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I'm down and out.  The 2nd rounds  of the cold that hit the Howard home snuck up and smacked me over the back of the head and flattened me.  I feel like the bag of biscuits that I put under the wheel of the car when I need biscuit crumbs.    It's just a cold, I know there are peope out there waaaay worse off, but can I scream ENOUGH ALREADY!  I've had my fair share this winter. 

So.

Today I rediscovered the Pub Calls blog.  When i got the Pagemaps newsletter yesterday, I remembered there is a pagemaps blog too.  And then today when Braden bought home his homework and some of it was matchstick puzzles, I secretly-without-his-knowledge-and-then-he-wondered-how-I-got-so-clever-so-quick found this page. I know.  I'm a genius.

Alrighty.  I'm making myself Lemon and Honey drink, praying to the God of Chest infections that he release me from the wrath of mucus, and dragging my feet off to bed. 

I apologise if I owe you emails.  Or any kind of corrospondence really. 

I'll leave you with this layout I did for the Aussie Scrap Source Blog. I used Quickutz diecuts and Heidi Swapp papers, a little Cherryrte and the layout was done, really.

laters

As if one round of the super-mega-coughing-bug wasn't enough in one family this winter, we've now got another something joining the family circle.  This past weekend we welcomed if-I-move-my-head-it-pounds-so-hard-I-want-to-throw-up to the Howard family.  I'm not enjoying the new family member so far and have given it the marching orders.  Fingers crossed it goes soon.
I've put Jacob to bed with a headache so bad he held his head as he walked down the hallway. 

It wasn't that long ago that I was terrified of Meningitis and would be checking him every 15 minutes to make sure he hadn't got much worse.  My fears seemed to have relaxed a little over that one, mainly due to the jabs we gave the kids a few years back.  BUT did you know those jabs were only to break an epidemic and are no longer active? I just read that in the paper last week.  I'm a little miffed they didn't tell us that at the time – what about those of us that think our kids were safe forever?  We've created a generation of complacency.  That was an awfully big word for 9pm on a Monday night.  Enough of that already.

Where was I.

It was a good weekend.  In a moment of weakness I baked a banana cake.  I'm about as good at cooking banana cakes as I am at mowing the lawns and it wasn't pretty.  "It's a little dry, but the icing is nice" hubby praises my efforts.  Do you remember that ad on TV where they wouldn't feed the cake to the birds because they still wanted them to fly?  um. yep.

I created some sneak peeks for those of you busting for sneak peeks for my Christchurch classes… I've heard that the layout class is sold out and that the mini book one still has a few spaces left.  With just under 2 weeks to go, be quick to sign up!

I'll leave you with the details – I'm off to create with a Tarisota kit.  One of my favs ever.  I say that every second month, but I kid you not.  I've got 4 limited edition kits that I'll show you in the next post too.

But for now it's all Christchurch stuff – classes for Scrapbook Art – here you go, ladies!

Double Take: (Currently sold out, but there is a waiting list).
Design, technique and a whole lot of fun.  Join Nic Howard as she takes a basic layout and makes it something special not once, but twice.  Walk away from this class with 2 completed layouts and enough tips and tricks to want to keep on creating.

Bring to Class: One 5 x 7 photo, landscape orientation, plus one 5 x 7 photo, portrait orientation.  Photos should suit the orange/pinks and sages of this class as seen in the sneak peek.  General tools. (Trimmer, ruler, journaling pen, scissors, adhesive etc). Ink – Brown or black.

Summer Build-A-Book
The days are getting longer which means summer is on it's way!  It's the perfect time to create a summertime album!  Join Nic to create a multi media mini album… just a little acrylic.. add some gorgeous papers and detail with a gorgeous range of exciting embellishments.  You'll be totally prepared this season with a book already completed and ready to add those favourite summertime pictures.

Love these girls. 

