I've been quiet on the blog front! I've been quiet on all fronts really. I've been recovering from the second operation this month... This one was the major one after they discovered extensive endometrioisis on the first op!! So they've cut my stomach 6 inches across and stapled me up again. Yip - staples not stitches... Not sure how they plan to get them out of me...

Anyway, I got home from my 4-day hospital stay just last night - just in time for Fish and Chip Friday!! Luckily I had just got my apetite back.



These are the lovely "Thrombosis Stockings" that I had to wear during my stay! Love the mix and match PJ's!

Highlights of hospital... Mmm.. the food was really good! I had the best room in the place with a great view of Timaru and the snowy hills. I didn't have to lift a finger. I got lovely flowers from my family, cards and food from friends and I had lots of visitors each day!

Lowlights...Mmm... they got me out of bed for a shower the day after the operation and then 2 hours later made me get up again and start walking!! That was awful and rather mean...! Uncomfortable in most positions. Couldn't sleep much (either I woke up in discomfort or I got woken up by someone! Wind... I'll say no more about that!



So I'm home now and sitting up a but more today. All the muscles in my back are aching - but those 720 paracetamol the doctor prescribed will help. YES - 720 of them!! I made hubby ring the Pharmacy to see if an error hadn't been made. Here's the photo of the big liftime supply I now have. How much pain am I supposed to be in?

I can't drive for SIX weeks... and what a shame - no vacuuming or lifting either... Maybe I'll have to limit myself to crafts and more crafts. Ang blog-hopping! Vicki has been doing a fine job keeping the business running smoothly and she's coming in all next week as well. Whew! How wonderful to have people you can rely on to help out when times get tough! Thanks Vicki! Junaita is swanning off in America (we're jealous really!) so I hope she has the best time over there.

Husband Graham will also be home all next week - so he'll be joining in the business fun too (except he refuses to try his hand at scrapbooking...)

Stock kept pouring through the door while I was away - all the new Cuttlebug Folders and the Spellbinders (Yum). More Kaiser goodies and a selection of 3-D paper tole images for cardmakers. And more cuttlebug machines and a top up of Basic Grey and Glimmer Mist. I might just have to have a play with some of those things over the next few days...

I'll display some graphic images for you later this afternoon...!

Enjoy the weekend and happy crafting.
Liz

Check out their blog to win a Kaisercraft Collection!

Yesterday we had a lot of fun at the first (of many) Scrap Days organised by the lovely ladies at Temuka Baptist. It was from 9am - 9pm and included 8 free workshops throughout the day and food for miles!

The Workshops included a Kaiser photo frame and wall hanging, Stampin' Up treat box and origami box, Creative Memories flip album and basket, and cards with Vicki. We're already thinking about the next one!

I'll get a photo up on here soon...

I decided to try and complete a 6x6 album of the trip to Kaisercraft - but you know what it's like at a crop! Too many people to talk to - and too many fun workshops to attend! I'll finish it off tonight... (while keeping an eye on "Slum Dog Millionarie"). I don't think I've ever just sat down a watched a movie in years since starting this hobby! There's always too much else to do...

Anyway, I also got given a Lovely Blog award from hilary - so I'll get on and pass that on too (after I've figured out how it works!)

Ah - the much awaited cards! I have had such fun over the last few days making some cards with the new Kaisercraft papers. We will be making some card packs up really soon and these cards are really just sample ideas! I'll pop a couple of sets on the blog today and a couple more tomorrow (just to keep you coming back..!)

Anyway, today was a bit of fun. I ran a school holiday programme. In the morning session we made Tissue boxes (Kaisercraft of course). The youngest I had was 6 and she was very capable! All of them were very keen to use the craft knives... and we only had one "slip". At least red blood looks bit like red paint...


In the afternoon we had another group arrive for the Picture Frames class. We had boys and girls turn up for this one - and again I was really impressed with the finished products. We played with paint, papers, pearls, rhinestones (how many rhinestones can YOU fit on one project?!), punches, kindyglitz etc.

What fun. Next week I'm running a Cardmaking class and a 6x6 scrapbooking class.

Now I'm going to go and create a sample wall hanging for the Scrap and Craft Escape I'm tutoring at in Temuka in the weekend. Spaces still available. Only $20 from 9am-9pm and it includes a light dinner (and morning and afternoon tea, free giveaways, free workshops from 4 tutors, spot prizes and a heap of fun). I think the Christchurch ladies should come on down for the day! Let me know...

In addition to that, there will be sales tables and I can pop back to Timaru during the lunch hour if people want to visit my shop... Now that sounds like crazy fun!

Well, we've had the BIG draws for the new Kaisercraft Collections. The winner of the website draw was Nic C! And she checks out the blog too - well done! And the Timaru shop winner was Karyn W! I'm really thrilled for you ladies as I know you are both crazy Kaisercraft fans!

The paper winners for today were Noeline B and Andrea C.

And the magazine winners for the blog comment are.... Dawn and Chikadee. email: artfullcrafts@gmail.com with your address details ladies and I'll pop them in the post asap. You know what - I think pretty much everyone who left a blog comment won something this week! Please let me know if you didn't and I might be able to sneak you something!

Many thanks for the week of comments. It's been fun. Of course you are still welcome to keep commenting too (even though the prizes have dried up for the meantime!). It's great keeping in contact with you all.

I did promise those photos of the cards from yesterday... but I have to run to the Post Shop to post some parcels that other scrapmad people are waiting for, and then head out to dinner with some friends... You'll just have to pop by tomorrow to see them...!

Well done Bridgette - your patience and perserverance has paid off!! And Noisybabe managed to win another one too! So send me your details and I'll post it off on Monday.

