The First in the Aussie Circle Journal

It's been a while since I actually completed a layout - it seems I've been doing a lot of cards lately. All fun so that's all good. I have a couple more to do for upcoming birthdays so look out for them here.

But last night and tonight I worked on the second of my circle journals that I have signed up for. To get this finished, I'm actually very HAPPY {there's that word :)}
Although I picked the topic, when I came to put something on paper, the concept was quite elusive. I never intended for there to be a photo on this page - put somehow by putting one on, a couple of things came together. I think it's come together quite OK.

I actually need to get this posted on teh group site. Hopefully the computer will play nice.

I have a mountain of pics to be thinking about - I got them into be printed this morning. When they arrive there will be some fun! But in the meantime, the gals over at SE have been putting some cool challenges up. The Fortnightly challenge at teh mo is to use a white background. Took some picutres of PEGS for that....... so hoping that's going to come together in time.

On top of that, one of my aims for this year was to scrap more about me. Janine has got some good thinking and challenges going so I hope to be working on one of these too.

Ohhhh how the creative juices are flowing. Well, they ARE doing that around my head. We just need to get time and space to co-operate!

BTW: while I'm dropping names here - and I think I was! - go check out this Belgian dare site. It's new and I think it'll be quite cool. Don't worry - It looks a lot like dutch - and it is! - but there is enough English in there for us all to get the picture!

Ciao for now!

Who'd've thought?!

You Belong in New Zealand

Good on ya, mate You're the best looking one of the bunch Though you're often forgotten... You're quite proud of who you are

What English Speaking Country Are You?

And apparently, Dublin is the European city I should be living in - "Friendly, Down to earth without snobbery - able to enjy a pub crawl as well as biking around the country lanes." Hmmmmmmmmmmmm - 85% there....

As for the food I am......... apparently Itlaian...

Ok - so who else has been wasting a few minutes alongside me??!

Actually, I kinda liked all of the responses so there you go!

364

364. Three Hundred and Sixty Four. Sounds pretty close to a year doesn't it?

It's not. That is the number of photos I've just gone through and put on a disc to get printed. wow! OK so I won't be scrapping EVERY SINGLE photo - but wow! I thought I had a few to catch up on. Have I said it enough yet??!! Wow!

We only have dial up. I'm NOT going to be putting them through to DigitalMax in time to take up their special offer of 15c a pic. Bummer - 'cos that would have saved a wee bit!

These photos are all the ones from last year that have been put neatly into folders on the computer, waiting for me to come back and sort out which ones are the ones I really, really want to scrap. I still ended up with that HUGE number! A lot are still duplicates - I find it too hard from looking at one photo and then another and deciding which of the two I actually want. So, I'm taking heart that the majority of these will be sent to other homes of friends and family that are always demanding to see actual pics.

I thought I was going to get a couple of layouts done tonight - instead it has taken me best part of 2 hours to get this lot sorted. Clearly though, it's been a good 2 hours. In theory, I think it means that I will not have to go back to 2006 for scrapping sources. That is a good thing: I have a LOT to do from well before then! And I'm thinking that it might mean I can keep up to date with 2007. That's a good thing!

Mind you - I now have the photos - I'll need to get creating won't I?!

Super 14

Yay, it's back - and what a way to start the season. A nail biting game between the Blues and Crusaders. Ok, so the Cantabs didn't pick up a win this round.... but you guys know we start slow, right? Just take a look at the last few seasons..... :)

DCM Challenge

I've been taking in the good folks over at DCM for a while now. Some of my cards have seemed to have met their challenge for the week so I've linked them back here. However, this is the FIRST time I have actually produced a card based on their challenge.

This week we're joining forces with the wonderful team of Scrapbookers over
on the Everyone is Speshal blog. We're daring each other and you to make a
Really Romantic Scrapbook Layout - but on a card!

Scrapbookers are challenged to downsize your usual a 12x12 LO onto a teenyweeny one - maximum of 6x6, which can be sent safely through the mail.

Cardmakers - you're used to working on a small
space, and you know all about the ribbons, brads and other bits and bobs - but
can you take on board all the other little touches that are used on a scrapbook
page - the titles, the journalling, the photographs etc?

My card is a 4x4 layout - the first time I've worked on something so small! It was quite fun - only just enough room to do what I wanted! I chose to do a photo-less lo as I felt the title and the journalling explained all.

Anyway, I know someone that was definitely challenged by this one - and she did a great job. Go on over and take a look at all the lovely cards the DCM girls do. Then why don't YOU have a go too?

Lists

Are you a list person?