I've meet some incredibly cool ladies through scrapbooking.  but these ladies take the cake.  And the chocolate.  And the diet coke.  And my adhesive when I'm not looking. LOL.  I must make the effort to find my way south, pack into a bach with 8 other fabulous ladies, scream at the olympics, throw myself off random sand dunes and play murder mystery games after just a little to drink, more often.    Now to get the pics into layouts!  (Pics actually taken byTrina McClune…)

One of my fav discoveries for the weekend…. Huntly and Palmers cream crackers Custard Squares.  Just like the real thing. Seriously, did everyone else know about this?!  I'm a custard square fan from waaaay back – I don't buy them often but now I can make my own!  In fact Braden and I made a batch already! lol.  Sometimes it is sad what makes me happy LOL.

I'm slowly getting myself organised after the weekend away.. I'm overdue in congratulating my fab SIL Lesley Cooper for her runner-up position for MMM.  I said to my hubby how cool it was that Lesley had won the runner up position but how frustrating it must also be… you know… so close yet so far…. and Paul reminded me that I also won a runner up position the year before I won.  I had forgotten!  I even argued with him for a minute that I didn't.  I remember now though.  I remember calling Paul over to see the list of winners on the screen and saying to him "Next year that's mine".  Looks like perserverence paid off.  Next year, Lesley!!

A dilemma – I'm trying to organise my family Guy Fawkes day ahead of time.. but the 5th November falls on the Wednesday.  What weekend do you think most people will celebrate the Guy Fawkes day?  When do Fireworks go on sale?  So when do I organise it for?  The 2nd or the 9th?  I'd love to hear everyone's opinion.  Help!

A layout to share – another one from the Aussie Scrap Source blog. The challenge was to use clusters, torn, ripped, distressed, lots of different manufacturers and the theme had to be fun.  There isn't much that is more fun than spending time with this special chickie :o)  Trina took the pics at the weekend, I printed them out on a handy tiny little printer thing and scrapped the layout.  Fun!

Summing up for the week.
* One of the hardest things I did this week – choose winners from the SketchBook Olympics gallery.  (Oh and I got my 14yr old Tattoo fixed – I clearly don't handle pain as well as I did when I was 21… )

*One of the things that made me happiest this week – Custard Squares.  A concrete Driveway.  Wallpaper tomorrow.  The Kindy trip to Beijing.  "I love you more lots".

*What I wished I had got around to this week – Solving the Guy Fawkes dilemma.  Washing the outside windows.  A thousand assignments. Read the E-Book from ScrapScene. (Gotta do that… must make time).

*What I'm looking forward to this weekend – Time with my boys.  Cuddles with my girl.  Tidying up the section.  Just being a home-body.  I've got lots of travelling coming up.  I need to get myself in credit with those hugs :o)

laters.

*

What a weekend.  I took myself away for 3 full-on days to Foxton beach.  I know there are photos I want to share, and I know there are many that I don't know that I should.   I think it was one of my most fav weekends away ever.  I'll post some pics when I get my hands on some!  I even scrapped.  Nearly 3 layouts.  It's the reason I've been missing in action though.

Back to the grindstone this morning.

Dubai.  Why Dubai?  I was asked about the title of my last post several times.  The kind kiwi that I talked of in the last post was from Dubai.  Although I do have relatives there.  :o)  Nothing more exciting!

Scrapping.  My layouts are starting to appear on the Aussie Scrap Source blog.  Here is a Jennni Bowlin one I did for a post last week, I actually didn't have any pics organised so I printed them on cardstock.  I noticed them that one of them has got a little wet and is marked, I must go get the pics printed off properly. 

Short but sweet post today.  I have some final details to organise for a certain tripo to Christchruch in a few weeks :o)

laters

Have you seen my new do? Not the new pic in the sidebar, but the one HERE at the Big Picture Scrapbooking Big Wig bash.  I never knew purple hair would look so good on me :o)It took a few emails from people pointing out my new do before I thought i'd better go look at what they had done to me!

