30 Day Photo Project

DAY 27

A picture of yourself and a family member


I decided to pick two family members
Brother A and Brother B
My two big brothers, David & Tony and me on my wedding day!
My Dad is in a wheelchair, and I wanted to walk down these amazing stairs at the garden where Jase and I got married, so my brothers walked me from the car to the bottom of the stairs where my Dad was waiting for me.
They are great brothers.


For more 30 Day Photo Projects go HERE

Holland Festival - Queens Day

Koninginnedag (Queen’s Day) on the 30th April is a national holiday in the Netherlands. It is one of the most extraordinary and colourful events in the world: literally a whole country turns orange and parties!

Now that's MY kind of Party!!

The Quarry Arts Centre here in Whangarei held a Holland Festival of their own and as soon as I found out about it I knew I HAD to be there!! So the kids and I dressed in our Orange finery, dragged my Mum & Nephews Luke & Liam down to the Quarry to get our Orange on!


The entry was free if you wore orange, but otherwise they had orange things for sale at the door to wear. I just HAD to get these cool shades for the kids! The money all goes back to the Quarry so to me it's a good cause to donate to!



There were orange banners, balloons and decorations EVERYWHERE!
Like These ....





The first thing we did was make some Orange Paper at the Stand run by the Paper Mill




I helped Abbey and Riley did his own.

Then the kids got orange balloon creations ...




We had a lovely time and if the weather was better we more than likely would have stayed for longer. A definite must for next year!

And I must say that I think on my to do list will HAVE to be spending Koninginnedag in Amsterdam one year!! Orange Heaven!!!

Better Scrapbooking April Scrap Pack

Remember when I showed you all this back HERE
Well wanna see what I did with it????

Well I'm gonna show you anyway hehehe!


It's All About The Accessories
When I saw these papers I immediately thought about these photos of Abbey with ALL her necklaces on. She spent ages making them and then wore them ALL for days afterwards! Too darn adorable!


Fashionista
Abbey in her Tinkerbell outfit for the Fairy Festival, accessorised with wand, sunnies, flowery tights and ballet shoes ... a total Fashion Icon!!!


Abbey's Style
What does Abbey like in April 2011?
*Bear
*My Little Pony's
*Jewelery
*Tinkerbell
*Princesses
What a real GIRLY GIRL!!!


Glamour Girl
Abbey has her own Sunglasses but of course Mummy's are bigger and better!!! And look sooo much better on Abbey!

So if you would like to know how I made all these, as well as what the other Design Team members did with their Scrap Packs, pop on over to Better Scrapbooking and check out the May Newsletter

30 Day Photo Project

DAY 26

Someone you can talk to for hours


This amazing woman, Taryn.
Taryn, apart from my Mum, is one of the only people I talk with on the phone. You see since Jason's death I'm not overly fond of telephones, but I always have time to talk with Taryn and we usually give the phone at least a good 2 hour workout every time we talk.
I love talking to Taryn and I love hanging out with her even more! I can talk to her about ANYTHING and know that she won't mind, I can cry, get angry, laugh, say nothing much at all and I know she won't mind. I appreciate that more than I can say. And I'm sure I've repeated myself plenty over our many conversations!!
Love ya Taz xxxxx

For more 30 Day Photo Projects see HERE

Happy Mail & a RAK

My good mate Kristine has opened up her own Scrapbooking store from home called Scrap-a-Bull. I am immensely proud and jealous of her!!! She had a little Facebook competition and I won a Little prize which arrived in the post today!! YAY!!! Thanks Kristine & Scrap-a-Bull!!! Can't wait to test out my new goodies ....


Go check out her Website HERE and FaceBook HERE

And another scrappy friend is giving away a RAK on her blog! Go check it out HERE and leave a comment, the more comments she gets the more will go into the RAK! so get on over to Paper. Scissors. Chocolate.

A photo update post of the school holidays will be coming soon so watch this space!

30 Day Photo Project

Gee it's been a while but ....

DAY 25

A picture of your day.


Today is such a blerk weather day. I have put the heater on for the first time this year. It has been thundering and raining and it is incredibly windy. So since Abbey hasn't been well I popped her into bed for a sleep while Riley and I chill out on the couch with chips & dip and movies!

To see more 30 Day Photo Projects go HERE

Happy Easter

What does Easter mean to you?

I have mixed feelings and emotions about most Religiously based Holidays such as Easter and Christmas.

You see I right now am in complete limbo as to where my heart and beliefs stand.

I 100% believe in God, there is no doubt in my mind about that but things that have happened in my life have made me lose faith in that God I believe in. I have many unbelievable friends who have the most phenomenal Faith and I wish I could have an ounce of the Faith they have. It has been a long time coming this place where I am again "searching for answers I can't understand"

ANZAC Day 2011

A Tribute to ANZAC Day
With their hair a little whiter, their step not quite so sure
Still they march on proudly as they did the year before.
Theirs were the hands that saved us, their courage showed the way
Their lives they laid down for us, that we may live today.

