Heart2Home

My LAST Post!

2007-04-23T14:40:00.000+12:00

On this Blog that is! Most of the images on here will be coming down over the next few days, the posts will stay......BUT BUT BUT you can go check out the NEW Blog...new, fancy, interesting and much more regular than this one! See you over at the new Home.......AND SO ON.....

Catch Up Time!

2007-04-06T14:53:00.000+12:00

I'll start with an apology! for those of you linked here, this has been a completely boring site I know! I have been dealing with some health stuff, getting a new photographer's forum up and running with my buddy Kelly and getting my own website up and running. My friend Tash is helping me and hosting me. She is a doll, Kylie got so sick with her morning sickness that she could barely get off the bed, so things took a step back for a while, which also gave me a chance to relook at my logo, etc. Love the new one! So.....the Launch is going to be two weeks away! ....and yes there will be a couple of free photography session giveaways for those in the Christchurch/Canterbury region. The banners for the Scrapbook Outlet are working well and their kits are sensational! Sign up, you won't be disappointed. If any of you are looking for a custom designed banner for your Blog or a website logo, contact me here and I'll email you back. Reasonably priced and four design options given. For examples see all banner work including the Company logo at the Scrapbook Outlet, Scrap of Faith, Nic Howard's blog and Beyond Just Images. Thanks! In the meantime here is a couple of commercial images, love this style of photography:

for Ava

2007-02-10T20:48:00.000+13:00

Little Pink Balloon

2007-02-08T22:36:00.000+13:00

On Saturday at 10am Brisbane time (1pm here in New Zealand) Ava will be laid to rest but her family will continue to grief, and for those of us who have lost one's close and dear to our hearts, we know that really that is when the grieving begins and some of the numbness begins to wear off. In honor of Ava, pink balloons will be released at her final farewell and all over the world people will be joining them. Professional photographers, friends and family who can't be with the Rosemeyer family will be letting three pink balloons go...one for each precious year of Ava's life, the last of which I had the privilege to witness via Sheye's amazing images some of which can be seen HERE. So if you see pink balloons flying over your house it is possible that they have come from England, Canada, USA, Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, Japan, South Africa...just some of the places I know they will be released. Look up and remember Ava, remember all the other children whose time with us is so short and whose deaths are so difficult to understand. Meg, I know you've tagged me! and I'll follow through with it after Saturday...as well as updates on my two classes ....OnLine Layout at Scrap of Faith and a Photography Course at Scrapbook Outlet NZ, but right now I just wanted to send you all Hugs and THANK EVERYONE for your kind words and checking in here to let Sheye know that a community of women and mother's bleed with her. I thank God for Sheye's photos and her Blog....we never guessed it would become more precious than gold, a diary of Ava's life and memory. Keep taking those images and keep journalling....but I pray that you will never need it in this way.

My Heart is Breaking

2007-02-06T15:01:00.000+13:00

The above banner is courtesy of Carrie Young.... My colleague and amazing photographer Sheye Rosemeyer, lost her 3 year old daughter last night. It was a horrible tragic accident. She got locked in the family's black car which was parked outside in the full 36 degree sun and no one could find her for half an hour of panic stricken terror. The grandparents live next door and it is normal for the kids to flit between their house and home. Sheye said that Ava was being mischeivious as little kids are...and told Grandad she was going home but really she got in the car. Mom & Dad thought she was at Grandad's, he thought she was at home and by the time she was discovered she had been in a 60 degree car for too long. She fought bravely for two days in an induced coma but lost her battle last night. I can't even imagine the horror that family is feeling right now and their despair. The worst of it is, this is the fourth child this month in Australia. So please, hold your kids a little closer and tighter today and then take them outside and teach them to blow the car horn...hard and long if they are ever stuck in one. Sheye said she could go over the what ifs forever but the reality is, she can't take the last 72 hours back, all she can do is say to other parents, please teach your little one's to not play in cars, always lock the doors when you get out and show them where the horn is. Through the tears that have come and gone all day, I am so grateful that I belong to a wonderful community of photographers on "Grow"...a group that have rallied around and prayed, supported, cried and done practical things to somehow try and tell this family how much we love them and how we feel like we all lost Ava and her shining light too.

Make a Change!

2007-02-05T20:46:00.000+13:00

Global Warming is such a scary thought and for us down here at the bottom of the earth, so close to a mass of ice that is melting, it is a super scary thought! We couldn't believe the images of HUGE icebergs floating off our coastlines in the middle of summer!...and speaking of summer, it is a simple fact that we just haven't had one. All my American colleagues are hanging out for their summer, well guys, all I can say is I hope you get the one that we didn't! So...to my point, it is time we all joined together and did something about it, go HERE and join the Cause! In other news, I'm Guest Designing for Scrap of Faith this month so please come join me and the online class...a Valentine's Layout all about the most difficult person to love in our lives : ourselves. Here's a Sneak Peek: Welcome to the world, Ethan! Just a few hours old and absolutely beautiful! Laters!

