Sunday, October 31, 2010

Thursday, October 28, 2010

More Quick and Easy Pages!



I promised yesterday to post a few more of my quick and easy layouts today. I really enjoyed just getting these completed - simple design and just a bit of embellishment really made them come together quickly! The above layout uses a bunch of fun stuff from Jillibean Soup - the layout below uses last year's Christmas line from My Mind's Eye! ( I am using up the stash , too WOOHOO!)

This one uses the Lush line from Kaisercraft:


What is your scrappy style? Mine tends to be fairly eclectic - I love the look of clean and simple, but I am a sucker for anything vintage, so my style ends up being a big combination of a variety of different styles. I never really think of myself as having a particular style, although when people see my layouts at the store, they always seem to know who created them! ( Maybe they just recognize my kids! ;) )
Do you work on developing a particular style? Are you a technique junkie? Clean lines your thing? Or do you prefer shabby chic? Whatever your style, I hope you are finding time to create!!
Happy Day everyone!

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

17 Minute Pages

Last weekend I taught a 24/7 Marathon class at my LSS, Scrapbook Parade. That means we completed 24 layouts in 7 hours! If you do the math, that works out to about 17 minutes per page!
Together with the 14 fabulous participants and my co teacher Lana Day, we worked like maniacs to complete 20 double and 4 single page layouts! I promised at peek at a few of the layoutson Monday - so here they are!






Lately I have been on a clean and simple, get them finished kick - I have a lot of photos to scrap and I was starting to feel pressure to make every page a masterpiece! If you are like that, and happy - I am jealous! I just felt like I wanted to just get some pages completed - and was feeling overwhelmed with fussing over every detail of every page.

I decided to just get some completed, and I am feeling very happy with the results - and as an added bonus I am now more motivated to really try some new techniques and fun stuff on my next pages!!!

Tomorrow I will have a few more quick and easy pages, plus a couple with a little more detail!
Stay tuned!

Monday, October 25, 2010

True Love - 1951



I am really loving scrapping with the vintage photos I stole from my mom when I was home!

This layout is one of my parents before they were married, taken in Olds, Alberta in 1951. They look so young and happy!!

I am teaching a class for this layout at Scrapbook Parade in November! I just love the papers from the So Sophie and Lost and Found collections from My Mind's Eye! Flowers and lace are from Prima.

Yesterday I taught half of a 24/7 marathon class - 24 layouts in 7 hours! Whew! Exhausting, but a great feeling of accomplishments for the participants when we were all done! That is 17 minutes per page - yikes - I will post some photos tomorrow, along with a few other projects I have been working on. . .
Happy Day everyone!

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

New paper, old photo


I have been working with the October Kit from Scrapbook Parade , which features some great papers from Kaisercraft's LUSH line. I love the colour combos in this line, but I was having trouble choosing some photos to use it with.

I was searching through one of my old boxes of photos from several years ago ( thank goodness for digital cameras!!! No more boxes!!), and I found one of my favourite photos.

Taken on the day we brought Joshua, our youngest, home from the hospital, it has our eldest daughter Hannah snuggling with her new little brother. I just love it, and it ws great to see their reaction to the layout - Hannah is now 14 and Josh is 8!

Such a gift to find such a great photo - and it means I am going to have to get serious and tackle those boxes soon - who knows what other treasures are hiding in them!!
Happy day everyone!


Wednesday, October 13, 2010

The Definition of Persevere

per·severe (pʉr′sə vir′)
intransitive verb persevered -·vered′, persevering -·ver′·ing
to continue in some effort, course of action, etc. in spite of difficulty, opposition, etc.; be steadfast in purpose; persist



This little guy amazes me. I have always know Josh is persistent ( the tantrums, the "my way or the highway" attitude, the inability to leave a task unfinished), but it always seemed to be a not so fabulous quality, at least in a little person. But he really taught me something (again) about sticking with something even when it is really, really challenging.

Three mornings a week for the past 6 weeks we have gotten up early - in time for an 8am practice for the cross country team at his school. This alone is a triumph - getting to school on time for 8:40am is a challenge most mornings, so the commitment to make the practices was a big one. He did it, though, most mornings easier than I.
And then came the Cross Country meets after school. The big races. Hundreds of kids, lots of schools, and many, many distractions. And the course seemed too far for those little legs. Would he really be able to do this - on his own, without an assistant, without getting lost, or distracted, or following a puppy off the course?
The answer is YES. He did it not once or twice, but three times. Three races in which he came 115 out of 115, 117 out of 121, and finally 118 out of 123. He didn't notice where he placed, and I didn't care. I cried - he laughed.
It wasn't easy - for a kid with an Autism Spectrum Disorder this is a huge challenge, and he was amazing. When he wanted to quit, we called him to the finish lines with cheers and whistles. Mark ran part of the way with him so he could keep going in one race, Emily cheered and ran alongside him in another. I stood amazed and proud and tearful as he crossed the finish line, with a red face and an ear to ear grin.
Perseverance - Joshua has it in spades - and he makes me want to try a little harder each day, too. Way to go, Josh - you are my champion - each and every day.

Monday, October 11, 2010

Happy Thanksgiving!

(Taken at Bass Pro in Calgary - that store is CRAZY!!!!)

Thursday, October 7, 2010

How many days til Christmas?????

79!


Yes, it is true! Hard to believe how quickly it is coming!

I love the countdown to Christmas, and an Advent Calendar is a tradition in our family. We don't use the chocolate ones - I am a big fan of activities that help us to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas and encourage nice family time together in the midst of a busy season! I have used fabric and paper calendars in the past - this year I am teaching a couple of Advent Calendar classes at Scrapbook Parade, so I got the opportunity to use the great pull out box calendar from Kaisercraft !

Here is the first of two I am designing - using paper from My Mind's Eye:


I can't wait to fill it with some great family activities ( and maybe a chocolate or two !) The second one uses paper from Echo Park - and when I get it done I will be sure to post it!!!

What are YOU doing to get ready for the holiday season???

Happy day everyone!

Monday, October 4, 2010

Crazy for Upsy Daisy!!!

Well, I got the shock of my life today! I went on Facebook this afternoon ( when I should have been working - ssshhh - don't tell!) and found out this:




I cannot believe I will be part of the Upsy Daisy Design Team! I am so excited, and and so honoured! Anyone who follows this blog knows I am a little obsessed with this amazing company - and I am so thrilled I get to work with such a talented group of women!

Martinis, anyone???

Happy day!!!