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A week later.  At 12.51pm today I'll observe the two minute silence as a mark of respect for those in Canterbury that are hurting after the earthquake. 

The Canterbury region remains in the front of my mind daily.  I still worry.  I worry more and more about the economic effects this will have on the area.  It breaks my heart to see the mass exodus of people leaving the area.  I understand, it's likely I'd be doing the same, but it's so sad. 

Residents in that area must find it hard to think that the rest of the country is continuing their daily routines while they are hurting so badly.  The truth is though that you are all still in our minds, in our hearts and as a country I am proud of how we are pulling as many resources together to fundraise where we can. The effects of the earthquake are being felt all around the country, you aren't alone.

Louise Williams has been doing a fabulous job of gathering items for auction for Christchurch.  If you aren't familiar with what I am talking about, please search Auctions for Christchurch on facebook. 

Lucy & I have donated an Autumn Escape package for one to the auctions.  Those of you out there that wanted to come to Autumn Escape but couldn't quite make it – please bid!  It's a chance to donate funds to the earthquake appeal AND enjoy an amazing weekend away in April.

Better yet, ScrapbookOutletNZ has donated $500 towards travel costs to get you to Autumn Escape within the same auction.  It's $1000 in value.

Please search the "Auctions for Christchurch" group on facebook and bid!!  Please bid as much as you can afford to donate to the Earthquake appeal!  How about two or three people pooling their bidding power and combining to win the auction?  Then splitting the prize between you so that you get half a free registration and some travel costs covered?  There are still other spots available at Autumn Escape too.

 

Dig deep NZ and please spread the word that these auctions are going on.  There is a whole pile of cool stuff up for auction!

Still thinking of you, Christchurch.

Laters.

 

I remember vividly the times of worry for my life when I was a child.  The first was an obsession with tornadoes that I developed after a late night chat with my older brother.  In true older brother form, he told me of the horrors of how the wind gets angry, swirls in a crazy mess and picks people and homes up and carries them away.  I was very young and I'll never forget the weeks of worry afterwards.

The second instance was when there was a war somewhere in the world – and I don't pride myself very well on history and geography – I can't even tell you where it was.  I do know this was in the very early 80's and the news featured horrific images of this war every night.  I was young.  I remember the adults talking about it constantly.  I'll never forget how often they talked of whether this was going to turn into WW3.  Perhaps they let me see too much and hear too much without realising how it was affecting me.

On Tuesday there was a horrific earthquake here in New Zealand.  I am a lot further north than the affected area, so my family and I are safe.  It's the first time since I was young though, that I have woken in the night worrying about our little country.  I mean really worrying.  The death toll is huge.  The city has been devastated, and I hate this.  It has me in tears, but I worry more about the people that are not in the bright lights of the news and media coverage.  (See photos of the aftermath here – be aware that some images are graphic).  The people that are sleeping in tents and cars because they are afraid to sleep in their homes.  The thousands of people that don't have homes.  The families without power, water, means of communication.  The people that should be working but their jobs have disappeared, or they can't get to the them.  The elderly that can't get to the doctor or pharmacy for their prescriptions.  The children that cling to their parents with every aftershock.  The parents that have to leave their children with other people so that they can go to work, just to try and pay bills, despite not wanting to be far from loved ones.  The children that have been heartborken by missing pets… the list goes on and on. 

I guess I felt I needed to address this today.  It's day 4 and reality is setting in for everyone.  I am watching footage on the TV of everyone pulling together in amazing ways to get help to people and get the city essential services to the people that need them.  I'm doing what I can from here.  I've donated to the SPCA for the displaced pets.  I've donated money in other ways.  I'm supporting an auction being held online via Louise Williams on facebook.  It never feels like enough though does it.  I feel like the money sent won't express to Christchurch how much we truly send our support.  At a time where I have never been so proud to be a New Zealander, we need Christchurch to know that the whole country is with you.  You are not alone.  Thanks everyone for your emails and messages asking if my family is safe.  Yes.  Yes we are.  My heart breaks for my little country though.  Keep us in your prayers. 

