Author: Nic Howard

I'm finalising some Autumn Escape details with sponsors here.  SO MUCH FUN.  Can we do this every year?    One of my missions for this week was to find the local groups down in Taupo/Napier/Hastings/Rotorua type way.  Does anyone attend local scrapbooking/card making/crafting groups down there?  Drop me an email, pleeeease :o) I'm normally such a last minute girl but I want to get registrations tied up for this event to get class numbers/giveaways etc finalised nd all the events thoroughly planned.  I know, I know…Pick yourselves up off the floor.

Giveaways – on this blog.  Visit.  Leave a comment.  Cross fingers.

Man I love the new FancyPants CHA releases!  LOVE the Kraft stuff.   Should we bring it in to sell at the retreat?  Another fun part of the Autumn Escape is shopping for the new release CHA stuff to sell at the retails space there. I'm just window shopping right now – you should see the list.  Let me know in a comment if there are ranges of stuff you want to see at the Autumn Escape.

Here is a sneak peek from a class called "The Little Things" I'm teaching in Timaru at Embellish It…. at the end of March.  Hello South Island!  Happy to be making my way down there again…

Ok leaving you with another layout from BasicGrey with their new CHA releases… this one is from the range called Marrakech, it is kinda morrocan, kinda teal, blue, orange, corals… so ME lol

Laters

 

10,000 maniacs.  No.  Not Paris Hilton's security as she appeared at CHA.  Yes she really did.  Nor the children in the street screaming and running down the road as Mr Whippy arrived.  No.  It's my new music find.  Who knew 10,000 maniacs (with lead singer Natalie Merchant) would be my new find.. they've only been around for 20 years.  We are a little slow here in the Howard home, clearly.  Anyway.  Here I sit, perusing the internet for CHA updates, listening to 10,000 maniacs with the occasional thought of what-the-heck-am-I-going-to-drag-together-for-dinner-tonight.  Anyone else doing anything similar?

Just a quick post… another CHA BasicGrey layout.  This one with Wisteria.  That border is purple.  It's a soft gorgeous line that has all sorts of potential.  Purple and I didn't really get along well until Wisteria convinced me that it could be done. 

laters

It was a day of extraordinary.  It was extraordinary that I would sleep til nearly 8am.  Yet be so tired that at noon I needed a nana nap.  Then even more extraordinary to be woken by a helicopter hovering directly over our home.  THEN on walking out to see what said helicopter was doing, I saw the weirdest cloud rainbow formations.  They were rainbow coloured clouds high high up in the stratosphere.  I've never seen anything like it.  Of course being the weather freak that I am, I googled their origins and it's all to do with various freaky kinda coincidental factors that make it happen… and all perfectly normal.  Not extraordinary at all.  Except for the occasional website that said it was a pre-warning of large earthquakes and storms of unheard of magnitudes.  Fan.tas.tic.  I'm going with the first option.  Extradionary freaky weather formations that are really quite normal if one analyses them.

Today was also a big day in the scrapbooking world.  The Craft and Hobby Trade Show opened in Anaheim in the USA.  In the past it was the focus of the scrapbooking year.  Not so much now, but still a big event.  I had projects in the Tattered Angels and the Basicgrey booths.  I haven't heard how either is doing, I'm anxious to hear.  Queen & Co is also releasing a new range of products, see them here and enter a blog competition. 

I'll make today's post short, I have classes to finish for the Embellish It classes I'm teaching in Timaru in March, and I have a good book calling my name.  I also have the GST calling my name but so far have managed to ignore that one.  It's not the 28th yet, is it? I'll leave you with one of my BasicGrey layouts.  BasicGrey have released 4 new lines, Marrakech, Lime Rickey, Porcelain and Wisteria.  This layout is from Lime Rickey.  So bright and bold and full of life, perfect for a huge rane of pics  –  even for those newborn photos.

More tomorrow – OH – A new rate has gone up on the Autumn Escape blog for those that live locally and didn't want to stay at the venue.  I'd love to hear from some taupo scrapbookers – We'd love to see you there – does Taupo have a cropping group?  Drop me a line!
Laters

With Paul back to work it didn't take me long to have the old feelings of 'back to the grind-stone' returning.  Anyone else feeling ripped off?  My summer holiday went far too fast, I feel like I haven't switched off and I'm in panic mode about the kids going back to school.  I don't want them back at school, especially now that each morning I will be packing 3 of them along their way.

And then there was the news of Layle Koncar leaving Scenic Route.  Made redundant because of the economic situation.  I've been involved with Scenic Route forever, they were my first 'school-girl crush' in the industry and we've worked closely on a lot of things.  To see this happen was heart-breaking and had me questioning for the first part of the week just whether I was going to be able to make a living this year.

