Santa's Visit

My girls were really excited and up at 6am to see what Santa had left. My youngest was disgusted that the Reindeer left poos on the deck (chocolate raisins) but pleased they have enjoyed the carrots and drunk the water. As for Santa he left a heap of presents and finished off the beer and chocolate biscuit left out for him.

Hoping you all had a wonderful day with family and friends, didn't eat too much and are now ready for a relaxing evening.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good nite.

Last minute shopping - what fun!!!

I was looking for some inspirational quotes and came across this. Wouldn't say inspirational but so true at the moment.

Once again we find ourselves enmeshed in the Holiday Season, that very special time of year when we join with our loved ones in sharing centuries-old traditions such as trying to find a parking space at the mall. We traditionally do this in my family by driving around the parking lot until we see a shopper emerge from the mall, then we follow her, in very much the same spirit as the Three Wise Men, who 2,000 years ago followed a star, week after week, until it led them to a parking space. ~Dave Barry

New papers from Kaisercraft

The Prairie Lane Collection has arrived and it is gorgeous. Much like they said it would be a scrapper's dream with cut out elements, patterns, journalling pages, tags and more! In delicious chocolate browns and creams and a brilliant splash of blue, these papers will be on everyone's scrap list.



Also arrived in store are papers from My Minds Eye - Life Stories collection. Antique flowers, damask designs and journalling sheets all printed on Kraft cardstock. The journalling sheets will be great for recording those precious moments and special words often spoken but not written down.


Enjoy the rest of your week - only 4 more sleeps till the big guy arrives!!

Top Tip Thursday...

...I know it never happened again yesterday, but as you can all appreciate, this time of the year is extremely hectic. I don't really know why, but it seems everyone needs your attention at once.

So I have one last tip for the year. I will be taking a break until after the new year. So you can find details of my top tip--->HERE go on click it!!.
These are great quick and simple ideas for those last minute gift items.

Great Scrap Box NZ Christmas Challenge ...

... started way back on the 9th of November with 8 entries for the 1st challenge - a non-tradition Christmas Layout. Challenge No. 2 came along and 6 entries tackled the Christmas Wreath. Challenge No. 3 Julia started by asking if you were into BBQ's for Christmas Dinner? Or are you a traditionalist, with hot dinners? Well challenge number 3 is all about the 'Kiwi Christmas' Layout. Great to see how you entertain on the busy day. The Last challenge saw the last four entries make some wonderful cards - one traditional and the other a christmas shape.

Points were awarded along the way and it came down to a draw. We didn't anticipate a draw and thought about a Scrap Off. Being such a hectic time of year, we decided not to have the scrap off and so instead Julia and I are really pleased to congratulate both

Vicki Parker & Brenda Ponder

1st equal

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Julia for providing the challenges and to all those that took part. Your creations were amazing and inspirational. Next year we will continue with some more challenges and look forward to your take on them.

Points awarded for Challenge No. 4 - Christmas Cards

1st for 4 Points - Brenda Ponder

2nd for 3 Points - Vicki Parker

3rd for 2 Points - Brenda McKay

Well that was the last part of the Great Scrap Box NZ Christmas Challenge and the points awarded make the results look like this:

1st = Brenda Ponder & Vicki Paker with 14 points each

3rd - Brenda McKay with 7 points

What to do now! A scrap off!

Brenda & Vicki well done to you both. Also to everyone who entered - a huge thank you. All your creations are very inspiring and great to see the different interpretations of a challenge.

Julia will set you another challenge for Brenda & Vicki to find the overall winner.

Entries received for Challenge No. 4 - Christmas Cards

Challenge No. 4 was to create two cards - with a twist. One tradition and the other in the shape of a decoration. A few comments came back with your creations that you "don't do cards". Well you can see from the entries below that you all do them very well.

This is the last challenge for the Great Scrap Box NZ Christmas Challenge. Thanks to all who entered. The next couple of days will reveal the overall winner. A hard decision to make - all the photo's received are renamed so Julia has no idea who they come from. Good Luck to you all.

Top Tip Thursday...

....I seemed a little pre-occupied last week and Thursday just passed me by again!!

So today you get a bonus tip.

Top Tip #1: To give your Christmas paper craft some lift, add rhinestones/pearls and glitter. A simple but great way to add some elegance to your Christmas.

Top Tip #2: Make simple yet lovely Christmas decorations using embellished jars and bottles. Place some coloured baubles in the jar and seal shut. You can stop there, but why not add a ribbon, some rub ons a tag to the outside of your jar. Great inexpensive decorations.

Making Memories 'Mistletoe Collection'

I was fortunate enough to be given some product to play with. So here are my creation.

The first two photos show a mini album that is all ready for those festive photos. I have used the KaiserCRAFT Bauble Album and papers from Making Memories 'Mistletoe' Collection, plus rhinestones from KaiserCRAFT The ribbon and cardstock are from my own stash, and all the elements have been cut using the Silhouette.
The second example is a decorative gift box that I have made using MM glitter big red dots I have used almost one full sheet and the template is my own design. I have made this before, but it is so easy and big enough to get a good amount of goodies inside it.

...Remember

***December Monthly Special***
15% off all Embellishments,
Beyond the Page
& Mini Albums

Points awarded for Challenge No. 3 are ...

1st for 4 Points - Vicki Parker

2nd for 3 Points - Brenda Ponder

3rd for 2 Points - Louise Forsyth

These layouts are wonderful and depict the special day that you share with family. Great to have as a record to look back on. Not long now and you'll be able to scrap this year's celebrations. Thanks to everyone who is keeping up with the challenge. Looking forward see what you all come up with for the "Christmas Cards"!