Anyhow.  I'm behind. I'm behind on everything.  Nothing has escaped my tardiness this month.  Except the scrapbooking demonstration I held at the Tuakau Library this morning and the Scorched Almonds I was so kindly given afterwards.. there was nothing slow about how they disappeared.  So if I owe you an email, I apologise.  If you are hoping to get some info you've asked for, I'm sorry.  IF you are the tax man and thought I'd have the PAYE done by August 20th, I'm really really sorry. lol.

Talking of the Tuakau library.  I went through my big pile(S) of layouts looking for some to take to the demo today and I came across this wee gem.

This takes me back.  To about the year 2000.  This was my first ever entry into a competition.  And I think I got 2nd place.  It was a competition for HOTP, so I used all their papers.  Which were actually the only papers I had. 

I remember the thrill all these years later.  It's extremely nostalgic! I recieved an email from a Kiwi overseas talking about how nice it is to see bits and pieces of NZ on my blog.  I hope the Bungy Jumping layout makes you smile!

Scrapbooking – I've done a little bit of work with Julia Matthews, the editor that used to work at For Keeps. She is in charge of another Aussie mag now and it looks like it is shaping up to be fun.  It has a lot of detailed instrucctions to create projects.   I also saw on Aussie Pub Calls that she is looking for submissions and has made a call for a magazine DT. It’s past the deadline but she probably hasn’t made any decisions yet. Send submissions to letters@creativecardmaking.com.au

Alrighty.  It's late.  I'm late with everything as I said, I'm off to go catch up on anything I can, really.

laters

As I sit typing this, there is sideways hail pounding outside.  They say there is a low the size of Australia about to move onto New Zealand, which means another big old storm brewing out there.  Being the weather nerd that I am, I LOVE this kind of thing.  Being as sick of the nasty weather as I am, I hate this kind of thing.  The nerd will probably win out in the end as I watch the satellite maps and weather blogs, but c'mon.  The thrill may wear off soon.

The latest Tarisota gallery is up.  I didn't work on the collection this month, (although I wish I did, check this out!) I did, however do the Teckni Colour limited edition.  

I also have the BasicGrey 4 u take 3 in the limited editions there, as well as my August Aussie Scrap Source class kit!  I've been busy.

I've been emailed and asked about more details from my Christchurch trip… I'm in Christchurch at Scrapbook Art on the 13th of September.  I can confirm that I'm teaching two all NEW classes, that won't be taught at SENZ.  Details are below. 

I love trains.  It's no secret. In fact I even created a page about it in my book about it.  So when a steam engine is due to come through Pukekohe, I hear about it.

It was the 100 year reinactment of the parlimentry special last friday.  It was 100 years prior that the MP's had travelled from Wellington to Auckland to greet a visiting naval fleet.  And so the steam train was passing through with a stop at Pukekohe at 2pm.  I figured it would reach Paerata soon afterwards.

I was busy at this time though, my SIL had bought baby Samantha in to see us all, I'd taken the kids out of school to meet her, and see the train don't tell the teachers, and so I found myself doing two things at once.

I'm clicking away pics of this beautiful baby and notice the time is getting close to 2pm.  So I bundle the kids in the car, which always takes twice as long as anticipated, and we head off for Paerata – 2 minutes down the road.  Which I have cleverly decided would be a better place to see the train.  Not so much of a crowd and a long track to see it coming down.

Roadworks.  Down to 30km/hr and a lollipop man telling us to stop.  Just for a bit.  It's now 2pm and I have a train to spot.  I start to stress just a leeeeeettle.  Kids in the car asking if we are going to make it, I'm reassuring them we have plenty of time…

And we make it to Paerata.  I decided to cross the tracks and go over the road to a place a little less busy.  The 2 roads run one each side of the railway lines, one is a state highway and one has no traffic.  I opt for the quiet one.  I cross the tracks and head off down the road to find a place to do a u-turn and park.

And Braden squeals OHHHHHH MYYYYYY GOOOOOOOOOOODNESSSSSSSSSSSS!  IT's THERRRRRRRRE!

to which I tell him to SHUSH!!  NO WAY!!!! I'm driving, don't frighten me like that!!!!  

