Little Monster

As you can see, my photographic skills is not improvingm, phew!! This is one of the LO we made at the SA Scrapbook convention and I thoroughy enjoyed the rolling of the papers, the cutting thereof. It was great fun.
This is my godson Tyler, and he really is a little monster at two years old.

Have a good Tuesday night all!
Laters

NOW OPEN: Cricut Christmas die cut SWAP

I have been dying to host a Cricut die cut SWAP ever since I saw this on the Cricut message board. I even started participting but the shipping cost was a killer. Then I thought of giving this SWAP business a try in good old South Africa where we have so many Cricuteers out there with loads and loads of cartridges.
So seeing that Christmas is approaching, I thought to start off with a Christmas die cut SWAP.
The cuts can be from any of the Cricut cartridges, but with a Christmas flavour of course. There are many images on cartridges that are not Christmas cartridges per se.
This swap will be for completely assembled, layered and embellished cuts to accent scrapbook pages and cards.

DUE DATE: Tuesday, 30 November, 2010

QUANTITY: It depends on how many sign-ups I get for the SWAP. This means that if we close on 10 sign-ups, then everybody will make 10 of the same cuts, which will be swopped out and you will receive 10 different cuts back.
SIZING: 2"-4" in size (minimum of 2" and maximum of 4"x4"). Your cuts must be packaged in individual self-adhesive plastic bags. Here in Cape Town the best place to get it is at MerryPack in Pineands.
PAPER: Use good quality card stock. If you're using patterned paper or thin cardstock please use more than one layer.
DETAILS: Layer, decorate, and embellish any way you wish. Just try to remember that these will be going on scrapbook pages so don't have your embellishments be too tall. Don't just throw something together. Remember these are for Christmas. Please make sure that you sign the back of each piece with your real name and blogspot (if you have one/optional) so that proper credit can be given to the person responsible for the cut.
PACKAGING: When you are ready to mail, place in appropriate sized envelope and wrapped for protection.
RETURN POSTAGE: Please include a self-addressed envelope, the same amount of postage stamps plus 3 extra stamps for the return delivery. The extra postage will allow for the fact that some of the other cuts might be heavier. I will return any unused postage to you.
CHECK-INS: Via e-mail (natalieengelbrecht@cybersmart.co.za) once a week so I know you are still participating! If you do not check in for 2 weeks I will check in with you to see if you need to be replaced.
RETURNED TO YOU: I will swap these out as soon as I have received all of them, or the due date has arrived. Anything that arrives late without explanation will be returned to sender – NO EXCEPTIONS!
Yes I know, I know ... must the rules be so STRICT! It pains me to do it, but I have learned from others that the rules are NB, so lets get started and see if I/we can pull it off!

So, I'll start off by adding my name on TOP (first sign-up):

1. Cape Town Scrap-Diva: Santa slay with reindeer (Christmas cartridge)
2. Claudine Petersen: (must still decide on the cut) - thanks for signing up Claudine!

Who is next???

Diva blessings!!

Travel mini scrapbook

Hi divas
I took a class by a lovely lady, Tanya, at The Scrapbook in High Street, Durbanville. It was a little wooden box that we decorated with school themed paper with a mini album inside. I love school themed projects and really enjoyed the versatility of application of this little box. So the next day I immediately started searching around for these wooden blanks.
I have subsequently made two more (2 of which are school themed and the 3rd with a travel theme). I need to go back to get more since I want to also do a Christmas one.
This is the top view of the box. I used paper from a Travel Stack by DCWV. I love their paper stacks. I think I have 12 or fifteen of these stacks (different themes).


This is a front view.


