Design Create Inspire.........

Happy New Year/ Summer Time!!

2008-01-02T23:06:00.000+13:00

Paige paddling

Millie and Van checking out the water

Max and his chubby thighs!!!

Aaron taking the dogs for a swim!!

Well a very happy new Year to you all - ages since I blogged but eveytime I sit down, something else needs my attention and it just doesn't happen!!! Well now that the hype and rush of Xmas is over 2008 is here!!!! Sheesh last year went so quickly and my mum keeps telling me it just keeps on speeding up which does not thrill me at all lol!!! We took the kids out to Riverton on New Years day - a little seaside town about 25mins drive from Invercargill which has a lovely beach and it was really busy - totally suitable for kids as vehicles do not really drive on the beach and you can see fishing boats easily so the girls thought that was pretty cool!!! The dogs are getting so big now and were totally into being the waves with Aaron and Millie - did not enjoy Diva coming back to me for smooches though and drying herself off by drenching me as she shook the water from her coat - ratbag!!! Paige's confidence has grown so much since her swimming lessons and was quite happy to paddle and Max - well he is a typical boy who fell over in his clothes in the water so figured there was no point changing him so just let me paddle in his singlet and change him when we left!! Check out his thighs, I just love them, so chubby but boy can they motor!!! We are taking him for X-rays on the 7th as he walks like he is pigeon toed but on seeing the doctor, he assures he is not pigeon toed and rather that the problem is with his hips potentially - a little scared of what the xray will show but if there is a problem that needs medical assistance then better now than when he is older - needless to say when he was checked at 8weeks old I was less than impressed with the 10 seconds (and not an exaggeration) that the registrar who was conducting the hip check clinic examined him for and it now seems that she did miss something - honestly it made me so mad as she was having a conversation with a colleague at the time and was not concentrating!!! Anyway rant over - and will post the results of the xray!! A very happy new year to you and your families from my family and I truly hope 2008 is one of peace and happiness!!

Peace

December already.....

2007-12-05T15:36:00.001+13:00

Yikes, where did the year go??? Only 21 more sleeps until the big guy in red makes his brief arrival!! I was listening to the radio today and heard that this year will be Santas busiest - he has to deliver presents to 2.4 billion homes and will have to travel 5300miles per second spending just on 34 sec in each home to deliver all his presents!!! Millie asked me would he make it to our house on hearing this - of course I replied, there are female reindeer guiding the sleigh so they will make sure Santa gets it all done!!!
Have done a little Christmas shopping, to be honest the queues and crowds of people make me just want to shop online........ LOTS......... people just completely forget any semblance of manners at this time of the year and the most disturbing thing I have seen to date is 2 women fighting (I had to actually walk away as it was so ridiculous) over an outfit in Pumpin Patch the other day........... We have ALOT socially coming up in the next 10 days, thrown in three 6 year old parties, including Millie's which I have still got to figure out how to entertain twelve 6 year olds, which brings me to my next point - when did children start needing to be entertained and not just be able to make up games and then get on with them............ sigh! Still it will be lots of fun for Millie and I cannot believe she will be 6!!!

Peace
M.

Happy Anniversay honey....

2007-11-29T22:03:00.000+13:00

Four years ago today we did this - thank you Aaron for being an amazing husband and father!!!

Love you lots honey!!

Testing....... my new webcam!!

2007-11-23T17:32:00.000+13:00

RAK winner..........

2007-10-26T20:51:00.000+13:00

Thanks everyone who left a comment on my blog for the RAK!!! And so I asked Miss Millie to pick a number between 1 and 17 - she did - and the winner is Kelly Nelson number 6 (millie picked this number she told me as she is going to be 6 in December!!!! Kelly, a whole lot of goodies are heading your way on Mondat - have fun with them!!

Over the weather..........

2007-10-24T22:30:00.000+13:00

Seriously over the wind, rain, sleet, and freezing cold temperatures!!! Where are you Mr Spring/Summer!!!!

Look what came to live at our house today......

2007-10-23T23:15:00.000+13:00

Guess what I am going to be doing all this week............. playing!!! Have been waiting on one of these ages, super excited, Aaron sooooooo does not get it!!!!!

Purging......

2007-10-23T00:07:00.000+13:00

scrapbook stuff tonight has been my mission - I have been on a bit of a bender this weekend in regards to clearing stuff out, removing the excess and getting back to my obsessive compulsive tidy self!!! So to say I have been throwing out is a bit of an understatement and as a result I have all of this to give away to a new home - there are ribbons and fibres for miles, the Maya Road tin which is very handy for storage or for altering, cards to wind ribbon etc on, brads, flowers, chipboard, inks, foam stamps etc etc etc etc etc etc!!! So if you want to go in a random draw to have this lot winging its way to your house then leave me a comment!! No questions, no gimmicks, just a simple hello is all that is required and I will ask my lovely assistant, Miss Millie to draw a winner on Friday!!!! Sorry about the photo, light is not great but I promise it is a lovely box of goodies!!!! Whoops have just noticed the stamp in the photo, that is not part of it....... would seem I have to make tidier piles!!!

Fur babies..........

2007-10-21T22:40:00.001+13:00

Diva

Van

Well as promised and after lots of requests here are the two new additions to our family....... our two fur babies Diva and Van!! Aaron named him after the guy Van on Outrageous Fortune which we both really love watching - his first choice was Speighter (those of you locals will know this pertains to a local beverage enjoyed by members of the male population here in Southland!!) which resulted in a very firm NO from me - and Diva was easy really, she is just gorgeous and a flippin madam!! To say our section has been ravaged by puppy teeth is a understatement but we have been assured they grow out of it!!!!

I took this photo during the school holidays during a sanity session to the park - plan on editing it a bit and making a canvas for the wall but here it is in it's rough form!! Who would have thought I would have 3 children - some days I can't believe I was lucky enough to be blessed with three little munchkins!!!!

Makes Me Laugh..............

2007-10-18T22:57:00.001+13:00

This is funny!!

A bit of fun

2007-10-16T22:24:00.000+13:00

Saw this on Hannah's blog and couldn't help myself!!!!

1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current car) Bambi Escape
2.YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (fave ice cream flavour, fave cookie) Orange Chip Tim Tam
3. YOUR “FLY Guy/Girl” NAME: (first initial of first name, first 3 letters of your last name)M-Mck
4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (fave colour, fave animal) Pink Dog
5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born) Daphne Invercargill
6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first)MckMe
7. SUPERHERO NAME: (”The” + 2nd fave color, fave drink)The Black Coke
8. NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers) Charles Eugene
9. STRIPPER NAME: (the name of your fave perfume/cologne, fave candy) Stella Jaffa
10.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother’s & father’s middle names) Susanne Ruskin
11. TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME: (your 5th grade teacher’s last name, a major city that starts with the same letter) Allison Auckland
12. SPY NAME: (your fave season/holiday, fave flower) Christmas Orchid
13. CARTOON NAME: (fave fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now + “ie” or “y
Melon shirty
14. HIPPY NAME: (what you ate for breakfast, your fave tree) Weetbix Orange
15. YOUR ROCKSTAR TOUR NAME: (”The” + your fave hobby/craft, fave weather element + “Tour”) The Scrapbooking Sunshine Tour

Heck a few of those are a bit weird - and no cheeky comments about my middle name lol!!!
Back into a routine with all three little munchkins back at preschool and school - nearly caught up on all my work but there is always something that needs done!!!!! Holiday weekend this weekend - wahoo - going to finish the letters for the kiddie winks rooms and also try and get my stock room aka garage under some sort of control!! Happy birthday to my sisters partner - hope you had a great day Hayden!!!

Ciao for now!!!

Boo!!

2007-10-10T13:25:00.000+13:00

Anyone still there!! Heck it is a long time since I blogged but everytime I sit and think right must update, the phone alot rings, children want something, an email needs answered etc etc!!! So alot has happened since my last post which kinda makes sense considering it's been 3 months!!! So to keep it simple and easy to read and so that you all don't nod off reading a novel here it is in bullet form

- Max turned one on the 25 July - as usual we had 2 parties (family and then family/friends!!)

- We sold our section and bought a house which is about 9?? months old - it's new and light and fabulous and I LOVE IT!!! the house building went by the wayside as it was WAY too expensive, would have taken too long (as those of you who know me will know I am a instant gratification kinda of girl!!)

- We added to our family in the form of 2 puppies - Van and Diva - very cute but full on - it's like having 2 newborns at the same time!!!

