Catherine & Otis Blog

March International Tag swap

2010-03-16T08:36:00.000+13:00

I have joined an international tag swap from Louise's Blog

Check it out here

This is my 2nd month and here are my group mates for this month:
Heidi
Jenny
Katy
Monique

I will show you a finish product once I have finished my for them

Thanks for looking

ZettiBetti's International Tag Swap

2010-02-09T00:09:00.002+13:00

I have joined an international tag swap from ZettiBetti's Blog

Check it out here

To my group mates:

Louise
Ebony
CeeMae
HeidiPinkett
Jackyr64

So excited to meet you all! I'm looking forward to seeing your lovely work.
I will post picture of the 6 tags I make as well as the 5 I receive back

Thanks for looking

DSC Mini Album swap fnished...

2010-01-27T01:03:00.000+13:00

So finally I have finished my first Deux Shabby Chic swap.
This month my swap partner was Vangie and I really hope she likes it..
I had so much fun doing this
the Deux Shabby Chic theme bling and then after correspondence between Vangie and I we decided that we would theme our albums on vintage so that what I did.

For more details on the album check out my first youtube video here.

Thanks for looking

Mini swap Club continue....

2010-01-20T11:36:00.000+13:00

More details to explain.
What the swap is meant for is that the person who receive the kit they will be able to make a mini album out of the items received.
The reason I am asking for chipboard, is so the reciptent of the kit is able to have a base to start from.

No it does not have to be stampin up products, it can be from what ever product you enjoy however it is not guaranteed that you will get Stampin up product back.
It will just depend on who joins.

If you want to see what one is like check out Deux shabby Chic (http://deuxshabbychic.blogspot.com) for what a kit can look like but the difference is the kits will be different.

Thanks for looking

Mini swap Club

2010-01-19T14:22:00.001+13:00

I got this idea from Bona however hers was full so it inspired me to start one for myself.
So if anyone out there would be interested in joining please either leave me a comment on my blog or email me.
I would like to start the kit swap in February.

Guidelines for swap are:
Total of 10 partners and it will be first in first serve.
This is going to be an ongoing swap so if are unable to complete the swap then unfortunately you loose your spot.
Kit has to include at least 5 chipboard bases.
Base can't be any smaller then 6 x 6.
Kits have to be loaded with stuff.
Can be made up of stuff you have but must be in new condition.
Kit has to have stuff in it you would want to receive.
Kits will be due to your swap partner by the the end of each month.
You will know by the beginning of the month who your swap partner is.
Have to have a blog and email address so you can share what you have received.

Thanks for looking and look forward to hearing from anyone interested.

Finally a DSC Member

2010-01-07T12:02:00.000+13:00

So I have some exciting news, I have just becomes a DSC member (Deux Shabby Chic) and this month will be my first month of doing a mini album swap with Vangie.
I am so excited and a little neverous at the same time as all of these members are so talented and for me I feel like a virgin to all of this so I really hope I do Vangie swap proud.

Anyway I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and a great new years.
Keep watching this blog as once the album is finished I will posting pictures of the final product.

Thanks for looking

New Blog design

2009-10-27T23:58:00.003+13:00

As you can see I've got a new blog design and I just love it.
Its really a huge thanks to Michelle and her team @ Laycock design.
This is all in aid of changes in life and hopefully I'll end up being a butterfly at the end of it.
Also I hope to blog more regularly and join in a few more challenges weekly

I leave on this beautiful day with an awesome saying a friend told me " If you are going through a trouble times and can't see the light at the end of the tunnel, then walk down and turn it on you yourself"

Thanks for looking

Mojo Monday sketch 3

2009-08-22T20:26:00.005+12:00

This is a stamp set that I just love, very simple but comes out beautifully water coloured.
I keeping up with the sketches just struggling with the upload.
You can also probably guess that I LOVE riding hood red....

Materials:
Stamps: Friends 24-7
Cardstock: Basic Black, whisper white, riding hood red and riding hood red DSP
Inks: Basic Black, Close to Cocoa
Others: Watercolour pencils, spellbinder dies, scallop border punch, peelcraft words

Thanks for looking

Mojo Monday Sketch 2

2009-08-22T14:12:00.007+12:00

So here is my attempt and day 2 Mojo Monday Sketch.
This week is my first attempt at actually doing the sketches and actually publishing the designs and I must say I'm really starting to enjoy these challenges.
I have layered the the rose.