This morning I woke up an email that was extremely positive in thought so I decided to stop feeling sorry for myself, try harder to deal with the cat-that-had-surgery-and-is-now-caged-in-the-lounge and not get too frustrated at his meowing, I'm sure he feels worse than me, enjoy the summer sun with the kids while I can, stop reading my current book which I'm not enjoying so much, it is ok to stop reading a book halfway through, right?, and I stood up from my desk with the biggest positive attitude, walked to the garage to change the loads of washing to the hugest mess on the floor.  Which is what happens when one leaves a full bucket of water on top of the washing machine whilst it is spinning.

Lesson learnt.

And on with that positive day.  Lucky it is summer and everything in the garage will dry out just fine.

Did you notice the subtle changes at Tarisota?  We welcomed in Rachel Tucker, a very exciting addition to the Tari team.  There is also a new look Tarisota talk, we'll all be adding bits and pieces to that each month.  I have the February kit here at home and will be creating a class from it so that'll be released early Feb. 

Talking of Tarisota, I don't think I shared my projects from December – I thought I shared this one but on looking back I can't find it, apologies if I have before… this is a layout based around a song I sing with Abby.  See the song on youtube here, it is the cutest thing ever.  I stamped the lyrics on the background.  Never again will I be so keen with my stamps.

 

So on with my day – oh!  Project 365.  Nope, I'm not participating. However when I went to Heidi Swapp in Brisbane we created a 9×9 calender.  I'm not one to easily create things like that without some excellent purpose (besides just being a means of keeping track of the days).. so I'm using it as a diary.  Each day I write down one or two words to summarise the day.  At the end of the month I'll put a favourite photo in the photo space and at the end of the year it'll be my own version of the 365.  Perfect. And not too much commitment either.

Here's to a positive day.

laters

Here I am.  The obvious lack of blog posts was the result of our annual holiday to Hahei.  We went.  We fished.  We walked.  We ate mr Whippy ice-cream and fished off the wharf.  We drank copious amounts of alcohol and read good books.  We let the kids play rugby on the road and sleep until 9am.  We enjoyed the sun and were witness to the most amazing thunder storm I have ever seen.  And those that know me well, know that I am a weather freak and that would have made my holiday.  Which it did.  If anyone was in the Coromandel and got photos, let me know.  The lightning was so constant that I took forgranted that it would ever stop.  And I forgot to pick up my camera.  If I clicked every few seconds I would have got some great shots.  I just didn't think.

So I'm back.  And I intend to blog more regularly.  I'm settling into a full year of work and not only does writing my blog break the monotony of a layout that just won't work, but it gives me someone to talk to.  And it means uncle Vaughan can see photos of the fishing in New Zealand and wish he was here.  Perhaps photos like this one.

 

This is Jacob's effort – a rather large parore caught off the wharfe.  The coolest thing happened with this catch… Jacob was on the part of the wharfe where the people line up to get on the ferry.  There would have been 30 people waiting.  He reeled it in squealing for his dad to help him with his big fish.  He landed it on the wharfe and it promptly broke the line and a guy in the queue helped him re-catch it.  And everyone in the lines clapped and cheered so loudly for Jacob – i don't think i've seen him that proud in so long. And yay for the people on the wharfe joining in on Jacob's obvious excitment and cheering him on.  It's that kind of thing that brings back faith in humankind! 

CHA is creeping closer… I've done my BasicGrey layouts and look forward to posting them when I can.  I've also done projects for Tattered Angels and love their new colours and new alphas etc… will post those when I can…

Did you hear that Simple Scrapbooks is ceasing publication?  And that Fiskars is dropping their paper/rub-ons/embellishment lines?  I'm glad each company is doing what they can to keep up with the changing market, but on the other hand the changes make me nervous.  Hold on ladies, it might be a wild ride. 

Ok so here is the start of the new year.  A year in which I will honour my 'word' and those that know me well know I hate cliche stuff, so to even pick a word in the first place is a biggie for me, but yes, I'm going to honour a word.  Balance.  This word means I will be at my computer/scrap table for a certain amount of work hours per day.  And I am with my family when I am not working.  One where I actually put layouts in albums.  One where I choose what work to do and what not to do and don't feel guilty about saying no.  One where my constant worry of missing the kids childhoods while trying to preserve the memories is no longer a worry. Balance in work and play.  Balance in activities such as reading and watching TV.  Balance in a time to scrapbook and a time not to.  Balance in my meals – like making sure chocolate is not only for dinner, but occasionally for lunch and breakfast as well.  You get the picture. 

Right.  Getting to it…

Laters.

