Have I got my cousin hooked on GIMP yet?

I wonder if I have Conny hooked yet. Got an email from her during the week wanting some help, so I pointed her to this site http://www.scrapbooksgonedigital.com/TUTORIALS/. This hopefully will have everything to get her started. Remember Conny, start with the basics and make small baby steps. I remember using this site in the past when I first started out with my GIMP, and it sure helps having those step by step instructions & videos.
It has been cold weather this weekend, so a good excuse to get more pages finished. These being from Colin's 9th birthday in 2005. I don't participate in Halloween as not a New Zealand tradition, but since Colin celebrates his birthday in October it sure was a good excuse to have a theme party and Colin's mates still remember the fun times had.

Credits LO1: Crazy Garden Alpha by babs, Template by Simply Yin, paper from Macabre kit by Jan Crowley at www.oscraps.com

Credits LO2: Scrap Orchard So You Think You Can Design week 3 template by Janel Scraps, paper from Macabre kit by Jan Crowley at www.oscraps.com

Bad blogger...

Can't believe it's the 20th of the month and this is only my 2nd entry for the month. Turns out I have slowed down in both blogging and digiscrapping, just slowed down not stopped thank goodness.
I happen to look at my squash grading list and I was briefly a D1, my highest grade. Unfortunately had a few losses so am back down in D2, hopefully this will give me the kick up the bum to try harder and get back to D1. Am standing down tomorrow, so will have to wait till next week to get my chance to another win hopefully!
Laura left for Melbourne last weekend and I visited Mum on Sunday and gave her a piano lesson.. She was very excited with me bringing my old piano music around and she pick a new piece to learn for herself. Looks like her piano practice is helping keeping her fingers supple and the Arthritis at bay.

credits LO1: Brown background paper from Grateful4U kit at DST, Papers, flowers, buttons, tag from Tout Simplement kit by Fran at imaginebyfran.blogspot.com, Frame by Katie Pertiet at DesignerDigitals.com, WordStrips by Nicole Seitler at SugarplumPaperie.com

credits LO2: Template - by moriginals.blogspot.com, Journal paper & flowers by imaginebyfran.blogspot.com, Papers & WordArt from Circle Combination kit by CentaniDesigns, Jessica Sprague July title/doodle

Hallo Nederland, ik ben Colin

How nice it was talking to my Aunt and Uncle on the phone at my Mum's place yesterday. They too were catching up with her after her eye operation on Friday. All is well, just a slight blood shot eye, but other than that she is seeing better than ever. Have emailed 2 of my cousins now with my contact and blog details so hopefully you guys will visit this blog lots in future to keep up with our happenings.
About time an up to date layout of Colin is posted as I have been very busy focusing on older photos going as far back to when he was still a baby. Yes he is growing up fast, getting more and more independent, even challenging Brian and I from time to time in a cheeky sort of a way. All good though. School is going great for him, he started a private boys school at the start of the year and is thriving. As with all secondary schools here in Wellington, we forked out a bit of money for a new uniform, hopefully we bought it a bit roomy and he isn't going to grow out of it too soon. His first parent teacher interviews went great. Both Gordon and I attended and all teachers were full of praise of him. He is doing very well in French, helps if his Mum can test him on his French vocabulary. I think I will struggle when he picks up Japanese in the middle of the year as I can't pronounce or read Japanese, hehe ;)

Credits: papers from Grateful4U kit from DST, based on a template from pagemaps.com

On a Roll

Been having a ball with Fryske's Friendly Creepy Crawlies kit as you can see. These bugs so 'cute up' these photos of young Colin age 1 in the back garden of his 1st family home. I have no idea how I got him to pose then or what he was pointing at, just such a cutie!
Took Colin to an orthodontist in town yesterday to have a consultation done to see if he is a candidate yet for braces. The answer yes he is, but not until the remaining 7 milk teeth have dropped out and changed for adult teeth. Looks like a bit more of a wait, as long as 12-18 months. Guess that means that Nanny has a bit more time to save for them.