This is the inside view plus the little mini for photo's and journalling


I really hope that the recipient of this will like it - it was made with great enthusiasm and straight from the heart. Its meant to go to my daughters drummy teacher who is leaving Curro to persue teaching in Dubai.
Off to Johannesburg tomorrow as one of my staff members was nominated as a Workplace Hero. Tomorrow sees the gala luncheon at our Sandton offices, so its going to be an early start on the red eye from CT to Jhb. I'll be back tomorrow evening, landing at 19H10. Yes ... it promises to be a long day!
Laters

Photography

So yes, I did it. I enrolled for a photography course. I am such a disaster with my Nikon and I was too frustrated to "sukkel" on my own. I'm still the lowest denominator in class, judging by our 1st assignment. I'm just NOT THERE YET! I should try harder ... maybe.

Here is Assignment 1 (instruction: only focus on getting the light meter in the centre) a photograph I took of Bianca (Tiffany's cousins) who had her matric ball last Friday. It gave me a good opportunity to take some pictures, but also not. It was rushed because she got home late from hair, make-up, nails, toes etc. so all the paparazzi had their cameras out, and you had to fight for a spot to get a shot in.

So here I am, unsure of the right settings, trying to make sense of light meter and shutter speed and apperture (which I ignored anyway because its still Greek to me). Oh, the PRESSURE!! The other pressure is, people think because I have the camera that I have, it should be takng nice photos. Little do they know it requires a GENIUS to take a simple shot (well thats how I feel and I don't place myself in the GENIUS category, I wish! faint ...).

Maybe if I pray and ask really nice ... my brain will open up and absord and be GREAT at taking photo's.

I need private lessons from either Ali Edwards, Wilna Furstenburg or Joleen Pienaar (three divas whose blogs I seriously ENJOY)! Maybe they will take pity on me, sitting here on my lonesone on the southern tip of AFRICA. For now, its Aluta Continua!! (the struggle continues).

Laters

Back to School

Hi bloggers

Just a quick upload of my DDs school pics for Grade 3. I paper pieced the pencil and the brush and I really enjoyed making it. The LO was ready since the beginning of the school year and just waited for the photo's.

Have a great Friday!

Hugs

Natalie

Life's a Beach

Hi bloggers and happy Sunday
I am sharing a layout I made of my DD which was taken in December 2008. I used the Cricut Cartridge Life's a Beach for all the cuts and I am very happy with how it came out! I just love the LAB cartridge, don't you?
Have a blessed Sunday all. In a little while I have to start preparing to go to church.
Hugs
Natalie

Mini album for Catherine

Hi there
Today I'm showing you some pics of a mini album I made for my colleague, Sadie's, daughter who is celebrating a birthday today. I believe she really liked it, and so did I in the making of it. I used my gypsy, so its difficult to remember all the cartridges, but it was mostly Doodlecharms for the castle and crown, Spellbinders scalloped circle nestabilities, some feather, ribbbon, rub-ons - and it was done! Thanks so much for looking.
Natalie

Gone Fishing

Hi there
Happy Thursday
Here is a lay-out I did over the easter week-end already, and didn't have time to upload. In the meantime I lost the "i" of 'fishing' and don't think I have more of that paper lol ...
Enjoy!

Contiki @ Curro

Hi there
Today I'm uploading a lay-out I did of my daughter Tiffany (geisha girl) as part of an event towards the build-up of the soccer world cup. The different grades were given countries to portray, and the 3rd graders were given JAPAN. Hope you like my lay-out.
Recipe:
I used the Pagoda Cricut Cartridge for all the cuts. The cherry blossoms was a punch I used and I can't remember which font this was.

Its already July 2010

Hi there

It is just amazing that we have passed the halfway mark of 2010 already. As most of you will know, we in South Africa are in the middle of soccer fever. I have done my bit for patriotism and done a "Proudly South African" lay-out of the tremendous nation building that this world cup has given our country. We really needed something to re-unite around and the FIFA world cup has definately become the catalyst for that.

And of course I had to use the big sunglasses and the vuvuzela that is typical of South African soccer supporters.

Hope you like my lay-out.

Love Natalie

Tiffany's 9th birthday mini album

Hi bloggers

At long last, I managed to finish Tiffany's mini album, but it was not without DRAMA! The printing shop which was supposed to do the righ binding, bound the book all wrong!!

