It happened suddenly...

... the R&R that is!

So rather than short spurts of blogging, I just took the gap!

Enjoying the last few days before Christmas, catching up on this, that and the other.
The "this" my Christmas Journal.
The "that" my Girlfriends' Getaway.
The "other" my... well... that's what's coming soon ----------->


blessings to you and yours this Christmas.
{L}

All a glitter...

As soon as the image arrived in my inbox, I knew I just had to have one, which would mean making one.

And so I did!

My tree and decorations are an unconventional pink and green with a little touch of blue this year.

Instead of buttons for the poinsettia middles, I pulled out my never-used stash of 3-D gluedots and sprinkled pink and green glitter onto them and then stuck them onto the paper flowers.

The base is a large round polystyrene circle and I ended up needing 45 flowers to fill it.

You can find the original tutorial here.

 And today.... I'll be spending all a glitter! The stuff sticks to everything!

Wise words of Joy...

On with the dance!

Let joy be unconfined.

~ George Gordon, Lord Byron

If you’ve had the privilege of tasting a Sprinkles Cupcake, then you know what joy that is!

And because I *love* them so much and because they are not available in SA :(  my friend Amy T brought me Sprinkles Cupcake Mix. While mine are not iced to absolute perfection, they DID indeed taste absolutely perfect!

here's another Sprinkles post!

Girlfriends' Getaway 2010

Such excitement for me.... bookings for this exclusive event are now open! 

Space is very limited for this event, and GG 2009 was a hit. Check here for details of this year's past event and then hurry!!

New week...

A busy Monday here. Oh, and a new announcement tomorrow...

With heartfelt thanks

December being a time for giving and receiving, showing gratitude and appreciation, I'd like to take a moment to say a very big thank you to all who supported Live, Scrap, Play! at the Polka Dot Party in October.

Extra special thanks to Audrey and Sarah from The Scrapping Studio for hosting my event, and to my friend Amy Totty for bringing her fabulous ideas all the way to South Africa.

Thank you ladies (and gent) for joinging us at the Party and bringing along all the craft goodies, fabrics, felt and beads donated to The Heartfelt Project. The ladies were so excited to unpack the boxes and all send their heartfelt thanks too.

You can follow news on the Heartfelt blog where Julie shares daily news and check out the fabulous products on the website. (Mmm...great ideas for Christmas gifts and stocking fillers).

And because it's also Wednesday today, here are some (heartfelt) wise words for all of my friends:

Thank you to all the people in the world

who are always ten percent kinder
than they need to be.

~ HELEN EXLEY

It's here!!!

December!

Wow, just wow! I can't believe that it's Christmas time.  Right now I am busy putting up my tree, reminiscing about this time last year and how 'expectant' I was for this Christmas, our first as a little family. And my goodness, how much has happened in between the 1st 2008 and today, the 1st 2009.

I've signed up for Shimelle's Journal your Christmas, I'm incorporating it into my December Daily ala Ali, and I'm playing along with Stephanie as we Remember December.

My to-list grows daily, but as always I will endeavor to get it all done (that and some much needed sleep) on time! December is my R&R time too, and so as much as I'd love to post my pictures and progress every day, it's just not going to happen! It seldom happens much during the year :)

I do have some fun stuff happening amongst everything else.

Check out The Scrapping Studio for details of their December Studio Kit which I designed with their selection of Kaiser Craft papers and other goodies.

There's a little something from me in the kit, and it's a little something that will become another something in the new year. So watch out for little somethings.

Events, events will be happening too, news about these will come through for the new year so you can get your planning done and wish lists added to Christmas gift ideas.

If you'd like to get some scrapbooking done I have the prefect idea but it's a very limited once-off offer!

There are a few kits available from the Polka Dot Party. These DOUBLE page layouts designed by Amy Totty and taught at the event in October. There are 4 different layouts, everything is precut for you and includes all the embellishments. It comes with an easy-to-follow picture of the layout, but no step-by-step instructions.

