Summer makes up for it)

What a surprise when I logged on this morning to see I had recieved this lovely award from Denyze.  the 'rules' are that I have to post five things about myself and then pass on to five people.

Five things about myself:

• I'm predominantly a vegetarian (not solely though as from time to time I do eat meat if it is free range organic) - I love discovering new vegetarian recipes.
  
• I am always surprised when I see my reflection in a shop window and discover I'm not the willowy  6 foot tall I think I am - instead I am a rather short 5 ft 3in!
• I love paper and stationery stores - empty pages waiting to be filled, handy bits and pieces waiting to be put to good use, pens of every imaginable colour - bliss!
• Chocolate, chocolate, chocolate - need I say more
• Christmas is my favourite time of year - I love the tradition of it all - trees, decorations, carols, food!

I'm passing this award to Susie, Jules, Rachel, Maggie and Twiggy.  Thank you all for the enjoyment I get from your blogs - although you are also responsible for the mess my house gets into at times, I know what i would rather do that housework! 

Now it is a glorious sunny day, it might be Monday but no one minds today because it is a holiday, I have loads of laundry to do, not to mention gardening, so I had better get started on it all!

Busy week

I thought I had a busy life before I begain The Big Adventure but I didn't know what busy was back then!!  Not only am I able to take part in my childrens school events (athletics day, after school sports, etc) which I had previously missed but I am also able to take some time to learn a few new skills.

This week I attended two creative classes, at a local art shop.  On Tuesday I went to a recycled book class - the tutor Brenda is very passionate about her subject and had a lot to share.  She taught us how to recyle paper into books (newsprint, tissue, brown paper etc) I haven't got photos to share yet as it is still a work in process.  The second and final part of the course is next week, we'll be learning how to make a book as well as an altered book - I'll post the finished projects then. On Wednesday I went to the same store again for a Creative Gifts class.  The tutor (Katz Cowley) was so inspiring.  She absolutely fizzes with enthusiasm and had so much to share that I was exhausted (in a good way ! ) afterwards.  Although we didn't make a lot of gifts I came home with so many ideas for handmade gifts, gift wrap, cards, envelopes and giving in general that I'm not sure there are enough hours in the day to create them all.  Katz also takes a creative journalling course which I would love to take sometime - hopefully she'll be doing another one in the next few months.

The rest of the week has been spent trying to stay warm (where has our Spring gone?) supporting one son at his various sporting endeavours (I know I just complained about the weather but I could do with rain tomorrow so that cricket is cancelled and I can have a lie in LOL is that too much to ask?) and helping my eldest son with his exam prep. Hopefully I'll be able to put aside some time to create over the weekend - Monday is a public holiday so I should be able to achieve it!!

Snow

I have been away for a few days.  The children have just gone back to school after several weeks off (yay!)

My youngest and I went on a mini break to the Westcoast last week.  Who knew we would encounter snow in October!!

We had a lovely few days - it rained the whole time we were on the Coast and then we encountered snow when we drove home - but it didn't matter because we spent time with people we love and really recaharged our batteries.  We are ready now for a  hectic  school term!!

Candy time

I've been away for a few days so haven't been crafting but I have bought some bits and pieces so I'm all ready to have a crafting binge!!  In the meantime I am catching up on the blogs I follow.  Bev at All the Things I love has some candy up for grabs.  Why don't you visit her and see.

More makes from Sunday

My Stampin' up workshop on Sunday was certainly productive - I came away with lots of  goodies and more importantly lots of inspiration :)  

These are the other projects we made

This adorable little guy is the tag we made for a little gift.  Not sure if you can read the tag (below), it says:

Santas heard that you've been Naughty

So listen, here's the scoop

Instead of getting toys this Christmas

You are getting Snowman Poop!

The bag has mini marshmallows in it - very cute

The next project is a flip flop mini album - very cute, just needs some photos and journaling and then it can go in the post to grand parents overseas!!

Lots of goodies

I went to a Stampin' Up workshop yesterday with a friend of mine. I haven't seen any of the Stampin' Up goods before.  I don't think I will be buying any though, they were lovely stamps but a bit pricey for me. Anyway I had a lovely afternoon the first two photos are of a tri-fold card we made. The papers are all stamped.

This card was not my best work - Santa looks a bit thin and grumpy, don't you think? Apparently he is supposed to look like this - I think the term is naive

This is another of the cards - very easy to make and quite effective. I made three different variations of this one.  I'm really pleased with this one.
I made a few more items which I'll post tomorrow.

I've been playing with a new toy today - a lovely new Olympus DSLR camera I treated myself to.  It is such a shame that the weather has been so bad lately as it is too cold to go outside for long to take photos.  Hopefully I will be able to take more later in the week.