And I look up to the sight of steam pouring it's way down the track.  I had all manner of swear words trying to burst forth as I pulled a u-turn and literally RACED THE TRAIN down the road (I was in a flippin loan car!  It was V6!  How did the car people know I would be racing a train that day?!), realised I had no time to park and get the kids out so I raced it all the way back to the railway crossing, where the arm was down and the bells were ringing, DING DING DING DING – JUST as the train approached.  I must have had 3 hands because I pulled on the handbrake, put it into P and grabbed my camera and starting clicking all at the same time.

And then i sit there.  Deflated.  And start apologising to the kids for pretty much missing the train and they are all "WHOA MUM, that was SO COOL!" – I've always loved sitting at the crossings with the bells going and the noise of the train going past.  According to them it was the best place ever. 
But no chance for photos of the kids, or amazing train pics or anything.  I barely parked. lol

So, that was the train.  Not as planned, but fun all the same.

I then went back to see Samantha and took more baby pics.

Alrighty – comments on the other posts are closed.  The paper went to Janine King ( I think from Aussie?) and the punch went to nicola Armstrong (also from Aussie) who just coincidently went to Primary school with me.  What's up with Aussie winning all the prizes?  Anyway – send me your addresses, congratulations ladies and YAY thanks for the help with prizes, Stampin' Up!

ok. long week ahead.  BIG week ahead.  Lots to do.

Hey – did you hear I'm teaching in Christchurch in September? Two all new classes – limited spaces so click the link if you are in that area.  I'd love to meet some mainland scrappers.

laters

Edited to add: comments now closed, winner chosen!

End of the week and my kids are the rattiest, nastiest, (muddiest) creatures on this earth.  I will add the disclaimer that I love them dearly, but there is just so much going on in our family and at school that they have all well and truly lost the plot.  Even Braden told me tonight that "I'm just normally so good, Mum.. I always try my very hardest to be the best boy but I'm sorry I just can't do it anymore."

Ahhh, pure sweetness.. with mud on his knees and a lost school jersey.  Bless him.

And so I stay home from a crop tomorrow.  Hoping to perhaps crash out on the couch with my blokes and my girl and perhaps eat a little popcorn.  And when they have all fallen asleep in front of the care bears movie I'll sneak into the office here and carry on with my work, which piling up at a tremendous rate right now…

Talking of the office – many of you have asked to see it… I'm hesitant to show the room because it's not an exciting show-room of gorgeous scrapbooking product…. I'm not really into that, .. I needed someplace functional, someplace with plenty of storage and most of all, some place for all 5 of us to work.
And we do…

Abby sits beside me ON the desk working away.  Depsite the fact I made sure the office has a large bench big enough to fit 3 kiddies and a drawer full of scrapbooking gorgeousness for them to dip into, apparently ON the desk, right beside me, trying to use my stuff and kneeling on my trimmer is much more fun.

(Below is the desk without the gorgeous girl sitting on it and the large work area that the kids can work on.  Or not.   There are 3 bar stools on the other side of that bench)…

And yes.  Every scrapbooker's dream.  Lots of cupboards…

(Like my curtain?  It's multi-purpose… it was also a table cloth at the last crop I had here…)

Not great pics, but you get the picture.

And yes.  Baby has a name… Samantha.  Welcome to the world Samantha!
(That's my jacob, just pleased to be out of school and cuddling his cousin)

Scrapbooking – I got all carried away and have forgotten to draw a name for the last post – will do so tomorrow or the next day… for this post though, I want to give away some of the papers I have been using.

I have a WHOLE set of the Stampin' Up! Apple Cider 12 x12 papers to give away.  These are the ones out of the new Spring Catalog and they are the ones I used to make the card in the post below.

