Rainy Day Tuesday

It's November 29th, here in SouthWestern Ontario Canada. There are some around the world, who assume that Canada is snow-covered by the end of September. We are lucky if we get a slightly white Christmas.  and today... mere hours before the start of December ... it's raining.   This ticks my son off severely.  He is off on a Disney cruise next week... and he wants to leave behind nasty cold weather, so that he can feel like he's paid for the heat he'll enjoy.  Aren't we all like that?  It's just not nearly as fun, if it's also warm back home.  Of course... those of you who live in California, Texas, or Arizona.. or other such warm places... I guess you don't know that joy!  There is something absolutely MAGICAL about boarding a plane with a winter coat on, and shorts underneath.  I can't even describe it!

And it continues to rain outside. My little puppies are bored, and unhappy, as they snuggle up on their favourite couch, looking at me with the blame in their eyes.  Mischa, however.. would gladly haul her tiny 8 pound hiney outside into the rain, in a heartbeat. Beauregard, on the other hand... does not appreciate the qualities of rain. He looks disdainfully outside, completely fed up with the wet stuff... and me for allowing it.

Me?  I might have to head into the scraproom. After all.. what else is there to do on a rainy day?

It's a Brand New Week!!!

That Means a Brand New Start!

I love new starts.  Fresh starts. I'm going to claim today as one of those, and I'm going to look forward to it with glee.  Why? Cuz it has started out TERRIBLY.  LOL  So.. what else is there to do, but to claim it as a fresh start!

Ok.. so I was wrong. Or, at least... I was a little overly wishful!  A few hours after writing the above, I'd driven my son to the train station, where he boards his train into Toronto for University classes... and I headed back home. I had a bite to eat, and then Poof... the power went out. Gone. No power. No sign of it coming back all morning, either.

So... now where am I?

At the Mall! Using their internet, trying to believe in that elusive fresh start, and finding it running far from me.

Anyway....

I did a Layout! It's from "Once Upon a Sketch"!  You can check them out HERE!  This is their sketch below! It's due November 30th, and it has a journaling criteria. (I love those)... Here is the criteria...

Journalling criteria: This time the journalling criteria focuses on YOU 

as a woman OR ANY female in your life. What is the best thing about 

being a woman? Motherhood? Shopping? Make Up? Girls nights? 

Gossip? Your journalling can be as long as you wish and in any language, 

but you must journal at least 2 sentences on the best part of being a woman.

So, my journaling went like this...

"I dared to dream that one day I would be a Mother. Of all the dreams, this would be my all... my everything... As a woman, is there anything better than the God-given gift of having a baby? A baby!!! MY Baby!!!  I am a Mommy... and dreams DO come true!!!

Oh Beau!

Beauregard jumped up on Daddy's favourite chair, and decided to make himself comfy.

But when Beauregard has something... Mischa the Mischievous Mutt MUST have it too.

So what does Mischa do?

She jumps up too! Check out what Beauregard the Problematic Puggle thinks of THAT!

He's definitely thinking "What the heck? Get OUT of here!"

So, being the good Mommy, I said "Beauregard! Be Nice!"

Mischa looks up with her... "What? What's he doing? Is he in trouble?"

And Beau flops his head down like.. "Oh geez"

I said "Beauregard! Be Nice to Mischa!" Mischa, bored with now

having what Beauregard has, and no longer wanting it...

decides to jump down.

Beauregard, however, is letting me know EXACTLY

how he feels about her butting into his Daddy space!!!

What says dogs don't have their own personality?

Once Upon a Sketch

Here is my take on the sketch ... 

The flowers are made from 2-toned homemade paper. Products are Prima, brads, K& Company paper, c/s (Bazzill), Iron letters. Sanding, tearing, inking, and Tattered angels mist (copper).

My tag says:

At the grand ole age of 2, this little boy knows

exactly what he wants...

with a noogie in one hand, 

and a bottle in the other,

he's prepared for anything!

