a little of this...

That Was Fast

2012-01-06T10:52:00.000-07:00

Well, that didn't take me long. Thanks to the artsyfartsymama blog I finished this planner for the year last night. I used some old MME Fine and Dandy line to cover it, and voila!

This is the front cover. I tied a pen on with some leftover ribbon, and hopefully won't be left stranded when I need to make a plan!

This is inside the front cover. I sealed an envelope, covered it with patterned paper, and opened the right side to hold bills, receipts, or other straggly papers!
I can't wait to get started!
TFL

A new year and a new plan

2012-01-05T15:32:00.000-07:00

Last year I made a bunch of resolutions. Just about one for every aspect of my life. I made one for scrapbooking, one for reading, one for weight loss, one for finding time for myself, and one for family commitments. This year, I am making one. It isn't because I didn't resolve all of last year's. In fact, I achieved a lot of the goals I set for myself last year. But this year, I really need to get my life in order. I have found that being a W(at)HM is tough. I think it is even harder than when I was a W(away from)HM. I can always find something else that needs or should be done and work gets put to the side. I can't afford to do this in 2012. I have secured some major photography contracts, and procrastination will not be my MO this year.
So, my goal is to get myself a bit more organized. A normal, overused, predictable one, but one that I need to meet. I hate meal planning at the best of times, but with two kids in two different activities, plus my weekly curling league and having a husband who works away half the month, meals often are my most dreaded part of the day. So, part of my organization is going to be doing meal planning while Grant is home. This way, I can get input for meals even when he isn't here. We spent the morning making lists of meals we love, ones we want to try, and ones for the crazy nights of the week. I am looking forward to this part of the day (kinda).
I also found a weekly organizer printable on Pinterest. is EXACTLY what I would have made for myself if I had the time. EXACTLY. You can find it here (www.artsyfartsymama.blogspot.com) if you want one too. I printed it off today, and tonight while Grant and I watch Season 2 of Dexter, I am going to make a simple cover for it. So, I guess for the fifth of January I have done not too bad!

Now, speaking of Dexter..... holy schnicky! What a good show! Is it bad that Grant and I are bonding over a serial killer?

Christmas Concert Completed!

2011-12-22T12:36:00.000-07:00

I used to put on the Christmas concert at our school. That is, I did until they hired a real music teacher. And she is amazing. She teaches music to all the elementary grades, as well as teaches band to the whole junior high. So to say that this is her event is an understatement. Also an understatement is how great the show was last night.

The Preschool class sang We Wish You A Merry Christmas (or as Cohen sings it, We Wish You WERE Merry Christmas), and he was one of the few who was singing the verse he was supposed to, when he was supposed to. (Imagine me beaming with pride!) He also snuck up on stage at the evening performance to sing it with the rest of the school.

The grade one/two class also did a great job. I don't know how she got 31 kids to do the choreography without someone getting a black eye, but she did. I was so proud of both my kiddos. They are fortunate to attend the school they do, and have the teachers they do.
I am clearly full of the Christmas spirit! :)

Wheat Bag Making Machine!

2011-12-21T16:21:00.000-07:00

So... thanks to Pinterest I saw some adorable little owl ornaments. And from that post, the idea for teacher gifts was born. I made mini wheat bag owls out of felt, and the wheat that Grant had leftover from his samples this harvest. Holy time consuming. And these ones aren't the ones that were blanket stitched all around. But they are adorable, and I might make some for the kiddos for their stockings! I had grandiose plans of making 10, which would have been doable had I completed them when I started them, but alas, I got six done by staying up until 12:30 last night....
But they are done. Yay! And they have been handed out. We had our afternoon performance of the Christmas Concert today, and it was awesome. The play was great, the band was great, the preschool kids were adorable, and Avery is the cutest singing reindeer I know.

Not Gonna Happen

2011-12-20T20:50:00.000-07:00

So, when I made a goal for myself to complete 50 layouts this year, I thought it was doable. In fact, I was sure I would easily complete it by summer, and be on the next 50.
Alas, this wasn't my year to scrap. I have never been this far behind, and I am okay with it. I think a lot of my lack of productivity is that I didn't attend a retreat this fall, which is something I usually do. I couldn't make it work. I remember I used to look at friends with kids older than mine who never seemed to have the time to scrapbook, and I thought they just didn't prioritize right. Now I get that they do... that scrapbooking isn't more important than my kids getting the chance to participate in extra curricular activities, or volunteering at their school trumps paper these days. So I won't be reaching my goal. But it certainly wasn't for lack of trying. Or maybe it was that I was so preoccupied with all the stuff I have pinned, that scrapbooking took a back seat to crafting. Since discovering and addicting myself to Pinterest, I have made several things I have pinned. Including a yarn wrapped wreath, teacher gifts for Christmas, a bunch of yummy new recipes, and I am working on a t-shirt rug. So, although I wasn't scrapping, I was getting my creative juices flowing, and that is a good thing. (Aren't I Martha?)

12 Sleeps and 10 Randoms

2011-12-13T21:11:00.000-07:00

There are 12 sleeps. 12 SLEEPS! 12 Sleeps until Christmas. I am excited because I am ready, but looking at my calendar, I have a million (or so) things to get through first before Christmas Eve. Here are at least ten of them!

1. Three more Guided Reading sessions at school. I love being able to go in every Monday and Wednesday morning to Avery's class, and work with her classmates with this program. The group I have been working with made huge gains this week, and I am so proud of them!

2. Thursday morning play date. A neighbour and I have been trying for months to get our sons together for a morning play date. It has fallen through for a variety of reasons, including my kid was sick, her boys were sick, I had to work, etc. But this Thursday, I am loading Cohen up, driving 5 kilometres, and spending time with Jenna and her boys!

3. Family Dance night! Our school has an amazing tradition of teaching the students a variety of traditional dances (like the Butterfly, Bunny Hop, and Schottische) and then we dance! It is a free night out, and the kids get to move like Jagger. Outfits are picked out, and moves have been practiced. Can't wait!

4. Avery's first dance recital of the dancing year. She is dancing twice on Friday, and she has been working so hard on both the Fling and Sword dance. I can't wait to see how much she has improved since last year. She has come to realize that she isn't going to master the dance immediately, and she is okay with that. (And I am so happy she is done stressing about it.)

5. Tickets for Coldplay. I am crossing my fingers, toes, eyes, arms, and everything else that crosses that I get two tickets for Coldplay. They are coming to Calgary in April, and the last time I saw them I was floored at how truly talented they are. Tickets go on sale on Saturday morning, and you can bet your ass I will be on the phone, and computer trying to get some!

6. Curling date with Tara. Last year the Boston Pizza Cup Men's curling was held in High River, and Tara was the driver for the coolest team. They were why I curl. For the social element of it. (And they were clearly good enough to make provincials... which I am not.) Anyhoo, we had such a great time with these guys, and Tara just got a message that they will be back this weekend for play downs. You can bet we will be there cheering! (And perhaps imbibing.)

7. Studio C stuff.... I have sittings, weddings, images, proofs, discs, and birth announcements all needing to be done this week. And I don't know when I will get it all done. Maybe when I stop blogging???

8. Teacher gifts. I saw some adorable owl ornaments for a Christmas tree, and thought they would be super cute as mini wheat bags for the teachers to warm up and keep their hands toasty during supervision. I am also making sugar scrubs for them. Thank you Pinterest. Now I just need Pinterest to make me some time.

9. Christmas Concert. Next Wednesday is the school Christmas Concert. There are two performances, and it is always so perfectly adorable. Cohen has been practicing his song for days and he has been singing "We wish you WERE Merry Christmas" at the top of his lungs. I don't have the heart to tell him.

10. Wrapping the kids gifts. That is the only thing I haven't wrapped because they were hell bent on helping me last weekend. I don't have time on Christmas Eve because we host a scotch tasting for friends and family, so sometime in the next 12 days that will need to be done too....

So, I guess if you look at it from a positive perspective, I have 12 days and 10 things to do, so clearly plenty of time!

