The Bloody Dishwasher......

The bloody dishwasher must be male.....It went on the blink on Christmas Eve, only to give up entirely on Christmas day night.....No ones coming to fix it until next week so it's handwashing horror at the moment....OOOppps and the in-sinkerator is blocked too courtesy of the kids, a spoon and lord knows what else..don't you just love Christmas. We've all been busy here getting our projects ready for Megan and looking for inspiration amongst the Christmas Spirit....well some of us with not tooo much Christmas spirit. Was Santa good to you? How ready for New Years are you? Tomorrow I've got my eldest turning 10 - 6 10 year old boys plus a few extras down at the lake on the snake, followed by a bbq then finally they're camping over...most definately some photo opportunities! Until then.................enjoy the little bit of sunshine! I'm in need of new photos.

Fond Farewell.....

Well, Friday saw the end of an era for us....After over 5 years, the doors closed at Scrapbookin Annies for me to take the time to get better with the health issues that have plagued me for the last 3 years.... I delayed this weeks G & T from going out to give everyone time to get over the Christmas excitement, and to give us the chance to go to the pub after work on Friday followed by Christmas shopping in Hamilton...BIG MISTAKE - Myself, Christine & Jenny all went off to the base - exhausted and the car parks were still full at 10pm.....On the way home, we called at the Warehouse in Cambridge - and got everything that we needed in Hamilton (but they had sold out) and no-one in store too........Has everyone checked Santas lists? I'd like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for all of your custom, stories, friendships and friendly faces over the past 5 years. We all look forward to catching up with many of you at SENZ and also through our work with Megan at Scrapbooker & Co.
From the Girls at Scrapbookin Annie
We wish you a Merry and Safe Christmas and New Year.

Annie, Christine, Jenny, Rebecca, Priscilla, Josie, Belinda & Wilma

Have a good one.....

Sorry - I had to keep him at the top of the blog..

Well, the paper racks have now gone on trade me - and my dh is regretting saying that he'll deal with it - lol.....Thought that I should post an image too....Managed to get an electric shock today from my Christmas lights to which my entire family almost wet themselves laughing [ how nice is that]. It's the staff party on Wednesday night with Cill & The Josie too - well once i've asked Josie (ooops). Drs tomorrow so I get to skive off for a wee while (again) then it's countdown to Friday.. Everywhere seems to look empty at the moment because it's usually full to butsting! Just have to get the Christmas shopping finished and my cards to the UK...Better go!

50% off nearly everything

Well why else do you think that none of us have had the chance to get to the blog - lol....As you'll well know, last week, I announced that I'd be shutting the shop - including the dental surgery - that totals 9 surgeries in 2 years - with more to come and a few problems thrown in along the way - so it's time to sit back and smell the roses before I start pushing up daisies instead - lol....So - I've sold the crop box and lessons on line section of the business to Megan Kapma of Scrapbooker & Co and all of the girls at the shop are joining the design team for Megan - including myself......we all can't wait! I got a txt sent to me last Monday saying that everyone was queing up the street and we hadn't yet opened - I was in Hamilton at the time at the neurosurgeon - so huge thanks to the girls for working without taking a breath for the whole week!!! Soul has been updated and yes - we'll keep a POST SCRAPBOOKIN ANNIE BLOG - seeing that we're getting a vast number of requests for this...OOOOhhhhh I know that we told this on this weeks Gin & Tonic newsletter - but who's been to see Casino Royal - Daniel Craig's enough to bring on a hot flush......

Until next time - just drool...........

Dilemma of the day......

I'm soooooo trying hard to get on with my Soul challenge, and may have to type this weeks challenge as it's a challenge in itself to grip my pen!! This weeks challenge for me is the deiveway! After doing Soul over the last few weeks, I can no longer choose to ignore things as I did in the past - such as dead-heading the roses! 5 years ago roses were deadheaded on the way to the mailbox every morning (prior to having the shop) then once the shop came along, roses were deadheaded by my hubbie - once a year - with a chainsaw. With me still being at home - it's like the deadheads are "staring" at me! aaaaagh....BUT I can only hold the secateurs in my left hand and I'm right handed. Before the SOUL , this would have seemed like a bloody good excuse, now it's just adding to the frustration because they have been "noticed!"...But alas, I see 2 boys running up the drive off the school bus - what do you reckon - 1 cent per deadhead - they'll think they have a bargain and I can get it photographed - adding to the rapidly expanding pile of "to do's" that have been compiled in just a few weeks.... Now to put my plan into action.........

Sneaky peek!

We just KNEW that Priscilla wouldn't be able to resist doing this!!! What she is wearing in her hair is actually one of the embellishments from our upcoming December crop box!! (Yes, we know she is a little 'different'!!!)

Halted In My Tracks....

Well more drama from the queen!! Monday morning saw me being rushed over to Waikato with the possibility of a slight stroke!! I soooooo tried to explain to them that it was the effects of working with my lot at the shop - but they wouldn't have it and insisted on an MRI !! All of my "FRIENDS" then text John to say that I wouldn't be out for the next year because they'd still be looking for my brain..How does the saying go about friends and enemies???? I'm getting them back by having my slaves at home pandering to my every whim!!! But all is well - or will be when I can walk properly again, and stop people from thinking that i'm drunk all of the time... The girls at the shop think that it's funny to skite but they haven't seen the mounting pages in the project book here - even if it doesn't look quite so appealing because it's been drawn with my left hand - lol.....Maybe that's what is wrong - I've just got brain overload...A few more revivals should do the trick - you'll have to keep looking out for them in the "WHAT'S NEW" section of the shopping cart.

Until next time..I'm off for my nana nap!

Wait a minute....

Hey does this looked like they struggled with the mushy peas to you?????????

Guy Fawkes Celebrations

Well, our Annie sure knows how to throw a Guy Fawkes celebration!! There was hot pot, toffee, mushy peas, there were people everywhere and a fantastic fireworks display (that Annie nearly got divorced over when her hubby found out how much she spent! - but it was well worth it!)
And then there were sparklers for the kids ............. and the not so small kids as you can see by the photos of Christine and Priscilla below!!
What did you do for Guy Fawkes?? we'd love to see your layouts in the gallery - and remember that there is a competition going on in the gallery - we want to see your halloween layouts!!

We've extended the current
time limit on the competition in the gallery
for Halloween & Christmas
The idea is simple -
load your projects into this category
and ALL names/projects (with the exception
of mine of course) go into the hat
and one lucky winner will be pulled out of the hat
to win $100 prize pack.

Closing date is now Thursday November 23rd
Winner announced Friday November 24th
it will give you chance to scrap your Halloween photos..
or just click online to get some ideas!

Get busy!

This came in from WILMA and we just had to share it....

Pregnancy, Oestrogen and WomenPregnancy Q & A & more!

Q: Should I have a baby after 35?
A: No, 35 children is enough.

Q: I'm two months pregnant now. When will my baby move?
A: With any luck, right after he finishes university.

Q: What is the most reliable method to determine a baby's sex?
A: Childbirth.

Q: My wife is five months pregnant and so moody that sometimes she's borderline irrational.
A: So what's your question?

Q: My childbirth instructor says it's not pain I'll feel during labour, but pressure. Is she right?
A: Yes, in the same way that a tornado might be called an air current.

Q: When is the best time to get an epidural?
A: Right after you find out you're pregnant.

Q: Is there any reason I have to be in the delivery room while my wife is in labour?
A: Not unless the word "divorce" means anything to you.

