where has my sidebar gone

Just testing to see if I post something if it will come back.

And it did. Whew!! Was panicking a bit then. That's my main linkage to other sites.

While I'm here I might as well share a LO I did for Scrapbook Studio for a challenge I set to make your own p/p to use as a background or on your LO somewhere. I did my back ground with these cute foam Star stamps from SS.

Look out for a new NZ Dare this Friday coming. It's a goodie!!

Fiskars

I really need to update more often don't I. So much has happened since my last post over 2 months ago - how shocking is that!!
Well I guess I am finally posting because I have some news. I am one of a new team of NZ Fiskars Ambassadors. It's all very exciting and I am absolutely rapt to be part of this awesome team. Go here to see the rest of the team.
The NZ Dares are about to take a small break over Xmas so make sure you check out the latest dare sponsored by Scrapbook Outlet NZ. You have till Wednesday to enter.

Well what can I say

It's been over a month since my last post (sounds like an AA meeting) and so much has happened. I am so sick of dial-up (another reason why I haven't been blogging), it just takes so long and if you try to have more than one window open it's even worse... oh how I long for Broadband where you can have more than 2 windows open and they all actually load up. But alas we can't get Broadband where I live, b.g..r it.

So what has been happening. Well we have just added 3 new members to the NZ Dare team. I'm sure you all know Vicky Gibson, Donna Meuli and Sharon Topliss. Check out the blog for their links. I know they will be incredibly inspiring and a great addition to the team. And check out the latest dare too - it's a really cool one. See my layout below.

We've also added 2 new members to the Scrap the Teenz team. Ann McLachlan and Sarah Groen. Check the blog for their links. How cool is that. All these wonderful scrappers I'm having the pleasure to scrap with so to speak. And we also have a great teen theme for you to scrap if you have teens or even if you don't, why not scrap about their MUSIC. See my layout below.

Other great news is that I made it through the first round of Last Scrapper Standing. So excited to be amongst such awesome scrappers... Hehe that always sounds funny to me - 'scrappers'. See my layout below also - we had to use 8 transparent elements on the one layout. I used 4 MME Bohemia and 4 Hambly.

What else, hhmmm, oh yeah how can I forget, I am staying on with Up2Scrap magazine as a Senior Designer, LOL, that sounds posh doesn't it. Will be great fun. I love working for Up2Scrap.

Oh and this was my Amber jack I did for that Scrapjacked dare - see post below.

More Scrapjacked layouts and the latest NZ Dare

This was my Nisa jack for Scrapjacked and I was so rapt to have it chosen in the favourites.

The latest NZ Dare is a 1,2,3,4 challenge from Andrea. I've used one piece of Crate p/p, 2 rub ons at the top of the photo (American Crafts and BG), 3 pieces of material and 4 embellies (star brads). I found the photo in the garage while cleaning it out last weekend. I actually found heaps of my old treasures buried away in there.

So at the moment Scrapjacked are having a grandjack to scrap 3 former members of the Effers all at once. Here are my Ashley jack above and my Missy jack below. So much fun!! Check out the originals here.

I bought a Lomo Fisheye camera on Trademe recently and it is so much fun to play with, not a serious camera, more for fun, but cool. Of course it's a film camera so can't share any photos yet. Am going to use some of them on my AmberNichole jack. I'm also looking out for a Polaroid camera. You can do cool as image transfers with the photos and I think it could be heaps of fun when you're with a bunch of friends.

Recent layouts

This one is for the latest NZ Dare to 'Use your scraps'. We have all enjoyed this so much and have found creating our layouts so fast. Just grab a handful of scraps that are lying around and just use those on your layout. You'll be amazed at the result and how quick it is. There is also a great sponsor for this dare - CherryArte - so go for it and give this one a go you'll love it.

And this was for the previous NZ Dare about Kiwi Slang. If you haven't already, you have to try this 6x12 size, so cool and fun to do.

This layout was for Scrapjacked for the August challenge to scrap the Effers. This was the Kristina jack.

And this was the Meg jack

And this is the Gen jackAnd lastly my latest Scrap the Teenz layout to scrap their soft side

This made me happy ...

... when it arrived in the mail yesterday.Here's the original!! and the mag is hot.

Here's a couple of clowns, but we had a good time clowning around, hehe. This is my sample layout for the sketch below. Don't those black fro's stand out.
And this is my challenge layout. Check out the links in the post below for a fibrelicious, scallop edged, stitched textural fun challenge.

So gutted we can't see Christina Aguillera tonight. I feel sorry for her though, people are angry, but honestly I'd rather see her perform well than perform badly cause she's not well and be put off her. Not that I think I could be put off her; was so looking forward to seeing that little lady with that powerful voice belt it out, oh well, let's hope she comes back one day.


Head on over to the Scrapbook Studio forum and check out the cool competition for August and this sketch challenge. Some great prizes up for grabs too.

