It's Addiction I tell ya!!!!

It was a no-brainer really....new Autumn Leaves book just out in the States...time to buy, no thinking, no sneak peeks and no hesitation. It's an addiction I tell ya! Love the Designing with Series! Couldn't pass up one more to add to my collection. Went direct to one of the Designers and said "Okay chick where can I get the book"....and yahoo, Danielle, came straight back and directed me here. I am stalking the mailman this week....and he is not cute but he is lovely! First paid photo shoots in two weeks...so nervous and feeling like I need to sign up with Barb Jinky for her online photography workshop...soon as I spy my next design cheque I'm gonna locate me another 9 players and I'm in. Barb's work is incredible, can't wait. Email me if you are interested in photos that will blow everyone away! The anticipation is just too much!

Nic's Class

Loved doing this class with Nic Howard...it was just so fun and I didn't even have to leave home (which in freezing Christchurch is a good thing!)...can't wait for her next one. Got my first PAID photography shoot booked for two weeks!! So nervous and of course feeling the pressure of actually getting money for it but everyone has to start somewhere and I guess I just have to take confidence from the fact that they have looked through my Portfolio and loved what I do and want it! Ah well....off to nurse my strep-throat/scarlet fever kids! I never have to ask them to share when it comes to their illnesses.

Those things that we loved.....

We love Jack Johnson's sound...hence the change of soundtrack! My hubby is from Kauai, Hawaii and so is Jack, it reminds us of the laid-back island style and this video clip is like swimming back home. Warm, weight-less, blue...nothing like the cold, heavy, grey that we are experiencing over here at the mo! Better yet...Curious George was Erick's favourite book as a boy so he can't wait to introduce our kids to the joys of this cheeky little monkey. Any other George fans out there? Speaking of home, I did this for my MIL. Really OLD photos of Erick's sister that I had restored at the LAB, heard they were the best around but until I went to pick this photo up, I didn't believe it. Wow, if you had seen the original which went through Hurricane Iniki, you wouldn't appreciate how good the restoration guy was. Amazing. Mom is going to love this as it was her favourite photo but completely ruined. In other news, UP2Scrap's latest edition is out! Loved my layout in this issue, but the colors look dull in the mag, which is normal for any published work. If they look good on the page...they are usually STUNNING in real life! Unfortunately my Tip for Working with Old Photos had the word "Travel" added to it even though it wasn't specific to travel and the layout with a mini-technique class also couldn't make it into this issue due to space issues (which is good news for everyone submitting work! - means it is growing!). Maybe next issue! Until next time...stay warm! I'm off to play with one of the new kits from Memories Revisited - these are just so neat and I see Nic Howard has just designed one for them too, which I've ordered from Karen. Inside info: they are selling out fast so if you want any, get in quick!

BEST LAUGH OF THE DAY!

Shamelessly pulled from my favourite Blogger....Cindy....push play and sit back and enjoy a White Man who CAN dance!!! So come on fess up....how many of you have done these???? I just turned 40 and I've gotta confess I think I've done all of them, but none of them as well as this LOL!!! Looking forward to Nic Howards OnLine Class next Wednesday night...come and join in on the fun. Woo Hoo. Catch you next time!

The Difference is Incredible!~

Learning to work with photos more....especially since I'm EYEING up photography courses and heading in a more professional direction! Can you spot the difference? Love the life it adds. (You'll need to scroll down to compare photos and I've given you a clue above!)

In other news.....National Scrapbooking Day! LOVE this day, make sure you visit here http://www.creatingkeepsakes.com/scrapbookfun/ and join in on the fun. http://www.memories-revisited.co.nz are the only NZ Store I know of that is joining in on the USA date but I'm sure there will be lots more! Check out Memories Revisited store from Friday on for specials. Received a host of new idea books from http://www.kiwiscraps.co.nz today and will review and post HONEST AND UNBIASED reviews later in the week. I hate buying books unseen and unreviewed so might even add some page examples for you to see what the 'guts' of the books is like. If you love books and mags, I've also just had a massive clean-out and have heaps for sale at $3 a copy for mags....Books will be at least 50% off original price and I'll pop the list up tomorrow.

Also signed up to do Nic Howard's Online Crop.....this is going to be sooo much fun! No idea how it works but a Wednesday evening with a bunch of women, completing an awesome page and yet still in my PJ's and surrounded by my favourite coffee and all my scrapbook tools close at hand, has gotta be good right???? Who wouldn't want to do that! Might even try and get some of the Crossed Paths girls to join in.....I love the online crop idea, anyone, anywhere, anytime can be a part of it. Check out Nic's "Sneak Peek" on her Blog http://www.nichoward.blogspot.com/ Let her know I sent you and if you decide to join in....sorry Nic but I didn't buy the pack! just paid for your awesome input and decided to use up some of the stuff I already have......let me know. Cool!

For 2Peas fans and followers.....they have sold and you can read the announcement on the site. I got up yesterday morning to find an email from two US girlfriends....with very different responses. One is ecstatic and hopes they will clean up the NSBR Board, overhaul the Store and have some moderators sort a few things out...she can't wait for change. The other hates change and wants it to stay the same, doesn't think there is anything wrong and LOVES her daily dose of peas. I can see that the whole issue is going to divide into two camps. Those who love change and those who don't.....Me???? Well it depends on the kind of change...as long as they don't touch the Photography Board then I'm happy. LOL, maybe I'm not a change girl after all!

Finally.....tomorrow I'm off to Spotlight....yes I hate that they are selling American Crafts stuff because now it isn't "special" but when it comes to Bazzill that cheap, well with four kids who just needed new winter uniforms, Crafting Connection, ballet fees, piano fees and all that new camera gear I want......I can't pass up 79 cents a sheet.

Up2Scrap is out next week I think......I have a layout and the other half of the Travel Article in this edition. Sent more work but it couldn't be accommodated at the last minute due to space restrictions....which has got to be good if it means more NZ Scrappers being published! GREAT!

'til next time.....