Four Sleeps Until Pinterest Day!

I am so excited for our first PD day.... I went shopping yesterday, and got a bunch of stuff for twelve hours of non-stop crafting! I am going to make a couple of yarn and felt wreaths. I also thought I might make a couple of pillow shams from old sweaters to match the new quilt my mom made me for my birthday. The quilt is lime green, turquoise, brown and white, and I bought a few sweaters at VV boutique yesterday! I am counting the sleeps!
So the picture above is of the colours that I choose for the wreaths... I am loving the orange and turquoise one, but I think the green and brown will go much better with the old fireplace in my living room... So, I guess I have to make at least two. I am also excited to see some ladies there who I haven't seen in months and months. All in all, even if I get nothing accomplished, I will get a day out with the girls, some quality laughs, and some inspiration for the next time!

I know how Dorothy felt

It has been a very windy week in Southern Alberta. We have had a couple of days of reprieve, but yesterday was the windiest day of my life! I wish I was exaggerating, but I am not. There were gusts up to 149km/h and I understand a little bit better what life is like for those people who ride out a hurricane! We went for a little drive yesterday, because the power kept going on and off, and the kids needed out of the house. There is a reservoir a couple of kilometers from our house, and the water was literally blowing off the lake. Not just making big waves, but blowing off the water. We were well on top of this hill, and the truck was wet with water that had hit it. The waves were quite big too for a little lake on the prairie. Two or three foot swells won't get you up on a surf board, but surely would have sunk our boat (if we were foolish enough to go out). There was also a thin layer of ice on the lake already, and it was throwing pieces of ice off the water.
Grant was really worried about his empty bins blowing away, but they were all safe and sound. Not the case for the neighbors. This is one of their bins. It turned itself into a missile, and shot itself into another bin. It was bouncing the whole time we drove by, and I am surprised it didn't take off with the other bin attached.
The good news is the wind has died down to non-existent. The bad news is, it is time for cleanup.

Do You Love Pinterest

like I love Pinterest? What I mean is; do you waste hours of each day looking at all of the cool, amazing, inspiring things that others have made, said, or scrapped? I do. I shouldn't say hours everyday, because that makes it sound like I don't fold laudry at the sake of Pinterest, or I don't scrub toilets at the sake of Pinterest.... fine... you caught me.
But I LOVE Pinterest. I think this was such an amazing idea, because I am sure we have all said, "What a cool idea, I am going to remember to do that." And never do.

Which leads me to my next exciting event in my life. Tara has planned a Pinterest Day. A PD day if you will. I am so looking forward to a whole day of crafting. Of not just pinning, but doing. Now my only problem is trying to decide which of the million things I have pinned to tackle!

Layout #37 - Happy

I'm not convinced this layout is done. It isn't bumpy enough for me. It came together really quickly with the CTMH kit that I bought at my crop club last year. And the photo works perfectly with the paper. This was taken last August when we were camping with some amazing friends. We went with Mark and Tami and their boys to Little Bow Lake (not to be confused with Little Bow Provincial Park, or Little Bow Reservoir). We camped right across from the water, and the weather was perfect. So that made me happy. So did being with friends who are ALWAYS there, no matter what. We joke that Mark is my second husband whenever Grant is gone, because he is always around if I need "man" help. So that makes me happy too. The happiest? Is when Grant is home, and is my real husband. It is really hard to be a part time single parent, and I have no idea how the real single parents do it. I never could. I just love him to bits and pieces, and count down the days, from the second he leaves, until he is home again.
TFL

Layout #36

The picture on this layout is junk, but we were under a Canada day banner casting a lovely red glow.... Needless to say, I was happy to be able to use pinks again. I haven't for a while, because the photos haven't leant themselves to it, but this one did. I have also been holding on to the Riff Raff chipboard tooth forever with the intention of using it on a first missing tooth layout! Pays to hold on to crap in  your stash. This was also a layout I did this past weekend. And it was good to have the feedback of friends to help a page come together. You don't get that when you are scrapping alone at home, and I haven't been going to a lot of crops lately, and really enjoyed the suggestions.
As for using my stash, the tooth, baker's twine, corrugated flower, brads, eyelets, and journaling cards were all old. Like over a year old! Yay!
TFL!

Layout #35 - 15 to go!

I scrapbooked yesterday with my monthly crop club. There are four ladies who are a part of this group who are so fuuny to be around. They have been at other retreats that Tara and I have gone to, and they just make me giggle. They don't hesitate to tell you (or one of their own) what needs to be done better on the page. In fact, I think they said that one of the ladies in their group only had taste in her mouth, and not in her albums. They are comfortable enough with each other to dish out some good natured ribbing, and take it too. I love watching them and eavedropping on their conversations. Other conversations that were overheard, and seem to find their way into every scrapbooking event that I have been at were the good old labor and delivery stories. Why oh why do we, as women, feel the need to one up someone else with our birth stories? Can't we all just agree that having a baby is hard, raising kids is harder, and that we all make mistakes at one time or another... and not have to talk about it at weekend retreats? Just a suggestion. I did meet a couple of really nice girls there, who I hadn't met before. Super cute, super cheerful, and told awesome stories. All in all, a great Sunday, if you ask me!

This is NOT a layout that I did yesterday, but I did get seven done! I got in a school picture zone, and the pages came together really well.

This is from Avery's kindergarten graduation. (I know, right?) The day was a little over the top. There were diplomas, grad hoodies, and awards for each kid. All of this was followed by a meal. When did kindergarten warrant a graduation? Anyhoo, now that I have a kid in school, I am drawn to any academic themed paper. This came from a DCWV glitter pack, and I cut out all of the signs along the left side for a collage. I also included the graduation card that we gave Avery in the back of the layout. It was quick, and that makes me happy!
TFL!

