25/12/2010

25th December 2010


MERRY CHRISTMAS to all and your families.

Hope you have all had a great day and didn't over indulge too much.
If you did there is always tomorrow to start the diet!
Hope Santa brought you everything you wanted?

22/12/2010

3 more sleeps ...



Have you been making a list,
checking it twice,
finding out who's naughty or nice,
coz Santa Claus is coming to town!



19/12/2010

The humble paper bag!

I had a couple of End of Year function to go to and had to take a decorated paperbag. Got some use out of my slice machine and used the Fa La La Design card to create the snowflake, Noel and stocking. Used sticklers for some glitter effect and snowflake ribbon to finish off.



This paper bag holds a gift voucher and I used a Kaisercraft stamp for the front of the tag and EK Success punch for the trim on the bottom. Held together with Bakers Twine. Very inexpensive but effective way to use a paper bag.

16/12/2010

Schools Out !!!

Is that a good thing or not, the arguments have already started!

End of the school year for my girls yesterday. End of an era for my eldest as she is off to intermediate next year. Her teacher finished at school as well and moves to Christchurch. Today she is getting married. I helped out quite a bit throughout the year and decided to give her a special leaving present. I made her a Gate-fold Mini Album.




Products used were

Papers: My Minds Eye Black Damask Flocked
Kaisercraft
Lilac Avenue Violet , Label on front of album is from Bella - Amore Unity Tags

Cardstock: Forget-me-not, Cream Puff

Embellishments: Ivory Buds n Bows ribbon, Black Satin ribbon, Martha Stewart Punches, Maya Road Trinket Pins - Vintage Pearl, Green Tara White Roses and Kaisercraft Pearls.

All products are found over at Scrap Box NZ

12/12/2010

Christmas Chip Board Shapes


Here are just a few of the Lasercut Chip Board shapes that can be used on card, layouts and gifts for Christmas. Paint, ink, glitter or use glimmermist on them. Some can be used as masks and then you still have the orginal chip board to use on another project. Some of my favourites to use on Christmas projects are:








There are a lot of other shapes from birdcages, antique keys, tractors and more - take a look!

07/12/2010

Christmas Stamps

Hope your December has got off to a good start and as the countdown happens, you manage to succeed in making all your deadlines.

Something so true about the "silly season" - maybe it's my involvement in school now that both my daughters are there, but there seems to be so much happening and I'm checking the calendar everyday to see what is coming next.

Sort of Christmas all year for me at I undo boxes of stock at Scrap Box NZ. Some more Chipboard Lasercuts to top up the Swirl Christmas Trees, Antique Keys and Doves came in yesterday. Below are some neat new stamp sets - there are of course other Christmas stamps from Kaisercraft and Imaginsce in store.


I thought I'd show you some christmas stamps from a new range that Scrap Box NZ has recently added.

These two sets are from Fundamentals and would be great on cards and layouts. I think the seals in the top set would be great to finish off your envelope just before posting. What a great feeling to have all your cards done and posted in early December.

Be back later with some of the new lasercuts!

03/12/2010

The Men of Pike

They came from near and far away
The men of Pike to work that day
The afternoon shift way down deep
Beneath the mountains oh so steep
A long way in but further out
The afternoon shift sets about
A job not flash but hard and trying
A job that holds the risk of dying

From seventeen to sixty two
They start their shift to see it through
For one his first, for all their last
How could they know there’d be a blast?
For all at once no siren whining
Suddenly the worst in mining
Dust and rubble fill the air
A loader driver thrown clear
Just one other finds the light
The rest are hidden from our sight

And so we learn as news is spread
The news that mining families dread
It’s up at Pike there’s an explosion
Faces drop and hearts are frozen
Who, how many, where and why ----
Will they make it ---- will they die

Fathers, husbands, brothers, sons
Coasters, Kiwis, Aussies, Poms
Mates and friends who we are seeking
Methane gas from coal seams leaking
Vents exploded, phones unheeded
Level heads and strength are needed
The world above unites as one
To bring the missing to the sun

Rescue teams are standing by
As holes are drilled and experts try
To find a way that’s safe and sound
To rescue those beneath the ground
Could robots work where men are mortal
To pierce the dangers of that portal
But alas all effort fails
The darkness of the mine prevails

A second blast of rock and thunder
Hope and prayers are rent asunder
A nation weeps and Coasters mourn
Pike falls silent, dark, forlorn
A hole remains within the ground
Devoid of joy, of life, of sound

Another hole within the heart
Of those forever set apart
From those they loved who went to toil
Digging coal beneath the soil
Those who gave their lives that day
To work a shift for honest pay
They wait at rest within their mine
The men of Pike, the Twenty Nine

Written by Sean Plunket

he used to be a journalist/announcer on National Radio.

Our thoughts and sympathy has been with all those involved and touched by this unthinkable disaster. Life is very precious.

01/12/2010

Christmas Challenge No. 3 points

Wow, what do I say, these have really exceed my expectations and show the talent of the ladies involved. The points for challenge No. 3 have been awarded as:


Michelle Frisby - 4 points


Vicki Parker - 3 points


Vicky Mullen - 2 points


With the points been awarded that way I'm really pleased to congratulate


MICHELLE FRISBY


as the winner of the $40 voucher for Scrap Box NZ Christmas Challenge.
Michelle can you please email fiona@scrapboxnz.com to received your details of your voucher.


A huge thank you to Michelle, Vicki and Vicky for taking part. I was a little disappointed there wasn't more competition, but then again that may have made the judges decisions even harder than what it was. Thanks for your support!

