BFS - Prompt Three

Good Saturday morning to all
I have had a beautiful slow morning as my DH and diva junior went to go watch big brother play hockey this morning, so I had a lay-in, relaxing cup of coffee and some surfing time.  I'm also playing catch-up, so here goes for prompt three:  my 10 favorite things as recorded and scrapped in 2009, but never blogged.  I did this as part of a Book about Me, which is still a work in progress.
I hid the 10 favorites in a tag at the time, not sure why I did that, but here is my list and it is still true now in 2011.

1.  Diva Junior - she's the best part of me and amazing to have conversations with.

2.  Movies - all time favorite "Pretty Woman" - not very deep lol

3.  Music - especially jazz

4.  Food - sushi at the moment (salmon roses) yummy!

5.  Scrapbooking (no random order)

6.  The Beach - living in CT is such a blessing

7.  A day at the Spa - reflexology, Indian head message mmmmhh

8.  Experimenting with my hair (it still hasn't fallen out from all the chemicals I nail it with)

9.  Seduko (this has taken a back-seat of late in favor of craft magazines)

10.Travelling (domestic and international), planning a trip to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe for Easter break.

I'll hopefully have time to post promp four later today.  Its diva juniors birthday tomorrow, she'll be 10 years old and we are having the family over for lunch.  I still have to go hit the shops for groceries and a gift.  She's into Wii at the moment, she's had it for two years, but I think she's only now really getting into it.  So I'll buy some Wii paraphanalia and additional games and stuff.

Have a great Saturday all and thanks for all the lovely comments you gorgeous ladies are leaving.  My cup runneth over!

Hugs

Natalie

BFS - Prompt Two

So yes, I'm a bit late with prompt two, but I still really want to do it.  This is my take on thinking back to a time when I was really happy and scrapbook something about it?  And you might think this weird, but I've been reflecting a lot lately on my late father.  He's birthday was on February 26th and he's been gone for almost 20 years now.  I am at a place now where I have really happy thoughts about him, instead of feeling sadness.  Before his birthday I was really missing having him around, and for some reason I looked around old photo's as we sometimes do when we get nostalgic.  I then came across my Mom and Dad's wedding photos.  I knew immediately that I had to scrap them as vintage is very in at the moment lol.  
Regrettably, in 1962 (the year my parents got married) they didn't have digital photo's where the photographer could take hundreds of pictures and you could take your pick.  It was mostly a few selected studio pictures, a few in church and a few in the gardens.
I looked around on the internet, as I normally do for some inspiration.  And came across the tutorial by Cathy Files  (scroll right to the bottom of her blog post) of Paper Phenomenon, of a wedding mini she's made of her own wedding.  Coincidentally I had the exact same paper line she used and so this mini album was born which is a testimony to the love and commitment my parents made to each other, so that my two brothers and I could have the lives that we have today.  So this post is NOT sad, its HAPPY.  I'm in a good place, my Dad is in a good place, we are all in a good place.  Here is celebrating HAPPINESS.
This is the cover of the mini album "Always and Forever", inspired by Paper Phenomenon.
 
 I used vinyl for the cover, Tim Holtz buttons for fasteners, bling and a bride and groom.

Here you get a glimpse of the bride and groom pages.  Its a gate-fold album.

 Brides pages ...

Bridal bouquet ...

 The wedding cake ...

 The grooms pages ...

 The ring bearer pillow ...

Love and happiness to you all ...

Natalie

Card for Max

Here is the card for Max.

Hugs
Natalie

Scrap Dreams: Max-A-Million

Scrap Dreams: Max-A-Million: "I received this email today: PLEASE HELP US FILL A STUDENT'S WISH!!! Received a request this morning to help a child with cancer. Max..."
When I read Cheri's blog post today I was immediately moved into action. Last week-end I made a boy card, which I rarely do as I have a girl and lots of girlie birthday party invites that require girlie birthday cards. But I made a boy card. When I saw Cheri's appeal I immediately knew that I had the right card for this brave boy. Here is the card that I've already written the iside message and address on the envelope, ready for the mail room tomorrow. Okay, somehow I published this without a photo and when I wanted to add the photo the computer didin't respond, it was just staring at me. I'll post the photo in the next post, sorry!
Off to bed now, so sleep well to all those on my side of the hemisphere.
Hugs
Natalie

Off to Johannesburg tomorrow

I'm off to bed now as I'm flying out to Johannesburg tomorrow on business. It will be a 1 day trip which is always exhausting, but not so taxing on my family life.
Hope to have bags of time over the week-end to catch up with some of the Blogging for Scrapbookers promps. Its day 3 today, and I've still only done promp 1, so I need to catch up.
Laters
Natalie

Blogging for Scrapbookers

Hi fellow bloggers
I started taking a class by Shimelle Laine from http://www.shimelle.com/ on Monday this week called Blogging for Scrapbookers. My intention since last year has been:
a) to become a better blogger as I enjoy the outlet it gives me in terms of creative expression as well as articulating my feelings and emotions on my life journey
b) in order to become a better blogger, I at the same time took the challenge of also becoming a better photographer (I'm a Nikon babe!)
c) lastly, all of above was born out of a love of SCRAPBOOKING! It is scrapbooking that led me into these two disciplines a) blogging and b) photography. I must admit though I am not very technically savvy. In fact, as I'm sitting typing this post I am so FRUSTRATED because it seems I'm challenged with both these passions that are turning into nightmares. I guess I put too many irons in the fire at the same time, because I never have enough time. I don't even have enough time to just do the daily prompts of this course! The same happened with the 10 week photography course thats coming to a close this Wednesday, and I am far off from even producing decent photos with the right lighting settings etc. etc. I will have to move off manual back to Auto untill I have head space to figure this all out, just so I can have SOME photo's because at the moment my scrapping has come to a standstill because I don't have decent photos to scrap the meories. And BTW, who wants to scrap a blurry photo. Ever heard of Depth of Field? Agggh!

