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Putting Pinterest into Action

2012-01-31T17:38:00.004+13:00

I spend A LOT of time on Pinterest If you are a fan then you know how it goes, you repin one 'must do' pin then that leads to another and then another. Before you know it the cat has gone and fed itself and tea is a burnt cinder in the oven. I made a promise to myself that I would start putting the inspiration I find on Pinterest to good use this year and try to complete at least one project a week.

Project number one for Pinterest (number 3 for 2012) I saw this adorable little mouse on The Long Thread. a few weeks ago and I pinned it to my Gift Ideas board.

Source The Long thread

Isn't he adorable - I love the natural linen with the floral. This is from a book that Ellen who is the blog owner has recently published. There is a great Etsy video on the blog which shows the making of the pincushion. I was rummaging around tidying up today and I found some calico and some pretty floral I bought recently which got me thinking....

I needed a doorstop in my craft room - I had been using a heater but knew I could do better than that so I got out some paper and made a pattern and eventually ended up with a super-sized mouse as a door stop.

Hello cutey!

Not his best side

He is slightly too big so next time I make him I'll make him a bit smaller. I think he is lovely although I have to refine my embroidery skills. I'm eager to make him pincushion size too. Now what else can I find to make .....I'm in a Pinteresting mood.

Hello 2012

2012-01-30T00:10:00.001+13:00

I thought I had better acknowledge the arrival of 2012 while there were still a few days of January left....I don't know where this month has gone. I have a week off work so I am looking forward to catching up on my blogging as well as finding some creative time.

My oldest son recent left home so I moved all my crafting equipment into his old room - I can't believe I have so much 'stuff', or that I had it all in a wardrobe. When I finally have the room sorted I'll post some pictures.
While I was moving everything and put it away, I am ashamed to say I found a lot of projects I had bought several years ago and never gotten round to completing them. Well this is going to be the year of getting things done,and of using what is already in my stash so let me introduce to project number one for 2012.......

Please excuse the nakedness of this little lovely. She has been waiting patiently for me to 'clothe' her.

Here she is with her finery on - I used a paper napkin for the decoupage, I have no idea what the paint I used was. In an endeavour to 'make do' I used what paint I had and mixed different colours together until I had what I wanted..

I don't have a before picture of my next project - but it was basic brown as the pig above was to start with.
This is the finished article - I still want to put some inserts in it but will use it for a while so I can decide what I need. I'm planning on using it as a sewing case.

I'm not sure what came over me when it came to choosing the colours - although they are in the patterned paper on the top. I just mixed paint I already had until I got the shade I wanted. I love the way it has come out. For me it has the old world charm I was looking for

A great place for Christmas resources

2011-12-07T21:43:00.001+13:00

Christmas is a time to get crafty. Lisa Vollrath at GoMakeSomething offers some amazing downloads every December. This is the link to her 6th Annual Original Printable countdown. Go and take a look for some holiday inspiration

An example of what goodies Lisa has for you

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas....

2011-12-04T20:25:00.000+13:00

I thought I would share some of my favourite Christmas songs, books and traditions over the next few weeks...First up, this is one of my favourite Christmas songs - I never tire of hearing it.

Button Floozie Christmas Ornament swap

2011-12-03T22:26:00.001+13:00

I received my ornaments for the Button Floozies Christmas swap today - yay! My partner was Jo in Tasmania, Australia. Jo's blog is here. I stupidly forgot to take photos of the ornaments I sent to Jo so hopefully she'll put them up when she receives them. Here are some photos of the ornaments Jo sent.

Excitement - love the thrill a parcel brings....

The lovely card Jo sent

The two ornaments

Not a great photo but this is a lovely little button snowman

A beautifully stitched ornament that has the tiniest buttons on it.

A close up of the snowman - he is gorgeous

Birthdays

2011-11-28T17:41:00.001+13:00

Today it is my birthday. I am *breathe* 50........and I am actually pleased to be here, at this milestone. I remember when my mother turned 50 ....she seemed so old. I feel like a much younger 50 than she was (mind you I think my mother might have been born old). I am looking forward and setting some goals which will make my 50s happy, healthy and purposeful.

Never one to follow the norm I decided against a party and spent the money, it would have cost me, instead on a long weekend away. I had a fabulous time with my family including siblings and their children and in one case, grand child. We stayed at Punakaiki on the West Coast (my most favourite of all places in New Zealand) in a wonderful house right on the beach. It was a wonderful way to recharge the batteries and get ready for the Christmas season.

View from beach - house we stayed in is the two storied house at rear

View north from beach

View south from beach

View from the beach

Another view of the fabulous house we stayed in

After my rejuvenating weekend, I'm looking forward positively to a year ahead where anything is possible.........

Short vacation

2011-11-23T21:25:00.001+13:00

Due to an impending birthday.....I am taking a wee blogging break, while I reconcile myself to a new decade....

I'll leave you with one of my favourite sayings on my Pinterest board

Very Pinteresting

2011-11-12T19:29:00.001+13:00

I have said it before and I'll say it again - I love Pinterest. I have found some really fantastic blogs lately through Pinterest. Today I've been drooling over the beautiful blog Hometown Girl - I entered a giveaway she is running too. Here is one of the many beautiful pictures from her blog

Some of the other blogs I've discovered recently are......

That's My Letter


Far Far Hill

Rhonna Designs

These are just a few of the amazing blogs I've discovered through Pinterest

Button Floozie swap

2011-11-08T19:03:00.000+13:00

So excited - I received my swap from Lorrie today. It is a lovely altered tin in autumn colours and full of yummy buttons. The swap was organised by Laurie at Button Floozies - thanks Lorrie.

There was also a lovely card but I've lost the light now so will add a photo tomorrow.
The pictures below are of the tin I altered and sent to Lorrie - we don't have Altoids in NZ so I had to improvise!

This was a really fun swap to be involved in and I've 'met' a lovely fellow blogger in Lorrie.
Laurie at Button Floozies is running a Christmas Ornament swap - there is still time to sign up. I have! Really looking forward to it.

Flowers

2011-11-08T06:00:00.000+13:00

I've been making flowers lately - there are tutorials all over the web on how to make them. I like the instructions from here.

I have an idea for how I want to use them and will hopefully have time to complete the project this week

Happy crafting!

Recent makes

2011-11-07T06:30:00.000+13:00

I've been dabbling with some canvases lately. One came together the way I imagined it would but the other one has taken a bit longer to be happier with
.

I was trying to challenge myself to be less conventional in my colours but haven't been happy with the end result so this canvas has been sitting around taunting me for a couple of weeks. Last night I had the house to myself so I poured myself some wine and had another look at it.

I decided to add some white to the canvas so used a gel pen to highlight some areas which seems to have livened it up a bit. I'm much happier with the finished picture now.

This canvas below is quite big - I had planned to use it to make a pair of canvases but decided to do this instead. The heart is pieced together from paper pieces. I've inked and stamped a flower and sewn that on with a button.