It was time to take the kids to school.  I grabbed the keys, picked up my phone and realised it was the 14th Feb – isn’t that Valentines Day?  “Oh look at that kids!” I said as I’m ushering them out the door “It’s Valentines Day!”.

I got one “What is that?” I got one “Ohhhhh Muuuum!  You should have told me, I mighta wanted to do something?!” and I got one “I would have made you a card if I knew Valentines was coming up”.  Awww they love me.

However, I know they do, and I reassured them as we rushed out the door that they don’t need to give me anything for Valentines Day.  Apart from the $10 a single stem roses in the supermarket this morning, I haven’t really seen any other indication that this day is any different. 

Despite my Valentine’s Day ignorance you do need to know that I am a soppy sentimental type.  I’ll be nicer to my kids tonight.  Perhaps.  We might even have icecream for pudding.  If they are lucky. I’ll pass my hubby a cold beer as he walks through the kitchen on his way to the shower to wash off the day’s work.  I might even mention a quiet “Happy Valentine’s Day” and see if I get a response, and when my gym instructor gets off her bike, wanders down to mine and increases the tension during my RPM class, I might even hold the swearing back.  Just for today.

Each to their own celebrating I guess.  Just to show that I do have a sentimental side, I thought I’d share a layout I created for the Prima Blog.  It features two gorgeous Irish sisters that I had the pleasure of getting to know over the summer.  With the most cheerful smiles and gorgeous accents, they sung and danced their way into our hearts.  We miss you, Erin & Grace!

Laters.

Supplies: (All Prima)

842758     Botanical ‘Missing You’ paper, 843069    Sweet Fairy ‘Blowing Kisses’ paper, 842734    Botanical ‘My Darling’ paper, 544805     SIIC swirl, 544249    Alphabet, 548179    Floret Collection Mauve, 540173    Innoscence Collection white flowers, 539894    Pastiche Flowers, 921552    Trim

Can we stand another summer layout?  I’m holding on to summer as long as I can, so here’s something to help celebrate long hot days and cicadas singing so loud I can’t hear the radio. 

All supplies by Prima as follows:
Prima paper: Melody 'Golden Rod' paper, Madeline 'Ste Marie' paper, Madeline 'Rosalee' paper, Madeline 'Bella Donna' paper.
Summer carnation Thistle Flower vine.  Donna Downey 'Journey' title.  Say it in Crystals. Arco Iris flowers.

As well as celebrating summer I’m celebrating getting another story on a layout.  As much as I love that big pic and the layout actually looked better without that journaling block, I had to make sacrifices and get that story told.  Yeeeesss for telling the story!

 

Anyway – home again, home again, we went away for 5 days to Gisborne.  My little brother got married in one of the most beautiful locations.  It was an amazing, emotional wedding on a perfect day where it hit around mid-30s in temps.  The wedding party stood on the edge of a small cliff with the sound of the waves crashing behind them.  The whole scene was so perfect.  I’m so proud of Vaughan and his new wife Nancy for putting on a wedding with a tonne of perfect little details, most of which they created, organised or made themselves.   Abby was flower girl and Jacob stood up and recited an Apache wedding blessing.  Braden was a star on the dance floor later in the evening. 

The next day everyone gathered again and played Cricket on the beach, fished, swam, ate, drank and socialised the day away.  I remember standing in among new friends with all of this going on around me and thinking… THIS is what is all about.  Touch down, my family rocks, so proud to have been so involved in it all.

Flower Girl Abby with the beach in the background.

The serious stuff – vows, beachside.  The thing that made all this even more special – this is the back lawn of the home that Nancy grew up in – lucky girl!

After the wedding – time for photos beside the heart that Nancy’s Dad left when he mowed the lawns – how cool is that!!