And look out for a cool new dare on NZ Dares tonight. I can't believe we have been daring you guys for a year now. It has been fun and we hope to continue to keep up the good work as you all seem to think we do, which is so nice to hear.

Exciting news

I started a new job on Tuesday at Scrapbook Studio as Assistant Manager. It's going to be so great working with Lisa and the shop is looking fantastic. There's a lot of new product in the shop and new staff including tutors, with some great classes coming up. Check out the website and sign up on the forum.

There's a new theme on the Scrap the Teenz blog about scrapping your teens sport and/or hobby. I scrapped about James' surfing. He has been surfing competitively since he was 13. These photos are from the Maori Nationals last November. Loving scrapping the 6x12 size.

I jacked Ruth Cahill

Here's my layout for the Scrapjack on the Kiwi Jack-Me-Up blog. Great layout Ruth and team. I loved putting this together. Thanks for the inspiration.

Just like to share some recent layouts. This layout is for the Anniversary dare for No 8 Wired. It is about Everyday Moments based on Nic Howard's new book That's Life.
The journalling reads:
'Every week day we spend an hour in the car together driving. It's become a good time to catch up & just talk about things. I've been thankful for this time together that has made us quite close'.
Loved using the 6 x 12 size too.
Go check out the other great layouts. We have some great prizes up for grabs from Fiskars.
This layout was for our recent Scrap the Teenz blog theme. The Crazy things we do for our teens.
And this layout was for the previous Scrap the Teenz theme - Achievements.

No 8 Wired - NZ Dares - TURNS *1*.

Yeehaa, yep that's right, a whole year of daring challenges and great inspiration.

Make sure you go check No 8 Wired tonight for a great anniversary dare, a great guest designer

and some great prizes.

Scrapcamp photos

Yolande, tour guide, Chris and I at Te Puia Spings in Rotorua
Kirsty, Yolande and Chris at Te Puia Springs


Yolande and I in our retro gear. This was so fun. We had a real laugh in our outfits.
Chris, retro chick, doesn't she look cool. Loved the eyelashes too.

Scrapcamp group photo. What a cool bunch of ladies.
Yolande, Chris and I.

It gets worse every time!! my blogging that is!

So we had Scrapcamp and wow how cool was it!! Wasn't it?? So neat to catch up even for a moment with friends and meet new ones. Thanks soooo much to all our sponsors, what would we do without them. Check Yolandes blog for all the sponsor links.
And wasn't that Chris Millar just the darlingest, loveliest person. I feel so happy to have met her. Her class was divine. And thank you so much Sara Jane for your amazing class. I just can't wait to complete and use it.
Well I've been sick ever since and finally took myself to the doctor yesterday to get some antibiotics. I think it's all psychological you know; once you know you got drugs you start to feel better straight away. I usually like to get over things without them but this one wasn't going away on it's own. The other problem was I had to work everyday ever since cause I had some days off before camp, therefore have not got round to doing this.
But I'm here at last and I also want to thank all the lovely, lovely ladies who came to camp and made it such an awesome weekend. It really makes it all worthwhile.
Thanks Michelle TW too, she is always there to lend a helping hand, and to Trina for helping me cut out hearts - yay for Fiskars demonstrators.
And last but not least to Yolande for all her hard hard work she puts in behind the scenes with all the paperwork, etc.
Will add pics later - promise!!

Here I am!!!

Lots to say too.

1. Scrapcamp is only a week away. OMG I can't believe it's nearly here. SO MUCH FUN IS IN STORE FOR THAT WEEKEND
2. 'Sopranos' has started again - cool.
3. I missed 'Heroes' so much on Monday night.
4. Have been hanging out at this cool place alot lately
5. Monique has started a NZ version of Scrapjacked called Jack Me Up, and an awesome team she has too.
6. Scrap The Teenz blog is GOING OFF
7. I got me some Love Elsie today - can't wait to play
8. Have ordered a Kristina Contes kit too - can't wait to see the fun stuff she's put together for us.
9. Ooh ooh ooh and the Transformers movie is coming. HOW COOL IS THAT!! And how cool do the shorts look!! You have no idea how significant this is to me. James LOOOVED Transformers as a kid and we spent many a day playing and watching Transformers. Optimus Prime was the man. I can't wait to see the movie. James had a heap of Transformer toys that are probably tucked away in the shed somewhere.
10. NZ Dare winner is up. What a fun dare that was and look out for another cool dare tomorrow night!!


So I'm off to Yolandes this weekend to pack kits for Scrapcamp. FUN!! We will be sorting out all the final arrangements. And I'm looking forward to meeting Chris at the airport next Thursday. It's going to be one cool weekend, that's for sure!!