The verse is from my favourite ee cummings poem which is below:

i carry your heart with me by e e cummings

i carry your heart with me (i carry it in
my heart) i am never without it (anywhere
i go you go, my dear; and whatever is done
by only me is your doing, my darling)

i fear
no fate (for you are my fate, my sweet) i want
no world (for beautiful you are my world, my true)
and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which grows
higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart

i carry your heart (i carry it in my heart)

Seven on Sunday November 6th

2011-11-06T20:53:00.001+13:00

I've been watching a bit too much TV lately.....there are some really watchable programmes on our TV right now, not helped by the fact that Sky TV has launched it's new channel Soho.

These are some of the programmes I have been watching recently

Downton Abbey - first class British drama. I can't believe that I didn't see the first series - now rectified of course. Thank goodness for DVDs.

Game of Thrones - fascinating! I find that I have to concentrate very hard as there is a LOT going on :)

Peta Mathias in the South of France - fantastic programme. If I ever win Lotto I am going on one of Peta's cooking school jaunts. She is fabulous!

Rick Stein in Spain - always like Rick Stein and his tour round Spain is fantastic
(At least if I'm watching people cook I'm not eating....usually)

The Borgias - wonderfully decadent. Beautiful costuming and scenery

Harry's Law - quite quirky, really enjoyable

The X-factor USA - my guilty pleasure!

I do multi-task when watching TV though - folding laundrey, painting, sewing, so I don't feel I'm totally wasting time......
What's your favourite TV show?

Seven on Sunday 29th October

2011-10-30T22:54:00.001+13:00

I've had a weekend of eating this weekend - and very little of it was healthy.....it got me thinking about some of my favourite foods like

Chocolate

Cheese

Avocados

Nectarines

Coffee

Roast chick

Strawberries

The only trouble with writing about food is that
a) it makes you hungry!
b) If you limit the number then you have to leave out food such as rice, pasta, curries, etc etc

Better for my ever expanding waist line that I am only writing about these things though!

Seven on Sunday, on Monday

2011-10-24T17:00:00.001+13:00

It is a long weekend in New Zealand so no work today. I've made a bit of a dent in what I laughingly refer to as 'the garden' - the weed pit would be a better name. I have sorely neglected the garden over the last few months so I only have myself to blame. I've been making amends this weekend - thankfully we had great weather - and have cleared one of the garden beds - half done anyway. I visitied a local garden centre which had a fantastic sale on yestrday, and bought camellias, a linden tree, a bay and a rosemary. I've planted the camellias this morning and now I am officially knackered!

Seven on Sunday this week - which is actually on Monday is My Seven Favourite (Mainly) Craft Blogs
1. Craftgawker
    Hundreds of crafty ideas
2, Today's Creative Blog
    Lots of inspiration and new blogs to discover
3. Mod Podge Rocks
   Love Mod Podge!
4. Just Something I Made
    Full of amazing ideas from one inspirational lady
5. The Graphics Fairy
   Vintages images for use in your projects
6. Craftberry Bush
   A recent find
7. Whip Up
   Plenty of inspiration for everyone

If you're stopping by leave me a comment and let me know what your favourite blog is for crafty inspiration.

Weekly wisdom

2011-10-18T07:00:00.000+13:00

Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass...

It's about learning how to dance in the rain.

Vivian Greene

Akaroa, NZ

Seven on Sunday 16th October - MIA

2011-10-17T21:09:00.000+13:00

Well I didn't post my Seven on Sunday last night - got tied up watching the rugby

and because it was so exciting completely forgot to blog (Yay All Blacks - so proud of our team)
.....so I'll save that post for next weekend.

I have a busy week ahead planned. Of course there is work (which unfortunately occupies most of the week ) especially as I didn't win Lotto at the weekend. Then I have to send away my entry for the Fall in Love with Buttons swap on the Button Floozies blog - I'm swapping with Lorrie from Finding Secret Treasures blog. I've loved 'meeting' her and discovering her blog. My swap is finished, I just need to post it away.
I have a canvas I am nearly finished making; I have a few more ideas simmering away for more collages which I want to start.
I've been toying with the idea of having a stall at one of our local markets to make some extra Christmas money so I have to finalise my plans for that this week.
Did I also mention the fridge needs cleaning? :)

Seven on Sunday October 9th

2011-10-09T23:07:00.002+13:00

Here we are again, Sunday. Last week just sped by. Its hard to believe that the first week of October is done and dusted already. Christmas will be here before we know it.. Here are some of the things that I've been thinking about this week

Earthquakes - we've just had another earthquake, a 5.5 magnitude. Large by a lot of people standards but not by Cantabrians' unfortunately. Anyway it was a nasty reminder that Mother Nature is still in control.
Mojo - don't want to say it too loud but my mojo appears to be back :) In the last week I've completed a small canvas and started another one - which I am loving. I also ideas bubbling away for two more. Just need to find the time now!
Children - do you ever stop worrying about them? I can't imagine a parent ever does
New job - I really need to start looking for something permanent. There has to be the perfect job for me out there somewhere.
Birthdays - I have a significant birthday approaching rapidly and I'm not prepared (mentally) for it at all.
Summer - it's on its way. The days are getting longer and there a is a definite feeling of renewal in the air. Now if only I could get the grass to stop growing until I get the mower fixed.....
Rugby - can't leave it out. Only two weeks to go and it will all be over. Come on All Blacks

I've got a busy week ahead. I still haven't achieved my goal of actually making something I've seen on Pinterest, so I think I am oing to focus on that this week.

Seven on Sunday 2nd October

2011-10-02T20:48:00.003+13:00

Sunday night once again - where do the days go? I have had quite a productive weekend. I've:

Planted my planters with blue and white pansies and lobellia. Now just have to wait for them to get established
Also planted some herb - mint, parsley and coriander; and lettuce
Planted some flower seeds - nasturtiums - in some pots for the deck;
Baked a delicious lemon syrup cake
Washed countless loads of washing (now have to fold them all - my least favourite job)
Completed a canvas - the first bit time I've felt creative for a while - I have to do some more to it but it feels good to have made something
Watched too much TV - rugby world cup and now NRL final
Still have some beds to make and then it will be a bath and a good book I think :)

Toady's list of seven is "Seven Favourite Movies: in no particular order "

(movie poster images here)

And yes, I do know there is more than seven......I couldn't bring myself to choose just seven, in fact I could add a few more as well. I'm also not sure what these movies say about me...hopeless romantic? Definitely, and proud of it :)
What are your favourite 'go to' movies? What do they say about you?

