Creative Creations

1 year anniversary scrapbook

Hello lovelys!

I absolutely LOVE creating gifts, I would rather make a gift than go out a buy something so today I am sharing a project I completed last year for my 1 year with my boyfriend -- a home-made scrapbook. 

Materials needed

• Cardboard - any shape or size, but ensure all are the same x 8(or depending on amount of pages you want to do
• Ring binders x 2
• Paper (pick up any type, scrapbook paper, wrapping paper, maps, anything)
• Stickers - flat letters, puffy letters, anything that is going to help make your master piece
• Double sided cello tape
• Craft stickers - I followed a travel theme as we were doing distance for most of our relationship
• Hole punch
• Photos - the key ingredient to an awesome scrapbook
• And anything else you deem necessary

Cover the cardboard with paper of your choice and use double sided cello tape to ensure it sticks to cardboard. Once all are covered hole punch ensuring they all line up for the binders. Next get creating - create themed pages - stick on beautiful jewels and gems - if you have saved maps, or tickets from places you have visited use these as backgrounds or a key piece on the page - they will definitely stand out :)

Go wild with your creation! I believe anything made from the heart is the best gift to receive!

Go on -- GET CREATIVE and make a scrapbook for a loved one, or yourself :) They will keep forever!!!

Arohanui (much love), Anna Jane xx

Awkward Hellos

While waiting for my train to come on a chilly afternoon, I notice a young guy with his head phones in -- looking kind of....awkward. As a train pulled in to the station, I noticed he became more tense and as the doors opened he pulled out his head phones, an extreme case of nervousness came over him with a goofy grin on his face - and embraced someone who I believed to be his girlfriend. It was an Awkward Hello.

Instantly it took me back to my time doing distance with Joe (my boyfriend of nearly 2 years). We have been doing distance for a fair chunk of our relationship, between New Zealand and England, with several stints of spending time together in between. It reminded me so much of the first time he came to NZ and that extreme sense of nervousness with butterflies crowding my tummy as I waited and watched to see him come through the international arrivals gate. That first embrace of do I even remember how to hug him, the thoughts of 'he looks different', what do I say...etc. As much as I was nervous -- hellos are the best part about goodbyes. They make up for the tears and the heartache by bringing so much joy and happiness in such a huge rush of emotions.

In life we come across situations or things such as smells, noises, or objectives that remind us of precious moments that have helped shape a certain experience or us as a person. These moments are what bring me back and help me remember how far I have come in life and also how far our relationship has come.

Everyday I try and look for the small things that make me smile and remind me of the past joy and of the joy to come.

"A moment last all of a second, but the memory lives on forever"

Arohanui & Blessings,
Anna

What defines a joyful noise...

What defines a joyful noise in your life?

A joyful noise in my life is the sound of...
- the piercing squeals of laughter coming from my nieces and nephews as they are being tickled.
- a hot summers day at the beach with the sound of waves lapping onto the shore.
- a tune playing over the radio that you can't just help but smile and sing a long.
- a SPLASH into a river or swimming pool
- a conversation with a close friend

These are just some of what define 'joyful noise' in my life, but one that stands out and one I am trying to live daily is "Make a joyful noise unto the Lord" from Psalm 100. Praise Him in all circumstances, sing a new song to Him.

Today the challenge is to figure out not only what the sound of joyful noise is, but also what do I do to make a joyful noise.

Arohanui and Blessings. Anna