...and Happy New Year!

2007-01-14T12:41:00.000+13:00

Big year planned with heaps of new things happening. Very exciting stuff! Not the least of which is that the new website should be up and running in the next two weeks...the Christmas holidays put a dent in the flow, but the Kylie is back on the job and so am I!! The front page is looking awesome and it just gets better...go check it out, AmandaJ Photography. I have the possibility of second shooting a couple of weddings this year, which will be fantastic as I've long been a fan of Tony Bridge. He is also running a seminar later this year, so keep an eye out for more details. For those of you who love Jinky's work (who I study with), she has changed her site, so please update your favourites...here's the new link. I'm taking bookings now for this year and as I'm only going to be doing one session a week, please book early to avoid disappointment; this includes Christmas bookings as I will NOT be taking any bookings after the first weekend in December, NO exceptions. Last December was crazy....it is a crazy time of year anyway huh?...but you can book NOW for those Holiday Card shoots and guarantee your spot, I will be doing two sessions a week throughout November, to cater for this..... and finally I'll leave you with some images from recent work....and as is usual on the web, they are never as sharp nor the as color saturated as in real life, just be aware of that when viewing, thanks!

Merry Christmas!

2006-12-12T08:22:00.000+13:00

The kids are nearly all done at school, I have four last photography shoots sitting on my computer in the final stages of proofing and nearly all the Christmas shopping under the tree! I'm looking forward to the break, time to hang out with my kids, relax in the mornings without the mad rush for the school gate, which goes something like this... I will be off lunchbox duty! YIPPEEEE! I'm sorry I don't have any exciting news for anyone...wish I did as it makes for a far more interesting read but if you have some time on your hands....I recommend you go HEREMake sure you make youself a cuppa first though and then cover it with something so you don't drip your drool in it! I've been training with Barb for a year now and I see a monthly improvement in the shots I take but WOWSERS her stuff is just incredible isn't it?? Here's a few from me, will put more up in the next couple of days:

I won a prize!!!

2006-11-28T22:56:00.000+13:00

I never win anything, mainly cos I often either a: never enter or b: give my work away for free....so it was pretty cool to win a prize for designing the new banner and helping with the background design for the Scrapbook Outlet NZ. Go have a look, the site is totally cool, love the summer feel to it AND the people who hang there are really lovely! Products and Classes are awesome too! Just a couple of shots tonite, had to include this little Thomas fan, since I have one of those too...I'm in proofing jail...pay someone $200 and I'm bound to be let out! Will post a couple of scrapbooking items in the next few days, been busy doing them for my friend Kelly in the States. She has the most gorgeous kids and the photos were taken by her, they are stunning!

Website is nearly done!!!

2006-11-27T09:42:00.000+13:00

I'm just about on the move! No packing to be done, but lots of copying and pasting, LOL!! This Blog will be moving to a new host site...so you'll be able to access it via my website or link direct. Yipppeeee! I got the most gorgeous tree design from Tia Bennett and Kylie Clark is working hard to get everything up and going. In the meantime, photos for families for Christmas is keeping me flat out. Two booking spaces are left before I finish up for the year but you will need to email me ASAP. The new Year starts for me on the 1st Feb...taking January off to spend with my kiddos and catch up on some scrapbooking! Got a couple of online classes this week: Nic Howard's tin which will be perfect for our christmas traditions and Chris Miller's oh so cute layout for our yearly Santa photo. Come join me! In the meantime, this is one image out of a storyboard of four...which I'll post later...only kids can jump, smile, giggle and still look fantastic at the same time, know what i mean?

Busy Season

2006-11-16T22:29:00.000+13:00

Just a little angel! I can't imagine what it is to deal with a child who has food allergies, especially if they are severe. This family is amazing and the love for each other, their caring spirit just shined. I love that the lens captures this....it is like a secret observer of others' worlds, with the user turning buttons and switches to get the right exposure, tilting for the best crop and waiting for the moment that captures the essence of who people really are. I think that is why I love Lifestyle Photography, because it is unstaged, unposed...it really is Life....caught professionally! Now there is a catch line! New website should be up and going any day...yippeee and thanks Kylie! This is the busy season.....people wanting their family photos taken to share with loved ones over the Christmas season, for many it is the first family photo they have had in a long time and for most it is the only one this year. I love that I can do that for them. My scrapbooking skills combine perfectly with my career, Christmas Cards for clients being one of the great things on offer this season. Waiting to hear about my first wedding booking, two families next week and one the week after....then I'm done for the year. Tradition Time; LOVE Christmas because of all the cool things we do as a Family. Can't wait!