World Card Making Day

It is World Card Making Day - yesterday NZ time but today for most other places (I hope I have my times right, it gets a bit confusing sometimes)  You can see more about it here - I have been spending far too much time reading this blog and the blogs of all the contributors from all around the world.  I haven't made any cards today as yet - a wee bit early but I am going to a Stampin' Up demo this afternoon so will hopefully come back with some makes.  I'll post them later.
The DT for WCMD have candy on their blogs - go visit Kim, Elaine, Carole, Judy, and Rowena for a chance to win.  And while you are there have a look around you'll be inspired to create when you manage to drag yourself away.  Happy World Card Making Day everyone.

First Challenge Entry

I was doing some blog hopping today and visited Susie's blog. She always has beauiful cards on display and today's visit was no exception. Susie has recently started a challenge blog Cootk Up a Card - Recipe Challenge.
I've never entered a challenge before but was really keen to join in Susie's first challenge
The 'recipe' is:
1 Flower
2 Ribbons

3 Pieces of chipboard

I knew the colours I wanted to use - they had to go with the chipboard pieces which were the only ones I had on hand the only problem was the flower I had to make my own. I think it works and I am quite happy with it.

I also visited this blog which is celebrating World Card Making Day on Oct 3rd. I have joined the fun - take a look, there a so many talented people out there I am continually amazed by the creativity.

Clutter be gone!

Since my last post it has rained almost constantly so my vege garden is still only half dug over and no further long. Happily today has dawned sunny and I'll be able to get out there again today.

I have been creatively dormant of late but I made these cards during the week.

This one is for my son's girlfriend - I've been having fun with a new punch plus added some faux stitching with my gel pen. The sentiment and name are stamped. The paper has been in my stash for a whileand I can't remember where it is from

This is for my niece who celebrated her 21st birthday at the weekend - a great party. The paper has been in my stash for a while. I embossed the sentiment and added lavendar rhinestones to match the lavendar ribbon.

I have diagnosed my crafting challenge problem - it is clutter. My workspace is very very messy at the moment and it seems to be inhibiting any creative juices I have. So I have purchased some storage bins and I'm on a mission. It is going to be challenging but it has to be done!! It also doesn't help that my workspace is in my bedroom which looks like a bomb has hit it. I've bought new bed linen as a treat but won't use it until everything is spick and span!

Gardens

Unemployment is capitalism's way of getting you to plant a garden. ~Orson Scott Card

The sun has been shining after a night of heavy rain so I ventured outside into the garden today - although I am taking liberties calling my outside area a 'garden'. Give me a few months and it will be though! I am determined to plant a vegetable garden this spring while I have the time to look after it. I've spent a couple of hours this morning, weeding the vege plot (which is home to some healthy herbs plus millions of weeds). I have a little more to do then it will be a trip to the garden shop for some plants. Then maybe I'll have a garden like the one in the photo above - oh well a girl can dream can't she?

Gardening seems to be the full extent of my creativity today - although I do have a date with H to do some baking later.

And so the adventure begins.......

Dear Diary
This is day one of My Big Adventure..........

I'm feeling very relaxed about it - not nervous at all!! It is the start of the school holidays for my youngest son so I have three weeks of children at home (the oldest finishes school on Friday) and then the reality will set in. I've set myself some goals to keep me focused and I'll record them here as I go. One of my goals is to let my creativity out - I made these cards last week to give to some of my co-workers on my last day.



The paper and adhesive ribbon are from Heather Bailey. The photos don't do justice to the colours which are very fresh and vibrant.

A fabulous week!

I've had a fabulous week - especially because on Thursday I went to see Mama Mia on stage. the movie is one of my feelgood favourites so I was a bit apprehensive about seeing the stage show, would I find myself comparing it unfavourably with the movie and then not enjoy it? Well I had nothing to worry about - it was fabulous. I went with my friend Kate and we had a ball!! (Enhanced by the fact that I won the tickets -how lucky am I) I've been listening to the stage show sound track ever since and haven't had a smile off my face since Thursday!!

Then on Friday I skived off work (only one more week to go) and went to the Craft show. These are the stamps I treated myself to - they are from Rubbadubbado. I also did a workshop with them and made the cards which follow - plus we got to keep the stamps we used - excellent!!


I've had a fabulous weekend as well - the weather has been amazing. Next week is my last week at work before I start on what I am now calling "My Big Adventure". I am very excited about it - I have so many plans for things I want to do I can't wait. It is going to be a very long week I think- but there is a huge window of opportunity at the end of it.....

Cards and more cards

I had a productive afternoon. This card is for a male - I used papers I had in my stash. I also used my Cuttlebug Swiss dots folder to emboss some plain card. The sentiment is stamped.This card is stamped then coloured with water colour pencils - my very first attempt. I've had the pencils for ages but haven't used them. I watched this fabulous video from the very talented Jules on You Tube which showed me the technique to use. (Check out her fab blog here)Last, but not least, this card was made using paper and diecuts from my stash. The sentiment is stamped.

