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In an after-the-party get together yesterday, my older brother declared he had a time machine.  What he was really trying to say was “Tyre machine” but in the spirit of, well, lots of spirits, it came out “Time machine”.  I liked that better.  It was way better conversation than a stinky old tyre machine.

Anyway, I’m trying to slide into a conversation about time really easily here, but I admit I’m still a little jaded after the weekend. 
It’s hard work hitting these milestones.  

Some might have thought I was crazy attacking this milestone head on.   I decided a while ago I was going to make it a huge celebration, there was no use getting depressed about it, and so celebrate I did.

I owe so much in the way of a thank you to so many people.  There were the cards, so many cards sitting on my side table reminding me each time I walk past that people care.

There were the gifts.   I wrote on the invite to my celebration on the Saturday night that no presents were needed… still I was spoiled.

I’m an incredibly lucky girl.  From the cupcake and candle lighting ceremony at the salon where 5 very special girls and myself hung out for a few hours on Saturday, to the sparkly ‘40’ glitter all over my driveway, the texts, calls, emails, letters and cards. 

From those that set up, took down, put wet weather plans in action, vacuumed, cleaned, cooked and helped me drink.    From the volunteers that ran the busiest bar they have seen in a long time, to those that did all the dishes and acted as doctor when there were a few dancing injuries. 

From the dancing, hugs, laughter and the most talented glass stacking I have EVER seen…

The special people – some of which came home especially in time to make the celebrations (this is my brother Vaughan, home after 13 years living in London – home for good with his gorgeous wifey, yay!)

Look at my studious son doing his homework in the background – awesome work!

I’m a very, very lucky girl.  I know this.

Anyway… I have lots more to tell.  I have more pics to show.   I wanted to fully celebrate the day, and realising I should have appreciated myself more at a younger age and that it’s not getting better than this… I invited friend and super amazing photographer Andrea from SweetP photography to come along and take some shots…

Here’s a little tease of what she did – more to come.

(This one is before the torrential rain, 13 degrees, make up sliding off my face, hair being plastered to my head and dodging of trains…)

 

Happy days. Thank you everyone for making it so freakin awesome.
I might be getting older and older and gaining more and more wrinkles, but I still love being spoiled.
Laters.

Inspiration is everywhere, we are so lucky to live in an age where Facebook, blogs and galleries make it easy to enjoy inspiration from other scrapbookers and I admit spending as much time as the next scrapbooker enjoying online inspiration.  

Every now and again I come across an artist that really gets my mind working, one that makes me look and look again, one that I really to be like when I grow up. While I've always loved Louise Nelson's work, I was lucky enough to see how she works the GlimmerMist magic this past weekend, and I couldn't wait to get home to give it a try.

To me Louise's pages are always a mix of a fabulous handmade background and subtle embellishing that always contributes to the message in the layout.  Her pages are gorgeous in the most simple way.

So I got working with some GlimmerMists and sprays, some embellishing and a smaller photo, another trademark of Louise's work.

I adored the creative aspect of this layout, and while my background isn't perfect, it was fun trying!
Supplies used: Chipboard background & Feather by Imaginarium, White cardstock by Bazzill, Alpha by Prima, little heart and tag by 7Gypsies, floral vines, gesso, cotton, staples, star by Jenni Bowlin, GlimmerMists used: Pumpkin Pie, English Ivy, Jingle Bells and Black Magic.

While I've always loved GlimmerMist, this is one of the first times I'd used it as the sole focus for the background, it was such fun to play in such a big space! Thanks Louise for your inspiration!

Laters

Art Venture Give Away!!

Who wants a chance to win a package to the Prima Art*Venture Retreat in January? I’ll give you details soon but before I do you need to know that ALL of the talented ladies teaching at this retreat will be giving you a chance to win a package, I’ll link you up, all you have to do is hop over to a few other blogs for more chances!

You can win a package worth $265, your choice of which one of these packages you would like:

Primrose package
3 Workshops, Afternoon Snack and Make and Takes on Saturday

OR

Daisy package
3 Workshops, Afternoon Snack and Make and Takes on Sunday

Also, the winner will have the opportunity to upgrade to a larger package if they would like. They will just need to pay the difference between the $265 and whatever package they upgrade to.

Please also note that all travel/accommodation expenses are the responsibility of the winner, BUT this prize is transferable, so if you win but are not able to attend you can give/sell it to a friend.(What a GIFT!)

