Winding down...

Have finished with my speech therapy clients and just have a report and programme to collate.  Then my games and resources go down to the storage cupboard in the garage which will clear the floor a bit in my office/ craft room.  Yah.  It is high time I finish as the sheer act of getting ready to get out the door is hard enough, let alone carting my (heavy) box of tricks up and down the stairs and everywhere.

 

Here's my naturalist setting up our worm farm.  It's been great for the garden.  Now I'm no gardener- but we're still getting strawberries in April- that's about a 6 month season I believe?! 

 

 

It was fun altering the wooden spoon for the cafe competition.  If you visit the Wooden Spoon Cafe in Richmond you will probably see it on the wall somewhere...  Might be nice to make one for our kitchen wall now.  Add it to the list LOL.

Off to the movies with master 6 on this rainy old day.  I can see more lego creations happening today and a bit more of my bubba hat knitted.  Might even make a pot of pumpkin soup for tea.  Num num.   {hugs} Sally.

Decmber Daily at last!

Good morning.  It was funny hearing my little man shriek with delight this morning that "it's raining"- which I'm sure many people will be happy about.  However right now it's more drizzle than rain.  This is quite boring talk isn't it?!   LOL

 

So without further ado here is a wee look into my December Daily 2013.  I used a Simple Stories Album and primarily the Simple Stories Handmade Christmas range.   Enjoy... 

 

Happy Sunday folks. xo

Yah for weekends

I love my morning routine of Facebook, blogs, email and pinterest (over brekkie and coffee).  It gives me a lift to start the day.  AND how awesome are weekends?  Had a lovely time out at Lyn Jordan's place yesterday.  I really needed it after the week we've had.  Girl time.  Creating time.  Love it.  I need to finish the 2 LOs so can't show them yet.  One of them is even a multi photo page.  EEK!

 

Firstly a LO for Scrap Box NZ.  More pics and products can be found over there. 

 

 

 Inspired by one of the PaperTreyInk designers I made a couple of cards in this design with my new spool dies/ stamps.

 

Now I don't think I've shared this LO yet (LOL).  Swimming lessons from a year back.

 

That's all folks.  Going to have a quiet, pottering around home day today.  Lawns and tidying up outside are on the agenda.  Bye for now. xo

Where did January go?

Good morning.  Well the summer has been awesome.  Way easier having a 3 1/2 and a 6 year old than a 2 1/2 and 5 year old.  Lots of happy pretend play between the boys. We still had our moments but was good on the whole.  Did our usual 1 week in Golden Bay and visited the usual fav places- cafes and the like.  Lots of summer memories to scrap. 

 

Arrived home to a new deck that was built by my father in law.  LOVING the space.  Great having meals outside and Gav and I have a drink (me non-alchoholic!) after the kids are in bed most nights.  Fills up my quality time tank!

 

Also did 2 weeks of swimming lessons with Mr 6, which has seen a huge increase in his confidence and yesterday he decided to go for it with his over arm strokes.  We were thrilled as he has come such a long way over the last month. 

 

I seem to have a bit of creative energy at the moment.  Possibly cos I haven't properly started back at work yet.  Have lots of things on my wishlist.  I said to a friend yesterday that maybe I shouldn't buy any more paper until I've used up my stash.  Realistic?  Let's face it, probably not. LOL.  Thinking about a subscription to the crazy Monday kits.  Have finished the bulk of Dec Daily but am out of steam/ inspiration for the chipboard album cover.  Don't want lumpy bumpy as it will go in the bookshelf with the others.  **Ideas ladies?**

 

Love this LO that we made in a workshop with Lyn Jordan.

 

A project for Scrap Box NZ.  Most of the products can be purchased over there.

Lastly a charity kit that I bought blind from Scrappin Patch.  It took me over a year to complete!  The style/ colours aren't exactly to my taste, but hey it's another page done.  Made a few changes from the original design too.

Have a good week peeps xo

Happy New Year

Well Christmas is all over red rover.  I'm kinda glad that it is, kinda sad too.  Journalling and taking photos for my December Daily helped savour every moment leading up to the big day.  It was a good thing to do this year- it sure as eggs won't be happening next year LOL with a new little one on our hands.

 

So first up is the village I built, which I can show now as it's been gifted.  The base design is from 'Collections Elements' which was purchased through Lyn at The Scrapbook Store.

 

I can't take credit for the next wee treasure.  It was purchased from Felt and here is the link to the seller  http://felt.co.nz/search/all/cupcake+cutie

I have a tradition of sending an angel each Christmas to my host 'mom' in Canada.  Isn't she gorgeous.

Christmas wouldn't be the same without our beautiful New Zealand summer berry fruit!
Mum did very well to accomodate my kids, my vegan brother and pregnant me in terms of Chrissie dinner.

Last of all my beautiful wee man who is growing up before our eyes.  I still call him 'baby James' at times.  I wonder if this will change?!

Blessings!  Here's to a happy, healthy and safe 2013.  Have one (or two) for me.

2 more sleeps!!

 

Hope that this finds you chilled out and organised.  Today is a good day.  Our coffee machine is back and is finally making a good cuppa, unlike the watery blah stuff it was spitting out.  Also a good thing that it's not just about exploding when we turn it on. LOL  Gav went out to Mapua to pick it up, as the thought of no good coffee for two weeks did not thrill us. 

 

So first up, the preschool teacher gifts inspired by Pinterest.  Basically a small jar half filled with hot chocolate, half filled with marshmallows and a small bottle of baileys on the side.  Num num.  The tag is made with the PTI friendship jar.  I have also used PTI button twine.  This is a staple in my stash AND IT'S JUST RUN OUT. 

 ****Does anyone know where I can buy this thin button twine in NZ?****  Otherwise I may have have to put another PTI order through in the New Year (wink wink).

 

So after these were gifted I told the engineer that they were well received and he goes "Of course they were, they contained booze" LOL. 

Have been using old sewing patterns to wrap some of my presents- girlie ones that is!!

 
Here's the cake.  Not my best effort, but hey the kids didn't mind.  Didn't realise until viewing the photos later that the Chipmunks people had put my whole pack of candles on (not just 6!!!!) and that one of the spiders had been knocked off it's perch- or his legs as the case may be.   Oh well, noone seemed to notice. 

I branched out and instead of doing my standard kid's birthday butter cake, I used Annabel Langbein's chocolate cake, which really is divine.  I usually make the ganache to go with it but for the party just did a butter cream icing.  Here is the link for the chocolate cake  http://annabel-langbein.com/cooking/recipes/recipe/?id=279

 

And finally the fellas eating their pud on Ol's new skateboard, on our NEW CONCRETE PATH whoop whoop.  Yes it's the little things.

 

A very Merry Christmas to you and yours. xoxoxo

Christmas Blessings

How are you doing?  Surviving the crazy season?  I am quite enjoying all the festivities.  I think being organised helps.  It sure is busy though.  Master five has 3 birthday parties this week (including his own).  Have a few Christmasy things to share today.....

 

So firstly some of my tags.  You may have seen them posted already on the Scrapbox NZ blog.  I love using shipping tags.  So fun to distress and embellish. 

 

A few Chrissy cards. Most of them have PTI stamps.  Yum yum.

One of my wee owlies made using the silhouette cameo.  This must be my fav 3D item.  This wee guy was made for Ol's teacher.  I refrained from writing "thanks for making me wise" LOL.

 

Big smiles from Mstr almost 6!  Out for lunch in Mapua.

 Last but not least, some crafting with the wee fellas.