Anyone doing Project 365?   I thought about this far too long and before I knew it, it was the 7th of January.  Imagine the sense of obligation you'd feel every single day.  I don't know if I could handle that.  But then it'd just be a case of taking one photo a day and writing in a diary what it is.  At the end of the month, or periodically, you put them in an album.  Don't even scrapbook them.  Just put them in an album with a sentence beside each one.

Imagine the sense of obligation and guilt if you didn't manage to do it.  But imagine the sense of acheivement at the end.  One year depicted in an album.  One photo a day.  Not scrapbooked.  Just collated.  Can you tell that I'm secretly considering still doing this?  Someone tell me I can't even organise myself enough to download and edit the pics from the middle of last year, never mind deal with a photo a day.  But just imagine how cool it'd be?! I have a serious devil/angel thing going on here…talk me out of it…

The Queen & Co blog recently featured this lady.  Talk about inspiring.  Her work is so clean and crisp.  Something I find darn near impossible.  Wishing here that I could scrap like that. you know, just once or twice before slipping back into my paper curling, layered, clustery embellished kinda happy place.  it's funny how we all have our happy place.  For my kids it is a playstation-even-though-it-is-an-amazing-day-outside kinda happy place.

Talking of happy places, this would be my worst nightmare kinda place.  Seriously – throw a bucket of water out the door and it freezes mid-air?  um. No.  thankyou all the same.  I'll take my 99% humidity, 8 minute burn time and 30 degrees anyday. 

I'm still getting emails about class kits – I have sold out of the 'So Tell Me' mini album, but I have a few of the others still around if anyone wants them – scroll down for details and email me!

I'm full on working on the Autumn Escape at the moment – just this morning I picked up Pink Paislee as a sponsor – registrations are going well, several of the classes are at a point where we might have to put the SOLD OUT sign on them.  We are unsure whether to increase class size, or call them Sold out.  It depends on how registrations go over the next week or so, so if you are sitting on your registration form – send them in so we get an idea!

Leaving you with some projects from the Aussie Scrap Source blog.  I used one pack of Hero Arts stamps to create these cards.  Using my latest favourite colours, of course.  Favourite colour being anything and orange. lol.

laters

 

 

 

Time goes faster in summer, of that I am convinced.  The daylight hours are longer but they travel at twice the speed as winter hours.  December was but a blur and January is here already. I am completely in my happy place right now.  I adore summer time.  I just need it to slow down.

Bakugan were the hit of the Christmas goodies in my household.  Well, for the boys anyway.  I enjoyed a loot that included a puppy (it looks so real, I must share photos) a new set of paintbrushes from Braden, a set of pink rub-on letters from Abby and a stash of chocolate to last me until next Christmas from Jacob.  I love what the kids buy me.  It just goes to show what they think my priorities are by what they bought me. 

New year's resolutions, anyone?  I, for one, started one few months back .. reading.  I can sit in this office and work 16 hours a day and I'm still making sure I read at least 10 minutes before I fall asleep.  It's a biggie for me to carry that on.  My favourite book of the past few months?  well, one i can actually talk about online, is 'The Lovely Bones'.  Book that didn't quite live up to it's reputation?  'Twilight'.  Book that I wish I'd written the name of so I could recommend it to others?  That one about the girl and the fishing village and the guy that got shot and she is accused of doing it.  The book I'm going to start tonight?  Tuesdays with Morrie.

Another resolution?  Carry on walking.  I started walking about mid November, I was going at about 6am to be home by the time Paul went to work as he goes quite early.  I haven't walked since well before Christmas though.  I need to get going again if I am going to use it as an excuse for being able to eat copious amounts of bad food and consuming large amounts of alcoholic beverage in the sun for the next few weeks.

Talking of new starts – here is a layout that recently featured on the Aussie Scrap Source blog.  Yep Paul and I can tick off "Getting Married in Vegas by Elvis in the little white Chapel" off the list.  Next mission…

Laters

 

 

 

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

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

Alrighty.  All classes come with instructions on CD. 

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

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

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

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

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

YEA!  A layout that has it all - amazing detail plus room for plenty of photos! In this layout class you will learn how easy it is to get multiple photos on one layout by building a little mini book right there on your page.   Gorgeous papers from various manufacturers, paired with Hambly Transparencies and various embellishments result in a stunning layout that will suit most themes. A full alphabet is provided to be sure you can customise your layout to any theme that suits the brown, teal and red colour scheme! The layout fits one portrait orientation 6×4 photo plus there will be room to add many more 3×3 photos later! 

 

 

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

$39

 

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

Description:

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

 

 

 

Prima Paintables class (I have 7 of these…)

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

laters

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Laters