Spring Has Sprung???

well its March 26th and its beautiful here - finally! melting and warm and sunny but i am not holding my breath, it may not last but i'm "glad" to see the mud.

What a week, busy busy with our church supper thing that went well and i must say i'm glad its over, march has been stressful and i'm looking forward to a slower paced April with spring break from school in the middle there.

Poor Lindsey has got the chicken pox, she is not happy, about them or missing school but that is life, better now than as an adult like i was, NOT fun!!! I haven't dared try and snap a picture yet but i will, have to document the event somehow.

Here is a layout i did last week with a photo i played with in PS keeping her eyes blue as they are. A flower explosion on this layout "She", maybe thats my wishing for spring coming out on paper!

"Celebrate Every Detail" was fun to do, did it for a challenge or two on the boards and played a bit with some corrugated cardboard and stuff.

Oh and we have puppies, we thought we had lost our dog Zoe but she was only in hiding having two puppies, they are so cute already and the eyes are starting to open so will be getting pictures as soon as i can.

la la la la life goes on.....

oh blah de oh blah da life goes on yeah, la la la la life goes on. And it surely does, no matter how much we complain about the weather, can't change it and its still winter here oh yeah, still snowing. I got my hair cut, or rather cut shorter as the cut two weeks ago just wasn't short enough and was driving me nuts. Went to my first physio appointement and got some home exercises to do. THe therapist said the part of my back that was injured is one of the hardest to work on and get back to full mobility and all i can do is stretch and strengthen the muscles around the area so i will try. Enjoyed a trip to the thrift shop that i haven't been to for ages, unloaded 5 bags and came home with one new one, mostly stuff for dd but i found a few treasures for myself..
this week has been busy, and the week ahead will be even moreso and i am already tired thinking of it. i don't suspect i'll get any scrapping and very little chatting done so i'll leave you with this page i finally finished after 4 days on the table. for a challenge at the Clubhouse based on a sketch as well as one at Love2Scrap with the title being This I know.... check out my galleries for the details on this layout.


and i can't believe i haven't posted since i found out the results at Timeless, i made the design team there, whooooo, thrilled to bits and can't wait to get started. Great group of gals and lots of talent there too. was a fun race and love the results of the challenges put forth each week.

Love2Scrap gallery is operational again so i guess i'll be sharing my latest creations there as time allows. Oh and dont forget to come chat wednesday nite with Elsie Flannigan on L2S, should be fun, just hope i get home from town in time to participate.

Think GREEN

Well its march, which means St Patricks' day is soon upon us and so i salute and give hugs to my special irish Mother In Law this month and have a few green things i'll share over the month. I am thinking green, and wishing for spring, just a hint even would be nice but its nowhere near, still have feet of snow around here and no sign of it quitting.

Whats new on the scrap front, well, Love 2Scrap forum is up and running again, love that its back, the gallery up soon too we hope! Planning a cybercrop there just not sure on the weekend quite yet. March is a hectic month so not sure how much extra scrapping I will get done but i am sure going to try.

Round 6 is just winding up at the Scrapazing race at Timeless. Fingers are crossed and will be an anxious day tomorrow when we find out who wins, who made the team, etc etc. It has been a blast i've done some things that i normally would not have tried and so pleased with all the creativity from everyone and myself. I love a good challenge and Share girl you rocked out with those. THANKS to the whole team for this game, it was a highlight that got me through the dreary winter blahs for sure. The tin can album, the transperent card, those were just a couple of the goodies i made last couple rounds.

I also managed to complete all 8 challenges put forth by the Scrapbookersclubhouse team and i say thanks to Nicole and the dt for a great motivational month. i LOVE getting so much done.

LOVE MUCH i just did today, its page 2 in my 12x12 calendar that is going to be "color themed" so of course February had to be red. can you guess the color for march??? :)

Teachers convention is this week wich means a short week for the kids and a night away for me. looking forward to some learning, fun, shopping and hanging out with the girls when we are there. I got my hair cut, still not sure if i am convinced its the best cut, will give it a couple more days and see.