Weekly wisdom

2011-09-28T20:42:00.000+13:00

“I have notfailed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that don’t work.” Thomas Edison

Coes Ford, Canterbury, NZ

A new confession

2011-09-26T21:12:00.000+13:00

Hello my name is Cindy and I'm addicted to........Pinterest. I love this concept - I have always been a clipper of magazine pictures and stories. In fact I have boxes of stuff I've cut out - it takes up a lot of room and I really must sort it all out. The modern alternative is Pinterest - and I am truly addicted. I love it - but I'm spending so much time Pinning I'm not Doing. This week I am going to set myself a goal of actually making something I've seen on Pinterest! I'm not sure what yet but I'll let you know.....meanwhile you can find me here

Seven On Sunday 25th September

2011-09-25T21:03:00.000+13:00

So Sunday has rolled around again - I don't know where the year is going. Daylight Saving started for us today so I am expecting that the coming week will be a bit difficult while we try to adjust to the new time. I'm certainly not going to complain about the extra hours of daylight at the end of the day though :)

My list this week is "Seven things I like about Spring"

Daffodils - I know I chose them last week but they are still one of my favourite things about this time of year.
Bird song in the morning - I like being woken by the birdsong outside rather than my alarm clock
New mown grass - time to get the lawn mower out again (actually it is well over time....now where did I put it??), I love the smell of newly mown grass
Christmas is only 3 months away now
Fresh local veges - local produce is making an appearance at the super-market. We can say goodbye to the imported fruit and veg - it just doesn't taste the same
Getting out in the garden again - I planted my planters with pansies (blue and white, my favourite flower combo) and also put some tomato plants in the garden
Animals - when I drive to work now there are fields full of new lambs, calves, foals and alpaca. Love them!

Have a great week everyone.

Hello my name is Cindy and I love buttons!

2011-09-20T22:18:00.001+12:00

Just found this blog and had to share - Button Floozies. Here I was thinking I was alone in my secret love of buttons - how happy I am to find others to share my addiction with. If you can put up your hand and say "I'm not ashamed to admit I love butons" then go and have a look. They have an autumn swap which looks like fun - I've joined, can't wait!

Fur babies

2011-09-20T20:52:00.002+12:00

In May, two adorable kittens joined our family.

Officially they are my son's pets but really they are mine. When they first came to live, they would climb up me for a cuddle when I got home from work - very painful I must confess but gave me warm fuzzies at the same time. And I am the person who makes sure they have food and water and cleans out their litter tray!
They have grown - a lot! They are playful and highly amusing as well as being naughty. Mogwai has recently perfected climbing the curtains and getting on top of the book shelves - this in turn activates our burglar alarm if we are not at home....the alarm company has had to call three times this month to report "an activation". As I work 30 minutes from home this is becoming a bit of a problem! We wouldn't be with out them though.
When they first arrived they headed straight under the couch - somehow they got inside the lining of the couch and it became like a hammock for them. This is where they slept at night and would run to if they were scared. Now Godfrey has got too big he has to squeeze under the couch - he has taken to putting his head under and hoping no one can see him! Bless :)

They don't fit in theirs bed any more either - they used to be able to cuddle up together and still had room to spare. Look at them now

Now they have found another safe haven - on top of the pantry. The basket used to be Mogwai's favourite place but macho Godfrey has taken over so now she likes to perch on the books. I think that they are under the impression that because they are higher than the rest of us, they are in control..*shhh* don't tell them, but sometimes I think they might be!

Kiwiana makes

2011-09-19T21:40:00.000+12:00

I recently finished a small canvas I had been making. I have a small piece of wall in my kitchen where some kiwiana hangs. A picture of three pukekos which I bought; my jandal clock - also bought; my wooden pukeko, which I made; and my map of New Zealand.

The outline is made from seed beads, the two heart shaped buttons mark my two favourite places

Pukeko - my favourite bird. I love its colouring and it is so amusing to watch

Kiwiana corner - didn't realise those bananas were so manky looking

Close up of clock

Weekly inspiration

2011-09-19T08:00:00.000+12:00

"It's never too late to be who you might have been." George Eliot

Important to remember that we all get a second chanceyou just have to take it......

The photo below has nothing to do with today's wisdom, it is just one of my favourite places :)

My favourite place- Punakaiki, West Coast, NZ

Seven on Sunday

2011-09-18T08:29:00.000+12:00

Spring has made it's appearance in the southern hemisphere at last. After the awful start to this year it is pleasing to feel change in the air. I've been thinking of how I can spring clean my little piece of the blogosphere and I have a few changes in mind.

My first is Seven on Sunday - some random musings from the week gone by....

1. Daffodils! No need to say more, they are everywhere and always put a smile on my face :)

Image via Google

    2. Clean sheets - one of my favourite indulgences, clean cotton sheets (must be white!) on the bed after
        drying in the sun all day. Bliss!
    3. Pinterest - I'm a little bit addicted......too much pinning and not enough doing. If you're new to
Pinterest come visit me . Be prepared to stay awhile though!

    4. Kittens - we have two, they are gorgeous and I love them to bits....but oh boy do they wake up early
        now that the days are getting longer. These are photos from the first night we had them. New photos
        coming soon

5. It's 97 days until Christmas day - thats only just over 3 months. Where has this year gone Better
get my mojo spring cleaned so that I can get started on Christmas cards and presents

6. Rugby World Cup - you'd have to be living in a cave to avoid it in New Zealand right now. Loving it!
7. Our boys, our team - this year they will bring home the Cup!

Creativity

2011-08-28T22:00:00.000+12:00

I started this blog as a means of recording my creative endeavours. At the beginning this meant mainly card making with the odd other activity thrown in. Life has changed since then, I'm not the same person I was way back then. Rather than beat myself up over my lack of creativeness of late I decided to do some research.

What is creativity? Well according to the Oxford dictionary it is....
Creativity

Pronunciation:/ˌkriːeɪˈtɪvɪti

noun

the use of imagination or original ideas to create something; inventiveness:

Interesting - that gives me some scope. I would also add that, for me, creativity is making something, not necessarily something original, but also using other's ideas as a springboard . So I've done an inventory and these are a few of my creative endeavours over the last couple of weeks

Bread making


Photography

Birthday card


Pizza - made from scratch!

I know! I am being quite liberal with my defintion but to me, creating is making something that isn't everyday - hence the bread baked without my breadmaker (which vibrated itself off the bench and now doesn't work :-( ); pizza with hand made dough, etc. At least this is how I am able to feel creative sometimes - there is so little time left over for me some days that I have to be creative about being creative!

A new leaf....

2011-08-20T21:39:00.000+12:00

Where has the year gone. My poor blog - all alone and neglected. Well not any more. I've given mysel a stern talking to and I am back on track. My mojo has even visited a few times lately - more on that later. I'm planning a blogging challenge for myself during the month of September - to welcome Spring to the Southern hemisphere and also get back in the habit. I will be giving away some goodies as well so if anyone is still reading this I'll let you know when to spread the word :)

Our house at 7am

We started this week with snow - not so bad on Monday but really heavy on Tuesday. These are a few photos taken over the two days.

Our street is here somewhere

As soon as it started to snow our yard was visited by dozens of little birds. There were all dressed up in their finery and just begging to be photographed!

Some members of the family spent a lot of time trying to figure out just how to get out amongst the birds!

I've found out something about myself...