Layout #39 - A+

2011-12-12T15:44:00.000-07:00

Loved the Fancy Pants school line. I seem to find myself drawn to it lately... I guess it has something to do with the fact that I have two kids in school.
I would also like to take credit for this layout, but it was one I scraplifted off one I saw on Pinterest. What a great little way to bring sketches and inspiration to crops! Anyhoo, these were the school pics I took of Avery, and she didn't make her silly "I'm a model" face for any of them! Perhaps that is what I should have scrapped instead!
TFL

Layout #38 - Read

2011-12-01T21:36:00.000-07:00

Cohen started reading this fall. I think he maybe felt a little left out whenever he saw Avery reading, and wanted in on the action. He started the same way Avery did. He picked up a Dick and Jane book, and started sounding out the words. I am so proud of him. He is doing such a great job, and is learning new words every day. I bought him a bunch of new readers for his stocking this year, because the Barbie and princess ones of Avery's aren't cutting it.
As for the layout, I don't know if it is done or not. It is really simple for my liking. Too simple perhaps, but maybe that is just as well, considering the topic is equally simple....
TFL!

Four Sleeps Until Pinterest Day!

2011-11-30T13:39:00.000-07:00

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

2011-11-28T07:24:00.000-07:00

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

2011-11-27T08:56:00.000-07:00

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

2011-11-26T09:28:00.000-07:00

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

2011-11-23T07:45:00.000-07:00

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!

2011-11-21T13:24:00.001-07:00

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

2011-11-15T15:33:00.000-07:00

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

2011-11-09T18:31:00.000-07:00

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!

2011-11-08T07:56:00.000-07:00

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

2011-11-07T08:15:00.000-07:00

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

2011-11-06T17:19:00.000-07:00

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

2011-11-04T10:16:00.001-06:00

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!

2011-11-03T10:37:00.000-06:00

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

2011-11-03T10:35:00.000-06:00

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

2011-11-03T10:32:00.000-06:00

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

2011-11-03T10:14:00.000-06:00

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

It has been a while

2011-10-31T15:20:00.000-06:00

a long, long while.....
I have been holed up in my house dealing with a bunch of things that aren't blog worthy. I haven't been scrapping in a long time, and only recently pulled my stuff out again. In the last few months, I have learned a lot of life lessons. And although I am not happy that the lessons had to be learned or what was lost as a result of this learning, I am a much better person for realizing who belongs in my life, and who is not worth the time and effort. And that is exactly the right word. I have never believed that a friendship should be effort. It should be EFFORTLESS. You should never have to compromise who you are, what you value or believe, or make sacrifices that will never be reciprocated. A friendship isn't like a marriage; I don't think it should be hard sometimes, and easy the next. I think it should be organic; it should just work. And if it doesn't, that person is likely someone who came into your life for one reason or another, and it is time for that person to leave. Unfortunately, I have found a few too many people lately in my life who have been willing to take advantage of me, pretend to like me (because we are apparently in junior high), and aren't willing to wait and learn the whole story before jumping to conclusions, and make rash, life-changing decisions.
In the last year, I have lost a lot of things. I lost a job, money, friends, and my mind. But, in the last year I made new friends. Effortless friends. I have found an old friend to be my best ally, defender, and confidant. I have been so busy with my business that I have been able to make some very exciting purchases for my household (including my new MacBook Pro that this blog post is coming to you from!) I have learned that who I am is not my job. It is not who I associate with. It is not who I let ruin friendships, or careers. Who I am is who I am meant to be. And that is someone that I am proud to know.
So, sorry for the vent, rant, whatever. I am done. I needed to clear the air around me so I can move on in a less weighed down way. I have ditched the dead weight, and am ready for this next chapter of my life... And it will include scrapbooking. Lots and lots of scrapbooking.

oh Pinterest... how I love you.

2011-08-10T11:56:00.000-06:00

So if you don't know about Pinterest, you are missing out! It is a virtual bulletin board, and I am HOOKED. I hate to think how much time I have spent pinning ideas for photography, craftiness, and my future home, but it is good to have ideas for a rainy day, non? Anyhoo, today is not a rainy day, but I saw a cute little bracelet made from buttons and hemp, and so I made one myself this morning. The bracelet is adjustable by the large button in the middle on the left side. Cute, right? AND... I used up stuff I had around! Love it.
TFL!

10 Randoms..... Summer Reading

2011-07-31T11:04:00.000-06:00

Since the beginning of June I have been devouring books. I love summer for th simple fact that I don't feel guilty about sitting on the deck with a good book, a drink, and some sun. I deserve an escape, if only for a chapter or two. These (with the exception of the first two because I am still reading those), are books I have read since the beginning of summer. All of them have been good reads. Can't complain about what I have accomplished thus far!

Those Who Save Us by Jenna Blum - A different perspective on Nazi Germany. I am loving it right now. I am looking forward to the end. I'll let you know.

The Four Hour Body by Timothy Ferriss - I know there is no easy way to lose weight. If there were I would have already tried it. However, there are little tricks you can do to help facilitate said weight loss and several are included in this book. Even this morning I guzzled my 500 ml of ice water...

Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin - Cute. Typical chick read. They all live happily ever after in the end, but despite the predictability of it, I still enjoyed it. I was rooting for the underdog through it all. It also was made into a movie, but the only reason I would go see it is for John Krasinski. He's dreamy.

Bossypants by Tina Fey. Hahahahahahahahahahahahaha! Hilarious. Nothing else to say but that. So so funny. (What a stellar review, non?)

Stories I Only Tell My Friends by Rob Lowe. I haven't really been a autobiography fan. I would rather read fiction, but how could I not get a book with him on the cover? Huh? He is hot. And he is a really good writer. And he has met and worked with a lot of people, and tells amazing stories. And the thing I think I like most about him? He has a strong marriage and family. Does that really exist in Hollywood?

The Help by Kathryn Stockett - Such a good book. I get why they are making it into a movie. I am also glad I read it before the movie came out. Excellent story, funny, and frustrating at the same time.

My Horizontal Life by Chelsea Handler. I have read her other two books and this was her first. I think she is hilarious. I giggled my whole way through this one. I am also glad I don't have enough to write my own book like this.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling - I had to remind myself of the sadness I felt the first time I finished the series. I know I am not alone when I say I wish this could go on forever. I hope she does. I hope that one day Harry and Ginny have little wizards, and they go to Hogwarts and that one of them grows up to be the Headmaster or Mistress... and that they fix all of the wizarding and muggle world problems. Optimistic? Likely, but a girl can dream can't she?

A Million Little Pieces by James Frey - I read this when there was the first commotion about it on Oprah, and I read it again this summer because Oprah interviewed Frey again. I didn't have a problem with the story the first time; I think that a majority of books including memoirs have fiction in them, and I enjoyed it even more the second time.

Night by Elie Wiesel - Ugh. Hate that we even have books like this. I am fascinated by WWII. I don't know why, but I think it has something to do with the fact that disgusting hatred was allowed to exist in plain sight for so long. I hate that. I also didn't love this book. Not for the book itself. The story is one that needs to be told, and heard, and repeated, but I didn't like it because I know it was true.

Room by Emma Donoghue - This was tough at the beginning. The first 50 to 100 pages made me want to quit reading because the manner in which the young boys speaks is difficult to work with, but once I got to understand his situation and thus his speech patterns, it made a good read. And a sad one.

Rachel's Holiday by Marian Keyes. FUNNY. Story about a partying Irish girl who agrees to go to rehab because she thinks she will meet a bunch of celebrities there. She doesn't. But the anecdotes are worth a good giggle.

10 Randoms.... the funniest lines from Wicked

2011-07-17T10:07:00.000-06:00

On Friday night, my dear friend Catherine and I went to see Wicked in Calgary. It was amazing. I loved it as much as I loved Phantom. I also loved that I got to spend some time with a friend who loves theatre as much as I do.
The play was considerably funnier than I expected it to be, and here are my ten favorite funny lines from it. (There were also at least a million heartfelt lines that I could include here too, but then I would just be rewriting the script!)

1. Morrible: Miss Elphaba, I hear you're very...bright.
    Galinda: Bright? She's phosphorescent.

2. Galinda: That was your very first party...ever?
    Elphaba: Do funerals count?

3. Elphaba: Well we can all come and go by bubble.

4. Elphaba: So you lied to them?
    Wizard: Only verbally.

5. Palace Guard: There's a goat on the lamb!

6. Glinda: I know you don't want to hear this but someone has to say it! You are out of control! I mean they're just shoes...let it go!