I enjoyed my guest DT for february at Savvynsassy as well and loved the ribbon i had to work with. OUCH was another one i created using the brown ribbons from the Kit.

Once Again...

I must apologize for not updating more frequently. No excuses, just nothing exciting to say perhaps but i have a few fave projects from the past week or so that i will share. I have a terrible head cold (thanks to my family who had it first and felt they had to share with me) and its still too much like winter here with snow and cold weather. I must say i have had enough. Wish i could sneak into my mom's suitcase and go to Hawaii with her, that would be fabulous, but alas, thats not going to happen so i will plug away with life here.

BEST news of the day, the Love2Scrap forum is up and running again, yeahhh, it was missed and i hope to see everyone stop in and check it out and say hi. what a relief, too bad those hackers don't have anything better to do with their time than cause trouble.

I am happy to say i am onto round 5 in the Scrapazing race, competition is getting tougher and it will be a fight to the finish i am sure. "seriously Mo" is from round 4 challenge to use lots of ppaper and at least 4 manufacturers which i did and had fun. I love my silly cat.

I've had fun working with the ribbon kit for my guest DT spot at SavvyNSassy and "Scenic Pit Stop" is one of the layouts i have done so far.

"Make Music" was for a challenge on Timeless Inspirations to go with the DCWV 07 calendar challenge to create your own embellishments. I (with a lil help from Lindsey) cut out swirls and circles from the Fontwerks pp to make the border and title "music".

And who could resist that face, those adorable curls, and a Norwegian CHristmas greeting, i had to scrap the picture card using chatterbox and jumbo ric rac, handmade felt poinsettia, and various other goodies. God Jul to you too Gudmund.

i suppose thats enough for today but stay tuned, i've got lots of ideas and goodies in the making. Oh and I got the best prize package from my crop winnings from Sarah's Shabby Shoppe in the mail yesterday and wowzers, i am drooling over all the cool goodies. Its good to visit there again and connect with friends and the new owner, Sarah, Seems to be doing a great job.

LOVE LOVE

What a nice surprise last week when my hubby brought me home a dozen roses, such a treat, so pretty and the splash of color in the midst of what is still serious winter weather was awesome. Of course i had to take a picture of them and they have since been "hung up to dry" LOL so i can enjoy them for a long long time. Thanks dear, love ya.

Its been a hectic week, back to work and an extra day today, just getting routine down again in time to get geared up for all the extra stuff going on with the kids, badminton starts monday, 4-H pancake supper, pizza party for hockey, etc etc, time just flies and the days are packed.

I am sad to say my term at Scrapbookers clubhouse as a dt member is over and it was my pleasure, great bunch of gals there to work with. It was also sad when Angelique decided to close the mboard down at Scrapbook Swede last week, glad the shop is still open though, so my dt term there has ended a bit early. Made it to round 3 in the cropazing race at Timeless so the competition is getting tough and i'm getting nervous but i have enjoyed the challenges. I am looking forward to cropping online at Sarah's Shabby shoppe this weekend and hope to get creative with the challenges and fun stuff going on there. Check it out!!

Baby Love was so much fun and i just love the portrait of Lindsey as a baby, and the Festive Nails was fun too when Lindsey and I did our nails up fancy over the Christmas Holidays, i still can't believe i HAVE nails, yep, they are still doing well, i think i've truly kicked the habit. I had fun doing some sweet valentines day projects for my family, still hoping for a few nice pictures for my february calendar page but so far nada. Hugs and stay warm

Slacking!! sorry

I am sorry i haven't updated my blog in days, have just been busy getting my DT assignments done, getting back into routine with some scrapping and work and all that fun stuff. I enjoyed the online crop this past weekend at Scrapbookers Clubhouse and am sad to say my term on the team there has come to an end, it was a blast and Nicole's service rocks!!! "Jolly" is one of the challenge layouts i did saturday.