2011-04-04T19:27:00.000+12:00

I don't feel the least bit creative when I feel sad. And I have been feeling very sad since February 22nd - the earthquake, the horrible loss of many lives, the loss of my job...it all add to it. However since going to the Memorial last Month i am finally feeling like my old self - I've done my grieving for Christchurch and I'm ready to greet the new Christchurch which will grow from this tragedy.

So far my creative endeavours have involved the kitchen - scrummy Blueberry and Lemon muffins, Lemon Curd - delicious on the muffins but also equally spectacular lightly folded through whipped cram and used to fill cream puffs and sponges,.

I've also made Harvest Tomato Sauce - from tomatoes in my own garden I might add. A great feeling of achievement making that - I have another batch to make tomorrow. The sauce is delicious with pasta; it also gives a nice boost to a casserole and is delicious as a base for eggplant .parmigiana.

The recipes for the Lemon Curd and Harvest Sauce are from this fabulous book which I got as a gift for Christmas.

Because of the earthquake in February I am now searching for work - in the meantime I am enjoying having the time to cook for the family and I'm getting quite frugal. Some of my favourite recipe books are written by Sophie Gray I have all her books and they are fantastic. I'll reveal some of my favourites another day. Got to go - teas ready and there are yummy Blueberry and Lemon muffins for after - heaven!

Have Hope Christchurch

2011-02-26T08:49:00.000+13:00

Christchurch from the Port Hills immediately after earthquake February 22 - photographer unknown

Five days after the unthinkable happened in our lovely city - hope goes on. There are hundreds of people who are waiting and praying that a miracle will deliver their loved ones from the rubble. Help is arriving from all over the world - wonderful, brave men and women who put their lives on the line for strangers. Stories are emerging of amazing acts of bravery by everyday super heroes who put their lives on the line to help strangers in a time of need.
I am sittung in my warm, intact house feeling utterly helpless. I have lost my job through this sad act of nature but that is nothing because I am alive and my family is alive and we will be OK. Life goes on and we will rebuild our lives and our city - now is a time to look after one another, be kind to each other and hope for a better tomorrow.

Cathedral Square in happier times

A Very Sad Day

2011-02-22T23:11:00.000+13:00

Just as we had begun to believe that life was getting back to normal another earthquake levelled our beautiful city. At 12.50pm we were rocked violently yet again. Sadly, this time, the devastation has led to loss of life - 65 lost at this stage but who knows how many more are lying in the buildings which have collapsed. I've never known as much fear as today - my oldest son was working in the inner city where a lot of buildings have come down. Thankfully he was able to get in touch fairly quickly and was unhurt. My youngest son on the other hand wasn't able to get in touch so there was a frantic hour while I tried to contact him.

I was about 30 minutes away from the CBD and jumped in my car to go and find my babies. A trip which normally would take me 30 minutes took 2 hours stuck in traffic, it seemed as though everyone in Canterbury was on the motorway trying to get to the same place. I was stuck on the motorway over pass for a long time and was rocked by aftershocks which were quite significant and felt like the car was going to be tossed over the edge.
I can't tell you how relieved I was when I finally found my family - relieved and very happy. Now the long awaited rain is falling - we have been waiting for rain but now it is going to cause difficulty to rescuers trying to get to people trapped in buildings out. It is the last thing that people who are too afraid to go home and are camping in parks need. And also the last thing homeowners with damaged houses need.
Cantabrians are a hardy bunch and we will grow from this but it is going to take a lot of love for each other and a lot of support from the rest of the country. Send us your prayers blogland.

Before and after photos. Photo taken from Google - and http://www.stuff.co.nz/.

OWOH winner

2011-02-18T17:38:00.000+13:00

Sadly the OWOH world tour has come to an end. I have drawn my winner and it is "drum roll please" Holly from "It's the Little Things".
I would post a photo of the Random Number generator thingy - but I can't figure out how!
I have also just found out that I won a door prize from MistyBoston - I feel so lucky. Yay.
This has been a great few weeks - although my own blog has suffered while I visited hundred of amazing blogs! And I look forward to going back to the blogs I have bookmarked, for a longer visit

One World One Heart - this post will stay on top until OWOH finishes

2011-02-17T08:00:00.000+13:00

Hi and welcome to my blog, I am CindyBee and I am a frustrated crafter living in Christchurch, New Zealand. I love trying my hand a many different crafts - lately mixed media collage has been my craft of choice, but I also love making cards, and I am just getting started with jewellery making. I also love to cook and bake. I am the mother of two gorgeous teenagers and truly they are my life - love them to bits. Sadly, as I haven't yet won Lotto, I also work full-time. Somehow everything gets done - but honestly it is by good luck rather than good management :-)

I am giving away the following 'door prize' as part of One World One Heart Please leave a comment - let me know where I can visit you in cyber space. I'll draw the winner on February 17 at the conclusion of OWOH.

The door prize is a 6" x 6" collaged canvas, A Little Book of Relaxation and some Wishing Stones.

Did the earth move for you?

2011-02-04T21:35:00.000+13:00

I have avoided writing too much about the earthquakes we have been experiencing in Canterbury. Since September 4th we have experienced more than 4000 quakes (yes that is right - over 4000) Some don't even register on our consciousness any more - we might stop for a few seconds and think "Oh a quake" others make us consider how long it would take to get under the table or run outside. This link gives a good visual idea of what we have been dealing with - I live in Rolleston which you can see is close to the fault line. My house is still waiting to be assessed for damage - nearly every internal wall has at least one crack in it, the concrete floor has cracks and the exterior cladding has cracks as well. We are luckier than at lot of people though - at least we have a roof over our head, the house is weather proof and the damage is possibly superficial (will just have to wait and see what the assessors say)
So why am I writing about it now? Well tonight we had a 4.6 magnitude quake which was centered very close to my home - the house more than shook, it felt think it was rolling with the shock waves. What made it worse was that all my loved ones were away from home and it took about 10 minutes to check on them all (thank goodness for cell phones) - we've had worse quakes, which produced worse damage but tonight I felt helpless not knowing if everyone was OK. For anyone interested in seeing photos of the Canterbury damage go here and here

World travel and adventure

2011-02-03T21:02:00.000+13:00

I am having a ball visiting all the wonderful sites that are taking part in One World One Heart - see previous post. It is so much fun that I feel as though I am on a wonderful overseas adventure. I am neglecting the house work, my crafting, not even watching TV!! If you haven't already done so pop on over to OWOH and get to know some amazing, creative people.
I'll be back to my crafting soon - just as soon as I've done another flight around the world.
By the way - thank you to all the wonderful bloggers who have entered my draw - I am trying to get round everyone's blog, I keep on stopping and taking side trips though :-). Hopefully I'll get caught up by the weekend.

100 Days of Happy

2011-01-21T22:48:00.000+13:00

Wandering round in Blogland I found this blog. She has a challenge going encouraging people to be happy. I think we can all use a bit more happy so I am going to join in. I'm not sure how I will record my happy thoughts but I'll start day one here.
Day one Happy Thought - I love rain. Love the smell of it, love the way it changes the colour of things, love the garden afterwards!

