To be pacific...

Bye Bye Blogspot and Kia ora Wordpress

2007-01-22T21:55:00.000+13:00

So bummed to be leaving this blog behind, more so bummed that I couldnt get the pictures up so will probably visit this from time to time............. so check me out over here... nah over here
www.tibblewilliams.wordpress.com

Leave me a comment to please so I now its working :) hehehe

second set

2007-01-14T11:00:00.001+13:00

Xmas-Cards
Originally uploaded by miche11etw.

Am yes I am still a scrapbooking but I Love cards!!

2007-01-14T10:58:00.001+13:00

Xmas-Cards
Originally uploaded by miche11etw.

I loved making these cards and didnt really want to part with them. DOnt you hate that. But in the spirit of giving (oh man) this is what I gave to a work mate as part of the secret squirrel game... there are 2 more to go with this set too..

Home and Heart

2007-01-14T10:53:00.001+13:00

spending time with learning about light so having done the readings and reflected on the work, this was my first photo... I love where this journey is going.

PS Note the New World Shopping trolley, hillarious!!

Ok this could take awhile but yeah to having some pictures on my blog

2007-01-14T10:48:00.001+13:00

TeAute-(126)
Originally uploaded by miche11etw.

This is a family reunion shot that I did with some photos taken at their homestead. Awesome whanau I might add

Flickr have saved this blog!!!

2007-01-14T10:45:00.001+13:00

TeAute-(188)
Originally uploaded by miche11etw.

Yah some photos to post... this is what I have been up to with my new baby. Gonna find some more maize feilds to play in now!

Also had a great crop yesterday in Whakatane with Delys, Dianna, Sandra, Raewyn and Jackie. Thanks was exactly what I needed.

No rest for the wicked...

2007-01-10T18:59:00.000+13:00

So its that full on time of year but have been having a blast given its so quiet. On the blog front well was thinking of changing and have even go tme a new address but wanted to stick it out a bit more here and see how I go re getting some photos up. Kinda attached to this one really but will see I guess.

Havent had a break except for stat holidays, but with the strange weather my allergies and sinuses are having a ball. Been busy with a shoot with a family reunion (imagine pictures here of about 60 maori standing infront of a marae :) and creating some 6x6 calendars (imagine a calendar here with my daughter in her fairy dress) and dvds and some family shots. Have been spending a lot of time thinking about the use of light in my photography and how it effects/ affects the mood. Have been fortunate enough to be supported by Mandi. She rocks and has been forthcoming with sharing not only her experience but also in her practical as solutions.

So with my new love (yip out of the way hubby) we hanging like mates do and taking alot (and I mean alot) of photos.

So looking forward to a few things as well and one includes heading to Whakatane this weekend to catch up with Delys and crew. Wicked, looking forward to that one I tell yah. And also doing some PS Tips with SE and congrats to Lisa for getting her website up..

Ok better check the kids. Can only hear 2 crying and not 4... ummmmm LOL

ok i want a new blogger

2006-12-29T00:15:00.000+13:00

but what happens to this one... I'm not sure but havent been able to load photos and I have no idea why and its driving me nuts..... so if you know why can you share the love and let me know :)

Oh pretty baby

2006-12-27T18:47:00.000+13:00

I wanna hold you tight
Oh pretty baby wont you say your mine
my pretty baby............ my canon 30d baby .... oh pretty baby

Got me a new camera and a couple fat lens and I should be in debt for about a year!! aargh... so yip being my own santa claus is a sure way of being truelly happy. Not that hubby wasnt great this year... infact considering I didnt give him any money (by accident I might add) he did manage to pull of a beauty and I have a new bed spread ( i love linen) which he said he choose because it was inspired by scrapbooking!! Good man :) I'd post a picture but not having much fun in that department of late... anyway back to my new camera!!

Its a canon 30d and it rock. The colour is amazing and though it took me a while to get there and not look at the sony one, we got there and I love it! Habe got a couple of great outdoor and potrait lenses and had a phoot shot today and have another 2 tomorrow so am doing a bit of a crash course in how to operate my new beast. With my Sony, I could move through it like a charm and do miss it. Especially for the fact that I didnt have lenses. But now that I do, have to slow my thought process down to accomodate the new thinking :)

Christmas here has rocked!! Its been relaxing and enjoyable all round. Almost the opposite of last year! Had a morning breakfast at home with friends then lunch with my parents, cruised around to some of the other whanau in Maketu and then went back to my parents for tea and then out cold. But sadly there are no photos of the day because I didnt buy the new camera until boxing day ( not counting my husband cell photo camera which doesnt count that much but who knows).

Am back at work and tryingn to find my mojo.. actually my mojo still there more that anything trying to find time.. so much I would like to do just need to do it :)

Ok will try again to post some photos......... still no luck.. what the &*$^#

Yip, it has been that long

2006-12-19T21:22:00.000+13:00

Yip busy is the word of the month... wow its seems like camp was ages ago but I'm thinking it was only a month or so.... ok as a quick update

1) work going well and finding my feet slowly

2) scrapbooking, only thing I seem to find time for is buying more product

3) photography has been going well and am have to upgrade so have had to slow down a little

3) christmas is insane and to comercial for me... trying to find what makes it special to us as a family and work that angle.. seems harder when you live within five minutes of all your immediate family and spend at least 3 days of the week together....

4) enjoying at the moment making home made presents including cards and truffles and such

5) hubby is enjoying being a full time SAH"D" and so are the kids

6) I am working thru the holiday period with AL afer waitangi weekend

7) I love photoshop !

ok and of course some pictures of all the above......

(well would add some photos but it wont let me...)

take care

Its been that long???

2006-11-20T12:38:00.000+13:00

Since I last blog. How embarrasing :) Ok am at work so will keep it short and upload some layout later since I'm at work... so heres goes

1) went back tot he coast one week later!! Another long drive but this time to Waipiro Bay. My dad said we were from there but failed to mention we are FROM there. Walk into the wharenui and am surrounded by my ancestors hanging from the walls with there names of which was Wiremu kururangi the first and second, my dad being the third adn my son being the 4th. So he got a buzz. was overwhelmed and even missed the fact that my grandfathers photo was hanging there, in which case had I seen it earlier I would have parked my family under his photo. So had a bit of a word with dad re that, because it took me off guard and I wasnt quiet prepared to see the many version of my physical features :). So off course had more opportunities to take more photos!

2) Scrapcamp was awesome. Reading Karen Ridgeways blog one can appreciate that life presents us with difficulites that leave us in situation where we are best to be at home. However there is also a process around managing one commitments and communication is important. There was none of that and to say that you have a class prepared and someone else is delivering assumes you have done exactly that. This was not the case, as there was no class, just two organisers out of pocket and stressed waiting for instructions to a class that never arrived. So my shout out to Yolande and Liane who managed the weekend successfully given the circumstances that they were put under!! it was for all accounts a successful weekend (and yes there are always those whop are going to moan and those who are actually going to provide constructive feedback NOTE there is a difference) and the New Zealand talent is still amazing so a big thanks to Faye and Nic. There we're 2 classes and 2 challenge packs where as in previous years there were 3 classes. By default I enjoyed the pace of this weekend. There was opportunity to do your own work, meet blogging mates and buy... which of course did fully... last 2 camps I was blown off my feet and didnt get as much as I wanted to do, stuck to my own table so to mingle was great all round :)

3) work is going well, and being mobile is testing my management skills a little but thank goodness for technology :)

well so much for quick. Also was awesome to meet all the forum friends and blogging crew, nothing like kanohi ki te kanohi (face to face) and seeing their talent in action is awesome too :) ok LO photos later

It was a long drive

2006-11-07T23:18:00.000+13:00

but it was worth it and had a great time with my whanau. Am used to working at the marae, done it most of my life but was better at it (aye sister) when I was younger. More of a take the meeting minute, be on the committee kinda whanau memeber now, but being out in the sticks is different. You cater for lord knows how many, we were expecting 100 there was 200. kithcen is no bigger than a kitchen you would find in a three bedroom house and about 20 people in there dishes preparing meals cooking meals carving meat, but all ammenties like a shop for extra kai are miles away.Also the dedicated man hours are insane at the marae. And its all volunteer and the meals look like they are fit for a king and its all done with love, laughter and sweat. Its awesome.

The drive was 5 hours and the coastal roads were stunning, so was stoked to get some photos. what I loved mainly though were the little hick towns with building of character and colour. I'm talking green building with purple trims and orange doors that looks terribly disgusting usually but in places where people are scarce they liven the area and that doesnt even include the beach itself.

Wondering who they stunning women is, well thats my baby sister and happy birthday sis and yip this is you and it looks 20 times better in the frames your getting for your birthday so happy birthday Hiria, you are the best sister and I'm stoked that God gave us each other and our brother (ps that the guy in the photo with my girl on the wharf and outside the hotel at waihau bay)... yip they are both spunkier in real life its disgusting...

Wow where did all that time go?

2006-11-01T22:24:00.000+13:00

Can you tell I'm loving black n whites at the moment, love the emotion and detail it evokes and especially with the contrast and dark blacks I'm using am stoked with the way they turn out... this photo is my cousins son....I love this photo!!

Ok so starting a new job has been fantastic but of course as the balance of acts goes, somethings hit the floor while others stayed in the air. Scrapbooking hit the floor as did my blogging.. . Well its my 7th day into the job and its feeling good... but that me, i have learnt to go with my instinct and trust it so again so far so good and I think I'm going to like it, like it a lot actually.

But what have I been up to, well scrapooking wise, because its not an everyday thing like it was have had a bit of a pit stop so this week only managed to do a double layout, plus Yolande online class which was my first class and really enjoyed. Hoping to do her next one as well as Chris Millers class but I'd better get in quick. Also postie fulla ow, where my November SO Kit??

Whanau wise have been back home to our Marae at Pukehina in the weekend and had a working bee on the wharekai as it needed some zuising. Our whanau was raised at the marae and for me given I was raised by her, my kuia was one of the "old ones" so being at the marae was an everyday thing. However on her passing, as matriachs go, as a wider whanau we dont go there much. its also a small hapu marae so we are fortunate that events like tangi are few and far between, but then so are wedding and birthdays... anyways wasnt looking forward to it cause it sounded like hard work and hardly anyone turns up but when we got there had an awesome time catching up with the cousins, and I know its corny but I could feel her, a warmth, a presence and it was her.... so with the kids playing bullrush at the front, and the nannies singing and the koros drinking I remembered her and took a moment just to see my childhood for a moment through my kids playing with my mum, there grandmother... okay thats enough of that but these are some of the whanau that were there

This weekend though we are off again to Ngati Porou East Coast for my dads brothers unveiling and taking as usual my camera. As we are off to the sticks, whops whatever you want to call it (ie Rangitukia and Tikitiki) and hoping to capture some more intimate whanau photos as well of those of locals being being local!!

PS Congrats to the new DT for Scrapbook Essentials. Tu much!

Sad that is over

2006-10-23T23:13:00.000+13:00

The long weekend that is! I love hanging with the whanau, especially now that I'm off to work tomorrow in my new job as a primary healthcare manager. Will get back to you on what that actually means when I find out myself :)

Ok so had an awesome time this Saturday with Yolande and her family. So heres the story and some sneak peaks to go with...........

The weather wasnt being kind but in the end it worked out all good. I was a little nervous because as a friend whom I respect and enjoy being with, I didnt want to sux. She off course never gave off that kind of pressure it was just me and my expectations around what if my style isnt what she was looking for and what if I sux!! In the end it felt good, really good and afterwards when I took some notes and did some reflection about the shoot, came away with some seriously good grounding stuff. Yip I reflect! Everytime I do a shoot I scribble in my notebook (which will turn into a scrapbook once I'm finished with it) around what went well and what could be improved. Anything from what order to take photos in ie. water shoots last cause jeans get wet, to thinking about clothes colours and how I handle myself and the family I'm working with.

So am taking bookings in the BOP area and am avalaible weekend and most afternoons which with the summer months are looking good, especially with those reflections and have just posted out some info for those who have requested it :) Re my prices , a session for up to five people is $100.00 with travel cost if outside the Te Puke area. Sessions are from 1 1/2 to 2 hours, we have heaps of fun, cause thats the kinda atmosphere I love especially for families and you have up to 30 photos to look at :)

As for scrapbooking, as a reminder be gentle on me Yolande, its my first time for the SO online class. So go here where the uber cool people will be this Friday. Order my first kit to from SO so looking forward to that. Also I have a new love. Clear stamps.. OMG why did it take me so long to know... but I soooooooo want these and these and heaps more but I dont think its gonna happen yet... soon but not yet.........

And family wise, wow flippa ball rocks. My family ie my sister, mum, dad and me have always been competitive, not so good with the social thing if it means not winning. And given I like fun, being competitive doesnt translate into me getting a personality transplant and turning into a crazed monster! But mate are some parents clowns. If I was the ref I would have told them to leave or shut the hell up! Man they were terrible if not to other children then to their own. My 8yr loved it and we loved it cause its a sport he choose to do without his so very talented brother being involved. Its something just especially for him. But boy the thrill of it is amazing... bring on summer!!

Im so tired

2006-10-20T00:02:00.000+13:00

Nothing like a new job to hurry all the things you meant to do over the past four months and havent!! Mate theres heaps and I'm to bugger to care .

Did my first kohanga shot to day and have got another couple of the next week but man was it amazing and hard work!! Did a bit of a special deal for the kohanga cause wanted to use the opportunity to help me perfect a couple of techniques so just a few photos of the poor children (there was 19 of them) who had to under go the trauma that was me!!

Hopefully the parent will like them as I think its a little different to the standard photos we get from the school photos, but may not be the parents style at all .... ugghhhh now I'm scared... oh well so tired I'm gonna knock myself out with self so it wont keep my up, maybe tomorrow night it will

Monday 15th October

2006-10-16T10:32:00.000+13:00

Woah were did the weekend go. Not much of anything to report had a quiet one I think??? Enjoyed my night on Friday at Bookem and managed to do some layouts instead of just talking and getting nothing done. Saturday went out to dinner with DH at the local rugby club here and had an early night though DH got in much much later:) Was suppose to go out on the waka ama on Sunday but it was too choppy so I opted out cause it can be pretty rough and I was in the scrapbooking zone. hehe.

Havent been to many blogs this weekend either cause I have exceeded my usuage on boradband so I have to wait till tomorrow till I'm full speed and then I'm a go again. How do you handle the dial up thing, its driving me nuts!!

So some layouts to share...

