Happy Birthday hubby

My beloved Andrew turned 44 on Sunday. Thought id share a few photos of him...pre accident.

He's always been a top dad..

patient, and willing to please....
...see... he even gave hair streaks a try when I said he should :-)
He was the best water skier I have ever seen

...and always keen to drop his works tools in pursuit of an adventure with friends and family

(this photo was taken about 15 hours before his accident...Andrews on the right...the one in his grubby work pants!! :-{ )

How do I love thee...? ...Let me count the ways

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANDREW I LOVE YOU HEAPS xx

Cup Cake anyone?

Take one Christmas bubble....remove the hanger and cut a slot....

...and vol la....one cup-cake!

this was one of the projects I completed with the goodie's I received from Megan this month.
Find out how to get Megan's Premium Scrap-pack HERE

Its been a while!

Goodness me, its been a while since Ive blogged! The days just seem to fly away lately!

We have a new house guest after the strong winds yesterday.... check out my dad tiring to feed our latest addition...

Now I know these wee guys are pests and frowned upon by the farming community, but really...its hard to believe this sweet little magpie could ever be anything except cute... and I can never resist a critter in need of a little TLC!

At the moment its sound asleep in the dog basket...at my feet!! Its a bit of a cold night so I thought he should inside :-)
Tomorrow i'll be back with some crafty stuff!

A change of heart

Today Camden had his first day at Waitaki Boys High School. Here he is, about to head to the bus stop (three minutes away) at 7.20am this morning. The bus does not leave until 7.35am but Camden likes to be early.

Camden has had a few issues at his last High School ( no real fault of the school )and his school work was beginning to suffer a little because of it. We hope that Camden will benefit from the shift and hope like crazy that we have made the right decision!

Im addicted!

Yes, its true I am addicted to this Digital scrapbooking!

I think its because there is just so much I don't know how to do... yet!

There is so much to discover and each time I 'play' I discover new things to do to my photos and elements!

I love challenges, and this new addiction is providing me with a huge, great pile of them.

Tonight I have been playing around with blending my photo into the background paper.

Here is a page I have just finished using this technique...

Spot the first photo in the background that I 'dissolved'

If you want to have a go at this I used this tutorial HERE

Flying high

Our dear eldest son has a new love......so today my dad and I huffed and puffed our way up the hill to see this 'love' in action.

(that's my house down there...with the red roof)

my mum and dad are our neighbours...and that is their back yard...spot my dads grape vines there on the left.... this is what we found at the top of the hill....

Cody, with his new love.... it's a kite thing, that is meant to be used on the lake, or in the sea
at the moment Cody is enjoying 'flying' on dry land. there looks to be quite an art to this contraption!
up up and away!

We all think Cody is a little crazy!!

Hand made Fan

Megan, from Better Scrapbooking has made a wonderful job of putting our fan pieces together.

Thanks to everyone who made a fan blade!

Thank You Cards

Thankyou cards...from a swap I took part in at Craftytarts...

Great arn't they!!

Thanks ladies, I love them all!! I would love to know who made what.

Below are the cards I made for the swap...

Shadows for 'pop'

Today I sat for some time and 'played' in photoshop. I have worked out how to add more shadow effects to my digital scrapbooking. These help add a 3D type look and do add a little 'pop' to my pages. I just had to whip up a page to show you. Check out a close up of my shadows...almost as good as the 'real thing'!!

Here is the whole of my digital page

I have used a kit called Chocolate Mint which you can download for free from Digital Fingers

Thanks again Louise!

I did do other things today...truly !! This morning, after the house work I carted wood into the wood shed, just in time as at lunch time the rain arrived and its still pouring now. Also I got to work on the ATC's that I am creating for a swap at Scrapbook Studios The theme is music and I have almost finished. Next, waiting in line I have Amanda's gorgeous circle journal to complete and Megan has some scrapping goodies on the way for me to 'get creative' with.

Check out the scrummy new lace papers in Megan's Shop..

These come in a lovely array of colours. Check them out HERE

From Granmar's Garden!

I've been digi scrapping again! I love it, such a cool way to scrap for a 'tidy freak' like myself!! No sticky bits, no paper scraps...nothing to clean up at the end....and no rubbish bin fill of failed attempts.
:-)

Here are two more pages for Aimee's Outward Bound memories album

These photos were taken at the final assembly, just before everyone boarded the boat for home.I get the impression that emotions were running high after three weeks of 'surviving' together. Aimee still maintains contact with all of her 'watch mates' She has made many life long friends I think!

I love this digi kit. Its another one from Louise's My Digital Fingers site called Granmars Garden AND its only $2.00!!
You can buy it HERE
There are many more elements in this kit than you can see on my two pages, I will be using this kit alot!

Check out the challenge

I was super lucky to win this very cool magazine/book with my entry for last months Up2scrap blog challenge. And super lucky as I just might have been the only person to enter!!
Be in with a chance to win another great prize by taking part in this months challenge. All you have to do is create a Christmas card using die cuts!! Check it out HERE

Thanks Up2scrap!

All things spring...

...that's the title of the challenge on at the moment over at Scrap Box

I had this fun snap shot of Cody's pup looking through the kitchen window at this freshly picked bunch of daffodils that I have been planning on scrapping for a little while now so....

.... here is the bright 'spring themed' LO I created for this challenge

Check out the textures
the raffia and crocheted flower

and ribbon flowers hand made especially for my page

Here's how I made these....

Take a length of ribbon about 6 inches long , fold your ribbon in half length wise and hand sew a row of stitches down the entire 6 inch length ( sewing both sides of your folded ribbon together).

Once you reach the end pull the thread (still attached to your needle) so that your ribbon length gathers in.

Next fold your gathered ribbon length in half width wise and stitch the two short ends together.

Repeat all of these steps again, this time using a different ribbon. I have used a narrower velvet ribbon, still 6 inches long.

Once you have your two flower pieces made sew the smaller flower on top of the larger flower and add beads, buttons, or what ever you like to decorate.

I have attached my flowers onto silk flowers on my LO just to add a little more 'pop'!

Add a layer of lace under, or between your two ribbon layers to add more depth and texture, or mix and match ribbon colours, there are so many possibilities! Grab a needle, thread, some ribbon and have a play!
Have Fun!!

Go Aimee

Thursday, the first of October, saw us tripping to Dunedin. Our Aimee had been shortlisted for an interview at Teachers College. This morning we received a letter in the mail to say that she had impressed the panel with her references and interview and there is a place waiting there for her next year. We are feeling very proud of her :-)

Go Aimee!

gifts

A little while ago I received some gorgeous gifts, and I really should have had these on my blog some time ago now!!
First up take a look at this beautiful hand made gift I received from Donna, in Massachusetts

My dear friend, who lives in Germany sent me these delights, they got a little way laid on the way here, but I am so thrilled they did get here!

Renate, I have your heart hanging in my window and goodness me it truly shines when the sun comes out. This is delightfull and looks even better in real life.

And... my guardian angel, once again all the way from Germany. Now I'm not sure but I guess the box reads 'Guardian Angel...in German?

This is the most amazing little book I have ever seen and comes complete in its own matching box.

this 'book' has pages that open and little messages tucked away inside.

Thanks ever so much Donna and Renate, you are both wonderful!!