Scrappin Teens

Check out our new Teen inspiration blog - Scrap The Teenz. Wahoo, something I've been tossing around in my head for awhile now and it's finally up and running. Check it out and pass the word around.
And a big thanks to Jo for creating the cool as blog, she's so clever.

I'm so hyped ...

from my weekend at SENZ. It was great meeting the people behind the emails and forum posts and cathing up with friends.
Loved meeting and chatting to Steph from Up2Scrap and Kelly R and talking about fun stuff. Cool to see my ole mates Nic and Lucy and catching up with the ever inspiring No 8 Wired girls. Met the ladies from Paper Pesto, very cool kits. And always love talking to Lisa, she always inspires me. Enjoyed a nice dinner with the ladies from Create, heaps of laughs.
And thanks Tanya for the big hugs, great to see you again.
Oh and my classes went GREAT. I really enjoyed teaching this weekend.

So do you want to know what Jo and I are up to. Can you guess? Check back tomorrow to find out.
And we're still taking Scrapcamp regos but not for much longer, so if you want info or a rego form email me.

SENZ swap pins

I made some!! Just a few but I did it, haven't finished yet but I should have about 20 or so when I've finished this weekend hopefully. Here's a sneak of them - cute little felt heart cushions, hehe.

I'm loving the Pink CD 'I'm not Dead' at the mo. James gave it to me for Mothers Day and it's really cool. There's a song on it she sings with her Dad that he wrote when he was at war in Vietnam. It was the first song she ever learnt. It's really lovely.

And I can't wait till August cause I'm going to Christina Aguillera with Emma, James and Jayde. Wahoo, how exciting - she rocks man. Her voice is incredible. Love her 'Candyman' song at the mo. Very funky. The video is totally cool.

AND Rob and I are going to Steely Dan in September - SO can't wait. That's gonna take us right back to when we were about 18. COOL.

And another ...

... Up2Scrap layout using Trina's photo. Thanks ladies for letting me use your beautiful photos. The photo is mounted on chipboard then cut in half to make doors. Hidden journalling under the 'doors' and I used the Scotch tie downs as door handles. FUN!!

Hi :))

Yes I've left it a bit long again. But I do think about it every day, blogging that is, but the day goes by and I'm too busy and it just gets too late.

Anyway, I got the latest Up2Scrap in the mail yesterday and it's COOL AS. Congrats to everyone in it, great stuff. If you don't already get this mag, you must go out there and find it or SUBSCRIBE, but be in quick cause last month they sold out fast.

Just thought I'd show you one of my layouts in it. My brief was 'Autumn'. I didn't really have any Autumn photos so I was very kindly leant some by 2 lovely ladies. So here's the layout using Lesley's photos. Unfortunately the colours are quite pale in the scan but if you get the mag you can see it better. There's hidden journalling under the flower centre and the wire and beads are wrapped around one of those Scotch tie downs (covered in Kindyglitz) which I used in all my layouts - quite fun when you actually start thinking of different ways to use them. Will show you more tomorrow.

And the latest NZ Dare challenge is to 'Scrap a Childhood photo under 10'. Here's my layout. So get on over there and leave some LOVE and join in the fun.

And Jo and I have something up our sleeves so keep an eye out for something soon OK.

Freestyle share

Now that its almost all over, I thought I'd share some of the cool stuff I did at Freestyle. I loved this weekend so much and I have gone home and finished all but one project and that will be finished soon.

Anyway here are my Kim Henkel 'Random photos that make me Smile' and Emily Falconbridges 'Shiny Happy People' class layouts. It's weird how the scan seems to have washed out the colour of the bottom pipe cleaner on my Kim Henkel layout, it's actually a nice grass green.

Anyway I totally adored these classes, can't wait to have more of a play with these techniques. I love the idea of Kim's layout of adding all those little photos, so effective, and I love pipe cleaners, I have a huge handful in a glass in my scraproom sitting on the table, the colours are so vibrant and cool. I've bought some ink too and I am going to be dyeing up a storm on paper towels.

NZ Dares - Dare # 20 - WOW

We're back into it again. Yay!! Can you believe we're up to Dare # 20 already. Where has the time gone. Check No 8 Wired tonight for a cool new dare with a cool sponsor. We have some awesome dares coming up so keep those entries coming in, we looove to see the different takes on the dares.
And if you don't know about Scrapcamp already, check here for details. We're limiting the numbers this time so send those registrations in if you are wanting to come.
And here's a cool blog about scrapping boy pages I found through Sharon's blog.

Heidi Swapp scrapjacked

Scrapjacking the wonderful Heidi Swapp - how cool.

Here's my jack; inspired by the background masking/stencilling? and the handwriting. FUN!!

Freestyle Tutors ROCK!!

What a FANTASTIC weekend. Thank you so much to the Kiwiscraps team for putting on such a fab weekend and bringing to NZ such inspiring and LOVELY ladies.