Abby and Uncle Vaughan.  She loved being ‘one of the girls’ with the grown-ups in all the celebrations.  She adores her uncle Vaughan so it was easy to want to make him proud!

Sometimes I look at pics like this and it strikes me how incredibly lucky I am to live in a country as beautiful and diverse as New Zealand. 

I can’t wait to include some of these photos in layouts.. choosing will be the hard thing, it might be a case of creating a few double page layouts with as many pics as possible… and YES… that all important story!

Other missions this week… finishing a website for Autumn Escape… it’s about time, huh?!!  Soon all the images, sneaks, information, classes etc will be in one place for you!  Speaking of Autumn Escape, we’ve had more space open up (I understand that family weddings have to come first, but who let their family organise one on Autumn Escape weekend?!! lol) – sad for some but awesome for those wanting to come… don’t miss out on those spaces, email Lucy on lucy.tom@xtra.co.nz to grab the spots!!

 

laters!

CHA – the Craft tradeshow that sees so many new releases into the scrapbooking market twice yearly, has just come to a close in the USA.  I had 18 projects on show – some in the Prima Booth, and some in the BasicGrey booth.  Time to put some on show here as well.

Fans of ‘Lime Rickey’ from BasicGrey will love this new collection – Lauderdale.  Designed to be bright and fun, it’s perfect for summer, vacation, teen, boy, anything really!!

 

BasicGrey’s ‘Life of the Party’ is a birthday themed collection with lots of gorgeous woodgrain patterns and brights, but rich deep colours as well.  I never use collections for what they are meant to be, so I went with something different!

 

Sweet Threads – this collection is one of my favourites ever! It’s subtle, yet has deep tones to pull out if you need that in your page.  It’s gentle yet not too girlie.  Love love love it!  See the accordion flowers?  They come pre-made.  Clever, I know.  They are called wheels and you need to see them in real life to see the detail in them!  Clever, BasicGrey, clever!

 

Hello Luscious!!  This one is rich and full of energy, but can be toned down to suit almost any theme.  Certainly my favourite of this release.  Or was that Sweet Threads? 

Just a few of the projects I had on show.  I love this time of year, love seeing all the new releases but most of all I love seeing all the pics of the projects on show.  So much inspiration.  Off to cruise the web once more.

 

laters

EDITED TO ADD – All class kits are now sold out – thanks for helping make a little room in my office!

I’m cleaning out my scrap room.  It’s a scary situation, there is stuff flying everywhere!   I’ve found about 10 class packs here and I thought I’d offer them for sale!  Perfect for those of you hoping to jump back into the scrapbooking swing of things but finding it hard after too many days lazing on the beach or hanging around home!  They are fairly old class packs, but all are still really cool classes, have great instructions and I’ll add EXTRAS!!!  Goodness knows I have extras floating around, I’ll put together some packs of stuff and include it with the class kits 🙂

So – for sale – the following kits, $38.00 per kit plus a flat rate of $5.00 postage per kit (or combination of kits) sent out.  Extras included at my discretion!  It’s a big old lucky dip really!!

Trinkets (as taught in Sth Island and Melbourne).
Scrapbooking is all about the details at the moment and this class will introduce you to just a few ways to bring this into your pages. Experiment with gorgeous Prima product in a layout that is full of texture, true to Nic Howard style. We’ll use a background that is a little unconventional. We’ll play with bold colours and bright papers. We’ll distress and cut and add a few bits and pieces. The result will be a page that will contain a sprinkling of technique to use in pages to come.

 

 

Three Layouts, today! (As taught at SENZ and Melbourne)

If creating stylish layouts in a small amount of time is your idea of a great class, then you're in the right place!  Join Nic Howard as she walks you through three fabulous layouts in the space of 2 hours.  Nic has pulled the finest of products together with this class based around the popular new range of papers "Knave of Hearts" by Collage Press.  Layouts will suit a variety of themes and Nic will touch on a variety of techniques.  What could be more perfect!  You'll not only walk away with 3 completed layouts, but with piles of inspiration to keep you creating for hours.