Two Families....two gorgeous wee girls

2006-11-05T11:59:00.000+13:00

These two little toddlers were so adorable! Yes I came home clucky...but that wore off as soon as the kids got in the car after school and the fighting started two mins later. They should bottle that and hand it out to teenagers who think they'll have a baby because it will be "fun" LOL

New Website, New Images and New Layout

2006-11-01T16:32:00.000+13:00

Kylie Clark from Aussie is doing my website...and totally rocking it! It is going to be soooo awesome. Check her out Here So talented, so sweet...and look at her design work! I'll post some images tomorrow of latest Photo Session....with 15 month cute as a button kid and her Mom. It is that time of year when families begin to think about sending christmas cards....so if you want to book a session and then have christmas cards with your family images printed on the front (I have a selection of gorgeous christmas cards ready for your photo!), contact me now as my calendar for November is nearly full. ...and just for fun (because that is what this was)...here's a Layout I did with the theme "purple" for Yolande's Scrapbook Outlet Challenge. The prize was one of their December Kits, which I would LOVE to win. Their kits are awesome I've heard, so to see it in person, for free, before a general release, would be awesome. Plus I never win anything....put your hand up all of you who know exactly what I mean. Even if I don't get my name picked from the hat....I'm loving the Layout and another one in the album, right? OH AND IN OTHER NEWS...watch this space....I'M GUEST DESIGNING FOR SOMEONE IN FEBRUARY (Sssshhhh!) Will update later!

Stay at Home Mom

2006-10-28T23:01:00.000+13:00

I've wanted to write for some time about my changing role as a SAHM...sometimes it is fantastic and the best job on the planet but at other times I have really struggled with it. It is the fact that we are so unappreciated by the voice of public opinion. We have left jobs...careers...where are opinions are sort after, we've solved problems, organised others lives, taken on massive responsibilities and been paid. Then our babies arrive....and we carry on doing all these things (minus the money!) but no-one knows. No one sees the sacrifices, the committments, tears, worries, laughter, joy, trials and other things we give up so that our families can fulfil their dreams. I used to struggle with the unimportance of my life. Don't get me wrong, I know my life IS important. I'm raising humans who I hope will be beautiful, responsible, participating members of society. Adults who will give and bring joy into others lives. Our jobs are the MOST important, but not being acknowledged and told that doesn't matter anymore. I finally realised a while ago that it didn't matter if no one ever knew...God knows and my heart knows. More than that...I finally got it! It wasn't all about them...it was about me! I was becoming a better person, I was learning patience, kindness, goodness, caring, courage, strength, joyfulness, contentment and peace. All the things I wanted to pass on to my kids, I was learning first through my job as a SAHM. This is my Well Done. So this Layout celebrates my journey to this truth. Thank you Yolande! for the inspiration, inspiration (those typo's!) and chat on Friday night at your OnLine Class. Here's to all the SAHM's out there!

Cherry Arte

2006-10-20T22:19:00.000+13:00

Having just discovered this Company at CC2006 and then again with their new Memory Trends releases....all I can say is WOW!!! I love the color (the Tropic line is my FAV!...gotta get me some of that!), swirls, flowers, chipboard and now STAMPS!!!! Acrylic Stamps are like my new fav thing..and check out these cool circles with stars in them...yes they come in stamps! I struggled to find some paper in my stash to use, but hey, even my scraps work (the arrow, word "years" and the chipboard star). Most all I just love the story about my baby boy turning 5, off to school and my first taste of an 'empty nest'. While he has crossed the tracks, I am left at a cross roads and I'm still working out which path I should take. I see my amazing inspirations Rhonna Farrer, Skye Hardwick and Danielle Thompson are at that place too...and I can't even link you to some of these ladies Blogs because, as of today, they no longer exist. Neither does Cathy Zieskle's. So many women I know are standing at the Cross Roads at the moment, either that or they have just stepped on to a new path. For many it is scary, new, different and they have got there through much soul-searching and self-discovery. I am 10 steps behind them but there courage and initiative is spurring me on to be and do something different in 2007. Stay tuned....oh and I'll let you know how the Cherry Arte goes...man I want that chipboard or stamps sooooooo bad!...but then who doesn't????

Musings and Donna M

2006-10-18T18:08:00.000+13:00

Loved this class with Donna M from the Scrapbook Outlet. Fun and easy but looks difficult..now that is my kind of class! I'm slowly moving over to doing A4 pages and more digital scrapping but after last night, got to admit I still love the glues and cutting. I've been so busy with photography, here's a couple of sample images... True beauty huh??? I love this job and the beauty and personality that the lens finds. I am a privileged observer of others' private worlds.

Because I should be gardening.....

2006-09-21T10:24:00.000+12:00

You Are Sky Blue

Dreamy and creative, you the potential in everyone ... and everything! And while you strive to have an ideal life, you are pretty mellow about it. You know your time will come.

What Color Blue Are You?

...but obviously I'm not! Rhonna is running another creativity challenge and since I've found it hard to get my creativity kick-started (like it says above creative and dreamy....but it should have said, finds it hard to follow through!)....I've decided to join in this time...want to come join me and I would imagine hundreds of others? Join up HERE

Make-up Boy?????!!!!!!!!!!

