Glitter & Sparkplugs

I'm back?

2011-09-01T20:23:00.003+12:00

I miss blogging - so I'm might try and start again.
Yes I know that no one reads this but one or two people... but maybe I just wanna go this for our own record... I miss looking back and lets face it.... I'm pants at writing a real life journal :)

I think the reason I've not blogged is because every time I'm back to it I think I have to backtrack and start from where I stopped... but I have had a brainwave... maybe I don't HAVE to do anything... maybe I can just start from NOW.

So let do it.... starting, later :)

Cannonball Run 11

2011-01-18T16:21:00.003+13:00

You might remember - sort of from the last real post I did that we entered a car run last year called the Snowball Run... well that was the winter edition of the Cannonball Run which was held last weekend, and we had a blast. It was a dramatic weekend filled with everything from crontic illness to cars on fire.

Heres our little photo montage of our adventure... we had to have a movie theme for the car - we went with Ron Burgandy and Veronica Corninstone from the movie "Anchorman".

10 Tuesday

2010-09-28T18:31:00.014+13:00

Well it turns out I didn't do anything exciting enough to blog about since last week... so here we go again:

1. A new song
We saw The Drums when they opened for Florence + The Machine this year... and I still love this song.

2. Wanted: A reading list
...I need suggestions.... and yes I DO work in a bookstore - but do you think I can find anything I actually wanna read... I love a good real story... esp a good bio... last one I loved...

Yip - they are complex people but man are they fascinating.

3. David Ghetti - Pencil Sculptor
Click HERE to see the rest... amazing stuff

4. Super Cute Vintage Digital Tapes
Makes me wanna play with my blog template again... but no - it's not time to open THAT can of worms again just yet. Get them from HERE.

5. Awesome Mixed Media Art
Dolan Geiman - loving that guitar
6. Lolly Chops
Yeah I know I know, it's way too early to even want to think about THAT date coming in December... so let just call them September Trees.... so dang cute...

Lolly did a tutorial on the Crate Paper blog HERE.... and she is one of my fav bloggers. Visit her HERE.

7. Super Cute Wedding Tree
Found this on etsy - such a cool idea. You get the tree and green ink pads... and your guests fingerprint a 'leaf' on the tree and sign it...

photo: YourKeepsakeCo

8. SO Good!
New, Chocolate, Hazelnuts, Cashews... all good things!

photo: jeroxie

9. Great lyrics
I've always always been a sucker for a great lyric... it doesn't even have to be a whole song or even a whole verse... I can pick out certain lines in a song that make me think or feel or the music on that line just rocks it home to you... I hope you know what I mean... for me it's like poetry.

"Cause we all have wings, but some of us don't know why"

"All of us get lost in the darkness, dreamers learn to steer by the stars."

"Hearts and thoughts they fade, fade away"

"Do you want the truth or something beautiful? I am happy to decieve you. Secrets, lies and telling tales. I can be who you want me to be, but do you want me"

"So if this melody should stop or fade away, the oceans will drain out and the stars disintegrate. It's like voodoo I've lost all my control. I look into you you make me rock and roll"

"In my head I replay our conversations, over and over til they feel like hallucinations. You know me, I love to lose my mine. And every time anybody speaks your name I still feel the same - I ache, I ache, I ache inside"

"This is the way you left me, I'm not pretending. No hope, no love, no glory, no Happy Ending."

And this week I've been loving this...
CLICK TO LISTEN and yes I do like the covers better than the original - that's just me ;)

And this is an all time fav.... "I won't be your winter, I won't be anyone's excuse to cry"
CLICK TO LISTEN

10. Thinking of here

image: scott28w

Our plans to travel off shore this year came to a screeching holt when teeth and cars broke down. Seriously I can't believe it's already almost the end of the end... wasn't it yesterday that I was planning this for my 30th...

10 Tuesday

2010-09-21T18:27:00.002+12:00

So... I've been struggling to think of things to blog about... then I found a little inspiration from one of my all time favourite people... Elsie Flannigan. On a sunday she blogs a list of 10 things she loves...
I thought "Hey, I love things too!". So in a blantantly ripping off fashion I thought I'd share on a tuesday. 10 things I have going on, have found, have brought, have created, have experienced... why not.

So may I present "10 Tuesday":

1. Photo5
I've registered for this competition for 2010 and am SO excited for my box of 5 to turn up.

2. Real Groovy
I went to this amazing place for the very first time last weekend. So much music in one place... CDs, vinyl... everything your ears could ever need (apart from Kate - but, see below)

photo cred: webwin

3. Kate
I FINALLY got Kate Miller-Heidkes new album! YAY! Bout time consider how much you guys here me rabbit on and on about her. All it took was my lil sis going to Australia. Still amazes me you can't get artists from as close as Australia in stores here. Weird.

4. My new lensI was very spoilt recently when Mike brought me this puppy... it's the Canon 50mm f/1.4. I am still getting used to using a prime lens rather than a zoom - but I love the results... and it's SO good in low light too. Joy.

5. Heavenly Fudge
...drool.... honestly, best fudge EVER!

6. Visiting my birth parents
Always blows my mind... they are so like me, it's weird, but awesome. We talk music and art and craft and generally just ramble on about all sorts of nothing.
7. Scrappy inspiration
Like I was saying I haven't scrapbooked in what feels like an age. But I've been seeing things around that have tugged on my craft strings like crazy. Most of my spare time right now I spent sitting on this laptop editing photos... but soon... real soon - I'm gonna play with glue!

My peep Louise Williams shared a couple of tutorials on her blog - I love these - I love seeing people scrap especially those whose style is so different from mine... I love seeing different techniques and Louise is just amazing....

photo: Lousie

As usual the amazingly cute Elise is up to something - just this photo makes my scissor hand itch...

photo: Elsie

And I saw these and had that crafters sense of "I could make that"... cute.

photo: LemonTreeStudio

8. Presents from photography clients
I love when people are stoked with their photos... and Emma decided to thank me with these super cute measuring cups I had seen on our holiday up North. 9. A new song

10. Ginas 161 Symonds St, Auckland.
Love it - the people, the food, the personality.
They've move into a bigger shiner premises which does take a little away from the cosy little hidden secret feel it used to have but you can still rest assured that the food and most importantly the tiramisu has not changed.

Mini break

2010-09-20T19:20:00.005+12:00

We hadn't planned on going away. We set a week off and then this opportunity to have a week in the Northland came up and it was too good to turn down.

It was about a 5 hour trip in the car and the weather was not exactly 'holiday-y" but it was a break. Heaven knows we needed it. The apartment we stayed in was MASSIVE and so cosy... a spa pool and all - joy... I love a spa. Well to be honest I love a spa for like ten minutes - then I get bored and start trying to make a whirlpool or spray Mike with the jets. I'm really about 10 ;)
We hit the ferry to Russell... tried to find somewhere for lunch - walked around the old church. Very very old graves, sad really... so many children. And of course the bullet holes from the battles the Bay of Islands hosted in our young country's birth years.

...then we climbed the hill to where Hone Heke's mates chopped down the flag pole (for my international buddys - Hone Heke was a Maori Chef who ordered the cutting down of the flagpole at Russell. This was intended to show disapproval of the British government. Over the following months, it was re-erected and cut down another three more times. LINK to historically accurate video)...
...visited Waitangi - FYI if you are a kiwi and flash them your drivers licence they wave the $50! entrance fee - honestly if I was international I'd feel a tad ripped off by that, just saying...
...spent a day in Kerikeri and brought some genuine actual oranges...
...and then drove ALLLLLL the way to the tippy top of the country (well as far as you can get) to Cape Reinga. Now a days it's sealed all the way and they've got this fancy archway you walk under and it is goes ''whooooooooo-woooooo". That's all very nice but I really miss the old post office they used to have up there. It was always the biggest joy to get a jellytip icecream and post a postcard from the shop... and it'd get a fancy Cape Reinga postmark on it.The weirdest thing is that I came home and cleaned out the kitchen draws... I got this urge to declutter - turns out I could live in an apartment, a simple, basic essentials only exisitance. Yeah right, I'd fill it with crafty, kitschy, vintage random "character" (read that junk) in a month straight haha.

Life Captured by.... me

2010-09-20T18:45:00.005+12:00

So I haven't been scrappin...
I've been taking photos instead....

If you're on facebook - look me up: Life Captured by Neen

Did I tell you I love Florence + the Machine?

2010-07-30T22:15:00.005+12:00

Yes I know, I'm annoying. But I went to her Auckland gig!
& Mike is maxed out on brownie points for coming with me.

She was SO DAMN GOOD! You know when you see someone live who sounds just as good as the album... she twirled around the stage barefoot, her super cute black dress streaming behind her, lit up in floods of light. She has such a strong voice and can carry a range... and I love the power of her lyrics.
...she came, she sang and she conquered my heart.