Here is the link for more details for Art-Venture

So for your chance to win this package here is what I would like you to do!!

Please share the link to this blog post on facebook or your own blog with a little excitement about the giveaway.  Include the picture if you can!  Then leave a comment with your blog or FB link for me here! I will then do a random pick from all those who have left a comment with the appropriate linking on Tuesday 13th November. 

To increase your chances drop over to the other teachers blogs for more chances to win from their blogs as well!! Each teacher will be giving away a package so that is 6 packages that can be won!!

Ania Dabrowska (Finnabair)

Janine Koczwara

Marion Smith

Julie Nutting

Heidi Swapp

Good luck everyone!!

Kits for sale as follows…

• Leftover from Spring Edition in October (apart from Pretty Pages which is new). 
• Some are my kits, some are created by Paula Cheney or Natalie May
• Please read the details beside each one. 
• Very limited amounts of each kit, first in, first served. 
• Postage $7.50 NZ-wide, $14.00 to Australia and this can be combined. 
• Email me with the list of your wishlist and I’ll let you know what is still available.
• Don’t forget to check out my trinkets too, which can be put in the same package for combined postage.

Thanks!

Class 1: Sweet Afternoon… Layout Class by Nic Howard $45.00

Pretty colours, pretty page, and pretty layers – this class is for the girls! Join Nic as she takes the newly released “Sweet Afternoon” collection from Teresa Collins designs and turns it into something gorgeous. Teresa Collins Designs is well known for its pretty papers and amazing matching elements. This class will have you mixing and matching to create a fun girlie page with design elements perfect to use on your pages or minibooks in projects to come!

Class 4: True Direction Tryptic….. Mixed Media Tryptic class by Paula Cheney $45.00  (kit not so impressive by itself but includes great instructions for a gorgeous project, it’s not til the project is done that you stand back and go YEA awesome!)

Inspiring art piece to display, or inspiration to give away? Construct a 3 panel mixed media piece as a reminder to always “Follow Your Heart”. This piece includes a whimsical silhouette of a young girl, an inspiring phrase and tiny glass apothecary bottles in a niche. We’ll construct it all in class, while learning valuable techniques along the way. Walk away from class with a project perfect for a craft or work space, or even a little girl’s room.

Class 5: Distress Magic …..Technique/Folder class by Paula Cheney.
(This class needs 3-4 different distress stains to complete it –the kit is unimpressive by itself but it has great instructions and makes the most amazing project) $39.00

Come and get just a little inky in this class full of experimentation. We’ll use many different colors of Distress Stains from Ranger to create watercolor cards, aged ribbon, and a special wood button closure. We’ll gather all of the pieces to create a beautiful folio full of pockets, flip-ups & secret hiding places for notes and pictures. Not only will you walk away with a gorgeous folio, you’ll learn multiple techniques that can be used in so many future pages, projects or art journals. This class is all about the techniques – it might be a good idea to bring an apron!

Class 7: On the Bright Side … Layout class by Nat May $45.00
Are you hesitant to do something a little bright? Want to make your page pop?
This class will be bright and summery and we will focus on adding a little colour to your album.
Create a double page that flows with fun and will be suitable for the little terror or the little drama queen in your life! We’ll use simple design elements but keep the focus on the photos and create a page to hold some of your great summertime memories!

* NEW* ‘Pretty Pages’ Class kits by Nic Howard
as taught in Sydney Nov 2012$45.00

Join Nic in this newly designed layout class perfectly suited for those that like simply elegant pages. Nic is well known for her dimensional charm and building multi layered pages with subtle techniques and this class is no exception. She’ll use a variety of products including texture paste, chipboard, coloured sprays and floral embellishments – your class kit will be filled with gorgeous products from Prima Marketing Inc. You’ll receive enough products to complete two detailed layouts, both of which will be shown in the full colour step by step instructions included in the kit. Any leftovers will be easily used with the inspiration and techniques you learn in this creative class suited for beginner and seasoned scrappers alike.
Kit includes: 10 papers, 2 cardstock, alpha, a variety of Prima flowers, leaves, resin & other bits and pieces.
Full colour step-by step instructions are also included.
You will need: White paint, gesso or texture paste. Corrugated cardboard. Water to distress. Inks.
Optional: Coloured spray in teal (not necessary)



Back from a weekend teaching in Sydney.   It's my last event until early January, where I am planning the most incredible hangover ever, that's an event, right? Kidding… I go to California in January, but for now I am done. 

And I had fun.