He's quite the Bean. That is why I started scrapping,

to take the picture and tell the story behind it...

And to show the world, he is the

Genuine Article! 
(and... I have some hidden journaling underneath the tag.)

Layouts

Two slightly older layouts. I've been looking at older layouts lately. Older ones than this though.. and I want DESPERATELY to redo them. Do you just leave yours? Or do you redo them? Mine are driving me crazy. Now I have already redone most of the very beginner ones... you know.. the ones I did at my first CM parties. I couldn't leave them like that. Now.. the in-between ones? I'm looking at them, and thinking.. with a touch of this, and a touch of that... with a bit of this product, and a bit of that.. etc... I could maybe bring them up to speed. Your opinion?

New Michaels opened in my home town

It's not a scrapbooking store, but it's something!  But my first experience there, was not exactly positive! They charged me over two times what they should have. They didn't give me my 40% off where I was supposed to have it. I told them, of course, which didn't do any good. Eventually, had to call someone over, and walk them to the scrap stuff and point out the prices.  The one lady answered my questions about scrapbooking products. When I corrected her on the one thing I knew she was completely wrong about, she argued. When I said I knew etc... she then said.. oh well.. I don't know anything about scrapbooking supplies. It's a completely new hobby that's just come out. Huh??? sigh

So ok, I'll stop complaining. But man.. I really miss not having a scrapbooking store in my home town.  REALLY miss it!

Have a  FANTASTIC Monday!!!

It's A Saturday Morning World

Do You Want to Help?


I want to start with something a bit sadder than usual.  There is a lady who is a fellow Scrapbooker. Many of you may know her. Her name is 

Katie Renz

PO Box 5913

Bellingham, WA   98227-5913

She passed away from cancer on Monday, November 7th, at 5:10 am, leaving behind 3 

children and a husband that she loved very much, and who clearly loved her equally as 

much.  If you are able, or are interested in helping, please consider sending a card to themto help them get through these special days, that are coming up so close to their loss.. 

She won't be there to make their days special, so maybe we can help her out with that?

Nate and Will are going to turn 6 on November 19th.

Hunter will be turning 12 on December 1st.  

Kevin (her hubby) has a birthday on November 17th.

You can imagine how hard this is going to be on them all. Having lost their mom/wife at such a young age, all getting ready to celebrate their birthdays, and then Christmas.

Thanks ladies!

------------------------------------------------

A Layout on LIFE

I like this layout. I was so proud of my belly! Isn't pregnancy great? 

You can be larger than ever, and not care!!!

It's FRIDAY!!!!

Remembrance Day

My Mom had me when she was in her 40's, and when she was 16, she snuck into the army. She LOOKED older than she was. It was during WWII.  She was booked to go to Japan in the fall of 1941, but as the only First Class Tradesman where she was, she was held back. Her troop left without her. It was a lucky and blessed break for my Mom. One of those stories that personalize the war.  Since it was so long ago, it's easy to think of it as not quite real or relevant.  I also have a friend's son who is on his 3rd term in Afghanistan.   I have known this boy his entire life. So scary. For all those who have served our Country and the Free world... and for those still serving... My prayers are yours. For those who have someone they love, who has served this country and the free world, my prayers are yours. For those we lost, and those who loved them... my prayers are yours.

********************

I'm SO happy! It's the weekend... almost! Hubby and I get to hang together... relax... chillax... kick back... and just BE! BE together. It's good.

Our Chillaxing Teachers...

We learn by example. Our two pooches... 

Beauregard, the Problematic Puggle of Perpetual Need

Now Beauregard knows how to relax. And he knows how to ensure he has the proper treats, 

as well as a warm and cosy place to eat that treat!

If we don't learn from Beauregard, and his form of eating and relaxing...

we look to Mischa, the Mischievous Misbegotten Mutt ...

and HER form of *How to chillax 101* 

1. Roll over onto your back, with head as far back as possible

2. Snore lightly with bottom teeth showing in an under bite!!!

3. Spread all 4 leg up & out, so you don't look quite real, and in a 

manner that necessitates the photographer to show only your face!

