SENZ

SENZ has been an exciting opportunity to introduce Stampin' Up onto the NZ crafting scene. The lead up and organising has been exhausting for Rachael, Tracy and I as we all have full time jobs. Today first looked daunting because the retailers just had massive amounts of amazing products on show but with our door prize as the draw card we were kept very busy. Of course we had to have Stamp Zone across from us. We in our 3x3 meter booth and them stretched out for at least 12 meters. There were many that had not heard of SU but I was also quite amazed at those who knew about the company already. The prize winner for today goes to Robin Flemming of Onehunga. Congrats to you Robin with your basket of goodies and a free catalogue. I have met so many lovely people. One in particular is a sweet little lady from Ashurst called Nell who came up to SENZ with seven friends. They sound like they are having a blast and I look forward to knowing them a little better in the future. I tried to resist buying anything but was very hard so of course I had to let myself go. ha. Found some frangipani primas at Hastings Rubber Stamping, was late twice for the 'Cricut' demonstration and made it the secound time. Sorry Nell - I was in the middle of talking to her and her friend when I left abruptly at a run. Might not have been a good thing that I made it to the demo though, as I had a dream last night with a subliminal voice over whispering " . . . gotta have one, gotta have one . . . " :)

My little friend Eli

My little friend Eli has a special 8th birthday today. I got up early (0500hrs) to make a card for him but I wasn't happy with anything until I looked at my monograms and thought 'duhh!' This small shadow box frame is one that I've had for about 5 years and so finally I get to do something with it. I used the SU Reflection series of scrapbooking paper again and went for simple using the same method as I used for Sofie's frame. I wanted to feature three things. First it had to have his whole name and I tried to patiently wait until 0700hrs to ring Eli's house for information but by 0640hrs I couldn't wait and just had to ring. Luckily his dad was up and who surprise, surprise was able to answer all questions correctly. (Well, it had better be because I am going to look silly when I arrive this afternoon.) It also had to have his date of birth and his current age. The rectangle tag is from the SU hodgepodge embellishment kit and just adds strength to the layout. The number 8 is embedded on the 'e' . It is in that particular placing because it fell out of my hand as I was carefully trying to center it on. Oh well! The word 'blessed' I couldn't help including because Eli has wonderful parents and he is a truly blessed little boy. I have since added a maori motive element to the letter 'l' as I felt his cool middle name (Tamauia) needed to be recognised. Eli's birthday date is on an actual shop tag that resides to the right hand side. I love those tags and they come in different sizes at most stationary shops. Happy Birthday Eli!

JUST A MOM?

Sent to me by my mother in law - A woman, renewing her driver's license at the County Clerk 's office Was asked by the woman recorder to state her occupation. She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself. "What I mean is," explained the recorder, "do you have a job or are you just a......?" "Of course I have a job," snapped the woman. "I'm a Mom." "We don't list 'Mom' as an occupation, 'housewife' covers it," Said the recorder emphatically. I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself in the Same situation, this time at our own Town Hall. The Clerk was obviously a career woman, poised, Efficient and possessed of a high sounding title like, "Official Interrogator" or "Town Registrar." "What is your occupation?" she probed. What made me say it? I do not know. The words simply popped out. "I'm a Research Associate in the field of Child Development and Human Relations." The clerk paused, ball-point pen frozen in midair and Looked up as though she had not heard right. I repeated the title slowly emphasizing the most significant words. Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement was written, In bold, black ink on the official questionnaire. "Might I ask," said the clerk with new interest, "just what you do in your field?" Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice, I heard myself reply, "I have a continuing program of research, [what mother doesn't) In the laboratory and in the field, (normally I would have said indoors and out ). I'm working for my Masters, (first the Lord and then the whole family) And already have four credits (all daughters). Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities, (any mother care to disagree?) And I often work 14 hours a day, (24 is more like it). But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers and the rewards are More of a satisfaction rather than just money." There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk's voice as she Completed the form, stood up and personally ushered me to the door. As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career, I was greeted by my lab assistants -- ages 13, 7, and 3. Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model, (a 6 month old baby) in the child development program, Testing out a new vocal pattern. I felt I had scored a beat on bureaucracy! And I had gone on the official records as someone more distinguished and indispensable to mankind than "just another Mom." Motherhood! What a glorious career! Especially when there's a title on the door. Does this make grandmothers "Senior Research associates in the field of Child Development and Human Relations" And great grandmothers "Executive Senior Research Associates"? I think so!!! (Author unknown)

Trying new things . . . .

