Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Road trip
My SIL arrived on Thursday 9th July and we had a fabulous weekend doing all sorts of fun things, shopping, eating and chatting. Then it was time for our road trip. We were really packed in and had the roof box on. A feature of this trip was Wild Bean Cafes - lattes for the adults and hot chick stix for the kids! Too funny
We then headed to Napier for a night. On the way we had at least a one hour stop in Otaki at the Bendon shop to replace a few tattered undies. We arrived in Napier and it was cold and overcast but we found a nice warm restaurant (Thirsty Whale) over on the West in the old warehouses and had a lovely late lunch. Our motel (Napier Art Deco) was very comfortable. The next morning was beautiful weather and we headed up to the lookout.
After petrol and "elevenses" at 10.20am we headed for Taupo and National Park. The drive through the mountains is very pretty but very windy.
Unfortunately the mountains were clouded in so we couldn't see them but we went up the "hill" and then down to Happy Valley where the kids had fun in the snow.
Thursday morning we spent a long time chatting and around midday set off for Auckland. Our motel in Auckland (Camelot Arms) was close to the Telstra Events Centre; it was quite small but didn't matter as we only slept there. Most of our weekend was spent at Senz and the three boys went to movies, the Sky Tower and Rainbow's End. They also went to the airport to watch an A380 plane come in - much excitement. Then we went out to dinner at The Bog (an Irish restaurant). Yummy meal but the desserts were not impressive.
We then headed to Napier for a night. On the way we had at least a one hour stop in Otaki at the Bendon shop to replace a few tattered undies. We arrived in Napier and it was cold and overcast but we found a nice warm restaurant (Thirsty Whale) over on the West in the old warehouses and had a lovely late lunch. Our motel (Napier Art Deco) was very comfortable. The next morning was beautiful weather and we headed up to the lookout.
After petrol and "elevenses" at 10.20am we headed for Taupo and National Park. The drive through the mountains is very pretty but very windy. Unfortunately the mountains were clouded in so we couldn't see them but we went up the "hill" and then down to Happy Valley where the kids had fun in the snow. Thursday morning we spent a long time chatting and around midday set off for Auckland. Our motel in Auckland (Camelot Arms) was close to the Telstra Events Centre; it was quite small but didn't matter as we only slept there. Most of our weekend was spent at Senz and the three boys went to movies, the Sky Tower and Rainbow's End. They also went to the airport to watch an A380 plane come in - much excitement. Then we went out to dinner at The Bog (an Irish restaurant). Yummy meal but the desserts were not impressive.Monday morning was time to go to the airport; amidst tears we said goodbye. Jenny had left an envelope for us to open after they'd left which I opened in the car on the way home. I could hardly read it for crying and all three boys were crying too. None of us has been able to look at it since then, but we will.
We were thrilled to have Kylie and Jenny with us and very grateful to Alan for sending them along - love you all
Senz 09 aka Cut, Cut, Cut!
*This may have to be over two or more posts depending on the length. A piece of white paper on the l/os represents the photo/s yet to be added.*
Well done if you made it this far and come back later for our road trip!
What a blast! Especially the crop night – but we made it fun too. We all had pink T-shirts that had “two jennys and two nieces” printed on the back. These we wore all weekend. 
We started with Nic Howard’s three l/o class – FANTASTIC – how to do it quickly and looked great. Everything supplied and a bit extra “because it co-ordinated with the other papers”. Nic really is very professional and even though she was losing her voice, she kept going. I have to add photos to all three. 
Then it was on to Lisa’s Fresh and Fancy Free where we had to CUT around intricate patterns. (Cutting was a noticeable trend at this Senz). The two l/os were very intricate, very blingy and quite girly but I do like them. However, I didn’t use the birds or “adore”! I want to use photos of the four of us on this one and my l/o has “fabulous” on it. 
Next class up was Lianne’s Celebrate Her and we cut again………..this time a tree out of fabric. To make it easier we stuck the fabric onto Jac paper; again the bird didn’t feature in mine. None of us did all the French knots that we were supposed to do either. Nice, again too tricky and intricate for me but I did have a photo for this one. (Sorry about the blurred photo)
Saturday we were in Nic’s card class – the one she has taught many times before and I have never been too. Kylie and Jenny had thought it was a very strange choice but politely kept their opinions to themselves! I can see why people rave about it – it was fun from start to finish. We each were given more than enough supplies for six cards and we were then given (almost) free reign on the card buffet – literally supplies spread like a buffet. Nic did ask us not to be greedy and I understand exactly what she was asking as I have had that before in my beginner’s classes. I made seven cards in class and took supplies for another two. If you get a chance to do this class book in as quickly as you can as you will enjoy it. And try to beat the record which is about 25! And it was great to see Lynda there 
Second class of the day was Heidi’s female heritage class. Again, another cut, cut, cut class and we had to sew on a sewing machine! A first for me. The three of us used a photo of Granny Ivy (Jenny and my MIL and Kylie’s granny). Another nice l/o but lots of frills and flounces and not something I would do at home. Where the pearls are was a great big "ball" which I removed and put in the pearls instead.