2006-09-15T10:28:00.000+12:00

Okay, I can call him anything I want...and chose to dub him "make-up Boy", my hubby says Revlon is going to make big bucks out of this! ...and Toby got third!!! What the! You'd think I'd be happy since I had a new Canon 5d riding on make-up boy winning, yes Erick and I always bet on these reality shows but since I doubt this bet will be followed through on, I am just so let down that ROCK STAR SUPERNOVA chose Lukas! ...and the ridiculous thing is i don't even like Tommy Lee or any of the others, it's nothing personal I just don't 'dig' that kind of music so what do I care who they chose for their next lead singer???? I care because I invested two nights a week sitting in front of the stupid TV listening to all that LOUD unintelligible music to vote for Toby. I want my time back! Sucks! ...and the rabbits sum it all up!

So I'm Deluded AND a Bad Blogger!!!

2006-09-12T13:22:00.000+12:00

Is there really no chance of Denny in Season 3? Denny, like Dylan, is dead. He's really dead. He's so very, very dead. And it breaks my heart. But he is dead. (this from Shonda Rhimes who is the head writer of the Show). Now all you Grey's fans KNOW what I'm talking about...for goodness sake they bought back Bobby in Dallas and some other star from some other big show that I can't even think of right now...but I KNOW they did!...so I keep thinking...Denny's is going to just gasp air down in the morgue....just as they go to push him into the chilling chamber - and what do you know, some morgue-intern (is that what they are called???) will collapse but Izzy will cry and I will cry and the world will be a better place. This is my reality. But NO!, Shonda declares that she is the writer, not ME, and she will have HER way. Dead, dead, dead....Okay, I'm hearing ya! Now I can cry. So...I am also a bad Blogger. Sorry!!! for those of you who email me, THANK YOU!! I appreciate hearing from you and as you know, happy to answer questions, chat anytime BUT I have been sick. Real sick, with pharangitis...not even going to check the spelling on that one. Except to say that it is painful, horrible and followed by rheumatic fever (but not normally)...just out of the blue! Had to cancel my booked photography shoots and have just today found my feet. So....no scrapping to share but playing with some new styles of "acid" on my prints....loving this: Watch this week for the story behind the page! All beautifully scrapped!!! I know...even I'm impressed. In other great news...Autumn Leaves's new book "Designing with Color" is out!! YIPPEE! It looks fantastic! My friend Kelly Bennettis doing over her site and will have a fresh face soon. I love that sometimes you can find a soul mate on the internet. Her and Tash have been God-sends! Their work reflects their inner beauty as people. Enjoy! with a cuppa.

I'm soooo Lucky....

2006-08-27T09:37:00.000+12:00

to get to work with some of the coolest families. These guys rocked! Totally neat to hang with and grandma just happened to be there too! Twin babies, nearly 4 year old and them. Isn't the mom gorgeous??? Wow! Here's a sample..... My first commercial shoot in two weeks! Yippee

Nothing Like a Bit of Balance

2006-08-14T10:54:00.000+12:00

So I learnt from Cathy Z this weekend!~ Crafting Connection was awesome, wonderful to just hang out with friends and new acquaintances. Met sooo many great people....and fell in love with Cathy Z and Donna Downey all over again! Always been a huge fan of theirs....to met them in real life was just awesome. Ali E I wasn't sure about....BUT WOW! is she neat or what???? Nic Howard was soooo tiny and sooo slim, I couldn't believe that girl eats chocolate! Will post some pics tomorrow once I've looked at them myself! Got the latest issue of Up2 in the mail today....very wet....and loved all the work from soooo many talented Australasian chicks...but mine was printed only as a single page...on a double layout...and as all you "Cathy Z" fans know, that is NOT balance. So Here it is in all its' simple glory. I love all the BUSY that is happening on layouts at the mo....but it ain't me and Cathy just reinforced for me that my first love is to tell the story....it isn't about the design or being the best, loudest, one with the most stuff....it's about leaving the legacy and memories. That is what i want to do more of. Thanks CZ for reminding me what it is all about....and Donna for making me never look at my builder husband's drill (and I mean DRILL girls!) the same again!!! LOL!

OH YES...that is the answer!

2006-08-05T20:40:00.000+12:00

So I study for 3 hours each night (every night!) to perfect my art. I think, talk, breathe this.....then I get some dumb response from someone viewing my portfolio. This says it all........ There was a man who was an avid photographer. He had just returned from vacation and was visiting friends for dinner. While there, he shared his vacation photos with them. They were awed by the great images he captured. Finally, the woman of the house said to him, "Those are great photos. You must have a really great camera." The man just smiled and nodded. As the man was preparing to leave, he graciously thanked the host. Then he said, "That was a great dinner. You must have really great pots and pans." Hope they invite me for a meal sometime soon! On to other things....Crafting Connection is on next weekend but gotta say, wish I had not booked to go. Have a list of other things I'd rather be doing (or should I say buying) at the moment. Yes I'll go and have a great time....and fall in love all over again with Cathy Z style but I think it is time to hang up the scrapbooking hat. Looking forward to just doing pages for the kids....doing anything I want. Massive scrapbooking cleanout coming on tomorrow. Stamps, Papers, etc, etc, etc,....all going to get moved out to the big "Trademe" house. I feel like a purge, a change. The end of books, mags, inks, embellishments, magazine deadlines. I feel so.........light! Yippee!!!

