Good News... aka the continuing laptop saga

Not sure if you are following along at home with the continuing saga of my now dead laptop or not but here is the next installment...

In a nut shell...
My old laptop was diagnosed with a dying video chip which meant I could still use it thought I had to tolerate a screen covered in coloured stripes. That worked in theory until last weekend (a holiday long weekend for us here in New Zealand) when the video chip gave up completely and all I got when I turned my laptop on was a pretty (but nonfunctional) red screen.
Luckily being a long weekend (Labour Weekend) lots of stores had sales on...
Unluckily everyone else thought this was also a good idea...
Luckily when I went to my local Warehouse Stationery shop they still had a pretty good selection of laptops for sale...
Unluckily the one I wanted there was only the display model...
Luckily I still wanted it and the price was too good to miss out so I bought the display model as someone else was also looking at that very laptop...
Unluckily the store clerk said he would have to reset it to factory default...
Luckily I wasn't in that much of a rush so I could come back in an hour to pick up my new laptop as they were so close to my home...

So I picked her up and took her home with intentions of loading up all my software over the remainder of the long weekend so I could be back fully functional early in the week...

Unluckily when they had reset everything, something went array and I couldn't access the internet or any of the other software that the laptop supposedly had on it...
Luckily I had a system disc so I reloaded the operating system...
Unluckily that didn't work...
Luckily I wasn't working the next day so I was able to take my new laptop back to the store and explain what was wrong...
Unluckily they wanted to run some tests and try to solve the problem themselves so I had to go home again empty handed...
Luckily or unluckily depending upon your point of view they couldn't solve the problems so I got a phone call at midday to tell me they were couriering a replacement laptop from another store...
Luckily it arrived and about two hours later I picked up my new new laptop...
Luckily it was untouched, still sealed from the factory...
Luckily everything worked 100% when I plugged it all back in...
Luckily I kept an up-to-date list of software that I used on a regular basis that I needed to download...
Luckily I haven't looked back since I brought it home...

My new baby is nearly up to date. Still a few more programmes to download so I will be fully functional. Then I just need to upload my data from my backups and I will be back up and running at 100% as if nothing had happened.

Phew... it's been a busy couple of days, even though you spend a fair amount of time sitting around staring at the screen while software uploads... but I feel good and positive about moving forward. 

The really good news is that in a day or two I hope to be able to carry on with my blogging as if nothing had ever happened. YAY for blog posts with pictures and maybe video... instead of just me yabbering on.

Watch this space...

Oh Broadband how I miss thee...

It's all darling hubbie's fault I tell you!!!

He plays online war games and has taken to leaving his laptop online all day and all night even while at work or sleeping so that he can keep building his cities and keep building troops and then he has to keep defending them from marauding opposition warrior hubbies who are all using up their wive's broadband as well. All well in theory... but what he still hasn't clicked onto is that even though HE'S not using his laptop, it's still using up our precious broadband allowance.

Hence why we have once again run out...

So I can barely get onto my website or my blog or my forums let alone think about loading up any pictures of any of my creating...

Am I the only one with a hubbie like this??? Please tell me I'm not.

Any way... this is why no posting and definitely no pictures. 
I keep forgetting how grateful I am for broadband until it gets taken away because we've used our monthly allotment and we go back to the dreaded D-I-A-L-U-P S-P-E-E-D... snore-fest ... go make a cup of tea while any page loads up!!! Maybe I need to up our package??

Good news is that instead of trolling the internet I am being creative... bad news I can't share it with you - yet!! But soon. New monthly allowance due sometime today so I will be able to post pictures tonight hopefully.
The other good news is that this is post number 248 on my blog, so I am going to celebrate blog post 250. No more hints as to how I will celebrate you will just have to pop back and check out the blog.

Okay... maybe one more hint... think CANDY!!

Viewer Requests

Up until now, you've just had to put up with what ever it takes my fancy to write about but I'd like to give you the opportunity to determine some of the content... what is it that you would like to see more of, any of or none of in some of my posts?
I follow quite a few blogs on a regular basis. Some are purely craft related - scrap booking, art journals, manufacturers, scrapbook shops, kids crafts etc etc. A few are cooking related - mainly because I am always looking for inspiration because I really don't think I can cook and I would like to be a better cook. And some are totally out there, off-the-topic, wacky and there just because they make me smile, make me think and one or two that make me laugh so much I have tears streaming down my face on a regular basis.
I also look at a lot of blogs that don't appeal to me, aren't my style, don't inspire me and one or two that have just made my cringe... all of these are in the "Not Followed" list of blogs. 
Over the last couple of months I've read a couple of different blogs (sorry can't remember which ones they are but I would give them credit if I could)... with posts about why we follow different blogs and what inspires us to follow blogs.


