Slap My Hand.....

I am STILL a terrible blogger. You'd think that there's nothing going on in my life, but really there have been a few interesting things that have happened.

In October over the Thanksgiving weekend, my husband and I celebrated our 14th anniversary. To celebrate, he surprised me with an overnight trip to Toronto, where we stayed here. And we ate a FANTASTIC dinner here. This place has truly ruined steak for me. I didn't even order it, but the one bite that I had from my hubby's was the best single bite of steak I have ever had. Seriously. And then, after all that (which totally would have been enough) he sent me to the So You Think You Can Dance Live Tour. I know that that may sound silly, but I truly love that show. It really was the best anniversary present ever. But that's not even the best part. I got to enjoy all of these things with not just my hubby, but with 2 of our best friends as well, as they celebrate their anniversary on the same day that we do. And, the cherry on top? The weekend was so beautiful weather wise, that we took the motorbike down. Sigh. It was perfect. It made me feel really terrible that I just bought him a wallet. But in my own defense, we "decided" that we weren't going to get each other presents this year. He said that, but in truth he had been planning it since the summer, including my mother in law in the ruse. Well played, dear.

Also in October, I had another first - I went to ScrapFest in Oshawa! I took some classes, shopped until I couldn't take it anymore (although truthfully, I just ran out of money), did some make and takes, met some of my favorite scrappy "celebrities" and learned a whole bunch of new things! Here's the most exciting but also the most depressing thing - I went by myself! Now, I like that I went by myself, it's so rare that I do anything for just me. And it was so great to go away without my hubby(although I love him) and my children(yep, love them too). But I also missed having a scrappy friend along. There was no one to giggle and joke with, even though I met tons of friendly fellow scrappers. I would LOVE to go again, but I think that I will bring a friend - or perhaps a sister????? While I was there I got to spend some time with my forever bestie - I miss her and wish that she lived closer to me.

Now that I am on Christmas vacation, I am looking forward to creative time. I want to wear my pjs and drink endless amounts of coffee. I want to stay up late & sleep in like I haven't been able to do for a long time. I want to watch tons of movies and take time to really enjoy my children.

I think that in the next year coming. I will try to get a bit more serious about being published. This has been a scrappy goal for some time, but I have not tried all that hard really. I have been planning a few things in my head, but am unsure as how they will translate to paper. Any advice that my scrappy friends have to offer would be greatly appreciated. So cross your fingers for me would ya; that 2012 would be my year?

I'll leave you with a layout that I made for a Colour Suite challenge. Thanks goes to Stacy of Stacy's Creations Photography for this great photo of my family.

Remembering.....

I am grateful.

Thank - you.

An update, dreaming & something scrappy.....

Just quickly - my hubby and I are doing well. I think that this is the closest that we've ever been in the 20 years that we have been a couple. We've grown up a lot in the last month & I think we really needed to.

Now on to some dreaming.

So lately I’ve been dreaming about owning my own business. I know that it would be something scrappy, but I’m just not sure whether or not I should have a store, or a kit club.

Having a store means crazy hours and a very high chance of failing. That’s not something that I want to have happen – if I’m going to own a business, I want it to be a success.

Owning & running a kit club keeps me working out of my home, while still allowing me to work outside of it. But, the market is saturated with them, don’t you think? I’m not sure that a new club would be unique enough to work in the long term.

But I still dream of doing something with this passion (obsession) of mine; something for myself. Perhaps the place to start would be to try out for another design team or get serious about being published.

Any thoughts or advice to give, scrappy friends?

Onto the sharing.

I’m still being inspired by colour & the fabulous girls over at CCG.

These next few LOs showcase some of the pictures that Stacy took for my family on our Niagara Falls 40^th anniversary/ Family reunion weekend.

My DS being his silly, cheeky self. It took forever for him to cooperate with Stacy so we could get this sweet shot. However, that smile and those freckles will take him far, I think. =D

I loved this combo - the colours were just so striking together. My ODD turned 12 (that’s right, TWELVE) the day before this picture was taken, and I wanted to document how I felt about the years going by so quickly. When I really think about it, in FOUR short years she’s going to be starting to drive…..I’m not ready for that.