Materials:
Stamps: Fifth Avenue Floral
Cardstock: Wisper White, Elegant eggplant, riding hood red, Pacific Point , Pink Pirouette and Pacific Point DSP
Inks: Riding Hood Red
Others: Filgree Designer Brads, 5/8" Riding Hood Red striped grosgrain ribbon, elegant eggplant 1/4" grosgrain ribbon, Martha Stewart Border punch, Corner rounder

Thanks for looking

Too long between blogs

2009-08-22T13:39:00.005+12:00

Life has been so hectic with lossing my job and becoming so ill that I have not been able to go back to work. You would think that would just give me time to scrap but I just have had no Mojo.
I've taken a break away from Wellington and have stayed in Auckland for about 10 days to give me a break.
I hauled my stuff up here hoping I get some done and thank goodness I been able to with a little help from Mojo Monday.
I've been able to keep up, I just have not been able to link them to my blog due to a silly laptop but hopefully I have it sorted now.
Anyway so here are the first card, next ones to follow.

Materials:
Stamps: Artfully Asian (retired)
Card stock: Basic Black, Whisper White, Riding Hood DSP
Inks: Black stazon
Others: Riding Hood Red 5/8" Striped grosgrain ribbon, Hodgepodge Hardware, spellbinders dies, peelcraft words, twinking H2O

Thanks for looking

I'm Back

2009-02-20T12:41:00.006+13:00

Well I'm back, I know have not been blogging so much but life just got really hectic with moving houses, my cousions wedding, looking for a new job while coping of the stress from my existing job and then last Sunday I fell off a ladder 4 meters above ground.
I was lucky that I didn't break anything but I've got an almight bruise and concussion.

I also have not really done much crafting either but I hope to soon.
I've also made a new resolution that when I visit another blog I should comment as there are so many talented crafters out there who deserve the acknowledgment.

Anyway back to work but I hope to have sometime this weekend to do some crafting but who knows.

Thanks for looking

NZSU Christmas Challenge

2008-11-11T18:09:00.008+13:00

Well I like to give credit where due and this creation below is not an original design of mine.
It came from a lady by the name of Brenda Quintana from Splitcoaststampers for the link to get the template check this out.

I decided to participate in my first NZSU challenge.
The challenge was to make anything Christmas related - but - it can't be a card. It can be a box, a tag, a bag, a decoration, it's up to us.So me being me got on to Splitcoaststampers and found this awesome template. I printed it off and traced it on to the Garden green A4 paper.
I coloured the main image using markers and then the huffing technique.
This allows you to get different parts of the image different colours.

Over the top using the stamp-a-ma-jig I stamped with Versamark and then covered the image with dazzling diamonds.
I am quiet happy with the end result and it was real easy to make.

So here is my attempt at the challenge.

Materials:
Stamps: Season of Joy & Circle of Friendship
Cardstock: Garden Green, Real Red & Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black Marker, Real Red Marker, Garden Green Marker, Brilliant Blue Marker, Summer Sun Marker
Others: Real Red 1/4" grosgrain, Stamp-a-ma-jig, 1 1/4" circle punch, 1 3/8" circle punch & 1/8" circle punch

Thanks for looking

Make a card Monday Christmas Style

2008-11-11T11:34:00.004+13:00

Yah its Tuesday and make a card Monday has come out.
I'm not enjoy Tuesday so much as I would as I am home sick and just hate it.
Don't even seem to have the energy to craft either.

Anyway here is Kristina Make a card Monday video, have a look and see what you think?

Have a wonderful week

Stampin up November Specials

2008-11-11T08:04:00.004+13:00

Stampin' Up! has two great promotions happening for the rest of November! Keep reading for all the details.

For the first time ever in NZ ever we are able to offer our Stampin' Write Markers individually!
That means you get to pick and buy the colours you love.

From 10-30 November, you can purchase single Stampin’ Write markers for only $5.95.
These Stampin’ Write markers are versatile, with dual-tip ends.
This special is a limited-time offer valid till 30th November.

Get 20 percent off all Rub-Ons when you spend $20 on Stampin’ Up! products.

For only $18.80 per package (regularly $23.50), you can purchase any of Stampin’ Up!’s unique Rub-Ons that can be used on cards, scrapbook pages, crafting projects, and more!
This offer is also valid until the 30th November.

If you would like to take advantage of these specials please contact me to place an order.

Colour Inspiration # 29

2008-11-10T01:00:00.007+13:00

So I'm a little behind for this challenge but I wanted to at least give it a go as it has two favourite colours of mine in it Purple and Blue.
The colours inspiration is to use Pacific Point, Taken with teal, Elegant Eggplant, Pumpkin pie and Whisper white.

As NZ don't have Pacific Point so I swaped it for Brilliant Blue.
I love, love this colour combo and really like the end result.
The sentiment is from the Eastern Elegance rubons and then put through the cuttlebug.
You get both black and white in a pack which make the price very reasonable.

The stamp set is from the simple start kit Simple Delights.
Even though the kit is a little more costly, in the kit you get quiet a lot of product.
Actually you get enough product to make at least 10 cards with left overs, so that makes it worth while.

This is a card sketch from the spiltcoaststamper, SC 184. (just love these for ideas)
Anyway here is what I came up with using that sketch.

