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}

Seriously??

I missed out the WHOLE of February!!! Admittedly it was a "short" month...but how I managed to miss the whole month without blogging?!

I'll be back... lots to share...all the excuses for not being here!

I haven't shared my "wise words" for some time now. I trust this speaks to you wherever you are, or whatever may be happening.

{L}

Good news South Africa!

(Click on image to enlarge)

Email me for details.

It's as simple as a quick EFT and you'll receive your "downloadable" file by email.

You can check Stephanie's blog for more sneak peeks of this project and look out for others coming soon.

This is such a cute project!
{L}

At last... some of the CreativeSouls rub-ons in action!

Sets used: Joie de vivre - Holidays and Joie de vivre - Block Alpha

You can add brads to the shapes, customise them with colour, sprinkle on a little glitter or leave them just as they are!

To create the title, carefully cut each letter out of the backing sheet. Transfer onto your choice of cardstock. Cut randomly (freehand!) around each letter / number and add to your layout!

Thank you for all your orders, there are just a few Christmas sets still available. You can email me directly, we are posting them at the moment but look at for them at your favourite scrapbook store too!

Looking forward to seeing what you have created with the rub-ons.

Happy new week
{L}

Joie de vivre....

We have had wonderful response to the first edition of the CreativeSouls rub-ons!

Here are a few answers to some of the FAQ's -

- The rub-ons are brand new, hot off the press.

- They are one of a kind, hand-drawn doodle designs by Stephanie Ackerman.

- The alphabet is Stephanie's adorable handwriting.

- These current designs will not be repeated - once they're gone they're gone!

- The rub-ons can be posted to you anywhere in South Africa.

- For USA girls you can purchase straight from Stephanie's Etsy Shoppe.

- East Rand girls... The Scrapping Studio in Boksburg has stock right now!

Here is what they look like -

joie de vivre Friend - cute quotes, special words, adorable doodles - ideal for your friendship layouts, perfect for a "friendly" little card or notelet!

joie de vivre Christmas - if you've been as busy as we have over this time, you may have only just managed to print your Christmas photos - these doodled rub-ons are just perfect to bring back the Christmas cheer to your pages (you might even still have an empty spot or two in your December Daily album!).

joie de vivre Big Doodles - aren't these just the cutest?! We ALL wish we could doodle like Stephanie and now we get the chance to pretend :) Once you've added the design to paper, you'll be amazed - it looks like a genuine hand-drawn doodle!!

joie de vivre Block Alpha - a staple for anything and everything!! And look how many of each letter you get on a sheet! No running out of E's with this one!

Here's to the love of life... and doodle rub-ons too!

{L}

Time warp...

Please don't feel that you're stuck in a time warp! My last blog post truly was the last day of 2008. I got back to "real life" on Monday, so blogging today isn't too bad on my forever long to-do list!

So what's up for the new year? Well... it started with the launch of this:

And nope, I'm not learning French!
Joie de vivre - the love of life...and doodle rub-ons too! is what it's about.

Head over to the CreativeSouls blog and read all about a brand new and exciting range of rub-on doodle designs.



Then... I do really have a word for 2009!




I spent a lot of time thinking about where I am right now, what is most important and what I'd like to focus on in all aspects of my life. The word "balance" is what I've chosen.

bal⋅ance [bal-uhns] noun, verb

1. a state of equilibrium or equipoise; equal distribution.
2. mental steadiness or emotional stability; habit of calm behavior, judgment.
3. the remainder or rest: she carried what she could and left the balance for someone else.
4. the power or ability to decide an outcome by throwing one's strength, influence, support, or the like, to one side or the other.
5. in wine making: the degree to which all the attributes of a wine are in harmony, with none either too prominent or deficient.
6. in accounting: equality between the totals of the two sides of an account.
7. in fine arts: composition or placement of elements of design, as figures, forms, or colors, in such a manner as to produce an aesthetically pleasing or harmoniously integrated whole.
8. a balance wheel is a wheel that regulates rate of movement in machine parts, as in a watch. ie a stabilizing influence.
9. to estimate the relative weight or importance of; compare: to balance all the probabilities of a situation.

Reading these definitions now again, simply confirms that this is what I want (need) to do.

Here's to creating a balanced life!
{L}

It's the last day of 2008... are you reflecting? are you making decisions for the new year? planning something big? doing something new?

Many of you are familiar with Ali Edwards and her "word" for the year (check her blog for more info). Now... my awesomely talented friend Stephanie Ackerman is doing something special with Ali.

Check out her homegrown hospitality blog for all the details of the SUPER cute doodle she will do for you of your own 2009 word.

Since I'm still enjoying my R&R, I will do an update of my own word on my "return". And since I am actually still reflecting, making decisions, planning something big and doing some thing new.... I am still thinking about exactly what I need my word to be this year...

Happy New Year!
{L}

A little R&R...

It's been a while (sorry), but... I'm catching up on some much needed R&R!

A little more holidaying for me in the pipeline before I get back into the swing of things for 2009...Enjoy your days of summer here in the southern hemisphere, and keep warm there in the northern!!

{L}

Economising

What a week it has been! I have been a busy little bee, creating and playing, but I have a LOT to do still...

Most of my week was taken up with designing some layouts for The Scrapping Studios December kits. And speaking of economising...

this is all I have left over from 21 sheets of very colourful cardstock which makes up this month's Kit dubbed the "Econo Kit". It's an absolute bargain too R130 for 5 layouts - that's 4 double pages and 1 single page, plus 2 pages of special templates and a little pre-printed embellishment too. So head on over to their blog and contact the shop before these great Econo Kits are gone!

And now I need to get onto some Christmas gift making and adding to my December Daily album which you can see over at CreativeSouls.
{L}