7. Glinda: Glinda. The "ga" is silent.

8. Nessa: What are you doing here?
    Elphaba: There's no place like home.

9. Fiyero: There's no pretense here. I happen to be genuinely self-absorbed and deeply shallow.

And the one that made me really giggle:
10: Nessa: Mmm... What's in the punch?
      Boq: Lemons and melons and pears.
      Nessa: Oh my!

I can't wait for this musical to return so I can take Avery with me. I know that she would love it as much as I did!

Happy Birthday Mr. Handsome!

2011-07-16T10:03:00.000-06:00

Cohen turned four on Tuesday. Four! I can't beleive I have been parenting for as long as I have. But I now have a four year old in the house! We were camping in Champion because the kids had swim lessons, and so this was probably one of the least stressful birthdays I have ever done. I made Cookie Monster cupcakes the day before we left, kept them in the freezer, and voila, the day of, I pulled them out. We just had hot dogs and cake, and presents, and rented the pool. It was short and sweet, and I think Cohen enjoyed just about every minute of it. Except for the minute when his first cupcake dropped on the ground.... but every other minute after that!

NKOTBSB - ahhhhhh

2011-07-16T09:59:00.000-06:00

I didn't get tickets. I didn't want to buy the crappy cheap seats, high in the nosebleeds for this show, so when I couldn't get them, I thought it wasn't meant to be. Then Jenn sent me an email with some tickets on Kijiji. GOOD tickets. Lower bowl tickets. Club seats. For $100. So, so worth it. I have never walked down into seats for a concert when I wasn't on the floor. But here we were. Twelve rows up from Donnie, and the rest of the boys. Mmmmm. I don't care that I am 35 and still swooning over a boy band. They put on an amazing show, and the BSB weren't too shabby either... A great night with a great friend!

Signs of Summer in Champion

2011-07-08T09:49:00.000-06:00

I live in an amazing community. Amazing doesn't cut it. For a village of 400 people, it pretty much kicks ass. We just celebrated our centennial last weekend, and it was three days of jammed packed fun that I won't soon forget. However, that weekend has come and gone, so now I need to rave about something else. That something is our brand new swimming pool. Our old pool was built in 1967, and it really was showing its wear. So work began on fundraising for a new pool. And it was worth the wait. Our new pool is bigger and so much better. There is a graduated entry which basically means I don't have to get in the water if I don't want to. Cohen, who last year, screamed and clung to me, now walks in up to his chin and bounces around screaming "Look at me!". Avery is getting more and more brave with each day we go, and just started dog paddling the other day. It will also soon have a spray area to add to the excitement. It has been open for exactly a week, and the only day we didn't go was the one day we went to the spray park in High River instead. I love our little pool so much I don't mind the 15 minute drive to town and back home again each day, just so we can get a little bit of respite from the heat, and I can watch my kids have a ball!

Oh Canada!

2011-07-04T09:44:00.000-06:00

Canada Day is my favorite holiday. I love it even more than Christmas. After all, there aren't fireworks on Christmas. I love my country. I love being a Canadian. I love the freedom that has been given to me. I love that my children will grow up in a country that they are able to make their own decisions, say what they want, vote for who they want.
We celebrated Canada Day this year in Champion at the Centennial. It was an amazing weekend with something for everyone. I am proud to be a Canadian, and especially proud to be living in Champion; especially this year.

Da da da da da daaaaaaa Da da da da daaaaa

2011-06-18T08:28:00.000-06:00

This is me singing "Pomp and Circumstance" which is what the kindergarten grads walked in to on Thursday night. Over to top? Yep? Something like a TLC program about extreme parties? Yep. Adorable? Begrudgingly, yep. Avery had an amazing year in kindergarten this year. She left the classroom reading chapter books, doing basic addition and subtraction, and loving every minute of it. She is worried about grade one. She isn't sure she is going to like going four days a week, but I am!
Until then, it is summer holidays, and I for one can't wait for some relaxation. (But that won't start until after the July Long Weekend.....)

Layout # 26 2011

2011-05-31T09:19:00.000-06:00

Okay, so this paper is very flowery, and vintagey, and pretty, and doesn't go with the idea of potty training, but the colors of it were so perfect for the photo, and I loved the paper, and so I made it work. I am pretty pleased with the final product. Simple, and done.
TFL

Layout #25 2011

2011-05-29T08:46:00.000-06:00

This layout was inspired by the Sketches 2 Scrapbook app. I love having sketches with me, on the go, and it proved super useful when we were scrapping in March. This layout also uses MME, which, if you have ever read my blog before, you know I would die without.
I am going scrapbooking today, and hope to get three or four layouts done! Wish me luck
TFL

Future Fashion Day

2011-05-26T08:19:00.000-06:00

Today was Future Fashion Day at Avery's school, and I completely forgot about it. 100% slipped my mind. So last night, when I got home from the Spring Fling at the school, I got a message from a friend asking what I was going to do..... what else??? Google Gaga, of course. I am sure I could have wrapped her in tin foil and called it good, but I thought I would see what I could find Gaga-esque first. And that is where the Glimmer Mist and Kaiser Craft pearls came in. I clearly started with garbage bags. I then made a balloon skirt using my tape gun... and also made a pocket at the waist of the skirt (again, tape gun) to thread through a belt... of tulle. I then covered the skirt with pearls. As for the crystals on Gaga's dress, I immediately thought of those little origamo fortune tellers. So, I cut up some thin chipboard, sprayed it with glimmer mist, and set to folding. Then I stapled them on to the shirt and skirt. Because tape and staples are how people will dress themselves in the future.

;)

Layout #24 2011 More Christmas

2011-05-18T08:27:00.000-06:00

Loved this line from Crate Paper. The chipboard accents were adorable. And the colors were perfecto for the gingerbread house pics! I think after these last entries, I am pretty much caught up on 2010. Makes me feel good, because I am no where near started 2011....
TFL

Layout #23 2011

2011-05-16T12:18:00.000-06:00

The Fancy Pants Happy Together line was perfecto for the photo of my handsome little nephew. Is it just me, or is Fancy Pants one of those companies that rarely fails when they launch new lines? I am loving all of their new stuff... but have to exercise some self control.... we'll see!
TFL

I have a six year old

2011-05-14T10:40:00.000-06:00

How did I get a six year old??? I can't honestly believe that I have a child who has been around for six years. I still remember the first time I held her. I remember her tongue tie, her need to suck on a soother constantly, her adorable little smile. And now....? Now I watch her read chapter books, and teach her little brother all about dinosaurs, and listen to her whine when she gets her hair brushed. This is my six year old daughter. And what that really means, is for the last six years I have felt a love that I never had before her.
<3
She wanted a dinosaur cake, and so, of course I didn't go all out like I did last year, because that was a major exercise in frustration. So this year I made a slab cake, and threw some of her dinos on it. Her first comment after seeing it was, "That's a pretty good scene." Thanks Monkey. She also told Haley about her gifts, and my favorite was, "The best thing I got was a trampoline, and the worst thing I got (and it was here that I started to panic about what she was going to say because there were people all around....), was a papercut." Love this girl.

Layout # 22 2011 a little Christmas

2011-05-13T10:54:00.000-06:00

I have been MIA for a while. I got a job with Statistics Canada for Census 2011 Enumerating and that has kept me on the road, and off the computer. But I currently am on a bit of a break, and I will hopefully get a chance to get into the scrap room just for myself.
This layout is of Avery's Christmas Concert and I used the Making Memories Noel line. It is pretty sophisticated for anything in my life, but I love the simplicity of this layout. I was able to throw this together in under 45 minutes. Not bad considering I was probably talking the whole time too!
TFL

Layout #21 2011

2011-04-30T10:33:00.000-06:00

I don't know if I have ever mentioned that I <3 MME. Love them. This is the Fine and Dandy line for girls. And I love the colors. It is perfect for the picture of Avery at Little Bow last summer. I am also excited about the Maya Road chipboard that I got specifically for the clouds, and loved the sun for this page. And... what about that accordian flower??? Yep. Tim Holtz rules. Anyhoo, no real stash used here, and I don't care... ! Wait. I lied. The brads are old. ;)

Layout #20 2011

2011-04-26T10:26:00.001-06:00

I miss Sam so much. He was my first pet ever.... and I still think about him all the time. I was just talking the other day about the differences between Sam and Winston, and I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that when we got Sam, he was our only child. We had tons of time to spend with him on discipline, and learning tricks. Winston is our third child..... and sometimes, er, most of the time, he doesn't get the attention a new puppy needs. I am really looking forward to seeding this year when Grant will be home for an extended period of time, and can try to squeeze in some time with the new poocher....
Also, tons of old stuff on this layout! Max and Whiskers paper from Basic Grey, the Jenni Bowlin bingo card, old die cuts from MME, 7 gypsies tape, & Tim Holtz tape. Only the letters for the title and the canvas pennants were newish!!! Yay for stash usage!