PS: No no, seriously, my album of the year... Lungs - Florence + the Machine

Imagination spree

2010-07-25T20:03:00.007+12:00

Dear Lotto,
I would be awesome at winning you...
I could fill my life with such beautiful things...

just saying.
love,

New again

2010-07-21T22:09:00.005+12:00

It's finally (sorta - one or two more little unsorted boxes of bits) tidy - again.
This time did that thing where you go in to tidy and decide to change it all around - yeah... it took a while!

ahhhh my happy place :)

Feeling the mojo flowing. Goes well with M&Ms and zero. Happy sunday peeps!

2010-07-18T12:56:00.001+12:00

Posted via email from mike and neen

My new dress and other boring things

2010-07-13T21:45:00.004+12:00

Some days you just have to celebrate...
So I brought a dress...
on specail from $120 to $60 woo hoo.
and not size 20... but size 14.
woo hoo again... it's super cute and from my favourite local store Ruby Rose I've never been able to shop in cos of the size 18-20 situation but thanks to Coke Zero haha I could be emptying my wallet there more often.

So that photo is clearly not of me... and honestly not very interesting, but hey it fills the space between now and the weekend when I can get in and tidy my creative room (honestly who messes it up all the time - I swear I have like the bad cousins of the elves who fixed shoes for that other guy).

Also I saw Eclipse. Don't get me wrong I'm not a Twihard at all - in fact I didn't even finish this book... let alone even start Breaking Dawn.. but HELLO!

Yeah - I could be a cougar for that kid. Meow.

Well - I'm outty... book to read... dress to hang in wardrobe... :)

Yeah!

2010-07-11T22:45:00.001+12:00

Posted via email from mike and neen

Sundae driver.

2010-07-04T13:31:00.002+12:00

Yip it's just cold enough for chocolate sundaes before we set off on the last leg of our epic adventure. About to leave Taupo for the finishline in Auckland! Here we go.

Boudoir

2010-07-02T21:41:00.007+12:00

Ha ha thought that title would get you reading.
I've been trying (really really trying - it's harder than you think) to clean out the skeletons (read that - cr*p) in our closets and general just declutter.

Especially the bedroom. I have a dream of a bedroom that is perfect for just that... dreaming, relaxing, sleeping... peaceful. Our home is quietly chaotic...

But you have to start somewhere right. And as no wall in my house goes unplastered with SOME sort of artwork...
who says art is expensive...

canvas + black paint + scrap stash + online translator for love in different languages =

Or you can head on over to here... The Free Art Project and print yourself off some gorgeous pieces... there are heaps I love.

and of course no cozy bedroom is complete without...

Possibilities

2010-07-01T20:51:00.003+12:00

Bless warehouse guys who pack stuff badly... I now have a few of these to play with...
I'm hoping to use them to organise a bit more of my scrappy room. So many ideas....

Plus have brought some more pockets and gonna try the book ring thing to get some of these pages sorted rather than sitting in a box.

That is once I can get in there - time to pack up after the mayhem of the last few weeks and put away the dressup boxes ;)

Snowball Run 2010

2010-07-01T07:46:00.005+12:00

So for the last 2 months Mike and I have been spending every spare minute in thrift shops and at signwriters getting organised for the weekend that just passed.
We joined in with 89 other cars and over 200 people for Auckland Motorsports Snowball Run.

Basically put it's a 'race' from Auckland to Taupo (340km - 211miles) & back the next day, collecting points from challenges along the way. We stayed in Taupo, had a theme dinner and Ewen Gilmour the comedian did a stand up set for us there.

You had to have a theme for your car so we went "Westies" styles, the Tool Guy & the Missus taking off of Outrageous Fortune (FYI - It's SO hard to find leopard print clothes out there).

Here's a photo montage of our crazy, sometime stressful (maps!) but so super fun weekend.

Ninja Nigel reporting in...its rainy.

2010-06-25T18:26:00.001+12:00

Posted via email from mike and neen

Snowball Run 2010

2010-06-25T18:23:00.001+12:00

The start of a 3 hour stickering ordeal. Finally on our way...175km (105miles) to Auckland and tomorrow mornings startline.

Posted via email from mike and neen

Bout time

2010-06-13T21:05:00.013+12:00

Like I said...
Gotta love that rain...

Bring on the RAIN!

2010-06-10T07:58:00.007+12:00

crappy weather = scrappy weather!

HOORAYS!!!!!

So yeah I've been scrapping... nothing is QUITE ready for 'display' haha but guess what - it's meant to rain again this weekend ;) So in the meantime I just wanted to share SOMETHING...
So it's raining - you wanna scrap - I get inspiration from movies.. I can honestly tell you what movie I was watching when I made a layout hahaa... sad but true.

So here are my current top 10 scrappy watches....

500 Days of Summer - Penelope - Marie Antoinette - Garden State - Elizabethtown - The Lovely Bones.

PS: If this feels dejavu-y it's coz I have done this before but hey some of them have changed... sort of.

I've just been watching Kara talk about trying to find a cheap way to keep your layouts together - ad I love she used copysafe pockets but I do 12x12s... thinking about the bookrings though, coz honestly it's getting a lil crazy and I can't find the old 3 ring plastic simple ringbinder styles folders I have a couple of and love... so bookrings it might have to be... somehow... any ideas peoples????

Anyway off to bed for me... see ya real soon!

PS: I've been playing with my blog again so let me know if it looks ok from your screen :)

Because I think you need to be this happy

2010-05-08T21:40:00.003+12:00

Honestly...
So
DAMM
good!
TRUST ME!

Tiramisu

Photo courteous of taleitalei - coz I ate it all before it even had a chance.

4 eggs, separated
250g mascarpone
200g caster sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup freshly brewed, extra strong coffee (or 1 cup worth of espresso), cooled
2 tbsp Kahlua
enough sponge fingers to line the base of your dish in two layers
chocolate (just enough to grate over the top)

This recipe made 10 ramekins worth, so it'll serve 10 as a really small dessert, or probably make 4-6 generous helpings. Combine the liquer into the espresso. Resist the urge to add more, since you really just want a hint of it - you don't want to get drunk on your dessert. Or maybe you do, in which case add the whole bottle.

Whisk the egg yolks with the sugar until pale and frothy. It should form ribbons when you pull the whisk through the mixture. Whisk in the mascarpone.

Use an electric mixer or standing mixer to whisk up the egg whites until soft peaks form. Fold this into the egg yolk and mascarpone mixture.

Dip a sponge finger briefly (they fall apart if you soak them for too long) into the coffee and liquer mixture, then place it in the base of your dish. Repeat until the base is covered in one layer.

Spoon over the egg-and-cheese mix, using about half. Grate over some chocolate, then make another layer of sponge fingers, and another layer of egg-and-cheese. Grate the rest of the chocolate over, or dust with cocoa powder.

Refrigerate for at least 3-4 hours or for up to one day, then serve!

What's up?

2010-04-27T21:42:00.003+12:00

So I am top of (sort of) the teeth situation. I had a tip off to visit a little town called Otorohanga and see a dentist there... wow how that's paid off. They are LOVELY.. like seriously I said to her after my first visit that I felt like hugging her - so I did. Haha. They are letting me pay it all off and it's like a 1.3 of the price I was quoted from the guy in Hamilton. So I am happy and my teeth are halfway to fixed... hooray!
I also have had a some opportunitys to do photo shoots and I am honestly so excited to take it even further. I was so excited and so HAPPY while I was rolling around on the floor with a camera in my hand. I love it - it has a real way of bringing me joy. Don't get me wrong I still have a LOT to learn but I am learning and hope it takes off. You can find me on Facebook with that by the way... Life Captured by Neen.

As for scrapping... yeah... been on the back burner but I really wanna get in there! Bring on winter I say!!! Loves it.

The "BAD NEWS FROM THE DENTIST" sale

2010-04-08T07:34:00.004+12:00

So I went to the dentist last night... I knew I was going to need at least 2 fillings... yeah it was a LOT worse than I thought... way worse.

So I sit here feeling very sorry for myself, depressed and paniced... with a quote of thousands of dollars on the table in front of me.

And then I grabbed my camera and thought - right I can't do anything about it so I have to take the first step. First step.... raise some money.

So I have been listing a heap of stuff on trade me including my aprons from the last post... and a heap of scrapping mini albums and other goodies. I will continue to upload stuff so keep and eye out... and if you see something you like, why not help me get a little closer to 2 root canals :(

Check it out CLICK HERE

Too many ideas, not enough time

2010-03-31T20:50:00.006+13:00

Scrapping and sewing at the same time can use up alllll your desk space....
But see... I maded stuff :)OK I'm not an A+ sewing student yet but I'm getting there...
Also learning it's hard to take a photo of yourself wearing an apron... trust me it has ruffles... I like ruffles... but ruffles are 'challenging'... ie invoke swearing...