- Millie sat and passed with wonderful scores her first jazz and hip hop exams receiving Honours in Jazz and Highly Commended in Hip Hop - very proud mummy momment!!!

Well the school holidays have been and gone - while I love my children dearly bad weather and 3 children with cabin fever are nearly enough to drive you mad!! Okay so a quick post but will try and be good and update more!!!

School Holiday project

2007-07-01T23:39:00.001+12:00

I have a new addiction - surfing http://www.etsy.com/, it is the coolest place for hand made crafts, lots of inspiration and guess what the girls and I are making this week??? These pots are super cute and look like they could be manageable for the girls to have as a project! So day one tomorrow officially of the school holidays and I have been sitting here racking my brain of things to do with the girls, there are all the usuals like the park, museum, friends over to play etc and on Saturday we are going here - the girls are so looking forward to this and just quietly, their Mum is too!!
To all of you with wee ones at home during the school holidays - have fun and lets all pray for fine weather!!

Ciao
Meg

Black Cat Boogie

2007-06-30T22:41:00.000+12:00

Well we entered that strange world of school productions this week - Monday and Tuesday night saw Miss Millie take the stage as one of the 'alley cats' for her schools production 'Best Foot Forward'!!! I was SO proud of her - she was one of the kids at the front and remembered all her steps - one thing I will say about Millie is when she commits to something, she gives it 110% and didn't seemed fazed by the large audience (she is the one on the right with the white leotard on).
There is something about little people and performing which make me smile, the excitement of performing and their families watching, all the buildup and rehearsals and then the moment when they actually take the stage and get caught in the moment - I had the odd giggle as they are just so darned cute and funny but just so amazed at this young person who is just into life in such a HUGE way and wants to try and do everthing that comes her way - so cool!!!
Well we are settled into the rental we have secured while the house is being built - hope to get the final price to build this week - seems to have taken ages to get to this point and to be honest I think I will let Aaron look at the final bill - it might just put me off!!!! The kids seemed to have moved really well except for our wee guy who seems to think he is back at when he was a newborn and not going to bed until 11pm at night - little rascal!!!!
School holidays for the next 2 weeks and have got the odd thing planned for the kids but generally just some down time for Millie - she was really sick about 3 weeks ago to the point of being off school for 2 days and sleeping the day away - which she has never done before - and with the school production on two nights this week, is a bit tired so lots of sleep ins I think!!

Ciao for now
Meg

I was just thinking

2007-06-09T23:15:00.000+12:00

as I sit here in bed typing this post listening to talkback (I know I'm a geek!!) as they are talking about and playing all sorts of music from a long time ago and it made me wonder in 30 or 40 years time what music will I be listening to and will the music I choose to listen to now will be considered 'classics'? I think there are some that will - like U2, who I love love love and even now it brings tears to my eyes - okay maybe not that bad- that I missed out on their concert when they came to NZ last year but our wee guy was only like 12 weeks old and it was going to be too hard a trip on him so we made the not so difficult decision in hindsight that we would not travel and see them, there will always be another opportunity but your children are only young once and there are some things you just have to forgo - which leads me to the fact that our wee guy is 1 next month! Holy heck where did that go - was it really nearly 11 months ago (actually I was probably sitting in bed then with a very pregnant stomach providing somewhere for the laptop to rest typing a post! It is amazing that the time leading up to that wee person joining us in the world seems to take SOOOOOOO long to be here but when you are well on the other side and they are trying to walk - yes walk I tell you- you realise that those photos are so precious, that journalling so important to record and then it makes you realise that scrapbooking is a wonderful process to be involved in!
Well it is only 6 more days and we have to leave this house and move into our rental house while our new house is being built - I was packing tonight (I am so over brown boxes and trying to make things fit into them - and it suddenly occurred to me that this is our last weekend in this house. ever. forever. And that makes me sad, really sad as this house has been a wonderful family home to us, it is the only house that my 3 children have ever lived in, Aaron and I got engaged in this house, we have brought our children home from the hospital to this house, the girls both had their first birthdays and learned to walk, I welcomed my sister back from living in Wellington after a refocus in her life and then farewelled her again, and probably the thing that this house has done is provide a shelter for our family, many of our friends when they needed a shoulder to cry on or a smile to celebrate with - I know that you take your memories with you but when I turn the key in the lock for the last time on Friday I will be sad, and I will reflect and I will take photos to remind us of our first family home................

Ciao
Meg

Being thankful......

2007-06-07T00:43:00.000+12:00

So I have been reading Janines blog - on it she asks what are the little things that make us an individual's happy and it got me to thinking - do we only need the big things in our lives to make us happy or can we be content with the small things? For me it is a mixture of the two - I love when my three little munchkins sleep in to at least 7am and that Paige leaves her jammies on and doesn't climb into bed with us like a wee ice chip (sigh - what is it with 2 year olds and the inability to remain fully clothed.....) but then I also love when we do something big like booking our flights to Melbourne for my friend Minka's wedding, or choosing all the 'inside bits' for our new house - maybe it is human nature to always want more, improve what we have etc but on the flip side of the coin is this a bad thing if wanting more means improving our minds with study or a new hobby and is there anything wrong with wanting to strive and work hard in life to be able to improve our quality of life? No wrong or right answer with this one in my personal option but definitely a very debatable topic for all that!!!

I have heard over the last couple of days of a couple of incidents that have occurred in the industry which really sadden me - this is a drum that is often heard but I have always had the belief that scrapbooking is about preserving memories, giving ourselves a creative outlet and as is so often the case, the amazing opportunity to meet like minded people and there are so many amazing friendships that have come from chance meetings from events and forum and blogs that exist in the 'industry'. So when I hear stories of less than kind comments, mean spiritedness and just general 'tall poppy' syndrome it really does make me think of the old saying that 'If you have nothing nice to say, then perhaps refrain from saying anything at all'.

Don't get me wrong, everyone is entitled to their opinion, it's healthy and wouldn't the world be a boring place if we all thought the same things and performed the same actions, but there is a line between opinion and nastiness which usually occurs at the expense of certain individuals who work very hard to make a place for themselves in the world and who without them the scrapbooking industry would not be as colourful. I know that it all sounds very cryptic and that is not the intention of this post, but I do think that perhaps as a community we should celebrate our successes more and well focus less on what we don't like ................

On a separate note - go the kiwis in the yachting!!!

Ciao
Meg

SENZ Photos..............

2007-05-26T21:49:00.000+12:00

Some photos of SENZ

Fiskars Stand -demonstrating their latest and greatest

SENZ Main Show Area

Kelly Rotherham - Fantastic lady and new sub-editor of Up 2 Scrap!

(L-R) Jo Burney, Meg, Janine, Neen, Megan, Beverley, Ann

Some of the amazing tags being swapped!

A junior scrapbooker we found in the hall - so many young girls at the show with their Nana's and Mum's - and they are talented!!!

More tomorrow - off to bed, am shattered after a big few days at the show!

Ciao

Meg

Airports

2007-05-24T16:00:00.000+12:00

Are funny places, have been in a few over the years, full of extremes mostly, people rushing to catch flights, people either really upset or overly happy. I am sitting here in Christchurch airport waiting to catch my flight to Auckland and even though it is busy and noisy it also very peaceful, now don't me wrong I am missing the children like mad already but not having to change dirty nappies, explain to Paige why she cannot have crackers and cheese for breakfast and putting all the books back on the bookshelf after Max has bulldozed his way through them for a couple of days is going to take a little adjustment but I am sure I will get there!! (winks)
This is a quick post as my plane is due to leave shortly - as I sit here typing Tina Cross and Suzanne Lynch from the 'Ladykillers', the all woman group who sang on "dancing with the stars' on Tuesday night have just sat down across from me - do they classify as celebrities????

Will update once I get to Auckland!

Ciao
Meg

One sleep to go...........

2007-05-23T23:33:00.000+12:00

Wow - cannot believe that SENZ is just around the corner!!! It's my first one and I am a little excited about being part of the BUZZ - people, scrapbook products, classes, inspiration, the list is endless!!!! I finally get to meet our DT girls in the flesh (well apart from Mrs Renfree who is always down this way LOL!!!) which is going to be great and alot of our customers and forum members as well - make sure you are wearing your Scrapbook Essentials Pins, some faboo spot prizes are going to be handed out!!!!
For those of you who are headed to Christchurch from the 12th-14th of October for the South Island SENZ, we will be revealing our tutors (and we have a pretty cool guest tutor joining us) next week, classes will be available for purchase from the 13th August and trust me when I say the classes will be nothing short of AMAZING - we have some big BIG plans in the pipelines so WATCH THIS SPACE!!! If you want to be one of the first 150 lucky people to purchase your tickets for SENZ in CHristchurch and receive a show bag full of product then go here on the 25th May and purchase yours!
Well it's off to bed for me - big weekend ahead!!!