TFL!

Layout #19 2011

2011-04-22T09:29:00.000-06:00

I love this tree. I know I am not the only one. There is just something about the way it reaches in different directions that appeals to me. I loves me a good dead tree..... There are a bunch down by the Oldman River in Lethbridge that I would love to photograph as well. Dead things are so much easier to photograph as well! This is the LYB Twig line. LOVE LOVE LOVE it. So amazing.
TFL!

Layout #18 2011 A double page layout!

2011-04-18T10:39:00.000-06:00

When was the last time I did a double page layout????? No clue. But man did I struggle with this one. I have loved single pages. They are so fun, and fast, and satisfying. This page started with the intention of a single page, but I wanted to include Avery's dance exam sheets, and a double page layout it became. I was thrilled to find plaid paper that wasn't ugly, and although the paper line itself was all about travel, I think I hid all of those things well, and used what worked for the photos. I also bought a plaid punch. Yep.... super awesome. And I figure with a daughter dancing highland, I will get a lot of use out of it!
TFL

10 Randoms ........ Patience.... or impatience

2011-04-17T12:44:00.000-06:00

There are some things I don't mind waiting for. There I some things I have NO patience for. And I can't decide if there is a connection between the patience and the impatience. But here are a few of those things:

1. Trains. I don't mind waiting for a train if it has some awesome graffiti on it. I am not supporting vandalism, but I have to admit, I LOVE good graffiti. I wish I understood it. So, when I see some amazing art on the side of a train, I don't mind that wait.

2. A vacation is something else I don't mind waiting for. Don't get me wrong. I hate the wait, but I know that when the day comes that I can pack up and leave for somewhere far from here, it is a good thing....

3. My heated seats. I hate getting into a cold vehicle, and sitting on frozen leather seats, but I know that in less than a minute, my butt will be toasty warm.....

4. Getting my hair done. I love sitting in the chair. I love having girl talk. I love knowing that I will have kick ass hair when the day is done. I love the break from laundry and meals and Treehouse... I love the two or three hours it takes to make my hair awesome again.

5. Okay... this is something I am always impatient about. I can't wait for summer to arrive. I love warm days, and flip flops, and spray parks, and shorts, and beaches, and camping, and long days, and everything that summer means.

6. Mmmmmm.... I don't mind waiting for my chai cream blended frappacino. It is worth the wait.

7. Tantrums are something I don't have patience for. I try at every turn to prevent my son from having one, but he seems to sneak one by me at least once a day! I understand that he is still a little kid, and will have them. It is the tantrums that people who are old enough to know better that I really don't have time for..... grow up and learn to deal.....

8. Know it alls. I can't stand listening to people talk who refuse to accept the idea that someone else in the conversation may have something to contribute. Or an acceptable difference of opinion. Seriously???? You think you are the only one who knows everything about everything???

9. Attention seekers drive me crazy..... I have absolutely NO patience for people who crave attention and do stupid things to get it. There is a particular person I know who has made a big production of deleting me on facebook, and removing me from a group created by that person. This person also refused to make eye contact with me this past weekend... Yeah... I have noticed that you are trying to make a point that I don't get, but I have blocked you on FB. And I don't want you to comment on my blog.

10. The last thing I do can't wait for is quality time with my family. I was away for only a day, and I can't wait to go and play outside with the kids today. I missed them like crazy..... Weird. ;)

Layout #17 2011

2011-04-15T07:59:00.000-06:00

Okay.... so I am going to Camp Croppin' today. Kind of excited, kind of hopeful, kind of excited. I have heard good and bad about this event. I hope there is room to scrap. I am a spreader, and all the girls I scrap with are too, and I hope we have more than 3 feet in which to work. I am also excited to spend time with my scrap girlies. It has been a long, long time since we all got together and had time just for us. Over six months in fact.... So, I am really excited about that. I am also excited to make a dent in the 30 projects I have packed and planned. Hopefully they turn out a little better than this layout. I had such high hopes, and alas..... it didn't come to fruition. Oh well... another layout is done!
TFL

Layout #16 2011 Bo Bunny Whooligans

2011-04-12T10:06:00.000-06:00

I bought this paper when we were camping in Drumheller. Can't go camping and not get new paper, right? I love love love Halloween paper, and buy tons of it, but then hesitate to use it, because it is always black, and green and orange and purple, and my kids' costumes never are. And I know you don't have to match clothes to layouts, and I know you also don't have to use Halloween paper only for Halloween layouts, but I still struggle with it. Maybe next year I will insist that the kids wear something that will match and see how much I struggle then....?
TFL

Layout #15 2011

2011-04-11T08:26:00.000-06:00

I got a cute little single page layout kit from Monday Night Class at the Crop 4 Kids in March. And I actually followed it..... and this is what I got out of it. Love it. I don't have enough layouts of Grant or myself in my albums, and I say every year that will change, and it never does... so maybe this is the year for that???
TFL

So.... a wee bit excited over here!!!

2011-04-07T09:35:00.000-06:00

I just got an email asking me to design some layouts and cards for the iPhone App Sketches 2 Scrapbook. I am stoked, and honored, and excited, and nervous all at the same time! I bought this app the day it launched and I love that I have inspiration with me all the time from amazingly talented scrapbookers the world over. And, now, I get to be one of them! So... if you have a desire for downloading apps, and are looking for the best scrapbooking one out there... and I should know, because I have looked through them all.... this is worth every penny. Trust me.
And if you don't have an iPod or iPhone, you can always check out their website.

Layout #14 2011

2011-04-04T08:10:00.001-06:00

I looked for the longest time for paper that would work with Avery holding a snake under flourescent lighting making the photo have a lovely greenish hue. I finally stumbled upon some old Bo Buny stuff, which just goes to show you that it isn't always the newest stuff out there that works.
That said, I only had one sheet of snakey paper so I really struggled with this layout. Not one of my best, but the best I could do with what I had to work with....
TFL

Layout # 13 2011 I think I need a title

2011-04-01T08:39:00.000-06:00

I did this layout last week when Haley came over to scrapbook. She didn't get a lot done, but I got another four pages done that day. This was one of them. It is with the new Toy Box line from Crate Paper... and it was perfect for the mess my son made out of his hair with gel. I do feel that it needs a title though, and I can't get past "GEL-ous?" which doesn't really make sense... Suggestions?
TFL

well that day sucked.