Anyway I best get back to sorting out this room... I have my bio bro and his missus (aka Ash) coming to stay for an easter weekend full of scrapping, chatting, gaming, Raglaning and cupcaking... with maybe a chocolate egg or two.

Have a great holiday weekend everyone!

....for now...

2010-03-27T09:11:00.005+13:00

Till I get some photos sorted...
these songs are making me wanna go out dancing... or just really good have on while you craft tunes ;)
...ok the last one it's really dancey... but it's Paloma... and it's great ♥

Back soon...

Where am I...

2010-03-10T20:13:00.002+13:00

...sitting enslaved by the wonder of this...

My birthday present from Mike!

Oh and trust me.... novice doesn't cover how much of a learner I am but I'm loving teaching myself to sew some crafty goodies... And I'm getting lots of inspo from the www.... too cute...

NERDS!

2010-03-04T19:16:00.010+13:00

So, for my 30th birthday I had a NERD party! It was so fun dressing up - I in fact had 3 costume changes through the night cause I loved all the pieces I found then had an idea to go as a Brownie...

I made centerpieces using floppy disks, had colouring pencils galore and tables covered in paper so you could get creative. Then I made mos and nerd glasses on sticks for funsies.
There were jelly babys and boxes of nerds... and Neen Dollars to buy your drink at the bar. And my friends made me the MOST AMAZING CAKE EVER! It was my favourite colour to a tee and a star... my star... I loved it so much. I still haven't cut into the top part ;) Too pretty.

Here are some of the many photos...

Turning 30

2010-02-26T19:42:00.000+13:00

Not sure what I think of turning thirty yet...

I do know that this is not really the place I expected to be in my life by the time I was 30. That doesn't meant I am not in a good place, just not in the cliche "supposed to be" place I imagined when I was 20...

I am extremely blessed to have Mike in my life. This past weekend has been a shining example of that I have have honestly felt overwhelmed with a sense of undeserving.
I have almost had some wonderful amazing people come to my life... for a moment, or a while or for my lifetime and each of them has in some small way helped in shaping me into this person. I am gratful to them all.

In some ways this huge number is feeling more like new years... I have this very very strong sense of making resolutions, positive changes, little changes but good ones. Trying to look after myself, spring cleaning my life and not allowing myself to re clutter... and mostly trying to appreciate the time I have and spending more of that time with the people I am so lucky to have in my life.

Before I turn 30....

2010-02-20T14:42:00.000+13:00

Lately...

2010-02-15T18:58:00.006+13:00

...I've loved...

this book...
this movie...
op shopping...
my boyfriend more than ever...
& organising someones 30th birthday party...
...see if you can guess the theme...

Lovestory

2010-02-05T21:28:00.002+13:00

OK so next weekend it's THAT day...
you know the one you love to love,
or just can't stand.

Me, I love any excuse to celebrate anything... and I love love.

See for me Valentines Day shouldn't be about the cards, the chocolates (what am I saying I love chocolates) or the flowers. It should be about setting aside a little time to have cuddle, watch a soppy dvd or a picnic somewhere pretty. It doesn't have to come with a groan or a $100 price tag.

Anyway I'm going to scrap a little tomorrow... and I wanted to invite you to join me in a little challenge.

Scrap your love story. How did you meet your SO? How did you go from that's that guy, and this is me, to this is us. Link me up before the big day and I might pop a lil something something in the post for someone..

Paint crazy

2010-01-27T06:47:00.002+13:00

Yip I'm a useless promise keeper :) But I get a tummy bug on the weekend which threw me out a little... PLUS I decided to add some photos to the other layout I was going to share so that's on the back burner for now. I have this on those of our ritual to get our Christmas tree... every year we take AGES to find one and it sometimes gets ugly :)

Had a bit of fun with the paint haha. Love it though and can't wait to scrap again really soon.
Mainly I've been trying my best to get lots of kits sorted for The Little Things... I've uploaded one already and off to take photos of the next one so keep those eyes peeled!!! I want to really get the kits rolling this year so add the site to your blogroll or make it your homepage haha ;) jokes. Right I'm off to work - back toschool is the busiest type of year for a stationery buyer! Be kind to your retailers mums and dads!

Update this weekend

2010-01-21T07:53:00.003+13:00

Promise....

and also a big update over HERE... with some of this...

Welcome to 2010!

2010-01-02T08:21:00.001+13:00

This year will be fantastic...

This year I will turn 30 (maybe not sooo fantastic)...

This year we will travel to Australia...

This is year is brand new and full of hope and possibility...

xxx

Love Aunty Jemima...

2009-12-20T10:00:00.003+13:00

You know when you get a letter in your Christmas card from your Aunty telling you about Uncle Toms toe operation and how big the tomatoes grew this year.

This is sorta like a geeked up 2009 version of that....

Our 2009 from MikeandNeen on Vimeo.

I just made this with Microsoft Movie Maker and a tune downloaded from Digirama... ready to be emailed to all the Auntys, Uncles and Mum and Dads... lucky them ;)

Last minute cake...

2009-12-20T09:54:00.004+13:00

...and trust me if I can do this ANYONE can... and I mean anyone... like you, your kid... you cat, dog or goldfish even....

Last Minute Pineapple Christmas Cake
150g butter, coarsely cubed
1 cup brown sugar
440g can crushed pineapple
500g mixed dried fruit
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
2 tbsp rum
1 cup flour
1 cup self-raising flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp mixed spice
1 tsp ground cinnamon

Heat oven to 150°C fan bake. Grease a 20cm round cake tin and line the base with nonstick baking paper.
Place butter, sugar, pineapple and juice in a saucepan, then stir until butter melts and sugar dissolves. Stir in dried fruit and simmer gently for 3 minutes. Remove to a bowl to cool.
Stir in the beaten eggs and rum. Then stir in the flours, baking soda and spices, sifted together. Spoon the mixture into the prepared cake tin and smooth the surface.
Bake for 1½ hours or until a skewer inserted in the centre comes out clean. Cool cake in the tin before turning out. Spread with butter icing once cake is cooled completely.

Also filled the baking tin with these.....

Recipe is the one from the gingerbread men in a jar gifts that I made for friends last year and they are SO good and the recipe makes HEAPS!

Flowery Toilety Stars ;)

2009-12-16T07:22:00.008+13:00

As soon as I saw these I know they'd be all over our tree this year....
Add a loop of ribbon gluing it between 2 of the petals and holding it there with a peg or clip til it's dried... pop a bit of bling in the middle then hang them on your tree!

Weekend inspo...

2009-12-12T09:29:00.002+13:00

More fun stuff to try....

Hand knitting
Funny...
Cute cookies
Dollie bag
Time for a Christmas drink mmmm

No sew skirt

2009-12-07T07:36:00.008+13:00

Seeing as my sewing machine measures about 10x8inches I have to get a bit creative...
So here my no sew tree skirt I made.

Halls Decked

2009-12-06T20:13:00.005+13:00

Mikes words were...

"It's a very girly tree"
"It looks like a cake"
"Why can't we stick some of the China made decorations on it"

Weekend inspo

2009-12-05T19:44:00.005+13:00

This is both a super busy and laid back weekend... translation I have HEAPS to do and no energy to do it after a massive working week.

Here's just a little list of some fun stuff ideas I've found on my journey through the web this week:
A cool personalised letter from Santa
Felt baubles
Super cute felt ornaments
Cookies for Santa in a jar
Awesome for Christmas at the beach

Oh and you could argue it's not Christmasy but hey IT'S CHOCOLATE!
...here is a recipe for this cake...
which,
was,
AWESOME!
Seriously I am a baker but not a baking eater... but we ate this in like 2 days between us. By the time I went to take the photo this was all that was left!
Dana's Chocolate Cake
1 2/3C flour
1 1/2tsp baking soda
1 1/2C sugar
2/3C cocoa
1tsp salt
1 1/2C trim milk
100g butter
2 eggs
1tsp vanilla essence

Icing/Filling
100g butter
250g icing sugar
1/3C cocoa
milk to mix
1tsp vanilla essence

Preheat oven to 180'C. Grease 20cm loose bottom cake tin. Put all main ingredients in the processor and mix. Pour into the tin.
Bake for at least 50minutes. The cake will rise a lot when cooked the center will bounce back and a skewer will come out clean.
To make the filling and icing place the butter and dry ingredients in the processor. Pulse to combine any small amounts of milk til the mix is thickish soft and spreadable. Add the vanilla essence.
Slice the cake in half horizontally and spread on the filling. Place the top on and ice the cake.
(Source: Waikato Times Nov 11 '09)

Cut it up and then EAT IT ALLLLL!

Melty crayons

2009-12-04T07:14:00.006+13:00

I'm sure a lot of you have seen this one around the world wide web. I'd seen it and was itching to try it as a 'homemade' gift. I actually gave these ones to a friends little boy for his birthday but they will make a great pressie for any lil ones.