Materials:
Stamps: Simple Delights from the Simple Start kit
Cardstock: Elegant Eggplant, Taken with Teal, Pumpkin Pie & Whisper White
Ink: Pumpkin Pie
Others: Eastern Elegance Rubons, 5-Petal Flower Punch, Spring Flower Bouquet Punch, Cuttlebug Swiss dots & Argyle, White Brad, Bling

Update

2008-11-09T22:55:00.006+13:00

What a few months. and Christmas is only 7 weeks away.
I can't believe it, the year has gone so fast.

First things first as you may notice my posts are showing way after the date they should be.
I'm having huge problems uploading photos with blogspot so that's why.
I think its the size of them as some work and some don't.

So anyway on to good things, on the 3rd November 2008 we had our SU team meeting.
I love these, they always inspire me and this meeting was nothing less then inspiring.
It was held at Julie's house (my upline).
She had been to the New Plymouth Regionals and cam back with all these helpful tips.

We did swaps and yet again I forgot.
I'm really going to get on to this next time but here are the ones I got.

We also learnt how to make these.
It holds 4 mini cards and envelopes.
I also love this stamp set.

This is a sneak peek of a stamp set in the new Summer Catalogue coming out 1st Dec.

We also learnt to make these cool little bags

Thanks to Julie for doing such an awesome Job

Also it was my boss officially last day on the 7th Nov. She off on maternity leave for 6 months.
The office decided to have a surprise party for her on the 30th Nov, as she has been with the company for over 7 years and has been such an awesome boss/ friend to me so I wanted to make something special for her, I decided to make her this.

Its a diaper cake (nappy cake) it has 108 disposable nappies, socks and all sorts of things to help her and baby out.
It took me ages to make but I had fun doing it and the best was the reaction.

Otis left for Nelson today for 4 weeks (YAH) I mean I'm so sad.
The best thing about it is his company are paying for me to fly down in a couple of weeks for the weekend. All expenses paid weekend.
I'm really looking forward to it as I have never been to Nelson.
It will probably do me some good to have a holiday as I've been quite sick, tired and busy lately.

Anyway off to bed.
Try and fix this post problem tomorrow

Colour Challenge #28

2008-10-29T22:00:00.006+13:00

These seem to be be coming thick and fast or the weeks seem to be getting fast as christmas approaches.
Yet another wonderful challenge, colours this week are Pumpkin Pie, Ruby Red, Sage Shadow and whisper white.
Not colours I would have placed together but I am liking the challenge

Here what I did

Materials:
Stamps: In the spotlight & It's Beautiful & Boho Background
Cardstock: Pumpkin pie, Ruby Red, Sage Shadow & Whisper White
Ink: Pumpkin Pie, Ruby Red, Basic Black
Others: Dimensionals, Black Brads, Pumpkin Pie 1/4" grosgrain, 5-petal flower punch, Stamp-a-ma-jig & 1/16" circle punch

Colour Challenge #27

2008-10-29T09:34:00.011+13:00

I know I am a little late but I really wanted to make sure I keep up with the challenges.

The challenge was to make a project using any red or pink as a main colour. We then had free range to choose to include any other colours.

So I am not really a pink lady so I thought I would make this a real challenge to use pink.
For the brad I took a silver one and inked it in the whisper white and then straight into the dazzling diamonds. It gives your brad that sparkle effect.
I used the stamp-a-ma-jig to get placement for the word. I just love the stamp-a-ma-jig, it just takes all the guess work out with placement.

Anyway here the card I have come up with, what do you think of it?

Materials
Stamps: Bloomin'with Beauty & Rough Texture
Ink: Pale Plum, Purely Pomegranate, Garden Green, Whisper white & Soft Sky
Cardstock: Whisper White & Pale Plum, Watercolour Paper, Purely Pomegranate
Other: Silver brad, Dimensionals, Dazzling Diamonds, Stamp-a-ma-jig

Make a Card Monday

2008-10-28T12:56:00.006+13:00

Another make a card monday by Kristina.

I know that I've been so slack with my blogging but I'm hoping the weeks will start to slow down so I can but in the mean time here the link.

Have a wonderful week

Senz update

2008-10-17T16:19:00.011+13:00

Senz has been and gone and man did I have a blast and it was so awesome to be there and catch up with all my friends and make new ones.

So I was lucky enough to have the Friday off work and man there was tso many people on that day.
My first class on the Friday was Roses's Garden, with Rose McKenzie.
I just love Roses classes, they are always challenging but I love the end product.

So here is the card I made in the class.

My next class was Family Heritage layouts, and the tutor was Kerin.
And this is the layout I came way with.
This is the beginning of the Family Heritage layout for Otis Grandmother.
It was great class to get me started

Then on the Saturday I did All you can cr-EAT-e Card Buffet with Nic Howard in the morning and then Prima Paintables again with Nic Howard.