2011-03-31T13:56:00.000-06:00

yesterday was a crappy day. super crappy. we had dentist appointments in the city at 11 and i wanted to be on the road by 9:30 so i could pop in too see my nephew before i had my teeth scraped to the point of bleeding gums. needless to say, in the chaos that is my mornings, the kids were arguing with each other and avery had the brilliant idea to lock the door on her brother. no big deal if you have keys that work in the lock. we don't. we have keys for a different knob, but none for the locked one. i live in a house that is OLD and the windows are all locked and then covered with nailed shut storm windows. i also have hook locks on the doors that we don't use to keep them fitted in the door frames because of the house shifting with age. so... next to impossible to get in without breaking a window. (did i mention the locksmith is in hong kong?). so i broke a window, and got into the playroom. you won't believe it. the playroom door into the house was locked. it is NEVER locked. i was a little stressed because i didn't grab my coat yet, i didn't have on socks, and the tv and satellite were still on. so... i went to calgary with no socks, and tears streaming down my daughter's face. (she was convinced we would die without a house..... poor monkey).
at this point i was running quite late, and didn't want to be late for the dentist and have to pay the dreaded late or no show fee or have our appointments cancelled, so i left. my gas gauge lead me to believe i had enough gas to get to the city, and still have plenty to get to a gas station after the dentist. do you see where this is going?
yep. i ran out of gas. on 22x. and i didn't even have enough gas to pull off the road entirely, so the kids were freaking out that we were going to get hammered by a semi. i called my sister's house and fortunately my other sister and parents were there visiting, and so, my dad came to rescue me. he did get a mini lecture in, which is just what i needed at that moment.
argh. so i made myself feel better with a little retail therapy and bought myself a jacket from lulu lemon and several books from indigo. didn't make the morning any better, but i have had several compliments on the jacket today...... :)

Layout #12 2011

2011-03-29T07:31:00.001-06:00

This layout was done "the old fashioned way". Remember when the manufacturer's lines didn't coordinate? Remember when a huge chunk of time was spent trying to find pages that "go together"? Well that is what I did here... except I didn't spend a lot of time on it. I used scraps from Cosmo Cricket, MME, Basic Grey and Moxie and other embellishment leftovers too.
Needless to say, I love how this turned out.
And I am catching up to Haley. The best news of all.
TFL

Layout #11 2011

2011-03-28T09:49:00.001-06:00

I was on a roll last week. I was pumping the layouts out like my life depended on it. I really shouldn't do this much, as I will be finding myself with very little to do at Camp Croppin if I keep this up. But I can't stiffle the creativity when it shows its face!
This Halloween layout is the Blackbird line by MME. The chipboard was glittery and super de duper cute... Love it.
TFL

Layout #10 2011 Foxy Ladies

2011-03-22T08:09:00.000-06:00

These pictures of Leica Forrest and I are from Crop 4 Kids on the weekend. They were taken with my iPhone, so the quality is not great. I also find that it isn't what they claim it to be on the commercials..... just saying.
Anyhoo, Donna from Inspired Designs had this new line from Harmonie. Too cute. To die for cute. The foxes in it are a-freaking-dorable. So needless to say, with the exception of the Thickers and a few flowers, this layout is all new... and I don't care, because I think when you find something you love, you should buy it in bulk. And I did.....

Layout #9 2011

2011-03-21T15:14:00.000-06:00

This is the last of the layouts that I did a couple of weekends ago. Simple, quick, and done. I have a dinosaur fanatic on my hands, and so I am always on the hunt for dinosaur stuff. Imagine my complete and utter joy when I found the embellishments for the paper that I had for months! The paper and majority of the emebellishments are from Imaginesce. And the triceratops is a canvassy, denim type of thing.... so cool. I also managed to use up some old stuff too. The transparency, brads, journaling tag, ticket, and stickers are no longer a part of my stash!!! Love it. What concerns me is that I have been very diligent about using up my stuff, and I don't seem to be making a real dent in it. Don't tell my husband but I think that means that I really do have way too much stuff. Especially when you consider all that I have given away.

Layout #8 2011 Worst of the Best

2011-03-18T16:43:00.001-06:00

I have many different types of friends. I have friends who I call once a month, and we pick up right where we left off. I have friends I talk to on a daily basis, and wouldn't know what to do without them. I have friends who tell me the truth, even when it hurts to hear it, and I have friends I scrapbook with. These are those three. We have become best scrapping buddies, and it has become more than just scrapbooking friends, but when I need to scrap, one, two or all three are there with me.
These photos were taken on our last retreat in Coleman. Not the most flattering of photos of them, but all I got that weekend, so I was going to use them..... The paper is from Fancy Pants, and I love love love it. It is gorgeous, and classy, and everything my friends, er, are.... :P
I also got smart and starting cutting up old books that I won't read, and made some newsprinty type flowers with my Big Shot, and some of those are on here too!
TFL!

Layout #7 2011 - Haley has issued the challenge. I am not up for it.

2011-03-17T16:38:00.001-06:00

So this layout is one of my new faves.... I love that I bought this Jillibean soup line so long ago, with no clear intention to use it, and it works perfectly for our family photo that I (and by I, I clearly mean self-timer) took this fall. The colors are kind of wonky, but trust me... in real life, it looks awesome! I also used a bunch of old stuff! The paper is both old MME and Jillibean soup, the burlap is years old, the diecuts, brads, buttons and flowers have all been around forever!!!
As for the challenge. Haley facebooked (can you believe that is even a word????) me and told me she had 17 new layouts on her blog from this year, and that it was game on. I am so not there..... I haven't had time, or the mojo to even get there, but hopefully, come April, and Camp Croppin' I will be kicking her butt..... ;)
TFL

Layout #6 2011

2011-03-11T08:51:00.001-07:00

I really love how this layout turned out. It was with some clearance paper I found at Scrapbooker's Paradise. Jillibean Soup and Nikki Sivils! It goes so well together. I also love the Jillibean stickers that I used for the title. This was another one of the layouts that I finished last Sunday. Still don't know how I did it! I also want to mention that I did use up old stash stuff here too. The diecuts and some diecut stickers are old MME, other stickers are old Jenni Bowlin, old buttons, and old brads! Slowly but surely I might have to replenish!
TFL!

Layout # 5 2011

2011-03-08T09:04:00.000-07:00

I went to my monthly crop club group on Sunday and got six layouts done. Six! Six layouts in eight hours. I was pretty pleased with the pumping out-ness I was doing. And they weren't just slap the picture on the page ones either! I think I get a lot more done at those crops because I don't know as many of the girls, and I don't spend all my time visiting and laughing, and I actually get stuff accomplished.
This was one of my faves from the day. The paper is new Fine and Dandy by MME, but I also managed to use old MME diecuts, buttons, and cardstock from my stash too, so all in all, not a total new, money sucking project!
TFL!

Layout #4 2011... officially ahead of the game...

2011-03-07T11:32:00.000-07:00

When we went to Drumheller this past Labor Day Long Weekend, we took the kids to Fossil World. It is an interactive place where they can dig for fossils, and unearth dinosaur bones. Not surprisingly, Avery was ecstatic. As for the layout, I did get new paper for it, but other than that, and the pteradactyl flying at the top of the page, everything else is old stuff from the stash!
TFL

Layout #3 2011

2011-03-05T08:11:00.000-07:00

So it is the third month, and this is my third layout. See... I CAN do one a month! I am going scrapbooking all day tomorrow tho, and I plan on kicking out some awesome pages... or any pages. Whatever...
I bought paper for this page. It is the Marjolaine line from Basic Grey. But I also used a TON of old stuff too. The felt hearts???? OLD. The die cuts??? Four or five MME lines ago. The chipboard letter????? Older than my kids! So, at least I got to use some stuff up at the same time.
The color on this didn't fare so well, so trust that it looks better in real life!
TFL!

Layout #2 2011 Yep. #2 I rock

2011-03-01T10:57:00.000-07:00

So this came about because of the generosity of a new friend named Jennifer. I didn't have anything to embellish this page with other than the Riff Raff chipboard. She came through for me in a big way. I pretty much raided her amazingly organized tote of miscellaneous goodies and pillaged the lot of it. Needless to say, it came together quite quickly after that. ;) Oh wait. The brads, button, and safety pin were mine.... does that count?

A few more Bisous teasers....

2011-02-26T16:09:00.000-07:00

Here are a few more teasers from the stuff I have been doing for Bisous. The first is an Easter layout where I took eggshells and spritzed them with Glimmer Mist to match my paper. I then adhered them to the page with Glossy Accents. I thought it was a cute little something for an Easter layout that used paper that wasn't Easter specific.
The second is part of a layout I did of my son and his "girlfriend" from one of our camping trips last summer. This layout was quick and easy, and I love the final product. You can see these and more starting on March 1 on the Bisous blog!
TFL

Layout #1 2011

2011-02-25T09:15:00.000-07:00

OMG. this is the first layout I have done all year? What the heck? That can't be right. But I think it is..... I guess I need to decrease my goal for this year again..... Maybe I will shoot for 12 layouts. One a month. I am already behind on that goal. On the up side of things. Haley, Tara, Kacey and I have registered for Camp Croppin' in April. It is the first time we will have gone to this event. It is being marketed as new and improved, so hopefully it will be. I know in the past there have been lots of complaints about no room to scrap, or move... or even breathe. We'll see. So I should be able to get at least one layout done that weekend too. And maybe I will get something done next weekend too. I am in a monthly crop club, and haven't been able to go for a few months, but Grant gets home on Monday, and I am scrapping on Sunday... no matter what.

