It's Been A Long Time...

indeed it has, but this 'decreasing my computer time' has really resulted in more creative time, so it is definitely working. And I actually have a few things to share with you. So, this is a Whoo Hoot Wednesday and a blog catch-up all in one. And I hope you are comfy, 'cos it might be a bit long!

First off, I have my girlfriend, Leanne, over from Aussie all this week. And we are having a lovely time, movies, lunching in Devonport, and enjoying this gorgeous weather NZ is putting on for her.








On Sunday, Aurelia, Robin and I went to Glenbrook Railway Station for the day with the lovely Liz and her family, where they were having a special 'Thomas the Train' day - Aurelia seems to have a new boyfriend; Liz's 4-year-old son Oliver (pic with the Fat Controller - note the hand holding!! She kept wanting to hold his hand all day!!). Another pic of Thomas with the kids in front at right. Aurelia just loved it, and couldn't wait to ride Thomas and Diana. We had a lovely day, followed by a very relaxing (read: a couple of wines with fish 'n' chips!!) dinner at Liz's place. Liz and I talked scrapbooking, Robin and Justin talked cars, and the kids played nicely. A lovely time all round; thanks Liz!! Oh, and I really enjoyed looking at all of Liz's scrapbook pages; so stunning IRL.

Christmas is rapidly approaching, but I have Aurelia's gifts all sorted - and mine; the Slice and cartridges pretty much cover my birthday, Christmas and Wedding anniversary presents over the next couple of months. Oh, my Slice from overseas completely fell through, so I have ordered one from here in NZ, and hopefully it arrives soon - can't wait!!!

Ok, time for some photos. Here are a couple of cards; the baby one was for my friend, Serena, who just gave birth to the lovely Jacob, and the Christmas ones are for the second week of the Christmas Competition over at Scrapbook Outlet - we had to do a set of 3 cards. The competition is not being judged; but every week you enter you get a ticket into a raffle for a, get this, MM Slice machine!!






The Christmas cards have a window in the front with a picture printed on a transparency, then some kindyglitz added for shimmer.

Below is an advent calendar I also made for the Scrapbook Outlet Christmas comp, Week 1 Challenge. I based it on 'The 12 Days of Christmas', except I made mine for Aurelia and called it 'The 12 Sleeps 'til Christmas'. It also doubles as a counting book - I made the whole thing from scratch, and it took me a while!

A big Whoo Hoot for my first time ever being published; this page was in the most recent copy of Up2Scrap, the NZ scrapbooking magazine - what a buzz to see my page in a magazine!! The photo wasn't great, so here is a better one:

The journalling reads "I just love that you look like such a cross between your Daddy and my Mum when you pull these funny faces. Aurelia at 10 months." . And thanks so much to everyone for all the lovely congrats on Sketchbook and by email.

Another big Whoo Hoot for me winning the first Challenge in the ScrapboxNZ competition with the following entry. We had to do a page for under $10, which was definitely a challenge - this is not a cheap hobby!! (don't tell my DH).

This has to be one of my fave photos of Aurelia; she was such a baldy as a baby, but here she looks beautiful despite it. This photo was taken at my sister's wedding, sitting on her Daddy's lap, and she was such an angel all day. The song just really describes how I feel when I look at it. So I was pretty chuffed to win, and very surprised as it is a pretty simple page.

Ok, better get to bed as it is late. Thanks to you for reading my blog and see you soon!