Ciao
Meg

So much to do, so little time.................

2007-05-23T00:36:00.000+12:00

Well the last few days have been crazy to say the least - the last of the kits for the classes of our very talented DT member Jo Burney who is tutoring for Up 2 Scrap are gone, stock for their stand is all boxed and Mr Courier came this afternoon and got it, fliers will be picked up tomorrow, last of the class extras are packed in my suitcase, have made Max's vegies and these are in the freezer for while I am away in Auckland (how did I ever think I could leave my babies for 3 days - eek!!). AM hoping like anything that my new MM Tote - and yes Tanya it is pink!!- will be here tomorrow so I can pack all my scrapbooking supplies for the class I am taking with Kelly Rotherham on Friday and for the crop night on Friday, still have a 101 things to do before I fly out on Thursday but have taken to making lists and it's a great feeling ticking them off!!

It's amazing all the little things that have to be done so that Aaron has a stress free time with three small people while I am away!!!

Our latest kit went up on the site tonight and I must say that is is my favourite of all our kits so far, love love LOVE Scenic Route papers and this is kit is full of them, go here to get yours!

I do plan on blogging while I am away with updates and pictures of SENZ, so make sure you check back!!!

Ciao

Meg

Belated Happy Mothers Day!!!

2007-05-15T11:13:00.000+12:00

Hope everyone had a wonderful mothers day and were all spoilt rotten or spoilt their mums or the special people in their lives who take on the role of Mum for them!!! I was very spoilt with breakfast in bed - okay so in the end I had to get up and poach my own eggs as Aaron was boiling them?????? But it is always nice to feel appreciated and I guess having the excuse of a day all about me is as good as any for a sleep in which with three children tend to be few and far between these days LOL!!!! Aaron has told me to pick something out but since I am away to SENZ next week for three days and Aaron is flying solo, I figure that is enough of a pressie........ (maybe a quick trip to the shops though while I am up there!!!)

Okay so the winner of the Queen and Co containers for guessing our new house number which will be 39 is................. Christi Nelson with her guess of 38!!!! Congrats Christi - those 6 cute containers on their way to you today!!! Right so this is a quick post but here is a recent photo of our wee man - aren't those chubby thighs yummo!!!!

Have a great day

Meg

I have bugs.......

2007-05-08T21:13:00.000+12:00

Lots of them - the head cold, coughing bleuck kind!!!!! Max has had a cold with his teething, so bad in fact I relented and allowed our GP to prescribe him some antibiotics!!! Well now it's my turn, I am one of those people who thankfully hardly ever get sick but when I do it's a doozy!!!!!
So last night instead of getting to meet Hannah and her hubby Rob, I was hunched over a steaming bowl of eucalyptus - that stuff smells BAD but it works so hunch I did!!!! So to Hannah and Rob, HUGE apologies for missing out on meeting the two of you, Michelle tells me you had a great time!!!
Not long now until SENZ in Auckland - I am sooooooo looking forward to this, am taking a class with the talented Kelly Rotherham and getting to meet some of our DT girls in person for the first time PLUS so many of our customers have emailed wanting to catch up!!! Am taking every known cure to help get rid of this flu so that I am fighting fit for the weekend!!!!!
Our monthly kit has been HUGE as usual - there is only I think like 3??? left so head on over to the shoppe and grab yourself one!!! The fancy pants papers in it were part of the new releases from Fancy Pants in January and we have been saving them up to create a yummy kit - we have had so much positive feedback on this months kit - and next month's is all ordered and is going to be a cracker - a hint I hear you ask - okay........... let's just say you will be taking the 'scenic route' to creativity next month!!!!

Ciao for now
Meg

Update

2007-05-07T10:12:00.000+12:00

Well I blew it - my 30 day challenge that is!!! I started off with great intentions but it all turned to custard day 4 - whoever designed the 24 hour day obviously never had a very sick 9 mth old from teething, a sick Mum to look after him, hockey games, dance classes etc etc!!!! Anyway no self pity lurking here - too busy LOL!!!! No seriously I think that I need to just blog when I can, if it is every day then great, every week fine so will see how often I can manage it!!!

Okay so the winner of the RAK - Janine aka Angel Gurl - woohoo Janine, will get the yummy scorll corners away to you today, they are YUMMO, so have fun playing with them!!!!

Well the house went unconditional on Friday, we got the deposit cheque in our hot little hands for about 5 mins before paying for our section - sigh!!!! Here's a couple of photos of where our house will be built, Amelia insisted in being in one of them!!!

Also another little giveaway - 6 Queen and Co felt containers which are now empty, these are awesome for storing buttons, ribbons etc so leave a comment on the blog what you think the street number will be for our new house - it's between 20 and 50 - closest to gets the containers sent to them!!!

Our House is Sold!!!!!

2007-05-07T10:07:00.000+12:00

It's Monday........

2007-04-30T21:46:00.000+12:00

and day 3 of my challenge to blog everyday for 30 days - I must admit that I can think of lots of things to blog about but are they interesting??? So Mondays are always a funny day for me - they are obviously the start of a new week but also a definite reminder that the weekend is one again over and I find myself counting down the days until the weekend!!! As some of you know we listed our house and it sold in like 6 days - subject to finance which has to be confirmed by the end of this week, it turns out as they are Australians who have bought our house (moving from Brissie to Invers????) the banks are a little more pedantic about the finer details but it's done pretty much a done deal!!! So now the BIG question - where to from here for us? Well we bought a section today in a new subdivision here, not our ideal move in terms of where we ultimately want to be, but a great area, lots of families building there so we are pretty happy in the short tem - just have to decide what sort of us we want to build now - there are SO many companies that offer the complete package - right down to the toilet paper holder, so it's a big decision!!!!
We start shipping our monthly kits tomorrow, so for all those of you who receive these, start stalking the yellow vans from Wednesday!!!!!

Woohoo - day 3 done!!!

Ciao for now
Meg

Day 2 and a sneak Peek

2007-04-29T21:42:00.000+12:00

Holy cow I had no idea so many people read my blog, now the pressure is really on with my 30 day challenge!! Two days in a row - 28 days to go!!! Well busy day today, we had some friends visit us who had wonderful news that they were going to be parents for the first time - so excited for them and it couldn't happen to nicer people, Shannelle looks fantastic and you can't even tell she is pregnant - don't envy them those first few weeks though and can say in all honesty I am pleased we are now past all those 4 hour feeds and tiredness!!! For those of you who get our kits, here's a sneak peek of one of the gorgeous projects you will learn how to make

Isn't she gorgeous - her name is the Prima Fairy and Megan Renfree designed her, every time one of the girls sends me a completed project for the kit, I am reminded of how lucky we are to have our talented design team who work alongside us to provide you with lots of inspiration!!
To purchase the kits and learn how to make your very own Prima Fairy go here!!

Talk to you all tomorrow!

Meg

Day 1 and a RAK!!!

2007-04-28T15:42:00.000+12:00

Okay so here we go - day one of my self imposed 30 day challenge!!!! Will try and post interesting stuff each day so thought I might start off with a RAK!!!

Leave a comment on my blog so I know people still think it is worth visiting and I will draw a random name who will receive some of these yummo scroll corners from Maya Road, their chipboard is just divine and I have to say that they are my favourites when it comes to out of the box products dripping with quality!!!!

Not sure if I have mentioned it before now, but we are selling the house, we don;t really want to but with 3 kids, and a busy business we need more space so we listed it last week - the market is sooooo busy here that hopefully it won't be long and we will be on our way!!

You have been warned.......

2007-04-27T21:45:00.000+12:00

Hello, hello anyone there??? I am the worlds worst blogger, so if anyone still checks this blog out, then as the title says you have been warned, long post ahead!!!

Righto so the must do stuff first, I have been tagged by the lovely Lynda and the flower crazy Michelle!!!!

Each player starts with 7 random facts/habits about themselves, people who are tagged need to write on their own blog about their seven things, as well as these rules. At the end of your blog, you need to choose 7 people to get tagged and list their names.Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them that they have been tagged and to read your blog!