Friday 13th September

2006-10-13T10:41:00.000+13:00

Just wanted to say thanks to all those who a) visit and b) comment. Love that you do that and just to support that it what makes me blog, honest, I love the audience:) So my new challenge is to comment on at least 80% of the blogs I visit. Thats scary I tell yah becuz I visit heaps but I like that feeling so I'm gonna give it back...

Ok to start with cause Janine has done it on her site, here are some of

My favourite things

1 Cream Paua made by my mum

2 Laying in the summer sun reading a good book

3 Being unexpectly served a triple gin lime and lemondae while reading my book

4 Morning cuddles from my kids (only if I'm awake already)

5 Sitting in a spa on a star lit night

6 Having a spotless house

7 Listening to music from my high school and uni days

8 Being at the marae with whanau

9 Watching my children swim at the beach with a picnic

10 Kicking back with hubby when the kids are asleep

Some other "unusual" things about me (your only getting 10 )

1 Last time I cried was in 1999 about my nan (she died in 98) and before that 1984 when I

was 9yrs old in hospital

2 I eat my KFC on a plate

3 I am terrified of birds

4 I kill at least 2 birds a week while I am driving (its weird)

5 I am the best person I know at guessing story lines in movies and tv. It amazes hubby even

6 I like reading outloud to my hubby when hes driving on long trips

7 I have my showers or bath at night with no light on (nice and peaceful)

8 I vaccum my floors 3 or 4 times a day

9 I dont watch horror movies. Last one I watched was in 1989 called hell raiser and thats only becoz my cousins pinned me and held eyelids up!!! LOL

10 My mother doesnt like me drinking front of her. Doesnt mind my bro or sis just not me??!?!?!

Yip thats enough. Plus cant think of to many more

Also been thinking about my scrapbooking and to date its all the good stuff and if you looked at my pages, albums, life looks pretty damn sweet. So thinking on this decided I'm gonna do some of the not so sweet stuff. As life has it, had my share of blows in life and love for that matter so am looking at putting some of that down... not sure what it looks like but going to give it ago.... its been inspired some part by the new ad on tv encourging kids to stay in school and has these ghostly images of kaumatua (older person) while the schools are in class, walking home in the hallways and doing poi but the message at the end which I can remember right now prompted me to think about my past and I think the one of the greatest things I can share with my kids, later when it comes up, its the hard stuff and the hurt stuff. So ummmm gonna think on that! Am off to Bookem tonight for a midnight scrap so looking forward to that as well.

Ok and to answer Sandra I will now be working for Poutiri Trust based in Te Puke but has 20 providers across New Zealand. So I'll be managing the Primary Care Sector..... I start 24th October and am doing my photography in the weekends until it might one day become full time:) Oh well better get some work done

Damn I'm employed again......

2006-10-11T22:35:00.000+13:00

but yeah at least its in time for Christmas. So have decided to bite the bullet and am going back to work, after 4 glorious months of being a SAHM to my 4 awesome kids. Honestly I know it is hard and that being a SAHM is under rated, but hands down it beats the shit out of having to deal with stinky adults, firing and discplining staff, managing egos and political agenda and writing and researching reports :) So start the Monday after Labour weekend and managed to negoiate myself what I think to be a sweet deal where I get to work from Te Puke (not at home but at the offices) and only have to travel 2 days a week to Rotorua. Initially it was full time in Rotorua but loved it when the ball is in my court.

Upside also is that I can again becoming a consumer of products. I do it so well and looking forward to Lisa site going up also. Still struglling with that dame altered project, I think I need a mentor??#&*! Me and altered projects are not the go. So anybody running DT with just layouts... any body???

Lastly, yesterday was a historically moment for many of the whanau of Maketu. Yesterday I had the privilege to travel with Ngati Whakaue as I was asked to document what had in essence been a journey of over 50 years. In Maketu we have the Marae Whakaue and its trusteeship is unusual as the trustee were court appointed and were members of the Te Arawa Maori Trust Board based in Rotorua. Ok so there are issues, heaps and finally yesterday trusteeship was disolved from the trust board and handed to "some" of the whanau who have over the years acually been responsible for the marae and its running. This was the 3rd attempt and twice it was suspended due to individual submissions which lengthened and delayed the process. After all 50 years is a lot of maori mens life time and so was pleased that many of our elders were there. Finished? Kao. Momentous? absolutely and am stoked that I was to be there.

Just some photos to share

2006-10-09T00:30:00.000+13:00

Had an awesome time with this whanau and was stoked to be asked to record a generation of 4 women (well 3 and a girl) so to this as part of my "product line I am putting together a 1 pager on each women and then making a stylish book. So should be intersting hopefully successful. Noted of course are the men folk, they saw they women having fun and wanted to join in. To be honest this shoot was scary. Why because of the kuia in the photos. See my nan was grumpy, real grumpy, yelled at the photographer waved her tokotoko (stick) at him and he took it, and just smiled at her.... and as a reult he passed the test and she went from crabby to angelic. I was afraid of the same thing. But no this kuia was lovely from the start. We had orginally intended to go to the beach but it was too cold so we stayed at the house. So improvising is my next skill and Delys yip I will be prepared!

Made some cards for my sons today. They have been away the whole week so was missing them and made them a card, telling them how much I missed them. It was cool and more so when they both took them and said they would look after them for life (that should be at least 2 days)! Was gonna post it but cant be flagged going to get my camera from the lounge! Will do that Wednesday.

Also have been scrapping and am soooo struggling with the altered project! I'm more of a layout girl I think! So have done the layouts for both Scrapbooking by Design and Scrapbook Essential but &$*@# to the projects. I need a design theory in my head so it looks right to me...... oh well ... might put up some sneak previews instead (can I do that)

Finally on beta blogger adn I'm liking it. Took them long enough to ask me:) So am having a tutu but love the label function and the ease of use. Now to get my counter back and my old vid clip... help!

October 3rd ......already

2006-10-03T23:16:00.000+13:00

The date....Thats scary... the kinda scary that tells you Xmas is coming and you've only just gotten over last Christmas.

Am in a good mood, did the Moke Whanau on Sunday at the Beach and was pleased with how it went. It was good meeting someone elses kid and trying to figure out how to connect with them, especially when there arent related. But hey humans come in all sizes and as a general rule find these size humans not to bad:) So some photos to share from that photo shoot. So loving the grunge look at the moment, especially with mum and son against the orange wall and the one with mum in the chair and having the sea as a backdrop!

Also big shout out to the newly selected Up2Scrap ET! Awesome ladies and looking forward to being inspired by you guys................ and and to tautoko Yolande, way to go NZ Scrapbooking!

Story Boards I tried to load.......

2006-10-02T09:06:00.000+13:00

Like tried a hundred times with blogger on my last post gave up and just did a new post! Busy weekend. Had people over so I didnt get to participate in the Queen competition as I would have liked to so bummed over that. Permanent note to self... dont have people over during cyber crops to much to do and to much fun to miss out on :)

Gray Anatomy update go here for some lovely juicy bits but dont go ther if you are wanting to be surprised for next season... its a catch 22 thing i know :) And go here to check out the new stuff and KS

I'm out

Saturday 30th September

2006-09-30T08:30:00.000+12:00

Huh! See what happens when you resigned to a challenge, you completely give up and hello a few days pass again before you say hello to your friendly bloggers again.

Had fun last night with SO cyber crop. It was sooooooooooo good to be scrapping with friends. Managed to complete one lay out and thats here in the gallery but have now decided to post it cause last nights one was taken under the veild of my shadow and this one looks better. See judges it does!!

Have got a photo shoot this arfternoon so looking forward to that. Spent most of last week with potential suppliers. Mate thats a whole new part of the game all together! I've decided a few products and will just stick with that for now and grow it as I go along. So far have got block photo mounts (these are wicked) canvas, frames, storyboards and standard prints and for my older teenagers (or teenagers that have paying parents) posters and bragbooks.

Obviously my logo isnt in the one that they get, though I'm thinking about it! So if your in the BOP area and looking for family photos for Xmas let me know! $50.00 for a session with one teenager and they get 6 4x6 prints and $100.00 for a family with up to five people with 6 custom made christmas cards with a photo of you choice. Shameless I know :)

Well better get moving, I want to be a Queen this weekend!

*******************************************************************

Aaargh blogger wont let me add my photo... I'll try again later

Change in pace

2006-09-26T10:11:00.000+12:00

Ok so did my best and am resigned to bloggin not so often. Admittedly was good motivation to get pages done so I could have something interesting on my blog. So another layout which is ok and one of those quick slap it on a page and see what happens. Um answer was an unbalanced not quiet right page. But I'm struggling, struggling to use pattern paper as th background, I only want to use white! I know. But I'll get there, well maybe I wont but hey.

Also started my Today You album last night so that should warm me up for my DT entries. Well I hope it does. At the moment have been spending time reading up about design concepts. I think I could improve my style by picking up on some theory and going from there. Just a little bit and just doing some reading over the internet so at least its free and I dont have to leave home for it.

Waka Ama rocked. Was a little "worried" about taking my big butt out on to the water and having done rowing since I was in the rowing team like 15 years ago and share in the stories that Sandra shares. My dad was just as a side note, the coach from hell and I've never been partial to waking up at 4am since. But relly enjoyed it, it was relaxing and not as hard on my body was I thought it was going to be. Might be from being a mother and picking up ompa lompa sized babies :) Plus what a great way to get a tan.

Ok better get the house work done!

Sunday 24th September

2006-09-24T11:40:00.000+12:00

I'm getting in early as I may not be able to blog later tonight because my body may be detached from my arms. Going out for a paddle this arvo. Maketu have got a waka ama group together and have a beginners run today so gonna give that ago hence arms detached from body. (PS that photo is of Motueka High and from their website)

Here is aPage I finished last night (well maybe this morning at about 2am), which is a scraplift of a page Yolande did a little while ago. Really like writing my own words now cause it saves heaps of time and Imean heaps. Havent gotten over how ugly my writing is but have gotten over trying to line up the paper and the text on Microsoft Word.

Oh well going to hurt myself now... ouch!

Saturday 23rd September

2006-09-23T17:57:00.000+12:00

Not sure what going on but after having a bit of a tutu with Explorer 7 can honestly say I'm getting it all wrong. Have been trying to use the browser and not having alot of fun.

Oh well will have to search out how to use it properly cause I do like the tab feature.

Am stoked to have won the No8 Metal challenge. Wow my first challenge win. What a buzz. Looking forward to having a go at the Flower for a Boy layout but I'll see how I go.

Today managed to get some scrapbooking in as well as doing a photo shot for a young girl who has left high school. Had an awesome time and she was so cool to work with.

Have spent a bit of time lately going around town looking for different location and found this cool orange wall. Also had my brother in law so might be get a chance to practice in some of the cool industrial areas that I found. Not sure if the council no that some of them exsist either. Funnily enough you know that house that has all the dead cars out front, the one that you know is just bringing down the value of your section well they now rock.. Cool place to take some young men. Did get the required permission though and when I rang to let them know they were all really good and a couple asked if I could send my work in to their marketing director for approval as well.

Ok like Evana, I too have decided that the postie doesnt like me or has a chipboard fetish and is spending secret time with my packages. Come on NZ Post where are they!!! And yip agree with Lianne this is a hell of a challenge

Did another layout yesterday of my baby boy Joseph and love KI Memories and SEI papers. Need more lots more

21st Thursday September

2006-09-22T07:39:00.000+12:00

Photo wise have been practicing making eyes pop! Its all the go in child photoraphy and yesterday I took 3 bookings for November from people who were non-related, not whanau, not friends just referrals so yippie! Also have a job at Papamoa with a family who have a blue house with a big red door and its funky as so looking forward to that too. Just some exapmles I have of eye popping. Some people like it some dont I'm just practicing it!
Meetings. It seems that I am always in meetinsg. Apparently cause I'm not working the organsiation to which I am a trustee for send me to meetings. Long ardiuos, lots of community imput meetings.

Went to Bookem yesterday to buy more white cardstock and lakeshore as well so looking forward to doing more pages. And looking forward to Lisa getting her website up as well for and definantly going to have a go at that DT. Been thinking about DTs and at the moment have been enjoying scrapbooking cause I can, can some do something with that. Not because I have too but because I can.

Ok going to play with that white yummy cardstock:)

Wednesday 20th September

2006-09-20T15:05:00.000+12:00

A bit of a quicky and was fun making a mess ! Was great to use the paints and the MM stamps again as I hadnt pulled them out in a while given all my work with white cardstock and chipboard (whatever)

After the metal dare decided I needed more of that type of motivation to use whats in my stash rather than buying more new stash but in saying that some more chipboard letter arrived to day, yummy and waiting for my package from scrapbook essential which is my new favourite place to get chipboard and theyhave some new heidi swapp stuff too. Cant wait for those arrows.

Ok thats about it unless you really want to here about my washing:) Bye

Tuesday 19th September

2006-09-19T22:29:00.000+12:00

Ok so today was a business day today. Getting my booklets together and framing options for my kohanga sessions, then printing of my logos onto labels, contacting the canvas people for their prices, sources album suppliers (help with that one:), writing the content into my booklets, setting my prices and finally getting my business card printed. What a mission I tell yah! But getting there

Ffinished another layout today and just took a photo but its uga-mi-ly so will shoot it again in the morning and post it then. Also while sitting at my desk this is what I get to look at. As a bit of useless information I'm scared of birds, friken terrified that I head for the hills if a bird happens to flap its wings near me... short story got locked in a chicken coup as a kids with some crasy ass hens.. however come 2pm I'm outside trying to get a decent photo while the tui is jumping from branch to branch sucking the nectar from the flowers and I'm fricken getting a fright something chronic. stayed outside for 20mins was over it and well might try again later. And yet I thought kids were hard, birds are worse. PS I love spring, I love this tree and behind the window and wall i dont mind the bird...

On Zm this morning they were talking about Justin Timerberlake lastest song with the funky little line "I'm bring sexy back YEAH". So yah had to ring in and tell the morning crewwhat you would bring back... ideas were I'm bringing bullrush back" I love that game! Others were sunkist OJ, swinger parties, girls finishing school... so wondering what would I bring back.... ummmmmm

Monday 18th September

2006-09-18T14:56:00.000+12:00

Snapped. CAnt be doing a continous challenge and not notice there's a big hunk of days in the journal missing . So where have I been... in short sick and artistic. Have had the changing of the seasons flu, then to that had some photo shoots to do and found myself feeling worse given the cold wind. oh well had to confine myself to listening to my mother about my health. oh man make me feel like I'm 8 years old.