Last class on Saturday was Rachel’s Colours of Summer l/o and yet more cutting. I cut some but had had enough of cutting so I went downstairs and bought orange flowers to replace the ones we had to cut out. Another nice l/o and I’ll find some photos for this one. And it was great to see Trina (the TA) again. 
Saturday night was the crop and the theme was “Come to the Ball”. Unfortunately we couldn’t get all dollied up but we did buy some cute tiaras to wear.
The best dressed competition individual was won by a lady who hired a ball gown and looked wonderful. The group was the two ladies who had flowers all over a pinafore but I thought it wasn’t right that they won the prize as they won it last year with the same outfits. Then we won third prize! Too funny. It was a Kaiser Craft memo board kit supplied by Kaisercraft and Hastings Rubber Stamps. Kylie distributed all the bits and pieces and we were all very happy with our share of the spoils.
Now it was time to make the world’s biggest scrap page. We were given a piece of card 9” x 8” and had to fold back a one inch flap (to join them all). There were lots of supplies on the table and we set to it. All the 8 x 8s were then joined together.
Some of the ladies had done such creative work – it was awesome to see. At one point I thought Kylie’s sheep was a tree! I haven’t laughed so much in a very long time - we had a blast and had lots to laugh about and lots of chocolate to eat. I did four l/os and finished the two extra cards blanks I had got in the morning from Nic. Two of the l/os Jenny and I had the same photos so go looking for hers too. 
Sunday morning we had a sleep-in which we all really appreciated. Then our class was another heritage class by Heidi which was fantastic because there was no cut, cut, cut! Awesome l/o which I love. But, there was more than enough time to do a second l/o in the two hours class for which we paid.
Last class was a Stampin’ Up class and I was unimpressed but Kylie and Jenny really enjoyed it. For me there was too much on the page and it looked too CM! I also thought it was quite a hard sell class as everything required an SU tool
Some comments to teachers/designers/organisers:
§ If we will be using paint brushes – supply them
§ The same goes for the ink pads – if you want a particular ink pad, get enough for three or four people to share. I’m already paying quite a lot of money to come to the class and I don’t want to have to buy an expensive item that I may never use again.
§ Please provide rubbish bins on the tables – two litre ice cream containers are fine
§ If you’re teaching a two hour class make sure that the class lasts two hours and not one. Gather a few friends and “teach” them the class to check your timing.
§ It was great to see teachers using current papers and embellishments.
By far, the best teacher was Nic Howard – she is professional, relaxed and supplies chocolate! Seriously, she is good and she may be teaching in South Africa in May 2010 so if you can go, you won’t be sorry.
We started with Nic Howard’s three l/o class – FANTASTIC – how to do it quickly and looked great. Everything supplied and a bit extra “because it co-ordinated with the other papers”. Nic really is very professional and even though she was losing her voice, she kept going. I have to add photos to all three. Then it was on to Lisa’s Fresh and Fancy Free where we had to CUT around intricate patterns. (Cutting was a noticeable trend at this Senz). The two l/os were very intricate, very blingy and quite girly but I do like them. However, I didn’t use the birds or “adore”! I want to use photos of the four of us on this one and my l/o has “fabulous” on it. Next class up was Lianne’s Celebrate Her and we cut again………..this time a tree out of fabric. To make it easier we stuck the fabric onto Jac paper; again the bird didn’t feature in mine. None of us did all the French knots that we were supposed to do either. Nice, again too tricky and intricate for me but I did have a photo for this one. (Sorry about the blurred photo)Saturday we were in Nic’s card class – the one she has taught many times before and I have never been too. Kylie and Jenny had thought it was a very strange choice but politely kept their opinions to themselves! I can see why people rave about it – it was fun from start to finish. We each were given more than enough supplies for six cards and we were then given (almost) free reign on the card buffet – literally supplies spread like a buffet. Nic did ask us not to be greedy and I understand exactly what she was asking as I have had that before in my beginner’s classes. I made seven cards in class and took supplies for another two. If you get a chance to do this class book in as quickly as you can as you will enjoy it. And try to beat the record which is about 25! And it was great to see Lynda there Second class of the day was Heidi’s female heritage class. Again, another cut, cut, cut class and we had to sew on a sewing machine! A first for me. The three of us used a photo of Granny Ivy (Jenny and my MIL and Kylie’s granny). Another nice l/o but lots of frills and flounces and not something I would do at home. Where the pearls are was a great big "ball" which I removed and put in the pearls instead.