From Gallipoli's rugged hillsides, to the sands of Alamein
On rolling seas and in the skies, those memories will remain.
Of airmen and the sailors, of Lone Pine and Suvla Bay
The boys of the Dardenelles are remembered on this day.

They fought their way through jungles, their blood soaked desert sands
They still remember comrades who rest in foreign lands.
They remember the siege of old Tobruk, the mud of the Kokoda Trail
Some paying the supreme sacrifice with courage that did not fail.
To the icy land of Korea, the steamy jungles of Vietnam
And the heroic battle of Kapyong and that epic victory at Long Tan.

Fathers, sons and brothers, together they fought and died
That we may live in peace together, while at home their mothers cried.
When that final bugle calls them to cross that great divide
Those comrades will be waiting when they reach the other side.

Ken Bunker

For My Grandad, Arthur John Church aka Jack

Words
"To put them on to paper and send them on to you,
Is all that circumstances will so far let me do,
Words are so inadequate when written down in ink,
They don't express one-millionth part of what I really think.
But the time will come eventually, when I am back with you
And then you'll know just what I mean, what I've tried to do

In the hell that's Egypt, I first knew what friends were
When mail came in every week they always caused a stir
Friends had not forgotten that I was overseas
They wrote me cheery letters of things they'd done and seen
It was a glimpse of home to me in Egypt's sun
To get those newsy letters with such a cheery tone

The months and years have passed since then and letters still arrive
As fast and regular as the P.O can supply
to have those friends, to know their worth, is something well worthwhile
That thought alone has helped me through many a dreary mile
When I return I'll do my best to let them know how much
It means to boys from home to get that homely touch

So friends if pen and ink have not said all I meant
Be sure the time is not far off when letters won't be sent
I will call and tell you, show you then and after
How you helped me through this hell, gave me joy and laughter
Thanks on paper don't mean much, but there's years yet to come,
When I can show you without words the wonderful job you've done."

AJ Church

Slack Blogger Alert!!

BIG catch up soon I promise!

11 Months

11 Months ago right now I was in the Hospital sitting with my husband who I knew was going to die tomorrow.

Back then I would have thought by now things would be getting easier, less painful, less raw. But it isn't. It is still hard, harder in fact than a few months ago. Still incredibly painful and very raw still.

Last week I started going to grief counselling. So far it is helpful in the fact that I know that it is ok and normal to be feeling the way I am. But one of the first things the counsellor said to me was

"I cannot make you feel better, I cannot make the pain go away"

Next month it will be a whole year without Jason and I'm not sure how I should be feeling about that. It's going to be difficult, heart wrenching difficult. It will be the first time in a year since I have been to the Prison. I will be seeing people I haven't seen since Jason's funeral, talking with the people who were with him when it happened. I will be blessed by the fact I will also be surrounded by my family and friends but they won't be able to take away my pain either.

I will never get over this, I will get stronger and perhaps start to wear my happy mask less, and actually wake up happy one day, but for now I grieve, and I cope one day at a time.

Rick, father of Elliot wrote something on his Facebook that I have stolen and altered a little because it rang so very very true to me

Please don't tell me you know how I feel,
Unless you have lost your husband early too,
Please don't tell me my broken heart will heal,
Because that is just not true,
Please don't tell me my love is in a better place,
...Though it is true, I want him here with me,
Don't tell me someday I'll hear his voice, see his face,
Beyond today I cannot see,
Don't tell me it is time to move on,
Because I cannot,
Don't tell me to face the fact he is gone,
Because denial is something I can't stop,
Don't tell me to be thankful for the time I had,
Because I wanted more,
Don't tell me when I am my old self you will be glad,
I'll never be as I was before,
What you can tell me is you will be here for me,
That you will listen when I talk of Jase,
You can share with me my precious memories,
You can even cry with me for a while,
And please don't hesitate to say his name,
Because it is something I long to hear everyday,
Please realize that I can never be the same,
But if you stand by me, you may like the new person I have become.

Gone but never ever forgotten, my love for alwaysforeverandeternity xxx

30 Day Photo Project

DAY 23

Someone who makes you laugh.


Mistress Abbey
She makes me laugh, roll my eyes and shake my head everyday! She says and does and wears the funniest things. She has so much of Jason's quirky sense of humour and personality it is heartwarming. She is adorable and hilarious and I love it!


DAY 24

Something you wish you could change.


That is easy ... If I could change anything I would have made it so Jason didn't go to work on May 15Th 2010. He would have come to the birthday party with us and still be here today.

For more 30 Day Photo Projects go HERE

April Challenges at Better Scrapbooking

Lots more awesome entries for the March Challenges. And as you should know each category has a winner, so here are March's winners ....