Still scrapbooking and my corner of the world is a happy corner :) Taking photos has been great. Had a little toddler the other day and man was he naughty and dirty. It was great. From that a shy teenage boy was next so had a great time trying to get him to look at the camera whilst being himself. Later this week have got another couple of teenage girls so that should be interesting.... man pimples are not my friend when trying soften them......... so have o charge extra for those, like clearsil isnt making enough money out of that industry :P

and finally hubby... see told you I'd win babe and you cant get rid of this photo :) Michelle 43285489170574618435 katrillion zillion, Witeri 0 natter, zero, nil zilcho grandius baby.. !

Wednesday 13th September

2006-09-14T10:30:00.000+12:00

Have realised that in the few days whilst I have been scrapping hard, what I havent done is take many photos. Usually I take a good few each day, just to concentrate on a particular skill that I am trying to make innate, but with being on a scrapping buzz its taken a bit of a hit. So back to it I need to keep it going.

Work wise just some more pictures to share of another newborn shoot and trying a couple of different "thangs" so see how it goes :)

Tuesday 12th September

2006-09-13T13:36:00.000+12:00

Today I wanted to scrap something about my grandmother who raised me. Its her birthday today and though she passed away 8 years ago, this much i never forget. So went to the urupa and took her a flower sat a little, spoke a little and thought quietly alot. She died at 88 from having breast cancer which was diagnosed at 86. So this year have put my hand up for some volunteer work for breast cancer month come October. Just my way of remembering her, of remembering us.......... Will post those by the end of the week......

Some pages... this one was for the dare metal challenge and the first one was for the SO Aug challenge which I didnt enter cause I couldnt get my photo upload and gave up to easily because Andrea and her staff have been awesome and an email would have solved that problem in a heartbeat.

Ok children to tend to... man why cant they bring themselves up :)

Monday 11th September

2006-09-11T23:39:00.000+12:00

Have just finished. My dare layout that is. It was great to get out all my scrapbook metals that I had brought when I first started which is about 18months ago. Never realsied I had brought so much metal stuff so now it gets to be on a page which ideally is where it should be.

Have been practicing though. Practicing lumpy and bumpy. I like the feel the look and mix it provides. Am such a pper photo kinda scrapper that whilst it seemingly cheaper, it aint! But man on the wish list is a cricut. I'm thinking christmas but first I need to think job! Oh have another interview this Friday so will see how that goes. I really would love to stay home. Life give or take is pretty cruisy so am holding on to that!

Will post photo tomorrow. Am I allowed??

Sunday 10th September

2006-09-11T12:29:00.000+12:00

How fast life goes by when you are recording it and how much time it takes just living life normally. Blogging everyday is hard work. Trying to think of something interesting but dont have anything..

Oh well back to life and sleeping again with my daughter

Saturday

2006-09-10T12:22:00.000+12:00

Spent today at the pools with my son as he had a friend over so we ended up at Baywaves and then McDees. While taking photos of my son a life guard approached me and then asked me to sign a photographers release form that said i would not use the photos for commerical use and only take photo of my own children (which I was anyway) ... never had that before:)

The watched rugby, drunk copius amounts of vodka and then fell asleep. Thats about it in a nutshell

Friday 9th September

2006-09-09T12:45:00.000+12:00

Ok really its Saturday lunchtime but I seem to have fallen into a new routine which at 8.00pm finds me asleep with my daughter instead of sitting in the lounge drinking vodka or in my room scrapbooking. Hubby tells me he feels a divorce coming on if I keep this up.

Friday I spent 4hours sitting in Council Chambers for a meeting and for the first 3.5 hours it was kinda fun. Thats only becuase I was texting the facilitator stupid stuff and putting him off his job and he had to hide his laughter. It wasnt actually to bad at all. You know how yah get the old guy that goes on and on and on and on and then loses both the plot and the point, well there was only one of those and he was in mild mode. Then there how i feel chicky, this chicky drives me nuts cause yah get her life story and again what was initially a group response now becomes about her...... aaargghhhh and then theres the one who only just moved home and now I know everything (luckily there where none of those present) and then theres the loud mouth! The one who has a brilliant point but has the most harshest way of saying it that unfortunately the message gets lost cause everyone is already offended. The rude phone person whose mobile goes off every 10 mins and then there the moaner who can only see all the bad stuff and doesnt have anything positive to contribute... and then theres me... the dreamer whose thinking about all the other places she could be instead of at this meeting, who has to say the odd casual comment and then goes back to lah lah land only to find that when she wakes up she is now on 4 other committees.

For ^&*# sake mother of 4!

So in short I have to stop dreaming during the end of meetings so I can decline appointment into other brain dead meetings..... maybe thats why I fell asleep

Thursday 7th September

2006-09-07T18:39:00.000+12:00

A good day today. Spent sitting in the sun and scrapbooking. Did three pages but decided to give myself a 30min challenge. yip 30 mins one page... I loved it, not so much the page but the challenge and writing the journalling myself saved me at least 10 mins, but my writings ugly so truelly prefer to stick to typed journalling that looks like hand script.

DD was funny this afternoon. Falling asleep while Little Einsteins was on she growling herself and man was she grumpy. Shes like "wake up you silly girl" or "you wanna piece of me little girl wake up" She turns few in a few weeks and I'm hoping for a little miracle. The one where she turns from a stubborn, loud little girl in to a wonderful listening child, who angel looks line up with an angel mouth. One can only hope

Also if you havent been here go go now! As a hint think chipboard think arrows think delish. what .. what are you still doing here go go now....

Wednesday 6th September

2006-09-07T12:11:00.000+12:00

Ok well some challenger I turned out tobe. Missed today entry because I fell asleep with my daughter at 8pm and hello woke up 5 Thursday morning. Must have been a good sleep cause I cant remember much of yesterday..........

Um so as a random recap.... did a photos shoot with some high school students and that was really cool, but woah do little girls wanna grow up fast!!

Still working on the 10 min story board and just a small note.... i suck at drawing... i really really suck at drawing my sketches look ummm whats the word I'm looking for ........... anyway they are crap so might have to ask hubby to redraw them once I have the sequences down.

Am doing a canvas class with one of the local church groups here so looking forward to that... ok will post again to night! Bye

Tuesday 5th Semptember

2006-09-05T21:54:00.000+12:00

So problems become smaller when someone share with you there tragedy and then all of a sudden the smallness of an arguement is suddenly replaced with a sense of thankfulness. So theres a friend who has to make a decision, a hard decision and I hope she'll be ok. So right now due to none of his own actions I love DH all over again :) How does he manage to get off so easily!

Have been active on 2peas photography for a while and at the moment there has been a buddy/ mentor system set up and am stoked to have been taken up by Megs who work and CC I have come to appreciated so looking forward to that.

Some photos of DH work also. PS I didnt take the photos! Will check with the if its ok for us to post photos of the people who have them first but these are what they look like on paper except for one of the photos. Hes always been artistic and he does the design but not the actually tatoo bit. The bottom design was one done for a cousin who had lived most of his life in canada as his mum is from there so wanted something for both sides and contains the canada maple leaf which I think is cool.

Oh well better keep working on my up2scrap submission. I wonder if I'll actually send them in ???????

4 September

2006-09-04T22:50:00.000+12:00

Well what did I do today... nothing really. Cleaned the house this morning dropped my kids of to kohanga and had my baby boy at home. Cleaned some more, had a coffee with a friend, went to bayfair with my mum (thats when the day got stressful as she lost her wallet in woolworths) came home, still not talking to hubby properly (thats makes the day quieter) and then proceeded to work tonight doing some tutoring for a nursing student and now its 11pm at night and my house is quiet.

Plan tomorrow is as follows

take all children to appropriate child care/ school venues
return home and do the minimum required house work to make it feel tidy
scrapbook
wait till 10 mins b4 picking up children and rush around like a mad women with the final jobs ie mopping washing in, tea prep
go to sports
eat tea
children to bed
scrapbooking

not sure how that will go.

On the creativel side of life, an entry that DH, Uncle and I put in to the wearable arts competition in Rotorua came first in the cultural section was a buzz and considering we were a first time entry with major designers entering not sure how we fluked that (will try and find a photo)! I have made the next step for my 10min short story so now I have to design the story boards which means one per 30sec.... argh = ???? 120 frames, design some invitations and anniversary booklets for a client (and they want 200 of each) , and proof my shots from last week of another new born! PS sleeping newborns are far easier! So when do I rest, oh well starting drinking after the children went to bed so am now on my 6th woodstock and can hear the pillow calling my name............ damn its hubby, to bad still not talking to him :)

And a photo taken the other day at the marae which I decided was cool with an infrared action:)

3 September

2006-09-03T21:39:00.000+12:00

Ok a challenge from Lianne to blog everyday so am gonna give it a go. Father day today cool. Saturday night he asked us to go to the club with him for a Fathers Day breakfast at 8am, hello by 10am we were drunk. not our fault really cause he got the info wrong and it wasnt a breakfast but a late lunch so at 3pm had massive lucnh by which time I was redy for na nighs.

And again its time for na nighs (theres has to be a better way to spell that)..

PS I have the best father in the world, hands down!! Actually I'm thinking best parents in the whole worl.. honest

Just enjoying the warm days

2006-09-01T10:57:00.000+12:00

Ok scrapbooking is good for marriage! The TV goes off I go into the room and scrapbook and hubby sits on the bed and talks to me or does his drawings (he designs ta moko & tats) we talk we comment on each others work and its great. No more mind numbing wathcing tv with the occassional grunt so in essence scrapbooking rocks!

Have slowly but surely been getting through my cc06 kits with slowly probably being a more accurate description. So completed wendys class and really enjoyed the doodling but will have to practice some more. Also got my Rhonna Ferrer Stamps and they are awesome. Didnt get the ones as per my previous stamps but instead some cool doodle swirls. Now all I need is a block to mount them on so I can use them as well as the ones from CC

On the job front, didnt get it after all that and they are going to re advertise. The process was really worth it and I got feedback which now gives me a chance to improve for next time :) Ok off to do some more scrapbooking!

My first new born shoot

2006-08-28T23:37:00.000+12:00

Wow... there were so many thing to think about... especially given it was so cold and birthday suits are the best. Had to work in a little tiny room of an old homestead cause the lounge was to cold, the walls were blue throwing the skin colour out, and the window which we could used was tiny tiny tiny but think we got there in the end. Newborns baby.... I'm glad it didnt make me feel clucky.... its was lovely but didnt have "that" feeling anymore... maybe because we have had so many traumatic experiences that in detaching myself makes me feel safe. Otherway this little girl was beautiful ......... just a couple to share... be kind please its my first time:) But getting there slowly but surely.....

Its my sons birthday today and we had a great party considering the little money situation. If anything it felt good to know you can still have a great time without having to spend big bucks which was a nice change. We brought all his fav foods (he went shopping with his dad to choose it) put it all on the table at the same time and I mean all of it and he thought he was in birthday heaven. He such an easy going kid. He measure life by what he has and not was he hasnt and is just happy to be happy.... love that boy!! And for a day or maybe even just interval he was the kool kid because he had a brand new shiny metallic soccer ball so in his words "mum I had the best day of my 8 year old life!! photos to come :)

What a difference

2006-08-27T14:09:00.000+12:00

a space makes!! Ok so I always knew it would but the reality is so much more funna!! OK so since Friday I have completed 5 pages and thats without sending any children away to be somewhere else. Was suppose to go to DH'srugby breakup at 6pm but didnt get there till 10ish and really only wanted to stay home because I was scrapbooking. I got the area ready though while DH was away so he was stunned that it was there and that the cot was gone, but all good so far and at least if hes hogging the computer I'm good, cause I got me a space:)

DH got a hair cut... honestly for him thats big... had long hair cause of kapa haka and the whole trad maori look when doing a powhiri etc... but now its looks like this yeah!! He now looks like he's 28 instead of 30 something... which works for me...... now wondering if he'll go and have the *snip*.... hehehe

Job wise (and thanks for asking:) did the maths test and the comprehension test whilst sporting a major head ache of the non alcohol kind. Man did that do my head in... ok so normally you do get a bit nervous and butterfly ish and in my case my thing is is that I feel sick, spew and then I'm good to go, this however was a big crok!! Took me 5 mins in a 25 min test to turn the damn thing on and work out a simple average! I was swearing my little blogging mouth off.. but oh well as of Thursday and Friday morning they ricg to say the decision is being now made on Wednesday..... what the :(&%#

I am a naughty blogger... I am a naughty blogger

2006-08-22T11:16:00.000+12:00

My son has just informed me I spelt bugger wrong.. Love his 7 years old imput.

Ok job update... mates its been a long process and am now short listed in the final 2. Have do on line personality tests followed by the interview based on my test results regarding my personality in the work place and in dealing with others.......... then have to go to Tauranga and completed two cognitive tests, 1 comprehension and 1 numerical (Yolande could do with some help here!) which looks at my processes and speed skills.... Fun fun fun!!.... I should be sweet... its confirmed I'm a nut:) Was it worth missing CC06, short term NO, long term Yeah... suppose...

I dont even want to go back to full time work, but because when I was young and making my life partner choice I choose poor maori, sorry........... poor, lovely, wonderful, loving, great dad, talented, intelligent, easy going, loves-working-in-his-community-based-job-with-teenagers-in D&A-intervetion-programmes-not-going-to-leave-underpaid poor maori boy! (just in case he reads it) PS He back from canada tomorrow. Wasnt suppose to be back till the end of the month but him got home sick (all together now) ohhhhhhhhh

So so good news for me... I have a scrapspace. Its small its well lit and its mine. Yeah!! to not dragging out the bag and taking over the dinner table and not scrapping cause I cant be bothered doing all the previous things mentioned Yeah!!!

OK where did my photo go???? It was here and now its not!! Man whats going on blogger... think I'll look at a typepad account.....

Am depressed

2006-08-10T23:12:00.000+12:00

So where am I... well more importantly where am I not... I am not at cc2006... okay so paid my full registration plus my accomodation, plus the fit for life lunch and an extra class with Wendy for the doodle it! What happened well plane tickets to expensive, my contract didnt get paid on Tuesday so was gonna pike it anyway. Then money came thru decided was gonna take a nice leisurely 6 hours drive and sing as loud and as flat as I liked (did all the time when I was at Massey).... so packed my bag, made 20 swap pins and stayed up till 2am on wednesday to do them ( would post a photo but camera is currently in Canada!!) and then this morning packed up the car, dropped of all the 4 children accordingly and the phone rings... the J O B that I have been holding out for short listed me and my interview is tomorrow with a presentation as well as another one for another great job on Monday morning which also requires a presentation to which they have given me my topic..... oh for F&*^ sake!