Be Bold Kit  Today Kit

 Life's Grand Kit

                    Happiness Kit

If you are interested, please email me ASAP. The kits are R135- each or R400- for all 4 kits + R15 for postage. There are only a few available so hurry, hurry!
All sold out!! Thank you.
{Keep checking in for details of other bundles of kitted goodness.}

And that's December 1st.... And my secret confession... this year I haven't premade my December Daily album, I guess that's what I'll be doing tonight or else I'll be creating pages daily too. No stress!

Happy December!

Don't even ask...

...that question! The time question! As in "where has the time gone?"!

Another week arrived and is already halfway done. And it's the 25th of November {gasP}. Just one more month to Christmas.  My list of to-do's is still very fresh, as in nothing has been ticked off. I have those gifts to do, those cards I so proudly spoke of, my December Daily album to take care of too!  Hmmm... seriously...where has the time gone?

I can leave you with some wise words on this crazy, busy Wednesday as I get to that list!

I'll be back with some inspiration.

A brand new week

It's Monday again, too soon these Monday's roll around. I've just done a quick count and there are a mere 6 more Mondays left this year. If you placed all those Mondays side-by-side, there would be less than one week of Mondays - scary, I know! Moral of the story... make the most of your Monday!

So this Monday I have a clean desk (finally). I do have a few exciting things on it, some designing, some creating, some just for fun - oh and the odd bit that still shouldn't be on it, but I have no idea where to store it for now.

This Monday also starts some SERIOUS planning for Christmas. I have gifts to make, some to send off in the post across land and sea. Oh, and Christmas cards. I have a "Christmas Card List" this year - so official of me - I have my usuals but then quite a few more who have touched my life since the arrival of our little soul and need to be added.

First on my to-do list is designing for this fabulous Home Studio Kit. I'm loving the vintagey colour scheme which will be just perfect for Christmas photos of all types. The kits go on sale the first week in December so don't delay, contact The Scrapping Studio to reserve yours. This is the perfect way to fast track your Christmas scrapbooking - make the page and then add photos - perfect.

Included in the kit is a sheet of these Creative Souls Christmas doodles.

If you saw them launch then you'll know they were a 'once-off'. But, by special request, these gorgeous Christmas doodle rub-ons are available... HOWEVER... they are ONLY available in the above Home Kit and then when they're gone, they really are gone (for good).

I have loved using them again on my layout - they rub-on really well, don't crack or tear and there's so much more you can do with them (see back of pack for more info).

And then, because it's Christmas, there's a little *sprinkle of goodness* from me - with a little love of course.

My creating this week will be finishing up one of these. It's been so much fun to create pages and add photos - calendar done, and gift done! Check out some fun downloadables here  or this one for something different or take a look at these options.

You'll need to print the calendar page, but other than that you're sure to have a stack of goodies in your stash you could use to decorate the pages. How about using some of those completed pages from various events that haven't found a home in an album yet.

Once I get through my list of must do's, I might just create a couple more of them...

Happy week to you.

{L}

1 +1 = 2

My love of reading, using and creating with quotes is followed a close second by my enjoyment of words themselves and their meanings!

I'm a great fan of this fabulous online dictionary and thesaurus and as the editor of Time & About magazine (another scrapbook mag no longer around) I spent many hours word hunting.

And today, just for fun, and because it's weekend inspiration time, I want to share 2 very special words with you straight from the dictionary...


cre·a·tive (krē-ā'tĭv) [kree-ey-tiv] –adj.

1. Having the ability or power to create
2. Productive; creating
3. Characterized by originality and expressiveness; imaginative

Related Forms:
cre⋅a⋅tive⋅ly, (adverb); cre'a·tiv'i·ty; cre⋅a⋅tive⋅ness, noun

soul  [sohl] –noun

1. the principle of life, feeling, thought, and action in humans,
2. the emotional part of human nature; the seat of the feelings or sentiments
3. a human being; person
4. high-mindedness; noble warmth of feeling, spirit or courage, etc.
5. the inspirer or moving spirit of some action, movement, etc
6. deeply felt emotion, as conveyed or expressed by a performer or artist.

Synonyms:
spirit. heart. essence, core


Put those 2 words together and what do you get...?



Yes, and about time there was a reawakening too! Check out our Creative Souls blog with some new updates, and a quest to continue to inspire all you creative souls out there.