 

 

Multi-Media Mini Album (As taught at Autumn Escape and Melbourne)

 

A little bit of this… a little bit of that…some gorgeous trim, flowers, throw in some Paislee and Prima and what do you have? A stunning multi media album perfect for any theme of photos. Join Nic Howard as she pulls together all manner of materials into a gorgeous mini album packed with techniques you are bound to use for months to come. Album will suit any theme, photos to be added later.  This class opens your mind to various techniques, meaning that you not only go away from this class with a large mini album ready for all variety of photos, but plenty of ideas and techniques up your sleeve to apply to your own work later.

Back into routine this week.  Nearly.  I still have three kiddos playing Lego, and Nintendo, and riding bikes and leaving containers of tadpoles around my home, but routine has mostly been restored to the Howard home.

One more week and they are back at school.  It’s a huge week next week with the kids going back to school, Jacob turns 12, Abby turns 7, Paul and I celebrate our 15th anniversary and my little brother gets married.  Gets married! It seems like yesterday that he would take my $2 and peddle his heart out on his BMX bike up to the local shop and come back with a backpack of yummies.  Pebbles were my favourite, especially when they released the white milk chocolate ones.  That must have been 25 years ago.  We’ve remained the best of friends and it’ll blow my mind to see him married.  I can’t wait.  

I’ve completed my BasicGrey boothwork and I’m so pleased that I have 4 layouts in the BasicGrey catalog this time.  I’ve also completed my Prima work with 10 projects winging their way to the USA right now – cross your fingers they get to the show on time!

What am I working on now?  A new Big Picture Classes workshop – just a small instant download one.  Another one is in for proposal.  I’m working on Autumn Escape, for those of you registered, a newsletter is due out sometime really soon.  I’m also working on not tripping over lego creations and containers of tadpoles.  I’m hoping to get through the day without having to clean playdoh out from the cracks in the tiles, and I’m doing my best to avoid eating the Christmas food which is still hanging around my house.  As much as I am focused on the new me and the exercise and loving being fit and toned, I’m also wishing Moro bars didn’t taste so nice and that reduced cream and onion soup didn’t go with chips so well that I have to lock them away. Hands up who is having the same problem?!

Leaving you with a double layout that I created for Suz and the Aussie Scrap Source blog.  You’ll see me say it over and over about Sth Africa and this one says it again… love the place, adore the culture, want to go back!  For those of you that were with me for the Colour workshop, notice which sketch I used?  This is how it can become a double.

Laters!

 

Supplies:

Paper: Cosmo Cricket Circa. Cosmo Cricket Circa 1934 Elements. Crate Paper Restoration Fringe.  Webster’s Wonderfall Vellum.  Webster’s Wonderfall Alphabet.  Webster’s Hollywood vogue Alphabet. Webster’s Hollywood vogue paper. Sassafras Lass Fawnd of You Alphabet.  Kraft cardstock.  BasicGrey Buttons.  Prima lace

Hey there – I just realised I had the chance for a giveaway, so here you go… leave me a comment by the 8th January to be in for a free spot in this class!

OR you can go right ahead and join up now, class started 30th December, so the fun is already underway.  You can enjoy 10% off the “Yesterday + Today” class price by using the following code at checkout: promo code: yesterdaytoday

About Ali’s new class:
Join popular blogger and scrapbooker Ali Edwards,  along with a diverse group of memory keepers, as they learn to make meaningful connections to their past in order to live their life in a more thoughtful way. Projects are limited to one layout a week that address the questions listed below.  
Are you new to online education? Ali’s robust, cutting-edge online classroom provides content in multiple learning platforms: video, audio and traditional written handouts.  The classroom also houses sharing galleries and multiple message boards. This is your last opportunity to participate in Yesterday & Today at Big Picture Classes. Don’t miss out on this popular class!
Yesterday & Today

• Where do you begin creating with photos from generations past?