Yeah. This pretty much describes the household on weekends... except for our 19 year old son, who works all his spare hours not spent at University.  (Yeah.. weekends don't mean the same thing to him)

Before I say so long for now...

I'll post another layout, shall I?

Friday's Layout?

"The Eyes Have It!"

I love this layout, because I love these pictures. His big brown eyes, slanted down on the ends, big, wide grin.. and his teeny tiny button nose make me smile. And they make me happy. I can't get enough close ups of those eyes. 

Thursday!

Layout

"Summer in Wonderland"

We like rides! Paramount's Canada's Wonderland is just 50 minutes from our home, so we always get Seasons passes. We prefer Walt Disney World, but we can't go there as often!  I usually ride the scarier rides with Dana when he was little, because I'd hold onto him tighter than his Daddy would. It's the old over-protective Mommy syndrome.  lol

Share a Challenge site with me please????

PLEASE share your favourite challenge site with me? Please please please!!! I can't get enough of them. I also need the push, the inspiration, the motivation.

So kindly leave a name if you have one!!!

Free Vintage Images

After you've finished with my blog, check out the Free Vintage Images button on the right! It'll take you to Tammy Tutterow's blog, and some awesome vintage images that she offers at no cost. I've already got plans for several of them!

Layout!

This little furry blue chair was my son's FAVOURITE!!! He sat in this chair to watch Barney, to look at his scrapbooks, to watch videos of himself, to eat his night time snacks, and to eat his morning snacks. He sat in this little blue chair the second he got home from Jr. Kindegarten and Sr. Kindegarten. This little blue chair was as much a part of him as his clothes. He felt snuggly and warm and cosy in it. If only they made it adult-sized!

I've never made these flags before, and wasn't sure what I was doing. Not too bad for a first attempt.

I'm playing with another sketch challenge! I'd love to hear about your favourite challenges. 

I need to get back to my scrapping.

Sketchy Thursday Challenge - November 19th

Great prizes! Awesome Sketch! Check it out HERE! 

What are the Days of YOUR Week?

What's in a Week?


When I was working in an office, the days of my week started on Monday. DEFINITELY! I didn't consider my week starting on Sunday at all.  Now that I am working from home, I still consider the week starting on Monday. Why? Because that's when the business week starts. That's when my child heads back to school. That's when the family life changes.  It just makes sense to me. Saturday and Sunday are set apart. Those are the days hubby and I sink into our chairs, look at one another, and breathe easy.  Again, maybe that's especially so, because we own our own Company. We can release the stress on our weekends. 


How about you? Do you see the week Sunday to Saturday?  Monday to Friday? Monday to Sunday? Why?

A Great Sketch Challenge!

I was at Pamela Young's blog, and she's on the Design Team for Once Upon A Sketch . I saw this sketch and immediately had to try it out. So.. I'll post it as soon as it's done. It needs to be done by November 14th.

A Layout!

I have another layout! I'm going to hook up my scanner again. I prefer that look to how I photograph them. Hmmm. Or... maybe I need to spend more time when I do photograph my layouts. This layout means a lot to me. (I know, I've said that before.. but I mean it).  

The title? 

"It's No Easy Task Being an Ordinary Mother to an Extraordinary Child"  

Man. The older my child gets, the less capable I feel...

Another Layout!

"On the Farm"

I've hidden the journaling. You can see the pull down tag under the large picture.

Monday, Monday

What's the next line supposed to be? ...    So Good To Me.. Monday morning, it was all I hoped it would be...

Yeah. Mondays are never my favourite day of the week.  How about you?

A Layout

"He's Still My Boy"

This layout means something to me. More for the journaling than anything else. Lately, my journaling is becoming so much more important than it ever was before. In the past, I would often just put some glib line down as my journaling. But lately, I've wanted my pages to be more of a story for my son. I want him to know what I was thinking about the photos. I want him to know my deep feelings about what was going on when those pictures were taken.

