Japanese Layout Swap

I recently participated in a swap on the 2peas website where we did a layout swap with a Japanese partner. My partner Yoshimi sent 3 photos of her two gorgeous children. I really enjoyed the swap and the "fun" of the photos made them easy to create pages for.

I posted off the pages along with some "kiwiana" gifts for the children last week, so am looking forward to hearing when she has received them.

Layout #1: "Caution: Cute Kids at Play" - this layout comes from a kit I brought at one of my local scrapbooking stores. The quote on the side says "Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of watching a child @ play". (how cute are her children)


Layout #2 "Siblings", I used Kraft paper & cardstock for this layout, I love how much fun thye are having together in this photo and how much they look like they love playing together, so I wanted to represent that in the layout. The quote says "A sibling is a friend given my nature".

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 7

A picture of your most treasured item

Without a doubt my camera is my most treasured item. I have two camera at the moment, a small point and shoot camera for my handbag and my Canon which I used ALOT. A true scrapbooker could never live without a camera close by.

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 6

A picture of a person you'd love to trade places for a day

I would love to trade the places with a numbr of people, but something I would LOVE to do is work in the marketing and promotions department of a major sporting franchees and 3 that I would love to work with are: Hendrick Motor Sports can compete in NASCAR, LA Lakers Basketball team & New York Yankees Baseball team. I would also love to work as a roadie for U2. So I dont know who the actual people are who do these jobs, that I would love to be in their shoes for a day (and more).

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 5

A picture of your favourite memory

Finding out I was pregnant was the most magical moment of my life, I had been told I would never have children (due to illnesses) but when I went to the doctor with stomach ache my doctor asked if I would like to do a pregnancy time - then we looked at each other and laughed. But we decided to do it anyway, I remember my doctor and I were talking not really taking much notice of the test and when she looked at it she said, you wouldnt believe this but its positive! I was so excited, we found out later that week after my scans that I was 7 weeks pregnant.

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 4

A picture of your favourite night

I really could think of alot of "favourite nights" that I have enjoyed in my life time: first school ball; U2 concerts; family weddings & milestone birthdays; New Years Eve in Sydney 2010-2011, New Years Eve at Pakiri Beach 2008-2009;Bring at the Breakers Game when they won the 2011 championship; a couple of fantastic "girls nights" just to name a few, but one that stands out is the night I took Bailey to see Cold Play here in Auckland. Joe & I had been to the concert the night before and Bailey was disappointed we hadnt got a ticket for him (he is a ColdPlay fan), the following day Cold Play was playing a second concert and our local radio station had the final two tickets to give away, they had a small competition where you had to guess where they were and it was the first person to get to them - the clue was, they were hiding in a supermarket fridge, the radio DJ said, "Whats the price of butter today" and the Promo Lad replied, "This isnt the kind of fridge that stores butter", I knew it had to be a alcohol fridge and at the time I only knew of two supermarkets in Auckland to have one and it just so happened that I was nearly at the motorway off ramp next to one of them, so of course I went there and sure enough there the guy was, extremely cold and waiting for someone to come in - YES!! I had two tickets!! Of course I took Bailey, they were General Admission tickets and I knew from being at the concert the night before that the band walked down the side and played at the back of stadium during the concert, so I set Bailey and I up so we could have a close up view as they came down and therefore didnt need to send the night in the crowds up front and I wasnt going to risk my then 9 year old getting squashed.

Much to Bailey's delight Chris Martin (lead singer) gave him a high five as he walked past. All in all it was a GREAT night for both Bailey and I, one that Bailey still talks about and we still have the Cold Play CD in the car CD rack and its played at least second a week, we will never get sick of it.

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 3

A Picture of the cast from your favourite showHome & Away has been my one of my favourite programs since I was about 10 years old. I remember when I was about 15 TVNZ decided it wouldnt show it anymore - I was devastated, I remember complaining and cry to mum, this was before the days of internet. I have to be honest, I watch H&A on YouTube now so that am only a day behind Australia rather then the NZ 6 weeks :) (sad I know)

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day Two

A photo of you and the person you have been closest with the longest
Margaret and I have been friends for over 20 years, it starts as netball team mates and the friendship slowly grew from there. Our friendship has had its up's and down's but at the end of the day we have and will always he there for each other through the good and bad times.