Christmas art

2011-01-11T21:54:00.001+13:00

I have just received a book I bought from Amazon after Christmas.....

Can't wait to start reading it - it looks delicious.

The following photos are of some collages I made for Christmas presents. The first one is a large one I made for my son whose passion is music. Two views so hopefully you get a good idea of the picture.

I need to work on my lettering....but other than that I am really pleased with it. They other collage is much smaller and I gave it to a friend of mine. I have a thing about birds at the moment .....

The bird is made from paper and then all the other details are painted.

Hello 2011, Welcome

2011-01-08T10:41:00.000+13:00

I've got over myself now - feeling much more positive. What is there to feel blue about - the sun is shining, the birds are singing, children aren't fighting (maybe because they are still in bed - teenagers!) I have a nice cup of coffee and I'm sitting on my deck catching up on the blogs I follow.
Plans for the day include housework. It is Saturday after all and any working mother knows intentions of keeping up the housework during the week are great but when you get home tired after a day in the office it is much harder to be motivated. And it is the school holidays and two teenagers are home during the day - they do their best to tired up after themselves but it is a 'boy' tidy not a 'mum' tidy :-). So housework, pack away the Christmas decorations (I know this is way to late but see previous statement re work etc...) A catch up with a friend later and when it gets a bit cooler some much needed gardening. Sunday is 'Me' day - I'll get to relax then!
I have been catching up on blogs as mentioned before and found This Blessed Nest through Today's Creative Blog. This Blessed Nest is having a give away - go and see what she is offering - the cutest bags - and then look at her fabulous blog, it is full of ideas. Love it and can't wait for time to have a look at it more (Tomorrow?)

End of year 'blues'

2010-12-30T21:53:00.000+13:00

Is it just me or does anyone else feel sad at this time of year? I think I have been dwelling on the negatives of the year - not just personal but also the natural disaster and other tragedies which we have lived through this year - and need to spend some time on remembering the positives, and there have been plenty of those.

Now is the time to look forward not back - we have many milestones to look forward to in our family in 2011 so i know it is going to be a great year.

I haven't made any resolutions yet but I will over the next few days. One thing I am committing to is this

If you haven't taken part before - I haven't but it looks like a lot of fun - visit this site and you'll find out all the details. Then check back here on 30th January when the fun starts. Now I have to go find a prize to give away.

Merry Christmas

2010-12-25T17:48:00.001+13:00

Christmas day at its best - surrounded by family, presents and love given, wrappings and ribbon tidied away, lunch eaten, wine drunk, dishes done and put away. The sun is shining, tea will be on the deck after everyone has slept off the excess of lunch. Chicken, ham, nut roast, new potatoes, salads, pavlova, trifle and cheesecake for tea. Left-overs - what a feast.

Wishing everyone a peaceful, happy holiday season. Time spent with loved ones and happy memories created.

Free printables

2010-12-21T23:06:00.000+13:00

Have you seen this site - every year the amazingly talented Lisa Vollrath puts together free printables for Christmas. I'm not sure what I am going to use them for but there are more than a few sheets which I am down-loading for later use. Go and visit - go on, you'll love it.

Buttons and bows

2010-12-16T10:00:00.001+13:00

Well no bows actually but buttons and beads. I have had a lot of buttons waiting to be used - I had a bit of a button obsession a few months ago and bought them on line. At the weekend I was catching up on the blogs I follow in Google Reader and came across this and through that blog I found this. Light bulb moment - finally I have found a use for my buttons. I found some seed beads which I had been saving for just the right project as well. I threaded on all the beads and buttons before I started crocheting. I LOVE the finished result. What do you think?

I love that the necklace is so versatile - it can be worn short or long

Close-up

Now - I need to make some more in different colours and I might even get some made for Christmas presents.

He's making a list and checking it twice.....

2010-12-15T20:56:00.000+13:00

Well actually it is me that has been making lists and checking them twice - then once more for good luck. I've turned in to a list maker lately and it is becoming compulsive but then it is also helping keep some feeling of control as the festivities start to get underway.
I have a 'Food list' - for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day itself. I have almost decided on the final menu. The there is the present list - haven't ticked many items off that list yet! Then there is the card list - happy to report all cards made and ready to post tomorrow. Some of them are below

I set myself a challenge of not buying any new supplies until I have used what is in my stash already so all of the papers have been waiting patiently to be used for some time. Some of the papers and toppers were freebie give aways from various magazines and some I bought last year

More Christmas Traditions

2010-12-12T14:00:00.000+13:00

There is one book which has been part of my Christmas since I was a little girl - and that is a long time! I can almost recite the entire book word for word. Such memorable lines:
   When what to my wondering eyses should appear
   But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer
And
           Now Dasher, now Dancer, now Prancer and Vixen
   On Comet and Cupid, On Donner and Blitzen
          To the top of the porch, to the top of the wall
          Now dash away, dash away, dash away all

It couldn't be anything other than -


The Night Before Christmas by Clement C Moore

I have several different copies and every Christmas Eve my children ~~are made to listen~~ delight in listening to the story - again! (Apparently it is uncool when you are a teenager to have your mother read anything to you, let alone this! They will think differently when they have children of their own one day)

We have other Christmas books which come out at Christmas time such as Dickens' A Christmas Carol - but my favourite will always be the one about " a right jolly old elf"

Christmas Traditions

2010-12-12T08:00:00.003+13:00

I admit it - i LOVE Christmas. I look forward to it every year and I have some favourite things which say 'Christmas' to me. Every year there are some little rituals that I follow that all say "It's Christmas" - today I'm starting with films some of them are traditional Christmas movies such as:

Then there are the new favourites like:

And the movie that always makes my Christmas complete (although it isn't a Christmas movie):

Just call me clumsy.....

2010-12-11T21:23:00.000+13:00

It has been a beautiful day today in the Garden City - started the day rather early, no sleep-in this Saturday morning. Took my youngest to cricket - had to step over a very low fence to get to the pitch and didn't quite make it. What a klutz!! Spent the rest of the day sitting on the couch as too painful to walk :-(

All I can think of is the number of things I have to do before Christmas

Finish shopping for presents
Finish Christmas decorations
Tidy the garage (at the moment the car doesn't quite fit in it)
Tidy up the garden
Clean the windows

And on it goes - I didn't even get round to listing the projects I have on the go which need finishing

Oh well hopefully tomorrow my knee will be feeling a little better and I'll be a bit more mobile

If only I had time ......(there is a song in there somewhere)

2010-12-06T21:53:00.002+13:00

There is so much inspiration around blogland at the moment. These are a few which caught my eye.

I have to admit to attempting the first craft - found here - at the weekend. It was not successful but that is probably because I decided to do it at 11pm and I didn't have the right equipment.

The second craft is from here - I haven't tried this one but isn't he darling? The candles - the tutorial found here - makes it look very easy. Finally the gorgeous pinecone - found here Can't wait until I have time to make these!

What are you making for Christmas?

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas.....