My Little Boy

2006-08-01T23:52:00.000+12:00

Is soon to be a Big School Boy. Too sad! My little buddy will be off to school and the house will be quiet....which actually isn't true as I have heaps of work booked to photograph kids...so guess it will still be chaos and noise but not the same without my sidekick. His new haircut has made him look so grown up. Crafting Connection! For my international buddies...I get to meet Donna Downey and Ali Edwards BUT also Cathy Z (whose work I have always adored!). I've done NO homework...I mean absolutely none, not even read it so it will be a rush job after I finish proofing this week....then on to the plane and off I go. Two days of scrapping, chatting, photographing fun. Yippeee. Will be so neat to meet some of you in person!

2006-07-22T15:53:00.000+12:00

Mercy ME!!! I love this band but I especially love this song (and the photography!! Wow!)......this sums up what it is all about; living this life, so that the next one is glorious!~ I can only Imagine!

CHA Summer 06 Crossed Paths....Beautiful!

2006-07-21T20:00:00.000+12:00

I love that they do their own thing and don't follow the "crowd" so to speak, with all the doodles, etc that I think we are going to see A LOT of over the next week!! Here's Crossed Paths new offerings in a couple of Layouts::::::

Tell me you DON'T Like them!! I Dare ya!

2006-07-17T14:34:00.000+12:00

(roll your mouse over and click on the Title above) Gorgeous aren't they? Shame it's not until Sept. Loving all the CHA previews even though I'm busy with photography I have to confess I've also done 8 designs with the new Crossed Paths papers.....so yum! I love that they do their own thing and don't follow the trends so much as their hearts. Hope to give you a sneak peek in the next couple of days....they are really gorgeous and "Eternal" and "Friendship" sums it up beautifully!

Your Daily Dose

2006-07-06T19:37:00.000+12:00

I should be busy working on my website and a thousand other things.....but after watching this, I was glad I took a break! Need a laugh....click: http://www.chumfm.com/MorningShow/bits/march24.swf Enjoy!

Seriously!!!

2006-06-29T19:49:00.000+12:00

First of all....yes I am a Grey's Fan but I love Denny Crane more (sign over the door!...that's an inside joke of course) so in the midst of my extreme tiredness this week and my stupid ear infection that makes me feel like I'm constantly walking on a rocking ship, I really enjoyed just watching some TV. Lost finally got going (about time) and then Prison Break with those amazing staring eyes! came on too. I'm into eyes at the moment, it's part of my workshop with Barb Uil : Eyes and Light this month and next I think. My brain is frazzled as I try and drink it all in but I am LOVING my photography. Haven't scrapped for weeks but have studied and shot so many images that have then been trashed, I'm feeling okay about not having completed a page. My friend, Tash, helped me with my Logo and it is awesome...Look!!!! Bookings are coming in too and it is so exciting! One family even paid me double what I charged, they were soooo happy!!! I couldn't believe it! Here's one of my latest course photos......... and for some of my American buddies who are soaking up the sun and complaining about the heat wave....think of us! Won't be soooo long getting back here next time!

What an Awesome Family!

2006-06-05T15:36:00.000+12:00

Just started proofing but surprised to find they were nearly all good and even their dogs loved having their photos taken....quite the posers' as it turned out!

So Excited ....New Business!~!!

2006-06-04T18:30:00.000+12:00

So the Logo and name for the business have all come together. The Photo shoots are rolling in and i did one today (with a inner ear infection that has me feeling like I'm rocking on a ship!!!)....yes the photos were off-scew but I planned it that way!!! Will post some shots tomorrow when I've finished checking them and looked through the model release forms. Beautiful family...and their two very boisterous dogs. Had such fun with them. Here's the new business name.....what do you think? I think the typeface at the bottom or on the blurb line is not quite right...Hmmmmm. Sent it to my friend, Rees Morley of Morley Design....he is AMAZING! and I know he will come back with a solution. In the meantime, I wrote out my first proper invoice for photography. Wow!

Just some thoughts......