So, the photo in this layout is from well before Grant and I had kids.... holy cow, that was long ago! That was back when I made him match my clothes when we went out in case we got our photo taken..... Maybe a bit of a scrapbooking psycho??? ;)
I love this paper line from Crate Paper. I have had it sitting around forever, and I didn't want to use it because I like it so much, but alas, it does me no good sitting on my paper shelf either.
TFL

A funny thing

2011-02-24T17:14:00.000-07:00

came out of Avery's mouth yesterday. Surprise, surprise. She is in that stage of her life where she is the mother hen, and is also in charge of discipline, and all of life's lessons directed at her younger brother. Yesterday, they were playing dinosaurs (I know, big surprise again...) and she started yelling at Cohen. He came downstairs crying (which also happens to be the stage of life that he is in right now; crying about everything.....) and told me Avery hurt his heart. I asked Avery if she hurt Cohen's feelings and her response was, "I don't know. I don't have his feelings." Well played little monkey. Well played.
And speaking of funny things my kids have been saying lately, Cohen is also at the potty humor stage of his life and was sitting in the back seat repeating the word "poo" over and over. I told him that we don't use potty talk and that he needed to stop doing it. His response was, "The word shampoo has the word poo in it. Can I say shampoo?" Again, well played my child.
Am I in trouble?

More Bisous teasers

2011-02-24T10:55:00.000-07:00

Here are a few more teasers for my guest designer stint for Bisous. Have I mentioned how flattered I am about this? The first teaser is a card made with the Bisous Printables, and the second is a layout of my sister's wedding dance. Super cute... love this paper.

Crop 4 Kids Mini Album

2011-02-23T10:45:00.001-07:00

I am once again teaching at Crop 4 Kids in Calgary on the 19th of March, and I am super excited! This is the mini album class I will be teaching. It is fully of Little Yellow Bicycle and Basic Grey goodness, with a little bit of my craziness thrown in for free! Class registration is open to the public, so even if you weren't able to secure a spot in the crop, you can come and take a class! As I said before, there are some crazy talented women teaching there, so drop in, take a class, and know that your class fee goes to support a great cause in the Alberta Children's Hospital.

Bisous Teasers

2011-02-06T13:37:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple of teasers from the stuff I have been working on for the guest designer spot for Bisous. Unfortunately, to see it all you will have to wait until March, but I can share a bit of what has got me a wee bit stressed out!

The above is a 12x12 canvas that I did. I used the Bisous PDQ Dream line, and pictures from my little sister's wedding a couple of years ago. And, of course, nothing a little distressing can't add to it!

This is a 12x12 layout using the Bisous PDQ Yum line and a photo of Avery just before her fifth birthday....

Crop 4 Kids

2011-02-01T11:18:00.000-07:00

I am so excited to have been asked to teach again at this year's Crop 4 Kids in Calgary. I am honored to be teaching with four other fabulous women who are all super talented. Check out the Crop 4 Kids blog, and see who else will be there!

It Is Here!

2011-01-21T09:34:00.000-07:00

My design product from Bisous arrived the other day! I am stoked. I have already completed two layouts, and two cards. This weekend I hope to get a photo frame altered. I am excited, and nervous at the same time. I know a lot of people I scrap with are afraid to use their product because they think it is too hard to use. What I love about it, is that the embellishing, and collageing and layering is started for you, if not completed! I will post some teasers from what I have gotten accomplished this weekend. I promise.

Check it off the Bucket List!

2011-01-09T19:21:00.001-07:00

So, there are a few things on my bucket list to accomplish. A while back it was to be published. That has happened. I also wanted to be on a design team. That has happened. Last year I got a mention on the My Mind's Eye blog, and on Thursday, I was asked to be the guest designer for the months of March and April for the company Bisous!!!!
I am so honored, and excited, and flattered, and nervous at the same time. It is a big job, and something that I will need to find time to do now that I have returned to work, but there was not a chance in the world that I was going to say no to this! I have always been a fan of their stuff, but to be expected to use it in a way to inspire others is something I am not used to.... I will take any advice!
I will post teasers as I go along! My product has shipped as of Friday, so early next week I should be scrapping!

exciting news... that I can't fully divulge yet

2011-01-06T13:20:00.000-07:00

So.... I have exciting news. More exciting than being published. But I can't say yet. I think I can give a hint, but that is it....
I got asked to be a guest designer!
I will give you more info when I know more info!

10 Random Resolutions

2011-01-01T09:52:00.001-07:00

So it is that time again to make resolutions. I made one last year with regard to scrapbooking, and it was to use up my stash. I did well. I have gotten into the habit of searching through what I have first, and then go to the new stuff. I am happy to say that I have spent considerably less on supplies this year. Partly because my LSS closed, and partly because I was being a lot more responsible.

So this year, it is time to make new resolutions, and I already have a few in mind:

1. I clearly need to get organized. In every area of my life. I need to have meals planned so we can come home and eat, my laundry done so kids outfits can be picked easily each night, and my office functional so I can lesson plan at home....

2. I need to drink better wine. Catherine and I are going to start our own little wine club. So far we are the only ones we know to include in it. All of our other friends either don't drink wine, or drink the crap with bubbles in it....

3. I need to stop letting people charge things on my credit card. I have purchased some things for myself and others, and have yet to be paid for it. It really only adds up to less than $200, but it is still money that would be nice...... Unfortunately, I sell Epicure, and this means I have to place orders online. This isn't the only area where I am still owed money however, and I hate asking for it, so I am just not going to offer anymore.....

4. I am going to eat more vegetables. I have already lost 11 pounds since October, and it is because I have increased the amount of vegetables that no longer go bad in my fridge, and go straight into my stomach....

5. I am going to be a better blogger. I didn't do a great job on it this year... and I resolve to do better next year.

6. I am going to continue to use my scrapbook stash.... I love that I have gotten into the habit, and just need to continue that way.

7. I recently bought a new Pentax K7. I love it... love love love. I want to learn everything about it. I have not done that with cameras in the past, and I have learned what I needed to know, but this camera has SO many kick ass features that I want to know them all.

8. I am going to be funnier. I am already pretty hilarious... but I think I could be funnier.... I could also work on modesty, but I couldn't find any images for that.

9. I need to commit to spending more time with my girlfriends. I don't know how I will fit it in with my new job, and Grant working away... but I know I need it to maintain my sanity.. and prolong the life of my kids.....

10. I am going to be a better wife. I know I make Grant feel guilty about farming, and working away, and missing out on certain things. I know I drop the ball whenever he is home, and let him parent, and deal with the dog, and meals... and I am going to do my share every day.... not just when he is gone to work.

Happy MMXI! I hope you have a great year planned! Apparently I do.

Two short.....

2010-12-31T11:13:00.000-07:00

I am two layouts short of my goal of 75. Bummed? Not really. I don't have that much left to do this year anyways. I am missing some Halloween layouts, and haven't finished Jani and Rob's wedding album, but I don't feel like I haven't stayed on top of things. So.... I will get over it.

I also don't know if I will be able to set the bar this high for next year. I was offered a long term subbing position that will go until at least April, and possibly to the end of the school year. I am very excited about the opportunity, but I know it will cut into my scrapping time significantly.

Needless to say, 73 layouts is pretty dece for a year. It certainly makes my need for more albums a relevant one.

Speaking of albums... why are we so willing to spend hundreds of dollars on paper, and then try and skimp on the albums that our pages go into. Maybe spending more on high quality albums will be one of my resolutions this year.....

Maybe.

Layout #67 - Class Act.... that is what I should have called this page!

2010-12-21T11:39:00.000-07:00

I was lucky enough to be the photographer for the school photos at Avery's school. The class photos are often the hardest because they are the ones where you need to ensure that 20 or so people are looking, smiling, and not making stupid rabbit ears in the photos..... That said, I do have a couple of kids not smiling.... but my kid is...! Wait... was that wrong?
Anyhoo, the October Afternoon Report Card line is soooo cute and perfect for anything school.... I also used up some Scenic Route chipboard, Jenni Bowlin bingo cards, and some ribbon!!
TFL

Layout #66 - getting there!!!!! 9 to go!