My little friend Sofie turned five last month and I wanted to make her a special card to try out my new chipboard monograms and designer papers from SU. This one is from the 'Recollection' series and just gorgeous. The frame was about $6.00 from Warehouse and a nice length to fit at least 5-7 letters depending on the size. I was happily thinking I had a supply of oblong frames until I actually started putting the project together and realized that there wasn't enough depth to fit the backing on and had to opt for taping it down with tape and placing the frame on an easel. I originally painted this one off white (it was an ugly orange colour) but decided it still didn't go with the whole look. I eventually hunted out the last of my little stand that I had bought years ago that went perfect with the wood finish of this frame. Now, just to let you know I do dust now and again ;) but I was in a hurry to get this photoed, packaged and delivered and hadn't noticed the state of my shelf (haha I think it still looks like that). I found a recently used box, just the right size and stuck a post office sticker on it which made it look like it came through the mail and placed it on Sofie's doorstep. I think she liked it. My kids did. In fact my 18 year old, Ericca said she didn't mind having her name done on a sample if I wanted to. Must get around to taking a photo of the first one I did for my little friend Nova who was born last year on the 3 of November. Everyone in the family related to that date because it is my oldest girl Danielle's birthday as well and she is 21 this year. Fun!!!! Happy Mothers Day!

Wild Rose Sketch

I had just received my 'Wild Rose' set when my friends Joeleen, Kirsten and I met for the 2nd time for our card swap. We originally thought to meet every month but that was way too long to wait for our creative fix, so we decided every fortnight. The sketch was one found on the net but I can't remember where. I thought at first that the sketch was quite hard but after some tinkering I came up with the above to share. The colours had to be going grey, so saffron, mellow moss, and perfect plum. Not having any of the right colour cardstock except for the grey which Kirsten provided, made me concentrate on just the ink colours. The white organdy ribbon I dyed with perfect plum and it came up off white which I curled deliberately and held down with a brad. Here was when I discovered the craft stampin' spots which I embossed clear and just made the whole thing pop. After that I couldn't stop using them and bought the soft subtles intending to get the rest of the range later. The craft colours are not offered on the NZ catty which is a shame but never fear I will find a way. :)

Punga

I loved this stamp when I first saw it because we have a punga tree in our front yard. It is put out by rubbadubbadoo. The ink colours are chocolate chip, and green galore on glossy white card stippled with close to cocoa and so safron, backed with black. The sketch was from one of last years copy of the'Take Ten' magazine. I find this sketch very versatile giving any card an instant 2D dimension and I use it when I want to make a quick layered look without having to think too much about it because for me it always works.

My First Blog Candy - Yipee!!

Who would have thought. I'm still BuZZing!!! Check it out on Jody Morrow's blog: http://confessionsofaribbonaddict.blogspot.com/ -can't wait. I have rolled up one lot on a piece of card but not quite happy with it, so may roll them up individually. . . and you guessed it - I haven't used them yet. Still enjoying the fact that I've got some. I just went up to Ike's Saturday and bought $30.00 worth of more ribbon. A lovely roll of olive green, 10mm with white dots and trim put out by Vandoros. Yumm! There is still no polka dotted organdy tho. I only went up to look but you know how it is (:

Kia Ora!

I call this my Kia Ora card. I used the cuttlebug embossing folders - divine swirls and stylized flowers by Provocraft for the background in brilliant blue. Used ribbon, string etc for embellishment with a punched fishhook by Marvy, (I think). The stamp is 'Pacific Combo#4' by Kiwi Impressionz, inked in 'Stained Glass' Adrondack. This stamp has always been a source of inspiration to me because of its cultural familiarity in design. Kia Ora is Hello in Maori.

Three in a Row

Of course you have to have a matching guy card to go with the frock. This is another favourite with the same set. I love the combination of the colours - pink passion, old olive and elegant eggplant. The background is 'canvas' and 'print pattern.' All from SU. The small pink frangipani is from an Australian company called Stamp It. I also have it in the large and use them all the time.

. . . Ready, Steady, GO . . .

"A HANDMADE CARD IS A HUG WITH A FOLD 
IN THE MIDDLE."

The perfect quote to start my blog off and it is a pity I can't remember who said it. I am a mum with 4 great children aged 14-20, who are happiest when I don't have to micro manage them. We live in Auckland NZ and are true blue kiwis. "Kia Ora!"I fell in love with card making last year and when I was introduced to Stampin'Up and all their lovely products by my new friend Jacqui. I love to browse the creativity of other bloggers who are stampers and wanted to come out to play too. Here are some of the things I have been up to . . . .

This card is really popular with most people, especially teenagers who just 'ooohh' over it. I gave one to Britney, my student, yesterday who just turned 13 and she and the rest of the girls in the class just loved it. I'm glad! All stamps are from the SU. I used the 'Do the Hula' and standard roller 'Whirly Twirly.' Both soon to be retired in June. The dress pattern is from Sheryl Graves of Ink Stains. The colours used are green galore and pink passion sprinkled with glitter for a little bit of bling. The frangipani image on the letterhead above is a potted plant that we bought from the Pasifika festival February last year for $20.00 and we can't believe it is still flowering since January. Hubbie, Rene has been nursing it through the year and his diligence has paid off tenfold. When he went to Australia last year in May and this year in March he made sure to give detailed instructions to the kids on how to look after it. He knew it would have died if he had asked me. Hey, I'm too busy stamping!!:)