Here is one of my topics
What are the critical areas to develop in the Lakes Bay of Plenty Area to ensure Plunket achieves its vision, of ensuring that New Zealand children are among the healthiest in the world? Link your comments to Plunket’s Strategic Ends Policy

I could be hangout with the girls and getting drunk!!! For F%^&k sake!! In case you missed how bummed I am :(

I need the job, have LOVED staying at home but need the $$. hunny 350 a week aint denting anything :) so relaxation time is coming to an end and thinking more and more about how I'm gonna make my photography turn full time, tara whitney any ideas??

Enjoy everyone... go Bay Babes

What I have done so far.......................

2006-08-08T22:20:00.000+12:00

Yip NOTHING.... no home work, no bag packing, no work, no air ticket (I'm driving now) and no swap pins. Someone says, no its ok you dont have too and then hello.now they are all the rage... man pressures on. so offically my time start now. Will post when I finished them... hopefully tonight :)

Yeah some photography jobs!

2006-08-05T22:33:00.000+12:00

Ok permisson granted. These where my first two real jobs ie not whanau and money received. So pleased with my own self............ Maternity shots. One with a single mum to be due in two and the second a couple with five girls and number 6 due in three weeks. Scary... 5 girls, mate need to sleep with a gun under your pillow. Have another coupel shot lined up next week with families so interesting to see how I go. So nerve racking. Still havent made up my mind what to call my business (even though I'm sticking my little stamp all over the place)

So far like the follow

Freckles photography
tibblewilliams photography
matariki's crayon box

arrgh need to hurry up and get it sorted so I can be handing out cards and branding my brochures and stuff....

CC2006........... in the words of Austin Powers

YEAH BABY!!

Very Poor

2006-07-29T21:22:00.000+12:00

Ok so heres my sad list

done my home work for cc Kao
saved some money for cc Kao
booked my plane flight for cc Kao
done a name tag Kao
finished by SO layout Kao
paid the phone bill Kao
done a No. Dare Kao

So theres a trend......... hmmmmm points for that great observation if nothing else. What have I been doing??? Taking a few hundred thousand photos. Have been enrolled in a photography course for a little while now and practicing my little heart out!!! Wanna be tara whitney great now like Right now but have to be content with later. Have struck a problem though.... new information is gained at the cost of old information.... (think McDonalds add with filing information in the brain as remembered by Yolande)

As for photoshop... well in a shy little voice... I rock... given the short amount of time I've been on it and the fact I have four children I spend every other waking hours in this program but umm some goodies lined up for ScrapCamp. However one of my new favourite tools is the liquify filter... see below and you'll see why its a favourite

Re scrapbooking, this is a layout I did a couple months ago but never got a chance to upload it. Have done a few of these over the past few weeks (as in white card stock) but I think this is up there as one of my favourites. Wanting to do some more on it but waiting for my cc doodling class before I be brave and actually write on it

Busy also with Te Reo Maori week and been having a great time with our iwi here and getting some awesome events organsied as well as attending them. So in celebration of this some people have asked about my childrens names.............

Rangitautini Rangi (with a rolled r)- toe - tinny

Wiremukururangi Wiremu - koo - roo - rangi (said fast)

Parekotuku Pah - re - caw - too - koo ( said fast)

Teoterangi Whataati Te - or - te - rangi - far - tar - ti (yes hes gonna get teased at school with that one

Off to Auckland next Thursday to drop hubby of to the airport where he flys off to Cananda for the month.... yipee!!! So will be hitting the scrapbooking shops in norht shore... lianne where are you based :)

Cool ladies cool...........

2006-07-15T20:44:00.000+12:00

yeah to NZ scrapbookers. Looks great and what awesome line up of dare devils. So another new blog to add to the favourites lists...

And thanks Karen and Lynda for directing me back to Rhonna blog and yip it was me!! So hope those are winging there way to me. Not sure havent heard back but just cause I live in NZ thought maybe not...

But if I do get them... yeah yah they look awesome and cant wait to get my hands on those flowers!!

Ok once kids are back will be able to post more often. Also am loving being a SAHM!! aWent to WINZ the other day and mate dont they make you feel special. Granted I looked hori as but hey after wearing suits and makeup all day.... so had a bit of fun and when they asked what my wages were for the previous enjoyed wathcing her mouth drop and whilst I may have looked hori I certainly didnt sound like it as I wipped out the long syllable words in my dictionary and proceeded to explain that I had opted not to renew my contract and stay at home with my children... but again WINZ cant say was happy about having to go there and in the end ended up not actually needing too...........

Better go

Who invented school holidays.... a male I bet!

2006-07-11T23:24:00.000+12:00

Ok amazingly enough have been doing quiet a bit of scrapbooking but man has life been full on. So just some quick photos of what we have been up too. Just some photos to share of my sons practicing mau rakau (maori weaponary/ martial art) with their dad. We also got some stamps made up to do the ta moko on the faces but have to work out the best way to ink them and apply them to the face. Of you know cause you are a stamper let me know! And this is taken on our back yard which I forget to mention we have a little carved whare on it which you can see in the corner of one of the photos of my Wiremu.... doing a lot more portfolio building at this stage with my photography and working on natural light which so I would like to get around cause it does my head in?!???! Maybe its because I am a creature of the night........ummmmm I'll go with that

So kids at home as are other children kids so lots of fun in our backyard and hoping the weather stays fine. Rather have 7 kids playing outside rather than driving me nuts inside:)

Will post later with some of my layouts I think... DD has a bad cough, DH is in Wellington, DM (me) is getting sick and DSs are absolutely healthy thank goodness:) Well only 3 weeks left before hubby leave for a month to Canada to present at a conference with an expected audience of 30 - 40 000... yuck! Hoping at the end of end though he'll come away amped and with some more conference offers. That would be great... ok getting tired.............. need sleep..

Me at 10.... and again at ..... 18

2006-07-07T12:59:00.000+12:00

I'm thinking to myself take more photos of my children by themselves as well as each other cause I want to find more with just me!! Ok decided to provided details cause Sandra thought I was four in 1973!! Oh man......

Ok Grow me up and now I'm ten and my sister is 8. I love this photo of my sister. People used to say to my parents how lovely they were for adopting a little asian girl... hehe... but no she was all ours. People would always comment on her chingy eyes. On one occassion when some one told her that the wind would change her face (i think she was pokeing her tounge at an old nanny) she came running inside the house and ask me to blow into her face while she pushed her eyes in trying to make them more round. Admittedly I was cruel and told her it was working and that she might get faster results with a hair dryer. So she did that for about two months until mum caught her and boy did I get a massive growling......

Ok big fast forward Witeri and I in 1994. I'm 18 and hes 16. Wish my hair looked like that now! As for his, glad his hairstyle has changed. Last photo me and some friends in 94 at Massey University........... wish my legs still looked like that oh well thats what happens when you stop playing sport............. sigh...

ok school holidays I'm over those already. Having made a decision not so send the kids on a cool $35.00 holiday programme decided nah they can stay with me. But mate the doleros are fast disappearing. Hate PlayStation with a passion but this holiday I'm loving it cause its cheap and I chuck the odd chip and sandwich at them and they are quiet all day.... not a peep except for the occassional flushing sound from the toilet :) My two little ones are having a great time at home and we have been out walking a bit but the weather aint great so today they are with aunites and having fun with them hopefully :)

Okay better write these reports................ sigh

Challenge Post

2006-07-06T16:51:00.000+12:00

Yeah blogger is my friend and I can finally put up some pictures!

First one I need to PS it cause it looks pretty grotty but I'm lovin my shoes and my socks but not the hair style!!! Mum whats with that. The rabbit there I still have in a very poor state of affairs and the carpet looks disgusting. See mum my carpet is tidier than yours and I've got FOUR kids... BTW can I borrow your vacumn.

Second photo with my sister taken on James Cook Hill in Gizzy. Sister look at those legs!!!

Have got some layouts to post but just waiting to finish of one more so I can post them up together.... other wise back to the crazy children now.....

Naughty Naughty Naughty me

2006-07-04T14:43:00.000+12:00

Ok so admittedly I have been a bad blogger again.... just so much on and so much fun to be had
Well have been nice and unemployed now for a few days and I can honestly say that despite many comments I am not over it nor seem to be heading in that direction right now... so have been scrapbooking heaps, spending time with my kids, participating in friendly bubbly beverages, and spending time on projects that I had wanted to start up a while ago and now have the time to do so... also I might mention my house looks nice and spiffy!!

Have been going through my old photos and found one of my daughter that I love!! So want to scrapbook this. Her hair was pretty crazy and she looks like a little chubba bubba but I remember that time with her and I love it...

and secondly DH is moaning that I dont have any pages about him... specifically about what it is he does his loves, and his contribution to the kids lives so am gonna play along for now and do a few but I'm thinking DO IT YOURSELF :)

What else

Firstly big up to you Delys on the Tarisota win. WOW!!

Had some fun with the on line scrap with scrapbookoutlet but to busy in the chat room didnt get much scrapbooking done!! This was fun though as it was my first time (she blushes) and hangin out with Yolande and Eileen is always a laugh. SO looking forward to do more of these...

My scrapbook space is no further along that what it was some 8 weeks 4 days and 20 mins ago (sigh)

Theres a competition that we can enter at Scrap Trends in conjunction with Urban Lily that ends 8 July

And my buzz was that one of my fav scrapbookers, Keisha, commented on one of my layouts on twopeas.

Also wanted to post this challenge for anyone who is up for it and that is to post photos of yourself as a child, a teenager, a young adult and now.... I have found some good and some bad so here one of my sister in I in Gisborne, where my dad is from. I couldnt find any of me by myself as a toddler cause apparently my parents just took photos of us together even though theres a two year age gap and I was with my grandmother!! Will try and find my pimpalee teen photo tonight and post that in a couple of days...

*************************************************************************************

Tried to post it but it dissapeared or rather did a ppear so will try again later.

Laterz

Yeah I cna call myself a scrapbooker again

2006-06-24T16:34:00.000+12:00

It was a long night with little sleep but much was accomplished and yet nothing was achieved.... oh that sounded pretty good... where can I use that in a report??? It says lots of nothing just like lots of reports that I have to read...

Ok so here are the layouts I finished off and started and finished if you know what I mean . Have another three going at the moment but unfortunately my children are hungry so I'd better feed them...

oh yeah and yah to finding my challenge page. Only found it yesterday when I went thru all my gears!!

Things I'm loving ..........using text strips, pea haylie font which looks really good and handwritten (will explain to children that it isnt my writing) white cardstock (can yah guess) and BG boys collection. Wasnt much of a fan when I first got it but hey sometimes potential takes some time in the eye of the beholder.. sorry about the bad photos couldnt be bothered scanning them in!

Things I want more off... um white cardstock, chipboard stars and chipboard arrows ( I have nin tuck) hs alphabet letters any kind and all kinds and um yip thats about it really.

Bye bye... off to find the children.... I think they have starting to walk up to the shop without me... fatal flaw I have the money!!!

other photos

2006-06-24T03:16:00.000+12:00

tried to do all the photos in one post and it wouldnt let me so here the rest are.......... am working on the hand at the moment, well not this exact moment but you know what I mean!

Smack my bloggin hand!!

2006-06-24T02:58:00.000+12:00

One could be forgiven in thinking I do not scrap any more. Problem is have to clean the house before I can get to the kitchen table to start creating and secondly have to unpack the whole thing before children awaken!!! I want my own space room!!

Ok well its late.... 3am to be precise ish and I have been in the process of finishing and starting pages adn so far I am at 5 which is good for me considering I started at 10.30pm. Of the six three I did at scrapcamp but didnt get finished and of the three one is nicks class and the other 2 are my sad own designs..... working on compleing the FAYE album this weekend and am on a baby joseph buzz at the mo'. So will post in the morning.... remembering morning as in risng could be at about 1 at this rate............

phoyos.....before and after shots........... and some variations... if you want to know how to do something specifically let me know and I'll post the detail.... or should I save it all for the nov scrapcamp.... yolande??? hehehe

Oh yeah we won the social grade at netball final score 28 - 36 it was close I tell not much in it up unitl the 3rd quarter however because we won we now have to go up to the open fit grade (key word being fit in case you missed it)

Crazy Days of June

2006-06-19T01:01:00.000+12:00

Here we go again... ok in the lst 7 days we have done lots of everything .... no scrapbooking since camp which for all accounts is relaly poor and am getting fussamarated as!! Have nearly finished up on some photography assignments as well as practicing more and more skills but determined that new screen will be needed quickerly!

Ok so had TKD grding for my sons (ps hubby took the photos for that. I was tending to crying baby and got asked later from DH did you miss it all) my reply was not polite, netball practice including some photo practice for the real photo.

Very difficultto get grown women to pose in the cold of winter cause all they can manage to do is moan there *&# off says she who was wearing a full tracksuit and jacket. But good news we have our final on Tuesday night against the team we only beat by one last time so that should be fun. A couple girls missing in the shot inclusing myself and the manager was hung over and looked terrible so didnt want to be in it :)

Picture of one of the local kids outside the dairy....

question for blogger............man where to the photos go that get uploaded but dont show...........

Photos gone wrong

2006-06-11T23:23:00.000+12:00

Well its late of course so have been playing on photoshop and going through some photos that I would usually have deleted but instead going thru them i decided to artistly photoshopistly recreate them. The left is the orginal bad colour, out of focus, blah blah, middle one, cropped, colour variated, saturation increase blah blah while the last one is my new fav weapon which still needs me to tweak again. Ok let me know if they look terribly pale on your screen... I'm working of a screen that has a terminal illness and dying slowly so everything looks much darker... i should work off the laptop but cant be bothered setting it up. And like Yolande and Lianne am missing people comments and thanks to those who do!! So if your reading let me know which of the two you like :)

Actually got some scrapbooking done, bring on Yolande KS July class I'm busting to hook uo with everyone. Day in breif, woke up late, lounged around for ages, did some scrapbooking, went to visit my dad, searched for his and mums passport for 2 hours but found $1000 cash that she had stashed in a safe place about a year ago instead (wont tell everyone about that 'special place' mum) had a lovely afternoon nap followed by a mad afternoon with my daughter returning home from her auntys house and played referree between my two sons.