This really is a busy time of year for all of us and it takes on a whole new dimension for me with the addition of my little soul. But it's also the time of year when we need to exercise our creativity - with our resources, with our time, with gifts, with celebrations.

We hope you'll join us as we create and inspire. Come share shortcuts and hot tips for creating during this time.

Fill me in - what inspires you, who inspires you?

One of my greatest sources of inspiration in this industry is this incredible woman who I am privileged to call a friend. I love her pursuit of happiness, the way she embraces colour, and her continual inspiration that spreads throughout the scrapbooking community.

She is a creative soul who has *sprinkled* my life with much joy.

Be inspired this weekend and know that you too, are a creative soul.

{L}

It's Wednesday (again) so...

somewhere....

...in my mess is my desk, in fact under my mess there might even be carpet. My inspiration is ALL around me, because all my STUFF is e v e r y w h e r e!!!!

Somewhere I will find THE storage solution. What a mission as I still try to contain the stuff I have accumulated, clear it, repack it. I change my mind about storage solutions all the time and it causes mayhem when I think I have found a better one. Interested to see how her new storage ideas work out. Some more cute ideas here.

And somewhere... I am going to use this stuff.

Love, love it!!

You can find it here. Check out the cutest Christmas ideas. They have sweet dispensers too. And there's a "translate" button if you don't understand Japanese :)

Enjoying a little technology break this week as I pursue my tidying, storage goals.

{L}

Happy, wise words...

... for a happy Wednesday, which I thought was Tuesday (may have had something to do with the fact that I posted a Monday message yesterday!).

(yes, photo taken by me)

On my desk Monday...

...a big m.e.s.s

Trying... to finish up my "nesting" process which had been rather suddenly interrupted... also a LOT of Spring cleaning which didn't happen and, well, we're pretty much into Summer here...

Not a whole heap of creative stuff happening here until I can have a CLEAN desk - it's my punishment - or should I say goal - can't play until the room is tidy.

Meanwhile I have been downloading some new photos from the weekend. 103 new photos in 3 days. Not all of them good (some not at all), but I'm trying and plan on playing some more until I feel I can almost get it right more often than not (plus I have the cutest subject on which to practice). I might even share one day, but in the meantime go and check here - photo not taken by me :)

I think I feel some encouragement coming on too... found this and this and this today. All so inspiring.

Got to clean some more!
{L}

...this post has been interrupted by an incoming storm...

:)
Be back later...

Inspired by...

While unpacking these the "product description" caught my eye:

you should always take time to smell the flowers...

and touch them...and maybe pick them -

Did you know that packaging can inspire too? Not just colour combos or the fact that the actual packaging can be re-purposed? How about a page title idea or even a spot of journaling?

If you're scrapbooking this weekend, hope this inspires you to add a cute note to your flowery layout... or read a few packages and see what sparks your inspiration!

Happy weekend!
{L}

Oh... and P.S. thank you for all the birthday wishes yesterday - I love being so electronically connected - phone calls, emails, sms's, blog comments, face book chats, Skye notes... and of course the good old fashioned card in the post!

It has been....

...busy!!!

Can't believe 20 days can go by so quickly. I'm busy with some updates from all the celebrations. Just one more festivity (tomorrow) and then that's October for me.

Time for me to put together some new ideas again to cure the itchy fingers I get while seeing others play with paper! I'm going to be putting out some of my older class layouts and mini books and projects again too. So if you're interested in these kits, let me know, there are only a limited amount available.

I need to get back to my scheduled blogging too... yes, I'll find normality again (I think/hope).

So...in age old tradition...here's Wednesday's Wise Words

A sprinkle of happiness

It's October, another new month! And I have loads to celebrate.



This month...
I get to welcome my friend all the way from Arizona,
I get to host a Polka Dot Party with 110 scrapbookers,
I get to remember a one year friendship anniversary,
I get to celebrate my birthday,
and this great month started off with a sprinkling of goodness from the wonderful Stacy Julian. Check out her stunning new website and take a little peek here too.

Here's to a wonderfully busy month...
{L}

Much excitement...

It's selling out fast!

Dream & Inspire

Inspiration as always here.

P.S. Love those little CreativeSouls heart wings!

It's a Party!

Hmmm...