First things first, a lesson learnt the hard way....
I used Artworx plastic crayons... $3.99 a pack of 12, x2... plus $2.50 for my pad.

Now, I didn't actually get a photo of them melting away but honestly it's this easy:

Break up your crayons into a non stick muffin tray. The more you put into each cup the bigger the crayons will be.

I mixed my colours up so when they're using them the can get some funky mixed colours coming out but you could keep them one colour if you like.

I put the oven on 180 and just keep a constant eye on them. It only took about 3-5minutes for them to go nice and runny. Pull them out and set aside for them to cool. If there's any poking outty bits you want to flatten just push it down with a skewer or a cold knife.

As they cooled they shrunk just a little pulling away from the sides of the tin so when they were cool they just fell out. Use a knife to round off any edges that aren't quiet right and...Then I tried getting clever. I lined a tray with tin foil, sat some cookie cutters on it and filled those puppies up...

Stuffy Trees

2009-12-01T20:35:00.008+13:00

OK I'm sure that they have a better name but stuffy trees works for me...
First seen on Gigi Kennedys blog HERE.

I'd love to make like a whole Christmas forest. Even have one or two clusters in different places throughout the house.

Decorating these is totally you. As I say I sewed the ribbon first before sewing the sides closed just to make sure they'd stay on. Everything else was just glued in place using my favourite glue. I used pages from an old teen romance to cover the bases. Also I found that the smaller the paper you use to stuff them the better. Great project using nothing I had to buy new! Whoop whoop!

Christmas Test Dummy

2009-11-30T19:58:00.005+13:00

So I've been coming across lots and lots of Christmas decorations, craft, cooking and gift ideas and flaggin them as I've been trawling through the internet in my personal crusade to have a 'cheap as chips' Christmas. And as I was sitting there thinking ''I could try out a heap of these and share them with you guys''.

So here we go... consider me your Christmas test dummy.

I've done a few projects so far and while not all of them will be for you - hey maybe you'll get some sort of inspiration from something.

Most are from other sources so I'll link you to the original home of the idea and some are just things that come to me in the moment...

I'm gonna endeavor to post something 3 times a week in the lead up to Christmas: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays... and maybe the odd bonus weekend something :)

So stay tuned for tomorrow!!!

PS: I've made a fun Christmas playlist on the sidebar for you to enjoy too :)

Happy Sunday?

2009-11-23T18:18:00.004+13:00

OK so in my defense I didn't say which sunday right? ;)

I have to tell you why I've been so busy...
well tell you that I'm gonna tell you closer to Christmas...

December 1st in fact...
hang on what day of the week is that....
a tuesday...
that should be ok....
no wait...
scratch that...

I will be telling you about this...

...on November 30th!

It's gonna be a full December!

Anyway back to the matter at hand...
Thanks SO much for the inpso (it's all a part of what I'm up to in that photo).

True Random Number Generator
Min: 1 Max:10
Result: 8
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That's you Jane (AKA Tilly)!

Watch your mailbox... it'll be on it's way in the AM.

Remember to pop back soon or better yet add me to your alerts or bloglines or googlereader... and join me in some fun stuffs next week.

Mean while have a GREAT rest of the week! And think of my Mike this weekend, he is cycling round lake Taupo... 160km!

GIVEAWAY!

2009-11-11T06:53:00.002+13:00

OK so this may look a little dejavu to some people...Last year with all the best intentions I made a December Daily journal... that I only filled in 2 pages of and then that was it.

So I though "I'll just replace those pages and use it this year" so I replaced the pages, fixed the dates and tweeked a couple of little things on it... but realllllly.... I just KNOW I'm NOT gonna do it.

As much as I'd LOVE to fill this is the fact is that I work full time and we have so much on in December that is just not photo worthy. I'd have a an album full of "Today I worked frin 8.30 til 9pm, 8.30 til 7pm, 8.30 til 6pm..." *yawn!*

Soooo I'm gonna give it away instead... to someone with interesting moments that they can fill it with :)

Post in the comments and link me to a fun holiday project (cause there's gotta be something in it for me) you've seen around or can find esp for me :) and I will draw a name on Sunday :)

Layouts....

2009-11-04T19:19:00.010+13:00

A while back I was a lucky lucky girl and won a wee cookbook and some other goodies from this awesome lady...
She sent me a packet of butterflies she had punched and diecut from all sorts of paper... I quickly decided they were too rad to use on pages and did this instead...
Thanks so much Lolly <3....
And now some pages.......more soon... I've finished another mini travel album I've gotta take pics of and theres some more pages here needing last minute touches...
Oh and KITS!!!!!!

Chillaxing

2009-10-27T07:55:00.004+13:00

OK...
So I've been doing this...

AKA chilling with friends... it's been great. :)

BUT I have also been SCRAPPING!
So I PROMISE I will come back later and post what I've made :) xx

B+R=S

2009-10-10T09:41:00.002+13:00

OK so Bathurst+Rain=Neen can scrap all weekend!

My lil sis is coming over tomorrow so I SHOULD get some more minis finished (hip ray!).
Into town to get lil bits of fun stuffs, ink and nibbly bits...

Hope you have a great one...
oh and before I leave...kiwi girls... I deplore you to watch this tomorrow night C4 8.30pm.
I have always loved me some Shakespeare and Baz Lurmans take is beautiful and so real... forget back in 5th form english when you couldn't understand it... you will understand once you watch this...

Cause I know you love it

2009-10-05T20:31:00.002+13:00

When I bombard you with new music I won't shut up about hahaha...
But seriously... adding to the chicks whos style I would LOVE to A. be able to pull off and B. afford.

Paloma Faith.
Quirky, funny, talented and she rawks!

She's been a magicians assistant and a burlesque dancer.
Can't stop singing along with this...

Wanna play 20 questions?

2009-10-01T21:20:00.003+13:00

1. Show us the inside of something cute
*awesome* Wanted one forever and look at that colour... sigh.

2. What's the last home cooking you had?
I cook dinner (attempt to anyway - just ask Mike) every night but to me home cooking would be my mamas. We were there on a week ago for a family dinner in honour of my lil bros birthday. Pasta, chicken, coleslaw and casserole for dinner. Cheesecake and birthday cake for dessert.
My fav is my mamas kumara dish though.... yum.
I do like piklets though... those I can make....
3. What do you miss?
My memory (seriously it's shocking!) and my size 12 bottom (although I don't mind my size 16 one... it's better than the size 20 one I used to have).

4. What makes you laugh often?
This guy...

5. What's your favorite word?
RAD.... hands down...

6. What are you trying to quit?
Clutter... I need a skip and an iron will.

7. What's your favorite commercial right now?

8. Whose style do you dig?
Zooey, Kate, Lily and of course Audrey.

9. Link to a great blog you've discovered lately...

Point, Blank Period. Awesome once a month challenge (so I ACTUALLY get time to play along!)

10. What's the last craft you made?
Remember I started a scarf AGES ago...? Well I finished it... and it's pretty cr*p. I think it's way too short and because it's just that plain knitty style I'm not really into it. But it did make me want to try again with a bit more wow.

11. A photo of the last happy mail you got

My stash from Sassafras... I didn't get a photo but I have had an awesome winny week and I have 2 happy mails coming from LollyChops and from Point Blank Period! Fun!

12. Something you've got lately?
A new cut and colour...see Q14

13. What are you looking forward to?
Lots of stuff but the biggys are going camping again in the summer and heading off shore for my birthday.

14. Post a recent snapshot of yourself.
15. Recent Favorite Movie?

Penelope... and this is an all time fav... but super excited to see this one.... and this one...

16. Something you're working on right now?
More kits...
...and my next mini trip album.

17. If a movie were made about you, who would play you?
I have NO idea... I'd love to stay Zooey or Tina Fey but they are too cool. When I asked Mike he said "Sam Neil". Cheers Mike, as helpful as always.

18. What gives you goosebumps?

Beautiful songs like this one, gut wrenching movie scenes like this one... and basically anything that brings me to tears... which really is almost anything soppy or emotional... especially seeing other people cry.

19. Share a new obsession.

Hunting out all my all time fav song lyrics. To me it is poetry and I've been wanting to collect them in a journal for forever. Found a beautiful book and am making a start.

I wake up in darkest night
I watch you breathe in shadow light
A perfect world lies next to me
And I don't need to sleep to dream
I just hope I am good enough to keep you
Morning sun warms our skin
Distant sounds
The day begins
Soon their world will come calling for us
But this is space they cannot touch - Kate Miller Heidke

Why do you choose your pain? If you only know how much I love you, love you I won't be your winter I won't be anyone's excuse to cry. We can be forgiven. - Sister Hazel

This is the hardest story that I've ever told
No hope, or love, or glory
Happy endings gone forever more
I feel as if I'm wasted
And I'm wastin' every day - Mika

When life had locked me out I turned to you
And you open the door
And you're all I need right now, it's true
Nothin' works like you - Lenka

20. What's the meaning of your life?

Woo that's a deep one...