Just love Nic as a tutor, and her classes are from anything but fast, wonderful product and lots and lots of technicques.
I am so glad I did both of these.

Colour Challenge #26

2008-10-16T15:47:00.008+13:00

Wow number 26, and I am so glad Kristina does them.

They really challenge me and also gives me something to add my blog.

I really like the colour combo yet again. (Rose red, bashful blue, so saffron, wild wasabi & whisper white)

Well here my take

Materials
Stamps: Close as a memory & Sincer Salutations
Ink: Bashful Blue & StazOn Black
Cardstock: Whisper White, Bashful Blue, Wild Wasabi, So Saffron & Ruby Red
Other: Bashful Blue 1/4" Grosgrain & Cuttlebug swiss dots embossing folder

Make a Card Monday

2008-10-14T12:12:00.006+13:00

Well its that time again where Kristina put out another You tube video of card making idea.
I really hang out for these and love watching them for ideas.
well enough rambling from me but here is the link if you want to watch

Have a lovely Tuesday

My Secret

2008-10-13T09:48:00.007+13:00

Well I can post it on my blog now but on Thursday the 25th September it was my lovely husband birthday.
As a surprise I arranged with the help of Otis parents, we arranged for both of us to fly up to Auckland for the weekend.

Otis Parents booked the flights and I arranged for him to have the day off on Friday. I also arranged for my parents to take us to the airport early Friday morning.
It was hard keeping it a secret but man was it an awesome surprise. This is one secret he didn't know about.

We have a wonderful time up there and it was great to see all the family again especially Jade & Josiah who are our new nephew and niece.

I didn't get cluckly up there either, i just enjoyed being an Aunty.
I also think Otis enjoys being an Uncle too.
Have a lovely week

My First Stampin up Party

2008-10-13T09:40:00.007+13:00

So on Friday I had my first stampin up party.
It was awesome and thank you to the scrapbook & card making ladies from Knocks Church in Upper Hutt for coming along.

We all had great fun and this is the card they made.

Materials
Stamps:Season of Joy & So Swirly
Ink: Versamark, Garden Green & Real Red
Cardstock: Whisper White, Garden Green & Real Red
Other:Real red 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, ticket punch, 1 3/8" circle punch, 1 1/4" circle punch 1" circle punch

I think after the party I got the bug, so I think I might do a few more but who knows.

Colour Challenge #25

2008-10-13T08:46:00.009+13:00

Well its that time again. Kristina has put out another colour chanllenge, I know its a little late but I do like to at least try them.
The colour this week are ballet blue, certainly celery, so saffron and ruby red.
This was a real tuff one for me but pretty happy with the results.

Materials
Stamps: Time Well Spent, Rough Texture
Ink: Ballet Blue, Black Stazon
Cardstock: Whisper White, Ballet Blue, Certainly Celery & So Saffron
Other: Ruby Red Marker, Corner Rounder, Blender Pen

Make a Card Monday

2008-10-07T22:40:00.005+13:00

Well Its that time again, and she is bring out the Christmas cards.
I can't wait till Christmas but I can't believe that it is coming so fast.
Here the link for the tutorial.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Colour Challenge #24

2008-10-03T10:15:00.013+13:00

Well its that time again Kristina has launched another colour challege and I thought I might make it time with my creation.

The colours are Choc chip, pumpkin pie, kiwi kiss (Old olive for people out of the US) and Very Vanilla.

What an awesome colour combo.

Here was I took with those colours and did.

Materials
Stamps:Artfully Asian & En Francais
Ink: Chocolate Chip & Old Olive
Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Old Olive & Pumpkin pie
Other: Chocolate Chip 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon, Old Olive & Pumpkin pie markers

Have a lovely weekend.

Kristina Make a card Monday

2008-10-01T11:36:00.014+13:00

Sorry guys you had not heard from me in over a week but Kristina did do her colour challenge last week and any way its been hectic with me trying to keep a secret but I'll tell more of that later.

Well here it is again a little late as Kristina been away however it is worth the wait.

Kristina make a card monday.

Have a look here.

I thought that I would make a card monday idea and this is my take.
Materials
Stamps: In the Spotlight (hostess level 2)
Ink: Whisper White, Chocolate Chip & Ruby Red
Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Almost Amethyst, Ruby Red & Whisper White, So Saffron
Other: White gel pen, Dimensionals, Silver brad, Spring Flower Bouquet Punch.

About Me

2008-09-30T12:00:00.002+13:00

I Love Tuesdays

2008-09-23T17:23:00.017+12:00

Why you say....

Because every Tuesday when I get home from work Kristina from Kwernerdesign blog has posted a new make a card Monday video.
She is so talented and I get so many idea from these videos.

If your note sure what I'm talking about check out this link.