1. I LOVE LOVE my family, even when I am covered in milk vomit, raspberry jam from sticky little fingers or felt pen, I am thankful for my three little angels every single day!!

2. My nickname is Cyril - long story and I am not elaborating............

3. I love Japanese food - teppan, sushi, sashimi, maybe I am half Japanese?????

4. I am not really an animal person, which is weird considering I grew up on a farm full of deer,
goat, sheep, hens etc etc.

5. I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE shoes - last count 35 pairs............

6. I really want to go to the Octoberfest in Germany one year, only regret of my OE is not
doing that, I really think the Oompa Loompa bands that play in the Hofrahaus would benefit
from my chemically inbalanced (hey it's a beerfest) input..... or not!!!

7. I love to talk - and this love intensifys with a few wines.......

So who to tag, well all the blogs I lurk around have pretty much been tagged so will leave it open to anyone who feels up to the challenge, let me know if you do so I can sneaky peek!!!

Right so on with the rambling and a little shameless self promotion!!!! The May kit is up on the Scrapbook Essentials site and it is GORGEOUS!!!!! There are only a few left so if you have been umming and aahing, then quick, go here and hit the BUY NOW button, you will be very pleased you did!!! And this month we have the uber talented Design Team girls Megan Renfree and Janenne Sloan designing 2 gorgeous projects, of which the instructions will be in the kit, I have seen the odd sneak peek and what they have come up with is simply stunning!!!!!

Also we are running a mothers day competition over on the message board so go and check it out - fantastic prize of a voucher to spend instore and with all the yummy new products, will not be hard to spend!!!

So we have had a mad few weeks with the business, children being sick, Aaron working crazy hours and generally life, I always feel guilty about neglecting my blog and so have set myself a challenge - to blog once a day, even if it is a simple hi for 30 days - so wish me luck! The fantastic thing about a blog is that is a permanent way to record stuff, big and little that you can refer to, so tomorrow is day one of the 30 day challenge!!!

Some photos of the kids

Max has just started crawling (fast I might add!!) and I ahd to snap him fascinated by the TV - this fascination lasted about 30 secs and then he was off on a misson again!!

Amelia in action at her school sports day for years 1 & 2 in the All Saints zone, was more like a games day, they apparently don't do the whole athletics thing until year 3!

Right - so more tomorrow then, what will I blog about....... perhaps a RAK????

Tagged......

2007-03-27T21:58:00.000+12:00

Thanks Tanya Leigh for tagging me - I have to post 5 quirky things about me so here goes....

1. I HATE lights being left on if no-one is in the room - drives me nuts, must be the obessesive compulsive side of me lurking!!

2. I hate feet, they are such a necessity but don't think I have ever ever seen a pair of feet that I thought looked nice - feet just gross me out full stop!!

3. I am addicted to Sprite Zero - if I drank as much water as I do Sprite Zero I would have the complexion of a newborn!!

4. My wardrobe consists mainly of black and white - you can't go wrong with this colour combination!

5. If something is the colour pink then I will always buy it regardless of whether I need it - think ipod, cellphone, shoes, bags, you name - I LOVE PINK!!!

So who to tag - well I am tagging Beverley, Megan Renfree and Hannah - so lets have it girls!!

Check out my Slide Show!

2007-03-17T00:09:00.001+13:00

Max and his Mum

2007-03-16T23:57:00.000+13:00

A new do

2007-03-16T23:21:00.000+13:00

Well I finally gave in and cut my hair off - it's been a long time coming and with the recent HOT weather, couldn't bear it anymore
so chop chop and bobsville here I come!!! Stil getting used to having my hair short but it's so much easier to do - photo looks a bit posey I know but I was taking a self portrait photo and it's quite hard to do and make sure you are in the center, hence the funny pose as i was trying to make sure I was in the middle in the reflection on the lens LOL!!! Lots happening around here, went to scrap camp in Bannockburn last weekend which was FABOULOUS - man it was HOT HOT HOT, we were all melting but we suffered for the sake of ART!!! Well done Nik and Lara for organising this, AMAZING group of ladies who all get on so well and heaps of laughs too!!!
Our wee man is growing so fast, he is 8months on the 25th of this month, he is on his hands and knees rocking and then bunny hops a couple of times, collapses and cries - sooo cute, well except the crying part!!! Amelia has settled so well into school, I went along and did the mother help thing this morning as they were decorating photo frames with shells they collected on their beach visit last week - let's just 18 frames took a LONG time, Max rolled around the flook which was funny to watch and Millie was so funny - she kept coming up and cuddling me saying that I was her Mummy!!!! Very cute!!! Then there is Miss Paige - she is now apparently leading mat time at her pre-school, she's officially one of the big kids and tells them all that it is tidy up time and claps her hands like the teachers - too funny!! I went and bought the girls some of the new red, white and black girls stuff from Pumpkin Patch, it is gorgeous and they look very sweet, will have to take some pics and upload them.......

Ciao
Meg

Going to the chapel......

2007-02-24T11:40:00.000+13:00

One of the ladies on our forum is getting married today and we have been invited to share in here and her husband to be's special day, everytime we go to a wedding it reminds me of when Aaron and I got married, will be four years ago in November, I look back no at the lead up to it all and it just went so quick but on the day it was just amazing that Aaron and I took that step, the big one, promising to spend our lives together through the good and bad times, when you think about it marriage is like this huge leap of faith and I am thankful daily that I have Aaron in my life and for all his love and support of me - it never waivers, and his heart is so big that it truely does amaze me sometimes that he chose me to be his lifelong partner! Don't get me wrong sometimes he is so the opposite of me that I struggle to 'get' where he is coming from but that's the good part - figuring it out and learning a new perspective!!! He is yin and I am yang at times, but together the pieces fit and make a whole........
All the best Rachel and Brendan as you start this wonderful new chapter of your life together - may you have much happiness and joy in your lives together........

From Kahil Gibran's "The Prophet"...

"Love one another, but make not a bond of that love. Let it rather be like a moving sea between the shores of your souls. And stand together, and yet not too near together. For even the pillars of the temple must stand apart; and the oak tree and the cypress will not grow in each other's shadow. Remember that love gives nothing but from itself. Love possesses not, nor would it be possessed, for love is sufficient unto love. And think not that you can direct the course of love. For love, if it finds you worthy, will direct your course."

Happy Days

2007-02-16T21:20:00.000+13:00

We have finally changed ISP's from Telecome to Vodafone, no more shoddy service and lost emails in cyberspace - LOVING IT!!! All I need is that wee guy in the pic above and I can go anywhere in NZ and have internet access and that's all I need, no more cords, wireless routers that do not work - freedom is bliss!!

Red foil covered chocolate hearts that I gave to Amelia for Valentines Day - they have a wonderful teacher who just inspires all of them and so on Valentines Day once they had finished for the day, Amelia walked out of class, gave me a red cardboard heart that said I love you Mummy, too cute....... so as she had made such an effort, I made one back and made her my valentine and gave her these hearts.....

On Tuesday morning before she went to school she whispered in her Dad's ear, they went outside and picked this rose for me out of the garden, she walked back inside, gave it to me and said Happy Valentines Day.......

I read alot of blogs, some non-scrapbook related, some not but this chick makes me laugh everytime, I love her sense of humour and her take on life, she make me laugh out loud! She also loves Neil Finn from Crowded House, and I mean seriously loves him and his music!

Just loaded the sneak pics of March's kit to the site - the papers in this kit are cool, uber cool in fact and I managed to source the cutest metal embellishments to go with them, full kit will be revealed on the site on the 20th......

Creating.....

2007-02-13T22:54:00.000+13:00

Flip it's been nearly a week since my last post, so much for trying to blog daily!!! Anyway I was persuaded (does arm twisting count LOL) to join in a circle journal over at the Scrapbook Essentials forum, as usual I left it to the last minute as I do and while I would not rate it amongst my best work (why are scrapbookers so self-critical!!) I am happy with the end result! There are 14 talented ladies involved in the circle and we all have a different theme to our individual albums, I chose words to inspire your life for the year - my word is simple! I am always frantic mad with the business, school drop offs, preschool pickups, family, friends, the list is endless but I am not someone to sit around so while I may be simplifing things in my life and learning to say no to the odd thing I have no doubt that I will always be 'busy' it's just who I am!!

Quick post but will try very hard to blog tomorrow.......

Leaving on a jet plane.....