2010-12-20T09:09:00.000-07:00

I got this photo of Canada Geese hanging out on our quonset from our deck. They were squaking and making quite a racket. So, I assumed they wanted their picture taken.... The paper was perfect for the color of the photos, and the theme as well! I had originally bought it for baby pictures of Cohen, but used it for this instead. I am quite happy with the result!!!
TFL!

Layout #64

2010-12-20T09:06:00.000-07:00

There is something about having your name on a road sign. Let's face it. Collis isn't a common name, and isn't likely going to manifest itself in a lot of places that we go. So, I was thrilled to see this sign just down the road from the cabin!!! How appropriate that I am standing on the road...

Layout #63 - Like Father Like Son

2010-12-20T09:04:00.000-07:00

I love this photo. It was caught by accident, and it is one of my favorites of Grant and Cohen. They are sporting the same expression, while listening to speeches at a wedding we attended this spring. Too perfect.
Equally awesome is that I used up some really old stuff. Seriously. How old is this Basic Grey line??? and the chipboard letters are from a Crate Paper line that is at least two or three years old!! Love it.
TFL

OMG where has the time gone????

2010-12-11T09:27:00.000-07:00

I have been a wee bit of a slacker in the blogging, scrapping, and general life in front of a computer department!! Needless to say, I do have an excuse. But first... this layout was so simple, and I love how cute it ended up. Good old Fancy Pant summer line from a couple of years back, some stickles, patience cutting out the waves, and it was done!

Now for the excuse. I was offered a long term subbing position that will extend until Christmas, and potentially into January. I jumped at it. It is my teaching area, and the age group I love.... how could I say no? So I will have subbed every day in December, plus a few going back into November! At least I will be caught up on Christmas bills this year!

Now to the stress... I don't know that I will make my cut in half layout goal this year! This is layout 62... I have about four more, not posted, and then I am scrapping tomorrow.... That means I need to get 9 layouts done..... Highly doubtful. Maybe when Grant comes home, I will highjack my girls and we will have a day. We haven't had one in months and I think we are due.

Layout #61 - Digital attempt... again

2010-11-20T14:30:00.003-07:00

I love the look of digital. Love it. What I don't love is the lack of depth on a page. Sure you can drop shadow to your heart's content, but it just isn't the same. There is something about real texture, and real height, and real foam squares, and real distress ink that gives a page a little something extra.
However, I really do love the cheap-ness and free-ness of it all... and the pace at which I can pump out a page. This one took me about 20 minutes... and that is because there were too many embellishments to choose from. I like it. I don't know if I love it, but, because it was so quick and cheap, I can always do a traditional page as well, and not feel guilty.
Who knows??? Maybe one day I might go out on a limb and become a hybrid... but I think that is as far as I can commit.

Layout #60 - The layout that had us in stitches for hours!

2010-11-20T13:08:00.004-07:00

I was really excited to do this page. I had cute fall photos of the kids, and cute paper... what more could you ask for? Well, I asked for a title.... and I wanted to play up the leaf thingy.... So, after close to I bet 30 minutes of laughing about titles..... ("Leafballs" in particular), we agreed on the title here.
TFL!

Layout # 59 - OBG GNO

2010-11-18T11:52:00.003-07:00

I had the good fortune to have a night out with some of my best friends from high school this past summer. We had a night of laughs, drinks, and more laughs! This photo was from the beginning of the night, before all of the "debauchery"!
I love love love the Olivia line from Bo Bunny. It was perfect for this shot! Love it all.

laundry.................... I don't get it.

2010-11-17T13:53:00.000-07:00

When does laundry stop being laundry? What I mean is... is it still laundry once it has been sorted? Washed and dried? Folded? Or does it have to be put away to no longer be laundry? Or does laundry just get to be a vicious circle? Are people really done their laundry when they say they are? Because it really never ends... And and speaking of never ending, when does it start? When does it become laundry? Is is laundry once it has been thrown in the hamper? Does it become laundry as soon as you put it on? What about the second it is taken off the hanger? I clearly don't have enough things to do if I am worrying about this, but I wonder what people mean when they say they are done laundry?

how to deal

2010-11-12T08:08:00.002-07:00

I don't deal well with disappointment. I don't like to be disappointed, and often I turn that feeling back on myself and wonder what I did to cause the problem. The reality is, it isn't MY problem. I have put myself out there, offered up my time, talent, and experiences, and have to understand that sometimes people are not going to take me up on it. That said, I would prefer the truth rather than some round about laundry list of reasons why something isn't going to work. In the last few weeks, I have been dealt a lot of reasons, which has lead to a lot of disappointment. I have been disappointed with work, people, and myself. The only one I can change is me. The rest will continue to disappoint me; that is a given. I just need to learn to expect less of some, and more of me, and hopefully that will result in happier days ahead.

Layout #58

2010-11-09T10:01:00.002-07:00

I think the Quite Contrary line from MME is one of my faves. I have used it over and over, and I rarely do that with a line. Often times, once it is in my album, I don't want it in there again, but not with this stuff. I think this is the third or fourth layout I have done with it. And I still have enough to do at least four or five more!
Can you say hoarder??? :)

TFL!

My treats... no tricking.

2010-11-04T08:22:00.003-06:00

So, this year I was fortunate enough to have a son who wanted to wear Avery's hand me down Halloween costume from a from a couple of years ago. That made me happy. I just can't justify spending a lot on costumes that they wear for a few hours, no matter how cute they are. So when I saved $50 by not having to get him a Toy Story costume, I was okay with spending $25 for Avery's dinosaur. And, if you know her, you know there was no way of getting around being a dinosaur. She has had that in her mind since the beginning of summer. So I sent my little dino and her pit crew out with their two cousins and their daddy to terrorize the community.
They were gone for about an hour and a half, and came home with wayyyyyyy too much candy.
The worst part? I just started Weight Watchers, and there are all these tiny chocolate bars staring me down. Taunting me. Teasing me. Daring me not to eat them. Please..... someone help me.
:)

Layout #57

2010-11-02T08:10:00.002-06:00

So we went scrapping in Coleman, and hit up the world's smallest and coolest scrapbook store in Blairmore. It is called Machelle's Memories, and she has set up a scrapbook and quilt shop in the space that was a single car garage. And it has a ton of stuff.... things you wouldn't expect to find in such a teeny place. Needless to say, we went, and I spent a few hundred dollars there... Some of what I bought is on this layout. Tara and I did the same page because we both had something westerny to use, and the paper was PERFECT. Equally perfect was the paisley cricut that we made.... I have shied away from my Cricut, but there are so many cool cartridges out there..... I might get back into the game!
TFL!

Layout #56

2010-10-28T08:56:00.002-06:00

Despite fighting it in the beginning, and feeling sorry for myself, I am glad my friends pushed me to use up my stash. I honestly have way too much stuff. So much so that I was able to get rid of two full bags of scrapbook stuff this weekend at a crop I was at. I bet there was over 500 sheets of paper alone that got snapped up. So, that said, if I can get rid of that much, and still have tons to work with, I really do have way too much stuff....
This layout is from Avery's last day of preschool. I was a little weepy as you can see in the photo. It is hard for me to let her go. I like knowing everything she is doing, every minute of the day... Does that make me a smother mother?
As for the page... the Quite Contrary line from MME is so perfect for girly photos. I have used it over and over, and don't tire of it. I also used up flowers, brads, and cardboard embellishments from my stash...!

2010-10-22T11:13:00.002-06:00

I have wanted the Tim Holtz paper pack for a long long time.... In case you didn't know it about me, I like distressed stuff. A lot. So, when I had a 40% off coupon for a scrapbook store, that just happened to have the paper pack, it was like scrapbooking fate had intervened. This was taken at the cabin this summer on the neighbor's dock... I love the vintage feel of both the picture and the paper..... perhaps one of my faves from that productive weekend of mine!!!!

Layout #55 - 20 to go!