Q: Is there anything I should avoid while recovering from childbirth?
A: Yes, pregnancy.

Q: Do I have to have a baby shower?
A: Not if you change the baby's nappy very quickly.

Q: Our baby was born last week. When will my wife begin to feel and act normal again?
A: When the kids are in university.

"OESTROGEN ISSUES"
10 WAYS TO KNOW IF YOU HAVE "OESTROGEN ISSUES"
1. Everyone around you has an attitude problem.
2. You're adding chocolate to your cheese omelette.
3. The dryer has shrunk every last pair of your jeans.
4. Your husband is suddenly agreeing to everything you say.
5. You're using your mobile phone to dial up every car sticker that says: "How's my driving- call 0800-".
6. Everyone's head looks like an invitation to batting practice.
7. Everyone seems to have just landed here from "outer space".
8 You can't believe they don't make a tampon bigger than Super Plus.
9 You're sure that everyone is scheming to drive you crazy.
10. The ibuprofen bottle is empty and you bought it yesterday..

TOP TEN THINGS ONLY WOMEN UNDERSTAND
10. Cats' facial expressions.
9. The need for the same style of shoes in different colours.
8. Why bean sprouts aren't just weeds.
7. Fat clothes.
6 Taking a car trip without trying to beat your best time.
5. The difference between beige, ecru, cream, off-white, and eggshell.
4. Cutting your hair to make it grow.
3. Eyelash curlers.
2. The inaccuracy of every bathroom scale ever made.
AND,
the Number One thing only women understand:
1. OTHER WOMEN

It was just a little somenthing that made us laugh.........

Managed 4 days.......

WEll that's me done till next Monday!! I managed 4 days and I can hardly keep my eyes open LOL......We've worked like mad for the crop boxes to be leaving tomorrow, and we've all found it sssooooooo easy to work with. The gallery has been well loaded this week, and we have quite a few people coming for bonfire night with the traditional English bonfire fare of hot pot and mushy peas, treacle toffee and toffee apples - so loads of photo opportunities on that night - most probably the screwed up faces of those eating REAL mushy peas and not those from a can LOL.... I've finally finished off the fairy challenges that were started before my surgery and will be working through the rest when i'm back on track - but you can view them here on the GALLERY. The new SOUL challenge will be posted below once it has gone out on the
G & T eNewsletter and don't forget to keep an eye out for the new listings on the gallery for this month's crop boxes....

Whacked....

First day back in over 3 weeks and I'm whacked - if it wasn't for the grey hair and my need to dye it, I would have been in bed ages ago....I brought home ALL of my bookwork to do and it hasn't made it out of the car oooopss...... BUT I just had to tell you - as I await the grey to magically change colour - that Novembers crop box is well underway - and that the new 7gypsies paper range springs to mind - but don't tell anyone I told you LOL......

Soul - the new challenge started 20.10.06

Heres where we'll post all of the details to SOUL
- our new challenge that will make you think even more than the last
Journal Block Challenge -

was created after the death from cancer of my friend Linda - 3 years ago.
It truly was a defining moment in my life, probably because her
children were the same age as mine.
Last year more of my friends decided to make a change
and I've seen them work tirelessly on this for
the past 12 months, and next week their "vision" finally becomes a reality
and SOHLNZ opens it's doors.
This challenge has come about as a mixture of both events
and will definately make you think a little more
and leave a mark......
Each challenge may be over the period of
1 week, 2 weeks or slighly longer depending on
the "complexity" of it..........

SOUL

You will need either an 8x8
or 8.5x11 album ready to start.

But to get started, you need the following:
An Album (or digital ability!)
Your most favourite photo of you at any age (can be a copy)
A photo of your most favourite feature of you
A close up photo of your eyes

It can be handwritten, computer journalled
you can complete this digitally if you wish,
the reason I've specified a size of album
is that the cardstock & papers can be printed directly onto -
YOU CAN WORK ON ANY SIZED ALBUM IF YOU
WISH TO WORK LARGER..

Keep Watching....

or keep an eye out on the gallery HERE [so to speak......]

WEEK 1

Create your title page using the following items:

The word SOUL

The phrase - THE EYES ARE THE WINDOWS TO THE SOUL

and the photograph of your eye / eyes.

You can use any colours & any product or style.

You have 2 weeks
for the next part of the challange......
Still on the EYE theme,
over the next 2 weeks, you have to look around,
and list 5 things that for whatever reason
you have never really noticed before
- it could be because you've never had the time to notice,
or that you've never needed to notice
or never felt the need to look beyond the surface....

You can scrap them in any chosen style

Next part

With it being thanksgiving..

list 5 things about YOU that you are thankful for,
it could be anything
it could be a characteristic
or something physical
ANYTHING
but it has to be about YOU

And the next:

SOUL

Well this week, I have another awsome friend
Annie Jameson
(good solid name.....lol)
Who has written this amazing & thought provoking book!
It's a spiritual book
kind of like the book - Conversations With God
but not sooo much of it (YET)
- and YES - she even lets you download
the first chapter for free here:
The Light Of Chileo

everyone so far that has read it
has interpreted it in a different way
BUT
on page 9 of the first chapter it states
The Law of the Universe is that if you give out,
it will return to you multiplied...

Do one thing for somebody this week
- or just do something
and on one page of your layout
say what you have done, why, when and who for.
Then on the other side of the layout
leave it ready to write in what comes back to you..

This week -

comes from a quote from
Elanor Roosevelt -
You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience

in which you really stop to look fear in the face.
You must do the thing you think you cannot do.

What would be yours?

Ok - we're back into it again after a long break..

Another 2 week challenge

Take a photograph of your most favourite part of you

and journal why it's your favourite asset

and I mean REALLY JOURNAL

that's why you're being given 2 weeks to do it.......

Now for the hard bit....

and this is a two week challenge too

Take a photograph of your LEAST favourite part of you

and once again journal why

you may need longer for this one as it's harder than you think

but you have 2 weeks - from the whip cracker

Countdown to back to work....

Well the web problems are finally sorted - and I got snapped at home loading up new product onto the shop cart - the new stuff is here - there's loads more to go on - but it's a case of sneaking in when I can LOL I've been banned from the computer until I'm back at work next week (the joys of sneaking in at milking time for a quick fix)..... The countdown back to work begins..hehehehe. The gallery is underway again- crop boxes are HERE and the halloween & christmas ideas are underway here, and work is underway for The Spice Trail crop box which is due out next week.

GIN & TONIC BARMAID'S

- our Scrapbookin Annie Design Team
There's still time to send your work in,
so keep them coming!!!

WE'RE LOOKING FOR A NEW DESIGN TEAM!!
WE'RE NOT LOOKING JUST FOR SCRAPBOOKERS
WE ARE LOOKING FOR
SCRAPBOOKERS
CARDMAKERS
ALTERED ARTISTS
DIGITAL SCRAPPERS
PAPER CRAFTERS

You will receive a parcel for free every month
to create whatever you wish - this may be
crop box product, store product,
challenges, or lessons...

We're looking for all styles - simple, technical, mixed media & digital
and this is what you need to do:

Simply send in 3 projects
that define you and your style....
You can either post colour copies
to us here at the shop
or email them to us
(please save to files under 150kb)
Please mark envelopes or subject line
"G & T Barmaid Design Team"

Entries Close - Friday 27th October 2006
and the team will be notified
before 10th November 2006
- so come on & get inspired...

Well I can see the boys getting off the school bus and their on strict instructions to dob in their mother for not resting - with the promise of McDonalds for each occasion caught - needless to say they're vigillant so until next time.....