Why do we follow... or rather why do "I" follow some blogs and not others?

1. There must be something of interest in there for me. Sorry to all the animal lovers out there, but I am not an animal person so I probably won't follow your blog if all you are going to talk about is Fido or Fluffy.
2. There must be something to inspire me. There are a lot of amazing crafters in the world. Some people have a natural talent and are able to create some amazing crafts. I love looking at people who create something different, that I've never seen before. These are the people who challenge me to expand my crafting, who inspire me to step out of the ordinary into the extra-ordinary... these are the people I follow.
3. There must be a variety. I know I have a short attention span. I also know I like a "WOW" factor in things. I like something that grabs my attention. It may be colour, colour combination, style, styling (yes different from style), techniques, photography, products, visual impact or any of a hundred other things that make me stop instead of just flicking past. I also like a mix of projects - cards, layouts, off the page projects rather than different variations of the same thing. 
4. They use the same products or techniques as me, but in different ways to me. And I like looking at the creations of people who have a different style to me. I am very much an experimental artist with a definite lack of formal training, so I learn through looking at what other people create then trying to find a way to recreate that look. I'm a "Reverse Engineer Artist" if that's physically possible. I really enjoy looking at creations where people have used products I know I have in my stash because they let me know I can create that too (or at least an approximation). Whereas if someone only uses products and tools I don't have, then I'm less likely to be inspired and more likely to go "meh - not interested". (Yes I know a bit shallow but such is my fiscal reality)
5. I love step by step techniques and templates. I am a "Freebie Queen". I love freebies, getting something for nothing - refer fiscal reality above. I can't always/usually afford to pay for a class but I can afford to look at tutorials and classes online. I do have an issue with waiting for videos to buffer - I'm so not patient enough, so I prefer tutorials with photos than videos... but hey my preference not necessarily everyone else.

So what do you want to see more of?

• New products and reviews?
• More tutorials?
• More variety?
• More creations?
• More pictures less chat? No chat?
• More links to great website? Blogs?

Have your say...

MOJO Update

Blog Post Time...


I think I may finally have found some of my MOJO. I'm not saying I don't still have a long way to go to get that fully inspired, pumping out the layouts, don't stop me I'm creating vibe but I'm definitely feeling closer to it than I was around the time of my last post.
What has brought this on I hear you ask (but tough if you didn't ask as you are about to hear)... a number of people and things... some good, some not so good but all worth sharing.

1. The Six Week Beginner Scrapbooking Course I am running that starts this coming weekend. It still needs a really cool name, so any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Sharing my passion for scrapping always inspires me.
2. My wonderful, thoughtful and always inspirational friend Gypsy (who's own blog can be found here) who so generously sent me a huge packet of MOJO and inspiration after having read my last post. Lots of amazing ideas to make my own, especially for my upcoming Christmas Craft Challenge.
3. I've discovered a very cool group of inspirational scrapbookers and crafters who I have joined the ranks of at Scraps of Darkness. This group won't be everyone's cup of tea or vial of poison but if you are interested in exploring the dark side of your scrapping and crafting then head along and join in. Let them know that I sent you (ScrapFX) and that way we both get a little something extra by way of referral rewards.
4. The warm weather, bright sunshine, extra vitamin D and the knowledge that Summer is just around the corner. Even though I'm not a fan of the extra heat... I'd rather be colder than hotter... there is still something invigorating about Summer.
5. The New Zealand national rugby team, the All Blacks, winning the Rugby World Cup for 2011 and being the world champs for the next four years. Being in the company of greatness will always inspire and encourage you to go the extra mile yourself.
6. Having a heart to heart, no holds barred, tears and tantrums (okay no tantrums but lots of tears) with someone who understands, appreciates, sympathises and encourages you. Who offers an ear to listen, a shoulder to cry on, a hand to hold and a foot to boot you up the butt when you have wallowed in self-pity for long enough. Thank you, you know who you are.
7. Discovering a new addiction... Pinterest. This is like a world-wide pin board of really cool people sharing all the really cool things that inspire them with lots of really cool people looking to be inspired. You have to be invited to join Pinterest, but if this takes your fancy, then let me know and I can send you an invite.
8. Having a deep and meaningful conversation with myself during which I started to acknowledge some truths, dispelled some myths, created some new beliefs and admitted to myself that I am not now, nor do I ever have to be perfect, nor always right, nor always wrong and I definitely don't have to deal with day to day (insert whatever descriptive words you like) "stuff" alone - that's what I have a darling husband, a supportive family and encouraging and at times painfully honest friends for.