Habve been strolling the blogs and great to see Keishas blog back up and running. Love her work and will now have a play with my HS frames but miss my sewing machine something chronic. Actually picked it up at the op shop for $10 but lost the bobbin and havent been able to find a replacement one for the model ...... sigh Have also been enjoying Cynthias blog, Rachel Richters updated blog, and Desiree as well so guess I'll be awake for many hours

A picture speaks a thousand words

2006-06-10T18:31:00.000+12:00

Far too busy life is.... trying to find slow and easy again. But admist the asthma, the flu, the birthdays, and the work its all on all the time......... have made a couple of shoots for the month of June so looking forward to that and my last day of work is looming real soon..... oh well just have to spend more time on working the photography stuff and with any hope scrapbooking, bring on July 1st

Cards and Floods

2006-06-05T15:29:00.000+12:00

On the card front am loving my designing with greetings book. Highly recommended!!
I'm on a card making craze at the moment and decided that I would make me a set for family so they can stop bugging me to make some on short notice (defined as like 10mins before they are leaving for the birthday) so made this jandal/ sandal card for a 21st. Really enjoyed making the jandal card and decided I would use that template often. Will just have to touch up on my skills re joining the chipboard together. But again given the short notice I was stoked.

Also made some birthday invites for our 'pakeha' brother Brett whos 21st is in a couple of weeks. Struggled with the invites being a male and all so took a surfing approach and think that it was probably the inside words that made it funny. Cant see it on the scan but used my heidi swapp beach stamps and on the black card used my versamark as a subtle stamp, whilst on the front used the same stamp Ok so cards to make for

June are Sons 9th Bday Card,
Niece 1st Bday card
Sister in law bday card
Another niece 4th bday card
mum bday card (no i'm not going to give your age out)
2nd son 8th Bday card
brother in law get well son card
bretts 21 bday card

Should get my own stamp made at this rate. But yip on my DW calendar was a great idea to just make a whole lot and store them so this could be a go

Its been pouring down with rain and theres nothing much to do except watch DVDs and eat food of which is now on short supply:) Theres a flood outside my driveway and has taken a couple of hours to subside. It wasnt deep but it was excuse enough not to go anywhere....

Photos from Camp

2006-06-01T23:12:00.000+12:00

Ok am shocked that I didnt take as many photos as I thought I did. Not my usual style usual I take heaps. I didnt even take a photo of the venue which for me is strange... oh well its only 20mins away could take a photo later of the sign... any some photos to enjoy and hope they look ok on your screen cause my monitors dying and I cant see the colors properly..........aaarghh!! some more on the way tomorrow.... now when shall I sleep???

The theme today is boys brushes and buses

2006-05-31T21:08:00.000+12:00

WOW. Thanks for all the cool email regarding the class from scrapcamp. Was really nerve racking but after 11 groups sure I've got that baby down pat!! Ok so some of the comments I got were regarding boy brushes and if I had many as of course like paper and embellishments the girl theme is huge! Well am please to say that since Saturday night I have found a gazzillion bijjillion boy brushes so if you would like a few send me a comment or an email (miche11etw@hotmail.com) and I'll forward them on. Had a few email regarding actions and filters also and in all honest I love em! Will post some photos up with examples of these as well and again self taught so dont be too hard on me!

Oh yeah forgot to mention I'm in a badder mood with my sons bus driver. Son 8 bus driver 40 plus! Scenario in short .. ball in bus... driver annoyed ... bus stops ... ball belongs to son ... bus driver throws ball (literally) and boy (my son) out of the bus 1.5km from his normal bus stop by himself... refuses my other son 7 too get off with his brother thennnnnnnn waves and smiles to him as she drives off ... result two sad distraught sons and two mighty *&$#! parents. Great glad I got that off my chest. Anyway rang the school made a complaint rang the company made a complaint wrote a letter of complaint about the chucked off the bus bit! Re the ball, yip if kids are naughty and dont listen sweet tell the school tell the parents get it sorted with us in the room and son suffer consquences and/ or deal with the discipline .... drop my son off at 4.30pm that far away, in an unsafe area... I dont think so!! . So waiting now for the result however dont think she was made aware of our complaint as when son got off the bus she asked my son if he had learnt his lesson I'm thinking I would like to know if she has learnt her lesson ............ unfortunately for my son the ball was his but it was the intermediate boys throwing it around on the bus teasing him (as told by his older cousin and not his one eyed mother:) and when the driver turned he had finally just got the ball back off the bigger kids... ok lifes like that!! and yip driving that many kids would be hard! struggle just with four of them in the family car so again its the dropping the kid off bit i dont like!! well better get some work done...

Return to normality

2006-05-29T21:55:00.000+12:00

Yeah got some sleep. Should rename the weekend sleepless scrapcamp, cause its about the only thing I didnt get a lot of. OK so some highlights for me. Well meeting some amazing people is a great start. When you kinda lurk in corners of blogspots and admire the work of some of the amazing talent, actually meeting the talent is something else.. so that rocked especially moving out of blog world and into real world!! Enjoyed the work with the tutors and the classes rocked, and so looking forward to finishing the album that Faye taught. That kinda thing is right up my alley. Plus have been thinking about a couple of albums that I'm working on at the moment, so her class gave me another angle by which to approach it. Nics class was cool and why?? Well its because after the last year have discovered that despite me buying lots and lots (did I mention lots) of product when it comes down to it I'm loving pictures, chipboard, paper and photos. I'm not so good with the rest of the embellishment world so I love the simplicity, the lines and the detail her class gave. And as for Wendy, didnt get a chance to do the actual class but got to sit with her and wathcing her work was a buzz and I found doodling rocked!! So looking forward to CC and if I could find my cord to upload my photos I'd be doing that now!! Stay posted more photos to come............

Other than that Yolande and Lianne, awesome weekend ladies!! Hats off to you both for a massive job that is and can only get bigger and Eileen way to share my love of McDonalds, chocolate, food in general and of course copius amounts of laughter and singing.. You go girl!!

Tuesday and I missed the point........

2006-05-16T14:20:00.000+12:00

heres my version of the conversation... if my mother could blog it would be different but yes mum I do know your reading this so I'm gonna try and make it as true and correct as a wronged daughter can.....
" Michelle, do you write that stuff on the net"
"What stuff mum?"
"That to be pacific, thing. Whats that for?"

In my mind. umm thats rather specific detail for my mum...

"Yip mums thats my on line journal"
"What and people read it? From where"
"Anyone can but mainly just a few friends mainly...."
"Is that where Witeri was on mothers day. ?"
"yes mum, saw his aunty and he had to borrow her car to get a some sparks going"
"oa... about mothers day. you didnt put anything about me. i think you missed the point"

and you know what I think shes right.... Mum you rock and here is a list of why...

1 I am a mother of 4 yet 3 out of 7 nights I have only two
2 You continue to lend me money without to much hassle and limited word lectures
3 you love my children and spend time with them because you can and want too
4 you offer to do my house work when you see the days are long and nights are short
5 that we have tea with you and dad twice a week usually
6 that you are the same size as me so i can borrow your clothes
7 the gap that nan left when she died you have filled
8 you lent me your out of the box car for a year and i gave it back to you with heaps of kms
9 as you have common sense and are practical so too am I
10 you come to my netball games every night as you did when i was a child

Ok so thats 10 mum... its like an update of the mothers day letter i wrote you 2 years ago that ended up being three typed pages :)

See you at dinner mum......... ummmm whats for tea..

Tuesday

2006-05-16T13:41:00.001+12:00

Did mothers day get better I hear you ask?? In short yes and no... because hubby came home and explained that he got a flat battery in town.... and because the day was gone and ended up having to go my mums which was lovely except her being my mum had to do the dishes and cook... so the cycle is complete!!

Got my basic grey hardware and chipboard bits today so am stoked and my hs florals should be here any day soon. looking forward to camp next week so am planning to make the most of my time then and get back into it... have even manage to get my supplies down to a minimum, in preparation for it. havent had a chance to look at the tarisota comp but if i get some time will definantly give it a go.... being unpublished and all:)

photo montage yip well washing is the theme of my life especially with six of us in the house and now my machine has died.... it aint fun........which i might add in the same week the vacumm died and now the tv has also decided to become insanely tempremental and needs to be spoken to gently and rubbed before it turns on. i did try and kick it but the response from hubby and the tv wasnt nice LOL:) haha you think but oh noooo it doesnt end there, my cell phone then became jealous of all the brokenness ( is that a word) hid itself under the washing and while trying to look for it my son stood on it and broke it!!

What else ummm....... these are the toys that my daughter puts to bed everynight, my baby running around the house with his bottle dripping on the carpet floor thinking its funny and my daughter ignoring me trying to get her to the table for brekkie while she pretends she cant hear me and carries on reading...........

I am actually a mother of 4 and you could be forgiven for thinking only 2 but my two big boys wake up at 6 and get there own lunches, breakfast, do the dishes, do more homework and have their showers when I am still opening my eyes just in time for me to take them to the bus stop at 7.30.... they are in short awesome!!! Did I mention there only 8 and 7!!

Oh yeah just found out that hubby reads everyones blog and was asking me in passing (if you please) if they had posted up Carries wedding photos yet, did I get a chance to check out Delys new LO, am I ready for camp cause its only 10 days aways (ask Lianne he rekons), and who took that photo of me eileen and yolande and chur babe (his words) that chick (again his word) Nic does some awesome LO .... what a cheek... i consider this to be like reading my diary....... now he wants to find a martial arts blogging community............. yes please so he can stay away from my blog... eitherwise he'll know how much goodies i get and that are stack in the cupboard waiting for me to slowly introduce to the house and then say..."no honey (important to add the honey bit) those arent new, I've had them for ages..."

Mothers Days so far

2006-05-14T16:34:00.000+12:00

Every day moments........ this is my challenge to have a photoblog that post this for a one month period......... if nothing else just because I want to remember those small moments that pass so easily and the ones that have become so ingrained that we forget that life was anything more or less........ enough talking............ more photos.........
So this is mothers day..... what makes it memorable is that is it is unmemorable... i woke and feed the kids while hubby stayed in bed with a hang over then dropped my son of for to his training for tkd at 8am.... helped my sister in law write her cv, hubby made lunch it was yummy but then left tme at home with the kids and the dishes and four hours later still at home with kids dishes and now a bad mood... its not fathers day is my thinking!!!! .... the evening better get better....... will let you know..... :)

another week gone...

2006-05-13T23:53:00.000+12:00

well going quickly at least. Have determined that tara whitney is my photographer idol!! I so love her work so am waiting on my PS actions so I too can have photos like tara... well the action bit... pity about the actual taking of photos!

Had a busy couple of days with a noho marae with my students, a first aid course and then some contract work and to top it off a couple of fab presentations to give to Manukau DHB... fun fun fun I tell yah. Ok so my body was superfically sore after the game, the real pain occured a couple of days later after I went horseriding . Cant tell yah what possesed me in the first place to undertake two physical activity after years of dormancy but I can tell yah my bodys yelling loud and clear... get up of your a!%$

again still no scrapbooking but did get to take a class again of about 12 adults so that was cool. found it was a good way to get rid of some of the things i brought when i first started out and didnt know what my style was.... so now I'm not using them i.e poem stones, heart shaped paper clips I at least know they are being out to good use:) Have though just bought me a heap of HS florals via trade me and am now trying to think of what word to buy of the trademe letter guy... was thinking eidos the greek meaning for form but not quite ummm creating spaces... umm nope.....ummm well not sure...

Anyway wanted to also say thanks to all those you visit but also those who comment. Like Michelle have noticed I'm getting increased traffic so if your stopping in say hello honestly its what keeps me doing this!!

Some photos of my son that he like of him self which isnt often the case................... so liking the idea of tell me which one you like the best to help me in my decision making process let me know as I am gonna print one for his room. option t/left b/left t/right b/right... will draw a name from one with the most votes at the end of the week and post of some floral cause I brought a whole damn heap! .

Thanks

Ohh the pain!!

2006-05-09T20:42:00.000+12:00

I can feel pain in parts of my body that a) I forgot I had and b) didnt know I had. Regardless I'm thinking that to be an effective GS, ones object is to get the ball in the goal... someone needed to tell the ball that because despite my many attempts, it preferred to bounce back of the ring!! So right now reserve and GK are an option for next week.... netball and me I think are past friends but like anything, for this friendship to work I will be spending quality time with the ball ,the post and the little goal circle. So our first game as a team, well back in the old days the majority of us were NZ development squad players for netball, volleyball, rowing, and tennis. Now days we prefer the company of Jim, Jack and personally Bombay however they have lead to our demise, which has lead to the numerous spare tyres that disguise themselves as our stomachs!! So tonight took a photo of myself in my uniform (arrrghh) and weight myself so I'd better have some improvement at the end of these 14weeks or by crikey Bombay and I will be snuggling up to each other for life!!

Ok cant sit here any longer, but hurts, back aches and my toes nails are sore!!

PS we are in the B grade and we won 44-27

what the hell

2006-05-05T23:15:00.000+12:00

You know how you dream about what you might do... then you talk it up and about how good you use to be..... and how you wish you could go there again... well hit me with a stick... I'm now playing netball.... should have kept my mouth shut. Was up at the club and mentioned the old glory days where one was slim attractive and active, wishing I could play netball again reliving the old rep days and hello lots of the girls I drink with all thought the same... that was until one smart cookie decided to go ahead turn the talk into a reality and now I have to get in a skirt and throw a ball.......... oh man!! Thats so not cool.......... and really where will I find the time???...... oh man..... none to impress... it was like a long term goal... not a right lets get it on now goal... hello... never gonna drink with that women again (yes she will never be called her name again and referred to only as that women)

Other than that just putting together my bits for scrapcamp which I might add I am so looking forward too!!! SO not doing a lot of scrapbooking at the mo. I guess thats the go when you do several in a 24hours space. So need to do that again... as for tomorrow havent even been able to find a friend to scrapbook with everyone so busy...

Heres a layout I did that weekend with Yolande and Eileen but didnt complete till later. Am actually going to change it though and but the journalling above the title and a picture of the bling where the text is now... this is a paper layout but i added the text using PSE.. .. and as per usual some photos.

Found this cool action for PS that creates a frame and gets you to determine the level of the shadows and then the text so this is my fav photo at the moment of Parekotuku said as Pare-caw-too-koo (say it fast though it sounds much prettier) translated it means plume (pare) of the white heron (kotuku) and named her after my grandmother who raised me.