This picture is of my son at 14. He was still my boy. Still my baby. He was the son who adored his Mommy. As many know, who have *babies* that have grown a bit older, there comes a time when others usurp your position. Oh.. they still love their Moms... but it's different for awhile. My baby, at 14, was still my baby. It wouldn't be long before he became a bit more independent, and a bit more all-seeing of my faults and foibles. Oy. It's a tough transition. That's why it means something special to me. I remember this moment. This time. I remember my boy, and how important I was to him. It was good.

A New Card

"Happy Birthday"

I don't have a lot of Copics, but I have some. Not enough to get the subtle nuances that many do, but I'm still using them until I get more and more. I like this card though. I can certainly do better. I want to take a Copic course. Have you taken one? Do you prefer a different marker or way to colour? I'd love to know!

Happy Birthday to Me

They Say It's My Birthday!...


Ok.. so my birthday was technically yesterday, but I wasn't online yesterday. My day was full... and of course, my country home had no internet. sigh  


BUT... I am officially one year older, and Happy Birthday to Me!

Layout #1

"Carry Me Home to Birmingham"

This is a song. We would scoop Dana up in our arms, and start singing that song to him. He'd laugh and laugh. And we'd carry him everywhere. He'd get what he wanted, and we'd get that closeness we craved. To this day, that song warms our hearts, and we are instantly brought back to those moments again.

Layout #2

"Canadian Idol Judge"

This is Sash Jordan. She was one of the Canadian Idol judges. Dana loved her! When this picture was taken at Canadian Idol, Dana had been holding a sign up that said "I'd leave my Mommy for Sash".  The judges and the cameras loved it. Hence the picture during the show! I'm thinking of re-doing this layout. 

A Card!

I like this card. I used somebody else's punch at Scrapfest.  I'd love to buy this punch. I *think* it might be a Martha Stewart. But I'm not sure. I'll have to check that out. The stamped girl was in our Crop bag. They made it specifically for us, for the Scrapfest ladies. Isn't it cool?

Thanks so much for stopping by! Say hi, and I'll pop on over to your blog too!
Hugs,

It's Layout Time Again...

I would love to have a girl child too. Girls pages can be done in pink, with flowers and frills, and everything pretty and feminine. Alas, I have had to do my own pages in order to use those items. At least it gets me doing pages about myself, I suppose. But still... my poor son... my 19 year old male child, gets pages with pink, with flowers, and with gems. Too bad. I create a lot for myself, and any future wife or child(ren) he may acquire. I'm not doing all of his pages in blues, greens, blacks, and browns. 

What's your thoughts on what you can put on your male pages?  Everyone has such strong opinions on this! 

 A Grad At Last

This is a layout I did of my son's Grade 12 Graduation Mass. I added some side views to show what I did on the page. The paperpiecing of the graduate boy is from a colouring book. I did the journaling and it looked a bit off, so I created a scroll out of the paper I used. I liked it better.

Angelic Dreamer

I like this colour scheme. Again.. not totally boyish, but I like it. It reminds me of the photo I've scrapped, so to me, it suits.  I also love this paper. I worked around the BoBunny line. Lovely. Is there anything sweeter or more angelic than a child asleep? Wow. Perfect. It's the perfect meditation. Really. If I want to meditate, and find that serenity, this is what I think of. Not a beach. Not the ocean. This. The angelic face of my child, while asleep. You can practically see their dreams.

A Card

Still working on cards. I'm new at it. And I still have a tendency and a need to put MANY things on the cards I create. The more, the merrier, to me. Why is that? I think you are either a minimalist.. or not. I am not. I also think you can tell much about a person, by how they scrap. The same as how they decorate their home. What do you think?

Have an AWESOME day! I'll post more. I now have steady access to the internet again. Please stop by again?

Thanks for coming. If you comment,, I'll come and stop by your place too! :)