29/11/2010

Scrap Box NZ Christmas Challenge No. 3 Entries

Your brief was to create a "Garland/Swag" for the wall, door or stairs. These are amazing and I'm sure when others see them you maybe asked to create one for their homes too!

Photo one is the first entry, next two photos go together and last three are from the third entry. Good Luck to you all - can see this will be another challenge for the judges to choose. Thanks so much for all your efforts and for being a part of Scrap Box NZ Christmas Challenge.










27/11/2010

Inspiration from Julia

If you go on over to Julia's blog Paper, Scissors, Cardstock you will see that she has done a Garland/Swag that is part three of the Christmas Challenge. Check it out and also see her wonderful festive tags to finish off a present.

Hope your weekend is going well.

26/11/2010

Top up of ...

Cardstock colours - all important Raven, Kraft and Bazzill White. All of the Dotted Swiss are restocked and Bling will be shortly, although there are still Bling colours available right now.

More Glimmermist has come in - Tattered Leather, Tattered Rose and Gold.

Martha Stewart Punches - some have come and gone. If there is a particular one you are after, drop me an email at fiona@scrapboxnz.com and I'll see if I can source it for you.

Lovely Christmas Papers in store - Teresa Collins, Imaginsce, Making Memories and Pink Paislee. Not all this seasons but still great for that special christmas card or gift that you are still thinking of making!

Pop over to the shop and see the big range of ribbons, including eight different colours of Bakers Twine. More Cherry Red and Black Licorice on their way.

24/11/2010

Points for Christmas Challenge

Sure are making it hard to judge, really got us thinking and this was the way the points for the second challenge are awarded:


Michelle Frisby - 4 Points

Vicki Parker - 3 points

Vicky Mullen - 2 points

Now after two challenges finished and one to go the points are:

Vicki Parker - 7 Points

Michelle Frisby - 7 Points

Vicky Mullen - 4 points

22/11/2010

Scrap Box NZ Christmas Challenge No. 3

"On the Wall"


Your clue was "On the Wall",
but that was to throw you off completely,
although you can hang a Garland/Swag on the wall!!!

This challenge is to make a Garland/Swag

Something to hang on the mantlepiece, stair banister,
door (not a wreath) or wall.

Please email your Garland/Swags to
fiona@scrapboxnz.com by midnight 28th November 2010 with "on the wall" in the subject line.
Have fun and Good Luck!

Christmas Challenge No. 2 Entries

Your brief was to create a 12 x 12 layout entitled Christmas Morning.
Sure looks like lots fun at your homes to start Christmas day. Good Luck to you all - will be back on Wednesday to let you know how the points are going.



20/11/2010

Last Chance....

....Monday to participate in the Christmas Challenge. So I thought that I would throw in a teaser, a hint so to speak.
That's it from me, no bribe will be enough for me to spill!!

18/11/2010

Teresa Collins

Loving the cream, red and black colours which make up the Teresa Collin's Christmas range. For the journalling card I upcycled packaging from MME stamps. The gauzey material has been tea dyed to give it an aged look.

...and just can't get enough of those Maya Road trinket pins!

The '08' has been cut from one of the TC pps.

Happy Christmas crafting before things get too hectic and good luck for the Challenge. Hugs.
Scrap Box NZ products used: Teresa Collins PP, Bazzil cardstock, maya road pin, Green Tara flower, rose bud, mesh and paper string, Jenni Bowlin button, Kaisercraft pearls, MME packaging, Martha Stewart border punch.

17/11/2010

Points for Christmas Challenge so far ...

Sorry to keep you all waiting, but I have been involved in the School Athletics Day at my daughters school. One of the biggest primary schools in the Top of the South Island with 620 students - big day, hot day (27 deg now & felt hotter cooking the BBQ), lots of fun and I know everyone will sleep well tonight, me included.

Congratulations and a huge thanks to the following three that entered.

The points are awarded as follows:

Vicki Parker
4 points



Michelle Frisby
3 points
Vicky Mullen
2 points

15/11/2010

Scrap Box NZ Christmas Challenge No. 2

"In the Album"


Simple really - a 12 x 12 layout with the title "Christmas Morning".
All the fun ways you start your Christmas day - anything like my place with far too much wrapping paper scattered everywhere!!!

Please email your layouts to fiona@scrapboxnz.com by midnight on the 21st November 2010, with "In the Album" in the subject line.

Have fun!

Entries for Challenge No. 1 - Under the Tree

What a fantastic selection of tags and boxes.

Received some comments with the photo's - kept it pretty simple, hope it's OK - Non-traditional colours as have a white tree and these will stand out on it - made 24 boxes (yes 24) to fill with goodies and use similar to an advent calendar.









These are just amazing - you have blown me away with the effort that has gone into them and thanks so much for being a part of Scrap Box NZ Christmas Challenge - Good Luck!

10/11/2010

Double-Layout Winner

Congratulations to Tracy Palmer


We all agreed on your layout.
Loved the colours they look stunning and your layout
worked well for the sketch.

Email fiona@scrapboxnz.com for the details of your voucher.

08/11/2010

Christmas Challenge - No. 1


"Under the Tree"

Create a gift bag/box and label for a present


Both Sally and Julia didn't know about this challenge
but have both given you ideas on their recent blog posts.

You have until Sunday 14th November at Midnight to email fiona@scrapboxnz.com with your creation - could you please
put "under the tree" in the subject line.

Double Layout challenge entries

I had been hesitant about setting a double layout challenge - wasn't quite sure if there would be any entries as people often say they find these hard to do. Well I was really pleased, as you can see from the entries below, that you obviously all enjoy doing these. Pleased to have some newcomer join us - thanks for entering and Good Luck! Back on Wednesday to let you know who won.







I will be back soon with the first of the Christmas Challenges!