Layout Challenge - Use Up Your Scraps
Congratulations to Clese!!



Photo Challenge - Everyday Life
Congratulations to Mummymoo!!



Project Challenge - CD Mini Album
Congratulations to Deb G!!



Card Challenge - Cupcake Card
Congratulations to Sandra A!!



If you want to have a chance of being a winner check out the April Challenges ...

Layout Challenge - Create a layout using chalks. You make like to use chalks for your title, on a border or on the edges of your photo mates. Lets see how many different techniques with chalks you can use on one layout. Have fun, and get messy.

Photo Challenge - Perspective, perspective, perspective. This has been inspired by the winning photo of March's photo challenge. Take a photo using an unusual perspective.

Project Challenge - Create a fun Easter Basket - with some lovely decorated eggs inside (these eggs could be bought chocolate eggs if you like).

Card Challenge - Create a fun pop-up card of your choice. You may like to create an interesting way for a pop-up to pop-up.

Hope to see you joining in over at Better Scrapbooking!!!

Better Scrapbooking & Basic Grey Curio Collection

Last month I got some awesome goodies in the mail from Better Scrapbooking. They were from the Curio Collection by Basic Grey


Curio Cotton


Curio Heirloom


Curio Ophelia

As well as the papers I also received some Basic Grey Curio Clips


Along with the Curio Collection I also received:
Bazzill Patch cardstock
Bazzill Yam cardstock
Orange Flowers
Black Pearls

And this is what I created ....


Reflection Of Beauty
This photo was taken at the Auckland Zoo, it was just a fluke that I happened to get Abbey's reflection in the glass!


Hush
My beautiful baby boy! How fast he has grown! I sure miss my babies when they were this small.


Funny Faces
My cheeky girl!!! This was a Positive/Negative photo shoot, she was so cheeky throughout the whole sitting, some of these funny faced pics are my favourites!

Go check out the Curio Collection at Better Scrapbooking!

30 Day Photo Project

DAY 21

Someone you have good memories with.


My amazing cousin Marilyn!

We were BEST friends all the way through growing up. We spent EVERY school holidays together, wrote thousands of letters to each other and had some amazingly great times together!!

I think my favourite holiday was the New Years Marilyn, My Mum & Dad & I spent in the Bay Of Islands on the boat. That was the coolest holiday ever!! I wish I could have found some photos from then!!

Love that Marilyn chick and she and I sadly had to grow up, as you do, and now she is an amazing woman instead with a beautiful family.
Love you always xxxx


DAY 22

Something you wish you were better at.


SINGING!! I LOVE singing, but I can't .. not to save myself! But I love playing Singstar, and I love singing in the car and to the kids and Jase and I used to sing duets with each other, he was a slightly better singer than me but I wouldn't have encouraged him to go on NZ Idol! I really don't think I will ever be destined to be a superstar .. but I'll carry on singing in the shower regardless!!

For More 30 Day Photo Projects check them out HERE

Better Scrapbooking April Scrap Pack

Ohhhhh exciting!! Another Scrap Pack to play with arrived on my doorstep last week!! This month is going to be ALL about Abbey and this is why ....


Ohhhhhh sooo pretty!!!!

In the April Scrap Pack is:
*2 sheets Bazzill Dusty Pink cardstock
*2 sheets Bazzill Purple cardstock
*1 sheet Bazzill French Garden White Embossed cardstock
*1 sheet Bazzill Guacamole scallop circle
*2 sheets Birch Bows Glittered pattern paper
*2 sheets Birch Glamour Boarders Glittered pattern paper
*2 sheets Birch Bags and Dresses Glittered pattern paper
*2 sheets Birch Poodles, Bags, Shoes Glittered pattern paper
*3 pink Flowers
*3 yellow Flowers
*2 Imaginisce die-cut Flowers
*10 assorted Buttons
*1 Length of Ribbon
*1 Imaginisce Garden Party Snag'em Fame Acrylic stamp

I can not wait to use it ALL up! Poor Riley is going to be incredibly neglected this month! I can't show you what I'm doing with it for a bit but keep an eye out for the April Better Scrapbooking newsletter!
And if you want to get a kit of your own check out how HERE.

30 Day Photo Project

DAY 20

Somewhere you'd love to travel.



The Grafton National Cemetery, West Virginia, USA
Not flashy or exciting. But the only place overseas I want to go is here to visit my husband's resting place to see it in person and lay orange gerberas at his grave stone so he knows I've been there.



For more 30 Day Photo Projects see HERE

30 Day Photo Project

DAY 19

A picture from when you were little


This photo was taken at Hikurangi at my Mum's sister's house. We spent A LOT of time out their with my cousins Nicole & Bryan.