More from our trip to Niagara Falls. I went on the SkyWheel with the kids despite the fact that I’m terrified of heights. Yay, me! But I’m not doing it again. I can proudly say though that I took the picture of the Canadian side of the Falls while we were at the top.

And more from the Niagara Falls photo session - love these guys!!

Have a great weekend!

A challenge.....

I read Stephanie's blog this morning and she challenged us to Blog Our Hearts.

So, here goes, as pain - filled as my heart is lately.

Right now my husband and I are walking through a dark place together. The worst part of it is that I have caused it all. I never planned on telling him about my feelings, but it came out and it really needed to. Selfishly, revealing my feelings to him means that there are no secrets between us now, and that feels good, even though this time right now is painful. I am blessed with a husband, who, although he has been crushed by this unburdening of my soul, loves me and wants to work it all out. I'm hoping and tentatively praying (because my faith is somewhat lacking at this point in my life) that in the end we will be stronger. We have spent the last 20 years of our lives loving each other and he and I are not willing to let that go.

Right now I'm thinking a lot about 2 friends who are dealing with two separate extremely hard things. I wish that I could do more to help them, but there really isn't anything to do other than offer a listening ear if that's what they need.

Right now I'm thinking about what I really want to do with my life. I feel like I'm supposed to be doing something more, but I'm not sure just what that is yet.

Right now I'm looking forward to a weekend away at Scrapfest Oshawa next month. It will be my first time going to an event like this; I'm so super excited!!!! I am taking 2 classes, one with Becky Fleck and one with Vicki Boutin - really looking forward to them!!

Right now I am helping my very best friend plan her spring wedding. I'm so super excited and happy for her!

Right now I'm trying to un-clutter my house. This is a long arduous task, and one that I really hate. I'm a bit of a pack rat and letting go of things is hard for me.

Right now, I don't feel like I am a good mother.

That's it. That's my right now. That's what's real in my life.

I hope you take up the challenge of Blogging your Heart.

A Big Change.....

for the better. I have no idea if there are any guys out there who might read my blog. If you are a guy and you do, and you are a bit squemish reading about "womanly stuff", you might choose not to read this post.

There, fair warning has been given.

I just spent the last month being disposable free. And, I loved it!!!!!!

These 2 companies - LunaPads & DivaCup - have changed the way I personally deal with my period (there I said it) forever. I love that they are both Canadian companies & I love that LunaPads has this program for girls in developing countries.

Now, don't get me wrong, I still hate having my period - just like I always have. But, I feel better about my choices, and here's the reasons why I made the switch:

#1. My cost. I'm trying really hard to spend less and save more. Previously, I was spending about $20 - $25 a month on disposable products. With a minimal investment, I'm set for the next 5 - 10 years. That's a HUGE savings for my family.

#2. My environmental impact. With the amount of garbage I was throwing away every month, making this switch has reduced it to nothing. That's a BIG deal to me. I'm slowly trying to make more and more conscious decisions that help the earth in all ways.

#3. My body. In all the research I've been doing I've realized that using disposable products might not be good for my body. Too many chemicals are used in the making of them & I don't want or need them that close to my most delicate parts. I'm hoping that over the next few months there will be a difference in the period "yucky's" - cramps, bloating and headaches.

#4. They're so stinkin' cute!!! Really - just look at some of the pretty designs!!

It's nice to be able to pick what you want to wear isn't it??

So there you have it - my period "makeover". Not too personal right?? If you have any questions, I'd be happy to answer them to the best of my ability. If you've never considered making this kind of switch, I encourage you to ask yourself why not?

Have a beautiful day!

Heading Out.....

on a road trip with my hubby. We're taking the bike and going wherever the roads take us! My parents are taking the kids for a couple of days so we're totally taking advantage of it. ;D

We leave tomorrow which also happens to be my hubby's birthday! So from now until the end of September, he will be OLDer than me!!!!! Hee Hee!

So here's what we're riding :

Lovely isn't it?

Not my style though.

I'd rather have a Harley.

Someday, when I finally have my motorcycle licence.