The highlight for me was attending Emily's Wall Art class on Sunday. It was her last class of the weekend and just a small one. What a great project, in fact I loved both the classes I did of hers. Right up my alley. I won't say too much, just that if you like her stuff you will absolutely love her classes and her. So she sat with us and we all just chatted away while we worked our way through the project. Just awesome, she is lovely.

I also LOVED Kim Henkels classes. What a beautiful person she is and such a great tutor. As most of you know I love playing with pipe cleaners (ala Kim Henkel) so was really looking forward to her classes and I loved them. Felt, stitching and pipe cleaners, YUM YUM.

Tia Bennett, so much energy and enthusiasm, so much so that I wanted to go straight to the room on Saturday night and finish the layout we started in her class. Gorgeous layouts. Textural feasts.

On Friday night we attended a fun crop night of make n takes run by the international tutors. What a great night with lots of fun techniques learnt. And my fav was Rhonna Farrers using up scraps of paper and felt and buttons etc, so cool. Loved the result of all the projects put together. Can't show you a pic now cause my bag with it in got mixed up with everyones stuff and has ended up in Papamoa at Yolandes, LOL.

Had a great time on Saturday night cropping in our room with Yolande, Delys, Sheryl, Michelle, Eileen and Sandra. Thanks Delys for the drinks, LOL.

I'll leave you with a pic of me looking through Emily's Art Journal cards - so cool IRL. Also a pic of her in the process of making one.

18 Today

It's my boys 18th birthday today.

Happy Birthday James.

SENZ sneak peaks

Here are mine and Lee's SENZ class sneak peeks. They are such fun cool classes. Email Scrappin Downunder to book in or go here for more info. I also had fun making these little storyboards for the first time, hehe, using one of these templates.

Street Art dare and more

I finally did my Street Art dare layout. I was determined to find the inspiration I needed and sure enough driving into Pukekohe one day I found it. On a building on the edge of the Pukekohe racecourse. I drove past it and you know how that light bulb goes off in your head and you know just what to do, well I spun around because luckily I had my camera in the car and snapped it. How cool is this graffiti, just the right word for my page title.

And you know how I said I was keeping up with Emily's Deck of Cards Art Journal, well not anymore, I'm way behind. Here are the next few up to Week 7 - oops better hurry up and catch up. I think I'm about 5 weeks behind.

Week 5 - Use some ephemera from your week

Week 6 - Love, Love, Love

Week 7 - Shoes - there is always a story

Yeehaa - Scrapcamp details are out now. Check the Scrapcamp blog for info. We have 2 amazing tutors coming too.

Have you checked out the great dares on No. 8 Wired. If you're going to Freestyle Downunder you might want to check this out to get a taste of the awesome talent coming our way very soon.

Check out the NZ Dare blog tomorrow night for something EXTRA fun and exciting. Yes an EXTRA dare which we know you will LOVE.

Watch this space!!

Hope you enjoy my brushes I had heaps of fun making them and have ideas for more. I'd love to see how you use them so please link me up if you do.

Watch this space for an update this week!!! So exciting. You will not want to miss this! And a wee clue... we're looking at flight times from overseas to NZ trying to make arrangements. Not long now till all is revealed! But email Yolande at kandyfenneman@actrix.co.nz if you want to be added to the newsletter list. Those that have attended before are already on the list but any newbies please feel free to email Yolande. Details will be going out early next week (just waiting to confirm a few details).

Brushes

OK let's try this. Here's a sampling of some of the brushes I made. If you like them hopefully you can click on the picture and go to the download place and there's a couple more sets there if you want them too.

And here's a pic of Emma using some of them.

Bad, bad weather

Windy, wet and stormy. Last night my poor dogs had to come inside they were so scared of the thunder and lightning. It's so rough at the beach, 6 metre swells, very scary looking.

Did you see my new banner??

A share in case you didn't manage to get your hands on the latest Up2Scrap, cause apparently they've all sold out. You might be lucky to find one in a stationers somewhere. Awesome mag this month.

I'm just gonna do it ...

... I think I've been avoiding posting on my blog because I just have so much to say at the moment and trying to remember it all, the idea was just too much apart from the time factor. Anyway I've decided to just try and post a bit each day as I think of things.
So first and foremost I have to say how proud I am of my girl. She went out and got herself a parttime job as a waitress in a restaurant, so cool, and a really great job too.
Also she won discus at school athletics last week for her level. She threw an almighty 18 something metres and the closest to her was 16 something. She's always been good at that. :))) She's off today to the Counties athletics.

Check out my SENZ classes here and email scrappin.downunder@xtra.co.nz if you want to book in or want more info.

I have made some really cool Photoshop brushes (I know, wasting time doing that when I should be doing other stuff but it's very addictable) and I just need to work out how to make a zip file downloadable from my blog if anyone can help.

Found this cool site too.