Layout #34 - First Day

I bought this Bo Bunny Ad Lib line twice. Apparently I really liked it. A lot. So, I guess I will be doing more than one layout with it.... This is from Avery's first day of school, and the paper goes perfectly with the outfit. I also got brave enough to use Glimmer Mist directly on my paper! Anyhoo, I don't think that 50 is THAT unattainable any more.... maybe this weekend will the THE weekend that I get it all done!
TFL

Mischief Maker

Although I would never consider myself a wine aficionado, and will likely never spend more than $30 on a bottle of wine, I do know what I like and what I don't. At least I thought I did. I went to our local liquor store last night looking for something new and different, and I found Middle Sister. There are so many clever names out there these days, that I get scared because I want a wine to taste delicious, not be clever. But.... this is both. And the most exciting part for me? It is a Cabernet Sauvignon. I have not enjoyed a Cabernet for years. I have focused primarily on different Chiantis, and Valpolicellas, and have stayed away from the Cabs, and Merlots.... and I was very pleasantly surprised at this one.
And, it gets better. Middle Sister donates money from each bottle sold to charities supporting women. They most recently donated to Dress for Success. Win win....

Layout #33 - O Canada!

Canada Day is honestly one of my favorite holidays. I love that I live in the country I do. This past Canada Day was one of the best ones I have ever celebrated. It was the Centennial celebrations for the village I live in, and the whole weekend was a specatcular one. There were things for every age group.... a ball tourney, Flying Bob, a parade, pancake breakfasts, a musical, fireworks, an outdoor movie, cabaret, bouncy castles, talent showcases, and on and on. The best part of the weekend???? The pool finally opened up, and the kids had the first of many days splashing around in the new water!
This layout was tough for me. I hate the color red. I have never been a fan, and find it too "out there". So despite my love for Canada Day, I hate doing layouts about it, because red always seems to weasel its way in! I used the flexible Bo Bunny ruler to make the patterned paper curves, and was pleased with the outcome. I also like that there is a bit of blingyness on the page.... just what a good party needs!
TFL

Layout #32 - Avery

This photo is from Mother's Day weekend last May. Grant and the kids went outside to do some fencing and I followed along. I can't get over how much Avery has grown in these last months. She looks so young in this picture, and now, to me, she is this grown up grade one-er (yes, it is a word) (no, it isn't). She is so smart and kind, and worried about others, and I love to see that I am raising a child who is empathetic to others. My only concern is that she is sometimes too empathetic, and gets herself hurt in the process. Something to learn from, I guess.
TFL.

Elf on the Shelf

I went to Chapters today. It always ends up being a pricey trip. But today I found this cute little elf on the shelf and hoped he might help me keep an eye on the naughty and nice list for my kids until Christmas. If you don't know the concept, he was sent to our house  by Santa to report back to him about how well behaved the kiddos are. Then, every night he flies back to the NorthPole to report to the big guy about the day. The kids named our elf Fiddlebiddle, and he is currently sitting on the mantle watching them. They are both very excited about the prospect of having someone from the North Pole here every day. I am excited that maybe this will help curb the tattling.
I am now just in need of some ideas for things Fiddlebiddle can do while waiting for the kids to wake up each morning. So far, I have come up with crawling out of a box of cereal at breakfast, and swinging from the ceiling fan. I think I might make it into a challenge between Grant and I to see who can be the most creative.

Layout #31 - Our Home

Loved this Crate Paper line when it come out. It is so perfectly perfect for any kind of neighborhood type pictures. I, of course, don't live in a neighborhood, and currently my neighbors consist of differing types of oil wells, batteries, and flares. But you wouldn't know it from this picture. I take a picture of our house in every season, and I loved this one of spring at our place. And now, as I look at the snow falling outside my window, I can't wait for spring.

Layout #30 - 20 to go!

I love this picture of Cohen. It is truly him. He loves to be outside, and is a goofy guy at heart. So I was happy to catch this expression. I also love the MME paper on this page. (I know... shocking). I think it goes really well with the emotion of the photo. I also love that MME uses the same colors in different lines so that I can go back and find all of the unused embellishments from other layouts, and fit them into new ones. How brilliant.
TFL!

Layout #29 - My Playlist

Sory for the crooked and blurriness of this.....
I wanted to use an iTunes card on this layout, so I went through all of my album art on my phone to find a picture that would work with both the card, and the paper. I love having my iPhone. I didn't have an iPod until I got my phone, so I was often stuck listening to other people's music. And I didn't like it. ;)
TFL

Layout #28 Branding

I love how this turned out. I love that the middle of the page is the focus, and that the journaling turned out the way it did. It was so scary for me to journal on this page. It was the background paper, and if I screwed it up, I didn't have anything else to cover it up with, or more of that paper to start over, so when it worked, I was super happy.
TFL!

Layout #27 Bus Stop

27 layouts. That is all I have done this year. Pathetic. I need to get back on the scrapbook train, but I honestly can't find the time. I have been so busy with work, and volunteering at Avery's school that my favorite past time has taken a back seat... but now that the weather is getting "frightful" I have grandiose plans to hole up in my scrap room and pump out the layouts. I still hope to get 50 done by December 31.
Anyhoo, this is a layout of Cohen's first day on the bus. Avery was very careful to make sure he knew how to get on, where to wait, and which way to look to see if the bus was coming. Sometimes the mother hen in her is kinda useful!
TFL