Well have a lovely Tuesday.

Color Inspiration #23

2008-09-16T16:28:00.011+12:00

Yet another awesome challenge. I really like the colours she has picked.

Here is my take on the color inspiration

Materials
Stamps: Fabulous Flowers & So Swirly
Ink: Bravo Burgundy, So Saffron
Cardstock: Whisper White, Old Olive & So Saffron
Other: Chocolate Chip 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon, Dimensionals

Team meetings

2008-09-16T15:53:00.010+12:00

I just love team get together.
It was Julie, Patrina, Lisa and myself.
We get to swap how we doing, ideas and lovely Lisa shows us a make n take or two.
We also did a swap this time however I forgot about but here some pictures of the swaps from the others.

Patrina Card

Julie Card

Lisa Card

I also put in my first order.
Now just have to wait for it to arrive.

Kwernerdesign Colour Inspiration #22

2008-09-12T10:49:00.009+12:00

Well I have been watching KWerner Design Blog for a little while now and when she launched this challenege I realised I had the colours to give it a go.
So she my take on the challenge.
What do you think?

Materials
Stamps: Mostly Flowers & Artfully Asian
Ink: Whisper White, Rose Red & Regal Rose
Cardstock: Whisper White, Soft Sky, Bravo Burgundy
Other Regal Rose 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon, Dimensionals, Bling

Where has the year gone...

2008-09-08T23:10:00.005+12:00

Well I was hoping to have a lot of crafting done, and I kind of have but not as much as I wanted to.
so an update
Otis has been away alot for work, and work for me has been extremely busy.
I've been to two bead classes with Bronwyn.
I was able to learn and complete a twisted wire necklace & multi strand necklace.
I had so much fun.

I've also been to two busy bee classes. I really enjoy these classes.
The first one was man cards and the 2nd one was two christmas cards.
Even though these classes are themed I like that they can easy be changed to fit theme you want.

My kit arrived

2008-09-08T23:02:00.005+12:00

Yeah my kit arrived today (18th August).
It felt like Christmas has arrived.
I was at home sick, so I spent the day in bed and when I had the energy I started putting the stamps together.
Now just have to start creating, so stay tuned for mt new creations

I've become a demostrator...

2008-08-12T18:10:00.004+12:00

Yes thats right I've taken the plunge and become a stampin up demostrator and man oh man am I excited.
They have so many lovely stamps, papers, colours etc.
I am hoping that I will get more crafting done and blog more regularly with my new creations.
Thanks to Julie for all your help.
Now I have to sit an wait for the starter kit to arrive.

Family together as we remember

2008-08-03T23:38:00.004+12:00

Sunday 3rd August 2007 my Grandad (my mum's dad) left us to be with my Nana.
Yes a year today my Grandad passed away.
It was really nice most of mums side of the family came together in Foxton on Saturday.
We all met at the cemetery and paid our respects and remembered. We did not end up staying long as there as it started to get very cold and rain.
We all went to the Foxton RSA and had a lovely dinner.
For me it's really nice to get together with the family and catch up.
So today even though it was a sad weekend, it was also good.

Life never lasts forever so it make me remember that family are important and to treasure them.

Christmas Card Class

2008-07-29T12:11:00.007+12:00

So on Saturday 26th July, Linda Burgess, Catherine Leong, Lesley Meade and I went out to Busy Bee in Upper Hutt and made these wonderful Christmas cards.

I had alot of fun making the cards.
They only took 1 hr 1/2 to make and the class only cost $12.50 each and that included all the materials to make the two cards and templates and instructions to make more.
I would differently be going out there to do more.

Craft Group Outing

2008-07-14T10:18:00.007+12:00

I went out with a group of ladies from the craft group I got involved in on Sunday.
Linda Burgess, Catherine Leong, Dena and I went out to Upper Hutt and had so much fun.

I arranged to pick everyone up then we went out to Busy Bee in Upper Hutt, then went to Scrapbook Central in Lower Hutt as the other craft stores in Upper Hutt were not open on Sunday.

We then went into Petone and had a look around Village beads.
We all agreer that doing a class at village beads would be a great idea for another craft outing for the group.
By the time we had done all of this all four were getting hungry so we went to Palace Cafe in Petone and enjoyed lunch.
It was really nice to have an enjoyable day out and I can't wait for the next one we have planned.

A Day of remembrance

2008-07-10T14:56:00.006+12:00

Today is a day of remembrance

5 years today my Nana died (my dad's mum)
Today was a really hard day on me and to be honest I think as the years get more and more the harder it gets.
I think my most worry is that I will never remember her and I will eventually forget her.

It was great thought, my boss let me leave work early, so I decided that I would go and pick Dad up from Kelston and took him up to Levin where Nana was buried. I think Nana would have been looking down very proud and liked this.
I also enjoyed it as it was a time for me and dad to bond which to be honest it does not happen that often.