You can't take anything with you and if we have learnt anything over the years it's that you only get a infinite number of breaths on this plain.

For me it's about enjoying the journey one step or bound at a time... loving deeply and living full.

Please play along and post a link to your 20Qs here in the comments here so I can nosey on over.

Quick like a bunny

2009-09-28T08:14:00.002+13:00

Just a quick like a bunny post...
I've been loading up new kits...

SO HEAD ON OVER HERE

And working on many many more...
Time where are you!

A Very Scrappy Camp!

2009-09-24T07:10:00.013+12:00

So I did it.... I drove a 15 hour round trip to Coopers beach for a weekend of scrappiness. It was a blast but the drive was CRAZY! I'm still trying to catch up on sleep.
I got all the way there and found that my camera battery was flat so these couple of pics are from Linda who is going to send me all hers on CD.

Linda, me and Ashleigh getting in a morning walk on the beach which was about 100m from the camp.What happens at camp stays at camp...especially the mad and nonsensical rambling conversations you have a 1am.
It was so fun but I can say that bunks are not as cool when you are almost 30 and have hips. The food was awesome... it was basically the opposite of fat camp... you sit scrapping for hours and get fed almost every 2 hours!

And here are the layouts I did at camp....
This one was a sketch challenge where you had an hour to scrap... I got 3rd and a lil prize with this one...This layout I actually did before heading off to camp. It was for a challenge where they send out a bird stick, some eyelets, bling, ribbon, a wooden flower and a list of rules. It was a tricky one but I did it and I won! Yay!

Thou shall not...

2009-09-10T07:06:00.007+12:00

So most people would think that packing for a weekend away 3 weeks before hand is a little premature... but hey when you have to 1) pack scrap stuff and 2) tidy scrap room to even find said scrap stuff in order to pack it, it takes 3 weeks. On top of that I was the lucky winner of a raging sinus infection that threw me into bed for 8/10ths of last week... so mathematical.

Anyway I am packing because next weekend I am off to Doubtless Bay to my first EVER scrappy campy weekend thingee. It's run by the Scrapbooking Shed based in Kerikeri. My birth mother Linda has been a couple of times and has told me what fun she had, but mainly that the food is great.

So right now I basically have nothing to share... but I will show you what I've been conveting lately....(agh for the wait of a credit card and monies):

These goodies (eps THAT jacket!) from Fred Flare www.fredflare.com...

...and my girl crush on this chick is getting deeper and deeper. But I can't source her album here in New Zealand :( in fact, double :(

If any of my aussie peeps can hook me up in exchange for some sort of extreme happy mail or just a good old money transfer let a girl know...

Point Blank Period

2009-09-03T16:07:00.004+12:00

I'm pretty excited to have a new band wagon to jump on... this is Point Black Period, a new challenge blog...

I'm back on the antiboitics again... but the first challenge was posted yesterday so I pulled some scrappy stuff from my room onto the bed and played on the duvet... don't tell Mike ;) shh....

This link will take you to the challenge site... http://pointblankperiod.org/
and this one will taker you to the online communtiy Sasha had set up for all the chickas to discuss life, scrappin, invite your friends, say hi etc.... http://pointblankperiod.ning.com/
Check em out :)

Mojoish

2009-08-25T19:30:00.005+12:00

I scrapped a little on the weekend too...
Well I sat down with great intentions, did 3 layouts before I really was happy with any of them...
...and this one I actually started at the Waikato crop...
...and as for the others... I guess I can just stick them aside and come back to them later - like the rest of the layouts in that pile...

Oh and these are both using Rose Moka again... seriously I LOVE it...

Greenish thumb

2009-08-24T06:57:00.004+12:00

So yesterday a trip to grab a bag of potting mix turned into this...

Don't get me wrong - I am no Maggie Barry and really have no idea what I'm going.... I don't know if the moon in aligned right and it me "a well drained area" just meant "throw a heap of gravel in the bottom"...but hey, we will see... visions of fresh lettuce salad and juicy strawberries come summer... if not - there's always the supermarket right.

Sorrento

2009-08-23T10:10:00.003+12:00

...it's what I've been up too... not quite how I wanted it but it's done... I find you can't got too lumpy when you wanna use a lot of photos...
On to the next one ;)
Photos here too if you wanna closer look by the way

Blog Fluff

2009-08-22T23:39:00.000+12:00

I saw this somewhere and though hey... why not...

8 things I'm looking forward to: OK so really I just did this but hey it might have changed....
Heading to Coopers Beach for a scrap weekend
Mike's birthday
Continuing my trip minialbums - feelin like I'm back on a roll
Going to Aussie for my birthday in February
Seeing AC/DC live in January
<500 Days of Summer
Our summer post Christmas holiday
Finding the perfect place online to buy my Lenka and Kate CDs... sigh

8 things I did yesterday:
Scrapped a layout just for funnzys
Watched my Scrubs DVDs
Had Jesters for lunch
Took photos of the clouds from the car

Brought more Thickers
Brought new shoes and pants for work
Went to the club for dinner
Watched Mike's workmate play the Scarecrow in a small town rendition of the Wizard of Oz

8 things I wish I could do:
Learn how to really really use my camera
Paint what I see in my head instead of it coming out poo
Go shopping in lots rad clothing stores with lots of cha ching
Control my cats
Be better with my hair and makeup stuffs
Hire a housekeeper.... I hate laundry
Get a skip and have a garage sale... we have WAY too much cr*p
Have the courage and funds to be the person I really want to be

8 TV shows I watch:Home and Away
7 Days (it's new and so funny)
The Office
NCIS
Skins
Outrageous Fortune
Friends
Scrubs
Rove

8 things I collect:
Scrapbook stuff
Frankie Mags
Cloth badges from places I've been
DVDs
That's about it really.... another than the affor mentioned cr*p that seems to fill all my cupboards

Wondering...

2009-08-14T07:48:00.007+12:00

...why I haven't been scrappin much lately...
This might give you a clue...

This is what making kits did to my room this last week... and even as I post this I am wondering if honesty is the best policy...

I have a half day to scrap tomorrow so 'operation sparkle' is in full swing!

Have a great weekend everyone...

If it's broke don't break it more!

2009-08-08T15:58:00.005+12:00

So after making the move to Firefox I realised my blog looked all weird... so I touched this and that and broke it completely.
After going that normal chick thing and trying on 30 different outfits I think I am happy with the new look.
I do need to fix up my blog roll AKA stuff I should be reading ;) so if you read mine throw a girl a comment and let me know! Then I can add you too..

Any way now that this is done I am off to finish loading the 5 new kits Ive
been working on....

Looking forward

2009-08-03T07:25:00.007+12:00

After working the last too weekends in a row I am really really looking forward to saturday.

Problem is it's only monday...

So to help me through heres some other things I am looking forward to... just in general...

The whole Amplify range turning up at my house after winning it from Sassafras!

500 Days of Summer

Going to Coopers Beach for my first scrap retreat/camp thingee

A possible summer holiday... a real one - like a week off!

and going snorkeling again.
Seeing AC/DC in concert next year

Finishing these kits and getting them loaded before the weekend...
Getting this album imported

A secret event for Mikes birthday ;)
Oh and having a spot of time to actual scrap something... sigh...
Nothing to do but wait...

I'm back....ish

2009-07-21T21:24:00.008+12:00

I'm back baby...

Well in fact I was meant to be back last night... and I'm not really technically back tonight either.

You see our middle kitty Opal went missing for 24 hours. Stressed out mama I was, walking the neighborhood, dropping flyers in mailboxes, calling all the vets and the SPCA.
We figure she was locked in someones garage as she turned up again at pretty much the same time she went missing. So our family's back together...whew... so relieved.

Works been flat out... Back to School 2010 ordering landed on my desk last week so I've been up to my ears in book covers, pencil case and should I order 3000 or 3300 of that HB pencil... plus we are in full sales mode at the same time.

And for some reason I decided that as I've moved to Firefox and my blog layout went all weird in it I needed an overhaul. Hopeful you have figure out the READ MORE function from the main page,must have or you wouldn't be reading this...it's a little different but it'll do the job for now. Oh I've overhauled my tunes too.

It's been exhausting!
But as I say - I'm back...
...tomorrow...
...with more of these...

Update time

2009-07-17T18:19:00.008+12:00

I've not really had a lot of home time lately and when I have I've been so exhausted from the rest of the day. I've had to use the bulk of what time I've had to do all the boring things like tidy the house, cook and just blob to recover :)

But FINALLY I've had a bit of spare time to whip together some more Little Things kits so I'll be popping them up over the next couple of days. I do struggle with all these ideas for kits in my head... have to start a list to get them out so I can create them with a bit of sense of order.