I'm playing Scrapvivor on a new site i found, Timeless Inspirations and made it through to round two. "Life Happens" was the lo i did for that challenge, to use some old clothing pieces or parts on it, the black flowers were off of Lindsey's shoes and a few other embellishments were also recycled!

I also found out yesterday that i will be guest Designer for February over at SavvynSassy and i can't wait to get their ribbbon kit and play with that - i LOVE ribbon!!!! "first Season" was the layout i created for that contest, Mitchells close up smile behind his hockey mask speaks for itself!!

And anyday now the new magazine Scrapbook Dimensions should be releasing its first issue (in PDF format) with one of my layouts in it so i'm looking forward to seeing that. "Hip Necessity" is the layout in there that i created with a bit of digital and a lot of traditional scrapping.

I am hoping to scrap this coming weekend at the nearby community hall with friends who will be quilting and having a sleepover at my place so it should be a fun time.

Anyway, i am happy to say that my back is coming along nicely, its been one month and it gets better and better every day (and i can't wait till i can start massage and physiotherapy in a few weeks), i am LOVING our new wheels, such luxury! My new work schedule starts thursday and is just a little different than last semester so it will be nice to get back to that routine, january has flown by in a bit of a hazy blurr, here's hoping february is "normal". Hearts to you all for the wellwishes.

Going Digital? - nope

As fun as it is to see a layout come together on the computer I would/could never give up my precious scissors and paper, the smell of new stickers or chipboard, nope, I would not switch to digital scrap booking but I must say I am loving learning how to play with photoshop and do things in there to incorporate into my traditional paper layouts. Here is my first full digi layout using the free kit that CK had out last month. And the Merry layout I did as well using some free digital elements that Pick of the Patch has for their customers this month. I LOVE the film strips and am sure I will use those again and again. So despite being unable to scrap for long periods at a time i can still manage a bit of extra computer time to learn something new!!! all is not lost :)

And just FYI, i know that i should be capitalized but i am TOOOO lazy to do it so just pretend my shift key is broken for now LOL.

Pluggin' Away!!!!

Well it's been two weeks since the accident and I'm getting better, some days better than others, still frustrated that my body aches and won't cooperate when my mind has lots to do! I did manage "one-a-day" scrap success though and even if it wasn't as much production as i would have liked I guess its better than nothing. The design team at Love2Scrap was working with Basic Grey Blush paper kit this past month and did some fabulous work, be sure to check out the gallery there for inspiration and see what pops up on the BG website in the near future!! Here's one of the layouts I did with it. I am hoping that this coming week is better and that I can find my mojo and be productive before I have to head back to work. I learned a bit about Digital scrap'n with PS today so expect to see some of that encorporated into my traditional designs.

Happy New Year!!!!

Well I must say I rang in the new year in a whole new eventful way this year. Jan 1 2007 found me laying on my back in a hospital bed staring at the ceiling, bored to tears but also shedding tears of relief because I was so thankful to be alive and that even though we rolled our vehicle on Dec 31st no one was seriously injured and we all walked away from the accident scene. God definitely had angels watching over us that day. I spent 24hrs in hospital and was released with instructions to take it easy, no heavy lifting or bending and that my 9th thoracic vertebrae had a (compression or witch (I think is what he said)) fracture but will heal completely and if I follow dr.s orders then will hopefully not have backpain down the road. It was a scarey ordeal for everyone involved, Lindsey was driving and felt so bad but we reminded her that vehicles are replaceable and we are all ok so we hope she will not be too scared to get behind the wheel in the near future.

Of course my "scrapbookers mind" (which had some seriously bored hours to ponder) has a few layout ideas going around in her head and I will share the results when I get around to creating those memorable layouts. As for next New Years Eve I will find some other form of entertainment to ring in the New Year, this is something I don't wish to have happen again.