Last chance today to leave a blog post. I think everyone who commented yesterday has already won! But you can win again. Spread the word around too...

I had a lovely day yesterday. I really, really wanted to play with those yummy new Kaiercraft papers and so I set about checking messages, tidying up the house from Friday's Free Make-and-Take, ordering more stock, updating stock numbers - and the list goes on! Finally by 2pm I was ready to craft - only to be greeted with the HUGEST pile of mess on my craft desk. I've been neglecting it for a while now and the piles of unfinished projects and unread magazines was quite impressive! So I ended up rearranging cupboards and finding new storage solutions. I have treated myself to one of each of the new Q1 Collections. I can't wait for the new Storage binders to arrive from Kaisercraft so I can use them. (Arriving any day...)

By 3:30pm I was done and ready to craft. I turned the computer OFF (I'm kind of addicted to checking messages!). I managed to craft until 11pm and only turned the computer back on 3 times during the evening. I made quite a selection of cards and very soon I'll go and photograph them and put them on this blog.

Meanwhile, some more work to do first and then another whole day of crafts... I think!

Well done to Kelly and Jenny! You've won a FREE Kaisercraft magazine. Pleae email me your address and I'll get it in Monday's Post for you. (artfullcrafts@gmail.com)

Keep trying Bridgette - your day will come!!

If you want to win a FREE Kaisercraft magazine just leave a comment on this blog. Each day I'll draw 2 winners... (I haven't heard from Serena and Fleur yet - Thursday's winners!).

Keep reading below for more ways to win. The rest of the world are waking up to Kaisercraft too and yesterday I had an order from Holland!! I'll be reordering some collections on Monday too - just so we don't run out...

Right I'm off to make some more cards now with these beautiful new papers. In fact, I'm going to turn the computer off for a few hours. It's become an addiction this thing!

Enjoy the weekend.

Wow - it's 6:30pm and I haven't had a moment to announce the winners til now! So, the winners for yesterday's blog comments are: Chris C and Noisybabe! Well done. If you could kindly send me your address details and I'll get that in the post for you. artfullcrafts@gmail.com

If you want to win a FREE Kaisercraft magazine just leave a comment on this blog. Each day I'll draw 2 winners... (I haven't heard from Serena and Fleur yet - yesterday's winners!)

Read on Thursday's blog for a more detailed description of the other prizes etc to be won at www.artfullcrafts.co.nz

The new Kaisercraft range is flying out the door. It's so stunning and there is so much to appeal to everyone.

Here's a card I made from the Pina Colada range. I used some dimensional magic (glassy gloss effect) on the leaves and flamingoes and I raised up some of the areas with mounting foam. Simple but effective. I'll be stamping the name of the recipient in the banner along the bottom - but I didn't want to do that and spoil the surprise. Let's just say that it's on its way to Australia with a bundle of other cards I will make this weekend... ! Anyone can make great cards with Kaisercraft's amazing papers!

Enjoy the weekend and I'll be back tomorrow to draw the next prize! You just have to leave a comment to be in to win...

MORE WINNERS FROM KAISERCRAFT!!

Congratulations to Serena and Fleur. You are today's winners of the new Kaisercraft magazine! Email me your address at artfullcrafts@gmail.com and I'll get them in the post to you.

Chances to win new products
Make sure you go and check out the papers and products competitions at www.artfullcrafts.co.nz. 2 lucky ladies who ordered yesterday have won TWO free paper collections. Feel free to come back to the blog and let me know what you think of the new products. Don't forget to send this great news around the blogesphere.

WIN A MAGAZINE
If you want to win a FREE Kaisercraft magazine you simply have to leave a comment on the blog and 2 lucky people each day will be pulled out of a hat to receive one! Each day I will post a new blog and you can try again the next day if you missed out. I will announce the winner on the next day's blog. This competition will continue until July 5th!

Another way to get a Free Kaisercraft magazine is to go to www.artfullcrafts.co.nz and sign up to the subscription page. You will get a year's worth of Quarterly magazines for the price of less than 3. That's a great deal. If you choose this option you will notice the postage has been incuded for the next 3 magazines as well.

So, pass the word around - there are free things to be won. And you really won't want to miss the Kaisercraft Prizes and Celebrations that we will be holding from July 1 - July 5th. Be sure to keep your eye on the blog and the website so you don't miss out on anything!

But before I tell you all about that, the winners for yesterday's competition are... Yorker and Sandra! Please send your address details through to artfullcrafts@gmail.com and I'll send you a new Kaisercraft magazine jammed pack fill of great projects... See below for more chances to win.

KAISERCRAFT has LAUNCHED!
The wonderful collection can be seen at www.artfullcrafts.co.nz

I was the first store in the world to have the new products go live on a website... We launched it just after midnight last night!

Chances to win new products
Make sure you go and check out the papers and products competitions. Feel free to come back to the blog and let me know what you think of the new products. Don't forget to send this great news around the blogesphere.

WIN A MAGAZINE
If you want to win a FREE Kaisercraft magazine you simply have to leave a comment on the blog and 2 lucky people each day will be pulled out of a hat to receive one! Each day I will post a new blog and you can try again the next day if you missed out. I will announce the winner on the next day's blog. This competition will continue until July 5th!

Another way to get a Free Kaisercraft magazine is to go to www.artfullcrafts.co.nz and sign up to the subscription page. You will get a year's worth of Quarterly magazines for the price of less than 3. That's a great deal. If you choose this option you will notice the postage has been incuded for the next 3 magazines as well.

So, pass the word around - there are free things to be won. And you really won't want to miss the Kaisercraft Prizes and Celebrations that we will be holding from July 1 - July 5th. Be sure to keep your eye on the blog and the website so you don't miss out on anything!