Sneaking On The Net......

Well I've had my surgery and I'm finally home....I've been banned from the shop and it's driving me mad! I had to go for blood tests on Friday and John drove past the shop refusing to stop AND telling me to stay away from the computer (he's milking at the moment and I'm typing quickly LOL) Anyway, we've had some problems this week with the web. First of all we were off line for upgrades and then it turned to custard....After the upgrades - we can't upload photos... PLEEEEEEASE bear with us B is frantically sorting it (I'm wondering if John has had something to do with it). Anyway- in addition to the Christmas / Halloween competition that's running at the moment - we've been asked to put in a section for those that wish to share the Journal Block Challenge images- keep an eye out in the gallery. The next challenge starts next week and is entiltled SOUL - more info with it's release next week, along with the latest swap!! And RETRO - well, we're going back to the class that we tought 5 years ago with a few twists & turns that will be available as a kit....Lying in my hospital bed - I've filled a full book full of designs, sketches and ideas! The girls will kill me - 2007 for Scrapbookin Annie holds huge surprises.......................................................

No Zoo Photos....

Well - I'm back in hospital next week, and this weekend is our 5th Birthday - but I'll be busy at home stuffing myself with prep for surgery - no-one will want to know me, so I've put back the celebrations until I can join in!!!! We're doing some revivals this week so watch out for them in the kits! The layout above is the start of the fairy challenge layouts - the flowers in the layout are actually the fairy skirts added onto penwork - more to follow. Things have slowed this week project wise with me off on surgeon visits but theres sooooooo much in the pipeline - lol.....I'm wondering if Zeetra ever got over her last visit to the shop. Tom was 8 on Monday and on Sunday we took him to Auckland zoo and the day started off fantastic then rapidly turned to custard as the rain set in with the balance of the day spent at Mercer (WOW!!) but a good day was had by all even after the fun & games - we ALL went back to Christines to watch idol!! Well as I sit here typing on the new broadband, I hear my 2 ds systematically trashing the house - so please excuse me as I depart to inflict torture and save these 4 walls..........

Shocking......

Is the only word that I can use for our inability to be keeping up with the blog at the moment. Wilma's been sick, I've been off on the surgery run again - Rebecca has been inundated with instructions to type up and Christine has done a runner at the thought of us leaving it up to her.....On a positive note, I now have broadband at home (well we are out in the WAPS) and so I can now be on the computer without te family demanding the phone......So does that mean that it will be left up to me? Kids holidays are on at the moment and Tom came to work with me on Thursday - NEVER AGAIN - he told me this morning that when I go in for my next surgery, he will stand in for me even though he doesn't have his own "COSTME" but he will be a creator because he had put 3 punched stars on my layout that now made it worth $100 - his father the farmer is having a heart attack........Well Kit mania has been hitting us again as you can see from above - loads of new kits online - simply click on the image above.........

Busy Bees!!!

These are the 3 lastest classes from the shop. We have been busy making the classes - last weeks Christmas scrapbook in a box was made and sold out within 15 minutes, we had to re-make the kits 3 times!! We hope that you've all enjoyed making them. Don't forget that our classes can be viewed and purchased here. We have sooooooo many classes in Annies head, she's driving us mad churning them out at the moment! Keep an eye out for new classes - we will keep you posted. Jenny has been in the shop today - she's supposed to be on study leave and we're trying to figure out a 16 year olds reckoning that just because you bring your books with you, that qualifies for study - and can't seem to work out why we "oldies" don't see it that way!! Anyway - keep checking for the new classes.........

Sneaky Peek!!!

Crop Box - Countdown 2 Christmas

These two cards below are just a couple of the samples we made this month to show you what you can do with the September crop box 'Countdown 2 Christmas' - we had so much fun with this crop box and even after we have them all ready to go out to crop box subscribers this month we are still making more things using this crop box!! If the samles below have you drooling already then click here to go to our online store and order your own crop box!!

Card Swap

We sent out our card swap on Friday - it was lots of fun, lots of cool cards were swapped and lots of inspiration swapped too, if you want to take a look a the cards that were swapped you can see them here in our gallery.

Lesson On Line

This weeks lesson on line is a very chic embroidered layout designed by Annie,

You can buy the pack here, it comes with all the materials (minus adhesive) and instructions to complete the layout. Just like going to a real class only you don't have to leave the comfort of your own home!

Right, back to the big work table to whip up some more inspiration for our wonderful customers!! Hope you are all enjoying a bit of sunshine - we are having peeks of it today!

Lousy Weather Day

It's cold & miserable today which is perfect scrapbooking weather. I wish I was by the fire at home scrapping away, so Cill & I will have to be content with the shop heating instead. I'm in early after dropping the kids off at school to get the heating cranked up so we can get to work on the Christmas crop box - ooops catching up with work. How are you supposed to stay focused knowing that something in the warehouse is far far far more tempting... Christine has her day off today, so there's nobody to keep me in control! We'll see what happens. We're still chasing half a Pebbles order that we need for the crop box gggrrrr - it went missing en route - so after that, who knows!!!!

Have you seen????

Has anyone noticed that Cills been busy of late?? She's been busy posting products onto the website HERE - they aren't always the latest in, it's just that we estimated that half of the shop ISN'T on the web - so that's her job for the moment!! Rebecca has been busy making die cuts as we've been totally wiped out at the store, and me, I've been busy with the Family Tree crop box and loving it! I found a whole box of family photos that I found POST house removal - infact, we only emptied the cottage last weekend, and I want to get them into my album... Christine is about to start on ALL of her photographs on her recent trip to the UK, and we're awaiting a delivery from the states that seems to have been as elusive as LORD LUCAN......It's supposed to be in the shop tomorrow - a day which seems to have gained momentum faster than an avalanche. Speaking of which, our trip to the snow took a major turn last week when a friends 6 year old child that was with us {forgot} to jump off his sled and crashed into an icebank with his helmetless head at 30kms per hour at Whakapapa - she asked me to take photos for his scrapbook - HOWEVER we had BOTH planned to use the JULY CROP BOX - but the emergency reds of the paramedics carrying him down the hillside on a backboard with neckbrace don't work well with the simple blue & whites!! I'm not being blaze about it, but now that we know that he's OK (he was back on the slopes that afternoon) we can finally breathe a sigh of relief!

So keep an eye out on what's new - whether it's new to the site OR new into the shop, and get planning your projects for the next FAMILY TREE CROP BOX....

Don't forget the Pet/Animal layout competition!!

Be in to win an American Traditional Designs 12x12 Pet Album!!
Simply by loading your pets and animal layouts onto the gallery and be in with 1 chance per entry. All entries will go "into a hat" and be drawn on August 11th 2006.

You can see in the slide show above some of the fantastic entries we already have in the gallery!

The above layouts were done by the following members: ChristineS, Chris, Countryslave, jmuir, Kluffy, Memories by Manda, rosaliejb and Sejie. (not in any particular order - you will have to check them out in the gallery to see who did what layout!!) (Rebecca has just imformed me that if you don't have broadband you might not see the slide show above - sorry about that! - but you can still check them out in the gallery!)

Remember it dosen't have to be your pet - it could be a friends pet or a zoo animal. We realise some people don't have pets (Like Priscilla whose pets all either run away or die........)

So far we are having a fairly quiet week at the shop (I think Annie needs one after her exciting time at the snow on the weekend when a friends son sled into an ice wall and knocked himself out and split his head open - scarey stuff!)