It also made me realise that lives are so precious like gem stones, you never no when they will be gone.

Lastest Update

2008-07-09T10:23:00.005+12:00

Well it's to be a while since I have posted to this blog and thought it was high time I did an update.

so where to begin...

On Saturday 17th May 2008 Otis and I went to the food show at westpac stadium with Beth & Bruce and Beca & G.
We had a wonderful time and highly recommend it to anyone thinking of going next year.
It took us 4hrs to get around the whole thing but by the end of it we had tried alot of food and bought a few goodies to add to our pantry.

Fuse was then on again between 30th through to the 1st June at the Michael Fowler Centre.
Otis this year recorded the concerts like last year, and like last year he had good and bad moments of the weekend, however he did come away with some recordings.
Every year Otis work there the better he seems to get at it.
I decided that I had enough last year and was really going to stay out of the technical side of things however I was able to go along and enjoy the show which was nice.

Yes that right Otis and I have a new nephew

Josiah Trevor

Born on18/05/05 at 5.40am

7 pounds 9oz

Congratulation Tammie & Chandler

The church we go to The Street City Church ran a 3 Marriage sessions during the morning services. We were not able to make all three but due to the fantastic word of technology if we missed the sessions we were able to listen to it on there website.
Here are the links

For Better Part 1 - understanding the mysterious ways of your mate
Sunday 8th June 2008

Link

For Better Part 2 - understanding the mysterious ways of your mate
Sunday 15th June 2008
Link

For Better Part 3 - understanding the mysterious ways of your mate
Sunday 22nd June 2008
Link

I found my cat...
Yeah thats right, after all that stress, flyer drops and web adds on the SPCA a lovely family found my cat under there house on 11th June 2008.
It had been 4 weeks since she went missing so she was a little skinny but we took her to the vet and got her checked and she was all okay.
Me and the family were so glad to have her home again.

Have you seen my Cat

2008-05-14T07:24:00.005+12:00

Yes thats right, I've lost our cat.
She got out on Monday 12th May 2008 and now I can't find her.
Here name is Fluffly.
She was lost in Johnsonville, Wellington.
so if you see her please let me know.

So on top of all the stuff that has happened this week I am having this really tops the cake. I really really pray that God will look after her and bring her home to me.
Have a good rest of the week

How life can be so Precious....

2008-05-13T17:18:00.004+12:00

Wow what a month I have had.
Its started out wonderful, I got to go to a scrap away weekend to Silverstream Retreat with scrapbook central and man on man did I have fun.
And I made the most amazing friends.
I came back from the weekend feeling refreshed and rested even though it was a busy weekend.

Work has been full on. I got a payrise at a price. YAH
HOWEVER I have had to change jobs and having to learn that job quite quickly. Its made life rather stressful and then on top of that a good friend of mine passed away of Overial Cancer at the age of 38 suddnley.
Also on top of that the friend that died was actually my bosses sister, so alot of the staff were I work have not been here.
I not complaining and people need time and space but on top my plate, its made me a little more stressed but I am fully sure I'll get through it.

But on a up note this week I have been to a wine & cheese night at our friends Beth & Bruce. While there order some wine.
If you ever interested look at the website but read the conditions carefully.
http://www.bestbuyerswineguide.co.nz/

I get to go to a make n take at Crafting Around with one of my new friends Katie and then on friday I've got the funeral to go to on friday in the morning and then in the evening I've been invited to a scrapping evening at Knox Presbyterian Church with another new friend Karen.

Then on Saturday Otis, I and maybe some other friends are off to The food Show.

So the week has started off pretty horrible but I am really hoping it will get better.
Take care till next time

Otis & Cath update

2008-04-26T09:05:00.007+12:00

So an update for you all.

Well since Jade baptism life has been really busy.
Patches our cat got pregnant and had four beautiful kittens
Two black and white males and two torshell females.

We gave away 3 of the 4 kittens and have kept one.
Since Patches has had her kittens she would not stop marking her territory and fighting with our other cat Muppet.
A vet advised me this would not stop this as she was trying to be dominant in the house so Otis and I made the hard decision for her to live somewhere else.
The good thing is that she has ended up going to live with a friend of mine. I hear she is settling in rather nicely.

So meet the new family member to our house

Enzo

I have started up facebook, I found it rather interesting how many people were on there I know.
So of you find me, please add me to your friends as I need a few more friends.

Also Otis Parents came down and stayed with us for one night on Anzac weekend.
It was great to catch up with them and spend a bit of time with them.

Well bye for now until my next entry

Jade Baptisum

2008-03-18T18:08:00.005+13:00

Well unfortantly both Otis and I were unable to make it to Auckland last weekend for Baby Jade Baptisum.

Instead Karen was lovely enough to share photo's and coz I love being an aunty, I want to share them with you.