OK, so enough of the wining now, but I just had to put it out there and get it out of my system or else I won't be able to sleep tonigh LOL (which will be in the next 10 min). Learning a new skill is very HARD! But we LIVE and we LEARN. Its much better than being anaethesized by the TV.

So wish my luck on my journey. I'm going to try and keep up with the pace, but if I don't ... I don't. And I need to take advise from the Master Scrapbookers like Shimelle, don't STRESS!! I'm STRESSING!!!!
Laters
Natalie

Just Married cards

Today I'm posting two cards I made last night on request from a colleague at work who has to attend a wedding over the week-end
Mr and Mrs recipe:
These cuts are from Stretch Your Imagination which is such a versatile cartridge. The bride and groom was cut at 4" and the Mr and Mrs at 1.5".

Just Married recipe:

I used the Sweethearts cricut cartridge for all the cuts. The car was cut at 3" and the just married sign at 1.5". The paper was in my stack from last year's Valentine range, so I'm not sure of the manufacturer

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Weigh-In: 17-01-2011

Hi there
I joined Sure Slim and am battling the bulge during 2011. My first milestone is to loose 15kg and today the countdown began. So for my first weigh-in I lost:

-3.2 kg and -2.6 kg body fat (another 11.8 kg to go)

Thats good isn't it! I was very pleased with my progress, but at the same time very worried as well.

You see the reason I am worried is that I AM ALWAYS GOOD AT STARTING, but not so good at ENDURING. That makes me sad because this is the year that I MUST overcome. I have tried so many times before and I have to strengthen my resolve. So I'm checking out some blogs and trying to find others who are battling the same thing, and it really helps.
So wish me luck on my JOURNEY (I see a possible mini scrapbook coming) documenting the ups and downs of what I've taken on. Next week I'll be in Jhb for a conference and it will be my first test of being away from home and staying on my programme. I'll see how that goes. I'm packing dried fruit, almonds, fruit so that I do not fall into temptation because confereces are the worst, especially when they come out with these lovely treats over tea breaks! I will be strong!
Untill my next weigh-in its going to be high protein, lots of fresh fruit and veg and no carbs.
Again, whish me LUCK!
Ps: My reward to myself is to buy a big Scrapbook items for myself when I reach my first milestone. I already have a Cricut, Cuttlebug, Gypsy and lots of Cricut cartridges. So does anyone have any suggestions as to what my scrapbook reward should be? Let me know what you think.
Hugs
Natalie

Last day of holiday cards

Hi there

Today is my last day for playing in my scrap room. Tomorrow we have to get a few/a lot of things ready for school, so its going to be a hectic day, thats why I got some time today for play, I wasn't even out of the house! I just enjoyed crafting and watching movies, a real lazy day.

This card came out a bit blurry on the scanner, probably because it was a bit high with the flowers and stuff. Nevertheless, I used some DCWV patterned paper (Stack 6), a petaloo flower and some smaller flowers I had in my stash. I coloured the Whiff of Joy stamp with copics, but my stazon ink was bleeding into the flesh colour - arggh!

This second card was fun to make because of the bright colour. I've come to know that I like bright hot colour combinations.

The third card was also great fun as it is the first time that I broke out my Sizzix Tim Holtz Alterations die. Even though the bird and cage is very popular at the moment I have just not gotten around to it untill today!

Thanks for looking and comments are always appreciated.

Hugs

Natalie

Happy 2011

Eish! 2010 is finally behind us and I can look forward to only good things in 2011. I have been absent for a while because I got frustrated with my photographic skills BUT I have NOT given up, I will conquor the Nikon D3000 that I have. I'm starting my photograpy course again on Wednesday, 19th, and promised myself to give myself grace, patience and perseverance!
I also have my FIRST FOLLOWER! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! Isn't that exciting! This gives me the oemph I needed to still use this space for a creative outlet and just push on pushing on!
I also have my top 5 New Years Resolutions to share and maybe if I put it out there, the universe will conspire to bring it about! FOR SURE! Here is the list:

• I will conquor my Nikon and move away from Auto


• I need to drop some/a lot of weight and I'll check in weekly on my progress (only if its good!)


• I will forward plan family vacations and not wait till the last moment and untill every place under the sun is FULLY BOOKED! Can I get an AMEN anybody?


• I will consume/spend less (including scrapbook supplies)


• I need to get more physical ... physical ... I wanna get physical ... physical ... Rheumatoid arthritis will not get me down.

I hope your year started off well. Tiffany is starting Grade 4 on 19 January, so then life will pretty much start falling into a comfortable routine again with summer sport, horseriding, violin, Kumon and church activities.

Speaking of horseriding, here is a pic of Tiffany today at her first lesson in 2011 as part of a group. Up till Dec last year she received 1-on-1 coaching. She was very nervous before the time but did very well. Still needs to work on the cantering, but it will come.

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