Hope your celebrations were safe and happy, God Bless for 2007!!!

photoshop rocks!

i borrowed "the photoshop book for digital photographers" from a friend for the holidays and yesterday had great fun learning some techniques and being somewhat succesfull and i must say i am defintiely going to get this book for myself. here are a few shots i "fixed up". too much fun.

My munchkins

well i took lots of pictures but again i am not totally happy with very many of them, ugh, i need lessons (or a new camera hehe) but here is my fave of Lindsey and Mitchell together in their Santa gear. Also a picture of them in front of the tree and the best family shot i got, (needs some cropping but you get the idea).

Love being Organized!!!

THanks to some help from Lindsey and these awesome ribbon wraps from Magistical Memories i reorganized all my ribbon collection into this nice neat color coordinated, spacesaving method. I LOVE it. The spools were donated to the school art stash cause i couldn't bare to toss em in the trash and I'm sure the teachers will find something cool to create with those "wheels".

I added a "before" picture of my storage wall and the ribbon shelves which i am now using for small tins and boxes and cans of letters etc.

Happy Birthday Jessica

when this poem "Christmas in Heaven" was posted on Love2Scrap i knew i had to use it to create a special tribute layout to remember our precious Jessica Joy on what would have been her 16th birthday, today! Dec. 22 2006. December 22, 1990 was a special Christmas, having our first child, and although she was in the hospital with serious health issues we were thankful for her none the less. So Happy 16th Birthday my sweet Jess, and Merry Christmas in Heaven.

"CHRISTMAS IN HEAVEN

I see the countless Christmas trees
around the world below
with tiny lights, like Heaven's stars
reflecting in the snow.

The sight is so spectacular,
please wipe away the tear
for I am spending Christmas with
Jesus Christ this year.

I hear the many Christmas songs
the people hold so dear
but the sounds of music can't compare
with the Christmas choir up here.

I know how much you miss me,
I see the pain inside your heart,
but I am not so far away,
we really aren't apart.

So be happy for me dear ones,
you know I hold you dear.
and be glad I'm spending Christmas,
with Jesus Christ this year.

I sent you each a special gift,
from my Heavenly home above.
I sent you each a memory,
of my undying love.

After all LOVE is a gift
more precious than pure gold.
It was always most important
in the stories Jesus told.

Please love and keep each other,
As my Father said to do.
For I can't count the blessings or love
He has for each of you.

So have a Merry Christmas and
wipe away that tear,
Remember, I'm spending Christmas with
Jesus Christ this year."

here are a few more pics and did I say it was HARD work getting the real tree from the bush by myself, yikes, deep deep snow and a heavier than i thought tree made for a real workout, love the smell but i still think i prefer the "artificial" variety. I bought the candlestick at a garage sale last month, gave it a new paint job (the creme is crackled but the photo doesn't show or do it justice) and added pretty new "bling" to make a new candydish/centrepiece for the table for fun!

Decked the Halls

Well, no updates here lately is because I have busy getting ready for CHristmas as well as planning a surprise party for Greg who's 40 in just a couple days. I, along with lots of help from my kiddoes, got the house all decorated and trimmed the trees, hung the lites, did a few fun extra projects (these window frames were so much fun and i LOVE the results)and have officialy Decked out our house so its feeling very festive. Shopping, well i haven't done much of that yet but soon. Here are a few pics from my Country CHristmas Home, stop by for some treats and coffee anytime over the holidays.

Oh and I decided to go with a bit of a glamorous tree for a change this year, inspired by the K and Co twinkle type glitter chipboard alphas which i LOVE in that awesome pale green color, i started hunting for anything in that shade to decorate with, so so pretty. Still have my snowman collection, a country quaint "real" tree down in the family room with all the ornaments from many years past which i enjoy, etc etc, i just love decorating for Christmas.

Let It Snow Let it Snow.....

Let it Snow......no more please!! we have had quite enough and this cold frigid weather is getting to me. It sure can be pretty but it seems to be dragging on and on and it will make for a LONG winter if we don't get some repreive from it. I guess that's the perils of living in Northern Alberta. I had take a pic of this poor picnic table at Mitchell's hockey practice yesterday, just made me laugh.