I wanted to share that Mike and I headed to the "winterless North" last weekend where it was blowing and gale and pouring with rain. We went to see my birth family (if you don't know - I'm an adopted kid) as it was my birth-fathers 50th birthday.

It was so good to hang out with them but there really are no words to explain just how strange it feels to be around people who are so much like you but you don't really know. They are so different in so many ways than my family and that just makes them even more interesting to be around. I have 3 bio-brothers who are as weird as I am.... actually weirder ;) Mainly as they know bigger words than me.

As proof of the weirdness... I ask for a group photo and get a brother on brother lap dance routine instead. Sat up til about midnight on the friday night watching these with Daniel the eldest bio-bro...

My birth father is an artist. His medium is lithography and I am totally in awe of the detail he puts into his work... I snuck a couple of photos...

Their house is like a gallery and Mike and I spent ages just walking around and taking them all in. It was also cool to talk to some of their friends who are artists too. These people are passionate and fasinating to the point where I felt really dwarfed and didn't really know what to say. They are equally as passionate about music and I found a fellow Imogen Heap fan of sorts so that was a wwheew moment.

Another cool thing, my birth-mother and bio-grandmother are both into scrapbooking too! They both pulled out their pages for me. I'm heading back up there in September to go to my very first scrap weekend in Kerikeri... yip it'll be a mammoth drive.

Oh and just to end... token photo of my lil nephew... 3 months now...

MJ

2009-07-08T07:05:00.002+12:00

This is just for me... to remember that he was and he went. That I felt so moved. That I cried. That I remember, remember singing and dancing along to HIStory in my room... a CD my dad brought and I claimed as my own. He used to get mad when he'd see those 2 empty spots in the CD spinner. I never had posters, tshirts or a sequined glove.

But I heard the frustration in his later songs and they spoke to my teenage angst in the 90s. I would Scream with him and still tear up to Man in the Mirror.

He was for and of the world... I am up this morning watching his memorial and am so glad I am. Sitting in the middle of the lounge singing along to Heal the World and tears streaming down my face. I will remember this too.

Cropping in the Tron

2009-07-05T08:45:00.006+12:00

9 chickas... Vicky, Bridget, Maria, Penny, Raewyn, Vicki, Tracey and myself....
...oh and THE Trina McClunie... ;) haha.

A guest who turned up on his motorcycle ;) The super cute Mr Arlo.

...fresh from a icecream date with his Aunty Bridget.

Free Prima goodies from SBO...

A nice warm room... it's the sunday school room so has all sort of goodies stuck to the walls and hanging from the ceiling... my fav was the orca with the cup jelly fish hanging underneath, cute.

Sugary goodies and Marias yummy cooking....

Paper and glue....

Good times.

We seriously plan to do this again in about 3 months... will keep you posted :)

Crickets and tumbleweeds...

2009-06-27T07:26:00.005+12:00

But there's been a LOT on...

A couple of highlights...
We went to an army themed party of our old (no pun - he's only 30) flatmates birthday.
Had father-in-law and partner come and stay...
Went to the new Transformers movie... ;) Rad
Had a raging bout of the flu for like 3 weeks!
Driving one of the students at work and her friends to the ball tonight in the big orange car...

As such I've not been up to too much creatively... (mainly because when an in-law comes all the junk is thrown into my scrap room - haha)...

(little owlies coming to a Little Things Kit really soon)

BUT that shall ALL CHANGE this week!

Vicky and I are hosting a crop in Hamilton next saturday... if you're keen to join us let me know - we still have about 4 or so seats available. It'll be a blast I promise :)

They don't get it

2009-06-11T18:55:00.002+12:00

"What should I call this kit?"
"Poo"
"But there's no song called Poo"
"Peas and carrots"
"It looks sorta country colours... but I can't find a song I like"
"Magaritaville"
"NO! That give you ideas of alcohol not country stuff"
"Well call it Peas and Carrots then"...

*sigh*... boys just don't get it do they... although I am really tempted now to just call it Peas and Carrots and be done with it....

New stuff.... ish

2009-06-04T18:34:00.007+12:00

Mike got a new car... yes it's a Holden...
and I got a new haircut... that's almost even right haha....

almost as short as I used to have it...

This post has no real point... in case you could tell. I'm sitting here stratching my head on how to market my new Little Things Kits.... hmmm... might just have to keep eating this chocolate til it comes to me.

Lots of Little Things

2009-06-02T07:35:00.008+12:00

Yay... plus 2 more coming later in the week!

Plus I just quickly wanted to share my last 2 Design Team layouts as seen in the Ezine... I just like them ;)

Busy Girl

2009-06-01T06:40:00.007+12:00

Wowsers... look at that... AGES since I blogged.

I have my reasons... I've just been a BUSY BUSY GIRL.

So what's been the haps... well I've been making little things for The Little Things.

Also working on a bit of a get together behind the scenes... and

We had our friends Shelly and Jared come stay this weekend with their lil girl Kayley. She's so friggin cute - her dads a hunter and she can do a stag roar just like daddy.

My term with the SBO DT is officially over :( as of yesterday. It was such fun and the girls are super lovely so I hope they all stay around the boards. The new Ezine is out with our round up and layouts... I did a how to on this lil brag book I made for my mama and it introduces the new DT too.

We've been to a couple of Cheifs games and were gutted that they made it all the way to the finals but not quite to the top...sigh.

Mike seems to be coming down with a touch of the flu. Just what you want on a long weekend. Poor boy.

So really I just popped in to say hey... maybe soon I'll come back with some layouts to share.

Later today I'll be popping some new Little Things up over there - cause there's only ONE kit that's not sold out now :) eek. Hee hee.

zooooooooom

2009-05-10T12:21:00.002+12:00

This is a really really flying visit...
I HAVE to scrap TODAY!
I am stoked to have a pile of papers form Rose Moka sitting on my scrap table - honestly this is the first I'd heard of them but I LOVE THEM! Have to scrap! Ekk!

Also I have to tell you about the competition I've posted at It's The Little Things" - CLICK TO CHECK IT OUT! PLUS I've posted 3 new kits there too!

PLUS PLUS: I'm posting the challenges for May at SBO so head there to check them out - the first one is to celebrate May being NZ Music Month.

Super

2009-04-30T07:19:00.005+12:00

Wow this week has been busy... again. Well not that I've been out of the house other than to go to work... but I've been super busy making stuff for The Little Things. I'm getting into it big time and am SUPER EXCITED to get some of these kits launched.

I'm down to only 1 left of the 2nd kit which is awesome. I don't have a set plan just yet on how often I'll post them on the site but I will just keep surprising you ;) hee hee. And sending out big loves to the girls who've brought the first kits... thanks massively for the support XX.

The lounge is slowly getting back to normal (sloooowly) and I HAVE TO PACK to go to Vickys on saturday! I still have some of the yummy Sassafras from SBO left to play with and the girls have all been setting our challenges ready for National Scrapbooking Day so make sure you check out the forum. It's going to be a one day event with midnight as the deadline so you gotta be in to win!

In other home news my poor kitty Bella got her lady bits taken care of yesterday so she's sore and doesn't understand why I won't let her outside. Poor kitty. :(

Soyeah thats all for now

Phew...

2009-04-26T18:18:00.004+12:00

QUICK EDIT: OK so excited... my first mini kit sold out already! And I'm not ready to blog again! So instead I just popped in to let you know I just loaded another TWO mini kits! GO HAVE A LOOKY ;)

...it's been a weekend of in theory doing nothing, but I think I just feel that way because I didn't really leve the house exceptto attend the ANZAC service... I strongly believe in attending each year and each year I am brought to tears.

I am looking forward to the next week... think Mike is too as I clear the living room and head back into my scrap room. The Little Things has really taken over in the last week and I have LOVED it but it's time to get it sorted now it's"live".

I also have to head back in there to pack for National Scrapbooking Day. I have the pleasure of spending the day with Vicky and her sister scrapping away. There will be stuff happening - challenges etc - at Scrapbook Outlet so in case I don't check in again before hand make sure you come see us there. NSD is Saturday 2nd May.

And if you wanna get yourself some goodies to play with NSD be sure to have a look... I launched the VERY FIRST EVER Little things mini kit... exciting :)

Big breath...

2009-04-26T07:58:00.005+12:00

...brave face...
...here you go...

PS: JUST in case anyone decides to get their panties in a bunch, I have discussed my new adventure with the people I like who might be bothered by it that they are a-ok ;)

Chocka

2009-04-21T07:03:00.007+12:00

I know I know... I've been busting to get on here and blog...

I have SOOOO much to share AND I am finally gettig close to launching project I've been working on since last year... life kept getting busy and it's constantly being put on a back burner but I'm getting there and should be able to share by the weekend... yay.