When we lived in separate cities we would have 5-7 hour phone conversions every couple of weeks and she has just recently moved away so I guess the conversions are going to start again. We have so much in common: music (both LOVE U2) sports, crafts, values and other interests. She is funny, supportive and very generous to all her friends - she's the best.

May Design Team Layouts

May "Caz Dezign" Design Team Layouts
Below are two of the four layouts I created for Caz Dezign Design Team for the month of May. Supply list for the products used can be found at http://www.cazdezign.blogspot.com/ or at http://www.cazdezign.co.nz/

The last two layouts will be released soon.

First Layout is of my nieces, Krysten meeting her new baby sister Payton for the first time. Krysten is so gentle and loving to her sisters - a sweet tween (if there is such a thing).
The second layout is my son Bailey meeting his new cousin Payton for the first time. Bailey loves his cousins more then I can explain, he is an only child so I think he see's his cousins as siblings as much as cousins, they spend alot of time together - almost daily, so they fight like siblings but couldnt live without each other.

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 1

I decided to take part in a 30 Day Photo Challenge for the month of June. It is going to be an interesting process as I looked through list of favourites, moment etc that are allocated for each day I couldnt always come up with a photo/moment straight away - I think am going to learn a few things about myself during this process. I look forward to seeing the photos from my friends who are participating in this challenge with me (if you want to join in I have included the list at the bottom of this post).

Day One - A picture of yourself with 10 facts
1. The most important thing in my life is my family. My son, Bailey aged 11 is the most precious person in my life, his birth date was the worse (larbour) and BEST day of my life. My mum is best friend - so is the most special mum who would do anything for me and my siblings, nieces and son. My dad was alot of similar interests to me, as I child I loved going to speedway with him. I also have two brothers and two sisters (one who has passed away), I am really close to my sister who has given me 2 cute/adorable nieces and my brother Tony who is the most generous uncles I know.
2. I treasure and adore my friends, I have a small bunch of really close friends who I would go to the end of earth and back for. We share the same interests and having many of the same values in life.
3. I LOVE to create, my favourite crafts are: scrapbooking, photography, knitting & jewellery making.
4. I LOVE sports, my favourites are: softball, basketball, netball, rugby league & tennis.
5. I have a Bachelor of Commerce & Administration, majoring in Marketing, International Business & Management.
6. My favourites: colour is purple; number is 7; Day is Saturday;
7. I love to travel and would love to go to Europe and back to the US in the next couple of years
8. As a child I wanted to be a leaner on a sidecar in speedway or a life attendant.
9. I am deaf in my right ear and have lost 20% hearing in my left ear, as result from having meningococcal meningitis when I was a baby.
10. I knit beanies and vests for African babies and charity. I have also recently started knitting coats for puppies and dogs at the SPCA and Animal Welfares.

I would love more people to join in the challenge, if you would like to participate in the challende I have included the list below:
1. A picture of yourself with 10 facts
2. A picture of you and the person you have been closest with the longest
3. A picture of the cast from your favourite show
4. A picture of your favourite night
5. A picture of your favourite memory
6. A picture of a person you'd love to trade places with for a day
7. A picture of your most treasure item
8. A picture that makes you laugh
9. A picture of a person who has gotten you through the most
10. A picture of a person you do the most ****** up things with
11. A picture of something you hate
12. A picture of something you love
13. A picture of your favourite band or artist
14. A picture of someone you could never imagine life without
15. A picture of something you want to do before you die
16. A picture of someone who inspires you
17. A picture of something that has made a huge impact on your life recently
18. A picture of your biggest insecurity
19. A picture and a letter
20. A picture of somewhere you'd love to travel
21. A picture of something you wish you could forget
22. A picture of something you wish you were better at
23. A picture of your favourite book
24. A picture of something you wish you could change
25. A picture of your favourite day
26. A picture of something that means alot to you
27. A picture of yourself and a family member
28. A picture of something your afraid of
29. A picture that can always make you smile
30. A picture of someone you miss

Adventurous Lad

Adventurous Lad
A double page layout of Bailey doing the Conference Course in the bush where I go with some "fabulous" ladies for Scrapbooking Retreats weekends. Those of us with children often go up to the Retreat a couple of days earlier with the kids, they all get on really well together and have alot of fun playing, watch movies and going for bush walks etc, meanwhile us mum's create and the dads get a few days off before a weekend of kids and no mum to help :)

Little Man at Work

Little Man at Work

Bailey has been nagging for months to be allowed to mow the lawns - so we finally let him. I think the novelty is going to wear off quickly with the size of our backyard. But he did a great job and I think it's his job now - especially in the summer.