I had to take it back and they had to re-do it as I was very disappointed with the first binding. It looks better now, but they perforated the pages through the wrong binding method. Be that as it may, here is the upload. I really enjoyed putting this together.

Regards

Happy Mothers Day

Happy mothers day everyone!
Today was a good day, and I hope it was a good day for everyone else.
My family had lunch at SPIER wine estate and endured the wet and cold weather in CT today to eat out.
I trust all the moms were spoiled wrotten today.
God bless you and have a wonderful week ahead.
Love
Natalie

Hi there
I have not been blogging because I have been busy with a mini album, which turned out to be a mini big album and its got my number. I wanted to leave it to get on with other stuff, but it won't let me out of its grip! So, I've been battling ... but I have some time off work over the next few days, so hopefully that will work out for me.
My mom took ill during a seniors outing of her church and I had to fetch her in Franschoek. She is resting now, and I trust God that she will be better soon.
As I was driving through Franschoek I was so filled with gratitude for the priveledge of staying in such a beautiful city, with a rich history and heritage. The wine farms this time of the year looks stunning!! So although the drive was worrying as I fetched my sick mom, there was still some beauty to behold.
Keep well everybody, hope you all have a wonderful week-end and find lots of time to scrap
Natalie

A Childs Year

Hi there

These are some cards I made over the week-end and only getting time to upload today. I have really enjoyed playing around with the ACY cartridge. These silhouettes are just too cute. I don't have a particular use for it because it can really be used for so many occassios. I'll just keep them in my box of stash untill a fitting occassion comes up.
Hope you like as much as I do!
Natalie

Hallo Kitty Party Invites

Hi there people in blogland
Over the week-end my daughter Tiffany and I started making the invitations for her 9th birthday which is on 27 March. She's decided on a Hello Kitty themed party and lucky for me, my HK Cricut cartridge arrived just two week before this BIG decision regarding a party theme. At the moment our guest lists is already at 16 little divas to descend on us on 27 March. I am thinking of including a Hello Kitty craft, so if anybody out there has any ideas - they will be welcomed. Nine year olds gets 'bored' easily so I need to fill three hours constructively. Since we live in the Western Cape, weather is a big factor as it is very unpredictable. Right now we're experiencing a heat wave of up to 40 degrees C over a few days, but come the 27th, it might just rain, so the pool is then out of the question - as you can pretty much keep them in the water for three hours strait, with a bit of snacks thrown in her and there.
I am certainly very pleased about how the invitations came out. I'm also planning a banner for her name with 2 Kitty's on each sides and them I have already cut out - so they are ready for the banner.
I hope you enjoy looking at my Kitty's as much as I do.
PS: One day I will get it right ... beatiful bright photos!! Bought a Nikon D3000, but just can't get it right.
Love

Valentine's Day Cards

I've crammed some time in to make these three Valenine's Day Cards. It changed my mood to be working with little red hearts, so I hope it will cheer you up as well.

Hugs

Status update

I started work yesterday after a whirlwind 'holiday' which was not a holiday.
My moms second operation (to have a piece of the stomach removed because of a tumor, benign (halleluja) was successful and she's recovering well. The clips are coming out today so I trust God for a complete recovery.
My mother-in-law sadly passed away on 28 December 2009 after battling breast cancer. We still visited her on Christmas day and that was the last time we saw her. She will be missed for her grace and ready smile, even through three weeks of hectic radiation therapy.
My niece, 28 year old Major in the SA Army in Bloemfontein (slim and fit as a fiddle) passed away after suffering 2 massive heart attacks on 5 January 2010 (same day as my mother-in-laws funeral). The family and medical doctors are still dumbstruck as to what brought this heart condition on. She was married for only 1 year and her husband and parents are beyond sad ...
My hope for 2010 is that it can only get better, and the one word to describe my desire for 2010 is VICTORIOUS! Even as we battle LIFE that we shall be victorious in Him who strengthens us.
Hugs