2010-12-06T12:00:00.001+13:00

Now that Starbucks are selling Gingerbread lattes again it is beginning to feel a lot like Christmas. I finally got the Christmas decorations up this weekend - before and after photos say it all.

Somehow this mess will all make sense soon


Tree finished finally

When did my kids get too old to want to help decorate? I was a wee bit sad that they didn't want to help - but I enjoyed it anyway, with some suitable music playing, I had a walk down memory lane as I unpacked each ornament.

Some of my favourites.
What makes you feel Christmassy? Yesterday I went to my son's schools annual Christmas Carol service - it is always a lovely part of the lead up to Christmas.

It's Been How long?

2010-12-05T22:00:00.000+13:00

April? How did that happen. Well actually I know how it happened - I started a new job in April (working for an emergency service call centre) - it was a very rewarding job but the stress robbed me of any creative inclinations. I didn't really create anything while I was there - the only creativity I was able to muster was to bake. But sometimes that was even beyond me - I was working shift work including nights.

I made the decision to resign from that job - primarily so I could spend more time with my family but also because I missed and important part of me - my mojo! I started a new job last week after 3 weeks break and I have felt the creative juices beginning to flow. I've started making collages again - it feels great. These are two that I have done - I have some more on the way that I am making for Christmas presents.

Note to self - work on photography skills! Any how - I hope there is still someone out there who will stumble across my little corner of Blogland - leave me a comment if you find me here. I'll be posting more regularly now that my mojo has come home again :-)

Easter

2010-04-02T17:07:00.000+13:00

A glorious Good Friday here in the Garden City - been outside all day weeding and having a general tidy up before Autumn finally arrives.

I made Hot Cross Buns for the first time today - used a recipe from here which I tweaked a little. I added cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, grated orange and lemon rind, and sultanas instead of currants. They turned out fantastic - even my dried fruit hating son gobbled them up.

Happy Easter everyone - if you are driving near or far - take care, don't be one of the statistics.

Oops - bad blogger

2010-03-27T22:17:00.002+13:00

I can't believe it has been so long since I have blogged. It seems to correspond with the time I started to look for a new job - it just sucked the mojo right out of me! Now that I have a new job (starting in 10 days time) I am beginning to feel the reawakening of creativity - not sure how much time I'm going to have but I will have do as much as I can before I start.

In the meantime I have been playing around with the new layouts Blogger has released - very pretty. I love the colour of this one, although I might have a play round with some more.

Went to see this rather fabulous movie tonight. Tim Burton sure has a colourful imagination - and even with red hair and crazy eyes Johnny Depp still has a certain something about him!

My 12 year old and I went to see the movie - it is always good to be able to spend some one on one time with him, I know it won't last much longer as he enters his teens. I also enjoyed it as it is pure fantasy, very colourful and creative, crazy!!

Words to live by

2010-01-10T22:36:00.000+13:00

Instead of making New Year resolutions - which after years of experience, I know I won't keep - I thought about making something which was visual and would be more meaningful. I made this from a 12x12 canvas, with scrunched up tissue paper glued to it (use gel medium), painted and then the appropriate words stamped on some tags I had. I then glued these to the canvas, made a heading and attached it. Voila! The words I have chosen are Dare, Laugh, Live, Love, Wish, Dream, Create, Inspire, Believe.
The first photo shows the true colours, the second is the hanging on my wall

I've been planning this for a couple of weeks and I am really pleased how it turned out. Now I'll have to see if it actually inspires me......

First Project for Twenty - Ten

2010-01-07T23:06:00.000+13:00

I came across this post on Ali Edwards blog last week. It got me to thinking and I have chosen 'Believe' as my word for this year as a reminder to Believe in myself as well as my children and others.
I had some spare time this afternoon and I made this plaque from some board and Basic Grey monograms I had. It is hanging over my work table now so it will remind me everytime I look at it to Believe.

Goodbye 2009!

2009-12-31T18:04:00.000+13:00

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!

2009-12-24T07:51:00.000+13:00

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

2009-12-01T20:38:00.000+13:00

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

2009-12-01T10:13:00.000+13:00

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?

2009-11-28T21:54:00.002+13:00

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

2009-11-22T22:19:00.000+13:00

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)

2009-10-26T08:52:00.002+13:00

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

2009-10-23T09:50:00.000+13:00

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

2009-10-15T11:14:00.000+13:00

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

2009-10-11T00:32:00.000+13:00

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

2009-10-06T08:40:00.000+13:00

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

2009-10-05T19:43:00.000+13:00

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

2009-10-04T08:30:00.000+13:00

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

2009-09-30T20:01:00.004+13:00

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!

2009-09-29T09:56:00.003+13:00

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

2009-09-23T13:26:00.005+12:00

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.......

2009-09-21T16:08:00.005+12:00

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!

2009-09-13T15:03:00.006+12:00

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

2009-09-05T17:24:00.003+12:00

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?

2009-08-24T13:55:00.003+12:00

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

2009-07-28T22:40:00.002+12:00

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

2009-07-26T08:57:00.004+12:00

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

2009-05-10T14:00:00.002+12:00

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.

First Card for a while!

2009-05-03T22:39:00.001+12:00

I made this tonight - a card for my sister's birthday. It is a bit late, but better late than never, right? I'm not sure why it has taken so long to get back to making stuff!! I've been guilty of running round after everyone else and haven't given myself time. So tonight I decided the ironing could wait, the dishes could wait and tomrrow's school lunches could wait as well - Cindy need to get back into creating :-), and it feels good.
The card is made from some lucious Basic Grey papers i bought today. I love the colours, they are kind of grungy and also old fashioned, pretty groovy.

Where has the year gone?

2009-04-06T19:47:00.004+12:00

I'm feeling a bit guilty about my poor wee blog. Can't believe I haven't updated since February - I wish I could say it was because I have been doing wildly wonderful things - but sadly that isn't the case. I've just let day to day 'stuff' get in the way and some how got lost in it all.

Anyway, i have a week off work this week with my youngest and have promised myself some blogging time and some crafty time.

I found this blog today - Graceful Creative and I really like what I have seen so far. She has this 'challenge' on her blog Edit, Add, Appreciate
Edit one thing--material objects, negative thoughts, bad habits, or activities that don't reflect who you are as a person. It doesn't have to be a physical thing; Sometimes bad habits and negative thoughts are more detrimental than physical clutter.
Add something. Bring in something or reinvent one thing in your life--thoughts, habits, activities, clothing, objects...Add something that will help you be a better person; And yes, sometimes a new pair of jeans can help!
Appreciate something or someone already in your life. Hug your children and tell them how special they are. Call your spouse, just because. Be extra polite to the guy who makes your latte. Frame that favorite piece of art.

I really like the simplicity of this and think it might be what I need just now. So this week I am going to:
Edit - some clutter, starting with my work table which is stopping my creativity from flowing
Add - one on one time with each of my children - no distractions, no interruptions, just us
Appreciate -take time to appreciate the change of seasons (autumn has made itself known in NZ), it is my favourite time of year and I don't want to let it go by without acknowledging it. Crunching leaves, kicking leaves, just enjoying the smells and colours of the season.