I didn't get as much creating done as I wanted over the long weekend, but this is what I did come up with. This collection of creations is very much like the person that I am. A myriad of extremes and contradictions from the bright and simple to the dark and mysterious. It's no wonder I still can't define my scrapping style... maybe my style is just beyond definition!

Sorry quality isn't the best as the lighting here is shocking. 

Not sure if I need to add something else other than the title to the Butterfly layout. Just thought it was too cute not to add. I really love the way the feathers turned out as a frame for the main photo.

This is the third picture in a series for my mother's surprise 60th birthday party. This time the photos of the cake are both intentionally blurred and softened, though again the photo quality doesn't do them justice but I have a solution... I just need to try it so watch this space. I love the effect of the layered stamping on this layout though of course it looks better in real life. Maybe I need to ask Santa for a new camera for Christmas!!!

Christmas Craft Challenge - We Want You

Many fellow scrapbookers and crafters not only create their hands on crafting but they also create some digi-crafting by way of writing and posting to a blog.
For some it is a means of showing off their creations to the world, even if their world is only viewed by the 10 or 11 people who follow their blog... (read me). For others their blog is followed religiously by hundreds if not thousands of crafters who dote on every word, marvel at every creations and aspire to be just as talented and creative (ok even 1/10 as creative) as their inspiration... (read Tim Holtz, Ali Edwards, Laura Denison, Becky Fleck... we all have our favourites...). And of course there are the amazingly creative people who fit some where between these two extremes.
No matter which end of the spectrum you fit, or even if you admire all these bloggers but don't actually have your own blog, we all love to see each others creations. 
We love to see new tools and products and drool about having them in our own stash. We love to learn new techniques and be reminded of old techniques refreshed with a new twist. We love to see what our fellow crafters can create so that we can soak up some of their inspiration and scraplift from them and create our own versions or something completely new and different.
There is something about Christmas time that really seems to inspire crafters. I'm not sure if it is the impending cold Winter season in the Northern Hemisphere or the promised refreshing and energising effects of Summer for the Southern Hemisphere or maybe its just the spirit of the season and the joy of giving and receiving gifts. To be honest - who cares why - we all just love that it happens. Christmas just inspires creativity.
This year will be my third annual Christmas Craft Challenge. This is a challenge I issue myself to inspire and encourage my mojo and creativity; and this year I am putting it out into the world in the hopes of some kind of a  response (other than the echo of my own voice).
I challenge all the crafters of the world to join in sharing your creativity this Christmas.
So what are the guidelines... (rules sounds so formal and stuffy)

1. Your creations/crafting must somehow be Christmas related (though that is intentionally broad in its scope - for instance in the past I have included the next year's altered diary and calendar);
2. Your creations/crafting must be something you have created yourself, though they don't necessarily have to be new creations. If you want to share previous creations by all means, please do. It also doesn't matter if your creation is re-purposed, from a kit or created from scratch as long as you did it and you are not trying to take credit for someone else's creation. If you receive an item as a gift, that's OK, but please share the gift giver with us as well.
3. Your creations/crafting can include craft related presents/gifts you give or receive as Secret Santa Swaps or other presents - as long as there is a craft element to it (I will be posting my Secret Santa Swap)
4. You can post as many times and as often as you like during the Challenge Period (1st - 24th December) or as little/few times.
5. Your creation must be posted in a blog... otherwise how can you share it with everyone else?
6. If you are joining in the challenge whether you post once or 100 times, I would really love to know about it, so I can post a link in my blog.

That's it!

You have until 30th November to let me know you are joining in the challenge (or even just following along). Just send me your name and a link to your blog and I will add your details to the list to be posted on 1st December this year.

If you would like ideas about craft items to create, you can check out some of my previous creations in my archive or just google for millions of ideas.

There are no restrictions as to type of craft but here are some ideas...

• Papercraft
• Scrapbooking
• Card Making
• Off the Page
• Altered Items
• Mixed-Media Creations
• Hybrid Scrapbooking/Crafting
• Digital Scrapbooking/Crafting
• Baking
• Sewing
• Advent Calendars
• Gifts
• Gift Wrapping
• Gift Tags
• Swaps
• ATC's
• Ornaments
• Decorations
• Banners
• Table Displays
• Wreaths
• Floral Arrangements
• Christmas Organisation Tools
• and I'm sure you can think of many, many more.