It was a successful enjoyable weekend and lots of scrappin was done during the online crop at scrapbooking swede, 5 Random things was a layout i did for one of the challenges, Love Basic Grey. And I can safely share a DT fave of late with a great pic of my two good looking kiddoes that i did for Scrapbookers Clubhouse with their great Kit for December, loved working with the Dreamstreet papers and the bling, yummy. Trying to get some Christmas gifts and cards made as December is here and i am not prepared. Happy last day of November everyone.

Time Flies

time sure flies, its almost end of november and the kids helped me decorate the tree yesterday, yes i know, Already? you might say, well i bought some new pretty green decorations, made some new ones as well, so we were all anxious to set it up. Had a fab weekend doing the online crop at Love2Scrap and so happy that we had some fun participants. This weekend will be another busy one, helping host an online crop at scrapbooking swede so come join us for some great challenges and fun, hoping my pal Karlynn comes for a bit to crop and/or just visit friday too. I have a "date" with my hubby saturday nite so should be a good weekend.

Now if only the weather would cooperate and change a bit i'd be a happy camper. I am so tired of the cold and snow, enough already.

Weekend Cropping - virtually perfect

Looking for something to do tonight and tomorrow? we are having an online crop at Love2Scrap starting at 6 tonight with games and challenges and prizes and fun fun fun and the best part is you can do it in your own home without having to pack up your stuff so hope you'll join us there.

I was so thrilled to chat with Caroline Lau of Maya Road wed. night on L2S and I even was lucky enough to win one of the RAKs she had to give away so can't wait to see what she sends me.

Here's a Halloween layout I did for the contest at L2S, LOVE the Heidi Grace paper, has some shimmer and shine to it that is lost in the scan.

A good week

Its been a good week, ended up with a Snow day tuesday so i didn't have to go to work, no school, just a day at home to scrap and hang with the kids. Still crazy winter here, feels like its been cold and snowy for months but it hasn't been that long i guess, sure is pretty though and i know i need to be "thankful" for the moisture the snow brings, we sure do need it. Mitchell is quite happy to have a bunch of snow to sled in thats for sure.

I had fun creating this week, a few dt projects, still no Love2Scrap site yet and i'm sure hoping it will be up soon, we are suppose to have an online crop this coming weekend so please check it out and join in the fun if you can.

Its down to the final 4 in Pick of the Patch phenominal persuit so heres' hoping i make it to the end, i would love to win. "tell me Please" is a layout i did for challenge #15 (I think) where we had to interview someone, i asked both the kids the same questions, obviously i don't say "I love you" often enough, must rectify that!!!

And "My typical day..." is my Phenominal Pursuit bonus challenge entry, theme was 360 degrees. It took me a while to ponder and come up with a them, i liked the results, will see if Canadian Scrapbooker likes it enough to pick it as winner.

"Beauty" was just a simple layout with some gorgeous MME Products and one of those layouts i had a hard time just leaving as is but with the scalloped bazzill and the great picture of Lindsey (and some good advice)I decided to just go with simple for a change LOL. Also did a bit of a freestyle one of Mitchell mastering the slalom ski thing this past summer. THanks Lindsey for having some of those black paper journals for me to steal off you!!

This week should be fairly calm, i am doing a CTMH party thursday evening and i haven't done one in probably 2 years so should be interesting but the product is so great, it sells itself and i don't push it. Hope the Nov. SOTM comes along with my order tomorrow or tuesday so i can play with that for the demo. I should really start making my Christmas cards one of these days too. Might have to be assembly line mass production for this year if i'm even going to get any made to mail out.

I had the kids portraits done at W'mart last week so am hoping they turn out really nice, look forward to seeing them in a few weeks. Once again no nice family pic to send out for the holiday, surprise surprise, maybe next year i'll get my act together.