- But we did have lots of cool new stuff arrive yesterday!!! Its always exciting when a box of new product arrives at the shop - a bit like Christmas. This week the new stuff included:

(click on the names to be taken to them in our online store)

Basic Grey Wholy Cow Birthday Rub-Ons

7 Gypsies Rubbings A La Card Birthday

7 Gypsies Rubbings A La Card Thank You

Creative Imaginations Ribbon Rub-Ons Loved Ones

Creative Imaginations Rub-Ons Endearments

Creative Imaginations Rub-Ons Travel Designs

Creative Imaginations Rub-Ons Loved One

Creative Imaginations Sports Extreme SK8er epoxy stickers

Creative Imaginations Sports Extreme SK8er stickers

K & co BW Maison Travel Transfer

Creative Imaginations Lush 2 Alpha

Creative Imaginations Sonnets Safari Stickers

and those are just some of the new products!!

(I would have put pictures here for you but blogger isn't co-operating with me today!)

GOT BOYS??

If so we've got a range for you!! Just in is the new Rugged Range from Creative Imaginations, which is specially designed for boys!! Click on each image to be taken to it in our store.

Well, we are now over half way through the school holidays - if you have school age children we hope you are still keeping somewhat sane........we are, but only just!! The kids classes are going well at the shop - so far the kids have made some awesome cards - Even Wilma was impressed - and thats saying alot!

New stuff....

The new stuff in this week has seen Cill hyperventerlating.....New Creative Imaginations papers and stickers, yet more and more K-ology and Sweet Pea from K & Co, Sticker Studio awesome home renovation stickers, embellishments and transfers & stickers galore. The Crop Boxes have been good to work with this month and I suppose that I'm biased as icy blues are one of my favourites.... We've had a chance to make some "quick cards" and they are online here in the gallery. Don't forget to check out the Pet cometition in the gallery too. We've had lots of new faces in at the shop this week with some oldies too - sorry Z, I didn't mean that you were old - just that you're a regular - and beware Tokoroa, Wilama's on her way down there tomorrow. Just a reminder, we will have kids classes running in the holidays, keep an eye out on this weeks Friday Gin & Tonic. Now home to light the fire, so until next time.....

Oooops, by the way, our local Woolies had some awesome clear toolboxes in for $19.99 which are great to alter or hold your supplies....

Freezing Brass Monkeys...

Lordy, I've just been up the street to do some simple postage and HOW COLD IS IT!!!!! Marjories colthes shop has gone from having a display of sexy expensive undies to flanelette and wyncyette nighties within the space of a few days!! mmm Nice. Well as you can tell, i'm back at the shop for a wee while and Christine has gone off to the UK for a few weeks with requests of jaffa cakes (is it a cake or a biscuit?) and MFI catalogues upon her return. Some people are easily pleased!

Don't forget to check out the G & T this week for details of our next swap, and you can also view the last swap up on the slides above and on our gallery here.

A mad mad week this week! First days back in quite some time and the kids have something on every night after school. Why does it always work out this way. I'm trying to get through my boxes of unpacking and I'm finally down to the office stuff which was all mixed up in the move and is an absolute nightmare PROCRASTINATION is no longer the name of the game, but pulling hens teeth comes to mind....

Until next time, STAY WARM!!!!!!!!!!!!

whew!! Busy week.

Annie is all moved in to her new house (still unpacking though!) She had a great house warming party which was alot of fun - we got to witness Christine's husband singing along to sing star- he's not bad either!

We were a bit slack last week due to the moving and the party and the short week........lol, and we didn't get our lesson on line posted in the online shop - but its up today and its a goodie!! Rebecca has designed and made this really cute folding album which would be perfect for a gift for someone.

This comes in a kit with all the supplies (except adhesive) and all the instructions, you can purchase it here.

Also I discovered something while I was adding all the new products to the online shop - and I'll share it with you! If you go to the shop front page here - and scroll down in the menu on the left there is a box just like the one pictured below (but maybe with a different product picture - it changes) - see the little white arrow next to the words 'whats new' - well click on that and it will show you all the most recent additions to the shop - great for if you are just wanting to see the newest stuff!!

Have fun drooling over all the new products!! Lots of great new American Traditions Ranges and the new K&Co. stuff!!

May this week end....

I have no computer, boxes of "STUFF" lying around and no matter how many get unpacked, there seem to be even more left to do. Our neighbour shifted his cows via our loading ramps yesterday, a whole herd came in and a whole herd went out. Between boxes, cows and stock trucks, I don't know if I'm Arthur or Martha!! Sky have stuffed up the account - the joys of having families with the same names, and all I want to do is to get into my scrapbooking room! Not just to scrap but to actually be able to GET INTO the room! I'm back in at the shop next Tuesday, and I seem to still have 10 boxes per day still to open, the old house to clean and THE DREADED LOFT still to empty - big burnups ahead!! At least there is tranquility ahead - when I come back to work!!

Emotional Scarring (lol)

I have just sneaked into the shop with the spare keys.... My hubby thinks i'm dropping off the boys at school and doing a few jobs...well I am - I've had the weekend that you'd rather forget. We shift next weekend - only next door, which happens to be across a few paddocks but in my infinate wisdom, we're moving to a bigger house but I am eliminating clutter!!!!!!!!!! You can't open the door to my new craft room, AND whilst in the loft at weekend, I found a box of photos and i mean PACKING BOX of photos (AAAAGH!!) They've been up there since we moved from the UK. I also found every single schoolbook of the boys, my dh had a heart attack and thought that by the time they leave college, we'd have to be leasing a lock up unit just to house their schoolwork, so I decided to just keep their home sample books (with a few extras) and their best artwork.. These books that I'd kept go right back to daycare and kindy, first shoes, balankies and first soccer shoes have gone in their too.... Now what did I say about eliminating clutter!! Well i'd better go before I get caught out! I'm just wondering, how many of you are reading this knowing EXACTLY where i'm coming from..................................

Happy Birthday Wilma!!!

If you've been into the shop - you will probably have seen Wilma - she almost lives there (she would if we didn't lock the doors at night!!) Anyway we wanted to wish her a very happy birthday today!! The photo you see above is of her reading our card last year.........um, yes, it was a bit of a shocker..........teehee!!

My Sons Project......

When I had my boys, I vowed to my hubbie that we'd raise them to be independent thinkers only to have it slapped into my face this week...... My eldest (9 year old) had a project to do on FIJI, so this being my domain, I offered him help. We sat down, planned it downloaded everything worked out what was going where then got everything together. Mum he said, this will look fantastic, so I "offered" him ideas of how to improve on it - Mum he said, I'm a boy and I'm 9 years old, I don't want to use chalk, ink or fibres (I hadn't asked him if he did), and your always telling people they should trust their writing, so I will, that computer font's great but my writings OK and that's how I'd like to do my project thanks...With my tail between my legs and licking my wounds, the hardest thing that i've ever done is to leave that project alone and let him do it for himself - I suppose i packed a bit of a sad to my hubbie later because he did it and did it very very very well, and what do you think my dh said - well, you have your wish - he listened, politely stated his wishes, and did it - isn't that an independent thinker........
Yep it is, and the fact that I STILL think that it would have looked better with ink or chalk was only my view!! So just keep this in mind when you're "helping" your children!!!!