I taught a new Prima class – Pretty Pages. 
I bought more washi.  Because I didn't have enough already.  Who could resist.

I reminisced.  In more ways than one.   I stayed in this same venue/hotel about 7 years ago when attending the ISC event where I attended for For Keeps magazine.  I arrived with Evana Willis to find a Krispy Kreme shop in front of the hotel… we had a pic taken with of scrappy friends… (anyone remember that?)  .. I discovered the Krispy Kreme store is still there.  I didn't go in this time but one just the same dragged me in, in Sydney airport.  It just had to be done.

I also enjoyed the 'year on the can' thing they have in Aussie.  We are clearly a little behind the times here in NZ, because Aussie is waaaay past that, that's sooo early 2012, now it's the year you get.  What happened in 1997?   I was 25.  It'd be easy to say I don't remember much of it.

It was a whirlwind trip.  It was full of  sun, warmth, good people, amazing friendships, laughs, a couple of sneaky vodkas in the Penrith Panthers bar, sorry boys – I had no choice, it's where I was staying, I promise to remain a Warriors fan, and a super mega amount of fantastic creations in class. 

As I was leaving Sydney Airport I was happy to reflect on good times and great friendships made – miss you already, Sydney!

Laters

Sydney Papercrafts festival, what to bring to class..

Sydney Papercrafts is going to be such a whirlwind, I fly in to Sydney literally about 4 hours before my first class, remind me not to drink too much on the plane, I'll be whizzing out to Penrith and into that Friday class before I know it!  I have a  class booked out for the Saturday and then Sunday I finish class and I'm back on a plane within a few hours!  I last visited Sydney in June where I had 4 amazing, relaxing days at the beach in Coogee, this is going to be totally different!

Many of you are asking what to bring to class… here is the run-down… please share, link, spread the word because the list on the website isn't quite complete.

So here it is.  Apart from the neccessary Coke Zero, Violet Crumbles and other aussie chocolates I need to indulge in, this is what you need to bring to class… leave me a comment if you are booked in, I'd love to hear from you!
laters

 

 

I've been working away quietly on my class for Art*Venture in California in January.  It's taken a whole lot of emailing back and forward between the Prima offices and myself, it's been a wole lot of mixing and matching  fun with hot-off-the-press products but finally I think we have an amazing class sorted.

This is going to be such a wicked-cool event, it has so many great teachers in one place, chances to take Prima classes with amazing class kits and when you aren't scrapping, there is the resort to indulge in – it's one of those totally-spoil-yourself experiences.  And why not?!

18th-20th January, you can find out more here… many of you will be in California for CHA anyway, why not extend your stay!

I scrapped yesterday in the first time in what seems like forever.  I had some serious after-event crash after Spring Edition and until yesterday I just couldn't get any work done. I think after the build up to such a massive event I was all a little down, or maybe it's just that I missed this amazing group of ladies like crazy…

(Rachel Tucker, Kate Booth, Tana Sansom, me, Lianne Gray, Lynda Bagnall, Paula Cheney, Lucy VDL, Natalie May)
Lucky we get to do it all over again in April for Autumn Escape.

Anyway,  I had completly forgot how to get my stuff out and just play.  I had assignments.  I had editors knocking on my vitual email door.  It was a little titchy around here.  The good news is that my house got a little tidier.  The best procrastination, after raiding the pantry and checking facebook, is cleaning the house so there is a bonus right there.  Except the windows didn't get cleaned.  It doesn't matter how much I'm procrastinating in my office, the windows do not magically get clean.

And then my poor baby got Chickenpox.  And she didn't do it by halves.  It was a nasty case.  It was nice to have a little friend home all week but it was so sad to see her miserable.  And she missed the finals of the athletic running races at school, in which she was so keen to run in. 

Cool thing is that she played on my phone all week and I did end up with some fun self-taken pics on there…and the occasional video telling me how miserable she was playing on my phone and watching TV all day.  The last one is a pic I took on day 2… Chickenpox certainly is a take-no-prisoners kinda illness, those spots cover her entirely, head to toe, including palms of her hands, in her nose, down her throat…

Anyway, today is better.  I scrapped yesterday, the assignment is in and I'm on to the next one…

What to next?  I'm in Sydney in a week, so if you are going to be at the Sydney PaperCrafts Festival, I'd love to see you in class.  Saturday is sold out, but there is room on Friday and Sunday…

Then I have some fun celebrating to do when my brother arrives home in mid November, this time he is coming home for good… after nearly 14 years it's great to know he is coming home.  Then it's December and then I'm off on my next adventure…   the Prima Art*Venture retreat in the USA in California in January… but that's a 'nother whole post…

laters (have a fab weekend, I'm off to book flights to the USA…)

It's been a little over a week since Spring Edition finished and I'm still coming down off the high of everything.  Organising an event like this is a little like organising a wedding.  With a lot of brainstorming and help from some of the best friends on the planet, little ideas become big plans and big plans become reality.  Slowly we plan and take care of every detail we can think of.