Credits: Green Background paper created by twoboyz00, Scallop Borders template Freebie by Line Prado Creations at at lineprado.blogspot.com, Papers, bugs, grass & sun from Fryske's Friendly Creepy Crawlies kit all by Fryske's Digiscrap Design available at http://digiscrapwarehouse.com/xcart/manufacturers.php?manufacturerid=6 and http://fryske.scrapdigistyle.com/shoppe/

Something Old, something New

Photos used that is! The first LO is for Fryske's April Template challenge where you have to use flowers from at least 3 different kits. I found this a bit of a challenge as I now feel that the layout has turned out a bit more pink than was my intention. Never mind... The 2nd is my favourite at the moment, finally a page with me in it for a change. Photo taken at Mum's 65th birthday dinner at one of Wellington's top restaurants Logan Brown. Invitation said to dress formal, so was a good opportunity to wear my wedding dress, now shortened, for dinner. Photos turned out beautiful, thanks Colin. I tried to copy Mum's flowers on her dress, digi scrapping style, using a number of papers from the DSB Avril kit at http://digiscrapbook.blogspot.com/

Credits LO1: Created using Fryske's April Template available at http://fryskesdigiscraps.blogspot.com
Green dotted background paper from 2peas "It's in the air"
Circle papers created using Grateful4U kit at DST, Oct 06 Newsletter Freebie: Spring/Autumn Circles Created by ©2006 Tina Chambers at http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/, Spring Tulip by Olivia Dorazio, Flowers, Love Actually Kit by Flergs, paper from Avril kit at at http://digiscrapbook.blogspot.com/, Love Actually flower by Franziska Altmann, Kim's Flowers, Created by Kim Liddiard, Jennifer Layden flower of Jennilyn Designs, Amy Teet's Sunporch flower, Avril DSB flowers at http://digiscrapbook.blogspot.com/

Credits LO2: Background paper & Rose leaves : Gratefull4U kit at DST, FrameBrush : Lori Barnhurst at LittleDreamerDesigns.com, Roses created by me using papers from DSB Avril kit at http://digiscrapbook.blogspot.com/ and stitches from Natali available at scrapwithnatali.blogspot.com/, Birthday Word Tags : by FabellaDesigns at http://fabella71.blogspot.com/

Old photos finally GIMPed (scrapped)

Well it's school holiday time and Colin is enjoying his first week of so far, having just stayed with Morgan both Monday and Tuesday. I suspect tomorrow will be boring for him as he's staying home with Brian or me at work if Brian needs to go out for part of the day, we'll see.
Thought it would be nice to scrap these old photos of both Colin and Morgan (while we are on the school theme) and send the result on to Diane. I don't think our boys have changed much other than sprouting a bit more height, hehe.
Will have to show Colin this one tomorrow as he hasn't seen it as yet either. Must remember to print this one of and stick it in Mum's album along side Colin's First day of school page as the background papers are the same and match a theme ;)

Credits: Round tag - DSB-Avril-kit, 2peas It's-in-the-Air-Alpha, Fryske Friendly-Creepy-Crawlies-Alpha, Friendly Creepy Crawlies kit available at
http://digiscrapwarehouse.com/xcart/manufacturers.php?manufacturerid=6,
Background paper - LittleDreamerDesign-ScrapAMoment kit, Katie Pertiet_DirtyFrame, Grateful4U star tags, 2peas Squish font

Like mother, like son?

I have had fun looking through old family photo albums I borrowed from my Mum's and came across this photo of me age 11, the same age my Colin is now. I have been itching to scrap it so had some time tonight when Brian is at Northern Squash club. I'm pleased the way it turned out now, just couldn't quite get the same pose out of Colin, but heh , you know what kids are like when they get a camera pushed in their faces.... Anyway, you think we look a like???

credits: Template 18 by Fanette @ http://ledigiscrapdefanette.blogspot.com, "It's in the Air" kit by Kate Teague @ twopeasinabucket.com, Carton Alpha by Nani @ http://cheznaninette.blogspot.com and Marydale font

Colin Christmas album pages

Have also included these two Christmas pages for Mum's album.
Colin posing with Corey under our real Christmas tree and Colin on Christmas morning trying out his Astroflyers. A sort of cross between strap-on springy stilts. Didn't take him long to get the hang of these at all...
Try out this template by Fryske, I think this is my favourite so far that I have tried of hers. Certainly very versatile.