I've been tagged

2009-02-01T08:07:00.005+13:00

I have been tagged by pinkpuppy to a photo challenge and this is what I have to do:
1) Go to the 6th photo folder saved on my PC (or not if you file them in a different way)
2) Choose the 6th photo stored and upload to to your blog.
3) Write something about the picture.
4) Then tag 6 new people to join this challenge....
The picture is of H meeting Richie Macaw, the All Black captain. The company I work for sponsors Canterbury rugby and some of the players visited work as part of the sponsorship. H was lucky enough to be able to come along and meet them and get some autographs. An awesome opportunity for a rugby mad kid, who by the way will be captain of the All Blacks one day! (The date on it is wrong - camera was being temperamental. It was April 2007)

I tag:

Creative makes

Sequin

TwiggyPeasticks

The Owl House

(I know that is only four - but a lot of others have been tagged already - I'll add some more later)

On holiday

2009-01-29T20:53:00.006+13:00

I have been on holiday this week on the wild west coast of the South Island. We went to one of my favourite spots in the whole country today - Punakaiki - to watch the blowholes. We timed the tide just right and were rewarded with a fabulous display.

As I haven't been at home I have been taking lots of photos as part of being Creative Everyday.

Creative Everyday

2009-01-25T12:51:00.006+13:00

Blog hopping this morning I found this inspirational blog about being creative everyday. Now my goals for the year are to improve my fitness and do more creative activities. My fitness is coming along - I have built a good habit over the last few weeks which I know I can continue so that leaves creativity, which I've struggled with because I jut can't 'make' something everyday as my other big passion - my children - take up time as well. The Creative Everyday idea is low-pressured with the aim of bringing more creativity into peoples lives. To quote the blog:

Creativity is meant in the broadest sense, so it doesn't have to be something art related. Your creative acts could be in cooking, taking pictures, knitting, doodling, writing, dancing, decorating, singing, playing with your kids, brainstorming ideas, gardening, or making art in the form of collage, paint, or clay...or whatever!

Easy - we can all do something in that list.

Anyway my creativity today is cooking - or should I say baking. I made this gorgeous loaf of focaccia for lunch. It looks pretty good, and tastes even better than it looks :-) Yum!

Go on over and have a look - you might find something inspiring as well - oh and there are challenges and themes to help things along.

Exciting times we live in

2009-01-21T21:41:00.004+13:00

What an amazing day. I am really looking forward to seeing how this man changes the face of America. He is a very charismatic man who speaks to the hearts of so many people.
"My fellow citizens: I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors."......
"On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord.
On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn-out dogmas that for far too long have strangled our politics.
We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things. The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness."
These two passages are the two that have stayed with me today. I sincerely hope that this man can deliver on the promise he has shown.

That's a bit of a departure from my usual blogging :-) back to normal tomorrow!

Blog candy

2009-01-17T08:21:00.003+13:00

Crafty Makes: Blog Candy Kim at Crafty Makes has been announced Papercrafter of the year at Papercrafts Essentials. Now I'm a new fan of Kims but from what I've seen this gal is well deserving of her award! Go and have a look - she's got candy for you too! I'm sure you'll find some inspiration as well

The dreaded New Years resolutions

2008-12-29T22:56:00.003+13:00

I follow a great website - Zen Habits which has some great ideas for simplifying life and increasing your productivity. I find as a single parent, working full-time in a challenging job, with two gorgeous sons that sometimes I spread myself a bit thin. I have found some good tips on this site which has helped me organise myself, and give me more time to do the things I need (especially being creative) I have signed up for the challenge at the Power of Less, which is a forum focusing on building habits. (Basically you have to tell everone what your challenge is which means you will be accountable for the goal - insead of making resolutions, it is committing to building a new habit) My goal/habit is to exercise for at least 30 minutes every day. I'll let you know how I get on!
I have also been looking at goals from another blog and intend to create myself a visual prompt as a goal setting aid for the new year. i'll post a photo when I have made it.

Happy New Year everyone.

Another Christmas almost over

2008-12-25T23:23:00.006+13:00

Well - the food is all eaten; the dishes are done; the wrapping paper has been folded away for next year :-) - presents have been well and truly played with; children are either asleep or almost asleep. I've just settled down with a coffee and a few choccies which I tucked away earlier in the day - I'm watching Ghost (sniffle), not sure how this qualifies as a Christmas movie but it will do. Hope everyone in blogland has had, or is having, a happy and peaceful Christmas.

I mentioned in my last post a scrap book I have made. These are the pictures - I have gathered up all the 'Santa' photos which I have had taken of the boys over the years and put them all together. The illustrations (which i scanned) are from an old book that we have had since my youngest was a baby.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Merry Christmas

2008-12-24T09:02:00.004+13:00

Christmas Eve has finally arrived. The presents are all wrapped and waiting to go under the tree. All the shopping has been done - just a quick trip to the mall to pick up some fresh milk and bread. I don't have to start cooking yet and there is only a little bit of cleaning to do so all in all a casual day is planned.

Looking forward to tomorrow, I may be a grown up but Christmas Day turns back the clock for me as I watch the children open presents.

Both my boys have fractures of one type or another at the moment (Oh I sound like a bad mother!) The youngest fractured his wrist in a playground accident - in a cast for four weeks (I wish i could say this is his only break ever but this is actually the second Christmas he has spent in plaster and it is the same arm!) my oldest has a broken nose - sustained while dancing at a 'gig' - pure accident but none the less uncomfortable. It is looking better each day and hopefully won't need intervention.

My wish for the New Year will be happy and healthy children most of all!

Some recent makes - the papers came from Craft beautiful I think - I made about a dozen on the same theme - fantastic paper and it was free!

I didn't take photos of all my makes - I have made a scrap book for my boys which i have wrapped up without taking photos of but will add them once they have opened it!

Merry Christmas Everyone

Proximidade Award

2008-12-17T08:55:00.004+13:00

Louise at Pinkpuppy's Blog gave me this award which says -

This blog invests and believes the PROXIMITY - nearness in space, time and relationships!These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers! Deliver this award to eight bloggers who then must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award. I am passing it on to these lovely people for their wonderful blogs and the hand of friendship they have held out to me.

I've thought long and hard about who to pass it on to - to be fair most of the blogs I was going to nominate have received the award so I thought i would give it to all the lovely bloggers at the Crafts Beautiful Forum - after all, it is being involved in this forum which lead me to starting my own blog so I owe the pleasure ( and guilt when I don't blog!) to them.

Crafts Beautiful Bloggers - you are an awesome bunch of people who i have been privileged to get to know through the wonders of the world wide web.

Merry Christmas to you all!

It's official....