Changes to the Blog

I've been contemplating things over the past week or so. Things about my blog, work, my business and I've decided there need to be some changes.
I love the new format of the blog but its just missing something though I'm not sure what. I will keep posting blogs in the current format over the next few weeks but you will start to notice some changes.
If you have any suggestions, then by all means please share. But for now... just watch this space.
I do have one announcement though. From Friday 1st April - yes April Fools Day - I will be holding Friday night Crops at the studio. They will be held every second Friday night. Only $5.00 which gives you access to all the tools I have at the studio except for the Klic-N-Kut.
If you have any requests or suggestions or you just want to know more about the Friday crops then leave a message here or mail me at paula@scrapfx.co.nz and I can respond directly to you.
I will be announcing some Project Classes and all day crops over some upcoming long weekends so watch out for more on these as well. If you know anyone in South Auckland looking for somewhere to do some uninterrupted scrapbooking, card making or crafting then I would love to meet them.
Whether you are new to scrapbooking or card making or an experienced crafter, then be sure to follow my blog for more announcements over the coming weeks.

Blog

Sorry no blog today as this morning was my step-children's grandfather's funeral.


We hadn't been home long from that when I received a phone call from my sister to say that my home town of Christchurch had been hit by another powerful earthquake, but that our parents, who still live there, were OK.


I spent the afternoon and evening watching the news.


I should be back on board tomorrow night with another new blog though.


Thank you.

Missing Blogs

I have a really good excuse honest...


Thursday night I sorted and packed to go to crop on Friday night. I haven't been for so long so it took a wee bit to get organised... I'm out of practice.
Tried to print some photos to find my printer still won't print 4x6 pages - it just won't pick up the paper - anyone got any suggestions on what to try??


Friday night - I went to crop straight from work and wasn't home until after midnight. I did make some progress on an Off-The-Page project you will see later this week and some layouts including an un-finished one which has been sitting around for a couple of years. Still a bit to go on it but at least I made progress.


Saturday was just spent scrapping as well as some family time. I also spent some time cleaning my studio - which it was in major need of doing. Still a lot to be done but at least I made progress and did well and truly more than my daily allowance of 15 minutes de-cluttering... though as I haven't done any for a few weeks I'm probably still behind in my rations.


Sunday - sleep in though not that long considering the late night (early this morning) when I went to bed. I managed to finished 2 layouts which you will see over the next two weeks. I also did some de-cluttering in my bedroom and sorted out the washing from yesterday so maybe I am back ahead again now... JUST!!! Major achievement was finishing my OTP project which is great as it is hubbie's Valentine's present, well one of them. Don't tell him, but I'm sending him flowers as well... TO WORK!!! I will post a pic of the flowers tomorrow after we get back from dinner.

Off-The-Page "2011 Diary"

I loved what I did last year so much that I just knew I had to personalise this year's diary as well. Look out next year!!!
This year I was a little wiser and took something with me that had the hole widths & sizes that my Bind-It-All cuts, so that I could look for a diary that already had the holes cut to the same size and dimension (a lesson from last year). I could only get a page per day diary so hence its a bit on the "chubby" side but that means more room for sketches & ideas.

I removed the flimsy plastic covers and replaced them with board book covers with I decorated with patterned paper, inside & out. I punched holes to align with the existing holes using my Bind-It-All.
I also add some month dividers like last year, but this time instead of adding pockets to them (which I hardy used last year) the dividers are actually doing TRIPLE duty.

• First, as dividers so I know when each month begins & ends

• Secondly, as a monthly planner for my blog, so I can keep on top of what blogs I'm doing when & what pre-planning & preparation I need to do before posting

• And finally the back of each divider is printed with the list of important dates, such as birthdays, anniversaries etc, so I know when & who I need to create a card for. There is plenty of space for adding extra birthdays so if you want a card you had better make sure I know when your birthday is!!

The printing was a bit haphazard this year which disappointed me, but then my printer is playing up. I just hope I don't have to think about replacing it as up until now it was a terrific printer. Given that I am the only one who will be looking at it, I was happy to use the pages as they printed, they were still usable if the printing was a little skewed. Anyway, I did photograph some of the better pages, so you can see how it all looks.

Blogs

I haven't forgotten my promise or my plans for the blog... honest.