Credits: QP-wildflowerholiday-kenna2 from http://weedsandwildflowersdesign.typepad.com/the_meadow/

Template, Fryske's TC3 available at http://fryskesdigiscraps.blogspot.com

After Midnight kit by Miss Mint at peppermintcreative.com Recoloured Journal label from ThatsAmore kit by Cinzia Loosemore at DigiChick 2007 Date lable by Misty Cato Designs Handstamped Alpha by Michelle Coleman at LittleDreamerDesigns.com

For you Nanny, with love Colin

These two pages happened to sit side by side in Mum's album and use the same background paper.

Credits: background paper & leaf flourish Love Actually kit by Franziska Altmann - Tabrizia,
Carton Alpha by Nanine http://cheznaninette.blogspot.com/,
Grateful4U kit available at DST

More album pages

These are the last of the older baby pages I have included in Mum's album. The photos are before I had a digital camera so they are scanned from original photos I still have. I'm quite pleased how these pages have turned out, even printed of in 8x8 inch size the quality was amazing.

Credits: Quick Page by LLIELLA Designs,
Mrs Wresh template and Commotion on the ocean add on kit by Danielle Engebretson,
“Reverie kit by Gina Huff at www.weedsandwildflowersdesign.com,

VRA_SS_Paper_EyeletEdges_Special template from www.scrapgirls.com, SistersJoy paper from Kimb's designs, nwhiteley_photoborder photoborder”,

Happy Birthday Mum

It's been a while since I last blogged to post my layouts, only because I have been busy off line creating pages for Mum's big birthday last week for an album I wanted to give her. We all went out to Logan Brown for a wonderful meal and all put our glad rags on, and I got to wear my wedding dress again since our big day. There were plenty of cameras about so plenty of photo opportunities I hope to scrap soon. Anyway here are the first 2 pages of Mum's album.

Credits: Background paper,flowers from Grateful4U kit available at DST, Paper tearing from ScrapBits 'n Pieces by Fryske's Digiscrap Design available at http://fryske.scrapdigistyle.com/shoppe/, Flower stitching stems from Love Actually by Flergs, Straight stitching from Natali available at scrapwithnatali.blogspot.com/

Happy Easter...

Hope you had a wonderful Easter. Brian & I came home from a one night camping trip with friends on Saturday in Kaitoke regional park. Bit of a novelty as it was a 1st experience for me ever. Not complaining as we slept fantastic on a futon matres in the back of Brian's van, hehe.

Anyway just a short post to show of some recent pages.

credits:Background papers, paper strips, stitches, flower, glitter circle, journaling tag from Sunkissed kit, circle paper from Sunkissed CD cover/bragbook clusters, birds from Simply Birds all by Fryske's Digiscrap Design available at http://fryske.­scrapdigistyle.com/­shoppe/­, based on Dec06maps at www.pagemaps.com,­Chipboard Alphas unknown,Sequence from JoyFreebie by ksharonkdesigns,­Fonts - CK Cosmopolitan & CK Cursive

credits:Papers and elements from Grateful4U kit at DigiShopTalk.com,­WordArt,­ Hot Summer fun created by Tina Chambers at digitalscrapbookplace­.com,Based on Jan08PageMaps at http://www.pagemaps.com/,­Scallop Borders template Freebie by Line Prado Creations at lineprado.blogspot.­com,Fonts - CK Cosmopolitan