Last class on Saturday was Rachel’s Colours of Summer l/o and yet more cutting. I cut some but had had enough of cutting so I went downstairs and bought orange flowers to replace the ones we had to cut out. Another nice l/o and I’ll find some photos for this one. And it was great to see Trina (the TA) again. Saturday night was the crop and the theme was “Come to the Ball”. Unfortunately we couldn’t get all dollied up but we did buy some cute tiaras to wear.
The best dressed competition individual was won by a lady who hired a ball gown and looked wonderful. The group was the two ladies who had flowers all over a pinafore but I thought it wasn’t right that they won the prize as they won it last year with the same outfits. Then we won third prize! Too funny. It was a Kaiser Craft memo board kit supplied by Kaisercraft and Hastings Rubber Stamps. Kylie distributed all the bits and pieces and we were all very happy with our share of the spoils.Now it was time to make the world’s biggest scrap page. We were given a piece of card 9” x 8” and had to fold back a one inch flap (to join them all). There were lots of supplies on the table and we set to it. All the 8 x 8s were then joined together.
Some of the ladies had done such creative work – it was awesome to see. At one point I thought Kylie’s sheep was a tree! I haven’t laughed so much in a very long time - we had a blast and had lots to laugh about and lots of chocolate to eat. I did four l/os and finished the two extra cards blanks I had got in the morning from Nic. Two of the l/os Jenny and I had the same photos so go looking for hers too. Sunday morning we had a sleep-in which we all really appreciated. Then our class was another heritage class by Heidi which was fantastic because there was no cut, cut, cut! Awesome l/o which I love. But, there was more than enough time to do a second l/o in the two hours class for which we paid.
Last class was a Stampin’ Up class and I was unimpressed but Kylie and Jenny really enjoyed it. For me there was too much on the page and it looked too CM! I also thought it was quite a hard sell class as everything required an SU tool
Some comments to teachers/designers/organisers:
§ If we will be using paint brushes – supply them
§ The same goes for the ink pads – if you want a particular ink pad, get enough for three or four people to share. I’m already paying quite a lot of money to come to the class and I don’t want to have to buy an expensive item that I may never use again.
§ Please provide rubbish bins on the tables – two litre ice cream containers are fine
§ If you’re teaching a two hour class make sure that the class lasts two hours and not one. Gather a few friends and “teach” them the class to check your timing.
§ It was great to see teachers using current papers and embellishments.
By far, the best teacher was Nic Howard – she is professional, relaxed and supplies chocolate! Seriously, she is good and she may be teaching in South Africa in May 2010 so if you can go, you won’t be sorry.
Well done if you made it this far and come back later for our road trip!
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
Some more creating
I made some cards to go with the bags (see the next post down) that are now wrapped up.
There is a poem inside written by Colin:
There are still T-Shirts to get sorted
I also made a card for a friend who is not well ....... idea totally borrowed from Lara!
There is a poem inside written by Colin:
From faraway places you have come,
To meet each other and have some fun,
Napier, National Park and Senz you will visit.
Abounding in chocolate, coffee, wine and laughs,
This your memories will hold and keep,
Collected with love along the way.
There are still T-Shirts to get sorted
I also made a card for a friend who is not well ....... idea totally borrowed from Lara!
Tuesday, July 07, 2009
Holiday!
I love school holidays! And not only because I don't have to deal with other people's sweethearts! I love the no-rush, not having to get out of bed, shower, make breakfast, brush my teeth, get dressed, go to school rush in between checking on other people's hair and teeth (yes, you do need to brush your hair, you haven't brushed your teeth) etc.
I have been trying to print on T-Shirts but cannot mirror image the document. If anyone knows how to do this, please let me know asap
Then, I'm almost certain she won't come looking, so I can show what I made.
One for my SIL, mine, one for my niece and one for my SIL's niece - you'll know us if you see us a Senz, so please stop and say hello.
I have been trying to print on T-Shirts but cannot mirror image the document. If anyone knows how to do this, please let me know asap
Then, I'm almost certain she won't come looking, so I can show what I made.
One for my SIL, mine, one for my niece and one for my SIL's niece - you'll know us if you see us a Senz, so please stop and say hello.
I've been busy getting things ready at home: the bedroom, filing many l/os that have been lying on the dining room table and we bought a new lounge suite. Nothing expensive but we really liked this one and it looks good in our lounge. 
Off to play a quick family game of Soduko before the new programme starts on TVOne
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
Update
I now have two boys lying in my bed both have flu. I will do the grocery shopping tomorrow night because I'm sure I will have it this weekend!
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