What a weekend

Phew, what a weekend! We had the crop this weekend and we're soooo worn out today! Annie had to get woken up by Christine on Sunday morning!! How bad is that? Who's seen the fantastic images being loaded onto the gallery - AND HAVE YOU GOT YOUR WOMENS RFUGE RAFFLE TICKET!! Priscilla is off having a wisdom tooth dug out today, so she tells us that she'll be back in in the morning - WHATEVER!! We think she'll be doing computer work from home for the rest of the week!!!! Annie isn't in this week, so we can play - (oops) catch up!
DONT FORGET YOUR RAFFLE TICKETS! and keep watching this space........

Check out the slide show above!!!!

How cool is that!!! I just flew through the gallery and grabbed a few recent uploads that caught my eye - great work people!!! If you want to see more awesome work for inspiration click on the link in the righthand side bar that says scrapbookin annie online gallery and it will take you there.
In case you are interested the above work was done by the gallery members as follows:
Happy Birthday card - CLeong
Special Occasion - Godzoned
Always - Zeetra
Hair - Dee
Christmas 2004 - queen b
Japan bag - ronJ
Dirks Disaster - The Fabries
Sarah's theme song - wantok
70th Birthday card - Arjay

(not necessarily in the correct order - hey its Monday, way too soon in the week to expect any kind of order!!)

Keep an eye on the blog - every so often I will update the slide show to show some of our gallery members other wonderful work!

School hols are here.....

Who can tell that the school hols are here... First day back from the beach and my eldest was on the farm tracks with his bike, fell off and has half a face plain, half a face scratched cut & bruised. At 9 years old, he's refusing to get out of the car incase somebody sees him - Way uncool. The 7 year old was sat in the car singing the new James Blunt song and thought that it was Goodbye My Liver - is this a sign of things to come - been having fun this week with the new K & Co takeout tags (1800 in a box for under$20) and pretending that the house isn't a madhouse.....we're half packed for the shift and had to find all of my scans last week - tried for an hour and gave up - WHATEVER....then found tham this week-whilst looking for something else!! We have half the house up at the new house and half the house with us as we use it - we thought that a gradual shift would work better - we asked for everyone to revisit their Journal Blok Challenge this week on the Gin & Tonic with:

The Journal Block - REVISITED
This really is week 26 to mark 1/2 a year
Go back to week
Week 6
and
Week 14

What have you done from your lists...........

Does it make you think................

Whats on for the weekend??????

Well, after out Telecom incident, we're finally ready for the weekend, apart from the fact that all of the streets telephones have gone on the blink and everyone who tries to contact us gets the answerphone - sorry.

Does anyone feel like coming over and taking my 9 and 7 year old boys grocery shopping?? Whoo whoo, this girl knows how to live at weekend!!!!! If you don't want to do that, you're welcome to come round to pack up my house ready for the shift on the 1st June..... Well if you don't want to do any of that, you could always spend the day scrapping and invite me round instead to get out of the other "tasks" that I need to do..........We finally got the gin & tonic back out again yesterday, and we're getting ready for the crop at the beginning of May, but what I'm really looking forward to is this Wednesday is going to be Whacky Wednesday at our local college. It's been a shocking start to the year for them with suicides and deaths, so the teachers are organising a day for the kids to get pampered and have loads of creative things to do. I'm going to go down and make bling bling, whatever and girlfriend cards and can't wait, they are a creative bunch and definately in need of something different at the moment. Keep an eye out on the gallery to see what gets made.... So on that note, I'm of to buy some cheap gem stones in Hamilton at Spotlight, do my groceries and make a desert for a dinner party tonight - BUT - if I go to Spotlight, I'll have to go past the cheesecake shop to get home easy desert - suddenly the shopping seems far more appealing, and as for packing the house, theres always tomorrow........and the fact that tomorrow never comes is even more appealing....

We had to post the G & T here!!!!

SORRY EVERYONE, WE BLEW THE MOTHERBOARD ON THE COMPUTER, SO WE HAD TO POST OUR G & T HERE AFTER TRYING TO SEND IT FOR 4 DAYS!!!!!!


HI EVERYONE
AND WELCOME TO THE
GIN AND TONIC

FOR FRIDAY 31ST MARCH

WELL, FOR ONCE IT'S STOPPED RAINING, ALTHOUGH
IT HASN'T REALLY BEEN TOO BAD TODAY.
HAS ANYONE NOTICED THE NEW HOMEPAGE???
IT'S BEEN LURKING AROUND UNDER THE SITE FOR A WHILE,
AND B GOT THE FORUM AND CHANGES FINALISED TODAY!!!
IF YOU LOOK ON THE TOP TOOLBAR, YOU'LL SEE THE LINK
TO THE FORUM - OR YOU CAN CLICK HERE TO GO STRAIGHT
THERE AND GET POSTING!!!!
WE REACHED A MILLION CLICKS ON THE WEBSITE
THE OTHER WEEK SO WHY NOT HAVE A CHANGE???

HAVE YOU SEEN THIS WEEKS CLASS IN A PACK -
IT'S " LAUGH " BY ANNIE
AND THE PACK CAN BE PURCHASED HERE.
THE INSPIRATION BEHIND THE LAYOUT
HAS BEEN EXPLAINED ON THE BLOG,
AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOUR PHOTOS
GETTING UPLOADED NEXT WEEK -
YOU DON'T EVEN HAVE TO SCRAP THEM IF YOU DON'T WANT TO.......

JOURNAL BLOCK CHALLENGE
Week 24
- next to last week!!
If you were to dedicate
your journal block challenge to anyone,
who would it be,
why,
and what message would you give....

DON'T FORGET THAT IF YOU'VE MISSED SOME OF THE CHALLENGE, YOU CAN VIEW IT ON THE BLOG HERE


NAMING AND SHAMING!!!

NOW THEN JAN & DENISE
LAST SATURDAY, YOU WERE ALL EXCITED AT GETTING
BACK YOUR CAMERA - AND YOU SAID
THAT YOU'D BE BACK POSTING LIKE MAD

WHATEVER!!!!
WE'VE BEEN WAITING ALL WEEK!!!!

AND SUE WELLINGTON-
DON'T THINK THAT YOU'VE GOT AWAY WITH
(ALMOST) FORGETTING TO PICK SOMEONE UP
BECAUSE YOU GOT CARRIED AWAY AT THE SHOP@!!

JUST FOR YOUR INFO
CAUSE EVERYONES ASKED
WHO'S BEEN IN (OR DUE IN!)
THE SHOP IS STAYING OPEN AND STAYING HERE UNTIL SOLD
ALL CUSTOMERS WHO KNOW US WELL
BE ASSURED THAT YOU WILL BE INVITED TO
HER LADYSHIP BEING PUBLICLY SHAMED
BEFORE SHE LEAVES - ILLNESS OR NOT
(SHE IS SOOOOO GOING TO GET IT!)

JUST IN THIS WEEK
ALL NEW CHATTERBOX, TRANSPARENCY ALPHABETS,
TRANSPARENCY QUOTES,
PAPERS, CARDSTOCKS- 40 NEW DESIGNS, RIBBON.
EYELET OUTLET BRADS
JUST LEFT LA (WE HOPE)
3 NEW RANGES FROM AMERICAN TRADITIONAL
INCLUDING THE EMBELLISHMENT & STICKER & CHIPBOARD LINES
NEW & RE-STOCKS BASIC GREY
ALL NEW PRISM PAPERS

WELL, WE'LL LEAVE IT HERE FOR THIS WEEK
JUST A QUICKIE
TO GET YOU USING THE NEW FORUM@!#

THE BLOG HAS GIVEN YOU YET
ANOTHER CHALLENGE THIS WEEK

AND REMEMBER

LAUGH

REBECCA, PRISCILLA, CHRISTINE, BELINDA,
JENNY AND ANNIE

Not So April Fools!!