Top photo is of my baby Joseph who on this day had fallen asleep in the window box. No cushion on it just the hard wood and yet he slept (and looks) like an angle. Of course I moved him but took a whole heaps of photos first.

Second photo of Wiremu who has been in a bad mood most of the week because of the whether and he does blame me for it. Apparently its my fault, I'm a mum I should be able to fix everything.... kids!??!!

A great weekend had

2006-05-01T21:54:00.000+12:00

mainly because it just flowed. My brother's partner had her 21st in the weekend ( I know your reading this Leanne) and it was lovely.. Ok I guess to some that sounds weak but in all honesty it was a lovely relaxed enjoyable evening that reflect's Leanne(stop blushing Leanne). SO heres our photos and no prizes for guessing which one is the birthday girl and yes Carol that is my brother and thanks for pointing out how spunky he is............. yuck!! But hard luck taken LOL

I guess I'm used to huge 21st ( I have something like 100+ first cousins, mum has 16 brothers and sisters and dad has 9) with speeches that go on for hours and drinking that last for days and family feud that both end and start at such occasions. This on the other hand was small intimate with three speeches and a lovely supper... Need to convince hubby that this will be the way to go with 4 kids and better still would be to have none.

So does anybody still do the big 21st thing??? I opted for the cash and household furniture and proceeded to hold my own birthday party where images of kegs, yard glasses, loud music and new friends at our Knighton road flat in Hamilton while I was at Uni. Then went home to good old Te Puke and had dinner with my family at Valentines... no yardy, little alcohol (still dont like to get drunck infront of my parents now... drunck????... maybe I've had a few to many gins this evening already.. helps when watching Desperate Housewives)....... My sister on the other hand had a hugh party that started at 5 and finished three days later and cost my parents a heap!!!
Photos of my daughter again!! Seem to be in a Parekotuku over load!! Plus this is a cool action I found for PS.... She has got attitude chronic... could that be a title me thinks

Ok heres the big cool news on tarisota after reading Nics Blog. This is cool and open to NZ... yeah for NZ... go on girls gotta have a go! Also thanks to Ngaire blog have found a blog which takes the micky out of the two peas not scrapbooking related topics. It was funny to start with and has gotten quiet out of hand but there are some humourous description of human nature.. okay better sleep.. just watched an Orlando Bloom movie so should have great dreams.. what a honey!!

How quickly they grow

2006-04-28T11:42:00.000+12:00

and though its not a birthday my oldest son seems to be maturing infront of my very eyes over the past five days. So is this puberty??? Looking at my nieces of the same age, I'm thinking yes, looking at my son... ummm not sure, physically hes not so much developing just getting bigger...thinking for boys it starts a little later... but took this photo of him and I cant see 'that' child anymore maybe I should put him on more vitamin to counteract the up and coming hormones...

On the scrapbooking front I haven't brought my gears home from the batch so havent done anymore than what I did in the weekend. Although I have finished my journalling but need my cardstock so I can cut it up ink it and then add it on.... but my picture mate has arrived so feeling stoked about that!!

Well end of my holidays to so thats something to mourn but dont lecturer till Tuesday and the folloing week I have Monday and Tuesday off so thats a great consalition prize :) Okay better go and clean my house................... boring............

Creativity Overflow

2006-04-24T14:22:00.000+12:00

As per last post these are the photos for the hugh amount of space we occupied without a care

A night with friends

2006-04-24T09:21:00.000+12:00

was exactly what I needed and inspiration flowed... Had a fab night with Yolande and Eileen and as per Yolandes Blog... it rocked.. although there were a couple of other action activities that were done that had us in massive fits most of the night....

Took heaps of photos and the amount of creativity being generated could be measured by the amount of dishes, food and fun had. so just had to take photos of those too.. (will post again cause could get it on the blog...)

But managed to do 7 LO (granted I carried on till 7 when the girls left at 3.30) so was stoked. As usual do have some journalling to do but am stoked. Also so want, no correction need a Epson Picture Mate and since the lovely Yolande brought hers hubby was able to view it, so my birthday next month so heres hoping (fingers crossed sending good thoughts out into the world) , shy of that I'll just by it for myself LOL

Am of course loving Keisha styled layouts and they seem to suit me and I love them and must haves included the heidi swapp floral (ps these were the small ones and yes this is a 12x12 LO) and scenic route papers I'm loving, ribbon ribbon and more ribbon, white cardstock and black cardstock..........

So looking forward to scrapcamp but also CC2006. Finally manged to get our accomodation sorted and decided to go thru ibis as the cost for three nights was about 380.00 and is only about 40 - 50m from the conference so hey if I have to drink a little more wine to make the walk seem shorter I'm sure that can be arranged! For scrapcamp am just putting together the demos and making sure I have some hand outs for the class and helping out Yolande and Lianne where possible.

On the home fromt havent had much of a chance to work anymore on my scrap space but will work at it once the kids are back at school, which is Tuesday so that will make for an extra two days for myself. M

yeah a layout........

2006-04-21T14:01:00.000+12:00

Actually I have done a fewbut they were a couple were pretty much scraplifted just to get me past my rut but this one was not... a little late but it is our xmas 05 and this is one of six pages as we had xmas in three houses. our house, my parents his mums.....

On the class front............did the class of the kids and I can honestly say.................. never $@#?$% again. All good maybe 6 kids at once of the same age but twenty aged 5 to 11, wasnt so great... it wasnt terrible but it wasnt great.... adults classes that size sweet but yip not kids... also from that experience can confirm I so NOT suppose to be a school teacher so my hats of too you in this profession......

thats about it. off to complete some more layout that need journalling and touching up...

another class tomorrow and i have

2006-04-20T00:17:00.000+12:00

just finished putting together the last bits of the packs. My friend Tina from Scrapbook Magik kindly order in the papers and made it look pretty, so all i needed to do was add the chipboard tags that I made (what a mission getting the holes thru), cut the ribbon up and choose two different paints as I have a girl and boy set... oophs forgot to mention its for an altered clipboard class with our holiday program which thankfully is only about 20 kids... otherwise I mighthave gone stark raving mad with more (thats is of course still a possibility). Thinking however that I may be a little ummmmm... whats the word I'm looking for.......... anal.... yip I'll go with that............... everytime I have a class I sketch out the layout of the room, what different 'posts' i need (ie paint, stamping) , a set of instructions and guides and a couple of games and prizes to go with it.... and it is delivered as what I could describe as an organised chaios (??? certainly no spelling bee winner) but hey thats my style and I enjoy doing that as well!!

Oh something to share..... one of the best memories I have being brought up by my nan is going to the library once a week. Got books galore as a kid, but from the little te puke town library I was allowed five books, of which one had to be a cook book ( so I would be a good wife! LOL) and one a junior novel to improve my comprehension skills. Ok fast forward........I'm a book worm no two ways about it.... so today since I'm spending money on scrapbooking now and not books I took my children to the library and we joined.... rewind... back in my day you had a paper library card with a number and your initials. Yah hand over the card it gets entered in the little library card pocket and the old date stamp went in with it. fast forward.... te puke library got rid of this years ago and removed all the little date slips and library pockets with it............present day... I'm in the te puke library and go to the corner where I hung out as a nine year old (some 21 years ago arrrghhhh) I spot one of my favourite books which I remember reading back in the day... hello open it up and low in behold theres the library card pocket with my name and initials on it and a date stamp of 26 June 1984..... how cool is that... so i go across to the librarian and ask if I can have the pocket, the card and the date slip then tell her why and she says, why thats lucky those where suppose to be destroyed years ago, of course you can my dear..... oh yeah oh yeah oh yeah (she does a little dance in her chair) and hello I find one other book and low and behold as if by fluke, chance, luck or whatever you call it I find another one with my name and number dated in 1983. I opened a couple of other ones not familiar to me and there were no cards, all removed and I tried a few more, yip all removed ... scary...LOL........so yip theres a page a brewing and a memory that held so dear to the heart that like a book it had gathered so much dust that it was almost forgotten, so I shall scrap and I shall cry , scrap and cry again and remember my grandmother with a quiet and sad ache that bring both a smile and a tear............ (and then go to the library and offer to buy those old versions of the books!!! LOL)

PS They were my favourite and you can tll becuase I had them issued to me every year, twice a year from 1983 to 1993, which was when I left Te Puke..... they were Heidi and Little Women :)

in an attempt

2006-04-17T00:24:00.000+12:00

to contribute to the scrapbooking flavour of my blog just did a digi layout (tool me 20mins) as I havent posted one in a while. Not to say that I havent done one in fact somewhat the opposite, but in the short amount of space and given its after 1am I decided to quickly do one up. So here it is. Borrowed Yolandes book by Cathy Z and decided to try it out. Have now worked out how to make my alphas look like they are chipboard shaped so its one of those practice makes perfect things, but I have to keep doing it like 20 consective times in a row which ends up taking the joy and elation of actually having done the darn thing in the first place.

On the scrapbook front I am waiting for my tarisota, my heidi swapp ghost alphabet (x2), my basic grey baby girl and baby boy papers, my urban lily papers, my 12x12 album, fiskars scissors, sewing machine but just got my maya road chipboard goodies, my heidi swapp chipboard letter (in a pretty box I might add) and yes I managed to get some contract money to pay for this all.... food, rent, clothing all irrelevant........

Yeah!!!!!!!!!!! for my son growing up and being all of the big 16 months that he is.... his cot is being moved out of the room along with his draws and storage shelves and hello waalaa I have a space (albeit 1.9m by 4m) to create a permanent scrapbooking space. am so ecited about having a wall of my own... who knows when I grow uo it might turn into a room LOL. So what to do with the wall space. All ideas appreciated. Looking at rent to own paper racks, dad gonna make me a desk with a hole in it to sweep da rubbish away. getting a new computer desk that sits on a corner angle, just brought some agee jars with metal lids to stall my ribbon and gonna go to gararge sales for other bits and bobs................ am so excited about this little little newly created space...

will keep you posted!

Wednesday night and I just got home

2006-04-05T23:22:00.001+12:00

and am thinking i still need time to unwind from the day... however this blog will be subject to a long line of the letter "t" from where my head would hit the keyboard from falling asleep... not making much sense... good exactly how i feel....

.......a photos of my dad. he has stomach cancer and has chosen not to seek medical interventions such as chemo and as his daughter this drives me nuts... however this was diagnosised 2 years ago and he still working being the man of the earth that he is. so a picture of the male role model in my life....

ok so just go thome from teaching a class of twenty five and what a buzz, really enjoyed it was hard work and required a great level of patience (which isnt one of my strong points) but felt great, and good so excellent feedback and have been asked to deliver classes every month so looking foward to that.

had parent interviews on monday night and my two boys are doing so well.. and one received a principles award in his portfolio and the other won the maori speech competition for his year. my daughter continues to be her ' wonderful' self while my baby is still getting used to being dropped off and picked up from homecare but seems to enjoy the hours between those times... i'm told that we always treat our babies differently because they are our last born and whislt i would deny it vermently with my family, here quietly on my blog i cant help but feel sentimental about his milestones and his life. one of the LO I have just done is one that celebrates this little man as he has a wicked sense of humour.... we have ordered him a t-shirt that says 'chocolate coloured moko' cause he is the blackest baby ever on hubbys side and often refer to him as our 'cheeky darky' honestly hes awesome

***Carol asked me if I could repost my journalling of my sons birth(oldest and youngest) so pulled them out again... ***

June 1997 (okay this is my first child and I'm 22. Yeah made it past my 21st!!) ** Personal note. I really wanted to go over this and change the language but it was written by a 22 girl so thought I'd better leave it... ........**

Given that it was winter, the sun was out. I’d been really tired but wanted to clean up. I’d read all the literature given you were our first and accordingly this was referred to as nesting. The midwife Jenny had been in earlier and things were looking great and she had said to me, your baby will be here in three days. So this was the second day and I’m exhausted but healthy.
Headed over to Tauranga. Dad had just arrived home from uni so picked him up from the bus stop. Dads in a good mood and its nice having him home. So back to the orchard where its quiet. Nana and papa are busy… its kiwifruit season so there not a lot of words in the house just the occasional grunt, but the fires blazing so we kick back..
Its been a while since dad home so being a guy he wants to say hello. But I’m uncomfortable and its not happening… not at all… its late and I’m tired. So second best option we kick back in the lounge next to the fire. I’m feeling some twinges…. I’m sitting on the ground with dad on the chair …. We check the clock…. Are these contractions neither of us are sure but we are excited.. this could be it, you who we have waited so long for. So being the first time parents that we are we pull out the note book and start physically recorded the time of the contraction the end of the contraction and the length. First time parents maybe we all do it the same but I’m scared now the reality has kicked in and though I don’t know what perfect looks, it’s what I want.
It’s getting later and the intensity kicking in so we call the midwife with the times. She says wait until there about five six minutes and then call her and come in. Its nerve racking, time and contraction are contradictions. It hurts but don’t come in till it hurts so more. I hear the door open, nans come home, I go to tell her but she’s just done a double shift in the pack house and looks grumpy and tired. But your dad gives me a nudge so I knock on the door… “What” - yip nans tired “Ummm, I think I’m having my contractions’ – I smile and grit my teeth… “ohh… ok…’ – change in tone to a softness that I need “let me finish my bath’ We call the midwife again, no your ok just have a sleep Didn’t happen, could sleep my mind was running a mile a minute, called aunty lah in Waikato. She’s spewing, she stuck with no car and she so want s to be here. She blames nan.
Ready to leave, the pains kicked in and I’m not sure I can do this, but I’ve been praying during my pregnancy for an easy birth and a healthy child so here hoping I can cope. I grab my pack that I packed two months in advance just in case and take a final glance at the room, there the bassinet with the net drape, the port a cot, the nappy holder and the Winnie the pooh pictures and that I've collected over the last six months all in preparation for you. We decide not to ring my nan. It’s late and as a general rule first time births take on average about 16 hours (again I’d read all the literature) so maybe in the morning so she doesn’t fret. Nana and papa come over in the truck and we tell nana Kath and koko on the way over.
The hospital so quiet and I try listen to hear the screams of women giving birth. But I’m not going to be like that, only päkehä scream my nan reckons. But I hear nothing but the footsteps of the nurses and whispers of awaiting dads. We ring nana Margaret and she growls your dad, its too early ring me later when it’s closer to the time.
I’m so nervous, your dads holding one hand, reassuring me were ok, and we get in the ugly hospital jimmies, because I don’t want to get me clothes paru…. I’m allowed into the bath to help soothe the pain (that’s what the literature said) but it doesn’t help but it took so long to fill that my contractions started to advance anyway. So now we're in the dim lit room and I’m pacing and trying to get comfortable but nothing is helping. Dad and papa are trying to help me get the pain of my back so I’m trying to suspend my light self by hanging off them, nana Kath gives me a mirimiri, nan holds my hand, man its intense… cant get comfortable it hurts to much ………
I want to push, you sure… yip I want to push… man I want to push…. So the midwife breaks my water to help me along…. Man I really want to push now……………..the pain is insane and papa is wiping my head with a flannel… and its all a bit much……….the pain………….. 3 minutes later from having my water broken……. The head crowns and the body follows all at once………….. the elation the relief………… the midwife nearly drops you….. you… all I can hear is sobbing……. In a towel your dad bring you to me and whispers ..its a boy……………my son…a beautiful baby boy……….. our son…I cry for that which is and that which wasn’t………. a boy… I always wanted a son first………. It’s a boy nan…………..my son…………. Born 6:07am 6 June 7pd 14oz Dec 2004