...it's been a while!

I'll be back.
And there's other exciting stuff too.

Wise Words....

The wonderful thing about the game of life

is that winning and losing are only temporary...

unless you quit.
—DR. FRED MILLS

Could you?

All good stuff!

This is an excerpt from an email that arrived in my inbox today - made me smile - it's good stuff (and so true)!

It can be fun to see the hoopla, yet in a more profound way, we are missing the point of scrapbooking. Scrapbooking is first and foremost about the photo and the story behind it. It’s a moment in time which we are trying to capture and preserve so that we can remember the lives of those around us. ~ Dennis A. Conforto, A-Z Media Group, Inc.

And more good stuff... Jeanne sent me some photos of The Scrapping Studio's Mega Crop to share (thanks Jeanne)

Gift bags decorating the stage. Anyone recognise that handwriting?!

And happy scrapbookers at Table C: Kym, Natalie, Marian, Louise, Marie, Jeanne, Mary-Ann and Charlotte

And at last, halfway through a full 5-day week!!

{L}

Smiley, happy people...

Happy people are more creative

Happy people fix problems and come up with solutions

Happy people have more energy

Happy people are more optimistic

Happy people are more motivated

Happy people get sick less often

Happy people learn faster

Happy people make better decisions

Happy people worry less about making mistakes and consequently make fewer mistakes.

Why worry... Be happy!

I know scrapbookers worldwide are happy today as it's celebrated as {inter}national scrapbooking day; South Africans are happy with another long weekend; I'm really happy after spending the day yesterday with 100 scrapbookers at The Scrapping Studio's

Now the little :( for me is that I started taking some great photos first thing in the morning, only to discover that my memory card wasn't in the camera!! I had been downloading photos for my presentation and neglected to put it back in the camera. In my mission to travel "light" with all the other bits and pieces I took with, I didn't take my camera bag with the spare memory card either!

So hopefully I will get photos from the day and will be able to post some of them. It was a fabulous day - 5 double page layouts taught by 5 different teachers, tea with the yummiest cake and koeksisters and a lovely lunch. Fantastic lucky draws and prizes and some happy, happy scrapbookers!

Looking forward to the next one ;)

{L}

Here's the {brilliant} answer!!!

Remember this post last week? My marketing background has kept me skeptical about this being a legitimate cause, but the way things are here, you just never can know for sure!

Well... here is the answer....

----- Original Message -----
From: truth@nsep.co.za
To:
Sent: Friday, April 17, 2009 1:45 AM
Subject: Don't change something that doesn't need to be changed

South Africa, we agree!

It's silly to change something that doesn't need to be.

Mrs. Ball's decided to prove this, so we invented the National Skirt Extension Project, requiring all ladies toilet signs to be replaced with a longer skirt. Not surprisingly, you weren’t keen on the idea.

Take a look at this video to see what happened.

So it seems we agree. If something doesn't need changing, don't change it.

That's why nobody changes our chutney.

Mrs. Ball's

Uncompromised since 1856

South Africa, thanks for being such a good sport.

Mrs Ball's chutney is a South African legend. It's what South African's living abroad miss, it's what they get family members to bring on visits and it's what all SA expat stores keep on their shelves.

Here's a link for more info.

Absolute marketing genius! But more importantly... I get to use my scrapbooking embellishments just as they are!!

{L}

Oh happy day!!

This is my mom! Isn't she just a cutie? And it's her birthday today.

If it wasn't for her, I guess I wouldn't be here, so really I do have her to thank for everything that I have. Also, she's one of my bestest scrapbooking buddies! What more could I wish for?!

Happy Birthday precious Mom, love you!

{L}

To love what you do

and feel that it matters...

how could anything be more fun.

-Katherine Graham

So happy that I get to do what I love!!

Sneak preview and a Sweet day for a Special person

See all those S's?




Today is my creative soul friend, Stephanie's birthday! It's a special birthday too. So please click on over and wish her a fabulous day (she deserves it!!)



And the sneak peek....

I have just received a pack of goodies for the Mega Crop hosted by The Scrapping Studio on 1st May. It's a full day, full of surprises, goodies and great scrapbooking. There are 5 sessions with 5 instructors doing 5 projects (and tea and lunch and all the other fabulous things Audrey and Sarah always come up with!)