Have a great one!

Oh for heavens sake.....

it's July. I'm a terrible blogger.

Well, it's summer vacation!! I look forward to this time of the year every year because I'm off for the whole summer - the #1 perk of being a bus driver!! No schedule, no rushing to get out the door on time in the morning. I love it!

We just got back from a 5 day get away in Niagara Falls. My Mom and Dad are celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary (tomorrow, actually!) and they took us all to the Falls for a family reunion/celebration. While we were there, we had a photo shoot done by the SUPER talented Stacy of Stacy's Creations Photography. You can see a few of the pics on her blog post here. I'm so glad we did this - I couldn't think of another way to document this special time. This is not the first time I've worked with Stacy, in fact she did our 12.5 anniversary shoot in April of 2010. I'd love to another shoot with her sometime; maybe for our 15th anniversary next year!

I haven't been up to too much in the creativity department lately; I'm feeling rather uninspired. I've been trying submitting, but so far, it's a no go. I think I'll keep trying though. I'll leave you with this LO which I made for the summer SCT sketch call :

I wanted to document how much my youngest daughter looks like at did at age two - she's sweet isn't she?

Have a great night!

I'm Still Here.....

just not too much to say lately.

I am working.

I am driving children from place to place.

I am trying to keep the house somewhat decent.

I am saying goodbye to long-time friends as they move 3 provinces away.

I am finished with the school's fund raising auction for another year. (YAY!!!)

I am sharing my love of all things scrappy with others.

I am trying to make it to the gym regularly.

I am going for a nap.

But first, I'll share something scrappy.

This is my oldest daughter. This LO was made for CCG #180. I wanted to let her know that she doesn't need to wear makeup or high heels to be beautiful, she's beautiful just the way she is. The lyrics (without the swear words) from Pink's song "Perfect" just fit perfectly. Then, today on Stephanie's blog, I followed THIS link, and realized that all the fighting that we are doing right now about what she wears (or doesn't wear) will all be worth it in the end.

Have a fantastic day!

I'm Wondering.....

if any of my scrappy friends out there has any advice to offer about being published. I'm feeling a bit discouraged here. See, I love to scrapbook. And people tell me that I do alright with it. But, it seems to me that being alright is not enough. I look at what's being published in my favorite magazines, and, while many of the layouts are beautiful, (perhaps selfishly) I feel like mine are just as good.

So then, what am I doing wrong?

Sigh.

Here's my latest reject - loved this sketch and chose to use some pictures of my hubby and myself from our family photo shoot last summer :

Guess I'll just have to keep trying.

Happy Valentines Day.....

to you! I wish that I could say that my hubby and I are doing something special today, but alas! Real life has gotten in the way (alas? what the heck?) and we are not.

Anyways, the combo over at CCG this week is (in my humble opinion) perfect for Valentines Day, plus they challenged us to scrap about our sweeties! So in honour of my love, here's my page :

I hope you have a beautiful day with your significant other!

Getting.....

scrappy today. I've been really inspired by colour lately, and the challenge boards over at Color Combos Galore have really helped push me creatively.

Like this page made for Combo #176

I took these pictures on my Halifax trip 2 summers ago, but working on layouts related to it has stalled for the last year and a half. The challenge to use clouds on a layout combined with the colours swatch really helped this one come together.

This one made for Combo #174

I loved this pic of my youngest on the first day of school this year.

And this one made for Combo #175

I love every picture that Stacy took for us last April for our 12.5 anniversary. This colour combo was hard for me, but the challenge to use the word comfort in the journaling or title made it easier to put the page together.

I'm also determined to use up more my stash this year instead of buying more. This has come about for a few reasons :

1. The LSS in my city closed. I now have to drive to the closest one.
2. My kit club closed up shop too. I have so much left over to use up, I don't need to shop right now.
3. I don't have the funds to shop as much as I used to.

If you've never checked out Color Combos Galore, I encourage you to go & have a peek! With 176 different combos, I'm sure you'll find one that will inspire you!!