With the points awarded for the Kiwi Christmas Layout the overall results for the 1st, 2nd & 3rd places are as follows:

1st - Vicki Parker - 11 points
2nd - Brenda Ponder - 10 points
3rd - Brenda McKay with 5 points

Entries received for Challenge No. 3

Looks like you all have a great day celebrating Christmas with Family. You are definitely keeping the challenge alive and making it hard to choose the winner. These layouts are brilliant.

The Great Scrap Box NZ Christmas Challenge #4

...well we are down to the last challenge of this competion. We have had some amazing entries so far, and it has been extremely hard to decide on winners.

SO...without further delay.

Challenge #4

Create two Christmas cards, sound easy? Heres the twist. One of your cards must be a Christmas shape, e.g. bauble, tree, star, angel. Your choice. The other a traditional Christmas card, On this second card, we would like to see lots of glitter and bling to get us all in the Christmas spirit. After all tomorrow is the 1st of December.
You have until midnight Sunday the 6th of December to email your entries to fiona@scrapboxnz.com We will announce the overall winner next Thursday 10th December.

Don't Forget: to include your name and challenge number in the subject line on your email.

I will have a sneak peek of my examples---> HERE later in the day.

Last few days ...

to take advantage of the 15% off Bazzill Cardstock sale. That includes all Bazzill Basics Cardstock (over 130 different colours), Embossed, Wedding, Bling (30 different colours) and Dotted Swiss (over 20 different colours). A great selection to choose from to start wonderful layouts, matt photos and for cardmaking. Offer end 30 November 2009

Points awarded for Challenge no. 2 - Wreath are ...

1st for 4 Points - Brenda Ponder

2nd for 3 Points - Vicki Parker

3rd for 2 Points - Brenda McKay


Well done to everyone who entered. I know some of you found it difficult but the results speak for themselves. With the points awarded for the wreath the overall results for the 1st, 2nd & 3rd places are as follows:

1st = Vicki Parker & Brenda Ponder with 7 points each
3rd - Brenda McKay with 4 points

Julia and I are looking forward to your Kiwi Christmas Layouts! Good Luck!

The Great Scrap Box NZ Christmas Challenge #3

Are you into BBQ's for Christmas Dinner? Or are you a traditionalist, with hot dinners? Well challenge number 3 is all about the 'Kiwi Christmas'

Challenge #3

Create a 12x12 layout of the typical Kiwi Christmas with your family. Fiona and I would love for you to share how you celebrate Christmas Day. Whether it is a photo of the food you scrap about or sitting around a picnic table, the choice is yours.
Remember you have until midnight the 29th November to email your entry to fiona@scrapboxnz.com
Also remember to put the challenge number and your name in the subject line.
Good luck:) and have a great week.

Happy School Days to Emma

Emma is Julia's youngest off to school today. My daughter, Paige had heaps of fun at Emma's birthday party yesterday and we wish Emma lots of fun and happiness at school.

Paige started last Monday and was still enthusiastic to go to school this morning. Julia what a milestone we both have reached!

Christmas Challenge No. 2 Entries

I had quite a few emails about this challenge. Not quite sure how to tackle it, but look at the results, they are great. Well done to everyone and good luck! Wonder what Julia has in stall for you next!

Top Tip Thursday...

...No tip this week, as I have had lots of other things on my mind. But for those that are taking part in the Great Scrap Box NZ Christmas Challenge, and are stuck for an idea on your wreath. You can check out the full piccy--->HERE . Good Luck, but please do not copy it directly.
Enjoy the rest of your week.

Points awarded for Challenge No. 1 are ...

1st for 4 Points - Vicki Parker

2nd for 3 Points - Brenda Ponder

3rd for 2 Points - Brenda McKay

Thanks to everyone who has entered. Some great layouts and remember that everyone receives 1 point for partipation. How are those wreaths going?

Christmas Challenge No.1 Entries

These entries are wonderful - thanks to everyone who has entered. Hope you are enjoying the challenge. Below is challenge No. 2 and tomorrow we will award your points on these layouts.

The Great Scrap Box NZ Christmas Challenge #2

Already, hope you all managed to get challenge 1 complete.

Challenge 2:
To create a Christmas Wreath. Sound easy? This is with a twist, you need to create a Christmas wreath with your 'scrap supplies'. Paper, cardstock, flowers, brads, buttons, and bling. Not an easy task, but I am sure you will all keep the $50-00 voucher in mind.



Remember the rules. You must have your creation emailed to fiona@scrapboxnz.com by midnight this Sunday. You MUST include your name and challenge number in the subject line.

Good Luck

Sneak Peek #2

Here is a little sneak peak at what you might expect for Challenge number 2 in the Great Scrap Box NZ Christmas Challenge.
Full details will be revealed tomorrow. You only have a few hours left to email your challenge #1 to Fiona. Good Luck

Top Tip Thursday...

...hmmm that time again. Let me start by asking how you are all going with your first challenge in the Great Scrap Box NZ Christmas Challenge. Remember you only have until midnight Sunday.

TOP TIP: You can add your own personal touch to commercially made embellishments such as tags and die cuts. Add some glitter, buttons, ribbon to give them the look you want. At this time of the year there are lots of Christmas embellishments about, so adding some glitter to snow flakes on tags or die cuts will give them the look of ice or snow. A ginger bread man can by dressed up with glitter and buttons to give it that 'home baked' feel. I will try and come back tomorrow with an example of this.

Hope you are having a great week, and happy birthday to Fiona's youngest daughter who turns five tomorrow.

For the Girls Challenge ...

Congratulations to Vicki

This layout is beautiful, love the details with pearls and rhinestones, butterflies and the prima paper just sets the whole layout off. Congratulations - drop Fiona an email to receive your $20 voucher.

Entries for the "One for the Girls" Challenge

Aren't these great! Will anounce winner tomorrow!