Fun in the Sun - Bailey & Brooke

I used a sketch for this layout idea - not sure where it came from, so am not able to give credit to the person who created it.

This is my son and niece Brooke playing with some friends on the beach.

Fun in the Sun

I wanted to challenge myself to use patterned paper as my base and old embellishments etc from my scrapbooking stash, this is the result - am not 100% convince I like it, jury's out on that one.

But I do love the photos - the memories of watching my niece play at the beach - she just loves the water & sand and had such a great time, it was cold but it wasnt going to stop her.

First Hugs & Dressing Up

My son meeting his cousin for the first time.

I had two copies of the layout one for my niece's album and one for my son's album.

This is my niece Brooke & her friend Laila, they love dressing up everytime they have a play date.

These layouts were inspired by Nichol Magouirk from Two Peas in a Bucket - I love her layout designs.

Sports Day

Bailey's sports day at Primary School.

I often struggle to select just one photo from an event for my layouts, therefore I often find myself doing multiple photo layouts, this layout has 9 photos. But I think I love the challenge of trying to make it both fit and work together.

Payton - 6 months

Payton 6 Months This layout is a lift from Megan Hoeppner in Creative Keepsakes. This layout is great for using scraps from previous layouts. I am going through a stage of "squares" in my layouts. I loved Payton's eyes in this photo and stand out everytime I look at the page.

Remembering Kashin & Auckland Zoo

I absolutely love the layouts created in the "From Start to Finish" YouTube videos from Nicole Magouirk from Two Peas in a Bucket. I have been inspired by a number of her videos in the past couple of months and these two layouts are lifts from her. Remembering Kashin - a layout about an elephant we had at our local zoo. I loved visiting this elephant as a child and my son also did as a child. The pasting of Kashin was very sad for our city and country as Kashin was an animal favourite for many New Zealanders who visited the zoo. The Sunday following Kashins death they had a free open day at the zoo where we could go and see Kashins resting place which is now off limits to the public - Bailey and I wanted to go, it was raining out but worth braving the cold and wet. Auckland Zoo - a layout with photos I have had sitting in my stack for a long time.

A sisters love

This is a photo of my two nieces. Brooke (aged 3) was so excited she was becoming a new sister and I think the 9 months of waiting almost became to much, while we were worried she wouldnt cope with a new person taking away the attentional she had as the baby of the family.

However, from the minute she first saw her sister until now (7 months on) she has shown unconditional love and admiration from her sister ~ I think they are going to be great friends.

Papers: Echo Park's "Life is good" Collection

Softball 2009/2010

Bailey's first season pitching and catching, he did well in both. I think his dedication to his pitching training paid off when he won the club reward for most dedicated player and his pitching speed went from 42 kms to 71 kms over the course of the season.

This is a simple layout with a few photo's from his season. Papers are: Cosmo Cricket Lil Man Collection.

Charity Knitting

I am by no means a knitter. But when I heard about a group of knitters here in New Zealand that make baby vests & beanies for the babies in Africia who are sent home from hospital in newspaper and with no clothing on I wanted to learn to make more then just scalves. My mother who is a talented knitter patiently taught me to the knit the simple patterns I was given from the group.

One of my goals this year was to spend more time volunteering for charity and people less fortunate - and knitting is one of those charities I choose to step up my giving too (I have been knitting for the past 18 months or so).

The photo is my February knits, I have a goal to knit at least two items a week for this year.

Simply Cards "Thinking of you"

Bailey & I have recently worked together to make a couple of simple "Thinking of You" cards.

Bailey is sending one (cupcake) to a couple of little girls in Christchurch, letting them know we are thinking of them as they continue to recover from the earthquake.

The second card is being sent to a scrapbooking friend's mother in the USA who is not feeling well at the moment.

Brooke Age 3

This is my (sometimes) sweet little niece Brooke. She is a girl with attitude plus, but has eyes that will win over any heart. I wouldnt change this girl for the world, her strong will and spunk is going to take her far in life.