2007-02-07T22:25:00.000+13:00

That song has normally always reminded me of the movie 'Armageddon' (love Ben Affleck by the way!) but come tomorrow it will mean something very different..... my baby sister is leaving Invercargill tomorrow to start a new chapter in her life in New Plymouth and I am very sad..... I only have one sibling and over the years we have both lived away from home but this time I think it's a permanent move for Amber as she is moving to where her partner is based and for a time will be living on his family's horse stud until their new house is completed later in the year! We told Paige and Amelia tonight (Max is only 6 months) but that's one of the blessings of being so young is that they don't understand and won't until Aunty as they call Amber isn't popping into see them everyday, so to my baby sister who I know will read this - be safe, we will miss you and love you very much........

Monthly Kit.....

2007-01-27T21:45:00.000+13:00

We have had the amazing and extremely talented Evana Willis working with this months kit, above is one of the 2 amazing projects you will be able to create with it, there are only a limited number left so head on over to the shoppe to purchase - the value is amazing and there are some just gorgeous products included in it!! Well CHA Winter 2007 is due to start on the 28th of this month and from what has been sent to us already from manufacturers with regards to new product releases, our poor wee stock room will be bulging at the seams!! We are opening this Saturday for the first time ever from 9am-1pm due to customer demand so if you are in the Invercargill Area pop your head in and say hi!

Now I've done it....

2007-01-20T00:23:00.000+13:00

Okay so everytime I logged into blogger, there it was that wee sign saying upgrade here, I have ignored it until tonite I thought what the heck - a couple of fellow bloggers have told me how much easier it is so I did it - pushed the button and here it is - still have a bit of tweaking to do but funnily enough it is a lot easier - except there are all these anonymous comments on my blog, how do I know who you are??? Well the weather is officially rubbish again, was just starting to think that summer was finally upon us, but what do you know - rain, mind you we do need it!! I have been a bad mum and only taking limited photos of our 3 wee people, still have moments of 'Oh my god, I am a mother of 3' and head count them to be sure........ anway I pulled the camera out and took this one, I know they are my children but I just think they are the cutest - hard to believe Millie was upset 5mins prior to this as she had lost her flipping Cabbage Patch doll!!!

Anyone still there.......

2007-01-13T22:40:00.000+13:00

Okay it has been a looooonnnnnnggggg time since I posted last - Xmas is just such a full on time for us so poor old blog has been neglected a bit!!! Anyhoo Xmas was fab, we had it here at home and both mine and Aaron's family were here to celebrate it with us!! Every year we say right 1 present each (the kids being the exception of course) and every year no-one sticks to the rules, Aaron well and truly spoilt me - terribly lucky to have that man in my life!!! Now I know there a few of you who I need to return phone calls to and emails for that matter - my apologies for not getting back to you straight away but I will get there! A big hello also to our friends Heather and Martin who moved to Blenheim last year (they told us they were sick of the weather) but guess what we have been having the most AMAZING weather - temps in the 20's each day so come back guys - we miss you!!
The site has been crazy mad and then we decided to go and have a sale so if you are after a bargain or two or three then go here!

Thought I might also share some sneak peeks of our February Monthly Kit which is now on the site for purchase - very nice don't you think!!

Well those three little people in our lives are all growing up way too fast - Amelia (as she has now informed us she wants to be called, no more Millie please Mummy) starts back at school in 3 weeks, I guess in some ways she is starting from scratch as she only had 4 days of the term last year and then holidays - Our wee man Max has still not grasped the whole sleeping throught the night thing - we have tried everything believe me, still it's not forever and who needs sleep right?? And then Miss Paige - totally adorable, cheeky and fun loving but just into everything and I mean everything - she upended a whole new bottle of Aaron's Clinique after shave balm over the bathroom floor - I'm hoping he won't notice........
Well a quick post but promise to be back really soon with more adventures....

Have yourself a merry little Xmas.....

2006-12-20T23:11:00.000+13:00

I love that song but can't find it to add to my blog so put the frays new song 'How to save a life' on instead, it is one off Greys Anatomy (i seriously LOVE this show) and cannot wait for it to start up again next year....... anyway the countdown is ON for Xmas day, I am actually pretty organised just need to do the big grocery shop for Xmas Day, finish off 4 mini albums and I am done!!!! This year has been particulary manic as I have had the business in the equation but so far so good and I am really looking forward to next year - lots happening!!!! A big hello to our friends Heather and Martin who have officially become their own bosses, if you are ever visiting Blenheim in the South Island and want somewhere yumy to stay then go here and book in with them, Martin will be doing breakfasts and as a chef you are pretty much guaranteed something delish!!! I did an online class last week with the super talented Nik Wilkinson, will post the pics later as Blogger is not letting me upload for some reason :-(!! Am seriously over Telecom, Xtra and any other associated service they provide - our emails have been playing up for over a month now, I ring them, complain, they give me the standard answer of 'spam filters', I hang up even more frustrated!!! Anyway Vodafone are hopefully going to have their broadband available here next March so just hanging out for that really..... Wow there is some fantastic Christmas themed stuff popping up on peoples blogs etc and have you checked out those very talented members on our Design Team and what they created, very impressive indeed and all with the contents of our December kit - wait until you see what they come up with for Januarys which is now available through the site!!! Well had better go and pack some more orders, I will try and post again before Xmas but just in case, have a safe and wonderful Xmas, surrounded by the people you love and who love you, may Santa be generous and hopefully the sun will shine!!! Merry Xmas!!!

I'm not ready..........

2006-12-11T21:02:00.000+13:00

for my baby to start school...... Tomorrow is Millie 5th birthday and I'm not ready for her to walk in those school gates and really start to grow up...... this time 5 years ago she wasn't even born and I had no idea that Wednesday 12 December at 12.36 (lunchtime) was the start of an amazing new career for me - being a mum and all the amazing experiences and absolute overwhelming feeling of love I have for her that comes with that role and even though I know she will still need me for a little while yet I can't help but feel she is ready to gain just that little bit more independance. Don't get me wrong, I wish all my children the ability to be fair, positive, self sufficent individuals who will make a difference no matter how small - but I also want them to still be my babies who never discover how tough life can and will be, can't have both though I know! I am so glad that I gave up work full time to spend the last couple of years with Millie and to be the 'kindy' Mum - and be an active part of her life and now it's time to let her venture into the world and see what she thinks, make new friends, experience new things and perhaps try those wings out of hers....... I don't think I will be ever ready somehow!!!
We had her birthday party in the weekend at a cafe called The Sticky Beak - the owner Heather dresses up like a witch called Bad Apple - it was absolutely fab and Millie had the best time - they played games such as Musical Chairs, did the limbo, decorated their own cupcakes and she is the most amazing chef - according to Millie the best bit was when Bad Apple chased them through the garden

Bad Apple and Millie

Witches Fingers made out of lollie cake

Musical Chairs

The Cake - it was covered in chocolate ganache!

So for tomorrow Millie - HAPPY BIRTHDAY, we love you very much!!!!

Sneak peeks for Januarys kit went up today - the colours are yummo and some new products in the kit for you all to play with - last month sold out (I admit we were not prepared for the response we got so apologies to those of you who missed out)!

Happy Anniversary......

2006-11-29T23:23:00.000+13:00

This time 3 years ago I was being serenaded by 5 extremely out of tune men at my wedding - my husband and his four groomsmen thought it would be a good idea to sing me a song - lovely thought - sounded terrible!!! So three years later there have been a whole lot of changes - we were a family of 3 and now there are five of us! I think when children come into your lives it seems to speed up for some reason...... but I wouldn't change my life for a moment!! Yes I am permanently tired, and never seem to catch up on things that need my attention but I have a very blessed life! I have an amazing husband who is really supportive of me and my dreams, 3 awesome children who are healthy and make me laugh on a daily basis, great friends, good health, the list goes on! I am so lucky that 3 years ago I married my best friend surrounded by people who care about both of us and for that I am very thankful!
The last 3 years have flown and thank goodness for photos and scrapbooking as a way of recording my life and the people in it! Happy anniversary Aaron - love ya!!

Running.....

2006-11-06T15:56:00.000+13:00

I bet you all read the title and thought it would be about exercise....... nope more like the fact that last week , I felt like that's all I did was run from place to place meaning the week was a blur!! Lots of changes to the website to confirm, stock to chase up and children to sort - being a Mum is underpaid if you ask me and under rated! Especially when you think of the skills you develop as a mother including the following

1. Negotiation - especially with a 2 year old far too similiar in personality to
her mother!
2. Budgeting - do the children all need new outfits for Paige's party?? Oh what the
heck, okay!!
3. Chef/ Catering - antipasto platters, salads, desserts and BBQ meats for 25 bday
party guests (who needs sleep!!)
4. Chauffeur/Courier - various trips to collect presents, groceries, guests who are
obviously planning on sampling the liquie refreshments! Then
there are the jazz lessons, hip hop lessons and swimming
lessons for the girls, throw in a kindy play date or two for
fun!!
5.Cleaner - numerous bags of rubbish from the party, not to mention the preparations
from the party and making sure the house is presentable (it's the
control freak in me)!