2006-06-01T10:12:00.000+12:00

The girls had their ballet recital on the weekend, it all went off beautifully, even managing to find a hairdresser to do their buns at the last minute because I was feeling ill. Erick was away in Dunedin so I was flying solo and the two boys had to come as well, lucky for me they slept through the second half and a very kind usher helped me carry them to the car at 10pm!! I'll post photos of Kels tomorrow but here's Megs.... Loved that I went to Danielle's blog this morning and she was having the same thoughts I was! I've just resigned from a couple of things but more on that later. Feeling freed up, happy, content with my life. Loving what I do, loving my photography and learning heaps even though I feel like I know nothing and i'm terrified everytime I am booked for a photo shoot but then I look at the photos and realise, they'll only buy them if they love them too, so it doesn't really matter anyway. Have a LLLLOOONNNNNGGGG list of things I need to buy though (poor hubby!!!). My BIG announcement is that Barb Uil visited my Blog!!!! Now I know you are all going WHO???? but if you don't know that, you are missing out! Best go here and fall in love! She even emailed me and we 'talked'...wow! Can't wait to start her Course. Well, enough ramblings...catch ya laters! Ohhhh, almost forgot...here's one for my scrapping buddies... Thanks Evana...cool workshop!!

It's Addiction I tell ya!!!!

2006-05-22T13:17:00.000+12:00

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

2006-05-19T10:07:00.000+12:00

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.....

2006-05-16T19:56:00.000+12:00

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!

2006-05-10T09:40:00.000+12:00

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!~

2006-05-03T15:31:00.000+12:00

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.....

Living with Epilepsy

2006-04-27T10:22:00.000+12:00

Keone has been on the Epilim for about 6 weeks now and we have noticed he has MORE "brain freezes" and they last longer than they did when he wasn't taking medication. So frustrating that you can't just go back to the Specialist....we have to wait 6 weeks to get back in to see him. Took the kids swimming during the holidays and ended up diving in and dragging Keone up from under the water as he had one under the water.....my hair is a new shade of grey! We always watch him like a hawk at the pool and he isn't allowed out of arms reach, I thank God that I saw his arms begin to twitch and immediately realised he wasn't breathing. Wonder if angels like getting wet? It's so awful to watch a child with any kind of illness, such a sweet kid......and that bear has been his constant companion since he was 2 months old....can't you tell????

My Support Crew

2006-04-21T08:00:00.000+12:00

Some weeks are soooo disappointing when it comes to the scales! Nothing worse than working at it all week, then you get on the scales and they go down 300 grams........yes, you read it right 300 stinking grams! I mean, that is half a cheek, a nick off your ear. That is NOT fat, that is the difference between standing on your scales with your knickers on or off. What a downer! Lucky I have a support crew home for the holidays! They gather around the treadmill and yell "Go Mum"......to the point where it is just annoying and you wish you could exercise in peace! Megs has taken to doing the exercise with me, which with her ballet and netball, is keeping her fit. I bought this ball and it really was working great but within 48 hours, Ethan decided to see what would happen if he stuck the edge of my scrapbooking scissors in it. To repair or rubbish; that is now the question. Surprised it lasted two whole days with my two boys! Ahhhhh well!

Danielle Thompson

2006-04-14T13:34:00.000+12:00

Oh my word.....Danielle converted this photo for me (how kind was that!). I LOVE IT! If you have never been to her blog you are missing out.....click the link below and fall in love! Look out for her in the new Freestyle Book, I've been a fan for a while. Wouldn't it be great if she was invited to Crafting Connection for 2007??? Speaking of which, hanging out to meet Cathy Z, and Donna Downey, and Nic Howard in real life!....and, and... it's just all good! Up2 is out in another few weeks....the cover looks great! Easter time and I'm avoiding eggs, wishing I could avoid fighting children and Thai food.....but looking forward to NOT avoiding the movies on Sunday....are they even open???....Ice Age 2 (yes I'm a sucker for those kid movies) Happy Easter everyone, the day the greatest gift of all was given to us....one death to end all "deaths", a way opened for each of us to choose life. Jesus you are amazing!

Yummy!

2006-04-05T20:52:00.000+12:00

Your Icecream Flavour is...Neopolitan!

You aren't satisfied with just one flavor. They say variety is the spice of life and this shines through in your Ice cream of choice! Just don't eat all the chocolate and leave the strawberry and vanilla behind!

What is your Icecream Flavour?
Find out at Go Quiz

So There It Is!

2006-03-30T08:36:00.000+12:00

Yes, it sits at the top of my blog officially blinking at me, reminding me that I have a few weeks until I get my photo with Cathy Z......and I have an awful lot of weight to come off before then. I've done it before, so I know I can do it again - which begs the question why I went and put it all back on in the first place! That little finger is goin' keep running down that rope and I'm doing Rhonna Farrer's 21 day challenge so that every other day (yes mine is a 42 day hike) I'll be reminded about what I'm doing and how great I will feel at the end. Cool! And since just reading is boring, here's latest work for Crossed Paths...still in love with the faith line! TTFN

PUBLISHED INCORRECTLY!!

2006-02-15T18:37:00.000+13:00

The brief was 17 photos, one page, journalling....travel related. Took a while to think it all through and quite a bit of stitching....but here it is. Unfortunately the tags got pulled out for photographing and weren't put back in properly....resulting in it being published incorrectly. Can't win 'em all!