Aaaagh! The April Fool bug has struck and we can't get the G & T out!! Had every computer technician over this morning - and it all worked - then they left AND IT DIDN'T - so it will have to be a Monday morning thing - IN THE MEANTIME -
WHY NOT TRY POSTING ONTO THE NEW FORUM....................................

We drank the G & T

Who's been into their inbox looking for the G & T this week??? We drank the lot and it made us laugh!! We had a new "mail washer" installed this week and it's definately female - it's washing our outgoing too and took all of the colour out!! It should leave by lunchtime today (Saturday). I stayed till almost 8pm last night to try to get it to go, and then re-read the blog - laughed in a rather hysterical manner and systematically "left the building". I've planned our mad weekend and told my dear hubbie about it all - THEN this morning, I couldn't sleep too well and he woke up to go milking...
Imagine the conversation:
Can you not sleep
No
Are You In Pain
No
Is your head Aching
No
Are you sure your not lying to me
No
Right then you can get the cows in..

He disappears to make a cup of tea, comes back in the room and says


LAUGH

Well the new Chatterbox images have arrived, and we want to get them online!!

Until next time.....

This week we have been mostly.........

The reason behind the theme for this weeks class in a pack is incredibly sad, but gets you to think! The blog title comes from the Fast Show, a UK comedy where an old guy would appear from behind a door and say - this week i have been mostly (eating chipolatas and so on), I have yet to understand why we would laugh histerically at his statements (may be is being a mad english girl) or maybe it was youth... We had another youth death in the town this week - John, a 13 year old boy who was a victim of a tragic accident at home, and this folows Alex's suicide at 12 years old a few weeks ago and town has this incredible sadness around it. Probably because it is a small town, it seems to affect everyone and then you see photos of your own kids and realise with odd statements they make how serious young life has become. Tom - my 7 year old had school ring me in the week to came and get him - he was devastated as he had split his pants and told me it was the most humiliating day of his life!!! The story gave the adults a great laugh, and I finally got him to see the funny side - I had to, with the thought of how many years he has left, that's a whole lot of humiliation - so this weekend, make the theme of your time be LAUGHTER and record it.....Get together with friends, have a good time, rent a funny movie, do something silly with -or to- your kids - or to yourself. We've laughed at the shop this week with things that we used to do as kids - WHY NOT DO ONE THING THAT'S FOOLISH THIS WEEKEND!!! Yet another bad scan/hospital visit this week made me completely pack a sad,( or throw my toys out of the cot and take my skipping rope home as my beloved husband said) - i would have far preferred spoilt brat, it's far more girly- BUT all said and done, it gave us a darned good laugh after - I blew off steam and why oh why oh why is it sooooo much funnier after the event!!! Mental note - Take a funny photo, and load it onto the gallery into the good photos section - go on we dare you - remember - you could give someone else a good laugh who needs it! PUSH THOSE BUTTONS!!!!!!!

If you're going to be able to look back on something

and laugh about it,

you might as well laugh about it now. Marie Osmond

How true is that!

Until the morning.....

LAUGHTER REALLY IS THE BEST MEDICINE

Have You Ever.....

Have you ever had one of those weeks when you get to the end and can't remember it starting?

Here is this weeks Class In A Pack made by Priscilla - and for those of you who have boys, I'm at the helm next week with a 12 x 12 layout. This is certainly the week that was - with hectic scedules & appointments and both boys on seperate camps - roll on Saturday afternoon!!

This weeks co-ordinates baby packs - available with or without an album, we made them to go online the other week, but they sold out before we got the chance to photograph them so here they are....

The years crop boxes have been arranged and are online, and I'm hoping to get Cills tins online from lastweek seeing that she did nothing with the images that I emailed her (ooooooooooh!).

April's crop boxes caught us by surprise and we sold out weeks ago, even though we made more (oops sorry) and I miscounted ant thought that we were 3 short which gave everyone a heart attack - nothing like keeping them all on their toes....

We have a great album special running from Monday which we'll announce on Monday, so make sure you don't miss out!!

Journal Block Challenge:
Week 23 - 2 weeks to go.....
What shoes do you have in your collection and is there
any that have a particular history................
don't forget to add photos!!!

Keep an eye our for:

New Forum
The new FORUM is sat in hiding under the site
awaiting a few glitches to be ironed out -
IT SHOULD BE ON BY THE END OF NEXT WEEK.........

Our next SWAP is here...
We're going to swap ARTIST TRADING CARDS (ATC)

Contact the shop for details....

And until next week:

CHILL OUT THIS WEEKEND....

'womanbug!!!'

Teehee, we just thought we'd share this little gem that Carole sent us!

Also Priscilla has been busy and found that we didn't have some of our Daisy D's frames and diecuts online - these are going out at only .70c each!! So check them out here: Daisy D's frames and diecuts.

If you are in store check out our newest ribbons - some awesome tiny ginghams in lots of bright fun colours and a lovely rose ribbon perfect for wedding pages or invitations. (Sorry internet people - we do hope to get all our ribbons online - we just haven't found the time to do it yet!!)

The Ladies(??!$#) At The Table........

HAPPY ST PATRICKS DAY!!!

Who's out tonight?? We're way way too tired!! We've had the mad clan from Rotorua in today along with Zeetra at the table..........Angela, Jan and the 2 Pats scared the pants of Zeetra ( who was much quieter than usual) all morning, but then they all got crazy this afternoon in their Paddy Green!!!! At one stage, we threatened to beat them all with sticks, but lots of scrapbooking was done, with us all covering our 10,000 steps by lunchtime!! They've just left the shop, and we're emotionally scarred, exhausted (even WILMA didn't come down) and we've had a riot!!!! The images above are this weeks lessons, we have 2 of them - a mini circle album in a tin which comes in 2 different colourways - theres a Cill class and a Christine class. In addition to this, we've got the 8 x 8 stylish layout kit ready too. This gives 2 layouts, and although they're designed as 8 x 8 layout, they can be made as 12 x 12 layouts from the pack. We have more gingham ribbon in this week, 13 new colours of 5mm ribbon and we now have 22 colours of the 10mm ribbon.

CROP COXES - THE EASTER EGG BONANZA (SHADES OF CHOCOLATE) Crop Box has sold out - sorry - but we made way way extra, and they've been selling like hotcakes, and they've all gone!!

Priscilla (for those of you that don't know!) is a designer for some of the American digital sites, and will be with a group of designers that will be published in Simple Scrapbooks May/June issue - so remember to keep an eye out for her!!

Don't forget :

COMPETITION

This months competition is a simple one. Simply use the gallery - either to upload a layout or place a comment BETWEEN NOW AND APRIL 7TH, and you can win one of 2 Brush Lettering CD's valued at $85.00.

We've been asked by a few ladies this week (WELL LOTS OF LADIES) to point out that

WE'RE NOT CLOSING!!!!!

We'll be internet only (on doctors orders), we have a new warehouse, and we'll be bigger, bolder with way more creativity and more price savvy - although we did like it this week when Annette told us that we were cheaper than TRADE-ME - so we did a little price check and we were - on lots of products in some cases by quite a few dollars - so that kept us sweet! Thanks Annette!

Journal Block Challenge - Week 22 - 3 weeks to go!!

List all of the nick names that you have ever had and where they originated from.....

We'll be coming back through the week with more snippets, watch out for the new Chatterbox product coming online throughout the week - our ATD should be instock soon along with Bazzill......