Thank goodness for my friend Sharyn, organiser and maker of children's birthday cakes extrodanaire!! She helped me (she did most of it to be honest, I made the marshmallow flowers) make Paige's cake, it was very cute and tasted pretty good as well!

Paige's bday party was just wonderful, she had a brilliant time and even managed to stay awake until 10pm for the fireworks without being too grumpy! Here's some pics of her - isn't she cute!! The trike was her present from us.....

The party was a combined one for me (2nd Nov) and Paige (5 Nov) so little did I know that my hubby had asked Sharyn to also make me a cake, it was quite spectacular and I was really surprised!!

I also wanted to say a HUGE thank you for all the presents, phone calls, emails, texts, morning teas (thanks Julie and Rachel) that I received, I was very spoilt and here's some of the goodies I received...

Aaron gave me a new Donna Karan watch as he is sick of me asking him the time every 5 mins!! So in hindsight, turning 30 wasn't that bad, although I think I am done with birthdays, might just stay 30 now!!!

Birthdays ending with a 0.....

2006-11-01T23:54:00.000+13:00

That's what tomorrow is for me - a birthday with a 0! I must admit that over the years birthdays were always something to look forward to, another year older, another year wiser (still made some naff decisions!!), a girls night out to celebrate and a huge hangover the next day from too much wine! But now I am about to leave one decade and enter another, I can't believe how much life has changed and for the better! Looking back over the last 10 years is a bit startling - I got engaged to what I thought was the love of my life (turns out that person was still another 2 years away and I am now married to him), have had 3 gorgeous healthy children who are the lights of my life, Millie, Paige and our wee man Max!!! Have lived in Europe and travelled to some wonderful places, have made some wonderful friends who are TRUE friends, they love me warts and all (I mean that literally, have never had a wart in my life LOL!), now I'm off the topic..... A fab family including a sister who drives me nuts at times (I know you are reading this Amber!!) and a Mum who has over the years been my biggest fan and have a wonderful marriage to the biggest rock of a man you will ever meet - a lot my single friends and a couple of married ones to all want an 'Aaron'!! I have a few regrets but probably the one thing that I wish I could take into the next decade would be my dad - he passed 13 years ago and I wish he could be here to celebrate this next chapter with me - he was a hard taskmaster and I have inherited alot of his traits some good, some which have softened with time (thank goodness I hear Mum say)!!! I would like
to think that the next 10 years are as eventful as the last 10 -so I'm setting some goals for me

1. Get my albums up to date and journal more
2. Compete in a duathalon (I hate swimming)!!
3. Visit Ireland and kiss the blarney stone (many would argue I need no
encouragement when it comes to talking)
4. Play competitive netball again
5. Learn tai chi
6. Have more patience
7. Watch my children grow into the amazing adults I know they will be!

What a serious post - still birthdays always make me reflective!!

Announcing the Scrapbook Essentials Design Team....

2006-10-29T22:40:00.000+13:00

Well the decision has been made and in the end we have asked 4 extremely talented ladies to join our Design Team - funnily enough they all received the news with one sentence .... 'Are you serious'!! They all also said yes so without further ado here are the members of the brand new SE Design Team for 2006/07

Megan Renfree

Beverley Warwick

Jo Burney

Janenne Sloan

The decision was a very difficult one as we had so many amazing entries and I had a couple of sleepless nights but we have selected a team which we think all compliment each other and all four of the members bring a different dynamic to the team, and we are really excited to welcome them to Scrapbook Essentials!
I will posting all the entries as well as the new DT members in the Scrapbook Essentials gallery so you can see all the gorgeous work that was submitted and perhaps gain some perpective on how difficult a decision this was!

DESIGN TEAM

2006-10-26T14:01:00.000+13:00

Today is the last day for entries for the Scrapbook Essentials Design Team, we have had some amazing entries to date and it is going to be a long weekend trying to decide, a big thank you to all those who have taken the time to enter and for also allowing us a bit of an insight to you and your work, we would love to have you all but there can only be 3........

Tagged.....

2006-10-21T20:48:00.000+13:00

Heck tagged for the first time by that pesky American up north (just kidding Christi) so here goes

1.Things that scare me:
- my children getting ill or hurt
- the state of the world we live in today
- dying before I have done everything on my to do list

2. People who make me laugh:
- Paige, Millie and Max
- My friend Sharyn aka Bird
- The girls on the Scrapbook Essentials forum

3. Things I hate the most:
- having to repeat myself
- rude and inconsiderate people ie pushing into queues
- being tired and grumpy

4. Things I don't understand:
- MEN!!!!
- rude and inconsiderate people ie pushing into queues
- how 24 hours is never enough to get everything done!

5. Things I'm doing right now:
- typing on my laptop
- feeding Max
- looking at the new Cosmo Cricket alpsa etc to load

6. Things I want to do before I die:
- visit Las Vegsa and Aaron and I get married again Elvis style!!
- take Aaron to Europe and show him everything I saw when I lived there
- take the kids to Disneyland

7. Things I can do:
- talk!!!!
- make the perfect G&T
- spend money!!!

8. Ways to describe my personality:
- perfectionist
- generous
- impatient

9. Things I can't do:
- waterski
- ride a motorbike
- go to bed early

10.Things I think you should listen to:
- your children
- your gut instinct
- your mother

11. Things you should never listen to:
- insincere people
- negativity
- one opinion

12. Things I'd like to learn:
- tai chi
- how to be a better mother
- manage my time better!!

13. Favorite foods:
- sushi
- cheese
- anything Japanese, especially Teppan food

14. Beverages I drink regularly:
- water
- coke zero
- sprite zero

15. Shows I watched as a kid:
- Playschool
- The Muppets
- Fraggle Rock

16. Persons I'm tagging:
- Tanya
- Delys
- Heidi

Finally

2006-10-19T13:45:00.000+13:00

I am sharing a layout with you all of our Max, now go easy on me as I haven't scrapped too many boys pages yet and I just can't embellish like mad like I would with photos of the girls, I love this photo of Max, he's so serious looking in it just like his Dad!! The patterned paper is Denim Dot from the Urban Lily range, silhouette stars are from Heidi Swapp, these are seriously cool and I will be loading this to the site later today, they also come in words etc, the word sweet is a laser cut from Sarah Heidt, very simple but I wanted the layout to be about the photo of Max! It's funny as I haven't really had the time or even the urge to scrapbook that much since he was born but after completing that layout I want to do more!! So looking forward to scrap camp next weekend and being able to scrap away to my hearts content!!
I did the grocery shopping this morning while Max was sleeping and found these - YUMMO!!

They taste kind of like jaffas and the kids totally would have inhaled the pack if I hadn't hidden them, try them if you love choccy, they rock!!
Had more boxes of stock arrive this morning and included was the most gorgeous chipboard in very cute cigar boxes (totally alterable) from Cosmo Cricket,

there is 101 pieces in each box including the full alphabet and extra letters, buckles, punctuation and more, also arrived is their new Xmas papers etc which are also gorgeous, we have something very cool planned for next month using these papers so keep an eye on the website....

Update on Layout

2006-10-18T23:38:00.000+13:00

Will upload in the morning, have just tried to take a photo to load it and the lighting is terrible in my scrap room and you can't see it properly, tried using the flash but it makes it worse..........

Bling Bling

2006-10-18T15:07:00.000+13:00

I have a lot of fav's when it comes to scrapbooking Basic Grey, Maya Road etc but there is a new one now BLING!!!! I have just had arrive this morning my order of Heidi Swapp Bling, it is COOL!!! There are square frames, oval frames, bling borders, pink bling, green bling....... this will be on the site later today for purchase!!
Now I have had a few of you say that I never show my work which to date has been true, 2 reasons mostly I haven't done a heck of a lot since Max arrived 12 weeks ago and the site is growing so quickly that we have been working flat out behind the scenes to improve the whole experience as well as coordinating a few new things that will be happening soon but just to prove that I am a scrapbooker and not just a shopperholic of scrapbook products I will post a layout hopefully by tomorrow that I have been working on so watch this space......
I have decided that I have to start running again, I have no excuse for not having got back into it, just been really tired and super busy but since we have decided that our family is now complete, it's time to get the baby kgs off and the quickest way to do that is running for me so there it is, I am off to buy new runners tomorrow and then my sister and I are out pounding the pavement, my sister is the most singleminded person I know and a great motivator (I hate the sound of my mobile beeping with her texting me at 5.30am telling me to get up!!) but once I am up and away it's great! Aaron has a dine and dance coming up for his end of year do so that is my goal to have dropped 6 kgs by then - that's the 9th Dec so countdown is on........