2006-02-14T22:21:00.000+13:00

...I got flowers!!!! I know it is Valentines Day and lots of people got flowers but I'm a person who has learnt to shut my mouth about getting flowers! I used to complain that they were a waste of money and just died anyway but after 11 years of marriage.....and not getting any RAK from my hubby, because he worries that it will get included in the "Wasteful" lecture, I said "Thank YOu, they are gorgeous!" I didn't even ask how much they cost! In another 11 years I might even accept a diamond without asking for the receipt! Who knows!!! Even the cat approved and turned up for the photo shoot!

2006-02-09T19:38:00.000+13:00

My four year old informs me of this as we drive to a birthday party for his wee friend.....I asked him if he was enjoying having me to himself again and he said "yup"....followed by his deep thinking on life..."Am I five?", "No", "Are you five?" "No"......"That's why we are not at school!"...how can you argue with the logic of that? Life is sooo uncomplicated at four...wish it was that easy at 4.....tee.

2006-02-07T20:53:00.000+13:00

This is a good week!!! My kids went back to school this week, the endless fighting and moaning has stopped...peace reigns! I'd forgotten what the birds sound like! Don't get me wrong, love them dearly but when they are going for it....I spring about 10 grey hairs an hour. My Mother-In-Laws mini-album is on its' way to the States AND I love it (yes, I know! Both those things in the same sentence is nothing short of a miracle!), she'll even get it on her birthday; it is usually about six months late. My telezoom arrived and I'm going to play, play, play this weekend and the last really great thing......I've just about organised all my Crossed Paths admin stuff so I am again discovering where my head starts and a.....se ends! This is especially so since in the midst of receiving masses of emails, many of them large files.....the modem decided it would go on vacation....then come back....then go again ; and so it has gone on but little does it know that today I picked up its' twin and if it blinks its' little red eye at me tomorrow I will tell it that I always loved the twin better and throw it in the bin! I dare it to switch off on me!!! Finally it is true....it is JUICY!!!! The ads said it, they tortured us with it, weeks and weeks of promises and reruns and now......DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES....is back! Last night was MY time.....pure Desperate! (the last day of the holidays meant I was that in more ways than one) and on top of that they are now torturing me with Lost, Grey's Anatomy and no doubt something else that I will find to waste my precious time on and fry my brain ....but ain't the escape from reality oh so sweet????? So I'm back.....I survived 11 weeks, I deserve an award!....I have taken on a new job: Head of the Crossed Paths Design Team and my blog is up and going again. Drop back next week!

First photos with camera.....

2005-11-11T11:24:00.000+13:00

Really happy with results although I am now on a huge learning curve for apertures, zooms, etc, etc, Hopefully this will be a new source of income for us.....what is more priceless than good pictures that pass from generation to generation.

Ballet Beauty

2005-11-04T07:35:00.000+13:00

Yes, she is still enjoying it! After a whole year, Kels still wants to go to ballet class which is awesome for a kid that usually quits one thing after another. This particular day there was an extra class so I curled her hair, which meant she insisted on a photo shoot......thank goodness one of the kids loves the camera.

Layout was not published correctly

2005-08-16T18:21:00.000+12:00

Disappointed that this didn't get published correctly....they cut the whole left side off! Hopefully I'll still get paid! Still.....love this photo though of my girly girl, Kelsea. Other layout is of Megs just before she left with her dad for her first piano recital....she did so will and Erick was the proud father! Later in the week I took her to her hiphop performance and she was a star there too.

Three times a week!!!

2005-08-16T18:13:00.000+12:00

No wonder he is now a black belt....he's never home!!! Having said that, the abs are very appreciated ;-)

Aikido report in the paper

2005-08-10T10:52:00.000+12:00

Erick had photos and an article written about him for the local paper!!! First time he has been featured so he was pretty disappointed that they stuffed up heaps of info but the photo was good!

Aikido Toss

2005-07-25T14:19:00.000+12:00

Erick loves this sport and it has kept him fit and healthy....not to mention muscled. So as a wife who is frequently abandoned to Aikido....I do kinda reap the benefits. Hee Hee

2005-07-24T20:57:00.000+12:00

One out of the Box....a warm, sunny day in the midst of a freezing winter!! What a great day to be outside with a pile of dirt for a castle!

Kids are sooo funny sometimes!!!

2005-07-24T11:57:00.000+12:00

Last night we told my daughter to put a blanket over her head while an ad was on for The Adams Family....creepy and spooky and all that!!! She sits there with the blanket over her head but clicking her fingers along to the tune. Erick and I were in hysterics but trying not to laugh out loud. I love having four kids...they all keep me in stitches in one way or another. ...and yes she does love Milo!!

The Story of How we Met.....Part Two!