Mid-life Crisis Maybe?

About three weeks ago, after several months of soul searching, I got up one morning and decided I was going to resign from my job!! To put this in perspective - I am a single mother of two gorgeous boys with a mortgage to pay and not a lot of savings. I have worked for the same company for fifteen years and am in a management position, and I don't have another job to go to. What was I thinking!! Well I just knew I needed a change and that I need to find something that lifts my spirit and feeds my soul. I want to get in touch with my creative side again - as you can see there hasn't been a lot of that happening lately!!

What am I going to do? Well, I finish work in four weeks time, just in time for the spring school holidays so my initial plan is to hang out with my kids and just enjoy being with them. Then when they are back at school I'm getting the house ready for sale - landscaping to be done, some internal painting needed, a bit of decorating, lots of clutter control! My plan is to sell the house after Christmas to move a bit closer to the city and the boy's schools. I'm also looking forward to having the summer holidays (January) off with the boys and being able to do stuff with them rather than arranging holiday programmes and snatched days off here and there. Sounds like bliss to me!!
After that i will look for a new job or maybe do some study, I might do some temp work to help the budget and I also might take a stall at one of the local markets to sell all the crafty goodness I am planning on producing.

So people I might be in need of encouragement from time to time - if you are stopping by please leave me a comment. Let me know I haven't completely lost my marbles.........

I have created a few cards lately - we seem to be entering 'birthday season' in my family - only one that I managed to get a decent photo of - and that isn't very good. At least I'll have plenty of daylight hours to take photos in soon! Thanks for stopping by....

Made a card Monday

I had yesterday off work as one of the boys was sick. Discovered that 'playing hookie' from work gets the creative juices flowing. Made this card for a niece, along with a bookmark which didn't photograph very well (even worse than the card) I made another card but will wait until tomorrow to take a photo. I could get used to not working Mondays!!

Finally some sunshine

Where has this year gone? I know I say that everytime I venture back to my wee blog - I am a very neglectful blogger. I seem to spend a lot of time on other people's blogs but not on my own?? Why is that? Blog envy?? Maybe, there are so many creative people out there that I am in awe.
Anyway the sun is shining - and that is something that we haven't seen a lot of this winter but I think today is going to be a glorious winters day. I've had a virus and spent two days last week in bed but today I feel as though I am emerging from hibernation and have several projects bubbling away in my head - now I just have to get them out of my head!
I haven't been entirely idle over the last few months. These are some of the cards I've made - sorry in advance for the dreadful photos - hopefully you can get an idea of them.


This card was made for my son's 12th birthday (where have those years gone??) The letter is from a sheet of Basic Grey monograms I bought recently. The backing papers and buttons are from my stash.
This is a journal I made for my niece's 13th birthday - I'm really happy with it, love the colour scheme. I think the papers came from a Christina Re set I bought a while ago.The card below was also for her - dreadful photo taken late at night. Using the same Basic Grey Monograms - although might be a different style than the one above - I bought several sheets when i found them on sale!
I've got several cards to make this week for family birthdays - I've got the ideas fizzing away in my head so hopefully I will get them finished later today but in the meantime it is time to feed the hungry mouths, do the laundry, drag the vacuum cleaner around the house and maybe get outside and enjoy some sun on my face!!
Then it will be "Me time" before heading back to work tomorrow to catch up on what I didn't get done when I was sick last week. :-(
Note to self - gotta get some work /life balance happening!! How does everyone else cope with full time work and family demands?

Mothers Day

Happy Mothers Day to all the mothers out there in Bogland. I hope everyone is having a wonderful day with their families. The card above is one I made, with my new Basic Grey papers, for a friend. I'm liking the shabby chic look of these papers! (Excuse photo - it was taken late at night.)

Mothers Day is very cold and unpleasant weatherwise in Christchurch NZ. What better excuse to blob out with the children. The best gift received today has been 'No fighting' :-) At 16 and 12 they seem to fight non-stop lately - my plea for a bicker-free day didn't land on deaf ears. Best present! Although they both bought me lovely thoughtful gifts - not so sure about the teenagers assertion that he didn't need to wrap the beautiful jug he gave me, as he handed it to me in a supermarket bag, he is saving the planet!

I've been dipping into Graceful Creative's blog as she has some wonderful ideas on there. One post which has caught my eye is this one about menu planning. I'm feeling inspired as I know if I don't plan ahead our diet's suffer - last week we had nachoes twice. I know bad mother! Any how I'm off to decide on my menu for the week - not going to commit to two weeks worth just yet, will see how one week goes. Then some grocery shopping then if we don't drown in the rain, home to snuggle on couch and enjoy a movie together, and maybe some crafting time later. Happy Mothers Day everyone.