We had a HUGE (yes ther are lots of capitals in this post but it needs them) week last week... I'll just give you a taste.

Firstly my nephew was born! Yay! Introducing Lucas to the world... no doubt you will see a LOT of him here ;)

How cute is that tounge ;)

Then we were at Hahei for most of the week. We had awesome weather considering it's getting on in the year. We tented in the camp ground there and went snorkeling, walked to Cathedral Cove, dug a hole at Hot Water Beach and generally just chilled.

I've been playing with some of the new Sassafras Lass papers... the ranges are called Anthem and Bungle Jungle. I LOVE Sassafras Lass... hands down favourite manufacturer right now ;)

Then we spent the weekend cheering on Holden at the Hamilton 400... we won't talk about the outcome of that one though :(

All in all it was a good week... full on though and I'm sorta looking forward to the weekend :)

Relearning

2009-04-10T18:18:00.011+12:00

Good Friday was just that... good.
Well truth be told it woulda been better if my allergies didn't flare up but it was good in other ways.

My mama and dada came to visit and brought lunch with them. My dad saw that I had pulled out my guitar (which used to be his). I told him I've been dying to get back into it but I can't tune her. So he tuned her up for me - yah. So weird that I remember a little wenny bit considering I haven't played since high school. Trust me I am no Dave Grohl... not even at Wiggles level really but I was strumming away a little Pink Floyd in a couple of hours. FYI I hate C chord ;) My stubby fingers can't reach properly.

This week I also rediscovered the joy of the going to the library. I haven't been to our local library since we first moved here 5 years ago. I checked out a stack of books that are sitting on my bedside table ready to come with us on holiday. If you've read anything good lately let me know! Oh and you know it's winter when the bed is officailly no longer yours.
Andrea sent me a box with some of the new Sassafrass papers. Honestly my FAV scrapbooking paper range. I always use it all... it's super me. So I am scrapping with that right now.
My brothers lil man is hanging in there so it might be another week before we're aunty and uncle yet.

Also wanted to share some sites I am loving at the mo:
Frankie is hands down... like right right down... my favourite magazine ever - plus I love their site.
Fred Flare: SUPER cute - I want it all esp this .
Also Present and Correct has all these cute retro office supplies
Meet Me At Mikes... not my Mike... he's not crafty ;)
Loved this movie - going to own it soon.
This girls voice is haunting... I'm seriously in awe.

Well that's all from me for now. I am heading to the scrap room for the rest of the day then packing later... we are officially on holiday for a week so heading off on a little adventure.

Things you need to know

2009-03-31T19:43:00.006+13:00

This is happening over at SBO right now...

In fact it's been happening all week long - just I've been so flat out I haven't had a chance to let you all know!

Vicky's just posted a few challenges for tonight... one of which came from lil ol me. Using the Harajuku girls style as inspiration for a layout...

I have been so gutted at how little time I've had to play along. I have done 3 layouts... just have to get to the big computer to upload them. Their all up over at SBO but I'm struggling to get photos in the daylight :( sigh.

Also the Ezine is out! I did a mini book for it.... it's called This Girls Life and it's a 21 question interveiw with yourself. Fun to pull out all those "one day" items from your stash and use them for something cool for you that others can read in years to come....and all the design team girls whipped up cheap cheap layouts. It was seriously fun but then I love using weird things on my pages a lot anyway hee hee.

One day weekend again this week... looking forward to tomorrow and all it promises... frappacino and possible movie date with my Mike. Have a good one all...

Get ready!

2009-03-24T18:16:00.003+13:00

That Andrea...
She's up to something...
It's both sneaky... and huge...
CLICK HERE and get ready for friday...

I'm ready... I've brought contact paper and new paint...
Also IN LOVE with my new printer. Honestly... love love love.
Ready to get my scrap on!

Plus loving that it's geting cold in the mornings... winters a coming... yay! Although I do wanna go camping again soon so maybe not too cold just yet. Cheers mother nature.

March!

2009-03-16T07:33:00.005+13:00

OK so it seems I turned 29 and fell sdtraight off the blogosphere there haha
It's been full on at work over the last two weeks and if I've had spare time over week I've be at it hammer and tong in the scrap room.

Yes, I scrapped AND there is a new Ezine coming soon - it'll be a good one ;)

Check out my layouts HERE and sign up HERE if you want the Ezine emailed straight to you when it hits the web!

We did spend the weekend after my birthday in the big, big smoke of Auckland. Went to a place called Ginas for dinner - loved it! So close to real Italian... sigh. Also we went to the Auckland Muesum and saw a dinosaur.

Coming up we have more and more work - stocktake season - but it's a good thing really... and then a mini break. Still have no idea where or what we are going to do but it's something to look forward to none the less.
I really need to get into that scrap room now and tidy up - my new look room is still working but you should see the desk, and the floor right now!

Wham

2009-02-26T07:02:00.002+13:00

I just got older...

Went to bed and wham... woke up old...

Well really that will happen next year when the big 3-0 hits...

Thanks and big massive love to Jes and Paula for my cards :)

Off to work, dinner, friday off to shop with mama, weekend of fun...

The Tour

2009-02-23T19:31:00.002+13:00

OK so I can barely type because SOMEONE (not me) spilled coke in the keyboard and it's sticking!
But I decided to do a little video tour of my new scrap room...
So if you have 10 minutes of your life to throw away have a watch ;)

Neens Scraproom from MikeandNeen on Vimeo.

Heads up...

2009-02-17T21:11:00.003+13:00

Have been pretty sick again so this is a short post... sorry...

Firstly have to let you know that the DT at SBO uploaded their February goodies in the gallery on Sunday.

Secondly... the big clean out has found some goodies that I'm going to flick off on TM so head on over and have a look see....

Once I'm over this new bug I'll update... :)

Happening

2009-02-12T07:43:00.006+13:00

Going out today...

I couldn't match everyones colours so I hope that you find something exciting to play with even if the rest gets junked ;)

More of this...

and this....

...soon.

FEBRUARY!

2009-02-01T09:36:00.004+13:00

FEBRUARY!
Seriously? Already...
Wowsers.

Life is still pretty busy here but at least this week I haven't been sick... the odd headache here and there but generally sweet as.
I've been spending all my free time in the scrap room giving it a MAJOR over haul... it doesn't really look that major but I am getting rid of HEAPS of stuff and really just trying to make a new way of sorting everything.
It's really opening my eyes to how much stuff I forgot I had... really cool stuff too. I'm dying to get it done so I can get stuck in a use it!

So here's my point...
I grabbed a wad of A4 envelopes and I wanna fill them with stuff and send them to YOU! But only if you want it...
So what I need you to do is email me your address to kiwineen@gmail.com and let me know you fav colour.. to scrap with or in general... and I can fill an envelope with stuff and send it your way :)

Not sure how I will survive well all the new CHA stuff hits the country... haha

Also the EZine just hit the "shelf"... check it out HERE

Happy sunday everyone!

QUICK UPDATE: Seems it's lucky I'm making room!!!!

So excited... check this out..... CLICK

Retail therapy

2009-01-26T22:26:00.002+13:00

OK so we didn't get to the BIG ticket stuff I thought we would but hey we did some serious retail therapy ;)

So I spent all last night dragging, dropping, sorting, deleting and saving thousands of photos. Honestly it's such a relief it have this little lump of piece of mind. It's something we've been meaning to do for AGES and now I have a whole terrabyte to play with! Yay!

Also got the Amos Lee CD I was after and some Sophie Ellis-Bextor for $9.98 each! Rad.

And of course... frappicino...
Hahahha how do you know when a problem becomes a real problem ;)

CAN'T stop listening to this song!!!
Getting the CD asap... (update - just grabbed it on the way home... I'm so in love).

I figured I deserved it after today... three words... Back... To... School...

Good lord it just SO full on the week before school!

I am off to redo my scrap room... I know I know... I said I was going to share when I moved to the new room but I just haven't been happy with it... I will share (fingerss crosed) after this next major sort out.

I'm normal and have the test results to prove it

2009-01-24T07:09:00.006+13:00

From the edge of the grave...
Well not so much.. but yet another week of being bed and sometimes lounge floor, ridden.
I finally convinced the Dr to get me n for a blood test... and guess what..
NOTHING! Zip... I'm NORMAL! Who would have known.
Don't get me wrong - it's not like I wanted something to be really wrong... just something small... some easy fix answer for why I am always this way. *sigh*

Oh well at least I am on the other side of this round... and after my 3rd trip to the pharmacy I decided Body Shop mango body wash was in order. Yummo.

I have tried to scrap over the last week and a half... I did manage to pull out a challenge layout from the forum at SBO and another one inspired by all the Audrey films I've been watching... my dream of owning a vespa...

I love Audrey and loving that a lot of her films are in Paris... my fav city :) If you can get your mitts on one on DVD settle in one night for some Audrey love. Mike brought me the box set for Christmas :) lucky.