2005-07-24T08:56:00.000+12:00

so...Erick wrote back and then a week later they were due to fly out from Auckland airport to Honolulu...the airport was only an hour's drive from where we were but I didn't have any money. A few of the american's on campus decided to go down and say bye and asked if I wanted to jump in for $10 petrol. I said I'd get back to them and that afternoon in the mail I received $10 from a mother of a friend from church. Met the team at the airport and said hi! to everyone except Erick as I felt really shy by that stage...but didn't know everyone was watching us as his team knew the dream and my friends knew what God had been saying to me. In the end Erick said "we need to talk" and we ended up having a 10 minute discussion in the cafe lounge which was time enough to lay all the dirty laundry and cards on the table and see if we were still interested in each other....we were. We just knew it was God. Erick got on the plane and went home with no money to return and I went back to College to finish my youth diploma. We started writing and phone calls when we could afford it but he had just finished being a student and I was still one, so neither of us had any money. It seemed impossible to come together. When Erick went back to his church at the end of his course, a couple went up to him and said "you aren't meant to be here, what God has for you is on the other side of the world"...and gave him money for an air ticket back to NZ. He contacted the Head of the Campus, arranged to come back and work on site and came back the end of July. the day before he came back Trev & Jan (heads of school) offered me their car to go down and pick Erick up, so I stayed in Auckland the night and God woke me and told me Erick was going to ask me to marry him and I needed to decide whether I would say yes or no. I struggled with it all night long, what if it wasn't God or was the wrong guy? Anyway Erick got off the plane, we went for a picnic lunch on a hill over the city and there and then he asked me!! Of course, I said Yes and when we got back to Lifeway, Trevor came out to meet us and said "Congratulations" before we had even told him.....but then Jan, his wife told him off for bursting our bubble!! The wedding is a whole other story...as neither of us had a dime and were both living on faith. Maybe one day I'll share that!!

2005-07-24T08:54:00.000+12:00

Boy! can boys eat or what!! In trying to teach him to learn letters and there sounds, I asked what else sounded like Mmmmm? A good meal was the reply! Only a hungry little kid would think of that!

2005-07-23T19:18:00.000+12:00

10 Years On

The Story of our Meeting!

2005-07-23T18:11:00.000+12:00

I had been planning on heading back to India to do missionary work at the end of my Youthwork Diploma...and the LAST thing I wanted was a boyfriend, having been burnt before I went to Lifeway College. A guy on my course liked me but I just wasn't interested. Then we were told the Lifeway Kauai School was going to stay at the NZ school for two days before heading off for their mission in New Plymouth (4 hours drive away). They arrived in the afternoon and went down to the Yaxleys' house (head of the school)..at tea time we got our tea and were sitting down when they all walked in. I noticed Erick straight away...don't know why but tell him it was the hearing aid in his ear (LOL), he says it was his mystique!!! That night we had all the tables in one long row as 1/2 the college was away on a missions trip and only the Diploma students were on campus. Erick sat about 3 seats down from me on the other side. We ate and at the end of the main meal Erick started clearing up the plates but then he picked up the spoons and I quickly picked up mine, held it up and said to him "Pudding"...he said "What?", so thinking he was really deaf, I repeated "Pudding"...."What?" (man, he must be REALLY DEAF I thought)....so I yelled "PUDDING!!!"......"Oh, he said, you mean Dessert!"...the whole room erupted in laughter and I felt very embarrassed. At Bible College we only got pudding (NZ name for dessert) once a week and I am a real sweet tooth so the thought that someone would steal my spoon and my weekly treat was horrific! Everytime the team saw me after that they would say "there goes Pudding!".... I was not impressed but when I went back to my room and was praying that night I knew God was talking to me about Erick....I said NO WAY...God I'm off to evangelise for you! That night I had a dream that I had had several times before where I was walking down the aisle and could see a man in a black suit at the altar but the dream always ended with the man turning. this night the man turned and I finally got to see his face....it was Erick. I woke up and cried for hours saying No, No......on praying with older, wiser friend, she said she believed it was God's plan for me and I should submit to God's will as it would seem impossible to work out in the natural. The next day we did activities with Erick's team but he went swimming and because I hate my thighs I chose to go tramping (thinking if he liked me he would chose that)! We spent the day at separate events, that night we played cards and went out for coffee in a large group of others and the next morning their team left for NP. Just before they left Erick gave his address to one of the guys on my course and asked him to pass it on to me. That seemed to be an end of it....we hadn't even talked alone. Three days later I sent some of the team cards wishing them well on their mission but in Erick's card I included a spoon with a tag attached saying "NZ Pudding". When the envelope turned up in NP, they were all sitting around opening mail, when Erick opened his and the spoon fell out, all the boys went "Whow"...as Erick had shared a dream with them before they left Kauai where he had received a letter from his future wife and it had a spoon in it! (They had all thought he was quite mad and all cracked up but of course now it just seemed spooky!!) ..........Part Two to come tomorrow. What happened? How did we get together again? How did we end up getting married 7 months later? Stay tuned....