I'm not really. Ok, I'll make grocery lists and To Do lists - but it seems that the only time I refer to them is at the end of the task / day to see what I missed. Somehow the actual act of writing things down puts those things in my head. The important stuff sticks - mostly. The not so important stuff often doesn't stick. I think this is called "Volcano Management" !

Anyway, a couple of fun lists via Ali Edwards looked interesting so I thought I'd try and make them.

THE ESSENTIALS

These are the items that you reach for time and time again - the things that you absolutely must have in order to create.

• My paper trimmer - it's the only way I know I'll cut a straight line!
• Scissors - I finally got some sharp, pointy ones so I can now cut in nice and close
• Inks - chalk ink is becoming a must have, but I would use ink somewhere in almost every page I think. The absolute minimum colours for me would be black, platinum, and sepia.
• Photos!
• Pens - i'm doing my best to "love my handwriting" - I use a black zig, and white pigment ink pen
• Adhesives - i have a few but the two I use most are double sided tape and Henzo glue
• Cardstock
• Patterned papers - I have to have some

OK, so with that list I could create. Don't know if I would be happy with every page. Probably would like to have a list of things that I'd like access to even if I couldn't bring them myself.... ribbons, brads/eyelets, rub-ons. Yeah, I think they are almost on the Essentials list!

The second list was "THE GOOD STUFF" - those things that you're using lots at the moment and are making your brain zing!

• Flowers - yes really! With two boys I haven't been doing many girly pages so with a few challenges and a determination to get some sort of "pink" in there, I'm getting flowers on many things!
• Rub-ons - ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh yes! Titles, swirls, Big swirls, stitches.... yes please gimme!!
• Buttons - I'm a newbie to buttons - and I LIKE
• Chipboard - I'm liking lots. Still a little restrained as I figure out what to do - but I'm wanting to use it quite a lot.
• SERIOUSLY patterned paper. I'm trying not to be scared of mixing it up. The couple of pages I've down wit more than one bit of pp I'm liking LOTS. More experimentation coming up.
• paint - yet another "new" thing for me - but I love the effect I'm getting. i got a bottle of texture paint in a kit last month. Have no idea what to do with it at this point so feedback on some ideas would be welcome!
• Serviettes - I got put on to this by a friend for card making .... and now I see it creeping into a couple of my pages. All to do with the FUN serviettes I've been given!

So these are my lists. What would be on your ESSENTIALS and your GOOD STUFF lists?

[Will post some pics once I've organised (!)]

Some boy cards

Keryn brought her boys over this morning - her eldest is a very crafty boy and my eldest has been itching to get his hands on my gear. So a couple of mornings now, we've set it up so they can have a play. They actually played more than they created this morning but that's OK. They get on really well! We had another friend and her boy along too - total 5 boys, 3 mums! It funny listening to them yahooing down the back where the cubby house has been installed! That is while we mums were in the dining room doing our own creations!

My two monsters have a birthday party to go to over the road on Friday - Their eldest boy was 8 on Monday, their youngest turns 4 on Friday. Think it will be lots of fun - they love to get together when they can.

So, as a *responsible* mum, I thought we should be turning up with some cards. Here they are. Thanks Keryn for bringing your sizzix toy too - I like!!

BTW: why am I having problems when trying to "BlogThis!" via Picasso - it is driving me MAD!!! I think I'v got it all done then check on here to find a lovely little red x - GRRR!!

I have been making a lot of cards the last couple of weeks it seems. I'm wanting to get on with a few scrapbook pages I have in mind. Thank goodness I've started a notebook with the ideas - not just the themes, but whenever possible the sketch or ideas of what I's like to use on the page too. NOT that that means I'll actually get any of the visions completed in the same way as I've noted! Still, trying to capture the inspriation when it hits... has to be a good thing, eh. (Cripes!! why am I centred aligned now??? I keep trying to align left.......uhhhhggghhh!)

I need to get something sorted for my NoCrap CJ. That was the first journal that I signed up for - I've just managed to get the SE one done first LOL! The theme for the NoCrap one is "What makes you tick?" Sort of know what I'm wanting to say, so that's all good. But had no idea how to express it visually. Had an AWESOME idea this morning. Need some more supplies though.............................. :) Well, a little bit of cardstock...

Re-enrolled

I'm not sure exactly WHY I've been procrastinating on this. Perhaps some inner wish not to carry on! I was sick last year - Pneumonia over Queen's Birthday and then diagnosed with Glandular Fever just a month later. I got REALLY far behind in the course work last year and only just managed to pull a passing mark in the exam. That was quite stressful - and with only one paper!