So until next time - Hold back on the Guinness, and watch out for little GREEN MEN!!!

What a week.........

Oh what a week that was, from staying up late to watch the Oscars, even though half way through you loose interest, yet there's a thought there that if you go to bed, you'll miss something!!!! To the sale of Trade Me for 700million - it's been a busy week for many! We had a little play this week making laminated layout bags for fun - if you want to know how to do it, then you can email us for details. We have a new section on the gallery. Click on Class In A Pack to view what has been made - or to upload your own creation using the pack. This weeks class is the tag album and can be purchased here. I had to make 2 samples for the copper and pink one - I managed to find every thin photograph of me including one of me flashing my abs (even if I was 7), but it made me feel good for about 3 seconds! Now that the summertime swap is over, we can plan the next one.
COMPETITION
This months competition is a simple one. Simply use the gallery - either to upload a layout or place a comment BETWEEN NOW AND APRIL 7TH, and you can win one of 2 Brush Lettering CD's valued at $85.00.
Journal Block
I don't know about you, but I'm still writing the contents of my handbag from last week! Anyway, this week is week 21 - there are 4 weeks to go :
What is the BEST bargain that you have ever got in a sale?

Don't forget that we've added more layouts for this months crop boxes which has over $70 worth of product in it this month.

So until next time, keep out of the cold by scrapping by the fire........

Have You Checked The Gallery?

We have today finally got the Summer Swaps online! 3 more to go floating on their way back from a certain concert in New Plymouth in Christines camera, but it gives us a chance to see her photos!! We have also got this months crop boxes online for the Glamour Puss - if you wish to order, click here! The samples for the crop boxes can be found online on the gallery in the crop box section, and if you missed it, you can scroll below for the Journal Block Challenge which has to WEEK 25 to run!!
The cooler nights are suddenly upon us, have you got your photos in order????

All of the Journal Block challenges!!

Okay, we have had quite a number of new people join the newsletter list and so we decided to post all of the journal block challenges here so that if you would like to join in - you can just work your way through the list at your own pace.

So here they are:

WEEK 1 - Go out and buy a journal book
it can be a spiral or hard bound
and each week you'll be given a different task
to get you journaling like mad
and you won't have to do an actual
scrapbook!!

WEEK 2
DECORATE THE FRONT COVER OF YOUR BOOK
INCORPORATING THE WORDS
MOMENTS & MEMORIES

WEEK 3
Well we're finally getting into it!!
This week we're going to get started - we've
had soooooo many of you telling us that you're
going to be doing this challenge.
Firstly - everything in the book is to be black or white.
So grab your black pen and the first lot of information is as follows:
1. Your Name - if you're married don't forget to put in the name that you were born with! If you're adopted like Annie, don't forget to put in any other names! At this rate - she'll have her first page completed before we get to write anything else!
2. Your date of birth and age.
3. Your star sign and if you are true to your star sign - if you're not into horoscopes put that down too!
4. Your immediate family details.
5. Your favourite food and why - at this moment in time.
6. Your favourite music and why - at this moment in time.
7. What is your passion in life at this moment in time.
8. Describe your hair colour & style - if you want to put in a photograph
don't forget to either put in a black & white or simply photocopy it to b & w.
9. What drives you.
10. What drives you mad!!
DON'T FORGET THAT THIS JOURNAL IS BEING DESIGNED AROUND GIVING A SNAPSHOT OF YOU FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS - AND FOR THAT TIME IN LIFE WHEN WE SIMPLY FORGET A LITTLE MORE THAN WE DO NOW!

WEEK 4 is Friendships
Journal about who the following were
and what you remember about them

and how they influenced your life
1. Your first best friend.
2. Your first school friend.
3. Your first high school friend.
4. Your first boyfriend/girlfriend

WEEK 5
We've had an unbelievable response to groups of you
who are doing the journal block together, but we've also been
constantly asked why we're doing the block in the first place so here goes!
A few years ago, we lost a very very very good friend after
a long battle with cancer. She was 36 years old, fit, active & healthy
and left behind a husband and 2 beautiful daughters aged
almost 5 and 7, and I started to think how it would be
if it was my family in that position, and how much of "ME"
would be remembered. So basically, moments & memories
is in memory of Linda Margaret Pearce.
For this weeks journal block,
List your 5 favourite songs and what they mean to you!

WEEK 6
WHAT IS YOUR NEXT MILESTONE BIRTHDAY
LIST 5 THINGS THAT YOU WOULD LIKE
TO ACHIEVE BEFORE THEN.

week 7
List every address that you have ever lived at, including
as much as you remember about your neighbours
the year that you lived there, and any particular memories.

week 8
As a child, what was the worst thing
that you ever got into trouble for?

week 9
With the thought of the American thanksgiving holiday in mind,
List 10 things in your life that you
are thankful for at this moment in time...

week 10
This weeks journal block challenge is based upon
an email that many of you may have received
during the week!
The following is the philosophy of Charles Schultz, the creator of the "Peanuts" comic strip. You don't have to actually answer the
questions. Just read it straight through, and you'll get the point.
1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America.
4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.
5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winner for best actor and actress.
6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.
How did you do?
The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners
THE NEXT PART, WE SHALL USE FOR THIS WEEKS JOURNAL BLOCK.
Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:
1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending
time with.
Easier?
The lesson: The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care

Week 11
This week, we have based it on Rebeccas first day in the job!
List every place that you have ever worked
List your position in the workplace and
what you remember about working there - friends, bosses etc....

week 12
We would like you to go back to
Christmas gone by!
List your 3 best Christmas memories
List your 3 Christmas memories that you would rather forget!

week 13
Name a favourite Christmas tradition & why you like it -
if you don't have one - why not start one and say why you have chosen
to start that tradition!

week 14
List 3 things that you would like to
achieve in 2006 for yourself. Leave a small space between
the 3 to enable you to fill in the dates that they were achieved.

week 15
Seeing that we're going away this week,
list your favourite summer holiday,
saying where & when
and why you liked it sooooooo much!
Add a copy of a photo if you have one.

week 16
After Annies "long drop" experience!!
What was the worst thing that you have ever had to endure!
Why was it so bad, and did you learn any lessons from it!!


week 17
At this present moment in time - what do you do to relax?
What about it relaxes you and why does it make you feel relaxed?

Week 18
List your favourite movie of all time, say why you love it and what makes it stand out above all others....

WEEK 19
Write about 1 thing that nobody would know about you........

week 20
Whats in your handbag?
empty it out and take a photograph of it all.
Now write about each item - your drivers licence - when did you get it, and any relevant memories, stories surrounding that (maybe your first speeding ticket???)
Your lipstick - what colour is it, what brand?
Your purse, is it full of money.......or just full of reciepts (like mine is!)?
What else is in your handbag? What does it say about you as a person at this time in your life?
Does it have little cars? (to keep your son entertained in boring situations, like me) - showing that you are a parent or grandparent.
Does it have a little brag book of your grandchildren or your pets...........
okay, you get the idea, go to it!!

We will add future journaling challenges here so that should you delete your friday G&T before you've managed to read what the journaling challenge was - you can check here for it.

week 21
there are 4 weeks to go :What is the BEST bargain that you have ever got in a sale?

Week 22

- 3 weeks to go!!
List all of the nick names that you have ever had and where they originated from.....

Week 23

- 2 weeks to go!!

What shoes do you have in your collection and is thereany that have a particular history................don't forget to add photos!!!

Week 24

- next to last week!!