Man how Jade is growing so fast, both Otis and I are looking forward to hopefully coming up to Auckland soon and seeing all the family and seeing Jade.

3, 2, 1 Toss

2008-03-14T12:45:00.010+13:00

So I better tell you what this was all about.

At work we listen to MoreFm Wellington and currently they have a competition going where you have to risk something big to gain big.
So I decided to enter. You know me, I felt I had nothing to lose.

Well I got a call on Monday after (3/3/08) to advised I was one of the three people to go for this.
First I was excited and then the nervs hit in about what if I lose my item.

I better tell you the whole competition I had to risk my cell phone and the sim card to possibly gain a new cell phone.

So the toss was held on Tuesday 4th March 2008 at 7.40am at Nick Corner (Corner of Old Bank Aracade)
But before this I not only had a stressful sleep wondering what the heck I had got myself into, then to get a wake up call at 5.45am from Nick @ MoreFm(I didn't know this time existed) I then got yet another call at 6.30am to be put on the radio.
All of this made my nervous worse.

So Otis and I (Yes I could not do this alone) went down to Nick Corner. We had to be there at about 7.20am, ready for the radio at 7.40am

so the time came all three of us there (Raewyn, Catherine and Lisa) with our phones on the line.
Lisa went first, then Raewyn and me last.
Nick tosses a coin if it landed on heads we got to keep our phone and we also won a new phone. If it landed on tails we got our phone smashed with a sledge hammer.

3, 2, 1

So no this was not my phone, unfortantly Lisa was first up and got tails so she had her phone smashed however Raewyn and I both got heads and won.
We got to keep our existing phone plus win the new one.

Yah...
This is my new phone

Nokia N70

Its a little to flash for me, has more features then I need. so Otis has eye on it hoping I'll give it to him.
But we will have to see.

Life goes on

2008-02-08T09:42:00.003+13:00

Well we better fill you in on rest of the details.

So my flight to Auckland went well a little bummpy but I got there in the end.
was greeted at the airport by Sue & Brian which was rather nice.
They then took me to pick up the rental which took a while to sort out as not everything had been sorted out.
So after about 1hr I finally got a rental car and then after having to pick up a few errans for Otis, I headed back to Sue & Brians place for a bit of dinner then head off to Hamilton.
This had been the first time I had driven out or around Auckland so I was a little afraid but in the end I got out of Auckland via the North Shore.
By the way Sue & Brian live in Manakau.
Yes that right I went in the wrong direction.

So I finally got to Hamilton at 12pm and man oh man was I glad I arrived safe and sound.
Enjoyed a lovely weeknd at Parachute catching up with friends and just enjoying the weekend.
Then Monday came and we had to pack up and then Tuesday we headed home.
We got home safe and sound and then spent the rest of Tuesday unpack and tidy up the house.
what a long week.

Then during that week Otis started having bad tooth ache, so the following tuesday $300.00 later Otis ended have his tooth removed.
At this stage I was not sure I could handle anything else being thrown at us.
we will just see what the coming weeks have instore for us.

Back Safe and Sound

2008-01-31T10:19:00.001+13:00

This is just a short post to let you know we got back safe and sound.
We both really enjoyed Parachute 08 and it was awesome to make a whole lot of new friends as well as catching up with some old ones.

Here are a few photos.
But I promise I will update you some more later.

I also decided to do 29 Nights.
This is a group of scrapbook ladies who have decided to take after Ali Edwards and instead of a year they are doing the month of Feb.
I have to place a post and a photo in my blog everyday for the month of Feb.
See here for more details:
www.mummymoo.wordpress.com

Auckland, than on to Parachute...

2008-01-24T11:39:00.001+13:00

So he is an update on the week from Hell.
I now love State Insurance.

So on Tuesday I rung State Insurance to follow up on the car and was advised that it will be towed to Wellington to get assessed and then from there decide if they ride the car off or repair it. During this conversation I asked about rental cars and how we were going to get home.
In the end it was easier for us to book the rental car and State Insurance be invoiced for the rental, so since I was flying to Auckland then going to Parachute from there Otis mum (Sue) was able to look around and a good deal on a rental car for 14 days that can be left in Wellington.
Thank you Sue.
I am flying to Auckland tonight where I'll pick up rental car and drive to Hamilton where Parachute is. YAH.
I really be glad to see Otis, man am I so thankful he or anyone else was not hurt.

so back to the car well I got a call from the assessor today to advise that he had only just got the paper work today and that he was arranging for it to be towed down to Wellington tomorrow and then taken to the Hutt Valley to get assessed. He advised I should have a defiant answer on what will happen with the car next Tuesday.
What happen is suppose to happen and so I am prepared for the worse.

But anyway that will be my last blog post till I come back from Parachute 08 but I promise I will post photos and update when we get back.
I might even let Otis write a little. :)

Thanks for reading

Not all trips go to plan.