7 Dec 2004
(ok now I'm thirty and I want to cry.......) The day you arrived it was a warm morning and we didn’t have a lot of plans other than to await your arrival and we had kinda been waiting since mid November. But still made our midwifes appointment at 11 and on ‘inspection’ not much was happening, so applying a special midwife technique, Juanita hoped for the best. Feeling slightly dishearted and exceedingly ‘heavy’ we picke dup uncle Bernie and went to bayfair. I wasn’t feeling to great so stayed in the car while dad and uncle went and got a feed.
I started experiences twinges but nothing to much more that that and only on an occasional basis, plus I didn’t want to get over excited. So its latter in the day and we are kicking back at home and I realize that the twinges are getting more frequent though not longer and not so sore. Birth hurts so this wasn’t it! I’m laying on Parekotukus bed, reading with her jumping all over me and dad starts massaging my feet, it hurts a little more so we ring the midwife and she says relax we’re ok its not hurting. I explain its more frequent lasting longer but doesn’t feel like a ‘real’ contractions have kicked in! but dad gets the black car ready, opens up the back, puts down the mattress… if nothing else we’re ready to go!
Change in pace, contractions three/four minutes apart lasting two minutes, pain threshold low… umm ring midwife, umm midwife says ok make your way over but its sounds ok. So dad helps me off the bed I get up and whoosshh, my water have broken… that’s never happened before…… go to toilet, ok ‘stuffs’ hanging out….. that’s never happened before….. Change in pace… ring midwife… midwife says oh no… ring ambulance…we ring ambulance.. midwife says assume the position…. I go into the lounge and assume the position… my babies are worried.. Bernie takes kids outsie to play… its 6:30pm.. I’m on the floor.. I’m thinking man not my carpet… ok pain.. I feel pain… lots and lots of pain.. where did that come from… ohhh more pain… ambo arrives… are we going to deliver at home… juct a quick check… umm no.. oh man… ambos a guy, oh man….
Change in pace… lifted into the ambulance…. I’m ok boys (ok that’s a lie) Rangitautini is standing on deck with big tears… look after them Bernie…oh man…outside on stretcher…. Oh man pull my t-shirt down…now in the ambulance.. its cramped… its old, new one getting serviced… oh man…we’re away….
Change in pace.. the pain…why are we driving so slow… safety first… oh man…turn over on the stretcher…the stretchers for small people…oh man…. the pain…I’m looking at dad.. he’s freaked… the pain… we drive past the marae… dads thinking pull over have my baby outside moko… the pain… past uncle rays and the whanau… the pain… in town… parametic says pull over.. what!...
Change in pace… chronic pain… oh man… I wanna push.. keep breathing… its so hot.. its summer… why is he closing the window… starting pushing… oh my god the pain… I’m crying and dads freaked… oh man… its to hot… I’m getting frustrated… whats happening..breath babe breathe… oh man… whats happening… I have to push now… I’m gonna push.. the pain… its hot… oh man…. Pushhhhhhhh….breathe babe breathe……elation and relief… ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh….. tihei mauri ora…..its a boy…. Is he ok….. a boy…a beautiful bonny, kinda chingy looking boy………a son …our son …….another beautiful son…………Joseph…7:06pm Dec 7 2005 ...end

Scrapbooking wise completed another couple pages got my tarisota, brought my tickets to CC06, booked my flights and just trying to work out the accommodation thing....... well i feel a line of 't' coming on............. good night...

March is nearly over already

2006-03-28T22:50:00.000+12:00

If I could pull myself away from my computer long enough I might find that I would get more scrapbooking done. However now that I'm lecturing have found that I need to be a bit more prepared for my class that I have been over the last two weeks. The first couple weeks were cruisy only because it was concentrating on things like oreintation and study skills 101 sort of thing. However lifes changed as today we started our level 4 on human anatomy and physiology so my head hurts MAJOR. Funniliy enough though, I have managed to incorporate scrapbooking into my class so have a session booked for my students next week... hehe cant believed management approved it and then determined to pay it... wicked who knows maybe able to convert somebody.

Attended a midnight scrap on Friday and managed to complete 2 layout of which was scraplifted except changed a few colours added and few elements and waalah DONE. Was having a tutu in photoshop using the photomerge tool, but ended up combining some digitial elements to get a feel of what the page might look like but instead did both... not the plan but worked out ok. As I have gotten so much more confident with Adobe, finding digital layout an excellent way to practice my new skills but happily report I love paper!!

Good to also have a copy of for keeps too. Mate that was becoming a mission trying to get one, not use to the 'new' layout as yet as the last one I brought came out with a completementary "g" from basic grey (I was serious when I said I was hard press to get one) and had converted back to buying Scrapbook Memories which I still enjoy especially for the photo tech info. Congrats to the new DT for Scrapbook Outlet, that must have driven some amazing publicity so great things for Scrapbooking in NZ.

Have been working with our little scrapbook storeowner in Te Puke, so have got four classes booked for April and yeah I get a amount for each student so that converts to product!! I so love product.

Good news on the whanau front, my mother in law was proposed to in the weekend infront of the everyone during a whanau BBQ and my son is competing for the Maori speech awards at his school. Like every parent I soooooo think he should win..... and I sooooooo will go and see the Principle if he doesnt:) Yip I'm one of those parents............ better get to bed........ well maybe soon.......

photos werent a go so rnew post

2006-03-22T21:01:00.000+12:00

Bring on Friday

2006-03-21T21:41:00.000+12:00

Ok so in theory have five day weekends means rest and relaxtion. Well after two weeks in my new role this is yet to happen. It would seem that even though I'm not working ona Friday or Monday, other people, including my parents believe me to be bored and as a result nominate me for those 'long term' tasks that need only a couple of dedicated hours to be completed... so that means ME. Too busy to scrapbook but cant think of anything else. Did manage to go and introduce myself to a women in Te Puke who has opened a Scrapbooking Shop called Scrapbook Magik (Tina shes lovely) and offered to run some classes for her. Ok I'm not usually this brave and given I have been only doing this for a year, determined that doing that was quiet forward for me... So why did I do that.. I mean I have four busy kids, am on numerous Trust and Boards, work full time and do a lot of community/ iwi work.... oh thats right because I'm an idiot!! Ok as well as the fact that I love sharing scrapbooking and get an especial buzz out of taking a class. So for April I have got four classes fully booked (20 in two fo the classes but thinking thats far too much) so ok taking myself to the next level....... cant wait... still want to open my own store......... umm how to make that happen... not sure one day........... maybe...... please...

Looking forward to Scrapcamp and hear numbers are looking good, so if you havent already booked you'd better hurry

Um photos of my week are... the powhiri for my new students, the graduation for my old students who just completed there Bachelor of Nursing, the Maketu triatholon which my oldest boy Rangitautini (Rangi toe tinny) did and a photo shoot for a teenager with attitude. Also doing part time photography and have got a few shoots lined up for the next months and being as original as I am it called......... wait for it ............tibblewilliams photography ...I know I know..........
** update** I did try and load those photos several times but to no avail. Blogspot/ Xtra whats going on??!! Will try again later tonight.........

I'm so proud of me!!

2006-03-17T00:24:00.000+13:00

Have just completed my first digitial job and decided I did a spiffy job of it and couldnt seriously believe how easy it was.... I still love paper based but certainly had a lot of fun and did this layout in about half the time!! The papers are from the morning side collection including all the embellishments and was from the book digitial design for scrapbooking which I got via KS. Thinking I'm gonna be taking up heaps of that Gigage (is that a word?) on my broadband looking for goodies!!

Ok thats it just wanted to share my news. Sorry forgot to mention thanks to those who drop in but especially those who comment. I love getting them and it surely gives me a buzz and keeps blogging. Much appreciated!!!!!

It doesnt rain it pours

2006-03-14T21:31:00.000+13:00

and as a result I got lost. So on looking at my log can see that this is the biggest down time I have had since I started this addiction. May be the addictions thinning... i think not... but instead i provide a gallery of my busy life for the past week as evidence!!

First photo... newphews birthday party on the Saturday, 2nd photo my farewell with some friends from Rotorua Hospital, third photo ... well my beautiful daughter with her face painted
What these photos dont include over the last 7 days are making birthday cards (learn to shut my mouth when busy) 75 individual birthday invitations for my sister in law (shes so lovely ) restoring photos from a reunion welcoming my hubby back from wellington ( thats was hard work had to listen and pretend to be interested in Wrestling) farewelling hubby (he went into the bush during a storm) welcoming him home (he returned safely yeah!) and then farewelling him again as he heads away for another five days for work. Also got pnuemonia again (thats iust annoying now) and have started my new job.... ok feel better now... as for my wonderful planned layots there not happening but thats about to change as my hours have changed!!! have started to write my ideas down cause Im dreamming about scrapbooking... thats what happens i guess when you cant actually spend time doing it!!

I miss him so...

2006-03-07T10:12:00.000+13:00

as this is so the longest time I have been away from him. Its as though my view of the world has gone askew with no small frame which to explore it through........... I await your return and pray you come home safely to me my dscf 717 sony camera................. (funny yes... seriously h** yes!)

Did the Jenny McQuire Designing with fabric class with Yolande in the weekend and at the time determine that it wasnt quite my thing, what ever my thing is?? I mean making the pleats that was a mission, having the threads from the swatches stick to you, that was annoying and overall was thinking nah! But then it all comes together and looks amazing, so have in my mind a specific LO i would like to do. PS Whakatane Ladies miss you guys.. the crop is so quiet without you all!! Anyway there is a small story that goes with my LO I have in mind with the fabric so lets digress.....

1975 Born with a hole in the heart I was always going to be a high need kids. My parents had two other children and had to work cause treatment at greenlane was expensive. not so much the treatment but the travelling and time away from work..... rewind a bit... 1972 my grandfather dies ... fast forward ... I'm the closest grandchild born after my grandfather dies... result my grandmother becomes a intricate part of my life and I hers... fast forward... nan stays with my parents every night drops me of to primary school stays at her house in town picks me up after school........ fast forward... i attend the only intermediate school 10 mins from her house... Fast forward... pretty much live with her the remaining of her life (give or take Uni)... fast forward... she dies... I am not there when we got through the house to sort out her belongings but end up with all her old dresses.... what am I suppose to do with those!!??!! they are the dresses I saw her in every day and yip they remind me of her in the smallest and quietest of ways............. revelation.......... designing with fabric.......

So yip cutting them up, even though that feels really really wrong but think an album of sorts to go with a mixture of photos i have with those exact dresses... work in progress i think.

Anyway.. congrats to Yolande for getting Keishas Coasters I'm so disgustingly jealous... so can I come play! Xtra has a great summer photo competition and does anyone know anything more about the The Scrapbook Outlet DT.

Thought I start with the 10 fav layouts so heres the first two. This one was one of my first and completed it at ScrapCamp with Lianne and Yolande last year. Why I love it?? cause I thought I was so clever using the different fonts to describe her (if i did it again i would ink the edges put them on chipboards and sand them!) and its a great photo of her lovely lips and eyes plus the papers at the time matched. it was also the first time I'd used staples and the tags

This sums up my darling baby boy and again was pleased to find alternative cost saving ways to do lettering using the stamps and made the pocket my own self with journal on the card. He is nine months in this photo and I completed it in September 05 so was stoked that this new found hobby was lasting as often in my case they are short lived ........I bore quickly...

Ok thats about it another two in a couple of days me thinks....

Hubby has gone and I've moved to my

2006-03-03T17:25:00.000+13:00

parents while he is in Wellington. Admittedly it was much needed for him to have a break. Being at home for the past 14 months being the SAHD hasnt been all that for him and at least he has an appreciate for the job itself. I on the other hand argued with him, that in guilt of bn a full time mother working 45 minutes from home, at least when I do arrive home I preceed to ...........
get the washing in a fold it, tidy up the kitchen if he hasnt got to it, hang out the washing (he hates that job) bath the kids and then do the dinner dishes... so it can get a bit of a counting points game but hey I said I do and I meant it but mate... could have done with a heads up!!! :) (she reaches for the vodka) . So hope he comes home happy and well rested cause hes away for the rest of the week kicking back spending lots of money on alcohol and going to the WWE match..

But to that he is staying at the Intercontinetal for 8 nights and having a fab time, so imagine my excitement in the bells rang and I relaised thats where Kiwiscraps CC is being held. When checking the prices the Interncontineal might not be an option but the Ibis is across the road so might have to check that one out. So looking forward to both the CC and KS Camp in Rotorua. Heads is ticking over in excitement but have to check my dates as hubby is in Canada in August so heres hoping its not on the 10th to the 13th arrrggghhhhh........

Have been busy scrapbooking and completed another three pages so moving along happily and wanting to be brave and submit to up2 scrap or ForKeeps not sure what but hey gotta give it a go. Also Tarisota March collection looks amazing and the SENZ already have early bird tickets avalaible for September in Plamerston North... What else oh KS has the new basic grey collection in and I'm currently poor. Timing suxs!!! Ok all linked out and still havent posted my LO.... damn havent got the camera its in Wellington woe is me:(

Dont wanna miss

2006-02-28T13:57:00.000+13:00

a beat... Have had a fab time scrapbooking and am trying to make the most of it while its flowing. Found that in between major laout keeping up with little mini albums helps me. So have completed on count 27 layouts this years. My first challenge was to complete one for every week of the year but hey half my year is already gone so its looking good to completing that one!