Leave me a comment on this post and they could be heading your way…. And I'll draw the name for the punch tomorrow… oh and let you know about the Great Howard Train Chase. Which was actually a failed attempt at seeing the steam engine go through Pukekohe.  I'll save that one for another day.  I've talked too much..on with writing instructions….

laters

Edited to add – comments now closed :o)

August 5th and today I became an Auntie again!!!!  My brother and his wife just had a 7lb 11oz baby girl, just 2 hours ago… I'm besotted with Auntie-ness!!!! (a new word there…).  So cool.  A little sister for Aden.  Can't wait to hold her.  Okey dokey.  GAthering myself together.

I have drawn the winner of the set of Stampin' Up! Stamps and it was Leonie, (aug 3rd, 9.57am) in what I assume is Aussie because it was a com.au email address :o) Congrats Leonie!  Everyone else, read on.. I have more Stampin' Up to give away.

Did I mention I just I have a new baby neice? Alrighty, today has been a funny old day, I've been busy with SENZ organisation, 2 of my classes have sold out, a third is close and another Prima Paintables class has been added to the Saturday line-up.  I've been organising other stuff but I couldn't get settled into scrapbooking knowing that things were happening at my brother's house!  I did create a card though.

It's all made with Stampin' Up! stuff – materials list at the end, but the best bit is see those itty white flowers?  They are a punch and I have one to give away!  yaaaah!  It's a big punch actually, like as big as my hand kinda thing – here's a pic…

So would you like to win the punch?  WHY NOT I say! lol… leave me a comment on this post and I'll draw a winner in a few days! 

Other stuff – Heidi Swapp… I'm going to Brisbane!  I've been asked that more than once.. and the other thing I'm being asked alot… YES I'm in my room and YES I have pics!  The thing is that it's not a pretty room.  If I posted pics you wouldn't see jars of pretty ribbons and gorgeous art deco stuff.  You'd see minimalist cupboards and something that really looks like an office.  Boring.  I'm not into pretty on-show stuff… I'm into funtional space – I think you'd all be disappointed!

Ok off to finish up some Tarisota Limited edition stuff I'm working on…

Laters

Materials List for card:
Cardstock: Stampin Up white.
Patterned paper: SU Spring Picnic and Apple Cider Designer series paper
Stamp: SU sweet Sentiments set
Red punchouts: diecut blooms
White flowers: Punch Boho Blossoms
Silver Brads: Hodgepodge hardeware
Ink: SU Old Olive

Stampin Up Demonstrators:
Janine Rutherford– Auckland
Delys Cram
Linda –Aussie :o)
Sarah Gough– Wellington
Debbie B– Auckland
Michelle Habib– New Plymouth.
Tracee
Louise Spiden– Australia
Trudi Hopkinson– New Plymouth
Brenda

Just a quick update – I need to get another Stampin’ Up! project up here for you ladies (which means another giveaway), but I wanted to update on my SENZ classes first – I’m getting emails asking me for the details!

Classes were released for public sale today.  Scroll down here to see the full timetable.  I’m in one of the biggest rooms at the venue and I know that as of yesterday all 3 of my classs are close to being full.  Edited to add – 2 of the 4 are currently sold out.

To register for any of my classes go to the Kiwiscraps/Crafthouse shopping page where a link will be opening up.   I see there are other classes selling out too, it’s great to see such enthusiasm!  It will have been a year since I’ve taught in front of a large class, I’m sooo looking forward to it.  It’s going to be an incredible amount of fun and the Prima products are beautiful.  As usual!  Can’t wait!

Here’s the lowdown….

Prima Paintables
NOW ALSO AVAILABLE Saturday 2.30 – 4.30pm
Available Sunday 9am – 11am

Jam Packed with technique, this class explores the world of paintables by Prima Marketing 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 hearts desire and all walk away artists – no two layouts will be the same.  A generous class pack is included – there will be plenty of leftovers to keep creating with your new found inspiration when you leave.

Sponsered By: Prima Marketing.  A special Prima prize will be given away in each class – we can never get enough Prima!

Difficulty Level: All (beginner to advanced)

What to bring: Basic Craft tools.

Photos: One or two of your favourite 6 x 4 photos – portrait orientation is best!