2008-01-21T21:30:00.001+13:00

So I hoped that since Thursday that our week would get better however I should know better.
Bad things in our life happen in threes and it doesn't rain but pours with us.

So to tell you what happened i should probley start at the beginning.
so Friday, Saturday and Sunday went spent organise and packing for parachute but in between I worked and we went out to friends for dinner dinner (Thanks Eileen & Steve) and Otis took me to the Botanic Gardens to watch the light show and the Beatgirls.

I had such an awesome weekend and I really thought we were on the up after last week but as usual as soon as I think something like that life turns to custard.
So we left packing for Parachute till the last minute and when I mean last minute, I mean we were still pack at 12pm on Sunday night however we got it done in the end and also were able to get enough sleep at the same time.

So Monday morning we packed the car and Otis dropped me off at work at about 8.30am and then he went off to meet Bob and the others and start the trip to Parachute.
So everything was going well until I get this call at about 1.30pm. It was Otis telling me he had been in a car accident just outside of Taihape.
Thank God Otis nor the passengers were not hurt however the car didn't come out the same and was a little worse for wear.
So after spending large amounts of time of the phone with the insurance company we aranged to have the car taken back to Taihape to get assessed however due to Monday being a public holiday the car could not be assessed until Tuesday and if it deemed repairable the car will be towed to Wellington.

However we had one proble how do we get Otis, the gear and the passengers he had from Taihape to Hamilton.
Thanks to Bob and a large amount of driving (2 trips from Taihape to Hamilton) he was able to get to Hamilton with all the gear and the passengers he was bring up to Parachute the downer was that by the time they got in they were all rather tied as they didn't get in to Parachute till 2am the next day. (what a long trip.)

Hopefully from there we will be able to arrange with our insurance a rental car in Hamilton so we can get home from Parachute next week but we will just have to see when the assessment is done and I ring the insurance company tomorrow, so to be honest who knows what our week will bring.

Thanks for reading.

This week was a week to test us...

2008-01-17T10:30:00.001+13:00

Wow, what a week we have had.
So it started off that after alot of discussion from friends and family and Otis that I would maybe start apply for another job.
Yes thats right you heard correctly for those friends who don't quite believe as I have said this many of times.
So I got onto the web on Sunday 6th Jan and applied for three jobs (one was two positions within one company).
One application closed on the 7th Jan and the other on the 31st Jan.
So this week I got outcomes on both positions I applied for. The position that closed on the 7th Jan I found out by email that I had the skills but they did not want to take me further which a bit disappointing but okay.
However the for the other one I recieved a call on Tuesday 8th Jan asking that they would like me to come in for an 1/2 day interview which was exciting.

So that was end of last week, now here is the testing week.

So the week starts off with us recieveing a letter from our landlord to advised that our rent is going up in price in 60 days.
So after long discussion we have decided to stay, however this has our plans of buying a house at the end of the year on the back foot but I am hoping that we will still be able to di this.

Then the job interview was on tuesday afternoon and man what an interview and everything that I could do wrong went wrong and everything I had in my mind went blank.
So I came out of that interview feeling pretty horrible, then I get to my car to find that my car had be clamped. YES CLAMPED.
It was not my fault there was no signs.
I tried to disbute it but was advised that if I didn't they would tow my car and then it would cost me $300.00, so I had to pay $150.00 to get my car back.

Then Tuesday night Otis spent the whole night up with tooth ace, so I spent most of Wednesday getting him a dentist appointment.
I was lucky enough to get him an appointment for Thursday 17th Jan @ 8.40am.
So we get there and find the dentist is running late and we don't get in till 9am. Then we finally get in to find that Otis tooth ace is caused by a rotten tooth which needs to be pulled but before this can be done, otis needed to get a special whole head xray.
So a long story short by the time we do the appointment, get antibodics & the special xray it ends up costing us nearly $200.00.

ARG I really hope that nothing else goes pair shaped but who knows its only Thursday morning so who knows what may come of the rest of the week.
Thanks for reading

Start of a new year with a new blog...

2008-01-10T21:25:00.001+13:00

Its a new year and I (Catherine) have always wanted to blog, so we are at the start of year starting one.

So we started the year off with a bang, where we had Christmas in Auckland with Otis family.
It was rather nice as we had a chance to relax, swim, enjoy the nice weather and catch up with some friends and family.

It was a shame we were not able to see our lovely new niece due to Otis having a cold and Jade had not been immunised yet but thanks to Toby & Karen who sent us some beautiful photos of her.

Welcome Jade Marie Dickens

We wish both Toby and Karen lots of love with there first new born.

So the plan for this year is we have no idea, but what we do know is its going to be an exciting one and possibly a few changes but who know, both Otis and I will just have to wait in anticipation.