I'll be teaching 1 of the sessions and might even get to play during the course of the day. So looking forward to the day and meeting up with scrapbookers that I have got to know over the years at the various events.

There might still be a space for you, you don't' want to miss out! Check out Scrapping Studio's blog for more info.

So it's to my creative space this week I need to go for something good!

Enjoy the short week SA girls!

{Lara}

The *new* fashion pages - bathroom signs!

My choice of scrapbooking embellishments may be affected by public bathroom signs!!

Seriously...here's an advert that appeared in the Sunday Times (prominent SA newspaper) this Sunday...a little late for Aprils fools (?)

You can check out this website for information about the National Skirt Extension Project.

In the meantime, what do I do about my stash of embellishments?

1. Do I contact manufacturers and let them know their products don't comply with our new standards?

2. Do I buy the temporary stickers to stick over my embellishments, knowing they won't coordinate with my layout colour schemes?

3. Do I use them anyway and take a chance that I am not "playing my part in shaping perceptions" (from the nsep website).

If it's not a joke, it's a great marketing game by some company.

Better stay tuned!

{L}

Balance...Restored

In search of balance....




I enjoyed this scene right outside my window...

I took some long introspective strolls...

I had a couple of daily cat naps...

And learnt (once again)... to just take one step at a time...

{if you don't cross the bridge, you won't know what's on the other side}

Here's to restoration and the continued pursuit of balance.

{L}

The "word" reminds me...

My post with 2009's "word" balance... well it's become a gentle reminder again... kinda hit me... still finding balance. Probably an ongoing exercise.

On the event side of things, had a great meeting today, and it looks like Girlfriends' Getaway will certainly be an annual event. Look out for details of GG March 2010.

But in the meantime the good news is that there will be another Girlfriends' Getaway - with a little twist in November. So if you couldn't make our first annual GG which took place at the beginning of this month, or you're a die-hard and want to come in November as well... then WATCH THIS SPACE (or your inbox!)

Off to play some more balancing tricks!

{L}

Colour your world

I have a HUGE collection of websites in a folder labelled "inspiration" stored under my Favorites. Today my spot of inspiration comes directly from the site COLOURlovers.

COLOURlovers is a color and design community for creative inspiration and sharing the love of color. Here you will find over one million color names, hundreds of thousands of color palettes and patterns, comments and ratings. Interviews with top creative professionals regarding color and articles covering current color trends and news are uploaded daily.

You can learn about the history of the colour wheel, or access 1 million colour names. Or be inspired by some amazing colour combos and fun ideas.

It's a great place to visit daily and great for scrapbook layout inspiration.

Enjoy a colourful day!

{L}

Green Day

...and green really, really is my favourite colour! And without even thinking I wore green today!

Here is some gorgeous green inspiration:

This

pink polka dot cake.

And lime green too!Love, love this one!

Quite some detail here.

Have some green inspired fun!

{L}

Sweet wishes...

...for a wonderful weekend!

and my personal wish that Sprinkles Cupcakes would venture over the ocean)

I have yet to find a yummier cupcake, but I'm certainly willing to try if there are any local suggestions out there!

Yours in sweet wishing

{L}

Reasons 101

I sure have my choice of excuses from which to choose... but here is the main reason for my absence and one I am VERY happy about!

The "girls" had the most glorious 2 days of pampering, eating, scrapbooking, eating, chatting, eating, scrapbooking, eating... well you get the idea! Mount Grace serves the most awesome selection of delicious food, in quantities you could only imagine (on an ongoing basis!).

We shared loads of laughs in hydro pools and jacuzzis, during pamper treatments and glorious meals and then of course creativity and inspiration during the scrapbook sessions.

It truly was a time for recharging the soul.

Here's an idea of what we saw, ate and did! Photographs are a mix from mine, Rhonda's and our "resident photographer" - George's galleries!

And the question on everybody's lips...YES there will be another Girlfriends' Getaway. Numbers will once again be limited for this exclusive event. Watch out for details so you don't miss out this time.

(I think I might even do a little recap of the rest of February in the next few days).

Happy Wednesday.

{L}