Age 3, challenging years for mum, dad and her caregivers, but also years fill of adventure and fun for Brookie. This layout is simple and lists her top 5 things in life.

Papers & Embellishments are: KaiserCraft "Hey Birdie Collection". Available at www.cazdezign.co.nz

Simply Adorable

This is my adorable "newest" neice at just 8 weeks old. Glenna (a friend) took charge of the camera and took a series of about 100 photos this day. Like any scrapbookers child (or relative) they must get use to the camera click and flashing from any early age, and Payton is no expectation - tee hee.

This page layout was inspired by Nichol Magouirk from Two Peas in a Bucket From Start to Finish. Papers from Echo Park Paper Co "Sweet Summertime by Crystal Wilkerson" Collection.

Playboy Bunny

Brooke loves doing her this pose when we are taking photos of her recently. It reminds me of the Girls Next Door (Playboy Bunny's) when Kendra use to do this pose.

Papers used from the Kaisercraft Hey Birdie Collection which can be found at http://www.cazdezign.co.nz/

Disney Charm Swap

These are the charms I have made for a Disney Charm swap I am doing with some creative ladies in the USA.

Both my charms are made using Shrinky Dink & Beads (love this stuff). I will post a picture with all the charms I receive once they arrive in about a months time.

Disney Princesses

Winnie the Pooh - my favourite Disney Character.

Layout - Hide & Seek

A layout made with older photos.

I never seem to scrapbook in order when the event happened which makes keeping my albums in order a nightmare.

Bailey was not quite two when these photos were taken, but I have always loved them. He looked so cute hiding in the toy box surrounded by teddy bears.


I used Kaisercraft "Jungle Bug" designer papers on this layout which can be purchased at http://www.cazdezign.co.nz/

Caz Dezign Design Team - January 2011

I was lucky enough to get Caz Dezign Design Team's first pack for 2011.

January's Design Team pack contained 3 Christmas themed patterned papers from Kaisercraft's "Tis the Season", 2 co-ordinating cardstock from Brazil, a pack of red rhinestones and Christmas themed rub-ons.

This was a challenge for me, as I dont normally create layouts with paper that already has a dominate design or picture such as these papers, however I loved the square designs from one paper - which features on both layouts. These papers are quite classical and can be used with recent or older Christmas photos.

Papers are available for purchase from http://www.cazdezign.co.nz/

I traditionally like to use left over papers and cardstock from layouts to create simple cards &/or gift tags.

Here I created a simple card that I will use as a gift tag next christmas.

Double Exploding Box - Retreat Class

I will be teaching the following Double Exploding Box at this Aprils Scrapbooking Retreat held by Caz Dezign.

I have made mine in a Wedding Theme, but the students will be able to select there own theme and papers to go with their photos. The box is made with additional hidden tags, mini books and open pages to include upto 38 photos, I have also include the words to our wedding song & a list of the wedding party in the book of the box lid.

I will also be giving instructions for an more simple exploding box that is also a gift card holder - which is ideal for these extra special presents (Mothers Day, Milestone birthdays, weddings etc).

My Rock Star World

This layout was inspired by a follow scrapbooker (sorry I dont know the scrapbooker to quote them) - but I saw a layout using these papers and I started with a scrap lift and finished it off with my own personal touches.

Bailey playing the drums in his school Rock Band - 2010.

Biker Boy

Biker Boy

Bailey got a new bike for his birthday. His favourite colour is green - so while shopping for a bike for "mum" (at least thats what we told him) he would only look at bikes that were green, which limited our choices but in the end I think this was the bike we would have gone with anyway.

Christmas Advent Calendars

I made a Christmas Countdown Advent Calendar for Bailey in 2009 (see post in Dec 2009), my two nieces loved it and hinted for one of their own all December. So I decided I would make them each one for Christmas 2010 - in the meantime my sister had another baby, so two advent calendars quickly became three.
Whilst I enjoyed making them, three at one time was quite an effort, so I decided to be a little less creative and keep them simple and in similar styles so they looked good lined up together in my sisters lounge. Both the older girls loved them - especially the chocolate treated inside each box, and I will go out on the lim and say Payton loved hers and the money in each box had been deposited into her bank.

The advent calendar kits can be purchased at Caz Design www.cazdezign.co.nz

Here are the photos of my three nieces and their calendars.

Payton - aged 3 months

Brooke - aged 4

Krysten - aged 11