2008-12-07T09:26:00.003+13:00

I'm getting old-er! I went to my work Christmas party last night and I'm feeling a bit 'tired' this morning :-) I wasn't drinking anything stronger than OJ as I was the sober driver so it isn't the alcohol then it must be......getting older. Groan!
Have heaps to do today - especially some crafting as I have a Friday deadline on a bunch of them but not very motivated just yet. I have been doing a bit of blog hopping hoping for some motivation and came across this site which has some fabulous free printables on it, one new one each day until Christmas. Go and have a look!

Better go now - a spot of gardening is called for then into the crafty stash to get started on those cards

Another year older....

2008-12-02T22:10:00.004+13:00

I had a birthday last week and received some lovely cards from some of the wonderful people at the CB forum. Thanks everyone - you are a special group of people.

These lovely cards and crafty bits and pieces are from Maggie50

These lovely cards are from Littleme; Saramar; ShelleyHope and Dee Snr

They were a lovely surprise

Christmas cards

2008-11-30T23:02:00.005+13:00

I got very motivated this weekend. Made half a dozen Christmas card plus finished off making an Advent 'Calendar'. We've also put up the Christmas tree (actually that should be trees - there are several, I think I have a Christmas addiction :-) )

I got the idea for these from here - Dan is a very talented man! Mine aren't in the same league as his but they were fun to make and a little bit different. Now that the boys are older traditional Advent Calendars aren't cool so hopefully these will be - at least the chocolate inside will keep them happy.

I also finished off some cards which need to be posted overseas - tomorrow!! Crikey - talk about

last minute!

Very pink card!

2008-11-19T22:30:00.006+13:00

These are tonights make - it is my sisters birthday next week and unbelievably I have made the card and present already - ready to post tomorrow. The photos are not the best.

The bracelet is from a K&Co kit - it is the second one I have made. I've used photos of my sisters children for this - hope she likes it!

Mojo found - I'm back!

2008-11-13T16:00:00.006+13:00

mI can't believe it has been nearly two months since I've blogged - where does the time go? Life has been hectic with the wind down of the school year - exams start for my oldest boy on Monday. Getting him to study is taking up all my time! The youngest has also just had exams so it has been all fun in our house - not!

Any way I made these flowers a few weeks ago - the instructions are here. Mine don't look nearly as good as the original - but I will be making more, so hopefully I'll get better. They are made from vellum, florists wire and florists tape - simple! They look really pretty all bunched

together in a vase.

Today H and I went to the local A&P show - lots of animals, lots of kids, lots of food, lots of smell!

The weather was fantastic - but very tired now. This is a photo of my favourite animal there- Highland Cattle

I've made a start on some christmassy type things - haven't got too much to show yet but my project at the moment includes this

Hopefully I'll finish it this weekend.......

It is Spring!

2008-09-24T17:09:00.007+12:00

This is the first week of the school holidays and I have a rather long list of things I want to do in this week I have off. The most important is spending time with H (unfortunately D only has two weeks off and he finishes on Friday). We've been mastering the breadmaker - yum! If I'm not careful I will roll back to work on Monday! Didn't do much yesterday - spent time in the garden. I've planted mint and coriander plus a rosemary bush. The nor'wester has kicked in so I am having to water them several times a day. I have plans to plant basil, capsicum, lettuce and tomatoes as well -- maybe at the weekend.

Today we went to Willowbank wildlife park - we both love the farm yard there! Reminders of childhood!Loved this gorgeous goose!

H made friends with the miniature horse - cute!

Home to a little bit of housework and maybe some crafting after tea - maybe! anyway here is the ATC's I made for a recent CB forum swap - the theme was gardens or seasons. Haven't had much time to spend at CB lately - I miss it and must make time over the next few days to catch up on what is happening there!

Oh dear where has she been!

2008-08-30T07:35:00.004+12:00

What a bad blogger I've been - more than a month since I visited. I haven't done much crafting lately - I think the winter glums got to me. I have taken part in a few swaps at the CB Forum. The first to be delivered to its recipient was the bookmark I made. It had to have some pink and sparkle plus butterflies! Tough instructions Natalie! Thanks to Pinkpuppy who received the bookmark for adding a photo as I had forgotten to take one before posting!

This was my first attempt at beading - I've made a few handbag/phone charms as well. You know what they say - practice makes perfect! I have a lot of practicing to do!

Two posts in one day!

2008-07-13T22:47:00.004+12:00

Making up for not blogging for awhile - here is today's second post.....can't promise I can keep this pace up!

I finished this box today - it is recycled from a carton I found. I used some scraps of paper that I had lying around. It is now sitting on my work table to hold my stamps, tape etc

Jewellery Stand

2008-07-13T13:04:00.002+12:00

I haven't felt like doing anything too crafty lately - that darn mojo of mine keeps escaping.
I did however buy a papier mache stand the other day which I have been playing with this weekend. It started life as a plain brown paper mache form - it is about 40cm tall - so I gave it a couple of coats of black acrylic.

Then I painted on the gold bodice and varnished, it then added some self-adhesive rhinestones to bling it up! I think it looks fab - now if only I had some real bling to keep on it!

Max's Blog candy

2008-06-16T22:00:00.003+12:00

Max is celebrating her 2000th visitor to her blog with blog candy. You can see it here.

More photos from our visit to the Botanic Gardens. This is the peace bell - it is beautiful, and makes the most amazing sound.

Beautiful Sunday

2008-06-15T19:25:00.002+12:00

Today was a beautiful day in the Garden City. We went for a stroll through the Gardens - this giant eucalyptus caught our eye, it was huge. The weather today was very unseasonal - sunny and warm, a far cry from the snow last Sunday.

Last weekend's snow.

Lost in Blog-land

2008-06-15T10:16:00.006+12:00

I can't believe it has been a month since I last posted! Arrgh - such a bad blogger. I won't beat myself up about it as the reasons are I had been 'spreading myself too thin' and something had to give. I have found parenting a challenge over the last few weeks - exam time for the oldest and it has been a bit stressful for all! Plus work is very busy - and I need to work to keep us fed etc :-)

I have done a bit of crafting but not as much as I would like. I haven't been spending much time at the Craft Beutiful forum either and I really miss them......

This month is my youngest's birthday so I am in the middle of making some party invitations - a bunch of 11 year olds going paint-balling! Sometimes I wish I had a daughter to do something girly with (sigh) but not often as they are both treasures!

Ayway if there is still anyone out there in blogland who is interested ( and I don't know why you would be!)here is what I have created lately

This is a birthday card I made for a friend. The tag is her 'gift' - I'm shouting her to the movies (Sex and the City) as well as a meal somewhere. Only problem is we have been too busy to find time to do it. Planning on going this week

Saturday

2008-05-17T15:53:00.004+12:00

Been a busy week - i did get round to finishing some cards which didn't photograph well at all and this altered notebook. It is made out of a hardbacked notebook, some hand made paper from Trade Aid and an old shell button.

Rugby today - my boy was Player of the Day, so proud!

Older son's report arrived - not so proud, just as well he isn't here, might have calmed down by the time he gets home. Oh well I think I'll take my frustration out on some crafty stuff! Will post results later!