We have ourselves a 3 day weekend here and with me being crook we have nothing planned at all. Although I am excited for today... hitting the Tron and maybe just maybe doing some really grownup shopping. One up side to all the doom and gloom (which I am SO sick of by the way) is that a lot of places are rocking out interest free deals so we might just take them up and get ourselves some new gears :) and Chocolate Chip Frappicino... ah how I've missed you...

Yes

2009-01-16T21:44:00.003+13:00

Saw the movie...

Loving the book...

and loving her...

She is Zooey Deschanel... she stars in the movie and she is stylie and she is in a group called band She and Him... I added a song to the playlist ;)

Busy stuff

2009-01-12T19:18:00.006+13:00

I've been busy
Really busy...

I had a visit from my biological brother and his wife... it was rad. It's so weird how much you can see yourself in someone that you didn't grow up with at all.

And at work it's the busiest time of the year for me... Back to School... whew.

So I am loving having something nice and relaxing to do when I get home... watching Roman Holiday and scrapping with the new Cosmo Cricket Chemistry range from SBO...

All good things :)

Anyone want a bargin

2009-01-04T21:21:00.000+13:00

So...
I've had a play with the Slice...
but I'm just not getting into it *sigh*
Don't get me wrong it's an AWESOME machine... I am honestly impressed with it... I guess I just don't see me using it long term... doesn't really suit my rip it/paint it/masking tape style :)
I just wanted to let you guys know that I'm selling it on Trade Me and with my exhausted hospital brain I set the reserve wrong... my stupidity, your gain :)

See the listing here: http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=195952109

Crashing into 2009

2009-01-03T11:26:00.003+13:00

Sorry if you read both our blogs but it's just too long winded to type twice :)

So it was all going according to plan and then went a bit wrong at the end.We both had to work new years eve but I’d packed the car all ready to hit the road straight away. It took us 2.5 hours to get to Wenderholm, a reserve just up past Waiwera (Auckland). We got the tent up and settled in with Dan, Ash and their friends and a few drinks and drinking games.Then the rain came.We were all huddled under a gazebo that we couldn’t fit under so were hanging out the sides with umbrellas. once we all decided to turn in everyone seemed to find a leak in their tents… the rain was just too heavy. Mike grabbed the spade and dug a small trench outside our door to stop the water coming in too far (everyone had laughed when we turned up with a spade!).
By morning the sun was BEATING down… crazy hot. We headed for the beach and set up under the pohutakawas with books and games. It was an amazingly chilll day… like a real holiday should be. Mike and Dan went for a swim… and apparently that’s were it went wrong… I didn’t find out til later.After dinner Mike told me… he heart had gone into AF when he was in the water. This is only 7 hours later… naughty boy.So we jump in the car and hit the traffic jam into the city. We were in Emergency Care til 3.30am when the charge nurse tried to tell me I had to leave… and go where at 3.30am… home? Sleep in the car? Grrr… But the ward staff were lovely. They let me stay and even gave me a pillow. But a chair is never a bed and I got about 30 minutes sleep once I gave up and hit the tv room. Because Mike had eaten we had to wait. At 11.30 yesterday morning Mike was jump started again and is happily back in rhythm. I often think he has it easier… he at least gets to got to sleep while I pace the halls outside waiting for news.It was the same story as all the times before, just a different setting. We are getting a great collection of discharge papers from hospitals around the world now.That was our new years… hoping yours was less eventful than ours. Although having sat in an emergency room for 5 hours you realise just how much worse we could have it. Doesn’t stop it being scary though.

Boxing day break

2008-12-30T08:00:00.005+13:00

We had a great mini break after christmas at Cooks Beach.
We only got 2 nights away but it was better than nothing. Had a swim. Watched a family get their 4x4 all but claimed by the sea (they got it out after about 30 minutes but it was pretty munted - how NOT to get a boat in). Took the ferry to Whitianga and had lunch. Got dried apple slices and macadaima nuts from the organic stall. Went fishing with our friends Blair and Lynda. It was really chilled out... wicked.
Back home and back to work... for now...
Have a SAFE and happy new years where ever you find yourself.

Thanks for being a friend in 2008 - hope you'll keep stopping by in 2009!
XXX

Uh oh...

2008-12-22T07:54:00.002+13:00

Yip she's back...

Santa picked her up yesterday..

Nana rang on saturday night... she can't handle her. Too much engery... but hey thats what kittens do.

She's being a terror... haha

Big day

2008-12-21T07:37:00.002+13:00

I am excited for the day.
Big things... well small things really but exciting things.
Santa is shopping today so my lil sis is coming to play with pape and scissors. Although that stocking under the tree is already a different shape that it was on friday... hmm.
Then a bbq in the (fingers crossed) sunshine.
And a very very special delievery... thats the really big thing... exciting - will post with photos later ;) sneaky sneaky hahaha.

Flying by

2008-12-19T12:26:00.003+13:00

Mmmm.... gingerbread loaf and frappacino... and my new friend.

We've finally confirmed our two massive 2 day camping trips to 2 different places over the next couple of weeks... a lot of driving but hey a break is a break right.

Mike keepsasking what I want for Christmas but I really don't know what to tell him. I've been so busy shopping for everyone else. Hopfully I'll get a chance to wrap them tonight. I've been playing a little with my new Slice and my lil sis is coming to scrap on sunday so I WILL get caught up on that December daily... haha remember that.

6 more sleeps...

Last Ever

2008-12-16T18:40:00.003+13:00

Am usless (what else is new I hear you cry) and need to tell you important stuff.
This month is the very last ever ever ever Kiwi Jack Me Up...
Sad but we are out on a high cause Niella of KitsandPieces is the Jackee and has emailed to say she'll foot some goodies for prizes. Rad!
So join in... I was lucky enough to get sent some lil cuties by Niella... super stuff.

My Mad Cap Calender

2008-12-09T19:27:00.005+13:00

Lots to talk about but oh so tired.

To say we've been busy is an understatement...

Dec 1: Write out invites to customer night, start Christmas cards at the same time.

Dec 2: A day to get sorted and scrapbook a little... still waiting to finish that layout

Dec 3: "It's a Wonderful Life" a the Regent Theatre.

Dec 4: Customer night at work... long day, work til 9.30pm.

Dec 5: Pick up the kitten. Work on Christmas gifts.

Dec 6: Christmas BBQ with friends.

Dec 7: Pick out and decorate the tree.

Dec 8: Made some homemade decor for the house.

Dec 9: More Christmas cards! Make em, write em send em... UPDATE BLOG!

And it's not about to stop in a hurry...

Dec 10: Visit the lights around town

Dec 11: Shopping day! Go shopping with mum and visit Vicky.

Dec 12: Mormon Temple to see the lights... Garden Place to see the giant tree lit up

Dec 13: Christmas parade in town and then Mike's work do,

Dec 14: Drop off the kitten and head to Christmas in Cambridge

Dec 15: Back to School 2009 stock starts turning up at work

Dec 16:

Dec 17: Twilight!

Dec 18:

Dec 19:

Dec 20: Working... it'll be a LONG day

Dec 21: Work BBQ at the bosses

Dec 22:

Dec 23:

Dec 24: Christmas Eve

Dec 25: CHRISTMAS DAY!

There are some gaps but no doubt they will get filled really fast...

Whew!

Hopefully this weekend I will have a chance to actch up om my December Daily album... it is coming along thanks to the new print lab at the Warehouse here in town.

HUGE thank you to Trace and Paula for the gorgeous christmas cards, they just highlight my lack of cardmaking skills... and to Michelle for the little envelope of goodies I got from you... you are awesome and it has to be said... despite me and others being useless :)

We have a foster child

2008-12-05T21:33:00.002+13:00

For a week or so...

Until my nana is unpacked and the house is kitten ready...

Trying not to get attached...

Damm, too late...

Insert sarcastic tone

2008-11-29T08:21:00.003+13:00

Hope everyone has an exciting weekend lined up... I asked Mike last night what we'd be up to, his answer "Tidying up the section"... AWESOME (insert sarcastic tone right there). But here it;'s still the weekend right.

Idid however just post a bit of a how to for these on the SBO blog... click here to check it out.

I get to start on my December daily album as of monday... I have got a LOT happening in December and I think it's becuase I made that album and I wanna fill it with something more interesting that "got up, went to work" each day.

Well thats me for now. I will hopefully finish my scrap room this weekend so I can share more of that too.

Who loves shopping?

2008-11-27T20:49:00.004+13:00

So now that I've shopped I can share.. there is a MASSIVE sale on at SBO right now... trust me you wanna look.
I had to be really really good because (fingers crossed because the last shipment sold out like straight away) one of these is coming to live at my house really really soon.

Happy dance :)
Still happily scrapping... and lovin this kit still... Have to go... guilty pleasure tv is starting.