From left to right ...
Tony (my biggest brother) Bryan, Nicole, David (my other big brother) and Me!
We were all pretty cute back then and how amazing that we all grew up to be respectable adults ... well I guess we did!!!

For More 30 Day Photo Projects look HERE

End of an Era ...

Jason and I were/are coke addicts, when I say coke I mean Coca Cola! Not crack cocaine lol

I drank regular or Vanilla Coke the most and then switched to Coke Zero. Jason always drank Diet Coke. He was the kind of guy who ordered an extra large combo with a Diet Coke lol. But he drank it, so he told me, because he liked the taste, and he drank it like water! Neither Jase or I are hot drink people, we are more likely to get up in the morning to a glass of coke rather than a coffee.

And Jase ALWAYS drank from the bottle. He used to just take the whole bottle to the couch with him and set it at his feet! I was, and still am, a drink out of the glass person, Jase with his coke wasn't! He would say "no one else is drinking it so what's the problem?" Honestly!! That man made me roll my eyes at times!

After Jase died there was a half empty bottle of diet coke in the fridge. I left it there. And 10 1/2 months later it was still in the fridge. I couldn't bring myself to get rid of it. It was such a major part of who Jason was, him and his diet coke addiction.



Yesterday I decided it was time to let the coke go. I couldn't bear to tip it down the sink so I drank it, straight from the bottle just like he did. My lips where his had been. I cried. and now it's gone.

Funny how such seemingly little things totally turn you to a mess!

Good Bye Diet Coke, I will miss you in my fridge xxx

30 Day Photo Project

Bad Bad Blogger is WAY behind in her 30 Day Photo Project so here is my Loooong catch up!!!

DAY 11

Something you hate.


RENTING - I hate it. This house in the picture is for sale. Mum & I went to an open home there and I LOVE IT ... sadly I'm not quite ready to purchase a house yet. But renting is awful. I can't put picture hooks in the wall, or make the place reflect me as much as I want. You are restricted so much when you are renting. As well as all that it feels like wasted money goes out of your bank every week! I can not wait to be able to own my own home!


DAY 12

Something you love


It's not a secret my Orange Obsession!! I LOVE it! I want to fill my whole house with it. I want to Orangefy my world.


DAY 13

Your favourite band or artist


The Beatles. Their music is forever!! They are legends! I love them!!! I have all their albums and when I am down I listen to them to cheer me up! They are funny guys, have you ever seen A Hard Days Night or Help! Hilarious! And speaking of Movies check out Across The Universe, amazing story told by ONLY Beatles songs!! Stunning! John, Paul, George and Ringo you rock my world!!!


DAY 14

Someone you could never imagine your life without.


It was this guy, but now it's no one because after losing this guy I can put the worst case scenario of losing all my loved ones in my head. I don't have to imagine. It already happened.


DAY 15

Something you want to do before you die.


It's funny what death does to people. For some it makes them live life to the fullest doing things they would never have thought they could or would do. For me it has made me appreciate the simple things in life. The beauty of nature, the laughter of my children, family etc. The thing I want to do before I die is to watch these beautiful children grow up and live their lives and have a family each and be happy. A simple request many people take for granted because sadly their Dad didn't get to do that.


DAY 16

Someone who inspires you the most


These two ladies ... Ruth and Janine. Every Wednesday these two ladies come over to my house for Art Night. They are both AMAZINGLY talented and they push me to work outside my comfort zones and INSPIRE me to try harder because frankly they are WAY more talented than I am, even if they will pfffttt at that comment!! I love these ladies they rock in ALL kind of amazing ways!!


DAY 17

Someone who's made a huge impact on your life recently.


This beautiful lady is called Nadia. I only knew her from the Trade Me message boards for the longest time and this year finally met her in person. Now I see her every other day it seems! We get along like we have known each other for ever. Neither of us care if each others houses are a mess, or the dishes aren't done, and her kids and Hubby are awesome to boot! I love meeting people you just click with and Nadia is one of those amazing people! Love you chick!!


DAY 18

Someone you admire


Loads of people in the Scrapping world know this Pink haired lady nick-named Pinky. She is out there! She is Bold! She is SUPER Talented! I first came across Pinky on Fiskateers, and became a Face Book friend and followed her blog etc etc. Now the thing that I admire about Pinky is she has had some real awful awful stuff happen to her in her past, and she ain't afraid to talk about it. She scraps, and discusses and talks about what happened and she is totally inspiring in doing so. After Jason died and I got some amazing photo's of his funeral I thought I am going to scrap them, if Pinky can scrap about her stuff I can scrap about mine and I did HERE. She made me realise that craft is a form of dealing with what you are going through and I thank her SO SO much for it!! I admire this woman's guts and bravery. And how she overcome so much to become such an outstanding and positive woman!!

For more 30 Day Photo Project posts go HERE