It's just I have some temping work on at the moment in the CBD and unfortunately this full-time working caper is not leaving me much time for crafting. Luckily the work for the end of the financial year is nearly completed, so hopefully I can reduce my hours and get back to crafting.


The good thing about all the travelling (it took me 45 minutes to get from the Downtown car park up the length of Hobson Street to the motorway on-ramp, and another 45 minutes to get home tonight) is that it gives me plenty of time to think about and plan some upcoming blogs and sketch some layouts & cards.


I have some great ideas about techniques... and you should see the cool cards I've designed... and all the layouts I have in mind... and all the really cool off the page projects... I am just going to be so busy creating all these great things to share with you.


Watch this space I have a busy weekend planned creating the samples and designs for the first few blogs...


Oh and if you are interested in joining in a circle journal send me an email to paula@scrapfx.co.nz and I can send you some information. Sign-ups are by 22nd January and numbers are strictly limited. First in, first served.

2011 - Changes to the Blog

The end of 2010 has seen a huge turn-around for me personally. I finally secured some temping work, after 18 months of being unemployed, so all my plans for my second year of a Christmas Challenge went out the window. (I interviewed one day and started work in the CBD the next day having to contend not only with suddenly working a full day, but also having to travel up to an hour or so each way as well.) 
All the travelling has given me time to think about where I wanted my crafting and my blog to go. 

• Did I still want to keep crafting? - an emphatic YES
• Did I still want to keep blogging? - a slightly less enthusiastic yes, given I feel like I am doing this purely for myself. The lack of comments and feedback is discouraging as it seems people will only comment if there is something in it for them... like a freebie or give away.
• Do I want to continue crafting and blogging in the same manner and format that I have done in the past and in particular during this past 18 months? - an emphatic NO

I'm still thinking about the changes I want to make to how & why & where & what I craft... so more on that later, but I have at least come up with a plan for my blogging. It's going to be pretty intense - daily blogging (no pressure Paula) but hopefully I can organise and prepare in advance enough so that I can reduce as much unnecessary pressure as possible.

So what is the mysterious big plan for 2011...

MONDAY's blog's a TECHNIQUE CLASS;

TUESDAY's CARDS are really fast;

WEDNESDAY'S blogs are OFF THE PAGE;

THURSDAY's LAYOUTS are my fav's;

FRIDAY's got PHOTOS all galore;

SATURDAY is things NOT FROM a STORE;

And SUNDAY's blog is all the rest,

From the very WORST to the very BEST.

There will be some one-off items which are blogged from start to finish in a 5 minute read as well as some on-going projects which may take the whole year (or more) to complete so you will get regular updates on the progress I've made. As well as paper based crafts, I may also try to sneak in some other crafts to show off my versatility.

And maybe, just maybe (no promises on this one)... there could be a freebie or two along the way.

New Blog

Just a quick note to let you know I now have a second blog dedicated to the ups, downs, ins and outs of my life on the edge. 

This blog will now be dedicated to my creative pursuits. 

Thank you so much for the suggestion Carrie.

Will post some of my creativity later today... its just been such a busy weekend!

Bathurst & other Sunday pursuits

It's Sunday 2.40 in the afternoon. The sun is shining outside, glorious in all it's splendour after a few days of hiding behind clouds and rain. And instead of being outside enjoying it... maybe doing some of that gardening I keep promising myself I am going to do (thanks for the inspiration ladies) but instead I am inside parked infront of the TV watching Bathurst.


This may sound a little strange given I am such a girlie girl, but I am a die-hard petrol head and lead foot from way back. I went on my first rally when my mother was six-weeks pregnant with me, so I guess you could say it's in the blood.


I'm multi-tasking. (Thought I should explain that given I said I'm typing this yet said I was watching Bathurst). As much as I love watching Bathurst, I still find I need to be doing something with my hands otherwise I start to get all fidgety. So I am.... watching Bathurst, writing my blog, chatting online to a very dear friend, checking my Facebook page, collecting my Farmtown gifts from my Facebook page (it's been a while), enjoying a nice cold slightly alcoholic drink and contemplating making some more jewellery. (I made my first bracelet last night.)


I'm also looking slightly guiltily at something I need to get sent through to a friend. I promise to get it done later today. Will not go to sleep until its done.

So anyway here is a picture of the bracelet that I made yesterday. It's the first I have made so may be a bit of over-kill but I think its lovely and perfect for a Pacific Christmas... which is getting far too close too fast. I can't believe we are nearly half way through October already. Where has the year gone???