I'm a guest for Fryske's CT

How cool is this, I'm a guest on Fryske's CT (Creative Team) at ScrapDigiStyle.com, so totally unexpected! I participated in a template challenge on her blog Fryske's Digiscrap Design (here http://www.fryskesdigiscraps.blogspot.com/). She commented about how she liked the way I used the layout and asked if I would like to be a guest. I was totally floored as you can imagine, but it didn't take me too long to decide that I would like to give it a go. So here are the 2 layouts I have done so far and it sure has been fun...

credits:
Antique Love kit, papers and elements by Fryske's DigiScrap Design, available at Fryske's ScrapDigiStyle and
DigiScrapWarehouse,
Tearing using ScrapBits 'n Pieces by Fryske's DigiScrap Design too.
Green patterned paper, Run Kit by DigiTreats at http://digitreats.typepad.com/
Clear Gel stickers, my own design
LOVE WordArt, Lots of Love kit by InkedEdges at www.inkededges.com

Happy Valentine's Day Brian

Surprised my husband with a card and chocolates today, he wasn't expecting anything. I so liked the wording on the card (so did Brian) that I wanted to scrap it and here is the result. Am rather pleased with the result, especially how the faded/blended photo of Brian worked out.
We both worked today as normal but had a chance to unwind at our club's first social Thursday squash night. Still too hot here to run around, so hopefully it will cool down a bit more when interclub starts up again mid next month.

Credits : PageMaps July 2006 template ,
Papers, flower and border from Franziska Love Actually kit @ http://digitalscrapbookgrapixs.blogspot.com/,
Happy Valentine sticker from Flergs Love Actually kit @ http://flergsblog.blogspot.com/ ,

Gimp 'ed another layout

Seem to be on a bit of a roll with these Varekai layouts, but they do bring back such happy memories.
Will probably take a break from these for now.

Credits: Template by Fryske at http://fryskesdigiscraps.blogspot.com ,
After MidNight paper at PeppermintCreative.com ,
Varekai dvd image downloaded from the internet

New Varekai digiscrap layout

Just a quick layout post as it's Sat morning here NZ time. It was a short week at work for me as I was home the first 3 days of the week trying to get more home projects done. Partially successful I must say, but never mind. The fence looks great with a new coat of green stain and the fence cap has now also been painted a nice contrast brown.

In the mean time I managed to create this layout using a Shandy Vogt Twirly Template freebie.

Credits: Template by Shandy Vogt at http://digitizedcreations.blogspot.com/ , After MidNight paper at http://www.peppermintcreative.com/ ,Varekai image from e-postcard at www.cirquedusoleil.com/

First day jitters

Truth be told, I think I was more nervous than Colin... The new year 7s were formally welcomed in the newly completed auditorium after they all got their picture taken in front of their house flags. Colin's house is Rutherford which is also the principals' house, so a really good and competitive one.
Only the year 7's and 13's started today, with the whole school starting back on Tuesday 5th February.
When picking up Colin later in the day, you could tell that he thoroughly enjoyed his first day as excitement was written all over his face. And to top it off, Colin's old friend Archie from Silverstream school who had gone back to the UK these last 2 years, is now also attending HIBS.
Things are just getting better and better, bring it on.

NZ summer holiday coming to an end

Well, it's Colin's last day of his school holiday before starting HIBS on Monday 4th Feb. We now know his class is 7B, and he's very much looking forward to starting there. The uniform was bought last year, and as of yesterday the last of the stationery items were purchased too. Looks like the new year 7 boys will be kept busy with sports and a few classes with guidance from the year 13's.

Digiscrapping using GIMP 2.4

I've been digiscrapping only since August 2007 and started using GIMP since mid September when wanting to use a free image manipulating software. So far GIMP has come up trumps, with each new layout I'm learning more and more about it with the endless amount of tutorials available on the web. This latest layout was aided with a Photoshop Friday tutorial by Jessica Sprague to create the butter-fly overlay from a different coloured butterfly patterned paper by Shauna Burke-Smith at http://www.pineappleplantation.blogspot.com/. The end result, I was able to create this in GIMP by adapting the original tut. New things just learned have been to create text along a path, see curved text and the blue border (stroke selection) on the journaled tag.