Spent the weekend at the weetbix tryatholon here in Tauranga and although my son did all the hard work, I came away injured LOL. What is that about, I ask? So yip now walking around with a phat purple ankle which without a doubt is ugly! My son Rangitautini (rangi - toe - tinny) did the team event with his uncle while he did the bike and run. He was awesome!!!
Have finished a few more layouts and decided will have a go at submitting some work as well to where not sure where but somewhere! This is the two I did this weekend.........

Just got in...

2006-02-23T21:31:00.000+13:00

so another one of those long days that is vastly improved only when I a) see the smiles on my babies faces and b) look at all the pretty products! Memories Revisted have just posted up for pre orders of the new Basic Grey kits which are due in next week...... need to see what others are charging!

Today was buzy and am bummed that I will miss some of the exciting projects coming up at work including the launch of an new admission/ assesment/ care plan/ discharge protocol and project management course which I have been waiting for all year... but such is life but more so will miss the people that I have so enjoyed working with in such a large organisation.

Tonight my eldest son and I headed over to Pilot Bay where he did a practice run for the Weetbix triatholon. He managed the run and the bike really well (needs more pratice on going around the round abouts so thats tomorrow nights session!) that my father in law shouted him a pair of new Asics Shoes and a meal at Burger King! As he is not a confident swimmer in the ocean his Uncle is doing this leg of the race for him. This is his first triatholon but having the competitive edge that he seems to be born with, it can get ugly. He doesnt accept that his mind sometimes exceeds his physical body given his age, he focuses on winning, not trying, losing is not an option and in short when he does lose, it aint pretty (oh I like that INXS song). I have no idea where he gets that particular set of ugly traits from. But he is motivated and he is an over achiever which he thinks is acceptable because its tempered by "my good looks mum!"

Have done another mini boxed album but am too tired to get the camera out of car...... will post up later

Did some one say Yolande Lianne camp???? Feel like Homer Simpson ........... ummm scrapcamp

I want it all...

2006-02-20T23:02:00.000+13:00

and yeah I got it all from Tarisota. My package arrived today so will really have to think about a heritage vintage album/ LO. Lime Tart also looks scrummy so many choices so little money. Kiwiscraps are you going to put some funky kits together???

Kitchen Table Take Over

2006-02-19T13:09:00.000+13:00

is what I'm resigned to at the moment. My take over the world plans are currently on hold, however on winning of Lotto I shall recommence.... So back to the table. Made a hell of a lot of mess last night which isnt my usual style as am usually somewhat tidy I think.. but last night all went to custard and I create an abyss where things that were in my hand then disappeared for about 10 minutes despite my frantic search and words of 'where did I put that bloddy thing'... spouted forth so.............. felt chaotic which is unusual. So thats my kitchen table aka scrap space...

To that I actually only started and completed a double layout and a single page LO while the rest of the time was spent complete other pages which had no journalling. This took ages which I guess resulted in my OHT frenzy but felt good to get it done. Also finished of my mini boxed albu, from last KS Scrap n Relax which just need me to add in the photos. So all in all a great night which ended at 2.36am.... tonight I'm aiming for about 12.

My double LO is using the Blitzen pack I won from a game of Bingo and it just happened that the colours match the green tarp we had used one night and of course the Lion Red, Steinies and Waikato, which I think captures most of the Kiwi Xmas I have been too. However used them for an imprompt Easter Party we had so yip....

Did I mention that I love.......

2006-02-18T21:56:00.000+13:00

photoshop brushes.... may be in passing like in every blog I put up, but yip am again constantly amazed at how this continues to contribute to my scrapbooking. Anyway wanted to share this.

Whilst laying in bed with my one year old, Joseph, impatiently trying to put him to sleep my mind wandered back to the Scrapcamp held with Yolande and Lianne June 2005 at Finlay Park. Wandering wandering.... came to think about the People and Places class held with Nic Howard and remembered the OHT we'd used. So tap my son on the back faster and a little harder to encourage sleeping (does that actually work) I then jump on Adobe and create my own full set of OHT using the brushes and damn do my OHT look good. Adobe gives you the freedom of the page that MS Publisher or MS Word doesnt. So open up a new A4 page, fill it with brushes of different colours and opacity and walah! Funky OHTs.

Now text is a little different as I seem to have more control but in MS Word but all good because once the OHT is printed, I do my text back in MS Word and then feed the transperancy back through. Honestly they are awesome and I have decided that no one else on earth has done this and that I am the first! (yeah right) but okay just wanted to share my joy with you all... Here is the OHT that I did for a page with my mum and baby brother Anaru. So imagine if you will journalling over top of this OHT and thats pretty much what mine looks like. Hint dont forget to paint the background using inks if using on PP. In a bit of a scrapbook frenzy so will keep moving. Today completed a double 12x12 LO which I havent done in a while so onwards and upwards.....

All is right in the blogging world

2006-02-17T07:36:00.001+13:00

Yeah one of my fav bloggers is not leaving us for the password world so yah!!! My blogging eyes would have missed Keisha work (again would post link if i knew how... hint hint) so lovin it that she is back.... Yolande are you back on line properly yet???

The end is near

2006-02-15T23:06:00.000+13:00

as the days have been long and hectic.

Apparently I have wings and can fly... if only!! Ok so where to start... Valentines days is as good as any........ long story short this particular day is not celebrated in our house because.... when hubby was 15 he gave me a miniature rose and in short again I killed it (his words not mine.. I like to reference it as "it died" as flowers do when you leave them on the back seat of a car for a couple of days... come on I was 17.....hubby build a brdige and get over it!!) so Valentines is not a feature and I'm not fazed because we kinda get it... well we get us, here for the long haul and we've almost been together more years than we have apart so life is good.... tempered with the occasional grump but hey means great make up s........ something...

Gave notice for my job today which was a little harder than expected given that I enjoy working with the team of people I do, who by the way are awesome...but, as buts go.... there are some opportunities that cant be missed and basically it came down to family and being near them. Might have to save my take over the world plan when my one year old turns 5... thats so far away numerically but only a blink away given how quickly he has grown.. ..

Am bummed to read that Keisha is pulling her blog from the public domain... not to sure that I understand the whole pay sites thing but certainly understand the no-link-lifting. So loss to me as I really love Keishas site and her brushes so might have to email her to access a password and hope I wasn't a link-lifter!

Here's my self potrait and am pleased that it was taken by this annoying tutor... what hers name ummm... thats right Yolande, man that lady is dangerous with a camera... like in your face following your every movement dangerous. Would love to post a photo of her but hey we shook hands that we wouldnt do that sort of thing despite all the tempatation and fonts world.. yeah right!! But anyway back to me... umm where was I ... oh yeah me .... umm photo of me hiding behind brushes but also behind the clone and healing brush tool as the meds I am on to stay "not pregnant" are playing merry spotty hell on my face and plain old hell on my hips.... Damn just realised its a great shot of my maori nose, and it looks like a crooked maori nose on closer inspection... but hey seen worse in my whanau so accepting the ugly and placing the blame (again another ugly trait) some where else ... like on my great great great great great grand father!!!

Ooophs am going to try Lianne's challenge tomorrow.... my fav papers at the moment are Scenic Route and the worse paper not sure of the name but stay posted!
Alright midnight is nigh.... new resolution to try sleep before 1am....

no longer in trouble:)

2006-02-12T14:08:00.000+13:00

Because I have cleaned the house done all the washing and most importantly made him lunch..... the things we do! Oh well more importantly these are the photos from the work I did on Saturday as per promised... also check out sandras blog (if I knew how to link I would!) for an awesome sambuca dip.... heres hoping its posted.

So picture of my mini box album, one for hubby one for the sister in law. My brother asked me to do and true to form when I said 10 bucks for doing he asked me if he could borrow $30.00 so he could get some flowers to go with it! Not sure about him, I tell yah!

Think I'll do one for my parents as well dedicated to the last 35+ years they have been together... obviously not for valentines as such but at least in the celebration of love and life!

At home and in trouble...

2006-02-11T22:19:00.000+13:00

because maybe hubby didnt realise that I wasnt going to be home till late tonight because Ihad a relax n scrap. Though cant see why I'm now hiding happily in the bedroom just coz he's got his grumpy pants on, oh thats right, I wanted to update my blog. (hehehe she thinks checking over her shoulder to make sure hubby not there:). Anyway had a great day today with Yolande and the ladies from the Tauranga area. It was awesome to catch up with everyone, though a pity as the Whakatane ladies werent able to make it with the Matata roads closed again. Had a great laugh and a great time making the little box album and a 12x12 LO. The Scenic Route papers are scrummy, love the colours and the chip board letters. Was gonna post photos my work but I'd have to walk past hubby to get the camera so will leave it till tomorrow..... night all

SPT... as in Thursday

2006-02-08T23:57:00.000+13:00

Had a chance to take photos of my kids at Baywave, which by the way was okay, was stuffy and crowded but determine I'm a beach outdoor kinda swimming person... anyway after having a tutu with photo shop and colour balances am practicing my Keisha skills.

Well this photo was taken by my son again and whilst it was fuzzy it gave me a good chance to practice making the most of a fuzzy shot. At the moment I'm tired so much so that I fell asleep at the wheel yesterday so every LTSA ad on sleeping and driving rushed to my head. Pulled over about 10 mins from my house and rested. Had to otherwise wouldnt have made it home, or prevented someone else from getting home so decided that was the best course of action. So here I am exhausted but thankfully rested.

Its all over...

2006-02-08T18:18:00.000+13:00

The reunion that is and on reflection thats not actually true as there is still work to be done in completing a Cd of photos and Booklet with the family history in it so.. had a great weekend in the scope of things, most of it went really well!

As promised here's is a copy of my sons first layouts. They choose a layout from Scrapbook Memories and chose one that had one photo on it and then choose from like a bizzillion photos, one that they wanted to do..Took them a while to get use to the photo splits and must have used half a box, the paper they cut using the slide gulliotine is crooked, they got glue all over the place and bits of papers got stuck to them, they didnt quite press down hard enough on the dymo and it took over two hours but they are the most perfect pages I have seen! They even chose the colours from the scraps I made avalaible to them and it was a mission to stand back and not try and tell them how to do things! Just received my MM Love stamps so was stoked to do a page with them and of course they have just arrived in time for Valentines! Now I just have to find one (hehehe). So again my sons are asking if they can may 10 Valentines cards each and I'm hoping I shall receive at least one from them... must find out who the other nine are going to! The third photo then is of my daughter and the love of her little three year old life, her cousins Caleb. Have a serious of layouts now that wont be completed until I get a printer so consider this maybe a peak preview

SPT okay okay SPF

2006-02-03T18:54:00.000+13:00

Its been a while I know but this is it the big weekend for our whanau, but for myself a personal passion to have this type of wananga where we concentrate on sharing and being together so if successful can pitch to the trust to fund a couple of events a year!!! What else??? hmm stayed up with both my sons till midnight last night and we did a layout each which will post later and also my one day sister in law asked me to help her do something for Valentines for my brother... scary... my brother is someones valentine.... how did that happen. ok photo with my brother and I and photo of my brother with his partner Leanne (marry her boy!) Yeah have now got photoshop 4! I'm in love and I think I will send my camera, my computer and my photoshop a valentines card to tell them how much I love them:)

My printer has died

2006-01-29T15:05:00.000+13:00

and a sudden death at that... haven't got any journalling done and now am sad.... how shall I mourn thee printer... scrapping with a printer ends a long relationship of understanding between screen and paper... all these pretty fonts trapped within the glass ...ahh might have to look at 12x12 printer...

Oaf! The sun is shining and I'm inside...

2006-01-28T13:29:00.000+13:00

So wrong, so very very wrong... I can hear the children playing in the pool, birds chirping and the start of a great party next door all the while I'm working up a sweat, sitting at my computer working through my all important paper. Had put my hand up do help organise a family reunion and were expecting say 80. Well the numbers are now sitting on 160+ and hence the work load has also doubled. Excitingly enough the hui is next weekend and cant wait to get the family whakapapa (history) out and of course being the delegated whanau IT freak, have lined up all the projectors, the digital cameras, powerpoint presentations, scanners etc... so my list of things to do is huge and this entry really is assiting in the procrasination of the obvious... I want to be outside getting a tan, and in the water....................... okay back to work

Am at home by myself and accepting the ugly!

2006-01-26T20:10:00.000+13:00

This is big... with four kids this is sooo big!! Ok so they will be back tomorrow but wow I shall slept with no foot in my head, I shall fit on the bed instead of trying to wake up and shift for big sons to squeeze in and I shall have toast and ice cream for dinner because I can followed by copious amounts of gin and most importantly sleep well. Sadly I would love to be scrapping however am not at my parents where my stuff is and my children are so will have to concentrate on journalling and sketches... sigh........

Just informed (thanks Karen) that theres are new challenge up for Feb!! Accepting yourself and loving the ugly bits..... What ugly bits I ask? All **kgs of me are beautifu!l (she chokes on her toast and reaches for the gin). We shall start with the physical as it is most obvious. Some shall include photos and some aspects shall not... infact some aspects I'm thinking I will keep to myself as I would like people to return to this site:) After physical, I'm thinking the ugly traits that I have purely based on geneaology..one of which is to blame others (hehehe)...

Heres the first with thanks to the inspirational Delys and thats is my feet.... in general I have always thought feet were ugly, except for hubby's he has beautiful sexy feet and no I dont have a fetish! Not sure why but unless I have dolphin in my family tree these flippers have caused me great pain, especially when trying to fit them into a slim pair of shoes. However on that not given the physical me, they serve me well in that they work and still hold me up. (well done feet) So thats mygreat start, other than hubby is reading over my shoulder and stated he could share some of the ugly traits... my advice hubby... get your own blog!

Michelle

SPT Week 2

2006-01-24T09:10:00.000+13:00

I can honestly tell you, until this becomes habitual the reminder of having a photo on a Tuesday lingers on my mind on the Saturday before. I think about cheating and just pulling out an old photo and just 'amping' it up a bit, I think about what the photo might look like and how best to avoid it...... until I arrive full circle and physically pass my camera to someone to take the damn thing. Okay so that all sounds a little bit OTT but again until this becomes habitual then this is the emotional equalivancy of a nervous sweat. Engari, once the photos taken I'm stoked as hello I'm in a photo and proceed to wish I had more taken years ago when I was smaller, younger, skinnier oh did I mention skinnier and younger.... My cousin Pare took this photo of me and my own little "cheeky darky" (thanks Paul Holmes), Joseph (13mths) at Aunty Ngaires Birthday in Maketu in the weekend.