2010 Top Ten.....

layouts. I did this last year thanks to Stephanie. I loved the idea last year and so I'm going to steal it again. So when I looked in my computer to make my favorite picks, I was shocked to see how little I actually created this year in comparison to 2009. It was really hard to pick ten!

There were big changes for me in 2010 it seems. Like working more outside the home and thereby having less creative time. Like being without a creative space for the entire summer - the time of year when I had more time to devote to crafty-ness. Like a change in my creative style & being even more fussy about the product I use. Like being even more choosy about WHAT I document - I noticed less celebratory pages and more everyday and historical pages. Like using this passion for paper to bless others with, rather than just myself and my family.

And so, in no particular order, here's my top ten projects of 2010 :

#1) Well Loved - I found myself using more sketches this year; both directly and being inspired by parts of a sketch. For this LO I used a sketch created by Aphra Boyler. Love how soft it turned out & documenting the love affair between my youngest daughter and her favorite friend was a fun page to make. Also, I noticed that this page happened to be on the background home page advertisement over at 2 Peas in a Bucket - that was exciting for me!

#2) Perfectly You - My husband bought me these figurines from Willow Tree for Christmas 2009 - they perfectly represent all three of my kids. This 24x12 was to document why each figurine suits them so well. For this LO I used my favorite pictures of my children as well, making it more special.

3) Adoration - 2010 also brought sadness to our family as my husband lost his maternal Grandmother this year. My mother-in-law brought back a ton of heritage photos when she came back from the funeral. When I saw this one of her sister Mary with her Dad, I just HAD to document it. It's so beautiful!

#4) A New Ride - I used another sketch for this LO; one from Scrapbook and Cards today. When each of our oldest kids turned ten, we went to Canadian Tire and "bought" them a new bike using our Canadian Tire money. This was our sons bike that he picked. His birthday is not until late summer, but we got the bike in the spring so he could enjoy it all year long. I used a lot of older product here, but I love the colours.

#5) Solitary - I snapped this picture of our youngest daughter at our annual family camping trip this past summer during one of her solo colouring sessions. I love the way the light is filtering through the trees. I made this LO for Combo #168 over at Colour Combos Galore. Love these colours together and the extra challenge of using a bird allowed me to use up some supplies that have been in my stash for awhile.

#6) Beppe (love you) - This one is my newest LO, also made for a Colour Combo (#172). I found this picture of my paternal Grandmother and just wanted to journal a few things that I remember about her. She passed away almost 12 years ago & I still miss her. To my surprise, this LO was chosen as Debbi's gallery fave on Dec 31, 2010 - that totally made my day!!


#7) Inner struggle - This LO documents my ongoing inner struggle with my faith, my purpose and my roles as wife and mother. I wanted to keep the journaling private so it's in a pocket on the back of the LO. This was also made for another colour combo - #164.

#8) Just Breathe - This past year my husband and I celebrated 12.5 years of marriage with a quick getaway to Niagara on the Lake and a photo shoot with the fabulous Stacy. Later on, he told me that whenever he hears the song Just Breathe by Pearl Jam, he thinks of me. So I made this LO using the lyrics of the song and a picture from the shoot. I used another colour combo (#145) and another sketch by Aphra Boyler for this LO. You can hear the song in the video link in my side bar.

#9) Adjust - this was my Word for the year 2010. I wish that I could say that I kept it in mind all year long, but there were many times that "adjusting" was the last thing on my list. I do, however, still having it hanging in my scrap space as I haven't chosen a new word yet. I still love to look at it though, I think my scrappin' style started to change with this LO.

#10) Remember Mini - this year I also found a new kit club to replace Sweet Pea Scraps. However, the owner of the club Aphra, decided to focus on her family and other commitments, and so Paper Poppy is now closed. During the time that it was running, Aphra asked me to be the guest blogger for the month of May. So, I used my May kit and pictures from our anniversary photo shoot to make this mini album for my husband. This project made me realize that I really miss being part of a DT, so maybe sometime in the future, I'll try out for another one.

So that's my top 10 for this year! If you've stayed with me this far, thanks for stopping by! I hope that 2011 is good to you! I myself am looking forward to whatever this new year is going to bring. Have a good one!