• What do you wish you knew about your parents when they were growing up? What life lessons do you want to pass on to your children?
• How do you document the challenging times in your life?
• How do you create layouts that tell special stories when you don’t have any photos?

Ali says,
“The benefit of looking to the past is that we gain perspective. We see things differently after developing an awareness of what we know and what we wished we knew. Looking back, even if we’re just viewing old photos of people we don’t know, can change the way we approach the photos we take and the stories we tell today.”
Read the rest of the class description
http://www.bigpictureclasses.com/yesterdaytoday.php

A new year.  I slid into the summer month of January by the skin of my teeth.  My kids were away, my hubby was away and my sense of ‘enough’ was away.  I had a good friend staying, we enjoyed the season, the sun and the summer and I ended up with a timely reminder of why I don’t do that more often.  I also gained a relaxed and positive attitude – although that was kind of happening anyway – and an elbow injury.  All around about the time the clock ticked over from 2010 to 2011. 

Besides the lovely new year celebrations I have also been scrapping my heart out for CHA.  I’ve done more BasicGrey layouts for the booth over in Anaheim than ever before, and I’m on to the Prima stuff now.  CHA is always busy, I always disappear from facebook and my blog only to have a whole lot of layouts to show you at the end of January. 

Do I have any new year resolutions?  Sure.  I always do.  Many of them are gym related – I see some of you rolling your eyes – but I also have scrapbooking goals.  This year I want to share more.  I plan to update my blog, show my layouts, talk about what I’m doing, where I’m going, who I’m meeting and the projects I’m creating.  As scrapbooking has become more and more involved for me, I’ve shared less and less.  This year I’ll change that.  After my CHA work is done.

I’ll leave you with a layout I created for my Big Picture Class back in October.  You’ll recognise the ‘sketch’ or the design, it’s one I use often.  It’s a favourite so why not.  I hope you enjoy the layout but most of all I hope you enjoy the sentiment.  It’s a goodie for this time of year.

laters.

 

I love Christmas.  Whilst going through the check-out at the supermarket yesterday the check-out operator asked me if I’d done all my Christmas shopping.  I said I had… I was expecting some work to come in and to be really busy just before Christmas, so I had it all done.  *sigh* “I hate Christmas” she said.  “Really?” I said… “I love it.  I love the songs, the stuff for the kids, the warmth, the giving, the smiles on Christmas morning, the way we get in touch with people we don’t see all year… I love it”.  She seemed surprised I answered that way.  Like perhaps all day she is used to hearing people complain about the season.  She changed her tune at that point and told me stories of her grandkids and their smiles on Christmas morning.  Sometimes I think the bah-humbug attitude comes from people because they think other people expect it.  Enjoy the season, I say.  Bring on the silly songs, the smiles on the faces of those you are giving to and long evenings outside socialising into the night.  Bring it on!

This layout was featured on the Prima Blog over the past week, along with a post about my Christmas traditions.  I’ve enjoyed the Prima Blog especially over the past few weeks as they’ve visited their incredibly global design team one at a time to learn about Christmas the world over.  I had no idea it was so different in other countries!

What is planned for this week then?  The work I expected to arrive has arrived and I am buried in new BasicGrey papers… I’ll be doing a whole lot of layouts for their booth at CHA, the scrapbooking tradeshow that will be happening in just over a month. 

My favourite little brother arrives home from London with his fab fiancé.   I can’t wait.  The kids adore him, I adore him and I still miss him as much as ever when he is gone, even though he has been gone 12 years now. 

Alrighty, it’s 9.30am, I’m fighting the urge to steal some Christmas chocolates and I’m going to knuckle down and get into this BasicGrey.  Enjoy your day!

laters