RAK WINNER.........

2006-10-14T11:49:00.000+13:00

Drum Roll please......... Heidi!!!!! Well done, can you email me your postal address at info@scrapbookessentials.co.nz. Hmmmm, that was quite interesting to see
how many people do actually read my blog, the counter shows me that people visit but until now I didn't really know who!!!! Might have to RAK on a regular basis!!

RAK....

2006-10-08T13:46:00.000+13:00

Okay forgot to put this in the last post, I know that there a quite a few scrapbookers that read our blog so I am putting a RAK here - leave your name in the comment section and on Friday this week will pull a name out of the hat - the winner gets this gorgeous chipboard from Cherry Arte.......

How to make a 4 year olds day............

2006-10-08T13:04:00.000+13:00

Thank you so much to Lesley C - Millie just loves this wee notebook you made her and has to take it to bed with her at night to write in it!!!
Well holidays are O V E R thank goodness, getting anything done around here has been virtually impossible with three children running around but back to kindy and preschool they go (do I sound a little too enthusiastic??)! Have loved having them home but 2 weeks is enough and I think they are looking forward to it as well!!
Crazy weekend again - boxes of stock to unpack and load to the website, both girls had swiming lessons yesterday morning, then I had to take Paige and Max to our ante-natal group fortnightly get together, then rush home, get Millie changed for a birthday party, then come home and get things ready for dinner as we had 2 lots of friends over and then back to collect Millie from the party she was at, stopping via the supermarket again to get a couple of things I had forgotten, then home with 15 mins to spare before our guests started arriving!!
Anyway we had a fab evening and it was nice to have a glass or two of wine - thanks Lara and Jase by the way for the gorgeous bottles of wine from Waitiri Creek where Jase works, you have a new fan here!!!! Any chance of a bottle or two finding it's way to scrap camp Lara LOL!!!!
Sssshhhh ............... can you hear that............. it's silent here, Aaron has taken both the girls swimming, Max is in bed and I am finally getting some work done!!! Speaking of Max, here is with his Mummy

Can't believe he is 11 weeks on Tuesday - where the heck has that gone!! He's so smiley all the time now, just love cuddles with him and he has that gorgeous baby smell!!!
Sneak peeks of some new product coming, Caroline Lau who co-owns Maya Road with her sister emailed these to me prior to leaving for the next big trade show in the States, very cool wouldn't you agree!

We are having some major work done to the website in the next 2 weeks, the site is growing quickly so we have to make some changes in order to keep up PLUS we are launching something pretty exciting at the start of November - watch this space.......

Monday

2006-09-25T14:21:00.000+12:00

and the first day of the school holidays which means Millie is home from Kindy for the next 2 weeks, thought I would be super organised so headed off to $2 shop and went mad buying crafty stuff for her and Paige to use over the holidays - lasted about an hour and then they were bored - and we're only on the first day!!!!
Went for dinner last night for my friend Sharyn's birthday - Lonestar was the destination, the food is so good there but the portions are HUGE so needless to say I didn't finish it and was still full! Happy Birthday Sharyn!!!!!
Weather here today is WARM which is great, washing is on the line - my office looks like a bomb went off, we had a huge stock order arrive from the States so Aaron and I along with a couple of helpers spent a large majority of our weekend packing, one of our forum members on the website Michelle (aka Mrs Frizz) came and visited - I thnk she was a bit overwhelmed by the amount of stock we now have!! She did help me make some space though by giving some of it a new home!!!!
A picture of Max and Paige - what is it that each child you have you have to consciously remember to take photos, I think it is more finding the time!!

Here's a pic of the guest designer monthly kit for October full of gorgeous Cosmo Cricket papers along with some of the yummy new velvet ric rac from Maya Road and one of their cute wee chipboard binders! I have decided to offer a limited quantity of these for sale at $44.95 plus postage which is a 10% saving so if anyone is interested in having a box of gorgeous coordinated product arriving on their front door, email me at Scrapbook Essentials.

Right off to check on those children of mine - I hear yelling!!

Ciao
Megs

It's Over..........

2006-09-16T23:38:00.000+12:00

Ballet exam all done - don't know who was more nervous, Millie or her mother!
We had to be there an hour early so they can warm up, get their hair done (they all looked so cute). Millie was brilliant, stood really still while her hair was done and then basically chilled out colouring in and chatting with her wee friends until it was time for them to line up and go! Longest 30 mins ever and then it was over, she was finished and ready to go to McDonalds for dinner (bribe for being quiet while waiting for her exam, it was like a morgue in the room where we were waiting)!
Was really interesting watching some of the other mums - there were a couple of 'show biz' mums as I call them, poor daughters being stressed to the max by their mums with one girl in particular having her mother stretching her leg behind to her to the point of almost being in tears and at the same time lecturing her - while I want Millie to do well in life would never ever do anything like that!!! Heck I felt like telling the Mum to leave her alone, but I didn't!
Our wee guy is growing like a mushroom, full of smiles now. He had his 6 week jabs (we were a wee bit late getting them done), he was a bit unsettled last night resulting in me getting about 3 hours sleep, so needless to say I was not looking very glam this morning!

Have been a little slack in taking photos of the girls, here's one of our wee Paige, isn't she pesky looking!!

Father and Son.........

2006-09-14T23:44:00.000+12:00

So finally took some photos of Aaron and Max, holy cow they are alike! Max had his hips checked today (we're only 5 weeks late) and he has his 6 weeks jab (1 week late for those) tomorrow! All the other babies when they had their hips checked roared, Max just lay there with a tummy full of milk and didn't utter a sound!

Ballerina

2006-09-10T19:58:00.000+12:00

Had to share this pic of Millie at Ballet! Whoa, that 3 posts now in the last two days!

Two posts in two days........

2006-09-10T15:50:00.000+12:00

Thought it was time I shared some of the amazing layouts that I have received from the wonderful ladies on our website forum at Scrapbook Essentials they are just gorgeous and means that Max has some layouts to call his own! I admit that since he was born I have achieved zero when it comes to scrapbooking as I never seem to have enough hours in the day at the moment, by the time I sort 3 kids (I do a head count these days to make sure I don't dive off without one of them!), running the business which is growing at rather an alarming rate (a good thing but we are a little unprepared) and then fit family and friends in there's not a lot left!!
Still I am putting a schedule together so that my days start to have a little more routine to them, apologies if you are waiting on an email from me, I am a bit behind on these at the moment!
Right better sort something for the childrens dinner before there is a mutiny!

Ciao
Megan

Smiling...........

2006-09-09T09:42:00.000+12:00

That's what our little man is now doing!! Max has shared with us the what we were pretty sure was a smile but last night he went for it and wouldn't stop so I finally had the chance to capture photographic evidence of this milestone in his life! He will be 7 weeks old this coming Tuesday, it has just flown and while life is busier with him here it's also more perfect as well! He was weighed on Tuesday and is 11lb 5oz and a whopping 60cm long, he doesn't fit 0-3 months tops as he is really broad in the shoulders, I told Aaron that the next all black had been born, he rolled his eyes at me!!
We had Millie's acceptance to St John's Girls School last week which was a huge relief as we really didn't have a back up plan if she missed out (there were only 4 places available in the new entrants class next year) and there were quite a few on the waiting list so while I am ecstatic she got in I also feel sad for those who didn't get their first choice of school for their daughter! She has her first ballet exam next Friday which I had been quite nervous about for her but at the end of the day she's 4, ballet is not a career option for her as she likes it but would rather be swimming and will probably not keep going after the end of the year concert so no big deal, her teacher is a bit full on and very demanding and I feel like reminding her that they are only 4!!!!