This year my plan is to do the first year of two papers. I asked my supervisor which pairing I should do - and inevitably it's the two that appear to be the "hardest" of the six :( I did think about not heeding the advice and pairing them differently. BUT the reality is I need to do them - and it DOES make sense to do them quickly after the intro papers I've already done. The theory being that I should still remember the groundwork info.

I did say "Theory"!

Anyway, I did it last night. I've re-enrolled. I'll be doing Business Law Practice and Property law Practice. Yeah, I'm pretty sure they are the hardest two of the six! By the end of this year, however, I will be just one year away from finishing a Legal Executive Certificate. I've been doing this part-time so I can prepare myself for when Mr 2 starts school.

Now all I have to do is make sure that my timetables are done - I must make sure I schedule in my study time and not let my crafting time spreeeeaaaaaaaaaaaadd. :)

Circle Journal beginnings

I signed up for a circle journal via Scrapbook Essentials earlier this month and the date is fast approaching. I kind of knew what I wanted to do when I decided to have Friendship as my theme. Thought that would be easy! However, come the time to actually commit something to paper -- YIKES! Turns out that although I have many faces that I want to include on my pages, I don't actually have a photo of everyone. How does that happen??! There's yet another mission to be completed this year: "Take More Photos!" So, anyway, here is a peek at the first pages of my circle journal.

It's been a busy couple of days round this place - not exactly doing much but busy all the same. We've been trying to get ORGANISED for school starting next week, get back into the rhythm of non-holiday living, and also getting some quality family time in. All to often we find ourselves rushing in our own directions - or at times - the directions of one or other of the boys. Some weekends the four of us sometimes only come together to eat - or exchange parents before heading off to get something else done. No wonder our section looks like it's owned by vagrants! Must get on to that - but that isn't on today's To Do list!

DH tried his hand at fishing on Saturday night. He didn't catch anything but he did take the time to enjoy the environment. It was a lovely calm night and there were quite a few people walking or fishing along Petone Wharf. DH remarked on how having a fishing rod in his hands meant he felt able to just sit and take it all in. No wonder people like to fish so much. Personnally, I can handle the sitting around, taking things in, the quiet reflection the time gives to you. But then what happens when you actually catch something. Ugh! no thanks!! This will be a Dad and boys activity I think!!

[BTW, I should mention that Gillian was the inspiration behind stamping my big flower!]

More cards

Hee hee... I got them done! I'm feeling very good tonight!!

The first card is for Dad - again thanks to a serviette from Keryn's collection. I had to (well, I wanted to - my mod podge jar that is MIA is less than a 1/4 full anyways..!) get some more mp from Spotlight today. I sooooooooo have issues with that store - but I will be kind and spare anyone reading those dramatic (painful / boring!) details...

Anyway, I am truly happy with how this turned out. The end result is quite different to what I thought I was going to do with it. Wven better - I got some ribbon in there!

This card is one for a Miss about to be 6 all the way in Belgium. I used my brand new sparkly MP here, cut out the angel and the stars - the bottom one has been raised with foam tape a little. Donna, I no longer have sparkle envy!!

I can't believe this Miss is actually almost 6! I first met her and her mum in Antwerp when my Mr 5 was literally 5 or 6 weeks old! Her and another friend who were to become good friends during our time over there. It was scary just thinking about how fast time had flown when they were all turning 5 over the last year. These were our first born babes! Mr 5 was just 18 months when we returned to NZ so he doesn't remember them - unless looking at the photos in the albums. I think the names are more like characters in a familiar book now!

These two ladies, and the 2 kids (and dads!) - as well as an additional two families became like family to me while I was over there. It seems very strange to know that people who were part of your every day fabric are literally on the other side of the world, sleeping while I do day time stuff, working while I'm dreaming...! Most of the little group have gone on to have No's 2 and even 3 in the intervening years. Little people we may never actually get to know, yet still have a connection with.

I owe a huge debt of friendship to these girlies. My very sanity and survival in a place so far from home often came down to you - miss you as always! (.............................I do - it's just I'm a hopeless letter writer...!!!)

The whole friendship thing has me thinking at the moment. I've signed up for my first ever circle journal through SE and am having to put together my two pages for it. I'm a little worried that my standard is different to the others - they are seriously very talented ladies!! However, I'm looking forward to challenging myself - and best of all, learning lots. About scrapbooking, but I'm guessing - a lot about the ladies involved - and me...! Yikes!

Oh - by the way - all you friends back here in NZ may be called upon soon..........think I'm gonna need some pics of you lot too........... :)

Ok, thoughts are heading into the silly area. must be my night-nights time.