If you were to dedicate your journal block challenge to anyone,

who would it be, why, and what message would you give....

Week 25

-The last week!!!

List 3 things in your life that if you had your time again
you would change......
and why
if there is nothing at all that you would change
say why not......

(we do actually have one final task left for next week...)

March Madness Is Truly Here.....

March Madness is truly upon us with the clearance sale at the shop. Papers & stickers are flying through the door, and Cill was miffed the other day when the stickers that she wanted had all gone - we told her to get with the beat....Rebecca is off each weekend at the A & P's showing stock, Christines off watching Stevie Niks this weekend leaving Cill and myself trying not to go off on one of our creative tangents that drives EVERYONE mad.

Have you seen this weeks lesson? It's a mini scrapbook that folds up to become a box. Available in black, blue and purple. The infamous Natalie has made on awesome blue/green one and decorated the lid which we're going to copy (thanks Nat!) BTW Natalie - hope you have a good party tonight (sorry folks we can't reveal anymore details of Nat's party............its too x-rated to mention here!!)

Have an awesome weekend everyone!!

What A Day....

have you ever had one of those days where everything seems to run at 1 million miles per hour whilst you're doing around 6 jobs at once. half of the day i've struggled to keep my eyes open, and now i can't find an ounce of tiredness!! had a crazy day today - one of our shipments had been offloaded in singapore and had to be hurredly re-shipped! we have 3 new packs coming on line in a new "co-ordinates" range that sees up colour cordinating mini packs and embellishments. look out for the CROP CIRCLES when we go fully online - these rural girls answer to online crops.. Christine came up with it's name at 4am this morning when she was wide awake with backache! infact, let it be known -that today with christine and her bad back, rebecca with a twinge in her back and a wheeze with her asthma - I was the healthest of the bunch for the first time in 3 years... that really doesn't say much does it! tommorrows class in a pack has been completed with a Koru scrapbook in a box that will go online in the afternoon. lastweeks class has sold out with interpretations going on line on the gallery, it's amazing how everyone starts off with exactly the same product but have their own interpretations - on the gallery layouts, zeetra and girlfriday came to the actual class, but until the 30th March, all classes will all be ordered online in the classes section of the website as the class in a pack...

Well until later....

SALE starts tomorrow (March 1st '06)

Yes, we are having a sale on all Karen Foster Papers, American Craft papers and Daisy D's papers - these will all be ......wait for it..........

.50c each!!!!

so stock up, also on sale are all Karen Foster (large 6"x12" & medium 4"x14") and Daisy D's stickers and MAMBI stickers (this includes the get framed as well, which were originally $8.95 each!).

- these will be

$2.00 each!!!

Karen foster small stickers (2" x 6") and Daisy D's vellum sayings will be only

.50 each!!

Please note that some of the prices may not show as reduced on the web-site, but we are working on it and will get the price right at this end.
(okay, I've edited to add extra specials 3x - that Annie is going nuts........I say make the most of it!!)

That :+@$# Priscilla

Who saw that Priscilla managed to be advertising Francheville ALL DAY yesterday on the main banner of the website. She has had no idea HOW she did it and we have no idea WHY she did it, but it kept her awake all night - but our very own Princess B fixed it today much to Cills relief (but it wasn't as bad as me wiping out the entire shopping cart!) Scrapbooking Australia papers are now making their way in and more of the All My Memories product is finding it's way online too. Cill even managed to get on 7 gypsies product and give it away for free - until Zeetra ratted her out. We've decided to announce that should you ever here the term PINGY PUNCH in reference to the FISKARS eyelet tools, the name was originally termed by Natalie Jakes of good old Hamilton and the phrase is now working it's way around the country! Let's just say that it is one of her better phrases!!!!!But we say - give credit where credit's due!

Journal Block Challenge
This weeks journal block challenge is:
Write down the hardest decision that you have had to make, why was it hard and how long did it take you to come to the decision.....

Don't forget to look out for our lessons on line (they're back) and take over as our new style of classes!

THE MAY CROP IS NOW FULL, BUT WE ARE HAVING A RESERVE LIST WHICH WE WILL TRY OUR HARDEST TO ACCOMMODATE.......

More to follow in the week....................

This weeks online class

Dear Annie is great at telling us about new stuff - but the when and where's sometimes elude her!!
So here is this weeks online class: Great Shabby Layout
And while there is no picture, I can assure you that it is a very cool layout and that there is room for your own personality to shine through.........also quite a few techniques involved for those of you just learning this will enhance your skills!

what you get when you buy this online..........you get a pack with all the materials to complete your layout (except adhesive) and instructions. If you have any problems with the instructions we are only a phonecall 0r email away and are happy to help with any questions at all.

Okay I think that covers it. Any questions fill in a comment below and I'll get back to you as soon as possible!

How Hot Is It??

Just had to run to catch the bank and I think that a few lawsuits will be on their way for emotional stress at the sight of it. It's sooooo hot & humid and the extra kilos don't help. Actually just thinking of the sight makes me laugh - and most others cry. But I made it and that's the main thing even if it took be alot longer to get back to the shop! Just been informed by BasicGrey that our product will be due mid March as they are still processing orders from the end of January....BREEEEAAAAATTTHHHE! Forgot to tell you yesterday about the 7 gypsies rub ons and today we've got more 7 gypsies tabs and embellishments and stamps online today. Don't forget that the class that is on tomorrow night is available in kit form online on Friday until next Thursday or until we've sold out....Big full collections of American Traditional will be on route as soon as, and we're having a huge change around with our suppliers soon - so look out for that over the next few weeks & months, ALL EXCITING............Just looked up & seen an entire row of 7 gypsies that hasn't gone online yet, so I'll turn the fans back on and get back to work.....

Cyber Cill!

Cyber Cill has been typing like crazy today! It has only taken a year to get the American Traditional Designs Paper online, Embellishments have been started, and the stickers will follow. We have new ranges due from them from this years CHA, so keep on checking - we're getting better and faster (we promise!). Thanks Cill!

7 Gypsies Now On-Line

Cill and Annie have been working at getting the 7 Gypsies embellishments and papers online today. They have also got the Frances Meyer stickers on too! Annie was shoved out into the back office to work as she had that Monday foul temper thing going on.... Priscilla risked her life by sitting on THE CHAIR all day - this is the chair that anyone sitting on it ends up in hospital!!! Oh well, we'll keep on, we're storing the gossip up for FRIDAY!

Fabulous Friday!

Have you seen the new CraftCo papers that have been added to the site? A totally New Zealand theme and a 21st Birthday one too!

This weeks Jaunts & Taunts goes to Jacqui T for "admiring" her postie who delivered her crop box this month.......Thank you for giving us a good laugh!! See we do think of our customers! Wilma is out of hospital and back to stalking us all again..Does anyone know of a good hitman, because the last one only did half a job!

CHRISTINE IS 43 ON SUNDAY! We have noticed a mood change in our elderly member of staff, but we have just put it down to the fact that she is soooooo much older than us! Should we force her to do a morning tea shout next Monday??????Stay away from Lake Karapiro on Saturday afternoon, as we shall be celebrating her birthday down there - Be afraid, be very afraid.......

WEEK 19 of the Journal Block Challenge..

Write about 1 thing that nobody would know about you........

The swaps are finding their way into us, but don't forget that there is just 1 more week to go on the CELEBRATIONS COMPETITION. Contact us if you haven't got the details of how to load onto the gallery!

So, what are you waiting for - get out there and get taking photos!!!!!!!