Credits: paper created by petit moineaux at http://petitmoineaux.blogspot.com ,overlay created from Butterfly Garden paper created by Shauna Burke-Smith at www.PineapplePlantation.blogspot.com ,tag created from Scrap Girls freebie Naturescape Paper Special BlossomBlue ,layout created using the Gimp with help from Jessica Sprague's Photoshop Friday tutorial on creating an overlay from patterned paper.

A productive January

Well, we made great progress in Colin's room. He now has a new sound proof wall between our bedroom and his one. Brian has build a false wall, as a result we can now crank up the tv and home theatre system in our bedroom and Colin no longer complains about the noise! Our friend Neil came around on the weekend and wallpapered the new wall with Colin's pic of retro design and I must say he picked very well. His room is now set up now for the up and coming teenage years with a new glass top L-shaped desk and king single bed. We are all very happy with the end result.

Credits: Digitreats Run papers available at http://digitreats.typepad.com/, layout my own design based on idea from Jessica Sprague.

Jet Ski Fun on New Year's day

What a cool way to spend New Year's day on the water with the Gee's, Jamieson's & McCarty's. Barry supplied the power toy and fun in the form of biskit and knee board. With the food and drink supplied by all of us what we didn't manage to polish of the night before. The day was hot with no wind when we all met up at Pauatahanui jet boat inlet mid afternoon. We have loading up the van down to a fine art, that includes Sam's sea kayak and our little 3 burner bbq. Which Brian cooks our meat and sausages on, yum yum! Colin, Connor & Cameron now all knee board and even Lynn & I managed to get up, though mine took 4 attempts! The fun continued till 8pm ish when we all headed back home.

Credits: Multi frame template by Yin Designs at GDS

Happy New Year to you all...

Welcome to 2008, hope you all celebrated in style. We had a poolside bbq at Barry's who ordered the weather spot on again as per usual. The kids were in and out of the pool amuzing themselves, while the adults relaxed with continual grazing nibbles & drinks. The new year went off with kids jumping in the pool again on midnight and a small neighbourhood display of fireworks...

Credits : Quick Page Deacon's Closet by FlergsMissMint, AfterMidnight sticker & stamp by PeppermintCreative.com

4th Day of Christmas

Brian & I went to Colin's Year 6 leavers assembly at school last night were all the kids got their leaving certificate from Silverstream school. The evening was very festive with songs, dancing and musical numbers performed by the kids. Colin admitted he got a bit emotional realizing that he will go into unfamiliar territory next year at HIBS. Poor lad, but than again he is so looking forward to his new school too. Have made a mental note to take a photo of Colin outside the school on his last day.

credits: QP-wildflowerholiday-Petra2 from www.weedsandwildflowersdesign.typepad.com/the meadow

3rd Day of Christmas

It's just after mid-day Sunday here after an impromptu neighbourhood pre-Christmas get together last night. Numerous bottles of red wine were consumed, have lost track of numbers. A late 4am bed time, needless to say no early risers this morning. In fact looks like all is quiet here with peoples having taken themselves back to bed, apart from me!

My latest page is up, don't these two look cute. Little funny, Corey has taken a liking to the Christmas tree bowl/stand. I have caught him a few times licking the water out of it!

Credits: QP-wildflowerholiday-kenna2 from http://weedsandwildflowersdesign.typepad.com/the_meadow/

2nd Day of Christmas

Just love making these scrap pages at the moment with the freebies that are around. Just seems so strange to use our summer Christmas photos on winter layout pages. So felt the need to dig up some of our winter ski photos to use instead. We had a ball skiing the first time as a family. Colin had been once before as a 5 year old and wasn't skiing then. Well, this time round it took him one short half hour lesson, and he was away. He was keeping up with Brian & I no problems and even doing a few tricks. Kids!

Credits: 2nd day QP wildflower holiday at http://www.weedsandwildflowersdesign.com/