Registration packs and welcome signs… name tags and gorgeous packaging.

A candy bar full of the most amazing treats.

Room displays, all bought together by different people .. this one put together with an intricate book gifted to me by Rae Cooper, several of my layouts, some scrabble tiles gifted to me at the last Autumn Escape and a fun fairy house, complete with little fairy made by Rachel Tucker- she was named "Pamela the Prima Fairy" by the end of the retreat.  This was one displays that came together purely from the generosity and artistic ability of people that have attended our retreats in the past.

Then there was the reading corner.  The cushions placed across the floor that said "Scrap" on one side and "Relax" on the other.  Needless to say that these cushions spelled many different words throughout the weekend.  This was only part of a display that included chairs, various books and altered items.  A place to relax when time out was needed.

Then there were the classes.  Put together by talented tutors Paula Cheney, Natalie May and myself, there was a huge range of amazing techniques and projects completed.  It's not surprising that one of our most common pieces of feedback is that everyone wants these two ladies back. 

Then of course there was all the other amazing stuff we did.   Janine from "Steeped in Beautea" ensured something totally off-the-wall for a scrapbooking retreat with a buffet of ingedients to make our own relaxing bath-bags.  It was something new to us and we were so glad we took the risk and added something different into the weekend mix.

One of our other make n takes… everyone completed a gorgeous woodland tree.  We were lucky enough to have Tim Holtz's support donating enough trees and ingredients for everyone to colour, glue and glitter to their heart's content.  We know for sure that all Spring Edition Attendees will have pretty houses this coming Christmas.

I could go on with the details but there were so many.  There were more classes, more make n takes, a whole weekend of laughing and learning.  We had one of the best games we've ever had on the Saturday night (did any of you wonder why the toothpicks were on the candy buffet all weekend?!), and the thing that made it – the 90 ladies that attended.  This retreat was the 5th for us, but bought so many new people into the mix – around a third of the attendees had never been to our retreats before.  That's a whole lot of new friends…

And of course the whole weekend wouldn't be complete without the crew…

Rachel, Kate, Tana, Nic, Lianne, Lynda, Paula, Lucy & Natalie.  Some of the best friends a girl could have.

And for those that wondered… YES I guarded my roomkey with my life.  YES *somehow* my room still got the worst toiletpapering in all of AE retreat history.  Those responsible will keep… Autumn Escape in April isn't that far away… who's coming along? (Love this place…)

Laters.
(btw photos taken by Andrea of SweetP photography… thank you so much Andrea!)

Hey everyone, Nic here with a fun tip to go along with the mixed media that we seem to be seeing more and more in our hobby these days.  I adore experimenting with mixed media and have been building more and more dimensional items into my scrapbooking for a while now, I enjoy it so much.

I especially love to build tags, starting with patterned papers, adding resist canvases and building up to add the most gorgoeus of Prima flowers and trinkets.  Adding a little colour spray on top helps make it cohesive.   This is where the finishing touches come in, things like the Prima crystals, vintage treasures and the junkyard findings are great but I often find myself reaching for some of the gorgeous Prima stamps at this stage too.

At this stage though, my piece is already bulky.  It's nearly finished and it's covered in flowers and other fun stuff.  Adding stamp imagery isn't easy when working with an acrylic block so it's time to put the acrylic block aside, ink the stamp up and use it in your projects just as it is!

No block needed.  Just pick up the stamp, whether it is foam backed or acrylic, ink it up and push it into the areas you want it – stamps are flexible and without the block the stamps can get anywhere.

The finished piece – stamps added after the bulk of the mixed media items were added in there. 

It's amazing what cool effects we can get by taking a step back and doing things as simple as we can, thanks for joining me in a little mixed media fun! Stamps are Prima, metal trinkets are from A Dozen Ideas.

Trinkets from A Dozen Ideas website or visit the A Dozen Ideas Etsy Store.