2010-10-18T09:14:00.003-06:00

This was another layout I finished a couple of weeks ago. I was on a roll that day... I don't know what the concoction was that allowed me to be so productive, but sign me up! Anyhoo, all old stuff baby! Life Stories by MME paper line, old Riff Raff chipboard, flowers, tickets, metal photo filps and ink.... yay for done!
TFL!

10 Randoms..... some of the funniest things Brittany has ever said.

2010-10-17T13:19:00.002-06:00

I love love love Glee... It is the show I look forward to every week. At first, it was because of the talent, and then it was because of Sue, but now I look forward to the funny stuff that Brittany is going to come up with... So here is my tribute to the 10 things she has said that have made me pee a little.

1. Did you know dolphins are just gay sharks?

2. Sometimes I forget my middle name.

3. I don't brush my teeth. I rinse my mouth out with soda after I eat. I was pretty sure Dr. Pepper was a dentist.

4. I did a book report on heart attacks if you wanna give it to the doctor. It got knocked down a whole grade because I did it in crayon.

5. People thought I went on vacation but I really spent the summer lost in the sewers.

6. I'm pretty sure my cat is reading my diary.

7. I was going to order us one really, really long piece of spaghetti like in Lady and the Tramp. I've been practicing nudging the meatball across the table with my nose.

8. Will: Who can tell me who Christopher Cross is?
Brittany: He discovered America.

9. Mr. Hummel: If things get serious, use protection.
Brittany: Does he mean like a burglar alarm?

And my all time favorite...........

10. When I pulled my hamstring, I went to a misogynist.

I love her.

Layout #54

2010-10-15T12:54:00.002-06:00

I have had this Prima paper for well over a year. I loved it, but wasn't sure how to use it. However, I think that I was really just waiting for the right picture.... I also used up a bunch of old embellishments while I was at it!
TFL

Introducing

2010-10-12T11:51:00.004-06:00

Winston! This is our new puppy. We have been thinking about getting one for about a year now. Ideally, we would have had him before we had to put Sam down, so that Sam could "train" him. However, things don't always work the way you had hoped, so we got him after Sam. We picked him up at the airport yesterday evening, and so far, the last 18 hours have been great! He is going to be a chewer. I have already caught him chewing the coffee table, the carpet, Avery's backpack, Grant's shoe and one of Cohen's shoes. I guess we will have to stay on top of that one!
Needless to say, Winston Von Maxamillion-Cummins is the cutest addition to the family in the last few months!

10 Randoms... Things to be thankful for.

2010-10-11T09:08:00.002-06:00

I don't reflect on my life enough in this manner. I don't give credit to the people in my life who make me grateful to be alive. And it seems that it happens at Thanksgiving, and when some sort of tragedy happens. Well, no tragedy, just Thanksgiving, so here is a list of things that I am thankful for in 2010.

1. My family. I have two kids who love me to the moon and back. They tell me every night. And I love them that, times a million. I also have the greatest husband in the world. He makes sacrifices every single day, so that his kids and I are happy, have not only what we need, but also what we want, is kind and forgiving, and loves us all unconditionally. I am a lucky, lucky girl.

2. The rest of my family. Sometimes my parents drive me nuts. Even today, at my old age they know how to get under my skin. But I also know they do it out of love and concern. They want only the best for all of us, and I love them for that. I also love both of my sisters more than I ever thought I could. We didn't always get along, and have such different interests it is hard to believe we can get along at all, but we do... and I love them. And their husbands too!

3. That I can stay home with the kids. Grant and I made a decision when we first had kids that it was important for one of us to be at home with them as they were growing up. Don't get me wrong. I miss work a lot, but I would much rather spend time with my kids, than someone else's. It is hard some days, and we have made a committment to do without so we can afford to have only one income, but I will never regret this.

4. My photography. I love taking pictures. I always have. I got my first camera when I was eight. I haven't stopped taking pictures since then. I have millions of albums to prove it. I also love that I had the chance to train as a professional photographer all those years ago. It has given me the courage, and know-how to get back into the game.

5. The people who allow me to take their portraits. I love that they trust me enough with their memories to let me into that part of their lives. I also love that they are willing to experiment so as to get the perfect shot.

6. Scrapbooking. I am truly grateful for this hobby of mine. It has allowed me to meet and make friends with some of the most amazing women. It has provided me with the solace and serenity I need when the day is crumbling around me. It has allowed me to explore creatively. I love scrapbooking... almost as much as my kids.... ;)

7. Being a Canadian. I love this country. I couldn't imagine living elsewhere. I think that, despite the bickering that goes on in Ottawa, or Edmonton, or anywhere else, we have an awesome country. We have a nation that cares for the people, protects them, nurses them back to health, celebrates them, honors them, and works for them. You can't say that about a lot of places.

8. My friends. I have great ones. I have said it before and I will say it again. I love my friends. They listen, they support, they laugh with and at me, they pick me up, they share their time and talents and scrapbook supplies. They are awesome and I am lucky to know them.

9. My community. I love our little village. Despite the occasional gong show that is small town drama, we are a great place to live. We work hard to maintain our school , swimming pool, main street, and morale, and I am proud to say that Champion is my home.

10. My health. I am watching loved ones deal with illness and disease, and I am thankful every day that I continue to be healthy.

Layout #53 - T-Rex Terror

2010-10-08T11:48:00.002-06:00

I was able to ditch my havesting husband, and kids to spend the day scrapbooking with a crop club I joined this year. It was a majorly productive day. I got five pages done, as well as five pages in the Basic Grey 2011 calendar. I was pretty pleased!
This is of our trip to Drumheller this summer. Of all the kids, I wasn't expecting Avery to be afraid of the T-Rex... but she was. I love I was able to catch this photo of her hiding behind Grant.
And, despite buying the paper and ribbon new at the Scrapbook Carnival, I also used up some old buttons, thickers, journaling stickers, and journaling sprouts!

Layout #52

2010-10-05T09:57:00.002-06:00

Egg hunt..... a page that I threw together, but I am not entirely thrilled with. I do love the SU! paper though. I bought a whole pack of it last spring, and I love the colors in it. They are muted but kind of bright at the same time.... if that is possible!

TFL!

annual fall photo shoot

2010-09-26T15:22:00.004-06:00

Every year I take the kids outside in the back yard to take some fall photos. Today was the perfect day for it. We have had nothing but crap weather lately making it impossible to take decent pictures, but today was 20 degrees and gorgeous.I am sure my kids are nothing if not tired of being the subjects of my photo shoots, but I would really like to get a picture of the two of them smiling, and looking at the camera at the same time... Is that too much to ask? Probably.

I did take close to 100 shots of them today... and did get some decent ones, but nothing I think is too amazing. However, I also am convinced I have worn the two of them out, so, maybe when the snow flies, I will get some good winter ones.

Layout #51

2010-09-23T06:00:00.002-06:00

I love using wallet sized prints on a layout. It gives the chance to get so many more on a page, but even with a double page spread (which I hate doing, and rarely do unless I have to, and am never pleased withe the final resuly) I couldn't fit every picture on the page. So, I got crafty. I sewed two extra strips of paper to the right page, and added another 16 photos to the layout. It becomes an interactive layout, and I still don't know how to deal with those once inside my album, but for this page, it worked to get everything on the page, yet still allow some of the awesome Bo Bunny goodness to show through!
TFL!

Layout #50 - so close to the goal!

2010-09-20T15:53:00.002-06:00

This Daddy Day Care page took me at least five minutes to do... Okay, maybe ten. But no more than 15. Seriously. I love love love the Bisous PDQ paper. It is so easy to whip something up that looks finished.
I was also able to go back to some old PDQ chipboard that I had that I didn't have a plan for because I had used up all the paper... and guess what? I was able to use up some old shit! And seven old buttons, thickers and other alphabet letters. Wahoo!
My goal for 2010 was 75 layouts, and I am 25 away. I know I will meet my goal because it is scrapbook season. I was actually supposed to scrap with my peeps today, but Cohen woke up sick and I knew the other moms wouldn't be too impressed if I showed up with my snotty nose kid.
I am not too distressed..... yet. But I do have a crop club scrap day at the beginning of October, as well as a weekend retreat at the end of October, and another scrap day at the church, crop club, and another retreat in November... and hopefully one more day away in December.... so... If I don't make the goal then I pissed away these last three months of the year!
TFL