Thursday

2006-08-17T22:06:00.000+12:00

Max and his sister Millie............. gave up trying to get all three to look at the camera so went with Millie who at 4 is pretty cooperative and Max, who was a bit cranky as you can see from the photo!
On the Scrapbook Essentials forum a photo swap was started by Kelly (an awesome lady who scraps more than anyone I know) where forum members could sign up to each be sent a photo of Max that they could scrap for his very first album, I received the first one today from an amazingly talented lady - Christi - who simply creates the most gorgeous layouts! Here is the layout

Am slowly getting into a routine with 3 children, it's certainly busy but to be honest no more so than 2 and Max is such a good baby, mind you it does take a lot longer to do things as people stop you and comment on him, the supermarket took 1 1/2 hours by the time I got around and spoke to all the staff and 3 elderly ladies stopped me, was a bit nervous taking both Paige and Max as our darling daugher has generally had enough of sitting in the trolley after about a nano second, but today she was quite happy to sit in the trolley next to Max and kept giving him little kisses, sooo cute!! Then.............. we got to the checkout and she promptly pulled all the Kit Kats out the box!!!! Oh well, at least she grabbed something I like I suppose!!

Later
Megs

Busy Busy

2006-08-15T14:16:00.000+12:00

Life is hectic - 3 children, a business to run, friends to keep up to date with, it's a whirlwind at the moment, but I have always loved being busy, Mum has always said I have had ants in my pants as I can't stand still!
The picture above is a sneak peek of the kit that our Monthly Guest Designer, Monique will be working with, it has some of the new papers from Urban Lily in it which are very cool, looking forward to seeing what she comes up with!
We are expecting our shipments of Basic Grey and Scenic Route this week, all the latest releases from both so am looking forward to having a play with those, it seems like an age since I did anything resembling scrapbooking!!!
Max continues to grow, our midwife came yesterday and he is a whopping 9lb 11ozs, considering he is 3 weeks old today and his birth weight was 7lb 15oz, he's certainly a growing lad!
The girls are still smitten with their little brother and fight over who gets to hold him first, am having a wee photo shoot this afternoon so will post the result later - hmmm trying to get 3 children all looking at the camera at the same time could be very interesting!!

Later
Meg

Due Date............

2006-08-09T21:25:00.000+12:00

Well today was supposed to be the day that our wee guy was due to arrive, seems a bit surreal that he has been here 2 weeks now, suppose he gets that from me, always early, he's 8lb 13ozs (fond of his food it would appear) and just awesome!

Speaking of babies, Heidi Swapp is a Mum again, baby girl called Capri - her childrens names are all so different, love that, she has 2 boys Colton and Corey, Quincy is their daughter and now baby Capri!

BIG LETTERS...............

2006-08-06T14:42:00.000+12:00

These big 22cm high letters have just arrived in - am thinking that I may have to use some for the girls and Max's room......... they are a good thickness chipboard
so should stick to the wall okay I'm thinking!
Have been busy packing Urban Lily preorders, will be dreaming about their products at this rate, their products are too cute and have cute names too!
Bought Max his first pair of camo pants today from Pumpkin Patch, he looks totally gorgeous and the girls got a new pair of jeans each with bling sewn to the hip, will post pics later!

Later
Meg

Just Had to Share........

2006-08-03T13:49:00.000+12:00

Another photo of Max.........

and

this gorgeous tag that was sent to us by one of the forum members on the website, Kelly, thank you Kelly, it's just gorgeous! It amazes me daily how generous people can be with both their time and talent, the tag is only one of many little gifts, beautiful handmade cards etc we have received from people I have never met but talk to on a almost daily basis via the online forum on the website, so a BIG THANK YOU to all of you!!!
Our Urban Lily shipment has arrived in the country finally, am very excited to see this range in real life as it seems an age since I ordered it! This months guest designer has been selected - congratulations to Ruth - click here to see the kit Ruth will be creating with - love the Basic Grey Color Me Silly, lots of fun to be had with those papers!

Two posts in 2 days - bit of a record!!!

Later
Meg

Sleeping Babies.........

2006-08-02T15:17:00.000+12:00

are always cute - wouldn't you agree! Well our wee guy LOVES to sleep so we are lucky in that respect! He's doing so well, he was weighed on Monday and had put on a whole 300gms in 3 days, the normal weight gain is around 200gms a week give or take so our wee man is doing really well!!! Aaron was so proud when he heard how much weight Max had gained - men and their sons!!!!!
The weather has been great the last 2 days so am contemplating taking him for a big walk in the buggy, mind you now that I have said it it will probably rain!!
The girls are FAB, love their little brother dearly and are adjusting well to having another person around, we had a family dinner on Monday night and it was so BIZARRE doing the head count in the back seat in the car on the way there, 3 little people sitting there looking back at us!
Millie came home today from Kindy absolutely covered in blue dye, seriously she looked like Smurfette, turns out she got into a paint brush flicking play fight with one of the little boys at her kindy - needless to say the teachers weren't impressed but I am just pleased she stood up to the wee boy and got her own back!!!
Paige is well Paige, into everything! Her talking is coming along so well and she has lots of words and can make herself pretty clear when she wants or needs something, such a hard case, Aaron and I often find myself hiding behind our hands laughing when we are trying to tell her off as she is just so cute!

The kit for the Guest Monthly Designer is now on the forum - with the weather warming up am feeling quite cheery so thought I would design the kit to this theme - if you still haven't checked out the site then click here, there is lots happening, monthly swaps, competitions and lots of chatting!!!!
Received confirmation that the new Scenic Route papers will be here in approx 2 weeks, these papers are just beautiful, love Scenic Route!!! The chipboard products etc will be here later in the month! Well had better go and do some paperwork before the children wake up!

Day 5..............

2006-07-29T20:37:00.000+12:00

Well our wee guy is now a whole 5 days old and already I can't believe how much he has grown - can't believe that this time last week I was at a friends cocktail party still pregnant and now I am a mother of three! Max is doing GREAT, feeds so well, loves to sleep (just like his Dad on that score) and is spending a little more time awake each day - he's soooo cute! Both Paige and Millie seem to be quite smitten with him and certainly Millie's opening statment to anyone she comes across is 'I've got a brother Max!' which is really great to hear as I think it is natural to be worried how siblings will react to a new addition to the family!
A big thank you to everyone who has sent flowers, cards, gifts etc, it's quite overwhelming and humbling so THANK YOU!!! Also a big thank you to Max's amazing 'cyber aunties' on the shop website forum who are all scrapping a photo of Max each for an album for him - you ladies are just AWESOME and I know that when he is old enough to understand he will really appreciate it! A big congratulations also to our friends Mark and Shanelle who got married yesterday in Te Anau, sorry we couldn't be there with you guys, look forward to seeing the photos!

On the business front, wouldn't you know it but the very week Max arrives we have our busiest week ever! Murphys Law! Our Urban Lily shipment has left and should be with us in the next few days, these products are just gorgeous and extremely popular!
We are also expecting in August quite a few shipments of new product releases from the recent CHA Trade Show held in the States which debuts all the companies new product releases! So it's going to be a very busy time for the next few weeks!

Introducing Max...............

2006-07-27T18:29:00.000+12:00

Hi everyone - very quick update on our beautiful wee boy who arrived 2 weeks early on Tuesday 25 July 2006 at 2.25am weighing 7lb 15ozs and was 54cms long.
We are at home and everyone is fine, if a little (okay who I am kidding) tired!
Will post more photos and details tomorrow!

2006-07-21T16:06:00.000+12:00

Yay - finally figured out how all those link thingys work on these blogs and even have put a clock on it! Considering I am a technical klutz, am quite chuffed I figured it out! So anyway, this is my new blog and means I can combine both the website news and our own news in one place instead of having to update two!
The photo above is of me and Paige, our second daughter also know as Paigey, pest or the destroyer, very different to her older sister!
Lots happening with the business, the big trade show for all the new products releases is on this weekend in the States and have been busy finalising all the new product lines the store will be carrying, there are some favourites releasing new products, but also some brand new companies we will be stocking which are very cool, the first of the new stock should be here in approx 6-8 weeks so remember to bookmark the site Scrapbook Essentials and check back as we will soon be loading the products for preorder!
Waiting, waiting - for baby no 3 to make their appearance, you will notice that I refer to the baby as they on here as there a couple of people who read my blog who want a surprise so ssshhh, no telling!!!!
Oh and a sneak peek of a very cool product line that I am hoping to have in store in the next 2 weeks.............

Also a big congratulations to Monique for her winning layout on the NZ Dares, great layout and I am actually contemplating finding the time to give this weeks dare a go!! Weather isn't supposed to be great so perfect opportunity wouldn't you say!